USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois > Part 25
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Such is a sketch of the war record of this county in the great Rebellion. But it is not yet complete. There yet remains to be mentioned the noble part taken by those who did not go into active service. We honor him who lays down his life for his country or risks it in her defence. But those who contributed of their treasure liberally, that the soldier might go to the front feeling that his family were amply provided for; those who furnished the sinews of war, are not less worthy of honor. Macoupin county paid in bounties to the brave soldier boys the sum of $171,600. In addition there was paid by townships, 832,447 (Staunton being the banner township, paying $7,790,) making a grand total of $204,047. No patriot need blush for such a record as this county made in the War for the Union.
CHAPTER XV.
ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
BY ELDER W. W. FREEMAN.
AVING been requested to write the History of the Baptists in Ma- coupin county, and being desirous of preserving everything re- lating to its early settlement, I have consented to do so, with the hope that it may afford to every one who reads, an hour both of pleasure and profit. To do this in a manner satisfactory to all, it is necessary to go back of the settlement in this county and give some de- tails that antedate the recollections of the oldest inhabitants.
As early as 1784 the Rev. Josiah Dodge, a native of Kentucky and Baptist preacher, visited what is now the state of Illinois, and settled within the present limits of St. Clair county. Here it was that the work of evangelistic labor commenced. At that time the whole of the North-west Territory was a part of Virginia, but the Baptists, like other denominations, were anxious to be among the first in offering the helping hand of Christiani- ty to the world. Indeed it may be said that they have not been behind other denominations in recognizing their obligations to give a pure gospel to all mankind, though at that time the country was almost wholly given up to and occupied by hostile Indians, except along the rivers. This man preached to the scattered few American settlers, and under the blessing of God, laid the foundation upon which to rear the vast number of churches in Illinois, which in 1878 amounted to 929, with 653 pastors, and with a membership of 68,074. In 1787 the Rev. James Smith, also a Kentuckian, came into the country and materially aided, by his preaching, in bringing about the results before stated. It was under the preaching of the Rev. Josiah Dodge that James Lemen, Sr., was converted, baptized and united with the Baptist church-he afterward became a preacher, and was the father of Elders James, Moses, Joseph and Josiah Lemen, men who bore a conspicuous part in building up the churches in the state of Illinois, and
are remembered with great affection by multitudes throughout the state, and particularly in this and the counties south of here. In 1796 Elder David Badgley and Joseph Chance visited the country, preached to the people zealously and with great success. Converts were multiplied, and they with others were organized into a church by their ministers. This was the first organized body of Baptists in this state. These men lived and labored long, and were finally gathered home to receive their reward. Their descendants still live in Madison and St. Clair counties, the people respect- ing ancestors and descendants. As converts increased in number, churches were organized, and preaching became general in the sparsely settled neigh- borhoods, though not frequent. The tide of immigration pushing northward, through Madison county, reached Macoupin in 1815. In 1817 the Rev. John M. Peck, a descendant of the New England Pilgrims, and a native of Connecticut, immigrated to the West and located in St. Clair county. He was an educated man, deeply imbued with a missionary spirit and greatly devoted to the work of spreading the gospel. His labors were most abun- dant, and never ceased until gathered home. The writer remembers hearing him preach when too weak to stand upon his feet, his congregation, mostly ministers, gathered about him as children around an affectionate father, each anxious to catch the most unimportant word that fell from his lips. As he sat in an armed chair and unfolded the truths of the gospel, he reminded one of John the beloved disciple addressing his younger brethren.
Civilization having reached the northern limit of the American Bottom, settlements were formed on Wood river, cast and north-east of Upper Alton, until in 1806, when Rev. William Jones settled there and preached to his neighbors, extending his labors north and eastward as settlements were made. As early a> 1817 or perhaps 1815, Mr. Jones came into the present limits of Macoupin county and unforled the banner inscribed in the motto, " One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism," on Coops creek, near where the road from Woodburn to Carlinville crosses it. He continued at intervals, to the date of his death, to visit the county for the purpose of strengthening his brethren. Men still live in the county who remember this old servant of God with great vene- ration. He was the grandfather of John R. Jones, of Bunker Hill, who is also an earnest and -nevesful preacher of the gospel. There were many others whose names should be mentioned, but time and space forbid. The following are the churches which have been organized with dates of organi- zation as far as could be ascertained.
CONCORD ASSOCIATION.
