History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. I, Part 40

Author: Davis, William W
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 706

USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. I > Part 40

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

During his first years in Sterling, Dr. J. P. Anthony resided on the corner of Fourth avenue and Fourth street. Mrs. Ladd lived and died in the same house, somewhat enlarged. A pump stood in the front yard, and the children from- the Presbyterian Sunday school ran there for water. That was in the sixties.

The old oaken bucket, the iron-bound bucket, The moss-covered bucket which hung in the well.

When the war broke out Dr. Anthony responded to his country's call, and was appointed surgeon of the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Illinois, returning at the close of his service as surgeon of the Sixty-first. Soon after- wards he erected the office on First avenue where Dr. Frank was for awhile,

348

HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY

residing in the rear dwelling until he built the spacious home on West Fourth street in which he and Mrs. Anthony died, and where the daughter Permelia remains.

There was something about Dr. Anthony's face and manner that re- minded me of our old family doctor, John W. Luther, in the east. He brought cheer into the sick room, always had a smile and hopeful word, and in his long experience soothed many a sad heart. Seldom failed in his diagnosis. A long and faithful practice. He had the courage of his con- victions, and you always knew where he stood. Besides his son Frank, Dr. Jacob Kauffman read medicine in his office. I remember Jake's stovepipe hat.

None of our doctors advanced so rapidly as Dr. W. J. Galt. His modest sign first appeared near the gate of Mrs. Amanda Crawford's farm, west of Sterling, then on the Stolp house in Emerson, next in Sterling, where it re- inained. Dr. Galt read medicine in Strasburg, and attended lectures in Philadelphia. Through his family connection and his own activity, he grad- ually gained an extensive practice, which he held until failing health.

Few of my readers, I suppose, can recall that frame drug store, owned by IIarvey, an Englishman, that stood in the hollow on the corner of Third and Locust, about 1860. It was a hollow, sure enough, and in rainy weather on dark nights it was dangerous without a lantern to cross the boards span- ning a raging torrent that might easily drown a man. Dr. Galt bought this building, and erected the substantial edifice in which he had his drug store and office till his death. Several changes since. The Keefers, Mrs. Brown, now Mr. Bickford.

The doctor died the youngest and the richest of our physicians. Not much over forty-five at his death, by his professional labors and business operations he accumulated in about twenty years an estate of a hundred thousand dollars. As he never married, his last months of invalidism were spent at the Galt house. Dr. Galt was a man of quiet tastes, and his greatest delight was to sit of a winter evening around the stove in his store with a few congenial spirits like Aleck McCloy and Champion, and discuss people and politics.

PROPHETS OF THE PAST.

But in his duty, prompt at every call,

He watched, and wept, he prayed, and felt for all .- Goldsmith.

Among the earliest ministers were Rev. George Stebbins of the Presby- terian, and Rev. S. F. Denning of the Methodist. Mr. Stebbins was an earn- est man and highly esteemed. Mr. Denning was a forcible speaker, and his wife was devoted to the missionary cause. Both deserve to be held in grateful remembrance for their Christian zeal in the day of small things, and for the foundations they laid for churches to come.

Among the first ministers we heard in Sterling were two Lutherans, William Uhl and Mr. Thummel, father of our genial veteran, Anson. Both sound, serious clergymen, and both, I think, read their sermons. Father Thummel had received a thorough education in Germany, was a solid the-

349

HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY

ologian, and used our language with an elegance and precision that made it a pleasure to listen.

Mr. Uhl from Dixon, and Mr. Thummel from Prairieville, were occa- sional supplies, but after awhile Rev. W. A. Lipe received a call to the little white frame church, which, with its tiny belfry, was long a landmark among the trees on the edge of town. He was just from the seminary, boyish in appearance, full of energy and enthusiasm, sociable, much among his mem- bers in Sterling and at Emerson, then Empire.

He had a strong voice, made the room ring, and was a fine singer. How he reveled in music. At revival meetings, in the Sunday school, he always led the chorus of sacred song. His people and children caught his spirit, and you were sure of lively singing in the Lutheran church. After a chaplaincy in the war, he returned to his charge here, finally leaving for Nebraska, and is now at West Point in that state. Mrs. Hefley, wife of the veteran, is a sister. Mr. Lipe came about 1860 and left in 1873.

A day of small things when Rev. U. W. Small was Congregational pas- tor, 1859-1864. A society, but no building. The services were held in halls. A modest man, intelligent, well read, laborious, much more vigorous in mind than in body. He married Miss Gilman, graduate of Mt. Holyoke, teacher in Central school, a woman of lovely character. An awful tragedy threw a gloom over their later lives. Their son, Forrest, a lawyer, at the outset of a promising career, was mysteriously killed in Minnesota, and the blow nearly prostrated the poor mother. Miss Gilman's likeness is in our Historical Society.

