PRINCETON, N. J.
BX 8947 .13^^67^1879 "
Norton, A. T. 1808-1884
History of the Presbyterian
church, in the state of
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HISTO|^,,,,,e
'iimf^'
OF THE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
IN THE
STATE OF ILLINOIS.
BY
A. T /NORTON,
VOL. I.
ST. LOUIS:
W. S. BRYAN, PUBLISHER,
FOR THE AUTHOR.
1879.
Copyrighted, 1879, by A. T. NORTON.
Ryan, Jacks & Co.,
Printers.
PREFACE.
This volume is called Presbyterianism in Illinois
>
Volume I. It is, however, confined to the portion of the State
upon and south of Wabash Railroad, from Danville to Naples,
and east of the Illinois river, with the exceptions of Har-
din, Calhoun county, and the sketch of Aratus Kent. I
intended originally to have brought it forward to 1876, but
the material was much more than I had anticipated, and
after severe condensation, and leaving out entirely much
that I would have gladly inserted, I have been obliged to
stop with the period of the re-union.
About a second volume, which may embrace the remaining
portions of the State, I have at present no formed purpose.
This volume is stereotyped and copy-righted. Another may
be prepared, uniform with this and upon the same general
plan, if circumstances favor.
Of the United, Associate and Cumberland Presbyterian
Church, I have not spoken. I have a pretty strong convic-
tion that in one or two generations all these will be one with
•ours.
Neither have I given any space to the Assembly's Portu-
guese Presbyterian churches in Jacksonville and Springfield.
This is owing simply to lack of space.
I have taken no notice of Deacons as such. The practice
of our churches is various with reference to this class of offi-
cers. Some have none and feel no lack. In very many
•churches the office is merely nominal. The records of nearly
all our churches on this point are exceedingly defective — so
IV PREFACE.
much SO that in most cases the making out of full lists is'-
utterly impossible. Indeed, with Trustees to hold the prop-
erty and look after the material interests of our congregations,
I am free to say the office of Deacon in our American Pres-
byterian Church is superfluous.
Explanations. — When a licentiate is ordained as pastor, I
do not say — except inadvertantly — ordained and installed.
The ordaination includes the installation. When a licentiate
supplies a church, I speak of him as s. s. or stated supply.
When a minister, ordained sine titulo, or as an evangelist,
supplies a church, I speak of him as supply pastor. This-
is the rule, though I am afraid not always adhered to.
For my spelling of the principal town and church in Perry
county, DucoiGN, I refer the reader to page 352, I prefer it
to Du Quoin, Duquoin or Duquoine.
Ihe labor of preparing this volume has been immense. I
have read twenty-nine volumes of Presbyterial and Synod-
ical records and about two hundred volumes of Sessional
records. The correspondence necessary to secure the
sketches of about three hundred and fifty individuals has.
been wearying to the flesh. I have purchased and consulted,
numerous books of reference. Complete sets of the Minutes
of both the Assemblies have been at my disposal. About
forty of the first volumes of the Home Missionary, the vol-
umes of Presbytery Reporter, Presbyterian Monthly and di-
vers other publications have been consulted.
The accumulated recollections of forty-four years of min-
isterial labor have been pressed into this service; but it has
been a labor of love.
I commend the result to our ministers and churches, thank-
them for their sympathy and assistance in gathering the ma-
terials and their pecuniary aid. Withal, I bespeak their in-
dulgence.
Aug. T. Norton.
Alton, III,, October, 1879.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
GIDEON BLACKBURN, . - . . . frontisiiece.
B. F. SPILMAN, - - 23
JOHN M. ELLIS, 56
JOHN G. BERGEN. -.---. 120
THOMAS LIFPINCOTT, ... . 147
AUG. T. NORTON, - - . . . 233
GEORGE IVES KING, ..... 64+
BENJ. GCXDFREY, . . - . , 70,
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTO RY.
The first church — The first Presbytery — First Synod — Constitution of
early New England churches — Division of the Synod — Increase of
the Church and Ministry — Growth in Virginia — Episcopalian To-
ries— General Assembly — Routes Westward — Extension Westward, i-io
CHAPTER II.
MISSIONARIES AND CHURCHES FROM THE BEGINNING TO 1820.
John Evans Finley — John F. Schermerhorn — Samuel J. Mills — Daniel
Smith — St. Louis in 1814 — Sharon church — James McGready —
Martin B. Darrah — Backus Wilbur — Andrew O. Patterson — Con-
cord church, Mo. — Benjamin F. Spilman — Benjamin Spilman —
Shoal Creek church — Salmon Giddings — Oren Catlin — Daniel G.
Sprague — David Tenney — Edwardsville church — Edward Hollister
— Daniel Gould-=-Abraham Williamson — Golconda church — John
Crawford — Nathan B. Derrow — Robert A. Lapsley — Hopewell, or
New Hope church, ...... 10-48
CHAPTER III.
FROM 1820 TO FIRST MEETING OF CENTER PRESBYTERY.
Turkey Hill church — Kaskaskia and Chester church — Timothy Flint —
Benjamin Low — Mrs. PermehaBurr — John Mann — John M. Ellis —
Mrs. Frances C. Brard Ellis — John Matthews — The first Alton
church — Stephen Bliss — David Choate Procter — CoUinsville church
— The first Presbyterian church in Greene county, or Apple Creek
church — Paris church, Edgar county — Isaac Reed — John Young —
Elbridge Gerry Howe — Betliel church — Thomas A. Spilman —
Greenville church — Solomon Hardy — Jesse Townsend — Mrs. John
Tillson — Shawneetown — Shawneetown church — First Presbyterian
church, Jacksonville — Carmi church — Sangamon church, or First
Springfield — John G. Bergen, D. D. — Hillsboro church — John
Tillson — Vandalia church — Illinois Riggs — First Bell, . 48-138
Vlii CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IV.
CENTER PRESBYTERY.
First meeting at Kaskaskia — Second at Jacksonville — Third meeting at
Vandalia — New Providence church — Sugar Creek church — 'New
Haven church — Adjourned meeting — Thomas Lippincott — Cyrus
L. Watson — Fourth meeting at Springfield — Theron Baldwin — J.
M. Sturtevant — John McDonald — Stiles Hawley — Fifth meeting
with Wabash church — Measures taken for a new Synod — Henry
Herrick — Benoni Y. Messenger — Horace Smith — Pleasant Prairie
church, . . ^- . . . . . . 138-166
CHAPTER V.
YEARS 183I TO 1S34.
Eight regular meetings each of Illinois, Kaskaskia and Sangamon Pres-
byteries— Four meetings of Palestine Presbytery — Four meetings of
Synod — Edward Beecher — William J. Eraser — Union church —
Gilead church — Palestine church — William K. Stewart — Alton
church, the first — Horace Smith — Bethel, or Oakland church — Wil-
liam Kirby — Elisha Jenney — Naples church — John Montgomery —
John F. Brooks — Albert Hale — Equality church — Pisgah church
— William Hamilton — Alexander Ewing — Isaac Bennet — Elkhorn,
or Nashville church — Belleville church, the first — Roswell Brooks —
First Presbyterian church of Edwards county, Shiloh, or Trinity^
Lemuel Foster — String Prairie, or Walnut Grove church — South
Greene, or Jerseyville church — Robert Stewart — Gideon Blackburn,
D. D. — Samuel E. Blackburn — Spring Cove church — Carlinville
church — Marine church — Sugar Creek church — Lick Creek chuich
— Dewey Whitney — Enoch Kingsbury — fohn C. Campbell — Dan-
ville church — Darwin church — Brulitt's Creek church, . 166-215
CHAPTER VI.
YEARS 1835 TO 1837.
Six regular meetings each of Illinois, Kaskaskia, Sangamon and Pales-
tine Presbyteries — Four regular meetings of Alton Presbyteiy —
Three meetings of Synod — Wm. G. Gallaher — Alfred H. Dasheill,
D. D. — Milton Kimball — Frederick W. Graves — Hugh Barr — Man-
chester church — Second Presbyterian church of Springfield —
Chatham church — Reuben White — Pisgah church, Morgan county
—Samuel Baldrldge, M. D.— T. B. Hurlbut— Aug. T. Norton,
D. D. — Amos P. Brown — James Stafford — Charleston church-
John Silliman — West Liberty church — Upper Alton church — Elijah
P. Lovejoy — Enoch S. Huntington — Charles Selleck — ^Joshua T.
Tucker, D. D., .... . . 215-262
CONTENTS. IX
CHAPTER VII.
YEARS 1838 TO 184I.
Eight regular meetings each of Illinois, Kaskaskia, Sangamon and Pal-
estine, o. s.. Presbyteries — Three meetings of Palestine Presbytery,
n. s. — Ralph W. Gridley — Peccan Bottom church — Panther Creek
church — Cyrus Riggs — John W. Little — William C. Greenleaf — Ed-
wardsville church, the second — Daniel E. Manton — L.S. Williams —
George C. Wood — Mud Creek church — Walnut Grove, or McClus-
key church — Nathaniel Kingsbury — Okaw, or Areola church — New-
ton church — Mt. Carmel church — Andrew Todd — Central church,
Jacksonville — Greenville church, n. s. — Joseph Fowler — Robert
Kirkwood — Luke Lyon — Whitehall, at first Apple Creek church —
Pisgah church, Gallatin county — Andrew M. Hershey — Carlinville
church, o. s., Dry Point or Bayless church — Henry I. Venable —
Robert H. Lilly — Erastus W. Thayer — York church — Belleville »
church, the second — Charles E. Blood — Carlyle church — Mt. Ver-
non church, o. s. — Crab Orchard church — Shiloh church, Lawrence
county — Hebron church, Ashmore postoflrce — David D. McKee —
William Chamberlin, ....... 262-307
CHAPTER VIII.
YEARS 1842 TO I 845.
Eight regular meetings of Illinois, Kaskaskia, Sangamon, Palestine,
Wabash and Alton Presbyteries — Thomas Laurie, D. D. — William H.
Williams — Salem Church, Macoupin county — Archibald C. Allen —
West Union, or Murrayville church — Hubbel Loomis — Troy church —
Josiah Porter — Belleville church, o. s. — Waveland church — Sparta,
Jordan's Grove, or Baldwin church — Liberty, or Rockwood church
— Nine-Mile Prairie, or old Ducoign church — Joseph A. Ranney — Jo-
siah Wood — Heniy B. Whittaker — Exeter church — Chauncy Eddy
. — Hopewell church. Bond county — Bethany, or Staunton church —
Joseph Piatt — Shelbyville church, o. s.^Plum Creek church — Wil-
ham E. Chittenden — George W. Pyle — William Fithian — Charles
B. Barton — Titus Theodore Barton — Galum church — Elisha F.
Chester — Blackburn Leffler — Hurricane church — Williston Jones —
Mulberry Grove church — Marion church, ... . 307-35$
CHAPTER IX.
YEARS 1846 TO I 848.
Six regular meetings of Illinois, Kaskaskia, Sangamon, Palestine and
Alton Presbyteries — Three meetings of o. s. and n. s. Synods —
Socrates Smith — Harvey Blodgett — Rochester church — Hopewell,
or Knob Prairie church, Franklin county — John Smith How-
ell— Thomas Woodruff Hynes — Marshall church — Grandview
X CONTENTS.
church — James R. Dunn — Adjourned meeting of Alton Presbytery
— N. A. Hunt — Western Saratoga church — Murphysboro church —
John L. Hawkins— P. D. Young— W. B. Gardner— C. H. Palmer
— ^Joseph Adams — Jos. Gordon — W. H. Bird — Brighton church —
Vergennes church — Liberty Prairie church — E. B. Olmsted — A. M.
Dixon — Livingston M. Glover — Joseph Wilson — P. W. Thomson
— Lawrenceville church — Joseph S. Graves — Lemuel Grosvenor —
John Gibson — George Spaulding — Hickory Creek church — Van
Burensburg church, ...... . 355-392
CHAPTER X.
YEARS 1849 TO 1852.
Eight regular meetings of Illinois, Kaskaskia, Sangamon, Palestine and
Alton Presbyteries — Six meetings of Wabash Presbytery — Joseph M.
Grout — Robinson church — Third church, Springfield — Rattan's
Prairie, or Moro church — James Smith, D. D. — Richard V. Dodge
— Valentine Pentzer — Calvin Butler — John Kennedy — John V.
Dodge — ^John K. Deering — John H. Russ — Ewington church — Me-
tropolis City and church — Ft. Massac — John G. Rankin — Gideon
C. Clark — George Pierson, M. D. — Shelby ville church, n. s. — Da-
vid Ewing — Redbud church — Pleasant Ridge church — Long Point
church — Hillery Patrick — Liberty Prairie, or Cerro Gordo church —
Robert Simpson — James Cameron — George M. Tuthill — Joseph £.
McMurray — Pinckneyville church — Union church, Macoupin
county — Ml Vernon church. Bond county — McLeansboro church,
n. s. — John Crozier — David A. Wallace — North Arm church — First
and Second Decatur church — Hardin church — David Dimond, D.
D.— H. D. Piatt— William T. Bartle, .... 392-433
CHAPTER XL
YEARS1853TO1856.
Meetings of Presbyteries and Synods — Rufus Nutting — Peter Hassinger
— Bethel church, Crawford county — Ebenezer church — Hiram F.
Taylor — Caledonia church — Virden church — Robert M. Roberts —
Pocahontas church — Elm Point church — Cave Spring church —
Samuell Newell, D. D. — Robert A. Mitchell — Martinsville church —
Samuel C. Baldridge — Union church — Sullivan church — Henry R.
Lewis — Samuel R. H. Wylie — Mt. Vernon church — Carbondale
church — John W. McCord — William D. Sanders — Lively's Prairie
church— John B. Saye — W. W. Wells— Monticello church— Sig-
mund Uhlfelder — Samuel Ward — Litchfield church — Nathan S.
Palmer — John H. Brown, D. D. — Noah Bishop — Albert Smith, D.
D. — A. S. Avery — Josejih S. Edwards — Shipman church — Pana
church — Centralia church — New Ducoign church, . . 433-475
CONTENTS. Xr
CHAPTER XII.
YEARS 1857 TO 1858.
Meetings of Presbyteries and Synods — Edward McMillan — Caleb J.
Pitkin — Salem church — James M. Alexander— Friendsville church
— Dawson church — Taylors-ille church — Second church, Jerseyville
—Robert W. Allen— Charles Kenmore— William S. Post— Church
of Gillespie — Richview church— Cumberland Precinct, or Browns-
town church — Tamaroa church — P. R. Vanatta — Zion (German)
church— Samuel B. Smith— B. H. Charles— William R. Sim— But-
ler church — Xenia, or Flora church — Trenton church — Mason
church, o. s. — William R. Palmer — F. A. Deming — First and Sec-
ond church, Mattoon — John Huston — Ellis D. Howell — Neoga
church — Olney church — Hopewell church, Lawrence county — S. K.
Sneed — Andrew Laicc — C H. Taylor — Cairo church, . . 47S"5^S'
CHAPTER XIIL
YEARS 1859 TO I 860.
Meetings of Presbyteries and Synods — Greenfield church — Georgetown,
or Steele's Mills church — William H. Templeton — F. H. L. Laird —
Unity church — Allen McFarland — James W. Allison — Henry T.
Morton— Wakefield, or ML Olivet church — Kansas church — Tacusa,
or Assumption church — Alton Presbytery and A. H. M. S. — James S.
Walton — Almond G. Martin — Mound City church — Henr}' Blanke
— David R. Todd — Lazarus B. W. Shryock — Sandoval church —
W' illiam L. Tarbet — Prairie Bird church — Westminster church — Mar-
tin P. Ormsby — Norman A. Prentiss — Mascoutah church — Bement
church — Charles P. Spining — Charles H. Foote — George W. Good-
ale — Gennan church, Jerseyville — W. L. Mitchell — Alfred N.
Denny SiS-554'
CHAPTER XIV.
YEARS 1861 TO 1862.
Meetings of Presbyteries and Synods of 1861 and 1862 — David H.
Hamilton — George D. Miller — New Hope church, Jasper county —
Milton church — Beckwith Prairie church — West Okaw church —
Thomas Sherrard — E. G. Bryant — Ezekiel Folsom — Thomas Rey-
nolds— Joseph J. Gray — H. M. Corbett — St. John's German church
— B. C. Swan — ^J. C. Thornton — Union county church — J. W. Stark
— A. S. Kemper — Union church, Clark county — David F. Mc-
Farland— George W. F. Birch — Nokomis churcli — R. L. McCune
— Grayville church, ...... 5S4"576'
CHAPTER XV.
YEARS 1863 TO 1864.
Meetings of Presbyteries and Synods — Morgan L. Wood — William
Xii CONTENTS.
Barnes — Nathaniel Williams — Samuel E. Vance — Alfred Hamilton
—Eli W. Taylor— Elijah Buck— A. R. Naylor— Thomas H. New-
ton— William R. Adams — Timothy Hill — James B. Sheldon — Sam-
uel B. Taggart — Sandford R. Bissell — Odin church — Bridgeport
church — Clark Loudon — J. Jerome Ward — Charles F. Beach — Wil-
liam Ellers, 576-593
CHAPTER XVI.
YEARS 1865 TO 1867.
Meetings of Presbyteriea and Synods — John L. Jones — David R. Love
— Thomas Spencer — Watson church — Effingham church — Stephen
Jay Bovell — Frederick H. Wines — William B. Spence — F. N.
Ewing — Macon church — Charles F. Halsey — George L. Little —
Smith H. Hyde — J. Rogers Armstrong — Buffalo church — William
Bridgman — Cornelius Van H. Monfort — Mulberry Grove church —
John B. Brandt— Garnett A. Pollock— Charles P. Felch— Noble
Township church — Prairie City church — Samuel W. Mitchell — Har-
ristown church — John H. Dillingham — Mason church — H. N. Wil-
bur— James Brownlee — Joseph D. Barstow — Willard P. Gibson —
W. P. Teitsworth — Anna church — Lebanon church — John B. L.
Soule — G. H. Robertson — Thomas D. Davis — A. J. Clark — Russell
D. Van Deursen — Homer church — James E. Lapsley — Elisha D.
Barrett — Samuel Conn — Moawequa church — ^Joseph H. Scott — An-
drew D. Jacke — Adam Johnston — America church — Tower Hill
church — Edwardsville church — East St. Louis church — WiUiam H.
Smith — Herman church — Larkinsburg church — Timberville, or Al-
lendale church — Thomas Gould — Joseph Warren, D. D. — Eliza-
bethtown church, ...... 594-635
CHAPTER XVn.
YEAR I 8 6 8.
Meetings of Presbyteries and Synods — Asahel L. Brooks — George Steb-
bins — Thomas E. Spilman — Henry Mattice — New Amity church —
Denmark church — Pinckneyville church — Thornton K. Hedges —
Illiopolis church — Washington Maynard — Lucius L Root — Leb-
anon German church — George Ives King — Peter S. Van Nest — W.
D. F. Lummis — Martin B. Gregg — McLeansboro church — Harris-
burg church — Enfield church — George B. McComb — Thomas
Smith — George K. Perkins — Joseph M. Wilson, . . 636-654
CHAPTER XVIIL
YEARS 1867 TO 1870.
Meetings of Presbyteries and Synod — Isaac N. Candee — Robert Gaius
Ross — J. A. Williams — John H. Reints — Salem church — Sparta
CONTENTS. XIU
church — John Kidd — James L. McNair — Edgewood church — Wil-
liam W. WilHams — W. W. Harsha — Edward F. Fish — John M.
Johnson — Hugh Aiken McKelvey — John D. Jones — James Scott
Davis — C. Solon Armstrong — Du Bois church — Vera church — Shob-
onier church — Villa Ridge church — Gilgal church — George W.
Fisher — James H. Spilman — John Hood — William B. Faris — Don-
gola church — Grand Tower church — James G. Butler — Church of
Saline Mines — Gilead church — Auburn church — Carbondale church
— Greenup church, ...... 655-679
CHAPTER XIX.
YEARS 1870 TO 1879.
Ninian S. Dickey — John William Bailey — Alfred W. Wright — WiUiam
H. Ilsley — William Haslett Priestly — George F. Davis — Ferdinand
G. Strange — Adam C. Johnson — Alvan R. Mathes — John E. Car-
son— John McRobinson — Samuel M. Morton — Robert Rudd — Si-
mon C. Head — Adam W. Ringland — William E. Lincoln — David
W. Evans — Harlan Page Carson — Lyman Marshall — R. J. L.
Matthews — Alfred M. Mann — Albert B. Byram — Charles T. Phil-
lips— William L. Johnston — Oliver S. Thompson — Edwin L. Hurd
— Edward Scofield, sr., . . . . . 680-700
CHAPTER XX.
Capt. Benjamin Godfrey — Monticello, Jacksonville and Ducoign Fe-
male Seminaries and Blackburn University, . . , 701-708
CHAPTER XXL
Aratus Kent, .,..,,. 709-726
CHAPTER I.
INTRO DU CTO RY.
Authorities: — Gillett's History; Foote's Sketches of North Carolina: Pres.
Quarterly, Jan., 1859.
Freedom to worship God according to the dictates of
one's own consience, is the distinguishing trait of reHgious
liberty. This hberty has ever been withheld by the Romish
Church, when by an alhance with the civil arm it had the
power so to do. A determination not to grant this liberty,
but to enforce exact compliance with all their doctrines and
modes of worship, has ever been the main-spring of that
Church's persecuting spirit and practices.
After the Reformation, which had made not a little pro-
gress in the 150 years from Wicliffe to Henry VHI, had
been arrested by the assumption of the supremacy by that
English sovereign, the same unwillingness to bestow liberty
of conscience continued to exist, and continued to perse-
cute almost as pitilessly as under Rome itself. This per-
secuting course was, however, arrested, or at least modified,
in England by the Toleration Act of 1689. But in those of
the American colonies, where the Episcopal was the estab-
lished religion, all dissenters, especially Presbyterians, con-
tinued to be harrassed by fines and imprisonments, even
after the Toleration Act had become the law of the kingdom.
On account of these obstructions, purposely and often
illegally thrown in the way by Roj-al governors and their
satellites, it happened that, though there were hundreds of
christians of Presbyterian convictions and predilections in
New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, and the Caro-
linas, little progress was made in the way of actual Presby-
terian organization till near the close of the 17th century.
Aside from the New England churches, which were Pres-
byterian in their i nUrfia I stracturQ, the first regular Presbyte-
rian church positively known to have been organized in this
country was that of Sxow Hill, Maryland, established in
1684, by Francis Makemie, who was born near Rathmelton,
Donegal Co., Ireland, and had studied at one of the Scotch
2 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
universities. He was a most self-denying, laborious, itiner-
ant Presbyterian minister, traveling, preaching, and visiting
in Maryland, Virginia and New York. He found the field
white for the harvest, and exerted himself most assiduously
to obtain evangelical ministers from London, Dublin and
New England.
The first Presbytery in this country was called the Pres-
bytery of Philadelphia, and was formed in 1705 or 1706.
The loss of the first leaf of the record leaves the date un-
certain. It consisted of seven ministers — Francis Makemie,
John Hampton,- George Macnish, Samuel Davis, John Wil-
son, Jedidiah Andrews and Nathaniel Taylor.
Ten years later that one Presbytery was divided into three,
Philadelphia, with six ministers ; New Castle, with six, and
Snow Hill, with three. These with the new Presbytery of
Long Island, constituted the first Synod.
Its churches extended along the Atlantic coast from Vir-
ginia to the eastern extremity of Long Island. Many of them
were made up of emigrants from New England.
The reasons why they fell so readily and generally into
the Presbyterian Church may be gathered from an able
article in the Presbyterian Quarterly for Jan., 1859.
"The constitution of the individual church in the early
history of New England was Presbyterian rather than Con-
gregational. This was the case with the mother church of
Leyden, of which John Robinson was pastor, and Brewster
a ruling elder. They seem to have borrowed their ideas
of the proper and scriptural organization of an individual
church from the writings of Calvin. In the French Re-
formed Church the principles of that Genevese reformer
were fully carried out ; and it was these French Reformed
churches which the Leyden church took as its pattern." But
the Plymouth church, Mass., was, as all know, a branch of
the Leyden church transplanted to this side of the Atlantic,
and that Plymouth church was the pattern for the early
New England churches.
The Cambridge Platform of 1648, recognizes the Presby-
terian Constitution of the Church. It says : "The government
of the Church is vested in its Presbytery of Elders. The
Holy Ghost, where it mentioneth Church rule and Church
government, ascribeth it to Elders^ It held that " Ruling
Elders were appointed for the assistance of pastors in the gov-
ernment of the churches, and the inspection of the flocks."
INTRODUCTORY. 3
This Platform was unanimously approved by the New Eng-
land churches of that day.
The natural development of this internal Presbyterian sys-
tem would have been into Presbytery, taking the oversight of
the churches in a defined region of country, and constituting
a Court of Appeal. But this natural development was pre-
vented, among other reasons by that vicious union of Church
And State, which obtained everywhere throughout the chris-
tian world, from the time the Church first allied itself with
the Roman Empire, down to the former part of the present
■century. By this system, discipline was exercised by the civil
arm. Appeals from individual churches were not to a higher
JEcclesiastical body, possessing only spiritual authority, but
to the civil power. This power sometimes issued the appeals
in its own courts, and sometimes referred the matter of them
to Synods, or councils, called by its own authority. The
•early Puritans of New England were imbued with this vi-
cious, old-world idea that discipline was to be enforced by
appeals referred to the civil authority. Hence, even when
the union between Church and State was everywhere, in our
•country, dissolved, they failed to provide spiritual courts be-
yond the individual church, and to this day many of them
cannot be made to understand their use and necessity.
Some, however, of their leading minds grasped the true
view. Prominent among them was President Edwards, who,
in 1750, said: "I have long been perfectly out of conceit
of our unsettled, independent, confused way of church gov-
ernment in the land ; and the Presbyterian way has long
appeared to me the most agreeable to the Word of God,
and the reason and nature of things." Similar to this was
the view of President Dwight, of Yale College. The " Mu-
tual Council" appeared to him "a judicatory most unhappily
constituted. After its decisions, its existence ceases ; its re-
sponsibility vanishes with its existence, as does also the
sense of its authority." It has "no common rules of pro-
ceeding." He would have the appellate tribunal a " standing
body, always existing, of acknowledged authority, a court of
record, having a regular system of precedents." What was
this but a Presbytery? He preferred a consociation to a
council, but said it was defective from " the want of a still
superior tribunal to receive appeals." Stone, of Hartford,
defined Congregationalism as "a speaking aristocracy in the
face of a silent democracy."
4 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Now, when Puritans of New England, imbued with these
Presbyterian ideas of the internal government of a church,
and feeling the necessity for some outside complement to
it, found themselves within the bounds of Presbytery and
Synod, they at once hailed them as the Eureka of their
desires.
These same reasons have for 175 years led a host of other
emigrants from New England to form the same Church
connections. After some investigation, though not pre-
tending to positive accuracy of knowledge, it is my full be-
lief that during the whole period of the existence of the
Presbyterian Church in this country, at least one-half its
members have been, and are, New Englanders, and their
descendants.
The period from 1740 to 1758 was marked by two oc-
currences of special ii^iportance. I. The division of the
Synod. This was brought about in 1741. The grounds
of it were mainly these . (i.) Differences of opinion in re-
gard to the terms of subscription or assent to the doctrinal,
symbols — one party held to the ipsissima verba method.
The other held that assent to the. confession as containing
the system of doctrine taught in the scriptures was suffi-
cient. (2.) Differences of opinion in regard to the great
revival which swept over the land under the preaching of
Whitefield, the Tennents and others, (3.) A fanatical spirit
begotten of the revival, in some shallow minds, leading to
uncharitableness and censorious judgments. (4.) A cer-
tain wrong-headedness in certain quarters, springing from
obstinacy rather than firmness tempered with christian
charity. This division led to the establishment of the Synod
OF New York. Thereafter, in common parlance, the two
Synods — that of Philadelphia and that of New York —
were designated as the Old side and the Neiv side. This di-
vision was happily healed in May, 1758, when at Philadel-
phia the two Synods came together under the name of the
Synod of New York and Philadelphia.
11, The other event which distinguished this period was
the rapid and large increase of the Church and the minis-
try. When, half a century before, the first Presbytery was
formed, the Church was struggling for an existence. " It
was persecuted both in Virginia and New York, and had
scarcely a foothold in either province. A few feeble
churches on the eastern shore of Maryland, one or two ia
INTRODUCTORY. 5
Delaware, one in Philadelphia, and one or two in New
Jersey, composed its entire strength. Now it numbered
nearly one hundred ministers, and more than as many
churches. The field of its operations had been vastly ex-
tended. Virginia and the Carolinas, the destitute but rap-
idly settling portions of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, as
well as the river counties of New York, were open to its
efforts and calling upon it for aid. It was inviting laborers
from abroad — from New England, Scotland and Ireland —
and training them up at home. Princeton College had gone
into successful operation. Quite a number of ministers
Avere engaged at once in pastoral duty, and in training pious
young men to meet the demands of the churches." All
.this increase in troublous times goes to show that periods
■of intense agitation are not necessarily periods of unmiti-
gated evil. A storm, with all its dangers, is better than a
dead calm.
The extension of the Church, before and during this pe-
riod, in Virginia was especially noticeable. A mixed popu-
lation, among whom were many Scotch and Scotch-Irish
Presbyterians, flowed up the valley of the Shenandoah. To
:supply their wants the Synod of Philadelphia sent several
ministers, who organized a number of congregations in that
iinviting and fertile valley. It is to be borne in mind that in
Virginia the Episcopal was the religion established by law.
Dissenting ministers who attempted to preach without license
:from the government, were fined and driven from the colony.
The buildings where they preached must also be especially
licensed. The Episcopalians had a church edifice in every
-county seat. This drove dissenters to the country. They
.could obtain no license to build in the towns.
A movement which resulted in the planting of Presbyte-
rianism in Hanover and several of the adjacent counties,
■commenced in a singular manner. A gentleman found in the
possession of a Scotch woman a few leaves oi Boston s Fourfold
State. Their perusal excited in his mind so great an mterest
ithat he sent to England for the entire work. The result was
.his conversion. Another person in the same neighborhood
obtained a copy of Luther on Galatians, and was led by its
perusal to the Savior. Two or three others absented them-
-selves at the same time from the parish church from a con-
viction the gospel was not preached by the parish priest.
Pour of them were called before the magistrate at the same
6 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
time to account for their absence. There, to their amaze-
ment, they discovered that they held common views. The
discovery strenghtened their faith, and led them thenceforth
to submit to fines rather than attend a church where they
were not profited. They fell into the practice of meeting on
the Sabbath for reading at each other's houses. The books
they first read were Boston s Foiirfold State and Luther on Ga-
latians. Afterwards a volume of Whitefield's sermons fell into
their hands. Presently private houses became too small to
accommodate their numbers and they built a church merely
for reading. Several persons were converted. The author-
ities of the Established Church saw Avith alarm their parish
churches deserted, and summoned the leaders of the new
movement before the Governor and Council.
One of the number, on his way to Williamsburg — the seat
of Government — being detained at a house by a storm, found
there a dust-covered volume. To his great delight, its views
of truth strikingly accorded with those he had imbibed from
the recently-read books. He procured the volume, brought
it with him to Williamsburg and showed it to his companions
before they appeared in the Governor's presence. They
agreed to adopt it as their creed. The Governor was Gooch,
himself of Scotch origin and education. On coming before
him they presented the book as expressive of their own re-
ligious views. The Governor found it to be the Confession of
Faith of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. He conse-
quently denominated them Presbyterians, and dismissed them
with a caution not to excite disturbance.
The result in a few years was the planting in that region
of Rev. Samuel Davies, one of the most distinguished minis-
ters of this or any other country. " He was at once the
champion of freedom, the friend of learning, the founder of
churches, and next to Whitefield the most eloquent preach-
er of his age."
During the period of their separation both the New and
the Old Side made strenuous educational efforts, with the
special object of training young men for the ministry.
The New Side established Princeton college. To obtain
assistance towards its endowment they sent Gilbert Tennent
and Samuel Davies to England. Their mission, though pros-
ecuted under great discouragements, was successful. They
secured from ^20,000 to ^25,000, which in those times was
a large sum. The Old Side established a school at New
INTRODUCTORY. /
London, Penn. Several ministers on both sides gave in-
struction to young men, in addition to their parochial du-
ties. By these means and the importation of ministers from
abroad, much was done towards supplying the constantly
increasing demand for ministerial labor.
Through the period extending from the union of the two
Synods in 1758, to the revolutionary war, the growth of the
Church was steady and rapid. In this period were initiated
nearly all the benevolent movements which have since taken
organized shape under the direction of the various Boards.
These movements were both the natural development of
the christian spirit of the Church, and the necessary means
for meeting those calls for christian labor which arose from
the rapid increase and extension of the population. At the
close of the period, the Synod contained eleven Presbyteries,
Dutchess, Suffolk, New York, New Brunswick, Donegal,
Lewes, New Castle, the First and Second of Philadelphia,
Hanover and Orange.
The influence of the war upon the Church was for the
time disastrous. The interest of the country was almost
wholly absorbed in that great conflict. The Episcopal
ministry and membership were almost universally Tories.
They no doubt entertained the idea that if the colonies
could be subdued, the Episcopal would become throughout
the new country, as it was in the old, the established reli-
gion. They sympathized with Old England in that strug-
gle because they wished for bishops and bishop's courts,
armed with the civil sword, to put down dissent here as
was done over the water. On the other hand Presbyterian
ministers and congregations were everywhere and always
patriots. They and their co-religionists of New England,
felt that religious, as well as civil liberty was at stake, and
hazarded everything and suffered everything for its main-
tenance. Space does not permit me to mention the long
list of individual ministers, beginning with Dr. John Wither-
spoon of Princeton College, who preached, prayed, fought
and often died in their country's cause. ' Tis a glorious
record! British officers and their Tory allies, all through the
war bore a special spite against Presbyterian ministers and
their prominent members, and took special delight in des-
troying their churches, plundering their houses and burn-
ing their libraries.
Soon after the close of the war, measures were taken for
8 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
the organization of the General Assembly. The Constitu-
tion was agreed upon by the Synod of 1788, and pubhshed
the next year under this title : " The Constitution of the
Presbyterian Church in the United States of America : con-
taining the Confession of Faith, the Catechisms, the Gov-
ernment and Discipline, and the Directory for the Worship
of God, ratified and adopted by the Synod of New York
and Philadelphia, May 16, 1788, and continued by adjourn-
ment until the 28th of the same month. -^ Philadelphia.
Printed by Thomas Bradford, 1789."
The first Assembly met in 1790, and was opened by Dr.
John Witherspoon. Dr. John Rodgers, of New York, was
Moderator.
It would be easy and pleasant to trace in detail the his-
tory of the Presbyterian Church in this country from the
organization of the Assembly to its first planting in the
Illinois country. But the space allotted to this Introduc-
tory chapter forbids. It may be said,' in general, that the
Church increased and expanded with the increase and ex-
pansion of the population of the country. Her own sons
and daughters were always among the pioneer emigrants
whenever and wherever they moved. Hence the Church
was bound to follow in their track, looking after her own.
This she did, though it must be confessed with unequal step.
Her resources of men and means were always inadequate to
the necessities of the case.
Before the construction of common roads, canals, or rail-
roads, emigration followed of necessity the natural water
routes. Of these there were five principal ones from the At-
lantic to the Valley of the Mississippi, (i.) Up the St. Law-
rence and the great lakes, through Green Bay, the Fox and
Wisconsin rivers. By this route there were only two short
portages — that around the Niagara Falls, and from the Fox
to the Wisconsin. This was the route pursued by the Jesuit
missionaries and other French emigrants from Canada. By
this route they first reached the Illinois country and estab-
lished themselves at Kaskaskia and Cahokia, about 16S0.
(2.) The same route as far as Maumee Bay, in the southwest
corner of Lake Erie ; then up the Miami of the Lakes and
down the Wabash and Ohio. By this route there was only
one short portage besides that at Niagara Falls — from the
Miami to the Wabash. On this route was the old French
post of Vincennes — settled 1710 or 11 — on the Wabash,
INTRODUCTORY. 9
and Fort Massac, on the Ohio, established 171 1. (3.) The
same route as far as the present location of the city of
Erie, on the south shore of Lake Erie, thence across to the
head-waters of the French, and then down that river, the
Alleghany and Ohio. (4.) Up the Potomac, then down
the Cheat river and the Monongahela to the Ohio. (5.) By
the rivers of western North Carolina, then down the 'Cum-
berland and Tennessee to the Ohio. The three first of these
routes were first laid open and used by the enterprising French
Jesuit missionaries. Their knowledge of them was obtained
from the Red Men. The fourth and fifth of these routes
began to be used by the colonists of Pennsylvania, Virginia
and the Carolinas, about 1750. Through these routes the
Scotch and Scotch-Irish Presbyterians entered the Missis-
sippi Valley. Before the opening of the Erie Canal —
"Clinton's big ditch " — the emigration from New England
to the Valley was mainly by the Pittsburg route. But the
great wave of New England emigration was detained in
Eastern, Central and Western New York, and did not reach
Northern Ohio until after Kentucky. had become a State,
which w^as in 1792. Tennessee became a State in 1796.
The^commencement of the present century was marked
"by a powerful revival which extended through Kentucky,
Tennessee, and the Carolinas. It was a movement of re-
markable power and extent ; was promoted by remarkable
tnen and attended with remarkable manifestations. Among
these were the "bodily exercises," the solution of which
has occupied many thoughtful minds, and has never yet
been reached with certainty. In the latter months of this
revival fanaticism rode its "high horse " and produced many
painful irregularities.
In the midst of these, and as one of their natural products,
Cumberland Presbyterianism took its rise. It has now be-
come a numerous body; is distinguished for its sectarian
zeal, and has greatly improved its primitive character. But
it represents no great ideas ; has nothing peculiar to itself,
and occupies no ground which might not just as well, or
better, be occupied by other denominations. Where Pres-
byterian and Methodist churches exist this denomination can
legitimately find no place, and no work. In such places its
establishment only divides and distracts the already too
much divided and distracted followers of Christ. Its ex-
istence is permitted, no doubt, for wise ends. But fifty years
10 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
hence it will be where now are the Associated Presbyte-
rians, of Eastern New York. A denomination which repre-
sents no peculiar doctrine, or mode of worship, can have
but an ephemeral existence.
Thus, in a brief, condensed and very imperfect manner,
I have traced the history of the Presbyterian Church from
the beginning down to the time in which it began to be
planted, and its influence to be felt, in the Illinois country.
CHAPTER II.
MISSIONARIES AND CHURCHES FROM THE BEGINNING TO I82O.
Authorities: Gillett's History; Baldridge's Life of Bliss, etc.; Presbytery
Reporter; Isaac Reed's Christian Traveler; Panoplist ; Home Missionary, Vols.
I and II ; Spilman's Manuscripts ; Dr. Bullard in Missouri Reporter.
The first white explorers of the IlHnois country were the
Canadian French in 1673. Between that time and 1686 they
had estabhshed several forts and settlements, the principal
ones being Kaskaskia and Cahokia. Until 1762 the French
were regarded as the sole European proprietors of Canada
and the Mississippi valley. In 1762 the French ceded Louis-
iana, i. e., the country west of the Mississippi, to Spain.
The next year they ceded the valley east of the Mississippi
and Canada to the British, thus losing not only Canada but
the whole of the great interior valley of North America, after
claiming the whole and occupying some small portions of
it for ninety years.
'The British retained their hold of the Illinois country for
fifteen years, or until they were dispossessed by Gen. Geo.
Rogers Clark in 1778. Few, or no Americans had settled
in the Illinois country prior to the expedition of Gen, Clark.
Until that time the only white inhabitants of the Illinois
country were the French and Canadian settlers, and the Brit-
ish troops who occupied the forts.
So far as I am aware the first Presbyterian minister who
visited the Illinois country was John Evans Finley. He
was from Chester county, Pennsylvania. After descending
the Ohio with some companions in a keel boat and ascend-
ing the Mississippi, he landed at Kaskaskia in 1797. Rev.
Thomas Lippincott tells us his design was to labor in the
''Spanish colonies on the Mississippi, mainly perhaps with
a view to the Indians." If this were so, his labors must
have been west of the river. " He preached and catechised,
also baptized several of the Red ]\Ien." Though he had sold,
his boat and contracted for a dwelling house, he and his
companions were induced to leave. To this conclusion
they seem to have been led by finding they would be
12 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
obliged to enroll themselves and do military duty in view of
an apprehended invasion from the States. As they were
American citizens they could not consent to this. They
returned and settled in Mason county, Ky. Mr. Finley's
name subsequently appears as a member of Transylvania,
and then of Washington Presbytery. This latter had been
set off from Transylvania, and included the northeast por-
tion of Kentucky, and extended across the river into Ohio.
Rev. Robert Stewart remembers him as a frequent visitor
at his father's house in Ohio.
The next Presbyterian ministers — they were licentiates —
who set foot on Illinois territory, were John F. Schermer-
HORN and Samuel J. Mills. They were sent to the great
Southwest by the Massachusetts and Connecticut Mission-
ary Societies and by local Bible Societies. They commenced
their tour early in the fall of 1812, passing through Penn-
sylvania, Western Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennes-
see. Their observations of the religious condition of the
regions through which they passed were thorough, and
their reports deeply interesting. Of Illinois territory they
say, "In the Illinois territory, containing more than 12,000
people, there is no Presbyterian, or Congregational minis-
ter. There are a number of good people in the territory
who are anxious to have such ministers amongst them.
They likewise wish to be remembered by Bible and Relig-
ious Tract Societies." On the 29th of December, 1812,
they were at Nashville, Tenn., and rode out to Franklin,
twenty miles, where Rev. Gideon Blackburn then resided.
He advised them to reach New Orleans by the river. Gen.
Jackson was then at Nashville preparing to go down the
river with 1,500 volunteers. Of these Mr. Blackburn was
Chaplain. He introduced the missionaries to Gen. Jack-
son, explaining their object and wishes. The General re-
ceived them with great courtesy, and invited them to take
passage on his boat. They gladly complied. They say,
" After providing some necessary stores and making sale of
our horses we embarked on the loth of January, 18 13. We
came to the mouth of the Ohio on the 27th, where we lay
three days on account of the ice. On the 31st we passed
New Madrid; and on the i6th of February arrived at
Natchez." They undoubtedly landed at Fort Massac, and
probably at no other point on the Illinois shore. Of course
they had no opportunity for personal explorations in Illinois
EXPLORING MISSIONARIES. I3;
Territory. At Natchez they tarried a few days, and then
continued on to New Orleans. At that city they found a
Baptist minister, but no Protestant church edifice. Their
return was through the Creek Nation, in the upper part of
Georgia. They reached their homes in July, 181 3.
Full reports of this tour were published in the Connecti-
cut Evangelical Magazine and in the Panoplist. Their influ-
ence was great in opening the eyes of Eastern christians
to the spiritual wants of the vast West and Southwest, and
of the eastern population generally, to the wonderful
material capacities of those regions.
The John F. Schermerhorn, mentioned above, was a
native of New York, a graduate of Union College in 1809,
and of Andover Theological Seminary in 181 2. He was
ordained in the Reformed Dutch Church. He was a Home
Missionary in New York, and labored at Middleburg, in that
State, from 1 818 to 1829. He was Secretary of the Western
Domestic Missionary Society, Utica, New York, from 1826
to 1828; also General Agent of the Domestic Reformed
Dutch Missionary Society from 1829 to 1832. He was U.
S. Indian Agent among the Cherokees in 1835 and 1836.
He died at Richmond, Va., March 6th, 185 1, aged 70 years.
Of Samuel J. Mills, I shall speak further on.
The next exploring Missionary tour was undertaken in
1 8 14, by the same Samuel J. Mills, with whom was asso-
ciated Daniel Smith. The expense was estimated at $2,000,
and was borne by the Massachusetts Missionary Society, by
the Bible Society of Philadelphia and by the Assembly's
Committee of Missions. They started in May. The East-
ern part of their route as far as Cincinnati, was substantially
the same as that pursued by Mills and Schermerhorn, two
years before. But from that place they passed through
the Territories of Indiana and Illinois to St. Louis. In
Indiana their route was through Lawrenceburg and Jeffer-
sonville to Vincennes. Of this Territory they say: "Indi-
ana is peopling very fast, notwithstanding the war. In
1810 it had 24,500 inhabitants. Now its population is esti-
mated at from 35,000 to 50,000. Its principal settlements
are upon the Miami and Whitewater, on the Ohio, extend-
ing in some places twenty miles back, on the Wabash and
White rivers. When we entered this Territory there was
but one Presbyterian clergyman in it, Samuel T. Scott, of
Vincennes. He has valiantly maintained his post there for
14 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
six years. His church consists of seventy members. He
has three preaching places. Between the forks of White
River there is another Presbyterian congregation with about
thirty communicants."
The reports they make of all parts of the Western coun-
try, through which they traveled, are extensive and deeply
interesting. But I must confine myself principally to what
they say of Illinois Territory.
From Vincennes they went to St. Louis by way of Shaw-
neetown and Kaskaskia. In a letter dated at St. Louis,
Nov. 7, 1 8 14, they say : "In Illinois Territory we were so
happy as to meet with universal countenance and approba-
tion. At Shawneetown we saw Judge Griswold, formerly
of Connecticut. He favored us with letters of introduc-
tion to Gov. Edwards and others at Kaskaskia. * * This
Territory is deplorably destitute of Bibles. In Kaskaskia, a
place containing from 80 to lOO families, there are, it is
thought, not more than four or five." In another letter
they give further particulars. They say: "Nov. 9, 1814,
we left St. Louis, crossed the Mississippi and proceeded on
our way to Kaskaskia. Gov. Edwards again expressed his
earnest desire that the proposed Bible Society for Illinois
Territory should go into operation. * * We did not find
any place in the Territory where a copy of the Scriptures
could be obtained. * *"
"There is no Presbyterian minister stationed, or laboring
in this Territory. Members, who have heretofore belonged
to Presbyterian churches, are anxious to have at least oc-
casional supplies. A Presbyterian minister, of talent
and piety, might no doubt receive a handsome support, if
he would settle at Kaskaskia, preach a part of his time at
that place and a part at Ste. Genevieve, and teach a small
school at the former. * * On the 14th of Nov. we left
Kaskaskia for Shawneetown, On our arrival, Judge Gris-
wold informed us that exertions were making to form a
Bible Society for the Eastern part of Illinois Territory. *
One man informed us that for ten or fifteen years he had
been using exertions to obtain the Scriptures, but without
success." From Shawneetown they proceeded to Vincennes,
and from thence to the falls of Ohio, where they arrived
Dec. 20. On the 5th of January, 181 5, they embarked on
a keel boat for Natchez. They recommend that " fifty
Bibles be sent to Shawneetown and fifty to St. Louis," and
TOUR OF MILLS AND SMITH. 1$
add this remark : " It seems to us of infinite importance that
one Missionary at least, be stationed in each of the Terri-
tories !" i. e. Indiana, IlHnois and Missouri.
In a letter containing a general summing up of their ob-
servations, and which was dated on the Mississippi, be-
low New Madrid, January 20, 1815, they say: "The lUi-
nois Territory contains about 15,000 inhabitants. Until
last summer titles of land could not be obtained in this
Territory. Now land offices are opened. The principal
settlements, at present, are situated on the Wabash, the
Ohio, the Mississippi and the Kaskaskia. The eastern set-
tlements extend thirty miles up the Wabash, and forty
•down the Ohio. They include the United States Saline,
where a considerable number of people are employed in
manufacturing salt." This was twelve miles back from Shaw-
neetown, near the present town of Equality. " Shawnee-
town, on the Ohio, twelve miles below the mouth of the
Wabash, contains about one hundred houses. It is subject
to be overflowed at high water; but it is continually deluged,
like most other towns in the territories, by a far worse flood
of impiety and iniquity. Yet even here a faithful missionary
might hope to be extensively useful. The people heard us
with fixed and solemn attention when we addressed them.
The western settlements of this territory are separated from
the eastern by a wilderness of one hundred miles. The
American Bottom is an extensive tract of alluvial soil on the
banks of the Mississippi, eighty miles in length by about five
in breadth. This land is endowed with surprising and ex-
haustless fertility. The high lands back are extremely fer-
tile. Kaskaskia is the key to all this country, and must,
therefore, become a place of much importance, although at
present it does not greatly flourish. It contains between
eighty and one hundred families, two-thirds French Catho-
lics. The people of this place are anxious to obtain a Pres-
byterian clergyman. Six miles from Kaskaskia there is an
Associate Reformed congregation of forty families. Besides
this we did not hear of a single organized society of any
denomination in the county, nor of an individual Baptist or
Methodist preacher. The situation of the two counties
above this is somewhat different. Baptist and INIethodist
preachers are there considerably numerous, and we were
informed a majority of the heads of families are professors
of religion. A Methodist preacher told us that these profes-
l6 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
sors were almost all of them educated Presbyterians; 'And
they would have been so still,' said he, 'had they not been
neglected by their Eastern brethren. Now they are Baptists
or Methodists,' In all this territory there is not a single
Presbyterian preacher, and when we arrived we learned that
considerable districts had never before seen one. Already
have the interests of orthodoxy and of vital godliness suf-
ffered an irretrievable loss."
It will be interesting to notice what these men say of St.
Louis. The time to which the remarks refer is Novem-
ber, 1 8 14: "It coritains about 2,000 inhabitants — one-third,,
perhaps, are Americans, the remainder French Catholics.
The American families are many of them genteel and well
informed ; but very few of them religious. Yet they ap-
pear to be thoroughly convinced by their own experience,
of the indispensable necessity of religion to the welfare of
society. The most respectable people in town assured us
that a young man of talent, piety and liberality of mind,
would receive an abundant support. * * * When we
consider the situation of St. Louis — just below the con-
fluence of the Illinois, the Missouri, and the Mississippi
rivers, so that no place in the western country, save New
Orleans, has greater natural advantages — we think it highly
probable it will become a flourishing commercial town ! "
The following general remarks prove those exploring
missionaries to have been men of keen observation and
sound judgment. " The character of the settlers of these
territories renders it peculiarly important that missionaries
should early be sent among them. Indeed they can hardly
be said to have a character, assembled as they are from
every State in the Union, and originally from almost every
nation in Europe. The majority, though by no means regard-
less of religion, have not yet embraced any fixed sentiments
respecting it. They are ready to receive any impressions
which a public speaker may attempt to make. Hence every
kind of heretical preachers in the country flock to the
new settlements. Hence also the Baptist and Methodist:
denominations are exerting themselves to gain a footing in
the territories. If we do not come forward and occupy
this promising field of usefulness, they will. Indeed they
have already taken the precedence. Some portions of this
country are pretty thoroughly supplied with their preach-
ers. Why, then, it may be asked, not leave it wholty to
S. J. MILLS AND D. SMITH. 1 7
them ? We answer, the field is large enough for us all.
Many of their preachers are extremely illiterate. Besides,
there are many Presbyterian brethren scattered through-
out every settlement. To supply them with the means of
grace is a sacred duty incumbent on us." These two
brethren went on to Natchez and New Orleans, and returned
to New England by sea, in the early part of the summer.
Neither of them was as yet an ordained minister. Of course,
in their extensive travels and many labors, they could not
and did not administer the sacraments.
The reports of the two tours of Mills and Schermerhorn,
and of Mills and Smith, were extensively published, and
awakened a great interest among Eastern christians in the
spiritual welfare of the regions explored.
Samuel John Mills was a man of fine talents, of deep
humility, of distinguished missionary zeal and intense
christian activity. He was born in Connecticut, graduated
at Williams College, Mass., in 1809, and at Andover Theo-
logical Seminary 1812. We have seen how he spent the
three years of his licensure. His ordination took place at
Newburyport, Mass., June 21, 18 15, at the same time
with James Richards, Jr., Edward W^arren, Benj. C. Meigs,
Horatio Bardwell and Daniel Poor. The occasion was one
of great interest, as all the young brethren had the Foreign
Missionary work in view. Mr. Mills had devoted himself
to the service of the children of Africa. In 18 16 he was
agent for a school for the education of colored young men.
In 18 17 he was agent for the American Colonization So-
ciety. He died at sea. May i6, 1818, aged thirty-five. He
was one of those rare men whose ambition was satisfied by
setting in motion great agencies, while himself unseen and
unknown.
Daniel Smith was a native of Vermont. He graduated
at ]\Iiddlebury College in 18 10, and at Andover Theologi-
cal Seminary in 1813. His' exploring tour with Mr. Mills
is related above. When in St. Louis, in November, 18 14,
the people urged him to remain. He was unable to do so,
but his visit there with Mr. Mills was fruitful in good results.
Among these it cheered the heart of a devoted layman,
whose name is forever identified with the early history of
the Presbyterian Church in Missouri. " This was Stephen
Hempstead, a native of New London, Conn., and at this
time sixty years of age. He had served in the war of
I
l8 PRESBYTEKIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
the Revolution, and for more than a quarter of a cent-
ury had been engaged, as his secular affairs permitted,
in the service of the Church of Christ. Four of his sons
had removed to Missouri, and in i8ii he followed them to
St. Louis. For seven months he was in the country with-
out hearing a Protestant sermon, and for three years never
sa\v a Presbyterian minister." After the visit of Messrs.
Mills and Smith, he wrote to a Boston clergyman asking
him to send a minister to that territory. He estimated there
were more than a thousand Presbyterian families in Mis-
souri, while there" was not a single church of their order."
This estimate was doubtless too large.
After completing his tour, Mr. Smith returned to New
England, and was ordained at Ipswich, Mass., to the work
of a christian Missionary in the western parts of the United
States, September 29, 1815. In February, 1815, Mr. Smith
had spent some days in Mississippi, and while there had, at
the request of the trustees, performed the dedicatory servi-
ces of a new Presbyterian church at Natchez. He became
much impressed with the spiritual needs of that State.
With a population of 45,000 it had only four Presbyterian
ministers. Natchez he thought as important a station for a
missionary as any in the western or southern country.
These convictions led him to select that city as his field of
labor. He was commissioned for that place by the Assem-
bly's Committee of Missions. In 18 17 he organized the
First Presbyterian church of Natchez. Mr. Smith became
a member of the Presbytery of Mississippi. I cannot tell
precisely when he left Natchez; but he was at Louisville,
Ky., in 1822, and died there February 22, 1823, aged thirty-
four years.
We are thus brought forward to the year 18 15. Illinois
Territory had then about 15,000 inhabitants exclusive of
Indians. One ordained Presbyterian minister had landed
at Kaskaskia ; another, James McGready, had preached a
few times in White county. Three licentiates had pressed
their feet upon its soil. Two of the three had made the
trip from Shawneetown to Kaskaskia and St. Louis and
back. That was all. No Presbyterian minister or church
in the territory. The next year, 18 16, was to witness a
change.
