USA > Illinois > Carroll County > The history of Carroll county, Illinois, containing a history of the county-its cities, towns, etc., a biographical directory war record statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men history of the Northwest Illinois miscellaneous matters, etc > Part 40
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The Church at Cherry Grove .- As already stated, this congregation origi- nally consisted of a part of the Arnold's Grove Church, but in 1861 was formed
373
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
into a separate body. As soon as an organization was effected, steps were taken to erect a place of worship, and though the membership was small and their financial resources limited, by the aid of the Arnold Grove Church they soon had a house 40 by 64 for use, near the Village of Georgetown. Under the over- sight and care of Elders John Sprogle and Michael Bollinger, the church in- creased rapidly, and notwithstanding the large number who have moved away and died, there are yet 225 members in this church. This church is particularly noted for its large congregation and activity in missionary work.
In 1874, a house of worship 40 by 60 was built in Shannon, and in 1876, another in the City of Lanark. In 1875, a number of important events occurred in this church, one of which more or less affected the entire brotherhood in America. In that year there lived in Lanark a man by the name of Christian Hope, a native of Denmark, and a harness maker by trade. He was an earnest, zealous worker in the church, and somewhat remarkable for his simplicity of thought and manners. During the year, he received repeated calls from his old associates in Denmark to have the brethren send them ministers to teach them the way of the Lord. Through the church here, all the churches in Northern Illinois-thirteen in number-were apprised of the call for missionary labor, and the result was, a district meeting was called at Cherry Grove meeting house, Nov. 13, 1875, when Christian Hope was called to the ministry, and on January first started to Denmark, being the first regular missionary to Europe by the church in this country. However, before he was chosen to this important sta- tion, he had, before and after his usual working hours at his trade, translated several pamphlets into his native language, which he carried with him to Europe for publication and free distribution, the church in America having contributed several hundred dollars for this purpose.
While this important work was being pushed to completion, a series of meetings were held, and the result was fifty-two persons were added to the already large membership. The church now numbered about three hundred, and it was considered good to form a new organization on the east of the old church, to be known as the Shannon Church, which was done on the 14th of November, being the fifth in the county. In 1876, the Brethren at Work Pub- lishing House was established in Lanark, by J. H. Moore, J. T. Myers and M. M. Eshelman. This, with a new house of worship in the city, gave this people considerable prominence and energy in this part of the country, and had no inconsiderable effect on the church in general. There are now upwards of sixty members living in the city, and the steady growth of the church in and out of the city attest their prosperity and permanency. Ministers: H. Martin, M. Bolinger, J. H. Moore, D. B. Puterbaugh and S. J. Peck.
The Church near Milledgeville .- This, as already observed, was organized in 1861, and immediately erected a large and well-arranged meeting-house. The church has steadily increased in number, and at present has about one hundred and seventy-five members. Martin Myer, Jacob Hangers, Tobias Meyers, D. M. Miller, M. Kimmel and Wm. Provout have been the ministers. The church is noted for its energy and liberality in Christian work.
The Church at Hickory Grove .- This church, also, dates its origin from 1861, and by removals to other parts of the country its membership has been reduced to about forty. Notwithstanding the apparent disadvantages under which it sometimes labors, its members have exhibited a commendable devotion to principle and Christian usefulness. The ministers have been : David Ritten- house, Geo. D. Zollers and Jesse Heckler. The congregation has a neat, sub- stantial meeting-house, seven miles west of Mount Carroll, where meetings are held regularly.
The Church at Shannon .- The number of members is about seventy-five.
374
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
Ministers : Lemuel Hillery, S. Mattes, B. F. McCune. Meeting-house, 40 by 60, with basement.
General Remarks-Characteristics .- They are noted for their industry and integrity. Nearly all farmers, and thrifty and economical. Very good to the poor, allowing none of their members to be kept by the county. Dress plainly, wearing neither gold, silver, costly array, nor ornaments of any kind.
Methodist Episcopal .- The first organization of the present Methodist Episcopal Church society of Lanark took place in 1858, in Cherry Grove Township, under the ministerial labors of Rev. J. D. Brown, who continued to preach for the society for some three or four years. In 1860, the society built a church edifice in Rock Creek Township, about one mile from the site of the present City of Lanark, costing $1,200. In the Winter of 1861, that church building was removed to the Lanark town site by James C. Wheat and others. Up to 1869, the society had so increased in numbers and wealth that a new church building came to be considered a necessity, and arrangements were made accordingly. The work was undertaken, and on Sunday, the 8th day of January, 1871, the Rev. Dr. R. M. Hatfield, of Chicago, dedicated the new brick building to the worship of Almighty God. This church edifice is among the finest in the State of Illinois, outside of the larger cities, and cost the sum of $20,000. The society now numbers 125 members, with a good and prosper- ous Sabbath-school, which was organized in 1862. The average attendance is one hundred and twenty. The superintendents from the time the school was organized down to the present time have been, in regular order, as follows : - Thompson, J. F. Hess, - Goodridge, J. W. Gormany (or Gorman), J. F. Hess, M. E. Harrish, J. G. Sheller, M. E. Harrish.
