USA > Illinois > DuPage County > History of Du Page County, Illinois (Historical, Biographical) > 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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69
A house of worship was built in 1878, at a cost of nearly $5,500. In January, 1879, the name was changed to harmonize with its denominational connection, to its present title, the First Congregational Church. The present membership is forty-three; Sabbath school membership, seventy; contributions
181
MILTON TOWNSHIP.
for twelve months, $1,300. Church Clerk, Rev. I. A. Hart; Deacons, Loren Barnes, Rev. H. W. Cobb and E. B. Wakeman; Sun- day School Superintendent, William Nunn; Trustees, E. W. Fisher, George Maze, S. N. Moffatt. - AUGUSTINE R. HIBBARD.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Methodist Episcopal Church at Whea- ton was organized as a circuit October 24, 1857, with the following officers: Rev. J. W. Agard, Presiding Elder; Rev. J. Nate, first pastor; Rev. C. Gary, Local Deacon; Erastus Gary, Levi Ballou, M. E. Nash, John Finnerson, George Reed, Joel Wiant, William Ainsworth and Warren L. Wheaton, Stewards; Orlando Wakeley, David S. Chris- tian and William Miller, Class-Leaders.
Rev. T. L. Olmsted, with Rev. George Brewster as his assistant, succeeded Rev. J. Nate as pastor.
In 1859, Rev. Luke Hitchcock was Presid- ing, Elder, and Rev. Thomas Corcoran was preacher in charge.
In May. 1860, Rev. L. Hitchcock was elected agent of the Western Methodist Book Concern, and Rev. E. M. Boring was ap- pointed Presiding Elder of the district. In the fall of 1860, Wheaton was made a sta- tion, with Rev. L. H. Bugbee as preacher in charge, Rev. William Kimball as Local El- der, with P. M. Curtis, O. Wakeley, J. C. Wheaton and W. L. Wheaton as Stewards, with M. E. Nash and L. S. Phillips as Class- Leaders.
In the winter of 1861, the present church was finished, and dedicated by Bishop M. Simpson, assisted by Rev. E. M. Boring and Rev. O. H. Tiffany. It had eighty-seven members and eighteen probationists, and the Sunday school connected with it had an en- rollment of 160. Wheaton was in the Chi- cago District of the Rock River Conference.
The following is a list of its Presiding El- ders, who succeeded Rev. E. M. Boring to the present time: Rev. S. P. Keys, Rev. H. Crews, Rev. W. C. Damdy, Rev. A. J. Jut- kins, Rev. W. C. Willing and Rev. L. Hitch- cock.
The following is the order of pastors since the first one: Rev. A. W. Page, Rev. J. O. Cramb, Rev. George E. Strowbridge, Rev. S. Stover, Rev. John Ellis (during whose charge there was a gracious revival of religion), Rev. William Goodfellow, D. D., Rev. J. G. Camp- bell, Rev. S. Searl, Rev. R. Congdon, Rev. William P. Gray and Rev. E. M. Boring.
The church has had a varied history. Many who have been identified with it have removed to other localities, and many have died in the faith and gone home to heaven.
It has contributed its share to the benevo- lent enterprises of the day, both in material aid and by its influence, and now stands with a fair record and in the enjoyment of a rea- sonable degree of prosperity -- an honor to the cause of Christ, and a blessing to the world. It has a membership of eighty-seven, and five probationists, and a Sunday school member- ship of 225, with an average attendance, dur- ing the past year, of 110.
The writer has just been returned to this charge for the third year. The following are the present officers of the church: A. B. Curtis, Local Preacher; J. C. Wheaton, Sr., J. C. Wheaton, Jr., W. I. Wheaton, E. H. Gary, N. E. Gary, William L. Gary, William H. Wakelee, B. Loveless and H. H. Fuller, Stewards; A. B. Curtis, Levi Ballou, C. O. Boring, Class-Leaders; J. C. Wheaton, Sr., E. H. Gary, William L. Gary, H. H. Fuller, H. Holt, J. G. Vallette, J. J. Cole and A. M. Ballon, Trustees; C. O. Boring and A. B. Curtis, Superintendents of the Sunday school. The Trustees hold in trust for the church one
182
HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY.
church valued at $3,000, and one parsonage valued at $2,500.
