USA > Illinois > Adams County > Quincy > Quincy and Adams County history and representative men, Vol. I > Part 68
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The Village of Liberty was surveyed in 1836. Two new additions were soon laid ont. To this original plot two additions have been made-the Lawless-Enlow and the C. W. Phillips additions. The oldest house in Liberty is the frame residenee where John Enlow now resides, built by A. H. D. Buttz. The next two oldest houses are the west half of the house now occupied by the Beringer brothers, and the south part of Robert Mercer's blacksmith shop. The first store in Liberty was built by D. P. Meacham on the spot where the butcher shop now stands. The second store was started by A. H. D. Buttz where the brick store is located. It was later made of briek burned in what is now the west part of Liberty. The village had a slow but a gradual growth. It was not until May 8, 1912, that it began to really take on new life. A group of enterprising citizens gathered together and formed an association known as the Commercial ('lub. The first officers were Dr. W. E. Mereer, president : L. L. Boyer, secretary, Rev. C. F. Shultz, vice president : M. E. Graff treasurer. Among the first things this organization did was to lay out and mark what was known as the White Star trail; establish a newspaper, start a movement that ultimately resulted in our fine bank and Opera House, and direct influences so deep and lasting that they cannot be told by a historian. The Lawless-Enlow addition, with the lay-
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ing out of the park, was the real beginning of Liberty's growth, and since 1912 the village has nearly doubled in size and population. It is the center of supplies of this part of the country for miles around, and has a larger commercial trade than any village of its size in the county. Liberty has one bank, a newspaper, two groceries, one hardware store, the finest harness shop in the county, four restau- rants, one buteher shop, three blacksmith shops, three garages, the largest implement house in the county outside of Quiney, one hotel, an electric light plant, washing machine factory, five ehurehes, a three year recognized high school and one of the prettiest parks in the county. Liberty also has seven lodges. The one man to whom Liberty owes more than to any other individual for its financial growth and enterprise, is Steven G. Lawless, eashier of the Farmers Bank.
Liberty Township has six churches: the Church of the Brethren, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Christian, St. Bridget's Catholie and the Pleasant View Baptist.
The Church of the Brethren is the oldest organized body in the township, having been founded in 1831. In 1832 a building was erected west of Liberty where the Seigel schoolhouse now stands. Elder George Wolfe was the first pastor. In 1874 a new building was ereeted in Liberty and is their present meeting house. In 1831 this ehureh had a membership of over 200. Among the charter members were the Lierles, Wolfes, Walkers, Nations, Vaneils and Hunsakers.
The Presbyterian Church was organized in 1852, with L. W. Dun- lap as the first pastor. The first meeting of the society was held in the old briek schoolhouse where Pond's warehouse now stands. The present church building was erected in 1854.
The Lutheran Church was organized in 1855, and preaching serv- iees were started by Rev. James Harkley, a farmer-preacher residing on section 29. The services at first were held in the Presbyterian Church. In 1870 they built a new meeting house on the site of the present church. This building was struck by lightning and burned in August, 1907. It was at onee rebuilt and services re- sumed on Christmas, 1907. This ehureh has always been self-support- ing and in a prosperous condition. Among the charter members were the Xanders, Williams, Freys, Graffs and Weisenburgers. The only living charter members are Daniel Balzer and Mrs. Elvina Frey.
The Christan Church was organized in 1852 and held its first meet- ings in the old briek schoolhouse. Elder Ziby Brown was its first minister. In 1853 a church house was erected on lot 4 in bloek 10. In 1907 a new building was erected and is the present meeting place of the congregation. The ehureh is in a prosperous condition and is out of debt. Among the charter members were the Grubbs, Benfields, Meaehans, Vanderlips, Dunlaps, Travers, Malones, Kimmons, Hun- sakers, Titus, Riees, Barnards and Connors.
The St. Bridget's Catholic Church at Liberty was organized at an early date and the first meetings were held at the houses of the mem-
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bers. The church building was created in 1570. The first pastor was the Rev. Thomas Cusack. The congregation is large and flourishing.
