History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 71

Author: Brink, W.R. & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Edwardsville, Ill. : W. R. Brink & co.
Number of Pages: 698

USA > Illinois > Madison County > History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches > Part 71

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In the spring of 1841, Vice-President Tyler, then Presi- dent, in special message recommended memorial services to be held in all the churches, commemorative of the life and death of President Wm. H. Harrison. A large audience had assembled at the Methodist church in Edwardsville, but there was no preacher. A Mr. Samuel R. Allard, then teach- ing school in Edwardsville, was a liceutiate missionary of the Baptist church, and the only one present with a license to preach. H. K. Eaton, Matthew Gillespie, Samuel Gill- ham and Mr. Allard were standing near the church door, discussing the embarrassment of the occasion. Allard was rubbing his hair nervously, and quite excited at the pros- pect of having to conduct the services. 1 saw a large, min- isterial looking man ride up and hitch his horse near the church, and recognized Dr. Oglesby, and said to Mr. Gilles- pie, "There is a man who can do the preaching for you." Mr. Gillespie, on being introduced, explained the situation to him and invited him to preach. His answer was: " Well brethren, I reckon I might try; come in and we will see about it." Dr. Oglesby had known General Harrison years before quite well, had been with him and esteemed him very highly, and had voted for him for President; and, on that occasion, did full honor to the memory and character of the distinguished dead, much to the pleasure of the audience.

October 2, 1805, the Western Conference met in Scott county, Kentucky. There were 120 members in Illinois dis- trict. The conference then embraced : Tennessee, Ken- tucky, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. Charles R. Matheny, a young man who had joined the conference that year, was sent to Illinois. Although young, he was well suited to the work he had undertaken. A Western man in feeling and habits, of popular manners, he was quite at home amongst the early settlers. He had studied law as well as theology, and was a man of fine mind and fair preaching talent. His kindly mind and sympathetic disposition made him quite a favorite in the societies in Madison county. He married Jemima Ogle, of St. Clair county, and located there after one year. I knew him very well, and esteemed him highly. He, at a very early time, settled in Springfield, and was appoint- ed clerk of the circuit court, and also of the county court, which last office he held until the time of his death in 1840.

1806-7. This year a notable character appeared in Illi- nois, as the Methodist preacher, Jesse Walker. He was a native of Kentucky. I knew him and have heard him preach. It was he who preached the first Methodist sermon in St Louis, formed the first society, and built the first church there. He was not what is called a fine preacher, but was earnest, practical and very orthodox. He had sev- eral preaching places in Madison county, and the result of his first year's labor on the circuit was an addition of 215 members. Six years after this he took charge of all the Methodist interests in Illinois and Missouri. He would fre- quently travel thirty miles a day, preach twice, and then ride ten or twenty miles to get home ; where he cultivated a small farm in St. Clair county, to raise something for his family to live on, not receiving as much as one hundred dollars for his year's labors.

This year, 1806, there was a log church built at Shiloh,

279

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

St. Clair county. I knew the old church very well, and have been at it often. Three other churches have since been built at the same place ; the last, a handsome brick building, 35 by 57 feet, with basement story, costing $6,700, and was dedicated in 1875 by Bishop Bowman.

In 1807, there was a camp-meeting held at the Bethel church by Elder William McKendree, (afterwards Bishop) and Jesse Walker, assisted by several local preachers, Hosea Rigg, John Kirk patrick and others. As far as I can ascer- tain, it was the first camp-meeting held in the county. The results of the meeting were very gratifying, and many per- sous made a profession of religion and joined the church.

Mr. Walker deserves honorable mention as a pioneer preacher in Illinois and Missouri-long a missionary among the Indians, possessing in an eminent degree the characteristics of a successful missionary. His name was cherished by all who knew him, of whom it could be said by the Master, " I know thy works and thy labor and thy pa- tience ; and that thou hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast labored, and hast not fainted."

1807-8. John Clingan was appointed to Illinois, by a long established rule of the Methodist church her annual Conference supplying all the Methodist societies with a preacher. So that from 1803 to the present, these societies have never been without a preacher. Originally the preachers were one year on a circuit ; now the preacher may remain three years in a charge, and an elder four years on the same district. At the close of the year Rev. Mr. Clin- gan returned to Kentucky, and the next year 1808-9, Jesse Walker was the preacher in Illinois Circuit. It was a year of hardship and labor, but was readily undertaken by Walk- er, who visited all the settlements, preaching almost every day and forming societies wherever practicable. His work showed an increase of fifty-five members of the church.

