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 42
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 42
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 42
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Some of the Disciples of Christ have become quite prominent as authors of religious books, and they pub- lish weeklies and other papers which rank among some of the ablest religious journals of the country. Their publications are, besides many books, about a dozen weeklies, eight monthlies, one quarterly, and a large circulation of Sunday-school literature for the children.
Their colleges and universities are nearly thirty in number.
The principles of the church began to be advocated in Edwards county as early as the year 1827, by Elder Amos Willis, who was the first preacher of the Church of Christ in the county. In advance of his neighbors, he embraced the principles of the Religious Reformation of the nineteenth century, headed by Alexander Campbell, Walter Scott, B. W. Stone, et al. After a life of much usefulness, Brother Willis was called to the enjoyment of that rest which remains to the people of God, on the 5th day of January, 1840.
List of preachers now living in the county, and who spend all or a part of their time in the ministry : J. C. T. Hall, Alfred Flower (at present pastor of the church at Paris, Illinois), Caleb Edwards, Wm. Flower, E. C. Stark, J. J. Ballard and the writer.
ELDER J. C. T. HALL.
This exemplary preacher of the gospel, now in his 65th year, was born in England, but came to this coun- try in 1821. He and his co-laborer, Elder A. Flower, have done more minis erial work in the county than any others. The subject of this brief sketch, though he has lived more than three-score years, is still quite vigorous,
preaching every Sunday, often riding horseback from three to ten miles to his regular appointments. The writer called on him a few weeks ago at his residence in Albion, and found him preparing to mount his horse for a three miles' ride west of the town, where he and Eld. Edwards were holding a series of evening meetings. The influence and value of a mother's prayers and Christian training are exemplified in the life of Elder Hall. From his earliest recollection his mother taught him to pray, and it was the influence of his mother's prayers that turned his mind aud heart to the gospel of the grace of God. In company with others, he went to New Orleans on a flat boat in 1837, and during this trip his inclination to Universalism was severely shaken by the extreme wickedness and wretched demeanor of some of the company. He said to himself: If such vile per- sons are to form a part of the companionship of heaven, I don't want to go there. Then this thought flashed up in his mind : May-be you are not fit to go to Heaven yourself! On his return home he resolved to give him- self to the Lord and His service, and accordingly in the spring of 1838 he made a profession of his faith in Jesus the Christ, and was baptized by Elder Amos Willis in the running waters near Little Prairie church. Some two years after this he began to preach, and has preached continuously, on Sundays, ever since. His labors, in the main, have been confined to Edwards county, and the influence of his work will be felt long after the Master calls him to that home above for which a life of piety and good works has so eminently fitted him, through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. But may it please the divine Father to spare him for many more years of use- fulness in this county, the field of forty-two years' labor already.
ALFRED FLOWER.
This tall, straight, dignified Christian gentleman is of English parents, though born in this county. He is the father of the noble Geo. E. Flower, who has been pastor of the church at Paducah, Kentucky, for eleven years. It is an invaluable gift to leave the world such a preacher. But space forbids further mention of his name here.
Eld. Alfred Flower removed from his home near Al- bion to Paris, Ills., a few months ago; and, therefore, the writer can not obtain the facts of his ministry, suit- ably condensed, for a place in this sketch. The main field of his labor during a ministry of almost forty years, has been Southern Illinois, and no other man has sacri- ficed so much to establish and build up the cause of Christ in this part of the State. His name is familiar in almost every household. Whether laboring in town, city or country, Bro. Flower maintains the same digni- fied bearing. He has an analytical mind, is logical in all his sermons, and capable of stating his positions with great clearness. Hence, he is an excellent teacher. He preached his first sermon in Albion many years ago ; and, before moving to Paris, a short time ago, he de-
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
livered an able and appropriate sermon to the brethren here.
CALEB EDWARDS.
Bro. Edwards was born in Brighton, England, in the year 1832, and came to the United States when he was about twelve years of age. He came from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Edwards county, Illinois, in 1848, and is now living on a farm 2} miles south of Albion. He con- fessed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and was baptized by Eld. Alfred Flower in 1850. Fourteen years after- wards (1864), he made his first effort to preach, since which time he has been preaching every Sunday, confin- ing his labor mostly to Edwards county. His popularity in the county was such that his friends urged him to announce himself as a prohibition candidate for this legislative district, in the fall election of 1882,-having received the nomination at the Olney Prohibition Con- vention. He was, however, defeated.
