USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, together with historic notes on the Northwest, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and other authentic, though, for the most part, out-of-the-way sources > Part 46
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DANVILLE TOWNSHIP.
John M. Lamm, Lizzie Lamm, Edward C. Abdill, Sarah Vaughn, Milton Doughty, Anna Doughty and Charles Spedding.
Rev. Enoch Jones was employed to conduct services, and on the 18th of the month following he was officially appointed by Presiding Elder Sampson Shinn as pastor of the charge. He continued this relation until April of the same year, when he was succeeded by Rev. Nelson R. Whitehead, who ministered to the society until the meeting of conference, when the Rev. James C. Rucker assumed the pastorate. At the date of its formal organization the society had twenty members. Its first quarterly conference was held on Monday evening, June 7. 1869. A board of trustees consisting of John McMahan, John M. Lamm, Jacob L. Hill, George W. Hooton, Thomas Neely and J. G. English, who had been appointed by the society, was confirmed by the first quarterly conference. A board of stewards was also appointed, to wit: Thomas Mckibben, E. C. Abdill, G. W. Hooton, T. Neely. J. L. Hill, J. M. Lamm, J. G. English and J. Moody. Mr. English was appointed recording steward.
Immediately following the organization of the society the erection of a meeting-house was undertaken, and the dedication occurred in November, 1869, by the Rev. Granville Moody, of the Kentucky con- ference. The appointment of pastors by conference have been as fol- lows, to wit : Rev. James C. Rucker, two years ; Rev. George Stevens, three years ; Rev. Win. S. Hooper, one year ; Rev. Wm. F. Gillmore, two years, and Rev. W. H. Musgrove, who is now serving upon his second year.
The church property is appraised at $10,000, and its parsonage is said by preachers to be the best in the conference. The society's con- tributions to the missionary fund have averaged $300 a year. No pastor has left with the church in debt to him. The present member- ship is two hundred and sixty-one.
It is placed to the credit of the colored people that they are peeu- liarly a religious race. As a verification of the assertion we find the colored people of Danville fully up to their general reputation in this particular, and, as far as their ability warrants, emulating their white neighbors in good works.
An organization designated as the A. M. E. Church was effected in Danville in September of 1872, with G. W. Nichols and three or four others as original members, and Rev. Henry Pugh as pastor. The membership has increased to twenty at present writing. The society was without a church building until 1877, when they erected what is known as Allen Chapel, so called in honor of their first bishop. The building cost something over $1,200, is 30 ×46 feet in size, and is a very
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
comfortable structure of its kind. The colored people sustain an interesting Sabbath-school in connection with their church, of which Mr. G. W. Nichols is superintendent. Rev. R. Holly is present pastor of the church.
The first meetings of Tilton M. E. Church were held in the school- house at Tilton. Among the first members were C. B. Scharer and wife, M. C. Smith and wife, Noah Morgan and wife and M. Fournier. The present church was built in 1872, at a cost of over $1,100. The members of this church numbered at one time some fifty: but on account of many removals and some deaths the membership is at present only about fifteen. The church was dedicated by Dr. R. N. Davies. The present pastor is the Rev. S. H. Huber. The present superintendent of the Sunday-school is Mary Lewis; the number of scholars is about twenty-five.
The first meetings of the Mount Zion M. E. Church were held some twenty years ago in the old school-house now on Mr. N. Parish's place. The first members were J. W. Stine, Elizabeth A. Stine, Nathan Parish, Hannah Parish, A. Stine, Eliza Stine and Esther Rose. J. W. Stine was the first preacher. In 1873 they built the present church, at a cost of $1,025 : it was dedicated by the Rev. Mr. Davies. Since 1878 there have been no meetings held at this church.
GERMAN METHODIST CHURCH.
It was in 1857 when Rev. G. Zeiser was laboring on the so-called Marshall Mission. His field included Marshall, Paris and Clarksville. He was the first one that was invited to come to Danville and preach to the Germans. One of his members, moving from Paris to Danville, invited him to come here. It was in the month of May, 1857, when he visited Danville. He visited the German families from house to house, and appointed a meeting in the second story of the house in which Mr. Jacob Schatz resided, and belonging to Dr. Porter.
