History of McDonough County, Illinois, together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of the representative citizens, Part 48

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1150

USA > Illinois > McDonough County > History of McDonough County, Illinois, together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of the representative citizens > Part 48

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Thus we see, as early as 1562, the Hugenots, finding the practice of their religious belief in France impossible, settling Carolina's shores for no other purpose than to carry out this one pre- eminent trait of human character-free-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

dom, at least for one's own religion; then, for like reasons, the Pilgrim Fathers taking up their abode on New England's rock-bound coast; then the Calverts and their followers, fleeing from the ban in England, are found in 1634, peopling Maryland, and taking up again, where it was broken off in their native land, the thread of their religion; and lastly, in our retrospect, we can see the Quakers, that peaceful sect, unable to worship in their quiet fashion at home, following the guidance of William Penn,and settling on that pleasant Penn- sylvania grant which his foresight and wisdom had provided for them in the promised land-the new world. And is it any wonder that at this later day, and in this land of freedom, the descendants of those people still hold an elevated opin- ion of that for which their ancestors fought and bled, suffering the afflictions of martyrdom and banishment? Right here, among our own people, with all the rough edges of conflicting creeds worn away by the contact of years, it is not difficult to note the fact that a man's re- ligion, or the want of it, is the underly- ing trait of his character, if his senti- ments be fully aroused on that point.

So, mindful of this fact, in giving the ecclesiastical history of McDonough county, it will be the endeavor to treat of each sect independently, instituting no comparisons, but showing historical events as they occurred, and leaving it to the reader to draw his own conclusions and inferences. -

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF MACOMB.

The following excellent sketch of the history of this church, was prepared

for Clarke's "History of McDonough county," by Rev. Josiah Moore, at that time the pastor of the church. We make no apology for presenting it here, as it contains the whole matter.

The Presbyterian church of Macomb was the first of this body, and was or- ganized June 9, 1832, two years after the county seat was located at Macomb, then a wild prairie.

As evidence that the hardships of the wilderness did not bleach the "true blue" Presbyterians, it is said that Rev. Romulus Barnes, then presiding at Lewistown, proposed to assist in the or- ganization, but some objected because they feared he was not sound in the faith; and so they sent to Morgan county for Rev. William J. Frazer. Here, no doubt, is the first step which resulted afterward in the church becom- ing Old school.

The organization took place in the old log court house that stood near the north- east corner of the square. The follow- ing are the names of the original mem- bers, five men and nine women: Thomas and Jane Grant, Alexander Campbell and wife, John and Jane Harris, Patsey Naylor, Elizabeth Anderson, Ruth Wil- son, Jane and Mahala Campbell, San- ders Campbell and wife, and Margaret Walker. The first elders were John Harris, Thomas Grant, Alexander Camp- bell and Sanders Campbell. This church at first included the fields now occupied by the prosperous churches at Camp Creek, Bardolph, Ebenezer and Good Hope, all of which are from six to eight miles distant.

Services were held in the log court house until 1834, when the first brick

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HISTORY. OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

court house was erected in the center of the square. This was used until a church building was erected, which was in 1835, or 1836, and on the site of the present edifice, on East Carroll street. This was a brick building, which in a few years had become so small that it was removed and a frame building erected, which was first occupied Janu- ary 10, 1853, at three o'clock P. M. In 1867, this house was enlarged and re- modelled at a cost of $700, and in 1870, the entire structure was rebuilt and en- larged to its present dimensions, at a cost of $4,458. The building is a frame, built in Gothic style, with two spires, one on each of the front corners; it is entered by a vestibule, in the center of the front end. A very good bell, weigh- ing 900 pounds, hangs in the main spire, which rises from the southwest corner. The audience room is neat and commo- dious, well furnished and tastefully fres- coed, and is capable of seating about 400 persons. The value of the church structure is $8,000, and the value of the parsonage, which is located on East Jackson street, about $1,600.

