USA > Illinois > Adams County > Quincy > Quincy and Adams County history and representative men, Vol. I > Part 57
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
The Home was opened in charge of Sister M. Eulogia, who was sue- ceeded by Sisters Eudoxia. Ansberta and Facunda, Sister M. Romana and Sister M. Elizabeth. Sister M. Romana served from September, 1898, to September, 1912, when she was called away to another mission, her responsibilities being then assumed by Sister M. Elizabeth, who is still in charge.
ST. MARY'S, THE FIRST HOSPITAL
The first hospital to be creeted in Quiney was St. Mary's, on Broad- way between Fourteenth and Fifteenth. Through the efforts of the
E
ST. MARY'S HOSPITAL
late Rev. Father Ferdinand, O. S. F., and the Rev. Father Schaefer- meyer, a few Sisters of the Poor of St. Francis, under the direction of Sister Eusebia, came to Quincy in May, 1866. for the purpose of establishing a hospital. They worked to such advantage that the corner-stone of St. Mary's was laid March 23, 1867, in the presence of the mayor, aldermen, county officials and an imposing gathering of unofficial speetators. When the hospital was ready for occupancy in October, it had cost $16,000 and would accommodate fifty patients. The first inmates were seven patients whom the Sisters had been caring for in a room of St. Boniface school building. Ten years from that time demands had so increased that it was necessary to erect an addition to the original hospital which cost $20,000 and doubled its capacity. In 1900 a second large addition was built at a cost of
535
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
$40,000, so that the completed structure covers an area represented by a frontage of 212 feet and a depth of 68 feet. St. Mary's Hospital is open to all, irrespective of creed, color or race.
LINDSAY CHURCH HOME
The Lindsay Church Home, on the southeast corner of Fourth and Vermont streets, was speeitieally founded in 1863 for the benefit of poor persons belonging to the Protestant Episcopal Church of Quincy. By the provisions of her will, dated November 4th of that year, Mrs. Elizabeth Lindsay bequeathed her real estate at the locality named, with personal property, to Dr. Edward G. Castle, Seth C. Sherman and Peter Grant, for the purpose of founding the institution under that name. The Lindsay Church Home was incorporated in Noveul- ber, 1874, by Doctor Castle, Messis. Grant and Sherman, Henry As- bury, Henry A. Williamson and Edward J. Parker. While its means have been somewhat limited, the Home has accomplished good results.
THE BLESSING HOSPITAL
The Blessing Hospital, located at Tenth and Spring streets, de- veloped from the work of the Charitable Aid and Hospital Association, and it has retained the prime idea of its foundation, which is to first consider the needs of those who cannot afford to pay for hospital accommodation. The result is that it has always eared for an un- usually large number of free, or charity patients.
The history of the hospital commences, with a publie meeting held in the courthouse on December 1. 1869, on which occasion a committee was appointed to raise subscriptions and other relief for the poor, especially during the approaching winter. The gentlemen named were E. K. Stone, Henry Allen. C. M. Pomeroy, II. S. Osborn, William Morris, M. B. Finlay, F. S. Giddings, Daniel Stahl and William B. Bull. This committee was known as the Relief Association, and sue- ceeded in raising over $5,000 in money and supplies from nearly 400 donors. During the winter, relief was extended to some 350 families of Quiney; the second winter's work was equally commendable, and in the winter of 1871-72 the benevolent ladies of the city formed them- selves into an association for the purpose of assuming the responsi- bilities of the former Relief Association. Finally, in the fall of 1873, the two bodies combined and were incorporated, under the state laws, as the Charitable Aid and Hospital Association, which had for its objeets both the relief of the poor and the founding of a hospital for those of the humbler and poorer classes.
The years 1874 and 1875 found the newly incorporated associa- tion supporting the paupers of the Township of Quiney, the number averaging more than 300 monthly. While it thus met the physical necessities of the poor, it also endeavored to tone the moral fiber of those who received its charities, and turned its special attention to bettering the opportunities of the children.
536
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
After the expiration of the association's contract to relieve the city's poor had expired, its attention was given more particularly to the hospital feature. St. Mary's was then the only institution of the kind in Quincy. But the association pushed this enterprise so vigor- ously that in May, 1875, the original Blessing Hospital was ready for occupancy. The building and furnishings cost $12,000, which was all covered by paid-in subscriptions. In April, 1878, the hospital was turned over to a board of ten women managers, who were selected from an executive committee of thirty-five ladies. The first officers, under that arrangement, were as follows: Mrs. Sarah Denman, presi- dent; Mrs. William Marsh, vice president; Mrs. Anna McMahan, recording secretary ; Miss Lucy Bagby, corresponding secretary; Miss
THE BLESSING HOSPITAL
E. B. Bull, treasurer. As authoritatively announced when placed on that enduring basis: "The association receives all alike to its open arms of charity, regardless of race, creed or color, if there is any hope of their being benefited and provided they have no contagious disease which will endanger the other patients, and is free to all who are unable to pay and need its services ; but is a hospital for the sick, and not an asylum for the aged and infirm."
