USA > Illinois > McDonough County > History of McDonough county, Illinois, its cities, towns and villages with early reminiscences, personal incidents and anecdotes and a complete business directory of the county > Part 56
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
Marshall's ministry, the number was seventy; run down again by deaths and removals until only forty-six actual members remained. After the revival of 1874 there were reported eighty members to the Presbytery, which was the highest number Church ever attained-seventy being the present membership. As near as can be ascertained, about two hundred is the full number of memberships ever be- longing to the Church since the organization. Thirty-three years have come and gone since the organization of the Church, and one quarter of a century has passed since worship was first held in the old church building. Many who were then with us have passed away, and, we trust, have entered into their rest. Within its sacred walls songs of praise were heard, earnest prayer and supplication was offered, the gospel most faithfully preached by many of God's ministering servants, the Sabbath School teacher sowing the good seed of the word, and sinners inquiring "What must we do to be saved?" and as God said that he would not let his mercy depart from Solomon, neither did he let it de- part from us. For all of which we would give thanks to the great head of the Church; and, as we enter and take possession of our new and better edifice, yet, in looking back, our memories would still linger with affection around the old Church building as we say farewell.
Bushnell .- At an early date (probably 1856) a Presbyterian Church was organized in Bushnell, in connection with the Presby- tery of Schuyler, but in two or three years was dissolved, the members generally uniting with the Reformed Church. At the spring meeting of the Presbytery of Warren, held at Monmouth, Ill., in 1868, a petition was presented asking for the organization of a Presbyterian Church in Bushnell. This petition was signed by about thirty persons, the greater number of whom were mem- bers of the Reformed Church. The committee appointed by this Presbytery, after visiting the field, decided to organize a church, which was done April 25, 1868. Twenty-one persons presented a certificate, in a body, from the Reformed Church of Bushnell, and seven from other Presbyterian churches, or a total of twenty-five members, which were the following : John W. Adams, Mrs. Min- erva F. Adams, Robert A. Adams, Mrs. Caroline Adams, Mrs. Car- rie Anderson, Daniel H. Bodine, Mrs. Harriet S. Bodine, Mrs. Maria C. Hessler, A. H. McGahan, Mrs. Alice W. McGahan, Mrs. Eliza A. McGahan, Mrs. Lydia Moore, Joseph Neff, Mrs. Mary Neff,
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGHI COUNTY.
Mrs. Jennie Odell, Robert Rea, Mrs. Hannah Rea, Frank Sample, R. M. Scott, Mrs. A. K. Scott, Mrs. E. A. Seiber, Mrs. Elizabeth J. Sperry, William Tiedrick, Mrs. Caroline Tiedrick, Henry S. Wells and Mrs. Francis Wells. The total membership April 1, 1876, was 110. In eight years sixty-seven members were received "on profession" of faith, sixty-eight "by letter" from other churches, forty were dismissed to other churches, and twelve died. The pulpit was occasionally supplied with preachers the first year until August, when Rev. R. T. MeMahan became stated supply, re- maining with the congregation two years. April 1, 1871, Rev. M. Bigger, of Hamilton, Ill., took charge of the church as stated supply. In May, 1872, he was installed as pastor, in which rela- tion he continued until his sudden death, by heart disease, Decem- ber 21, 1872. The present pastor, Rev. T. Stephenson, commenced his labors for this church, April, 1873. During the first eight years the church had contributed for congregational purposes between $15,000 and $16,000. The church property cost in the neighbor- hood of $7,000, and is generally regarded as the neatest church in Bushnell; it was erected under the superintendency of F. A. Cooley. The plastering 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. The Board of Ruling Elders, usually denomi- nated the "Session," elected at the organization of the church was composed of the following persons ; Robert A. Adams, Rob- ert Rea, Robert M. Scott and A. H. MeGahan ; the latter was chosen clerk. The present session is composed of R. A. Adams, Wm. A. Pasey, J. C. Cadwalader, R. W. Wheeler and A. H. Mc- Gahan. The church retains the life service plan of the eldership adding to the session from time to time, as deemed necessary. On the eighteenth of May, 1873, the following persons were elected Deacons : R. W. Wheeler, D. A. McDonald, William Tiedrick and F. M. Duel. Mr. Wheeler was afterwards released from serv- ing as deacon, on his election to the eldership, and R. W. Fowler was added. The first Board of Trustees consisted of R. M. Scott, Joseph Neff and A. H. McGahan. This board was re-elected in 1871, and in 1876 the following Trustees were elected: John C. Cadwalader, D. A. McDonald and A. II. MeGahan. The Sabbath school was organized soon after the dedication of the church building, which was in 1869. A. II. MeGahan was chosen super- intendent, and has been re-elected each year since. The school
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IHISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
has a library of over three hundred volumes ; Harvey J. Wells, Librarian. The actual expense for conducting the school has varied from fifty to one hundred dollars per year.
