History of Effingham county, Illinois, Part 36

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

USA > Illinois > Effingham County > History of Effingham county, Illinois > Part 36

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The wages paid teachers in Bishop average from $20 to $40 per month, which all con- cede to be much too low, as first-class teachers cannot be procured at snel figures. The people are fast realizing that a few dollars per month in a good teacher's salary is not at all to be considered or compared to a poor school in the hands of a cheap, but incompe- tent instructor. There are in addition to the public schools of the township, two parochial schools, under the control of the Lutherans and Catholics respectively, both of which are reputed in flourishing condition.

The first religious services in Bishop were conducted by Elder Stephen A. Williams, a pioneer preacher of Union Township, at private residences and at schoolhouses. He was a member of the Christian Church, or, as they are more commonly known, "New Lights," and organized the first society of that denomination in the county. The Meth- odists held services throughout the township during its early history, but never had a permanent organization. The southern and western parts of the township were settled principally by Germans, the majority of whom are connected with the Catholic and Lutherau Churches, each denomination hav- ing a flourishing congregation near the village of Dieterich.

St. Aloysius Roman Catholic Church dates its history from the year 1859, at which time a meeting was called for the purpose of tak- ing steps toward the erection of a house of worship. It was decided at this meeting to ereet a temporary frame structure, and a so- liciting committee was appointed which soon succeeded in raising several hundred dollars, when au order arrived from Bishop Junker to either build a substantial edifice, suitable for a house of God, or none at all. This or- der served as a check on the building, and no further efforts were made in that direction

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HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY.

until the year 1865, when the present house was erected.

It is a fine brick edifice, 40x60 feet, and cost, when completed and furnished, the sum of $7,000. In the fall of 1865, Rev. Kroeger held the first services in the new building with great pomp and ceremony. The first regular pastor was Father Nazarias, who had charge of the church but a few weeks. Father Mauritius, at that time rector of St. Joseph's College, was next appointed pastor, and succeeded during his pastorate in paying off the greater amount of the church's in- debtedness. Fathers Aloysius, Chrisosto- mus, Eustachius, Clementinus and Marcus have had charge of the congregation at dif- ferent times.

Twenty families comprised the original membership, which has since increased until there are now 350 active members belonging to the church, and it is considered one of the most flourishing parishes in the diocese of Alton.

The necessity of having a denominational school south of Salt Creek had long been felt by the Catholic families living here, as the distance to the nearest school, Teutopolis, was too great to be traveled by the children of the neighborhood. Forty acres of ground were purchased for school purposes, in the year 1852, and a suitable log house erected. Mr. Hulls was the first teacher, in which capacity he served until the year 1854. From 1854 until 1863, the following teachers successfully taught one term: Repking, Nieuaher, Borgman, Klinkhammer, Wern- sing (the present County Treasurer), Peters, Ackersmann, Gottesleben and Baltonweck. In 1863, Mr. Heimeier taught with great suc- cess, and continued with the school until 1872. C. H. Guithues was then appointed and followed his vocation until 1880, when he resigned, and was succeeded by his son,

Theodore Guithues, who still holds the posi- tion. A new building was erected in the year 1877, a short distance from the log structure. It is built of brick, cost $1,000, and is in every respect a model of neatness and comfort. At present there are sixty children attending the school.

St. John's Lutheran Church was organized in the year 1860, by Rev. Mr. Dickman, with a membership of about fifteen families. The schoolhouse northeast of Elliottstown served as a meeting place, until their first house of worship was erected. Their present neat ed- ifice was built in the year 1876, at a cost of $1,600. There are now about forty commu- nicants connected with the church. The present Trustees are H. Helmbrecht, G. Gerth and J. Woltmein. Rev. G. Wagner is the pastor now in charge. A parochial school was established the same time the church was built, and has been in successful opera- tion ever since. They have a good house, and the average attendance is about sixty pu- pils. The different pastors have had charge of the school as instructors.

