USA > Illinois > Mercer County > Past and present of Mercer County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 33
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The first church building used by the church organization in Aledo was in the Hollenbaek House. The first church built was the present building in 1871 and dedicated December 31st. The present membership of this church is about four hundred and fifty and the present pastor is Rev. Arnold E. Moody. There are Presbyterian churches in Mercer County in Keithbsurg, Seaton, Viola, Millers- burg, Perryton, Norwood, Hamlet, Peniel and Aledo.
Previous to the close of the Black Hawk war the territory now occupied by the counties of Mercer, Henderson and Warren was very sparsely settled, but with the year 1834 settlers began to arrive, chiefly from Pennsylvania, Ohio and the Carolinas. Soon after, they began to make provisions for religious organizations and the building of churches. In old Henderson a congregation was organ- ized in 1830 among the Paxtons, Turnbulls, Rodgers, Nashes, Kendalls, Sunlies, Panes, Morrisons and Atchisons. Cedar Creek
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Associate Reformed Church was organized in 1835 among the Mc- Crearys, Brownlees, Arthurs, Hannas, Martins, Maleys, Porters, McCoys, Gibsons and Wallaces. Pope Creek, now Sunbeam, Asso- ciate Reformed Congregation was organized in 1842 among the Neviuses, McCreights, Pollocks, McPherrens, Smiths, Rices, Dil- leys, Hardys, Moores and Jays.
Before the organization of church societies in Mercer County, some families from near what is now Aledo and vicinity frequently went on special occasions and were entertained for days among their friends in Warren County, at Cedar Creek and Henderson.
In the center of the ridge extending east and west through what is now Mercer County, were located the Carnahans, Collinses, Mc- Gaheys, Russells, Stewarts, Haverfields, Galloways and others who had been raised in the Associate Reformed churches. These felt they must have church services of their own, hence in 1853 or 1854, Rev. Matthew Bigger, pastor at Pope Creek Associate Reformed Church, preached occasionally to these few members of the Asso- ciate Reformed Church living in Millersburg Township. Services were generally held in the home of Samuel Carnahan, or sometimes in the schoolhouse near his place.
On September 22, 1855, Rev. Matthew Bigger, with R. M. Miller and Samuel Wright, proceeded to organize a congregation in Millers- burg, with the following charter members: Samuel Carnahan, Sr., Mrs. Jane Carnahan, James Haverfield, Mrs. Mary Haverfield, Wil- liam Haverfield, Mrs. Ruie Haverfield, Samuel Carnahan, Jr., Mrs. Emeline Carnahan, David Galloway, Mrs. Jerusha Galloway, Miss Elizabeth Galloway, Mary Ellen Galloway, Miss Isabel Galloway, James S. Russell, Mary C. Russell.
Samuel Carnahan, Sr., and William Haverfield were elected elders of the church. Rev. David C. Cochran was installed as the first regular pastor, November 9, 1856, and continued two years. He was also pastor of the Twin Grove (now Viola) and Millersburg congregations. The first organization was effected at Millersburg.
In 1856 the Town of Aledo was laid out and the name of Millers- burg congregation was soon afterward changed to Aledo. In the fall of 1856 Reverend Bigger and his family moved to Aledo and he often preached here in the evening, having preached to the Pope Creek charge in the morning. In 1858 the Associate Presbyterian Church and the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church were united and has since been known as the United Presbyterian Church.
The society was without a house of worship and services were held in the Free Presbyterian (now Methodist Episcopal Church),
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in the courthouse and in the house known as the James Smith House, which was then occupied as a boarding house by David Calhoun, and stood on the corner of Locust and Second streets. Occasionally Reverend Bigger preached in the home of Samuel Carnahan, in the Carnahan schoolhouse and the Kiddoo Free Presbyterian Church, as the majority of the members still lived west of Aledo.
About this time the Civil war broke out and Doctor Bigger left to serve as chaplain of the Fiftieth Regiment of Illinois Infantry. The congregation grew discouraged and could not support a minister, and it was decided that the organization must die out. However, the presbytery sent out pastors to preach to this congregation, among whom were Dr. D. A. Wallace, Rev. J. A. Reynolds, Dr. Alexander Young and others, and the congregation took on new life.
