Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County, Part 146

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Short, William F., 1829- 4n
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286

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COLORED CHURCHES.

The African Methodist Episcopal Church was or- ganized in November, 1846, by Rev. Philip Ward. The first meeting was held in a house owned by Rev. Andrew W. Jackson, an able min- ister of the Baptist Church. The members who constituted the organization were Franklin Da-

I. Attachete

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

vis and wife, Chloe Hayden, Abby Allen and Judge Allen. The society continued to worship in the little room in which it was formed for two years, after which they held services in the Mt. Emory Baptist Church during the two suc- ceeding years, when it could be obtained. In 1850 the society, through great effort and sac- rifice on the part of its members, generously aided by others-notably by Judge William Brown-erected a house of worship. That house continued to be used until its destruction by fire March 3, 1868. Afterwards the present commo- dious brick bullding was erected on the north- east corner of Marion and Rockwell Streets.

Colored Baptist Church .- The Mount Emory Baptist Church was organized in 1837, by Rev. Jolin Livingston and Rev. Samuel Ball, with the following seven members; Philis Logan, Clarissa Duncan, Henry Duncan, Sallie Burke, Samantha Woodfork, Adam Young and Julia Young. Henry Duncan was chosen Deacon. None of these charter members are now living. The organization took place in a building located on the west side of Church Street, be- tween College and Marion Streets. The church continued to use that rented house as a place of worship till about 1846 or 1847, when they pur- chased a lot on the north side of Anna Street, between South Church and South West Streets. The contract to erect a neat little frame church with a brick foundation and basement was let to Mr. Jonas Scott and Mr. Bordwell. About that time Andrew W. Jackson, a barber, with his wife, Patsy, became members. Mr. Jackson be- gan studying for the ministry, and became pas- tor of the church. The church continued to grow in numbers. Its membership was largely increased during and after the Civil War by persons coming from the Southern States until 1866, when the church building had become too small to accommodate the congregation, and it was decided to erect a more substantial and commodions house of worship. Accordingly they sold their property on Anna Street to the City School Board, and purchased a lot on the northeast corner of South Church and Marion Streets, from Jordan Duncan, for $1,000, and erected their present church building at a cost of $6,000. It is a brick building, 38 by 56 feet, with rooms on the lower floor for Sunday School and social meetings, and a large and well fur- nished audience room on the second floor. Rev. A. W. Jackson was the pastor and chief director

from the beginning to the completion of its erection. The present membership is about three hundred.

Colored Christian Church .- Rev. Edward Melvin Harlis, pastor of the Colored Christian Church of Jacksonville, was born in Alabama in 1854. He began his public career as an exhorter before leaving his native State. He went to Indiana in 1880 and came to Illinois in 1883. In 1884 he began to study for the ministry in St. Louis, Mo., under the private instruction of Rev. Calvin S. Blackwell, D. D., which he continued one year. He then spent several years in Sunday School and mission work among his people in Illinois, in a number of places. He went to Chi- cago in 1892, where he spent eighteen months in that work. He came to Jacksonville in 1894, and organized and conducted a mission Sunday School in the room of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, on the corner of East Col- lege Avenue and Mauviasterre Street, for a year, or longer; and then in the Free Methodist Church on South Main Street. Assisted by Rev. Alexander Campbell, of Indianapolis, Ind., Mr. Harlis held a meeting four weeks in January, 1896. At the close of that meeting a church was organized by Mr. Harlis, Rev. Samuel B. Moore, D. D., and Rev. Alexander Campbell, consisting of thirty members. The church continued to worship in that place for about eight years, when they removed to Lindsay's Hall on the corner of East North and North Mauvaisterre Streets. In the spring of 1904 they removed to the building on Anna Street, formerly owned by the colored Baptist Church, till March, 1905. Having purchased a lot from Mrs. Mary Roun- tree on Anna Street, they began to build a church in July, 1904. The corner-stone of the new church was laid September 4, 1904, Rev. W. E. Bowen acting as master of ceremonies at the same. The building is 28 by 46 feet, and will cost, when completed and furnished, about $2,000. The Sunday School rooms being fin- ished, they began to occupy the same for all their services March 26, 1905. The present men- bership numbers about forty. The Sunday School has always observed Children's Day, the first Sunday in June, and has never failed to raise the amount apportioned to the school for Foreign Missions ($15 annually), which, con- sidering their number and circumstances, is an example of unsurpassed liberality. Great care- fulness is exercised in regard to the social and

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

religious entertainments of the church, that nothing unbecoming should be allowed. They are strictly educated to support every worthy cause only on its merits, rather than as an ap- peal to sensuous pleasure.

