USA > Illinois > Henry County > History of Henry county, Illinois : it's taxpayers and voters, 1877 > Part 17
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THE CHURCHES.
In Kewanee there are thirteen regularly organized churches. The oldest of these is the Congregational, whose organization was effected August 7, 1855, in a school house, now a grocery store. During the Winter previous, meetings were held in the Kewanee House and at a few private residences. The organizing council was presided over by Flavel Bascom, D.D. Forty-four persons united, many of whom had been members of the same religious body at Wethersfield. Their names were : Clarissa Bassett, Jane Botterill. Hosea Bulkley, Robert Cook, Martha R. Cook, Martha A. Cook, Mary A. Cook, Isabella Fell, Thomas D. Fitch, Harriet W. Fitch, J. Francis Goodrich, Sarah H. Goodrich, Elizabeth A. Hawks, Sullivan Howard, Elizabeth B. Howard, Horace M. Howard,
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Mary E. Howard, Harriet L. Howard, James S. Howard, Martha How- ard. Martha A. Hooker, Nelson Lay, Mariette Lay, Frances Lay, Hiran T. Lay, Mary Jane Lay, Lemuel B. Leonard, Sarah Patrick, Olive Lin- coln, Harvey W. Lincoln, Nancy E. Lincoln, Henry G. Little, Fidelia M. Little, Louisa S. Little, Mary M. Little, Francis Loomis, Fanny M. Loomis, Joseph R. Loomis, Ruth C. Pinney, Harriet N. Tenney, Joseph A. Talcott, Mary L. Talcott, Charlotte M. Talcott, Lucina Sykes. Of these persons, Sullivan Howard, Elizabeth Howard, Hiram T. Lay, Olive Lincoln, Nancy E Lincoln (now Mrs. Dr. Day), Ruth C. Pinney, Joseph A., Mary L. and Charlotte M. Talcott (now Mrs. T. P. Pierce), and Lu- cina Sykes are still members here. The rest have removed or gone to their reward.
The church edifice was completed and dedicated March 11, 1858, having been built the year previous. It was very much enlarged and beautified in the year 1871. The Rev. Charles H. Pierce was preaching to the congregation at the time of organization, and remained until Jan- uary, 1858. He was succeeded, as the next pastor, by Mr. Charles C. Salter, who was ordained and installed April 20, 1859, and was regularly dismissed . March 11, 1861. Rev. James M. Van Wagner was called to the pastorate of the church in February, 1864, installed June 6. He remained until April 6, 1868. Rev. James Tompkins was called June 1, 1872, installed September 10, and is still filling the pulpit as pastor. Dur- ing the intervals between any of these pastorates the pulpit was filled by supplies. The congregation is now in a good condition. The member- ship is 239. The Sunday-school (Mr. O. H. Loomis, Superintendent,) has an attendance of 341.
The Free Will Baptist Church was organized April 29, 1865, in the Protestant Methodist Church, with eleven members. The organization council consisted of Rev. S. Bartlett, Rev. H. J. Brownc, and Rev. R. G. Broadfoot. The following is a list of the original membership : Rev. William Bonar, Mrs. Mary Ann Bonar, A. B. Palmer, Mrs. Mary Ann Palmer, D. W. Payne, Henry Malone, Mary Malone, S. W. Warner, A. B. Gurney, Caroline E. Gurney, and C. H. Gurney-eleven persons. Prior to the organization, services were held in the Swedish Methodist Church, in the southwest part of town, and next in the Protestant Methodist -now Free Methodist Church. They worshiped in this latter place until November, 1865, when they removed to Cutter's Hall, where they remained until January, 1866, when they again removed, this time to the Christian Church. This building is now a dwelling. Here they met for religious exercises until January 16, 1870, when they worshiped a few months again in Cutter's Hall. About May, 1869, they commenced the erection of their present church building. It was completed June 1, 1870, when they immediately occupied it. It is a very comfortable struc- ture, and cost, including the lot, $6,800.
