USA > Illinois > Adams County > Liberty > This is Liberty Illinois : a history of the village of Liberty Adams County, Illinois > Part 2
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The Presbyterian Church building on Main Street as it appeared in the early 1900's.
PRETESTTENIAN OMURON
LIBERTY ILL
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Theodore Graff sold a lot on March 14, 1854, to the Presbyterian organization for $70. The members sought a central location on Main Street so the building could be used as a meeting house too.
Daniel Culp, Michael Collins and C. G. Wag- ner quarried rock and laid thefoundation of the building. Theodore Graff and Jonas Benfield did the carpenter work. By this time the subscription money was all spent so that finishing the church took some time. After it was plastered, Miller and Funk, who had made a double corn plow, used the church as a paint shop for a season.
The first seats were hauled to Liberty from Griggs- ville where new seats had been purchased.
In the early days Singing Schools were held in the church with Samuel Norcross often teaching.
The church began to decline in the early 1900's and in 1925, it was disbanded. The building was sold to the Hofmeister Brothers to be used as a store. At the time of this writing, it is still used as a store building.
- Lutheran ---
Zion Evangelical Lutheran church was organized April 4, 1854, under the Rev. Harkey. Services were held in the Christian, then the Presbyterian building, until a church was built in 1870.
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THIS IS LIBERTY
The first officers were Elders: David Xander, George Keller, Sr .; Deacons George Volmer, Theodore Graff; Trustees, David Xander, George Keller, Sr., and Theodore Graff.
The first church was destroyed by fire resulting
from lightning on August 7, 1907. Rebuilding began immediately and Christmas services were held in the new building in 1907.
The remains of Zion Lutheran Church after the fire on August 7, 1907.
The services were bilingual, English and German, until 1907 when the new church was completed. The old parsonage next to the church on Main street was built during the 1880's. A Sunday School addition was built and dedicated on April 23rd, 1923.
The Zion Evangelical Lutheran church observed its centennial in 1954. At that time the basement of the
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LUTHERAN
CHURCH
The Zion Lutheran church on Main and North Streets as it appeared in 1915.
church was finished and the organ dedicated.
The Lutheran Women's Missionary Society of the church was organized on March 24th, 1887. The first officers were: president, Mrs. Sam Naylor; vice presi- dent, Mrs. W. H. Blanche; recording secretary, Mrs. Elizabeth Weisenberger; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Aaron Zanders, and treasurer, Mrs. Phillip Hoehne. The organization had fifty members.
The young people's organization, the Luther League, was first organized in 1899. St. Peter's of Lost Prairie was united with the Liberty Lutheran church circa 1922.
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THIS IS LIBERTY
The old parsonage was sold in 1956 and a new home was erected on the west side of the church while the Rev. Robert Nelson was pastor. In 1963 the Rev. A. O. Althafer is pastor of the congregation.
--- Catholic
The Catholic church of St. Brigid was established in 1847 and a church was built in 1869 and '70.
The first Catholic settlers of this territory were occasionally visited by the famous pioneer missionaries, Father St. Cyr and Father DeSmet, S. J. Later on Fathers McCabe and Stich ministered to their spiritual needs, riding horseback from one little Catholic colony to another with their vestments and a Itar supplies strapped behind them.
The parish was founded in 1860, with the church built about ten years later. The Rev. Thomas Cusack first official pastor from 1860 to 1870, still said Mass in parishioner's homes, according to their turns. One Mass per month continued to be the custom after the church construction due to the pastor having other par- ishes.
The Rev. John Kerr succeeded Father Cusack in 1875 and he had a sacristy built onto the church. On his monthly visits in summer and fall he roomed over the sacristy, with the ladies of the parish preparing his
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meals. In winter and spring he availed himself of the hospitality of his friends.
The Rev. Clement Johannes, who came in 1885, was the first resident pastor of St. Brigid. During his time with the church, the residence was built.
From 1896 until 1899, the Rev. Thomas Costello, who was a skilled architect, was pastor. He did much to beautify the church premises. The ceiling was raised and arched, the windows mullioned, the sanctuary space increased and the church enlarged.
During the pastorage of the Rev. Wm. Pietsch, 1921-1927, he established a flourishing branch of the Holy Name Society.
Liberty Union Picnic -
The Liberty Union Sunday School Picnic, more commonly called the Liberty Picnic, has been held in August for almost a century. It was a post-war social innovation - Civil War, of course. It is hard to decide whether it belongs with the development of the churches or with the community entertainment.
