History of Greene and Jersey Counties, Illinois : together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of representative men, History of Illinois, Part 20

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical
Number of Pages: 1150

USA > Illinois > Greene County > History of Greene and Jersey Counties, Illinois : together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of representative men, History of Illinois > Part 20

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C. G. Buffington, practicing physician and surgeon, was born in Jerseyville, Jersey county, Ill., on the 22d day of May, in the year 1858. He is the son

of Joseph H. and Francis (Gordon ) Buf- fington. His father was a native of Philadelphia, Penn., his mother of Edwardsville, Ill. His father emigrated to this state in the year of 1837, settling in Jerseyville. He was the oldest physician in that city at the time of his death. Our subject was in the drug business with his brother at Indianola, Warren county, Iowa, about three years before he entered college. In the year 1881, he graduated at the Missouri Medical College at St. Louis, where he attended a two year's course of lectures. He then returned to Jerseyville, but did not locate for about a year after gradu- ating. In 1882 he selected Fieldon as the most suitable place for the practice of his profession, and has remained there since. He was appointed county physician for Jersey county in 1882. His practice has been increasing every year until it now extends over Jersey, Greene and Calhoun counties, and is one of the largest and most lucrative of any in the county, and although he is the youngest in the profession he stands among the first.

E. F. Francis, M. D., practicing physician at East Newbern, Mississippi township, Jersey county, Ill., was born in Monmouth county, N. Y., June 3d, 1845. He is a son of Richard I. and Susanna (Carr) Francis. He remained with his parents until he arrived at the age of 18 years, when he left home to complete his studies. He obtained his literary education at the high school at Shelbyville, Ind., Battleground Col- lege, in Tippecanoe county of the same state, and at Hartsville University. He then studied medicine at the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, and after-

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wards spent one year at the Indiana College of Physicians and Surgeons from which institution he graduated, with the highest honors in 1876. He enlisted in 1864 in the 37th regiment of Indiana infantry, and was transferred to the 87th regiment, serving till the close of the war. He participated in the march through Georgia, taking part in the engagements of that memorable campaign. Dr. Francis was married Feb. 18th, 1882, to Carrie Jane Cham bers, daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Ridgway) Chambers. He is well quali- fied for the practice of his chosen pro- fession and during his residence in New- bern, has won the reputation of a skill- ful physician, and established an exten- sive and lucrative practice.

S. M. Watson, M. D., was born on the 26th of Jan., 1845, at LaGrange, Mo. He remained with his parents while they lived. His mother was taken with an attack of cholera and died in the month of August, 1873. His father's

death was caused by cancer of the face, in May, 1876. Both are buried in the cemetery at Delhi, Jersey county. He lives on the northwest quarter of Sec. 12, in Mississippi township. He was united in marriage with Emma J. Howell, on the 13th day of Oct., 1869, by Rev. Wm. Hill, of Jerseyville. They have a family of six children, James M., born July 31, 1870; Charles S., born August 1, 1872; John W., born Oct. 29, 1874; Mary A., born Oct., 29, 1874; Mary, one of the twins, died August 6, 1875; Emma G., born August 29, 1876, and Jennie M., born April 18, 1880. Mrs. Watson was born at God- frey, Ill., on the 18th day of Feb., in the year 1845.

Dr. A. A. Barnett, came to Jersey- ville, in 1862, where he has remained in practice ever since. He is a native of New York, and is a graduate of the medical department of the university at Louisville, Ky., of the class of 1853, and has been in practice ever since.

CHAPTER XII.

COUNTY SOCIETIES.

Although much can be accomplished by energetic individual effort, still more can be brought about by concerted ac- tion performed under thorough organiza- tion. This truth has been abundantly demonstrated in Jersey county, and several societies, for mutual improve- ment, mutual benefit and mutual pleas- ure have been organized, prominent

among which are the Agricultural Soci- ety, Old Settlers' Association, and the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company. A short history of each of these is given in this connection.

