USA > Illinois > McDonough County > Bardolph > History of Bardolph, Illinois > Part 5
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HISTORY OF BARDOLPH, ILLINOIS
meetings. Prayer meetings sprung up as by magic, and people would go miles to their neighbor's houses to attend these mid-day meetings. At Wheeler's, McCandless', Lawson's, along Crooked Creek and north, in the southwest and southeast neighborhoods these services were held almost daily. At each service the church was filled to overflowing. In order to obtain seats people came early, and then earlier and earlier, until five o'clock in the evening would find a great number collected waiting for services to begin. The spirit of God was with them and results followed.
Later other revivals followed, and as was said, new plans had to be made. This first building had now been used for a period of fourteen years, the erection being the result of much labor and self-denial. But being too limited for the congregation, which had often found it "the gate of heaven to their waiting souls," the children of the church took up the language of the prophet, "The place is too straight for us; give place to us that we may dwell." Thus it was that it was sold, tho it still stands, after all these years, in fair condition. To a great number of people it is known as the "Old Rink," and has been used for various purposes. Now the upper part is occupied by the Woodmen as a hall, and the lower by the printing press.
At the same time, 1867, a new building was projected to be built on the same site as the old one at an expense which was clearly foreseen would involve no little self-denial. This building was not much unlike the present one, having a neat frame surmounted by a spire, being well furnished within and without, there being ample room for three hundred persons comfortably seated. The cost, all told, may be put down at $8,000. This building completed, was dedicated in the spring of 1868 by Rev. George Norcross of Galesburg, assisted by W. C. Mason, taking for his text, "Holi- ness becometh thine house, Oh Lord, forever." The debt of this church was more than cancelled on this day, thus enabling the congregation to furnish their new home appropriately.
During the twenty-five years following the dedication the church pro- gressed nicely. They had a nice, comfortable home, all free from debt. But on April 1st, 1893, misfortune struck them like a thunderbolt. For again in Bardolph the air resounds with the frightful peal of the fire alarm. Instantly the people swarmed the streets. Cries and calls are mingled in utter confusion. The scene beggars description as the crackling of the timbers are heard and the lurid glow and heat of the flames throw itself in every direction. Gradually, as we view the scene, comes the semblance of order, as men form and by use of buckets and water endeavor to allay the ravaging demon. But all in vain. The powerful fiend holds sway until all within its reach is consumed. Sad the sight was, as the communicants of this church tearfully looked upon the dying embers of their beloved church home as the fire swept ten buildings in their little town, including this second church, which caught from a spark in the belfry carried from another building. But faith and courage came to this working band of
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Christians and a new edifice, this being the third and present building, was erected over the gloomy ashes by I. N. Willis, of Table Grove, on a con- tract price, $3,687. The details were looked after, making a total cost of $4,172. The building committee was composed of Dr. Nutting, J. Kimble, J. M. Pelley, Mrs. J. T. Parvin and Mrs. J. M. Work. This building is 38x60 feet, the audience room is 38 feet square. The pulpit is located in the northeast corner of the room, the choir platform being to the left, oc- cupying a recess four feet in depth. The room is seated with two hundred folding chairs, arranged in semi-circular tiers, facing the pulpit, with a main aisle crossing the room diagonally. From the main entrance, at the corner opposite the pulpit on the west, is a lecture room, 19x22 feet, sepa- rated from the audience room by a movable partition-large sash filled with opaque glass which may be conveniently elevated, thus practically throwing the two rooms into one. The windows are filled with stained glass of varied colors, shedding a soft and pleasant light. The floor is nicely carpeted, the walls and ceiling tastefully decorated. The inner woodwork is of hard pine in oiled finish. Heat is supplied by a hot air system located in the basement, a bell, weighing 1,013 pounds, occupies the belfry. The exterior was tastefully painted by Creel & Son. The dedicatory sermon was preached by the Rev. S. H. Parvin of Muscatine, Iowa, Oct. 15th, 1893, taking for his text, "That He might present it to Himself, a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish," Eph. V, 27. Following the sermon, Rev. Nutting, the pastor at that time, dedicated the beautiful structure to the worship of Almighty God. A most surprising feature of the occasion was the an- nouncement by Dr. Nutting that the debt incurred in the entire construc- tion and furnishing of the building, had been provided for to the last cent. The dedication of the church without the usual "subscription" to help pay out appeared to prove so great a disappointment to the audience that the good pastor suggested that a new organ was contemplated and kindly gave an opportunity to any one who desired to contribute for that purpose, and $189.50 was so contributed. While there lacked five dollars in the raising of subscriptions, a letter was received by Dr. Nutting from Miss Maggie McDonald, of Zanesville, O., a former resident of this place, and curiously enough an offering of just the exact amount required to liquidate the church indebtedness was announced. Good Dr. Nutting's benevolent smile was a benediction in itself. The clouds of disaster passed away. The sun of prosperity shone with renewed splendor. Grateful hearts gave thanks anew, faith strengthened, "purified as by fire."
