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 57
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Bushnell .- The Baptist Church of Bushnell was organized March 1, 1862. Elder H. S. P. Warren was moderator of the meeting and John F. Smith, clerk. The original members were : Elder Warren, J. F. Smith, Jonathan [Greene, William II. Greene, Moses Wilson, William S. Hummell, Augustine Kenyon, Jane Fusin, Esther Adams, Laura J. Warren, Lucy P. Greene. The pastors from that time to the present are the following in or- der : Rev. II. P. S. Warren, William T. Bly, Elijah Ross, Wm. T. Hill, J. J. W. Place, G. P. Guild and Niles Kinney, the present pastor. The church building was erected in 1867, and dedicated in October of the same year. The meetings of the church had previously been held in the German M. E. Church, in Andrews, Hall, and in Smith's Hall. The building is situated on Crafford street east of the C., B. & Q. R. R. depot, and is a good frame structure thirty-six feet by forty-four, and is worth $2,700. The growth of the church has been gradual, mostly by members mov- ing in from other places, and in the conversion of the children and friends of its members. The church has had several revivals of religion, but no very extensive work. The present member- ship is 102; average annual contribution, $850. The present officers are : Clerk, J. R. Kay ; Treasurer, J. L. Griffith ; Trustees, W. L. Sheaff, J. Dixon, W. S. Hummell, H. Fowler and E. B. Hunt; Deacons, W. II. Greene, II. Fowler and J. R. Kay. The average attendance in the Sunday school is eighty-five; the con- tribution, 860.00 per year. J. R. Kay, superintendent and has been for ten years. Since the organization ten members have died.
Sciota .- This church was organized in the spring of 1870, at a meeting held in the Christian Church, at which Elder Corfield officiated, and with seven or eight members. Meetings were held in the Christian Church until a church edifice of their own was erected, which was in 1871. It is a good, plain church structure, about thirty feet wide by forty long, with a well proportioned spire rising from the centre of the front, which contains a good toned, ordinary sized bell. The building cost $1,950. The pres- ent membership is about eighty, and the contributions about $700 per annum. The first sermon preached by a Baptist minister in Sciota was by Elder Sutton, in the year 1868. The church, after
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its organization, was very prosperous, and continued so until a short time ago, when, unfortunately, discord and strife arose among its members. The present officers are : Deacons William Perrine and F. Hollenbeck ; Pastor, Rev. Colvin; Evan Rogers, Superintendent of Sunday school. Attendance, thirty ; contribu- tion, thirty cents per week.
Blandinsville .- The following correct history of the organiza- tion of this church we copy from the digest of letters in the min- utes of the 37th anniversary of the Salem Baptist Association, held at Macomb: "Rev. S. Pickard, during the month of June, . came among us and held a series of meetings, which resulted in our organization. By the blessings of the great head of the Church, saints were revived and sinners made to bow. We were organized on the twenty-fourth of June, 1870, by Elders Samuel Pickard and Wm. Hobbs, and publicly recognized as the Baptist church of Blandinsville by a regular council called for that pur- pose. We have commenced the erection of a house of worship, which we expect to complete before winter. Have preaching every alternate Thursday evening, by Elder J. J. W. Place, and occasionally by Elder Norman Parks, of Raritan, on Sunday." The following were the original twelve members : J. C. Feigley, Mrs. J. R. Harmon, Edith Porter, Mary A. Ward, Helen Gruber, Eliza Feigley, Jane Ray, Eleseph Ray, Matilda Seybold, Paulina Logan, Henry Harmon and Isaac HI. Bogarth. The church has been prosperous, enjoying four seasons of revival, which brought many into the fold of Christ. At present the membership is ninety-one ; the congregation has a good church edifice on Maple street which is valued at $4,000. Those serving as pastors since its organization, have been : Rev. J. H. Delano, Wm. Hobbs, G. E. Eldridge and Rev. J. Wood Sanders. The average salary paid pastors has been $550 per year ; the annual contribution is $800. The attendance at Sunday School is sixty ; the annual collection, $40.
Second Church (colored), Macomb .- This congregation was organized by Elder Doling, of Quincy, J. C. Graves, Galesburg, J. W. Harrington, Sciota, and A. Blackburn, Macomb, May 9, 1875. The following were the original members : Andrew Pleasant, Hattie Pleasant, David and Emma Hammond, Winnie Fields, Matilda Mayweather, Wisten Jackson and Maria Sanford. The church has had two revivals, at which thirteen were added to the church, making a membership at present of twenty-five. The church building is situated on North Lafayette street, and was
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formerly owned by the First Baptist Church, but purchased from them recently, $400 being the consideration. The annual contri- bution is about $240. The pastor's salary for one-half his time is $120 per year. There are twenty scholars enrolled in the Sunday School. Rev. William Webster, pastor; J. B. Fields, W. Jack- son and William H. Ball, Trustees ; D. Hammond, M. Clay and Wisten Jackson, Deacons ; J. B. Fields, Clerk ; D. Hammond, Treasurer ; and Henry Fields, Sexton.