The Pleasant View Baptist Church was organized in the brick schoolhouse in 1853 with Stephen Mullen as pastor. The present church building was erected in the fall of 1896. The charter members who are known at this time are the Shohoneys, Bradleys. Culps and Barnards.
Liberty Township has seven lodges-the Odd Fellows, the Re- bekahs, Masons, Eastern Stars, Modern Woodmen. Royal Neighbors and the Adams County Mutual.
The Odd Fellow's Lodge was organized in 1860, B. F. Grover being the first noble grand.
The Rebekah Lodge was organized in 1893, with Mrs. Caddie Enlos as the presiding offieer.
The Masonic Lodge was organized in 1863, with James R. Hower- ton as the first worshipful master.
The Eastern Star Lodge was organized in 1898, with Mrs. Mattie McBride as the worthy matron.
The Royal Neighbors were organized in 1899, with Mrs. Laura Heine as first oraele.
The Adams County Mutual was organized in 1910, with Dr. W. E. Mereer as the first president.
The other organizations of the township are the Women's Christian Temperance Union and the Commercial Club,
The Women's Christian Temperance Union was organized in 1907 with Mrs. Maggie Grubb as the first president. In 1917, the Loyal Temperance Legion, an auxiliary of this organization, was organized.
The Commercial Club was organized May 8, 1912, with Dr. W. E. Mercer as the first president.
Liberty Township has nine schools-Liberty, East Union, Seigel. Franklin. Chaplain, Lost Prairie, Pleasant View, Hickory Flat and California.
In 1852, the first schoolhouse was built in Liberty, where Pond"'s warehouse now stands. It was built of briek remaining from the Buttz buildings. After fourteen years this building was found to be too small, so Ambrose Dudley deeded the ground on the north side of Dudley Street to the school. P. H. Mereer transplanted the first shade trees on this lot where the second building was erected in 1866. In 1885, it was decided that another building was necessary, so the one-half block south of Dudley Street was purchased from Mr. Dudley. In 1877 the present school building was erected. The old building was sold to O. 11. Collins and now serves as Pond Brothers' warehouse. W. HI. Odell was the first teacher. Some of the prominent men who attended this school are D. H. Mercer, member of Congress from Nebraska: John Broady, lawyer and judge: Nellie Foster, musician ; Elmer and Ray Mercer, physicians and respectively cap- tain and lieutenant in the army : Floyd Mercer, minister of the Gospel
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and banker : Rolland Wagner, lawyer and member of the State Legis- lature; and Raleigh Balzer, drnggist.
As near as ean be ascertained, the East Union School was built in 1869, it being a small log building. John Gorman, F. H. Barnard and William Gordon were the first directors and Mary Kelly was the first teacher. The sehoolhonse burned down in 1876 and a new and larger one was built on this site. This building stood for thirty years until 1906, when a new and more modern sehool building was erected. Guilford Barnard, a lawyer received his early education here.
We cannot close the history of this township without making mention of the boys who enlisted in the Civil war. Liberty fur- nished about 150 of the soldiers of this war. They enlisted in the Seventy-Eighth, Fiftieth, Seventh and Second Illinois Cavalry and Sixteenth Illinois and the Third Missouri Cavalry. They were valiant and loyal soldiers and Liberty will always have eause to be proud of her "Boys of '61." P. H. Mercer and Abner Gates are the only surviving soldiers of this war now residing in the township. Liberty has also done her share in the present war for humanity. Many of her boys are "over there," giving their lives for their country, and many more are ready to go. All honor and glory to the white haired "Boys of '61," as well as to the brave boys of 1918. May God, in all his wisdom, lay his hand lightly on the gray hairs of the one, and bring honor, glory and vietory to the arms of the other.
