USA > Illinois > Winnebago County > Rockford > Golden anniversary exercises, historical record and manual of the Second Congregational church, Rockford, Illinois. November 7, 1849. November 7, 1899 > Part 8
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I once heard him say that having read of some man who had learned Paradise Lost by heart, and who could have restored it if every copy had been lost, "If this man can do it. I can do it." He actually did commit two whole books. Again I heard him make a talk before a Liter- ary Society on the religious condition of Europe in the fifteenth century. He had been asked to prepare a paper, but he came without a scrap, with- out a memorandum or a note, and he led that audience through a labyrinth of names and dates and incidents, a most fascinating talk only possible to one with his astonishing memory and grasp of historical knowledge.
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Dr. Barrows was the third of our pastors who have been connected with the great benevolent societies, Mr. Emerson, Dr. Woodbury Dr. Barrows. No more convincing proof of a man's abilities can be adduced than that one of these great societies should entrust their varied interests to his care.
This completes the history in outline of the pastors up to the present pastor whose work speaks for itself. He occupies a position that has been filled by strong, God-fearing men. As his need, so may his strength be to meet the heavy responsibilities inseparable from his office.
This is the story of the master builders of our spiritual church, and a splendid structure have they erected. The foundation was laid deep and wide and strong by sturdy Mr. Porter ; the frame work of benevolence was raised and set in place by sagacious and charitable Joseph Emerson ; win- dows to let in the light and cheer the soul by their beauty were set by Wal- ton and Kinnie ; the organ to make melody in the heart was placed by Dr. Woodbury ; the great trusses that hold the structure together and strengthen the fire proof walls, the roof that shelters and protects the whole were laid by Dr. Barrows.
Now if I had failed to adorn a tale, I beg you will allow me to point a moral. The lesson I have learned from this study of pastors and pastor- ates is the need of loyalty to the minister. As I have explored the records of church and society, I have read between the lines, and this occult read- ing reveals the value; the absolute necessity for loyalty to the church and minister and the unmixed evil of unfriendly criticism, the wound that comes to a great heart from the chagrin and disappointment of unappreciated effort is sometimes mortal in its effect. Do you notice weakness in your minister ? Take off your coat and go to work yourself along that same line. Does he overlook the stranger ? Then do you take your place in the vestibule and welcome the stranger. Doesn't he visit the sick and invite the poor to come to church ? Who is better fitted for this mission than the man or woman who notes the lack of it in the minister. Try and be- come the minister's supplement and you will be surprised how active and aggressive the church will become along the lines where the minister is weak. The debt we owe to the past is great; great is the trust committed to us for the future; we can pay that debt, we can discharge that trust only by working faithfully for the material and spiritual upbuilding of our church.
CHARTER MEMBERS.
WRITTEN FOR THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION BY MISS MARY I. BEATTIE.
W HEN an organization or enterprise has attained the honor of years and the glory of success people inquire about the origin, the reason for existence, who were the founders of the enterprise, what was their mode of work, what were their ideals- " Their works do follow them." As we thus behold this Second Congrega- tional Church a power for beneficence in the land we are much interested to know the personal characteristics and history of those who founded and and gave early tone to the organization. We who know this church at the mid-century mark are asking what of the men and women who founded it? Fifty years ago they were young and full of hope. What else did they do besides lay the foundations upon which this church has been builded, so good a force in the life of the city and world?
It has been my pleasant duty in a kind of editorial way, to seek among church and social records brief biographical sketches, letters, personal rec- ollections and interviews, the material which to some degree, answers our reasonable questions in regard to the founders. We find many touches of the heroic element in the characters we have to study. We find the power of persistence, we find undaunted courage and hopefulness, we find true pioneers.
On the records of the First Congregational Church of Rockford stands the following entry:
Brother G. A. Sanford presented the following petition:
TO THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF ROCKFORD.
DEAR BRETHREN:
We, whose names are underwritten, being members of the said church, believing that we shall promote the cause of Christ by so doing, propose to form ourselves, in company with such others as shall desire to
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THOMAS D. ROBERTSON, FIRST CLERK AND TREASURER. SURVIVING CHARTER MEMBER.
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unite with us, into a Congregational church to be styled " The Second Con- gregational Church of Rockford," and affectionately request that letters of dismission may be granted to us severally for that purpose ; we are
Yours truly.
