The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 39

Author: Le Baron, Wm., Jr. & Co., Chicago, Pub
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : W. Le Baron, Jr.
Number of Pages: 1092

USA > Illinois > McLean County > The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men > Part 39

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The Third Presbyterian, generally called the North Church, was organized April 26, 1875. Their house of worship is on East Locust street, near Main, and is a very

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comfortable and tasteful building. The value of church property, including buildings and grounds, is nearly $10,000. The membership is between seventy and one hundred.

The Baptist is one of the pioneer churches, having been organized in 1837. About this time, their first church-building was erected upon two lots donated by James Allin, at the northeast corner of North and West streets ; afterward, moved to Madison between Front and Grove, where the church used it several years. In 1857, the large building at the corner of Madison and Jefferson, now occupied by the society, was commenced, and so far completed as to be used in part in the year 1858. The old church on South Madison was sold to the German Turners, who now use it as a hall. The present mem- bership of the Baptist Church is about 550, and during its existence, over 1,600 persons have been members. The pastors of this church have taken a leading place in the his- tory of Bloomington, and one of them, Rev. H. J. Eddy, was Chaplain of the Thirty- third Regiment Illinois Volunteers. The membership has always been among our best inhabitants, and their zeal and devotion to the cause of their Master have been remark- able. At one time this Church maintained two mission Sabbath schools, one of which, the West Mission, has now developed into a German Baptist Church, with a settled pastor. It is located at 1,302 West Locust street. Rev. Henry Wernicke is the Pastor ; it contains thirty-three members. The South Mission is on Boone street, between Hardin and Fremont, and is sustained by the Baptist Church. The present Pastor of the Baptist Church is Rev. O. B. Stone. This Church assisted in the organization of Mount Pisgah Baptist Church (colored), which was started in 1866. Its first Pastor was the Rev. Thomas Reasoner. Its place of worship is on South Lee street, where it pos- sesses a comfortable church, erected in 1869. Rev. Mr. Harrison is its present Pastor, and there are between ninety and one hundred members.

The Christian Church, comprising the followers of Alexander Campbell, with others of similar views, is also a pioneer, having been organized in 1839; and, like its prede- cessors, the Baptist and Presbyterian, was organized in the old Foster Seminary on East Olive street. Its first house of worship was built in the hard times of 1841, on East street, in the rear of Major's Block. William T. Major was its first Pastor. About the year 1856, the present Christian Church building, at the corner of West and Jefferson, was erected ; and, for a time, there were two vigorous Christian Churches existing in this city. Before the year 1864, the two churches were united; the old church was sold to the Lutherans ; removed by them to the corner of Olive and Madison ; and the united Christian Church has become one of the most powerful in the city. It is one of the leading churches of this denomination in the West. It is now under charge of Dr. A. I. Hobbs. Olive Mission, corner of South Grove and Vine streets, is in charge of this Church. Outside of the city there are two churches of this denomination. Grassy Ridge Christian Church, organized 1854, is near the south line of the township, under the charge of Rev. Mr. Berry, who also has the care of the church at Shirley. The Grassy Ridge Church has about seventy members. Blooming Grove Christian Church has a neat building, erected in 1873, at a cost of about $1,300. It is in the Cox and Oren- dorff neighborhood, the true historic center of Bloomington, at the east side of Blooming Grove. Its members number about one hundred.

The Free Congregational Church was organized August 14, 1859. Among its first members we find the names of Jesse W. Fell, K. H. Fell, C. Wakefield, E. Bar- ber, Robert Thompson, W. Perry, F. K. Phoenix, H. N. Pearse, Jesse Bishop, E.

