USA > Illinois > Mason County > The History and Mason Counties, Illinois > Part 30
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298
HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY.
After the formation of Mason, it was found that, by a favorable stroke of for- tune, the county seat of Menard had been located very near its geographical center. For four years after the organization of the county, court was held in the store of Grinsley & Levering. In 1843, the court house was erected, at a cost of $6.640. The old and time-worn building, with the moss of more than a third of a century growing upon its walls, still adorns the town, and though an eye sore to many, is, perhaps, more preferable to the majority than being encumbered with an exorbitant debt. contracted to supply a gorgeous edifice. It is the old Kentucky tobacco-barn style of architecture. and on a par with the court houses built in this section of the State forty or fifty years ago. About the time the court house was built, a jail was erected, at a cost of $300. This served as a repository of the lawless until 1870. when a new jail was put up, of hrick and stone, which cost about $22,000. and is a far more gorgeous build- ing than the court house itself.
The coal interest of Petersburg has become an extensive business, and the mines now in successful operation in the immediate vicinity afford employment to a large number of men. The South Valley Shaft and the North Junction Shaft are among the most productive being worked. As the coal interest is more particularly mentioned in the county history, we will not dwell on it here. Suffice it to say, with the double advantage of coal in endless quantities and the water-power afforded by the Sangamon River, there is no reason why Petersburg should not become a manufacturing town. The facilities are almost unbounded. and all that is necessary is to encourage enterprising business men and capitalists to locate in the place.
The Petersburg Woolen Mills are but a sample of the facilities presented by this locality for manufacturing enterprises. As an institution of considerable importance, it is appropriate that a description of their origin and progress should appear in the history of Petersburg. The present proprietor. Hardin Bale, a son of Jacob Bale, one of the pioneers of Menard County, built a carding machine at Salem about 1836-37. After Salem became extinct. he moved the establishment to Petersburg. Here he started up his wool-carding machine by horse or mule power. As trade and business increased, he added machinery and improvements until 1852, when he purchased an engine, enlarged his building and introduced a spinning-jack of 168 spindles and four looms. With these improvements, he commenced the manufacture of woolen goods, and added a storeroom to accommodate his increased business. In 1865, the entire building, including others adjacent. were destroyed by fire. involving a loss of nearly $150,000. Nothing daunted. he made immediate preparations to resume business, and being the owner of a large brick pork house, he at once placed all necessary machinery in it, consisting of a jack of 240 spindles, cards, fulling-mill and five looms. After a short season of pros- perity, he was again, on the 22d of February. 1869, burned out, this time at a loss of about 845,000. Again he set to work to rebuild, and in a short time
299
HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY.
after the conflagration, had still another fine woolen-mill in operation. About the first of May, 1874, he leased it to C. P. Horner, who operated it for a time, when Mr. Bale again assumed control, and is now operating it successfully.
In company with his son, Mr. Bale commenced the manufacture of drain tile in 1878, and at this time is conducting an extensive business in this branch of industry. They manufacture drain tile of all the sizes in common use in this section of the country. When they first opened their factory, they used clay taken out of the hill near by, but now work the clay from the coal shaft. which makes, it is said, a better tile. Such enterprises as those given above, merely go to show the advantages possessed by this locality, and what a busy manufacturing little city this may become if it has a chance to develop its resources. Mr. Miller, in the general history of this work, speaks very intelli- gently upon this subject, and to his timely hints the attention of business men and friends of the town is directed.
SCHOOLS-PAST AND PRESENT.
After a thorough investigation, it is pretty definitely ascertained that the first school in Petersburg was taught by Charles B. Waldo, a brother-in-law of Jolın Bennett, Esq., mentioned as one of the early settlers and business men of the town. This school was taught in 1837, in a small log cabin which stood in the extreme south end of the village. In a year or two, a small frame building was erected, for school purposes, on the brow of the hill west of the village, and near the "Old Dr. Allen place." It is described as being "out in the brush " then, with a " little path leading to it." In this primitive temple of learning, the youth of the period laid the foundation of their educa- tion and-learned to shoot paper wads, until 1855. when the town purchased the building from the Masonic fraternity, which they had used as a hall, and turned it into a common or free school building,* flinging its doors open to all, rich and poor, alike.
