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 49
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 49
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 49
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and great difficulties. They were not able to get an architect. All the members of the congregation had to help. Some of them were carpenters, and they provided for the carpenter work, others did the brick work. So the church was finished under the direction of Rev. V. Burgos. But not only did he lead the work; he also worked-performed as much labor as one of the working men. Mr. G. Wirth, Mr. Fr. Fuchs, and Mr. J. Breivogel took the greatest interest in the affairs of the church. When the church was finished, it was dedicated to God, and it received as patron the blessed Virgin Mary. under the title of St. Mary of Mt. Carmel. Also a dwelling-house was erected only a short time after the church had been finished. Rev. V. Burgos worked hard for the congregation, and remained there till Oct. 1854. When he left Mt. Carmel, the congregation had no resident priest for about four years. During this time the congregation had been attended by different priests, who came at certain times, to give services. In Aug., 1858, R. W. Repis came as pastor. He remained about six months, and after him, Rev. P. R. Kolopp was appointed as pastor. Since which time the church has had a resident priest, but many changes took place in regard to the persons who attended the church. The church at Mt. Carmel is a brick building, and is 63x30. In the year, 1886, an addition was made to the priest- house under the direction of Rev. Louis Ruitter.
In 1870, a frame church was erected seven miles west from Mt. Carmel, 73x60 feet, was finished in 1871, and at the dedication, as patron, was chosen St. Sebastian, and the congregation was called St. Sebastian congregation. This church is in Bellmont Precinct, formerly called Bonpas Precinct. The Catholic families of this con- gregation are forty.
The congregation of Mt. Carmel purchased, in 1880, on the first of June, a nice building of M. S. Landes. It is a large frame building, and is now used for school and sister-house. It cost $2000. At the present time about 50 to 55 Catholic families belong to St. Mary's congre- gation of Mt. Carmel. The sisters of the Precious Blood teach school. About thirty-five or forty children attend the school.
ST. JOHN'S GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CONGREGATION.
BY GEO. V. KIRSCH.
In the year of our Lord 1870, the Messrs G. V. Kirsch and William Bossecker, both members of the German Evangelical Lutheran Zion's Congregation of Preble Township, Adams Co., Ind, where Rev. Gerhard Jaeb- ker preached, emigrated with their families to Illinois to buy land, and settled near Cowling Station, Wabash Co., Ill. The next year the Messrs John Graesch, Sr., John Graesch, Jr., J. Henry Graesch, John Bossecker, Sr., Louis Bossecker, Peter and Adam Kirsch followed from the same congregation. These nine gentlemen or- ganized the German Evangelical Lutheran St. John's congregation of Wabash Co., Ill. Services were now
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
held by Rev. F. R. Tramm, of Vincennes, Ind. and Rev. G. Mohr until August 11th, 1872. On this day the new built church was dedicated to the service of God, and the first pastor Rev. Christian Maeurer was ordained and introduced by Rev. F. R. Tramm and Rev. G. Mohr. In this same service, the introduced pastor baptized G. V. Kirsch, the son of G. V. Kirsch, Sr. and this was bis first pastoral ministration. Charles Kirsch, Jacob Frei- berger, Ida Bossecker and Sophia Schaich were the first children who were confirmed in the church. The first marriage service was held for Rev. G. Mohr and Miss Louise Bossecker, daughter of John Bossecker, Sr. The first funeral sermon was held in church beside the re- mains of Peter Kirsch's daughter.
In the year 1874, the congregation joined the Missouri Synod. Year by year the congregation increased in num- ber by members coming from congregations near Evans- ville, Ind. and from Holland, Ind. At this day, Feb. 13th, 1883, the parish register shows 28 members and in all 142 individuals. The church and the parsonage are situated two miles north of Cowling, twelve miles southwest of Mt. Carmel, four miles northeast of Bell- mont and six miles northeast of Grayville, Ill.
Our present pastor, Rev. Philip M. Fritze, was born in Baltimore, Md., Dec. 29, 1853. He received his clas- sical education at the Concordia College in Ft. Wayne, Ind., and, having completed his course there, entered the Concordia Seminary in St Louis, Mo. in 1875 to stu- dy theology. August 18th, 1878, he was ordained as pastor of the German Evangelical Lutheran Trinity Congregation of Hobart, Ind. On the 24th day of Sep- tember he married Miss Emilie Chr. Grosse, daughter of the late teacher Grosse in St. Louis, Mo. Having re- ceived a call from our congregation in January, 1882, he accepted the call and, on the 17th day of February, was introduced as our pastor by Rev. G. Mohr.
