USA > Illinois > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, Illinois, 1810-1962 > Part 23
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Other outstanding persons of service to the church through the years have been: Nonnoe Jennings, Harrison Jennings, Francis Pur- cell, B. J. Hawkins, J. O. Purcell (treasurer for many years and cashier
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of the First State Bank of Dix, Illinois for forty-five years), T. J. Holtslaw, Andrew Riley, Emma Jennings (organist for thirty-five years), and many others. The present officers of the church who have served many years with distinction are: Miss Gnetta Osborn (organist for the past twenty-five years), ins. Juniel (Holtslaw) Badger, (church clerk), lins. Carnie E. Freemon (church treasurer), lins. Nellis Smith ( financial secretary). The deacons ane: In. Carl Jolly (who is also Sunday School Superintendent), Ir. Oscar Mcghee, Mr. Walter A. Purcell, Ir. Carl Hooker, in. John Phillips, Ihr. Willis Keele and lin. C. f. Badger. lins. Willis Keele is W. h. U. President, lin. Walter A. Purcell is Brotherhood President, and In. Cdd Lee is Baptist Training Union Director. Many other people of the past and present have rendered out- standing, service, but it is an impossibility to name all.
In 1947 the church began a remodeling program unden Rev. John B. laulding, completing a new basement and purchasing new church furni- ture. In 1952 the church built a new educational building under the passionate of Rev. Ross Partridge and dedicated it at the Centennial Celebration in August, 1952, an outstanding service in the history of the church. In 1957, the church again entered into a building program constructing, a new brick frontal addition consisting of new class rooms, a balcony, two modern nurseries, a new foyer and other improvements. In 1959 the church purchased air conditioning equipment for the entire building and now enjoys this service. The church plant now consists of three department assemblies, twenty-five rooms and is a modern nural church plant with an estimated value of $75, 000 with more than $45, 000 being used in the past few years in the improvement plans.
The church is a leading missionary church, having led the Salem South Baptist Association in per capita giving for world Missions for the past many years. It has a full-time program under the leader- ship of the Southern Baptist Convention and is cooperating with the Illinois Baptist State Association in mission work. The membership of the church is now 435.
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KJ. VERNON PANHELLENIC CLUB
In 1927 twenty-two lit. Vernon women who were members of greek letter college fraternities affiliated with National Panhellenic Congress organized a local Panhellenic chapter which was also affiliated with the National Congress. The purpose of the local chapter was forming a close and pleasant association of the members.
The twenty-two chanter members were: Bernadine Buckham, Doris Clark, Nellis Clank, Catherine Conlew, Pearl Dodds, Sue Doolin, Marykate Echols, Beatrice Elmhurst, Frances Fearheiley, Hazel Gilbert, Ruth Gilbert, Ethel Green, Ruth Hagey, Ilation Hamilton, Geneva Kuentz, Maxine flyers, Milable Pavey, Pauline Sikorski, Laurabel Stables, Leone Threlkeld, and Inene Threlkeld.
The group held unusual and unique monthly panties, to the great enjoyment of members and guests . While the club was small, all parties were held in the homes of members. One project was raising money to lend worthy girls who wanted to continue their schooling.
The club has grown yearly, and thirty-five years after its organization, it has fifty-five members and is still an active club.
PEO, CHAPTER GO
PEO, a cultural, religious and social sisterhood, was founded January 21, 1269, at Jowa Wesleyan College, int. Pleasant, Jowa. Chapter GO, lit. Vernon, was organized January 27, 1947, by lins. Ruhe, our state organizer, at the home of his. Howard Casey, at which time the following members were initiated: Ins. Paul Broyles, lins. john Bunks, lins. Howard Casey, Ins. J. J. Conlew, Ins. Maurice Delitt, lins, Clarence C. Delitt, lins. Marshall Hall, Mrs. Frank Harrison, livs. George Howard, In., Mins. Leo Horton, Miss Alene G. Hutchison, lis. Donald J. Lee, Mrs. Will J. Lewis, lins. H. D. Lough, Ins. Ralph Maxey, lins. Roy B. Maxwell, Ins. Philip B. Newkink, lins. Everett Phil- lips, Ins. D. Clarence wilson.
