USA > Illinois > Ford County > History of Ford County, Illinois : from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. I > Part 19
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The educational work having now fairly begun, rapidly spread over the entire northern portion of the county. It is impossible in brief space allotted to us to make mention of all townships, and furthermore, the early history of some of the townships is so intimately interwoven with the history of adjoining townships that to separate them would rob them of much of their interest.
On April 18, 1870, the first election for district No. 1, township 24, range 8. ยท New Melvin District, was held at the residence of Charles Phillips. There were only five votes cast in the district, August Buekholz, Charles Phillips and Wil- liam Lackey were elected as the first board of directors. In the fall of 1870 a
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small schoolhouse was built on the southeast corner of section 2 and in April, 1871, the first term of school began with Miss Hattie E. Mathis as teacher.
Miss Clara B. Husten was the next teacher, followed by W. H. Thompson who taught several terms.
In the spring of 1875 at a special election it was voted to purchase a new site in the village of Melvin and to erect a new schoolhouse. This building was added to from time to time until it became a six room building and served the purpose of the district until 1903 when the site was changed to its present location and a beautiful six room brick building erected at a cost of twelve thou- sand five hundred dollars.
GRADED SCHOOLS.
Ford county has at the present time thirteen graded schools, and five high schools. One at Paxton, the county seat, one at Gibson City. Piper City, Melvin and Sibley. The schools at Paxton and Gibson City have for a number of years ranked among the best graded schools in eastern Illinois. The work of these schools has been so thorough and broad as to fit their graduates sufficiently to participate in the practical affairs of life with great efficiency.
The graded school buildings are not only substantial and roomy, but attract- ive and comfortable.
COUNTRY SCHOOLS.
There are ninety-nine district schools in Ford county, although Ford was the last county organized in the state, her district schools, in the efficiency of the work done, are fully equal to the schools of some connties much older. With but very few exceptions, the school buildings are well fitted for the pur- pose they are intended to serve, and where the schoolhonses are small and 'old, strenuous efforts are being made to effect the needed improvements. There is no doubt, that in course of time, the district schools of Ford county will be equal to the best district schools in the state.
SCHOOL STATISTICS.
There are thirteen graded schools and one hundred and nine ungraded schools in Ford county. Seventy-five of these schools have libraries and among them are five thousand four hundred and thirty-three books. In these schools are
METHODIST CHURCH, PAXTON
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four thousand one hundred and seventy-six pupils, taught by one hundred and sixty-two teachers. The average monthly wage for the male teacher is seventy- four dollars and forty-seven cents; for the female, forty-one dollars and ten cents. The value of school property in the county is two hundred and two thousand seven hundred and fifty-five dollars; of the libraries, four thousand seven hundred and sixty-five dollars; apparatus, seven thousand one hundred seventy-seven dollars. Total amount paid teachers in 1907, sixty-two thou- sand and seventy-nine dollars and sixty-seven cents.
CHURCH HISTORY.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF FORD COUNTY.
The rapid development of this western country and unparalleled increase of the population of the United States is a marvel among nations. But the genius and polity of the Methodist Episcopal church has well adapted itself to this age of wonders; for, while the nation's population has increased from about three millions in 1784 to seventy millions in 1908, the growth of this denomination has been even more marvelous. Under her system "energetic, migratory, itinerant-ex tempore-like the population itself," as soon as the settlers stretched their tents or erected their cabins, they were furnished the privileges of the gospel. Hence we would expect to see this church early repre- sented in the history of Ford county. There are thirteen organizd societies in the county, viz: Pleasant Grove, Clarence, Paxton, Meharry's Chapel, Elliott, Center S. H., Gibson City, Sibley, Kempton, Cabery, Piper City, Rob- erts and Melvin, with an aggregate membership of about eight hundred. There are six church buildings and three parsonages valued at twenty-three thou- sand nine hundred dollars; thirteen Sunday schools and one thousand two hun- dred and seventy-four scholars, and two union schools, in the work of which this denomination shares.
Pleasant Grove-The first Methodist Episcopal Society in this territory was organized in 1848, at Trickel Grove, in John Dopps' log cabin, consisting of John Dopps, class leader, Elihu Daniels, Matthew Elliott, Thomas Short and members of their families.
This was then an appointment in the Danville circuit. Services were held regularly in this humble home until 1857, when Flagg's schoolhouse was erected and that became the regular preaching place and continued to be until the
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Pleasant Grove church was built in 1869. very near the spot where Dopps' log cabin stood. This society and that of Clarence formed a part of the Rankin circuit.
