USA > Illinois > Shelby County > Historic sketch and biographical album of Shelby County, Illinois > Part 24
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41
-
HISTORIC SKETCH.
scendent link that binds us irrevocably to the past. Webster says that "there is a moral and philosophical respect for our ancestors which elevates the character and improves the lieart. Next to the sense of religious duty and moral feeling 1 hardly know what shoukl bear with stronger obligation on a liberal and enlightened mind than a consciousness of alliance with the excellencies of the past." In no one phase of human activity can this sentiment be more true than in the conscious alliance with the excellence of the religion of our Lord and Master. This alliance or the lack of it enters into every com- munity life, shapes its character and determines its destiny.
True religion is of God. In fact we get the word "religion" from the word "ligio," which means "to bind." to bind back again to God. In other words religion is the link that "binds" man to God.
The fundamental principles of the chris- tian religion are found in the New Testament revealed by the Christ, the Son of God, and "confirmed unto us by them that heard Him." These fundamental principles (divinely author- ized) made unprecedented progress during the early centuries : and happy and fortunate indeed would it have been for the human race had no man, "humanly wise," endeavored to bind man to man and man to God above that Which is Writ- ten. This "humanly wise" tendency of man re- gardless of "what is written," to radiate out into self-formulated theories, into philosophic specula- tion, superstition, skepticism and corruption crowded out the light from the word of God and brought the Dark Ages. The Dark Age will come into the life of any individual or nation when it shall supercede the Word of God, the "salt of the earth" and "the light of the world" with the theories, philosophies and speculations
of men. The one is of God, the other is "of the carth, carthy."
'To eliminate corruption and vice and re- establish the spiritual life of the church was the attempt of the Reformation. Luther's efforts are valuable to the workl ; not so much for the re- forms which he attempted, as in the restoration of the Bible, the true council and standard of religion. The giving of an open Bible into the hands of the people was to the Dark Ages what the rising sun is to the darkness of night.
The value of Calvin's effort lies not in the reforms he attempted, or in the doctrines he so ably discussed, but in the restoring to the Word of God its divine authority which had so long been usurped by the Pope.
The estimate to be placed on the Wesley movement is not in the attempt to. reform the Church of England, for that in itself was a fail- ure, but its value lies in what they restored of primitive piety, zeal and devotion. This will live to bless humanity long after the creed that thought to formulate theni shall have passed away forever.
Every attempt at reform proved a failure, in whole or in part. While it restored at times somewhat of faith and life, it failed in the refor- mation attempted, and every effort to formulate into a creed the things in which the reformation failed, but added to the divisions of christendom. Thus while the Reformation was striking blow after blow at corruption and vice it multiplied divisions and strife.
The one peculiar thing about the Christian religion that must not be forgotten is that while it is a great reformer, it can not itself be re- formed. Every addition or subtraction but cumbers or weakens and divests of Divine au- thority. It becomes the duty then of every Christ and His inspired Apostles. All this re- life and faith as they come from the lips of
184
HISTORIC SKETCH.
Christ and His inspired Apostles. All this re- mained for some one to see, to hold sacred and to proclaim to all the world.
.
The divisons and isms and cisms and here- sies and jealousies at the beginning of the 19th century, a resultant of the corruption of the church, and the attempted reformation set men to thinking and searching of the scriptures to see if these things existed with divine approval. They soon learned from the scriptures and found from experience that "A House divided against itself can not stand :" that the Master prayed for Union, that the inspired Apostles to the Gentiles rebukes the division in the church and that there is "one Body, one Lord, one Faith, one Spirit, one baptism. These and many other similar truths constantly kept ringing in the cars of Bible readers. Soon they began to teach and proclaim them. To steer clear of all the errors that had crept into the church they said. "we will go back of all creeds and confessions and councils into the Bible. the Divinely authorized standard. Where it speaks we will speak, and where it is silent we are silent."
They thought to go back to the N. T. church, its ordinances, its life and practice in order to bring about Christian union. the one thing needful. Upon the Divine basis and under Divine Authority their prayers and pleading began to be "back to Christ."
