USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume I > Part 24
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Rev. I. N. Newton was a supply from October, 1862, to July, 1863. In the spring of 1865, Rev. J. B. L. Soule was called to the pulpit here. He was a man noted for his scholarly attainments, and in his joint labors as pastor, and professor of Blackburn University, won the esteem of the people of his pastorate and the students of the university. Although not widely known as such, he was a poet of distinction. His pastorate extended to 1868, when he was succeeded by Rev. John Patchen in January, 1869. The latter served about one year. In 1870 Hugh Lamont became the pastor of this church and served until May, 1872. During his pastorate the present church edifice was erected, the dedication of which took place on January 8, 1871. From 1872 to 1873 the pulpit was supplied by Professor Soule and Dr. J. W. Bailey, president of Blackburn University. In 1873, Rev. S. A. Whitcomb was chosen as stated supply and served until July, 1874. He was installed pastor in April of the latter year.
In August, 1874, Rev. Soule was again found in the pulpit, where he served six months. His successor was Rev. William Jeffries, who served as supply for eighteen months. In 1876, Rev. Soule was recalled and remained in charge here until 1878.
Beginning August, 1878, this pulpit was supplied alternately by Dr. Edwin L. Hurd, president of Blackburn University, and Dr. Rufus Nutting, professor at the same institution, until 1881. The list below is of the pastors who have served in recent years: Dr. William W. Faris, 1881-3; Rev. W. H. Hillis, 1883-7; Dr. E. S. McMichael, 1888-90; Dr. William S. Pryse, 1891-5; Revs. Frank J. Connor, 1895-9; A. F. Hertel, 1899-1903; W. H. Parker, 1903-06; Willis Patchen, 1906-08; Francis Lee Goff, 1908-10 ; D. R. Jones, 191I.
The first mention of a Sabbath school in the records is made in 1845 when a library, valued at $22 was purchased for the Sabbath school. As a result of the unfavorable condition of the church in 1847, the Sabbath school seems to have died a natural death. After the reorganization of the church in 1848 the Sabbath school was revivified and from then on up to the present it has been a very successful auxiliary.
During the life of the church there has been a total membership of about 900. Out of this number many have scattered to different parts of the world, spreading the work begun in this church. Of these may be mentioned Revs. William Johnson, and J. M. B. Smith and Miss Emma Parks. Missionaries
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to China: Dr. Joseph Bedel, in Arabia; Dr. Duncan J. McMillan, son of the former pastor, Edward McMillan, who, as home missionary of the Presbyterian church in Utah, did valiant service toward breaking the power of the Mormon church.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, VIRDEN.
June 3, 1854, the Presbyterian church of Virden was organized and when the first half century of the church's history rolled around, in June, 1904, the event was celebrated by appropriate ceremonies.
The committee to whom had been assigned the duty of organizing the church, "should the way be open," was appointed at a meeting of the Presby- tery of Illinois, held at Chatham, Illinois, in April, 1854, and consisted in the .first place of Revs. John G. Rankin, Josiah Porter and A. M. Dixon. Resv. Rankin and Porter came to Virden on the 3d of June and proceeded to do the work the Presbytery had committed to them. They were assisted in this by Rev. Elisha Jenney. They found eight persons who had letters of admission and recommendation from other churches, and who were desirous of being organized into a Presbyterian church. The names of these persons as they appear on the records are as follows: John I. Beattie, Lucy Beattie, Sr., Letitia Beatty, Rufus W. Loud, Jane Loud, Elizabeth Jane Loud, Lucy D. Hardin and Emily Hardin. Their certificates were received and they were organized into a church "to be known under the name and style of the First Presbyterian church of Virden."
From May 4, 1856, until March, 1858, when the church building was ded- icated, the meetings of the session were held at the home of John I. Beattie.
The first steps for the erection of a church building were taken in No- vember, 1856. At a meeting that was held A. L. Virden was appointed a com- mittee to solicit subscriptions for said purpose, and it is stated that "$1,500 was subscribed on the spot." This amount was later increased to $2,300. A loan of $500 was secured from the church erection fund, making the total amount obtained, $2,800. The building was completed and dedicated March 24, 1858, the dedicatory sermon being preached by Professor W. D. Sanders. The total cost of the building was $4,000.
