USA > Illinois > Adams County > Quincy > Quincy and Adams County history and representative men, Vol. I > Part 71
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 first services for the Lutherans in Coatsburg were conducted by neighboring pastors from Burton, Golden, and Fowler. from 1860 to 1876, when the Rev. H. Decker, of the lowa Lutheran Synod. beeame the first regular pastor. During his pastorate in 1878, the present church was built. In 1886 the Rev. Decker's work at Coats- burg terminated and the Rev. Valentiner became the pastor. About this time a tower and bell were added to the church building. The third pastor of St. Peter's Church was Rev. 11. Klemm. He took up his work with the church July 30. 1893. It was in the same year the congregation bought a parsonage in the north part of Coatsburg, quite a distance from the church. Reverend Klemm left the church in 1898, after almost five years of service. Rov. Paul Boer was his shecessor. While pastor of the church Reverend Boer was married to Miss Minnie Simon of Coatsburg, the date of their marriage being December 7. 1898. After two and one-half years of service Reverend Boer received a call to Christ's Lutheran Church at Nauvoo, Ilinois, and resigned his charge at Coatsburg. Rev. Theodore Drexel was the next pastor. He served a congregation at Kewanee, Illinois, at the same time. and also preached to a number of Lutherans at York Neck, near Coatsburg. St. Peter's Church had been organized as a German-speak- ing congregation, but since younger people were using the English lan- guage more and more it became necessary to teach the children and preach once a month in English. Reverend Drexel did much to bring the older people to the Sunday school and soon the services were entirely in English. In October, 1904, after four years of labor, Reverend Drexel resigned. Rev. H. Srugies sneceeded him May 14, 1905. The congregation now purchased two lots near the church and built a parsonage. It cost about $2,500 and was dedicated October 21, 1906. In the same year a Ladies' Aid of nineteen members was organized and it has become a great power for good in the congrega- tion. After Reverend Srugies' resignation the congregation was sup- plied for over a year by Reverend Drexel, Reverend Geissler, and others until 1908. By order of the president of Warthburg Theologi- ral Seminary the present pastor, Rev. A. H. Zeilinger, preached to these people without a pastor on Easter Day and was called at the close of the service. After finishing the theological course and tak- ing the examination at Dubugne, Reverend Zeilinger took charge of
676
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
the Coatsburg Lutheran Church. This was on July 19, 1908. After ten years of service under this pastor the condition of the church is as follows: Present voting membership, 61 men ; communion mem- bership, 230; Ladies' Aid, 46 members; Sunday school, 125 scholars, with 9 teachers and 11 offieers. The membership has been growing steadily and has outgrown its church building. Plans are prepared for a new church to be erected in 1919. It will have a seating eapae- ity of 450, with all modern convenienees, and will cost about $15,- 000. It is not the same congregation it was abont forty years ago. Many of the old founders have passed away and the children with American ideals and the use of the American language have naturally brought about many changes.
The organization of the Christian Church in Coatsburg dates from March, 1871, when the Rev. William MeIntyre condueted a series of meetings in a building then in the process of erection. The new church organization built the present building in 1873. Among the pastors who have served the ehnreh are Elders Yates, Black, Brown, Lowe, Omer, Booth, Dilley, George F. Chandler, Groves, Shaptaugh, Harboard, the Dunklebergers, Parriek, Gilbert and Mauck, the pres- ent efficient pastor. Among the people who have been identified with the church are the families of the following: Theodore and Charles Chandler. Henry Luster, John Frost, A. H. Gray, Theodore Smith, W. L. Asher, John Smith, Hastings Leach, James Leaeh, E. Leach, Doctor Larrabee, J. B. Gilmer, William Meier, Ira McCaffrey, John MeMahan, Emma Seibel, Mrs. E. Kendall, Mrs. Henry Felsman. The average membership is about forty-five. The church maintains a Sunday school and a Ladies' Aid Society.
