USA > Illinois > McLean County > Empire > Heritage of the prairie : a history of LeRoy and of Empire and West townships, McLean County, Illinois > Part 7
USA > Illinois > McLean County > Le Roy > Heritage of the prairie : a history of LeRoy and of Empire and West townships, McLean County, Illinois > Part 7
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FIRSTS
The first election held for city officers was on Aug. 10, 1874. The first mayor was M.S. Stout. The first druggist was Dr. Etheridge.
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LeRoy's Centennial
The four-day celebration of the 100th anniversary of LeRoy from Oct. 17 to 20, 1935 was a great occasion and made a fitting grand finale for the end of the first century. The Centennial brought to thousands a consciousness of the ties that bound them to LeRoy. It was the awakening of the mind to the many astounding changes that had come through the century. The celebration had an all-star cast.
Miss Eloise Bonnett, president of the Centennial Associa- tion, officially opened the celebration in the city park, where much of the program took place. She introduced LeRoy's Centennial Queen, Miss Rose Bishop, and adorned her with the silver crown. Miss Margaret Adams and Miss Ellen Skillman were her attendants and Miss Joan Clarey was honorary attendant.
The Five Flying Fishers, aerialists; Art Canahan, skillful stunt pilot ; and a balloon ascension with a triple parachute drop thrilled the crowd again and again.
Chief Evergreen Tree, noted Pueblo Indian speaker, imitated bird and animal calls, sang Indian songs and told of Indian lore. A trained animal circus performed.
There were musical seelections each day by the Dixie Jubilee Singers, band concerts by the E.T.H.S. Band and Bloomington Community Band. The Odd Fellows' Orphans' Band and the orchestra of the Modern Woodmen of America performed.
On the second day there was a pet parade, a homecoming football game and a historical pageant. The pageant included a one-act play, "A Quilting Party," produced by the LeRoy Mothers' Club; the minuet and the Virginia Reel, danced by 12 members of the Eastern Star in colonial costumes with white wigs; and several Civil War tableau presented by the Women's Relief Corps. Mrs. J. A. Tuthill, representing the Longfellow Club, read a carefully prepared history of LeRoy and told many interesting incidents of her own and her family's life in connection with the early days. The Oneal brothers, Emery, Rolly, Robert, and Herman, and their wives, all dressed in costume, danced the quadrille with such pep and gusto that they brought forth rounds of applause. The Junior Mothers' Club presented the Vera Kemp Ensemble of Bloomington.
Other features of the celebration were a husband and hog calling contest, the American Legion parade honoring Spanish-American War veterans, men's and women's drill teams, an old fiddler's contest, and a carnival.
Addresses were given by Arlo Bane, James F. Bishop, Chicago attorney, and Richard Henry Little, famed war correspondent, and both of the latter former LeRoy citizens.
LeRoy Country Club donated a rock to immortalize LeRoy's historic celebration.
Historical relics were on display in the First National Bank building and in other windows downtown.
The big parade was on Saturday. It included the official car with E. Fordyce Sargent, marshal of the Day, Chief Evergreen and his Indian friends rode ponies, others on horses and boys dressed as Indians, the centennial queens float, the marching bands, an old-fashioned surrey with folks dressed as in the gay nineties, C. E. Moots with his cart and pony, Byron Kline's covered wagon float with a cow tied on the back, a series of Ford cars, Model T, 1908, 20 yrs. later and the new 1936 model, two calliopes, and other floats by the high school, organizations and businesses. Lost in the parade was a horse drawing an old hack from Arkansas with Columbus Brittin as driver and John Pash sitting in the rear with fishing pole and line advertising hayseed and fish for sale.
A toy balloon race was won by Jean Evans whose balloon was found 250 miles southeast of Quebec, a distance of 1,100 miles. There were 500 balloons sent up, each bearing a
number and instructing the finder to report to LeRoy.
In keeping with the spirit of the one-hundreth anniversary of LeRoy's settlement by the pioneers of the prairie, the churches of LeRoy combined their efforts in preparing a worthy Sunday evening program. The Rev. Dr. John W. Holland, scarcely needed an introduction, as many in the audience listened to his words of wisdom regularly over WLS. The Ward Brothers Quartet of Weedman, and Prof. J. A. New, soloist from Wesleyan, provided an inspirational ending to a most memorable event.
June 28 - 1935 LEROY'S CENTENNIAL SONG To the Tune of "Marching Through Georgia.'