No more commanding figure ever stood in the Sterling pulpits than that of Rev. Ebenezer Erskine, D. D. A handsome man of portly form; open countenance, winning manners, and a hand ever ready for the warm grasp of friendship. A mass of dark hair which he shook back from his forehead. A ready writer and a vigorous preacher. His gospel had no uncertain sound. A thorough Calvinist, a disciple of the Alexanders and the Princeton School of Theology. On resigning his charge here in 1865, he started the North- western Presbyterian in Chicago, which finally was succeeded by the present Interior. Dr. Erskine returned to the ministry and accepted the charge of a large congregation at Newville, Pa., where he died a few years ago after a long pastorate. Dr. Erskine left in the spring, and the pulpit that summer was supplied by Prof. Elliott, Scotchman, from McCormick Theological Seminary.

That autumn a call was given to a tall, dignified young gentleman, bear- ing for his first name that of an excellent relative, Bishop Meade of Virginia. This was Rev. M. C. Williams. His sermons showed marks of careful prep- aration, and were given in a style of pleasant persuasion, with no attempt at declamation, which is almost sacrilegious in the sacred desk.

After a ministry of eight years and charges in Princeton and Toledo, he finally settled in St. Louis, where he established the Mid-Continent, after- wards merged in Herald & Presbyter, Cincinnati. His tastes were literary, and various articles and booklets appeared from his pen. Twice abroad. His

350

HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY

summers at Mackinac island in a cottage on the hill. His death a year ago removed a correspondent for whom I cherished a warm regard.

How life-like through the mist of years, Each well-remembered faee appears.

When I came to Sterling in the summer of 1856, Elder Mason was already on the ground. He was really a home missionary of the Baptist church. He had only a little group of members to begin with, Mrs. Harden, Deaeon Todd, Niehols, and a few others, but he held revival meetings every winter, and in the spring the converts were taken to the river, and with prayer and song the solemn rite of baptism was administered.

Mr. Mason was the most genial of men. Mueh of his pastoral work was done on the street and in the homes. He liked to mingle among people, and always had a cheerful greeting. The present ehureh is the third or fourth which grew from the pioneer ehapel which he started, and on the wall should be a tablet with the inseription: "In loving memory of Rev. J. T. Mason, to whose devotion this church under God owes its foundation." He died a few years ago in Amboy, but Mrs. Mason returned, and lives in the early home.

Like the Congregational, the Baptists at first met in upper rooms above stores. In the choir was C. B. Smith, afterwards a lawyer at Mt. Carroll, with his violin, and the politest of ushers was A. A. Terrell, whose tragic death a few years ago in Chicago will be remembered by our readers.

Not on the field so early as some of the others was Rev. Emanuel Brown, for nearly thirty years minister of St. John's Lutheran church, dying in 1900, on Good Friday, like the Master he served so faithfully. He was de- voted to his congregation, laboring in season and out of season, never taking a vacation, finding his highest enjoyment in his work. Very sociable, plain in his manners and popular with all elasses in the community. Families that had no church connection always ealled upon him in time of siekness and death. A favorite minister for couples who came to town to be married. Like Daniel, a man greatly beloved, and his name is still fragrant in the city where he labored so long.

To see the hopeful face and active step of Rev. Martin Post, one ean hardly believe that he goes baek to his first ministry in our Congregational church forty years, or 1866. After a pastorate of six years, to California for a time, and then baek from 1884 to 1894. Since his return from the south he resides at Chapin, near Jacksonville, in the regular diseharge of his min- istcrial funetions. An excellent preacher. Thoroughly grounded in the great doctrines of the gospel, and in touch with every type of theologieal discussion, his discourses are marked by scholarly thought, rhetorical finish, and impres- sive delivery. He has a message, and utters it with a conscienee. Perhaps John Wesley will not be the only minister preaching at eighty-five.

I must add a paragraph of forgotten history. While the Congos were worshiping in a hall a supply one Sunday was Dr. Chadbourne, at that time the most eminent edueator in the country. He oeeupied all kinds of posi- tions as professor at Williams, president of Wiseonsin, lecturer at Smith- sonian, leader of seientific expeditions to Florida and Ieeland, a remarkable

351

HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY

scholar. He was a fluent speaker, wore glasses. How he was brought here, I do not know.

ONE OF THE EARLY TEACHERS.

