USA > Illinois > Warren County > Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 91
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 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92
The third quarterly meeting was held in June, 1833, at the house of Mr. Samuel Jamison, five miles
770
WARREN COUNTY.
south of Yellow Banks, in Henderson County, at which meeting the Presiding Elder, Peter Cart- wright, attended and presided. On Sunday the sac- rament was administered for the first time in this section. The weather was fine and some of the members had traveled 30 miles in order to be pres- ent. There was a general turn out from all parts of this county. At this meeting three children were baptized, ten persons joined the Church on trial, and the seven following named members surrounded thie table of the Lord and partook of the emblems of His body and blood shed for them: Barton H. Cart- wright, Robert Bell, Thomas Pearce, Daniel Mc- Neil, Field Jarvis, Elisha Griffith and his wife.
There were at this time a number of preaching places in Warren County. A class was formed at Brother Pearce's, called at that time Bowling Green, and one at Jamison's Settlement, yet there were few names returned belonging properly to this county. In the autumn of 1833, the Conference appointed Rev. D. R. Trotter, as circuit preacher. In 1834, a class was formed in Monmouth and one at the head of Ellison Creek, while the old classes at Bowl- ing Green and Jamison's Settlement grew a little and the mission, upon the whole, prospered so that Brother Trotter, at the annual Conference of 1834, held at Mt. Carmel, Ill., urged the necessity of a division of the mission. Knoxville Mission was then formed out of Henderson River Mission and included Knox and Henry Counties, while Hender- son River Mission included Warren and Mercer Counties. Rev. Barton H. Cartwright was appointed to the Knoxville Mission and Rev. Peter R. Boerin to the other. Brother Boerin taking sick, Rev. Bar- ton H. Cartwright was ordered to take charge of both Missions.
In the summer of 1830, Daniel McNeil, Jr., opened a Sunday-school about two miles from the Yellow Banks, which continued for about three months. He had in this school about 16 scholars. The next year he opened a Sunday-school in the Court-house at Monmouth, but it was discontinued for want of help. In 1832 the school was again opened in Monmouth under more propitious circum- stances, but the Indian disturbances broke up the school for a time.
Rev. Asa D. West, who settled in Monmouth, in 1834, was the first local minister of any rank who
settled in Warren County, except Barton H. Cart- wright, who was licensed to exhort and then licensed to preach. In 1834, there were in Warren County eight preaching places, one local elder, one local preacher, three class leaders, and abont 50 Church members. Rev. Asa D. West, George Pearce, Field Jarvis, Nathaniel Hopper and Daniel McNeil con- stituted the first Board of Trustees for Monmouth, who were elected Dec. 13, 1834, when there was neither church nor parsonage buildings in Monmouth, and but little prospect of having any very soon. At the next Conference, held in 1835, Rev. Justus Woodworth was appointed for this circuit. In Octo- ber, 1836, the Henderson River and the Knoxville Missions were discontinued, and the two Missions were formed into a circuit called the Knoxville Cir- cuit, in the Quincy District, and Rev. Joel Haring- ton was appointed preacher.
At a Quarterly Conference held at Knoxville, in June, 1837, Thomas Jones, Justus Woodworth, Dan- iel McNeil, Alfred Allen and Jesse Coleman were appointed Trustees to build a meeting house at Monmouth.
In the fall of 1837, Rev. Henry Summers was made Presiding Elder, Rev. Chauncy Hobert, preacher in charge.
At the Annual Conference of 1838, Rev. Asa D. West was appointed to take charge. In the Annual Conference held in October, 1839, the Knoxville Circuit was divided, the line of Warren and Knox Counties to be the division line. There were at this . time about 550 members in the circuit, or about 275 members in each of the counties of Warren and Knox. Rev. William H. Clark was appointed circuit preacher. The first Quarterly Conference for Mon- mouth Circuit, was held at the head of Ellison Creek, near New Lancaster, on the 16th day of No- vember, 1839. There were present Revs. N. G. Berryman, William H. Clark, Asa D. West, and Local Elder, Joseph Williams. The next Conference re- turned Mr. Clark to Monmouth Circuit. Rev. William Haney was afterward placed in charge, M: Clark having taken sick. At the Annual Conference in 1841, Rev. Zadock Hall was appointed circuit preacher.