Rev. John R. McAlister was installed as pastor in October, 1862, and soon after he took charge steps were taken toward the erection of a house of worship. At that time there were but thirteen male members and some of these were able to render little financial assist- ance. Lumber had to be hauled from the river and the price of material was very high in war times. Farmer members did the hauling. The entire cost of the building was $2,400, and was erected on the site of the present church building. Services were first held in the new building, September 2, 1864. During Reverend Mc- Alister's pastorate, the church increased in membership and interest. December 22, 1868, Alexander W. Clokey assumed charge. In August, 1873, Thomas B. Turnbull, a student from the United Presbyterian Theological Seminary, at Allegheny, Pennsylvania, preached a sermon in Aledo. He was called to the charge April 16, 1873, having in the meantime been ordained.
By 1874 the old building had become inadequate to meet the needs of the increased congregation and the old building was sold to the Swedish Lutheran Congregation for $400, and it was moved from the lot. In due time a new building was completed and occupied.
June 25, 1877, a tornado passed over the Town of Aledo and the church was damaged to quite an extent. Steps were at once taken to repair the church, which cost about $2,200. In the spring of 1882 the congregation decided to complete the auditorium, and on March 8, 1883, the new church was dedicated by Rev. Thomas Hanna, of Monmouth College. The cost of the building when completed was nearly thirteen thousand dollars.
Reverend Turnbull resigned as pastor of this charge and his suc- cessor was William J. McCrory, who took charge April 28, 1885.
SWEDISH LUTHERAN CHURCH, ALEDO, ERECTED 1904 OLD CHURCH, ERECTED 1875
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He remained two years and under his pastoral charge the congrega- tion purchased a parsonage, March 7, 1887, from Mrs. Sarah J. Macy, the cost being $1,200. In 1891 this property was sold and property was bought in the Willits and Thompson Addition at a cost of $1,500, and this is the present parsonage.
The next pastor was Rev. David M. Cleland, who remained from April 5, 1888, to September 2, 1889. The next pastor was William M. Story, April 13, 1891, to September 9, 1902.
On Sunday, December 3, 1893, just after the congregation had assembled for worship, the church was discovered to be on fire, and although strenuous efforts were made to save the building, it was completely destroyed. However, the pews and most of the furniture were saved and were installed in the new brick building, which was erected during the summer of 1894, and was dedicated on October 24th of that year, the dedicatory sermon being preached by Rev. W. W. White, D. D. In the meantime services had been held in the Congregational Church. On the 20th of October, 1903, Rev. Wil- liam G. Martin assumed pastoral charge. The present membership is 130.
The Aledo Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in the spring of 1857 by Rev. J. Shelton, then traveling Camden, now Milan circuit. In the fall of 1857 Aledo was connected with Mil- lersburg circuit and D. A. Faulkenburg was appointed pastor. J. P. McEwen was appointed leader of this new society. The additional members were Mary McEwen, Mary M. Cool, Harriet Criss (after- wards Harriet Laughlin); Mr. Hawkins and wife, Elizabeth Bax- ter, Charles Moore and wife. The first Methodist service held in Aledo was in a barn located on the east side of block No. 69, lot 4 (the block on which 'Squire Young now resides). The property belonged to Mr. Manning, who, with his wife, afterward became prominent members of the church. The subsequent appointments to Millersburg circuit while Aledo was connected with Millersburg were as follows: In 1858-59, L. R. Crouch; 1860, B. E. Kaufman; 1861-62, J. D. Taylor; 1863, G. C. Woodruff; 1864, J. D. Taylor. In 1865 Aledo was first appointed an independent charge, with M. D. Heckard as pastor; 1866, A. P. Hull; 1867-68, Frank Smith. During the incumbency of Reverend Smith the first vote was taken on lay representation. In 1869-70, G. I. Bailey; 1871-72-73, M. Spur- lock. During the pastorate of Reverend Spurlock there was a revival in the church and nine men were taken into membership, of whom part are still members. In 1874-75, M. C. Bowlin was pastor. Dur- ing the pastorate of J. D. Taylor, John S. Thompson, one of the
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founders of the town of Aledo, gave the building now occupied by Mrs. Lucian Doughty, on lots 1 and 4, block 64, to the Methodist Church for a parsonage. The building then consisted of walls ready for ceiling joist. Reverend Taylor raised money and finished the building, which was occupied as a parsonage until it was sold and a building on lot 8, block 29 (the house across the street west of Mrs. Hause) was purchased for a parsonage. This was used as such until the coming of Reverend Spurlock, when a larger building was rented. During the pastorate of Reverend Bowlin the building now occupied as a parsonage was built and has been used until the present day. In 1876-77, W. M. Collins; 1878-79, A. R. Morgan; 1880, William McPheeters; 1881, J. G. Evans; 1882-83, John D. Smith; 1884-85- 86-87, William Woolley; 1888-89-90-91, A. R. Brown; 1892-93, John Wilkenson; 1894, D. F. Wilson; 1895, R. G. Pierce; 1896-97-98-99, A. M. Stocking; 1900-01-02, J. W. Edwards; 1903, U. Z. Gilmer; 1905-06, G. C. Shaffer; 1907-08-09-10-11, T. S. Pittenger; 1912-13, J. B. Bartle. In 1862, under the administration of J. D. Taylor, the society purchased a half interest in the Free Presbyterian Church. In 1865 the Free Presbyterians sold their remaining interest in the building to the Methodists. The church was overhauled.
