USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside county, Illinois, from its first settlement to the present time, with numerous Biographical and Family Sketches > Part 64
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never go to law. Differences between the members are settled by the church, and business matters with outsiders are arranged amicably, or abandoned. At sacramental seasons they wash each other's feet. The theater, circus, menagerie, or exposition, is never patronized. The present deacons of this church are: John Hoover, Abram Shultz, and Ephraim Hendricks.
St. Patrick's (Roman Catholic) Church :- St. Patrick's Church was or- ganized in 1854, with one hundred and fifty members. Since then the member- ship has increased to over five hundred, representing a large number of families. The church edifice and parsonage cost seven thousand dollars. In addition to these, there is a school building situated close to the church, at which a finish- ed education can be obtained. The present pastor is Rev. Father Byrne. Attached to the church is a Sunday School numbering over two hundred scholars, with Father Byrne as Superintendent, assisted by a number of sisters as teachers.
Church of the Sacred Heart (German Catholic) :- This church was organ- ized in 1870, and is situated in the northern part of the city. The buildings belonging to the church consist of the church edifice, parsonage, and school house. The membership of the church now numbers something over fifty. The Sunday School has about fifty scholars, and is under the charge of the pastor, Rev. Father Allgayer, assisted by the sisters. The day school is also under the charge of the pastor, with a number of the sisters as teachers. Father Allgayer has had charge of the church and parish about a year.
Lutheran Church :- This church is English, and was organized in 1854, with twenty members, but has increased to a membership at present of over one hundred and fifty. The church edifice is a neatly constructed and arranged building, as is also the parsonage belonging to the Society. Rev. E. Brown is the present pastor. The Sunday School attached to the church numbers two hundred and fifty scholars, under the charge of R. J. Lipe as Superintendent, assisted by eighteen teachers.
German Lutheran Church :- This church forms the German branch of the Lutheran church in Sterling, and was organized in 1874 with only six members. The roll has been steadily increasing until it now reaches over forty. Services are held every Sabbath at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Rev. F. Luskey has charge of the church, in connection with one at Round Grove.
Bethlehem Lutheran Church :- This church and society was organized in 1870 by the Lutherans of Swedish birth or extraction, with a membership or- iginally of only eleven. Now there are fifty. Rev. Mr. Boomer is the pastor, and has two charges in addition to the one in Sterling. The church edifice is yet small, but very neatly fitted up. The Sunday School has an attendance of twenty-five scholars, with John Lawson as Superintendent, assisted by four teachers.
Evangelical Association :- The church and society is made up of German families, and was organized in 1865, the members of the church being five in number. At present there are forty-five. The church edifice was erected in 1871 at a cost of twenty-five hundred dollars. Rev. Mr. Burckhardt is the pastor. The Sunday School has fifty scholars, with John Meister as Super- intendent, assisted by six teachers.
Christian Church :- The Christian Church was organized in 1875, with twenty members, and hold services at Farwell Hall. Elder J. H. Wright is the pastor. The membership is now about one hundred. A flourishing Sunday School of over fifty scholars is attached to the church, under the superintend- ence of W. F. Eastman, one of the editors and proprietors of the Sterling
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HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY.
Gazette, who is assisted by six teachers. The society contemplate erecting a church edifice very soon.
Educational Institutions :-- The First Ward School, and now Distriet No. 7. in Sterling township, was organized in 1856. The district at that time was unable to build a school house, but Mr. Hezekiah Brink, always ready for any emergency of the kind, came promptly to the rescue, and put up a stone house which was rented for school purposes until 1860, when the present building on Spring street, between Fourth and Fifth was erected, costing three thousand dollars. The district employs three teachers. The grounds have a large num- ber of native shade trees, making them very attractive. The average attendance of pupils in 1877 is two hundred and twenty. The School Directors are, E. Bowman, A. Landis, L. H. Woodworth.
