Combined history of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 36

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : Brink, McDonough & Co.
Number of Pages: 458

USA > Illinois > Shelby County > Combined history of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 36
USA > Illinois > Moultrie County > Combined history of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 36

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ELDER BUSHROD W. HENRY.

This eminent minister, said to be the first Baptist preacher in Shelby county, and who preached longer in it than any other man, was born in Culpepper county, West Va., February 4, 1805. He united with the Regular Baptist Church at the age of nineteen, and soon after began preaching. About two years later he moved to Rutherford county, Tenn., united with the Free Will Baptists and

continued to preach. He came to this county in 1830, where he endured the hardships of the new country, laboring with his hands, through poverty, to provide competency for his family, and preach- ing as occasion offered. During his first six years' preaching he organized several churches. Among his converts were Willis, Whitefield, Col. Vaughan, and Silas Rhodes, who became eminent preachers among the Baptists. In 1836 he became convinced of the necessity of more closely adhering, in preaching faith and prac- tice, to the teaching of Christ and His apostles than was usual among the Baptists ; consequently he immediately became a devoted advocate of the restoration of primitive Christianity.

He kept no record of the number of sermons preached, churches organized, or additions under his labors ; but no doubt he did greater work with more telling effect than any other minister in this region of the country. He gave himself chiefly to holding meetings rather than to regular settled work. At a meeting held at Whitley's Point, Moultrie county, 1859, there were about fifty additions, among whom was an orphan lad, the writer. Father Henry was a man of great energy and firmness, of commanding appearance in the pulpit, and logical in reasoning. He was pre-eminently a man of faith, earnestness, and patience. He died August 20, 1879. The funeral services in the Christian church were attended by at least 600 people, desiring to respect and honor the faithful servant of God. "Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city" (Rev. xxii, 14). This was a favorite passsage with Father Henry, and was the basis of the memorial services by the writer. He was a faithful citizen, devoted husband, conscientious Christian, an earnest and faithful preacher for fifty-five years, and died as he had lived, in the Christian hope, at the good old age of seventy-four.

ELDER TOBIAS GRIDER.

This zealous preacher was born in Monroe county, Ky., Noven- ber 23, 1800. He married at the age of twenty, and moved to Indiana, when he obeyed the gospel and began preaching, which he continued with great zeal until his death, November 11, 1880. In 1836 he moved to this county and settled on Sand Creek, where he died. He labored under many disadvantages in early life, but chiefly from poverty and want of education. By strong will, con- stant perseverance and industry, he supported his family and gained a good knowledge of the Scriptures. His early associates in the ministry in this county were John Storm, B. W. Henry, John Harris, John and Thomas Goodman, John Nantz, M. and Job Combs, and Elder Hughs, the memories of whom are still dearly cherished by the survivors of early days.

Many hundreds, if not thousands, were brought into the fold of Christ under his ministry. His honesty and purity of purpose were never questioned. He was not regarded eloquent by the world, yet if stirring exhortation, full of Bible logic that moved men's souls and lives to the claims of Christianity, be power, then few men were more powerful than he. He and his early companions in the gospel soon became accustomed to the most bitter opposition on every side. The few churches and school-houses were closed against them, so that their labors at first were chiefly in private houses, groves, and barns, yet they never faltered in their efforts nor became discour- aged as to the final results. They believed the cause was from God and must prevail. Elder Grider's funeral services were conducted by Elder P. P. Warren, to whom I am chiefly indebted for these facts and also for the history of Sand Creek Church. This discourse to the vast assembly was based on 2 Tim. iv. 7, 8, "I have fought a good figlit," etc, appropriate words in regard to a veteran of such earnest warfare for more than fifty years in the ministry. May the

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HISTORY OF SHELBY AND MOULTRIE COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.

meniories of his love and labor be cherished by the people of his pasturc. These short biographies scemed necessary to properly understand the work of the church in this county. Elder John Storm was here earlier than either of the above, and did great and lasting good in a long ministry, but the particulars of whose history I cannot give.

