History of Grundy County, Illinois, Part 28

Author:
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, O. L. Baskin
Number of Pages: 506

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SABBATH SCHOOLS.

The first Sabbath school of Morris ante- dates the organization of the first church here. About the 30th of June, 1847, Messrs. E. P. Seeley, A. F. Hand and P. A. Arm- strong posted up written notices for a Sab- bath school, to be held at the old court house in Morris, on the following Sabbath. Dr. Iland and Mr. Armstrong were on

hand at the time designated, but the other signer failed to put in an appearance. The court house was filled, literally packed, by the most heterogeneous erowd imaginable. Old and young, rich and poor, gray headed men and women, barefooted and hatless ur- chins, county officials, canal contractors, pro- fessional men, mechanics and common labor- ers; while the ladies, ever first in sympathy and ready to do battle in the cause of re- ligion and reformation, were there in force, ready, yen eager, to assist in so landable au enterprise. Previous to this time the chil- dren had run riot in the streets and woods, the older boys spending their Sundays in hunting, fishing and ball playing, while the lesser boys and girls made mud pies or played blackman, with no one to teach them to "remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy." Prominent among the good ladies who favored this enterprise were Mrs. Abigail IIull, now the widow Atwater, Mesdames Wm. E. and P. A. Arm- strong, both deceased and Mrs. Alex. Peacock, still living. It was a trying situation for the originators, Messrs. ITand and Armstrong; neither of them were professed Christians. Pro- priety demanded that the exercises should be opened with prayer; no minister of the gospel or professed Christian gentleman was present. A prayer had to be offered up to the Infinite, to keep up at least the semblance of piety. Mr. Armstrong with fear and trembling called on the doctor for a short prayer. To the great relief of the expectant crowd Dr. Hand was equal to the occasion, and made, if not his only, at least his first publie prayer, and it was a good one. A prayer that was fine in con- ception and impressively delivered. This

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broke the ice and the Sabbath school was inaugurated. This was the nuclens of our present magnificent system of Sunday schools.

Having inaugurated this school Messrs. Hand and Armstrong rested upon their laurels and gave place to the ladies and professed Christian gentlemen as managers.

The Congregational church was organ- ized about that time, and assumed the charge of this embryo Sabbath school. Whether the Sabbath school records con- tain any reference to the organizers or not we are not advised, but that this was the origin of the school is true beyond a ques- tion. Nor was there any hypocrisy on the part of these men in organizing this move- ment. They were both sons of pious moth-

ers, who taught them while "little toddlers," to keep the Sabbath day holy. That in- fluence had not deserted them, and we trust, never will. Our only religious books were the Bible and John Bunyan's Pil- grim's Progress. Sabbath school books had not yet reaelied this locality. Those capi- tal singers, Geo. II. Kiersted and Thomas A. Ilenry, led the singing in fine style. Which of ns acted as superintendent we do not now remember, but are inclined to the be- lief that we yielded the leadership to the ladies, an l that either Mrs. Hall or Mrs. P. A. Armstrong took the lead as teachers. We are quite certain that we left the field early and ceased from our labors in that noble cause.

CHAPTER IX .*

MORRIS CITY-CHURCHES-EARLY MINISTERS-THE LEGAL PROFESSION-BUSINESS-PIO- NEERS-SECRET FRATERNITIES.

T THAT the first religions services in Morris were held by the Catholics there is no question, and that Father Du- pontaris was the first to celebrate Mass at this place, is equally true. He was in charge (as we now remember), of the Cath- olic churches at Ottawa and Dresden (the latter being then by far the largest village in Grundy Connty, having a Catholic church, two good-sized hotels and several dry goods stores). He commenced to cele- brate Mass here in the fall of 1841, ere Morris had a name. He was a Frenchman or of French descent; rather small in stature with fine physical form, dark complexion, and a very fine orator, with ability equal to any emergency. He was peculiarly well suited to the times and circumstances sur- rounding him. With the patience of a Job and energy of a Cæsar, which were so admirably combined that he was able to meet and overcome every obstacle in his way. And when physical force was ro- quired to quell or disperse a mob, he not only had it, but used it. He was equally brave and humane. His charge extended from Ottawa to Dresden-a distance of over thirty miles, and as we had neither canal, railroad or stage route, he had to travel overland-mostly on horseback; hence, he was forced to labor long and hard. This he

did uncomplainingly and successfully. From here he went to St. Louis, Mo., and died of cholera in 1848, contracting the disease while visiting and shriving the dying of his parish. Deeds he did worthy of being perpetuated in monuments of gold. We believe he was succeeded here by Father O'Donnell. Dean Terry came later and built the present magnificent Catholic church, which is the largest in our county, and assisted in inaugurating St. Angelas Academy. The Catholics of Morris are the most numerous of any of the churches and have the largest and finest church edi- fice.

