Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical, Part 65

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : F. A. Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 860

USA > Illinois > Cumberland County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 65
USA > Illinois > Richland County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 65
USA > Illinois > Jasper County > Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical > Part 65

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND) COUNTY.

county is put down at $1,559. The average monthly wages of male teachers is $35.95; of female teachers, $24.49. The amount of dis- trict tax to support schools is $21,306.50; $6,400 of this being raised in Olney. There is a bonded school debt of $4,162. The total receipts for the year were $47,683.79; total expenditures, $33,025.54, of which $21,975.34 was paid to teachers.

THE CHURCHES.

It is characteristic of the settlement of Richland County that the church influences early made their way here. The earliest denomination was the Baptist, of what is popularly termed the " Hard-shell" variety. They built the first place of worship in the county, as early as 1822. This was a log structure called " Antioch " and situated five miles east of Olney on the "trace road." This served for school purposes as well as a place for worship and attracted the devont for miles about on preaching days. William Martin, of Kentucky, was the preacher usually in attend- ance here. The second church building was erected soon after the first by the same denomination. Its site was on the Fox Prairie, two miles southwest of the present village of Fransonia. This was known as the " Union" Church and was served by a Rev. Mr. Rob- erts. A few years later, "Shiloh " Church was erected five miles west of Olney on Andrew Evans' property on the " trace road." This was a log structure and was built by the Baptists, Champion Maden being the earliest minister here. During the early history of the church influence, the Baptists were the largely predominating denomination, and some of the leading early preachers were fre- quently here. Among these may be noted such men as Richard M. Newport, Richard Gardner, Benjamin Coates, Joel Humes, Jerry Hol- combe, and Charles Whiting. The Methodists were but little later in the field. The first church edifice of this denomination was not erected until 1842, but their itinerants were found throughout the county much earlier. Among them was the famous Lorenzo Dow, who was here in 1820, and again in 1830. He was remarkable for the force and rude eloquence of his sermons and the eccentricity of his manners. Elijah Nelson relates an incident of his preaching at "Antioch" Church, September 2, 1830. A large number had gath- ered to hear him. Arriving at the spot, he gravely went to the door of the building, and giving several distinct raps, repeated in a solemn tone the passage of Scripture: "Behold. I stand at the door

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

and knock, if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Seating himself a moment after in the door, he began an affecting and powerful dis- course from the text: "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated." The Christian Church, then known popularly as " New Lights," were somewhat numerous, though at an early date there were no houses of worship crected by this sect nearer than Spring Hill, in Lawrence County.

The first house of worship built by the Methodist Episcopal Church was the log structure in Olney, used for awhile in a triple capacity-as schoolhouse, court house, and place of worship. The first society was organized in November, 1841, by William Cummins, of Mount Carmel circuit, Illinois Conference. The persons composing this primitive church were: W. H. Reed and wife, B. S. Thrapp and wife, Mrs. E. Jay, and J. Notestine. Judge. R. B. Marney and wife joined soon after the organization. Of these original members, only Mr. Notestine survives. The society has been prosperous, and now occupies a fine brick structure erected in 1854 and 1855, at a cost of $2,800. This denomination is the most numerous in the county, having some sixteen places of worship, and several appointments not provided with church edifices. At Olney, there are representative churches of ten denominations, nine beside the Methodist, all of which have sister churches in the country about. These are the Baptist, Moravian, Lutheran, Congregational; Presbyterian, Ger- man Evangelical, Roman Catholic, German Reformed, and Christian. The first does not have the large numbers in the county that it once had, but it is represented by several organizations. The same is true of the present status of the Moravians, Lutheran, and German Evangelical churches. The Congregational and Presbyterian churches were originally together, but divided on doctrinal questions. They represent the greater strength of their respective denominations in the county. The Catholic Church has a sister organization on Grand Prairie, where a church edifice was built in 1844. The Christian denomination, though latest represented in the county-seat, has a growing strength in the county, and is represented by several vigor- ous congregations. In the county-seat of the ten organizations, but one has a regular pastor and services, at the present writing. With several, this is accidental, but too many seem to have effected an organization without counting the cost.

