Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 48

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Currey, J. Seymour (Josiah Seymour), 1844-1928. 4n; Scofield, Charles J. (Charles Josiah), 1853- 4n
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1174

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CHAPTER XIV

CHURCHES 5

BAPTIST-CATHOLIC-CHRISTIAN-CONGREGATIONAL EPISCOPAL - EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN - LATTER DAY SAINTS-METHODIST EPISCOPAL-PRESBY- TERIAN-UNION.

The history of the churches of Hancock county touchies the history of the county itself at all important points. Almost every family has been represented by some member or mem- bers thereof in one of the churches. A list of the members of all the churches from the time of their organization to the present time would contain practically all family names, and a his- tory of all these organizations would in some manner touch upon or affect all events which have occurred and all activities which have en- gaged the attention of the people.

It would seem to be an easy matter to ascer- tain all the principal facts as to the organiza- tion, development and membership of any par- ticular congregation, but one who has attempted to obtain such information knows that in many instances the information is not to be had at all, or in some vague, uncertain or indefinite state- ment, which does not satisfy but leaves it to the imagination to furnish the details where

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

only a meager outline of fact is obtainable. Many of the church records are imperfect, and some of them have been lost, misplaced or destroyed. Some of the clerks and secretaries, and especially at an early day, were unlearned men, and especially unskilled in orthography. Names are often spelled phonetically. Instead of recording the individual name of a married woman, her husband's name was frequently used, with the prefix "Mrs.," or "Sister," to indicate sex. Sometimes the Christian name is not given for either husband or wife, but their names are recorded as "Mr. and Mrs." Smith, Jones or Brown. It is also true that in that early day some persons did not know how to spell their own names. It follows that any list of names is more or less imperfect in orthog- raphy, and more or less indefinite as to given names or initials.

This may be illustrated by the name of the minister of the Carthage Baptist Church, who served that congregation about 1875-6, and whose name appears sometimes as "Wesseleius," and in one of the newspapers of that time as "Wessilius." In an effort to get the correct spelling of the name search was made in the office of the county clerk for the minister's sig- nature in returns of marriages solemnized by him, and even from these signatures it was hard to tell whether the next to the last letter was "u" or "n." However, it was finally decided that the name was "Wesselius."

In some congregations, members knowing something about the church history, have gen- erously prepared statements or furnished in- formation, while as to other congregations this has not been done, so that the account given of certain congregations may be out of proportion to the account given of other congregations of equal importance, although it has been the de- sire of the publishers to treat all congregations alike. It may be also that some of the older churches, and some now existing, are not men- tioned in this chapter. If so, the omission is not intentional, but because of the difficulty ex- perienced in obtaining the facts.

In an early day church services were largely attended. Entertainments in the modern sense were of infrequent occurrence, and so, while the older people "went to church" to worship, the younger people went from mixed motives, among which was the opportunity for meeting one another and a little love-making on the "aside," cloaked with the profession of religi-

ous enthusiasm. The young men lined up at the church door at the conclusion of the serv- ices, and the young women (with giggling wil- lingness) had to run the gauntlet of an offered elbow and a "may I see you home?" in their apparently strenuous efforts to reach the friendly covert of parental protection.

The churches were used for schools, including singing-schools, and for "exhibitions," and other harmless entertainments, and their doors were sometimes opened for political or patriotic ad- dresses, as well as for lectures and concerts.

The pioneer coming to the county as a rule brought with him the religious beliefs of his old home in the more civilized sections of the country, and sought as soon as possible to pro- vide for himself and family similar privileges for worshiping. The majority of the settlers were religious, and until able to have buildings for church purposes held services at their homes, in the log schoolhouses and, in pleasant weather, in the groves.

The Catholic missionaries were the first re- ligious workers in the country, but Peter Wil- liams, Peter Cartwright and other evangelists carried the gospel tidings throughout this re- gion at a very early period, and it was not long before denominational societies were organized, each one of which is taken up under its proper caption in the following article.

