USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer County : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc., gathered from mattter furnished by the Mercer County Historical Society, interviews with old settlers, county, township and other records, and extracts from files of papers, pamphlets, and such other sources as have been available : containing also a short history of Henderson County > Part 55
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J. E. HARROUN.
Prominent among the educators of Mercer county was J. E. Har- roun, and he merits a place in our history.
Joseph Elliott Harroun was born in Crawford county, Pennsyl- vania. He removed when a young man to Galesburg, Illinois, and entered Lombard University, from whence he came to Mercer county, in 1853, teaching school at the Pryne school-house, two miles east of New Boston, the winter of that year. In March, 1855, he married Miss Margaret A., daughter of William Willits, of New Boston township, and removed to Wapello, Iowa, where he edited the "Wapello Intel- ligencer," for some months. In the spring of 1856 he came back to Mercer county, locating in Aledo, where he erected the first building, in which he opened and kept the first boarding-house. He was the first postmaster of Aledo, and it is said that he carried the mail around in his hat. He taught the first school in the village, in the winter of that year, and held for some years the office of town clerk. In 1858 he was elected county superintendent of schools, and proved one of the best and most efficient officers that have ever filled that position. During his term of two years he visited every school district in the county, ninety in all, giving all the schools a personal supervision ; helping and advising the teachers ; making a suggestion here and there, but always in a kindly spirit, and with no air of dictation. He was the warm friend and supporter of the earnest teacher, but had little patience with those who taught merely to "fill in the time." He
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also held institutes and gave lectures, and was prominently connected with the county normals and institutes. He introduced the first orrery and telurian ever in the county, and carried them with him in his school visits, explaining their workings to each school. He spoke in an easy, happy manner, that won and held the attention of pupils. His methods and ideas were all new, and by some deemed peculiar ; but if so, it was only that they were in advance of the times, as they have since been adopted and made an integral part of our school system as relates to methods of teaching. He was one of the first teachers in the county to attempt to impart instruction orally, and insisted that his pupils should study the meaning of their lesson, rather than the words.
His term of service as superintendent was of great benefit to the schools of the county, and he is entitled to all the more credit for his labors when we remember that at that time there was no salary to the office.
In 1858 Mr. Harroun removed to a new farm he was opening three and one-half miles southeast of Aledo, where he resided until about two years ago. During that time he taught school a part of the time, at Gingle's corners. Perryton township ; Freer's school-house, . and in his home district, Mercer township ; and at Sunbeam ; in all, nine terms. In 1876 he taught in New Boston.
While farming he paid considerable attention to the improvement of stock, making short-horn cattle a specialty, and his herd was fre- quently exhibited at our county fairs, where it always attracted atten- tion. He was for years prominently connected with the agricul- tural board, serving as vice-president and secretary for six years. He took an active part in the removal of the fairs from Millersburg to Aledo, and in purchasing and fitting up the new grounds.
In 1880 he received the. appointment of clerk of the district court of Cassia county, Idaho Territory, and selling his farm he removed to Albion, in that country, where he still resides. He is now probate judge and deputy clerk of the district court of that county.
He was a member of the 102d Ill. Vol. Inf., in the late war, enlist- ing as a private but soon rising to the rank of orderly sergeant, and being commissioned lieutenant of his company prior to the close of his term of service. He participated in the marches, engagements, and manifold trials incident to army life in connection with his regiment.
He is the father of six children, viz. : Adella T., born February 12, 1856 ; married February 22, 1876, to Sanford M. Huston ; now resides at Geneva, Nebraska. Dora C., born July 30, 1858 ; married
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March 10, 1880, to Govert H. Stephens, of Sunbeam, Mercer county, where they still reside. Lulu M., born June 6, 1861 ; died July 14, 1878, in Aledo. William Corwin, born May 21, 1866; resides with his parents at Albion. Ada, born October 12, 1868 ; died December 22, 1868. Jessie A., born October 31, 1870 ; resides with her parents.
Mr. Harroun and his family have many warm friends yet in this county. Mrs. HI. was raised here, and they still feel a deep interest in all pertaining to their old home, and we doubt not will be among the most eager readers of this history.
THE SEAT OF JUSTICE.
By the act of the legislature, of January 31, 1835, creating the county of Mercer, New Boston was designated as the "temporary county seat"; and in 1837 an act was passed appointing William MeMurtry, of Knox county; Thomas Spragins, of Jo Daviess; and Jolın S. Stephenson, of Ogle, commissioners to select a permanent loca- tion. They selected Millersburg as the site, making their report Sep- tember 15, 1837, which was signed by the last two named. John and Sarah Miller donated the amount of land required by the act, making their deed therefor December 18, 1837.
