History of Henry county, Illinois : it's taxpayers and voters, 1877, Part 63

Author:
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Chicago : H. F. Kett
Number of Pages: 604

USA > Illinois > Henry County > History of Henry county, Illinois : it's taxpayers and voters, 1877 > Part 63

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

German Lutheran Church. The proper. title is the Evangelical Lutheran German. This church was organized in 1863, when the follow- ing named persons became members: A. Eichhorn, W. Kittenzer, G. Wiegand, A. Wiele, J. Young, L. Hilmer, M. Schuh, J. Hitzer.

The church building was erected in 1864, and cost $1,500. The following, in the order named, have officiated as pastors : E. Sunfstueck, C. W. Ernst, S. Hamm, and P. Hanson.

Zion's Church of the Evangelical Association. The members com- prising this church were organized into an ecclesiastical body in the Spring of 1857. At this time about fifteen persons united, and until the erection of their first church edifice in 1860, held divine service in the houses of the members. This year they crected a house of worship, cost- ing $1,000. This they occupied ten years, when, the growth of the con- gregation demanding more room, the church was sold and the present larger and more commodious house was erected. This latter cost nearly $6,000.

The Rev. Conrad Speilmann presided at the organization, and occasionally preached here, the charge being until 1870 a mission. After him the following ministers have successively filled the pulpit ; Rev. John Dengel, Rev. Amos Gackly, Rev. Enoch V. Freeden, Rev. John Dengel, Rev. S. E. Heilmann; Rev. Conrad Speilmann, Rev. John Kurz, Rev. Enoch V. Freeden, Rev. Michael Heyl, and the present pastor, Rev. Martin Stamm. The membership is now 154, and the attendance at the Sunday-school, 150.

The services are held in the German language, almost the entire congregation being of that nationality.

The Swedish Lutheran Church was organized at the house of Jolin Gustus, June 27, 1856, with twelve members. Meetings for religious exercises were held in private houses until the church was crected. This was completed and occupied about the year 1859, at a cost of $700. In 1874 it was remodeled and enlarged, at an expense of $800, and is now a very comfortable structure. The first regular pastor was Rev. Nils Anderson, who came in 1865, and remained till 1869. The following year, the Rev. C. J. Malmberg was called, who filled the pulpit six years. At present the congregation is without a settled minister.

The membership is 214. The attendance at Sunday-school is about 40 ; the children only of this denomination attending.

The Swede Methodist. Organized in 1864, by Rev. B. Witing. Services were held at that time in the German Church, and the next year

521

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

at Moderwell's Hall, on Main Street. Rev. A. L. Erickson was pastor. In 1866, the present church was built, the lot eosting $600. The follow- ing have officiated as pastors : Rev. O. Gunderson, two years ; Rev. A. L. Erickson, one year ; Rev. John Lind, three years ; Rev. John Wigren, two years ; Rev. H. W. Ekland is the present pastor.

Methodist Episcopal Church. The earliest meetings of this church in Geneseo were held in the old Seminary. The first class was organized by Rev. H. J. Humphrey about 1854, and consisted of six inembers. The first quarterly conference was held at the house of Rev. H. J. Humphrey, on the 3d of November, 1856 ; Rev. R. N. Morse, presiding elder ; Rev. H. J. Humphrey, preacher in charge ; Caleb Rauson, recording steward ; Rev. G. C. Wooodruff, secretary. The presiding elder's claim wa. .... .. at $60; the preacher's at $436. The names of the original members were as follows : Rev. H. Van Order, Levi Hamilton, G. A. Luvin, D. B. Brown, S. S. Throop, J. A. McConnell.

