Bellair Lodge, No. 133, A. F. & A. M.

From The History of Appanoose County, Iowa [Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1878], page 459.  Digitized 23 January 2008 by Google Book Project.

  Bellair Lodge, No. 133, A. F. & A. M. — This Lodge was formed by dispensation, and held its first meeting September 30, 1857, in the upper story of the schoolhouse at Bellair, with James Hagan, W. M.; John V. Criswell, S. W.; Peter Sidles, J. W.  The other members were E. E. Harvey, Gavin Morrison, G. W. Fisher, G. R. Huston and A. Jones. At this meeting, L. J. Bennett made application for membership on demit. 
  At the session of the Grand Lodge in June, 1858, a charter was granted the Lodge, although the Committee on Lodges Under Dispensation reported in favor of continuing the dispensation another year. 
  The deaths among the members have been John V. Criswell, Henry Jaques, W. B. Moss and George B. Cole. 
  The officers for 1878-79 are as follows : Melvin Knapp, W. M.; G. W. Athey, S. W.; John H. Wilson, J. W.; Peter Sidles, Treasurer; John Winn, Jr., Secretary; M. C. Blackburn, S. D.; D. S. McCannon, J. D.; J. B. Adamson, Tiler; M. A. Holshouser, S. S.; W. H. Bradley, J. S. 
  There are about thirty-five members. The Lodge meets Wednesday evening on or before full moon. The Lodge removed to Numa in 1871.

Peter Sidles, 1823-1905, & Susan Crosson

Peter Sidles was born in Clinton County, Ohio, 4 June 1823; died in Appanoose County, Iowa, 1 December 1905; and was buried in the Jerome Cemetery. He married in Clinton County, Ohio, in 1846, Susan Crosson who was born in Clinton County, Ohio, 24 January 1824; died in Appanoose County, Iowa, 26 April, 1886; and was buried in the Jerome Cemetery. Children (first four born in Ohio; last two born in Iowa): Maria A., Mary M., Hannah E., John A., George I. and Susan A. After Susan's death, Peter Sidles married Janette Sharp in February, 1893.

Peter Sidles and Susan Crosson

Grandpa Sidles at Home

Gravestone in the Jerome Cemetery, Appanoose County, Iowa

Biography from The History of Appanoose County, Iowa [Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1878], page 617. Digitized 23 January 2008 by Google Book Project:

SIDLES, PETER, Jr., far., Sec. 3 ; P. 0. Jerome; born in Clinton Co., Ohio, in 1823; his grandfather, Peter Sidles, a native of Germany, came to this country during the Revolution; enlisted at 16 and served in that campaign; settled in Pennsylvania on the Alleghany River. Peter's father married Miss Nancy Morrison in Clinton Co.; she was born in Pennsylvania in 1801; daughter of Galvin and Catharine, of that county. His father died in January, 1865; mother still resides on the old farm where Peter, Jr., was born, and which she has owned for fifty-seven years. In 1846, Peter married Miss Susan Grossman (sic), who was born in Clinton Co., Ohio, in 1824; her father, a farmer and stock dealer, one of the first settlers of that county, is a native of New Jersey; her mother died in 1826; father in 1853; were highly respected members of the Baptist Church. Soon after marriage, Mr. Sidles bought 100 acres of wild land, farmed it for seven years; but the labor of clearing a timber farm proving too great for his health, he sold and came to Appanoose during 1859, to his present home; owns 470 acres of land, valued at 825 per acre, well improved with good buildings, his residence cost $3,000, and an extensive orchard. They have six children — Maria A., Mary M., Hannah E., John A., George I. and Susan A.; those married are in business; Mary — a successful teacher for eleven years. Republican; members of twenty-two years' standing in the M. E. Church; he is a Class-Leader. Member of A. F. & A. M., of thirty years' standing, now belonging to Lodge No. 133 of Numa; held the office of Justice of the Peace for eleven years, and of Township Trustee and Assessor. August, 1861, enlisted in 5th Kansas Cavalry; transferred to 6th Kansas Cavalry; taken prisoner at Mazzard Prairie; held at Tyler, Texas; escaped and reached Capt. Gedney's Co., 36th I. V. I.; had seven months' prison fare, five weeks sick with fever, but was so fortunate as to have one of his own company's men, James Asher, to care for him, and whom he greatly esteems for his kindness; accompanied Capt. Gedney's Company to Cairo, Illinois; at Leavenworth, Kansas, mustered out April 18, 1865.