The church of Sharon, in what is now White county, is
the oldest Presbyterian church in Illinois. It was organ-
SHARON CHURCH AND M GREADY. 1 9
ized by Rev. James McGready, of Henderson, Ky., in 1816,
probably in the month of September. The first book of
its records is lost. But the following synopsis of the his-
tory of the church is found in the present volume. "The
first three ruling elders were Peter Miller, James Mayes and
James Rutledge, all of whom had emigrated from Hender-
son, Ky. The members of the church were from the Car-
olinas, Georgia, Tennessee and Kentucky. Rev. James
McGready had preached for them occasionally for two or
three years, coming over from Kentucky where he re-
sided." Doubtless numbers of them had been his parish-
oners in Kentucky and the Carolinas. " Mr. McGready
died about the year 1818 or 19. Then the two brothers —
William and John Barnett of Tennessee — who were Cum-
berland Presbyterians, came in as missionaries, held a
series of meetings and tried to win over the church to
their views. They partly succeeded, so that several of the
members and two of the three elders joined them. These
two were James Mayes and James Rutledge. They organ-
ized a Cumberland church called Hopewell, about two
miles from where Enfield now is. When James Rutledge
found that Peter Miller — his brother-in-law, the only remain-
ing elder in Sharon Church — would not join the Cumber-
lands, he returned to the mother church.
Rev. James McGready was succeeded by Rev. ]\Iartin B.
Darrah. After this time the church was visited by two mis-
sionaries from the East, Backus Wilbur and Andrew O. Pat-
terson, who supplied them for a time." This cannot be al-
together correct. "In 18 16 Backiis Wilbur was commis-
sioned by the Assembly to labor for two months from the
mouth of the Wabash to Kaskaskia, where he was princi-
pally to labor." [Gillett.] Doubtless his visit to. Sharon
was in the fall, of 1816, very soon after the organization of
the church. Of his labors at Kaskaskia I have no where
seen any notice. Andrew O. Patterson was sent to labor in
Illinois in 1820. He may have preceded or followed Mr.
Darrah.
B, F. Spilman preached to this church while he was a
licentiate, and was ordained to the ministry and installed
its pastor in Nov., 1824, by Muhlenburg Presbytery. The
members present were Revs. Wm. K. Stewart, David Phil-
lips and Isaac Bard. This pastoral relation continued only
about eighteen months. Rev. Isaac Bennet preached here
20 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
for a time. After this the church was supphed by a num-
ber of ministers. Among them Wm. Hamilton, B. F. Spil-
man, John Silhman, who died in 1838 ; Andrew M. Hershy,
in 1842; R. H. Lilly in 1843. In latter part of 1843 and
beginning of 1844, B. F. Spilman; R. H. Lilly again in
1844. John L. Hawkins, from Redstone Presbytery, sup-
plied for about five years, and up to 1850. Wm. Gardner
and James Stafford supplied in 1850 and 185 1. B. F. Spil-
man in 1852, 1853 and part of 1854. John S. Howell, from
1854 to 1862, eight years. Rev. R. Lewis McCune, a min-
ister belonging to^.the Presbytery of Winchester, Va., and
who was compelled by the great rebellion to leave his field
of labor, Port Royal, Va., was invited to take charge of
Grayville, Carmi and Sharon. He complied, commencing
at Sharon, July 20, 1862, and giving that church one-fourth
of his time. After September, 1863 he gave Sharon one-
half of his time until 1864. Rev. Thomas Smith supplied
this church occasionally from about 1871 to 1875. It is
now under the charge of Rev. B. C. Swan, who spends with
them one Sabbath in four.
This congregation has had four buildings for worship.
The first one of logs, about one-fourth of a mile north of
Peter C. Miller's house, in T. 5, S. R. 8, E. of 3 P. M., N.
E. quarter of Sec. 21. It had one window only, and was
roofed with clap-boards. In approaching this house from
the south, one passed through a densely grown up wood,
on gradually descending ground. On the right, near the
opening that surrounded the house, was a stand, consisting
of a raised platform between two trees. Logs and split
puncheons and slabs were arranged in the shade for the
congregation to sit upon. A few steps from this stand, on
the other side of the opening, stood the old hewed-log-
house, facing southward, with one door in the south side
The pulpit was in the east end, and a small four light win-
dow on the right of the pulpit. A hearth of flat rock laid
in the floor near the center of the house, served for burn-
ing charcoal in cold weather. Such was the appearance of
this house in 1828, as described by B. F. Willis. It was in
this house that B. F. Spilman was ordained. A man now
living in the neighborhood remembers seeing him spread
his white silk handkerchief on the floor on which he kneeled
during the ordaining prayer.
The next building was about two miles southeast of the
SHARON CHURCH, WHITE COUNTY. 21
first, in T. 5, S., R. 8, E., S. E. quarter of Sec. 34, near
A. H. Trousdale's. This too was of logs. The third
house, also of logs, was close b}^ the site of the present
building. This last is a frame house, of good size, was
finished in the spring of 1864, and cost about $700. It is
on S. E. quarter of N. W. qurrter, Sec. 4, T, 6, S.,
R. 8, E. A cemetery adjoins this church house, and is
owned by the congregation. The whole site of church
and cemetery is two acres. The cemetery began to be
used more than sixty years ago. The three first church
buildings have gone entirely to ruin. Besides the three
original elders, I find the names of the following : James
H. Rice, in 1829; John Storey, in 1837; Peter Miller and
Felix H. Willis, in 1843; Win. Miller, Robert A. SiUiman
and John McClellan, in 1848; Ephraim L. Smith, Wm. W.
Storey and John H. McClellan in 1866; A. Stewart Adams
and Henry Marlin, in 1870.
January 4, 1869, the. church resolved to use Rouse's ver-
sion of the Psalms in their Sabbath worship. This prac-
tice is still continued. The use of hymns in social worship
and in the Sabbath school is not prohibited.
There have been connected with this church from the
beginning about two hundred and ten persons. The present
membership is thirty. It is a mother church. Carmi and
Enfield are largely formed from it.
Presbytery held a meeting with this church in September,
1827. It was a season of much interest. Great crowds
attended, and services were held both in the house and in
the grove. The Springfield and Shawneetown R. R. passes
within about three-quarters of a mile of the church building.
The postoffice and station are Sacramento.
Rev. John SiUiman died while laboring here. His re-
mains are buried in the cemetery mentioned above.
This church was at the first connected with Muhlenburg
Presbytery, Kentucky.
Of the ministers named in the above account of Sharon
Church I shall speak in this connection only of those who la-
bored in the Territory or State previous to the organization
of Centre Presbytery. It is worthy of notice that the first
Presbyterian church in Missouri — the church of Concord,
Belleview Settlement, southwest part of Washington county
— was organized within a few days of Sharon, Illinois Ter-
ritory. Concord by Salmon Giddings, August 2, 18 16,
22 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
with thirty members. Sharon by James McGready in iSi6
— probably in September.
James McGready. I have found no notice of the date
of his birth. But he was a native of Pennsylvania, and of
Scotch-Irish descent. His father removed with his family
to Guilford county, N. C., while James was yet but a child.
From his earliest years McGready was remarkable for his
conscientious regard to his religious duties. An uncle con-
ceived the idea of educating him for the ministry. James
had united with the church at the age of seventeen, and was
exemplary in hisa-^tleportment. Neither uncle or nephew
had a doubt of his piety. But a remark from another, which
he casually overheard, at first exasperated, and then led
him to such serious self-examination that he renounced his
old hope and sought the Savior anew. He commenced his
classical studies with Rev. Joseph Smith, of Cross Creek
and Buffalo congregations, Washington 'county, Penn.
Here, in Mr. Smith's kitchen, he prosecuted, with others,
the study of Latin! His theological course was taken under
the direction of the famous Dr. John McMillan. He was
licensed by Red Stone Presbytery in 1788. He returned
the same year to Guilford county, N. C, and set about his
work with immense energy. He was uncompromising with
the sins most fashionable in that region — dancing, horse-
racing and intemperance. The wicked were exasperated ;
but great good resulted from his labors. In 1796 McGready
passed to Kentucky, after laboring a few months in Eastern
Tennessee. His principal field of labor in Kentucky was
in Logan county, where from 1796 to 18 14 he was pastor of
Gasper River, Red River and Muddy River congregations.
Mr. John Mann, now an elder in Chester church, Illinois,
remembers seeing Mr. McGready in Logan county, Ky., and
hearing him preach. He was a large man. His voice was
strong and heavy, and he was commonly called "Boaner-
ges." He was one of the chief instruments in promoting
the great revival which spread through North Carolina,
Tennessee and Kentucky in the latter years of the last and
the first years of the present century. For a time he fell in
with the Cumberlands. But he saw his error and retraced
his steps. In the latter years of his life he resided in Hen-
derson county, Ky., and extended his labors across the
Ohio into Southwestern Indiana and Southeastern Illinois.
Here, in looking after the spiritual welfare of those who'
BEN'JAMIN F, SPILMAN. 23
had been his parishoners in Kentucky, he organized in 1 8 16
the church of Sharon — the First Presbyteiian Oiurch in
Illinois Territory.
Muhlenburg Presbytery covered the western part of Ken-
tucky. It was organized in 1810. " Of it Mr. McGready
was a member.
As said above he died in 1818 or 1819. His ministerial
career must have covered, therefore, about thirty or thirty-
one years. His death probably took place before he was
sixty years of age.
Of Martin B. Darrah I have nowhere found any men-
tion save in the record book of Sharon church. It is not
probable he was a Presbyterian minister.
Backus Wilbur was a native of New Jersey. He stud-
ied at Princeton College and graduated at Princeton Semi-
nary in 1 81 3. He labored at Dayton, Ohio, and died in
1818.
The i\NDREW O. Patterson, who visited Sharon church
in 1820, was a native of Pennsylvania. He graduated at
Jefferson College, Cannonsburg, Pa. He studied theology
at Princeton in 18 18-19. -^^ \i'3iA charge ot Mt. Pleasant
and Sewickly churches, Redstone Presbytery, from 1821 to
1834. Subsequently he labored at Beaver, Pa. He was
then missionary agent for a time, afterwards pastor at New
Lisbon, Pa., Bethel, Ohio, and West Newton, Pa. He died
in 1869.
Benjamin Franklin Spilman was born August 17, 1796,
in Garrard county, Ky., about six miles from Danville. His
father was Benjamin Spilman, youngest son of James Spil-
man, of Culpepper county, Va. James Spilman was the
son of Henry Spilman of Westmoreland county, Va., who
emigrated from England and lived and died in that county.
He was therefore of the fourth generation, on his father's
side, from the original emigrant.
There is a well authenticated tradition that the name was
originally Sprlman, but it was first mispronounced and then
misspelled — an i being substituted for an e. An effort was
once made to restore the name to its original sound and
spelling. But there was not sufficient concert, and habit
had become too strong.
Benjamin Spilman — father of B. F. — about 1790 married
Nancy R. Rice, of Prince Edward county, Va., and imme-
diately emigrated to Garrard county, Ky. Miss Rice was
24 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
descended from an English family of that name — a family-
very prolific of ministers. Among them was Parson David
Rice, ordained 1765, the pioneer Presbyterian minister of Ky.,
Dr. John H. Rice of Va., and Dr. Nathan L. Rice, who con-
ducted the celebrated debate with Alex. Campbell in 1843.
The Spilman family in Virginia were originally Episcopa-
lians. Benjamin Spilman, father of B. F., was the only
member of a family of eight who did not adhere steadfast-
ly to the " Church of England." But early in life he united
with the Presbyterian Church, and chose a staunch Presby-
terian woman as the partner of his days. She possessed
uncommon strengtii of mind and energy of character. It
was mainly through her influence that her five sons were all
liberally educated and prepared for professional life. The
eldest, James F., was a physician, and died in Bunker Hill,
111., at an advanced age. The two next, B. F. and Thomas
A., lived and died in the ministry of the Presbyterian
Church. Charles H. is a physician in Harrodsburg, Ky.
The youngest, Jonathan E., after practicing law for fifteen
years finally entered the ministry, and is now preaching in
Canton, Miss. There were eight daughters — making a
family of thirteen children. Of these, B. F. was the fifth.
In 1806 Benjamin Spilman removed from Garrard to
Muhlenburg county, Ky., into what is called the Green river
country. At that time B. F. was ten years of age.
In 1 8 12 the family enjoyed the preaching of James Mc-
Gready, the same man who in 18 16 organized the church
of [Sharon, 111. B. F. was profoundly affected, though he
did not profess conversion till some months later.
For a part of the time, while residing in the Green River
country, the youth, B. F., drove a four horse team from the
landing on the Kentucky side of the river to Salem. While
stopping to rest and feed his horses he improved his time
in studying the Latin Grammar. But the want of a teacher
greatly discouraged him. To leave home to prosecute
his studies was difficult. The health of his father was
poor, and the family large. His services were needed. But
providence interposed. A pain in his back which refused
to yield to any treatment, obliged him to give up his team-
ing business. As he was unfit for any manual labor his
parents decided to accede to his ardent desire to prosecute
a course of study. It appears that he proceeded to Chilli-
cothe, Ohio, and pursued preparatory studies with Rev.
BENJAMIN F. SPILMAN. 25
Robert G. Wilson, D.D. He entered Jefferson College at
Cannonsburg, Penn., in 1817, and graduated October, 1821.
He then returned to Chillicothe and studied theology with
Dr. Wilson. He was licensed by the Chillicothe Presby-
tery, Dec. 3, 1823, and immediately proceeded home that
he might preach his first sermon in his father's house.
Meantime Benjamin Spilman, his father, had removed
with his family to Illinois. September 6, 18 17, he entered
S. W. quarter of Sec. 8, and Dec. 14, 1818, the W 1-2 of S. E.
■quarter of Sec. 8, Town. 6, S. R. 9 E, being in all 240 acres.
He sold this land to one Houts, June i, 1836. Probably
the date of his entering this land fixes the time of his re-
moval to Illinois Territory. But he did not at once settle
upon it. His first residence was at or near Golconda,
Pope county. He and his wife, Nancy R., were two of the
original members of Golconda Church, organized Oct. 24,
1 8 19, and of it he was made an elder, March 18, 1820.
This, therefore, was undoubtedly the home of his par-
ents, to which the young preacher hastened after his
licensure. His text was: "Unto you, therefore, who be-
lieve He is precious." The time was probably the second
Sabbath of December, 1823.
This was his introduction to Southeastern Illinois. There
were then only two Presbyterian churches in that part of
the State — Sharon, organized in 1816, and Golconda,
organized Oct. 24, 1819. With these two churches he at
once began his labors, connecting with them such other
needy and promising points as he found accessible. One
of these was Shawneetown. The exact date of his first
sermon there I cannot give, but it was quite at the close of
1823. He found in Shawneetown only one member of the
Presbyterian Church — a female. His appointments here
at first were only occasional.
He fixed his residence at Golconda, probably in the lat-
ter part of 1824. He was ordained to the ministry, and
installed pastor of Sharon Church, in November, 1824, by
Muhlenburg Presbytery, as stated above. It was under-
stood, however, that he was to spend with them only one-
fourth of his time. This pastoral relation continued only
eighteen months. He married, March 17, 1826, Miss Ann
B. Cannon, of Cannonsburg, Penn. Without pretending to
know, I presume the acquaintance of this young lady con-
stituted the romance of his college days.
26 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Here I will introduce a portion of a letter of Mrs. C. W.
Baldwin, widow of the lamented Rev. Dr. Theron Baldwin,
and addressed to the widow of B. F. Spilman. It is dated
June 25, 1870 : " I met your husband only once. That was
on my first arrival in Illinois. There were few roads through
the State at that time, 1831, and no stages. Travelers from
the East went down the Ohio to where Cairo now is, then
up the Mississippi to St. Louis. On our way down the
Ohio there was at the time of which I speak, a sudden
change of weather, which closed the Mississippi with ice,
and there was no road from Cairo to any other place. It
was, therefore, necessary for us to turn back, which we did,
and succeeded in reaching Smithland, Ky. After two weeks
delay we went up and crossed the river in a row boat op-
posite Golconda. The first person whom we saw on pass-
ing up into the town was Mr. Spilman, whom my husband
recognized. He kindly invited us to his house. He was
living there at that time, and preaching to the feeble
churches in that region. The house was a small frame
building, but very comfortable. The only bed in it was
divided, and one part laid on the floor. We, being guests,
occupied the part left on the bedstead, Mr. and Mrs. S.
taking that on the floor. The arrangement well nigh de-
prived me of sleep, for I felt that such hospitality was a
little beyond the Scripture requirement.
"The evening was passed in discussing the missionary
work. In devotion to the cause these two young mission-
aries were one. In doctrinal views and methods of present-
ing truth they differed. Mr. S. was a ' high Calvinist and
Old School' — my husband 'New School.' Hence it was
that they were thrown so little together in subsequent labor.
I remember hearing Mr. S. say that evening that when he
' commenced preaching his library consisted of three vol-
umes— a Confession of Faith, a Bible and a Hymn book.'
" From Golconda we went to Shawneetown, a part of the
way on a jumper, and part on a wood sled. At Shawnee-
town we procured an emigrant wagon, in which we trav-
eled as far as Vandalia, reaching that place December 24.
The roads were little more than trails. I remember only
one bridge between Golconda and Vandalia."
He had fixed his residence in Golconda, probably in the
fall of 1824, and must have made that place his home until
sometime in 1832. He then removed his family to Shaw-
BENJAMIN F. SPILMAN. 2/
neetown. In May, 1826, he organized the church at that
place (tradition says with six members — all females.) The
first communion was held November, 1827, when there were
ten members — two males and eight females. As they had
no fixed place of worship, they occupied warehouses and
private dwellings until 1832, when the "old log church"
was erected. This was followed in 1842 by a neat brick
edifice. Mr. S. continued to labor here as stated supph',
preaching at first monthly, and then bi-monthly, until the
death of his wife. Through these three years — from 1832
to 1835 — he kept up his itinerant labors. He organized
the church at Equality May 26, 1832.
November 16, 1833, he lost his infant son, James Frank-
lin, aged four days. A greater sorrow overtook him Feb-
ruary 4, 1835, when he was called to part with his wife. He
remarks on this occasion, " Never knew what trouble was
before."
For about two years he acted as agent of the Western
Foreign Missionary Society at Pittsburg. He commenced
this service June 25, 1836. For the first year he has left a
complete, though very condensed, account of his labors.
He visited all the Presbyterian churches in Illinois and the
western part of Indiana. The collections he made were
small — amounting during the year to ^401.18. His salary
was ;^300, and his traveling expenses ^45.18. He traveled
on horseback, and his labors were constant and intense.
Their result is not to be estimated at all by the amount of
money raised. His presence among the churches, his faith-
ful preaching, his attendance on the church judicatories,
and that general elevation, enlargement of vision and draw-
ing out from the shell of selfishness which attended his pre-
sentations of truth, were the great trophies of this service.
While engaged in these missionary labors he made his
home at Sanmel Boyd's, three or four miles west of New
Haven, in the edge of Gallatin county, near George Knight's.
A daughter of Samuel Boyd, Mrs. Leah Brocket, now
resides in Enfield. A little before he commenced this mis-
sionary service, i. e., June 25, 1836, his father, Benjamin
Spilman, had removed to Montgomery count}^ near Hills-
boro, where he ended his useful life, September 15, 185 1,
aged eighty-six years and seven months. His wife died
January 28, 1848, aged seventy-five years.
In the spring of 1838 Mr. Spilman attended the meeting
28 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
of the General Assembly. On his return in June he took
board with Wm. McCool, at Equality. In the January next
preceding, Gallatin Academy had opened in that village.
Of this Mr. Spilman took charge for one year. He attended
the Assembly again in 1839. For the year preceding April
I, 1840, he labored as a Home Missionary under the General
Assembly's Board of Domestic Missions. In that time he
supplied seven congregations — Carmi, Sharon, New Haven,
Morganfield, Union, Tilford's and Douglas. The last four
were across the Ohio river in Kentucky. In these seven
churches there were at the end of the year eighty-nine com-
municants— thirty-five of whom had been added during the
year. Three of the churches had been organized in those
twelvemonths. In 1840 Mr. Spilman completed seventeen
years of service in Southeastern Illinois and the adjoining
parts of Kentucky and Indiana. He had in that time organ-
ized thirteen churches, two of which had been dissolved by
deaths and removals.
At the commencement of the period upon which we now
enter, we find this record in his own hand-writing: "After
living a lonely widower for more than six years, the Lord,
who setteth the solitary in families, has, I believe, directed
me in the choice of another companion to be the partnsr of
my joys and sorrows, to whom I was married June 22, 1840,
and now I am as happy as I ought to be in this changing
state. As to domestic happiness my cup runneth over."
This marriage took place in Carmi, at the house of Dr.
Josiah Stewart. Mrs. Stewart was a sister of Mr. Spilman,
and the mother, by a previous marriage, of Mr. Felix H.
Willis, now of Enfield. III.
The maiden name of the second Mrs. Spilman was Mary
P. Potter. She was born in North Brookfield, Worcester
county, Mass, in March, 18 14. She went west as a teacher,
under the auspices of a society of ladies in New York city,
early in June, 1838. She taught for a few weeks in Bethel,
Bond Co. ; then, by the advice of Rev. Theron Baldwin,
went to Carmi, VVhite Co., and continued to teach there
till June 22, 1840, when she married Mr. Spilman. She
taught more than half the time after that until 1864, when
she returned East with her son and daughter. She is now
residing at Boston Highlands, 64 Waverly Street,
Immediately after his marriage with Miss Potter, Mr. Spil-
man removed again to Shawneetown, and resided there till
BENJAMIN F. SPILMAN. 29-
Nov. 9, 1845. He was installed as pastor of Shawneetown
church, April 22, 1843. On the 13th of November, the same
year, he buried his son, John Calvin, thirteen years of age.
This child gave good evidence of piety.
His labors during his residence at Shawneetown, from
June, 1840, to Nov., 1845, were of the same itinerant char-
acter. He had the general care of all the churches in that
part of the State. This was true, in a great degree, even
after the pastoral relation was formed. That relation was
dissolved Oct. 4, 1845.
He immediately removed to Edvvardsville, in Madison
Co., and commenced his labors there, Nov. 9, 1845. His
eldest brother, James F., was then located as a physician ia
that place. His residence at Edwardsville was continued
one year — from Nov., 1845, to Nov., 1846. During that time
he acted under a commission from the Board of Domestic Mis-
sions. One of his quarterly reports is as follows : " Churches
and stations supplied, nine — Hillsboro, Waveland, Edwards-
ville, Chester, Liberty, Sparta, Dry Point, Bethany and Belle-
ville, all in the Presbytery of Kaskaskia. Number of families
two hundred and thirty-five. Total in communion, two hun-
dred and forty-one ; number of baptisms, six ; number of
Sabbath schools, four ; teachers in Sabbath schools, thirty-
eight; number of scholars in Sabbath schools, one hundred
and ninety-five ; Bible Societies, five ; Missionary Societies,
eight ; raised for Foreign Missions, ;^25.00 ; sermons preached,
eighty-one; monthly concerts attended, four ; prayer-meet-
ings established, four; visited ninety-six families; support
pledged, ^150.00; observance of the Sabbath indifferent;
population increasing." From this we gain an idea of his
labors from Nov., 1845, to Nov., 185 i. He was much of the
time on horseback; preaching on Sabbaths and week days;
supplying vacant churches ; attending prayer-meetings ;
visiting families ; establishing new congregations, and, in
general, doing the work of an evangelist.
In Nov., 1846, he removed to Chester and resided there
for two and one-half years. He supplied that church on the
third Sabbath in each month. He then removed back into
the country ten miles. His next residence was in the
bounds of Jordan's Grove congregation — the same church
called Sparta in his report above. There he resided one and
one-half years. This brings forward the time to October,
1 85 1 — about six years from his leaving Shawneetown. In
30 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
that month he went for Mrs. Spihnan, who was in Massa-
chusetts. In crossing Lake Erie they were in great dan-
ger. At one time the Captain gave up the boat for lost.
On the 26th of October he preached in North Brookfield,
Mass., Mrs. Spilman's native place. Their return seems
to have been by the Ohio river, for he preached in Jef-
fersonville, Indiana, November 4th. On the loth they
were in Shawneetown, to which place Mr. S. had been
earnestly invited to return. There he again engaged in
itinerant labor, making Shawneetown one of his stations. In
June, 1853, he wag again installed pastor by a committee of
Kaskaskia Presbytery. In May, 1858, and again at the close
of the year, there was a great revival in that congregation.
In June, 1858, he visited Boston with his family, making the
trip in three days and nine hours. His death took place at
Shawneetown, Tuesday morning. May 3, 1859, of pneu-
monia. His age was sixty-two years, eight months, and
seventeen days.
He was buried from the Presbyterian church, Thursday A. m.,
May 5th. The exercises were conducted by the Elders. The
remains were deposited in the Westwood cemetery. The fu-
neral sermon was preached by Rev. Cliarles A. Campbell,
then of Morganfield, Ky., on the first Sabbath of June fol-
lowing. Mr. C. says : " The church was crowded by a grief-
stricken audience. The entire community, as well as the
church, seemed to feel that they had lost a valued friend,
and a spiritual guide in whom was no guile. Every eye
overflowed, and the suppressed sob plainly told how deeply
they felt their loss."
To correctly delineate the character of Mr. Spilman is a
task of no small difficulty to one who knew him only from
the reports and writings of others. Most manifestly he was
sound in the faith — a Calvinist, but not I think, as Mrs. Bald-
win says in her letter quoted above, a high Calvinist. Take
the following from his own pen. The article is called, A Key
TO Unlock a Difficulty. " Calvinistic Predestination is
not fatality, (i.) God from all eternity had his plan laid, by
which he manages the universe. In other words ' He fore-
ordained whatsoever comes to pass.'
(2.) It comes to pass that all mankind are free agents.
Then, this was fore-ordained for ' whatsoever comes to
pass ' was fore-ordained.
(3.) It comes to pass that the gospel salvation is infinitely
BENJAMIN F. SPILIMAN. 3 I
sufficient for all the human family, and is freely offered to all.
This then was fore-ordained.
(4.) It comes to pass that all who reject offered mercy and
live and die in sin perish. This then must have been fore-
ordained.
(5.) It comes to pass that God suffers people to sin, /. e.
does not prevent it, when we know that he could, by strikino^
the sinner dead, if in no other way. Whatsoever sin there-
fore he does suffer to be committed was fore-ordained.
(6.) It comes to pass that none are excluded from salvation
by any decree of God, as he only ordained to suffer those
who are lost to take their own choice between life and death,
which they do voluntarily and thus reprobate themselves.
(7.) While, therefore, predestination does no one any harm,
it makes salvation sure to all who obey the gospel — and God
works as he pleases in accordance with the free agency of
man."
This is Calvinism, but it is not liigli Calvinism, or fatalism.
When the great division of 1837 and 1838 took place Mr.
Spilmanhad been fourteen years a minister in the Presbyterian
Church. He held to the Confession of Faith ; but the above
article shows how he held it. It was not the ipsissinia verba
method. He claimed the right to put upon the language of
the Confession his own construction, and to give it his
own explanation. He sided strongly with the Old-
School, and was perhaps their leading man in the
State of Illinois. He did not live to see the re-
union of the two schools, and to share the conviction, now so
general, that their differences were mainly referable to prej-
udice. His second wife was a New England Congregation-
alist. They ever lived in the most perfect harmony. It is
not probable that either was conscious of yielding to the
other one particle of religious belief.
Mr. Spilman was exceedingly laborious. Take a few facts
in illustration. In one year from Nov. 9, 1845, he traveled
3,688 miles on horseback. During six years from the same
date, he preached nine hundred and fifty-nine sermons. In
the same six years he installed eleven Elders, made two hun-
dred and fift}--four visits, baptized ninety-eight persons, ad-
ministered the supper thirty-six times and received one
hundred and thirty-two persons into the churches. When
the sacrament of the supper was administered the services
usually continued four days. It was customary to hold
32 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
two of those meetings each year in each of the churches.-
He was regular in his attendance upon all Ecclesiastical
meetings, often traveling for that purpose very long distances.
On several occasions he represented his Presbytery in Gen-
eral Assembly.
Much and almost constant traveling gave him little time
for critical study, for converse with the great minds of past
ages, or even for any considerable acquaintance with the cur-
rent literature of the day. But this disadvantage was in
part counterbalanced by his power of concentrating his
thoughts in his ma^ny, long and lonely rides, upon whatever
themes he chose. His saddle was, in an important sense, his
study. Thus he acquired the power of digesting his subjects,
and of arranging and fixing his thoughts in his own mind
much as others do with pen and ink on paper. This mental
labor he was always performing, and was often hardest at
work when a spectator may have thought him wholly idle.
Hence his power of preaching without manuscript — the
method which he always followed — with readiness, fluency,
clearness and power.
His labors were successful. Shawneetown, where he
began them in December, 1823, was one of the most un-
promising points for ministerial labor in the United States.
He found but one person — a female — who was connected
with the Presbyterian Church. In November, 1845, he left
them a congregation of sixty-six communicants. In the
same years he had organized twelve other churches, two
of which were in Kentucky. His success when residing in
Madison and Randolph counties may be judged from what
has already been said. His second residence in Shawnee-
town was distinguished by the occurrence in 1858 of two re-
vivals, which brought into that church, within ten months,
seventy-seven members. Among them were several who have
ever since been the pillars in that congregation.
I am not able to state precisely the number of churches
he organized during his ministry of thirty-six years, but think
it was about twenty. Five or six of these have ceased to
exist from deaths, removals and destitution of the preached
word. Most of the others have acquired strength and great
influence. To have planted in such a place as Shawneetown
was in 1823, and watered and matured such a church as ex-
isted there when B. 1^. Spilman was buried, would have been
of itself a success worthy of thirty-six years of labor. But
SHOAL CREEK CHURCH. 33
this was only a part of the grand result of those thirty-six
years. Eternity alone can unfold the mighty whole.
Mr. Spilman was eminently prayerful. The revivals of
1858 were preceded by days and weeks of the most agon-
izing supplications on his part. Indeed all through his min-
isterial life his close communion with God was the great
secret of his power.
The various ecclesiastical relations which he sustained —
all in the same denomination — during his ministry of thirty-
six years, in the same general region, illustrate curiously the
growth of the country and the Church. He was licensed
indeed by the Presbytery of Chillicothe, Ohio, because his
theological studies were prosecuted in that city; but he came
immediately, and without preaching a sermon elsewhere, to
Southeastern Illinois. There he came under the care of the
Presbytery of Muhlenburg, and was ordained by them in
November, 1824. In 1826 the Synod of Indiana was erected,
which included all the churches in this State. This brought
Mr. S. into the Presbytery of Wabash, which embraced the
churches and ministers in Western Indiana and Eastern Illi-
nois. In 1828 he fell into Center Presbytery, which ex-
tended over this entire State and Wisconsin. His next
change was into Kaskaskia Presbytery in 1831. Finally, a
few months before his death, he fell into Saline Presbytery.
Thus, without changing his general field, he was a member
of five different Presbyteries, and of three different Synods.
Presbyterianism in Illinois owes much to B. F. Spilman.
He was the piojieer in the State. For a time he was the only
Presbyterian minister, connected with the Assembly, residing
and statedly laboring in this vast domain, now contain-
ing three Synods, eleven Presbyteries, four hundred and
twenty ministers, four hundred and eighty-seven churches^
and 43,987 members. All honor to the man who stands, in-
strumentally, at the head of these grand results !
The Shoal Creek Church was organized by Rev, Salmon
Giddings, of St. Louis, March 10, 1819, with thirty-five mem-
bers. The first records are lost, and with them anything like
a correct list of their names. But according to the recol-
lection of widow George Donnell, the first elders were Hugh
McReynolds, John Laughlin and John Gilmore.
Mr. Giddings, after the organization, paid them occasional
visits; and such was the fidelity and activity of the members,
that their meetings were held regularly, and large congrega-
2
34 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
tions assembled whether a minister was present or not. Their
place of worship was a log house, about four miles north of
Greenville, Bond county, in T. 6, N. R. 3, E., Sec. 21, N. E.
quarter, near a very small creek running into the east fork of
Shoal Creek. The Union Grove Methodist church now oc-
cupies the same site. In two years it had increased to
eighty-eight members, thirty of whom were new converts,
the fruit of a revival at a camp-meeting held by Dr. Gideon
Blackburn in the very spring of the organization. Another
camp-meeting was conducted by the Home Missionaries,
Revs. Oren CatUn and Daniel Green Sprague, in 1823. By
this the roll was enlarged to one hundred and fifteen. A
third camp-meeting, held by B. F. Spilmanin 1824, brought
the membership to one hundred and twenty-two.
By the Missouri Presbytery, September 15, 1825, Bethel
and Greenville churches were set off from Shoal Creek.
April 7, 1832, Kaskaskia Presbytery, at its meeting in Carmi,
White county, united the two churches of Greenville and
Shoal Creek. From that time Shoal Creek ceased to exist
as such, and became merged in Greenville church.
Its ministerial supplies previous to the organization of
Greenville, September, 1825, were occasional and transient.
After that it was grouped with Greenville. It was the mother
of Greenville, Elm Point and Bethel churches, and for the
first five years of its existence occupied the entire territory
now held by these, her children.
If B. F. Spilman was the father of Presbyterianism in one
section of Illinois, Salmon Giddings was in another. True,
his residence was in St. Louis, but a large portion of his
early labors were expended in the counties nearest St. Louis,
on the East side of the Father of Waters. It is these labors
principally that will here be noticed.
He was born in the town of Hartland, Hartford county.
Conn., March 2, 1782. His parents were not members of
any church, but were respected for their industry, intelli-
gence and strict morality. They were careful to train their
son to fear God, honor his parents and find pleasure in pro-
moting the well-being of his fellow men. He united with
the Congregational Church in January, 1807. About the
same time he was led to consider the duty of preaching the
Gospel. Entering upon a course of study, with the ministry
in view, he graduated at Williams College, Mass., in 181 1,
and at Andover Theological Seminary in 18 14. He was
SALMON GIDDIXGS. 35
tutor for a short time in his Ahiia ]\Iater. In December,
1814, he was ordained to the work of the ministry. During
1 81 5, he itinerated in Massachusetts and Connecticut. In
December, 181 5, he was commissioned by the Connecticut
Missionary Society to labor in the Western country, parti-
cularly St. Louis. He h^d read the reports of Mills and
Smith, published in the Panoplist, and was led thereby to
■choose that field of labor. He came to St. Louis on horse-
back that same winter, preaching often while passing through
the destitute settlements. The people were hospitable, fed
his horse and made him welcome. He slept in their log
cabins, partook of their plain fare, prayed in their families,
and talked to their children. He reached St. Louis, April 6,
18 16, and at once entered upon his labors on both sides the
river.
On Sabbath, August 25, 1816, he preached in Kaskas-
kia, and baptized James L. D., son of Robert Morrison.
This child was the since well-known J. L. D. Morrison,
somewhat famous in military and political life, and still liv-
ing. In political speeches he has been known to boast that
he was baptized ifito the Presbyterian Church. There was at
that time no Protestant church in Kaskaskia. On the fol-
lowing Thursday he preached at Major How's. James Gas-
ton and his son were present. The father was a Presbyterian
Elder in North Carolina ; the son and his wife were members
of the same church. The next Sabbath, September i, 18 16,
he preached at Irish settlement to a large audience.
So far as I can learn, these were his first labors in Illinois
Territory, and they correspond in time almost precisely with
those of McGready, when he organized Sharon church, in
White county.
On Sabbath, the 27th of the next October, he preached
again at Kaskaskia, reaching the place, as before, by Ste.
Genevieve. At Kaskaskia he met Rev. Samuel T. Scott,
of Vincennes. He rode with him sixteen miles east, to
Irish settlement, where Mr. S. had an appointment. He
then rode back nine miles and preached at Mr. Tindal's. On
the first of November he started for St. Louis.
It is interesting to think of the meeting of those two mis-
sionaries at that time — probably by appointment. They two
were then the only ordained — John AIcElroy Dickey was not
ordai /led until 18 17 — Presbyterian ministers actually resid-
ing in the three Territories of Indiana, Illinois and Missouri.
36 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
One of them was located in the principal town of Indiana
Territory; the other at the seat of government of Missouri
Territor)^, and their place of meeting was the capital of Illi-
nois Territory. No chronicler has left on record their dis-
cussions respecting the spiritual interests of the vast region
so soon to become three powerful States.
On May l, 18 17, Mr. Giddings purchased a house and lot
in St. Louis, for ;^i,o8o. This purchase subsequently be-
came a fortune for his widow and son.
In the spring of 1820, Mr. Giddings attended the meeting
of the General Assembly as Commissioner from the Presby-
tery of Missouri, which had been organized at St. Louis,
December 18, 1817. He was appointed by the Assembly a
delegate to attend the General Associations of Massachu-
setts and Connecticut — an appointment which he fulfilled.
The process by which Mr. Giddings, an ordained Congre-
gational minister, became a Presbyterian is worth noticing.
It consisted m traveling from Neiv England to Missouri; at
least, if that was not the process, there was no other.
As soon as he reaches Missouri he calls himself a Presby-
terian, goes to organizing Presbyterian churches, and just as
soon as possible unites with ^three others in forming a Pres-
bytery ; and in three years more goes as a Commissioner to
the Assembly. " But he had papers." No doubt — papers
showing his ordination as a Congregational minister. Yet
just as soon as he reaches Missouri he is, and ever after ivas^
a Presbyterian.
He labored in St. Louis for more than six years without a
house of worship, constantly calling upon the people to rise up
and build. At length this object was accomplished, and in
June, 1825, the first Presbyterian church building in St.
Louis was dedicated.
On Sabbath, Nov. 9, 1826, Mr. Giddings was installed pas-
tor of the congregation.
December 4, 1826, he was married to Miss Almira Collins^
of CoUinsville, Illinois, ten miles east of St. Louis. This lady
was born in Litchfield, Conn., July 13, 1790, and died in
Quincy, 111., May 10, 1872.
Mr. Giddings died in St, Louis, Friday, February i, 1828.
The funeral took place the following Sabbath from the
church. A vast concourse of people was in attendance.
Rev. Solomon Hardy, of Bond county. 111., introduced the
service. Rev, Mr. Horrell, an Episcopal minister, made the
SALMON GIDDINGS. / 3/
address. Rev. John M. Peck, the well-known Baptist min-
ister, of St, Clair county, 111., closed the service. The re-
mains were deposited in a vault beneath the pulpit.
In due time a marble tablet was placed in the wall with
this inscription :
IN MEMORY OF
REV. SALMON GIDDINGS, A. M.,
First Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in St. Louis.
He was born in Connecticut, March 3, 17S2; became a member of the Church of
Christ 1807 ; was a graduate of Williamstown College, Mass., and a student
at Andover Theological Seminar)'; was ordained to the Gospel Minis-
try 1814 ; arrived in Missouri as the First Protestant Missionary, 1S15;
organized the First Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, Nov. 15,
1817; died in the assurance of a joyful resurrection, Feb.
I, 1828, aged 45 years, 10 months, 28 days. As a man,
he was kind, prudent and decisive ; as a Christian,
he was pious, cheerful and prayerful ; as a min-
ister, meek, laborious and persevering.
His body moulders in its vault un-
der this house of worship, which
his labors contributed to
erect. His spirit has
gone to receive
its reward.
*' Well done, good and faithful servant."
When, in 1853, the edifice was pulled down, that vault was
opened. A few bones, clean and bare, were all that remain-
ed, save a small residuum of dark, damp dust. The relics
were disinterred and placed in a copper urn in a cemetery-
vault, and, when the new edifice was dedicated, deposited
again beneath the pulpit. A son — Frederick Salmon — was
born to Mr. Giddings, Nov. 11, 1828, eight months and eleven
days after his father's death. This son is now a wealthy and
prominent citizen of Quinc)', 111., and a leading member of
the First Presbyterian Church of that city. He has four
children.
During the entire period of his residence in St. Louis Mr.
Giddings continued to make frequent preaching tours in Illi-
nois. Besides the labors above recited he organized the
church at Edwardsville, March 17, 18 19, with fifteen members ;
Turkey Hill, in St. Clair county, April, 1820, with eight mem-
bers; Kaskaskia, May 27, 1821, with nine members; Sugar
Creek, March 31, 1822, with twenty-three members, and Col-
iinsville, May 3, 1823, with nine members. Besides, he was one
of a committee of four to organize Bethel Church, which was
done Sept. 15, 1825, with sixty-two members; and Greenville
38 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Church on the same day and by the same committee, with
twenty-nine members. The place of these two last organiza-
tions was the Old Shoal Creek Church,
Mr. Giddings, in his short ministry in the West, of less
than twelve years, planted and occasionally watered thir-
teen churches — six in Missouri and seven in Illinois.
The next minister mentioned as having served the Shoal
Creek Church is Rev. Gideon Blackburn. But as his name
will occur at a later period of our history and in a more im-
portant connection, I defer until then a fuller notice of this^
truly great man. ^-
Oren Catlin was a native of New York. He graduated
at Hamilton College in 18 18 and at Andover in 1822. He
Avas ordained Sept. 26, 1822. In 1823 he, in connection with
Daniel G. Sprague, labored in Illinois. They held a
camp-meeting with the Shoal Creek Church, and on
April 30, same year, organized at Carrollton, the " First Pres-
byterian Church of Greene county." These two brethren ap-
pear to have traveled and labored together while in this
State. But they did not long remain. We hear of Mr. Cat-
lin as pastor in Warren, Mass., in 1829 and 1831 ; as stated
supply of the Presbyterian Church, Cincinnatus, N. Y., in
1832 and 1833; at Castleton, N. Y., from 1834 to 1837;
at Fairport, N. Y., from 1838 to 1841 ; at Newstead, N. Y.,
from 1842 to 1843, and at Collins, N, Y., 1844 to 1846.
He died at Evans, N. Y., Aug. 11, 1849, aged hfty-five.
Daniel Green Sprague was born in Connecticut. He
graduated at Brown University, R. I., 18 19, and at Andover
Seminary in 1822. He was ordained Oct. 2, 1822. Home Mis-
sionary in Illinois and Missouri in 1822 and 1823 He was-
at Hampton and Colchester, Conn., from 1824 to 1844. He
was with the Presbyterian Church of South Orange, N. J.,
from T 844 to i860.
David Tenney was a native of Massachusetts. He gradu-
ated at Harvard College in 18 15 and at Andover Seminary in
181 8. He was ordained by the Presbytery of Londonderry,.
in the third parish of Newbury, Sept. 24, 1 8 1 8, as a missionary
to the destitute parts of our own country. He was sent out by
the New York Evangelical Missionary Society to Illinois in
1 8 19. In the early summer of that year he began his labors-
in the region of Kaskaskia, and died in the bounds of Shoal
Creek Church, Bond county, October 21, of the same year.
His tombstone bears this inscription : " Sacred to the
FIRST CHURCH, EDWARDSVILLE. 39
memory of Rev. David Tenxey, who departed this Hfe Oct
21, 1819, in the thirty-fourth year of his age, and second of
his ministry. He was a faithful ambassador of the cross,
and a zealous missionary of the New York Evangelical Mis-
sion Society, by whom this stone is erected."
Edwardsville Church, Madison county. This, following
the chronological order, is the iJiird Presbyterian Church or-
ganized in Ilhnois.
There have hto-n four Presbyterian Churches here. I shall
notice in this connection only the first. It was organized
March 17, 1819, by Rev. Salmon Giddings, of St. Louis,
with fifteen members. The records are lost, and I cannot
give their names. Thomas Lippincott and Hail Mason were
probably the first Elders. Mr. Lippincott removed from
Milton to Edwardsville in the fall of 1820. Jeremiah Abbot
and Matthew B. Torrance were elders subsequently.
The widow of Dr. John Blair Smith, at one time President
of Hampden Sidney College, Prince Edward county, Va.,
came to Edwardsville in 1817. Ten years later, when resid-
ing at Springfield, 111., she says: "When I came to Ed-
wardsville I could find no professor of religion in the place,
and for eighteen months after no sermon was preached
there. I lived to see a church of nine members, and in-
creased to thirty."
The early members were nearly or quite all of Scotch-Irish
descent. Previously to 1828 the church enjoyed no stated
gospel ministrations. The fashion was in those days for mis-
sionaries to come out from the East and itinerate through
Missouri and Illinois, wherever they could find or gather
Presbyterian Churches, spending only a few weeks, or per-
haps only a few days, with each. In 18 18 Rev. Messrs.
Benj. Lowe and Samuel Graham performed services of this
kind. Messrs. Edward Hollister and Daniel Gould were here
in i82i,and labored more or less in Edwardsville. In 1822
came Messrs. Oren Catlin and Daniel G. Sprague. Salmon
Giddings also performed much labor this side the river. I
suppose Mr. Lippincott himself conducted religious meetings
at Edwardsville when no minister was present. In this way,
doubtless, his mind was gradually drawn to the ministry.
This was one of the original churches of Center Presby-
tery, which held its first meeting at Kaskaskia, January 9,
1829. It had then thirty-three members. From that number it
steadily declined. One year later it had only twenty-five.
40 PRESBYTEKIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
The last time it was represented in Presbytery was at Green-
ville, September, 1831. The last time its name appears in
the minutes of Presbytery is at the meeting in Collinsville,
September, 1833. It died, and from starvation. The only
ministerial labors it ever enjoyed were those of passing mis-
sionaries, remaining one or two Sabbaths only, and an occa-
sional visit from Mr. Giddings, of St. Louis. It was only
by slow degrees and after many failures that the church
came to learn the better way.
Edward Holltster was born in Sharon, Conn., Feb. 22,
1796, whence he removed with his father's family to Salisbury,
Connecticut.
He attended the district school till 18 10. He graduated
at Middlebury College, Vt., in 1816. He took charge of an
Academy for one year in New Castle, Maine. Then he took
the full Theological course at Andover, Mass. He was ordain-
ed at Bradford, Mass., by the Presbytery of Londonderry, Sept.
26, 1820, together with Daniel Gould, for Home Missionary
work. Oct. 10, 1820, he started for Illinois and Missouri
under the direction of the Connecticut Missionary Society,
and remained under their care until the spring of 1822. He
labored at several places in Missouri, and at Alton, Edwards-
ville and other points in Illinois.
He returned to New England in the spring of 1822 and be-
came pastor of a church in Danville, Vt.
He married Miss Mary Trumbull, of Salem, Mass., August
3. 1823.
His labors as a pastor were eminently successful, but so
arduous that his health gave way. He was advised to try a
milder climate. He set out alone, and traveled in a chaise to
South Carolina. But his health improved so slowly that the
pastorate had to be given up. The wife, with her young son,
now joined her husband at the South. At Oxford, N. C,
they took charge of and successfully conducted a seminary
for young ladies.
In the fall of 1834 he removed with his family — wife, two
sons and two daughters — to Griggsville, 111., where he engag-
ed again in teaching. But feeble health and the urgency of
friends again took him southward to West Tennessee. From
thence he returned again to Illinois, and for five years labored
in the ministry at Chili, Hancock county. Subsequently
he was engaged for seven years in the service of the Bible
Society, After this he took up his residence with his son,
GOULD AND WILLIAMSON, 4 1
Capt. Edward HoIHster, at Alton, III. Here he closed his useful
and laborious life Jan, ii, 1870, in the seventy-fourth year of
his age. His widow still survives. Their children were Ed-
ward, born June 18, 1824, Wm.T., born June 5, 1828, Mary T.,
born Dec. 24, 1830, and Emily G., born Oct., 1833. These
are all living and married except Mary T. who died unmarried.
Daniel Gould was a native of New Hampshire, a student
at Harvard College, Mass., and a graduate of Andover Sem-
inary in 1820. He was ordained with Mr. Hollister, as
stated above, and traveled with him to Illinois and Missouri.
He remained in those States but a few months. In 1821 he
was laboring as a Home Missionary in North Carolina, and
was afterwards supply pastor at Statesville in that State,
where he died April 20, 1834, aged forty-four.
In 1822 Abraham Williamson was commissioned to labor
in Illinois. He preached at Edwardsville, Kaskaskia and
Shoal Creek, The latter congregation was the principal
scene of his labors. He was long remembered with great
interest and affection. He was a native of New Jersey ;
graduated at Princeton College in 1818 ; studied two years
at Princeton Theological Seminary. After his missionary
service in Illinois he was pastor in Chester, N. J., from 1823
to 1853; supply pastor at Mt. Freedom, N. J., in 1856, and
died June 19, 1869, aged seventy-nine years.
GoLCONDA Church, Pope county, was organized Oct. 24,
18 19, by Rev. Nathan B. Derrow, with sixteen members.
Here is a verbatim copy of the original record.
"GoLCONDA, III., Oct. 23, 1819.
"This day a number of persons convened at the Court-house
in Golconda, for examination preparatory to the planting of a
church in this place. Sixteen persons, whose names are
hereafter recorded, gave in their names for members in a
Presbyterian Church in this place, and after inquiry respect-
ing their belief and practice, it was resolved to be planted in
a church state to-morrow. Accordingly, on Lord's day, the
24th of this month, after a discourse from Rom. 4th chapter,
the church was planted by the persons aforesaid making the
following Confession and Covenant. [These are omitted.]
They are, therefore, hereby declared a regular church of Jesus
Christ, and as such recommended to the fellowship of sister
churches and to the attention of the embassadors of Jesus,
By me, " N'n. B. Derrow, V. D. M.,
" Missionary for Connecticut."
42 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Names: James E. Willis, Eliza Willis, Joshua Scott, Jane
Scott, David B. Glass, Francis Glass, Agnes Glass, George
Hodge, John Hanna, Margaret Hanna, George H. Hanna,.
William P. Hanna, Jane Hanna, James H, Hanna, Benjamin
Spilman, Nancy R. Spilman.
Elders : James E. Willis was the first. The Elders since
appointed are these : John Hanna, Benjamin Spilman and
Joshua Scott, March i8, 1820; George Hodge and William
Sim, Nov. 26, 1822; Francis Glass and Joseph Glass, Nov.
27, 1824. William A. Glass and John C. Hanna, June 11,
1844; Samuel D. Hemphill and J. E. Y. Hanna, Oct. 21,
i860; John V. Sch'uhard, M. D., Jan. 11, 1868; William P.
Sloan, Feb. 6, 1869; W. S. Hodge, Feb. 12, 1871. The five
last named are the present (1879) Elders.
Of their Ministers. Nathan B. Derrow did not visit the
church after its organization. Robert A. Lapsley gave them
some ministerial services. B. F. Spilman was their next
minister. I think it very certain he preached his first sermon
here after his licensure, probably on the second Sabbath of
December, 1823. It is quite clear that he made his home
at Golconda from that time until the beginning of 1832. He
seems indeed to have given that church all the ministerial
labor it enjoyed from December, 1823, to Nov., 1845. A por-
tion of the time his appointments with them were regular.
More often occasional, and the occasions far between.
To him succeeded William A. Smith, in the latter part of
1845.
John P. Riddle gave them some supply from November,.
1852, to November, 1854.
Wm. R. Sim was their minister from February, 1861, till
about the time of his death, which took place July 7, 1864.
He died and was buried at Golconda.
R. Lewis McCune gave them some supply from Novem-
ber, 1864, to March, 1865.
Solomon Cook was with them from May 26, 1867, to the
spring of 1872. The last six months of this time he was
pastor.
A. A.Mathes supplied their pulpit for two years from
March 25, 1873.
In March, 1877, J. M. Green, of Shawneetown, held a
meeting with the Golconda Church, at which thirty-two per-
sons were received on profession. About fifteen of these
are still reliable members.
GOLCOXDA CHURCH. 43
Sherman M. Burton took charge of the church as pastor,
Feb. 26, 1877, and still continues (1879). This congregation
has from the beginning had two places of worship — one in the
village of Golconda, the other in the country, on the Vienna
road. In town the place of meeting was the court-house, or
school-house, or in a building called the Union Church, un-
til, in 1869, they entered their own house, a fine structure of
brick, erected at a cost of $8,000.
In the country, the place of meeting was at the house of
Francis Glass — two and a half miles west of Golconda — un-
til about the year 1832. Next at the house of David B.
Glass — four miles west of Golconda — until about 1840, when
a building was erected called Bethel Church. It was a frame
building — never entirely finished — and was used until about
1858. It was then sold and the proceeds put into a building
called "Bethany" Church, the title to which was with the
Cumberlands. The Presbyterians assisted largely in its erec-
tion and occupied it jointly with them until 1877.
The next summer our people erected for themselves a
neat frame house, called " Prospect " Church, which was
dedicated September i, 1878. It is located at the middle of
N. W. quarter Sec. 33, T. 13, S. R. 6 E, of third Principal
?kleridian.
In April, 1871, a church called Grove was organized,
with seven members, about three miles southeast of where
Prospect Church now stands, a site selected, and some
means for building secured. But the enterprise was aban-
doned, and the members re-united to Golconda Church.
There have been connected with Golconda Church, from
the beginning, two hundred and sixty-five members. The
present number (1879) is ninety-six. Sabbath-schools are
maintained both in town and country, and both are con-
ducted with great vigor.
Connected with the country part of Golconda Church is an
interesting and venerable widow lady — Mrs. Agnes Hanna,
She was born in North Carolina in 1796. She is mother of
Elder J. E. Y. Hanna, and resides with her daughter, INIrs. J.
S. Crawford, near Prospect Church. Her maiden name was
Crawford. Her father, John Crawford, was one of the first
pioneers in the Illinois country. Mrs. C. P. Bosman, of Allen
Springs, Pope county, 111., has published some interesting
facts concerning him. I here introduce one of her papers,
and in her own words :
44 PRESBYTERIANISM I\ ILLINOIS.
"John Crawford was born in county Antrim, in the north
of Ireland, about the year 1761. He was of Scotch parent-
age,, but of his early life little is known. He emigrated to
America in 1 782, when only twenty-one years of age, and
settled in what is now known as the Waxhaw settlement, in
South Carolina. In 1785, he was married to Agnes Glass,
with whom he lived for more than fifty years. In the
year 1801, he left South Carolina for the then unsettled
West. Stopping one year in Tennessee, he arrived in 1803
on the east bank of the Ohio river, and settled three miles
above Golconda. In 1808 he crossed the river and settled
at the mouth of Gfand Pierre Creek, which was his home for
twenty-six years. His residence in Illinois was truly pio-
neer. He had wild beasts to contend with as well as the
forest to subdue. On one occasion two of his little boys,
who had been sent to drive his cows from the woods, came
running back in terror and reported that an * ugly animal
was after the hogs,' and asked that the father would ' go
and shoot it.' Not going promptly, the children insisted
until he took down his rifle, but remembering it was the Sab-
bath, declined to desecrate the Lord's day by shooting ; but
the terrified children insisted, as it was a 'very ugly thing,
and meant bad to the hogs.' Yielding to their entreaties he
followed them, found and shot the animal, wounding but
not killing it. Finding he had no other bullet for his gun,
he set the dogs on, and the wounded beast rallying, a fear-
ful fight began. Holding the infuriated animal by the hind
legs, Mr. Crawford cheered on his dogs, while the little
boys threw clubs and stones. They finally killed the enemy,
who proved to be a panther of the largest size, measur-
ing nine feet in length. During the fight the panther
struck one of the dogs with his paw, fastening the claws in
his ear. The old man took both the hind legs in one hand
and with the other removed the panther's claw from the
dog's ear. Although an old pioneer, it was his first expe-
rience with the most ferocious of American beasts. On re-
turning home he announced to his wife, ' Noncy, Xoncy,
we've kilt the divil ! ' On his describing the animal, she ex-
claimed, ' Why, John, it is a panther.' He had not realized
until then the peril in which he and his children had been
placed.