The first church was built on the west side of South State Street, and is now known as Teutonia Hall. The second church was built on the east side of North State Street. It was commenced under the pastorate of Rev. H. Ritehie, in 1865, completed under the administration of Rev. S. G. J. Worthington, and dedicated by Bishop T. Bowman, in September, 1872. Its cost was abont $22,000. Rev. H. G. Humphrey, the first pastor, served one year. He was followed by Rev. A. D. McCool, one year ; Mr. McCool's successors were Rev. J. Soul, two years ; Rev. E. Ranson, two years ; Rev. N. C. Lewis, one year ; Rev. E. Wasmuth, three years ; Rev. H. Richie, two years ; Rev. A. P. Crist, two years ; Rev. S. G. J. Worthington, three years ; Rev. W. P. Graves, two years ; Rev. M. Spurlock, two years. The present pastor is Rev. G. W. Arnold. The membership of the churchi at present (1877) is 200, with the attend- ance of an equal number in the Sunday-sehool.

ORION

Is situated in the western part of the county, near the junction of the - R., R. I. & St. L., and Rockport, Peoria & R. I. Railroads, and contains about five hundred inhabitants. It was laid out December 26, 1853, by Charles W. Dean, and was for some time ealled Deanington. The change of the name was made in 1867.

The earliest settler in the township was Mahlon B. Lloyd, who located in 1837, and has always been most favorably known. He labored hard in the interest of the railroads through this part of the county, and devoted much time and considerable of his wealth to their furtherance. In 1852 he brought the first reaper into the township. His son Charles was the first 'white male child born within its limits. Mrs. Mary Ann Jordan, daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth K. Blackfan, was the first white female child born in the township.

In 1840 Dr. Alfred Trego commenced the practice of medicine here. He, and two horses he drove, were universally known to the early resi- dents. The Blackfan families eame about 1841. Mrs. Elizabeth K. Blackfan, wife of William Blackfan, who died in 1843, kept the first post-office in this locality. She was appointed to the office November 12, 1850, then called Orion, and held the position until after the location of

522

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

Orion in 1853. The office was called La Grange, having been estab- lished at that colony purchase. This being abandoned, the office was removed to Mrs. Blackfan's house. This woman, though early left with a family to support, succeeded in gaining considerable property, and was always an earnest worker for the moral growth of the town, and aided as much as any settler in its material prosperity.

Some of the first educators in the township were Charles Trego, who taught the first select school; Miss M. E. Laird, who was similarly em- ployed seven years, and Sarah B. Lewis, who taught the first district school. This was held in 1847. The deficiency heretofore in educational facilities was supplied by these select schools. That of Miss Laird gained considerable notoriety, pupils from other states attending.

The marriage of Edward Blackfan to Susan Trego, in 1844, was the first celebrated in Western Township. As these persons professed the Quaker belief, they obtained their letters of permission from the society in Pennsylvania. Four years after H. B. Engle and Sarah B. Elwell were the first married by a minister. She was for thirteen years secre- tary of the Lyceum, so favorably known and so well maintained here. It was organized in 1846, in the house of Edward Blackfan, under the name of La Grange Lyceum, and until the erection of the first school-house in the township, in 1853, was held in private houses. That year it was held in this building. It is now changed to a historical society, which meets annually.

No regular religious services were held until 1853, when a Methodist minister, Rev. Murch, preached in the school-house.

As soon as Mr. Dean had laid out the town, he erected a store build- ing, in which he opened the first grocery of the village. In 1856 a saloon was opened by Stephen McCarty, and not long after five resolute ladies went in a body to his saloon and emptied his liquors in the street. The enraged saloon-keeper had them arrested, but in the trial they were acquitted.

Until the completion of the railroad but little trade was carried on at this point, but two or three stores were open, and a few shops of vari- ous kinds supplied the needs of the community. The first railroad train came into the village in October, 1870, and was received witlı universal greeting by the citizens of Orion. The railroads at once awakened new enterprises. Buildings we're immediately erected, additional stores and shops were built, and the town began to show signs of an active business. Since that time the population has more than trebled, and trade and com- merce have kept pace. Owing to the absence of a bank all exchange is carried on through the money order department of the post-office. . This amounted during the year 1876 to $30,000.

