USA > Illinois > White County > History of White County Illinois > Part 30
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preceding page. He is one of the leading members o the Cum- berland Presbyterian church of Grayville, was a ruling Elder six years, and last May was a delegate to the General Assembly of that denomination. He has belonged to the I. O. O. F. twenty years, and is a member of the Encampment. Was elected First Lieutenant of Company E, Thirteenth Battalion, in September, 1879, and attended the encampment of the State militia in 1880, at Belleville, Ill. Mr. Clarke is a gentleman of high standing wherever he is known.
ENFIELD REPUBLICAN.
This is a spicy little sheet, edited and published by C. F. Wertz, formerly of the Posey County Republican. It was established in August, 1882, and is devoted to local and political news. Mr. Wertz is a native of Franklin County, Pa., and came with his par- ents to Ogle County, Ill., in 1840, where he lived until grown. He engaged in the printing business in the spring of 1878. He first edited the Brownsville Standard in Warwick County, Ind.
THE OPEN DOOR.
This was formerly called The Golden Rule, and is a religious paper, published by Elder John E. Cox, at Enfield, in the inter- est of the General Baptist church. It was established in May, 1879. It is a semi-monthly sheet and, as its name implies, is a strong advocate of open communion. It is devoted to temperance, morality and general religious information.
OUR CHURCH WORKER.
A religious paper published in the interest of the Cumberland Presbyterian church of Enfield and vicinity, and is edited by Rev. E. T. Bowers. It is devoted to morality, temperance and relig ious news.
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CHAPTER XII.
MUSICAL AND LITERARY.
White County can boast of as high literary and musical talent almost or quite as much as any other county in Southern Illinois. For proof, we submit the following specimens of poetical contribu- tions, and account of the music composed by men now residents of this county:
"FLOW GENTLY, SWEET AFTON."
The merit of a melody consists, first, in its expression of some definite state of the mind, and, secondly, in its being different from all other tunes, that is, original. Any piece of music which is not well marked is insipid; and one which is rhapsodic in its expression isunnatural. In the two characteristics just mentioned do such melodies excel as " Auld Lang Syne," "Last Rose of Summer," " Highland Mary," " Comin' Thro' the Rye," etc., and hence their great popularity.
Now picture before your mind a law student, reading Burns on a beautiful day, while sitting on the root of a black locust tree, in Lexington, Ky. He reads the following poem:
Flow gently, sweet Afton, among thy green braes, Flow gently, I'll sing thee a song in thy praise; My Mary's asleep by thy murmuring stream, Flow gently, sweet Afton, disturb not her dream.
Thou stock-dove, whose echo resounds through the glen, Ye wild whistling blackbirds in your thorny den, Thou green-crested lap-wing, thy screaming forbear, I charge you disturb not my slumbering fair.
How lofty, sweet Afton, thy neighboring hills, Far-marked with the courses of clear winding rills; There daily I wander as noon rises high, My flocks and my Mary's sweetest in my eye.
How pleasant thy banks and green valleys below, Where wild in the woodlands the primroses blow; There oft as mild evening weeps over the lea, The sweet scented birk shades my Mary and me. (491)
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Thy crystal stream, Afton, how lovely it glides, And winds by the cot where my Mary resides! How wanton thy waters her snowy feet lave, As gathering sweet flowrets, she stems thy clear wave.
Our thoughtful student looks at the above piece again, and que- ries in his mind, " Has this ever been set to any tune?" He can- not recollect of any. He commences humming a little air of his own composition, simply to see how it fits the words. He jots the melody down roughly on a piece of blank paper. He goes into the house and strikes up a piano accompaniment, and repeats the mel- ody until its pitch and proportions are well fixed. He has no thought at this time that any other soul than himself will ever hear this tune.
Soon afterward, however, he took a copy of it to the home of a young lady, who learned it and sang it before some of her friends. Soon the question was propounded to the young composer, "Why don't you have that piece of yours published?" The young man simply laughed at the idea. But the urgent appeals continued to increase until the author was persuaded to send the composition to George Willig & Co., at Philadelphia, saying that musical composi- tion was out of his line, but that if they thought the piece worthy of publication they might publish it; he took no responsibility in thema tter. The next thing he heard from it was on the receipt of twenty-five copies of the music accompanied with a letter containing favorable comments. And it soon went on from edition to edition, to the author's great surprise, until now, who in all Christendom has not heard the soft and smooth numbers of " Flow gently, sweet Afton"?
