USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Jacksonville > Historic Morgan and classic Jacksonville > Part 39
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Eighth-PERSONALITIES-PRESIDENT BATEMAN, MISSIONARY EDDY.
Jacksonville was honored in 1860 and again in 1862 and 1864 by the election of Prof. Bateman as State Superintendent of Public Instruction. His boyhood and early manhood had been spent here, where he was graduated from Illinois College, and where he was principal of one of the public schools and temporarily of the Jacksonville Female Academy.
Newton Bateman, LL. D., for eight years Superintendent of Public Instruction, did more than any other man for our noble system of public schools, and is now the second of the graduates of Illinois College to become president of Knox College. But space will not permit even the mere mention of names to show how much the college has done to make Illinois what it is. The good work already accomplished would amply repay its friends for all their labors and self-sacrifice in its behalf.
William Eddy, son of a former pastor in the First Presbyterian Church, is now Rev. Wm. Eddy, D. D., professor of the college in Beiroot, Syria, and editor of a paper there ; and his son, William King Eddy, is also a missionary of the Presbyterian board in Sidon, Syria. his daughter, Harriet M. Eddy, a teacher of the girls school there.
William Ireland also of Jacksonville has been in Africa, as missionary of the American board, a long time.
243
A FEW LIVING PIONEERS,
Ninth-ROLL OF HONOR-HALF CENTURY OR MORE IN MORGAN.
The following named present residents of Morgan county have lived here for a half century or more, the figures attached to their names indicating the year of their arrival or birth here. There are many more names, and we should have been glad to have had them sent in, in order that the list might be made complete.
J. T. Taylor, 1833.
William Groves, 1830.
James P. Young, 1830. Mrs. Mary Hinrichsen, 1825.
Sarah J. Anderson, 1831. William Gordon, 1833.
J. C. Spires, 1830. J. S. Wenkle, 1830.
Stephen S. Tunnel, 1830. George W. Hackett, 1833. John T. Henry, 1830.
Mary A. Langley, 1832. John L. Dawson, 1832.
Ellen McClusky, 1832.
Mrs. Fannie Hunt, 1831. Howard Turley, 1830.
J. H. Self, 1831. James Wood, 1827. L. D. Graham, 1830.
Mrs. W. A. Park, 1831,
Thomas M. Angelo, 1831.
Henry M. Park, 1831.
Mrs. S. E. Johnson, 1831.
Mrs. Wm. Hamilton, 1831. Frank Patterson, 1830.
Mrs. Mary Campbell.
Capt. Wm. Patterson, 1829. Ira Mapes. Robert T. Cassell.
William D. Humphrey. Col. George M. Chambers.
Isaac D. Rawlings.
Anderson Foreman.
Prof. J. B. Turner, 1833.
James S. Anderson, 1830.
Mrs. S. Wiswall.
Mrs. George D. Rearick.
Mrs. George Richards. Mrs. Cornelius HIook.
Mrs. Robert Cassell.
Mrs. George M. Chambers.
Mrs. John Lawson.
Mrs. C. B. Barton.
Mrs. Susan Rapp. Mrs. Joseph Capps.
Smiley H. Henderson. Mrs. Eliza B Ayers.
Mrs. John Gorham. Mrs. Dr. M. M. L. Reed.
Judge William Thomas, 1826.
Rev. Peter Akers, 1832.
B. F. Gass, 1833.
Mrs. Rachel King, 1831.
John R. Loar, 1833.
Milton Mayfield, 1830.
F. M. Springer, 1833. Matthew Stacy.
....
Plow Works
FOUNDRY
Eliza J. Johnson, 1832.
Mrs. V. II. Ferguson, 1833. Henry Rudisil, 1833.
David M. Bryant, 1833.
W. T. Spires, 1831. Samuel Sinclair, 1833. William H. Wright, 1832.
C. Ferguson, 1832. R. Y. Park, 1831. Mrs. S. E. F. Barnes, 1830. G. Gainer, 1830.
Joseph Fry, 1831. John W. Lathrop, 1830. Marshal P. Ayers, 1830.
Augustus E. Ayers, 1830.
Mrs. Matthew Ashelby, 1832. J. W. Graham, 1833.
Spencer Taylor.
John Jordan. Rev. Charles B. Barton. Timothy Chamberlain.
Stephen H. Reed.
Mrs. E. T. Miller.
Mrs. Benjamin Humphrey.
Mrs. Joseph Cassell.
Mrs. Hiram Smedley.
