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 31
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St. Stanislaus Roman Catholic Church .- This church was instituted at Macon in the year 1866. Rev. Anthony Voght was the pioneer and first pastor from 1866 to 1873. He was succeeded by the Rev. G. Schreiber, from 1873 to 1874. The Rev. Manasses Kane suc- ceeded him from 1874 to 1875. Rev. Edward McGowan, the present pastor, succeeded Rev. Kane in the year 1875.
The present church building, a handsome brick structure, was erected at a cost of eight thousand dollars, in the year 1868. The present number of communicants are about three hundred.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH.
Decatur .- The Baptist Church of Decatur was organized by Rev. H. W. Dodge, in the house of Capt. D. L. Allen, Sept. 14th, 1843. The original members, who had formerly belonged to the Springfield Baptist Church, were as follows :
David L. Allen, Julia E. Allen, Thomas H. Read, Elizabeth Read, David Brett, Margaret Brett, Henry Riggs, Malinda Riggs, Lemuel Allen, Robert Allen, Margaret Pratt and S. C. Allen. The congregation worshiped at various places in Decatur, till 1857, when a church edifice was erected on the north-east corner of Water and Williams streets, and was dedicated December 27th, of the same year. In 1873, the church built a commodious brick chapel, on North street between Franklin and Water streets, and the same was dedicated April 4th, 1874.
The successive pastors, from the organization of the Church to the present time, have been, Revs. H. W. Dodge, Moses Lemon, B. Carpenter, C. H. Gates, N. Alvord, J. N. Tohnan, B. F. Thomas, S. G. Miner, F. M. Ellis, F. G. Thearle, S. F. Holt, J. C. Bonham, W. G. Inman, and the present incumbent, W. H. Batson. The church, which at present numbers 171 members, is in a flourishing condition. The Sabbath-school in connection with the church has a membership of over two hundred. The church pro- perty is valued at about $5,000.
Oreana Baptist Church .- This church, situated at the town of Oreana, eight miles north-east of Decatur, was organized under the name of the Friendship Baptist Church, March 20th, 1858, and was recognized as a regularly constituted Baptist Church, on the 23d day of the same month, Rev. J. N. Tolman, of Decatur, preaching the sermon on that occasion, and Rev. Charles Tinker, of Anawan, delivering the charge to the church. The names of the charter members were J. R. Bower, Olivia S. Bower, Martha A. Bower, W. D. Bower, Sarah J. Bower, Davis W. Pulliam, Margaret Pulliam, Richard C. Pulliam, Maria C. Pulliam, Eliza Rutherford, Edward H. Rider and Eliza J. Rider. The first 15
five converts were J. M. Bower, H. C. Bower, G. M. Bower, Joseph Pulliam and Sarah Pulliam. During the first year the church received fourteen additions by letter and baptism. The first pastor of the church was Rev. Jacob Bower, familiarly known throughout the state as " Father " Bower, who spent more than sixty years in the Christian ministry, accomplishing muchi good, and died happy in the faith at the advanced age of 87 years.
For some time the church had regular services, ouly ouce a month, except as Revs. Maddock, Eli, and other traveling ministers occasionally filled the pulpit. In June, 1859, Rev. J. Z. Zimmer- man was called to the pastorate and preached every fourth Sab- bath. In December, 1860, Rev. David Winslow took charge of the church, preaching every alternate Sabbath, till February, 1862. In March, 1862, Mr. W. H. Walters was ordained, and in May became pastor of the church, preaching only twice a month.
In the winter of 1863, the church made an effort to build a house of worship, but failed to raise the requisite amount. Another effort was made in 1865, with a similar result. In June, 1866, Rev. E. M. Brown became pastor, and remained in charge about a year, after which the church was for some time without a pastor. In November, 1867, Rev. J. M. Wells was called and took charge of the church. Under his ministrations, assisted by others, twenty- six additions were made to the church by letter and baptism. He
continued pastor about three years. In December, 1870, Rev. D. McArthur was called to the pastorate, and remained a year and a half. After this the church was again without a regular pastor till January, 1872, when Rev. F. W. Jugmire took charge, preaching only once a month the first year, and afterwards every two weeks. In 1874, by the untiring efforts of a few of the members assisted by other ardent friends of the cause, sufficient money was raised to build the long-needed and mnuch desired house of worship. The building was commenced in August, 1874, and having been com- pleted at a cost, including seating, &c., of $2050, it was (free of debt) dedicated on the 15th of the following November, Rev. Justice Bulkley, D.D., of Shurtleff College, preaching the dedica- tory discourse. About this time Rev. F. W. Jugmire resigned the pastorate ; but the church kept up the regular weekly meetings and organized a flourishing Sabbath-school, which greatly prospered during the next three years. In March, 1875, Rev. R. R. Coon, Sr., became pastor of the church, and was one of the most faithful and devoted ministers it had ever had.
