USA > Illinois > Shelby County > Tower Hill > History of Tower Hill and vicinity > Part 7
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CHURCH HISTORY
As previously related the churches came to the Hill with the advent of the first showing of citizens sufficient for an organization. The traveling preacher was in evidence with the first settlers and community gatherings were frequent. Camp meetings were the most popular method of reaching the people. As stated Williamsburg led the country for its old-fashioned, prolonged religious gatherings, because of the splendid natural advantages in shade and spring water. Many of the early settlers of Tower Hill date their religious experience to the Ridge camp meeting.
Organized classes of Methodists and Baptists were formed in many of the settlements, long before there was a Tower Hill. So when the new town started it meant another organized class, and as the town grew, so did the classes.
I find that the first sermon preached in Tower Hill was in 1857 by Rev. Levi Munson, a local preacher, who resided west of town. He organized the first Sunday School, and a class meeting which formed the beginning of the Methodist church in Tower Hill.
These organizations of different denominations met in the homes, school- houses and open camp grounds until they were strong enough to build
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About 1866 the Methodists built a church on the site of the present Chris- tian church. Later it was rebuilt larger and improved, the present building of the Christians being the one the last generation is familiar with. Prominent among those who contributed to the new building were: Rev. B. W. F. Corley, Rev. Elisha Hook, H. K. Baines and James P. Selby. The building was de. dicated by the Rev. Hiram Buck.
From the official records I find the Methodist minister who made Tower Hill as one of their preaching points started in 1862 with Rev. T. S. Johnson. The list continues as follows: In 1863 to '65 it was supplied by Rev. B. W. F. Corley; 1865 by Rev. J. W. Boon; 1866 by Rev. J. Villars; 1867, Rev. J. W. Warfield; 1868, Rev. W. A. Gales; 1869, Rev T. M. Dillon; 1870, Rev. P. A. Swartz; 1871, Rev. J. Pollet; 1872, Rev. D. H. Stubblefield; 1873-4, Rev. I. N. Rhodes; 1875, Rev. J. W. Warfield; 1876, Rev. D. H. Stubblefield; 1877, Rev. E. S. Wambsley; 1878-9. Rev. M. B. McFadden; 1880-1, Rev. A. B. McElfresh; 1881-4, Rev. H. T. Collins; 1885-6, Rev. J. B. Martin, who built the present building dedicated in November 1893. The balance of the ministers are remembered.
The Baptists were very strong in the rural districts, specially in the Williamsburg region and the Knobs, where church buildings were erected and to this day organizations are active.
The United Brethren also were a strong body, specially in the Eiler church community, where they maintained one of the strongest organiza- tions in all the country. Time and space will not permit of the history of this body, only to say that they continued their work there until the early 80's when the organization was disbanded.
The Presbyterians came in 1967 and formed an organization with sixteen members, which was perfected by Rev. A. T. Norton and Rev. William Tits- worth of the Alton Presbytery. They erected a building in the 70's on the site of the present location, the eastern part of the present building being the original structure. This church has been a great force in forming and moulding Christian character in Tower Hill.
There is one minister of the Presbyterian church who deserves special mention, because of the practical work as a pastor of a flock. Though dead these many years, the name of Rev. Adam Johnson, together with his devout wife is still held in reverence by many residents of Tower Hill to this day.
The Free Methodist congregation established themselves here in the early 80's and are a great spiritual power in the community. The history of the church can never be written intelligently without weaving into its re- cord the name of that early pioneer settler, merchant, respected citizen and preacher, the Rev. B. W. F. Corley.
An incident of unusual interest connected with this church is the sudden death of this respected member while the funeral sermon of his wife was being preached. The services were abruptly ended and the following day a double funeral was performed.
The Christian church located here in the 90's, purchasing the old Metho- dist building. They have succeeded splendidly in building up a fine organiza- tion and are very zealous in their spiritual endeavors.
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METHODIST CHURCH
In the former history of the Methodist church, I left off with the dedica- tion of the present church on Nov. 3, 1893, with Rev. J. B. Martin as pastor, and the writer as superintendent of the Sunday school, and I feel highly honored to know that I held the first religious service in the present building.
Those were prosperous days for the church, in fact all the churches of the village reached what we now look back to as "peak years" in interest, and membership. For historical record we feel it is necessary to give a list of the pastors who have served the congregation from where we left off in our former write-up, which was Rev. H. T. Collins, who ended his pastorate in 1885.
Others down to the present are as follows, as furnished by the present pastor, the Rev. Paul J. DuBois, who has so kindly assisted in the history.
