USA > Illinois > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Illinois > Part 11
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1875. The Board for this year was composed of T. K. Jenkins, Presi- dent; Fred Emmel, J. Lazarus, and J. Dawson, Directors. Teachers : Wm. M. Crichton, principal ; O. M. McPherson, High School teacher; A. P. Lemmon, Grammar "A"; Mrs. Anna Torrance. Grammar "B"; Miss Sue Rugan, Intermediate; Eliza Bryant and Ella McPherson, Primary Departments. As the preceding, this was a prosperous year for the schools. 1876. Members of the Board : D. Palmer, President ; Fred Emmel, G. W. Brown. and J. Dawson. Teachers : Wm. M. Crichton, principal ; J. J. Brown, High School teacher; A. P. Lemon, Grammar "A"; Anna Tor- rance, Grammar " B" ; Ralph Palmer, Intermediate ; Misses Sue Rugan, Lulu Marcy, and Flora Coulter, Primary.
1877. Board. - D. Palmer, President ; G. W. Brown, M. J. Harding, and J. Dawson, Directors. Teachers: J. D. Collins, principal; J. J. Brown, High School teacher; Hugh Carrol, Grammar " B"; Ezra Jenkins, Grammar "A"; Eugene Conner, Intermediate; Mieses Lulu Marcy, Nellie McCord, and E. Nesbitt, Primary. This has been a very successful year for the school ; the largest number enrolled in the history of the school, and more pupils attending who reside outside of the city than in any previous year.
One thing is needed to make Vandalia schools equal to any in southern Illinois, and that is-a school-house. One that will be suitable for the necessities of a first-class school-one that will reflect credit on the enter- prise, taste and culture of the citizens of the "Old Capitol."
Ramsey School .- No village of its population can boast of a better school than can Ramsey. It has two grades, Primary and Principal Departments. For a number of years Ramsey has been favored with excellent teachers. The following are the names of some of Ramsey's prominent teachers : T. K. Jenkins, D. H. Mays, Wm. D. Baugh, T. S. Kell, J. W. Prather, Banus Hutson, Jennie Wheeler. Frank Wantland, Belle Anderson, J. D. Collins, Nellie McCord, J. R. Campbell, and Laura Thiele. A number of the pupils of the Ramsey School are now engaged in teaching in this and other counties. Among them we find the following names: Z. T. Burns, Laura Thiele, Emma Montrey, Mollie Cummings, John H. Miller, Thos. Miller, Ed. Milholland, Douglas Bolt, Campbell Stokes, Angie Stokes, Wesley Prater, and others.
The citizens of Ramsey take a deep interest in their Public Schools, and have in the past been rewarded by the consciousness that their schools are surpassed by none in villages of its population.
St. Elmo is a village on the Vandalia Railroad, and has been built within a few years; yet it can boast of excellent school facilities, for a village of its size. It has a comfortable and substantial school building, of two depart- ments-Principal and Primary.
Among the teachers who have taught in the village are: Frank Want- land, Mr. Filbrook, John A. Rose, Miss E. H. Rohrbough, Miss O. E. Sum- mers, Miss Hester Spencer, and Miss Barbara Van Bebber.
La Clede School has a good reputation in the county, having had the benefit of some very able teachers, among whom are : Mr. Burdick, Mr. McNitt, Miss McNitt, Mr. Hendee and Miss Hendee.
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Farina School was organized in 1860, with Gen. E. G. RANSOM as one of the Directors. A Mr. White was about the first teacher who taught in this village. Since then the following have taught these schools : S. G. Burdick, Arnold C. Davis, and Wm. H. Deardorf. The citizens of Farina take a lively interest in everything calculated to advance society in the scale of morals and intelligence. Their reward is in knowing that their schools are not behind those of other communities of equal advantages.
PRESENT SCHOUL, TREASURERS OF THE COUNTY.
Town 4 North, Range 1 West,
Wm. Farmer.
Town 5 North, Range 1 West. .
. John Shirley.
Town 6 North, Range 1 West.
. Arthur Stewart.
Town 7 North, Range 1 West,
Leonard Rush.
Town 8 North, Range 1 West,
H. S. Prater.
Town 9 North, Range 1 West,
. Wm. F. Weber.
Town 5 North, Range 1 East,
. E. L. Miller.
Town 6 North, Range 1 East
. G. W. Brown,
Town 7 North, Range 1 East,
I. M. Little.
Town 8 North, Range 1 East,
F. M. Bolt.
Town 9 North, Range 1 East, . M. S. Kimball.