Cochran's Grove .- Here was the home of John Storm, the first Christian minister of Shelby county. The familiar name of " Jackie " Storm, and the memories of his faithful preaching, arc dearly cherished by the people of other days. He organized the Church in what is now Ash Grove township, in 1832. The entire enrollment of church members is about seven hundred and eighty- five, with a present list of two hundred and seventy. The Elders arc William E. Bennett, G. J. Curry, James Veach, and Wm. R. Storm. The first has served the church in this capacity for twenty- eight years. The regular preachers for the church have been, John Storm, B. W. Henry, Tobias Grider, John Nantz, Father Sweeney, M. T. Smith, and P. P. Warren. The last mentioned has been preaching for the church once a month for three years, and continues his labors as formerly. The occasional ministers have been John and Thomas Goodman, Zachariah Sweeney, and a host of others. The church sustains two Sunday-schools. The present meeting-house was built at a cost of two thousand, five hundred dollars, and seats six hundred. No doubt this is the most wealthy as well as the largest congregation in the county. If its liberality and zeal are equal to its ability, a glorious work will be accom- plished in the name and for the honor of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sand Creek .- The congregation of Christians meeting on Sand Creek, in Windsor township, was organized by Elder John Storm in 1834. It consisted of the following eleven members : Benjamin Weaks and wife ; Joseph Baker, wife and son ; Ashley Baker and wife; Louis Leadbetter and wife ; Sarah Bougher, and Rachel Wallace; all of whom are dead. The entire enrollment of mem- bers of the church since its organization is supposed to be twelve or fifteen hundred. Several congregations have been organized with charter members, chiefly from Sand Creek. Its present member- ship is about eighty-five, with J. K. Rose, Peter Robison, and James T. Warren, Elders. Father Grider was its regular minister for forty-four years, and Elder P. P. Warren has been associated with him in this capacity for thirty years. Elders Warren and A. J. Nana each preach once a month for the church at present. Promi- nent among the occasional preachers were B. W. Henry, A. D. Northcutt, Isaac Mulkey, John and Thomas Goodman, Samuel Peppers, Levi Fleming and John Harris. The church lias raised up of its own members the following preachers : Isaac Miller, Na- than Rice, P. P. Warren, A. A. Loomis, and L. P. P. Phillips. Among these the name of P. P. Warren is probably the most fa- miliar. He was born in Tennessee, came to this county when a boy, obeyed the Gospel in 1848, and was ordained to the ministry in 1850. Throughout this and adjoining counties his labors have extended, spreading the gospel, in the love of it, having a " thus saith the Lord " for what he preaches, making no effort to be wise above what is written. He has organized several churches and added many souls to the saved. He also labors on the farm for the sup- port of his family. While this is as honorable as any way, it is not good economy to the Church. He is worthy of his hire. "They that preach the Gospel shall live by the Gospel," and the sooner the churches so situate such ministers that they can give them- selves wholly to the work, the better it will be for the cause.

T. V. Rose is the Sunday-school Superintendent. The church occu- pies its fourth mecting-house, a neat brick, which was built in 1874, at a cost of about twelve hundred dollars, and seats three hundred

persons. The church has faithfully survived the difficulties and changes of nearly fifty years, and if the members are faithful to what the Lord has appointed them to do, a great and good work can be accomplished in the fifty years to come. .

Shelbyville .- The Free Will Baptist Church in Shelbyville in 1836, numbered about thirty-eight members, and Elder B. W. Henry was their minister. After much investigation and prayer it was decided to drop the name " Baptist " and organize the Church of Christ, according to the apostolic order and practice. In refer- ence to the first meeting, I copy the following from an old church record. " In the good providence of God ; we being citizens of a state (Ills.) whose constitution and laws permit men to worship - the only true and living God according to the dictates of His Holy Spirit, as revealed in the Bible, and in the enjoyment of this ines- timable blessing ; about thirty persons, (baptized believers) met in the town of Shelbyville, Shelby county, State of Illinois, in the month of March, A. D., 1836, who then and there resolved to or- ganize as a worshiping congregation of Christians, having and holding Jesus Christ, the Lord, as the Surc Foundation and only Saviour ; and the Bible alone as their infallible rule of faith and practice; and proceeded to organize the Church of God in Christ at Shelbyville, Illinois, by selecting and setting apart as Elders (or Bishops) of the congregation Bushrod W. Henry and J. J. Page."

Next to Father Henry, the chief burden of the work rested upon J. J. Page ; and truly work never found more willing hands nor devoted heart. For more than 35 years he was an efficient Elder, chcering, admonishing, and blessing, sick and well; and being him- self a worthy example of life, purity, and patience, till his death in 1872.