Good Hope .- At the fall meeting, in 1868, of the Presbytery of Warren, a committee was appointed, consisting of Rev. R. C. Mathews, D. D., Rev. R. T. MeMahan, and Ruling Elder, M. Lich- enthale, to visit Good Hope and organize a church, if the way be clear. Accordingly, said committee, except the elder, met at Good Hope, January 30th, 1869, and after a sermon by Rev. McMahan, the chairman stated the object of the meeting. After consultation the committee proceeded to organize the church. There were received as follows, from the Shiloh Presbyterian Church : James A. McClelland, Mary C. MeClelland, Warren S. Bruce, James M. Hummer, Helen Ann Hummer, David Campbell, Mrs. Winniford Campbell, Ebenezer Campbell and Mrs. E. Duel. From the church at Macomb were the following : Joseph Rollins, 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. McClel- land and Aaron Bennett were elected Ruling Elders, Joseph Rol- lins and J. M. Hummer, 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 subsequently chosen pastor, but was not installed. He was succeeded by Rev. A. F. Ashley, who supplied the Church about two years, commencing in 1870. In December, 1873, Rev. I. T. Whittemore, the present pastor, took charge of the Church, and in October, 1874, was installed pastor. The membership at the organization consisted of nineteen members-twelve males and seven females. There were received from the time of organiza- tion to January, 1874, twenty-seven-making a total of forty-six. There had been dismissed, seven ; removed by death, one. There had been added since (nearly all upon profession of faith) eighty- one, and lost by dismission, six; and by death, five, leaving the present membership one hundred and eight. The following are the present officers ruling : Elders, David Campbell, John Coch- rane and Aaron Bennett. Deacons, J. A. Brown, Cyrus Elliott and John Morninger. The system of | Rotary Eldership was adopted in December, 1875. The Church edifice was erected in 1869. It is located on block one, lot six. It is a good frame
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
structure, forty feet by sixty, and costing about $4,000. It has a seating capacity of three hunded. The average attendance of the Sunday School is seventy; Cyrus Elliott, Superintendent ; Charles Bruce, Secretary.
Ebenezer .- This society was formed by a portion of Camp Creek Church, in 1861, and the same year a good frame church edifice was erected at a cost of $2,000. Its size is thirty-six feet by fifty-six. In 1866 a parsonage was built which cost $1,500. Both church and parsonage are located on the northwest corner of sec- tion thirty-two, Scotland township. There were forty-four mem- bers present at the organization. Now the membership is about one hundred. George W. Provine, John Clark, J. Sullivan and Robert McNair were chosen elders. The deacons elected were James Walker, James Clark and J. A. Provine, and Rev. J. M. Chase was chosen pastor. In 1865 J. T. Bliss was called to the pastorate, and in 1868 Rev. H. C. Mullens, the present pastor, was called. Simon Smith and James Clark were elected elders in 1869.
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN.
Notwithstanding it was among the first to organize in this county, this denomination has never made any material progress here in building up their cause, even in one instance failing to sustain what they had already gained. At Macomb a very flour- ishing congregation once existed, having a neat and commodious house of worship. The building has been sold and the congrega- tion disbanded. Revs. Cyrus Haines, T. R. Roach and Wm. C. MeKamy were among the most noted ministers of the denomina- tion who have labored here. The number of communicants in the county are now about three hundred and thirty-two. The first church organized was the
Bersheba, or Argyle .- The Bersheba congregation of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church, was organized January 19th, 1834, by Rev. P. C. Jewel. The organization took place at the resi- dence of John McCord, in the southwestern part of Emmet township. The original membership was nine. John MeCord and E. Durant were the first Ruling Elders. William McCord was appointed Clerk of the Session. This church held its first meet_ ing near the residence of John McCord, in 1838, and was con- ducted by Rev. Peter Downey, Cyrus Haynes, John Crawford and William McKamy. The church remained at the place of organ- ization until 1854, when it moved to Argyle Church, in the south-
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
eastern part of Hire township. For a while, this church house was held jointly by the Baptists and Cumberland Presbyterians. In the spring of 1855 the first Sabbath School was organized, and superintended by G. W. Welch. For twenty years after the house was erected, Rev. J. W. Stapp had charge of the church the greater portion of time. The present membership is sixty. Rev. David Hogan took charge of the congregation April 1st, 1875. In the spring of 1876 a parsonage was built near the church house, and is held as the property of the C. P. Church at this place. It cost $600. The cost of the church is $1,500. The Elders of the church at present are : T. J. Caldwell, Allen Mur- ray, A. G. McCord and G. W. Stapp. The Deacons are E. A. Welch and J. T. Murray. The average attendance at the Sab- bath School is sixty ; F. F. Myer, Superintendent.
