USA > Illinois > Morgan County > History of Morgan county, Illinois : its past and present, containing a history of the county; its cities, towns, etc.; a biographical directory of its volunteers in the late rebellion; portraits of its early settlers and prominent men [etc., etc.] > Part 38
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Reading Room and Library. The Jacksonville Free Reading Room
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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.
and Library Association was organized in April, 1874, by members of the Jacksonville Library, acting with members of the Woman's Temper- ance Union. A board of seven managers was elected, a subscription paper circulated, and a free reading room opened.
At this stage the Odd Fellows of Jacksonville offered their library and bookcases, containing nineteen hundred volumes, to the Board of Managers, for six hundred dollars. Another subscription-paper was circulated, the necessary amount was subscribed and collected, and the library bought and opened to the public in connection with the reading room.
At the same time, the Association was incorporated under the General Incorporation Law of Illinois.
The Constitution of the Association forbids the creation of any debt.
One member of the Board of Managers goes out of office on the first of each year. The vacancy so created is filled by the nomination by the mayor, and the ratification by the board, of a person to that office.
The office of Librarian is filled by Mrs. M. V. Hook, who has been annually elected to that position.
The number of books in the library has been increased by purchase and by donations, to 2800 volumes.
The use of the papers on the tables, and of the books in the cases, is free to all persons within the room. Those who draw books for home reading, pay twenty-five cents per month for the privilege.
The annual expenses of the Reading Room and Library have been about five hundred dollars. Two hundred dollars of this sum has been met by fees paid for the use of the library. The remainder has been received as donations, or as proceeds of public lectures or entertainments.
· Owing to the liberality of Col. Chambers, and of M. P. Ayers & Co., no rent has ever been paid for the use of the rooms occupied by the read- ing room.
The Library and Reading Room is kept open every day and evening in the week except Sunday, and on Sunday it is open from 2 till 6 o'clock p. m.
The Jacksonville Medical and Scientific Association has placed its books and periodicals in the library, subject to the rules and regulations of the reading room.
The Jacksonville Horticultural Society has also adopted the same plan with its five periodicals, and its special library of one hundred and fifty volumes.
Owing to the prudence and catholicity of the Board of Managers, all disturbing questions have been avoided in its management, and the reading room is one institution in Jacksonville to which all wish the greatest prosperity.
The Jacksonville Library Association was organized in January, 1871, and was incorporated under the State law (of Illinois) in December, 1871. The ownership of the books and other property of the Associa- tion is represented by certificates of stock, which are transferable, and the present par value of which is the amount of the original assess- ment and all subsequent ones. The number of stockholders is limited to fifty. The affairs of the Association are managed by a board of seven trustees; elected annually by the stockholders.
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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.
The library now contains nine hundred volumes, representing an actual cost of eighteen hundred dollars. An inspection of the catalogue will indicate, in some measure, the character of the books, and the care which has been exercised in their selection. Additions will be made twice a year, or as often as the funds of the association permit. A department consisting of standard works of reference, such as encyclo- pædias and dictionaries, has been commenced, and will be enlarged as soon as practicable. In periodical literature, the library receives regu- larly the British, Edinburgh, London, Westminster and North American Reviews (quarterly), the International Review (bi-monthly), Black- wood's Magazine, and the Popular Science Monthly. It is the design of the trustees that on all subjects the library shall furnish standard infor- mation to inquirers, students, and the reading public generally.
A full participation in the use of the library is now offered to any person for the sum of one dollar and twenty-five cents per quarter, or five dollars per year. Certificates of stock can be obtained, and subscriptions for use of library made at the office of Hon. E. P. Kirby, in the court house, or at the library room, where the librarian attends on Wednesday from 2 to 3 p. m., and on Saturday from 2:30 to 4 p. m.
The present officers are William S. Andras, president; Edward P. Kirby, treasurer, John H. Woods, librarian and secretary.