The church was supplied from its organization until May, 1859, by minis- ters from Jacksonville, Springfield, Chatham, Carlinville and Waverly. Among them were Revs. Porter, Dodge, Watson, Downer, McMillan and Jenney. In May, 1859, Rev. W. L. Tarbet took charge and served the church for twenty- one years. When he became pastor the actual active membership of the church consisted of about forty persons. This number steadily increased until one hundred and fifty-four members were added during his pastorate. There was an unusually large accession to the church at the communion service April 1, 1866. Rev. Tarbet tendered his resignation as pastor, March 7, 1880. Upon his departure the church purchased his residence for a parsonage, at a cost of $2,000. In May, 1880, a call was extended to Rev. W. A. Dunning, who came and remained for five years. After he left this charge the church was without a pastor for a year, when in September, 1886, Rev. W. R. Moore became pastor. He remained until September, 1887. He was succeeded by Rev. J. M. Rob-
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inson, who came in May, 1888, and served seven years. During his ministry one hundred and seven members were added to the church. Rev. Robinson resigned November 23, 1895, and from that time until October 1, 1896, the church was without a regular pastor. On that date Rev. John M. Pomeroy became a supply.
In April, 1898, the church underwent extensive repairs at a cost of $1,250, provided for by the Ladies Aid Society, and in October of the same year the church was rededicated, Rev. W. L. Tarbet, who had for so many years served as pastor of the church, preaching the dedicatory sermon. Rev. Pomeroy was followed by Rev. W. B. Milton, as pastor, who served for only six months, when in the fall of 1900 Rev. W. M. Grafton came and served until the spring of 1902. He was followed by Rev. L. H. Schock. In 1907 O. L. Pride became the pastor of this charge and remained until 1911, when he was suc- ceeded by William L. Porter. That same year ground was broken for a hand- some new church building, to cost about $20,000.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN >CHURCH, STAUNTON.
The First Presbyterian church, which was first known as Bethany church, was organized November 18, 1843, by Rev. A. C. Allen. The persons whose names follow were the original members: James F. Spillman, Sr., James F. Spillman, Jr., Sarah V. Spillman, Mary A. Spillman, William B. Higgins, Eliz- abeth R. Higgins, Charles Fishback and Mary M. Fishback.
The first church was erected upon ground in the northeast part of town, which was afterwards removed upon lots donated by Hon. William C. Shirley and there it remained until about 1911, when it was again removed, to its present location, upon lots for which the society paid $1,800. The same year . it is intended remodeling the building extensively. A new parsonage was built upon this new site of the church in 1911.
At intervals the church has been without a pastor. At other times it has been supplied intermittently. Those now known to have had a regular charge here are as follows: E. F. Chester, who gave half of his time from October, 1844, until October, 1845. In 1846 James Stafford came and for six months preached in this church one Sunday in each month. From November 22, 1846, until the fall of 1847, John S. Stowell preached every other Sunday. He was followed by P. D. Young, who remained until 1848. James Stafford then fol- lowed, coming in the spring of 1850 and remaining six months. No record of a pastor is given from that time until 1866 when it seems that Rev. W. P. Tietsworth served the church for three years. Again there seems to be sev- eral years when the church was without a pastor, but in 1882 M. C. Butler gave to this church one half of his time until 1885, when he was succeeded by Rev. R. C. Townsend, who remained until 1888. In 1889 James D. Mc- Caughtry came and remained until 1894, when C. E. Lukens served from that
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time until 1897. The present pastor, E. N. Goff, came in October. 1908, and is still serving in 1911.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, SHIPMAN.
The Shipman Presbyterian church was organized August 3, 1856, by Rev. A. T. Norton, of Alton, with the following members: Joseph Rogers, Mrs. Dorothea Merywether, Mrs. Mildred Floyd, Mrs. Jennie Law, Miss Elizabeth Law, Mrs. Frances Pollard, A. F. Pope, Mrs. Margaret Jane Pope, John J. Green, and Mrs. Virginia T. Green. A. T. Barton was the first pastor. He was succeeded by T. B. Hurlbut in 1857, and his successor was L. L. Williams, who remained six months. Since then there have been a long line of pastors, the list of which is not at hand. In 1856 a Sunday school was organized, con- sisting of forty-four scholars and five teachers, with William Wilson as president.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, PLAINVIEW.
