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 45
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 45
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 45
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From 1875 to 1878, Rev. C. Mattheis, formerly a citizen of West Salem Precinct, traveled on West Salem Circuit. At this time the work was enlarged by adding the Grayville appointment. There being too much labor for one man, Bro. M. was assisted by a colleague, Wm. L. Lubring; their success was very good, resulting in the conversion of about eighty souls. The following three years, C. Wessling and Finkbeiner, succeeded the above-mentioned brethren. At this time, it was deemed necessary on some parts of the circuit, to com- mence laboring in the English language, and this part of the work was especially assigned to M. F. Finkbeiner, who successfully discharged his call at the different appoint- ments, and it was his privilege to organize and establish
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
the first English classes of the Evangelical Association in this county.
In the spring of 1879, at a meeting, a resolution was passed to erect a church in Shelby precinct, at Little Wabash ; to be located on the land of Mr. F. Gaedecke Immediately after passing this resolution, steps were taken to procced. During the same meeting, subscrip- tions were taken up, to which the people contributed very liberally. The contract of the building was let to Mr. H. Busefink, of West Salem ; to be a frame structure of 24x40 feet, and 13 feet high, for the amount of $700. During the summer the house was finished. This church is a neat building, an ornament to that part of the country, and speaks well for this society. It was dedicated by II. L. Fisher, Fr. Elder, in November, 1879. The meeting was protracted, and good results obtained; according to their confession, about 30 souls were converted, and 28 united with the church. A good Sunday-school is connected with this congregation, con- clucted in the English language. The congregation of this appointment consisted of part German and part English members, and, accordingly, the services are con- ducted in both languages. The prospect for the future is promising, as the people are energetic and zealous in good works. In 1881, the southern Indiana annual conference was held at West Salem. Bishop T. H. Bowman presided during the session. There were ministers present, about 30 in number; the conference was good, adding to the cause. The missionary meeting, which was held Sunday afternoon, April the 3d, met with good success, the result being $578 10. At this conference, Rev. M. Speck was appointed to the circuit, who has successfully labored up to this time. This denomination has also a church situated in Grayville, Edwards county, Illinois. With a quiet congregation, and a promising Sunday-school, the church is located in Edwards county, and belongs to the Grayville circuit.
The statistics of circuit, now consisting of the two - appointments, West Salem and Little Wabash, are as follows :
1. The membership, 143.
2. Three churches valued at $2500.
3. One parsonage at $800.
4. Three Sunday-schools.
5. Containing about 360 scholars.
6. Officers and teachers, 40.
7. Libraries, three.
8. Containing about 400 volumes.
LAWRENCE COUNTY. THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
BY J. SCOTT DAVIS, SUPPLY PASTOR OF SUMNER CHURCH.
To insure accuracy, the records of each church should be searched. This has been done by that Prince of Statisticians, Rev. A. T NORTON, D. D., of Alton, by whose labors I have his permission to profit on this oc
casion. Besides, my five years' residence in the county enables me to present a sketch of our Church, which will I trust, accord with the facts.
For forty-eight years, Lawrence County has rejoiced in the sky-blue light of Calvinism, shed by the oldest and largest Presbyterian Church in the county. "PIS- GAH," suggestive of ecstatic views of the Promised Land, was organized March 15, 1835, with 32 members.
Then come seven others : Shiloh, Lawrenceville, Union, Hopewell, Bridgeport, Gilead, and Sumner.
Pisgah, from its organization to 1851, sixteen years, was blessed with the prayers and labors of that minister, ISAAC BENNET, whose soul was on fire with love to his Redeemer ; and who, like his Master, was never so hap- py as when seeking and saving that which was lost.
Then came ministers WALLACE, LEFFLER, SAYE, MACK, Ross and SMITH. The last will soon enter his ninth year of pastoral work ; and under him, assisted by Rev. C. S. ARMSTRONG, Synodical Missionary, occurred the greatest revival known in the Church, adding about fif- ty to the membership.
Under Rev. THOS. SMITH's devoted labors, the church is edified in every sense of the word.
Next comes SHILOH church ; not long-lived but filling its destiny. It was organized in 1841, by that worker, wise, earnest and untiring, Rev. ISAAC BENNET, with thirteen members. Of these, two, JOHN and JAMES WRIGHT, were chosen Elders. The school-house which this church used for religious services, was one mile south of an old village-site called Charlottesville, ten miles northwest of Lawrenceville, and near Crawford county. The church seems never to have had more than fifteen members ; and as we might expect, after the Lawrence- ville church .was opened, the Presbytery dissolved the Shiloh church, May 2, 1851, and added its members to Lawrenceville.