Thus, while at first the disaster seemed more than could be borne, while it appeared as if to build anew would be an impossibility, yet there came to all with renewed force this fact that "Our insufficiency is God's opportunity," and trusting to Him when others were powerless, He would not neglect to give His children help. Thus, as we often see individuals drawn to Christ by misfortune, so this church by misfortune came even into closer fellowship and comradeship with the Master.
The estimated valuation of this third building with lot is fixed at $5,000; the manse and lot at $2,000. The lot which the manse stands on
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contains about one and a fourth acres of ground which was donated by Mrs. J. M. Work to the church. It is located about four blocks north of the church.
During the history of the organization there have been placed on the list of communicants the names of 654 persons who have been members of this church. The present membership being one hundred, the decrease being largely due to removals.
It, no doubt, will be interesting to the readers of this book to know these bits of interest: On Nov. 11, 1866, occurred a double wedding, which was the first in this church, pronounced by Rev. H. C. Mullen, the couples being Mr. John Parvin and Miss Mollie Hoagland, Mr. Zimiri Par- vin and Miss Adda Sutten, all of Macomb Township.
The first babe christened in this church occurred on October 29th, 1852, which was William Reed McCandless, aged six months, and son of S. H. and Delia McCandless.
The following is the list of pastors of this church: J. M. Chace, J. C. King, H. C. Mullen, C. Lavenworth, Ralph Harris, W. H. Smith, R. T. McMahon, A. G. Baker, Joseph Platt, H. K. Hennigh, Levi C. Littell, D. G. Bruce, C. Bristol, Dr. R. Nutting, M. L. Johnson, E. H. Montgomery, J. B. Vance, A. C. Shelby, Melvin Laird, L. B. Dye, and A. A. Pratt, who is the present pastor.
The church organizations are as follows: Sabbath School, Christian Endeavor, Woman's Missionary Society, the Ladies' Aid Society.
The present officers are as follows :
Session Members-Rev. A. A. Pratt, W. F. Roberts, W. W. Hen- dricks, Charles Harris, Robert Hunter.
Church Trustees-John Parvin, William Edmonston, Howard Smith. Deacons-W. W. Harris, Clarence Watson, John Parvin.
All the services of the congregation, Sabbath School, Christian En- deavor, and Mid-week Teacher's Prayer and Study meetings, are held regularly each week.
At present the signs of growth are more apparent in the members and interest of the morning church service and of the Sabbath School ser- vice. Harmony and the best of feeling seem to prevail among all the offi- cers and members.
The women's organizations are doing good work.
The money raised for missions by the Woman's Missionary Society is large in proportion to membership.
The Aid Society does fine service in its line of work.
This church, like so many others, is a feeder to the churches in larger towns. Yet it is trying to do its part in maintaining and increasing the spirituality of its membership and the community. Its finances are in good standing and all such obligations are very promptly met. That the head of the church may use this and her sister church in Bardolph to continually bless this people in their bounds is no doubt the wish and prayer of all its friends.
REV. A. A. PRATT
The present minister of our Presbyterian church is a native of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. He was reared on a farm and later, after receiving his
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common schooling, attended and graduated from the Queens University at Ontario. Following up his work, he took the course for the gospel min- istry at the McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago.
Finishing this, he entered Christ's service and served in various places in Iowa and Illinois as pastor. At present he is in his 5th year of work at this place.
