History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 14

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : O. L. Baskin
Number of Pages: 758

USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois > Part 14
USA > Illinois > Bond County > History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois > Part 14

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

not, however. completed and dedicated until January 1, 1843. Rev. Thomas Lippincott preached the dedicatory sermon.

Up to this time no Presbyterian Church for the old division of the church had been built at Greenville, and many of both branches of the church held their membership together with a number of Congregationalists. By an act of the Legislature of Illinois in 1844, the worshipers of the new building were afterward known as the Congregational Church of Green- ville. About this time the old Presbyterian branch had built for themselves a house of wor- ship, and the churches exchanged and withdrew from time to time according to their peculiar ideas-the Congregational society making some payment to the Presbyterians withdrawing from their church for their interest, and aid in build- ing the Congregational Church. Considering the early period in which it was built, the Con- gregational Church to-day is quite an imposing structure, standing as it does on Lots No. 27 and 28, Davidson's Addition to Greenville.

The church was for many years prosperous, es- pecially so during the time Rev. Robert Stew- art, Rev. George C. Wood and Rev. M. M. Longley were pastors, since which time the church has so often been without a regular pas- tor that its spiritual interests have not advanced as it otherwise would. Rev. John Ingersoll, father of Robert G. Ingersoll, of infidel noto- riety, preached to this church about six months about the year 1852. Since that time Rev. Longley was for a time a stated supply. as also have Rev. Isaac Godell and Rev. M. A. Craw- ford not labored in vain for the short time they each occupied the pulpit. The present pastor, Rev. Joseph Wolfe, sustains well the position assigned him, and the outlook of the church is brightening.

Methodist Episcopal Church .- It is impos- sible to give anything like a complete his- tory of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Greenville, because, as its present pastor,

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Rev. E. A. Hoyt, states, Methodism sets little value on the formalities of organization. Its methods are simple ; those who desire a home in her communion are enrolled as a class, and one of the number appointed her leader. No official minutes of the transactions are kept or recorded, except incidentally on the class books. The first sermon perhaps preached in the county by the minister of any denomi- nation was that by Rev. John Powers, a Meth- odist minister at Jones Fort, in February, 1816. His next appointment was at White's Fort or Hill's Station in March, 1816, and for a time these two forts or stations were his regular preaching places. Jones Fort was in the Green neighborhood, and White's Fort was a few rods southeast of the old residence of Wilson Brown in Section 6, Town 4, Range 3. The first Methodist meetings at Greenville were con- ducted by Rev. John Kirkpatrick, assisted oc- casionally by Rev. John Powers, Joshua Barnes, John Dew and others. The several Kirkpat- rick families were Methodists. The first Meth- odist Church was built about a mile and a half southwest of Greenville where camp-meetings were held for several years, at which an old neg- lected burying ground some eight or ten rods northwest of the southeast corner of north half of northwest quarter of southeast quarter of Section 16, Town 5, Range 3, is yet visable. For more than twenty years after the first set- tlement of the county, Methodist services were very irregular. Mr. J. E. Travis, now living in Greenville, remembers of Methodist preaching at the house of his grandfather, Tapley Young, where the old cemetery is now located, and heard their family relate of those attending church bringing their guns and stacking them at the door whilst two sentinels stood watch outside the door to give the alarm, if any Indians made their appearance. His first ree- ollection was associated with class meeting, being held at the house of one Knapp, in Green- ville, by Rev. John H. Benson, an early circuit

rider of Carlisle Circuit in 1839. His appoint- ment at Greenville was once in four weeks, and continued one year ; only four of that class are obtainable. Knapp and wife, Elizabeth Drake and Elizabeth Stubblefield. The Rev. Thomas Brown was the next to take up the work, just at what date cannot be stated, but he held services once in four weeks until the fall of 1844, when he died, having left a good name. For the next three or four years serv- vices were only held by transient preachers. The first Methodist Episcopal Church built in Greenville on Lot No. 15, Davidson's Addition to Greenville, in the years 1848 and 1849. For several years previously meetings were held in the old court house, and in the Odd Fellows hall, which was the upper story of the present residence of William Evans.

