USA > Illinois > Jackson County > History of Jackson County, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of its scenery and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 16
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The first regularly ordained minister of the Presbyterian church who came to reside in Carbondale was the Rev. Josiah Wood, who has been pre- viously mentioned. He came soon after the town was laid out, and remained several years. In the year 1856 Rev. William S. Post came and officiated as a minister to the church, and about three years afterwards as superin- tendent and principal of the " Carbondale College," an educational institu- tion started under the auspices of the Presbytery of Alton.
51
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
No active steps were taken towards the erection of a house of worship, other than the selection of the lot and obtaining of subscriptions, as afore- said, until September 1st, 1856, when trustees of the church were chosen, to wit: R. R. Brush, William Richart, Robert H. Marron, Alfred Siugleton James M. Campbell, Henry Sanders and Daniel H. Brush. The newly elected trustees immediately held a meeting and unanimously concurred, in the choice of lot 59, as aforesaid, for church purposes ; and it then ap- pearing that a considerable amount had been subscribed towards the erec- tion of a house, it was ordered that a commencement in that direction should be made. William Richart, James M. Campbell and Daniel H. Brush were appointed a committee to superintend the work. A plan for a building of wood, 50 by 36 feet on the ground, 18 feet between floor and ceiling, was submitted and adopted, and its erection begun.
In the fall of 1856, Mr. Wm. H. Adams removed with his family from New Plymouth, Ohio, to Carbondale, and together with his wife and eldest son, Albert, joined the church. In November following he was chosen Elder. There were some other additions to the church, by profession of faith, and letter, during the two years previous to July, 1859, Rev. W. S. Post officiating. On July 12th, 1859, the house of worship, commenced in 1856, after many delays and much struggling to obtain the needed means, was completed to the satisfaction of the trustees ; was accepted by the board, and the committee on erection, under whose superintendence the work had been done, was discharged. The total amount expended in building and furnishing the church, including heating-furnace, bell and lamps, was three thousand six hundred and forty-two dollars and fifty-two cents ($3,642.52), of which sum five hundred dollars had beeu borrowed from the Presbyterian Church Erection Fund, secured by a mortgage on the property ; and over two thousand dollars were owing to four persons, one only of whom was a member of the church, for money advanced by them, without security, to complete the building. The membership had increased to sixteen, of whom ten were females.
On September 24th, the house of worship was formally and solemnly dedicated to the service of Almighty God. At the same time the church received an accession of five persons by letter, and of two upon profession of faith.
On the 18th of December following Daniel H. Brush and Samuel I. Bart- lett were elected aud ordained ruling elders. The church continued to grow steadily during the next year, and Rev. W. S. Post continued to officiate as minister. The attendance was good, and money to pay his salary and the current expenses of the church was raised from the congregation, many not members contributing liberally ; but no payments were made upon the in- debtedness of the church. Such was the condition of the church when the great rebellion of the people of the South against the national government was inaugurated.
The sparks that touched the powder off in that confederate gun at Charles- town harbor,
" Flashed like a streak of lightning up across, from east to west,
And left a spot that burned like fire in every patriot's breast."
A call was made for volunteers, and a company was formed in Carbondale, pledged to three years' service. The names of two elders and various active members of the church went down upon the roll. Sadly but with brave hearts they went forth against their erring brethren to battle for the right. Some were slain in battle-some died a lingering death, from exposure and disease-some returned maimed by rebel bullets, while no one of those who at their country's call entered the service came back unscathed. Henry A. Watkins, one of the church members, an unassuming but brave man, on Sabbath morning, April 6th, 1862, at the battle of Pittsburg Landing, when a call was made for volunteers to bear the flag through the fight, stepped forth with two other members of the Carbondale company as bearer of the cherished flag, upon whose folds was inscribed, " In God is our trust." A missile brought death to him that day as also his two brothers, Clinton and Taylor. Many of the best men of the congregation, not members of the church, also enlisted, and the effect of the war was to very much retard the growth and immediate prosperity of the church. Mr. Post continued his ministrations in connection with his duties as Principal of "Carbondale College," until August 1862, when, being elected chaplain of a new regiment then organized, he too left the peaceful walks of life for the teuted field.
