USA > Illinois > Mason County > The History and Mason Counties, Illinois > Part 22
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PETERSBURG.
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HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY.
Several Baptist ministers are resident of the county. We cannot forbear to mention Rev. William Goldsby, who died only a month ago. Mr. Goldsby grew up from early youth in this county, professed religion here, spent his life here in the ministry, and died at his home, six miles southwest of Petersburg, on the 13th of August, 1879. He was a man of but limited education, and possessed of nothing brilliant, intellectually ; but his straightforward integrity, unswerv- ing honesty and devoted piety gave him a wonderful power for good ; and while he was not regarded as an able preacher, yet, in his simple way, he won many to the way of righteousness, and will, doubtless, have many stars in his crown of rejoicing. His devoted wife, who was in her usual health at the time of her husband's death, survived him only eleven days ; and they were buried, side by side. May they rest in peace.
Elder Horney, of Greenview ; P. E. Clark, six miles east of Petersburg ; H. P. Curry, of Oak Ridge ; John Coffee, of Fancy Prairie, and George Bell, of Tallula, are all ministers of this Church, but not all actively engaged in the ministry. Fuller accounts of each are given in the precinct histories, and in the biographical portion of this work.
THE M. E. CHURCH.
It would seem eminently proper to have placed this denomination first in the history of churches in Menard County, for it is to all intents and purposes pioneer in its operations. Its policy for spreading the Gospel is exactly adapted to the wants and needs of new and sparsely settled sections of country. The itinerant system, so long practiced and brought to such perfec- tion among the Methodists, is the method of sending the Gospel to the remote settlements. It is not surprising then, that the Methodist "circuit-rider " is found in every new country. The first Methodist that ever settled in Illinois was Capt. Joseph Ogle, who settled here in 1785. The first preacher of the Church to come into the State was Rev. Joseph Lillard, who formed the first society in the State. This class met in the house of Capt. Ogle, in St. Clair County, and he was appointed the leader. Some years later, Rev. John Clark, who had preached in the Carolinas from 1791 to 1796, desiring to get beyond the limits of slavery, wandered westward, and was the first to preach Methodism west of the Mississippi River, and subsequently came to Illinois. Rev. Hosea Riggs was the first local preacher to settle in the State. The first regular work of the Church in the State under authority of Conference, was in 1803, when Rev. Benjamin Young was appointed missionary to the State by the Western Conference holding its session at Mt. Gerizim, Ky. In 1804, the missionary reported sixty-seven members in the State. In 1806, Rev. Jess Walker was sent to the State; he was a man of great zeal and energy. He held the first camp-meeting in the State during this year. This meeting awakened a revival interest, which was felt in nearly all the settlements in the State. At the close of the year, he reported 218 members. The Western Conference then
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HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY.
included Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio and all the Northwest. In 1812. it was divided, and Tennessee and Illinois formed a Conference. In 1816. the Mis- souri Conference was formed, and Illinois was included in this. In 1824, Illinois Conference was formed, including Illinois and Indiana. In 1832. Indiana was separated from it. We speak of this to show the rapidity with which the Church increased in the sparsely settled regions of the West and North. From about the close of the war of 1812, the itinerants of the M. E. Church were constantly traversing the country from East to West, and from North to South, organizing classes wherever opportunity offered. There are no means of learning who the first minister of this denomination was who first preached in Menard County. We have positive proof that in the summer of 1820, a class was formed in the settlement near where Athens now stands. One James Stringfield was perhaps the first Methodist preacher in the county : certainly he was the first local preacher who settled here. He came in 1819 or in the early part of 1820. About the time that the class was formed near Athens, or not long after, a society was formed west of the river. but its precise locality cannot be determined. The matter is not positively decided, but it is believed that the first regular circuit formed included the societies on both sides of the Sangamon River. In 1821 or 1822, a regular circuit was laid out. including the classes here. Rev. Isaac House was the first preacher placed on the circuit, and Rey. Mr. Simms was Presiding Elder. The Methodists, per- haps (in fact, it is absolutely certain), built the first house of worship that was erected in the county ; this was in the year 1825. This house was built on the farm of Mr. Harry Riggin. The land was donated by Mr. Riggin, with the understanding that it was to revert to him or his heirs, so soon as it ceased to be used for religious purposes. This was a neat hewed-log building. 22x36 feet. It had glass windows by chance ; we say by chance, because Mr. Riggin brought quite a large quantity of window-glass with him when he came to Illinois, and this was part of his contribution. This house was used constantly till about 1839 or 1840, when it was sold, and is now a barn on the farm of Henry Rankin. The proceeds, with a considerable subscription added, was expended in the erection of a new frame church in Athens. This house was built about the year 1840, and is still used by the M. E. Church there.