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M. Prince, C. P. Merriman, John L. Routt, M. Pike, O. Barnard, Francis Barnard, William Rowley and others. These gentlemen were willing to unite in a declaration of views which committed the new society to the platform of Liberal Christianity. Though not strictly a Unitarian Church, it comes, perhaps, nearer to that denomination than any other. The church-building is owned by stockholders in rather a different manner from the method which is most common. Rev. Charles G. Ames, of Minne- apolis, Minn., was the first minister. He was a man of great force and power. He has been succeeded generally by able men. Probably about four hundred people attend this Church. The church-edifice was erected about the year 1866; it will seat nearlyfive hundred persons. Its present Pastor is the Rev. J. S. Thompson. St. Matthew's Episcopal Church was organized July 31, 1853. In 1857, a lot was purchased at the southeast corner of Prairie and Jefferson streets, and plans were adopted for a church, but the financial crisis of that year was the reason for abandoning the enterprise and the lot was sold. After worshiping in different halls, the parish purchased in 1865, the old Congregational Church, corner of West and Washington. In July, 1874, the Vestry purchased the lot at the northwest corner of Jefferson and Prairie streets, where, in the year 1876, the present fine structure was erected. The building will cost when completed, about $20,000. There are about one hundred and sixty communicants of the Church, and the congregation will number about four hun- dred. The church is large enough to seat about six hundred persons.

The German Lutheran (Trinity) Church is at the corner of Olive and Madison. About one hundred and twenty-five families-all of them among the most worthy and industrious of our citizens-attend upon the ministrations of the Pastor, Rev. E. Riedel. A day school has been connected with this Church much of the time since its organization in 1858.

The Swedish Lutheran Church is newly established, having erected its house of worship at 804 West Olive street, in the summer of 1877. Its Pastor is the Rev. P. J. Brodine. The regular membership is about eighty. The Church was organized December 8, 1872, with thirty-eight members. It joined the Augustan Synod in 1873.

The Roman Catholic Church was organized in 1855 by Father Bernard O'Hara It was called Holy Trinity-now the Church of the Immaculate Conception. At first it purchased and used the old M. E. Church, corner Olive and Main streets, but it very rapidly outgrew its accommodations.

In 1869, a new building was being erected at the site of the present cathedral, when a gust of wind, nearly equal to a tornado, leveled the structure to the earth. Its walls were up and the roof on, and the damage was over $20,000. Undaunted, the congregation persevered with the work on a much more expensive plan, and now have the satisfaction of worshiping in an elegant building, which, when finished, with its 208-feet-high spire and everything as designed by the architect, it will be one of the most beautiful ornaments of which Bloomington ean boast.

The new cathedral is a magnificent picce of architecture, in the Romanesque style. Its dimensions are 213 fect in length and 80 feet in width. The estimated cost, when fully completed, is about $150,000. It will be one of the finest cathedrals in all Illi- nois. For several years back, the society has occupied the basement auditorium as a temporary place of worship, but, within the past year, the outer walls have been com- pleted and the roof placed in position, thus inclosing the main audience-room. This is

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a spacious apartment, 213 feet in length, 80 feet in width, and 52 from the floor to the ceiling. It is provided with a large octagonal chancel and two large galleries. It will have ample seating accommodation for 2,500 persons. Father McDermott is in charge of the Church. The total number of members of this Church, with their families, is not far from six thousand.

The German Catholic Church was built about the year 1871. It is situated on North Water street, which is in the southwest part of the city. W. J. Revis is in charge. This is a growing Church. It is known as St. Mary's German Catholic Church.

BLOOMINGTON SABBATH SCHOOLS.

At the time Bloomington was first settled, Sabbath schools were a new thing all over the country. Like the temperance movement, it was not quite clear whether they were to be an educational improvement mainly, or to partake of a moral as well as of a religious character. The conservatism of the community naturally arrayed itself against Sabbath schools, as against everything that was new and novel, and the labors of the originators of these institutions were, at times, severe as well as unappreciated. We have requested a statement on this subject, which was kindly furnished by that veteran in the good cause, Mr. A. C. Washburne:

" April 8, 1832, I went to the schoolhouse (a log cabin) to attend Sabbath school, agreeable to an appointment made by Mr. Latta, a local preacher of the Methodist order. But few were present. A question arose as to the manner of conducting the school. Previous to this, for a short time, a gentleman of intelligence, but not a professor of religion, had met a few children on the Sabbath, and instructed them in reading and singing. Some desired a school of a more decided, religious character, while others pre- ferred the present arrangement. A meeting was appointed for Monday night to settle this question.

" April 9. Meeting was held, agreeable to notice, and, as a result, I was appointed Superintendent, and the entire management of the school placed in my hands.

