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 91

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 91

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The second sermon was preached by Rev. W. F. Hicks, who was the first pastor of the church. The church edi- fice was built in 1861, at a cost of some $500. It is located on the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of sec- tion 17. This was afterward somewhat added to, and is a very neat church building. Rev. J. D. Johnson is the present occupant of the pulpit. This church has a membership of over 100.

BAPTIST CHURCHES OF GREENE COUNTY.

We are largely indebted to Rev. B. B. Hamilton for most of the history of the Baptist churches of Greene county, he having written a very fine account of the organization of the various churches of this denomination, which was largely used in a former history of the county, and which we have drawn from, by kind permission of the author.

The account of the organization of the first Baptist church in the county, is given further on in the history of the church at Carrollton.

In Oct., 1826, what was known as the Henderson creek church, was formed by David R. Chance, with some seven members. This was the beginning of the White Hall church, a history of which is given elsewhere.

In 1832,Jacob Bower gathered together a church near where Woodville is now situated, of which Mashek Brown- ing was clerk. This church afterward split in two, and both branches had various fortunes; sometimes flourishing, sometimes almost defunct, but still sur- viving.

Says Mr. Hamilton: "It was with the Woodville body that the mecting of the Apple creek association occurred

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

in which Harrison Witt, M. Browning and J. V. Rhoads took the side of mis- sionary efforts, and John Record and Stephen Coonrod took the Antinomian side of the controversy, and this led to the formation of the Concord associa- tion, while the Apple creek body began to approximate more nearly to the mis- sionary, a point not reached for several years. The Apple creek association was formed from the Sangamon associa- tion, in 1830, and both of these bodies were anti-mission. The latter covered the territory embraced in the counties of Greene, Macoupin, Madison, Bond and St. Clair. This Concord associa- tion had three churches in Greene county-Hopewell, on the west side of Apple creek, now extinct; Union, now located at Barrow; and one near Green- field, over which Stephen Coonrod pre- sided for many years. At Wilmington was a church connected with the Apple creek association, and to this came Josiah Whiteside, who became its pastor." Under his preaching the church became strong, but later. the pastor turned Universalist, and the church became somewhat weakened, and in the end it divided. The larger division followed Henry L. Johnson into the Sandy Creek association, while the others hung to the Apple Creek associa- tion, but some time after this disbanded, and re-organized at Barrow, leaving the church and other property in the hands of the other faction.

What was known as the Martin's Prairie church was organized in the summer of 1842, by Joel Sweet, Thomas Taylor and Jacob Bower. In 1859, the congregation erected a church edifice, about five miles east of Roodhouse.

Among the early preachers were Elijah Dodson, Joel Terry, HI. T. Chilton, J. M. Wells, D. Wilson, and T. N. Marsh. It is said that they have never had a resident minister except Rev. J. B. Van, who preached here, being a resi- dent of the neighborhood.

The Richwoods church is situated di- rectly east of the above named, and is a member of the Western association.

About the year 1873, a church was organized at Taylor creek, but it is now extinct.

CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI, GREENFIELD.

A congregation or class of this church was organized at Greenfield in 1851, and to them was deeded one-half of the Union church, which was built by the community at large, and enjoyed by this church and the Baptist denomination. In this building then, they opened services with Rev. William Bell, as stated preacher, and George Shackel- ford and Wm. A. Secor, as elders. For some reason not stated or known, this church had a fierce struggle to keep up, but for some years kept up the fight manfully, under the ministrations of Revs. Daniel Bell, Lorance, Viney and others. Sometimes public service woukd be entirely suspended, sometimes they were regularly conducted. After a pre- carious existence, covering the best part of 20 years, it finally succumbed to the force of circumstances, and ceased to exist as a congregation or church.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, GREEN- FIELD.

Religious exercises were enjoyed by the settlers of this denomination at a

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

very early date, at the residence, of George W. Allen, Joel Edwards, and George A. Cowden, and were encouraged in the faith by the traveling " cirenit riders " and by local preachers. In 1824 and for four years thereafter, occasional services were held by Isaac Scarrett and I. T. Johnson. circuit preachers, and by the well known Peter Cartwright, the presiding elder of the circuit. In 1829, L. Bogart and I. French were on this eireuit. In 1830, the first regular preacher at this place made his appear- anee, in the person of Rev. James Bankston. In 1831, W. D. Trotter and William Haskins, were upon this cir- cuit, and in 1832, John Vaneleve and Levi Springer. These were followed by many others. Local preachers, as they were called, filled up the time be- tween the visits of these itinerants. In 1841 George W. Allen donated a lot for the purpose, and the church edifice was built. As the early settlers were not blessed with a superabundance of wealth, their contributions toward the new edifice took the form of lumber, brieks, hardware, labor, and some few, money. Under the supervision of Icha- bod Valentine, the structure, which was but modest in dimensions and finish, speedily went up, and it was opened for service during the winter of the same year as witnessed its ineep- tion. Dr. B. C. Wood, of Carrollton, preached the first sermon in the build- ing, it being a funeral oration over the remains of Samuel Capps. The Meth- odists of this vicinity, now having a house of worship of their own, now congregated at this point, and the church could then number some 50 members. They remained in this