This LAWRENCEVILLE church, at the county-seat, was organized August 12, 1848, with twenty members. Un- fortunately, the records of the church were burned, be- ing in a physician's office, when it was destroyed by fire. By a series of providences, the church became weakened, until at last the substantial brick building was sold, and the organization given up. Meantime the valuable bell, of pure bell-metal and clarion tone, was generously given to Sumner.
Fourth on the list, comes UNION Presbyterian Church, organized June 17, 1854, by Rev. JOHN CROZIER, with twelve members. God has been very good to this church. The four Elders, H. M. WAGNER, HENRY GOODMAN, J. H. FEE, and JOHN N. B. HARDY, are stalwarts ; firm, energetic and ready for every good work. The Dea- cons, GEORGE WESTALL, and CASPER LEGG, are con- scientious and efficient. The Sabbath School is a model. The weekly prayer-meeting is well attended, and all take part-young and old, male and female, Collections are taken for all the Boards. Membership, seventy. Ministers consecutively : LILLY, CROZIER, SAYE, MACK,
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
ROSS, SMITH, and DAVIS. Our prayer is : "Father, through us glorify Thy Name."
HOPEWELL Church was situated three and a half or four miles northwest of Bridgeport. It was organized by Revs. JOHN CROZIER and JOHN B. SAYE, May 15, 1858, with sixteen members. It had a log building for a place of worship. It was named HOPEWELL at the suggestion of that embodiment of hopeful energy, Rev. J. CROZIER. But its name did not save it. It has most- ly been absorbed hy the Bridgeport church. In 1867 its name had disappeared from the minutes of the Gen- eral Assembly and its roll of churches.
BRIDGEPORT, though sixth in time of organization, is second in numbers. It was organized by Revs. JOHN CROZIER and JOHN MACK, and Elder Thos. BUCHANAN, May 7 and 8, with 24 members. First minister, Rev. JOHN MACK. Next Rev. R. G. Ross, by whose untiring work, a house of worship was built for $2,700. In the winter of 1881 and 1882, the Synodical Missionary, Dr. ARMSTRONG, labored in connection with the pastor and congregation, in a protracted meeting, resulting in 25 members added to the church, and the church itself greatly edified.
GILEAD church, on the county line between Lawrence and Richland, five miles south of Hadley, was organized by Rev. S. C. Baldridge, February 13 and 14, 1870, with eighteen members. It has been regularly supplied, at various times, by each of three ministers : S. C. BAL- DRIDGE, C. C. BOMBERGER, and J. S DAVIS. The site of the building consists of one acre, and was bought for fifteen dollars. The house of worship is of wood, 26x40, finished inside with ash and walnut, and is a perfect gem of good taste, embowered in its grove of native trees. It cost $1,500, and was dedica ed December 4, 1870, hy Rev. S. C. BALDRIDGE, who preached the sermon.
SUMNER, the largest town in the county, was last to have a Presbyterian church, but the ground had been thoroughly worked by other denominations. On the 9th of Juue, 1878, by direction of the Presbytery, Rev. S. C. BALDRIDGE preached, and after the sermon orga- nized a church of nineteen members. At a subsequent meeting, the church decided to elect their officers for a specified term of service, not to be less than three years, and Elders and Deacons were accordingly chosen.
Two years after, Mr. JACOB MAY offered us a lot and one hundred dollars, if we would build a house of wor- ship. This timely and generous offer, afterwards more than made good, saved our little band from extinction. By the blessing of God, the help of other Christians, in- cluding the Board of Church Erection, and by putting our own shoulder to the wheel, and our hands deep into our pockets, with more help fro n Mr. MAY, we have a building, neat and commodious, costing, besides the bell -a present from Lawrenceville-$1,725, lighted bril- liantly by two six-burner Bailey Reflectors.
Our Elders are JOHN MC CORD J. S. BROOKIE, JOHN C. WAGIE and Dr. WM. B. BEDELL. Our Deacons, S. M. MCCLURE, WM H. ORR and SAMUEL C. CRAIG.
Our Sabbath School numbers over a hundred members, and pays its own expenses. Our weekly prayer-meeting is well attended, and all take part; young and old, male and female. We contribute to all the Boards. A week- ly Children's Meeting, conducted by Mrs. DAVIS, is win- ning and training more than two scores of the younger ones for Christ. Our membership is thirty-eight. We look up to the hill-, fro n whence cometh our help.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
BY REV. J. R. WRIGHT.
