USA > Illinois > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Illinois > Part 12
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Upon this, it was resolved that we proceed to further organize a congrega- tion, and the following persons were elected as officers :-
CONRAD DIECKMANN, ! Elders. WM. RODE,
JACOB MATTEL. JACOB SONNEMANN. Deacons. and on the 14th day of July, were duly installed.
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
There was at this time a non-denominational Sunday-school in opera- tion, in the Presbyterian Church, where the Lutheran congregation wor- shipped.
The newly organized congregation was called the St. James' Evang. Lu- theran Church, which the following persons have served in turn :- Rev. D. Scherrer, 1844; Rev. Jacob Scherrer, 1848; Rev. Geo. Wolf, 1852; Rev. Wm. Hunderdasser, 1853.
During the ministrations of this man, in the year 1854, the first Evangel- ical Lutheran Church was built, which still remains, just south of the Van- dalia R. R., and is used by the German congregation. The successors of Rev. Hunderdasser are :- Rev. D. D. Swaney, 1856; Rev. J. Boetticher, 1857; Rev. G. H. Shurr, 1859, Rev. S. L. Harkey, 1860; Rev. D. D. Swaney, 1862; Rev. S. L. Harkey, 1863.
The congregation from its origin had been English and German, until 1865, when April 1st, a purely English organization was effected, with the following members :- A. H. Dieckmann and wife; G. H. Dieckmann and wife ; M. Easterday and wife ; Luther Easterday ; Amanda Rizer ; Mrs. M. J. Harkey.
The English organization retained the original name (St. James) for its congregation, which had for its first officers the following :-
A. H. DIECKMANN, Elder. LUTHER EASTERDAY, Deacon.
Three trustees were then elected. consisting of Geo. H. Dieckmann, Chas. G. Smith and Melanchthon Easterday.
The English congregation worshipped for two years, in the church edifice belonging to the Christian organization, when in the spring of '69 the zealous little band resolved to have a house of worship of their own, and immediate- ly went to work to construct a building.
The blessings of Providence favored them, for in May 27th, the corner- stone of the new building was laid, and Oct. 19th, 1869, & well furnished and beautiful edifice, costing $8000, was dedicated to the service of God, being free from debt.
The dedication services were conducted by the Pastor, Rev. John Rugan, assisted by Rev. C. W. Schaeffer, D. D., (now professor in the Lutheran Seminary, Philadelphia, Pa.,) and Rev. Prof. S. L. Harkey, D. D.
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The congregation also owns a neat and comfortable residence property, for which they paid two thousand dollars, which is located a short distance from the church and used exclusively for a parsonage.
The small congregation of nine members in '65, under the ministration of Rev. S. L. Harkey, M. M. Grove, J. Rugan, J. L. Smith, J. H. Hunton and N. Aldrich, has, until the present, reached a membership of sixty-two, having increased seven times its original number.
The present pastor, Rev. J. G. M. Hursh, assumed his labors on the first of January, 1878.
The English congregation has had an active Sunday school since its origin, which has proved a true nursery to the church. The superintendent, G. H. Dieckmann, never permits the work to lag, nor interest to fail, and hence the character of the school has been kept up and its progress unabated.
The German congregation from which the English separated, holds ser- vices at present in the same building erected in the summer of 1854, and is served by pastors located at other points.
In Wheatland Township the second Lutheran organization was effected in the county, known as the Hickory Creek charge. It was organized about 1851, and has a Sunday-school which dates from about the same time. Some material from the St. James' congregation of Vandalia aided in establishing this one. During the pastoral labors of several ministers, the congregation has gained strength, and is now a point of interest to the Lutheran Church.
In the southern and eastern part of the county much of the vacant land was owned by the Illinois Central R. R., and eight-tenths was still vacant, when in 1864 eight families of Germans moved into Wilberton Township. This small colony formed a nucleus, and soon elicited emigration from various states. The wildness of the country soon gave way to energy and frugality, and promised a home of plenty, which caused the settlement to improve rapidly.
The church was not forgotten, and immediately the early settlers formed St. Paul's congregation, secured the services of Rev. G. Strechfusz, who sup- plied the congregation until in May, 1869, when Rev. G. Endres was called from Ft. Dodge, Iowa, who labored among the people until the autumn of 1869. From this time. Rev. C. G. Schuricht suplied the congregation until Feb., 1870, when he received and accepted a call, and is still serving the St Paul's congregation. During the labors of Rev. Schuricht, the membership has been more than doubled. There are at present two parochial schools with 128 scholars in the congregation conducted by H. G. Schuricht and N. Malte, and a third school-house is in progress of erection, all of which are the exclusive property of the congregation.