The Second Ward School forms District No. 3, and the school for quite a time was held in a wooden building erected in 1859, on the ground where the present building now stands. The building originally cost two thousand dol- lars, and with some addition served until 1867. when the noble structure which is now the pride of Sterling was erected. This building is four stories high including basement, and contains eleven well furnished school rooms which will seat six hundred pupils. Its original cost was sixty-five thousand dollars. School was first opened in it on the first of April, 1867, under the principal- ship of Prof. C. C. Buell, with five assistants. The school has grown steadily since that time, until thirteen teachers have to be employed. The Principals of the school have been successively: Clinton C. Buell, Mrs. S. S. Robertson, Harlan P. French, O. J. Stowell, M. W. Smith, and Alfred Bayliss. The school is organized into four departments-Primary, Intermediate, Grammar, and High School, the three lower departments being divided into grades. The time spent in a grade is not fixed, but pupils are advanced as fast as their abilities demand. The High School course covers a period of three years. The first class graduated in 1873, and among them are some of the most successful teachers in that school, as well as in others in the county. The number of scholars now attending the school is over six hundred, filling every room to its utmost capacity. The number of graduates so far have been: 1873, nine; 1874, eleven; 1875, eleven; 1876, sixteen; 1877, nine. The Second Ward has had for some- time a Board of Education, the present one being composed as follows: John G. Manahan, Elias LeFevre, W. F. Eastman, Ralph B. Colcord, M. S. Henry, and Sidney T. Osmer.
The Third Ward School comprises District No. 8, of the township, and was organized in 1866. Until 1874 the departments of the school were kept in three wooden buildings originally erected at a cost of about five thousand dollars These buildings were separated from each other, and caused a great deal of in- convenience. As the Ward grew in population, it was found that new buildings had to be erected for the convenience of teachers and scholars, and in 1874 the present imposing structure was ereeted at a cost of twenty-eight thousand dol- lars, including heating apparatus, wells, feneing, ete. The building is construet- ed of Milwaukee pressed brick, and situated on Fourth street, between E and F streets, and has a seating capacity for five hundred pupils, every department being now occupied, requiring nine teachers. The rapid growth of the Ward will soon eall for more school room. The Board of Directors consist of William A. Sanborn, B. C. Church, and James M. Wallace.
To show the generous manner in which the citizens of Sterling support their schools, we append the following tables of taxes for school purposes from 1865 to 1876.
First Ward :-- 1865, $1,097.38; 1866, $1,555.63; 1867, $1,343,98; 1868,
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$1,783.95; 1869, $2,236.07; 1870, $1,943.24; 1871, $1,824.55; 1872, $1.054.08; 1873, $1,299.30; 1874, $1,749,10; 1875, $1,667.82; 1876, $1,005.87.
Second Ward :- 1865, $8,901,63; 1866. $7,866,38; 1867, $9,574,08; 1868, $12,241,69; 1869, $13,693,69; 1870, $13,751,85; 1871, $13,656,93: 1872, 815,- 084,79; 1873, $18,536,54; 1874, $15,873,84; 1875, $18,455,79; 1876, $10,221,- 19.
Third Ward :- 1865, $3,436,16; 1866, $2,760,10; 1867, $4,093,39; 1868, $4,945.26; 1869, $4.759,58; 1870, $3,595,42; 1871, $3,595,42; 1872. 85,121,- 56; 1873, $6,126,29; 1874, $9,861,99; 1875, $15,375,28; 1876, $10,258,77.
Recapitulation :- First Ward, $18,560,97; Second Ward, $157,858,38; Third Ward, $79,343,79. Grand Total, $255,763,24.
The Edwards Seminary was instituted in 1875, the school year of 1876 showing an attendance of one hundred students, requiring the labor of three teachers.
We omitted to mention particularly the school districts outside of the city while writing up the township. District No. 1, is known as the Science Ridge District, the school house being located nearly in the center of Section 10. The number of children under twenty-one years of age in the district is about one hundred and twenty-five. B. F. Hendricks is the Principal; the amount of tax raised for school purposes in 1876, was $492,03. Mount Parnassus, or District No 2, has the school house located on the northeast corner of Section 23, and is liberally patronized; the tax in this district in 1876 for school purposes was $512,84. District No. 9 is a union district embracing territory in the townships of Jordan and Hopkins, as well as Sterling, the school house being located on the northwest corner of Section 5.