Little Prairie Church .- This church, situated three miles west of Albion, was the first church of Christ organized in the county. About the year 1823, a church of the Christian connection was organized at the house of Alan Emmerson, near where Little Prairie church now stands. Alan Emmerson and Amos Willis of the Chris- tian Connection, William Hall an Episcopalian, Joseph Applegath a Baptist, William Clark a Quaker, James Cooper an English Baptist, and perhaps others, united their efforts and built the first meeting house in this community. It was a frame, covered, ceiled and weather-boarded with clapboards, and plastered with " Post oak clay." It had a brick chimney and fireplace. These men and their families worshiped together in this mud plastered house until about 1837, when they merged into the present Little Prairie church of Christ, mainly through the influence of brother Amos Willis, who was a preacher first in the old Christian Connection, but em- braced the principles of the church of Christ in advance of others in his neighborhood. From the time they organized the church of Christ in the year 1838 till the present they have met regularly on the Lord's day to " break bread " in memory of their dying Lord and engage in other acts of worship befitting that memorial day, the day of Christ's resurrection. The first Eider of the church was Alan Emmerson, and the first Deacons were Joseph Applegath, Thomas Gill, and William Hall. Amos Willis was their first preacher. Alan Emmerson, an Elder, often encouraged them by words of instruction and exhortation. Though most all the original members of this church " rest from their labors their works do follow them." The church has enjoyed the occasional labors of J. M. Mathes, John O'Kane, William Jarrott, B. K. Smith, Joseph Warren, Moses Goodwin and others. The following brethren have held successful protracted meetings for this church : Alfred Flower, Elijah Gocdwin, William Jarrott, John O'Kane, B. K. Smith, Willie Flower, and perhaps others. The regular preachers have been, Elijah Goodwin, M. Goodwin, A. Flower, C. Edwards and Elder J. C. T. 22
Hall, who has preached for them almost continuously a part of the time for the last twenty-six years. He and brother Caleb Edwards are their present preachers. Three or four other churches in the county have been organized by members from this church, still it is one of the strongest in the county.
Present membership one hundred and fifty. Elders : James Pearcy, Charles Clark, and George Colyer. Deacons : George Green, Wright Wills and John C. Bunting. The chapel they now occupy is a frame, val - ued at $600. Seating capacity 250. Sunday-school six months in the year, with Charles Clark as superintend- ent. The Sunday-school closes its six months' work each year with " the annual pic-nic," which is always a very enjoyable occasion.
Albion Church .- The first meeting-house built in Albion was the old brick Christian Chapel, now refitted and occupied by Mr. Waggoner as a residence. After the completion of this house of worship, the Albion church of Christ was organized, August 4th, 1841, under the ministerial labor of Elder Elijah Goodwin, who was invited to preach here by Daniel Orange, a wealthy Englishman who lived on a farm three miles south of Albion. Mr. Orange was in Cincinnati at the famous Campbell and Purcell Debate, and being convinced that the position held by brother Campbell is the doctrine of Christ, he gave himself to the Lord Jesus the Christ and was baptized, upon a profession of his faith in Christ, by brother D. S. Burnett. On his return from Cincin- nati brother Orange interested himself in establishing the church of Christ in this section, and especially in Albion. He was the first Elder of the church.
Charter members: Daniel Orange, Elizabeth J. Orange, Elizabeth S. Orange (Mrs. Alfred Flower,) and John B. Orange.
Four weeks after the church was organized, Alfred Flower, Charles Burns, and Sarah Burns were added to their number. The church increased in number and financial and moral strength till it ranked among our best churches in southern Illinois.
This church, in common with many others, has passed through some serious troubles, all of which were healed during a very successful meeting held by brother George E. Flower, of Paducah, Ky., some four years ago. There were more than fifty additions at this meeting, and the church was again united, causing rejoicing in the camp of spiritual Israel. The church to-day numbers one hundred and ten members, and exerts a good influ- ence in the town and vicinity. But it is capable of doing a grander work still for the Master than it is now doing.
The first preacher employed by the church was Elijah Goodwin, at a salary of $50 for one fourth of his time, and the last one employed is the writer at a salary of $675 for all the time. The following is a list of preachers in the regular order of employment with the church : Elijah Goodwin, Alfred Flower, George Morral,
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
Caleb Edwards and Alfred Flower, (both same year, half the time each,) A. R Gilchrist and M. T. Hough.
Since writing the above I have been told that Daniel Bulkley and Fred. Applegath also were regularly em- ployed at one time by the church.
Some of the most successful protracted meetings of the church were held under the preaching of P. K. Dible, William Jarrott, Benjamin F. Franklin, John O'Kane, W. B. F. Treat, and George E. Flower.
