USA > Illinois > Christian County > History of Christian County, Illinois > Part 26
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Crawford, Joseph A., enlisted April 12. 1865.
Douglas, James O., enlisted April 14, 1865.
Dabozyinsky, Simeon, enlisted April 14. 1865. Goedert, Michael. enlisted April 14, 1865.
Heist, Keller, enlisted April 13, 1865.
Halshizer, John, enlisted April 12, 1865.
Peppercorn, John, enlisted April 14, 1855.
CHAPTER XIV.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT PANA.
COMPILED BY PROF. J. R. EDMONDS.
OHN M. PATTON and Milan S. Beckwith, prompted to do something in the line of benevolence, went forth to collect some money for the benefit of an itinerant M. E. Minister, when perchance they called on Franklin L. Saunders, and during the conversation learned that he was a mem- ber of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Patton goes home and informs his mother that he had found a Presbyterian ! With this informa- tion, that good Christian woman, herself a member of the same church, was much pleased, and expressed a desire to hear some Presbyterian preaching. These men, acting on this suggestion, arranged that Mr. Saunders should go to Vandalia, by the next train, the residence of the Rev. Joseph Gordon, a Presbyterian minister, and invite him to visit and preach in Pana. The invita- tion was accepted, and the Rev. Gordon came the same week and preached for that people, on the evening of the 23d of April, 1856. He says : " My first sermon and several that succeeded it were de- livered in a little house about 16x16 feet, owned and used by M. S. Beckwith as a ware-room for stowing away goods, and boxes, which then stood, and is still standing on the alley west of the old meeting-house." Some of these boxes were put out to make room, others arranged for seats, and one used as a pulpit. The ladies sat on the boxes and sacks, in the house, and the men on the boxes and hastily improvised seats on the outside. At times the little church house proved too small for the congregation. The floor was very open, and the cracks revealed a number of pigs rubbing around, which caused the ladies not a little uneasiness.
It truly may be reckoned a day of small things, both as to the church and village, when Rev. Gordon came to this field; and
though the preaching and place of worship may have been wanting in some of the adornments and taste of modern times, the common people, (all were common then,) heard the message gladly. This house was built originally for a school-house. It then fronted on the open prairie, standing on the rear of the Beckwith-Walsh lot, with no fences, streets, or buildings near. Arrangements were made, by which the Rev. Gordon preached every two weeks. This was the origin and beginning of Presbyterianism in Pana.
The first sermon ever preached in Pana was by the Rev. E. B. Olmstead, a Presbyterian minister, in a freight car standing on the I. C. R. R., on a bright autumnal Sabbath, in October, 1855.
Rev. Gordon states that after preaching his first sermon, a sub- scription paper was circulated the next morning, and over $300 sub- scribed towards erecting a house of worship. Nearly every family in the community, and men having no families, interested them- selves in this work. Nor was it a mere negative interest; it was manifested by raising the subscription to $1,200. This was noble for the small population, but they were all anxious to see a " meet- ing-house" in the midst of their town, thus " growing up as by magic."
On the 21st of May, 1856, a religious society was formed by the Rev. Jos. Gordon, to be known hereafter as the "First Presbyterian church of Pana." At the same time, five trustees-John M. Pat- ton, Samuel V. B. Snider, C. HI. Harrison, Mason French and Franklin L. Saunders-were elected for a term of five years. Cer- tificate of organization, to that effect, was made by John M. Patton, before Wm. Pryce, JJ. P, June 9, 1856. They energetically set about making preparations for the erection of a house of worship, and selected a lot of Locust street, which the proprietor of the town, David A. Neal, generously donated and conveyed to the Trustees of the church, on the 8th of October, 1856.
In addition to these officers, there was a " building committee" appointed, consisting of M. S. Beckwith, Jno. M. Patton and Franklin L. Saunders, who had the more immediate control of the
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
work and the raising and collecting of funds for its prosecution. A contract was then made with Thos. B. Hickman, of Vandalia, to build a frame house, 34x50 feet in size, of good material, finished in a workmanlike manner, with belfry, and to be completed by the 1st of January, 1857, at a cost of $2,100. In aid of the enterprise a donation of $500 was secured from the board of church erection. The house was not completed as soon as at first contemplated, but it is noted, under that date, that " the first church editice of Pana is enclosed, and the floor laid." But, in time, the church was finished, and before it was dedicated a terrible tornado passed over Pana, on the 13th of June, 1857, wrecking badly twenty-five or thirty houses, carrying with it a portion of the roof of the church, thus giving free access to the torrents of rain which fell and seri- ously damaged the plastering, rendering it unfit for occupation. This was a serious loss, but the members of the congregation and citizens generally brought in their offerings ; the house was speedi- ly repaired, so that on the 19th of September, 1857, some two months after the disaster, the Rev. Joseph Gordon preached the first sermon in the church, and " dedicated the house to the Triune God in prayer."
