USA > Illinois > Ford County > History of Ford County, Illinois : from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. I > Part 20
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, GIBSON.
The organization of this church took place on Saturday, October 28, 1871, in Union schoolhouse, five miles northwest of Gibson. Rev. R. A. Criswell, of Normal, Elders O. Scott, of Farmer City, and Henry Rayburn, of Saybrook, constituted the committee appointed by the Presbytery of Bloomington to effect the organization of the society. To the Rev. Criswell belongs the honor of calling the attention of the Presbytery to this field for the establishment of a church, and to his faithful labors in earlier years its existence is due. The original members were Fabius Fleming, Mary B. Fleming, William S. Graham,
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Ruth S. Graham, Ruth E. Gilmore, Martha Moyer, J. Wiley Moore, Isabelle II. Moore, Sarah E. McKeener, David Newman, James Parr, Mrs. E. F. Parr, John W. Rodgers, James M. Sudduth, Amanda Sndduth, Alice Sudduth, Sarah J. West, William Sudduth. Some time in July, 1874, the foundation of a Gothic frame, designed by G. P. Randall, of Chicago, was laid, but, owing to a threat- ened failure of the corn erop, work was postponed until September, when, the prospect looking brighter, work was resumed; but various and vexations delays prevented the completion until July, 1875. The building was valued at three thousand five hundred dollars, and furniture at about eight hundred dollars. The Rev. R. A. Criswell acted as pastor from the organization until October, 1875. Thereafter, for three years, the congregation was dependent upon tem- porary supplies-chiefly students from the Northwestern Theological Seminary. Rev. F. W. Iddings acted as pastor for about six months during this time, and Rev. R. M. Stevenson about one year. In the spring of 1878, Rev. T. F. Boyd was called as pastor, and served nearly a year. In the spring of 1879, Rev. II. Vallette Warren assumed pastoral charge of the church. The original elders were J. Wiley Moore, Fabius Fleming. Mr. Fleming served for eight years. The deacons were James Parr and John W. Rodgers, the latter serving three years.
In 1905, a new church edifice was erected, at a cost of twenty thousand dollars.
It may not be out of place to mention here some of the difficulties which opposed the church in its early history, taken from a brief sketch written by Dr. J. M. Waters: "The congregation was widely scattered through the country, the roads being new and frequently impassable, and there were so few members in town that it seemed impracticable to sustain a prayer meeting. When there was preaching it was only on alternate Sabbaths, and the minister was unable to spend much time beyond the Sabbath with them. The elders, like everybody else in the new community, were busy with necessary secular work, and for a long time the congregation hardly knew such a thing as pastoral care.
"The members meeting only on the Sabbath, and often prevented for long periods from this by unfavorable weather and bad roads, remained ahnost strangers to each other, and were slow to acquire that sympathy and confidence in each other which better acquaintance would have bred. For such causes they sometimes felt even weaker than they really were. The members were poor, almost all in debt, and these early years of the church were times of gener- al financial stringency, becoming gradually worse. In the winter of 1876, men of good credit paid eighteen per cent in bank for money."
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CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCII OF GIBSON.
The Cumberland Presbyterian church of Gibson was formerly organized under the name of the Hopewell congregation, at Drummer Grove schoolhouse, one mile northwest of Gibson. The original organization was effected Decem- ber 19, 1868, by the Rev. J. R. Lowrance, who afterward moved to Lincoln, Illinois, with the following members, twenty-two in all: James Houston, Matthew Speedie, Isabelle Speedie, James M. More, James J. Ilouston, Jane J. Houston. Catharine Gilchrist, William S. Thompson, Agnes M. Thompson, B. II. MeClure, Susan E. MeClure, Hattie N. MeClure, Finis W. MeClure, Francis MeClure, Augusta MeClure, T. B. Crigler, Sarah Crigler, Martha More, Ann Arigler. Under the care of Mackinaw Presbytery of the Cumberland Pres- byterian church, yet without a settled pastor. the congregation continued to worship at the above named schoolhouse until the winter of 1872, when the need of a church building more fully asserted itself. Accordingly, at a meeting of the congregation on the 14th of April, 1873, it was determined to enter at once upon the erection of a suitable house for worship, and three trustees were elected, subscriptions taken, and the work started. The names of the trustees elected at this meeting were : John T. MeClure, Winston Meeks and T. D. Spauld- ing. Agreeable to the genius of the vote of the meeting of April 14, 1873, the building was erected at a cost of two thousand six hundred dollars.
UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST OF GIBSON.
In the year 1875. the quarterly conference of the Elliott charge appointed a board of trustees, consisting of C. J. Buchmer, J. C. Thornton, Peter Maine, Sr., Rev. L. L. Rinehart, and John Wagner, Esq., to take under advisement the feasibility of building a church house for the United Brethren in Christ in Gib- son. There was at this time no society of said church in Gibson, and only one of the newly appointed trustees lived there. In the following Angust Mr. C. J. Buchmer, seconded by only a few friends, began the erection of what is now known as the "Brethren Church in Gibson," and on the 8th day of January following, 1876, it was finished and dedicated to the service of God.
This thenceforth became one of the appointments of the Elliott charge, the other three were Elliot, Antioch schoolhouse and the Wagner appointment. Rev. F. R. Mitchel was the pastor, serving his second year on the charge. During the year 1876, he organized a United Brethren society in Gibson, con- sisting of the following members: C. J. Buchmer and wife, Mrs. Mary Emmons,
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Peter and Elizabeth Maine, husband and wife, Mr. M. Kerr and wife, Rev. L. L. Rinehart and wife, and two children, Miss Hattie and Samnel, Howard Griffith, Elizabeth Griffith, Laura Griffith, Sidna Griffith and Maria Griffith, and Mr. J. E. Sheffer.
Remaining a part of the Elliott charge until the fall of 1883, when it was made a station, it was favored with preaching, on an average, once in two weeks.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
This church was built in 1891, at a cost of ten thousand dollars. Other churches in Gibson all practically rebuilt within the past few years.
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH OF GIBSON.
This church was organized at Gibson in 1875. The orignal members were John Delaney, John Sutton, Thomas Tierney, Patrick Harty, Michael Harty, Con Hardigan, James Molloy, John Donnelya, Michael Donovan, Michael Ryan, John and Jeff New, John Garden and others to the number of twenty-five.
In 1876, the church building was erected at a cost of one thousand one hundred dollars.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF ROBERTS.
Until 1875, there was no Congregational church in Lyman township. Rev. Wilcox, father of M. H. Wilcox, preached at stated times in the Smith school- house in the northern part of Lyman township, and the people generally attended service regardless of denominational differences but no organization existed.
The Congregational church of Roberts was organized October 24, 1875, with the following exercises: Sermon and reading of covenant by the Rev. J. E. Ray, D. D .; prayer by A. D. Wyckoff, and right hand of fellowship by Rev. J. J. Weage.
The membership at the time of organization was very small, consisting of only ten persons : A. D. Wyckoff, George H. Thompson, Mary E. Thompson, W. S. Larkin, Elizabeth Larkin, John Hummel, Sarah M. Hummel, Frank But- ler, Imey Larkin and Olive Larkin.
The first business meeting of the church was held at the house of G. II. Thompson, October 31, 1875. At this meeting, G. H. Thompson and John
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Hummel were elected deacons. W. S. Larkin was elected trustee of the church for three years, and W. A. Kearney and J. B. Meserve, respectively two and one years, were elected trustees of the Congregational society. Frank Butler was elected elerk.
On the 6th of November, 1875, C. Manton, who the following year removed to Texas, united with the church on profession of faith. This was the first accession of the church. The small body, in connection with the Congrega- tional church at Thawville, struggled on as best it could, receiving annually Home Missionary aid.
