USA > Illinois > Edwards County > Combined history of Edwards, Lawrence and Wabash counties, Illinois. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 41
USA > Illinois > Wabash County > Combined history of Edwards, Lawrence and Wabash counties, Illinois. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 41
USA > Illinois > Lawrence County > Combined history of Edwards, Lawrence and Wabash counties, Illinois. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 41
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Unfortunately, but little has been done in the county in the way of institutes, which is so necessary for a well- organiz d corps of teachers and for the welfare of the public schools. In 1881 the teachers of the county or- ganized an institute which met monthly and was con- tinued for over a year, but, lacking a head, it collapsed and has not since been revived. . A session of three days was held at Mt. Carmel in September, 1882, with very satisfactory results. Quite a large number of teachers were in attendance, and much good grew out of this short session. The schools of the county sadly need proper and judicious superintending ; and, with the present Superintendent of Schools, Prof. A. P. Manley, it may reasonably be expected that a new era will open for the advancement of the schools of Wabash county.
CHAPTER XIII.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
EDWARDS COUNTY.
SKETCHES OF THE M. E CHURCHES. BY REV. L. C. ENGLISH.
N 1812 the Little Wabash Circuit was constitu- ted, and John Smith was appointed preacher- in-charge, and Peter Cartwright was the Pre- siding Elder. The region now embraced in Edwards
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
county formed a part of this circuit, which was then in- cluded in the Tennessee Conference. Changes in names and bounds have been made, but the Minutes show a regularly appointed preacher to this region from that date to the present. The first societies were organized in private houses, and but little record of them is to be obtained. About 1825 a class was organized at the house of George Michels, sr., one and a half miles south- east of Albion, of which he was the leader; services were continued here till about 1854, when the members were put into other classes. The first quarterly meeting held in Albion was in 1831, in the old court-house. James McKean and John Fox were the circuit preach- ers, and George Locke was the Presiding Elder. The first class-meeting is thought to have been held at the house of C. Schofield, about that time. Fromn about 1840, public services were held in a Union church until the M. E. church now occupied was built. Before 1836, a class was organized in the neighborhood of Old Union, ยท near where Simpson chapel now stands. Among the first members were the families of James Dewherst and Cavy Lambert. In 1837 a class was formed at the house of Joseph Robinson, half a mile N. E. of Pinhook. Luther D. Morgan, from Terre Haute, Indiana, was the leader. John Fox was the preacher in 1837, and S. P. Burr in 1838. In 1840 Jacob E. Reed organized a class at the house of John Brown, near Bone Gap, consisting of the following members: John Brown and wife, James Hocking and wife, John Hocking and wife, Richard Hocking, Ann Gould, David S. Rude and wife. John Brown was the first leader.
The following are the M. E. churches in the county at this time:
Salem .- This church is in the N. E. part of the county at Bone Gap Station, on the P. De E. R. R. A good frame house was built in 1848, and occupied till about 1870, when a larger and more commodious house was built, in which a large and prosperous church and Sao- bath-school meet every Sabbath. Here are the largest M. E. Church and S. S. in the county. This society em- braces some of the most wealthy men in the county, who contribute liberally to the support of the church ..
Mt. Pleasant .- This church was built about 1856. It is three miles west of north from Albion, near James Mi- chels. His family and a few others constitute the small society here. A small Sabbath-school is superintended by James Michels ; the church and school are almost wholly supported by this family. Being near other lar- ger churches, it is not likely that either will ever be nu- merically strong, but they are doing a good work for some who perhaps otherwise would not be provided for these important things.
Albion .- This church was also built about 1856. It is a small frame, and is still in good condition, and is occupied by a small but prosperous society and Sabbath school. Among the first members were the families of George Michels, sr., Charles Schofield, John West, -- Boothe, Robert Jacques and Joseph Wheeler ; several of
these families were from England, and the others from the Eastern States. The present membership is about sev- enty. They are devoted to Methodist doctrine and usages, and liberally support the church.
Asbury-This is a small brick church ; was built about 1866. The society was organized by Henry Mani- fold, about 1859, at the house of John Marriott, who was the first leader. Three other persons, viz: Nancy Marriott, Thomas Marriott and Mary Marriott made up the class. Soon after, John Goodbourn, a brother- in-law of the Marriotts, joined their number. This church is in Frazier prairie, seven miles north of Graysville. Being near other churches, the society and Sabbath school are both small.
