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 46
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 46
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 46
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The M. E. Church has had its existence in the county less than three quarters of a century. Within that time the membership has grown to nearly two hundred times its original number, the number of classes has increased from one to seventeen, and such has been the advance in the demands of the work and ability of the church, as to require three divisions of the original circuit.
The first organic pastorate over any part of Lawrence county, was that of Charles Slocumb, who was appointed to the Mt. Carmel circuit in 1819. His circuit embraced the territory now included in the six counties of Edwards, Wabash, Lawrence, Crawford, Jasper and Richland. In the winter of 1818-19, nearly a year before the appoint- ment of Slocumb, the first Methodist society in Lawrence county, was organized. The following named persons were members of that society : Jacob Schrader, Cathe- rine Schrader, John Ruark, Mary Ruark, James Raw- lings and his wife, Nancy Keneipp and Elisabeth 24
Schrader. The organization was effected by two local preachers, Stone and Wallace, from Indiana. They held a protracted meeting at Jacob Schrader's, and formed a second class, consisting of children. As this was deemed an evanescent childish excitement that would soon die away, Samuel Schrader, then about fifteen years old, was appointed leader. But the class survived, formed the nucleus of the future circuit and gave cast and character to the Methodism of Lawrence county. Near the spot where this meeting was held stands Bethel church, and there the descendants of the Schraders remain its earnest and faithful supporters.
In 1820, a local preacher by the name of Dollahan settled north of the present town of Lawrenceville on Brushy Fork creek, and began preaching in that neigh- borhood. This was the beginning of a movement that culminated in the organization of a society and the erec- tion of Dollahan Chapel, which still maintains a pre- carious existence amid manifold difficulties and tribula- tions.
Not many years later there was a society organized at Walnut Grove, over on that neck of land which lies be- tween the Embarras and Wabash rivers. There was also, in a very early day, a society at Russellville, on the Wabash a few miles above Vincennes, but by deaths and removals, both have faded out and left no accurate traces of their history.
By the increase in the dimensions of the work, and the multiplication of the number of societies, it was found necessary, in the year 1834, to divide the charge, that part lying from Lawrenceville north taking the name of Palestine circuit and the southern part continuing as Mt. Carmel circuit. They entered upon their separate ex- istence ; Mt. Carmel under the pastorate of A. McMur- try, and Palestine under J. Chamberlain. For two years under the care of various pastors, the work went on in this shape The laborers are now dead, and most of them forgotten, but " their works do follow them."
In 1844, the Lawrenceville circuit was formed from parts of Mt. Carmel and Palestine circuits, and John Shepard was appointed Preacher in charge. In this form the Methodist organism began to have more definite re- lations to Lawrence county, the present territory of the county being about the same as that covered by the cir- cuit. Under the Lawrenceville circuit the work gradu- ally assumed its present formation, the societies at Bridge- port and Sumner were formed, and many organizations sprang up in the surrounding country ; and so nearly was the whole territory of the county occupied, that under this circuit Methodism may be said to have assumed its permanent and crystallized form. The following are well known and remembered names of pastors of Law- renceville circuit: T. C. Lopas, J. Thatcher, Jacob E. Reed, John T. Johnson, J. Glaze, David Williamson, J. Holt, A. B. Morrison, J. W. Nall, R. J. Nall, C. D. Lin- genfelter, O. H. Clark, T. N. Johnson, E. Lathrop, V. D. Lingenfelter.
In the year 1875, the Lawrenceville circuit was divi-
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
ded and from it were formed the Sumner and Bridgeport circuits. Since this division the Sumner circuit has been served by the following pastors: W. B. Bruner, C. W. Sabine, Wm. Tilroe, A B. Morrison and John Leeper. During the same period the following pastors have served the Bridgeport circuit : J. H. Hill, Eugene May, C. W. Sabine and J. Van Cleve.
The principal societies in Lawrence county are : Beth- el organized 1819, Zion organized 1823, Lawrenceville ganized 1827, Sumner organized 1859, and Bridgeport organized 1861.
The first Methodist church in Lawrence county was erected at Bethel, in Lukin township, in the year 1831, the second at Lawrenceville in 1843.
This church, which began in 1819, with eight members in the present county limits, now has within the same boundaries, 14 churches, a membership of 1218 and church property valued at $19,300.00.