In March, 1877, the church received its second accession of membership, consisting of the following persons : G. B. Mahaffey, Walter Davis. E. M. Mahaffey, Nellie D. Mahaffey, Helen L. Wyckoff, Amanda Emmons, F. G. Lohman and Louisa Tapp.
During the first four years of its existence, the society had no house of worship, but the services were held in the town hall.
In the fall of 1879, a church building, forty by fifty-five feet, was begun. This building was completed in May, 1880, and dedicated to the worship of God, May 16, 1880, free from all incumbrances.
Since its organization, the church has been blessed with earnest, efficient pastors, who considered the work of saving souls paramount to everything else. May 17, 1908, a handsome new Congregational church was dedicated with impressive ceremonies. The dedication was the crowning event that marked the close of the labors of the members of the congregation, who have been inde- fatigable in their work and self-denial in order to obtain the necessary funds to complete the work. The decorations were elaborate and the church was crowded with members of the congregation, friends and numerous former mem- bers who now reside in other places but returned to participate in the ser- vices. A number of former pastors also wrote letters of congratulation to the members on their success. One service was held at 10:30 A. M. and another at 3:30 P. M. Rev. G. G. McCullom, of Chicago, preached at each service, and there was an elaborate musical program at each service. The church was dedicated free from debt.
ZION METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (GERMAN).
The Methodist Episcopal church organized German missions as early as 1868, with headquarters at Odell, Livingston county; later at Buckley. Iroquois
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county. Services were held at private houses, and then, as the membership increased, in the public schoolhouses.
When the village of Roberts came to be, it was resolved to build a church. The first board of trustees, consisting of John Grube, Frank Bastian, Henry Michaelis, John Wieting and Fred Haug, with their pastor, Rev. Fr. Meier. as chairman, on the 18th day of February, 1873, passed a resolution to that effect and acted upon it accordingly, building a church, with spire, that cost nearly two thousand four hundred dollars, being the first house of worship erected in the village of Roberts. But its old and trusted members have left- emigrated to Dakota, Iowa and Texas.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, ROBERTS.
This church was formerly a part of Pierce's Mission as described in the account of the Methodist church at Melvin. The first preaching place was Graham's schoolhouse, and was changed to Roberts in 1871. The members of the first class were Ole Johnson, leader; Anna Johnson, Edward Van Steen- bergh, Emily Van Steenbergh, Jennie Van Steenbergh. J. II. Sedore, Mrs. A. A. Sedore, Abraham Sedore, George P. Lyman, Helen Lyman, Alfred Smith, Julis Smith, Horace Lester, Hannah Lester, John Kenward, Nancy Kenward, William Kenward, Julius Walker, Joel Westbrook, Patience Westbrook, Horace Snelling. Jane Snelling, Robert Hawthorn, Sarah Arnold, Thomas Darg, James English, Charles Koon, John Kenward, Jr., Hamilton Darg and Caroline Guise. They held their meetings in the public schoolhouse at Roberts, until January 6, 1882, when they completed a very neat church at a cost of two thousand eight hundred dollars. This church was dedicated by G. W. Gue, presiding elder. The first board of trustees consisted of Thomas Wakelin, M. H. Rice, G. B. Gordon, G. P. Lyman and E. Van Steenbergh.
ZION GERMAN EVANGELICAL CHURCH, LYMAN TOWNSHIP.