church until 1856, when they built their present brick edifice. During the years 1853 and 1854, it had been seen that the old building could no longer meet the necessities of the growing congregation, and accordingly, in 1855, a plan was put on foot to build a better, more com- modious church, and one more in conso- nance with the progress of the age. An edifice costing about $3,000 was sup- posed to be about what was wanted, and this amount was readily raised by sub- scription, throughout the entire com- munity, all without regard to sect or belief. The work was commenced, but before it was completed, it was found that an error of about $3,000 had been made in the estimate of cost, and a sec- ond subscription not proving as success- ful as the first, caused much trouble to the trustees. They finally saddled the matter upon themselves. Through some fault in its construction, it had at vari- ous times necessitated repairs, additions and alterations to the amount of $3,000 more, but now is one of the features of the town.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, CARROLL- TON.

The early history of Methodism in Carrollton and its immediate vicinity is somewhat obscure, owing to the loss of the church records. Indeed much val- uable history of every new country is lost in the same way, or by making no recorded account of its events, trusting merely to memory. The pioneers finally die or move to other sections of the country, and thus the means of informa- tion are lost. In the year 1821 the Dodg- son family came from Yorkshire, Eng., and settled some two and a half miles

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

north of Carrollton. John Dodgson, the father of this noted and worthy family, was a Wesleyan Methodist in England, and soon after coming to this country, in about 1822 or 1823, a society was organized, called the Hopewell class. This was the first organization of Methodists in Greene county. The first preaching place was at Mr. Jack- son's, a little north of where Benjamin Roodhouse now lives, and occupied at that time by John Dodgson. This so- eiety, in a few years, built a brick church, a little north of Daniel Morfoot's, which continued a preaching place for many years. The first organization of the M. E. church in Carrollton, of which there is any record, was in 1832. This was included in the present Apple Creek eircuit. John Van Cleve, who died some years ago, was preacher in charge, as- sisted by Levi Springer. Prominent among the early members might be mentioned M. P. Taylor, who was leader of this class, Ansel Hubbard, Charles Stout and wife, Mr. Landiss, father of W. H. Landiss, and several other chil- dren, the first wife of Dr. Samuel, who soon afterward also became a member of this society, and Thomas Short, who was so long and favorably known in Greene county. The Rev. B. C. Wood, universally loved and respected, to- gether with his wife, have long been members of this society. The church first worshipped in the court-house, and afterward held meetings in a school- house which stood on the east side of the square, about where Loomis & Vil- linger's jewelry store now stands. In 1836, a brick church building was erected on the present site. This was an awk- ward, ungainly building, and was after-

ward torn down to make room for a more sightly one, which was erected in 1850-51. Among those who have been stationed here as preachers are: Rev. Messrs. Wm. H. Askins, J. Van Cleve, I. Phelps, Jesse Hail, David Cory, Norman Allen, B. Randall, J. C. Houts, Richard Bird, S. Sweeney, - Carpenter, W. D. R. Trotter, J. S. Akers, J. B. Corrington, E. Corrington, Wm. Wil- son, J. Anderson, E. Gentry, Newton Cloud, Wm. R. Powers, A. M. Pitcher, Robert Clark and others. The present magnificent church edifice owned by this society was erected in 1883, at a total cost of $20,500, including the price of the lot. It is a brick structure, with a fine roek foundation, and stone window caps and trimmings. The main front is to the south, and on the southwest cor- ner has a handsome spire, some 90 feet high, in which is a fine town elock.

AKERS M. E. CHAPEL, LINDER TOWNSHIP.