James II. Lurton, 1832. Mrs. E. Lawson, 1833. A. C. Patterson, 1830. David M. Simmons, 1830. Judge H. G. Whitlock, 1831. Rev. J. M. Sturtevant. 1829.
A. J. Ausemus, 1842.
Mrs. P. W. Vail, 1825. Mrs. Mary Barr. 1830. M. C. Pond, 1831.
SULKY PLOW WORKS AND THOMPSON'S FOUNDRY
244
THE FIRST SEWING SOCIETY.
Tenth-WOMENS' WORK .- A PIONEER BENEVOLENT AND INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.
(Official Records.)
As the Jacksonville Sewing Society was the first organization of the ladies in Jack- sonville, and as most of the efforts, that have succeeded, have originated in and through the sewing society, it is proposed that a regular history of the events, as they occurred, be written and embodied for preservation in the fourteenth report of the Jacksonville Sewing Society.
It may be thought that so trifling and common an occurrence as the formation of a sewing society, is not worth the mention and detail here given to it, also the account here given of the formation of other societies; but we would ask you to remember that this organization has claims that none other in the state of Illinois can have. We believe it to be the first female organization; we know it to be the first that exerted any influence on the state, and extended has that influence been in favor of education, female enterprise, and active efforts.
A notice having been given by the Rev. J. M. Ellis, the Jacksonville Sewing Society was organized the 10th day of August, 1830, in the log school house in the southeast quarter of town, the only meeting house in the place. Materials of different kinds, collars, infant dresses, handsome needle-work, partly done, were brought from Philadelphia, the remains of a sewing society there, and was the commencement of the sewing society here.
Present at the formation, Mesdames Ellis, Taylor, Hackett, Ayers, Misses R. Bar- ton, Leonard.
The two objects recognized in the constitution, viz: "To assist in the building of a Presbyterian Church," and the education of "poor and pious youth." (The second object being changed some years after to "the cause of education,") were not the prom- inent objects for which the society was formed. It was designed as a central point, where we might plan and purpose and agree to execute.
The antagonist of all that is good knowing our designs, that we were laying foun- dations for the future, that would defeat his purposes, and a sewing society being a new thing to many, we were subjected to much ridicule from the gentleman here, and also from the editor of the Springfield paper; but the name of John P. Wilkinson should stand here, as one who at the first suggestion, encouraged and aided, and whose last social hours were spent with us. This ridicule soon passed away, and these gentle- men became regular attendants at our meetings. This society was truly Catholic in its spirit. October 1st, 1831, we find the following resolution: "That the funds of the society be appropriated yearly to the payment of the tuition hills, of the six benefici- aries now in Illinois College." One of these was a Baptist, another the lamented Borien of the M. E. church. This was the first responsibility assumed by the ladies, only one year after the formation of the society, we pledged ourselves, for the time of four or five years, for the tuition bills of the six beneficiaries then in Illinois College. This was not presumptuously done, we knew, we felt our weakness, and the opposition and ridicule, that we might have to contend with ; but we designed to test a principle for future operations. May we not go forward trusting in God, was the question, and when the resolution was offered by one whose voice was soon heard no more among us, Mrs. Julia Wolcott, the response was unanimous, we will ; we did go forward, and ful- filled our pledge. One of the six was soon rejected by the American Education Society. We then divided equally ; Mr. Borien did not go through, we then added room-rent to tuition bills, for the remaining four who graduated.
December of 1831, a resolution was passed by the sewing society, to address letters to the different towns, Hillsboro, Edwardsville, Collinsville on the subject of education, in behalf of the American Education Society, see letter No. I, and we presume it is not saying too much, to say that it was the first time that the claims of that society had been presented. St. Louis also was written to. The question may here be asked, why those towns so distant and those with which we have now so much intercourse
245
EARLY EDUCATIONAL HELPS.
passed by ? Those towns with which we have now so much intercourse were not. An unbroken prairie excepting Carrollton lay between us and St. Louis, only a house where the town of Manchester, Jerseyville, Monticello and Alton are now located ; Springfield on the east much older than Jacksonville, Quincy on the west somewhat older, Rushville an infant town on the north ; here we must stop, as much of the northern part of the state was in possession of the Indians, and the Indian War, the following summer, all of us who were here at that time well remember.
As the avails of the Jacksonville Sewing Society, eight hundred dollars paid to Illinois College for the students, one hundred and ninety-two dollars for female education, thirty-six dollars for furniture for Jacksonville Presbyterian Church, total one thousand and twenty eight dollars, was always pledged to students or objects named and specified, consequently what was done for other students and the cause of education, was not reported to the sewing society, and was the result of individual effort.