In closing this history, we wish to say that it has given us great pleasure in preparing it, although it has been rather a difficult task, as we are not a lifelong resident of the township, and owing to the lack of interest in those on whom we counted for much information and help. We feel deeply indebted to all those who helped in giving ns the required information. We are indebted to Mrs. Lillie Baird, Mrs. Bertha Buttz, Mr. Gerald Frey and Mr. Russell Linker, members of the committee, who assisted in gathering the material for this his- tory. We are also indebted to all those organizations which furnished us with their histories. We are especially indebted to Uncle Henry Buttz, more than any other, for, through his kindness and help, we have received more information than from any other source.
Today our memories should be fresh and green with the remem- brance of those hardy pioneers who have laid the foundation of our present civilization, remembering that the history of the next hundred years will be what we and our posterity make it. And when our descendants turn the pages of the next hundred years, "God grant they read the good with smiles, and blot the ill with tears."
HISTORY OF BURTON TOWNSHIP [ Contributed ]
The first church in Burton Township was organized in 1834, by the Ironside Baptist denomination, whose house of worship was a log
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house built on section 18 where the Burton Cemetery is now located. About ten years later an organization of Free-will Baptists worshiped first in private homes and later in the Livingston schoolhouse. As the records of these churches have been destroyed and the members have passed away, we cannot give a complete history of them.
The Presbyterian church was organized at Adams, Illinois, in 1839 by Rev. Thomas Cole. The earlier members were : William Wells. Phoebe Wells, Lewis Roe, Caroline Roe, Warren Miller, Phoebe Ann Miller, Elizabeth Wells, Anna Wells, James Stober, JJanette Stober, Eliza Stober, Desia Wells, Cartherine Wells, Mary Wells, Alice Wells, Harriet Wells, Samuel Reed. The first ruling elders were: William Wells, Lewis Roe and Warren Miller. The first church was at Adams; Inter it was moved to Independence where the congregation worshiped in a schoolhouse. In 1871 it was moved to Burton, Illinois, where a good building was erected. costing $2,500. Following is a list of the pastors: Rev. Thomas Cole, 1839-41; L. P. Kimball, 1841-43; Il. C. Abernatly, 1845- 50; G. F. Davis, 1853-55: Rev. Ilerrit, 1857-62; Leslie Irwin, 1867-73: J. P. Crowe, J. P. Dowson, D. Fulton, Rev. Wier ; F. Lippe. 1884-86; George Ernest. 1886-92; William Stecher, 1892-95; William Everds, 1895-99: G. Dussenherry, 1899-1904 : Rev. Jacobs, 1905-06 ; R. Batler, 1907-08: Rev. Tanner, 1908-09: Miss Taylor, 1909-10; J. L. Sawyer, 1910-16. Rev. MeCracken is the present pastor. The present active elders are : J. F. Miller, William Albrink, C. A. Schmidt. The church does not have a large membership-only fifty-but has done good work.
ยท The oldest church in Burton Township is the St. Matthew's Evan- gelieal Lutheran Church, located on the Broadway Road. This con- gregation was organized by a number of German Lutheran farmers living in the vicinity, who found it too inconvenient to drive to the Lutheran churches of Quiney on Sundays. 1859 marks the year in which the St. Matthew's Congregation was organized and the church building erected. The Rev. Edward Korubaum was the first pastor of the congregation. He remained but a short time, as did most of his sneeessors in after years. During the fifty-nine years St. Mat- thew's congregation has been served by fourteen pastors viz: Rev. Edward Kornbaum, II. Klochemeir. A. Fismer, A. Frowein, E. Brecht, H. Castens, W. Germann. G. Gerken. J. Schnack, and A. Cook, the latter being pastor of the church at the present writing. St. Matthew's church is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and other states, the largest Lutheran Synod in America. From the very outset in 1859 a parochial school was maintained. How- over. in 1913 this school was dissolved owing to the great distance most of the children would be obliged to travel, while the district school proved more convenient. The German language was used exclusively in the St. Matthew's Church until 1913, when the services
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were conducted in the English language the first three Sundays of the month, with the remaining Sunday or Sundays, devoted to service in the German language. However, January 1, 1916, it was unani- mously resolved to drop the German language altogether. The name of the congregation was then changed to "The St. Matthew's English Evangelical Lutheran Church." The church building proper, as it stands today, was erected in 1859 and improved and enlarged from time to time. In 1865, the present church hall and kitchen was added to the north end of the church building, being used at that time as the pastor's residence. In 1876 the present tower was erected and the large church bell installed. A schoolhouse was built in 1870 and when the parochial school was discontinued in 1913 the structure was eom- pletely renovated and a large addition was built, thus providing an excellent, modern parsonage for the resident pastor. The Ladies' Aid Society of twenty members is an unusually active organization, which has merited much praise for the aid rendered unto the church along various lines. The Young People's Club is also hard at work in the interest of the church. The Sunday school and Bible class warrant a bright future for the congregation. The membership of the church has remained ahnost steady during the fifty-nine years of its existence. Today the membership has reached the highest mark in the history of the church, being nineteen voting members, seventy com- municant members and 120 soul members.