The author of this famous melody is a resident of Carmi, the
REV. JONATHAN EDWARDS SPILMAN,
the pastor of the Presbyterian church. Let us have more par- ticulars concerning his life. He was born in Greenville, Muhlen- burg Co., Ky., April 15, 1812, the son of Benjamin Spilman, who is noticed in Chapter II .. on the "Early Settlement " of this county. About 1818 the family moved to section 8, Herald's Prairie Township, about eight miles south of Carmi. In 1830 Mr. Spilman commenced studying with an older brother in Bond County, Ill .: in 1831 he entered Illinois College at Jacksonville, when Rev. Edward Beecher was President of that institution, and he and Richard Yates graduated there in the class of 1835, the first two graduates of that old institution.
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Mr. Spilman then returned to Kentucky, and attended the law department of Transylvania University, and graduated. It was while a student here that he composed the famous tune above described. He then commenced the practice of the legal pro- fession at Nicholasville, Ky., and afterward at Covington, Ky. At the latter place he was ruling elder in the Presbyterian church, and in 1858 he was admitted into the ministry by the Presbytery and was settled over the very church where he held his member- ship. He remained its pastor until 1861; was unsettled on account of the war until 1864, when he was installed pastor of a church at Massville ; here he remained over twelve years, namely, until 1876. He then passed a year in this State, then more than three years in Canton, Miss .; he then, in June, 1881, returned to this State, and since October of that year he has been pastor of the Presbyterian church in Carmi-a church which his brother organized in 1827. Mr. Spilman received, in 1876, from the Central University at Richmond, Ky., the degree of D.D.
Feb. 13, 1840, Dr. Spilman married Miss Mary B. J. Menefee, daughter Major John Menefee, at Nicholasville, and they had one child, which died in infancy. Mrs. S. died Oct. 18, 1843, and April 10, 1845, near Louisville, Ky., Dr. S. married Eliza S. Taylor, a niece of General Zachary Taylor, and she died Aug. 10, 1866. By the last marriage there were ten children, of whom six are now living, namely: Charles E., residing in Carmi ; William M .; Lewis H., bookkeeper for the Illinois Traveling-Bag Company, of Chicago; Anna L., now at Carmi; Julia Bird, now Mrs. Dewey, and residing in Orange County, Fla .; and Clara L. Andrews, who is living in Flora, Ill.
R. P. ORR
was born in White County, near Enfield, Dec. 18, 1843. He was a son of Samuel C. and Jane (Gowdy) Orr, natives of Nashville, Tenn. They came to White County in 1821, and made this county their home till his death, which occurred March 3, 1871. His wife died just three years previous to a day. R. P. Orr commenced to do for himself at about the age of twenty, by teaching school. This he followed till the winter of 1867, when he engaged as a salesman with Fackney & Beresman, with whom he remained about one year. He then engaged in the mercantile business in company with F. A. Trousdale, under the firm name of Orr & Trousdale; they were in business together about two and 82
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one half years when they dissolved by mutual consent, and Mr. Orr again engaged as salesman with James Fackney and remained about five months, when, in November, 1871, he went to Mt. Ver- non, Ill., and engaged in the boot and shoe business upon his own account ; remained in business only about six months when he re- moved his stock to Carmi and continued the business here till the year 1873. After this date he spent about a year at Enfield. At the expiration of this time he returned to Carmi and engaged as salesman and book-keeper for Geo. S. Staley, with whom he re- mained about two years, when the stock was sold to Craver & Crebs, with whom Mr. Orr remained about four months in the same capacity. Oct. 1, 1878, he engaged as salesman for George Williams in the dry-goods business, with whom we find him. Mr. Orr was married Sept. 15, 1870. to Sarah P. Allen, of Jefferson County. They have no family.
Mr. Orr is both a poet and a musician, devoting his talents as such almost exclusively to the cause of Christ. Among his numerous compositions we mention the following:
1. "O, Every One, Poor, Lost, Undone, Come to the Flowing Fountain," etc. Words and music by R. Porter Orr. Published by Geo. D. Newhall & Co., Cincinnati, in 1881, in a book entitled "Great Joy;" a collection for Gospel Meetings, Prayer, Temper- ance, Camp-meetings and Sunday-schools.
2. " Lo! He Comes." In " Fount of Blessing," a Sunday-school music book published by R. G. Staples, Portsmouth, Va.
3. " If Any Man Thirst." In the same work.
4. "Nearer Still to Jesus." Words and music by R. Porter Orr. Published in 1878 in a Sunday-school music book entitled "Glorious Tidings," by White, Smith & Co., Boston.
5. "The Way, the Truth, the Life." Words and music by same and published in the same work.