After Mr. Post's connection with the church terminated, a man by the name of I. Russell Johnson, who took charge of the school in the college building, for about one year, and who was under license of the Presbytery
of Alton, was permitted to occupy the pulpit which he continued to supply until April 1864, when his license to preach having been revoked, the pul- pit was declared vacant. During the time of Mr. Johnson's services in be- half of the church, he had been authorized to solicit and collect funds, if possible, for the liquidation of the indebtedness. He collected the sum of three hundred and fifty-five dollars, which together with some two hundred dollars, received as rent for pews, was paid over to the creditors of the church.
The church was without regular supply of the pulpit, from the time Mr. Johnson ceased preaching therein, until the spring of 1865, when Rev. An- drew Luce of Belleville, Illinois, was employed and served as minister for three years. Then he received a call from the Presbyterian church of Rolla, Missouri, which he accepted.
During the ministrations of Mr. Luce the church prospered, thirty-three members being added to the church. Services were regularly held and well attended ; contributions for benevolent and charitable objects, and for the support of missions were considerable, being systematically called for and paid over, aud in addition, money to pay the salary of preacher aud for cur- rent expenses was liberally provided. The civil war having termiuated in favor of the union, and currency beiug abundant, the church enjoyed a sea- son of financial prosperity, such as was hitherto unknown, while other and greater blessings from the great Giver of all good were not then withheld. Earnest and persistent efforts were made to pay off the debt iucurred in the erection of the building, still in great part unsatisfied. The ladies of the church and congregation, assisted by Rev. Nathan S. S. Beman, D D., for forty years pastor of a church in Troy, N. Y., then residing in Carboudale, also assisted by our minister, Rev. A. Luce, and others, took the matter of raising funds in hand, and at a meeting of the trustees of the church held May 1st, 1868, for the purpose of ascertaining the amount gathered from various sources, it was found that the total amount raised aud collected, footed up to one thousand fifty-three dollars and fifty ceuts. Col. D. H. Brush, very generously consented to accept the sum of nine hundred and fifty-three dollars in full for the church's obligation for one thousand eight huudred and uinety-three dollars and thirty-two cents. Wm. Richart held the obligation of the church for four hundred and sixty-four dollars and eighty-eight cents, which he cheerfully donated. The church further owed Mar- cus Titcheimer, assignee of H. Sanders, the sum of two hundred and eighty- five dollars and four cents, for which he accepted oue hundred dollars, and gave up the obligation held. And thus were the debts of the Presbyteriau Church of Carbondale, amounting in all to two thousand six hundred aud forty-three dollars and twenty-four cents, satisfied. In addition to the fore- going, the sum of four hundred and twenty dollars was secured by Rev. Dr. Beman, of which he himself gave two hundred and fifty dollars, to be ap- plied upon the debt still owing the church erection fund, it being uuderstood by our people, that the Church Erection Board, had abated three hundred dollars of said debt, on conditiou that an annual collection should be taken by the church in behalf of said Board, and paid over until the amount of said abatement should be reached. Thereupon it was cousidered, that the incubus of financial embarrassment, that had rested heavily upon the church for nine years, had been effectually removed, and the members and friends of the church rejoiced, giving thanks to God for His merciful kindness, and manifold blessings.
In the month of October, Rev. Edward Fish, now of Du Quoin, Ill., was employed as pastor, at a salary of $1,000 per annum. Hc supplied the pul- pit three years, laboring actively for the spiritual and temporal interests 'of the church, and to promote the prosperity of the Sabbath-school, which had been early instituted iu connection with the church, and had been success- fully kept in operation since the foundation of the church. The labors of Mr. Fish were in a good degree successful, the attendance upon his ministra- tions was generally full, and the number of accessions was about equal to the number added to the list during a like period of the history of the church. During this time the church had been giving liberally to benevolent objects, and for repairs upon building and for salary of minister. During the years 1869, '70, and '71 the church raised for all purposes $5,949.79.