The above report is made from imperfect data, and doubtless has many omissions of persons and events which should have been named .-- E. M. BORING.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
Rev. Philander Taylor was the real pio- neer of the Baptist denomination in this vi- cinity. He began his work at Stacy's Cor- ners as early as 1846, and succeeded in es- tablishing a church at the place, which would have been a permanent one, had not the in- fluence of the railroad, which left that place a mile out of the way in 1849, drawn busi- ness to Danby.
Under such adverse circumstances, it was in vain to try to build up the church at the Corners, and the building which had been erected for its use was removed to Danby, the railroad station, where the prospects for a village seemed promising. Meanwhile, the few Baptists at the Corners, intent on build- ing up and re-organizing. chose Wheaton as the most propitious place for their second attempt, not for its local convenience, but because it seemed to give better promise of a growing place than any other within the same compass. In accordance with this reso- lution, the society held their meeting at a schoolhouse at this place, after the removal of their church, and continued to do so till 1863, during which period several citizens of Wheaton joined them, and they felt strong enough to organize a church, which was done in 1864. For the next year, they held their meetings mostly in the Universalist Church. Meantime, they had commenced a building of their own, which was partly finished, and meetings held in its vestry room from May 12, 1866, till the completion of the building, in 1867. It was dedicated the 5th of Decem-
ber. Rev. Garrison was the pastor of this society from its first meetings in Wheaton most of the time till its re-organization at that place in 1864. Rev. B. F. McLafferty was the first pastor after its re-organization. He was succeeded by Rev. S. W. Marston, who held charge till 1865, since which time Rev. E. O. Brien, Rev. W. W. Smith, Rev. A. J. Colby, Rev. F. M. Smith, Rev. S. Ba- ker, Jr., Rev. Henry B. Waterman and Rev. T. W. Green have in turn been pastors of this church. The main church building is 33x56 feet, added to which is a vestry 18x24 feet.
The first Trustees of the church were P. W. Stacy, John Sutcliffe, P. S. Driscoll, E. S. Kelley and John Roberts.
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN WHEATON.
The first services of this church were held in June, 1875, by the Rev. Dr. C. V. Kelly, who continued to hold occasional services until the time of his death, in the spring of 1876. The Rev. Dr. William Reynolds suc- ceeded him in the work in June, 1876, re- maining in charge of the mission until his death, in the summer of the same year. The parish then remained without a clergyman for nearly a year, the services being contin- ued every Sunday with Mr. William A. Shearson as lay reader.
In May, 1877, Bishop McLaren sent to the mission the Rev. Dr. T. N. Morrison, who has remained in charge up to the present date (October, 1882).
Until June, 1882, the services of the mis- sion were held in the Universalist Church; but on Sunday, the 18th of December, 1881, the Bishop of the Diocese laid the corner- stone of the new church, which was completed in June of the following year.
The consecration services were held on the 20th of June, 1882, and were attended by the
183
MILTON TOWNSHIP.
Bishop and a large number of the clergy and laity from Chicago and its vicinity.
The new church, which bears the name of Trinity, is built of wood, with stone found- ation. Its seating capacity is about one hun- dred and fifty, the dimensions of the nave being 28x60 feet, and of the chancel 14x16. The interior of the church is finished in oiled pine and stained walnut, and has a handsome open timbered roof. The windows are of stained glass, and are, in several instances, memorial gifts. The chancel is semi-octag- onal in form, and is finished like the body of the church. The various articles of chan- cel furniture are of walnut, and were, with the exception of the altar, gifts from individ- uals, the altar being given by the Church of the Epiphany. Chicago.
The church, which is entirely free of debt, was built and furnished at a cost of about $5,100, all of which was contributed by the members of the mission and their friends .-- MARY DRUMMOND.
WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH.
