History of Bureau County, Illinois, Part 24

Author: Bradsby, Henry C., [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Chicago, World publishing company
Number of Pages: 776

USA > Illinois > Bureau County > History of Bureau County, Illinois > Part 24

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).

The first claim made on Chenoweth Prairie, which lies between Senachwine and Main Bureau was in 1834, by Ferrell Dunn, on the farm now owned by Alauson Benson. In the early part of 1835, Elder J. B. Cheno- weth (a sketch of whom appears in another chapter), Elisha Searl, H. Sheldon and P. Kirkpatrick, settled here. Hosea Barney came here in 1837. He had a 160-acre interest in the colony. He was from Taunton, Mass., born November 11, 1801. He was a mill- wright, and had gone South and in South Car- olina had built dams and locks on the canal. In 1835 he went to Cuba and put up for a

man in Rhode Island, the first steam-mill in Cuba. He married Hannah Nicholas before coming West. She was a native of Plymouth, Mass. She died here in 1869. Two of her children-Howard E. and Herbert now liv- ing on the old homestead.

Edward Dana was born in Providence, R. I., March 19, 1804. He commenced his bus- iness, a tailor. Married Mary Lockwood. Came to the county in 1837; settled in Prov- idence. Portions of the colony had preceded him. On his arrival, he found an unfinished hotel, and there was at work for the company Samuel Morse, Anthony Luther, John Lon- non, Darins Wheeler, George Rose, Caleb Charles and Albert Haskel. Mr. Dana built a log-cabin and moved into it. On May 8. some of the members of the colony arrived. The most of them in a sorry plight; foot- sore, worn-out aud badly homesick. Mr. Dana had heard they were coming and his wife had prepared supper for them. They fed them well, but many were wretched and dissatisfied, and Mrs. Cameron declared she would not change her dress until she went back East. As it was fully three months be- fore she could return, and she kept her word about changing her dress, the reader can im- agine it was literally worn off by the time she got back home. Mr. Dana soon moved into Tiskilwa and followed his trade. In 1846 he commenced farming. Mr. Dana was married the second time to Mrs. Sarah Beaumont (nee Sarah Douglas).

An old soldier of the war of 1812 was Thomas Doe, born April 11, 1818, in Lincoln County, Me., and died here December 1, 1868, a carpenter by occupation. He was several years Clerk of his township.

Robert Hinman came to Wyanet in 1838. He was born September 5, 1804, in Vermont. He followed the sea for years and in 1826 he was an humble fisherman, "where fishers gang

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HISTORY OF BUREAU COUNTY.

to fish for cod." He married December 4, 1828, in Vermont, Mindwell A. Bartlett, who is the mother of eight children.

A Menonite Church was built in Indian- town Township in 1873, costing $2,600. Joseph Burckey, John Burcky, John Albright and Peter Baufman are the leading members of this church.

George E. Dorr was an early tavern-keeper at Bulbona's Grove. He was in his day one of the celebrated landlords along the Galena stage road. He was a native of Chatham County, N. Y. His father was born Novem- ber 5, 1821. He came to Illinois in 1837 and improved what is yet known as Dorr's Hill. He was one of the first Postmasters at this place, a position he filled for eight years. He was for a long time a Justice of the Peace.

The Hunters .- There were fourteen of this family came together to Burean County, of these, Enoch Hunter was born in the mount- ains of Vermont in 1824. He came here with his father and has been one of our most successful and enterprising farmers. In 1847 he was married to Miss Adeline M. Baker, a native of Chautauqua, N. Y., horn November 2, 1829; a daughter of Almon and Julia Baker. Of this union have been born six children.

David Chase came here in 1834, a native of Roylston, Mass., born April 30, 1811. He married Lucy Brigham in New Hampshire and at once started to Illinois (see sketch of Joseph Brigham). Mrs Chase lived with her son, David W., until her death July 1, 1882. Mr. Chase was a very quiet, good man and always avoided noisy politics. They had three children -- Lucy Abagail married Oscar Mead. She died in 1879. David Warren lives on the old homestead, and Mary Ellen is the wife of Arthur Fruett. David W. was born January 11, 1844. and except six years he spent in Iowa has lived

all his life in the county. In 1862 he mar- ried Miss Mary Coddington, daughter of James Coddington, deceased. She was born December 23, 1840.