In the fall of 1868, the church was called to mourn the loss of one of its most trusted, active, uscful members, Dr. William Richart, a most useful, consistent, and devoted Christian, large-hearted, cver ready to assist any benevolent enterprise, and especially munificent, alway, in aid of the church of his choice. But a short time before his death he donated and conveyed by deed to this church one-half acre of ground for a " Presbyterian" bury- ing-place, where he elected to be, and was interred.
52
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
At the end of the third year of service by Mr. Fish, he accepted a call from Du Quoin to the Presbyterian Church in that city, to which he re- moved.
In January, 1872, the Rev. John L. Hawkins was engaged to supply the pulpit from the 1st of February to the 31st of December of that year. He has been continued as pastor from that time to the present, and most ac- ceptably has he filled his relation and performed his duties to the church. He has labored effectively to promote the best interests of the people under his charge. The effect has been seen in the increased attendance upon the regular services and interest in the cause of religion. During his labors fifty persons have been added to the church rolls. True, the completion of the Southern Illinois Normal University, and the putting in successful operation of that educational institution, has brought to Carbondale Profes- sors employed therein, and others, Presbyterians before, whose membership with the church has so much strengthened it, yet, doubtless, much of the in- crease may justly be attributed to the zeal and ability of the present vener- able pastor in presenting the great truths of religion and the claims of a loving Saviour to the minds and hearts of men.
The financial troubles that have affected so injuriously all portions of our country during the past four years have not been without influence upon col- lections by the church. Less money has been raised than in other and more prosperous times, nevertheless each year has brought with it contributions to benevolent purposes. The Church Erection Fund has not been forgotteu ; but in fulfilment of the promise made, a collection has been forwarded each year in aid of that fund. In July, 1872, a communication was received from Rev. H. R. Wilson, Corresponding Secretary of the Church Erection Fund Board, claiming there were still due the sum of $262.39, and making the proposition that if the church would pay in cash $104.98, they would remit the remain- der of the claim, and that in the future, if their overture was accepted, all collections in aid of the fund would be considered as donations. The pro- position was laid before the church and accepted ; and soon after $105 were forwarded to Rev. Nathan Lane, Treasurer of said board. This was done ; and the First Presbyterian Church of Carbondale was at last entirely out of debt. Some further correspondence was had between the Secretary of the Church and the Secretary of the Board of Erection. A misunderstanding existed as to the surrender of the obligatiou held against the church ; but all was settled amicably. The church has had yearly collections taken for this fund, and soon the amount remitted by the board will have been exceeded by these collections.
Col. D. H. Brush, believing in the principle of rotation iu office, resigned his office as ruling elder, which he had held since 1859, in June, 1870. This was accepted in July, and the same day the church declared by resolution that thereafter the terin of service of elders to be elected should be three years. They proceeded then to the clection of two elders, one to serve for three years, and one for two; also to the clection of two deacons. Edwin P. Purdy and Davis N. Hamilton were chosen elders for two and three years respectively ; and Thomas Brown and Charles C. Lawrence were chosen deacons. Mr. Lawrence declined the office; the others were solemnly or- dained, and have been continued in office ever siuce.
The whole membership of the church has been 156. The number remain- ing on the roll is 79.
The following named persons constitute the Board of Trustees : Davis N. Hamilton, President of Board ; Isaac Rapp, O. Barbour, J. M. Richart, Col. Daniel H. Brush, Secretary of Board.
This church has exerted great influence for good in the past, and doubt- less will be a power for good in the time to come.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, GRAND TOWER.
For the data of the following article we are indebted to the very efficient pastor of the church, Rev. J. G. Butler.
The first services leading to the gathering of a Presbyterian church in Grand Tower, were held in the office of the Grand Tower Mining, Manufac- turing and Transportation Company, in the year 1868. The services were conducted by the only Ruling Elder in the place, Mr. John Baird.
At about the same time a Sunday-school was organized, and its sessions were held in the new building on the river bank, just below the furnaces, known as " The Furnace Office."
In 1868 a large church edifice was commenced on the premises now occu- pied. It was destined never to be finished and never to be occupied. A smaller building, for social meetings and for Sabbath-school, was begun,
however, at the same time, and this, more fortunate than its more pretentious neighbor, reached completion. In this all the services of the church and Sabbath-school were held until the present building was erected.