Their present house, a frame 32 by 70 feet, situated on the northeast-corner of the public square, was built in 1867 and remodeled in the year 1878. Present value of church property $2,500. Seating capacity 500. Number of members, December 29th 1882, 110. Elders : W. L Orange, J. C. T. Hall, Caleb Edwards, Eli Bunting and J. Q. A. Wi kinson, Deacons: Jas. T Craig and Alfred Davis.
Sunday-school is held at 2} P. M., each Sunday in the year. Joseph White, superintendent. Number of scholars in the Sunday-school about 80.
The writer will here add that he has resigned the pas- torate of the Albion church of Christ, and he prays that the great Head of the church may bless them in all present and future work and labor of love.
West Salem Church .- This church now worshipping in the town of West Salem, situated in the northeast part of Edwards County, was organized Aug. 15th, 1858, by the union of the Long Prairie congregation and the congregation worshipping at Bro. Barney's. . The preaching brethren present were J. C T. Hall, Anderson Walken, a speaking Elder of the Marion congregation and D. F. Mounts. After some discussion the following preamble was adopted :
" We whose names are hereunto annexed, being im- mersed believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, do mutually and voluntarily associate ourselves together in a congre- gational capacity to be known as the congregation of the Lord at West Salem, taking the Christian Scriptures as our only rule of faith and practice, and taking no name as a church name, but such as they authorize." This was signed by the following 29 names as charter mem- bers : Mathew Rice, Jas. F. Barney, Asa Pixley, Sr., Franklin Mills, Blashell Foster, Wm. Foster, Lucy Fos- ter, David Reich, Henry Holoman, D. S. Reed, Nancy Reed, H. G. Auldridge, W. F. Foster, Charles S. Foster, Annie M. Foster, Jane Mills, Susan Barney, Sarah Clod- felter, Sarah Marks, Mary A. Foster, Amanda Smith, Catharine Easter, Coles Barney, Jacob Easter, Michael Clodfelter, J. A. Ferry, Chas. Reich, B. F. Bristow, and Sallie Bristow. The first elders were Wm. Foster, Sr., Wm. Crawford and Robert Roby. The appointed dea- cons were Blashel Foster, Elias Reich, Mathew Rice, and Franklin Mills.
The building in which these brethren and sisters or- ganized themselves into a church is still standing, and is being used as a store and post-office. James Kinner did much to start the work in West Salem, and Blashel
Foster rented a house to hold services in, put a stove in it and paid the preacher's salary mainly for one year. It takes such sacrificing spirits to inaugurate the work of the Lord iu many places. May they be rewarded.
First Elders .- Wm. Foster, Sr., Wm. Crawford, Robert Roby.
First Deacons -Blashel Foster, Elias Reich, Mathew Rice, Franklin Mills.
R. S. Crawford was the first clerk of the church. Jas. C. T. Hall, M. Shick, G. W. Morrall, E. Lathrope, J. W. Stone, A. Flower, J. W. Sumner, J. Mullins, and E. C. Stark, have successively been employed as regular preachers of the church. Brethren E. C. Stark and D. J. Ballard are members of West Salem congregation, and have preached there often. Jane Clodfelter, im- mersed by Bro. Ballard, was the last person to unite with this church. The elders of the church now are E. C. Stark, B. F. Mills, and Blashel Foster. Deacons : Wm. Hibbert, W. E Foster, J. D. Ballard, and Isa Pixley. The church numbers 125 members at present. Value of church property $800. Seating capacity 300. Their Sunday-school is evergreen.
Curtisville Church .- About thirty-two years ago the gospel was preached in the Curtis neighborhood by auch Christian ministers as Moses Goodwin, Stephen Phelps, J. C T. Hall, et al. The first meetings were held at the residence of John Curtis on the same farm where he now lives. The church was organized at his farm residence about 1854. Among the charter members were the fol- lowing : John Curtis, Mahala Curtis, Montgomery Mountz, Sarah Mountz, Hannah Curtis, B. F. Mountz, a young preacher living in the neighborhood, Frances Mountz, Mary Mountz, and Elizabeth Stafford. This congregation continued to meet at John Curtis' residence, till their number grew to 50 or 60. They often met in the grove, in pleasant weather, enjoying the preaching of Stephen Phelps, J. C. T. Hall, Wm. Curtis and Moses Goodwin. Many were the seasons of rejoicing in this temple of nature, in these earlier times.