Walnut and Ohio Townships. - These are two of the choice portions of the county, and yet they remained vacant land mostly until 1850. We have had freqnent occasion to name the Ament families. They were the first in this part of the county. In 1833 James Claypool settled here and in 1836 he sold to the Den- hams, who looked at the country and con- cluded it would some day be an excellent stock country, and they bought with a view of making a stock-farm-a place to produce improved stock.

In the summer of 1836, a man named Martin claimed Walnut Grove; built a cabin, broke and fenced some prairie, but next year A. H. Jones and Greenberry Triplett jumped his claim and made farms here soon after, others settled around the grove, among whom were Truman Culver, Richard Brewer, Peter Mc- Knitt, Thomas Sanders, Richard Langford, E. Kelly, and the large family of Wolf.

In the spring of 1830, Dad Joe (Joseph Smith) located at Dad Joe Grove, and lived here for six years without neighbors. In 1836 T. S. Elston came in possession of this claim, and for many years it was occupied by different renters, who kept here a house of entertainment. In 1841 F. G. Buchan built a cabin on the north line of the county, and it was afterward occupied by Mr. Abbot. In 1846 William Cleveland built a cabin on High Prairie, three miles south of Dad Joe Grove, but he abandoned it the next year. A year or two afterward John and Andrew Ross settled on the prairie, and soon afterward others made farms in this vicinity, among whom were Squire Falvey, John Kasbeer, William Cohen, Stephen Wilson, Mr. Hun- ter, Daniel P. and Dwight Smith.

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CHAPTER XV.

THE CHURCHES OF THE COUNTY.

Ours be meanwhile the cheerful creed.

That leaves the spirit free to roam,

By mount and river, wood and mead, Till Heaven's kind voice shall call it home. -J. H. BRYANT.

A NATION'S destiny is shaped by its religious faith more than by anything else. The Christian religion, as we believe it, is the true God-given system of faith, and the one which this Government recog- nizes as a divine emanation. "In God we trust," is stamped on our dollars. We accept it, therefore, in its teachings and its practices, as that mighty, moral force which has impelled ns onward and upward in our career of unexampled prosperity in civil, moral, intellectual and commercial advance· ment. We are but one hundred years old, and yet we surpass all other nations on the globe, in these respects, although most of them are older than America by a thousand years or more.

Compare the people who now dwell in this county, with those whose ancestors occupied these rich prairies for a thousand years before, we having had it bui fifty. There is no comparison. We affirm that our superiority comes from our under- lying religious faith. Their poverty and heathenism came from the want of it. This is without doubt true of all other nations and kingdoms of the world. The Christian religion lifts men and nations into light and knowledge, and into the pos- session of all the good that distinguishes them from other peoples. What nation or people now on the globe, except a Christian

nation, ever had a railroad, telegraph, tele- phone, steamboat, or any of the ten thousand desirable possessions of civilization, until carried there by a Christian people ?

When a people become permeated with Christian principles then a superior energy impels that people onward and upward, into everything grand and ennobling, like a divine impulse. Hence the wisdom of the early settlers, as they came to this wilderness country, here to make happy homes and a prosperous State. They planted first the church and the school. Here is a nut for infidelity to crack. Mark what a change came over these prairies in one short fifty years. Instead of the filthy wigwams of the red man, along the marshy bottom-lands, these prairies are dotted all over with splen- did mansions, and these limitless land- scapes are one broad field of waving corn and wheat. The wild deer and the unconth buffalo have given place to the fleet horse, the faithful ox, the patient cow, the profita- ble hog. The useful wagon, with glossy bays attached, take the place of the pony and his rider. We have the cooking stove, comfortable furniture, the piano and organ, and ten thousand other conveniences and comforts unknown to the heathen dwellers on this soil fifty years ago. Why the differ- ence ? The answer is at hand. They had no church or schoolhouse. We have. They had no underlying religious faith. We liave. This solves the problem, and points the way from poverty to prosperity.