This decision was not satisfactory to the citizens of the west side of the county, and in 1839 they secured an act authorizing an election in April of that year, to vote for or against removing the county seat to New Boston, which, however, resulted in favor of retaining the "seat" at Millersburg.
Here a two-story frame court-house was built, and a stone jail ; but the latter was of little use in holding such prisoners as desired to gain their freedom, for they could, and frequently did, dig out the soft mor- tar and remove stones enough to gain a safe and easy egress. We remember when a boy of being shown a hole in the gable of the build- ing through which a prisoner had recently made escape from "durance vile." To render the building more secure the county commissioners had it lined throughout with three-inch oak plank, held in place by three-cornered studs in the angles, these being driven full of nails to prevent their being cut into.
Agitation was still kept up, and another board of commissioners was secured, who again decided in favor of Millersburg. In 1847, however, another election was held, and resulted in 396 votes for Keithsburg, 340 for New Boston, and 210 for Millersburg, Keithsburg carrying off the prize. Land was again donated, a substantial brick court-house erected, and the county archives removed to the new loca- tion. After the removal of the county seat from Millersburg, the
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conrt-house, jail, public square, and considerable adjoining land was purchased by Mr. HI. W. Thornton, who still resides on the outskirts of the village. and to whom we are indebted for a portion of this history. The jail was torn down and the material put to other uses. The court-house was removed to a lot near the then center of the village. and has for many years been used as a wagonmaker's shop.
Keithsburg wore the laurels for nearly ten years, when another election was held, August 3, 1857, and by a vote of 1,479 to 549 the people decided to remove the county seat to Aledo, which was situated almost in the center of the rapidly growing county. Land and money were donated, a building was ready for the reception of the officers and the records, and the work of removal was quickly accomplished.
For some time court was held in a building erected for a school- house, but being unfit for that purpose, was sold to the county for a nominal sum for a court-house, and is still so used. It is not well adapted to the purpose, being illy-ventilated, and positively unhealthy, and the feeling is growing in the county that a new building is a neces- sity, and it will doubtless be erected at no distant day upon the block donated for that purpose. A commodious and substantial jail was erected in 1869, and a fire-proof building for the county offices in 1873. The latter, while perhaps a safe place to keep the records, is a very uncomfortable place to work in, either winter or summer, owing to poor ventilation. It stands upon Court-House square, and the jail is in tl e block immediately west of it.
The old court-house at Keithsburg has become the property of the town and is known as the Opera-house, it being fitted up with stage and s .enery.
CHURCHES.
P, sbyterian Church .- The first organization of this church was effecte 1 November 10, 1856, in a school-house west of Aledo, which was at that time known as " the mile school-house."
The ministers who presided over and perfected the organization were Rev. Wm. Townley and Rev. John H. Nevins.
The officers who were then elected were : elders, Messrs. Wm. W. McCandless and Edgar Allen ; deacon, Mr. Vanbuskirk ; trustees, Messrs. Simon Macy, John McKee, and John S. Thompson.
This congregation for some time after its organization, worshiped in the same old school-house, and after leaving it, occupied a room in Dr. Macy's drug store building, which was used for a private school, and which stood upon the lot now occupied by the residence of Mrs. Jane Strother. Some time about the year 1857, they worshiped in another
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
school-room, where Dr. Townley taught a select or private school. The same house is now occupied as a dwelling by F. A. Hollenbeck, in the west part of Aledo. Services were held in the above room until 1865, when the congregation fitted up the chapel room of a col- lege that was under the care of the Presbytery, and which was situated in the south part of the town. This room was occupied by them as a place of worship until 1871, from which time, until the building they now occupy was finished, they worshiped in the house of the Methodist brethren. The first pastor of the church was Rev. Samuel Linn, who continued in charge until the spring of 1861, when he was succeeded by Rev. W. W. Williams, for- merly of Ohio. It was during the pastorate of Mr. Williams the chapel room spoken of before was fitted up for worship, and the pros- perity of the congregation at that time, and the means of advancement and growth, were largely due to the energy of Thos. Candor, familiarly known as "Father Candor," a man of untiring zeal and christian devotion ; he died in 1871. Mr. Williams remained in charge of the congregation till the fall of 1866, when he was succeeded by Rev. John S. Loots, who remained nearly three years, when he resigned, was released by the Presbytery, and was succeeded by Rev. F. A. Shearer in the winter of 1868 and 1869. Dr. Shearer was succeeded by Rev. Samuel T. Davis, in 1875, who remained about two years and was suc- ceeded by Rev. Robt. Edgar, who remained with the congregation about three years, when, by his own request, he was released by the Presbytery. The congregation is large and in a prosperous condition. They have a large and handsome place of worship, which cost about $6,000. There are only two surviving members of the original organ- ization. Mrs. Amanda M. Macy and Mrs. Martha Detwiler.