The Wesleyan Methodist Church of Whea- ton was organized in February, 1843, at a meeting held at the house of Joseph Chad- wick, in what is now known as the Hadley neighborhood. George C. Vedder was chosen Chairman; Joseph Chadwick, Steward; and Abial Hadley, Class-Leader. Rev. Rufus Lumery was the first pastor. The primary reason which led to this organization was the connection of the Methodist Episcopal Church with slavery, the parties in this movement being members of her communion. That this band of reformers were justified in their action is unmistakably proven by the history of the times, the church from which they withdrew, as also others, having long since indorsed their position.
The distinctive reformatory principles of
the church are opposition to slavery, secret societies and arbitrary church government; methodistical in doctrine and usages, Congre- gational in government, the laity being equally represented with the clergy in all their deliberations. It holds an associated relation with a connection of churches known as the Wesleyan Methodist connection of America. This was the first church in Wheaton. Its early history and interests were closely identified with those of Wheaton College, which was founded by the Wesley- ans under the name of Illinois Institute. In 1860, by mutual agreement, the college passed into the hands of the Congregationalists, and the church connected therewith assumed the name of the First Church of Christ, fol- lowing which a re-organization was effected, thereby constituting the present Wesleyan Church.
The following persons have served the church as pastors: Revs. R. Lumery, Milton Smith, A. McArthur, L. B. Ferris, John Cross, George Clark, William Kimball, H. Maulton, William Whitten, R. F. Markham. George Kimball, Joel Grennell, L. C. Mal- lack, J. Blanchard, A. H. Hiatt, D. F. Shep- ardson, H. R. Will, William Pinkney, Will- iam H. Van Boren, J. M. Snyder, J. N. Bed- ford, A. F. Dempsey and L. N. Stratton. President of Wheaton Theological Seminary. -L. W. MILLS.
ST. MICHAEL'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.
The Catholic congregation of St. Michael's Church at Wheaton was organized in 1879. Up to that time, and until the new church was formally and solemnly dedicated-which was done on the 29th of June, 1882-the peo- ple living in and around Wheaton used to at- tend service partly in Winfield, partly in Milton, both places being two and a half miles distant from Wheaton. In 1879, however, the
181
HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY.
people thought it best to have their own at- tendance, and hence they concluded to build a suitable church for worship. The founda- tion was begun on the 29th of May, 1879, and by the 24th of the following month, work had advanced so far that the corner-stone could be laid, which was done by Very Rev. J. McMullen, at that time Administrator of the Diocese of Chicago. After the comple. tion of the basement, work stopped for nearly two years-apparently for want of means- but it was resumed in the fall of 1881. The edifice, which has a stone basement, on which is built a handsome frame church, measures 45x80. Above the altar in the middle, a picture of the Archangel St. Michael, fighting the demon, an oil painting by J. Schott, Detroit; at the left of the altar, a statue of the Blessed Virgin; and at the right a statue of St. Joseph. The whole was finished June 29, 1882. It is an ornament for Wheaton, a proof of the liberality of the rather small congregation-number of families at present being about thirty-five. It was solemnly blessed on the above date, by His Grace, the Most Rev. Archbishop P. A. Feehan, D. D., who appointed the Rev. William de la Porte, who, for over twelve years, was pastor at Na- perville, as rector of the new church .- WM. DE LA PORTE.
ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH AT MILTON.
This church is as old as St. Peter's at Na- perville, from which place it was formerly attended np to August, 1866. Then the Rev. M. Albrecht took, for a short time, charge of the congregation. After his departure, for two years it was attended by the Benedictine Fathers from Chicago, when the church at Winfield was built, and that place received its own pastor. Milton then was regularly attended from Winfield twice a month. At present, it is under the care of the pastor of
Wheaton, who visits the church likewise twice a month. - WM. DE LA PORTE.
THE GERMAN EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN ST. JOHN'S CHURCH OF WHEATON.