Rev. T. O. Batey 1885-87; Rev. Peter Slagle 1887-90; Rev. A. M. Camp- bell 1890-92; Rev. John B. Martin 1892-95; Rev. J. L. B. Ellis 1895-96; Rev. Jasper Miller 1896-99; Rev. G. W. Olmstead 1899-1902; Rev. T. F. Shouse 1902-04; Rev. Walter Mitchell 1904-06; Rev. T. F. Garrett 1906-08; Rev. J. D. Hennesey 1908-10; Rev. H. U. Krusan 1910-14; Rev. F. C. Bonnefan 1914-16; Rev. Charles Wehrman 1916-18; Rev. Homer Delap 1918-19; Rev. S. R. Reno 1919-22; Rev. S. F. Weaver 1922-24; Rev. Harry M. Ingram 1924-27; Rev. George Fidler 1927-29; Rev. Paul Wilson 1929-35; Rev. Ray Corrothers 1935-36; Rev. Paul J. Dubois 1936-present pastor.
The present pastor is the 39th in number who has served this community. The membership, like in all the churches, has been in a decreasing number for many, many years, until at present it is no secret that for efficiency in church activity,in the small village there must come sooner or later a general uniting under the head of Community Fellowship.
The days of hair-splitting creeds and dogmas and denominationalism is fast passing into history as the public is looking at the proposition, notwith- standing the many "die-hards" in denominations are trying to block the coming of the future church. It is being done in foreign fields-why not at home? It is coming-the Community church. the present generation demand it.
Continuing our history of the present church, not much can be added since the occupation of the present building in 1893. The only improvement has been the excavation of a basement where many social functions can be better accommodated. A furnace was installed, adding greatly to the com- fort of the congregation.
The history of the church is not complete without an account of the activ- ity all these fifty years or more of the young folks. Here is where I can speak personally of the organization of that splendid young people's society, namely the Epworth League, for with others I had a part in starting this organization.
In searching for back records, I was finally rewarded in receiving from my dear sister, Mrs. Mary (Eiler) Robinson, of Denver, Colo., a church direc- tory of the Tower Hill Methodist church, dated 1900, which certainly is a very interesting document.
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Here I find the following facts relative to the Epworth League, it being organized Dec. 3, 1889, with a charter number 1584, and the following of- ficials: Pres., John A. McCormick; 1st vice-pres., Mary C. Eiler; 2nd vice-pres., Lillie Cannon; 3rd vice- pres., Pruella Reed; 4th vice-pres., Nellie Higgin- botham; secy., W.T. Ward; treas., Hattie Evey.
It is remarkable that after 48 years, there has been only one death, name- ly John A. McCormick, and 3 still live in the town. Unfortunately, for some unknown reason we find the statement, that this society did not flourish, and was discontinued after a few months, but on Nov. 12, 1890, there was a re- organization and has continued ever since.
I find the officers for the year 1900 were as follows: Pres., Mrs. Anna Lane; 1st vice-pres., Miss Hattie Evey; 2nd vice-pres., Mrs. Maude (Richard- son) Miller; 3rd vice-pres., Frank Lane; 4th vice-pres., Mrs. Olmstead (wife of the pastor); secy., Miss Emma Freeze. treas., Miss Bertha Higginbotham; organist, Miss Gertie Charlton; asst., Miss Oma Dean; chorister, Miss Emma Dutton.
I find the membership was 66 in 1900, and the list is very interesting, for to my personal knowledge 20 are dead; 20 have moved away; the balance are strange names. The Junior League was in 1900 very active with 34 mem- bers with Miss Jennie O'Brien as superintendent.
The present membership of the Senior Epworth League is 28 with the following officers:
Pres., Glenn Stilgebauer; 1st vice-pres., John Nicol; 2nd vice-pres., Winona Hamilton; 3rd vice-pres., Helen Borton; 4th vice pres., James Riley; secy .- treas., Helen Pauley.
Because of the historical value of this wonderful find of my sister, of the Methodist directory for 1900, I can not pass it by without relating some very interesting facts for future records.
Rev. G. W. Olmsted was pastor, and the membership was 188 with names listed, and certainly is very interesting to study them. Here are a few facts that I glean. Personally that I know there are 90 dead; 55 moved away, and balance are strangers to me. Verily the finger of time deals harshly in a space of only 37 years.
Then there are 2 full pages of pictures of officials, one page being of the 9 trustees, and 7 are dead; 2 alive are Elvin Maze and John R. Henton. Note this list of deceased: D. C. Ward, S. W. Dutton, A. R. Robinson, Jesse W. Foor, Jimmy Jones, David Ashe, J. W. Dean.