The German population gave rise to a number of church organ- izations peculiar to this nationality- Of these the earliest was the

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Evangelical Association, for a sketch of which this volume is in- debted to the kindness of Rev. Schlencher, as follows:

Evangelical Association .- In the year of 1842, this part of the country was for the first time visited by a preacher of the Evangelical Association, in the person of Christoph Augenstein, sent by the Ohio Conference. He preached in the houses, but the outlook was not very encouraging. In the year 1843, the Illinois Conference took up a mis- sion, embracing the counties of Wabash, Clark, Owen and Richland. Christ Lindner and Niekolai were sent as missionaries. This year Mr. Henry Zwahlen was converted and joined the church. In 1844, A. Niekolai and G. G. Platz were sent by the Conference, and their effort was crowned with success. In 1845, the above Mission was divided in Dubois and Mount Carmel. Philip Prech, was sent to Mount Carmel, to which Richland County belongs, where he had good suc- cess on the Grand Prairie, six miles north of Olney: a few families were converted who organized themselves into a class and chose H. Zwahlen as their class-leader. The names of the original members were: H. Zwahlen and wife, P. P. Bauer, George Yelch and wife, W. Ameter and wife, Fred. Launer, A. Bushany, G. P. Zimmerly and wife, J. Staely. In 1846, G. Mueller and J. Trometer were sent pastors to work on the Mission. In 1847, 1848, 1849 and 1850, Christ Glaus, Samuel Dickover and H. Ragaty were the missiona- ries sent by the Conference, during these years, in which the mem- bership was steadily growing.

In the year 1850, the first church was built, six miles northeast of Olney, and called the Grand Prairie Church. In 1853, the Indi- ana Conference was organized, which Conference took Grand Prairie up as a Mission, and sent Rev. P. Burgner as missionary. This year there was another class organized in the town of Olney, with P. P. Bauer as its leader. There was also a church built in the town of Olney, 32x45-cost $700. From 1854 to 1873, the Revs. B. Ruh, Joseph Fisher, J. Fuchs, J. M. Kronmueller, Charles Wess- ling, C. C. Kohlmeier, W. Wesseler, G. Shmall, HI. L. Fisher, Job Berger, Christ Glaus, J. M. Kronmueller and J. Kaufman, were pastors. Rev. J. Kaufman being three years on the Mission,. and in his three years Olney was made a Station. In 1873-75, Rev. C. Tramer was sent by the Conference to Olney Station. and labored with good success; 1875-78, W. G. Bracekly was sent by the Con- ference to Olney Station, who also worked with good success, and' under his charge the new church was built-a fine brick building 45x75-cost $9,000; 1878-79, Rev. M. Speck. was sent on the-

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Station; 1879-81, Rev. JJ. C. Young was pastor in charge of the Olney Station; 1881-84, Rev. H. Schlencher was sent by the Confer- ence. The present membership numbers 190. The Grand Prairie class is still served from the pastor of the Olney Station and the local preacher; its membership being twenty-five. Olney Station has a Sunday-school scholarship enrolled of about 200 scholars.

