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 71
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 71
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 71
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These are the men and thesc the means which God has ordained and we would honor as the instrumentalities for the perpetuation of those principles in religion and morals which Baptists hold to be essential to the best interests of men here and in the great hereafter.
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
BAPTISTS AMONG THE COLORED PEOPLE.
The census of 1830 shows that four African slaves were enrolled in Perry county. The condition of that people, as to religious privileges as well as political rights and social standing, has vastly changed since that day. Soon after the war of the rebellion, a large number of colored people from the south found homes in Perry county. In 1865 an effort was made by the Pinckneyville Baptist Church to have a Baptist church organized among them, but the enterprise did not succeed. Various efforts were subsequently made, but no organization or house of worship has yet been secured. Rev. Mark Tolbert and others have been faithful in their efforts to uphold the cause. Two were baptized at Pinckney- ville, in the spring of 1882, by Rev. Major Anderson, and their membership enrolled at Du Quoin. At Du Quoin the cause has been more prosperous. Through the efforts of Elders Jacob Cole (white) and John A. Williams (white), Rev. Thomas Reasoner and others, a church was organized in Du Quoin about 1864 or 1865. In 1879 a neat frame house was built at the Locust Grove, between Du Quoin and St. John's, costing about $600. It has since been moved to a lot near the Catholic church. This body, formerly called the " Second Baptist Church of Du Quoin," but lately the " Mount Zion Baptist Church," has many worthy members, of whom several are preachers. Rev. Richard Dement has been pastor of the church from the beginning, except eight months, when Rev. J. H. Barton was pastor. Bro. Barton is superintendent of the Sunday-school, which has five or six teachers and a regular attendance of about thirty five. The church numbers about 125 members and is a part of the Mount Olive Association, which has met with this church two or three times-the last time on Sept. 5, 1882. This was an interesting meeting and well attended.
Among those who have been prominent in this church may be named Richard Dement, Mark Tolbert, Samuel Barton, deceased, Daniel Jackson, deceased, George Roey, deceased, George Ragland and others, who were the first members; also, Alexander White, Nathan Banks, Nathan Ricks, Major Anderson, Nelson David and others. Green Weaver and Elijah Roey have been clerks of the church.
APPENDIX.
As a supplement to what has been written concerning the Baptist denomination in Perry county, the following brief statement comprises about all we have been able to gather as to that people calling themselves the " Regular Baptists.' So averse do they seem to be to the publication of their own hi-tory that it is impossible to do them the degree of honor we would desire.
Among the earlier settlers of Perry county were a number of immigrants from Tennessee, men of sterling integrity and uprightness of character, holding views of the divine char- acter and government which led them to decline fellowship with those who believed in the use of means in the conver- sion of the unregenerate
" We believe in the doctrine of election, and that God's people were chosen in Christ from all eternity," is the sub- stance of a tenet so strongly cherished by them that it was
incorporated in the letters of dismission they brought with them from Tennesseee. Inadvertently or otherwise, a num. ber of them became members of the Nine Mile church soon after its organization. Failing to bring the church to their views, they withdrew and organized a separate body, with the name " Nine Mile" Baptist church. Friendly relations seem to have existed between the two bodies, as they for a time occupied the same house.
John S. Haggard, Matthew Jones and Thomas Jones were among the original members, and this separate organization took place about 1833, some account of which is given in the foregoing sketch of the Nine Mile Baptist Church. John Harriss, of Paradise Prairie, is their present clerk.
Two other organizations were in existence, but both have long since become extinct. One of them, called "Holt's Prairie" church, was situated at the forks of the Benton and Du Quoin roads, about a mile east of Pinckneyville. The grave of Samuel P. Groves marks the spot occupied by the old log church. John Haggard, living near by, was one of the first members. Elders Silas Chrislo and Eli Short were present at the organization. The dates of its organization and dissolution are not known.
METHODISM IN PERRY COUNTY.
BY MRS. LUCY M. HAMILTON.