The village of Oreana having been established in 1875, the name of the church, to conform to that of the town, was changed from Friendship Baptist Church to Oreana Baptist Church.
In May, 1879, R W. C. Roach was chosen pastor, and still oc- cupies the pulpit every alternate Sabbath. Under his ministrations the church is increasing in strength, and is much encouraged. The building is in good condition; the church lots are set with beautiful maple trees, and with the neat edifice, present to the visitor the idea of a high state of intellectual and Christian refine- ment.
There have been in all, upwards of three hundred names en- rolled on the church register, but there have never been more than fifty active members at any one time since the founding of the church. Only two of the original members of the church now remain, and these were not among the charter members, but were received into membership at the first meetings of the church. The present membership is forty-five.
The Rolling Mill Chapel .*- Was erected by the Baptist Church in 1871, at a cost of $2500. It has a Sabbath-school of 150 members.
* Smith's History of Macon County.
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Antioch, African .- This was organized in the year 1858, with 14 members. House of worship on South Main street, near Brambles' Grove.
There is also a new church of this denomination at Oreana.
Salem Church (Separate Baptist) .- This church is located five miles south-west of Decatur. It was organized in 1846, with the following members : John Burke, Micajah Burke, L. B. Ward, Elizabeth Ward, Coleman Brown, Elizabeth Brown, Ephraim Cox, Nancy Cox and Amos Walker. The successive pastors have been Robert Henson, J. W. Vaughan, John Turner, F. S. Randolph, S. B. N. Vaughan, and others. The membership at present numbers about 40. It has a Sunday-school of about 40 members.
The cemetery at this church, perhaps the oldest in the country, was commenced in the year 1829 or 1830. A Mr. Mangrin and wife were the first buried there.
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
The Universalist 'Church of Decatur, which is the only one of this denomination in the county, was organized in 1854, by the
Rev. D. P. Bunn, with the following members : Joseph Spangler, Sr., Joseph Spangler, Jr., Jacob Spangler, J. B. Hanks and wife, John Rickets and wife, and John Capps and wife. The meetings were held in private houses, Rev. D. P. Bunn officiating, till 1854, when a brick church was erected on Prairie street and occupied by the society.
In 1876 the building was remodeled by raising its walls, making a commodious audience room above, and offices and business rooms below.
The auditorium is well seated ; the walls are frescoed, and the whole presents a very attractive appearance. The church was re- dedicated in June, 1876, and has since continued its regular Sun- day services.
In 1854 a Sabbath-school was organized in connection with the church, and has continued without interruption to the present time, when it has a membership of seventy. The several pastors since 1854, in the order of their succession, have been : Revs. D. P. Bunn, (founder of the church and pastor for fourteen years,) S. S. Hebbard, S. F. Gibb, and M. W. Tabor.
Rev. S. S. Hebbard was recalled to the pastorate, and remained in charge till 1879. The present value of the church property is $10,000.
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TOWNSHIP AND CITY OF DECATUR.
