Combined history of Randolph, Monroe and Perry counties, Illinois . With illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 66

Author: McDonough, J.L., & Co., Philadelphia
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia : J.L. McDonough & Co
Number of Pages: 578


USA > Illinois > Perry County > Combined history of Randolph, Monroe and Perry counties, Illinois . With illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 66
USA > Illinois > Randolph County > Combined history of Randolph, Monroe and Perry counties, Illinois . With illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 66
USA > Illinois > Monroe County > Combined history of Randolph, Monroe and Perry counties, Illinois . With illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 66


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The next preacher to have charge of this congregation, was Rev. John Matthews, who came in 1828, and remained until 1834.


Services were held whenever place could be obtained, - in private rooms, warehouses, school-rooms, and a few times in the county house. In 1837, Rev. Joshua T. Tucker, preached in Chester. Kaskaskia was abandoned, and Chester became the place of meeting. On Oct. 9th, 1840, the name was changed by the Presbytery, from Kaskaskia to "First Presbyterian church of Chester." The elders at this time were, John Mann, James Clendenin, and James Mclaughlin. Rev. Cyrus C. Riggs, was in charge of the church, until 1845. He was succeeded by Rev. B. F. Spil- man, who remained until 1849. Rev. John Kennedy, was their minister from June 14th, 1850, until the time of his death, July 21st, 1851. Rev. P. D. Young was with them from March 1st, 1852, to March 31st, 1857. Under his ministry, the affairs of the church moved on with great order and system. Rev. B. 11. Charles was his successor, and remained until 1866, a period of nearly nine years. Rev. Abram J. Clark, commenced here about September, 1867, was installed pastor, and served the church until March, 1875. Rev. D. L. Gear, commenced January, 1876, and remained until September, 1881, when the present pastor, Rev. O. G. Morton, was installed.


The first place of meeting in Chester, was Seth Allen's office. The next was a school house near the present honse of worship-a house common to all denominations.


The present and only church edifice ever owned by the congregation is of stone, occupies a very commanding posi- tion, and was built between 1845 and 1847, and cost abont $1500.


Elder Amzi Andrews, in his will, left a valuable legacy to this church, amounting in all to perhaps $20,000. It is now in litigation.


Rev. John Millot Ellis, was born in New Hampshire. Ilis ancestors were of Welch origin. Ile graduated from Dartmouth College, in 1822, and subsequently from the Theological Seminary at Andover. He was a great friend of education, and everywhere he went, worked in aid of educational institutions.


Rev. John Mathews, was born in Beaver county, l'enn'a. A graduate of Jefferson College. The missionary spirit moved him to work in the west, which he did with marked success. He lived to the good old age of 84 years, and is buried near Georgetown, where he died, May 12th, 1861.


Rev. Joshua T. Tucker, a native of Massachusetts, was fitted for college at Phillips Academy, Andover ; graduated from Yale College, 1833, and from Lane Seminary, 1837. Ile was one of the original founders of the Boston Review. Ile is the author of several works, among them the " Life of Christ," and journal of travel.


Rev. Cyrus C. Riggs, a Pennsylvanian, graduated from Allegheny Seminary. After leaving Chester, he became President of Richmond College, Jefferson county, Ohio, and subsequently took charge of a Female Seminary, at Beaver, Penn'a.


Rev. A. J. Clark, was a native of Champaign county, Ohio. Graduated from Delaware College, in 1859. He accomplished much during his stay with the congregation at Chester, in behalf of the Master's cause.


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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.


Rev. D L. Gear, was a Congregationalist in faith. He served the congregation faithfully, and in 1880, went to Nokomis, where he died.


Rev. O. G. Morton, a native of Tennessee, is a young man of decided ability. He was educated in Southern University, Greensboro, Alabama, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, and Lane Seminary, Cincinnati, Ohio, from which institution he graduated, May, 1881. The following September, he was called to the charge of the Chester church, and in May, 1882, he was regularly ordained and installed, as pastor. He is a fluent speaker, a genial gentle- man, and under his charge the cause is prospering. There is at present a membership of fifty-eight persons. Sunday School attendance about 100.