During the pastorate of Reverend Brown in 1890 the west twenty feet of the church was removed and the present auditorium, 42 by 60 feet, was built and the building made as good as new, and has con- tinued to be the house of worship for the Methodist Episcopal Church from that time to the present.
Spiritually the church has had its ups and downs. Under some pastors deep spiritual interest seemed to be manifested in the lives of the members and some wonderful revivals have taken place and many additions won to the church. Most important as far as members are concerned was the ingathering after the union revival services under the leadership of Rev. William Sunday.
The church has had a steady growth in members since the organi- zation and today holds a position of influence for good in the City of Aledo.
It has always maintained a healthy, progressive, spiritual Sunday school and with rare exceptions, good faithful officials, and has been the means of doing much good in the community and today it has a Sunday school second to none in the county. There are about two hundred and twenty-five present every Sabbath; sometimes the num- ber reaches 325. A fine band of young people are found in the Epworth League and all organizations of a wide-awake church are found here.
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The annual conference of 1913 reported a membership of five probationers and 495 full members. During the present year 105 have been received into membership. Following are the present members of the official board: R. J. McDonald, D. A. Hebel, J. R. Sheats, Thomas Hartman, J. G. Carlson, W. A. Lorimer, W. Pfitzenmaier, E. E. Thompson, D. E. Farr, Joseph Harbour, C. N. Vertrees, J. P. Nesbitt, J. M. Nesbitt, C. A. Anderson. T. C. Hen- derson, C. K. Marquis, Sidney Bolton, B. F. Townsley. D. D. Clark, B. F. Cullison, H. E. Burgess, M. C. Danford, H. H. Winger, W. C. Egbert, Harry Morgan, W. J. Brown, E. R. Burke.
On January 5, 1867, the First Baptist Church of Aledo was organ- ized with the following constituent members: Moses White, John B. Taliaferro, Mrs. Lydia Wellett, Mrs. Ann Jones, Sarah Cash, Mary Taliaferro, Gwen Clifford, Amelia A. Burgess, Malinda Bur- gess, Jane C. Shafer, Aloan Harroun, N. J. Harroun, Aaron Pat- terson, C. W. Kay and R. H. Day. The first pastor was Rev. J. C. Post and the first clerk, R. H. Day. The first trustees elected were : William B. Crapnell, C. M. Kay, J. B. Taliaferro, Moses White, Aaron B. Shafer, Robert H. Day and Aaron Patterson. The first deacons chosen were Moses White and John B. Taliaferro. The church building was erected in 1875 on the present courthouse square and was moved to the present site in 1894. It has had some periods of great difficulty but in this year of Our Lord 1914 it has a mem- bership of over eighty, is free from all debt, is beautiful in spirit, active, and in better condition for a larger work than at any time in its history. The present officers of the church are: Pastor, Rev. J. M. Jones, who has been with the church now over five years ; deacons, J. U. David, C. L. Baldwin, D. J. Odell, J. P. Berglund, W. H. Odell; trustees, C. L. Baldwin, D. J. Odell and John P. Berglund; church clerk, Mrs. G. J. Clifford ; treasurer, Mrs. D. J. Odell; organist, Miss Bernice Baldwin. Bible school officers : Superintendent, O. S. Day ; assistant superintendent, Clyde Baldwin; secretary, Lon Day; treasurer, W. H. Odell; primary superintend- ent, Mrs. Grace Gleason Ruse. Young People's Society officers : President, Miss Bernice Baldwin ; vice president, Miss Ada Gleason ; secretary, Miss Opel Ketchum; Ladies' Circle officers: President, Mrs. C. L. Baldwin; vice president, Mrs. D. J. Odell; secretary, Mrs. G. J. Clifford. Officers of Missionary Circle are: President, Mrs. C. L. Baldwin; vice president, Mrs. D. J. Odell ; secretary- treasurer, Mrs. Anna Black.
