The History of Jo Daviess County, Illinois, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion history of the Northwest, history of Illinois Constitution of the United States, Part 54

Author: Kett, H.F., & co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Chicago : H.F. Kett & co.
Number of Pages: 878

USA > Illinois > Jo Daviess County > The History of Jo Daviess County, Illinois, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion history of the Northwest, history of Illinois Constitution of the United States > Part 54

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In 1827 lay readings of the Episcopal Church were held by Mr. Gear at his house.

In the same year, religious meetings were held by Rivers Cormack, a settler who remained many years.

The first regularly appointed preaclier to Galena is a matter of some dispute. By reference to the sketches of the Methodist and Presbyterian societies, it will be seen that Revs. John Dew and Aratus Kent were appointed to this station at about the same time; that Mr. Kent arrived on the first of April, 1829, and Mr. Dew one week later. If, as Mr. Field claims, Mr. Dew made a preliminary trip to Galena in the Fall of 1828, he was doubtless here before Mr. Kent, but he was, at all events, not a regular preacher at this station until April, 1829.

At the present time, Galena has twelve churches, of which five are situated on Bench Street. Being of tasty. construction and located - on terraced bluffs, these edifices are shown to good advantage, and, as a visitor remarked, Galena might well be termed the "City of Churches."

The Methodist Church-In 1826, Peter Cartwright was Presiding Elder of Sangamon, and was also Superintendent of the Pottawattomie Mission, which is supposed to have included the whole Northwest Territory. No record, however, is made to indicate that a missionary of this district ever came to Galena. A sketch of the life of the first laborers in the field at Galena, is considered meet.

Rev. John Dew was born on the 19th day of July, 1789, in the State of Virginia. In early life lie embraced religion and attached himself to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he remained a constant member and laborer through life. He was received on trial, as preacher, in the Oliio conference and was stationed as follows: 1813, Salt River circuit; 1814, Jefferson circuit; 1816, Guyandotte circuit. He then located; and in 1824 was re-admitted into the traveling connection in the Missouri Conference and was appointed as follows: 1824-'5, Illinois circuit; 1826, Missouri district; 1827, St. Louis station; 1828, Conference Missionary; 1829, Galena mission.

From a letter written by A. D. Field, of Apple River, to the Galena Gazette, Dated Dec. 10, 1869, it appears that Mr. Dew made his first trip to Galena to examine the territory in the Fall of 1828, which is probable, as he was then " Conference Missionary."

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The following is an extract from the letter : "The Illinois Conference, which met at Madison, Indiana, in [the Fall of] 1828, appointed Rev. John Dew to Galena. Galena was to be the rallying point, but Mr. Dew's work included the whole lead mine region. The new preacher lived in Southern Illinois. He at once set out for Galena, and remained long enough in the Fall to explore the country and to preach several times. He preached at Gratiot's Grove among other places, and baptized a daughter of Mr. Clyma, who (Mr. Clyma) now resides at Apple River. It was the custom of many people, especially teamsters, to return south when Winter set in, and Mr. Dew returned with the tide, to his family to spend the Winter. In the Spring he returned, arriving at Galena one week later than Mr. Kent.

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" John Dew organized a Methodist Class at Galena during the Summer of 1829, consisting of six members. The names of this first Methodist Society north of Peoria, were Rivers Cormack, (a local preacher who was in Galena as early as 1827), Mr. Cormack's wife, George Davidson and wife, and a blind daughter, Sally, who came up in 1827, and one or two others. From. that day, for forty years, there has never ceased to be a Methodist Society in Galena."

These facts are important, simply because they record the first relig- ious history in the great Northwest. The first society organized in Chicago was in 1831. Mr. Kent first preached, as will be seen, in a house on Bench Street, which he purchased, fitted up for the purpose, and used for many years. The Methodists built a church during the Summer of 1833, which was dedicated by John Sinclair, in the Fall of 1833. This was the first regular church building in Northern Illinois. The second was a Methodist church, dedicated in Chicago in 1834. The carpenter, H. Whitehead, who built this church, was in 1870, a clerk in the Methodist Book room, Chicago.

The Galena station was created in the Illinois district, of which Peter Cartwright was Presiding Elder, in 1829, with John Dew, preacher, as stated. After that year Mr. Dew returned to other fields of labor. In 1837 he was made President of McKendree College. He died after a noble life of indefatigable labor for his Master, on the 5th of September, 1840.

In 1830, Benjamin C. Stephenson was appointed preacher of Galena Mission, in Sangamon district, at which time there were twelve members of the society.