Liberty, now Rockwood Church, is on the Mississippi river, in the southwest corner of Randolph county. It was organized at the house of Dr. James C. Junk, by Rev. Cyrus C. Riggs, March 9th, 1843, with twenty-nine mem- bers. The following ministers have served here: Cyrus C. Riggs, B. F. Spilman, Alex. Brown, A. A. Morrison, B. H. Charles, A. R. Naylor, John C. Wagaman, Alfred Wright. James S. Davis.


In a revival, in 1862, twenty-nine persons were received ; in another, in the winter of 1876, twenty-eight were added. The name of the church was changed from Liberty, to Rockwood, Feb. 16th, 1865, to correspond with the name of the village, as changed by the Legislature. This con- gregation met in private houses, or in the school-house, until the dedication of the present house of worship, which took. place late in the fall of 1864. This house is of brick, and cost $1950. The site is on two lots, which cost thirty dollars.


Georgetown, now Steele's Mills church, was organized by a committee of the Kaskaskia Presbytery, January 22d, 1859, with eleven members. James Brown sr., elder, John Mathews, Wm. H. Templeton, A. J. Clark, J. W. Cecil, and James S. Davis, have officiated as pastors.


The name of the church was changed from Georgetown, to Steele's Mill's, in April, 1875. The organization took place in the old Baptist house, which stood on the site of their present edifice. Services were held mostly in the old Baptist church, but sometimes in a store-house, on the Alma side of the town, and occasionally at the railroad depot. The site for the present, and only edifice owned by the con- gregation, was given by Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Stinder. The building was erected in 1875, and cost $5000. The corner- stone was laid, July 17th, 1875, and the edifice was com- pleted in December, following. Since 1878, services have not been regularly held.


SPARTA. JORDAN'S GROVE OR BALDWIN CHURCH,


Was organized at Sparta, July 24th, 1843, by Rev. Cyrus Riggs. First elders : H. M. Livingston, and Temperance McCormick. Ministers : Cyrus Riggs, to April, 1845 : B. F. Spilman, from February, 1846, to September, 1851 : B Lefler, one year : C. D. Martin, W. R. Sim, 1858-60: Martin B. Gregg, August, 1872, until his death, August 31st, 1873 : James Scott Davis, January, 1874, to June, 1875 : M M.


Cooper, September, 1876, to August, 1877. The name was changed from Sparta to Jordan's Grove, April 12th, 1851. It was again changed to Baldwin, after the church building was moved to that village.


While worshiping in Sparta, this church had no edifice of its own. Its meetings were not long held in that village, but in the country, some five miles distant, northeast, where a house of worship was erected, costing about a thousand dollars. This house was removed to Baldwin, on the narrow gauge railroad, in the fall of 1872, when it was repaired and refurnished. Dedicated, June 1st, 1873. The congregation is now in a languishing state.


The Church of Sparta, was organized June 5th, 1869, with sixty-three members. Rev. John Hood, was their first minister. He was dismissed, June 30th, 1878. Ile was a native of this state, having been born in Washington county. He was educated in Indiana State University, from which institution he graduated, in 1862. Served as Lieutenant and Captain, in the 80th Illinois Regiment. In October, 1865, he commenced the study of theology, in the Reformed Presbyterian Seminary, at Allegheny City, Penn'a., and was licensed, 1869. His eight years' pastorate was marked with great success. His successor was Rev. John W. Bailey, now President of Blackburn University, Carlinville, Illinois. The last pastor was Rev. Green, a young man of extraordi- nary abilities, a master of oratory, a fine logician as well. He has recently accepted a call from Chicago, which leaves a vacancy in the pulpit of this church. This is, next to Paris, Edgar Co., the largest organization in the state, hav- ing a membership of over three hundred. The church edifice, a handsome brick building, was erected in 1870, at a cost of $9000.


THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH.