The Art Association of Jacksonville was organized in 1873, chiefly through the efforts, and at the instance of Mrs. Ella O. Browne, and was incorporated under the general law of the State, in March, 1875. Its aims and objects are the study and appreciation of the fine arts, especially the arts of design, by the formation of a public collection of art treatises, pictures, engravings, photographis, casts, models, and such other material as may aid in this purpose ; and furthermore by lectures, essays, and discussions on art subjects. It holds monthly meetings, chiefly of a literary character, at which various topics pertaining to the history, theory, and practice are freely discussed. There is also a fortnightly meeting for the more particular study of certain branches of art.
Four annual exhibitions have been given, made up of works by home artists, or from private collections, with several valuable paintings loaned by artists in Chicago, St. Louis, and neighboring cities. These exhibi- tions have not only proved pecuniarily successful, but have had an excel- lent and pervasive influence upon the whole community, in educating their tastes, and cultivating their perceptions of the truly beautiful. The association is in a prosperous condition, with a small collection of works . of art, and a goodly balance in the treasury, available for further pur- chases.
The present officers of the association are : T. J. Pitner, president ; John H. Woods, secretary ; Henry H. Hall, treasurer.
Jacksonville Literary Union. This society was organized fourteen years ago. Its object, as stated in its constitution, is to promote useful knowledge and correct taste among its members, and to devise plans for the good of society.
The number of members is limited to twenty, and its ranks are always full. It includes lawyers, doctors, ministers, teachers, and others, of every shade of political and religious belief. Including the acting
ANDever COUNTY COMMISSIONER JACKSONVILLE
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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.
members, sixty-one persons have been connected with the Union since its organization. Election to membership requires a unanimous vote.
Meetings are held weekly at the houses of the different members. Visitors are freely admitted on the introduction of a member.
The exercises are introduced in a conversation, a debate, an essay, or a select reading. After the topic is introduced, each member is at lib- erty to express his views on the subject. In this manner three hours a week are usually spent in instructive and entertaining discussion.
At each meeting any member can propose topics for consideration, and if there is no objection they are entered on a topic book, subject to future selection. In this manner a list of 1,170 topics has been recorded. Two hundred of these were added during the past year. More than half of these topics have been discussed, at different times, before the Union.
The free expression of educated and liberal thought which obtains in the Literary Union, exerts much influence on society.
The Club is a voluntary association of gentlemen residing in the City of Jacksonville, for the purpose of mutual entertainment and instruction. It was organized at the house of Professor W. D. Sanders, September 17, 1861, by sixteen gentlemen adopting a constitution and signing their names to the same. Any gentleman may become a member by being proposed at any regular meeting, and at a subsequent meeting receiving the unanimous vote of all the members present. The number was originally limited to seventeen, but afterward increased to twenty, besides a few who, for special reasons, have been placed on the emeritus list, and excused from regular attendance. The club meets twice each month, on the second and fourth Monday evenings. The place of meeting, leader, and topic, are designated at the meeting previous to the discussions.
The leader is the presiding officer when he leads the discussion, which may be written or oral.
After the leader each member is called upon in regular order, passing from right to left, and may occupy ten minutes.
Meetings are held at the houses of the members by invitation. The following are the names of the gentlemen who originally signed the constitution : J. M. Sturtevant, Henry Jones, Samuel Adams, David A. Smith, Rufus C. Crampton, Andrew McFarland, Wm. G. Gallaher, Marshall P. Ayres, D. H. Hamilton, Wm. D. Sanders, E. Wolcott, C. H. Marshall, Rufus Nutting, jr., Edward P. Kirby, J. B. Turner, W. S. Russell. At this first meeting E. Wolcott was chosen secretary, and continued in the active service of the club nearly eleven years. Of the sixteen original signers, ten are still members of the club. Three have died, and three moved away. James Berdan was admitted at the second meeting. Since the organization the following persons have been admitted : David Prince, Henry E. Dummer, Isaac L. Morrison, C. M. Morse, H. V. D. Nevins, H. E. Storrs, S. M. Morton, M. Grosvenor, W.W. Harsha, Eli Corwin, D. W. Fairbank. These are all still members. Besides these, nine others have been admitted, some of whom have died, and the rest removed. Since Mr. Wolcott, three have acted as secretaries, James Berdan, H. E. Storrs, and Mason Grosvenor.