Rock River Lodge No. 612, A. F. & A. M. :- This Lodge was instituted in 1868, the charter members being M. S. Bowman, George L. Kline, N. W. Brown, Andrew J. Tuller, R. Laurie, W. S. Peebles, Henry S. Street, J. W. Wallace, A. A. Terrell, Chas. M. Worthington, L. C. Johnson. The first officers were: M. S. Bowman, W. M .; George L. Kline, S. W .; N. W. Brown, J. W .; Andrew J. Tuller, Treasurer; R. Laurie, Secretary; W. S. Peebles, S. D. The Lodge held its communications for several years in the Boynton Block, where they had a nicely fitted Lodge room, but in time it became too small for the number of members, and when Hull & Ingersoll put up their fine block on the northwest corner of Third and A streets, a more commodious room, together with others needed for the proper performance of the work, and regular Lodge business, were secured. The Lodge room is beautifully furnished with Brussels carpet, and elegant and appropriate furniture. It is also lighted with gas, the chandel- iers being rich and heavy. In size and appointments it is equal to any in this section of the State. Regular communications are held on the first and third Fridays of each month. The following are the present officers of the Lodge: M. S. Bowman, W. M .; T. Y. Davis, S. W .; William A. MeCune, J. W .; G. B. Kitel, Treasurer; W. S. Peebles, Secretary; C. F. Ward, S. D .; D. Gould, J. D .; J. W. Niles, S. S .; H. W. Earle, J. S .; W. Murray, Tyler.
Sterling Chapter No. 57, R. A. M. :- Sterling Chapter meets at Masonic Hall in the same building with Roek River Lodge, and holds regular convoca- tions on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. The first officers from among the charter members were: D. W. Thompson, H. P .; William Mc- Cune, King; N. G. Reynolds, Seribe. The balance of the officers were filled at the time by companions from sister chapters. The present officers are: M. S. Bowman, H. P .; Henry S. Street, King; T. Y. Davis, Seribe; William A. Me- Cune, Capt. of H .; L. Church, P. S .; R. Laurie, R. A. C .; J. R. Deyo, M. 3d [56-A.]
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V .; William Murray, M. 2d V .; James M. Martin, M. 1st V .; George B. Kitcl Treasurer; W. S. Peebles, Secretary; T. Fulton, Sentinel.
Rock River Council No. 33, R. & S. M. :- This Council meets at Masonic Hall, on the first Tuesdays of each month. The present officers are: M. S. Bow- man, T. J. G. M .; Lorenzo Hapgood, D. G. M .; Sidney T. Osmer, P. C. of W .; Henry S. Street, Capt. of G .; T. Y. Davis, Conductor; G. B. Kitel, Treasurer; W. S. Peebles, Racorder; J. M. Martin, Steward; T. Fulton, Sentinel.
Sterling Lodge No. 174, I. O. O. F. :- Sterling Lodge was instituted Oc- tober 12, 1855, when the present city was even yet in its infancy, the charter members being, Miles S. Henry, Edward N. Kirk, Lorenzo Hapgood, George H. Wells, Amos Tapscott, and Andrew McMoore. It has been a flourishing one from the start, the best of feeling always existing between its members. The Lodge room is over Stambaugh's paint store, opposite the Postoffice, on Mulber- ry street. and is elegantly fitted up and arranged. It is one of the wealthiest Lodges in Northwestern Illinois, having several thousand dollars in its treasury, besides owning one of the finest cemeteries in Rock River Valley. This ceme- tery comprises two acres of ground, on an elevated piece of land overlooking Rock river, and is beautifully laid out with gravelled walks and drives. Prom- inent among its monuments is that of Van J. Adams, one of Sterling's most valued citizens. The cemetery was first designed for members of the Order only, but its beauty attracted the attention of those not belonging to it, and it was finally decided to sell lots to all. The present officers are: E. V. H. Alexander, N. G .; C. E. Goshert, V. G .; A. Bayliss, R. S .; J. M. Roper, P. S .; W. A. Golder, Treasurer; Sidney T. Osmer, A. A. Terrell, Henry S. Street, Samuel Sigler, C. W. Harden, Trustees. In connection with the Lodge is Abraham En- campment, No. 49, instituted March 21, 1860, and Rebecca Degree Lodge No. 26, instituted July 28, 1870, both of which are in a prosperous condition.