Town 5 North, Range 2 East,
. James M. Manion.
Town 6 North, Range 2 East,
. Winslow Pilcher,
Town 7 North, Range 2 East,
. Joshua Arnold.
Town 8 North, Range 2 East,
C. L. Bolt.
Town 9 North, Range 2 East,
John Adams.
Town 5 North, Range 3 East,
. R. P. Manion.
Town € North, Range 3 East,
. Fred. Friebel.
Town 7 North, Range 3 East,
Wm. P. Smyth.
Town 8 North, Range 3 East,
. Gen. B. Muck.
Town 9 North, Range 3 East,
S. Severns.
Town 5 North, Range 4 East,
. Wm. L. Arnold. -
CONCLUSION.
Having given a brief history of the schools of the county, from the earliest period of their institution, to the present: having traced their pro- gress from the log cabin school-house in the forest, to the spacious and well provided school-rooms of to-day; having noted their development from the pioneer teacher, whose qualifications consisted of the physical ability "to handle the rod," and a vague knowledge of the " three Rs," to the gentle- manly and scholarly teacher of the present, who delights in teaching his pupils the "use of their reason," this chapter could have no better closing, than a few words of congratulation upon the success of the cause of Public Schools in the past. and a few earnest words of exhortation to the friends of popular education to labor zealously in the future.
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Much has been accomplished in developing the moral and intellectual faculties of our people. by the public school system ; more can be accom- plished in the future, if our people are but true to themselves and true to the interests of humanity. Teach the people, that our welfare as a community, and our happiness as a people, are regulated by the intelligence of the masses, and that the common school is the medium through which knowledge is disseminated to the whole people. We have the material in our county to build up a system of schools, second to no couuty in the State. Our people are descended from a good stock ; their ancestors came from Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee from the rock-bound coast of New England-from across. the foam-capped waves of the Atlantic, came the large-hearted, liberty-loving sons of the emerald isle-and the honest, enter- prising Germans whose light-hearted songs have been heard in beautiful sym- phony with the waters of the historic Rhine. This is the intellectual capital we have to build upon. Should we fail to keep step to the music of civiliza- tion and progress, we will have proved ourselves unworthy the name of our ancestors, and unworthy the name of citizen.
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The teacher is an important factor to the success of this glorious cause. Much depends on his earnestness and zeal, in building up the system of Pub- lic Schools. He should love his country and its institutions; because in them he finds something worthy to love, and worthy to preserve, and because to him, the instructor of youths, is intrusted the solemn guardianship and welfare of our institutions.
He should love his profession, for unless his soul is in the cause, zeal and earnestness will not characterize his works; and no man ever succeeded in anything without energy and zeal.
Who should love his profession more than the teacher? Whose labors are more durable in time or wide in extent ? His labors give to fleeting life its color and its perfume. His influence shall stand long after the monu- ments of personal prowess and renown shall have faded away.
Does he envy the artist? The teacher paints pictures for eternity-he moulds characters that shall stand long after the dull, cold marble from the sculptor's chisel shall have crumbled into dust.
Does he envy the hero ? He conquers more with his reason, than does the hero with bis sword.
Is it the statesman's honors he covets? The statesman governs men, he teaches men "to govern themselves"
Is it fame he seeks ? Let him look at the roll of teachers; where does he find a more brilliant record? With whom does he find himself enrolled ? With Plato, Euclid, Descartes and Newton; with Rush, Adams and Dwight ; with "Socrates, teacher of men, and Paul, the apostle of God."
CHAPTER XVI.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
BY REV. T. H. HERDMAN, M. A.
CARCELY had the first settlements in the territory now in- cluded within the bounds of Fayette County been formed. before the itinerant Methodist preacher made his appear- ance and began his evangelistic work. Wherever a pioneer would open his cabin for preaching, there an appointment was made. Wherever a few persons would give their names as seekers or professors of religion, there a class was formed. With the growth of the country and the progress of the church these classes were organized into societies. Several societies constituted a circuit ; several circuits a district, and several districts a conference. Thus the whole ecclesiastical machinery of Methodism was set in motion before a single church building was erected.