One story says that it was an idea brought to Liberty from Plainsville by Horace Griffin. Griffin, it seems, bought the old mill in Liberty in 1865 and moved to the village. He had been a member of the Plainville
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THIS IS LIBERTY
Baptist church, but joined the Presbyterians here. He told Edmund Grubb of a picnic held in Plainville where the members of the Sunday School formed a procession and marched to the outing. He suggested that Liberty adopt this pleasant custom.
Whether the idea came from Plainville, or was a home grown one, the first of these annual community affairs, according to written history, was held on August 13, 1865, inBrody Grove, one mile south of Liberty. The Sunday Schools in the Union were the Christian, the Lutheran and the Presbyterian. A procession led by Henry D. Buttz, as mounted marshal, the Liberty Band and followed by the three Sunday School groups marched to the grounds. Dinner, eaten at noon, was brought in tubs and wash baskets and spread on the ground.
In 1870 the fifth picnic was remembered for the eclipse of the sun during the day.
In 1891 the Liberty Odd Fellows Lodge had opened a road through the woods and cleared a large picnic area near Buttz Spring. In that year the picnic moved to this location, commonly known as "Chandler Quarter, " a mile and a half south of town.
By 1899 the event was attended by between five and six thousand with these picnickers coming in nearly 1,500 vehicles and 120 riding horses. These entrants to the grounds were recorded by Percy Enlow as they passed through the gates. Meals were still brought family style
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CHAPTER 5 and eaten with sweets sold on the grounds. The picnic area was officially closed at 6:30 p.m.
Despite such precautions, a few local citizens were bound to get out of hand, and in 1900 during the afternoon Thomas Clark, Revenue Collector from Quincy, arrested several bootleggers. Perhaps the year is better remembered for setting the official date for the picnic, the second Thursday of August annually.
In 1906 the site of the picnic was again changed - this time to the Balzer Grove a mile and a half north of Liberty. It was noted that year that the Noftz Cafe made 250 gallons of ice cream for the occasion.
On August 7, 1907, as a result of lightning, the Lutheran church was destroyed by fire. The second Thursday of the month was the 8th, and a Liberty picnic was held as usual, although the frivolity was restrained.
By 1910 Liberty "gay blades" were experimenting with those horseless carriages and were coming to "no good." Several of the "Gol-durn" machines blew up and one balked, holding up traffic for an hour or more.
In 1915, after surviving fifty years, the annual event was celebrated by more than 3,000 people who viewed the elaborate decorations and some 300 of these partook of the noon chicken dinner served on the grounds.
In 1919 the picnic was remembered by many
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THIS IS LIBERTY
small fry .... red lemonade was served.
When the Presbyterian church was disbanded in 1924, the Lutheran and Christian churches carried on with the Union picnics.
The picnic was finally held within the village proper in 1929 when the location was moved to the Liberty Park. A fried chicken supper became the big event, carrying the picnic into the evening hours.
The 1934 outing holds the dubious honor of being the hottest on record. The mercury climbed to 111 de- grees, but the contests were held, despite the heat.
Another milestone was observed in 1940 on the 75th anniversary of the event. A history was written by a special committee, and members of the disbanded Lib- erty Bands furnished the music.
The 1948 picnic opened officially at 2:30 with a parade. Races, contests and the chicken supper were enjoyed as well as music furnished by the Liberty Band.
In recent years the picnic has become an even- ing event. Gone are the parades from the various churches, the afternoon spent in games and contests, the basket lunches and music furnished by an adult band. Instead, the Liberty school music groups furnish dinner music and a program is presented during the evening.
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The villagers, former residents and friends gather in Liberty Park where they visit and renew old acquaint- ances. The chicken supper is now served under the roof of the shelter house built in recent years. Those who prefer hamburgers can snack at the refreshment stand.
As 1965 draws near, one can review the changes evolved during the 100 years. From a mid-day local outing, it has become an evening gab-fest for old friends from near and far.
This group of Liberty's young ladies entertained at a recent Liberty picnic, accompanied by Miss Esther Reid, Liberty High School teacher.
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CHAPTER 6
SCHOOLS
As was the habit in the newly developed areas, education followed the period of settling, clearing and developing the land or business. Liberty followed the pattern. By the 1850's, nearly 20 years having elapsed since trading posts were established, "book larn'n" be- came a need.