Signed: Robert Clow, Burton P. Franklin, Rachael Franklin, D. D. Alling, Rebecca Alling, Harriet Peters, Alexander Patterson, Helen Patter- son, Ellen Patterson, Jane Gordon, Thomas D. Robertson, G. A. Sanford, W. A. Dickerman, Michael Burns, Deborah Burns, Samuel J. Russell, Lucy G. Russell, Caroline M. Dickerman, Dexter G. Clark, Sarah Jane Clark, Elizabeth H. Sanford, Asher Miller, Benjamin A. Rose, Antoinette Rose, Eliza Hanford, Jane C. Houghton, Rebecca A. Spurr, Harriet W. Platt, Rial K. Town, Clarissa Town, Mary Bond, Emily G. Sanford, Susan G. Fuller, Elizabeth B. Field, Ethelinda W. Spalding, Mary A. Frink, Lemira Myer, Wealthy A. Warner, Lucy C. Hyde, Sarah D. Hyde, Esther A. Hyde, Henry C. Hyde and Gershom C. Hyde.
Rockford, October 18, 1849.
Whereupon Brrother J. B. Potter, acting as chairman of a committee of the First Congregational Church, presented the following preamble and resolution, to-wit:
WHEREAS, A request from several brethren asking for letters of dis- mission for the purpose of forming another church, and
WHEREAS, Notwithstanding that we consider such a movement pre- mature and uncalled for at the present time, yet willing to concede to others what we claim for ourselves, the free exercise of conscientious views, and unwilling to throw any obstacles in their way which shall interrupt the free exercise of christian fellowship, and a co-mingling of christian sympathy and prayer ; therefore,
Resolved, that we grant the prayer of the brethren.
Which preamble and resolution were adopted and these forty-three per- sons were free to carry out their high purpose of establishing a church in the rapidly increasing settlement on the west side of Rock River. Today we can say the result has shown the wisdom of those earnest men and women. " They builded better than they knew."
Fifty years ago, on a beautiful autumn day, a part of these friends met in a one story school building on the corner of Elm and South Main streets for the purpose of taking the proper measures for the formation of a Con- gregational church. Benjamin A. Rose, Dexter G. Clark and Thomas D.
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Robertson were appointed a committee to draft and present articles of faith, covenant and rules for church government. On November 7, 1849, thirty- seven of the signers of the above quoted petition, five others from the First Church, four by letters from other churches and one by profession, accepted and adopted the report of this committee and united to form the Second Congregational Church of Rockford.
In writing of these good friends after thirty years had passed, Deacon W. A. Dickerman says, " How well I remember the expression of their firm, peaceful, truthful faces." True and loyal have they always proved to the enterprise in which they then engaged, and they have performed no in- significant part in building up and sustaining this church.
Of those forty-seven constitutent members nine are stilll living-Mr. Thomas D. Robertson, Mrs. Caroline M. Dickerman, Mrs. Emily G. San- ford-Dodd, Mrs. Rebecca Alling, Mrs. Harriet Platt-Cotton, of Rockford ; Judge Henry C. Hyde. Mrs. Sarah D. Hyde-French, Miss Esther A. Hyde, of Freeport, Illinois, and Mrs. Hannah L. Gorham-Weldon, of Santa Bar- bara, California.
The first officers of the church were Rial K. Town and Alonzo Gor- ham, deacons ; Thomas D. Robertson, clerk and treasurer ; Benjamin A. Rose, Samuel J. Russell, prudential committee ; Goodyear A. Sanford, Worcester A. Dickerman and Dexter G. Clark, assessment committee.
Of this group of officers Mr. Robertson is the only one remaining with us, this fact making it quite suitable that his name should head the list of sketches.
ROBERTSON.
Thomas Duncan Robertson was born at Edinburg, Scotland, on the fourth of March, 1818. His father was a Scotch Presbyterian minister, who removed to London soon after the birth of this child, and the boyhood and youth of our friend were passed in or near that city. At the age of twenty-one he left England for America, and, after being a short time in Chicago, came to Winnebago County, where he arrived in the year 1839. He made a claim on a quarter section of land about half way between Rock- ford and the Kishwaukee River and about two miles east of Rock River. Here he built a small house, where he lived a short time and then removed to Rockford. Soon after he studied law, at the same time acting as de- puty for James Mitchell, who held the office of county clerk in 1843 and 1844. About this time he did some work as reporter and assistant editor
MRS. REBECCA ALLING, CHARTER MEMBER.
