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 51

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 51

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

the following gentlemen, a board of trus- tees to urge the matter: Henry Meiser, George Ludwig, Michael Miller, Andrew Ludwig and Henry Bertz. They at once set to work and before cold weather set in had the church in which they now meet, erected and finished. It is of frame, 25x40. Rev. Mr. Hehner was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. C. Johnson, and he by Rev. John Saiser. There is now a membership of 60, in full communion, under the ministration of Rev. John C. Rapp, the present pas- tor, and a great good is wrought by their work in the community. The present officers are: Henry Rogers, elder; C. Nessel, deacon; C. Goeppinger, John Oblander and Frank Kramer, trustees. There is a flourishing Sabbath school in connection with the church, which was organized at the same time as the church, with Michael Miller as its first superin- tendent. The present membership is about 70, with C. Nessel as superintend- ent, and John Oblander as secretary.

Jacob Miller, former pastor of the German M. E. church at Bushnell, was a native of Clayborn, Alsace, born Janu- ary 13, 1815. When he was small his parents died, leaving him under the guardianship of his grandparents. He was brought up under religious influ- ences, and when his grandfather died. the latter asked Jacob to lead a good life. In his 17th year he came to New York. He was married in 1835 to Mag- dalena Walter. Two years after that he · came west, stopping at Quincy, Illinois. There he joined the Lutheran church in 1843. He afterward joined the Congre- gational church, but finally became con- nected with the Methodist Episcopal

church. In 1848 he obtained license to preach. Two years later he was sent to Pekin, Illinois. There he remained one year. In 1850 he went to Jackson, Mis- souri, where he remained two years. His next appointments were Alton, Red Bud, then Staunton, Vandalia and Highland, Illinois. His health failed him in 1857, and he was superannuated. He then retired to his farm, where he lived seven years. He next took up religious work near Staunton. In 1860 he had charge at Alton. In 1868, he had charges at Alton, Vandalia and Staunton. Thence he came to Bushnell, this county, where he was stationed and built a house. He was sent out again in 1869, and worked in Petersburg one year. He was then sent to Bushnell again, where he worked in the Lord's vineyard six months, before his death occurred. A few days before he died he talked about his soul's con- dition. The maiden name of the wife whom he left behind was Magdelena Walter. The names of their children were-Jacob and Joshua and the wife of Henry Rogers. The funeral services of Rev. Miller were held in the Ameri- can M. E. church at Bushnell, conducted by Rev. David Huene. .

INDUSTRY METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

This society was organized by Rev. E. Montgomery in 1855, with the following members: John Reed and wife, Henry Robeley and wife, M. Merrick and wife, Mrs. Vance, Fannie Bridges and Polly Shannon. The church edifice is situated on the northeast corner of Main and Sullivan streets. It is a frame building, and is 32x50 feet in ground area. Before the church building had reached com-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

pletion, Rev. John Wiarson preached to the congregation. The edifice was dedi- cated, in July, 1866, by Rev. Reuben Andrews, of Quincy. It cost about $2,000. The first trustees were: J. C. McLetton, J. W. Leach, . M. Merrick, John Blazer and B. F. Botchlett:

LINN GROVE M. E. CHURCH, WALNUT GROVE TOWNSHIP.

This society was organized in Septem- ber, 1865, by Rev. Peter Warner, in the grove in Jesse Hageman's dooryard. The following were among the original members: Jesse Hageman, William M. Hageman, Samuel Arthur and wife, Asa J. Tiger and wife, Thomas Foster. Asa J. Tiger was the first class leader. The church house stands on the northeast corner of section 24, and was erected in 1868, at an outlay of $2,400. It is a good frame building, 32 feet wide' by 48 feet long. The first pastor was Rev. M. C. Bowlin, while the present minister is Rev. J. N. Clarke. They only have a membership of 22 at present, but have numbered as high as 92 members. The present officers are: Amanda Chidster, leader; Asa J. Tiger and Mrs. Porter, stewards; A. Chidster, A. J. Tiger, J. O. Porter, Clinton Gossard and Mary J. George, trustees.