The Methodist Episcopal Church at Coatsburg was organized in 1893 under the pastorate of Rev. A. A. White, of Paloma, follow- ing a series of meetings held by him. Services were held at first in the United Brethren church building. Later this was purchased and remodeled by the Methodist Society. Among the pastors who have served the charge are : A. K. Byrus, Jesse Tharp, F. P. Bonneface, Peter Kittle, S. K. Baughman, Fred Reed, Reverend Potter, C. T. Pilch. A. R. Grumman, HI. H. Waltmire, and C. R. Underwood. The Coatsburg society is at present one of the charges of the Columbus Cireuit. It maintains a Sunday school, a Ladies' Social Union, and a Woman's Foreign Missionary Society. It has a membership of about forty-five persons. Among those who have been identified with the work of the church are the following persons and families: Richard Gray, Sr., W. H. Henderson, Mrs. W. E. Gilliland, Mrs. R. M. Gray, W. S. Gray, J. A. Brosi, Albert Brosi. W. B. Lawless, Mrs. J. R. Lambert, Chas. F. Guenther, Fred White, Edward Graham, W. C. Henning. Mrs. C. F. Gibbs, Mrs. J. H. Young. J. A. Shau- holtzer, John Olsen, Mrs. Geo. Gray, and Mrs. J. L. Grigsby.
The early schools of the township were of a very primitive kind. As there were no funds for the support of schools in those days, they
077
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
were known as subseription, or pay schools. The first schoolhouses of the township were log buildings, covered with clapboards and heated by an open fireplace having a "eat-in-clay" chimney. Not a nail nor a window nor a manufactured article of any kind was used in the building of a schoolhouse. The logs were laid and the cracks daubed with mud. Openings left in the sides or ends of the building were covered with greased paper to let in the light. Clapboards were held in place by long poles reaching across the roof, and bound fast by pegs driven through the poles into the logs of the building. The parts of the door were held together by wooden pins and an okl- fashioned latch was used with the lateh-string left hanging on the outside.
Distriet No. 91. originally No. 1, is known as Center School and comprises sections 15, 16, 21, 22, and the west half of sections 14 and 23. The first schoolhouse in the township was perhaps built in this distriet about 1836. Among the early pioneer families whose children attended school here were the Lovejoys. Bylers, Whites, Ewbanks, Grigsbys, Polloeks. Sivertsons and Emerys. The present Board of Directors is composed of H. F. Sprenger, G. M. Emery, and Calvin Marsh.
Distriet No. 92, originally No. 2. was early known as the Fletcher. and later, as Glenwood Sehool. It comprises sections 5 and 6 and portions of seetions 3 and 4 in Honey Creek and parts of sections 31 and 32. of Keene Township. Among the families who have at- tended school here are the Fletchers, Felgars, Myers, and Evans. The present board of directors are Frank Slonigar. C. C. Myers, and W. H. MeCabe.
District No. 93, originally No. 3. is known as the Horn School. It comprises sections 19, 20, 29. 30, 31 and 32. Among the families who have attended this school are the Thompsons, Stewarts, Potters, Flacks. Haistings, Crows, Horns, Georges, Schroeders, Hibbards, Tenvordes, and Millers. The present board of directors are Ben Stout. A. E. Schroeder and Charles Schroeder.
Distriet No. 94, originally No. 4, is known as Brushy School. It comprises sertions 13 and 24, sonth one-half of section 12. southeast quarter of section 11. and the east one-half of sections 14 and 23. Among the families who have attended school here are the Murrahs, Povehouses, Renschels, Guenthers. Van Dykes. Bakers, Booths, Tiekens. Peters, Dittmers, Simons. Whites. The present board of di- rectors are Chas. Dittmer, Henry Evans, and D. C. Cantrell.