Of the work, the trials and achievements, of this pioneer evangelism, but few records were kept. It is, in consequence, difficult, if not impossible. to determine the order in time of the formation of the earlier societies. Shoal Creek circuit which embraced the principal part of the territory now in- cluded in Clinton, Bond, Fayette, Montgomery and Shelby counties, was in existence as far back as 1819. The Sharon society in Fayette County. located one mile east of Vera, was organized as early as 1821 ;- how much earlier cannot now be determined. Soon afterward, possibly in 1825. there was a society at Nicholls' prairie, south of Bowling Green, with which some of the first settlers, as the Nichollses, Wrens and Depews were identified Vandalia was probably a preaching place from the time of its becoming the capital of the state in 1818, but not until 1831, was a Methodist church organization effected. This society at first consisted of but seven members. These were Dr. N. M. McCurdy, Olivia McCurdy, Moses and Susan Phillips, John Delaplaine, wife and daughter. Others were soon afterward added to their number, among them Col. Hodge, a man noted both for his intelligence and integrity ; and also Martha J. Phillips, now Mrs. J. W Ross, who as an earnest, devoted Christian is still a member. As a place of worship, they used in common with other denominations a small church- building that stood on the present site of the Presbyterian church. A few years later, probably 1835, they began the construction of a larger building on Fourth street. This was completed and dedicated in 1837. It was used as a place of worship until 1867, when the present edifice was erected.
In the meantime, 1830, Grand Prairie.Mission was formed, and placed in charge of Simeon Walker, who, as an honored superannuate of the Southern Illinois Conference, still survives. The south-castern portion of the county was included in his charge. There were preaching places, if not societies. at Hickory Creek, and at Doolan's south of Loogootee County lines were disregarded in the arrangement of ministerial work in those early times. The same may be said of state lines, as in some instances an Annual Conference, or even a presiding elder's district, included portions of two or three states. In 1831 and 1832, under the labors of Rev. James B. Woolard, three societies were organized in the south west part of the county, west of the Okaw, at Moore's, Butler's and Martin's ferry, respectively. These were in- cluded in Carlyle circuit. But before crystallizing into permanent shape, one of them was absorbed by another denomination. while the remaining two were incorporated with societies whose church buildings were without the limits of the county.
The Sharon society enjoyed a high degree of prosperity. About 1834, chiefly through the exertions of Gideon Buckmaster, noted for his zeal and liberality, and who still survives, a commodious church edifice was erected. This society had now become the principal appointment in a charge called Sharon Mission, which embraced in addition to other territory all the north- western portion of the county. Shoal Creek circuit after successive divisions, now disappears from the records, its territory being occupied by several new charges. Among these was Vandalia Mission, organized in 1834, with Samuel H. Thompson, as preacher in charge. In 1836, Okaw Mission with John Demarist as missionary, appeared on the list of appointments. Its boundaries cannot now be exactly determined, but they must have included much of that part of the county lying east of the Okaw river. Big Creek Mission, in the north-east part of the county, is first named in 1838, with Levi Lowry as preacher in charge. The name of this appointment was after- ward changed to Loudon City. Thus as early, at least as 1838, the entire county was included in these various circuits. With the advance of popula- tion and the success of evangelizing efforts, the societies took permanent shape, and plain church buildings were erected.
The Camp-meeting-a pioneer institution-largely compensated in those earlier years the lack of other facilities for church work. At Sharon. as well as at various other accessible points, such a meeting was held each autumn. The people who loved the Lord came from all parts with rejoicing to this feast of tabernacles in the leafy grove. The preachers of adjoining circuits, full of zeal and ready to do their best work for the Master, were in attend- ance. They sounded forth the notes of invitation; they preached in no ambiguous terms, repentance, faith and holiness. Believers uniting in worship, which was at once marked by simplicity, fervency and outspoken- ness, were strengthened. The irreligious, who could not stay away, were ex-
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
horted to seek salvation. Entreaty and prayer often led to the conviction of winners, even of such as had come to oppose the work of the Lord. Convic- tion was followed by conversion, so that the ordinary result was that scores were added to the church.
Let us turn from the work to the workers. Among the exhorters and local preachers who while laboring with their hands for a support, wrought successfully for the Lord, as they had strength and opportunity, were William Padon, Franklin Brown, Jesse Doolau and William Young. The first named, who as an octogenarian still survives, was converted in 1821, within the bounds of the Sharon Society, was soon afterward licensed to exhort, and in 1835 was authorized to preach. He labored extensively for many years, especially at points east of the river. Franklin Brown was noted for his excellence of character; Jesse Doolan, who did more than any other man toward planting Methodism in the south-eastern part of the county, for his faithfulness, and William Young, for his energy. The last named was a brick-layer. Whatever he did, he did with his might. He once built, in Vandalia, in a single day, a brick chimney from foundation to top stone, then, having changed his clothing, preached with characteristic spirit, in the house thus finished, the same night.