Sugar Creek .- Meetings of this congregation were held in the Foster neighborhood as early as 1836. In that year, at the resi- dence of A. J. Foster, the Rev. William C. McKamy was or- dained a minister of the gospel, being the first minister ordained in the county. Meetings were held off and on in groves, dwell- ings and school houses until 1865 or '66, when the present church structure was erected. It is a good frame, about thirty-six by forty-eight feet, and cost $3,000. It stands on section two of Eldorado township. The present membership is about seventy- five. Contributions per year, $450. The Elders are William D. Foster and Samuel J. Foster. Rev. William S. Campbell, pastor. John T. Foster, Superintendent of Sunday school. Attendance, fifty. Contributions, fifty cents per Sunday.
Good Hope .- This was formerly known as Walnut Grove Church and was organized April 28, 1838, by Rev. Peter Downey, Cyrus Haynes, and Elder John McCord, who constituted the committee of Rushville Presbytery appointed for that purpose. The original members were Cyrus Haynes, Mahala Haynes, A. H. Berry, M. M. Berry, Michael Vincent, Levi Hamilton, Malinda Hamilton, Mary Stapp, J. B. Stapp, Mary Creel, Charles Creel and Parthena Creel. For about twenty years its ministers served as stated sup- plies. Prominent among these were Rev. Cyrus Haynes, Peter Downey, Rev. Weir, William S. Campbell, E. Knowles, T. K. Roach and J. W. Stapp. In 1859, Rev. J. W. Carter was installed pastor, and served for nine years. Following him were T. S. Me- Clure, Rev. Richardson, J. H. Morgan. and the present pastor, J.
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
D. Foster. There has been two church buildings erected. The first was destroyed by fire, and supposed to be the work of an incendiary. Another structure was created on the same site, at Walnut Grove, two miles and a half southeast of Good Hope. This building was removed to Good Hope and re- modeled. The present membership is 100. The value of church property is $3,500. The first Elders were Michael Vin- cent, Levi Hamilton and J. S. Campbell. Present officers are L. Hamilton, J. S. Campbell, Silas Creel, Henry Baker, A. Allison, II. A. Allison, W. T. Brooking, Mr. Hamilton, C. H. Creel and John Edmonston. II. A. Allison Superintendent of Sunday School. Average attendance is eighty.
Industry .- This congregation was organized at the house of Thomas Adkisson, November 3, 1843, with the following mem- bers : Nathan Compton, Sarah Compton, John Compton, Sarah Adkisson, William C. MeKamy, Mrs. O. H. McKamy, Jane P. McKamy, Elizabeth MeKamy, John McKamy, Margaret Camp- bell, Tom. Pollock, Elizabeth Osborn, A. J. Osborn, Stephen Cockerham, Rachel Cockerham, Martha Bridges, Walter Mean, Joseph Peck, Martha M. Berry and A. II. Berry. Nathan Campbell was elected Elder. The congregation was first named Grindstone. Shortly after the organization, meetings were held in S. Cockerham's house. After this the camp grounds were used, which were on the farm now owned by Washington Vail. In 1845 a Union Church house was erected, which, at present, stands unoccupied one mile and a half east of Industry. This building was used until the one oeenpied at present was erected. The congregation is not now in a very prosperous condition. The membership is forty-two; value of church, $2,500. They have no Sunday School. Rev. Wm. C. MeKany preaches occasionally. J. HI. Berry was the first supply. Several very successful meetings were held in the early existence of this church. One shortly after its organization, when seventeen professed religion. An- other commencing August 18, 1844, when twenty-six united with them.
