History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 80

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 80

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

He was, in the discharge of his ministerial duties, faith- ful, energetic and self-sacrificing. His labors were varied and extensive. His correspondence, diaries, journals, re- ports, addresses, sermons, debates and printed material, if collected, would make many volumes. He was perfectly at home in science, in politics, in statesmanship, as well as in religion. He exerted boundless influence over the Lemens, through whose influence, more perhaps than any other men, Illinois became a free state. Politicians and statesmen sought his opinions, and enjoyed his companionship.

In his manners, Dr. Peck seemed to exhibit a degree of coldness, which indicated the superiority of his intellectual over his social or affectionate nature, and yet he had a warm heart, and deeply sympathized with all in distress. He was noble, generous and charitable in disposition. He possessed an iron will that brooked no opposition, yielded to no ad- verse influence, was intimidated by no danger. He never surrendered. What he believed the cause of the Master demanded, no combination of adverse circumstances could deter him from undertaking. He was autocratic in his ten- dencies, and yet always ready to yield when convinced that principle demanded it. In the expansiveness of his Christ- jan sympathy he embraced the world. The heathen in foreign lands, the Aborigines of our own country, the slaves of the South, all alike shared his labors and enjoyed his sympathy.

The wholesome and affectionate counsel given to minis- ters and to church members will be loug remembered. The last time he ever attended public worship, he preached to his church, and closed with the words of Simeon : "Now, Lord, lettest thou thy servant depart iu peace, for mine eyes have seen thy salvation," and, bursting into a flood of tears, he took his seat.

He met the King of Terrors with undaunted courage. He gave most minute directions relative to both burial aud funeral exercises, having even procured his coffin two or three days beforehand, and inquiring if it was paid for.

His death occurred March 15, 1858. On the following day, in accordance with his own request, Rev. James Lemen preached the funeral sermon, assisted by Dr. Crowell of St. Louis, and Rev. W. F. Boyakin of Belleville. He was buried in Rock Spring Cemetery, but twenty-nine days later, his remains were removed to Bellefontaine Cemetery, St. Louis, where they remain. "They rest from their labors, and their works do follow them.""

REV. ISAAC DENISON NEWELL was born in Tinmouth, Vt., Nov. Ist, 1793. Most of his youth was spent on a farm. After reaching his majority, he engaged for a season in mer- cantile pursuits, and then entered the Christian ministry. To prepare himself for his work, he entered and graduated at Madison University, N. Y. His energy, while in college, led him to active and successful ministerial labor. He was successively pastor at Warren and Winfield, N. Y., and Danville, Vt., preaching often at other places, among which was Rutland, Vt.

At this time the richness and rapid settlement of the Mis- sissippi Valley attracted the attention of the agriculturalist, the adventurer, and the Church of Christ. Mr. Newell was eminently fitted by nature and cultivation for such a field, and was irresistibly attracted to it. In 1836 he came with his family to Illinois, and settled in Rushville, Schuyler county. Thence, after a successful pastorate of several years, he removed to Leroy. Subsequently, he was succes- sively pastor at Bloomington, Newcastle, Canton, and l'eo- ria. Iu all these places great spiritual prosperity was enjoyed. The churches increased rapidly in membership and in all the elements of power. In most of them excel- lent houses of worship were built, and the churches assumed a position which comminded the confidence and respect and secured the co-operation of the leading forces in the social and religious life of the several communities.

Iu 1847, at the urgent solicitation of the board of trustees of Shurtleff College, he resigned a pleasant and important pastorate at Peoria, removed his family to Upper Alton, and became the financial agent of the college. He brought to his work all the intensity of his energy and all the ripeness of his experience. He traveled extensively, gained friends for the college, and added largely to its financial prosperity. It was through his influence that the attention of Elijah Gove, of Quincy, was directed to the college, than whom no man in the west has given more princely donations to its funds. Leaving the service of the college, he became pas- tor of the church at Batavia, Ills., and then of Aurora, Ills. He was an enthusiastic friend and supporter of the " Amer ican Bible Union " of New York, a society devoted to the revision of the Scriptures ; and, at the close of his pastorate in Aurora, entered its service as agent. A brief period of service in this capacity was followed by the purchase of a considerable tract of land in Iowa, to which he removed, with the intention of spending the evening of his life in quiet -but God had otherwise determined.

In the winter of 1356-7, he was thrown from a sleigh, and received injuries which, it is supposed, hastened his death. He gradually but rapidly declined, and was removed to Carrollton, Ill , where he died at the residence of his son-in-

316

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

law, Rev. J. Bulkley, August 18th, 1857, in the full posses- sion of his intellectual faculties, and in the assurance of a glorious and blissful immortality.

