RELIGIOUS.

Methodist Episcopal. It is probable that the first class of this faith was formed during the winter of 1852-53, at the schoolhouse west of Cincinnati. The first members were Mrs. Sally Holbrook, Mr. and Mrs. Gibson, James Welch and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Cooley, Mr. Matkin and wife. Mr. Welch was Class-Leader and Exhorter. Rev. Mr. Burgess was one of the early Pastors.

The house of worship was built in 1868. It is 28x40 feet in size, and cost about $1,000. It was dedicated by Rev. Mr. Williams.

The Pastors, since 1863, have been George Clark, Charles Clark, Thomas Stevenson, Swanston, Mann, Morrison and Jones.

There are about fifty members. A. A. Atherton is Class-Leader and Isaac Streepy Steward. The Trustees are David Green, A. A. Atherton and Isaac Streepy.

Christian. This can hardly be said to be in an organized condition, though why it is not it is hard to explain. There have been about twenty believers in and around Cincinnati for several years past. In February, 1877, a revival effort was conducted by Elder Hedrix, of Fairfield, and sixteen converts were baptized. In April, 1878, another series of meetings were held by the same minister, and four more were added. Occasional sermons have also been preached by Elders Downey and Kirkham.

Meetings are held every Sunday in the hall of Dr. Sturtevant's brick building, which has been fitted up for the purpose. J. H. B. Armstrong and Mr. Sawyer lead in the work.

A church should be organized.

Congregational.-This Church is the union of two former organizations, which should be mentioned here.

In 1852, a society of the Wesleyan Methodist Church was formed at the schoolhouse west of Cincinnati, composed of John Fulcher and wife, Nathan Stanton and wife, S. B. Stanton and wife, Walter Johnson, Matilda Johnson, Maria Stanton, Solomon Holbrook and wife, Dr. Sayres and wife, L. P. Holbrook and wife. The ministers who served this society were Daniel Cartright, Robert Hawk, John Elliott, Daniel Conner and George Jacques. The membership was never large.

In 1858, a society of the Free Presbyterian Church was formed at Cincinnati, composed of Daniel McDonald and wife, David N. Rice and wife, John McDonald and wife, Mrs. Sarah Rice, Florella and Robert Rice, James Rice. This was through the efforts of Rev. Messrs. Poage and Merrill. Rev. Mr. Fisher was the organizing minister, and was chosen Pastor; but, having sought to enroll the Church on the list of the Synod of the regular Presbyterian Church, and having sat as Moderator at the meeting of the regular Presbytery at Centerville, he was summarily dismissed by the members, who felt that he had acted in bad faith toward them. Rev. Messrs. Merrill and Poage preached occasionally to the Church after this. This society raised the frame and inclosed their church-building in 1857; but, not being able to complete it, it was rented for a high-school building for several years, the lessee finishing it. It reverted to the society in 1867, and was improved in the following year. The building is 42 feet long, and cost about $1,000, mainly contributed by half a dozen members.

When the war closed, a suggestion was made by Rev. David Rice that the two societies unite on the basis of the Congregational Articles of Faith, and the coalition was effected in 1868, with Rev. Mr. Eells as Pastor, whose successors have been A. C Elliott and J. T. West.

There are about thirty members. J. C. McDonald and C. R. Crowder are the Deacons, and the Trustees are Albert Root, J. C. McDonald, Dr. W. A. Sayres, J. M. Rice.

Union Sabbath School. This is the only Sabbath school in the town, and was formed just west of the town in 1853. J. C. McDonald is the present Superintendent, A. A. Atherton, Assistant; Edie Atherton, Organist. The teachers are Emma Green, A. Atherton, Mrs. N. S. Jacques, Sarah Holbrook, Effie Morrow, J. M. Rice and Penelope Baker. The usual attendance is about seventy-five, and much interest is maintained.

BELLAIR AND NUMA.
(Bellair Township.)

