USA > Illinois > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, Illinois, 1810-1962 > Part 25
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30
Union Chapel pastors include: C. M. Whitson (1204), A. A. Awl; (1885); William H. Cunningham (1892-93); John C. Garnett (1893); R. B. Campbell (1894); J. M. Nesbit (1895); }. R. Haun (1896); R. B. Campbell (1397); A. C. Clendenning (1898); 3. In. Smith (1399-1900); C. ). ashley (1901); J. D. R. Brown (1902); J. B. New (one quanten 1905); ¿. Willis (balance of 1905-1908); J. B. H. McCartney (1900-1909); Trinskel (1910); Pitman (1910); Joseph Lane (1912-1913); L. B. Thurman (1913); George S. Conant (1914-1915); Roswell L. Phillips (1916); Hicks (1977-1918); Roy Tate (1919); R. H. Phillips (1920-1921); J. H. Buand (1922-1924); 3. E. Gannett (1925-1927); F. M. licKinney (1928-1929); G. C. loonehead (1930); F. i. Mckinney (1931-1932); A. C. Thomas (1932- 1935); J. T. Smith (1936-1937); (1938); I. E. Meredith (1930-1939);
41 a
.1
S
1
dane
i
1
1.
1 SF93
4-6
Paul 2. Ott (1939-1941); Joseph Hannis (1942-1945); Carle Harmon (1946); L. C. Hand (1947-1948); Raymond Switzer (1940-1950); Leo Habny (1950- 1952)(Oct. 153); James Conbitt (Oct. 1953-May 1955); Hanny Fish (1955- 1956); R. E. Tillis (1957); James Jeffries (1950); Jany Jenkins (1959- 1950); Robent Harmon (1961); Rosemary Hannis (1962).
-- By Veda Price Parker (ins. Sidney Parker)
٠
٠١
W-7
WESLEY METHODIST CHURCH
In 1893 the Union Street Methodist Church, now the Wesley Methodist Church, was organized and built on the corner of Union and Prairie Avenue, Union Street was later named Tenth Street.
This church was the outgrowth of the missionary spirit and enterprise of some of the members of the First Methodist Episcopal Church in Mt. Vernon. Several members of the First Methodist Church gave their time, prayers, effort, money and full support with their personal membership to help this work on to success. Many could be named who helped in this movement, but one who is worthy of special mention is W. F. Daniel, the father of Mrs. Sam Grant and Mrs. William lilinon of Mt. Vernon. Rev. Daniel was a local elder and one of the prime movers in this chunch enterprise.
Rev. J. B. (nowder, a local preacher and father of Aubrey Crowder of lit. Vernon, had the privilege, honor and responsibility of being the first paston and director of the church building. At this time there were twenty-four probationens and fifty members. These were days of testing and tribulation for both paston and people, but they had the faith that they would succeed. The foundation was well laid.
In 1894 Rev. J. B. (nowder was succeeded by Rev. J. W. Webster, who was appointed by the conference. The church was glad for his coming and he soon developed into a great preacher. His pastonate was an active and crowded one and a commendable success.
Rev. Charles O. McCammeron was appointed in 1897 and served five years. During his term a parsonage wass purchased at a very reasonable price, which was fortunate because of the limited means of the church at that time.
The site on which the church and parsonage stood was sold to the lit. Vernon Can Manufacturing Company in July, 1909, for the purpose of erecting the Steel Can Plant. The church received $2, 500 for the property. The present site at Twelfth and Prairie, where the church now stands, was purchased for $1, 500 from Mir. John Nesmith. The church and parsonage were moved from Union and Prairie to the new location.
السؤال
-
52.
١٠
W-2
After settling on the new site in 1909 and beginning the regular services the attendance and interest were very encouraging. This had been a year of financial embarrassment and contention, but a great revival prevailed through the month of January when the paston was ably assisted by Rev. Charles Atchinson. A good work was done and the labors were greatly rewarded.