There is another congregation in this township, an outgrowth of the St. Paul's, organized in 1877, served by Rev. G. Meier, and is now worshipping in a new edifice dedicated Jan. 27th, 1878.
Lone Grove Township has one congregation; La Clede two; Sefton and Avena Townships have one congregation.
In the north-west part of the county there are Lutherans living in Hurri- cane and Sharon Townships, but have no organized congregation.
There are at present in the county nine organized congregations, with a membership of about 2,000.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Mass was first celebrated in Vandalia by the Rev. George A. Hamilton of Springfield, Illinois. The ceremony taking place in the Court House on the 11th of May, 1845. People of every denomination were desirous of see- ing the services and baptisms performed, consequently the building was crowded to excess ; indeed not half of the large concourse of people who had assembled could gain admission.
The Catholics from all parts of the country, eagerly seized the opportunity offered them of offering up their prayers before the altar of the Most High. Fifty-five persons received the sacrament of baptism on that day.
Michael Lynch, an old resident of Vandalia. was instrumental in securing this large assemblage, by notifying all the Catholics in the county that Father Hamilton, whom he had influenced to attend, would be here to cele- brate Mass on that day.
Baptisms and christenings are indispensable to members of the Catholic church, and previous to this time, all the Catholic community of Fayette Co., were compelled to take their children to St. Louis by wagon or stage, for the purpose of having this important sacrament administered. The old pioneers in the county with but few exceptions, were firm in their faith, and Strict observers of their religious duties. A goodly number were scattered throughout the county, but the only resident Catholics in Vandalia at that time, were Michael Lynch and family. This family with Mrs. Morrison, Mrs. Diekman, (wife of Conrad Diekman) Mr. Cotman, Richard McDonald and family, Dr. Isaac Berry, Mr. Linnet, James Connor, and Thomas Gran- field, were amongst the first Catholics in Fayette Co .- and the names of the priests stationed here from time to time, are as follows: Rev. Geo. A Hamil- ton, Rev. Michael Pendergast, Rev. Thos. Cusick, Rev. Father Raphael, Rev. Michael Vahey, Rev. Thos. Welch, Rev. Michael Weis, Rev. Father Strembler, Rev. Father Styck, Rev. James Rausman, Rev. Father Enzle- berger, and the Rev. Longinus Quitter who is the priest now officiating. A number of other priests held services here at different times, coming from neighboring towns for this purpose, but were not stationed at Vandalia.
THE CHURCH BUILDING IN VANDALIA
Was erected in 1855, through the energetic efforts of Father Cusick. In order to carry out his praiseworthy object he rode all over the country taking up subscriptions. He was also instrumental in having a church building erected at Decatur and Centralia, during the same period. The Church, school, residence, and land adjoining grave-yard in Vandalia, is estimated in value at $3000.00.
About eighty-five families now belong to, and are supporters of the Vandalia Parish Church, and its members are increasing rapidly.
In Avena Township in this county there was also a Catholic church erected in 1855, which building was subsequently burned down. Services are however still held in the neighborhood. The town of Ramsey has also a church, a description of which will be found in the history of that Township.
Before the erection of the Vandalia Church building, services were held and Mass celebrated wherever a convenient building for the purpose could be found, but most frequently in the residence of Michael Lynch.
THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION.
The first efforts made in the county in behalf of this Association were by Bishop Seibert and J. G Zinser, who were instrumental at the next session of the Illinois Conference, after their visit here, in sending Simon Tobias to Fayette County as a missionary. He labored here one year, and it is pre- sumed with little success ; for at the next conference meeting this mission was left vacant, and for several years following.
At length in the years 1854 and 1855, H. Rexwinkel, Fried Friebel, from Cleveland, Ohio, and other families who were members of the Evan- gelical Association, moved into the county, settling in Wheatland and Sefton Townships; and it was resolved at the Indiana Conference, held in 1855, to appoint Missionary Renhart Rhu, of the Olney Mission, to preach regularly in Wheatland and Sefton Townships. He performed his duties faithfully for the year, at the end of which time he organized the first class in the county.
In 1856 William Bockman was appointed to preach for one year, and in 1857 Rev. J. W. Kromniller. Both these gentlemen were elected from the Marshall Circuit. At the end of 1857 the second class was formed, this time in Sefton Township, the former being in Wheatland. Phil. Miller was appointed class-leader.
