USA > Illinois > Madison County > Centennial history of Madison County, Illinois, and its people, 1812 to 1912, Volume I > Part 48
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About the year 1895, the Alton city council abolished the sub-school district lines, thus
making the city of Alton one undivided school district.
Two school buildings, one the Douglass, located at corner of Market and 10th streets, the other the Lovejoy, located at corner of Union and Silver streets, were erected and oc- cupied in September, 1897. These buildings are two story, two room brick buildings, modern in all of their appointments, and cost about $5,000.00 each. The colored children in various parts of the city attend these schools. Some of the prominent colored citi- zens of Alton, feeling that they were being de- prived of their legal school rights, in the fall of 1897 instituted mandamus proceedings against the Alton city council and the Alton Board of Education, to compel them to permit the colored children to attend the schools most convenient to their homes. This case was in the courts about eleven years and was finally settled in favor of the colored people.
The majority of the colored citizens of Alton in the meantime, however, had become satisfied that their children were receiving proper care and attention in the Douglass and Lovejoy schools, and although the case was finally settled in their favor, made no attempt to take their children from those schools.
Separate schools are, therefore, main- tained for the colored children of Alton through the eighth grade. All colored chil- dren having completed the eighth grade work, in their respective schools, are admitted to the Alton high school for further school work.
In 1898 a new school building was erected on Joesting Avenue, and occupied for the first time in March, 1900. This building was known as the Lowell school and is a two story, four room brick, and costing about $12,000.00.
About 2,000 pupils were now enrolled in the public schools of Alton. Every school build- ing was filled to its utmost capacity; and the school population was steadily increasing. The high school enrollment had reached 175. The high school pupils were crowded into a
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few rooms at Lincoln school. The Board of Education therefore decided to build a school building devoted exclusively to high school work. A special election was called for the purpose of authorizing the issuance of bonds to the amount of $50,000.00, for the erection of a new high school building. The result of the election favored the erection of the build- ing and the board immediately began work upon plans.
The corner stone for this building was laid with appropriate ceremonies, June II, 1902.
The building was completed and ready for occupancy the middle of November, 1902. It was erected at the southwest corner of Sixth and Langdon streets and cost, fully equipped, $51,000.00.
In 1907 the village of North Alton was an- nexed to Alton. Its school buildings were very old and in no wise suitable for the ac- commodation of the school children of the dis- trict. Before annexation, the village had made all arrangements for erecting a new school building in the district. After annexa- tion, the Alton board took up the matter and erected the building on Elm street as formerly contemplated. This building, known as Mc- Kinley school, is a two story, seven room brick structure. It cost about $18,000.00, and was occupied for the first time in September, 1908.
In April 1911 the village of Upper Alton was annexed to the city of Alton, thus plac- ing two more school buildings under the con- trol of the Alton board of education.
There are now within the corporate limits of the city of Alton, fourteen public school buildings containing, all told, ninety-one rooms, with a capacity to accommodate 3.300 school children. The total value of this school property, including grounds, furnishings, etc. is estimated at $265,000.00.
The present enrollment of the Alton public
schools is a little over 3,000 pupils. Of this number 400 are high school pupils.
The total number of principals and teachers employed is 94 regular and 8 substitute teach- ers. Of this number, 18 are high school teachers.
The course of study in the Alton schools covers a term of twelve years, four of which are given up exclusively to high school work.
The Alton high school was placed on the accredited list of the North-Central Associa- tion of Colleges several years ago. It presents seven courses of study.
BOARD OF EDUCATION
The Alton Board of Education as now con- stituted, consists of fourteen members and a president. The members of the board, two from each ward, are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the city council. The term of office is two years. The president is also appointed by the Mayor. His term of office is one year.
For years the members of the various Boards of Education of the city of Alton have been representative men, ardent supporters of its public school system. It is impossible to mention them all by name, but it seems emi- nently fitting that those who have served as officers of the board should receive recogni- tion here.