Our 1952 membership includes the following: Olivia K. Broyles (ins. Paul), Edna Casey (lins. lowand), Catherine Conlew (lins. john ;. ), Louise Davidson (lins. John A. ), Edrine Davis (Hrs. John ), ), Beulah Delitt (ins. Lloyd R. ), Delitt, Helen Louise (Ins. Arnold), martha Je'itt (ins. liaunice), Ross Delitt (ins. Clarence), Manionie Farran
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(Ins. Fletcher), Ethel Fitch (ins. Paul), Ruth Frazier (Ins. (Lyde F.), Donna Garnison (lins. Wain), Laura Hall (finns. Marshall), Ethel Harrison (ins. Frank), Lois Horton (Mrs. Leo), Sylvia Howard (ins. George Wm. 111), Ann Howard (lins, John), mabel Howard (Fins. George), Aline Hutchison- (viss), Ferne Lee (lins. Donald), Stanley Lewis (Ins. Will J.), Rose Griffith Lough (Mrs. Hanny), Ruth Maxwell (irs. Roy), Octa Newkirk (irs. Phillip), Betty Snodsmith (Ins. Elmer), Hallie Starr (Ins. Lester), Barbara Pilson (Ins. C. James), Ruby Wilson (Mrs. D. Clarence), Dorothy Woodworth (iss); and the following non-resident members: Beatrice Forsyth (ins. B. ), Mary Phillips (lins. Everett), Freda Rush (Ins. Everett (.), and inn leaven (ins. John).
JOSEPH PAYNE
Joseph Payne was born in Tennessee on March 7, 1806. He became a circuit riding, litethodist minister, migrated to Illinois, and at the age of thirty-one purchased land on lianch 10, 1337, from the United States government in Section Sixteen, Shiloh Township. lin. Payne died November 13, 1876 and is buried in Old Shiloh Cemetery. His land was kept in the Payne family for 106 years.
On May 1, 1838, the land adjacent to the Payne farm was purchased from the United States government by Franklin S. Casey for $1.25 per acre. Both farms are now combined as one and are owned and operated by lin. and fins. Forest Brown, R. R. #2, lit. Vernon.
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HOU RAILROADS GOT STARTED IN THE 1800'S
(Taken from an article in the Mt. Vernon Register-News written by Addison Hapeman)
Swamps and railroads may seem at first glance to have nothing in common, and usually they don't; but in the last two-thirds of the last century these two unrelated subjects were very much in the public eye, at least in Jefferson County.
It all began in 1850, when the Illinois Central Railroad was chartered. The federal government had decided all at once that the country needed nail lines in every direction, and it was apparently ready to go to any length to get them. By a special act of Congress, the Illinois Central company was handed over, tax free, the night of way and every other section of land for two miles on each side of this night of way. This strip of land extended from Chicago to Cairo and comprised some two and a half million acres. This was given the company as an incentive to build, and it was indeed a powerful one, so the road was completed in record time, Some doubt was voiced as to the wisdom of placing this much land in private hands for fear that it would be held as a long-term speculation.
These fears proved groundless, since the farm magazines of 1855 speak of the fact that "The company is putting these land's in market on such terms as will enable any man with health and a reason- able amount of energy, to pay for them almost on altogether entirely. out of their own proceeds. " The northern part of Illinois was at that time just beginning to be settled.
There must have been enough objections to this land give- away that it was not repeated. The other young railroads had to get their stant as best they could, and this is where the swamp land comes into the picture.
