History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 77

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

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

and there was then organized the Illinois Baptist State Convention, which met at Canton, Fulton county, Illinois, in Nov. 1-44, nuited with the North Western Baptist Convention and formed the Illinois Baptist General Asso- ciation.

Dr Edwards removed from Edwardsville in 1837. The highest membership attained up to this date was about 50. From 1837 to 1842 the records are scanty. It is affirmed, however, by the older citizens whose memory is reliable, that about 1840 it had reached a membership of about 150, and was a strong vigorous body. The first house of worship was built about 1830, upon a lyt donated by James Mason, to the county commissioners for the use of the Baptist Church. Edwardsville, at an early day numbered among its citizens many whose influence was extensively felt in the early development of the State. Here resided three of the Goveruors of the State, Ninian Edwards, Gov. Coles, and Gov. Ford. Here also lived Judge Smith, Jesse B. Thomas, father of Jesse B. Thomas, D. D, of Brooklyn, New York, John Adams, Cyrus Edwards, Paris Mason, Rev. Hubbell Loomis and others. Among the prominent members of the Church were Paris Mason and wife, Mrs. Judge Smith, Mrs. Thomas (daughter of Judge Smith and mother of Rev. Jesse B. Thomas), Mrs. Erastus Wheeler, Dr. L. D. Boone and wife, subsequently of Chicago, and others. Dr. B. F. Edwards and Jacob Gonterman, were deacons of the Church. From 1838 to 1842 in the minutes of the Edwardsville Associa- tiou the Church reports no pastor, but names as a licentiate, S. B. Allard and also S. C. Seandritt, from Englaud. Rev. Ebenczer Rodgers frequently supplied the pulpit in 1842, aud in April, 1843 was called to the pastorate. He resigned in March 1847. Subsequently J. M. Peck visited the Church, was called to the pastorate, but declined on account of poor health. Rev. W. D. II. Johnson was pastor from 1848 till 1851, preaching two Sabbaths each month. The Church now had only a nominal existence. Internal dissensions troubled it. There were ouly three or four male members loft, and but one of these in town. About 1852 this one moved from the city, as did also the family of a Dr. Johnson, which literally took what little heart there was out of the Church. On the 12th of June, 1852, the Church disbanded after having given to the clerk, W. R. Adams, authority to grant letters of dismission to members in good standing who wished to unite elsewhere. From 1x51 to 1855 its name ap- pears in the minutes of the Edwardsville Association fol- lowed by the words, " No report."

It was virtually dead. From 1852 to 1860 the Baptist cause in Edwardsville was saved from total wreck by the labors of Revs. A. L. Cole, J. H. Mize, F. M. Ellis and others. In 1860 the number of avowed Baptists in Ed- wardsville was rodneed to six, and in the midst of over- whelming opposition it required an unusual degree of firmness and moral courage to openly advocate Baptist tencts. In the fall of 1861 Rev. J. V. Hopper was appointed mission- ary to lahor within the bounds of the Edwardsville Associa- tion ; and in February, 1862, he held a series of meetings, continuing several weeks. Four persons were baptized, the scattered forces were gathered, and the little Church was

reorganized. Rev. J. H. Mize, Rev. Sanford Alford, Lyman Barber then of Troy, and others aided in these meetings. The reorganized Church began with nine members; not one of the former members could be found in Edwardsville. Rev. J. H. Mize was chosen pastor. He baptized three persons. In May 1863 two more were received by letter. Brother Mize resigned and was succeeded in May 1864 by Rev. William J. Roseberry, who labored faithfully till his death in 1869. In the depressed and feeble condition of the Church his death was a sore calamity. During his pastorate the Church held its meetings where best it could, as in 1866 the old house of worship had been sokl by the Trustees and the proceeds in whole or in part had been in- vested in a building site for future use. In May 1870, at the earnest solicitation of the Church, Rev. W. C. F. Hemp- stead settled in Edwardsville, as a homoeopathic physician. In connection with his labor as a physician be became pas- tor of the Church, and labored earnestly and successfully till the fall of 1874, when he removed to California.

In the winter of 1873-74, he held a series of meetings, un- aided ministerially, for about six weeks, with encouraging results. Rev. W. Chapin, of Troy, then came to his assist- ance and subsequently, Rev. L. C. Carr, of Collinsville, at that time pastor of the Bethel Church The meetings con- tinued from January to April. The Church received sixteen by baptism and four by letter. During the pastorate of Dr. Hempstead, the Church, aided by a liberal community, in addition to the one thousand dollars realized from the sale of the old Church property, purchased an eligible site and built a neat church edifice. The building is a frame, 32 by 55 feet, is commodious, tasteful, heated by a furnace, and comfortably furnished. It was dedicated Oct. 6, 1872. The sermon was preached by Dr. Bulkley, of Shurtleff College. A considerable amount of money was raised to meet indebtedness. The Church, however, was still bur- dened with a debt, and were not able to support a pastor. Rev. Henry L. Field, after Dr. Hempstead's departure, served the Church twice a month.