Prominent among those who had learned the lesson of the Reformation and saw the need of Christendom were the Campbells. Stone. Scott. and others-men of learning and great piety. Simultaneously this movement sprang up in Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Virginia. Who first inaugurated the movement no one knows. It seems as if the Spirit of God was brooding over the virgin soil of the New World, and the movement was born out of the chaotic condi- tions of Christendom. With remarkable unanim-
ity came the cry from every quarter, "Back - to Christ." Christan union on the Bible." "The Bible the only hope of Christendom." The one cherished jewel was now placed in the Divine setting which alone could give it vitality and life.
The movement spread like "wild-fire:" every opposition only added fuel to the flames destined to burn up the "hay and stubble"-the divisions and isms of Christendom. Ministers and laymen alike who were in travail by reason of the divided state of things heartily entered into the movement and looked upon it as the one balm to heal the broken body.
So rapid has been this movement that to- day, less than 80 years front its inception. the disciples number nearly one and a half million with no creed but the Bible, united in one great family under the one Lord: wearing no names but those divinely recognized in the Word. What a powerful demonstration of their plea. In nearly every state in the Union and in every country on the globe the seed is being sown and the leaven is working. Shall we not hope and pray for the glorious consummation when the prayer of our Lord shail be answered and the church shall be united to go forth in one solid phalanx to take the world for Christ ?
We have dwelt at some length upon the history of this movement, for the reason that its history practically enters into the history of every "Christian church" organization. We shall now endeavor to speak more particularly of this movement in Shelbyville and Shelby county.
SHELBY COUNTY.
In 1832 down the famous Kaskaskia came the venerable elder. John Storms, scattering the seeds of the new movement. He was soon joined by Elder Tobias Grider, and, in 1830, by Elder
185
HISTORIC SKETCH.
B. W. Henry. From this trio of venerable work- ers goes forth and dates the beginning of the Christian movement in Shelby and adjoining counties. So inseperately is their labor of sacri- fice and devotion connected with nearly every organization in the county that to give an ade- quate history of the church in the county we must write a biography of each of these faithful followers of the Lord. But space forbids and we must content ourselves with a few brief state- ments of the work in each place. Suffice it to say that the names of these men are household words, and their devotion and loyalty to the Master ought to be an inspiration to the on-com- ing generation.
SHELBYVILLE.
In 1830 Bushrod W. Henry moved to the county and began preaching for the Baptists. In 1832 he organized the "First Baptist Church of Christ." He soon found himself in harmony with the new movement. In 1836 the pastor and congregation met and resolved to strike the word "Baptist" from the style of the church, and the body was ever afterward known as the "Church of Christ" in Shelbyville. They pro- ceeded at once to effect the new organization by the selecting and setting apart as elders, B. W. Henry and J. J. Page.
Next to Elder Henry, who remained as the faithful and zealous shepherd of the flock for 12 years, stood Elder Page, who remained elder for 35 years. Truly the work of the church never fell into more willing hands nor devoted heart than during his ellership.
Among the charter members of blessed memory may be mentioned Reuben and Martha Wright, Mrs. Enfield Tackett, Aunt Polly Smith, Mr. Wright, father of the large Wright family, who died within a year after the organiza-
tion, leaving his faithful and devoted wife, Martha, to look after the temporal and spiritual interests of her children.
Few women have been more devoted than she, and in 1875 she died in the triumphs of her living faith. Sister Tackett was the worthy Christian mother of our townsmen and fellow- citizens, Messrs. John A. and William Tackett. She often prepared her own house for the meet- ings of the little band of disciples. She worthily stood for and supported the work until her death. Aunt "Polly" Smith had learned of the new movement from Ellers Rodgers and Stone in Kentucky. She remained a faithful and devoted helper until the end came in January, 1880.
During the early days their meetings were held in the homes, the school house and some- times in the old court house. In 1843 Elder McVey, from Indiana, held a meeting for them which greatly strengthened them and resulted in the building of a "meeting house" diagonally across from their present building. In this house they met to worship for more than 20 years. Many splendid meetings were held. In 1848 Elder A. D. Northcott, of Kentucky, was em- ployed as County Evangelist. More than 300 persons were added to the church that year. The next year he labored successfully for the church in Shelbyville.
It was at this time that Wm. Brown and Elder Lewis of the M. E. church held their friendly discussion in the Christan church in which General Thornton was chairman. As a result of this discussion many delusions and mis- conceptions were dispelled and the church great- ly strengthened.