On September 28, 1850, Congress passed a law entitled: "An Act to enable the state of Arkansas and other states to reclaim the swamp lands within their limits, " which gave the states named in the act all the swamp and overflowed lands within their borders for drainage, education, on internal improvements. The Illinois state legislature in 1351 accepted this, and gave the land to the counties in which it lay. This land was to be sold at $1.00 per acre for the
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best, 75€ for second grade and 50€ an acre for what was Left, to be paid in cash on worked out on the drainage ditches.
Jefferson County swamp Land added up to 19, 000 acres, but it was discovered that the Illinois Central had in some manner acquired 7000 acres of this. The records were gone over again, and more wet land was found to put the total back to 19, 000. This land was then used as the carrot in front of the donkey, the bait to get a railroad in Jefferson County.
In February of 1855 the Mt. Vernon Railroad Company was formed, capital $500, 000, and they began to hunt someone to build them a road. Vanduzer, Smith and Co. were chosen, the night of way was cleared from Ashley to Fairfield, most of the grade built and ties piled along it. Then mismanagement caught up with them, and Vanduzer, Smith and Co. went broke.
Next, in 1860, came laurice H. Baron of New York, who con- tracted to build the remodeled Ashley and lilt. Vernon Railroad (to connect with the Illinois Central) and to run it 99 years; for the roadbed and 19, 000 acres of swamp land, he was to pay the list. Vernon company $30, 500. But Baron went to London to sell railroad stock and never came back
In 1868 they tried it again. The firm of Crawford and Doane agreed to build the road for the 19, 000 acres of swamp land (it hadn't dried up yet), the night of way, the depot grounds, and $100, 00. Things looked so nosy that the company tried to get a chanter to extend the line on to St. Louis. This caused complications that lost them the road.
Finally, in 1869, the contract was awarded that brought a railroad into lit. Vernon. Wilson and Wilson did the work for $100, 000 in county bonds, 14,700 acres in swamp lands, three acres within 600 yards of the court house for the depot and the night of way from Ashley to lit. Vernon.
In 1883 the Ain Line, east from lit. Vernon, was using the L. & N. tracks to St. Louis, but was expecting to build their own line in the near future. This turned out to be the Southern. In 1863 the Kaskaskia, St. Elmo and Southern was begun; this became the C. & C.J.
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These above-named railroads are the ones that finally made the grade into the county (Pardon the pun). The ones that fell by the wayside make quite a list: The Sangamon and Massac, The Marion and Jefferson County and The Belleville and Fairfield, 1855; The St. Louis and Louisville, 1857; St. Louis, lit. Carmel and New Albany, 1869; lit. Vernon and Vincennes, 1881; The Toledo, Texas and Rio Grande, 1882; and The lit. Vernon and Tamaroa, 1883.
Of the laten roads into the county: about 1905 the Northern and Southern (laten the (.B. & Q. ) built one track through, five years later adding a second track. The Jacksonville, Northwestern and South- east Railway was started in 1867 but its builders were in no great hurry, for it was used only a couple of years, long enough to give the village of Boyd ideas of being a shipping center; then the nails were pulled up and the road quit. This made it the first completed railroad to be abandoned in the county.
MT. VERNON ROTARY CLUB
The first activity relative to Rotary in Mt. Vernon came in about 1918 when Fred Watson, Charles H. Thompson, Harold "Tex" Flint and others became interested. Prospects for the organization of a club were discussed, but for various reasons nothing materialized at that time, and it was not until the spring of 1920 that the organization took place. By that time Flint had moved away and Fred Watson was out of town for several weeks; therefore, neither of them was among the charter members.
The lit. Vernon Rotary Club was organized on April 10, 1920, by Charlie Taylor of Harrisburg, who was District Governor of the old 12th District which comprised all, on practically all, of the State of Illinois. The late Charles H. Thompson was the principal local factor in forming the club and was selected as its first president.