Report of the Evangelical Association Mission work in Ford county: In the year of our Lord, 1865, the Illinois Conference of this denomination met at Washington, Tazewell county, Illinois. This conference, at this session, created a new mission in the counties of Livingston, MeLean and Ford. Rev. F. C. Stuewig was the first missionary, in this important mission, to carry on the Lord's work. He settled down with his family in the little station of Chats- worth, Livingstou county, Illinois. The mission in Ford county began on the
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7th day of June, 1865. The first visit was made at Brother Peter Pfaad's. Brother Pfaad came here with his family in the year 1858, from Lyons, New York. £ Mr. Stnewig then began to hold service every three weeks in the P. Russell schoolhouse, and also in the house of Kathrine Althen. . On his second visit he became acquainted with the following persons: Kathrine Althen and family, Christian Moser, Annie Wilcoxson and other German people who lived in that community. The following winter he held a protracted meeting with good success. On the 13th of February, 1866, he organized the first German class in this new mission, with the following persons as members: Peter Pfaad, Margret Pfaad, Kathrine Althen, Margret Leber, George Barreck, Louisa Bar- reck, Lydia Barreck, Cathrene Barreck, Christian Moser, Annie Wilcoxson. Peter Pfaad was the first class leader. German people came to see the country, and, being pleased with the prairie land, many bought homes and settled here. This was a help to the small society, its membership grew rapidly, and by the help of God they were able to build a church in the year of our Lord, 1873. The church was dedicated by Bishop J. J. Esher.
The preacher in charge at this time was Rev. J. Kurtz. The first officers in Zion Church Evangelical Association were the following: Rev. Henry Baker, Daniel Raabe, Abraham Shaffer, Christian Stutzman, Peter Pfaad.
UNION METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCHI, DIX TOWNSHIP.
This society began its existence in Champaign county about one-half mile south of where the church building now stands on the southeast corner of the north half of section 31. The first services held in this county were in the Union schoolhouse, one-half mile north of the church, under the pastorate of Rev. J. Krapps, in 1874. Among the original members were J. Cranston and wife, Mrs. J. Daniels, Mrs. J. Barker, Mrs. D. Metcalf and Mrs. G. Waggoner. After the pastoral term of Rev. Krapps, the Annual Conference sent Rev. R. E. Fox. The erection of the church building commenced in the fall of 1881, and was completed and dedicated in the summer of 1882. The building cost about twelve hundred dollars, and stands as a monument to the generosity of the entire community. The first trustees elected August 30, 1881, were M. W. Scott, J. G. Barker, Henry Shields, J. Daniels and William Day.
THE NORWEGIAN LUTHERAN CHURCH, DIX TOWNSHIP.
The first Norwegians to settle in this county were Christopher Ryerson and Henry Halverson. They came here from Otter Creek, La Salle county,
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Illinois, and located some four or five miles northwest from Elliott. Our best information is that they came here about 1866. They were followed by Abel Hanson in 1871. Mr. Hanson formerly lived in or near Lisbon, Kendall county. Illinois. Ile at first rented lands, but, having succeeded reasonably well, he bought eighty acres one mile south of Elliott.
Tolleff Thompson, also from Lisbon, is the next in order. Like Mr. Han- son, he also rented lands to begin with, but a few years of hard work made it possible for him to become the owner of a fine farm a few miles southeast of Elliott.
John A. Hatteberg and Ole Natterstad bought land, and settled three miles southeast from Elliott, in the year 1875.
These two were followed in turn by Thomas Pederson, Osmon Osmonson and Halward Osmonson.
Ford county had by this time become famous to the people around Lisbon, Illinois, and a general "exodus" to this county took place in the years that followed. Most of the Norwegians round about Elliott are from Kendall and Grundy counties, in this state. Perhaps one-fourth came direct from Norway. The Norwegians are of a very pions turn of mind. They are strictly honest, industrious and thriving. One of their number says that "with them the all- absorbing topics when they meet are religion, the weather and the crops." Their prosperity is surprising to a native American of the easy-going sort.
They had not been here long before they organized themselves into a con- gregation. The first step in this direction was made in 1876. Rev. Iverson gathered a flock of the faithful, and continued to preach for them at intervals for a portion of the years 1876 and 1877. He was succeeded by Rev. G. J. Omland, a graduate from the Norwegian Lutheran Evangelical Theological Sem- inary at Minneapolis, Minnesota, to which denomination this congregation belongs. Rev. Omland was their pastor from 1877 to 1881. Their place of meeting had been, previous to 1881, in what are known as the Kleppa and Bunch schoolhouses, districts 6 and 7.