A peculiar feature of the early religious life of the county is taken up exhaustively in the chapter devoted to the Mormons.

BAPTIST

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF CARTHAGE un- fortunately is not now in the possession of any definite records as to the exact date of the or- ganization of the society, the founders seemingly having been too busy organizinig and carrying forward the work, to make permanent records of the proceedings. It is, however, known that such a church organization was perfected as early as 1850, and possibly a few years prior to that date. This was at a time when struggle followed struggle along all lines, in this part of the country, and after a few years the society suffered. During that period a deed was made by John McCormick and Nancy, his wife, for a consideration of $60, to Michael Barnes, Sr., Albert N. Thompson and John D. Hall (Hill), trustees of the First Baptist Church of Car- thage, for lot 5, in block 12, in the original town

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

of Carthage, being the lot on which the First Baptist Church was afterwards erected, and where the present church edifice now stands. This deed was dated July 27, 1849, but was not recorded until Jan. 14, 1851.

On June 15, 1856, the church was re-organized and, according to a notice, several brothers and sisters holding letters from different churches in the Salem Association met at the courthouse at Carthage on the above date for the purpose of organiziing themselves into a church of Jesus Christ after the model found in the New Testa- ment. After due consideration William D. Clark, Mrs. Martha Cutler, Mrs. Lucinda Nes- bit, Jonas Cutler, and Henry Baker organized church to be known in law as The First Baptist Church in Carthage. The charter members were : A. N. Thompson, J. W. Cherry, Mrs. E. P. Cherry, William J. Dale, J. H. Thompson, Charles Thompson, and Mrs. G. A. Patterson. W. J. Dale acted as clerk and J. K. Barry as moderator of the opening meeting. Preaching services were arranged to be held on Sundays at 10 a. m. and at "early candle light."

Plans were made to erect a church building, but hard times came on and nothing further was done in the matter until March 23, 1861, the first year of the Civil War, when it was again re- solved to build on the lot owned by the church, and on which stood an old blacksmiths shop, later made over into a residence. In January, 1863, it was ordered that this building be re- moved from such lot. In March, 1864, the so- ciety decided to build a cottage style of edifice, the same to be of brick, twenty feet in height with a quarter gallery over the front entrance. John Sample of Carthage, was the architect and builder. The church was dedicated January 15, 1865, and served the congregation for forty- five years, during that period the necessary addi- tions, repairs, etc., being made from time to time.

The following resolution made during the Civil War days shows the spirit that animated the members of the Baptist church at Carthage : "Whereas, our great object as a church is to glorify Christ, our Head and Lawgiver, in pro- moting true piety among ourselves and the world,

"Resolved-That we as a church and we as individuals cheerfully permit entire freedom of private opinion upon all national questions and that we will discountenance every form of politi- cal discussion among us as a church."

In 1882 the church was re-roofed and repaired at a cost of $285. Under Rev. H. B. Waterman the old gallery was removed and the building otherwise remodeled and re-dedicated at a cost · of $1,826. While the repairs were being made, services were held at the courthouse. In 1891 a bell was purchased at a cost of $309.91. In 1901 a parsonage was built at an expense of $2,025, $800 of which was donated by "Sister Anderson."

Having outlived its usefulness the church that had held the congregation for so many eventful years gave way to the present magnificent edi- fice, erected on the site of the old building, at a cost of $24,500. The cornerstone of this new edifice was laid with ceremonies, October 9, 1910. The address was delivered by Rev. J. F. San- ders of Keokuk, Iowa, and the cornerstone was laid by pastor, Rev. Boggess. In the autumn of 1912 a splendid pipe organ costing $2,400 was dedicated. Andrew Carnegie donated a subtsan- tial amount towards this organ.

The building committee for this beautiful modern church was as follows : Rev. T. H. Bog- gess, S. R. Parker, J. W. Harnest, E. P. Cutler, S. M. Talbot. The style of its architecture is. classical Roman with dome and colonial en- trances. It is of cream colored pressed brick with Bedford stone trimmings. The size is eighty feet square.

