History of Effingham county, Illinois, Part 32

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, O. L. Baskin & co.
Number of Pages: 650

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the year 1850, and for several years his house was the only preaching place. The organi- zation was afterward moved to a neighboring schoolhouse, where public worship was held until the year 1866, at which time steps were taken to erect a more convenient structure, in keeping with the growth of the congregation. A log bouse was accordingly erected that year, and has served the purpose of a meet- ing-house ever since. The church is not in a very flourishing condition at present, there being but fifteen or twenty names on the rec- ords, though at one time the congregation was very strong, and numbered among its members many of the best and most substan - tial citizens of the township.

The Lutherans have a strong organization near the village of Winterrowd, and own in connection with their house of worship about twenty acres of land. Their building is a substantial frame edifice, and the membership will number probably sixty.

The Missionary Baptist Church at Elliotts- town was organized in this township at the residence of Smith Elliott and afterward moved to that village; its history will be found in the chapter devoted to Bishop Township and Elliottstown. A small Pres- byterian Church was in existence at one time in the town of Winterrowd, but was short- lived, having been disbanded after their pas- tor's death occurred, several years ago. There is, in addition to those already enumerated, a church organization in the northeastern part of the township, but of its history nothing definite was ascertained. The little hamlet of Winterrowd, scarcely aspiring to the dig- nity of a village, is situated in the southeast corner of the township, and consists merely of a store, post office, blacksmith shop, an un- finished church building and some ten or a dozen residences. It was surveyed and laid ont in the year 1863 by Washington Winter-

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rowd, on ground that had formerly belonged to Thomas Scott. The only store in the place is carried on by James MeCorkle, who keeps a very fair stock of miscellaneous merchan- dise and does quite an extensive businoss for so small a place; he also keeps the post office in his establishment, where the citizens of the surrounding country get their mail daily. The physician of the village-Dr. Jayne- has a large and lucrative practice. The manufacturing interest of the place is repre- sented by the blacksmith and wagon shop of Joseph Goslawn. There is one church build- ing partially completed, where the Methodists hold services occasionally, though they have no regularly organized society.

The Eberle Post Office was established in the year 1867, and Dr. Allen appointed as Postmaster; it is now kept by W. H. Poynter, at his residence in the sonthwestern part of the township.

Lucas is the only Republican township in this strong Democratie county, and generally gives that ticket majorities ranging from forty to sixty at important elections. At an election held in the year 1863, one Demo- cratic vote was cast, a fact so seldom heard of that we venture to give the lonesome voter's name. Mr. Baty will pardon us for making mention of him in this public manner.

Perhaps but few sections in the State mani- fested their loyalty during the great rebellion in a more substantial manner than did Lneas Township. The alarm of war and the ery

that the country was in danger was but ut- tered when brave and true men were seen fly- ing to the nearest recruiting office to proffer their services, and lives, if need be, in defense of the Union they had been taught to love. The idea that 75,000 could crush the rebell- ion in three months was soon found to be a very grave mistake, and no locality seemed more fully to realize this fact. Almost every man, whether able-bodied or otherwise, was inspired with the idea that his services were needed by the Government for this trying occasion. Farmers left their plows, work- men their shops and hurried to the front to assist in the great struggle that was to decide the nation's existence. The following list comprises the brave boys who donned the blue during the dark days of war:

Ner Stroud, S. J. Stroud, N. S. Stroud, E. J. Stroud, J. F. Barkly, Henry Barkly, A. L. Elliott, G. S. Elliott, Waymack Merry, J. R. Merry, Fred Merry, Mack D. Merry, G. W. Merry, J. T. Poynter, George Adamson, J. A. Evans, Henry Lake, W. P. Halloway, D. H. Halloway, Marshall Lown, Manassah Jones, Benjamin Cos, Henry Evans, Andrew Dunn, T. J. Dunn, W. C. Baty, Robert Baty.