The first church of this name in the United States which we have any history of was organized in Manakin Town, North Carolina, on Christmas Day in 1793; the members were in most part seceders from the Methodist Church, and they called themselves Republican Metho- dists for a short time ; but at a subsequent meeting dropped this title and took the more general name Christian.
Their rise in the east was in the year 1800. The first church organized was at Lyndon, Vermont, Septem- ber, 1800; and at Bradford, Vermont, 1802; at Pier- mont, New Hampshire, in 1803.
In the west, in Kentucky and Tennessee, great revi- vals of religion broke out in the year 1800 and 1801, from which a number of churches were formed. They have some good schools and colleges. Antioch College, of Yellow Springs, Ohio, Union Christian College, of Meron, Indiana, and a theological school in New York, are the principal of their institutions of learning. At present they number in the United States, Canada and New Brunswick about 1500 preachers, with a member- ship of nearly 300,000.
They were the first to edit a religious paper, The Herald of Gospel Liberty, published September 8, 1808, by Elias Smith, N. H.
Center School House .- The early settlers of Lawrence county were in most part a religious people. One of the first preaching places was at Center school-house, in Lawrence county, about the year 1817. Daniel Travis was among their first preachers at this point. They grew rapidly until they became a strong church. Wm. Adams, of Russellville, was one of its oldest members. This church had several pastors, some of whom were men of good ability, who were fully up to their day in intellectual power.
Spring Hill, two miles southwest of Bridgeport, was built as early as 1820, and used as a school-house. This house was open to other denominations. The cemetery still marks the spot where the old veterans of the cross worshipped. Their first preachers were D. Travis, and William Kinkade, the latter one of the oldest resident preachers of the county. Of those who visited this point, were Revs. James Hughes, J. Rodgers, David McDonald and Elijah Gooden.
Law's Camp-ground-Six miles northwest of Sumner, where there was a flourishing society for several years,
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
and where the Southern Wabash Christian Conference was held for several years. John Laws, one of the leading members of the society, fed and otherwise enter- tained the meetings held there. He killed beeves, cooked large quantities of different kinds of provisions, set a long table out doors, hauled wagon loads of hay and corn out, and invited all present to eat and feed. But from removals by death and other causes, the society is only an object of the past. This was between 1838 and 1854. Their preachers were Nathan Woods, William Ramsey and others.
Bethlehem .- Organized in Lawrence county, seven miles south of Sumner, at Emsley Wright's, in the year 1840, which has been and is yet an influential church. They held their meetings at E. Wright's until after his death in 1855, when they built a house of hewed logs, which they used till 1868, when they built another house, which is a good substantial building.
Aunt Kate Wright (as she is called) was one of the first members of the church, and she is the only one now living of the first. She says she did not hear a sermon for three years after she moved to this State till Rev. William Ramsay preached at their house, and soon after effected an organization which has stood through all the tr'als, and is yet a strong society. Their pastors were Ramsay, Guard, Andrews N. Wood, William Hole, J. Wood, William Wood, M. G. Collins, W. M. Markwell and S. L. Cheek, the present pastor, 1883. The principal families were the Moores, Wrights, Bells, Ridgeleys, Borek mans and others who have been leading families in the church. They number about 130.
Guard's Point-Four miles south of Lancaster in Wabash county, Illinois. This was a prominent society for several years but has become extinct. Another church east of Friendsville, in Wabash county, passed out of existence. Some of the Pools were members of the society.
Another society near McClary's Bluff which flourished for a few years is now only in the memory of a few in Wabash county.
Sumner .- This church was organized February 1, 1860, by Elder D. Griffin, of the Miami Christian Con- ference of Ohio. John Judy, Sr., was elected deacon, Skilliman Judy, treasurer, and Bolivar Judy, clerk. N. Summerbell visited the church in July of this year, and five were added. Elder Austin Hutson, of Fort Branch, Ind., became pastor of the church in 1861, and continued till his death, which occurred October 16, 1869, excepting part of the years '62 and '3. Up to that time the number of members were 208, and Sumner Christian Church was the leading church of the vicinity. Elder Hutson preached his last sermon in Sumner from " I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ," on Sunday night the first Sunday in October, 1869, and died on the 16th. President T. Holmes, of Meron, Ind., preached the funeral sermon of Elder Hutson in the Christian Church in Sumner, Nov., 1869, to a large audience, who mourned the loss of a worthy pastor. The church had
no regular pastor but for a short time till October 27, 1878, when M. G Collius was installed and reorganized the church. Elder Collins served as pastor until Sep- tember, 1881. J. R. Wright, of Sumner, has been pas- tor of the church since September, 1881. Some of the principal families are the Judys, Wohers, Bells, Burgess', Thompsons, Basdens, Andersons and others.
