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 56
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After the organization had been effected, the society secured the use of Commercial Hall, on Stephenson street, where a Sabbath school was opened, and the system of church work inaugurated. A committee was appointed to procure a suitable site for a church edifice, to secure funds for which a subscrip- tion paper was circulated. A lot was purchased of David Sunderland, on Pleasant, between Exchange and Scott streets, with a dwelling-house thereon, for the sum of $2,500, and a church commenced on the west side of the same. The plan adopted was a Gothic frame, 40x60, and two stories high, and the edifice was erected by members of the congregation, the pastor acting as fore- man, and so effectively was work prosecuted, that the lecture-room was finished and occupied in November of the same year. During the month the audience- room was completed, and in March it was dedicated to the service of God, at a total cost of $7,236.31.
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The society is free from debt, maintaining a Sabbath school, three weekly prayer meetings, has regular quarterly communion, and is in a fair condition of prosperity generally.
The following pastors have officiated : the Revs. H. Messner, 1869 to 1871; E. E. Condo, 1871 to 1872 ; D. B. Byers, 1873 to 1876 ; C. Smucker, 1876 to 1879; W. H. Bucks, 1879 to 1880; and D. B. Byers, who has just entered upon his second term.
Of the original members, the following have died : the Rev. D. W. Griss- inger, July 17, 1873; Mrs. Barbary, wife of Elias Bamberger, August 4, 1875 ; and Mrs. Mary A., wife of John Miller, December 25, 1878.
The Rev. E. E. Condo fell a victim to the fearful cyclone which passed over Marshfield, Mo., April 18, 1880, where he was serving as pastor, dying in two hours from the injuries received.
The church property is valued at $10,000.
Emanuel Church, of the Evangelical Association, is one of Freeport's substantial German churches. It was first organized as a mission in 1851. The following persons, and those only whose names can be fully identified, com- prising the principal membership: John Krimbill, Frederick Asche, Joseph Miess, John Marter, Jacob Heim, H. Thomas, George Thomas, G. Mainzer, A. Brenner, L. Metzger, M. Metzger, John Mayer, Christian Mainzer, B. Main- zer, Mr. Lemberger, Catharine Stoskopf, William Ellebrecht, J. Wolf, H. Fah- ringer and J. Frey.
A stirring revival during this and the next succeeding year, greatly added to the number of members, and Mr. Miess having donated eighty acres of land, which was sold for $450, a church edifice of brick, 40x50, was soon in process of building, under the supervision of a building committee, com- posed of the following gentlemen : the Rev. H. Rohland, Joseph Miess, J. Krimbill, J. Marter and William Ellebrecht. At that time it was situated in the center of present Oak street, where it remained until 1868, when it was removed to the site of the edifice now occupied.
The latter is located on Oak street, between Exchange and Broadway. It is of brick, ornamented with a steeple, and affording a seating capacity for 350 worshipers. The edifice was completed in 1874, under the pastorship of the Rev. A. Fuessle; F. Mayer, E. Vieregge, F. Heim and F. Asche, constituting the building committee ; Elias Bamberger being the architect.
The ministry of the Evangelical Association is itinerant, and years ago the term of service was usually but one year at a place, which fact will explain the number of pastors who have officiated at Emanuel Church to date, as fol- lows : H. Rohland, C. Augenstein, J. G. Escher, L. H. Eiterman, J. Riegel, Christian Kopp, E. Musselman, D. B. Byers, D. Kraemer, J. Schneider, H. Messner, A. Stahley, W. J. Walker, M. Stamm, A. Fuessle, William Schrims and A. Huelster, two of whom have served a term of three years in succession and five a term of two years.
A number of revivals of extraordinary power have been enjoyed since the organization of the church resulting in large accessions to the congregation, but the present membership is not as large as this fact would indicate. Besides the natural decrease by death, many well-to-do Christians are now living in vari- ous States of the Union, who were at some time members of Emanuel Society.
In 1868, the quarterly conference of the society petitioned for the priv- ilege of preaching in English once in two weeks. This was denied, when a division occurred, those members preferring English preaching, being organized into Salem Mission.
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Emanuel Church has accomplished a great amount of good among the Germans of Freeport, and is still endeavoring to fulfill its high mission. Though the outlook for future prosperity is not as bright as it might be, the church, nevertheless, is in good working order, and may reasonably count on a healthy development for many years to come.
