Volume 7, Number 4 - Summer 1980
Lone Star Church
Were You Ever Here?
By Gimlin
On a southern slope in a grove of Post Oak trees, where one can view the knolls and valleys toward Forsyth six miles to the South, stands a monument to love and peace which represents an eternal relationship with God.
This old church house built in 1901, has always been known as North Lone Star. This name was taken from the North Lone Star School District No. 34, which was formed about 1895. Old timers may recall when earlier schools in this area were called "Chunk-N-Mud" and "Acton". In those days communities set up the schools which were financed by the families being served. There were two locations in this area where school was held prior to building the latest and last Lone Star School which is still standing about three-quarters of a mile Southeast of this church. I am not aware of the origin of the name (Lone Star) but believe it was well chosen.
Getting back to the church where a large blue star is painted on the front gable and the words "Church of God since 1901". This church was almost abandoned in the late thirties when families moved away during the Depression. Church services became infrequent, altho several homecomings took place, usually in the month of October. I have in my possession, a copy of the Taney County Republican, issued in September 1949. In an article written by the late Mr. Freeland, owner and editor of that newspaper who had attended that year’s home coming at Lone Star, were two phrases which are beautiful and sink deep in my heart. He wrote, "This Church tells a story of faith that gives a benediction to hope." and,"That little country school has been the starting point from which, during the past century, many strong men and women have gone forth to bless the World".
In 1979, many felt the need to restore this old church, as it had deteriorated and was becoming unsafe. With donated labor and open purses, it was brought back into fairly good condition within a couple of months. Many Saturday night services were held throughout the next three or four years. It was very rewarding to see people coming many miles to attend these services. I might mention a couple, should I say Old Timers, Mrs. Loma Schupback and Mrs. Lucille Brown.
As time went on and gasoline prices soared, it was decided to discontinue the Saturday night services for awhile, which brings us up to date. An annual home coming is held every year, the second Sunday in October and usually, one-hundred or so, attend from near and far.
I was asked to write this little resume, or summary of Lone Star as it's thought it should be placed in the historical society’s records, and I fully agree. I volunteered to do the best I could and hope I have not made too many mistakes. If you have not been here, and desire to visit, you can find it about midway from Old Hill-Top School on Highway "H", North of Forsyth, and Old Swan Postoffice, North of Taneyville on "AA". An unpaved road connects these two highways. Going North from Taneyville, take the first road to the left after crossing the Swan Creek bridge. Or, you can enter from Highway "H" approximately six or eight miles north of Forsyth, by turning south up the hill. You will find the doors unlocked and a book to register your name. Also you will find on the wall a plat of the Lone Star Cemetery which is to the rear of the church. This lists most all of the grave sites with names alphabetized and their locations.
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In closing I will include a list of the people buried in this cemetery. Perhaps you have known some of them.
Alton Gimlin
1100 W. Oak
Ozark, MO.65721
LONE STAR CEMETERY - Taney County, MO.
ADAMS, Albert--194?
BOAT, Hulbert--1849-1919
BOAT, Ursula--1849-1920
BOAT, Infant--1924
BURGER, Willie--1884-1904.
COOK, Cora B.--1881-1961
COOK, Bert--1871-1960
COOK, Basil--1902-1923
COOK, Tom--1873-1950
COOK, J.L. (John Lafayette)--1841-1911
COOK, Mary J.--1839
COOK, John D.--1869-1959
COOK, Calvin L.--1864-1922
COOK, Sarah M.--1872-1906
COOK, Dock J.--1875-1961
CORLISS, Lewis M.--1855-1933
CORLISS, Richard E.--1825-1905
DENNISON, Wm. H. (Father)--1857-1915
DENNISON, Ida J. (Mother)--1864-1939
DENNISON, Richard H.--1889-1908
DILKS, Ervin A.--1902-1904
FRIED, A. L.--1858-1931
GIMLIN, Kermit--1920-1923
GRIMM, Wm. J.--1867-1931
GRIMM, Emma May--1872-1950
HEESOHEN, Henry--1860-1938
HEESCHEN, Maria--1870-1950
HOPKINS, Rubin--1979-1979
HIGGINBOTTOM, I. C.--1836-1909
KEITHLEY, Elizabeth--1898-1975
LATHROP, Arthur--1918-1918
LATHROP, Elnor (BACK)--1881-1915
LATHROP, Alice--1867-1927
LATHROP, James Calvin--1866-1917
LATHROP, John--1910-1961
LATHROP, Roy--1906-1975
LATHROP, Virgil--1922-1922
LATHEOP, Ernest--1909-1968
LATHROP, Henry Lewis--1872-1948
LATHROP, Elizabeth--1890-19--
LATHROP, Vernon--91910-1964
LATHROP, Jack--1868-1922
LATHROP, Syrena--1835-1917
LATHROP, James Calvin--1896-1935
LEMLER, William--1855-1909
MEAD, Mary E. (KANE)--1869-1904
MOON, E. J.--1918
MYERS, Gladys--1901-1946
NAGEL, Henry--1881 - 1948
NAGEL, Louis--1922 - 1923
PAYNE, Harden--1909
PAYNE, H. C.--1910
PAYNE, Lenard--1912-1913
PEBRINE, Eva--1940-1940
PETERSON, Sarina--1852-1903
REESE, Lola (COOK)--1925-1970
ROSSNER, B. May--1892-1930
ROSSNEB, Ed. G.--1879-1980
STAYER, S. S.--1.920
SLONE, Donald D.--1933 - 1933
SLONE, Maxine--1924 - 1934
TETERS, Rachel A.--1850-1917
TIMBROOK, Lois--1894-1964
THOMAS, Betty--1845-1932
THOMAS, James--1880-1931
5 unknown graves
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