The Plato Club is an association of ladies and gentlemen for the dis- cussion of Plato and his writings. 3 Meetings are held every Saturday forenoon, at the house of Joseph O. King, Esq., at which time interesting K
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discussions are held. The club has been in existence for a period of six- teen years, during which time the meetings have been presided over by Dr. Hiram K. Jones.
The Club is composed of some of the best and most influential citi- zens in Jacksonville.
Jacksonville Horticultural Society. This society was organized July 3, 1869, having for its object the advancement of the horticultural inter- ests of Morgan Co. The following officers were elected to serve for the term of one year : E. Lambert, president ; R. Reynolds, vice-president ; E. Mason, secretary ; Mrs. E. Walcott, treasurer. The third article of the constitution reads as follows :
"Its members shall consist of all persons who have paid an annual fee of one dollar, and subscribed their names to the constitution ; and of such honorary members as the society may unanimously elect at any regular meeting. The wives of members shall be members without fee."
Forty persons paid the necessary fee, and became members of the society. The regular meetings occur upon the first Saturday of each month, at such place as the society may designate. These meetings have been held regularly during the past nine years. The proceedings have been published in the local papers, and their influence has been very valu- able and widespread. Exhibitions have been held annually, and the rapid increase in their popularity proves that the people are not slow to appreci- ate an organization which labors unceasingly for the advancement of their welfare. The interest awakened in the cultivation of house and bedding plants alone, has built up and liberally patronized two large establishments for their propagation here in this city. Twelve standing committees, each consisting of three practical horticulturists, whose duty it is to study the different branches of the art and report the result of their investigations, are appointed annually, and have been the means of developing many interesting and valuable facts in connection with their different fields of labor. Through the zeal of its early officers, and the liberality of the citizens of Jacksonville, the society was enabled to accumulate an excel- lent library, comprising the choicest scientific and practical works upon horticulture now extant. It has been transferred to the Free Reading Room, where it is accessible to the general public as well as to members of the society. The officers for the current year are : Hon. Ed. Scott, president ; Charles Catlin, vice-president; Dr. H. W. Milligan, corre- sponding secretary and librarian ; A. L. Hay, recording secretary ; Miss M. E. Catlin, treasurer. Any questions upon horticultural subjects will be cheerfully answered by the corresponding secretary, through the press or by mail, if desired.
The Jacksonville Natural History Society was organized in 1871. The number of active members is limited to twenty. Meetings are held twice a month at the houses of members. The object of the society is to extend and improve the knowledge of the different departments of natural his- tory among its members and the community. During the first two years of its existence the society was engaged in the study of geology. While Professor Dana was followed as a text, every obtainable authority was consulted and discussed. The next two years were devoted to the study
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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.
of botany. Professor Gray was considered the text in this branch, but the discussions often took a wide scope, involving the economic and social relations of plants to man. The next two years were given to zoology. In this department Professor Tenney's classification was followed. The whole animal kingdom, from zoophytes to man, was discussed, and the functions, structure, relations, and classification, discussed. The society next took up . Darwin's " Origin of Species " as a text, and is now busied with the problems of "Natural Selection," and the "Survival of the Fittest."
Sorosis. This society, composed entirely of ladies, was organized November 30, 1868. It object is the moral, mental, and physical culture of its members. Its meetings are held on Friday evenings of each week, at the residences of the members. The exercises consist of essays, debates, readings, discussion of authors, and social conversation. The maximum membership is twenty-five.
The Microscopical Society. On the 20th of January, 1887, Dr. H. K. ( 17 Jones, Dr. David Prince, Prof. H. E. Storrs, W. O. Pollard, Esq., and Dr. G. V. Black, met at the residence of the lalter, for the purpose of forming a society which should have for its object the advancement of microscopical science and its allied branches. A constitution was adopted which provides that the number of members shall not exceed fifteen, and that the officers shall be a president, vice-president, and secretary. At each meeting some one member is responsible for a suitable subject for discussion and illustration, and is responsible for specimens directly illus- trative. The regular meetings of the society are held on the first Friday evening of each month, when there are generally several interested visitors present. The officers of the society are : Dr. H. W. Milligan, president; Miss Alice Rhoads, vice-president, and Miss Louise Fuller, secretary.
