McLaughlin's Ford and the Oak Glen community
by
Martin E. Nass
James McLaughlin and his wife, Elizabeth, came to our county in 1856, one year before the county was organized. They followed the stage coach road from Newcastle north along what is now White Fox Road. They then turned west approximately where 173rd Street is located. The McLaughlin family settled where the road crosses the Boone River. This crossing became known as McLaughlin's Ford. The stage coach continued west to pass through Bach Grove before entering Wright County. First the McLaughlins built a house on the east side of the crossing. Then they moved into a larger house on the hill west of the ford. This house became a way stop for the travelers who followed the stage route. The upstairs of the house had a center hall with rooms opening off to the north and south.
Within the first year of settling, James died, leaving his wife and four children. The children were Angus, William, Catherine, and Elizabeth. Angus, the oldest son, took over management of the estate at age 19. The farm consisted of 400 acres of land, substantial buildings, over 100 head of cattle and horses, and 200 head of Poland China hogs.
One year later, 1857, Hamilton County was organized into only three townships. Cass Township ran across the top third of the county. The Board of Supervisors met on Sept. 3, 1861, in Elizabeth McLaughlin's home to elect a full slate of township officers. The notice in the Hamilton Freeman referred to her as Lizzie McLaughlin, a name mostly used in other references. The west quarter of Cass Township was removed from Cass and named Grove Township. As the meeting wore on, it was decided to change the name of Grove to Fremont. The McLaughlin farm, named Mineral Springs Farm, was located in Section 7, Cass Township.
Angus married Catherine Sells of Bach Grove. They had seven children. Angus gave land on the east side of the river, north of the stage road, to found a new church. This land consisted of a large grove of oak trees, and the area became known as Oak Glen. A country school, called the Oak Glen School, was built about a 3/4 of a mile east of the church. The school was on the north side of the road.
The Hamilton Freeman of March 23, 1881, is quoted: "The Little Church by the River - Oak Glen stands in the beautiful valley of the Boone River, near the residence of Angus McLaughlin, some five miles above this city. Just now the society is engaged in building a parsonage, so that in the future their pastor will be well provided for. About $500 has been raised, and more is being pledged daily. The lumber is already on the ground, and the work is to be done by E. R. Lee and J. H. Smalley. The pastor is Rev. M. D. H Johnson, late of Vermont, who also preaches at Blairsburg, Waterman, Eagle Grove, and White Fox. This church has been organized for ten years and has a membership of fifty. The Sunday School has been in operation about eight years, with an attendance of fully 100. The church building, 28 X 50 feet, was erected in 1878. The church trustees are: Simon Day, David C. Douglass, E. R. Lee, J. D. Sells, J. H. Smalley, and J. Nottingham. Mr. Douglass is Superintendent of the Sunday School."
The new parsonage was located east of the church, on the north side of the road. The church cemetery was situated at the rear of the church. At one time the cemetery contained between 15 and 20 graves. Different sources gave me different numbers.
The Dec. 28, 1881, Freeman reported that the pastor of Oak Glen was Rev. M. D. L. Johnson. He was also a physician who had developed a large practice because of much illness in the community. "He is on the go almost night and day, being called to Blairsburg, and as far as Eagle Junction to attend the sick. Oak Glen had a Christmas tree, and , we hear, a pleasant time. The Fraikes boys gave Mr. Johnson a new suit of clothes. Though they are not regular attendants at church they showed their appreciation of the man as both pastor and physician."
The people living on the west side of the river had to walk across the river, so a foot bridge was built in about 1876. High water on January 4, 1882, washed out the bridge, so plans were made to rebuild it higher above the water.
According to a letter written to Ray Baird on March 11, 1974, the Oak Glen Church was struck by lightning and burned in about 1899. The church was rebuilt in either 1910 or 1911 and was organized as a United Brethren Church. The church membership dwindled until, in 1943, there were only three families remaining. They decided to close the church. Finally, in 1949, the church was sold to Walter Labs, who used the lumber to build his house. The families of the people buried in the cemetery were notified, and all except three of the graves were removed, some to Wright County and the rest to Cass Center Cemetery. Of the three remaining today one is marked Harary House - 4 yrs, 7 months, 27 days with a date of November, 1881. Near it is a stone that can no longer be read. A short distance south is another stone whose wording cannot be completely deciphered. The last name Brock is barely readable. The first name might be Frederick.
The pastor list is not complete. Other pastors named in newspaper articles were David Day, Levi Day, J. C. R. Layton, John Frakes and Rev. Nines. Dr. Buxton, Sr., conducted all day meetings at the church. Families listed as attending the church were Douglass, Gilbert, Flaws, Shelton, Fairchild, McCoy, Larson, Studley, Allen, Baird, Beal, Doolittle, Gramblin, and Frakes.
Ruth Baird, a former resident of the Oak Glen community, recalled two special memories of those Oak Glen days - the baptisms in the Boone River and the Ladies Aid chicken dinners. One specific baptism involved a young lady. Wearing a white robe, she walked barefoot into the river along with the pastor, also dressed in a white robe. The pastor wore his shoes The person being baptized was immersed in the river, and then the parties adjourned back to the church. Mrs. Baird reported that it was a very impressive ceremony.
The chicken dinners raised funds for the church. They drew a crowd from the neighboring towns. The ladies did the cooking in their homes as they had no stoves at the church. The men carried the water in cream cans, and the food was kept warm by kerosene heaters. There was no electricity in the church. The lighting was done with gas lanterns or kerosene lanterns. Despite the difficulties with preparing, cooking, and serving the food , a large amount of money was raised each time.
At a time when travel was by horse and buggy, the Oak Glen community served as the neighborhood center. Later, after the arrival of automobiles, the residents were free to travel to a larger community for church and social activities. Oak Glen then faded into the past, but is fondly remembered by some today.