USA > Illinois > Stephenson County > The History of Stephenson County, Illinois : containing biographical sketches war record statistics portraits of early settlers history of the Northwest, history of Illinois, &c. > Part 54
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
twelve started, and eight horses made a record. It required ten heats to decide the contest, which was finally awarded to Monarch Rule, with Sophie Temple second, Billy O'Neil third, and Ed Wilder fourth. The time made was 2:31, 2 :293, 2:32, 2:29, 2:36, 2:34, 2:31} and 2:33}, with one dead heat.
In 1877-78, the State Fair was held on these grounds, and in 1878 the last race meeting was held, the patronage not being sufficiently generous, it is claimed, to justify the expense incurred at the meetings. The property is val- ued at $75,000, and owned solely by Mr. Taylor.
RELIGIOUS.
The First Presbyterian Church of Freeport is claimed as not only the first church fully organized and officered for labor in the city, but also in Stephen- son County. The Methodist brethren, it was admitted, had formed a class, but nothing like a distinct church was established until 1842, when the First Pres- byterian was formed and started out on its mission of love. A meeting was held on the 24th of November of that year, at which the Rev. Calvin Water- bury presided as Moderator, Samuel Spencer officiating as Clerk, and a resolu- tion adopted setting forth the confession of faith in the form and government of the Presbyterian Church of the United States of those present, which included Philip Reitzell, Mrs. Mary Reitzell, Orestes H. Wright, Mrs. Emmaretta Hen- derson, Mr. and Mrs. A. W. Lucas, Mrs. Elizabeth Lucas, Mrs. Sarah Young, Ashael W. Rice, Mrs. Nancy Rice, Orrin B. Munn, Mrs. Jane L. Wright, Samuel Spencer and Mrs. Elizabeth Spencer. The Rev. Calvin Waterbury was installed as minister, at an annual salary of $400, and with a congregation of fourteen members, rich in faith and confessions. During his ministry, worship was held in the court house, but the growing wants of the church demanded a regular place of meeting, and two lots were secured at the southeast corner of Walnut and Stephenson streets-one donated by Kirkpatrick & Baker, and the other purchased for $40. A subscription for a church edifice of brick and stone, 40x65, to cost $460, was undertaken and secured. The stone for the foundation and basement was quarried across the river and drawn to the spot by an ox team driven by L. L. Munn, the wood timbers were procured in the neighborhood, and work commenced ; but, notwithstanding the labor and self-denial exercised, work was suspended long before the edifice was completed, leaving a debt of $200 unprovided for. The minister resigned, and fifteen members of the congregation retired. This was the darkest hour of the church's history, which, however, survived the impending calamities, and grew strong amid the adversities with which it seemed to be surrounded. The Rev. J. C. Downer was called to take charge, the church was completed during the year 1851, and accessions were annually made to the number of members.
The old church was thereafter occupied continuously, and a gratifying suc- cess attended the labors of the congregation. In 1866, it was decided to erect a new church on the opposite corner of Walnut and Stephenson streets, and on September 7 of that year the corner-stone was laid with appropriate ceremonies. This edifice, which is of stone, contains, beside the main audience-room, a beau- tiful Sunday-school room, parlor, kitchen and library rooms, is an ornament to the city and a credit to the sect. It was completed and dedicated October 31, 1867, Prof. F. W. Fiske, of Chicago, preaching the sermon, the Rev. J. W. Cunningham offering the dedicatory prayer. In the evening of the same day, the Rev. Isaac E. Carey was installed as Pastor, the sermon being preached by the Rev. C. A. Williams, of Rockford, the charge to the Pastor being given by the Rev. A. Kent, of Galena, and that to the people by the Rev. C. Marsh, of
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
Mount Carroll. The church cost complete $50,000, and on the day when dedi- cated $17,000 was raised by subscription to cover the debt incurred in its building.
The church has enjoyed several seasons of revival. The first, a powerful work of God in the winter of 1850-51, added greatly to its numerical and spiritual strength, bringing into its fold some who have been among its most efficient and valuable members, and some who have gone forth from it to shine as lights of the world. The second occurred in the spring of 1857, and was confined mainly to the Sunday school, resulting in the conversion of ten or twelve of the older pupils, all of whom have continued " steadfast and immov- able," and one of whom has since been prepared for the ministry. The third occurred at the beginning of 1864, at which thirty were added to the church ; the fourth in 1867, and others at stated periods since. There have been con- nected with the church from the beginning between 500 and 1,000 persons, many of whom have been received on examination.