GOOD HOPE M. E. CHURCH.

Good Hope was formerly a part of Blandinsville circuit, but in the fall of 1878 Good Hope circuit was organized. It is composed of Stickle's, Linn Grove, Burnsville, Maple Grove and Spring Creek. The succession of pastors are: G. W. Miller, S. P. James, David Lasker and the present minister, V. C. Ran-

dolph. The church building was first erected one mile northwest of the village, but when the town was started, it was removed to its present location at Good Hope. Upon its removal it was thor- oughly repaired, the steeple constructed and a bell purchased; it is now valued at about $2,500. The parsonage is well located on a good lot in the village, and is valued at $800. The membership at present numbers 55, and about 145 in the entire charge.

M. E. CHURCH, CHALMERS TOWNSHIP

The building used by this denomina- tion is situated on the southwest quarter of section 14, and was completed in July 1872 by the Methodist and Lutheran societies of this township, who erected and own it jointly. The size of the building is 28x40 feet; it was completed at a cost of $1,600. The Methodist con- gregation was organized by Rev. Lyman B. Kent, in July, 1872. The first mem- bers were: John Saffell and wife, Sam- uel Scroggs and wife, George A. Cover and wife, Mrs. Saul, Mrs. William Bar- rett, Duncan Lyons and wife, Nathaniel Dicker and wife. The ministers who have presided over the church are: Revs. James, Head, Freland, Frizzell and Bow- lan. The present pastor is Rev. Tullis, of Macomb, who preaches every other Sabbath. The present membership numbers about 30. S. A. Cover is class leader.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, OF TEN- NESSEE.

The first meetings of this denomina- tion held in the neighborhood of Ten- nessee, were at the residence of James

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

Fulkerson, near Hill's Grove, in 1832. This locality is known as "Old Metho- dist Stamping Grounds." These meet- ings were held by missionaries, Rev. Carter, Levi Springer and Henry Sum- mers. In 1851, a society was organized south of Tennessee, at what was called the brick school house. The Revs. James Taylor, J. P. Brooks, William Smith, and J. B. Quinby, served as preachers.

The following are the names of the original members: John Jarvis, Mrs. Jarvis, Garrett Jarvis, William Delay, Absolam' Parker, Mary Parker, C. L. Davis, Maria Davis, William Clayton, Louisa Clayton, L. C. Bacon, Honor Bacon, Lewis Mourning, Ann Mourning, and Sarah Lawyer.

After a few years, the society was transferred from the Macomb district to that of Blandinsville, and the following ministers preached to this little flock, during the succeeding years: Revs. Joseph Cummings, G. W. Erwin, James Cowden, John Beard, B. E. Kaufman, and H. Presson.

In 1857, the class at the school house was moved to Tennessee, and about the same time the class at Hill's Grove, also, moved to the same place, both uniting, Rev. B. E. Kaufman preaching the first · sermon there in the school house. The church is now a part of the Colchester work, and is presided over by the minis- ter of the latter place.

The church structure was erected in in 1864, under the supervision of John McElroy, William Clayton, and William Latimer, building committee. It is a good frame building, 28x40 feet, and cost $2,000.

The first trustees were John McElroy, William Clayton, J. Jarvis, William Latimer, and Thomas Fulkerson.

ROCK CREEK METHODIST CHURCH, HIRE TOWNSHIP.

The congregation, which is known by the above appellation, was duly organ- ized during the year 1850, with some 22 members, among whom were several members of the Hainline family. These met in the various school houses in the district, in the vicinity, until 1875, when they erected the neat church building, which they now occupy, on the south -* west quarter of section 17, in Hire town- ship. This edifice, which is 30x46 feet in size, was put up at an expense of $2,000, and is substantially built, and well furnished.