This portion of the Church has been blessed with the services of very able men. The venerable Peter Akers, D. D., was for years Presiding Elder of this district. Peter Cartwright, of national reputation, was Elder of the district longer than any other man, and Dr. Akers next. Cartwright has preached in every part of the county ; indeed, we might say in almost every grove of tim- ber. The fruits of the labors of this people are to be seen in every locality. The denomination has, in the county, four church edifices, three frame, and one brick. (This, of course, is exclusive of the Free Methodist Church at Athens. and the German M. E. Church on Sand Ridge). Besides these. there are sey- eral classes having no house of worship. A large volume might be written,
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HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY.
giving interesting accounts of the labors of the Methodists here. The ministers in the county at present, are as follows: Rev. Mr. Coombs, in Petersburg ; Rev. Mr. Eckman, at Athens; Rev. Mr. Finity, at Greenview. These are on the circuits in the county, and the only local preachers are Rev. Starling Turner (he being a Protestant), and Rev. F. E. Foster, Greenview.
Reminiscences of Methodist ministers rush on our mind, demanding to be recorded, but, if the flood-gate is once opened, no telling where the end will be. But, in imagination the portly form and smiling face of Rev. Barrett rises up, and with the face an interminable store of remembered incidents. That eye, so full of humor, looks out on the world no more; the voice, so sweet in persuasion, so dire in denunciation. and so convincing in argument, is long since silent in death, but those who knew him will never forget the power of his pulpit efforts, or the unrivaled point and potency of his witticisms. Ever a devoted and consistent Christian, but at the same time ever ready to see the ludicrous phase of everything, and lead others to see, and, with his anecdotes, to convulse everything with merriment. Sometimes, thoughi seldom, this char- acteristic of the man would manifest itself in the pulpit, and when this was the case, the house was sure to be " brought down." Pardon one illustration, kind reader, and we will pledge ourselves to give but the one.
Mr. Barrett was a plain Western man, used to Western habits and customs. He was also blessed with a powerful physical constitution, and being a man of very active habits, his nature demanded, and he relished most heartily, good, plain, wholesome food. At one time, he was on a circuit, one of the preach- ing points being in a settlement of New England people, and most of the class were "Yankees." Of course, their manners differed widely from his, and especially in the matter of diet, they were totally unlike. In that carly day, " sweetmeats " were scarce, and those Eastern people had no idea of eating meat like the Western people. They lived nearly without meat, and the inev- itable " pumpkin-pie " was nearly the standard part of their food. Brother Barrett visited different houses, but it was everywhere the same-pumpkin-pie confronted him where'er he went. At last, almost starving, he hinted very broadly that he wanted meat, but all of no avail. Finally, one Sabbath morn- ing, when a large congregation had assembled, he decided to present his case in prayer. So, when they bowed for the opening prayer, after addressing the throne of grace for a time, he continued : "Oh, Lord, we thank Thee for this good land, for this productive soil, and for sunshine and shower. And we pray Thee, oh, Lord. if Thou canst bless under the Gospel, what Thon didst curse under the law, that Thou wilt bless the hogs. Oh, may they fatten and thrive ; and do Thou send abundant crops of corn, that they may be made fat, that Thy servants may have meat to eat, that they may grow strong to serve Thee and do Thy Will. Oh, Lord, we pray Thee to blight the pumpkin crop. Send blasting and mildew on every vine. for Thou knowest we cannot serve Thee ou the strength they give." He then went on and closed his prayer in the usual way.
HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY.