As a preacher, he was among the very first in the state at that time. He possessed superior natural ability, and had enriched his mind by the most thorough culture then afforded. He was clear, logical, analytical, and orthodox. His sermons were direct, positive and awakening. He pos- sessed remarkable powers of adaptation to the field of labor assigned him, and remarkable power in the execution of any plan he devised. He believed in special efforts for the promotion of revivals of religion ; hundreds were converted under his ministry. He engaged in New York in what were then called "Two Days' Meetings," beginning on Friday and closing Sunday night. Extensive and wonderful dis- plays of Divine power were exhibited, and great multitudes converted. In Illinois, his services in protracted meetings were in great demand and attended almost universally with extensive aud powerful revivals. Hundreds in Peoria, Can- ton, Bloomington, Jacksonville, Springfield, Alton, Rush- ville, Leroy, Newcastle, and other places, listened to his fervent and eloquent appeals, and scores bowed to the authority of Jesus Christ, under his preaching. He was emphatically an organizer. He possessed in an eminent degree the elements of earnestness, activity, discrimination, sound judgment, united with the ability to comprehend far- reaching influences, and to grasp the forces about him, and compel them to subserve the interest to which he was di- recting his energies. Hence, in connection with the labors of Rev. Thomas Powell, the foundations of the Illinois river and McLean Associations were early laid. In the minutes of the Illinois Baptist Convention, it is declared that in 1839 he baptized one hundred converts, many of whom were the leading spirits in these associations, and have had much to do with shaping the destiny of the Baptists in Illinois. He was a man of wonderful energy. He pushed vigorously to completion every enterprise in which he engaged. Ob- stacles that would have impeded and appalled most men, only added determination to his energy, and were made sub- servient to his success.

His home was a fountain of perpetual sunshine and joy. When worn and pressed down beneath the weight of heart- crushing responsibilities, he instinctively retired within the sacred precincts of home. Home was to him the most per- fect earthly type of heaven, and he was untiring in his efforts to make it conform to the Divine ideal. His children had unbounded confidence in the piety and integrity of the father, whose efforts were seconded by one of the noblest, of Chris- tiau wives ; and in early life they all entered the church of their parents.

He was twice married-first to Miss Sarah Green, daugh- ter of Deacon Green, of Rutland, Vt., to whom he was mar- ried June 25th, 1826. She proved to be exactly adapted to his character and to the labors of his life. She possessed rare natural endowments, largely developed by intellectual culture. Her prudent foresight, wise counsel, ardent piety, heroic endurance, inflexible purpose, and domestic aptitude, contributed largely to his success, and she deserves to share

with him the honor of that success. Four children were the fruits of this marriage. The eldest, Harriet G., was for thirty years the devoted and honored wife of Rev. J. Bulk- ley, Professor in Shurtleff College. The second, George Ide, a young man of very great promise, died in Rochester University, New York, while studying for the Christian ministry. The third, Sarah J., formerly the wife of Herman G. Cole, of Chester and Upper Alton, is now the wife of Prof. J. C. C. Clarke, of Shurtleff College, a woman of wealth, culture, and Christian earnestness. The fourth, Isaac D., served his country during the rebellion, was several times promoted for his gallantry, until he passed from the rank of a private to the position of Commander of Gen. Elliott's flagship in the Mississippi Marine Brigade. He is now a worthy Baptist minister in Glenville, Nebraska. Mrs. Newell died in Upper Alton, Nov. 23, 1854. His second wife was Miss Cecilia E. Bishop, of Philadelphia. She is an intelligent Christian lady, who, since the death of her husband, has lived and still lives in Upper Alton respected, useful, and beloved.

ELDER JACOB V. RHOADS was born in Hardin county, Kentucky, March 30th, 1793. He spent his minority with his father, in the faithful discharge of his filial duties. He was converted in 1811, and in 1812 baptized into the fellowship of the Rock Creek ( nited Baptist church in Kentucky. He was licensed to preach by this church in 1821-and in 1831 ordained. In 1831 he emigrated to Illinois, and in October settled at Rhoads' Point, Macoupin county. In 1832 a church was constituted at this point, of which he he- came pastor, and retained the pastorate for 27 consecutive years ; probably the longest pastorate ever held by a Baptist minister in Illinois. He aided in the constitution of 17 churches, and at different times was pastor of 13 of them. During his life he was pastor of 17 churches. For more than fifty years his life was one of unremitting toil, self- abnegation and sacrifice for the good of others. His name was widely known, and his influence immeasurable. His ministry was peculiarly successful. He seemed exactly adapted to reach the masses, and hundreds were converted under his preaching. His leading elements of character were an inflexible purpose, and an unwavering zeal-inde- fatigable industry, and spotless integrity, tender conscien- , tiousness and unyielding devotion to principle. He was a good citizen, an affectionate husband, a tender and a loving father, a devoted Christian man. He died with armor on. Stricken down with paralysis, in 1871, at the advanced age of 78, he fell asleep. During his last hours he gave clearest evidence that the cause of Christ had the first place in his heart.