The pastors of this congregation have been the following named persons : Rev. William Bonar, from August 12, 1865, to March 7, 1867; Rev. O. D. Patch, from April 1, 1867, to March 1, 1874; Rev. J. J. Weage, from May 1, 1874, to May 1, 1875. At that time the present pastor, Rev. H. J. Browne, was called to the pastorate. The number of members is one hundred and two; the Sunday-school has an attendance of about
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sixty. The superintendent is Mr. H. Blanchard. Mr. A. B. Gurney, one of the original members, is clerk of the ehureh.
The Free Methodist Church was organized in a private residenee in Wethersfield about the year 1866 or 1867. Mectings had been held for some time previous in the residenees of different persons, and in the Swedish Methodist house of worship. Also in a store-room in Wethersfield. About the year 1870, they purchased their present ehureli edifiee of the Protestant Methodists, and have since oceupied it. At the organization, some five or six persons were admitted as members. They have, at different times, enjoyed good seasons of revival, and now number some twenty-four or five members. The first minister was Rev. Jonathan Dick; next, Rev. William Cooley, whose wife occasionally officiated at divine service. He was followed by J. G. Terrell, during whose ministry the ehnreh was purchased, at a cost of $1,000. Next, Rev. George Coffee, followed by Rev. W. W. Kelley ; he by Rev. John Whiting; he by Rev. James Thaxter, when the present pastor, Rev. James Kelso, took charge. The Sunday-school, under the superintendence of Mrs. Robinson, numbers about twenty pupils.
The Presbyterian Church was organized in the Baptist Church by the Rock Island Presbytery, March 26, 1872. A preliminary mecting had been held to invite the Presbytery to this action in the house of S. M. Hurd, on February 21st previous.
At the organization the following persons were received as members : Daniel and Mrs. Eunice Baldwin, William E. and Mrs. Sarah A. Haxton, R. A. and Mrs. L. Little, Jacob W. and Mrs. Hannah Jones, S. M. and Mrs. Emily Hurd, N. H. and Mrs. Lura Blakely, Effie Blakely, Mrs. C. H. Graves, George H. Lincoln, George Kliner, Mrs. J. Powers, Mrs. P. Wright, Mrs. John Whiffen, Clark Bradish, William W. Winter, and Mrs. Virginia L. Winter, and -Shanahan.
During the Summer the church was erected. Ineluding the lot it cost $5,000. The Rev. N. D. Graves was pastor of the church about three years. Rev. Josiah Milligan, of Princeton, preached for them for some time, when the present pastor, Rev. J. D. Howey, was called. He has occupied the pulpit over one year. There are now eighty-six mem- bers, and a Sunday-school of one hundred scholars.
The Baptist Church. On the 9th of May, 1856, it was decided by a vote of the members of the Baptist Church, at Wethersfield, to remove tlicir place of holding services to Kewance, a more desirable location. There were at that time over one hundred members. They worshipcd for some time in different halls, and in some of the other churches. On December 21, 1865, a building committee was appointed, and steps taken towards the erection of a suitable church-edificc. This was completed and occupied July 7, 1867, and cost. ineluding the site, over $3,000. There are now about two hundred and thirty-five members, and a Sunday- school of one hundred and fifteen seholars. The pastor is Rev. P. P. Shirley.
The following is a list of the pastors of this church and their terms of service : At the removal Rev. S. P. Ives was pastor; Rev. H. B. Foskett, from Deeember, 1857, to August, 1862; Rev. J. La Grange, from October, 1862, to September, 1863 ; Rev. A. D. Freeman, from March, 1864, to July same year ; Rev. William Storrs, from November, 1864, to
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May, 1865; Rev. A. Jones, from December 1, 1865, to March, 1867; Rev. K. W. Benton, from July, 1867, to July, 1872; Rev. Carlos Swift, from November, 1872, to Jnne, 1874 ; Rev. R. L. Colwell, from Septem- ber, 1874. to February, 1876, when the present pastor, Rev. P. P. Shirley, was called. The church is now in a flourishing condition, and enjoying evident signs of prosperity.
