USA > Illinois > Marshall County > Old Sandy remembers: Evans Township, Marshall County [history] > Part 8
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13
It is interesting tonote right here that Streator was an out- mission of l'enona from May, 1869 to March, 1870. In 1870 Rev. Clarke built a church at Streator and said Mass once a month until 1872.
The Catholic people had no regular service at Wenona until 1865 when steps were taken to build a church. The people of this faith were few, and their means limited, but a personal effort convinced the leaders in the enterprise that the people wanted a church, and were willing even at great personal sacrifice, to furnish the necessary means. Sufficient funds vere raised or guaranteed to warrant building, and the church was soon completed, being dedicated for public worship by Father Murphy within that same year.
This is an account of that first church. "It is 40 feet by 50 feet with a fourteen foot ceiling with convenient seating capacity, and an altar, statues, and ornaments of all sorts, all costing about $5000. The membership is about three hundred".
This samall wooden church served the Wenona parish until 1888, when under Rev. J. J. Smith's administration, the present brick stuncture was built. Rev. D. O'Dwyer came to Wenona in 1906, and, resigning in 1928, was succeeded by Rev. D. K. Harrington, then by Rev. B. J. Sheedy who remained until 1937. Rev. E. S. Dunne spent three years as pastor and was succeeded by Rev. "illiam M. Graham who served as St. Mary's pastor until his death in 1962. Rev. Reddy was assigned to Wenona until 1964 when Rev. V. Jasiek, our present pastor, came to administer the duties of the school and church.
During Father Smith's administration the old church was moved to the rear of the lot, and the church of today was completed and dedicated in 1888. He saw the need of a rarochial school, and the old frame building was converted into class rooms. Sisters from the
72
Benedictine Order at Nauvoo, Illinois, came to St. Mary's in 1899, and opened a parochial school. They have served the parish for sixty-nine years. The present school and convent was completed and dedicated in 1903. The present day teaching staff are Sisters Marilyn, superior, Roberta and Judith Ann, and Mrs. Lawrence Volz.
HISTORY OF ZION
Living in and near Wenona in the year 1883 were a number of Lutheran families of German descent who were like sheep without a shepherd. To fill the void that existed in their lives they petitioned Pastor August Sippel, of LaRose, Illinois, to bring them the "pure Word and unadulter- ated Sacraments." Though he was already serving three congregations, Pastor Sippel accepted the invitation gladly. The exact date of the first service, held in the summer of 1883, is not known. The following fami- lies were in attendance: John Schwanke, Freidrich Krueger, Henry Erdman, Christian Krueger and H. Stangert. Henry Erdman's home was the Place of worship. It stood in a grove on the south side of what is now the first gravel road south of town, about one-half mile west of Route 51, a little distance west of the new city pumping station.
The second service was held several weeks later in the city school building. Since then that building has become Bethany Lutheran Church. Beginning with the third service, worship was conducted in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, which stood where the Neal Gregg residence is now lo- cated. This building is still standing, but in a different location. It is the present American Legion Hall.
About this time Dietrich Ehlen, a young ministerial candidate came to LaRose to assist Pastor Sippel. The work was divided -- Pastor Sippel con- tinuing to serve LaRose and Varna with Wenona and Washburn being Pastor Ehlen's charges. Services were held on alternate Sundays. In 1885, the young congregation joined the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other states. For many years the Mission Board granted Zion an annual subsidy. Pastor Ehlen moved from LaRose to Wenona in 1887. In the same year, on May 18, the congregation agreed to purchase the Methodist Episcopal Church for $1,000.00. Now the group had its own house of worship, but it had a challenge also. For those times, it was an enormus sum to raise, and the congregation numbered only about fifty communicants. One man was a farmer; all the others were laborers. According to the records, however, the money was raised in the specified time. The newly acquired church was also used for school purposes and for confirmation instruction. Services were held every other Sunday, since F. Ehlen still served the congregation at Washburn. The building that was purchased in 1887 is our house of wor- ship yet today, though it has been remodeled several times. From the begin- ning the church had two front doors -- ladies entering at the south entrance and men by the north. In March, 1890, Pastor Ehlen accepted a call to Scotland, South Dakota.
The vacancy existed until July 13 of the same year, when Fastor George Hempfing, of Leland Michigan, was installed as pastor of the Wenona and Washburn congregations. He remained twenty-four years.