FRIENDSHIP M. E. CHURCH, TENNESSEE TOWNSHIP.

This is among the oldest religious or- ganizations of the county. As early as 1833, Rev. Cord, a missionary, preached to the congregation at the house of John Hunt, now owned by John J. Kirk. During the winter of 1835-36, a class was organized at the house of John® Kirk, by Rev. Carter, and services were held there for about two years, when a school house was erected on section 5, where their church now stands. The house was a small affair, 16x20 feet in size, of frame construction, and was used by this denomination until it was replaced by the present church, which was erected by the society in the spring, or early summer, of 1852. It is 30x40 in dimensions, and has a seating capac- ity of 250 persons. The lumber for the

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

building was cut and sawed on Crooked Creek, in Hancock county, some six miles distant. The original members were Robert and Nancy Cook, Mrs. Penny and daughter, Esther Hunt, Malinda Hunt, Mr. Justice and wife, John and James Hammer, John and Nancy Kirk, John and Margaret Lyon, Vandever Banks and wife, James Ren- ' shaw and wife. Mrs. Banks is probably the only surviving member of the little band, who assisted in the organization of this society. The ground on which the church stands, was deeded to the society by Dodson Siebalds, for a Methodist camp meeting ground, and originally consisted of two acres, but in 1874, John B. Eakel deeded half an acre for ceme- tery purposes. The first camp meeting held in the Military Tract was at Friend- ship, in 1833. People came from Quincy, Jacksonville, Beardstown, Burlington, and other points equally distant. The present pastor of the church is H. C. Cady, of Colchester, who preaches every two weeks. The membership at present numbers about 30, with the following officers: Arthur Chapman, George and Clarence Bartlett, R. W. Lyon, Sherman Kirk, trustees; Sherman Kirk and Clar- ence Bartlett, stewards.

MAPLE GROVE METHODIST CHURCH, EMMET TOWNSHIP.

This society was organized about the year 1850, and for many years worshiped in the groves, and school houses, in primative style. In 1865, they erected a neat, substantial church edifice on the northeast quarter of section 19, Emmet township. The building is 26x50 feet in ground area, and cost in the neighbor-

hood of $2,500. Among many of those who have been prominently identified with this church, have been Eli Murray, B. F. and G. G. Guy, James Griffith and D. T. and J. C. Guy.

MOUND CHAPEL METHODIST CHURCH, MOUND TOWNSHIP.

This society was organized in 1854, at the residence of E. Dyer, with eight or ten members. They continued to wor- ship in the dwellings of the members, school houses, etc., until in 1868, when they erected the church edifice which they now own. This is 35x55 feet in size upon the ground, and was built at an expense of $3,200. It is situated upon the northwest quarter of section 22, of Mound township. The building is a handsome, substantial frame, and the site and its surroundings are truly beautiful. Prominent among its mem- bers have been John Holmes, Joseph Melvin, J. Gardner, Edward Mitchell, Amos Hippskey, Ross Manly, J. Manly, Cyrus Head, A. Flemming, John and Isaac Sheely and William Anderson.

PLEASANT GROVE METHODIST CHURCH OF INDUSTRY TOWNSHIP.

A church with the above title is located upon the northeast quarter of section 26. The edifice was erected in 1857, at a cost of $1,200, and is 36x40 feet in ground area. Among those who have been prominent in church matters here, have been John Bennett, Marion Skiles, Joseph McLean, M. Springer, George Bennett and George Meadors.

LIBERTY METHODIST CHURCH OF BLANDINSVILLE.

The congregation who worship in the building which bears the above name,

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

have one of the best rural churches in the county. It is a beautiful structure which stands upon the southeast quarter of section 13, Blandinsville township. It is valued at something like $2,500.