The following is the list of pastors of this church : 1856, Rev. Daniel Delano; 1858, Rev. W. W. Beardslee; 1859, Rev. D. B. Gunn ; 1863, Rev. E. C. M. Burnham ; 1864, Rev. H. H. North- rup; 1867, Rev. A. Gross; 1869, R. S. Johnson ; 1871, Rev. Niles B. Kinnie; 1874, Rev. J. W. Coffman; 1875, Rev. G. W. Wesselius ; 1877, Rev. Niles B. Kinnie ; 1879, Rev. William Swin- den ; 1883, Rev. A. R. Newton ; 1888, Rev. N. B. Waterman; 1890, Rev. George F. Hilton; 1894, Rev. G. E. Huston ; 1899, Rev. W. B. Hall ; 1902, Rev. J. Arthur Hurley ; 1906, Rev. Benjamin F. Tilley ; 1908, Rev. Thomas Howard Boggess ; 1915, Rev. J. M. Jones, who is the present pastor. The membership of this church is about 164.

BASCO BAPTIST CHURCH was organized Decem- ber 24, 1853. A council met at Basco com- posed of representatives from the different churches, for the purpose of organizing a Bap- tist church at Basco. Those present were : Elders John T. Seger and Clark King; Brothers Liggett, Cole, Hawkins, Lively, Baily, and Sim- mons from Mt. Pleasant; Elders J. Gordon and Brothers Chandler and Drury from Pearl Creek ;

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

and Elder Alvord and Brother Levi from Pleasant View. Elder Alvord was chosen mod- erator and Elder C. King, clerk.

The articles of faith and church covenant were presented to the council by fifty members, having letters out of the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. After hearing them read the council proceeded to organize them as a church, in con- nection and in full fellowship with the sister churches of the same faith and order. The charge to the church was by Elder Alvord ; the right hand of fellowship in behalf of the council by Elder C. King; prayer by Elder J. Gordon; benediction by Elder J. G. Seger.

The following were the charter members: Mary Carlisle, Nancy Simmons, Isaac Simmons, Henry Simmons, Sarah Simmons, Henry Groom, Martha Groom, Marcus Doty, Robert Carlisle, Hiram Simmons, Emma Doty, Charles S. Seger, C. Emma Seger, James M. Kimbrough, Eliza- beth A. Kimbrough, Peter Mathews, William J. McCollom, W. Burgess Huff, M. Ellen Huff Cay- wood, Emeline Pendergast, Emma Doty, David Clampitt, Lydia J. Shinkle, Richard Clampitt, Jemima Clampitt, John P. Hawkins, Mary E. Fry, Sarah J. Fry, Valentine Fry, Thomas Fry, Sarah J. Richards, Emeline Fletcher, Francis Graham, Sarah A. Mathews, Martin Shuey, Mar- garet Shuey, Elizabeth Shuey, John Pendergast, Anthony Rohrbough, James Hazlet, Melvina Hazlet, Mary Hazlet,- Franklin Byland, Per- melia Byland, Isaac Hawkins, James Davis, Andrew Davis, Mary Rohrbough. The only liv- ing charter member of this church is M. Ellen Huff Caywood. The present membership is about 100. The Sunday school has an enroll- ment of about eighty-five pupils.

The first meetings were held in the school building at Basco. 1867 the people of Basco united in building a union church which was purchased by the Methodists in 1886. In the same year the residents of Basco helped the Baptists to raise funds to erect the present house of worship. After sufficient money was subscribed to purchase the material the men of the church and some of their friends under the supervision of Mr. Burgess Huff, put up the building, a frame structure now valued at $2,500. The church was dedicated in 1887, Rev. Pickard being pastor at the time. In 1894 the baptistry was added, thus completing the pres- ent building. No other extensive improvements were made until October, 1914, when the build- ing was raised and a new foundation of rock-

faced cement blocks was laid at a cost of $225.