It is supposed that there was some form of formal education prior to this. Marblehead, whose founder Justis I. Perigo was one of those three early settlers, was settled in the mid-1820's and boasted a school, building and all, in 1825. Burton's first school was taught in 1843-1844 with a building erected in the summer of 1844. Nothing can be found of a prior school in Liberty, but generally theyevolved from house meetings to a regular building.
At any rate, in 1852, a one story building was built using brick manufactured on the C. A. Wagner farm. W. H. Odell is recorded as the first teacher.
This schoolhouse was a community center for a- while with each church meeting there for a period be- tween establishment and an active building program.
At the end of the Civil War in 1866, the village had grown enough population-wise to deem the school
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CHAPTER 6
too small. At that time Ambrose Dudley deeded to the school trustees the block on the north side of Dudley street so long as it should be used for school purposes. P. H. Mercer planted shade trees on the playground and around the block. The second building was put up that summer of 1866.
By 1885 the patrons again saw the need of a larger school building and purchased the one-half block where the old high school stood. The building was erected during the summer of 1887. The first brick schoolhouse had been razed and the second building was sold to O. H. Collins and used by Pond Brothers for a warehouse.
As high school became more of an educational necessity, Liberty strove to keep up. At first only one year of high school was taught, then two, and finally by 1918 three years of accredited curriculum was being taught.
Between 1852 and 1918 fifty-seven teachers had taught Liberty children. The faculty in 1918 was com- prised of principal S. Fred Hall; Arevilla Flick, eighth grade and assistant in high school; Mabel Sims, 5th, 6th and 7th grades and Zepha Welton, primary.
During the early 1930's the need for a more modern school was again recognized by the more pro- gressive citizens in Liberty. Committees were appointed, the subject studied, and discussions were carried on both
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THIS IS LIBERTY at formal meetings and by the "man in the street." Sev- eral elections were held before the building on Main street at the northern edge of town was started.
An election was held on Sept. 3, 1938. On October 16, 1939, the citizens voted six to one for a new school. On February 17, 1940, an election was held for the establishment of a community high school district in Liberty and won by a vote of 682 to 285.
A $50,000 school was erected, made possible through a W. P.A. grant. The Liberty Community School building was designed by Martin J. Geise, architect from Quincy. The W. P. A. project for construction was approved by President Roosevelt on October 4, 1939, and operations started on November 6th of that year.
The project was completed September 30, 1940. The building is a one story structure of eight rooms with sanitary facilities and running water from a deep well. The exterior is native limestone trimmed with pre-cast cement fabricated on the site by W. P.A. workmen. This new school was dedicated on Sunday, December 1, 1940. Anelementary school was built on the same cam- pus in the 1950's.
The small one-room schools in the area were gradually closed, the high school curriculum broadened and Liberty became the education center for this section of Adams county. Children came in the traditional yellow school bus from the country lanes to attend twelve
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Liberty High School as it appeared in the early 1940's.
years of formal educational studies in Liberty Community School.
For nearly twenty years this "modern" school seemed adequate. As 1960 came up on the calendar so did the old question of improving the Liberty school.
Cramped for space in both the elementary and the high school building and needing more modern teach- ing facilities, the need became evident to concerned parents and broadminded residents of the school district.
Change in Liberty, as we have seen, is slow and sometimes painful. The change for a better building and
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THIS IS LIBERTY
he Chas of '9th request the pleasure of your prviver of the Sixt Una
١٢٢٢٢١ لتر
Liberty Class of 1894 sent out parchment engraved invitations.
Graduates
SAMUEL NAYIAR. VHANK WILLIAMS, W. ELMER MERCER,
HARRY COLLINE CHARLIE BOREN; EDWARD HUNSAKER MISS MAUD COLLINS
There were seven in the Class of 1894 with two faculty members.
BOARD OF EDUCATION.
* N. COLLINS, President, C. W. BARNARD, SAUTERNS. C. A. WAGNER.
FACULTY.
F W. SELLERA, PrinAONI.
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more facilities for the education of the youth is again discussed in the committee meeting and on the street.
Sides have been taken, lawyers hired and the struggle of the old familiar against the new and different is again being waged in Liberty.
An election was held and a $500,000.00 bond issue was approved by a majority of the qualified voters in the Liberty school district in July of 1961.