Those of the above number who went but never returned-who laid down their lives to uphold the honor of an insulted flag will al- ways be remembered. May the mold which covers their inanimate forms never again be disturbed by the tramp of soldier nor the iron hoof of war-liorse.

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HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXIII .*

TEUTOPOLIS TOWNSHIP-ITS DESCRIPTION AND FORMATION-TOPOGRAPHY-THE PRAIRIE AND TIMBER SOILS-GERMAN EMIGRANTS-VILLAGE OF TEUTOPOLIS-THE GERMAN COLONY

-GROWTH OF THE VILLAGE-SCHOOLS - ST. JOSEPH'S COLLEGE-SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME-THE CHURCH-VILLAGE INCORPORATION AND OFFICERS.

" O Sprecht! warum zogt ihr von dannen ? Das Neckarthal hat Wein und Korn;

Der Schwarzwald steht voll finstrer Tannen, Im Spessart Klingt des Alplers Horn." THE GERMAN EMIGRANT.

TEUTOPOLIS is not a full Congressional township, but a part of the Congressional township of Douglas. In the year 1862, a strip of the east half of Douglas was cut off, being from east to west three miles, from south to north six miles, and it is designated as Town 8 north, Range 6 east, of the Third Principal Meridian. The name was derived from the village of Teutopolis, which is situ- ated in the eastern part of the township.

The history of the formation of Teutopolis into a township is as follows: During the late war. this part of the old township had furnished a large number of volunteers for the army, and, as the Government was making a draft for soldiers, a just credit could not be given to this section, unless they were di- vided from the old township. Proper steps were taken for a change, and a new town- ship was created. Another reason for the separation was, that this part of the township had a voting precinct, and when the county adopted township organization the voting precinct was set aside, all voters being re- quired to go to Effingham, a distance of four miles, to vote. This was put forth as strong ground for a new township, which would give the people a voting place nearer home. Af. ter the township was set off, a proper distri-

bution of volunteers was made, and it was found that the new township had more volun- teers than its ratio of draft called for, and hence no draft was made here.

Tentopolis Township is bounded on the east by St. Francis, on the south by Watson, on the west and north by Douglas, and has eleven thousand five hundred and twenty acres; of this area about five thousand acres is timber land, running in a belt through the township, and is composed of white oak, ash, walnut, hickory, elm, burr oak, black oak, pin oak, cottonwood, etc. The land, when cleared, is unexcelled for farming pur- poses. The soil is of a more durable nature than the prairie land, and many fine farms have been made by some of the first settlers. Most of them settled in the timber under the impression that prairie land could not be cultivated, and that it would not produce crops. Through this belt of timber, two streams run-Salt Creek enters the township about a half mile north of the National road and flows west some three miles, thence south for about one mile, where it passes into Doug- las Township; Willow Creek enters the township at the northeast part, and runs in a southwestern direction to the center, where it empties into Salt Creek. There are a number of other small streams which serve as a drainage to the low lands.

The prairie land is of a rolling nature, and its soil is of a deep black. In the year 1847, the settlers commenced to cultivate the

* By Charles Eversmann.

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IHISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY.

prairie land and adjacent to the timber. Most of the prairie is now under cultivation, and farms can be made at much less expense than in the timber. The prairie land is well adapted to raising wheat, oats, corn, barley. The average yield of corn is forty-five bush- els to the acre; of wheat, about fifteen bush- els, and oats, thirty-five bushels. The average price paid for this land by the early settlers was $1.25 per acre. The price has steadily increased to $35 per acre. More or less of the land is swamp, very low and wet, but of later years it has been reclaimed by a system of drains; when drained, which can easily be done, it produces better crops than the higli land, and is equal to the timber soil.

