Rev. LovelessRev. Bear Rev. Bloomer

Approximately 400 persons, present and former members and friends of the Majorville church last Sunday attended the services which marked the 35th anniversary of the dedication of the present church building.  Among those present were two members of the group who attended the dedication of the old church in June, 1864.

A great many folks commended the present congregation for their fine job of upkeep of the church and cemetery.  The new memorial entrance to the church erected by friends last fall was viewed with pride, many remembering the old oak that stood a little to the north of the stile, with many steps on each end, making it convenient for horseback riders, both men and women, for wagons and buggies, to drive up to for folks to get out easily who came to the church in the old days.  Also noted the absence of the old hitch-rack all around the cemetery and the west side of the lovely hickory grove, said to accomodate 100 teams on big days such as Majorville Sunday school picnic days.

As the crowd gathered for 10:30 a. m. services, they were presented with a white badge which read "Majorville church, Aug. 1936, 35th anniversary."  But if they were present at the dedication 35 years ago, a gray one with added lettering saying "Present at dedication 1901" was pinned on. And we were told about 60 folks well streaked with gray or maybe bald, were wearing the gray. Next they registered names and addresses and were ushered to proper places for a half hour Sunday school discussion led by Bismark Fwitchtbar [Furchtbar] of Joetta, Ill.  As always, Bismark had the lesson well mapped out.  He made a very fine address of it.  The folks and the teen-age had been previously scaled in two groups out in the grove.  They had a short lesson period, then the teachers with help, entertained them at gomes [games] and stories, coming in real rosy and roasted for the descriptive talk by Miss Irene Bear, a returned missionary from India. This was given for children but was hugely enjoyed by every man, woman and child in the crowded church.  Preceding Miss Bear's talk the address of the morning was given by Miss Bears father, Rev. L. P. Bear, of Farmer City, Ill.  A man growing old in the Master's service,one who was converted and reared in and about the Majorville church, and none in the sound of his voice could but feel the inspiration and the genteelness of every sentence.

Another much enjoyed number in the morning program was the anthem sung by the choir 35 years ago, given by the choir now singing in the Majorville church.  Many singing this anthem 35 years ago have fallen into the sleep that knows no awakening.  Their leader on that day being Robert Brandon, who passed away many years ago.

As dinner was announced, the pastor, Rev. Keith Loveless who had so capably managed the morning program, turned the afternoon program over into the hands of Rev. H. M. Bloomer as he had been called to officiate at a funeral some distance away and could not be present for the afternoon session.

Dinner was grand, being served on a long table and a flat top hay rack being brought into service also.  Plenty and to spare were the loaves and fishes for the crowd.  Big stone jars full of ice tea as well as a new stock [illegible] of ice water, made [illegible] forget for a time that the thermometer was [illegible] close to 110 degrees in the shade.

Majorville is very grateful to Claude Hunt, a hardware dealer in Colchester, for the use of the tank. It was brought out by Chet Brown.

At 2 p. m. the meeting was opened by song service, directed by Rev. Snider of Hills Grove. Short talks were given by Rev. W. E. Woods of Camden, Ill., Lawrence Bear, Miss Irene Bear giving a splendid talk on education, schools and habits of the Fuson of Summum, Ill.*, was very interesting, as was a duet by Miss Kate Bear of Denton, Texas, and Elva Bear Fuson of Summum, Ill.  Mrs. Ruby D. Hobart read the letters from absent friends sending greetings to the church folk on that day. (A list of these names are given at the close of this article.)  Mrs. Erma Hainline Wittengel sang the same solo she sang at the dedication 35 years ago and we assure it gets better and better as time goes on.

Rev. H. M. Bloomer in his wonder way of old interested his listeners for a half hour in facts and figures concerning the bossing and working and erecting of our present church building.  Told at length of the old pioneers of the work then, and how he as a bo [illegible] preacher enjoyed the work and everybody connected with it.  His was an address of fellowship and inspriation and encouragement.