PAXTON-As early as the latter part of 1856, services were held occasionally at the residence of Benjamin Stites. Paxton. Illinois, and on the first Sunday in May, 1857, Rev. Hlaunn organized a society at the schoolhouse. There appeared on record the names of Mrs. Stites, Jonathan Covolt. P. W. Cooley and wife, Mrs. Howard Case. Jonas Randolph and wife. Mr. and Mrs. Olm- stead. Henry Alvah and wife, and others.
In September. 1857. Rev. E. Dunham, father of J. C. Dunham, formerly editor of the Paxton Register, was appointed to the Paxton circuit, then com- posed of the following societies, viz: Paxton. Pleasant Grove, Loda. and Patton's schoolhouse. At the first quarterly conference there were present Rob- ert Blackstock, Francis Meharry. John Dopps, Matthew Elliott, John P. Dopps. Jonathan Covolt and Jonas Randolph.
Rev. Dunham did valuable services in 1857-58, and, having settled on a farm north of town, continued to be an active and honorable member of the church until his death. The circuit was served consecutively by Rev. II. HI. MeVey, two years; Rev. M. Butler, two years; Rev. M. M. Davidson, two years. At this time, 1864, the law of the church was changed, extending the pastoral limit to three years.
During the pastorate of M. M. Davidson, in 1863-64, an edifice was erected, at a cost of eight thousand dollars. Its andience room furnished about four hundred sittings, and the basement was well arranged into Sunday school and class rooms. This society had a resident membership of two hundred, fairly represented by such men as Robert Blackstock, A. C Thompson. Merton Dun- lap, J. M. Hanley, J. N. Bondurant, John Spindler, J. P. MeCracken, N. B. Day, F. and C. Meharry. James Mercer, R. S. Hall, H. C. Rawlings. L. Corbley, E. F. Earl, and J. S. Webber and J. B. Congram, local preachers. It sus-
tained a Sunday school, under the direction of Merton Dunlap as superin- tendent (he held that position for many years) that would compare favorably with the best in enthusiasm and thoroughness of work. They had also a good parsonage property, well located. valued at one thousand eight hundred do !- lars, secured under the labors of the pastor.
In 1903, a new church edifice was built, at a cost of twenty thousand dol- lars. The pipe organ cost two thousand dollars.
Meharry Chapel-There had been services occasionally at David Patton's residence, Ten Mile Grove, for some years previous to 1857, when Stoner's
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schoolhouse became the regular appointment until the erection of Meharry's Chapel, four miles west of Paxton, in the early part of the summer of 1864. This was the first church built in Ford county. It cost fourteen hundred dol- lars, which was principally contributed by Robert Blackstock and F. Meharry who, it should be remembered, contributed also very largely toward the erection of the church in Paxton about the same time.
Gibson-Like many railroad towns of the prairie, Gibson sprang up as if by magie. Methodism, however, was early on the ground, and had been as energetie and enterprising as the village. The first regular service was held in the depot, and afterward in Gilmore's Hall, until the church building was erected, under the pastorate of Rev. Job Ingram, in 1872, at a cost of abont two thousand five hundred dollars. Such had been the growth of the society that the church building was too small to accommodate either its congregations or Sunday school. The membership of the society is large and it sustains the largest Sunday school in the county.
Sibley-The Sibley society was organized in 1879. Rev. M. C. Wilcox was its first pastor, and the following names appear on the record as original members : W. A. Bieket and wife, W. A. Pawley and wife, John Smale and John Smale.
Center schoolhouse is located in Wall township abont four miles north of Meharry's Chapel in the midst of a well-to-do and intelligent farming com- munity. While preaching services have been held here for a few years occasion- ally, it was not until the latter part of the year 1882, that the organization was effected by J. L. Miller, a very promising young man, who traveled the Loda circuit under the presiding elder.
Roberts and Melvin-The Roberts and Melvin circuit represents church and personal property valued at five thousand seven hundred dollars.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, PAXTON.
This church was organized January 16, 1858. At this time the city of Paxton was called Prospect City. The church was organized in the name of the Union Church of Christ of the Middle Fork of Vermilion river. Both the names of the church and the city were subsequently changed. The one to the First Congregational, and the other to Paxton. Rev. Charles Granger, of Urbana, Champaign county, Illinois, was invited by Rev. William W. Blanchard and others to come to this new field and preach and labor to build up a church of the Congregational order. He came in the spring of 1857
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and labored faithfully and successfully, preaching in the schoolhouse, a small building. now finished into a private residence, and also at different places on the south side of the Middle fork of the Vermilion river in private residences.