The village of Teutopolis is situated in the eastern part of the township upon Sections 13 and 14. In the year 1837, it was laid out and incorporated, February 27, 1845, a company was formed by Germans at Cincinnati, consisting of the following members: Bernard Arusen, Henry Art, B. H. Brockmann, Joseph Bussmann, John F. Boving, Joseph Bockmann, Frantz Brinkmann, J. H. Buddeke, Joseph Beans, J. H. Bergfeld, Franz Bergmann, G. H. Bergfeld, J. H. Brummer, Joseph Brock- mann, Franz Betentom. John Berus, Joseph Brockamp, J. H. Baving, B. N. Deters, G. N. Deters, H. Determann, John Frilling, F. Frommeyer, Joseph Feldhake, Joseph Frey, J. M. Goos, R. Grobmeyer, H. Grob- meyer, J. H. Grunkemeyer, Anna Mary Hille, G. H. Hahnhorst, B. H. Hille, Anton Hos- mann, J. H. Hille, C. Hulle, D. Hahuliorst, Henry Hursmann, H. H. Hardmann, H. A. Hollfogt, Henry Hackmann, J. W. Humler, Henry Imwalde, J. H. Imbush, B. Inkrot. B. Jonning, Henry Kempker, Franz Kramer, J. H. Kabbes, Arnold Kreke, Joseph Keyser, Joseph Krieg. Henry Kenter, John G. Korf- hagen, Joseph Klein, Allert Kunen, J. H.

Klone, John Kark, Joseph Kemppe, B. Schub, B. Krieg, N. Lugers, G. Ingers, H. Losekamp, Franz Meyer, Joseph Mesch, F. Nacke, Joseph Moritz, C. Moritz, G. Meyer, Franz Meyer, J. H. Mindrup, Joseph Met- ten, Joseph Meyer, C. Meyer, J. H. Newhaus, B. Nurre, Joseph Ostendorf, F. H. Pudhoff, J. H. Plaspohl, Elizabeth Pudick, William Pirbach, F. Rumpling, C. Rabe, William Ruckener, J. H. Runebaum, C. Ruckener, William Rolfer, H. H. Rehkamp, G. Rocken, J. H. Renscher, H. H. Riekelmann, B. Riesenbeck, J. H. Rabe. Joseph Rabe, R. Schutte, Joseph Stukenborg, G. Schutte, Joseph Schwegmann, Christine Schonhoff, J. H. Schurbesk, Henry Shmidt, David Springmeyer, Anton Sudbeek, Casper Scliwe- deck, J. G. Schelmoller. C. Sleper, Franz Sleper, Henry Stolteben, C. G. Sander, Franz Schriver, Theodor Thies, John Wessel Tobe, Peter Thole, B. Tangemann, Anton Thole. D. Thole, Allert Volking. W. Uthell, J. H. Uptmor, H. H. Uptmor, C. Uptmor, Mary Ann Uptmor, B. Verweck. G. Venemann, Anton Venemann, Otto Voske. Joseph Vene- mann, Theodore Venemann. J. H. Vormor, Casper Waschefort, John F. Waschefort, Joseph Weloge, Joseph Westendorf, H. H. Wempe, G. Windhaus, H. H. Wernsing, Anton Zumbrick, Herman Zerhusen, Bar- nard Zerhusen, Henry Zerhusen.

The members had to pay $10 each month until the sum of $16,000 was accumulated. A committee was appointed, consisting of Clem Uptmor, John F. Waschefort and G. H. Bergfeld, who were appointed to look ont for a suitable locality. And on the 17th day of April, 1837, they started upon their mission. After making a tramp through Indiana, they came to Illinois, traveled over a considerable portion of the State, and finally selected this place. After they returned and made their report, they were

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instructed to buy the land. The committee had to guard against sharpers, who endeav ored to find out where the land was to be bought, thus desiring to get ahead of them, buy the land and make them pay a profit on it. But by the shrewd management of Mr. C. Uptmor, who cautioned all those present in the meeting not to say a word as to the place of their selection, thereby completely ontwitting the sharpers. Sixteen thousand dollars was the sum they had with them for this entry, ten thousand acres, paying for it $1.25 per acre, except eighty acres in the town, for which they had to pay $400. Upon their return, the land was laid off to each shareholder-a share being $50. Each · member who had paid $50, and $10 for expenses, was entitled to forty acres and four lots in the village. There were one hundred and forty-two who only had one share of $50, and fifty-two who had two shares in addition to the one. The destribu- tion was made by lottery. The total expense of this committee was not quite $400.