West Prairie .- This congregation was originally organized at "Sixteen" school house, where meetings were held until the erec- tion of the church. Meetings were also held in the school house of distriet number three, Eldorado township, by another little band. At the close of the rebelion, Rev. Jemes Russell, who had served as a chaplain in the army, was employed by these and
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
other congregations, and by his earnest labor he united the two, and urged the building of a church editice, which was done in 1867, at a cost of $3,300. The building is a neat frame about thirty-three feet by fifty. It is located upon the southwest cor- ner of section nine, Eldorado township. Rev. James Russell was the first pastor, Rev. McClellan followed, and at present, Rev. James Morgan has pastoral charge. Pastor's salary for one-half of his time, $400. The church has been rather prosperous, and now has a membership of fifty-five. The elders are, Samuel Wil- coxen, Thomas Moore, William McFadden and William M. Hammock. Deacons : Henry Hushaw and John Burson. Trus- tees : Samuel Wilcoxen, Isaac Chandler and Thomas Moore. The Sunday school, under the superintendency of Maxwell Kennedy, is one of the best in the county. The average attendance is sixty.
CONGREGATIONALISTS.
This branch of the Church of Christ has never succeeded in any special degree in this county, there being two congregations organized, one at Prairie City and the other at Macomb. In both places neat and commodious houses of worship have been erected, and every advantage would seem to be enjoyed by them, but pros- perity does not seem to attend them in the way of membership, the entire number in the two churches being only one hundred and fifteen. The first congregation organized was that of
Prairie City-The First Congregational Church of Prairie City was organized at Virgil, Fulton county, October 1, 1842. The Rev. Levi Spencer, who was laboring at Canton, had held a series of meetings at this place, and his conversions formed a nucleus ont of which this congregation was organized, and consisted of the following eleven members : Ezra D. Smith, Cyntha Smith, A. G. Andrews, Frederick R. Andrews, George S. Smith, Almon Tainter, Levi Curtis, Nancy Smith, Sarah Schofield, Laura Gor- ham and Chloe Andrews. This church was dependant on the Home Missionary Society until November 15, 1845 ; then for ten years it received aid from the Knox Presbytery. After that, and until 1868, aid came from the Home Missionary Society. The church was removed to Prairie City, October 9, 1858, and those called to labor with the church since, as pastor, were Revs. Samuel Dilley, B. F. Worrell, A. Y. Drake, L. Jones and II. B. Swift. Initiatory steps were taken October 6, 1860, toward erecting a H-36
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IIISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
house of worship. The building was completed and dedicated September 27, 1865. It is a good, substantial frame building, costing $3,000. The present membership is thirty-five. No pastor employed since December, 1876. Trustees, B. F. Hoyt, Francis T. Emery, E. D. Smith and E. S. Bates. Deacons, B. F. Hoyt and E. S. Bates. Clerk, E. A. Boynton. Annual contributions, $800. B. F. Hoyt, Superintendent of the Sunday school. At- tendance, thirty-five. Contributions, twenty-five cents.
Macomb .- The first Congregationalist Church of Macomb was organized in 1858, the following being the original members: L. Clisby and family, J. Trull and family, J. P. MeCandless and family, James Anderson and family, Dr. Chase, Thomas Gilmore and wife, Hector McLean and family, Reid and family, and Mrs. S. Beardsley. From 1863 to 1867 no regular pastor was em- ployed, and no religious advancement was made. In 1867 the Rev. G. L. Granger was called as pastor, and spent two years, when the Rev. Lemuel Jones was called to the pastorate. Rev. Z. K. Hawley was the first pastor. In 1872 and 1873, the congrega- tion erected a neat church edifice on Carroll street, east of Ran- dolph street, at a cost of $6,500. The present member- ship is eighty. The average annual contribution is about $1,000. The salary of the pastor, $900. There are seventy-five scholars enrolled in the Sunday School, with an average attendance of fifty-five scholars, and a contribution of fifty-five cents per Sun- day.
BAPTISTS.
Although this denomination was the first to hold service in this county, and occupied the field alone for some time, its congrega- tions are none of them very old. Whether the first organizations ceased to exist, or were merged in others, we are unable to deter- mine. As a denomination they have been growing rapidly in numbers during the past ten or fifteen years. They now number ten congregations and seven hundred and forty-six members in the county. Following will be found short sketches of each con- gregation :
Hillsborough .- This congregation was organized in 1849, and in the year following a good frame house of worship was erected, at a cost of $2,000. It is located on the southeast quarter of sec- tion 18, Blandinsville township. The house at present is in good repair. The membership is one hundred and thirteen. The fol-
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGHI COUNTY.
lowing persons have served as pastors : Elder J. G. Ward, Wil- liam Forrest, John Ray and the present pastor, Elder William Hobbs, who came among this people in 1868.