ITis labors resulted in the organization of the church above named. Owing to the extent of the field, all the friends interested in the church were not present at its organization. But eight persons entered into covenant and con- stituted what is now the First Congregational church of Paxton. The meet- ing was held at the house of William A. Goodrich. Rev. Charles Granger was moderator. and opened the exercises with religious services. The follow- ing are the names of the persons who entered into covenant : Charles Granger. E. Granger, William W. Blanchard, Elizabeth Blanchard, Charles Wall, Wil- liam A. Goodrich, Betsy A. Goodrich and Loretta Goodrich. Mr. Granger contimed to preach for about four years. His labors were blessed with prec- ious revival influences, and quite a member were added to the church, some of whom are still valuable members of the church, and others of precions memory have left us to join the glorious church above. Mr. Granger was attacked with paralysis, which terminated his labors.
The church was then left without preaching, and brother William W. Blanchard indneed Rev. E. O. Tade, of Loda, to preach for us once a month at 3 o'clock P. M., until we could make permanent arrangements. Mr. Tade was a very young man; his work was good and well received. Brother David Martin, who came to us from La Salle county, recommended Rev. George Schlosser, of Lockport, as an able and faith- ful minister.
After Brother Schlosser's resignation. Rev. William Kopp, professor in Augustana College, was employed as a supply until a pastor could be obtained. Professor Kopp was a man of unusual intelligence and amiability; well did he fill his calling. There were none but respected and loved him. Ile died in Pittsburg, soon after, a martyr to his faithfulness in the service of Christ. At this time Professor Bliss, the singing evangelist, who perished at Ashtabula, Ohio, who has a monument erected to his memory by the Sabbath school chil- dren who sung his songs, recommended Rev. Israel Brundage, pastor of the Pres- byterian church in Kirkwood, Broome county, New York, a suitable man for pastor and available. It resulted in a correspondence, the extension of a unan- imons call, and an acceptance. Brother Brundage commenced his labors in April, 1867, and closed his pastorate January 1, 1874. wanting but little of seven years.
Soon after the resignation of Brother Brundage. Rev. Theodore Clifton was called to supply the pulpit. He resigned his pastorate October 31, 1875,
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to accept a call to the Mayflower Congregational church of St. Louis, Missouri. After quite a period had elapsed in which there was only occasional preaching, Rev. B. F. Sargeant received and accepted a call to become pastor of the church June 20, 1877, and resigned his pastorate November 15, 1879, a little over two years' continuance. It was Brother Sargeant's first charge. He was a young man of promise. Rev. B. F. Worrel, who was residing in Paxton, supplied the pulpit until the church could obtain a pastor. On October 6. 1880, a call was extended to Rev. M. S. Crasswell to become the pastor of the church and was accepted. ITe resigned September 17, 1882.
THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, PAXTON.