" April 15. Commenced a Sabbath school upon strictly religious, but not secta- rian, principles. For some months I had no assistance, and the attendance of pupils was from twenty to thirty. At length, I obtained the assistance of two young ladies, Misses Durley and Kimler, who did efficient work in the school. To show the state of society at that time, permit me to say that the employment of these ladies in the school caused considerable low gossip in town, although they belonged to respectable families, and were of irreproachable character.

" I continued this school until the spring of 1833, when, about to visit the East, I left it in charge of Mr. McGeoh, a Presbyterian clergyman, who had recently located in Bloomington. I returned in the fall of the same year and found the school broken up, Mr. McGeoh having died in my absence. Very soon I made arrangements to revive the school, and have it meet at our residence, as the most convenient place for the win- ter. With the assistance of my wife, we had what was, to me, a very interesting school.

" When I returned from the East, I brought out a second-hand library, and the books were read with avidity. One bright-eyed little girl took a book, and, on return- ing it, was asked if she had read it through. She replied, ' O yes; I read it through a heap of times.'

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" In the spring of 1834, the Rev. L. Foster and wife located in Bloomington, and I gave the school into their hands. During the summers of 1834 and 1835, I was away most of the time. In the spring of 1836, I was again chosen Superintendent, and had charge of the school for two years. During this time, the first colored family having children of suitable age to attend school, settled in town. I invited them into the school, which caused quite a little excitement. I could get no one to teach them, therefore I did it myself, giving all the time to them I could spare from other duties. Prejudice against them was so high that some left the school, but I do not think it sus- taincd any great loss.

"In the spring of 1838, a Mr. Barbour was chosen Superintendent. In 1839, the Methodists organized a denominational school, which drew large numbers from the other, which had up to this time been called a union school, although managed mostly by Presbyterians. From this time forward, the old organization took on a denomi- national character, and, with slight interruptions, has been continued to the present time-1879-so that the Sabbath school of the old First Presbyterian Church may right- fully claim direct lineal descent from the first Sabbath school organized in Bloomington. Thus, from a very small beginning it has grown, I trust, to a healthful, yet ever increas- ing, institution for the promotion of religious knowledge.

" A. C. WASHBURNE."

From and after this time, or from 1839, all the churches began to establish their own Sabbath schools, and the history of each individual church may be assumed to include the history of its own Sabbath school without doing much violence to his- tory ; hence we shall not pursue the subject.

CEMETERIES.

We have stated elsewhere that the first cemetery laid out in the township of Bloon- ington, is the one in the Orendorff neighborhood, started in the year 1825. This is oldest cemetery in the county.

Shortly after the town, now city, of Bloomington, was established, a cemetery was opened on the north side of the ample grounds now known as the Bloomington Cem- etery. Here we find that the first burial was that of Mrs. Remington, about the year 1832. This tract is included within the same inclosure with the Bloomington Cem- etery, and contains some land owned by the city and used as a public burying-ground. As the town grew and it became evident it would be a place of considerable size, efforts were made in 1856 to establish a cemetery on a larger and more appropriate scale, and the result proves the good taste, wisdom and judgment of those interested.

The Bloomington Cemetery Association was organized April 1, 1857. David Brier, Esq., was elected President, and L. Graves, Secretary and Treasurer, which posi- tion the latter gentleman has ably filled and is filling to the entire satisfaction of all ; while the former gentleman held the presidency until he removed from the city, when Judge O. T. Reeves was elect to that position. The Cemetery grounds are located at the east end of Fremont street, and contain forty acres, and are sufficiently remote from the business center and every-day life as to render the place a fitting abode of the dead. The site chosen is a beautiful one. Its rolling ground is pleasing and is interspersed with a natural growth of trees and shrubs, making its landscape beauty unsurpassed for the purpose designed. It is a beautiful, secluded retreat, well adapted as a sacred spot

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for the reception of the dead, where monuments to their memory are preserved and cherished as a solace to the living. Many monuments and other valuable improvements are being made, which add beauty to and adorn the grounds, making it really a city of the dead.

The Catholic Cemetery is under the care of the Church. It is situated on West Washington street, near the city limits. This Cemetery, like the other, is fast filling up with tasteful monuments. which indicate a degree of civilization and culture greatly to be commended. .

The Jewish Cemetery was laid out in 1874. It contains one aere of gronnd, near city limits, on the Springfield road. The President of the Association is M. Heilbrun, who first proposed the idea of a cemetery.