At the Adjourned Session of the Fourth Quarterly Conference held in Centralia, Illinois, by the request of the church the name Union Street Methodist was changed to "The Wesley Methodist Church." The old church was remodeled and dedicated by Bishop Quail
in 1913. Rev. J. C. Kinison was pastor at this time.
During the pastonate of the Rev. T. E. Harper, disaster struck on January 15, 1940 and the church building was destroyed by fire. During the reconstruction, services were held in the Garrison Warehouse on Tenth and Lamar. Through the efforts, hard work and cooperation of the members and friends, a new stone church was erected on the same location at Twelfth and Prairie. The dedication service was held on February 23, 1941, by Bishop Darlington.
Many of the members of Wesley Methodist Church have been called into full-time christian work. Since 1926, sixteen young ministers have gone out from the Wesley Methodist Church to preach the gospel.
Following are the names of the ministers who served the church from 1893 to the present time: J. B. Crowder (1893-1894), 2. W. Webster (1894-1896), J. W. Smith (1896-1897), Chas. likeCameron (1897-1902), W. B. Cooksey (1902-1903), J. D. Sheddnick (1902-1905), A. G. Proctor (1905-1908), B. A. Hoan (1908-1911), J. W. Britian (1911- 1913), J. C. Kinison (1913-1915), Harry Mcknight (1915-1917), C. B. Sullivan (1917-1918), George Wilson (1918-1919), W. H. McPherson (1919- 1920), Ed Montgomery (1920-1923), Harold Culver (1923-1924), Earl Phillips (1923-1927), Clyde Bruce (1927-1928), Ernest Connett (1928- 1933), Rodney Stockton (1933-1938), Thos. E. Hanpen (1938-1943), Earnest Lamb (1943-1947), O. E. Connett (1947-1951), E. C. Michels (1957- 1954), Gerald Gulley (1954-1959), A. B. Clodfelder (1959- 1.
1
نى ٠٤٨٧٢
٩٠
。
١
W-3
WALTONVILLE METHODIST CHURCH
The first religious denomination in Jefferson County was Methodism. Several of the earliest settlers were Methodist preachers, among, whom were Zadok Casey (who became lieutenant governor of Illinois), Edward Maxey and Lewis Johnson. The first sermon delivered in Jefferson County was preached by Zadok Casey in the autumn of 1817 in Isaac Hicks' newly erected cabin with every man, woman and child residing within the present limits of the county in attendance. In the spring of 1019 the Methodists organized the county's first church society. This meeting was held at Edward lilaxey's cabin in what is now Shiloh Township.
Proceeding to the southwestern section of the count;, we find that here, too, the earliest settlers bone the torchlight of Methodism. Many pioneers had been active church members before coming to the Illinois country and were eager on organize new religious soci- eties. fileetings were held in homes, and during the summer they met in groves until the erection of school houses when these buildings were utilized for religious worship. The first church in Blissville Town- ship was Grand Anm on Minson Methodist Church, erected in 1837. In Bald Hill Township the first church was the Bald Hill Methodist Church, often called Immanuel Chapel. In Elk Prairie Township the first Metho- dist church was built in Dareville. Pioneer Methodist preachers in this area included Revs. Simeon Walker, T. W. Williams, James Johnson, Files and J. Barnes.
From about 1857 until late 1870, Methodist services were held fairly regularly in the home of Jacob R. Watkins and wife north of Williamsburg. At a Methodist camp meeting held soon after the close of the Civil War in Robinson's Grove near Woodlawn, the "atkins' son, Thomas C., was converted. Shortly thereafter, members of the Watkins family and other persons of the filethodist faith residing in and near Williamsburg determined to erect a house of worship. The first timbers for the new church were cut by Orange Hamilton. The task of building accomplished, the dedication service was held on Christmas Day, 1870, with Bishop Matthew Simpson, assisted by the Rev. Thomas C. Watkins, officiating.