In 1858 the classes of Wheatland and Sefton Townships were taken up as a mission, and called the Vandalia Mission, which name it bears at the present day. Jacob Trommeter was missionary for two years, and was suc- ceeded in September, 1860, by C. Wessling. Wessling remained two years, and during his mission built the parsonage situated upon Camp Creek, in Sefton Township, the residence of all the missionaries from that date.
In 1862 the Rev. G. Small was appointed to fill the mission for one year : William Wessler for. the two years following, and in 1865, the Rev M. Klaibert preached, and continued for a term of two years, followed by C. Schamo, who also served two years in the mission. He was succeeded by G. Klopfer one year, Fried Launer two years, and E. F Hochstedler two years, at which time, viz., September, 1874, the present incumbent, the Rev. C. Stockhowe, was appointed. The result of these united efforts on behalf of the Evangelical Association is two congregations in the county, two
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Sunday-schools, with one hundred scholars, ninety church members, and two other additional regulat preaching appointments one of these in the town of Vandalia, the other in Sharon Township.
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH,
" Not faith alone, but works as well, Must test the soul,' pealed forth a bell;
.No fetters here to clog the soul : No arbitrary creeds control The free heart and progressive mind. That leave the dusty past behind. Speed well, speed well, speed well, speed well,' Pealed forth the Christian church-bell."
Owing to the meagre data furnished us by the Rev. Morton D. Adams, we are unable to write a very lengthy article in relation to the existence of this church.
The first Christian church organized within the county was in 1843. It was located in Liberty and Four-mile Prairie; was organized by the united zeal of Rev. William Chafin and Rev. David Chance; which for more than a generation has exercised its elevating and purifying influence upon society.
Among the first ministers of the county were Elder Schooley, William Chafin, David Chance, Wesley Smith and Charles Smith.
The congregations in the county number fourteen. The value of church property in the county is $11,000.
The church in Vandalia of which Rev. M. D. Adams is pastor, is in a prosperous condition, with a large roll of membership on its register.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
BY REV. JOSEPH GORDON.
The First Presbyterian Church of Vandalia, Fayette Co., Illinois, was organized on the 5th day of July, A. D. 1828, by Rev. Solomon P. Hardy, a Missionary sent out by the American Home Missionary Society. The church consisted of the following members, viz: Jeremiah Abbott, Betsy Abbott his wife, Mrs. Ruth Russell, Mrs. Amy Davidson, and Mrs. Martha Gorin, all of whom joined by letter, and Mr. Samuel Russell and Mies Ruth Russell on profession of faith in Christ. Mr. Jeremiah Abbott was chosen and set apart by ordination to the office of Ruling Elder.
Mr. Thomas A. Spilmann who had for some time been serving the church as stated supply, closed his labors on the 13th day of Dec. 1829. During his labors after the organization of the church there were four additions on profession of faith, one male and three females. .
Rev. Theron Baldwin took charge of the church in the spring of 1830. During his administration there were ten additions, two on profession of faith, and eight on certificate.
In April, 1831, Rev. Wm. K. Stewart was invited to take charge as stated supply. While sustaining this relation, seven members were added.
At a meeting of the church and congregation held in March, Rev. Wm. K. Stewart was elected pastor, and by order of Presbytery was regularly installed in May by Revs. Thomas Lippincott and Messenger.
During the pastorate of Rev. Stewart there were thirty-two additions, five deaths, nine baptisms, nine dismissed by letter and three elders elected and ordained.
April 3d, 1836. Rev. Wm. K. Stewart gave notice that he would apply to Presbytery for a dissolution of the pastoral relation existing between him and the church.
From the time of the resignation of Wm. K. Stewart until about the 1st of October, 1844, the church seems to have had no stated supply or pastor. At this time Rev. D. D. McKee came to reside in Vandalia and supplied three- fourths of his time.
During the interval protracted meetings were held by Rev. N. H. Hall of Lexington, Kentucky, the result of which was seventeen additional mem- bers. Subsequently two others were added. About this time five were dis- missed by letter. At the close of this meeting Rev. Hall administered the ordinance of baptism to eight individuals.
During the administration of Rev. D. D. McKee, six members were added and two dismissed.
There is no record of the time Rev. McKee continued to supply the church. Dec. 8th, 1848, the writer of this sketch, Rev. Jos. Gordon, found the church destitute of pastor or stated supply, and almost disorganized by deaths and removals.