The Methodist Episcopal Church at first met for some time in a sehool-house, about one mile east of Kewanee, in a hall over the store of J. D. Schriver, and in private houses. Some of the members had been connected with the same religious body in Wethersfield, but desirous of building up a church in Kewanee, came here . to worship. They organ- ized a class of thirty persons December 15, 1855, in the school-house referred to ; being then under the pastoral care of Rev. J. O. Gilbert. The principal members were: A. Thornton, William King, J. Shipley, Erastus Johnson, W. S. Oliver, William Bowen, W. C. Kent, and John Schriver.
The corner stone of their church was laid October 23, 1856. The day was made " one of gladness " by the members. In the stone the fol- lowing articles were deposited : A bible, hymn book, and description of the church ; a paper on which the following was' written : " John Morley, Presiding Elder of Kewanee District, Peoria Conference, Illinois; Joseph O. Gilbert, pastor of Kewanee; Arthur Thornton, William C. Kent, Erastus Jolison, Joshua Shipley, William S. Oliver, William Bowen and William King, Trustees. The first Methodist Church built in Kewance, October 23, 1856. Number of inhabitants in town, 1,500." There were also placed in this stone two copies of the Kewanee Advertiser, one number of the Fourth of July preceding, which gave an account of a great celebration of that day ; one number of the Henry County Dial ; one number of the N. W. C. Advocate ; a copy of the Missionary Advocate ; a map of Kewance, given by R. A. Tenney ; one fifty cent piece in silver ; one ten cent piece ; one three cent piece, and one five eent piece.
This building has become old and inadequate to the growing demands of the congregation, and during the coming Summer a new one will be constructed which will cost $10,000. The parsonage was purchased in 1856. June following the organization of the church a Sunday-school was organized. There were sixty pupils in attendance.
The pastors of this church have been Rev. J. O. Gilbert, from organ- ization until 1858; Rev. Jolin Chandler, one year ; Rev. E. Ransom, one year ; Rev. J. S. Cummings, two years; Rev. W. P. Graves, one year. During his ministry the congregation became self-supporting. Rev. U. J. Giddings was next, remaining two years ; Rev. W. J. Beck, two years ; Rev. Benj. Applebce, two years ; Rev. Jolin P. Brooks, one ycar ; Rev. M. P. Armstrong, one year; Rev. G. W. Arnold, two years; Rev. B. C. Dennis, two years ; and Rev. G. W. Arnold, again two years, when the present pastor, Rev. M. Spurlock, was assigned to the pulpit, and is now serving his first year. There are now three hundred and twenty mem- bers, and a Sunday-school of two hundred and fifty scholars. During the month of January, 1877, over eighty persons united with this church.
The Protestant Episcopal-St. John's-Church. On Sunday, May 13, 1855, a Protestant Episcopal Sunday-school was organized in the Ke- wanee House. This was the first religious organization in Kewanee, and
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the school met the following Sunday for the first time at Odd Fellows Hall. There were twenty scholars, and R. P. Parrish was Superintend- ent. The first full Episcopal service, with sermon, was in the Summer following, by Rev. Porter, of Jubilee College. In October, Bishop White- house made a visitation, and held two services in the unfinished Methodist Protestant Church. During the Summer and Autumn of 1856, Rev. Philander Chasc officiated occasionally in the same church. On the 13th of July, 1856, the church was organized, with the name of St. John's. The officers were R. P. Parrish, Senior Warden ; George A. Morse, Jun- ior Warden ; James B. Morse, J. H. Howc, H. L. Sloan, Geo. W. Foote, and E. V. Bronson, Vestrymen ; and L. D. Bishop, Clerk. The first rector was Rev. George E. Peters, who commenced his labors in 1857, and remained two years. A church edifice of the early English Gothic style of architecture was constructed in the Summer of 1857, finished in the Fall, and conscerated by Bishop Whitehouse, November 15, of the same year. It is quite a neat church, and cost about $5,000. The first church-bell of the town was rung from the belfry of St. John's.