Before the building was erected, the " cir- cuit riders " were unceasing in their labors to increase the membership of the church, and to that end, one of them, a Mr. Falkner, would at the close of every service, " open the doors of the church." On one occasion, after the usual services in the Odd Fellows hall, whilst the brethren were singing a familiar hymn, the minister calling loudly and earnestly for any " who desired to unite with the church to manifest the same by coming forward, and give to him their hand, and God their hearts." As they were singing the chorus of the sec- ond verse, and manifestly a deep feeling pre- vailing through the audience, two well-known females of not the most unblemished char- acter came forward, and gave to the minister their hands, who took them, but without that cordiality sometimes discernible, and with a queer and much-puzzled expression on his countenance, remarked, as he released that slight grasp: " Occasionally, when the fisherman casts in his net he brings in a gar." It is unneces- sary to add, that the records of the church next day did not show any increase of mem- bership for the meeting of the previous night to the Methodist society in Greenville.

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For more than thirty years past the Metho- dist Episcopal Church in Greenville has en- joyed a reasonable degree of prosperity under the charge of the many preachers sent by the conference of the church to minister to her people. A few familiar names of some of those worthy men are called to the mind of those acquainted with the church for half of a century or more, such as Kirkpatrick, Pow- ers, Barnes, Benson, Johnston, Falkner, Lin- genfelter, Munson, Moore, Vancleve, Morrison, Taylor, Waggoner, House, Massey, Van Treese, Gibson, Robinson, down to the present min- ister, E. A. Hoyt.

Some six years ago, the old church was sold, the title to the property being made to some of the members of the Christian Church, and the Methodists by the aid of many friends outside the church, have built a handsome brick edifice on Lot No. 50, on Second and Sumer streets, which was finished and dedi- cated some five years since. The membership of this church is steadily increasing, and their congregations and Sunday schools rank with the first in the city.

Greenville Baptist Church-Was organized September 18, 1836, by Revs. James Lemen Elijah Dodson, Joseph Taylor, Joseph Lemen and A. W. Cooley. The church comprised six members, namely, Lemuel Blanchard, Charles, Eunice, A. N. and Elizabeth C. Norton and Sibbel Blanchard. Within a year of its organ- izing, although without a pastor, and having preaching only occasionally, the number of members had increased to twenty, and np to 1842 twenty-two had been received by experi- ence and baptism, and fourteen by letter, mak- ing the total membership forty-two. From this date, July, 1842, no additions were made, but on the contrary the church declined in nu- merical strength, until in May, 1847, the church relations were dissolved. This was done at a meeting held by the Rev. Ebenezer Rogers, who acted as moderator. At a meeting held in

July, 1847, a new organization was effected, under the title of the Baptist Church of Christ of Greenville. The Revs. E. Rogers and I. D. Newell assisted, and the following persons signed the roll : K. P. and Elizabeth Morse, Sibbel Blanchard, Elizabeth Foster and others. During the year, seven others were added, mak- ing in all twenty-two. Like most churches or- ganized in early days, this one had to depend for preaching for years on such occasional supplies as could be obtained. Among those who occupied the pulpit from time to time were Revs. John M. Peck, James and Joseph Lem- en, Joel Sweet, Elijah Dodson, Joseph Taylor, Eben Rogers and Jonathan Merriman, all now deceased.

The first regular pastor was the Rev. Thomas W. Hynes. He served two months, from June to August, 1838, and was succeeded by Rev. E. Dodson, et. al.