On April 11, 1870, a meeting was held at which a mutual agreement was entered into by several individuals to stand together and form a nucleus, around which, if possible, a congregation might be gathered.
On May 1, 1870, Rev. A. T. Norton, D. D., of Upper Alton, Ill., and Rev. J. D. Barstow, came to Grand Tower by direction of the Presbytery of Alton, and organized the present church, with eighteen members, giving it the name " First Presbyterian Church of Grand Tower." At the same time Mr. M. T. Bennett, Jr., Mr. John Stevens, Jr., and Mr. Abner B. Parinalee were ordained and installed Elders over the new organization. The church was first under the jurisdiction of the Presbytery of Alton, but when the Presbytery of Cairo was formed, it was transferred by the action of the Synod of Illinois South to control of the latter.
On May 27 (the same month) Mr. J. G. Butler came to Grand Tower, and preached to this church and congregation the two following Sabbaths. This visit led to a call for his pastoral services, which was accepted. The relation thus established between the youthful organization and minister con- tinues until this day. The present neat and comfortable churchi edifice, which is an ornament to the town, was built during the year 1871. The old barn- like, unfinished structure, previously mentioned, was torn down, and this erected in its place, at a cost of about $5,000. This beautiful temple of reli- gion was opened for the worship of God on Sabbath, Jan. 28, 1872.
THE MURPHYSBORO' PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The history of Presbyterianism in Jackson County, would be incomplete without mention were made of this church, which was organized at the county seat as far back as the year 1845 or '46. It was the first society of the kind of this denomination formed in the County. This church has, through the operation of various causes, ceased to exist. The first minister was the Rev. William Bird, now deceased. He is said to have been a man of earnestness, who faithfully performed the duties of his calling, to the satisfaction of his congregation. He was succeeded in his sacred office, by Rev. Josiah Wood, who, also, has been called to his exceeding great reward. William M'Clure and Dr. Latter, were two of the elders. Mr. Peter Boulby, was also one of the church officers. This organization was under the control of the Presby- tery of Alton, which, at that time, had jurisdiction over the whole southern part of the State. The society worshipped in the old log school-house, which was situated just south of the house now occupied by Mr. Andrews, Att'y-at-Law. Efforts were made to erect a church building which were not crowned with success. Subscriptions were secured, sufficient to justify the commencement of the building. A contract was made, and the work begun. A large house was built, but never finished. It is still standing, and has beeu used for various purposes, at one time as a saloon. The society had asked, and received aid in building, from the Church Erection Fund of the Presbyterian church, to secure which, the church gave a mortgage on building and lot. The church struggled along against great obstacles, until about the outbreak of the Great Rebellion, in 1860, when, being weakened by the leaving of some members for the camp, it dissolved. The members united with other churches, most of them counecting themselves with the Lutheran denomina- tion. In 1864, an effort was made by the Presbytery of Alton, to revive the association, and old father Lippincott was appointed to visit Murphysboro', and see if so desirable an event could be brought to pass. The exertions of this venerable man, were, however, unavailing.
HISTORY OF METHODISM.
By Rev. J. A. Robinson, D.D.
The Illinois Conference of the M. E. Church, appears first upon the records in 1825. It then embraced all of Illinois, and more than half of the State of Indiana. The Brownsville "Circuit " was formed in 1826. Brownsville was then the county-seat of Jackson County. Among the ministers who la- bored in this circuit in an early day, we find the names of Josiah Patterson, James Hadley, A. F. Thompson, J. E. French, W. L. Deneen, Isaac Barr. All these have passed from labor to reward, except W. L. Deneen. These ministers were men of talent, energy and heroism.
53
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
In about 1835 or '36, Brownsville Mission was absorbed in Kaskaskia and Chester Mission. In 1842 the Murphysboro' Circuit was formed. Among the ministers appointed to this charge in its early history, we mention Lewis Anderson, Charles Atkinson, F. H. Walls, A. F. Rodgers. These were the pioneer ministers of this charge.