The first Sunday school in connection with the church was organized in 1844, with John Rice as Superintendent and teacher, and consisted of eleven pupils. It is now large and prosperous.
The following ministers have officiated since the church was organized : The Revs. C. Waterbury, J. C. Downer, Isaac E. Carey, B. Van Zandt, and H. D. Jenkins, the present incumbent.
The church property is valued at $50,000.
Second Presbyterian .- About the year 1847, a petition to the Presbytery of Rock River, Old School, was prepared in Stephenson County, praying for the organization of a Second Presbyterian Church and signed by fifty-three persons. A public meeting, largely attended, was held in the old court house, and a commissioner appointed to carry the petition to the Presbytery, which met in September of that year, at Princeton.
This Presbytery at that time embraced the whole of Northern Illinois, and had a membership of 304. They received the commissioner and appointed the Revs. Ithamer Pillsbury, Samuel Cleland, and Elder C. A. Spring as a committee to visit Freeport and organize the church. They reached Freeport October 30, 1847, where they found fifteen members who had withdrawn from the First Church and twelve others who held certificates from Eastern churches, ready to enter into a new organization. These were formally constituted as the Second Presbyterian Church of Freeport, by the election, ordina- tion and installation of three Elders, viz., A. H. Kerr, Samuel Dickey and James W. Barber, and the following members: Mrs. Samuel Dickev, Mrs. James W. Barber, James T. Smith and wife, Joseph F. Mckibben and wife, John Van Dyke and wife, Robert Badger and wife, William Lamb and wife, Samuel Lamb and wife, Samuel Milliken and wife, Mrs. Jane Mckibben, Mrs. Jane D. Lamb, Misses Phobe and Martha Dickey, James Brown and wife, and William Johnson.
From the date of the organization no services were had until the spring of 1848, and then only for a few Sabbaths, during which eight persons were received into the communion of the church. In July of the same year, the Rev. John Ustick accepted a call and preached as stated supply for twenty- two months. On January 5, 1850, the interests of the congregation impera- tively demanded the erection of a house of worship, and David Nesbit, John Barfoot, with James W. Barber, were appointed a building committee. Late in the fall of that year, the present church, corner of Exchange and Pleasant streets, was commenced, and during the following summer completed. The
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
lecture-room was first used for worship the first Sabbath in September, 1851, the audience room not being formally occupied and dedicated until 1854. The entire cost of the building, which is of brick, neatly furnished and supplied with an organ, was about $6,000, which, with the exception of $900 received from abroad, was subscribed by the congregation.
This church will have been organized thirty-three years on the 30th of October, 1880, during which time ten ministers have occupied the pulpit, and upward of seven hundred members have been included on the roster. It has enjoyed, during its existence, five revival seasons, and several churches have been organized in the surrounding country, being in a great measure the result and outgrowth of the labors, and largely supplied with members, from the Second Church.
A Sabbath school was organized in 1850, and has always kept pace with the church in progress and growth, a right hand to her in the work of saving souls.
The influence of the church upon the community at large has always been of a pronounced religious character, and of a high order. Both ministers and people have ever maintained a high standard of reverence for the purity and sanc- tity of the Sabbath, for worship, morals, temperance, law, justice and order. The blessings of God have descended on pulpit and pew, sustaining each others, hands, encouraging each other's hearts, and pointing the way to the heavenly Jerusalem, where abide peace and joy.
The following is the roster of ministers who have filled the pulpit since the church was established : The Revs. John Ustick, James Carroll, A. H. Lackey, P. B. Marr, D. M. Barber, Robert Proctor, W. J. Johnstone, B. Roberts, George Elliott, and John Giffen, at present in the service.
Third Presbyterian Church-Is composed of Germans, and was organized in 1867, with a congregation of fifteen members, under the charge of the Rev. John Vanderlass. The old court house, which had served so many religious bodies- before the several denominations had secured edifices of their own, pro- tected the German Presbyterians for one year, during which the number attending gradually increased.
In 1868, the present church edifice, at the corner of Exchange and Pros- pect streets, was completed and taken possession of. It is of frame, 56x34, with a seating capacity of 250, and cost, with the parsonage adjoining, a total of $4,500.
The Rev. Mr. Vanderlass remained in charge for a period of three years, when he was succeeded by the Rev. E. A. Elfeld, who remained until September, 1879, when he retired. From that date until July 1, 1880, the church was without a Pastor, but, on that date, the Rev. C. Buettle accepted charge, and still remains the incumbent.