During the first part of September, 1915, new memorial windows were placed in the church at a cost of $115, in memory of those who labored so faithfully in every movement of the church, Henry and Martha Groom, Henry and Sarah Simmons, Mary A. Merriman, and John G. and Mary Seger. The Amomas placed two of these windows at their expense, one near the place of the choir, in memory of John E. Seger, son of Rev. John G. Seger, who was a member of the church for about forty years, leader of . the church choir and of all of the musical parts of the church services ; the other windows, with the inscription "Amoma" thereon, was a gift to the church and a testimonial to those who are laboring for the good of the Sunday school, the advancement of the church and the Glory of God. Memorial and dedicatory serv- ices were held on Sunday, September 26, '1915, at eleven o'clock, Rev. J. L. Henry, being pastor.

Another improvement on the church property was the installation of electric lights, at a cost of $40.16, the Amomas again meeting the ex- pense, and before that date a new bookcase and library table and large Bible had been pre- sented to the church. From time to time the Amomas have paid money out of their treasury as they saw fit for the needs of the church.

The following is the list of pastors: Revs. J. G. Seger, December 24, 1853 to January 1, 1883; Pickard, 1886; Inghram, November 18, 1886 to November 24, 1887; Denton August, 1888 to February 15, 1890; H. H. Depperman, May 16, 1890 to October 26, 1890; Trumbull, March, 1891 to October 24, 1891; Pickard, March 16, 1892 to October, 1893; Leek, October, 1893 to October, 1894; E. C. Drew, November 7, 1894 to September, 1895; Bennett, February 2, 1896 to August 22, 1896; Douglas, February 7, 1897 to September 11, 1897; Dun, February 26, 1898; Calloway, December 1, 1898 to December 1, 1899; Shaw, December 14, 1899 to August 22, 1900; W. O. Shank, May 4, 1901 to January 1, 1903; Stevens, February 1, 1903 to February 1, 1904; Barrow, June, 1905 to January, 1906; Wieland, June 1, 1906 to June, 1907; Redmond, March 22, 1908 to November 1, 1908; Scherrer, October, 1909; Jones, 1910; C. S. Mckinney, May 7, 1911 to May, 1913; J. L. Henry, March 1, 1915 to March 1, 1916; T. L. Roberts, October 29, 1916 to April 7, 1918. Rev. T. L. Roberts, became a chaplain in the United States Army during the World War and went to France, returning home

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

March, 1919. Rev. W. L. Bledsoe, of La Grange, Mo., became pastor of this church April 27, 1919.

Members of the adult ladies Bible Class of the Sunday school met at the home of Miss Emma Groom, the class teacher, April 17, 1913, and organized the Amoma Bible Class. The follow- ing are the charter members: Mrs. J. W. Peter, Mrs. W. H. Damron, Mrs. Laura Huff, Mrs. Fred Tieman, Mrs. William Priessman, Mrs. Frank Boos, Mrs. Jayne Doty, Mrs. F. E. Tri- boulet, Mrs. A. M. Hartman, Mrs. Jess Triboulet, and Miss Emma Groom. The following were the first officers: Teacher-Miss Emma Groom ; president, Mrs. J. W. Peter ; vice president, Mrs. A. M. Hartman; secretary, Mrs. Frank Boos; treasurer, Mrs. Fred Tieman; reporter, Mrs. Jess Triboulet. There are at present about thirty-four members, eight having moved away. The certificate of recognition from the State is framed and hangs on the church walls near the place of class study.

THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF ELVASTON was organized in June, 1893, by Rev. Samuel Pick- ard. The charter members were as follows: Thomas Garvey, Della Garvey, Mary Baldon, Mrs. John Caldwell, Mrs. Mary Phelps, Mrs. Sarah McGinnes, John Lively, Mrs. Anna Lively, Mrs. Mary Lively, George Markley, Mrs. George Markley, Mrs. Samuel Howes.