This congregation was organized in the beginning of the year 1865. At the time of its organization, it numbered some forty fam - ilies. Its first services were held in the Uni- versalist Church, Rev. F. W. Richmann, at that time pastor of a congregation in Elgin, occupying their pulpit every second Sunday. On Christmas Day of the same year, the congregation tendered a regular call to Rev. Prof. C. A. T. Selle, of the Evangelical Lu- theran Teachers' Seminary at Addison, Ill., who accepted, and remained their pastor for nearly seven years. Services were then held in the northeast and public schoolhouse. At the close of 1871, Prof. Selle left, and Rev. G. G. W. Bruegmann. pastor of Rothenberg. followed in his place. This gentleman also remained for a period of seven years. Dur- ing the time of his pastorate, in 1875, the congregation bought the southwest end pub- lic school property, and fitted it up to suit their purpose. In the spring of 1878, Rev. Bruegmann accepted a call to Herscher Sta- tion, Ill., and the pulpit of the congregation from that time until the fall of 1880 was alternately supplied by the Lutheran pastors from neighboring towns, viz., Rev. H. F. Fruechtenicht, from Elgin; Rev. M. Grosse, from Oak Park; Rev. I. H. C. Steege, from Dundee; Rev. H. Freese, from Algonquin; Rev. H. Grupe, from Rothenberg; Rev. L. Wagner, from Chicago; and Rev. Prof. Theo- dore Brohm, from Addison. Up to this time, the congregation had Gospel service but every second Sunday. In the fall of 1880, their present pastor, the Rev. Karl Koch, was tendered a call, who had just finished his theological studies in the seminary, connected
185
MILTON TOWNSHIP.
with the German Evangelical Lutheran Syn- od of Missouri, Ohio and other States, at St. Louis. Regular services were now held every Sabbath day. The present number of fami- lies constituting the congregation is fifty-five, with nearly three hundred and fifty souls. In connection with the church, an every-day school is sustained by the congregation, which is taken care of and taught by the pastor himself. The number of scholars last winter was sixty-two; in spring, thirty-two. The schoolhouse was built in the fall of 1881, at an expense of nearly $600. The present value of the whole property belonging to the congregation is about $3,000.
Standing in close relation with the congre- gation at Wheaton, there is a smaller one at Turner Junction, numbering but fifteen fam- ilies, where regular Gospel services are led by the pastor of the Wheaton Church in the afternoon of every second Sunday. The place of worship is the Methodist Church, the use of which has been secured for a small amount of rent. - KARL KOCH.
THE UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF WHEATON.
In 1862, a few men met together in Whea- ton to form a society. They were not pro- fessed Universalists, but this name was applied to them, and perhaps fitted them better than any other. They resolved to build a church, and appointed a committee to this end, whose names were C. K. W. Howard, H. C. Childs, E. Holmes, J. O. Vallette and Hiram Smith. The house was built by subscription, and dedicated the same year. S. C. Bulkley was the first pastor, who has been succeeded by A. M. Worden, A. B. Call, J. O. Barrett, Henry Jewell, Samuel Ashton, D. P. Kayner, J. Straube and S. Sage.
Some of the terms of the above ministers lasted but a few weeks, and between several of them have been vacations without preach-
ing. It would not be proper to call this body of men a church, because they never have united under any bond of faith, or ins itnted any church ordinance in discipline. Strictly speaking, they are liberals, perhaps no two of whom believe alike on religious questions. They are bound together by no creed, and cannot be rent asunder by apostasy.
They have occasional preaching, when a meritorions speaker offers his services and expounds the general theory of a broad relig- ion to meet their approbation.
ANCIENT, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS.
Wheaton Lodge, No. 269, A., F. d' _1. M., was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Illinois Oc- tober 6, 1858, working seven months under dispensation. The first officers were J. G. Val- lette, W. M .; Peter Northrop. S. W .; F. II. Mather, J. W .; Harry T. Wilson, Treas .; L. J. Bliss, Sec .; William Vallette, S. D .; Henry Bird, J. D .; William E. Taylor, Tiler.
The charter members were J. G. Vallette, Peter Northrop, Frederick H. Mather, W. P. Abbott, H. T. Wilson, Henry Bird and James L. Bliss.