There are at present nine or ten stores, as many shops, two grain houses and two hotels.

The village and township have an excellent war record. A large portion of Capt. J. A. Jordan's men of Company B, 37th Ill. Volunteer Infantry, were from this locality. It was this company that was pro- moted to Company A by an order given on the streets of St. Louis when passing in review towards Gen. Fremont's headquarters. They were on their way to aid Gen. Mulligan at Lexington, and received this sudden promotion on account of superior drill and skill in military tactics.

523

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

The village is situated on a beautiful rolling prairie ; a healthful location, and commanding a fine view of surrounding prairie lands, which, though tenantless forty years ago, are now covered with well tilled farms.

THE SCHOOLS.

In 1852 there were but five families living in Western Township. But knowing that "knowledge is power," they voted a tax upon thein- selves and the land speculators, and proceeded to erect a school building. These persons were Mr. Lloyd, H. B. Engle, Edward Blackfan, George Anderson and Elizabeth Blackfan. The school-house stood a short dis- tance north west of Mr. Lloyd's farm-house, almost within the present limits of the corporation of Orion. The building was erected by Charles Dean, who charged $140 for his services. In 1854 it was moved to Dean- ington (now Orion), and in 1855 the first school was opened by Charles Moon. In time the population grew to such an extent that it was found necessary to erect a more commodious edifice. It was built at a cost of $5,000 in 1873. There are now enrolled 125 pupils. The school is divided into three departments; the course of study embracing nine years.

THE CHURCHES.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1853, in the dis- triet school-house ncar the village of Orion. The following persons were among its first members : John McHenry, Mary McHenry, Henry Kyle, Mary Kyle and Eliza J. McWhinney. The exact membership is not known. The first regular appointed minister to this class was Rev. G. W. Brown ; then came H. J. Humphrey, James Sheldon, J. N. Bartells, John Grundy, J. W. Odell, G. M. Morey, 'T. Hoagland, T. Head, P. Warner, H. C. King, J. Q. Adams and E. N. Bentley, present pastor. They held their meetings in the school-house until the year 1867. when they erected a church costing about $3,500. The membership has increased to about sixty. The Sabbath-school numbers nearly seventy scholars.

The following persons are trustees, and have held their position since its first regular organization : J. A. Jordan, H. J. Jordan, Edmond Bell, John McHenry. Henry Kyle and Clawson States.

The Rev. F. M. Chaffee is the first. resident presiding elder of the M. E. Church of Henry County, residing in the district parsonage built at Orion in 1873, and valued at $3,000.

The Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church was organized November 21. 1843, at the house of V. W. Washburn, in Colona Township. This was the first Baptist Church organized in the county, and was the result of the missionary labors of Rev. Thomas Powell. At its organization the fol- lowing persons united : Luke C. and Mrs. Mary A. Sheldon, from the Baptist Church of Sheffield, Connecticut, V. W. and Mrs. Elizabeth W. Washburn from the Baptist Church of Springfield, Mass. These four persons constituted the charge. Until 1856 the pastors were Rev. O. Adams, E. Fisher, J. W. Dennison, Robert Jordan, F. Ketchum and A. G. Eberhart. In 1856 Rev. William Talbott, from Cambridge, preached one-fourth of the time in the school-house about four miles northwest of Orion. Nine years after they commenced to hold services in Orion in the school-house. Rev. A. Edson was pastor. He was suceecded by

524

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

Revs. T. Sheppard, C. T. Emmerson and the present pastor, Rev. J. C. Lewis. One year after coming to Orion they erected a house of worship, at a cost of $5,000. There are now about fifty members. The Sunday- school was organized about twenty years ago, and now enrolls about eighty scholars.

The United Brethren (Eden) Church is located on section 16, in Western Township, and was organized in the year 1867. Meetings, how- ever, had been held about a year previous under the charge of the Rev. St. Clair Ross and the Rev. D. F. Bair. At the organization twenty- eight persons united, and from these A. Norman, H. D. Keel and W. M. Cessna were chosen trustees.