Suffice it to say that the brethren took the hint. and after that Brother Barrett had meat to eat. The foregoing anecdote is literally true. otherwise. a number of men of unimpeachable character for truth and veracity have stated falsely. Rev. Mr. Barrett lived and continued to preach till some time during 1878; during that year, while living in Jacksonville, he went to an appointment at Grigg's Chapel. in the Sangamon Bottom, in Cass County, and preached morn- ing and evening with his usual power and energy. Retired at night as well as usual, and was a corpse in a few hours. Thus passed away this eccentric, though faithful and successful minister of the Gospel. The M. E. Church could boast a great many faithful and devoted men among her early ministers. as well as among those of later years. This Church is still, with great energy and zeal. performing her part of the work in sending the Gospel to men in this county. She has here a large, d voted and wealthy membership, and a faith- ful and zealous ministry.
THE DISCIPLES.
This body of people, known as Disciples. Christians or Church of Christ, had its origin in Western Pennsylvania. It originated thus : In 1809. Thomas Campbell, aided by his son. Alexander Campbell, both of whom were Presby- terian ministers, becoming deeply impressed with what they regarded as the unfortunate divisions among professed Christian people, made an effort to bring about a union of all, not intending to start another "sect " or party. It was thought that taking the Bible alone, without any standard of interpreta- tion, would do this. Quite a number of people, mostly Presbyterians, went into this enterprise. Soon the question of the mode and subject of baptism was mooted among them, and this resulting in a rejection, by the majority, of infant baptism and affusion : the body becoming thus one of immersed believers. they were soon united with the Redstone Baptist Association. Not many years after this, views were developed at variance with the Baptist Church. and the " Disciples " were formed into a new sect. About three years before the beginning of the move by the Campbells in Pennsylvania, a Presbyterian min- ister in Kentucky had tried to bring about a union of all Christians on the basis of the Bible alone. This movement was introduced and led by one Barton W. Stone, who had been for years a Presbyterian minister. He had collected quite a little band together, and, after considerable time spent in controverting various points by the two leaders, a union of the two parties, forming when united quite a large body. The followers of Stone were called New Lights. while Campbell's party was denominated " Disciples." But. for sake of dis- tinction, some persons who belonged to neither called one party Stoneites and the other Campbellites : neither were these names given in reproach, but merely to distinguish them. For many years after the union of the two parties, the name " New Lights " was kept up, and thus applied to the " Disciples." Soon after the consolidation of the two, they began work in earnest, sending out mis- sionaries to various parts of the country. It is almost certain that the " New
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HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY.
Lights," as they were called here, sent preachers into this part of Illinois as early as any, unless it was the Methodists and Hard-Shell Baptists. As said before, Rev. Mr. House, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was the first preacher in the county, and it is probable that old Mr. Crow, the Regular Baptist, was the next. As early as 1820 or 1821, a New Light preacher of the name of Henderson came to Sugar Grove, and preached in the cabin of Roland Grant, but there is no evidence that he ever attempted to organize a society. Not very long after this, Barton W. Stone himself preached in Clary's Grove, which he did several times after. He was followed by Sidney Rigdon, then a New Light, but who afterward became a Mormon, becoming one of the twelve apostles of that Church, and visiting various parts of Europe as a inis- sionary. A congregation of " Disciples " was formed in Clary's Grove as early as 1827, and a few years after, they erected a " log meeting-house." This log church was occupied for several years. when a new frame edifice was erected. This last served them till after the village of Tallula was laid out and settled up. The Church, seeing that this village was destined to be the center of the com- munity, they disposed of their house in the grove, and, just at the close of the late war, they erected in the village the large and commodious house in which they now worship. The date of the organization of the "Disciples' " Church in Sugar Grove is not definitely known, but it was at a very early day, as all admit. This soon became a very strong and prosperous body, and was for many years the largest and most wealthy congregation in the county. It con- tinued ¿to hold this enviable reputation till about 1867, when misfortune seemed to overtake it, and, in a short time, it was nearly annihilated. This happened in this wise : One J. K. Spears, of Indiana, a man of more than average ability, was employed as Pastor. At first, his preaching was in con- formity with the doctrines of the Church ; but it was not long till he began to drop expressions occasionally that pointed to materialism very strongly. When interviewed on the subject, he boldly affirmed the doctrine of "soul-sleeping." denying, in toto, all spiritual existence, and, as a consequence, denying the immortality of man, except in the resurrected body. He also taught that the Bible clearly affirmed the second advent of Christ as being just at hand. Such was his influence and taet, that he carried off with him about one-half of the entire congregation, among them some of the most influential, intelligent and wealthy of the entire flock. They all seemed utterly demented ; they were re-baptized, and some of them were ready for months to start, at a day's warn- ing, to Jerusalem, to meet the Savior there. Others believed that he would make his appearance right in Menard County, and some actually made the remark that they expected to go fishing with Christ in Salt Creek. Mr. Spear would not preach for a stipulated salary, as he regarded it as very sinful to do so ; all he wanted was a simple support for himself and family; but he was exceedingly careful to have the support specified in every particular, so that it aggregated more than any salary paid in all this region. hence, he and his did
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HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY.