Concord Church was constituted June 13th, 1529, by elders William Rogers, Aaron Smith and Thomas Lee, with eight members, as follows; Braxton Maybry. James Maybry, Maximilian Mabry, Nancy Mabry, Sally Mabry, Christian Mabry, Rouben Claringer and Sally Claringer, and has maintained its regular monthly meetings, with rare exceptions, and then only for reasons beyond the control of the members. The membership at present is 34. Rev. Laae Conlee, who has recently died, was pastor for a great many years. Rev. James Solomon was ordained at the request of this church, and has been engaged in preaching ever since, with good sue- cess. The membership of this church, since its organization, has been very large, most of whom have died, while others have been dismissed by letter to join other churches, either in its vicinity or in more remote regions. Not- withstanding there are but few members at present, it still maintains all its meetings with regularity.
Hopewell Baptist Church, located on the south side of Spanish Needle Prairie, is one of the oldest churches in the county ; the exact date of its or- ganization has not been received, and therefore cannot be given. It has, however, maintained its regular meetings, and for the last few years has in- creased in membership, and now has seventeen in all. Like Concord church, during its existence, it has received into it- fellowship a great many mem- bers, most of whom have died, and others have been dismissed by letter. Its present pastor is elder George W. Jones, whose post-office address is Hornsby, this county.
Spring Creek is another of the older churches, and located on the south- east corner of section fourteen in Cahokia township, the date of its organi- zation not received, but has, and does still, maintain its regular meeting. Its present membership is nineteen.
Otter Creek has a membership of twenty-six, and holds its meetings regu- larly. Date of organization, May, 1861, with 13 members. B. B. Piper, first preacher.
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APPLE CREEK ASSOCIATION.
Harmony Church is located in this county west of Plainview, and has a membership of seventy-nine. Date of organization, present pastor, and value of church property not known, there being no response to letter of inquiry.
Head of Wood River Church is an old association, and has maintained its organization and regular meetings, but has not furnished any data as to its history ; its present membership is twenty-nine, according to the minutes of the association; elder J. R. Jones is the present pastor.
Henry Creek Baptist Church was organized July 11th, A. D., 1835, under the United Baptist Church at Henry creek, by elders .Jacob V. Rhoades, and Pleasant Lamar associated with brethren Joseph Buckhanan and John Blevins on the following constituent membership as follows: Brethren Thomas Moore, Sr., Elisha Mitchell, Samuel Brown, Elijah Mitchell, and Thomas Moore, Jr., and sisters Silvay Moore, Roena Brown, and Phoebe Buck. At the same meeting sister Sally Smith was received by letter, and sister Ann Moore by experience and baptism, making a total membership of ten. In the month of September following, the church made application by letter and messengers for membership in the Apple Creek Association, and was received into the fellowship of that body, which relation has con- tinued to the present time. Meshach Browning was elected the first pastor of the church and continued his pastorate from July, 1835, to February, 1839. From that time until July, 1840, the church was without a pastor, at which time elder Samuel Haycraft was called and accepted the charge of the church, and continued his pastorate until March, 1843. In June fol- lowing, elder Thomas Moore was elected pastor, which relation continued until his death, in 1844. During the year elder Samuel Haycraft was re- called to the pastorate and continued to serve the church until 1848, when elder H. H. Witt was called to the pastorate for one year. In April, 1849, elder Samuel Haycraft was again called to the care of the church for the third time, but did not accept. From that time until 1852 the church was without a regular pastor. In January of that year elder James Mitchell was called and served for one year. During this year Lewis A. Pilcher was ordained by the church to the work of the gospel ministry. From June, 1853, the church had the labors of elder Ira Moore for one year. In November, 1856, J. G. Brown was ordained by the church. The church again found itself without a pastor until December, 1858, when elder S. B. Redman was elected pastor for one year. In November, 1859, elder John Brown was called to the pastorate and continued this relation for two years, after which time elder S. B. Redman served the church until May, 1866. F. M. Long was ordained by the church to the work of the gospel ministry in 1865. Elder John Brown was again called to the pas- torate in May, 1866, and continued to serve the church until December, 1870. Elder S. B. Culp was called to the pastorate of the church, which relation continued with the church until October, 1874, when elder Thos. N. Marsh was called by the church for one year. In June, 1871, Levi Mitchell was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry, and in February, 1876, was called to the charge of the church, and continued the relation until April, 1879, when the church made a call upon elder J. R. Barbee to become pas- tor; the call was accepted, and he is now laboring with and for the church. This church is now forty-four years old. Three other churches, Shaw's Point, Honey Point and Oak Hill are the offspring of this body. The pre- sent nominal membership is about sixty-seven. The house of worship was built in 1872 and 1873 at a cost of about $2,600, and is situated in the northeast corner of Gillespie township, on the road leading from Gillespie to Carlinville. The number of members who have been identified with this body during the entire course of these forty-four years is about 371. Elder J. R. Barbee is moderator and S. J. Williams, church clerk.