The Illinois Conference, held in August, 1842, formed a new district called Peoria, and appointed Rev. A. E. Phelps, Presiding Elder. The Method-
77 1
WARREN COUNTY
ist chapel was so far completed that on Sept. 23, 1842, it was opened for worship.
William Justice succeeded Brother Royal, and John Morey followed Brother Justice. In 1844, Richard Haney was appointed Presiding Elder. In 1845, Rev. Barton H. Cartwright was appointed to take charge. In 1846, Rev. William Haney was the preacher in charge. At this time Monmouth Circuit embraced Monmouth, Oquawka, Olena, Warren, El- lison, Stringtown, Berwick, besides several other preaching places.
In 1847, Monmouth was placed in the Rock Island Circuit, with the Rev. John St. Clair, Presiding El- der, Joseph O. Gilbert, preacher in charge. In the fall of 1848, the district was again changed, so that Monmouth Circuit was in the Knoxville District, with John Morey, Presiding Elder ; James Taylor, preach- er in charge. In answer to the question as to the number and condition of the Sabbath-schools in the first Quarterly Conference for the year, held at Mon- mouth, Sept. 30, 1848, it was said that there are none on the circuit. At the Fourth Quarterly Conference it was reported that there was one Sunday-school on the circuit. At the Annual Conference, Rev. B. Ap- plebee was appointed preacher in charge. . He was returned for the second year. Brother Applebee seems to have been the first preacher who served the Church here two years in succession, and judg- ing from the increase of the number of Sunday- schools in the circuit during his first year, the appointment was a good one. At the Quarterly Con- ference held at Ellison, Sept. 7, 1850, the report showed the number of schools to be II; officers and teachers, 96; scholars, 300.
In 1851 the Monmouth Circuit was divided so as to leave Berwick and Ellison to another circuit. James F. Chaffee was appointed to the Monmouth Circuit, Feb. 21, 1852. In 1853 Monmouth was made a station, with Rev. John P. Brooks in charge. The first quarterly meeting for Monmouth station was held Oct. 23, 1852. At this meeting the Su- perintendent of the Sunday-school reported that the Sunday-school was in an extremely critical condi- tion, and without efficient co-operation of the Church it must cease to exist. At the next Conference Rev. B. C. Swarts was appointed preacher in charge, and at the next Rev. Richard Haney was appointed Pre- siding Elder, and H. Richey preacher in charge. In
1855 Brother Elijah House succeeded H. Richey. In the fall of 1856 Rev. J. Soule was stationed at Monmouth, with Rev. R. N. Morse as Presiding El- der The Rock River Conference was divided, and Monmouth placed in the Peoria Conference. During 1857 $6,200 were secured on subscription to build a church. The lot was purchased where the building now stands, and the work on a new edifice com- menced. Rev. A. D. McCool succeeded Rev. J. Soule. In the spring of 1858 the old church build- ing was sold, and the basement of the new one used for worship. At the Conference held in 1858, Rev. Henry Summers was appointed Presiding Elder. In 1859 the name of the Conference was changed from Peoria to Central Illinois Conference, and the name of Monmouth given to the district. Rev. R. C. Rowley was appointed for Monmouth station, Rev. O. C. Price was sent to Monmouth as pastor and Rev. John Morey succeeded Rev. H. Summers as Presiding Elder for Monmouth district, in