USA > Illinois > Macon County > History of Macon County, Illinois : with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 27
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Resigned, April 25, '63. Resigned March 30, '64; was Ist lieut. Mustered out June 7, '65; was Ist lieut.
FIRST LIEUTENANT,
Fred. Schwab, March 13, '64. Mustered out June 7, '65.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
Irwin Miller, September 30, '62. Joslma K. Carr, June 7.
Dismissed Jan. 19, '65. Mustered out June 7, '65.
SERGEANTS.
Sheppard, F. M., Aug. 13,'62. Carr, Joshua K., Aug. 6, '62.
Workheiser, E., Aug. 14, '62. Phillips, W. H., Aug. 22, '62.
Vermillion, M., Aug. 14, '62.
Mustered out June 7, '65, as private. Mustered out June 7, '65 as 1st sergt .; com. 2d lieut. Mustered out June 7, '65, as private. Priv .; detached at muster out of regt- CORPORALS.
Priv .; died Larkinsville, Ala., Feb. 4, '64.
Carter, J. E., Aug. 8, '62. Martin, George, Ang. 12, '62. Ilammond, J. H., August 14, '62. Schuh, Peter, Aug. 13, '62. Kingsberry, Asa, Aug. 8, '62. Scott, John, Aug. 14, '62. Mendenhall, G. W., Aug. 8, '62.
Wliclan, Henry, Ang. 22, '62.
Art, Josepli, Ang. 12, '62.
Barth, Jacob, Aug. 22, '62. Bratz, Aug. 14, '62. Bailey, G. C., Aug. 18, '62. Barnett, Samuel, September 27, '62. Conaley, M. C., Aug. 13, '62. Collins, E. R., Ang. 8, '62. Cline, Henry, Aug. 15, '62. Cotlien, Cors, Aug. 14, '62. Church, Geo. W., Aug. 11, '62. Drain, Joseph, Aug. 22, '62. Enkie, Jolın Q., Aug. 14, '62. Ebert, Henry, Aug. 14, '62.
Fry, Michael, Aug. 8, '62. Flaherty, J. J., Aug. 13, '62. Fulk, Henry, Aug. 16, '62. Flaherty, M,, Aug. 27, '62. Fulk, John W., Aug. 22, '62. Fry, Jolın, Aug. 22, '62.
Guthrie, David, Aug. 14, '62. Guthrie, William S., Aug. 14, '62. Gehrt, Ferd., Aug. 21, '62. Garver, Daniel H., September 19, '62. Gloden, Michael. Goodpasture, J., Aug. 9., '62.
Hammond, T. R., Aug. 9, '62. Hoff, Michael, Aug. 9, '62. Harris, Henry, Aug. 22, '62. Heinold, Andrew, Aug. 12, '62. Herrindeen, O., September 27, '62. Jenkins, S. T., Sept. 10, 62. Keller, Mathias, Aug. 9, '62. Kitchen, J. B., Aug. 12,'62. Koehler, Ernest, Aug. 12, '62. Latchi, J., jr., Aug. 8, '62. Latclı, Geo. B., Aug. 8, '62. Latch, Theo. R., Aug. 8, '62. Morganthrall, J., Aug. 8, '62. Martin, John, Aug. 14, '62. Miller, Alex., Aug. 9, '62. Miles, Samuel, Aug. 13, '62. Mang, John, Sept. 26, '62. Miller, Henry S., Aug. 9, '62. Morrell, Andrew, Aug. 14, '62. Mendenlia, H. Aug. 20, '62. Nier, Fred., Aug. 12, '62. Odle, Wm., Aug. 12, '62. Reynolds, S. V., Aug. 13, '62. Smith, Val., Aug. 14, '62. Smoot, M. A., Aug. 14, '62. Strickland, Jos., Aug. 15, '62. Shinnaman, H., Aug. 19, '62. Stumpff, John, Aug 19, '62. Smith, Fred., Aug. 22, '62. Smith, E., Sept. 13. '62. Tool, Geo., Aug. 22, '62. Vogle, Philip A., Ang. 14, '62. Veail, David, Aug. 13, '62. Witt, Michael, Ang. 29, '62. Westerhaver, H., Aug. 8, '62.