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION.

In the month of May, 1870, Mr. Robert Weid- ensall, Agent of the National Young Men's Christian Association, visited Jacksonville with the view to the formation of a local branch. The first meeting for that purpose was held on the 29th of May, 1870. Subsequent meetings were held at which a constitution and by-laws were adopted, and officers were elected. On the 23d of December, 1870, a called meeting was held. On motion Professor George W. Brown was ap- pointed to examine the subscription list for library and reading room, and, after returning the portion to the subscribers as he thought best, to pay the balance of money in the treasury to the Ladies' Benevolent Association. On motion the Jacksonville Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation adjourned, sine die.

In the spring of 1874, the churches of Jack- sonville united in a series of evangelistic meet- ings which resulted in the greatest religious awakening that had occurred for many years. The fruits of the work were particularly notice- able among young men. In response to a call on the 12th of June, 1874, a meeting for the re- organization of the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation was held at the Illinois Woman's College, which was attended by forty-two persons, who were considered the founders of the society. The Constitution and By-laws of the former associa- tion were adopted, and officers were elected. Dr. H. A. Gilman was chosen President, and was successively re-elected to the same office until November 1, 1877.

Beginning in August, 1875, the Association be- gan the publication of a monthly paper called "Work," which was continued for two years. Valuable lectures and entertainments were fur- nished from time to time. The meetings of the Association were held at such places as could be obtained until the completion of their splen- did building on the southeast corner of Morgan and West Streets, which was dedicated Octo- ber 13, 1881. The building is 60 by 60 feet in size, two stories high, and cost $14,000. It is one of the best Young Men's Christian Associ- ation buildings in Illinois, outside of Chicago,

and is well equipped with all appliances, such as library, reading room, gymnasium and nata- torium. The Jacksonville Lyceum was organ- ized October 25, 1884, under the auspices of the Association, its object being for social inter- course, and the intellectual improvement of the young men who may become members.

CHAPTER XVII.

ELEEMOSYNARY INSTITUTIONS.

STATE BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS-SCHOOL FOR

DEAF AND DUMB-SCHOOL FOR BLIND -- CENTRAL HOSPITAL FOR INSANE-SCHOOL FOR FEEBLE- MINDED CHILDREN-PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS -- PASSAVANT MEMORIAL HOSPITAL-OWES ITS ORI- GIN TO MUNIFICENCE OF MRS. ELIZA AYERS-THE PRINCE SANITARIUM-OAK LAWN RETREAT FOR INSANE-CHRISTIAN OLD PEOPLE'S HOME -- RESCUE HOME FOR WOMEN-COLORED OLD PEOPLE'S HOME.

State School for the Deaf (Charles P. Gillett, Superintendent) .- "This is the oldest of all the charitable institutions founded and fostered by the State. The act creating the institution was passed at the first session of the eleventh Gen- eral Assembly-the last session held in Vanda- lia-and was signed by Governor Carlin, Feb- ruary 23, 1839. Hon. O. H. Browning wrote the act, and was the leader in securing the pasage of the measure, and Governor Duncan became the first President of the Board of Trustees. He was succeeded by Col. Dunlap.1 Amongthe early Trustees were Justices Lockwood and Treat, distinguished members of the State Supreme Court; Governors Carlin and Duncan; Judge Thomas, President Sturtevant and other gentle- men distinguished alike for their wisdom and philanthropy, whose public services and high character are reflected in this institution which stands as their best monument.

"Until 1893, it was the uniform policy of the State to retain, practically for life, such men as these as Trustees, to the great advantage of the people and of the institution through its forma- tive period. The school was opened in 1845 un- der the superintendency of Thomas Officer, with but two pupils in attendance. Mr. Officer was

(1) By act of the Legislature of 1857 the Board of Trustees was reduced to six members and entirely reorganized, Col. Dunlap being retired from the membership.

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

well trained for his duties and admirably fitted for pioneer work. Ten years later, he was suc- ceeded by Philip Goode Gillett, a teacher from the Indiana institution, who for thirty-seven years presided over the institution with an abil- ity which gave to it a national reputation. On July 1, 1893, Dr. Gillett was succeeded by Mr. S. T. Walker, a gentleman of large and varied experience in the education of the deaf, who maintained the traditions of the school for the period of four years, when he was retired, and Dr. J. C. Gordon, who had been identified with the advanced education of the deaf in the col- lege at the National Capital, was invited to take charge of the institution.

