History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 13

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : Globe Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 704

USA > Illinois > Clay County > History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois > Part 13
USA > Illinois > Wayne County > History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois > Part 13

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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

Leach Township, the place now owned by John L. Wagner. Preaching was sometimes at Sion Harris', where there was' once1 quite a revival; also at Harlan's, near Beach Bluff, and at Andrew Neal's, Benjamin Mabry's and Marcus R. Day's.

The early members were the Woods', Mrs. Stanley, Elizabeth Hooper, Frank Day and wife, with probably others. Minsey James was class leader. Rev. Benjamin S. Mabry, from Tennessee united with this society about 1840, and was useful in building up the church.

In 1873, a neat, frame church house, 28x48 feet, was erected at the cross-roads, on the northeast corner of the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter Section 14, Town- ship 2 south, Range 8 east, in Barnhill Township. The society has continued to prosper since building the church. Revs. Sabine, Carter, Owen and Houser's labors have been blessed in the conversion of many at this place. James H. Hodges was the first to join the church in the new house, and was licensed to preach while a member of this society. William Neal was long ago a local preacher here. Dr. Homer G. Thrall, a local preacher of no mean ability, and a thorough Methodist, though a lover of all Christians, was a leader in building the new church, and died here greatly lamented.

At a period not later than 1832, a society of Methodists was in existence at Lot Greg- ory's, in Hickory Hill Township, and still re- mains as a distinet organization, although the preaching was moved around from place to place as convenience or caprice might suggest. Sometimes it was at Thomas Buck's, William Ellis' or at other places, and we presume of late years has been held at public schoolhouses. The early members were Lot Gregory, fThomas Buck, William Ellis, Albert Brannon, Garrison, William Ir-

win, Samuel Bradford, Isaae Milner, with their wives, and others.

A new frame church worth about $800 has just been erected on the southeast corner of the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 28, Township 1 sontlı, Range 5 east, in Hickory Hill Township. This work has been accomplished chiefly, throngh the labor and perseverance of Mr. Thomas Bilbro, who did not live to enjoy the anticipated pleasure of having a house of God to worship in, but passed away to the brighter rest in the church triumphant above.

About fifty years ago, we are informed, there was a great revival at this place, that was so general in its influence that it affected the entire community. A man not a mem- ber of the church states that it was impossi- ble to resist its power; that they got him and his young lady friend down at the altar be- fore he knew it; that he came very near join- ing church in spite of all his efforts to the eon - trary; and that the power of the meeting was so great that it "run the cattle all out of the country." Under the labors of Mr. Helm, there was also a gracions revival here many years ago.

Abont 1842, a society in Six Mile Prairie, Four Miley Township, was organized, but it is now difficult to state what ministers offi- ciated at its first organization. Revs. Andrew Maulding, John Fox, Williams and Fenn are known to have labored here in an early day, and Thomas Cottingham and Charles Coker, local preachers from Hamilton Coun- ty, did good service among the people here. Among the early members of the church were the Mauldings, Mrs. Mabry, Mrs. Abbott, S. Boyd and wife, Mrs. Hopkins, George Ma- bry and family, Mary Wood, Simons, Tyler, William Harlan, Walden, with their wives, Calvin Schell and others. While John Fox

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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

was pastor, preaching was at an old store- house, near Maulding's bridge, a little north of the present Wayne City. Meetings were also held at Maulding's and Mabry's. There was a general revival in this society in an early day, so sweeping in its effects that most of those for miles around, who were not already members of some society, were re- ceived on trial in the Methodist Episcopal Church. The work in this portion of Wayne County was probably supplied by preachers on the MeLeansboro Circuit. A church house is greatly needed in this community, and permanent religious prosperity cannot be expected without it.

Middleton, or Long Prairie .- Long Prairie Methodist Episcopal Society in Four Mile Township | was established in 1841 or 1842. Among the early members were Mary Ander- son, Frederic Davis, Andrew Davis, Jabez Anderson, James Boswell, Howard, William Johnson, with their wives and others. James Boswell was class leader. King Allen, Jesse Johnson, Mckinsey, Hardy, Laird and other local preachers labored here.

About 1860, a good sized frame church was built in the village of Middleton, but does not seem to have been well constructed, and was abandoned in 1875.

A neat frame chapel, 26x40 feet, was erect- ed in 1852, on the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 9, Township 3 south, Range 5 east, where the society of eighty members now worship. Rev. R. Oliver, of the Middleton Circuit, is the pres- ent pastor.