Schoolmasters will I keep within my house, Fit to instruct her youth.

* To cunning men I will be very kind, and liberal To mine own children in good bringing up .- Shakespeare.

A half sheet of paper, bluish in tinge, placed in the Whiteside Historical Society, bears the following legend: "Names of scholars comprising the school taught by Mrs. Sarah Worthington in the old courthouse in 1848." Fifty boys and girls in two columns, a number to each. And who are they? Looking at these names is almost like walking through a cemetery and glanc- ing at the tombstones. Here are some of the most familiar: Ann. E. Wilson, Charles Mack, Emma Wilson, Emily Worthington, Harriet Landis, Josephine Worthington, Mary Worthington, Sarah Stebbins, Theodore Mack, Edward Worthington, Arabella Hedlock, Caroline Brink, Harriet Albertson, Martha Kilgour. Most of the fifty are on the other shore. Paper was valuable in those days, and prohibition was already on the carpet. For on the back of the sheet are three stanzas of a cold-water song. Here is the first :

Speed, speed, the temperance ship! Ye winds, fill every sail ! Behold her sailing o'er the deep, Out-riding every gale.

This Mrs. Sarah Worthington was Sarah McShane, of Philadelphia, who was married in 1834 to E. B. Worthington. She had a thorough education in all the accomplishments of those times, and before her marriage was a teacher in Philadelphia. A dingy card before us as we write tells the story :

Misses Davidson & McShane's Infant's School, No. 44 North Seventh street, a few doors below Arch street.

Terms: 3 dollars-Sewing, 1 dollar extra. Hours of tuition, from 9 to 12, and from 2 to 5 o'clock.

Today this would be called a kindergarten.

On removing after marriage to Sterling, to meet a pressing want and beguile her mind, Mrs. Worthington resumed her early occupation. She opened a school, 1838, in the first frame house in the place. Among her pupils were the Bush, Kilgour, and Brewer families. The next year she started a class in painting, in which appear the names of Johnson, Stephens, and Brown. She enjoyed teaching, and of painting she never seemed to tire. Even at an advanced age, far in the eighties, she showed the writer the latest specimens of her skill as they hung on the walls of her parlor. Like grand

352

HISTORY OF . WHITESIDE COUNTY

old Titian at ninety-nine, Mrs. Worthington would have been content to die, brush in hand.

THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN.

Farewell, farewell, base world, farewell! In touching tones exclaimed a bell;

Life is a boon to mortals given, To fit the soul for bliss in heaven ; Do not invoke the avenging rod;

Come here, and learn the way to God;

Say to the world, farewell, farewell !

Pealed forth the Presbyterian bell .- George W. Bungay.

For once the staid Calvinists seem to have got ahead of the lively Ar- minians, for as Mr. Fife relates in his anniversary sermon, Aug. 16, 1885, although the circuit rider was early on the ground and occupied on alternate 'Sabbaths the courthouse, the Presbyterians were the first to secure a local habitation and a name: The church was organized with ten members on Nov. 4, 1844: John and Maria Galt, Eliza Wilson, Mary Wallace, J. C. Woodburn, with Mary and Jane, W. H. Cole, Carlisle and Jane Mason. It was under jurisdiction of the presbytery of Schuyler. Rev. George Stebbins was elected pastor in 1845, and remained until May, 1856. At his resignation there were thirty-nine members. Mr. Stebbins was much esteemed. For a year the pulpit was supplied by Rev. James L. Rogers and then Mr. Randall. In August, 1857, Rev. Ebenezer Erskine, of Columbia, Pa., was called, and he entered upon his duties that fall, continuing in active service until April, 1865, when he resigned to assume other responsibilities in Chicago. A force- ful preacher and a genial man. During his stay, Dr. Alfred Hamilton, of Fagg's Manor, Pa., a theologian of saintly bearing, conducted a revival which resulted in several accessions. During the summer after Mr. Erskine's retire- ment Prof. Charles Elliott, of the McCormick Seminary, filled the sacred desk, and on Oct. 23, 1865, Rev. M. C. Williams, Fort Wayne, Indiana, ac- cepted a call.

He tried each art, reproved each dull delay, Allured to brighter worlds, and led the way.

The ministry of Rev. N. H. G. Fife began on November 1873, and he had the privilege of assisting in the erection of the new church now occu- pied by the congregation. It was completed in 1885, and the dedication took place on Sunday, Oct. 30.