COLCHESTER METHODIST CHURCH. -

A church society of this denomination was first organized at this place on the 1st of February, 1858, under the direc- tion and through the instrumentality of the Revs. H. Presson and B. E. Kauf- man, with 21 members, whose names were as follows: Joseph Taylor, Mary Taylor, Abraham Pearson, Elizabeth Pearson, Richard Musson, Rebecca Mus- son, James Roberts, Cecilia Roberts, A. B. Doan, Sarah Doan, Mary Bechtel, Margaret Musson, John Pearson, Abra- ham Newland, Jr., Thomas Pearson, William Cowan, David Sherbine, Mary A. Sherbine, Sarah E. Biell, Philip Law- rence and John Level. Meetings were held in school houses and other build- ings until the year 1861, when a neat brick edifice was erected, at a cost'of $1,200. It is 32x46 feet in ground area, and has a good seating capacity. Among those prominent in this church, have been Abraham Newland, Jr., James Roberts, John Pearson, Richard Wil- liams, James Underhill, William Hul- son, David Reece, John Parnell, Richard Musson and John James. The growth of the church was for many years very great, but of late has decreased in num- bers on account of so many removals and numerous deaths; but still they are prosperous, and have a good active membership. The value of church prop- erty is $2,000. A most excellent Sab- bath school is attached to this church,

which is well attended. The present pastor is Rev. Charles T. Cady, who has occupied the pulpit since October, 1884.

Rev. Charles T. Cady is the. son of Curtis and Abegail Cady, and was born April 30, 1855, in Brimfield, Peoria county, Illinois. His early education. was received at the Brimfield high school. At the age of 18 he taught school, continuing in this occupation for -two years. In the fall of 1876 he was enrolled as a student at Hedding college, Abingdon, Illinois, and graduated in the spring of 1881, receiving the degree of A. B., and three years later the degree of A. M. He was married to Eunice A. Hiner, of Abingdon, Illinois, on the 9th of March, 1881. One child, George Raymond, is the fruit of this union, born February 6, 1884, at Raritan, Hen- derson county, Illinois. Mr. Cady was admitted on trial as a minister in the central Illinois conference, in the fall of 1881, and was stationed at Vermont, Fulton county, Illinois. The following year he removed to Raritan, Henderson county, Illinois, where he remained two years. In the month of October, 1884, he was appointed to the church at Col- chester, Illinois. where he is now in charge as pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church.

WILLOW GROVE M. E. CHURCH, OF HIRE TOWNSHIP.

A class with the above name was organized during the year 1864 or 1865, and for some years worshipped in what was called Prosperity hall, in Emmet township, but now meets in the church owned by the Willow Grove United Brethren, on section 1, of Hire town- .

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

ship, meeting on alternate Sabbaths. It has a membership of about 40. Among those prominent in this church have been W. B. Alexander and S. B. Davis.

A history of the Sabbath school in connection with this church, see further on.

NEW HOPE METHODIST CHURCH, OF BETHEL TOWNSHIP.

In this neighborhood about 50 years ago, Bethel Methodist Episcopal church was organized, and about the year 1845, a building was erected on the southeast quarter of section 7. This house was burned in 1863, being set on fire by an incendiary. For a few years the church ceased its existence, but in 1866 a new organization was formed under the name of the New Hope Methodist Episcopal church. The following year the present church structure was erected. It is a good frame, 32x45 feet in size, and cost $1,600. The membership at that time was near 70, at present but 40. Rev. James McElroy was the first pastor. The annual contribution is about $700. Among those prominent in this church have been James C. Archer, George Bar- clay, James Depoy, J. N. N. Horrell and Thomas Hanthorn. The building is on the northeast quarter of section 4, Bethel township.

THE ADAIR M. E. CHURCH OF NEW SALEM TOWNSHIP.