Lawrence Bear was next, asking for the oldest member of the church.  It was figured out to be Homer Hoyt, age 83, of Webster, Ill.  Mr. Bear presented to him a potted flower garden, donated for decorations of the church for the anniversary by Bonhams's green house in Macomb.  The next eldest member of the church was Mrs. Eva Coleman, at this time superintendent of Majorville Sunday School  Mrs. Mae Conn presented [illegible] basket of gladiolas to Miss Irene Bear as guest of honor, it being donated for use in the church by the Wisemans's gardens in Macomb. Then Mrs. Maxine Parker Haines most graciously presented the basket of yellow roses to Rev. H. M. Bloomer, they being sent out for the day by the Mary-Bill florists of Macomb.

In the evening a religious pageant, "Forbid Them Not," was presented by a host of young people. It was very much enjoyed and the committee composed of Ruth Way, Rubie D. Hobart and Bernce [Bernice] Lovely received many compliments on their work of training so many little children and those more grown-up.  Thus it was the close of a wonderful day for Majorville.

List of the names writing us such good leteers of good wishes for our anniversary were as follows:

Dr. J. H. Ryan of Pontiac, elder of the Galesburg district at the time of the dedication of the Majorville church in 1901; Rev. E. L. Fahnestock of Palmyra; Mrs. Lucy J. Rings, 548 Cedar Ave., Long Beach, Calif.; Mr. and Mrs. D. I. Miller, 3039 Iowa Ave., Long Beach, Calif.; Will Fortney, Greenup, Mo.; Mrs. Earl Leninn [Mae Ebert (Mrs. Earl) Lenix] and family 910 1-2 W. Pine Dr., Rawlins, Wyo.; Mrs. Leah Massingill, Magna, Utah; Mrs. Mary Jane Ebert Long, Shenandoah, Iowa; Geo. W. Miller, wholesale dealer in eggs, poultry fruits and vegetables, North 6th St., Kansas City, Kansas; Mrs. Clara E. Yetter, Route 1, Eugene, Ore.; Mrs. Henrietta Foy, 417 Arizaba Ave., Long Beach, Calif.

*This appears to have been a type-setting error.  It was probably supposed to say that Miss Bear gave a splendid talk on education, schools and habits of people in India, or something to that effect.

Published news item from an unknown original source, clipping from the Mae Peck Conn scrapbook donated to the Hancock County Historical Society by Marilyn Shelley.  Verbatim transcription except for [bracketed additions].

MAJORVILLE, Aug. 18 -- Sometime during the day 342 people registered at the 35th anniversary of the present Majorville church.  There were possibly 40 to 60 who did not register.  As near as possible the program was carried out as published and everyone seemed to enjoy every feature of the day's entertainment altho the weather was very warm.

Letters were received from Rev. E. L. Fahnestock, Palmyra, Ill., Mr. and Mrs. Dave Miller, 3039 Iowa Avenue, South Gate, Calif.; Geo. W. Miller a former pastor but now a wholesale dealer in eggs, poultry, fruits and vegetables, North 6th St., Kansas City, Kans.; Wm. H. Fortney, Greentop, Mo.; Mary Jane Ebert Long, Shenandoah, Ia.; Mrs. Leah Massingill, Magna, Utah; Mrs. Earl Lenix and family, Rawlings, Wyoming; Mrs. Lucy J. Rings, 548 Cedar Ave., Long Beach, Cal.; Mrs. Clara E. Yetter, Eugene Oregon; Mrs. Henrietta Foy, 417 Orizola Ave., Long Beach, Calif.; Dr. John H. Ryan, Pontiac, Ill., who was district superintendent at the time of dedication; Olive White Runyan, 438 No. Townsend St., Los Angeles, Calif.

Each committee did their best to make this great day a success but we must not take more space in telling you about it.  The evening's entertainment closed with a very fine pageant which had a full house.  We wish to thank everybody for their splendid cooperation.