The edifice stands on Fifth street, between Locust and Avenue A. It is of brick, Gothic front, with one large main window like York cathedral, and a corner tower, 106 feet high. The floor inclines, pews of ash trimmed with cherry, the seating capacity over five hundred. A large organ in the northeast corner. The basement contains a main Sunday school room with several smaller rooms and conveniences for social functions. Here are held the various festivals of the congregation. The total cost of the structure with furniture was $30,000. The $1,800 organ was secured by the active efforts

353

HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY

of the ladies. The pulpit, chairs and desk, $85, from the Merry Workers, The pulpit bible was presented by Mrs. R. L. Wilson.

The dedicatory services occupied the day. The morning sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. W. G. Craig, of Chicago, and the evening by Rev. Dr. M. C. Williams, then of Princeton. Among the other ministers present were Mr. Hilton of the Methodist, Mr. Smith of Morrison, and Rev. Martin Post, of Congregational.

The old church stood on Fourth street on the site of the present High school, although the stone walls were begun in 1849, lack of means prevented the completion of the structure till 1855 and 1856. The basement only was in use for a time. When the upper room was dedicated in 1856, Rev. W. W. Harsha, of Dixon, delivered the sermon. As the building was too small, a brick front was added in 1865, at a cost of $4,000.

Fifty years! Not long in Rome, but a time of meaning for the new West. Nov. 4, 1894, was the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the church, and it was fitly observed. Rev. William Carter, pastor, in the morn- ing gave a concise review of the progress of the society, and in the evening there were various papers read by members of the church and pastors of sister denominations. Reminiscences by Mary Wallace, Maria Galt, Eliza Wilson, all since dead, "Impressions 25 Years Ago" by John Buyers, "The Church in the Last Decade," by George Robinson. In short talks, Mr. Denning and Mr. Flack spoke for the Methodists, Rev. E. Brown for the Lutherans, Rev. Theo. Crowe for the Congregational. Music was unusually elaborate. Solos by Lulu Newcomer and Horace Diller-Lcah Sprinkle at the organ.

John Galt, an elder in the Presbyterian church before removal to the West, was one of the pillars of the society from the start. It is said that the first formal public service was held in the school house on Broadway, south of the Worthington home, in November, 1844. When Mr. Stebbins was installed as pastor, he received the munificent allowance of $200 from the general board of the church and an equal amount in pork, potatoes, and similar dain- ties from the people. Before his installation, union services were held by the Baptists and members of other churches, each family bringing its own candle. The old announcement used to be, "Preaching at early candle light."

Several pastors from the resignation of Rev. N. H. G. Fife to the pres- ent: S. S. Palmer, 1890-93; Wm. Carter, 1894-99; J. F. Horton, 1899-1901; W. E. Donaldson, 1902-1905. Charles Gorman Richards, now in the pulpit. began his services July, 1906. The trustees are G. G. Keefer, A. A. Wol- fersperger, L. L. Wheeler, Fred Honens, H. C. Atwood. The elders are T. A. Galt, G. L. Robinson, W. P. Hallett, E. L. Galt, H. L. Davis, G. Hanson, H. Reitzel, Fred Honens, Dr. Keefer, M. Dillon. About 125 scholars in the bible school, George Hanson, superintendent. The membership of the church is about four hundred. T. A. Galt, eighty, is the oldest elder, and has grown gray in the office. The late John Buyers was another revered dignitary in the same honor.

There are the usual societies in connection with the church. One encour- aging feature within the last two years has been the awakened interest among

354

HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY

the men of the church, not in a mere social way, but in real personal activity for the spread of the Redeemer's kingdom. The Presbyterian Brotherhood is a rising association of much promise. The meetings are made agreeable and instructive. Refreshments are often served. At a meeting in Marclı, 1908, C. L. Sheldon and Judge H. C. Ward spoke on Civic Righteousness.

Rev. Charles Gorman Richards, present pastor, is a native of Pennsyl- vania, a graduate of Princeton in 1897, and of McCormick Theological Sem- inary in 1901. His only pastorate was five years at Columbus, Indiana, before his call to Sterling.

MR. STEBBINS STARTS THE CHOIR.

One hot summer day, says George Brewer, when the Presbyterians were holding services in the old court house, Mr. Stebbins noticed the choir who were sitting around the table below the judge's desk, with heads back and eyes shut. He decided on heroic action, and laying aside his manuscript, he screamed at the top of his voice, "Awake, ye drowsy souls, why sleep ye so under the offers of pardoning grace, ye slumberers of time to eternity, awake!" This tremendous blast so unusual in the quiet preacher, startled everybody, the choir as well, who with their chorister, D. R. Beck, straight- ened up, and cleared their throats for the next hymn.

TALE OF A CHART.