100 HE capital of Macon county was named in honor of Stephen Decatur, so famous iu the naval annals of our country, a native of Maryland, boru in 1779. Stephen Decatur was educated in the schools of Phila- delphia and at Pennsylvania University. His love of the sea dated from a voyage made with his father in his ninety- second year. He was with Commodore Barry, on board the " United States," during a cruise through the West Indies against French privateers. He was made lieutenant for brilliant services and bravery. He was soon commissioned first lieutenant under Captain Bainbridge on the "Essex," one of the squadron in the Me- diterranean, to protect American commerce from the Tripolitan aud Algerine pirates, and to punish them for outrages committed. He came home in 1802 with his ship, but soon returned to the squadron, this time on the "New York." Remaining but a short time, he assumed command of the "Argus," aud sailed for Gibraltar, where he was put in charge of the schooner " Enter- prise," with which, in October, 1803, he captured the " Mostico," with seventy prisoners. His most brilliant exploit, and one of the most daring recorded in history, was his capture of the " Philadel- phia," a U. S. man-of-war, in the harbor of Tripoli. He drove the Tripolitans that manned her into the sea and set her on fire, and brought off his men safely. His subsequent services were very dis- tinguished, but space does not allow their mention. It is sufficient to say that he rose to the highest commands. Resolutions and medals were voted to him by the national and state legislatures, and he was everywhere proclaimed the champion of the American navy. His services in the war of 1812, and afterward with Algiers and Tripoli, were brilliant, and he returned home to meet, as he had met before, with an enthusiastic reception from the people and to be appointed Commissioner of the Navy. On the 22d of March 1820, this gallant, noble-hearted gentleman fell mortally wounded in a duel with Commodore Barron, at Bladensburg. Like Hamil- ton, " he yielded to the force of an imperious custom," and "in the fulness of his fame, in the prime of his usefulness, descended to the tomb."
The land on which the original town of Decatur was laid out, was entered by Parmenas Smallwood, Easton Whitten and Charles Prentice, for which, at the time, they had not yet received a patent from the government. The commissioners appointed to select a site for the seat of justice were John Fleming, Jesse Rhodes and Easton Whitten. Mr. Whitten received ten dollars for his ser- vices, and the other members seven dollars and fifty cents each.
Benjamin R. Austin, the county surveyor, laid off the town in accordance with instructions, "after the form of Shelbyville," and for his services was allowed the sum of twenty-four dollars.
On the 20th day of June, 1829, Messrs. Smallwood, Whitten and Prentice entered into bond with the county commissioners, stipulat-
ing that, after they received their patent, they would convey to the commissioners a gift deed for the twenty acres of land on which the town had been located.
The survey was acknowledged on July 7th, 1829, and at the same terin of court the following order was made by the commis- sioners :
" Ordered, That a sale of lots take place in the town of Decatur, in this county, on the 10th day of July next, ou the following terms, to-wit : a credit of twelve months will be given, and note with approved security will be required, and that the clerk of this court is required to advertise the sale in the paper printed in Van- dalia until the day of sale."
At the next term of court we find that D. McCall was allowed $500 " for money paid to R. Blackwell, for warrants and advertis- ing the sale of lots in the town of Decatur."
At the sale on the 10th day of July, the first lot sold was No. 2, in block 3, where Priest's Hotel now stands, which being a " corner lot," was bid in by John Manly for $53.50. The second lot was lot 6, iu block 1, which was bid in for $12.00.
The first house erected in town was by James Renshaw-" Uncle Jimmy Renshaw " he was called-on lot 3, block 3, just north of Priest's Hotel. The second house erected was by Philip D. Wil- liams, on lot 4, block 1. "Philip " kept a livery stable iu those early days-or rather a place for the " entertainment of beasts." There was a very large log lying in north Water street, nearly op- posite the entrance to the present court room. Upon this log boxes had been nailed or trenches cut in which the horses were fed. There was also a log lying in front of Renshaw's house, which we omitted to mention was a tavern-the first in Decatur-upon this log, in early days, card-playing was carried on. It was the card- table, and rather conspicuous, we should say. Whether any for- tunes were lost and won, we are unable to say; but, judging from the court records, and the number of entries of "indictments for gaming," entered thereon, it appears that gaming was a very com- mon pastime, and the number of " convictions " would indicate that there was also "playing for money," and the names of the parties charged, would further indicate that the " heads of town " were accessories, if not principals, in the enchanting games .- Smith's History.
At the time Decatur was laid off, one cabin stood on the twenty acres composing the town site ; but several more had been erected as early as 1824 and '25, on land included within the present limits of the city. The first store in Decatur stood on the site of the Priest House, and was kept by James Renshaw, who came from Shelbyville, and who has descendants in the county. The second merchant was Isaac C. Pugh, prominent in the history of the county and state, who came from Vandalia. These stores were es- tablished in 1829, and the goods were carted from St. Louis.