He is open hearted, jovial and common, thus winning the love and confidence of all who know him. His being among us has been a blessing and many are the kindnesses he has shown to all.
REV. DR. RALPH HARRIS
A practicing physician and also minis- ter of the gospel, was organizer and later pastor of the Bardolph Presbyterian church. His birth occurred in Charlotte County, Va., on the 6th day of April, 1812. His parents, Robert and Mary Bailey Harris, were both natives of Vir- ginia, although his grandparents on both sides came from Ireland, descending from Scotch ancestry.
His father was a farmer and black- smith, and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Twice he was. mar- ried and had seven children by each REV. RALPH HARRIS wife, Ralph being a son of the latter. Being left an orphan at an early age he had to shift for himself. During the early years of his life he stayed in his native county and attended school. When twelve years old his guardian said he had enough of schooling and he was bound out to learn the cab- inet maker's trade. For five years he worked at this trade and then bought his way out for $100. At once he entered school at Danville, Kentucky, and continued his work as rapidly as possible, finally securing the A. M. and M. D. degrees. In 1838, he entered the ministry which he engaged in until 1867, when he felt his health breaking down. He studied medicine, securing his Dr's degree and beginning its practice, which he successfully followed until 1884, when he retired to private life.
The Dr. was maried twice, first to Miss Martha P. Hughes, of Dan- ville, Ky., Oct. 2, 1834; second to Miss Mary P. Wilson on the 31st day of May, 1837, ten children blessing their union. In 1849 he took charge of the M'cDonough College and served at Macomb for six years as pastor. It was during his pastorate here that he helped to organize the Bardolph Presbyterian church, of which he later became pastor. In 1855 he went to Missouri and settled on a farm near Cameron, DeKalb County. During his stay here he had charge of various country churches in that locality. Fin- ally in 1861 he returned to Macomb and the next year went into service as chaplain of the 84th Ill. Volunteer Infantry, but on account of poor health
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was discharged, after six months' service. From this time on, he practiced medicine at various places until 1881, when he settled permanently at Ma- comb, where he died in 1895, being one of Macomb's oldest and most highly respected citizens.
PRESBYTERIAN MINISTERS
REV. MONTGOMERY
REV. H. C. MULLENS
REV. L. B. DYE
Was born in Marietta, O., Sept. 9th, 1835. His father being a farmer, he lived a farmer boy's life until he reached the age of 16. At this time he was sent to college at Marietta, from which in- stitution he graduated four years later. During the period of his life that he spent here he had the ministry strongly in view, but becoming doubtful as to his call, he became a teacher and taught at different places for a period of 24 years, not only in Ohio, but also in Michigan and Illinois.
At the age of 45, his former impres- Photo by A. M. Beal sions relative to the ministry returned, REV. L. B. DYE and he answered the call. He served as an active minister for some twenty- six years, retiring from vigorous service while at Bardolph, after serving the Presbyterian church of that place loyally and patiently for a period of four years and six months. He now resides at Bardolph, is hale and hearty and expects to make this his home the remainder of his days.
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HISTORY OF BARDOLPH, ILLINOIS
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
N the year, 1836, November 11th, there landed in this vicinity, then known as Wolf's Grove, a devout and God-fearing man and woman who might well be called the father and mother of Bardolph Meth- odism. This devout couple was William Howard Jackson an Ann Jackson, his wife.
In early life Mr. and Mrs. Jackson had given their hearts to God and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, which church soon recognized in Brother Jackson talents, devotion, and worth. In 1831, under the pre- siding eldership of a man by the name of John Hersey, back in one of the Virginia Conferences, he was voted a local preacher's license and author- ized to preach the gospel.
Rev. W. H. Jackson, as he was ever afterwards called, was one of the sturdy pioneers of this county and especially of this community, who not only desired to open up the vast and beautiful prairies for settlement, that men might prepare comfortable homes for their families and their
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children's families, but to sow the good seed of the gospel in the hearts of those who should be his neighbors, to make his people a religious and God- fearing people which delighted in righteousness, that the rising generations might be reared in the midst of the highly educated influence of the re- ligion and faith of Jesus Christ which he himself held so dear.