The church building which is known by the above name is situated on the center of section 23, and was built in 1866. The society was organized in 1831, or 1832, at the house of Amos MePheron, where services were held for about 20 years. After this they met in a school-house close by, and later in the Walnut Grove school-house. Ser- vices were held in the latter building until the church edifice was built as above. This structure is 39x40 feet in ground area, and was completed at a cost of $2,500. Among the original and early members of this church were Amos McPheron and wife, Mrs. Naney Morris, Daniel Kirby and wife, Thomas Robinson and wife, John Legg and wife, James, Martha and Sarah Legg, Isaac

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

Colby and wife, Samuel McPheron and wife, James A. McPheron and wife, Oliver Colby, Joseph Rhoads and wife, and John Waggoner. Rev. Mr. Clark preached the first sermon in the new church.

BAPTIST CHURCH AT CARROLLTON.

The first church of this denomination in Greene county was organized in Car- rollton by Elder Jones, of Madison county, very shortly after the laying out of that town, in 1821. Their first meet- ing house was a log cabin not far from the present residence of Dr. J. F. Simp. son. Among the original members of this pioneer church was Thomas Carlin, the founder of the town, and afterward the governor of the state. This was originally what is called the hyper-Cal- vinistic anti-mission church. In course of time it moved eastward, and is now the Providence ehureh. On the 28th of April, 1827, at the house of Justus Rider, in the town of Carrollton, was founded the present Baptist church of Carrollton. The original members were but six in all-Sears Crane, Anna Crane, Abraham Bowman, Mary Bowman, Elizabeth Rider, and Phoebe Harris. Some of these had been excluded from the anti-mission church near Carrollton, for holding missionary views. The minutes of the second meeting of this church, to which is appended the name of Gorham Holmes, as elerk, is a specimen of almost Spartan brevity. It reads : " Fourth Saturday in May, 1827, church met and after worship proceeded to bus- iness : 1st, chose Brother Crane, mod- erator; 2d, the brethren all in peace ; Bd, Brother Bowman chosen clerk. Dis- inissed by prayer." Elijah Dodson and wife presented letters for admission

into the church, the first additions to the little flock, in Mareh, 1828. Rev. Elijah Dodson was the first pastor of the floek, from that date, if not from its organization, until June, 1830. The congregation then had different supplies until May, 1834, when Rev. Alvin Bailey took charge, and remained pastor until March, 1840, except about six months in, the early part of 1836, when Rev. Amos Dodge seems to have sup- plied the pulpit. He was succeeded by supplies among whom was Rev. W. H. Briggs until March, 1811, when Jacob Bower devoted one-fourth of his time to this church. Rev. Elijah Dodson again filled the pastorate for one year from 1842, one-fourth his time. Rev. W. H. Briggs next succeeded from June, 1843, to July, 1845, and was followed by Rev. Porter Clay, who remained one year. In Jan., 1847, J. N. Tolman be- came pastor, and remained until March, 1851. when he was succeeded by W. F. Boyakin who had charge until Aug., 1852. Rev. E. J. Palmer acted as a sup- ply until March, 1853, when he was succeeded by Rev. A. Bailey, who re- mained two years. Rev. J. Bulkley now took upon himself the pastoral duties, and served nearly nine years, until April 1864. Rev. N. Kinne, from June, 1864, to Feb., 1866, and Rev. James M. Stiffler and other supplies filled the pulpit until Jan., 1868, when they were succeeded by Rev. W. D. Clark. The latter continued in the pastoral relation for two years and was sueceeded, in April, 1870, by Rev. B. F. Parshall. He was followed by Rev. H. A. Guild, whose term of service ex- tended from June, 1872, to Feb., 1874. Rev. J. C. Bonham was pastor from Oct.,

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

1875, until April, 1876, when he was succeeded by Rev. J. E. Roberts.

Where or when the first house of worship was built, the records of the church do not state. But in May, 1834, it is recorded, that the church held its meeting in the new church building. Under date of January, 1835, is the entry "church met in the brick meet- ing room."

In March, 1852, during the adminis- tration of W. F. Boyakin, a committee consisting of A. W. Caverly, Thomas Hobson, John Headrick, Alfred Hinton and Francis P. Vedder, was appointed to inquire into the expedieney of erect- ing a new house of worship. On April 24, they submitted a report, through Judge Caverly, chairman, recommend- ing that the church be built of brick and rock, with a basement story-the building to be 66x42 feet in size, and, with lot, to cost $5,000. To carry out the purposes contemplated in the report of the committee, a building committee was appointed, consisting of David Pierson, Thomas Hobson, John Head- rick, A. W. Caverly and Z. A. Morrow. In time the committee reported $2,700 raised and the rock and brick contracted for. In July, 1852, the trustees were instructed to sell to the highest bidder, the south side of the lot, purchased for the site of the house, which they sub- sequently sold to Lyman Wheeler for $501. The old church was also sold to advantage to P. M. Brown for $410. It finally passed into the hands of the Cumberland Presbyterians. The new house was dedicated Jan. 6, 1856, D. P. French preaching the dedication ser- mon.