HISTORICAL SKETCH RESPECTING THE MISSIONARY WORK OF " THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA."
BY REV. WILLIAM L. LUEHRING.
It was in the year 1842, A. D., when the Ohio Con- ference of the Evangelical Association beld its annual session in Pickaway county, Ohio, that the first mis- sionary of said denomination was sent to Wabash county, Ill. This new field of labor was designated as the Mt. Carmel mission of the Ohio Conference, and was sup- plied by Rev. C. Augenstein, who is at present (1883) in the decline of life, still serving one of our congrega- tions in Chicago. The above named mission might have been termed as practically almost unlimited ; for the faithful missionary traveled over about six counties in Illinois and Indiana, and preached the gospel wherever he found occasion so to do, although Wabash county constituted the centre, and thus received his first and
chief attention. The work of the above missionary did not consist in organizing such as had been heretofore identified with the church ; but it consisted, as it were, in plowing the fallow ground of the then somewhat morally neglected German inhabitants of Wabash county.
The arduous but also efficient labor of the first mis- sionary was crowned with success, so that at the next session of conference he was able to report about 100 accessions to the church. The aggressive missionary, aided by one local preacher and one exhorter, also held a camp meeting on the land of P. Dundor, a former member of the Evangelical Association in Berks county, Pa. Rev. C. Augenstein thus has the honor of being the first German Protestant missionary in Wabash county, (although other so-called missionaries had vis- ited the county before, but proved to be " hirelings," and were rejected by the people.) The following year (1843) Rev. C. Lintner and Rev. A. Nikolai, both young and full of religious enthusiasm, traveled and preached the "word " on this extensive mission territory ; and the third year Rev. A. Nikolai again and Rev. G. G. Platz; under the administration of the latter two missionaries the mission greatly thrived-the seed of the "word " germinated in many hearts and finally brought forth fruit. Numerically and financially the mission so prospered, that at Conference (1845) the Indiana appointments were detached from the Mt Car- mel mission, and called the Dubois mission ; and the Mt. Carmel mission was converted into Mt. Carmel circuit. It may be of interest to some to give the names of the Evangelical preachers who in Wabash county preached the gospel : Augenstein, Lintner, Nikolai, Platz, Bretsch, Tobias, Mueller, Withaub, Trometer, Dickover, Messner, Fisher, Bockman, Fuchs, Kohlmeyer, Hoffman, Kronmiller, Kleiber, Glauss, Gomer, Berger, Fisher, Mode and others.
The following were some of the first members in Mt. Carmel and vicinity : H. Kraemer, William Proetzler, N. Lutz, P. Moyer, R. Beutelman, Steven Moyer, C. Seitz and L. Mueller. The above names represent the " heads " of the first " Evangelical " families.
In the year 1847 a little brick church was erected on 4th near Cherry street ; for a number of years this little " Evangelical " society was noted for its spirituality. On quarterly or special meetings the " Evangelicals " of Wabash and adjoining counties would meet in this lit- tle church to have a " good time " together ; many souls were brought from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God.
In the year 1873 a new brick church was built on the corner of 4th and Cherry streets, under the administra- tion of Rev. Joseph Meyer. The congregation at pre- sent (1883) numbers not quite 100 members-and has to battle with language difficulties-some of the young people (being more English than German) ought to have some English preaching, to which some of the old mem- hers object-this makes it exceedingly difficult for the
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
preacher. A change for the better is needed-may it speedily come !
The following were some of the first members in Lan- caster and vicinity : M. Bernhard, J. Fornhoff, M. Marx, Gierd Schaun and others.
For many years Lancaster had but one church (union) in which the different denominations, represented here, held their public services ; but in the year 1865 the " Evangelicals " built a church. The Lancaster society numbers about ninety-five members, and is in a some- what flourishing condition-nevertheless there is much room for improvement. During the last year a com- fortable parsonage was bought and paid for. May the members of the "Evangelical Association " in Wabash county be a power for good, and an honor to their church.
UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST.
BY ALEXANDER LITHERLAND.
In the year, 1862, through the continued labors of Wm. Hovis, the first class of the church of the United Brethren in Christ, in Wabash county, was organized at a small school house, one mile and a half west of Friendsville. This class consisted of thirteen members, whose names are, Wm. Litherland, Susan Litherland, G. W. Litherland, Nancy Litherland, Joseph Litherland, Amy Litherland, David Dixon, Mary J. Dixon, Louisa Dixon, Wm. Deisher, Clementine Deisher, E. G. Mundy, Catharine Canady.