United Presbyterian Church .- In the year 1853 or 1854, Rev. Matthew Bigger preached occasionally to a few members of the Asso- ciate Reformed Presbyterian church, living in Millersburg township, Mercer county, Illinois. Services were generally held at the house of Samuel Carnahan, and sometimes in a school-house near his place. An organization was effected in the year 1855 by the election of Samuel Carnahan, Sr., and William Haverhill, as ruling elders.
The first pastor was the Rev. D. C. Cochran, who was installed Nov. 9, 1856, and continued with the congregation as pastor for about two years. The records show that five persons were received into membership by certificate during the first pastorate. In the year 1856 the village of Aledo was laid out, and the name of the congregation was soon changed from "Millersburg " to that of "Aledo." Near the time that the first pastor was released, the Rev. Matthew Bigger,
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pastor of Pope creek congregation, now Sunbeam, removed to Aledo with his family, and preached "statedly" as supply to the Aledo con- gregation. During his labors the Sabbath school was organized and W. D. Henderson was the first superintendent.
Jolın S. Paxton and W. D. Henderson were installed as ruling elders February 12, 1859. Mrs. Warwick, wife of J. M. Warwick, was the first person received into the Aledo congregation, upon profes- sion of faith, and her children the first baptised.
Rev. Matthew Bigger entered the army during the war of the rebel- lion as chaplain of the 50thi reg. Ill. Vol. Inf. After the close of the war he entered the active work of the ministry, in which he continued till his death at Bushnell, Illinois, in December, 1873. The second pastor was Rev. J. R. McCallister, who was installed in December, 1862.
Shortly after the above date a new church building was erected at a cost of about $2,400. This builing was afterward sold to, and is now in use by, the Swedish Lutheran church, of Aledo. December 10, 1867, Mr. McCallister was released from his pastorate by Presbytery.
The third pastor was Rev. A. W. Clokey, who was installed De- cember 22, 1868, and released by Presbytery June 11, 1872. The fourth and present pastor is Rev. T. B. Turnbull, who was installed April 16, 1873. A new church building was erected in 1876; it was completed for occupancy in the basement, the auditorium being un- finished, at a cost of $8,689.12, when, on June 25, 1877, a tornado passed over the village of Aledo, blowing the tower of the new church building over upon the roof of the church, carrying with it to the ground about one-third of the main structure. The work of repairing was immediately begun, and was finished at a cost of about $2,200. The church building is the finest in the county, being of frame work after the gothic style, and when completed and finally furnished will cost the congregation about $15,000.
The actual membership of the congregation is about 140. The Sabbatlı school is large, under the superintendency of Dr. D. R. John- ston, formerly medical missionary to Egypt. The officers of the church at present are : elders, Stewart J. Frew, Alexander Rankin, Paul Black, Joseph Wallace, W. K. Fulton ; trustees, Thomas Love, Will- iam B. Frew, J. F. Pyles. This church is in a flourishing condition, and out of debt.
Methodist Episcopal Church-Was organized in the spring of 1857 by Rev. J. Shelton, then traveling Camden (now Milan) circuit. In the fall of 1857 Aledo was connected with Millersburg circuit, and D. A. Faulkenburg appointed as pastor. The subsequent appointments
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
to the Millersburg circuit while Aledo was connected with Millersburg were as follows: In 1858, L. P. Crouch ; in 1859, L. P. Crouch ; in 1860, B. E. Kaufman ; in 1861, J. D. Taylor ; in 1862, J. D. Taylor ; in 1863, G. C. Woodruff; in 1864, J. D. Taylor. In 1865, Aledo first appears as an independent charge, with M. D. Heckard as pastor. Since then the appointments to Aledo have been as follows : In 1866, A. P. Hull; 1867 and 1868, F. Smith; 1869, G. I. Bailey; 1870, G. I. Bailey ; 1871, M. Spurlock ; 1872, M. Spurlock; 1873, the same ; 1874, M. C. Bowlin ; 1875, the same; 1876 and 1877, W. M. Collins ; 1878 and 1879, A. R. Morgan ; 1880, W. McPheeters ; 1881, J. G. Evans.