Reuben Wright, the father of the large Wright family in Shel- byville, was a charter member, but died the year after the church was organized, leaving his estimable wife, Martha, to seek the tem- poral and spiritual welfare of a large family of children. Few women have been more devoted than she, and, in a good old age, she died in 1875, as she had lived, in the triumphs of the Christian faith. Another original member was Mrs. Enfield Tacket, the wor- thy Christian mother of our fellow citizens Messrs. John A., and William Tacket. She often prepared her house for the meetings of the little band of disciples more than 40 years ago. Aunt "Polly " Smith was the last charter member. She had previously heard the primitive Gospel in Ky., by Elders John Rodgers and Barton M. Stone. She was thus prepared for the organization on the " Bible alone," and eagerly worked for the church. Her life was plain, pure, industrious, intelligent and devoted. She died Jan. 30, 1880.

" Elder B. W. Henry continued to labor for the congregation from 1830 through a series of years, and by his efforts added many souls to the church. His labors also extended throughout Shelby and adjoining counties with great success in planting the good seed for many congregations."

In about 1843 Elder McVey, from Ind., held a meeting by whichi the church was greatly strengthened. The mcetings, during those early years, were held in private dwelling-houses, the old court- house, and sometimes in a school-house which stood near the pre- sent residence of Mr. Charles E. Woodward. About 1845 the meeting-house was built which stands diagonally across from the present brick church. In this house the disciples met for more than 20 years, and enjoyed many glorious meetings. In 1848 Elder A. D. Northcutt, from Ky., was employed to labor as evangelist under the direction of a co-operation of the churches in the county. By his untiring energies he added more than 300 to the church in onc ycar. The following year he labored for the church in Shelby-

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HISTORY OF SHELBY AND MOULTRIE COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.

ville, which prospered under his preaching. About this time Wm. Brown and Elder Lewis of the M. E church held a friendly dis- cussion in the Christian church, iu which General Thornton was chairman. It resulted in greatly strengthening the church, and in removing mnch prejudice from those who had not correctly inform- ed themselves of the teachings of the church. The regular minis- ters, in order, after this discussion, as far as knowu are as follows : Elders, B. W. Henry, - Ethridge, N. S. Bastion, T. V. Gains, Brinkerhoof, Dr. A. L. Kellar, James Long, John Harris, O. F. Lane, J. W. Allen, T. Brooks, A. P. Stewart, and in the fall of 1877 the wiiter came and is beginning the fourth year of his minis- try. The present meeting-house, on the corner of Broadway and South First street, was completed at a cost of about $15,000, and was dedicated by Elder W. J. Moore, then of Cincinnati, Ohio, now of Liverpool, Eng. It seats about 500, and the basement was used for a place of worship long before the honse was completed.

The present membership is 240, with the following Elders, viz : T. P. Bryan, Wm. Chew, W. F. Turney, and J. G. Waggoner. The Sunday-school numbers about 200, with 20 teachers. Mr. T. T. Bryan has been Superintendeut for the last five years, and Mr. D. F. Hendricks is chorister. The church, by the grace of God, has endured mauy trials, and overcome great difficulties. It seems to be enjoying peace aud prosperity. If every member will fill his place, using the ability and means as the Lord has prospered, with devoted lives to the Giver of all good, and to the grand principles of the Church of Christ, eternity will reveal a glorious work accom- plished, and to many the Judge will say, " Well done, good and faithful servant ; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."

Bethel .- About 1837 Elder Henry organized a congregation near his home, on the west side of Okaw township. Two or three years later a log house was built for the double purpose of school aud church, and was so occupied for about 20 years. Here the people enjoyed the ministry of Elders Henry, Grider, Fleming, the Good- maus, Storm, Mnlkey, Sconce, and others. David L. Sconce and Michael Freyburger were, for many years, the Elders. There is no organization at present, but most of the few members left in the community hold their membership at Antioch. It is still an occa- sioual meeting place, and Sunday-school is usually held in the summer.

Green Creek, Mount Pleasant .- There was a congregation organ- ized in Big Spring township, about the year 1850. This church en- joyed reasonable prosperity, until the year 1865. Elder Thomas Goodman organized a church in Prairie township. The members of the Green Creek church identified themselves in the latter organ- ization, which was called " Mount Pleasant " Church. The meet- ings were formerly held iu the Baker school-house, later in the Forrest school-house. The church numbers 89 members, and has Daniel Baker and George Shumard Elders. Elder James Carr has preached for the church most of the time for 30 years. Only a few weeks before this writing he died iu a good old age, loved and respected by all. Elders Tobias Grider and Wm. Colsou assisted in the early church work, aud the following miuisters have preach- ed occasionally of later years : Thomas Goodman, A. A. Lovins, J. I. Seward, J. M. Morgan, Isaac McCosh, and others. The church is not rich in this world's goods, but we trust rich in faith and heir of the promises.