The pastors serving in this church have been : Revs. I. F. Leek, W. H. Willahan, Oscar Gor- don, W. A. Tood, Mitchell Wright, I. F. Douglass, Terah Smith, I. S. Shaw, H. F. Jones, Charles S. McKenney, Edward Lee Stowel, H. L. Mounce.

A frame church costing $3,500, was dedicated in July, 1894. The Sunday school has about sixty members.

A history of the Primitive Baptist churches will be found near the close of this chapter.

CATHOLIC

ST. PATRICK'S CATHOLIC CHURCH. The Catho- lics were the first religious organization to hold divine worship in this region. They date back to 1820, one hundred years ago. The following quoted in part from the New World of Chicago shows that the Nauvoo Catholic Church ante- dates all other church organizations.

The history of Catholicism in Nauvoo is as interesting as Nauvoo itself. As far back as 1820 Missionary Fathers from the City of St.

Louis came on horseback with saddlebags con- taining a meager supply of corn dodgers, and the necessary other articles for offering Holy Mass, whenever possible or convenient, in some hospitable cabin, or beneath the shade of some friendly tree. Ofttimes were these Pilgrim Fathers welcome to the shelter of the Indian wigwam, or they spread blankets on the prairie and slept with the clouds for their canopy. Of the early missionaries one of the first to visit Hancock County was Father St. Cyr, who came to minister to the people at least once a year. Having lost his eyesight, Father St. Cyr passed the latter years of his life at Carondelet with the Sisters of St. Joseph, who attended him in his helpless condition. The Rev. P. Laevre, afterwards bishop of Detroit, where he died, made visits to Nauvoo from the year 1835 to 1840. During these years the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was offered and Catholic devotions held in the Nauvoo mansion, the home of the Mormon Prophet, in the "Hall of the Sev- enties" and in a place set apart for the Catholic people in the Mormon Temple. Archbishop Ken- drick of St. Louis sometimes spoke of having administered confirmation in the Mormon Tem- ple, as he related his experiences to the late Rev. H. J. Reimbold. A Mrs. Moffitt, who lived to a ripe old age and whose memory was re- markable, often told of the baptism of her elder children within the Mormon Temple itself. Rev. J. A. Drew came next to guide the Catholics of Nauvoo, and was a most zealous worker. On the church records of the Nauvoo Catholic Church we find the name of Rev. Father Griffith as the first resident priest, whose duty it was to visit Fountain Green, St. Augustine, Warsaw, Canton and Macomb. He was installed Septem- ber S, 1848, two years after the Mormons were expelled from Nauvoo. He was taken seriously ill during the winter of 1848 and was moved to his sister's home about one mile southeast of the city. He died early in the spring of 1849 and his remains were taken to Fountain Green for burial, but were subsequently removed to St. Augustine, where they now rest.

St. Patrick's Church, the first Catholic church in Nauvoo, was established by Father Griffith. It was formerly the property of Parley Pratt, Mormon prophet and bishop, and was a substan- tial two-story brick building, originally erected for a home, and consisted of nine large rooms. The first story was fitted up for a church, while the upper story served as a dwelling for the

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

pastor. Father Kennedy came to Nauvoo on May 6, 1844. The Right Rev. Bishop Van Der Velde of Chicago administered the Sacrament of Confirmation in August of the same year. Father Kennedy continued in charge until 1851 when he was removed to another field, Peoria.

Next in succession came the well-known mis- sionary of the Mississippi Valley, Father Alle- mann, who served from September 21, 1851, to June 10, 1852, and has been termed the "School- teacher Priest." He was fond of getting the children in his quaint sitting room, where he imparted to them the rudiments of the languages and classics. He bought the bell which for nearly three-quarters of a century has called the faithful to service at Nauvoo. The congrega- tion was next placed under the care of Father O'Neill, who remained from June 20, 1852, to May. 1853. The Right Rev. Bishop Van Der Velde again visited Nauvoo, June 17, 1853. The latter part of June, 1853, Father Allemann again resumed his duties and remained until Septem- ber 9, of the same year. He was a man of great zeal and piety. His name is frequently mentioned in the homes of those whose parents had known him well. It was to the memory of this pioneer priest that the Nauvoo Knights of Columbus dedicated their council, it being known as Allemann Council No. 1853. The Rev. Patrick Meehan came to continue the good work from January 5, 1854, to October 7, 1855.