Come on friends and celebrate,
And let us sing this song.
Sing it with the spirit
That will help the town along;
Sing it as it should be sung,
Some sixteen hundred strong,
For it's LeRoy's centennial.
Gone is the old candle day,
Old Dobbin and the shay,
Now one hundred years gives us
A more convenient way ;
Modern speed and light for us
Have come here now to stay,
As we march on through the ages.
Some of our good pioneers
Were born in old LeRoy
And so many helped to build
Our town when just a boy ;
For them and the mothers dear,
Our hearts are filled with joy,
While we march on through the ages.
Chorus :
LeRoy ! LeRoy ! A town one hundred years!
LeRoy! LeRoy! We give one hundred cheers !
Let us do the best we can and cast away our fears, While we march on through the ages.
The above is the song selected by the Centennial committee and was written by Effie Huddlestone and Mrs. Sally Copeland.
THIE SLOGAN FOR LEROY'S CENTENNIAL
From several slogans submitted, the committee of the Centennial Association selected the following submitted by Postmaster W. J. Strange-"LeRoy-Proud of Her Past, Confident of Her Future."
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Centennial Queen's float, Miss Rose Bishop, Queen; attendants, Miss Joan Clarey, Miss Margaret Adams, Miss Ellen Skillman.
Miss Rose Bishop, Centennial Queen of LeRoy
The How's float in the Centennial Parade
LE ROY CENTENNIAL
They called it Empire, and they reasoned well, For 'twas indeed imperial domain That welcomed the first settlers here to dwell -- Rich fertile soil and undulating plain; Dense darkened timber in primeval state, On either side of slow, winding Salt Creek, Where oak and walnut towered tall and straight, Beholding this, why further should they seek?
Since Buckles reared his cabin in the grove, Forerunner of those hardy pioneers, The little town they builded grew and throve, Now hale and lusty past a hundred years. For what she was and is, we hail LeRoy, A bright gem in the crown of Illinois!
- James Hart
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Farming
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Saw Mill on George Dolly farm
Preparing to Thresh
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Butchering on the Flegel farm
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Water wagon for Threshing Run
Cutting Oats John Andris on the binder and Henry Clay Estes operates the Moline Universal.
Stacking Hay
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F
€
LEROY
7
BAND
Leroy Band
The first brass band was organized about 1860 with about 10 members including J. V. Smith, Ben Parks, A. E. Lewis, A. B. Conkling, director; C. S. Morehouse, E. E. Greenman and S. D. Baker. They took to the top of the Park building and made the air tremble. They played for burial of Civil War soldiers.
Community Orchestra Played Star and Stripes for every performance at the Opera House
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LeRoy Band at Dedication of Band Stand in 1922
Some identified: Front row: Bud Kincaid; Prof, Bernard Strongman, director; hehind drum; next with hat in hand, Clark E. Stewart, donor of bnadstand; next to last Dr. O. M. Thompson; last Charles Schuler. Middle row: Effie Huddleston; lmo Kincaid. Back row: 3rd Lyle Morgan
57
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LINCOLN CONNECTIONS
Martha West Hedrick
Abraham Lincoln and David Davis came to the Henry West home one week-end in the 1850's. They had brought their guns and had come to hunt. A lake on the West farm was an attraction for deer and many other animals and birds.
In those days, guests were very welcome as they brought news of the outside world. Horses of the guests were put up in the barn, which at the time was across the road north from the home.
Henry West's daughter, Martha, did the cooking for the family and their guests. She later married George Hedrick.
It was on this week-end that Mr. West asked Lincoln's advice on a legal matter and later received a bill. along with his thank you letter. for $5 for legal advice rendered.
Mrs. Aldo Smith (1888-1962) a resident of this community for many years, claimed to have been a relative of Abraham Lincoln. She was Alexine Dixon before her marriage and was a daughter of Alex and Mary Lincoln Dixon.
John C. Schuler was engineer on the Chicago and Alton locomotive that pulled Abraham Lincoln's funeral train from Washington, D. C. to Springfield, Illinois. They gave him an open track with no stops.
Mr. Schuler was born in 1832 and died March 16, 1895. He married Harriet Prince and eight children were born to the union. He is buried in Oak Grove Cemetery. Their home was the first house west of the present post office, on Cherry Street.