But in the year 1881, they built a modest structure on seetion 25, town 23 (Dix) which has since been their customary place of worship. The building is fifty-six feet long, thirty-six feet wide, and eighteen feet high, with a steeple towering seventy feet into the sky. The work was chiefly done by members of the congregation, gratis of course, superintended by Charles Johnson, Thor O. Thorson and the Seim Brothers. The total cost was three thousand dol- lars, two-thirds of which was raised immediately by voluntary subscription ; 1883 witnessed the erection of a neat and snug building for the pastor's resi-
ORGAN, M. E. CHURCH, PAXTON
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dence. Total cost of this, including ten acres of land, was twelve hundred
dollars. The parsonage is one-half mile west of the church, on section 26.
OTHIER CHURCHIES.
At Farmersville, in the midst of a remarkably flourishing settlement of Swedes, is a prosperous church of Swedish Lutherans. The church building located on section 30, Patton township, is a commodious structure. There is also a well built parsonage. This church is in a very satisfactory condition.
At Gibson are two Swedish churches, one of them being the Swedish Luth- eran and the other of the Swedish Mission. . These societies have houses of worship.
MT. OLIVET CHRISTIAN CHURCH, BUTTON TOWNSHIP.
From the earliest settlement of the locality now included in Button town- ship, the Christian denomination had its ministers early on the ground. In fact, some of these ministers were among the pioneer settlers. The several organizations or societies of this denomination were in 1871 reorganized and united under the name given at the head of this article.
The church building was dedicated December 10, 1871, the dedication sermon being delivered by Elder R. M. Martin, of Danville, Illinois. The membership of the organization numbered about forty, which are as follows: Mars- ton Dudley, Milton Strayer, John M. Strayer, T. B. Strayer, William Walker, David Morehouse, W. H. H. Wood, J. A. Dudley, Henry Correll, John Correll, Joseph Harris, John B. Harris, Daniel Allhands, and their wives, also Sarah Button, Elizabeth Strayer, Mary E. Spiceard, F. L. Holloway, M. E. Dudley, S. J. Strayer, Dora Strayer, Mary Strayer, Sarah O. Walker, Oswell H. Walker, and Mrs. Glotfelter.
Soon after the dedicatory services, the organization was perfected with the following officers: Elder R. M. Martin, pastor; Marston Dudley and William Walker. elders; Harmon Straver and T. B. Strayer, deacons.
The church edifice which is situated on a handsome knoll in South Button, is of brick. It is thirty by forty feet, with sixteen feet to ceiling.
SWEDISH EVANGELICAL LUTHIERAN CHURCH, SIBLEY.
This church was organized at Sibley (then Burr Oaks) January 6, 1879. Nils Polson and Gust Fager were the first deacons elected. Swen Anderson
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and C. L. Seaholm were the first trustees, and Swen Anderson was the first secretary. The congregation was organized under the leadership of Pastor O. Tjamsland, and is under and within the Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Synod of United States of America.
CHURCH OF GOD, ROGERS TOWNSHIP.
This church was organized September 26, 1869. The names of the origi- nal members are D. F. Breneisa, Peter Minich, Samuel Leopold, Joseph Leo- pold. R. C. Breneisa, Henry Kaufman, Joseph Imhoff, John Geen, Mrs. Susan Minich, Miss Emma Minich, Mrs. Sarah A. Leopold, Mrs. Anna Breneisa, Mrs. Catharine Leopold, Mrs. Mary Imhoff, Miss Kate Breneisa, Miss Fannie Bren- eisa, Mrs. Fred Falter.
The Union Bethel was built in the spring of 1873, at a cost of five hundred dollars. The house was dedicated by Elder J. M. Cassel.
