USA > Illinois > Hancock County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II > Part 51
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The first church building was erected in 1838 on a lot one block west from the southwest cor- ner of the public square. The second was built in 1864-5 on the present site of the new church. It was built of brick and was 38x64 feet and twenty-eight feet liigh. Its spire was 110 feet high. The third and present church edifice was built in 1908-9. It is a handsome stone structure, costing $42,500, but could not be duplicated today for less than $75,000. It was erected under the pastorate of Rev. T. E. Newland.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY
The following is a list of the ministers who have served as pastors of this church since its organization : The years served and exact dates for the first pastors are not to be had from church authority, but it is certain that Revs. Taylor, Lowe, Troy, Pool, Warner, Olliver, and William Pitner were here before 1845, and that Mr. Piper was here in 1845, William Atkinson in 1847, B. Appleby in 1849, A. Fisher in 1850; then came Revs. Stone, Head and Cummings, each for one year ; Revs. Shing and A. Heppery, each a part of a year; Rev. U. G. Giddings in 1855; William (Billy) Wilson for Carthage Station and I. A. Spurlock for Carthage circuit. Revs. Wilson and Spurlock occupied the first parsonage n 1856. The pastors following were : Revs. J. Q. Knight, 1857; J. A. Windsor, with Spurlock as junior preacher, 1858; David Oliver, 1859, for two years; George W. Miller, 1861, two years; William Underwood, 1863, who went to the Army as Chaplain of the One Hundred and Eighteenth Illinois regiment in the middle of the year 1863, and Jesse B. Quimby filled out his term as pastor here. B. B. Kennedy was pastor in 1864 and had a membership of 228, had the Carthage and Elm Tree churches and received $600 a year salary. In 1865 Carthage was made a station and George W. Miller was appointed the second time and M. C. Bowlin was appointed preacher on the Carthage Circuit. During the years above named the presiding elders, now called district superintendents, were : Henry Summers, Richard (Uncle Dick) Haney, A. McGee, W. H. Hunter-the latter in 1862 to 1866. The remainder of the Carthage pastors for this church have been: Revs. J. P. Brooks, 1866-7; G. W. Havermail, 1868-9; A. A. Reger, 1870; C. H. Zimmerman, year finished by W. B. Alexander; G. M. Morey, 1872-73; W. D. H. Young, 1875 to 1878; F. M. Chaffee, 1878; Peter Warner, 1879-80; M. C. Bowlin, 1880-81; U. Z. Gilmer, 1882-3-4; James Haney, 1884-5; R. A. Brown, 1885-86; William Woolley, 1887; T. J. Wood, 18SS; A. Northrup, 1889-93; Robert Barton, 1893-95; W. L. Douglas, 1896-7; C. G. Shaffer, 1897 to 1901; C. W. Ayling, 1901-2; J. W. Edwards, 1902 to 1906; T. E. Newland, 1905 to 1911; M. L. O'Harra, 1910 -- 15; J. W. Ferris, 1915, and still pastor in the spring of 1919.
THE LE HARPE CHURCH. The Methodist Episcopal Church was probably the first church of La Harpe. It was organized in July, 1836, by Revs. Samuel Thompson and Troy of Rock River Conference. They met in homes, generally
in the log cabins of the pioneer settlers. The charter members should here be noted and pre- served. They were Dr. George , Coulson, first class leader, his wife, Nancy J. Coulson, and daughter, Sarah Coulson, afterwards inter- married with Monroe Savfora ; Lot Moffet, Sarah Moffet, Charles Comstock and wife Sophia, Dianthus and Sarah Drake, Jesse and Minerva Brockway, George and Louisa Oatman, Mary and Eliza Smith, Henry and Sarah Reymolds, James and Martha Reynolds, Joseph T. and Phoebe Painter.