The Methodist Church at Burton was organized in 1896. The founders were L. Meyer. F. Seiz, W. Seiz, W. Kuhn. J. Mollenhauer, H. Vollrath and Mrs. C. Stautermann and daughters. The church parsonage is located in Burton. The pastors were: C. F. Stecker, 1896-97; W. K. Herzog, 1897-98: W. P. Ludwig, 1898-99: Aug. Did- zun. 1899-1901: E. S. Hehner, 1901-04: H. H. Schwietert, 1904-06; H. R. Kasiske, 1906-08: Hugo Lang, 1908-09; Max Opp. 1909-1911; H. H. Sehwietert. 1911-12; E. Goetz, 1916 (now serving). Present officers : L. Meyer. F. Seiz. W. Seiz and Otto Schmidt.
Between the years 1860 and 1866 it was planned to build Pleasant Grove Methodist Episcopal Church. Before this time preaching serv- ices were held at three different places, viz. : Columbus, Mount Pleas- ant schoolhouse and Independence schoolhouse. The largest congrega- tion of members were in the Independence Society, and, as the school- houses were too small to accommodate the people it was decided at a called meeting to build two churches-one at Mount Pleasant and one at Pleasant Grove. The Mount Pleasant and Independence societies could not agree on a building site. About the same time services were being held at the Livingston schoolhouse, as the latter school district had some of the leading members. Daniel Hughes was the principal one, and through his untiring efforts it was agreed to build Pleasant Grove Church on the present site. Those most active in its construction were : Daniel Hughes, Garrett Stewart. James Ship-
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man and Elizah Thompson. All of the last mentioned have been called home to their reward. The church building was remodeled in 1917 and a social room erected in addition to the main building. the interior of the main building being equipped with modern improve- ments. The following is a list of pastors who have preached at Pleas- ant Grove Methodist Episcopal Church: Rev. Curtis Powell, 1866-68 ; Wm. MeGooding, 1868; JJames W. Sinnock, 1868-72; George S. Fer- ree, 1873: Sampson Shinn, 1874-77: Reuben Gregg, 1-77-79; Thos. .T. Bryant, 1879-82; A. M. Danely, 1882-85; J. F. Wohlfarth 1885- 88: J. L. B. Ellis, 1888-90: C. F. MeKown, 1890-93; A. A. White, 1893-98: S. W. Balch, 1898: A. V. Babbs, 1899-1901; W. E. Rose, 1901-04: C. S. Banghman, 1904-08: T. W. Green, 1908-10; C. T. Pileh, 1910-13: A. R. Grummon, 1913-16: H. II. Waltmire. 1916-18; C. R. Underwood, 1918.