For want of documents we can only give statistics from 1865, or for about one-fourth of the church's existence. The membership in 1866, was 200. Since, 175 have united on profession and 120 by certificate. Removals and deaths leave the present membership 300.' Adults baptized, 41; infants, 80. Contributions as follows : home mis- sions, $746; foreign missions, $715; edu- cating ministers, $526; publishing and colporter work, $185; building churches, $370; disabled ministers and their fami- lies, $180; freedman's mission, $82;

sustaining permanent pastorates, $54; commissions to assembly, $163; con- gregational work-pastor's salary, sex- ton, repairs, etc., $20,052 ; miscellane- ous-American bible society, Sabbath school union, public charities, etc., $1,629. Total, $24,703, or an average of $2,245.73 per year.

About a year after the organization, Rev. W. J. Frazer became stated supply for this and other points in the county until 1836, when Rev. William K. Stew- art, of Vandalia, Illinois, was called as pastor. Mr. Frazer, and some of the people not satisfied with this move, at- tempted to get up a rival organization, but after a year or so, the effort failed.

Mr. Stewart remained as pastor until his death, which occurred on the 19th day of April, 1852; aged 52 years. He was a man of noble worth; an able min- ister of the gospel; a devout christian, and a valuable citizen. During the last year or two of Mr. Stewart's ministry, and owing to failing health, he was as- sisted by Rev. Ralph Harris, a professor in McDonough college, who, after the death of Mr. Stewart, became stated . supply, and September 17, 1853, was elected pastor, at a salary of $500 per year. He resigned the pastorate Janu- ary 20, 1855, and Rev. Ithamar Pills- bury, president of McDonough college, was elected stated supply March 7, 1855, and February 23, 1856, he was elected pastor, at a salary of $700 a year. April 10, 1859, he resigned the pastorate, but acceded to the request of the session May 2, to remain as stated supply till the election of a successor, which took place January 25, 1860, when Robert F. Taylor was elected as stated supply.

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

Mr. Pillsbury returned to Andover, Illinois, the first field of his labors in the west, where, after a short illness, and on the 20th day of April, 1862, he died, being in the 68th year of his age.

Mr. Taylor, failing in health, resigned before the close of the year. In 1862 he went out as chaplain of the 78th Illinois infantry. In January, 1861, Rev. Joseph Warren, D. D., was elected stated supply on a salary of $800. Mr. Warren had returned from the foreign mission work in India. Rev. John H. Woods was en- gaged as stated supply November 5, 1862. October 29, 1863, Mr. Nesbitt was chosen stated supply. He commenced his labors about the first of February, 1864, but was soon elected pastor at a salary of $800, and installed May 28th. April 11th, 1868, his salary was fixed at $1,000 per . year and a parsonage.

Rev. Peter Hathaway K. McComb, of Bloomfield, Pennsylvania, was chosen pastor February 28, 1870, at a salary of $1,000. He resigned May 11, 1873, and on the 18th of May, Dr. J. Jamieson, by the direction of the presbytery, preached and declared the pulpit vacant. June 1, 1873, Rev. J. Moore, of Canton, Illinois, occupied the pulpit for the first time, and June 16, he was chosen stated sup- ply, and October 2, 1874, was chosen pastor with a salary of $1,000 and the use of the parsonage.

S. T. Davis was the next pastor, who was succeeded by Rev. H. S. Beavis. The following are the present officers of the church: A. Blackburn, William Hunter, J. E. Wyne, J. H. Provine, M. H. Case and J. H. Cummings, elders; O. F. Piper, A. P. Wetherhold, H. R. Bar- tleson, J. H. Fuhr and G. W. Bailey,

deacons; Geo. Reid, J. B. Venard and John McElrath, trustees.

The Sabbath school attached to the Presbyterian church of Macomb, has an average attendance of 150. A. P. Weth- erhold is the superintendent. It was or- ganized at the same time that the church was, and has a continuous existence ever since, a creditable showing that manifests the interest of the congrega- tion in this "nursery" of the church.