6. " My Pearl in Tinted Shell." A ballad. Words by Dr. Daniel Berry, Carmi, and music by R. P. Orr. Dedicated to Dr. and Mrs. Daniel Berry. Published in sheet form by Church & Co.,.Cincinnati, 1874. Key, B flat.
7. "The New Church Organ." Words by Will M. Carleton. Music by R. Porter Orr. Key of G. Published in sheet form in 1874, by Church & Co., Root & Sons' Music Co., etc.
8. "That's What I've Told My Emily." Words by Dr. Daniel Berry, and given on page 501. Key of D. Published in sheet form by Church & Co., in 1876.
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9. "Hancock for Our Guiding Star." A quartet, by R. Porter Orr, Dedicated to the Hancock clubs throughout the land. E flat. Published during the last Presidential campaign, by A. R. Swan & Co., Cincinnati.
10. ""' Rock of Ages,' Hallowed Song." A flat. Unpublished. Mr. Orr's music is all simple and easy, calculated to inspire the popular heart. We next give a few characteristic selections from his poetic compositions, all of which breathe the most fervent devotion.
" IN MY FATHER'S HOUSE ARE MANY MANSIONS."
BY R. P. ORR.
There's a house of many mansions in our Father's home on high, Where no sorrow ever enters, where no tear bedims the eye, Where eternal pleasures ever its inhabitants enjoy, And where sweetest songs of gladness their immortal tongues employ.
CHORUS. Mansion eternal ! Home of the blest ! Pleasures supernal ! Brightest and best ! Oh, to be ever joyous and free, Sorrowing never, Savior, with thee!
Do not let your hearts be troubled, hear the Savior's loving voice, I'll prepare for you a mansion ; therefore let your hearts rejoice ! When the work of life is ended, and its trials overpast, Then I'll come again, triumphant, to convey you home at last.
Blessed Jesus, in thy mercy take my weak and sinful heart; Wash it in that precious fountain ; make it holy as thou art. When Thou comest in thy glory, with attendant seraphs, fair, Oh, may I, on golden pinions, rise to meet thee in the air.
" BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEM." BY R. P. ORR. Ye shall know them, said the Savior, By the fruit they daily bear ; By their walk and conversation Ye may know them anywhere. Grapes, of thorns, ye do not gather, Neither figs do thistles bear; Wherefore, by their fruits, remember, Ye may know them anywhere.
Envy, strife and emulation Come from hearts defiled with sin; Poisonous water issues never From a fountain pure within ;
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But the spirit's fruit is goodness, Meekness, gentleness and love, Strength to bear each other's burdens, Faith to strive for things above.
Do I bear the spirit's fruitage ? Do I show a Savior's mind ? Do I onward press with vigor, Leaving worldly cares behind ? Holy Father, grant Thy blessing! Loving Savior, lend Thine aid! Gracious Spirit, keep me faithful, Guide to joys that cannot fade.
IT'S BETTER HIGHER UP. BY R. P. ORR. Though life's path be lone and dreary, Though sharp trials may annoy, Though we grow impatient, weary, Finding naught without alloy; Let us learn to cease complaining ; Though it be a bitter cup,
Let us drink without repining, It is better higher up.
Let us learn to be submissive, Every rose must have its thorn. Though the night be dark and dreary, Soon will dawn the coming morn. Hope will soon be rich fruition; Brimming full will be our cup; Soon will say our blessed Master, " Come, it's better higher up."
DR. DANIEL P. BERRY.