It is said that John Logan, a circuit rider, was the first preacher. Other ministers have been as follows: Revs. Thompson, 1837-48; Benjamin Applebee, 1848-50; J. L. Kirkpatrick, 1850-51; W. J. Giddings, 1852-53; O. J. Fisher, 1854; William J. Beck, 1855-56; H. Brecken- ridge, 1857; F. M. Chaffee, 1858-59; William Haney, 1869; David Oliver, 1861-62; George W. Miller, 1863-64; George W. Havermale, 1865-67 ; Martin D. Heckard, 1868; A. P. Hull, 1869; H. C. King, 1870-71; W. B. Alexander, 1872 ; George M. Morey, 1873-74; G. I. Bailey, 1875 ; St. John, 1876-77; I. B. Snedaker, 1878-80; B. Applebee, 1881-82; W. H. Slingerland, 1882-83; J. H. Sanders, 1884; Raymond, 1885-87 ; E. O. Hensel, 1887-90; E. P. Roe, 1890-95; G. P. Snedaker, 1896-98; G. W. Comer, 1898-1900; I. Hart and J. W. Ferris, 1900; I. Hart, 1901; G. H. Callihan, 1902-04; R. C. Doenges, 1904; W. L. Porter, 1905-07; A. E. Rowson, 1907; A. A. Waters, 1907-10; E. R. Horton, 1910-12; Paul P. Kies, 1912; A. M. Stocking, 1913-15; Aaron T. James, 1915, and L. J. Sailor, who came in 1916. The present membership is about 175, with a splendid Sunday school.
The mother of Smith T. Bryan was a member of the M. E. Church for seventy-seven years. Other prominent laymen were John Bryan, Jerome Watrous, Mary Reymolds, Angelina Painter, Hannah Bryan, John Evans, Alexander Bushnell, Julia Comstock, Mr. and Mrs. C. S. Bowers and Mrs. A. H. Stanley.
The first church building was erected in 1848, being a large frame building. It was dedicated, free of debt, by Rev. John Chandler. Abraham Lincoln spoke in this building.
THE METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH OF LA HARPE was probably organized some time be- tween 1842 and 1844. Dr. Rufus Richardson was one of the promoters. On his monument is inscribed, "He was a friend of the Oppressed." He especially opposed the enslavement of the
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY
negro. Among the members occur the names of Jesse Chandler and wife, Isaiah Morris and wife, William Swisher and wife, Mrs. Abigale Roberts, Jacob Bryan and wife, Mrs. Anna Clark, Joseph Hindman and wife, John Gardner and wife, Aquilla Claycomb and wife, Robert Farman and wife, Benjamin Gittings and wife, Richard Cassingham and wife, S. C. Vincent and wife.
The early preachers were Fordyce, Hall, Strong, Fowler, Sutton, Johnson and W. H. Jordan.
DALLAS CITY CHURCH. The first religious movement about Spillman's Landing was the preaching of Mr. Bennett from Adams County, of the Protestant Methodist Church. In the Spring of 1838 Rev. Enos Thompson was sent into this section by the Illinois Conference. He orgaranized the first Methodist Episcopal society, with membership as follows: John R. Tull and wife, Alexander Martain and wife, William Tull and wife, and William Pratt and wife, with Mr. Pratt as leader.
The first Sunday schood at this point was held April 18, 1841, John R. Tull acting as super- intendent. It was composed of the Tulls, Ather- tons, Van Tassels, Lakes, Loomises, Pratts, Ollises Martains, Bennums, Neals, Vaughns, and McAuleys. There were thirty-seven in attend- ance. The record of Dallas City is very incom- plete, but it is known that the present member- ship is about 135. The following are among the many pastors preaching at this place : Revs. M. L. O'Harra, A. P. Rowson, G. McNiel, W. Rosen- crans, J. Callighan, G. W. Gordon and W. J. Perry.