Special mention should be made in this connection of Mrs. G. J. Clifford, the only one of the present membership who joined the
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church at the organization, and who is now the efficient clerk and a most active and loyal supporter.
The Congregational Church at Aledo was organized February 15, 1869. They built a house of worship at once and dedicated it July 3, 1870; it cost about four thousand five hundred dollars. The first trustees were John S. Thompson, Horace E. Wright and P. Roberts; clerk and treasurer, U. S. Boice. Rev. P. F. Warner became first pastor and continued as such until 1872. Rev. Robert Nourse was pastor from 1874 to 1877. Rev. W. E. Smith became pastor in 1880.
The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran at Aledo was organized May 19, 1873, Rev. A. Andreen presiding. At the start there were about forty members. They were without a church building until March, 1877, when they bought the old United Presbyterian Church for $400 and removed it to its present site and there refitted it at a cost of about two thousand dollars. The first trustees were J. O. Lundblad, P. Ringdall, Charles Neiberg and Samuel Anderson; deacons, C. Bjorkman, C. Runborn, John E. Swomsen and O. G. Olsen. Rev. Andreen, the first pastor, was succeeded by Rev. Nils Fersander. T. H. Winguist was pastor in 1878. In 1882 the membership was about eighty. In 1902 the old building was torn down and a fine new structure erected at a cost of about eight thousand dollars. A par- sonage was built at the same time. Rev. J. B. G. Idstram was pastor in 1893 ; he was succeeded by Rev. A. T. Lundholm.
The Episcopal Church at Aledo was organized in 1870 and became an independent congregation in 1882. Their church built late in the '7os cost about four thousand dollars. Among the early rectors were Reverends Chamberlain, Brown, Gates, Allen and Farrar.
The Seventh Day Adventists held services in Aledo beginning in 1869 and continuing several years under Rev. R. F. Andrews. Finally their efforts were turned to the Marsh schoolhouse where a strong society of that faith was formed.
In November, 1909, Rev. Father Walsh of Keithsburg organized . a Catholic Congregation in Aledo, one of the leading first members being Patrick O'Day. Previous to this date the few Catholics at Aledo were included in the Keithsburg parish and congregation. Plans to build a church were laid and the work was soon afterward commenced. St. John's Catholic Church at Viola and St. Joseph's Catholic Church at Preemption had been organized for several years and in 1908 had been made separate parishes under Rev. Father Mckinney.
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The Methodist Episcopal Church of New Boston was organized in July, 1838, at the residence of Emily Burleigh. The following named were charter members : Joseph Alyea, Thorlea Alyea, Thomas Alyea, Mary Alyea, Dr. Edmond Harrell, Mr. Butler and Emily Burleigh. New Boston at that time constituted a part of what was known as Mercer Mission. The first resident pastor was Rev. George Smith, who first conducted services in the home of Emily Burleigh and later in the home of Joseph Alyea. After a year Reverend Smith was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. Thomas M. Kirkpatrick, who remained for a similar period. He was succeeded by Reverends McMurtry, Wilson and Burr. In 1866 the society erected a par- sonage at a cost of $1,500, and in 1876 a church was erected at a cost of $6,000. Methodist services in New Boston were first held in the spring and summer of 1835 in the house of Mr. McMurphy, and the second quarterly meeting of this mission was held at the residence of Lewis Noble in March, 1835. Rev. John Jordan had charge of the services and Samuel Pinkley was class leader. The first church was erected in 1815. The New Boston charge was organized in 1857 and included Keithsburg and Antioch. The parsonage was built in 1865. Among the pastors have been Smith, Kirkpatrick, McMurtry, Pitner, Wiley, Burr, Smith Ross, Giddings, Whatman, Hadley, Oliver, Clark, Rhodes, Morey, Woodruff, Taylor, Bartles, Scott, Wesley, Ashbaugh, Wasmuth, Bailey, Brown and others later. A new church was erected in 1875-6. The congregation still wor- ships in the city. The old church building is used as a city hall. A new parsonage was built in 1911. The present membership does not exceed fifty.