The Morgan County Medical Society, was organized in 1866. It is composed of doctors throughout the entire county. Meetings are held monthly, at which time papers are read, and discussions are held on various topics relating to the medical profession. The design of the society is the promotion of knowledge among its members, and to cultivate a more intimate acquaintance one with another. The officers are: Dr. E. D. Wing, president ; Dr. G. V. Black, secretary, and Dr. W. H. H. King, treasurer.
The Jacksonville Medical Club, was organized in March, 1878. It is .composed of physicians living in the City of Jacksonville. The object of the club is similar to that of the Morgan County Medical Society. Its meetings are held bi-weekly, and are well attended.
P. E. O. This Chapter was organized in this city in 1870, by the young lady graduates of the Presbyterian Academy. The object of the society is for the mental culture and social improvement of its members. The meetings are held two Saturdays of each month, at the residences of its members. The membership is gradually increasing. The officers are : Miss Ida Harsha, president ; Miss Julia Lathrop, secretary.
THE CHURCHES.
The First Presbyterian and Central Presbyterian Churches were organized as one on the 30th day of June, 1827 -over fifty years ago- with twelve members, five male and seven females. It was then called
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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.
the " First Presbyterian Church of Morgan County," being the first of that denomination organized in the county, and the first to erect a house of worship within its limits. The names of these pioneer founders con- stituting this church appear on the record as follows : "John Leeper and Fidelia his wife, Edwin A. Mears and Sarah his wife, James Mears and Polly his wife, and Harvey McClung, all from the Shoal Creek Church ; James Kerr and Janet his wife, from the First Reformed Church in the city of New York; Wm. C. Posey and Sarah his wife, from Winchester and Paris churches in Kentucky, and Hector C. Taylor from Hindsbury, Vermont." The organization took place at the house of John Leeper, about one mile south of town, in a grove directly east of where the Asylum for the Insane now stands. "This little Christian community," says the Rev. L. M. Glover, in a sermon preached at the quarter century celebration of the First Presbyterian Church, and from which these items are taken, "took for their name 'The First Presbyterian Church of Morgan County.' In 1837, the style became ' The Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville;" and subsequently," after the division of the Presbyte- rian Church into the Old and New School Assemblies, " the name it now bears." Among the constituent members, Mr. Posey seems to have been the leading spirit. Rev. W. W. Harsha, pastor of the Central Church, in a sermon preached at the dedication of their present house of worship on April 19, 1874, and from which extracts are also made, says of him : " He was a son of the first Territorial governor of Indiana. He had been a merchant in Kentucky, but desiring to better his condition, made a journey on horseback from that State to Missouri. Not pleased with what he saw there, he decided to return to his former home and remain. When in the Mississippi bottom he missed his path, and instead of taking a southeasterly direction, he went northeasterly, and was far on his way toward Morgan County before he discovered his mistake. Making then some inquiry as to the character of the country before him, he received such glowing accounts of this region of Illinois from the early settlers along the road, that he concluded to see Jacksonville before returning to his former home. He came, he saw, he was captivated. He returned to his family, and as soon as his affairs in Kentucky could be arranged he moved to this place, settling on the land he had purchased, one and one- half miles southeast of town. His first concern, as appears from his diary, was to secure a church, where he and his family could worship the God of their fathers.
" The Rev. John A. Brich, a Presbyterian missionary, was present and presided at the organization. Wm. C. Posey and John Leeper were elected and ordained ruling elders. Mr. Brich continued to act as Stated Supply for about one year, when, in 1828, Rev. John M. Ellis was called and installed as the first pastor. Mr. Ellis remained and labored efficiently with the church until December, 1831, when at his own request he was released. For four years the church was without a settled pastor, when, in December, 1835, Rev. A. H. Dashiell, was installed. Mr. Dashiell remained but about one year, when he resigned, and in December, 1837, Rev. Ralph W. Gridley entered upon the pastorate, and was in the active exercise of his ministerial functions, when the division of the Presbyte- rian Church in the United States took place, resulting in what was known as the Old School and New School Assembles.