Liberty Church is a small body located in the southern part of Polk town- ship, but failed to make any report of its history. Membership in 1875, eighty-seven. John Anderson, clerk.
Little Flock is located in the southwest part of the county and has a mem- bership of twenty-two. Post-office, Shipman.
Mt. Pleasant Church is located in Medora, and next to Concord, is the oldest in the county, its organization dating back to April 21st, 1832 ; the member- ship then was only five, with elder Jacob V. Rhodes, moderator, and Henry Rhodes, clerk. Present membership, 127. Value of church property, about 82,000. It is probable that this church, during its forty-seven years' exist- ence, has received more members than any other church. B. E. Parker church clerk, Medora, Illinois.
Mt. Zion Church is situated in the southwest portion of the county and has a membership of sixty-six. Post-office, Piasa.
Oak Hill Church is situated two and a half miles south of Carlinville, and is the offspring of Honey Creek ; the present membership is probably fifty, with elder D. P. Dedrick as supply. Ministers will do good by giving it a call.
Shaw's Point .- This church was organized July 9th, 1853, with eight members. Elder Ira Moore first pastor; present membership sixty-three. Value of church property $700. Elder Levi Mitchell, pastor, and William Fuller, church clerk. Post Office, Carlinville. Church situated in the south-east corner of Shaw's Point township.
West Prairie .- Could get no report from this church; reported in the minutes as having sixty-six members; it is situated east of Bunker Hill in Dorchester township.
CARROLLTON ASSOCIATION.
The following is from the record of the Carlinville Baptist Church :
"Carlinville, Macoupin Co., Illx., Lord's Day, May 10th, 1835.
Agreeable to appointment, several brethren of the Baptist denomination niet to take into consideration the expediency of constituting a Baptist church in Carlinville. Present elders Ebenezer Rodgers and Elijah Dodson, brethren Alexander Fernister from the first Baptist church of Baltimore, Md., and A. Wilber of the second Baptist church, Boston, Mass.
Elder E. Rodgers was chosen moderator and A. Wilber scribe. After hearing the news and exercises of the brethren and sisters wishing to be embodied in church fellowship, it was concluded proper that the brethren and sisters be united in church fellowship. Whereupon the ministering brethren proceeded to constitute said church in the following order:
Hymn and prayer by elder E. Rodgers, reading the articles of faith and covenant by the same. The following persons then gave in their names as members, viz .: Haskins Trabue, Samuel Lair, Abner Kelly, Tandy Cork, Edmund Sutton, Isaac L. Wilson, Obadiah Me Whorter, Sabra Kelly and Sarah Sutton. The members were then addressed by elder E. Dodson ; right hand of fellowship by the same. Concluding prayer by A. Wilber ; sung a hymn ; benediction by elder E. Rodgers.
A. WILBER, Scribe, EBENEZER RODGERS, Mod.
Of this church elder E. Dodson was first pastor, A. Kelly first clerk and Haskins Trabue and John Daniel first deacons. Since the organization the following named elders have been pastors, to wit: Elijah Dodson, Ebenezer Rodgers, Moses Lemen, S. C. James, Jacob V. Hopper, John C. Mapel, John B. Jackson, W. W. Freeman, M. V. Kitzmiller, A. C. Rafferty, Wm. C. Roach, John W. Terry and M. C. Clark ; the church is now without a pastor. Value of property $4,000; present membership, 132. At the first protracted meeting held by the church commencing October first and ending October 23d, 1837, "between sixty and seventy persons were hopefully con- verted, forty-two were baptized and added to the church, and three by letter, as follows: John Sutton, Jesse Sutton, Martin Rhine, James Dooley, Wm Johnson, John Wilson, Stephen Trabue, Ruthy McWhorter, Mary Sutton, Delilah Walker, Sarah Wilson, Clary Reynolds, Joanah Wilson, Margaret A. Cisco, Elizabeth Connor, Sarah Hull, Wm. Wood, Robert Mansfield, Louisa A. Reynolds, A. J. Dillon, James Sutton, James R. Walker, John Hull, Money Wetherford, Henry Brewer, Joseph Trabue, Nancy Ann Walker, Jane Logan, Polly Sutton, Eliza J. Trabue, Mary Ann Brewer, Sarah Dooley, Amanda Wetherford, Nancy Wetherford, Sarah Wood, Harbird Wetherford, Stephen Harris, Minerva Wetherford and John Warren, with John Reynolds, sister Wood and Br. Lee." The preachers at this meeting were elders Ebenezer Rodgers, Aaron Trabue and Elijah Dodson. Since the date of organization hundreds have been members of the church, though the membership now is as before stated.