THE NAUVOO METHODIST CHURCH was organ- ized at Nauvoo in 1846 by Jakob Haas as a Ger- man church. The charter members were: John Henry Schneider and wife, Niebor and wife, Kieker and wife, Bredemayer and wife, John Holl and wife, Christ Hummel and wife, Ernast. Dorn and wife and Mrs. William Buesch. This church was merged with the English Methodist Church in September, 1912.
In 1855 a stone church was built costing $1,600. The present church is a frame building ; erected in 1912-13; dedicated January 4, 1913 ; and costing $6,500. This now belongs to the English Conference. The pastors have been as follows: Revs. Jakob Haas, 1846-47; Wilhelm Bauemeister, 1847-48; John J. Hubner, 1848-49 ; John Blank, 1849-50; Frederick Merben, 1850- 51; Frederick Stoffrugen, 1851-53; Wilhelm
Zuppaw, 1853-54; Phillip Hehner, 1854-55; George Boesens, 1855-56; Heinrich Ellerbeck, 1856-58; Frederick Jansen, 1858-59; Wilhelm Medermeyer, 1859-61; Heinrich Thomes, 1861-63 ; John Zaiser, 1863-65; Louis Harmel, 1865-66; Christopher Bouw, 1866-69; Julius Franz, 1869- 72; Ferdinand Arnyperger, 1872-75; Louis Krock, 1875-77 ; Peter Hehner, 1877-79; Samuel Segesser, 1879-81; John Baumgarden, 1881-84 ; Wilhelm Fosh, 1884-88; Paul C. Philipp, 1888- 89; John Baumgarden, 1889-92; George Schulze, 1892-93; Charles J. Lotz, 1893-95; William Ket- telkamp, 1895-96; Philipp Hehner, 1896-97 ; H. F. Schreiner, 1897-99; Rev. Traeger, 1899 to 1901; John Berns, 1901-02. Nauvoo was sup- plied from Dallas City up to 1908, then came Rev. I. Eissman, 1908-11.
TRINITY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF WARSAW was organized in 1847 by Rev. Jakob Haas. The charter members were: Conrad Bott, Peter Wolf, John Roth, Carl Bricker, John Kaufmann, Adam Swiefel, Christ Stephens, Fred Wilke, John Beilstein. The present mem- bership of this church is about 130. The cost of the, edifice in which this congregation worships was $12,000. The total enrollment in Sunday school is about 170; that in the Epworth League is about fifty, and the Ladies' Society has a membership of something like fifty-two.
The pastors of this church have been as fol- lows, in the order here noted: Revs. Jakob Haas, William Baurmeister, John Hueber, John Plank, Fred Merten, Fred Stoffregen, William Zuppan, Philipp Hehner, George Boeshenz, John Kost, Henry Ellerbeck, George Buehner, H. F. Koneke, David Huene, William Koeneke, Philipp Nanmann, Hy Lahrmann, E. C. Magaret, Charles Heigel, William Schoeing, C. Thalenhorst, J. Hildenstein, P. Philipp, F. Eitelgeorge, H. Kasiske, William Lipple, Carl Krughoff, and H. W. Brandt.
THE AUGUSTA CHURCH was organized in 1850 by Rev. D. H. Hatton. The charter members were: David H. Rice, Clarinda Rice, Thomas Leach, Docia A. Leach, Samuel Parrott, Mary Parrott, Alva Rice and mother, Mrs. John Ken- nedy, and Mrs. William Sullivan. The present membership is about 249. The Sunday school has an enrollment of about 246.
