en

now stands. So soon as this building was closed, and before it contained seats and desks, logs of wood were carried in and on them were placed boards and slabs for seats for the purpose of holding public worship there on Sundays. The preachers were of different denominations-Methodists, Baptists and Congregationalists. In those days all denominations were united in Christian fellowship. It is true that the population of Charles City was interspersed with another class of people--a kind who are said to keep ahead of rats and meeting houses. These persons were ensconced in different places, playing cards and gambling, or were engaged in hunting and fishing. Indeed from morning till night the holy Sabbath was profaned with the crack of the rifle and report of the fowling piece in the neighboring groves. But, as civilization came in, barbarism disappeared, and in one or two years these unpleasant scenes were changed.

The first church edifice erected in Charles City was the present Baptist church. It was built by the united contributions of the different denominations, and for a while all worshiped there unitedly and harmoniously-Baptists, Methodists. Congregationalists and Campbellites. As the popula tion of the town increased these denominations separated, and each from time to time erected a church of its own.

At first the Congregationalists occupied the old Masonic Hall on the corner of Main and Blunt streets. Their first pastor was Rev. J. H. Windsor, who preached for them during the years 1858, 1859 and 1860. It was during his pastorate, in 1858. that the First Congregational Church of Floyd County, at Charles City, was organized. This organization consisted at that time of nine members. viz., Josiah Knight, Betsey Knight. Samuel Hackley. Mary Hackley, Ira Brackett, Clarinda Brackett. Liveria A. Hildreth. Jane L. Palmer and Rev. J. H. Windsor.

The Ecclesiastical Society of this church was organized in 1862, during the pastorate of Rev. W. A. Adams. The incorporators were A. B. F. Hildreth, Josiah Knight, Rev. W. A. Adams, Samuel Hackley, Geo. C. Dean, Milo Gilbert, W. B. Covel, G. G. Reiniger, A. W. French and Wm. B. Fairfield.

The first board of trustees consisted of Messrs. Gilbert, Reiniger, Dean, Hackley and French.

In 1867, under the pastorate of Rev. D. N. Bordwell, the present church building (without addition) was erected, the dedication taking place in January 1868. The building committee were H. H. Case, E. C. Chapin, W. B. Fairfield, C. W. Fletcher and J. R. Mitchell.

In 1879, under the pastorate of Rev. N. M. Clute. D. D., the building was enlarged and the internal arrangement of seats, etc., changed and improved. This condition of the building remained until the present year, 1890, when the house was again enlarged, under the pastorate of Rev. C. Noble, and throughout the edifice has been essentially renovated and fitted up with several needed conveniences. All this progress and improvement attest the liberality, public spirit, and moral and religious character of the citizens of Charles City.

CHAPTER XLV.

A

DEATH OF MRS. L. A. HILDRETH.

FTER the manuscript for this book had been placed in the hands of the printers, and the work had made considerable progress. Mr. Hildreth was called to mourn the death of his beloved wife. The Intelligencer of Dec. 9th, 1890, announced the sad event as follows;

HILDRETH.-Died in Charles City, Monday, Dec. 8th, 1890, Mrs. Liveria A. Hildreth, aged 73 years and 6 months. Funeral services will be held in the Congregational Church on Wednesday at 3 o'clock p. m., Rev. Charles Noble and Dr. N. M. Clute officiating.

In a separate paragraph of the same paper the following editorial notice was given:

The sad news comes to us this morning that Mrs. Liveria A. Hildreth, wife of Hon. A. B. F. Hildreth, died at 10:30 p. m., last night. The end was expected, as she has been unconscious since Friday. Mrs. Hildreth was one of the pioneers of Charles City, having come here more than thirtyfour years ago with her husband, who was the founder of the Intelligencer. She was a woman of great force of character and an earnest and devoted Christian, and her death is but the transfer of an immortal soul to a higher sphere of activity. During her long illness she has suffered greatly. but has had the untiring care and devotion of her

husband, who has anticipated every wish, and smoothed the pillow of pain by unwearied service. Mrs. Hildreth was born in Surry, N. H., June 11th, 1817. From early youth she has been a professor of religion and a member of the Congregational Church. She and Mr. Hildreth were married in Fryeburg, Maine, Oct. 21st, 1844, and have seen 46 years of happy married life.

In the Intelligencer of Dec. 16, 1890, we find the following

OBITUARY.

HILDRETH.-Last week, just before the Intelligencer went to press, we received the sad news of the death of Mrs. Hildreth, wife of Hon. A. B. F. Hildreth, of this city. At that time we could only make the announcement and add a word or two; but we feel and know that this estimable lady deserved a more extended notice, and that the readers of the Intelligencer, as well as the public generally, are entitled to it. As previously published, the funeral services on Wednesday were held in the Congregational church and were largely attended. The officiating clergymen were Rev. Charles Noble, and Dr. N. M. Clute. The services were very impressive and instructive. The flowers furnished by loving friends were numerous, and none could be more beautiful and appropriate. Mrs. Bradley presided at the organ, and the hymns sung were those familiar ones-Jesus, Lover of my Soul," "Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me,' and Silently, Silently, They Pass Away." The pall bearers were those pioneer settlers of Charles City, John Howard, Sanford Harwood, G. B. Eastman, William Kellogg, Tisdale A. Hand and W. E. Holbrook.

As stated by Mr. Noble, "Mrs. Hildreth was a pioneer citizen, having been a resident of Charles City more than thirty-four years. She was a Christian from her earliest youth and was one of the founders and original members of the first

Congregational Church in Charles City.

She was

a woman of great energy and industry, and while health and strength remained was active in church work. The last years of her life were years of feebleness and much bodily suffering."

Over four years ago Mrs. Hildreth had an attack of aphasia, or apoplexy, caused by disease of the heart, resulting in the bursting of a blood-vessel on the brain. From this affliction she never fully recovered. One year ago the epidemic called la grippe took a strong hold on her and from it she was never able to rally. Her maiden name was Liveria Aurette Knight. She was born in Surry, Cheshire county, N.' H., on June 11th. 1817; consequently was seventy-three and one-half years of age at the time of her death. She was married to Mr. Hildreth on the 21st day of October, 1844, in Fryeburg, Oxford county. Me. She had been a student of Mr. Hildreth's at the time he taught a district school in Piermont, N. H., when he was but sixteen years old, she being about one year younger than he was. This union was blessed with one child only, a daughter, who lived only to the age of six years and five months. Thence forward they were destined to remain childless. Their lives, however, were prosperous and happy. to a greater extent, perhaps, than falls to the lot of mortals in general.

It was well known that Mrs. Hildreth was a lady of education and refinement-was possessed of superior business talents-was an excellent manager of her household affairs-and to her husband she was ever his best adviser and counsellor. Mr. Hildreth has indeed suffered a great loss in the death of his amiable wife. He says that he never knew how much he loved her until now. The church to which she belonged, and the society in which she moved, have also met a loss which can hardly be repaired.

Mrs. Hildreth now rests peacefully in the family lot in Riverside Cemetery.