Union Sunday School

Union Church was located on the northern line of Monroe Township. It was a one- room building to the north of McCoskrie Cemetery and it was lit by carbide lamps. Women sat on one side, men on the other. Once my mother gave me a scolding for sitting on Marshall Bryan's lap in the men's section. The ladies also held their quilting bees in this church building on weekday afternoons. In later years it was opened only for funerals of its members.

I know there are local folks who can find their parents among these faces -- particularly in the group of children up front. I can identify John McCoskrie (under "Sunday" on the sign). That looks like his wife, Mertie, in the white hat to John's right and slightly behind. I believe that's Marshall Bryan standing next to John on his left (under "School") and Marshall's wife, Ona, to Marshall's left (black hat with lots of ribbons/feathers). Behind Ona is Nell Skinner (white hat with black band) and I believe that's Frank Skinner to Nell's left. At the far right, standing next to the man with the long white beard, is Murl Toner. And I think I'd be pretty safe in guessing that's one of the Higgins brothers -- Nell Skinner's brother -- hiding behind the tree on the far right.

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