History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 79

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 79

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The highest number of membership recorded at any time, 48. Present number, 34. Lost by death, 4.

Immediately after the dedication of their meeting-house, a Sabbath-school was organized, which has been kept up till the present time without interruption, with an average of about 20 scholars.

There have been in the county a number of other churches, small but influential, whose history could not be secured. The foregoing sketch of the Baptists of Madison county is of necessity exceedingly imperfect, arising from the impossibility of procuring accurate and reliable data. The writer has done the best he could with the material at his command.

BAPTIST MINISTERS WHO HAVE DIED IN TIIIS COUNTY.

REV. WILLIAM JONES is believed to be the first Baptist minister who settled within the limits of what is now Madison county. He was born in Washington county, Virginia, September 12th, 1771. He removed to the Terri- tory of Illinois, as early as 1805, and possibly as early as 1802 He first settled on Shoal creek, near the present town of Greenville, Bond county. There a fort was built and

called Jones's Fort. He settled in Madison county pre- vious to 1807, making his home ou a farm about three miles south of the present town of Bethalto. In the war of 1812, he entered the service of his country and joined a company of Rangers. IIe was immediately elected captain-under his leadership the company engaged in several sanguinary battles, and with heroic fortitude endured the hardships of the campaign. When the war ended he returned to his farm, and there reared a large family. At the same time he resumed ministerial work with energy, success and delight. In 1807, before he was aided by Elder David Badgley, be had organized the first Baptist church within the present limits of Madison county, " The Baptist Church of Wood River." It belonged to that branch of the Baptist Church who styled themselves " United Baptist." His ministrations to this people were performed with great fervor, simplicity and power-many were converted under his ministry. The membership of his church were widely scattered, but attended the monthly covenant meetings of the church with great regularity and punctuality, often traveling long dis- tances on horseback exposed to attacks from the Indians in the wilderness that they might enjoy the means of grace as well as social visitation. His memory is cherished and re- vered by multitudes still living. Although entirely free from political aspirations his marked ability could not per- mit him to remain unuoticed. After the war of 1812 at the earnest solicitations of his friends he was elected a member of the Territorial Legislature of Illinois, and occu- pied a prominent position in that body. In 1818 he was elected a second time to the Legislature. His popularity was such that at one time he was earnestly importuned to become a candidate for Governor of the State. He declined on the ground that it would interfere with the proper dis- charge of his ministerial duties. It is believed by many of his friends that he would have been elected had he con- sented to run for office, because Ninian Edwards refused the use of his name until he learned that Elder Jones absolutely refused to be a candidate. He died January 2d, 1844, in the 73d year of his age. He was a man of decided ability, of unblemished reputation, of unimpeachable integrity of character, and of great personal worth. Among the men of that time he commanded great respect, and upon them exerted great influence. He is held in great esteem, and his record is referred to with commendable pride by a large number of descendants and personal friends, in whose hearts are en- shrined his excellencies, and over whose development and destiny his character and teachings will exert unavoidable and immeasurable control.

REV. D. M. HOWELL was converted at the age of fifteen, and immediately felt the promptings of duty to preach the gospel, especially in Central and Southern Illi- nois. For the purpose of seeking more thorough prepara- tion he studied two years in Shurtlefl' College. He was or- dained at the age of twenty-four. The first four years of his ministerial life were devoted to missionary labor, in which he was very successful. Afterward he was pastor at Bethel and at Collinsville. He was a man of earnest piety, of ar- dent zeal, of strong mind, of iron will, of untiring industry --

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

He was especially fond of laboring in protracted meetings, for which he seemed to possess peculiar adaptation, and in which he was successful. Hundreds were converted under his ministry ; about five hundred of whom he baptized. He was clear, simple, carnest, direct in his preaching. He was geniel and affable in social life, upright and honora- ble in his dealings, stern and uncompromising in his princi- ples, warm and tenacious in his friendships. He died of can- cer on the lower lip. The disease was in its progress exceed- ingly slow and painful. His sufferings for weeks were of the most excruciating character. They were borne with great fortitude and Christian resignation until he himself most earnestly prayed for release. He died June 7th, 1866.

REV. ZENAS B. NEWMAN was born in Seekonk, Mass., where he spent his early life. He entered Brown Universi- ty in 1830, pursued the entire course of study, but because of conscientious scruples about the distribution of the honors of the class, he with Dwight Ives and others refused to re- ceive his degree. Shur.leff College gave him subsequently the degree of A. M.