1
١
١
٠٢
. N
.
1
.0
1
MO
١
W-4
The lot upon which the church was erected had been purchased from Dr. T. B. Moore for the sum of fifty dollars and was conveyed to the following persons as trustees: John H. loone, Capt. Joseph Laur, Ransom Boswell, Josiah Tuttle and Jacob R. Watkins. The bible used in the dedicatory service was a gift of Dr. Mibone's wife, lins. Phoebe Bolen loone, and the same holy book is still used in the Waltonville Methodist Church. Others who were active in the early history of the church were lin. and Mrs. H. B. Quinn, ihr. Palmer, David and Elizabeth Hicks, Oliver and lary Dickerman, Mr. and films. J. N. Parlier, and Anna Gilbert, A Sunday School was organized, and a well-preserved copy of the Sunday School minutes, dating back to January 29, 1871, still exists.
In 1883 the church was in a flourishing condition with a membership of about forty. The Rev. Edmund Root was pastor. Other ministers of the period included the Revs. J. W. McIntosh, T. C. Lopas, Gifford, Eugene lay and Capt. Benson Logan.
During the Late 1880's there was a period of lethargy when the church may be said to have fallen into a state of suspended ani- mation.
In 1890 the Rev. J. C. Kinison, at that time paston of the DuQuoin Methodist Circuit, passed through Williamsburg. Upon learning that regular services no longer were conducted at the church, the Rev. Kinison arranged to return and hold services. His excellent sermons aroused much interest, and a little later the Rev. J. D. Crenshaw came and assisted in the reorganization of the church. The only former members residing in the community at the time of reorganization were Anna Gilbert, Laura Baldridge and Mary Daniel. Henry Tuttle, who, prior to coming to Illinois, had been active in the Methodist church in Guernsey County, Ohio, Ida C. Newell and Hattie B. Hicks were the first three members received after reorganization. The Rev. C. ]. Pressley was appointed paston and several persons united with the church.
About this time the village of Waltonville was founded. The Rev. G. Groves, who succeeded the Rev. Pressley, conducted a series of meetings in the school house which resulted in conversions and accessions to the church. He was assisted by his brother-in-law, the
١
. مجلس
١
١٠٠٠
11
١
العدد
معينة ،ولاساند لنسلب ولا
شبهة مهاممنوط مد قادة فاتهبان
ممط مقتطفخط باء طايد استستج عنمن مؤعلى بكسيل
18. 4550 3259%
التنسي طارد
ثم إهانة سخاص ل النصرة ساندة
W-5
Rev. B. S. Smith of Anna, said to have been one of the most eloquent and successful ministers ever heard in Waltonville,
Meanwhile, a new parsonage had been erected in Waltonville, and interest was sufficient to wannant the removal of the church from Williamsburg to Waltonville, In February, 1395, two adjoining lots, Numbers 4 and 5, were deeded to the trustees of the church by Alvin Gilbert, R. W. Mannen and S. S. Mannen in compliance with these gentle- men's offer to donate the lots to the first congregation that would locate a house of worship in the new town. The trustees were Ichabod Newell, George Baldridge, Dr. J. W. Jeffries, Charles T. Sawyer, Alvin Gilbert, Anna Gilbert, Nettie Parsley, Linnie Philp and Hattie Hicks.
The work of moving the building was completed in the autumn of 1895, and the church was dedicated in November of that year by Bishop Bowman. lany persons assisted in the arduous task of trans- porting, the structure to the site the man portion now (1962) occupies. The uniting efforts and inspiration of Ichabod Hewell and George Baldridge were especially noteworthy.
In 1929 the church was remodeled and a room was added. The stained glass windows were donated in memory of Jacob R. Watkins and Dr. J. M. Jeffries.