Excerpts from a letter to the editor of The Journal in Feb., 1952 by Mr. and Mrs. M. L. Bishop follow:
"Our grandfather, Mahlon Bishop, was one of the early settlers. Our farm was 11/2 miles northeast of LeRoy ... Our
grandfather served two terms in the Illinois legislature and there met Abraham Lincoln. I remember my father, Mahlon Bishop, showing me a letter from Mr. Lincoln asking my grandfather to put him up for the night on his way (on horseback) to meet Stephen A. Douglas in their famous debate. Whether my brother, A. L. Bishop, of Kansas City, Kans. still has those old letters, I do not know."
A letter from Aaron Bishop Feb. 24, 1930:
"Grandfather Bishop used to tell of Lincoln coming to the hotel of evenings and pulling the men down on their knees telling stories. Lincoln made Mrs. Cheney's (then Mrs. Minor Bishop) will in the old Marean home south of the Methodist parsonage. Lincoln had to stoop way low to enter the door."
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Churches
Several of LeRoy's churches have had their beginnings in private homes or local establishments. In many instances it took several years before a church building was erected. According to The Historical Memoire published in 1904, there were four "prosperous churches in our little city and about one thousand members." These churches were: Methodists Episcopal, Cumberland Presbyterian, Christian and Universalist.
Later the J. T. & E. J. Crumbaugh Memorial Church, the Bethel Church and the First Baptist Church were founded.
Several other churches located in the community for a short time. Among these were the Gospel Tabernacle, Rev. M. D. Hornbeck, pastor; Church of God; Orthodox Catholic Church; the Nazaarine Church and the Christian Science Society.
Following are the condensed histories of the more established churches of the community :
METHODIST CHURCH
In 1830, Rev. James Latta, a Methodist missionary, was preaching in this territory. This was five years before Gridley and Covel laid out the town of LeRoy. The first organized class was begun in the home of William Conaway. This original class consisted of the leader, Silas Watters, and William, Nancy and Chalton Conaway, Martha Barnett, James Merrifield and wife, Jane and Rachel Conaway, Cathering Barnett and Christina Watters.
Rev. S. R. Begg had a regular circuit consisting of Hurley's Grove (now Farmer City), Old Town, Bloomington, Randolph's Grove and Hidel's Grove (now Clinton). Sunday services usually were held once a month. For a period of time services were held in the Clearwater Schoolhouse.
Edgar Conkling deeded two lots (lots 2 and 7 in block 4) to the trustees of the Methodist Church. In the year of 1838 the first church building was begun. It was completed in 1839. Fifteen pastors occupied the pulpit of that building during its 28 years of existence.
Around 1866, at the cost of $10,000.00, a newer building was erected on the southeast corner of Chestnut and Cherry Streets. This building was made of brick and had stained-glass windows in the auditorium, carpet and hair cloth furniture in the pulpit. It was a very fine building in comparison to the old wooden one. Twenty-one pastors honored this building from 1866-1903. During Rev. B. F. Shipp's stay (1894-1899) the parsonage was built. That church building is the present Masonic Temple.
Around the turn of the century members began talking of a new building. In 1901 a request was sent to the conference for someone capable of organizing and managing the work on the new building. Rev. Thornton Clark shouldered those duties. At the cost of $18,000 a new building on the northeast corner of Chestnut and Cherry streets was dedicated
January 4, 1903, free of debt. The site also accommodated both a gym and swimming pool. There are plans to put the bell from this church on a foundation in the church yard.
In 1962, the 1903 building was dismantled and ground was broken at the same site for a new church building. Estimated cost of the new building was $194,600. The congregation's first service in the new facilities was Dec. 15, 1963.
Early Methodist Organizations: Ladies Aid, Missionary Societies, Women's Society of Christian Service
Present Organizations : United Methodist Women, United Methodist Men Methodist Youth Fellowship
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI
The congregation was organized by Rev. John M. Berry around 1832. It was then known as the Salt Creek Congre- gation. Peter Buckles, resident of Buckles Grove, James Rutledge, early settler of Empire Township, and J. D. Baker were the first three elders. The official ceremony of establishment was held in the home of Peter Buckles. Meetings were held in the homes of members until contributions built a log school house on the corner of Section 28. Salt Creek Congregation was given its name by Lincoln who surveyed this region.
Three buildings have been erected on the sight of the present church building. The land was originally donated by Peter Buckles. The first building was erected in 1836 or 1837. The frame of this building was 40 feet square with a foundation of granite. The building faced south with a porch from which a board walk led to the street or road. In 1851 the name "Salt Creek" was changed to Cumberland Presbyterian Church of LeRoy.