He came to Alton in 1835, became Principal in the Pre- paratory and Academic departments of Shurtleff College till 1840. In 1841 became Professor of oratory, rhetoric and belles-letters, and filled that office acceptably till his death, in 1844. He died after a protracted illness of consumption, while yet a young man. He was a scholar and Christian minister, whose life promised to be one of great usefulness. He was twice married, first to Miss Ide, of Seekonk, Mass., and again to Miss Carolina Loomis, of Upper Alton, who still lives in the village where he married her. He had one son by each wife, both of whom have also passed away.

REV. WM. J. ROSEBERRY was born near Louisville, Ky. April 24, 1829. His parents were members of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, although his mother was a Baptist in belief. Hence the principles and practices of the Baptists were frequent topics of discussion in the family circle, and were apologized for, and sometimes defended with some degree of interest. This defence on the part of the mother, it is believed, had its effect upon the mind of the son ; still the son when converted at seventeen years of age, united with the church of his parents. He soon, however, became confirmed in his Baptist views, and in 1854, when twenty-five years of age, was baptized by Rev. J. V. Hopper, of Bunker Hill, Illinois. Immediately after his baptism his duty to preach was deeply impressed on his mind. His parents having removed to Illinois when he was quite young, his opportunities for intellectual culture were quite limited. He was naturally modest and retiring, hence the struggle was unusually severe. Was ordained to the gospel ministry in 1857. He has served as pastor, the churches of New llope, New Douglas, Marine, Staunton and Edwardsville, laboring with a good degree of earnest- ness and success.

In the year 1861, he was elected superintendent of schools in Madison County, which office he held until his death, a fact clearly evincing the energy of his own character in view of his want of early culture. and also exhibiting the confi- dence of the people in his ability and culture.

As a man he was quiet, industrious, energetic and honest. As a citizen, loyal and earnest in support of the government, while abstaining from earnest partisan political discussions.

His disposition was mild aud equable to an unusual de- gree, enabling him to secure and retain his brethren in the strongest bonds of Christian affection.

He was a kind husband, an affectionate father, and hence highly esteemed and tenderly loved. At the time of his death he was from home, attending to his duties as superin- tendent of schools. So severely and rapidly did the disease do its work, that he was compelled just before reaching home to seek the residence of a neighbor as the scene of the last struggle. He died in perfect peace, March 29, 1869. He was married, March 8, 1849, to Miss Sarah J. Lamb, of Madison county, Ill. They were the parents of ten children. Four of the children preceded the father to the spirit land. The widow and six children survive him.

PROFS. WARREN AND WASHINGTON LEVERETT, whose self- denying, unwearied and successful labors in Shurtleff College for so many years have inseparably connected their name, with the prosperity and development of Madison county, and of the state, and this college, were " twins by birth and twins in all labors and associations of life." They were born in Brookline, Mass., December 19, 1805. Soon after reaching their majority they united with the First Baptist church in Cambridgeport, Mass. They pursued a preparatory course of study under the tuition of their elder brother, Rev. Wm. Leverett, of Roxbury, and then entered Brown Univer- sity in 1825; graduating in 1832. Warren entered the Theo. logical School at Newton, Mass , but failing health compelled him to abandon the course of study he so earnestly coveted. In quest of health he spent a period in circulating Bibles in Charleston, S. C. He afterward taught school in Lawrence- burg and Franklin, Indiana. Frequent and severe hem- orrhage of the lungs compelled him to give up all hope of finishing his studies at Newton, and he resolved to give his life to teaching iu the Mississippi valley. To enable him the better to fulfil his purpose, as well as to meet the Divine instincts of his being, he sought a companion and found just such an one as he desired iu Miss Mary A. Brown, of Strat- ham, New Hampshire, who was at that time preceptress of the Young Ladies' Academy at Townsend, Mass. After marriage they immediately came west. They first began labor in Greenville, Bond county. After teaching there a little more than one year he was called to a professorship in Shurtleff College. His brother, Washington, preceded him the year before. In 1853 he resigned, and for the next two years conducted a school of a high order in Upper Alton. Hewas then reelected to a Professorship in the college, which position he occupied until the close of the academic year, 1867-8. There was the scene of his active life. He spent thirty-five years of his life in Upper Alton, and twenty-seven of the same in the Faculty of Shurtleff College. With an assiduity and faithfulness rarely excelled, he gave all his energies to the intellectual and moral devel- opment of his pupils. He died at his residence in Upper Al- ton, November 8, 1872, of typhoid pneumonia, after an ill- ness of three days. His widow and three chidren survive him.