School District No. 95. originally No. 5. is known as the Coats- burg School. The district comprises sections 25, 26, 35 and 36 of Honey Creek Township and the west one-half of sections 30 and 31 of Camp Point Township. The first schoolhouse was built in 1810 on the land now occupied by W. II. Dirks. It was a log building of the most primitive kind without nails or glass. The first teacher was Levi JJohnson. George II. Gray, now living at Hydesville, Cal- ifornia, at the age of eighty-five, attended this first school. A few
678
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
years later another log schoolhouse was on the premises now owned by W. B. Lawless. This was more modern in its structure. Among the teachers were John Ballou, Squire Doan, and a Mr. Paterson, Frances Bass, a half-sister of the Gray brothers, taught here also. In 1859 a frame building was erceted in the village of Coatsburg and in 1870 another room was added. The present four-room brick build- ing was built in 1883. Among the teachers who taught from 1859 to the present time were Messrs. Root, Emery, Scott, Lattie, C. M. Gibbs, Creighton, Burch, Parmenter, Metcalf, C. Aaron, Geo. Sin- monds, W. S. Gray, Fred G. Ertel, W. T. Elliott, J. K. Smith, D. C. Hill, John H. Steiner, E. W. Sellers, C. M. Wilson, Litz, H. E. Kincheloe, R. N. Stacy, and J. L. Ensminger. Among the women teachers are the Misses Selby, Mills, Gilmore, Guenther, Pelham. Rettie and Mabel White, Louise Phirman, Nannie White, Nannie Pevehonse, Josie Gray, Anna Gibbs, Mande Adams, Anna Brosi, Fan- nie Gray, Hazel Bottoeff and others. Among the many boys and girls who have gone ont from the Coatsburg school and made good in the world are Theodore Tieken, J. T. Gilmer, W. M. Gilliland, Geo. F. Chandler, Nannie and William White, R. N. Stacy, Lilian and W. S. Gray, Jr. The present board of directors are Ben Dirks. John Me- Mahon, and J. L. Grigsby.
District No. 96, originally No. 6, was known for many years as the Little Brick School. It now goes by the name of the Morton School. It comprises sections 27 and 28, and the north one-half of sections 33 and 34. Among the families who have attended school here are the Goodings, Mortons, Frosts, Hawes. Egans, Whites and Judys. The present directors are J. II. Morton, Fred Hillebrenner, and E. S. Morton.
Distriet No. 97, originally No. 7, is known as Rocky Rill School. It comprises sections 7, 8, 17, and 18. Among the families who have attended school here are the Frisbies, Hustons, Taylors, Clairs, Tal- cotts, Kells, Baldwins, Hewitts and Slonigars. The present directors are .J. T. Wyatt. J. M. Huston, and Harry Berlin.
Distriet No. 98. originally No. 8, is known as White Oak School. It comprises sections 9 and 10, the west one-half of 11, the south one- half of 3, and a fractional part of 40 and 41. Among the families attending school here are the Hunters, Mealiffs, Whites, Bradys, Wards, Thompsons. The present directors are W. A. Mealiff, Charles Allen, and Joseph Hunter.
District No. 99, originally No. 9, is known as the Paloma School. It comprises the south one-half of sections 33 and 34. The families who have attended school here are the Ogles, Goodings, MeVealls, Frosts, and Lummises. The present directors are J. H. Lummis, J. E. Hoskins, and E. J. Morton.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows has a lodge at Paloma. This lodge was formed by the union of Coatsburg Lodge No. 656 and Ezel Lodge No. 373 of Fowler, Illinois. The present lodge retains the
679
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
name of Ezel Lodge, No. 373. The present officers are: John .1. Long, N. G .; W. L. Viar, V. G .; G. R. JJeffery, treasurer ; E. M. Ogle. secretary.
Other fraternal and beneficial societies are Wever Camp, Modern Woodmen of America, the Royal Neighbors of America and the Tri- State Counties Mutual Insurance Association. These three societies are all active orders and meet at Coatsburg.