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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.
"The Jacksonville Presbyterian Church, like many others throughout the land, was rent in twain by this division. There were three elders in the church at that time: Wm. C. Posey, David B. Ayers, and Daniel C. Pierson. Mr. Posey and a minority in the church sympathizing strongly with the Old School Assembly, adhered to that body, and carried their cause before the Synod of Illinois, which met in Peoria in September, 1838. The Synod after hearing the case took the following action :
" PEORIA, Sept. 28, 1838.
"On motion resolved : In accordance with the act No. 1, and its sections, of the late General Assembly, that the minority of the session and church of Jacksonville, be and they are declared to be the session and church of Jacksonville.
" A true copy of the records of the Synod of Illinois. " J. G. BERGEN, Stated Clerk."
The majority of the church with its elders, were, of course, recog- nized by the courts adhering to the New School Assembly, and thus there were here in existence two churches, each tracing its origin to the original act of organization, and having a common history from 1827 to 1838. The records and property were surrendered without litigation to the party which adhered to the New School Assembly. This church retained the old name, The Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville, until 1870, when, upon the re-union of the two Assemblies, it took the name of the "Central Presbyterian Church," the other church having adopted some years ago the name of the " First Presbyterian Church." In June 1877, the semi-centennial celebration of Presbyterianism in this county was held in Jacksonville. The Journal of Friday, June 29th, contained an excellent resume of the history of that denomination in the county, which we here quote. Speaking of the First Church, the paper says :
" At the time of the separation the majority, probably about one hundred, of the Jacksonville church adhered to the New School Assem- bly, and with Rev. R. W. Gridley, pastor, and a majority of the session, continued to occupy the old church, on West State Street, where the Central is now located. The first edifice upon the present site was built in 1847 at a cost of $10,000. It was a brick structure, 45x70 feet in size. This church just after having been refurnished in 1861, was totally destroyed by fire, December first. The congregation occupied Strawn's hall (now Opera House), until the present commodious and comely structure was erected at a cost of $60,000. The corner stone was laid August 4, 1864, and the completed church dedicated January 6, 1867.
Rev. R. W. Gridley continued as pastor only about two years, dying in office February 2, 1840. Rev. William H. Williams succeeded, being installed in May 1842. He resigned in September, 1853, to take charge of the Jacksonville Female Academy. Rev. Chauncy Eddy was installed June 30, 1844, and remained until the Spring of 1848. In October of that year, Dr. L. M. Glover, the present pastor, entered upon his labors in connection with this church, and has continued them until this date.
The Central Church was found, after the division, to contain forty- two members. They secured the services of Rev. Andrew Todd, of Flemingsburg, Ky., who entered upon his labors in the Autumn of 1838.
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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.
They worshiped first for a few months in a frame building which stood on the north end of the lot now occupied by the Park[house. The use of the building was given by Governor Duncan. Afterward the Congrega- tional church was secured, at a nominal rent. In the meantime prepara- tions were made for the erection of a sanctuary for themselves, and in the year 1840, about two years after the division of the church, the frame building on West State Street was completed -the lot having been donated by Colonel John J. Hardin, at a cost of eighteen hundred dollars, as his subscription. In this sanctuary the congregation worshiped for nearly thirty years, leaving it only a few months before entering the lecture room of the present building, in 1871.
Since the division in 1838, this church has had four settled pastors. Rev. Andrew Todd, from November, 1838, until failing health compelled him, in the Autumn of 1849, to seek a warmer climate. He continued to fail, until on the second day of September, 1850, in the fifty-first year of his age, he fell asleep in Jesus, at Casa Bianca, near Monticello, Florida.
After the death of this gifted man, Rev. J. V. Dodge was called to the pastorate. Mr. Dodge continued his labors but four years and a half, from the Autumn of 1850 until the Spring of 1855, when wholly at his own desire, the pastoral relation was dissolved. He still lives, at Evans- ville, Indiana, a highly respected minister of the gospel, in connection with the Presbyterian Church.
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