The pastors of this class, while it remained here, were, Wm. Hovis, H. Severn, R. Clark, C. H. Jones, M. Hale, S. Stark. While under the care of S. Stark, the class, in 1866, was removed to what is known as old Cabbage Corners.
While here the preachers that had charge of the class were, I. W. Williams, J. Bedwell, J. L. Cardwell, R. Ratcliff, J. Peachy, G. W. Burtner. In 1874, while under the pastoral care of G. W. Burtner, the class was dissolved, and one organized at Stoltz school-house, called Stoltz class, three miles west of Friendsville. Surroundings were very favorable here, and the class was strengthened continually, so that in 1879, a board of trustees was appointed to build a house to worship in. Wm. Litherland was elected president of the board, and he went to work spending both his time and money in the work, and by his unceasing labors and the liberal help of others, a church, bearing the name of Nye chapel, was erected in 1880, at Gard's Point graveyard one mile and three-quarters south west of the original place of organization where the class is now established, and has a membership of fifty-five. The preachers that have had charge of Stoltz class are, R. L. Brengle, S. Zeller, Wm. McGinnis, S. Bussard, S. Keagy.
ADAMS' CORNER CLASS.
In 1869, J. Bedwell, the U. B preacher, was
invited to hold a series of meetings at Adams' Corners, which he did and organized a small class, called Adams' Corners' class. This class increased, and continued to grow until they became so strong that they purchased the church belonging to the Lutheran and Evangelical Association organizations, and now they have a house to worship in.
PLEASANT HILL CLASS.
In December, 1882, a series of meetings were held by Rev. S. Keagy at a school-house one mile and a half southeast of Lancaster, which resulted in the organiza- tion of a class called Pleasant Hill class, of the United Brethren in Christ, consisting of twenty-seven members.
PLEASANT GROVE CLASS.
In January, 1883, Rev. S. Keagy organized a class called Pleasant Grove class at a school-house four miles southwest of Lancaster, consisting of eleven mem- bers. All four of these classes are now in good condition.
LAWRENCE COUNTY .. UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST.
BY REV. T. D. SPYKER.
The history of this denomination, in Lawrence county, dates back to the year 1852, when George Stoltz emi- grated to this county from Perry county, Ohio, at which time he could hear of no organization south of Cumber- land county.
In the next year, 1853, Daniel Stoltz, a brother of George, also came west, and settled near his brother. Daniel was a preacher of this church, and not only de- voted his attention to his temporal interest, but at once set to work in the " Master's vineyard." It is said of some men: "They do very well where they are not known." But not so with this man ; he was loved most where best known ; he was a man of energy, and influ- ence, and spent much of his time and means in church work, and much of the success of this church, in south- ern Illinois, is owing to his spirit of self-sacrifice, and ear- nest devotion to the cause.
A class was soon organized, consisting of the families of Daniel Stoltz, George Stoltz,and George Martin, with others amounting to about twelve members. This class was attached first to Hebron circuit, and its first pastor was Rev. J. G. Shuey, of Westfield, Ill.
In 1854, a new mission was organized, embracing nearly all of Illinois, south of the Embarras river, five or six circuits having since been organized on the ground that was actually occupied in this mission.
About the year 1870, the class mentioned, in connec- tion with the Methodist church, built a comfortable house of worship, giving it the name of Pleasant Hill chapel. It is located about seven miles northeast of Sumner, and in accordance with its name stands upon a beautiful hill. This class grew slowly, until the year
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
1881, when, under the labors of Rev. S. Bussard, there was an extensive revival and a large ingathering to the church. It has, at present, a membership numbering one hundred and three. Several active and pious men have gone to rest from this organization, but have not left it without many young members that promise equal actively and piety. Among these men who have thus gone home are, Bros. Vannatta and Clingler.
Prairie Class .- About the year 1854, two brothers, Harrison and Joel Petty, with their brother-in-law, Mr. Stine, came, with their families, to this county, and lo- cated about five miles from where Pleasant Hill chapel now stands.
These having been connected with this church in Perry county, Ohio, and desiring a home in it still, or- ganized under the labors of Bro. Stark, a class of seven members, consisting of the families of these three men. In the year 1874, they built a neat and comfortable chapel, known as Prairie chapel.
Bros. Stine and Harrison Petty have been dead for several years, but some of the members of their families are still connected with this class.