Let us, then, cherish our Christian faith, knowing by delightful experience the truth- fulness of the promise of our great Bene- factor, when He said: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."

In the light of these facts we can see the propriety in giving due prominence to an

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HISTORY OF BUREAU COUNTY.

account of the rise and progress of the Christian churches in Bureau County.

Congregational Church .- The old Hamp- shire Colony Church or First Congregational Church, of Princeton, was organized in North- ampton, Mass., March 23, 1831. Sermon preached on the occasion by Rev. Ichabod S. Spencer, from the text: " Fear not little flock for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom." The following named persons joined the church at this time: E. S. Phelps and wife, Amos C. Morse and wife, Elish Wood and wife. Samuel Brown, David Brown, Dr. Nathaniel Chamberlain, Levi Jones and wife, Alva Whitmarsh and wife, Elijah Smith, Sylvia Childs, Clarissa Childs, Jonn Leonard and Maria Lyman. After farewell meetings were had, and the prelim- inaries all completed, the little colony church commenced their journey to the land of promise.

The Hampshire Colony had been organized the year previous, and had sent forward two or three of their number. to the West to recon- noiter aud to locate the colony. The main body did not start until May 7. 1831. They embarked on a canal boat at Albany, with Cot- ton Mather as Captain. The first Sabbath found them in Buffalo. From here they took steamer for Detroit. They hired teams to take them from here to Chicago, starting May 25.

Mr. Jones had preceded the colony the previous fall and located temporarily at Bailey's Point, eight miles south of LaSalle, near the Vermillion River, where he had built a large double log-house to receive the colony, which arrived June 9, just five weeks and two days from the commencement of their jour- ney. They all remained here some time to rest. Finally, on the evening of July 4, they reached the camp of James Foristol, one mile North of Dover.

Thus far we have seen the church in the wilderness. Now they reach the promised land. and the first formal meeting the church held in Illinois was October 20, 1831, at the house of Elijah Smith, a little north of the present city of Princeton. The first business done was the election of Dr. Chamberlain as clerk in the place of Mr. Morse, deceased. This little colony was soon reduced in num- ber by death and removal until there were but four members left, and these were soon constrained to seek safety in the older settle. ments from the scalping-kuife of the Indian. Both the colony and the church were now re- duced very near the point of extinction. This was indeed the day of small things. It was the only church in Illinois at this time of the Congregational order. They were cast down but not forsaken. After about two years mem- bers began to return, and others coming in joined, and in February, 1834, the church held its first communion season, at which time six persous joined: Joel Doolittle, Laz- arus Reeve and Nathaniel Chamberlain, Sr., and their wives.

Lucien Farnham became their pastor about the close of 1833, and he reports that at their above meeting the house was full, and that Methodists, Presbyterians and others com- muned with them.

From this time on the church grew rapid- ly. In 1835 they began to build a meeting- house, 32x44 feet, two stories high, and used the lower story for a schoolhouse. This was called the Princeton Academy, and com- menced its first term in the summer of 1836, under the care of Alvin M. Dixon, who is still living in Edgar, Clay County, Neb. Mr. Farnham was a devout and able minister, but in the fall of 1838 he was obliged to de- sist from preaching on account of chronic laryngitis. During his ministry of four years the church increased to 141 members.

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HISTORY OF BUREAU COUNTY.