In 1895 was made the large three-story addition to the west of the old hospital, about doubling the original capacity. In 1903 the institution has so expanded that it was found necessary not only to further increase the accommodations for patients but to erect a home for nurses. In furtherance of these ends additional land was pur- chased to the east, the original two-story building was raised, and a massive three story structure, with detached steam heating plant and laundry, was erected on the enlarged site. The new building was complete in every modern requirement-electric lighting, elevators,
53
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
telephone system, etc. The total cost of these improvements was more than $30,000. Blessing Hospital has a small endowment, of about $20,000, which originated in Mrs. Denman's bequest of $4,000 made in March, 1883.
The Training School for Nurses, the graduates of which are drawn upon for the nursing staff of the hospital, was established in 1891.
The names of many of the most prominent men and women of Quiney are identified with the founding and growth of Blessing Hos- pital. Among them none stand forth with greater luster than those of Mr. and Mrs. M. B. Denman and Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Parker.
THE ANNA BROWN HOME
The Anna Brown Home for the Aged. northwest corner of Fifth and Maple, is quite non-sectarian, and stands for the generosity and philanthropy of Mrs. Anna E. Brown, widow of Charles Brown. They both came to Quincy in 1834, Mr. Brown starting the first bakery in the city. He died in 1868 and his widow survived him twenty-five years. In her will she devised the old family residence, with an endowment of interest-bearing securities worth $55,000, for the found- ing and maintenance of a Home for the Aged. It was opened in January. 1898, under the name by which it has continuously been known. Great care is exercised in passing upon the applications for admission to the Anna Brown Home, an entrance fee of $300 being required. The result is that the institution has always stood high in character and financial stability. Among the number of its in- mates are the venerable Daniel C. Wood, eldest son of Governor JJohn Wood. and himself in his ninetieth year.
OLD PEOPLE'S HOME (DAS ALTENHEIM)
The Old People's Home (Das Altenheim) of the German Methodist Episcopal Church at Quincy, located on Washington Street, was founded by that denomination in May, 1890. The original building was donated by Charles Pfeiffer, of Quiney, three extensions having been made to it. Mr. Pfeiffer was its first superintendent and was succeeded by his wife. Rev. William Schultz is at present in charge.
DETENTION HOME
At the December meeting. 1909, of the board of supervisors of Adams County a special committee consisting of John Schauf, J. R. Albright and H. F. Scarborough was appointed to meet with the Woman's League in regard to detention rooms for wayward boys and girls and at the following March meeting, 1910, the committee reported favorably, and thereupon Supervisor Scarborough offered the follow- ing resolution :
"Whereas, the report of the special committee heretofore appointed
538
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
by this Board to secure suitable detention rooms for wayward boys and girls, recommended the establishing of such rooms; and
"Whereas, a proposition has been submitted by George F. Miller to lease to this County the house known as 428 Vermont Street, for a term of three years at an annual rental of Four Hundred and Twenty Dollars ($420.00), per year, payable quarterly; and in which proposition he further agrees to put said premises in firstclass condi- tion, putting in the latest equipped steam plant, electric light in all rooms, bath, toilet, on both floors, and cover the windows of the second floor which would be required as detention rooms with heavy screen, to the satisfaction of the Board; and
"Whereas, Miss Mabel Featheringill, Overseer of the Poor, pro- poses that, with her mother, she would remove the office of the Over- seer of the Poor to the above location, and serve as matron of the proposed detention rooms without additional cost to the county; the only compensation she would ask, being for the board of delinquents at the rate of Forty Cents (40c) per day, and for the washing that may be required, at the same rate paid for the washing of County prisoners. Steam heat, water and electric light to be furnished by the County ; and
"Whereas, the above proposition meets with the approval of the committee of the Woman's League, Probation Officer Smith and the County Judge, therefore be it
"Resolved, that a committee of two be appointed by the Chair- man of this Board to enter into contract with George F. Miller and Miss Mabel Featheringill in such behalf and to proceed with the estab- lishing of such detention rooms and that said committee be empowered to secure furnishings for three rooms, at a cost not to exceed fifty dollars."