Mr. Anderson was transferred to the Baltimore Conference more than twenty years ago. He was an earnest man, remarkable for his liberality in the support of the benevolences of the church. Mr. Walls died in the itinera- cy. He was a true man, full of zeal and good works. Mr. Atkinson was transferred to the Illinois Conference, and sustains to that conference a su- perannuated relation. He is a genial Irishman, a good thinker and ready talker. In his younger days he was witty and a master in repartee and irony. He is of the class of men that where you find him to-day you are likely to find him to-morrow.
Mr. Rodgers many years ago was granted a superannuated relation, and removed outside the bounds of this conference, but for some years continued his membership here. He had some difficulty in the church where he lived, and finally lost his connection with this conference, and passed out of sight for some years. He came to the surface a few years ago in the Illinois Confer- ence of the M. E. Church South, and is still a member of that conference. He may be loyal to a " Non-political church," but formerly he was an un- compromising republican.
In 1853 the Carbondale Circuit was formed, taking part of the territory of the Murphysboro' Circuit until 1860. The following ministers were ap- pointed to the charge, T. C. Lopas, W. C. Huggins, J. R. Piercy, R. H. Manier, J. H. Hill.
T. C. Lopas is a superannuated member of this conference, he is infirm with age. In his vigor he was a man of talent. Through life he has lived above reproa: h, but one thing is charged against him, and that is he is a bachelor. In this, however, he stands with Asburry, the first bishop of the M. E. Church. "If community and the sex " could pardon Asburry for this wrong, why not par- don Lopas? W. C. Huggins died in connection with the conference ; he was a man of genial spirit, an earnest and successful worker. Carlisle Babbit came to this conference by transfer from the Kentucky Conference. He la- bored faithfully until death. He is praised in the churches which he served in the ministry. J. H. Hill entered the ministry in the Illinois Conference. When the Southern Illinois Conference was formed he was a member, and his name has been upon the effective list every year since that time. He is an available man in any department of our work. It was said of Mr. Hill, by a critic who made no pretensions to scholarship, that he was " some in the Hymn-Book," those who have heard him sing will appreciate this compli- ment. Mr. Piercy, after traveling a few years, located. Mr. Manier was out of the ministry for several years, but is now an effective member of the conference.
In 1860 Carbondale was made a station. The following preachers have been appointed to the station. C. Babbit, L. H. Morey, J. W. Lowe, E. Joy, J. W. Lane, A. B. Nesbit, J. W. Grant, L. B. Dennis, S. Brooks, and H. Sears. Mr. Joy is a native of Illinois. He entered the ministry in his youth, and has been effective through all these years, and is still vigorous; he is a man of talent and moral worth. Mr. Lowe entered the ministry the year the Southern Illinois Conference was formed, and has been an effective minister in said conference ever since. He has labored extensively in this county in the capacities of Circuit Preacher, Stationed Preacher, and Presiding Elder. The result of his labors will be seen in eternity. J. W. Lane and J. W. Grant, entered the ministry in this conference. They have been successful laborers. Mr. Grant was transferred to the Texas Conference in 1876. He too has labored extensively in this county as presiding elder and pastor, and is remembered kindly by the people. Mr. Lane is still laboring in the con- ference, and is making his mark. Mr. Dennis and Mr. Brooks came to this conference by transfer from the Iowa Conference. They were men of expe- rience and reputation when they came, and have done good work in the conference. Mr. Dennis was transferred to the Illinois Conference in 1872. Mr. Nesbit came to this conference by transfer from Indiana, in 1853. His health is feeble, but with the exception of two years he has done effective service. He is a thorough Methodist. He has method in his sermons, in the administration of discipline, and in his life. His sermons abound in verbatim quotations from the Scriptures. A person who had just heard Mr. Nesbit preach, being asked if it was a good sermon, answered " Yes, if the Bible is good, it was."
Mr. Sears entered the ministry in this conference, and has been effective, constantly, either in the regular work or in agencies to which he was ap-
pointed by the Bishop. He is a good preacher and eminently social. He has an ear and heart for music. It may be said of him, " he is some on the organ." Mr. Morey, after a few years, dropped out of the ministry in this conference. He subsequently entered the ministry in the Kansas Confer- ence, and is now a member of that body. Since Carbondale has been a sta- tion, Carbondale Circuit has continued a distinct charge, and has been regu- larly supplied with ministers.
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