Rev. Owen Lovejoy was called to take the place of Mr. Farnham and commenced his labors as pastor of the church in the fall of 1838. We need not here speak of Mr. Love- joy, or his labors at length, as his fame be- came world-wide. He was a man of clear, strong convictions. As a public speaker he was logical, energetic, impressive, magnetic and eloquent. As a platform orator he had no equal. In social life he was genial and attractive. He early espoused the anti-slav- ery cause and preached an anti-slavery gospel until the people liked it, and then continued preaching it because they did like it. His pastorate continued until the close of 1855, after which he was elected to Congress, and continued to hold that position until his death, March 25, 1864. In 1848 a new church was erected, of brick, and larger, cost- ing $4,000. Mr. Lovejoy was succeeded in his ministry by the following persons in or- der of time: N. A. Keyes, S. D. Cochran, W. B. Christopher, Samuel Day, H. L. Ham- mond, D. H. Blake, F. Bascom, R. B. How- ard and Richard Edwards, LL. D., who has just resigned and accepted a position with Knox College, and Rev. S. A. Norton, the present pastor. In 1869 the church was re- paired, and added to at a cost of $8,000, and supplied with a fine pipe organ. A success- ful Sabbath school has been kept up from the beginning of the church; also a weekly prayer meeting. The pastor's salaries have increased from time to time from $400 to $3,- 000 a year. Present membership, 300; Sab- bath-school, 200. In October, 1837, twenty- four members were dismissed to form the Second Congregational Church of Princeton- now the First Presbyterian Church of this city. In March, 1838, seven members were dismissed to join the Dover Congregational Church; and in May, 1840, a number took letters to the Congregational Church of Lamoille.

Methodist Episcopal Church, Princeton .- In the year 1832 Rev. Zadock Hall organ- ized a charge called the Peoria Mission. His appointments in Bureau County were at the house of Joseph Smith, north of Prince- ton, on Bureau Creek; Samuel Williams', in Hall Town, at John Hall's in Shelby Town, and at Abraham Jones', two miles northwest of Princeton. The names of the members of this class were: James and Betsy Hayes, Abraham and Mary Jones, Barton and Susanna Jones, Robert and Mrs. Clark, Joseph and Mrs. Smith and Eliza Epperson. All of the above persons have gone to the better land.

In 1833 Rev. William Royal became the preacher in charge of the northern division of Peoria Mission called the Ottawa Mission. In 1834 this Mission was divided and the west part called the Burean Mission, and the Rev. S. R. Beggs took this charge and re- mained through the following year.

There were three appointments in the Bu- reau Circuit: At Abraham Jones', at John Scott's, Tiskilwa, and at John Hall's, Selby Town. His cash report this year was: Re- ceived $70 from 100 members. Rev. Den- ning arrived in Princeton in 1836, and be- came class-leader and remained so up to 1842, at which time he joined the Rock River Conference. The class meetings were held at the house of Abraham Jones until 1838, when they were afterward held at the house of Brother Demings, in Princeton. In 1836 an attempt was made to build a church, but the brick was spoiled in the making and the pledges were lost, so ended this effort. Will- iam Cummings was pastor this year. In 1837 the old pioneer, Zaddock Hall, was ap- pointed to the Princeton Circuit. A church was finally built and occupied about Christ- mas, 1838. The preachers on the circuit at this time were Rufus Lumry and George Smith.

Gray

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中山

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HISTORY OF BUREAU COUNTY.

Lumry remained during the year 1839, in which time the church was finished and dedi- cated by Elder John Sinclair.