Said resolution was adopted. And thereupon a committee ap- pointed entered into a lease beginning April 1, 1911, with George F. Miller, owner of the residence located at 428 Vermont Street, which building was used as detention home until April 1, 1918, when the Detention Home moved to the present location at 527 Broadway. The latter is the commodious former home of H. F. J. Ricker, cashier of the Rieker National Bank, having been purchased by the county for $12,500 and fitted up as a Detention Home. It will accommodate from fifteen to twenty children.
The Detention Home is conducted in no way as a jail but more as a residence where children are placed until the day of trial and there- after until a permanent home can be secured for them. At the present time Mrs. Carl Hofmeister is the matron of the home and she is paid 50 cents a day for taking care of the children. The children are sent to the public schools, that is, such of the children as are of school age. It is the intention of the management to make it as home- like as possible. Since the home was established over 850 children have been accommodated in it, which is over an average of 120 a year. Juvenile offenders in Adams County are no longer incarcerated in the
539
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
city prison or the county jail, but all are placed in the Detention Home. The children learn to like it and when they return to Quincy on a visit many of them go back to the home to see "Mother Hof- meister" as she is familiarly called. Much of the eredit of the suc- cess of the home is due to Judge MeCarl, Mrs. Hofmeister, the matron, and Thomas Nolan, the probation officer, who has investigated over 7,000 cases since his appointment to that position.
CHAPTER XIV
CHURCHES AND SOCIETIES
FIRST UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH-VERMONT STREET METHO- DIST EPISCOPAL-CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH-ST. BONIFACE AND ST. PETER'S CHURCHES-ST. JOHN'S PARISH AND CATIIEDRAL- EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF ST. JOHN-FIRST PRESBY- TERIAN CHURCH-SECOND CONGREGATIONAL UNITARIAN CHURCH --- KENTUCKY STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH-THE SALEM EVANGELICAL CHURCH-THE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES-ST. JACOBI EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH-CONGREGATION K. K. BNAI SHOLEM-ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS PARISH-ST. FRANCIS SOLANUS COLLEGE -- FATHER ANSELM - THE COLORED CHURCHES - ST. PETER'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN-ST. MARY'S ROMAN CATII- OLIC CHURCH-BETHEL GERMAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH- ST. PAUL'S EVANGELICAL CHURCH-ST. JOHN'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH-UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH-FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST SCIENTIST-LUTHER MEMORIAL CHURCH-ST. ROSE OF LIMA CHURCH-GRACE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH-CHURCHI FED- ERATION-SOCIAL, INDUSTRIAL, SECRET AND BENOVELENT SOCIETIES -THE MASONS OF QUINCY-SCOTTISH RITE MASONRY IN QUINCY -BUILDING OF THE TEMPLE-OTHER HIGH MASONIC BODIES-THE INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS-THE KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS -THE ROYAL ARCANUM COUNCIL-KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS-THE EAGLES AND OTHER SOCIETIES-THE WESTERN CATHOLIC UNION- QUINCY TURN VEREIN-QUINCY COUNTRY CLUB.
The religious sentiment and work so evident in Quincy, as cen- tered in a score of churches, are incalculable forces in the uplift of the community and the maintenance of its character as a moral place, safe in which to live, whether considered from the standpoint of democracy or a stable family life. Well supported churches and societies, of a benevolent, social and industrial character, not only satisfy a deep and natural longing for cooperation in the movements which build for the higher things of life, but have a vital influence on the material development of a city. They expand the natures of those who have cast their lot in the community and make it a de- sirable place in which to live and rear the young into helpful men and women, each with a definite mission in life, however humble. Quincy has been remarkably fortunate in these matters.
540
541
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
FIRST UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHI
The Congregationalists were the first of the denominations to be represented by a minister of the gospel at Quincy. The efforts of Rev. Jabez Porter in 1828-29, who conducted the first religious serv- ices and organized the first Sunday (as well as day) school in the log courthouse, have already been described. Coming to Quincy as an invalid, his local career of usefulness was short indeed, as he died in 1829 and his remains were buried in JJefferson Square.
In November, 1830, Rev. Asa Turner, of Templeton, Massachu- setts, came to Quiney as a representative of the American Ilome Mis- sionary Society, and on Saturday afternoon, of the following December 4th, the fifteen men and women mentioned below met in the log house of Peter Felt and organized a Presbyterian Church : Amos and Adelia Baneroft, Rufus and Naney Brown, Peter and Mary Felt, Henry HI. and Lucy K. Snow, Levi and Anna Wells, Maria Robbins, Margaret Rose, Martha Turner, Daniel Henderson and Hans Patten. Speaking of the name then adopted, Mr. Turner said years afterward : "We knew no better." On the 10th of October, 1833, the members unanimously voted to be known as the First Congregational Church.