The Baptist Society at New Boston was organized in 1844, by Elder Hovey, with the following as charter members: William Denison and wife, James Denison and wife, Harrison Smith and wife, M. Poffenbarger and wife, E. A. Crapnell and wife, William Crap- nell, William Noble and wife, Mr. and Mrs. McChesney and Miss Williamson. Elder Hovey remained in the pastorate here for five years, when he was succeeded by Elder Brimhall, who remained in charge until 1854 and was the last resident pastor. In 1845 the congregation commenced the erection of a house of worship, but this was not completed until 1848. This building was destroyed by a wind storm in 1859.
A Presbyterian Society was organized in New Boston in Febru- ary, 1857, with the following charter members: Mrs. Eva Nevius, Mrs. Joseph Kane, Mrs. M. J. Edwards, Mrs. Sarah Poffenbarger, Mrs. M. J. McLaughlin and G. W. Crabb. In 1868 a church build- Vol. 1-22
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ing was erected at a cost of more than six thousand dollars. The first pastor was Rev. S. G. Hair. For want of support the church has long since abandoned its meetings.
A Universalist Church was organized in New Boston Township, perhaps as early as 1844. Very little concerning it can be learned. It is probable that among the early members were Dudley Willits, William Willits, Joseph Graham, Walter Pryne, Joseph Glancey, William Drury, Tyler McWhorter, H. H. Roberts, Brady Willits, J. I. Arnold, L. W. Myers and R. S. Cramer. A church was built about four miles east of New Boston at the bluff and was generally referred to as the "Bluff Church." Rev. M. Slade was pastor of this congregation in 1865. The church seems to have had a large membership and in connection with the Universalist Society at Suez appears to have exerted a strong influence throughout the county. They held several church conventions in the courthouse at Aledo in the '50s and '6os, on which occasions President Skinner, a Univer- salist, of Lombard University, was present and delivered addresses. Such an assembly met in July, 1858, and present were Reverends Gregg, Brown and Abbott. President Skinner was here also. All delivered addresses. In May, 1858, the Henderson River Univer- salist Association met in the schoolhouse at Aledo and listened to President Skinner and other able ministers and speakers. In June, 1878, the Bluff Church was burned down, presumably by an incen- diary, shortly after having been repaired. It was not rebuilt.
There was a strong Free Thinkers' movement at New Boston in the '5os and '6os. The following announcement appeared in the Aledo Record in August, 1860:
A meeting of the Friends of Progress will be held in New Bos- ton, Illinois, on Saturday and Sunday, 8th and 9th of September, 1860; meeting with convene on Saturday at 2 o'clock P. M.
The call for this meeting is designed to meet one of the real wants of society. Earnest and thinking minds are scattered through our community, whose aspirations for Truth and Freedom have destroyed their affinity for the proscriptive spirit of popular religious organization. Such minds feel the want of congenial communion in an atmosphere of Freedom and need awakening as only the associa- tion of kindred minds can inspire.
Reformers! Friends of Man! All who feel a desire to promote the cause of Truth and Progress- brothers, sisters, without distinc- tion, let us meet together and freely reason on any subject that pertains to human happiness. Full long have we been taught the essential wickedness of human nature. Let us meet to exchange the
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Truth which the Infinite within us has taught us and to read in each other's hearts the pleasing reality that human nature is essentially good. So shall we consecrate the time and the place while we aid each other in the great work of attaining a higher, better and more harmonious life. Able speakers from abroad are expected to mect with us. Preparations will be made to entertain friends from a distance. (Signed) Dudley Willits, William Drury, Joseph Graham, Tyler McWhorter, J. I. Arnold, H. H. Roberts, L. W. Myers and R. S. Cramer, Committee of Arrangements.