This gentleman is probably better versed in English literature than any other man in White County, and is therefore able to ex- hibit the beauties and power of the English language by the use of it. At present he is a leading druggist and dealer in stationery, paints, oils and glassware. He is a native of England and was born in the town of Wortley, Yorkshire, May 6, 1837. His parents were William and Elizabeth (Naylor) Berry. His father was a weaver by trade. When five years of age he came with his parents to America. His father located in Wrentham, Mass., a short time, then moved to Dracut, Mass., where he worked at his trade. From there he moved to Danvers, Mass., where he died in 1846. Daniel was but ten years old. He went to live with his uncle for one
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year; then worked at the carriage-maker's trade until fourteen, when he began to learn the shoemaker's trade; followed this two years, then began to work for himself. In one year he saved enough money to attend the New Hampshire Conference College, at what is now Tilton, Mass. Among his classmates were Senator H. W. Blair and Rev. Luther T. Townsend, D. D. Mr. Berry fit- ted himself for Dartmouth College, but was persnaded to teach school in Acworth, Mass .; taught one term, then attended the New England Normal Institute, at Lancaster, Mass., one term. Then, in 1856, came West to Illinois, and located in Lawrence County. He taught school in Lawrence and Wabash counties two years, then came to White County and taught school in Grayville and Burnt Prairie, until 1860. He taught school and studied medicine until 1861, when he began to study with Dr. Asher Goslan, in Carmi. In September, 1861, he and Dr. Goslan raised Company H, Forty-eighth Illinois Infantry. He then began studying with Dr. E. L. Stuart, in Carmi, until August, 1862, when he enlisted as Assistant Surgeon in the Eighty-seventh Regiment, under Dr. E. L. Stuart, Major Surgeon. At this time Dr. Berry had never attended medical lectures, but was examined by the State Board of Medical Examiners, who appointed him Second Assistant Sur- geon of the Eighty-seventh Illinois Infantry, and he was commis- sioned as such by Governor Yates, and was afterward promoted and commissioned First Assistant Surgeon. At the close of the war Dr. Berry attended the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, graduating in 1866. He then returned to Carmi, Ill., and formed a partnership with Dr. E. L. Stuart, and practiced medicine with him until 1867. IIe then formed a partnership with Dr. George Darrah, and they opened a drug store. Dr. Berry purchased his partner's interest in 1872, establishing his present business. Dr. Berry married Miss Mary A. Crebs, Dec. 27, 1862. She was born in White County, and is a daughter of Berry and Lucy (Wilson) Crebs. Dr. and Mrs. Berry have had seven children, four living- Alice M., Daniel G., Anna C., Sarah E. Dr. Berry is a member of the Presbyterian church. He is a Mason and member of Carmi Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 272; A. O. U. W., Carmi Lodge. In poli- tics, a Democrat; was left an orphan at the early age of ten, and has made himself all he is. It was through his influence that the Normal School was built in Carmi.
We now submit a few specimens of his poetic composition.
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The following was written for a May-day celebration, April 20, 1873.
QUEEN OF MAY FESTIVAL. OPENING ADDRESS.
This court has seen full many a maid renowned
For beauty, virtue, and for goodness crowned. Annie the first, the sylph with golden hair, A fairy Queen was she with graces rare; Annie the second, a sweet child of song, With willing love led loose a captive throng. From their companionship the Graces three Sent Mary first one modest Queen to be. Then blue eyed Kate received the floral crown,-
Sweet bonny Kate who ruled without a frown.
The graceful Emma next the scepter took, But far less used it than the loving look. Then Lou and Sallie hold their regal sways,
Old joys returning on their festal days. To this long list, this glorious royal line, We add to-day another name to shine With future brightness where there long have stood, The name of Margaret, the chaste, the good.
(Winter, dressed in character, adorned with icicles, etc. She presents to the Queen a branch of Mistletoe.)
I come from the realm where the glaciers glow In the light of Aurora, the dim polar morn, Where icicles glitter on moonbeams of snow Like minarets built, temples vast to adorn. I come with the north wind; he is my brother. He sighs o'er the land, and his heart chilling breath Circles the brooks he embraces to smother; He betrays with a kiss all sweet flowers to death. Thus in my realm, a wide and black domain, Nor budding plants, nor flowering shrubs are seen. O'er snow and ice I pass a cheerless reign, Unbroken, save by miles of happy green Which light the face of Autumn as she lies In my cold lap reposing. Here I bring The token that she brings me when she dies, The Mistletoe, the promise sweet of Spring.
(Third Maid of Honor presents to the Queen a garland composed of buds, flow- ers and evergreens. )
These clustering buds with living green in-wrought, The fragrant flowers that in this garland shine, Are each an emblem of a hope, or thought, Or wishes for the future life of thine. Eich had a hope, each flower a joyful bloom, The green, a pledge of friendship, ever true.
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Some buds there are whose hearts will ne'er be shown, Some flowers whose opening thou wilt surely rue; For know, fair Queen, this world is full of strife. Joys of to-day-sometimes upon the morrow- Are kin to woe; know thou the sweetest life Is one that tastes, but drinks not deep of sorrow. When such shall come, and come it surely must, Then in our friendship we would have thee trust.
(Fourth Maid of Honor presents to the Queen a boquet composed of daisies roses and lilies.)
In olden times, 'tis said, the flowers Told their thoughts to passers-by ; But in these prosy days of ours, Mute and tuneless now they lie.
Though silent now, yet still their voices Come to us from far-off years, And each one smiles, each one rejoicing, Causing mirth, dispelling tears.
These flowers, fair Queen, have all a meaning, To their lessons lend thine ear; Choice, home'y truths await thy gleaning If thou patiently shall hear.