This church was organized as the Union church at the house of P. Brown, January 27, 1851, by Rev. George Spaulding. The organizing members num- bered nineteen. August 23, 1855, the name was changed to the First Pres- byterian church, Plainview. The first pastor was H. D. Platt, who remained in charge four years. He was succeeded by Samuel P. Lindley, who served two years, and was followed by T. B. Hurlbut one year. The Presbyterian church at Shipman is a branch of this society.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, BRIGHTON.
On the first Sunday of January, 1847, a meeting was held in the Baptist church in Brighton, for the purpose of organizing a Presbyterian church. Rev. William Chamberlain presided. At that time there were sixteen per- sons of this denomination in the place: Nathan Johnson, L. B. Stratton, Will- iam Reed, J. W. Gilson, John J. Green, Henry Boulter, Thomas A. Brown, M. D., and their wives, and Mrs. Mary Cunningham, and Mrs. Barbara Davis. Rev. George Spaulding was the pastor and served both Brighton and Wood- burn. He moved to Bunker Hill in 1849, and in the spring of 1851 Rev. H. D. Platt took charge and remained in Brighton until 1858. During 1858-9 the pulpit was supplied by Revs. Samuel K. Sneed, Joseph S. Edwards and T. B. Hurlbut.
Early in the history of the church steps were taken for the erection of a house of worship and a small brick edifice was built and dedicated in 1851, by Rev. Thomas Lippincott, who supplied the church during the first year's existence after the pastorate of Rev. Spaulding. This building gave way to a new one in 1868, which was dedicated August, 1869, by Rev. Bailey, of Carlin- ville.
METHODIST CHURCH OF CARLINVILLE.
The Carlinville Methodist Episcopal church is the representative of what was probably the first organized effort at Christian labor in Macoupin county.
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There may have been preaching conducted here by ministers of other de- nominations prior to 1831 but there was no effort made to organize a church until the fall of 1831, when the Rev. Stith M. Otwell was sent as a missionary to what was called Macoupin mission, which embraced in addition to Macoupin, the eastern part of Jersey, Greene, and the southern portion of Morgan county and became known as Carlinville circuit. The first sermon was preached by the Rev. Otwell in the fall of 1831 at the tavern conducted by Lewis English. Later, meetings were held in the log court house which stood on the southeast side of the public square.
The first members of the society were Rev. and Mrs. Otwell, Mrs. Tennis, Thomas E. Kendall, William and N. R. Brown and their wives.
In the spring of 1832 Rev. Otwell established as preaching points, James Cave's, now Palmyra; Jesse Peebles', now Chesterfield; Samuel Keller's, named Forks of Macoupin near Rhoads' Point; and Otter Creek, now Girard. Serv- ices were held at the home of Bird England. At Dry Point services were held at the home of William Huddleson; at Sugar creek, now Virden, at the home of Titus England; and at Staunton, at the home of Hosea Snell. Later, services were conducted in the schoolhouse.
The first camp meeting held in the county was in August, 1832, in the woods belonging to James Cave, near the present site of Palmyra. The whole neighborhood gave assistance in cutting down trees, splitting logs for seats and making a stand for the ministers. The meeting began on Friday and lasted five days, the services being conducted by the Revs. Peter Cartwright, N. Cloud and Owens.
The first year Rev. Otwell was paid the meager sum of $100, which was raised by the mission. The second year he was paid by the members, $20. Dur- ing the second year he was engaged a part of the time in merchandising, in order to better provide for himself and family. In 1833 Elihu Springer was sent to this charge, Rev. Peter Cartwright acting as presiding elder of the circuit. In 1834 E. G. Falkner was sent here as pastor. He was followed in 1835 by Rev. N. P. Heath, who in turn was succeeded by J. B. Woodland, who remained through 1836 and 1837.
In 1835 the Methodist society built its first church and in 1845 they pur- chased a church building of the Baptist society.
In 1836 a Sunday school was organized with Jarrett Dugger as the first superintendent.