Biography from Biographical and Historical Record of Wayne and Appanoose Counties, Iowa [Chicago: Inter-State Publishing Company, 1886], page 582.

PETER SIDLES, one of the pioneers and a representative farmer of Lincoln Township, Appanoose County, was born near Blanchester, Clinton County, Ohio, June 4, 1823, the eldest son of Israel Sidles, who was a native of Pennsylvania. The father went to Ohio when a boy, and was married in that State to Nancy Morrison, who was also a native of Pennsylvania, born November 30, 1801. They had a family of eleven children, eight of whom are yet living, our subject being the third child of this marriage. The father died during the late war, in January, 1865, and his widow still resides on the old homestead in Ohio. Our subject's grandfather, Peter Sidles, was a native of Germany, coming to America when about fifteen years of age. He served as a soldier in the war of the Revolution. Peter Sidles, the subject of this sketch, passed his youth on the old homestead, receiving his education at the district schools. At the age of twenty-three years he was married to Susan Crossan, a native of Clinton County, Ohio, she and her husband being playmates in that county. They have had seven children born to them: Maria, wife of James Pendergast; Mary M., wife of Rev. Andrew Kershaw, now of Nebraska; Hannah E., wife of George B. Sagerty, of Concordia, Kansas; John A. is married, has four children, and a home near the homestead; Nancy J. died when about eighteen years of age; George I. and Susan A., at home. After his marriage Mr. Sidles settled on 112 acres of land where he continued to reside till the fall of 1854. He then came to Appanoose County, Iowa, locating on his present farm on section 3, where he purchased a tract of land containing 430 acres of which but forty acres had been broken. A small log cabin had been erected on this land in which he lived several years, when it was moved back and an addition built to it. Mr. Sidles's chief occupation has been general farming and stock-raising, being very successful, especially in hog and cattle raising, and has also devoted some attention to sheep-raising. He has at present some very fine cattle and horses on his farm. In August, 1861, Mr. Sidles enlisted in Company B, Sixth Kansas Cavalry and served in the western army. He spent two years on the borders between Kansas and Missouri, taking part in several skirmishes. He was wounded near Fort Smith, Arkansas, and was taken prisoner. He was confined in a stockade at Tyler, Texas, with some 4,000 men for about seven months. He received an honorable discharge at Leavenworth, Kansas, in April, 1865, when he returned to his home in Lincoln Township, where he has since followed agricultural pursuits. Mr. Sidles served his township as trustee and treasurer, and assessor for one term, beside holding the office of justice of the peace for eleven years. He and his wife and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he holds several official positions. In early life he was a Democrat, but since the organization of the Republicans he has affiliated with that party.

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The editor appreciates the contributions of the pictures of Peter and Susan Sidles by Janice Sidles Stille and of Grandpa Sidles at home by Geraldine Rinker of Augusta, Georgia.