PROTESTANT CITURCII SERVICES.

Next to the Catholies came the Metho- dists in holding religious services in Morris. In the winter of 1842-3, John F. Devore, a tall, spare young man, with far more zeal than brain, and who was on his first charge as a Methodist minister, his circuit embrac- ing what was then called South Ottawa Circuit. extending from South Ottawa to Wash. Halliday's, being the late " Sam " Hallerman farm, commenced and carried on religions services in the court house in Morris. Ilis meetings were held about once in four weeks. He had some tough cases among his Morris audience, and though he was quite a revivalist, he could not revive the Morrisites worth a cent. What between P. Chapin, Bill Armstrong

* By Hon. P. A. Armstrong.

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and Sam Avres, he had a tough time of it, and conelnding that "Ephraim was joined to his idols," gave them upasa stiff-necked and hopeless people, and turned his at- tention to a more susceptible community.

The next effort made by this church was by a Mr. Humphrey, who was also the minister in charge of South Ottawa eir- enit. IIe made an effort at the court house about the 10th of January, 1846. There were but few professed Christians here of the Protestant faith-not even a " baker's dozen." In view of this fact the effort of Rev. Ilumphrey was looked upon as an at- tempt to "beard the lion in his den, the Douglas in his hall." Indeed, the few Protestant Christian men and women looked forward to this effort with fear and trembling, the ungodly with curiosity rath- er than interest, whilst others were not all serenity in their feelings. There was a silent monitor tugging away at their con- sciences, which said or seemed to say, " Yon have not kept my commandments and lived holy lives." Toothers this nnseen monitor said, " Unless ye repent of your sins ye shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven," whilst the gamins and urchins anticipated lots of fun from going to hear a sermon-a some. thing the meaning of which had never en- tered their heads. Thus matters stood in feverish excitement on the arrival of the eventful Sabbath on which Mr. Ilumphrey was to preach at the court house. At that time there was no law npon our statute against keeping tippling houses open on Sunday. About three-fourths of our inhab- itants were canal laborers. Sundays were their holidays, and above all other days this was their drinking and gambling day. All the saloons were open and running at full

speed. On the Sabbath in question all the drinking hells in Morris were run to their ntmost capacity to get ready to hear what Rev. Humphrey might have to say that evening. Indeed the proposed sermon was often mentioned during the day in ribaldry and ridicule. When the time came for the meeting the court house was lighted up with " tallow dips " and was densely filled by the most incongruous mass of human beings possible to imagine, many of whom were mandlin drunk. The preacher was rather a weak cistern to hold much Meth- odism, yet he had zeal and was promptly on hand with Bible and hymn book. Standing fully six feet, straight and slen- der, in faltering voiee he announced his hymn commencing,

" O, for a thousand tongues to sing My great Redeemer's praise,"

followed by the request: " Will some brother start the tune ?" But alas! Ho brother was present, and no outsider volunteered, so the singing had to be abandoned, and prayer followed next. But there were too many inopportune "Amens " and " bless Gods," to suit his invocation. He then announced his text: "Walk about Zion, mark well her bulwarks, and tell the towers thereof." But the fellows felt more like walking about Morris, finding the saloons and testing the whisky thereof, and hence they kept interjeeting: "It's time to splice the main brace," " Cut him short, young fellow "; " We are all get- ting dry," etc. He did eut it short, and dismissed his hearers, or such of them as had not already gone, without the bene- diction. Bro. Humphrey was very much discouraged. This, we believe, was his last effort at missionary work-certainly it

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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.

was his last effort among the heathen of Morris. What his report was to the church we were never able to learn, but doubt not that it was graphic, if not glowing. Abont this time the Rev. W. S. Strong, a lead- ing minister of the Protestant Methodist Clurch, was en route for Joliet from Prince- ton, Ill., and traveled overland in his own conveyance, and reached Morris in the evening, and stayed over night with us. We had heard him preach many times in Put- nam County, Ill., and knew him to be a man of towering ability. Before leaving here we got his promise to preach for us at the court house on his return trip. Due notice was given of the time and place of the meeting, and when the time came, the court house was crowded. But when, in- stead of a gawky looking young fledgling, a man of giant size, middle age, and com- manding presence, rose, and with a fine, full voice read his hymn, and asked the congregation to help him sing, all mirth was hinshed, and a profound stillness, if not awe, settled over the andience. Indeed, if any there were " who came to scoff' " (and there doubtless were many such), "they remained to pray." From this time on there were no efforts made to interrupt re- ligions services in Morris.