In 1831 and 1832, Galena Mission had a membership of seventy-five, and was in charge of Smith L. Robinson.

The membership in 1833 was twenty-two, John T. Mitchell being preacher. Membership in 1834, fifty; preachers, Barton Randle and J. T. Mitchell, who also had charge of " De Buke " Mission. The two missions contained, in 1835, 130 members, and at that time was formed Galena Mission District, with Hooper Crews, Superintendent, wlio was also preacher of Galena Station. It embraced Galena, Iowa, Dubuque, Rock Island, and Buffalo Grove Stations. The membership of the district was 252, and of the station, 32.

In 1836 and 1837, Alfred Brunson was made Superintendent of Galena Mission and Missionary to the Indians on the Upper Mississippi. The station preacher during these two years was Wellington Wiehley, now Attorney-at-Law in Galena.

In 1837 the Methodist Church, a frame building situated on Bench, be- tween Washington and Green streets, on the site of the I. O. O. F. hall,

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was burned. A new church of brick was commenced immediately and com- pleted during the following year, on the same site. It is now used as the Odd Fellows' Hall. The membership of Galena Station -in 1837 was 28; Bartholomew Weed, P. E., Wni. W. Mitchell, preacher, both of whom con- tinued during 1838. Membership in 1838, 84. At this time Apple River Station is first mentioned in the reports, being probably the present " Eliz- abeth " charge. The preacher in 1839, was Washington Wilcox. In 1840, Galena district was made a portion of Rock River Conference, and had a membership of 1,692. In the same year the district was discontinued and Galena became a station of the Mount Morris District, Josiah W. Whipple preacher. The preacher in 1841 was Robert Y. McReynolds, membership being 80. The preacher in 1842 was Henry W. Reed; membership 99. 1843, Silas Bolles, preacher; membership 124. 1844, Francis T. Mitchell, preacher; membership, 330. 1845, F. A. Savage, preacher; membership, 250. 1846, Philo Judson, preacher, Rev. Henry Crews, presiding elder. 1847, November, R. A. Blanchard, preacher. 1848, October, and 1849, Z. Hall preacher. 1849-'51, Asahel E. Phelps; 1851-'2, Matthew Sorin; 1852-'4, Hooper Crews; 1854-'5, Charles M. Woodward; 1855-'7, Francis A. Reed; 1857-'9, E. M. Boring; 1859-'61, John H. Vincent; 1861-'3, Henry Whipple; 1863-'6, J. F. Yates; 1866-'8, N. H. Axtell; 1868-'71, S. A. W. Jewett; 1871-'3, C. E. Mandeville; 1873-'5, I. F. Yates. James Baume is the present pastor.

The first Sabbath School Superintendent was William A. Jordan, and the present officer, Wilbur F. Crummer. In 1852 the present parsonage was built at a cost of $1,800.

In 1855-'6, the old church was sold and the present commodious edifice was built at the corner of Washington and Bench Streets, at a cost of $23,000. It was dedicated January 18, 1857.

The Presbyterian Church .- An interesting sketch of the life and ministerial labors of Rev. Aratus Kent was written by Dr. Horatio New- hall, and printed in the Galena Gazette of November 23, 1869, which neces- sarily includes the history of the First Presbyterian Church of Galena, and from which the following liberal extracts have been taken:

Rev. Aratus Kent, son of John Kent, a merchant of Suffield, Connecticut, was born on the 15th of January, 1794, and belonged to the same branch of the family from which Chancellor Kent, of New York, came. He was fitted for college at Westfield Academy, Massachusetts, and at the age of nineteen entered the Sophomore elass at Yale College .He united with the church under President Dwight, August 15, 1815, and was graduated in 1816.

He spent the next four years in theologieal studies in the City of New York. He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of New York on the 20th day of April, 1820. From November 21, 1822, until April 11, 1823, he was a regular student of the Theologieal Seminary at Princeton. He was ordained January 26, 1825, at Loekport, New York.

After being licensed he spent one year, 1821, as a missionary in what was then the wilds of Ohio, one in Massachusetts and Connecticut, three in Lockport, New York, and one in Connectieut with his aged father.

In 1828 Capt. John Shaekford, of St. Louis, spent several months in the Village of Galena. Through his representations of the situation of the people, without elurches, without a clergyman of any denomination, the American Home Missionary Society deter- mined to send out a missionary to occupy the field. Just at this time Mr. Kent applied to to the society " for a place so hard that no one else would take it," and he was sent by way of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to this place, the metropolis of the lead mines.