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

For many years the farmers of Jersey county were in the habit of attending

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HISTORY OF JERSEY COUNTY.

the county agricultural fairs of the neighboring counties, especially that of Greene county, but in the fall of 1867, while visiting at the latter place, several well-to-do agrieulturists of Jersey county, among whom were William Kirby, E. O. Hartwick and Ezekiel Davidson, after talking the matter over, thought that their home county could support a fair, and that the time had come when some movement looking to that end be inaugurated. When they came home, they did not let the matter drop, but arranged a meeting when there were present, besides the above named gentlemen, David E. Beaty, Jere- miah Beaty, Lathrop L. Kirby and William Shephard. This meeting was held at the office of Benjamin Wedding. at Jerseyville. After a preliminary dis- eussion it was agreed among themselves that they wouldl canvass among their friends to see how much money could be raised for the purpose of purchasing grounds, etc. At a meeting held on the 13th of April, 1868, the committee re- ported that they held subscriptions to the amount of $9,855, and a permanent organization was determined on. Hugh N. Cross, James H. Belt, J. HI. H. Sim- mons, J. E. Starr and William Kirby were appointed a committee to draft a constitution. At this meeting an address was delivered by D. M. Woodson, of Carrollton, which did considerable good.

At a meeting shortly after this a con- stitution was reported and adopted, and an election held for officers, which re- sulted in the choice of the following gentlemen: David E. Beaty, president; Samuel W. Davis, secretary; William Kirby, treasurer, and William Shep- hard, Hugh N. Cross, J. H. H. Sim-

mons, Lathrop L. Kirby, Jeremiah Beaty, James H. Belt, Jasper M. Terry, James E. Starr, Archibald Craig and Caleb A. Post, directors. John N. Squier acted as temporary secretary of this meeting. This organization effected, it was determined to hold a fair that fall, and the necessary steps were taken to purchase the ground and fit it up for the purpose. These grounds in the north portion of the city of Jerseyville. were bought and improved at a cost of nearly $15,000. Before the fair eame off, Mr. Davis resigned the secretary- ship and Morris R. Locke was elected to that office, and has held it ever since, thus conducting the society through every fair ever held, by this highly suc- eessful organization.

The first fair of the Jersey County Ag- rieultural and Mechanical Association, was held at the grounds near Jersey- ville, on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thurs- day and Friday, Oct. 13, 14, 15 and 16, 1868, and proved a deeided success. Thus was inaugurated a series of annual fairs, second to none in the country and the most successful county exposition on record.

The second annual fair was held Oct. 12, 13, 14 and 15, 1869, under the official management of the following gentle- men: David E. Beaty, president; Mor- ris R. Locke, secretary; E. Davidson, treasurer; William Shephard, Hugh N. Cross, L. L. Kirby, James II. Belt, Ad- dison Greene, Jasper M. Terry, Archi- bald Craig, C. A. Post, James VanHorne and Charles Eldred, directors. Smith M. Titus was the grand marshal of the occasion.

The third annual fair occurred on Oct. 11, 12, 13 and 14, 1870, and was a

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complete success. The Jersey County Democrat of that date, thus speaks of the exposition:

"Our county fair which closes to-day (Oct. 14th) has been one grand success. The rain of Monday, and the lowering, drizzling, misty sky, of Tuesday, led many to fear for the result. But on Wednesday it cleared off, and the last three days the weather was all that could be desired. And so was the fair all that could be desired.

"The general arrangement and ap- pointments of the ground are better than we have ever before seen on any county grounds in Illinois. And cer- tainly the management of the details could not be excelled. Everything was done that could be, and done just right. The officers of the society are all strangers to us, and we therefore feel per- fectly free in saying to the citizens of Jersey county, that we do not see how it could be possible for any set of men to more successfully manage so intricate and difficult a piece of business, as is the arrangement of such an exhibition. We cannot, at this time, give the figures, but we understand that the total num- ber of entries is about one-third larger than last year, and that the cash re- ceipts will probably exceed those of last year, about $1,000.