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on a paper in Madison, Wisconsin. He continued the study of law and while in Wisconsin was admitted to the bar. Returning to Rockford he engaged in the practice of law and in land business, entering into partner- ship with Mr. John A. Holland in the year 1848. This enterprise soon de- veloped into the banking business, from which the Winnebago National Bank was organized, of which for so many years he has acted as president. Mr. Robertson was one of the leading sptrits in the organization of the Ga- lena and Chicago Union Railroad, the first railroad west of Chicago, and was a member of the board of directors of that company until it was ab- sorbed by the Northwestern, and on the Northwestern board for several years. Mr. Robertson has always been deeply interested in the educational interests of our city, especially in Rockford Seminary, now Rockford Col- lege, of which institution he has been a valued trustee since October 9, 1850, is now vice president of the board of trustees, and was the treasurer from July 1, 1863, until June 13, 1893.
Mr. Robertson became a member of the First Congregational Church soon after he came to Rockford, and since our church was established he has ever been a zealous co-worker in the church and society. He was the first superintendent of our Sunday School, an. office he held for three years, and in 1863 he was again elected superintendent to hold the office four years. He was the first clerk and treasurer of our church, and subsequently twice he was elected for one year clerk and treasurer. Aside from these terms of office he was treasurer of the church for thirty-three years. As a man of practical piety he has been identified with every benevolent and progressive movement in the church. Always present at all church ser- vices when in the city, a man simple and without ostentation, yet never for a moment inattentive to every best interest of the church. He has always given to the cause of Christ abundant tithes, not from his property only but from a sympathetic judgment based upon a wide and varied experience, having prayed and worked for this small tower of Zion with unremitting zeal. We rejoice that he is with us today.
ALLING.
Mr. and Mrs. David D. Alling came to Rockford from New Haven, Conn., in 1837. Mr. Alling was one of Rockford's earliest pioneers, who did much to aid in the building of our city. Although for many years before his death he lived a retired life, yet our people have not forgotten the energy of his younger days. Mr. Alling was not only one of the founders of the
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Second Congregational Church, considered as an ecclesiastical body, but, since his business was that of a contractor and builder, he built the first house of worship near where the old church now stands. Mr. Alling was born in Westfield, Conn., April 27, 1813, and lived to be 86 years of age.
Mrs. Alling was born December, 1813. Those who know her best love her most. Although in feeble health she still retains her cheerfulness and the happy disposition which has ever characterized her. For many years deprived of church privileges, she has exemplified her profession by her Christ-like life.
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Of the six children born in this family but two remain-Mrs. Arabella Alling Dankey, who lives with her mother at the homestead on North Main Street, and Frank Alling, of Tacoma, Washington.
BOND-FULLER- SANFORD.
Among the little band who organized this Second church, were a mother and two daughters, Mrs. Mary Bond, Mrs. Susan Bond Fuller, and Mrs. Emily Bond Sanford, now Mrs. Dodd.
The mother, Mrs. Mary Bond, was born in Colwell, New Jersey, March 30, 1773. When eighteen years of age she married Mr. Abner Bond, and removed to the vicinity of Rochester, New York. Of their thirteen child- dren, only two are now living, both being over eighty years of age.
After the death of Mr. Bond, Mrs. Bond came to Rockford to make her home with her daughter, Mrs. Emily Sanford. Here the later years of her life were passed, her bright intelligence and sunny disposition endeared her to a wide circle of friends, by all of whom she was called "Grandma Bond."
The last ten years of her life were years of invalidism, but though un- able to attend the services, her interest in the church never waned. Death came to her in 1868 at the advanced age of ninety-five, Mr. Kinnie, pas- tor at that time, was taking his vacation, but returned when he learned of Mrs. Bond's death, that he might speak words of comfort to her friends.
The older of Mrs. Bond's two daughters, living in Rockford, was Mrs. Susan Fuller, who was born at the family home near Rochester, New York, February 15, 1810. . When a young lady she came west to visit a brother, and married Mr. Samuel C. Fuller, whom she had known in the east, but who was then living in Rockford.
For some years Rockford was their home, after which they moved to
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MRS. EMILY G. DODD, SURVIVING CHARTER MEMBER.