" Mr. Crawford had other and more troublesome foes
to contend with than the wild beasts of the woods. The
JOHN CRAWFORD. 45
country on the west bank of the river bore at that time a
very bad reputation on account of the bands of counterfeiters
and river pirates who infested the whole district, and had
their headquarters at Cavc-in-Rock. Some of the gang be-
came afraid of Mr. Crawford, who, hving near them, might
become acquainted with facts, which would not be pleasant
for them if made public. It was their policy to conciliate
such of the settlers as would not engage in their nefarious
practices, and by free-hearted hospitality and acts of kind-
ness gain in some degree the good will of their honest neigh-
bors. But our sturdy old frontiersman would not associate
with them on any terms, or for any purpose, and they wanted
him out of the way. Knowing it was bootless to attack him
single-handed, and either unwilling or afraid to kill him, they
sought to intimidate him, and by every species of annoyance
they could devise either provoke a quarrel or force him to
leave his home for a more pleasant locality. They would
come in squads of ten or more and lounge around his place
all day. On one occasion a dozen armed men came to his
house, and sitting about his grounds sent one of their num-
ber to aggravate ]\Ir. Crawford to strike him, when the bal-
ance were to rush in and put the old man out of the way.
But he was prudent as well as brave; and although annoyed
almost beyond endurance, restrained his temper and re-
frained from anything that could give his foes a pretext for
murdering him. He was subjected to these raids and in-
sults until the dispersion of the band in 1824, by armed
citizens, under the leadership of William Rondeau, James
Alcom and Hugh McNulty. After the death of his
wife, in 1824, Mr. Crawford sold his property and went to
live with his son, the Rev. John Crawford, a Cumberland
Presbyterian, and died at his residence in Gallatin county,
July 15, 1833, aged seventy-two years. He bore throughout
his long life the character of an upright, straightforward,
honest man. Late in life he attached himself to the Presby-
terian Church of Golconda. Of twelve children, one son
and four daughters survive him, and his descendants are
scattered over nearly all the Western country. The vener-
able widow of the late Geo. H. Hanna, the eldest surviving
child of the respected old pioneer, has resided in Pope county
more than sixty years."
This is the widow — i\Irs. Agnes Hanna — to whom I re-
ferred.
46 PRESBVTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Nathan B. Derrow, originally from New England, was
settled over the church of Homer, New York, February 2,
1802, where his labors were blessed with successive revivals.
In 1807 he removed to Ohio and made his home in Vienna,
Trumbull county. During the nine years he was in New
Connecticut, he traveled 11,868 miles; preached seven hun-
dred and eighty-six times ; baptized one hundred and twenty-
three persons ; administered the supper thirty times, and
planted seven churches.
In June, 1 8 16, he left that field, having accepted a mis-
sionary appointment from the Connecticut Missionary So-
ciety, for Indiana 'and Illinois. He passed through Ohio to
Jeffersonville, on the Ohio river, opposite Louisville. Here
he spent a few weeks, and from thence proceeded to Fort
Harrison, on the Wabash, about three miles north of Terre
Haute. He found that country at once destitute and invit-
ing. The population was rapidly increasing. Illiterate and
enthusiastic preachers were numerous. Many whole fami-
lies were found without a book of any kind. When tracts
were presented, he was asked to read them by those who
could not read themselves.
His labors in the general region of Fort Harrison and
Terre Haute were in the fall of 18 17, and perhaps the be-
ginning of 1818. He organized at that time a church west
of the Wabash, and very near the Illinois line, called at first
Hopcivell and afterwards New Hope. Its members resided
along the valley of Sugar creek, partly in the State of
Indiana and partly in the Territory of Illinois. As noticed
above, he organized the church of Golconda, October 24,
1819.
He was back again at Vienna, Ohio, in 1825. I can find
no further account of him. He belonged, evidently, to that
class of pioneer laborers who delighted in frontier work, and
in laying the foundations of many generations.
Robert Armstrong Lapsley was a native of Kentucky.
He graduated at Princeton Theological Seminary in 1819.
He was ordained as an evangelist by Muhlenburg Presbytery
in 1823 ; was President of Nashville Female Academy in
1834; pastor of Second Presbyterian Church in Nashville in
1850; stated supply in Carthage, Tenn., from 1856 to 1865.
Died at New Albany, Ind., February 12, 1872, aged seventy-
four.
The Hopewell Church, named just above, belongs partly
HOPEWELL OR NEW HOPE CHURCH. 47
to Illinois. I will notice it briefl}-. It was organized by
Nathan B. Derrow, probably in the fall of 1817, with nine
members, John Black, Elder. It was visited in November,
1824, by Rev. Isaac Reed, who resided in Indiana, and was
returning from Paris, III. At Mr. Reed's suggestion its name
was changed to New Hope. April 25, 1825, Mr. Reed says:
" It is a settlement partly in Indiana and partly in Illinois. It
has been a church for years, but entirely without ministerial
Supplies." Between that time and August, 1826. it enjoyed,
in connection with Paris, 111., the labors of John Young. An
interesting revival took place and the church was increased
to seventy. They erected a log house of worship on the
south side of Sugar creek, about two miles above its entrance
into the Wabash. Mr. Young died at Vincennes about the
middle of .August, 1826. In September Mr. Reed preached
his funeral sermon, both at Paris and in New Hope churches.
The sermon was printed.
In 1827 New Hope had these members among others,
viz: Elder John Black, Elder Thomas Black, Samuel Peevy,
James Baird, George Malcom, Alex. Ewing, James Black,
Robert Henderson, David Hogue, James R. C. Ashmore,
Thomas McCullock, Martin Ray, Joseph Malcom. Its ter-
ritory extended up Sugar creek to within ten miles of Paris,
and included several families afterward in New Providence
Church.
This church ultimately fell a prey to sectarian zeal. Revs.
Merrick A. Jewett, of Terre Haute, and Dean Andrews, of
Marshall, 111., Congregational ministers, organized two little
Congregational churches, one at each extremity of the New
Hope Church. Between the two the Presbyterian church
was swallowed up. But no good has followed. Of the de-
vourers, one is in articido mortis, ^KiA the other has long been
in statu quo.
Leaving New Hope out of the account — since its church
building was in Indiana — there were four Presbyterian
churches in Illinois previous to 1820, viz: Sharon, Septem-
ber, 1816, Shoal Creek, March IQ, 1819, Edwardsville, March
17, 1819, and Golconda, October 24, 1819.
Sketches of these churches, and of the ministers laboring
in the Illinois country previous to their existence, and more
or less subsequently down to the first meeting of Center
Presbytery, January 9, 1829, have been the theme of this
chapter.
48 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
I shall continue in the next chapter to make the dates of the
organization of the churches the chronological nexus ; con-
necting with the notice of each church sketches of the min-
isters who labored with it up to Jan. 9, 1829.
CHAPTER III.
FROM 1820 TO FIRST MEETING OF CENTER PRESBYTERY,
JAN. 9, 1829.
Authorities. — Bancroft's History; Flint's Travels; Dr. Hill's article in
Presbyterian Quarterly, 1861 ; Gillett's History; Original records; Life and
Times of Stephen Bliss: Isaac Reed's Youth's Book and Christian Traveler;
Robert Stewart's Semi-Centennial Sermon for Bethel Church ; Dr. Bergen's
Scrap-Book ; Dr. Dimond's Sketch of John M. Ellis ; Joseph Gordon in Pres-
bytery Reporter; Sermons of Dr. Glover, Dr. Reed, N. S. Dickey, and B. C.
Swan; Mrs. M. H. Barton.
Turkey Hill Church was formed by Salmon Giddings,
April 20, 1820, with eight members. Nathan Jones, father
of the late Rev. Williston Jones, was one of its elders. An-
other is supposed to have been Deacon Josiah Crocker, at
whose house the first Mrs. Thomas Lippincott died, October
14, 1 8 19, The exact location of Deacon Crocker's house was
T. I, N., R. 7 W., S. E. quarter of Sec. 2.
Turkey Hill proper was four miles southeast of Belleville ;
but the name came to include a large tract of the adjacent
country. It was the first American settlement in St. Clair
county, and was commenced by William Scott, Samuel
Shook and Franklin Jarvis, in 1798. Deacon Crocker's resi-
dence was in that settlement, though four or five miles north
of the " Hill " proper. At his house the meetings of Turkey
Hill Church were often held. In 1824, the church had in-
creased to fourteen members. In 1825, its number was re-
duced to seven. Nathan Jones and his family removed to
Fulton county. A portion of the remaining members joined
the Methodists, and the church became extinct. It never
had a house of worship or regular preaching.
Kaskaskia and Chester Church. — The oldest perma-
nent settlement in the valley of the Mississippi is the village
of Kaskaskia, which gradually became a central point of
French colonization. We know that Father Gravier was its
founder, though it is not easy to fix the exact date of its
origin. It was, however, somewhere between 1680 and 169O,
i. e., just about two hundred years ago.
In 1800 the only portions of what is now the State of
0
50 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Illinois occupied by whites, were the American bottom from
Kaskaskia to Cahokia inclusive, and some settlements oq
and near the bluff bordering that bottom for the same dis-
tance. The whole number, including French and Ameri-
cans, was something above two thousand. Of these about
twelve hundred were French. The negroes numbered about
two hundred, the greatest part of whom were slaves.
Kaskaskia had then about five hundred inhabitants. Of
these only six or eight families were Americans.
Across the river from Kaskaskia, and directly east of that
village, was a ^neighborhood which is now the territory of
Pleasant Ridge Church, in which, in 1800, were a few Ameri-
can families, among them the family of Robert Reynolds,
the father of Governor John Reynolds. The family of
Joseph Heard, from Virginia, came in 1801. They crossed
the Ohio from Kentucky and traveled overland from river
to river, finding neither house, bridge nor ferry for the whole
distance, upwards of one hundred miles. They settled in
that neighborhood because it was near Kaskaskia, at that
time the largest and best known place in the Valley of the
Mississippi. Joseph Heard was the grand-father of the pres-
ent Mrs. Wm. H. Mann, of Pleasant Ridge Church.
This is Governor Reynolds' account of his first view of
Kaskaskia. It was in the spring of 1800, when he was a
little past twelve years of age : " When we approached the
high bluffs east of Kaskaskia, we halted our traveling cara-
van and surveyed with wonder and delight the prospect be-
fore us. The e\^e ranged up and down the American bot-
tom for many miles, and the whole landscape la}\ as it were,
at our feet. The river bluff rose two hundred feet or more
above the bottom, and the prairie lay extended before our
view, covered with horses and cattle grazing on it. The
Mississippi could be seen in places through the forest of Cot-
tonwood trees skirting its banks, and the ancient village of
Kaskaskia presented its singular form and antique construc-
tion to our sight. The ancient cathedral stood a venerable
edifice in the heart of the village, with its lofty steeple and
large bell. Around the village were numerous camps and
lodges of the Kaskaskia Indians, still retaining much of their
original savage independence.
" The large common field, with a fence stretched across
from the Kaskaskia river to the Mississippi, extended on one
side of the village ; and the commons, covered with cattle,
KASKASKIA. 5I
on the other. Near the bluff, on which we stood, the Kas-
kaskia river wended its way south, and entered the Missis-
sippi six miles below the village of Kaskaskia.
"This was our first sight of civilization in Illinois; and it
was so strange and uncouth to us, that if we had been
landed on another planet we would not have been more sur-
prised. The Kaskaskia Indians were numerous and still re-
tained some of their savage customs. Many of the young
warriors were painted and decorated with their gaudy and
fantastic attire. Feathers of birds were tied in their hair,
and sometimes the horns of animals were attached to their
heads. They galloped in this fantastic dress around our en-
campment." »
In that year — iSoo — the Territory of Indiana was organ-
ized from the Northwestern Territory, and included the pres-
ent States of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin.
William Henry Harrison was appointed Governor, and Vin-
cennes was made the capital.
In 1809, Illinois Territory was organized, and included the
country now constituting the States of Illinois and Wiscon-
sin. Ninian Edwards was made Governor, and Kaskaskia
was the seat of government.
The first Legislative Assembly of Illinois Territory con-
vened at Kaskaskia, Nov. 25, 181 2. It consisted of twelve
members, five Senators and seven Representatives. They
all boarded at one hotel and lodged, it is said, in the same
room.
Illinois became a State December 3, 181 8. The first State
Legislature convened at Kaskaskia soon after. About its last
act was the law removing the seat of government to Van-
dalia.
We will now trace, so far as possible, the religious history
of Kaskaskia. From the beginning and down until about
1800 the only religion known there was that of Rome. Rob-
ert Morrison and John Edgar were in Kaskaskia in 1800.
Their wives subsequently became members of the Presbyte-
rian Church of the place.
Samuel J. Mills and John F. Schermerhorn were sent out
by the Massachusetts ]\Iissionary Society in 1812 to explore,
preach and look after the interests of the Bible cause in the
West and Southwest. They touched Illinois Territory only
at Fort Massac.
In 1 8 14 the same Samuel J. Mills and his associate, Daniel
52 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Smith, were sent out by the same society, as related in chap-
ter I.
Rev. Timothy Fhnt was sent West by the Connecticut
Missionary Society in 1815. He started with his family
from New England Oct. 4, of that year. The next winter
they passed in Cincinnati. April 12, 1816, they started on
a keel-boat, between eighty and ninety feet long, for St.
Louis. On the 28th they reached the mouth of the Ohio.
From thence up the Mississippi to St. Louis, where they ar-
rived May 24, occupied twenty-six days. They did not
stop at Kaskaskia, but in relating the events of the voyage,
Mr. Flint made these remarks : " We noticed the Kaskaskia,
a river which runs through the central and bSst parts of Illi-
nois. It passes by a town of its own name, one of the oldest
French establishments out of Canada, in North America. It
is said to be older than Philadelphia. It is a pleasant village,,
was then the seat of government and issued a weekly paper."
Mr. Flint and Salmon Giddings reached St, Louis near the
same time — Mr. Giddings April 6, Mr. Flint May 24, 1816.
On Sabbath, Oct. 27, 1816, Mr. Giddings preached in Kas-
kaskia. Here he met Rev. Samuel Thornton Scott, of Vin-
cennes, or Indiana Church, near Vincennes.
Rev. Benjamin Low appears to have been in Kaskaskia
in the latter part of 18 17. He says of the place : " Of the
five hundred inhabitants of Kaskaskia, one-half [doubtless
four-fifths. — N.] were French and Roman Catholics. Among
the other half were six professors of religion — two Presbyte-
rians, two Methodists, one Congregationalist, and one Seceder.
The Sabbath was scarcely recognized; yet many families in
the town were anxious for the gospel."
Rev. David Tenney began his labors in the region of
Kaskaskia early in the summer of 1819, and connected with
the Presbytery of Missouri. In the latter part of October of
the same year his course was brought to a close. He died
and was buried in the bounds of Shoal Creek Church, Bond
county.
There was another ministerial laborer about this time at
Kaskaskia, viz : Rev. Samuel Wylie, of the Reformed Pres-
byterian Church. His labors will best be described by an
extract of a letter from himself to Mrs. S. J. Leavenworth, of
Dongola, 111. It is dated Eden, Randolph county, June 11,
1871:
" I was sent a missionary to Illinois, to Randolph county
KASKASKIA. 53
and vicinity, in 1 8 1 8. The same year* your parents (Chauncy
T. and Mrs. Permelia Burr) removed from Connecticut to Kas-
kaskia. I was partially acquainted with your father, but more
particularly with Mrs. Burr. She was one of God's children —
one of God's precious ones. At that time there were (ew in
Kaskaskia to favor religion. The professed religion was mostly
that of the Church of Rome. The Catholics had their anti-
quated chapel and priest, and Sabbath morning services until
eleven or twelve. After that the rest of the day was spent
in business or f/ni. The population was mostly French.
The first two winters of my residence in this county I spent
in Robert Morrison's family in Kaskaskia. I preached alDout
once a month at Kaskaskia, But my chief preaching place
for the first two years was in what was known as Irish Set-
tlement At that time there were but few professing Chris-
tians in Kaskaskia or its vicinity. Judge Baker and family,
Mrs. Guthrie and family, and Dr. Symington and family, to-
gether with a few females, were all that I now recall as pro-
fessing adherence to the order of the Presbyterian Church.
'T have been raised a Presbyterian, but not in immediate con-
nection with the assembly body. I was and still am connect-
ed with the Reformed Presbyterian Church — holding the
principles of the Scottish Presbyterians. Many of the
churches of the Presbyterian order in Randolph county and
portions of Perry, Washington and St. Clair counties have
been formed, some in whole and some in part from members
of our old homestead in Eden.
" Samuel Wylie."
Mrs. Permelia Burr, wife of Chauncy T. Burr, kept a diary
which is now in possession of her daughter, Mrs. S. J. Leaven-
worth, of Dongola, 111. This diary I have perused in part
and gleaned some facts of interest. She left her home in
Farmington, Conn,, Sept. 13 or 14, 1817, and arrived in
Kaskaskia the 2d of November following. Dec. 4, same
year, she writes : "Dreadful to view the numbers going to
mass and returning, frolicking although it is the Sabbath.
Some are dancing, some gaming, some breaking wild horses,
some visiting. Children running through the street singing
lewd songs." Dec. 14, 1817 — "Only one man in the place be-
longing to the Protestant Church, good old Col. Thomas. [I
suppose this was Col. John Thomas, the first State treasurer.]
* This is a mistake ; It was the year before.
54 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
A few females profess to have been with Jesus." Dec. 21,
1817 — "The few pious females organized a prayer-meeting.
Col. Thomas requested permission to join with them." This
prayer-meeting continued through 18 18. There was occa-
sional preaching by different denominations. In 18 19 she
changed her occupation to that of keeping public house. In
1820 sne became the owner of a colored woman. But she
was illy satisfied with the relation, and often plead for her
freedom, but could not prevail. At length they parted with
her. After being owned by another for a time the poor col-
ored slave-womajj was murdered. Mrs. B. says she could
never think of it but with horror. Her son, Augustus Martin,
was born Sept. 6, 1819, and baptized by Rev. Daniel Gould,
Dec. 25,1820. Mrs. B. left her public occupation in 1821. Aug.
4, 1821, she became the mother of twins, Julius C. and Juliett
P. July 6, 1 82 1, she received a letter from Rev. Dr. Noah
Porter (father of the present president of Yale College) her
pastor in Connecticut, informing her of a great revival in his
parish. In 1821 she mentions a Rev. David Tennee, who
had procured for her a Chnstian Herald, and whom she often
visited in his sickness in Kaskaskia. This was undoubtedly
the David Tenney mentioned above.
This brings us to the period in which the Presbyterian
Church was organized at Kaskaskia. Rev. Thomas Lippin-
cott, in his historical sermon preached at CoUinsville before
the Alton Presbytery, April 2, 1846, says: "Kaskaskia
Church was constituted May 27, 1821, with nine members,
sometimes flourishing under a minister, then famishing for
want of one, it lived and was moved to Chester." It is
known to have been organized by Rev. Salmon Giddings.
The first volume of the records of this church, extending
from the organization to 1840, cannot be found.
By the comparison of lists in my hands, furnished by sev-
eral different persons, I am inclined to think the original
nine are these: Mr. and Mrs. David J. Baker, Mr. and Mrs.
Guthrie, Mrs. Permelia Burr, .Mrs. Dr. Symington, Mrs.
Robert Morrison, Mrs. Martha Heard (not Hurd), and Mrs.
Eliza Conn. Mrs. Conn still (1879) survives and resides at
Chester. She is French ; was born in San Domingo Sept.
13, 1792, and educated in Philadelphia. Mrs. Conn says
that Mr. Baker and Mr. Guthrie were elected Elders,
but refused to be ordained. Whereupon tradition says
that Mrs. Permelia Burr was elected and regularly ordained
K ASK ASK I A. 55
and installed. This is the testimony of her daughter, Mrs.
Leavenworth. When the missing records are found this
point can be definitely settled. Meantime the evidence that
Mrs. Permelia Burr was the first Elder of the Kaskaskia
Church is so full and explicit that it can hardly be disproved.
Mrs. Burr, however, could not have acted in that capacity
long, for her family soon removed to a farm some twenty
miles up the Kaskaskia.
Of the persons who united with the Kaskaskia Church,
after its organization and previous to its removal to Chester,
the following are remembered : Mrs. Susan L. Lamb, Mrs.
Nathaniel Pope, Mrs. John Edgar, Mrs. Rachel Sweet, Mrs.
Margaret Alexander, ]\Iiss Sarah Gillis, Miss Mary Gillis,
Miss Julia Fouke, Miss Lavina Fouke, Mrs. Elizabeth Pettit,
John I\Iann, Mrs. Alvina B. Mann, James Clendenin, Hugh
Heard, Mrs. Emeline Heard. Of these John ]\Iann, his wife
Mrs. Alvina B. Mann, Mrs. Elizabeth Pettit — a daughter
of Martha Heard — and perhaps others are still living. John
]\Iann and James Clendenin were made Elders in the spring
of 1830. These, with Mrs. Burr, are supposed to be the only
Elders until the church was removed to Chester. James
Clendenin united with Rockwood Church.
John Mann was born in Abbeyville county, South Caro-
lina, Feb. I, 1796. The name is from the Isle of Man. His
ancestors came to America with Penn's colony. Mr. j\Iann
came to Kentucky, Logan county, when he was twelve years
old. He removed to Illinois in 1828. Mrs. John Mann's
maiden name was Alvina B. Balch, daughter of Rev. James
Balch. She is now (1879) in her eighty-second year. This
aged couple reside about four miles east of Kaskaskia.
They are the parents of twelve children, seven of whom sur-
vive. One son was mortally wounded at the battle of Chat-
tanooga. Mr. Mann has never removed his relation from the
Kaskaskia, now the Chester Church, and remains one of its
Elders.
After the organization of the church. May 27, 1821, we
have no record of any preaching at Kaskaskia until Nov.
1825. It is known, however, that Mr. Giddings and others
made them occasional visits. But in November, 1825, Rev.
John M. Ellis came on from Massachusetts and located at
Kaskaskia. He was well received and listened to with at-
tention. In July, 1826, he says : " I am fully persuaded from
nine months' observation, that access to the hearts of the in-
56 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
fluential class of men is more encouraging now than at any-
former period." In a memoir of John M. Elhs, pubhshed in
Presbytery Reporter, volume V., is this sentence on page
641 : " Not until he had resided in Kaskaskia about two
years was a church of some twenty organized there, which
appears to have increased till he removed, and then went
gradually down to extinction."
Here are two errors ; (i) The date of the organization is as
given above. May 27, 1821. Undoubtedly the little church
of nine increased in two years under Mr. Ellis to twenty or
more. (2) That church did not become extinct, unless re-
moval is extinctions
In a letter dated April i, 1828, he says of a communion at
Kaskaskia just passed: "Two were added to the church on
profession, and we have had no communion without the ac-
cession of one or more."
April 2, 1828, Mr. Ellis married Miss Frances C. Brard.
"This lady was the daughter of a wealthy gentleman in Mar-
seilles, France. Her parents having become acquainted with
a family in Philadelphia, she was sent with an older sister to
that city to be educated. They both renounced the religion
of their parents and became devoted Christians. Owing to
reverse of fortune, but little of their father's property came to
them. The elder sister having married Col. Conn, a merchant
of Kaskaskia, the younger found a home with her, and event-
ually became the wife of Mr. Ellis. She appears to have
united in a wonderful degree the sprightliness of her native
land with discretion and piety. The testimony to her extra-
ordinary accomplishments and virtues, given by her various
friends and numerous pupils, is extremely emphatic. Two
children blessed their union, and were buried in the same
grave with their mother." Mr. Ellis was stated supply of
Kaskaskia Church from November, 1825, to April, 1828.
An organization called "The Kaskaskia Social Library
Association" was made Nov. 7, 1826, during the ministry of
John M. Ellis. Its officers were Col. Thomas Mather, Libra-
fian ; Miss Frances C. Brard, Treasurer; Mrs. Susan Lamb,
Mrs. Bond, Mrs. E. H. Morrison, Rev. J. M. Ellis, Mr. D. J.
Baker, Mr. F. St. Vrain, Standing Committee. The sum nec-
essary to constitute membership was " from twenty-five cents
to one dollar or over, according to the voluntary subscription
of each person becoming a member." Some of the books
were these: Henry Martyn, Jowett's Researches, Memoirs of
KASKASKIA AND CHESTER CHURCH. 57
Brainard, Jenks' Devotion, Chalmers' Discourses, Thornton's
Dialogues, Humphrey's Memoirs, Wilson's Memoirs. The
cost of the above volumes was ^6 62. Whitfield's Memoirs
were donated by Rev. J. M. Ellis. His signature is attached
to the receipt for these books. Jan. 7, 1827, Miss Frances
C. Brard made a donation to the Library of five dollars.
This Library, consisting of such books as those mentioned
above, was doubtless a power for good in Kaskaskia. The
leading spirits in its institution and management were John
M. Ellis and Frances C. Brard. Here is a receipt given by
John Mathews to D. J. Baker.
"Kaskaskia, March i6, 1830.
" Received of Mr. David Baker, (Esqr), Treasurer of the
Library society of Kaskaskia, one dollar, sixt}'-two and a half
cents to pay over to Mr. Ellis for books bought for s'd soci-
ety."
" John Mathews."
Dr. Gillett says, Vol. U., p. 418 : Rev. John Mathews [Mr.
M. himself and Timothy Flint spell this name with one /] re-
moved to this place from Apple Creek, Mo., in 1827. But
this was when John M. Ellis was ministering to the Kaskaskia
Church. Mr. Mathews' removal to K. was probably in April
or May, 1828. He remained in charge of that church
until April, 1834, He purchased a house and a few acres
of land about five and a half miles east of Kaskaskia, and in
the same township, t. e., T. 6, S. R. 7, W. Sec. 36 in the S.
W. corner of N. W. quarter. His residence here commenced
probably in 1829. The house is still standing, but old and
dilapidated, and is owned and occupied by Stepheh Hill.
From the removal of the seat of Government to Vandalia
and the opening of other and more desirable portions of the
State to settlement, Kaskaskia gradually but surely declined
in population and influence. The State officers formerly re-
siding there removed to Vandalia. Professional and busi-
ness men sought other localities. The number of the mem-
bers of Kaskaskia Church steadily diminished. In 1830 all
were gone from the village save two. About that time Mr.
Mathews ceased to have regular appointments in the village,
and held services in a log school-house near his residence.
Nearly all the members of the church were in that neighbor-
hood. He also had appointments at or near the Burr farm,
twenty miles up the Kaskaskia river. The Kaskaskia con-
58 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
gregation never owned a church edifice until after its removal
to Chester. Its services at Kaskaskia were held wherever a
place could be obtained — in private rooms, warehouses
school-rooms, and a few times in the county house, a large
brick building, still standing. In the Mann and Pettit neigh-
borhood the place of meeting was a log school-house.
From 1834 to 1840 the history of the church is pretty
much a blank. Occasional services were held. Joshua T.
Tucker preached in Chester probably in 1837. Rev. Cyrus
C. Riggs was in charge of the church July 25, 1840, and may
have been with them for some months before. The name
was changed from "Kaskaskia" to that of "First Presbyte-
rian Church of Chester" by Presbytery at Hillsboro, Oct. 9,
1840, The Elders at that time were John Mann, James Clen-
denin and James McLaughlin. Mr. Riggs remained as
stated supply until Sept., 1845. He was succeeded from
about Nov. I, 1846, to July, 1849, by Rev. B. F. Spilman. Dur-
ing his ministry there were church difficulties, ending in a con-
flict between him and the session. Rev. John Kennedy was
their minister from June 14, 1850, to his death, July 21, 185 1.
His remains lie in the Chester Cemetery. Rev. P. D. Young
was with them from March i, 1852, to March 31, 1857 — five
years. Under his ministry the affairs of the church moved
on with great order and system. Rev. B. H. Charles suc-
ceeded Mr. Young, and left at the close of 1866, a ministry
of nearly nine years. Rev. Abram J. Clark commenced
here about September i, 1867, was installed pastor, and
served the church until March, 1875. Rev. D. L. Gear com-
menced January, 1 876, and is still in charge. Seven minis-
ters in thirty-eight years.
The Elders, besides the three who were in office in July,
1 840, are as follows :
Amzi Andrews, inducted March 19, 1843; William Max-
well, inducted March 19, 1843; Charles Wright, inducted
June 14, 1850; Leonard D. Skilling, inducted June 14, 1850;
John Young, inducted, March, 1858; R. H. Crittenden, in-
ducted March, 1859; Luman Curtis, inducted May 3, 1868;
A. A. Anderson, inducted April 27, 1873; John I. Critten-
den, inducted April 27, 1873.
The first place of meeting in Chester was Seth Allen's
office. This was in 1838 or 1839. The next was a school-
house near the present house of worship. It was common
to all denominations.
?£/^^^.
JOHN M. ELLIS. 59
The present and only church edifice ever owned by the
congregation is of stone, occupies a very commanding po-
sition, was built between 1845 and 1847, and cost about
$1500. Seven years since extensive repairs were made in
the interior, and the whole appearance greatly improved.
Elder Amzi Andrews in his will left a valuable legacy to
this church. At the time I write the validity of these be-
quests is in dispute. This church, under its two names of
iCaskaskia and Chester, is fifty-eight years old.
The following is a part of a graceful memorial from the
pen of Rev. David Dimond, D.D., and was first published
in " Presbytery Reporter," Vol. V.
John Millot Ellis, was born in Keene, New Hampshire,
July 14, 1793. His family, like that of the Edvvardses and
the Dwights, was of Welch origin. His grandfather. Col.
Timothy Ellis, was among the first settlers of Keene, and
was an active and somewhat distinguished patriot of the
Revolution. His father, Millot Ellis, was a farmer in com-
fortable circumstances ; a man of most devoted piety, train-
ing his children with goodness and severity in the nurture
of the Lord, and lived to a good old age, cheered by the
covenant blessings on him and on his seed. His mother is
described as a person of deep piety, who died when he was
ten years old. Their pastor says that they were conserva-
tors of the faith in the place where they resided. This son
was converted to God at the age of fourteen years ; at a
time when there was not a professed Christian among all the
youth of his acquaintance. His conversion was a great
surprise as well as joy to his pious father. From this time
he showed a peculiar fondness for religious books, and was
often found conversing with his elders upon grave questions
of theology. Before long, however, he became an appren-
tice for several years to learn the business of a tanner. As
the close of this engagement drew near, he purchased the
last year of his apprenticeship and entered upon extensive
business for himself, in Lempster, N. H. His success was
beyond his expectations, and his prospects were flattering
as he could wish.
But now other matters were stirring his spirit, and the
voice of a solemn persuasion was calling him to other labors.
For a long time the conviction had been deepening and
strengthening within him, till it could no longer be resisted.
60 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
that he must preach the Gospel. Under this conviction, he
disposed of his business, and though advanced in hfe, ad-
dressed himself to a full and thorough course of training, for
the sacred office. Some of the studies preparatory to col-
lege he pursued in the academy at Meriden, N. H., and en-
tered Dartmouth College, where he graduated in 1822. He
maintained a high character in a class of more than average
abilities.
Proceeding to the Theological Seminary at Andover he
completed his course there in 1825. He had commenced
his studies with the distinct thought that he would become
a missionary to th^ 'heathen. But the new start which the
western country was then just taking, and its evident im-
portance as a theater for ministerial gifts and grace, appear
to have decided him to devote his life to labors in the West.
Writing to his father near the close of his residence at An-
dover, he says :
" The course has been long but pleasant, far the pleasant-
est of my life — yet it will be still more pleasant to engage in
the field which has been so long white for the harvest. But .
now the question is, how and where can I spend the short
period of my life most for the good of the Church, most for
the glory of Him who redeemed us to God, by his blood?
Our western country, with a population of three millions,
and increasing so fast as to double in four years, is very des-
titute of established institutions of the Gospel, and yet it
will in a very few years have the governing voice in our na-
tional councils ; and then what will become of our happy
country — this heritage left to us by our pious ancestry, and
which piety alone can preserve? But increase the moral
poiver of America and we shall do much for effecting the
conversion of the heathen. I am persauded that I have the
prospect of contributing to the success of the gospel in
India, more effectually by laboring in this country, than by
going there in person ; and this partly in view of my own
situation, and partly in view of the importance of increasing
America's moral power, in raising up friends to missions, for
the conversion of the world."
One remarks here a characteristic of the man; the inten-
sity and the positiveness of his own conclusions. In accor-
dance with such a temper he wasted no time ; but on Sep-
tember 29th, the day following his graduation at Andover,
he, with three others, A. Pomroy, L. G. Bingham and L.
JOHN M. ELLIS. 6l
Alden, was ordained in the Old South Church in Boston,
by a council convened at the request of the United Domes-
tic Missionary Society of New York, and in accordance with
the usages of Congregationalists.
Furnished with a hundred dollars as outfit, the young min-
ister made his way in six weeks (for the Ohio was low,) to
Illinois. There were then but three' Presbyterian ministers
in the State. Rev. John Lrich, who resided near Jackson-
ville ; Rev. Stephen Bliss, in the east part of the State,
and Rev. B. F. Spilman, in the southeast part. The ex-
pectation of the Society was, " that he would soon be
able to select a location where the principal part of his
support would be derived from the people." With such
views no place could be so promising as Kaskaskia, the larg-
est town in Illinois, and within a few years previous, the
seat of government; and having quite a numerous circle of
professional and business men, and exercising a large in-
fluence upon the country around. July, 1826, he describes a
visit which he had made recently to Apple Creek, forty miles
south of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, to attend a communion
season in the church of Rev. John Mathews, who had re-
cently come to that vicinity. " There is a small but inter-
esting settlement in the neighborhood, where they are
anxious to build a house of worship and employ Mr. M.
half the time. They had become nearly discouraged, but I
was able to promise such aid as has given them new
life and zeal. Mr. Henry Homes, of Boston, authorized me
to say that he would give one hundred dollars each for the
three first meeting houses that your missionaries should
judge needed such aid. Such benevolence from such a
distance, from an utter stranger whom they could never ex-
pect to see but in heaven, was almost incredible to them.
They could talk of nothing else for a time. You could form
little idea what a favorable and deep impression such benev-
olence makes on these dear people. Think a little and you
will see the necessity of permanent places of public worship.
Those who have made these settlements, by the time they
have paid the expenses of their journey, purchased lands,
and built houses, have little left for such purposes as schools
and public buildings."
During his residence at Kaskaskia he expended a con-
siderable part of his labors west of the Mississippi. When
the apostolical Giddings was installed, November 9, 1826,
62 PRESBYTERIAXISM IN ILLINOIS.
the first in Missouri, Mr. Ellis was present and preached
in the morning. The other clergy present were, Messrs,
Ball, Mathews, Chamberlain, Robinson, Donnell and Lacy ;
these composed the Presbytery of Missouri, which also em-
braced Western Illinois.
Mr. Ellis was of that type of mind, and from that stock of
mankind, with whom it'is an instinct to build colleges. From
Elias Cornelius he had received the charge "to build up an
institution of learning which should bless the West for all
time." He gave instructions himself to a select class near
his residence ; and in all his journeys and intercourse it was
a prominent subject of his conversation. In Presbytery he
obtained the appointment of a committee to advise on the
subject. The earliest considerable subscription was four
hundred dollars, made by Elder William Collins, of Collins-
ville. In January, 1828, Mr. Ellis and Mr. Lippincott went
on a tour of inquiry and observation to the Sangamon
country. At Jacksonville, so charming was the landscape,
so rich the soil around, and so enterprising the people who
had settled there, that Mr. Ellis appears to have concluded
at once that this was the place for a Seminary in preference
to other towns he visited. Within a few days, with charac-
teristic promptitude, he purchased eighty acres of land and
set the stakes for a building. Mr. Ellis appears to have de-
termined to remove to Jacksonville, and in the summer he
took up his residence there.
In a letter dated Jacksonville, September 15, 1S28, he saj^s:
"A Seminary of learning is projected to go into operation
next fall. The subscription now stands at ;$2,ooo or $3,000.
The site is in this county. The half quarter section pur-
chased for it is certainly the most delightful spot I have ever
seen. It is about one mile north of the celebrated Diamond
Grove, and overlooks the town and country for several miles
around. The object of the Seminary is popular, and it is
my deliberate opinion that there never was in our country a
more promising opportunity to bestow a few thousand dol-
lars in the cause of education and of missions."
This letter arrested the attention of young men in the
divinity school at Yale College, and led to a correspondence
between them and Mr. Ellis, and determined seven of them
to a residence in Illinois and to aid in the building up of the
college.
Janunr}' 9, 1829, a Presb}'ter\- was organized in this State,
JOHN M. ELLIS. 63
having been set off from the Presbytery of Missouri and
Wabash by the Synod of Indiana the last October.
As a result of the correspondence between Mr. Ellis and
the young gentlemen at Yale College, having been sent Com-
missioner to the General Assembly, he spent the summer of
of 1829 at the East, aiding them in raising a fund of $10,000
for the college, and in maturing their plans. Two of them,
Rev. Messrs. Sturtevant and Baldwin, arrived in Jackson-
ville in November, and instruction in the college began the
first of January. The original stockholders passed resolu-
tions of thanks to the young men of Yale College who had
aided in their enterprise, and placed them in the Board of
Trustees; of thanks also to I\Ir. Ellis, and to donors to the
college.
This brings down his history till the close of 1831, when
his pastorate in Jacksonville ended. He had projected the
college and procured it a real estate. The designs which
resulted in the Female Seminary at Jacksonville, and pro-
cured its beautiful grounds, were formed in his house. This
institution continues to be a monument in honor of him and
his accomplished wife. One of his successors has said of
him : " His people parted lightly and causelessly with him,
as is too often the case in the West."
He presently became Secretary of the Indiana Education
Society, and while so engaged took an active part in the
deliberations which resulted in the foundation of Wabash
College, at Crawfordsvilie. For several years a few persons
had kept the subject under advisement. On the 21st of
November, 1832, eight of them met at the house of Rev.
James Thompson, in Crawfordsvilie. Mr. Ellis was chairman
of the meeting. After full discussion and prayer they were
unanimous in the resolve that efforts should be made with-
out delay to establish an institution of learning there. The
next day, fifteen acres of land having been given for the
purpose, they selected the spot for the building, in the forest,
in the midst of nature's unbroken loveliness, and kneeling
upon the ground, white with snow, they consecrated the en-
terprise to God by prayer. Mr. Ellis contributed thirty dol-
lars to the funds at the commencement, and retained his in-
terest in it to the end of his days.
The next year, 1833, he was prosecuting his agency in
Indiana, his family residing meantime at Jacksonville. That
town was visited during July and August by the cholera,
64 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
and Mrs. Ellis and their two children were swept away at
once. Having heard that the pestilence had reached Jack-
sonville, he started homeward immediately, alone and on
horseback. He was just setting forward one day after din-
ner, when a man rode up whom he recognized as a townsman.
" How long have you been from home ? " inquired Mr. E.
" About two days." "Do you know anything of my family,
sir? " " Mr. Ellis, your wife and your children are dead and
buried ! "*
For several months following we hear little of him. But
the next two years, 1834 and 1835, he was serving the Edu-
cation Society, i»-^New England. In the latter part of 1835,
having married again, he terminated his agency, and again
sought a residence in the West.
He entered with great warmth into the designs for the aid
of Marshall College, Michigan. He sought to secure lands
and funds and friends for it. It was a time, however, when
speculation was frantic in that region ; and he presently
left the enterprise to others, and having organized a church
at Grass Lake he was settled there in the autumn of 1836.
The settlement was then quite new, not one resident having
been there three years. He preached in a log meetinghouse
and dwelt in a log cabin. But hope and joy dwelt with him,,
and his parish was a scene of constant revival. The num-
ber of communicants rose to more than one hundred, and
two churches were set off from its borders. Parsonage and
glebe were furnished, a church was built, and an academy.
Thus four years passed away, and it was found that the
climate was proving extremely dangerous to his wife, and he
returned to New England.
In the year 1840, he was settled pastor of the church at
East Hanover, N. H. This parish is about four miles from
the college where he was educated, and from its hill tops
and mountain sides, looks down upon the emerald and silvei
of the Connecticut river.
About this time, 1844, the Society for Promoting Col-
legiate and Theological Education at the West, came into
existence, mainly under the instrumentality of its secretary,.
Rev. Theron Baldwin. The objects of this society were very
dear to him, and he had a special right to speak to the peo-
ple of New England in advocacy of Western colleges, for he
had given to them his early and far-seeing efforts. In the
*Vide Repoter, Vol. 5, p. 93.
JOHN M. ELLIS. 6$
service of this society he continued, with some interruptions,
to the end of his Hfe.
At his home in Nashua, N. H., he was taken sick with
bihous fever, which terminated his hfe in eight days, Aug.
6, 1855. He was a Httle more than sixty-two years old.
Just before Mr. ElHs's second removal to the West, he
married with Miss Josephine Moore, daughter of the dis-
tinguished Rev. Dr. Moore, of Milford, N. H., a person in
every way fitted to grace any position in life. Again two
children were given to him, both of whom died during his
residence in East Hanover, and he remained childless.
During the last years of his life he paid three premiums of
two hundred dollars each for essays on important subjects.
The first premium was obtained by Professor Noah Porter,
of Yale College, for an " Essay on the comparative merits of
the Jesuit and the Puritan system of education." The
second successful essay was written by Rev. H. C. Fish, on
a subject very dear to Mr. Ellis, " Primitive Piety Reviewed."
The third essay was written by Prof. Tyler, of Amherst, on
" Prayer for Colleges." These are all deeply interesting
works, and of great value. After knowing the books it is in-
teresting to know the occasion of them, in the wisdom and
liberality of such a man as Mr. Ellis.
By his will he gave ^3,300, in equal portions, to Illinois,
Wabash and Wittenberg Colleges, as funds for scholarships.
This munificence may suggest to some that he enjoyed a
large fortune. Not so. But he had studied, like Franklin,
how to make a little money do a great deal of good. Let
us admit that he had found out how.
Mr. Ellis was a Calvinist of the graver type. He had a
special fondness for divines of the class of Dr. Griffin, whose
sermons he is remembered to have selected for the instruc-
tion of his people, when he was himself detained. He was
no sectarian, and so he became a Presbyterian of the New
School. He was the Stated Clerk of his Presbytery in Illi-
nois, and his most intimate clerical friend in Michigan was a
leader in the councils of his Church during the times of the
rupture. He was the chief agent in organizing the Presby-
tery of Marshall, and was its first Moderator. That he
could pass so easily from the Congregational body to the
Presbyterian, and back again, is to some a wonder and a
scandal. But in coming hither he had the example of the
Edwardses, and going thither the example of half the pas-
tors of that venerable church where he was ordained.
66 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Mrs. Frances C. Brard Ellis.* In the stormy close of
the last century, Mr. and Mrs. Regis Brard were residents of
the Island of San Domingo. From the disturbances occur-
ing in that island they removed to Baltimore, in the United
States, where their daughter, Frances Celeste Brard, was
born in 1795.
They returned to San Domingo when she was four years
old. We know nothing of her father, but it is remembered
that her mother was a very strict Papist, and that she nursed
a little negro boy through an attack of yellow fever, which
her daughter took from him. Some five years after their
return to the islanif, the insurrection of the blacks placed the
family in imminent peril. The front of their house was
guarded and they forbidden to stir out on pain of instant
massacre, which had been the fate of their neighbors on
both sides. But the father of the little negro remembered
and rewarded the kindness of Mrs. Brard. He traded in a
small vessel between the islands and sent his son, by night,
to guide them to his boat lying concealed where it could be
reached from the rear of the dwelling. They crept on hands
and knees, and got out at the back of the garden through a
broken paling, and, favored by the darkness, reached in
safety the boat which took them to a vessel waiting for them.
They landed in Philadelphia and sent Frances to a French
school. Some years after her parents left for St. Thomas
and placed her in an English boarding school, under the
care of Mr. and Mrs. Tuchett, in Philadelphia. When she
had completed the prescribed course of study, Mr. Tuchett
offered her the position of French teacher in his establish-
ment, and she remained there until the death of her mother,
in 18 19, when she came to Kaskaskia to reside with her
sister, Mrs. Conn.
Mr. Tuchett's family were Baptists and Miss Brard went
occasionally with them to hear the then much admired
Dr. Stockton. Under the influences thus brought to bear
upon her she gradually emerged from the bonds of her
Popish education and became as devout a Protestant as she
had before been a Romist. She united with the little Pres-
byterian church in Kaskaskia, and helped to originate a
Sabbath school there, also another in the country. Mr.
Ellis found her an efficient helper there, and after a mature
acquaintance they were married, April 2, 1828, and the ea-
*By Mrs. M. H. Barton.
FRANCES C. B. ELLIS. 6/
suing autumn found them settled at housekeeping in a par-
sonage built for them in Jacksonville.
Most of the people in that young village lived in log
cabins, and the little building , of one story, some eighteen
by twenty-eight feet, was a great achievement for the little
Presbyterian church. There were no schools for the higher
education of young ladies at that time in this State, except the
convents in the old French settlements. As soon as it was
known that Mrs. Ellis would take pupils in her house, the
privilege of her instruction was eagerly sought. Besides
many day scholars from the village, she received pupils from
St. Louis, from Kaskaska, and Prairie du Chien, as well as
from the neighboring country. V^Hiile her husband was
soliciting funds and awakening an interest among Eastern
Christians for the establishment of a Female Academy in
Jacksonville, she was training pupils to fill it. That little
cottage which she occupied five years, and from which she
was borne to the tomb with her two children, witnessed the
beginning of many enterprises which were destined to have
a wide and growing influence, blessing multitudes in after
years. Many of her pupils came to the decision to number
themselves with the people of God while under her care.
Many men and women w^ho have become distinguished for
their successful labors in the State, were welcomed to her
house, and entertained at her table, while their schemes
were being discussed and their plans matured.
She entered into all her husband's intense anxiety to plant
institutions of learning and religion in this great destitute
field, and submitted cheerfully to all the privation, which his
untiring labors involved. But however enthusiastic the
spirit may be there is a point beyond which the body cannot
endure.
While I\Irs. Ellis and her husband were spending their
energies and exhausting their lives to open fountains of
learning, and wealth, and Christian refinement that would in-
crease the value of every foot of ground in the vicinity of
Jacksonville an hundred fold, their efforts were far less ap-
preciated by those who were to reap their benefits, than by
Christian friends abroad who helped to confer them.
Like most others who unselfishly throw their whole soul
into a great work for the good of others, Mr. Ellis made
enemies and aroused opposition. In order to obtain the
assistance of the benevolent it was necessary for him to tell
6S PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
at the East how low the general standard of intelligence then
was at the West, and the echo of his words there througii
the public prints returned here. Who were ever pleased
with the exposure of their own ignorance ? The result was
that the man whose single arm had laid hold of and set in
motion forces that would lift the whole region into a higher
life, was voted unpopular. Dr. Taylor, his noble friend, who
understood him, and worked with him, was dead, and the
church which had risen in three years from fourteen to one
hundred members under his care, and who were worshiping
in a house which he-had largely procured the means of build-
ing, through his influence abroad, concluded it would be
better to get some new man who would tickle the people,
and flatter their self-conceit, and make himself generally
more agreeable. It was but another step to take the scholars
who had been developed into good material for a public in-
stitution of a high grade out of Mrs. Ellis' hands, and use
the funds which her husband had collected to open an
academy in which she was not even invited to teach the
French language, for which her qualifications were so per-
fect.
If ever laborers had the opportunity to bring a noble
work to the great Master, and lay it at his feet in utter self-
abnegation, it certainly then presented itself to Mr. and Mrs.
Ellis, and those who knew them intimately feel that it was
met by them with admirable wisdom, in a grand, almost
sublime silence.
Ah, could Mrs Ellis, in those last weary months of her life,
have heard the loving, reverent words which her few sur-
viving pupils and acquaintances now speak of her, and could
her husband have known how his honored memory in the
beautiful city of Jacksonville would " take root downward
and bear fruit upward," as the years roll on, it surely would
have been cheering to their hearts, as he went out alone,
to lay new foundations and sow new fields, and as she,
weary and worn, remained in the home to which death was
coming soon to close her earthly toil.
"The word you would speak beside the bier
Falls sweeter far on the living ear."
The summer of 1833 was one of terrible, burning heat^
We had heard with a shudder that Asiatic cholera had
crossed the ocean and begun its ravages in our own country,
and every succeeding mail announced its rapid progress
FRANCES C. B. ELLIS. 69
westward. On the morning of its first appearance in Jack-
ville, one of her neighbors passed up the street and stopped
to speak with Mrs. EUis at her door, and she told him that
the cholera was doing its fatal work in the opposite house.
As he passed back she told him that the neighbor was dead.
In the evening she too was lying in the grasp of the mighyt
■destroyer. Just before she passed into the death stupor her
physician, then a wordly man, said to her kindly, " Don't be
afraid, Mrs. Ellis." "Afraid!" she replied, "I know too
well in whom I have believed, to be afraid now." In two
days more her children had passed through the same dread
agony, and the home of the absent minister was desolate.
As she lay, robed in garments for the tomb, her sister bent
■over her, and taking in her hand the slender fingers which
had been familiar with the pen, the pencil, and the lyre, she
spoke, not of the talents, the vivacity, and the elegance
which had made the pale sleeper the admired of every circle,
but one sentence revealed the tie which had bound her to
many a heart. As she folded the white hands over the still,
cold breast, she exclaimed, " Oh, the acts of kindness these
hands have done ! "
Mrs. Ellis was one of those superior women who, though
not without defects, have yet such breadth of intellect, such
superiority of culture in mind and manner, and such lofty
heroism of soul, as to put quite out of sight every blemish
and so impress their image upon young and susceptible minds,
that death itself cannot obliterate the lines or shroud their
memory in darkness.
Having been educated entirely under French and English
teachers, a spirit of caste had been cultivated in her case as
in most Europeans and many Americans, which would better
have been changed for humble gratitude to Him who " mak-
eth us to differ," and she had not always the perfect control
of her temper which Christian gentleness requires in deal-
ing with children and pupils.
Notwithstanding all her elegant tastes and accomplish-
ments, she was willing to put her hand to any useful work.
Her house was carefully ordered, and always made a resting
place for those who needed hospitality. Laboring men when
-employed there found torn clothes repaired, and lost buttons
replaced by her obliging hands. As a pastor's wife she was
an affectionate and sympathizing friend to every member of
her husband's flock, and the lowliest of them was an abund-
JO PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
ant recijsient of the exuberant courtesy which was as natural
to her as her breath.
She could not be called beautiful, but she had a fine, ex-
pressive eye, and when her face kindled up with her glori-
ous thoughts, her whole form was in motion with their ele-
gant expression, she was certainly a most fascinating woman
to persons of superior culture. In the domain of history
and polite literature she was entirely at home ; her wit was
quick and keen, and always as polished as it was acute.
She had a poetic taste for the beautiful in the realms of
nature and of mind, and exhibiting the sparkling vivacity
and perfect grace'of manner for which her nation are emi-
nent, she was brilliant in conversational power. Above all,
her heart was set upon whatever was noble, pure and holy ;.
sublime thoughts and emotions welled up from the depths of
her soul as from a full-fed fountain, and overflowed in the
most glowing imagery and eloquent expression.
Many who sat at her feet and listened to the impassioned,
glowing utterances which thrilled our youthful hearts, are
with her, where the throbbing flesh no longer fetters the
soaring spirit. Those of us who linger behind love to go
back in memory nearly half a century and think what it was
to young minds, wholly unacquainted with society, in the
newly settled West, and all unconscious of the mental wealth
lavished with such queenly profusion, to be warmed, and
melted, and stamped under her influence.
The wives of the early ministers of Illinois were lovely,
and pure, and refined, and noble. We can recall many whose
names are as ointment poured forth : Mrs. Farnham, Mrs.
Sturtevant, Mrs. Messenger, Mrs. Hale, Mrs. Spilman, Mrs.
Gridley, Mrs. Eddy, ?klrs. Gait. They were beautiful flowers
transplanted from cultured homes in the East, to droop and
die on the prairies, and among them bloomed and withered
a brilliant and gorgeous exotic.
John Mathews was born in Beaver county, Pa., February
7, 1777. He was of Scotch-Irish descent. He graduated
at Jefferson College, Cannonsburg, Pa., and was a theological
pupil of Dr. John McMillan. For seven years he was pastor
of Gravel-Run and Waterford Churches in Erie Presbytery.
In 1 8 17 he resigned his charge to become an itinerating
missionary. Starting westward he went down the Ohio in a
flat-boat as far as Louisville. Then he proceeded on horse-
JOHN MATrlEWS. 7 1
back across Indiana to Vincennes, and then through the
Territory of Illinois to St. Louis, where he arrived May 15,
1 8 17. On the i8th he preached in St. Louis. Soon after
he passed up the Mississippi to Pike county, where, before
the close of the year, he organized the church of Buffalo,
with fourteen members. He preached the opening sermon
at the organization of the Presbytery of Missouri at St. Louis,
December 18, 1 8 17. The Presbytery was organized with
four members, Salmon Giddings, Timothy Flint, Thomas
Donnell and Mr. Mathews. Mr. Donnell had arrived in the
Territory (Missouri was not a State until 1821) on the 4th of
September next preceding. April 25, 18 18, Mr. Mathews
and Timothy Flint installed Thomas Donnell pastor of Con-
cord Church in Bellevue Settlement, Mo. The two ministers
— Flint and Mathews — journeyed together to Bellevue from
St. Louis, a distance of eighty miles. Of that trip and his
companion Mr. Flint says : " The third year of my residence
in Missouri we were called to the Mine district to install a
young gentleman who had been trained to the ministry under
Rev. Gideon Blackburn. The gentleman, though sick with
the measles at the time, was inducted into office with happy
auspices. I performed the journey in company with Rev.
Mr. Mathews, a Presbyterian minister, formerly of Pennsyl-
vania, a gentleman of great strictness of principle and char-
acter, whose occasional facetiousness and pleasantry had
infinitely more force, as they beamed from a countenance
naturally hard and austere, and from whom, judging by his
tenets or his manner, no such things could have been expect-
ed. We made our way among the high hills, the flint
knobs, and desolate valleys of the Maramec, cutting short
the way with anecdote and narrative, mutually relating the
scenes and events of our youth. The second day we missed
our way, and wandered about among the hills until after
midnight. We had concluded to pass the night under the
open sky ; but finally heard the barking of dogs, by which
we were directed to a house. We suffered not a little peril,
in making our approaches to the place, from a pack of fierce
dogs. We ascended a little building and took ourselves out
of their way until we raised the master. Although it was
but a cabin, and the hour so unseasonable, we were most
hospitably received and entertained."
August 29, 18 18, Mr. ^lathews and Mr. Giddings organ-
ized a Presbyterian Church at St. Charles, Mo., with nine
^2 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
members. He seems to have itinerated and labored princi-
pally in Pike county, Mo., until 1825, when he removed to
Apple Creek Church, Cape Girardeau county. This church
had been organized by Mr. Giddings, May 21, 1821, with
forty-one members, just one week before he organized the
church at Kaskaskia, III. From Apple Creek Mr. Mathews
removed to Kaskaskia, probably in 1828, and was the suc-
cessor of Mr. Ellis in that field.
When the Synod of Indiana, at its session in October,
1828, passed an ordinance for the establishment of Center
Presbytery, Mr. Mathews was appointed to preach the open-
ing sermon, and preside until a Moderator was appointed.