Shortly after the organization they crected their church at an expense of $2,000. Services are held here each alternate Sabbath. The names of the pastors of this congregation are as follows: Revs. St. Clair Ross, E. Godfrey. P. R. Adams, W. B. Shinn ; Rev. S. P. Davis is the present pastor. The circuit of this minister includes this church and those of Plainfield, Swedona and a class at Oak Ridge.

The Swedish Lutheran Church was organized May 26, 1870, with a membership of thirty persons, among whom were W. C. Snider, Jonas P. Petterson, A. P. Larson, Andrew Petterson, A. Rost, C. Ericson, C. M. Lindwall. J. P. Carlson, J. A. Petterson, G. Haglund, and others. Rev. Victor Setterdahl has been located here as pastor since its commence- ment. They now number two hundred and seventy-five communicants. They held their meetings in the Baptist Church until 1871, when they erected a commodious' house costing $4,500. The Sabbath-school is gen- erally well attended.

This congregation, in addition to their church, own a parsonage and church-yard.

CORPORATION OFFICERS OF ORION.

President-Andrew McWhinney.

Treasurer-S. H. Trego. Clerk-Delacy Michener.

Councilmen-H. H. Long, William Smith, J. W. Crampton.

ANDOVER.

The first white settler in what is now Andover, was a Dr. Baker, who built a log-house in the edge of White Oak Grove, just south of the Captain Mix place. Either the locality did not people fast enough to suit the doctor, or the situation was too healthy for business, for he shortly removed to the more congenial latitude of Green River. The first permanent settlement was in June, 1835, when Rev. Pillsbury, Slaughter, and Pike came as a committee of the New York Association to locate lands for a colony. They entered a large quantity of land, and laid the foundations of a city by platting a section of land into streets and squares, and lots and blocks; and to indicate that it was to be the center of intelligence and learning, they christencd it Andover. They located the present Andover mill site, and erected a mill. Nat Huntoon, deceased, was the first miller, and his customers came 75 to 80 miles, glad to find a mill so near. After several years' grinding and sawing, a freshet

525

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

carried away the dam and left the mill upside down. When the build- ing of the mill was commenced the committee bought a bill of goods in St. Louis to pay hands with, as these could be more casily obtained than money, and, supplying the actual necessities of the times, were preferable. As an example of the business done at this mill, and the mode of keeping accounts, the following bill on record in the County Clerk's office is given. It is indorscd " J. Jacobs' Return," and is an account of business at Andover mill, thirty-six years ago :

Cash return from the 13th to the 24th of Dec. 1840.

Dec 14 Asa Wisner Sold three dollars worth of shorts and flour cash,

3.00

22 Tabor 222 lbs flour and 1 B bran 4.00

Sold 100 lbs flour cash 2.00

Mr. More to. 100 lbs shorts

1.00

J Jacobs took of sam for grinding

Credit Return.

Dec 15 Mr. Chapin Dr to 30 lbs flour

1.60

John Jacobs 1} B corn

17 George Pillsbury 220 1bs flour and 10 B corn and 4 Breffuse wheat

7.00

Asa Wisner Dr to 2 B corn -

E Buck 34 lbs Damaged flour -

J L Hoskins to flour

Hoskins Credit to 3 ax healves

Dec 26th 1840. J JACOBS.

Wm. S. and Jesse Woolsey came out with the committee in 1835, but spent the ensuing Winter at Richland Grove. The nearest post-office was Knoxville, and early in the spring Wm. S. Woolsey started for the post-office after mail, but was compelled to turn back by the depth of water covering the flat prairies in the present Clover Township. Shortly after Eben Townsend succeeded in getting a mail route established with a post-office at Andover-not in the village, but in the residence where the venerable Aunty Miller now lives, near Wm. Boltenstern's. Letters cost. 25 cents a piece, and when postage was reduced to 10 cents, they were considered a luxury which every one could enjoy.