Since 1875 the church has struggled, against fearful odds, for continued existence. In April, 1876, Rev. William J. Chapin, of Troy, visited them ; and, as the result of earnest solicitation, consented to become their pastor. His labors were earnest, faithful and useful. He continued about one year. The church was without a pastor from the close of Mr. Chapin's labors till 1879 or 1880, when Rev. HI. W. Theile. of Brighton, under the patronage of the Elwards- ville Baptist Association, preached for them one year, one- half of the time. Since that time the church has had no pastor, and is exceedingly discouraged. Her great present need is a faithful, self-denying, earnest, godly minister. Unless some one thus qualified and adapted to the field can be secured, her future is discouraging and her prolonged existence problematical.

The statistics are very imperfect. The ministers of the Edwardsville Association, from the organization of the church to 1881, show 85 baptized, 70 received by letter, 79 dismissed by letter. 35 excluded, and 21 died. The highest number reported was sixty in the year 1838. The largest

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

number reported was sixty in 1868. Although the church, from its beginning, has been compelled to struggle against fearful odds, and never attained to a church of large membership, yet she has exerted, especially in her earlier history, boundless influence in shaping the policy and determining the prosperity of the denomination in Il- linois.

THE UPPER ALTON CHURCH .- CONSTITUTION AND PRO- GRESS.

This church was constituted by Rev. John M. Peck, April 25th, 1830, with eight members, viz : Ephraim Marsh, James D. W. Marsh, Don Alonzo Spaulding, Winston Cheatham, Henry Evans, Mrs. Julia A. Spaulding, Mrs. Frances Marsh, and Rachel Garrett. Deacon Don A. Spaulding, now of the Alton City church, is the only one of the number now living. The church was constituted under the name of the " Alton Baptist Church."

In 1830, delegates appointed by this church met delegates from the churches of Edwardsville and Rock Spring and formed at Edwardsville, on the 16th October, and days following, " The Edwardsville Baptist Association." In February, 1833, the church dismissed by letter nine members, to unite with others in constituting a Baptist church at Lower Alton. In March, 1834, four were dis- missed, to aid in forming a church on " the Piasa, or Brown's Prairie," now Brighton church. March, 1837, the church numbered 129, and 12 were dismissed to form a church in the " Wood River settlement," named the " Bethel" church. In May, 1864, a branch of the church was formed near the mouth of Wood River, at a preaching station of theo. logical students; and in June, 1867, forty-one were dis- missed, to constitute this branch-an independent church, first named " Gibraltar," afterwards " Milton." This church has since become extinct.

For about two years the church held its meetings in a log cabin, and for three or four years more in the old brick school-house ; also, in the " meeting room " in Lower Alton, and occasionally at private dwellings in the Wood River set- tlement. January, 1836, the church resolved to build a sub- stantial stone house. 45x60 ft. with basement. This house was dedicated in Jan. 1837. Rev. Ebenezer Rodgers preached the sermon, and Prof. Washington Leverett offered the prayer of dedication. The church occupied this house thirty two years. In January, 1868, the church resolved to build a new house of worship, a frame, 50x80 ft., with a chapel in rear of fitting proportions, all in the Norman style of architecture, and at a cost, including lot, not over $12,- 000. It was dedicated with appropriate services May 30, 1869, the pastor, N. M. Wood, D. D., preaching the sermon.

PASTORS AND SUPPLIES.

Rev. George Stacey supplied the pulpit on alternate Sab- baths from April, 1830, to June 3, 1831, and was its first pastor, supplying alternate Sabbaths. He continued in this relation four months .- Additions, 19. Rev. Alvin Bailey commenced preaching early in 1832, when the church held its meetings alternately at Upper and Lower Alton. He

retained the double pastorate until April 1834 .- Additions 9. Rev. Ebenezer Rodgers from November 1834, to the close of 1838 .- Additions 176. Jonathan Merriam from November 1839, until November 1840 .- Additions 49.