The earliest account of Methodism to be found in Perry county dates back to the year 1837. In that year a small society was organized at Pinckneyville, by Rev. James H. Dickens (now of Illinois Conference ) and Rev. John Van- cleve, presiding elder. This society was composed of Dr. Humphrey B. Jones and Harriet Jones (father and mother of the writer), Isaac Carmack and wife, Benjamin Ham - mack, Sarah IIammack, Aaron Holman, Patsey Holman, Calvin Edwards and Fannie Edwards. Their meetings were held first at the house of Dr. H. B. Jones; afterward, for a time, in the court-house; from there the services were removed to the school-house, and thence to the old Temper- ance Hall, which they, as did other denominations, used as a place of worship for a number of years. Their first church was built in the year 1857, under the labors of Rev. G. W. Cullom. It was a plain frame building, 30x40 feet, with a seating capacity for about two hundred. This house served them as a place of worship for about twenty-five years. By this time the old church was too small to accommodate the congregation, and not being centrally located, they deter- mined to build another. In the year 1881, under the super- vision of Rev. W. H. Tyner, the work commenced, and the corner-stone of the new building was laid May 17, 1881 ; but owing to the severe drought in that year the house was not completed until May 21, 1882, when it was dedicated by Rev. C. Nash, presiding elder, assisted by the pastor, Rev. W. H. Tyner and Rev. James H. Dickens. This church is a beautiful brick, 82x52 feet; will seat from 300 to 400, and cost $3,000.
Rev. James H. Dickens, the first Methodist circuit preacher in Perry county, of whom we have any knowledge, remained therein two years (1837-'38), laboring to build up
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
and establish Methodism. He traveled on horseback through heat and cold, over a thinly-settled country, organizing small societies and forming what was known for many years as the Pinckneyville circuit, which we find in 1850 had grown to be a charge of fourteen appointments of the fol- lowiog named places : Pinckneyville, Du Quoin, Tamaroa, Six Mile, Greenwoods, Woolley's, Virgennes (Jackson county), Falleu's, Benson's school-house, Johnson's school- house, Anderson's, Minson's, Jenkins' and Campbell's. Pre-eminent among these appointments were Pinckneyville, Du Quoin and Tamaroa. We find from an old conference journal that a small Methodist society was organized in old Du Quoin in 1845 by Rev. Americus Don Carlos (now of the Illinois Conference), which was a standing appointment for several years. Rev. L. Hawkins was appointed by the Southern Illinois Conference to the city of Du Quoin, then a small village, where he formed a Methodist society.
We are indebted to the Rev. T. N. Johnson for the fol- lowing report of Methodism in Du Quoin. He says that in 1863 the Rev. T. N. Johuson was appointed to the Du Quoin circuit, that place being one of the appointments. Here he found a few members, with no place of worship, and obtained liberty to use the school house for that purpose. Soon pastor and people saw the need of a church, and the work of build- ing one began, many friends of the cause giving liberally. Mrs. Nancy Woolley, widow of Rev. Benjamin Woolley, donated the site, and the work progressed, notwithstanding the hard times brought on by the war of the rebellion. It is due many of our noble soldiers to say that they gave lib- erally of their hard earned wages. This church was built of brick, 60x40 feet, seating 300 to 400, and costing between $3,000 and $4,000. It was dedicated in September, 1865, and still serves as a place of worship for the Methodist peo- ple of Du Quoin. Du Quoin was made a station in the year 1865, with 72 members, and it has grown to be a station of considerable importance, with a present membership of 165.
In 1865 a Methodist society was organized at Tamaroa by Rev. G. W. Cullom, circuit preacher of Pinckneyville circuit. Since that time this society has built a very good frame church. This charge is known as Tamaroa circuit and em- braces several appointments.
There are small Methodist societies throughout Perry county, besides those already mentioned, many of them being quite active and prosperous; and it is safe to say that Methodism in Perry county is rapidly and surely becoming a prominently established feature.
GERMAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH.
BY REV. J. F. KLICK.
There are two congregations in Perry County that belong, to the protestant church as it is represented, by the German Evangelical Synod of North America. One of these is in Pinckneyville, the other in Du Quoin. The one in Pinck- neyville is called, " Evangelical St. Paul's congregation." And this one we will describe first.
The Evangelical St Paul's Congregation in Pinckneyville has property valued at forty-five hundred dollars It
consists of two lots, a nice brick church building, a comforta- ble brick parsonage, with school-room under the same roof, and all necessary out buildings. The church has a steeple, containing two bells, and cost about four hundred dollars. There is seating room for three hundred people.