Joel Petty still lives near the church, and is still an active, energetic member. Several good families have, from time to time, been added to this class, and the number of its membership is, at present, about sixty. The chapel is located about three and a half miles north- west of Sumner.
Union Class .- Among the places occupied by Danl. Stoltz, was Peppel's School-house, located about 3 miles from Pleasant Hill. Here his labors were very accept- able to young and old. At one time a young man out- side of the house, called a prominent member to him and gave him a respectable sum of money from the young men, as a tribute of respect to Bro. Stoltz. About the year 1856 or 1857, there was a meeting held at this place, by Bro. Stoltz, in connection with Rev. H. Elwell, that awakened a good deal of interest. Bro. Elwell was then a young man full of energy, and zeal, for the cause of Christ, and his labors are still spoken of by many in this county.
A class was soon organized at this place, and several of the prominent members of Sumner Circuit refer to this organization, and the meetings held at this place, in connection with their conversion. This class gradually grew in numbers and influence, until they built a church upon the state-road, about 3} miles northeast of Sumner. This occurred about 1865 or 1866. They worshiped in this house until the year 1872, when an incident occurred that cast a gloom upon the whole community, and es- pecially upon those who were members of this class. At this time, Rev. S. H. Ross, the pastor, was holding a series of meetings at this place in connection with a quarterly meeting. His father, D. Ross, was presiding Elder of this district, and was assisting in the meet- ings.
On Monday afternoon, after the people had returned home, from the forenoon service, Mr. Geo. Claycomb 26
looking toward the church, saw that the house was on fire. The alarm was given, and the friends of the imme- diate vicinity, came together, to find that, under the cir- cumstances the fire was uncontrollable. Though the fire had made but little progress, there being no water near, they were compelled to stand by and see the fruit of their labor, and sacrifice reduced to ashes. Though the news of the disaster spread rapidly, many wended their way hopefully to that spot, that night, expecting to hear the word of the Lord expounded, and to worship him in the usual place, only to find their beloved resort in ruins.
Many a community would have sat down in despair, and simply have mourned over their loss. Many a pas- tor would have yielded to circumstances and given up the situation, but these two men, father and son, were equal to the emergency, and this community were ready to rally at their bidding. A meeting was called almost before the smoke had died away, and almost as if by magic, there arose another house on the old site. This was a hard struggle, and required much self denial, but it is over, and many who engaged in it have gone home. Among these are the preachers that were present at the disaster, while many still live to speak of it as one of the sad hours of their lives. The organization of two new classes has drawn largely from this class, yet it has a membership of about 64. There are a number of men of influence, and some young men of promise.
Sand Barrens Class .- This class was organized under the labors of Rev. H. Elwell, about 1856. Among the first members was father Ghear, who has done much for this church in the way of labor and means. He still lives near the church that was built largely by his en- ergy, but his age interferes much with his activity.
In the year 1871, Rev. J. Peachee came to the vi- cinity, and gave them valuable services. He now lives in Sumner, and is somewhat broken in health. Being a carpenter, he did much toward erecting a house of worship, which was done in the year 1874. This class, which was formerly a part of Lawrence Circuit, now belongs to Allendale Mission Church, located ten miles south of Lawrenceville.
Broad Hollow Class .- This class was organized A. D. 1881, by Rev. S. Bussard, who has spent three years of active service in this county. It has recently received. quite a number of accessions under the labors of Rev. S. Keagy. Arrangements are now being made for the building of a house of worship, which will probably be done during the approaching summer. Rev. Pinner resides in the community and renders efficient help. This location is about five miles south of Lawrenceville.
Fairview Class .- This class holds its meetings at a school-house about three miles northeast of Bridgeport. It was organized in the fall of A. D. 1882, by Rev. S. Bussard, with twenty members. It has now twenty- seven members and gives some promise of success. A. few of its members were transferred from Union Class. Sumner Class .- This class holds its meetings, in the
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
Western Christian Church, in sumner. It also was or- ganized in 1862, by Rev. S, Bussard. It was organized first with nine members. It has now thirteen.
Otterbein Class -The church occupied by this class is located in the northeast part of the county. It was or- ganized A. D. 1856, by Rev. S. Bussard, then a quar- terly conference sermon preached in the absence of the pastor, Rev. Jackson.
Brother Whitson was elected leader and Brother Hen- dricks steward. The class then consisted of five mem- bers. Brother Hendricks died some years ago. Brother Whitson still lives, and though old, is still very active in church work. Their house of worship was built A. D. 1864. It has a membership of fifty. It stands con- nected with Hebron Circuit.
