USA > Illinois > Montgomery County > Witt > Witt centennial : Witt, Montgomery County, Illinois, 1868-1968 > Part 7
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When it was realized that the congre- gation was too small to reopen the church, one-half the furnishings were donated to Benld which church the remaining members joined.
First Priest: Father Anthony Romja.
Committee Members: John Pobminsky, John Chervinko, John Voytilla.
Choir Director: Jchn Voytilla.
Last Committee Members: Steve Buchko, Pete Koma, George Bronza. Choir Director: Steve Buchko.
The last services held in the church was the marriage of Robert Bates and Veronica Potsic, with Rev. Father Nicolas Semkoff of
St. Peter's and St. Paul's Church of Chicago officiating.
Marriage Ceremony Of The Eastern Orthodox Faith
In the Eastern Orthodox Church "Matri- mony" is one of the Holy Sacraments and it is very Sacred.
The priest meets the bride and groom in the middle of the church with lighted can- dles. This is the blessing of the engagement. He gives a lighted candle to the groom and one to the bride. The couple hold lighted can- dles during the ceremony to show that they pledge before God to follow the light of Truth, Jesus Christ, and that they will have their way through life lighted by the teach- ings of the Church.
The exchanging of the rings also takes place here. They are placed on the right hand; by exchanging of the rings three times they pledge to share and exchange both their spiritual and physical goods, also eternal love and devotion. The Priest then leads them to the front of the church while the choir sings "Glory To Thee O Lord, Glory To Thee".
An impressive part of the Orthodox mar- riage ceremony is the placing of the "Crowns" on the heads of the bridal couple. The Priest places the "Crowns" on their heads, saying. "O Lord Our God, With Glory and Honor Crown Them, Making Them King and Queen". The "Crowns" are symbolic of the blessing and the grace bestowed by God upon the newly-united couple. They are also sym- bolic of great honor, along with the respon- sibilities that attends the establishment of a new Christian family.
After they are Crowned and before all present the blessing of the marriage is done by reading from the Bible the "Letter of Apostle Paul to the Ephesians".
The Bride and Groom drink from a com- mon cup of wine, to indicate that they will mutually share both the happiness and mis- fortunes of life.
Next the Priest ties the hands of the couple and leds them around the analoy (a small table) three times. They pledge to walk life's pathway together in the way of Christ as symbolized by the Gospel and the Cross on the analoy. He unties their hands and
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places the handkerchief on the altar. He con- tinues with a prayer and removes the "Crowns".
He next leads the Bridal Couple before the Holy Altar for the Blessing. Kneeling there he places their heads together, covers their heads with his Stole, he gives them their blessing and says a prayer of "Good Wishes", full of tenderness and cherishable words. Thus ends the ceremony.
* WITT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
The Witt Presbyterian Church was or- ganized the second Sunday in April, 1875, within the bounds of the Vandalia Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, with Rev. W. J. McDavid as minister and Christian Marks and Wm. Opdyke as elders. Charter members were: Christian Marks, James Marks, Alice Marks, Willa Marks, Maggie Marks, Nancy Marks, Mrs. James Marks, John Lohr, Mrs. Catherine Lohr, Wm. Lohr, Mahala Lohr, Wm. Opdyke, Julia E. Opdyke, Emma Opdyke, Eugene Opdyke, Mary Heersten, W. H. Melrath and Thersa Melrath.
In April, 1884, after a year of Union Sun- day School, a resolution was drafted to have a Presbyterian Sunday School, with J. E. Shuping as superintendent. On Dec. 8, 1896,
a lot was purchased, and it is assumed that the church was erected the following sum- mer. Previous to this time, since 1873, the congregation held meetings in a building of Mr. Wubker's, general storekeeper.
The church was enlarged, but no record of the date. It stood on a lot in the East side of town, as at that time there were two small villages, Witt and Paisley. It was decided to build a new manse and lots were purchased a block North of the business district which had built up between the two villages.