Realizing the need for a new parsonage, a meeting was called on bianch 13, 1950, by the paston, the Rev. Jewel R. Johnson, to discuss the proposition. The decision was favorable and permission was granted by the district superintendent, the Rev. C. H. Todd, to sell the old parsonage and erect a new one west of the church. On May 15, 1950, the contract was Let to Envin P. Hays Construction Company of Nason, Illinois. The parsonage was completed and dedicated in the fall of 1950.
On May 15, 1954, with the cooperation of the paston, Rev. well Gully, plans were made to again remodel the church by, mainly, the addition of a basement. This contract was let to Stockton and Pierce, contractors of Sessen, Illinois. The basement was completed in the fall of 1954. Various projects were sponsored by the church members to help with the financial program. The men sowed forty-five acres of soybeans. Labon for the cultivation of the crop was donated by
-
51
15. 31.57
مر
٠٠
1
100
W-6
members of the church and their friends. An auction sale of donated articles realized approximately $575.00. Voluntary donations took care of the remaining deficit.
The church is still in good condition inside and outside, maintains a good Sunday School with a regular paston and preaching services every Sunday, serving the spiritual needs of methodist people and their friends.
WEST SALEM METHODIST CHURCH
This church has played a long nole in serving the spiritual needs of the litt. Vernon community. From the time that the church was founded, it has been a church that practiced the faith that John Wesley introduced in the eighteenth century.
According to reports, this church was organized about 1851. is the Jest Salem Church was located in a rural area for many years, a short distance west from the city limits, a large proportion of the membership was composed of farm people.
The West Salem Cemetery is located adjoining the church building to the west, and many of the residents of earlier generations as well as those who have recently passed away are buried at this place. It is one of the most beautiful cemeteries in this area and is easily reached as it is near the city.
In some areas churches of various faiths are organized and function for a number of years, then for some reason are abandoned. This was not the case with the Jest Salem Church. This church has been a regulan place of worship from the time of its founding. The founding fathers were firm in their faith, and this belief has been carried down to the present time.
As far as we have been able to ascertain, this church has always been on a lilethodist Circuit. At the annual conference a minister would be assigned to serve this church and two on three others. (There may have been periods when the church had a minister full time. )
Like many other churches in the nineteenth century, this church was a combination of church and school. The first building was a log structure Located in what is now the west part of the ceme- tery. As was the custom in those days, the first building was erected
امصنعا منكانوا
٠١١١
N
W-7
in the center of the local burying ground. The land on which the first building was erected (now the present location of the cemetery) was deed to the church by John Rhodum Allen and his wife, Lucinda Allen. Rhodum Allen migrated to Illinois from another state, but it is now known to this Bureau from what state he came. Rhodum held a captain's commission during the Civil War.
The first names of this church and school were Salem School and Salem Church. As there is a Baptist church east of lit. Vernon by the name of Salem, and as some people were confused as to which church was which, it was decided about 1915 to change the name to West Salem Methodist Church.
According to reports, the deed was made to "Salem fleeting House." The land where the present church building is located was deeded to the church by some members of the Bullock family. This land was deeded about 1871, approximately twenty years after the deed for the first plot of ground for this church was made. Tradition has it that a portion of the present church building was built in 1873, but as stated above this was not a portion of the original structure.
The names of ministers of this church prion to June, 1886, are not available, but we submit the names of ministers who have served this church since that date: W. A. Browder, A. D. Hooker, J. C. Kinison, P. J. Rhinehant, N. E. Smother, Rev. Cooksey, Marion Jackson, Charles Atchison, Samuel Albrecht, W. J. Hopper, I. S. Bumpus, L. R. Seymour, Charles Ramsden, Z. "). Story, Angus Phillips, Veto A. Venezia, Walter J. Leslie, Henry C. Ingram, J. L. Miller, i. E. Shaffer, A. B. Clodfelder, J. T. Smith, Orlando Brakemeyen, Earle Harmon, Cal Ryan, Paul & Wartenbe, J. C. Harris, Alma lic(Lain, Dennis D. Ramsey, Lau- nence A. Wagley.