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

REV. HUBBEL LOOMIS was born amid the throes of the Revolution, May 31, 1775, in Colchester, Conn. At the age of sixteen he was converted. Impressed with the duty of consecrating himself to the ministry he entered upon the work of thorough intellectual and theological training. On his 28th birthday he preached his first sermon, under license from the Congregational Association of Ministers, of New London county, Conn. In 1804, he was ordained and installed pastor of the Congregational church in Willington, Conn. He enjoyed a profitable and pleasant pastorate of four years. But having changed his views during the latter part of his pastorate, he was conscientiously compelled to seek a home among the Baptists. In 1828 he was bap- tized and ordained to the ministry in the Baptist church. He came to Illinois in 1830, and after teaching a brief period in Kaskaskia, he made his home in Upper Alton. In 1834, he, with six others, laid the foundation of a Baptist seminary, which, in union with the removal of Rock Spring Seminary, subsequently developed into Shurtleff College. He was the first principal of the seminary, and continued at its head until 1836. when he resigued to give place to younger men. After his resignation he resided in Upper Alton for thirty- six years, devoting the evening of his day to literary pur- suits and religious study. Father Loomis, as he was familiarly called, possessed very fine social qualities, kind- ness, affability, excellent conversational powers, benevolence, conscientiousness, sympathy with the suffering, perfect trans- parency of character, and these qualities greatly endeared him to his friends, and awakened in all with whom he asso- ciated the kindest regard, the warmest and sincerest respect. His entire life was given to study. After he reached his ninety-fourth year he purchased the "Ante Nicene Fathers," and perused them, up to a very brief period before his death, with all the eagerness, assiduity and interest of his earlier years. His mind was vigorous and unclouded to the last ; he was an able preacher, a clever reasoner, an exemplary citizen, and devoted Christian. He died in Upper Alton, December 15, 1873, at the advanced age of nearly ninety- eight years.

REV. EBENEZER RODGERS was born near Newport in Mon- mouthshire, England, March 17th, 1788. His parents were Welsh. His father was a dissenter, a Baptist, but not a preacher. He had two younger brothers who were Baptist ministers. In England he pursued a course of study prepar- atory to the Christian ministry, and then emigrated to the United States in 1818. After preaching a brief period in Kentucky he went to Howard county Mo., in 1819. The country was sparsely settled, and he devoted himself largely to gratuitous missionary labor. He soon gathered a church, over which he was ordained pastor. The church soon num- bered 102. To preach the Gospel he frequently traveled long distances, over prairies, through forests, amid dangers, often sleeping in the open air with his saddle for a pillow. In August 1823, he was married to Miss Parmelia Jackson, who still lives in Upper Alton, making her home with her youngest daughter, Mrs. Dr. E. C. Lemen. The union was a happy one. A large family surrounded the paternal hearth. Four of the children, two sons and two daughters, live in and near Upper Alton. In 1833, on his return from 40

a visit to England he passed through Alton and spent several weeks with the churches in Alton and Upper Alton. The result was a call to the pastorate of these two churches, which he accepted. He removed his family to Upper Alton in November, 1834, and began his labors. Iu December, 1835, he closed his labors with the Alton church and de- voted himself exclusively to the church at Upper Alton. This pastorate continued until the close of 1838. After 1838, several churches in the vicinity enjoyed his labors. He baptized during his ministry about 700, 500 of whom he baptized in Missouri, the remainder in Illinois. Father Rodgers, as he was familiarly called, was among the first and strongest supporters of every benevolent enterprise of every denominational society. Home and foreign missions, the Bible cause, general and ministerial education found in him an able and unwavering advocate and firm supporter. His last illness was characterized by that unwavering confi- dence in God that had been his study and delight in life. He contemplated his change with great composure, and en- tire resignation ; said he, " The doctrines of grace I have found eminently adapted to me in life, and I now find them all that is necessary in death. God orders all things right. His will be done." Thousands heard the doctrines of the Gospel from his lips, and hundreds under his ministry were converted. He died at his residence in Upper Alton, sur- rounded by his sorrowiug family, April 25th, 1851.