Church of Christ .- There are ten congregations of this denom- ination in Richland County. Two are in Madison Township, at Parkersburg and Fairview, each of which has a membership of about seventy-five persons. In Decker Township there are congrega- tions at Fransonia and Green Hill, with a membership of about fifty each. In Noble Township there is one, at " Brushville." with a membership of about 100 members under the pastoral charge of Rev. H. M. Sanderson. In Denver Township there are two, with a membership of about 100. There is also one in German Town- ship, " Prairie Hall," which has a | membership of upwards of 100; one in Claremont Township, "Eureka," with 110 mem- bers, and one in Bonpas Township, "Shiloh," having a membership of 100, under the pastoral charge of Rev. F. M. Sheik. The church at Olney was organized in the year 1867, by W. B. F. Treat, with thirty members. The congregation met in the court house as they had no place of worship of their own, until about 1874, when they secured a hall. In 1878, the church purchased a small frame build- ing and fitted it up at a total cost of about $1,200. The pastors succeed- ing Mr. Treat have been Revs. Erastus Lathrop, G. W. Morrell, J. F. James, and John Mavity. The church has been without a regular pastor occasionally, and has enjoyed the services of a large number of ministers who were not regularly employed. The membership now reaches to the number of 125 persons. Of the other churches no reliable data can be given. The Baptist denomination number some seven or eight congregations in the county, and the Moravian, two organizations.

St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church .- As far as is known, Rev. Seacrist was the first Lutheran minister who preached the gos- pel to the scattered Lutherans in Richland County, Ill. Rev. Daniel Scherer succeeded Rev. Seacrist, and labored faithfully among the people, preaching the gospel and' administering the sacraments, his field, however, being so large, he called his son Jacob from Get- tysburg to his assistance. He preached several years in the log church, in the Schlichenmyer neighborhood, and various other places Rev. C. Kuhl succeeded the Scherers, and organized the Saint

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Paul's in 1851-52, two miles southwest of Olney; he labored but a few years, and was succeeded by Rev. Hunderdasse, who remained but six months or a year. Rev. Swaney was the next Lutheran min- ister who supplied the Saint Paul's with the preaching of the gos- pel for a year or two. Rev. George H. Schnur became his successor in 1861-62, and continued pastor for several years, when he resigned. The congregation next invited Rev. J. M. Hurkey, from Mount Car- mel, to preach for them as a supply until they could obtain a regu- lar pastor. In the month of October, 1869, in obedience to a regu- lar call, Rev. J. M. Hurkey became the pastor of the church, and remained so until the fall of 1874. During the pastorship of J. M. Hurkey, the Saint Paul's resolved to change the place of worship from Schlichenmyer Schoolhouse, to the city of Olney. On the 23d day of September, 1873, the Saint -Paul's laid the corner-stone of their house of worship, according to the ceremonies of the Evangel- ical Lutheran Church. The building is a brick 36x65 in size, and was erected at a cost of $4,500.

Rev. J. M. Long, succeeded Rev. J. M. Hurkey, in the spring of 1875; Rev. J. P. Schnur, succeeded Rev. J. M. Long in the fall of 1876; Rev. E. A. Best, succeeded Rev. J. P. Schnur in the spring of 1878; Rev. E. Schwartz, present pastor, succeeded Rev. E. A. Best in the spring of 1883.

The original membership was as follows:

Males .- John Schlichenmyer, Jacob F. Schlichenmyer, Chris- tian Schlichenmyer, George Steffy, William Schaffer. Philip Steffy, Fredrick E. Schonart, Lorenzo Krippner, Franklin Krippner, Henry Steffy, Jacob Schlichenmyer, Daniel Schlichenmyer, Daniel Kaltrei- der, Gottlieb Heintzelmann, Henry Krippner, John Sager, George Kaltreider.

Females .- Sarah Schlichenmyer, Catharine Schlichenmyer, Mary Schlichenmyer, Eveline Steffy, Susanna Kaltreider, Sarah Steffy, Catharine Mempel, Fredrica Schonart, Elizabeth Krippner, Lydia Kaltreider, Catharine Heintzelmann, Esther A. Sager, Catharine Schaffer. The present membership is seventy.