The meeting was numerously attended. From that time Danville was considered as a regular appointment. In the fall after the next con- ference, Danville was given under the charge of Rev. C. Holtkamp, residing then at Urbana, until a man could be found specially for Dan- ville. Mr. Holtkamp came here every three weeks, fifty miles, on horseback, and preached to the Germans of Danville with a remarkable success. About Christmas time, in the same year, the first quarterly meeting was held in the basement of the North Street M. E. Church, by the Rev. Philip Kuhl, Presiding Elder of the Quincy District. On that occasion quite a number joined the church on probation, and the society was formally organized.
359
DANVILLE TOWNSHIP.
As they had no place of their own to hold their meetings in, per- mission was granted them to hold their devotional services in one room on the second floor of the old court-house. Joseph Bauer and wife, Fred. Loehr and wife, and John Bireline and wife were of the first members. Some of them have gone to their reward. Under the administration of Rev. Schwindt was the first little frame church built and completed in the summer of 1859. The building cost $700. The following conference was held in Danville, and as the dedication Sunday was very rainy, and consequently unfavorable, one Sunday evening was set aside on which Bishop Simpson preached a sermon in the English church for the purpose of raising subscriptions to free the little German church from debt.
The new brick church, with steeple, 38 x 60 feet, was erected in the summer of 1874, and dedicated November 30 of the same year by Dr. Fowler, then president of the Northwestern University at Evans- ton, Ill. The church was built under the pastorate of Rev. Charles Stellner, and cost about $7,000. Under the administration of Rev. J. W. Roecker, their present pastor, the society enjoys a vigorous condi- tion. Their present number is in the neighborhood of one hundred members. The prosperity of the society will undoubtedly be greater when the last obstruction, their burdening church debt, shall have been finally and completely removed.
The society appreciates very highly the kindness of the community, and especially their English friends, in their support and liberal con- tributions. The Sunday-school was organized in June, 1858. The name of the present superintendent is John Schmidt; the number of scholars, seventy.
The present minister, John W. Roecker, who was born in Adel- shopen, Baden, Germany, December 18, 1835, eame to America in 1848; located in Washington county, Wis., where he received his principal education. He was ordained as deacon by Bishop Aimes in 1860 ; as elder, by Bishop Baker in 1862. He was first appointed at Des Moines, Iowa ; thence to Burlington, Iowa; Crown Point, Ind. : Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Oshkosh, Milwaukee, Wis .; Laporte, Ind .; and Chieago. In 1877 he came to Danville.
The first meetings of the Asbury M. E. Church were held at the residence of William Delay in about the year 1830. Among the first members were William Delay and wife, Father Boston and wife, Mr. Villars and wife, Mr. Howard and wife, George Dillon and wife, Samuel Roderick and wife, and Mrs. Rigdon. The meetings of the society continued to be held at private residences and in the school-house until 1851, when their present house of worship was erected. It was named,
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
in honor of one of the great lights of that denomination, Asbury Chapel. Among the first ministers who preached here were Revs. Mr. Lane, Wm. C. Prentis and Oliver Munsell .. The last named was afterward connected with the Wesleyan University at Bloomington as president. The pastor in charge at the present writing is Rev. G. B. Goldsmith. The church is in good condition and has an active mem- bership of forty-eight. A good Sunday-school. with a fair attendance, is also sustained.
CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY ( PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL).
The first services of this denomination were held in the city of Dan- ville by Rev. Mr. Osborn, of Chicago, who preached occasionally during the years 1863-4. The founding of the church was brought about by E. J. Purdy, late of Logansport, Ind., who held services here December 10, 1865, and on the next evening called a meeting for the purpose of definite work. At that meeting Mrs. Win. Hessey, Mrs. Henry S. Forbes, Miss Matilda Holton, and Messrs. John Donlon, J. C. Winslow, Charles Caton, J. R. Baker and R. W. Hanford were appointed as a committee of general extension. At the organization there was only one communieant in town. and though the building up of a church of this faith has been a constant struggle, they have, with a steadfastness of purpose peculiar to that sect, pursued the even tenor of their way, and to-day finds them with a pleasant house of worship, 27 x 50 feet in size, capable of seating comfortably over two hundred persons, a good congregation and a flourishing Sabbath-school. Rev. F. W. Taylor is rector and superintendent of the Sabbath-school.
UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST.
The first preaching service held by this denomination in Danville was at the old German church in the winter of 1870. The church was organized with the following five members: George Holycross. Isaiah Smutz, Mary Smutz, G. W. Vangordon and Robert Wilson, the first named being the leader.