The next Methodist preacher to try his hand was Alonzo Kenyon, also of the South Ottawa circuit. Ile succeeded in organizing a class, and preached in the court house once a month for several months. IIc was, or is, for he is still liv- ing, a man for whom nature did much, but illiterate. He abandoned the pulpit, went to California, made some money and then turned lawyer and went to the Legislature from Lee County, III., and afterward was

elected judge of the city court of Amboy, Illinois.

In the summer of 1846 Rev. James Langhead, deceased, a Congregational min- ister of the Gospel, commenced to preach at the court house-a man of fair ability and practical common sense. He con- tinued to preach about twice a month for some time. The canal was finished in 1848, when a better class of people took the place of the canal laborers. In July, 1848, a society of nine members was formed, known as the "Congregational Society," yet its membership was composed of other Protestant denominations, Presbyterian, Methodist and Baptist. The organization of the Congregational Society was of the most liberal character and upon an accom- modating plan. It was only intended for temporary purposes, and left its members free to unite with an organization of their own churches when formed. Thus did Mr. Langhead organize the first Protestant church society in Morris. He became the pastor and moved his family to Morris, where he died some years later leaving a widow, since deceased, and a daughter, now Mrs. L. Whitney. We are not sure whether his son Storrs was killed in the army before or after his death.

About the year 1850 this society erected a small church edifice just north of the present fine stone church, and called Rev. A. W. Henderson, a Presbyterian minister, as its preacher. Thus we had the anomaly of a Congregational church with a Presby- terian pastor, for several years. Mr. IIen- derson finally resigned his position and accepted a call elsewhere. IIe was suc- ceeded by Rev. E. B. Turner. This society has for its pastor Rev. Montgomery, one of

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the very ablest men ever in the ministry here, and embraces in its membership a large number of our best and most influen- tial citizens. In the short space we can possibly give to the different churches of Morris, we can not take time to consult the church records and must speak of them in a general way only, and will not attempt to give the names of the various good men who have endeavored to point the way to heaven and God.

THE METHODIST CHURCHI.

Following elose upon the Congregational church came the Methodist church edifice, on the corner of Jefferson and Kiersted streets, now occupied by the Reformed Lutheran church. In 1849 Morris was at- taehed or united with Lisbon, nine miles north of Morris, as a circuit, with Rev. J. W. Flowers-afterward a presiding elder- as the minister in charge. He was a man of fine forensie ability and a good organizer. Under his able management the member- ship increased so rapidly that in 1850 steps were taken to ereet a ehnreh. This was pressed to speedy completion and was at the time of its erection the most spacious church building of the place. Morris was established as a station or eirenit in Au- gust, 1850, with a settled minister. We do not remember the order of the Methodist ministers, but the early ones were Denning, Linn, Adams, Prince, Davidson, Reeder, Stover, etc. This society grew to such pro- portions that before the year 1868 their church was too small, when steps were taken to erect their present fine church on Jackson between Liberty and Wanponsee streets, which is the most commodions church edifice in Morris, except that of the

Catholics, and its membership is much larger than either of the other Protestant churches of Morris. Among its many pastors some were men of fine pulpit talent. Notably so were Revs. W. P. Gray, J. W. Phelps, J. H. Alling and Geo. S. Young. As a popular preacher none have surpassed Mr. Young. The management of this church has been liberal, indeed. In point of courtesy and Christian fellowship the minis- ters and members of the various Protestant churches of this city have been a model, well worthy of imitation and commenda- tion. No spirit of jealousy or improper rivalry has ever existed among them, and when the Methodist church was partially burned a few years ago, the other churches so arranged their services as to give that congregation the free use of their churches to hold their regular worship in, thus man- ifesting a beautiful Christian spirit of kind- ness and good will.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

As early as 1855 a goodly number of members of the Presbyterian faith had settled liere, and in that year they extend- ed a eall to Rev. W. T. Paterfield, who then resided in the State of Ohio. IIe eame here and held services at the court house, Parmelee Hall and other places. Immediate steps were taken for the erec- tion of the first briek church of Morris, now standing at the corner of Jackson and Franklin streets, of which Rev. Mr. Killen is the present pastor. This congre- gation embraces quite a membership, and its pulpit has been filled by many able men, none more so than the Rev. McLeod, now in charge of a wealthy church in the State of New York.