CHAPTER XXII
OTHER HISTORIC CELEBRATIONS
THE MASQUE OF ILLINOIS-A BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF THE PAGEANT- AT QUINCY-OUTSIDE OF QUINCY-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION AT THE COUNTY SEAT-"HIAWATIIA" IN QUINCY-MILITARY DAY- RELATIVES OF WORLD WAR SOLDIERS- PATRIOTIC DEMONSTRATION- PERSHING'S BEAUTIES, A FEATURE-SERGEANT WEYMAN'S ELO- QUENT WAR SPEECH-THE HISTORICAL DISPLAY-DEDICATION OF THE GOLD STAR FLAG.
At the request of the Women's Committee of the Council of Na- tional Defense, Illinois Division, and of the Adams County Centennial Commission, June 26, 1918, the Quincy Unit of the Women's Commit- tee agreed to put on the Centennial Pageant, "The Masque of Illi- nois," by Wallace Reid, appearing before audiences in Adams County, at Liberty, Mendon, Golden, Payson and Quincy.
The ladies in charge were Mrs. Ray Oakley, chairman of the Quincy Unit, Miss Helen Osborn, Miss Ida Stewart, Mrs. Rome Ar- nold and Mrs. Maida Lee Fosgate. Mrs. Fosgate directed the perform- ances, Mrs. Arnold was musical director and there were many assist- ants, among them Miss Irene Seaton, Miss Irma Chumbley and Miss Dorothy Dayton. The special committees were: Judge Lyman Me- Carl. Booking Committee; Walter D. Franklin, Transportation Com- mittee ; Miss Helen Osborn, Finance Committee; Mrs. Harry Bray, Costume Committee: Mrs. C. W. Leffingwell, Publicity Committee; Morris Adler, Arrangement Committee ; Mrs. L. B. Boswell, Cast Com- mittee ; Mrs. W. F. Kirtley, Ticket Committee. These committees were ably assisted by W. A. Jackson and Harvey Riggs.
The scenery was set up in parks of groves and covered with green- ery and this, with the natural background of the trees, made a beauti- fnl setting for the pageant. The costumes were brought here from St. Louis and were historically correct. The principal characters were Quincy people, with the choruses and groups of the people of the town in which the pageant was given. In Quincy all the characters were Quincy people.
A BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF THE PAGEANT
Part One
Heralded by two trumpeters Prologue appears and announces the double Jubilee of Our Lady Illinois. Thereupon follows a dancing
680
681
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
chorus of maidens as Trees, Flowers, Rivers and Prairies, the natural sources of beauty and wealth of Illinois. These join in welcoming "Our Lady" to the scene.
The happiness of this group is interrupted by the coming of the Indians bringing with them Fear. The gallant French with Joliet, La Salle and Tonty, followed by Father Marquette, and the band of chanting monks, appear before Illinois displaying Fear and conciliat- ing the Indians.
With the entrance of the British Officer and his soldiers, carrying the British flag of 1785, begins a conflict between France and England in Illinois. This conflict brings Fear, Hate and Tyranny, and it is only when the Bordermen and Frontiersmen enter with the Stars and Stripes that peace and quiet are restored and this is celebrated by a song of Liberty by all.
Virginia with the Pioneers comes, and Columbus with Continental Soldiers and presents Illinois to Columbia as a daughter.
Fear. Tyranny and Hate are evicted. Justice, Love and Liberty come to bless Illinois forever.
Part Two
Again with the sounding trumpet Prologue comes and annonnees the prond achievements of Illinois Statehood. We find a messenger bringing an unwelcome guest before Illinois. Slavery is his name. He offers her wealth, but she will have it not and the Frontiersman orders him away. He is expelled by the Bordermen and Pioneer Maidens, who return to dance and sing for joy.
Amid cheers General LaFayette enters. With him comes greater prosperity as the Prairies and Flowers bring a song of promise of coal and corn, and with this greater cultivation the Indians are again seen, but sadly depart for all time.