The Colored M. E. Church .- As the existence of this church has been brief, so must its history be. In the year 1881, the Rev. E. Mason organized a society of about a dozen members, in the town of Lawrenceville. Rev. Mason was pastor in Evansville, so that this branch of the church, like the other received its first impulse from Indiana. It has been hitherto worked rather as a missionary appendage, but is soon to be erected into a distinct pastoral charge. In the year 1882 the colored society in Lawrenceville purchased the property owned by the First M. E. Church, repaired it, and are now oc- cupying it as a house of worship. In the winter of 1882- 83, a second colored society was organized in the country north of Lawrenceville. The colored M. E. church in Lawrence county is vigorous and promising, having within a year more than trebled its membership and ac- quired property worth $600,00.
WABASH COUNTY. CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
BY REV. W. R. CROUCH.
In giving a sketch of the Christian Church in Wa- bash county, Ills., it will be necessary to go back to the organization of what is now known as the New Light Church,-inasmuch as their first teachers were imbued with the principles of the Reformation, having heard Walter Scott in Ohio, before coming to this county. And on this account, when the principles of the Reformation began to be fully unfolded by Morris Trimble, the mem- bers of the old order, almost without exception, accepted the teaching of the new, and there was really no division -but a continuation of the same membership, the same organization, the same discipline,-the Bible as the rule of faith and practice. Simply accepting the additional doctrine as Bible truth, that with proper heart prepara- tion, immersion is to the penitent believer for the re- mission of past sins.
BARNEY'S PRAIRIE CHURCH.
The first Christian Church in Wabash county, Illinois, was organized in the year 1816, on the east bank of Crawfish creek, under the spreading branches of a white oak tree, on what is known as the Eli Wood Tract of Land. The tree is still standing and vigorous to this date. The organization was effected under the direction of Elder James Poole and William Kinkade. This was a central place between Barney's Prairie and Tim- ber Settlement.
This also was the first church of the old Christian order in the county. There is in the possession of the church a very complete and satisfactory record of names, organization, church meetings, church discipline, etc., from the beginning to the present time. Their disci- pline shows a great reverence for the Word of God,and a commendable determination to square their lives by the divine rule. The Barney's Prairie Church has been the source of Christian Churches in Wabash county,-as, in the organization of almost every other, they have drawn upon her for members. Some of the charter members are: James Pool, Angelina Pool, Peter and Jemima Keen, and Daniel their son, of sainted memory, Joseph Wood, Sen. (the first deacon), and Leah his wife, Euoch and Daniel Greathouse, Jacob Shadle and wife, Seth (the first elder) and Mary Gard, James (first clerk) and Susan Fordyce, Joseph and Abigail Preston, Jerry Ballard and wife, Mrs. Barney, Job Rixley and wife, Philo and William Ingraham, Mrs. Ransom Higgins, Mrs. John Higgins, Mrs. Wm. Brown, Mrs. Levi Couch, George and Catharine Litherland, Charles W. and Char- lotte McNair, William and Cynthia Courter, Eber Put- nam, John and Henry Shadle, Therim Taylor, Samuel, Leafy and Trifosa Putnam, Olive snd Hannah Chaffee, Ira Keen and Priscilla Wood. In 1819 the record shows a membership of 71; in 1823, of 103; showing a steady and healthy growth.
The principles of the Reformation were first fully unfolded to the people of Wabash county in the year 1833,-the first sermon being preached in the brick school-house north of Friendsville by Morris Trimble, a very fearless and talented minister of the Gospel. From the first, Elder James Pool and Elder William Courter accepted fully the issues involved ; so that by the year 1836, with the help of additional visits from Eld. Trim- ble, almost the entire church had been carried over into the Reformation, peaceably and quietly in the spirit of the Master, for the union of the people of God upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner-stone. From this date we read in the church record that individuals as of old received the fellowship of the church upon the confession of their faith in Christ, and baptism into the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Their first house of worship was erected one-half mile east of Friendsville, in which also schools were taught. For a great many years their meetings have been held in a beautiful grove one mile east of Friendsville, fami-
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
liarly known as the Stand, where they held their meet- ings in the open air, in the shade of the trees in pleasant weather, at other times in the neighboring school-houses and dwelling-houses, until the erection of their perma- nent house of worship about the year 1845. In those days, at their big meetings, when many had come from a distance, it was the custom of George Litherland, John Buchanan, and Ira Keen in particular, to give a general invitation to the whole assembly to accompany them to their homes, for food and provender for themselves and their horses. During these times, in a two days' meet- ing, it was common to get away with a large hog. a dol- lar's worth of sugar and coffee each, and other things in proportion, at Ira Keen's. The women, sometimes so anxious and hurried in the preparation of refreshment for others, as to return to afternoon service forgetting to eat a morsel themselves.