The officers for this year were as fol- lows: Hngh N. Cross, president; Geo. E. Warren, vice-president; Morris R. Locke, secretary; E. Davidson, treas- urer; H. O. Goodrich, C. C. Cummings, John Buekels, Jr., William H. Fulker- son, H. N. Belt, Jr., L. L. Kirby, Joel Cory, Sr., Jeremiah Beaty, Henry Ryan, Isaac R. Ely, W. D. Curtiss, and C. M. Hamilton, directors.

The fourth fair was held Oct. 10, 11, 12 and 13, 1871, and was a pronounced success, a greater one than ever before held. The gross proceeds of this exhi- bition, as reported by the treasurer, was $5,903. The officers for this year were: Hugh N. Cross, president; William H. Fulkerson, vice-president; Morris R. Locke, secretary; Joseph G. Marston, treasurer; with Moses Cockrell, Robert Newton, C. M. Hamilton, Joel Cory, Sr., John G. Dougharty, Henry D. Ryan, John A. Cory, C. C. Cummings, J. H. Belt, N. C. Beaty, and William Kirby on the board of direction.

And so on each year the fairs have been held, and the society has prospered until the name of the Jersey county fair has obtained a state-wide, if not a world- wide reputation, for being the finest, the best conducted, and the most suc- cessful of agricultural expositions. The various officers who have helped to make this the prime success that it is, have been picked from the very best business men of the county, and these have not thought it beneath their dignity to attend to it closely, and hence its almost unprecedented success. The following is a complete roster of the officers, directors and committees for the year 1885, and for the annual fair of that year : P. D. Cheney, president; Robert Newton, vice-president; John A. Shep- hard, treasurer; Morris R. Locke, secre- tary; James S. Daniels, J. V. Striker, H. C. Terry, J. L. Post, M. B. Trabue, Spencer Wyckoff, G. C. Cockrell, L. L. Kirby, Andrew Bierman, J. N. Lurton, Leslie Cross and J. R. Colean, directors; Col. W. II. Fulkerson, grand marshal; J. K. Cadwalader, assistant marshal; J. R. Colean, clerk of races; N. C. Beaty,

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Sup't of the grounds; J. N. Lurton, Sup't of amusement; Leslie Cross, Sup't of arena. On the reception committee are the following : Mr. and Mrs. David E. Beaty; Mr. and Mrs. H. O. Good- rich; Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ryan; Mr. . and Mrs. W. H. Fulkerson: Mrs. An- tonnette V. Cross; Mr. and Mrs. Oliver P. Powel; Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Trabue; Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Conklin.

OLD SETTLERS' SOCIETY.

On Saturday, Oet. 7, 1871, a meeting was held at the court house, in Jersey- ville, for the purpose of organizing the Old Settlers' Society, of Jersey county. Among those who were present and took part in the organization of the association were Cyrus Tolman, J. M. Hurd, Geo. B. Warren. Jos. G. Scott, J. M. Terry, Caleb Noble, Murray Cheney, J. N. English, Geo. W. Law- der, T. F. Broek, Geo. H. Jackson, J. E. Cooper, Joel Cory, Thomas Wedding, John Brown, William Keller, William MeDow, John R. Blaek, Alfred Hinton, James T. Post, -- Vandyne, George Hoffman, John P. Stout, An- drew Gillham, Irvin Little, J. J. Sim- mons, Robert Latham, John Utt, D. G. Wyckoff, William Hackley, Moses Cockrell, Pennel Corbett, Glover Short, J. T. Grimes, Geo. W. Burke.

A committee of three was appointed to draft a constitution and plan organ- ization, consisting of Geo. E. Warren, J. G. Scott and Geo. H. Jackson. After some deliberation, the committee re- ported as follows:

CONSTITUTION.

1. This society shall be called the Old Settlers' Society of Jersey county, Illinois.

2. The object of the society is to perpetuate the memory of the pioneers and old settlers of the county, to collect and preserve a history of the settlement and progress, and of interesting events connected with the same, and to revive and keep alive by annual meetings old friendships and the memory of by-gone days; to obtain and record, so far as practicable, the names and ages of the carly settlers of this state and eounty, the place of their nativity, and the date of their location here, and to keep a record of the death of members of the society and the date of such death, to be read at each annual meeting.