REV. ADIEL SHERWOOD, D. D., was born in Fort Edward, N. Y., October 3d, 1791. He was baptized in the 17th year of his age by Rev. Mr. Warrington of New York. Ife studied a season in Middlebury College, Vt., and subse- quently graduated from Union College at Schenectady. He graduated also from the Theological Seminary at Andover. After filling many important positions he was elected Presi- dent of Shurtleff College in 1840, and served the college in that capacity until 1846. He then returned south and settled in Georgia, where he remained until the close of the civil war. After the war he made his home in St. Louis, where he died August 19th, 1879, in the 88th year of his age. He was a man of very distinguished ability, a pro- found scholar, a vigorous thinker and writer, an eminent Biblical exegete, au able preacher and a noble mau.

BAPTIST MINISTERS WHOSE LABORS IN MADISON COUNTY DESERVE MENTION BUT WHO DIED ELSEWHERE.

REV ALVIN BAILEY was the first pastor of the Baptist church in the city of Alton. He was born in Westminster, Vt., Dec. 9, 1802. He joined the Baptist church when four- teen years of age. Graduated at Hamilton Literary and Theological Seminary in 1831, and soon thereafter came to this county. He opened a school in Upper Alton, which many regard as the germ of Shurtleff College. He removed to Carrollton, and became the pastor of that church. He was subsequently pastor at Winchester and Jacksonville, Ill. At the latter place he published "The Voice of Truth " and the " Western Star." From 1847 to 1853 he labored in the state of New York ; he then returned to Illinois, and was pastor of the churches at Carrollton and Rome. He died in the state of New York, May 9th, 1867. He was one of the

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best Baptist ministers that ever labored in the state of Illi- Dois

REV. ROBERT F. ELLIS, was pastor of the Baptist church in Alton from 1847 to 1853. Ile was born in Maine, Oct. 16th, 1803, and was emverted at the age of twenty and baptized Dec. 26th, 1830. In 1833 he entered the Freshman class in Bowdoin College. In June, 1834, he en- tered the Theological school at Newton, Mass., and gradua- ted in 1838. He was pastor of the Second Baptist church at Springfield, Mass., seven years. In the spring of 1845 he' en- tered the service of the American Sunday School Union, in the state of Missouri. In 1847 he became the pastor of the Alton Baptist church and served the church till 1853, with acceptance and usefulness, and then became corresponding editor of the " Western Watchman," a Baptist paper pub- lished in St. Louis. Ife died away from home and family, at the residence of Deacon Briggs in Clark county, Mo., July 24th, 1854, in the 45th year of his age. He was an ex- cellent minister, a noble man.

REV. NORMAN NELSON WOOD, D. D., was president of Shurtleff College from 1850 to 1855. He was born in Fair- fax, Vt., May Ist, 1808, and died in Jacksonville, Illinois, Jan. 21st, 1874, in the 66th year of his age. In 1835, when 27 years of age, he graduated from Middlebury College, Vt. After graduation he served for one year as principal of the Black River Academy, Vt. In 1836 he entered the depart- ment of Theology in Madison University, N. Y. In conse- quence of impaired health he did not complete the course of study intended. In 1838 he was ordained at the call of the Baptist church at Lebanon Springs, N. Y., and became pastor of that church. In 1842, he became the pastor of the church in Vicksburg, Miss. In 1845 he became pastor of the Market street church, Zanesville, Ohio. In 1850 he became President of Shurtleff college. Ile filled this position with honor until 1855, He subsequently became pastor of the church in Palmyra, Mo., and during the rebellion was chaplain in the army. His subsequent life was spent in Jacksonville, Illinois, where he pursued with ardor literary labors, and for several years filled the office of Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy and Logic in the " Young Ladies' Athenaum " of that city. Dr. Wood possessed un- usual natural abilities, was highly cultured ; a man of real scholarly attainments, he was a profound logician, thoroughly master of the science of metaphysics. His mind was quick, penetrating, analytic and comprehensive.