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Samuel B. and Joseph C. Dewces were next. They employed John Miller to burn a kiln of brick, and, being practical bricklay- ers themselves, erected the first brick building ever in the town or county, and, as soon as it was completed, stocked it with goods; it stood just east of the St. Nicholas. The first school-house in town was built in 1842; it had two rooms, and was the lower story of the old Masonic building. The upper story was built by the Ma- sonic Lodge. This building stands on the north-west corner of City Park, and is used as a marble shop; before its erection, church buildings were used as school-houses. The first manufactory, the products of which went to a general market, was a ropewalk estab- lished by Senator Oglesby and Dr. King. They made a good quality of rope, but the enterprise was not profitable, and hence was abandoned.
The next was the plow manufactory of Augustus Hardy and E. O. Smith. This firm did a good business and made an excellent plow. It stood on the corner of Church and west Main streets, where business was carried on for several years.
The first horse-mill in the city or county, was built by Phillip D. Williams, where the Republican office now stands. In 1832, David D. Allen constructed a dam across the Sangamon, and put up the first saw-mill in the county.
Wilson Allen, a man of some capital and energy, came to Deca- tur in the fall of 1839, and erected a steam grist and saw-mill and carding factory, the first steam-mill in the county. It did a large business, and added greatly to the prosperity of the town.
It was destroyed by fire on a Sunday in 1842. In 1839 a man named Kibby erected a steam distillery, where Imboden's spring is, near the cemetery. In 1840 Mr. Kibby left the county, and the dis- tillery was closed. Before 1839 there were, however, several small copper-stills scattered throughout the county. In those days whis- key was cheap, selling for eighteen cents per gallon.
Decatur grew but slowly in the first years of its history, and in fact was little more than a hamlet, until 1836, when the state in- augurated the famous system of "Internal Improvements." De- catur was to be the crossing of the "Northern Cross" and Central railroads, and work was actually begun on both of these. Its growth from this year until 1842 was more rapid, and the popula- tion reached at least five hundred souls. In 1836 and '37 the spirit of speculation was rife. Town lots sold at fancy prices and additions were laid out. In 1842 all hopes of getting a railroad died out; and the burning of the steam-mill was a great blow to the prosperity of the place. From 1842 to 1852, when work was be- ginning on the Illinois Central R. R., it was at a stand-still. But from that time forward its growth has been continuous and substan- tial.
Municipal organization was adopted, under general law, in 1836, and Richard Oglesby, uncle of Senator Oglesby, was elected presi. dent of the first board of trustees. Prominent among the members of this board were Dr. Wm. Crissey, and H. M. Gorin. The clerk was Andrew Love, now one of the elders or bishops of the Mormon Church at Salt Lake City.
In the winter of 1855-6 a special charter was obtained, and on the 7th of January, 1856, an election was held under this charter for city officers. At this election John P. Post was chosen Mayor. The city then was divided into four wards. An act granting a new charter with enlarged powers was passed by the legislature, and approved February 21, 1867.
This reduced the several acts of incorporation into one. This charter was amended in 1869 and approved by Gov. Palmer on February 23d of that.year. The Police force of Decatur consists of seven men, and is highly efficient. Its organization dates from
the election under the special charter on the seventh of January, 1856, at which J. W. Hartley was elected marshal. The present marshal is Robert Baker ; J. S. Hewes is his deputy.
Decatur is a railroad centre of great importance, having no less than six railroads, and one of the really beautiful cities in Illinois. Within the corporate limits is included an area of 1,590 acres. It is situated on the north bank of the Sangamon, near the centre of the county, which is near the centre of the state, and is about equi- distant from Quincy on the west, and Indianapolis on the east. It is 36 miles east of Springfield and 200 north of Cairo; is 155 miles from Chicago and 113 from St. Louis. The site is beautiful and well chosen, being high and rolling, making possible and easy a good sewerage system. The streets are wide, being generally eighty feet in breadth, and are fringed with the elm, hard-maple and shrubbery. The city contains substantial business blocks, archi- tecturally imposing, where the merchant displays his wares and the professional man has his office ; handsome school-buildings, where children gather with inquiring eyes to learn the way of wisdom, have been multiplied till there is room for all; and temples of religion, where all ages gather to learn the way of holiness, point with bur- nished spires towards the peace and solemnity of the skies.
It is supplied with good hotels, the more popular of which are the St. Nicholas, Priest House, Zimmerman House and Central House. It is a city of pleasant homes. Some residences are ele- gant, and a few costly ; but many are abodes of comfort and taste. It has a system of water-works, and is well-drained by sewers; is lighted with gas and rejoices in a fire-department and a street- railway, a public library and a police force ; has a beautiful park for its living and an equally beautiful cemetery for its dead ; and in addition to all this, it possesses a hopeful and cheerful outlook for the future.