UNIVERSALISTS.
This denomination has never made any special effort to evan- gelize in this county, and therefore do not number very largely, having only one congregation, which is located at Macomb.
Universalist Church, Macomb .- The first sermon of this denom- ation ever preached in Macomb was delivered by the Rev. Gard- ner in 1846. In 1851 a congregation was organized by Rev. I. M. Westfall. The following named persons were among the orig- inal members: R. M. Bonham, J. W. Westtall, J. M. Martin, John S. Smith, Orsamus Walker, J. L. N. Hall, William D. Penrose, F. L. Westfall, D. D. Roll, Green C. Lane, HI. HI. Burr, John Q. Lane, John L. Henton, and J. H. Baker. Services were held in the court house until 1855, when the present church structure was erected. It is located on East Jackson street, near the Square, and is a good frame building. Those that have served as pastors for this congregation are: Revs. I. M. Westfall, William S. Bal- lou, D. P. Livermore, - Carney, William Livingston, John Hughes, T. H. Tabor, J. P. Weston, D. R. Biddlecome, S. West, and the present pastor, Rev. B. N. Wiles. The present member- ship is about one hundred; the value of church property is $5,000. J. H. Baker, J. L. N. Hall, R. M. Bonham are trustees; J. H. Baker, superintendent of Sunday-school.
REFORMED CHURCH.
Only one congregation of this body exists in this county, no special effort having ever been made to extend the cause else- where than at
Bushnell .- This church was organized October 19, 1856, by a committee consisting of Rev. A. Wilson and S. B. Ayers. The original members were Frederick Cruser, Thomas Plotts and wife, Aaron Sperling and D. M. Wyckoff. The church edifice was erected in 1860 or '61, and dedicated May 1, 1861. It is a good
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frame building, and is on the corner of Church and Craftord streets. It is valued at $5,000, and the parsonage at $1,600. The first meetings of the society were held in a school house, and afterward in a carpenter shop which was purchased and fitted up as a chapel. The present resident membership is one hundred and four. The first consistory was composed of Elders John Wyckoff, Thomas Plotts and Frederick K. Cruser; Deacons D. M. Wyckoff and Aaron Sperling. The present consistory is com- posed of the following : Lewis Smick, J. S. Clark, Abram Hoag- land and D. M. Wyckoff, Elders; and J. B. Pearson, J. I. Per- rine, J. B. Cummings and M. L. Sperry, Deacons. For the past eight years the annual contributions have been $1,665. The Sab- bath school is superintended by J. B. Cummings. The average attendance is eighty. There have been but three pastors : Revs. E. P. Livingston, James Wyckoff and the present one, Rev. G. D. W. Bodine.
FREE WILL BAPTIST.
Prairie City .- This congregation was organized in September, 1857, by Elder John B. Fast, assisted by Elders S. Shaw and P. Christian, and consisted of the following members : Elder J. B. Fast and Sarah, his wife, John J. Fast, Samuel Nestleroad and Catharine, his wife, William Nestleroad, William Bolin, Adaline Tainter, Belchy Mary White and David S. Johnson. From 1859 to 1868, the congregation met in the Prairie City Academy build- ing; Elder J. B. Fast was employed as the first pastor, and the first deacons were Samuel Nestleroad and John Murphy. For awhile the church was quite prosperous, having a membership of two hundred, at present the membership is but seventy. In 1866 and 1867 the church edifice, which stands on Fremont avenue, was erected, and at a cost of $5,000. It is a frame forty feet wide and sixty feet long, having two floors; the lower for Sunday school and prayer meetings. The upper is the main auditorium and has a seating capacity of four hundred. The average annual con- tribution is $1,000. Rev. B. F. World is the present pastor; J. F. Davis, deacon and clerk. G. W. Closson is superintendent of the Sunday school, which has an average attendauce of one hun- dred, with a contribution of fifty cents per Sunday.
Maple Hill .- This congregation was organized in 1875, by Rev. T. J. Dodge, with twelve members. They meet in Maple Hill school house, in the southeast corner of section twenty-six, Bush-
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nell township. Benjamin Tainter, deacon ; George W. Thomp- son, superintendent of the Sunday school, which has an average attendance of twenty-seven.