In 1862. under the administration of J. D. Taylor, the society pur- chased a half interest in the Free Presbyterian church, and in 1865 the Free Presbyterians sold their remaining interest in the building to the Methodists. The society owns a good parsonage. The membership now numbers 220, and the Aledo Methodist Episcopal church is, and has been for years the most prosperous Methodist church in the county. It is regarded as one of the most pleasant stations in the confer- ence. When the society was organized in 1857, J. P. McEwen was appointed leader. The additional members were: Mary McEwen, Mary M. Cool, - Criss, Mr. Hawkins, Mrs. Hawkins, Elizabeth Baxter, Charles Moore, Mrs. Moore.
Aledo Baptist Church .- The first organization of this church in Aledo took place Jannary 5, 1867, with twelve members consti- tuting the congregation. The meeting was presided over by Rev. J. C. Post, who remained in charge of the congregation until October, 1867, when his term expired. The officers of the original organization were as follows: clerk, Chas. M. Kay; trustees, Wm. B. Crapnel, C. M. Kay, J. B. Taliafero, Moses White, Aaron P. Shafer, Robert H. Day, Aaron Patterson. Mr. Post was succeeded by Rev. Wm. Whitehead, who was called by the congregation January 1, 1868, and remained in charge until January 19, 1869. On September 11, 1870, a call was extended to Rev. D. G. Zook, who took charge of the congregation and remained until August 2, 1873, when he resigned. Mr. Zook was succeeded by Rev. O. W. Van Osdel, who was called December 4, 1875, and remained till October 30, 1878, when he resigned and was released March 31, 1880. A call was extended to Rev. M. D. Mur- dock, who accepted and remained with the congregation till January 5, 1881, when the present pastor, Rev. J. T. Hoye, was called. For some years prior to 1874 the congregation worshiped in private houses, holding covenant and prayer meetings. About this year steps were taken leading to the erection of the handsome place of worship they now occupy (which was dedicated December 5, 1875), at a cost of
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about $3.500. Much credit is due to a few members of this church. who furnished a great part of the means for the building. As the church was comparatively poor, the burden fell upon the few. In 1877 the congregation also built a fine parsonage, at a cost of about $1,500. The congregation now numbers about eighty-five members. The sabbath school is large and interesting, and is superintended by the pastor. Of the original members of the congregation only four remain.
Congregational Church-Was organized February 15, 1869. The officers of the original organization were : trustees, John S. Thompson, Horace E. Wright, and P. Roberts ; clerk and treasurer, M. S. Boice. They built a house of worship, which was dedicated July 3. 1870, and cost about 84,500. Rev. P. F. Warner was the first pastor, who con- tinned in charge till the fall of 1872. The congregation was then with- out a pastor till the year 1874, when Rev. Robert Nurse was called and presided over the church till September, 1877. The congregation was again without a pastor. having only occasional supplies, till April, 1880, when the Rev. W. E. Smith was called, and who continued in charge until January 1, 1882, when he accepted a call from the First Congregational church of Canton, Illinois. The present officers of the church are : trustees, Joseph McCoy, Joseph Abercrombie and James H. Connell; deacons, Robert Woods and Wm. Pinkerton; treasurer, Wm. A. Lorimer; secretary and superintendent of sabbath school. Miss Laura McCoy ; chorister, A. M. Woods ; organist, Miss Aggie McCoy.
Swedish Lutheran Church-Was organized May 19, 1873, the Rev. A. Andreen presiding. There were about forty members who signed the church roll. The following officers were elected : trustees, J. O. Lundblad, P. Ringdall, Chas. Neiberg, and Samuel Andersen ; deacons, C. Bjorkman, C. Runborn, John E. Swomsen, and O. G. Olsen. They were without a house of worship until March, 1877, when the old building of the United Presbyterian church was pur- chased for $400. which they removed to the lot owned by them in the east part of town, and repaired and fitted up at a cost of about $2.000. The first pastor was the Rev. A .. Andreen, who was succeeded in July, 1873, by Rev. Nils Fersander, who was succeeded by Rev. Andreen again, who had charge of the congregation for about a year. Sep- tember 8, 1878, a call was issued to the Rev. T. H. Winguist, who took charge of the congregation in March, 1879, and is the present pastor. The congregation has at present about eighty members, is out of debt and prospering. Sabbath school exercises are held in English every Sabbath, under the direction of Mr. A. G. Johnson, superin- tendent.