Girard Baptist Church was organized March 17th, 1855, by elders J. Harvey, Joseph Wrightsman and Hezekiah T. Chitton with a member- ship of fourteen .- Elder Harvey supplied the church for a few meetings .- Elder Martin V. Kitzmiller became the first pastor, November 8th, 1856, at which time the membership was reduced to eleven .- James Michaels first
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
deacon, and J. W. Duncan first clerk. Present membership 144; whole number since organization 317. Value of property $3,000. Pastor Eld. M. V. Kitzmiller and Thos. W. Thacker, clerk.
Summerville Church, is located in west part of the county in Chesterfield township. Has been without a pastor for a long while; no statistical report received.
. Virden .- No report. Membership in 1876 as reported 267. Elder J. L. M. Young present supply. Value of property probably 84000.
EDWARDSVILLE ASSOCIATION.
Brighton Baptist Church was organized November 26th, 1833, by elders Elijah Dodson and Alvin Bailey, with eleven members, Joseph Richeson, deacon and clerk. The pastors and supplies have been as follows : elders E. R. Fort, Amos Dodge, Z. B. Newman, Ebenezer Rodgers, H. T. Chitton, Wm. Roberts, O. L. Barber, John E. Moore, Jacob V. Hopper, Joel Terry, - Manning, Herman S. Lowe, Frank M. Ellis, A. L. Cole, P. Erving, - Johnson, A. Knapp, R. F. Gray, L. M. Whiting, B. F." Humphrey, E. H. Chapin, J. F. Baker. Whole number of members 190, present number thirty ; value of property 82,000. J. W. Warren, clerk.
THE BAPTIST CHURCH AT BUNKER HILL.
A meeting was held December 22d, 1840, of which James M. Cooper was 'chairman and S. H. Davis clerk, at which the subject was taken into con- sideration of organizing a Baptist church. The organization was completed January 9th, 1841, the following ministers of the gospel being present : The Rev's. A. Dodge, R. Kimball, William H. Briggs, and John M. Peck. The society numbered the following members: Daniel Rice, Avolin Church, James M. Cooper, Noah H. Flanagan, Charles Johnson, Johnson McGil- vary, Willis McGilvary, David P. Kelsey, Sarah Wright, Maria Church, Elizabeth Cooper, Maria S. Flanagan, Abigail R. Johnson, Elizabeth S. Flanagan, Abigail A. Pettingill, Christiana McGilvary, Catharine McGil- vary, Amelia McGilvary, and Rosella E. Pomeroy. The deacons chosen were Noah H. Flanagan and Avolin Church. S. H. Davis was elected clerk. From 1841 to 1843 the Rev. Wm. H. Briggs was pastor. The Baptists joined with the Congregationalists in building a church in 1849 in which they worshipped till January 24, 1854, when measures were taken to build the present church edifice, which was dedicated October 29th, 1854. March 25th, 1858, the church was organized under the name of the Berean Baptist church of Bunker Hill.
Nilwood Church, organized October 7th, 1865, by Rev. J. Bulkley, with twelve members, and he was the first preacher; present membership, nominal 190-resident sixty. Value of property 81,500.
Spanish Needle Baptist Church was organized March 23d, 1844. Elders Joel Terry and William H. Briggs and brethren W. D. H. Johnson, James R. Walker and Albert Wilson composed the council. Twenty-five persons signified their desire to be recognized as a church by handing in their names. Elders W. D. H. Johnson, Moses Lemen, Jacob V. Hopper, W. W. Freeman and A. C. Rafferty, successively attended the church as pastors. Theo. O. Bailey clerk, P. O., Carlinville.
Woodburn Baptist Church was constituted June 24th, 1835, elder A. Bailey, Mod., and elder E. Dodson, Scribe, with the following named persons as members: Elijah and Nancy Dodson, Daniel and Caty Luttrell, Enos and Isabinda Grandy, Elisha and Louisa Starkwether, Charles H. Jones, Hiram and Polly Starkwether and Sarah Minor. Elder E. Stark- wether was chosen standing moderator. The pastors and the occasional preachers of this church have been elders E. Starkwether, E. Dodson, G. B. Davis, S. R. Allard, E. Rodgers, Amos Dodge, George Stockwell, John M. Peck, Moses Lemen, Wm. H. Briggs, A. Sherwood, Z. B. Newman, G. P. Guild, John E. Moore, Jacob V. Hopper and George Silver, and as deacons, E. Grandy, Isaac Long, A. Starkwether, Justus Rider, Jonathan Huggins. In 1840 nineteen members took letters for the purpose of forming a church at Bunker Hill, and in March 1851 ten more received letters to form a church at Coops creek.