The membership of the original club was 23, as follows: Charles H. Thompson, Insurance; Wainwright Davis, Wholesale Candy; Ralph K. leben, Can Building; G. Brownlow Hawkins, Wholesale and Retail Bakery; Robert Earl Davis, Auto Retailing; Henry Ben Wand, Dry Goods, Retail; Floyd F. Stables, Lumber, Retail; Frank H. Hope, Telephone
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Service; Conrad Schul, Lawyer; Maurice J. Seed, Newspaper; Kieth T. Straxtan, Hardware, Retail; Nonman J. Sugg, Newspaper; Wilbur Gilmore, Physician, Roentgenologist; Orville Hawkins, Religion, Protestant; Richard F. Buckham, Drugs, Retail; E. E. Edmondson, Physician, Cve, Can, Hose and Throat; John Edwin Rackaway, Newspaper; Harry Kleidler, Grocery, Retail; Carl B. Hinman, Fine Insurance; Hanold J. Howard, Groen, holesale; Vharles R. Keller, Banker; Myrl Lunbattis, Dentist; and G. Kosen Johnson, House Furnishings.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR SOLDIERS OF JEFFERSON COUNTY
William Tong, who is buried in Old Union Cemetery, was in the Maryland militia in the regiment commanded by General Jillian Small- wood. He died in lit. Vernon, Illinois, in 1350, having been born August 9, 1756, nean lit. Vennon, Virginia, the home of George Washing- ton. He also served in the Virginia troops and was in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown. It is said that he was one of George Wash- ington's body guards. He came to Illinois and lived in ix. Vernon for some time before his death.
Peter Owen is buried in Pleasant Grove Cemetery. We know almost nothing of him except that he served in the Revolution.
Daniel Chandler was from South Carolina, where he served in the linety-sixth District, beginning February, 1/76, under Captain Forne Smith, for four months. He again served in May, 1777, with Captain ; ames Liste and Colonel Jonas Beard, for two months, and one month with Captain Frederick Lipham. In 1778 and 1779 he served for over ; our months. He again served in june, 1/20, with Captain William Smith and Colonel John Thomas; was in the battles of Cedar Springs and Musgrove will, and in constant service until the close of the wan. He was made lieutenant under Captain Jeremiah Villians and Colonel ; ohn Hammond. He came to Jefferson County, Illinois, where he was pensioned and where he died.
Francis Haney was born in Prince Edward County, Virginia, April 19, 1754. He enlisted in Potetount County, serving from June, 1/16, to December, 1776, under Captain Daniel Smith. He again served from September, 1776, jon seven months with Captain George Adams, again
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for three months with Colonel Isaac Shelby, and once more for nine months with Captains George Maxfield, Robert Caldwell, and John Martin. He was pensioned, came to Morgen County, Illinois, and died in Jeffer- son County, Illinois.
John Murphy served in the war from North Carolina. He came to Illinois in 1818; he died very aged, probably in Je ferson County, according to lonth Carolina Records and County History.
Joel Pace was born in Virginia on July 28, 1762. He served. in the Revolution from that state, enlisting in the Continental inny in "enny County, Virginia, in March, 1779, under Captain Robards and Colonel Heath and Colonel Davis. He served eighteen months. He removed to Kentucky after the war and laten to Jefferson County, Illi- nois, settling, in lit. Vernon Township, where he died. He is buried in the Pace Cemetery south of lit. Vernon.
Thomas Williams was from North Carolina, where he served during the Revolutionary l'an, serving in both infantry and cavalry. He come to Illinois when it was a ternitony, was pensioned, settled in Jefferson County, where he probably died.
Ambrose Moulding was born in Virginia on August 1, 1755. - He served in the Virginia troops during the Revolution. He came to Hamilton County, Illinois, died there August 25, 1833, and is buried nean licheansboro, Illinois at the Ten-like Baptist Church Cemetery. In 1917 a granddaughter was still living who had attended his funeral. His grave is marked by a substantial monument which bears the following inscription: "Immortal may their memory be who fought and died for liberty." i'mbrose moulding was one of the founders of the village of lit. Vernon, Illinois.
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SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH
On November 13, 1904, at 2:00 p. m., a large group of Baptists met in a tent on the corner of Welkins Street and Conger Avenue to organize a Baptist church in that part of town.