73
When the number of children attending the day school increased, the congregation resolved to erect a separate school building at the rear of the lot. Dedication took place October 30, 1898. God blessed the school. At times, as many as fifty children received instruction in the Word of God in addition to the usual secular subjects.
Zion Lutheran Cemetery dates back to 1902 when the congregation bought a plot of ground east of town and dedicated it for burial purposes. The trustees of the church administer the affairs of the cemetery.
A major church remodeling project was undertaken in 1906. A steeple and bell were added, and a center entrance was provided. The rededication service was held September 30, 1906. All of the debts incurred in the re- modeling were paid within a very short time.
The twenty-fifth anniversary of the Church's founding was appropriately celebrated July 19, 1908.
In January, 1914, failing sight prompted Fastor Hempfing to announce that he would be forced to resign. The congregation, reluctant to lose its faithful servant of the Lord, asked him to continue another year, if possible. However, in August of the same year he tendered his resignation, continuing to reside in his home at Wenona. At this time St. John's Lutheran Church of Washburn became self-supporting and separated from Wenona. Once again the Mission Board came to the congregation's assistance and offered a liberal subsidy for the support of a pastor.
Four calls were issued, but all of them were declined. Application Was then made for a ministerial candidate. Graduate O.". Geiseman was assigned to Wenona. His ordination took place in August, 1915. During his partorate here, in public worship English was first used. This was the period of World War I with eighteen men of the congregation serving their country. Pastor Geiseman continued to teach the parochial school.
In 1916 a furnace was installed replacing the two stoves in the church. This was a much needed improvement. The Ladies Aid was organized on April 17, 1918 with eight members attending the first meeting. The English language was first used in the celebration of Holy Communion June 18, 1919. Ihen Pastor Geiseman, later in August, 1919, accepted a call to St. John's lutheran Church, Pekin, Illinois, the Reverend J.H. Schoening of luca, Illinois be- came his successor. He served the congregation for seven years. Moderate growth continued. In December 1920 the congregation numbered 205 souls, 115 being communicant members. The statistical report for the year of 1924 reveals that the school had been discontinued, although the reason is not stated. The school building was used for social & therings, society meet- ings and Sunday School. Pastor Schoening's ministry -t Zion was terminated in June, 1926, when he accepted a call to Clayton, Illinois.
Pastor I. Klusman, of LaRose, became vacancy pastor, and subsequent- ly, the called partor, although he continued to live in LaRose and to serve the congregation there. He was assisted by seminary students, and when neither pastor now student could be present a reading service was conducted by one of the members. Deriring a resident pastor, the congregation, cal- led candidate Herbert Himmler in the summer of 1929. His ordination took place September 1 of that year. The following summer the congregation, to- gether with the congregations of Varna, laRose and Washburn, celebrated the
هــ
二: : Leg
三
organised.
The poloit was
ミ
is ferevell
Post -war shortages made : proceed slowly. On April 12, 1648, at a special Sunday afternoon meeting, addition to the present building, excart
modations for a large Sunday School auditorias and social room, a noderz kitchen and rest rooms and a new :il-burner heating plant. It also invol- wed the addition of a co bination office-classroom, an manerst room and new ecclesiastical light coures . Many hours of volunteer labor by members
Bight new stained-glass windows were in- Stalled in the new units to e ones in
zemorials and also the neon sign with the cross
a
C .. February 10, 19-9, the school building vas sold to Ralph Helander, was moved from the property and made into a beautiful residence.
Dedication of the newly-completed facilities for Christini and fellowship a: Zich Lutheran Church took place on Sunday, me de, 19) with special services at 2:00 p.m. and 0:30 p.m. and an "open 4:00 p.z. 6:00 p.m. for the people of the community mable :o the worship hours. Guest speakers were the Reverend w. F. Lich mond, Indiana, father of Reverend W. E. Lichisinn, and vice-pres the Lutheran Church missouri Synod and Reverend Walter E. Socemsei=, Bloomington, Illinois.
The Congregation's sixty-fif: niversary was observed
19.8, with two special services. R. Stenzel, pastor of Gethsemane
ccis, Misaceri,
pastor, Dr. O. A. Geiseman of Gra Church, River inois; 590 worshippers attended these two services.
brought the message to the crowd seated on the church La
gathering followed the evening service at which time Beve: Lichesinn, pastor of our church, read a history of car com
also quoted from
cry messages.