During the conference year of 1917-1918, when the nation was engaged in "the conflict to end all wars," the West Salem Church launched a program for raising funds for benevolences. As livestock was plentiful in this rural area, the church decided on a plan of buying hogs and selling them for profit to raise their necessary funds. Similan plans have been used in other years to rise to meet necessities on to give to benevolent funds, and the people of the church always enjoy these projects.
٤
%
دفاع قبة الصلاح
مـ
ع
١٠
ايملف
١١٠٠١١٠٠
:
..
باحجثة طف
W)-8
In 1952 west Salem Church launched a building program. The
building, was remodeled and a new sanctuary was added. Hifter having been remodeled completely, this church was one of the most beautiful buildings of its size for many miles around. The dedication services of the new sanctuary were held in June 1957 during, the pastonate of the Rev. L. A. Wagley.
Unfortunately, the congregation did not get the use of the newly remodeled building for long. Fate struck a blow in July, 1959, when a disastrous fine was started and caused considerable damage to this well known place of worship. The building, has now been repaired, however, and is indeed beautiful.
The West Salem Methodist Church stands as a landmark in the community where it has been serving the spiritual needs of its people Pon well over a century.
CURTIS WILLIAMS SPEAKS TO THE JEFFERSON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY December 3, 1946
Carly Settlements
The first white people to travel the plains of Illinois were the French. Recorded history informs us that the first settlements made in the State were Fort Chartres, Kaskaskia and Cahokia. From the year 1680 until the close of the French and Indian jan, Illinois (on nather the territory which was to become Illinois) was under the domination of the French.
It would be interesting to review in detail this phase of the settlement of the Northwest Territory, but for the purpose of our discussion we must confine our interest to a more limited territory and to a more recent time. It is necessary that we consider the early settlements of this immediate vicinity of Southern Illinois.
In 1800 on 1809 a settlement was made by Thomas and Francis Jordan in what is now Franklin County. This settlement was located approximately fifteen on twenty miles south of the present southern boundary of Jefferson County
Then in 1810 one Andrew Noone came from the Goshen settle- ment and located in what is now Moore's Prairie, and his nearest
0
:.
1
.
W-9
neighbors were the Jordans. Moore erected a double log cabin near a hickory prove on the Goshen Road and resided at this Location until about 1212; some say until 1814 on 1815. This, however, was not as we might suppose the beginning of a prosperous community. liloone and his family were alone except for a few travelers along the Goshen Road on their way to the Saline for salt.
I believe that many of you know the story and mystery of the disappearance of Andrew Noone and his son. The first attempt at settlement of Jefferson County ended in failure.
The next effort following that of the lloones occurred about 1816 and again this settlement was in livone's Prairie. At the close of 1016 the white population of the county consisted of approximately Live families. Settlements immediately following those made in Noone's Prairie were made near what was to be the site of It. Vernon and were" in the south part of what was then Edwards County. The northern limits of white County was then about four miles south of the later site of lit. Vernon.
It would be interesting to give the names of these early settlers: the 'ilkey's, the Casey's, the flicks' and others. It would also be interesting for us to consider the construction of the early homes, the trials and vicissitudes of those who wore the early buck- skin clothing "the trousers of which in the early morning, after one walked in the dew, became a foot too long and which same trousers were at high twelve a foot too short." But these things, however interesting they may be, ane outside the scope of our present review and as we lawyers say sould if we discussed them be "obiter dicta."
Illinois was admitted as a territory February 3, 1309 and to the Union as the twenty-first state on December 3, 1818. Illinois, now a state with 102 counties, had a humble beginning as a governmental unit. It was a county of the State of Virginia. In October, 1778, the General Assembly of Virginia passed an act for "establishing the County of Illinois and for the more effectual protection and defense thereof. " A clause of the act reade: "That all the citizens of this Commonwealth who are already settled on shall hereafter settle on the Western side of the Ohio and Cast of the Mississippi, shall be included in a distinct county, which shall be called Illinois County. "
٣:٠.