The Village of Ellioltsloun .- This town dates its history from June 17, 1854, at which time the ground was surveyed into lots by County Surveyor R. A. Howard, for Smith Elliott, proprietor of the land. An addition was made to the original plat a few years afterward of a number of lots lying south of the main street in Lucas Township. A short time after the survey was made, sov- eral dwellings and business houses were in process of erection. There were a couple of buildings on the town site before the ground was platted, belonging to Dr. L J. Field and E. A. Elliott. The former stood on the corner now occupied by George Dye's hotel, and was used for the threefold purpose of dwelling, doctor "shop" and post office. The last named is still standing and was

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IHISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY.

formerly used as a dwelling and storeroom. It is at present occupied by Mrs. Higgins as a residence. The post office had been estab. lished at this point several years before the town was laid out, with Dr. Field as Post- master, a position he held for over seventeen years. It was not on any regular route, and the proceeds of the office were supposed to be sufficient to pay for carrying the mail. Sometimes, however, pay from this source fell short and the deficiency had to be made up from private means of the Postmaster, who in this way lost over $60 during his term of office. About the time the town was contemplated, a storehouse was built and stocked with a miscellaneous assortment of merchandise by Robert Evans, who, for some two years, did a very handsome little business, which served as a good advertisement for the place. A second store building was erected about the year 1854 by John Marble, who kept a general line of merchandise, with a barrel of "Old Johnson County " to make his variety complete. He continued his business but one year, when he disposed of his stock and moved into St. Francis Town- ship. The building was afterward torn down and removed to a place east of Teutopolis, where it is still standing. About 1855, H. L. Smith started a third store, which was kept in the house where Mrs. Higgins now lives, and for a while carried on a good trado. Dr. Field kept a store in one room of his residence for two years, which he op- erated in connection with his medical prac- tice. The latter having grown to so consid. erable extent, and finding he could not do his mercantile business justice without in- terfering with his profession, he closed out his stock, after having sold goods for two years, Since the town started, the following firms have done business here at different in- tervals : Sloan & Barr, William Hunter,

Lloyd & Kennedy, Lloyd & Wilds, Sloan & Floyd, George Dye, W. H. Hyden, F. B. Schooley. The business of the town is represented at present by Merry & Sons, who keep a very fine store, with a stock of goods representing a cash value of perhaps $2,700. George Dye keeps a drug store and handles a line of groceries also. He is the good-natured proprietor of the only hotel in place, a good one by the way, and we mean no reflection on him when we call his place the " Dye " House. Dr. Field was the first physician in the town. Drs. Abbott, Hughes, Sloan, Johnson. Lesseur, Shindle and Lara- bee have at different times during the town's history ministered to the afflicted of the vil- lage and surrounding county. Dr. T. J. Dunn, a son-in-law of Dr. Field and a regu- larly graduated M. D., is at present located here and is gaining a large and lucrative practice. The first blacksmith shop in the village was built by John V. Bail, in the year 1855. He worked at his trade here for two years, when he sold his shop and moved to the village of Watson, where he has been ever since. A shop is run at present by John Dye. G. W. Baty built a steam flour- ing and saw mill combined, in the year 1854, and operated it about five years, when he sold it to a Mr. Patterson. The mill blew up a short time after Patterson purchased it, killing him instantly, and tearing the mill to shreds. Nobody else was hurt, though several had very narrow escapes. A steam saw mill was operated in the village several years, by Samuel Field, but at present there are no mills or manufactur- ing establishments of any kind in the place. There were in the village during its days of infancy several saloons-ginshops, sample rooms, or, to be more explicit, "hell-holes," which had a demoralizing effeet upon the town and entire community, and gave the

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HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY.

place a bad reputation abroad. These can- cers were removed a number of years ago, and fortunately for the good sense, intelli- gence and morality of the citizens, nothing of the kind has been permitted since. A man named Jim Green finally kept whisky by the barrel, which he retailed from his residence, causing the better disposed citizens a great deal of annoyance, but all their efforts to induce him to quit the business were fruit- less. During the progress of a great temper- ance revival which took the country by storm, some parties thought they could further the cause by destroying Green's whisky barrel, and accordingly went to work with that object in view. The barrel was kept in his smoke- house, as they supposed, right over the well, at least they had seen certain parties go there for the purpose of sampling the "creature." Fired by the holiness of their mission, these cold water disciples crept cautiously up to the barrel one night, and after placing their sen. tinels on the watch, in order to insure safety, proceeded to bore a hole in the cask which contained the hated poison. The hole was bored, but fearing detection the templars did not wait to see the result, but went to their respective homes, cheered no doubt by approv- ing consciences for the part they had taken in the great work for humanity. The next morning the entire contents of Mrs. Green's brand new barrel of soft soap was found in the well, and nobody knew who bored the hole.