He performed the required service, at Kaskaskia, January
9, 1829. He attended every meeting of Center Presbytery,
near or remote. In the division of that Presbytery by In-
diana Synod, October, 1830, to constitute the Synod of
Illinois, Mr. Mathews fell into Kaskaskia Presbytery. Its
first meeting was held at Vandalia, March 4, 183 1, and Mr.
Mathews preached the opening sermon. In like manner did
he open the Synod of Illinois at its first meeting in Septem-
ber, 183 1. His residence continued in Kaskaskia until the
beginning of 1829, when he bought a place at Pleasant
Ridge, five and a half miles east of Kaskaskia. This place
is in T. 6 S., R. 7 W., in S. W. corner of N. W. quarter of
Sec. 36. The house is still standing — an old dilapidated
frame, now (1879) owned and occupied by Stephen Hill.
He continued to minister to Kaskaskia Church, though that
village itself was, about 1830, abandoned as the place of
religious service. As several of its remaining families were
in his neighborhood he preached for them in a school-house
near his residence for four years longer. This neighborhood
therefore — where Pleasant Ridge Church now is — may be
considered as the half-way house in the migration of the
Kaskaskia Church to Chester. Mr. Mathews' next field was
Sugar Creek Church, from 1834 to 1837, with his address at
Clifton, 111. October 14, 1839, he was dismissed to the
Presbytery of St. Louis, and returned to Kaskaskia Presby-
tery April II, 185 1. While absent he spent a part of the
time in Ohio, a part in West Greenville, Mercer county. Pa.,
where he had charge of a congregation, and the last part of
the period in Bonhomme Parish, Mo., where some of his
second wife's relatives still reside. On his return to Illinois
he fixed his residence in Georgetown — now Steele's Mills —
JOHN MATHEWS. 73
Randolph county, where he purchased a house and contin-
ued to reside until his death, which took place May I2,
i86i. Mr. Preston Brown, who married Mrs. Mathews'
niece — Miss Missouri Smith — still occupies the same house.
At their meeting, October ii, i86i, Presbytery adopted the
following minute : " Whereas, Rev. John Mathews, late
a member of this Presbytery, departed this life on the I2th
of May last, in the 84th year of his age and the 52nd of his
Ordination: Resolved, 1st. That we return hearty thanks to
the Head of the Church for having spared Bro. Mathews so
long in his vineyard. 2nd. That his faithfulness and success
are ground of rejoicing and encouragement to us who sur-
vive. 3rd. That a copy of the above be tr'2*iismitted to the
widow and her niece, Mrs. Preston Brown." Mr. Mathews
was twice married, first to Miss Nancy Bracken, who died in
1819; second, to Miss Anna Smith, in 1820. He had no
children by either marriage.
Mr. M. and his second wife are buried in Jones' Cemetery
near Georgetown. The inscriptions on their tomb-stones
are these :
JOHN MATHEWS,
Died May I2th, i86l, in the 84th year of his age. He was an active Presbyte-
rian Minister for fifty years.
In Memory of
ANNA, wife of Rev. John Mathews,
Born September 13, 1789. Died August 7, 1863, aged seventy-three years, ten
months and twenty-four days.
This memoir has been drawn from original sources. The
statement in the action of Presbytery and on the tomb-stone,
in regard to Mr. Mathews' age, is not strictly correct. He
died in his eigJity-fifth year, not his eighty-fourth. His pre-
cise age at his death was eighty-four years, three months and
five days. His will is on record at the court-house in Chester.
He was one of the fathers. Born in the early part of our
Revolutionary struggle, he lived to witness the commence-
ment of our great civil war. In the division of the Presby-
terian Church, from 1838 to 1870, he was decidedl}^ with the
Old School. I judge him to have been a fair preacher, severe
in his morals, and somewhat austere in his countenance and
manners.
Alton Presbyterian Church was organized by Rev. Ed-
ward Hollister and Rev. Daniel Gould, missionaries of the
Connecticut ^Missionary Society, June 9, 1 821, with these
74 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
members, viz : Enoch Long, Isaac Waters, Henry H. Snow,
Mary Long, Ednah Hastings, Abigail Waters, Lavina Bishop,
Brittania S. Brown. The next day the Sacrament of the .
Supper was administered. On July 8, August 12 and Octo-
ber 9 of the same year Mr. Gould preached to the church.
On December 4, 1821, and March 25, 1822, Mr. Hollister
preached, and the next morning took leave of the church to
return to his native place at the East. Brittania S. Brown
died on the 28th of August, and on September 15, 1822, her
funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Jesse Townsend. On
January 28, February 18 and March 5, 1823, Rev, Oren
Catlin preached.^ At the last date, Henry H. Snow was
made clerk of the Session, and John L. Ramsey, Mrs. Martha
Ramsey and Mrs. Twitchell were received into the church on
examination. On April 7 and April 23, 1823, Rev. Oren
Catlin and Rev. Daniel G. Sprague visited and addressed
the church. April 24, 1824, Miss Ednah Hastings was dis-
missed. This is the last entry on the session book by the
clerk. But to it the following statement is appended, viz :
"At the session of the Presbytery of Missouri, held at St.
Charles in March, 1826, a resolution was passed incorporating
the church of Alton with the church of Edvvardsville, in
consequence of the removal of a-U the members of said
church except two, viz : Enoch Long and Mrs. Mary Long.
The above fact is certified by the undersigned, who — as an
Elder of the church at Edwardsville — was a member of said
Presbytery at the time of the passage of the resolution.
"Alton, June 18, 183 1. Thomas Lippincott."
Wabash Church, Wabash county, at first called "The
First Presbyterian Church" in Edwards county, was organ-
ized March 5, 1822, with five members, viz: Stephen Bliss,
Mrs. Betsey Bliss, George May, Cyrus Danforth and Mrs.
Polly Danforth.
Those good old-fashioned names, Betsey and Polly, had
not then lost their savor. Twenty-five years later they
would have been Mary and Eliza. In this day of grace,
1879, the boarding school way of writing them would be
Lizzie and Marie. O tempora ! O mores ! have we advanced,
or receded ?
The history of this church is full of interest. It may be
learned from the interesting little volume of Rev. S. C. Bald-
ridge — Life and Times of Stephen Bliss.
The first Presbyterian family who settled in this region was
WABASH CHURCH. 75
Thomas Gould, in the spring of 1816. They floated down
the Ohio from Cincinnati to Evansville in a flat-boat, came
across in a wagon, and settled in Timber Settlement. In his
cabin the Presbyterian Church began her work in this field.
Rev. S. T. Scott, of Vincennes, soon heard of the new family,
and came down to visit them. On these occasions Mr. Gould
would send out runners to invite the settlers, far and near, to
a preaching service, and in the evening the cabin would be
full.
The next was Cyrus Danforth, of Cayuga county, N. Y.,
who, in the summer of 18 18, located on the farm now occu-
pied by his son, Franklin Danforth.
In October of the same year came Stephen Bliss and
George May, New Englanders, and settled on Decker's
Prairie. April ii, 1819, they opened a Sabbath-school in
their humble cabin — the first Sabbath-school in the State of
Illinois, though Thomas Lippincott and his wife set up one in
Milton, Madison county, in the spring or summer of the same
year. Bliss and May also established a meeting for prayer,
reading sermons, missionary and other religious articles. The
church was organized, as stated above, by Rev. David Choate
Proctor, and of it Stephen Bliss and George May were made
Elders. George May died on the third of August, 1822.
The church was taken under the care of Salem Presbytery,
and its name changed to Wabash in April, 1825. Its history
is so intimately connected with that of Stephen Bliss that
it is almost impossible to write one without the other.
Mr. Bliss was licensed by Hopkinton Association in the
summer of 1823 on an examination had nine years before.
He heard of this license August 19, more than five months
after the organization of the church. Though active in Sab-
bath-school and prayer-meetings, he did not begin to preach
until August 3, 1823, when his first sermon was delivered at
Danforth school-house. He was ordained by Salem Pres-
bytery at their stated meeting in Vincennes, August 4, 1825,
and, though laboring much in various other quarters, contin-
ued in charge of Wabash Church until within a few months
of his death. Wabash is a mother church. Mt. Carmel,
Friendsville and Allendale — at first Timberville — in Wabash
county; Pisgah in Lawrence county, and Shiloh in Edwards
county, are her daughters. Though general bishop of this
wide field, Mr. Bliss had helpers. In March, 1831, came
Rev. Isaac Bennet, who for 17 years had his home in the
y6 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
bounds of Pisg-ah Church, doing wonders of labor for the
Llaster there, in Wabash county, and elsewhere.
In 1839 Rev. Joseph Butler settled in Shiloh Church, in
Edwards county, and labored with Wabash Church one-
fourth of his time. In the spring of 1847 — Mr. Bliss's health
being feeble — Rev. Blackburn Leffler took charge of Wabash
and Mt. Carmel churches. December 6, 1847, ^^- Bliss
died.
In the fall of 1848 Rev. P. W. Thompson took charge of
Mt. Carmel and Wabash churches until 1852. Wabash was
then vacant until May, 1853, except an occasional supply
from Rev. John fc. Hawkins. At the last date, 1853, Rev.
Samuel C. Baldridge took the field and has continued in it
ever since. About the beginning of 1878, however, he re-
signed the care of Wabash, but continued still to labor at
Friendsville and Allendale.
Since 1878 Rev. J. S. Davis has given to Wabash a por-
tion of his time, the balance being devoted to Sumner and
Gilead, Lawrence county, and Richland, Richland county.
From its beginning until 1 838 this church had no settled
habitation, but held its meetings at various places. " Some-
times in some school-house, sometimes at the residence of
one of the Elders, a few times in Mr. Bliss' barn, and often,
when the weather was fine, in the shade of some grove."
There was some difficulty about the site ; but the grave of
Mrs. Bliss determined it. That sainted woman died May 21,
1836, and was buried in the S. W. quarter of the S. W. quarter
of Sec. 32, T. 2 N., R. 12 W. " All felt that burial had decided
the location of the church-yard; and the sacred associations
of the place where they expected to lay their dead, made it
the fitting spot near which to erect the house of God. A
neat, plain building went up among the trees of the young
woods in the fall of 1838. Mr. Bennet, a famous church-
builder, wrought on the new sanctuary. He was permitted
to construct the pulpit after his own ideal. The room was
wainscoted with poplar. Without one trace of ornament it
still stands, sheltered by its trees, with the prairie filled with
farms, stretching out to the south and west, and the silent
church-yard in the rear."
The edifice stands on three acres, given to the congregation
so long as used for church purposes. The cemetery, where
Mr. and Mrs. Bliss lie, is on these three acres. Directly across
the way are ten acres more belonging to the church. Ail
STEPHEN BLISS. 77
this land is pleasantly situated and mostly covered with tim-
ber. The building in which Mr. Bliss taught and often
preached, before the erection of the church-house, stood
close by the northeast corner of Henry Thompson's resi-
dence.
Stephen Bliss was born in Lebanon, N. H., March 27,
1787. His parents were poor, his father being a small farmer
at the time of his son's birth, with a cottage in the village,
where the family resided. Later his father removed to
Glover, Vt. Here in 1808 the family were living in a log
hut that had to be daubed up each autumn to guard against
the winds of winter. The family at that time consisted of
the parents, two sisters and five brothers. Of the sons
Stephen was the third. As he approached manhood, his
uncle, Samuel Wood, D. D., pastor of the Congregational
church, Boscawen, N. H., invited him to become a student
in his family. Here he fitted for the junior class, and grad-
uated at Middlebury College in 181 2, with a high standing
for scholarship. His theological education was prosecuted
with the same instructor who had prepared him for college.
In 1 8 14 he applied to Hopkinton Association for license to
preach. He was rejected on account of alleged defective
views of the person, and consequently the atoning work of
Christ. Nine years later the Association was led to review
their action, and, without any request, or one word of expla-
nation from Mr. Bliss, granted his license. After his rejection
by the Association Mr. Bliss gave up all thought of the
ministry, and turned his attention to teaching. With an old
college-mate, George May, he started out to procure a situa-
tion as teacher. Both were successful in this, and taught for
several years in eastern and central New York. But the
confinement of the school-room impaired Mr. Bliss' health,
and in September, 18 18, he and his close friend, George
]May, started in a one-horse wagon for the far West. They
reached the lake at Buffalo ; went down to see Niagara ; then
passed along the lake shore through Ohio, and then across
Indiana to Vincennes. Here they crossed the Wabash, and
having traveled fifteen miles southwest, called a halt in
Decker's Prairie. Palm) ra, on the Wabash, three miles
above i\It. Carmel, was then the rising village of Edwards
county. It was the county seat and contained a post-office.
]\It. Carmel had just been laid out. In five days from their
arrival the friends purchased a tract of land, in the center of
yS PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
the prairie, on which was a cabin. As the former proprietor
could not vacate the cabin at once, they constructed an
addition to accommodate them for the winter. The next
spring the cabin was given up to them, and on Sabbath
morning, April ii, 1819, they opened in it a Sabbath school,
which was perhaps the first in the State.
In the fall of 1820 Mr. Bliss returned to New Hampshire
on foot, making the journey of 1,200 miles in fifty days.
April 20, 1 82 1, he married Miss Elizabeth Worcester, On
the last day of the same month the newly married pair
started, in a two-Jbiorse wagon, for Illinois, and reached the
cabin on Decker's Prairie in eight weeks. The wife was tall
and fair, of English-Puritan descent. Her father, Noah
Worcester, D.D., was born in Hollis, N. H., November 25,
1758. At sixteen he was a fifer in the patriot army, and
took part in the battle of Bunker Hill, and afterward of
Bennington. After the war, he settled in Thornton, N. H.,
pursued a course of self-instruction, was licensed to preach
in 1786, and the next year was settled as pastor of the
church of Thornton. In 18 18 he received the degree of
D.D. from Harvard College. He died in Brighton, Mass.,
October 31, 1837.
" The new family was a most devout and godly one, after
the noblest Puritan type, from the day the pair established
themselves in the humble cabin."
The organization of the " First Presbyterian Church in
Edwards" county, March 5, 1822, afterwards called "Wa-
bash," is related in another connection. In it Messrs. Bliss
and May had been made Elders. It has also been related
how Mr. Bliss received his license and entered upon the
duties of the ministry. On the very day — August 3, 1823 —
in which he preached his first sermon, Thomas Gould and
his wife united with the church. Mr. Gould was soon after
made an Elder. " From that time until the close of Mr.
Bliss' ministry there was but one year when the church did
not receive from one to twenty-four additions."
Thus at last, at the ripe age of thirty-six years, Mr. Bliss
entered the sacred office. The next Sabbath he preached
again at the Danforth school-house ; soon after at Mr. Gould's
residence, seven miles to the southeast, and later at the
dingy school-house near his home, which stood in what is
now Henry Thompson's front yard. In the Spring of 1824
Mr. Bliss assisted Rev. S. T. Scott at a communion season
STEPHEN BLISS. 79
held with the Indiana Church, five miles north of Vincennes.
The meeting was held in the woods, and sometimes the
congregations amounted to more than one thousand. In the
following September Mr. Scott repaid the visit. The ser-
vices were held at the " New Light" camp-ground, one-half
mile south of the present village of Friendsville. Eight
persons were added to the church on examination, and
twelve children were baptized. In the fall of 1824 Mr.
Bliss was elected to the State Senate of Illinois, and spent
the next winter, until January 20, in Vandalia. At that
time the Legislature adjourned, and Mr. Bliss returned home.
The next April he attended the meeting of Salem Presby-
tery, at Washington, Ind., presented his credentials from
Hopkinton Association and was received under the care of
Presbytery as a licentiate. Immediately upon his reception
he engaged to supply two vacant churches of the Presbytery
on the east side of the river, Carlisle, forty miles from his
home, and Fort Harrison, sixty miles — one Sabbath in each
month. The Sabbaths not thus occupied he spent with
Wabash Church.
At the next stated meeting of Presbytery — held at Vin-
cennes, August 4 — Mr. Bliss was ordained. Rev. John IMc-
Elroy Dickey preached the sermon. His old class-mate at
Middlebury College, Rev. Isaac Reed, gave the charge. On
returning home he laid off the field of his labors, taking the
Presbyterian families which had settled about equally distant
from him as his centers. These centers were Dennison, six
miles north, Thomas Gould, six miles east, Mr. Danforth, six
miles southwest, and the communit}' immediately about his
residence. Within the region covered by these appointments
he labored till the close of his life. His family consisted at
this time of himself, his wife, a son (Samuel Wood, three
years old,) and Delia, an infant daughter. He kept " open
house," as everybody else did in those times.
He was supported from his farm principally. His sheep
and cattle cost him little, and were his chief source of income.
He kept twelve dairy cows, and "Betsey " was a famous
cheese maker. He found in Vincennes a market for his
dairy products. His church, having increased from five to
seventeen members, met in a congregational capacity. After
canvassing the matter they subscribed $123 towards their
minister's support. This was Mr. Bliss' second means of
livinsf.
80 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
From the time of his ordination Mr. B. took rank among the
most prominent preachers of the Presbytery. His address
was manly and pleasing. His style was clear, his manner
slow, calm and dignified. August 19, 1827, Mr. B. assisted
B. F. Spilman in a sacramental meeting in Sharon Church,
From that time those two men — the quiet, gentlemanly New
Englander, and the rugged and stalwart Kentuckian — la-
bored much together.
I give here a few extracts from Mr. Bliss' journal : " No-
vember 2, 1827. Cloudy. Started in company with
Brother Perrin — Rev. Truman Perrin, Principal of the Pres-
byterian Seminary at Vincennes — to visit a church on the
west of the Little Wabash. Rode fifteen miles to Mr. M.'s,^
where we dined. Six miles farther we reached the river.
The rest of the P. M., until nine o'clock, was spent in trav-
ersing the bottom, endeavoring to thread our way out to the
prairie. The afternoon was cloudy, and the path separated
into stray tracks as we proceeded, where the travelers before
us had straggled around in the deep woods to escape quag-
mires. As night set in the sky was still obscured, and we
had to wander on without anything to guide us in the de-
sired direction. The wolves howled hideously around us.
To crown all, Mr. Perrin was taken sick, and after trying to
go on for some time, with frequent stops, we finally unsad-
dled our horses and encamped for the night. Having ob-
tained a little rest, we again pursued our course, and arrived
at a safe habitation."
" November 3. Cloudy. Rode two miles to the place of
meeting, where we met Brothers B. F. and T. A. Spilman. I
preached in the forenoon, Mr. Perrin in the afternoon, and I
again in the evening. November 4. Cloudy. A most in-
teresting communion season. Brother Spilman preached in
the morning and Brother Perrin in the evening. November
5. Cloudy. Preached at 8 in the A. M. to a solemn audi-
ence. An affecting parting season in the afternoon. Re-
turned within fifteen miles of home."
The Indiana Synod met October 16, 1828, at Vincennes.
Of Sabbath's meeting, October 19, Mr. B. says: "The most
interesting meeting I have ever witnessed in the Western
country — sixty-three persons connected with the church."'
In 1828 Mr. Bliss received aid from the American Home
Missionary Society. This was continued for three years,,
and then — at Mr. B.'s request — discontinued.
STEPHEN BLISS. 8 1
In his report, dated August 13, 1831, Mr. B. says: "Dur-
ing my last quarter I have spent two Sabbaths in Coles
county — one at a point eighty, the other more than one hun-
dred miles north of this. At the most distant congregation
I organized a church consisting of seventeen members, with
the prospect of soon doubling. [This was Bethel, afterwards
Oakland.] Ordained Elders, and administered infant bap-
tism. Found here, in a little log cabin, a theological stu-
dent. He spends part of the time in cultivating a field of
corn, to procure sustenance for himself, wife and two small
children, and the other in theological studies. Next I at-
tended a four days' meeting in a congregation twenty-five or
thirty miles south of the point just named. [Pleasant Prai-
rie.] Here was a church of about twenty members, or-
ganized last autumn. Thirteen were received into the
church ; several others are indulging hope. Baptized one
adult and fourteen children."
July 6, 1833, came Adam Shepard from New Hampshire,
and entered a tract of land adjoining Mr. Bliss' farm, and
made his home, as it proved, for life. This gentleman was
a graduate of Middlebury College, in the class of 1826. Most
cordial was the welcome extended to this family by Mr. and
Mrs. Bliss.
Mrs. Bliss died Sabbath, May 21, 1837, with consumption
Mr. Bennet came down from Pisgah and preached the funeral
sermon on Monday to a great congregation, from Prov. 14,
32 — "The righteous hath hope in his death."
Mrs. Bliss' grave was the first one opened in the church-
yard of Wabash. It had been customary for each family to
bury their dead in a private burial ground on their own farm,
though a public one had been much talked of. Mrs. Bliss'
interment brought this question to a decision, and also, as
has been seen, fixed the location of the church edifice.
Says Mr. Baldridge : " Fifteen years of ministerial service
only passed and Mr. Bliss was permitted to see four churches
gathered and three ministers besides himself laboring effi-
ciently in what was once his own charge." These churches
were Wabash, organized March 5, 1822 ; Pisgah, in Lawrence
county, organized 1835 ; Shiloh, organized in 1835, and Mt.
Carmel in 1839. The ministers were Isaac Bennet, R. H.
Lilly and Joseph Butler. Two other churches subsequently
sprung from the same root, Friendsville and Allendale.
In 1839 Mr. Bliss' health began to give way, and Mr. But-
5
82 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
ler was called in to supply his pulpit, as his colleague, one
Sabbath in the month for that year; the session, however,
stipulating that Mr. Bliss was to moderate their meetings,
and superintend the affairs of the church. From this time
forth his regular ministerial work was interfered with by
increasing infirmities.
Mr. Bliss was a member of the Assembly, which in 1845,
met at Cincinnati, and which passed resolutions which were
understood as essentially modifying the testimony of the
Church given in 18 18 against slavery.
The vote stood one hundred and sixty-eight ayes to thir-
teen nayes and four excused. Mr. Bliss was one of those im-
mortal thirteen. On Monday morning, December 6, 1847.
Mr. Bliss finished his course.
In 1875 a monument was erected to Stephen Bliss and his
wife by his grateful people. It is a four-sided shaft of fine
marble, about five feet high, standing on a square stone base
about one foot thick. On one side is this inscription :
REV. STEPHEN BLISS, A.M.,
Born at Lebanon, N. H., March 27, 1787.
Graduated at Middlebury College, 1812.
Licensed by the Hopkinton Association, 1822.
Ordained by the Presbytery of Salem, August 4, 1825.
Died December 6, 1847.
Pastor of Wabash Church from 1823 to 1847.
On the reverse, or north side, is this inscription :
MRS. ELIZABETH BLISS,
Daughter of N. Worcester, D.D., wife of Rev. S. Bliss. Born at Thornton, N.
H., February 27, 1789; married at Boscawen, N. H,, April 7, 1820;
Died May 21, 1837.
" When the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory,
that fadeth not away." — i Pet. v : 4.
On the west side this :
This monument was erected by a grateful people A. D., 1875.
" How beautiful upon the moutitains are the feet of him that bringeth g'~«od
tidings, that publisheth peace, that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth." —
Isaiah 52: 7.
" I shall be satisfied when I awake with thy likeness." — Ps. 17 : 15.
"I am the Resurrection and the life." — John 11:25.
Mr. Bliss had two children, one son and one daughter.
The son, Samuel Wood Bliss, a most estimable man, was for
years an Elder in the Wabash Church. His widow still
survives and occupies the old homestead. Samuel Wood
Bliss had eleven children, six of whom lie in the cemetery
and five are living. Of these five, four are daughters and
DAVID C. PROCTER. 83
one son — John — now about fifteen. The daughter, Delia,
married Mr. Schrader. She resides about one-half mile
from Mr. Bliss' old farm, and has two daughters, Maria and
Florence, now in early womanhood.
It thus appears that Stephen Bliss has eight descendants
living — one daughter and seven grand-children. Of these
all but one are females.
David Choate Procter was a native of New Hampshire.
He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1818. He was
ordained in 1821 as a Home Missionary. On his way to
Missouri he passed the winter at Indianapolis. Mr. Baldridge
gives an exceedingly interesting account of his brief visit in
Illinois, which I condense : Leaving Indianapolis he crossed
the Wabash and found a lodging at a village of cabins, on
its west side, called Mt. Carmel. In the morning, when
preparing to start, his horse was found to be lame. Unable
to go on his journey, he began to make enquiries. He was
told of two Presbyterian families residing one seven, the
other twelve miles north on the prairie. He at ouce set out.
On arriving at the first of the two dwellings, the door was
opened by a comely young girl, whose face beamed with
intelligence. Satisfied he was right, he walked in without
ceremony, exclaiming, " I am on Presbyterian ground, I
know." His greeting was most cordially reciprocated. It
was the house of Cyrus Danforth, and the day was Friday.
The next day, March 2, they all went to the home of Mr.
Bliss, five miles. On Sabbath a large congregation convened
at the school-house near Mr, Danforth's, and Mr. Proctor
preached. On Tuesday he preached again, and the church
was organized. Mr. Proctor remained through the week
and preached the following Sabbath. The next morning,
the nth, he went on his way. He may have gone on to Mis-
souri, but if so he was back in Indianapolis in the fall of the
same year. In 1823 he located in Kentucky, and was stated
supply of Springfield and Lebanon churches from 1823 to
1827. He was temporary President of Center College,
Danville, Ky., in 1826. He was Home Missionary in Prince
Edward county, Va., from 1827 to 1833; supply pastor in
Shelby ville, Ky., in 1834, and died near Frankfort, Ky., Jan-
uary 18, 1865, aged seventy-one.
CoLLiNsviLLE Church (the place was at its first settlement
called Unionvi/lc,) Madison county, 111., was organized May
3, 1823, by Rev. Salmon Giddings, with these members, viz.:
84 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
William Collins, Esther Collins, Augustus Collins, Elizabeth
B. Collins, Eliza Collins, Almira Collins, Frederick Collins,
Oriel Wilcox, Susan Wilcox, Horace Look, Emma C,
Look. Seven of these belonged to the family of Deacon
William Collins, who came to this place in tht fall of 1822,
with his wife, three daughters and one son. Four of his six
sons — viz., Augustus, Anson, Michael and William B. — had
preceded him by several years. The family was from Litch-
field, Conn., to which place William Collins, when a young
man, had removed from Guilford, Conn. The church, from
its formation until jiie fall of 1843, worshipped in a house
erected in 18 18, the first frame meeting-house built in Illi-
nois. The stated preaching of the gospel was not enjoyed
until 1830, though for nearly twelve years a Sabbath-school
had been sustained, and worship of some kind had been held
almost every Sabbath. When a minister could not be ob-
tained, they met tor prayer and exhortation, or read a ser-
mon. From 1830 to 1840 the church enjoyed for half the
time, successively, the services of Revs. Thomas Lippin-
cott, John F. Brooks, Roswell Brooks and Robert Blake.
Up to 1835 it was aided by the Home Missionary Society.
Since that time it has received no assistance from abroad.
Ministers: Charles E. Blood, pastor, commenced laboring
with them July 4, 1840; Thomas Lippincott, supply pastor,
1848; Lemuel Grosvenor, pastor, 1848; David Dimond, sup-
ply pastor, 1850; Gideon C, Clark, pastor, 1856; Charles
F. Halsey, pastor, 1864; John D. Jones, pastor, 1867; J.
R. Barnes, pastor, 1870; George W. Coit, pastor, 1874;
Joseph G. Reasor, D. D., pastor, 1878. Elders: William
Collins and Oriel Wilcox at the organization ; Horace Look
and Frederick Collins, January 12, 1829; William B. Collins,
November 10, 1832; Lewis Weeks, August, 1837; Hiram
L. Ripley, September 15, 1838; Philander Braley, Austin B.
Beach, James Haffy, November 14, 1841 ; J. Vanstavoren,
S. Shepard, January 24, 1847; E. B. Lockwood, February
21, 1847; C. C. Tread way, 1861.
In the month of January, 1869, at a congregational meet-
ing, a change was effected in the organization of the church.
Deacons were elected, who in addition to their proper func-
tions, should also, with Elder H. L. Ripley, exercise those of
Elders. Two other persons were chosen, who should con-
stitute an advisory committee to counsel with the Deacons
and Elder Ripley. When this Board acted in a judicial ca-
APPLE CREEK CHURCH. 85
pacity an appeal might lie either to the Society, or the Pres-
bytery, or both. Under this arrangement the following offi-
cers were chosen : Deacons — James F. Wadsworth, for three
years, J. C. Moore, two years; H. L. Strong, one year. Ad-
visory Committee : Joshua S. Peers, for two years ; Cars-
well McClellan, one year. The whole Board is at present as
follows: Elder, H. L. Ripley; Deacons, J. F. Wadsworth,
J. W. Peers, George A. Miller. Advisory Committee —
J. S. Peers, C. L. Roberts, J. R. Miller, O. C. Look.
The present church building was erected in 1843, at a cost
■of about eighteen hundred dollars. It was badly shattered
by a storm in 1879. In addition the church owns property in
the shape of lots, a parsonage, and another valuable resi-
dence. It is not in debt, and pays a liberal salary to the pas-
tor, and contributes, though not systematically, to the benev-
olent agencies of the Church at large. The membership at
present is about one hundred fifty. The Sabbath-school is
quite flourishing ; two officers, fourteen teachers, one hun-
dred and seventy-five pupils.
The First Presbyterian Church in Green County, af-
terwards Apple Creek. — On the last day of April, 1823, the
ministers, Revs. Oren Catlin and Daniel G. Sprague, met at
the house of Zechariah Allen, several persons who desired to
be organized into a Presbyterian church. After two such
meetings of conference the organization was duly made in
the Court-house, May 4, 1823, under the name of the First
Presbyterian Church in Green county, with these members:
Zechariah Allen, Elizabeth Allen, Ruleff Stevens, Elizabeth
Stevens, Anthony Potts, John Allen, Polly Allen, Thomas
Allen, Margery Allen, William Morrow, Jean Morrow, John
Dee, Frances Bell, Elizabeth Bell, William Allen, Sally Al-
len, Christian Link, Fanny Painter, Lucretia Brush, Lavinia
Redel and Lucy Thomas. Elders: Zechariah Allen, Ru-
leff Stevens, Anthony Potts and John Allen.
The church was long without a shelter of its own. Min-
isters were (qw and itinerating. - Services were held as fre-
quently as practicable; sometimes in the Court-house, a
mere shell of a building; sometimes in an old blacksmith
shop, near the northwest corner of the village, and frequently
north of Apple Creek, where a large part of the members
resided, and where in 1827 a sacramental meeting was held
in which there were several additions to the membership.
Hence the church came to be known in common parlance
86 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
and on the Records of Presbytery as Apple Creek Church,
April II, 1840, the name was changed by the Presbytery of
Ilhnois to Whitehall.
Hence, too, it came about that on Sabbath, July 24,
1831, a new church was organized in CarroUton, called The
Carrollton Presbyterian Church, with these members,
viz. : Anthony Potts, Joseph Gerrish, Elizabeth Gerrish, Cor-
nelia H. Leonard, Elizabeth Page, Abigail T. Hopping, Mi-
riam Turner, Sarah Lee, Reuben Page, Morris Lee, Julius A.
Willard and Almira C. Willard. They chose as Elders,
Julius A. Willard, Joseph Gerrish and Anthony Potts.
Whether this church, or the one organized in the Court-
house in Carrollton, May 4, 1823, is the present Presbyterian
Church of Carrollton, I leave for casuists to determine. The
facts seem to be tiiat the church of 1823 gradually made its
center north of and near Apple creek, and hence came to be
called Apple Creek Church. The members in and near Car-
rollton, seeing that the church of 1823 was practically gone'
from them, in 1831 asked from Presbytery a new organization,
which was granted. Thus the First Presbyterian Church of
Green county became — not by express action of Presbytery
but by common consent and usage — Apple Creek Church.
In 1840 it changed its connection from Illinois Presbytery to
that of Sangamon, and presently died. But the church
formed by Presbytery at Carrollton, July 24, 185 1, while
Henry Herrick was in charge, is the present Carrollton
Church,
In May, 1832, Rev. Elisha Jenney took Mr, Herrick's
place as stc-ited supply. In July following a meeting of
eleven days was held, in which some fifty persons were hope-
fully converted. At the close of this meeting Rev. Thomas
Lippincott became the supply, and continued until the spring
of 1835. Under his ministry sixty-eight persons were received.
The next Elders chosen were Samuel D. Gushing, Alfred L.
ShuU and John Evans, Mr, Lippincott was succeeded by
Rev. Hugh Barr, whose lab'ors extended over a period often
years. In 1837, assisted by Dr. Blackburn, he held a pro-
tracted meeting, which resulted in an accession of eleven
members. About this time J. H. Hinton and Peter Van
Arsdale were made Elders. The place of meeting was a
long brick building on the southwest corner of the square. A
house of worship was erected afterwards at a cost of about
twenty-five hundred dollars, and dedicated free of debt. In
CARROLLTON CHURCH. Biy
1842, Mr. Barr, assisted by Rev. James Gallaher, held an-
other protracted meeting, which resulted in an accession to the
church of some fifty persons. At this time William Bates,
Lucius S. Norton and Robert L. Doyle were made Elders,
After Mr. Barr's term of service. Rev. James Dunn supplied
the church for two years. For some time previous to 1850,
much disorder existed among this people. An attempt was
made to change the polity of the church. Its Eldership be-
came extinct by deaths and removals. The aid of Presby-
tery was invoked ; and they, in February, 1850, re-organized
the church with thirty-one enrolled members. Alexander W.
Lynn, Robert F. Clark, Chester Armstrong, M. D., and J. H.
Wilson were made Elders. Rev. E. Jenney then supplied the
church for one year. He was succeeded by Rev. John G.
Rankin, who labored for ten years acceptably and with great
success. In these years the church received large additions,
and rose to the condition of self-support. They also under-
took and executed an important educational enterprise, by
erecting the Academy, which stands adjacent to their pres-
ent church edifice, at an expense of twenty-eight hundred
dollars. During the ministry of Mr. Rankin the church also
purchased a parsonage, valued at one thousand dollars. A
little before Mr. Rankin's departure, A. C. Hinton was made
an Elder. Rev. Morgan L. Wood succeeded Mr. Rankin,
and served the church until the summer of 1864. The pres-
ent pastor, Rev. Smith H. Hyde, commenced his labors No-
vember 13, 1864, has served the congregation with great effi-
ciency and success, and still continues his valuable labors.
Since 183 1 four hundred and eight persons have been re-
ceived into the church ; forty of these died whilst residing in
CarroUton, and two hundred and eighty have removed. The
present beautiful and commodious house of worship was
erected at an expense of $11,000, and dedicated unincum-
bered March 18, 1868. Improvements have also been added
to the parsonage to the value of fifteen hundred dollars.
Thus the sum total of the property of this congregation is
not less than ^16,000. The Sabbath-school work has, for the
most part, been prosecuted with great vigor, and been an im-
portant factor in the church's internal well being and external
usefulness.
The First Presbyterian Church of Paris, Edgar county,
111., was organized by Rev. Isaac Reed, November 6, 1824,
with these members, viz. : John Bovell, William Means,
88 PRESBYTEKIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
James Eggleston, Adriel Stout, Amzi Thompson, Samuel
Vance, Christian Bovell, Nancy Thompson, Barbara Alexan-
der, Ehzabeth Blackburn, Hannah Baird, Mary Vance.
Elders: Samuel Vance, John Bovell, William Means. The
next day. Sabbath, November 7, the following wei'e admit-
ted: James Ashmore, Miss Cassandra Ashmore, Rebecca
Ives, Mrs. Susanna Means, Elizabeth Jones, Polly Wayne,
Eliza Stout, Jane Ewing, Margaret Crozier, Betsey Burr,
Mj^ron Ives, Mrs. Sarah Ives, Asenath McKown and Rachel
Ashmore.
The history of this church down to 1855, is so clearly given
in a letter addressed by Adriel Stout, a former Elder of this
church, to Rev. John Crozier, that I append it nearly entire.
" Mr. Samuel Vance and Smith Shaw, were the first set-
tlers in Sugar Creek Point. They arrived, I think, in the
fall of 1822. Your father's family and your grandfather's
( Means,) family and my own arrived in the spring of 1823.
From that time we would meet on the Sabbath and sing
and pray together, and read one of ' Burder's Village Ser-
mons.' Sometimes, but not often, we would have a sermon
from some of our Methodist brethren. Occasionally Daniel
Parker would visit our little town ( which was located in
the spring of 1823,) and scatter his two-seed doctrine;
but we had had no Presbyterian preaching until Nov. 6,
1824. Rev. Isaac Reed had been spoken to by Mr. Vance
and your father to come and preach to and bring us into
church order, but he failed to come. In June, 1824, I went
to Crawfordsville, Ind., to see if I could get a minister to
come and organize a church here. Mr. Reed promised to
visit us some time in the fall, but did not come until Nov.
6. On that day while he was preaching there appeared to
be a special Divine influence on the minds of the people,
and many were affected to tears. After sermon those pres-
ent who had letters presented them, and a church was
formed consisting of twelve members. Immediately after
the organization, three Elders were chosen. The Session
met the same evening and next morning, and received four-
teen others. We had little preaching from that time until
the latter part of April, 1825, when the devoted Missionary,
John Young, came among us, and labored with us until the
middle of July following, preaching one-half his time here
and the other half at New Hope Church, Ind. He was
loved by the people among whom he labored, and his labors
PARIS CHURCH, EDGAR COUNTY. 89
were successful, many being added to the church during
his stay with us. After preaching his farewell sermon he
left for Vi^icennes, intending to return to his friends in New
York ; but he was taken sick in Vincennes, and died about
the middle of August, bequeathing most of his property for
the promotion of the cause of his Divine Master.
Our next minister was Rev. Elbridge G. Howe, whom we
engaged to preach to us from March 30, 1827, for one year,
half his time; the other half to be spent with New Hope
Church. Owing to his own and his family's bad health, he
soon returned to the East. We then employed Rev, Alex. R.
Curry, for three months. We then employed Rev. Claiborne
Young, for six months, or until the arrival of Rev. John Bovell,
to whom we had written. Mr. Bovell engaged with us, July 6,
1829, and labored with us but a few months, when he was
•called to his final reward. He was an able preacher and much
beloved by the church. Dr. Samuel Baldridge then preached
for us half his time for about one year. May 27, 1832, we
engaged Rev. Enoch Bouton to preach to us for three-fourths
of his time for eleven months. He was a good preacher. His
sermons were short and well digested. Under the administra-
tion of the last six ministers, a space of about six years, a
general coldness prevailed, and but few, probably not more
than nine or ten, were received to the church on profession.
Rev. John Montgomery commenced his labors with us in
the fall of 1833, and remained until the spring of 1836.
During his stay there were added seven on examination and
ten or twelve by letter. He was highly esteemed by all.
In the fall of 1836 we employed Rev. R. Rutherford, half
his time, for one year. During his administration four or five
were added by examination, and ten or twelve by letter.
Rev. J, C. Campbell then supplied us one-half of the time
until Rev. Henry I. Venable arrived in the fall of 1839. He
preached to us about one and one-half years. In this time
three or four were added by examination and about twenty
by letter. He afterwards engaged in teaching, and did as
much for the cause of education, according to the time
spent, as any other man in the county. Rev, J. A. Steel
supplied us about half the time for six months, until Rev,
Joseph Piatt arrived. He remained two years. A revival
occurred under his ministry. About eighty were added by
examination and twenty by letter. We then engaged Kev.
Erastus W. Thayer, who remained upwards of seven years.
90 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
In this time about thirty were added by examination and
as many by letter. We next employed Rev. R. M. Over-
street for one year. In the spring of 1853 we employed
Rev. Samuel Newell, who labored with us with good success.
Our Bible Society was organized two days after the organi-
zation of the church. Our Sabbath school commenced in
the spring of 1825." In a letter written by Rev. John
Crozier, to Rev. Samuel Newell, then pastor of the church,
and dated April 20, 1869, enclosing the above letter, the
following information was furnished: "The church was
organized in a log school-house, which stood on corner of
the alley directly east, and in the rear of the old Alexander
residence, on the south side of the public square and court
house. The first communion was celebrated at Elder Wm.
Means' residence, about two hundred yards north of where
Thomas Means now lives. Rev. Isaac Reed, in a little book
called 'The Youth's Book,' published in New York, in 1828,
says, Sept. 29, 1825 : 'I was as far out across the Wabash
as Paris, Edgar County, 111. Indeed this was the point of
my principal aim. I went by the particular and earnest
solicitation of some of the people in that vicinity, that I
would come and bring them into church order. They had
been about two years there with their families, and no min-
ister had yet found his way to their settlement. We crossed
the Wabash three miles above Fort Harrison, the 4th of
Nov. 1824, (Rev. D. Whitney was with me). That night we
had a meeting two and one-half miles from the river. There
were present three female members of our Church, all of
them from the State of New York. One had been seven
years there and the others four. Neither had been at a
communion since they came into the country, nor had they
heard a sermon for about two years, and this purely because
they had had no opportunity. The next day at evening we
began our meeting in the neighborhood of Paris. Nothing
unusual appeared. The people seemed pleased to see us, and
in the prospect of a church and the sacrament. On the
6th we preached in town. It was a new and small place,
though the seat of justice for Edgar County. The services
were held in a school-house. While preaching, a very
uncommon solemnity and deep attention prevailed. Num-
bers were affected to tears. After the sermon the church
was constituted. Paris is a very small place of about eight
cabins.' "
PARIS CHURCH, EDGAR COUNTY. pi
Elders: Samuel Vance, Nov. 6, 1824, ceased to act
April 16, 1833; John Bovell, Nov, 6, 1824, died June, 1851 ;
William Means, Nov. 6, 1824, died June 11, 1848; Adriel
Stout, Sept. 19, 1825, died Oct. 17, 1858; Robert Brooks,
Oct. 26, 1828, dis. August 6, 1831 ; Thomas M. Brooks, July
28, 1832, dis. Feb. 5, 1867; Wm. R. Laughlin, July 28, 1832,
ceased to act Feb. 17, 1846; David McCord, May 24, 1846,
dis. Oct. 1855 ; Andrew M. Vance, May 24, 1846, died Sept.
12, 1869; John Sheriff, May 24, 1846; Noah Harris, March
13, 1859, dis. May 21, 1871 ; Albert B; Austin, March 13,
1859, died ^^ay 21, 1878; Hyslop A. Conkey, March 13,
1859; William Blackburn, May 7, 1871 ; George Dole, May
7, 1871 ; John C. Means, May 7, 1871 ; John C. Collom, May
7, 1871 ; Alexander Mann, June 16, 1878 ; Willett H. Judson,
June 16, 1878. Rev. Samuel Newell, D.D., having been the
pastor for nearly eighteen years, was dismissed by the Pres-
bytery of Mattoon, April 28, 1871. Rev. R. D. Van Deur-
sen, was elected pastor by the congregation, July 31, 1871,
entered upon his labors Sept. i, 1871, and was installed by
Presbytery of Mattoon, Sabbath, April 21, 1872. Rev. Dr.
Joseph W. Tuttle preached the sermon. Charge to pastor
by Rev. R. A. Mitchell. Charge to the people by Rev. R.
F. Patterson. The following facts are given by the present
pastor. Rev. R. D. Van Deursen : " There have been received
to membership from organization to date, 1,035 persons. Of
these during the ministery of Rev. Samuel Newell, D.D., from
1853 to 1871, four hundred and eighty-two, Duringthe min-
istry of the present pastor from 1 87 1 to 1878, two hundred and
twenty. As to the places of worship, the church was organ-
ized in a small school-house which stood just south of the
buildings on the south side of the public square, facing the court
house. The court house was generally used by all denomi-
nations for several years. The Communion of the Lord's
Supper was first celebrated at the house of Elder William
Means, about two miles northwest of Paris, Meetings were
frequently held in private houses, often at Elder Samuel
Vance's, near the present residence of Mrs, Dr, Wm. Kile,
also at the school-house, then nearly opposite and north of
the Christian ( Campbellite ) Chapel. Communion meet-
ings were often held in the old court house, . a large
frame building on the site now occupied by Connelly &
Company on the south side of the public square. The
present court house was built in 1833. At that time the
92 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
building of a Presbyterian church was agitated, but not
until 1834 was any work begun. Then a lot was secured,
and in the fall of 1834 a plain brick church, with sandstone
foundation, was built, but was not ready for service until late
in the year 1835. Our people had a camp-ground where
they held meeting, between the years 1828 and 1832, in a
grove of black walnuts on the ground just east of the pres-
ent I. & St. L. freight depot. The church was not floored
permanently and seated until after Rev. H. I. Venable came
in 1839. We have-no record as to time of dedication of this
church. It stood on the lot now occupied by the Campbell-
ite church. In-^853 a movement was made toward a new
church and subscription begun, but there was some differ-
ence of opinion as to location. In 1854 the site of the pres-
ent church was decided on, and the house occupied in the
basement in the fall of 1855. The main audience room was
finished and the house dedicated in January, 1856. This is
our present house of worship." The dedication sermon was
preached by the then pastor. Rev. Samuel Newell, D. D.
This church has no parsonage. The pastor resides in his
own "hired house," for the use of which he pays two hun-
dred and forty dollars out of a salary of fifteen hundred.
Isaac Reed was born in Granville, Washington count}^, N.
Y., just across the Vermont line. He fitted for college in
the academy of his native town, and graduated at Middle-
bury, Vt., in 18 1 2. He was a class-mate of Rev. John Mc-
Elroy Dickey. He studied law awhile in New York city in
1 81 3. His theological studies were prosecuted with private
ministers, the last of whom was Rev. R. R. Swan, of Norwalk,
Conn. He was licensed by an Association in Connecticut.
On the 2 1st of October, 18 17, he started from Fairfield
county, Conn., in company with Rev. Eli Smith, for Ken-
tucky. Mr. Smith's residence was in Frankfort, Ky., and he
was returning from a visit to relatives in New England. They
traveled on horseback through New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
up the valley of the Shenandoah, in Virginia, across the Al-
leghanies to the Kanhawa, entering Kentucky at the north-
east corner of the State. The succeeding winter and until
the latter part of July, 1818, he preached in the central
counties of Kentucky, wherever his services seemed most
needed.' The last of July, 1818, he crossed the Ohio at Mad-
ison, Ind., and commenced laboring in that State.
It is worthy of notice that Thomas Lippincott and Isaac
REV. ISAAC REED. 93
Reed started for the West within one week of each other —
Mr. R., October 21, Mr. L., October 28, 1817. Their routes
and modes of travehng were different. Mr. R. made the en-
tire distance from Connecticut to central Kentucky on horse-
back; Mr. L. traveled in a one-horse wagon across the moun-
tains in Pennsylvania to Pittsburg, and then down the Ohio
in a keel boat to Shawneetown. Mr. R. arrived at Paris, Ky.,
November 26; Mr. L. at Shawneetown December 30.
After laboring in various other places in Indiana, and for
five weeks in New Albany, where there was a Presbyterian
church of thirteen members, Mr. Reed attended the meeting
of Transj'lvania Presbytery, at New Providence Church in
Mercer county, Ky., and was there ordained, October 10,
18 18 From Presbytery he went to the meeting of Synod at
Lexington, and then returned to New Albany, where he had
been invited to labor for a year at a salary of five hund ed
dollars. In that year the church was increased to thirty-five
members and a house of worship erected. The next year
he itinerated, under a commission from the Missionary So-
ciety of Connecticut, principally in Indiana, but also in
Kentucky. He organized the first church of his ministry
at Bloomington, Monroe county, in September, 18 19.
The same fall he attended the meeting of Synod at Dan-
ville, Ky., and on Christmas day was married to Miss Elinor
Young, by Rev. Samuel R. Nelson.
In March, 1820, he went to Granville, Ohio, with a view
to settlement. But the arrangement was not perfected, and
he returned to Kentucky. In March, 1821, he fixed his res-
idence at Nicholasville, Jessamine county, Ky., and labored
for several months there and at White Oak, ten miles distant.
In the fall of that year he went on a missionary and busi-
ness tour to Owen county, Ind., where some of Mrs. Reed's
relatives were located. While there he entered eighty acres
of land. In May of 1822 he attended the meeting of the
General Assembly at Philadelphia, and after its close visited
his aged mother in his native town. On his return to Ken-
tucky he continued to labor in his old field until the latter
part of the next September.
On the 25th of that month he left Kentucky for Owen
county, Ind., a journey of two hundred miles. A four-
horse team conveyed their goods, Mr. R. and his wife travel-
ing in a one-horse wagon. They arrived in the first week in
October, and engaged at once in erecting a log house upoa
94 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
his eighty acres. By Christmas they were occupying the
building, though in a very unfinished state.
About the time of his removal from Kentucky, Rev. Da-
vid C. Proctor, already mentioned, engaged for one year at
Indianapolis and Bloomington. The places were fifty-two
miles apart; and Mr. Proctor in passing from one to the
other frequently stopped at Mr. Reed's house. July 3, 1823,
Mr. Reed accompanied Mr. Proctor to Indianapolis. On the
4th he preached in a cabinet-maker's shop. On the 5th, Sat-
urday, they, with two other ministers, organized the Indian-
apolis Church in that same rude shop.
In August of this year, 1823, Mr. Reed was installed pas-
tor of the church in Owen county — it was called Bethany.
Rev. J. McE. Dickey and Mr. Proctor conducted the servi-
ces. In October he attended the meeting of Presbytery,
held at Shelbyville, Ky., and from Presbytery went on to
Synod at Lexington. That Synod divided Louisville Pres-
bytery and formed that of Salem, Ind. This name was given
it at Mr. Reed's suggestion, and with reference to its scriptu-
ral signification. In April, 1824, Salem Presbytery held its
first meeting, and at the town of Salem in Washington
county, Ind. It was at this meeting that the church of
Wabash and the licentiate, Stephen Bliss, were taken under
care of Presbytery. Immediately after, Mr. Reed organized
a church in the south part of Washington county, called
BethleJiem. The same spring he published a tract called The
Christian s Diiiy. This year he organized two other churches,
that of Crawfordsville, Ind., and Paris, 111., as already related.
The same year he traveled two thousand four hundred and
eighty miles, attended sixteen sacramental meetings, received
into the church forty persons, and baptized eight adults and
sixty-one children.
In 1825 there were six ordinations in Indiana, at four of
which Mr. Reed was present and took part. The first of
these four was that of B. R. Hall at Bloomington ; the sec-
sond, that of George Bush at Indianapolis; the third, that
of T. H. Brown over the Bethlehem Church, and the fourth,
that of Stephen Bliss, as Evangelist, at Vincennes. This
year he published three sermons, and a little book on Infant
Baptism. The same year he organized a church in each of
the three counties. Green, Putnam and Johnson. In Sep-
tember he again visited Paris and New Hope churches, and
preached the funeral sermon of John Young. This sermon
was printed at Indianapolis in October.
REV. ISAAC REED. 9,5
Mr. Reed called his house in Owen county Cottage of
Peace. He was a decided opponent of slavery. In one of
his printed sermons he exclaims : " Slavery, that foul stain
upon civilized man ; that libel upon republicanism and inde-
pendent America; that stigma upon Christians!"
The third annual meeting of the Indiana Missionary So-
ciety was held in connection with the meeting of Presbytery,
at Vincennes, August 5, 1825. One of its resolutions, moved
by Rev. Isaac Reed and seconded by Mr. John Young, Mis-
sionary of the General Assembly, was in substance this:
"That this Society, feeling a kindred spirit with the other
Missionary Societies of the Presbyterian Church, presents
its warmest acknowledgments to the Missionary Society of
Connecticut, and of New York, and to the Domestic Mis-
sionary Society for its aid and its plans of /(?^«//«^ missionaries
in churches." The annual report, penned by Mr. Reed, was
published. At the next meeting of Presbytery, held with
Pisgah Church, in Scott county, in October of the same year,
Mr. Reed requested the dissolution of his pastoral connec-
tion with Bethany Church. One of his reasons was this :
"Entire inadequacy of support. From my congregation I
have not had a dollar in money for nearly two years." His
request was granted. Mr. R. continued for some time to give
occasional supply to Bethany Church, and " endeavored to
help them to help themselves!' At the same meeting of Pres-
bytery it was agreed to ask Synod to divide Salem Presby-
tery into two, by a north and south line, the eastern to be
called Madison, the western, Wabash. Synod complied with
the request. Mr. Reed's location in Owen county placed
him in Wabash. In November of this year Mr. Reed was
again at Terre Haute and New Hope.
April 5, 1826, Mrs. Ann Young, the mother of Mr. Reed's
wife, died at the " Cottage of Peace," Owen county, Ind.,
aged sixty-three years. Her funeral services were conducted
by Rev. George Bush, of Indianapolis. The first meeting of
Wabash Presbytery was held with Bethany Church, and
partly in Mr. Reed's house, commencing the next day after
Mrs. Young's death. May 8, 1826, while on a missionary
tour, Mr. Reed again visited New Hope, and preached to
about forty hearers. In the summer of 1826 Mr. Reed, with
his family, consisting of his wife and three children, trav-
eled in a one-horse vehicle from Owen county, Ind., to his
native town, Granville, N. Y., and from thence to Moriah, in
96 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Essex county, a few miles west of Crown Point. Here he
received a call to settle, and was installed pastor of the
church. With an account of this settlement he closes a
book of 242 pages, called "The Christian Traveler," in which
he details the travels and missionary experiences of nine
years. He estimates the travels of those nine years at 18.000
miles. He returned to Indiana in 1828 and located at
Bloomington, where his brother-in-law. Rev. B. R. Hall, resid-
ed. In 1839 l"*^ was residing at Paris, 111., and was Presi-
dent of Paris Seminary. He ended his career at Olney,
111., January 15, 1858.
Mr. Reed was "Something of an author. He printed sev-
eral sermons and tracts, and two books. One was called
" The Youth's Book." It contains two hundred and thirty
pages and consists of sermons, addresses, poetry, memoirs
and letters of his daughter, Martha D. Reed, with extracts
from his diary and letters. The other is "The Christian
Traveler." His sermons are plain, sound, common sense
discourses. His poetry is above or beneath criticism. His
diaries and letters concerning Kentucky and Indiana are
extremely valuable. His labors in Illinois were confined
mostly to Edgar county.
John Young was a native of New York. He graduated
at Union College in 1821, and studied theology at Prince-
ton. While a licentiate he came as a Missionary, under the
directions of the Assembly, to Indiana, in 1824, and spent
two months at Madison. In the latter part of April, 1825, he
came to Edgar county, 111., and labored for six months with
Paris and New Hope churches and with great success.
Early in August he started on his return to the East by way
of Viiicennes. He was in that place Aug. 5, and made an
address before the Indiana Missionary Society, and the
Presbytery of Salem. Ten days afterwards he died in the
same place, aged twenty-eight years. He was very active
and devoted, and his brief ministry was one of great suc-
cess. He is still held in affectionate remembrance by elderly-
people in Paris and the valley of Sugar creek, Edgar county,
111. He was never ordained.
Elbridge Gerry Howe, was a native of Massachusetts.
He graduated at Brown University, R. I., in 182 1, and at
Andover in 1824. He was ordained Oct. 6, of the same
year. Oct. 31, 1874, when seventy-five years of age, he
sent a very interesting communication concerning himself,.