The following document has come into my possession: "We, the subseribers, feeling desirous for the improvement, welfare and morals of society of Galena, and believ- ing the best step to the accomplishment of this important objeet is to have among us a clergyman of talents, education, and piety to promote an objeet so desirable, we agree to pay the several sums set against our respective names, to a committee to be appointed to receive

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and collect the same, and to pay it over to any clergyman who shall come and discharge the duties of his sacred order, for the space of one year, or to pay in proportion for a shorter period." This was signed by forty-four of the leading citizens, guaranteeing the sum of five hundred and thirty dollars. This subscription paper accompanied the application to the Home Missionary Society. As Mr. K. applied for a hard place, it might be inferred that Galcna was remarkable for its wickedness. The above document speaks well for her citi- zens. Although they were non-professors of religion, and without religious privileges, many of them had pious parents, were liberally educated. The writer, who was personally acquainted with the forty-four gentlemen above referred to, think it would puzzle any one to find in the present population an equal number of more enterprising, intelligent, high- minded men.

The appointment of Mr. Kent was dated March 21, 1829; he arrived at Galcna in April of the same year. Above St. Louis there was not another Protestant minister on the river; none in Northern Illinois. Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota were occupied by Indians. Mr. Kent at that time was thirty-five years of age, a strong, healthy man, except a weakness of the eyes. He immediately made himself known as a missionary. But where should he hold forth ? Where preach to the multitude who came into the village on the Sabbath to do business ? Mr. Kent was not a man to be discouraged. He knew the power of Him on whom he leaned. Although there was no church, no public hall of any descrip- tion, yet " where there is a will there is a way." Mr. William Watson was building a frame house on Bench Street, two lots south of the present Young Ladies' school-house. The house was inclosed, but no floor laid. A few enterprising young men laid some boards upon the sleepers at one end of the building, on which was placed a borrowed pine table, and after considerable search, a Bible and Watt's hymn-book were found. Notice was given in the Miners' Journal of the 9th of May that Mr. Kent would preach the next day, Sunday, 10th. The congregation was composed wholly of young people, there were no old ones here, occupying the sleepers for seats, very conveniently resting their feet upon the ground, there being no cellar under the house. The whole congregation sung the good old tunes of St. Martin's, Mear and Old Hundred. Here was prcached Mr. Kent's first sermon. *

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In November he purchased with his own money the house and lot next south of the present First Presbyterian Church. It contained two rooms, separated by a pine partition. The smallest was occupied as a study and hed-room, and the largest being supplied with long wooden benches, was used for a church and Sabbath School. Mr. Kent was unceasing in his labor in Galena and the vicinity, and in the Spring of 1830 had a Sabbath School* with ten teachers and from sixty to ninety scholars. He also commenced a day school, education being with him a matter next of importance to religion. He taught the school through the week and preached on Sundays, until October, when he was laid by with remit- tent fever, and the day school was turned over to Samuel Smith, a brother of Capt. Orrin Smith. Having performed a very large amount of labor in preaching and teaching, at the end of two and a half years, October 28, 1831, he organized the First Presbyterian Church of Galena, consisting of six members : Abraham Hathaway, Abraham Miller, Eliza Barnes, Ann Crow, Susan Gratiot, and Isabella Mckibben; two only, and those females, resided in the village, the others lived at various distances, from five to forty miles.

In 1832 was the Indian war, known as the Black Hawk War. The village was crowded with people from the country. Block houses and stockades were built for defense, and the place was under martial law. The church was occupied by soldiers, and Mr. Kent took this opportunity to visit the East, and on the 4th of September, 1832, was married to Miss Caroline Corning, a daughter of Daniel Corning, who was the son of Ezra C., of Hart- ford, Connecticut. He returned to Galena in November with his wife, and other assistance, and soon after recommenced his labors, with uncommon zeal, being very much aided by the efficient help he brought with him.

In January, 1833, he had collected a church of twenty members, and held a commu- nion for the second time in Galena. The room in which services were held had become too small to accommodate all who wished to attend, and in February the partition was removed, and the whole house thrown into a single room. Cx * * * *

Mr. Kent continued to labor as a missionary and stated supply of the First Presby- terian Church from 1829 until the 6th of April, 1841, when he received a call to become pastor of the church, with the promise of a salary of six hundred dollars per annum. The call was accepted, and he was installed April 28.

His labors as a pastor were constant. All knew him to be a man of God. In zcal and self-sacrifice he was rarcly, if ever, surpassed.