Elder William Smith preached from October, 1869, to October, 1872; Elder J. M. Cassel preached from October, 1872. to October, 1874; Elder W. B. Allen preached from October, 1874, to October, 1876; Elder George Cutler preached from October, 1876. to October, 1877; Elder W. A. Smith preached from Octo- ber, 1877, to October. 1878; Elder A. J. Fenton preached from October, 1878, to October. 1880; Elders John Burnard and Oscar Huston preached from Octo- ber, 1880, to October, 1881; Elder W. A. Smith preached from October, 1881. to October. 1884.
This society rejeet infant baptism, and practice immersion and the literal washing of the saints' feet as appointed ordinances, and believe in the personal reign of Christ. They rejeet all creeds and take the New Testament for their discipline.
In 1884, the Church of God built a college at Findlay, Ohio, at a cost of one hundred thousand dollars.
KEMPTON METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The organization known as Sugar Loaf appointment of the Methodist Epis- copal church was first effected in the fall of 1872, in what was called the Bute schoolhouse, in district No. 3, Mona township. Previous to this time, there had been occasional preaching in that neighborhood by Rev. Michael Lewis, better known as Father Lewis.
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There were but few members at first, but these took hold in earnest, and soon others came in, forming a larger and more firmly established organiza- tion. The original members of this church were as follows: Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Kelley. Mr. and Mrs. George Sherman, Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Lewis, Mr. and Mrs. James Wade. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ileavisides, Mrs. Jackson Bute, Mrs. David Keighin. Mr. and Mrs. George Evans, Father Lewis and wife.
Until the town hall was built, the society worshiped in the Bute school- honse, but after completion of the hall in 1877, the meetings were held there. When the village of Kempton sprang up in 1877, the place of worship was transferred to a hall in the village. In the fall of 1881, steps were taken to build a house of worship in Kempton; the following spring the work was com- menced, resulting in the erection of a neat and commodious church edifice, costing about two thousand dollars.
The first pastor of the church was Rev. J. D. Calhoun, who preached one year; this was his first appointment. He was followed by Rev. Rutledge, who was in charge for a year. The next pastor was Rev. Woodward, who remained one year; and his successor was Rev. J. A. Flowers, whose term lasted two years. Following him came Rev. Wilson, who preached two years. Rev. Joe Bell succeeded him and was in charge three years.
Robert Lewin. Thomas Heavisides, Andrew Stuart and Thomas Shaw have acted as stewards at various times.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, MELVIN.
This church was first organized November 26, 1871. It sprung from what was known as Pierce's Mission. Father Pierce, an old Scotch local preacher living at "Olive Grove," came into Peach Orchard township and established a regular preaching place at Grand Prairie schoolhouse in 1869, which, with similar preaching places in neighboring townships was called Pierce's Mission. When the village of Melvin was started the Grand Prairie appointment was moved to Melvin. Its name was changed to the Methodist Episcopal church, with Rev. T. P. Henry as first pastor on a circuit of three appointments, namely. Melvin, Roberts and Bell schoolhouse. Ole Johnson, James Dixon, Charles Phillips and T. D. Thompson, being the first board of stewards, Charles Phillips, Mary Phillips, William Thompson, T. D. Thompson, Mrs. T. D. Thompson, Alexander Stevens, Mariah Stevens and Jane Ogden forming the first class at Melvin, with Charles Phillips as leader. Meetings were held in the schoolhouse and hall until the fall of 1879, when the society
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began the erection of a church, which was completed in the spring of 1880, at a cost of two thousand four hundred dollars, and dedicated June 20, 1880, by W. H. HI. Adams, president of the Wesleyan University of Bloomington, Illinois: Thomas Fletcher, Alex Yarbrough, L. S. Heath, Henry Halverson, J. Il. Higgason, W. J. Hunt, J. M. Thompson and T. D. Thompson, being the first board of trustees.
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