In 1865 the present large and commodious brick edifice was built at a cost of $15,000, which stands as a monument to self-sacrificing zeal and whole-hearted devotedness to the cause of the restoration of pure primitive christianity among
186
HISTORIC SKETCH.
the people. The lower floor contains lecture room, study and kitchen. The auditorium will casily seat 600 people, although a thousand have often been within its walls. At present an effort is on foot to repair and refurnish the whole build- ing.
The regular ministers who have served as preachers and pastors to the congregation are as follows: Elders Henry, Northcutt, Young, Eth- ridge. Bostion, Gains, Brinkerhoof, Kellar, Har- ris, Long, Lane. Allen, Brooks, Stewart, Wag- goner, Prutt. Edwards, Bell, Williams, Collins, Horney. Slator. Jewett. Groves, and the present pastor. Wm. H. Drummet.
The present elders, each deserving of special mention, are "Uncle" Mike Freybarger, Judge Kelley, Capt. Turney and Samuel Wright. The deacons are. Roberts, Lumpp. Stewart, Fraker, Triece. Bennett, Klauser, Storm, Carr. Terry, J. D., Elias and James E. Miller.
The present membership of the church is 400: number in Sunday school is 150, with (). P. Wright as superintendent ; number in C. E., 50. The church has had many trials and has over- come great difficulties. She is now in a prosper- cus condition, ready to enter in a still larger measure into the spreading of the Master's mes- sage and the extension of His kingdom. May the good Lord guide and direct their every effort.
ASH GROVE.
formerly Cochran's Grove, south of Windsor. This church was organized in 1832 by Elder Storm. Her trials and success were similar to those of pioneer days. This church has enjoyed the preaching of some of the ablest men in the Brotherhood. The present church was built at the cost of $2,500, and will seat 600 people. Her present membership is over 300. This is a
wealthy and splendidly situated community, and if the liberality and zeal of her members are equal to her ability and opportunity, a much larger work will yet be accomplished in the name and for the honor of our Lord Jesus Christ.
SAND CREEK.
This congregation was organized by Elder Storm in 1834. The entire enrollment of the church since its organization has been about 1,000. Her members have been the nucleus of several other congregations. Her present mem- bership is 100. Elder Grider was her regular minister for 44 years, and Eller P. P. Warren has been associated with him for 34 years. The church has reared out of its own members the following preachers : Isaac Miller, Nathan Rice, P. P. Warren, H. A. Loomis and L. P. P. Phil- lips. The most familiar among these is Elder Warren, who is still a veteran of the cross among the country churches of Shelby county.
The present brick building was erected in 1874, at a cost of $1,200 and seats 300 people. This church has remarkably withstood the changes of time. and if she is true to her Master a much larger extension of the kingdom is pos- sible.
WINDSOR.
This church was organized some time prior to 1859. Very few of the charter members now remain. Her present membership is 180, with a flourishing Sunday school of 100. and C. E. society of 25 active and 25 associate members. Their church edifice was erected in 1859 at a cost of $2.500. It will seat 500 people and was dedicated by Elder John S. Sweeny, of Paris, Ky. The church has recently been repaired and with the new pastor. Elder Herrald, is in a fair way to do a splendid work for the Master.
187
HISTORIC SKETCH.
ANTIOCH.
This congregation was organized in 1-860, by Ekler Henry, with 32 members. C. L. Scott, John and J. T. Barrickman were selected as elders. Nathaniel and 1. S. Killam are the pres- ent elders. Their present membership is about 150, and they have a flourishing Union Sunday school. Their present house of worship was erected in 1868 at a cost of $2,400. This com- munity is blessed with a rich and fertile soil and the church has a splendid opportunity to enrich and enlarge the kingdom of the Master.
BETHANY.
In 1860 Elders Grider and Warren held a meeting in a school house where the Bethany church now stands, in Windsor township. Many hearing and believing, were baptized, but took membership with the Sand Creek church until 1871, when P. P. Warren organized the present congregation with 53 members. Eller Warren has preached once a month for the church most of the time since its organization. The house of worship was built in 1871, at a cost of $1,200, and seats 300 people. The church has reared many young men and women to useful service in the Master's kingdom.
WELBORN CREEK.
This congregation was organized in 1860, by Elder John Sconce, in a log school house near the northeast corner of Todd's Point township, with 58 members. In 1871 they erected their present house of worship at a cost of $1,200. The membership has been very much scattered and discouraged at times, but they have rallied again and again, and now have a membership of over 100, and are in a fair way to do a good work.