This has been given me as an actual occurrence in the experience of the Widow Charlotte J. Wood, daughter of Ira Keen, sometimes feeding fifty and sixty people.
Among the honored members of this church, worthy of mention, Eld. Ira Keen and Aunt Nelly will ever be remembered by the public as big-hearted and hospitable souls, who fed the people and went very far towards supporting the ministry. Daniel Keen, also, intelligent, pure-minded, liberal, capable and spiritual-one of the best men it has ever been my privilege to know-was not only a member of this church in its infancy, but af- terwards, also, for many years.
Joseph Ballard, the quaint old farmer-preacher, godly in spirit, seemingly everywhere present ready to lend a helping hand to the cause. William Ingraham, who by his godly walk and holy conversation-his desire that all should be at peace among themselves-his aptness and skill in the settlement of difficulties-won for him- self the soubriquet of peace-maker. " Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God."
Joseph Wood, jr., belonged to the second generation. Capable in means and natural ability, pure in heart, sweet-spirited in life-a pillar in our Zion-he fell early at his post. We mourned his loss, feeling that scarcely none could take his place. But the Lord gave us another in the person of his brother Ira, whose soul was touched with the melodies of a better life; and feeling at the same time the solemn responsibilities of the hour, he be- came at once an efficient ruling elder and sweet singer. For volume and melody of voice combined, as a-leader in song among the hosts of Israel, Elder Ira Wood has never been excelled in Southern Illinois. His active Christian life extended through a period of about fifteen years, which was also the period of the church's greatest prosperity. Who can estimate the power of sanctified song, when coupled with an earnest effort to bring the energies of the soul into submission to the will of God ?
Others might well be mentioned, but space will not permit. The church has a neat, commodious house of worship erected on the site of the old Stand. The -
present membership of the Barney's Prairie Church reaches two hundred. Eld. James Pool, their first pas- tor, was a godly man and excellent teacher,-labored extensively at home and other points at a great sacrifice, and at the last fell asleep in the bosom of the church, honored and loved by all.
PERSONAL MENTION OF MINISTERS WHO HAVE LABORED FOR THE BARNEY'S PRAIRIE CHURCH.
William Courter, Sen., the earnest worker and elo- quent preacher. Elijah Goodwin, the silver-tongued orator and mighty in the Scriptures,-the peer of any, perhaps equalled by none. And Moses, also, his brother. Cornelius Ades, a most exemplary man-a good reasoner, who did great good for the cause.
William Courter, Jun, a native of Wabash county. Possessing a limited education, but with a soul full of faith, he has labored unceasingly, and none has been more serviceable to the church. His appeals as an evangelist were all but irresistible, and thousands have been brought into the fold through his efforts.
Eld. James McMillen, a product also of our county, prudent, cautious and correct,-a systematic reasoner, a true man of God, reasonably successful as an evangelist, has left his impress upon the church for good. Elder W. B. F. Treat, the eloquent preacher, the logical speaker and irresistible debater, now living in Bloomington, Ind., has also represented his district in the State Senate one term. Alexander Wells, an excellent teaching preacher. Thomas M. Wiles, a very efficient and successful evan- gelist and teacher,-a great worker, and a favorite with many. Bro. Wm. C. Black has also labored with suc- cess and is counted by all as one of our strong men.
These have all preached for the Barney's Prairie church regularly, and for other of our churches in the county, and are and have been good, worthy meu of God. Elder W. F. Black, the greatest living evangelist among our people, has held protracted meetings for this church in the past three years, resulting in 120 additions. . In the meantime he has held three other meetings in the county at the following places, with additions as annexed : Mt. Carmel, twenty ; Allendale, twenty ; Keensburg,. eighty-six. W. R. Couch also, the writer : "By the grace of God I am what I am," has labored in the cause in this and Johnson and Marion counties, Indiana, and my readers all know me.
Coffee Creek Church .- Daniel Keen having settled on Coffee Creek a church was organized in his house on Saturday before the fifth Sabbath in August in the year 1819, consisting of seven members, viz. : Thomas Thomp- son, Nancy Thompson, Daniel Keen, Polly Keen, Wm. Arnot, Eli Reed and Dennis Sayles. This church has been fairly prosperous, and from its organization has scarcely ever been without regular monthly preaching. It may as well be mentioned here that it is the custom of all our churches to meet every first day of the week for exhortation, prayer and breaking the loaf.