The town was laid out by Eben Townsend, E. A. Mix, and Ithamar Pillsbury, trustees of the colony, on Dec. 29, 1841.

The first marriage in Andover was that of Rev. Ithamar Pillsbury and Caroline Miller, daughter of Deacon Miller. This occurred in 1837. The first child born in the colony was Mary E. Woolsey, daughter of Jesse Woolsey, now the wife of Edmund Buck, living near the village.

The settlers hauled wheat to Chicago and sold it at 373 cents per bushel, camping out on the month's trip and carrying their provisions with them. Dressed pork was taken to Pcoria and sold at one dollar per cit., pay being taken chiefly in dry goods. Groceries could only be had for money, and those who werc deprived of that article, went without- often the much-needed groceries. Cabins were constructed generally

Asa Wisner Dr to 234 lbs flour and 144 B wheat

14.13

Wm Ayres 5 B bran

526

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

with only one room. The bed was made by placing one strong post in a eertain position adjacent one eorner, and by boring holes in the sides of it, and in a log in the wall corresponding in height with the hole in the post ; two strong pieces of wood were fitted into these places, and slats laid from these poles to the wall. On this rude, strong structure the bed was placed, and to save space a bunk was construeted immediately over this, in which the younger members of the family were placed.

Sven Nelson was the first Swede settler in Andover or Henry Coun- ty, eoming with Capt. Thompson in 1840. His, however, was an isolated ease, bringing no family, and it was not till 1847 that the Swedish emi- gration, with an advanee guard of four families, eommeneed. In 1849, several more arrived in New York, in charge of Rev. L. P. Esbjiom, a Lutheran preacher of muel learning and ability. They were met by a eonimittee of the association in New York and indueed to change their plan of going to Knox County, and settle in Andover, by the donation of two lots for a ehurel site. The present magnificent ehureh of that denomination is the result of that settlement ; and from that time to the present the Swedish settlement in and around Andover has steadily aug- mented by immigration from fatherland, until that nationality greatly predominates. The visitations of eholera in 1849-'52-'54, earried off great numbers of the Swedish settlers, who from their eireumstanees and habits of life, were poorly prepared to contend with such a seourge.

With the advent of the Swedish people, Americans, instead of set- tling in Andover, would go to other localities where the foreign element did not predominate. Another reason tended to eause persons coming to the West in quest of homes to " go by" Andover. The committee to pur- ehase these lands represented $40,000 capital, and had entered twenty- two seetions-14,080 aeres-and held this large traet at too high a figure. Land was cheap at that date ; the settler was generally more hardy than wealthy, and instead of buying of this colony, who had hoped to build up a large eity. would purchase elsewhere, thereby giving the neighboring localities the start, which Andover has never been able to regain. Thie bloeks comprise ten aeres each, and, had the wishes of the founders of the colony, the New York Association, been fulfilled, a eity equal to or greater than Galesburg, would now be seen. Andover is now largely owned by Swedes, who are a slow, pains-taking people, are mostly engaged in farm- ing and gardening, and live a most careful, frugal life. Several are from Bishop Hill eolony, and have beeome quite wealthy.

SCHOOLS.

About the year 1842 or '43, a small house for school purposes was built on the south side of the grove, about one mile and a half from the village. To this all the youth of Andover, and for several miles around, were sent until the year 1847. At that time the village was quite pros- perous and a school was needed there. A small frame house was ereeted, which was used until the year 1862 or '63, when the present one was built. It contains two sehool-rooms and two reeitation rooms. Two teachers are employed, and the attendance-nearly all Swedish children-whose . parents, to their eredit, always have their children instrueted in the Eng- lish language-is about 100.

527

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

THE CHURCHES.