Saint Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Preston .- The Rev. G. H. Schnur had been preaching for some time in the neigh- borhood of the present Saint Paul's Church, but without any organ- ization. In the spring of 1869, Rev. J. M. Single accepted a call from the Claremont Pastorate and commeneed preaching at this point. On October 30, 1869, he organized the Saint Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, with the following eleven mem-

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

bers, viz .: John Zirkel, Levi Kesler, G. W. Dozer, Socrates Dozer, Henry Stang, Nancy Zirkel, Mary Kesler, Eliza A. Dozer, George Stang, Elizabeth Stang and Catharine Stang. The Rev. J. M. Sin- gle was succeeded by Rev. W. Friday, who served the congregation from February, 1871, to April, 1872. Rev. W. Friday was succeeded by Rev. A. Leathers, who took charge of the congregation in the fall of 1873. The next minister in charge of this church was Rev. J. P. Schnur. Ile commenced his services on the 10th of Decen- ber, 1876. Rev. J. P. Schnur was succeeded by Rev. E. A. Best, who took charge of this congregation, in connection with Olney, in the spring of 1878, and served them until the spring of 1883, when Rev. E. Schwartz, the present pastor, took charge of the congregation. The present membership of the congregation is fifty-four. The first officers of the church were Levi Kesler, elder, and George W. Dozer, deacon. They were also the first trustees. A Sunday-school, not very large, but in good running order, is kept up during the whole year. The church house in which the congregation worships is a frame building, and was erected in the year 1871, and cost about $1,100.

Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church .- This church was organized in 1843, by Rev. Sechrist as pastor. The first edifice was erected in the same year in what is now Olney Township. There were forty-one orig- inal members. The second edifice was erected in 1862, in Claremont Township, and the name changed to Saint James Evangelical Luth- eran Church. It now has 149 members. The following have been pastors: Revs. D. Scherer, J. Scherer, C. Kuhl, C. Hunderdasse, D. D. Swuney, G. H. Schnur, J. M. Hurkey, C. L. Luner, and J. Hursh, present incumbent.

German Reformed Church .- The German Reformed Church at Olney was established and erected by a few families, about ten in number, and mostly all of Swiss emigration. At a meeting on the 24th of June, 1860, the congregation organized itself, and the fol- lowing members were elected as trustees to manage and facilitate the building of the present church: John Von Gunten, Christian Bohren, J. J. Feutz, John Schilt and Jacob Miller. Operations were immediately commenced by the said trustees; the building site- about one acre of ground, worth $300-was deeded by Mr. T. W. Lilley, gratis, and the church was erected during the same year, 1860, at a cost of $2,000. A few years after, a fine bell, the best in Olney, was put in the cupola at a cost of $325. In 1874, the par- sonage, near the church, was built by the congregation at a cost of

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

$1,200; the best parsonage in Olney. The first pastor was Rev. G. F. Launer, an ordained theologian from Switzerland. In 1874, the congregation, through the management of its pastor. Rev. Fr. Judt, an old graduate of Basel, Switzerland, associated itself with the Ger- man Reformed Synod of America. The present membership amounts to about sixty, and its present pastor is Rev. Eichen.

The German Reformed Church at Grand Prairie .- This church was established by about twenty families, mostly all of Swiss emigration. In the same settlement there were living a number of families known as Lutherans, and the two branches, Reformed and Lutherans, were supporting together one church and one pastor in common, for a number of years, but matters did not work all right together; the Lutherans being too orthodox for the liberal minded Reformed, and they separated. At a meeting then held by the Re- formed members on the 5th day of February, 1852, a resolution was unanimously adopted to establish and form a church of their own. A few of the prominent members then, such as Peter Ingzi, Chris- tian Ingzi, Christian Sterchi, Henry Sterchi, John Jacob Hauck, Philip J. Zimmerle and others, now all dead, took the matter in hand purchased a tract of land of twenty-four and a half acres for a build- ing site, and the present church was then erected at a cost of $800. In 1876 or 1877, a very handsome parsonage was also erected near the church; the first pastor, Rev. G. F. Launer, a theological grad- uate of Berne, Switzerland. In 1874, the congregation associated itself with the German Reformed Synod of America, through the management of Rev. Fr. Judt, a graduate of the Basel Missionary Society, Switzerland, of many years ago. The present membership is large, amounting to about 100, and its pastor is Rev. Kiper.