With the development of the Rivers and Forests, proclaimed in a chorus, great debts were ineurred and Repudiation enters to tempt Illinois, She repels him, only to again face an evil in Polygamy, but his arguments avail him nothing, and he is driven away.
At this time the powers against ignorance appear in the form of educational institutions, represented in a symbolic dance of the col- leges.
The scene then passes through the conflict between the North and the South and after a hymn of praise the disastrous fire of Chicago is personified by a solo dance. Illinois comforts Chicago.
There is a lapse of time bringing us to the present day.
We see all the Nations pass, and are startled by One in Black, one traitor among them.
Belgium is overcome by Tyranny and pleads for help. France, followed by Fear; England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, haunted by Hate, now come before Illinois and announce that war is declared.
682
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
Illinois, though hoping to have peace, sees her greater duty lies in war. She proclaims :
"We go to war with war; We fight until black Hate, white Fear and blood- red Tyranny are dead : and holy Love, Justiee enskied, sacred Liberty Rule sea and land."
AT QUINCY
The pageant was presented in Quiney at Sportsman Park on the evenings of September 12th and 13th, being the date that the Centen- nial was held in Quincy. Great preparations had been made by the local committee. At the first presentation on Thursday evening hun- dreds of people were turned away and on the second evening a larger crowd was present than even on the first.
The eentennial pageant was given under the auspices of the Quincy Branch, Woman's Committee, Couneil of National Defense. It was decided to divide the proceeds between the Red Cross, the Y. M. C. A., Y. W. C. A., Knights of Columbus and Salvation Army war funds.
Certainly in no eity in the state was the Centennial pageant pro- duced with more attention to costuming and to detail. The setting was perfeet, and the 350 men and women who interpreted the wonderful historical story in pietures, dances and music caught the spirit of the anthor.
An admission fee was charged and the money thus made was used by the Women's Committee of the Council of National Defense for their war fund. The receipts were approximately $4,000 and the ex- penses about $2,000, leaving nearly $2,000 as the sum eleared. Of the amount $1,000 was given to the United War Work Fund, November 12, 1918.
OUTSIDE OF QUINCY
In the county the same characters were used as in Quincy except that the group of French soldiers, etc., were selected from the place where the Pageant was given.
The first presentation of the pageant was given at Liberty on Au- gust 9th. An ideal place had been selected in the grove where the pienie was held. No more beautiful or approprite place could have been secured. Many people from Quincy went out to see the first presentation. A crowd estimated at from 1,500 to 2,500 was present.
Mendon was the next place where the Masque was given. A Cen- tennial celebration had been held on August 15th and the crowd taxed the capacity of the little park at Mendon. In the evening the pageant was given in Chittenden's pasture. A Quincy paper reported as fol- lows: "It was growing dark and there were still no signs of action
653
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
behind the leafy curtains which separated stage and andience in Mendon, Thursday evening where the Masque of Illinois was given for the second time in Adams County communities. The inaction did not last however for the thousand guests from Mendon, Quiney and all the surrounding towns impatiently clapped and whistled until the cur- tains were drawn back, and for the second time the beautiful tableaux, picturesque costumes and dainty fairies pleased an unusually large audience. It has been estimated that there were more than 1,000 peo- ple to witness the Mendon production of the pageant, and from all ap- pearances one would imagine that there were about 2.000."
On August 29th, the Pageant was to be given at the Village of Pay- son. The day opened beautiful and the weather was ideal, and the largest erowd was in attendance that had been for many years. It had been arranged to present the pageant in the school grounds. The location was ideal. The new school building recently erected by Henry M. Seymour greatly added to the attraction. In the evening threaten- ing clouds appeared, but notwithstanding a large erowd had collected and just as the first aet was started a terrific wind storm swept over the village, followed by a heavy downfall of rain, which rendered it im- possible to present the pageant.