CATHOLIC.
Two congregations exist in this county, viz : at Tennessee and Macomb, both in good condition. Contrary to the spirit of the denomination there seems never to have been any special effort put forth to build up their cause in this county. The first congre- gation organized was that at Tennessee.
Tennessee .- About 1839, the old church at Fountain Green (St. Simon's) was built, but not completed. In 1860, the church was removed to Tennessee, and a good church building erected. Among the original members at Tennessee were the following: Mr. Irwin, and family, Mr. McKeons, Mr. Rutledge, Mr. Nester, Mr. Cosgroves, with their their families. Rev. Father Albright was the first pastor. Rev. Father Touhey (of Macomb) is the present pastor.
Macomb .- The Catholic congregation of Macomb was organ- ized in 1854 by the Rev. Father O'Neill. The following are the names of the original members : Frank McSpirit and family, Jo- seph Reilly and family, Terence and Patrick McGinnis, Peter Crawford, Patrick Laughlin, Francis Campbell and Michael Mc- Gan. Services were held at the residence of Frank MeSpirit, where Peter Sullivan, Sr., now lives. The Rev. Mr. O'Neill offi- ciated for about four years, and was succeeded by Father Schile- ing, who was instrumental in purchasing the lots on West Jackson street, corner of Johnson, upon which the present church structure and parsonage stands. In 1864 Rev. John Larmer came as pastor. During his pastorate the church was built and parsonage refitted. Rev. Thomas F. Mangan succeeded Rev. Larmer, and remained as pastor for two years. He was succeeded by Rev. D. J. Cogan. The Rev. JJames Tuohy, the present pastor, succeeded Rev. Cogan. In 1875 a revival, or mission, was held by a missionary clergyman from New York. The church financially is in good condition. The church property is valued at $7,000. The annual income about $1,000. The average attendance in the Sun- day school is about eighty.
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FCHRISTIANS.
The Christians, as an organized denomination, commenced their distinct existence from other christian bodies about the beginning of the present century, viz : in three different localities -in the East, in 1804, from the Baptists, Abner Jones and Elias Smith being prominent leaders in the movement; in the South (North Carolina), in 1802, from the Methodists, led by Elder O'Reilly ; and in the West, from the Presbyterians, led by Ful- ton W. Stone, Marshall, Thompson, Dunlany, and David Purvi- ance. These men were moved by a common impulse, East, West and South, to work a reformation in the religious world, and were eminently successful. The leading principles of the "Chris- tians," as urged by those pioneers and still held prominent by the body are :
First .- The Bible their only written creed of faith and conduct.
Second .- Christian their only name.
Third .- Conversion; vital piety ; Christian character ; Christ's likeness in spirit and practice their test of fellowship.
Fourth .- Private judgment the right of all christians in matters of doctrine and conscience. They believe in God, as the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; in the Son, as the only begotten of the Father ; in the Holy Spirit, as proceeding from the Father : one Comforter and Sanctifier.
N. Summerbell, D. D., the present editor of their denomina- tional paper, summarizes thus: "If the Christians, generally, believe in one God, in Christ as the Divine Son of God, in the influence of the Sprit, in the fullness of atonement, in repent- ance, faith, conversion, baptism, holiness, the resurrection, the judgment and eternal life, it is not because they have a human creed, but because these doctrines are so frequently and so luminously set forth in the word of God that they naturally adopt them. * * Nothing is more dear to the heart of the Chris- tian than the hope that all Christians will yet return to the apos- tolieal basis and be united in Christ. The evangelical basis, insisting only on pure Bible words for doctrine, and faith and fellowship, removes the greatest obstacle to union."
Baptism is administered by an entire immersion or burial with Christ. The Christians have some 1,600 churches, about as many ministers, ninety conferences, and about 250,000 membership. Schools and colleges are encouraged ; and a Bible school, at Standfirville, New York. They claim the earliest religious paper, the Herald of Gospel Liberty, commenced in 1808; now published at Dayton, Ohio.
*Nickname New Lights.
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
Christian Church, Industry .- This congregation was organized January 27, 1858, by Rev. John MeMillin, with the following members, James M. Vail, Elizabeth J. Vail, James B. Vail. So- phia Vail, Jessie Brown, J. Brown, Hexey Downen, and Nancy Vail. Meetings were held in school houses until the Cumberland Presbyterian church was erected, when it was used until 1869, when a building of their own was erected at a cost of about $5,000, it is a good frame forty feet by sixty feet. The present member- ship is one hundred and twenty, but the general attendance is about four hundred. The following pastors have served this church : John McMillin, Alvin H. Chase, Eli Linscott, and the present pastor J. L. Towner. The trustees are John B. Vail, Washington Vail, T. B. Stewart, and Caleb Hathaway. The at- tendance of the Sunday school is about seventy-five, contribution about $75 per year, mostly raised by entertainments. Aaron Shusley, superintendent.