Rev. Horatio S. Beavis, the present pastor of the Presbyterian church, at Macomb, is a native of Canada, born at Guelph, in 1848. He came to the United States during the year 1857, and since then has made it his home. He entered the ministry in 1870, the first four years being connected with the Methodist Episcopal communion, but at the expir- ation of that time he transferred his al- legiance to the Presbyterian church. He has been pastor of churches at Vermont, Peoria and El Paso, prior to coming to this place, whither he was called in Oc- tober, 1883. Mr. Beavis is a highly ed- ucated, intelligent gentleman, a most consistent christian, and a zealous worker in his Master's vineyard. The church, under his fostering care, is in a flourish- ing condition, and largely attended, both by the members of the congregation, and strangers in the city. He was united in marriage at Hamilton, Canada, October 20, 1881, with Emma Young, of that city.

BUSHNELL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

[By A. H. McGahan.]

The first organization of Presbyterians occurred in 1856, but as the records are not at hand, the exact date of the formal organization of the church can not be

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

stated. The minutes of Schuyler pres- bytery (O. S.) show that at the meeting at Monmouth, October 14, 1856, "a peti- tion from certain persons residing in Bushnell and vicinity, for the organiza- tion of a church, wasread, when, on mo- tion, Revs. J. C. King and Thompson, and Elder S. H. McCandless were ap- pointed to organize said church, if the way be clear, and report at the next meeting of the presbytery." At Mt. Sterling, April 3, 1857, "the committee nominated to organize a church at Bush- nell, reported that two of the members met on the day appointed, and organized a church at that place with thirteen members and two ruling elders." At North Henderson, October 17, 1859, the minutes of the presbytery show that "the church at Bushnell, having become extinct, was, stricken from the rolls. It seems that by the advice of certain members of the presbytery, the strug- gling church resolved to abandon their organization, and cast in their lot with the Reformed church, which was organ- ized the same year, as both churches would be very weak if separate organi- zations were kept in the field. This state of things continued till the spring of 1868, when it was deemed expedient by a number of Presbyterians, already con- nected with the Reformed church, and others, who had not been connected with any Bushnell church, to again attempt the organization of a Presbyterian church, believing that there was an "open door" for the new church to enter in, and do service in the Master's vine- yard. Accordingly, a petition was sent to the spring meeting of the presbytery of Warren (O. S.), at Monmouth, asking

for such an organization. This petition was signed by about thirty persons, most of whom were at that time members of the Reformed church. The presbytery appointed a committee, consisting of Rev. R. C. Matthews, D. D., of Mon- mouth; Rev. C. Leavenworth, Rev. George Norcross, of Galesburg, and Elders Wier, of Monmouth, and Jack- son, of Galesburg, to visit the field and organize a church, "if the way be clear." The first two members of this committee have since gone to their reward, and the third is now pastor of the church in Car- lisle, Pennsylvania. The committee was composed of exceptionally strong, pru- dent, cautious, devoted men, who sur- veyed well the surroundings, and de- cided that the Master's cause would un- doubtedly be advanced by the organiza- tion of the new church.

April 25, 1868, was the day appointed for the formal organization. The meet- ing was held in the Baptist church, which was rented for one year-to be used Sabbath afternoons, and at such other times as not needed by their own people. Twenty-one persons presented a certificate in a body from the Reformed church, of Bushell, and seven from other Presbyterian churches, making twenty- eight in all.

The church building was dedicated August 29, 1869, the dedication sermon being preached by Rev. J. T. Magill, then of Lewistown, Illinois. The church property originally cost about $7,000. During the fall of 1882, $1,000 was spent in repainting, replastering, papering, &c, and the next year a neat and convenient lecture room was added at a cost of $725.