First and foremost among the presidents is John L. Blair, who served continuously as a board member (most of the time as its pres- ident) for nineteen years. Mr. Blair closed his term of service in 1878.
Since Mr Blair's retirement, the following named persons have each served in the capac- ity of president of the Alton Board of Educa- tion, viz .: Louis Haagen, Dr. E. Guelich, A. R. Mckinney, Jno. H. Gager, H. M. Carr, Adolph Finke, Dr. Waldo Fisher, Thos. H. Perrin, Dr. Geo. A. McMillen, J. A. Cousley, Dr. G. E.
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Wilkinson, J. W. Beall and the present incum- bent, J. W. Schoeffler.
The secretaries have been as follows: F. H. Ferguson, from February, 1874, to December, 1890; A. J. Kellenberger, 1890, to October,
1895; Geo. Emery, October, 1895, to July, 1905 ; R. A. Haight, July, 1905, to May, 1907; Dr. G. E. Wilkinson, May, 1907, to May, 1910, and the present incumbent, P. B. Cousley, hav- ing served since May, 1910.
CHAPTER XLV
PIONEER CHURCHES OF THE COUNTY
FIRST CAMP MEETING-FIRST PROTESTANT MINISTER-PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES-UPPER AL- TON. METHODISTS-PIONEER M. E. CHURCH OF EDWARDSVILLE-ALTON CHURCHES-WANDA -ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL OF ALTON-ALTON GERMAN EVANGELICAL-CHURCH OF THE RE- DEEMER-THE A. M. E. AND UNION BAPTIST - GERMAN METHODISTS - PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES-EARLY BAPTIST CHURCHES IN COUNTY - UNITARIAN CHURCH OF ALTON - CHURCH OF CHRIST (CHRISTIAN )-PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCHES-CUMBERLAND PRES- BYTERIAN CHURCHES-LIBERTY PRAIRIE AND OMPHGHENT-THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN MADISON COUNTY-NUMBER OF CHURCHES IN COUNTY.
[Authorities-In the preparation of this chapter we are indebted to the chapters on the Methodist Episcopal church, by Hon. E. M. West, and to that on the Baptist denomination, by Rev. Dr. J. Bulkley, both in "Brink's His- tory of Madison County," especially for data as to the time of organization of churches and names of charter members or officials. Also to Rev. Dr. A. T. Norton's "History of the Presbyterian Church in Illinois," and to Rev. J. B. Logan's "History of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Illinois." Likewise to numerous pamphlets, and to sketches in Alton Telegraph, to which we have had access. To. mention, in detail, all the churches now exist- ing would be an impossible task in the space allotted-hence special mention has been con- fined to the pioneer churches still in existence, leaving those of more recent date to later writers. ]
FIRST CAMP MEETING
The first camp meeting held in what is now Madison county was held near the residence of Thomas Good, three miles south of Ed- wardsville, in the spring of 1807. It was under direction of Bishop William McKen- dree, then presiding elder of circuits covering several western states and territories. The
meeting was in charge of Rev. Jesse Walker. He was the founder of the Methodist church in Illinois and the first presiding elder of the Illinois district. He was born in Virginia in 1796. After laboring some years in this and neighboring counties he removed to Plainfield, then known as Walker's Grove. He died in 1835. On September 29, 1911, a monument was erected to his memory at Plainfield under the joint auspices of the M. E. church North and South. The old Bethel church in Madison and Shiloh church in St. Clair were the two earliest Methodist churches in Illinois. As early as 1803 Methodist itinerants began la- boring in the county, riding from one isolated settlement to another, holding services about once a month. Josias Randle, for many years clerk of the court, was one of the pioneer preachers. Thomas Randle, Samuel H. Thompson, John Dew and Nathaniel Pinckard were early Methodist preachers. The last- named spent his declining years in Upper Al- ton. He was the father of William G. Pinck- ard, one of the earliest residents of Alton.