A years vacancy followed, after which Rev. Adiel Sher- wood was pastor two years .- Additions, 55. Then after an in- terval of nearly three years Rev. Jesse W. Dennison filled the office for one year-Additions, 18. Another vacancy of a year was followed by the pastorate of Rev. Jeremy F. Tol- man one and one-half years-Additions, 17. After the lapse of six months his son Rev. John N. Tolman served two years -Additions 41. A vacancy of two and one-half years was followed by the pastorate of Rev. Isaac Woodbury, one year- Additions, 10. After two or three months, Rev. Daniel Read served as pastor two and one-half years-Additions, 64. Rev. Wm. B Smith was his successor, two and one-half years-Additions, 25. After a vacancy of two years, Rev. J. Bulkley served two years-Additions, 92, and 21 received into the branch at Gibraltar. During the last half year of 1866, Rev. E. C. Mitchell was the " stated supply."-Addi- tions, 20 During the year 1867, Rev. R. E Pattison was " stated supply "-Additions 38, and to the branch at Gib- raltar 28-Then till May 1868, Rev. E. C. Mitchell was stated supply-Additions 10. In May, 1868, Rev. N. M. Wood became pastor and served one and one-half years- Additions 111. During the next three months the pulpit was supplied conjointly by Drs. Kendrick, Wood, Bulkley and Prof. Stifler, all Professors in Shurtleff' College-Additions 5. Then Prof. Stifler was stated supply ten months, then regular pastor six and one-half months-Additions 90. After a va- cancy of five months during which the pulpit was supplied by Prof J. C. C. Clarke and others, (additions 17) Rev. David T. Morrill became pastor Nov. 1st, 1876, and at present, July, 1882, holds that relation. The additions under his ministry have been 116.

It will thus be seen that the church has had fifteen regu- lar pastors, whose aggregate pastorates amount to 34 years ; also several acting pastors who have officiated about three years. The church has been without a pastor, at different intervals, about fifteen and one-half years. During these periods the Professors and Theological students have gener- ally supplied the pulpit, with additions amounting to 174.

Deacons .- The church has had 12 deacons, seven of whom have died. George Smith served 30 years, died in 1860. Don A. Spaulding served three years, then joined the Alton church, still living; George Haskell. elected in 1834, served three years, removed to Rockford and is dead. Benjamin Green, elected in 1837, died in 1854. Alvin Olcott, elected in 1862, served 53 years, then united with the Alton city church and is dead. Warren Leverett, elected in 1852, served till his death in November 1872. Joseph M. Elwell, elected in 1855, served till his death in 1866. H. N. Ken- dall, elected in 1858, served till his death in October 1876. Joseph Burton, elected in 1858, resigned in 1873. Elisha Whittlesey, elected in 1874, removed to Highland, Ill., in 1875. Asa R. Steele, elected in March 1873, still in office. Joseph H. Weeks, elected September 1876, still in office.

Sabbath-Schools .- In 1830, a union Sabbath school was

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

formed by Baptists and Presbyterians. This continued in harmony for five years. In 1855 the Presbyterians, with entire good feelings withdrew to organize a school of their own. From that date the church has sustained their own school. Its numbers and prosperity have varied, yet the school bas generally exibited a good degree of prosperity and energy. It has been the nursery of the church-During the last forty years probably three-fourths of the additions to the church have come from the Sabbath-school.

Summary, to December 25th, 1881. Constituent members 8, added by baptism, 642, added by letter, 540, total, 1190. The number dismissed by letter who have not returned 672 Dropped because long absent and residence unknown 62. Excluded 71; Died 121. Present number, December 25, 1881, 270. The number of ministers, members of the church, ordained before they became members, has been 45 The number ordained while members, and those ordained after their dissmission is 72-so large a number of ministers connected at different times with this church arises from the fact of its intimate relations to Shurtleff College. It has thus exerted unmeasured influence in the development and progress of the Baptist Denomination.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF ALTON.

This Church was constituted March 10, 1833, with 19 members, viz; Ebenezer Marsh, Ephraim Marsh, William Manning, Wm. Hayden, D. A Spaulding, Henry Evans, and their wives-also Mark Pierson, Stephen Griggs, lierman Griggs, R Johnson, Joseph S. King, James W. D. Marsh, and Mary D. Bruner. Rev. J. M. Peck was present at this meeting. The church adopted the summary of faith and practice of the second Baptist church of Boston, Mass.