The organization of the " First Presbyterian Church " of Pana was completed by the Rev. Joseph Gordon, on the 21st of Septemn- ber, 1856. The following are the names of the original members : -Franklin L. Saunders, Mrs. Mary Jane Saunders, Caroline Tun- ison, Mary Alexander, Martha Patton, Robert B. Alexander, and Mrs. Mary Jane Pryce. Franklin L. Saunders was elected and ordained to the office of Ruling Elder. The original members of the church are still living, and all but two residing around Pana. The church was organized at the residence of Mrs. Patton. It secmed proper it should be so. This house probably was one of the most fitting emblems of the Presbyterian church to be found in Pana at that time ; for when "the winds blew and the floods came it fell not." The first meeting of the session was on the 16th of October, 1857. Present-Rev. Joseph Gordon and Franklin L Saunders, (clerk of the session.) The following members were re- ceived by letter : S. A. Call and Maria Call ; on examination, Miss Martha Patton, George Patton and E B. Hartshorn. On the 9th of May, 1858, two additional elders, S. A Call and E. B. Harts- horn, were elected and ordained by Rev. Gordon, assisted by Rev. Thos. Lippincott. Additions have been made at every com- inunion since its organization.
The following persons have served or are now serving the church as Ruling Elders : Franklin L. Saunders, S. A. Call, E, B, Harts- horn, Charles W. Sibley, Eli F. Chittenden, Alfred McClure, A. W. Gailey, T. W. Lippincott, S. P. Johns, R. C. Coyner, D. A. Gilbert, S. II. Bird, J. S. Veeder, Thos. Smith and J. M. Ross.
The ministers that have officiated since the organization of the church are-first, the Rev. Joseph Gordon, who was the stated supply from its formation till the 16th of June, 1858; then followed Rev. Jas. S. Walton, till the 1st of Junc, 1859; Rev. Joseph Gor- don again officiated until the 1st of May, 1863; he was followed by Rev. E. W. Taylor, as supply, to September 19th, 1864, when Rev. Gordon again returned for the third time, and served until March 18th, 1866. Rev. W. P. Gibson next received a call, and commenced his labors July 1, 1866. He was installed as its first pastor on the 14th of October following, and continued in the work of the pastorate till Dec. 4th, 1870. Rev. John Kidd followed as supply from Jan. 1st, 1871, till Oct. 14th, 1873. On the 1st of January, 1874, Rev. R. M. Roberts was called to preach, and oc- cupied the pulpit till Jan. 1st, 1880.
It is noted as early as the 24th of April, 1858, that the church had a good choir, a large, well regulated Sabbath-school and an
efficient Bible-elass. The names of the several Sabbath-school superintendents since its organization are-A. Keeler, W. H. Bradley, II. D. Brigham, W. C. Sumner, J. H. Baldwin, S. P. Johns, O. H. Paddock, T. W. Lippincott, R. C. Coyner and R. M. Henderson. Some of these have served twice and three times. The first four were superintendents when it was a Union school.
The first Sabbath after the church was dedicated, the Presbytery of Alton held its fall meeting, in 1857, in Pana. The Reporter thus speaks of it: "Notwithstanding the newness of the place, abun- dant accommodations were provided for all the members of the Presbytery. Nor were these the only guests. Gov. Slade, of Ver- mont, with thirteen female teachers, were there, just arrived from the East. And still there was room, for largeness of heart has a wonderful influence to make narrow accommodations wide and ample."
The self-sacrifieing labors of Rev. Gordon for this church from first to last were great. Amidst its many trials, thrice did he come to its relief with a heart full of Christian love. He was possessed of energy and executive ability, as well as the bold herald of the Gospel. In the presentation of truth, he was at all times earnest and instructive ; and his aged Christian life ever shed a halo of fragrant perfume all around. For many years his genial face has been familiar on the streets; and "Father Gordon" a household word with the good citizens of Pana. Nor were his labors unap- preciated. In recognition of his services, in one, of many instances, a large and handsomely bound Bible was publicly presented, with this inscription : " To Rev. Joseph Gordon, from the Alton and Terre Haute railroad boys."