Another prominent name is that of Rev. Simon Peter, who settled on Scarritt's Prairie
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in 1830. He was for a time presiding elder of the Lebanon district. He died at Brighton in 1877, aged 85 years.
FIRST PROTESTANT MINISTER
The first Protestant minister to enter Illi- nois was Rev. James Smith, a Baptist. He came from Kentucky in 1787, and, later, in fellowship with David Bagley and James Chance, founded the first Baptist church at New Design. A Baptist church was built of logs in section 24, township 5, range 9, about two miles south of Bethalto, in 1809 Rev. William Jones, who later served in the legis- lature, was the first minister who held service there. Other early Baptist preachers were Rev. Thos. Ray, Rev. Benjamin Young and Rev. Thos. Oglesby, the last-named preaching in the county as early as 1804. The famous Rev. Peter Cartwright also preached frequent- ly in the county, though a non-resident. Rev. John M. Peck, the celebrated missionary, or- ganizer and author, came in 1822 and was a co-laborer with Rev. Jonathan Goings. Dr. Peck, although a resident of St. Clair, labored much in Madison and at one time published the Pioneer and Baptist Standard Bearer at Alton. Mr. John Leverett, of Upper Alton, has a number of letters written to his father, Prof. Warren Leverett, by Dr. Peck in the early thirties. He had worthy successors in the persons of Rev. Ebenezer Rodgers, Rev. Washington Leverett, Rev. Alvin Bailey, Rev. Dr. J. Bulkley and others.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES
The oldest Presbyterian church in Illinois was founded at Sharon in White county in 1816. Next came Shoal Creek in Bond county, March 10, 1819; Edwardsville, five days later, March 15, 1819; Golconda, Pope county, March 24, 1819; Alton, June 8, 1821 ; Collinsville, May 10, 1823. The Collinsville church has been in continuous existence ever since, a longer period than any other Presby- Vol. I-22
terian church in the county. The church, from its formation until 1843, worshiped in a house erected in 1818, the first frame meet- ing house in Illinois. The first Edwardsville church died in 1833 of inanition. The second Presbyterian church there was organized in the winter of 1837-38. It survived until 1859. Since then it has been twice revived and is now in a flourishing condition. The first Al- ton Presbyterian church survived until 1826, when it was incorporated with that at Ed- wardsville in consequence of the removal of all the members but two. The second church was organized June 9, 1831, and is still in ex- istence. The Sugar Creek church was organ- ized June 14, 1829. It was located in the southeast corner of the county. The first house of worship, erected in 1831, was a log building. Each man furnished his own logs and each family its own slab seat. The build- ing had only one window. All the money laid out was for the window. The second house was a frame building erected in 1843. The third house, erected in 1877, is over the line in Clinton county and is quite a pretentious edifice.
Another pioneer Presbyterian church is that of Marine, organized November 2, 1833, with sixteen members, mainly belonging to the fa- mous Marine colony, which is spoken of else- where. The Presbyterian church at Troy was organized October 2, 1842. It was the first church organization in the place. The first house of worship was a neat frame, 24×30 feet. The next meeting house was built of brick and cost $10,000. It was dedicated May 3, 1872, the 74th birthday anniversary of the pastor, Rev. Robert Stewart.
The Presbyterian church of Rattan's Prai- rie, now Moro, was organized December 9, 1848, by Revs. Valentine Pentzer and P. D. Young. It has had but one house of worship, built in 1853, and is still standing. St. John's German Presbyterian church was organized at Ridgeley in 1861 and subsequently passed
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into another connection. Zion (German) Presbyterian church was organized at Foster- burg October 12, 1857, by Revs. C. Schiable and H. Blanke, with twenty members. It is still in existence.