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Sedalia, Missouri, where both died. They had looked upon Rockford as their home, and their final resting place is in the Rockford cemetery.
Miss Emily G. Bond was born June 4, 1818, near Rochester. When twenty-three years of age she came to Rockford to visit her sister, Mrs. Fuller. While here she met Mr. Albert Sanford and in 1844 he visited the east and returned, bringing her back with him as his wife. They began housekeeping in a little cottage on the corner where the Chick House now stands. The following year work was commenced on a new house to be erected on West State street, but owing to sickness, the scarcity of workmen and the necessity of bringing the lumber from Chicago by teams, it was not until the spring of forty-six that the house was ready for occupancy. Rock- ford at that time was a village of a few hundred inhabitants, and Mr. San- ford's home was then considered the very outskirts of the town. The house is now number 609 West State street.
When Mrs. Sanford came to Rockford she united with the First Con- gregational church, then holding its meetings in the "Little White Meeting house" on the corner of Church and Green streets, and later in the new. church on the east side of the river.
In the Second church she was one of the organizers of the missionary societies, and the Ladies' Aid Society, and until within the past four or five years has been actively interested in all the undertakings of the church.
In 1854 Mr. Sanford died, and Mrs. Sanford, with her mother, went east to spend some time, but later returned to Rockford and remained until 1877, when she became the wife of Mr. Jacob S. Dodd, an eastern gentle- man, and removed to the east, living near Newark, New Jersey.
After the death of Mr. Dodd in 1884, Mrs. Dodd again came to Rock- ford, feeling that this was her home. She is one of the very few charter members of the church who are still with us at this golden anniversary, and whom we hope to cherish many years to come.
BURNS.
In the early summer of 1840 a family party left New York City for the then far west. Among their goods and chattels were Bibles for the heathen on the prairies of Illinois -- as well as live stock and general furnishings for a farm. Three of this family party, Michael Burns, his wife, Deborah Burns, and her sister, Mrs. Eliza Hanford, became charter members of this church. They brought their letters with them, and united, soon after their arrival in Rockford, with the First church. Mr. Burns also took a deep interest in Hist. Rec. 12.
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everything pertaining to this church. He was a member of the choir for years, and was always connected with the Sunday-school in some capacity. A friend, writing of those early days, refers to Mr. Burns and his interest- ing family of children, as never being absent from church services, Mr. Burns looking almost a boy himself, having retained his youth. Michael Burns was born October, 1815, and died May 17, 1877.
Deborah Morgan Burns was born October, 1814, and died March, 1895. Mrs. Burns, equally with her husband, was interested in church affairs. In later years she lived a quiet, prayerful life in the home of her daughter, Mrs. George P. Ladd, of Spencer, Massachusetts.
CLARK.
Dexter G. Clark was born Feb. 1, 1819, at Amherst, Mass. When he was six years old his father moved to Wayne county, New York, where in 1833 he died. The family afterwards moved to Wisconsin, where Dexter received his education, and in 1846 he commenced the practice of medicine at Summerville, in that state. After two years he moved to Rockford and continued to practice here until the spring of 1850, when he went to Cali- fornia. In 1853 Dr. Clark returned to Rockford, where his family had con- tinued to reside during his absence, and became a member of the banking house of Spafford, Clark & Ellis, afterwards Spafford, Clark & Co. During the brief practice in his profession here, his kindly qualities as a man and his success as a physician endeared him to many households. He was cheerful, kind and sympathetic in the home of sickness and bereavement, and for these qualities was long remembered with love and affection. As a business man he was prompt and energetic, yet courteous and affable ; he was ever ready to lend his co-operation and assistance to every enter- prise which had for its object the permanent interests of the community.
To every Christian and benevolent enterprise he freely offered his cheering words and helping hand. The public schools and the Seminary found in him a warm friend and a generous supporter.
For six years immediately prior to his death he was superintendent of the Sabbath-school of our church, to which he gave his best energies and most earnest efforts. Dr. Clark died October 5, 1861. His first wife -- was Sarah Jane Moore, daughter of Dr. Moore, of Beloit, Wisconsin ; they had three children, one of whom, Mary Ella, now Mrs. Frank Welton, lives at Cambridge, Ills.
Dr. Clark's second wife, Mary Brown, daughter of Dr. Brown, then of Rockford, with one daughter, Mrs. Beull, is now living in Indiana.