"The history of the institution has been that of gradual growth from the beginning. The ma- terial equipment, including the erection of six teen or more buildings, was accomplished chiefly under Dr. Gillett. At present, the oc- commodations are over-crowded and insufficient for the needs of the school. The buildings oc- cupy a tract of fifteen acres, which has been handsomely laid out and ornamented with trees, shrubbery and flowers. The institution also owns a farm of about 120 acres, fifty of which are a recent purchase.

"The institution is in no sense custodial, but is, in fact, a boarding school with special fa- cilitles for instruction in arts and industries, be- sides giving deaf-mutes a common school educa- tlon through the medium of the English lan- guage, which, in a certain sense, is to them a foreign language acquired only through long years of patient work under specially trained teachers. The department of arts and industries embraces such branches as wood-working-in- cluding sloyd for the little folks-shoe-making, printing, painting, baking, gardening, floricul- turc, photography, photo-engraving and domes- tic science, including sewing, cooking, etc.

"The original method of instruction was known as the sign system. In 1868 oral in- struction was added by which certain pupils learned to speak our language and to under- stand the speech of others from watching the movement of the lips. The possibilities of the latter method have gradually received wider recognition and larger application, so that, at present, a very large majority of the pupils re- ceive their education in the oral department.

"Of recent years, there has been a marked change also in the 'silent' or 'sign' department

and instruction by means of signs or gestures, for ideas have given place almost entirely to finger-spelling, by means of which English words, in the finger-spelled form, take the place of gestures. The school is the largest boarding school for the deaf in the world, with 558 pupils in attendance. The course of study covers twelve years. There are twelve teachers in the manual alphabet department, twenty-eight in the oral department, three in the art depart- ment, eight in industries and arts, two directors of physical cultureand fifty-three special trained instruetors in all. The domestic department in- cludes matrons, house-mothers, attendants, ex- perienced nurses, etc. The hospital record is very remarkable. There have been no deaths for two years, and only two deaths in the last five years.

"The annual appropriation for ordinary ex- penses is $106,500, and the annual per capita expenses about $100 per pupil-less than the average of eight of the largest and best schools in America. Although the school ranks well among the best and most progressive schools in the world, its development will require larger expenditures in the future if it is to maintain its present position. Though the cost of main- taining this institution may seem great, it occu- pies the unique position of being the only insti- tution in the State which converts a helpless class of its citizens-otherwise a constant drain upon others and a menace to society-into use- ful, self-supporting, intelligent citizens, contrib- uting their full share to the general welfare of the community at large."-Illinois Blue Book. 1903.

(Charles P. Gillett, a son of Dr. Philip G. Gil- lett, succeeded Dr. Gordon as Superintendent of the institution in 1903, in which he had been a teacher for three years previous, and still re- tains the superintendency. )

State School for the Blind (J. H. Freeman, Su- perintendent) .- "Samuel Bacon, a graduate of the Ohio institution for the instruction of the blind at Columbus, opened a private school for the blind at Jacksonville, this State, June 5, 1848. The following year, largely through his efforts, an act was passed by the General Assembly es- tablishing the Illinois Institution for the Edi- cation of the Blind. The bill for the act was pre- pared by Judge William Thomas, introduced by Richard Yates and signed by Governor French, January 13, 1849, among the first laws enacted

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

during the session. The first term of the State school began the following April in Col. Dun- lap's "Mansion House," with Samuel Bacon Principal, and here continued its work until January, 1854, when it was transferred to the buildings located on a tract of 221% acres about a half mile east of the public square in Jack- sonville, the present site of the institution.

"In 1869 the buildings of the institution were totally destroyed by fire, but a new building was begun without delay and ready for occu- pancy early in 1870. From time to time, addi- tional appropriations have been made for build- ing purposes, additions have been made and new buildings erected for the accommodation of the school; so that now the institution has, besides the main building, a large and well appointed workshop, a dormitory for the shop hands, hos- pital, boys' cottage, girls' cottage, gymnasium, drill hall, barn, boiler house and other struc- tures of minor importance.