The presiding elders in the church have been : Revs. C. C. Bert. David Cassiday, W. F. Stewart, R. A. Blanchard, F. A. Read, W. H. Tibbals, and J. H. Moore, the present elder.
Pastors : Revs. J. D. Brown, Lewis Peck, J. E. Hibbard, O. J. M. Clen- dening, Joseph Wardel, S. P. Lilley, J. O. Foster, M. E. Jacobs, Leonard Holt, A. Newton, T. Cochran, W. H. Tibbals, C. A. Bucks, and A. Campbell, present pastor.
Christian Church .- This church society was organized in Freedom Town- ship, June 20, 1843, with eighteen members. James H. Smyth, David Tripp and Garner Moffett were the first elders, and A. G. Moffett and William Renner were the first deacons. The members of this branch of the Christian Church accept the Bible, and the Bible alone, as their rule of faith and practice. In 1865, the Freedom Township church edifice was torn down, moved to Lanark, and re-erected on its present site. M. Martin and Thomas Moffett, elders; A. G. Moffett, William D. Moffett and E. Stover, deacons. Present enrollment of members, 120.
The Sabbath-school was organized in 1867, with twenty-five scholars, and W. Beans as superintendent. Present membership, 140; Mr. Beans, superin- tendent.
Present pastor, J. H. Wilson ; D. D. Wiley, T. O. Mershon, elders; E. Stover, W. D. Moffett, H. Shumway, David Mellen, W. T. McLay, deacons; W. Beans, clerk.
Congregational .- This society was organized in 1859, by Rev. J. P. Parker, about three fourths of a mile east of the City of Lanark, and was removed to Lanark in 1863, under the pastoral labors of Rev. Mr. Kilborn. Rev. L. Hig- gins was pastor from 1864 to 1872, and was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Coleman, who remained to 1874 or 1875, when the present pastor, Rev. Mr. Paisley, suc- ceeded to the charge. Their Sabbath-school was organized in 1863 by Rev. Mr. Kilborn, who was the superintendent one year; Rev. Mr. Higgins, seven
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
years; Rev. Mr. Coleman, one year, and Mr. George Lattig, one year. Prof. T. Oldt is the present superintendent. Church membership, 40. Cost of church building, $2.500.
Baptist Church .- For several years before Lanark was founded, when these beautiful and fertile prairies were in their pristine condition-except a few sparsely settled locations, in which were the humble homes of enterprising cit- izens from the Eastern, Middle and Southern States, and who, as a class, have always followed "the star of empire westward "-Baptist principles were then represented in Carroll County, by a very respectable proportion of those who were the advanced guard of civilization.
A profound conviction of the truth and equity of these principles induced the Baptists of Lanark and vicinity to take preliminary steps toward the organ- ization of a church. The first meeting was held at the house of Bro. W. M. Jenks, October 24, 1867, Rev. D. S. Dean, of Lena, in the chair; Bro. J. E. Millard, secretary. Prayer by Rev. J. V. Allison, of Bethel Church, Elkhorn. The next meeting was held at the residence of Bro. J. B. Porter, November 6, 1867, Bro. E. H. Dingee in the chair; Bro. J. E. Millard, secretary.
After some preliminary business, the secretary was instructed to invite the churches in the association to send three delegates each, to meet the society of Lanark, on the 13th day of November, 1867, for the purpose of organizing a Baptist Church.
Rev. J. T. Mason, of Sterling, was invited to preach the recognition dis- course. Committees of reception and arrangements were appointed. The latter obtained permission to meet in the Congregational Church. Delegates from churches evinced a deep interest in the work by a full representation.
After devotional exercises, the council was organized by electing Rev. J. T. Mason, moderator, and Bro. J. E. Millard, secretary.
Rev. J. V. Allison offered the following :
Resolved, That we now unite ourselves together in assuming the obligations of a Church of Jesus Christ, to be known as the "First Baptist Church " of Lanark.
After some discussion, the resolution was carried.