Bellair was created October 7, 1854, by Alexander Jones, and was surveyed and platted by John Potts. It is situated on the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 18, Township 68, Range 18, between the waters of Shoal and Cooper Creeks. Jackson and Washington streets run north and south, and Main street crosses them. There were just twenty lots. The plat was acknowledged on the same day the surveying was done.

J. L. Matkin started a store in 1855.

A post office was established in 1859.

The town became a pleasant little village in process of time. It is charmingly situated on the edge of the prairie, and now contains about a dozen houses.

The building of the Chicago & Southwestern Road in 1870-71, about half a mile away from the village, transferred its business to the station established just south.

The town of Numa was laid out by G. R. Huston and E. E. Harvey, and acknowledged by them March 13, 1871. The surveying was done by J. F. Stratton February 1, 1871. The magnetic variation is 8° 15'. The plat is located on the west fractional half of the southwest fractional quarter of Section 18, Township 68, Range 18, and the original plat lies wholly north of the depot grounds of the Chicago & Southwestern Railroad.

The business of the town is represented by a well-stocked store, a grocery, physician's office, blacksmith-shop, etc. Quite a number of men in the vicinity are engaged in quarrying and hauling rock to the depot, the Rock Island Company being the purchaser.

The first sermon ever preached in this neighborhood was by Rev. Mr. Hayrus, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister, probably in 1853.

A two-story schoolhouse was erected at Bellair in 1857.

A flouring-mill was erected at Numa several years ago.

July 17, 1875, the people of Numa and Bellair, as well as the surrounding neighborhood, met to have a picnic in the two-story building just erected by G. W. Athey. The 4th had been rainy, and it was decided to have an adjourned celebration at the later date. Three hard cases, denizens of Wayne County, named "Bud" Bland, William and Milton Richardson, came to the picnic, and, under the influence of liquor, picked a quarrel with C. M. Morrison, the manager of the celebration, who was assaulted by them and badly maltreated before the rowdies could be got off him. A warrant was issued for their arrest, but they fled to Missouri for a few days, so that it could not be served. The Richardson brothers, believing they were safe, returned to Seymour, but

the Marshal of that town, John McCoy, had instructions to arrest them whenever they returned. He undertook to capture them, but was forced to resort to his revolver.

In the melee that ensued he shot and killed both of them.

RELIGIOUS.

Methodist Episcopal.-This society was formed at Bellair in 1857, the first class being Asa Thornburg and wife, William Fox and wife, Perry Steward and wife, Russel Matkins and wife.

The Pastors have been Rev. Messrs. Jesse Hill, George Clark, Morey, Boyles, Charles Clark, Miller, Thatcher, Thomas Stevenson, Swanson, Mann, John Orr, James Hunter.

In 1864, a stone building at Bellair was purchased and converted into a church, which was used till 1874, when the society proceeded to build a new house at Numa. This structure cost about $650 and was dedicated in 1874. The Stewards and Trustees are Jacob Norris, Henry Blackburn and W. W. Elliott.

Henry Blackburn is Superintendent of the Sabbath school; H. C. Dukes, Assistant and Secretary. The teachers are James John, W. W. Elliott, Jacob Norris, Mrs. Libbie Stiles, Mrs. K. L. Winn, Mrs. Elliott, Miss Eliza Jones. The attendance is usually about fifty.

Christian. This Church was formed about 1858, the first members being Henry Adamson and wife, Dr. Ball and wife, Dr. Morris and wife, James Steward and wife, John Steward and wife.

The ministers have been Elder John Humphreys, Dr. Combs, Capt. L. E. Harvey and Elder Judd.

A house of worship, 24x36 feet in size, was erected at Bellair in 1871, at a cost of $1,200, and the dedication sermon was preached by Elder Seavey, of Centerville, in the fall of that year.

At one time there were about two hundred members, but the society is now under a cloud. The church has been closed for several months. It would probably be true to say that there is now nothing but a corporate existence, the Trustees being M. Arbogust, Benjamin Adamson and G. R. Moss. It is hoped to revive the society soon.

MASONIC.

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 Hagin, 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.