At the unanimous request of the remaining members, and in view of the fact that Kaskaskia Presbytery (under whose care the church was) could not supply the church with preaching, Rev. Joseph Gordon proceeded to re- organize the church. To carry out this object the following resolutions were passed.
1. Resolved, That it is expedient for this church to take measures to transfer its ecclesiastical relations from the Kaskaskia to the Alton Pres- bytery.
2. Resolved, That this church send its delegate to the next meeting of the Alton Presbytery, which is to take place at Bellville the second Thursday in April, at 71 o'clock, P. M., with a request that this, the First Presbyterian Church of Vandalia, be received under its care.
3. Resolved, That a minute of this transaction be sent to the Kaskaskia Presbytery by the hand of the Rev. James Stafford, requesting their con- currence in the act of the church ; hoping at the same time that the transfer may not have the effect to destroy that Christian confidence and charity which has so long existed between the Presbytery and this church.
4. Resolved, That we hereby invite the Rev. Joseph Gordon, a missionary of the Alton Presbytery, to labor so much of his time statedly in this Church as may be consistent with his other engagements.
5. Resolved, That the members of this church sign their names to this paper. (Signed).
Amy Davidson, Margaret Guant, Sophia Casten, Angelina Black well, Julia Remann, Frederick Remann, Sr., Augustin B. West, Alfred Matthews, Aun McClay, Effy McPhail, Sarah McPhail.
Frederick Remann was duly elected and properly set apart to the office of Ruling Elder.
Frederick Remann, Wm. M. Black, James W. Berry, Robert Black well and Alfred Matthews were elected trustees.
Rev. Joseph Gordon preached to the church as stated supply eight years. A part of the time once in four weeks, a part of the time once in two weeks. The last two years he preached all the time. During his. administration there were eighty additions, fifty on profession of faith and thirty by letter.
Rev. Wm. H. Bird succeeded Rev. Gordon and preached to the church three years. Nine additions were the results of his labors.
Rev. M. P. Ormsby was employed by the church to preach a few months. His record is that his labors were very acceptable.
Rev. G. W. Goodale next took charge of the church. At this point it became self-sustaining. Previous to this time a part of the minister's salary was paid by the Home Missionary Society. Rev. Goodale preached nearly two years when he resigned to take charge of Carbondale College. There were eight additions during Rev. Goodale's administration. Rev. E. G. Bryant, Rev. John Gibson, Rev. C. J. Pittein, Rev. R. L. J. Matthews, Rev. John Stuart, all ministered to the church. During Rev. Matthews' stay with the church a house of worship was erected costing about $14.000. The present pastor of the church is Rev. Hugh W. Todd, who has been serving very acceptably upwards of two years.
During the existence of the church, the following named persons were duly elected, and ordained and served the church as ruling Elders, viz .: Jere- miah Abbott, Wm. M. Moore, Wm. H. Brown, Jos. Eccles, Henry C. Remann, Fred. Remann, Sr., Matthias Fehren, Robt. White, David A. McCord, Joseph Stephenson, John N. McCord, Ebenezer Cheney, Wm. Reed, Edward L. Wahl, Fred. Remann, Jr., and Richard T. Higgins.
CHAPTER XVII.
THE PRESS OF FAYETTE COUNTY.
HE newspaper is society's great educator. It presents to us at regular intervals, a panorama of the passing events of the world. Through its columns expression is given of the beautiful and profound sentiments of the master minds and spirits of the age. Science, Art, and Literature find in the Press a strong-armed champion ; morality and religion an earnest advocate; and the Muses find shelter beneath its beneficent wing. It moulds public opinion; it cultivates public sentiment; it condemns the vile and commends the good; every- where and under all circumstances, the true newspaper is to be found fore- most in the ranks of the laborers in the cause of humanity, civilization and progress.
VANDALIA INTELLIGENCER.
Some time during the year 1822, and during the great canvass in the State, on the issue of calling a convention to form a constitution for the State the anti-conventionists, led by Governor Coles and Daniel P. Cook, established the " Vandalia Intelligencer," and placed it under the editorial management of David Blackwell, who was then Secretary of State. The real issue in this memorable canvass was the introduc- tion of slavery into the new State. The anti-convention party made a vigorous and bold canvass, and were triumphant by a small majority-thus establishing forever, that the foul stain of human slavery should not blacken the pages of the history of the State of Illinois. The Intelligencer did excellent service during the campaign, to the anti-convention party.
