History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 78

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

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The following have acted as Deacons: William Skinner, Isaac Renfro, Abraham Vanhooser, George Bradshaw, Caleb Gonterman, Andrew Waddle, Charles B. Street, Lyman Barber and William A. Wilson. Its present Deacons are William Waddle and John Seyhold. Before the church removed to Troy a few brethren engaged in Sabbath-school work, but it was some time after it removed before it had its own Sabbath-school. For several years the teachers elected the officers and governed the school ; of late years the Sab- bath-school has been under the direct control of the church.

From the organization of the church in 1833 with fifteen members, (most of whom are dead, and none of whom are now members) till 1870 this church exerted a precious and lasting influence, and since that period many precious seasons of religious interest have been enjoyed. Its pastors have been among the most spiritual and useful in central or southern Illinois. Many of its members have been persons of wealth, culture and high social position. The church however has become greatly weakened by removal and death. At present it has no pastor and no preaching. Its nominal membership is about seventy-twenty of whom are non-residents, and their present place of residence unknown, leaving the actual membership about fifty.

THE BETHALTO BAPTIST CHURCH.

Ever since the constitution of a Baptist church on Wood River in 1807 by Elder Wm. Jones, the vicinity of Bethalto has engaged the labor of different Baptist ministers whose efforts have been successful. The Bethalto church had its origin in preexisting material derived from these earlier la- bors. It was constituted February 4, 1874, with twenty-one members. At first it met for worship in the C. P. meeting- house, until 1875. Its present house of worship, a neat substantial frame, was commenced September, 1874, com- pleted at a cost, including furniture, of $3600, and dedicated July 25, 1875.

Deacons .- Its first Deacons were C. H. Flick, Jasper Starkey and James McKee, elected June 18, 1874, for one year, but continued in office two years. June 18, 1876, C. H. Flick, James Jones and George Taylor were elected. Deacon Taylor died in the fall of 1879. The present Dea- cons are C. H. Flick and James Jones.

The number of members admitted to the church up to the present time, July 1882, including the constituent mem- bers (21) is ninety-three, present membership fifty.

It has a good Sabbath-school of sixty-three scholars, and seven teachers, Superintendent, F. B. Black. Its pastors have been Monroe Starkey and J. H. Mize, and perhaps others. It is at present supplied once each month by Rev. J. Bulkley, of Upper Alton. It occupies an important field, and ought by the Divide blessing to become a strong church.

THIE COLLINSVILLE BAPTIST CHURCH.

At the annual meeting of the South District Association, September, 1857, the church of Collinsville sought admission to the Association with thirty members. Rev. D. M. Howell, pastor, L. W. Scanland, William Thompson and J. M. Johnson delegates. The church was charged with, or at least suspected of heresy. Rev. E. J. Palmer appeared as the principal accuser. Their application was referred to a select committee of seven persons, viz : J. Peters, C. J. Kelly, H. S. Deppe, L. Sleeper, M. Ely, J. W. Thwing and S. Roach, which committee reported that the charge was without foundation and they recommended that the church be received. The report was adopted and the church re- ceived. Its first pastor was Rev. D. M. Howell, who served them with great acceptance and fidelity, from the organiza- tion of the church until laid aside by a fatal disease which terminated his life, June 7, 1866. Rev. F. Hill and Rev. L. C. Carr, have also successfully guided the church in the pastoral relation, as have others. It present pastor is Rev. J. Cole.

Previous to 1864 it had received by baptism thirty four, by letter, twenty-two ; it had dismissed seven, excluded seven- teen, and lost two by death. It had greatly increased in membership until in 1864 it numbered sixty-seven, since that period its history has been a peculiar one. At one time discordant elements endangered its existence. In 1870 it enjoyed a precious revival. Nine were baptized and ten received by letter, and the church numbered ninety six. Another revival was enjoyed under the labors of L. C. Carr, in 1874; seventeen were baptized and eight received by letter ; the church then numbered seventy. A period of declension followed, and in 1876 its number had diminished to fifty-five. Such is the history of most of our churches. Revivals and declensions follow each other at longer or shorter intervals. Its present prospects are hopeful.