The first school in Elliottstown was taught by John Russ. He began in the fall of 1856 and continued three months. The house in which this term was taught was a small frame building erected for the purpose, and was the only house of the kind in the town for eighteen years. Among the different teach- ers who taught in this building were the fol- lowing : Samuel Field, who kept one of the

first schools in the township ; H. B. Kepley, now ne of the leading lawyers of Effing- ham, and W. B. Hannawalt. The old honse was replaced in 1874 by the present building, which was erected at a cost of about $800. The first school in this house was taught by Dr. T. J. Dnnn. Present teacher is Mr. J. M. Britten who has an interesting school of about fifty pupils.

The Baptist Church is the oldest religious society in Elliottstown, and was organized by an ecclesiastical council which convened for that purpose at the residence of Smith Elliott, March 27, 1852. The principal actors in the organization were Elders J. H. Larkin, G. W. Barcus and Stephen Blair. At this meeting, articles of faith were adopted, rules of order accepted, and the following names emolled as members: Smith Elliott, Emily Elliott, L. J. Field, Frances Field, George Baty, Mary E. Baty, John B. Strife, Elizabeth Field, Margaret Arnold, Isaac McCroom and William Gordon. Of this number but two or three are now living in the village. The little congregation held their first meetings at Elliott's residence for one year, when the schoolhouse was secured for that purpose, and used as a place of worship until the year 1858. Their present handsome and conven- ient edifice was erected in that year, at a cost of $2,000. The house is frame, dimensions forty by sixty feet, and will comfortably seat over three hundred people. Elder G. W. Barcus was called to act as pastor at the first meeting, and served in that capacity, at dif- ferent intervals, for twenty years. He was a man universally respected for his piety, and did as much if not more than any other pastor toward building the congregation and leading the members toward the higher life. He is now a resident of Kansas, where he moved in the spring of 1882. Of the other pastors who ministered to the church

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HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY.

were Revs. Reed, Patton and Chris, and others. In the early days of its history, the church was a strong organization, and was greatly strengthened by numerous revivals, during the progress of which many were converted and their names enrolled on the church records. There have been over one hundred members at different times, but many have died and others moved away until now there are but about forty names on the church books. There has been no preaching for some time past, and a general decay seems to have fastened itself upon the once flourish- ing society.

The Christian Church of Elliottstown was organized in 1866, by Elder Henry Vandooser, with a membership of twelve or fifteen per- sons. The organization was effected at the schoolhouse, where for two years their serv- ices were held, when the use of the Baptist Church was secured, where the congregation met for worship two years longer. The church grew prosperous, and its membership increased very rapidly. The members are united as one in their social and religious relations, and six years had scarcely passed from the date of their organization, when they found themselves sufficiently strong to build a house of worship of their own. Their building is a convenient and comfortable frame structure, and represents a capital of about $1.500. Elder Thomas Wall was the first pastor, and served one year. His suc- cessor was Elder Barlow Higgins, who re- mained with the congregation the same length of time as his predecessor, and was followed by the present pastor, William Gordon, of Watson, who is now on his fifth year's work with the church. The present membership is about seventy. The elders of the church are Barlow Higgins, Jesse Melson, F. B. Schooley and Wilfred Fields. Deacons: John Dye, George Dye and William Layton.

The Trustees are John and George Dye and Frank Poe. A Sabbath school, numbering some eighty or a hundred pupils, is among the most interesting and progressive features of the church. F. B. Schooley is the Super- intendent, and also one of the earnest workers of tho congregation.

Delia Lodge, No. 525, A., F. & A. M., was organized at the village of Winterrowd. in Lucas Township, in 1867, and the organiza- tion moved to this place a couple of years later. The charter was granted by Jerome R. Gorin, at that time Grand Master of the State, and the following names appear as charter members: Phenis Palmer, R. G. Scott, C. M. Scott, Washington Winterrowd. John C. Palmer, David Palmer, L. G. Field, David C. Kershner, John A. Barr, George W. Sloan, B. L. Palmer, Andrew Wiles, J. W. Hourigan and Waymack Merry. First officers were, Phenis Palmer; W. M .; R. G. Scott, S. W .; and W. Winterrowd, J. W. The several offices are filled at present by F. B. Schooley, W. M .; J. F. Poynter, S. W .; F. J. Wood. J. W .; George Dye, Treasurer; T. J. Dunn, Secretary; J. W. Fields, S. D .; W. H. Davis, J. D .; W. H. Poynter, Chaplain; Waymack Merry and L. J. Field, Stewards, and J. Treese, Tiler. The lodge is in good working order, and has some twenty-one or twenty-two members. Their meetings are held in a very fair hall that is owned by the lodge.