This church has enjoyed the teaching of Joseph Was-
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
son, Elijah Goodwin, James Pool, William Courter, Jr., Cornelius Ades, James McMillen, James Hall, Alfred Flower and his sons, Erastus Lathrop and W. R. Couch. Alfred Flower is a self-made man, a fine speaker, a suc- cessful preacher, a wonderful historian and during his long life has given himself unreservedly to the cause of Christ. In this church none are more esteemed than he. Dr. Bristow also as a minister and Christian physician, an « minent worker in the Sunday school and temperance work, is worthy of personal mention. Elder Lathrop also was one of God's true noblemen, and one of our best and most deserving preachers.
Personal mention of members .- Among those who have passed on before, James Ashford, Alexander Compton and Joseph Ballard in connection with Daniel Keen will ever be remembered as standing among the pillars of the church. Among the living, Baker Keen, large-hearted and capable, has been the strong stay of the church, and its ruling elder for twenty-five years, and his house the preacher's home. Having the confi- dence of the people, he has been called to represent his district in the State Legislature. William Keen, now associated with Baker in the government of the church, generous to a fault and liberal. Through their efforts a neat and commodious house of worship bas been erected in the pleasant village of Keensburg at a cost of $2000.
The Coffee church will hereafter be known as the Keensburg church. The house was completed in the year 1882, and dedicated by W. F. Black on the second Sunday in August, 1882. Here also Elder Black held one of his great meetings in which eighty-six were added. In connection with this meeting at Rochester Ferry on the Wabash in the presence of more than 1500 people, fifty-one of his converts were immersed in fifty minutes by W. R. Couch. The church now numbers 160 members, and is in a very prosperous condition.
Elder Jaines, a very excellent preacher and successful evangelist, now located at Olney, has labored for this church with much success.
The Lick Prairie Church .-- This church was first or- ganized in the year 1830 by Elder Joseph Wasson, of the old Christian Order, in the house of Adam Baird. Elijah Goodwin and Moses also did efficient service in establishing the cause at this place. John W. Baird, Adam, Samuel and Andrew Baird, Eli Moore, Thomas and William Hill, John Steward, the Brattens, Samuel and Eben Putnam, with their wives respectively, were among the first members of this. church. Their first house of worship was a log structure, erected one-half mile north of the present site in the year 1831. They occupied this house for fourteen years, when they ere cted another log house one mile south of the present site.
The church was very prosperous during the occupancy of these houses, peace and harmony prevailing, and great numbers being added. Early in their history a Bible class was organized, out of which grew the Sunday- achool, and has continued to be a regularly organized in- stitution to the present time. In the year 1853 their
membership had outgrown their old house, and Daniel Keen, Eli Moore and Samuel Baird were chosen a building committee for the erection of a new one, which they built, 35x50 feet. This was a union house, and occupied by the Universalists one-fourth of the time. Elements so conflicting were not peaceful, and after twenty eight years of confusion, the old house becoming unfit for use, it was pulled down, and in 1881, the year of failure in crops, a neat frame 28x40 feet, was built by the disciples and called the Garfield Memorial Christian Church, and dedicated by W. R. Couch.
The church now numbers seventy five members, and iu their new house have taken on new life, and bid fair under the leadership of Albert Sapp, Peter Fisher and Nelson Woods to have at least a prosperous season.
Church of Christ-At Lancaster, Wabash county, and State of Illinois. The following is a record of a body of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, coming together for the purpose of forming a church to be known as the Church of Christ, of Lancaster, State and county ufore- said, on the third Lord's day in October, 1842. By mutual agreement the following named persons were chosen to act in the capacity of elders and deacons :
For Elders-William Ridgeley and Robert Johnson. For Deacons-Horace A. Woodward and John Hig- gins.
Charter Members .- William Clark, Horace A. and Sophia Woodward, Hiram R. and Polly Couch, William S. and Ann E. Ridgeley, Joseph and Sarah Gard, John Higgins, Andrew Knight, Ebenezer Couch, Lydia McMillen, Martha Jones, Sarah Russel, Nancy and- Elizabeth Lewis, Maria Courter, Sarah Bryant, Phœbe Knight, Warren and Tamar Winders.
Elijah Goodwin was probably the first to preach the doctrine in the vicinity, preaching in Woodward's barn and old Uncle John Higgins' house, Moses Goodwin sometimes accompanying him. Morris Trimble and H. A. Haywood, the eccentric but gifted preacher, some- times preached among them about this time. James Pool, present at their organization, continued to be their regular pastor until Preacher Ades came into their midst. The most, perhaps all of the charter members of the church, were converted under the preaching of Goodwin and Trimble, at the old stand, on Barney's Prairie. In addition to ministers mentioned before in connection with other places, this church has enjoyed the labors of F. M. Shick, W. H. Hardman, and W. N. Littell. Beginning with twenty-two members, located in a village of churches in the midst of great opposition, they now number eighty. No more honorable or true membership can be found anywhere.