In 1918 the present manse was built from funds provided by the Ladies Auxiliary. In 1920 the church was moved from the East side to its present location and enlarged. In May 1948, the congregation voted to join the "Presbyterian Larger Parish of the Open Door" of Alton Presbytery. On April 9. 1950, the church celebrated its Seventy-Fifth An- niversary at the Easter Service. Rev. Chas. Collisson was minister at this time.
At the present time, the pulpit is being filled by Mr. George Bruce, student supply, approved by Alton Presbytery. Elders are: Walter Lee, Glen Martin, LeRoy Martin, Russell Masters, Harlan Durston, and Gar- land Holloway.
1
WITT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
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THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
The Christian Church was organized and held its first worship service in August of 1955. The ground was purchased in Novem- ber of 1954, where formerly a Russian Ortho- dox Greek Catholic building stood. That building was sold, taken down and moved, leaving only a huge pile of debris to be clear- ed away before building for the new church could begin. After clearing the debris away, it was found that the basement floor of the old building was in good condition and use- able.
Work began the following spring in lay- ing concrete blocks for the basement walls. A covering was laid over the basement build- ing to serve the purpose of housing the con- gregation until the upper structure could be built.
Twenty-one persons attended services when the doors were first opened on Aug. 14, 1955. The church had 13 charter members.
In 1958 the main structure was begun. This was a gradual process as the people of the church did almost all of the labor. In 1964 the building was completed and dedicated to God in a special service on November 8 of that year.
In 1966 a parsonage was purchased on North First Street and rooms were added, making it a modern, three bedroom house.
Additional classrooms were added in the church building in 1966 and 1967 making a total of ten classrooms.
Through the years the church has sup-
ported several missionaries and also held membership in camp at Bond Christian Serv- ice Camp near Mulberry Grove, Illinois.
Former ministers have included Charles L. Lee, Roy Bakken, George Tietze, Walter Puckett, Ron Simkins, and currently, Wesley Cornell.
The membership of the church now to- tals 60 with an average morning attendance of 65.
* WITT SCHOOLS
The first school in Witt township was built in 1836 in the southwest part near East Fork Creek, which was probably the first building erected in the township. The first frame school house was Prairie Valley School, built in 1849. The second frame school was the one known as the Maxey School near the center of the township. In 1882 there were seven schools operating in the township on a seven-months basis.
Education in the community proper actu- ally began in two separate units. Witt District No. 66 was an outgrowth of the old Maple Grove School. This one room school was brought in from the Cora Z. Lipe farm locat- ed on Section 7 to the Duty 20 acres nearby, but within the edge of the city limits. In the late 1890's, the building was again moved on- to land donated by Robert Dixon (father of Mrs. Jchn C. Maxey) where it now stands on the county road near the southeast part of the City leading to the cemetery. In the early 20's, it was divided into two residences which were occupied by the Bregant and Perme families for many years.
The Paisley School was built by Gecrge Paisley, himself, in 1895 as District No. 64. It still stands on the original site. In later years it was used by the Witt firemen for their clubhouse. It was still used for educational purposes as late as the 1920's as a school for the Paisley community. On the old frame building of District No. 66 which originally consisted of 2 rooms, a cne-room addition was built in 1904. Early Board minutes show that Lizzie Hughes (late Mrs. Barringer) was hir- ed in 1901 to teach the primary grades and in 1902, Mr. B. M. Barringer was hired to teach the upper grades. In 1905, Addie Hanks was
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H
The original Witt School buildings first located on the Cora Z. Lipe farm, and later moved to the East side of Witt.
hired for the primary and E. A. Lewey of Hillsboro was hired to teach Grade 2. The middle grades were taught by Eva Lewis.