If it should be considered that fifty-five members added to the church in a year was a small return, we must know that there were very few people in Illinois at that time, few and sparse settlements, and the people very frontier in habit and character. Now when churches are good, ministers educated, and many more religious privileges, fifty-five additional members is a rare year's report for ministers to make.

1809-10. Western Conference met at Cincinnati, Ohio, September 30, 1809. At this Conference Charles Holliday and Samuel H. Thompson joined the Conference, and became afterwards conspicuous in the history of the church in Illinois and Missouri. Abraham Amos was appointed to Illinois, and immediately came to Madison county, aud form- ed a Society at Salem, at the house of Isaiah Dunnagan- There were seventeen members, viz: Isaiah Dunnagan, Ann Dunnagan, James Gillham, Polly Gillham, R. C. Gillham, Susanna Gillham, George Davidson, Jane Davidson, Polly Davidson, George Sanders, Hannah Sanders, John Kirk. patrick, Sally Kirkpatrick, Thomas Kirkpatrick, Polly Kirkpatrick, Anna Dodd, Sally Salms. Isaiah Dunnagan was appointed class leader. Preaching was at the house of Isaiah Dunnagan until 1814; from 1814 to 1818 at the house of Ja mes Gillham, then at the house of John Gillham, Sen ,

to 1826 and the next two years at the house of John Gill- ham, Jr., where Mr. E. Fahnestock, now resides. In 1828 under the auspices of Rev John Hogan this society built a frame church in the extreme southeast corner of township 5, range 9, very near the residence of Isaiah Dunnagan. Here the society continued until 1854, when a larger church was erected, where the society still mect.

In September 1838 a beautiful camp ground was laid, and very substantial camp buildings put up. Yearly camp meetings were held here until 1861, when the war excitement came on and the yearly meetings were discontinued. From the organization of the society there have been regular reli- gious services, and a class of members with a leader, and many local preachers have had stated services there. It has always been an important point in Methodist church history in Madison.

Many of the desendants of these early church members still remain in that neighborhood, and are highly respected- The society here received additional strength in 1810, when John Springer settted in the neighborhood. Mr. Springer was one of the most devoted Christian men I ever knew, earnest, constant, punctual in all his religious duties. IIe had the confidence and esteem of all who knew him, and no society ever had a more valuable member. Two of his sons became ministers and all his children honored members of the church, among whom Hon. T. O. Springer, Levi Springer and Mrs. R. C. Gillham all live in this county. Mr Springer was the leader of the class from 1815 to 1849, the time of his death. The members of this society well known to the citizens of this county, were always esteemed as a part of our best citizens, and the religious influence of the society was very valuable. Their last minister was Rev. Henry Delicate, deceased March 12, 1882. Five hundred persons have joined the church at this place since its organi- zation and there are at present about 100 members.

1810-11. The conference met this year at New Chapel, Shelby county, Kentucky, November 1, 1810. Daniel Fra- ley joined the conference and was sent to Illinois. There were twenty-six new preachers this year added to the C'on- ference. Illinois was settling very fast, and amongst others who came to Madison county was William Ottwell, Rev. Josias Randle, Jesse Bell, Henry Bonner, Josias Wright, B. Maxey, Benjamin Delaplain and others who settled near Edwardsville. They and their friends were members of the Methodist church, and Randle, Maxey and Delaplain was preachers, also Thomas and Parham Randle. J. Randle had been a distinguished preacher in Georgia and South Carolina since 1802. He was probably the first local preach- er who had regular appointments in this county.

Mr. Randle, as I remember him was a large, fine-looking man, an excellent preacher, and preached every Sabbath. In 1812 he was appointed Recorder for Madison county, which embraced all of Illinois north of St. Clair county, which office he held until his death which occurred in 1824. The office at that time was the most lucrative in the State. It had been offered to John Hay of St. Clair, the grand- father of Hon. John B. Hay, now Postmaster in Belle- ville, but Hay preferred to remain in St. Clair county,

280

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

and was appointed Recorder and Clerk of the Court of that county. Rev. Mr. Randle had four sons, Richard, Barton, L'eter and Josias. Josias died in Mississippi, in 1832. Barton and Richard became efficient and able preachers. Barton joined the conference in 1830, and continued a preacher in that conference until his death in 1882. Richard is still liv- ing, having been a preacher since 1828, and is now in his 84th year, honored and beloved by all who know him. Peter Randle became a physician of distinction, was for some years President of a Medical College in San Francisco, Cal., and now holds an important federal office in that city. The only daughter, Mrs. Martha P. Ripley, is now residing in Staunton, Macoupin county, and is known as a very active worker in the " Women's Christian Temperance Union."