"The work done is of the highest grade at- tained in such institutions. A comfortable home is furnished the pupils and every facility pro- vided for their manual and intellectual training. All residents of the State who become inmates receive board, instruction and medical attention free of charge; but it is expected of parents or guardians to provide necessary clothing, to care for their children or wards during the summer vacation, and to pay their traveling expenses to and from the institution. Legal provision is made, however, for the payment of these ex- penses where application is made to the County Judge of the county of which the applicant is a resident, and satisfactory evidence produced that the parent or guardian of the applicant is too poor to meet the statutory requirements con- cerning clothing and traveling expenses. Adults having proper mental, moral and physical quali- fications are admitted to the institution upon the same terms as younger pupils. Besides the strictly intellectual training, pupils are taught to work with their hands, so that many of them become self-supporting, and all find in the man- ual training department means of occupation of both mind and body-learning in the shop and work rooms. bead-work, knitting, crochet- ing, the making of baskets, brooms, mattresses, hammocks, horse-nets, fish nets, and similar branches of handiwork suited to their capabil- ities.

"The school has been fortunate in the Super- intendents who have controlled it and shaped its work. All of them, from first to last, have been men of high attainments, inspired with zeal and devoted to their work, each endowed with some special qualification for his position. During the fifty-three years of its existence, the institution has had seven Superintendents in charge, named here in the order of their ap- pointment: Samuel Bacon, Joshua Rhoades, F. W. Philips, W. S. Philips, Frank H. Hall, W. F. Short, Frank H. Hall and J. H. Freeman. Joshua Rhoades and F. W. Philips each filled a term of fourteen years and Frank H. Hall's two administrations covered a period of eight years. Mr. Freeman, who was appointed in 1902, has been identified with educational work in Illinois for more than thirty years, and besides his meritorious work as Principal and Superintendent, has served the people as Assistant State Superintendent of Public Instruction and is qualified in every way to carry on the work so efficiently conducted by his eminent predecessors."-Illinois Blue Book, 1903.

Central Hospital for the Insane (H. B. Carriell, Superintendent) .- "Much of the credit for the establishment of this institution is due to Miss Dorothea L. Dix, whose whole life was devoted to alleviating the condition of the insane and other unfortunates of various classes. In 1846 she visited Illinois and made an inspection of the jails and almshouses throughout the State. As a result of her investigation, Miss Dix ap- pealed to the Legislature urging that a hospital for the insane be established in this State. A bill was presented to the Fifteenth General As- sembly in January, 1847, and on March 1, of the same year, the act was passed and signed by Governor Augustus C. French, appropriating money for the establishment of the institution which is now known as the Illinois Central Hos- pital for the Insane, located at Jacksonville. Twenty days from the approval of this act, the Board of Trustees met in Jacksonville with seven members in attendance. Col. John J. Hardin having lost his life while leading his regiment, at the battle of Buena Vista, a month previous, W. W. Happy was chosen to fill the vacancy. The Trustees at this meeting arranged to purchase 160 acres of land one and one- quarter miles south of the court house in Jack- sonville, and proceeded to form plans for the

Henry N Hall,

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

building, which was originally intended for 250 inmates. The first patient was admitted No- vember 3, 1851, from McLean County. During the year 138 patients were received. The first Superintendent was Dr. J. M. Higgins, who served until June 1, 1853, when Dr. Andrew Mc- Farland ( who had been at the head of the Insti- tution for the Insane at Concord, N. H.) suc- ceeded him. Dr. McFarland held the position seventeen years with distinction and satisfac- tion to the people. He resigned in 1870 on account of ill-health. He was succeeded by Dr. Henry F. Carriel, of New Jersey, who, upon taking his position, began a complete renovation of the original structure, making many addi- tions and placing the hospital on a high plane among the institutions of its class. Dr. Carriel filled the position twenty-three years, when he was succeeded by Dr. J. F. Mckenzie, of LeRoy, who served two years. Dr. Mckenzie was suc- ceeded by Dr. Walter Watson, who served until July 1, 1897, when Dr. F. C. Winslow, a former assistant physician, was appointed Superintend- ent. At the expiration of four years' service. Dr. Winslow, on account of his high attainments and knowledge of institutional affairs, was chosen to open the new Asylum for the Incur- able Insanc near Peoria, Dr. Joseph Robbins, of Quincy, was appointed his successor, July 1, 1901. At the end of one year Dr. Robbins re- signed and the present Superintendent, Dr. H. B. Carrich, was appointed his successor. (Dr. Carriel, who is a son of Dr. H. F. Carriel, and who has had much experience in insane hospital work, still retains the position.)