In 1906 several important events took place which affected the school. The Witt Dis- trict No. 66 and Paisley District No. 64 consol- idated to create the new District No. 66. On May 15 of that year the present school build- ing had its beginning when a bond issue was passed for $5,675.00 by the voters and the building was started. The Board of Directors was composed of Messers John Maxey, W. A. Young, Harvey Smith Clickener, John Mar- tin, George Powis and President A. F. San- ders. The meetings were held in the old Oland National Bank. The site was purchased from Alonzo Betty for $1,500.00. The bid of L. M. Moore and Son of Danville, Illinois for $11,- 434.00 was accepted. By August of 1906 the building was finished to the first joists and in December 1906, two outbuildings (toilets) were built north of the school. Seats were ordered through Carriker and Maxey for $2.50 each and carpenters were paid at the rate of $.25 an hour. Aaron Platts, as chief carpenter was paid $.371., an hour, but not until it was taken to court after being refused three times for payment.
The new building was ready for occupan- cy in 1907. Tarney Ivy was sent to the East Building (old No. 66) and Miss Cora Lipe went to the West Building (Paisley). In the new Parkview School were Addie Hanks, Pri- mary; Eva Lewis, Grade 2: Emma Hall,
Grades 3 and 4; Mary Watson, Grades 5 and 6; Nonnie Sanders, Grades 7 and 8. In those days teachers received $40.00 and $45.00 per month. E. A. Lewey was to teach all classes in the 2-year High School and to supervise the Grades for $85.00 for the 8-month year. Ethel Cora taught Primary in the West School. In 1908, Edna Barringer was added to the High School faculty to teach English, His- tory, Government and Latin. She coached the only girls basketball team Witt has ever pro- duced. Their only game was with Hillsboro.
In November 1908, an election was held to allow the citizens to vote upon a bond is- sue to build four new rooms. The issue car- ried 75-13 and the present rooms occupied by grades 1, 2, 7 and 8 were added to the building.
The 2-year High School became a 3-year High School and in May 1909 there were ten graduates. They were Tom Burris, George Eddington, Ruby Lucas, Naomi Platt Meyers, Columbus Oslett, Beulah Shuping Pierce, Frances Pircher, Clarence Pittinger, Ed Spei- ser and Nellie Tucker. They are all deceased except Columbus Oslett and Frances Pircher. In 1910 the first 4-year High School was of- fered in Witt and there were five graduates.
Because of the sinking of the two mines in Witt and north of Witt, plus some industry, the town grew and there became a demand for more classrooms to educate the young. As a result in the year 1913, work began on the North School near the Witt Road at the northern edge of the City. It began accepting
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H
First Construction Of The Present Witt School Begun In 1906
pupils in the Fall of 1914 and was in cpera- tion until the late 1920's.
In 1923 the new Anton Avena Building on Broadway was remodeled and used as a school for three or four years. The classrooms there were large and it served only as a tem- porary measure until the planning and devel- opment of the addition to the High School could be realized.
During the 1921-1922 school year, be- cause of financial difficulties, the District was thrown into a non-High School territory. The District retained its 3-year High School, but Seniors were forced to attend neighboring High Schools for their last year (Pana, Hills- boro and Nokomis). The 4-year was again added in 1922-1923 school year.
In the Spring of 1926, construction was begun on the addition to the school which now comprises the High School classrooms and gymnasium. This was done with the able administration of Will A. Green, who served as Superintendent with a longer "tenure" than any other man, 1923-1945. The Board members at that time were: President, John Maxey; Secretary, Wm. Betty; Charles Walcher, Harry Holmes, Henry Hoehn, Char- les Martin, and Frank Stauder. The first classes were held in the new High School in the Fall of 1927.
The new gym and High School was an inspiration to the entire community and per-
haps added to the school spirit. It served as an inspiration which enabled coach Joe Kil- patrick to take two basketball teams to the State basketball finals in Champaign in 1928 and in 1929. In 1928, the Speedboys won 3rd place in the State tourney by beating Griggs. ville, 40-26. They had been beaten by Canton by 1 point and Canton went on to win the event. In 1929 they were defeated in their first game by Streator. George and Paul Chervinko, Francis (Buster) Coulson, Al Hanisko, Charles Nuehs, Albert Scharini, Russell Selletto, John Maurer, Frank Korbar and Louis Dean composed the first ten of the original Speedboys who were 3rd place State champs in 1928.