UPPER ALTON METHODISTS
The oldest church organization in the Al- tons is the Methodist of Upper Alton. In 1817, a year after the town was laid out, a class of six persons was formed under the ministrations of Rev. S. H. Thompson. They were Ebenezer and Mary Hodges, Jonathan and Delilah Browne and John Seely. This was the nucleus of the present large and flour- ishing society. The society met for several years in private houses, but in 1835 a church was built, which was occupied until 1849, when a new brick church was built, princi- pally by the efforts of Mr. and Mrs. L. J. Clawson. It was called Wesley chapel. This building still stands in a good state of preser- vation, but a movement is now on foot to erect a new edifice to meet the needs of an in- creasing congregation. This church, during the ninety-five years of its existence, has made a noble record and been served by many pas- tors who have ranked high in the annals of the church in Illinois.
According to that eminent layman, the late Hon. E. M. West, "the first Methodist church in Illinois territory was built in 1805 on land owned by Thomas Good, 21/2 miles southwest of where Edwardsville now stands. It was called Bethel and was the largest religious society in the county. By the year 1813, the Goshen settlement was increased by a large number of Methodist families who united with the Methodist church. Between 1805 and 1812 there was a large increase in the number of Methodist societies in the county. Among the leaders was William Otwell, a patriot, soldier and statesman. He served several terms in the legislature and died at his home in this county in 1844. Rev. S. H. Thompson,
from 1809 to 1834, was the great field marshal of Methodism in Illinois. Gen. Jackson, in the last-named year, appointed him register of the land office in Edwardsville, but he con- tinued his ministrations on the Sabbath until his death in 1841 at his home in Edwards- ville."
TROY
In 1813 a Methodist society was organized in Troy in the house of John Jarvis. Subse- quently the society constructed a small frame building called Gilead, on section 14, near the residence of Rev. Jesse Renfro, an efficient local and circuit preacher. In 1876 the so- ciety transferred its membership to Troy. In 1864 the society erected the Jubilee church and in 1870 built a large and handsome brick edifice under the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Van Winkle. It was dedicated, in his old age, by the Rev. Peter Cartwright, and was that fa- mous preacher's last public service.
PIONEER M. E. CHURCH OF EDWARDSVILLE
A church society of note, which has en- joyed a continuous existence of eighty-five years, with three successive church edifices on the same site, is St. John's M. E. church of Edwardsville. It dates back two years earlier than the Alton church of that denomi- nation. It was organized when Rev. John Hogan was on the circuit. In December, 1827, a society of twenty-one members was formed with Rev. Richard Randle as class leader. Within a few months the membership in- creased to forty, the majority of them leading and prominent citizens. In 1829 the society built a church, a frame structure, 40 by 60 feet, on the same site as the present house of worship. This was replaced by a brick edifice in 1853. When the original church was built in 1829 the trustees were: W. P. McKee, Alexander Miller, William Otwell, W. C. Ballard, Richard Randle, Barton Randle and Joel Neff. Rev. William S. Deneen was the first M. E. minister stationed in Edwards-
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
ville. His son, Samuel H. Deneen, became a professor in McKendree college. His daugh- ter married Hon. A. W. Metcalf. The grand- son of this pioneer preacher is Hon. Charles S. Deneen, governor of Illinois, who was born in Edwardsville. This church is a link be- tween the present and the past, and on its rolls are inscribed the names of many citizens who served well their generation in the social, civic and official life of the county-and its many successive pastors have been men of power in directing the religious aspirations of the community. The present pastor, Rev. J. W. McNeill, is an honored leader in the clerical ranks of his denomination.