THIE MT. OLIVE BAPTIST CHURCH.

This church was organized May 31st, 1851, by Elders J. V. Rhoads and John Brown, three miles east of Upper Alton. It organized with 48 members. Most of this num- ber have died, or moved away, six only remaining, viz: Nancy Deck, Lydia Williams, Eliza Deymon, Joseph Sherfy, James Jones, and Thomas Jenkinson.

The pastors have been Rev. John Brown, from May 1851 to 1856. Rev. A. C. Rafferty, from Oct. 1856 to Dec. 1857. Rev. J. V. Rhoads, from April 1858 to Aug. 1858. Rev. A. C. Rafferty, from Nov. 1858 to Aug. 1861. Rev. John Brown, from Dec. 1861 to Jan. 1863. Rev. Swift Brown and others, supplied to Jan. 1866. Rev., F. M. Long from Jan. 1866 to Jan. 1867. Rev. Whi ing, from Feb. 1868 to Jan. 1869. Rev. Grear, from Feb. 1869 to Sept. 1869. Rev. G. P. Hanks, from Oct. 1869 to Aug. 1870. Rev. J. S. Deck, from Feb. 1871 to Sept. 1871. Rev. Worley, from Nov. 1871 to Aug. 1872. Rev. Levi Mitchell, from April 1873 to April 1874. Rev. W. P. Crawford, from Oct. 1875 to Jan. 1878. Rev. J. H. Mize, from Oct. 1878. Rev. John R. Joncs, from Feb. 1880 to Feb. 1881.

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Deacons were Madison Williams, chosen June 1851 ; Richard Young, chosen Nov 1851; John Norton, Jan. 1860; T. Jenkinson and B. F. Culp, July 1864; C. H. Flick and G. T. N. Harris, April 1868.

The church has ordained three ministers. L. M. Whit- ing and J. S. Deck, iu May 1868, and Green P. Hanks, in May 1869.

It has licensed the following : J. S. Deck, 1865; G. P. IIanks, 1868 ; Thomas and Joseph Deck, 1868, and A. Hill, in 1869.

The church united with the Apple Creek Association in August 1851.

Whole number baptized, 232; received by letter, 49; by experience, 23; dismissed, 115: excluded, 126; died, 49. Present number, 79. Its house of worship is a frame build- ing, 40 by 60 f.et ; built at a cost of about $1,500.

Its present officers are : Deacons, Thomas Jenkinson and T. N. Harris. Clerk, J. S. Culp.

THE STAUNTON BAPTIST CHURCH.

This church was constituted iu July, 1852, and in Sep- tember of the same year it joined the Edwardsville Asso- ciation with sixty-three members, forty-five of whom had been recently baptized. J. V. Hopper, pastor, A. Deas, C. Sawyer and T. Caulk messengers.

J. V. Hopper was pastor most of the time till 1856. William J. Roseberry, from 1857 till 1861.

From 1861 to 1864 the church was without a pastor, but had occasional surplies.

In 1864 F. M. Wadly was pastor. In 1865 Hopper, Wadly and Roseberry were supplies.

In 1866 F. Hill, a student at Shurtleff College supplied half of the time. In 1867 and 1868 the church failed to report.

In 1869 S. K. Fuson was pastor, and before his pastorate the church must have become extinct, as the baptisms re- ported are thirty-two, and the whole number but thirty- eight. Then follows a season of great declension. For six years the church makes no report to the Association. In 1876 it recognized and reported an addition by baptism, let- ter and restoration, twelve, and the entire number twenty- six. The previous winter Rev. G. P. Hanks held a series of meetings with the forgoing result.

D. P. Jones was pastor in 1877. In 1878and 1879 it was not represented. In 1880 G. G. Dougherty was pastor. In 1881 no representation.