Knights of Pythias :- Corinthian Lodge No. 63, Knights of Pythias, was organized November 23, 1875, with twenty-one members. Now there are over forty. Officers: Julius E. Pappe, Past Chancellor; E. G. Allen, Chancellor Commander; Aaron J. Hull, Vice Chancellor; Caleb C. Johnson, Prelate; H. R. Edwards, Keeper of Records and Seals; John S. Miller, Master of the Exche- quer; O. J. Stowell, Master of Finance; William A. McCune, Master at Arms; J. W. R. Stambaugh, Inner Guard; A. M. Burkey, Orator. The object of the organization is friendship and benevolence.
Ancient Order United Workmen :- Union Lodge No. 3, Sterling, was or- ganized February 13, 1875, with fourteen charter members, by O. J. Noble, D. D. S. M. W., of Davenport, Iowa, in the old Masonic Hall, Boynton Block. The first officers were: S. S. Lukens, P. M. W .; W. H. Cadwell, M. W .; W. S. Wil- cox, G. F .; W. A. Hall, O .; John St. John, Recorder; W. H. Tuttle, Financier; E. L. Wilson, Receiver; James Summers, Watchman; E. G. Foigley, Guide; S. S. Lukens, E. D. Jackson, C. U. Crandall, Trustees; and S. S. Lukens, W. H. Cadwell, and W. S. Wilcox, Representatives to the Grand Lodge. The officers for the present term are: W. A. Hall, P. M. W .; H. S. Tuttle, M. W .; W. N. Harrison. G. F., J. K. Aument, O .; H. S. Hooke, Recorder; F. S. Aument, Fi- nancier; E. L. Wilson, Receiver; G. W. Capp, J. W .; Rae Frazier, O. W .; G. M. Brown, Guide; W. A. Hall, G. M. Brown, C. U. Crandall, Dr. F. W. Gordon, Trustees; S. S. Lukens, W. S. Wilcox, and E. S. Wilson, Representatives to the Grand Lodge. The Past Masters are: S. S. Lukens, W. H. Cadwell, W. S. Wil- cox, W. H. Tuttle, M. H. Culver, and W. A. Hall. The present membership is over fifty.
United American Mechanics :- This order was organized on the 29th of
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May, 1873, with twenty charter members. The object of the Order is to ren- der such needed assistance as may be required by the families of the unemployed members, more particularly in case of sickness and death.
Germania Maennerchor :- This Society, which is now one of the largest in Sterling, was organized in June, 1869, and incorporated in 1874. The organi- zation was effected under the leadership of Prof. Fred. Buck, and other well- known musicians and singers. The first officers were: L. Stoeckle, President; G. A. Schober, Secretary; and E. Ellinger, Treasurer. The first meetings of the Society were held in the hall, now the present Council Room, over the Post- office, on Mulberry street. The membership grew so rapidly, however, that the Society erected a building of its own, a few doors south of the Postoffice, the second story of which they now use. The building is of brick, and thirty-six by seventy feet in size. The hall is beautifully fitted up, and every convenience made for the comfort and pleasure of the organization. The stage of itself is fifteen by thirty-five feet, and is supplied with a large variety of rich and splen- did scenery. The music of this Society is of a high order, both vocal and in- strumental. The membership now numbers over one hundred, and is composed of many of the best German citizens of Sterling. The regular meetings of the Society are held on the first Tuesday of each month, but there are singing meet- ings on every Monday and Thursday evenings of each week, from 8 to 9 o'clock. The present officers are: B. Struckmann, President; G. Naef, Vice President; August Frank, Recording Secretary; Adam Hutten, Finance Secretary; David Wolf, Cashier; G. Naef, Janitor; Prof. Fred. Buck, Leader; F. Haberle, Nicho- las Gaulrapp, and David Wolf, Trustees.