ALTON CHURCHES
The Alton Presbyterian church (the first) was organized June 9, 1821, by Rev. Edward Hollister and Rev. Daniel Gould, members of the Connecticut Missionary Society. Mr. Hollister's son, Capt. Edward Hollister, was subsequently an elder of this church. The senior Hollister's grandson, Edgar Hollister, is now an elder of same church. The church was organized with these members: Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Long, Isaac Waters, Henry H. Snow, Edward Hastings, Abigail Waters, La- vinia Bishop and Brittania Brown. The last- named was the wife of Dr. Erastus Brown and a sister of Col. Rufus Easton, the founder of Alton. The church existed for nearly five years and then, in consequence of the removal of all its members but Mr. and Mrs. Long, it was consolidated with the Edwardsville church. The first church was organized in a log school house in Upper Alton. This church never had any regular pastor, but was supplied during its brief existence by mis- sionaries and itinerants. The second organi- zation, which still exists, was formed by Rev. Thos. Lippincott, June 9, 1831. The original members were: Mr. and Mrs. Enoch Long, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. A. Robertson, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Thurston, Mrs. Mary A. Tolman
and Geo. W. Fuller. The church was organ- ized at the home of Deacon Enoch Long, cor- ner of Main street and College avenue, on the site of the present residence of Dr. H. T. Bur- nap. The public services were held in the Upper Alton brick school house. The next place of worship was in Alton in a frame building on Second street, between Market and Alby. The building is still standing and is owned by the estate of Capt. Simeon Ryder. The next building occupied was Lyceum Hall, northeast corner of Second and Alby streets. This building was burned July 30, 1874, but rebuilt on same foundations. The third place of worship was a church built by Capt. God- frey and deeded by him to Monticello Sem- inary. It was sold to the Episcopalians in 1845. The congregation next occupied a small frame building on the northeast corner of Third and Alby streets. This occupancy was temporary, awaiting the completion of the brick church, corner of Second and Market streets, in 1846. This building, with various additions, was occupied for fifty years, when the congregation removed, erected a hand- some stone church, corner of Fourth and Alby, ·which, with parsonage adjoining, cost $30,000. The corner stone was laid July 8, 1897. The pastors of the church have been: Rev. Thos. Lippincott, until June, 1832 ; Rev. Elisha Jen- ney, until April, 1835; Rev. F. W. Graves, from June, 1835, until November, 1838; Rev. A. T. Norton, D. D., from March, 1839, to June, 1858; Rev. Dr. C. H. Taylor, from July, 1858, to March, 1868; Rev. Dr. C. S. Arm- strong, from April, 1869, to April, 1880; Rev. Dr. Thos. Gordon, September, 1881, to June, 1886; Rev. Dr. A. T. Wolff, from December, 1886, to June, 1891; Rev. Geo. W. Smith, Ph. D., to December, 1896; Rev. H. K. San- borne, from March, 1897, to March, 1905; Rev. Dr. A. G. Lane, from January, 1906, to the present time. In 1885 the church estab- lished a mission school and chapel at North
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Alton, which is still maintained and is pros- perous.
In December, 1836, Elder. Long and nine- teen others were dismissed to organize the Upper Alton Presbyterian church. In 1870 thirty-two members and, later, sixteen others, were dismissed, to organize the Church of the Redeemer (Congregational), corner of Henry and Sixth streets. The Upper Alton Presby- terian church was organized January 8, 1837, by Revs. F. W. Graves, T. B. Hurlbut and Thos. Lippincott. Its pulpit was supplied by Rev. E. P. Lovejoy, the martyr, until his tragic death November 7 of same year. At an adjourned meeting of Alton Presbytery, held November 15 following, Rev. Chas. G. Selleck was installed pastor of the church. Appropriate resolutions were adopted on the death of Mr. Lovejoy, concluding with the following, which has proved prophetic: "That we have entire confidence in the truth and final triumph of those principles of the free- dom of speech, freedom of the press and free- dom of the slave, in defense of which he lost his life."