Its history embraces this peculiarity that it was built without one established congregation, or a settled pastor. The Germans wante.l a church, without being settled in their miuds, as to what denomination it should belong. Their first aim, was, to have a German church. Accordingly Evangelicals, Lutherans, Reformed and Methodists built together, and not until the church was finished did the question of ownership arise. The only way to solve this question, was to organize, and accept a constitution. On this occasion the large majority of Germans were in favor of an Evangelical, that is united Reformed aud Lutheran church, and accordingly in the year 1872, accepted an Evangelical constitution.
The beginning of the congregation, dates back to 1855, when the first members among the German emigrants settled in the county. Now the Germans are all church members, but under the first struggles to secure a comfortable home for themselves, the church matter was some what neglected. The German Methodists were the first that held services in town and the surrounding country, that were attended exclusively by Germans. Then occasionally, single stand- ing ministers, that is, ministers that belong to no Synod, came around and held services. But as the Methodists have many strange arrangements in their service for the Germans, and the single standing ministers proved to be partly infidels, these meetings only served to make the Germans feel the want of a church, as they have it in the old country. Therefore in the year 1868, some Germans began to circulate a subscription list to raise money for a German church in Pinckneyville, the first German church in town, and a considerable amount of money was subscribed. With this the present Evangelical St. Paul's church was built, in 1870. When finished it was open to all German services. The first minister that held services was Rev. George Goeringer. He was a member of the " Mis- souri Lutheran Synod," and therefore too exclusive to do any good here. He was succeeded by the Rev. John Maul, who came at intervals to hold meetings. But as he had a congre- gation of his own, and could not come often, they called "Rev. Albert Zeller," of the German Evangelical Synod of North America He was successful in giving the people a solid foundation, in the form of a constitution. This constitution was adopted in 1872, and subscribed to by thirty-five fami- lies. At this time there was no parsonage, and the minister urged upon the congregation the necessity of building one. They at first held back, knowing that there was still a debt of one thousand dollars on the property. But at last they concluded to build. The house was not to cost over fifteen hundred dollars, and this sum was to be collected by the minister ; but the house and appurtenances, aside from the collected money, entailed upon the congregation a debt of two thousand dollars. At this point, in 1874, Rev. A. Zel- ler left the congregation. Under such circumstances the
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
Rev. F. Laufman was called. He worked under these diffi- culties for two years, and succeeded in holding up the congregation, but neither increasing the number of members, nor decreasing the debt. He left the congregation in 1876, and it called Rev. John Klick from Nebraska, in the same year. Under his management the congregation began to prosper, the number of members increased and the debt was paid. At this time, 1882, the congregation stands, nearly free from debt, and numbers fifty families as its members. At present there is hardly anything to impede the congregation in its flourishing growth. At the peaceful gatherings of the congregation at present, it is hard to be ieve, that there have been so many difficulties to overcome.
The congregation has, as stated in the beginning a school which at present is taught by the minister. The school is held six months during the winter. Here the children of the congregation receive their religious education, and are taught in all the elementary branches in the German language, though the school is open to all, who wish to learn German.
ST. JOHN'S EVANGELICAL CONGREGATION.
The other Evangelical congregation as stated in the begin ning is in Du Quoin. It has property to the value of two thousand dollars, consisting of one lot, and a frame church building, erected in 1876 with seating capacity for two hundred and fifty people. Some of the members of this congregation had lived here a long time before any German servises was held. In fact as they lived among the Ameri- cans, and have adopted the English language and manners, they hardly knew that there were more than a few German Protestant families. The German settlement seven miles west of Du Quoin, had been visited by ministers occasionally, but could not succeed in organizing a congregation. In 1874 Rev. F. Laufman of Pinckneyville, visited this settlement and held service in a school-house for a period of time, and then he was invited to preach in Du Quoin itself. At the first meetings the German Protestants found that there were more of their own persuasion then they had any idea of. So Rev. Laufman was invited to preach there regularly. He did so, and began to organize a congregation in 1875. There were nineteen families to enroll on the list. They con- stituted themselves as the " German Evangelical St. John's church of Du Quoin." This being done they called Rev. J. Kramer from St. Joseph, Missouri He commenced his work in the spring of 1876. His first aim was to obtain a church building. He circulated a subscription list for this purpose, with much success, and a church was built the same year. By this time the congregation had increased to 26 families. By the time the church was completed, there was a deht of nine hundred dollars. Rev. Kramer left the congregation late in the year 1877, and was followed by the Rev. R. A. Johu, who remained with them one year, and was followed by Rev. J. L. Seybold, who likewise stayed one year, and the congregat on was without a minister for six months. In December, 1880, Rev. N. Mohr took charge of the congre- gation, and worked faithfully, and at present the congrega- tion is beginning to prosper. The number of members is thirty four, the debt slightly diminished and strong efforts are being made to pay the whole.
HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH.
BY REV. C. KLOCKE.
Nothing could be ascertained of this church in Perry county prior to 1857, except the fact that Louis Du Quoin, an Indiau chief, after whom the city was named, was a Cath- olic; and he was probably the first one that set his foot on the soil of the county. His remains lie buried at the his- toric town of Kaskaskia.
In the month of May, 1857, the few Catholic families liv- ing within this county, assembled for the first time, for the purpose of worship. The majority of them had not seen a priest, and had not worshiped according to the rite of the church to which they belonged for a number of years. At the time above mentioned, Rev. Father Cusack, of Vandalia, said mass at the residence of Michael Bradley, then living some miles north of the present site of the city of Du Quoin, at a place named Black Diamond.
Upon that occasion, Baptism, according to Catholic rites, was administered for the first time within the county, to a child, (John Bradley); John Bradley and Miss Donovan, now Mrs. Carroll, acting as sponsors. Father Cusack sub- sequently visited the county at intervals, and said mass at different times at the houses of M. Bradley, John Bradley, Mr. Day, Dr. O'Rielly, Mr. Motler, and the late Timothy Kelly. Father Cusack, after having attended to the spiri- tual wants of the Catholics of the county for a few years, was relieved by Rev. Father Lambert. Father Lambert quite frequently celebrated mass at Mr. Henry Hoen's house, then standing on the same lot, that afterward became the property of the congregation Father Lambert continued his visits up to 1861. Rev. Father Mark next visited the county three or four times, and was succeeded, in 1863, by Rev. Father J. W. Vahey, of Vandalia, who attended this mis- sion till 1865 These visits were neither frequent nor regu- lar, and probably did not exceed one every quarter, from 1857 to 1865. These occasions gathered together the Cath- olic settlers, residing many miles apart from each other in the surrounding country.
In 1865 Rev. Father Walshe, of Vandalia, began to visit Du Quoin every two months. At that time there were about twenty Catholic families residing there, while the whole number living within the county did not exceed thirty.
After a time Father Walshe decided to build a church, and a meeting to consider the practicability of such a step was held at the house of Mr. Nicholas Kigert, in August, 1866. At this meeting, Henry Horn, J. J. Higgins, Owen Reddington, James Hartigan, and Nicholas Kigert were ap- pointed as directors and building committee, and succeeded in collecting a sum of about three hundred and fifty dollars in this county.
Henry Horn received the contract for building a brick structure forty feet by fifty, at the price of two thousand and two hundred dollars. The building was commenced in September, 1866. Misfortune overtook the work in Decem- ber, 1866. A severe storm swept across this section, and caused one of the newly-erected walls to cave in, necessitat-
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HISTORY OF RANDOLPH, MONROE AND PERRY COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
ing repairs costing seven hundred dollars, and delaying com- pletion of the building till the following year.
The first mass was said in the new church to a congrega- tion of twenty Catholic families about Christmas 1867. Af- ter mass baptism was administered to one adult and seven children.
Father Walshe's successor, in 1868, was Rev. Father Mackenhaupt, of Centralia, who attended the newly founded mission once a month for about nine months, when he died.
In May, 186, this, as well as all the surrounding missions, were visited, by the Rt. Rev. Bi-hop Yuncker, of Alton. On September 2, 1865, the congregation of Da Quoin and the other missions were placed ander the care of Rev. Chas. Klocke, who ever since that time has remained continu- ously at this post.