Did space permit we should gladly give the entire account of this great man's Herculean labors. He was active in the organization of three

Probably the first Sabbath School in Northern Illinois. The first onc in Chicago having been organized in 1833.

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colleges and two seminaries, now all in a prosperous condition. He labored without cessation until his death, on November 8, 1869. To him this great country owes a debt of gratitude. No man lias lived in the Northwest who has so left the impress of his life, and influenced so many minds. May not · the humble minister who has spent his energies in gathering disciples on the frontier, and training them and their children for usefulness on earth and glory in Heaven, be regarded as having accomplished as much for his country's weal as the Senator whose thrilling speeches have electrified the Nation ?

The present First Presbyterian Church building was erected in 1838. It is a large stone edifice, seating 350 persons. A tower was added in 1854. The location is Bench, between Hill and Franklin Streets.

In September, 1845, a portion of the society colonized, forming the Second Presbyterian Church, with Rev. George F. Magoun, now Presi- dent of Iowa College, at Grinnell, Iowa, as pastor. This church again con- solidated with the old one in November, 1860. In December, 1848, Mr. Kent closed his pastorate of the church, and was succeeded by Rev. S. G. Spees, who continued until November, 1855.

April, 1856, Rev. Arthur Swazey was elected pastor, which charge terminated in April, 1860.

No regular pastor was then called until 1863, although the pulpit was filled in 1861 by Rev. W. Bray, and in 1862-'3 by Rev. David Clark. In May, 1863, Rev. A. K. Strong was elected pastor.

August 18, 1866, Rev. John McLean was made pastor, who remained six years, and was followed, in 1872, by Rev. G. W. Mackie. He remained until July, 1874, when the First and South Presbyterian Churches met for a time together, the pastor being Rev. A. C. Smith, of the South Church. In July, 1877, the First Presbyterian Church returned to worship in its own house, and in December Rev. Lewis J. Adams was called as pastor, who still remains. The present membership is 123. The Sunday-school membership is 242, its superintendent being Joshua Brooks.

Episcopal Church .- The first lay service at the Episcopal Church was established in 1827, at which time the first Sabbath-school was also insti- tuted, at the residence of Captain H. H. Gear. The church was first organ- ized in October, 1834, in a frame building, formerly used as a stable, but repaired for a court house, on the site of the De Soto House. Services were here conducted by Rev. Henry Tullige,) rector, who received his support from Captain H. H. Gear.

In the Spring of 1835 the parish was organized under the name of Grace Church. The first vestry was composed of H. H. Gear, as Senior Warden, D. B. Morehouse and Joseph A. Dean. In 1836 the rectorship was succeeded in by Rev. E. Gear, who became known in the annals of the Northwest by the soubriquet of " Father Gear."

A chapel was erected in the Summer of 1838, on the northeast corner of the block, at the junction of Bench Street and Comstock's Alley, which was consecrated in August of that year, by the Rt. Rev. Jackson Kemper, who was the first missionary bishop of the church for the Northwest.

In the same year (1838), a pipe organ was purchased for the church, the first and only one that was in the city for many years. The Rev. James De Pui succeeded Father Gear in 1847, and was in turn succeeded by Rev. Alfred Sonderback, During the rectorship of this reverend gentlemen, the present Grace Church was erected, and consecrated by the Rt. Rev. Philan-

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der Chase, D.D., on the 28th day of April, 1850. The corner stone was laid April 5, 1848.

In 1849 Rev. John B. Calhoun became rector of the church, and was followed by Rev. Thos. N. Benedict; then Rev. Hugh Miller Thompson, in August, 1859, and from January 20, 1861, Rev. John H. Eagar held the rectorship until 1863, when Rev. Wm. H. Roberts succeeded him, who was followed by Rev. Samuel Edson, in 1865.

The present pastor, Rev. E. H. Downing became rector October 31, 1869, and has occupied the pulpit longer already than any previous clergyman.

The Free German Evangelical Protestant Church was organized in October, 1873, by Chas. Claussen, preacher, at the court house. A good number of persons ,became interested in the organization, who purchased the building which they now occupy and fitted it for church purposes. A school was opened in the basement, with Henry Zimmerman as teacher, who still holds forth. The entire cost of the building was $2,700.

Mr. Claussen was followed by Rev. Mr. Henrichs; then Rev. Julius Keoh- ler, who was replaced by the present pastor, Rev. Paul Lorenzsen. The present officers are Geo. Caille, President; Geo. C. Biesman, Vice Presi- dent; August Thode, J. Wiemer, Edward Claussen, Hans Ehmson, Wm. Siebert, Trustees; Theodore Schaefer, Secretary; Martin Geiger, Treasurer.