The resident preachers are D. L. Moore, of Sumner, Ill., James B. Wright, of Sumner, Ill., J. C. Hughes, of Chauncey, Ill., J. R. Wright, of Sumner, Ill. This is the old Christian Church, called by some New Lights. It is not Christian (or Campbellites).
DISCIPLES OF CHRIST.
BY J. L. GRIFFIN.
This religious body is generally known in Illinois, by the name "Christian Church." But to distinguish it from another body in the county, called by the same name, we have used the name applied in the east, and in many other places.
Some of the older congregations in Lawrence county were organized at an early day-perhaps forty years ago, or more. Some of the pioneers of the church, have preached in the county. We call to mind Elijah Good- win and Maurice R. Trimble deceased ; and Joseph W. Wolfe, and John S. Howard, who are living.
Most of the congregations are comparatively young. There are only three that can be called old churches. There are eleven organized congregations in the county, with a membership, in the aggregate, of over one thousand. The value of church property, a fair esti- mate, will reach eleven thousand dollars.
The following as nearly as we can ascertain, is the location, membership and value of church property, of the churches in the county.
1. Russellville -Situated in the village of Russellville. The membership is about 120. The value of church property is $1,500. The house is new and good.
2. Rising Sun .- Situated in Russellville township. It is a country congregation of recent organization; the house is new; membership, about eighty ; value of church property, 900 dollars.
3. Pleasant Ridge .- This is a country congregation, situated in Bond Township. Church property, new and good ; value about 1,300 dollars ; membership, about 100.
4. Hillsboro .- Situated in Bond township. This is a new country congregation. Membership, about eighty ; value of church property, about 1000 dollars.
5. Prairie Hall .- A country congregation in Petty Town. Value of church property, about 1 000 dollars; membership, about 100. This is also a new congrega- tion.
6. Sumner .- This church is in the village of Sumner, and is known there as the "East Christian Church." Membership, from 75 to 100; value of church property, 1,200 dollars.
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASHI COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
7. Bridgeport .- Situated in the village of Bridgeport. Membership of the church, about seventy-five ; value of c' urch property, 1,200 dollars.
8. Pleasant Hill .- This is a country congregation near the village of Bridgeport. Value of church property, 1,200 dollars ; membership, about seventy-five.
9. Mount Zion .- This is a country congregation. The house is old, and not very good. A new one is contem- plated. Value of church property, 500 dollars ; mem- bership, about 100 ; situated in Lukin Township.
10. Centreville .- Situated in Allison Township, and near the post office of that name. The church property is valued at 1,200 dollars ; membership, about seventy five.
11. Lawrenceville .- This church is in the village of Lawrenceville, the county seat of county. It has a membership of from 150 to 175; value of church property 1,200 dollars ; one of the oldest churches in the county. The house will soon be put in a good state of repair.
The following is the post-office of the officers of the various churches :
1. Russellville, P. O.
Russellville.
2. Rising Sun,
3. Pleasant Ridge,
Bird's Station.
4. Hillsboro,
5. Prairie Hall,
Sumner.
6. Sumner,
7. Bridgeport,
8. Pleasant Hill, = Bridgeport.
9. Mount Zion,
=
10. Centerville,
Allison.
11. Lawrenceville, Lawrenceville.
Most of these congregations maintain meetings every Sunday in the year, and evergreen Sunday-schools.
METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH.
BY D. M'CORMICK.
Brief history of Chauncey circuit Methodist Protestant church, south Illinois district.
Chauncey circuit was organized at the Munn school- house in the year 1853, by Wm. James.
Among the first members in the first organization was, J. B. Stout, Andrew Musbrush, Eliza Stout, Christina Musbrush, Christian Loas, Jacob Waggoner, Isabel Loas, Maria Waggoner, Richard Bach. Society began building a house of worship in the village of Chauncey, in the year 1861, which building was soon completed. The second organization in Lawrence county was effected by H. Duckworth, and called Pleasant Hill church. This was effected during the fall and winter of 1866 and 1867 with sixteen members. Chauncey circuit had a member- ship of one hundred and fifty in good standing.