In 1855 it reached its highest number, sixty-three, and at that time began to build a meeting-house. It proved a very great burden. The work progressed with great diffi- culty until 1860. A heavy debt remained which was diffi- cult to be borne. Through the efforts of Rev. J. H. Mize the debt was removed in 1864. Then the angry contentions growing out of the war produced coldness, alienations and division until the church was well nigh destroyed. Much of the time it has had a severe struggle for life.

The whole number reported as baptized . 70

added by letter 34

16 experience and restoration . 19

dismissed 33

excluded and dropped . 38

= died . 11

Number reported in 1880 .

No report to the Association in 1882.

THE NEW IIOPE BAPTIST CHURCHI.

This church is near the present town of Worden. It was constituted as early as 1840, as it appears in that year in the minutes of the South District Association with sixteen members. Its delegates were J. O. English and I. E. Sharp. During the first ten years of its existence till 1851 it was connected with the South District Association. Dur- ing this period it possessed a good degree of spiritual vigor, its membership increasing from sixteen to forty-seven. The greatest number baptized in any oue year during this period was sixteen, in the year 1843. 1n 1844 J. O. English appears as a licentiate.

From 1851 to 1863 the church enjoyed very great spirituality. Rev. J. V. Hopper was pastor from 1851 to 1859. During this period 129 were baptized, forty six by letter, twenty-two by experience and restoration, fifty-eight were dismissed, twenty-seven excluded, four dipped, fourteen died. Its number bad about doubled, passing from sixty- five to 125. The highest number recorded was in 1858 when the church reported 128 members. During this pe- riod the church was engaged earnestly in Sabbath-schools. In 1852 it had two licentiates, J. O. Eoglish and Barber. Its house of worship was completed in 1853, and the debt upon it paid off in 1854. In June 1856 William J. Rose- berry, who had been previously licensed was ordained. The largest number baptized during Elder Hopper's administra- tion was in the years 1853 and 1858; in the former, thirty- six, in the latter thirty-two.

In 1860 William J. Roseberry became pastor and served until 1863 or 1864. During his pastorate, eighteen were baptized, four received by letter, seven by experience and restoration, ten were dismissed, fourteen excluded, five died, leaving the church in 1863 reduced to 110. At this time so sharp was the contention about the war of the rebellion that the church became almost extinct, and ceased to be re- presented in the Association, except by messengers without statistics. From 1865 until 1873 when Rev. G. P. Hanks was its pastor, it reported a membership of thirty-three. For several years during the war it held no meetings. Since 1873 it has exhibited some vitality, and exerted some influence. "How pleasaut it is for brethren to dwell together in unity."

Since 1873 or 1874 it has been connected with the Apple Creek Association. In 1875 it reported a membership of sixty one.

BETHLEHEM BAPTIST CHURCH.

This church was constituted in March 1851. The follow- ing May it united with the Edwardsville Association with twenty-four members. Rev. Luke Dillard was its pastor and William Colthar and A. J. Smalley delegates. During

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

the previous winter an interesting revival had been enjoyed. Rev. Luke Dillard continued to be its pastor till 1564, when the church ceased to represent itself in the Association.

During this period it had reported twenty-seven baptized and seven deaths. From 1853 to 1859 its number varied but very little. In 1853 they were thirty-seven ; in 1854 thirty- seven. They never went below this number nor above thirty-nine till 1859, when a revival of religion resulting in the baptism of twelve persons increased their membership to fifty-one.

In 1866 Rev. Luke Dillard made in the Association a verbal report to the effect that the church was nearly ex- tinct, and henceforth it does not appear in the minutes of the Association.

BETIILEHEM UNITED BAPTIST CHURCHI.

This church was constituted August 17, 1349, by Elders Jacob V. Rhoads aud R. C. Keele, with twenty-one mem- bers, as follows : John P. Lawrence, Jesse Lawrence, Delila Lawrence, William Jones, Margaret Jones, Elizabeth Jones, Sarah C. Jones, William Wright, Louisa Wright, Joseph Barckley, William F. Rawson, Henry Jackson, James Jack- son, William Squires, Mary Brown, Elizabeth Adams, Mary Lawrence, Elizabeth Seago, Elizabeth Brown and Saloh Jackson.