3. All persons male or female, resid- ing in the state of Illinois, in the year 1840, who were then 21 years of age, and who have resided in the counties of Greene and Jersey for 25 years, may become members of the society by en- rolling their names upon the register thereof.

4. The officers of the society shall consist of a president, 13 viee-presi- dents, one to be elected as far as practi- eable from each township, and a sec- retary.

5. It shall be the duty of the presi- dent to preside at all meetings of the society, to preserve order, and in gen- eral to fulfill the duties incumbent upon the presiding officer of all deliberative assemblies.

6. It shall be the duty of the respect- ive viee-presidents to preside at the meetings of the society, in the absence of the president, according to seniority and rotation, to proenre a list of the names, ages, places of nativity and date of location, of the early settlers in their several townships, and report them

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from time to time to the secretary, and, also, to collect and furnish the secretary accounts of events and incidents that were connected with the early his- tory of the county, as they may be able to do so, as shall be of special or general interest, and also to report to the secretary the death of any member occurring in their respective townships.

7. It shall be the duty of the secre- tary to keep an accurate record of the names, ages, places of nativity and date of location in the state and county, together with the date of death of any of the members of the society, to record the proceedings of all meetings of the society, and also all historical events and incidents connected with the settle- ment of the county that may be fur- nished him by the vice-presidents, or derived from the personal narration of members at the meetings of the society, which shall be ordered by vote of the the society. The secretary shall keep a register of the names of all the mem- bers in alphabetical order, which shall constitute the roll to be called by him at each regular meeting; also a journal the proceedings of every meeting, and a third book to be denominated the historical record, in which shall be recorded events and incidents connected with the settlement of the county, fur- nished him as before provided, or or- dered by the secretary, to be recorded therein.

8. There shall be an annual meeting of the society held at the court house, in Jerseyville, on the first Saturday of October of each year, at which time an election shall be held for officers of the society, special meetings shall be held at any time at the call of the president.

Officers were elected to serve until the next regular meeting of the society, as follows: President, Cyrus Tolman; Vice- presidents, Benjamin F. Slaten, T. 6, R. 11; Brook Stafford, T. 6, R. 12; Geo. Stafford, T. 6, R. 13; William Hackney, T. 7, R. 10; Thomas McDow, T. 7, R. 11; . John M. Hull T. 7. R. 12; Thomas Wedding, T. 7, R. 13; Jeremiah Bell,T. 8, R. 10; J. E. Cooper, T. 8; R. 11; John Brown, T. 8, R. 12; Z. Reddish, T. 8, R. 13; D. P. Pritchett, T. 9, R. 10; William Waddle, T. 9, R. 11. George H. Jackson was chosen secretary.

JERSEY CO. FARMERS' MUTUAL INS. CO.

This association was chartered on the 22d of February, 1861, and organized June 6th, 1862, with the following in- corporators: Joel E. Cory, Lewis Ran- dolph, George E. Warren, J. Murray Bacon, O. P. Powel, J. E. Cooper, Rob- ert C. Whyte, Israel Squier and Wil- liam Darby. On organization, officers were chosen for the government of the same, and for the transaction of busi- ness. These were as follows: J. E. Cory, president; J. E. Cooper, vice president; George E. Warren, secre- tary; Lewis Randolph, treasurer. Joel E. Cory remained president until his death, which occurred Feb. 13, 1872, when he was succeeded by Hugh N. Cross, who also remained in that office until removed by the hand of death, Nov. 21, 1883, when Jonathan E. Cooper, the present president, was elected to that office. George E. Warren remained in the office of secretary from the date of organization until May 10, 1880, when he was succeeded by R. P. Shack- elford, who held it until May 1, 1882, when Jett. A. Kirby, the present incum-