Of the early itinerant preachers we 'have preserved, among others, the following names: John Pitner, S. H. Thompson, Peter Cartwright, Joseph Foulks. Thomas Randle, W L. Deneen, Wilson Pitner, William Chambers, John Dew, E. R. Ames, Simeon Walker, J H. Benson, J. B. Woolard, Jesse Haile, J. M Massey, J. S. Barger, N. P. Cunningham, Charles Holli- In Simon Peter Barton Randle and William Hindale. The most of these have passed from trial to reward. W. L. Daneen, E. R. Ames, Simeon Walker, J. B. Woolard, B. Randle, and possibly one or two others, still linger among us. Many of these pioneer workers were men of recognized ability. Who has not heard of Peter Cartwright ? John Dew was noted no lees for his moving power as a preacher than for his attainments as a scholar. He was at one time president of Mckendree College. Jesse Haile was eccentric, stern, and as a disciplinarian, rigid. He once had a member ar- raigned and excluded from the church on the sole charge of not maintaining family worship. J M Massey was held in high esteem alike for his eloquence and his piety. Wherever he labored revival prevailed. N. P. Cunningham, a trained orator and cultured preacher, was described by an irreligious legislator as the best Methodist recruiting officer he had ever seen in Vandalia. Wilson Pitner was gifted, eccentric. noted for power in ex- hortation and fidelity in work. S. H. Thompson, one of the patriarchs, was a noble, high-toned gentleman. He was of impressive bearing, and of win- ning ways both in and out of the pulpit. James B. Woolard, born in Buford County, N. C., in 1804, and converted in 1823, came to Greenville 1×29, and to Mulberry Grove in 1831. For many years his post was in the forefront of the battle. When, after his superannuation, he engaged in the milling business, it is said that he was in the habit of holding on Satur- day evening a religious service for his employes, as his Sabbath appointments required his presence in other localities, on the day of rest.
Specific mention must be made of another of these worthies. There ap- peared in the fall of 1830, at a camp and quarterly meeting, near Greenville, a modest-looking, dark-haired and dark-eyed young man. His reputation as a scholar but not as a preacher, had preceded him. In the order of business in the quarterly conference, the presiding elder, Rev. S. H. Thomp- son in substance said : " I have now a matter to present, to the consideration of which I ask your quiet attention. If you have any objections to the pro- position I am about to make, and I know you will have, please do not name them until I have made my statement. I have brought the strange young man you have seen on the ground to this meeting, in order to have you recommend him for admission to the Annual Conference. He does not belong to this charge. You will ask, ' Why does not his own quarterly conference recom- mend him?' There is some objection to him where he is known. The objection is based upon his timidity. He has been known to leave a prayer- meeting rather than take part in its exercises. When they voted on his recommendation for license to preach this objection was urged, and he had a majority of but one vote. It would be useless to attempt to secure his further recommendation there. You say, 'We have not heard him preach.' I know you have not. But if you will recommend him, I will try to have him preach during this camp-meeting. But you ask, ' Why not have him preach before recommending him ?' .If he felt or suspected that his preach- ing would be regarded as a trial performance to secure your recommendation, he could not be induced to make the attempt. But he has the elements of a great preacher; he will make his mark in the world. You recommend him . I will see to it that he preaches before you. Then, if not satisfied, you can withdraw your recommendation." With this understanding the quar- terly conference recommended him. The following Sabbath morning he preached His manner was thoughtful and persuasive. The people drew near and listened with quiet attention. Again in the course of the meeting he occupied the stand. His theme was the tragedy of the cross. As he warmed to his subject, he pictured the dying Redeemer holding up His bleeding hands and entreating the sinner to come to Him and be saved. Hearts were touched ; the cloud broke away; the light shone forth ; the power of God was felt by the rapt hearers, and on every hand were heard the shouts, " Amen '" "Glory !" "Glory to God !" The recommendation was not withdrawn. That young man was Edward R. Ames. He was soon afterward received .. a trial by the Illinois Conference, and in connection with John Dew, appointed to Shoal Creek circuit, which then included Vandalia.