the fall of 186r. Rev. John P. Brooks was appointed next to succeed Rev. O. C. Price, but having been elected Superintendent of Public Instruction, he resigned the charge. Rev. J. Tubbs was appointed to fill out the term, ; Rev. C. Springer was sent to Mon- mouth, and Rev. Francis Smith appointed as Pre- siding Elder. In 1865 Rev. J. S. Cummings was appointed to the charge at Monmouth, and at the close of this year was made Presiding Elder at Onarga district and Rev. E. Wasmuth appointed to Monmouth, with Rev. W. H. Hunter as l'residing Elder. Mr. Wasmuth remained three years, being the first pastor to remain on the charge that length of time. In the fall of 1868 he was succeeded by Rev. A. Magee, with Rev. Richard Haney Presiding El- der. In 1870 Rev. P. Warren was appointed pastor of Monmouth station. He was succeeded by Rev. G. Evans, who remained until the fall of 1872, and was succeeded by Rev. William Underwood. Mr. Underwood wasfollowed by Rev. S. Jones, and Rev. J. S. Cummings Presiding Elder. Mr. Jones re- mained two years and was succeeded by Rev. John D. Smith. During Mr. Jones' term the parsonage was erected, at a cost of $1,800. Mr. Smith re- mained two years and was followed by Rev. J. S. Cummings, and A. K. Falis was appointed Presiding Elder. In 1880 Rev. S. W. Barnes was sent in charge, remaining two years, when he was followed by Rev. R. G. Pearce, who remained one year and
-
772
WARREN COUNTY.
was succeeded by Rev. G. R. Palmer, who remained one year, when, on account of failing health, he was obliged to resign. In May, 1885, Rev. George C. Wilding was transferred from the West Virginia Conference and stationed at Monmouth. He is the present pastor, and Rev. M. C. Bowlens the Presid- ing Elder of the district. When Mr. Wilding took charge of the Church he found it in rather a disor- ganized condition, and in some financial embarrass- ment. He has restored harmony in the Church and also put it in a good financial condition. The mem- bership of the Church at present is 304.
The Trinity Episcopal Church was organized as a Mission July 15, 1878, with 13 members. The ves- try were composed of W. P. Rupp, John W. Litter, E. I. Camm and V. H. Webb. The church building was erected in 1883, and was consecrated on the 22d of November, of the same year. The corner- stone of this chapel was laid July 3d, and com- pleted at a cost of $3,600, including lot. This soci- ety has been supplied by Rev. George H. Higgins, of Galesburg, C. W. Leffingwell and E. H. Rudd, of Knoxville. Service once a month. During the in- terval lay service is held by Rev. V. H. Webb. The first installed clergyman was Rev. W. F. Lloyd, serv- ing 18 months, commencing January, 1881. Follow- ing Mr. Lloyd was Rev. E. H. Rudd, with monthly service. He served one year and was succeeded by Rev. R. G. Walker, who remained with the Church six months, with service every Sunday. Following Mr. Walker was Mr. Rudd, who served until September, 1884, and was the last regularly installed pastor, Rev. V. H. Webb, who was ordained a Deacon June 23, 1885, has had charge of the Church. Since his installment there has been regular service every Sun- day, either by a clergyman or a lay-reader. Present communicant membership, 35. A Sunday-school is connected with the Church numbering 50 schol- ars. Mr. Webb presides over this school. The present vestry is V. H. Webb, E. I. Camm, John S. Spriggs, James R. Marshall and E. C. Morgan.