The German Evangelical Lutheran Emanuel Church was founded in 1877, by the Rev. T. J. Grosse, connected at that time with the Lutheran Seminary at Addison, in Du Page County, Ill., but removing to Freeport on the 23d of February, 1877. During that year, the congregation increased to thirty-seven members, and prosperity attended the efforts inaugurated to build up and sustain the association. A lot was purchased at the corner of Union and Pleasant streets the same year, whereon a small but comfortable church was erected, and a parochial school established, over which Prof. F. Gase presides, and wherein fifty pupils are educated in German and English branches.
In October, 1877, a call was extended the Rev. F. Behrens to take charge of the church, which he accepted, and is the present incumbent.
The congregation numbers fifty-five worshipers, and the church property is valued at about $1,000.
The First German Reformed Church, at the corner of Williams and Union streets, was first organized about the year 1862, by Henry Schulte, Henry H. Frank, Conrad Rodeke, Peter Belger, H. Billiker, Mr. Ode and others, who were the charter members, and worshiped in a hall above the drug store of F. Weise, at the corner of Galena and Exchange streets. The Rev. Mr. Seaman discharged the duties of Pastor for a brief period, when he retired, and the congregation became distributed among the various city churches. Some time after, the Rev. O. Accola assumed pastoral relations to the divided church, re-organized the same, and secured means for the building of a modest frame edifice on the site of the present church. He labored effectively while he remained, but resigning his office, the church was again left without a head, and once more became demoralized, the members abandoning worship in the house which had been erected for that purpose. This continued until 1869, when the Rev. A. Schrader accepted the pastorate, and, by the efficient means employed for the space of five years, succeeded in placing the organization on a firm foundation, and in building up and prospering the cause in a most gratifying degree. He retired in 1874, to give place to the Rev. John Wernly, the pres- ent incumbent, under whose administration a new church has been erected. This was commenced in May, 1879, completed and dedicated September 27, following. It is 36x50, with a spire 100 feet high, and an organ, costing a total of $3,000.
The congregation numbers 100 members, and the church property, which includes a parsonage erected in 1873, is valued at $5,000.
Attached to the church is a parochial school, held in the old frame church, at which twenty-five pupils are taught the rudiments, as also the more advanced branches of German education.
St. John's German Evangelical Church .- In the year 1847, the follow- ing-named persons began the organization of the present church society : H. Kochsmeier, P. Tewes, A. Mengedohd, A. Boedeker, B. Boedeker, B. Hunke- meier, F. Hanke, W. Mundhenke, C. Riesenberger, C. Lesemann, C. Beine, C. Altenberg, F. Bodmann, H. Burkhard, and E. Beine, Elder.
In 1848 E. Beine, local preacher, began the holding of regular meetings, which were continued for several years in a schoolhouse in the western part of the city. During the same year the church was duly organized according to
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the laws of the " Evangelical Verein of the West," and in 1850 a lot at the cor- ner of State (now Exchange) and Union streets was purchased, and a church edifice 33x40 commenced. This was completed in 1852, under the follow- ing Trustees : Adolph Boedeker, William Mundhenke, Henry Burkhard, and August Mengedhd. A year later the Rev. J. Zimmerman became pastor of the congregation, and in 1854 the congregation united with the German Synod of the West.
In 1856 a parsonage and schoolhouse was erected on the church lot, and a teacher employed to instruct the youth of members in German and other branches. The year previous, Mr. Zimmerman was succeeded in the pastorate by the Rev. W. Kampmeier, who remained ten years. During his term of office the present church building, being of stone, 44x75, with a spire 100 feet high, and the auditorium capable of seating 600 worshipers, was completed at a cost of $5,000, contributed by members of the congregation.
In 1866 the Rev. P. H. Hoefer accepted charge of the parish, discharging the duties incident thereto until 1870, when he was succeeded by the Rev. D. M. Fotch, who remained six years, when he gave way to the Rev. C. Hoff- meister, the present incumbent.
The Trustees are A. Karsten, A. Bergman, P. Tewes, Christian Held, H. Witte, W. Brockhausen, and A. Tempel.
The congregation numbers upward of one hundred families, and the church property is valued at $10,000.
ODD FELLOWS.
Second to no other organization of the present age stands the Odd Fel- lows. An institution manifesting influence, performing good, preventing evil, and increasing annually in membership and power, not only attracts public at- tention, but excites a laudable desire to know something of its origin, progress, aims and resources.
The origin of the order is hidden in obscurity. History relates that the order was introduced into the Spanish dominions in the fifth century, into Portugal about the sixth century, and into France in the twelfth century, whence it was extended into England. In that country the order numbers over six hundred thousand members, and from this branch originated the American organization as it exists to-day, by the name of the Inde; endent Order of Odd Fellows, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the United States.