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

The church has had five pastors- Rev. R. T. McMahon, of the Wythe church, in Hancock county, was first in- vited to take charge of the church. He continued stated supply for two years, his services ending September 1, 1870. After a vacancy of a few months, Rev. Matthew Bigger, of Hamilton, Illinois, was called to the pastorate, and he re- mained until called up higher by the Master he served-falling dead in his study, December 21, 1872. Rev. Thomas Stephenson, of Farmington, Illinois, as- sumed charge of the church April 1, 1873, and remained its pastor until May 1, 1877. The church was without a pas- tor until January 1, 1878, when Rev. S. H. Parvin, of New Salem, Illinois, be- came pastor, and remained until April 1, 1884. On the 1st day of September, 1884, the present pastor, Rev. Harold J. Frothingham commenced his labors in this field. The reverend gentleman was a licentiate when he took charge of the church, and at a called meeting of the presbytery of Schuyler, December 10, 1885, was ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry, and installed pastor of the church.

The original board of ruling elders, or church session consisted of Robert A. Adams, Robert Rea, Robert M. Scott and A. H. McGahan. John C. Cadwal- ader was added to the session May 7, 1871, R. W. Wheeler December 7, 1873, and W. A. Posey December 14, 1873. Mr. Posey was dismissed September 21, 1881, with three others to assist in forming the new Presbyterian church of Walnut grove. The session now con- sists of Robert A. Adams, John C. Cad- walader, R. W. Wheeler and A. H.

McGahan. The following brethren were elected. deacons May 18, 1873: D. A. McDonald, Wm. Tiedrick, F. M. Deuel and R. W. Wheeler. In August, 1876, W. R. Fowler was added to the board. November 2, 1879, the following addi- tional deacons were elected: Richard Hire, B. F. Pinkley and Frank Sample. Messrs. Deuel and Fowler have removed from Bushnell, and Mr. Wheeler trans- ferred to the board of elders, leaving the other brethren named as the present board of deacons. June 29, 1868, the first board of trustees was elected as follows: R. M. Scott, Joseph Neff and A. H. McGahan. The present board consists of J. C. Cadwalader, D. A. Mc- Donald and A. H. McGahan.

The Sabbath school was organized in the fall of 1869, as soon as the new church was occupied. A. H. McGahan was the first superintendant and cashier, and has been re-elected each year since. The present membership is about 175. The present membership of the church is 150, death and removals having been almost equal to the present membership. The original membership consisted of the following persons: * John W. Adams, +Mrs. Minerva F. Adams, Robert A. Adams, Mrs. Carolina Adams, ¡Priscilla Adams, Mrs. Carrie Anderson, ¡D. H. Bodine, ¡Mrs. Harriet S. Bodine, ¡Mrs. Maria C. Hesler, A. H. McGahan, Mrs. Alice W. McGahan, Mrs. Eliza A. Mc- Gahan, +Mrs. Lydia A. Moore, *Joseph Neff, Mrs. Mary Neff, +Mrs. Jennie Odell, *Robert Rea, *Mrs. Hannah Rea, Frank Sample, Mrs. Rebecca Sam- ple, ¡R. M. Scott, Mrs. A. K. Scott, ¡Mrs. E. A. Sieber, Mrs. Elizabeth J. Sperry, Wm. Tiedrick, *Mrs. C. Tied-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

rick, +H. S. Wells, Mrs. Frances Wells. Those marked * are deceased-those marked f have removed, leaving only 12 of the original members still on the roll of the church.

The church property cost in the neighborhood of $7,000, and is generally regarded as the neatest church in Bush- nell; it was erected under the superin- tendency of F. A. Cooley. The plaster- ing was done by Shafer & Kuhn; the painting by Adams, Barrett & Travis; the frescoing by Jevin & Almini, of Chicago, and the stained glass windows by Geo. A. Misch & Bro., of the same city.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, GOOD HOPE.