Lemuel Blanchard and M. P. Ormsby were ordained the first Deacons, and served until their deaths, 1838 and 1845, respectively. Ben- jamin Floyd and K. P. Morse succeeded them. Prior to April, 1854, meetings of the church were held in private houses or in the Presby- terian Church. In 1839, the subject of erecting a Baptist meeting-house in Greenville was agitated, but nothing was accomplished, and the courtesies of the Presbyterian Society were gladly extended and accepted, until the present church, 32×50, was completed in April, 1854, at a cost of 82,500. In the summer of 1856, Mr. Charles Perry donated $200, to be used in procuring a bell. The sum was made sufficient by additions, and the present bell, weighing 1,500 pounds, was cast in St. Louis. Much more might be said of this flourishing Chris- tian organization, but space forbids more than that it is firmly established, and is now doing a good work.

Catholic Church of Greenville-Was organ- ized in April, 1877. First mass was celebrated on Sunday, May 6, following, Rev. Father Quitter,

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of Vandalia, officiating. There were but a few Catholies in the Greenville district, and those living remote from Catholic divine service had become lukewarm in the faith. A few of the faithful, feeling the need of religious culture and a strengthened faith, had accustomed themselves to meet in a small hall on the third floor of the First National Bank building. In this room services were conducted for about three years. The subject of a more suitable place of worship was from time to time discussed and a building fund started. The citizens of Greenville were all afforded an opportunity, and many responded with liberal donations, Protestants not excepted. In November, 1879, a contract for the building of their present commodious edifice, situated in the eastern portion of the city, was awarded, the good work pushed to completion. On the first Sunday in June, 1880, Father Quitter, as- sisted by Mr. James Henry and others from Vandalia, celebrated the first High Mass. This congregation was made up of Catholics of many nationalities, but all met upon the one religions plane for one and the same purpose. The same harmony and true fellowship still prevail, and while the eburch is still in its in- fancy, it is thought that a permanent pastor will in the near future be engaged and a larger church needed.

Protestant Episcopal Church .- Up to the year 1878, the Protestant Episcopal Church had not been known in Bond County. There had been several Episcopalians in Green- ville for years past, but no effort had been made to secure the services of the church. Feel- ing the importance of a Christian education for their families they had worshiped with other religious societies.

July 20, 1878, Messrs. C. K. Denny, M. B. Chittenden, W. S. Ogden, Henry Howard and Henry Chittenden met at Squire Howard's office, and there decided to organize a parish to be known as Grace Church. To the above list the names of about seventeen persons were

added, who had been baptized in the Episcopal Church, also names of twelve others who were not connected with any church, and seemed inclined to aid in sustaining this. The Rev. Mr. Van Duzen, then officiating at Paris, Edgar Co., Ill., heard of this movement and visited Greenville, and abont the 1st of August, 1878, and for the first time, services of the Protestant Episcopal Church were held in Greenville, at the Congregational Church. It was found that the Canons of the Diocese did not permit the organization of a parish to so limited a number of communicants. W. S. Ogden was sent to attend the annual Diocesan Convention of 1879, at Springfield, Ill., and to confer with Bishop McLaren, Bishop of the Diocese. He carried with him a petition embracing some thirty-odd names. The petition was favorably acted upon, and Messrs. Ogden and Denny appointed Senior and Junior Wardens ; M. B. Chittenden, Treasurer, and H. A. Ste- phens, Clerk, with Henry Chittenden Li- censed Recorder. In July, 1879, Rev. R. E. G. Huntington was called as Rector of Christ's Church, Collinsville, and as Missionary to Grace Mission, Greenville, and thereafter, fort- nightly, services were held until May, 1881, when Mr. H. resigned and removed to Kansas. During these two years, quite a number were added by baptism and confirmation. The church, however, lost, by death and removals, more than she had gained. For about one year, the church was without a reetor ; but April 1, 1882, the Rev. Joseph G. Wright, of Altamont, took charge of the Mission, and the life of the church much revived. Measures have been taken looking toward the erection of a church edifice, and it is now believed that a pretty Gothic structure, sufficiently large to seat some two hundred worshipers, will be built at a cost not to exceed $2,000, and com- pleted this coming fall of 1882. Everything connected with the Mission, owing to the zeal and energy of the rector, is in a flourishing

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condition, and no doubt but that a bright | future is before it.

for the purpose, and the assembly pays rent for it to him with money put in a box every Lord's Day morning, by those whose heart is opened. and are able to thus contribute not only to expenses of rent, light, and so on, but also for the servants of the Lord, who are trav- eling from place to place, working for the Mas- ter.