Two gentlemen received permission to re-model the pulpit at their own expense. Other acts of kindness were exhibited. Indeed the evidence was apparent on every hand, that the people of Pana had some proper appreciation of the value and importance of reli- gious privileges.
Like most churches, when completed, there was a small debt hanging over it. Soon the ladies of the congregation were found at the front and "did what they could" to help meet it. A festival was held in the new church, on the 31st day of December, 1857. The committee of arrangements in this movement were Mrs. O. Monroe, Mrs. W. II. Kneeland, Mrs. S. H. Rice, Mrs. W. B. Little, Miss Ann Baltzley, Miss Ophelia M. Putnam, Mrs. M. S. Beckwith and Mrs. A. Keeler. Tickets, 50 cents; amount realized, $140.
Miss Paine, of Du Quoin, Ill., presented the society with a set of handsome curtains for the church-windows. The whole cost of the church, when completed, was $2,300. Pana at this time had 110 town-hall or other place of meeting. The church being the only commodious house in the winter of 1857-8, was used by everybody -Presbyterians, Lutherans, Methodists, and during the long win- ter-evenings, the Lyceum prospered by being able to find within its walls room for the large audiences which were accustomed to assemble at its discussions. It was used by singing schools, tem- perance-lectures, agricultural addresses and occasionally by concert- troupes. In course of time, this indiscriminate use of the church was forbidden by the Session. The question arose between the Trustees and Session, as to which had the right to control the house. The Elders said : " This is our business, and not that of the Trus- tees ;" and the local pastor, Rev. J. S. Walton, said : "This pulpit is mine, and no one has a right to occupy it without my consent." The result was the Session controlled the church, and for a time the interdiction caused some unpleasant fecling in the community. The pastor's salary was $500 per annum.
In February, 1875, Mr. Roberts called the officers of the church together, and urged upon them the absolute necessity of erecting a
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HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
new house of worship. A resolution was passed at that meeting setting forth, that if the members of the church would clothe the session and trustees with power to sell the old church and lot, and buy another site, leaving them unhampered as to location, plan or cost of the new building, they would undertake the enterprise. At a meeting of the members of the church, held Feb. 17th, 1875, the authority was given as requested, excepting that the site was to be approved of by the majority of the members. The officers went to work at once. After much negotiation, a site was selected seventy by one hundred feet, corner of North Third and Maple streets. The members of the church confirmed the selection by almost a unanimous vote. After many plans had been suggested, the com- mittee decided on a plan, submitted by Elder T. W. Lippincott, for a building forty by eighty feet, with side-entrances and a sliding partition cutting off thirty two feet for Sunday-school purposes, with room above for sociables. A sub-committee on finance, con- sisting of R. C. Coyner, J. S. Vecder and S. W. Bird, were ap- pointed, and also a committee of construction, composed of T. W. Lippineott, S. P. Johns and D. C. MeLeod.
The financial labor was divided, giving the ladies the responsi- bility of raising money to purchase furniture for the interior, and to the Sabbath-school was given the duty of raising funds sufficient to buy a five hundred pound bell. All went to work with a will, and though the financial condition of the country was depressed on account of poor crops and bad weather, the church was built and furnished by the third of September, 1876; at which time it was dedicated practically free from debt. The church cost twelve thou- sand dollars, including price of site. The bell which hung in the old church is now in the Lutheran church in Pana, and may still be heard each Sabbath calling the worshiper to come.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI AT TAYLORVILLE.
This church was organized by the Rev. J. G. Bergen, D.D., of Springfield, Illinois, July 26th, 1857. The following list comprises the original members :- Nathaniel Harris, Mrs. Sophronia Harris, C'alvin Goudy, M.D., Mrs. Marthy Goudy, H. D. Brigham, Mrs. Mary L. Brigham, A. B. Harris, Mrs. Sarah Harris, Noyes Ladd, Mrs. Phoebe Ladd, Jacob Overholt, Mrs. Abigail Torrey, Geo. W. Lash, Mrs. Susan C. Sattley, Mrs. Jane E. Chapman, Mrs. Mary Ryan, Mrs. Harriet Ladd, Mrs. Jane Miller, Miss Sophronia Harris. Of these nineteen members, only five are now on the ground, the rest having died or move I to other churches. At first they had no house of worship, but used that of the Cumberland Presbyterian church for several years; then, for a time, they wor- shiped in the north-west school-house. During these years the membership had inercased to over fifty. In the summer of 186) they began to build a house of worship for themselves, and dedi- cated it complete February 6th, 1870. The cost, including lots, was 86,000. It is noted for its neat and tasteful arrangement, and has a seating capacity of nearly 400.