The village contains three churches, the oldest of which is the Pres- byterian. The meeting to organize was held on Sabbath, Dec. 10, 1837. This was held at the house of Rev. Ithamar Pillsbury, and eighteen per- sons united with the church, twelve of whom brought letters from other churches and three united on profession. The names of the fifteen were : James S. and Mrs. Abigail Miller, Erastus and Mrs. Esther Buek, Asa and Mrs. Clarissa Wisner, Thomas and Mrs. Wealthy Ann Blish, Albert Jagger, John S. Gardner, Willian L. Collier, Mareus B. Osborn, Austin R. Gould, Mrs. Hannah Hoyt, and Mrs. Freelove Woolsey. Those unit- ing by profession were : Mrs. Eliza Osborn, Vineent S. Terry, and Edmund Buck. James S. Miller, Erastus Buck, and Marcus B. Osborn were elected elders, the two former also as deaeons. Until the year 1856 they met for publie worship in the school-houses and the residences of the members, generally using the house of Rev. Pillsbury. In the Spring of 1856, they ereeted a very comfortable house of worship, which is yet used. It cost about $3,000.

The congregation, by the year 1841, were able to eall a pastor, and did so unanimously, choosing their founder, and he was installed April 12, and remained until Sept. 5, 1849, when he was dismissed at his own request. On May 10, 1854, the Rev. Thomas S. Denning was installed pastor, and was pastor until June 1, 1855. Rev. G. S. Inglis was sent as a stated supply, and preached till 1860. The Rev. Pillsbury was again called that year to the pastorate. During the eleven years of his absenee, he had been five in Princeton, Burcau County, where he organized the present large congregation of Presbyterians. Six years he had passed at Macomb, part as President of the College there, and part as pastor of the church. He remained at Andover, the scene of his early western labors, until his death, which occurred on April 20, 1865. For three years the pulpit was filled by supplies, when Rev. R. L. Adams was called in Jan., 1869, and remained until Feb., 1874. He was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. D. B. Fleming. The membership at one time was over 100, but owing to removals and other causes there are now only half that num- ber. The Sunday-school has an attendance of about 40 scholars.

The Rev. Pillsbury, so often referred to in the early history of the county, was a man of unbounded energy and enterprise, and possessed of the largest Christian liberality. He was born at Draeut, Mass., Aug. 22, 1794. He was the youngest of a large family, the children of Joshua and Elizabeth Pillsbury. When 18 years old he enlisted in the army, and served some time in the War of 1812. He was licensed to preach in 1825, and remained for several years in the Eastern States. During the early part of the year 1835, he came through the West on a prospecting tour, and on his return to New York, organized the New York Associa- tion for the purpose of buying western lands, and loeating colonies. The accounts of this latter work are fully given elsewhere, and to these Henry County owes much of her prosperity. Rev. Pillsbury organized fourteen churches in the West, the first at Burlington, Iowa, Aug. 27, 1836, and the last at Dixon, Ill., Jan. 29, 1852. He was married twiee. Ten chil- dren blessed the second union, many of whom are now living in the county. Mrs. Pillsbury is now in Macomb. Rev. Pillsbury returned in

528

HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.

1860 to Andover, where he labored till death eamne ; and he now lies buried in the little village church-yard near the scene of his early western labors.

The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church. The earliest meetings as well as the organization of this church took place at the house of H. A. Clementson, on the northeast corner of See. 18; but later services were held in a small school house in Andover, until 1852, when they occupied the basement of their first ehureh, which was finished a few months later, at an expense of $2,000. The formal organization of the church was effected March 18, 1850, and among the communicants may be mentioned Rev. Lars P. Esbjorn and wife, Samuel Jolinsson and wife, Jonas Anderson and wife, Anders Peter Larsson, Nils P. A. Peterson and wife and Olof Nordin.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Henry county, Illinois : it's taxpayers and voters, 1877, Part 63

Author: Publication date: 1877 Publisher: Chicago : H. F. Kett Number of Pages: 604

Author:
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Chicago : H. F. Kett
Number of Pages: 604