The congregation numbers sixty-two worshipers, and the church property is valued at $5,000.
First Methodist Church .- The first Methodist minister who ever preached in Stephenson County was the Rev. James McKean, who came here as a trav- eling minister in 1834, when he was riding a circuit of 500 miles. Gathering the representatives of two families residing in the western part of the county, he held services and delivered an address, the only one delivered that year.
In 1836, the Rev. Thomas W. Pope was sent to Stephenson County as a missionary, but held no services. The following year, Mr. Mckean returned, and remained two years. During his stay classes were organized at Waddams Grove, Lena, Silver Creek and Freeport. He was a man possessed of much
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FREEPORT.
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
energy and perseverance, and the results of his labors are visible to-day. He was succeeded by the Rev. Samuel Pillsbury, who came in 1839, and, with the assistance of E. P. Wood and Rollin Brown, traveled an extended circuit. During 1841, the interests of the Methodist denomination were cared for by the Revs. Richard A. Blanchard and Alfred M. Early, who were sent hither for that purpose. Their work extended from Rockton to Apple River, and from Savannah to beyond the Wisconsin line. The next year, Mr. McKean returned once more, remaining until 1843, when the Rev. C. G. Worthington, assisted by W. B. Cooley, was assigned to the charge, and remained until the Revs. S. Whip- ple and Bishop succeeded. These latter continued two years, and from that time until 1850 the Revs. Robert Beatty, John Sharp and C. W. Batchelder pre- sided.
The circuit traveled by these pioneer laborers in the vineyard varied some- what from year to year, but included the county of Stephenson, with portions of Carroll and Jo Daviess.
The present generation can never realize the privations to which the min- isters of those days were subjected, traveling day and night to meet their engagements and enduring hardships no pen can describe. But these trials, with others, rather increased their zeal in the cause wherein they labored. There were no stately edifices with wealthy and fashionable congregations in the days hereof spoken ; the worshipers assembled in private houses, or in sparsely-furnished schoolrooms, and listened to the Gospel as it was there and then proclaimed. Though they worshiped under unfavorable auspices, their zeal and fervor were such as would put to shame the lethargy visible among Christians of to-day.
In 1850, Freeport was organized into a separate charge, with a total membership of seven, under the pastorate of the Rev. John F. Devore. Nothing had been done up to this time toward building a house of worship. Services were held in the little red schoolhouse not far from the court house, at private houses and at rare intervals in the court house. Mr. Devore was an enthusiastic worker, and soon after his settlement in Freeport, inaugurated a series of revival meetings, which were attended with an abundant success, and impressed the necessity of building a church. Accordingly, the lot now occu- pied by the church was purchased and preparations at once made for the erec- tion of a permanent house of worship. This was built by subscription, the members in Freeport contributing to their utmost, and farmers throughout the county, irrespective of denomination, donating both money and materials. Mr. Devore, so earnest was that gentleman in his desire for the completion of the work, assisted in hauling the materials, borrowing from a farmer an ox team and wagon for the purpose. In the summer of 1851, the church was inclosed and the basement completed, the absence of pews being supplied by the contri- butions of individuals. The cost of the structure thus far had been about $2,000, all being paid in labor and materials, save $500 in money. The dedi- catory sermon was preached by Presiding Elder Richard Haney, it is said, though others maintain that the Rev. D. W. Pinckney officiated.
The labors of Mr. Devore were concluded in 1852, when the Rev. C. C. Best was assigned to succeed him. During his stay, worship was had in the basement of the church, the completion of the edifice being postponed until 1853, when the Rev. H. Whipple became the incumbent. In that year, labors on the edifice were resumed, and its dedication celebrated in 1855, the Rev. Silas Boales preaching the sermon in place of Dr. Hinman, who had accepted an invitation for that purpose, but died before the day appointed for the services
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
to be held. Mr. Whipple was followed by the Revs. C. M. Woodruff in 1855 ; Miles L. Reed in 1856 ; Thomas North in 1857; J. C. Stoughton, David Teed, W. F. Stewart and J. L. Olmstead, during whose several administrations the cause flourished and revival meetings and other efforts secured large addi- tions to the congregation.
In 1863, Joseph Wardell was sent to Freeport as a missionary, where his labors were attended with marked success. These labors were suspended during 1864, but in 1865 Robert Mccutcheon renewed the missionary work and organized the Embury Church, taking with him a membership of sixty from the First Methodist. A church was subsequently built by the new charge, costing $24,000, of which $13,700 were subscribed on the day of dedi- cation, upon which occasion the Rev. R. M. Hatfield preached.