ELBRIDGE GERRY HOWE. 97
to be read at the Semi-Centennial celebration of the Paris
Church, Nov. 6, 1874. From it I make a few extracts : " At
the time your church was formed, Nov. 6, 1824, I was riding
on horseback through the mud in northern Ohio, on my
way to lUinois. I left Andover Seminary in September, and
my mother's, in Paxton, near Worcester, Mass., on the 3d of
Oct., and reached Vandalia, the then Capital, on the 3d of
Dec, a two months' horseback journey of 1,342 miles.
Some members of the legislature then in session [our friend
Stephen Bliss, was doubtless one of them] asked me to stay
over the Sabbath and preach ; but I hastened on to spend
the next few days at Greenville and other settlements on*
Shoal creek. One of iny hearers was young R. W. Patter-
son, now D.D., and Professor in the Presbyterian Seminary
in Chicago. I called on Mr. Giddings in St. Louis. He
was unmarried and teaching for a living. His church, the
First, had I think, only one male member, Stephen Hemp-
stead. I then officiated four weeks in Kaskaskia. The
people showed me no little kindness. The collection of
eight dollars taken for me had this curiosity, that much
of it was pieces of silver dollars, which had been made by
a chisel cutting the dollars into quarters and eighths, to cir-
culate as change in the lack of small coin. On my way
North I delayed to preach in Collinsville, Carrollton and
Apple Creek. At Diamond Grove, which became Jackson-
ville afterwards, a subscription was made for me, and some
arrangements to form a church. I went so far as to select
the place, where the Illinois College now stands, for a cabin.
But the law did not then allow a forty acre lot to be bought,
and an eighty was too much for my means. I was near
when Jacksonville was laid out. More than once I had to
admire the beauty of the site and its surroundings, and rid-
den over its untrodden grass. I conducted the first public
worship held at Naples, on the Illinois river, the place then
consisting of two or three buildings. I held worship in
Springfield and other places in Sangamon county ; no Pres-
byterian church being yet gathered. In 1825, there was
another long horseback ride, this time through Kentucky,
Virginia and Washington City, to Rhode Island, for my wife.
We returned in autumn by public conveyance to Louisville,
where I preached for Dr. Blackburn. I bought a horse and
wagon for the rest of the journey to Diamond Grove. In
the spring of 1826, it seemed expedient to make Springfield
6
98 PRESBVTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
my residence. There, and in one or two other places in San-
gamon county, were materials for churches, as I found by
my labors of this year. Pecuniary pledges were made for
me in Springfield for 1827."
Just here it may be interesting, and perhaps profitable, to
introduce a view of this man from another pen, the pen of
John M. Peck. I find it in Dr. Bergen's scrap book: " With
Mr. Howe, I became acquainted when he first came to the
country. He called on me as he was on his route to Green,
Morgan and Sangamon counties, and was quite as destitute
of common sense ^ any green Yankee from New England-
^om I ever saw. His wife was much the smartest man of
the two, for tradition says she wrote his sermons for him.
In the autumn or winter of 1825-6, I met him on his field.
He had become a circuit preacher on quite a large scale for
a Presbyterian. He had made promises to supply the three
large counties of Green, Morgan and Sangamon in a three
weeks' circuit. Green had two preaching places — Carrollton
and Apple Creek. Morgan had three settlements. San-
gamon had Springfield, Sangamon town and a small settle-
ment on Sugar creek. The joke was he engaged to preach
in each of these settlements on the Sabbath he spent in the
county. This was rather a hard task, when he had to preach
three times the same Sabbath and travel between meetings
from ten to twenty miles. He had about three hundred dol-
lars on a subscription paper for the year. This he showed
me, and I saw the names of lawyers, doctors and trifling
fellows, who never paid their washing and board bills, yet
put down for twenty and twenty-five dollars. I frankly told
him of two objections to his plan. First, he could not fill his
appointments. Second, the subscription would never be
paid, not even one-third of it. He made a trial for two or
three months ; got very few hearers and no pay, and gave
it up and sold his horse to pay for him. At the suggestion
of some of his friends in Springfield, he opened a school.
He began with eight and in a few weeks got down to three
scholars. He could neither teach nor govern. His wife
was a modest, timid person, and dared not tell any one
her distress, destitution and delicate condition. They had
no feather-bed and only a few things indispensable to a
frontier log cabin. The women had to be called in, in some
haste, and the old Virginia phrase, ' My wife is in the straw,'
was a literal fact in this case. Some of the women ran home
BETHEL CHURCH, BOXD COUNTY. 99
for blankets, and a supply of — ' fixens.' In short they per-
formed the double task of having the wife and mother com-
fortable, and giving the husband a good scolding for his
indolence and shiftlessness."
In February of 1827, l\Ir. Howe visited Paris and New
Hope churches and made an arrangement with them for a
year's service. He then returned to his family. In a few
days Milton Vance and his father, Elder Samuel Vance,
came to Springfield with two strong horses and a " Prairie
schooner," to transport the minister and his family across the
country. With much difficulty this task was achieved — six
days having been occupied in its performance. His active
ministry here continued but three months. Early in July
he was stricken down with a fever which brought him to
death's door. He was disabled for months. In Feb., 1828,
he went into the neighborhood of the Ewings to recruit
among the sugar makers. There he was appointed Post-
master, and the office was given his first name, Elbridge,
the name which it still bears. He returned to New Eng-
land that year, and for ten years preached at different
places in Massachusetts. He then came back to Illinois, and
was a Home Missionary in Lake and McHenry counties until
1848, when he took up his residence at Waukegan. He was
then in secular business for twenty j'ears, and buried in the
time his first and second wife. In October, 1874, he was
living in Paxton, Mass., with his third wife and two young
sons.
Bethel Church. Bond county. 111. It is in T. 6 N., R.
4 W., Sec, II, N. W. quarter. When Robert McCord, his
son-in-law, Samuel Dicicson, and x\lexander Robinson were
exploring this region, they came to a spot near where Bethel
Church now stands. After looking round they stuck down
a stake and said: "This shall be our location." Then kneel-
ing down they consecrated the place to God, and called it
September 15, 1825, Revs. Salmon Giddings, William S.
Lacey, and Elder William Collins, a Committee of Missouri
Presbytery, met with the Shoal Creek Church, and divided
it into three — Bethel with sixty-two members, Greenville
with twenty-nine, and the original church, Shoal Creek, with
the remainder. Of the sixt}'-two members assigned to Bethel,
only three remained at the semi-Centennial anniversary,
September 15, 1875, vi?.. : John D. Alexander, James Robin-
lOO PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
son and Mrs. Polly Denny. There have been in connection
with this church, in all, four hundred and fifty-nine members.
Of these, at the date named, one hundred and forty-two had
died, two hundred and thirty-one had been dismissed by let-
ter and twenty-one suspended. The following are the Min-
isters who have served the church : Thomas A. Spilman,
1828 to 1830; Albert Hale, 1832 to 1836; E. S. Huntington,
1837; Thomas Lippincott, 1838; Lemuel Foster, 1839 to
1845; Charles S. Adams, 1843; Charles Barton, 1847; E.
B. Olmstead, 1848 to 185 1 ; N. A. Hunt, 185 1 to 1855 ; Rob-
ert Stewart, 1858; William C. Rankin, 1859; William H.Bird,
1859 to 1868; J. Scott Davis, 1869 to 1871; Charles Barton,
second time, 1872 to 1874; James H. Spilman, 1875. Mr.
Spilman is still, 1 879, in charge. He is a son of the first min-
ister, T, A. Spilman,
Elders : Robert McCord, David McCord, Alexander
Denny, Samuel Dickson, Daniel Douglas, James Davis,
James McClung, John A. McClain, J. N. Adams, James Rob-
inson, James Denny, James M. Douglas, Thomas Cunning-
ham, John H. McCord, I. B. Davis, J. M. Ross, Francis Dres-
ser, J. D. Rosebrough and Hugh B. Douglas. The present
Elders — 1879 — James W. Robinson, Francis Dresser, J. M.
Ross, J. D. Rosebrough, Hugh B. Douglas. Bethel has had its
academy, which was flourishing until the establishment of
better endowed institutions and the extension and elevation
of the common school system rendered it unnecessary. This
church was ever the friend of freedom and the succorer of
the slave — a regular station on the under-ground railroad,
when fugitives could not safely travel by open highway. The
Sabbath-school of Bethel Church has ever ranked as first-
class, mainly because parents as well as children attended
regularly upon its instructions. Their first house of worship
was a log building twenty by twenty-five feet — the pulpit
boxed up with split clapboards — an open space in the mid-
dle of the room where charcoal was burned to warm the
house. The same kind of primitive heater was used in the
Shoal Creek, the Sharon and others of the first church build-
ings in this State. Next a larger frame building was con-
structed a rod or two in front of the log structure. The pres-
ent church edifice is the third. Near by is a pleasant two-story
frame parsonage, surrounded by several acres of glebe land.
Tliis church has from the first been distinguished for its re-
vivals, several of which were of great power and permanent
THOMAS A. SPILMAN. lOI
influence for good. Several of the original families were
from Tennessee, and remembered the wondrous works of
God in that State in the beginning of the present century. It
has been greatly blessed in its Eldership. Several of them
were remarkable men. Among these Robert McCord was
easily princeps. His person tall, well-formed, commanding;
his voice rich and melodious, he was powerful in prayer and
exhortation. With such elders there was no difficulty in
keeping up interesting and profitable public services when,
as often happened, they were without the stated ministry.
This church observed its semi-Centennial September 15,
1875. Rev. Robert Stewart preached the historical sermon.
Thomas A. Spilman was born in Garrard county, Ky., Oc-
tober, 1797. He made a profession of religion early in life.
His younger days were spent upon the farm with his father,
and developed a strong, vigorous constitution which emi-
nently fitted him for the hardships of the frontier life which
he was afterward called to endure. He taught day and sing-
ing schools, and was employed for about eighteen months as
a scribe in a recorder's office; but did not turn his attention
to the ministry until late in life. ^He pursued his studies for
a time with his brother, Benjamin F., and afterward with
Rev. W. K. Stewart, who was at the head of a flourishing
academy, at Elkton, Ky. He was licensed by the Muhlen-
burg Presbytery, and preached his first sermon, September
22, 1827, at Hopkinsville. He went immediately to his
brother, Benjamin F., who was preaching in Illinois. They
labored together many months in the southern part of the
State, on the Ohio and Wabash rivers. He was ordained at
Washington, Ind., by the Presbytery of Wabash, with which
he was then connected, and until Center Presbytery was
formed. He next took charge of the Presbyterian church of
Hillsborough, 111. Here he labored as supply pastor for
twelve and a half years. Principally by his assiduous toil,
and the influence and means of Elder Tillson, the largest and
best church edifice, then in the State, was erected. In 1831
he was united in marriage with Miss Clara S. Thomson, of
Massachusetts. He was early called to drink the cup of
affliction. In 1834 he buried his second child, and in 1840
his wife. Soon after this he closed his labors in Hillsbor-
ough. In 1843 he married Miss Susannah Evans, of Mas-
sachusetts, at that time residing with her sister, Mrs. Web-
.ster, of Carlyle, 111. At this place Mr. Spilman located and
I02 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
preached for a few months. In the autumn of 1843 he re-
moved to Morgan county, and took charge of two small
churches about ten miles south of Jacksonville, called Union
and West Union, having also regular appointments at the
Sugar Creek Church in Sangamon county. While living
in Morgan county he buried two daughters, one an infant,
the other about eleven years of age. Mr. Spilman's service
upon these fields continued for about nine years. In 1852 a
stroke of apoplexy ended his public ministry. On the Sab-
bath he preached as usual. On Monday he went with his
two eldest sons to^the timber, about four miles from his resi-
dence, to procure fence material. While using the maul and
wedge he observed to one of his sons that this kind of work
bewildered him. His son, supposing he had an attack of
headache, did not at first apprehend anything serious. He
soon, however, discovered indications of mental derange-
ment, and suggested returning home. Mr. Spilman was at
first unwilling, but after a time consented, climbed into the
wagon in an awkward way and was driven home. He was very
fond of music, and on the way sang, very much after his
usual manner, the tune set to the hymn, "The Star of Beth-
lehem." A physician was summoned, but four or five hours
elapsed from the time of the attack before medical aid
reached him. His consciousness was nearly gone. For a
few days the prospect of prolonging his life was very small.
He revived, however, and survived for more than five years of
strange mental prostration and bodily affliction — years of pa-
tient suffering — an object of Christian sympathy and benef-
icence. For some days after he was stricken down he
seemed to possess little or no mind. He was long confined;
to his bed. His mind seemed more that of a little child than
a man. Almost every mental and bodily faculty was crushed
and manacled by the power of his disease. Either through
loss of memory, or power of utterance, he had great difficul-
ty in giving expression to thought, and he would close his
effort to express himself by saying, " Can't tell it." This
kind of life was prolonged to him for several years. A part
of this time he was able to do a little light manual labor, and
to attend public worship. He even undertook, on one or
two occasions, to conduct the prayer-meeting. If there was
any one thing in which he was more like his former self than
another, it was in leading in prayer. In that exercise his
faculties so far returned to him that he could express himself
GREENVILLE CHURCH, BOND COUNTY. IO3
with some ease and entire propriety. What comfort he had
came largely through reading the Bible and prayer. His
God, his duty and his Bible seemed to constitute the warp,
and the woof of what thought he was able to command.
Thirteen days before his death he went to bed in nearly his
usual health; but the next morning he could not be aroused
to consciousness. He lay in this condition with little change
until his departure. On the 12th of February, 1858, in the
sixty-first year of his age, he was called away. His widow
still survives, and five of his eight children. In all the rela-
tions of life he was blest and made a blessing. The Rev.
James Stafford pronounced him the best sermoniser in. Kas-
kaskia Presbytery.
Grkexville Church, Bond county, was organized at the
the same time and by the same men as Bethel, and with
twenty-nine members. From the organization until near the
close of 1827, there was no stated supply. But at the last
date Rev. Solomon Hardy commenced laboring with Green-
ville and Shoal Creek churches. He was installed pas-
tor of the two churches, Oct. 12, 1828, by the Presby-
tery of Missouri. He remained in that relation until Oct.
12, 1830, when he was dismissed by the Center Presbytery
of Illinois. He continued, however, to labor with those
churches until the spring of 1831.
The ministers who followed Air. Hardy in the service of
this church are as follows: Wm. J. Fraser, 1832; A. Ewing,
1833; Wm. K. Stewart, 1835-6; James Stafford, 1837-8;
James Stafford, second time, 1840 to 1850, except the first
}'ear, pastor; Wm. Gardner, 1850; Wm. Hamilton, 1851-2;
T. W. Hynes, 1852 to 1867, pastor; Arthur Rose, 1867;
Prof. Geo. Fraser, 1869 to 1872; N. S. Dickey, 1873-6, pas-
tor elect; Albert B. Byram, ordained Nov. 7, 1877. From
1825 to 1875 there have been enrolled five hundred and
thirty-four names. The membership now in 1879 is one
hundred and forty-five.
Elders. The original ones were Wm. Nelson, Joseph
Howell and i^obert G. White. Since then in the order of
their election: John Gilmore, George Donnell, William
White, W. H. Draper, John Burchsted, John Denny D jn-
nell, James Enloe, John Denny, James Bradford, John F.
Templeton, John H. Black. A. Shepherd Denny, Joseph M.
Donnell, E. Bigelow, John Smiley Denny, and James Hep-
burn. Nine of these are dead. The present Elders are : A.
I04 PRESBYTEKIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
S. Denny, J. M. Donnell, J. S. Denny and James Hepburn. In
1875 the church adopted the term plan of Eldership, and now
.elects two Elders each year to serve for three years. April
7, 1832, Shoal Creek Church was dissolved, and its members
added to Greenville. The reunion of 1871 added eighteen
members. In 1832, a house of worship was erected about
one mile northwest of the present court house^ in the N. E.
corner of the S. E. quarter of Sec. 4, T. 5, R. 3. After it
had ceased to be occupied as a church, it was moved a short
distance north and used as a stable. The sills still remain
and are thirty-six by twenty-four feet. In 1844-5, ^ house
was erected in the^illage on the site of the present church
edifice. This was used until 1872, when it was made over
at an expense of ^2,000, and re-dedicated July 13, 1873.
During the pastorate of Prof. Eraser, a commodious parson-
age was erected. This church has enjoyed many revivals,
sustained the Sabbath school efficiently, and done some-
thing in the cause of benevolence.
Solomon Hardy was born in Hollis, N. H., Sept. 7, 1796.
His parents, Solomon and Mary Hardy, were devoted Chris-
tians, and consecrated their son to the gospel ministry. He
was fitted for college at Phillips' Academy, Andover, Mass.,
under the tuition of John Adams. He graduated at Middle-
bury College, Vt., in 1824, and at Andover, Sept. 25, 1827.
He was licensed and probably ordained by the Presbytery of
Londonderry, and commissioned as a Missionary to Illinois
by the A. H. M. Society. He commenced his labors in the
State at Kaskaskia, Nov. 19, 1827, but soon made his way
to the churches of Greenville and Shoal Creek. He was
installed pastor of those churches, and remained with
them and left them as stated above. From the meeting
of the Presbytery which installed him, Oct. 12, 1828,
he went immediately to the Synod at Vincennes, where
action was taken for the establishment of Center Presbytery.
From Vincennes he rode to St. Louis, and assisted in the
ordination of W. S. Potts. From thence he went north
through Greene and Morgan counties, preaching at Carroll-
ton and Jacksonville, and visited the little church in Fulton
county. He was married in Jacksonville, 111., Sept. 25, 1829,
to Miss Mary B. Barton, daughter of Rev. T. T. Barton,
formerly pastor of the First Church, Fitchburg, Mass. In
Oct., 1829, the Synod of Indiana, embracing the Presbytery
of Madison, Salem, Wabash, Missouri and Center of Illinois,
SOLOMON HARDY. IO5
met with the Shoal Creek Church. In his house, consisting
of one large room, which answered the purposes of kitchen,
parlor and bed-room, he and his wife entertained Rev. J.
G. Bergen, of Springfield, and Rev. Calvin Butler, of Indi-
ana, with Mr. B.'s wife and infant son. In the Shoal Creek
Church there were dissensions and alienations of several
years' standing, which resulted, in 1832, in the dissolution of
the church as such, and its union with Greenville. Mr.
Hardy's pastoral relation with these churches was dissolved
by Presbytery, Oct. 12, 1830. He, however, continued his
labors with them until the spring of 1831, when he removed
to Jacksonville, and took an agency for three months for
the A. B. S. After that, for about one year, he was without
any stated charge. In the summer and fall of 1832, he sup-
plied the pulpit of Rev. Asa Turner, of Quincy. He then
removed to Mendon, fifteen miles from Quincy, and there, in
February, 1833, organized a Congregational church, with
seventeen members. After laboring there one year and six
months, his health failed and he gave up his charge. In
May, 1835, he was sent as Commissioner to the Assemblj-
from the Presbytery of Schuyler. The meeting was at Pitts-
burg. From thence he went to his home in New Hamp-
shire, and never returned to Illinois. For three years, from
Sept., 1837, he labored at South Wellfleet, Barnstable county.
Mass. Then at the adjoining town of Eastham for two
years. His ministry in both these places was greatly blessed.
While maturing plans for returning to Illinois, he was taken
ill, and entered into rest Oct. 2, 1842. He was the father of
seven sons, five of whom entered the spirit land before him,
and one soon after. One only remains, who is an Elder in
the Central Presbyterian Church, Denver, and with whom
his widowed mother resides. Mr. Hardy died at the age of
forty-six years and twenty-five days.
Jesse Townsend, according to A. H. H. Roundtree, of
Hillsboro, 111., "came to Illinois in 1820, and settled be-
low John Street's, west of the west fork of Shoal creek, a
few miles south of southwest of Hillsboro. He estab-
lished a Sabbath school at Rev. James Street's house, be-
fore the erection of the Street church, which enterprise he
largely aided. He preached occasionally at the Street
house. When about returning East he delivered his fare-
well s»^rmon in the Clear Spring Church. He was a man of
■dark complexion, well-knit frame, pleasant manners, and a
good speaker."
I06 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Thomas Lippincott speaks of him as preaching to the
churches and settlements on Shoal creek, and for some
months at Edwardsville. He also labored in Missouri, His
home, on Shoal creek, was a center of hospitable attractions.
He was the only minister who, up to 1825, tarried long
enough in Illinois to make it worth while to connect with
Presbytery. He did this — joining Missouri Presbytery ia
1824. On Sabbath, March 21, 1824, Presbytery met in the
Baptist meeting house in St. Louis. It was sacrament day
and Mr. Townsend preached. He preached the funeral ser-
mon of Brittania S. Brown, in Alton, September 15, 1822.
In 1825 he returned to the State of New York, the scene
of his former labors.
Shawneetown derives its name from a band of the Shaw-
nee tribe of Indians, located there from 1735 to 1760. It
contained a i&w straggling houses from 1805. It was the
nearest point on the Ohio to" the salt wells, twelve miles west.
It was laid out by direction of the United States Govern-
ment in 1813-14, that point being chosen on account of its
contiguity to the United States salines. But the place was
subject to inundations. In 18 1 3 a flood arose to the ridge
poles of many of the log houses and swept forty of them
away. Tradition says that when, in 18 13, the inhabitants of
Shawneetown heard of Gen. Jackson's victory at New Or-
leans, they burned their log school-house for a bonfire, such
was the exuberance of their patriotic joy.
Most of the early missionaries to Illinois and Missouri Ter-
ritories came first to Shawneetown, landing there from the
river, or, if they had traveled from the East by land, either
crossed the river at that point, after traveling through Ken-
tucky, or came down to the place from Vincennes. From
Shawneetown their almost uniform route was across to Kas-
kaskia, via Coleman Brown's — twenty-four miles; Mrs. De-
ment's, thirty-one miles; Flack's, twenty-eight miles, and
then Kaskaskia, thirty-three miles — in all one hundred and
sixteen miles. This was the route pursued by Backus Wil-
bur, in 1816; by John F. Crowe ancl Eliphalet VV. Gilbert, in
1 8 17; by Mr. Thomas Lippincott and his family, in Febru-
ary, 18 1 8 (he was six days and a half making the distance;)
by Edward Hollister and Daniel Gould in December, 1820.
John Tillson and his wife, in the fall of 1822, pursued a route
to the right of this, which brought them to the Kaskaskia
river near Carlyle. Some of these travelers have left on rec-
SHAWXEETOWX CHURCH. 10/
ord their impressions of Shawneetown. Mr. Low, in i8i6,
says: "Among its two or three hundred inhabitants there
was not a single soul that made any pretensions to rehgion.
Their shocking profaneness was enougli to make one atraid
to walk the street ; and those who on the Sabbath were not
fighting and drinking at the taverns and grog-shops, were
either hunting in the woods or trading behind their counters.
A small audience gathered to hear the missionary preach ;
but even a laborer who could devote his whole time to the
field might almost as soon expect to hear the stones cry out
as to effect a revolution in the morals of the place." Mr.
Lippincott says: "We found a village not very prepossess-
ing; the houses, with one exception, being set up on posts
several feet from the earth. The periodical overflow of the
river accounts for this." Mr. L. was here during the whole
of January, i8i8.
Mrs. Tillson was there in November, 1822. She says:
"Our hotel, the only brick house in the place, made quite a
commanding appearance from the river, towering, as it did.
among the twenty — more or less — log cabins and the three
or four box-looking frames. One or two of these were oc-
cupied as stores ; one was a doctor's office ; a lawyer's shin-
gle graced the corner of one, cakes and beer another. The
hotel lost its significance, however, on entering its doors.
The finish was of the cheapest kind, the plastering hanging
loose from the walls, the floors carpetless, except with na-
ture's carpeting — with that they were richly carpeted. The
landlord was a whisky keg in the morning, and keg of whisky
at night; stupid and gruff in the morning, by noon could
talk politics and abuse the Yankees, and by sundown was-
brave for a fight. His wife kept herself in the kitchen ; his
daughters, one married and two single, performed the agree-
able to strangers; the son-in-law, putting on the airs of a
gentleman, presided at the table, carving the pork, dishing
out the cabbage, and talking big about his political friends.
His wife, being Jiis wife, he seemed to regard a notch above
the other branches of the family, and had her at his right
hand at the table, where she sat with her long curls, and with
her baby in her lap. Baby always seemed to be hungry
while mammy was eating her dinner, and so little honey took
dinner at the same time. Baby didn't have any table-cloth
— new manners to me."
The history of Shawneetown Church, during the first
I08 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
thirty-tlirec years of its existence, is intimately connected
with that of Rev. B. F. Spilnian, which I have already given
and need not repeat. He began in December, 1823, and
labored here a part of the time for thirty years. The next
minister after Mr. Spilman's temporary retirement from the
field in 1845, was Rev. Wm. G. Allen, from 1846 to 1848
He was succeeded by Rev. J. M. McCord. Mr. Spilman
returned to the church Nov. 23, 185 1, was installed the sec-
ond time in June, 1853, and retained his pastoral relation
until his death, May 3, 1859. The next minister was N.
F. Tuck, a licentiate of Ebenezer Presbytery. He was
ordained by the" Presbytery of Saline, at Carmi, May 23,
i860, and remained with the Shawneetown Church until the
next August. His salary was nine hundred dollars per
annum. Rev. Benj. C. Swan commenced his labors as sup-
ply pastor the first week in Oct., i860. In the fall of 1862,
he was appointed Chaplian of the Thirteenth Regiment of
Illinois Volunteers. He resigned his commission and was
re-employed at Shawneetown as supply pastor, Nov. 16,
1863. November 20, 1864, he was installed pastor, and so
continued until Aug. i, 1868. Rev. Charles C. Hart, of
Logan, Ohio, was called to the pastorate Aug. ii, 1868, and
entered upon his work the next October. He was installed
Nov. 1 2, 1 868, by the Presbytery of Saline, and dismissed Oct.
9, 1 87 1. Rev. A. R. Mathes was installed pastor by a com-
mittee of Cairo Presbyterj^, Dec. 6, 1872, and dismissed in
April, 1875. Rev. J. M. Green labored as supply pastor for
two years from the beginning of 1 876. The present pastor.
Rev. John McCurdy Robinson, was installed Nov. 14, 1878.
According to Mr. Spilman, Shawneetown Church was organ-
ized May, 1826. Tradition says the first members were si.x
females. The first entry in the Sessional Records is this :
Shawneetown, Nov., 1827.
The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered to the church for the
first time by Rev. Benj. F. Spilman, and the following persons were recognized
as members: James De Wolf, Amira Marshall, Achsah Caldwell, Hannah Gold,
Mary Oldenburg, Lydia Dutton, Sr., Lydia Dutton, Jr., Ann B. Spilman, Mary
Campbell, Judith Castles. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, were considered as mem-
bers, but did not commune. Of the above named, Anna Marshall, Hannah
Gold, Mary Oldenburg, Judith Castles and Lydia Dutton, Jr., were received
into communion for the first time.
B. F. Spilman, Clerk.
Elders. Washington A. G. Posey, Sept. 27, 1829, died
May 20, 1843 ; John Siddall, Nov. 1 1, 1837 ; Geo. W. Cay ton,
Nov. 25, 1843; Alex. Kirkpatrick, Nov. 25, 1843, <Jied July
SHAWNEETOWN CHURCH. IO9
I, 1863; John Kirkpatrick, July 14, 1847; William H Stick-
ney, Aug., 1847; John L. Campbell, Aug., 1847; Allen Red-
man, Sept., 1847; Matthew Hunter, April 3, 1859; Thomas
S. Ridgway, April 24, 1859; John AIcKee Peeples, March 30,
1863; Robert Reid, June 22, 1867; Geo. A. Ridgway, Nov,
24, 1872; Joseph W. Redden, Nov. 24, 1872; Benj. F.
Brockett, Nov. 24, 1872; Henderson B. Powell, May 7,
1876; Carl Roedel, May 7, 1876. Seventeen persons have
served the church as Elders.
Places of worship. The first was a one-story frame house
known as the Seabolt property. It stood on the spot now
occupied by " Docker's Riverside Hotel." Other private
houses and ware-houses were used. The first house of wor-
ship was erected about 1832. It was twenty by thirty feet in
size, and was of hewn logs. On the inside it had a gallery
running across one end and part of the two sides. Its cost
was about eight hundred dollars. The site is now occupied
by the public school-house. The present church building is
of brick, was completed in May, 1842, and cost about ^5,000.
It was thoroughly repaired and Sabbath school room added
in 1875, at a cost of ^1,917.
The Parsonage is a commodious building, pleasantly
situated, with a fine view of the river. It was bought of E.
J. Nicholson for ^2,062. Of this sum Peeples and Ridgway
paid ^1,262, Mrs. Rebecca Bowls, six hundred dollars, and
Mrs. Eliza J. Kirkpatrick two hundred dollars. The first and
second wives of Rev, B. F. Spilman were connected with this
church. Mrs. Ann B. (Cannon) Spilman was one of the
original members. She died Feb. 14, 1835. Mrs. Mary
(Potter) Spilman united with this church Nov. 8, 1 840. She
was dismissed to unite with a Presbyterian church in Boston,
Mass., Feb. 21, 1870. Shawneetown Church has been per-
mitted to reap several spiritual harvests, though not until
after a long, patient and painful sowing of the seed. In May,
1858, there was a season of refreshing during which thirty-
five united with the church. In the January next following,,
forty-two united, making an accession of seventy-seven in
eight months. This was the last year of Mr. Spilman's
labors and life — a glorious harvest from a sowing continued,
with some interruptions, for thirty-six years. In the latter
part of the summer and in the fall of 1869, there was great
religious interest, and thirty-seven persons united with the
church. In April, 1870, the church reported a membership
T lO PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
of one hundred and fifty-seven, the largest number ever
connected at any one time. The number reported in 1878,
was one hundred and twenty-eight. Whole number con-
nected with the church from the beginning, four hundred
and thirty-three. The influence of this church through the
whole of southern and southeastern Illinois has been, and
is, great and highly salutary. Numbers have gone forth
from its connection in various directions, and formed the
nuclei of other churches. Among its members has ever
been seen that rare, charming and most potential combina-
tion, wealth and devoted piety. Hence its ministry has ever
been well sustaiiffed ; the benevolent objects of the Church
liberally supported, and large sums contributed for general
educational and other charitable purposes. Their position
upon the much-discussed morality of the amusement of
dancing is this : " That dancing, even in moderation and in
private society, is not innocent."
Jacksonville, the First Presbyterian Church. * It
was Rev John Brich who, on Saturday, June 30, 1827, in
Judge John Leeper's barn, a mile southeast of town, or-
ganized this church. On that heated Saturday morning,
without the sound of "church-going bell," the people left
their scattered homes and went to that spot to worship, and
to make a covenant of peace, one with another and with
God. They who entered into the sacred compact were all
professors of religion, and brought certificates of good stand-
ing in the churches from which they came. Their names are
as follows : "John Leeper and Fidelia, his wife; Edwin A.
Mears and Sarah, his wife; James Mears and Polly, his wife,
and Harvey McClung; James Kerr and Janett, his wife;
William C. Posey and Sarah, his wife, and Hector G. Tay-
lor." All these were persons of excellent character, earnest
Christians, constituting such a nucleus as could not fail to
attract and attach to itself the best elements of society.
Leeper and Posey, the first elders, and Kerr and Taylor, who
were soon added to the Session, were men of unusual intel-
ligence and worth. The society thus formed was the first,
and for some years the only one of its order in Morgan
county, then embracing the territory now included in the
counties of Morgan, Cass and Scott, The population was
*The account of this church, in a condensed form, is taken from the semi-Cen-
tennial sermon of its pastor. Rev. L, M. Glover, D. D., preached to his own
congregation, June 30, 1877, The sermon is entitled, " Much from Little." Te.xt,
Ps. 72:16.
JACKSONVILLE CHURCH. Ill
sparse, but there were many Presbyterian families within
those extensive bounds. And how deeply the session of
the church felt their responsibility in regard to the scattered
sheep of that wide region, appears from their record of Nov.
3, 1828, when they divided the county into four nearly equal
parts, and assigned an elder to each part. For awhile the
services of this church were only occasional and irregular.
Father Brich now and then came around on his circuits and
broke the bread of life to the little flock, and then was off
again. Besides, for several years, there was no sanctuary
proper, but worship was conducted in private dwellings,
barns and school-houses, as was found convenient or nec-
essary. Only a few years since, the old log building
erected at an early day for school purposes, and used by the
various denominations in common for religious services, gave
way before the march of improvement. It stood near the
building until lately known as the Third Ward School-house.
It was a rude structure with puncheon floor and benches,
and ever\-thing to match.
In studying the records of this period, I discover those
constructive tendencies which have ever characterized an
evangelical and orthodox faith. This movement, from the
first, was vigorous, and its aims were decidedly towards up-
building on permanent foundations. Hence, in about one
year after organization, when the members did not exceed
fourteen, and before any effort had been made to build a
house of worship, a pastor was settled in due form. It was
the Rev. John M. Ellis, a native of New England. He was a
man of good abilities, an earnest and faithful minister of the
Gospel, a pioneer in the cause of education as well as of re-
ligion. His pastorate continued until 1831, about three
years, during which time the church was largely increased,
and quite directly through his instrumentality the foundations
of two important institutions of learning were here laid. The
second pastor, Rev. A. H. Dashiell, was installed Decem-
ber, 1835, but the relation lasted only to October 12, 1836.
Rev. Ralph W. Gridley was installed April 25, 1838. His
labors continued for a little over two years. He died on the
2d of February, 1840. The fourth pastor was Rev. W. H.
Williams, who was installed May 8, 1842. His ministry
was useful, but of short duration, for in September of next
year he resigned, in order to take charge of the Female
Academy. Rev. Chauncev Eddy was the fifth pastor, and
113 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
was installed June 30, 1844. This relation continued four
years, or until the spring of 1848.
Thus in the space of twenty-one years there were five
regular pastorates, all of them short, while, in the intervals, a
considerable number of stated supplies also ministered to the
church for limited terms.
The sixth pastor was Rev. L. M. Glover, installed Novem-
ber 19, 1848, and still in office.
The first church building was a parsonage. That erected^
and the pastor's family in it, it became at once, not only a
home, but a boarding-school for young ladies, the pastor's
wife, Mrs. Ellis, befng the preceptress ; and this was the germ
of " Jacksonville Female Academy," that pioneer institu-
tion for the education of women in the West. The building
of the house of worship followed in 1831. It was a frame
structure, thirty by forty feet in size, and erected at an ex-
pense of about twelve hundred dollars. To this the church
contributed liberally of its limited means, and what else was
necessary Mr. Ellis begged from Christian friends at the
East. The ground, not only for the parsonage and church,
but also for the Female Academy, was donated by Dr. Ero
Chandler, an early citizen of Jacksonville, and the first per-
son who united with the church after the organization dur-
ing the year 1827.
In that little church building, now remembered as "old
Jerusalem," the people were happy ; President Beecher's
great lectures on the Apocalypse are associated with it; and
many precious seasons of revival were enjoyed there. The
congregation grew and the house was enlarged. There the
church continued to worship for sixteen years, or until 1847,
when another building was erected. At that time the " old
Jerusalem" property passed into the hands of the contrac-
tor for the new edifice, and by him it was sold to a little
company of Universalists, who for awhile held service there,
but in a few years became extinct. At length the property
came into possession of the old school. The new edifice was
brick, forty-five by seventy feet, with basement, and occupied
the spot where this house stands. The building was neat, com-
fortable and cost some eight thousand dollars. Having been
used about fourteen years, it was burned on the morning of
Sabbath, December i, 1861. The house had been he^ited
the evening previous for a choir meeting, and the burning
flue was the occasion of the casualty. That was a sad morn-
JACKSONVILLE CHURCH. II3
ing to this people ; their holy and beautiful house was burned
with fire; a new instrument of music and new furnishings
throughout were in ruins. The aged were downcast and the
children were in tears. Yet that evening the congregation
assembled in the chapel of the Female Academy, and the
pastor preached on the subject of providence, the very dis-
course intended for the morning service in the church, but
now renderedsingularly impressive by the event which illus-
trated it. From that time onward, for more than five years.
Sabbath services were held in Strawn's Hall, then recently
completed, and remarkably adapted to the purposes of relig-
ious worship. There the congregation not only held its
own, but increased.
On the 4th of August, 1864, the corner stone of this edi-
fice was laid with appropriate ceremonies. It was dedicated
on the 6th of January, 1867. Its cost was about sixty thou-
sand dollars.
During the ministry of Mr. Ellis, the "handful" of twelve
became about one hundred. The pastorate of INIr. Gridley
was marked by large ingatherings. Numerous seasons of re-
vival have occurred, by which the congregation has been
increased in all stages of its history. The membership at
present is about three hundred. About eleven hundred
members have been enrolled from the beginning. How
many churches may be traced directly or indirectly to that
organization, fifty years ago, in Judge Leeper's barn, we
cannot tell, but of a considerable number here and here-
about, we have certain historical knowledge that they sprang
from that handful. In the year 1830, only three years after
the original organization, six members were dismissed to
unite in the formation of Providence Church, in Jersey prai-
rie, then in Morgan, but now within the limits of Cass county.
During the year 1831, twenty-seven persons were set off by
order of the Presbytery to constitute the Union Church,
some ten miles south of town. In 1833, twenty-two received
letters to enter into the organization of the Congregational
Church of Jacksonville. In 1838, signalized by a general
disruption of the Presbyterian body in the United States,
about thirty persons left and became an Old School Church,
now the "Central Presbyterian Church" of Jacksonville. In
i860, thirty-four persons withdrew and formed the Westmin-
ster Presbyterian Church of this city. The records also
show that other churches in the neighborhood, as the Pisgah
7
114 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Presbyterian and the Concord Congregational, received con-
tributions of members from us at the time they were founded,
or very soon after. In the large region over which this
church at the first extended its jurisdiction may now be found
fourteen Presbyterian congregations, containing an aggre-
gate membership of about fifteen hundred, while the people
they touch, influence and embrace in their assemblies, num-
ber many thousands.
But there are other results direct and indirect, more than
can be gathered up, moral and educational as well as relig-
ious. Who couM have foretold that within three years
from the founding of the church, a college and a female
seminary would spring up near it, as it were from the same
planting, the same identical root? Yet this took place, and
just in that line of connection and dependence. In the
teeming brain of Mr. Ellis, the first pastor, those enterprises
originated, and they sustained a vital relation to the efforts
put forth at that early day to establish and extend all right
principles and influences in this great valley of the West.
Of the original twelve, the grave has taken all but one, iVIrs.
Sarah Mears, who still lives to see and rejoice in what God
has wrought, long after most of her associates have fallen
asleep.
The list of the Elders of this church is as follows : John
Leeper, Wm. C. Posey, James Kerr, Hector G. Taylor, James
G. Edwards, David B. Ayers, M. M. L. Reed, James Mears,
James Craig, Daniel C. Pierson, John Adams, Edward Hale,
Henry Jones, John B. Fairbank, David A. Smith, Joel Catlin,
Fleming Stevenson, Hart Massey, John Hughes, Timothy
D. Fames, Wm. Dod, Felix G. Farrell, S. Barton Hardy,
Clinton Fisher, John H. Woods, Charles A. Barker.
John Brich was an Englishman by birth and peculiarities.
In the school of the Countess of Huntingdon he received
his education for the ministry. When he came to this
country is not known, and nearly all the history of him to
which we have access is found in floating traditions, and in
the vanishing memories of the few still living who, fifty years
ago, were familiar with his features, voice and work. Physi-
cally he was large and capable of much endurance. His
talents were respectable, but his learning and culture were
limited, as appears from some remnants of his papers. But
he had sound sense, a warm heart, and an earnest zeal in the
Master's cause, which he pursued self-denyingly, traveling
CARMI CHURCH. II5
•extensively at his own charges, visiting the people in their
widely scattered homes and settlements, everywhere preach-
ing the word and gathering churches as he was able. He
perished in March, 1837, a victim to his zeal, when attempt-
ing to cross a great prairie in one of the northern counties
•of this State. He lost his way. Night overtook him. He
was found sitting at the root of a tree. He lived a bachelor
and was over sixty years of age at the time of his death.
He located near the present site of Jacksonville, in 1825 or
1826. He always preached holding his little Bible in his hand.
As stated above, he organized the First Presbyterian Church
in Jacksonville.
The church at Cari?ii, White county, Illinois, was organ-
ized Nov. 25, 1827, by Rev. B. F. Spilman, under the name
of " Christ's Church, under the care of the General Assem-
bly of the Presbyterian Church," at the house of Richard
Graham, with these members, viz.: Benjamin Spilman, Rich-
ard Graham, Josiah Stewart, Nancy Stewart, Nancy Blue,
Sarah Graham, Robert H. Morris, Phoebe Morris, Elenor Pom-
roy, Joseph Pomroy, Mary Wilson, Margaret Wilson, Samuel
T. Boyd, Eliza Ann Boyd and Abner Planders. Benja-
min Spilman and Richard Graham were made Elders. Sep-
tember 18, 1869, the name was changed to that of The First
Presbyterian Church of Carmi. During the first twelve
years there were added twenty-eight members. In the same
period Rev. B. F, Spilman often supplied the church. To fill
an appointment on one occasion he walked from Shawneetown
to Carmi, thirty miles, when the roads were not passable
for a horse. Arriving late, on another occasion, a dance had
commenced. But the company presently seated themselves
and Mr. Spilman preached. Rev. Isaac Bennet labored here
to some extent in 1829, and also in 1833-4, Rev. William
Hamilton was here in 1832. Rev. Andrew M. Hershy was
supply pastor in 1840, and continued for about two years.
Rev. R. H. Lilly was supply pastor in 1842-3. Rev. John L.
Hawkins commenced labor here in 1845, ^^d continued till
1849. Of his work here he says. "When I commenced
my ministerial labor in White county, the church at Carmi
-was entirely disorganized, with few members remaining,
although the name of the church was retained on the roll of
the Presbytery. After some time, a Mr. Thompson was
chosen Elder. The choice proved unfortunate, and in a
short time the church was again without an officer." Rev.
Il6 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Hillery Patrick preached here occasionally, between 1849'
and 1855. Rev. John S. Howell labored here a portion of
his time for eight years, or from 1854 to 1862. Rev. R,
Lewis McCune was supply" from June, 1862, to March
I, 1865. During this time twelve persons were added to
the church. Rev. John Huston served this church from
Nov.. 1865, to May, 1868. Rev. Benj. C. Swan commenced
his labors here, Aug. i, 1868. The churches of Enfield and
Sharon were united with it in one charge until March, 1871.
From that time until the close of his pastorate, Oct., 1877,.
he gave hisentire»time to Carmi, The present (1879,) minis-
ter, is Rev. William S. Wilson. The place of public wor-
ship, to about 185 1, was the court house, which is somewhat
better than no place at all. Sometimes, however, preaching
was held at private houses. About 185 1 a house of worship
was erected by the Methodists. It is the building at present
occupied as a store-room by Mr. George Williams. In this
they were assisted by the Presbyterian Church, and here the
congregations met on alternate Sabbaths. The present house
of worship was erected in 1866.
Elders: Benjamin Spilman, Richard Graham, James E.
Willis, William B. Thompson, Josiah Stewart, William A.
St. John, John G. Powell, Chauncey S. Conger, Everton J,
Conger. During Mr. Swan's ministry fifty-five persons were
added to the church, and there was a steady increase in the
attendance upon public worship. From January to March,.
1870, the church enjoyed an interesting revival. The benev-
olent enterprises were systematized and the amounts given
steadily increased. The church edifice was renovated within
and without. The Sabbath school has been steadily main-
tained since about 1834, and has now great efficiency. This
congregation is favored with several families of much intelli-
gence, refinement, wealth, and Christian activity.
Sangamon, afterwards The First Presbyterian Church
OF Springfield, III. It was organized on the 30th of Jan-
uary, 1828, by Rev. John M. Ellis, under the name of San-
gamon, with the following members, viz. : Mrs. Elizabeth H.
Smith — in whose room the church was organized — John
Moore, James White, Elijah Scott, John N. Moore, Samuel
Reid, William Proctor, Andrew Moore, Josiah Stillman, Eliz-
abeth Moore, Mary Moore, Margaret Moore, Catharine
Moore, Jane Reid, Phcebe Moore, Jane Scott, Nancy
R. Humphries, Ann lies and Olive Slaytor. Elders:
FIRST CHURCH OF SPRINGFIELD. 11/
John Moore, Samuel Reid, Isaiah StiHrnan and John N.
Moore. The church, thus organized, was without a pastor
or house of worship. The first effort was to secure a minis-
ter, and appHcation was made immediately to the Home Mis-
s'ionary Society for assistance in this direction. The Society
sent to the infant church Rev. John G. Bergen, of the Pres-
bytery of Elizabethtown, N. J. Mr. Bergen arrived about
the middle of December, 1828. The church then had twenty-
eight names on the roll of communicants. Services were
held in the school-house, and alternated between Spring-
field and Indian Point. The bounds of the congregatron in-
cluded all the territory within a radius of twenty miles, some
members attending from Irish Grove, After arriving in
Springfield and making the acquaintance of the community,
Mr. Bergen announced his intention to stay, to labor and die
with this people; and his first exhortation was, "Let us arise
and build." The church responded to the call, and resolved
at once to undertake the building of a Presbyterian meet-
ing-house. Dr. John Todd, Dr. Gershom Jayne, Elijah Sla-
ter, Washington lies, David S. Taylor, John B. Mofifit and
Samuel Reid were appointed Trustees. Mr. Bergen and Dr.
Jayne canvassed the community. The result was a sub-
scription of twelve hundred dollars. Several hundreds were
added from abroad. It was determined to build of brick. A
mason, who was also a brickmaker, was imported from Belle-
ville. The house was finished and dedicated on the third
Sabbath of February, 1831. It was the first brick church
erected in Illinois. From this time the church rapic^}'
increased. In 1834 an interesting revival occurred and
over thirty were added. Owing to the great distance
from Springfield of those members living on Indian Creek
and at Irish Grove settlement, a colony of thirty-two persons
was dismissed in May, 1832, and organized by Mr. Bergen
into tlie church of " North Sangamon." In 1833 another
church was formed at Sugar Creek, and still another at Lick
Creek. In 1834 Farmington Qiurch was formed. In May,
1835, thirty members were dismissed to form the Second
Presbyterian Church of Springfield. In the same year a
church was organized at Irish Grove. Thus, during the first
six years of his ministry, Mr. Bergen organized six churches
in territory originally occupied by the mother church. No-
vember 25, 1835, Mr. Bergen was installed pastor on a salary
of four hundred dollars, v.'hich was increased in 1837 to si.x
Il8 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
hundred. By 1840 the necessity of a larger church edifice
became apparent. The ladies first moved and raised one
thousand dollars, which the gentlemen of the congregation
increased to fifteen thousand. The cornerstone was laid on
the corner of Third and Washington streets, May 23, 1842,
and the building dedicated November 9, 1843. In 1848 an-
other revival of considerable interest ensued. In January,
1849, forty persons were dismissed and organized into the
"Third Presbyterian Church of Springfield." After labor-
ing for twenty years and spending much time in missionary
work Mr. Bergen resigned the pastorate. His successor was
Rev. James Smith-, D.D., of Shelbyville, Ky., who was in-
stalled April II, 1849, and remained until December 17, 1856.
His successor was Rev. John H. Brown, who was installed
in January, 1857. His labors here were abundant and suc-
cessful. There was no marked revival during his pastorate,
but a steady, healthful growth. He remained until June,
1864. The next pastor was Rev. Frederick H. Wines. He
was installed in September, 1865, and resigned in June, 1869.
The largest revival which the church has experienced was
under his ministry, in connection with the labors of Mr. Ham-
mond, in 1866. Seventy persons were admitted at one com-
munion on profession. He resigned in 1869. The present pas-
tor. Rev. James A. Reed, D.D., was installed in February,,
1870, and has now served the church more than nine years.
Two years ago, under his pastorate, two hundred and fifty-
five members had been received, one hundred and fifty of
thf m by profession, and one hundred by certificate. Steps
were about to be taken for the erection of a new edifice,
when the Third Church offered to dispose of their building,
which was heavily encumbered with debt. The offer was ac-
cepted, and the Third Church transferred their edifice to the
First. The organization, however, of the Third Church still
continues. Three years ago at least sixteen hundred persons
had been in the communion of this church. Of the original
nineteen members, three years ago three were still living,
viz.: William Procter, of Lewistown, 111.; Margaret Moore
(now Mrs. Waters,) Clinton, Ue Witt county, 111., and Elijah
Scott, of Virginia, Cass county. The oldest man in the con-
gregation is Maj. lies. In this connection I will introduce a
notice, mainly from the pen of Dr. Bergen, of Mrs. Eliza-
beth H. Smith, whose name stands first on the register of
this church. She was a daughter of Col. John Nash, of
FIRST CHURCH OF SPRINGFIELD. II9
Prince Edward county, Va., who was a devoted patriot with
Washington. She was a child of prayer. Her father was a
man of God, descended from a pious race of ancestors from
Wales. She was married, in the time of the revolution, to
Rev. John Blair Smith. He was a son of Dr. Robert
Smith, of Pequa, Lancaster county. Pa., which was early a
Presbyterian settlement of emigrants from Wales, Scotland
and Ireland. Rev. John Blair Smith was one of three broth-
ers, all of whom became eminently useful in the ministry,
and were only part of the streams which have flowed from
Conestoga valley to bless the church. He was made Pres-
ident of Hampden Sidney College on the resignation of his
brother, Samuel Stanhope Smith, L.L. D., who succeeded
Dr. Witherspoon in the Presidency of Princeton College.
Under the ministry of Mrs. Smith's husband, in Virginia, a
powerful and extensive revival of religion occurred, the influ-
ence of which extended through that State, and also to North
Carolina and Kentucky. He was called to the pastorate of
the Third Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. Thence he
became the first President of Union College, Schenectady.
From thence he returned to Philadelphia, and was called to
rest from his labors in 1799.
After the death of her husband, Mrs. Smith returned to
the home of her childhood, where she remained until the
death of her father. She then removed to Princeton, to
educate her sons. Thence to Philadelphia to complete the
education of her daughter. There Dr. Todd, then a stu-
dent of medicine, became acquainted with the family, and
afterwards married the daughter. After that event, mother
Smith made her home with Dr. Todd. That home was five
years in Lexington, Ky. In 18 17, she removed with his
family to Illinois, and settled in Edwardsville. It was in the
month of December. She has often been heard to tell of
the driving snow that fell on their floor and beds through
the open roof and chinks of logs in that first night in their
log cabin. One of the greatest privations she felt in the
Far West, was the want of the Christian ministry and church
companionship. She wrote a letter which was laid before
the General Assembly, and in consequence, two ministers
were sent in 18 18. The church at Edwardsville was formed
in her room, March 15, 18 19. Doubtless her name was the
first on the now lost register of that church. In 1822, Rev.
Abraham Williamson, another missionary from New Jersey,
I20 PRESBYTERIAXISM IN ILLINOIS.
arrived on the field. He labored at Edwardsville and
Shoal Creek. In the latter place he met the "Sons Anak "
as he called them; but in Edwardsville he found consolation
and support in the prayers and cheerful spirit of Mrs. Smith
and the family of Dr. Todd. Mrs. Smith removed to
Springfield with the family of Dr. Todd, in 1827. Here
again she met with the same trial of Christian privation she
had borne in Edwardsville. Here again in her room a
band of kindred spirits were organized into a church, hold-
ing the faith of her fathers. She died at Springfield in 1843.
John G. Bergen, D.D.
This sketch of this honored fatlier is from the biographical sermon preached
at his funeral by Rev. Frederick H. Wines. The material of it is gathered
almost exclusively from Dr. Bergen's own papers, and is therefore entirely relia-
ble. The text uf his sermon was Rev. 14:13.
He was born on the 27th of Nov., 1790, at Hights-
town, Middlesex county, ten miles southeast of Prince-
ton, New Jersey. His parents' names were George I.
Bergen and Rebecca Combs. George I. Bergen was a
descendant of the Bergen family of Norway, and Rebecca
Combs of the Combs family of Scotland. The Bergen who
first emigrated to this country was a single man, a ship
builder by trade. He came over the seas in one of Commo-
dore Hudson's ships, in the year 1621. In the year 1635, he
married the first white woman that was ever born in the prov-
ince of New Netherlands. She was a daughter of Huguenot
parents, who had fled from the bloody Papal persecutions
in France. Dr. Bergen's mother was a daughter of Jonathan
Combs, an Elder in the Presbyterian Church of Cranberry,
New Jersey. His ancestors came from Scotland in the old
ship Caledonia, which brought the first emigrants fleeing
from the persecution under Archbishop Sharp and the
dragoon Claverhouse, to this new world.
Dr. Bergen's education began at Cranberry, in the paro-
chial academy. A few years later, when his father, under
the pressure of business perplexities, removed to Somerset
county, he attended the academy at Basking Ridge, presided
over by Dr. Finley. Dr. Finley was the father of the colo-
nization movement, a scheme kindly meant, but impossible
of execution, as the event has shown, to which, nevertheless,
Dr. Bergen gave his life-long adherence; so deep were the
impressions made upon his mind in his youth.
In 1806 he entered the junior class at Princeton College.
"■ffmcThTfr^r ^'^^
^''^-^i=^
DR. JOHN G. BERGEN. 121
In March, i8iO, Mr. Bergen was appointed tutor in Princeton
College, an honor which he declined at first, but was subse-
quently induced to accept. In the discharge of the duties
of the position he derived much assistance from a wise coun-
sel of Dr. WoodhuU — " let your commands be reasonable ;
and when given, inflexible ! " While tutor, he sat in the gal-
lery of the Princeton church and heard the Rev. Dr. Archi-
bald Alexander, in i8ii, deliver the address at his installa-
tion as first professor in Princeton Theological Seminary.
In i8ii he was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of
New Brunswick. In September, 1812, he resigned his tutor-
ship, to enter upon the duties of the sacred calling. On the
following Saturday, with a letter of introduction in his
pocket, he set out for Madison, New Jersey, then called Bot-
tle Hill, forty milei from Princeton, and twenty miles west
of New York City. The deacon to whom his letter was
addressed made his appearance unshaved, in shirt sleeves
and bare feet, but treated him kindly. He found four vil-
lages in the congregation, which embraced fifteen hundred
souls and two hundred communicants. It was a very com-
pact settlement, covering about four miles square, and was
one of the oldest and largest congregations in the Presbytery.
Mr. Bergen preached on Sunday; a congregational meeting
was called for Monday ; on Tuesday, one of the Elders
came to Princeton, and after making such inquiries as he
saw fit, an official letter was placed in Mr. Bergen's hands
on Wednesday, informing him that it was the unanimous
desire of the congregation that he should consider himself
a candidate for settlement. He returned to Madison, spent
two Sabbaths and the inte«*vening week there, was called to
the pastorate, and was ordained Feb. 17, 181 3. From the
commencement of his ministry at Madison, he greatly
desired a revival of religion in the church.
He asked counsel of his older brethren in the ministry,
who advised him to preach Christ crucified, repentance to-
ward God, and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He com-
menced a round of earnest labor. He spent one day every
week in pastoral visitation, accompanied by an elder. Once
a month he catechised the children of the church. On the
first Sabbath of December, 18 14, at the close of the first
year of his ministry, a revival commenced which lasted for
five months, and resulted in the addition of sixty-nine mem-
bers to the church, on profession of their faith. In the year
122 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
1 8 19 a second revival of religion visited the church; and a
third in 1821-22 — a work of grace of surprising magnitude
and interest.