The Plymouth Brethren (so called). By one of the Brethren .- Those people who, for about twenty-eight years, have met together in this city 1 as Christians, are not connected in any way with any of the other denominations of Christians, as they meet on quite different ground than they do. First of all, they have no creed; (and A., F. d. A. M., Greenville Lodge, No. 245, received a dispensation October 28, 1866, and the following list of officers were elected : W. H. Collins, W. M .; T. W. Hutchinson, S. W .; W. T. White, J. W .; W. A. Allen, Secretary ; J. Burchsted, Treasurer ; Neely McNeely, Ti- ler. Charter for this lodge was issued October 7, 1857, and was signed by J. H. Hibbard, G. M .; William Lane, D. G. M .; Harrison Dills, S. G. W .; F. M. Blair, J. G. W .; Harman G. Reynolds, Grand Secretary. Charter members were: W. H. Collins, P. W. Hutchinson, W. T. White, John Burchsted, W. A. Allen and Neely MeNeely. According to last report, the lodge contained sixty-five members. as one of them expressed) our creed is the word of God. They take into fellowship any believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose doc- trine is sound according to God's word, and whose walk in the world is in accordance with the teachings of God's word, as to how a be- liever should behave himself, who has been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ. As to their ground of meeting together, they do so as the disciples of the Lord, after he had left them to go in the glory ; that is, meeting every Lord's Day morning to break bread in remembrance of their Lord, as He told them, before He departed, " Do this in remembrance of me." They do not believe in ordination, I. O. O. F., Clark Lodge, No. 3, was insti- tuted January 10, 1839; chartered August 1, same year. The following were the charter members, of whom only one, James E. Star, of Elsah, Jersey County, Ill., is now living. James Clark, Patrick O'Byrne, David P. Berry, George Files, Thomas Dakin. Charter was signed by S. C. Pierce, M. W. G. M .; M. Botkin, D. G. M .; Daniel Ward, G. W .; John M. Krum, G. T .; Alfred Shannon, G. S .; J. R. Woods, P. G .; James E. Star, P. G .; A. W. Chenoweth, P. G .; John R. Batterton, P. G. Original officers were ; James Clark, N. G .; Patrick O'Byrne, V. G .; James Bradford, Secretary ; R. F. White, Treasurer. Present number of mem- bers of the lodge is fifty-three. accepting only the word of God, which says that He has given the church gifts, some apostles, some doctors, evangelist teachers, etc .; not educated by man, but by God alone. They meet without preachers, and any member of the body, led by the spirit, is free to offer a prayer or give a word of exhortation, or words of thanks to the Lord. If the Lord sends them one of His gifted servants from time to time, they gladly receive him, as from the Lord, to either teach, exhort or comfort, or preach the Gospel to sinners. Those gifted servants receive no fixed salary, but depend entirely on the Lord, thus walking by faith, and they are generally better cared for than those who are depending on man for support, though surely I. O. O. F., Greenville Encampment, No. 39, was instituted February 5, 1869. First officers were : Henry Howard, C. P .; C. W. Holden, Il. P .; L. Adams. S. W .; J. F. Bowman, J. W .; man is the instrument that God uses. This is, in short. the history of those people, so called, Plymouth Brethren. The building in which they meet was built by Mr. George Rutchley, , G. A. Collins, Scribe ; E. Reidemann. Treasurer.

Alfred Blackwelder

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY of ILLINOIS

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CITY OF GREENVILLE.