Younger, Josiah, Aug. 12, '62. Younger, J. Q., Aug. 14, 62. Young, Wm., Aug. 12, '62.
Mustered out June 7, '65, as privatc.
Mustered out June 7, '65, as sergeant. Mustered out June 7, '65, as privatc. Mnstered out June 7, '65.
Absent, siek at mister.out of regiment. Mustered out June 7, '65, as private. Mustered out June 7, '65; war pris'r.
MUSICIAN. Mustered out June 7, '65.
PRIVATES.
Died on hospital boat March 15, '63. Died on hospital boat March 15, '63. Died at Young's Point, La., Feb. 22,'63. Mustered out June '7, '65.
Mustered out June 7, 65. Mustered out Junc 7, '65. Mustered out June 7, '65, as corporal. Mustered out June 7, '65, as sergt. Mustered out June 7, '65. Transferred to Co. A, 55th Ill. Infantry. Discharged May 5, '65; disability. Discharged April 8, '63; disability. Sergeant ; absent, sick at muster out of reginient.
Mustered out June 7, '65, as corporal. Mustered out June 7, '65. Absent, sick at muster out of regiment. Mustered out June 7, '65 ; was prisoner. Died at Young's Point, La., Jan. 29, '63. Transferred to Co. A, 55th III. Infantry. Mustered out June 7, '65.
Died at Young's Point, Feb. 9, '63. Absent, sick at muster out of regiment.
Mustered out June 7, '65 as corporal. Discharged Oct. 9, '62; writ habeas corpus. Mustered out June 7, '65, as sergeant. Mustered out June 7, '65, as corporal. Mustered out June 7, '65.
Died at Quincy, Ill. March 25, '65. Died on hospital boat Marchi 13. Discharged Jan. 24, '63 ; disability. Died at Quincy, Ill., Oct. 25, '63. Discharged March 27, '63; disability. Died at Chattanooga, Tenn., Feb. 19, '64.
Absent sick, at muster out of reg.
Killed at Resaca, Ga., May 14, '64. Mustered out June 7, '65. Discharged Sept. 2, '63 ; disability. Mustered out June 7, '65. Killed at Arkansas Post Jan. 11, '63. Discharged March 6, '63; disability. Mustered out June 7, '65. Discharged March 11, '63; disability. Died at Decatur Oct. 8, '62. Mustered out June 7, '65. Died on steamer Planet Feb. 18, '63. Died at Evansville Jan. 10, '65. Died at St. Louis March 4, '63. Mustered out June 7, '65.
Mustered out June 7, '65, as corp.
Trans. to V. R. C., May 1, '64. Discharged May 22, '63 ; disability. Mustered out June 7, '65. Wagoner; absent, sick at muster out of regiment Corp. ; killed at Vicksburg July 2, '63. Discharged March 28, '63 ; disability. Corporal; absent, wounded, at muster out of regiment.
RECRUIT.
Miller, Wm. H., Aug. 12, '62. Trans. to Co. A, 55th Ill. Inf.
COMPANY "K."
CAPTAINS.
Promoted Lieut. Col.
John E. Maddox, Sept. 30, '62. Jas. H. Glore, June 15, '64. Mustered out June 7, '65; was 1st and 2d lieut.
FIRST LIEUTENANTS.
John S. Windsor, Sept. 30, '62. Jos. D. Mackey, June 15, '64.
Promoted Captain Co. E. Mustered out June 7, '65.
100
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
N. W. Wheeler, Sept. 30, '62.
H. G. Eppler, June 7.
Green, G. W., July 17, '62, McCann, Thos.
Dermot, Jas., July 9, '63.
Tedroe, Wm. L., July 26, '62. Stackhouse, Jolın, Aug. 6, '62.
Purtroff, John, July 29, '62. Young, J. J. H., July 14, '62. Harbour, M. V., Aug. 14, '62.