The first subscription made by the ladies in Jacksonville, was a few months after the formation of this sewing society, a paper was passed and each lady subscribed one dollar for an infant school apparatus, the expense to us was sixteen dollars and seventy. five cents, a donation being obtained in Philadelphia to make it complete, a school was for a long time successfully taught here.
November, 1831 .- The agent of the American Bible Society, Rev. Solomon Hardy, one of the first ministers in the state, suggested to a member of the sewing society, the propriety of forming a female Bible society, which he did, and having presented the subject, they agreed to meet at the residence of J. P. Wilkinson, for the purpose of forming a society. The Jacksonville Female Bible Society was then organized, whose efficient operations have been continued until the present time. See annual report.
In 1832, a Juvenile Sewing Society was formed by Mrs. C. Baldwin, which contin- ned until they were no longer juvenile. As the ladies through whose influence these things had thus far progressed, looked over the unbroken prairies, on the north, south, east and west, it took no prophetic eye, emigration pouring in as it then was, to see the use of town and cities as they now are, or rather have been, and as those ladies, whose motive and object in coming to the west was simply to do good, were so scattered in consequence of the sparseness of the towns as they then were, it was thought advisable, by consultation at the sewing society, to get together at college commencement, all the ladies from abroad and confer with them, on the formation of an association, the object of which should be to devise plans of usefulness, adapted to a new and rising state. After conference with the ladies they met at the house of Rev. J. M. Ellis, August, 1832, and there formed an association for said object, present Mesdames Baldwin, Ayers, Misses Abiah Chapin, Laura Hitchcock, Elizabeth Wolcott. The plan of usefulness devised, was the Female Education Society, by Mrs. C. Baldwin, and after much consul- tation was formed in 1833, in the Female Academy, standing on the lot owned by the Jacksonville Presbyterian Church. present Mesdames Baldwin, Ayers, Misses S. Crocker, A. Ellis, Fowler, C. Leonard. For the operations of this society, see printed reports.
June, 1833, by conference with ladies at sewing society the Maternal Association was formed at the house of Rev. J. M. Ellis, as it is now, see records.
May, 1834 .- "Trustees having been elected in 1831 for a Female Academy," they commenced building the east wing, so embarrassed were they for funds, that they were roofing a one-story building, a delay of twelve hours was asked for by a lady, with pro- posals for a second story, when she received the amount of four hundred dollars which was pledged to the trustees in behalf of the ladies. In consequence of the change a second contract was made, and the whole amount paid for second story by the ladies, was five hundred and eighty eight dollars; two hundred and twenty was collected in Jackson- ville from the ladies, and thirty from students in Illinois College ; forty-two was re- ceived by Mrs. Baldwin from the east, by Mrs. Crocker from the east twenty-five, the remaining two hundred and seventy one dollars by Mrs. Beecher from the east. Ex- pended for beds and pillows, $107; for bedding and table cloths, $40.75; a donation of
246
RECORDS OF THE FIRST SEWING SOCIETY.
Expended for beds and pillows, $107; for bedding and table-cloths, $40.65; a do- nation of apparatus, $36; Paid for second story, $588; for apparatus, $60. Total, $831.65.
February 18th, 1837, the Sewing Society resolved that the funds for that year be appropriated to the improvement of the lot of the Female Academy; also painting and white-washing the building: the expense of which was one hundred and twelve dol- lars. A resolution the same year was passed to pay fifty dollars for rent owed by the trustees, as they had no funds. Total for that year $162. Whole amount paid by the ladies $1,002.65.
1835 .- When the ladies in New York pledged themselves to the American Tract Society for a given amount: we received a circular from them; a subscription was taken at the Sewing Society, the amount of $70 forwarded to New York.
1836 -A circular received, subscription taken at the Sewing Society-the amount of $80 forwarded to New York.
1835 .- The first class graduated in Illinois College, two in number, these studied law; one had been assisted by the Sewing Society through college course.
1836 .- Second class, four in number, three of these had been assisted through pre- paratory and college course by the Sewing Society; they designed themselves for the ministry. Assistance was offered to one of the class for the three, to cancel their debts, which were heavy, that they might pursue their theological studies if assistance could be obtained. Twenty dollars was given each one of them to defray their expenses to Lane Seminary-clothing, bedding and books to the amount of $100-a pledge also given that the debt of $180 should be paid to college within one year ; one of these was carried through Lane Seminary, amounting in all to $460.