For many years this church enjoyed a very high degree of pro-perity, and numbered in its membership many of the first citizens of that part of the county situated immediately south of Bethalto. In 1851 it numbered 102; in 1852, 103; in 1853, 106, and the number of members that had joined the church up to 1854 was 169, which added to the constituent membership made the whole number received, 190. In 1858, it had a membership of 139; soon after this it began to decline, and in 1865, during the war, it was reduced to 80. It never regained its former vigor. In 1868 it was reduced to 49. In 1872 it had increased to 60; in 1875, 51 ; in 1876, 44. Its present number is not large. On the fourth Saturday, in September, 1850, steps were taken to build a church. Jesse Starkey, David Starkey and William Jones were elected trustees, and also a building committee. The same persons were appointed a committee to receive the deed from James Jones, and to have the same recorded.

The church was a frame, 26x36 feet. They began to build in the fall of 1850, and completed it in the spring of 1851. Prior to this time they held services at the Jackson school-house, (T. 5, R. 6). The pastors of this church have been R. C. Keele, followed by John Brown, who served eleven years ; then John R. Jones, grandson of Elder Wm. Jones, four or five years ; Thomas Greer, about one year ; T. W. Jones, G. P. Hanks, three or four years ; Thomas M. Marsh, then G. G. Dougherty as a supply. Its Deacons : David Starkey, William Wright, James Saunders, William Jones, J. P. Owens, Samuel Matthews and others. The highest membership recorded by this church approximated 150.

THE BAPTIST CHURCH OF NEW DOUGLAS.

We find this church in the minutes of the Apple Creek

Association in 1872, with Elders T. Bennett and G. P. Hanks, and a membership of 85. In 1875 its membership had increased to 118, the third in numbers of an association of thirty-six churches. This church has experienced pre- cious seasons of Divine grace, has numbered in its member- ship many most excellent citizens, and has exerted wide control. Information, however, has not been obtained to give a specific and accurate history.

THIE GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH OF FOSTERBURG.

This church was organized with fifteen members, in 1857. Its constituent members were : Carl Hummert and wife, August Ploeger and wife, Henry Niemeier and wife, Philip Stobs and wife, Carl Schobs and wife, William Gabriel and wife, Herbert Keiser, John Voss and Wilhelmine Wortman. Eight of these are still living members of the church.

Carl Schobs was the first pastor. He served a brief period. Henry Williams, Sr. was the second pastor. He was or- dained by the church April 1, 1861. He served till Feb ruary 2, 1-74. Carl Becker was ordained and became pastor August 12, 1874, and served till June 16, 1875. He was followed by Henry Schulz, who was ordained by the church and became pastor, March 30, 1876, and served until October 25, 1880. J. F. Hoefflin, from Iowa, became pastor October 1, 1881, and is still in that office. Il Keiser, H. Niemeier and A. Ploeger have served as deacons. Different persons have served as clerk. E. Peters is the present clerk.

The whole number baptized is eighty-four. The whole number received by letter and experience, forty-nine. The whole number dismissed, excluded and died, 111. Of those excluded fifteen have been restored. Present number fifty- two. The church is and has always been in full sympathy with all benevolent societies of the Baptist denomination, but her sympathies are most earnestly given to the work of Evangelization among the Germans of the United States. Its Sabbath-school is prosperous. It numbers from fifty to sixty pupils, and has from five to eight teachers. H. Keiser is superintendent. The church has a good brick meeting- house, and a frame parsonage. The prospects of the church are hopeful to a good degree.

Present trustees : Philip Newhaus, John Krieg, Charles Galike. Clerk, E. Peters.

PLEASANT RIDGE BAPTIST CHURCH.

This church is in the vicinity of St. Jacobs. It first ap- pears in the minutes of the South District Association in 1844, with 25 members, of whom 3 had been recently bap- tized. Its delegates were J Lindly, W. M. Lindly, and T. Stecle.