Fifty-one years ago there met in the upper room of the Seven Stars, an obscure hotel in the city of Baltimore, five men who had been brought together by a call in the public press, for the purpose of considering the organization of a lodge of Odd Fellows, the result of which was the institution of Washington Lodge No. 1. The chief promoter of this lodge was Thomas Wildey, who is the father of American Odd Fellowship.
The progress of the order was gradual until 1835, when by judicious legis- lation of its Grand Lodge the craft at once became prominent, drawing within its circle the educated, enterprising and refined. Odd Fellowship, as has been truly said, has met with no reverses ; its lodges are scattered all over the vast countries of Europe, and every State in the Union has its Grand Lodge, to which are attached subordinate lodges, all of which are working an honorable career.
The qualifications for admission are a belief in the Supreme Creator, sound health, good character, and an honorable trade. The teachings of the order
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are to visit the sick, relieve the distressed, bury the dead, care for the widow, and educate the orphan. This system of benefits and timely assistance in the hour of need is a feature which attracts the serious attention of every one. There are two branches of the order, the " Subordinate " and " Encampment." At a session of the Grand Lodge of the United States held in 1851, an honor- ary degree, " Rebekah," was adopted. It is designed to unite the wives and widows more intimately in the workings of Odd Fellowship.
The first lodge of Odd Fellows organized in Illinois was located at Alton, in which city the same was consecrated on the 11th of August, 1836, and des- ignated as " Western Star No. 1." Since this date the order has increased in membership and influence, and attained the rank of a first-class power in the world of morals and benevolence, possessing a vast influence throughout the entire country.
Winnesheik Lodge, No. 30, I. O. O. F .- On the 15th day of July, 1847, at a time when the present city was little more than a village, the Grand Lodge of Illinois granted a charter for the organization of a lodge in Freeport, the same to be known as " Winnesheik Lodge, No. 30," with the following mem- bers : Thomas J. Goodhue, E. A. Aiggins, C. G. Strohecker, A. W. Shuler, William T. McCool, H. G. Moore, S. D. Carpenter, Charles Powell and S. B. Farwell. The lodge thus organized has always prospered, including upon its roster of membership some of the most prominent citizens of the county. The garret of an old brick building, in a portion of the city then known as "Knowlton Town," was its first place of meeting, and, though unpleasant and inconvenient, the members continued in their labor of love. In time, and as the order became prosperous, its place of meeting was improved and removed, until, finally, it took quarters in the Odd Fellows' Hall, where it has since remained.
Of its charter-members not one remains in the city; some have removed to other scenes, and some have been removed to the Grand Lodge beyond the river. During the war its force was somewhat weakened, some of the members joining the army for the maintenance of the law and supremacy of the consti- tuted authorities. Of these, but few returned. One of the members of this lodge served repeatedly as representative to the Grand Lodge of Illinois, and was finally chosen by the fraternity as Grand Master, but, before the expira- tion of his term of office, death stepped in and put a period to his service. In addition to this, other members of the lodge have served with honor in high stations.
At the present date, Winnesheik Lodge is in a highly prosperous condi- tion, with one hundred members, property valued at $2,500, and the following officers : W. W. Krape, D. D. G. M .; C. Knoor, N. G .; E. L. Kauffman, V. G .; George Lewis, Secretary, and E. L. Cronkrite, Treasurer. W. W. Krape, representative to the Grand Lodge.
Freeport Lodge, No. 239, I. O. O. F .- During the year 1857, a portion of the members of Winnesheik Lodge decided to withdraw from the parent Chapter and petitioned for a charter for the opening of a new lodge. The petition was granted, and Freeport Lodge, No. 239, was duly organized as a lodge, working in the German language, with the following members: D. B. Schulte, John Hoebel, Jacob Krohn, Henry Deuermeyer and William Stine.
Starting with a limited membership, its progress has been successful be- yond the most sanguine anticipations ; its membership has increased from year to year, until to-day it ranks among the first lodges in this portion of the State, while its charities have been, and are, a source of pride to the fraternity and
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benefit to the recipients. The meetings first held were convened over the Stephenson County Bank, in comparatively uncomfortable quarters, which have since been exchanged for the commodious and handsomely furnished lodge-rooms now occupied by the fraternity in Munn's building, fitted up ex- pressly for the accommodation of Masons and Odd Fellows, and where meetings of the Freeport Lodge are held every Monday evening.