Fortney -This church is four miles north of Graysville, built about 1870. Before 1840, a class was organized at the house of Frederick Botrammel, from which time regular circuit preaching has been continued sometimes meeting at the house of John Fortney, who was the first leader, and sometimes at the school house until the building of the church, which is a good frame building. The people are largely indebted to Susanna Marriott, an English lady who walked through the country and solicited most of the money with which it was built. From this humble beginning there is now a prosperous church and Sunday-school.
Simpson Chapel .- Was built in 1871. It is about four miles S. W., of Bone Gap. It is the result of the increased wealth and numbers of older societies. Here is a faithful and promising membership and a very good Sunday-school. It is surrounded by a church- loving and church-going people. The congregation is made up largely of young people, the children of Christian parents, some of whom have passed away. But their mantel has fallen upon their children, and from them the church has much to expect in the future.
Brown's Chapel is five miles N. W. of Graysville. The original name was Mt. Pleasant. The first society was organized by Rev. - Walker, in 1836, at the house of William Brown, who was a native of Maine. It con- sisted of the following persons : William Brown and wife, Archibald Melrose and wife, Johu Scot and wife, Ishmael Blackford and wife, Anthony Wilkinson and wife and Esther Harper. William Brown was the leader and steward. From this time services were held at his house until 1849, when the society built a log church, which was occupied until about 1878. Since that time they have met with Mt. Zion Society until Brown's chapel shall be completed, which is being built. It will be a good frame church. Pastors from 1837 to 1844, were Taylor R. Allen, J. E. Reed, J. H. Hill, William Cummings, A. Bradshaw, J. H. Dickens and John Shepherd.
Mt. Zion, is five miles S. W. of Albion, and in Boltinghouse Prairie. The society was organized June 17, 1867, by William Bruner. The class consisted of seventeen members: Charles Baxter was appointed
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
leader and James Roosevelt was steward. Since that time regular services have been kept up at an old log Union Church. There is a membership of about sixty- five. A beautiful site for a church is deeded, and a good frame church is to be built this year. A Sunday- school is kept up through the summer. Situated in a rich farming country with a new church, a prosperous future may be expected for this society.
A small class was organized at Curtisville in the N. W., corner of the county in 1879, which meets in a school-house.
Most of this county is embraced in the Albion circuit which was organized in 1851.
The pastors from that date have been as follows :
1851, A. Campbell ; 1852, J. Shepherd ; 1853, J. N. Haley; 1854, J. Glaze ; 1855, J. Glaze ; 1856-7, A. B. Morrison ; 1858-9, H. Manifold; 1860.1, L. C. English ; 1862, J. Glaze; 1863, D. Chipman ; 1864, W. J. Grant ; 1865-6, V. D. Lingenfelter ; 1867-8, J. C. Green ; 1869- 70-71, J. B. Ravenscroft ; 1872, T. A. Eaton ; 1873, J. W. Lowe; 1874, S. Brooks; 1875-6-7, W. Tilroe ; 1878-9, C. W. Sabine; 1880-1, J. B. Ravenscroft ; 1882, L. C. English.
The following is a list of the official members :
C. Baxter, H. Breckner, J. Brown, E. Clark, J. Cope- land, J. Curtis, J. B. Curtis, S. N. Dalby, J. Ellis, T. Gawthorp, J. Goodbourn, A. A. Gould, D. Gould. I. Gould, J. Harms, J. Hallam, T. Hodgsou, J. S. Jack, D. Lambert, D. B. Leach, Geo Leach, Geo. Machin, J. Marriott, T. Marriott, Geo. Michels, E. Michels, J. Michels, M. Michels, H. C. Porter, A. Rude, R. Rude, Z. Shurtleff, A. Shurtleff, W: Stanley, C. Woodham.
The number of members is about six hundred.
The value of church property is about ten thousand dollars.
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
BY REV. B. HUTCHINS.
Services connected with the Protestant Episcopal Church were held very early in the history of this set- tlement in Edwards county at Albion and at Wan- borough. George Flower, in his history of "The English Settlement," says "a native of the Island of Guernsey, Mr Benjamin Grutt, read the Episcopal ser- vice in a room in Albion set apart for a public library. This religious worship commenced in Wanborough and Albion in the early part of the year 1819," He also says, " If I remember correctly, it was in the following year, 1820, that the Rev. Mr. Baldwin, an Episcopal missionary, preached several sermons in Albion and gathered the Episcopal members together and organized a church designated St. John's Church. Mr. Pickering was an active promoter, and gave efficient aid to this early Episcopal organization.