Thompson, Wm., Aug. 14, '62. Herrin, John, Aug. 14, '62. Griffin, Win. T., Aug. 6, 62.
McIntyre, Dan , Aug. 15, '62. Berickman, B. C., Aug. 19, '62.
Young, Wm., Aug. 6, '62.
Ater, Geo., Ang. 7, '62. Ashberry, J. W., Aug. 24, 62.
Brewer, W. J., Aug. 14, '62.
Burt, G. W., Aug. 15, '62.
Baird, C. M, July 25, '62. Badger, James, July 22, '62. Brooks, Jasper, Aug. 24, '62. Brooks, R. K., Aug. 24, '62. Chafin, Anios, Aug. 15, '62. Coleman Adam, Aug, 15, '62. Clarke, Michael, Aug. 28, '62. Carr, Clark. Ang. 22, '62. Clay, Wm., Ang. 2, '62. Collins, Naaman, Aug. 8, '62. Cook, N. T., July 15, '62. Clark, Hugh, July 22. '62. Cox. Jerome, Aug. 8, '62. Chafin, Joseph, Aug. 25, '62. Deboy, George, Aug. 13, '62.
Devore, Benj., Ang. 9, '62. Eldridge, B., Aug. 19, '62. Epler, Hiram. Follis, Levi, Aug. 11, '62. Follis, Alex., Aug. 11, '62. Fry, Jesse, Aug. 7,'62. Gingle, Andrew, Aug. 6, '62.
Hunter, J. S., Aug. 15, '62. Hix, Richard, Aug. 27, '62. Hampshire, Wm , Aug. 22, '62. Herrold, J. A., Aug. 22, '62.
Hegar, or Haaka, II., Aug. 28,'62.
Ileck, John, Ang. 2, '62. Ilokler, Win., Aug. 1, '62. James, Jacob, Aug. 11, '62. James, Daniel, Ang. 11, '62. Johnson, J., Aug. 25, '62. Jones, J., Aug. 2, '62. Kimberland, J. A., Aug. 15, '62. Luster, Win., Aug. 11, '62. Leigh, G. W., Aug. 2, '62. Mattox, Maley, Aug. 14, '62. McGloughlin, M., Aug. 6, '62. Murphy, Patrick, Aug. 20, '62. MeCantus, Owen, Aug. 22, '62. Maples, Jacob, Aug. 15, '62. McCune, Wm., Aug. 22, '62. O'Neil, John, Aug. 25, '62. Poindexter, S. II., Aug. 22, '62. Poyner, S., Aug. 16, '62. Purkey, David, Aug. 7, '62. Ryan, James, Ang. 15, '62.
Recd, J. W., Aug. 8, '62. Reed, T. J., Aug. 22, '62. Staines, Daniel, Aug. 15, '62.
Killed March 19, '63; siege of Vicks- burg. Mustered out June 7, '65.
SERGEANTS.
Absent, sick at muster out of reg. Died at Milliken's Bend, La., May, 8, '63.
Discharged March 20, '64, as private.
CORPORALS.
Mustered out June 7, '65; was prisoner.
. Mustered out June 7, '65. Died at Mound City Sept. 7, '63. Discharged April 11, '63. Sergeant ; absent, wounded at muster out of regiment. Absent, sick at muster out of reg. Died at Young's Point May 24, '63.
MUSICIANS. Discharged July 3, '64.
WAGONER.
Absent, sick at muster out of regiment.
PRIVATES.
Trans to Inv. Corps Sept. 1, 63. Corporal ; died at Rome, Ga., Sept. 9, '64 ; wounds. Mustered out June 7, '65.
Transferred to Invalid Corps Jan. 17, '64.
Died at Young's Point Feb. 23,'63. Absent, sick at muster out of regiment. Died at Young's Point Feb. 3, '63.
Mustered out Jume 7, '65, as sergeant.
Died at Memphis March 21, '63. Died at Memphis Jan. 31, '63.
Mustered out June 7, '65, as sergeant. Mustered out June 7, '65. Mustered out June 7, '65.
Discharged July 1, '63.
Died at Atlanta, Ga., July 25, '64; wounds.