The 2nd page is the choir of 11 members and I note 5 are deceased. Here is the list: Lizzie Cannon, Mrs. Lucy Foor, Miss G. Charlton, Mrs. Gertie Henton (D), F.H. Lane, Emma Dutton, Hattie Evey, W. J. Richardson (D), Mrs. Ida Longwell, S. W. Dutton(D), W. F. Miller (D). (Those marked (D) de- ceased; balance have moved to other parts).
Note the booklet contains list of merchants advertising, and only 2 are now of Tower Hill, namely, L. B. Fluckey and Ed S. McLean.
There is a large picture of that dear saint to us all, Mrs. Marcelia Stumpf, only deceased 2 years ago. She was S.S. superintendent in 1900.
Thus endeth the Methodist history. Please preserve for the future. Thanks to Miss Helen Pauley for her deep interest in assisting with securing of records.
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PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
In our old history we spoke of the organization of this church in 1867, and the erection of the present building in the early 70's, and paid special men- tion to one well known minister, Rev. Adam Johnson, who became pastor in 1876 and served until 1887.
For the benefit of our readers and future generations, we are pleased to give an official list of all pastors to date from 1876. Unfortunately we were not able to secure dates, so give names only, as follows: Rev. Adam Johnson 1876-1887; Rev. Dunn, Rev. S. W. Zeller, Rev. Leonard Keeler, Rev. Thomas Parks, Rev. Elijah Thompson, Rev. W. C. Green, Rev. Geo. B. Smith, Rev. S. W. Patterson, Rev. Henry Love, Rev. John McMillan, Rev. R. H. McHenry, Rev. T. C. Hackenburg, Rev. J. M. Hicks, Rev. S. D. McKrackin, Rev. Ello, Rev. R. L. McWherter, Rev. Hess from 1929 to 1931., and from this date there has been no regular pastor.
The records show that at present the oldest members are Miss Sarah Leighty, Mrs. Mary Sibbitt, Miss Ella Leighty, Mrs. Mattie Leighty, Mrs. Sam McKittruck, Lem Morrison, and there may possibly be others, so pardon.
It is remarkable to note that the Misses Sarah and Ella Leighty have been members since 1876-a record of 61 years, no doubt unequalled by any member of any church in the village or perhaps in surrounding territory.
It is with pleasure that we are enabled to record the history of the young people who have always been a potent factor in the activities of the church, and specially in their Christian Endeavor society. From the records we find that this society was organized in the fall of 1890 under the leadership of the pastor, Rev. Keeler.
The charter members now living are Mrs. Sallie (Richards) Elliott, Mrs. Minnie (Leighty) Ward, Mrs. Mattie (Richards) Jones, and Elvin Maze The charter members who have died are as follows: Miss Minnie Fleming, Miss Ada Tilley, Mrs. Nannie (Shelton) Jones, Stephen Richards, Mrs. Lucy (Maze) Butts, Mrs. Berta (Hoffman) Keeler ,Mrs. Bettie (Shelton) Twiss, Mrs. S. E. Baines, Fred Stumpf, sr., Rev. L. Keeler, and Mrs. Maude (Tilley) Elliott.
The society has a past record of splendid activity, and during the times the church was without a pastor, they have carried on. Later because of death and removal of so many active members the society has had a varied career of existence and became inactive for several years, and then a resurrection would take place, and such has been the record for many years, while for the present the Endeavor and Ladies' Aid Society have been very active.
Because of a great loss in membership and financial assistance the church has been without a pastor for several years and has had a struggle for existence, in fact common to other religious societies.
Personally speaking, my uncle, the late Asa A. Eiler, who passed away in September, 1936, was among the oldest members and officials of this church, and in many letters the past years he has deplored to the point of extreme sadness the inactivity of the Presbyterian church in Tower Hill. For he had been through the years of great activity, with a full house at both morning and evening services-and pointed with pride to the choir main- tained years ago by the church which rendered great service.
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I have a picture of that choir taken over 40 years ago and note only 6 out cf 12 are now living, namely: A. L. Leighty, Mrs. Sallie (Richards) Elliott, Mrs. Mattie (Richards) Jones, Mrs. Minnie (Leighty) Ward, Miss Elizabeth Jones and Walter Jones. Those dead are: Miss Ada Tilley, Mrs. Maude (Tilley) Elliott, A. Eiler, John Price, Miss Mary Leighty.