Humility doth choose the Daisy, Ever looking to the sun; Always hoping, though skies be hazy, Still looks up till daylight's gone.
Sweet love herself claims all the roses, Buds and blossoms, thorns and all; Without the lily, who supposes Fields could smile at May-Day's Morn ?
Be humble, then, nor cease from giving Sunny smiles through all thy reign. Remember there is no heart living Loving smiles cannot regain.
(Modesty covers the Queen with a veil trimmed with violeta.)
The loving South Wind breathed upon a bed, Where Violets slept beneath the winter's storm ; He smiled upon them, and so gently led Their modest beauties to the sunlight warm That ere you thought to seek their cherished face Lo! they were smiling through the tender grass. To welcome Spring with unassuming grace, And shed sweet fragrance on her as she pass- These dainty gems,-rare flowers of modest worth, My own peculiar care,-I choose, fair Queen, To deck this veil-the rarest veil of earth.
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'Twas Dian's self that wrought the glossy sheen, Herself that wore it, when from prying eyes She veiled her beauties from the envious gaze. So, lightly wear it, but not lightly prize; Make it thine own, and heed not blame nor praise; Sweet Queen, of all the graces that adorn the mind, The crowning gem is modesty in womankind.
( Vanity presents to the Queen a small mirror attached to a gold chain.)
I am an airy presence Unsubstantial as the dawn, Light as the fleecy, gauzy mist Encircling the twilight morn.
Sly Modesty may simper, And in her way deride me; Yet I know, and well can prove, I rule, though she despise me.
I lend thee now this mirror, And bestow this magic chain; Enjoy thine own sweet beauty, And lead captive all thy train.
Make the most of each redeeming grace, Then in thy heart I'm sure to find a place.
SONG OF THE STAR FLOWER.
In meadow, in woodland, in warm corners sunlit, Of fences that zigzag across o'er the lea,
From the loose scattered mold which my neighbor, the Tomtit, In his search of a breakfast, lays light over me; From the warm nut-brown leaves-my snug winter cover, I peep in the earliest days of the spring, When March winds are blowing, when tender buds hover, Beneath the soft South-wind's sheltering wing ; Some call me the Star- Flower, some the Spring Beauty, I come with the blue bird, the herald of Spring; By command of our Queen, it is made our whole duty To usher the joys that blithe May-Day will bring.
Sweet May Queen the vestal, Spring's bright morning glory, Long live the flowers that brighten her train ; May one still be left us to tell the glad story, That, after chill winter, sweet Spring comes again.
THE QUEEN'S ADDRESS.
Fair, gentle maids, our thanks appear too small To cancel this large debt upon us laid, A burden sweet, dear creditors are all; If love can pay, it shall be duly paid.
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And now let Heralds with wide-mouthed acclaim This edict, short, commanding in our name, That Jealousy and Strife be banished long, From all the hearts that swell this throng. Let Love and Peace in every bosom reign Till sprightly May shall come with joys again,
HERALD'S PROCLAMATION.
Hear ye! Hear ye! In Queen Margaret's name, Her solemn edict which we now proclaim : Let Jealousy and Strife be banished long From all the hearts that swell this joyous throng ; Let Love and Peace in every bosom reign Till sprightly May shall come with joys again.
THAT'S WHAT I'VE TOLD MY EMILY. BY DR. DANIEL P. BERRY.
My wife and I are young and strong ; Work must bring us whate'er we get; Endeavor lasts a whole life long ; Success will crown our purpose yet : That's what I've told my Emily.
Like many others that I know, She rather envies bonds and lands, And wives whose hands are white as snow. " Good honest toil stains no one's hands," That's what I've told my Emily.
Five little children now we claim ; To some this number seems a dread. " God sends them; take them in his name; Our willing hands shall win them bread. That's what I've told my Emily.
I've noticed chickens in the spring. An old hen thinks it only fun To hear fifteen or twenty sing, She scratches just as much for one; That's what I've told my Emily.
I heard a man declare one day That honesty deserved no praise; " Men should be honest every way ;" Such men as these I want to raise. That's what I've told my Emily.
The little feet that now you guide In virtue's path and homely toil
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Shall one day step with manly pride To take from us work's hard recoil. That's what I've told my Emily.
If you will help me as you can, Nor heed the purse-proud's sneering scoff, Nor try to ape their gorgeous plan, A competence is not far off: That's what I've told my Emily.
She laughs with hope; we have no strife; She cheers me on as best she can. A trustful love, a helping wife, Will make the most of any man. That's what I've told my Emily.
THE BRIDGE.
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