REV. R. E. PATTISON, D. D., was born in Benson, Vt., August 16th, 1800. He was converted at the age of twenty, and baptized at Warsaw, New York. He graduated at Amherst College in 1826. After teaching a brief period in the Academy at Amherst he became tutor in Columbian College, Washington, D C. In 1828, he became Professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in Waterville Col- 1. ge, Maine. In 1829 he was ordained as pastor of the Second Baptist Church in Salem, Mass. In 1830 he was called to the pastorate of the First Baptist Church, in Provi- dence, R. I., a position to which he was called a second time in 1840. He was twice President of Waterville College, Ilome Secretary of the Missionary Union, President of the

Western Baptist Theological Institution at Covington, Ky. Professor of Christian Theology in Newton Theological Semi- nary, Mass. In 1865, he was elected to the chair of Syste- matic Theology and History of Doctrines in Shurtleff Col- lege, which position he filled with great popularity and effi- ciency until 1869, when be resigned. The last four years of his life were spent in Chicago in connection with the University of Chicago and the Theological Seminary. He was a member of the Faculty of the Seminary at the time of his death, which occurred in St. Louis, March 21st, 1874.

Rarely, if ever has one man, filled with acceptance and honor, so many important and responsible positions as R. E. Pattison He possessed superior mental endowments. In all metaphysical questions, the clearness of his percep- tions, and the growth of his intellect gave him preeminent power, and fitted him in an eminent degree for a teacher of the highest order.

NATHANIEL MILTON WOOD, D. D. was born in Camden, Maine, May 24th, 1822. He entered Waterville College, in 1840, was baptized in 1843, soon after graduated, and went directly to Mississippi under the patronage of Gov. Tucker of that state and served as private tutor one year- In 1846. he entered the Theological Institution in Covington, Ky., uuder the charge of Dr. Pattison-He was ordained as pastor of the Bloomfield Church, Maine, in 1874. His pas- torate continued four years-followed by a pastorate of eight years at Waterville, Maine. He was pastor at Lewiston six years, at Thomaston one and a half years. In 1868, he became pastor of the Baptist church at Upper Alton, Illinois. During his pastorate he performed acceptable service, tem- porarily as a member of the Faculty of Shurtleff College. In 1872, he resigned his pastorate and accepted in the Col- lege the professorship of Systematic Theology. After an acceptable service as Professor for two years, he returned to New England. He died August 2d, 1876. In N. M. Wood, as exemplified in his character and services, we have a beautiful example of the union of rigid intellectual culture, extensive learning, the purifying influences 6f Divine grace, with great simplicity of spirit, modesty in deport- ment, urbanity in intercourse, transparency in character, and purity in life.

Though JOHN MASON PECK was never a resident of Mad- ison county, yet his labors in early days were so inseparably blended with the early religious development of the county that a brief sketch of his life seems peculiarly appropriate. He was born in the parish of Litchfield, South Farms, Conn., October 31, 1789. In the 20th year of his age, he married Miss Sarah Paine, with whom he lived in pleasant conjugal relations nearly fifty years; by whom he had seven sons and two daughters. The wife and mother preceded him to the spirit land. Shortly after marriage, himself and wife made a public profession of religion, and united with the Congregational church in his native town. Soon after he removed to Green county, N. Y. There his religious views underwent an entire change, and he and his wife united with the Baptist church. Having studied for a season with Dr. Staughton of Philadelphia, in company with Rev. James E. Welch, under the appointment of the Baptist Board of

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Missions, he and his family, in 1817, removed to the "Great West." Ile spent four years in indefatigable labors in Mis- souri, and then, in 1821, located at Rock Spring, Illinois.

He there organized a Theological and High School, which prospered for several years under his faithful superinten- dence. At one time it numbered more than one hundred students, some of our most talented ministers and some of our most distinguished politicians received their education at this institution It was subsequently merged into Shurt- leff College. His unwearied efforts in favor of Rock Spring Semiuary and of Shurtleff College, at'est the intensity of his interest in general aud in theological education.

The degree of D. D. conferred upon him by one of the oldest and most distinguished Universities of the U S, was well merited, although it evoked the jealousy of some of his less favored brethren. Hi vast store of learning, however, was the result of his own superior natural endowments, directed by his own personal efforts, unaided by money, friends or institutions of learning, if we except perhaps a single year's training under the celebrated Dr. Staughton of Philadelphia.

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History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 79

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