1838 .- Fourth class, one of these, being needy, received the amount of $25 through Miss Phebe Adams.
1840 .- Sixth class-six of these being destitute, were ready to pursue their theolog- ical course if assistance could be given them. One received a new suit of clothing, cost $40; another $40 cash ; five $25 cash each to defray their expenses to the sen- inary ; clothing to the amount of $200, in all $405.
In 1840-'41 assistance was given by the Sewing Society to three of this class. See minutes of Sewing Society. 1843 .- Two of this class received cash $82, clothing to the amount of $30, in all $112. Total $1,002.
It should here be distinctly stated that this is but a part of what has been done by individuals not reported to any organization for the students of Illinois College. It must be but a small proportion as all stated above, with the exception of the $25 by Miss P. Adams has passed through the hands of one individual, and had been preserved- very much has been indefinitely known to the writer, but as no statement could be made with a certainty of its being correct, prefer that none should be made.
Dec. 1844, an invitation was given to the ladies of the Jacksonville Presbyterian Church, to meet at the house of David B. Ayers to confer on matters of interest to the church. Present, Mesdames Fairbank, Mayhew, Buckley, Eames, Kerr, Ayers, Ayers and Miss E. Adams.
The object of the meeting was stated, that it had appeared in the providence of God, that the time had come for us to arise and assist in building a house for the Lord ; that the house that we now occupied could not be used much longer. Comfortable, it never had been, as it was built of unseasoned timber and designed only for a temporary building, (1830,) fourteen years ago. The floor soon shrunk, and the half-inch opening between the boards of the floor had always made it cold and uncomfortable, but so much better were we provided for than others all over the state, (as the house when built was the largest and best Presbyterian Church in the state) that whenever the ques- tion was asked, "Ought we not to do something for ourselves?" The reply has been, Not while our house will answer and others have none. We believe that time has now come, as the sun has so shrunk the whole house that no fire can warm it. The ques-
247
THE WOMANLY ARGUMENTS.
tion had been asked of those who were disinterested at a distance, "Does the Lord re- quire this at our hands?" The reply was, "A more acceptable offering you could not make." The question was still asked of one deeply interested in benevolent objects, "What if the benevolent, systematic operations of the church be encroached upon by so doing ?" The reply "Build, and you will do more three years hence than you ever have done; and if you do not build, three years hence you will do less." It was also stated that when the subject was suggested to one whose name we may now mention, Hou. Joseph Duncan, he immediately proposed that Mrs. D. should be one of five ladies to pay the sum of two hundred dollars. So deeply interested, and so highly did he ap- prove of the undertaking, and to his advice and co-operation, more than any other one, we are indebted for the present effort, although in three short weeks he was numbered with the dead. It was asked, "in what way it was proposed to raise money ?" as it had been said that it must be done in some way, so as not to offend any other object or in- terest. The answer was, "By our own labor and self-denial, over and above what we have been giving and doing for other objects."
January 20, 1844 .- Mrs. Barton, chairman of the meeting, Emily .J. Adams, secre. tary, the following preamble and resolution was unanimously adopted.
After much consultation, advice and prayer, the ladies of the Jacksonville Preshy- terian Church have unanimously decided that they can with "singleness of eye," for the honor and glory of God, assist in the erection of a house to be called by his name, be. lieving as we do that he requires this obligation at our hands. Therefore,
Resolved, That we pledge ourselves to assist in the building of a church by our own efforts, labor and self-denial to the amount of $2,000.
Amount reported to the Jacksonville Sewing Society for one year by committee, to take charge of the fund $900.07.
PARK HOTEL'
H
PARK HOTEL
HO
JACKSONVILLE,
ILLINOIS.
248
THE COLORED METHODISTS.
Eleventh .- HISTORY OF BETHEL A. M. E. CHURCH, PREPARED BY SAMUEL W. NICHOLS.
In the year 1846, Philip Ward, of Bloomington, found a number of faithful souls in this place who were extremely desirous of worshiping God according to the rules and doctrines of the African Methodist Church, and accordingly in November of that year a formal organization was effected. The first meeting was held in a house owned by Rev. A. W. Jackson, situated on the lot now owned by him, but then inhabited by Frank- lin Davis,one of the first members. The little band consisted of Franklin Davis and wife, Chloe Hayden, Abby Allen and Judge Allen.