Died at Decatur Nov. 18, '63.
Absent, sick at muster ont of regiment. Mustered out June, 7, '65, as sergeant. Mustered out June 7, '65.
Died on hospital boat May 23, '63. Discharged January 8, '65.
Missing since May 31, '65; supposed insane.
Discharged May 6, '65, as corporal. : Died on hospital boat Jan. 31, '63. Absent, sick at muster out of reg. Transferred to Invalid Corps Sept. 30, '63.
Died at Big Shanty June 23, '64 ; wounds.
Mnstered out June 7, '65.
Died at Chattanooga June 14, '64.
Killed near Atlanta, Ga., July 22, '64.
Died at St. Louis July 20, '63.
Died at Decatur Nov. 25, '62.
Mustered out June 7, '65. Mustered out June 7, '65. Mustered ont June 7, '65. Died at Memphis Nov. 26, '62.
Corp .; died at Young's Point Feb. 1,'63. Mustered out June 7, '65. Discharged Dec. 4, '63.
Absent, sick at muster out of reg. Absent, sick at muster out of reg. Discharged Sept. 29, '63. Absent, sick at muster out of reg. Died at Pana, Ill., June 20, '64. Transferred to Invalid Corps Sept. 1,'63. Sergeant ; died at Big Shanty, Ga., July 17, '64; wounded.
Died at Keokuk, Iowa, Oct. 5, '63. Died at Young's Point Feb. 11, '63. Died at Young's Point Feb. 7, '63.
Shields, John, Ang. 15, '62. Shoemaker, David, Aug. 8, '62. Shaw, Henry, July 15, '62. Smith, C. R., July 25, '62. See, William, Aug. 27, '62. Terril, David B., Aug. 9, '62. Vest, Toliver, July 17, '62. Wannell, Jas. W., Aug. 9, '62. Wallace, David, Aug. 12, '62. Wood, Jas. W., Aug. 18, '62.
Chappin, E. C., Nov. 3, '62. Dobson, John. Hines, Wm., Feb. 15, '64. Richardson, Isaac.
Mustered out June 7, '65. Mustered out June 7, '65. Discharged April 15,'63. Mustered out June 7, '65. Discharged April 10, '63. Mustered out June 7, '65, as corp. Com. in 2d Miss. Colored Inf. Mustered out June 7, '65. Mustered out June 7, '65. Died at Young's Point Jan. 31, '63. RECRUITS. Killed at Resaca, Ga., May 14, '64.
Died at Camp Butler March 26, '64.
CHAPTER XIV.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
BY REV. W. H. PRESTLEY. . REVIOUS to the year 1852, Presbyterianism of the Calvinistic type in Macon county, was represented only by families, in the majority of instances, widely sepa- rated. We find no trace up to that period of any church organization of this type within the limits of the county : though there can be no doubt but that missionaries of the Presbyterian Church had traverscd this field, and preached in various localities, in school-houses and in private families. The first church organization in the county was at Decatur, and was effected in the spring of the year 1852; its history being as follows :
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF DECATUR, ILLS.
This church was organized in the house of Mr. Samuel Powers, on the first day of May, 1852, by the Rev. Robert H. Lilly, who had been appointed a committee for this purpose by the Presbytery of Palestine, (O. S.), and was received under the care of this pres- bytery, on the fifth day of October of the same year, at its meeting at Lawrenceville, Ills. The members enrolled at the time of the organization were the following :
Mr. David Hopkins, Catharine his wife, and Miss Lydia his daughter. Nancy Eager, Mrs. Mary Leiby, Agnes McCormick, John Nicholson and Julia his wife, Robert Maffitt and Elizabeth his wife. Of this number Mr. David Hopkins was elected and installed the first Ruling Elder. Under the appointment of the " Board of Domestic Missions," the Rev. Augustus F. Pratt minis- tered to this church for the term of one year. As the fruits of his ministrations, seven members were added to the church. He was succeeded by the Rev. David Monfort, who remained in charge of the church until the month of October, 1854. During his ministry, Messrs. D. Frederick and Dr. J. Roberts, were elected, ordained and installed Ruling Elders, March the 12th of that year. In the month of September, the same year, by order of the General As- sembly, this church was transferred from the care of the Presbytery of Palestine, and received under the care of the Presbytery of San- gamon. Under the ministry of Mr. Monfort twenty-four members were added to the church. In the month of November, the same year, Rev. Erastus W. Thayer, by invitation, took charge of the church, and remained as stated supply till the spring of 1857, the membership under his ministrations being increased by the addi- tion of twenty-two persons. At a congregational meeting, held April 12th, 1857, Rev. P. D. Young was invited to supply the
FIRST METHODIST.