Anthony O. Regan, Bishop of Chicago, came to Nauvoo on October 3, 1855, to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation. In November, 1855, the Rev. Charles Schilling was installed pastor of Nauvoo where he labored until April 6, 1867, when he was removed to Joliet. Father Schil- ling extended his care of souls to Gittings Mound and Carthage.

July 4, 1867, is memorable in the annals of the church history of Nauvoo on account of the coming of the Rev. H. J. Reimbold. He came not as a stranger to a strange country, but as one who returns to his native soil. He has en- joyed the confidence and esteem of his people from the beginning. There were in his parish persons who had known him as a boy, and others who had played with him at school, as schoolmates in the halcyon days of Father Allemann. This good Father ministered unto three generations, remaining here until his death, August 7, 1915. He is buried in the fam- ily lot on "S. S. Peter & Paul's Cemetery." As a grateful token to his memory his parishioners

and friends have erected a beautiful bronze Crucifixion group near his grave. Rev. L. C. Tholen was appointed Father Reimbold's suc- cessor. Since then a parochial school was opened which comprises the grades high and commercial. In October, 1917, the parish cele- brated the golden jubilee of the laying of the corner-stone of the present church, which was built by Father Reimbold. During the summer of 1918 the parish came into possession of some historic property, namely the Old Icarian House standing on the Temple block. This structure is built from the rock of the old Mormon Tem- ple. It is now being used as a rectory and pa- rochial school.

SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH OF WARSAW was organized during the period between 1850 and 1858. The charter members were: C. Schmitz, Mr. Oschner, C. Miser, Peter Hartman, Casper Hartman, Joseph Hartman, Henry Kuehlem, W. Schmitz, John Wingler and Mr. Kouuts. This parish is numbered among the oldest in the county. As early as 1849 there were Catholic families at Warsaw, and in 1850 more Catholic settlers arrived from Germany, and this same year the great pioneer priest, Father Allemann, who is remembered for his faithful labors at Ft. Madison, Iowa, and the surround- ing country of the Mississippi Valley, came here three or four times a year and said mass in a private house, until about 1853, when Father Schilling, another pioneer priest, attended the people from Nauvoo. Father Hendricks came here about 1858 or 1859, Rev. Father Miller, O. S. B. Vicar-General of the Chicago diocese, next attended the people, and was followed by Father Albrecht, who came from Macomb until about 1865. About 1865, Father Hendricks came as the first resident pastor and remained until 1868. The Franciscan Fathers from Quincy then had charge from 1868 until 1874 and during that time the following were at this church : Father Becher, 1868-70; Father Kleech- am, 1871; Father Droessler, 1871; Father Wiener, 1872-73; Father Weiss, 1873-74; and others. From 1874 the pastors have been : Father Heller, second resident pastor, 1874; moved to Lincoln in 1877; Father Allgeyer was liere after him for seven months; Father Zum- bahl, 1878-87; Father Schildohfer, 1887; Father Bergman, 1887; Father Schury, 1SSS-91; Father Baak, 1901-06; Father Hellstern, 1906-12; Father Schauer, 1912-16; Father Blascke, 1916-

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 48

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Currey, J. Seymour (Josiah Seymour), 1844-1928. 4n; Scofield, Charles J. (Charles Josiah), 1853- 4n Publication date: 1921 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1174

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Currey, J. Seymour (Josiah Seymour), 1844-1928. 4n; Scofield, Charles J. (Charles Josiah), 1853- 4n
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1174