The first quarterly meeting was held at the residence of G. W. Bar- low in June, 1871. The work of erecting a house of worship was undertaken in April, 1871, and completed the same year. The size of the original building was 32 x 44 feet, and cost $1,250. Four years later the building was taken down and removed to North Vermilion street, where it was rebuilt and twelve feet added to the length, at an additional cost of $1,630. Thus the Brethren have a very neat and commodions building for the purpose for which it was designed.
361
DANVILLE TOWNSHIP.
The present membership of the church is twenty-three, of which Rev. F. E. Penney is pastor.
THE GERMAN UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST
Held their first meetings at private residences, but their first meeting for organization and to receive members was held in the German Methodist church, at which time and place ten persons - Philip Steube, John Buy, Philip Timm, J. Schoultz and Carl Leverenz, and their wives - united, thus founding the church, since established at the corner of Hayes and North streets. Messrs. Buy and Schoultz were appointed as first trustees. In about the year 1862 they built the little chapel on the corner next to their present building at a cost of about $600. This building they occupied for about ten years, when, in 1871, they erected a more commodious building, at an outlay of $3,033. The small building is now used for school purposes.
Over one hundred members now belong to the organization. Rev. Mr. Aessel is the present pastor. A good Sunday-school is sustained, of which J. Schoultz is superintendent.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Baptist church of Danville was organized in 1873, holding its first meeting for that purpose on the first Sabbath of the year named, in Robert MeDonald's hall, over Freese & Bayle's store, on Main street. Though this was the first organized effort of this denomination at this point. it was not the first religious service held by them, as the Baptists - at least a branch of that church - were really pioneers in religion, not only here, but all over this part of the state. At the date to which allusion has been made, Rev. E. S. Graham preached a ser- mou, after which he advised the brethren and sisters present to organize a Baptist church. To this eall E. F. Graham, Mrs. F. B. Freese, Mrs. M. F. C. Wilber, Mrs. K. Bayle, Mrs. H. L. Holton, Mrs. S. Kimball, J. W. Parker, Mrs. J. W. Parker, E. Wilkinson, Mrs. E. Wilkinson and Mrs. Eliza Davis responded by affixing their names to the cor- enant and adopting the articles of faith.
The church then ealled Rev. E. S. Graham to be their pastor, which position he has ever sinee held. The church has prospered well, both financially and spiritually. In the short period of its existence there have been received into its fold by letter, 104 members ; by baptism, 38, and by relation, 15, making a total of 157. Of the original eleven members, eight are still connected with the church.
The society owns a very pleasant and commodious house of wor-
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
ship, valued at about $7,000, which seats comfortably four hundred persons.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
The Christian Church of Danville was organized Jannary 13, 1873. During the month named Rev. John F. Rowe held the first services, in the hall in the third story of the Lesenre block. The meetings finally resulted in the founding of the society as stated. The church soon after called Elder W. R. Jewell, present pastor, and also editor of the Danville " Daily News," to take charge of the society. The enter- prise, though begun under some inauspicious eireninstances, has pros- pered well, and to-day numbers over one hundred and twenty members. The next year after the organization they concluded to ereet a house of worship. A very neat and commodious building 34x 55 feet in size was erected at a cost of $3,500.
In connection with this church is an interesting Sabbath-school, which was organized in 1874, Mr. H. A. Coffeen being the first super- intendent. From a small beginning, with about thirty members, the school has increased to nearly one hundred. At the present writing, the school is under the superintendence of Elder W. R. Jewell.
The Christian Church of Tilton, by some known as the New Light Church, was erected in 1872, at a cost of about $1,400, and was dedi- cated by Elder Wilkins. The first pastor in charge was Rev. John Green, the present preacher. Among the original members of the society were S. Hodge, Benjamin Hodge and wife, William Hodge and wife, John Green and wife and William Butler and wife. The society is in a very flourishing condition and the membership is quite large. A good Sabbath-school, under the superintendence of John Radliff, is also sustained.
CATHOLIC.
The first meetings of the Irish Catholic Church were held in private residences. In 1852 Father Rhian, who was the first preacher, held services in what is known as Tineher Town, in a building near the I. B. & W. railroad bridge. In 1858 they built the present brick church, situated on Chestnut near Elizabeth street. The cost of the building was about $1,500. The first pastor of the church was Father Lambert, and the first bishop who ever preached in Danville (in 1871) was Bishop Foley, of Chicago. This church has perhaps the largest mem- bership of any in Danville, and is in a flourishing condition. In fact, the present building is entirely too small for the congregation. They are now (1879) taking subseriptions for a new church edifice, which is intended, when complete, to be the finest building of that character in this part of Illinois.