After Mr. Selleck came a long succession of pastors, including Revs. Hubbel Loomis, H. B. Whittaker, Lemuel Foster, T. B. Hurl- but, William Barnes, W. R. Adams, Lucius I. Root, Robert Rudd, John Huston, S. B. Taggart, C. M. Brown, D. M. Hazlett, W. H. Bradley. The last-named remained pastor for twenty years. The present pastor, Rev. Charles N. McManis, began his labors in June, 19II. The first church building was erected in 1837 and occupied the same site as the present one. The lot on which it stood was donated by Deacon Enoch Long. It was de- stroyed by fire on February 10, 1858. The present building of frame was commenced soon after, but not finally finished and dedi- cated until November 15, 1865. The church has had many vicissitudes, owing to the fluc- tuating character of the population, but is now in a prosperous condition.
The First Baptist church of Upper Alton was organized April 25, 1830, by Rev. john M. Peck. The original members were: 'Ephraim Marsh, D. A. Spaulding, Winston Cheotan, Henry Evans, Jas. D. Marsh, Frances Marsh, Juliet A. Spaulding and Rachel Garrett. In 1833-4 there were forty members, thirteen of which were dismissed to unite with others in establishing the First Baptist church of Lower Alton. At various times, later on, other mem- bers were dismissed to establish branches in outlying districts. For over two years after organization the meetings were held in the log school house on Main street, later in the brick school house, corner of what is now Clawson and Edwards streets. Next in what is now the old library building of Shurtleff college, still standing. In 1836, through the efforts of the pastor, Rev. E. Rodgers, the erection of a stone church was begun at the corner of College avenue and Seminary street. This building was dedicated in 1837 and stood until 1869, when the present spacious build- ing on the opposite (west) corner was erected at a cost, including furnishings, of some $20,- 000. The pulpit of this church has been filled by many noted preachers, including Rev. E. Rodgers, J. E. Tolman, John N. Tolman, Jus- tus Bulkley, E. C. Mitchell, R. E. Pattison, N. M. Wood, J. M. Stifler and the presidents and professors of Shurtleff college. At the present time Rev. M. H. Day is ably carrying forward the work and influence of this his- toric church, which has sent out its mission- aries and teachers literally to the ends of the earth. .
The First Methodist church of Alton is another historic organization. The society was established in 1829 and had regular ap- pointments of pastors from 1833. Later on another church was formed in Middletown with a building on what is now Tremont street. The celebrated Mr. Milburn, the "blind preacher," and later chaplain of con- gress, was, in early life, one of its pastors.
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The meetings of the Alton society were at first held in Lyceum Hall; next in a building cor- ner of Alby and Third streets. This building was bought by W. G. Pinckard and Rev. J. Hogan, with intention of presenting it to the church, but the financial panic of 1837-8 pre- vented them from carrying out their plan and the congregation lost possession in 1841. A year later they were presented with a lot on the corner of Fourth and Belle streets by J. T. Hudson, president of Alton's board of trustees in 1833, and the town's first lawyer, upon which they erected a building and later a parsonage adjoining. These were destroyed by fire in 1857. They then erected a large brick church and parsonage on lots on the corner of Sixth and Market streets purchased from Rev. A. T. Norton. This edifice stood until 1905, when it was replaced by the pres- ent splendid and commodious structure, cost- ing nearly $40,000. For some time, in the early days, the three M. E. churches of Alton, Middletown and Upper Alton were served by one pastor. The Middletown church final- ly became extinct, or was merged with the other two. The pastors, dating from 1833, include many able men who have been prom- inent in the church throughout southern Illi- nois. One of the most notable of these is the Rev. Dr. J. A. Scarritt, of Alton, now 84 years old and retired from active service, but still preaching, on occasions, with his old- time power and eloquence. His long life has been spent in the service of the church. He has filled many pastorates and held the office of presiding elder. The first pastor of the church was A. E. Phelps, in 1833. The pres- ent pastor is Rev. Dr. W. T. Cline, who was assigned to Alton in 1909. Under his min- istry, during the winter of 1912, occurred the most general revival known in the history of the church, the conversions numbering over 250 and the good work extended to other churches under the efforts of the "Men and Religion Forward Movement," which exerted
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