Early in the history of Paxton (then Prairie City) some United Presby- terians, feeling the want of a publie worship according to their own conscien- tious convictions, united their efforts, and, in 1856, seenred the services of Rev. J. P. Smart (Associate Reformed) of Xenia, Ohio, who preached the first sermon in the grove called "Ten Mile Grove" near the Ilanley homestead. They sang at that meeting the forty-sixth and one hundred and twenty-first Psalms. Mr. Smart remained and preached the next Sabbath at Loda in a schoolhouse. Mrs. Margaret Hanley, who was visiting, was present at both of these meetings. An effort was made at the meeting of the church board in 1857 to secure aid and supplies, but failed. Application was then made to the Bloomington Presbytery, and they sent an aged man, Rev. Pollock, who preached two Sabbaths, and that was all of the preaching until the spring of 1858, when Rev. Hugh Mellatten visited and preached for two Sabbaths, morn- ing and night, in a little schoolhouse (the first in Paxton). During this year application was made to the general assembly for aid and for a minister, but again failed. Again application was made to the Presbytery, and were sup- plied about one-third of the time until the last of the year. The supplies were Revs. Brownlee, Black, Jeffries and Pinkerton. At a called meeting of the Bloomington Presbytery of the United Presbyterian Synod of Illinois, held in Peoria, August 23, 1859, J. W. Pinkerton was appointed to organize a congre- gation at Prospect City, Ford county, Illinois. On the first Sabbath of Octo- ber, 1859, he preached by appointment, and on Monday, the 3d of October, 1859, the organization took place at the residence of Alexander Hanley. The following persons were admitted as members on certificate: Hugh Andrews, ruling elder, and Ruth Andrews, his wife; Eliza Law, their daughter, all from
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the United Presbyterian congregation of Xenia, Ohio; from the same congre- gation. A. H. Hanley and Elizabeth K. Hanley, his wife; Miss Ella Hanley (afterward Mrs. MeElroy) his sister; Margaret Hanley, his mother; and Miss Belle Alexander, from the United Presbyterian congregation of Cedarville, Ohio. Mr. Hugh Andrews was elected elder. The following came into the church by profession, as they did not have their certificates in possession : Alex- ander L. Elliott, William McClelland, James Canning and Mary Canning, his wife. Then the following persons were chosen ruling elders: A. H. Hanley. A. L. Elliott and William McClelland. At the next meeting of the Presby- tery, Rev. Pinkerton was examined and ordained. Next Saturday, October 8. prior to communion, J. M. Hanley was admitted by examination. Rev. Hugh Me Hatten was sent once a year to Paxton to preach. This was now 1860. Two hundred and fifty dollars was received from the board and now services were held and regular prayer meetings in Hanley's Hall. In March, 1861, Rev. R. MeCracken was called. There were nineteen or twenty members. The church grew rapidly, and June 29 following, there were thirty-eight commumi- cants and twenty-two families. Rev. John Trusdale was next called. The
courthouse now being finished, members worshiped there till the church edifice
was built. Union prayer meetings were held those days. During Rev. Trus
dale's ministry the church edifice was dedicated in 1867. The dedication ser- mon was preached by Dr. Wallace, then president of Monmouth College. The audience was very large and liberally assisted in wiping out a portion of the indebtedness. The original cost of the building was about nine thousand.
which was entirely erased during the ministration of Rev. E. D. Campbell. In 1871, Rev. Trusdale was released, leaving one hundred and seventy-five
members. The church had supplies until 1872, when a call was made to Rev. William Richie and accepted by him October 8. He labored earnestly until 1877. beginning with one hundred and twenty members and leaving one hun- dred and forty-six. Again the church had supplies until a call was accepted by Rev. E. D. Campbell, who was under shepherd for about three years. A lecture room was built and furnished, where prayer meetings were held; it was used also by the infant Sunday school class. The audience room was newly carpeted, and various other improvements were made. Rev. E. D. Campbell and his amiable wife were zealons, Christian workers. He was relue- tantly released in the spring of 1881 and again there were supplies until the fall of the same year, when a call unanimously made to Rev. T. G. Morrow was accepted by him. Since then the church has continued to prosper and increase in membership. About 1900, a new church edifice was built at a
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cost of fifteen thousand dollars, and possibly by the time this goes into type, a pipe organ will have been installed."
SWEDISH EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCHI, PAXTON.
In 1863 the directors of the Augustana College and Theological Seminary coneluded to remove that institution from Chicago, Illinois. An offer from the Illinois Central Railroad Company, giving some inducements in lands, was accepted, and accordingly the above named institution was located at Paxton, Illinois.
Soon after this the Swedes emigrated here very fast. On the 3d day of June, 1863, Dr. T. N. Hasselquist called a meeting for the purpose of organiz- ing a congregation, which meeting was held, and the organization accomplished.
The constitution of the Augustana Synod was adopted and the following officers were elected: Dr. Ilasselquist, pastor; P. Erickson, secretary; Erie Carlson, C. M. Johnson and Emanuel Collins, trustees; P. Peterson, S. Ran- dall, C. Anderson, N. B. Nelson, J. Olson and Ewan Anderson, deacons.
Until 1865, the services were held in the public school building. This building was finally purchased, and put in suitable order for the place of wor- ship. As the membership increased rapidly, it was soon found to be too small, and, in 1872, a church was built. This building was forty-five by one hundred feet, with a spire one hundred feet high. The cost was over ten thousand dollars with an additional expense of seven hundred dollars for seats. In 1884, a new pipe organ was purchased for twelve hundred dollars. Besides the regular church building, the congregation had a schoolhouse worth one thousand dollars.