In 1840 the Conference was divided and Princeton became a part of Rock River Con- ference, and Jonathan M. Snow placed in charge, assisted in 1841 by Wesley Bachelor. In 1842 Harvey Hadley and S. F. Deming were appointed. The latter filled the office of County Clerk during his pastorate. In 1843, Harvey Hadley and Simon K. Lemon; in 1844, J. G. Whitcomb; in 1845-46, Leon- ard Whittaker. At this time the brick church was built, now Union Hall. O. A. Walker in charge in 1847-48; in 1849, George Levisee; J. H. Moon, in 1850; Martin P. Sweet, in 1851-52. Then followed John W. Stagdill, J. O. Gilbert, Silas Searl, Charles French, Thomas G. Hagerty, W. C. Willing in 1862- 63. During Brother Willing's pastorate the beautiful house now occupied was built on the northwest corner of Peru and Church Streets. The Board of Trustees at this time was Joseph Shugart, John Warfield, George H. Phelps, W. H. Jenkins, George Bacon, A. Swanzy, William Carse, H. A. Starkweather and Darius Fisher. The corner stone was laid with Masonic honors July 24, 1863; ad- dress by Rev. Charles H. Fowler at the court house. The builders were Allen Morse and W. W. Winters. Dedicated January 23, 1864; services conducted by Rev. F. M. Eddy, D. D., assisted by Rev. J. M. Vincent; cost of church, $12,000. Preachers in charge after this time were: N. H. Axtell, W. A. Smith, S. U. Griffith, J. M. Caldwell, W. D. Skel- ton, J. C. Stoughton. W. H. Gloss, John Ellis, James Baum and W. D. Atchison, the present pastor. Present membership, 150. Sabbath-school, 120. The parsonage cost $2,000.

Presbyterian Church, Princeton, was organized October 26, 1837, at the house of

Rev. A. B. Church. Twenty-four persons- originally members of the Hampshire Colony Congregational Church, formed this the sec- ond Congregational Church of this city. Of these only two are now living -- Philinda Robinson and Henrietta R. Bryant. The first year they occupied the upper story of Epperson's store, the next year a church was built near their present building, of wood. This was occupied for a house of worship until their present commodious brick house was built in 1856. In 1844, by an unani- mons vote of the membership, the church changed its name to the Presbyterian Church, and was received under the care of the Schuyler Presbytery. The first Board of Elders were Daniel Ralinson, Austin Bryant, Isaac Brokaw and Samuel Carey. The first pastor, A. B. Church, remained seven years, or until the church became Presbyterian. Ministers who succeeded him were: John Stoker, one year; William Pekins, two years and six months; Ithamer Pillsbury, seven years; Mr. Carson, a short time; I. C. Barr, eighteen months; I. Milligan, fifteen years and six months; I. C. Hill, eighteen months; D. G. Bradford, five years. The present minis- ter, Rev. M. C. Williams. Present member- ship about 200. Cost of present church edi- fice about $15,000. The Sabbath-school numbers 150. The membership are mostly farmers living from three to five miles in the country.

The Baptist Church, of Princeton, was organized in 1836, with thirteen members, as follows: Stephen and Polly Triplett, Aquilla Triplett, Elizabeth Triplett, W. H. and Lucinda Wells, Isaac and Rebecca Spangler, Edward and Lucinda Triplett, Mr. Bagley and wife, and James Hamrick. The first meeting house was built in 1844, now occupied by the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Prosperity attended the labors of

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HISTORY OF BUREAU COUNTY.

Rev. F. B. Ives from 1856 to 1858. Up to this time the membership reached 160. For a time after this the members decreased in number, owing, in part, to the want of a suitable house of worship, frequent change of pastors, removals, and other causes, so that they were reduced to only thirty-five mem- bers. Their present house of worship was commenced in 1871, and on November 23, 1873, the next house was dedicated, free from debt, costing $10,000. Rev. Ives was again the pastor during these years of prosperity, and when he closed his labors, November 17, 1874, the membership had increased to eighty. Under the labors of Isaac Fargo the number increased to 106. The Sabbath- school numbers at present 125, and church membership 130. Ministers serving the church after Elder Fargo were: D. W. Rich- ards, M. H. Worral, and R. Wallace, the present pastor.

The Christian Church, Princeton, was or- ganized March 8, 1840, by John M. Yearn- shaw. The original members were: James and Catherine How, Daniel R. and Rachel How, Jonathan and Eliza Ireland, Daniel Bryant, Clark and Mary Bennett, John M. Yearnshaw, Rachel and Juliett Radcliffe, El- mira Elston, Sarah Minier, Mary Hayes, John W. M. How and Margarett McElwain- seventeen. In October four more members were added: John How, Sarah Radcliffe (now Lomax), Mrs. Alice Yearnshaw and Charles S. Boyd. Their meetings were first held in a building near the present court house, called the County Commissioners' House. In 1846 they built a brick house on the south side of the court house square, and occupied this until 1870, when the congregation built their present fine house on Main Street, costing $11,000, and dedicated by Rev. Isaac Errett, of Cincinnati. The following are the names of ministers who have labored