The Old North School, now the Laura Charles Nursing Home.
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The depression of the 30's nit the con- munity hard and as a result of mine and in- dustrial closings, the community population decreased. However, the school population remained high but finances were scarce. Teachers were getting less than $100.00 per month and school was on an 8 month basis.
In 1939 the High School graduated its largest class. There were thirty-six gradu- ates. During World War II years, the school did its part by selling bonds and stamps and collecting scrap metals. Both faculty and student alumni served faithfully in the armed forces. Two W.H.S. alumni, Franklin Speiser and Andrew Rodeghier, made the supreme sacrifice and gave their lives for their coun- try.
Superintendent Will A. Green was killed in an auto accident in 1945 as he took a group of boys to Nokomis to a basketball game that Fall.
In the 50's, school consolidation brought in students from rural Pleasant View (Goose Neck ), Green Valley, Pleasant Hill and Oak Grove.
In 1956 under Superintendent Harry Walker, both Home Economics and Industrial Arts departments were added to the High School curriculum and in 1958 under his leadership, a new kitchen and cafeteria, and music room was added onto the north side of the building next to the stage.
In the school year, 1964 and 1965, under the present administrator, Andrew P. Sar- sany, a new Kindergarten was added to the Unit and the science lab and High School library were remodeled.
The Original Paisley School
Today, the Unit consists of 17 square miles, has approximately 250 elementary students and 100 high school students. There are 18 teachers and an administrator; two custodians; three cooks; and two secretaries. The school is fully accredited by the State and proudly offers studies from Kindergarten through Grades 12. The Board is now com- posed of: Robert Bates, President, Dale Clay ton, Secretary; Keith Furness; Wayne Kue- the; Paul Hamrock; Kathleen Lowe and Elaine Scobell.
Administrators who served the Unit for five years or more include: E. A. Lewey, J. W. White, Will A. Green, Harry C. Walker and Andrew P. Sarsany.
Elementary teachers with long tenure include Julia (Walcher) Coffey; Alta (Skin- ner) Morse; Helen Borror; Dorothy ( Beasley) Parker; Antinena (Repulsky) Weber; Ed- ward Speiser; Charlotte Tucker; Mabel (Chapman) Blackwelder; Frances Pircher; Grace Beckham; Anna Berry; Fanny Thomp- son; Edith Lee; Addie Hanks; Lizzie Hughes; Lillian Hughes; Helen Durston; Mary Lou
Witt Unit School District No. 66 June 1968
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Huber; Irma Shore and Stella Zimmer. Miss Grace Beckham probably has the longest consecutive tenure of any-beginning in 1925 in the 1st grade at Witt and still teaching in that position.
High School teachers with long tenure include: Leona (Sturgeon) Richmond; Cora Z. Lipe; Evan Kelly; Malloy Holmes; Richard Adair; Catherine (Pierce) Ball; Edna Bar- ringer; Josephine (Frerichs) Evans: Vera Imogene (Dillman) Sarsany and Betty Morse.
PARENT-TEACHER CLUB
The first Parent-Teacher Association was organized in 1921, the president was Mrs. Chas. Lockhart. In 1967 the organization was changed to Parent-Teacher Club. The aim of the organization is to promote interest in the study of the problems of children and to ad- vance their welfare. They sponsor many ac- tivities to accomplish this. The present mem- bership is 77. The present officers are Pres. Faye Hamrock: Vice Pres., Joyce Shelton; Secretarv. Darlene Rogers; Treasurer, Bar- bara Golitko.
WITT MEMORIAL LIBRARY
The Witt Memorial Library had its be- ginning in 1953, when Mrs. Robert Hilt re- ceived some books from the Nokomis Li- brary that were being disposed of. A building on Broadway, owned by Witt Township, was loaned to a board of seven women, who vol- unteered to equip a room for a library. It re- mained in that room until the late Mr. and Mrs. Homer Butler deeded one hundred square feet on North Second Street to be used for a library. The directors raised money to build a concrete block building and with mostly donated help, it was completed and in October 1950 the doors were opened to the public. Donations for blocks were made by so-
liciting every home in town. These generous donations, plus many from out of town, form- er residents and interested persons, provided the funds with which the library was built, with the labor being donated.