The Reverend Welter
Church, Manesha, Wisconsin The Reverend Carl Brie greca
here
until the Reverend Theodore
ber 23, 1951, coming fr
is,
where he was ordained cn Aus
ruary, 1955, when he became chapi
During his tantomore here on Aug
first personage from Aziel and Emma
Et their of the church to July 1956, but wes poly served by Reverend es inois, until Fastor Victor Lehentamer accepted te cell % to him. Reverend Thomas Kichert accepted
served until Angis: 1, 1965. During his last year c
The 12 ap res Cerereac Villiez
1 Feb === 7 20, 2960
i-ilar te that cf ceny
Tunities in a new
Leri: the 15 :2 70'5. They found the
11
their liking
T here a church was built.
located in the vicinity of
ine far, traveling
Cearing Ch
They felt a mesi for =
=
- 20,
was the lea rai F. c.
possibility of co-
li a: suction cm March 2nd.
11
thor ed to purchase it
the price did not
Necessary Errorements were
There, 27, 1832, Bethany
ie is cificia organized and became a
of leerica,
, Ber. George A. Johnson, 12s callei. Fe be
following his ordination. The zamy details :
of records, etc., were a part
A Sunday School was organised from the teri-
ons influence within the
onage, located op Blocks west of the church, was
modeled and improved several times, and
is a modern, attractive, well-kept home for the
E 1838, '1 1 was raised, a basement due, e formace in- ", and a pipe orgs purchased. Electric Lighte were used as 23 .597.
ubers, the church became toc small. In
The pastor's salary was 3650 am=
icms. Each renic Des to do ribate $6.25 per zan and 34.25
. Az adiiticz
cilt to the sast, a tower and ed, and a balcony zade for the choir, Stained glass wind-
of "Christ in Gethsemane" ells kms in the tower.
cice
At an early date, Bethany's members were zace conscious :! the meec Por a cemetery. In 1901 a plot of ground adjoining the Wescra Cemetery was purchased from Charles Home, and a board of trustees elected : cars for the same. In later years a Cemetery Association was formed and perpetual care bonda are now Lassen to
Two Missionary Societies were organised, the V.M.S. in 1912, and the Junior M.S. in 1911. The Dorcas purchased new pipe organ, whis .: was dedicated in Way 1215. The Luther Leagre bought zev light Fixtures and the Ladies! And decorated the in
A major problem in 1923 was the trans
English language in church worship. At the time Ber. Filiberg Legs, ons Swedish service a month was held but that was ciscontinued toe following year.
Z= 1936 an addition was built to the west end of the source. This construction formed a deep chancel, a sacrist and back staimar and E
こ.
In 1953 Bethany became very communi :7-minded, participating whole- heartedly in Werora's Centermial elebra:ioz. ce pageant, parade snc various programs were shared by zeny
"Ica: esterec by cur Lether Leagre was one of the -
mrers.
The past decade has seen many changes in the s
sent of the Lutheran ch, not caly Locally ===
Charch at large. Tears of pl ed in the merger Lutheran Church bodies, izolodi
che lutheran Church in America. This merger was completed in 'in2 a=c was adopted by the local oofere 二.
This merger called for a
rice book and heal.
groups of the church inte c Ncce.
Cur present pastor, Ber.
bary in Seg :- ember 1958. with his years experience and many cas Fastor Randolph has been a tr ciritzal lester.
In Copober |SoT Bethany celecorated their 75th
present there is a membership of 321. we hope cha:
78
MAN OF GOD
"Man of God" was the title bestowed upon a traveling minister or missionary who passed through Evans Township, or stayed to preach, in which case both horse and rider were bedded and fed by homesteaders. Itinerant evangelists of the 1800s rode or strode through the worst weather and over rough terrain. They had to be strong men of faith with "a back for any bed, a stomach for any food, a face for any weather." The word was spread that a revival would take place-a series of meetings for awakening religious fervor or rejuvenating wanting faith. Unbelievers found the preaching and singing entertaining, so they joined the crowd and some, to their own surprise, came out converted.
Official records of the Methodist Central Illinois Conference tell of a revival on Sandy Creek in 1849 and state that such revivals, held at "camp meetings and school houses, and even in private homes" had a great impact on the after history of the church. "This will be especi- ally noted in the meeting held on 'Sandy' ... No special plan had been formulated, no unusual expectation had been aroused, and certainly no thought had been entertained for the far reaching results of the meet- ing. It was to continue a few days, if interest justified and almost immediately the meeting ran beyond human control, and in a brief inter- val of time, in the midst of the most unpretentious plans and conditions it brought its mighty transformation of a community."