About the year 1845 or 1846, the Masons started a school in the lower story of their hall, for the benefit of their children, and engaged W. A. Diekey as teacher. The school was not confined exclusively to their own children, but others were admitted upon a certain subscription. This was continued until bought by the town, as above noticed. After its purchase, an addition was built to it, making a large and comfortable building, which was used for educa- tional purposes until 1874, when the present elegant building was commenced and pushed forward with such energy as to be ready for occupancy by Febru- ary. 1875. It cost $10,000, and has six large, well-ventilated rooms, three on each floor, besides several private rooms, for library purposes, offices, etc. The names of all the teachers employed previous to the inauguration of the ,common school cannot be given.
*It seems a little strange, but is vouched for as true, that, although the common-school law was passed in 18-17, the first free school in this place was not taught until 1855. U'p to this date, the old subscription-schools were the only kind in Petersburg.
300
HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY.
The first free school was taught by Judge J. H. Pillsbury. in 1855 and 1856. The following is a list of Principals, in regular rotation, from Pillsbury down to the present time : Judge J. II. Pillsbury, 1855 and 1856; John Dor- sey, 1856 and 1857 : Edward Laning, 1857 and 1-58; J. II. Best, 1858 to 1860: A. Bixby, 1860 and 1861 : W. Taylor, 1861 and 1862: Edward Lan- ing. 1862 and 1863; M. P. Hartley, 1863 and 1864; W. Taylor, 1864 and 1865: C. E. MeDougall, 1865 and 1866; J. A. Pinkerton and J. HT. Pills- bury, 1866 and 1867: W. II. Berry, 1867 to 1869: C. HI. Crandall, 1869 and 1870; - Mayfield, 1870 and 1871; M. C. Connelly, 1871 to 1876; C. L. Hatfield, 1876 and 1577 : J. A. Johnson, 1877 and 1878: M. C. Con- nelly. 1878 and 1879.
It will be perceived from the above that Prof. Connelly has swayed the scepter over the schools of Petersburg six years, and has, we learn. been retained for the year just beginning. His assistants for the opening year are as follows : G. W. Shepherd, J. W. Whipp, Miss Grace Brown. Miss Clara Me Dougall, Miss Dora Lorentzen, Miss Mary Fisher and Miss Anna Morris. The school is graded, and includes in its course of instruction all the branches usually taught in the common schools of the country. Prof. Connelly's long administration as Principal shows him to be what he really is, " the right man in the right place."
In 1870, the public schools of the town having somewhat retrograded, or. as our informant expressed it, "run down." John 1. Brahm, Isaac White, II. W. Montgomery, David Frackelton, J. M. Robbins and B. F. Montgomery formed a joint-stock company, and erected a building on the hill, west of the public square, for the purpose of having a " good school." This building cost 83.750, and was styled the " Petersburg Seminary." As will be seen from the above facts, it was a private and individual enterprise, and the rate of admission to it was $36 per scholar, for a term of nine months. The first year of the new seminary. W. S. Bennett and Miss M. A. Campbell were employed as teachers ; the second year. D. M. Bone and Miss M. P. Rainey. We may remark here, parenthetically, as a matter of interest to our lady readers, that both Principals married their assistants. Whether this fact led to the position of assistant being much sought after by young lady teachers or not, we are not informed.
School was conducted two years longer, when the public schools, under the efficient management of Prof. Connelly, had attained to such a degree of pro- ficiency that the stockholders or Directors of the seminary wisely decided to close it. The building, accordingly, was sold, and is now used as a residence. Mrs. Rachel Frackelton bought the ground, and has since erected thereon one of the finest residences in the city of Petersburg.
CHURCH HISTORY.
Cotemporaneous almost with the erection of the pioneer's cabin. came the Methodist circuit-rider. Usually these itinerant preachers were the first in the
301
HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY.