Adams' Corner Church .- We take the following state- ments from the records of the church. At a meeting held at Allen R. Jackman's on the fifth Saturday and Sunday in June, 1851, it was decided, for the conven- ience of that portion of the Barney's Prairie church, resi- ding in that neighborhood, that a church be established in that vicinity.
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
Soon after this a union house was built at the Adams' Corners, in which their regular meetings were held until the erection of their present house of worship upon the site of the old one, which had previously burned. Though the. untiring efforts of William Courter, their ruling elder, this congregation has grown into a strong and influential church, now numbering over 200 members In fact this is the banner Christian Church of the county. Elder George Morrall preached for this church for three years with great success.
PERSONAL MENTION.
Among those who have passed over the river we may mention Samuel McIntosh, Allen R. Jackman, Isaac Smith, Wm. Smith, John Litherland, and Mrs. David Adams. Among the living are Wm. Courter, William Preston and wife, who seem never to grow weary in well doing, and Ira Smith, who was for many years one of the honored elders of this church. Among the younger members there is a host of grand noble men and women whose souls have been touched by the love of God, whose names, we trust, are in the book of life.
CHURCH OF CHRIST AT MT. CARMEL.
A record of the Church of Christ, meeting for worship in Mt. Carmel, Wabash county, Illinois, which was or- ganized December 14, 1862, by Elder D. D. Miller, evangelist for the Christian Missionary Society of the State of Illinois.
The brethren and sisters in Christ, by mutual consent, enrolled their names as members of the church of Christ, subject to the Scriptures as the rule of faith and practice : John A. Morgan, Aurelia Morgan, Lucy Dunning, Mary Abby, Virginia Abby, Mary Ann Turner, Sarah Ann Sturman, Phebe Sturman, Abram Utter, Elizabeth Utter, Julia Hughs, Judith Titus, Daniel Titus, Robert E. Wright, Remina Wright, Mary E. Redman, Susan Wirth, William Sturman, Susan Beck, America Young, Charles Redman, Mary L. Utter, Amy Utter, Lydia Simonds, Kate Newman, Mary Simonds Zeuriah Titus, Alice Wright, Elizabeth Gordon, Maria Sherrar, Mad- ison Tuniks, A. Walter and wife.
The following officers were elected in 1862: John A. Morgan and Charles Redman .- Elders.
Amos Walter and Daniel Titus-Deacons.
Church trustees chosen in 1863 were, John A. Mor- gan, R. E. Wright, A. Utter, Charles Redman, and Daniel Titus.
The church was built in 1864, and cost, besides what was done free, a little over three thousand dollars. Pres- ent membership is eighty-seven, and officers are as fol- lows : Chester F. Putnam, Charles Redman, and Jas. S. Wilson-Elders.
R. E. Wright, F. M. Baird, and R. S. Gordon, are the Deacons.
The church-house is all paid for, and the church out of debt. The church building is on Cherry street .be- tween 8th and 9th strects.
The foregoing has been furnished by the kindness of R. S. Gordon :
CHURCH OF CHRIST AT BELLMONT.
BRO. COUCH,
Dear Sir :- Yours of February 1st, came to hand this evening, and I will say in reply that the first sermon ever preached here by one of the brethren, was preached by Bro. E. Lathrop, in the latter part of the year 1875. He was preaching at the Lower Bridge church, on the Bonpas, and came here one night on his way home. Af- ter that he returned a few times, until the spring of 1876, when he organized a church on the 2nd day of May, 1876. After that he returned at irregular inter- vals, while he lived. The little church, consisting at first of thirty-four members, having no meeting-house, had many ups and downs, mostly downs, and in the course of two years ceased to meet. But the indomita- ble spirit of progress was not dead, and in the latter part of 1878, the members bought the M. E. church, (the Old Silvam meeting-house) and moved it to town and re- erected it, and held the dedication services in September, 1879, Bro. Wm. Holt, officiating. Since that time the church has met regularly to attend to the ordinances of the Lord's house. During this time there has been reg- ular preaching only about six months. Meetings have been held by Holt, James, Black, Little, and Couch. The present membership is eighty-six. In much hastc,
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