Its pastors have been Joseph Lemen, M. Ely. C. J. Kelly, H. Thompson, J. B. White, J. H. Mize, W. I). Koss, H. S. Deppe, and perhaps others.

Its licentiates, W. M. Lindly, O. Ely, N. Linkumfelter. Previous to 1864, it had reported 124 received by baptism- 67 by letter-14 by experience and restoration. It bad dismissed 50-excluded 45, and lost 14 by death. The highest number of members reported was in 1857, 116.

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Since 1864, its history, like most others, has been one of prosperity and adversity, revival and declension. In 1873-4, the number reported as baptized, within the asso- ciational year, was 42, and its membership was 134. Two years later, according to the minutes of the Association, its membership was reduced to 25. The church exerted a very salutary influence in the community where located.

PADDOCK'S PRAIRIE.

About 1836 or 1837, a small church was constituted on Paddock's Prairie. It united with the Edwardsville Asso- ciation in 1837, with nine members. Zenas Webster, and Elihu J. Palmer, brother of the Governor, were its first dele- gates. In the minutes of 1838, the name of Elihu J. Palmer appears as a licensed minister from this church, from which. I conclude that from this church he receiv- ed license to preach-and by this church he was ordained at Paddock's Prairie, August 24th, 1840, and became its pastor. In 1843, Rev. R. Kimball become pastor. During this year the church reached its highest number, 31; and in 1845 it ceased to be represented in the Associa- tion. Although its membership was always small, yet its influence was extensive and salutary.

RATTAN'S PRAIRIE.

In 1849, the church at Rattan's Prairie, recently organized, was admitted to the Edwardsville Association, with 13 mem- bers Its pastor was Rev. Ebenezer Rodgers, and its delegate Luther Lyon. A few months previous to the meeting of the Association, in May 1851, the church dissolved, and its mem- bers united with another church in the vicinity, which belonged to the Apple Creek Association.

PROVIDENCE, NEAR CHOUTEAU ISLAND.

This church was organized by Rev. Ebenezer Rodgers in 1843. It entered the Edwardsville Association that year, with nine members. Elder Rodgers looked after its inter- ests until 1844, when the high water scattered its members and they never again were re-united. One of the few Bap- tist churches destroyed by excess of water.

THE MILTON BAPTIST CHURCHI.

This church was organized October 23, 1869, in the Amer- ican Bottom, below Alton. It joined the Edwardsville Association in 1870 with twenty-nine members.

Rev. Cain preached before the church was organized from Nov. 1868 to June 1869. W. W. Reagan was pastor in 1870 and in 1871. In 1871 the church by dismissal, by death, and by exclusion was reduced to the number of fifteen, and in 1872 it became practically extinct.

FORKS OF WOOD RIVER.

This church was organized in 1836. It came into the Edwardsville Association in 1837 with sixteen members. It reported in 1838 with fifteen, in 1839 sixteen, in 1840, Aaron Trabue pastor, sixteen ; iu 1841 sixteen were baptized, and the number was increased to twenty-six.

In 1×42 Rev. Aaron Trabue was again pastor, and the church enjoyed a good degree of spiritual prosperity. Thir- teen were baptized and the number was thirty-six. This

seems to have been its zenith of power and influence. From this time it began to decline, and in 1845 it disappeared from the minutes of the Association.

CARPENTER BAPTIST CHURCH.

This church was organized by Rev. G. G. Daugherty, January 1st, 1882, at the residence of David Nix, in Hamel Township. Its constituent members were, Wm. Mize, Miss Sarah Mize, Fred. Mitchell, Mrs. Fred Mitchell ; total four. The church has received three by baptism ; present number seven. Rev. G. G. Daugherty labored as pastor from the organization till April, when Rev. G. Steele, of Upper Alton, became missionary pastor.

THE UNION BAPTIST CHURCH OF ALTON ( Colored).