Prairie Bird .- Father Henry and others did considerable preaching iu private honses and school-houses in the neighborhood, on Mud Creek, many years before they organized the church, Sept. 30, 1850. There were twenty-threc charter members, and Lindsey McMorris, Chatter Kelley, and Elijah Waggoner, were elected the

first Elders, and Johu T. and Wm. Smith, Deacons. They built the meeting-house in 1857, at a cost of probably $1,500; it seats 300 people. The principal preachers for the congregation were Elders B. W. Henry and his son Jas. O. Henry, Edward Evey, Tobias Grider, A. D. Northcutt, - Ethridge, John Harris, J. W. Sconce, - McCullum, I. Mulkey, N. S. Bastion, J. M. Morgan, J. A. Williams, B. R. Gilbert, and at present J. H. Hite. In 1869 Elder James Blankinship, of Indiana, held a meeting at Prairie Bird, re- sulting in abont fifty-five additions to the church. It was here, Angust 7, 1858, that J. O. Henry was ordained to the ministry by Elders Tobias Grider, J. W. Sconce, and B. W. Henry. He imme- diately entered the work with earnestness, laboring chiefly at Prairie Bird, Blacklog, Rocky Branch, Pana, and Locust Grove. The prescut Elders of the congregation are H. C. Robertsou, O. S. Carr, aud Samuel J. Downs. The present membership is 127. It controls a good Sunday-school. Perseverance in well-doing will lead to great usefulness here, and eternal life when our work here is done.

Windsor .- The church was organized at Windsor some time prior to 1859. Ouly four of the charter-members are known to be living. The present list shows a membership of one hundred aud nineteen, with J. Henry Price, George Storr and Thomas N. Henry, elders. The following preachers labored for the congregation : John Brink- erhoof, J. M. Morgan, Z. T. Sweeney, P. P. Warner, John Ellis, B. W. Henry, A. L. Kellar, Thomas Edwards, M. T. Smith, H. Y. Kellar, and during the last year J. H. Hite. Prominent among those who have held protracted meetings for the church are Ellis Zound of Charleston, I. Mulkey, W. F. Black, Wm. Patterson, - Conner, E. J. Hart, John Friend, and others. A. D. Filmore, a sweet singer of Israel, made several visits to Windsor, preaching and singing as few others conld. Dr. Jesse Yoar, before his death, bequeathed $1,000 to be invested permanently for the church.

The church edifice was erected in 1859, and completed at a cost of $2,500. It seats five huudred, and was dedicated by Elder John S. Sweeney of Paris, Ky. The church takes great interest in its Sunday-school, which has on the roll one hundred and fifty-six scholars and nine teachers. James A. Moberly is superintendent, and Charles E. Storr secretary. The congregation has an excellent field of labor, with taleut, and means to do a great work. May it still more consecrate its life to the service of God aud to the good of men.

Antioch .- In 1860 Elder B. W. Henry organized a congregation of about thirty-two members in Ridge township, with C. L. Scott, John aud J. T. Barrickman, elders. The regular preachers for the cougregation in the order of their labor are as follows: J. W. Scouce, J. M. Morgan, John and S. V. Williams, B. R. Gilbert, A. W. Avery aud J. H. Hite. The latter is about entering his second year of successful work. The following have been occasional mi- nisters : B. W. and J. O. Henry, James Blaukenship, Jas. Marity, Father Sweeney, P. P. Warren, M. T. Smith, A. P. Stewart, J. A. Roberts, T. Brooks, John Boggs, W. F. Richardson, Prestou Weeks and others. The present elders are Michael Freyburger, Nathan aud I. L. Killam. About twenty of the original members are still living. The entire eurollment is abont three hundred and one, with a preseut membership of oue hundred and thirty-eight. The Snuday school has seventy-five scholars, with seven teachers and J. WV. Killam, superintendent. The present meeting-house was com- pleted in 1868 at a cost of about $2,400, aud seats four hundred persons. The church is in a fair condition, and with proper energy, devotion and liberality, is able to do great good.