ST. PATRICKS (CATHOLIC)
CHRISTIAN .
STAPPS CHAPEL.
BAPTIST.
PRESBYTERIAN.
J. W.S.
SOME OF THE PROMINENT CHURCH BUILDINGS IN DECATUR, ILL.
101
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
church for one year, from the first of May, prox During his minis- try some sixteen members were added to the church. In the mouth of June, 1858, Rev. T. M. Oviatt was invited as a supply for one ycar: and in the spring of the year following was unani- mously elected the first regular pastor of this church. In the month of November of this year, Messrs. Thomas Lewis and S. C. Roberts were elected and installed Ruling Eiders. Rev. Oviatt's ministry continued till the spring of 1864, when the pastoral rela- tion was dissolved by presbytery. The six years during which this pastorate continued were prosperous years with this church, there being added to the membership one hundred and thirty-four persons. In the meantime Messrs. Orlando Powers and S. G. Malone were elected, ordained and installed Ruling Elders.
At a meeting of Sangamon Presbytery, held at Centre, Ills., Sept. 29th, 1863, a unanimous call was presented by this church to Rev. D. C. Marquis, a licentiate, to become their pastor. This " call" being accepted by him, at a meeting of Presbytery held at Decatur in the month of November following, he was ordained and installed as pastor of the church. This pastoral relation continued till the month of June, 1866. Mr. Marquis tendering his resigna- tion, it was dissolved by the Presbytery. During this pastorate, Messrs. D. C. Brown and Geo. E. Morehouse were elected and. installed Ruling Elders, and one hundred and ten members were added to the church.
In the month of July, 1867, a call was extended by the church to Rev. Samuel Conn, a licentiate, and on Sabbath, the twenty- first of the same month, he was ordained and installed as pastor. This pastoral relation continued till the month of Sept., 1868, when on account of ill health, Mr. Conn resigned, and Presbytery dissolved the relation. There was an increase during this year of some nineteen persons to the membership of the church. It was during the ministry of Mr. Conn that the Second Church of Deca- tur was organized, when forty-two members of the First Church entered into that organization.
Subsequently to the resignation of Mr. Conn, the Rev. John Brown, D. D., supplied the church for several months, when in the month of June, 1869, the congregation extended a call to Mr. J. E. Moffat, a licentiate, to become their pastor; which being accepted by him, he was ordained and installed pastor on Sabbath, the 13th of the same month. Under the ministry of this pastor, sixty-one meinbers were added to the church, and Messrs. T. H. Allin and R. P. Lytle were elected and installed Ruling Elders. This pastoral relation continued some four years, and was dissolved by action of the Presbytery, to take effect June 30th, 1873. Towards the close of this pastorate the First and Second Churches were united, the two Sessions forming the Session of the re-united church.
At the meeting of Presbytery held at Mason City, April 15th, 1874, this church presented a call to Rev. Robert Mackenzie to become their pastor, which he accepted, and was duly installed pastor of the church. This pastorate lasted a few months over two years, being dissolved May 17th, 1876. During the ministry of Mr. Mackenzie in this church, some ninety members were added. The church adopted the term-service eldership, and Mr. Reuben Nims was elected and installed Ruling Elder.
At the autumn meeting of Presbytery, held in North Sangamon, Sept. 26th, 1876, this church presented a call to Rev. W. H. Prestley to become their pastor. This call being accepted by him, he entered on the work of the pastorate the first Sabbath of the following November, and was duly installed the last Sabbath of June, 1877. This pastoral relation, at the present writing, contin- ues, during which there have been one hundred and ten persons added to the membership of the Church.