The Primitive Methodist. The persons adhering to this faith met for some time, prior to their organization into a church, in Cutter's Hall and in the Methodist Episcopal Church. The organization was made in the Spring of 1865, and two years later, in the Autumn of 1867, the first board of trustees was chosen. The principal members then were Joseph Garland, John Bennison, John Bradbury, John Bamford, Moses Jones, William Bennison, and J. Breckon. The church edifice was erected in 1873, at a cost of $2,000. The pastors of this church and their terms of service are as follows : Rev. J. Hewitt, May, 1865 to May, 1867 ; Rev. Chas. Dawson, 1867 to 1871; Rev. Thos. Butterwick, 1871 to 1873 ; Rev. William Jacks, Jr., .1873 to 1876, when the present pastor, Rev. Chas. Dawson, again assumed charge. There are now eighty members and a Sunday-school of eighty-seven scholars.
The United Evangelical-St. Paul's-German Church. About ten years since, some of the German people living in this vicinity and pro- fessing belief in the doctrines of this religious body, organized a church. For a short time they met in a school-house, but at once commenced the erection of their present cdifice. Nineteen persons united at the organ- ization-the pastor being Rev. Hilmer, who remained about one year. Their church cost some $2,500. They also own a very comfortable par- sonage. Rev. Hilmer was succeeded by Rev. Rein, who remained five years, when the present pastor, Rev. G. W. Reiger, was installed. The majority of the members-now about fifty-live in the country. The Sunday-school numbers some forty scholars. About one year ago another church was organized in the country, three miles northeast of Kewanee. It is for the accommodation of those living in that locality, has about thir- ty-five members, fifty Sunday-school scholars, and is under the pastorate of Rey. Reiger, who preaches there each alternate Sunday.
The Church of the Latter Day Saints. The first meetings of this church were held at Amboy in 1859. An organization was effected here of probably one hundred members. From this place they were sent out to preach, and in 1862 effected the establishment of the church here. In 1868, they erected their present church edifice, locating it nearly one mile north of town. Regular services are maintained here, the membership
ALFRED W. PERRY, Geneseo.
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being one hundred and cighteen, with an average attendance of sixty at the Sunday-school. They are in no way connected with the Mormon doctrine, and do not believe in or practice its teachings. The presiding elder of this branch is Thomas Charles.
The Swedish Lutheran Church. Before thicir organization in 1869, the members composing this church met in private residences and in the Methodist Episcopal Church. The organization was made in September of that year, with about sixteen persons. In the Autumn of the follow- ing year they erected their present church-edifice, at a cost of nearly $3,000. There are now fifty-five members. The Sunday-school contains about twenty-five scholars. The first minister to this church was Rev. Lendholm, who remained but a short time. He was followed by Rev. N. Neurgren, who was pastor two years. The Rev. John Wingstrom, of Princeton, is the present pastor, having succeeded Rev. Neurgren.
The Swedish Methodist Church was organized at an early day in the history of Kewanee. It is now, however, quite small, and does not sus- tain regular preaching.
The Catholic-St. Mary's-Church was organized at the house of Matthew Joyce, then occupying the site of the present church-building, in the early part of 1854. About thirty-five heads of families were ad- mitted to membership at this time. Some of the more prominent ones were Lawrence Hunt, Patrick Cavanaugh, Matthew Joyce, James Hunt (now deceased), James Gallagher, Thomas Caton, and Edward Hunt (now deceased). The following year a church, eighteen by twenty-four feet in dimensions, was erected. It has since been remodeled and en- larged. The pastors of this church have been as follows : Fathers Lynch, O'Gara, Powers, Dulhunty, Duggan, Hannigan, Kilkernny, J. M. Ryan, and the present priest, Rev. John Ryan. The membership is now nearly eight hundred, but the reader will bear in mind that all members of a family in this church are counted as members of the church from their earliest infancy.
THE SCHOOLS.