Goshen settlement became noted this year for its in- crease in Methodist families, and uniting in church mem- bership with the Society at Bethel, made quite a large church membership at that place. Parham and Thomas Randle became circuit preachers, lived to old age, and dying, left a reputation for excellent citizens and acceptable and useful ministers.

William Ottwell came to Madison county in 1811. He was born in Maryland, 1779, but disliking slavery came to the territory of Illinois that he might raise his children in a State where slavery did not exist.

He was in the ranging service during the Indiana hostili- ties under Capt. Jas. B. Moore, of Monroe county. He was a good citizen and a true patriot. He filled many responsible stations in society and was three times elected to represent Madison county in the State Legislature. He was very earnest and gifted in exhortation and prayer and instructive as a class leader A man of positive character and strength of mind, his influence for good was seen and felt. He died in Madison county, his home, September 4, 1844.

1811-12 .- Conference was held at Cincinnati, Oct. 1, 1811. The minutes show an increase of seventy members in Illi- nois circuit. Jesse Walker and George A. Colbert were the preachers. There being two preachers enabled the societies to have circuit preaching every two weeks, and the year showed a gain of 134 members. There was an increase of membership in all the societies in Madison county, and more preaching places were established, and the Methodist church became the most prominent church in the county. The Indians were troublesome this year to the northern settlers, and many of our citizens became volunteer defenders of the settlements and were called rangers. A name very honor. able in Illinois, and which elected John Reynolds Governor of the State and member of Congress. He was called the " old ranger." In 1811 occurred the great earthquakes in western Illinois and Missouri; the earth at intervals would shake violently with a dull roaring sound, and continued to do so at intervals until late in the spring of 1812. The people became greatly alarmed, and very many joined the church. Many curious instances of alarm were witnessed. Most of those who had joined the church from feelings of alarm, forgot their vows and professions when the danger was over. In 1811-12, Jesse Walker and George A. Colbert were sent to Illinois. 1812-13, James Dixon was

the preacher. 1813-14, Ive Walker, a young man of Irish parentage, was the circuit preacher. He was an excellent preacher and a very zealous man. 1814-15, James Now- land was the circuit preacher. Iknew Rev. Mr. Nowland. He was a good substantial preacher. Not a man of much pathos, rather slow in speech, methodical in style. He settled first in St. Clair and afterward in Monroe county, where some of his descendants now reside. There had been regular services in all the societies, but no very material increase of mem- bership for the past four years.

In 1815-16, John Scrips and William Jones were the circuit preachers, filling the appointments semi-monthly. Scrips was from Indiana, had joined the conference this year and was sent to Illinois. He was an excellent preacher, and became noted in his profession as a minister. There was an increase of church membership of over fifty this year. The following is taken from the St. Louis Christian Advocate :- " The General Conference in 1816 recognizing the increased interest of the church in the West, divided Tennessee con- ference'and formed Missouri conference, embracing Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Arkansas. Missouri conference met at Shiloh, St. Clair county, September 23, 1816. Ten preachers constituted the conference, eight of whom were present. Bishop McKendree presided, Jesse Walker, Samuel H. Thompson and Thomas Bright were the Presiding Elders. There were 2192 members, of which 66 were colored. Four new preachers were received on trial, of whom Alexan- der McAllister was one, and became one of the ablest preachers and profound reasoners in Illinois or Missouri.