In 1861 Elder Gaston of the Christian denomination and Dudley Willits debated in the courthouse at Aledo, the question of the Authenticity of the Bible. In January, 1865, the Free Thinkers of New Boston Township celebrated the birthday of Thomas Paine. Walter J. Pepper was the principal speaker on this occasion. In May, 1868, the Free Thinkers or Liberalists held a convention in Robert's Hall, New Boston, for the purpose of organizing a county society. Present were J. T. Rouse, Mrs. S. E. Warner and J. S. Loveland, all of whom addressed the convention. R. S. Cramer was corresponding secretary of the organization. The next year the Liberalists and Spiritualists united and held a convention in Scott's Hall, New Boston, on which occasion a strong lecture was delivered by E. V. Wilson. The organization had its maximum strength at this time.
In June, 1867, William Drury, Mrs. R. S. Scudder, Mrs. William P. Myers, Mrs. A. J. Hollowell, Tyler McWhorter, John Roberts, Samuel Hollowell and R. S. Cramer called a convention of the "Friends of Progress," to be held at New Boston on the 29th of that month. The call said, "All who believe in the Fatherhood of God and the Universal Brotherhood of Man; in the progress of intel- lectual, religious and politcal liberty, and are willing to labor that right and knowledge shall supersede might and ignorance, are cordially invited to meet with us and partake in the social greetings and intellectual discussions of the occasion."
The Presbyterian congregation at Keithsburg was not perma- nently organized until 1857 and at the start had twenty-eight mem- bers. Joseph P. Wycoff and Paul Sheriff were elected ruling elders and Dr. I. N. Anderson deacon. Harvey Senter, A. B. Sheriff and Paul Sheriff were first trustees; Rev. E. K. Lynn was first supply, and Rev. Samuel Hart first regular pastor. Before the regular organization, in 1857, Presbyterians in Keithsburg quite often attended the church in Ohio Grove Township. In 1866 the con- gregation bought a church organ and the next year a large bell was
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obtained. In 1875 the church was much improved at a cost of $1,000. The church society is in a prosperous condition at the present time.
During the '40s religious services were conducted in Keithsburg occasionally by visiting ministers of various denominations, among whom were Reverend Crittenden, Reverend Vail, of the Presbyterian faith and Reverend Gregg, a Universalist. Methodist ministers also visited this community and held services from time to time, the meet- ings being conducted wherever a room could be found to accommo- date the people. The first Methodist services were held in the house of John W. Nevius in 1838 by Rev. Asa McMurtry. Other meet- ings were held in the house of B. L. Hardin. A Sunday school was held as early as 1844 in a cooper shop that stood on the corner of Main and Seventh streets, but it was not until August, 1849, that the first regularly organized Sunday school was established here. In the spring of 1850 a second school was organized in the brick school- house and John Kile served as its first superintendent. At that time Mrs. Thomas Hiatt was the only person of the Methodist faith living in the Town of Keithsburg; but shortly afterward Col. George S. Pierce, also a Methodist settled here. In the country lived John Wilson, James Gibson, B. L. Hardin, John Kile and John Eckley, all Methodists, but it was not always possible for them to attend services in town, so that it became necessary to reorganize the school and W. L. Mathews was chosen superintendent. B. C. Cabeen taught the Bible class and other early teachers and active workers were Mrs. Mathews, Mrs. Freeman and Mrs. Hiatt. From this society finally developed the church organization, which was made a part of the New Boston circuit and meetings were held every two weeks in Keithsburg. In the fall of 1851 a church building was erected on the northwest corner of block 13, at a cost of nearly two thousand dollars. It was not finished and dedicated, however, until 1853, Reverend Chandler of Peoria, having charge of the dedicatory services. The first regular pastor was Rev. Pierce T. Rhodes, who was succeeded by Rev. C. M. Wright. In 1860 Keithsburg charge was taken from New Boston circuit and made a separate charge. Other early pastors who served this organization were Revs. Job Mills, Steward, J. L. Phares, Stafford, G. W. Brown, J. Winser, S. Brink, A. R. Morgan, L. B. Dennis, J. Smith, Richard Haney, G. W. Martin, C. B. Couch and H. S. Humes.
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