On Saturday, August 17th, a Centennial celebration was held at the Village of Golden and in the evening the pageant was given in their beautiful little park. The day had been threatening, but in the evening the clouds cleared away and a larger erowd was present at the pageant than during the day.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION AT THE COUNTY SENT
In the month of May, 1918, a meeting of the Centennial Committee was held at the home of Judge Montgomery and it was decided to hold the Centennial celebration as nearly as possible to the anniversary of the Lineoln-Douglas Debate which oeeurred in Quiney on October 13. 1858. But afterwards on account of the Third Liberty Loan drive being on at that time and also on account of the production in Quincy of the "Masque of Illinois." which it was desired to be held when the nights were warm, it was decided to hold the celebration on Thursday and Friday, being September 12-13. 1918.
HIAWATHA IN QUINCY
At a later meeting a proposition was made by a Mr. Moore to give the Indian play, "Hiawatha" under the auspices of the Centennial Committee. His proposition was accepted and "Hiawatha" was given at Highland Park for ten days beginning July 20, 1918. Highland Park was an ideal place for the presentation of this play. Mr. Patter- son, the actor, read the play and the performance was given by forty real Indians upon the south and west shores of the little lake in the northwest corner of the park. Not only was the play interesting but
684
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
the Indian Village where the Indians made their home during their stay in Quincy attracted a great many persons.
MILITARY DAY
At first it was decided to have a three-day Centennial celebration, but on account of so many war activities the time was reduced to two days. The first day, Thursday, was to be "Military Day" and the second day, or Friday, was to he "Governor's Day." An effort was made to have some representative in each family identified with the World war to represent that soldier in a parade; also the serv- ices of Sergeant Mathew Weyman were secured as the orator of that day. The Historical Society rented the vacant store at the southeast corner of Sixth and Main streets and had a very interesting collection on exhibit during the celebration.
RELATIVES OF WORLD WAR SOLDIERS
Most notable of all the features of the big military parade which officially opened the two days' Centennial celebration in Quincy, Thursday, was the marching division of the mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters and near relatives of the boys of Adams County who were serving their country in the great war. This division was composed of several hundred marchers led by Mrs. F. T. Hill, mother of Brigadier General Henry Hill, who led a division of Quincy men in France. Each individual in this division carried a badge with a blue star and an American flag. Old and young, children and grandparents, aged mothers, and crippled fathers swinging along on crutches, made up the patriotic unit. Some marched with faltering step and many moth- ers held their place in line by strength of will, but all "carried on"- carried on proudly and with a spiritual exaltation that proclaimed their hearts were in cantonments and on battlefields.
PATRIOTIC DEMONSTRATION
Chief Marshal Claire Irwin led the parade, which formed in front of the armory at 1 :30 o'clock and began marching a half hour later. He was accompanied by his aides ; a police platoon, as a guard of hon- or followed. Next came the Illinois State Band playing martial airs. Miss Violet Schwab carrying the musicians' union service flag, with its many stars, was next and preceded the two companies of Illi- nois Reserve Militia. Then came the khaki uniformed Illinois "rook- ies," Quincy unit, composed of young women bearing rifles proudly as any soldier. The Payson band followed, playing a lively march- ing tune, and the Salvation Army war drive was represented by a large float on an auto wagon with Salvation Army lassies accom- panying it.
Cheers greeted a division of veterans from the Soldiers' Home who
653
QUINCY AND ADAMS COUNTY
marched slowly, but not less proudly, than they did on their way to a great war in '61. The veterans were old and many walked with canes, while some used crutches.
PERSHING'S BEM'TIES & FEATURE
Pershing's Beanties, the noted Pittsfield women's drum corps with only one man in the unit-the director, B. H. Brunswick-swept along with a rat-a-tat-tat and a ruffle of twenty-seven drums in nison, that set the feet of great crowds of spectators to dancing. The girls were in khaki and puttees and each carried a red drum that under the skillful touch became a tunesome martial instrument.
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.