"From time to time land has been purchased until the institution now owns 353 acres. For the accommodation of patients there are two large buildings of about equal size, with a ca- pacity of something over 600 patients each. The architecture of the building is not as mod- ern as that of those which have been bullt inore recently, but for comfort and for carrying out the purposes for which the institution was es- tablished, It is quite satisfactory. The annex building is complete in itself in having its own heating plant. kitchens and dining hall, ironing room and amusement hall. The other more important buildings connected with the institution are the infirmary, carpenter shops, power and heating plant, laundry, supply building, cold storage building, kitchen, con-

servatory, two stables and a milk house. The whole cost of the buildings is estimated at about $800,000. The annual appropriation for main- tenance amounts to $175,000. For repairs and improvements the Legislature (1903) appropri- ated the sum of $10,000 per annum."-Illinois Blue Book, 1903.

School for Feeble-Minded Children .- "The Illi- nois Asylum for Feeble-minded Children, now located at Lincoln, Ill., was first established at Jacksonville by an act of the General Assembly, approved February 15, 1865, entitled 'An Act to Organize an Experimental School for the In- struction and Training of Idiots and Feeble- Minded Children in the State of Illinois.' The Directors of the Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumbat Jacksonville were author- ized to take such measures as might be suitable for the purpose of accomplishing the benevo- lent object of the Legislature. The first meeting of the directors was held March 1, 1865, at Jack- sonville, at which time Philip G. Gillett was ap- pointed cx-officio Superintendent, and the selec- tion of the mansion and grounds of former Gov. Joseph Duncan was decided upon and leased for the temporary home of the new institution. On December 13, 1865, Dr. Charles T. Wilbur was elected superintendent, which position he held until October 4, 1883. Subsequent Superintend- ents have been: Dr. W. B. Fish, 1883-1892; Dr. A. M. Miller, 1893-1895; Dr. J. W. Smith, 1895- 1897; Dr. W. L. Athon, 1897-1901, and the pres- ent incumbent, Dr. S. H. McLean, who assumed his duties July 1, 1901. At the regular session

of the General Assembly in 1871, an act was passed incorporating the Asylum for Feeble- Minded Children as one of the permanent char- itable institutions of the State. In April, 1875, appropriations were made for land and the con- struction of buildings for the asylum. After a careful survey of the State, Lincoln was selected as the permanent location.

"Children between the ages of six and eigh- teen years, who are feeble-minded and are so deficient as to be incapable of being taught at an ordinary school, and who are not insane, paralyzed, extremely helpless or afflicted with contagious disease, may be admitted upon re- ceiving the consent of the Superintendent and furnishing the proper bond. Parties desiring to make application for children are provided with blanks for that purpose, which are to be filled

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

and returned to the Superintendent, and blank bonds are supplied if the child is accepted."- Illinois Blue Book, 1903.

PRIVATE BENEVOLENCES.

Besides the eleemosynary institutions in Jacksonville that are supported by the State, as the Central Hospital for the Insane and the State Schools for Deaf and Blind, already men- tioned, there are several others that have been founded for various purposes.

Passavant Memorial Hospital .- Jacksonville is rich in many things, but in none more than its ability to care for the sick and suffering. Over a quarter of a century ago, Rev. William W. A. Passavant began in this place the beneficent work which he had conducted with such great success in other cities, and from that time the institution which he established has grown to its present proportions. The premises known as the Berean College property were then owned by the sainted Mrs. Eliza Ayers, and, with her well known generosity, she donated the plant to the uses of the Association for Works of Benev- olence and Mercy of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, and in that society the title to the property rests. It cannot be encumbered with debt for which the land is held responsible, nor can it be sold until satisfactory proof is given the court that the proceeds will be used to secure a plant for similar purposes some- where else in the city. While the enterprise is under the guidance and management of the as- sociation named, not a dollar is paid to any per- son for salary. The nurses and Managing Sister all come from what is known as the Mother House, in Milwaukee, and that is pat- terned after the world-famed "Mutterhaus" of Germany, where blessed women go to fit them- selves for lives of unselfish sacrifice for the wel- fare of their fellow-men. Each young lady en- tering takes a severe course in the study of nursing, so that when they leave the place they are equipped almost as well as a doctor, and are the indispensable assistant to the physician in the management of diseases and wounds. While they take no absolute vows, it is generally un- derstood that they will stay with the work while they live, and for this they receive their board and clothes and a home when old, when it is well known that persons of their attainments get $20 to $30 a week as nurses in private families.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Morgan County, Part 146

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Short, William F., 1829- 4n Publication date: 1906 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1286

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Short, William F., 1829- 4n
Publication date: 1906
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1286