In 1859, J. G. Vallette was W. M., and James L. Bliss, Sec. In 1860, L. J. Bliss was W. M., and J. G. Vallette, Sec. In 1861, L. J. Bliss was W. M., and J. McConnell. Sec. In 1862. L. J. Bliss was W. M., and W. E. Taylor, Sec. In 1863, Henry Bird was W. M., and Simeon Schupp. Sec. In 1864, H. C. Childs was W. M., and W. G. Smith, Sec. In 1865, H. C. Childs was W. M., and P. Parmelee, Sec. In 1866, H. C. Childs was W. M., and Henry E. Allen, Sec. In 1867, M. E. Jones was W. M., and H. E. Allen, Sec. In 1868, H. C. Childs was W. M., and J. B. Clark, Sec. In 1869, Melvin Smith was W. M., and James B. Clark was Sec. In 1870, Melvin Smith was W. M., and William H. Johnson, Sec. In 1871, Mel- vin Smith was W. M., and John Roberts, Sec. In 1872, M. E. Jones was W. M., and H. W.
186
HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY.
Grote, Sec. In 1873, Alfred Waterman was W. M., and Henry Grote, Sec. In 1874, L. Collar was W. M., and H. W. Grote, Sec. In 1875, James Saunders was W. M., and Henry M. Bender, See. In 1876, William H. Johnson was W. M., and G. II. Thrasher, Sec. In 1877, William H. Johnson was W. M., and L. C. Stover, Sec. In 1878, Leonard Pratt was W. M., and L. C. Stover, See. In 1879, William H. Johnson was W. M., and L. C. Stover, Sec. In 1880, William H. Johnson was W. M., and L. C. Stover, Sec. In 1881, William H. John- son was W. M., and L. C. Stover, Sec.
The present officers are M. E. Jones, W. M .; I. S. Ward, S. W .; Horace Jayne, J. W .; Will- iam H. Johnson, Treasurer ; L. C. Stover, Sec .; Fred Jewell, S. D .; William Rothehild, J. D .; John Hohman, Tiler.
From its organization until May, 1866, the lodge held its meetings in the building on the corner of North Railroad and Hale streets, now occupied by Grote Bros. From that time until May, 1870, meetings were held in the third story of the Bedell Buikling. At that time the lodge was moved to the building where its meetings are now held, then owned by Smith & Kimball, and purchased by the lodge in Janu- ary, 1872. In December. 1875, the lodge, in connection with Dorie Chapter, No. 166, R. A. M., rented rooms in the second story of the Central Block, and held its meetings there until July, 1878. when it moved back to its present quarters in its own building, where it has since held its meetings, enjoying a fair share of pros- perity and success .- WILLIAM H. JOHNSON.
Doric Chapter, No. 166, R. A. M .- The first , movement toward organizing a chapter of Royal Arch Masons in Wheaton was made by a few Companions, who met in the hall of Wheaton Lodge, No. 269, November 3, 1874, and, after consultation, decided to make an earnest effort to establish a chapter in Wheaton. which they at once proceeded to do.
In the meantime, J. Blanchard, hearing of the effort that was being made, called an indig- nation meeting of the citizens of Wheaton, to take measures to prevent the organization of a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons here in their midst. Accordingly, he and his adherents met in the Wesleyan Church, and, after due con- sideration, protested against it. Notwithstand- ing, on January 13, 1875, a dispensation was issued by the Grand High Priest, authorizing the formation of a chapter in Wheaton, and October 28, 1875, a charter was issued to the following Companions :
John H. Lakey, Edward J. Hill, C. P. J. Arion, William H. Johnson, H. T. Wilson, G. H. Thrasher, L. Collar, Henry M. Bender, James Saunders, Caspar Voll, H. H. Fuller, A. H. Wiant, J. McConnell, G. P. Gary, William J. Loy, Jobn Tye, John McWilliams, L. Ziemer, E. H. Gary, L. B. Church, J. B. Trull, II. Brad ley, L. C. Clark, George Webb, O. M. Hollister, A. Campbell, John Kline, L. L. Hiatt, A. Wat- erman, A. E. Bisbee and Frank F. Loveland.
The officers of Doric Chapter, while working under dispensation, were, John H. Lakey, H. . P .; Edward J. Hill, K .; C. P. J. Arion, S .; William H. Johnson, C. H .; L. C. Clark, P. S .; A. H. Wiant, R. A. C .; John McWilliams, M. 3d Veil ; G. H. Thrasher, M. 2d Veil ; H. T. . Wilson, MI. Ist Veil ; L. Collar, Treas .; J. B. Trull, Sec .; A. E. Bisbee, Tiler.