Jerome Methodist Church History

  [Editor's Note:  The article, Jerome Methodist Church has proud history; church organized in 1855, dedicated in 1871, by Mildred Cathcart, Catherine Mallett and Helen McElvain was published in the Ad-Express/Iowegian's Annual Progress Edition on February 21, 1997.  It is transcribed below with permission of the Ad-Express/Iowegian.]  
  When families began moving westward into the Iowa territory, they found land in this area to be good for farming and pasture so they decided to settle in Jerome. As soon as they had a home and some shelter for their livestock, they saw the necessity for three things.  One of the necessary things was a cemetery, so land was purchased for $10.  A Methodist church was organized in 1855, ten years after the conference was established in Iowa.  Services were first held in homes until the construction of a log schoolhouse in 1857 west of the cemetery.  Charter members wee Calvin Jackson and wife, Jim Kenney and wife, Grandma Thomas, George Jackson and wife, Delila Jackson mother of Calvin Jackson, eight in all.  The circuit rider's name was RichardBallender.   In the fall of 1870 they commenced to build a church.  The work was mostly donated.  Men took their teams and wagons and went into Missouri to cut the lumber, haul it to the sawmill and from the sawmill home.  They would often be gone a week and sometimes two weeks.  The flooring, siding and shingles were hauled from Albia.  The first church stood on the same site as the present church.  The land for the church was deeded to them by Peter and Susan Sidles.  It was a gift and the deed was recorded June 23, 1871.  Women of the community donated rags and Mrs. Jackson wove carpets for the aisles.  James Hagan and Allan Taylor superintended the carpenter work.  Mrs. Hagan and Mrs. Calvin Jackson boarded the workmen without cost.

  In October 1871 the building was dedicated.  Older people telling of the dedication said it was a "great day and the house was crowded."

  An organ was purchased in 1886.  Mamie Kenney was the first organist serving until her death in 1892.  The organ lasted until a piano was purchased in 1908. Music was furnished by Ova Kinney, his sister Maude, and John Shelton and daughter Ethel, who ran a store in Jerome several years.  Effie Kinney Houx accompanied them and was pianist for many years.  Others who have played are Zelda Workman, Hazel Felkner, Judy Beer Kauzlarich, Catherine Mallett, Larry

Mallett, Beverly Mallett Crosby, Roberta Felkner and Jeremy McElvain.  Catherine Mallett is the present pianist.

  In 1963 a new piano was given from Ellie Kinney Houx's estate.  Another was purchased for the social room, mainly from a donation of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Stark.

  The new church had ordinary glass window panes, but four stained glass windows were presented by The Ladies Aid, Epworth League, Sunday School and Class of Careful Gleaners.  When a member died another window was installed and given until there were no more large plain windows.

  Those given are in memory of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Pendergast, Mary Kinney, Arlie R. Stark, Betty R. Glenn, Mary Ann Glenn, Martha C. Pickering (one window), Mable R. Felkner, Ettie M. Condra and Miss Anna Gorman. These windows are beautiful when the sun shines low in the west. 

  With the erection of a belfry people a considerable distance away could hear the pleasant, clear sound of the church bell.  It would be rung early and again to mark time for Sunday morning services.  The bell would also ring to remind people of mid-week services, Epworth League meetings or revivals.  Sometimes, however, the sound was not pleasant to hear when the bell was tolled solemnly to announce the funeral of a relative or friend.

The Jerome Methodist Church in 1997

  During a revival in 1909, under the leadership of Rev. J. H. Krenmyre, the church gained 46 members.  The town had grown because of the mining industry and many people began to want a new church.  The old church was sold May 6, 1911, to Henry Purdy for $200.  It was moved to the corner of Grant St. and North-South St. west of the Big 4 Store.  It was used as a store building many years, then sold to the county for road machinery.

The first Methodist Church (second building on left) after it was moved across the road from the Big 4 store.

  The building committee for the new church was Joe Barton, chairman; David Loofbourrow, treasurer; and L. J. Norris.  The local minister was James Priestnal. Since there was no fund to start with, these men worked very hard and spend many hours collecting the money.  D. D. Wilson was the carpenter and was known as a perfect workman.

  It was dedicated Dec. 17, 1911.  The house was filled.  Rev. E. J. Shook, district superintendent, preached using as his text I Chronicles 17:12, "He shall build me a house and I shall establish his throne forever."  The local minister at that time was Rev. J. H. Krenmyre.

  Anna Gorman came on the orphan train to live with the Pendergasts.  At Anna's death in 1937 her will continued from the will of Mrs. Maria Pendergast which left half of their possessions to the Jerome Methodist Church.  Their home was sold and some cash collected which made it possible to add a small kitchen and a social room.  There were not sufficient funds at the time the church was built.

