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==Oliver Smith's transition from farming==
One day as he prepared to fill a silo on his farm, he thought it rather strange that none of his neighbors were present to help. Usually a number of them would gather and lend him a hand at this. Inquiring around, he soon discovered the reason for their absence. Someone, in response to Oliver's "funny religion", had climbed the silo and printed the word "Quarantined" on its side. Other neighbors, fearing that a contagious disease had plagued the farm yard, stayed away. "You don't have to worry about that," Oliver told them. "What we have over here isn't very catchy."
==Oliver Smith's evangelism==
Refreshed and encouraged by the a weekend of conferences in Chicago and meeting Caleb J. Baker, Oliver journeyed homeward with an increasing desire to do something for God. Weighing heavily upon his mind was an invitation from Mrs. John Dehn , [[Flora Katherine Haltmeyer Dehn]] (1870-1947), to come over to Clayton, Iowa and try a few meetings there. Mrs. Dehn had been saved in meetings at Manchesterin 1909. While visiting the Hermans in Waterloo, Oliver decided to reroute his trip and visit the small Mississippi River town.
He soon located an old schoolhouse in 1916 and made arrangements for gospel meetings. The series proved to be short lived, however, when after two meetings news reached Oliver that his daughters had contracted scarlet fever. He packed his things and left.But Oliver did not forget the little river community, and a year later in December 1917 he returned. John Dahlgaard helped him the first week, and it proved to be a time of real blessing. Five souls professed, including a railroad worker and a telephone operator named Susie Ricker. It also included a "poor fisherman who also has proved that he was made rich through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was a great encouragement to us to see God's willingness and power to save through the Name of His dear Son."
The railroad worker was Ed Ostoff, a section boss on a crew that maintained the tracks. He had been a foul mouthed drinking man in his unsaved days. One day after his conversion something went wrong and without thinking, an oath came from his lips. Immediately he fell to his knees in full view of the others, and asked God to forgive him. "Uncle Ed", as he was later called, went on to become a faithful testimony and witness for God in the area. Oliver recounted later that Ed went from a drinking railroad man to one who was "living to the praise and honor of God." Ed's wife Frances also responded for Christ in this meeting.
The meetings continued into the frigid month of January, 1918. Oliver made repeated trips over the steep, icy hills, often taking his entire family with him. As the interest grew, so did anxiety within the community.
Rumors surfaced that a group from town was planning to tar and feather Oliver. "We kids were just hysterical after the meeting," said his daughter LaVelle. "It didn't bother Dad at all. He wasn't a bit concerned." The threat proved to be idle, and the meetings carried on." At least twenty made professions of faith that year, including : * [[Edward Osthoff]] (1876-1952)* [[Frances Elizabeth Broessel Osthoff]] (1887-1957) * [[Amanda Ellen Graybill Ricker]] (1862-1973), who lived to be 110, later living in Dubuque.* [[Susie May Ricker Hauschen]] (1894-1986) Amanda's daughter* [[Lawrence William Dehn]] (1899-1950)* [[Lou Beetim]] (1873-1958)* [[Mahlon Wilson Ricker]] (1859-1943) Clayton is also where [[Matilda Mary Brandt Kramer]] (1879-1968) first heard the Gospel, saved at Garnavillo in 1919.
==Clayton Gospel Hall==
Susie Ricker, one of the sisters in the meeting at Clayton, developed a deep concern for Mrs. Fred Kramer, a woman she worked for in Garnavillo. She mentioned this concern to Oliver, who without hesitation, went to visit the Kramers. They showed a keen interest in the gospel, so Oliver arranged for meetings which began in June of 1919. "I didn't know a soul except the Kramers," he said.
Making use of an old church building, Oliver preached to growing numbers every night. Traveling the narrow dirt roads over hilly terrain to get to the meetings proved to be quite a chore. His Model T was often bogged down in mud or grounded by a flat tire. He would hike to neighboring farms in search of help. These experiences were turned into wonderful opportunities, as he spoke with farmers about their souls. See more at [[Garnavillo Gospel Hall, IA]].
===Letters of Interest===
==Post-Clayton Gospel Hall==
In 1956, there was a “School of Missions” series teacher named Frances Osthoff that was honored at St. Luke’s Methodist in Dubuque. Not certain this is the same one.