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 92

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 92

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to the value of $1,500, during Mr. Hyde's pastorate, thus evincing their care for the Lord's servants, and further proving their devotion to the cause. This gives the sum total of the property at not less than $16,000.

MT. ZION P. M. CHURCHI.

This is located on the southeast quar- ter of Sec. 33, T. 12, R. 11. The first building here was erected shortly after the organization of the society, in 1844, at a cost of about $600. The first min- ister was Elder George Stevens, who labored with the little flock for about three years. The building was also used as a school-house for about eight years. It was remodeled and rebuilt in 1878, at a cost of some $600. The first minister in the new church was Rev. Anderson Orr, who preached here for four years. The present pastor is Rev. Mr. Sturges. The church has a present membership of but a few, and it is not in as good condition as the cause de- serves. Owing to removals and deaths, the little congregation has grown small, and spiritless. Joshua Jones deeded the land, some three-quarters of an acre, upon which the church is built.

OAKLAND BAPTIST CHURCH.

The editice occupied by this congre- gation was erected in 1867, on land do- nated to the society by George Johnson. The first ministers to preach here were Revs. John Bush and William Smith. The church has a very fair membership now, and is quite prosperous.

FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCHI.

This church was organized about the year 1871, under the pastoral care of

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the Rev. Mr. Carney, who preached but a short time, when he was called away. The church building, which is open to any denomination to hold services in, was built about the time of the organi- zation of this church, at a cost of about 83,000. It is located on the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Sec. 16, T. 11, R. 12, and was erected out of a fund raised by subscription of 111 liberal minded, public spirited citi- zens. E. A. Giller, B. F. Baldwin, L. P. Griswold, Edgar Griswold and E. V. Baldwin, were the first directors. The church has a membership of about 50, but has no regular pastor.

UNITED BAPTIST CHURCH, ATHENSVILLE.

This society was organized in 1860, by Revs. C. A. Worley and B. F. Cleveland. Mr. Worley was the first pastor, but after about three years, was succeeded by Rev. B. F. Cleveland, who also ministered here three years. Elder Lewis G. Hart was the next occu- pant of the pulpit. In 1875, Elder J. D. Johnson assumed the pastorate, and has continued in that relation ever since. Mr. Johnson has had great suc- cess in the church, he having baptized 44 during one revival, and many at others, and has added to the member- ship some 120 souls during the 10 years of his ministry. The society had no regular church edifice until 1882, when a building was put up, at a cost of about $1,600. This structure is 34x48 feet in size. A bell has been ordered, and soon will summon the faithful to wor- ship. The present officers are as fol- lows: G. W. Callahan and Win. Hop- per, deacons; Sarah Stoddard, clerk. It has now a membership of about 80,

and is in excellent condition. Their edifice has not yet been dedicated.

BAPTIST CHURCH, MIDDLE FORK OF APPLE CREEK.

This church organization came into existence on Saturday before the second Sunday in Nov., 1861, at a meeting held at the house of Harris Cox, across the line in Morgan county. Elder Isaac Conlee, assisted by Deacons J. Meacham and K. Deatherage, was chiefly instrumental in the organization. The first members were as follows: Isaac Daniel, Abigail Daniel, Wiley B. Daniel, Julian Daniel, Harris Cox, Mary Cox, Bartley Wilker- on, Elizabeth Wilkerson, Elijah Steele, William F. Starner, Claiborne Dalton and Emory D. Grider. The first preach- er of this church was Elder Isaac Daniel; and the deacons, Emory D. Grider and Harris Cox. Mr. Grider was also the first clerk, and held that office until 1869, when he was succeeded by Marshall F. Grider, the present oc- cupant of the office. The following reverend gentlemen have filled the place of pastor to this flock: Elders 1. Daniel, T. Shepherd, S. Coonrod, A. W. Murray, R. Q. West. J. C. Simmons, and W. Shepler, the present incumbent of the pulpit. Services were held in Morgan county, at the residences of the members, until March, 1868, when they moved into a church building, which

they had erected on land donated to the society by T. Shepherd, on the north- west quarter of the northwest quarter of section 23, of this township, in which they hold services. The edifice is 28x30 feet in size, and cost about $700. The society has but twenty members, but is in good, fair condition. Services

HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

are held every four weeks, regularly, and sometimes in the interval, preach- ing is had of some traveling elder.

TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH, CARROLLTON.