Thus, this Church, which twenty-eight years previously had been organized with ten members and one Ruling Elder, numbers to-day some tlirce hundred members, and a session of six Ruling Elders ; viz .: Messrs. R. P. Lytle, J. H. Lewis, Reuben Nims, W. R. Scruggs, R. C. Crocker and D. H. Heilman ; and full boards of deacons and trustees. In connection with this Church there is a large, influential Sabbath School, supplied with an efficient corps of teachers, and superintended by Mr. W. T. Wells. This school, from its own contributions, has, for the last two years, been support- ing a missionary among the Chinese.
This Church, at the time of its organization, was destitute of a church edifice, and worshipped first, in the old court-house ; then, in Masonic Hall; afterwards in a new building, belonging to Dr. Roberts, on east Main street ; and finally the present churchi edifice on Prairie street was commenced, and thic basement being completed, was occupied as a place of worship by the congregation from the summer of 1856 to that of 1859, when they entered the main audience chamber, and the building was dedicated to the worship of God.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF MAROA.
The next organization of a Presbyterian Church in the county, was that of Maroa. This organization was effected by Rev. A. T. Norton, on the thirtieth day of January, 1859, and was taken under the care of the Illinois Presbytery. (N. S.,) in the month of April of that year. Previous to this date occasional religious services were held, according to the mode of worship observed by the Pres- byterians, at the station house of the Illinois Central Railroad, located at that point. In the month of November, 1854, (as we learn from a Manual of this Church, published in the year 1868, and to which we are indebted for much of the data of this article,) Mr. John Crocker, of Jacksonville, Illinois, having been appointed the agent of the Illinois Central Railroad company at this place, moved with his family into the station house, the then only habita- ble house in the neighborhood. Mr. Crocker and his wife, being members of the Presbyterian Church, were not disposed to live in their new home without the ministration of religious ordinances, and it was through their active endeavors that the Church at Maroa was finally organized. The first sermon ever preached at this place was by the Rev .- Wilson, an Old School Presbyterian minister, of Clinton, Illinois. He was followed by the Rev. A. T. Norton, a minister of the New School Presbyterian Church. In the year 1857, we find the prospect for the organization of a Pres- byterian Church growing brighter, in that during the sunimer of this year, Rev. P. D. Young, supply pastor of the first Presbyterian Church of Decatur, had so arranged as to preach at Maroa once in two weeks. During this and the following year there had been a steady growth of the town, and several Presbyterian families had located here and in the immediate vicinity. This was encouraging to those cherishing the hope of organizing a Church. At the begin- ning of the year 1859 this hope was realized ; an organization being effected, Sabbath, January 30, 1858, by the Rev. A. T. Norton, the " District Secretary of Church Extension and Home Missions for the West," and the young Church taken under the care of tlie Presbytery of Illinois, (N. S.,) at its session at Carrollton, in the month of April of that year, This was the first New School Pres- byterian Church organized in Macon county, and at the date of its organization consisted of the following members : John Crocker and his wife, Mary Neal, their daughter Abbie, and son Rufus C .; Mrs. Harriet L. Garver, Mrs. Sophia L. Lyons, Mrs. Sarah Craw- ford, M. F. Howard, Mrs. Maria B. Howard, Mrs. Mary Bassett, Tyler Kittridge, Mrs. Laura Hilt, James McCann, Jr. Mrs. Jane
102
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
McCann, James McCann, Sr., Mrs. Elizabeth McCann, Miss Ellen McCann, Marvin Humphreys, Mrs. Mary Humphreys, W. W. Howard, Mrs. Candace Howard, H. E. Hobert, Mrs. Lydia Hobert, Miss Mary Bassett. Of this number, Messrs. John Crocker and James McCann, Jr., were elected and ordained Ruling Elders on the same day as the organization of the Church.