Rev. Alvin Bailey was the first pastor, and served till April 1834. Rev. Hubbell Loomis supplied till the follow- ing fall In November, 1834, Rev. Ebenezer Rodgers be- come pastor of the two churches at Upper and Lower Alton. He resigned in December, 1835. Rev. Dwight Ives, from June 1836 till May 1839. This pastorate, however, was very successful. For more than a year the church was supplied by Washington Leverett, and Zenas B. Newman, Professors in Shurtleff College. Gideon B. Perry served from January, 1841, till some time in 1843; he subsequently entered the ministry of the Episcopal church. Then Rev. Adiel Sherwood, President of Shurtleff College, supplied the church two years. Rev. Otis Hackett was pastor from April 1845, to April 1847. Rev Robert F. Ellis became pastor in October 1847, and served six years. During a vacancy of more than a year, Professor Washington Leverett and Rev. Silas C. James served as supplies. Rev. R. R. Coon was pastor from January, 1855, a little more than four years. An interval of one year followed, during which time Rev. Dr. N. M. Wood, Ex-President, and Dr. Read, President of Shurtleff College, supplied alternately. In 1860. Rev. Melvin Jameson became pastor, and served until 1869, when he resigned to enter the service of the Amer. Bapt. Missionary Union, as their Missionary to Burmah. This pastorate was vigorous and successful-During his pastorate 99 were baptized and 71 received by letter. 3J

Rev. N. Butler became pastor in the fall of 1869, and con- tinued until December 1872. Revivals were enjoyed, and the membership of the church increased from 193 to 235. Ou the 12th of October, 1873, Thomas G. Field, re- -- 1 cently from Newton Theological Institution, was ordained. The membership increased from 233 to 323, a gain of 90. Continued as the pastor till spring of 1879, and was followed by Rev. L. A. Abbott, the present pastor.

HOUSES OF WORSHIP.

At first the meetings were held in Lyccum Hall, corner of Second and Alby streets. Then, for several months, it occupied the stone meeting-house owned by Capt. Benjamin Godfrey, corner of Market and Third streets.

In 1834, their first meeting-house was erected on the cor- ner of Third and Alby streets. The building would accommodate about two hundred and fifty persons. It was sold to the Methodists for $8,000.

In 1836, a lot was purchased on the corner of Second and Easton streets, at a cost of $6.500, and a building crected costing $18,000; making total cost, $24,500. This house was destroyed by fire in March, 1860. The bell, organ, town-clock, etc., all perished in the flames. The building was insured for $3,000.

In December, 1860, the church occupied the basement of their present house of worship, and the house itself was completed and dedicated to God the first Sabbath in Septem- ber, 1867. Rev. Dr. Everts, of Chicago, preached in the morning and Rev. Dr. G. Anderson, of St. Louis, in the evening. The house is substantially built of brick, will comfortably accommodate three hundred and fifty persons, and cost, with furniture, $12,600 About $900 of this amount was provided by the Ladies' Sewing Circle. A liberal portion was contributed by citizens who were not members of the church. The house was dedicated free from debt.

HOME AND MISSION SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.

From the beginning, this church has given most earnest support to the cause of Sunday-schools. The church has conducted, uninterruptedly, a flourishing home Sunday-school during its entire existence. Its roll has often exhibited the names of two hundred and fifty scholars, with twenty-three teachers, and an average attendence of one hundred and sixty. Stephen Pierson was superintendent for more than twenty years, until impaired health compelled him to resign. The school contributes regularly to the cause of Foreign Missions. The church, in addition to the home school, has conducted several mission schools

About the year 1849, a mission school began with the African Baptist Church, which was successfully conducted for many years. In 1860, a mission school was begun in Middletown by John L. Blair, in a hired room. In 1862, a lot was purchased and a suitable house erected, at a cost of about 8550.

In 1875, a mission school was established in Hunterstown, under the superintendence of Carey Emerson. A building was erected at a cost of $1,250. The school averaged one

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

hundred and twenty five scholars, and sixteen teachers. Improvements and enlargements were made to the building, subsequently, at a cost of about $820. B. W. Smith suc- ceeded Mr. Emerson as superintendent in September, 1879, and served till 1880, when Dr. R. Gibson became superin- tendent, and is at present conducting the school with marked success. At times the number in attendance reaches three hundred. An adjoining lot has recently been purchased, at a cost of $250.

In 1859, a church was formed at Coal Branch by members from this church. Dismissed for that purpose seventeen in number. A commodious house was soon built, a pastor secured, an encouraging Sabbath-school organized, and a good congregation gathered. The church at Coal Branch has had a varied history, prospering at times until its mem- bership reached seventy, and again in adversity until its existence was imperilled.

RELIGIOUS VISITATION, TRACT DISTRIBUTION, PLAN OF BENEVOLENT OPERATION.

Many of its members, for considerable periods of time, have engaged in the work of family visitation. This is accompanied with tract distribution, religious conversation, and prayer, as circumstances will allow. At one time 28 persons, mostly females, were engaged in this service. In all its history, the church has given earnest and efficient aid to all the various benevolent enterprizes of the denomina- tion. To the cause of missions it has given one of its pastors, Rev. Melvin Jameson and his wife-one of its licentiates, Rev. Judson Benjamin, and one of its most promising young women, Miss Emma Inveen.