Many grown ups and children have spent time looking over and checking out books to read. We are not quite a hundred years old, but we hope to be here long enough to reach a hundred. In 1957 the library became tax supported by the township. There are about 6000 books for all ages at the present time.
The first trustees were: Mrs. Dennis Reardon, Mrs. Logan Carr, Mrs. Al Hanisko, Mrs. Fred Reisacher, Mrs. Edward Speiser, Mrs. Simon Lay, Mrs. Robert Hilt, Mrs. Pete Cesarette.
The present trustees are: Mrs. Fannie Thompson, Mrs. Al Hanisko, Mrs. Shirley Tucker, Miss Mildred Read, Mrs. George Nuehs, Miss Cora Lipe, Mrs. Robert Hilt.
WITT LIONS CLUB
L
In the Spring of 1960 several represen- tatives of the Nokomis Lions Club met with a nucleus of young men at the Stiehl-Dawson Funeral Home to try to interest the communi- ty in a Lions Club of its own. Out of that meeting was organized the Witt Lions Club which was chartered in June of that year. Twenty nine members were registered as Charter members. They are as follows:
Andrew Sarsany, President; Mel Cor- dani, 1st Vice President; Maurice Stauder, 2nd Vice President; Wayne Kuethe, 3rd Vice President; Arnold Lapsansky, Secretary; John Yuna, Treasurer; Francis O'Malley, Lion Tamer; Lou Schwartz, Tail Twister; Ray Huber, Assistant Tail Twister; George Nuehs, Arthur Weller, Anthony Sinclair, Worth Hay- craft, Carl Eddington, Florazel Sparks, Leroy Martin, Earl E. Zimmer, Nicholas Sarsany, William Conway, Jerome Keller, Charles Haycraft, Gerald Tomamichael, Garland Hol- loway and Lyman Brummet.
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In its nine years of history, the club has done an outstanding task of helping the com- munity. It has revived the "ole Witt Labor Days", helped spear-head the Centennial Celebration, and promoted such events as Lit- tle League and T-Shirt League for boys, Hai- loween parades and Easter Egg Hunts for the children. It has raised thousands of dol- lars which were spent on projects to help the community. Among the most noticeable pro- jects were 1. Street Signs, 2. Medical building, 3. A park with baseball and basketball facili- ties, 4. A community house, 5. Boulevard beautification, 6. It has donated money for physical equipment, 7. It has helped Witt youngsters by providing eye glasses to those in need, 8. It has given money to the school for various school projects, but most of all, the local Lions Club has given something to the community that cannot be measured in money-It has given it a spark of enthusi- asm and the will to make things better for the people who live within.
The motto of the Club is "We Serve" and the Witt Lions have truly tried to do that.
Since 1960 the club has been served by the following presidents: 1960-Andrew P. Sar- sany; 1961-Maurice Stauder; 1962-John Yuna; 1963-Louis Nicolotti; 1964-John T. Lowe; 1965-Louis Schwartz; 1966-Allen Marfell; 1967-Lynn Shelton; 1968-Paul Hamrock.
At present the club has 67 members on its roll.
* TONKS-CHRISTOPHER POST 558
ERIC
U.S
LEGION
The Tonks-Christopher Post 558, Amer- ican Legion, of Witt, Illinois, was organized March 6, 1920. Mark Tonks and John Christo- pher were the first Witt men to give their life for their country in World War I. There were sixteen charter members. There are sixty members now.
The Tonks-Christopher Auxiliary Unit 558 was organized March 4, 1924. There were
forty-nine charter members. There are fifty- one members now.
Formerly Legion and Auxiliary met at the Miner's Hall, but at different times. On December 10, 1936 the Legion members bought the present building. A complete new front was built in August 1967.