The conference records show the following as the financial report for the year :

Received as quarterage . $645 75

Received from Book Concern. 200 00

Received from Chartered Fund. 130 00

Donation by Bishop McKendree . 100 00

Donation by Bishop Asbury 7 75

Donation by Ohio Conference

66 00

Total $1,149 50

Which when divided amongst all the preachers gave to each of the married preachers $88.75, and to the single preachers $44.37}." This was the first conference held in Illinois. The second was held at Bethel church, 2} miles south of Edwardsville, in Madison county, October 6, 1817. Bishop Roberts presided and John Scrip was Secretary. Samuel H. Thompson served as a member on every com- mittee. There were fourteen preachers in attendance. Dur- ing the session of the conference the weather became incle- ment and the meeting-house having been hastily built twelve years before, was now out of repair and uncomfortable. Father Josias Wright who lived near the church invited the Conference to adjourn to his house, which they did, and on Sabbath the entire conference of preachers sat down to dinner at his table. Now Illinois has five Methodist Conferences, besides those of Indiana, Missouri and Arkansas. How large would be the table that would seat all the ministers now ? Father Wright gave them a cordial welcome, and

281

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

girded himself and served them ; since that time, they have all sat down at the Master's table who himself has served them.

This year the preachers went to their appointed places with great courage. The name of Samuel H. Thompson became a household word in all Methodist families. He was a burning and shining light wherever he went. I have never known a minister, whose loving spirit, kind manner and affectionate nature made him a more welcome guest or beloved pastor. At the time he entered the traveling ministry at Cincinnati, 10th Sept. 1809, he was esteemed as a young man of fine promise. Of fine person and pleasant address, he added extraordinary zeal. His whole soul was engaged in the work of the Master. His labors kuew neither relaxation nor rest, traveling through storms, heat and cold. He went deep and far in the sea of religious ex- perience and from its golden treasures brought forth the truth that found its way to the judgment, and the heart of the hearer. From 1809 to 1834 he was a great Field Marshal of the Methodist Church. He lived most of that time in Illinois, and was known to, and loved by every Methodist family in Madison county. A Christian, and a Christian minister, a messenger of peace and good will, a lover of order, and ad- mirable administrator of discipline in its mildest forms, every charge flourished to which he was appointed. IIe possessed great faith, zeal and love; was happy himself, and made others so.

In 1834 Gen. Jackson, President, appointed him Register of the Land Office at Edwardsville. He asked of the Department at Washington the privilege of still continuing his ministerial relations in the Conference, which was granted, and continued to fill regular churches until his health failed. IIe died in Edwardsville, 1811, where a tombstone erected by his brethren in this county marks his last resting place.

This year there was a church built one-half mile south- west of Edwardsville, called Ebenezer, and part of the members of the Bethel Society, including James Randle and family, Jesse Bell and family Thomas Randle and family, Heury Bonner and family, William Ottwell and family, Parham Randle and family, with others whose names I have been unable to obtain, formed a society at Ebenezer.

This year there was a large increase in church member- ship Illinois district increased 1,500, Missouri district 400. Nearly 2,000 members had been added to the church this year. Elder Thompson called it a grand jubilee. We might here ask the question why are not our preachers as success- ful now in gathering in members as then? It can not be because they were more able preachers or better paid than now ; for this year the married preachers received $83.60, the single men $41.80. There are several causes which might be mentioned. Now, the aim and labor of life is to accumulate property, to get rich, and for this the hands and hearts of the people are more earnestly engaged than then. Now, there is much greater extravagance than then, which is unfavorable to religion. A large influx of foreign popula- in the West has been unfavorable to religion, producing dis. tion regard of the sanctity of the Sabbath. The demoralizing influence of party politics and party strife. The influence of 36

infi lelity, which seems increasing. And then, not the least of the causes may be found in the constantly increasing de- mands made upon the members of the church for money with which to carry ou the enlarged plans of the church in her benevolences, and the maintenance of her ministers, which is not uufrequently felt to be burdensome,

It may be thought by the reader that this last assigned cause has neither merit nor truth in it, but from a close observation as steward in the church for forty years I am satisfied it is cor- rect, and so believing, it would not be right nor honest if I did not say so. Formerly a minister would supply from five- to fifteen or more societies, all of whom would contribute some thing to his support. Now almost every society desires the services of a minister and, as is often the case, where there are not many members they feel it rather a costly luxury. Iu 1344 as steward of Edwardsville circuit I was required to make and furnish the stewards of the several societies their proportion of amounts to be raised for the preacher's salary and parsonage rent. The demand against the circuit was as follows :

Edwardsville,

83 members. · $77 65

Liberty,

22.30

Salem,

102

6€

95.00

Nix's,

46.50

Mrs. Gillliam, 6

5.55

Ebenezer,

8,30

Six Mile, 59

54 90

Venice, 8

7.15

Collinsville,

76.00

Mt. Zion,

55.80

Troy,

31.65

Gilead,

75.35

Ridge Prairie, 30

27.90

Totala

658.