Accordingly he held it was just as necessary and essential to look after the spiritual needs as it was the intellectual and physical, and no sooner was he settled in his then western home than labor was begun for the or- ganizing of a church. All thru the following winter and spring much effort and labor was put forth, with house to house visitation in evidence, until God crowned the labors so cheerfully given with fruitage and victory, for on or about the 18th of May, 1837, in a log house, the home of a contem- porary pioneer, Mr. Jacob Kepple, on what is now known as the B. Hager farm, one-half mile south of town, the first Methodist Episcocal Society in this vicinity was organized, with the assistance of a Rev. Thompson, then located at Macomb, and pastor of the church at that place. This first Methodist Episcopal organization or church consisted of five members and one probationer. The members were Rev. W. H. Jackson and his good wife, Ann Jackson, Mrs. Elizabeth Culp, Mrs. Margaret Kepple and Har- riet Vincent-Jacob Kepple joining on probation. Apparently this was a very small beginning, but as "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump," or "The mustard seed, though the least of all seeds sown by the husbandman, becomes the greatest of all the herbs and shooteth out great branches, so that the fowls of the aid may find shelter therein," so this little society of Methodists, consecrated to the service of Jesus Christ and to the furtherance of his truth, was destined to grow into a strong church, making its influ- ence felt in all the affairs of the community and town, and proving a great blessing to the souls of men.
After the organization of the church in 1837, Rev. William H. Jack- son, the saintly local preacher, was chosen class leader or general shepherd of the little flock, and was really pastor, tho Rev. Thompson was thus ap- pointed by the Annual Conference.
Preaching was held once every six weeks on Friday afternoons at the home of Jacob Kepple. The circuit to which the society belonged was so large that even by preaching from one to three times a day, the preacher could make the circuit but once in six weeks. It extended as far west as Nauvoo and Warsaw on the Mississippi, and as far south as Beardstown, on the Illinois River. The country was open and wild, with few inhabi- tants, no beaten paths or roads, save here and there an occasional Indian trail. There were no bridges across the streams or rivers, making travel, by wading swamps and fording streams, extremely hazardous. Sometimes it would be six weeks from the time the pastor, or local preacher, would set out to make the circuit until he would get back to his family, or the family even hear from him. A little incident related will illustrate something
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of the openness and wildness of the prairies. One Sabbath morning, bright and early, the local preacher saddled "Old Bob," for such was this particular circuit rider's faith- ful horse called, and set out to the southward to make one of his ap- pointments, down south of Indus- try. As they proceeded on their way the preacher was soon lost in the study of his sermon and the meditation of His word. There was no road and the preacher car- ried no compass, but trusting im- plicitly to the horse to carry him aright, he rode along without a thought as to the way, but about noon, while the people at home were assembled for worship, he came riding up, much surprised to find himself at his starting point, for Old Bob had gone in a circle. REV. M. S. SWISHER AND FAMILY However, as soon as he came to himself and was persuaded to believe that he was at home instead of some place else, he turned in and preached to the home congregation.
Another time the local preacher started out on "Old Bob" to make the circuit and when he had gotten as far as Warsaw, "Old Bob" concluded to fall from grace and declined to go farther, so giving his master the slip, he came back home, leaving Brother Jackson to make the circuit or get back home the best way he could. However much or little the old horse was disinclined to carry his master over the circuit to warn "sinners to flee from the wrath to come," it was few times he failed him, or even hes- itated to plunge through dangerous sloughs or flooded streams, carrying his master hundreds and hundreds of miles and dying at the ripe old age of 32 years.
Though the circuit was so large that preaching was held but once in
REV. J. C. CRAINE AND FAMILY
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OF BARDOLPH, ILLINOIS
HISTORY
six weeks when the church was or- ganized, after a few years it was held every four weeks, and later as com- munities grew and roads were opened it was held every two weeks until at the present time, after years and great changes, preaching is held twice every Sabbath.
From 1837 to 1839, services were held in the home of Jacob Kepple, the place of its organization, and from 1839 to 1848 in the home of the local preacher, W. H. Jackson. From 1848 to 1857, their place of worship was the schoolhouse, about a mile south of town, on Jacob Kepple's farm (near where Mr. John Smith now lives). In 1857 their place of worship was again removed to the schoolhouse at Bardolph, which stood on the very REV. G. D. DUBOIS spot where now stands the residence of Mrs. Jennie Hamilton. Occasion- ally a service was held in a schoolhouse, three miles southeast of town, and in one a mile southwest of town.