The Rev. Amos G. Baldwin, in his organization of St. John's church, sixty years ago, was encour- aged, it is believed, by William Pickering, Judge
Wattles, John Woods, Benjamin Grutt, Daniel Orange, James Carter, William Funks, David Hearsum and others.
Taken from "Two Years' Residence in English Prai- rie, Illinois, by John Woods, 1822.
" In 1820 it was agreed to have public worship at Wanborough, and Sunday, 25th of April, divine service was first held in a log cabin that was built for a school, room. Prayers from the services of the Church of England, with a few omissions, were read by one of the inhabitants, and a sermon by another. This meeting was well attended, and has been continued every Sun- day in the forenoon at 11 o'clock ; and those of the Church of England and Quakers both attend it.
At Albion there is a place of worship in part of the market-house, in which divine service is performed every Sunday in the forenoon. Prayers and a sermon are read by one of the inhabitants. I twice attended. The service was from the Church of England with some variations. I think they style themselves Unitarisns." .
It may have been within two years later that Mr. Baldwin came, say in 1821 or 1822, when he tarried six weeks in the house of Mr. John Woods, Sr., who had pre- viously read the service of the Protestant Episcopal Church himself.
The Rev. Dr. James Craik, late Rector of Christ Church, Louisville, Kentucky, in his little book enti- tled " Historical Sketches of Christ Church, Louisville," says : "One devoted minister had visited Louisville two years before the commencement of this enterprise (namely the beginning of the church in 1823.) The Rev. A. G. Baldwin traveled as far as this point and possibly beyond. He preached in 18_0 or thereabouts."
It may be proper just here for the writer to mention his own connection with the church services in Albion, and what induced him to come out here in the spring of 1838. He had read in some printed document or mis- sionary report, that the Rev. Amos G. Baldwin, in his missionary tour had visited Albion and had organized St. John's church, that the church people of St. John's church had looked in vain for a missionary to come to them on account of the inability of the Board of Missions to provide either man or money ; that they had tried to get a minister or rector themselves but for the like scarcity could not effect it, Mr. Pickering call- ing upon the Rev. Dr. Milner, Rector of St. George's church, New York, with a view to accomplish this de- sired result. The writer also read that in the lapse of time the Missionary Board became strengthened enough to do something for Albion, but the answer came that it was " too late, they had all gone over to infidelity."
It was in this situation of things that the writer re- solved to come out himself, and so in March, 1838, the Rev. B. Hutchins and his wife came from Philadelphia by Louisville, Ky., and New Albany, Ind., to Albion, Illinois. This visit is substantiated by Mr. George Flower, for he says : "In 1838 the Rev. B. Hutchins visited Albion as a missionary prospecting in the inter-
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
ests of the Episcopal cause. During his short visit Mr. H. held two or three services in the court-house, but not being able at that time to secure a dwelling house left, and went to Vincennes." It was at Vincennes, Ind., that the Rev. B. H. remained more than five months, where his first daughter was born, yet during that per- iod he visited both Albion and Centreville once or oftener in each month for Sunday services. There were two brothers from Ireland, George and Joseph Williams, who with their families constituted the Episcopal church at Centreville, Wabash county. The Rt. Rev. Philander Chase, D. D., Bishop of Illinois, was written to by these brothers to provide church ministrations for them. On my coming out in March, 1838, a letter from Bishop Chase came into my hands directing me to visit and officiate in Wabash county. Accordingly I did.
Three years after this I removed from Philadelphia to Albion, bringing with me my wife and two children and my father also. A revival and reorganization of St. John's church soon followed, and some who were present when Mr. Amos G. Baldwin made his visit about twenty years previously rallied round the church ban- ner, and remained true to it till they died. Removals and death had lessened the number, yet William Pick- ering, James Carter, John Tribe, Samuel N. Dalby and others were found still living. Benjamin Grutt, in Church de St. Esprit, New York, was one with us in spirit and by letter. Children and grandchildren of the early members of the church were baptized in fami- lies. Divine services were held in the old court house and a Sunday-school instituted.
At a public meeting of the friends and members of the church held 28th March, 1842, present, Rev. B. Hutchins H. J. Hutchins, David Hearsum, F. B. Thompson, M. D., Joel Churchill, John Brissenden, James Carter, Sr., John Richford, Joseph and Robert Williams, Bryan Walker, W. C. Mayo, H. Ronalds, George Ferriman, H. J. Hutchins, Chairman, George Ferriman, Secretary, the following resolutions were offered and carried.