United Presbyterian Church .- The first society of this Church was organized May 9, 1853, by Rev. Robert Ross, with 21 members. It was organized in the south room of the Academy, where they held their services until 1856, when they used the old College Chapel. Rev. D. A. Wallace, from East Boston, Mass., was their first regular pastor, who was
installed the first Sabbath in October, 1856. Mr. Wallace served the Church until 1860, when he was succeeded by Rev. Alex. Young, who had charge until 1862. Rev. D. G. Bradford accepted a call and commenced his services Nov. 26, 1863, and con- tinued until August, 1867, when he resigned. In the spring of 1868 Rev. R. B. Ewing took charge of the Church and remained until June 1, 1870. Rev. J. G. Barnes was the next pastor, who entered upon his duties the second Sabbath in May following, and served the society until he died, which was in 1880. Mr. Barnes was succeeded by Rev. P. H. Hanna, the present pastor. The first house of worship for this congregation was completed in 1858 and was dedicated July 4th, the same year. They had at the dedication a union service, Rev. John Scott deliver- ing the first address. It was a framne building, cost- ing about $6,000. They have a membership at present of 436, with a Sabbath-school numbering 250 scholars. A committee has been recently appointed to take into consideration the construction of a new church edifice in the near future.
Second United Presbyterian Church was organized Oct. 25, 1862, by Rev. D. A. Wallace and Elders Wm. Goudy and W. J. Thompson, with a member- ship of 19. At a meeting of the congregation, Nov. 12, 1862, it was decided to call Rev. Alex. Young and D. A. Wallace as pastors. The call was ac- cepted and the Church was served by these gentle- men for several years. At the close of the year, 1868, Mr. Wallace retired and Mr. Young was retained as pastor, and remained with the society until July, 1871. The first service of the Church, and all the meetings were held at the residence of Mr. A. Y. Graham, until June, 1863. From this date on, and until their church building was com- pleted, the meetings were held in the College Chapel. Their house of worship was completed in the spring of 1867. It was a frame structure, built on the site of the present edifice, and cost about $10,000. It was torn down to make room for the new church in the fall of 1879. The new building was completed in . 1880, and dedicated Dec. 12th, of the same year, by Rev. W. T. Campbell, assisted by Revs. Alex. Young, D. M. Ure and J. B. McMichael. Mr. Young , was succeeded by Mr. Ure, August, 1872, who served as pastor until August, 1874. November 28, Rev. W. T. Campbell received a call, which he ac-
773
WARREN COUNTY.
cepted, and on Feb. 28, 1875, was duly installed as pastor.
The present edifice is situated on the corner of East Garden and College Streets, and was completed at a cost of about $20,000, in 1880, and was dedica- ted Sept. 12, the same year. It is a large, commo- dious brick structure, with an auditorium 54 x 84 feet, and is well finished. In the basement there is a lecture room, two Sunday-school rooms, a study and a kitchen. The building is heated by a furnace. Mr. Campbell is the present pastor and has a con- gregation numbering 350 souls. A Sunday-school numbering 255 pupils is one of the interesting fea- tures of this Church. In connection there is a Ladies' Missionary Society, who are laboring for the salvation of the heathen.
Christian Church of Monmouth .- Soon after the village of Monmouth was laid out it was found that 20 believers in this faith resided adjacent to the town, and, on the 3 Ist day of March, 1839, a meet- ing was called for the purpose of organizing a con- gregation. At that meeting Elders Pliny and Livy Hatchett and James R. Ross were present and as- sisted in forming an organization. Elijah Davidson was chosen Clerk and Deacon, and Alexander Da- vidson, Elder. There were 19 members forming this first congregation : Hezekiah Davidson, Eleanor, Alexander and Rachel Davidson, William C. and Ann Hall, William C. and Rebecca Butler, James S. Hodgens, Jacob L. and Nancy Burgan, Elijah, Nancy, Gamelia Ann, Solomon S., Thomas H., Eliz- abeth and William B. Davidson. During the year 1839 several meetings were held, at which the ques- tion of building a house of worship was discussed, and a committee appointed to secure funds for this purpose, the result of which was that a church build- ing was erected, at a cost of some $800. It was a frame structure, and located on the northeast corner of the block upon which the Baldwin House now stands. On the 19th of April, 1843, a meeting was called to choose additional officers, when Elijah Davidson and James Hodgens were chosen Elders, and John H. Sparling, Solomon S. Davidson and David Smith, Deacons. On the 4th of November, 1843, N. A. Rankin, Elijah Davidson and Ira F. M. Butler were chosen Trustees. In 1861 a new build- ing was erected and dedicated by Rev. Isaac Errett, of Cincinnati, who delivered an able address on the occasion. The present number of members is 136.