All the deeds were made by J. F. Wasche- fort to the members and the plot of the village was made in Cincinnati. The main street is on the old National road and is eighty feet in width, all other streets running with the main streets are sixty feet, as well as the cross streets. Blocks were forty-eight in number, and each block had nine lots of fifty feet front and five hundred and thirty- three feet in depth. Outside of these blocks are lots called garden lots and are of two acres each. This plat was recorded in the year 1838. About one-third of the village lies in the timber, and the land is of a rolling nature.

In the year of 1838, J. H. Uptmor, Henry Vormor, G. H. Bergfeld Niemann, Joseph Bockmann located here and were the first set- tlers. They came here in the fall, and in the

following spring Mr. C. Uptmor came out. The first house sold was by J. H. Uptmor to his brother Clemens, and the price paid was $5. Mr. C. Uptmor settled in the town but the others settled upon the land and commenced farming.

The early settlers emigrated by wagon or by water; the most practical route then was by water from Cincinnati to St. Louis, Mo., thence by wagon, it being only one hundred miles from St. Louis here. C. Uptmor made the trip twice on foot. Others came by stage. Some of the early settlers came directly from the old country by the way of New Orleans. They found it very hard to make a start. Teams were difficult to get. Horses were not thought of. The first horse was owned by J. Bockmann, and often he might be seen with one ox and horse hitched to a roller wagon, going to mill. Plows were made of wood, all except a small strip of iron put in front in place of share. Wag- ons were made from ends of logs cut off about six inches thick, as wheels, and with- out iron. Poultry had to be got in Marshall, some forty miles distant. Some of our early settlers got chickens from a place called Spring Point, east of here about fifteen miles, and had to carry them on their back, and when they came with them they pre- sented a fine spectacle. All provisions and groceries had to be hauled in wagons from St. Louis. Mr. C. Uptmor, in the year 1839, started a small store; $50 was his invoice, and it is now often related that at that time this small stock was looked upon as greater than our first-class stores are at the present time. The nearest mill was at Newton, Ill., a distance of twenty-one miles. Often the road was so bad that the people could not get to mill by wagon (such as they had) and would go on foot and carry their grist on their back. When out of meal, they would

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HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY.

crack corn with a hammer and make bread of it. But in the year 1842 Mr. C. Uptmor and his brother, H. Uptmor, built a four- arm windmill. This mill had only one pair buhrs. It had a bolt which had to be turned by hand. This added much to the conven- ience, and the settlers wero happy when they could get their grinding done at home. But still sometimes there would be no wind to make the mill go. Then it was like Smith's mill in the poem:

" Save only when the wind was west, Still as a post it stood at rest."

And often in such cases they would run short of mcal. To overcome this difficulty, Frantz Weber built a horse-power mill, but it was a slow way of grinding, five bushels of corn being a big day's work. This difficulty was removed, however, in the year 1857, when John F. Waschefort built a steam mill with a capacity of fifty barrels a day. He also attached a saw mill to this, which is still in operation and doing a good business. In the year 1882, C. Uptmor & Son built a large mill at a cost of over $40,000, and with a capacity of one hundred and fifty bushels a day. This mill is the best in the county; all of its machinery is of the latest improve- ment.

The first saw mill was built by Theodore Penner in 1848, and was an old-fashioned water mill, which would only run when Salt Creek was very high. There were built a number of other mills, but their dates cannot be given.