This young organization, for the next five years, had only occa- sional ministrations of word and ordinances, Rev .-- McMurray, of Cerro Gordo, supplying the pulpit every alternate Sabbath for three months; Rev. - Walton, of Pana, every alternate Sabbath for six months ; and following these Rev .-- Dunn, of Winona, every alternate Sabbath for five months. During the year 1860 the Church was strengthened by the addition of eleven members and the session by the election of Mr. Peleg Kent, who had been previ- ously ordained an elder. For the next three years there was no increase in membership. In the month of April, 1864, Rev. Aratus Kent, of Galena, Illinois, the great pioneer missionary of the north- west, and one of the oldest members of Sangamon Presbytery, visited this Church and supplied them during the year ; preaching every alternate two Sabbaths. The same energy and system characteristic of the labors of this father in the Church at other places, were man- ifested in this field; and it was through his influence, that the Church, up to this time worshipping in the school-house, were lcd to take the necessary steps to erect a church edifice, though the building was not completed, so as to be occupied, for two years afterwards. The addition to the membership this year numbercd four persons.
In the month of March, 1866, Rev. Joseph Lowrie was engaged to supply the pulpit every alternate Sabbath. At this date the session of the Church was reduced to one Ruling Elder, Mr. John Crocker, Mr. Peleg Kent having died and Mr. James McCann having removed from the bounds of the congregation. At a meet- ing of the congregation held on the third day of March of this year Messrs. Jolin Lyons and Henry Kent were duly elected and installed Ruling Elders. In the month of June following Mr. William McDonald was also elected and installed in the same office. Rev. Lowrie remained with this Church somc fifteen montlis, and during his ministry twenty-five members were added to the Church.
Rev. J. A. Hood came as stated supply to this church in July, 1867, and for the first time in its history this Church enjoyed the regular ministration of ordinances; the congregation at this time also occupying their church edifice. In November of the same year, the Sabbath School was organized, and the weekly Prayer Meeting was established. The question of the union of the two branches of the Presbyterian Church, the old and new schools, being now agitated in the various presbyteries and synods of the two churches, this congregation manifested a deep and prayerful interest in all that was being done to heal the breach between these two bodies, and by their action heartily endorsed the steps taken by the church courts to consummate the union.
In the month of February of the next year, (1868), the congre- gation reported a marked revival of religion in the Church, through which some twenty-four persons professed their faith in Christ and werc added to the Church.
At a meeting of the Presbytery of Illinois, held in this Church, Sept. 16, 1868, a call was presented by this Church to Rev. J. A. Hood to become their pastor. This call was accepted, and on the evening of the same day he was duly installed as pastor. This pastoral relation continued until the first of the year 1875, when the relation was dissolved at the request of Mr. Hood, the Congre- gation reluctantly consenting. To the present time (July, 1880), Mr. Hood has been the only regularly installed pastor of this
Church, and during the time of his seven years pastorate, the mem- bership of the Church has been largely increased, one hundred and twenty-seven members having been added to the Church, fifty- five of these on profession of faith in Christ. The Church edifice was also improved in appearance by the erection of a steeple, and placing therein a fine-toned bell, the gift of Elder John Crock- er, who had since its organization and up to the time of his death taken a very deep and active interest in all that concerned the welfare and the prosperity of this Church. Through his exer- tions, the first public religious service was held in the place; he was the first to enroll his name among the members who organized the Church ; he was a member of the first session ordained and installed in the Church ; he has contributed largely of his means and personal influence to its welfare and prosperity ; and at his death, (April 6, 1879,) left a bequest of five hundred dollars for the benefit of this organization he loved so well in his life. In the month of January, 1871, the Church adopted the plan of " term service eldership," and Messrs. John Lyons and Anderson Frank- lin were elected and installed as Ruling Elders. Subsequent to the dissolution of the pastoral relation between this Church and Rev. Hood, the pulpit was only occasionally occupied, until in the month of January, 1876, Rev. A. H. Bates came as stated supply, and continued in this relation to the Church till the first Sabbath of July of the present year, (1880). During his ministration there have been added to the Church fifty-nine members.
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