This society was organized in 1875, and the same year the present church structure was erected and dedicated in October. It was built by general con- tribution, of all the denominations, at a cost of $2,000. It is a good, neat, frame edifice. The original members were

Washington Williams, Lafayette Wil- liams, Jacob Ready, Mrs. Wm. Lance, Josephine Porter and Martha Epperson. Rev. J. E. Taylor was the first pastor. Among those prominent in church affairs, besides those mentioned above, have been Stephen Blackstone, Thorn- ton Randolph and Joseph E. Porter. The church is located on the northeast quarter of section 11, New Salem town- ship.

PLEASANT MOUND M. E. CHURCH.

Pleasant Mound church is situated upon section 6, of Prairie City township on the McDonough and Warren county line, at the corners of Swan Creek, Greenbush, Walnut Grove and Prairie City townships. The first record of this church bears the date of July 6, 1859, and is as follows: "Pleasant Mound church was built in the spring and summer of 1859, and dedicated July 4, 1859. The building cost $1,500. The money is all secured and the church has no indebtedness." This is signed by the following members of the board of trustees: William McMahill, John W. King, Thomas King, Giles F. Liv- ingston, William Young and H. H. Hewitt. From what can be gathered from the records and from information gathered from the church fathers, these persons who composed this first board of trustees, were the men who were foremost in its organization and erection. The Rev. F. M. Chaffee, of the Central Illinois conference aided materially in its organization. The church was dedicated by one of the leading pioneer preachers, the late Henry Summers. The parsonage was

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

built in the summer of 1865, at a cost of some $400, all of which was in hand at the time. A most efficient board of trustees has always had the control of matters here, as is evidenced by the church never having any debt hanging over it. There are four out of the seven original trustees living at the present: Thomas King, William Young, H. H. Hewitt, and Burris A. Reed; and three dead: John W. King, G. F. Livingston, and William McMahill. Thomas King has been a member of the board of trus- tees since the organization, or for the last 26 years. The church edifice is 32x48. Rev. N. G. Clark is the present pastor and J. R. King recording steward.

MOUND CHAPEL M. E. CHURCH, MOUND TOWNSHIP.

This society was organized in the spring of 1854, at the residence of E. Dyer, with the following original mem- bers: Edward Dyer and wife, Edward Mitchell and wife, James E. Fleming and wife, Andrew J. Fleming and wife, C. M. Melvin, Elizabeth Melvin. Meetings were held at the house of Ed- ward Dyer until the following summer, when the school house known as the " Old sixteen " was built, and services were then held there until the erection of a church building in 1869, which is located on section 22. It is a good, sub- stantial frame structure. 36x40 feet in size, and was completed at a cost of $1,200. On Christmas day, 1869, it was dedicated by Rev. Andrews, of Quincy, assisted by William Rutledge and B. E. Kaufman, the latter gentleman being pastor of the church at that time. The lot on which the church stands consists

of one acre, and was sold to the society by A. J. Fleming for $50. The present officers of the church are John W. Sheely, class leader; J.W. Swartzbaugh and A. J. Fleming, stewards; W. A. An- derson, J. W. Sheely, Joseph Melvin, J. W. Swartzbaugh and A. J. Fleming, trustees. At the same time the society was formed a Sunday school was organ- ized with Edward Dyer, superintendent, and C. M. Melvin, chorister, which has been continued ever since.

ADAIR METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH

This society was organized in 1875, and the same year the present church structure was erected, and dedicated in October. It was built by general con- tribution, of all denominations, at a cost of $2,000. It is a good, neat, frame edi- fice. The original members were Wash- ington Williams, Lafayette Williams, Jacob Ready, Mrs. William Lance, Josephine Porter and Martha Epperson.

PENNINGTON'S POINT M. E. CHURCH OF NEW SALEM TOWNSHIP.