Just before his death at the age of 92, the last survivor of this revival, Creighton Springer, wrote details of the meeting held " at the school house at the head of Sandy." At least four of the young men who attended became ministers of the gospel. Two of them returned to be pastors in Wenona's Methodist Church: J. G. Evans in 1879-1880 and Creighton Springer in 1880-1881. The Reverend Mr. Springer was a bro- ther of R. Edwin Howe's maternal grandmother, Adelia Springer Kemp.
According to C. Springer's letter, the Rev. R. N. Morse began the revival on a Sabbath afternoon and announced that it would continue if the interest would justify it. On Friday P.M., Mr. Springer wrote, "I reached the place of meeting when the sermon was about half thru. At the close of the address, the preacher invited seekers; I went at once to the altar; Morse and one or two others came to encourage me ... then Saturday evening ... at the close of the discourse ... I was standing by J. G. Evans. While singing I ... invited him to go forward with me. He ... told me to speak to my brother, Lewis. I said: Will you go if he con- sents to go? I stepped to my brother and told him what J. G. had said. He ... started, and J. G. Evans and my younger brother followed ... Sunday the altar was filled. In a few more meetings all the young people were in the church ... " Lewis Springer, J. G. Evans, Zenas R. Jones and Creigh- ton Springer, who were there, all became preachers. Milton Springer taught school a while but his health failed and he died. "The private members, who united with the church at Sandy," wrote Mr. Springer; "be- came good members and they put in motion influences that will never die."
1
Jeg
Farp
Man of God
Rev. John Dixon - 1831
79
Chapter X SCHOOLS
TH_ COUNTRY CHOOL Leora l'ilb r Houston
Outmoded? I suppose I do SEEM so Dressed in the style of many years ago -- Six windows, three on either side, steep roof, Two rows of seats, the teacher's desk, aloof, The recitation bench between; the bell, A central stove that warms no one too well; The pointed blackboard -- not so very black -- Yes, I AN old, judge by the almanac. Yet young at heart from walking side by side 'ith cager, learning Youth; I am denied The luxury of aging year by year -- Like Grandma, with a second brood to rear.
lust I surrender all the smells I know -- Chalk-dust and books and brand-new calico And sweeping-compound -- all the sounds as well, Of restless youngsters learning how to spell And read and write? I am not out-of-date While there are children marching out my gate Full-armed with self-control and truer thought Or challenged by some vision they have caught!
80
THE COUNTRY SCHOOL
Modern trends in education have brought about a new era in school organization. The immense buildings, the glass panelled walls, the huge gymnasium with it store of materials for games, the specialists, psycho- logists and the officials are a part of the education system now.
How different are the duties of the modern school teacher today from the one of the turn of the century! The pupil of today has in his own grave many more children than were in the entire school in some country areas.
The country school teacher in the early 1900's was not only instructor, but played the role of janitor, doctor, dentist, and supervisor on the play- ground. Her duties did not end at 4:CO F.M. After the purils had left the building, she became the cleaning woman. She swept, dusted, and occasionally scrubbed the floor. Coal and kindling had to be brought in from the shed that sometimes was cuite a distance from the school building. Often thought- ful pupils were hapry to do this particular chore, especially if the coal bucket and kindling box were empty during the school session.
When a pupil met with an accident, it was the teacher's duty to act as doctor. There was no sterile gauze or band-aids in those days. She used the remedy of soap and cold water, and wrapred the wound as best she could with torn sheeting or worn out pillow cases she had brought from her own home in preparation for an emergency. Many a tooth was extr cted by her. Sometimes she had to use an incentive to be permitted to pull the dangling tooth. On one occasion she promised her "patient" she could do anything she wished that afternoon. Without hesitation the little lass said, "No phonics today."
In the early days there was a school erected about every two miles. Most of them were one-room buildings. Often enrollment would necessitate the erection of a two-room building. The enrollment would vary from eighty to ninety pupils in the fall and spring to one hundred in the winter months when the older boys attended. In those days the teacher was of the opinion that the more pupils enrolled the greater prestige. In some schools five year olds were permitted to attend and were welcomed with open arms. There- fore the teacher added another responsibility to her numerous jobs -- the role of baby sitter.