Frog Island .- The Methodists organized a society near the old town of "New Balti- more." in Four Mile Township, previous to 1844, at the Gray Schoolhouse, near E. Gray's, on Frog Island, which still exists, with a membership of twenty or more. Among the early members attached to this society were

Stephen Bradford and family, Mrs. Mauld- ing, Mrs. Crouch, Mrs. McMillan, King Trotter, John Ballard, Richard Norman, William Miller, with their wives, and prob- ably some others. S. Bradford and King Trotter were class leaders.

This little band have struggled on faith- fully, through many discouragements, and it is to be hoped that a brighter day in the near future awaits them.

More than forty-five years ago, in the southern portion of Barnhill Township, the Methodists had a society, and regular circuit preaching at Henry Mericle's. The first members were H. Mericle (class leader), Presly Simpson, William Boze, and their wives, Mrs. Conn, Mrs. Bradshaw and some others.

Their membership was transferred some years since across the line into White County, and constitutes in part what is now known as Union Church, about two miles east of Mill Shoals. There have been some re- vivals in the past at this place, but the old original members have about all passed away, and I do not think there is regular stated preaching at the place. A few very worthy members hold on to their integrity with un- swerving devotion.

Brush Creek Township .- About 1850, a Methodist society was established at Mathew Warren's, in Brush Creek Township. Lat- terly, the services were conducted at Mr. Phillips' house, and the society had some prosperity for a few years, but, I think, is not flourishing at present. Among the earlier members were Rev. Cook, Arms, Z. Phillips, Joseph Phillips, Van Sycles, Borroughs, Lovelace, with members of their families, and probably some others.

Probably after the organization at Phillip's, fully thirty years ago, a live, active little society of Methodists was established at the

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LHISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

Copeland Schoolhouse in Brush Creek Town- ship, and seemed to be in a flourishing con- dition at the commencement of the great war, when dissensions and divisions occurred which almost destroyed its usefulness as a Chris- tian body. It is unnecessary to ask how any true Methodist stood when his country was assailed. The members were Rev. A. C. Gonterman and wife, the Sullivans, Irvins, Moores, Smothers, and others. Our infor- mation has been but meager, and we should not court a severe criticism as to dates and incidents. Preaching in this portion of Wayne County was supplied by the pastors of Xenia Circuit.

About 1842, the local and circuit preach- ers established a Methodist society in the Buckeye neighborhood, near the northeast corner of Lamard Township. At different periods, the services were held at Rutger's, Swain's, or Hays', according to the conven- ience of those most deeply interested. The society existed here with varied success until after the establishment of Jeffersonville as a flourishing village, when John Rutger preached the first sermon in David C. Por- ter's house, and John E. Taylor is thought to have been the first circuit preacher to minister to the people of the village, and, during a protracted meeting under his labors in 1854, a good little revival resulted.

We are, at present, unable to state who were the first members constituting this so- ciety, but doubt not, like the present mem- bership, they were stalwart to the very core.

Among the most noted revivals may be mentioned those under the labors of Revs. Samuel Walker, J. H. Lockwood, Hazen, Sabin, Carter, Owen, Baldridge and Young- ling. Under the administration of J. C. Baldridge, in 1872, a neat and commodious frame church, 30x60 feet, was commenced, and completed the next year at a cost of about $1,800.

Brother Baldridge preached the first serinon in the new house, and it was dedicated by Rev. William Tilroe.

There are a number of substantial Method- ists in connection with this church, and the outlook is promising. The parsonage of the Jeffersonville Circuit is located at this place, and the church property is free from debt. The pastors of this circuit since its commencement in 1865 have been Revs. Hazen, J. P. Rutherford, F. M. Woolard, William Tilroe, C. W. Sabine, J. C. Green, J. C. Baldridge, R. M. Carter, William M. Owon, David Moore, C. J. T. Tolle, J. D. Reeder, W. F. Brown, - Houser, J. P. Youngling, N. Stauffer, and C. D. Lingen- filter, the present pastor.

Methodist preaching was kept up, societies established and long maintained at Faurote's and Allen's Schoolhouse, near Enterprise, for many years, accomplishing some good; but on account of deaths, removals and other causes, the organization was abandoned some years ago.

The societies established in an early day at Gaston's, Capt. John Clark's, Linn Grove and Beamer's, have been absorbed by Bethel and Fairfield, or scattered by death and re- movals.

Near Beamer's, two miles south of Fairfield, was once a society of about thirty members, who commenced and partially completed a log church house, but the title to the prop- erty proving defective, the enterprise was abandoned.