This is one of the oldest organizations of the Methodist church in McDonough county. The class was organized 'in 1836, by Rev. David Carter, at the house of John Greenup, on the northeast quar- ter of section 30. The first pastor who officiated here was Rev. Francis M. Chaffee. They had no regular church building until 1856, when one was erected at the Point, and dedicated in that year by Revs. Jesse B. Craig and William Rutledge. That structure was used un- til 1876, when a new one was built, and dedicated by Rev. Evans, in the fall of that year. The cost of the new church

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

was nearly $3,000. In the fall of 1881, the building was badly wrecked by a tornado, and the damage done necessi- tated an outlay of about $300 in repairs. It is located about the center of the west line of section 30. . The present pastor is J. H. Shover.

CENTENNIAL M. E. CHURCH OF NEW SALEM TOWNSHIP.

This class was organized in 1871 by Rev. C. Atherton. They met at the school house on the southwest corner of section 25 until their church was erected. It was built in 1876, at a cost of $1,800, and dedicated on July 2, of that year. Rev. William Rutledge preached the dedication sermon. The building com- mittee was J. M. Wilcox, Josiah McDon- ald, Solomon Ritter and George E. Por- ter. Solomon Ritter was the first-class leader, and Robert Jeffrey was the first steward, Rev. Henry is the present pas- tor. The trustees are John Wilcox, Solomon Ritter and George E. Porter.

METHODIST CHURCH AT TENNESSEE.

This organization erected a church edifice in the village of Tennessee, in the spring of 1864. It was 24x60 feet in dimensions, and had a seating capacity of over 300. Rev. B. Frazell held the first services in the building, the organi- zation having a membership of about 45. The first trustees of the church were Thomas Fulkerson, L. C. Bacon, and James Jarvis. Those who have served as pastors of the church since its organi- zation, are as follows: B. Frazell, two years; S. D. Main, two years; William Haney, one year; T. Poole, one year; Mr. Thalman, one year; George Luekey, one year; Mr. Atherton, one year; T. P.

Henry, three years; Mr. Alexander, two years; Mr. Smith, one year; J. A. Sou- ders, one year; Mr. Calkins, two years. Rev. Cady is the present pastor, and resides at Colchester. Since the organ- ization of the church, services have been held every two weeks. In 1876, Rev. S. D. Main held the first revival in the church, and 70 converts were the result of his labors. Rev. T. P. Henry held a very successful revival in 1875, convert- ing 26. Rev. Calkins held two revivals during the year 1884, and converted, in all, 32. At present, the church has a membership of 35. The present trus- tees are F. F. Meir, J. A. Jenkins, and B. F. Thompson.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH, MACOMB.

The First Baptist church of Macomb was organized in 1857 by Rev. D. D. Gregory. The congregation purchased the Macomb female seminary building on North Lafayette street, now occupied by the Second Baptist church, and con- tinued to worship there until their new church edifice was erected, which was in 1869. It is on Carroll street, west of Lafayette street, and is one of the largest and most expensive church structures in the county: The architectural design of the building is rather imposing, of good proportion, and pleasing to the eye. A. very tall steeple, 132 feet high, rises from the center of the building, over the front and main entrance, and is beautifully designed and proportioned. The pres- ent value of the structure is about $8,000, although it cost the congregation several thousand dollars more to erect it. Real estate, material and labor were much higher than at present. The following

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

are the names of the original members: D. D. Gregory, J. Pennington, T. Axford, J. W. Blount, M. T. Winslow, Mrs. Rice, Mrs. McCabe and Mrs. Summers. The congregation has grown gradually, until the membership at present numbers about 95. The following are the names of the various pastors since the organi- zation: Revs. L. M. Whitman, J. O. Metcalf, C. W. Palmer, J. L. Benedict, C. B. Roberts, Hill, J. L. M. Young, W. D. Clark and J. S. Douglas. The church lias no regular pastor at present, but services are held occasionally. A Sun- day school is held regularly every Sun- day, and has an average attendance of about 65.

SECOND BAPTIST (COL. ) CHURCH, MACOMB

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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 51

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