In 1852 Carlinville was made a station and from that time until 1879 the pastors who served the church were Rev. William Stevenson, William S. Pren- tice, Levi C. Pitner, J. H. Moore, W. M. Gruble, J. H. Bargar, George Rut- ledge, A. S. McCoy, W. F. Short, Preston Hood, James Seaton, G. R. S. McElfresh, M. D. Hawes. From 1879 until the present time (1911), the fol- lowing have served : 1879-81, W. D. Best; 1881-83, W. A. Smith; 1885-89, E. D. Wilkin; 1890-93, J. B. Wolfe; 1893-4, George Stevens ; 1895, F. A. Havig- horst; 1896-98, M. W. Everhart; 1899-1903, J. A. Lucas; 1904-06, T. A. Can- ady ; 1907-08, F. B. Madden ; 1909, A. B. Peck, who is the present incumbent.
On the 17th of September, 1882, the present church building was dedicated. It is a brick structure, located at the corner of First South and South Broad
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streets and was erected at a cost of $22,000. A pipe organ has been installed and music is furnished by an excellent choir. The church membership is 325 and there is a Sunday school enrollment of 215 members. In the summer of 19II an addition of sixteen feet was made at the south end of the building, the organ and choir loft being moved back, while on either side of the organ a choir room and pastor's study were provided. This improvement cost the church $3,000. They also own a neat and modern parsonage, located on First South street, the value of this and the church property being $28,000.
METHODIST CHURCH OF BUNKER HILL.
Rev. Zimmerman, a Methodist minister, in 1841, organized a class of five persons, namely: John Rice, Jonathan Squires, Mary A. Squires, Abrahain Cramp and Sarah Cramp. At first services were held in Jonathan Squire's cabin once in three weeks and then in the village schoolhouse. The circuit embraced a Mr. Deck's house near Highland and Spanish Needle. Just south of the town hall, in 1851, the first church building was . erected, which was sold to the town in 1859. It was during the pastorate of G. W. Waggoner that a revival was held, which added to the church seventy-five members. This large addition to its membership made a larger building imperative. The de- mand was met in the building of a brick edifice at a cost of $7,000. The early pastors who have served this charge are as follows: J. B. Wollard, James Meldrum, Meldrum, J. A. Scarritt, Charles Atkinson, C. J. P. Toole, Joseph Erp, J. W. Caldwell, J. B. Corrington, William J. Grant, J. W. Lane, John Van Cleve, J. A. Smith, C. B. Holding, J. Gibson, W. S. Sly, W. H. Tyner. Since 1879 the list is as follows: 1880-1, G. W. Farmer; 1881-2, A. Ramson; 1882-3, W. Van Cleve; 1883-4, W. H. Tyner; 1884-6, C. P. Wilson ; 1886-9, J. A. Robinson; 1889-92, J. B. House; 1892-4, G. W. Scawthon ; 1894-5, A. H. Anthony ; 1895-7, Edward Barnes; 1897-9, J. P. Jungling; 1899- 1903, H. H. Young; 1903-05, E. L. Carson ; 1905-06, G. H. Hall; 1906-07, C. B. Besse; 1907-09, F. O. Wilson; 1909-10, W. G. Rector. For several months the church was then without a pastor but in April, 1911, the present pastor, Rev. F. Piatt, took charge.
The present membership of the church is 74. The value of the church prop- erty and parsonage is about $10,000.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, VIRDEN.
The first Methodist church in Virden was organized in 1853. That same year a lot was donated by citizens, upon which the first church was erected, Henry Lowery having the contract. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. J. C. Kimber, February 11, 1854. This building answered the purpose of the society until 1874, when a new one took its place, which was dedicated De- cember 6th of that year, by Bishop Thomas Bowan. Virden charge was changed from a circuit to a station in 1857.
The present magnificent church building was begun July 5, 1910, the Ladies' Aid Society having made the first donation of $1,000. With this as a nucleus,
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the work of construction got its first impetus. The structure is built of brick and stone. The windows are of cathedral glass and all of them, in the main audi- torium, are memorial windows, with hand-painted designs, perpetuating the memories of Austin Landon, William Emmerson, A. D. Holliday, Betsy Kay Squires, Ida Lura Hairgrove and Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Brown. The institutional windows are in the Sunday school room and parlors and are : Epworth League, Sunday school, Ladies' Aid Society, Woman's Home Missionary Society, Woman's Foreign Missionary Society. The Sanders-McDaniel window is in the Sunday school room and the Wyatt window in the rest room.