BY E. P. TRABUE.


The earliest recorded preaching in Randolph county, by a minister of this denomination, dates back to 1844, when Elder Harmon Husband, from Somerset county, Pennsyl- vania, began his labors in the "Garden of the West," as Randolph county was then called. He labored in different localities in the county, and his labors were crowned with a measure of success. In 1868 his followers at Mill Creek organized themselves into a society, and met for worship in the school-house. The Revs. Dr. Mulkey, Hus- band, Combs, Thornberry, Bryan, J. T. Baker and Jobn A. Williams have preached for them. In the year 1872 a society was organized at Baldwin, and a plain substantial frame house of worship was erected. The congregation, which no longer meets for services, has sat under the ministry of Revs. David Husband, Marion Combs, J. L. Thornberry, James Bryan, J. T. Baker and John A. Williams.


The Rockwood congregation was organized in the year 1867, by M. Linn and H. D. Bantan, and in 1874 a good frame church building was erected, in which they at first met regularly, but, like the congregation at Baldwin, they have since abandoned their place of worship. They have


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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.


received the services of Rev. Dr. Mulkey and Rev. M. Combs.


The membership of the Christian Church in the county numbers about 200 persons, and the entire value of its property does not exceed 82,000.


ST. MARK'S PARISH.


BY REV. THOMAS H. GORDON.


The only parish of the Protestant Episcopal church in Ran- dolph county is St. Mark's, Chester, so that an account of its origin and growth will be the history of the church in the county. Its history has been marked by so few events in its outward life suitable for a public record, that this sketch will be simply a brief narration of facts. This parish was founded by the Rev. William Mitehell, M.D , as a missionary, who came from the Atlantic states under the auspices of the Board of Do- mestic Missions, and began his work here under the spiritual jurisdiction of the Rt. Rev. Philander Chase, D. D. Mr. Mit- chell entered upon his duties April 14, 1848, and on Sunday, April 16, held church services in the court house at Kas- kaskia. On the following Sunday a public school-house in Chester was used for the same purpose, and at both these places the sacrament of holy baptism was administered.


These were the first public services held in Randolph county by a priest of the Protestant Episcopal church. Services were continued by Mr. Mitchell at Kaskaskia for some time, and occasional services were held at other points, but the only place in which they seemed to bear any visible and permanent fruit was Chester. Upon his arrival in this town Mr. Mitchell found but three male members of the church, whose names we put on record. They were l'. Haskins, Richard B. Servant and William C. Marlen. On the 6th of May, 1843, a meeting was held in Chester of those interested in the church, and a parish was organized by the election of wardens and vestrymen, the adoption of the name, St. Mark's parish, and the election of a delegate to the Diocesan Convention to be held in the following month at Quincy, Adams county, Illinois. The officers of the or- ganization were : Wm. l'. Haskins, Senior Warden ; Richard B. Servant, Junior Warden ; Wm. C. Marlen, Jas. H. Jones, E. J. Whitney, J. M. Bair, Vestrymen.


At the Diocesan Convention held at Quincy June 5, 1843, St. Mark's Parish, Chester, was admitted into union with the convention and became a part of the church in the dio- cese and in the United States.


The first Episcopal visitation of the parish was made on the 11th of the following month by the llt. Rev. Philander Chase, D. D., who administered the rite of coufirmation to eighteen persons These were the first fruits of the mis- sionary's labors in Chester. From this time onward, amid many difficulties and discouragements, the parish continued to increase; but the congregation having no church building, were under the necessity of meeting for worship in the public school-house. The lack of a house of worship was felt to be a great hindrance to the progress of the parish, and at length, ou April 1, 1849, the corner-stone of the present church was laid with appropriate ceremonies, by Bishop Chase. Five years passed before the building was finished,


so great an undertaking was it for the small number of pa- rishioners, even when assisted by kind friends in the Atlantic states But the rector and his flock triumphed over all difficulties, and on May 28, 1854, the church was dedicated. The Rev. Mr. Mitchell was rector of the parish for a quarter of a century, resigoing his charge in 1868. During his min- istry at Chester he baptized 216 persons, presented 90 can- didates for confirmation, solemnized 42 marriages and committed 88 bodies to the grave. Such is the brief record of twenty-five years of ministerial life.