The constituent membership consisted of twenty-three persons, without a place of worship. These members were as follows: William M. Jenks, Lizzie M. Jenks, James E. Millard, Hannah D. Millard, Mrs. H. N. Hemiway, Edgar H. Dingee, Mary Dingee, John B. Porter, Sarah A. Porter, Mary C. Porter, Maria McWhinny, J. B. Corbett, Sarah Corbett, Henry Selemire, Hannah Sel- emire, Julia Ann Newcomer, George W. Miller, Maria Miller, Ann Eliza Sher- wood, Betsey Smith, Mary B. Hemiway, Hattie Gilbert, Corrilla Dean.
Having rented the school house, now the "Church of God," in which to meet, they settled the Rev. John Merriam, March 15, 1868, as their first pastor. During his pastorate, his labors were blessed of God. Nineteen were added to the church-twelve by baptism. He resigned February 17, 1869. He has closed his activities in the Church Militant, and now rests in the Church Tri- umphant from all his labors. After an interim of about three years, the Rev. N. E. Chapin, of Wisconsin, was called and, July 17, 1872, was settled as the ' second pastor of the church.
Bro. Chapin brought to his work in Lanark a ripe and varied experience in the living ministry ; he was profoundly orthodox, and recognized nothing but "Christ and Him crucified" in his teachings. He resigned February 12, 1875. His ministry was blessed by many coming to Christ under his ministration of the Word.
The leadings of the Holy Spirit induced the church to take steps toward building a house of worship of their own. On the 12th day of April, 1873, Bros. E. H. Dingee, J. B. Porter and George W. Sherwood were appointed a
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
committee to procure a plan and estimates for a church. The committee reported and submitted a plan for a church building 32 by 46, drawn by Mr. D. H. Snyder, estimated to cost $2,500.
The plan was adopted and the committee instructed to proceed with the work, which was carried on to completion. The style of architecture is Gothic. The building has two steeples, the one in which is the bell being the higher of the two. Their relative height, however, gives a beautiful and symmetrical proportion to the whole contour of the edifice. The windows, with their Gothic and magnificent proportion, finished with stained glass, present to the eye, by very many appropriate designs and monograms, objects of study which, in the soft and mellow light within, lead the mind to pure, holy and celestial contem- plation. The seats are folding, and made of striated alternations of ash and walnut wood. The church has a seating capacity of two hundred and fifty persons. A baptistry is under the pulpit, with the orchestra facing it. When fully completed, lot, church and furniture cost $3,818.50, upon which some indebtedness remains. The church was dedicated, October 8, 1873. Rev. J. T. Mason, of Sterling, preached the sermon. Rev. N. E. Chapin having resigned February 19, 1875, Rev. W. E. Bates, of Watertown, N. Y., was called, and set- tled July 10, 1875, and ordained September 28, of the same year; having served his country during the war, using carnal weapons. When honorably dis- missed from the service he entered Madison University, and, after graduating, he entered the theological seminary. There he obtained that "drill " which so eminently fitted him for the service of the Captain of his salvation. His weapons of warfare now are not carnal, but spiritual, and by the use of which the Lord has blessed his labors. As a soldier of the Cross, he uses no blank cartridges ; he preaches the Word without any alloy, and has been successful in winning souls for his Master. Sister Bates supplements the labors of her hus- band by her many unostentatious Christian duties.
The Sabbath-school is, or should be, " the church at work." It is under the supervision of Bro. J. E. Millard, than whom no man possesses a more perfect fitness for all its duties. The church obtained many of its additions from this department of Christian labor. As an evidence of this fact, from Sister J. E. Millard's class of over twenty young ladies, ten or twelve were brought to the Saviour, through the Word and her prayerfulness as a teacher.
The present teachers, besides the one mentioned, are Brothers Dr. J. B. Porter, John Forsythe, E. L. Byington, E. H. Dingee, Mrs. W. E. Bates, Mrs. J. H. Myers, Miss Katie Newcomer, Miss Laura Waters, Miss Minnie Eick. All are faithful and successful teachers. Bro. Dr. Porter, especially, is one of the most faithful, efficient and earnest teachers to be found, and as a profound exponent of Bible truths, his equal can hardly be found outside of the ministry.
The first regular officers were: Deacons, Dr. J. B. Porter and J. B. Cor- bett ; clerk, E. H. Dingee; treasurer, J. E Millard ; trustees, W. M. Jenks, Thomas W. Newcomer, J. B. Corbett.