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
· Episcopal Church .- This church was first organized by a few mem- bers in 1870, and in the year 1878 was received under the care of the general church as a mission. The church since has so prospered that in February of the present year (1882) it was organized as an inde- pendent congregation. The church is entirely out of debt, and have a fine place of worship erected by the members at a cost of about $4.000. The rectors in charge since 1870 have been : Revs. Chamber- lain, Brown, Gates, Allen, and the present rector, Rev. Farrar, in the order named.
Seventh Day Adventists .- Early in the year of 1869, a Rev. R. F. Andrews, a minister of this denomination, delivered a series of lectures in Aledo upon the doctrines of his church, continuing his services until some time in March of that year. He made a number of converts to his doctrine, though no organization was effected at that time. A number of the followers of his faith, however, banded together, appointed a leader, and for nearly a year met for regular service in the court-house.
Mr. Andrews came back after being absent about a year, and com- menced operations six miles south of Aledo, and sent for Rev. Mr. Whitham, who had embraced adventism, to help him in the work. The two brethren labored in this locality for some time, when an organization was effected, the brethren meeting in what is known as the " Marsh school-house." They held meetings regularly, with quite a large Sabbath-school as auxiliary, until within a few years past. Many members of the organization have moved away, weakening its strength ; but the interest is still kept alive among the few, and the organization is still intact.
Free Presbyterian church .- There is now no such church. The necessity for such an organization ceased when slavery died. It was the ontgrowth of that love of principle which burned in the hearts of those noble men who loved liberty and morality, and its cardinal doc- trines as a church were founded upon the sternest ideas and principles of morality. As early as 1852 there were three organizations of this church in Mercer county ; one in the " Carnahan neighborhood." The place was commonly known as "Nigger ridge," on account of the number of abolitionists living in the neighborhood. Another organ- ization was in the "Kiddoo neighborhood," and the third at the McClure school-house. Messrs. Carnahan, MeClure, and Kiddoo were the leaders in the movement in Mercer county, and are all now dead. There was a church built in the Carnahan district, and it is still stand- ing, as is another church built at the same time in the Kiddoo district.
These three congregations united and built a church in Aledo,
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about the year 1857, previous to which time Rev. Joseph R. Whit- ham, at present living east of Aledo, a zealous christian man, had preached to the three organizations in turn. After the union Rev. James S. Pogne was the pastor of the congregation until the close of the war, when the organization was dissolved and the church building sold to the Methodist Episcopal church, the members uniting with various churches in Aledo.
SOCIETIES.
Aledo Lodge No. 252, A. F. A. M .- The charter was granted under the signature of James Hibbard, Grand Master of the State of Illinois, and bears date of October 7, 1857. The charter members were Will- iam M. Brown, Lucien B. Howe, Pleasant B. Mathews, Elisha Miller, and Simeon Macy. The first officers of the lodge were as follows: Simeon Macy, W.M .; William M. Brown, S. W .; P. B. Mathews, J. W .; O. C. Allen, Sec. The lodge at that time met in the third story of the building now owned by J. C. Richey, on the south side of Fifth street. The lodge was constituted, under the charter, by Deputy Grand Master Rice, of Monmouth Lodge, October 10, 1857, when the above-named officers were installed. The first election of officers was held Decem- ber 14, 1858, which resulted in the following being chosen : Simeon Macy, W.M .; Thomas Maddox, S.W .; G. A. Luvin, J. W .; Isaac N. Bassett, Treas .; Elias Willets, Sec. Elias Willets was the secretary till 1860. He received his demit froin the lodge about 1862, when he moved to Warren county, where he practiced his profession, that of the law, till about the year 1870, when he was appointed county judge, to fill an unexpired term, at the close of which he was elected to the same office, which he held till his death in December, 1881. M. L. Marsh was the next secretary elected, who held the office for several terms, when he was appointed tyler, which office he has continuously held under the successive administrations of the lodge until the present time. At the election in December, 1862, William M. Brown was elected W.M., and Thomas Maddox, Sec. Jannary, 1864, Simeon Macy was . again elected W.M., and I. N. Bassett, Sec. The next change was in 1865, when Dr. W. D. Craig was elected W.M., and James M. Macy, Sec. The successive annual elections resulted as follows : December 18, 1866, J. M. Willson, W.M., J. M. Macy, Sec .; December 10, 1867, J. M. Willson, W.M., John C. Wellion, Sec .; December 22, 1868, L. L. Troy, W.M., Geo. P. Graham, Sec .; Decem- ber 19, 1869, W. D. Craig, W.M., C. H. Smith, Sec .; December 6, 1870, John H. Snyder, W.M., M. L. Marsh, Sec .; December 19, 1871, J. M. Willson, W.M., B. F. Brock, Sec .; December 10, 1872,
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