The first schoolhouse was built in 1840, and was of logs. Mr. C. Robe was the first school-teacher, and six pupils was the largest number he had at one time. A new public schoolhouse was built in 1855, at a cost of $1.500. A fine schoolhouse and residenco for tho Sistors of Notre Dame was built in 1868, at a cost of $15,000; and in 1879 a

schoolhouse was built at a cost of $6,000. This building has a large hall in the second story, and at one end a fine stage. T'ho hall is used principally for holding public meet- ings.

The St. Mary's Academy, under the super- vision of the Sisters of Notre Dame, already alluded to, is a flourishing institution. The Sisters who came here in December, 1861, were Sister Margueretta Mueller, Mother Su- perior, and Sister Mauritia Ultzmann, and the candidate Marguerite Rudolph. Their number has increased from time to time, un- til at present they number eight sisters and one candidate, under the supervision of Sis- ter Verena, Mother Superior. When they first came here, they occupied a large two- story log house, opposite the church, in which they taught school for six years. In 1867, the congregation built a large two-story brick, with basement and attic, 30x80 feet. Two of the lower and one of the upper rooms are used for the school; the others as a resi- dence for the sisters, except one in the first story used for a chapel. The institution is an academy for young ladies, taught by the sisters, in all branches, including music and fancy needle-work. Four deaths have occurred in the institution since it commenced, viz., three Sisters and one candidate. The build- ing is situated on a fine lot near the church. The ground is highly ornamented with trees and shrubbery.

The principal Mother House is at Milwau- kee, Wis., and all institutions like this are subject to it. The main support of the academy is from teaching. A certain sum is received from the School Directors; somnothing is received from tuition of the boarders in the institution in young ladies' department, and from needlework, etc.

St. Joseph's Diocesan College .- This insti- tution of learning was founded in the year

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HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY.

1861. The congregation of St. Francis, at Teutopolis, had been intrusted to Franciscan Fathers, sent to this country in 1858 by the Very Rev. Gregory Yanknecht. O. S. F., Provincial of the Westphalian Province of Saxony of the Holy Cross, Prussia, at the entreaties of Rt. Rev. Henry D. Junker, D. D., Bishop of Alton. In their zeal for the flock committed to their charge, the pious Fathers soon were convinced of the useful- ness and necessity of a high school for the education of the growing young men of the congregation. Accordingly, under the au- spices of Very Rev. Damian Hennewig, O. S. F., a committee was formed, consisting of Messrs. Clement Uptmor, John Wernsing, Diederich Eggermanu and John Waschefort, for choosing a convenient building ground and for procuring the necessary funds for the erec- tion of the college. An area of eighteen lots in the southern part of the town -- partly donat- ed, partly bought-was selected as a suitable site for the institution. A two-story brick house with basement was erected, and fur- nished with all the improvements belonging to an edifice of this nature; a beautiful gar- den and extensive play grounds were laid out, and the whole inclosed with a fence. The expenses were almost entirely covered by subscriptions.

The work so rapidly progressed that in the year 1862 the institution was opened by the Franciscan Fathers, under the direction of Rev. P. Heribert Hofmann, O. S. F .. as rector. and was deeded to Rt. Rev. H. D. Junker, D. D .. Bishop of Alton, for the benefit of the diocese.

The Bishop raised the institution to an Ecclesiastical Seminary, and sent his candi- dates for the holy ministry to Tentopolis, there to complete their course of philosophy and theology. But the number of Fathers was very small, and the few were besides

engaged in preaching missions and in other pastoral duties, as the direction of congrega- tions, etc. In consequence of these multifari- ous labors, they could not possibly give the necessary attention to the seminary, and they thought it proper to close it and to devote their energy to giving young men a thorough classical education and a good moral train- ing. This plan was carried out at the acces- sion of Very Rev. P. Maurice Klostermann, O. S. F., to the rectorship; a man renowned not only as an excellent musician, but also as a master in the art of instructing and training the young. The course of studies was di- vided into a preparatory one of two classes, and a collegiate one of four classes. Subse- quently, a commercial course was introduced. The course of studies embraces the Greek, Latin, French, German and English lan- guages; rhetoric, poetry, history, geography, book-keeping, arithmetic, mathematics, nat- ural philosophy, natural history, drawing, penmanship and instrumental and vocal music. The college has also a good library, to which students have access.