Personal compliments are extended to Miss Ella Leighty and Lem Morri- son for valuable information in preparing this contribution.
THE CHURCHES (continued)
In our former record, as recently printed in the Times, we treated of the early history of the 2 oldest established churches in Tower Hill, namely the Methodist and Presbyterian.
Of these 2 we treated their early history down to about the 90's, and will now proceed to bring them up to the present. The other 2 churches, the Free Methodist and the Christian, we will give their history in full as we had no records when our first history was written.
Unfortunately the average citizen fails to realize the great moral and leavening influence of the church organization upon the local community, always taking it for granted, not entering into the zeal and enthusiasm to make its power for the "Golden Rule" way of living more efficient.
Eternity alone can tell what the churches of Tower Hill have done to mould Christian character, and even stricter moral ways of living, to the army of young people of this community who in the 50 or 60 years or more have gone out into all parts of the great U. S. A., to mingle with the public in all manner of vocations of life.
I can speak of personal experience, when I claim that the church in- fluence in my boyhood and youth age fitted me beyond words to express for many of the ordeals one meets when dealing with a soulless world.
The influence of the church is still there, but sorry to note the "falling away" in the zeal and attentiveness of its members in this present age.
In my questionnaire I asked this quetion what is the matter with the churches today, and note the general opinioni of the many agencies existing today that are a hindrance to the aggressiveness of the village church. It is evident that as a village grows in business affairs, likewise we see its ef- fect upon the organized church. So the things that hinder the growth of a village have an effect on the churches.
Of course the paved highways have led in this lessened membership, tending to centralize a vast community into the larger cities of nearby location.
The great migration of the young folks from the farming community to go to the city for the "white collar" job has weakened the church organiza- tion mightily.
The old fashioned "rural country church" is fast becoming a matter of history. I wish I could take the space of this patient editor's paper and recall the history of those early country churches of the community surrounding Tower Hill for miles in every direction. It would be the most interesting page of this article. Even wth my limited memory I could name lterally scores of these country boys and girls whose early life was moulded for a character,
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that stayed with them all through life and many, yes many, of them have left their impression in all the activities of life wherever they went.
Think of the ministers of the gospel who have gone out from these sur- rounding communties, missionaries, minister's wives, song writers, teachers with a moral character that steadied them in many a trying ordeal, not to mention the hundreds of citizens whose standard of living was the ideal "golden rule," all the result of the old-fashioned country church.
It alarms me to think this age is witnessing the passing of this great agency, which has proven its usefulness in the past, and soon to be past history. There is no use to deny it, for the annual statistics of every denom- ination reveals this sad intelligence, to the dismay of our great leaders.
For history's sake Ict us make a partial record of those early church com- munities around Tower Hill, that in their day were powerful in their res- pective communities. Of course the oldest is Williamsburg-known far and wide in an early day for its camp meetings running for weeks at a time when folks came from a distance and camped for the time. Following around a circle, note the Zion and New Hope communities, and even today organizations are extant.
Then follows Westminster, but not so great as the old Eiler church, or- ganization of the United Brethen which really had among the greatest bodies of members, next to the Baptists, possible next were the Methodists, all pioneers in religious work. Coming on around we find one of the greatest church communities was the "Knobs." A volume could be written here, where 2 large organizations, the Baptists and Methodists date back to pioneer days and even today "carry on." Following on around we take in the great centers in the German neighborhood, and one that you never hear about today, and which my grandfather Conrad Eiler was a great leader in, was "Locust Grove,"outside of Williamsburg. This was considered the greatest religious community in all the regions, and one of the oldest.
Located on Flat Branch, for the northern part of Shelby county, it was the center of religious worship and community interest. One scarcely hears of this once active center today, which shows the trend of the rural country church, toward the city center.
Going on around this circle, we come to Robinson Creek, then Rocky Branch, which were very active church centers in pioneer days, especially Rocky Branch.
This shows perhaps you may have never known how Tower Hill was girdled with religious centers, and no wonder when our village began to grow it drew from this community circle citizens who knew the value of religious and moral training.
And this leads up to our old history as just published-how the different denominations started and grew to be very active in Christian activity. We have given previously the history of both the Methodist and Presbyterian down to a period where we will now, continue to the present, with the addi- tion of new history of the Free Methodist and Christian denominations, not. available when we wrote the old history.
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THE FREE METHODIST CHURCH
In our previous record We stated, this church was organized during the early 80's. From the present pastor and officials we learn the first meeting held advancing this particular creed, was held by 2 young ladies, namely Etta Rowdybush and Katie Hornbeck, in a tent on the east side of the Hill in 1883.