The present membership is 95.

St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized on Sep- tember 22, 1858, in the building on Hill Street, now used as a school and. pastor's residence, by Rev. John Klindworth, who lias been its pastor from that time to the present. Services were held in the building referred to, which was purchased by the society, until 1863, when the present church, 32 by 60 feet in size, on High, between Hill and Washington Streets, was erected at a cost of $3,500. In 1874 the roof of this church was blown off by a tornado, after which it was rebuilt, with an addition of twenty-five feet. This was done within seventy days, at a cost of $2,000.

Day-school has been kept, by Mr. Klindworth, in the lower story of his residence, from the time of organization. There are now one hundred pupils.

The first trustees of the church were: Ernest Sanders, Fred Henke, Charles Kraseman, and Fred. Peters. The present trustees are : Peter Lehnhardt, August Habick, John Kastner, Wm. Beckner, Charles Gamme- lin, and John Hartig.

The present membership is eighty families.

First German Presbyterian Church .- The organization of this church was effected in 1854, by Rev. A. Van Vliet, of Dubuque. Preliminary meet- ings were held in the South Presbyterian Church, which church donated the lot on which the German Presbyterian Church was built. The churchi was a frame building, on the corner Washington and West Streets, and was built in 1855, at a cost of about $2,000.

The first trustees were: John Armbruster, Rudolph Geselbracht, and Andrew Uhren.

The first pastor was Rev. Andrew Kolb, who was followed by Revs. John Bantley, F. C. Schwartz, John Schaible, John Leirer, J. A. Steinhardt, and Jacob Conzet, the present preacher.

Sunday-school was organized in connection with the church, by John Armbruster, as Superintendent. The present Superintendent is Andrew

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Uhren. Its membership is forty, while that of the church is sixty. The present church trustee is Jacob Nagle. There is a good parsonage, which was erected by the society about 1867.

The church is under the regular Presbyterian Board, differing only from others in that its services are held in the German language.

St. Mary's German Catholic Church was organized in 1851, under the name of " St. Joseph's Catholic Church," in the old Catholic Church. The first church was of frame, built in 1852, on the corner of Franklin and High Streets. The first to preach in the church was Father Heimerling, who re- mained until the present church was built.

In 1860, the old church was sold, moved away, and the present large brick church, 40 by 80 feet in size, was built on the same site, at a cost of about $8,000. In 1867, an addition of 32 by 65 feet was made on the rear end, at an equal cost.

From the time of the erection of this church, Father Herderer presided until the coming of Father Fisher, who was followed by the present priest, Father Bally. Under the guidance of the last named priest, many improve- ments and much general advancement have been made.

In 1865, the present brick German school-house, of two stories with basement, was built on the same lot with the church. There had been a two-story frame school-house built about two years after the first church.

The first priest's residence was situated where the school house now stands, when the first church was built. A brick house, near the church, was afterwards bought for the priest's use. In 1876, this house was torn away and the present, elegant, two-story brick residence of the priest, erected. At the same time the church tower was added. The entire value of this property is estimated at $50,000.

African Methodist Episcopal Church-This society was organized in 1843 by Rev. Byrd Parker, pastor. The first trustees were John Barton, Nelson Monroe and Preston Story. Their church was erected at the same time, 43 by 44 feet in size, situated in the rear of the High School building. The membership at that time was twelve. The following pastors have officiated in the years noted: Baker Brown, 1845; Henry Cole, 1846; James Curtis, 1847; George W. Johnson, 1848; Wm. Dove, 1850; Wm. Jackson, 1851-'2; Charles C. Doughty, 1853; Turner Roberts, 1854; Charles Epps, 1855; Frederick Meyers, 1856; John Nellson. 1857; Horace B. Smith, 1858; Levi Evans, 1859; James Lynch*, Charles Henderson, Henry Brown, John McSmith, and William Ward, George W. Benson, 1870; Wm. Valentine, 1874; George W. Peyton, 1875; Henry Willett, 1876; Thomas Cheek, 1877-'8.

The names to which no dates are attached, are of ministers who held occasional services in the church during the war of the Rebellion; during which time, 1860-'70, no regular pastor could be procured.

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The History of Jo Daviess County, Illinois, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion history of the Northwest, history of Illinois Constitution of the United States, Part 54

Author: Kett, H.F., & co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Chicago : H.F. Kett & co. Number of Pages: 878

Author: Kett, H.F., & co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Chicago : H.F. Kett & co.
Number of Pages: 878