During the first year, the society worshipped in Rufus Brown's log home, in the little courthouse and a rented room over Levi Wells' residence, southwest corner of Maine and Fifth streets. Soon after- ward they built a small chapel on Fourth Street between Maine and Jersey, with something like a eow-bell suspended on two poles at its rear and operated by a rope which entered the house through a hole in the wall. This ernde meeting house, known as the Lord's Barn. was occupied by the First Congregational Church until 1838, or a period of over seven years. The society also came to own a camp ground of ten aeres, on which were held frequent protracted meet- ings, which, with Mr. Turner's indoor ministrations, resulted in a church membership of over 170. In April, 1840, he was succeeded in the Congregational charge by Rev. Horatio Foote, there being an evident hiatus of more than a year between the two ministries.
The continued increase of membership and the expansion of church requirements made a larger house of worship necessary, and in March, 1842, one was dedicated at the corner of Fifth and Jersey.
On the 8th of June, 1847, the congregation was divided, a por- tion of it, with Mr. Foote, withdrawing, organizing the Center Con- gregational Church and erecting a house of worship at the corner of Jersey and Fourth streets. The First Congregational continued its organization under Rev. Rollin Mears, at the meeting house on Fifth and Jersey, until 1852; Rev. J. D. Potter served in 1852-53 and Rev. S. Hopkins Emery in 1855-69. Mr. Foote continued to occupy the pulpit of the Center Congregational Church until 1861 : Rev. Norman A. Millard from 1862 to 1864; Rev. Levi F. Waldo in 1866-68 and Rev. Samuel R. Dimmock in 1868-69. In fact, the score of years
542
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
covering the period of the activities of the two organizations proved that a reunion was greatly to be desired.
This desideratum was realized on March 6, 1869, under the name of the First Union Congregational Church. It was then decided to sell both the old buildings, and erect a commodions house of worship at Maine and Twelfth streets, in a convenient residence district. This was accomplished in 1873-74 at a cost, including site, of $93,000. The chapel was first occupied in January, 1873, and the main edifice in October of the following year. Since the reunion the pastors of the church have been : Rev. Samuel R. Dimmock, 1869-71 ; Rev. Lysander Dickermau, 1872-74; Rev. Edward Anderson, 1874-81 ; Rev. Frederick A. Thayer, 1882-83; Rev. Samuel H. Dana, 1883-1903; Rev. James R. Smith, 1903-15; Rev. George A. Buttrick since 1915. The present membership of the First Union Congregational Church is about 400 and its Sunday school is in proportion. Of the latter, George B. Cawthorne, general secretary of the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion is superintendent.
THE VERMONT STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
As early as 1831 the Methodists organized a class in Quiney and came under the ministry of Rev. Spencer W. Hunter, who had been appointed to the Atlas circuit during the preceding fall. Quincy was made a circuit in the fall of 1832, and Rev. David B. Carter sent to take charge of it. In 1834 Rev. James Hadley came to the town and preached once in two or three weeks, the old log court- bouse being usually occupied by his elass. The town was made a mission station in 1835 and Rev. Peter R. Borin placed in charge.
The courthouse was burned December 9, 1835, and services were then held in a log cabin on Jersey Street near Fifth. The society then began the erection of the church building afterward known as the Old Fort, located on Vermont Street opposite the present court- house. It was a solid brick structure 50 feet square, and was dedi- cated on Christmas day of 1836. That meeting house was sold in the summer of 1865, and the old Kendall Hall, corner of Maine and Sixth, was used by the Methodists until destroyed by fire in June, 1867. Services were then held at the old college, now Jefferson School. The society first appeared in the minutes as Vermont Street in 1855, under the pastorate of Rev. William S. Prentice. During the succeeding decade Revs. Reuben Andrus, Vincent Ridgely, Timothy B. Taylor, James Leaton, Alexander Semple and William Stevenson were in charge.
It does not appear that the society bought the lot on Vermont Street until 1865. In that year the old Methodist Protestant Church, which stood on Broadway near Sixth, was moved to the new site, was enlarged and remodeled, and dedicated in November, 1867. That structure was sold in 1875 and while the new building was in course of erection the society worshipped in the old Westminster Presby-
.
543
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
terian Church on Hampshire Street. The lower room was dedicated on the first Sunday in 1877, and the entire building rededicated in November, 1888. The edifice then occupied, which was imposing and convenient, cost over $65,000.