In 1864, the Rev. W. C. Willing began his three years labors in Freeport. During the first winter of his pastorate, the congregation was measurably increased through an extended revival, and it became necessary to enlarge the church. This was completed in 1865, at a cost of $13,000, and its re-dedi- cation celebrated during the fall of the same year ; while these repairs were in progress, the congregation worshiped in Plymouth Hall.
In 1867, the Rev. F. P. Cleveland accepted charge, and during his admin- istration the present parsonage was purchased for $3,500. In 1870, $800 were expended in repairing and re-frescoing the church, and the Rev. W. A. Smith occupied the pulpit, remaining until 1873, when the Rev. Mr. Cleveland returned, who continued in his labors three years, followed by the Revs. S. A. W. Jewett and C. E. Mandeville, the latter being at present in charge.
At present the congregation numbers 250, and the property of the church is valued at $15,000.
Embury Methodist Church-Named for the first Methodist minister in America, is located on Exchange street, south of Williams; was organized in the fall of 1864, by members of the sect residing in the southern part of the city, who had previously acknowledged allegiance to the First Church. These consisted of the Rev. F. C. Winslow, the Rev. Mr. Mccutcheon and wife, Hollis Jewell and wife, John Barnes and wife, Joseph Carey and wife, the Rev. Joseph Best and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Abraham German, William Sells, Mrs. Secrist, Mrs. J. H. Staver, Mrs. Naylor, Cornelius Furst and George Swentzell.
Ten of the congregation subscribed $1,000 each for the purchase of a lot and building the church, and, on Thursday, June 30, 1866, the corner-stone of the present edifice was laid, at the northwest angle of the main tower, in the presence of a considerable attendance, and with the following exercises: An appropriate hymn was sung by the congregation, after which prayer was offered by the Rev. R. A. Blanchard, who also read the Ritual ; the Scripture lesson was read by the Rev. W. C. Willing, followed by the Rev. J. F. Yates, of Galena, in an address, when the usual mementoes were placed, including a copy of the Bible, Methodist Hymn-Book, Discipline of the M. E. Church, Minutes of the Rock River Conference, statement of the organization and his- tory of the church, list of builders of the edifice, Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United States, and several States, copies of the local and State newspapers, specimens of national coin, etc., after which the stone was placed in position, and the audience dismissed with the benediction.
The building, which was pushed to completion rapidly, is 64x100, built of brick, with stone facings, the interior handsomely decorated, surmounted with two towers, and presenting an appearance both attractive and substantial.
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
It was dedicated in September of the same year, the Revs. J. H. Yates and S. A. W. Jewett officiating, and cost $24,000, the balance of which amount unprovided for was subscribed on the day of its dedication.
The church is free to all who see fit to avail themselves of the privilege of attending, the labors of its ministry and congregation being chiefly among the poor and needy, with whom it stands very high.
The following is a list of the ministers who have filled the pulpit to the present date : The Revs. J. Reeves, Mr. Mccutcheon, F. A. Read, F. A. Harden. Hooper Crews, Isaac Springer, G. S. Young and Sanford Washburn.
The congregation numbers 175 communicants, and the church property represents a valuation of $20,000.
First Free Methodist Church-Has been in existence in Freeport for many years, though quiescent from 1865 to 1877, when the congregation was re-organized, and consisted of the following members : Ferry Crowden and wife, Jacob Mease and wife, and David Moon. The Rev. J. Buss accepted the charge, and, aided by this limited assistance, revived the church. Services were held at first in convenient halls and elsewhere, until the latter part of 1877, when the church edifice on Exchange street, now in use, was completed, at a cost of $1,000, dedicated and taken possession of.
In 1878 a revival was experienced in the circuit in which the congregation is included, conducted by the Revs. W. F. Manly and A. F. Ferris, through whose labors ninety-one were converted and additions made to the congrega- tion, which now numbers forty members.
The church edifice is of frame, 28x40, capable of accommodating 250, and the organization is considered as prosperous, with the promise of a greater success in the future.