363
DANVILLE TOWNSHIP.
The German Catholic Church, at the corner of Green and College streets, was built in 1868. Previous to this date the congregation held their services in the Irish Catholic house of worship, and it was in that place that their first meetings were held. Indeed, the two branches, prior to the date named, had been under the same charge and organi- zation. The German branch, however, being desirous of having ser- vices in their own language, withdrew from the parent church and erected for themselves their present editice. The building was put up at a cost of $4,570, and was formally dedicated by the Rt. Rev. John W. Luers, bishop of Fort Wayne. The first priest in charge was Rev. A. M. Reck, and the board of trustees, as first selected, consisted of George Fuchs and Lawrence Little. George Meyer, T. Young, F. Senger, Michael Schroll, Joseph Clements, Frank Stengleberger, Au- gust Foeher and John Kneidal were also some of the first members.
The church has prospered well, and now numbers fifty-three fam- ilies. In 1871 the church erected a school building for their own use, at a cost of $1,500." They also have a comfortable parsonage, valued at $1,300. The whole establishment is under the charge of Rev. Peter Sehmal. Father Schmal is a native of Prussia, from whence he came to this country in 1871. In 1877 he came to Danville, and has been in charge ever since.
GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH.
In November, 1862, Rev. H. Schoenberg, from Lafayette, Indiana, met a few of the German people of the faith under consideration at the house of J. Hacker, and at that meeting were held the first regular services of this denomination in Danville. Occasionally thereafter the people were called together for the same purpose, until in February of the following year it was decided to enter into an organized effort for the purpose of establishing a church of their own choice. Among those who entered into the organization at the first were W. Hubb, M. Hein- rich, J. Hacker, F. Hacker, C. Friedrichs, E. Klingenspor, C. Wendt, C. Schultz and F. Anders. The first minister appointed to the charge was Rev. G. Markworth.
In 1865, though a very unfavorable time to begin the erection of a church building, owing to the very high price of materials and labor then prevailing, with an energy for which the German people are justly noted, they went to work and erected a building, at a cost of over $7,000 and capable of seating four hundred persons. Besides their church enterprise they also sustain a private school for the purpose of
* Mentioned more at length on another page.
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
teaching the elementary branches of education and the peculiar tenets of their religion. Rev. E. Martens is present pastor.
The Welsh Independent Church was organized in South Danville March 10, 1872. Prior to the date named the United Brethren had erected a church building (the one now occupied and owned by the Welsh church) at a cost of $1,800. The brethren, however, disbanded at this place and sold out their property in 1875 to the present owners for $500. The organization of the church under consideration took place at the residence of Mrs W. Watkins, and consisted of twenty-two members. The organization was effected by the Rev. Roderick W. Williams, of Cincinnati, Ohio. The first regular pastor of the church was Rev. John Price. The church did not seem to prosper well for a number of years, and from a statement made to the Superintendent of Home Missions in September, 1878, we learn that the membership had dwindled down to two persons. At the date last mentioned Rev. John A. Griffin was put in charge of the feeble organization, and through his strennous efforts new life and energy have been infused, and at this writing thirty-nine active members belong to the society.
In 1872 a Sunday-school was also organized, but, like the church, it had been neglected. An excellent school under the superintendence of John A. Lewis is now sustained, and it is largely due to his efforts that it has attained its present high standard.
In connection with the Welsh church the organization known as the South Danville Temperance Union is kept up. The Union is in a very flourishing condition, and has already done a great amount of good for this community. It numbers about three hundred members, of which Benjamin Dean is president and Joseph Robinson is secretary.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
Danville soil seems to be quite well adapted to the growth of such organizations as practice their peculiar rites and ceremonies with none to behold but the All-Seeing Eye and those who have been so fortunate as to be admitted behind the veil of secrecy. To say that in a quiet and unostentatious manner - fulfilling the command of the Great Master to let not the right hand know what its fellow-member is doing - they have performed many acts of benevolence, is to say only what many who have been the recipients of their benefactions would testify. They desire no praise- preferring to let their works recommend them -therefore we will only add that as far as this city is concerned, their reputation, which is based wholly upon what they do and not on what they say, is of a character becoming those who profess the principles of friendship, love, morality, truth and relief.