At that time Father Klocke was the only resident priest on the Illinois Central railroad, between Cairo and Effing- ham, and his labors extended over a territory, in which there now are eight congregations, each of which has a resi- dent priest. After becoming somewhat acquainted with those amongst whom he was in future to labor, he directed his at- tention towards the spiritual and material condition of his congregation. Before a year had passed, the church had received a plastering, had been provided with seats, and many other necessary fixtures.
The present parochial residence was bought in 1-69 of Mr. Henry Ilorn, for the sum of six thousand and five hun- dred dollars. It it a neat and substantial building, and will serve its purpose for many years to come. In one of the rooms of the residence a school attended at first by eight children, was commenced by Father Klocke, but as the num- ber of pupils increased. the school was removed to a small house that was standing on the same lot as the residence, and had been included in the six thousand and five hundred dollar purchase. After the removal, the school was placed under the care of Mr. John Masquelet, who remained its teacher for five years.
In 1871, the congregation was divided, and two new con- gregations founded, one St. Bruno's) at Pinckneyville, and the other, (St. Mary Magdalen's,) at Todd's mill, Beaucoup precinct.
At Todd's mill a chapel was built, where services are held once a month, by the priest of Pinckneyville. During the same year a brick church (35x6%) was begun at Pinckney- ville, which was completed in 1874. It was built under the direction of Rev. Father Klocke at a cost of about eight thousand dollars, and is the handsomest church edifice in Perry county. Pinckneyville remained in charge of Rev. Father Klocke until 187s, when Rev. Father L. Riesen be- came its rector. Father Riesen remained one year, and was succeedled by Rev. Father HI. Ader, who is still there. About sixty families belong to this congregation, which is in a flour- ishing condition. In 1-72 a two-storied school-house was ereeted in Du Quoin. Its dimensions are 40x24. It is an airy spacious building, well constructed, with proper regard for ventilation, etc., and is at present visited by seventy-four pupils. In 1874 forty acres of land was purchased, of which ten were reserved for burying purposes. After these large 36
purchases had been made, there followed a series of complete failures of the crops, rendering the members of the congre- gation unable to pay their contributions. In consequence of this the financial condition of the congregation had be- come very distressing. When the distress was the greatest there came a deliverer. Mr. Henry Horn, whose name has already several times appeared on these pages, came for- ward, and generously donated the congregation the hand- some sum of nine thousand dollars. For this generous act the Catholics of the Du Quoin congregation owe Mr. Horn a debt of gratitude that they will never be able to cancel.
There are at present (1×82) over three hundred Catholic families in this county. In 1857 there were thirty. By comparing these two figures any one that will, may see that Catholicism is steadily making slow. but sure progress within the territory of which we are writing.
THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. ( Randolph and Perry Counties). BY REV. J. C. ELLIOTT.
This religious organization was formed May the 26th, 1858, by the union of the Associate and the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Churches. The former had its origin in Scotland in the year 1733; the latter was largely a product of the American Revolution for Independence. The Associate and the Reformed Presbyterian Churches, having originated in Scotland, their members hated the tyranny of England, and many of them were in the Ameri- ean army fighting side by side for independence. This et alin led to a union of these bodies in 17 2.
In Randolph and Perry counties there are at present nine representatives of this church, the oldest of which is at
SPRINGFIELD.
It is likewise the oldest congregation of the Presbyterian faith in the State of Illinois, having been organized in the year 1810 by Rev. Samuel Brown of the Associate Reformed Presbytery of Kentucky. The first elders were Archibald Thompson, John Anderson and John Bratty. The first house of worship was built in the year Is12 by the joint labor of those " who wished a church " It was a double log cabin, 10x32 feet, and stood near what is now known as the Kelley graveyard, about two miles east of Evansville. In this same year the first administration of the ordinance of baptism was administered to forty-four children, among whom was the writer's mother. A second house of worship, a frame building about 30x40 feet, was built in 1823 or '24, and stood on the east side of the present cemetery near Preston, formerly Springfield. Their present commodious brick church was erected in 1841-42 at a cost of about one thousand dollars. and stands on a beautiful ridge in the eastern part of this little village. Besides Rev. Brown, Revs. Samuel Carothers and Alexander Porter preached for the congregation, as occasion permitted, prior to 1526. In this year was installed their first pastor, Rev. John Rey- nolls, who remained with them till 1829. Rev. Samuel C. Baldridge succeeded him in 1831, and resigned his charge
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