Present officers: Deacons, Dr. J. B. Porter, J. B. Corbett ; clerk, E. H. Dingee ; treasurer ; Andrew J. Waters; trustees, J. B. Corbett, J. E. Millard, Elliott Nichols.
Abrahamic Church .- This church was organized in 1866; it then numbered about fifteen members ; it now numbers about thirty. They have no salaried minister employed, but meet every first day for worship, D. Gaus and P. B. Stouffer officiating as leaders.
The Lutherans also maintain an organization. The history of this society is substantially as follows :
Sometime during the year 1873, Rev. J.W. Henderson was induced, by some Lutheran people in and around Lanark, and also by pastors in the Synod, to remove to Lanark from his prosperous and encouraging work at Tipton, Iowa.
377
HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
He came to Lanark, with the promise of encouragement from the brethren of the Synod, and succeeded in organizing a congregation, but, from some cause unknown to the writer (and unnecessary to mention, if he did know) regular services were given up within a year or two after the organization was effected.
INDEPENDENT ORDERS.
Lanark Lodge, No. 423, was chartered Oct. 4, 1865, with 36 members. First officers : C. Cogswell, W., W. Beans, S. W., F. D. Tracy, J. W. Present mem- bership 58.
Masonic .- Lanark Chapter, No. 139, commenced work under charter dated Oct. 7, 1870. First officers : G. A. Smith, H. P., E. Northey, K., D. W. Dame, S.
1. O. O. F .- Rock Creek Lodge, No. 424, was chartered October 11, 1870, with six members. Present membership, 62.
The A. O. U. W. have an organization that is in good working con- dition.
Banking .- The First National Bank of Lanark was organized in the Winter of 1870, with a capital of $50,000, which was afterwards increased to $100,000, and subsequently reduced to $50,000. Has a surplus of $10,000. This bank does a large business, and has sold exchange on Chicago to the amount of $480,000 ; New York, $45,000 ; Milwaukee, $120,000 ; total, $645,000. Robt. Paley, President ; John Paley, Cashier.
Stock and Grain Shipments .- Lanark is a great grain and stock shipping point. The following figures show the amount of business transacted by H. B. Puterbaugh's grain elevator and stock yards, from January I, to December 22, 1877 .:
126 cars oats, estimated value
$20,109 73
97 corn,
16,615 24
12 rye, 66
2,400 00
18 barley, 66
3,150 00
6 wheat,
1,980 00
Amount seeds shipped, beside retail trade
5,239 97
175 cars live hogs, estimated value
131,250 00
37 cattle,
37,000 00
2 sheep,
514 17
Total amount
$218,259 11
Furnished M. Prescott, on joint account
58,857 21
Total aggregate value $277,116 32
From January I to December 31, 1877, the shipments made by C. W. Stone were as follows :
No. cars wheat
12
oats
105
66
corn 162
66
rye 13
barley 24
stock
63-379
The Carroll County Banner was founded in May, 1864, by John R. How- lett, a native of New York, who continued its publication until September, 1867,
4
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
when the office was sold to James E. Millard, at which time the Banner had a circulation of nearly six hundred copies. The first number of the paper under Mr. Millard's management was issued Sept. 14, 1867, and was continued with only fair support until Jan. 18, 1871, when, having an opportunity to sell the material and fixtures in the office, and having been elected to the office of County Superintendent of Schools, the publication was stopped. The material was moved to Davis, Ill., and from thence to Pecatonica, Ill., and is now used in the office of the Pecatonica News.
The next week after the sale of the Banner to Mr. Millard, Mr. Howlett changed the name of the Shannon Gazette, which he owned, to the Carroll County Gazette, and commenced its publication at Shannon. For reasons best known to himself, and to secure a better location for the paper, Mr. Howlett, in the early part of the year 1868, removed the office to Lanark, and continued the publication of the Gazette at this place. By an agreement with Mr. Millard, at the time of the sale of the Banner office, Mr. Howlett had agreed not to publish a paper in Lanark, for the space of one year, and, on application of Mr. M-, he was restrained, by injunction, from. publishing a paper in Lanark. Thereupon, the Gazette was sold to John M. Adair, who continued its publication for a period of some six months, when Mr. Howlett again became associated with its publication, and finally assumed complete control.
On the morning of April 29, 1872, the office was destroyed by fire. The material in the office was valued at $5,000, and there was an insurance of only $1,800 on it. The day following the fire, the citizens of Lanark, headed by the leading business men, formed a stock company and purchased the necessary outfit for a new office. The publication of the paper was continued, with an interruption of but a few days, under the auspices of the Gazette Printing Company, with Mr. Howlett as editor and manager. The new arrangement was prolonged for nearly a year, when the office was transferred to Mr. H., and the Gazette was published without further change up to near the time of his death, which occurred in the latter part of July, 1875.