Resolved, That we organize a Protestant Episcopal Church in this village and proceed to the election of nine vestrymen.
Resolved, That the title of this church be St. John's Church.
Resolved, That the charter of incorporation proposed be adopted.
Resolved, that the following persons be elected ves- trymen-viz. : Henry J. Hutchins, Joseph Williams, George Ferriman, John Pichford, James Carter, Sr., David Hearsum, Joel Churchill, Robert Naylor and Samuel N. Dalby.
Before proceeding further with this history it may be right and proper to state, as was probably the case that William Pickering, Benjamin Gru'tt, John Woods, sr., Daniel Orange, Judge Wattles, with James Carter, sr., John Tribe and Bryan Mather it may be also,
were the early friends of the church, at the time of Mr. Baldwin's visit.
In September, 1842, the corner-stone of a brick church was laid on a lot given by George Flower and his wife Eliza Julia, on the 10th of May, 1842. The Rev. B. B. Kettehetty, Rector of St. James' church, Vincennes, Ind., Rev. B. Halstead, Rector of St. Stephen's church, New Harmony, Ind., and Rev. B. Hutchins, Rector of St. John's church, Albion, were the three officiating ministers. Within the stone a tin box was placed containing records and papers. Rev. B. B. Kettehetty laid the stone with the usual words and cere- mony in the name of the Holy Trinity. Two of these ministers yet live. B. Halstead in Mississippi and B. Hutchins here, while a son survives his father B. B. K. bearing the same name and ministry.
We next come to the building of the church. This was accomplished before June, 1843; and on the 24;h and 25th day of June was consecrated by Bishop Philander Chase, and on the same occasion fifteen child- ren and adults were baptized and twenty-four persons were confirmed. The building had a vestry room, attached to it, and was furnished within with the chancel fixtures of Reading Desk, Baptismal font, Pulpit and communion table or altar. The structure was free from debt.
Very soon after an addition was made in front of brick also, being a tower with vestibules, gallery and belfry, having likewise a bell and organ. It, like the main building, was left free from debt. A Bishop's chair was placed in the chancel. And now began with the House of God a succession of seven ministers all in Priest's orders continuing to this day, the first and the last together, the one as Rector in charge, the other kindly considered as Rector Emeritus. The names of the seven are, Hutchins, Brittan, Comings, Clatworthy, Ryatt, Morratt, and Humphries and only one of these, Brittan, taken away from earth.
During Rev. William Morr att's 2} years service the church was remodelled at the chancel end and enlarged and beautified, and the chair brought forward and a supe- rior organ provided and a new lecture and reading desk, and inner railing substituted to correspond with the new and ornamented frame work. Likewise a new chande- lier for the main building or nave of the church, and a large coal stove were bought and put up. Rev. Mr. Morratt's ministry was attended by these improvements. It is too soon to make mention of the beneficial change of the present Rector, the Rev. Henry Humphries.
The baptisms have been four hundred infants and adults. . Confirmed one hundred and fifty persons, young and old. The Holy Communion has been administered monthly and on the principal festivals, while within the last three months it has been adminis- tered weekly and on all the festivals, major aud minor.
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
BY CHARLES WARMOTH.
Long Prairie Church. - This church of regular Baptists, now situated in Shelby Precinct, was constituted with eight members, in the month of July, 1825. The members then were Isaac Greathouse, George Mccown, Margaret McCown, Jonathan Shelby, Thomas Carney, Sarah Clark, and Margaret Sams. At the December meeting, 1825, the church elected E'der Elias Roberts as her pastor, who served them until July, 1823.
At the September meeting of 1826, we find an act, setting apart Friday before their communion, as a day of fasting, and that they engage in feet washing, on Saturday before their communion. The latter, they still practice.
On the first Wednesday in October, 1827, John Miller was ordained to the full functions of a Gospel minister. The first ordination of a minister in this church. The said Elder Miller was chosen pastor of the church, in July, 1828.
In April, 1830, Jacob T. Dunavan was excluded from the church, at his own request, on the plea that he did not believe he was worthy to be in the church. In September, 1830, Lot Sams was elected treasurer of the church.
In April, 1831, Elder Richard Gardner was elected pastor of the churchi, as successor to Elder Miller. The Doty family, whose names have been very prominent in this church, came to this country in the year, 1831.