It may be interesting to note the pro-

gress made in the salaries paid the various pastors. In 1838, A. Bailey was paid at the rate of $200 a year for one-half his time, with a pledge that the church would pay him $500 for his entire time in 1839. David Pierson and George Pegram were appointed to raise the money. For 1839, they paid him $250 for one-half of his time, In July, 1844, William H. Briggs was offered $100 for one-quarter of his time one year, provided he would live in Car- rollton, and take one-half of it in pro- duce. He must have refused the offer, because two weeks later, the church agreed to raise a reasonable portion for his support, and he accepted. In 1845, Porter Clay agreed to preach one quar- ter of his time Saturday and Sunday, and an additional one-quarter Sunday, if the church would clothe him, and de- fray his expenses. In December he announced his intention to give his en- tire time to Carrollton and vicinity. He was a brother of the statesman, Henry Clay. In 1847, J. N. Tolman was given $200 and board, the money to be paid as fast as collected from subscriptions. In 1849, the finance committee reported that for the previous 18 months they had paid Brother Tolman $219.14; voted to add $200 within six months. In De- cember, 1849, the church agreed to pay him $250 salary for his entire time, sal- ary to be paid in quarterly installments, and $50 more if possible. In July, 1850, W. T. Boyakin received $400; Oct., 1852, Alvin Bailey, $200; April, 1855, J. Bulkley, $600, afterward raised to 8800; Sept., 1866, agreed to pay Rev. Stiffler, for supply, $600; Sept., 1867, offered O. B. Stone $1,800, offer de- clined; Jan., 1868, W. D. Clark, $1,500;

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

Jan., 1872, Hl. A. Guild, $1,500 and ex- penses of moving; June, 1875, J. C. Bonham, $2,000. Since that time they have been supplied by John E. Roberts, for which they pay at the rate of $520 per year.

The town of Carrollton and vicinity was devastated by the cholera, in 1837, and this was followed by a great revi- val, one of the most extensive in the history of the church. Another exten- sive revival was held in 1852, which resulted in some 49 being added to the church.

The first clerk of the church was Abraham Bowman, who was elected in May, 1827, and served until June, 1834, seven years. The first deacons were Abraham Bowman and Justus Rider, elected in June, 1834.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, CARROLLTON.

On the 30th of April, 1823, a little knot of people, among whom were Rev. Oren Catlin and Rev. D. G. Sprague, met at the house of Zachariah Allen, in Carrollton, to confer upon the subject of organizing a Presbyterian church. A second meeting of the kind was held soon after, and, finally, upon the 4th of May, 1823, at a meeting held at the old court-house, was instituted a church of this denomination. The original members were 21 in number-Zachariah Allen, Elizabeth Allen, Ruloff Stevens, Elizabeth Stevens, Anthony Potts, Jno. Allen, Polly Allen, Thos. Allen, Mar- gery Allen, Wm. Morrow, Jean Mor- row, John Dee, Frances Bell, Elizabeth Bell, Wm. Allen, Sally Allen, Christian Link, Fannie Painter, Lucretia Brush, Lavina Bedel and Lucy Thomas. The first elders chosen were: Zachariah

Allen, Ruloff Stevens, Anthony Potts and John Allen.

This infant church could not have a shelter that it could call its own, but meetings were held, not regular Sabbath services, for they were impracticable, as circumstances would permit, some- times in the court-house, sometimes in a blacksmith shop near the northwest corner of the village, and sometimes north of Apple creek, where many of the members resided. At the latter place, in 1827, a sacramental meeting was held, and some added to the mem- bership. This state of affairs continued for eight years, under the ministrations of various clergymen, among whom were, in addition to those named as in- strumental in the organization, the Revs. Jno. Brich, J. M. Ellis, - Hawley, Henry Herrick and Solomon Hardy. In 1831, a change took place-Carroll- ton had increased until it had become the social and business center of the county, but as the majority of the mem- bers of the church lived north of Apple creek, that part of the country was made the center of operations. Under these circumstances. the members resi- dent at Carrollton desired a separate organization, and permission was asked of the Presbytery, July 23, 1831, for the same, and granted. In consequence of these the following named parties came together and organized the Carrollton Presbyterian church : Anthony Potts, Joseph Gerrish, Elizabeth Gerrish, Cor- nelia II. Leonard, Elizabeth Page, Abi- gail T. Hopping, Miriam Turner, Sarah Lee, Reuben Page, Morris Lee, Julius A. Willard, and Almira C. Willard. On their organization they chose as rul- ing elders : Julius A. Willard, Joseph