The Baptist Church at Adams, was organized May 24, 1873. Elder Gibson, pastor of the Payson Baptist Church acting as moderator and H. L. Tandy, secretary. Charles M. Morton, Giles S. Lewis, and H. I. Tandy were chosen deacons: Samuel MeVey, Alanson Lewis, and II. L. Tandy, trustees. J. F. Richards was elected clerk and served the church in that capacity for twenty-three years. H. L. Tandy was the first treasurer, serving twenty years. At his resignation in 1893. S. S. Harkness was elected and has served up to the present time. At the organization the church numbered thirty-six members; thirty- two had received letters from the Baptist Church at Payson, this county, and four from the Trenton Baptist Church. Grundy County, Missouri. The names of the charter members are as follows: Giles S. Lewis, Mrs. Giles S. Lewis, Hattie M. Lewis, Alanson Lewis, Helen E. Lewis, Mrs. M. D. Scarborough, William E. Price, Carrie Price, Annie Price. E. B. Tandy. Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Tandy. Annette Tandy. Cerilla Tandy, Mrs. Ann Terrill, Nannie Terrill. Eney Terrill. Mary H. Johnson. Rufus MeVay. Susan MeVey, M. P. MeVey. S. McVey. Aliee S. Tandy. Jennie Bookout, C. M. Morton, Mary J. Proctor. Elizabeth Baker, Mary Wheeler. Jane Hardy, Diantha Winget. Melissa Baldwin, Annabell Fargus. J. F. Richards, Mrs. JJ. F. Rich- ards. Effie Richards and Amelia Richards.
At this first meeting a building committee was appointed consist- ing of J. F. Richards. Manson Lewis. H. I. Tandy, Thomas Tripp and G. F. Terrill. The finance committee were Mrs. Giles, S. Lewis. Miss Nannie Terrill and H. L. Tandy. In the fall of 1873, a house of worship was built and dedicated free from debt : it cost about $3,- 200. It was built on a piece of land on the southeast corner of a farm belonging to George F. Terrill and donated by him for this purpose. This is the bnikling as it stands today. The following is a list of the pastors : Elder Kelly, 1574 ; Henry Steele, 1875-76; H. C. Yates, 1877 : Wm. Hawker, 1878-80: David King. 1881-82: Rev. Hart, 1883; Rev. Kent. 1884: Ilarry Tilbe, 1885-86; Stephen Donglas, 1887; C. II. Hands, 1888: Geo. Nicholson. 1890: William Hawker, 1591 : William
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Stewart, 1893-95; Rev. House, 1896; W. D. Hawker, 1897-98; James Palmer, 1899 ; F. W. Wightman, 1902; Rev. Johns, 1904; D. W. Riggs, 1906; Geo. Kline, 1909-1910; M. G. Burton, 1911-1912; S. C. Taylor, 1915-18.
The society was fortunate and greatly blessed by having from time to time such gifted men as the Rev. William Stewart, formerly of Quincy, now of Toledo, Ohio; Rev. Harry Tilbe, now and for many years past a missionary in India ; Rev. J. B. Rogers, former pastor of the First Baptist Church of Quincy, and now in charge of one of the Chicago Baptist churches.
The Burton Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was char- tered October 10, 1877, after having effected a preliminary organi- zation August 8, 1877. The charter members were Geo. J. Schaefer, noble grand ; Raymond Cook, vice grand; P. R. Myers, secretary ; Henry Meise, treasurer; J. H. Rump, Arnold Michaels and F. M. Steele. A lodge hall was erected in 1887. The present officers are Wm. Elliott, N. G .; James Elliott, Jr., V. G .; Ira Schnur, secretary : J. A. Pulma, treasurer; G. T. Hilsman, G. A. Lierle, Joseph Abel, Wm. Richards and F. N. Steele, trustees. Of the charter members J. H. Rump, Henry Meise and F. N. Steele are living.