MRS. CAROLINE M. DICKERMAN. SURVIVING CHARTER MEMBER.
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CLOW.
Robert Clow was born in Perthshire, Scotland, November 6, 1816, and came directly from his home in Scotland to Rockford when he was twenty- one years of age, continuing to live here until the spring of 1868, when he went to California for his health. In 1850 he married Elizabeth Little. who was at that time a member of this church. There were five children in this family, Hetta B, Amelia B, Mary B, now Mrs. Wm. G. Ferguson of Chicago, Bruce James, who became a physician, and Augusta A., who lives at home in Oakland, California, with her mother.
Mr, Clow was one of Rockford's early hardware merchants, being for years the junior member of the firm of Hope & Clow. occupying a store at 318 West State street. Mr. Clow died in Oakland, California, December ยท 8, 1868. Mrs. Clow and two daughters, Mary and Augusta, are the only remaining members of this household.
Mr. Clow was a thorough Christian in life and practice, was an ideal husband and father-interested in every detail of home life, and a general favorite with children everywhere. He is remembered for his sterling in- tegrity and warm, helpful friendships. He was a choice and a welcome visitor in the sick room and in the home of sorrow or misfortune -- even today he is remembered in many homes in Rockford because of some loving act done or some comforting word spoken when such a friend was most needed. In business relations he was "the soul of honor,"
DICKERMAN.
Into the town of Jewett, Green County, New York, there came, early in this century, a family from New Haven, Connecticut. They did not travel in a Pullman coach or by a limited express, but in their own wagon, without springs. Some years later, Sept. 10, 1820, a little son was born into this family, the fifth of seven children, and to him was given the name of Worcester A .. in addition to the family name of Dickerman. His boy- hood days were spent on the Catskill Mountain farm. As he grew older he worked in a tannery and in a country store. In 1844 he came to Rock- ford and entered the store of Mr. G. A. Sanford, his cousin. Later he became a partner in that store, and still later he was one of the first bank- ers in Rockford, being the senior member of the banking firm of Dicker- man & Wheeler. He was also a member of the banking house of Lane, Sanford & Co., and when the Second National Bank was organized he was elected one of the directors. He was the first insurance agent in Rock-
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ford, and was one of the directors of the Rockford Insurance Company from its inception to its sale during the past summer. For two years he was county superintendent of schools, and also assistant superintendent for two years. To all of these trusts he was faithful, and his entire business life was marked by honor and integrity, being above suspicion or reproach.
In 1839 another family left the East and came around the lakes and by team to Rockford, the husband and father, Dr. Alden Thomas, being one of Rockford's earliest physicians. To this family at their home in Bethany, Genesee county, New York, had come, October 15, 1826, a little daughter, Caroline M., the oldest of a family of seven children. This little dark-haired, blue-eyed girl of thirteen came with others to the prairie home, and united with the First Congregational church when fourteen years of age.
On December 21, 1847, the marriage of these two young people was solemnized in the home of Dr. and Mrs Thomas on South Second street, by the Rev. Lewis Loss. The following spring Mr. and Mrs. Dickerman built the house now occupied by Mr. W. F. Woodruff, on North Main street, and lived there until 1881, when they built and moved into the house which is still the home of Mrs. Dickerman and their only daughter Kath- erine. The only son, Harry W., lives near by.
Nearly two years ago Mr. and Mrs. Dickerman celebrated their golden wedding. Fifty years they have walked together, hand in hand, in all good and loving deeds. Mr. Dickerman was converted in his boyhood home and in 1846, he, with two others of the charter members of this church, united with the First Congregational church. Three years later when members of the church withdrew to form the Second church, Mr. and Mrs. Dickerman were among them. In 1855 Mr. Dickerman was elected deacon, and served for two years. In 1858, when the number was in- creaased to three, Mr. Dickerman was again elected deacon, a position to which the church delighted to re-elect him each term during the remain- der of his life. One other place in the church knew him well, for in the course of fifty years of continuous service as a Sunday-school teacher one hundred and fifty different young men came under his influence. July 19, 1899, he passed to one of the "many mansions," the beauty of which "eye hath not seen nor ear heard." To many of us there is a vacant chair at each communion season that can never be filled, and we miss constantly the benediction of his presence. Old and young alike loved and honored him. It was always with delight that the Christian Endeavorers saw him
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