A beautifully and richly toned pipe organ was installed in the magnificent structure, at a cost of $2,050. It was presented by the Ladies' Aid Society. This new building, with its appointments, cost about $30,000.
The following ministers have served this charge: 1853-4, Edward Rutledge ; 1854-5, Rev. Baker ; 1855-6, Rev. Owens ; 1856-7, J. Burgess; 1857-8, R. Hold- ing ; 1858-9, W. D. Lemon ; 1859-61, S. H. Clark; 1861-3, J. G. Little ; 1863-4, D. Bardwick; 1864-5, C. Myers ; 1865-6, H. Wilson ; 1866-9, M A. Hewes ; 1869- 70, C. A. Obenshain ; 1870-1, T. J. Bryant; 1871-2, H. S. Parkhurst ; 1873-5, W. M. Reed; 1875-8, M. M. . Davidson; 1878-80, J. Winterbottom; 1880-3, A. C. Byerly ; 1883-4, G. M. Fortune; 1884-5, M. Auer ; 1885-6, J. J. Dugan ; 1886-7, A. L. Morse ; 1887-9, D. F. Howe; 1889-91, J. B. Colwell; 1891-2, A. D. Moon ; 1892-3, F. A. Havighorst ; 1893-4, G. A. Scott ; 1894-5, M. S. McCoy; 1895-6, J. A. Kumler ; 1896-7, W. H. Musgrove ; 1897-1902, T. B. Smith ; 1902-06, M. M. Want : 1906, William Brandon, who is the present incumbent.
The new building was dedicated March 12, 1911, Bishop Robert McIntyre preaching the dedicatory sermon. The dedicatory services extended from March 8-17 and the program for each day was an elaborate one.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF STAUNTON.
The present Methodist Episcopal church grew out of the Walshville church many years ago. It first held services in a small building, which was also used for school purposes. The first building erected by the society for church purposes was in 1852 or 1853. Here services were held until in the 'gos, when the present building was put up. Among the first families belonging to this society may be mentioned the following: Riplers, Wagners, Bentleys, Lancasters, Lovejoys, Howells and Molls.
The first pastor of record is J. W. Noll, who was here in 1868. He was fol- lowed by D. Coughlen, who remained but one year. Others who have served the church to the present time are: Samuel Walker, Asa Snell, S. P. Groves, L. C. English, William Van Cleve, R. Z. Fahs, David Moore, B. R. Pierce, A. T. Eaton. H. H. Keith, J. A. Scarrett, J. E. Burk, E. E. Waggoner, W. R. Bradley, J. T. Huffman, J. L. Cunningham, G. M. Webber, J. A. Large, J. B. Cummins; P. R. Gotfelty and F. O. Wilson, who came in October, 1909, and is the present pastor.
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The church is a neat frame building and the church property, including the parsonage, is valued at about $5,000. The present membership is 140, while the Sunday school has an enrollment of 200 members.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CIIURCH, MT. OLIVE.
This society was formerly a part of Staunton circuit, but at the session of conference in 1908 it was taken from that charge and made a station. The church is a neat, frame building, located in the north part of the town, and was erected at a cost of $1,500. The parsonage, which adjoins the church property, was completed February 1, 1909. The present membership is 55, with an average attendance at the Sunday school of 100.
J. W. Britton, the first pastor of this church, came September 21, 1908, and remained until October 3, 1910, when his successor, Rev. W. L. Rhein, came and is still in charge.
METIIODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, CHESTERFIELD.
This society is one of the oldest in the county, organized in 1831 by Rev. S. M. Otwell. A house of worship was erected in 1845. Among the early pastors may be mentioned Revs. Otwell, Springer, Blackwell, Woolard, Worthington, N. P. Heath, Robins, Chambers, J. B. Corrington, Faulkner, Holliday, B. Newman, Cassady, A. Bradshaw, William Owen, A. Semple, Sterrit Baker, I. Emerson, Powers, Paxton, Meginnis, R. Honald, Franklin, Dillon, T. C. Wolfe, J. B. Meigs, Peter Slagle, P. Drake, G. D. Randall, S. T. Hawkins, A. Sloan and William R. Carr.
GERMAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, MT. OLIVE.
This society was organized in 1879, with the following charter members: Mr. and Mrs. August Schultz, Mr. and Mrs. H. Keiser, Mr. and Mrs. John M. Ahrens, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Gerhart Braje, William Schultz, Mr. and Mrs. August Schwaner, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Hunzicker, Mr. and Mrs. F. A. Scheller, Mr. and Mrs. Ernst Loescher, Mr. and Mrs. Gotlieb Ger- ber, Mr. and Mrs. John Hessner, Mr. and Mrs. Ernst Bauer, Mr. and Mrs. Fred- erick Aesmann, Mr. and Mrs. August Rink and Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Immer- thal.
The church is a neat frame building, erected in 1880, and located in the north part of the town. The parsonage adjoins and the entire property is valued at $10,000. A pipe organ has been installed in the church. The present member- ship is 157, while the Sunday school enrollment is 115.
The list of pastors from the time of organization to the present is: John Wanner, 1879-81; E. W. Simon, 1881-2; M. Schnierle, 1882-5; Fred Rock, 1885-8; C. W. Floreth, 1888-91; William Balcke, 1891-4; A. H. Bueltemann,
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FEELOR
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. BUNKER HILL
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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1894-9; H. F. Miller, 1899-1900; G. Bonn, 1900-01 ; H. Bau, 1901-04; A. H. Bueltemann, 1904-08; David S. Wahl, 1908, and the present pastor.
GERMAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, BUNKER HILL. 1
This society was organized in the year 1858 and in 1869 a small brick church was erected. In the summer of 1911 the interior was newly decorated and un- derwent many other improvements, which adds to its attractive appearance. It is a small congregation, having but about 65 members. The pastors who have served from the organization to the present time are: G. Zollman, 1858-9; E. H. Kriege, 1861-2; Jacob Miller, 1863-4; W. Wilkeing, 1864-6; E. H. Kriege, 1868- 71; William Schutz, 1871-2; John Hilmers, 1872-5; Charles Ehlert, 1875-8; M. Schneirle, 1878-9; John Wanner, 1879-81 ; E. W. Simon, 1881-4; H. F. Koeneke, 1884-7; H. Thomas, 1887-90; William Fiegenbaum, 1890-4; H. J. Panwitt, 1894-9; G. Bollner, 1899-1902; F. W. Elger, 1902-06; R. C. Luecke, 1906-07; W. K. M. Schmidt, 1907-09; Peter Martin, 1909 and the present incumbent.
BAPTIST CHURCH, CARLINVILLE.
On Sunday, May 15, 1910, the seventy-fifth anniversary of the founding of the Baptist church at Carlinville was celebrated, and on that occasion Hon. C. A. Walker delivered the following interesting historic address relating to this church :
It will be well before entering into the history of the Baptist church in Ma- coupin county, and especially in Carlinville, to give to the younger members of the church the surroundings and people who were then active in church work.
During the year 1818, the territory of Illinois was organized into the state of Illinois, and thus became a member of the United States of America, and in 1829 the county of Macoupin was organized and a commission appointed to select a suitable location for the county seat, consisting of Seth Hodges, Joseph Borough, and John Harris, who selected and located the present site of our city as a suitable location for the county seat and named it Carlinville, after the name of Thomas Carlin, of Greene county, Illinois, who afterwards became governor of the state; and in 1830 the town of Carlinville was laid out and made the county seat. At the early date there were but two dwelling houses (and they were log cabins) in the village, and but a scattering population of pioneers had at that time settled in the county. Among them were John Harris, who, desiring to build a water mill on the Macoupin creek, was obliged to have a blacksmith to do the iron work on the mill. . Previous to that time, my father and mother with their young family (1828) removed from Nashville, Tennessee, and settled on Cahokia creek, a few miles east of Edwardsville, Illinois, and being a gunsmith opened a shop at his then location, to pursue his trade as a gunsmith. Mr. Harris learning of this, went down to my father's house and induced him to remove to Carlinville for the purpose of doing his iron work on the mill. This was in the spring of 1830. There was not at that time a church organization in Carlinville and I have doubts if there was one in the county, although I know there are claims of church organization at an earlier date in other parts of the county. Vol. 1-14
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