  The contract was let Aug. 7, 1939 to Claude Lepper and Roy Packard of Numa. Additional money was raised by small subscriptions from many people, the largest being from Mr. and Mrs. Harry Stark.  Much labor was donated.  In memory of Anna Gorman and Mrs. Pendergast, the dedication was Nov. 19, 1939 with District Supt. Dr. Levi P. Goodman preaching from Ezekial 47:9.

  The Epworth League was organized in 1889.  Three years later, Aug. 14, 1892, an Epworth League was organized at Jerome.  W. D. Williams of Centerville came out and it was organized with 18 members.  Later it was known as Methodist Youth Fellowship and UMYF with only a few short periods of disbanding through the years.  Leaders have been Mrs. A. F. Hawkins, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Felkner, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Mincks, Helen Loofbourrow and Catheri

ne Mallett.  These leaders worked diligently to provide enough activities.

  As population diminished, so did membership.  Pastor Paul Smith brought new life into the organization.  The members participated in a variety of activities including preparing and presenting Christmas programs.  One of the successful activities they carried out for adult enjoyment was serving a Potato Bake with various toppings.  The ladies naturally would see that there were salads and desserts.  Dining was by candlelight at the decorated tables while soft music was heard in the background.

  The early Ladies Aid leaders are remembered as Mrs. Addison Pendergast, Mrs. George Sidles, Mrs. George Frogge, Mrs. James Hunter, Mrs. G. D. Mincks, Mrs. A. F. Hawkins and many more.  The first president of the WSCS was Kathryn Hawkins, followed by Mrs. James Felkner, Susie Sidles, Mrs. Richard Mincks, Mrs. Charley McGavran, Mrs. Gail Felkner, Mrs. Paul Felkner, Mrs. Joe Beer, Mrs. Merle Loofbourrow and presently Mrs. L. H. Mallett.  The ladies now clean the church and sponsor the smorgasbord.

  The first smorgabord was tried Nov. 7, 1982.  Now the food and fellowship is enjoyed three or four times in spring and again the fall of the year.

  One of the early ways of raising funds and most often associated with Ladies Aid in the early 1900s was quilting.  It was not uncommon sight to walk into some member's front room and see quilting frames set and several ladies quilting.  It was said quietly that some of the ladies did quilting not quite so neat so later a few of the more accompl

ished quilters would rip out those stitches and do them over.

  Ladies were often asked to serve farm auction sales which proved to be quite profitable.  There were also election day dinners consisting of sandwiches, soup and pie.  Then there were Thanksgiving dinners before people traveled so much.

  The ladies began meeting inspirational, business and social times and a variety of ways were devised to raise money.  As people moved from the area and times changed, new financial means had to be planned.  One way that was different was a quilt the ladies made and set together with white blocks. For a donation or a nominal fee, the donor's name would be embroidered on the quilt.  That proved to be a tedious task and it is said Chloe Hawkins did that job.

  Louise Hunt purchased the quilt and has been very generous with it.  She brought it to our Jerome reunion and it proved to be a most popular exhibit.  As relatives found the name of family members, many of who had been dead for some time.

  Another time an apron was just handed from one household to another with instructions to sew on a patch with a donation enclosed.  Bake sales and Harvest Dinners went well.

  For a number of years the UMW served Mother-Daughter and Father-Son banquets with a program following.  Harriet Hefner suggested smorgasbords and many were skeptical.  They have been very successful and many enjoy the food and fellowship.

  In the fall of 1953 the official board met and chose J. W. Workman as chairman of a building committee with Eugene Glenn and Mrs. Gail Felkner.  Various committees were chosen and Mrs. Joe Beer had a large part in planning the kitchen.  Since there was much need for more Sunday School room, the old kitchen was extended into the social room and a new kitchen added.

  The church was completely renovated and blocks put on the ceiling, walls redecorated, floors sanded, and a roof and banisters built on the front porch. Miss. Ida McGavran, Susie Sidles and Harriet Hefner were in charge of the work. Carl Barbaglia of Mystic was the carpenter and Paul Felkner assisted him much of the time.