The little village of Dieterich, or Dieterichs- burg, is situated in the northwest corner of the township, on Section 13, and was laid out by M. Dieterich, who owned the land. It was surveyed by C. A. Van Allen, County Sur- veyor, January 8, 1881. This town is an outgrowth of the Springfield, Effingham & South-Eastern Railroad, which was recently completed through this part of the county and which has given new stimulus to the agricultural interest of this township, by

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HISTORY OF EFFINGHAM COUNTY.

bringing good grain markets to the people's doors. There are at this station, three ware- honses, operated by Jennings & Minor, M. Dieterich and M. V. Parks. Their business has largely inereased during the past year, and at no other small point in the county were as many bushels of wheat handled in 1881 and 1882. The place boasts two stores, which are kept by James Prather and Henry Habing; two blacksmith shops, where John Sonnenberg and William Richards work at their trades; two brick yards are in suc-

cessful operation, by Habing & Field, and several new houses will soon be erected. John Richards was the first Postmaster, hav ing been appointed when the office was established, in the year 1881. The office is now kept by Dr. Chapman.

A village called Graceville was surveyed and platted February 5, 1881, by C. A. Van Allen, County Surveyor, for John Grace, owner of the land. It occupies a portion of ground in Section 13, joining Dieterich, and both places go by the latter name.

ADDENDUM .- Biography received too late for insertion in proper place.

WEILER & MEYER, dealers in clothing, gents' furnishing goods. hats, shoes and trunks, one door north of Zimmerman & Snyder, Altamont. HERMAN WEILER was born in Ott-

weiler, Rhine Province, Prussia, June 13, 1855. MAX MEYER was born in Hamburg, Germany, November 10, 1859. The above firm commenced business in Altamont February 15, 1883.

PART II.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

PART II.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

EFFINGHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP.

CHRISTIAN ALT, SR., farmer, P. O. Efling- ham, was born, in 1822, in Germany, son of Christian and Katharina (Bechtholdt) Alt, na- tives also of Germany; he was a farmer, and died in St. Clair County, this State, in 1853; she died January 3, 1874, in this county; they were the parents of two children, both boys. Our subject received his education in Germany. Ile was married, in St. Clair County, this State, September 22, 1853, to Anna Maria Seharth, born in Germany, daughter of Adam and Eliza Scharth, natives also of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Alt have eight children-John, Christian, Henry, Louisa, Fritz, Katharina, Caroline and Wilhelm. Three of the boys are married. Our subject came to this county in October, 1865, and has since resided here. He was a miller up to 1880, since which year his oldest son has run the mill, although our subject still holds an interest in it. He is a member of the Lutheran Church, and in polities is a Democrat.

CHRISTIAN ALT, JR., expressman, Effing -. ham, was born in St. Clair County, this State, Jan. 25, 1857, son of Christian and Anna Maria (Seharth) Alt, natives of Germany, are farmers and are living in this county; they are the par- ents of eight children. Our subject received his education in his native county, and also in Eflingham. He was married, in Etlingham, June 24, 1879, to Miss Mary Koester, born February 19, 1860, in Germany, daughter of

Conrad and Christina (Ritterborn) Koester. na tives also of Germany, and are living, he in Effingham and she in Germany. Our subject worked in his father's mill, and in 1872 went into the employ of A. Sewart, in a general store. He afterward worked in several other stores, and December 1, 1881, he entered the employ of H. G. labing, who is agent for the Adams and Pacific Express Companies, and also for the Wabash Railroad, the work per- taining to the latter office of which our subject has charge. Mr. Alt is a member of the Luther- an Church, and is Independent in politics.

JOIIN ALT, miller, Effingham, was born in St. Clair County, Ill., February 14, 1852, son of John and Mary (Scharth) Alt. He was thirteen years of age, when his parents removed to this county and settled in Effingham, and our sub- ject engaged in farming until he was eighteen. Ilis stepfather bought the Old City Mills about 1866. About 1870, our subject entered his present mill, and remained five years, when he took a general Western tour, stopping in Cali- fornia for one and a half years. He returned in November, 1876, and in the spring of 1877, bought an interest in the City Mills, and has run them ever since, increasing its capacity and improving its machinery. Its present ca- pacity is seventy barrels per day. Flour is man- ufactured by the new process, and the mill turns uot several brands-a "Patent," "Straight,"

BIOGRAPHICAL:

"Gold Dust" and "No. 1." They do a mer- chant and exchange business, and the products of the mill find sale in the local market. The firm name is John Alt & Co., our subject being in partnership with his step-father, Christian Alt. The City Mills burned in 1868, and were rebuilt in 1869 at a cost of $10,000. It is a three-story frame, 35x50, with engine-room at- tached; engine is thirty-five horse power, and the mill require altogether five men. Subject was married, in October, 1877, to Miss Letitia Wade, of Effingham. They have one son. Mr. Alt's father died in St. Clair County, this State, when he (subject) was eleven months old.