There hangs in the Historical Society a chart of the pews in the Presby- terian church about 1860. They are numbered and marked with the names of the families who occupied them. Sometimes two had one pew. There were about sixty pews and of all the persons whose names appear, not one remains but T. A. Galt and Amanda Crawford. The Coes, Pattersons, Wil- sons, Hutchinsons, Penningtons, Manahans, Robbins, Crawfords, Wallaces, Windoms, and dozens of others of the original people all represented only by their descendants, and in some cases not a survivor of the race is left.

At a business meeting of the Presbyterian church in April, it was shown that the congregational expenses during the year closing March 31, 1908, including the first payments of pledges on the manse fund, contributions have amounted to six thousand eight hundred and forty-five dollars; and the gifts for benevolences, including the various boards of the church and mis- cellaneous outside causes, were nineteen hundred and twenty-three dollars, making a total of money contributed for all purposes of eight thousand seven hundred and sixty-eight dollars. The following were elected trustees: George G. Keefer, C. H. Atwood, W. W. Wheeler, A. A. Wolfersperger, and John G. Wetzel.

During the year five additional elders have been ordained, and thirty- one new members added to the communicant roll. Eleven have been dismissed by letter to other churches, and four have been lost by death. Ten adults and eleven children have received baptism. A marked increase was noted in the attendance of adults in the bible school.

THIRD STREET, STERLING

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

355

HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY

THE FIRST METHODIST.

To all the truth we tell, we tell! Shouted in ecstasies, a bell;

Come, all ye weary wanderers, see, Our Lord has made salvation free! Repent, believe, have faith, and then

Be saved and praise the Lord, Amen.

Salvation's free, we tell, we tell ! Shouted the Methodistic bell .- Bungay.

Our Wesleyan friends held services in Sterling township in 1836, and in 1838 the church was organized with Barton H. Cartwright as minister, cousin of the famous Peter. Both Peter and Barton spent much of their lives in the saddle on extended circuits, and both lived till nearly ninety. Barton was chaplain in the army, and was with Sherman in his march to the sea. He died in Oregon, Illinois, 1895.

The members of the first class were Hezekiah Brink and wife, Luther Bush and wife, Mrs. Geer and Mrs. Pratt. The charge was part of the Buffalo Grove circuit. In 1855, Rev. S. F. Denning became resident pastor, remaining two years, and promoted the erection of the church in 1856. It cost $9,000, and at its completion, a large debt was resting upon forty mem- bers. In 1862 the church was sued, and the building sold to Henry Murray for $2,000. A dark day in the history of old Broadway. Dr. T. M. Eddy of Chicago was invited to preside at a grand rally of the congregation, and in response to his fervent appeals, subscriptions were received sufficient to pay the debt, and the building was deeded back to the trustees. In 1863 several members withdrew because of opposition to the pew-renting system. In 1867 thirty members withdrew, and organized the Fourth Street church. In 1868 under S. F. Denning's second pastorate, the churchi was for the first time freed from all indebtedness. After leaving the ministry, Mr. Denning continued his residence in Sterling, dying a few years ago in his own pleasant cottage on Second street. Mrs. Denning was a cultured woman, faithful in every good work.

The sweet remembrance of the just, Shall flourish when they sleep in dust.

In 1877, the parsonage was erected, and the Woman's Home and For- eign Missionary organized. One of the finest church properties in the city. Within a few years the Auditorium and basement have been remodeled and decorated. The grounds are on the corner, and on the west side of the spa- cious area, stands the pretty white parsonage. At the dedication in 1856, Dr. Luke Hitchcock, presiding elder, preached the sermon.

Rev. E. J. Rose, Ph.D., S. T. D., the present pastor, prepared for the duties of his sacred office, at Illinois Wesleyan, Northwestern University, and Garrett Biblical Institute. He has been twenty-one years in the ministry. The present membership numbers 270. In the Sunday school two hundred are enrolled. Bert Thomas is superintendent. The usual Ladies' Aid and Epworth League. An active Brotherhood which holds annual meetings with

356

HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY

banquet and addresses. Much interest by the good women in their missionary society, and occasional addresses by devoted women from China and other countries in the foreign field. Beginning with Barton Cartwright, Mr. Rose is the 29th minister to proclaim the word from the pulpit of old Broadway. Paddock, Denning, and most of the earlier pastors have gone to their reward.

Part of the host have crossed the flood, And part are crossing now.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Whiteside County, Illinois, from its earliest settlement to 1908, Vol. I, Part 40

Author: Davis, William W Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 706

Author: Davis, William W
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago : Pioneer Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 706