This church was organized at the house of Charles Ed- wards, in Upper Alton, in the summer of 1836, with ten members, viz: Mr. Ogle, Eben. Rotgers, Mr. Edwards and wife, Alfred Richardson, Mr. Mariman, two by the name of Lemen, Wm. Barton and Wm. Johnson. The church im- mediately removed to Alton and located on Alby and Eas- ton streets between 3d and 4th. After a brief period it re- moved to Middletown, and again returned to Alton. It then located on 3d street between George and Alton streets. Their first house of worship was a small frame-they at present own and occupy a good substantial frame house. The church has never been large, but it has exerted a very beneficial in- fluence upon the colored population of the city. At times a very good degree of religious prosperity has been enjoyed, and in a revival in 1843, the church received twenty-nine members. Its first deacons were Wm. Johnson, who served about twenty years, and Wm. Barton, who served ten years, and then removed to Piasa. About the year 1851 J. M. Kelley was elected.

The fol'owing have been pastors of the church in the order named : Livingstone, Robinson, Anderson, James H. John- son. Wilbert Steward, R. J. Robinson, a second time, Elder Bolden, James P. Johnson, J. Henry McGee, James P John- son, a second time, Henry Howard, R. T. Robinson, G. W. Clarke and Elder Pierman, who is the present pastor. Colo- nies from this church have established churches at Galena, at Quincy, and near St. Charles, Missouri. Among the mem- bers of this church have been quite a number of men who have been good citizens of Alton, and excellent representa- tives of their race.

THE SALEM BAPTIST CHURCH ON WOOD RIVER, ( Colored).

The date of the organization of this church is May 3, 1846, with eleven members. Its history is similar to the Union Baptist Church of Alton-both colored. It has never been large, but has exhibited a good degree of religious zeal and activity. The Wood River Association, (colorcd), has been held with it several times. It has exerted a very salutary influence upon the colored people of this section of country. Some of its ministers have been men of marked ability and earnest devotion to their work. At an early day they built a small house of worship, which they occupied until the social, financial and numerical standing of the church de- manded a better house. Their present house is of brick, 24

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

by 36 feet ; 13 inch wall, 14 feet in the clear ; built about 1870-and is without debt. The present membership of the church is about 46. This is the home of Rev. James P. Johnson, who at present looks after the spiritual interests of the church.

SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH OF UPPER ALTON, (Colored).

In May, 1868, the Second Baptist Church was organized at the Salem school-house in Upper Alton. The constituent mem- bers were nine, all of whom had been regularly dismissed for that purpose, by the Alton City Union Baptist Church. The names of the nine constituent members were as follows :

Cyrus M Howard and wife, Jno. A. Howard; W. Scott and wife; Eliza Grason ; Mary A. Wilson ; Martha Broner ; Martha Foster; James Brown. The council that organized them was composed of Rev. Washington Leverett; Rev.

- Tilbury ; Rev. H. C. Hazen, and Geo. A. Cressy.

Subsequently they were recognized as a regular Baptist Church, by a council convened in the meeting-house of the First Baptist Church of Upper Alton. Rev. R. E Patti- son, D. D., preached the sermon, and Rev. Melvin Jameson gave the hand of fellowship.

In 1869 they completed a neat frame-house of worship, at a cost of $1,400. The house is 36 by 56 feet, with 14 feet ceiling. In the completion of their house of worship, they received liberal aid from outside parties. The house was dedicated in Sept. 1869. Rev. Dr. Read, President of Shurtleff' College, preached the sermon from Haggai, 2: 9, " The glory of the latter house shall be greater than the former, saith the Lord of Hosts."

Pastors .- J. Robinson, 2 years ; W. H. Howard, 1 year ; Wm. Webster, 2 years; W. H. Willitt, 1 year. W. C. Carter, six months; J. Stratton and W. H. Willitt have been ordained by the church-and Samuel Hart, licensed. Cyrus M. Howard was the first deacon-others at different times have been chosen, as circumstances demanded.

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History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 78

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