The pastors who have served this church'are these : Rev. D. H. Hatton was the first pastor and no record is found up to 1867, then came J. H. Dickens, Henry Willson, William McVey, V. W. McBurney, Reuben Kregg, A. M. Danely,
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY
M. M. Davidson, W. A. Crawford, J. F. Wohl- forth, Thomas W. Greer, J. M. McDonald, J. F. Horney, T. A. Conady, M. A. Hews, T. M. Dil- lon, F. B. Madden, Abner Clark, M. H. Ewers, J. O. Kirkpatrick, W. P. Bowman, Jesse S. Tharp, E. A. Hedges, E. M. Willson, F. E. Smith, David Nelson, Fred Reed. e
The first church erected in 1857 was a frame building, 30x40 feet, and cost $1,100. It was wrecked by the Fourth of July, 1873, storm, was rebuilt of brick the following year, being 40x60 feet, and costing $5,000. This building was torn down in 1896 and used in the construction of the present church, which is 60x90 feet, and cost $13,000. It is built of brick on a stone founda- tion. Augusta in 1842-43 belonged to the Pulaski district.
THE NAUVOO CHURCH. This church was or- ganized in 1854 by Rev. William Beck, and the charter members were as follows: Mr. and Mrs. William Prentiss, Andrew Lacroix and wife, Campbell and wife, O. J. Hall and wife, Nathan Hall and wife, James Lindsey and wife, Will- iam Delaplaine and wife, and Adam Schwartz. The present membership of this church is about seventy-five. The pastors who have served here are not fully listed in the present records of this church, but from 1890, when the church was re- organized, the list is as follows: Revs. Arthur McArthur, D. F. Wilson, T. S. Pittenger, D. P. Wilson, W. A. Cumming, Thomas Comer, M. L. O'Hara, Franklin Rist, T. W. Puffer, John H. Wood, W. R. Carr, Arnold Kost, Emanuel Eis- mann, Lester Black, F. M. Inmann, W. J. Hewitt and Frank Marston.
As near as can now be ascertained the English Methodists worshiped in a small brick building until 1863, when a small stone church was con- structed at a probable cost of $1,800. The pres- ent Methodist church building was dedicated January, 1914; is a frame building, and cost, with labor donated, $7,000. The Sunday school and Aid Society are both in. good working con- dition, and the Women's Foreign Missionary Society also thrives.
THE BOWEN CHURCH was organized in 1856 with charter members as follows: Peter Bowen and wife, Nelson Thrasher and wife, Mrs. Nick Hanson, Mrs. John Hanson, Mrs. John Kenedy, Thomas Machen, Hannah Machen, Mrs. Cath- erine Patchin, and Mr. and Mrs. William Gentle. The present membership of this church is about 337, with a Sunday school of about 351 members enrolled.
From 1856 to 1892 .the record of pastors is missing, hence we give them from the last named date: Revs. Walton E. Roae, 1892; A. B. Peck, 1893; M. S. McCoy, 1898; D. G. Dubois, 1901; A. K. Byrns, 1902; Abner Clark, 1906; W. W. Drake, 1907; T. A. Adams, 1910; W. D. Mc- Intosh, 1912; J. T. McAnalley, 1915; W. F. Hunter, 1917, and C. H. Davis, 1918. The first church was erected in 1865 and remodeled in 1913. The present valuation is $12,000.
THE HAMILTON CHURCH was organized in 1863. The church built three edifices, the first in 1870, the second in 1904, and the last in 1910. The estimated value of property today is $17,000.
The present membership of the church is about 186. The Sunday school has an enroll- ment of about 125. The list of pastors is as follows : Revs. C. E. Harrey, Joseph Halam, C. P. Rolen, J. Hart, W. Earl Balleau, O .L. Peck- enpaugh, G. R. Cady, J. H. Wood, C. T. Whit- son, J. E. Taylor, B. L. Davies, D. F. Wilson, J. E. Mercer, Frank Marston and Edward S. Peterson.
THE BENTLEY CHURCH. A Methodist church was organized at Bentley in 1864 with J. W. O'Harra, Paulina O'Harra, William J. Bates, M. A. Bates, J. A. Bates, William R. Lucky, Bar- bara Shoup and William A. Thompson as char- ter members. A building was erected in 1875. In after years other denominations occupied this field.
THE BASCO CHURCH was organized in 186S. It now has a membership about 132. The first church was erected in 1878. The present church is valued at $3,500, and it is in good repair. In connection with the church is the Sunday school of about ninety members, superintendent being C. L. Steffey.