REV. AARON TRABUE was of French parentage, and born in Woodford county, Kentucky, Jan. 2d, 1793, and died in Jersey county, Illinois, December 29th, 1877, at the age of 85 years. His early life was spent on a firm. In the war of 1812 he served under William Henry Harrison for two years. He was in the cavalry service, aud engaged in many battles-one of which, on the licad waters of the Wabash was very severe. He was converted and baptized in 1810. He was licensed to preach by Mt. Gilead Baptist church in

317

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Todd county, Kentucky, January 21st, 1832, and ordained by the same church, March 23d, 1833. In 1837 he emi- grated to Illinois, and settled in Upper Alton, where be remained till 1844, when he removed to Montgomery county, and thence in 1847 to Jersey county, where he remained until his death. His field of labor embraced Logan and Todd counties, Kentucky ; Madison, Montgomery and Jer- sey counties, Illinois. We do not claim for him the highest order of talent, but he was emphatically a good man, and a good preacher. His preaching was experimental, sim- ple, hortatory and scriptural. His entire life was charac- terized by industry, integrity, conscientiousness, charity, sociability, ardent friendship, strong domestic attachment, simple, child-like faith, and conseientious devotion to the doctrines and practices of the Baptist church.

His disease was cancer on the nose, or scrofula. For long, weary months, with anxiety approaching impatience, and yet with wonderful fortitude and peaceful resignation, he awaited the summons of his Master.

BAPTIST MINISTERS NOW LIVING IN THE COUNTY.

PROF. WASHINGTON LEVERETT, LL. D , born in Brookline, Mass., Dec. 19th, 1805. Between the ages of 14 and 21, worked on a farm near Rutland, Vt. United with the First Baptist Church, Cambridgeport, Mass, soon after 21 years of age, graduated from Brown University in 1832, im- mediately afterward completed the theological course of study at Newton, Mass. Prof. of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy in Shurtleff College from 1836 to 1853, and acting President of the College, during this time from 1836 to 1841 and again from 1846 to 1849. Resigned as Pro- fessor in 1853, re-elected in 1855 and served till 1868. Since 1868 resided in Upper Alton, serving the college as Librarian, Curator, and treasurer, and most of the time Secretary of the Board of Trustees.

REV. A. A. KENDRICK, D. D., born in Ticonderoga, N. Y. Jan. 7th, 1836. After receiving his primary education he pursued a course of study in Granville Academy, Wash- ington Co., N. Y., and later entered Middlebury College, Vt., where he took a partial course, and subsequently in May 1861 graduated from Rochester Theological Seminary. I'revious to his theological studies he had studied law, been admitted to the bar, and had practiced law one year in Wisconsin and one year in St. Louis. In 1861 he became pastor of the North Baptist Church of Chicago. In Jan- uary 1875 he removed to St Louis, served one and a-half years as assistant pastor of the Second Baptist Church, and then served the Beaumont Street Baptist Church as pastor till June 1872, when he became President of Shurtleff Col- lege, a position which he still occupies.

REV. PROF. J. C. C. CLARKE, born in Providence, R. I., where he lived until seventeen years of age. He received an English education in the grammar and high schools of that city. Hle prepared himself for business by thorough education, but the purpose of his life having been entirely changed by his conversion, he joined a Baptist Church in Brooklyn, and in 1854 he commenced study for the Chris- tian ministry. He was gratuated from the University of

Rochester, N. Y., in 1859, and from Rochester Theological Seminary in 1861. From September 1861 to May 1865 he was pastor of the Baptist Church at Yonkers, N. Y. In the fall of 1865 he for one year supplied the place of the absent Prof. of Greek in the University of Chicago. In the following year he officiated as Professor in several depart- ments in the Baptist Theological Seminary of Chicago, and preached for the North Baptist Church, was pastor at Madi- son, Wis., from May 1867 to November 1870. He then be- came Professor of Intellectual and Moral Philosophy in Mt. Auburn Young Ladies' Institute, at Cincinnati, and pastor of the Baptist Church there, a little more than two years, then pastor in 1873 of the Beaumont Street Baptist Church, St. Louis. In September 1875 he accepted the Professorship of Greek in Shurtleff College, teaching also French, German, Hebrew, and Biblical Interpretation. He . still occupies this position.