In 1865 a second church (brick) was built at cost of $6,000. The new structure was built to face north. Rev. A. J. Thomas was pastor at that time.
In 1897 Rev. J. E. Aubrey fostered a movement for a new and more modern building. In January of 1899 the present church became a reality. The old bell used in the first brick church still hangs in the belfry. In 1957 an educational unit was added to the 1899 building.
THE LEROY SEMINARY
In 1845 "The LeRoy Seminary" under the auspices of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of LeRoy was established. This was the beginning of higher education in LeRoy. This seminary with its corps of teachers continued until the beginning of LeRoy High School in September of 1864.
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THE MITE SOCIETY
The Mite Society was organized in 1885 during the pastorate of Rev. A. A. Allison. This was the second oldest women's society in LeRoy but no longer exists. Today the church has the United Presbyterian Womans' Organization.
Old Universalist
Church, now
American
Legion Hall
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH
The Universalist Church had its beginnings in 1840 when a stranger was entertained at the hotel of Hiram Buck. The man's name was Rev. E. Mainford. Since both Mr. Buck and Rev. E. Mainford were Universalists they planned a meeting in an empty building nearby which was lighted with a single tallow candle. A year later another meeting was held in the school house with the Rev. L. M. Westfall. In 1880 Rev. Thomas Woodrow settled in LeRoy and began preaching on alternate Sundays in the Keenan Hall.
In 1883, Miss Carrie Brainard came to LeRoy, was ordained here, and at once set to work. Through her efforts the church building was built and dedicated May 18, 1884. The church was called Mercy Chapel after Mercy Buck, wife of Hiram Buck. Rev. Carrie W. Brainard organized the first ladies' church society, the Gleaners, in LeRoy. The church later obtained a reed organ at the reported cost of $10,000.
In May of 1927 the church building was purchased by the American Legion Post. The building now stands as the American Legion Hall. The organ is now in LeRoy High School auditorium.
FIRSTS
The first religious organization was a class of Methodists in 1831.
The first camp meeting was held on the Dickerson farm at Buckles Grove in 1835 or 1836.
LEROY CHRISTIAN CHURCH
The LeRoy Christian Church was organized December 16, 1888 by T. T. Holton, with 29 charter members. For the first 2 years and 10 months the church services were held in the Cumberland Presbyterian and Universalist church buildings until the erection of the first church building in 1891 at 108 N. Walnut Street where the Standard Oil Station now stands. That building was erected during the ministry of J. S. Clemets and was used for the next 20 years.
Around 1909 a movement began to purchase property and plan the present church structure. The property at 105 E. Center Street (just south of the city park ) was purchased and paid for by Mrs. Emily Pray, with the exception of $600 which was paid for by the church. The entire structure cost about $20,000 when it was completed in 1910. Today it is valued at over $300,000.
On October 28, 1906, the congregation adopted for its corporate name "The LeRoy Christian Church."
On February 27, 1966, the congregation voted to incorporate under the laws of the State of Illinois for the legal protection of the property and the right to be a Loyal New Testament Congregation of Christians.
Starting in 1966 a complete remodeling job from top to bottom, inside and outside, was undertaken and was completed around the close of 1971.
During the 87-year history of the church there have been 25 ministers serving the congregation. The present minister, Hal Hudson, is now in his eleventh year of service with the congregation.
In 1948 the church purchased the property at 511 N. Chestnut Street for a parsonage. On October 19, 1975, the congregation voted to add a minister of youth and education to the staff to work along with the minister. Clyde George of Salisbury, Md. was chosen to be the man to fill the position. He began his ministry on December 14, 1975. On November 23, 1975 the church voted to purchase the property at 202 E. Oak St. for a second parsonage to house the new minister of youth.
LeRoy Christian Church has a growing Bible school of some 17 classes. It also has three active women's councils which meet and work together each month. The church has two active youth groups that meet every Sunday night and plans are now being made to begin two more youth groups in order to meet the needs of the youth of this area.
1895 NEWS ITEMS
Feb. 15 - Talking of a new M. E. Church and City Hall, someone suggested that the old church building would make an excellent City Hall. The basement is just the thing for the fire department and there would be abundance room to hold elections, courts, and other meets.
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J. T. & E. J. Crumbaugh Spiritualist Church.