GERMAN BAPTISTS, OR BRETHREN.
In all their periodicals and records this seet is known as Ger- man Baptists, but always among themselves as Brethren, and are better known, perhaps, by others by their nickname Dunkers. This denomination claims to have re-organized the church, with all of its primitive rites in 1708 in Germany. The awakening that followed Luther's reformation caused many to seek after true "primitive Christianity," who, from their Christian association to- gether and fidelity to the teachings of their Master, were called "Pietists." Their zeal aroused the indignation of the priesthood, who, by the relentless hand of persecution, drove them for pro- tection to Witgenstein.
They still held to the name of Pietists, but notwithstanding much difference of opinion among themselves, they called each other brothers and labored together. It was found necessary to have a form of regular church government. A convention for this purpose was held, which resulted in partial failure. There were eight souls who here covenanted with God in Christ Jesus- to take the Bible as their man of council, and the Gospel of their blessed Savior for their rule of faith and practice, ignoring all ereeds and discipline of human invention, but resolved, by the grace of God, to make all things according to the pattern shown to them on Mount Zion. There were eight present at this con- vention. The little band made considerable headway for several
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years, when again they were driven from their homes by persecu- tion. They sought shelter under the King of Prussia, and still further persecution followed, when they resolved to go to America, and in 1719 the first party landed, and in 1729 the re- mainder arrived, and settled in Germantown, Pennsylvania. From this point they have spread all over the nation, numbering at present about 150,000, with 1,466 ministers, with 140 in Illinois.
Mr. A. G. Black, a minister of the Washington arm of the Church, located in the county of Kosciusko, Ind., came to this county in 1864, and, after visiting the members residing here and in the western part of Fulton county, concluded to organize a Church in this county, and on June 2nd, 1865, through the kind- ness of the friends in school district number eight, in Mound township, were permitted to meet in their school house. There were fourteen present: John Pool and wife, Henry Zuck and wife, John Crowl and wife, Joseph Rinker and wife, Martin My- ers and wife, Isaac N. Crosswait and wife, A. G. Black and wife, and some foreign brethren. After the usual solemnities of such occasions, it was ascertained that John Pool and Henry Zuck were already authorized Deacons, and A. G. Black a Minister in the second degree. The members present, on being examined separate and apart from the official members, agreed to accept them in their official capacity in the new organization. After the Elders had dedicated them to their Lord and Master in solemn prayer to God, the organization was given the name of the Bush- nell Arm of the Church. Since, thirty members have moved within the boundary of the congregation, and thirty-four joined by baptism, while sixteen have removed-leaving a total of sixty- two.
In 1867 John L. Myers and Jacob Burgard, who is now de- ceased, were chosen to the ministry, and in the same year Hiram Morrison and P. Carson were elected deacons, and in 1875 John Pool, Jr., was chosen to the ministry and William Cook as deacon.
The tenets of the church are, in brief, as follows; They con- sider faith, repentance and baptism as essential to church mem- bership, also valid Christian baptism to be performed by "trine immersion," Matthew 28 : 19; members are to observe all things Christ has commanded them, Matt. 28 : 20; they are not to engage in carnal warfare, Isa. 2:4, Matt. 16: 52 and 5: 38-47; they are not to take an oath, Matt. 5 : 33-37, James 5: 12; they are to
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wash one another's feet, as commanded in John 13; and are to salute one another with the kiss, as commanded five times by the Apostles, and observe plainness of dress as commanded in I. Peter 3, and other places.
Respectfully, A. G. BLACK.
UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST.