Charter was issned October 12, 1869, and was signed by J. J. Tichner, Grand Patriarch ; N. C. Nason, Grand Seribe. Present number of members, twenty-five.

Independent Order of Good Templars, Green- ville Lodge, No. 446, chartered May 2, 1870, with the following members and officers : C. W. Moore, Wyatt Cansey, J. H. IFallam and thirty- one others signed the call. First officers eleeted: S. French, W. C. T .; Mrs. E. C. Smith, W. V. T .; Rev. M. N. Powers, W. C .; J. J. Clarkson, W. S .; George Perryman, W. A. S .; W. C. Brown, W. F. S .; Mrs. Alice Phelp. W. T. R. E. A .; Munroe MeAdams, W. M .; Miss Alice Alexander, W. D. M .; Mrs. C. Larabee, W. I. G .; H. Il. Hughes, W. D. G .; Miss Kate Kelso, W. R. H. S .; Miss Flora Larabee, W. L. H. S .; H. H. Smith, P. W. C. T. Original number of members in good standing was forty-six. and present number is sixty. The lodge is in a prosperous condition, and aecom- plishing much good.

The title, Women's Christian Temperance Union, is strikingly suggestive of the laudable object of the society. A union of Christian women representing the different evangelical churches, organized so as to systematically, and with the blessings of God, aid in the suppres- sion of intemperance in their midst, working in harmony with the State and National organi- zations of their order. The Greenville Union was constituted April 1, 1879, with officers as follows :

Mrs. E. W. Dewey, President at Large; Mrs. Dr. R. C. Sprague, Vice President at Large; Mrs. A. B. Byram, from the Presbyterian Church; Mrs. S. Perry, from the Baptist Church; Mrs. W. S. Dann, from the Methodist Church; Mrs. Charles Clark, from the Congregational Church; Caroline Phelps, Corresponding Seere- tary; Mrs. Samuel Colcord, Recording Seere- tary; Miss Allie Robinson, Treasurer. The Union is in a prosperous condition and accom- phishing much good, and at their last election.

April 11, 1882, the following officers were eleeted: Mrs. A. E. Haven, President; Mrs. P. C. Reed, Vice President; Mrs. N. H. Jackson, Recording Secretary; Mrs. Mary Murdock, Treasurer. The Union has about thirty en- rolled members.

A temperance society that accomplished mueh good was organized April 6, 1848, by J. R. Woods, A. D. G. W. P. of the State of Illi- nois, with the following charter members: Robert F. White, John Burchsted, John T. Barr, Otis B. Colcord, Daniel Detrick, John Waite, Franklin Berry, John A. Dowler, S. B. Holcomb, George Ferguson, Nathaniel Maddux, Lonson Lane, Joseph T. Fouke, Samuel II. Crocker, E. Gaskins and James Stafford. The following officers were elected and installed: Franklin Berry, W. P .; John T. Barr, W. A .; John Waite, R. S .; S. B. Holcomb, A. R. S .; Joseph T. Fouke, F. S .; Daniel Detrick. F .; R. F. White, C .; George Ferguson, A. C .; Nathaniel Maddux, I. S .; O. B. Colcord, O. S .; E. Gas- kins, P. W. P. James Stafford was appointed Chaplain, and John Waite alternate. During the remainder of April sixteen more were added to the membership, making thirty-two. This number increased rapidly, and the pros- perity of the order was unbounded. Many men joined who had been for years habitual drunkards, came for miles to attend the meet- ings, and in most cases were prosperous in their business whilst they were members, and often testified to their enjoyment during those several years of their membership. It gave way to other temperance societies, its last meet- ing being April 29, 1853. Its enrollment was over 200 members.

Integrity Lodge, No. 72, A O. U. W., was instituted April 28, 1877, with the following officers: S. M. Inglis, P. M. W .; George S. Phelps, M. W .; Henry Howard, F .; William Ballard, O .; Cyrus Birge, Recorder; George C. Scipio, Financier; M. V. Denny, Receiver; C. W. Holden, G .; Samuel Werner, I. W .; S. M.