  Many hours of labor were donated by men of the church and community.  Some donated as much as two weeks labor.  Everything was completed in early January, 1954.  The church and all additions were dedicated free of debt.

  The year 1955 was the centennial year for the Jerome Methodist Church.  It was observed at an all day meeting Sept. 18, 1955.  

  The parsonage west of the church was rented to janitors much of the time due to Jerome being joined to Plano, Brazil, Promise City, Cincinnati or Mystic to share ministers.  In 1953 Rev. Sam Cox was the last minister to live there and it was torn down in the 60s for a parking lot. 

  The church did not have a regular minister, but circuit riders came regularly. When the visiting minister was here he had Sunday morning and evening services as well as a Wednesday meeting and a number of revival meetings.  The ministers boarded in homes until the parsonage was built. 

  Later the church had its own minister and one of the most popular was Rev. Krenmyre.  He was well liked by the young teenage boys who had quit school after graduating from junior high to work in the mine with their fathers.  In summer when work was less steady in the mines, they worked for farmers who would need extra help.  The reverend donned overalls and went to the fields with the boys.  He invited them to come to the revival meetings and just wear overalls.  The preacher did, too.  A number of young men clad in overalls made their way forward and accepted the call of the Lord.

  The church became a member of Faith United Parish in 1972.  Administrator of the parish is Kim Crummer, preaching at Mystic and Cincinnati.  Jim Matheney of Drakesville is now preaching at Jerome and Unionville, Iowa.

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The Jerome Methodist Church in 2008

The original Methodist Church in 2008 ... after serving as a store for many years, it is now a county road maintainance facility.

Iowa Old Press

Iowa Old Press is a special project of IAGenWeb.  It contains many transcriptions of articles from old Iowa newspapers through the years, including some from Appanoose and Wayne counties. It provides some very interesting and educational reading. 

Veterans of the War of 1812

The Weekly Citizen - April 8, 1871

  Two of the soldiers of the war of 1812-14 are now living in this county, as far as we know. 

  Wm. S. Manson, was born in Pendleton county, South Carolina, Nov. 19th, 1790. In 1802 his father removed to Warren county, Kentucky, and from thence to Madison county, Alabama, in 1810. At Huntsville in that State at the age of 22 he joined Gen. Jackson's army then on its way to punish the Creek Indians. Mr. Manson belonged to Capt. Wm. Evans' company of scouts who were ordered on duty in the mountains away from the main body. After the Indian troubles were settled the company was discharged. In 1813 he removed to East Tennessee and in 1814 was married. His wife is still living though quite feeble. In 1843 he moved to Lee county, Iowa, and two years after to this county. He was clerk of the Board of Commissioners who located the town of Centerville, in the spring of 1847. Mr. J.F. Stralton, still a resident of this place, was the surveyor. Father Manson preached the first sermon in this place in the summer of the same year in a loghouse on the east side of the Square, built by old Squire Wadlington, now living in Independence township. He served four terms as Clerk of the District Court and has been postmaster since July 1st, 1861. 
  John Arrison, of Lincoln township, is also a veteran of our last war with England. He entered the army from Pennsylvania as 1st Lieutenant. He removed from that State to Delaware county, Ohio, immediately after the war. He was married in 1819 and in 1830 removed to Illinois and to this county in 1856. He is now 81 years old and his wife is 76, both quite feeble. They have five children, three sons and two daughters. One son was killed at Champion Hill, Miss., 1864. One daughter is also dead.  

Moravia Union - December 4, 1996

  Looking back in history:  Dec. 10, 1856:  Sometime in 1856, the town of Jerome was named for the blind son of Horace Lyon, the first postmaster.  Jerome was a booming town for a time during the coal mining era.  One of the early school teachers in Jerome, Theodore P. Shontz (sic), later became famous for his work in the railroad industry and the Panama Canal. 

The Centerville Citizen - June 6, 1873

Jerome Items

  A subscriber sends the following items from Jerome:

  The farmers are almost done planting corn. Some have had to plant a second time.  Spring wheat looks well, but the chintz (sic) bugs already made their appearance. 