Oakland Church, Clyde, has furnished no data or statistics. The church belongs to Greenville Association, Post Office Hornsby, Macoupin Co., Ills.
MACOUPIN ASSOCIATION.
Charity Baptist Church was organized in June, 1849, by elders S. D. Spain and Zachary Waters, with eight members. There have been added
to the church by baptism 213, and a large number by letter. John Mitchell, . Michael Sell, J. L. Westrope, John Courtney, and J. Waters have at various times served as deacons and J. R. Walker and J. C. Waters as clerk. Present membership 135. Value of church property $1,000 .- Elder Z. Waters has been pastor ever since the church was constituted, and is the only member of the original number living.
East Union, Post Office Palmyra, Ills .- No statistics furnished; according to minutes present membership fifty-two.
Gilead, Post Office Barrs' store, no report; present membership sixty-four.
Goshen, Post Office Palmyra. was organized March, 1871, with twenty- eight members; first pastor elder Joel Turner; present membership seventy- six; elder J. J. Bristow pastor, and George O. Solomon clerk.
Hickory Point Church is situated west of Nilwood; but as no response has been received, cannot give history. It numbers thirty-six members.
Honey Point is located nine miles east of Carlinville, and was organized in January of 1873, by elder J. R. Jones with ten members, and during the meeting, which continued twenty-two days, twenty-two others were added to the church. During the following December another meeting was held with thirty-three additions as the result. Elder J. R. Jones was chosen first pastor .- The present membership is 55 .- Samuel Potter, clerk.
Mt. Moriah, Post Office Palmyra, minutes say sixty-one members.
Prospect .- No report except from minutes, which say twenty-one members.
Pleasant Point .- No report. Minutes say, Post Office Palmyra, member- ship twenty-eight.
Shiloh Church is located eight miles west of Carlinville, and was organ- ized May 10th, 1851 .- Elder Jacob V. Rhodes, moderator, and Bro. Francis G. Brown, clerk. Present membership 121. Pastor, elder D. P. Deadrick. Bro. J. M. Mize, clerk. Valuation of property $1,000.
Salem Church is located east and south of head of Cahokia, but of its history nothing is known.
SANDY CREEK ASSOCIATION.
Goshen Church, Post Office Fayette, Greene Co., Illinois. No data except minutes of 1875; give membership twenty-three and elder Caudle, pastor.
Mount Zion Church, Post Office Scottville, no data except minutes of 1875; give membership ninety-three, and J. A. Moore, pastor.
Otter Creek Baptist Church wasorga nized with thirteen members, by elders William P. Hart and J. F. Nichols, about the first of July, 1860. Elder Wm. P. Hart was first pastor, with elders J. F. Nichols, Z. Waters, Joel Turner, C. A. Warley, George Hart, successively. During the late war many of the members entered the service of the United States as soldiers. On account of the members not being able to agree upon a site, no church- house was ever built. The membership at one time reached two hundred. Owing to the want of proper discipline and other causes, the fellowship of the church became so deranged, as to suggest a reorganization, which took place in 1876. This, however, did not give satisfaction, and the church has not prospered. The present membership is sixty-two. Elder Z. Waters, pastor, and Wm. H. Hart, clerk. Its associational connection is unknown to the writer, but probably belongs in Macoupin association.
WOOD RIVER (COLORED) ASSOCIATION.
This association includes within its territory about the entire state, and has twenty-seven churches, ten pastors, and a membership of 2090 in 1875. The churches in this county are Bunker Hill, thirty-four members, Carlin- ville, eleven members, and Piasa, thirty-eight members. Jackson Robison is the principal pastor in this county.
Thus, with the data received, is the history of the church presented, very unsatisfactory to the writer, with the hope, however, that this may call the attention of ministers and laymen to the fact, that if they would have a current history, data must be furnished, when asked for. It would have afforded the writer an amount of pleasure not to be described if he could have given a history, even satisfactory to himself, but he has not. It now remains only to do the best possible justice to the pioneer preachers, by giving the names of as many of them as could be learned, as follows :
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