Now the Legion and Auxiliary members meet the third Wednesday night of the month. Each have their separate meetings and then join together for the social hour.
POCAHONTAS LODGE
Chenowee Council No. 198, Degree of Pocahontas, was organized in Witt in 1921, and have been an active organization ever since. There are still five charter members in the organization: Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Rear- don, William Conway, Mrs. Nora Auld and Mrs. Nell Rushford. Organization was in the Red Men Hall, later moving to Cooperative Hall and then Odd Fellows Hall.
ROYAL NEIGHBORS
Hawthorne Camp 4743 Royal Neighbors was organized in Witt in 1907. Of the charter members, only Lulu Platt remains.
The present membership is 94 and the of- ficers are: Oracle, Kathleen Lowe; Recorder, Mary Hopley; Receiver Frances Pircher.
Some Early History ...
Log cabins were primitive. Many times at first the hardened dirt was the only floor. Every community made its own bricks for chimneys, but stones were often used. Oiled paper at the windows allowed some light to enter. Home made candles were lit when ab- solutely necessary. Sometimes wicks in a dish of grease gave out a dim flicker.
If there was too much rain, hay was good but grain crops poor or impossible to harvest. Drought was worse.
If the elements did not destroy prosper- ity, rats did their bit. One rat hunt in the early 1870's yielded 15,876 carcasses by ac- tual count.
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Witt City Hall
1
Although settlements in Witt Township were made as early as 1831, it was some time before any formal government was organ- ized in the urbanized area of the township. Records show that the first Village Board was organized on August 25, 1898, and the first board consisted of the following:
Village President Robert Dixon
Treasurer William Shuping
Clerk C. E. Meddy
Trustees Alfred Grugg, Joseph
Lee, C. O. Scott. Joseph Hartlieb & William Holmes
Witt continued to have a Village form of
government until 1911 and the following served as Village Presidents:
Second Village President ... William Shuping Third Village President Elisha Clark
In 1909 a new city hall was constructed at a cost of $4,036 and the urban area moved towards a city form of government. C. E. Bathe served as the first mayor of the city, which became chartered as a city in 1911.
Other major improvements made by the city include:
1. Ordinance No. 79 provided the im- provements of Broadway which in- cluded laying of bricks. Estimated cost $18,117.05. Year 1917
2. Bond of $16,000 was approved for the construction of Witt's Water Works in 1918.
3. Natural Gas was completed in 1962.
4. Sanitary Sewer completed in 1965.
Men who administered the city as mayor since its incorporation in 1911 are as follows: First Mayor after incorporation .... C. E. Bathe
Second Mayor James Shannon
Third Mayor C. M. Woodin
Fourth Mayor .. Charles H. Lockhart
Fifth Mayor Charles H. Jester
Sixth Mayor
Edwin Evans
Seventh Mayor Allen Auld
Eighth Mayor Thomas Rosko
Ninth Mayor Louis Schwartz
At present the city is served by the fol- lowing offices and office holders:
Front row: Louis Schwartz, Mayor; Francis O'Malley, Alderman; James Auld. Alderman; Back row: Minnie Cadman, City
Clerk; Clarence Rufus, Alderman; Glennis O'Malley, City Treasurer. ( Missing from pic- ture are Lynn Shelton, Alderman; Thomas Rosko, Alderman; Francis Holthaus, Street Commissioner; Bill Harris, Chief of Police.)
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Back row, left to right: Alvin Hoehn, Auditor; Louis Bertolino, Highway Commis- sioner; Henry F. Hoehn Assessor; J. T. Lowe, Auditor. Front row: Minnie L. Cadman,
Supervisor; Edna Tucker, Town Clerk; (Au- ditor John R. Hilt (Bud), was out of town when picture was taken ).
EARLY HISTORY OF WITT TOWNSHIP
In 1872 it was decided to adopt town- ship organization and a committee was ap- pointed to make the division and name the townships. Montgomery county was divided into 18 townships and Township 9, Range 2 was given the name of its largest settlement, WITT.
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