The present officers are Rudolph Hefte, N. G .; C. Schmidt, V. G .; H. Kirchefer, Secretary, and J. Maurer, Treasurer. John Erfert, representa- tive to the Grand Lodge of the State.
The membership is quoted at eighty-one brothers.
Western Star Encampment of Patriarchs, No. 25 .- The highest branch of the order, open to all worthy brothers who have attained the Scarlet Degree in subordinate lodges, was chartered on the 14th day of October, 1857, at Belvi- dere, Boone County, but subsequently removed to Freeport, with the subjoined charter members : Justus B. Jones, J. K. Murphy, A. E. Jenner, Albert L. Pear- sall, William Haywood, Timothy S. Clark and John Terwilliger.
Its removal being accomplished, the encampment attained a high degree of prosperity, owing to the efforts of the members, as also the intrinsic worth of the organization. On its roll of membership is found some of Freeport's most wor- thy citizens, who have the principles and interest of the order at heart, and stand ready at all times to demonstrate the virtues suppositiously a prime factor in the composition of the fraternity.
The present officers are George Lowis, C. P .; W. W. Krape, H. P .; S. D. Atkins, Scribe ; F. L. Jones, Treasurer ; E. L. Cronkrite, S. W., and C. Knorr, J. W.
The membership numbers thirty-five, and meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of the month.
Stephen A. Douglas Encampment, No. 100, I. O. O. F., was chartered October 12, 1869, Jacob Krohn, John Hoebel, William Wagner, Sr., Henry Rohker, Gabriel Lampert and Mathias Hettinger being the charter members, and is consequently the youngest organization of Odd Fellows in the city. Not- withstanding this, the lodge has prospered in a gratifying manner, having fifty-one members, and a healthy balance to its credit in the hands of the Treas- urer.
The present officers are R. Hefti, C. P .; C. Schmidt, H. P .; H. Kir- chefer, Scribe, and Jacob Molter, Treasurer.
Meetings are convened on the second and fourth Fridays of each month.
MASONIC.
A visitor to the halls of the Masonic fraternity in Freeport, while gazing upon the beautiful works of art peculiar to the craft which line its interior, would scarcely credit the fact that but a few years previous there was no city, nothing to break the silence of the illimitable wilds that extended in every direc- tion around the solitary cabin which, in the year 1835, stood where Freeport now stands. Lightly had Time, with sunny smiles, whispered adieu to these primitive days, before successors appeared ripe with improvement, a more per- fect civilization and all the attributes thereof, upon scenes that but a few years before were the homes of savages and savage sports.
The history of Masonry in Freeport is as the history of individuals. Her most prominent citizens have been identified with the craft, and the craft has selected her prominent officers throughout the State from the inhabitants of the
FREEPORT.
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
city. Among these were the Hon. Thomas J. Turner, Grand Master of Illi- nois ; N. F. Prentice, M. D., Past Grand Commander of the Grand Com- mandery of the State; L. L. Munn, Grand High Priest of the Royal Arch Masons; Jacob Krohn, District Deputy Grand Master ; M. D. Cham- berlin, Official Instructor of Illinois, and others, whose eloquent voices are hushed in death, but whose eloquent lives speak still, and are heard through- out all the land. They tell of the power of the human soul when armed in right, and speak of the force of principle when it becomes the weapon of determined manhood. To the examples thus furnished is due, in a great measure, the success which has attended the fraternity since it obtained a local prominence in the village of Freeport thirty years ago. Previous to that date, the members of the order were few in number and without sufficient enterprise to organize a lodge ; but in 1850 a lodge was established, and from that day to the present the fraternity has increased in numbers, influence and wealth. At first, meetings were convened in Fisher's building, at the corner of Galena and Exchange streets, where they remained for some time, and then removed to buildings over the Stephenson County Bank, thence to rooms over Cronkrite's store, adjoining the bank, thence to Munn's building, and finally to Fry's building, where they still remain, in the occupation of quarters the most complete, elegant and attractive in the State outside of Chicago. The craft has come up to the present from a former generation, bringing with it the experi- ence of years and the lessons taught in the schools of hardship and affliction ; but to-day perfect prosperity is its attendant concomitant, and the peace of mind which cometh from this knowledge is least prominent among the rewards reserved for its acceptance.