This election was contested by a group of voters who disagreed with the majority. The dissenters, with legal aid, caused a court order delaying the issuance of bonds and prohibiting progress for the school.
At the time of this writing, the issue has not been resolved.
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CHAPTER 7
ORGANIZATIONS
Man, being the social animal that he is, cannot live in close proximity with his fellows without dividing into groups. The first such division comes with religious beliefs and the church which meets the individual re- quirement for the outward show of the inmost concepts of Christianity.
Soon the normal church activities did not fulfill man's need for his neighbor's company so small groups banded together and an organization was formed.
Whether the organization be labeled fraternal, patriotic, service or purely social, the need for human contact is the basis for its founding.
Prior to the Civil War the church and the indi- vidual stand on the ominous "slavery question" seemed to be the reason for meetings. We have stated earlier the primary beliefs of the Knights of the Golden Circle and the Wide Awakers.
Odd Fellows
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is a benevolent and fraternal order established in England which came to the United States in 1819. The lodges are primarily places of entertainment and social activities,
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although some sponsor insurance plans for sickness, ac- cidents and burial.
Some forty years after the Lodge's introduction in the U. S., Liberty men organized and affiliated with the Odd Fellow's Lodge in 1860. These early men were community-minded as well as interested in entertainment. They helped with a road and clearing at Chandler Quar- ter for the Liberty Union Sunday school picnics in 1891. They were instrumental also in the development of the Liberty Band.
The organization built a building on the corner of Dudley and Columbus Streets. Here they met as did the Masons and other organizations. It is supposed that this I. O. O. F. hall served asa community hall for many years.
In 1906 they built their own building with a Lodge Hall upstairs and a store downstairs which Klarn- er's occupied from 1906 until 1952. In 1956 (circa) the organization disbanded and sold the building to Lee Knipmeyer, a local business man.
The Rebekahs, the women's order of Odd Fel- lows, was organized in 1851 nationally. In 1893 the Liberty chapter came into existence. The ladies have been more stable, and though there have been some strained years, the Liberty Rebekahs are still an active organization.
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THIS IS LIBERTY Masonic Order
In 1863 the men of Liberty organized a Lodge of Free Masonry. This fraternal group, whose origin dates to medieval times, came to America with John Skine in 1682 and in 1729 there was an active lodge in Philadel- phia, of which Benjamin Franklin was a member.
Thus during the War years the men of Liberty formed Liberty Lodge No. 380. That lodge has contin- ved until the present time.
The men organized the lodge on April 27th, 1863, and received their charter in October of that year. George D. Mercer was secretary pro tem for the first meeting. J. W. Banker of Bodily Lodge No. 1, Quincy, was impowered by the Worshipful Grand Master of Grand Lodge of Illinois to set the craft to work under dispensa- tion.
J. R. Howerton was appointed first master, B. L. Spencer, senior warden, B. R. Nations, junior warden and William W. Franks, secretary.
In 1901, after meeting for nearly 40 years in the I.O. O.F. Hall, at the August meeting a motion was made and carried to build a hall in New Liberty. A lot had been purchased on Main street in June of that year for $125.00. The building committee was composed of Mr. Zenos Winget, G. D. Mercer and S. F. McBride.
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CHAPTER 7 The Hall was dedicated on February 1, 1902, by the Most Worshipful Grand Master Isaac Cutter. There were guests from Payson, Kingston, Bowen, Herman and Bodily Lodge of Quincy. The ladies of the Order of the Eastern Star served a dinner.
The lower floor of the hall was used mainly for social gatherings of the lodge, but for a time it was used by the Bank of Liberty. It was used occasionally also by the Justice of Peace to try cases and was at one time rented by Edmund Keller to use for his undertaking busi- ness.
In 1898 the Order of the Eastern Star organized Chapter 392 in Liberty. This society, which was begun in 1876, is affiliated with the Masonic Order and mem- bership is confined to master Masons and their women relatives. A meeting of the petitioners for a chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star was held in the I. O. O.F. Hall at Liberty on February 1, 1898. G. D. Mercer was appointed secretary pro-tem.