365
DANVILLE TOWNSHIP.
The Masons are entitled to the credit of being the pioneers, they having established themselves in an organization as early as 1846. At that time Danville was but a small village of five or six hundred inhabitants, with six or eight stores and but little business of any kind. Railroads and telegraphs had not and did not seek ont this locality for another decade, yet the principles of the order were even then here.
Olive Branch Lodge, No. 38, A. F. & A. M., is comparatively one of the "ancient " lodges of the state, there being but a few that have preserved a continuous existence for more than forty-three years. The Grand Lodge of the state was organized in 1840, only six years prior to the granting of Olive Branch charter, and as the charters of all the earliest lodges date from the establishment of the Grand Lodge, and as several of the primary lodges have surrendered their charters or have been merged with other lodges, it gives to the institution at Danville quite a flavor of antiquity. Danville contains but few inhabitants now who witnessed the ceremonies of institution or who were even resi- dents of this locality.
W. E. Russell, John Payne and John Thompson were the first prin- cipal officers, being Worshipful Master, Senior Warden and Junior War- den, respectively. From a small membership at the time of organization this mother lodge has been the progenitor of a large number of other lodges in the county, besides establishing on her own territory other orders of a higher character. The membership of the lodge at present writing is 155, of which George W. Hooton is W.M .; W. J. Calhoun, S.W .; E. R. Danforth, J.W .; H. P. Boener, S.D .; G. F. Tincher, J.D .; D. S. Pheneger, Sec'y ; R. W. Hanford, Treas., and J. T. Culbertson, Tiler.
The fraternity have a very finely furnished and convenient lodge- room in the third story of Schmitt block.
By 1865 the order at this place had greatly increased in numbers. having kept pace with the growth and importance of the city itself, which had grown to number nearly a thousand to the hundred of 1846. and Vermilion Chapter, No. 82, R. A. M., was chartered, with D. R. Love, JJ. C. Winslow, John L. Smith, J. T. Culbertson and sixteen others as charter members. This order is not confined in its limits to the city of Danville, but embraces territory occupied by several other lodges in the county. The membership has grown 'to number about 125 members. Of this order A. S. Bixby is present H.P .; H. P. Boener, K. ; L. P. Norvell, S .; E. R. Danforth, C. of H .; C. V. Guy, P.S. ; T. B. Castleman, R.A.C. ; John Treteline, George Probst and C. M. Smith, Masters of Vails : J. B. Samnels, Sec'y ; A. L. Webster, Treas., and J. T. Culbertson, Sent.
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
A Subordinate Council was also (previous to 1877) in operation at this place, but by order of the Grand Bodies all Councils being merged into the other orders, Danville Council, No. 37, has ceased to exist.
Athelstan Commandery, No. 45, of Knights Templar, was chartered October 28, 1874. There being but about fifty societies of this order in the state, Danville is one of the few localities favored with an occa- sional sight of the imposing evolutions of these somber soldiers and representatives of the twelfth century.
Rev. N. P. Heath was the first Commander at this point. J. B. Mann, W. P. Cannon, J. T. Culbertson, James Knight, R. McCormack, D. Watrous, A. S. Bixby and J. C. Probst were also charter members.
At present writing A. S. Bixby is Eminent Commander; J. P. Nor- vell, Gen. ; B. Brittingham, C.G .; W. J. Calhoun, Prel. ; A. L. Webster, S.W .: J. V. Logue, J.W .; B. E. Bandy, Rec., and D. Watrous, Treas. The membership numbers sixty-four. Rev. N. P. Heath, first Com- mander of Athelstan Commandery, since his removal from this place has held the office of Grand Prelate of the Grand Commandery of Illinois. He has since been a resident of Champaign, at which place he recently died. John P. Norvell, present Generalissimo of this place, has also been honored with offices in the Grand Bodies for the past four years.
The Independent Order of Odd-Fellows were granted a charter for the purpose of performing " mystic rites," and for the purpose of prac- ticing the principles of F. L. & T. in their own peculiar manner, July 25, 1850. The charter members of Danville Lodge, No. 49, were John L. Tincher, Samuel Frazier, J. B. Gilbert, Joshua Holingsworth and H. J. C. Batch.
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