The district missionary was Rev. B. F. Rodman who was chosen as moderator of the meeting. Rev. A. A. Todd, paston of the First Baptist Church of Mt. Vernon which at that time was a Southern Baptist Church, was chosen clerk.
Seventy-three persons were sent out at their request from the First Baptist Church to organize this church. After this group resolved itself into an independent church, twenty-eight persons joined on relation of christian experience.
Following are officials at this first meeting: Deacons: Charles Webber, James R. Miller, Perry Lowery, William Cates, with Grant Estes added to this list subject to ordination; church clerk, John & Throgmonton; church trustees, Charles Webber, H. Marquis, J. W. Hicks; church treasurer, W. H. Bryden.
The new church adopted as its name "The Second Baptist Church of lit. Vernon, Illinois." Delegates present on the organization coun- cil were: First Baptist Church of lit. Vernon, Rev. A. A. Todd, A. D. Webb, G. W. Howard, W. H. Poole; First Baptist Church of DuQuoin, Illinois, Rev. B. F. Rodman; Baptist Church of Ewing, Illinois, Dr. ?. A. Leavitt (President of Ewing College), ELder Bell Goodwin; First Baptist Church of Bluford, Elden Calvin Richardson; Baptist Church of Sims, Illinois, Elden W. J. Anderson. The change to the church was given by Elden Bell Goodwin, and the sermon to the church was delivered by Dr. J. A. Leavitt.
The site for the building on Conger Avenue near 11th Street was chosen on December 29, 1904. At the same meeting a paston was elected, being J. W. Allen of the Ashley Baptist Church.
The church building was dedicated the fourth Sunday in July, 1905. Ministers who dedicated the building were Rev. W. P. Throgmonton and Rev. B. F. Rodman. The dedication sermon was de- Livered by g. W. Danberry.
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The following served as pastors of the church after Rev. J. W. Allen between 1905 and 1940: Arthur Bell, P. A. Haney, Charles Bersche, the Reverends Stierwali, Unch, Bagwell, Calvert, Patterson, Anderson, Bird Green, Hedges, F. L. Kann, Bind Green (a second time), L. Tucker and Sam McCoy.
The original church structure was destroyed by fire on January 21, 1940, along with all of the church records. Within a year, the congregation under the leadership of its minister, Rev. Sam McCoy, had built the brick and stone structure that now stands at 11th and Conger. The new building had a seating capacity of four hundred and was built at a cost of approximately $16, 000. The paston, Reverend. lic(oy, who realized a substantial income each month from oil properties, contributed a large amount in the financing of the new church. He and the congregation did all the common labon on the building.
On September 19, 1956, under the Leadership of its pastor, Rev. John Tellis Young, the decision to relocate the Second Baptist Church was made. A suitable site was sought, and on October 17, 1956, the church authorized the purchase of the Bickley property at 605 South 34th Street in the Western Gardens Division of Mt. Vernon. The property was paid for and the deed recorded in the early part of the year 1960.
On Sunday afternoon, June 28, 1959, under the third pastonate of Rev. W. Carl Whittington, a meeting was held for the purpose of discussing plans and making preparation for the future work of con- structing a new building.
The following month, a planning and survey committee was appointed, Don Gowler being appointed chairman of the committee. Brother Gowler soon moved to Kansas City, and Dr. Glen Filberth was appointed chairman with Al Leffler as his assistant. Other members of the committee were: Melvin Bayer, Frank Faulkner, Howard Gowler, Robert Reynolds, Kenneth Sandusky, George Briesachen, Edward Funk- housen, Arthur llumbower, Harl Reynolds, Don Thomas, Lonen DeJournett, Howard Gregory, Herbert Page, Carl Duncan, W. M. Gregory, Evan Pearson and Herbert Etheridge. Members added as time moved on were
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Arthur Eater, Donald Delent, Leonard Hands, Roy Hays, Evans Lemay, and Thurman Rector.