Those attending were:

Colchester -- Rev. Keith Loveless, Eliza M. Prentiss, Mrs. Ada Garrison, Mrs. Flossie Shumate, Mrs. May Kious Bortford, Mr. and Mrs. Harley Parker, Katharine Parker, Carlisle Garrison, Paul Prentice, Bismark Furchtbar, Mrs. Frank Peck, Emma Furchtbar, Fay Day, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Meyer, Mrs. Doris Pogue, Miss Arline George, Eddy Day, C. W. Parker, Mack Peck, David Schilling, Wm. Wetzell, John Rings, Marguerite Shirey, Wanda June Peck, Clifford Shirey, Estella Gilland, Hugh Gilland, Lemuel Parker, Elsie Shumate, Maxine Haines, Frank Peck, Mrs. Mabel Day, Twilla Day, Lawrence Day, Von K. Haines, I. N. McClanahan, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Huston, May Conn, Mildred Shumate, Harry Prentice, Madaline Carmack, Raymond Prentice, Ella Prentice, Mrs. Francis Oleson, Jean Oleson, Bob Oleson, Fred Shirey, Stanton Shumate, Mrs. Wm. Eckle, Alph Prentice, Mrs. Marie Shirey, Ida Hocker, Ollie Campbell, Gerald Campbell, Truman Campbell, Bernice Lovely, Isla Hocker, Hattie Hocker, Marjorie Hocker, Mabel Hocker, Hugey Zimmerman, Lois Cann, Kerus Huston, Zola Huston, Roberta Huston, Mr. and Mrs. James Burrow, Dorothy Jane Huston, Mabel Huston, Clarence Day, Mr. and Mrs. Merle A. Bank, Robert and James Bank, Keith Huston, Eddie Huston, Louise Garrison, Betty Shirey, Linda Shirey, Koester Shirey, Helen Shifley, Leona McClanahan, Ellis Haines, Mr. and Mrs. Roscoe Wetzel, Bobbie Wetzel, Marilyn, Evelyn and Wendell Wetzel, Mrs. Edith Burrow, Clara Barr [Barb], David Darby, Ed M. Beckwith, Mrs. Keith Lovelace, Mrs. Willa Corstens, Mrs. John Reynolls, Margaret Banks, Franklin Willis, Francis Willis, Emma Mae Johnson, Opal Campbell, Inez Campbell and son, Louie Wycox, Enes Campbell [perhaps Erice], Wilburn Mort, May Mort, Helen and Mary Mort, Bernice Agnew, Wm. Day, Forrest Day, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Keithley, Imogene Garrison, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Payne.

Tennessee -- Mrs. Roy C. Way, Mrs. Mary McGee, Miss Sarah McGee, Mrs. Goldie McCord, Myrtle McCord, Mr. and Mrs. Calvin, Bertha Huey, Margaret, Connie and Asa Miller, Neda Mae Lowderman, Ardith Humphrey, Mattie Humphrey, Frank McCord, Woodrow McCord, Charlie Conn, Martha Willis, Grace Pittinger, Mary Kimbrough, Mrs. Edna Kimbrough, Mrs. Fannie Siepel, Mr. and Mrs. Russell Huey, Ed Kimbrough, Lawrence Kimbrough, Sam McCord, Charlie Martin, Leta Martin, Luther Martin, Rosa Martin, B. B. Rinehart, Mrs. Elva Rinehart, Lucy Rinehart, Mrs. Wm. Keipes [Heikes], Nellie D. Keipes [Heikes], Geo. W. Keipes [Heikes], Burton Ruggles, Will Kiepes [Heikes], Rillia Martin, Bert Cuba, Mary Cuba, Lawrence Cuba, Bill Renner, W. H. Hocker, John Pittinger, Mrs. Maime Cuba, Roy Cuba, Lottie Cuba, Margaret Cuba, Marilyn Cuba, Mr. and Mrs. John Siepel, Willard Seipel, Roy Way.