The Burton Chapter of the Modern Woodmen of America was or- ganized on July 24, 1907. The charter members were Frank HI. Steele. consul ; G. A. Lierel, clerk ; A. R. Schmelzle, banker; Andy Grimmer, adviser; Jacob Beckman, C. L. Blickhan, Hugh Bliven, Willis Cook, D. J. Dean, J. W. Elmer Fries, Wm. Hartman, C. G. Paul, Elmer N. Powell, Joseph Schmelzle, Lester A. Steele and Edward Theisen. The meetings of the chapter are held in the Odd Fellows Hall. The pres- ent officers are : Charles Ellermeier, consul : Clyde Seiz, clerk ; Lester A. Steele, banker ; Hugh Bliven, adviser.
The oldest school in Burton Township was taught by Mrs. Griffin in her own home in 1830. It was an old log house located on the south- cast quarter of section 4, now owned by William Zanger.
The first log schoolhouse was located on the southeast quarter of section 3 or one-half mile north of the Pleasant Grove Church, in 1836. About the same date another old log schoolhouse was located on the northwest quarter of section 21, near the creek south of Mrs. Anne Elliot's home. These schools were subscription schools. In July, 1841, the township was divided into three districts-Northeast, Burton and New Town-and in October of the same year Elm Grove was cut off the west end of New Town.
In 1844 the township was divided again, this time into six dis- tricts. In 1846 Southeast District was cut off the east end of New Town District, thus making seven districts as we have them today. On June 2, 1855, at a called meeting of the township trustees, a tax of one mill per dollar was levied on all taxable property, for the pay- ment of teachers' salaries. The distriets were numbered as required
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by law and the township was to contain seven districts. The districts were numbered as follows: Livingston, No. I; Independence, No. 2; Burton, No. 3: Southwest, No. 4; New Town. No. 5; Southeast, No. 6; Union, No. 7. These numbers continued in use till 1907, when they were changed fom 191 to 197 inclusive.
The first district school teachers were examined and granted cer- tifientes by a committee of three appointed by the township trustees. The teachers in those days boarded around among the patrons of the schools.
Livingston School District 19] was named in honor of one of the American ministers to France. The first Livingston school was taught in an upper room of Mr. Leverette's home. During the summer of 1844 the first schoolhouse was built. This house was used as a place of worship by the Freewill Baptists for many years. Fire destroyed it in 1875 and in 1876 the second Livingston school was built.
The old log schoolhouse of Independence (District No. 192) was located in the southwest quarter of section 3. This quarter section is now owned by Thomas Sorril. Independence schoolhouse was built in 1846, seventy-two years ago. This is the oldest schoolhouse in Bur- ton Township. In 1861 or 1862 the German Lutherans built a school in this district, but it was closed abont 1908.
The Burton School (District No. 193), was held in an old log schoolhouse for several years. The records being destroyed, the date of the building of the schoolhouse was not obtainable.
The Tandy School (Distriet No. 194) may well be called the "school of many names." It was first known as the Elm Grove : then the Southeast, Washington Hall, Rock School, and now we all know it as the Tandy School. The first schoolhouse was built of brick in 1850. In 1863 this was torn down and a larger stone building erceted in its place.
The old log schoolhouse of Newtown (School District No. 195) stood in the center of the Park. Later, school was held in the Presby- terian Church. In 1855 a one-room school was built, this proving to be too small as the population increased in 1862. In 1870 the two- room schoolhouse was built which is now occupied.
Oregon (District No. 196) was first known as the Southeast Dis- triet. The frame schoolhouse was located one-fourth of a mile cast of the Oregon School. This building was burned. Oregon Schoolhouse was built in 1863.
School District No. 95 of Adams County, originally No. 5 of Honey Creek Township, is known as the Coatsburg School. The dis- triet comprises sections 25, 26, 35 and 36 of Honey Creek Township. and the west one-half of sertions 30 and 31. Camp Point Township.
The first schoolhouse was built in 1840 on the land now owned by Bernard Dirks and occupied by his son William 11. Dirks. It was a log schoolhouse of the most primitive structure. No nails or other manufactured articles were employed in its structure and greased paper was used for window lights. Levi Johnson was the first teacher Vol. 1-42
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