literally " fare sumptuously every day." In order to the quiet of the com- munity (for the excitement was at fever-heat for months), a public discussion was inaugurated, and Elder Linn, of Indiana, met Mr. Spear in open con tliet. The debate, perhaps. did not do much toward quieting the troubled waters : but, after the people had anxiously awaited the coming of Christ for several months, they began to grow incredulous ; the enthusiasm died out, and then the revennes almost entirely failed. This was hint enough for Mr. Spear, who, in a short time, like the " star of empire," took his way westward. In an incredibly short time, all mention of " soul-sleeping " ceased to be made. As far as we can now learn, all those who followed Mr. S. in his folly are now open and avowed infidels. We often wonder what the feelings and thoughts now are of those who were at one time so enthusiastic as to become teachers of the new faith, but are now blasphemously profane ! The old Church has never fully recovered from this blow, though it is gradually approximating its former strength.
The Church in Petersburg is of comparatively recent origin. In August, 1875, Elder D. R. Lneas came to this place. bringing with him a tent. capable of holding eight hundred or one thousand people. In this he condueted a pro- tracted meeting of about six weeks' continuance, which resulted in the addition of something near one hundred persons to the Church. Immediately after the close of this meeting. an effort was made to build a house of worship. These efforts were crowned with success, and before the next spring. a neat brick edifice, some 40x60 feet, and finished in beautiful style, was ready for use. Elder M. M. Goode was engaged as Pastor, who still serves his people to the entire satisfaction of all. Being an intelligent, eloquent and very sociable gen- tleman, he commands the respect and friendship of all classes.
Of the Church in Athens and Greenview, the reader is referred to the his- tory of those townships.
This Church has in Menard County five church edifices and as many pros- perous congregations. The ministers in the county are : Elder Breeden. Pas- tor at Tallula; W. W. Linn, near Tallula, not now actively engaged in the ministry ; M. M. Goode, Petersburg; D. T. Hughes, Greenview : Dr. Engle, Athens ; Elder Hughes, Sweetwater, and G. A. Davis. Petersburg, not now actively engaged.
The Disciples are an intelligent, liberal and enterprising people, keeping full pace with the age in all that advances and elevates the people.
THE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIANS.
About the close of the last century, the state of spiritual religion hnd reached a very low state, especially in Kentucky and Tennessee. The Presbyterians of that region had fallen into a cold formalism that was truly fearful. A promi- nent Elder of the Church. speaking of that period. says that he sat for twenty years under the ministry of an able Doctor of Divinity, and in all that time he never
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HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY.
heard him speak directly of the work of the Spirit in regeneration. While no body of people, as such, insist more strongly on the necessity of divine power in the salvation of the sinner, yet so many formalists had entered the Church that vital piety was almost extinct.
About this time, Rev. James McGready, who had been preaching seven years, was, by accident, awakened, sought religion and was powerfully con- verted. From this time, he turned his energies to arouse the Church. The result was a powerful revival of religion spreading over all that region. The Church was divided into a revival and anti-revival party. Some of the revival party could not accept the doctrines of the Westminster Confession touching fore- knowledge and decrees, believing that it taught fatality.
The Church was organized February 4, 1810, in Tennessee. Hence, it could not be expected to have spread very far as early as the first settling of this country, in 1819 and 1820, especially when we remember that it had its origin as far south as the southeast part of Tennessee, near the Kentucky line. It is, however, true, notwithstanding this fact, that ministers of this Church found their way into Illinois before the Church was fifteen years old.