field, and, traveling from settlement to settlement, they held meetings in the settlers' cabins, or, in pleasant weather, in the groves-" God's first temples." As soon, therefore, as half-a-dozen families had settled upon the site of the present city of Petersburg, the Rev. Mr. Springer, mentioned in connection with the Methodist Church of Athens, and who was a brother to Mrs. Isham Davidson, an early settler of the place, came on his circuit and commenced a meeting in Mr. Davidson's house in 1835. He continued to preach at David- son's residence until the erection of the little log schoolhouse, when it became . a temple of worship as well as of learning. This house was used, and after it the frame schoolhouse, until the crection of the Methodist Church in 1846, in which edifice they still worship at the present day. The first appointed circuit- rider by Conference was Rev. Michael Shunk, in 1837-38, so often referred to in the history of both Menard and Mason Counties as a pioneer preacher. Among the early members of this venerable church were Isham Davidson and wife, George Davidson and wife, Jacob West, Parthenia West, E. B. Spears, Ellen Spears, Elizabeth Harrison, Jolin Bagby, Caroline Bagby, M. B. Harri- son, Susan Smith, Ellen Young, Christina Alkire, Anna Engle, Frances Webb. W. P. Elam and Martha Elam. In 1846, Rev. James Newman, the Pastor, deeming the society of sufficient strength to erect a building, set to work and succeeded in arousing sufficient interest to erect the present edifice. It has been recently remodeled, improved and modernized, until it presents a very handsome and attractive appearance. Among the improvements are new paper, new pulpit, new chandeliers. a re-arrangement of the seats, and many other little items, adding beauty and comfort. All these changes have been wrought under the administration of Rev. W. O. Pect, now in his second year as Pastor. Among the Pastors who have administered to the spiritual welfare of this church are the following, who officiated in the order named : Revs. James Shaw, H. C. Wallace, T. C. Wolf (two years), S. Goldsmith, W. W. Roberts, N. R. Whitehead. S. Goldsmith (two years), W. N. Rutledge, George W. Reed and the present Pastor, Rev. W. O. Peet. The Church is in a flourishing condition, maintaining an interesting Sunday school and prayer- meeting.
We are indebted to Mrs. Hill for much of the history of the Presbyterian Church of Petersburg. She is one of its original members, and had thought- fully preserved a paper containing a sermon preached by Rev. Maurice Waller, in which is given a brief history of the Church. This paper she kindly placed at our disposal, and from it we extract the following item of interest :
" The first church of Springfield, which may well be regarded as the mother church of this immediate region, was organized by Rev. John M. Ellis, in January, 1828. The North Sangamon Church was organized in May. 1832, by the Rev. J. S. Bergen. The name of John Allen, one of the first Elders of this Church, appears as one of the members received upon examination into the North Sangamon Church at the time of its organization."
302
HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY.
The following is from the records of the Petersburg Church : In Decem- ber. 1839. a number of persons met in Petersburg. Menard County, agreeably to previous notice, and were organized into a church by Rev. Thomas Galt, known as the Petersburg Presbyterian Church, under the care of the Presby- terian Assembly of America. The following members were admitted by letter : James White. Sr .. John Allen and Parthenia Hill. from North Sangamon Church : S. L. Hallock, Second Church, Springfield : Richard Dey. from Presbyterian Church. Laurenceville, N. J. ; Catharine Conover, from Dutch Reformed Church of New Jersey, and upon examination, Eli W. Iloff, Will- iam L. Conover. Phobe Conover and Laurenah Conover, in all. ten members. For some time after organization, they worshiped in people's houses and in the schoolhouse. In 1842. a building was erected, and dedicated May 12, by Rev. John W. Little. Rev. Mr. Galt preached for them occasionally the first year, and again from 1842 he appears as occasional preacher until 1846-47. The first regular Pastor of this Church who resided in town, commenced his labors in 1847, and gave three-fourths of his time to it. He was succeeded. in 1857. by Rev. J. A. Pinkerton, who continued in charge for thirteen years. In 1871. Rev. John Mchan, of Pekin, took charge of the Church as temporary supply, and remained seven months, when Rev. George Wood, of Jacksonville. took charge, and continued until 1872. In February of this year, Rev. Maurice Waller assumed the pastorate, which position he held for six years. During his administration, the elegant church, which is an ornament to the town. was built. It was dedicated in the fall of 1874. by Rev. William Harsha, of Jacksonville. At present. the church is without a regular Pastor, but is attended occasionally, by the Rev. Mr. Nevins, of Jacksonville. A flourishing Sunday school is maintained and largely attended.