The causes which led him to turn his footsteps to the
West were two. First, trouble in the church at Madison,
occasioned by an unruly spirit, a man full of zeal and of
spiritual self-conceit. The other cause, which turned his
thoughts Westward, was the removal of his relatives to Ken-
tucky and Illinois. His uncle, old Major Conover, left the
State in 1790, and was one of the first settlers of Woodford
county, Ky. From there he removed, in 1821, with his con-
nexion, to Jersey Prairie, in Morgan county. 111., where he is
believed to have cut the first sapling. This family were all
Baptists. In May, 18 18, after the close of our second war
with England, financial reverses consequent upon the inun-
dation of British goods, led Dr. Bergen's father to remove to
Kentucky, with nine sons and daughters and their families,
whence they accompanied Major Conover to Jersey Prairie.
There, after the death of his father, his mother became the
wife of the Rev. W. Kenner, a Baptist preacher from Vir-
ginia, who was an agent under Dr. Peck for raising funds
and building the Rock Spring Seminary, out of which Shurt-
leff College grew, at Alton. On the removal of the family
from New Jersey, Dr. Bergen accompanied them two days'
journey, and parted from them at a place called Nexv Hope,
saying to his mother, " Let us part in hope — Nezv Hope — -
that it may please God some day to direct my steps to follow
you thither." This day came in 1828. Having been released
from his pastorate he started with his family for Illinois,.
September 22, 1828. The journey occupied forty days'
actual travel, not counting stoppages. They passed
through Chillicothe, Ohio, to Maysville, Lexington and Frank-
fort, Ky. They visited Ashland, the home of Clay, with
patriotic delight. Dr. Bergen preached at Frankfort, by re-
quest of Mr. Edgar, then pastor of that church. In Indiana,
an effort was made to induce them to tarry, and seek no far-
ther, but without avail. They crossed the Wabash, and en-
tered Ellison Prairie, which was their first view of a prairie.
The houses upon the prairie were then sometimes more than
twenty miles apart. On Saturday they reached Rock Spring,
in St. Clair county, eighteen miles east of St. Louis. The
seminary building, as Mr. Bergen saw it, was a small frame
building, covered with clapboards, unfurnished, and served
DR. JOHN G. BERGEN. 1 25
for a school, a church and a seminary, whence preachers of
the gospel were to emanate. In this house he preached
twice, the Sabbath after his arrival, using notes, which led
to a long and friendly discussion, in which Mr. Peck told him
that "everybody in the West shoots flying." At Rock
Spring he found a letter from the Rev. Mr. Ellis, urging him
not to delay around St. Louis, but to come immediately
north to Sangamon. On Monday Mr. Bergen and his fam-
ily called on Gov. Edwards, at Belleville. On Tuesday he
drove into St, Louis, a dirty, dilapidated old French town, of
bad repute, with a population of seventeen hundred inhab-
itants. By Saturday night he reached Jacksonville, where
half a dozen log houses and a log school-house constituted
the entire village. There he found Mr. Ellis exp.^cting him,
and received a hearty welcome. " When I received your let-
ter," he said, "it was the first ray of light which had dawned
on me for the two years I have been laboring almost alone
in this region of moral desolation. Come in, my brother,
you and yours, and God bless you, and make you a blessing."
On Monday Mr. Bergen parted with his family, they to go
twelve miles north of Jersey Prairie ; he to Springfield,
where he was hospitably received by Major lies. The town,
when Mr. Bergen came to it, numbered about two hundred
inhabitants, and thirty-five log-houses, with a few frame
dwellings, not more than four or five, painted in front only.
The school-house was a small frame building, with broken
door, broken windows, broken benches — a high seat in one
end — a floor almost as dirty as a pig-stye — the whole ele-
vated on blocks, as if to give free room for the hogs to root
under the floor — standing on the east side of the public
square. A Presbyterian Church had been organized in
Springfield, January 30, 1828, by the Rev. Mr. Ellis, of nine-
teen members, who were all the Presbyterians known to live
within a circle of twenty miles around the town. Five of
them, all women, lived in the town — Mrs. E. H. Smith, Mrs.
Elizabeth Moore, Mrs. Nancy R. Humphries, Mrs. Ann lies
and Mrs. Olive Slater. When Mr. Bergen arrived he at once
visited these five female members. The last place where he
called was at Mrs. Slater's, the mother of Mrs. Jayne. It
was Dr. Jayne who helped him the next morning to get one
of the six frame houses of the town raised up from the
ground on posts.
Two weeks later he took up his abode in his new home-.
124 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
His cousin visited him in December, and on opening the
door, Ufted up both hands, exclaiming, " Why, my cousin ! "
as he saw boxes in the room where the family lived and
slept and cooked filled up with harness, and two great
dressed hogs which had been brought and given them, lying
on another box, with their mouths wide open, with a great
cob in them. Said Mr. Bergen, in his cheerful way, " Come
in, come in, cousin ! Never mind it ! "
Mr. Bergen called on every family in the town, whether
members of any church or not. On the second Sabbath in
December, notice having previously been given through the
county, he administered the communion; and at the close of
the service, announced that he had come with his family to
seek a home here — not to make an experiment, but to plant
with their planting and grow with their growth.
During the summer of 1829, Dr. Jayne placed in Mr. Ber-
gen's hands a copy of Dr. Lyman Beecher's six sermons on
intemperance, which he read one by one to the people on
six successive Sabbath afternoons. Curiosity brought the
people out. Mr. Bergen prepared the constitution of a tem-
perance society, and after reading that well-known tract,
Putnam and the Wolf, invited the congregation to sign the
pledge. Eleven persons put down their names. In a short
time there were more than fifteen hundred signers in the
county. This was the first temperance association in central
Illinois, and probably the first in the State.
During the summer preparations were made for build-
ing, by the burning of brick and the accumulation of mate-
rial. The corner stone was laid August 15, 1829, and it was
dedicated to the worship of God on the third Sabbath of
November, 1830. Upon its completion, Mr. Bergen deliv-
ered in it during the winter a course of lectures upon Church
history, in which he aimed to refute a popular prejudice of
the day, which attributed to the Presbyterian Church a pur-
pose to unite Church and State.
This was the winter of the deep snow, which began to fall
on Christmas eve, and continued to deepen for nine weeks,
until it averaged four or five feet in depth, bringing with it
great merriment and great suffering. The year 1834 was
marked by a revival — the first in Springfield. More than
half the members and elders of the church had been organ-
ized into new churches. But two elders were left, of whom
Mr. Elijah Slater was one. A weekly prayer-meeting for the
DR. JOHN G. BERGEN. 12$
descent of the spirit of God had been maintained all winter,
but it was not until May that these prayers were visibly an-
swered. The Rev. Messrs. Hale and Baldwin had started
across the Illinois river on a preaching tour, but were de-
tained by high water, and turned back. They called at Mr.
Bergen's house one afternoon and asked him, " Brother, is
there any work for us to do here?" He sent out notice
through the town, and a protracted meeting commenced that
afternoon, at five o'clock. On the third night, there were
more than fifty who remained as inquirers after the benedic-
tion. At the close of two weeks, some thirty had professed
conversion, and the church was greatly revived.
In June after the revival, a copy of certain resolutions was
handed to him, thanking him for his past services, and request-
ing him to settle over the church as pastor. This he was
unwilling to do just yet, on account of his interest in his mis-
sionary work. He promised to take it into consideration.
Meanwhile some dissatisfaction on the part of a few of the
members led to a small meeting of men only, one Wednesday
night, the February following, at which it was decided to in-
form him that they thought they had better have another min-
ister. He asked that a meeting of the congregation might be
called, on Saturday night, to ascertain their mind, and wrote
out his resignation, but the congregation with only nine dis-
senting votes solicited a continuance of his ministerial servi-
ces. In this movement the Second church originated.
The period between the organization of the second church
and the division in 1837-8 was marked by the acceptance
on the part of Mr. Bergen to a call to the pastoral office, at
a salary of four hundred dollars, increased, in 1837, to six
hundred dollars. He was installed Nov. 25th, 1835.
The division of 1837-8, combined with the influence of
hard times, which now set in for several years, exerted a
most disastrous effect upon Old School Presbyterianism in
this State. The New School had the American Home
Society to back its missionaries, and guarantee them four
hundred dollars a year. The Old School Board of Domes-
tic Missions had so many feeble churches on its hands, that
it could not give more than one hundred dollars, or at the
outside, two hundred dollars a year to sustain one mission-
ary. In 1840 the church entered upon the work of building
a new house. At the dedication, Nov. 9th, 1843, Mr. Ber-
gen preached his famous " banner sermon." Unfortunately,
126 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
the church was not out of debt at the time of its dedication,
and he afterwards put it upon record that he would not
officiate again under hke circumstances.
In the new house, on Sabbath evenings, he dehvered a
series of discourses upon prophecy, in opposition to the
prevalent expectation, among many, of the instant bodily
.appearance of the Son of God to reign on earth. Some pre-
pared their ascension robes, some were excited to the point
of insanity. The argument in these sermons was, that as
many of the prophecies are unfulfilled the end is not yet.
The house was greatly crowded during their delivery. On
the fourth of July; 1847, Mr. Bergen preached a sermon
upon the Mexican war, which excited some opposition to
him. In the winter, however, after a visit from the Rev. Mr.
Calhoun, of the Beyroot Mission, there ensued a revival of
religion, which was deepened and intensified by the preach-
ing of Rev. R. V. Dodge, in March. Mr. Bergen was now
nearly sixty years of age. He had been preaching to this peo-
ple for twenty years. Mr. Dodge's preaching had given great
acceptance, and it was felt by many that it would be well to
call Mr. Dodge to be co-pastor with Mr. Bergen. This prop-
osition so wrought upon his mind as to lead him to resign
his pastoral charge. Without entering into the painful
memories of that time, I may say that Mr. Bergen's diary
through all this troubled season evinces no other spirit or
purpose than that of a man perplexed, overwhelmed, but
anxious only to know the will of God and to do it. The
majority of the church sustained him. After the resignation,
twice refused by the Presbytery, had been renewed for the
third time, it was accepted and the pastoral relation dis-
solved, on the 27th of September, 1848. The Presbytery at
the same time entered upon its minutes a resolution declar-
ing that they considered Brother Bergen, during the long
period which that relation had existed, to have held a repu-
tation and then to hold a reputation for piety, ability, and
excellence of character, which seldom attaches to any pastor.
The dissensions in the church consequent upon this event
led to the organization of the Third Church, in Feb., 1849,
and the installation of Mr. Dodge as their pastor, on the 2d
day of August.
With Mr. Bergen's resignation, his active life ceased.
From this time he devoted himself to writing for the press
and to missionary effort among feeble churches, here and
DR. JOHN G. BERGEN. 12/
there. During the twenty years of his Hfe in IlHnois, about
five hundred members had been received into the church in
Springfield, and six churches organized in the county. He
had expended during his ministry here more than four thou-
sand dollars of his private property.
During the closing years of his life, he organized a num-
ber of additional churches. Several times he was chosen
commissioner to the General Assembly, where, in i86i, the
first year of the war, he voted for what are known as the
Spring resolutions.
His wife died in October, 1853. In November, 1857, he
-married again. In 1854 the degree of doctor of divinity
was conferred upon him by Center College, Danville, Ken-
tucky. He was for many years a director of the Theologi-
cal Seminary of the Northwest, at Chicago. He took an
active part in the reunion movement in the Church and
attended the first preliminary meeting of the two branches
held in the State of Illinois, at the Second Presbyterian
Church, Bloomington, Illinois, in April, 1865. He was again
made Moderator of the reunited Synod of Central Illinois,
in July, 1870, at its first meeting in the First Presbyterian
Church, Bloomington.
He received the first serious warning of his end in May,
1870, at Auburn, where he preached from the text, " In my
father's house are many mansions ; if it were not so, I would
have told you." After the sermon, he was attacked by
paralysis, and supposing that he would never recover from
the attack, or at least that he would never be able to enter
the pulpit again, he remarked that had he known it he would
have delivered the same sermon. He did recover, however,
and preached three times afterwards ; the last time, on the
occasion of leaving our former house of worship, near the
Chicago & Alton depot, from the words, " Lo, I come ; in
the volume of the book it is written of me to do thy will,
O God." On the Sabbath before his death he attended
church twice. That night, he talked long about the ques-
tion before the congregation, of free or rented pews, and
said that although he himself preferred the system of rentals,
he deprecated strife and desired to prevent the re-opening
of the subject, if possible. With this feeling he designed
to call the following day on the pastor and some of the
leading members. After retiring, he renewed the conversa-
tion with his wife, and was led to review the whole history
128 PRESBYTEKIANISM IN' ILLINOIS.
of his life, recognizing the hand of Divine Providence at
every step, and praising God for his trials as well as for his
triumphs. This outburst lasted until after midnight. On Mon-
day he arose, breakfasted, said that he felt well, and that he
would attend the congregational meeting, he thought, that
night. At nine o'clock the arrow of death struck him. In
an instant he lost control of his right side and the ability to
speak or swallow. He was heard to say in an indistinct
voice, " Great grace ! " and afterwards, " Blessed ! " showing
that he understood the nature of the attack and wished to
express his acquiescence. By signs and pressure of the
hand and smiling gjances of the eye, he endeavored to con-
vey his meaning. When I repeated to him the verse,
*' Sweet to lie passive in thy hands.
And know no will but thine,"
he nodded assent. He nodded also in reply to a question,
" Do you find God faithful to his promises ?" When I said
to him, later, "The peace of God which passeth all under-
standing, keep your mind and heart, through Jesus Christ,"
he raised his head from the pillow. He clearly recognized
his daughter from Alton, when she arrived, Monday night,
and caressed her with his left hand. After lingering in a
semi-conscious condition, with labored breath and fluttering
pulse, for two days and part of two nights, his ransomed
spirit returned to God who gave it, at two o'clock on Wed-
nesday morning, Jan. 17, 1872, aged eighty-one years, one
month, and twenty-one days. His funeral took place, Fri-
day, P. M., the 19th.
Dr. Bergen's spirit, in one word, was love, such love as
made him willing always and everywhere to sacrifice himself,
in the most wonderful charity for those who differed in opin-
ion from himself, and in a joyousness through life like that
of a child.
The Presbyterian Church of Hillsboro, Montgomery
county, held their semi-Centennial celebration March 10 and
II, 1878. The account which follows is taken from the ser-
mon preached on that occasion by the minister, Rev. Nin-
ian S. Dickey. There were several other speakers, particu-
larly Rev. T. W. Hynes, one of their former pastors.
"Hillsboro, March 10, 1828. Rev. John M. Ellis met sev-
eral people of Hillsboro and vicinity at the house of John
THE CHURCH OF HILLSBORO. I29
Tillson, jr., and formed a church, to be known by the name
of the Presbyterian Church of Hillsboro. Mr. John Tillson,
jr., was received on certificate, and Mrs. Margaret Seward
on examination. Mr. John Tillson was ordained as Elder.
Rev. Solomon Hardy preached on the occasion from ist
Peter, 1st chapter and 22d verse."
It thus appears that this church began with two members,
one of whom was made ruling elder. From the organiza-
tion, March 10, 1828, to September 28, 1828, Rev. Solomon
Hardy occasionally supplied the pulpit, or ratlrer preached
in the school-house and court-house, for there was no house
of worship nor pulpit in Hillsboro. Four persons were added
to the church under these labors. For more than a year
after this there is no record, and the church had only occa-
sional preaching from passing clergymen. From April, 1830,
to October, 1841, Thomas A. Spilman was the stated sup-
ply of the church.
During the ministry of Mr. Spilman one hundred and
thirty-eight persons were received to membership. Under
his ministry the Sabbath-school was a union one, and usually
all denominations worshipped with his congregation. The
first house of worship was built during this time. During
the fall of 1 841 and winter of 1842, James Stafford, pastor of
the Greenville Church, supplied the pulpit for a few Sab-
baths and held a protracted meeting, when the Spirit was
poured out upon the people. Archibald C. Allen was in-
stalled pastor by the Kaskaskia Presbytery, June ii, 1842.
During his ministry of two years fifty persons were added.
The church was vacant from May, 1844, until March, 1846.
February 21, 1846, T. W. Hines, for some time a Professor
in Hanover College, Indiana, was unanimously chosen to
supply the pulpit, at a salary of four hundred dollars. He
accepted and entered upon his work in the spring of 1846.
He remained about one and a half years, when, October 20,
1846, he was installed by the Presbytery of Kaskaskia. Dur-
ing this pastorate forty-one persons were received.
P'rom September, 1851, to August, 1853, the church seems
to have been without a pastor.
August 12, 1853, R. M. Roberts was called to the pastor-
ate, at a salary of four hundred dollars. He sustained this
relation until October 30, 1858, a little more than six years.
Resolutions highly complimentary, endorsing him as a Christ-
ian gentleman and commending the fidelity of his labors,
130 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
were passed by the congregation, at a meeting October 31,
1859. During this ministry, one hundred and sixteen per-
sons were received.
November 12, 1859, twenty-one persons were dismissed
to form the Hillsboro Congregational Church. December
20, 1859, WiUiam L. Mitchell was called as pastor, at a salary
of five hundred dollars, and on December 23, 1859, was or-
dained by the Presbytery of Hillsboro. He continued this
relation with acceptance and success until his lamented
death, February 23, 1864. During this time seventy-one
names were added to the roll. Mr. Mitchell's remains are
buried in the city cemetery. After Mr. Mitchell's death,
Julius A. Spencer, of St. Louis, supplied the pulpit for sev-
eral weeks. March' I, 1 865, J. R. Brown was invited to sup-
ply the pulpit. He served the church for five years. Fifty
persons were added on examination, and sixty-five by letter.
S. A. Whitcomb commenced his labors about the beginning
of the year 1871. He served the church two years — twenty-
six persons were received under his ministry. His salary
was one thousand dollars per year and free use of parsonage.
The term plan of eldership was introduced during his minis-
try. W. W. Williams was by an unanimous vote of the con-
gregation, April 27, 1873, invited to supply the church for
one year, at a salary of one thousand dollars and the use of
the parsonage. Mr. Williams worked with energy and ac-
ceptance for nearly nine months, directing his efforts to the
completion of the audience room of the house of worship.
The first service held therein, still in an incomplete state, was
the funeral of the minister. Resolutions of commendation
were passed by the congregation in reference to Mr. Williams,
after his death. After this the church was vacant for several
months. During this time T. E. Spilman, pastor of the But-
ler Presbyterian Church, preached during a protracted meet-
ing, when the Spirit's power was felt, the church greatly re-
vived, and twenty-seven persons were received. September,
1874, Charles Fueller was invited to supply the pulpit at a
salary of $1,000, and use of parsonage. Mr. F. served the
church for three years. Fifty-nine persons were added
under his ministry. Mr. Fueller labored earnestly to lift the
debt off the house of worship. Under his lead furnaces, at
a cost of three hundred and forty-six dollars, and cushions,
at about the same cost, were placed in the church, beside
what was done to free the house of encumbrance. He
ELDERS OF HILLSBORO. I3I
labored till October, 1877. January 1st, 1878, N. S. Dickey
entered upon his work as supply, and still continues.
During the half-century, ten persons have acted as stated
supply, or pastor — varying from a few months to eleven and
and a half years — with an average of one every five years.
The whole number of members received is six hundred
and sixty-nine — three hundred and twenty-one on examina-
tion, and three hundred and forty-eight by letter. This is an
average of about fourteen per year.
The Elders have been twenty-five:
John Tillson : He removed to Quincy, and was dismissed
with his wife, June, 1844. To Mr. Tillson more than to any
other man does this church owe its existence and early suc-
cess. Coming from the East several years before the way
was open for an organization here, he cast in his lot with the
Shoal Creek Church, in Bond county. He gave the ground
on which our church building stands, and the lot west of the
church still owned by the congregation. He also gave the
ground on which the Academy building stands. He met
most of the expense of the first house of worship of the con-
gregation— the first in the town, and did more for the early
improvement of the county than any other man — his superior
intelligence and wealth enabling him to do so. He was clerk
of session from the organization of the church until 1841, when
his careful hand writing ceases. His praise is in everybody's
mouth. Aaron Knapp, Robert McCord, George Harkey and
Benjamin Spilman were the next Elders. The latter was
born of English parents, in Culpepper county, Va , March
'6th, 1765. He removed in early life to Kentucky, where, in
1789, he married Miss Nancy Jane Rice. They emigrated
to Carmi, Illinois, where they were prominent in the Presby-
terian church — he being an Elder. From thence they removed
to Hillsboro, where he ended his useful life, Sept. 15, 185 1,
aged eighty-six years. His wife died Jan. 28, 1848, aged
seventy-five years The piety of this couple was of a high
type, their intelligence marked and their influence hallowed.
The seventh Elder was Robert Paisley; died March 2, 1859.
Eighth, Joseph T. Eccles. He was one of the chief workers in
erecting the present church edifice, giving, besides his super-
vision of the work, about ^5,000. He still lives among us.
Ninth, Henry Tibbets ; tenth, Thomas Sturtevant ; eleventh,
Samuel Haller ; twelfth, Thomas D. Washburn, M. D.; thir-
teenth, James R. Hanks ; fourteenth, William Witherspoon ;
132 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
fifteenth, Daniel McAfee ; sixteenth, John M. Paisley ;
seventeenth, Robert McCord ; eighteenth, Rufus P. Brown ;.
nineteenth, Dr. J. S. Hillis; twentieth, Daniel Hughes;
twenty-first, Henry McCord ; twenty-second, Cyrus R..
Davidson; twenty-third, Samuel Milhkin ; twenty-fourth, J
O. Yingst; twenty-fifth. Judge E. Y. Rice. The present
Elders are John M. Paisley, Henry McCord, Samuel Milli-
kin, Cyrus R. Davidson and Judge E. Y. Rice.
The first house of worship was of brick, one-story, and
stood where the present edifice is now located. It was forty-
five by thirty-four feet. Pictures of this house, in its day
considered a largfe' and fine edifice, are still to be seen in
many of our houses. It was erected in 1831 and was occu-
pied in an unfinished state until 1837. Previous to that time
the congregation worshiped in an old log school-house, or the
old log court-house, and in the summer time in a grove near
to where the public school building now stands. The old
church was used until i860, when it gave place to the pres-
ent edifice. The whole cost of this house in its present state
was about ^14,500.
For some years a debt rested upon it. April 25, 1875,
Judge Eccles donated ^2,602.18 principal and interest due
him for money paid upon the building. This noble example
stimulated others — Mr. James Paden donated several hun-
dred dollars due him, and under the lead of the pastor, Mr.
Fueller, the whole debt was paid except a few hundred dol-
lars, for which the parsonage is held.
A lot was bought for three hundred dollars and the pres-
ent parsonage was built at a cost of about ^1,200. March
27,1847, "The Congregational Library of Hillsboro Pres-
byterian Church," was provided for. This is distinct from
the Sunday school library.
The Sabbath school has not been neglected. A number
of years before the organization of the church, a school was
maintained by the Tillson family, in their residence. In the
early years all denominations represented in the town pat-
ronized the school, and, though it was under the supervision
of the session, it was carried on as a union school.
According to rules adopted by the church, the Superinten-
dent and Vice-Superintendent are to be chosen at a congrega-
tional meeting appointed for the purpose, the election to be
by ballot, all the members of the church, in good standing,
having a right to vote. The Superintendent thus chosen.
JOHN TILLSON. 133
with the advice and consent of the session, is to appoint the
teachers ; " keeping always in view Christian character and
aptness to teach." Waveland, Litchfield, Butler and Hills-
boro Congregational Church received their first members
largely from this. About two hundred persons have been
dismissed to churches in various parts of the county, and
many of them we know have been prominent workers for
the Master in the newer parts of our land; so that what this
church, under God, has accomplished, is by no means to be
confined to what has been and is now seen on this ground.
The death roll numbers about two hundred and sixty names,
including three pastors, T. A. Spilman, W. L. Mitchel and
W. W. Williams — three wives of pastors and twelve or thir-
teen ruling Elders, most of whose remains sleep in our beau-
tiful cemetery. The benevolent work of the church has not
accorded with its growth in numbers.
The attendance on the means of grace has been, and is,
one of the encouraging features of the congregation.
Whenever the weather and the roads at all admit, the house
of worship is well filled.
One of the most prominent men in the history of this
place and of this church, is John Tillson. He came to Illi-
nois in the spring of 1819 from Halifax, Mass., reaching Ed-
wardsville in June. His route was from Boston to Baltimore
by sea; then over the mountains to Pittsburg; then down
the Ohio to Shawneetown. He was connected with the
bounty land business. The land office was at Edwardsville.
Having purchased a quarter section in this neighborhood he
came to view it in the winter of 1820. He found on it a
squatter who had made an improvement, which Mr. Tillson
bought. That must have been the "gregarious bachelor es-
tablishment" to which Mr. Lippincott refers. That squat-
ter. Commodore Yoakum, was a character — " the best hunter;
the best corner man at a log cabin raising, and the life of the
corn-shuckings." He was a Hard Shell Baptist. No one
could raise his voice louder in the "hymes" — "Old Grimes "
being the favorite tune. After the hymes he could gird him-
self with a towel, and with a tin wash-basin of water go
around and wash the feet of the brethren and sisters, with
great good grace and apparent enjoyment. As he always
maintained an air of dignity and command, the bo}-s hon-
ored him with the title of Commodore, which pleased him
mightily. The Commodore was a large, black-haired, black-
134 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
eyed Tennessean, and, in his own estimation, second to no
man.
When Montgomery became a county, in 1821, Mr. Till-
son was made Postmaster of the county. There being no
mail route within twenty miles of the county seat, the ex-
pense of the mail for that distance devolved on the Postmas-
ter. As there was at that time no Presbyterian place of wor-
ship in this neighborhood, Mr. Tillson would go to Green-
ville on Saturday, p. m., teach a singing class Saturday night,
attend church on the Sabbath, and return here on Monday
with the county mail in his pocket — sometimes in his hat.
In April, 1822, with Augustus Collins, he went to New Eng-
land on horseback— both on the same errand which took
Jacob from Beersheba to Padan-Aram. Both were success-
ful— Mr. Tillson bringing back with him in the fall Mrs.
Christiana Holmes Tillson. They started in a carriage, Oc-
tober 6, and arrived here November 28. The history of that
journey, as given by Mrs. Tillson herself, reads like a ro-
mance. Here is a description of her first Sabbath in Hills-
boro, mostly in her own words :
" Sabbath morning, December 2, 1822, was cold and pinch-
ing. We rode about two miles, from Col. Seward's, to a log
cabin which during week days was the school-house of the
settlement. On Sabbaths it was opened to the circuit rider
who came around oust a month — to the Cumberlands, the
Hard Shells and the Seventh Day Baptists. When we ar-
rived the service had just commenced. A movement was
made to give Harriet (Harriet Seward, afterwards Mrs. Wm.
H. Brown, of Chicago,) and myself a seat near the fire, while
Mr. Tillson seated himself on a bench against the wall. The
preacher, big and burly, was about starting the hyme, 'When
I can read,' to the tune of ' Old Grimes.' The singing was
with an indescribable nasal twang. Around the fire sat the
mothers with babies, while the young children huddled down
on the floor beside them. After the sermon the preacher
sung another hyme, the congregation chiming in. It was
then announced that, after a few minutes recess, another
brother would speak. The young 'uns rushed to the fire,
and with pieces of clapboard rolled out the eggs they had
brought for a lunch, and had placed in the ashes to roast,
while the preacher was speaking. Each youngster worked
manfully to secure his own rights, and showed despatch in
getting his eggs peeled and disposed of before the preaching
VANDALIA CHURCH. I 35
was resumed. The good mammas, who had babies and who
had been giving them their lunch during service, now Ht their
pipes, and looked happy and satisfied as the clouds of smoke
rolled out from under their sun-bonnets. The sterner sex,
meanwhile, were paying suit to the water-bucket, which
stood in the back corner of the room. That performance was
rather slow, there being but one gourd — it served for the
whole congregation. So each man would walk up to the
bucket, and, while another was drinking, would relieve his
mouth of a huge quid, and, holding it in one hand, would
take the gourd of water in the other, rinse his mouth, spit-
ting the washing on the floor; then take his drink, and while
passing his gourd to the next, would throw back his ' bacca '
into his mouth, and be ready for a chat. The preaching had
commenced at ten, a. m. It was not until between four and
five that we were released. The order of preaching common
then was for the first speaker to be somewhat logical, show-
ing to the listening audience his learning and wisdom. To
the last speaker was left the 'arousement.' He would get
happy, clap his hands, and froth at the mouth — the congrega-
tion sympathizing and responding with Amens and Glory,
Glory."
The Presbyterian Church of Vandalia was organized by
Rev. Solomon Hardy, July 5, 1828, with eight members.
Jeremiah Abbot was made Elder. Thomas A. Spilman, a li-
centiate, had been preaching in Vandalia for some months,
and assisted in the examination of candidates. Mr. Spilman
left in December, 1829, and was succeeded by Rev. Theron
Baldwin. In April, 1831, Rev. William K. Stewart took
charge of the church, and was installed pastor in May, 1832.
He was dismissed April 3, 1836. From 1836 to 1844 the
church had no regular preaching. At the last date. Rev. D.
D. McKee came to reside at Vandalia, and undertook to sup-
ply the church three-fourths of the time. Elders: Jeremiah
Abbott, at the organization ; William M. Moore, Wiliam H.
Brown, Joseph T. Eccles, Samuel Russell, Henry C. Remann.
December 8, 1848, the church changed its relation from
the Kaskaskia to the Alton Presbytery, and Rev. Joseph
Gordon became its stated supply, and continued in that
relation for seven years. July 5, 1855, the board of Elders
was Frederick Remann, Matthias Fehren, R. F. White, Joseph
136 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Stevenson and Dr. J. N. McCord. Elders since : David A.
McCord, Ebenezer Cheney, William Reed, Edward L. Wahj,
Frederick Remann, second, Richard T. Higgins, M. D. The
Ministers since Mr. Gordon have been : Wm. H. Bird, M.
P. Ormsby, Geo. W. Goodale, E. G. Bryant, John Gibson,
Caleb J. Pitkin, R. J. L. Matthews, W. W. Wells, John M.
Johnson, John Stuart and Hugh W. Todd, the present pas-
tor. A frame house of worship was dedicated June 23, 1 830.
The present brick church, occupying the same site as the
first building, was dedicated Sept. i, 1869. It cost, when
completed, ;^ 15,000. Of this Matthias Fehren paid ^4,000,
Federick Remann, sr., ^3,000 ; Dr. J. N. and Calvin McCord,
;^i,500. A convenient two-story frame parsonage stands
directly back of the church edifice. A marked feature in
the history of this church is that the two men who have
paid the most money for all its enterprises, and who were
efficient Elders, were native Germans.
The First Protestant Church Bell in Illinois was
hung in the tower of the first church edifice erected in Van-
dalia. It bore this inscription :
Illinois Riggs,
To the Presbyterian Congregation of Vandalia, i8jo.
The history of the matter is this : Romulus Riggs was a
large land-holder in the State of Illinois. From his great
partiality to the State and his personal interest there, he
named his youngest child Illinois. This daughter married
Charles H. Graff. August 22, 1856, she was living in Phila-
delphia, and in a letter of that date says: "My own recol-
lections of the gift of the bell are very few. I remember
being taken to hear it rung, before it was forwarded to its
destination. I have a magazine in my possession entitled,
'The Illinois Monthly Magazine,' conducted by James Hall,
and published in Vandalia. Mr. Hall says in the number for
December, 1830: 'During the last month the town of Van-
dalia received a valuable acquisition in the donation of a fine-
toned bell for the cupola of its meeting house. This bell
was presented to the Presbyterian congregation of Vandalia
by Romulus Riggs, a merchant of Philadelphia, in the name
of his daughter. Miss Illinois Riggs. This bell was hung
November 5, 1830, and announced its own arrival in joyous
tones. This event is interesting, inasmuch as it is the first
public bell introduced into the State by the American inhab-
THE ILLINOIS RIGGS BELL. 137
itants. The French had one or more bells in their villages
on the Mississippi, but the public buildings erected by the
American settlers have been totally destitute of this useful
appendage.'
" I have also a copy "of the letter which accompanied the
gift, and which I retain as a precious relic of the past, as
coming from a departed father. I have a brother and sister
who reside in Illinois, and although I have never visited the
State myself, I look forward to the time when I may do so.
"Mrs. C. H. Graff."
'Tis a pity the lady did not so sign her name that she might
be identified as the giver of the bell — e. g., Mrs. Illinois
RiGGS Graff. When the frame meeting-house in Vandalia
was taken down, to make way for the present elegant brick
structure, the bell was donated to the Brownstown Church,
eight miles east of Vandalia, and now hangs in the cupola
of their house of worship. This disposition of the bell was
most appropriate, for the Brownstown Church is a daughter
of Vandalia Church. Vandalia Church has had in all three
hundred and twenty-six members.
There was a Presbyterian Church in Wayne county,
organized, I judge as early as 1825, by B. F. Spilman.
It is called by three or four different names — Fairfield,
Franklin and Bethel, arising probably from as many different
preaching places. The principal point was Bethel, or New
Bethel, now Mt. Erie, about twelve miles northeast of the pres-
ent Fairfield, and within three miles of Little Wabash river.
The Elders, so far as now known, were Isham B. Robinson,
aged seventy-five years, still living; Alexander Ramsey and
Samuel McCracken. It had quite a considerable member-
ship. It was never represented in Presbytery by an Elder,
unless possibly in Muhlenburg, Ky. B. F. Spilman and
Thomas A. Spilman paid them occasional visits. Rev. Isaac
Bennet labored here to some extent in 1829, and probably
afterwards. He purchased here, of George Russell, that fa-
mous horse. Jack, with whom he lived|in such close intimacy
at Pleasant Prairie, Coles county. Jacob Hall, of Wayne
county, remembers that horse. He describes him as "a
handsome brown horse, pony build, very heavy mane and
tail, heavy muscle, and a fine constitution; long in the ser-
vice, as an animal none more loved and esteemed by his mas-
ter. I have no doubt that Jack will go into history with his
devoted master."
138 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
A portion of the members of this church remained in it
until their death. Others of them joined a Cumberland
Church organized in that neighborhood by Rev. William
Finley. William Holmes, father of Oliver Holmes, of Fair-
field, Wayne county, is now an Elder in that Cumberland
Church, and has been since 1853.
CHAPTER IV.
CENTER PRESBYTERY.
[Authorities : Records of the Presbytery ; Records of Churches.]
In the two preceding chapters I have given a sketch of the
twenty-two Presbyterian Churches in Illinois, organized pre-
vious to the 1st of January, 1829, naming them in the order
of their formation. There was one other church in the State
belonging to this period which I have not named, because it
was outside of the bounds fixed for this volume. It is Ful-
ton Church, Fulton county, organized by John M. Ellis^
Septembers, 1828, with nine members. I will here give this
list, leaving out Fulton, in one view :
Sharon, organized September (probably), 1816, by James
McGready; Hopewell, afterwards New Hope, partly in In-
diana and partly in Illinois, 1817, by N. B. Derrow; Shoal
Creek, organized March 10, 1819, by Salmon Giddings ; Ed-
wardsville, organized March 15, 1819, by Salmon Giddings;
Golconda, organized October 24, by N. B. Derrow; Turkey
Hill, organized April, 1820, by Salmon Giddings; Kaskas-
kia, organized May 27, 1821, by Salmon Giddings; Alton, the
first, organized June 8, 1 821, by Edward Hollister; Wabash,
organized March 5, 1822, by David C. Proctor; Collinsville,
organized May 3, 1823, by Salmon Giddings; Carrollton, or
Apple Creek, organized May 4, 1823, by Oren Catlin and
D. G. Sprague ; Paris, organized November 6, 1824, by Isaac
Reed; Bethel, Bond county, organized September 15, 1825,
by Salmon Giddings, W. S. Lacey and Elder William Col-
lins; Greenville, organized September 15, 1825 by Salmon
Giddings, W. S. Lacey and Elder William Collins ; Shawnee-
town, organized May, 1826, by B. F. Spilman; Fairfield, or-
ganized, probably, in 1827, by B. F. Spilman; First Jack-
sonville, organized June 30, 1827, byJohnBrich; Carmi, or-
ganized November 25, 1827, by B. F. Spilman; Sangamon
(First Springfield,) organized January 30, 1828, by John M.
Ellis; Hillsboro, organized March 10, 1828, by John M. Ellis;
Vandalia, organized July 5, 1828, by Solomon Hardy; Bethel^
Wayne county, organized 1825 or 26, by B. F. Spilman.
140 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
In connection with these churches I have presented
sketches of those ministers who labored with them up to
Jan. I, 1829. From this time onward I shall be obliged to
abandon the chronological nexus consisting in following the
dates of the organization of individual churches. So large
became their number, so many of them died, and so greatly
were they confused by the division between New School and
Old School that to attempt to speak of them in strict chrono-
logical order would involve inextricable confusion, as well as
be in itself wellnigh impossible. Still the chronological
order will, as far as possible, be followed.
Before Jan. 9, 1829, there was no Presbytery lying wholly
in Illinois. The 'churches on the west side of the State
belonged to Missouri Presbytery. Wabash, Paris, and Hope-
well, or New Hope, Carmi and Shawneetown, to Wabash
Presbytery, whose churches were mainly on the east side of
the Wabash river. Sharon and Golconda belonged to
Muhlenburg Presbytery previous to 1826, then to Wabash.
If Bethel, Wayne county, Fairfield, or Franklin, had any
Presbyterial connection, it was with Wabash. Probably
they belonged nowhere, nor for long even to themselves.
'The Bethel in Wayne county, is sometimes called New
Bethel. The ministers were divided in a similar manner :
John Mathews, John Brich, John M. Ellis and Solomon
Hardy were connected with Missouri Presbytery. Stephen
Bliss and Thomas A. Spilman with Wabash Presbytery. B.
F. Spilman, up to 1826, with Muhlenburg, then with Wabash.
The two licentiates, Thomas Lippincott and Cyrus L. Wat-
son, were under the care of Missouri Presbytery. Jesse
Townsend and Edward Hollister had been connected with
Missouri Presbytery, but had gone back — Mr. Townsend
to New York, Mr. Hollister to Vermont. Salmon Giddings
.and David Tenney, two other members of that Presbytery,
were dead. None of the other ministers ^who had made
their flying visits, or served out their three or six months'
commissions in the State, had made any Presbyterial con-
nection at the West. They were like Noah's dove. They
found here no rest for the sole of their feet. John Young,
indeed, rested in his early grave at Vincennes.
The Synod of Indiana at its Session in Vincennes, Oct.
t6, 1828, passed the following ordinance: " That a new Pres-
bytery be formed to be called The Center Presbytery of
Illinois, the bounds of which shall be the lines of the State ;
CENTER PRESBYTERY. I4I
and said Presbytery is directed to hold its first meeting- at
Kaskaskia, on the second Friday in January, 1829. The
meeting shall be opened with a sermon by Rev. John
Mathews, who shall preside until another Moderator is
chosen, or, in case of his absence, the oldest minister pres-
ent."
The Presbytery met at the time and place specified : Pres-
ent, Ministers : John Mathews, John M. Ellis, Solomon
Hardy and Thomas A. Spilman. Absent : John Brich,
Stephen Bliss and B. F. Spilman. Elder: James Kerr,
from Jacksonville church. It will be noticed that, though
the meeting was held in Kaskaskia, no Elder was present
from that church. Its only Elders at that time were two
ladies. The churches connected with Presbytery were those
I have named above, including Fulton ; excepting New
Hope, which was reckoned to Wabash Presbytery, Turkey
Hill and the original Alton church. Turkey Hill was
already dead. Alton had been transferred to Edwards-
ville. The seven ministers named, with John G. Bergen,
who had just reached Springfield, were all the Presbyte-
rian ministers in the State. Eight ministers and tw^enty-
one living churches was the strength of Center Presbytery
when it commenced its career at Kaskaskia, Jan. 9, 1829.
The next meeting of the Presbytery was held in Jackson-
ville, commencing at noon Thursday, March 10, 1829, and
continuing five days. The same members were present as
at the January meeting, with the addition of John Brich.
Stephen Bliss and B. F. Spilman were again absent. John
G. Bergen was received from the Presbytery of Elizabeth-
town, N. J. The Elders present were John Gilmore, from
Greenville and Shoal Creek churches ; Samuel Reid, from
Sangamon ; John Leeper, Jacksonville, and Thomas Lippin-
cott, Edwardsville. Mr. Lippincott was at that time a licen-
tiate ; having been licensed together with Cyrus L. Watson,
by the Presbytery of Missouri, at Shoal Creek, Oct. 8, 1828.
Rev. John M. Ellis and Elder John Tillson, jr., were
appointed commissioners to the Assembly. Resolutions
were adopted in favor of the college at Jacksonville, and
John M. Ellis was made agent to collect funds for it at the
East. A Home Missionary Society was formed, auxiliary to
the A. H. M. Society.
It is interesting to remark how, at that time, the Presby-
tery and the Church acted through the A. H. M. Society
142 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
rather than the Assembly's Board of Missions. The great
reason, doubtless, was that the Society had more money and
■could furnish a better and surer support to the missionaries
than the Board, The time was to come when this working
through a voluntary Society, instead of the Assembly's
Board, was to be a source of trouble and division.
The churches in connection with the Presbytery at that
time were twenty-one. The aggregate reported membership
was four hundred and thirty-two. The largest church was
Bethel, with fifty-four members. Hillsboro had then six mem-
bers and was supplied, together with Bethel, by Thomas A.
Spilman. B. F. Spilman was supplying Sharon, Carmi and
Shawneetown. Fulton, Carrollton, Vandalia, Fairfield and
Golconda were vacant. At the close of the records of this
meeting they are endorsed as having been " examined and
approved by Synod — Synod of Indiana — at Shoal Creek,
•Oct. 17, 1829. Samuel G. Lowry, Moderator of Synod."
The next meeting of Center Presbytery was at Vandalia,
commencing Oct. 10, 1829. Six of the eight ministers of
the Presbytery were present. Stephen Bliss and John M.
Ellis were absent, the latter at the East collecting funds for
the college. Eight Elders were present. John G. Bergen
was Moderator. The committee on the seminary reported
the building in rapid progress, and that seven young men in
New Haven, Conn., candidates for the ministry and licen-
tiates, had formed an association to raise ^10,000 in its be-
half, and had pledged themselves to come to this State and
devote themselves to its prosperity. The churches under
■care of Presbytery were twenty-three, an increase of two
since the spring meeting. The aggregate of members re-
ported four hundred and forty-one. The admissions were
forty-four. The baptisms of infants sixty-six, of adults three.
The New Providence Church, in the southeast corner of
Edgar county, was never connected with Center Presbytery.
It remained under the care of Wabash Presbytery; but its
place chronologically is here. It is about ten miles west
of Terre Haute, among the broken and originally heavy tim-
bered lands lying between the Wabash valley and the Illinois
prairies. The church edifice is near the summit of the north-
ern bluff of Sugar creek. The cemetery is less than a fourth
of a mile from the church house, just as you begin the de-
NEW PROVIDENCE CHURCH. I43
scent from the bluff. In this parish the Indianapolis & St.
Louis and the Vandalia & Terre Haute railroads approach
within about six miles of each other. The congregation re-
side mostly between these railroads, their church building
and parsonage being about two miles from the nearest sta-
tion. It is an exclusively farming community. The location is
healthy. The families are large, every house nearly swarm-
ing with children and youth. The church was organized by
Rev. Clayton Young, at the house of Martin Ray, which
stood and stands at the foot of the bluff, about one mile from
the present church building. It was formed May 16, 1829,
with the following members, viz. : Thomas Art, Mary Art,
Eleven Tucker, Elizabeth Tucker, Margaret L. Ewing,
Elizabeth McNutt, George Ewing, Ellen Ewing, Martin
Ray, Jane Ewing, Rachel Ewing, Eliza J. Tucker, Nathan-
iel Ewing, Elizabeth Ewing, Margaret Ray, Alexander
Ewing and John W. McNutt. The two last named were
chosen Elders. The church was called " New Providence,"
from a church of that name in East Tennessee. On Sab-
bath, May 17, 1829, the Lord's Supper was administered by
Rev. Clayton Young. Ministers: John C. Campbell com-
menced May 21, 183 1, and continued till the spring of 1848;
Joseph Butler served a few months; Joseph Wilson, from
February 4, 1849, to about 1853; H. F. Taylor, for six
months, ending October, 1854; John C. Campbell, second
time, one year from the first Sabbath in December, 1854, he
continued until September, 1856; F. A. Deming was em-
ployed in the spring of 1858, and continued till the spring of
1862; Pliny S. Smith appears to have preached to this
church as a licentiate from the beginning of 1864, and to
have been ordained, but not installed, in April of the same
year; Thomas Spencer served some months, from Novem-
ber, 1865; Wm. H. Ilsley, theological student, served this
church in the summer of 1872. Early in his term of service
he was thrown from a horse and had his leg broken. He
boarded at the house of Elder Hiram Cassle, by whose fam-
ily he was tenderly cared for in his affliction. F. G. Strange,
another student of theology, labored here during the sum-
mer of 1873. Edward W. Abbey, pastor of the Second
Presbyterian Church, Terre Haute, held an interesting meet-
ing with this congregation in the spring of 1877. Eleven
persons were received by letter and seven by examination.
Elders : The two original ones are named above ; John Mc-
144 PRESBYTERIAN ISM IN ILLINOIS.
Colloch and Samuel Cusick, April 7, 1838; Andrew B. Ray-
and Josiah Hicklin, September 10, 1844; George Ewing^
May, 1 851; A. C. Ewing and Hiram Cassle, December 25,.
1859; Pliny S. Smith, January 24, 1864; James C. Hicklin
and James W. Ewing; John B. Roberts and Leonidas Cas-
sle, June 29, 1873. William H. Stubbs, George W. Ulrich
and J'osiah Hicklin (he had been dismissed and returned,)
about May i, 1877. Houses of worship: Of these there
have been two. The first was built of logs, and stood near
the present cemetery, on the north bluff of Sugar creek.
Don't know when it was built, but it was used for church pur-
poses down to aboyi 1845. The second and present house
is a frame building, about one-fourth of a mile further back
on the bluff, and is surrounded by a fine open plat of ground
sparsely covered by large forest trees.
The Parsonage, and two acres of land connected with it,
are about one-fourth of a mile from the church. It is a plain
frame building, and worth with the land about five hundred
dollars.
At the time I write. New Providence Church is vacant, and
the prospect of its being built up is not encouraging. A for-
mer prominent member has become an infidel, and is assidu-
ous in the advocacy of his new opinions. He has managed
to fail in business, lose a fine property, and involve nearly all
his neighbors in heavy pecuniary loss. This bad example
and these losses are exerting a most disastrous influence.
To the Center Presbytery, at its meeting in Vandalia,,
October, 1829, two new churches were added — Sugar Creek
and New Haven.
Sugar Creek Church was originally composed exclusive-
ly of families from the Carolinas and Tennessee. In 1815
they came to Illinois, and settled near Edwardsville. The
next year they removed to Sugar creek, to what is now the-
southeast corner of Madison county, T. 3, R. 5 west. The
settlement received other accessions in 1820, '26 and '40.
The Sugar Creek Presbyterian Church was organized June
14, 1829, by Rev. Solomon Hardy, in the log barn of Mr.
George Ramsey, with the following members, viz. : James
Ramsey, George Ramsey, Robert Craig, John Ramsey, John
H. Ramsey, Oswald Ramsey, James A. Ramsey, Jonathan L.
Harris, Joseph Gracy, John Harris, John M. Berry, John Gul-
SUGAR CREEK CHURCH. 145
lick, Polly Ramsey, Eveline Ramsey, Catharine Craig, Ra-
chel Ramsey, sr., Rachel Ramsey, jr., Rachel H. Ramsey,
Elizabeth Gingles, Elizabeth Gracy, Jane Harris, Rachel
Berry. Of these twenty-two original members one only is
now on earth, viz., Mrs. Rachel H. Ramsey — ^just one-half the
number are of the name of Ramsey. The Elders then ap-
pointed were John Harris, James A. Ramsey and Jonathan
L. Harris.
The Ministers, who have served the church, are Thomas
Lippincott during 1830. He divided his time between Col-
linsville, Edwardsville and Sugar Creek. Alexander Ewing,
licentiate, from April, 1831, to 1834; John Mathews, from
April, 1834, to October, 1837; James Stafford, from April,
1841, to October, 1842 — in connection with the church at
Greenville, giving Sugar Creek one-fourth his time, Thomas
A. Spilman during 1843, this church in connection with Car-
lyle. From 1843 to 1847 the church was without preaching
services, except as supplied by Presbytery. John S. Howell,
from October, 1847, to October, 1850. Another vacancy oc-
curred from 1850 to 1853. James Stafford became pastor of
the church October, 1853, and remained with it until 1856,
when he removed to Trenton. He was the only pastor this
church ever had. He resided in the house now occupied by
Robert I. Drayton. Peter Hassinger, from April, 1857, to
April, i860; H. M. Corbett, from October, i860, to October,
1863, dividing his time equally with Trenton; William Barnes,
from October, 1863, to April, 1874. George W. Fisher has
been in charge since the last date, and still continues,
dividing his time equally between this church and Trenton —
ten different ministers.
Elders: Jonathan L. Harris, elected in 1829, died Febru-
ary, 1 830 ; James A. Ramsey, elected in 1 829, died June, 1 866 ;
John Harris, elected in 1829, died 1862 in Texas; George
Shields, elected in 1831, removed July, 1835 ; John Douglas,
elected in 1842, dismissed to Trenton in 1857, and died July,
1858 ;T. S. Ramsey, elected in 1853, and is still in office;
Robert Douglas, elected in 1855, dismissed to Trenton in
'57, is now in Colorado; Robert Dutton, elected in i860,
died August, 1872; H. V.Sherman, elected in i860, withdrew
from the church in 1865, and embraced Romanism; Robert I.
Drayton and James Wilson, elected in 1872. The Board of
Elders now consists of the two last named and T. S. Ramsey.
The Presbytery of Kaskaskia met with this church on at
9
146 PHESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
least six occasions. The Presbytery of Hillsboro, after its
erection, met here in April, 1861. The whole number re-
ceived to the church from the beginning to tlie spring of
1877 is two hundred and twelve.
The church has had three houses of worship. The first
erected in 183 1, was a log building on the east side of Sugar
creek, in township 3, range 5 west. Each man furnished his
own logs^and each family its own slab seat. The pulpit was
built mostly of clapboards. The building had one window
only. It contained four lights. All the money laid out was
for the window. ^No nails in the building. Nothing of this
house remains. The second house was a frame building,
erected in 1843, on the S. E. quarter of Sec. 28, T. 3, R. 5
W., and was on the west side of the creek, in Madison
county, and about three miles from the site of the first house.
This building has been removed to R. M. Ramsey's place,
and the land on which it stood has reverted to the original
owner. The present house was dedicated on Sabbath, De-
cember 23, 1877. It stands in the center of Sec. 4, T. 2, R.
5 W., one mile south of the site of the second house, and is
in Clinton county. It is a neat frame building, with a cupola
and ten windows, painted without and within, furnished with
stoves, chandelier, side lamps and carpet for the aisles and
pulpit. It cost thirteen hundred dollars, is free from debt and
was erected by the congregation without aid.
In 1876 this church experienced a great revival. As fruits
of it, fifty were added on profession and seven by letter. It
has a weekly prayer-meeting and an interesting Sabbath
school, which is kept up the year round. Though only five
miles from the railway town of Trenton, and subject to many
losses by removals, it holds its own in all respects. Its mem-
bers have, and ever have had, a commendable pride in build-
ing their own houses of worship and in supporting their own
mmisters. Nor are they forgetful of their obligations to the
various benevolent Boards.
Nev^t Haven Church, in southeast corner of White county,
was organized by Rev. B. F. Spilman about September 20,
1829. Samuel Boyd was its first and only Elder. Its num-
ber of members never exceeded ten. B. F. Spilman gave
them occasional supply, as he traveled back and forth between
Shawneetovvn and Carmi. It never had a house of worsliip.
f.jnu'tui fjy .Ti-hn Sarta^n. . J^kit
THOMAS LIPPINCOTT. 147
It lived a halting, half-life till April, 1848, when it was dis-
solved by Kaskaskia Presbytery and its members attached to
other churches.
An adjourned meeting of Presbytery was held at Shoal
creek, Bond county, October 19, 1829, at which the two licen-
tiates, Thomas Lippincott and Cyrus L. Watson, were or-
dained. This session of the Presbytery was held during the
intervals of the Synodical meeting then in progress at the
.same place. It was still Indiana Synod.
Thomas Lippincott.
A detailed account of this highly respected and useful man was published in
the Presbytery Reporter for January, 1S70. For it I am obliged to substitute a
shorter article prepared and published immediately after his death, which took
place at the house of his son, Thomas Winthrop Lippincott, in Pana, 111., April
.13, 1869.
He was born in Salem, N. J., February 6, 1791. His par-
'cnts were, in their religious sentiments. Friends or Quakers.
His mother died when he was a lad of eight years, and the
family were scattered. Thomas resided two or three years
with relatives near his birth place. He then went to Philadel-
phia to reside with his uncle, Charles Ellet, a brother of his
mother. This was in 1802. He remained in that city until
1814. But of his pursuits during those twelve years the writer
has little information. In 1813 — the time of our last war with
England — he enlisted in a corps of volunteers raised for the
defense of the city. Sometime in 18 14 he left Philadelphia
for Lumberland, a town on Ten-Mile river, in Sullivan county,
N. Y. He was then, to use his own expression, "a godless
young man, and in belief a Universalist." But he became ac-
quainted with a pious young lady. Miss Patty Swift — who
was born in Cornwall, Conn., March 13, 1784 — and who was
honored in being the instrument of his conversion. This
young lady he married, August 15, 18 16, at Lumberland.
Late in the fall of 18 17 he started for the West with his wife
and infant daughter. On the first day of December they
embarked at Pittsburg, with another family, on a Mononga-
hela flat-boat, which they had charted to convey them down
the Ohio. On the 30th of the same month they landed at
Shawneetown. In that voyage of thirty days the most nota-
148 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
ble event was the passage of a steamer — an event at that
period of uncommon occurrence. He remained at Shawnee-
tovvn mud-bound for several weeks. At length a hard freeze
occurring he procured a horse and dearborn wagon, and tak-
ing in it his family and goods, started across the State for St.
Louis, by way of Kaskaskia. Wearily and painfully they crept
forward, occupying all the time — except a rest of two da)'s — •
from the 6th to the 17th of February in traveling from Shaw-
neetown to the Mississippi opposite St. Louis. Crossing over
to the city, then but a village, he engaged as clerk in the ser-
vice of Rufus Easton. He there continued for nine months..
He made, during thfs period, the acquaintance of Rev. Sal-
mon Giddings, who had then recently commenced his labors-
in St. Louis, and for him he ever after cherished the highest
regard.
In November of that year he entered into some sort of
business partnership with Col. Easton. In pursuance of that
arrangement he took a stock of goods to Milton, Madison
county, 111., about four miles east of Alton, where the Ed-
wardsville road crosses Wood river, and opened a store with
the sign of " Lippincott & Co." I am not able to say what
was the success of this business enterprise.