Sterling Turnverein Society :- This Society was organized in June, 1873, and has grown to be a leading one of its kind in this section of the country. Their hall is on Locust street, between Fourth and Fifth. It is forty by sixty feet in size, with fifteen feet in the clear, and contains all the gymnastic and other appliances peculiar to such institutions. The membership is now over eighty. The business meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month, and those for the practice of gymnastics on Tuesday and Friday evenings of each week.
Sterling Reading Room Association :- This Association is a private incor- poration, and was organized several years ago, its object being to furnish suita- ble accommodation for reading and library rooms, and also for recreation and amusement. The rooms are located in the second story of Hull and Ingersoll's block, corner of Third and A streets, and are finely and comfortably fitted up for the convenience of the members, and such friends as they choose to invite. Their reading tables are supplied with a large number of newspapers and maga- zines, and their book shelves with a choice variety of books. The officers are: Henry S. Street, President; F. L. Ingersoll, Secretary; George B. Kitel, Treas- urer; H. S. Street, Samuel C. Harvey, and William McCune, Trustees.
Sterling Christian Association :- This Association was organized in the spring of 1873, its object being the promotion of Christian fraternity, union in evangelical labors, and the circulation of unexceptionable literature. The rooms of the Association are on Mulberry street, between Third and Fourth. Union prayer meetings have been held for most of the time since its organization. In the fall of 1873 the Association founded a free Reading Room, for the mainte- nance of which one thousand dollars were freely subscribed by the citizens at the start. The Reading Room was opened to the public on the first of January, 1874. The Sterling Library Association placed six hundred volumes of their books in the room, besides which several hundred volumes have been added by purchase and donation. The tables are also supplied with a large number of
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the best newspapers and magazines. The rooms are open from 8 A. M. to 9 P. M. The officers of the Christian Association and the Reading Room are the same, and are as follows: Rev. J. T. Mason, President; M. H. Kreider, Vice President; W. F. Eastman, Secretary; R. B. Witmer, Treasurer; B. C. Church, Librarian; Mrs. C. Bowman, Acting Librarian.
Sterling Temperance Reform Club :- This club was organized February 21, 1875, after a series of meetings held by the celebrated temperance lecturer, Francis Murphy. Five hundred and fifty names were enrolled at the time of the organization, and the number has been considerably increased since. The club holds its meetings in Robbin's Hall, in the rear of the First National Bank, every Saturday evening. The officers are: E. L. Champlin, President; Wm. Little, T. H. Mack, E. E. Hecker, Vice Presidents; S. B. Dill, Secretary; M. M. Warner, Treasurer; T. H. Maek, Corresponding Secretary.
Good Templars :- Sterling Lodge, I. O. G. T., was organized in November, 1873, with eighteen charter members. Since that it has increased rapidly, and now has over two hundred members in good standing, largely composed of young ladies and gentlemen. The Lodge meets in the same rooms as the Christian Association, on Mulberry street, every Tuesday evening. The present officers are: John G. Manahan, P. W. C .; R. B. Witmer, W. C .; Louie King, R. H. S .; Ada Ward, L. H. S .; Sadie Murphy, W. V .; W. S. Ward, S .; James Rae, F. S .; Theodore H. Mack, T .; George Newton, C .; C. E. Windom, M .; J. W. Mana- han, A. M .; Hattie Ward, I. G .; Charles Mason, O. G.
Temple of Honor :- The Sterling Temple of Honor, a temperance organiza- tion, was instituted in October, 1877. The present officers are: John Harp- ham, W. C. T .; Theodore H. Mack, W. V. T .; E. L. Champlin, W. R .; W. J. Burns, W. A. R .; Moses Warner, W. F. R .; E. E. Hecker, W. Treasurer; Al- bert Bushnell, W. Chaplain; M. Davis, W. U .; J. A. Rivers, W. D. U .; S. F. Champlin, W. G .; James Fitzgerald, W. S .; Trustees, C. E. Goshart, M. M. Warner, and M. Fitzgerald.
