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Archiver > BRETHREN > 2005-05 > 1116709183


From: " Jane Davis" <>
Subject: Re: [BRE] Brethren and United Brethren
Date: Sat, 21 May 2005 15:59:43 -0500


Maxine and others--Re: the Gospel Messenger obituary of 1887, child of Sister Susan and Brother Jacob Crist with B. F. Flory having the service--

B. F. Flory was chosen minister in the English River Church of the Brethren in 1872. This church was located just south of South English, Iowa, (Keokuk County). He moved from this congregation in 1874--according to the southern Iowa history of 1924. He is next found in the Nishney Valley church located in the eastern part of Fremont County, near Farragut, Iowa. He moved here in 1878 and remained here until 1883 when he moved further west into Nebraska. Fremont County is the very southwestern county of Iowa bordering the Missouri River, (Nebraska) and Missouri.

This 1887 obituary would most likely have come from Nebraska since B. F. Flory had moved to Pawnee County, the Turkey Creek congregation, in southeastern Nebraska. It would also have come close to the end of his public ministry due to illness. Perhaps there is a Crist descendant who can identify this family as to location.

The Nishney Valley church was never a large organization, and according to the history, the "Brethren and Christian churches united in purchasing a churchhouse and had their meetings together..." (pp 125-6). This church was organized in the 1870's and disorganized in 1908. This is a little different light than is usually shed on cooperation between denominations. Jane Davis

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