There were double desks fastened to the floor. Each pupil had a seat mate. Sometimes the seat mate would be a very dear friend with whom many a whispered conversation took place when the teachers back was turned, (writing a lesson on the board for another class.) A high-light of the day might have been a skirmish between two seat mates who didn't agree; or a mischievous boy's stuffing a golden curl in the inkwell, and fastening the top tight. When the girl turned her head and screamed, that sound brought the teacher's attention in a hurry and the culprit's mind back to his book.
The double seat had another advantage. If Susie had a difficult time with her numbers she could do a little peeking and easily copy from Alice who never missed a problem.
81
In the center of the room was a pot-bellied stove. How fortunate were the pupils who were allotted the seats nearest the stove and were hidder from the teacher's view. But this location also had its draw-backs. On cold wintry days when the exterior of the stove was red hot due to excessive firing of coal, the pupils nearest the stove suffered from the intense heat on their faces. Those seated at the far end of the four corners complained of being cold. The floor was often cold and pupils resorted to wearing heavy overshoes. It was not an uncommon occurance at noon for a pupil to find part of his lunch frozen.
On one occasion a small boy seated next to the stove, spoke out, "This darned stove is too hot." Then the teacher asked, "What kind of a stove is it?" The boy replied, "A darn stove," which brought much laughter from the pupils.
The windows were very seldom opened during the winter s.ason. It was the supposition that plenty of fresh air seeped in through the cracks and loopholes around the window sills. Occasionally the stove would belch Tolims of smoke, requiring the windows to be open.d. If the smoke could not be controlled, school was dismissed for the cay. Pupils rushed hap; ily home, delighted with the unexpected holiday.
There were not many things available in those days to enliven the ap- pearance of the interior of the school room. Materials were not so plentiful as they are today, but something was generally worked out by the thought- ful teacher. Usually there was a motto on the wall in the front of the room above the blackboard. One appropriate motto road, "Order is Heaven's First La' ." The letters were cut from cardboard -- perhaps the packs of tables. Each letter was covered with colored paper.
There was a bench near the door. This bench held the drinking bucket, wash pan, bar of soap, and one towel furneshed by the teacher. The lunch buckets were under the bench. Some pupils were fortunate to posess a small souare lunch box purchased from the store but the majority resorted to the molasses pail. Often pupils, eager for that noon-day play, would put the lid on in such a hurry, and at recess would find an unwelcomed quest had invaded the lunch pail. The little mouse felt it was time for his lunch too.
As school was dismissed at noon the pupile passed the line for the wash- ing of hands before lunch. Lunch time was always a happy time. Each one had his special pal to sit beside as he ate. During the pleasant days of spring and fall, lunch was eaten under the trees in the school yard was fortunate enough to have shade. " If not they resorted to the porch. Generally there was an exchange of some morsel. Perhaps May traded her pie for Jane's cake, or an apple for a pear. The lunches varied from cold pancakes and cold biscuits to fancy delicacies. Some lunch baskets were filled to overflowing and these fortunate pupils often shared their extras with those less fortunate pupils, expecially at the last recess, as no rupil wanted to take home any food. Nother might think he was ill.
There was generally a well with an iron pump on the premises which supplied pupils with good drinking water, and cleanliness. Sometimes a school was not fortunate enough to have this convenience. Then two pupils were appointed to go to the nearest farm house with the water bucket. There was that faithful dipper that served everyone. When the noon bell rang summoning the pupils from their strenuous play, two pupils were appointed to pass the bucket and dipper serving each one from aisle to aisle. To be appointed this task was an honor.
82
a school was not fortunate enough to have this convenience. Then two pupils were appointed to go to the nearest farm house with the water bucket. There was that faithful dipper that served everyone. When the noon bell rang summoning the pupils from their strenuous play, two pupils were appointed to pass the bucket and dipper serving each one from aisle to aisle. To be appointed this task was an honor.
When weather permitted, games were played outdoors at recess and during the noon hour. Baseball was a favorite game for the boys and sometimes girls joined in the sport. Other games were Hide and Seek, Wood Tag, Tally Around the House, and Pump, Pump Pull Away. In this game if the players were reluctant to leave their bases, "It" would yell, "Pump, pump pull away, if you don't come, I'll pull you away."
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.