FRANKLIN PARK.

Bloomington has reason to be proud of the beautiful square called Franklin Park, which is in the northern part of the city. It was donated in 1856, by David Davis, W. T. Flagg and William H. Allin, who were owners of the land included in the Dur- ley Addition. They presented it to the city to be perpetually used as a public park. At that time, there were no residences in its vicinity, and the idea of the public ever obtaining any benefit from a park in that desolate region was the theme of much ridi- cule on the part of the wits of the time. The rapid growth of the city in its northern portion has proved the wisdom and far-sightedness of the donors of Franklin Park. In the spring of 1858, the City Council appropriated money for planting trees, and the work was mostly superintended by Milo Chatfield, then Alderman. The trees were mere poles, and their wretched appearance again started the flood-gates of ridicule. These trees have now become a beautiful forest, and the place begins to be prized by our citizens, and will, no doubt, soon be improved with walks, drives, seats, iron fences, statues and fountains.

It can already boast of one of the noblest ornaments of McLean County, the Sol- diers' Monument, which was erected by vote of the people of the entire county. The vote was taken in 1866, and the monument was dedicated June 17, 1869. In some parts of the county. votes were east against the proposition, on the ground that it was supposed the monument was to be placed in the Bloomington Cemetery, but there never was any intention of such a location.

The monument was designed and built by J. S. Haldeman, of this city. The following is a detailed sketch of its size and general appearance : The lower base is built of Lemont limestone, thirteen feet in diameter; the marble base on the top of this is finished with a heavy carved molding, on which stand four octagonal disks, in the shape of a cross. On these disks are the names of about seven hundred soldiers that died in the service. On the top of these disks is an elaborately molded cap, with the inscription, " McLean County's Honored Sons; Fallen. But Not Forgotten," engraved in large letters. On this cap, and directly over each of the four disks, stands a statue of a soldier, representing first, Infantry, second, Cavalry, third, Zouave, fourth, Marine. These statues surround a large octagonal disk, with heavy relief covering. On the four corners there are flags, accoutrements, etc. Above this disk is a second disk surrounded with a finely-carved festoon of laurel. From this disk starts the main shaft, which is eighteen feet high, tapering gradually to the top, and surmounted with a

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cap and a life-size figure of a colonel resting on his sword, holding in his right hand a field-glass, and facing the south. The whole height of the monument is forty-nine feet from the ground to the top of the colonel's head. It cost $15,000.

RAILROADS.

We have already alluded to the fact, that Bloomington was a center of the pro- jected railroad system of the Internal Improvement scheme of 1836. The Illinois Cen- tral, as then proposed, might pass a good way to the east, or a long distance to the west of our city. but men like A. Gridley, Jesse W. Fell, David Davis, J. E. McClun, and others were watching the project, determined that the line should touch Bloomington, if they could have influence. Circumstances favored Gen Gridley, who was in the State Senate in 1851, and he secured the line where Bloomington most wished it to be located.

Our citizens began to feel, in 1850, when legislation and the progress of railroading made it probable the road might be built in a few years, that it was vitally important to obtain the line. The Senatorial contest in this district, in the fall of 1850, was hotly contested between A. Gridley and John W. Ewing-the former a Whig, and the latter a Democrat. Both men were in favor of Bloomington's becoming a point on the road, though the respective political parties affected to doubt the soundness of each other's candidates. Mr. Gridley was elected from the counties of McLean, Tazewell, Logan, Macon and De Witt, by 249 majority. During the session of the Legislature of 1850 and 1851, the Illinois Central charter was passed. The only points located in the charter are the termini, and a point not far from the southeast corner of Blooming- ton Township. After a severe contest with rival routes, Mr. Gridley secured the inser- tion of this one intermediate point, which gave Decatur, Clinton and Bloomington the road with little further trouble.

We copy from the Western Intelligencer a letter of great interest :

SENATE CHAMBER, February 6, 1851.

The Senate, this moment, by a vote of 23 to 2, has passed the Central Railroad bill. The only point made on the Central road, between the southern terminus of the canal and Cairo is, that the road shall be constructed within five miles of the northeast corner of Township 21 north, Range 2 east of the Third Principal Meridian. This provision secures the road to Bloomington, Clinton and Decatur beyond all question. and secures the construction of the great Central road through the three counties of McLean, DeWitt and Macon. The great difficulty has been in determining the points to which the road should be constructed; and inasmuch as there has been but one point fixed in the whole State (except the termini as fixed by the act of Congress ), I think the citizens of said counties are fortunate that by the provisions of this bill this great road is secured to them.