The pastors who have served this church are: Revs. J. W. Madison, 1879-80; Charles F. McKnown, 1SS0-82; B. T .Parlett, 1SS2-83; Ed- win Knox, 1883-84; T. Greer, 1884-86; J. B. Hormely, 1SS6-87; G. R. Newkirk, 1SS7-SS; T. J. Bryant, 1888-90; John N. Dewell, 1890-91; P. L. Turner, 1892; W. H. McDonald, 1893-94; Jasper Miller, 1894-95; W. T. Evans, 1895-96; E. A. Hedges, 1896-1900; Peter Slagel, 1900; All Nor- fleet, 1901; A. K. Byrns, 1901-02; name missing for 1902-04; C. L. Baughman, 1904-05; G. A. Cox, 1905-06; Fred Reed, 1906-08; A. L. Shafer, 1908-09; F. R. Sebering, 1909-10; George E. Haas, 1910-12; E. C. Swaney, 1912-14; A. E. Saunders, 1915-17; and Boyd L. Rudd, who
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY
came in 1917. The church is in a very flourish- ing condition and the Sunday school now has the largest attendance in the history of the church.
PRESBYTERIAN
THE AUGUSTA CHURCH was formed July 28, 1834, by Rev. Cyrus L. Watson of Rushville, as- sisted doubtless by Revs. Benben, K. McCoy and Dr. Blackburn of Kentucky, and Rev. John Lawton, of Carthage. Rev. Peter Cartwright and Rev. Lawton were among the earliest, if not the very first, to preach in Augusta Township, holding services from 1834 to 1837. The charter members of the Augusta church were: Alexan- der Denny, deceased in 1868; Mrs. Elizabeth Denny, deceased in 1837; Phobe W. Candee, re- cently living in St. Louis; Samuel B. Mead, Arietta Mead, deceased, 1865; Evaline M. Aber- nethy, now of Nebraska; Benjamin Gould, Mr. and Mrs. Dunbar. The present membership of this church is about 175, and the Sunday school has an enrollment of about 100. The present beautiful church edifice cost $15,000.
THE FOUNTAIN' GREEN CHURCH was organized in November, 1840, by Revs. William Stewart and James M. Chase, in the village schoolhouse, with the following charter members: Thomas Geddes, Susan Geddes, James McConnell, Martha McConnell, Samuel Glass, Rachel Glass, Jane Seal, William Foy, Ruth Foy, Irene Foy, and Maryn McClaughrey. The elders were Thomas Geddes and James McConnell. In 1849 Rev. Ralph took over the care of the church which had been ministered to during the foregoing eight years by the two clergymen who established it, and continued in charge two years when he was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Worrell. In June, 1852, an invitation was sent to Rev. Thomas M. Walker to become the regular supply, and he accepted and the succeeding year became the resident pastor and continued in charge for many years.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH at Chili originated with the services held by Rev. Joseph Buffing- ton in 1841 and in 1843. Through his efforts a brick church edifice was erected that was 20x30 feet and in it he and other ministers held services. In January, 1847, Rev. Edward Hollis- ter, assisted by Rev. Warren Nichols, organized the First Presbyterian church of Chili with char- ter members as follows: Levi Weldin, John Slater, David F. Parker, Samuel C. Parker,
Stephen A. Eckley, George J. Weldin, Jonathan W. Todd, David G. Todd, Joseph C. Caine, Eliza Weldin, Jemima Todd, Mary T. Hollister, Tri- phena Holden, Elizabeth Eckley, Sarah E. Todd, Mary A. Caine, Mary T. Hollister, 2d, Emily G. Hollister, Eliza J. Dee, Eleanor Howell, and Sarah Ann Worrell and soon thereafter Elisha Worrell was admitted to membership. Until 1850 Mr. Hollister continued as pastor, and from then on until 1857 the church was supplied with occasional preachers. In that year Rev. Joseph Worrell took charge of the congregation and was there till April, 1868. He was succeeded by Rev. James T. Bliss. In 1872 Rev. John C. Wagaman was there and he preached until 1877. Rev. Bloomfield Wall succeeded him in 1878.