CHARLES O. ANDERSON, merchant, Ef- fingham, son of Enoch Anderson. was born in Shelby County, Ill., January 3, 1862. He served one year as clerk in Chicago, Ill., and two years with Eversman & Speck. He came to Effingham City when three years of age, and has been raised and educated in the public schools. He bought the confectionery and res- taurant of W. H. Duddleston in September, 1882, and has since conducted the business under the firm name of C. O. Anderson & Co., near the post office, carrying a full line of confectionery, fine fruits and oysters and ice cream, in their respective seasons. His parents were both natives of Sweden, and came to the United States in 1861.

JONATHAN A. ARNOLD, teacher, Effing- ham, was born in Jasper County, Ill., Novem- ber 8, 1845. He was educated in the public schools of his native county, and attended one year at St. Joseph's College, Teutopolis, this county. He came to this county in 1863, and clerked in a store in Teutopolis for Venemann & Co. for four years, and afterward three years in Effingham for Van Norman Bros. About 1871, he began teaching in Liberty Township, this county, and has been teaching about seven months per year in the county ever since. In December, 1881, he was appointed Superin- tendent of Schools of this county to serve an

interim between two terms of one year. He received the nomination at the Democratic primary, in April, 1882, for the same office for a term of four years. He had served as Chair- man of the Board of Supervisors for three years when appointed, and had served as Super- visor for several years in Banner Township.

E. AUSTIN, dairyman, P. O. Effingham, was born August 29, 1842, in Hancock County, Ill., son of Seneca and Julia (Burnett) Austin, he, born in 1798, in Orwell, Vt., was a lawyer, editor and farmer, and died in Effingham, in May, 1830; she, born in Dayton, Ohio, August 29, 1812, and died May 8, 1873, in Delhi, Ohio. They were the parents of four children. Our subject received his education in Campbell County, Ky. He was a farmer in early life, also taught school, and learned the painter's trade. He was married in Campbell County, Ky., October 17, 1861, to Miss Susan L. Winter, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, November 23, 1841; daughter of William and Nancy J. Winter, he a native of England, and she of Kentucky, both born in 1798. Mr. and Mrs. Austin have nine children-Harry B., Charles, Cornelia, Frank G., William, Gustavus, Calvin, Julia and Gertrude. Our subject came to Illinois in 1862, and resided for three years in Jasper County. He then came to this county and worked at the painter's trade for two years. He then purchased sixty-five acres of land near the town, and now has 105 acres, on which he has a dairy, market garden and a good orchard. Mr. Austin is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in politics is a Republican.

HON. WILLIAM H. BARLOW, attorney at law, Effingham City, was born in Munford- ville, Hart Co., Ky., July 26, 1839. At the age of twelve, he came with his parents to Charles- ton, Ill., where he lived until 1868. He was educated in the public schools, and spent about two years in Kenyon College, before entering the army. In July, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Fifty-ninth Illinois Infantry, and went out

EFFINGHAM CITY AND DOUGLAS TOWNSHIP.

as private. In July, 1862, he was promoted to Assistant Quartermaster, with the rank of Cap- tain of volunteers, and was in the Missouri Department until the latter part of 1862, join- ing Gen. Sherman, at Memphis, Tenn., in De- cember, 1862, and served for some years on Logan's staff, and was with that army in its various changes, and was on Gen. Sherman's staff during the last six months of the war. After the war closed, in July, 1865, he was ordered to the sea coast, where he remained until October following, when he was ordered to Florida, as Chief Quartermaster of the State, with headquarters at Tallahassee; and January, 1866, was ordered to Fort Garland, Colorado, and was mustered out of service by special order from the War Department, No. 550, November 13, 1866. being the last of the volun- teer officers of Army of Tennessee mustered out. Ou being discharged, Mr. Barlow went immediately to the Law Department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, from

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History of Effingham county, Illinois, Part 36

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