On the 3d of July, 1875, Mr. George Hay assumed control of the office ; and on the 4th of September, W. W. Lowis was taken into partnership, and the paper was continued under their management until Nov. 7, 1876, when Mr. Hay sold his interest to F. H. B. McDowell, of Chicago. The partnership of Lowis & McDowell was continued until Feb. 1, 1877, when Mr. McDowell purchased the interest of Mr. Lowis. The paper has a bona fide circulation of nearly 1,000 copies, and its subscription list is constantly increasing. It is published in the form designated "a nine-column folio," is now published "at home;" and has the largest circulation of any paper in the county. It is independent Republican in political complexion, and is progressive and earn- est in its public policy.
The Brethren at Work Publishing House is, from present indications, destined to become the largest printing establishment in this part of the state. The house has an excellent outfit : a large Potter press, Gordon press, Peerless cut- ter, and other conveniences usually belonging to a first-class newspaper office. They are well prepared for all kinds of pamphlet and ordinary book work.
The Brethren at Work is a neatly printed weekly of eight pages, published in the interest of the German Baptist (or Dunkard) Church, and is owned and edited by J. H. Moore, S. H. Bashor and M. M. Eshelman.
The paper was established in this wise :
J. H. Moore, a minister, who followed house painting for a livelihood, and preached every Sunday besides, lived in the county, near Urbana, Ill. Here, in 1872, he commenced writing and had published several pamphlets in defence of the doctrine believed by his people. The pamphlets attained a wide circulation.
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
M. M. Eshelman, a school teacher, living near Lanark, also published several pamphlets and one book of a few hundred pages.
In the Spring of 1876, times being hard and work scarce in Champaign County, J. H. Moore came to Carroll County, to carry on house painting, hav- ing had the promise of work here. He and Eshelman having met a few times, corresponded considerable. They both worked as house painters during the Summer, and spent their leisure hours drawing up plans for a paper, which they had had in contemplation a few years.
They corresponded with J. T. Meyers, of Germantown, Pa., who was pub- lishing a monthly half German and half English paper, called the Brethren's Messenger.
In the month of September, 1876, this office outfit was moved to Lanark, taking up but a small portion of a large brick building they had rented. They soon had a large Potter press put up, and, Sept. 14, 1876, issued the first number of the Brethren at Work, then a small four-page paper.
As the denomination had no other paper in the West, it increased in circu- lation very rapidly, reaching nearly four thousand the first year.
Moore moved his family to Lanark in September, 1876.
J. T. Meyers remained East.
In the month of November, 1877, the interest belonging to J. T. Meyers was purchased by S. H. Bashor, the most successful evangelist in the church. The paper is strictly religious, fearless and outspoken. It rings out clearly and distinctly what it believes. The editors are not afraid to speak against sin of every grade and order.
SHANNON.
This village, of one thousand people, is situated about fourteen miles west of Freeport, and shows evidence of thrift and enterprise. It was com- menced in the Spring of 1860, by William Shannon, whose name it bears. It has five churches, a union graded school house, one hotel, five dry goods stores, three hardware stores, two drug stores, three meat markets, four restaurants, one bakery, two boot and shoe stores, one steam flouring mill, two agricultural implement houses, one cooper shop, two wagon and blacksmith shops, one bank, one barber shop, one millinery shop, three physicians, two lumber and coal dealers, three saloons, one furniture store, one jewelry store, two harness shops, etc.
The first house at Shannon was a farm house, built by Mastin before the village was projected. When the village plat was mapped out by the surveyor the site occupied by this house came within the limits. The growth of Shannon was slow until the railroad was established, after which its pros- perity was very marked until the hard times came on. The country around in every direction is an excellent agricultural district, and highly improved. The business houses are well managed and well sustained.
CHURCHES.
The Presbyterian Church of Shannon was first organized at Loran, in Stephenson County, in 1851 ; removed to Spring Valley, Carroll County, then to Badger Spring, in the same county, and was finally established at Shannon, in 1866. Present membership, 45. Have a Union Sunday-school of an aver- age attendance of 167. Superintendent, R. M. Cook; pastor, M. F. Paisley. Their house of worship was originally built by the Methodist people, of whom it was purchased, at a cost of $2,500.
United Presbyterian .- This church was first organized in Cherry Grove Township, in 1856, and was established in Shannon in 1862, and built a
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