A few years after this first organization at Curtis', the congregation at West Village built a house of wor- ship, and the Curtis congregation, having no house, con- cluded it would be better for them to unite with West Village. Hence they became a part of that church, re- maining with them till the year 1878, when they again reorganized in the school-house near where the church now stands, with 25 or 30 members, under the evangeli- cal labor of J. W. Stone. The elders are Jno. Ryon, Geo. Gumbrell and David Allen. Deacons: Frank Curtis and George Ely. Their present house, a frame, 30 x 36 feet, was built in 1878, at a cost of $900. Its sittings are 250. The new organization has employed successively the following named brethren to preach for them : J. W. Stone, and W. T. Gillespie, Eld. Luther, J. F. James, and they have just employed Eld. Logan, of Wayne county, as their preacher for 1883. J. W. Stone and J. F. James have held successful protracted
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
meetings in this new church. The numerical strength of the church at present is 70.
West Village Church .- Ina note to the writer brother Morris Colyer, Clerk of West Village church, says : " This church was first organized at Mr. Alan Emmer- son's farm residence and afterwards met in the school- house, near the farm of James Bunting, Sr. The history, so far as this congregation is concerned, is not known to me, but can be gathered if a little time is allowed."
In reference to the present organization, brother Col- yer further says : " On May 29th, 1858, an organization was effected at what is known now as the West " Village Church." It was first called the Village Church, being near the village creek. When the new organization was formed on the east side of the prairie it was named the "East Village Church ;" consequently the other (the one being sketched) gradually came to be known as West Village Church."
It will be seen from the history of Curtisville church given above, that it united with this church, and was a part of it for many years, the West Village people having built a house, previous to their organizing, in which all could meet. This house was opened for worship about May 29th, 1858. The names of the charter members, as far as we can ascertain, are as follows: Jas. Bunting, Sr , Sophia Bunting, George Bunting, Uriah Baily, Eliza M. Baily, John Curtis, Thomas Gill, Eliza Gill, Eli Bunting, Caroline Bunting, B. P. Reid, C. S. Reid, Mary Humphreys, Daniel Bond, Martha Bond, Hannah Cur- tis, Mahala Curtis, Nancy Curtis, S. Shelby, Sarah A. Shelby, Louisa Ground, Mary Edwards, Esther Mitchell, Frances Campbell, Cordelia Edwards, Elizabeth Kenner, W. H. Kenner, W. H. Reid, Wm. Campbell and Jas. Kenner. The board of officers was, Elders-George Bunting, Uriah Baily, and Jas. Kenner ; Deacona-Em- manuel Bunting, John Curtis and Thomas Gill.
" As to the preachers employed," says Brother Morris Colyer, " there is no record until 1873. Up to this time however, there had been preaching by James Kenner, D F. Mountz, J W. Sumner, Daniel Bulkley, J. C. T. Hall, et al., of whom I am not informed at pre- sent. Since 1873 the following preachers have served the church more or less as regular preachers, occupying one and sometimes two Sundays per month : Fred Applegath, E. Lathrop, J. C. T. Hall, J. W. Stone and Caleb Edwards. Brethren Hall and Edwards have preached each once per month for the past two years, and are both engaged for 1883.
Principal protracted meetings. April, 1864, G. Morrall preacher ; additions 26. During 1865-'6, meet- ings were held by J. W. Sumner and D. F Mountz, re- sulting in thirty or thirty-five accessions. Records in- complete for 1865-'6. September 1, 1871, E. Lathrop, preacher ; additions 20. Brother Lathrop held another meeting in December, 1873, resulting in seven additions to the church. March, 1878, J. W. Stone, held a meet- ing in which. there were twenty-three conversions and three other Christians added-twenty-six in all. Wil-
liam and Benny Flower held a series of meetings in the month of November, 1879, which resulted in eleven ad- ditions to the church, and J. F. James held a meeting October, 1831, resulting in six additions. The clerk of this church says, " I cannot speak with certainty of the first two years of the church at present, but in August and September, 1859, there was a meeting with twelve or thirteen additions It appears from the list that Fred Applegath and Jason Bunting were among the converts." The church numbers at present about ninety members and twenty " dry bones." Will these last ever be made to live? The present elders are George Bunt- ing, B. P. Reid, and Jason Bunting. The deacons are Thomas Gill, George May, George Gumbrel, and Syl- vester Bunting.
West Village Chapel is a frame house, erected in 1858. but not plastered until about 1865, and is valued at $700. Seating capacity 2;0. In this audience room the church holds Sunday-school from six to eight months in the year. Average attendance about thirty. Inter- est good. Superintendent, Morris Colyer. This sketch is incomplete, but if it inspires the brethren to put their records in a more complete and permanent shape for the future it has not been written in vain.