Excelsior Lodge, No. 97, was the first lodge organized in Freeport. Its first meeting was held on February 22, 1850, by authority of a dispensation granted for that purpose by the Grand Master of the State at that time Erastus Torry, Julius Smith, Thomas J. Turner, Gershom Rice and Oscar Taylor, of Freeport, were in attendance, together with S. B. Farwell, John Jackson and S. H. Fitger, visiting brethren. The lodge continued to work under dispensation until Nov. 6, 1851, when a charter was granted by the Grand Lodge of the State, and at the first installation of officers, on Jan- uary 8, 1852, the following were selected: Julius Smith, W. M .; T. J. Turner, S. W .; Oscar Taylor, J. W .; J. A. W. Donahoo, Treasurer; A. W. Rawson, Secretary ; William Scott, S. D .; Reuben Ruble, J. D ; James Wright, Stew- ard, and Giles Taylor, Tiler.
Immediately upon the organization of the lodge, Masonry made rapid strides in the neighborhood, which necessarily produced its effect upon the organization and formation of the society in this community. To the success achieved by the Excelsior may be attributed, the organization of the two other lodges in the city, Evergreen and Moses R. Thompson, both of which are strong and prosperous at the present time.
The present membership of Excelsior Lodge, is stated at 100, This lodge occupy rooms in the Masonic Hall, Fry's block, which were fitted up by the order when taking possession, at a cost of about $7,000; the several lodges, chapters, etc., contributing a pro rata therefor, and entitled to the use of the same.
Moses R. Thompson Lodge, No. 381 .- The first meeting of this lodge under dispensation was convened at Masonic Hall, December 31, 1862, with the following charter members and officers, appointed by the Grand Master of the State: Nathan Fay Prentice, Charles L. Currier, L. L. Munn. H. H. P
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Taylor, G. W. Tandy, Robert Little, E. Moffatt, J. G. Knapp, W. D. V. Johnson, B. F. Burnside, S. Lumbard, Elijah Northy and W. B. Chatfield.
N. F. Prentice, W. M .; L. L. Munn, S. W. and C. L. Currier, J. W.
The lodge continued work under this dispensation until October, 1863, when a charter was granted, and the lodge constituted thereunder in due and ancient form, by Thomas J. Turner, under the name and style it still bears.
The lodge is at present in a flourishing condition, with a roster of member- ship including seventy names, and meets for work semi-monthly, on the first and third Fridays.
The present officers are: L. L. Munn, W. M .; J. C. Burbank, S. W .; H. W. Dexter, J. W .; C. E. Scott, Treasurer, and D. B. Breed, Secretary.
Freeport Chapter, No. 23, of the R. A. M. was chartered on September, 29, 1854, to a limited number of members, with A. W. Rawson, High Priest ; Erastus Torry, King, and Julius Smith, Scribe. Since that date, notwith- standing the chapter has run the gauntlet of experience apportioned to nearly every undertaking in a race against the field, members have been added to its roster yearly, and to-day it is financially one of the most prosperous chapters in Northern Illinois.
The present officers are Jacob Krohn, High Priest ; John Arthur, King, and Jackson S .. Rogers, Scribe.
The total membership numbers about one hundred, and meetings are held semi-monthly, on the first and third Tuesdays, in Masonic Hall.
The Freeport Consistory, or lodge, belonging to the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, was originally established at Decalf, whence it was removed to Freeport, May 14, 1869, where it still continues. The consistory is composed of the following :
Grand Lodge of Perfection, consisting of one hundred members, officered by James A. Grimes, T. P. G. M .; C. C. Snyder, H. T .; M. D. Chamber- lin, V. S. G. W .; E. L. Cronkrite, V. J. G. W .; Thomas Butterworth, G. O .; S. A. Clark, G. T. ; J. W. Childs, G. S., and Levi Martin, G. Tiler.
Convocations are convened on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month.
Freeport Council Princes of Jerusalem also meet on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. Have one hundred members, with the following officers : S. D. Atkins, M. E. S. P. G .; Jacob Krohn, G. H. P. Deputy Grand Master ; E. L. Cronkrite, M. E. M. S. G. W .; M. V. Brown, M. E. S. J. G. W .; John Erfert, V. G. Treasurer ; J. W. Childs, V. G. Secretary and Keeper of the Seals ; J. H. Snyder, V. G. M. of C .; John Arthur, V. G. M. of E., and Levi Martin, Tiler.
Freeport Chapter Rose Croix .- One hundred members, convene on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month. The officers are : H. C. Hutchison, M. W. & P. M .; W. S. Best, M. E. &. P. Kt. S. W .; L. L. Munn, M. E. & P. Kt. J. W .; M. Stoskopf, M. E. &. P. Kt. G. O .; E. Northey, R. & P. Kt. Treasurer ; J. W. Childs, R. & P. Kt. Secretary ; Levi Martin, Tiler.
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