Centenary Class .- This class was organized, A. D. 1862, by Rev. Hovis, with about fifteen members. Built a house of worship in the edge of Richland county, A. D. 1872. It is a part of Olney Circuit.
General Remarks .- About 1860, these appointments with others in Richland and Wabash counties were
made to constitute Lawrence Circuit. Various changes were made from time to time, and at the Conference held at Parkersburg, Illinois, September, 1882, Pleasant Hill Prairie, Union, Fairview and Summer classes were made to constitute Summer Circuit, and the writer of this sketch appointed to it as pastor.
A parsonage was built A. D. 1866, by Lawrence Cir- cuit, which is now used by Summer Circuit. Many of the men who gave their energies to the work of this church in Lawrence county, have ceased from their labors. Among these are Revs. Stark, Stotts, Clark, Brock, S. H. Ross, and William McGinnis. The last two named died very recently. They were all men of energy and usefulness, and died triumphantly at their post.
Revs. Elwell and Butner, have been transferred to other conferences. Revs. Brengle, Bussard, Zeller and Jones, are still doing good work in Lower Wabash Conference. in the bounds of which Summer Circuit is located. The work of this church in this county, has been attended with much privation and toil, but the men named have been equal to the task. This church has in this county a membership numbering about 375.
CITY AND PRECINCT OF ALBION.
EDWARDS COUNTY .*
HE history of the early settlement and subse- quent progress and development of the town and precinct of Albion is attended with more than ordinary interest to the reader of the history of the now great commonwealth of Illinois. That the efforts of the founders were successful, the beautiful landscape of well-cultivated farms, dotted here and there with richly constructed farm buildings, amply attest on every hand.
Albion precinct is centrally situated in the county, from north to south, and extends itself entirely across the county, from east to west, comprising nearly one- third of its entire territory. The precinct is bounded on the north by the base line and Shelby precinct, on the east by Bonpas creek, on the south by French creek and Dixon precincts, and west by Wayne county and Shelby precinct, and comprises a part of townships 1 and 2 S. and ranges 10 and 11 east. Originally it was divided between prairie and timber land, the former interspersing the latter in a picturesque manner. The surface of the uplands is quite rolling, and the soil is a chocolate-colored clay loam, and is very productive. The bottom land along Bonpas creek is heavily timbered, the land being a deep alluvial soil, and especailly adapted to the culti- vation of maize, gra ses, etc. The principal streams are the Bonpas and Big creeks. The former constitutes the entire eastern boundary, and the latter is situated in the southwest, and discharges its waters into the Little Wabash. Two lines of railroad extend through the precinct, the Peoria, Decatur and Evansville passing from north to south, and the Louisville, Evansville and St. Louis road extending east and west, forming a junction with the former at the town of Browns.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
Really the first white men to locate here were emi- grants from the South, about 1816; and as it is due to them that the first blow was struck toward civilization in this once wild region, we have given them a place in the history of this preciuct ; but as their stay was but transitory, the larger portion of the early settlement narration will be devoted to the English settlers, as it was they who mostly developed this part of the county, and have made it one of the richest communities in the state.
Of the former class we find the names of Jeremiah Birk, Walter Anderson, Hugh Collins, John Hunt, Rollin and Joseph Lane and William Ham. These were located in a settlement in the west part of the precinct, a little north of Big creek.
From the best information at this date, Mr. Birk, or Captain Birk, as he was sometimes denominated, was the first to locate in the wilds of Albion precinct; and we here take the liberty of quoting from Mr. George Flower's account as given by him ou his first approach of Birk's cabin : " In my wanderings, the thought struck me of finding out Captain Birk, mentioned to me by my old friend Sloo, of Cincinnati, as being hereabouts, the oldest settler in these parts. Going in the direction in which I thought he lived, I espied a trail, made by the dragging of a log. Following this, I suddenly came to a worm fence inclosing a small field of fine corn, but could see no dwelling. I wished to see Birk, but felt a little diffidence in appearing before the captain in my desha- bille; for after several days' travel and two nights' camping out, my toilette was considerably compromised. Looking closely, I observed between two rows of corn a narrow path ; this I followed until I came suddenly in sight of a small cabin, within twenty steps of me, a little lower than the surrounding corn. Looking in the direction of a voice, calling back a savage dog that had rushed out to attack me, I saw a naked man, quietly fanning himself with a branch of a tree.
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