On October 27, 1959, the church voted to employ architects to draft plans and specifications of the new building. After many meetings, appointment of sub-committees and several hundred miles of travel, the church voted to sell bonds, using the Broadway Plan of Church Finance in the amount of $60, 000 to assist in the financing of the construction. On May 26, 1960, Leonard Hand was elected as general bond selling chairman with the central committee consisting of Rev. W. Carl Whittington, Herbert Page, Al Leffler, Donald Delilent, Carl Duncan and Frank Faulkner, who were approved by church action on June 1, 1960.
On August 3, 1960, the working drawings submitted by the architect were accepted by the church. On September 14, 1960, the contracts were signed and the church body voted to sell the property on Conger Avenue and begin construction at the new Location.
September 25, 1960, was the dawning of a great era as a lange crowd of the membership and interested citizens gathered for the ground-breaking ceremonies. An old fashioned plow was pulled by various groups of members as a means of breaking the ground; at one time the plow handles were held by one of the church's eldest members, eighty-six-year-old Sisten Ella Lane. The sod turned over, though not known at that time, was directly through the area where the pastor's study is now located.
On July 30, 1961, the new building was dedicated to God. At the time of this writing a new wing is being added to this building.
SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE
The original Social Security Law was passed by Congress and signed by the President in August, 1935. It provided for rather small monthly benefits to begin in January, 1942, and covered workers in commence and industry only.
The lit. Vernon office opened in 1937 in the John B. Rogers Building. We had major changes in the law in 1939, and monthly bene- fits were started in January, 1940.
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Beginning with 1950, we have had major changes in the Law every two years. In 1950 the self-employed were covered; in 1954 farmers were covered. Also, domestics, farm laborers and most pro- fessional groups were covered by the law during this period of time. The Social Security Office remained in the John B. Rogers Building until April, 1957, when because of the increased work load it became necessary to secure langer quarters. Our office has been in the present location in the Ford Building at 229 South Tenth Street since that time.
At the present time, the Mount Vernon office services the counties of Jefferson, Marion, Perry, Effingham, Clay, Wayne and Edwards. We have a personnel of fourteen, and we serve approximately 19, 000 men, women and children who are receiving monthly Social Security benefit checks in this seven-county area. We are paying at the nate of slightly more than $1, 000, 000 per month on over $12, 000, 000 per year.
The following table indicates the number of beneficiaries as of December 31, 1960, for each of the seven counties. It also shows the amount of benefits paid.
COUNTY
BENEFICIARDES
AMOUNT PAID
Clay -
1,848
100,670
Edwards
977
53,117
Effingham
2, 491
137, 308
Jefferson
3,737
218,765
Marion -
4,541
255,877
Реллу -
2, 580
149,242
Wayne
2,022
108, 360
18, 196
$1,023,339
-- Emil J. Hoffman, District Manager
SHILOH METHODIST CHURCH
Sunday, September 17, 1961, Bishop Edwin Edgar Voight of the Illinois area of the Methodist Church preached the consecration sermon at the Shiloh Methodist Church on Richview Road, litt. Vernon.
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The modern brick structure stands as a beacon light for a growing community and is the result of many years of dreams and efforts. Its seventy-two members had taken a gigantic step, and the new building stands as a testimony of a Living and vital faith.
The congregation in the new building is the result of a menger of the "Old" Shiloh Church which stood about a mile northeast of the new church and of the "New" Shiloh Church, which was about a half mile east of the new building. The two churches have a most interesting history.
Methodists began to arrive in Jefferson County early in the nineteenth century. First, a nawboned young man came leading a horse upon which sat his young wife and their baby. Their possessions were few, the most precious being an iron skillet and a Bible. They camped for the night near the Old Shiloh Church later stood, and while the wife prepared the evening meal, Zadok Casey leaned against a gigantic oak in meditation. He went on his knees to pray for courage and guidance. This was in 1817.
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