Organ's Schoolhouse .- For many years a flourishing society existed at Organ's School. house, two and a half miles northeast of Fairfield, where great good resulted from the labors of the preachers in that community, but it is no longer maintained as a distinct organization, its members having been trans- ferred to Woodland, Ebenezer and Fairfield. The folly of establishing societies in almos

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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

every school district, thereby dividing their strength so as to render them unable to build houses of worship, has certainly been demonstrated among our people, to an ex- tent that ought to teach them that its repeti- tion is a grave mistake.

Johnsonville Circuil. - Our information is somewhat meager concerning the earlier so- cieties on this work, and there is no doubt much of value that unless gathered soon will be lost, even if it is not already too late in many instances.

The early records of Fairfield Circuit men- tion Galbraith's, Hills', Tibbs', Round Prairie, Forackre's, Watson's, Baker's, Lib- erty Schoolhouse, and probably some other places, but lest we should cause confusion in attempting to classify them in connection with the present appointments of Johnson- ville Circuit, we would prefer passing them by with the mere mention of their names. The following from Rev. Lewis A. Harper, the present pastor of the circuit, in few words and very much to the point, contains information the most reliable that we have so far been able to obtain.

" The territory now embraced in Johnson- ville charge, from the time there was preach- ing in it, was included in the Fairfield Cir- cuit until the fall of 1858, when the John- sonville Circuit was formed, and James I. Richardson appointed to the work. Under his administration the parsonage was built that still stands. In 1859, J. H. Lockwood was appointed to the work, and remained two years. There was some religious prosperity during his term.

" In 1861, the work was supplied by W. F. Massey, who remained till near the close of the year, when he enlisted in the United States Army. In 1862, J. P. Rutherford was appointed. He made some improvements in the parsonage property. In 1863, J. W.

Grant was appointed. These being war times, and Brother Grant being strongly Union, there was some trouble, and but little or no revival. In 1864, Anderson Meyers was ap- pointed, and the present church at Johnson- ville was commenced and nearly finished, at a cost of nearly $4,000.

" In 1865, 'Uncle Jimmy' Johnson was appointed, and continued two years. In 1867, G. W. Brannine was appointed, and remained three years.

"In 1871, N. E. Harmon was appointed, and had some revival work.

" In 1872, R. M. Carter was appointed. He had poor health, and there was not much done in revival work. In 1873, J. P. Young- ling was appointed. During his administra- tion, the brick church at Rinard was bought. In 1874, William McMorrow was appointed, and remained two years, during which time there was some revival influence. In 1876, L. A. Harper was appointed, and remained two years, during which time there was con- siderable revival work, the most noted of which was a union meeting with Rev. Gaston at Mt. Zion, which resulted in about sixty conversions. In 1878, A. L. Downey. In 1879, M. L. King, who remained two years. Sixty joined the church during his first year. In 1881, W. R. Bradley was appointed, and remained two years, and there was consider- able revival work during his term. In 1883, L. A. Harper was returned, and is making an effort to build a parsonage, which is greatly needed.

"There are four churches, worth about $4,000, and seven appointments, and a mem- bership of about 230."

Mr. Harper further states that: " The first meetings in Arrington Prairie by the Method- ist Episcopal Church were in 1859, at David Baker's house, by Andrew J. Maulding, Israel Turner and Jacob O. Feather, then a member

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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

of our church. About that time, a Meth- odist Episcopal class was formed at the old Liberty Schoolhouse, in the south part of Ar- rington, and continued until 1858, when the Zion Church was built, northwest corner of the northwest quarter of the northwest quar- ter of Section 24, Town 1 south, Range 6 east, on land donated by Esq. John Cisne. This church is a frame of some respectabil- ity, and has been lately repaired. Among the first members were David Baker, Rev. Jacob O. Feather, Jacob Baker, Alfred Baker, Aaron Graham, with their wives and some others. This church is ten miles south of ' el and other modern preaching places. Johnsonville.

" Three miles southwest of Johnsonville there is a society of over twenty-five years' standing, with preaching first at the houses of H. D. and John Taylor, and then at school- houses, when they built a log church (south- east corner of the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Seetion 17, Town 1 north, Range 6 east), which is called Wesley Chapel. This house is one of the regular preaching places of this cireuit. Among the first members were John Taylor, H. D. Tay- lor, Nicholas Borders, Joseph Spieer, with their wives and others.

