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 56

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 56

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We now come to the history of the church in Macomb, proper. Rev. Philip J. Albrecht was appointed to take charge of Macomb, Warsaw and Oquawka; he finally established his residence at Ma- comb, officiating in an old house which was used as a church, it being on prop-

erty bought from Birch Maury's family. Father Albrecht was on the Macomb district for four years. He was then transferred to a German church in Chi- cago, and is now Catholic pastor of a church in Kranzburg, Dakota.

In February 2, 1865, Rev. John Lar- mer was transferred from St. Patrick's church, Chicago, to take charge of Ma- comb and the missionary districts in the surrounding eight counties, and to or- ganize them into regular parishes and build churches, so that pastors could be placed, to reside in them-all of which was done. The people of Macomb were in the hands of unscrupulous politic- ians, as the parties were nearly equally divided, a few votes being the balance of power in McDonough county. This gave Rev. John Larmer a great deal of unnecessary trouble, as the politicians looked on the members of his church as political prey. Really, this was a last- ing injury to Macomb. He repaired and raised the old house and made it a pas- toral residence, at an expense of over a $1,000, in the summer of 1865. For this improvement he never received a cent, and the congregation should remember, for this and other indebtedness, St. Paul's epistle to the Thessalonians: " Let no man overreach or circumvent his brother in business, for the Lord is the avenger of all these things."

In repairing the old house, as there was a dispute among the old settlers which was the oldest house on the west side, Rev. John Larmer hunted for some evidence, and in taking down the high old-fashioned chimney, he found on the first layer, a limestone three inches thick, and 18 square, with "C. Jack-

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

son, February 2, 1832" marked upon it. That date went back farther than any of the disputants opined.

In 1867, Rev. John Larmer built the Catholic church in Macomb, after much trouble and labor. It cost between four and five thousand dollars- material, it is true, was over 60 per cent. dearer than subsequently. The Protestants of Macomb subscribed liberally; but the politicians who had made so many prom- ises of what they would do when the Catholics would build their church, with a few exceptions, backed square out. The citizens of Macomb had reas- onable hopes that the building of the Catholic church would have an influence to increase its population, and so it would have, had the politicians minded their own business and not considered the Catholics as legitimate prey to help them, too often unworthy, into office. Then there was no encouragement given to strangers, who came to seek locations for manufacturing purposes, by men who held their properties higher than water fronts could be bought in the city of Chicago, and yet these properties were used for calf pastures. Finally the cit- izens, although warned that their nor- thern trade, which extended to the Mis- sissippi river, would be cut off and lost, and a host of little towns grow up if they did not secure the Peoria & War- saw railroad to pass through Macomb. Yet they made no real united efforts un- til it was too late, therefore the same causes which dwarfed the Catholic church, dwarfed Macomb and took away those reasonable hopes which its advan- tages and surrounding fertile country gave a right to expect a greater growth.

The Catholics buried their dead . west of Macomb, but through negligence had no road to their grave yard, and when they tried to get a road, the men they put in office did as they always had done -- only when they asked a ticket to vote -looked on them as unreasonable and left them to help themselves. A lot therefore was bought of Joseph Burton, opposite the city grave yard, and the Catholic dead removed. The history of this purchase is not a creditable one- sufficient it is to say, Rev. John Larmer had to come as usual to the rescue or Mr. Burton would have had to take it back again.

The Catholics of Prairie City were attached to St. Augustine, Fulton county, until the church of Avon was built which was done under Rev. John Lar- mer's pastorate.

The Catholics of Bushnell from time to time endeavored to get property for a future site of a church, but up to the time Rev. John Larmer terminated his pastorate, had not acquired any-simply because they were few, and none of them had resolved to remain permanently in Bushnell. They were attached, how- ever, to the Catholic congregation of Macomb.