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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH

is a fine frame edifice also on Jack- son street, at the intersection of Division street, and was erected about the year 1858. This denomination is rather smaller in numbers than either of the others men- tioned, yet it contains many of our good citizens. Their pulpit has been supplied by several men of talent, among whom were Revs. Faslett and De Wolfe.

THE GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCHI

purchased and occupy the old Methodist church building. They have but a small following, but are good people and devout Christians.

THIE EPISCOPALIANS

have made many efforts to build a church, but have failed. At one time they seemed in a fair way to build a fine stone edifice on the corner of North and Divis- ion streets. This was commeneed at the breaking out of the war. The walls were run up one story and work was then stopped and has not since been resnmed. Notwithstanding they never had a church edifice here, yet have they had regular service during several years. Some of the clergymen officiating here have gained reputations elsewhere. Among them are Doctor Clinton Locke, of Grace Church, Chicago, Doctors E. A. Gilbert, Benedict, etc.

We now turn to the

DOCTORS, OR PHYSICIANS.

Dr. Luther S. Robbins, before mentioned, was not only the first physician of the county, but also of Morris. He moved to Morris from Sulphur Spring some eight

miles south of Morris, in the fall of 1842, and died here a year or so later. Dr. S las Miller was the next one. He settled here in 1843, but found the place too pain- fully healthy for his financial prosperity. Dr. John Antis was the next. He came here in May, 1845. Dr. Thomas M. Reed was the next. He moved here from Wan- pecan Grove, south of the Illinois River, and was elected sheriff in 1847, and died here before qualifying as sheriff. Dr. A. F. Hand was our next disciple of the pill bags. Drs. David Edwards and Oliver S. Newell came next and at about the same time. Dr. Edwards was well advanced in years, and did but little in his profession. Dr. Newell entered into partnership with Dr. Hand. He was a fine physician and most estimable citizen. He was a charter mem- ber of Star Lodge No. 75, I. O. O. F., and its first presiding officer. He died in 1852 and was buried in the Odd Fellows' lot in Morris cemetery. His death was very gen- erally lamented. Dr. Edwards left here some time about 1856, when Dr. Luke Hale purchased his property here, and practiced medicine up to the time of his death, in 1865. Dr. B. E. Dodson came here about the year 1850 and remained several years, and then moved to Elgin; thence to Me- Leansville, where he died a few years ago. Dr. Roscoe L. Hale, son of Luke IIale, came here about the year 1858, and re- mained here until after the war, and then moved to Sedalia, Mo., where he still re- sides. Dr. II. H. De Hart came here in 1852, soon after the death of Dr. Newell, and went into partnership with Dr. Iland, but he soon became tired of so small a town and left. Dr. David Le Roy, a man of some means, now living at Streator, Ill., came

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IIISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.

here about the year 1855, and entered into partnership with Dr. Hand. Hle soon em- barked in the dry goods business quite ex- tensively with E. B. Hanna, under the firm name of Hanna & Le Roy. They built the briek store building on Washington street, now oeenpied by Messrs. Levitte & Hughes as a saloon. They afterward built the large brick block now oeenpied by the Normal school, besides speeulating in real estate to a considerable extent. They had just com- pleted this large building when the war broke out, in 1861. But as the war paralyzed business, for a while at least, they were un- able to rent the stores to any advantage, or to make any disposition of any part of this immense building, so as to realize from it; together with other bad investments, they were forced to suspend business and make the best compromise they could with their creditors. Their failure was a severe blow to the interests of Morris, for they were our most active and influential business men. Their home ereditors were protected. Onr next physician was Dr. John N. Freeman, who came here about the year 1857, and remained some ten years, and moved to Rochester, N. Y. Dr. E. Ridgway came here soon after Dr. Freeman, and went into the drug store of Longworth & Ridgway. In 1862, he entered the army as surgeon in the 76th 111. Vols., and on his return he openel an office and entered into active practice, but has again gone into the drug business with Mr. Enslec, the firm being Ridgway & Enslee. Dr. A. E. Palmer came here from Mazon in 1876, and opened an office, since which time he has had a very large and lucrative practice. Dr. Oaks, his present partner, eame here from Minooka this summer. Dr. S. D. Fergu-