After 1874, when the Augustana College was removed to Rock Island, Illi- nois, a large number of the Swedish citizens left Paxton for Rock Island. This reduced the church membership, and three years later a few went out of the congregation, and started what is known as the Mission church, so that in 1879 the members numbered only three hundred to four hundred.
The founder of the congregation, Professor T. N. Hasselquist, was its pas- tor until 1874, at which time he was obliged to leave and follow the Augustana College and Theological Seminary to Rock Island, having been president of that institution for nearly a quarter of a century.
This congregation built and dedicated in 1908, a handsome new church edifice, at a cost of about thirty thousand dollars, and at the same time bought a pipe organ for twenty-three hundred dollars.
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HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
THE SWEDISH LUTHERAN MISSION CHURCH, PAXTON.
This church was organized in November, 1878, with a membership of sev- enty. Rev. A. P. Palmquist was the first pastor. For a time services were held in a hall until the present church lots were purchased at an expense of six hundred dollars, and a church building was erected at an expense of one thousand five hundred dollars.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI, PAXTON.
This church was organized November 1, 1867, by a committee of the Pres- bytery of Bloomington, consisting of Rev. Alexander G. Wilson and Elder W. P. Pierson.
The organization was made in response to a petition from a number of the residents of Paxton, who, having been reared as Presbyterians, desired to con- tinue in that faith and order. Twenty-three persons were received by letter from various churches, principally in Pennsylvania and Ohio. The Sabbath following, Joseph E. Hall and Charles R. Strauss were ordained and installed elders of the new church, and Benjamin Q. Cherry and James D. Kilgore, deacons.
The place of organization was Clark's Hall; and services were continued there until July, 1873, when the congregation moved into their new house of worship, erected on the southeast corner of Vermilion and Center streets.
The two lots on which it stands were donated by Mr. William Pells, and the church, in addition to their own struggle with limited means, had the kindly assistance of several persons not members, in the erection of the building. It was in the Gothic style, with rose-windows in the front and rear, and colored windows on each side, the latter the gift of individuals and of classes in the Sabbath school, and of some of the sister churches in the town.
For the first year preaching was enjoyed about once a month. In the spring of 1869, Rev. J. A. Calhoun was elected the first pastor and continued his services one year. From July, 1870, to April, 1871, Rev. Mr. Noerr min- istered to the people. Different ministers supplied in the interim between April, 1871, and 1872. In the spring of 1872, Rev. J. L. MeNair was elected pastor and was with the church until April, 1875. Another vacancy depend- ent on supplies, during which Rev. C. H. Blanchard supplied the church one Veal. Rev. A. F. Irwin served as pastor from April, 1877, to January 1,
E.LOWRY'S SON'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. GIBSON CITY IEL
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, GIBSON CITY
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HISTORY OF FORD COUNTY
1881. The ensuing year, Rev. E. B. Miner served as stated supply. In November, 1882, Rev. John Barbour commenced supplying the pulpit and remained with the church until April, 1884, from April, 1883, as pastor-elect. The present church edifice was erected in 1902.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF GIBSON.
This church was organized April, 1872. F. S. Church, Mrs. F. S. Church, Mrs. Mary Cornell, Mrs. Mary Davis, James Elliott, Mrs. James Elliott, Jos- eph H. Elliott, E. Haas, Mrs. E. Haas, W. T. Kerr, Mrs. W. T. Kerr, Mrs. William Moyer, Mrs. Lucy Robbins, Charles E. Wilson, Mrs. Charles E. Wil- son and a few others composed the first membership. N. L. Sears, Mrs. N. L. Sears, Austin Crabbs, Mrs. Austin Crabbs, M. T. Burwell, Mrs. M. T. Burwell, soon afterward united. The church edifice, valued at two thousand dollars, was erected in 1873. It was dedicated by Rev. Samuel Fallows, D. D., Sep- tember, 1874. Rev. Job Ingram was the first pastor. The first trustees were James Elliott, F. S. Church, W. T. Kerr, E. Haas and Charles E. Wilson.
The trustees purchased a house for a parsonage in 1882, and made an extensive addition to it in the fall of 1883. The Sunday school was organized March, 1873.
THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI, GIBSON.
This church was organized in 1877 by Rev. Aaron Ward. The original members were Mark Anthony, Melissa Anthony, Bettie Manson, Ellen Smith, Allen Spickard and wife. The church building was erected in 1879, the esti- mated value being six hundred dollars.
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