with the church since its organization, for a short time, in protracted effort: P. G. Young, George W. Minier, Daniel R. How, John Errett, G. W. Mapes, C. W. Sherwood, J. Z. Taylor. The following labored as regular ministers for a definite time: John M. Yearn- shaw, George McManus, Daniel R. How, Charley Berry, J. C. Stark, T. Brooks, James E. Gaston, Daniel R. How, T. Brooks, I. G. Waggoner. T. V. Berry, G. W. Mapes, A. W. Olds, A. J. Thompson, J. T. Toof, G. F. Adams, L. R. Norton, George Radcliffe, William Trimble. The church has been without a pastor for some time on account of the divided state of its members. Present membership about ninety, Sabbath-school, fifty.

Methodist Protestant Church of Princeton, was organized in 1837, by Rev. P. J. Strong. The organizing members were: Aaron Mercer and wife, Thomas Mercer and wife, Ellis Mercer and wife, Samuel Triplett and wife, Daniel Young and wife, William Mercer, Elizabeth Mercer, Barric Mercer, Thomas Mercer, Moses Mercer, Enos Matson. Present membership 100. Pastors after Rev. P. J. Strong, were: W. H. Miller, R. Miller, B. Johnson, Mr. Paterson, R. Wright, E. Sel- lon, F. D. and. W. W. Williams, J.M. May- all, C. H. Williams, W. H. Jordan, V. H. Brown, S. G. Lamb and F. Stringer, the present pastor. The church building is of brick, and cost $11,000, and was built in 1867, under the pastorate of Rev. Mayall. The Sabbath-school numbers 100. The first church was built in 1838, under the pastor- ate of Rev. P. J. Strong, and cost $2,000.

The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran, of the Augustana Synod, of Princeton, was organized June 16, 1854, by Rev. Larspaul Esborn. The original members were: P. Fagercranse, E. Wester, N. Linderblad, S. Frid, Niles P. Linguist, Jacob Nyman and

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HISTORY OF BUREAU COUNTY.

Larse Anderson. Present number, 415 com- municants. Whole population attending church, 625. Names of ministers since the first : John Johnson, Aaron Lindholm, John Wikstrand, S. A. Sandahl, the present pastor. The church building is wooden and cost $3,500. A Sabbath-school of seventy- five members and fourteen teachers. Within the congregation are a Ten-Cent Society, a Five-Cent Society, and a Pauper's-Aid Society-all for benevolent purposes. Lov- ers of intoxicating drinks and members of secret societies are not allowed as members in this church. The church is in a prosper- ous condition.

The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Mis- sion Church of Princeton, was organized December 13, 1871, by C. P. Mellgren. The corporate members were: C. G. Swanson, Andrew Johnson, Rapp and John Pierson. Present number of members, 200. Minis- ters since the first, were: P. Wedin, A. E. Eckerbery, C. O. Sahlstrom and A. A. Mon- genson. The meeting-house is of brick, and cost $7,000. A Sabbath-school of seventy- five. The church is in a flourishing condi- tion. In 1882 Rev. C. O. Sahlstrom changed his views somewhat on some of the doctrines, and he, with some seven or eight others, withdrew or were expelled, and are now worshiping in a small hall south of the court house.

The First Swede Baptist Church of Prince- ton, was organized February 15, 1877, by Rev. John Ongman. Present membership thirty-six. Ministers' names since the first, as follows: C. Silene, A. B. Orgren, J. M. Flodin, A. P. Hanson.

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History of Bureau County, Illinois, Part 24

Author: Bradsby, Henry C., [from old catalog] ed Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Chicago, World publishing company Number of Pages: 776

Author: Bradsby, Henry C., [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Chicago, World publishing company
Number of Pages: 776