Sterling Reform Protection Club :- This club was organized in 1876, and is composed wholly of reformed men. Meetings are held every Tuesday evening at the Union Temperance Rooms, 441 Third street. M. B. Fitzgerald is Presi- dent, and E. L. Champlin, Secretary.
Ladies' Relief Association :- The Ladies' Relief Association, of Sterling, was organized in June, 1874, the object being the noble one of bestowing relief upon the worthy destitute of the city, and at the same time advance the cause of temperance. Since the organization of the society a large number of indi- gent persons have been seen, and their wants provided for. The society is grow- ing in strength and influence, and is one of the best institutions in the city. It is composed of about one hundred of the first ladies of the town-ladies who mean to relieve the distressed. The meetings are set for every Friday after- noon at the Christian Association Rooms. The present officers are: Mrs. J. T. Mason, President; Mrs. Nelson Maxson, Vice President; Mrs. M. H. Kreider, Treasurer; Mrs. E. M. Smith, Secretary; Mrs. R. C. Andrews, Corresponding Secretary.
Sterling Lecture Association :- This Association was organized in 1874, and had its first course of lectures and entertainments during the following winter. Each course has been largely attended, and proved of incalculable benefit. The best lecturers are secured, and although the expense is large, the citizens have promptly responded, thereby making the effort a financial success. Such an Association is worthy of any city or town. A. A. Terrell is the President; Jo- seph M. Patterson, Treasurer; and H. B. Utley, Secretary.
Grand Army of the Republic :- Lincoln Post No. 16, Grand Army of the
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Republic, was organized June 15, 1874, with twenty-three charter members. The officers elected at that time were: Frank W. Gordon, Post Commander; J. W. R. Stambaugh, Senior P. C .; S. S. Bradshaw, Junior P. C .; E. II. Kingery, Quartermaster; Theo. H. Mack, Adjutant; W. N. Harrison, Officer of the Day; Rev. J. H. More, Chaplain; Dr. Thomas Eckles, Surgeon; Andrew K. Haberer, Officer of the Guard; H. H. Higby, Sergeant Major; William Little, Quarter- master Sergeant. These officers are in the main the present ones. The meet- ings of the Post were first held in the armory of the City Guards, Farwell Hall, and afterwards in the Hall of the O. U. A. M., Boynton Block. A new Hall was then nicely fitted up in Stoeekle's building, on Third street, which is now jointly occupied by the G. A. R .; O. U. A. W .; and A. O. U. W. The meetings of the Post are set down for every Wednesday evening.
Sterling City Guards :- The Sterling City Guards were organized in 1870, and were then composed mostly of veterans of the War of the Rebellion. The Guards have always maintained a high order of efficiency in tactics and drill, and undoubtedly stand among the first military companies in the State. They have been highly complimented wherever they have taken part in reunions, cel- ebrations, etc.
Sterling Cemetery Association :- This Association was organized February 16, 1865, and soon secured a beautiful location in the upper part of the town, at the east end of Third street. The Cemetery comprises about fifty acres of beautifully rolling ground, interspersed with a natural growth of trees and shrubs, making the landscape scenery unsurpassed. In it are interred many of Sterling's departed, and the burial places of many of them have monuments of elegant design and finish erected to their memory. The officers are: S. S. Pat- terson, President; Wm. A. Sanborn, Treasurer; Hon. James Dinsmoor, Secretary; and J. M. Galt, Superintendent. The old cemetery of Sterling was located over thirty years ago, and contains about two acres. The entrance is at the north end of Locust street. The Odd Fellows Cemetery is mentioned in the notice of the Lodge. The Mennonites have a cemetery of about two acres, which was laid out in 1869. The entrance is near the north end of Locust street. No other persons besides those belonging to the Mennonite church are buried in this cemetery. The old cemetery used by the citizens of Sterling was abandon- ed some years ago, and the remains have mostly been taken to other cemeteries.
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