In regard to the church in Tennessee, to Joseph Reilly and a few others be- "longs the honor of having built the first Catholic church in McDonough county, Mr. Bowman donating the lot. The church, however, was merely closed in, and Rev. John Larmer had the lot fenced and the church finished as well as the means and circumstances of the congregation would permit. Tennessee Catholic congregation was made up

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partly out of one of the four divisions Rev. John Larmer made of the Foun- tain Green Catholic congregation. There was an excellent set of christians, and consequently good citizens in Tennessse congregation. Joseph Reilly and wife first of all, the Camerons, Hardestys, and last Patrick McCune and wife, who lived in the town of Tennessee, and others, yet there were some-as the writer learned when in Ireland,-who received their parish priest's blessing on condition that he would not return.

Joseph Reilly, at the request of Rev. John Larmer, donated the grave yard to the Catholic congregation of Tennes- see, and had it fenced in, and Joseph Reilly himself, was the first buried in it. He was an exemplary christian, humble, frank, and honest to a fault.

Rev. John Larmer resigned his pas- toral charge February 22, 1872, being seven years on the mission in McDon- ough and surrounding counties. His resignation had been tendered several times during three years before it was accepted by Bishop Thomas Foley, ad- ministrator of Chicago. Rev. John Lar- mer is now pastor of Montello, Wiscon- sin; his church and residence are on one of the most picturesque sites in the west. He has built up four churches and or- ganized several missions since he left Macomb.

The writer has now brought the ec- clesiastical history of the Catholic church in McDonough county down to 1872, or the close of Rev. John Larmer's pastorate-let others continue it-but one thing he is assured of whether he himself or others in future write the his- tory of the Catholic church in the great

state of Illinois, an honest pride can be indulged in that the priests in McDon- ough and surrounding counties were, with one or two exceptions, unusually learned, talented and faithful body of men. All of them could be truly said to have carried the church on their backs, having no organization, except the last, Rev. John Larmer, who reduced the church to order and identified each lo- cality with a church, which he caused to be built. Their labors and hardships were unseen, and I have no doubt, like the writer, they would have abandoned missionary life for the humblest church in a settled district-but one supreme motive loomed up before them-they re- alized that they were saving souls, work- ing for God and the future welfare of their people and the localities they la- bored in.

After Father Larmer had finished his work here and had been transferred to Chicago, Rev. Father Thomas Francis Mangan took charge of the spiritual wel- fare of this congregation and remained about two years. He was a man of ex- cellent abilities, and a worthy christian gentleman, and beloved by all. He is now in charge at Freeport, Illinois. He was followed by Father D. J. Cogan, who remained one year. The next pas- tor was James Tuohy, a fine man, and a splendid scholar, who was not only loved by the members of his flock, but enjoyed the respect of all in this community. He remained about two years, and made some improvements around the house, and was succeeded by Father Maxmilian Allbright. This gentleman after leav- ing here, died in a hospital in Chicago. He was followed by Rev. P. J. McGrath,

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HISTORY OF MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

who remained two years and was fol- lowed by Rev. Father John Ryan, the present pastor. They have a most ex- cellent church, and a large and flourish- ing congregation, numbering nearly 600 members.

CATHOLIC CHURCH AT TENNESSEE.

In 1857, St. Mary's church was erected in the village of Tennessee. It is 25x40 feet in size, and has a seating capacity of 275. Upon the organization of the church it had a membership of 30, and has retained that number to the present time. Since the organization of St. Mary's church, there has been about 12 converts. They hold services once a month. Those who have served the church as priests since the organization, are as follows: Philip Albrecht, five years; John Larmer, 10 years; Father Manning, two years; J. G. Cogan, one year; James Tuohy, two years; John All- bright, two years; P. C. McGrath, one year; John Ryan, four years. The pres- ent priest resides at Macomb.

Rev. John Ryan, present pastor of the Catholic church at Macomb, Illinois, is a native of Ireland, and was born in the parish of Murroe,county Limerick, early in this century. He made his ecclesias- tical studies principally in All Hallows college,Dublin, Ireland, which were sup- plemented, subsequently, by one year's study at the Diocesan seminary, Vin- cennes, Indiana, where, in due course, he was ordained priest, on the 5th day of July, 1846, by Right Rev. Celestine de la Helandiere, then Bishop of Vin- cennes. He served on the same one mis- sion, in Northern Indiana for 18 years, when he came to the diocese of Chicago, and for four years was pastor of the Catholic congregation at Canton, Fulton county, Illinois, whence he was trans- ferred to the pastorate of Kewanee, Henry county, Illinois, and after serving for 11 years and three months, then he was transferred to his present habitat- Macomb-where he has gained the re- spect of all.