Prior to 1871 the members of the Episcopal congregation in Carrollton held their services in the court-house. During the winter of 1870-71 the subject of providing some more suitable place of worship was earnestly discussed, and in April, 1871, it took effective form. Some time in April, 1871, there was a meeting of the leading male members of the congregation, held at the office of the Hon. Jas. W. English, for the pur- pose of discussing the feasibility of buying or building a house for worship. That meeting was composed of Judge C. D. Hodges, Dr. J. T. Crow, Jas. W. English, Ornan Pierson, H. C. Withers, R. H. Davis, W. C. Sleight, B. B. Bar- tholemew, Chas. Il. Hodges and others. A plan was proposed by which some 81,500 was then guaranteed. Judge C. D. Hodges also gave notice of his dona- tion of a lot on which to erect a build- ing. When the committee appointed to solicit subscriptions commenced this work, they were met with so much lib- erality, on the part of the public, that it was determined to erect a much better and more costly building than first in- tended. At a subsequent meeting a building committee was appointed, con- sisting of the following persons, to-wit : R. H. Davis, chairman ; C. D. Hodges, Dr. J. T. Crow, Ornan Pierson and B. B. Bartholemew. This committee em- ployed Wm. Embley as architect, whose plans, after some alteration by the com- mittee, were adopted, and the contract for building the church given to Adam

Engleman. The building is of Gothic architecture about 60x30 feet in size, including tower and vestry, with a seat- ing capacity for about 400 persons and beautifully finished inside in hard wood. Thus from the leaven of the small congregation that worshipped at the court house, the liberal donation of Judge Hodges of the lot, the liberality of the general public, and the untiring devotion and self-sacrificing labors of the ladies of the congregation, sprung the beautiful little church that stands on the corner of Church and West 6th streets to-day. Commenced in the sum- mer of 1871, it was finished and paid for and dedicated on the 10th of March, 1872. But one event alone occurred, from its beginning to completion, to mar the pleasures of its success, and that was the death of Mrs. R. H. Davis, on Feb. 18, 1872, a lady whose christian devotion and influence in the matter did much for its success, whose death in the meridian of her life and useful- ness, cast a gloom over the community. The church was duly consecrated by the bishop of the diocese.

In 1884, under the rectorate of Dean Whitmarsh, the building was exten- sively repaired and beautified, and a handsome brass lectern added to the chancel furniture as a memorial of Judge Hodges, which was consecrated by Bishop Seymour, on Sunday, Jan. 4, 1885.

A memorial window to the memory of Mr. Withers, Jr., is of peculiar beauty and with the handsomely draped altar, contributes to produce an effect of special richness to the interior of this beautiful little church. The font is at the entrance under the large and hand-

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some west window; the organ at the south end of the chancel. The reredos bears the symbol of the Holy Trinity, to whom the church is dedicated, and the chancel walls are handsomely illu- minated in oil polychrome. All the windows are of stained glass.

EBENEZER M. E. CHURCH, ROODHOUSE TOWNSHIP.

The church of this denomination was erected in 1871, at a cost of $1,300, and is 28x40 feet in dimensions: The first pastor was J. J. Gardiner, who remained about three years. The first offices of the congregation were filled by John Spencer, Thomas H. Wilson, John K. Moore and James Bradley. The pres- ent officers are John Spencer, James Shaw and G. Keller. There is at pres- ent a membership of about 19. Services are held regularly every two weeks by Rev. S. G. Tera.

MARTIN'S PRAIRIE BETHEL. BAPTIST CHURCH, ROODHOUSE TOWNSHIP.

The organization of this denomina- tion was effected in 1834, with 34 mem- bers. The first ministers were Thomas Taylor and Joel Sweet. The edifice used by this society at present was built in 1856, at a cost of about $1,000. It was constructed by subscription, and in size is 36x40 feet in ground arca. The pioneer ministers of the church con- ducted services in a log cabin erected for the purpose, until the present build- ing was erected as above. The original officers were Josiah Morton, deacon ; James D. Morton, clerk. From the time of the organization the following is a succession of the different pastors of the church: Elijah Dodgson; Jocl Terry,

G. W. S. Bell, Joel Terry, R. C. Keeler, John M. Wells, W. C. Harney, J. D. Wilson, Elder Fleming, George W. Ste- vens, John Van, Daniel Wise, B. B. Hamilton, T. M. Marsh, George Rob- inson, Stephen Cate, W. F. Hicks, and the present pastor, William M. Rhoads. From 1866 to 1870 there was no regular services, as the church was destitute of a regular pastor, although Bro. Wise occupied the pulpit occasion- ally on Sunday. Also from 1873 to 1876 the church was without a regular minis- ter of the gospel, but during the latter year prayer meetings were instituted, and at a special revival some 30 new members were added to the congrega- tion. Since then the church has pros- pered and at present there is a mem- bership of about 85, services being held regularly every four weeks, while there is a flourishing Sunday-school con- ducted every Sabbath. The church edi- fice is kept in good repair and is located on the west half of Sec. 13, T. 12, R. 11. The present officers are Josiah and Sam- uel Martin, deacons, and C. K. Smead, clerk.

