The History of Cayuga County 1789-1879 page 278
IRA CENTER/ TOWN OF IRA

and was afterwards ordained pastor. During the second year of his pastorate a revival was enjoyed, by which thirteen were added to their number. Delano continued to serve them till 1840, when he was succeeded by H. G. Degolyer, who remained one year, and was succeeded by M. Waters, who remained a like period. J. S. Everingham succeeded to the pastorate in 1843, and remained till 1847.

During the period from 1840 to 1847, the church was sorely rent by divisions caused by the discussions of questions connected with the political actions of their pastors and other members, and their number was reduced from one hundred and forty-three to twenty-two. But in January, 1847, these difficulties were healed by the assistance of a council convened for that purpose, and in the spring of that year the labors of Henry B. Kenyon were secured and retained till 1849.

In their letter to the association in 1849, they write:

"Since we last represented ourselves we have enjoyed the labors of H. B. Kenyon a part of the time, and for the last three months the labors of Elder E. Robbins. We are now destitute of a pastor, and most earnestly desire the prayers of brethern that we may be kept from dishonoring the cause of Christ. We are at peace among ourselves."

Elder Kenyon again became their pastor in 1850, and died June 28th, 1851. The pulpit was supplied till 1852, in which year Judson Davis was called and served them eight years. In 1854 repairs were made on the church and a bell was bought. Elder Fuller succeeded to the pastorate in 1859, and served them one year, resigning the charge January 1st, 1860. He was followed by Elder Wiggins, who served them two years, till 1862, when Elder H. B. Garfield was called and remained a like period, having baptized twelve and admitted two by letter. Elder Phillips was the pastor in 1864. He was succeeded in 1865 by Elder Greene, who continued his labors with them until 1869.

During the year 1870 their house of worship was repaired, and a new organ was bought. The pulpit was supplied by different pastors. In 1871 Elder Ira Dudley was called to the pastorate. He served them most of the time for four years. Elder Cross served them either as pastor or supply in 1874; and from that time till November 2d, 1877, when the present pastor, Rev. C. F. Whitcomb, of Syracuse, was called, the pulpit was supplied by Revs. M. Hewitt, Mallory, Robinson, Smith, Tollman, and others.

In the winter of 1878, under the charge of the present pastor, a revival was experienced by which a large number were converted and nine added to the membership by baptism. The present number of members is 43.

BETHEL CORNERS.

Bethel Corners (p. o.) is a hamlet of about seventy-five inhabitants, in the north-west corner of the town. It contains a church, (M. E.) but no business establishments, neither store, nor hotel. There was formerly a small tannery in operation here, but it was discontinued some six years ago. It was built about fifty years ago by Samuel Andrews, who run (sic) it some ten years, when he sold it to his son, George B. Andrews, who still owns it. The capital invested in raw material never exceeded $1,000, but considerable tanning was done on shares.

The first settler at Bethel Corners was Daniel Thomas. The next was Samuel Andrews, whose son, Geo. B. Andrews, still lives here.

MERCHANTS.--The first store at Bethel Corners was started by Harrison Pollay, about fifteen years ago. He continued it about three years and rented it to Chauncey Stewart, who kept it about a year. It was next kept by John DeForest, who bought it and after about a year sold it to Thomas D. Wands, who kept it about six months and sold to Mason Andrews, who built a larger store, which was burned about four months after. Newton G. Phelps opened a store in 1871, and in 1872 he built a new store. He did business here in all five years. He rented the building and sold his stock to John W. Guider, who kept store about a year, when he sold his goods to a man in Auburn, who removed them to that place. There has been no store kept here since.

POSTMASTERS.--The first post-master at Bethel Corners was Edwin C. Holcomb, who held the office some six or eight years. He was succeeded about ten years ago by George B. Andrews, who still holds the office and distributes the mail in his house.

BETHEL M. E. CHURCH, at Bethel Corners, was

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