" There is a society three miles southeast of Johnsonville, on the Dry Fork, of more than twenty- five years' standing, with preach- : ing for many years at the Watson School- house. Eight or nine years ago, a frame church east of the Dry Fork was put up, and used for some time, but never finished, and the preaching is now in a log ehureh, owned by the Baptists. Henry Schell, George Cariens, Enoch Greathouse, Elias Holmes, their wives and others were early members."

Mt. Erie Cireuit .- We are somewhat at a loss, from the fact that we have been un- able to obtain adequate information concern- ing the early membership of the church in

one of the most interesting fields of labor in Wayne County, feeling that an injustice has been done to Mt. Erie Circuit, for which no one is to blame; and we can only regret that our account is not more full in detail of the unwritten portion of the history of the church in that section.

From old records, we obtain the names of Vandaveer's, Farmer's, Walker's, Ake's, Lo- cust Grove, Long Prairie, Bradshaw's and Yohe's, which were, doubtless, the nucleus from which sprang the towers of greater strength, Mt. Erie Church, MeKendree Chap-

The following very coneise official account has fallen into our hands, which we suppose was written by Rev. J. P. Youngling:

" The first society of the Methodist Epis- copal Church in Mt. Erie Township was or- ganized in 1839 or 1840, by Alexander Blake- ly, a local preacher. Rev. Guthrie began to preach at two or three points in this section. The societies until 1854 were served by the same pastors as those of Fairfield Cirenit.

"I copy from the records: At the session of the Southern Illinois Conference in Sep- tember, 1854, the New Massillon Mission was formed out of territory formerly belong- ing to the Fairfield and Louisville Circuits. At its organization, the mission consisted of eight appointments, having 144 members and sixty-two probationers. It was a part of Salem District; J. I. Richardson, P. E., and Cavey Lambert, P. C. A parsonage was commenced and so far completed as to be occupied by the preacher in the winter.

" In 1855, Brother Lambert was returned, the parsonage debt was nearly paid, needed improvements were made and the work was in good condition generally. In 1856, the mission appropriation of $50 was withdrawn, the charge named Mt. Erie Circuit and Rev. James M. Massey appointed preacher in

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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

charge. He was a man of more than ordi- nary preaching ability.

" During the year 1856, the present church building was put under contract, but not en- closed until the spring of 1857. In 1857,: Rev. R. H. Massey was appointed P. C. The church was dedicated October 3, 1858, by Rev. J. M. Massey. It is a frame build- ing and cost $1,300. The following preach- ers then successively served the charge: J. H. Lockwood, J. I. Richardson, R. H. Mas- sey, who was appointed Chaplain of the Fortieth Illinois Regiment, and Wilbur F. Massey supplied the charge until the next session of the conference. (W. F. Massey died a prisoner of war in the pen at Ander- sonville, Ga.)

" In 1862, the Mt. Erie and Flora Circuits were united, and Rev. Cavey Lambert ap- pointed P. C. The next year Mt. Erie and Flora Circuits were restored to their original bounds, and Rev. C. Lambert was appointed to Mt. Erie. Brother L. was succeeded by Rev. Calvin Gibbs, and in 1866, Rev. O. Bru- ner was appointed.

"In 1868, Rev. John Thatcher was ap- pointed to the Mt. Erie and Clay City Cir- cuits. He died March 3, 1869. The work was then divided, and Rev. M. L. King was placed in charge of Clay City, and Rev. | Richard Thatcher at Mt. Erie.

"In the fall of 1869, Brother King was ap- pointed to Mt. Erie; 1870 to 1873, J. C. Bal- dridge; 1873 to 1876, J. B. Ravenscroft; 1876 to 1879, Caleb D. Lingenfelter; 1879 to 1880, V. D. Lingenfelter; 1880, William Tilroe; 1881-82, J. P. Youngling; 1883, J. D. Reeder, the present pastor.

" There are, at present, five regular ap- pointments, with occasional preaching at two others. There are five Sabbath schools, doing good work. The society three and one- half miles southeast of here have a comfort-

able church house. The other societies are worshiping in schoolhouses at present. But one church house will be erected this year, and others, we think, will be in the near future."

In addition to the above account, we have learned that McKendree Chapel, a good frame house, 26x40 feet, situated on the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 33, in Mt. Erie Township, and cost- ing $1,350, was erected in 1876, and dedi- cated, free from debt, by Dr. J. W. Locke. The Trustees were W. H. Porterfield, A. L. Wall, James Bradshaw, W. H. Wells, J. F. Troyer and Albert Vandaveer.

In 1849, under the ministry of Rev. James Johnson, there was a great revival in this neighborhood at Ake's Grove. In 1877, Rev. C. D. Lingenfelter conducted a revival meeting at Mckendree Chapel, during which sixty-five persons were converted.