At the fall 'meeting, in 1868, of the Presbytery of Warren, a committee was appointed, consisting of Rev. R. C. Mat- thews, D. D., Rev. R. T. McMahan, and Ruling Elder, M. Lichenthale, to visit Good Hope and organize a church, if the way be clear. Accordingly, said com- mittee, except the elder, met at Good Hope, January 30, 1869, and after a ser- mon by Rev. McMahan, the chairman stated the object of the meeting. After consultation the committee proceeded to organize the church. There were re- ceived . as follows: From the Shiloh Presbyterian. church-James A. McClel- land, Mary C. McClelland, Warren S. Bruce, James M. Hummer, Helen Ann Hummer, David Campbell, Mrs. Winni- fred Campbell, Ebenezer Campbell and Mrs. E. Duel; from the church at Ma- comb were the following-Joseph Rol- lins, Mrs. Harriet Rollins, Mrs. Jane M. Painter, Miss I. Ella Rollins, Aaron Bennett, and Mrs. Rosella Bennett;

from the Cumberland Presbyterian church at Walnut Grove-Mrs. Rebecca Brawdy, Miss Catherine Brawdy and Mrs. Matilda Morris. J. A. McClelland and Aaron Bennett were elected ruling elders, Joseph Rollins and J. M. Hum- mer, deacons; F. Cruzer, clerk and treasurer. In the fall of 1869 he was elected ruling elder, but was not in- stalled. Rev. Thomas M. Hench was the first stated supply, and was subse- quently chosen pastor, but was not in- stalled. He was succeeded by Rev. A. F. Ashley, who supplied the church about two years, commencing in 1870. In December, 1873, Rev. I. T. Whitte- more, took charge of the church, and in October, 1874, was installed pastor. The present pastor, Rev. L. C. Littel, of Rushville, holds services every two weeks. The present officers of the church are John Cochran, Allan Walker, W. J. Edie and P. Van Pelt, elders; M. H. Bush, J. A. Cochran and J. A. Brown deacons; J. A. Brown, A. A. Walker and W. J. Edie, trustees; P. Van Pelt, clerk.

The system of rotary eldership was adopted in December, 1875. The church edifice was erected in 1869, and is located on block one, lot six. It is a good frame structure, 40x60 feet in ground area, and cost about $4,000, with a seating capac- ity of about 300. There is also a Sun- day-school in connection with the church.

CAMP CREEK PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The first services held by the Presby- terians in this locality was during the year 1832, and were held in log cabins, barns or in the open air. In 1839,

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

measures were taken to organize a church, which met with the success the subject deserved. At the request of the members of the Macomb church, resid- ing on Camp Creek, the Schuyler pres- bytery appointed the Revs. William K. Stewart and Samuel Wilson to organize the church. In pursuance of this they called a meeting, and on the 25th of May, they met at the barn of Joseph McCroskey, and the congregation organ- ized with the following members :- Saunders W. Campbell, Cynthia Camp- bell, Mary Jane Campbell, John W. Walker, Catherine Walker, Jane Til- ford, Jane Walker, Sarah Scott, Wil- liam Scott, Walton Scott, Allen Walker, Amelia Walker, John Clark, Nancy Clark, Hugh McLary, Elizabeth McLary, Har- riet McLary, William McLary, Alexan- der Provine, Jane Walker, George Provine, Mary Provine, Mary McCros- key, Mary Walker, Maria Walker and Samuel McKamy.

On organization, Saunders W. Camp- bell, John Clark and Alexander Pro- vine were elected ruling elders. Session then met and was constituted with prayer by the Rev. James Staffort, moderator. David Watson and Jane, his wife, pre- sented letters and applied for member- ship, and were enrolled among the original members of the church, as were Samuel G. and Jane Henderson. On the 10th of November, following, Alex- ander Provine was appointed clerk of the session.