His wife died on the 14th of October, 1819, at the house of
Deacon Crocker, in St. Clair county. An infant of one day
died two days before its mother. This Mrs. Lippincott ap-
pears to have been a woman of decided Christian character,
and to have abounded in Christian activities. As before
stated, she was the instrument of her husband's conversion
before her marriage with him. At Milton the children of
the neighborhood were gathered in their house on Sabbath
morning for religious instruction. Mr. L. says : " My wife,.
who had had much experience and success in teaching, could
not be easy without this ; and the effort was made." It zuas
the first Sabbath-school in Illinois.
The infant daughter whom this devoted mother, tender
wife and earnest Christian brought with her from the East,
and carried through all that long and most wearisome jour-
ney, was born in Lumberland, N. Y., and was named Abia
Swift. December 4, 1834, she married Winthrop S. Oilman,
now a wealthy banker in New York city, for many years an
elder in the Presbyterian Church, and distinguished for his
generous and judicious charities. This Abia S. Oilman still
survives, and is the mother of a large family of sons and
daughters.
THOMAS LIPPINCOTT. I49
Mr. Lipplncott married his second wife, Miss Henrietta
Maria Slater, March 25, 1820, at the Slater farm, which was
six miles from the site of the present city of Springfield, the
capital of Illinois. This lady lived after her marriage less
than six months, dying September ii, 1820.
Mr. Lippincott's next place of residence was Edwards-
ville, then and now the county seat of Madison county.
While in that place he acted — certainly for one year — as ed-
itor of the Edwardsville Spectator ; and during the six years
in which the paper was published at Edwardsville, he was a
constant contributor to its columns. The Spectator was a
weekly journal, and its usual conductor was Hooper Warren.
It was a consistent, able organ of anti-slavery principles. To
the influence of this paper it was largely owing that slavery
was not engrafted upon the constitution of this State. Says
one who knows — "The contest upon this subject commenced
in 1822, and was one of the severest ever known in the history
of this State. It was only by a slender majority that this
young commonwealth was saved from the blighting curse
which thus early threatened its then promising career."
Among the standard-bearers in that pregnant contest was
Thomas Lippincott.
While in Edwardsville Mr. L., besides his editorial duties,
was clerk in the Land Office and Justice of the Peace.
Otober ii, 1821, he married Miss Catharine Wyly Leg-
gett, a sister of William Leggett, of New York City, so dis-
tinguished for his political writings. This wife lived until
May 8, 1850, when she died the Christian's death, loved and
lamented by all who knew her. She died in Alton, and was
buried in the cemetery at Upper Alton. She was the
mother of eleven children, five of whom survive. The names
of these survivors are, Charles Ellet, a graduate of Illinois
College, a Doctor of Medicine, a Brigadier General of Volun-
teers in our late war, and recently Auditor of the State of
Illinois; Mary Jane, married to Charles W. Saunders, and
now residing at DeWitt, Iowa ; Thomas Winthrop, married
to Martha Ann Bird ; Sarah Elizabeth, married to Abraham
Calvin Bird; Thomas W. Lippincott resides in Pana, 111.;
Abraham C. Bird, in St. Louis ; Julian Post, the youngest of
the family, is now a lawyer in Jacksonville. Of the sons,
two, Charles E. and Thomas W., and one who is dead,
Abraham L., served with distinction in the Union army.
Abraham gave his life to the cause, for he died at Ducoign,
ISO PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
111., November 3, 1863, of wounds received at Vicksburg.
Mr. Lippincott was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church
at Edwardsville, and frequently conducted public worship in
the absence of a regular minister. In this way he seems to
have had his mind gradually turned toward the ministry, and
to have pursued theological studies as his circumstances
allowed.
October 8, 1828, he was licensed to preach by the Presby-
tery of Missouri, which at that time included in its territory
the whole of Illinois. October 19, 1829, he was ordained
by Center Presbytery — after that period he gave himself
almost wholly to the work of the ministry. His stated labors
were exclusively with churches in the bounds of the Synod
of Illinois. He also acted for several months as agent of the
American Sabbath School Union. His last field was Du-
coign, in Perry county. His ministerial labors were abund-
ant, acceptable and successful.
From Ducoign he removed to Pana, 111., September i,
1867, and made his home from thenceforth till his death in
that place with his son Thomas W. He was one of the Com-
missioners of Alton Presbytery to the General Assembly
which met at Rochester in May, 1867, and was there ap-
pointed a delegate to the Assembly of the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church which met at Lincoln, III, in May, 1868.
This appointment he fulfilled.
He was ever prompt in his attendance upon the meetings
of the ecclesiastical bodies with which he was connected.
Almost always at these meetings, for the past twelve or fifteen
years, he was called upon to officiate when the Sacramental
Board was spread. No man in the Synod was more univer-
sally respected and loved.
He was one of six ministers who — with seven churches —
constituted the Presbytery of Alton when it was organized
in the city of Alton, April 4, 1837. He was its first Moder-
ator. With that Presbytery he remained until his death, ex-
cept during the interval from 1853 to 1858. For those years
he was connected with Illinois Presbytery because laboring
in their bounds.
Mr. Lippincott, with John M. Ellis and Samuel D. Lock-
wood, was the original mover in the work of founding Illi-
nois College; and he was from the beginning one of the
Trustees of that Institution.
He was a prolific writer. From his early manhood almost
THOMAS LIPPINCOTT. I5I
to the day of his death, he furnished contributions for the
secular and reh'gious press. Before his entrance upon the
ministry he was a poHtical writer of marked abihty, wielding
a sharp pen, and always upon the side of human rights.
At a later period he edited for one year the Taper, a relig-
ious monthly. During the twenty-three years in which the
Presbytery Reporter was in existence he contributed largely to
its columns. In May, 1846, a very valuable and interesting
historical sermon of his was published in the Reporter. He
contributed many articles to our Eastern religious papers.
His signature in the Evangelist was Pioneer.
His last marriage was with Mrs. Lydia Barnes — her maiden
name was Fairchild — at Alton, November 27, 185 1. With
this estimable Christian lady he lived nearly seventeen and
one-half years. She died in 1873.
Mr. Lippincott acted an important part in almost the entire
political and religious history of Illinois. He saw it become
a State and increase from a few thousand people to millions.
From the smallest he saw it become in population and wealth
the fourth in the Union. From a State, with no Presbyterian
or Congregational churches, he saw it contain more than
six hundred of the former, and two hundred of the latter.
From a state of ignorance and semi-barbarism he saw it in
its schools and higher institutions of learning rival Massa-
chusetts. Had he been given to boasting he might have
said: " In all these changes I have been magna pars." But
this was never his language, though others may with much
truth say it of him. His feeling, I think, was that it was an
unspeakable privilege to live at such an era, and to share in
such triumphs.
It is difficult to characterize such a man because of the
very completeness of his character and the absence of great
salient points. It was something like the prairies of his
adopted State, everywhere rich and fertile, but destitute of
towering mountains, snow-crowned and conspicuous indeed,
but cold and barren ; and destitute also of those swamp lands
which lie too low for drainage and cultivation. His mental
efforts were always respectable, never sinking below medioc-
rity, seldom soaring far above it. He was not a meteor, or a
comet, but rather the north star, steadily shining clear and
fixed. His moral character also was complete. He loved
his neighbor as himself He was liberal with his means,
almost to a fault. His Christian character also was complete.
152 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Christ's atonement was his only hope — Christ's example his
only pattern — Christ's precepts his only rule. His funeral
was attended at the Presbyterian Church in Pana on Thurs-
day morning, April 15, 1869. The speakers on the occasion
were Rev. Messrs. W. P. Gibson, A. T. Norton and Albert
Hale. Two of them had known him intimately for more than
thirty years. His remains were conveyed to Upper Alton
and placed beside those of hii third wife, Catharine W.
There, too, was deposited in 1873 the mortal part of his fourth
wife, Lydia Fairchild.
Cyrus L. Watson, His ancestors were Scotch. They
settled in Tyrone county, Ireland, about the time of the bat-
tle of Boyne, 1690. They emigrated to Pennsylvania prior
to the French war, and settled near where Chambersburg
now stands. Before the revolutionary war they emigrated to
the Carolinas, his paternal ancestors to South, his maternal
to North Carolina, still not many miles apart. They were all
staunch Presbyterians, thoroughly imbued with the spirit of
civil and religious liberty. His paternal grandfather fell at
the battle of Briar Creek — a great-uncle at the battle of
King's Mountain — another great-uncle, who had just reached
home from the army, was brutally murdered by Tories while
embracing his young wife on his own door-step. The father
of Cyrus L. was born near York, S. C, and inherited a farm
of three hundred and fifty acres.
Cyrus L. was born February 10, 1800, in the same house
where his father saw the light. He and his twin brother,
John B., were the oldest sons.
Desirous of procuring for his twin boys the best educa-
tion possible, the father sent them, when very young, to school
to a lame, good-natured Irishman, with a.special penchant for
whisky. The master made the little boys his special pets,
and soon had them reading in the New Testament. Their
next teacher was a smart Yankee, who was obliged to occupy
much of the quarter they were under his care in teaching
them to unlearn most of what the Irishman had taught
them. One of their next teachers was a man of some edu-
cation and a stern disciplinarian. He flogged with great se-
verity, often leaving large welts on the hapless urchins, and
sometimes making the blood flow. Under his tuition the
boys learned to spell everything in Webster's spelling
CYRUS L. WATSON. 153
"book, to read with great fluency, and to write a legible hand.
English grammar was then unknown in the schools of the
South. To read, write, and cipher as far as the rule of three
was thought to be a complete English education. When
the boys were ten years of age, the father removed with his
family to Illinois Territory and stopped first, and for nearly a
year, in Goshen settlement, eighteen miles northeast of St.
Louis. This was then the northern verge of white settle-
ments in Illinois. In about a year the father removed with
his family to Missouri Territory — to Buffalo settlement, near
where the city of Louisiana, in Pike county, now stands.
But soon the Indians became troublesome, and a rude fort
was erected by the settlers. Into this they crowded, and
there the families lived in great discomfort for fifteen months.
One morning two of the men were shot by Indians not far
from the fort. Cyrus heard the discharge of the murderous
guns. Some of their friends in Goshen having heard of the
peril of the family came up and escorted them back to their
settlement. Here the family remained for several years,
but at length returned to their brief home in Missouri. In
1 82 1 Rev. John Mathews, who was then residing and preach-
ing in that settlement, opened a school in his own house. The
twin brothers, then young men of twenty-one^ attended upon
his instructions, and were advanced almost sufficently to enter
■college. But the family were in straitened circumstances. The
twin brothers, anxious to secure the means to prosecute
their studies, determined to make a trading trip to New
Orleans. They constructed a boat, loaded it with pork and
various commodities and started down the river. They
went no farther than Natchez. They disposed of their
cargo and returned. The venture was not a success. More
than two years after this unfortunate speculation the young
men were in St. Louis receiving instruction of Rev. Salmon
Giddings, at his school in that place. After much delay and
labor — teaching that he might gain the means of study and
studying that he might prepare for the ministry — Cyrus L.
was licensed by the Presbytery of Missouri, Oct. 8, 1828, at
their meeting at Shoal Creek, 111. This was only ten days
before " Center Presbytery of Illinois " was constituted by
the Synod of Indiana, at their meeting at Vincennes. Im-
mediately after his licensure Mr. Watson went to Spring-
field, where he assisted his brother in a school, and preached
in adjoining neighborhoods until June, 1829, when he was
154 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
commissioned by the A. H. M. Society to labor in the Mili-
tary Tract. This was the country between the Mississippi
and Illinois rivers, from their junction to the counties of
Peoria, Knox and Warren. When he commenced there was
but one Presbyterian church in the district — that of Fulton,
On the 19th of October, 1829, he was ordained by the
"Center Presbytery of Illinois." January 31, 1830, he, with
John M. Ellis, organized the Presbyterian church of Rush-
ville, with twelve members. In December of 1830, assisted
by Rev. Asa Turner, he organized the Presbyterian church
of Quincy, also with twelve members. In traveling over his-
wide parish, Mr. Watson carried a pocket compass, and by
it, where there was'ho path, directed his course. When, in
summer, he could not travel by day on account of the vora-
cious prairie fly, he would journey by night, and sometimes be
followed by packs of investigating wolves. He swam creeks
when needful, and had several hair-breadth escapes from
drowning. In May of 1831 he went as commissioner to the
Assembly at Philadelphia, and spent the ensuing year travel-
ing in Connecticut as agent for the A. H. M. Society. He
was successful in his agency, and regarded the year as
one of great advantage to himself In June of 1832 he re-
turned to Rushville and labored there and in the adjoining
neighborhoods until the autumn of 1835. He then went to
Dubuque, Iowa, at the request of the A, H. M. Society, to
make a station and look after the spiritual interests of the
adjacent mining regions. He remained one year, and late
in the fall of 1836 took charge of the little churches of
Bloomington and Waynesville, 111. He changed his fields of
labor frequently — preached at Rockford, III, at Beloit and
Milwaukee, Wis., at Maumee City and Ohio City, near
Cleveland, Ohio, at Tecumseh, Mich., at Farmington, 111.,
several years, and finally at Loda and Clifton on the 111. Cen-
tral R. R. He was very successful in protracted meetings,,
of which he held many. He was decided and pronounced
on the temperance question. Through all his life an un-
swerving Presbyterian, he labored much in Congregational
churches. When seventy-six years of age he says beauti-
fully of himself: "I feel thankful that I have been permitted
to labor in my chosen work so long — that I have always been
provided for — that my labors have sometimes been greatly
blessed, and at no time been wholly without success. I am
thankful that I have been able to provide for my children so
CYRUS L. WATSON. 155
long as they needed my care, and that now, when old age
and infirmities are beginning to render me dependent, I have
children who are able and regard it as no hardship to pro-
vide for my necessities. Bless the Lord, O my soul, for all
his kindness to me!"
The first seven years of his domestic life were a season of
terrible affliction. In that time he buried three wives and
three infant children. " Better women, or more agreeable
and affectionate, sleep not beneath the sod of Illinois."
His eldest daughter was sadly afflicted with epilepsy from
her childhood, and died of it when more than thirty years of
age. His present wife he married in December, 1841. She
has borne him five children, three daughters and two sons.
They are all living, grown to maturity and a source of great
comfort to their parents. The eldest daughter, Catharine
Tracy, was born October 23, 1842. She was married to A.
L. Austin, of Loda, 111., May 14, 1865, and is the mother of
four children. The second daughter, Caroline Elizabeth,
was born August 9, 1845. In May, 1869, she was married
to Rev. A. L. Smith, of Erie, Penn. His eldest son, Cyrus
Lewis, was born August i, 1847. He has been a law reporter
in the courts of Peoria for six years. The second son,
Charles Pond, was born September 22, 1850. He is a law
reporter in Indianapolis, Ind. His youngest daughter, Mar-
garet Louisa, was born March 6, 1853. The three last named
are unmarried. The eldest son and the last named daughter
are at home with their parents, in Peoria, 111.
There is a striking parallel between Thomas Lippincott
and Cyrus L. Watson. They were licensed by Missouri Pres-
bytery at the same time and place. They were ordained by
Center Presbytery at the same time and place ; and the
place of their license was the place of their ordination. They,
neither of them, acquired what is called a regular education,
though both were in the main well educated. They both
preached in many places, and both performed a vast amount
of itinerating missionary labor. They both married four
times. They both lived to a great age. Mr. Lippincott
dying at the age of seventy-eight years. Mr. Watson still
lives and has passed his seventy-ninth year. He is a mem-
ber of Peoria Presbytery.
The next meeting of Center Presbytery was held at Spring-
field, commencing March 25, 1830. There were present
eight ministers and six elders — Stephen Bliss and B. F. Spil-
156 PRKHBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
man were absent, Theron Baldwin was received by letter
from the South Association of Litchfield county, Conn. Ju-
lian M. Sturtevant, though absent from the meeting, was also
received on a regular letter from the same Association. John
McDonald was received from the Presbytery of Athens, Ohio.
Messrs. Ellis and Watson reported the organization of the
Rushville Church, January 31, 1830, with twelve members.
Provision was made for the installation of John M. Ellis over
the church in Jacksonville on the first Sabbath of April, 1830.
Resolutions were passed deploring the death of Stiles Haw-
ley, an agent of the Sabbath-School Union. Solomon Hardy,
minister, and Robert McCord, elder, were appointed Com-
missioners to the Assembly. The report to the Assembly
showed the Presbytery to consist of twenty-one churches
and thirteen ministers.
Theron Baldwin was born in Goshen, Conn., July 21,
1 801. His father was Elisha Baldwin, a farmer in north
Goshen. The maiden name of his mother was Clarissa Judd,
a sister of the mother of A. T. Norton. Mr. Baldwin grad-
uated at Yale College in 1827, and pursued his theological
studies at New Haven Seminary. He was licensed and or-
dained by the South Association of Litchfield county, at
Woodbury, Conn., August 26, 1829, at- the same time with
Julian M. Sturtevant and five others. He married Miss Caro-
line Wilder. They came to Illinois, arriving in Vandalia De-
cember 24, 1829. He labored one year with the church in
that place. He was a Commissioner to the Assembly from
the Presbytery of Kaskaskia in May, 183 1. In April, 1834,
his relation was removed from Kaskaskia to Illinois Presby-
tery. He united with Alton Presbytery, July 25, 1838, and
remained in this connection until September 30, 1862, when
he was dismissed to the Southern Congregational Associa-
tion of Illinois. For several years he was agent for the
American Home Missionary Society for Illinois and Mis-
souri. In 1837 he was appointed to the superintendence of
the Monticello Female Seminary. Here he remained seven
years. He then devised and created the College Edu-
cation Society and operated it for the rest of his life. How
well he executed this, his chief life work, his twenty-six an-
nual reports and other papers from his pen, in which great
principles are illustrated and the claims of liberal learning
J. M, STURTEVANT. 157
vindicated, and the Institutions saved from financial ruin by
timely aid, are a sufficient memorial. These reports and
other papers from his pen constitute a treasure in the depart-
ment of collegiate literature. After the formation of the
College Education Society his residence was at the East,
where he could best prosecute his work. He died at Orange,
N. J., Sabbath a. m., April lO, 1870, aged sixty-eight years
and eight months. His funeral was attended from the Krick
church, Orange, N. ]., April 15. The sermon was preached
by Rev. J. M. Strutevant, D.D., of Illinois College. Between
him and Mr, Baldwin there had been, since their college
days, the closest friendship. Mr. Baldwin's degree of D.D.
was conferred by Marietta College, Ohio. His widow, two
sons and three daughters remain. Mr. Baldwin's views of
church government were peculiar, and will be made to appear
when I come to speak of Monticello Church, which was or-
ganized under his ministry, and upon which he impressed his
own ecclesiastical ideas.
His children are these: (i) Caroline L., born at Jacksonville,
111., January 17, 1834 — married Charles Darrow, who died at
Minneapolis, Minn., September, 1871. (2) Theron, born at
Jacksonville, 111., March 12, 1837 — married Julia A. Cooley,
daughter of Dr. C. S. Thompson, of Fair Haven, Conn.
(3) Emily C, born at Monticello, 111., March 12, 1839 — mar-
ried Charles E. Fellows, lawyer, Hartford, Conn. (4) Mary
P., born at Monticello, 111., May 25, 1841. (5) Henry, born
at Newark, N. J., December 17, 1847; graduated at Yale
College and the Art School; is still pursuing his studies in
the latter and giving lessons in drawing.
Julian Monson Sturtevant was born at Warren, Litch-
field county, Conn., July 21, 1805. His parents were both
natives of the same town. He graduated at Yale College
in 1826, studied theology in New Haven Seminary, was
licensed and ordained by the South Association of Litchfield
county at Woodbury, Conn., August 26, 1829. He came to
Illinois under a commission from the American Home Mis-
sionary Society in October, 1829. After performing mission-
ary labor for about two months he was appointed instructor
in Illinois College, and entered upon his duties the first Mon-
day in January, 1830. He has remained, in connection with
that Institution, as^ professor and president, from that time
158 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
until one or two years since, when he resigned. He still re-
sides in Jacksonville. He was made D.D. by the University
of Missouri in 1848, and L. L.D. by the University of Iowa
in 1871. He remained nominally in connection with the
Presbyterian Church until 1855, though at that time, for
years before and ever since, he has been a most pronounced
and radical Congregationalist. Under his lead that Institu-
tion, meant at first to be Presbyterian, then Presbyterian and
Congregational, has been carried over wholly to the Congre-
gational side. He has been the leader of that ism in this State
from its very beginning, in about 1833. All concede to him
remarkable ability;" but Presbyterians in this State owe him
no thanks.
John McDonald was born February 25, A. D. 1777, in
Brooke county, Va., now IVesi Va. His ancestors were Scotch
Presbyterians, his grandfather having come from Scotland.
He was educated at Athens and Zanesville, Ohio, and by pri-
vate instructors, spending about seveii years in securing an
education which he obtained by his own personal effort. He
was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Athens, Ohio,
about 1828. About two years afterwards he came as a mis-
sionary to the State of Illinois and labored at and near where
the city of Hennepin now stands — then Fort Hennepin. Of
his ministry at that place the writer knows but little, except
that in passing through the country near Hennepin, about
thirty years ago, he formed the acquaintance of some of the
early settlers, who spoke in affectionate terms of their old
pastor.
After laboring at Hennepin about two years he returned
to Ohio, united with the Presbytery of Chillicothe and was
ordained by them not far from 1834.
He was married October 23, 1834, to Miss Nancy Newton
Means, of Paris, 111. Her relatives, among whom is the
Rev. John Crozier, are widely and favorably known in
this part of Illinois. In the year 1835 he took charge
of the church of Pleasant Prairie, Coles county, 111. He
at once proceeded to complete the " Meeting House "
which had been commenced by Isaac Bennett. From his
education and natural force of mind, he could successfully
perform almost any kind of work. Having found a large
lime rock in the immediate neighborhood of the church, he
JOHN M DONALD. I 59
built a log-heap and converted it into lime, with which he
plastered the first church edifice ever erected in Coles
county. Although it- was the first job of the kind he ever
did, the old settlers always said it was the best they had ever
seen. A strange thing about it was, that the rock afforded
only sufficient lime to plaster the building, and there has never
been any other limestone found within miles of the place.
He also found a peculiar kind of clay with which he made
putty that held the glass firmly. In the year 1835, he organized
the church at Charleston and preached at that place one-half
his time for many years. He also preached at Hebron, now
Ashmore, at a church in Shelby county, and at another
on the Okaw, in Moultre county. The rest of his time was
occupied at Pleasant Prairie. For all this labor he often
received no more than one hundred dollars per year from
the churches, and never but once or twice did he receive aid
from the H. M. Board. For several years during this part
of his ministry he taught a class of young men, among
whom was R. A. Mitchell. He also erected all his own
buildings, made rails, hauled them and fenced his own fields,
and cultivated his own crops and harvested them. While
he was thus busily engaged, his wife, with her own hands,
was spinning and weaving cloth, and exchanging it to the
merchants for such things as their family needed. At that
period this part of Illinois was very unhealthy and much of
his time was spent with the sick and dying. He was at once
minister, teacher, carpenter, laborer, physician and nurse.
Ten or fifteen years of such Herculean ]^toil broke him
down ; and for a time he was unable to preach, and never
fully recovered. In January or February, 185 1, his team
ran away with him and broke one of his thighs, from which
he suffered greatly, and was ever afterwards lame. He was
a man of the most scrupulous honesty. As an illustration
of this, take one example.
He and his wife took a piece of jeans which she had
woven to Charleston and traded it to a merchant. A day or
two afterwards it occurred to him that the cloth had not
been dampened and shrunk. He at once mounted his horse
and rode to Charleston, a distance of ten miles, to inform the
merchant and pay him for the probable shrinkage, a half yard
or so. The merchant laughed at his exact honesty, but
would not receive the proffered pay. He raised a large fam-
ily, whose names and ages are as follows: William N., born
l60 PRESBYTEKIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
June i6, 1835; died December 17, 1872. He was clerk of
the court at the time of his death. Mary E., born March.
24, 1837, now the wife of the Rev. R. G. Ross. EHza J,^
born February 3, 1840. Ann L., born November 13, 1841.
Nancy E., born April 13, 1843. Margaret A., born March
12, 1845 ; died October 20, 1845. J- -^v born September
30, 1846; died July 8, 1847. Joseph, born February 29,
1748; died March 8, 1848. Newel S., born August i, 1849.
Sarah S., born February 23, 185 1. Chalmers A., born March
^Zy 1S53. John T., February ii, 1855. Eight of the chil-
dren are living and married.
Although Fathet McDonald received so little from the
churches, yet by his industry and frugality he was enabled
to provide well for his children and give them all a fair edu-
cation. He also contributed more during his whole life for
benevolent purposes than any of his flock. He quietly
passed away to that " Rest that remaineth for the people of
God" on the 15th of August, 1866, deeply mourned by the
entire community. The fragrance of his memory is still
sweet to those who love true greatness.
Not only Father McDonald, but many of the pioneer min-
isters of the Presbyterian Church in this State, who spent
their lives in founding our churches, and under the most ad-
verse circumstances, have passed away comparatively un-
known to fortune or to fame.
Stiles Hawley was a Sabbath-School Agent. He was a.
native of Connecticut, and came to Illinois in the fall of 1829.
He was often at Mr. Bergen's house at Springfield. He la-
bored in his agency faithfully and successfully through most
of the winter of 1829-30 in Sangamon county. In February
he started on horseback for the counties on the eastern side
of the State. In a few days word came back to Springfield
that a horse, resembling his, saddled and bridled, had been
found east of Decatur, between the Okaws. Mr. Bergen,
with a friend, rode over in March to investigate. He found,
undoubted evidence that the unfortunate man had been
drowned, but in the high state of the waters could not find
the body. In the succeeding May, after the waters had
gone down, Rev. T. Baldwin and Mr A. Moore went over to
renew the investigation. After a long and almost hopeless
search the body was found lodged in a heap of brushwood.
CENTER PRESBYTERY. " l6l
Gloves and mittens were on his hands, his overcoat buttoned
up and his saddle-bags on his arm. He had doubtless dis-
mounted, attempted to cross the stream on a log, fallen in,
and in the intense cold, and bundled up as he was, been una-
ble to extricate himself. His relatives were informed of his
sad fate. By their direction the horse was sold and the pro-
ceeds used to purchase Bibles, which were given as memen-
toes to his friends. .
The next meeting and the last of Center Presbytery, as
such, was with the Wabash Church, in the house of Rev.
Stephen Bliss, commencing Oct. 9, 1830. Rev. S. C. Bald-
ridge devotes an entire chapter to it in his admirable book.
There were ten of the members of Presbytery present.
Brich, Bergen and Sturtevant were absent. Three new
members were received, viz.: Benoni Y. Messenger and
Henry Herrick, from the Cojisociation of New Haven west
to join any Presbytery at the West ; and Horace Smith from
Trumbull Presbytery. Mr. Smith was not present. His
papers were presented by Mr. Watson.
Elders present: Wm. M. Stewart, from Shoal Creek and
Greenville churches; Thomas Gould, from Wabash Church;
Samuel McCracken, from Bethel Church, and John Story,
from Sharon. Twelve Ministers, four Elders.
Three new churches were received, viz.: Pleasant Prairie,
in Clarke, now Coles county, Union Grove, in Tazewell coun-
ty, and Providence Church in Jersey — Prairie, in Morgan
county.
While several of the brethren from the west side of the
State were on their way from Vandalia, they stopped to
spend the night at Maysville, where their road crosses the
Vincennes and St. Louis route. They soon learned that a
minister from Massachusetts had just arrived at the same
place, on his way westward. It was Artemas BuUard, cor-
responding secretary of the Mass. S. S.Union. They easily
persuaded him to change his course and go with them. He
added great interest to the meeting, and inspired them all
with new zeal in the Sabbath school cause. With the new
members the Presbytery consisted of sixteen ministers, with
twenty-seven churches having a total membership of six hun-
dred and sixty-five. Sangamon had become the largest
church, having sixty-seven members. The leading ecclesiasii-
10
l62 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
cal measure taken at this meeting was an arrangement for the
division of the Presbytery so as to make three. The new
Presbyteries were to be Kaskaskia, with seven ministers and
seventeen churches; Sangamon, with four ministers and six
churches ; and Center Presbytery, with its name changed to
Illinois, with the rest of the ministers and churches. As
our State is now, the dividing Hnes of these new Presbyter-
ies are a httle curious. Kaskaskia included that part of the
State lying south of the northern line of Madison, Bond,
Fayette and Crawford. This northen line ran nearly east
and west, and the bounds of this Presbytery were clearly
defined. Sangarnon Presbytery included all that part of the
State east of the west line of Montgomery, Sangamon, Ful-
ton, Knox, Henry and Jo Davies counties ; i. e., the west
line crosses the Illinois river some where near Beardstown,
then ran directly north on the fourth principle meridian to
Rock river, thence up that stream some forty miles, and
then north to the north State line. The six churches were
Hillsboro, with six members; Springfield or Sangamon, with
sixty-seven ; Fulton, with fifteen members ; Union Grove, in
Tazewell county, with twenty-one ; and Pleasant Prairie, in
Coles county, with twenty members, and Paris Church, in
Edgar county, with about thirty members — one hundred and
fifty-nine in all. Thomas A. Spilman, at Hillsboro, had as
his nearest co-presbyter, J. G. Bergen, at Springfield ; his
next nearest John McDonald, at Union Grove, Tazewell
county ; and the farthest from him, Horace Smith, at Ful-
ton. Chicago, then a mere military post, was in its limits.
The eastern boundary of Center or Illinois Presbytery,
was the western boundary of Sangamon. It included the
now important places, Carrollton, Jacksonville, Quincy,
Rushville, Rock Island and Galena, where Aratus Kent was
then laboring, for his arrival at Galena was April 19, 1829.
The Synod of Indiana met that same October at Madi-
son, Ind. From Wabash, several of the members after rid-
ing from fifty to three hundred miles to Presbytery, went on
one hundred and sixty miles further to Synod. The Synod
sanctioned the division recommended by Presbytery, and
requested the General Assembly of 1831 to form, if they
deemed it best, a new Synod. The Assembly granted the
prayer, and declared the three Presbyteries, together with
that of Missouri, The Synod of Illinois.
HERRICK — MESSENGER — SMITH. 163
Henry Herrick, was a na.tive of Connecticut, graduated at
'Yale College in 1822, studied Theology at Andover two
years, ordained April 14, 1830. Home Missionary in Car-
rollton, 1830-1. In Sabbath school and other agencies in
New England and New York from 1832 to 1835. Principal
of Knoxville Female Academy, Tenn., in 1835. Principal of
Somerville Academy, Alabama, in 1842. Home Missionary
in Canada East, and Clmtonville, N. Y., 1844 to 1849.
Stated supply in Ticonderoga, N. Y., Middlefield, Mass.,
Archibold, N. Y., Colchester, N. Y., and Exeter, N. Y., from
1849 to 1867. Without charge in North Woodstock, Conn.,
when last heard from.
Benoni Young Messenger was born in Massachusetts,
July, 1800. Ordained sine titulo at Hamden, Conn., May,
1830. United with Center Presbytery October 9, 1830. In
the division of Center Presbytery he fell to Kaskaskia. Thence
he was dismissed to Illinois Presbytery October 14, 1833.
He was soon obliged by ill health to return East. Supply
pastor Darien, Conn., 1834-5 ; supply pastor South Britain,
Conn., 1835-7; supply pastor Orange Conn., 1837-8; pas-
tor North Bloomfield, O., 1847; pastor Mt. Stirling, III,
1850; Agent American Bible Society in Ohio 1858-66. Died
at Geneva, O., May 9, il
Horace Smith was a native of Massachusetts, graduated
at Yale College 18 18, at Andover Seminary in 1821, was or-
dained February 27, 1822, and was a Home Missionary
through life, laboring in Ohio, Vermont, Ilhnois and Mis-
souri. He died in Richfield, Ohio, November 20, 1868, aged
seventy. His labor in Illinois was principally at Canton and
Lewistown, Fulton county, in 1 830-1, though he was one of
those who at an earlier day made a flying visit through the
State further south.
Pleasant Prairie Church, Coles county. This is classic
ground to Presbyterians in this State. Late in the winter,
or in the early spring of 1830, there came here a licentiate,
Isaac Bennett by name — of whom I shall have more to say
in the proper place — bearing a commission from the Board of
164 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Domestic Missions. He was supposed to have Turkish blood
in his veins. At Pleasant Prairie he found a few Presbyterian,
families, among whom he pitched his tent. So successful
were his labors that on August 31, 1830, Pleasant Prairie.
Church was organized by Rev. B. F. Spilman, with the fol-
lowing fourteen members, viz. : Thomas Mayes, Agnes.
Mayes, Theron E. Balch, Ann Boyd, Thomas McCracken,
Nancy McCracken, James Ashmore, Cassander Ashmore,
Rachel Ashmore, Margaret Ashmore, William Wayne, Mary
Wayne, James Logan 'and Elizabeth Logan, jr. Of these
original members none are now alive. July 24, 1831, there
was an addition of" eleven members by certificate and three
by examination. Of these fourteen, two are now living, Mrs.
Alpha Balch, who is now eighty-three years of age and to-
tally blind, and Mrs. Martha Gould, who was the first person
baptized after the organization. Elders: Theron E. Balch
and Thomas Mayes at the organization ; Robert Gray, elected.
September 13, 1832; William Collom, elected August 3,
1833; Hugh Linn, elected April 27, 1835; Samuel Walker
and Joseph Allison, elected June 9, 1837; David Dryden
and Israel J. Monfort, elected May 9, 1843; E. S. Thayer
and G. B. Balch, elected February 21, 1859.
Ministers : Mr. Bennett continued to labor with the church
the greater part of the time for three years after its forma-
tion. James H. Shields, of Indiana, succeeded him and la-
bored for about six months. In the spring of 1835 John
McDonald commenced his services here, and spent with this
church one half his time until 1847, when bronchitis com-
pelled him to suspend his pulpit labors. He retired to his
farm in the neighborhood, but was active in the affairs of the
congregation until his death. Joseph Adams succeeded,,
and remained until the close of 1849. John Elliott followed,,
and remained about two years. J. W. Allison, N. Williams
and Ellis Howell served the church from 1862 to 1867. A
separation of this church into New and Old School took place
August 2, 1839. The New School portion consisted at first
of thirty-one members. The Old of twenty-five. Elders
of the New School: The first, Joseph Allison and Thomas
Mayes; Siah W. Morrison and John G. Morrison, May 16,
1840; Patrick Nicholson, September 13, 1851; John F.
Campbell, March 4, 1865.
Ministers of the New School church: From August 2,,
1839, to July 9, 1846, it had only occasional supplies. At
PLEASANT PRAIRIE CHURCH. l6$
the last date Charles H. Palmer, licentiate, commenced his
labors as stated supply. He was ordained by the Palestine
Presbytery, N. S., in the spring of 1847 and remained
until the fall of 1850. John C. Campbell, March 14, 1852,
one-half time. Joseph Wilson, February 22, 1854, in con-
nection with Long Point (now Neoga) Church until August,
1857. Samuel Ward, September, 1857, to March 26, 1858,
half time. Joseph Wilson, second time, April 15, 1859, to
April, 1866, in connection with Long Point. T. R. Hedges,
through 1869. He was from the Cumberland Church.
The two churches were re-united by the Presbytery of
Mattoon October 14, 1871. Presbytery directed the officers
■of the two churches to be continued in the united church;
but the elders of both resigned, and on December 2, 1871,
L J. Monfort, George B. Balch,J. F. Campbell, WiUiam W.
Campbell and Thomas Grimes were elected.
George W. Ash labored here in 1872, also George F. Davis
in same year. Ellis Howell and B. Lyman in 1874-5. Rob-
ert G. Ross commenced November, 1876, and is still supply
pastor.
For a church situated as this was at its organization —
-all of them new settlers, and living for the most part in
rough log houses of only one room, almost entirely with-
out money and with no lumber mills accessible — to erect a
house of worship was a great undertaking. But they had in
Mr. Bennett a leader equal to the emergency. There was no
Church Erection Board, or other source of foreign aid. They
must look to themselves alone. The size proposed was
twenty-four by thirty feet. The subscription paper is found
in the church record book, and is a curiosity. Four persons,
of whose names Mr. Bennett's stands first, subscribed each
twelve days' work; others a less number, but the aggregate
was ninety days' work. One man subscribed twenty-six
spikes; another thirty bushels of lime. The money subscrip-
tion was nineteen dollars and fifty cents ! The building was
covered with clapboards split and shaved by hand. The floor
was of boards cut out with a whip-saw. The pulpit was
unique — a huge tub constructed by Mr. Bennett himself. This
ancient building still remains, or did seven years ago, though
in a very dilapidated condition. Two church edifices have
succeeded it, both of which are still standing. The building
last constructed is thirteen years old. The three buildings are
all on N. W. quarter Sec. 12, T. 11, R. 8. The site of first
l66 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
building was half an acre ; of the two last a five acre lot..
On both sites is a cemetery. The site of this cluster of church
buildings is sometimes called, "Head of the Indian."
In 1859 the New School part of the church erected a house
in Farmington, Campbell Post office, on S. E. quarter of Sec.
16, T. II, R. 9, at a cost of nine hundred and twenty-eight
dollars. The buildings are nearly five miles apart. The pres-
ent arrangement is for a Sabbath-school and one sermon in
each on every Sabbath. The present membership of the
church is eighty-three.
The Center Presbytery of Illinois held five regular
meetings, and one by adjournment. The first meeting at
Kaskaskia, January 9, 1829; the second meeting at Jackson-
ville, March 19, 1829; the third meeting at Vandalia, Octo-
ber 10, 1829; the fourth meeting at Springfield, March 25,
1830; the fifth meeting at Wabash, October 10, 1830; the
adjournment meeting at Shoal Creek, October 19, 1829.
It commenced with seven ministers, two licentiates and
twenty-one churches. It ended with sixteen ministers, no
licentiates and twenty-seven churches.
Another church, that of New Providence, Edgar county,
was in its bounds, but not included in its lists, and continued
its connection with Wabash Presbytery.
The period of its existence — dating from the ordinance
of Synod establishing it — was just two years.
CHAPTER V.
MEETINGS OF PRESBYTERIES AND SYNOD FROM 1 83 1 TO 1 834
INCLUSIVE, WITH SKETCHES OF THE CHURCHES ORGANIZED,
AND MINISTERS RECEIVED IN THE RESPECTIVE YEARS OF THE
PERIOD.
Authorities: Records of Presbyteries ; Synod and Church Sessions; Auto-
graphical Sketches.
The action of Center Presbytery and of Indiana Synod,
in October, 1830, with reference to a new Synod, was and
could be only preliminary. It did not create the Synod.
That could only be done by the highest legislative body of
the church; and it was done by the General Assembly, May,
1 83 1. Previous to that time the Synod of Illinois did not
exist. Center Presbytery should not have considered itself
as actually divided and made a Synod until that action of the
Assembly was held. It should have held a spring meeting
in 1 83 1 as Center Presbytery. But disregarding the fact,
that the initiation of a scheme is not its accomplishment,
it provided for a spring meeting, in 1831, of each of the pro-
posed new Presbyteries, before the action of the Assembly
which alone could give them existence as the component
parts of a new Synod. Had no neiu Synod been contem-
plated by the division of Center Presbytery, then the action
of Indiana Synod in October, 1830, authorizing that divis-
ion, would have been decisive, sufficient and final. But, as
matters stood, the combined action, or an agreeing action, of
Indiana Synod and the General Assembly, was necessary to
give the three Presbyteries a constitutional existence.
YEAR 1 83 1.
Illinois Presbytery met March 31, 1831, at Jacksonville.
Ministers present: John Brich, John M. Ellis, Cyrus L.
Watson, J. M. Sturtevant and Henry Herrick. Elders :
James Kerr, Jacksonville ; Thomas Blair, Rushville ; Benja-
min Workman, Providence Church. Lucian Farnum, from the
Presbytery of Newburyport; Edward Beecher, from the
l68 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Suffolk Association; William J. Fraser, from the Miami Pres-
bytery, and Asa Turner, from the Association of New Ha-
ven West, were received. C. L. Watson reported the organ-
ization, December 4, 1830, of the church of Quincy, with fif-
teen members. Provision was made for quarterly meetings
of the Presbytery, at each of which sermons and exegetical
exercises were to be added to the usual business routine.
Edward Beecher was born in Litchfield, Conn. He is
the eldest son of the celebrated Dr. Lyman Beecher. He
graduated at Yaljs College in 1827; studied theology two
years at Andover; was a tutor in Yale College in 1825-6;
ordained December 27, 1826; pastor of Park Street Church,
Boston, Mass., 1 826-3 1 ; President of Illinois College, Jackson-
ville, 1831-44; Pastor of Salem Street Church, Boston, Mass.,
1844-55; associate editor of the Congregationalist, 1849-53;
resided in Galesburg, 111., in 1855, and is now, 1879, in Brook-
lyn, N. Y.
William J. Fraser united with Illinois from Miami Pres-
bytery. I have no information of his early history. In
1837-40 he was in Kaskaskia Presbytery without charge.
From 1 841 to 1844 he was pastor at Knoxville, 111. In 1846
he was in the same place, but without charge. In 1854-56
he was in Palmyra Presbytery, and pastor at Des Moines,
Iowa. In 1857-59 in Missouri Presbytery. From 1861 in
Brimfield, 111., where he died February 22, 1876, aged sev-
enty-six years, being at the time, and for fourteen years be-
fore, a member of Peoria Presbytery. He was very strenu-
ous in his opinions, and several times the subject of ecclesias-
tical discipline.
Illinois Presbytery met at Carrollton July 23, 1831. Min-
isters present: John Brich, William J. Fraser, Henry Her-
rick, Asa Turner, John M. Ellis. Absent: Edward Beecher,
C. L. Watson, J. M. Sturtevant. Elder present: Dr. An-
thony Potts, of Carrollton. Lucian Farnum was dismissed
to Sangamon Presbytery. The Carrollton Church organ-
ized May 4, 1823, seems to have been regarded as having
changed its center and become Apple Creek Church. Hence
UNION CHURCH. . 169
the Presbytery organized at this meeting what they called
the Carrollton Church, and without any reference to the one
previously existing. The fall meeting was held with Prov-
idence Church, Jersey Prairie, Morgan county, September 8.
Ministers present: John Brich, William J. Fraser, J. M.
Sturtevant, Henry Herrick, J. M. Ellis, Asa Turner. Absent :
Edward Beecher, C. L. Watson. Elders present : James
Kerr, Jacksonville; Julius A. Willard, Carrollton; Jacob
Lawrence, Providence Church.
At an adjourned meeting held in Hillsboro, Sept. i5, 1831,
Solomon Hardy was received from the Presbytery of Kaskas-
kia. Another meeting was held at Quincy Dec. 22. Union
Church was received. The pastoral relation between John
M. EUis and Jacksonville Church was dissolved.
Union Church, IMorgan county, was organized October 2,
1 83 1, at the mill house of William C. Stephenson, on the
]\Iauvaisterre, by Revs. William J. Fraser, J. M. Ellis, and
Elder James Kerr, with these members : Mary Tilson, Char-
lotte Hill, EUza Cole, John M. Hill, W. C, Stevenson, sr.,
Robert Smith, Edward Craig, James Craig, W. C. Stephen-
son, jr., Barnabas Barrows, Mary A. Craig, Ann Craig, John
Stephenson, Hugh G. Craig, William H. Craig, Francis F.
Thornton, Ann Thornton, Catharine P. Fitchhew, Rice Mc-
Fadden, Sarah Tilson, Robert Gilliland, Nancy Gilliland,
Ray Black, Sarah A. Todd, Elizabeth Robertson, Charles
Robertson, Samuel Q. Reaugh, Phoebe Reaugh. Elders :
James Craig, John M. Hill, W. C. Stevenson, sr., and Rob-
ert Smith. Since appointed — David Craig, Samuel Q.
Reaugh, Harvey McClung, Charles Reaugh, David A. Ran-
nels, Daniel McAfee, Edward Craig, John A. Reaugh, James
W. Craig, Robert Brown, Josiah A. Barrows, Robert Cun-
ningham.
Ministers : William J. Fraser, John Brich, Joseph J. Gray,
David D. McKee, Thomas A. Spilman, Thomas M. Newell,
1853; John D. Shane, 1857; Noah Bishop, 1862-67; Thomas
D. Davis. Robert W. Allen has been here ten years and
still remains. He resides in Jacksonville. This church used
tokens for admission to the Lord's table. December 3,
1838, it decided to go with the Old School Assembly, and
to place itself under the care of the Sangamon Presby-
tery. The present house of worship of Union — now Unity —
I/O PRE3BYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Church is on S. W. quarter of Sec. 24, T. 14, N. R. 10 W., at
the southeast corner of the quarter section. The first house
of worship was of logs, a mile south of the present building.
The second house was a frame structure, about a mile and a
half southwest of the first house. The present is a very neat
frame building, on a pleasant site, heated by a furnace, and
was dedicated January i.
Kaskaskia Presbytery met at Vandalia, March 4, 1831.
Thomas Lippincott was chosen Stated Clerk. Gilead Church
was received. Theron Baldwin, minister, and James Mc-
Clung, elder, were appointed Commissioners to the Assem-
bly. The fall meeting was held at Greenville, Bond county,.
September 10, William K. Stewart was received from the
Presbytery of Muhlenburg. The church of Alton was re-
ceived. The church of Palestine belongs to this year,
though its name was not transferred from Wabash Presbytery
until later.
Gilead Church, in Jefferson county, was organized by B.
F. Spilman, February 27, 1 83 1, with eleven members. It was
northwest of Mt. Vernon, and two miles west of Rome.
Some of its Elders were Arba Andrews, James Martin, Will-
iam Porter, Robert D Hillhouse and Matthew Cunningham.
It was supplied by Isaac Bennet, Alexander Ewing, William
Gardner and Blackburn Leffler. Presbytery met here Octo-
ber, 1832, in April, 1836, in April, 1841, and in May, 1844.
It was called Gilead down to 1861. Then its name was, by
usage, changed to Rome, which place was its postofifiice. As
Rome it lived until April 22, 1861, when, being reduced to
one member, it was formally dissolved by Saline Presbytery.
Palestine Church, Crawford county, was organized on the
14, 15 and 16 of May, 1 83 1, by Revs. Isaac Reed and John
Montgomery, with these members, viz.: John Houston, Nancy
Houston, Mary Ann Logan, Jane Houston, Eliza Houston,
Wilson Lagow, Henry Lagow, Alfred G. Lagow, James Eagle-
ton, James Caldwell, Phoebe Morris, Anna Piper, Margaret
Eagleton, John Malcom, Ann Malcom and Hannah Wil-
son, sr.
PALESTINE CHURCH. I/I
Elders : John Houston and Wilson Lagow, the first.
James Eagleton, elected June 14, 1832 ; E. L. Patton, elected
Aug. 8, 1835, died Dec. 30, 1862; Finley Paull, elected
Aug. 8, 1835; Andrew McCorniick, elected Aug. 8, 1835 ;
James C. Allen, elected Dec. 7, 1849 ; Joseph M. Windsor,
elected Oct. 9, 1854; James H. Richey, elected Oct. 9, 1854;
Dr. J. S. Brengle, elected Aug. 9, 1859; J. C. Raney, elected
Jan. 27, 1872; H. T. Beam, elected March 24, 1872.
Finley Paull was elected clerk of Session Dec. 19, 1835,
and has been absent from meetings of Session but once in
forty-four years.
The Ministers: I will name in the order of their suc-
cession : John Montgomery, Reuben White, James Crawford,
Isaac Bennett, through 1839-40; Erastus W. Thayer, from
the spring of 1837 to the end of 1844; R. H. Lilly, from
Sept., 1845 to Feb,. 1849; Joseph Piatt, six months; John
Crozier, from 185 1 to 1855; James M, Alexander; A.
McFarland, pastor from 1858 to 1868; A. Thompson.
Thomas Spencer was installed pastor Aug. 30, 1874, and
remained till his death, Aug. 15, 1876; John E. Carson. The
church was organized in a school-house. About 1837 they
bought a carpenter shop and fitted it up as a place of wor-
ship. This building is still standing, and occupied as tenant
houses. The present house of worship was built in 1849.
It is thirty-eight by fifty feet, and cost ^^1,300. They
received one hundred and fifty dollars from Church Exten-
sion. About six years since eight feet were added to the
length, a bell tower erected and a bell procured. The
whole number of members who have been connected with
this church is four hundred and nineteen. In 1848 a num-
ber of members were dismissed from this church to organ-
ize one at Robinson. But the enterprise was premature.
That Robinson church was dissolved by Presbytery, Oct.,
1857, and the members re-united with Palestine. Another
effort, in the same direction, was made Nov. 3, 1872, when
forty-four members were dismissed to form another organi-
zation at Robinson. This effort was successful. Palestine
is also the mother of Beckwith Prairie Church. From it
Palestine Presbytery received its name. The only original
member of this church now living, is Mrs. Jane Houston.
Of the ten years of Mr. McFarland's pastorate, he was
absent two, as chaplain in the army, and his place was sup-
plied by Rev. Stephen J. Bovell.
1^2 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
In connection with Palestine Church, it is only just to say
a few words of Elder Findley Paull, who has been a pillar in
that church since 1835. He was born in Fayette county,
Western Penn., in Feb., 1809, of Scotch-Irish parentage. In
1824 he went to Wheeling, Va., and was clerk in a store
•with an uncle. In 1833 he united with the First Presbyte-
rian Church of that city, Dr. Henry R. Weed, pastor. In
the spring of 1835, he came to Palestine with a stock of
goods, and established himself in business. He immediately
united with the Presbyterian church in that place, and has
been one of its most active and useful members and officers
ever since. In tjie fall of 1835 he returned to Wheeling,
and married the wife with whom he lived most happily until
Sept. 20, 1877, when she was taken from him. Palestine
Church has been a mother of churches, and in the building
up and support of that church no one man has done as
much as Finley Paull.
William K. Stewart. I can find out nothing of his early
life. In April, 1831, he took charge of Vandalia church, was
installed May, 1832, and dismissed April 3, 1836. He was
transferred from Kaskaskia to Schuyler Presbytery, March
18, 1837. Was pastor of Macomb Church, 1849-52.
The Presbyterian Church of Alton, received 'at the
last meeting of Presbytery, was the second one organized at
that place. The names of the original members of this one
planted by Thomas Lippincott, June 19, 1831, were Enoch
Long and Mrs. Mary Long, his wife ; Wm. A. Robertson
and Eleanor M. Robertson, his wife ; Mrs. Mary Ann Tol-
man ; Samuel Thurston and Dorcas Thurston, his wife ;
George W. Fuller.
Elders: Enoch Long, June 19, i83i,dis. Dec'r 18, 1836;
Samuel Thurston, Jan'y 21, 1832, died May 16, 1833; H. K.
Lathy, October 10, 1834, ex. March 8, 1846; S. E. Moore,
July 25, 183S, dis. April 8, 1841 ; Andrew Alexander, Sept'r
26, 1835, died September 18, 1838 ; J. D. Bissell, December
22', 1837, dis. March 28, 1839; A. W. Corey, Feb. 10, 1838,
dis. Jan'y 4, 1840; W. S. Oilman, Dec. 8, 1839, dis. June 10,
1841 ; Benjamin Godfrey, July 5, 1840, dis. Sept. 18, 1844;
Charles W. Hunter, July 5, 1840, ex. Feb. i, 1841 ; Orrin
ALTON CHURCH. 173
Cooley, May 28, 1841, dis. Dec. 13, 1841 ; Lawson A. Parks,
May 28, 1 841 ; Samuel Wade, May 28, 1841 ; D. T. Wheeler,
Nov. 14, 1841, dis. Aug. 19, 1843; P. B. Whipple, Nov. 14,
1 841; Isaac Scarritt, Nov. 14, 1841 ; Stephen Lufkin, April
29, 1849; Nathan Johnson, April 29, 1849. April 26, 1849,
the church adopted the limited term of eldership. The
Elders under this system have been as follows : Lawson A,
Parks, elected April 27, 185 1 ; Isaac Scarritt, elected April
27,1851; P. B.Whipple, elected Oct. 9, 1853; Joshua G.
Lamb, elected Oct. 9, 1853; Nathan Johnson, elected Aug.
5, 1855, dis. July 23, 1867; Samuel Wade, elected Aug. 5,
1855, dis, June 17, 1870; Lawson A. Parks, elected Sept. 20,
1858, died March 31, 1875 ; Isaac Scarritt, elected Sept. 20,
1858, died Dec. 22, 1873; Perley B. Whipple, elected Dec.
18, 1859; Joshua G. Lamb, elected Dec. 18, 1859; Dr. Benj.
K. Hart, elected Dec. 18, 1859, died Sept. 2, 1865 ; Robert
Barr, elected March 5, 1865, died Aug. 13, 1868 ; James New-
man, elected March 5, 1865, dismissed ; J. G. Lamb, elected
March 17, 1867, dismissed; Perley B.Whipple, elected Mar.
17, 1867; Edward Hollister, elected March 17, 1867; A. W.
Greenwood, elected March 17, 1867, dismissed; John A.
Cousley, elected Jan. 16, 1870; P. B. Whipple, elected May
7, 1871 ; Henry L. Nichols, elected May 7, 1871 ; John P.
Nisbett, elected A^pril 25, 1875 ; Martin I. Lee, elected Apr.
25, 1875 ; Perley B. Whipple, elected June 10, 1877; Henry
L. Nichols, elected June 10, 1877; S. B. Eunk, elected June
10, 1877.
Ministers: Thomas Lippincott, until June, 1832. He
was succeeded by Elisha Jenney, who remained until April,
1835. F. W. Graves began in June, 1835. The following
October he became pastor and remained imtil November,
1838. During the succeeding winter the pulpit was supplied
by Albert Hale, now of Springfield. Augustus T. Norton
entered upon his labors as pastor elect March i, 1S39. On
the 9th of May following he was installed by the Presbytery
of Alton. Mr. Norton served as pastor until May 24, 1857,
when he resigned, but continued either in person, or through
other ministers, to supply the congregation, for the most
part, until June, 1858 — making the whole period of his ser-
vice nineteen years and three months. Cornelius H. Taylor
was installed pastor July I, 1858, and remained until the
latter part of March, i858, making a pastorate of nearly ten
years. The church then remained without a pastor for one
1/4 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
year. C. Solon Armstrong was invited to the pastorate
April 1 6, 1869, and entered upon his duties the 15 th of the
ensuing May. He was duly installed Dec. 16, 1869, by a
committee of the Presbytery of Alton, and is still in office.
The whole number of members in the church up to January,
1879, is 1066. Of these two hundred and forty-three were
added before Mr. Norton's pastorate and three hundred and
seventy-one during its continuance. In Mr. Taylor's pasto-
rate, two hundred and two were added ; in the year between
Mr. Taylor and Mr. Armstrong, five ; in Mr. Armstrong's,
thus far, two hundred and forty-five. The number of mem-
bers reported to th^e Assembly at the close of Mr. Norton's
administration was two hundred and thirty; at the close of
Mr. Taylor's, two hundred and forty-two ; in the spring of
1878, at the close of Mr. Armstrong's ninth year, three hun-
dred were reported. In 1870 about forty-eight members
were dismissed to form a Congregational church. The reduc-
tion in numbers by this movement was serious, but the loss
in pecuniary strength was far more so, amounting to fully
one-half the financial ability of the congregation. Though
never rich, the benevolence of this congregation has been so
sedulously cultivated and so largely developed that during
the whole of Mr. Norton's and Mr. Taylor's administrations,
its offerings for benevolent causes, outside of itself, were
larger than any other Presbyterian church in the State, ex-
cept one or two in Chicago. Content with a modest, inex-
pensive house of worship, it supported its pastors well, and
gave largely to all benevolent causes, especially Home Mis-
sions.