The first school in Kewanee was taught in a small frame building, built by George A. Morse. and donated by him for educational purposes. It stood north of the railroad tracks, on Main Street. School was held here for a year or two, when this structure was removed farther into town, and placed on the lot now occupied by the east school-house, and after wards removed to that now occupied by Parker & Merritt's store. The growth of the town demanding more room, the trustees rented a building of Mr. Austin Sykes, and a room in the upper story of Mr. Schriver's store. These were occupied till about 1858, when the building known as the East School-house was erected. This was occupied during the Win- ter of 1858. It contained two commodious rooms, and was ample for the demands at that time. The pioneer school-room was sold, and for some time was used as the office of the Henry County Dial ; afterwards removed, and occupied as a Christian Church, and is now a dwelling. In the year 1865, the East School-house having become entirely inadequate, steps were taken for the enlargement of this building and the erection of two others. During the vacation of 1866, the east building was enlarged to double its former capacity, and the two brick structures, known as
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the North and West Schools, were determined upon. They were erected in 1867, and occupied January 1, 1868. Each contains two rooms. The schools were thoroughly re-graded in 1866 by the superintendent, S. M. Etter, now State Superintendent of Publie Instruction. Mr. Etter was principal here about three years, and laid the foundations of the grading of the schools now so successfully carried out by Mr. W. H. Russell, pres- ent superintendent.
The brick buildings were erccted by William C. Loomis, and cost the city about $6,000. In addition to these, the High School building, creeted in 1856, and a one-room building, are occupied. This latter is called the Northville School.
There are now six hundred and eighty pupils enrolled. The average daily attendance for January, 1877, was six hundred and twenty one. They require the services of fourteen teachers, including the superintend- ent. Their names and positions are as follows :
Mr. W. H. Russell, Superintendent.
High School - Mr. E. S. Martin, Principal ; Miss Lillian D. Riley, Assistant.
Grammar School-1st room, Miss Anna Kellar; 2d, Miss L. A. Scarle.
East Building -Intermediate, Miss A. A. Johnson, Miss Alice Bar- ker ; 2dl Primary, Miss Esther Loomis ; 1st Primary, Florence Gamble. West Building -2d Primary, Miss Lizzie Lewis ; 1st Primary, Miss Frank Rockwell.
North Building -2d Primary, Miss S. Folsom ; '1st Primary, Miss Jennic Hallinc.
Northville - Miss Mary Bradbury.
The Board of Education consists of the following named gentlemen : S. T. Miles, President ; Adolph Manl, Secretary ; W. H. Day, W. W. Stevens, M. H. Hinsdale, Jas. C. Blish.
The annual aggregate expense of the schools amounts to $10,000, which is abundantly repaid in the elevated tone of society, and the good morals attendant upon such an outlay of money. The appended sketch of the High School is from the pen of one of the pupils now connected therewith :
" The High School was established in 1856. It grew out of a desire for a higher grade of education than the village schools afforded at that day. After some exertion on behalf of cach of the villages of Kewaneo and Wethersfield, in the endcavor to secure its location in their midst, the matter was settled by locating the building on the dividing linc between them. Mr. James Elliott donated two and a half acres for that purpose, and on this site the present building was erected. Only the upper story was completed ready for school purposes, the lower being used for lectures, lyceums, and a public hall. Among the prominent per- sons who lectured here were John B. Gough and Horace Greeley. School was opened under the principalship of Rev. Mr. Waldo, who was assisted by Miss Atwood. At that time the school was furnished with rude pine desks and benches, reaching half across the room, making but three aisles. The oldest pupils occupied the rear row. Among the young ladies werc : Lama Pratt, now Mis. Northnop; Lillie Bruns, now Mis. Raymond ; Nellie Little, now Mrs. George Perkins; Libbie Cutter, Helen and Lucy
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Lyle, Fannie Lay, Ella Way, Addic Cheany, Lottie Talcott -the latter now Mrs. T. P. Pierce.
" There being no sidewalks in earlier years, it was almost impossible in the winter to get to the school-house, and a large wagon was the gen- eral conveyance for the scholars.