In 1881, during the service of Rev. J. P. Youngling, fifty people were converted at the same place.

In the vicinity of the places formerly known in the old church records as " West's Schoolhouse " and " Massillon," a new frame church house, 26x40 feet, on the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 10, Massillon Township, is now under con- struction, to be known as the West M. E. Church. Mrs. Salina West, widow of the late Mr. Wayne West, died in 1865, leaving forty acres of land for the purpose of erect- ing this chapel. The land has been sold, and through the liberal contributions of a generous public, in addition to the bequest, a small society, with a flourishing Sunday school and good prospects, will soon have a good house of worship, where it is greatly needed. We suspect that through the energy of A. L. Wall, Esq., and others, this work has been greatly facilitated. The Trustees

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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

of this property are W. V. Goodall, Sylves- ter Price, John R. Troyer, A. L. Wall. Van R. Price and W. E. Allison.

Zif Township .- In 1837, "Aunt Hannah Husselton," like Barbara Heck, went in quest of a preacher, when J. I. Richardson came and preached at her house on his last round. Rev. John Fox was the next preacher, and organized a society there. The early mom- bers wero Mrs. Husselton, John Williams, Thomas G. Williams, John H. Hill, James Cochran, John Husselton, and their wives. J. H. Hill was class leader. Proaching was sometimes at the dwellings of Hill and the Williams. The appointment was known as " Williams," but is now known as the Grove Creek Schoolhouse. Rev. J. C. Williams is a member of this society.

Rev. John H. Hill entered upon his long and useful career as an itinerant minister from this place. The society is at present connected with the Mt. Erie Circuit. Previ- ons to the establishment of the Williams So- ciety there was a Methodist organization at Isaac Creeks, with regular circuit preaching. The pioneer members were Creek and Jordan C. Patterson, with their wives and other members of their families. Patterson was a useful local preacher. John Husselton and his wife died here. Preaching was afterward held at Mrs. Humes, who was also a mem- ber, and then at the Patterson Schoolhouse, until a neat chapel was erected in the neigh- borhood.

Circuit preaching in Zif Township must have been supplied from the old Maysville Circuit, as these societies were established prior to the organization of either the Now Massillon Mission or the Mt. Erie Circuit, and they nowhere appear on the Fairfieldrecords, which commence in 1842. The society is now in connection with the Mt. Erie Circuit.

Camp-meetings .- Realizing fully how in-

complete this account would be without it, we will digress, at this point, to give a brief sketch of the early camp-meetings of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Wayne County, in which strong men ofton partici- pated, and where many precious souls were converted.

After considerable labor and inquiry, we believe the dates attached to each may be relied on with considerable certainty, althoughi there are, doubtless, many incidents of inter- est, which have long sineo passed from the memory of living men.

This manner of conducting public worship in the early days of the church in the West, when people would travel long distances on foot, on horses or in ox-carts, to worship God, when the country was little less than a " waste, a howling wilderness," was almost a necessity, as no houses in the country, at that time, were large enough to contain the as- sembled throngs; such congregations would not, at the present time, be considered large, but then, when the nearest neighbors were often miles apart, a few hundred people were considered a very large assemblage.

From Uncle George Meritt, who certainly deserves to be classed as the "oldest inhabi- tant," and among the very first pioneers, wo learn that " The first camp-meeting in Wayno County was held by the Methodists in May, 1818, conducted by Charles Slocumb, Zadoc Casey, John Slocumb and Archibald Roborts. " The meeting was held at what was then, and is yet known as tho Meritt Springs, in the southwest corner of Leech Township."

We visited this ground a few days since in order to definitely locate it, before those knowing its situation should all pass away. The place of encampment is now a cultivated field, and the springs are still flowing, but much neglected.

At or very near the southeast corner of the

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HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY.

southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 7, Town 3 south, Range 9 east, on the spot where Alex Stewart's house now stands, was the place of the encampment. About forty paces to the east of this house, on the brow of a small hill, in the field, stands, at present, a large, black gum stump, from which the tree has been recently cut, and, under the shade of which, facing west, or south of west, was erected a stand, from which, more than sixty five years ago, Charles Slocumb, Zadoc Casey, men of giant minds, with others, proclaimed the word of life and salvation to the assembled pioneers; and grand results were attained on the occasion, as many obtained the " Pearl of great price."

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History of Wayne and Clay counties, Illinois, Part 13

Author: Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago : Globe Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 704

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : Globe Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 704