Its plan of benevolence, in theory, embraces the idea of a contribution weekly, from every member, as each is pros- pered. The church has ever been especially interested in the Illinois Baptist Educational Society, and in Shurtleff College. Its money has been liberally given, and many of its members have always been on the Board of Trustees of the College. It is in fact difficult to see how the College could have prospered without their service and money freely and cheerfully given.

OFFICERS.

Deacons with the date of their Election .- Ephraim Marsh, April 20th, 1833. Don A. Spaulding, Dec. 25th, 1834 W'm. Manning, Feb. 20th, 1835. Jonas R. Gale, Nov. 8th, 1836. B. F. Edwards and Eben. Marsh, April 27th, 1838. B. F. Edwards, D. A. Spaulding, Eben. Marsh, Wm. Man- ning, and Richard Flagg, Feb. 4th, 1842. T. C. Morrison, Feb. 26th, 1855. John Woodruff and John L. Blair, Feb. 20th, 1872. Ira H. Keizer and Henry A. Cheney, Nov. 27th, 1876.

NORTH ALTON BAPTIST CHURCHI, FORMERLY COAL BRANCII.

This Church was really a Colony from the Alton Baptist Church.

In 1859 Thomas Dunford and wife, and Robert Mitchell and wife were dismissed from the Alton Baptist Church, to unite in forming a church at Coal Branch. Soon afterward

several from Coal Branch were baptized, and on the 21st of March, 1859, the church was organized with 17 members.

Rev. H. Gallagher, then a student in Shurtleff College, served them for a considerable period, while pursuing a course of study. Since his pastorate, the history of the church has been at times prosperous, and at other times in great adversity. At considerable expense they built a good, commodious house of worship on the land of Thomas Dun- ford, who agreed to give the church a deed to the pro- perty His death prevented the fulfillment of the pro- mise, and the church has never been able to obtain the deed. After Mr. Gallagher's pastorate, the greatest degree of prosperity attained was probably under the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Place, and the darkest period under the Rev. Mr. Austermel, when the church became almost extinct. About two years since Joseph Bevan, a student in Shurtleff College, began to preach to them. Prosperity is being en- joyed. His labors are appreciated and blessed-congrega- tions are large. A flourishing Sabbath-school is in successful operation, and everything indicates increase in numbers and in power. The present membership is about 25. With the exception of Mr. Austermel, the pastoral labor has been almost exclusively performed by students from Shurtleff College.

TROY BAPTIST CIFURCH.

The Baptist church at Troy was organized in 1833 by El- ders Joseph and James Lemen with fifteen members at the house of John Lindly, near Silver Creek in Madison county. It received the name of the "Union Baptist Church of Christ, Friends to Humanity." They called themselves " Friends to Humanity, " because of their opposition to American slavery. Before the church removed to Troy many precious revival seasons were enjoyed, and many were gathered into the church under the labors of different ministers.

The Church records furnish the names of the following ministers who served the church either as pastors or as sup- plies, viz : James Lemen, Joseph Lemen, Charles Lucy, Samuel Wood, John Padon, A. B. Harris, T. W. B. Daw- son, Elijah Dodson, E. J. Palmer, John II. Mize, W. D. Ross, Niles Kinne, George Silver, J. W. Chapin, J. H. Mize, second time, T. W. B. Dawson, a second time and- Caster.

Its licentiates are as follows, viz : Lynn Craig, William Vanhooser, Valentine Vanhooser, Asa Parker, Charles Lucy, Lyman Barber and John H. Mize.

But two ministers have been ordained at the call of the church ; John Padon and J. H. Mize.

When the church removed to Troy in 1846, it gave up its name Union and assumed its present name Troy.

Its first meeting-house was a frame, and also the second at Troy. The second was built under many difficulties. It was dedicated in 1849, Rev. Elijah Dodson preaching the ser- mon. Its third house is a frame 30x53, eighteen feet ceiling, belfry and spire sixty feet high-built at a cost of about $2600. It was dedicated early in 1877, Rev. J. Bulkley preaching the sermon.

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

The following persons have served as clerks, viz : William Renfro, John Vanhooser, Valentine Vanhooser, Gideon Flowers, William M. Lindly, J. B. Edgar, William M. Gonterman, T. W. B. Dawson, James Seybold and Deacon William A. Wilson .- Rev. T. W. B. Dawson is the present clerk.

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History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 77

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