THE WARSAW CHURCH was organized Decem- ber 3, 1843, by Rev. William King of Plymouth. The charter members were as follows: Andrew Weir, Harriet V. Wier, Silas Williams, Elizabeth B. Williams, Louisa A. Williams, Jennette B. Miller, Maria M. Barnes, Eliza S. Chittenden, William Y. Patch and Eliza J. Swoope
The pastors since the beginning have been as follows : Rev. B. F. Morris, 1844 ; Rev. Henry C. Abernethy, 1844; J. M. Grout, J. G. Rankin, 1848-50; W. H. Williams, 1850; George J. Bar- rett, 1850-52 ; C. J. Watson, 1853-55 ; J. J. Marks, 1858-59; * * * J. G. Rankin, 1861-68 ; S. W. Worth, 1869; J. N. Crittenden, 1870-72; J. G. Rankin, 1873-81; W. A. Hunter, 1883-4; R. J. Jones, 1885; H. J. Frothingham, 1891-95; C. M. Taylor, 1896-1900; J. M. Thompson, 1900-08; A. G. Martin, 1908-10; J. M. Thompson, who came in 1910.
The membership is about 129. The Sunday school enrollment is about 200, and it is in a good condition. A brick building was erected in 1856-7 but completely destroyed by fire De- cember 27, 1916. The present building is of brick and was erected in 1917-18, costing $24,700, and dedicated March 17, 1918.
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF CAR- THAGE, of Schuyler (now Rushville) Presbytery, was organized on January 1, 1853, Rev. Thomas M. Walker acting as moderator and Thomas Geddes as elder. The charter members admit- ted on certificate were John Mack, Mary A. B. Mack, Catherine Mack, Mary C. Swan, Wm. Marshall, Mary M. Baird, Mary Fonda, Mrs. Marshall, Elizabeth M. A. Marshall, Jane Mar- shall, and by examination, Mary Mack. John Mack was elected the first ruling elder. The
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY
first board of trustees was composed of five members, David Mack, James A. Winston, Jolın G. Fonda, Emanuel Showers, and Warren Mil- ler, and was chosen for the term of two years. In November, 1853, Rev. Benjamin C. Swan, who had served the church as min- ister from its organization, was elected as the first pastor, with a salary of $500 a year. The first church of this congregation was built of brick, and was completed in 1855. Prior to the erection of this building meet- ings were held in a large upper room of the Artois Hamilton Hotel, and in the court- house. This building was erected on lot seven (7) in block nine (9) on West Main Street, which property is still owned by the First Presbyterian Church, and on which the pres- ent church stands. During the summer of 1900 this first church was torn down and a new brick church was built at a cost of $18,500, and was dedicated on November 11, 1900. On August 9, 1904, this building was destroyed by fire and services were held in the Opera House until the completion of the third church build- ing (also of brick) which was dedicated on June 11, 1905. This building served the con- gregation as a church home until October 5, 1916, when it also was destroyed by fire. The fourth (present) house of worship erected by this congregation was dedicated on November 11, 1917, and on the same day occurred the funeral of Miss Jane Marshall of Burnside, the last charter member of this church. The pres- ent building is of stepple brick.
The pastors who have served this church are as follows :
1853-1860-Rev. Benjamin C. Swan.
1860-1862-Rev. Chauncey D. Leavenworth.
1862-1866-Rev. Samuel Hart.
1866-1870-Rev. Wm. S. Knight, died at Car- thage, Mo., in 1905.
1870-1871-Rev. George N. Johnson.
1872-1876-Rev. Wm. C. Magner, died at Mor- ris, Ill., in the spring of 1920.