Plymouth -- Mr. and Mrs. Bluford Jackson, Ada Aleshire McDaniel, Mr. and Mrs. Ison Siepel, Elbert Keith, Margaret and George Siepel, Rev. and Mrs. C. B. Snyder and son, Russell Jackson, Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Bartlett, Eloise Thomas.

Macomb -- Luther Jackson, Charlie Campbell, Alta F. Campbell, Vernon Prentice, Mrs. Dorothy Prentice, Mrs. Helen Wright, Patsy Nell Wright, Rev. and Mrs. H. M. Bloomer, Mr. and Mrs. John Ulrick, Mabel Day Campbell, Leah Jackson Gates, C. N. Wettendel, Mr. and Mrs. Carter, Gladyse Grigg, Idell Callihan, Bob Sharpe, Agnes Hainline, Frank Wright, Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Thompson, Elma D. Wettendel, Davis Webster.

Summum, Ill. -- Elva Fusson, Dr. A. A. Fusson.

Dallas City -- Mr. and Mrs. Henry James.

Denton Texas -- Kate Bear.

Farmer City, Ill. -- Rev. and Mrs. Lawrence Bear, Irene Bear.

Camden -- Rev. and Mrs. W. E. Woods.

Cuba -- Mr. and Mrs. Justin A. Stewart.

Quincy -- Verda Ebert Lawrence, Lorene Lawrence.

Ft. Madison, Ia. -- Grace (Walters) Boyles, Cleta Schutte, [Stace] Schutte and two children.

Niota -- Marcella Baxter, Bertha Harriet Louise Baxter, Harry T. Baxter.

Stronghurst -- Edna McDermott Hodgen.

Canton -- Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Anderson (Carrie Williams), Consuello (Anderson) Green, Ralph Green.

Galesburg -- Chloe Callihan Thomas, W. C. Thomas, Maude Callihan Bowles, Mrs. Lutie Callihan Ewalt, James Ewalt, Mrs. W. E. Callihan, Mrs. T. N. Callihan, Sandy Callihan, Miss Bessie Davis, Clyde Booz, Cora Booz, Katheryn Booz.

Hamilton -- Mrs. August Couer, Bertha Walters, John Hoyt, Frank Walters.

Joetta -- R. M. Payne, Miss Myrtle Pogue [more likely, Mrs. Myrtle Payne].

Mason City, Ia. -- Mrs. Eveline L. Coleman.

Milton, Ia. -- Bluford Holt, Juanita Holt.

Fountain Green -- Etta Long, Sadie Tippet, Guy Ebert, Mrs. Ed Huston, Edna Seward, Jeanette Duffy.

LaHarpe -- Ed Duffy, Hellen C. Duffy, Margaret W. Duffy and family, Mrs. Ella Harris.

Raritan -- Mr. and Mrs. Adolph D. Dahl.

Monmouth -- Corder Mesick, Norman Anderson.

Webster -- Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Hoyt, Mrs. Ethel Callihan, LaVerne Callihan.

Blandinsville -- R. E. Zimmerman, Clara M. Zimmerman, W. H. Brandon, Margaret Zimmerman, Mrs. Blanche Renshaw, R. F. Knoedler, Charles K. Peck, Alleyne Bunch, Particia Banks, W. Banks. Will Banks, Ida Knoedler, Amanda Knoedler, Irene Johnson, Will Simmons, Mr. C. W. Simmons, Alberta Lee Venard.

Colmar -- J. W. Williams

Chicago -- Meta Simmons.

Carthage -- Ruby D. Hobart, L. S. Hobart, Mr. and Mrs. Thane Dickinson, J. H. Couchman, Esther Bivens, Mary Lou Bivans, F. L. Bivens, Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Taylor, George Robinson, Mrs. Lizzie Robinson, W. H. Duffie, Clem Duffie, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Ebert, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Miller, Adelia Couchman, Mary Reed, Grace Reed, Ida Barr, Alleyne Reed, Velma Spangler, Albert Barr, A. L. Barr, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Urton, Mrs. Margaret Ebert, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Holt, Mr. and Mrs. Tylee Adams.

Bushnell - Clyde Pesote.