METHODIST CHURCH, WHITE HALL.

This society was organized, as a class, about the year 1823. For several years they held services, wherever they could find a room, but it was not until about 1832, that they had any recognized house of worship. In that year, in connection with the Baptist congrega- tion, they erected a union church edi- fice. This was a frame structure, and is now the Old Baptist church. About the year 1837, the Methodist congrega- tion put up a separate church building on a lot opposite the present postoffice, which they used for a place of worship

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

until the erection of their present splen- did edifice, in 1872. This latter is of brick, and cost about $23,000, andis one of the ornaments of the town. The first regular pastor was Rev. Mr. Bank- ston, who came here about 1830. After a time he was succeeded by Rev. Will- iam Askins, and he, by Rev. Mr. Trot- ter. The present pastor is Rev. Mr. Stevens, who succeeded Rev. Isaac Higgs, in Sept., 1885. Perhaps it would not be out of place in this connection, to say that the second church building of this congregation was removed on to another street. and converted into two dwelling houses, and is still used for that purpose.

ST. JOHN'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, CARROLLTON.

This society was organized about the year 1860, and among the original mem- bers were the following named gentle- men and their families : Cornelius C'ar- mody, Michael Carmody, Thomas Car- mody, Andrew Sheedy, Andreas Witer- schek, Joseph Storrs, Matthew Mark- ham, James Mahoney, Thomas Scott, James Dunford, Thomas Luneen, and John McMahon. The lots were bought by a fund raised by subscription among the members. On these the front part of the church building was erected in 1864, of brick, at a cost of $13,000. An addition was built to this in 1883, at a cost of 87,000, making the cost of the ed- ifice about $20.000. It is one of the handsomest buildings in the city, arch- itecturally, and quite an ornament to the same. In 1870 a comfortable par- sonage was erected by the congregation, at an expense of 83,000, and in 1877, a building, which is used as a school-house,

was erected, in which a school is sup- ported.

The parish was commenced about 1860 under the direction of visiting priests, with a few Catholic settlers from Ireland, as above stated, and Father Klein, a German, was the first resident rector, In 1871 the parish was increased by the accession of about 50 German families. It now contains about 150. Under the present rector, Father Sauer, who came in 1877, the parish witnessed its greatest success. In 1881 a house was built for the Sisters, who since then have taken charge of the parochial school. The present trustees arc Michael Carmody, Tobias Schnelt, Thos. Luneen, and John Schnelt.

ST. ALOYSIUS CATHOLIC CHURCH, ROOD- HOUSE.

This building was erected in the year 1874. It is a brick structure, one story in height with a vestry on the east end. The main building is 30x50 feet in dimensions, and is located on Railroad street, near the Victor mills. The build- ing committee was composed of Thomas Lawłus and Matthew Sterrit. The cost of the building, including the furnishing of the same, was 84,000. The first priest to hold mass in this church, was Father Victor, of Quincy, Ill., who came here once a month and held mass and was so employed for two years. He was suc- ceeded by Father Metzler, who remained about three years. Next came Father Kearne, who held services in the church once a month for one year. After him came Father Deitrick, who was the priest for about two years, and was succeeded by Rev. Father Johannes who remained only four months. Father Fallon is the

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

present instructor. The church has a membership of about 80. They hold mass twice a month.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI, ROOD- HOUSE.

This building was erected in the year 1882, at a cost of $3,600. It is abrick structure 44x60 feet, and one story in height. It was built by subscription, the building committee being P. J. Sharp, Adam Chapman, G. W. Armstrong, E. S Bundy, and A. Orr. The church was dedicated by Rev. Horace Reed, D. D., of Jacksonville, and while the Rev. J. J. Dugan was serving as pastor., Previous to the erection of the above named church the organization heldl services in the Cumberland Presbyterian building. The first ministers were Henry C. Wal- lace, served one year; Rev. James K. Maxfield, one year; Rev. Howard Mil- ler, two years; Rev. A. Orr, two years; and Rey. J. S. Akers, two years. Rev. J. J. Dugan was the first pastor in the new church and served one year, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Frank Crane, who served as pastor two years. Next came Rev. C. W. Jacobs, who is the present pastor. They have a par- sonage adjoining the church building, which is a one-story frame structure, 24x30 feet in dimensions with five rooms. The present trustees are G. W. Arm- strong, P. J. Sharp, John Roodhouse, Andrew J. Watson, and Adam Chapman; Carl Savage, Sec'y and Treas. They hold services every Sabbath, both morn- ing and evening, also Sabbath school every Sunday. Prayer meeting is held every Wednesday evening. The pres- ent membership is 150, and the church is in a flourishing condition.

CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ROODHOUSE.

The society known by the above name was organized in 1878, and at first held meetings in the old union church. In 1879, under the pastorate of D. H. Starkey, they bought the building from the Methodists. After four years spent here, Rev. Starkey was succeeded by Rev. J. II. Millholland, and he by Rev. Thomas Potter. The present pastor, Rev. E. L. Prather, succeeded Potter. The present officers are: Arthur Davis, D. B. Moore, Benjamin Rushworth and John W. Starkey, trustees; Benjamin Rushworth, clerk; James C. Starkey, Treas. The present membership is about 60. Services are conducted by the pastor every Sabbath, morning and eve- ning. Sabbath-school is held regularly each week, commencing at 9:30 A. M. John W. Starkey is the present super- intendent. Prayer meetings are also held on Wednesday evening of each week.

The house of worship of the Cumber- land Presbyterian society is 40x25 feet in ground area, is of frame construction, and is surmounted by a cupola, at a height of 20 feet. This cupola contains the bell.

The flock may be said to be in a grow- ing condition, and considerable interest. in its prosperity is manifested by the members.

This church, like all those of Rood- house, is of recent organization, as com- pared with those of the older settled portions of the county; but it may be said of all, that their progress has been greater than is their age. It is to be hoped that they may still grow.

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

WASHINGTON BAPTIST CHURCH OF ROODHOUSE.

This society was organized in the fall of 1881, by Rev. Hobart, state mission- ary. Their first meetings were held in the Cumberland Presbyterian church edifice, in which they continued to hold services until 1883.

The first members were: C. S. Terry, Rebecca Sitton, E. S. Needles and wife, John Jones and wife, Isaac Hodges and wife, E. B. Winslow and wife. They held services in the Presbyterian church under Elder Hamilton, of White Hall, until Jan., 1884. They commenced the erection of the present church building in 1883, the building committee com- prising E. S. Stroud, John Jones, E. S. Needles, W. P. Gilmore, Ellis Briggs, James L. Patterson. The building has a ground area of 36x60 feet, is one story in height, and is constructed of brick. The ceiling is 24 feet from the ground level at the highest point, and at the eaves 18 feet. It has a spire 85 feet in height. The seating capacity is about 400. The cost of the edifice was about $5,300, the amount being raised by sub- scription. Robert Latham, of Jersey- ville, contributed $1,000 toward the erec- tion of the building, on condition that it be called the. Washington Baptist church. The present pastor is Rev. J. S. Deck. Meetings are held twice cach Sabbath, and prayer meetings every Wednesday evening. In connection with the church services, they hold Sunday school every Sabbath at 9:30 A. M. James L. Patterson is superin- tendent. The average attendance is 160 scholars. This is the largest and best church building in the city of Rood- house.

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHI OF ROOD- IIOUSE.

The organization of this society was effected Jan. 3, 1873, by M. M. Longley, of the American Home Missionary So- ciety. He came here in 1872, and held meetings in the old union church. In 1874 they made arrangements to build a church of their own. The first mem- bers were: John P. Drennan, Rebecca R. Drennan, George N. Sawyer and wife, Dr. William T. Day and wife, Geo. W. Martin, Norman S. Martin, Adelia Sawyer, Emma Sawyer, Mrs. Lotta Houek, and Susan Mills.

They held occasional services only until their own church building was erected. The trustees under whom the church was built were J. P. Drennan, G. N. Sawyer and W. T. Day. E. S. Bundy was the contractor. The church is located on the corner of Palm street and Roodhouse avenue. It is a frame structure, 30x45, and is surmounted by a cupola, which contains a bell. The entire cost was about $2,000, this sum being raised almost entirely by subserip- tion. The present pastor is Rev. Wm. W. Hazen. Services are held morning and evening, every Sabbath, and prayer meeting on Wednesday evenings. Sab- bath school, with an average attendance of 90 scholars, is held at 9:30 A. M. each Sunday; F. C. Smith is superin- tendent. The present officers of the church are: C. C. Van Doren, E. S. Nichols, J. P. Drennan, Sr., Frank C. Smith, G. N. Sawyer, J. H. Carkhuff, trustees; W. H. Murray, treas .; J. P. Drennan, Sr., clerk; J. P. Drennan, Sr., G. N. Sawyer, J. H. Carkhuff, deacons. The present membership is about 50, and the church is in good condition.