CHAPTER XXI.

JOURNALISM IN MCDONOUGH COUNTY.

The inception of journalism dates from remote ages. The institution now known as the newspaper was ante-dated nearly a 1,000 years by manuscript publications, in which the accounts of public occur-

rences and familiar gossip was made known to the citizens of imperial Rome seated upon her seven hills. These sheets were known by the name of "Acta Diurna;" but their issues were at all

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times irregular, and in times of scarcity of news totally suspended, the editor either engaging in some other calling or indulging in the sports of the day.

But little progress seems to have been made for many years in this branch of business until the early part of the 17th century.

Frankfort-on-the Main claims to have produced within her walls the father of modern newspapers. She claims that Egenolf Emmel, a book dealer and book printer of Frankfort, in the period of that city's greatest literary prosperity, was the first in Europe to issue a news- paper at regular intervals in the shape in which we see them to-day. This honor of priority of newspaper production has been considerably contested, but unsuc- cessfully. Emmel first published a weekly, Frankfurter Journal, in 1615. The Nurembergers say that Wendelin Borsch published a newspaper in their city as early as 1571; but there is no proof that this was anything more than the fugitive leaves which had then be- come pretty common in the great trading centers of Europe; and as the English claim their first regular newspaper to have appeared in 1622 and the French in 1631, to Frankfort must be left the honor of Egenolf Emmel, the father of newspapers.

The precursors of German newspapers were the small, printed, flying sheets is- sued in the latter half of the 15th centu- ry, under the titles Relationen or Neue Zeitung ( New Tidings), which, however, only made their appearance at irregular intervals, generally to record some event of more than ordinary note. These re- ports are said to have existed as early as

the middle of the 15th century; the old- est mentioned are from the years 1457- 1460; though the oldest copy now pre- served in the University Library at Leip- sic bears the date of 1494. But these Relations or Tidings cannot be looked upon as the germs of the modern press. The beginnings of the German newspa- pers are to be traced in the written com- mercial correspondence of the middle ages. The editorial bureaus were the counting-rooms of the great mercantile houses, which had their agents transmit information to them from all parts of the world then open to commerce. But as these sheets were almost private, they were of little service to the world at large. As Gutenberg's invention won its way, and the large trading houses entered into communication with each other and with their various govern- ments, which had an equal interest in the information contained in the com- mercial correspondence, types were in- troduced into the trading bureaus, or the written correspondence was placed in the hands of the special writers, and a regular system of printed correspond- ence was inaugurated. Venice is usually awarded the honor of first printing this commercial correspondence in the Noti- zie Scritte, which was at first written and exhibited in certain public places; but Germany was not long in following her example.

A collection of 28 volumes of this printed commercial correspondence, from the years 1568 to 1604, was taken with the library of the celebrated Fug- ger family, to the imperial library, at Vienna, in 1606, and is of great histori- cal importance, connected, as it is, with

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the Rothschild house of the middle ages. These reports contain, not only commercial intelligence, but political and social news from the districts and countries, which then were attracting the attention of Europe. Many reports are written by eye-witnesses, and official documents relating to incidents de- scribed, are frequently transmitted. When important political information is reported, the source from whence it is procured, is generally given. Others, again, contained literary departments corresponding to the feuilleton of the European press of to-day, bringing graphic descriptions, accounts of popu- lar festivities, manners and customs; accounts of the discovery of America, of the conquests of the Turks, and local occurrences, such as all sorts of fearful signs in the heavens, wonderful animals, and misbirths; accounts of executions, inundations, earthquakes, burning of witches, and child-murders committed by bigots, together with prophecies and warnings-the editorials of to-day-con- nected with passing events. News then came to hand very slowly. An Indian overland post required eleven months to get to Europe, and 40 or 50 days were required for a letter to get from Con- stantinople to Vienna. Naturally enough, as the papers gained a more extended circulation, the jealous gov- ernments began to look after them; and history knows a whole series of govern- ment ordinances, issued from Paris to Rome, condemning them as destructive to soul and body.