In 1875 the membership had reached the number of 175-but has declined since then by death and removals, until now it is little more than 100; these are hopeful, and have before them, as a church, good prospects of increase and great usefulness,
Since this church had a house of worship it has maintained an active, carnest and efficient Sabbath-school, whose membership has ranged from 100 to nearly 300, the last annual report giving the membership enrolled as 288. The Superintendents of this school have been Dr. Calvin Goudy, Wm. M. Provine, Esq., and Hon. Il. P. Shumway, the last the present incumbent in office.
The following comprises the list of the elders, in their order : Calvin Goudy, M D., Harvey D. Brigham, Nathaniel Harris,
Joseph C. Smith, Samuel W. Morrison, John E. Montgomery, Emanuel Johns, and A. B. Harris, Wm. W. Hall, Andrew J. Willey, Wm. T. Evans. The four last mentioned constituting the present board. Of all these, Dr. C. Goudy, until his decease in 1877, led in activity, planning, praying, and working almost in- cessantly for the church's advancement. Perhaps to him, more than to any one individual, the church owes its prosperity and suc- eessful history.
Among others who have been more or less helpful as officers for the church, may be mentioned John W. Price, A. G. Barnes, E. A. Miller, P. G. Barton, Jos. M. Crabb, and G. Crooker.
This church has had the following pastors, in their order : Revs. H. R. Lewis, J. H. Harris, Robt. Rudd, L. Faye Walker, J. C. Hill, L. C. Littell, and the present incumbent, H. P. Carson. It has enrolled as members, in all, 278, making an average of about 12 additions annually, and an annual average membership since 1875 of about 125.
Besides the $6,000 for building their house of worship, this church has contributed for the carrying on of church work at home and elsewhere over $16,000.
PRESBYTERIAN CIIURCII OF ASSUMPTION.
As the village of Assumption was first called Tacusa, so was the church called Tacusa Church until the towns of Assumption and Tacusa were united under one name. Since that time it has been known as the Assumption Presbyterian Church.
Marcus L. Barrett was the first Presbyterian who became a resi- dent of Assumption ; and as he was fondly devoted to the church of his choice, and was able by his keen foresight to see the advantages of the church to this new town, he soon had a meeting arranged and a minister invited to come and preach to the few scattered iuliabit- ants.
At that time only a few houses could be seen on the wide expanse of prairie as viewed from the depot of the Illinois Central Railroad, which was then in its infancy. The Presbyterian Church was the first Protestant Church in the town. It was organized in the dwelling of M. L. Barrett, on the 27th day of May, 1857, by Mr. H. R. Lewis, a minister invited from a distance, to attend to this special work. The congregation was gathered from the country for miles around, and the org inization was made with a membership of forty
The first Elders chosen were S. C. Sheller and Wm. G. Cal- houn. Elders since chosen Dumniel Gihagan, Zadok Lanham, George White, S. M. Moore, William Ray, John Moore and Dr. J. Bennett. The following are the ministers who have been engaged in the labors connected with the church ; H. R Lewis, preached from 1859 to 1860, one year ; Clark Louden, from 1861 to 1866; B. E. Mayo, 1866 to 1868, the last year as installed pastor. Wash- ington Maynard took charge of the church as a supply in 1868, and was installed pastor, September 24, 1873 ; which pastorate ended in September, 1875. R. M. Neill was employed on Jaunary 1, 1876, as a supply for the pulpit for one year, but owing to adverse cireum- stances he gave up the charge in August, 1876, and Washington Maynard again occupied the pulpit, beginning October 1, 1876, and continues in the services of the church to the present time. . The church edifice was erected in 1861, and was dedicated June 23d of that year. The building cost one thousand dollars ; the ground upon which it stands having been donated by E. E. Malhoit. In 1867, a parsonage was built on a part of the same lot on which the church stands. The parsonage is a two story frame building, built at a cost of seven hundred and fifty dollars.
The membership of this church is about two hundred.
95
HISTORY OF . CHRISTIAN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
MORRISONVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CIIURCII.