Believing that it would interest our numerous readers, and es- pecially the medical profession, we subjoin the following excerpts from an
ADDRESS DELIVERED BEFORE THE MACON COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY, FEB. 4TH, 1868, BY DR. W. J. CHENOWETH.
GENTLEMEN : I do not know how better to repay your kindness in electing me President of the Macon Medical Society, than by calling up some of the facts connected with its early history, and by offering pen sketches of a few of its first members.
I moved to Decatur May 28, 1854. There was at the time a population of about eight hundred, although it would have been quite a risk to his reputation for any citizen to have even supposed that there were less than twelve hundred souls in the growing city. There were no physicians then as there are now in the surrounding neighborhoods, and Decatur was as much looked to for medical ad- vice and medical attention by almost the entire population of Macon county, as she was for legal advice by the demands of litigation. Friends' Creek township probably offered the only exception, Dr. Gurenne, residing at Dantown, attending to the "ills that flesh is heir to " in that locality. * * * *
The Macon County Medical Society had its birth in the year 1853, and owes its existence to Dr. S. T. Trowbridge, who alone urged its necessity and patiently enforced its claims on the profession. Dr. Joseph King was chosen president, Dr. Trowbridge, secretary, and the other members were, Drs. A. Kellar, S. Y. Baldwin, Thomas Recd and E. J. Roberts.
Dr. Roberts was never engaged actively in the duties of the pro- fession, having contented himself with the pleasanter and more profitable calling of druggist. Dr. Kellar, although engaged in a lucrative practice and commanding a good position among his
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
peers in the profession, probably wisely, concluded to seek another location where a remunerative return could be more certainly had. He is now enjoying a good reputation and practice in an adjoining county. Dr. Baldwin early removed to Arizona, where he died and was buried among strangers. Dr. Reed, both on account of age and of priority of practice, claims first notice. Hc had been here ahnost from the location of the town, and having lived at Allen's, (now known as Moffit's) Mill, about one mile south-east of the court-house, he was the third physician in the county in point of time, having been preceded by Drs. Spears and Crissey, as pioneers. In 1854 the Doctor had very considerable and very deserved reputation in the treatment of children, more especially of that terror of mothers, and opprobrium of physicians, cho- lera infantum. Observation and much experience had taught him that in many cases it owes its malignity to malarial poison, and that in all cases it was more or less influenced by it, and he had judiciously and successfully applied the usual remedies appropriate for the one to the cure of the other. While the Doctor still enjoys excellent health and bids fair to outlive many of us much his junior in years, it will not comport with good taste to pronounce an extended eulogy. But I can and ought to say that no man in any occupation sustains a more unblemished reputation, and commands a more exalted character for honesty, probity and good demeanor, and his word is considered at all times as binding as an oath and as unchanging as the laws of the Medes and Persians.
Though the Doctor has retired from the active duties of the pro- fession, patrons who have for a whole generation trusted to his skill, will still exact reluctant attendance, being little inclined to rely on young men while a trusted friend and a tried physician, with the accumulated experience of a life-long practice, can be induced to lend a sympathizing ear to afflicted humanity. Long may the Doctor live, a monument of the virtues and skill of that class of hardy adventurers who devoted youth and manhood to faithful attendance on the widely-scattered families of the heroes who risked life and health in settling this far-off' land ; and may his declining sun be made bright and cheerful by the Christian's hope so long possessed.
Dr. Joseph King at that time enjoyed the reputation of being par excellence the obstetrician. Patient and kind, lending a sympa- thizing ear to female anguish, and possessed of remarkable skill in the conduct of that trying hour of maternity, it is no matter of wonder that his aid was sought in almost every case of more than ordinary difficulty. With such a reputation, and with a skill that I had occasion to admire in many instances, it was a matter of no little astonishment to me that when I expressed a preference for that field of science, I found in him one of my very best supporters, who, with a disinterestedness beyond any previous experience, was willing and did turn over many difficult and interesting cases to my care. * * * * My first sight of Dr. King * was a characteristic one. On inquiring for the physicians of the place, he was pointed out to me, sitting in a large covered buggy driving a large horse that
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