REV. L. A. ABBOTT was born in Beverly, Ma-s, 1824; was converted and baptized at the age of fourteen. In early life he followed the sea. After having pursued a course of study at Worcester Academy, Mass., he made several voyages as mate and as master of a vessel. He was ordained pastor of the Baptist church in Milford, Mass., in 1855, and was pastor in that state thirteen years; was pastor at Rochester, Minn., four years; at La Crosse, Wis., seven years. He became pastor of the Baptist church in Alton in April, 1879, a position which he still holds. Before he entered the ministry he was twice elected to the Legislature of Mass., and afterward served three sessions more, making five sessions in all. He served on such committees as " Accounts," "Military Affairs," "Soldiers' Bounties," "Education," etc. He is now in the prime of life-useful, energetic and highly esteemed.

REV. J. F. HOEFFLIN was born November 13, -- , in the Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany. Came to America in March, 1857 ; was converted and baptized in New York City, in August, 1857; was educated in Rochester, N. Y. ; was ordained pastor of the First German Baptist church, of Chicago, Ill., July 16, 1868. He first came to Illinois in 1868, and to Madison county in October, 1881, as pastor of the German Baptist church in Fosterburg, a position which he occupies at present, July, 1882. Rev. T. W. B. Dawson, an aged veteran, lives at Troy. Rev. Robert Gibson is a practicing physician at Alton. There are several others living in the county.

In addition to the foregoing, a large number of Baptist ministers, some dead, others now living outside of Madison county, have performed valuable service in the cause of the Redeemer. Rev. Adiel Sherwood, formerly President of Shurtleff College, dead ; Rev. R. Kimball, dead; Rev. Elijah Dodson, dead ; Rev. J. Merriam, dead ; Rev. J. F. Tolman, dead; Rev. John Brown, dead ; Rev. John Padon, dead; Rev. L. C. Carr, dead; Rev. Dwight Ives, D. D., dead : James, Josiah, Joseph and Moses Lemen, all dead, and many others. Among those still living, but not in Madison county. Rev. D. Read. D. D., former President of Shurtleff College, now pastor at Bloomington, Ill. ; Rev J. B. Hopper, Bunker Hill; Rev. Melvin Jameson, former pastor at Alton, now

318

HISTORY OF . MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

missionary in Burmah ; Rev. Thomas G. Field, former pastor at Alton, now pa-tor at Winona, Minn. ; Rev. William J. Chapin, Rev. J. II. Mize, Rev. Luke Dillard, Rev. J. F. ; Iloward, Rev. R. Gibson, Rev. R Johnson (colored ), and many others. The extent. value and influence of these men can only be estimated by Him who knows the secrets of all hearts, and perfectly unravels the tangled web of human influence.

THE EDWARDSVILLE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION.

By invitation of the Baptist churches of Edwardsville, Rock Spring and Upper Alton a conference of ministers and brethren was held at Edwardsville October 16, and days following, 1830. The principal object of this meeting was to bring about a general union of the Baptists of the state. During the session of this conference. the Edwards- ville Baptist Association was organized by delegates from the three churches above mentioned. This was the first Baptist Association in the state of Illinois, that was open, avowed and active in its support of missions, and the various objects of benevolence. The following is its

SUMMARY OF FAITH.

The " Association thinks the following sentiments (among many others) are revealed in the Holy Scriptures, viz .; The self-existence of one infinite and Holy God, as revealed in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,-the eternal and essential deity of Christ,-the entire depravity of the human heart; the perfect purity and unalterable obligation of the divine law, that requires supreme love to God and corresponding affections to mankind-the necessity of a change of heart, or the new birth, effected by the Divine Spirit as the agent, and the word of God as the means-the duty of every sinner who hears the Gospel to repent and believe in Christ, and that a wicked heart, in which consists his helplessness is no excuse ; the perseverance of the saints; the duty of every believer to be immersed in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit-the strict and entire in- dependence of each church, or religious congregation, in all government and discipline,- the duty of every believer to conform to all the laws of Christ; our obligatiou to observe the Lord's day, or Christian Sabbath-the resurrection of the dead, and final judgment -~ with the eternal punishment of the wicked and salvation of the righteous."

The association worked under the constitution adopted at Edwardsville without change until its session at Nokomis, Oct. 4th, 1878, when it revised and enlarged its constitution. Its essential features, however, are unchanged.