The names of some of the pastors having. served
Chauncey from its first organization are: William James, J. H. Williams, H. Duckworth, A. L Reynolds, D. B. Russell, S. A Long, Rev. Buckner, G. E. Sander- son. Chauncey circuit has grown to be a large and popular circuit in the church, and among its members are some of the best men in southern Illinois.
Bird Station circuit, south Illinois district. This congregation was organized by J. H. Williams, at the McNee church some time in the year 1857. The second congregetion was organized at the Ford school- house, in the fall of 1859 by W. H. Farris, with about thirty members. The following are the names of some of them : John Bird, Louisa Fritchey, Mrs. Waggonseller, Allen Gosnel, Isaac Beetle, Robert Ford, Philip Miller, and Mary Ann Cochran. The above two classes were then connected with Chauncey circuit, but in the fall of 1861 they were taken from that circuit.
In the interim of 1859 and 1861 the Cochran congre- gation was organized by W. H Farris. Then the Bethel Ford and Cochran classes were called the Liberty circuit. W. H Farris continued to preach for them until the fall of 1862 In the fall of 1862 John Brai- nard came on the work and left about the 1st of April, 1863. Then the work was left without a pastor until the fall of 1864. These being the trying times of civil war, the circuit became almost extinct. In the fall of 1864 W. B McCord came on the work and preached to the people in this distracted state, with but very little reconciling influence He left the work in the fall of 1865. W. H. Farris took charge in the fall of 1865. With much hard labor he succeeded in reconciling many existing difficulties. Rev. Farris left the work in the fall of 1866, Rev. John Anderson, succeeding him. After much labor, Anderson succeed in re-organizing the Ford class and other parts of the work. In the fall of 1876 he organized the Higgins class at the Higgins school-house. Then he organized five other appoint- ments to wit, Porterville, Dogwood, Baily, Brush creek and Liberty, making nine in all. In the spring of 1867 the Ford class succeeded in erecting a rude log meeting- house, called the Liberty chapel, which was never finish- ed, and was finally sold for ten dollars, and the land reverted to the original owners. In the spring of 1868 the Ford congregation and the Higgins congregation were united and called themselves the Liberty class and secured the Otterbein U B. chapel to preach in. In the fall of 1869 John Anderson left the work after three years of hard labor, and was succeeded by W. H. Farris. it being his third term. He remained until the fall of 1871, and was succeeded by Rev. W. N. Middle- ton, who not being satisfied with his salary, left in about one month, which left the work without a pastor until the spring of 1872. At which time by legal action R. Wright began work as a supply, remaining only until conference in the fall of 1872.
He was succeeded by S. H Chiddix. He labored on the whole work for about one year. During brother Wright's administration St. Paul's meeting-house was
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
built, and was dedicated November 12th, 1871, by John Anderson.
S. H. Chiddix continued on the work, but in the fall of 1872 Porterville, Dogwood, Baily, Brush creek and Liberty were set off and called Oblong mission. At the same conference by request of the Quarterly conference the name was changed to Russellville circuit. In the fall of 1872 Sand Ridge congregation was organized by S. H. Chiddix. During the summer of 1873 Hills- boro congregation was organized by S. H. Chiddix, and left the work in the fall of 1873, and was succeeded by J. D. Farbin. In the fall of 1873 Mt Zion congrega- tion, formerly Bethel, was detached from Russellville circuit and added to Chauncey. circuit. J. D. Farbin left the work in the fall of 1874, without much success.
William Murray came on the work in the fall of 1874, and left in the fall of 1875 with little success. Dur- ing the years 1874 and 1875 Grace church was built. I. H. Vandyke, served with great acceptability for about six monthlis, until the spring of 1876. Miller Burdett served one year, with some success and acceptability during 1877 and 1878, and was succeeded by R. Right in the fall of 1878, who did much good and left the work in the fall of 1879 and was succeeded by C. H. Felts, who served with good success two years, and was succeeded in thefall of 1881, by D. B. Turney, A. M. who left the work in the fall of 1882 and was succeeded by D. McCormick, the same fall, who is the present incumbent.
M. E. CHURCH. BY REV. JOS. VAN CLEVE, A. M.
To write a complete and correct history of Methodism in this county is an enormous task. From confused traditions, indefinite recollections and insufficient docu- ments, little that is satisfactory can be obtained. I have therefore undertaken, merely to sketch the origin and briefly outline the progress of the church, which I here represent.
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