The idea of issuing a newspaper at regular intervals, that is, every week, first originated in the mind of Egenolf

Emmel, of Frankfort, and with his Frankfurter Journal, which made its appearance in 1615, the transition from the irregular publications, such as the Relationen, to the newspaper, was made. The same journal still flourishes, and the house from which it was first issued, may yet be seen. The Journal ap- peared as a weekly up to the year 1740; then it appeared oftener; in 1795, it ap- peared five times a week, and subse- quently became a daily.

In England, the mental appetite was fed by the News Letter, a manuscript production, which was only furnished at fabulous prices. It was in 1622, as above mentioned, when the first English newspaper was born. This was The Weekly News from Italie and Ger- manie, which was printed upon a mechanical contrivance, perfected by one Nathaniel Butler, who is thus the progenitor of the English press. The first attempt at the publication of parlia- mentary reports was made in 1641, when the parties and politics of the realm first occupied a place in the newspaper. It was some seven years later, in 1648, when the first advertisement appeared. This was in verse form, and was an in- vitation to call upon a fashionable tailor of the period, and purchase of him the styles then in vogue among the beaux.

The pioneer daily morning newspaper of the world was the London Courant, which was initiated in 1709, and con- sisted of only one page of two columns, each five paragraphs long, and was made up from translations from foreign jour- nals. The revolutions in journalism during the present century have been of so stupendous a type as to be almost

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beyond, comprehension, were we not brought face to face with the fact day by day. In this country, from the advent of the Boston News Letter, in 1704, unto the present time, when the United States can boast of its 962 daily, and over 7,000 weekly papers, seems a tremendous step in the forward march of improvement, but is only a forerunner of what may be the achievements and power of an independent press in a free, republican country in the future.

McDonough county has had abund- ant opportunities to test the value of newspapers, as aids in building up its business centers, and making known its resources to the outer world, while the civilizing influence is almost unlimited; and, as a general thing, its citizens have always manifested a liberal spirit of en- couragement toward the various jour- nalistic enterprises that have originated in their midst. It would be difficult to estimate in a money value, the advan- tages derived by McDonough county, in a business point of view, from the influ- ence of the press, but it is, beyond all cavil, inestimable. At all times the press has, in advocacy of local interests, called into requisition respectable, and in many instances, eminent talent, which has a tendency to inspire its citizens, as well as friends, with hope and confi- dence in its prosperity.

As patrons of the press, as would be expected of those that people it, McDon- ough county's citizens have established a good name. As records of current history, the emanations of the local press should be preserved by town and county government among the archives for reference. These papers are the re-

positories wherein are stored the facts and the events, the deeds and the say- ings, the undertakings and achievements, that go to make up the history of the day. One by one these things are gath- ered and placed in type; one by one these papers are gathered together and bound, and another volume of local,gen- eral, and individual history, is laid away imperishable. The volumes thus col- lected are sifted by the historians, and the book for the library is ready.

There should be some means devised by which press records might be pre- served and made accessible. This is, of course, attempted in all offices, but by the removal of editors, who claim the files as their property, and a general carelessness on the part of all interested, in many instances the files are sadly de- ficient.

MCDONOUGH INDEPENDENT.

Such is the heading that appeared on the first page of a paper issued at Mc- comb, September 12, 1851. It was a six-column folio, edited by George W. Smith, and published by this gentleman and Theodore Terry, and was the pioneer paper of McDonough county. As its name would indicate, it was independ- ent in politics, though leaning somewhat toward democracy. Mr. Terry was a practical printer and had charge of the mechanical department of the office. The paper was published Fridays, at a subscription price of two dollars per annum, the office being located over Ervin's store. The following salutatory appears in the first number:

"In presenting this, the first number of the Independent to our readers, cus-

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tom, as well as inclination, leads us to define the course we mean to pursue and the position we propose to assume.