By reference to the map, as the road will not go east of the northeast corner of Town 21, Range 2 east, you will see that Bloomington is in a direct line from four miles west of said northeast corner to La Salle, or the termination of the canal, which secures the road to Bloom- ington.

The Legislature will adjourn on Monday, the 17th. I am also of opinion that the bill (which some days since passed the Senate) extending the charter of the Alton & Sangamon Rail- road Company to Bloomington, will pass the House and become a law; in which event I am assured by the agent of the Company, that the road will be constructed and completed in two years. I take this earliest opportunity to advise you, and through you to advise my fellow-cit- izens of MeLean and other counties of the Eleventh Senatorial District, of the progress of the Legislature upon the subject of railroads, well knowing their deep and abiding anxiety therein. Trusting that my feeble efforts in their behalf may meet their approbation, I am,

Very respectfully your obedient servant, A. GRIDLEY.

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When the engineers came to locate the line of the Illinois Central, a public meet- ing was held, offering the right of way to the company providing a certain line was adopted, it being almost the exact route which was afterward followed. There was a plan to take the road about three miles east of Bloomington, but it was defeated. The line was located as it was built and its building commenced in 1851. During the year 1852, work was going on along in this portion of the State, and, it being the first rail- road ever built here, it of course attracted a great deal of attention. At one time, there was a scheme for locating the railroad-shops here, but for the reason that the company itself did not own land enough at this point to reap a harvest from the sale of town lots, it preferred to build a town of its own at Wapella. The cars ran from La Salle to Bloomington May 23, 1853. It is stated by those who were living at the time, that no event has ever created such profound excitement as did the arrival of the first rail- road train from La Salle on the Illinois Central Railroad. Bloomington and the sur- rounding country turned out en masse, waiting at the depot for the new-fangled machine that dispensed with the aid of horses. There were large numbers present who had never seen an engine before, and to all, even those to whom it was no novelty, the event was one of the deepest significance. Bloomington, after nearly twenty years of watch- ing, working and waiting, had now a railroad, and was about to enter upon an active career. To the minds of all who were present on that occasion, it was the dawning of a new era of prosperity for our city, and the result of twenty-six years of railroad advantages is sufficient proof that the spectators of that event were correct in their anticipations.

About this time-1850 to 1853-several other railroad projects were before our people. One was the " Peoria, Bloomington & La Fayette " and another the " Bloom- ington & Wabash Valley." The former really became the Peoria & Logansport through El Paso and Chenoa, after Bloomington people had been rather tricked out of the line by the actions of Peoria. The names of the gentlemen who were mentioned in the act of incorporation of the " Bloomington & Wabash Valley " road are given below, and we insert as a remark of our own, that the most of these same men have been found aiding every road that Bloomington possesses to-day: David Davis, John Moore, Isaac Funk, John E. McClun, James Miller, Jesse W. Fell, A. Gridley, K. H. Fell, E. H. Didlake, J. H. Robinson, R. O. Warriner, A. Withers, John W. Ewing, W. F. Flagg, W. H. Temple, W. H. Holmes and W. T. Major.

These two roads mentioned, however, have substantially been secured by the Indianapolis and La Fayette routes, which have lately been built on nearly the same lines as were projected in these early times. These years-1850 to 1853-were fruit- ful in "projects " for railroads, and, in fact, fruitful in results. October 15, 1853, by a vote of 340 to 5, the city of Bloomington voted to take stock to the amount of $50,000 in the " Bloomington & Wabash " road, but for some reason the project failed at that time, to be revived again under another charter at a later date. Its line has since been occupied substantially, by the present Indianapolis & Bloomington road, whose later history is given below.

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The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 39

Author: Le Baron, Wm., Jr. & Co., Chicago, Pub Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Chicago : W. Le Baron, Jr. Number of Pages: 1092

Author: Le Baron, Wm., Jr. & Co., Chicago, Pub
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : W. Le Baron, Jr.
Number of Pages: 1092