Up ta this time, the church was very prosperous, and held their regular meetings, and at almost every meeting accessions were made to the church. Almost all their actions seem to have been in the spirit of Christian love and brotherly affection, and they drew the line of dis- cipline very rigidly. They did not allow their members to say anything to wound the feeling of a brother, with- out calling on such offender to account for it. The evil of tattling and talebearing, which is so common, and yet so annoying to churches and communities generally, met with very little encouragement by this church in its early history. They seem to have been very familiar with the admonition of our Lord : "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Jonathan Shelby was the first clerk of this church, and he served until his successor, Thomas Carney, was elected, in October, 1833. Elder Jeremiah Doty was elected pastor in 1834.
At the January meeting, in 1835, we find an item of business on record that reminds us of a custom, that perhaps but few will remember. That was the heinous practice of teachers treating their schools to whisky, or other ardent spiri:s.
The third item of their business at the meeting above- named reads thus ; " That the church forbids the trustees of schools, that may be taught in the meeting-house, allowing the teacher, or any other person to bring treats, or any kind of spirits to be drank in the meeting house."
Felix Potter was ordained to the work of the ministry in June, 1835.
Fetherston Doty was elected clerk of the church in April, 1842, as successor to Thomas Carney, who, about that time, or shortly afterwards, left this country, and emigrated to Missouri.
C. S. Madding was ordained to the work of the ministry, in October, 1843.
In January, 1854, W. H. Pullen was elected clerk of the church.
Thomas A. Rogers was elected clerk, in 1859, and in March, 1861, Samuel T. Doty, his successor, was elected. For a time, during the war, there was not much business of importance in the church. They had no house to meet in, and had no regular pastor, and the result was, when they met, it was at some school-house or some brother's residence, and often without a preacher, so their congregations diminished to a great extent. In 1867, Lemuel Potter was ordained to the work of the ministry, and arrangements were made with the Missionary Baptists, for the use of their house to hold their meetings in, and in a few years the church revived again, and had quite a number of accessions, under the ministry of Elders Felix Potter, J. D. Jones, and Lemuel Potter. Yet the church had no duly elected pastor, from the time of Elder Jere. Doty's death, which was in 1861, until about the beginning of the year 1868, when Elder David S. Ford was elected pastor of the church.
In March, 1870, Elder Lemuel Potter was elected pastor of the church, and in March, 1872, Harrison C. Bell was elected clerk, and in May following, Elder Felix Potter was elected prstor of the church.
In August, 1873, H. C. Bell was ordained to the work of the ministry, and in November following, he was elected pastor, and S. T. Doty clerk of the church.
At the March meeting, 1878, Ciney Greathouse and Lot Potter were both ordained to the full functions of Gospel ministers.
In July, 1882, Charles Warmoth was elected clerk of the church, and is the present clerk, and Elder H. C. Bell is the present pastor.
In the year, 1876, the church built the house they now meet in.
Thus, we have given the most important events in the history of this church, for about 57 years, and find that in that time she has had eight pastors, and has ordained seven ministers. Elder Jeremiah Doty served as pastor the longest of any other one man, and S. T. Doty served them as clerk, first and last more than any other one man. In looking over the names of the most prominent members of this church, many years ago, we find the familiar names of Lot Sams, Thomas Carney, David Greathouse, John Bell, Henry Warmoth, Jonathan Shelby, and many others, among whom is J. R. Mison- heimer, who, it is said, never failed to fill his seat without assigning the cause for such failure. In the year 1866, the writer of this article joined this church, and it has only been a little over 16 years ; but in that short time
-
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
the grim monster, death has taken all the male members that were in the church when we joined but one. Jesse Potter is the only male member of this church now that greeted us with the hand of fellowship at that time. But, where are all those dear ones, whose names are so familiar, and yet whose faces we never see ?
CHURCH OF CHRIST.
BY M. T. HOUGH.
The Church of Christ, sometimes known in history as the Disciples, or Christian Church, has, under the blessing of God, grown to a position of considerable influence in the United States and other countries. For nearly 65 years these disciples have been pushing the claims of the Bible and the Bible alone, and many readers of this history of Edwards county may desire to know something of the results of their labor, and their present condition and prospects. Their numerical strength in the United States is estimated at nearly 700,000, and they have a considerable membership in Canada, England and Aus- tralia. They are a missionary people, and as God gives them ability they begin to reach out toward foreign lands more fully. They now have missions in France, Sweden, Denmark, New Zealand, India and the Sand- wich Islands.
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