son eame here from Minooka some two years ago, and has a fair practice. He had practiced at Minooka many years before coming here. These are all allopathics. Dr. Antis turned homeopathic in 1847, but has not contined his practice to that branch of physics. Dr. A. M. Pierce and Dr. Stur- terant are homeopaths, with a fair practice. And now, "sinee the law is full of points. we will turn to the points of the law," and briefly mention the

LAWYERS OF MORRIS.

The first was E. II. Little, who came here and opened an office in one of the little upper rooms of the old court house, in the spring of 1845. IIe accidentally shot himself while gunning near the resi- denec of A. R. Newport, in July, 1847. A whole charge of small shot passed through his left arm, passed into his body, and lodged in his Inngs. For all this he lived, and was still living at Montrose, Pa., a short time since. Ile was a young man of good habits and character, with fair ability. Charles M. Lee read law with Mr. Little, and was admitted to the bar in 1847. IIon- est and upright, but by no means brilliant, hie succeeded in finding out that the " Law and the Profits did not agree," as he ex- pressed it, so he gave it up and turned ped- dler for Geo. Turmeyer. The gallant Capt. W. P. Rogers, son of Com. Rogers, came here and stuck out his shingle in the spring of 1847, but only remained a year, and then went to California, where he built up a name and fame worthy of his distin- guished father. Ezra P. Seeley was onr next limb of the law. He was decidedly a bookworm, and well learned in the law. As an advocate he was not successful. Ile

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IIISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.

died, we think, in 1862, leaving a widow and two daughters, still living in Morris. Capt. Charles L. Starbuck was our next disciple of Blackstone. He came here in 1851, and died about the year 1857, leav- ing a widow and two children. He served one term in the Legislature from Grundy and La Salle. A small, dark complexioned, wiry man, of fine legal and forensic abil- ity. IIenry Storr came here about the same time Capt. Starbuck did. He was elected the first county judge, and re- signed in 1851, and moved to Sacramento, Cal., where he still lives, and is a promi- nent California lawyer. Judge W. T. Hopkins came here from Maine in 1849, and has remained here. He was elected captain of the "Grundy Tigers " in 1861, and served out the term of enlistment, and on his return he was elected county judge. Ile was afterward appointed supervisor of internal revenue-a man of great energy and fine scholastic aegnirements. He built the Hopkins House which bears his name. Ile also first conceived the idea of a bridge across the Illinois River at this plaec. He procured a charter from the Legislature Feb. 13, 1855, to incorporate the Morris Bridge Company, with W. T. Hopkins, L. W. Claypool, Samuel Hoge, Geo. W. Armstrong and E. P. Seeley, incorpo- rators, and inaugurated steps for the con- struction of the present bridge. Messrs. Iloge and Seeley did nothing in the matter. But Messrs. Hopkins, Claypool and Arm- strong took hold of the matter and pushed it forward to completion in 1856. Mr. Arm- strong, we believe, was made president of the organization, and Mr. Claypool, seere- tary. Judge Hopkins is now, by many years, the earliest lawyer at our bar. Ile

served one term in the Legislature. Judge James N. Reading was the next lawyer liere. IIe eame from Missouri in 1855. He too served one term in our State Legis- lature and two terms as county judge-a gentleman of finish and ability. Being ad- vanced in years, he has practically with- drawn from the profession. Judge Sidney W. Harris eame here from Cincinnati, O., about the time Judge Reading eame. Ile was a fine lawyer and powerful advocate, and was elected judge of the circuit court in 1861, and died here about the year 1869.

Edward Sanford read law here with Mr. Seeley and entered into partnership with that gentleman. After the death of Mr. Seeley, Mr. Sanford opened an office and turned his attention more especially to boun- ty and pension claims, and then to the loan business, in the latter of which he has had great success, and has acquired a handsome fortune.

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History of Grundy County, Illinois, Part 28

Author: Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago, O. L. Baskin Number of Pages: 506

Author:
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago, O. L. Baskin
Number of Pages: 506