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bent, was elected. The company, which is a purely mutual one, has issued a total number of 1,241 policies, and has now insured property to the value of $250,000. There has been paid losses to the amount of $20,985, but no assess- ment has been made for the past three years, showing a healthy state of affairs, largely owing to the business abilities and integrity of the officers of the com- pany. Taking the average cost of in-

surance for 20 years, from the date of organization, it is found by this com- pany to be about $2,70 per year on $1,000. The present officers are: J. E. Cooper, president; Edward Trabue, vice president; Jett. A. Kirby. secretary; John I. Whyte, treasurer; Lewis Ran- dolph, Arch. Craig, J. E. Cooper, Orin Palmer, A. Beiermann, John I. Whyte, D. E. Beaty, Edward Trabue and L. L. Kirby, directors.

CHAPTER XIII.

ECCLESIASTICAL.

"You raised these hallowed walis, the desert smiled, And paradise was opened in the wild."

In touching upon the religious his- tory, whether the field of the chronicler be extended to the broad expanse of the universe, or confined to the narrow lim- its of a state or county, there stands out on every page, predominant, the fact that the religion of any nation, of any people, of any age, is the foundation of its institutions, the source ofits customs, and the one thing nearest the popular heart.

Let us go back no further than the dawn of the christian era-though the same conditions appear as clearly be- fore as after that date; we find that for many generations after the birth of Christ, the records of religion comprise the history of the times; later on, we find the religious wars of the crusades upsetting the equilibrium of the whole civilized world. Later still, we find the

people of the old world, fleeing from re- ligious persecution, flocking to Amer- ica's gladsome shores, the one object urging them on to the casting of their lots in unexplored climes, being the de- sire and firm determination to worship God according to their own belief.

Thus we see, as early as 1562, the Hugenots, finding the practice of their religious belief in France impossible, settling Carolina's shores for no other purpose than to carry out this one pre- eminent trait of human character-free- dom, at least for one's own religion; then, for like reasons, the Pilgrim Fathers taking up their abode on New England's rock-bound coast; then the Calverts and their followers, fleeing from the han in England, are found in 1634, peopling Maryland, and taking up again, where it was broken off in their native

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land, the thread of their religion; and lastly, in our retrospect, we can see the Quakers, that peaceful sect, unable to worship in their quiet fashion at home, following the guidance of William Penn, and settling on that pleasant Pennsyl- vania grant which his foresight and wisdom had provided for them in the promised land --- the new world. And is it any wonder that at this later day, and in this land of freedom, the descendants of those people still hold an elevated opin- ion of that for which their ancestors fought and bled, suffering the afflictions of martyrdom and banishment? Right here, among our own people, with all the rough edges of conflicting creeds worn away by the contact of years, it is not difficult to note the fact that a man's re- ligion, or the want of it, is the underly- ing trait of his character, if his senti- ments be fully aroused on that point.

So, mindful of this fact, in giving the ecclesiastical history of Jersey county, it will be the endeavor to treat of each sect independently, instituting no com- parisons, but showing historical events as they occurred, and leaving it to the reader to draw his own conclusions.

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, JERSEY- VILLE.

The following particulars, relative to the above named church, are taken from a sermon delivered by the present pas- tor, Rev. Ira C. Tyson, Feb. 24, 1884, commemorative of the fiftieth anniver- sary of the church. Itis most carefully and ably prepared, and no apology is deemed necessary in copying bodily portions which will be interesting and valuable as a historical record of that society.