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HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

CHAPTER XV.

KANE TOWNSHIP.

The civil sub-division of Greene county, which bears the above name, is located in the center of the southern tier of townships, and is bounded on the north by the townships of Linder and Carrollton, on the east by Rock- bridge township and Jersey county, the latter of which forms its southern boun- dary also, on the west by Woodville township. It embraces the west half of T. 9, R. 11, and Secs. 3, 10, and the north half of 15, of the eastern half of the same township and range, and all of T. 9, R. 12, except Secs. 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 30, and 31, which are included in Woodville township. The Macou- pin creek, or Maquapin (white potato) creek, as it was called by the Indians, meanders with pellucid stream, through the entire township, crossing, in its tor- tuous passage, Sees. 15, 16, 17, 8, 6, of T. 9, R. 11, and Sees. 12, 11, 14, 15, 22, 21, 28, 29, 30, T. 9, R. 12, and with its nu- merous affluents, affords ample drainage, beside being an unfailing source of run- ning water for stock purposes. A large amount of the land is timbered yet, which, with the artificial groves sur- rounding the mansions and cottages of the well-to-do farmers, adds beauty and pieturesqueness to the landscape. The fertility of the soil and the unexcep- tional beauty of this section of the county, caused it to be among the see- tions first settled. The line of the C., A. & St. L. R. R. traverses the township

from north to south, andthere is one considerable town within its limits on this line, Kane. The inhabitants are, as a class, industrious and energetic, and manifest, by their neat surround- ings and fine buildings, the thrift that follows intelligently directed labor.

EARLY SETTLEMENT.

The first actual settlement made within the limits of what is now Greene county, was made in Kane township. In 1815, several parties settled in the northern part of what is now Jersey county, and raised a crop, but in the autumn of 1816, three of these, Daniel Allen, Sr., and his sons, James and Daniel, removed about six miles west and north, to S. 23, of T. 9, range 12, and James made a farmi, which is now occupied by his son, E. W. Allen. James lived here until his death. The other Allens did not remain here long, moving away about a year afterwards. John HI. Allen, another son of Daniel Allen, made some improvements on Sec. 19 in T. 9, R. 11, which he after- wards sold to William L. Greene. He, too, left with the balance of the family. A short time after the Allens had moved here, Thomas Daniel, a na- tive of Kentucky made his appearance and built a eabin in the vicinity of the Allen's. In 1817, his son, Walker Daniel, long a prominent citizen of the county, came from Georgia, and made

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IIISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.

a settlement on section 24, just east of the Allen's, on the place now owned by Rowland Huitt. These were the pio- neers of Kane township, and this county.

John Greene was one of the earliest pioneers of this region, locating in this township in 1819. A sketch of this old pioneer is given in the chapter entitled National, State and County Representa- tion, under head of general assembly, he having been honored by his fellow- citizen with the office of representative to the state legistature.

Nathan Daniel, came to this town- ship in 1819, and being a young man, hired out to work for a time. In a short time he located on a farm and married Louisa Allen, a daughter of Daniel Allen, Jr. He was a Kentuckian by birth. He had five children, and died a resident of this county.

Maj. William Costley a son of Will- iam and Margarette Costley, came to this county with his father's family, in 1819, being then about 18 years of age. He was a native of Kentucky, born on the 15th of October, 1801, but had been reared mostly in Missouri. His father dying soon after their coming here, he had to shift for himself, which he did to good advantage. About 1823 he was married to Elizabeth Mathis. They had a family of fifteen children. Maj. Costley kept the first public house be- tween Carrollton and Alton, or at least between the former point and John Wil- kins' on the Piasa. He gained his title from a commission in the militia of the day. He died at his residence in Kane township, Jan. 31, 1869.

With him came Robert Means, a native of Virginia, who settled here and was a resident for some years.

James Whitlock came to this town- ship in 1819, and made a settlement, entering some 900 acres of land. He served as captain all through the Black Hawk war, and is generally known throughout this region as Capt. Whit- lock. He resided in this township until 1850, when he started for California and died on the way.

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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 92

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