In 1862 they were again deprived of a place to worship, one school- house being sold and the other being moved away. Seemingly there were many discouragements and difficulties for Methodism in this place to meet, but undaunted, the officials got to- gether and decided something must be done to keep up the church organ- ization and continue the preaching services. Accordingly a building was rented in which to hold services, which stood where Fred Runkle's black- smith shop now stands. Some time after this, the Presbyterians very kindly offered the use of their church which was very thankfully accepted.
About this time a movement began to materialize, however, for the build- ing of a church, and in 1866 the lead- ing members of this church, together
REV. C. E. ROSENKRANS
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with the leading members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Society, then holding meetings here, decided to build a church for the two denomina- tions. In the latter part of May, 1867, just thirty years after Methodism in this place was organized, their permanent meeting place, or church edi- fice, was completed and dedicated on or about the 1st of June by Rev. William Rutledge, of the Methodist church, and Rev. Andrews, of the Cumberland Presbyterians. The church edifice was built at a cost of about $3,700. But like Moses, who was not permitted to enter Canaan's land, but only view its beauty and fertility from Pisgah's lofty heights, so Rev. William Howard Jackson, the father of Bardolph Methodism, was never permitted to enter the church which was to be the permanent meeting place for the members of the Methodist church of Bardolph, for God called him to the church triumphant Sept. 2d, 1866, a few months before the church was dedicated.
About the time of the dedication of the church the name, Methodist Society, was changed to the Bardolph Methodist Episcopal church and to the Bardolph charge.
Along about 1880 or 1881, the Methodists bought the interests of the Cumberland Presbyterians, the latter society dissolving, after about 14 years of very harmonious and pleasant relationship, the preacher of one de- nomination preaching one Sabbath and the other, the alternate Sabbath.
Soon after the Cumberlands sold out, the Methodists decided to re- pair and re-dedicate, Rev. G. J. Luckey officiating at the dedicatorial ser- vices, since which time the Methodists have had a permanent abiding place. Previous to this, the church had belonged to the Marietta circuit at times, and at times to the Macomb circuit. Sunday services were a very rare thing until in 1849 an occasional service was held on Sunday. The church has passed through many wonderful revivals. A notable one was exper- ienced about 1879 or 1880, when a hundred or more conversions were made, with many accessions to the church. In 1888 another big revival was held during the pastorate of Rev. W. H. Cooper, when one hundred and twenty-five or more souls turned to Christ. Other revivals had on the charge brought from ten to sixty "To him who taketh away the sins of the world." Among these was one held during the pastorate of Rev. J. C. Craine about 1904. Both churches, the Methodist and the Presbyterian, united in this under the leadership of a Rev. Miller, a special evangelist. The interest created was intense, especially among the young men, and at once numerous prayer meetings began to be had. As a result of these, under the guiding influence of Rev. Craine, the boys of both churches united in forming a Christian organization known as the "Christian Men's Club." The purpose of the club was the study of God's word and the up- building of Christian character among the young men. Its influence was felt in all departments of village life. Every Saturday evening, which was their meeting night, found from 20 to 40 young men gathering together,
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Bibles and Sunday School Journals in hand. Social festivities of all kinds gave way to the C. M. C. on these nights and it was understood by all that nothing should interfere with these meetings. They had a wonderful in- fluence and young men, who felt sometimes weak in faith, received strength and stood firm.
The next, another union revival, under Rev. Baker, brought additional young men, until 50 or 60 were enrolled, there being scarcely a young man in the village or neighborhood but what belonged.
Charles K. Harris was president; Conwell Smick, vice president, and Archie O. Heck, secretary of the first organization.
Under Rev. D. G. DuBois, while no special evangelistic effort was made, still, numbers were added to Christ's people through the personal touch which he made a special work of, and the church was greatly strength- ened by this means. During the seventy-four years' history of the church it has had about fifty-eight or fifty-nine pastors and fifteen or eighteen local preachers, the former being :
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