1877-1880-Rev Matthew Waldenmeyer, died July 23, 1880, while pastor.
1880-1881-Rev. Daniel M. Moore.
1882-1899-Dr. Smith Harris Hyde, died Octo- ber 4, 1908.
1899-1905-Rev. Fred J. Tower.
1906-1913-Dr. J. Franklin Young.
1914-1919-Rev. Ward F. Boyd.
1919-1920-Rev. George William Brown.
1920-1921-Rev. R. Washington Burton, who is still serving.
This church has sent into the field the follow- ing ministers and missionaries :
Edwin J. Rice, Horatio B. McBride, Frank E. Rand (missionary in the Ponapi Islands), James E. Weir, Theodore Hawley, Fred W. Hawley, James N. Currens, John N. Hyde (missionary to India), A. F. Ernst, Miss Sarah E. McBride (mission teacher in North Caro- lina), Mary Hyde and Nellie Spangler. Others who were preparing for mission work, but died before entering upon their actual labors, were Farrel Hart who was drowned and Ed. M. Hyde, who died of typhoid fever.
Among the families moving to this vicinity about the time or soon after the organization of this church, are such names as Mack, Sholl, Showers, Ogilvie, Sweeney, Woolf, Boude, Mc- Bride, McKee, Sample, Spangler, Cutler, Weir and Miller.
The building committee of the first church (1855) consisted of Adolphus Cherrill, Alex- ander Mack, George Sweeney, Bryant T. Sco- field, Benjamin C. Swan, John Mack and Jacob Sholl. All the members of this committee were not Presbyterians, Mr. Cherrill being an Epis- copalian and Mr. Scofield having no church affiliation.
The Bible School of this church began with the organization of the church. Among the first superintendents were Emanuel Showers and George W. Batchelder. At one time Major Robert W. McClaughry was superintendent of the school. During later years Senator Orville F. Berry has been superintendent of the school, and, his brother, M. P. Berry, one of the prin- cipal teachers. Under the superintendency of Mr. Berry the school has prospered to a marked degree.
The first pastor, the Rev. Benjamin C. Swan, was a man much beloved by the people of Car- thage, regardless of church attachment. There were not many ministers in Carthage when he was here, and he naturally exercised certain of his ministerial functions outside of his congre- gation. A note in the Warsaw Commercial Journal of March 12, 1853, records the mar- riage at Carthage, Illinois, on February 23,
Eng by ES Williams & Fro NY
Munsell Pur
-
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY
1853, by the Rev. Benjamin C. Swan, of Charles R. Scofield to Miss Elizabeth Crawford, daughter of Harrison Crawford. These were the parents of the editor.
Mr. Leavenworth was what might be called an old-fashioned gentleman, not quite so sedate as the average minister, of that day.
Mr. Knight married Miss Anna, the oldest daughter of Mr. David Mack, during his min- istry at Carthage. He was highly educated, earnest and sincere in his ministrations, a com- panionable man, an attractive personality. His brother, Prof. Lyman S. Knight, was prin- cipal of the Carthage public schools for the year 1867-8. During that year, one of the methods of spending the recess periods, morning and afternoon, was the singing of religious songs. Prof. Knight was a good leader, and the singing was engaged in vigorously, and to the enjoyment of all concerned.
Mr. Magner was here for some years and was much esteemed by the people of Carthage. His sermons were characterized by brevity, about twenty minutes as the average. During his pastorate he made a trip to Europe and re- turned home full of information concerning the other continent, which he imparted to his con- gregation without reservation.
Mr. Waldenmeyer was at one time a compe- tent surveyor, and, on account of his work in the ministry and in the Masonic lodge, was one of the best loved of all the ministers who ever served the people of Carthage. His funeral at Carthage was largely attended, not only by the people of Carthage but also by many friends from other parts of the county. The - procession of vehicles extended from the church to Moss Ridge Cemetery.
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