$5$5.35

Salary of Rev. Wm. Willson with family . $384.00

Saml. Smith (single man) 100.00

Elder Robbins

48.33

House rent for preacher .

48.00

$580.33

This was less than one dollar per member. Now the societies pay $7.37 per member for preacher's salary and incidental church expenses and church benevolences.

The following table shows the membership in the church for 188I as taken from the conference minutes for that year and the church expenses for the same year.

No. Mem- bers.

Preachers and Elders Sulary.

Current Expenses.

Benero- lences.

Allon, Station. .

131070 00

$641 00

$ 95 00

Upper Alton, Station

136

766 00

132 00

35 10

Wanda, Circuit. .

145

743 00

215 00

122 00

Edwardsville, Station .

990 00

300 00

71 00

Miles, Circuit. .

147

666 50

203 00

143 25

Collinsville, Station ..

126

575 00

211 00

27 00

Ilighland, Circuit

102

508 00

50 00

21 00

Troy, Station.

106

1$2 00

75 00

46 00

New Douglas, Station ....

107

548 50

112 75

45 00

1,165

6,049 00

1,939 75

605 35

Making an average yearly contribution of $7.37 for each member.

282

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

A large part of the membership iu all the churches is composed of the young, and those who are unable to pay anything, and of the remainder, a majority are able to pay very little ; the burden rests on a few in every charge who feel it very sensibly ; since they are in no way exempted from the taxes or contributions which other citizens pay. It will be seen that the salaries of the preachers are too small to make the ministry an object in a pecuniary point of view, for any mau of education and talent necessary for success as a minister in the present advanced state of society, and we must give them the credit of being actuated by motives of a higher character.

I do not say, nor do I believe, that members of the church pay more to sustain religious institutions than they should, but the change in that particular is so great that a large portion of them feel so, and the frequent expression of this feeling affects others, and lesseus their own interest in the church. I see no remedy for this state of thing but in a better understanding of the subject, which will require time and teaching.

1817. This year the original town of Upper Alton was laid off, and under the ministrations of Rev. Samuel H. Thompson, a class of six persons was formed. Ebenezer and Mary Hodges, Jonathan and Delilah Brown, Oliver Brown and John Seely, were the members. The first preaching place was at the house of Mr. Hodges, which was a log cabin, and when the Baptist church was built iu 1836. Mr. Thompson was the pastor. The society was small for some years; but was the nucleus of what afterward became a large society. A large number of influential and prominent citizens have had membership in this church. William G. Pinkard, Dr. Thomas Stanton, H. P. Rundle, Troy Moore, I. B. Randle, Lewis J. Clauson, Isaac Warnock, John Hc- gan, John Cooper, Robert and James Harrison, H. H. Summers, and many others.

A church was built in 1835, and is now occupied by S. B. Congdon as a residence. In 1849 a new brick church was erected under the active efforts of Mr. and Mrs. L. J. Clau- son and others. There have been forty-seven pastors ap- pointed to this charge. The present pastor, Rev. L. C. English, reports the society in a flourishing condition. There are 136 members. The regular services of the church are interesting and well attended.

The third session of the Missouri Conference was held at Mt .Zion meeting-house, in Murphey's settlement, Sept. 10, 1818. Jesse Hale was presiding elder, and Samuel H. Thompson and Thomas Helms were on Illinois circuit ; and Jacob Whiteside an assistant preacher. David Sharp was appointed to Silver Creek circuit. He was an excellent preacher, and became quite prominent and influential in the church. Some years after, he married Miss Anna Moore, daughter of Judge Risdon Moore, of St. Clair county. It was a sickly year. The preacher labored earnestly and faithfully, and reported an increase of seven hundred mem- bers in the Conference.

This was the first year I saw Mr. Thompson. I was a very small boy, but his fine appearance and dignified man- ner impressed me favorably, and this impressiou con-

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History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 71

Author: Brink, W.R. & Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Edwardsville, Ill. : W. R. Brink & co. Number of Pages: 698

Author: Brink, W.R. & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Edwardsville, Ill. : W. R. Brink & co.
Number of Pages: 698