  Mrs. W. H. H. Smith, of West Point, Lee County, is visiting friends in Lincoln township. 

  The Sabbath School was recently reorganized by electing the following officers: J. M. Crouch, Superintendent; C. Pider, Assistant; Jas. Hagan, Secretary; and Miss Amanda Baldwin, Librarian.

  Miss Mell Bradley is teaching a good school.

  James Hagan is very sick. 

Centerville Citizen - March 15, 1873

Jerome, Iowa, March 6th, 1873

 Editor Citizen -- Thinking that a few items from this part of the county would be of interest to many readers, I will try to select a few.

  Jerome is a very lively place, the people are wide-awake, business men, alive, not only to their own welfare, but to the general interests of the county.  Rev. A. K. Jones has been holding a revival meeting at the M.E. Church. He appears to be one of those good social men, whom it does a man good to meet.  Although quite young, he is one of the most eloquent ministers in the county. The people here are beginning to realize the fact that they can get coal cheaper than to haul it five or six miles. Several shafts are being sunk in this vicinity, among which are those of Mr. P. Sidles and Mr. S. Morris, a short distance north of the village.  What needed most here is a good store. Some of the merchants of Centerville would do well to start a branch store here.   G. Rome

The Centerville Citizen - January 4, 1873

  Lincoln Township -- A friend at Jerome sends us the following items:  The Christmas Tree entertainment at Jerome gave general satisfaction.  Old Santa Claus was there and distributed his good things among the little folks quite freely. --The epizootic* is there, but in a mild form. --A dog found its way home from Omaha, Nebraska, a few days ago.  

  [*For information on The Great Epizootic of 1872 see Running Like Wildfire by CuChullaine O'Reilly FRGS and the article in Wikipedia on equine influenze.]

The Weekly Citizen - June 24, 1871

  Mr. J. P. Pendergast, of Lincoln township, reports that he has succeded in finding a way to prevent chinch bugs from destroying corn.  About four acres of his corn had been destroyed before he tried the experiment.  His plan is to make the ground nearly level and lay a strip of wool twine soaked in turpentine along the gound.  He says he tried it, and the chinch bugs will not cross over.  He was so well convinced that it would do its work, that on Wednesday last he came to town and purchased enough twine to go around the entire body of his corn. 

The Weekly Citizen - April 4, 1871

  Jerome Items --The farmers in this neighborhood are through sowing small grain ... The winter term of Miss M. Harner's school closed Friday, April 7th.  Two days were devoted to examinations ... Henry Wilson of this place has built a home on his farm near the new town of Seymour ... James Book is living on the farm formerly owned by Peter Mann ... C. R. Jackson, J. W. Pendergast, and J. Hagan are improving their farms by building fences, planting trees, shrubbery, &c .. D. F. Wilson, Joseph Moore and James Hagan are the carpenters of this place and are always ready to do a nice job. 

The Weekly Citizen - March 18, 1871

  Jerome Items -- A new frame school house has been built at Jerome and the Methodists hold services in it every Sunday. --Henry Wilson, the good blacksmith of that place, is also postmaster. --J. M. Crouch has opened a blacksmith shop about one mile west of Jerome. --Peter Sidles has built a good bank barn.

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  The new town laid out at the depot of the C. & S. W. at Bellair by Hudson & Harvey, is called Numa. The people of Bellair, we are informed, desire to have the name of that place changed to Numa, so as to conform with the name of the postoffice, thereby preventing mistakes in mail delivery, as Johnson county, this state, has a postoffice called Bellair.

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  The school in district No. 6, Lincoln township, will close on Friday, March 24th, after 8th month session. J. H. Horner is the teacher.  The last two days will be devoted to examinations.  All are invited.

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  The house of Calvin Moon, in Walnut township, was destroyed by fire on Saturday last, together with the contents.  This is a severe blow to Mr. Moon, who lost everything he had, leaving himself, wife and eight children in a distitude condition. 

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  During the storm last week, Wednesday, the roof of Mrs. Dooley's house, in Lincoln township, was blown off.  A number of trees and shrubberies were prostrated.