The history of the church in Chester is chiefly a history of Mr. Mitchell's labors in the Gospel, so that little can be said of it without mention of his name.


Mr. Mitchell's successors in the charge of this parish have heen the Rev. R. Trewartha, from May 1, 1868, to May 1, 1870 : Rev. R. Ryall, from March 12, 1871, to December 14. 1875; Rev. J. T. Adderly, September 21, 1876, to March 1, 1877 ; Rev. A. E. Wells, February 23, 1878, to April 9, 1882, and Rev. Thos. HI. Gordou, from May 7, 1882 St. Mark's church has thus been ministered to by six clergymen during its forty years of existence. In that period 396 persons have been baptized, 133 received the rite of confirmation, 75 marriages have been solemnized and 161 bodies buried by the ministers of this church. This parish has been under the spiritual jurisdiction of four bishops.


This sketch may well be concluded with statistics takeu from the report of St. Mark's parish to the fifth annual Synod of the Diocese of Springfield, May, 1882: Number of families in parish as entered upon register, 30; souls, 177; communicants, 52 ; Sunday-school scholars, 95.


FREEWILL BAPTIST CHURCH.


RANDOLPH AND PERRY COUNTIES.


BY REV. G. A. GORDON.


The founder of this Christian denomination was the Rev. Henry Smith Gordon, a native of Pennsylvania, who emigrated with his father's family to Missouri, and settled near St. Louis, when a mere boy. In the year 1836, at the age of twenty, he removed to Randolph county, and united with the Missionary Baptist Church, at Georgetown, now Steelesville. Shortly afterward he entered the ministry and acted with that church as missionary, organizer and pastor until 1851, in the mean time attending Shurtliff College at Alton. In the year 1850, while yet acting with the old church he organized a congregation, whose members en- dorsed the doctrine of free and open communion, thus lay- ing the corner-stone upon which the liberal Baptists of southern Illinois, have continued to build. In 1851, he was tried for heresy, by a court of ministers, and excluded from the church. The greater part of the old congregation be- came dissatisfied, and a meeting was held at the residence of John P. Short, for the purpose of organizing a new church. Rev. R. A. Bradley, of Jackson county, was chosen moderator, and John Mclaughlin, clerk. The meeting was addressed by Rev. Gordon, Dr. Lawrence, Rev. John Mathews and E. Lofton, Esq., and resulted in the organiza- tion of a church with twenty members, all formerly belong-


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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.


ing to the old church. Thus was formed the first Freewill Baptist church in Randolph county. Mr. Gordon was elected pastor, and continued to serve the church in that capacity for fifteen years. During the following summer the church received an accession of twenty-five members. The congregation proceeded to build a new church house which was completed in three months. This society was known as the Free Communion Baptist. Among its first members were John T. Short, H. S. Gordon. Milton Mc- Kinzie, W. W. Higgerson, George Steele, John Guyman, P. Higgerson, George Bowerman, Elizabeth Short, Nancy Gordon, sr. and jr., Nancy Steele, Clarinda Garner and a number of others. Shortly after, Rev. Gordon organized Pleasant Ridge church, about two miles above Rockwood, on the Mississippi river. Among its first members were Robert Moore, Joseph Robertson, John Wood and others. This church is still in active existence, under the pastoral charge of Rev. W. R. Wilson, and numbers sixty members. Next in order, was instituted a church at Denmark, in the southwestern part of Perry county, known as Pipestone church. Judge E. T. Reese, Ambrose Bradley and others were among its first members. It also is at present in a flourish- ing condition, numbering about forty-six members. Four ministers, viz , II. S. Gordon, R. A. Bradley, Isaac Hale and William Bradley have served it in the capacity of pas- tor. October 31, 1851, a convention met at Steelesville, then Georgetown, to organize these churches into an associa- tion. The delegates to this convention were H. S Gordon, John S. Short, F. Garner, R. A. Bradley, David Under- wood, William Bradley, Robert Moore, Joseph Robinson, E. P. Reese and J. A. Bradley. The organization formed was known as the Southern Illinois Association of Free Communion Baptists. In the year 1854, it learned of the existence of a body of Christians in Indiana, holding sub- stantially the same views, known as General Baptists, and in 1856, the new organization adopted that name.