"We claim that our paper shall be what its name would indicate, independ- ent in all things; reserving to ourselves the right to speak fearlessly, freely and candidly, upon any and every subject that may interest the public, or effect the general welfare of the people; eschewing at all times any interference with the religious, political or social opinions of others.

"To the farmer, mechanic and mer- chant, we hope to make our paper ac- ceptable, one and all, giving, as we shall, a weekly report of the produce markets, commercial and monetary affairs as they transpire; as well as much other infor- mation that shall be deemed interesting and instructive to the community at large. We shall, at the same time, by giving publicity to a well and carefully selected miscellany, aim to make the Independent a most welcome visitor at every fireside.

"In launching forth upon the sea of public life, and assuming the arduous duties we have undertaken, it has been done with full knowledge of the trials and difficulties we may expect to encoun- ter; but with a determination to use our best efforts, and a firm reliance upon the kindness and encouragement of our friends, we have determined to stand the 'hazard of the die.'

"But as brevity is to be one of the chief merits of our articles, we will not weary our readers with promises, but will simply say-we will do our best, and hoping that success and prosperity may attend our present and future pa-

trons, as well as ourselves, we submit our sheet to the patronage of a gener- ous and discerning public.

"In connection, we would state to our brethren of the press, that we solicit their aid and influence, and hope that at some future time we may reciprocate many past, as well as new, favors re- ceived at their hands."

The advertising columns of the first issue contained such firms as W. & H. Ervin, who "would inform our friends and the public generally, that we have just received direct from New York and Philadelphia, a large and desirable stock of fall and winter dry goods," etc .; B. R. Hampton & L. H. Waters, "attor- neys at law and general agents for pur- chase and sale of real estate and collec- tion of debts"; J. M. Major, botanic phy- sician; D. & C. A. Lawson, general mer- chandise; Updegraff & Maury, book- sellers and druggists. In the same issue wheat is quoted at 50 to 65 cents per bushel; flour, $3.50 to $4.00; corn 25 to 30 cents; butter, 10 cents per pound; eggs, 5 cents a dozen; potatoes, 25 cents per bushel; coal, 8 cents per bushel; chickens, 75 cents to $1 per dozen; and oats 16 to 25 cents per bushel.

As a criterion to the mode of getting news in those days, the following headed, "latest news from Cuba," may serve as a contrast to the many improvements undergone through the genius of man, during the past quarter of a century, and which appears in the first number of this paper. The dispatch is dated, New Orleans, September 5, 1851.

"By the arrival yesterday at New Or- leans, of the Cherokee, we have positive and unquestionable intelligence of the

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capture and execution of Lopez, in Ha- vana, on the 30th ult., and the probable total suppression of the revolt. Ninety odd Americans were also captured. This intelligence is reliable."

A second dispatch dated at the same place a day later, reads :

"The Cherokee has arrived from Ha- vana. The passengers witnessed the ex- ecution of Lopez. The number on the Pampero, 565, have all been killed-436 are in prison and 100 are to be sent to Africa. Lopez declared himself deceived with regard to aid in Cuba. The pass- engers say he ended his life manfully. The failure of the expedition is attrib- uted to delay from the separation of Crittenden's command. The patriots have dispersed to the mountains. Only 30 remained with Lopez-they left him and without a friend, he wandered until run down and taken by blood hounds. His last words were-'Adieu, dear Cuba.'

"A meeting was held on board the Cherokee, General Lane, of Oregon, pre- siding. The following resolution was passed:

"Resolved, that Mr. Owen, American consul, has forfeited every right and title of an American consul, outraged every sentiment of humanity, deserves the execration of every friend of liberty, and we request his recall by the govern- ment."

The latest news from China bears the date of June 23, 1851. What a contrast with the present system of the cable and daily newspaper, transmitting news to thousands but from 10 to 12 hours after its occurrence in some foreign country.

The following marriage notices also

appear in the first issue of the Inde- pendent.

On Wednesday, the 27th ultimo, by the Rev. Mr. Bourne, Alexander V. Brooking, to Elizabeth H. Randolph, all of this city.

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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 56

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