г.
...
-
١
1
ייר
W-10
Patrick Henry was at this time Governor of Virginia, and he appointed John Todd the County Lieutenant Commandant of Illinois. The letter of appointment of Todd was dated December 12, 1778. This letter was given to a messenger and carried on foot across the mountains to Fort Pitt, thence down the Ohio, and it is supposed that it was de- Livered to Todd at Vincennes, then known as St. Vincent. The delivery was made soon after the surrender of Vincennes to Clank on the 24th of February, 1779. Todd held the position of County Lieutenant Commandant of Illinois until the time of his death at Blue Licks, Kentucky, on August 18, 1732.
Upon the organization of the Northwest Territony, General finthun St. Clair was appointed governon. In the spring of- 1790, in the company of the Territorial Judges, he went to Cahokia and by proclamation organized the County of St. Clair, the first county of the state. Its seat of justice was at Kaskaskia. Randolph County was formed in 1795. At the 1311!1812 session of the Territorial Legis- lature, Madison, Gallatin and Johnson Counties were organized. Cdwands County followed in 1814; and in 1816 white, Jackson, honnoe, Pope and Crawford were formed. it the last session of the Territorial Legis- lature Franklin, Washington, Union, Bond and Wayne Counties came into existence.
At the first session of the legislature after Illinois was admitted into the union, Jefferson County was formed. The act authorizing its formation was approved Manch 26, 1319. The act pro- vided that this county was to be formed from Edwards and White Counties.
We should note some of the provisions of the act authorizing the formation of Jefferson County: (1) It was enacted that the name of the county should be "Jefferson." (2) The boundaries of the county were established. (3) It appointed Ambrose l'aulding, Lewis Banken, Robert Shipley, James A. Richardson and Richand Graham as commissioners for the purpose of selecting and establishing a seat of justice for the county. (4) It was provided that the proprieton of the land selected should give the land to the county in order that it could be laid out in lots and sold and the proceeds used for the erection of ildings. (5) It provided that the Commissioners' Court, un- til the erection of public buildings, should be held in the house of William Casey.
١=
١
1
١٠٠
٩٠٠
٧٠
٩٠٠
·
in ..
W-17
An election was held in the house of illiam Casey in pur- suance of the act. This house stood on the lot where a few years ago Taylor's Commercial Hotel was Located. To further identify the Loca- tion, the house stood at the site of our Post Office at the southwest corner of Eleventh and Main Streets. About thirty on ponty votes were cast at this election. Joseph Jordan, Zadok Casey and Flemming Green- wood were elected commissioners, with Lewis Watkins become sheriff. The commissioners met on monday, June 7, 1819, for the purpose of organizing, the county court. The matter of the seat of justice was taken up at the meeting, and the report of the commissioners was to the effect that Lewis Banken, ambrose houlding and James A. Richardson net and after being duly sworn determined and fixed upon a location for the seat of justice. Their selection was: "A part of the Southwest Quarter of Section 29, Range 3, of Township 2, on the land owned by William Casey, the town to be laid off in the Southwest corner of said quanten, to commence near the timber, on a point not far distant from Casey's house, and thence to the foot of the descent on a point on which Casey's house stood."
You recall that the act provided that a gift of twenty acres was to be made, which was to be laid out in lots and the lots sold so that funds might be obtained for the erection of public buildings. In compliance with this part of the act the report of the commissioners was accompanied by a paper which stated that William Case; on the 12th day of may, in the year of our Lond One Thousand Eight Hundred and Nineteen had appeared before the subscribed and had made a donation of twenty acres of Land, to be laid of in town lots and sold for the purpose of paying for public building in the County of jefferson, and that the land should be laid off by the County Com- missionens, which was all to be done in accordance with an act of the Legislature for the purpose of fixing a seat of justice for the county.
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.