Because of the satisfactory results of this meeting a Free Methodist church was organized in the small frame building that stood in the early days just north of the present Corley brick building. This meeting which con- summated in the final organization was held by Rev. Nolan and Rev. John Kelley.
Plans were made for a new church building and in 1885 the present building was erected, being dedicated by Rev. Colt, and the church has been very active to the present.
It is with pleasure we have the record of the trustees who were active in the construction of the building and other official duties. They are very familiar names, and though all have passed away yet they have left an im- press of Christian character that will never fade. The 7 officials were: Rev. B. W. F. Corley, John Sharrock (my beloved grandfather), John Wintz, A. P. Everett, John Weeks, William Wirey and Archibold Roberts.
The ministers who have served this church from the beginning are as follows: Rev. Colthern 1885, Rev. A. J. Edwards 1886, Rev. Williford 1887, Rev. B. F. Grigg 1888, Rev. D. W. Sala 1890, Rev. M. A. Cox 1891, Rev. Bruce 1892, Rev. A .J. Smith 1894, Rev. H. Ahlmeyer 1896, Rev. A. L. Crumley 1899, Rev. Dehmeyer 1900, Rev: A. J. Smith 1901, Rev. R W. Sanderson 1903, Rev. B. F. Ray 1905, Rev. John Hockett 1907, Rev. W. Kelley 1908, Rev. C. J. Turnbow 1910, Rev. J. G. Yeck 1912, Rev. J. A. Williams 1915, Rev. J. D. Lockard 1917, Rev. J. G. Yeck 1918, Rev. Frank Bolding, Rev. J. O. Hendrickson 1923, Rev. A. J. Smith 1924, Rev. J. N. Van Natten 1925, Rev. W. Taylor 1926, Rev. J. G. Yeck 1927, Rev. V. G. Kackley 1929, Rev. C. E. Ring 1930, Rev. E. Lawary 1933, Rev. R. C. Nowlin 1935, Rev. C. J. Turnhow 1936-the present pastor.
The church has maintained a splendid Sunday School and other societies in active co-operation with the main membership body. Its membership dur- ing its organizaton has numbered many of the town's prominent citizens, and eternity alone can unfold the results of the efforts put forth to constrain members of the community to become active in their duty in building Chris- tian character in the home, and community that will endure for all time.
Special acknowledgment is due Mr. Bart Nichols for valuable information.
THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
We are indebted to Mrs. Julia Maze and Miss Mary Peek for the informa- tion concerning the Christian church of Tower Hill.
The records show the church was organized here in 1893 with the follow- ing as charter member: John T. Killam and wife, Naomi, Charles L. Smith and wife, Elizabeth, Henry Bullington and wife, Nancy, Clint Crook and wife, Emma, Isaiah Henton and wife, Susan, John Crook and wife, Lottie, Mrs. Rebecca Peek and daughter, Miss Mary Peek, Mrs. Julia (Bullington) Maze.
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All of above are deceased except Miss Mary Peek, Mrs. Julia Maze and Mrs. Emma (Crook) Ness. Verily the reaper hath garnered in a great harvest of these charter members.
Unfortunately, the original church records were destroyed in the brick hotel fire several years ago, and much time has been taken in obtaining such records as were available from more recent dates.
We find the organization started from a very successful meeting con- ducted by Rev.W. H. Boles in September, 1893, with a membership of around 100 members.
In the following Jan. 1894, Rev. Boles returned and through another very active service an additional 50 members were added so the church started out with very bright prospects of a strong active organization.
Our informants report that the death roll has been more than the aver- age since organization, and thus handicapped the activity planned from the beginning.
In fact the records show fully one-half, possibly more, of the total mem- bership have answered the last roll call, this being accounted for as I scan the membership list as being of the older generation.
The pastors who have served this organization from its beginning have been as follows: Reverends Doughty, J. O. Henry, Smith, Marity, Allen, Dun- lap, Baker, Reed, Williams, Griffin, Childs, Neathery, Hostettler, Spurlin and Mahon.
For the last few years the church has been without a resident pastor, but the membership have kept up the work in Sunday School and the young folks' societies. But like all church organizations in the small town where the village itself has been on the decline from a general business stand- point, where is a very decided decline in church activity also, which is not a very pleasant subject to dwell on.
This organization occupies the old original building of the Methodist church, built in the early 70's, which they purchased in 1893 when the new building of the Methodists were erected which they occupy at the present time.
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