At that time, however, Oct. 4th, 1878, its summary of faith was greatly enlarged and quite materially changed.

This body has been in active operation for more than half a century. Under its influence originated " The Illinois Baptist Education Society." " The Baptist Convention of Illinois " which in 1844, united at Canton, Illinois, with the North-western Baptist convention aud formed the present " Illinois Baptist General Association."

Prominent and far-seeing men then living at Rock Spring, Edwardsville and Upper Alton, looking out upon the future of

this great commonwealth, felt the pressing necessity of lay- ing broad, deep and permanent, the foundations of the Baptist faith. They planned wisely as the present prosperity of the denomination in the state now testifies. From a handful in 1830, the denomination in Illinois has increased until it now numbers 42 a-sociations, 892 churches, 938 ministers, 626 of whom are pastors. Baptized in 1881, 3,244: whole number 64,094.

In 1830, there was not iu Illinois a single association that . was progressively earnest in its support of missions, Sunday- schools, temperance, the Bible cause, ministerial education and other benevolent institutions and causes. The " Ed- wardsville Association" from the beginning, was open, avowed aud earnest in support of all the benevolent enter- prises of the day. Rock Spring Seminary and Shurtleff College had their origin and support in the active beneficence of this association.

The question of slavery was introduced in the session of 1837, was earnestly discussed and condemned, as unjust, un- scriptural aud wicked.

After the organization churches united with this body as follows :

Bluffdale, Green co., July 26th, 1833, with 32 members; Lower Alton, July 27th, 1833, with 21 members; Piasa (Brighton) July 25th, 1834, with 11 members; Carlinville, May 22J, 1835, with 10 members; Woodburn, May 20th, 1856, with 18 members; Shoal Creek, May 20th, 1836, with 17 members; St. Charles, Mo., May 20th, 1836, with 10 members ; Greenville, with 16 members ; Forks of Wood River, with 16 members ; and Paddock's Prairie with 9 mem- bers ; May 25th, 1837 ; Hillsborough, May 22d, 1840, with 22 members ; Bunker Hill, May 21st, 1841, with 25 mem- bers ; Providence ( near Chouteau Island) May 26th, 1843, with 9 members ; Spanish Needle prairie, May 24th, 1844, with 27 members; Greenville, May 26th, 1848, with 19 members; a new church organized July 4th, 1847, the old church having disappeared from the minutes in 1845 ; Rat- tan's Prairie, Sept. 25th, 1849, with 13 members; New Hope with 65 members, and Bethlehem with 24 members, May 23d, 1851; Staunton, with 63 members, and Union, Bond co , with 14 members, May 23d, 1853; New Salem, with 23 members, Sept. 22d, 1864; Litchfield, with 15 members, Sept. 25th, 1856; Marine Prairie, with 29 members and Walnut Grove, Bond county with 34 members, Sept. 25th, 1857; Nokomis, with 8 members, Sept. 24th, 1858; Butler, with 12 members, Sept. 23d, 1859 ; Nilwood, with 17 mem- bers, Oct. 13th, 1866 ; Shipman,;with 16 members, Oct. 12th, 1867 ; Milton, with 37 members, Oct 8th, 1869; Pleasant Grove, Christian co., with 12 members, Oct. 11th, 1872; Hillsborough (a new church ), with 16 members and Foster- burg (German) with 88 members, Sept. 29th, 1876 ; Beth- alto, with 47 members, Oct. 3d, 1879; Union Avenue, Litchfield, with 62 members, Sept. 30th, 1881.

The above are the dates of the first admission of these churches. Many of them after several years became too weak to report by letter or messenger and were dropped from the minutes, others disappeared for a season and again returned, others, still, took letters of dismission and united with

319

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

other associations. In one or two instances as in Edwards- ville and Hillsborough, the church became extinet, and after several years reorganized. The Providence church on the American Bottom was dispersed by the flood of 1844. The Rock Spring church disbanded between the sessions of the association in 1849 and 1850.

It will thus be seen that 47 churches, including the three constituent churches, have been members of this body. The first church whose membership reached 100 was the Upper Alton eburch. In 1838, it reported 46 baptisms, 41 received by letter and a membership of 132. In 1841, Alton city reached a membership of 108. In the year 1864, Upper Alton reached a membership of 200. In 1870 Alton re- ported a membership of 238 and Upper Alton of 220. From this time Alton leads, steadily growing in member- ship until its greatest number was reached in 1879: 319. The greatest number attained by the Upper Alton church was in 1880, when it reported 289. These are the strongest churches in the association.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 80

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