SPIRITUALIST CHURCH
The story of J. T. and E. J. Crumbaugh Memorial Church begins with Mr. and Mrs. James Thomas Crumbaugh. Originally they were members of the LeRoy Universalist Church whose minister was the Rev. Carney, who later embraced Spiritualism. Through Rev. Carney the Crum- baughs became interested in the teachings and practices of the Spiritualist.
The Crumbaughs' only child was a son born July 2, 1865. The child called "Bright Eyes" died August 20, 1865. The sorrow the parents felt after the death of their baby prompted their desire for possible contact with the unseen Spiritual World about the well-being of their child. Records reveal that through a medium contact was made with the Spiritual World.
After the death of Mr. and Mrs. Crumbaugh (1905 and 1906 respectively) their will expressed the desire for the creation of a living memorial through the building of a church and library. All property and management was to be cared for through the estate, governed by the trustees.
The structure was completed in 1926 at a cost of $60,000. The old Crumbaugh home west of the library now stands as the parsonage.
J. T. and E. J. Crumbaugh Library.
Bethel Church. BETIIEL CHURCH
Bethel Church of LeRoy was founded by Rev. Melvin D. Hornbeck and had its beginnings in home meetings. The meetings, beginning in 1933, were held in various homes for a few months, then moved into a rented building. In 1938 the congregation moved into another rented building, now the site of the Poindexters' IGA store. Shortly after this move, pastors for short terms were Rev. Foster Stanley and Rev. Ransom Holloman. Rev. Hornbeck, who was then pastoring a church in Bloomington, again became the pastor on a part-time basis.
The present church building was begun in 1945. At this time Rev. Bruce Badger became the pastor and was active in the building program. The building was finished in 1946, and was paid for in three years.
Through the years several improvements have been made. In 1948 the coal furnace was converted to natural gas. In 1950 a nursery was added. In 1969 the vestibule was paneled and in 1970 a new roof was put on. In 1972 new draperies and carpet were purchased. In 1965 an organ was purchased for the sanctuary.
Bethel Church is an indepenent, interdenominational, fundamental congregation. Its pastors have been affiliated with a ministerial fellowship, Bethel Ministerial Association, with headquarters in Evansville, Indiana.
The present pastor, Rev. Badger, has been the pastor for 30 years.
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J. T. & E. J. Crumbaugh Spiritualist Church Parsonage, S. W. Corner Center & Pearl Streets.
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First Baptist Church of LeRoy.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF LEROY
First Baptist Church of LeRoy was started as a mission November 23, 1956, and remained as a mission until January 13, 1957 when it was constituted into a church with 22 charter members.
At the start of the mission, there was no Baptist Work or Baptist building in LeRoy, so services were held in the American Legion Hall.
Rev. A. G. Rednour was the associational missionary of the East Central Baptist Association and was helpful in getting the work organized and started in LeRoy.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Henson donated to the church on December 7, 1957 the ground where the Baptist Church is now located and the building was erected in 1966.
Rev. Paul Pinkham was the first pastor. The charter members were:
Glenna Canada
Everett Cockrell Mary Cockrell
Alma Cockrell
June Cockrell
Oris Miller
Kenneth Wilson
Marcella Wilson
Vonnie Redmond
Nora Jones
Farris Norfleet Olena Norfleet
Sidney Sumner
Lucille Sumner
Shirley Henson
H. B. Williams
George Ober
Norma Ober
Margaret Pinkham
Ronald Pinkham
Janie Pinkham
The following have pastored First Baptist Church of LeRoy since the work started in 1956:
Rev. Paul Pinkham
January, 1957 - April, 1957
Rev. L. L. Burks
June, 1957 - April, 1961
Rev. Bernard M. Johnson
August, 1961 - June, 1969
Rev. Haskel Martin
October, 1970 - October, 1974
Rev. Charles Cress
June 1975 -
PLEASANT RIDGE
Pleasant Ridge Sabbath School was organized April 12, 1874. Wesley Brown was elected superintendent; Thomas Buckles, assistant; William J. Morris, secretary; and J. R. Cox, treasurer. The meetings took place in the Pleasant View school, later Fairview school. The school opened with singing and prayer led by Rev. Mr. Harris. The meetings continued throughout the summer. The school was reorganized on April 11, 1875 and the officers were Wesley Brown, John Fry, and E. Gilmore. -- From The LeRoy Journal of March, 1917
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