The Church has enjoyed many seasons of prosperity, adding largely to its membership, but emigration westward has from year to year depleted its num- bers. Since the organization services have been held every Sunday morning and evening, and a prosper- ous Sunday-school is connected with the Church, which was organized about the time the congregation .was. The following pastors have served the Church since its organization : Revs. Pliny and Livy Hatchett, James R. Ross, Alex. Davidson, A. J. Kane, James E. Gaston, T. J. Matlock, John Errett, Lawrence S. Wallace, John LaGrange, J. M. Williams, A. P. Aten, F. M. Bruner, N E. Corey and J. W. Kelsey, who is the present pastor. They have a plain, neat and substantial church building, and the congrega- tion is in a thriving condition.
The Third United Presbyterian Church of Mon- mouth, was organized in May, 1868. During this year a church building was put up at a cost of $2,- 500. Rev. John N. Henderson was the first pastor, and served the Church untill 1872. They had sup- plies then until 1874, when Rev. Daniel Inches as- sunied the pastoral duties, and remained until Au- gust, 1876. At this time the Church was disbanded by the Presbytery. A Union Mission School has been organized here which is under the control of the Second United Presbyterian Church. Mr. H. H. Bell is Superintendent of this school, and has about 175 scholars.
Unity Church. This society was organized in 1882 under the auspices of the members of the Unitarian and Universalist Churches, with Rev. Arthur Bevis as their preacher. They purchased the old Presby- terian building and used that as a house of worship. There were about 25 members at the formation of this society. Mr. Bevis remained two years when he was succeeded by Rev. C. K. Gibson, who remained until June, 1885, when he terminated his relations with the society. Since Mr. Gibson left they have had no pastor, and it is doubtful if they will ever have another, as the organization was effected only by great effort on the part of a few of its members.
The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Augustana Synod, was organized in 1859 by Rev. T. N. Hasselquist, then pastor of the Lutheran Church at Galesburg, Ill. The members of this first organ- ization were as follows : John Beck. Mons Cassel, Ake Nelson, Louis Nelson, James Olsson, James Skibber, Olof Jolinson, Truls Swensson, Jorgen Han-
774
WARREN COUNTY.
sen and their families. Services were held in private houses by Rev. T. N. Hasselquist, until 1866. From 1866 to 1868 they were conducted by Rev. A. W. Dahlston. During this year the Church was re- organized and services were held in the Court House, in the basement of the Presbyterian Church, and also in the second story of John Beck's shoe store. In 1870, the church edifice was erected at a cost of about $1,600, and in 1871 it was dedicated. From 1870 to 1875 services were conducted by the Rev. N. T. Winquist and other ministers in the vicinity. The first installed pastor.was Rev. A. V. Holmgren, who took charge of the congregation in 1876. He was succeeded in 1877 by Elias Peterson, who left in 1878. From thence until 1885, services were con- ducted by professors and students from the Theo- logical Seminary in Rock Island, Ill. On July 1, 1885, Rev. J. E. Floren took charge and is the present pas- tor. Mr. Floren was born in Sweden, in 1859, and came to this country, in 1872. He was graduated at Augustana College, in 1883, and at. the Theolo- gical Seminary at Rock Island, ín 1885 ; and was or- dained in Rockford, Ill., June 28, 1885. Under the administration of this talented young man this Church is rapidly increasing in numbers and stand- ing. They have a Sabbath-school of about 30 mem- bers. With the society there is a parsonage costing about $1,500.