German M. E. Church .- To the Rev. H. Vosholl is due the credit of establishing this church. During the early days of Freeport there resided in the future city and throughout the county a large number of Germans who had embraced the religion of John Wesley, and labored for the advancement of the cause, as defined by his statutes. The absence of a minister was found to be a serious inconvenience to the cause, and to supply this absence the Rev. Mr. Vosholl was appointed a missionary and assigned to Freeport, where he arrived on the 3d of October, 1854. Soon after he reached the then village, he collected a congregation and worshiped in the basement of the First Methodist Church, while there raising funds and completing arrangements for the erection of the present church edifice, corner of Chicago and Spring streets. This was in time completed at a cost of $1,500, and taken possession of by the congregation, since when it has prospered though not strong in numbers, in consequence of the continual drafts made thereon by reason of removals, and to aid in the for- mation of other congregations, six distributed in the county, having sprung from the Freeport mission.
The congregation now numbers about fifty worshipers; the church property is valued at $1,800, and the following Pastors have served since the church was established: The Revs. H. Vosholl. H. Richter, R. Tillmann, C. Holl, Charles Scheuler, Jr., George Haas, E. R. Irmsher, B. Becker, E. J. Funk, F. Schmidt, A. Brenner and G. E. Hiller.
The Baptist Church .- The First Baptist Church of Freeport, Ill., was organized in December, 1845, in the kitchen, or the one living room of the family of Rev. James Schofield, who was acting under the commission of the American Baptist Home Missionary Society. Twenty-six persons united in this organization. Their names are as follows: Rev. James Schofield and his
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
wife Caroline, his son, John M. Schofield, and his daughter Caroline (now Mrs. H. H. Wise), Robert Schofield and his wife Mary; Mrs. Catharine Jones and her daughter, Elizabeth Jones; Thomas Stacks and wife, son and daughter; J. R. Stout and wife; John Stout and wife; Timothy Stout and wife ; James Craft and wife; William Perkins and wife; Andrew Platner and wife ; Dexter A. Knowlton and Royal Durfee.
Rev. James Schofield was chosen Pastor of the little church. The follow- ing year a lot was secured where the German Catholic Church now stands, and steps were taken to build a house of worship. Money being scarce at that time in the country, subscriptions were taken for labor, and the various mate- rials needed in its construction. The Pastor made great sacrifices, and labored with his hands in preparing the timber for the frame of the building and in its erection. After great exertions, he succeeded in raising money sufficient to buy boards and shingles in Chicago. These were marked by the Pastor, every board and plank and bunch of shingles bearing the inscription, " For the Bap- tist Church of Freeport." As the railroad only extended eighteen miles, it was necessary that they should be hauled on wagons by those who carried their grain to Chicago. As many would overload their teams, they found it neces- sary, when they came to bad roads, to partially unload. In this way the lumber was found all the way from Freeport to the railroad terminus. But, on account of the care of the good Elder in marking his lumber, and the honesty of the people along the route, at last every board and bunch of shingles reached its des- tination. The church having been completed, was dedicated December 25, 1850. The first Board of Trustees was elected March 4, 1848, and consisted of James Schofield, Alfred Dan, Joshua Springer, Job Arnold and John Mon- telius.
Elder Schofield labored faithfully as Pastor till the close of the year 1851, when he resigned on account of ill health, and was succeeded by Rev. T. L. Breckenbridge. The church had increased under its first Pastor, so that it numbered about one hundred members at the close of his ministry with them. While their house was being built the church met for a time for services in the court house, taking their turn with the Presbyterian and Methodist Churches. Afterward they met for worship in the brick schoolhouse in Knowlton's Addi- tion. Some sixty persons united with the church under the pastorate of Mr. Breckenbridge, who continued one year. Rev. Thomas Reese was his successor, who served the church two years. Between one and two years the church had no Pastor and no regular services, no prayer-meeting, nor Sunday school.
October 1, 1855, Rev. O. D. Taylor assumed the pastorate and gathered the scattered members. By the addition of Baptists who had moved into the town, the church felt able again to sustain public worship. After a useful pas- torate of two years, he closed his labors with the church. Rev. A. G. Thomas was chosen Pastor, and entered upon his work in February, 1858. He had graduated the July previous, from the Rochester Theological Seminary, and was ordained in April following. After a short pastorate of fifteen months he resigned, and was succeeded by Rev. N. F. Ravlin, whose pastorate continued between two and three years; he resigned July 8, 1861. In the following November, Rev. William Crowell, D. D., was called to the pastorate, and continued in that relation until July 1, 1865. In 1862, the old church building was sold and a lot purchased of Robert McConnell, on Stephenson street, on which a chapel was built and dedicated, in February, 1863. Rev. A. W. Lancey was chosen Pastor, October 1, 1866. Mr. Lancey was an attractive preacher, and succeeded in gathering a good congregation ; about seventy persons united with
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