The church of the United Brethren in Christ was organized by Rev. Philip William Otterbein, in Baltimore, Maryland, in the year 1774, and until 1800, were called United Brethren. In order to distinguish this church from the Moravian United Brethren Church, the words "in Christ" were added. The highest ecclesi- astical body in this church consists of a General Conference, composed of Bishops and three Delegates from each Annual Con- ference. It is the duty of the General Conference to enact such laws as are required for the good government of the church, and to see that they are properly administered and observed by the Annual Conference, which is the next highest body, and is com- posed of Ordained Elders, and Annual Conference Licentiates, presided over by a Bishop. The duty of this body is to enquire into the moral and official character of its members, look after the various interests of the church in its district, elect presiding elders and station ministers on their various fields of labor. There are now forty Annual Conferences in the entire church. The one of which the churches of this county form a part, embraces the territory between the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, as far north as the mouth of Rock river and the city of Peru, and is known as the Illinois Conference. The next body in authority is the Quarterly Conference, composed of the pastors, local preachers, exhorters, class-leaders, stewards, Sabbath sehocl superintendents and trustees of churches and parsonages belonging to the circuit, mission or station. This body is presided over by a Presiding Elder, and its duty is to inquire into the moral and official char- acter of its members, and look after the various interests of the church. Classes are organized, consisting of three or more mem- bers, who elect a leader, whose term of office continues one year. A steward, whose duty it is to look after the finances of the class, is also elected annually. The highest office in the church is that of Bishop, which is filled every four years by an election of the General Conference. There are now five Bishops in the church : J. Weaver is Bishop of this district. Presiding Elders are elected
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
annually by the Conference to which they belong. The church has always opposed intemperance, slavery and secret societies, and has special laws against them. The doctrine is similar to that of the Methodist Episcopal Church. There are at present in this county fifteen societies and eleven church buildings, viz. : Pleas- ant Gale, Willow Grove, Jerusalem, Center, Mound Chapel, Pilot Grove, Lutz Chapel, Blandinsville, Elm Grove, Salem and La- moine Chapel. The numerical strength of this denomination in the county is not large, and it was a number of years after its or- ganization before a congregation was formed. There are now nine in the county, having a membership of about three hundred and fifty. The first organized was the
Elm Grove .- The church building is located on section fifteen of Hire township, and was erected in 1866 at an outlay of $1,200. Its size is twenty-six by thirty-six feet. The church was organ- ized in 1855, with fifteen members. The present membership is thirty-five. Isaac Valentine, Pastor; Israel Null, Class Leader; Perry Keithly, Steward. The Trustees are John Nelson, James Boyce, William H. Null and Israel Null. William HI. Null is Superintendent of the Sunday school. The average attendance of the school is thirty.
Willow Grove .- The United Brethren ministers began preaching in Prosperity Hall, in 1867, but it was not until 1871 that a regu- lar organization was effected, which was by Rev. I. Valentine. Prosperity Hall alluded to was erected in 1862 by a Good Tem- plar society, and used by that order of temperance workers for seven or eight years. The hall was thrown open to the general public, and meetings by the various denominations were held in it. The building was about eighteen feet by thirty-two, and cost $450. Many interesting and profitable meetings and conventions were held in this hall, and were largely attended by those living in all parts of the county. Previous to the erection of the hall, meetings were held at the residence of A. J. Hainline. The church building, which stands upon section one of Hire township, was dedicated by Bishop D. Edwards on the tenth of November, 1872. The building is a good frame, thirty feet by forty, and cost $2,000.
The following are the names of the original members : A. Brown and wife, Quincy Hainline and wife, Georgiana Watts, Emma Watts, Lodelia Watts, James Fielding, Rebecca Hainline,
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HISTORY OF M'DONOUGHI COUNTY.
Flora Hainline and Amanda M. Hainline. Several successful re- vival meetings have been held, and present membership num- bers thirty. The following are the names of the various Pastors : Rev. J. H. Snyder, N. A. Walker, I. Valentine, A. Worman, E. Godfrey, J. Wagner and W. P. Pease. The Trustees first elected still serve; they are : A. Brown, Q. C. Hainline, J. B. Isom, William Watts and A. J. Hainline, Steward, J. B. Isom. Class Leader, Isaiah Stambaugh. Average contribution is $200 per year. Sunday School is held in union with the M. E. Church- attendance, thirty-five.
New Philadelphia .- The church structure is situated on seetion fourteen of Mound township, and was erected in 1868. G. A. Cadwallader is the Class Leader, and J. Pickering, Steward. The membership of the Sunday School is forty. G. A. Cadwallader, Superintendent.
Jerusalem Chapel of the United Brethren Church .- This society was organized October 29, 1867, at the residence of A. Switzer. J. B. Conly, A. Switzer, William Early, Enos Spangler elected trustees. A church edifice was commenced immediately, and on the twenty-second of December, 1868, it was dedicated. It is built for the use of all orthodox denominations when not in use by the United Brethren. The size of the building is 28 by 36 feet, and the cost $1,411 85. It is located on section 11. The present membership is about thirty; at the organization but sixteen. The following are the various pastors since 1867: J. B. Austin, .T. Dunham, S. K. Coats, N. A. Walker, Amos Worman, Isaac Valentine, J. Wagner, and William Pease.
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