African Methodist Episcopal Church, was organ- ized in 1868, in a hall on Main Street. Some 12 members were present at the organization, of whom Francis and Zachariah Price and A. H. Knight were the leaders. In 1869, they erected and dedicated their house of worship, which cost, including lot, about $800. They had supplies for several years, when the Rev. S. F. Jones came in and took charge. A large Sabbath-school is connected with this organ- ization which belongs to the Circuit of Monmouth and Macomb. They have at present about 35 mem- bers, who are under the charge of Rev. W. G. Reyn- hart.
African Baptist Church, was organized in 1865, at the house of Mrs. Miller. They had only a few members at the time of the organization. Rev. J. C. Graves was their first pastor. Two years later they erected a church building at a cost of $1,500. At present their membership numbers 30, with Sabbath- school of 35. They have no regular pastor but are served by preachers from outside.
Immaculate Conception (Catholic) Church. Rev. James Ryan was the pioneer Father of the Church in this part of the country. Services were first held after the manner of the primeval days, under a cot- ton-wood tree about the center of what is now the city of Monmouth. This service had this pleasing feature-it was voluntary and of choice, not forced as of necessity, for fear of violence as in the days when persecution was rank and dominant. This little band of pilgrims representing some 15 families assembled about thirty years ago, as stated, underthe cotton-wood tree, with Father Ryan from Galesburg as their spiritual counsellor. They afterward held their meetings in a log cabin, the home of Stephen Cannon ; subsequently in the Court House with Rev. Michael Powers, the Missionary in .charge. This was a quarter of a century ago." While this society was under the charge of Father Powers, the first church building was completed, which was in 1864, at a cost of $3,000. At this time there was a mem- bership of 35 families. Soon after the completion of the church, Rev. D. Bowles took charge and was the first resident pastor. He added to the Church prop- erty by the purchase of a parsonage. Father Bowles was succeeded by Rev. James Halpin, who founded the Churches at Alexis, Raritan and Keithsburg. The membership was increased under Father Halpin's administration to 70 families. Rev. Thomas O'Far- rell succeeded Mr. Halpin, remaining three years. He was followed by Rev. William Murphy who served the Church three years when he was suc- ceeded by Rev. F. C. Duffy, the present pastor, who took charge in 1883. Under Father Duffy's able and energetic pastorate the present grand church edifice was erected and the membership largely in- creased. Lots were purchased on Broadway west of the Court House at a cost of $3,75º, upon which the finest church structure in the country was erected, costing $22,000. It was dedicated Oct. 5, 1884, by Bishop Spaulding of Peoria. This is one of the best constructed buildings in the county. Its archi- tecture is graceful and complete in its style. The ground was first tiled and then a cement bed was made, upon which a stone foundation was built. The superstructure is constructed of Chicago pressd brick trimmed with Ohio stone. A graceful spire towers up into the heavens, surmounting the whole. The inside is neatly finished and furnished with beauti- fully frescoed walls and ceiling. The altar is con-
775
WARREN COUNTY.
structed with elegance and classical taste. The
present membership is about 150 families.
Baptist Church .-- As the ALBUM of Warren County appears with the history of the Baptist Church at Monmouth left out, we feel it a duty we not only owe to our patrons, but to ourselves, to make the fol- lowing statement and place the responsibility where it properly belongs : The historian, in gathering up material for Church history, called, as the natural and first place to go, on the Pastor of this Church, by whom he was referred to one of the Deacons of the Church, who was Steward or Clerk, and had the records. The Pastor knew but little about the Church, having been Pastor, as he stated, only two years and a half ! After repeated solicitations from the Clerk, and much importuning, the historian was obliged to leave the county without any data regard- ing this Church, and with the belief that an account of it was not desired by those in authority. After leaving the county, the parties having the records of the Church were further solicited by the historian' through the mails, for the necessary data, but with- out success. Hence, having failed to procure any information from the parties upon whom we had to depend, and to such as we always look for inform- ation regarding Churches, this Baptist Church has no representation in this book.
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.