In 1866, G. A. Gordon, J. C. Gilliland and A. Pearson were added to the list of ministers. In the fall of 1872, the Georgetown church was moved to Percy. Sometime in 1874, the Rev. J. C. Gilliland organized Bethany church, two miles nor heast of Tamaroa, in Perry county. In 1875 our churches were called together in convention at Campbell Hill, to consider the advisability of consolidating with the Freewill Baptists. After much deliberation, that step was taken and their name adopted. In 1879, Rev. V. B. Sutter organized Antioch church, located about one mile west of Tamaroa. And in 1880, Rev. H. S. Gordon and V. B. Sut- ter constituted Salem church, situated about six miles north of Pinckneyville, in Perry county. The six churches of this denomination, with one exception, all own good com- fortable church houses, and have an aggregate membership of two hundred and thirty communicants. Thus have I recorded unembellished, the principal facts of the origin and history of the Freewill Baptist church of Randolph and Perry counties.


GERMAN M. E. CHURCH.


BY REV. P. COLONIUS.


The first pastor was Henry Hartmann, who organized the church at Red Bud, known as the " Monroe Mission." In 1842 the first church was built about two and one-half miles northwest of Red Bud, in Monroe county, and received the name, Wesley Chapel. The first quarterly meeting was held Nov 22, 1846. In 1864 the new brick building, 60x 48, was built in the town (now city) of Red Bud, at a cost of about $4,500; also, a comfortable parsonage was bought at a cost of $1200. This was accomplished under the pas- toral labor of Philip Merkel.


The first school was organized in 1864. Its first minutes report one superintendent, five teachers and fifteen scholars ; and at present it numbers a superintendent, fifteen teachers and one hundred scholars.


Peter Colonius is the present pastor.


The following is a list of presiding elders and pastors who have served the church : Henry Hardtmann, Charles Koeneke Cammermeyer, Wm. Kavermester, Theo. Kark, mann, Geo. Boeshenz, Christian Hoech, Franz Horstmann, Henry Schmidt, Jacob Mueller, Thomas Heyer, William Meyer, Rudolph Havrighorst, Henry Schultze, Phillip Merkel, John Feisel, Charles Rodenberg, Henry Balche, Wm. Schuetz, G. E. Keller, Phillip Skaer and Peter Colonius, the present pastor.


The church at Chester was organized in 1848 under the pastoral labor of Geo. Boeshenz, and in 1850 the first church house was built in connection with the English Methodist Church. In 1873 the building now occupied by this con- gregation was purchased for $3,000. They organized the first Sunday School in 1851. They have a membership of 105.


The Randolph and Steelesville cougregations, belonging to the Chester Circuit, were organized about the same time as the circuit, and in 1882 a new church was built at Ran- dolph, under the pastoral labor of P. W. Jacoby, the present pastor, at a cost of $2,500.


The church at Ellis Grove was organized in 1846 by Len- hard Hardnagel, a local preacher from Red Bud, and the first meetings were held at the residence of John George Schoepples. The first church house was built in 1848, under the pastoral labor of George Boeshenz ; the present one was built in 1868, under the pastoral labor of C. Stueckemann, at a cost of about $2,000. The congregation also have a parsonage valued at $800. The present pastor is T. M. Buch- holtz. The first Sunday School was organized in 1854, and at present it numbers 10 teachers and 55 scholars.


It should be observed that the sketch of the German Methodist Churches of Randolph county brings their history down to a period in November, 1882; and founded as it is upon data derived from the several records, it is hoped it may be found to be a faithful account of its origin, develop- ment and progress.