Macomb .- The First Baptist Church of Macomb was organized in 1827, 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 continued 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 the largest and most expensive church structure in the county. The architectural design of the building is rather imposing, of good pro- portion and pleasing to the eye; a very tall steeple, one hundred and thirty-two feet high, rises from the center of the building, over the front and main entrance, it is beautifully designed and pro- portioned. The present value of the structure is $11,000, al- though it cost the congregation several thousand dollars more to erect it ; real estate, material and labor were much higher then than at present. The following 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. Sum- mers. The congregation has grown gradually until the member- ship at present numbers one hundred and seventy-two, with an average contribution of $2,000 per year. The following are the names of the various pastors since the organization : Rev. L. M. Whitman, J. O. Metcalf, C. W. Palmer, J. L. Benedict, C. B. Roberts, and the present pastor, Rev. J. L. M. Young. The salary of the pastor is $1,000 per annum. There are enrolled in the Sunday school about one hundred and twenty-five, with an average contribution of from seventy-five to ninety cents per Sun- dav.
Prairie City .- The Baptist church of Prairie City was organized November 9, 1856, by Elder E. J. Lockwood, with the following fourteen members : Alonzo Barnes, Martha L. Barnes, Win. Davis, Susan Davis, Kate Smith, J. B. Robinson and wife: Ann Legg, M. Heminover, Martha Macomb, T. C. Luther, Porter J. Jack, Ruth H. Bell and Rebecca Barnes. Meetings were held in the school house until 1850, when a good frame church edifice was erected, at a cost of $2,000 ; it is 32x48 feet, with a spire con- taining a fair-sized bell; it is situated on Smith street near Main. The first Deacons chosen were : M. Heminover and Alonzo Barnes. Mr. Barnes was also chosen clerk. The following have served this
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IHISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
church as pastors : S. A. Kingsbury, H. S. P. Warren, C. Hutchins, E. J. Lockwood, Danforth C. A. Hewett, A. J. Colville, and S. II. D. Vaughn, the present pastor. The present officers are : Deacons, Alonzo Barnes and J. H. Taylor ; Clerk, J. S. Barnes. The present membership is about fifty, and the annual contribution $800. A good Sunday School with an average attendance of seventy-five, is presided over by Alonzo Barnes. The contribution of the school is about $1.00 per Sunday.
Independent .- The church building of this congregation is located upon section ten of Emmet township, and was erected in 1858 or '59. The organization was originally perfected July 4, 1847, with a membership of eight, and until the erection of the house of worship, met in a school house. Rev. J. Owen was the first pastor, succeeded respectively by the following: Elders Hays, Thomas Camp, W. L. Forrest, Ray, Canfield, Joel Penning- ton, Parks, Hobbs and, in 1876, the present pastor, Elder W. L. Lemly, was called. Since the organization of the church 220 persons have taken membership. Of this number, 16 have died, 91 dismissed by letter, and 23 excluded. The present member- ship is but 42. The value of the church property is $600. Joshua Simmons and James Simmons are Trustees. The latter is also Superintendent of the Sunday school, which has an attendance of about 40.
Cedar Creek .- The church structure is located on section twen- ty-two of Walnut Grove township. It is a good frame building, 26x46 feet, and was erected in 1872, at a cost of $1,500. Rev. John Thompson, pastor.
Tennessee .- This church was organized February 8, 1860, by Elders Farris, and Garnett. Held meetings in school house until 1863, when the present church structure was erected, and at a cost of $2,000. It is a good frame building thirty-six feet by forty- four. The following are the names of the original members : Michael Stookey, Lucinda Stookey, Joseph Wood, Mary Wood, Carolina Samuel, B. Smith, Sarah Smith, John Carroll, Elizabeth Hawker, Thomas Howell, Sarah Howell, G. D. Mourning, Rebec- ca Mourning, and J. G. Eastwood. The present membership is thirty-five; a few years ago it numbered one hundred and forty, but two or three churches have been organized through the country by members attending here, and this of course largely diminished the membership. The following are the pastors serving this church respectively : Elders D. J. Garnett, J. D. Ward, W. R. Welch,
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
H. H. Parks, T. N. Lowe, and Elder W. R. Welch, the present pastor, who has labored with this people before. James L. Trow- er, moderator ; D. J. Garnett, clerk.
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