The following were escorted to their stations: Mattie McBride, worthy matron; S. F. McBride, wor- thy patron; Sadie Buttz, associate matron; Cle Enlow, secretary; Neva McCrory, treasurer; Ella McBride, con- ductress; Winnie Hartshorn, associate conductress; Eliz- abeth Mercer, Adah; Alberta Wolfe, Ruth; Maggie Klarner, Esther; Maud Winget, Martha; Kate McBride, Electa; J. B. Wolfe, warder; E. B. McBride, sentinel;
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THIS IS LIBERTY
G. D. Mercer, chaplain; A. Hartshorn, marshal, and A. L. Enlow, organist .
In 1963 the chapter honored two fifty year mem- bers, Mrs. Julie Pond, who was initiated on July 13, 1913, and Mrs. Alta Grubb Lewis, who was initiated on July 15, 1913. Both served as worthy matrons of the chapter.
Liberty chapter has continued to exist and to occupy a place of distinction in the community.
Since modern transportation and communication has made neighbors of the nations, individuals find it less necessary to band together for mutual enjoyment. For this reason there has been a decline in the member- ship and attendance of most organizations and the Lib- erty chapters of national organizations have proved no exception.
Mutual Benefits --
In the late 1800's there were a great many mutual benefitsocieties formed. These fraternal societies existed, in the main, for the purpose of a group insurance. The ritual and social function was generally considered of secondary importance. The modern Woodmen of Amer- ica was such a society and, although organization and disbandment dates are unavailable, there is much evi- dence of the society's existence in Liberty in the early 1900's.
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CHAPTER 7 Another insurance group, the Adams County Mu- tual, was organized in 1910.
At the turn of the century, a ladies' group that falls into this category, the Royal Neighbors, was born. This organization took place in 1899.
As interest in mutual insurance society declined, so did these organizations from lack of a catalyst.
American Legion ---
Liberty men have gone to war each time the United States has been engaged in combat. There is no written record of any organizations of these patriots be- fore 1920 when a handful of World War I veterans organ- ized.
The men met on May 15, 1920, and expressed a desire to form an American Legion Post. Dr. W. E. Mer- cer was chosen temporary chairman and Gerald P. Frey, temporary secretary.
A committee was appointed to decide upon a name for the Post and they chose Blentlinger-Tournear, the family names of two Liberty boys who did not return from the "Great War" -- Prosper Tournear and Andrew Blent- linger.
Dr. W. E. Mercer was elected first Commander ,
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THIS IS LIBERTY
with Gerald Frey and Milton Dean serving as second and third Commanders.
During the early 1920's, the Legion was very ac- tive. In September of 1924, Miss Alice Gramke's music pupils had a program with the American Legion serving refreshments and reaping the proceeds. That year was obviously a busy one for the new group. On May 30th they sponsored a "Strawberry and Ice Cream Social." A speaker addressed the group and Liberty Band provided appropriate music. It is noted that the magnificent sum of $70.00 was monetary recompense for the effort.
That same year, 1924, it is recorded that 1,000 people attended a Defense Day Program. A parade, singing and speakers provided the social diversion.
There is record of a playground area north of the Liberty Park which the local American Legion supervised . Children enjoyed the slides and teeter totter while the boys played softball.
In 1930 the spirit was still eager among the vet- erans. Such activities as Memorial Services, grave dec- orating, picnics, and oyster suppers served beneficial as well as social opportunities.
Interest in the Post seemed to ebb as the Second World War approached. Perhaps it was the spirit of the times.
With the termination of the shooting war and the
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THIS IS LIBERTY
return of the "boys," the American Legion again began to show life. During the 1950's an annual minstrel be- came the yearly project. The men enjoyed the activity perhaps more than the audience.
Memorial Day services were revived, suppers were again held to raise money and, in 1956, the Post bought the Odd Fellow's Hall on Main Street.
The lower floor was granted as a recreation cen- ter for Liberty's teen age youngsters. With the financial help of the Lions Club and physical assistance from in- terested adults, for several years this was known as "Teen Town. "
As the youthful interest abated, the Legion began to use the entire building for their functions. A kitchen was installed in the rear, making the front part of the lower floor ideal for local suppers.
An American Legion Auxiliary in Liberty was granted a charter on September 1, 1928.
Charter members for this ladies' group were: Mrs. Edith Anderson, Mrs. Bertha Buttz, Mrs. Mabel Dean, Miss Frieda M. Mercer, Miss Grace Mercer, Mrs. Frieda Frey, Mrs. Josephine Hessert, Mrs. Grace Hof- miester, Mrs. Pearl Husman, Mrs. Nellie Mercer and Mrs. Myrtle Mitchell.
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