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

Gerrish and Anthony Potts. This es- tablishment took place under the min- istry of Rev. Henry Herrick. In May, 1832, Rev. Elisha Jenney succeeded Mr. Herrick as stated supply in the little church, and continued until the end of July, of that year, when, after a meeting of 11 days duration, with the assistance of Rev. Thomas Lippincott, some 50 had been added to the flock, the last named gentleman succeeded to the charge as stated supply. Under this gentleman, the church flourished, and led away by the accession to their num- ber, they were induced to purchase a lot with the expectation of building a church edifice in the spring. But their plans met with a sudden check. In a letter written by the church to the sec- retary of the American Home Mission- ary Society, they state : "We engaged Mr. Lippincott to supply us, hoping we should be able to furnish much of his support, but party influence crept in and, aided by strong prejudice against eastern emigrants, of whom the church was then largely composed, and against Presbyterianism, drew away many to the Baptist and Campbellite churches, and some who had pledged their word to assist liberally in supporting Mr. Lippincott."

The purpose of building the church was now postponed indefinitely, but the congregation still went on with its wor- ship, in the old blacksmith shop, sus- taining their school, and meetings, and gradually receiving accessions to their numbers. One of the elders, Mr. Ger- rish, withdrew with 10 others, to form a church in what is now Jersey county; El- der Willard removed to Alton, and the ravages of the cholera in 1833, and the

removal of the other two elders, weak- ened the infant church, but the organi- zation was kept intact and new elders elected. These were S. D. Cushing A. L. Shull and John Evans. In the spring of 1835, Rev. Hugh Barr became the successor of Mr. Lippincott, as stated supply. This gentleman's labors cov- ered a period of 10 years, against the most adverse circumstances. In 1837, the subject of building a church edifice was revived, and J. H. Hinton, Peter Vanarsdale and Geo. Wright were ap- pointed a building committee. Though times were hard and money scarce, and subscriptions were paid in wood, farm produce, live stock, labor, anything, still they found contractors, Lynn and Wright, to undertake the building, and work was commenced. It was carried to a successful issue at a cost of $2,500, and free from debt or incumberance, it was dedicated to Divine worship, a neat commodious house of praise and prayer. Early in 1842, as the result of a re- vival, some 50 people were added to the church. In 1845, Mr. Barr termi- nated his labors here, leaving the church in excellent shape, but for the following six years a feeling of apathy pervaded the church, Rev. James Dunn only preaching about two years of the time, and a partial disorganization was the result. An effort was made to make it Congregational, and much dissension crept in to the body. However, in Feb., 1850, the Presbytery of Illinois assen- bled in Carrollton, and re-organized the church with 31 enrolled communi- cants. A. W. Lynn, R. F. Clark, C. Armstrong, M. D., and J. H. Wilson were ordained elders. Rev. E. Jenney supplied the pulpit one year, and was

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

succeeded by Rev. J. G. Rankin who labored faithfully in this portion of the Lord's vineyard for 10 years. Revivals were held by him in 1854 and 1857, whereby many were added to the church. In addition to the regular church work, they projected, and with the aid of outsiders, erected the adjacent acad- emy building, at an expense of over $2,800, making it the property of the church, placing it under the control of a board of directors consisting of the trustees of the church, and three per- sons chosen by the subscribers to the fund, of which board the minister was, ex-officio chairman. A parsonage, cost- ing $1,000, was also built.

Mr. Rankin was succeeded by Rev. Morgan L. Wood who remained with this people until the summer of 1864. Ile was succeeded by Rev. S. H. Hyde, in Nov., 1861.

At the very beginning of his work, the need of a new house of worship was confessed, but war prices ruled in labor and material, and the undertaking was postponed. In 1866 it was felt that they could delay no longer, and the initial steps were entered upon. The chief labor in soliciting subscriptions devolved by common consent on Elder Robert Clark, and with signal success ho prosecuted it. George Wright, C. Armstrong, M. D., and Lyman Wheeler were appointed a building committee, and the contract was let to Engleman Gatchell. As a happy result a pleas- ant and beautiful house was erected and furnished at a cost of $11,000, and, un- incumbered by debt, dedicated on the 18th, of March, 1868, to the worship of God. Nor was this all. They have added improvements to the parsonage

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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 91

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