Olney Presbyterian Church .- This church was organized JJanu- ary 8, 1858, by a committee of the Palestine Presbytery, with these members: Mrs. Mary Knight, Mrs. Elizabeth Darling, Mrs. Mary McClure, Mrs. Milla Burrell, Mrs. Rebecca A. Wilson, Mrs. Harriet N. Crozier, John Boyd, James Crozier, Mrs. Jane Wilson, John Henderson, Mrs. JJane Henderson, Miss Mary A. Henderson. Elders of the church, sinee chosen: George W. Cone, D. Marquis, David Smith, John L. Campbell, James W. Beck, Horace Hayward, Will iam H. Wallace, L. M. Parker, E. Bowyer, J. C. Allen, J. H. Mor- gan, John Horner, JJ. P. Wilson. Ministers, since the organization: John Crozier, H. E. Thomas, A. H. Sloat, Solomon Cook, R. J. L. Mathews, John Stuart.

The church building is a neat frame structure, erected in 1860,

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

at a cost of about $3,000. A parsonage was built in 1864, at a cost of about $1,500. The church and parsonage are on the same lot. The church is out of debt and has a membership of a little over one hundred. In the history of this church the Rev. John Crozier is entitled to special mention, as he was really the founder of the church and has done more since to build up its interests than any other one man. On account of the health of his family he has recently removed to Minnesota.

First Congregational Church .- This church was organized in June, 1873. by Rev. Robert West, of Alton, Ill., with a membership of twenty-six persons. The first pastor was Rev. Edward Anderson, of Boston, Mass. The first officials of the church were G. W. Frit- chey and Prof. David Edmiston, deacons; Horace Howard, president, Andrew Darling, J. M. Wilson, Gary Gaddis ( Robert Byers, secre- tary), trustees; Mrs. M. V. Byers, treasurer; Mrs. Sarah Edmiston, clerk; David Edmiston, Sunday-school superintendent. The pres- ent church edifice, a handsome structure in the Gothic style and one of the finest in the city or county, was erected in 1875, at a cost of $8,000. The church has a membership of about sixty persons and is in a flourishing condition. The pastor is the Rev. D. C. McNair.

Roman Catholic Church .- The Catholic Church is represented in Richland County by two congregations, one at Stringtown, Ger- man Township, and the other at Olney. The first, as noted above, was organized in 1844 as an off-shoot of the church in Saint Marie, in Jasper County. It is served by the officiating priest at Olney, and is in a vigorous condition. A Catholic school was organ- ized and a'building for this purpose erected in 1879, at a cost of about $300. The membership is composed entirely of Germans, and num- bers about fifty families.

Saint Joseph's Catholic Church of Olney .- This church was organized about 1855. Before the erection of their present place of worship, in 1859 or 1860, mass was celebrated at the house of Mr .. McDonnell. The Redemptionist Fathers have a mission here, and a school. The membership numbers about forty-five families.

SECRET ORGANIZATIONS.

The Masons .- The Masonie Fraternity is the most important of these societies in Richland County, and is represented by Olney Lodge, No. 140, Noble Lodge, No. 362, Parkersburg Lodge, No. 509, F. & A. M., Richland Chapter, No. 38, R. A. M .; Olney Council, No. 55, R. & S. M., and Gorin Commandery, No. 14, K. T. The fol-

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

lowing sketch of this society is from the pen of G. H. B. Tolle, K. T., thirty-two degrees, S. P. R. S .: As in almost all other energetie and progressing communities so has in Richland County the Fraternity of Free andAccepted Masons taken a strong foothold, and has, in the most unmistakable manner, made her beneficiary influence felt. She has taken into her folds not only men from all spheres of life but es- pecially have the most prominent and influential men of the county been closely identified with the institution, and, like the "Father of our Country," prided themselves in being one of the mystic tie, thus gladly assisting in the faithful but unostentatious discharge of the self imposed duties of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth, the happy and lasting effects of which, upon the society, the scrutinizing eye of the close observer of social and private life can not fail to dis- cern nor deny.