At an early day religious meetings were held in private houses for a time, with preaching when it could be ob- tained. At length arrangements were made for organizing a church, and a meeting was appointed for that purpose at the house of N. L. Adams, near Hickory Grove, on the 15th of Feb., 1834. Two members of the Illinois Presbytery were present-Rev. Thomas Lippincott and Rev. Elisha Jenney, the the latter beiug supply pastor at Alton. A sermon was preached, after which the church was organized. There were eighteen original members. Alexander H. Burritt, James Lumsden and M. N. Bosworth were the original elders. There is no record in existence of the names of the original members, but the names of fourteen are given by Dr. Norton, in his history of Presbyterian- ism in Illinois, as follows: James Lumsden, Reuben Page, Mrs. Elizabeth Page, Joseph Gerrish, Elizabeth Ger- rish, Mrs. Miriam Turner, Dr. Alex- ander Burritt, Mrs. Nancy Burritt, M. N. Bosworth and wife, John Anderson and wife, Matilda McGill and Mrs. So- phronia Adams. It is believed that the original members are all now deceased. At first the church was without a pastor and without a house of worship. Meet- ings continued to be held in private dwelling and alsoin a school house west of the present residence of Robert Newton. There being a Congregational element in the society, that portion re- tained the use of the school house while the Presbyterians worshiped in Mr. Keith's shop for about six months. For a year and a half after the organization, the church appears to have been without a stated minister, although a

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Mr. Pierce, or Pierson, a teacher from Carrollton, preached for a time on alternate Sabbaths. At length, in Oct., 1835, Rev. Amos P. Brown commenced his labors as stated supply, where he continued until 1838, preaching and laboring as his feeble health would per- mit. In 1836, steps were taken to build a meeting house. A subscription paper was circulated, dated Oct. 6, 1836. Forty-seven names were attached with sums ranging fron $200 down to $10, the total amount subscribed being $1,782.75. It was a year before the subscriptions reached a sum sufficient to warrant the committee to proceed with its work. In Oct., 1837, another paper was drawn up and signed by 33 names, authorizing the building committee to "proceed and build the house in such size as they may deem expedient, provided they shall not reduce the size below 36x40 feet." Dur- ing the years of 1838-39 the frame of the building was put up, but still there was not money enough raised to finish it, the amount required being about $700. In 1840 another subscription was started and $478 additional were raised to enable the trustees to finish the meeting house. The building was at length completed and dedicated Oct. 14, 1841. It was 48x48 feet in size, and according to the preceding subscriptions cost about $2,600.

By a vote of the church in March, 1839, the name was changed from South Greene to Jerseyville, as previous to this time this party comprised a part of Greene. In August, 1838, Mr. Brown resigned his charge, but continued to reside here for several years afterward. He died in Rushville, Ill., May 16, 1859. Rev. Joseph Fowler began his

ministry here in September, 1838, and was ordained by the Alton Presbytery, April 4, 1839. He left Jerseyville in September, 1840, and, after an active ministry in different churches in Ohio and Illinois, died Sept. 6, 1857. Rev. Luke Lyons, who had previously la- bored here in a revival with Mr. Fow- ler, was invited to the pastorate on the retirement of the latter. He entered upon his labors in November, 1840, and was installed as pastor Dee. 26, 1843. Mr. Lyons continued his labors here until his death, which occurred Jan. 11, 1845. During his pastorate the church enjoyed great prosperity, as he was an earnest preacher, a devoted pastor and possessed unusual executive ability. After his death the church was without a pastor for over a year, when Rev. Geo. C. Wood took charge of the pulpit March 1, 1846. On the 20th of April, 1850 he resigned the charge in Jerseyville. Hle afterward labored in Michigan and this state, and finally became mission- ary of the Illinois Presbytery for sev- eral years, residing at Jacksonville. His death occurred Jan. 5, 1879. In October, 1850, Rev. Samuel Grosvenor commenced his labors as acting pastor. During his pastorate the church build- ing was enlarged, and a bell tower erected and furnished with a bell. He continued until July, 1855. After leav- ing Jerseyville, he was settled at Wood- stock, Conn. He afterward visited Europe, and died in London, Aug. S, 1870. In December, 1855, Rev. Joseph S. Edwards assumed the duties of the pastorate. He came to Jerseyville at a time of great political excitement, the troubles in Kansas occupying at that time a large part of public attention.

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History of Greene and Jersey Counties, Illinois : together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of representative men, History of Illinois, Part 20

Author: Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Number of Pages: 1150

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical
Number of Pages: 1150