At a meeting held in January, 1843, it was determined to invite Rev. J. M. Hoge to preach to them, which invita- tion he complied with, in the March fol- lowing, and was then called to the pul-

pit, to devote one-half of his time. He was installed ou the first Thursday in October, 1843. At a meeting held at the cabin of Joseph Walker, on the 12th of January, 1843, it was agreed to build a house of worship, 30x35 feet in size on the ground, and 12 feet high in the clear. One acre of ground was donated for a site by Joseph McCroskey. The build- ing was to be erected by subscription, but on account of lack of money, most of the subscribers paid in labor or mate- rial. It was almost entirely built of native lumber. Basswood logs were then split and legs put into them and they were put into the house for seats. The hardware used in the construction was a donation from the two merchants of Macomb, W. W. Bailey and N. P. Tinsley. The members furnished wheat, which was taken to Rushville, by John Clark, and traded for stoves to warm the house. In this house the presbytery of Schuyler held its regular session, in 1844. In 1846, Rev. Mr. Hoge removed to Arkansas, leaving the pulpit vacant. The first Sabbath School was organized in this church in 1844, by E. Spring. On the removal of Mr. Hoge, the church was supplied by Rev. James M. Chase, and in 1847, by Rev. William K. Stewart. In January, 1848, Rev. James M. Chase was employed to supply the church three-fourths of the time, and continued to do so until November, 1851.

The congregation and membership having increased largely, in 1850 an ad- dition 12 feet wide and 35 feet long on the west side of the building was erected. November 1, 1851, Rev. William F. Fer- guson was employed as pastor. On the 27th of September, 1857, the congrega-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

tion extended a call to Rev. C. Leaven- worth, at a salary of $550, with a par- sonage and stable on a lot containing three acres. The parsonage was then built, on his accepting. It was a neat, comfortable building containing six rooms, and had on the same lot a good stable. Mr. Leavenworth was installed pastor of the church on the 29th of Octo- ber, 1857. This year the church deter- mined to elect deacons instead of trust- ees, and Robert McNair, Alexander McLary and James C. Watson were the first elected. In 1859, Rev. Joseph Platt succeeded Mr. Leavenworth. Dur- ing his ministry a schism arose in the church, that for a time threatened the integrity of the congregation, but was finally adjusted by a portion of the mem- bers withdrawing and forming a new congregation. In 1861, the present church edifice was built, on section 27, Scotland township, at a cost of $1,800. It is 36x48 feet in ground area. The The old one was sold for $40.

It is beneath the dignity of history to descend to an account of the squabbles that will often arise in any body of peo- ple; suffice it to say, that the contest which arose in the church commenced in a dispute over the site of the proposed new church building, fomented by over- zealous partisans of both factions. Some forty-two members separated from this church. After the separation, the first elders of Camp Creek church were John G. McGaughy, Alexander McMillan and Cyrus Walker. The latter gentleman was soon after chosen clerk. Rev. James G. Bliss was elected as stated supply, to succeed Mr. Platt, at a meeting held May 10, 1863, and nearly a year later, on

the 3d of April, 1864, the church decided on calling that gentleman as pastor, which was accordingly done. At this time the church had in full communion some 67 members. Mr. Bliss remained in the pastoral relation with this church until May, 1866, when he was succeeded by Rev. John Giffen. Under his minis- trations the church throve and grew, so that in 1868, there were 72 members in communion, although it had but 50 when he came here. He remained until Octo- ber, 1869, when, he was succeeded by Rev. W. H. Goodeson, who remained about one year, and was succeeded by Rev. P. W. Thompson, who entered upon his labors as stated supply, September 1, 1870. He was duly elected pastor April 2, 1871, and fulfilled that office until the fall of 1875. On the 7th of November of that year, Rev. J. G. Condit became the stated supply, and afterwards became the regular pastor. In the latter part of 1879, he removed elsewhere, and for a short time the church was without a minister; but on the 1st of December, 1880, Rev. B. Wall entered upon his du- ties as stated supply, and closed his . labors November 18, 1883. He was succeeded by Rev. D. G. Bruce, Janu- ary 13, 1884, who is the present incum- bent of the pastorate.

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History of McDonough County, Illinois, together with sketches of the towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent individuals, and biographies of the representative citizens, Part 48

Author: Publication date: 1885 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co. Number of Pages: 1150

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1150