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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.


MONROE COUNTY. CONCORD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.


BY JOHN C. BLAIR.


The Reformed Presbyterian Church was constituted in America during the year 1774, by Rev. Messrs. John Cuth- berson, Matthew Lin and Alexander Dobbin (with ruling elders). She traces her history from the period between 1638-1649, and adheres to the doctrincs held by the Church of Scotland, as protesters against Popery, Prelacy and Erastianism supported by other Presbyterians of that age. In 1806 they (the Reformed Presbyterians) adopted their present Standards and Testimony. One of her laws excluded slaveholders from her communion, and her ministers preached in favor of the abolition of slavery in the United States.


The Concord congregation of the Reformed Presbyterian Church was organized Nov. 9, 1842, and the following named persons (heads of families) made a call on Rev. M. Harshaw, of Pennsylvania, to be their pastor : Thomas Blair and John Richmond, fuling elders; Matthew Rich- mond, John Cunningham, M. J. Cunningham, Robert Cun- ningham, Andrew Cooper, George Campbell, Matthew McClure, David McClure, William McClure, Samuel McClure, John McClure, Thomas McClure, James McMil- lan, Milton McMillan, Matthew McMillan, William Camp- bell, Matthew Munford, Hugh Cooper and James Cunning- ham. The call was accepted, and Rev. Harshaw was installed as pastor, remaining in charge until 1870, during which time he gathered together a large and influential congregation. Rev. Harshaw was born in county Armagh, Ireland, in 1807 ; crossed to America in 1826; attended the Western University, at or near Pittsburgh ; gradnated with honor in 1838, pursued his theological course under Dr. Black and was licensed to preach in 1840 by the Pittsburgh Presbytery of the Reformed Presbyterian Church. Mr. Harshaw was a thorough Biblical scholar, and his mind was well stored with useful knowledge. In 1870 he and part of his congregation connected themselves with the United Pres- byterian Church, and he remained in it until his death, Aug. 11, 1874.


During seven years the Concord congregation was without a pastor, and at intervals had preaching from a number of ministers-Revs. Samuel Wylie, D. D., LL.D., Eden, Ill. ; David Steele, D. D., Philadelphia ; J. F. Morton, D. D., Ohio; S. M. Ramsey, Chicago ; Matthew and William Gailey, Philadelphia, and Mr. David Murdock, Ohio Mr. Alexander Raulstone (licentiate) was sent to the congrega- tion for the spring and summer of 1877. In May, 1878, he was ordained and installed pastor. After nearly four years. on account of ill health, he resigned his charge and removed to St. John's, N. B., a more congenial climate, taking charge of a congregation there.


The membership of the Concord congregation now num- bers 110, with 6 ruling elders. During Rev. Harshaw's pastorate the membership numbered about 160. The fol- lowing are the names of the ruling elders ordained since its organization : D. S. McClure, Milton McMillan, James


McMillan, Hugh Cooper, Henry Irvine, David Stevenson, W. R. Blair, John S. Faris, J. C. Blair, Riley McClure, A. Y. Richmond and John B. Gordon, M. D.


METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.


We have been disappointed greatly in our efforts to gather sufficient materials to enable us to give a full history of the rise and progress, in this county of this organization.


For many years before Illinois was admitted into the sis- terhood of States, Methodist ministers were here, holding meetings in the pioncer cabins, forming societies, defending the frontier, and actively engaged in giving moral and re- ligious tone to society. The history of Methodism in Illinois begius in Monroe and Randolph counties. Thefirst minister of this faith, who came to Illinois was the Rev. Joseph Lil- lard ; he established the first church in Illinois, at New De- sign, in Monroe county, iu 1793. He had been a circuit- rider in Kentucky, in 1790. In this society Rev. Lillard appointed Captain Joseph Ogle, class leader. Rev. Lillard was a pious, energetic man, whose labors sowed the first secds of Methodism in this State.




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