The first services of the Episcopal Church held in the county took place in the Methodist Church, of Petersburg. May 26. 1867, by Rev. I. S. Townsend. of Jacksonville. Mrs. Thomas L. Harris was almost the only representative of the Episcopal faith in the town, and it was through her influence that Rev. Mr. Townsend was induced to come here. In October of this year, she organ- ized a Sunday-school class at her own house, of eleven scholars, which increased to fifteen on the next Sunday. She continued to collect them together at her house every Sunday for two months, when the school was removed to Mrs. Thomas Bennett's, as being more convenient to the majority of attendants. It was held at Mrs. Bennett's until the following spring, when Mr -. Dr. Antle tendered the use of her residence, which was used for some time. Bishop Whitehouse made a visit to the place, and confirmed those who were desirous of uniting with the Church, the Lutheran Church being used on the occasion. It was also tendered for the use of the Sunday school, and regular services were held in it once a month by Rev. Mr. Townsend. Rev. James Cornell became Rector in 1871, and remained about a year, and was succeeded by Rev. William Gill. of Jacksonville. Through the untiring efforts of Mrs. Harris
303
HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY.
and a few other zealous workers, means were finally raised for the purpose of erecting a church, and in October, 1873, the corner-stone was laid on a lot presented by Mrs. Harris (in the northern part of town), by Bishop White- house, assisted by Rev. William Gill. It was completed and dedicated August 30, 1874, by Rev. Mr. Gill. who remained with them until December of that year, when he removed to Colorado. For some time, services were read by lay members. In 1876, Rev. W. W. Steele became Rector and continued until 1878, when he was called to Dixon, and again they were without a regular minister. Starting with one member (Mrs. Harris), it has now twenty-eight ; and the Sunday school, from eleven scholars, has increased to an attendance of from seventy-five to one hundred, who are instructed by some half-dozen or more competent teachers.
The German Lutheran Church was organized in Petersburg in the spring of 1861. Among the original members were Harmon Scherding, John Scherd- ing. Henry Messmann. Henry Fischer, J. P. Bela, J. H. Stagemann, Jerry HI. Stagemann. Jerry Bonties and others. They bought a house used by Diedrich Fischer as a carpenter-shop. which they fitted up as a temple of wor- ship, where they met for some time and held services without a preacher. They finally secured, as Pastor, Rev. Paul Lorentzen, and purchased a parsonage adja- cent to the church, at a total cost, for both edifices, of about $1,750. In 1863. Rev. Mr. Lorentzen was succeeded by Rev. Peter Dahl, he by Rev. Mr. Schmidt, and he by Rev. William H. Schmidt, who remained the Pastor until his death, in 1872. Rev. Mr. Dubiel was their next preacher. He was suc- ceeded by Rev. John Karminsky, he by Rev. Mr. Deichmann, he by Rev. Charles Behrends, and he by Rev. Mr. Conrad, the present minister. Services are held in the German language, and the congregation numbers about thirty members.
In the latter part of the year 1862, a society of the Roman Catholic faith was organized. The first services of this denomination were held in the pri- vate residences of Cornelius Rourke, Adam Johns and John Lucas. As the meetings increased in importance, they were held in the schoolhouse and Court House. until their numbers increased to such an extent as to render it neces- sary to build a church, which was completed, at a cost of $5,000, and services held in the new edifice in the fall of 1866. The dedicatory services were held by Rev. Father Mettinger, and at the time of the completion of the church the Society comprised about fifty members. The following are the Priests in charge of the Society since its organization : * Fathers Quigley, Zebell, Jarn- sen. Fitzgibbons, Costa, Clifford (the latter at the laying of the corner-stone). Mettinger (at dedication). Jaques, Cleuse, Wegman, Sauer and Ahne. Father Ahne has for some time been in bad health and has been forced to resign his charge in consequence, hence the Church is without a Pastor at present. The Church now numbers 1,500 members. (This includes all members of families
* The first seven named, as Missionaries, the remaining five as regular Pastors or Rectors.
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HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY.
who have been baptized or christened from parents down to infants.) There is but the one Catholic Church in Menard County, and much praise is due to the zeal and energy of Messrs. Rourke. Lathinger and others, for this prosperous organization and its elegant temple of worship. A parsonage has been created adjacent to the church. also a schoolhouse, together with stables and other necessary buildings, increasing the value of the church property to about 88,500. During the pastorate of Father Saner, the school building was erected. in which a " mission school," as it is termed. is carried on under the present charge (or for the year just closed) of Sisters Augustine and Teresa. It is attended by from sixty to eighty pupils.