NEW LIBERTY.
Sixty years ago a little log house with two chimneys and no floor was erected as a place of worship in the northeast corner of Windsor township. In 1871 a congregation was organized and in 1874 erected a new house of worship, at a cost of $1,180. The church was then called New Liberty. Most of the veteran ministers of the county have, at different times, preached for the church. The present membership is over 100.
UNION, OR "DUG-OUT."
This congregation was organized in the Hilden school house on the line of Okaw and Shelby townships, by Elder Grider, in 1873, with 14 members. Their present membership is about co. Eller Warren and Elder Gray have each been preaching for the church once a month. They have a flourishing Union Sunday school and are in a fair way to do a splendid work in this community.
ROCKY BRANCH.
In Rose township some 50 years ago Elders Henry, Chew and Evey held meetings ; some- times in the homes, then in the groves and at times in Black Log school house. The present organization grew out of a meeting held by Elder Henry in which there were over 50 conversions. The congregation now has a neat little house of worship, and Elder Henry, son of the late "Father" Henry, is its present minister.
ZION.
This congregation was organized by Elders Gilbert and Waggoner, in 1878, with 32 charter members, in the west side of Todd's Point town- ship. In October of the same year their new house of worship, costing $1,200 was dedicated
188
HISTORIC SKETCH.
by Elder J. G. Waggoner. May the Lord direct - their future efforts.
OAK GROVE.
This congregation was organized in 1880. by Elder Linn, with 36 members. The church building is a Union house of worship. At present the Christian people are the only ones holding services. Meetings have been held by Elders Jewett. Groves and the writer, that have added materially to the working force. Their present membership is about 50 persons. May the good Lord guide them in wisdoni's ways and use them for the spiritual enlargement of the community.
MODE.
This congregation was organized by Elder Linn, who labored under the Co-operative asso- ciation of the county. In 1880 he held a meet- ing with 50 additions resulting. A Union house of worship has been erected at a cost of $1.800. and they have a good Sunday school. Have recently held a good meeting and are in good shape for a splendid work in this community.
PRAIRIE BIRD.
This congregation was organized by Elder B. W. Henry, in 1850, with 23 members. In 1857 they built a neat little house of worship at a cost of $1.500. The next year "Father" Henry's son. J. O. Henry, was ordained to the miinstry and has done much to maintain and strengthen the efficient efforts of his father. Their present membership is about 100. Part of their membership has recently moved to Tower Hill, thus forming the nucleus for a congrega- tion there.
TOWER HILL.
This congregation was organized by Elder
W. H. Bales, in October. 1896, with 55 mem- bers. In January of the next year he held another meeting, with 73 additions. He was fol- lowed by Elders Doughty. Hostettler. Williams and Henry. The writer recently held a meeting for them, resulting in 45 additions. They have a splendid church edifice erected at a cost of $2,000. They have a splendid Sunday school of 70. and C. E. society of 30 members. The present elders are J. T. and W. E. Killam and Charles Smith. They are in good condition and the field is ripe for a larger work.
MOWEAQUA.
There is a strong organization here. Elder A. R. Spicer, while yet in college, gathered to- gether a few disciples and preached for them every two weeks. Four years ago Elder J. P. Lichtenberger, then of Canton, held a meeting with 137 additions. Since then Elders Spicer and Golden have served the congregation. They have erected a splendid brick tabernacle. Their present membership is 268, with 60 in the Sun- day school, with a Senior C. E. society of 33. and a Junior society of 30 members. They are in a good way to do a splendid work for the Master.
COWDEN.
This congregation was organized some three or four years ago. They have recently dedicated a splendid new church edifice. In January, of this year (1901). Elder Brown, under the co-operation of the District Board. held a meeting for them. resulting in 36 additons, making their total mem- bership 110. Hattie Montgomery is the church correspondent, and Elder Brown, son of Evange- list Leland T. Brown. is their present preacher. We look for a larger and more aggressive work for the Master.
STEWARDSON.
This congregation was organized some 15 or 18 years ago. They have a splendid brick
189
HISTORIC SKETCH.
house of worship. Their present membership is 42, with a flourishing Sunday school of 113. Elmer Shumard, is the corresponding member, and Elder Zerr is the present minister.
FANCHER.