Since the pastorate of Rev. Renben Andrns in 1865 (second term) the Vermont Street Methodist Episcopal Church has had abont thirty ministers, and (now in charge of Rev. F. A. McCarty) has grown steadily and substantially into one of the largest and most influential religions bodies of Quincy.
CENTRAL, BAPTIST CHURCH
Since January. 1917, the old First Baptist and the Vermont Street Baptist societies have been consolidated into one church under the name given above. The pastor of the united body, known as the Central Baptist Church, is Rev. W. O. Shank, and he ministers to a membership of about 800. The parent organization was formed July 4, 1835, at a gathering of which Ebenezer Turner was chairman and J. T. Osgood, secretary : the First Baptist Church thus formed com- prised eight members. For a time meetings were held in the old Safford Schoolhouse at Fifth and Jersey streets; in 1836 the society entered the Salem Association and in the following year bought a lot on Fourth Street, between Hampshire and Vermont. Thereon asmall frame building was erected, and in March. 1838. Rev. Ezra Fisher hecame a settled pastor. In April, 1856, thirty-eight members of the First withdrew and formed the Vermont Street Baptist Church. In the spring of 1869 the original society bought the Congregational Church. corner of Fourth and Jersey, as the two societies of Congre- gationalists, which had long been separated, had reunited.
In May, 1856. the new Vermont Street Baptist Church eleeted its first board of permanent officers, with Rev. Horace Worden as moderator. Rev. Joseph R. Manton was the first pastor of the church, under whom the house of worship at Seventh and Vermont was dedicated in October, 1857. It cost about $35,000. The par- sonage was built in 1868. The society expanded so rapidly that it established two missions-Spruce Street Chapel. at Fifth and Spruce streets, in 1869, and Immanuel, at Twenty-second and Cedar streets, in 1896.
Following Mr. Manton, the successive pastors of Vermont Street Baptist Church were Rev. A. M. Hopper, H. M. Gallcher. Frank Remington. Thomas Goodspeed. F. D. Rickerson, I. D. English, Leo M. Woodruff. W. A. Stanton. R. M. Harrison, W. S. Pearce, E. A. Ince, Ransom Harvey. I. W. Cramer, Edward Simpson, Abraham LeGrand and W. O. Shank. The present inenmbent, pastor of the Central Baptist Church since its formation in 1917, administered to the Vermont Street society during the last decade of its existence as a separate organization.
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
ST. BONIFACE CHURCH
The presen: Roman Catholic Church by that name was the arst organization of that denomination to have a resident priest in Quincy. Arriving in the town in August. 1937. Father A. F. Brickwette. Erst conducted services in the second story of a frame building on the northwest corner of Broadway and Eleventh Street, but in the fol- lowing year he erected a frame building on Seventh Street between York and Kentucky, adjoining the site for a church donated by John Wood. This structure served as a church, school and priest's resi- dence. As the location was found not to be very desirable, the con- gregation bought the lot on the northwest corner of Seventh and Maine streets on which the present church building stands. In 1939- 40 a new brick house of worship was erected. and a few years after- ward. on account of the large indux of German settlers it became eviden: that even larger religious accommodations were necessary. As a consequence the present St. Boniface. 100 by 64 feet in dimen- sions, was built in 1846-47.
The donations made for the construction of that pioneer church edince consisted for the greater part of labor and material: cash was very scarce in those days and it is said that only $1.240 covered that item of the contributions. When the building was completed. there remained on it a debt of only $1.500. As the structure still stands without apparent diminution as to its stability. it is safe to say that both labor and material were first-class.
Rev. Joseph Kuenster came to Quincy in 1850. and during the seven years of his busy and productive administration the steeple of the church was built. the chime of bells hung. the church organ installed and the parochial schoolhouse erected west of the church. Father Kuenster died in Quincy September 15. 1857. and was buried in St. Boniface cemetery. Rev. Herman Schaefermeyer. who assumed the pastorate in 1856. accomplished much in the way of beautifying the interior of the church. He became vicar general of the diocese in 1860. discontinued the pastorate of St. Boniface in 1872 for the pur- pose of entering the order of Franciscan Fathers and died in the Quincy convent of that order in May. 1887. Under his successor. Rev. A. Ostrop. the half block fronting on Hampshire. between Seventh and Eighth streets, was purchased, and the large school buildings erected thereon. They were completed in 1976. Rev. John Janssen. also vicar general of the diocese. served from September. 1577. to December. 1879. and Rev. Theodore Bruener. previously president of a Catholic Normal School at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. ad- ministered the affairs of the congregation from the latter date until November. 1857. He then resigned to join the Franciscan order. and died thus identified at San Francisco. California. about 1900. Father Bruener was succeeded by Rev. Michael Weis.
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.