The number of scholars ever increasing, the building could no longer accommodate all those who applied for admission. For this reason, in 1877, the college was enlarged by an addition to the east side.

The fame of the institution spread. more and more, so that parents even from a dis- tance intrusted their sons to St. Joseph's College. Literary institutions, also, to which students of St. Joseph's repaired for the completion of their studies, acknowledged its merits, not to mention that bishops who had their candidates for the ministry edu- cated at Teutopolis, were highly pleased with the result. The institution numbers among its former scholars many priests, both secular and regular; and others, distinguished as physicians, teachers, merchants, and in other

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avocations. In fact, the aim of the institu- tion is not only to cram the mind with bare facts and to develop the mental powers, but also and principally to give a moral training to its charges, to call forth and cultivate in them a relish for virtue-in a word, to form noble, honest, moral characters. To this effect the students are always under the vigilant care of their professors and tutors, and form but one family with them. They are warned against the dangers peculiar to youth, and are strengthened by advice for the time of temptation.

In the year 1881, Right Rev. P. J. Baltes, D. D., Bishop of Alton, had the college in- corporated as a Diocosan institution. Hereby it received the right to grant the academic degrees, A. B. and M. A.

The following year, Very Rev. P. M. Klostermann, O. S. F., compelled by dimness of sight, resigned tho rectorate, and Rev. P. Michael Richards, O. S. F., was elected to succeed him.

In the current year, the number of students is over 100. The following gentlemen belong to the faculty: Rev. P. Michael Richards, O. S. F .. Rector; Rev. P. Nicholas Leonard, O. S. F., sub-Rector; Rev. P. Francis Haase, O. S. F., Professor; Rev. P. Hugolinus Storff, O. S. F., Professor; Rev. P. Floribert Jaspers, O. S. F., Professor; Mr. Gerard Schuette, Professor; Mr. Henry Rolf. Professor; Mr. Peter Rhode Professor.

St. Francis Convent .- This house is inhab- ited by the Franciscan Fathers or Friars Minor who, came to Teutopolis September 23. 1858. It was then a branch of the "Province of the Holy Cross of Saxony," which province was erected 1221. during the life of St. Francis of Assisi, the founder of the different orders of Franciscans. The first members that arrived in Teutopolis came at the request of Right Rev. Damian Junker,

First Bishop of the Diocese of Alton. Rev. Damian Hennewig (deceased December 12, 1865), Rev. Servatius Altmicks, Rev. Capistran Zwinge, and three lay brothers were the first Franciscans that came to this place. (They came from Warendorf, West- phalia, Europe.) On their arrival, they oc- cupied a farmhouse of two rooms belonging to Mr. J. F. Washefort, till a small brick- house, the pastor's residence, near the church, was completed. A two-story frame house, thirteen rooms, was built in 1859 in addi - tion to it. which was moved south to give place for the present two-story brick build- ing. In 1867. the east wing was built; in I86S, the north wing, fifty-eight rooms in the building, size, 24x84 and 24x70. November 26, 1859, the following members arrived in Teutopolis: Rev. Heribert Hoffmanns, Rev. Ferdinand Bergmeier, Rev. Mauritius Klos- termann, Rev. Raynerius Dickneite. At various times, new members came from Ger- many, and the order obtained many members from this country. The number grew con- tinually till 1875, when an unusually great number arrived from Europe, owing to the infamous May-laws, passed May, 1873, at the suggestions of Bismarck. On the 3d of July. 1875, eighty members, and July 16, twenty-six arrived and sought shelter in Tentopolis.

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History of Effingham county, Illinois, Part 32

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, O. L. Baskin & co. Number of Pages: 650

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, O. L. Baskin & co.
Number of Pages: 650