This congregation was organized a few years ago. Their present membership is 70, with 48 in the Sunday school. This ought to be but the beginning of a much larger work for the Master.
HOLLIDAY.
There is but a small congregation here. numbering at present but 25, with 25 in the Sun- clay school. The work here is new and we shall soon look for larger results for the Master. O. C. Riley is the corresponding member.
HERRICK.
This congregation, together with several others in the southern part of the county, has been but recently organized and is not very strong. Herrick has a church building and a present membership of 64, and 65 in the Bible school. Thomas Brewer is the corresponding member. The southern portion of the county is not blessed with a rich soil, but God can even make this to abound in the riches of His grace.
It will thus be seen that there are scattered over the county nearly 2,000 disciples, with 21 church organizations, and 19 houses of worship, erected at a cost of $50,000, all of which stand as monuments to the loyalty, sacrifice, and de- votion of those who stand for the restoration of
primitive christianity and the union of all of God's people.
AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL.
The organization of a society of the African M. E. church, of which there is but one in the county, and that one in Shelbyville, was effected by A. S. Williams in the summer of 1875. The families then residing here whose affiliations would naturally be with that church, were those of Mr. Williams himself, Henry Lee, P. Jones, R. Hunt, M. Lewis, Mrs. Casse, Tom Posten, Wesley McCann and B. Huston.
When the needs and circumstances seemed to warrant it, Mr . Williams sent for the Rev. Mr. Hand, pastor of the Mattoon A. M. E. church, who, upon his arrival, called together the follow- ing named people: Mrs. Cassey, Mrs. Haines, Mrs. Johnson, J. Hardy and R. Robertson. The first meeting was held in the old court house, and these meetings were continued in various places until 1885. In this year the members of this society set to work to build a church edifice of their own, in which they could feel that they were indeed at home. Many of the white citi- zens of Shelbyville co-operated with them, and kindly told them not to go outside of the city to secure money, as all that would be necessary would be forthcoming here. After building the church they were also enabled to build a par- sonage for the pastor.
This little band of valiant christian workers has been zealously doing its part toward the evangelization of the city, and the support of the cause of Christ. The present membership is 18, with a good Sabbath school of 24 members. A. S. Williams is the efficient Sunday school super- intendent, while Rev. C. H. Jackson is the popu- lar pastor.
190
HISTORIC SKETCH.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL.
(By Dr. H. H. Oneal.)
The Methodist Episcopal church was the pioneer church in Shelby county. Indeed, before the county was organized the Methodist itiner- ant was on the ground, hunting the far scat- tered inhabitants, gathering them together as best he could, and preaching to them the Word of Life.
In 1825, when Indiana. Ilinois and Iowa were all one conference, the Rev. Joseph Foulks of the Shoal Creek circuit, came to Cold Spring and preached at the house of Mrs. Sallie Turner. on Robinson Creek. Joseph Foulks was followed by Thomas Randle, Samuel H. Thompson, Wm. 1 .. Deneaue. Lorenzo Edwards and Milo Huffaker. The preachers went everywhere. without waiting to be invited. Their work was arduous, often without any compensation, but it was faithfully discharged.
The cause grew rapidly. Little societies were formed. Sunday schools organized, and preaching maintained, wherever a few people could be brought together.
In 1830 a house of worship was begun on what is now North Morgan street, Shelbyville : this was probably the first church building erected in the county. Societies were formed at Shelby Chapel, St. Mary's, Sanner's, Mt. Car- inel. Pleasant Grove. Sulphur Springs, Mowea- qua and Stewardson, at an early day.
In 1857 we find Shelbyville circuit. with Hiram Buck, presiding elder. J. S. Barger and W. M. McVey preachers, and 312 members : also Moweaqua, with Wm. S. Prentice, presiding elder. J. W. Sinock, preacher in charge, and 200 members.
In 1858 Shelbyville was separated from Shelbyville circuit, and organized as a station. with Rev. D. Bardrick as preacher in charge.
and 73 members. That year Windsor circuit was formed, with J. B. Reynolds as pastor. J. W. Aneals was sent to Shelbyville circuit, and J. W. Sinnock continued at Moweaqua.
In 1859 G. R. L. McElfresh, still living and an honored member of Illinois conference. be- came preacher in charge. This year one person was expelled from the church for dancing. and another for Sabbath breaking.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.