In 1876, E. J. Hill was H. P., and G. H. Thrasher, Sec. In 1877 and 1878, F. F. Love- land was H. P., and C. Voll, Sec. In 1879, 1880, 1881 and 1882, William H. Johnson was H. P., and Caspar Voll, Sec.
While working under dispensation, the chap- ter met in the hall of Wheaton Lodge. After being chartered, it occupied rooms in Central Block jointly with Wheaton Lodge until July, 1878, since which time it has hield its meetings in the hall of Wheaton Lodge.
Its present officers are William H. Johnson, H. P .; John MeWilliams, K .; II. T. Wilson,
187
MILTON TOWNSHIP.
S .; A. H. Wiant, C. H .; James T. Hosford, P. S .; A. C. Cotton, R. A. C .: John Kline, Treas .; Caspar Voll, Sec .; Henry Grote, MI. 3d V .; Ed- gar Stephens, M. 2d V .; William T. Reed, M. Ist V .; L. C. Clark, Chaplain ; I. S. Ward, Tiler .- WM. H. JOHNSON.
INDEPENDENT LITERARY ASSOCIATION OF WHEATON.
This association was permanently organized in November, 1880, by the adoption of a con- stitution and by-laws and the election of the following officers: Dr. L. Pratt, President; W. H. Johnson, Vice President; A. S. Lan- don, Recording Secretary; K. A. Patrick, Corresponding Secretary; L. E. De Wolf, Treasurer; E. H. Gammon, Marshal; and other officers to carry out its objects. The originators had in view the establishment of a society not controlled by any special inter- est except that of the general public good in mutual improvement in science and literature. It is also hoped and expected that amongst its future uses will be the establishment of a reading room, winter courses of popular lect- ures, and a public library. For two winters following its organization, the society has provided for a number of public lectures and other literary public meetings, which have proved of interest to many citizens.
Its constitution provides for debates, es- says and addresses at stated intervals.
Its membership has increased within the past year, and an interest in its utility is de- veloped to such a degree that its permanent establishment as an important element of progress in cultivating moral and intellectual attainment is looked upon as a fixture. Its meetings are suspended during the extremely hot weather and short evenings, and renewed with increased interest when summer is over.
Present officers: George Brown, Presi- dent; S. W. Moffatt. Vice President; A. S. Landon, Recording Secretary: J Grove.
Treasurer; L. H. Wills, Corresponding Sec- retary : E. W. Fisher, Marshal. - L. PRATT.
The Sunday school is an institution which, like many other kindred societies, originated in New England, and from thence it was car- ried to every hamlet in America where the representative Yankee has planted himself to stay. In all Western towns, the question is not, Will the Sunday school come? or Has it come ? but Who brought it first ?
The honor of doing this at Wheaton be- longs to Alvin Seamans. He settled here in 1839, having come from Pomfret, Conn., the home of the Wheatons and Garys, through whose example he came to the place, and with him came Hezekiah Holt, all the way, with a team.
The school was established in 1850, at a schoolhouse where divine service was held by the Wesleyan and Episcopal Methodists. each occupying it by turns, in those utilitarian days, when no good thing was allowed to de- cay for want of use. This schoolhouse stands a little west of the old Meacham place, and went by the name of the Wheaton School- house. Old Father Kimball, Mr. Bates, Mr. Curtis and Mr. Holt, besides the Wheatons, Garys and a few others, were then the chief patrons of this " kind of an omnibus school- house." whose seats hardly had time to cool between the varied sessions with which they were occupied.
Mr. Seamans was Superintendent of this Sunday school, and Mr. H. H. Fuller, Secre- tary. A library of 100 volumes was obtained. and subsequently, with the school itself. transferred to Wheaton Institute, then under the charge of the Wesleyans, which, a few years later, became Wheaton College. The old house has had an erratic history, hav- ing, after it was no longer wanted for a schoolhouse, been moved half a mile west for
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.