Welborn Creek .- April 28, 1860, elder John Sconce organized a

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HISTORY OF SHELBY AND MOULTRIE COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.

congregation in a log school-house near the north-east corner of Todd's Point township with fifty-eight members, which is known as Welborn Creek church. The members were scattered over a very large territory of country, in which afterward were organized seve- ral churches, greatly weakening the first. It is usually far better to have fewer churches, but strong ones, than so many that are scarcely able to maintain the work. The church completed a good meeting-house in 1871 at a cost of $1,200, which seats two hundred and fifty. The entire enrollment since the organization has been one hundred and fifty six, with a present membership of only twen- ty-five. Samuel H. Wright is acting as elder. The following have preached regularly for the church : John Sconce, L. P. Phillips, M. T. Smith, J. M. Morgan and Joseph Hostetler. And occasion- ally elders P. P. Warren, Tobias Grider, John W., and his son B. B. Tyler, Father Sweeney, J. A. Williams, Thomas Edwards and others have preached for the church. It is expected that elder J. M. Morgan will preach the following year. The loss of so many members has been the cause of great discouragement to the faithful few who remain ; but if elder Morgan or any other good prcacher prosecutes the work with commendable zeal, and has the faithful co-operation of every disciple, there is good reason for believing that success will crown their efforts.

Bethany .- Elders Grider and Warren held a meeting in a school- house in the community of what is now the Bethany congregation in Windsor township in 1860. In this meeting, many hearing be- lieved and were baptized, who took membership at Sand Creek. It continued to be a regular preaching point under the direction of Sand Creek Church till 1871, when elder P. P. Warren organized a separate congregation of fifty-three members. Only fifteen of the charter-members are now living in the community. The entire enrollment has been one hundred and thirty-four, with a present membership of fifty-seven. The elders are Wm. Quick and A. J. Nance. Elder Warren has preached once a month for the church ever since it was organized, and more recently elder Nance, a de- voted young man, whom the church has raised up, also preaches one-fourth of the time. Occasionally the church has enjoyed the labors of elders G. Steele, M. T. Smith, B. W. Henry, - Van- hooser and L. P. Phillips. Elder A. J. Nance was the last Sunday- school superintendent. The meeting house was built in 1871 at a cost of $1,200, and seats three hundred. The church at present is in peace, and moving along quietly in the Master's work. God has given the church grace for its many trials and difficulties; and if it is faithful to the commandments of Christ and His apostles, with a loving and devoted spirit, it will certainly prosper under the kind providence of God.

New Liberty .- About forty years ago, a log house with two chimneys and no floors, was built for the meeting purposes of the community in the north-east corner of Windsor township. In this house the few disciples and citizens of the vicinity in that early day listened to the preaching of the Gospel by Elders Tobias Gri- der, B. W. Henry, John Storm, Levi Fleming, John Goodman and others. The members formed a part of the Sand Creek congrega- tion until 1871, when it was thought best to organize a separate congregation. The church held its meetings in the Dodson and Baker school-houses, and was known as the Wolf Creek congrega- tion. In 1874 the meeting-house was completed near the location of the old log church, at a cost of $1,100, and seats three hundred. The church was then called " New Liberty."

Since the organization of the church by Elder P. P. Warren, it has enrolled about two hundred and thirty, with a present member- ship of eighty. Elders P. P. Warren and R. J. Nance are the

regular ministers, each preaching once a month. W. K. Baker, Jacob Weger and Randolph Miller are elders. The following ministers have preached regularly for the church : M. T. Smith and Thomas Edwards, with the occasional help of Tobias Grider, Thomas Goodwin, N. S. Bastion and others. The church set apart to the work of the ministry, Jesse Baugher, whose early death de- prived the church of a useful man. Let every member become a zealous worker, seeking the prosperity of the church and the glory of God, and great good can be accomplished in the community.

Union .- This little congregation was organized at the Hidden School-house, on the line of the Okaw and Shelby township, by El- der Grider in 1873, with fourteen members; only three of these · now live in the community. Since the organization seventy-eight have been enrolled, and the present membership is thirty-four. Elders Tobias Grider, Wm. G. Steele, L. M. Linn and A. J. Nance have been the regular ministers for the church, and the two last- named preach regularly now each once a month. Elders Goodman, Franklin Smith, Father Henry and others have prcached occasion- ally. The summer Sunday-school enrolled forty scholars and four teachers, and was superintended by Mr. J. J. Barker. The church is at peace, the members zealous, but the losses by death and re- moval of some of the best members greatly impaired the organiza- tion ; but it is hoped they will soon be replaced by other devoted workers.

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Combined history of Shelby and Moultrie Counties, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of their scenery and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers, Part 36

Author: Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia : Brink, McDonough & Co. Number of Pages: 458

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia : Brink, McDonough & Co.
Number of Pages: 458