On the 24th day of August, 1853, Messrs. E. B. Page, H. Clark, T. M. Hinman, F. D. Preston, S. M. Hinman, Joseph Yocom, William Combs and Samuel McClure assembled as Masons, and after due deliberation concluded to and did petition E. B. Ames, Esq., Grand Master of Masons, of Illinois, for a dispensation to form and open in Olney a regular Lodge of Masons, which prayer was promptly granted, and on September 10, 1853, Olney Lodge, U. D. (under dispensation), A. F. & A. M., held its first regular meeting, with E. B. Page as the first Worshipful Master, and F. D. Preston as the first Secretary. Many Masons, especially from Hutsonville, Ill., where the nearest lodge was then located, prominent among whom was the late Hon. Jesse K. Dubois, well known as one of the foremost men of the State, actively participated in the exercises. Mr. John H. Gunn, the well known dry goods merchant of Olney, had the honor of being the first to recieve Masonic light, in the young Lodge. At the session of the Grand Lodge of Masons of Illinois, I. S. Anderson, Grand Master, held October 2, 1854, Olney Lodge, U. D., as a reward for well conducted and faith- fully performed work, was duly chartered as Olney Lodge, No. 140, A. F. & A. M., with E. B. Page as Worthy Master; and ever since, Olney Lodge has enjoyed not only a happy existence but also the honor of ranking to-day among the best working lodges in the State. On February 14, 1854, for the first time, the Masons of Olney were called upon to perform the solemn rites of burial over the remains of a departed brother. Mr. John McCollough, the father of Mrs. E. J. Hayward and Mr. John L. McCollough, of Olney, a member of Venus Lodge, No. 8, located at Mansfield, Ohio, had died

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HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

at his residence in the city of Olney. Heavy, indeed, has the hand of death rested upon the members of the order, and often can one sce the mourners go about the streets. Only two of the charter mem- bers remain among the living-Judge T. D. Preston and Dr. Samuel McClure. Yet notwithstanding the ranks are rapidly closing our young men take the place of the fallen heroes. Numbered among the many who now inhabit the silent city of the dead are Judge Horace Hayward, of whom it may be justly said that he was by far the best posted and most influential Mason in this section of the State. The loss which the craft in Olney has sustained in his death is almost irreparable. The Rev. S. A. Blair, William Cliffe and G. W. Eaton, Col. M. O'Kean, Maj. J. S. Campbell, for many years postmaster in Olney, Jacob Hoffman, E. B. Page, J. P. Cullen, W. H. Cobbs and Father John Knight, who served for over twenty years faithfully as Tyler of Olney Lodge, No. 140, arc, with many others, resting from their labors here on earth.

But, notwithstanding these heavy losses, the craft grows stronger, and on October 3, 1857, Richland Chapter, No. 38, R. A. M., was duly chartered by E. M. Clark, M. E. G. H. Priest of Illi- nois, and this move was followed by the charter of Olney Comman- dery, No. 14, K. T., dated October 4, 1865, and issued by N. F. Pren- tice, then Grand Commander of Illinois. The Commandery subse- quently changed her name to Gorin Commandery, No. 14, K. T., in honor of the Hon. Jerome R. Gorin, Past Grand Commander, a most prominent citizen and Mason of this State and especially of the city of Decatur, where he still resides.

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Counties of Cumberland, Jasper and Richland, Illinois. Historical and biographical, Part 65

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago : F. A. Battey & Co. Number of Pages: 860

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : F. A. Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 860