The Church in Menard County .- The first preacher of this denomination who visited this part of the State was John McCutchen Berry. He was born in the " Old Dominion," March 22, 1788. His education was limited. When twenty-two years of age, he made a public profession of faith in Christ, and united with the C. P. Church. He was a soldier in the war of 1812, and par- ticipated in the battle of New Orleans. He was licensed to preach by the Logan Presbytery, in Tennessee, in 1819; and in 1822, was ordained by the same body. In 1820, he had removed to Indiana, but he returned to Tennes- see to attend Presbytery. A few years later, he removed to Sangamon County, Ill., settling in the limits of what is now Menard County, on Rock Creek. This section of country was then in the bounds of Illinois Presbytery, and so remained until the spring of 1829, when Sangamon Presbytery was organized. Mr. Berry had organized the Sugar Creek congregation, ten miles south of Springfield.
Revs. Gilbert Dodds. and Thomas Campbell had migrated from Kentucky some years before the year 1829; both being licensed preachers when they came ; were soon after ordained by the Presbytery of Illinois. Mr. Dodds set- tled on a farm some five miles south of Petersburg, where he resided until his death.
Synod-Old Cumberland Synod-ordered the organization of Sangamon Presbytery, and, agreeably to this order, the ministers and a few Elders met, at the house of William Drennan, on Sugar Creek, the 20th of April, 1829. and held its first meeting. The ministers were John M. Berry, Gilbert Dodds, Thomas Campbell, David Foster and John Porter, Mr. Berry, by order of Synod, acting as Moderator, and Gilbert Dodds as Clerk. Mr. Berry preached the opening sermon, from Matthew, xvi, 15. The Elders present were : Joseph
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IHISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY.
Dodds, representing Sugar Creek : John Hamilton, from Bethel. and Samuel Berry. from Concord and Lebanon. There were also present, John M. Cam- eron, William McCord and Neill Johnson, licentiates : Payton Mitchell and Archibald Johnson, candidates. Needham Roach. a licentiate from Nashville Presbytery was received under the care of this. This session of Presbytery also discontinued Payton Mitchell as a candidate under its care.
As Rev. John M. Berry was the first minister of this Church who preached in this county. it is due to history to give a brief description of him. As before stated, owing to his early surroundings, his education was limited: but his natural powers of mind were very far above the average. He was independent in his manner of thought. gentle and kind. but uncompromising in his opposi- tion to all that he thought to be wrong. He was charitable in his feelings to the views of others, but unyielding in his convictions until convinced by the force of argument. As a speaker. he was plain, solemn and unassuming, making no effort at display or show ; but, possessing a commanding presence and a voice at once full of power and a persuasive attractiveness. he was in every way qualified to exert a great power over an audience. Though usually full of force and logie, yet sometimes, when warmed with the inspiring power of his subject, he arose almost to sublimity, and at such times his solemn and earnest appeals were almost irresistible. His method of argument was of the clearest logical character, and when fully aroused by the importance of his subject, he seemed to carry everything before him. His character, and the estimate in which he was held, can be, to some degree, illustrated by relating an incident in the early history of this country. The reader is doubtless aware of the fact that the lamented Abraham Lincoln was engaged in the grocery trade at Old Salem, in this county, in an early day. A son of Mr. Berry was, for a time. a partner of Mr. Lincoln in the grocery, and it is probable that intoxicants were sold by them ; in fact, this is generally conceded to be true. Be this as it may, Mr. Berry's son contracted habits of dissipation in some way, and ultimately became an utter wreck, dying a most horrid death. This was a blow from which the father never fully recovered : but a deep, dark shadow seemed ever after to be cast over his mind. It appears that during the partnership in the store that the father strove hard to dissuade his son from a life of intemperance. but failed. His labors were not lost, however, for the counsel, though lost on the son, made a lasting impression on Mr. Lincoln. Years after the close of the partnership, when Lincoln had reached a position of eminence in the legal profession, a grog-shop in a certain community was having a bad influence upon some men who were married, and whose wives suffered by the evil. These injured wives, on a certain occasion, gathered together and made a raid on the vile den, demolished the barrels, broke up the decanters and demijohns, and played havoc with things generally. For this the ladies were prosecuted, and Mr. Lincoln volunteered his services for their defense. In the midst of a most powerful argument upon the evils of the use of, and the traffic in, intoxicating
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