Rev. Washington Maynard, of Assumption, Illinois, and Dr. Calvin Goudy, of Taylorville, by appointment of the Presbytery, organized the Presbyterian Church at Morrisonville, on the second Sabbath in January, in the year 1871. The membership at that early date in the history of the town was only fifteen persons, but they were endowed with genuine Christian zeal, and became the foundation of a church organization that soon grew to greater pro- portions and extensive influence. That small number formed a nucleus around which have gathered one hundred and eighty more, making a good and influential band of Christian workers. In the month of May, 1872, E. P. Rankin, a young man, at the time a student of Prineeton College, New Jersey, was engaged to preach for four months. At the end of the engagement, he, (having ac- ceptably performed the duties of his office), was called to be pastor of the church, and was installed and ordained in due form. The congregation felt the need of a suitable house of worship, and in the winter of 1871 and 1872, they proceeded to erect one, at a cost of about five thousand one hundred dollars.
The church was dedicated in due form in the month of July, 1872. The amount of indebtedness at the time of the dedication was about one half of the original cost of the building.
The debt was bravely assumed and carried by the membership, and soon began to diminish under careful financial management. During the winter of 1879-80, the debt was entirely paid off, amid mueh rejoicing by the faithful members of the organization.
The church is a handsome building on one of the best lots in town, and has an active membership at the present time, though somewhat reduced by removals and other common eauscs. The. future of this church seems bright, and a prospect of great usefulness is opening up before it, and with the usual activity of its members it will soon rank high as a church, and many will be glad to say " this or that man was born there."
THE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI. BY REV. C. G. KEOWN.
IN attempting to give a brief sketch of the history of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church in Christian county, I regret that my means of information are so meagre and incomplete, that it will be out of my power to give the patrons of this work as full asketch of that branch of the great Christian church, of which I write, and have the honor to be an humble member, as it deserves, and as the future reader may expect. Nor am I insensible to the im- portance, as well as the delicacy of the task I undertake. It is one, however, which I have considered due to the cause of Christ, and especially, to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
The first introduction of Cumberland Presbyterianism in the county, so far as the writer has any means of information, was as early as 1837, when Rev. J. M. Bone, (as we learn from his own statement,) by order of Vandalia Presbytery, as a cireuit rider, preached some in the north-eastern part of the county. He doubt- less preached there the first sermon by a Cumberland Presbyterian minister in the county.
We find also by reference to the minutes of Vandalia Presbytery, that there was a congregation in the north-eastern part of the eounty, known as "North Mt. Carmel congregation," as early as 1844. But we have no record of the date of its organization, and it seems to have been lost sight of.
In the spring of 1841, James H. Boyd and Alfred Boyd, moved with their families from Christian eounty, Kentucky, and loeated on Bear creek, in what was then a part of Montgomery county, but afterward, in the formation of Christian, this part of the okt was
embraced in the new county. Having been accustomed to enjoying the means of grace from the hands of Cumberland Presbyterian ministers, in their former home, it was not strange that they, soon after loeating in this then new and sparsely settled section of eoun- try, began to long for the means of graee to which they had been accustomed.
Consequently they with a few other Christian men and women banded themselves together in a Cumberland Presbyterian society some time in 1841, with a view of setting up the standard of the gospel as Cumberland Presbyterians.
In the summer of 1842, Jas. H. Boyd started out in search of a Cumberland Presbyterian minister. After traveling some distance he was informed that there was a meeting then in pro- gress, being conducted by ministers of that order. He made his way thither and found Revs. Joel Knight and Joseph Barlow, and in response to his earnest solicitations, Rev. Barlow came and preached for them occasionally. December 8th, 1844, Revs. Knight and Barlow, by order of Vandalia Presbytery, organized them into a congregation, known as the Antioch congregation. Jas. H. Boyd and Alfred Curry were elected and ordained ruling elders.
In the fall of 1845, Rev. J. M. Bone took pastoral charge of this newly organized congregation, preaching alternately to them, and at Taylorville, the county-seat. He states to the writer, " As we had no house of worship at Taylorville, and no members, I preached at first at the private residence of Mr. Dorety, in a room about 12 by 14 feet square ; afterward using a school-house and then the court-house, until the fall of 1848, when the Antioch con- gregation built a house of worship in Taylorville, costing about $500, and in the spring of 1849 the name of the congregation was changed from Antioch to Taylorville ; quite a number of the mem- bers having moved to that place. Rev. J. M. Bone continued his ministerial services with them until the spring of 1856, since which time they have enjoyed the ministerial services of Revs. J. M. Bone, J. M. Galaway, S. Richards, D.D., J. B. Logan, D.D., E. J. Gilles- pie and I. H. Coulter. In the spring of 1874, this congregation built a neat and elegant brick church, costing them about $9,000, which we trust may long stand as a monument to their fidelity and a blessing to the world.
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