He is now and has been for more than a quarter of a century a Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
But we must not linger among these early workers. Let us now pass over forty years of toil and progress, and note the present status of Methodism. There are now, 1878, in Fayette County, five full charges: Vandalia, Hagerstown, Avena, St. Elmo, Shobonier. Within the same bounds are parts of four other charges : Ramsey, Pakota, Farina and Pleasant Grove. Including probationers the united membership is about 1,400.
There are sixteen Sunday-schools maintained during part or all of the year. These are composed of about twelve hundred scholars, under the direction of one hundred and sixty-five officers and teachers. In several localities Methodists assist in maintaining Union Schools, whose membership is not included in the enumeration above given. As regards church pro- perty, we have within the county six parsonages and twelve churches, with another in process of construction. The estimated value of this property is $55,000.
While not all has been accomplished that has been attempted, we rejoice in being able, after sixty years of effort, to write on our pillars " Ebeneser." We pray that the day may never come when " Ichabod " shall be inscribed upon our altars.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, VANDALIA.
The organization, in 1831, the names of the first members, and the early history of the M. E. Church in Vandalia, are given in the county sketch of Methodism. The growth of the Church depending largely upon the growth of the town, had not been very rapid. The present membership, consisting of two hundred and thirty, including twenty-eight probationers,. is found almost exclusively within the limits of the corporation. This Church is characterized by its unity, devotion to Christian work and its liberality. Among the female members are two organized societies, one for the support of foreign missions, and the other for the care of the neglected and afflicted at home. This church last year, in the amount of contributions for benevo- lent work, ranked second in the Southern Illinois Conference.
The Sunday-school was organized in 1834 or 1835, under the charge of Dr. N. M. McCurdy as superintendent. It now numbers twenty-one officers and teachers and about two hundred and thirty scholars. It is well supplied with requisites in the way of papers, lesson.leaves, maps and black-board illustrations. G. W. Brown, cashier of National Bank, has for several years faithfully and successfully served as superintendent.
The church building now occupied was erected in 1867 and dedicated by Bishop Simpson in 1868. It is the finest and most imposing structure of the kind in the county. It cost, with the attached parsonage, 822,000. Dr. McCurdy, J. W. Ross and Rev. H. Sears constituted the building committee. Dr. McCurdy was the largest contributor. Rev. H. Sears was at the time pastor. After serving three years,-the longest term permitted our itinerants in a single charge, without a break of equal length,-he was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Earp, who ably filled a like term. Rev. Joseph Harris followed, who also for three years labored diligently and successfully. At the expiration of his pastorate in 1875, Rev. T. H. Herd- man, the present incumbent, was appointed. He was born in Pennsylvania, but reared in Ohio. For a number of years after completing his collegiate course in 1856, he devoted himself to teaching. In 1864 he entered the Cin- cinnati Conference. After laboring one year he received a transfer to the Southern Illinois Conference, and was placed in charge of Mount Vernon Seminary. There he remained four years, having during the greater part of 1866 the care of the church with that of the school. He was next appointed to Du Quoin, and then in succession to Litchfield, Lebanon and Vandalia. He has for several years been Secretary of the Conference.
THE LUTHERAN CHURCH IN FAYETTE COUNTY, ILL.
ORGANIZATION IN VANDALIA.
About the year 1840, a number of German families from Germany, Penn- sylvania, Ohio and North Carolina, had settled in Vandalia and vicinity, who among themselves began to exercise their duty as Christians, to have the gospel preached among them in accordance with the doctrines and usages of the Lutheran Church, as they had been accustomed, and as Rev. Dan'l Scherrer, in passing from his home at Mt. Carmel, Ill., to Hillsborough, preached occasionally for them. We find upon the old church record, an account of the first organization which is as follows: - " By the request of several members of the Evang. Lutheran Church, Rev. Dan'l Scherrer, visi- ted Vandalia and vicinity on the 23d day of June, 1844, and held service. After the sermon, it was moved that all persons, who desire that the gospel shall be proclaimed, and the sacraments administered among us as we have been accustomed to in the Church of our Fathers, and as it is the duty of Christians, will come forward and give their names. Upon this the following names were handed in :- Conrad Dieckmann ; Jacob Sonnemann and wife; Christian Sonnemann; A. H. Dieckmann; Michael Steinhauer and wife: G. H. Dieckmann; Lewis Housemann; Philip Kuntz and wife; William Rode; Frederick Gereke and wife; Frederick Klug; Jacob Mattel.
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