" At the close of the second year Mr. Waldo resigned. His succes- sor was Mr. Blodgett, who was assisted by Miss Stocking. During his administration an exhibition was held, and from the fund raised the school-room was properly furnished.
" Mr. Blodgett was succeeded by Mr. McPheran, who was succeeded by Mr. Bradford. Greek and Latin were among the higher studies of the school at this time, and pupils were fitted for college. Mr. James K. Blish, a lawyer of the town, went from this school to Ann Arbor. Mr. E. B. Wight, the Washington correspondent for a Chicago paper, went from the academy to Chicago University.
" Mr. Bradford was succeeded by Mr. Tabor, who first graded the school, and arranged a course of study which he had printed. He was followed by Mr. Beckington, and he by Mr. Etter, present State Superin- tendent of Public Instruction. Mr. Etter was succeeded by Mr. Russell, the present superintendent. During Mr. Etter's administration eighty- three dollars had been raised .at a school entertainment, with which to purchase books for a library. This fund was increased during Mr. Rus- sell's time in a similar manner. With this fund a library has been pur- chased. In September, 1870, the town of Kewance purchased the inter- est of Wethersfield in the academy, and has since had entire control. Mr. Russell served a year or two as principal of the schools at Moline. During this interval Mr. Gray and a Mr. Carver acted as principals. Upon the latter's resignation Mr. Russell was again called, and is now superintendent of the Kewanee schools. Mr. E. S. Martin, in 1875, was appointed principal of the High School, which position he still retains. He is assisted by Miss Lillian D. Riley."
THE PRESS.
The first paper issued in Kewanee was the Henry County Dial. The citizens saw the necessity of a paper in their midst, and through the influ- ence of some of the more prominent ones, among whom were R. A. Ten- ney, H. G. Little, Nelson Lay, Geo. A. Morse and others, a subscription was raised, and the above mentioned paper purchased.
It was brought to the town Friday, August 15, 1855, its advent being signaled by the firing of guns and the cheers of the populace. Mr. J. H. Howe had been secured as editor for one year.
The buildings occupied for some time were the Phillips Block and the old school-house, the latter now a residence. It was continued until September 13, when Mr. C. Bassett, present editor of the Kewanee Inde- pendent, who had come hither at the solicitation of some of his friends, purchased the entire stock and fixtures. He was a practical printer, and assumed the business control, Mr. Howe remaining editor for the balance of the year. It was conducted in this way until June 12, 1856, when Mr. Bassett sold the office to Mr Howe and Mr. H. M. Patrick. These gentlemen conducted the paper until November 13, when Mr. Howe sold his interest to his partner, who associated Mr. O. White with himself as
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editor, and under this management the paper was printed till January 8 following, when Mr. White retired. Mr. Patrick carried on the paper about one year, when he sold the office to L. D. Bishop, who published the paper two or three years. J. E. Wheeler, one of the original found- ers of the Chicago Tribune, had charge of the Dial from 1858 or 1859 till December 8, 1866 - the longest terin of any one editor. He was a most estimable man, and one highly respected by the citizens of Kewanee. He was considered one of the ablest editors connected with the Dial, and died at his post. He purchased it, and leased the office to Mr. O. White, who again became editor. He also published a paper at Toulon, Stark County. He was succeeded in the editorial chair by Hiram Wyatt, who associated with himself Mr. Shurtleff during the campaign of 1868. Mr. Shurtleff was succeeded in a few months by Geo. W. Wilson, who pur- chased the office, thereby becoming editor and proprietor. He almost immediately sold to N. W. Fuller, who changed the name to the Kewanee Radical. He continued until May or June, 1870, when he failed, and the paper was discontinued. On July 1 following, the entire office and outfits were purchased by Mr. C. Bassett, who again entered the sanctum. He started a weekly paper, calling it the Kewanee Advertiser. After six months he changed the latter name to Independent, and as such still issues an excellent county paper. He is the oldest editor in Kewauee, and has been a printer forty-four years.
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