Shiloh Church -Is eight miles north of Albion, in the southwest corner of Salem Township. The first meet- ings in this neighborhood were held in James McKin- sey's barn, but the church of Shiloh was organized at the residence of William Crawford, about 1862, with twenty charter members as follows: William Crawford, Priscilla Crawford, Robert Roby, Mary F. Roby, B. T. Bristow, Sallie Bristow, Samuel Crawford, Satire Crawford, Nancy Crawford, Elizabeth Crawford, John Bridwell, Harriet A. Bridwell, James R. Roby, Priscilla Roby, Joseph Vandever, Jane Vandever, Sal- lie Rogers, A. J. Byford, Julia A. Byford, and possibly others. At the time of organization they appointed as elders William Crawford and Robert Roby. The dea- cons of the church appointed at the same time were B. F. Bristow, J. R. Roby and W. F. Crawford. This organization has gradually increased till it now numbers 125 members.
A large per cent. of the people in Shiloh community are from the State of Kentucky, and they know how to entertain their preacher and all others who visit them in genuine Kentucky style. The neighborhood is some- times called " Little Kentuck." This community and church has enjoyed the ministerial labors of J. W. Sum- ner, Franklin Mountz, J. W. Stone, and J. C. T. Hall. Elder J. C. T. Hall has preached for them for the last five consecutive years, and is re engaged for the year 1883. The present elders of the church are Robert Roby and B. T. Bristow. Under their efficient man- agement and the preaching of Brother Hall, the church is harmonious, and wields a good influence in the com- munity. Their meetings are feasts of brotherly love. May it ever be so. The church maintains a Sunday- school six months in the year. Scholars, forty.
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
Their house of worship is a frame structure built on the old style-pulpit in front between the two doors- and is valued at $500. Seating capacity 300.
East Village Church .- This church, three miles north of Albion, the county seat of Edwards county, was or- ganized of members mostly from West Village Church. William Woods held meetings in the Montgomery school-house in this neighborhood about the year 1864. They built a meeting-house in 18-, and after its com- pletion a meeting lasting four weeks was held in it by Joshua Sumner, and the church organized with fifteen charter members.
Official Board .- Elders .- Isaac Smith, J. F. Tread. Deacons .- C. W. Smith, Jacob Mason.
The regular preachers for this congregation since the time of its organization have been J. Sumner, Daniel Burkley, Dr. F. Mountz, J. C. T. Hall, Elder Lathrop, J. W. Stone and Caleb Edwards, who is just at the close of his seventh year's work.
The East Village chapel, a frame, is 36x40. Value of church property $600. It will seat comfortably 250 or 300 persons. The church numbers thirty members. No Sunday school.
There are some excellent members in East Village church, but the number is so few, and the distance from Albion and West Village churches is so small, that it seems to the writer that it would be better for the cause if these brethren would all agree to unite with either the West Village or Albion congregation.
Marion Church .- The Marion Church is in Shelby precinct, northwest part of the county, on the west bank of Sugar creek, and near the old town of Marion. The work was inaugurated in this community by Moses and Elijah Goodwin, J. Standish and Cornelius Aids. Their first meetings were held at the residence of Quin- ton Nicks, and it was here the church was organized, under the labor of Moses Goodwin. The meetings were held for some time after they organized, from house to house, but mainly at the house of Niles A. Shelby, the same house now occupied by his son, William Shelby. The first elders of this congregation were William Foster and N. A. Shelby ; and the first deacons were Quinton Nicks and B. F. Park. The following names were enrolled in this organization : William Foster, Lucy Foster, Niles Shelby, Malinda Shelby, Quinton Nicks, Susan Nicks, B. F. Park, Elmira Park, W. Prichet, Elizabeth Prichet, D. Nicks, Orpha Nicks, B. Kinyon, Eliza Kinyon, and perhaps others. They or- ganized in 1843. Hence this is one of the oldest churches in the county. It has been privileged to enjoy the occasional preaching of E. Goodwin, B. K. Smith, Elder Dibble, et al. Elder George Morrall was sent out as a preacher first by Marion church. The preachers regularly employed by the church have been M. Good- win, A. Walker who was a resident preacher, Stephen Phelps, W. Courter, C. Aids, G. Morrall, A. Flower, M. Shick, J. Sumner and William T. Gillespie. Brother G. Morrall was their last preacher. The resident
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