ILLINOIS INTELLIGENCER.
This journal succeeded the " Vandalia Intelligencer," and was in fact, the same paper, with the exception of the change in the name as above noted. The editorial and publishing management passed into the control of Col. Robert Blackwell and William Berry. This journal was recognized as one of the leading Whig papers of the State. Colonel Blackwell was Public Printer for the State at the same time. This journal was a fearless, bold, champion of Whig principles, and in the old files of the same are found some very able and sound editorials expounding the doctrines of the Whig party.
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HISTORY OF FAYETTE COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
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ILLINOIS ADVOCATE AND STATE REGISTER.
This was the title of a Democratic paper established in Vandalia, in the year 1830, and edited by John York Sawyer. It was a very popular journal, a faithful reflector of the current news, and among its editorials are many that exhibit cultivation and sound discretion on the part of the editor. In about two years after the founding of the paper, Mr. Sawyer was made Public Printer for the State, which position he held until his death in 1836. Upon his death, Seth T. Sawyer, then and now a resident of Alton, Illinois, was appointed by Governor Duncan Public Printer for the benefit of the widow of John York Sawyer.
STATE REGISTER AND VANDALIA REPUBLICAN,
Established by Wm. Walters in the year 1836, was during its exist- ence, the acknowledged organ of the Democratic party in the State. Mecsrs. Casey and Reynolds were representatives in Congress from this State at that time, and forming the acquaintance of Mr. Walters, who was at that time a foreman in the office of the National Intelligencer, at Washing- ton, they, with Col. John Dement, who was State Treasurer, induced Wal- ters to come to Illinois and establish a democratic journal at the Capital. Upon the death of Mr. Sawyer, editor and publisher of the Ilinois Advo- cate and State Register, his paper was bought by Mr. Walters, and both papers were merged into the Illinois State Register and People's Advocate. Mr. Walters did the public printing under contract with Seth T. Sawyer for the benefit of the widow of Judge Sawyer, as before alluded to.
During the session of the General Assembly of 1836-7, Mr. Walters was elert.1 Public Printer, after a very excited contest.
The ... Register and People's Advocate " was continued in Vandalia until the removal of the seat of government, when Mr. Walters removed the office from Vandalia to Springfield and resumed the publication of the " Register," there,-the first issue being on August 10th, 1839.
Mr. Walters was a self-educated man; of decided natural talent ; great force of character, plucky, and of sound personal integrity. During his editorial career, he exerted a powerful influence in the councils of his party, (Democratic,) which then had almost absolute control of the State and National government.
Mr. Walters died on the 29th day of July, 1846, at St. Louis, Mo., while on his way to the Mexican war, as a member of Col. Baker's regiment.
THE VANDALIA WHIG,
As its name indicates, was decidedly Whig in its politics. It was estab- lished in 1831, by 8 C. Sherman, editor and publisher. This journal was in reality a reproduction of the " Illinois Intelligencer," and was afterwards called the " Vandalia Whig and Illinois Intelligencer." Judging from files now in existence, the Whig was creditably edited.
Wm. Hodge succeeded Mr. Sherman to the editorial management of the " Whig." Under his supervision the paper continued to prosper for a num- ber of years.
Mr. Hodge was the opposing candidate to Mr. Walters in the memorable contest for the position of Public Printer in the 1836-7 session of the Legis- lature.
VANDALIA FREE PRESS.
This journal made its appearance in the year 1889, with James Kennaday as Editor and Proprietor. Mr. Kennaday, after a short time, relinquished the management of the " Free Press;" but in about two years thereafter, re- sumed its publication ; after which it enjoyed a season of prosperity. This paper, throughout its existence, was an uncompromising advocate of the doctrines of the Whig party. It was an earnest, ardent, and zealous admirer of the "great commoner of Kentucky"-Henry Clay. As an example of the veneration of the Free Press for him, we make the following extracts from the issue of July 8th, 1848 :
" We fly our flag for ' Harry of the West' and should Mr. Clay be the Whig nominee, our patrons may consider it 'nailed to the mast.' 'Our watchword is, and we hope shall be to the end of the campaign-Harry, the Hope and the Pride of the West!"
THE OLIVE LEAF.
This was a weekly religious journal, an advocate of the doctrines of the Baptist Church, and was published during the years 1843-4-5, by Messrs. Kellum & Lathrop. Besides its Church department, it had a secular depart- ment, in which the leading topics of the day were freely and candidly dis- cussed.
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