The first years of the Christian Church at Petersburg were rather check- ered. Forty years or more ago. a society was formed under the charge. or through the exertion, of Aaron B. White, which continued for some years. receiving spiritual consolation now and then from passing ministers. About 1842. several preachers congregated and held an " open-air meeting." one block southwest of the public square, which resulted in a great " shaking of the dry bones of the valley." and a large addition was made to the number of believers. From this time until 1850, religions services were held by the society in the Court House, which seems to have, at certain periods, served as a temple of worship for all the religious bodies represented in Petersburg. About this period ( 1850). many of the carly members having died and moved away. the society became considerably reduced and meetings finally ceased altogether, except as an occasional minister passed through and preached a sermon. In 1862, it was again organized under the influence of William White, and, with varying success and fortune, existed until 1875, when it was re-organized by Elder D. R. Lucas, and, July 80, a " tent meeting " was commenced, which lasted until the 12th of September. This increased the membership to nearly two hundred. Having no church edifice. a hall was used as a place of worship, but being over a livery stable, as a dernier resort, they moved to the Court House. At the close of the revival mentioned above, an effort was made to build a church, which resulted in the erection of the substantial brick building standing in the northwest part of the town, and which was opened for services on the first Sunday in March. 1876, Elder D. R. Lucas preaching the dedica- tory sermon. Elder M. M. Goode was secured as Pastor of the Church in February, 1876, and is still laboring in that capmeity. The Church is in a very prosperous condition, with a membership of about two hundred and seventy five, and a Sunday School correspondingly flourishing.
Of the Baptist Church, we were unable to obtain any information beyond the following, from a history of it already published : " The Baptist Church was organized in 1954, with fourteen members, the Presbytery being Ress. V. J. Coffey and H. P. Curry. In 1856. it built n comfortable brick church Box60 fort, at a cost of $4,000. The list of Pastors who have filled the pulpit from time to time, of this church are N. J. Coffey. H. P. Curry. M. P. Hartly.
HISTORY OF MENARD COUNTY.
T. Clarke, A. Blount, P. G. Clarke, J. M. Winn, - Clarke and A. Scott. The Church, by death and removals, was so weakened that, for several years, it was without a regular Pastor. Rev. H. P. Curry, who assisted in the first organization of the Church, and who has ever been a pillar of strength in the society, for whose advancement in Central Illinois he has labored with great carnestness and zeal for many years, is at present the Pastor. The society at Petersburg now numbers about eighty members, thirty of whom were added during the past year." The above was written about 1874, and we learn that, at the present time, the Church is again without a Pastor.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized, in 1870, by Rev. James White, with some seven or eight members. He preached to them occa- sionally, occupying the Court House, for one year. The society them became dormant, and so remained until 1874, when it was re-organized by Rev. R. D. Miller, with nine members, viz. : Dr. 11. A. Harris, C. L. Hatfield, W. R. Edgar, C. H. Thomas, D. M. Bone, T. E. Clarke, Miss Anna Shepherd, Miss Elizabeth Barclay and Mrs. Lucy Thomas. The Session was Harris, Hatfield and Clarke. Ever since re-organization, services have been held in the Court House, and Rey. Mr. Miller is still Pastor. The society numbers, at present, between forty and fifty members. The Session is comprised of D. M. Bone, C. L. Hatfield and B. P. Blood : Deacons, C. H. Thomas and Robert Carver. A new church edifice was begun the present summer, and, at this writing. is nearing completion, which will cost not far from $5,000, and will be one of the handsomest churches in the town. To Mrs. Dr. Antle, we are told, more than to any other one person, is the society indebted for the erection of this edifice. The church is known as " Barclay Chapel," and was named in honor of Rev. John Barclay, one of the most promising young ministers of this church in his day, in Central Illinois. He died in this county about twenty-five years ago. and was a brother to the Miss Barclay mentioned in the organization of the society. A flourishing Sunday school is maintained, under the superintendence of C. L. Hatfield.
Freemasonry and Odd Fellowship, those benevolent institutions that exert 80 wide an influence for good, usually follow close in the wake of the Christian Church. We know that the canses which actuate them are beneficent and good, because the results achieved are so grand and glorious. Freemasonry was introduced in Petersburg nearly forty years ago. Clinton Lodge was organized under dispensation, in October, 1842. In due time, it was chartered as Chin- ton Lodge, No. 19, A., F. & A. M. The first officers were : John Bennett, Worshipful Master ; Martin S. Morris, Senior Warden ; John McNcal. Junior Warden; Jacob West, Treasurer ; John Broadwell, Secretary : David McMur- phy, Senior Deacon ; and W. B. Kirk, Junior Deacon. The present member- ship is 115, and the officers are as follows : John Bennett, Worshipful Master ; Homer Stewart, Senior Warden; R. S. Stevens, Junior Warden : HI. W. Montgomery, Treasurer : J. G. Strodtmann, Secretary ; J. R. Carver, Senior
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