In the little room in which the organization first saw the light of the day, they con- tinued to meet for two years, after which they held service in the Mt. Emory Baptist Church for the succeeding two years, when the room could be obtained, For one year Rev. Philip Ward rode a circuit consisting of Bloomington, Springfield, Alton and Jack- sonville. The next conference year Rev. William Johnson occupied the field, but the year after Philip Ward was again in charge. The little band continued to increase in number under the faithful labors of these early pioneers, who sought nothing but the salvation of souls.
In 1850 a heroic effort was made to get the building enclosed and finished and when the members of the church had exhausted their means, the citizens of the town were asked to aid the enterprise. One of the best contributions was $20 worth of lum- ber from Judge Brown, which in those days meant considerable. The women aided in getting up suppers and festivals. By strenuous efforts the building was completed and dedicated before time for conference. Never did a happier congregation assemble for the worship of God than the little band which gathered in this humble edifice, nor did more fervent prayers or gladder songs of praise ever ascend to the throne of grace from the worshiping throngs in lofty cathedrals and sumptuous churches, than those which went up from this little room on Grove street This house of worship continued to be used until its destruction by fire March 3, 1868. By the strenuous efforts of Lafayette Allen, W. A. Hubbard, J. Duke, H. Givens, S. Bolden and some other friends, funds were secured to erect the walls of the present building and furnish roof, windows and doors. The work could go no farther for lack of funds and the old church building on East State street was sold and must be torn down. Late one Saturday evening S. W. Nichols bought some seats which had been removed from the opera house, and getting Henry Reed to bring his team they were hauled to the church and services held there the next day, and though enclosed by bare brick walls with naked rafters overhead, the church and Sunday school were nevertheless at home, and thanking God, took courage.
The destruction of the records renders statistics out of the question, but it is safe to say that hundreds have been brought to Christ through the instrumentality of this organization and that it has done important work for the good of the community. The present condition of the society will be shown by the following statistics taken from the minutes of the last quarterly conference :
Members 127, books in Sunday school library 125, pastor's salary last year $610, Sunday school collections $54.60, trustee's collections for three months $100.53.
STATE
SOVEREIGNTY
NATION
219
BOOKS AND BOOK-LOVERS.
Twelfth .- THE JACKSONVILLE LIBRARY -- A VALUABLE ORGANIZATION AND BOOK COLLECTION.
Thirteen years ago a few persons, desiring the benefits of literature without unnec- essary expense, pooled their money, to the amount from each person of five dollars per year, and expended it for books. These were placed in charge of Hon. S. M. Martin as librarian, in his office of superintendent of schools in the court house. The books purchased were solid in character, including history, biography, science, literature, phil- osophy, polities and religion. Poetry and novels were unknown to their shelves. An objection by any member in committee of the whole, was fatal to the purchase of any book. No book could be bought unless there was money to pay for it in the hands of the treasurer, and unless an order for payment had been voted by the association and signed by the president and secretary. Three American reviews and the five British reprints were also taken by the society.
This experiment was a success. At the end of the year, the members were ready to make the association permanent. The contributions were increased to ten dollars per year from each member. The number of members was increased to twenty-one. The association was chartered under the law of the state. The management was com- mitted to a board of seven trustees elected annually by the share-holders. Messrs. An- dras, Dummer, Ayers, Kirby, Martin, Milligan and Woods constituted the first board of trustees. The first two were re-elected annually as long as they lived.
To Judge Dummer the association is mainly indebted for its admirable Constitu- tion and By-Laws, under which success became easier than failure. More than to any one else, the stock holders are under obligations to the late president of the board, Mr. Win. S. Andras, for his wise oversight of its concerns and for the sum, $1,000, which he gave to be expended for additions to the library.
Messrs. Ayers, Kirby, Milligan and Woods have been members of the board of trus- tees from the beginning. The other present members are J. C. Andras, Bullard and El- liott.
The officers of the board are ; president, M. P. Ayers; secretary and librarian, J. II. Woods; treasurer, II. W. Milligan.
The stock of the association is divided into fifty-eight shares, held by twenty nine stock-holders. Each share represents a par value of sixty-seven dollars.
The regular annual income of the library is two hundred and ninety dollars; made up by an annual assessment of five dollars on each share of stock, together with the fees paid by readers, who may enjoy the privileges of the library for five dollars a year.
The association has a room for the library, and for an occasional Literary Social in the second story of Ayers' Bank, where, on every Saturday afternoon, book-lovers do congregate.
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