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HISTORY OF BOND COUNTY.

Tabor, O. W. Henry Howard was the first representative to the meeting of the Grand Lodge at Ottawa, Ill., February, 1878. The lodge now has sixty-three members, and is in a prosperous condition.

I. O. M. A. was organized September 20, 1880, with the following officers : J. J. Clark- son, P .; C. W. Sawall, P. P .; John Kingsbery, V. P .; Henry Rammel, R. S .; J. M. McAdams, F. S .; H. T. Powell, T .; E. C. Stearns, J. J. Clarkson, H. T. Powell, Trustees ; A. T. Reed, C .; C. H. Beatty, I. G .; O. L. Lupton, O. G.

The I. O. M. A. is a State organization, and the Greenville branch contains twenty-seven members.

The Greenville Band consists of thirteen public-spirited and enterprising young men of esthetic musical tastes, who have, by enduring perseverance, accomplished much in the way of musical culture, and rendered themselves a credit to their city, county and State.

The band was organized October 10, 1879 ; chartered November 12, 1880, with John A. Elam as their leader ; Adel Albright, first E flat cornet ; Ward Reid, second E flat cornet ; Will E. Robinson, clarionet ; Charles Thraner, piccolo ; Wallace Barr, first B flat cornet ; Will Johnson, second B flat cornet ; Will Donnell,

third B flat cornet ; Robert Johnson, first solo alto ; Jesse Watson, second solo alto ; Walter Powell, third solo alto ; Rome Sprague, first tenor ; Jesse Smith, second tenor ; Frank Shaw, baritone ; Louis Derleth, tuba bass ; Frank Boughman, tenor drum ; Will White, bass drum and cymbals.

Of the above only five were, according to law, old enough to have their names appear on the charter, namely, Leader Elam, Messrs. Al- bright, Johnson, Shaw and Boughman. Messrs. Reid, Robinson, Albright and Smith have re- signed and their instruments are at present si- lent, but a movement is on foot that will un- doubtedly result in filling their places.

On the evening of September 20, 1880, the band was treated to a most happy and appro- priate surprise by the loyal ladies of Green- ville, who presented them with an elegant flag of our country, twelve feet long and six feet wide, mounted on a substantial staff, and sur- mounted with a gold gilt American eagle with extended pinions. The stars are worked in silk floss, and among them appear the letters G. B. The cost of this flag was $50. The band is in constant practice, and bids fair to soon become one of the best in Illinois.

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CHAPTER XII .*

GREENVILLE-A RETROSPECTION-BUILDING OF JAILS-SITUATION OF THE CITY-MORE OF THE EARLY BUSINESS AND BUSINESS MEN, STORES, ETC .- GRIGG, BARR, DAVIS, ELLIOTT AND OTHERS-AGRICULTURAL WAREHOUSES-THE BANKING BUSINESS-SHOPS AND MECHANICS-SUMMARY, ETC., ETC.

TO what extent the early settlers of Bond County believed in the existence of ghosts, no official record has been left; but they have recorded their belief in that mys- terious healing art where faith is the active agent as late as June 2, 1829. In that rec- ord is found that Polly Harness, " in conse- quence of a canser or ulser is unable to earn a livelihood;" whereupon the court makes the following order: "Ordered, that Thomas Hunter be appointed Agent to convey Polly Harness to a Dutch Doctor, living about ten miles below Herculanium, in Missouri, and that the sum of $30 be paid to said Thomas Hunter to defray said expenses." The record in due time shows that the said Thomas Hun- ter reported to the court the delivery of the said Polly Harness to one " William Neill, and took his receipt for the cure and main- tanence" of the said Harness "near Harkale- naum," and that the $30 was duly expended; after that announcement the record is silent.

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History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, Part 14

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : O. L. Baskin Number of Pages: 758

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : O. L. Baskin
Number of Pages: 758