There have been many revivals in the history of this con-
gregation ; but the one most notable, for the character and
standing of its converts, was that of the winter and spring
of 1849. Value is not to be estimated by numbers, but by
weight. The conversion of Saul of Tarsus was worth more
to the Church and the world, than that of the whole three
thousand on the day of Pentecost. The population of all our
Western cities and villages is extremely fluctuating. That
of Alton has ever been pre-eminently so. Hence the small
permanent growth of this church, notwithstanding the con-
stant and large increase of members.
Its place of IV or ship. The church of 1821, noticed in
another place, was organized in a log school-house in
Upper Alton. It stood on the corner diagonally op-
ALTON CHURCH. 175
posite the northeast corner of John Bates' premises. A
small, one-story brick house now occupies the spot. In
that log school-house, Deacon Long and Henry H. Snow
gathered a Sabbath school in the summer of 1820. The
present church was organized at the house of Deacon
Enoch Long, corner of Main and College streets, Upper
Alton, the spot now occupied by the late Joseph Burnap's
residence. The public services of the occasion were held in
the brick school-house in Upper Alton. The next place of
worship was the frame building on Second street, Alton, next
-east of the residence of the late Simeon Ryder. The next
building occupied was Lyceum Hall, on the northeast cor-
ner of Alby and Second streets. This building was burned
July 30, 1874. Captain Benj. Godfrey united with this
church on profession, Nov. 8, 1833. The same year he
erected, with his own means, a commodious stone church,
with a spire and a basement story, on the northeast corner
■of Third and Market streets, where the Episcopal church
now stands. He retained the title in his own hands, and
afterwards gave the property to the trustees of Monticello
Seminary, by whom it was sold to the Episcopalians in the
spring" of 1845. A fine bell was in the tower, presented to
the church by Mrs. Oilman, mother of B. L and W. S. Gil-
man. Early one morning, immediately after the sale, that
•bell descended from that tower and went away on a dray.
This church occupied that building from its erection till the
time of sale, paying rent for it to Monticello Seminary, while
it was owned by that Institution. Its next place of worship
was in a small frame church on the northeast corner of
Third and Alby streets, where the Unitarian parsonage now
stands. The present brick house of worship was erected at
a cost of ;$3,500, and was dedicated June 14, 1846. In 1853,
it was enlarged by an addition of twenty-five feet to the
front, making the entire length eighty feet. This addition,
with other improvements, cost ;^2,500. In 1858 a ;$2,ooo or-
gan was put up in the building. In July and August of 1865
there was another renovation which involved an expense of
seven hundred dollars. But the chief renovation and
re-arrangement was made in 1875 at a cost of ;^4,000. A
re-dedication ensued Oct. 17, 1875. A sermon was preached
on the occasion, reciting the whole history of the church,
especially in reference to its places of worship. A debt was
created by this last improvement which for several years
1/6 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
was the source of no little annoyance. It was fully canceled,
however, at the beginning of 1 879. A large, fine parsonage
of brick was purchased by the congregation in 1 87 1, at a
cost of ^4,000. This was the offering of the congregation
to the magnificent memorial fund, of nearly eight millions,,
raised that year by the Re-United Presbyterian Church.
Sangamon Presbytery met at the house of John Moore,
an Elder of Sangamon church, April 7, 1 83 1. The Fall
meeting was held at Springfield, Sept 9. Ministers pres-
ent : John G. Berg;£n, John McDonald and Aratus Kent.
Elder: Smiley Shepherd, of Union Grove, Tazewell
county. Bethel, afterwards Oakland church, was received.
Aratus Kent arrived in Galena, April 19, 1829. Though
in the bounds of Center Presbytery, which embraced the
entire State, he did not unite with it, doubtless from want of
opportunity. He sent to this meeting his credentials from
the North Association of Hartford county, Connecticut, and
was received. Thomas A. Spilman, mmister, and John Tillson,
Elder, were appointed Commissioners to the Assembly.
John G. Bergen was appointed Stated Clerk. Horace Smitli
was dismissed to the Presbytery of Huron.
Horace Smith was born in Mass., graduated at Yale Col-
lege 1818, at Andover in 1821, ordained Feb. 27, 1822.
Home Missionary through life, and mostly in Ohio. Died
at Richfield, Ohio, Nov. 20, 1868, aged seventy.
Bethel, afterwards Oakland Church, Coles county, was
organized July 17, 1 83 1, by Rev. Stephen Bliss, with these
members : W. W. Morrison, Mary Morrison, Robert Brooks,
Mary Brooks, Alex. Laughlin, John Laughlin, Stanton Pem-
berton, Sarah Pemberton, Ruth Ashmore, Hezekiah Ashmore,
Elizabeth Ashmore, James Black, Elizabeth Black, John
King, Elizabeth King, James H. Bovell, Jane M. Bovell,Lavina
Laughlin. Elders : Robert Brooks, W. W. Morrison. From
this until 1853 the records are silent. At this date Rev. John
A. Steele was Minister, and Josiah O. Black, Elder. May 3,
1856, Rev. H. I. Venable commenced as supply pastor. May
19, i860, he was installed and remained pastor till April 1865,
OAKLAND CHURCH. 1 7/
Stephen J. Bovell commenced labor with them as supply-
pastor and continued till the close of 1878. At the spring
meeting of Palestine Presbytery, i860, the name was changed
to Oakla)id, to correspond with the name of the post-office.
During the nine years of Mr. Venable's connection with the
church, there were sixty additions. At the end of his pas-
torate, eighty-five names had been entered on the roll ; but
the losses by removals and deaths had reduced the number to
thirty-three. During the thirteen years of Mr. Bovell's min-
istry, twenty-three were added by profession and two by
letter. The present membership is thirty-five. Besides the
two original Elders, James Black, Josiah O. Black, John A.
Magner, Joseph Boyle, G. J. Ashmore, William J. Black and
Jacob V. Annin have served as Elders. The present ses-
sion is composed of G. J. Ashmore, William J. Black and
Jacob V. Annin All the others are dead except Joseph
Boyle and J. A. Magner, removed. Since 1858, sixty-seven
infants and fourteen adults have been baptized. Oakland is
in Coles county. The first church house was erected about
1833 at the old cemetery, one and a half miles northeast of
Oakland. It was of hewed logs, twenty by twenty-two feet.
The logs, according to custom in those times, were contrib-
uted by Congress. This house was dedicated by Isaac Ben-
net, was afterwards used as a school house, and finally sold
and moved out on the prairie. The second house was a
frame building, twenty-four by forty, and was erected about
1836, on the public square of Oakland. The frame, includ-
ing rafters and studding, was of split and hewn timber. It
was never finished or dedicated. The floor was loose boards ;
the seats and pulpit of puncheon slabs. It was used in sum-
mer only. In winter services were held' in farm houses. As
in the other house. Congress contributed the timber, even to
the boarding, which was got out by whip saw from poplar
trees growing near the forks of the Embarrass. The pres-
ent church house was erected in 1844. It is twenty-four by
forty and cost about four hundred dollars. It was dedicated
by Rev. John A. Steele. The main contributors were, S. C.
Ashmore, $2$ ; G. M. Ashmore, ^25 ; James Black, $2$ ; W.
C. Pemberton, $^,7 50; Dr. H. Rutherford, $T^y 50; Thomas
Affleck gave the lots and ^80 for the old building. The lum-
ber of this church was not contributed by Congress.
II
178 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
The Synod of Illinois, which had been established by
the Assembly May, 183 1, with the three lUinois Presby-
teries and that of Missouri, held its first meeting at Hillsboro,
Illinois, commencing Sept. 15, 1831. From the three Illi-
nois Presbyteries there were present fourteen ministers and
eleven Elders. Absent from those Presbyteries six minis-
ters. The whole number of Illinois ministers, therefore, at
that time was twenty. Missouri Presbytery was represented
in the Synod for this the first and only time ; for at this very
session a plan was adopted for dividmg that Presbytery into
three, in order to make a Synod of Missouri. This plan was
laid before the Assembly of 1832, and the new Synod cre-
ated. John G. Bergen was the Moderator of the meeting.
Thomas Lippincott was made Stated Clerk, and remained so
until 1840. The first hundred and ninety-three pages of the
Synodical Record are in his hand writing. Resolutions were
adopted recommending the establishment of a weekly reli-
gious newspaper in St. Louis, and a committee appointed to
make the needful arrangements as soon as practicable. The
following significant resolution was adopted, viz: "That the
Assembly's Board of Missions and the Board of the Home
Missionary Society be respectfully requested to communi-
cate freely with our Presbyterial and Synodical Committees
on all important subjects connected with Missionary opera-
tions in our bounds ; and ivithout the mediation of any other
Board zvhatever." The plain meaning of the whole paper, of
which this resolution is a part, was that they wished the
Home Missionary operations in their own bounds to be un-
der the control of their own clinrch Judicatories. This was
precisely the ground assumed and contended for by Alton
Presbytery in 1859, and sanctioned by the Assembly which
held its meeting at Wilmington, Del., that same year.
YEAR 1832.
Illinois Presbytery convened at Jacksonville, March 29,
1832. Ministers present: Solomon Hardy, John M. Ellis,
William J. Eraser, Henry Herrick, Asa Turner, J. M. Stur-
tevant, John Brich. Ministers absent : Cyrus L. Watson,
Edward Beecher. Elders: Anthony Potts, Carrollton; J. G.
Edwards, Jacksonville; William C. Stevenson, Union. Will-
iam Kirby was received from the Association of the Eastern
ILLINOIS PRESBYTERY. 1/9
district of New Haven, after answering the constitutional
questions in the affirmative. Henry Herrick, minister, and
H. H. Snow, elder, were appointed Commissioners to the
Assembly. The fall meeting was held at Carrollton, Septem-
Ijer 6. Macomb and Naples churches were received. Elisha
Jenney was received from the Third Presbytery of New
York. Two adjourned meetings were held in this year. The
'first with Union church, October lo; the second at Jackson-
ville, commencing December 19, and continuing till the 26th.
Thomas Lippincott and Benoni Y. Messenger were received
from the Presbytery of Kaskaskia. The other business of
these meetings appertained to troubles in the Union church,
and to difficulties between a portion of its session and Rev.
William J. Fraser, who was at that time their supply. From
the decision of the Presbytery in his case Mr. Fraser ap-
pealed to Synod.
William Kirby was born at Middletown, Ct., July lo,
1805. Graduated at Yale College, 1827, and at the Divinity
School of Yale College, 183 1. Ordained at Guilford, Ct.,
March 22, 1831. Tutor in Illinois College 1831-33. Preached
at Union Grove, 111., 1833-4. Supply pastor Blackstone
Grove, 111., 1834-6. Mendon, 111., 1836-45. Agent Home
Missionary Society for Illinois, residence in Jacksonville,
.till his death at Winchester, 111., December 20, 185 i, at the
age of forty-seven. He married Miss Hannah Wolcott in
1832, at Jacksonville, 111. They had seven children. Edward P.
Kirby, born October 28, 1833; William A., born August 6,
1837 ; Frances Caroline (iMcLaughlin), born January 25,1 840 ;
Cathrine Wolcott (Ross), born July 8, 1842; Helen McCluer
(Dwight), born January 12, 1845 : Henry Burgis (died), born
March 20, 1848; Elizabeth Pomeroy, born April i, 1850.
Elisha Jenney was born at Fair Haven, Mass., No-
vember 7, 1803. Graduated at Dartmouth College 1827;
Yale College Divinity School 1831 ; ordained Evangelist by
Third Presbytery of New York, October 14, 1831 ; supply
pastor Alton, 111., 1832-5 ; Agent A. B. C. F. M., for Illinois,
1836-7; preached at Monticello, Spring Creek, and Island
Grove, 1840-49; missionary of Illinois and Alton Presbyte-
ries, 1849-58; Agent of American Home Missionary Society
l80 PTIESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
for Central and Southern Illinois, 1858-68; resided last at
Galesburg, 111.
Naples Church was organized by Rev. Solomon Hardy-
August 5, 1832, with ten members — Benjamin Beckford,
elder. It enjoyed the labors of Rev. A. T. Norton for one
year from November i, 1835. Its numbers increased in the
time to twenty. Frederick Collins and Ledden Davis were
elders. It owned a comfortable house of worship erected
mostly, or wholly, by the brothers Anson, Michael and Fred-
erick Collins. The" 'summer of 1836 was extremely sickly.
One person in every ten or twelve of the population died,
and nearly all the remainder were sick. Ail the members
who could, removed at once. The Messrs. Collins left so
soon as they could dispose of their property, which they did
at great sacrifice. This church has several times been nearly
extinct, but has revived again, and still has a feeble existence,
and a comfortable house of worship.
Kaskaskia Presbytery met at Carmi, 111., April 6, 1832,
Ministers present : John Mathews, Stephen Bliss, William
K. Stewart, B. F. Spilman, Thomas Lippincott, B. Y. Messen-
ger. Minister absent : Theron Baldwin. Elders present :
Thomas Gould, Wabash ; George Hodge, Golconda ; James
Davis, Bethel; George Donnell, Shoal Creek; William
White, Greenville; Benjamin Spilman, Carmi; Peter Miller,
Sharon. A call from Vandalia church for William K. Stew-
art to become their pastor was sanctioned. John Montgom-
ery was admitted from the Presbytery of Northumberland ;
John Flavel Brooks from the Presbytery of Oneida, and Al-
bert Hale from the Association of the Eastern District of
New Haven county, Ct. Shoal Creek and Greenville
churches were united under the name of Greenville. John
Mathews, minister, and James McClung, elder, were ap-
pointed Commissioners to the Assembly. The fall meeting
was held with Gilead church. The church of Equality was
received.
John Montgomery was a native of Pennsylvania, and
graduated from the Princeton Seminary. He labored in
Crawford county and on Pope's river. 111. He died in 1843.
JOHN F. BROOKS. l8l
John F. Brooks was born in Westmoreland, Oneida county,
N. Y., Dec. 3, 1801. His parents were descended from the
■early emigrants to New England. His mother's ancestors
for several generations were Deacons in the Congregational
Church. His first wife was a daughter of Rev. Joel Bradley,
a graduate of Yale, and a Congregational minister in the
early settlements of New York. She died in Springfield, 111.,
March 30, i860. Mr. Brooks graduated at Hamilton Col-
lege in 1828. He studied theology at New Haven, Conn.;
licensed by an Association near New Haven ; ordained
by Oneida Presbytery about Sept. i, 1831. Came West
immediately. He organized the first-formed Presbyte-
rian church in Belleville, Jan. 6, 1833. He was one of the
original members of Alton Presbytery, set off by the Synod
of Illinois at Alton, Oct. 21, 1836. He was then residing in
Belleville, preaching and teaching. In the fall of 1837, he
went to Waverly, 111., and took charge of Waverly Seminary.
He was teacher in Waverly, III, from 1837 ^^ 1840, then in
Springfield Seminary, 1849-53. Since then he has been
and is Instructor in Latin in " Bettie Stuart Institute,"
Springfield, 111.
Albert Hale was born in Glastenbury, Conn., Nov. 29,
1799. His ancestors were from England. His early educa-
tion was in the common school and an academy. He then
spent about eight years as a clerk in a store in Wethersfield,
Conn. He graduated at Yale College in 1827, and studied
theology in New Haven Seminary. He was licensed by the
Association of New Haven county. Eastern District, Aug.
10, 1830, and ordained by the same body at Guilford, March
22, 183 1. He came West the next fall, landing at Shawnee-
town, Nov. 15, 1831. He preached there once, and had a
hard talk with a minister, who afterwards wrote a letter in
which he charged " that Mr. Hale taught nothing to the peo-
ple but what zaas in the Bible" He took charge of the
Bethel Church in Bond county, in Jan., 1832, and that place
was his home for eight years. The last two of those years,
at his own suggestion, the church was supplied by others.
His time was mainly spent, during the whole of these eight
years, in visiting the new villages and settlements to preach
and aid in forming churches. The last two winters, 1838 and
1839, he preached at Jacksonville and at Alton.
l82 PKKSBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
He was married in the spring of 1839, at Monticello,.
Madison county, 111., to Miss Abiah Chapin, one of the
teachers in Monticello Seminary. He was elected Pas-
tor of the Second Presbyterian Church, Springfield, 111., in
the summer of 1839, entered upon his labors there the 1 5th of
the next November, and was installed by the Presbytery of
Illinois, July i, 1840. He occupied that post with great
acceptance and success for twenty-seven years and a few
months. Since then he has been and still is abundant in
ministerial labors in Springfield and the surrounding region-
He terms himself, " Bishop of the highways and hedges."
Though eighty year^^ of age, in Nov., 1879, he is still a vig-
orous and constant laborer in the Master's vineyard. He
still lives, and therefore I do not write that eulogium upoa
his eminently useful career which will be appropriate when
he is gathered to his fathers. His wife died several years
since. A son and two daughters remain. The son, Rev.
Albert F. Hale, is preaching in California. The two daugh-
ters are with their father in Springfield.
Equality Church, Gallatin county, about twelve miles
west by north of Shawneetown, and close by the salt
wells, was organized May 26, 1832, by B. F. Spilman. Until
1845, it seems to have been under his care. Indeed he
resided there a portion of the time, and superintended an
academic school in addition to his ministerial labors. Dur-
ing Mr. Spilman's absence of six years, in Madison and
Randolph counties. Equality Church became reduced and
discouraged. December 15, 1849, the following paper was
adopted : " The undersigned, members of the Presbyte-
rian Church of Equality, 111., having in some way lost
all the records of the church, and being desirous still to
continue the ordinances of God's house, do hereby agree
to continue under the old style of The Equality Pres-
byterian Church, under the care of the Presbytery of Kas-
kaskia. (Signed.) Wm. C. Campbell, John L. Campbell,,
Timothy Guard, Alex. Guard, Andrew Stephenson, Martha
E. Guard, Erriily Herritt, Sarah Brown, Sarah Crawford,
Apphia Flanders, Deborah Flanders, Israel D. Towl, Abner
Flanders, sr., Samuel C. Elder, Elizabeth Hayes, Ann V.
Campbell, Martha Siddall, Mary A. Robinson, Mary Brown,
Varanda J. White, Eliza Towl.
EQUALITY CHURCH. 1 83
Israel D. Towl is said to have been the first Elder, and
the only male member at the time of the organization.
There were ten females. The first Elders, under the renewed
organization of Dec 15, 1849, were Israel D. Towl and John
L. Campbell. Samuel C. Elder is said to have been an
Elder at about that time, though the records do not show
it. Other Elders : C. C. Guard and J. S. Robinson, elected
Feb. 2, 1857; J. W. Clifton, Sept. 15, 1864. and Wm. C.
Campbell, June 26, 1866; Ephraim Proctor, Sept. 13, 1868,
and Ale.x. Guard, May 9, 1868 ; Wm. H. McComb and Wm.
T. Grimes, Feb. 27, 1876, The Ministers have been sup-
plies, serving for brief periods and part time. Their names
are as follows : John Mack in 1861, B. Leffler in 1862 J. B.
McComb, from March, 1868 to Oct. 1870, and John Branch in
1873. Several other ministers have preached occasionally, and
held communion services by appointment of Presbytery and
otherwise. A parsonage, worth about five hundred dollars,
was given to the church by Abner Flanders about 1865.
The congregation owns no other church property. There
have been connected with this church in all more than one
hundred and fifty persons. There has never been here an
installed pastor ; and the slow halting progress of the church
has been owing in great part to irregular, frequently chang-
ing and uncertain ministerial supply.
Sangamon Presbytery in 1832, met April 20th, with
Union Grove Church, Tazewell county, and at Hillsboro,
Montgomery county, Oct. 16. At this last meeting there
were present, Llinistcrs : John G. Bergen, Lucian Farnam,
Thomas A. Spilman, Romulus Barnes. Elders: Ebenezer
S. Phelps, Springfield ; Robert McCord, Hillsboro. Ahxsent
Ministefs: John McDonald, Aratus Kent and Calvin W.
Babbitt. This meeting was held at the house of John Till-
son, of Hillsboro.
The Synod of Illinois met at Vandalia, October 18,
1832. There were present from the Presbytery of Illinois
three ministers and two elders; from the Presbytery of Kas-
kaskia eight ministers and two elders; from the Presb\'tery
of Sangamon five ministers and two elders. Rev. Artemas
Bullard was present as an agent of the A. B. C. F. Vl.
184 PRESBYTERIANIS.M IN ILLINOIS.
YEAR 1833.
The Presbytery of Illinois met at the house of Rev. Will-
iam J. Fraser, March 28, 1833. Elisha Jenney and B. Y.
Messenger, ministers, and James G. Edwards and David B.
Ayers, elders, were elected Commissioners to the Assembly.
The report to the Assembly showed thirteen ministers and
ten congregations — Apple Creek and Carrollton being re-
garded and reported as separate churches. William J. Fra-
ser presented charges of unsound teachings against Edward
Beecher, J. M. Sturtevant and William Kirby. On the other
hand charges of slander were preferred against William J.
Fraser for publishing in the Illinois Herald, of March 9, 1833,
an article highly injurious to the character of Edward
Beecher, J. M. Sturtevant and William Kirby. Both these
cases were issued at an adjourned meeting held in Jackson-
ville, commencing April 23, 1833. The charges of unsound
doctrine against the three brethren were not sustained. The
charge of slander against Mr. Fraser was sustained, and he
was suspended from the functions of the ministry. In both
cases Mr. Fraser gave notice of appeal to Synod. At this
meeting, on April i, 1833, Robert Stewart was licensed. The
church of Pisgah was received. Cyrus L. Watson was ap-
pointed Stated Clerk. The fall meeting was held with Pisgah
Church September 17. William J. Fraser, suspended from
the ministry at the spring meeting, had in the mean time pub-
lished a pamphlet entitled, " Facts in reference to the suspen-
sion of Rev. William J. Fraser from the office of the gospel
ministry." Presbytery prepared a statement concerning this
pamphlet to be laid before Synod.
Pisgah Church is in Morgan county. The site of the pres-
ent church building is five acres in the S. W. corner of the S.
W. quarter of the S. E. quarter of Sec. 5, T. 14, N. R. 9 W.
It was organized April 19, 1833, by Rev, John Brich and
Elder James Kerr in a log house on the farm of W. C. Ste-
venson, about a mile west of Orleans. For several months
that house at that spot was the place of meeting. Then it
was moved about half a mile south, and re-fitted. That
building, with the camping ground about it, was used until
1 841, when the present house was built at a cost of about
one thousand dollars. There is a cemetery in the same enclo-
KASKASKIA PRESBYTERY. 1 85
sure. Elders: The first, Bedford Brown, Ralph McCormick.
Since elected — Charles L. Jones, Robert Brown, William C.
Stevenson, Dr. Edward Moore, James T. Holmes, Jeremiah
Graves, Samuel M. Rannels, William W. Shepherd, John S.
Holmes. The present elders — 1879 — are the last three, to-
gether with James T. Holmes. Ministers: William G. Gal-
laher for thirty-one years from the spring of 1834. In Jan-
uary, 1865, W. D. Sanders became supply pastor and con-
tinued until September, 1872. Then Thomas Gallaher one
year. Next William D. Sanders again till May, 1874, when
W. N. Steele, the present supply pastor, began his labors.
The church numbers about sixty members, having suffered
much from emigration. It has long been self-supporting. It
consists exclusively of the families of well-to-do farmers, of
Scotch-Irish descent.
Kaskaskia Presbytery met at Palestine, Crawford'county,
April II, 1833. Ministers present: John Mathews, William
K. Stewart, B. F. Spilman, Stephen Bliss. Ministej's absent:
Theron Baldwin, Albert Hale, John Montgomer\% John F.
Brooks. Elders present : Thomas Gould, Wabash ; George
Hodge, Golconda ; Wilson Logan, Palestine. William Ham-
ilton was received from the Presbytery of Muhlenburg. Al-
exander Ewing, a licentiate, was received from the Presby-
tery of New Castle, examined and ordained at an adjourned
meeting at Greenville, Bond county. May 11, 1833. Isaac
Bennet, licentiate, of Addison Association, Vermont, was re-
ceived, examined and ordained, April 13, 1833. John Mont-
gomery, minister, and George Hodge, elder, were appointed
Commissioners to the Assembly. The following curious
resolutions, growing out of the excitement of the time on
doctrinal subjects, was passed, viz : " That when any minister
comes to this Presbytery as a candidate for membership with
us, an opportunity be given for a private interview with such
minister, by any, or all the members, present previously to the
vote respecting his reception." The fall meeting was held
at Collinsville, September 13. Elkhorn Church, afterwards
Nashville, Belleville, and the First Presbyterian Church in
Edwards county were received. Roswell Brooks, licentiate,
was received from the Association of the Western District oi
New Haven, and ordained, sine tiUilo, September 15.
1 86 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
William Hamilton, dismissed to Muhlenburg Presbytery,,
October lo, 1834, returned to Kaskaskia Presbytery April 9,.
1852. His name was dropped from the roll of the Presby-
tery September 14, 1866, for his pro-slavery and rebel attach-
ments and disregard of the Presbytery's authority.
Alexander Ewing was born in Pennsylvania; graduated
at Princeton in 1828; labored at Morristown and Concord,
Ohio, and at several places in Illinois, and died August 12,.
1845, being a member of Kaskaskia Presbytery.
Isaac Bennet was a native of Bucks county, Penn. He
graduated at Jefferson College, Cannonsburg, Penn., in 1827,
with the first honors. He was a member of the first class in
the Western Theological Seminary, and was licensed by Ad-
dison Association, Monkton, Vt., June 4, 1829. August 3,
1829, he was commissioned by the "Assembly's Board of
Domestic Missions" to the churches of Carmi and Sharon,
111. Here he labored for six months, and then started out on
a missionary tour. In 1830 he was in Pleasant Prairie neigh-
borhood, Coles county. There he resided and labored, for
the most part, for two years. He built himself a rude study
of poles in the shade of a grove, within hail of the house
where he boarded. There he conned over his Bible and med-
itated his sermons. Of his labors in church building, the
reader is referred to what is said elsewhere in the sketches of
Pleasant Prairie, Pisgah and Wabash churches. When Pisgah
Church, in Lawrence county, was formed, in 1835, Mr. Ben-
net was engaged to supply them. Here he labored for six-
teen years. July 6, 1836, he married Miss Caroline Buck-
anan, a lovely and discreet girl, daughter of Elder Thomas.
Buckanan. This wife was the mother of two sons. The
elder is Dr. Stephen B. Bennet, now residing in Fairview,
Fulton county, 111. The younger, Whitfield, died in the
army in the late civil war. This wife died, March 8, 1844,.
in her twenty-fourth year. His second marriage was with
Margaret Ashmore. Three children were the fruit of this-
marriage — two sons and one daughter. This lady was, two
years since, residing in St. Louis, Mo.
In 185 1 he removed to Canton, 111., and was stated supply
of that church at the time of his death, June 16, 1856. He
NASHVILLE CHURCH. iS/
was supposed to be fifty-two or fifty-three years of age. Mr.
Bennet's influence as a gospel minister in Southeastern IIH-
nois was very great. He labored much with Stephen Bliss.
The two men, though extremely unlike, were true yoke-fel-
lows. In appearance Mr. Bennet was tall and slender. His
complexion was very dark. He was of Turkish extraction,
and in some branch of his lineage was also French. His eye-
brows were black and heavy, and quite met over his nose.
This gave him an aspect of great sternness. He was a pow-
erful preacher.
Elkhorn, afterwards Nashville Church, was organized
October 3, 1832, by Revs. John Mathews and John Mont-
gomery, with eight members, viz : Cyrus Sawyer, Rebecca
Sawyer, James Sawyer, Prudence Sawyer, Stephen W. Balch,
Sophia Balch, Armistead B. Balch, Emeline Balch. The organ-
ization took place in the house of Cyrus Sawyer, father of the
present James H. Sawyer, of Nashville. This house was four
miles directly west of Nashville, and the place was known as
Sawyer's or Ratcliff's Point. It was among the head waters
of Elkhorn creek. Southwest of Nashville, about seven miles
was Elkhorn postoffice. April 12, 185 1, the name was
changed to " The First Presbyterian Church of Nashville."
The present, and only house of worship ever owned by the
church, was erected in Nashville the same year, and at a cost
of fourteen hundred dollars.
Ministers: John Mathews, occasionally; Cyrus Riggs
began about November, 1837; William Gardner commenced
about 1847 — the present Mrs. James H. Sawyer is his daugh-
ter— John S. Howell began in 1849; D. A. Wallace began
about 1853 and was installed pastor; Alfred N. Denny in
1863, James Stafford in 1864, William Bridgman in 1866,
T. D. Davis in 1868, John C. Wagman began April, 1869;
Ogden Henderson installed pastor September 25, 1872;
O. S. Thompson began November, 1874; H. A. Tucker, Oc-
tober 18, 1875, and was with the church one year and four
months; W. C. McDougall was there in January, 1878 —
fourteen ministers in a history extending through fortj-seven
years. Elders: Cyrus Sawyer, Stephen W. Balch, James
Sawyer. These three were the original elders. Since then
the following have been appointed, viz. : James Wilson,
April 12, 1849; George L. Lyon, July 22, 1849; Hugh
1 88 PRE3BYTEKIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Adams, James B. Sawyer, Ephraim Hill, September, 1856;
A. A. Pearson, September 16, 1865 ; James Duncan, same
date ; James H. Sawyer, February 2, 1868 ; George W. Cone
and T. M. Scovell, September, 1872; G. S. Anderson and C,
F. Hartman, September, 1875. The present elders (1878) are
James H. Sawyer, George W. Cone, G. S. Anderson and C.
F. Hartman. The growth of this church has not been rapid.
In 1832 it had eight members; in 1855, thirty-eight; in 1877,
€ighty-one. Of its fourteen different ministers only two
have been pastors, and its ministerial supply has had frequent
interruptions. With the aid of Oak Grove Church it is now
in a self-supporti^ condition. Oak Grove is nearly south
from Nashville and seven miles distant. The two congrega-
tions were formerly one, and now constitute properly but
one parish. Previous to the erection of the present church
edifice, in 185 1, the meetings were commonly held at the
private residences of Cyrus and James Sawyer, though
sometimes at a school house.
Belleville Church, the one first formed, was organized
by Rev. John F. Brooks, Sabbath, Jan. 6, 1833, with Alfred
Cowles, Charlotte Cowles, Thomas Scott, Jane E. Brooks.
Simon Van Arsdall and Harriett C. Alexander as members,
Alfred Cowles and Thomas Scott were made Eldeiis. I
quote from a letter of Rev. John F. Brooks, who ministered
to this church during its entire existence. " After the organi-
zation there were admitted to the church Andrew Spillard,
Benj. Van Arsdall, Joseph Green, Thomas H. Kimber, David
Swyer, Louisa Swyer and Sarah Patterson. Thomas Scott
connected with another denomination in another place.
Simon Van Arsdall died July ii, 1835. Andrew Spillard
removed to a distance, and we lost signt of him. One mem-
ber was dropped. When I was about to leave in the spring
of 1837, about half the remaining members were residing in
distant places, and the other half just about to remove.
These last received letters of dismission, March 26, 1837.
Letters were voted to the remainder, if they desired them.
This was the second Presbyterian church in St. Clair county.
On the prairie, some miles east of Belleville, one had been
formed and died before I went into the county. A man
named Jones (Nathan) was prominent in it, and his removal
seemed to be the closing up of its affairs. [ This church
BELLEVILLE CHURCH. 1 89
was Turkey Hill. Nathan Jones removed to Canton, Ful-
ton county. He was the father of Rev. Williston Jones.]
The church of 1833 was organized in a brick building, on
the corner near Mr. Cowles' stone house. The building
was sometimes called the Academy. It was one-story, and
one room with a brick floor, laid on the ground, and conse-
quently at times very damp. It seemed to have no owners.
Any persons occupied it who desired to do so, for religious
or other meetings. Sometimes a school was kept there, or
a traveling family encamped there for a few days, and some-
times the pigs. This was our place of worship for a year or
more. Then I purchased a duelling with a cabinet shop
adjoining, which last I fitted up for a school-room. This,
though very small, served for our place of worship. Occa-
sionally we held meetings at the court house, or in the Metho-
dist church. I was accustomed to preach in Belleville about
once in two weeks. I taught school regularly three or more
3^ears out of the five I resided there. If in 1833 I could
have combined the experiences of the forty years since with
the strength I then had, 1 could have done some things bet-
ter. No ifian ca)i preacJi and teach too, and do both wcll."^
RoswELL Brooks was born at Westmoreland, N. Y., Aug.
20, 1805. Graduated at Union College 1828, and at Yale
College, Divinity School, 1833; was licensed by the Asso-
ciation of the Western District of New Haven county,
ordained Evangelist by the Presbytery of Kaskaskia, Sept.
15* 1833. Supply pastor at Collinsville, 111., 1833-4. Supply
pastor, Akron, O., principal Cuyahoga Falls Institute, 1837-
40. Teacher at Lakeport, N. Y., 1840-41. Supply pastor,
Niagara and Pendleton, N. Y., 1841-46. Supply pastor Gos-
port, N. Y., 1846-47. Supply pastor at Carlton and Kendall,
N. Y., 1848-53. Principal of academy, Lawrenceville, Pa.,
where he died, Feb. 2, 1854. His daughter, Mrs. M. L.
Snoddy, is in Lawton, Mich.
First Presbyterian Church in Edwards County.
The following beautiful and lucid account of this church is from the pen of
Miss E. P. Rice, Bone-Gap, Edwards county, 111.
The first members were originally from Franklin county,
Mass. They emigrated from thence, most of them with
190 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
parents, in the years from 1816 to 1820, to Upshur county,
West Virginia. The young people were gathered into a
Presbyterian church, formed of Eastern emigrants. Some of
them inter-married, and things were moving on prosperously,
when, in the year 1829, the title of the land owner from whom
most of them had purchased, was found defective, and their
homes were sacrificed.
A small band of these persons came to Edwards county
in 1830. They were visited by Rev. Stephen Bliss, of Wabash
county, in Jaunary, 1833. In May of the same year he
organized a church. The first members, named in the order
of their ages, wert the following: Mrs. Margaret Rice, Ros-
well Knoulton and his wife Mrs. Elizabeth (Gould) Knowl-
ton, Cyrus Rice and his wife, Martha (Gould) Rice, Joel
Gould, Freeman Gould and his wife, Dorcas (Ward) Gould,
Miss Julia Gould. It may be observed here, that except the
mother of Mr. Rice, these persons were all brothers and sisters,
and their consorts. Mr. Knowlton was made Elder, an office
which he had held in the church from which he removed.
Mr. Bliss acted as pastor of the church, visiting it most of th e
time monthly, and bringing with him often on communion
occasions, Rev. Isaac Bennet, and others. In Aug., 1834, the
little church met with a great loss in the death of the ruling
Elder. Cyrus Rice and Freeman Gould were chosen Elders,
May, 1835. Others came from West Virginia, from Ohio,
and from other parts of the country, and there were a num-
ber of accessions in 1836. In May, 1838, Mr. Bliss announced
at the sacramental meeting his inability on account of his
health, to continue his monthly visits. Rev. Joseph
Butler, Carlisle, Indiana, was present, and was solicited
to take charge of the church. He consented, and came to
reside with them July following, and not long after mar-
ried-the widow of Mr. Knowlton. A Sabbath school was
established in 1837, and some three or four of the young
people made a profession of religion, but there was no
general revival till the winter of 1839-40, when most of
the young people were hopefully converted, and united
with the church in the following spring. In 1839,
several other families came from West Virginia and Ohio.
Some united with the church, and others that had letters
did not. In February, 1840, the change was made from the
Presbyterian to the Congregational form of government.
There were some causes of dissatisfaction among some of
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN EDWARDS CO. I9I
the members, and some of those who held letters. One of
the principal of these was that the government of the church
was all in one family relation. The session met to consider
this point. It was first thought it might be remedied by-
electing two more ruling Elders, but considering the mate-
rial to choose from, it was thought perhaps it might suit the
church better to become Congregational. A meeting was
called, and a vote taken by ballot. The majority in favor of
the change was small, but it was finally agreed to by all,
except Mr. Freeman Gould and wife, who transferred their
membership to the Wabash Church. At the same time their
name was changed from the " Shiloh Presbyterian Church "
to that of Trinity Congregational. They placed them-
selves in connection with Presbytery, and continued to send
a delegate till 185 1. In 1844 a house of worship was erected,
and was dedicated April, 1845 ; Mr. Bliss being with us for
the last time, and making the dedicatory prayer. Mr. Butler
-continued in charge of the church till 1852. It should have
been mentioned before, that at the time of changing the
church government, Mr. Linus Root and Joel Gould were
elected Deacons, and Mr. Cyrus Rice, Clerk of the church.
Mr. Root died in 1848, and Mr. Alpheus Rude was chosen
to fill the place. Mr. Butler ceased his regular ministrations
in 185 I. From that time he and the Rev. H. Patrick, Rev.
William Holmes (author of Pictorial Emblems) and others,
preached from time to time. In 1856, the church employed
a Congregational minister, Rev. T. N. Holmes, of Waverly,
111., who continued a successful pastorate of nine years. In
1865 our worthy Deacon, Joel Gould, his family and others
removed to Minnesota, and Elijah Phillips was elected in his
place. Mr. Holmes soon after removed to Clay, Iowa. The
church soon after employed Alfred Connet, a Congregational
minister, from Saulsbury, Ind. In 1868-9 nearly the whole
church, including the two Deacons, removed to Kansas.
What there was of financial ability and effectiveness in the
church they carried with them. They formed themselves
into a Congregational Church, assuming the name of the
parent " Trinity," at Diamond Springs, Morris county, Kan-
sas. They were strengthened by the addition of some Pres-
byterians from Christian county. III. They have enjoyed
the refreshing of the Holy Spirit, and the church, though
not large, is united and prosperous. The aged Clerk of the
church, his wife and ten members alone remained in Edwards
192 PRESBYTEKIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
county. Rev. P. W. Wallace' of Wabash county, 111., visited
us from time to time, and while our house of worship
remained, we had services as often as monthly, and in the
summer time usually every Sabbath. In November, 1876,,
in consequence, probably, of the pillars with which the first
builders had strengthened the roof, having been removed
when the church was repaired in 1863, the roof fell in, and
our house of worship was a wreck. One of our remaining^
members has died, one has united with another church, and
the rest of us sit by the willows, as to church membership,,
and when the bell of our Methodist brethren calls, we go
with them to sing>the Lord's song. Such is the brief his-
tory of the Edwards county Trinity Church. It was never
large. The membership, perhaps, at no one time exceeded
fifty. But the children of the congregation and Sabbath
school were steadily gathered in. Almost without excep-
tion, they became followers of Christ. And wherever they
have gone they have lifted their colors and worked quietly,
we think effectively, in the church and Sabbath school.
Though this locality has never been considered very
healthy, that being the principal cause of the emigration,
yet tne first members, except Mr. Knowlton, all lived to old
age. The next called away was Mrs. Margaret Rice, who
died June, 1855, in her eightieth year. Mrs. (Knowlton)
Butler, died November, 1872, aged sixty-eight, one month
only after her husband, Mr. Butler, in Pawselim, Minnesota.
Mr. Freeman Gould died Feb., 1873, aged sixty-four. The
other five yet remain, Mr. Cyrus Rice, in his eighty-sec-
ond year, and his wife in her seventy-sixth. Mr. Joel Gould,,
of Onatonud, Minn., Mrs. Dorcas Gould (now blind) and Mrs.
Julia (Gould) Curtis, of our vicinity, all three past seventy..
Passing away is written of the church here, and our name on.
earth will soon be known only in legends of the past.
Sangamon Presbytery met at Springfield, April 12, 1833.
Ministers present: John G Bergen, T. A. Spilman, C. W.
Babbitt, Lucian Farnam, Romulus Barnes. Elder: Elijah
Slater, Springfield. Ministers absent: Aratus Kent, John
McDonald. John McDonald was dismissed to the Pres-
bytery of Chillicothe.
Lemuel Foster, licentiate, was received from the North
Association of Hartford county, Ct. The fall meeting was
LEMUEL FOSTER. 1 93
held with Sangamon Church, September i6. Flavel Bas-
com, Hcentiate, was received from the Association of the
Eastern District of New Haven county, Ct. I\Ir. Babbitt re-
ported a church organized by himself in Cook county,
August i8, 1833, called "Union" Church, with twelve mem-
bers. Tuesday, September 17, Lemuel Foster and Flavel
Bascom were ordained.
Lemuel Foster was born in Hartland, Hartford county,
Ct., November 24, 1799. He united with the church in his na-
tive place when fourteen years of age. He graduated at Yale
College in 1 828, and studied theology at Yale College Divinity
School. He was licensed by Hartford North Association. He
and his wife started West in his own buggy from the vicinity
of Hartford, Ct., September 5, 1832. He was under commis-
sion from the A. H. M. Society. On the way he preached
on the Sabbath wherever he chanced to be, and reached
Springfield, 111., October lOth. They went directly to Jack-
sonville, from whence, leaving his wife with friends, he went
to the meeting of Synod at Vandalia, and was assigned to
North Sangamon Church. Thither he proceeded at once.
He was ordained by the Presbytery of Sangamon in Sep-
tember, 1833. After a year's labor at North Sangamon he
went to Bloomington. He there organized a Presbyterian
church of eight members, which became, at the division.
New School, and is now a large, influential church. Mrs.
Foster here commenced a school, in a large log school-house,
which was soon filled to overflowing. Mr. Foster then
erected, mostly at his own cost, a two-story building. The
upper story was arched and filled with seats for church pur-
poses. Here he, his wife, and his wife's sister taught for five
years — Mr. F. having also the charge of the church for three
of those years. In the time he organized the Presbyterian
church in Waynesville.
At the close of 1838 Mrs. F. had a long season of sick-
ness, and they were obliged to seek change and rest. Rent-
ing their house and academy, they went to Jacksonville.
While they were there, a person came from Bethel seeking a
minister for that church and for teachers for their school. ]\Ir.
F. and his wife were persuaded to go, and there they remained
for seven years. In the time that church was favored with
three revivals. He united with Alton Presbytery, October
12
194 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS,
14, 1841. In 1845 he went to Upper Alton, September 22,
185 I, he was dismissed from Alton Presbytery, and granted
a general letter. He used it to connect with a Congregational
Association. In that church he has since remained, and has
labored at Atlanta, Onarga and Blue Island, III. He was
three times a Commissioner to the Assemby, and was there
— as everywhere else — a most decided and out-spoken Aboli-
tionist. He has ever been a God-fearing man — not failing to
exemplify by word and practice all the boldness of his the-
oretical opinions. In 1 870 he was employed upon a fort-
nightly paper called "The Christian Cynosure," published in
Chicago, at 85 La Salle street — a paper opposed to secret
societies. Died at Washington Heights, 111., April I, 1872.
He never had children.
The Synod of Illinois convened at Jacksonville, Septem-
ber 19, 1833. There were present twenty-four ministers and
fifteen elders.
The appeal of William J. Fraser from the sentence of the
Presbytery of Illinois, suspending him from the ministry,
was sustained, and the sentence removed. The other ap-
peals from the action of the same Presbytery were with-
drawn. The Presbytery of Schuyler was established, in-
cluding all the territory north and west of the Illinois river.
Also the Presbytery of Palestine, embracing the territory
north of White county and between the Wabash and the
Little Wabash rivers. The Synod reported to the Assembly
that they consisted of thirty-three ministers and forty-three
churches.
YEAR 1834.
The Presbytery of Illinois met at Jacksonville, March
20, 1834. The attendance was small. Thomas Lippincott
was chosen Stated Clerk. String Prairie and South Green
churches were reported. Alexander H. Burritt was present
as an elder from the latter. John M. Ellis, minister, and
David B. Ayres, elder, were appointed Commissioners to the
Assembly. Robert Stewart was ordained si7ie titiilo, and dis-
missed to the Presbytery of Schuyler. The Presbytery re-
ported to the Assembly eleven members and nine congrega-
tions. The fall meeting was held at Carrollton, commencing
STRING PRAIRIE CHURCH. I95
September 25. Gideon Blackburn, D.D., was received from
the Presbytery of West Lexington; Samuel E. Blackburn
from that of Louisville, and Theron Baldwin from the Pres-
bytery of Kaskaskia. -The churches of Spring Cove and
Carlinville were received. William J. Fraser requested dis-
mission to the Presbytery of Schuyler. This request, to-
gether with long papers connected with the case, were re-
ferred to the Synod for advice and decision.
String Prairie Church, Greene county, was organized by
John Bricli and T. Lippincott, October 20, 1833, with nine
members — Morris Lee, elder. J. H. Van Arsdall was made
■elder in 1845. Ministers: For fourteen years it had occa-
sional preaching from T. Lippincott, Amos P. Brown and
Hugh Barr. It was transferred to Alton Presbytery, Octo-
ber 2, 1847. The next succeeding winter it was supplied by
J. T. King. He was succeeded by James R. Dunn, one half
the time, for four years; J. R. Armstrong, seven and a half
years; Morgan L. Wood, one year; E. W. Taylor, one and
a half years; D. J. McMillan, pastor, two years and nine
months; J. Scott Davis, one year; H. G. Pollock, one year;
James Brownlee, one year, and up to October, 1878 ; next, J.
R. Armstrong, the second time. He still officiates. Eld-
ers— besides those named above : William H. Randolph,
James Vallentine, Robert A. Hardin, David W. Campbell,
John C. Burruss. Mr. Randolph and Mr. Hardin are dead ;
James Vallentine resigned; J. C. Burruss removed to Car-
rollton ; J. Van Arsdale gone to Rockbridge Church. D. W.
Cambell is the only acting elder now on the ground. The
parsonage property consists of five acres of ground, with a
good, well-arranged two-story building. The house and out-
buildings were erected in 1866 at a cost of about three thou-
sand dollars. It is half a mile from the church, and is free of
. debt. A house of worship was erected in 1848 and dedicated
November 19. It is thirty-two by twenty-four feet, and cost
four hundred dollars. The building is in T. 10, R. 11, Sec.
24, Greene county. The name of the church was changed by
Presbytery, September, 1862, to Walnut Grove.
. South Greene, now Jerseyville Church, was organized by
Revs. Thos. Lippincott and Elisha Jenney in the house of N.
196 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
L. Adams, near Hickory Grove, February 15, 1834, with
eighteen members. Alexander H. Burritt, James Lumsden
and M. N. Bossworth, elders. The record of the names of
the original members was not preserved. But so far as it
can now be recovered it was as follows : James Lumsden,.
Reuben Page, Mrs. Elizabeth Page, Joseph Gerrish, Eliza-
beth Gerrish, Mrs. Miriam Turner, Dr. Alexander H. Burritt,.
Mrs. Nancy Burritt, M. N. Bosworth, Mrs. M. N. Bosworth,
John Anderson, Mrs. Jane Anderson, Miss Matilda McGill,
Mrs. Sophronia Adams. Elders, besides the three first, as fol-
lows : Philander Fobes, McBane Anderson, Thomas McGill,
James Potts, Alfr^ed Harriott, R. H. Van Dyke, Arad Brown,,
Isaac Harbert, William P. Pitman, A. M. Blackburn, David E.
Beatty, William B. Nevins, George E. Warren, William C.
Stryker, John C. Winsor and Leonard M. Cutting. The six
last named are the present Session, Of the thirteen first
named all are dead, save Isaac Harbert, who has removed..
The Ministers have been Amos P. Brown, Joseph Fowler,.
Luke Lyons, George C. Wood, Lemuel Grosvenor, Joseph
S. Edwards, Charles H. Foote, William W. Williams, George
I. King and James W. Stark. Of all these, only Foote, Will-
iams and Stark are now living. Mr. Brown labored three
years, from October, 1835, to August, 1838. Mr. Fowler,
for two years, from September, 1838, to September, 1840.
Luke Lyons commenced his labors in 1840, was installed!
December 26, 1843, and remained pastor until his death,
January II, 1845. The church edifice was dedicated Octo-
ber 14, 1 841. It was forty-eight by forty feet, and cost
two thousand dollars. Mr. Lyons' ministry was very suc-
cessful. An accession of one hundred and seventy-four was
made to the membership, and the congregation was in all re-
spects prosperous. George C. Wood took the charge, March
I, 1846, and remained till April 20, 1850. Eighty-six were
added to the membership in those four years. A parsonage
was purchased in the east part of the town. Lemuel Gros- .
venor commenced October 20, 1850, and remained four years
and nine months. In his time the first parsonage was sold,.
and the ground occupied by the present parsonage and the
lot and building next north were bought. In the same period
the church building was enlarged, a bell-tower erected and
furnished with a bell. Seventy-six were added to the mem-
bership. Joseph S. Edwards labored from December, 1855,.
to December, 1858, a pastorate successful and eventful.
FIRST CHURCH, JERSEYVILLE. I97
Party spirit ran high. A portion of the congregation with-
drew and organized the Second Presbyterian Church. In
the autumn of 1856 the present parsonage was erected at a cost
of twenty-four hundred and eleven dollars. Charles H. Foote
commenced Dec. i, 1858, as supply pastor, and was called to
be pastor August 27, 1859. He held that position until Febru-
ary 17, 1867. This pastorate was the longest enjoyed by the
church, and was throughout harmonious. This was all the
more creditable to him and the congregation, because it ex-
tended through the time of the terrible civil war. During his
ministry ninety-one were added to the church. William
White Williams labored here for three years, commencing
May 14, 1867. George I. King, D. D., was called to be pas-
fore January 4, 1868, and continued until his much lamented
death, March 14, 1873. He was a man of more than ordinary
intellectual powers, and with a superior degree of culture.
Memorial year occurred during Dr. King's pastorate here, in
which this congregation, under his lead, raised ^2,093.50.
The study, built mostly at his and Mrs. D'Arcey's expense and
wholly under his direction, was added to the beautiful and
■commodious parsonage. This study cost six hundred dol-
lars. Dr. John W. Bailey supplied the church during the
summer months of 1873. James W. Stark commenced his
labors, November 9, 1873, and still continues. The whole
number in communion in this church, up to 1879, has been
between eight and nine hundred. The benevolent contribu-
tions of the congregation have always been commendable,
and some years large. For several years two of its mem-
bers— A. M. Blackburn and Samuel L. McGill — paid, be-
tween them, five hundred dollars annually to the cause of
Home Missions. Mr. McGill left that Board a legacy of four
thousand dollars.
Robert Stewart.
Tlie sketch of this beloved brother will be given pretty much as he furnished i
himself, in August, 1870.
I was born in Mason county, Ky., not far from Washing-
ton, the county seat, and a few miles from Maysville, May 3,
1798. My father, a genuine Scotch-Irishman, soon got sick
of slavery, pulled up stakes, crossed the river and settled
n ear it, within what was then Adams, but is now Brown
county. I was then but two or three years of age. At that
198 ?M'>)BYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
time the wild Indian still troubled the settlers. Young as T
was, I soon began to notice the toil of clearing away the
unbroken forests of that region. There was true log-cabin
life. My parents, being Presbyterians, united with the famous
Red Oak Church. Of this church Dr. E. H. Gillett says:
"The church of Red Oak is one of the oldest, if not the
very oldest Presbyterian church in Ohio. It was the scene
of the first public development of New-Lightism and of
Shakerism in the West. Soon after John Dunlavy began to
preach as a licentiate — he settled with a small company of
Presbyterians at Red Oak, but soon became openly Unita-
rian. When detected and exposed, he established a Shaker
community in the neighborhood, but afterward removed to
near Lebanon. He was succeeded by John E. Finley, who-
got into difficulty, was suspended from the ministry, and
died here. He was succeeded by Rev. James Gilliland."
Upon that church we, as a family, regularly attended, though,
it was six miles from our house. Thus from my childhood
I was favored with the teachings of Rev. James Gilliland,
who was one of the ablest divines of the day. He was a
very successful pastor, and always a most uncompromising
enemy of slavery. Under his ministry I professed religion
at sixteen years of age, and remained a member of his
church until I removed to Illinois, in 1826, with my wife
and four little ones. We came, as most did, with the view
of growing with the growth of this new country. But in a
few weeks God removed my companion and turned me to
the right about. Then, when there were but three Presby-
terian ministers in the State — Bliss, Ellis and B. F. Spilman —
the work of the ministry rushed upon my mind. The obsta-
cles seemed almost insurmountable. To acquire an educa-
tion where there were no schools, and with a family on my
hands to care for, was a big undertaking. But I undertook
it, and accomplished it, through Christ who strengthened
me. I studied three years under private instruction and
alone, as best I could, until Illinois College opened. Then
I entered that institution and studied there two years. I then
studied theology one year under Rev. Albert Hale at Bethel.
The Presbytery of Illinois licensed me in the spring of 1833,,
and ordained me April i, 1834. During the period I was
a licentiate I labored for the American Tract Society as their
agent in this State. In the spring of 1834 I became supply^
of the church in Canton, Fulton county. 111., and remained
GIDEON BLACKBURN, D. D. I99
there until the fall of 1841, United with Alton Presbytery
October 14, 1842. About that time I took the regular
charge of Greenville church, which indeed I had already
been supplying, to some extent, for several months. Here I
remained until, in 1850, I was called into the service of the
Presbytery as their missionary. In that work I continued
until 1856. Then I labored for Illinois College two years —
then for Ducoign Female Seminary one year. During the
war I supplied the church in Cairo for two and a half years.
Since January i, 1868, I have steadily supplied the church
in Troy, Madison county. In the review I can say that,
through God's grace, my highest expectations have been far
more than realized in winning souls to the blessed Redeemer.
Bless the Lord, O my soul.
Mr. Stewart was regularly installed as pastor of the Troy
Church. That relation continued until a iew months since,
when it was dissolved at his own request. He still continues,
however, though at the age of eighty-one years, to act effi-
ciently and successfully as their supply pastor.
Mr. Stewart has been four times married. His last wife,
an educated New England lady, is still living, and proving
herself an efficient helpmeet.
Gideon Blackburn, D. D., was born in Augusta county,
Va., on the 27th of August, 1772. His father was Robert
Blackburn, and the family name of his mother was Richie,
often spelled Richey. They were of Scotch-Irish extrac-
tion, and were devout members of the Presbyterian Church,
though in very humble worldly circumstances. He lived
most of the time with his grandfather, General Blackburn,
until he was about twelve years old ; and, after his grand-
father's death, his maternal uncle, Gideon Richie — a pious
young man without family — observing he was a youth of
much more than ordinary promise, undertook to educate him
at his own expense. He became hopefully the subject af
renewing grace at the age of about fifteen. In the current
of Westward emigration, both his parents and his uncle,
shortly after this, got as far as Washington county, Tennes-
see, then within the bounds of North Carolina. Here his
uncle placed him under the care and instruction of the ven-
erable Samuel Doak, D. D., the Founder and Principal of
Martin Academy, which was only about a mile from the
200 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
place where the Blackburns settled. At this school he pur-
sued the greater part of his literary course. But when his
uncle removed some seventy miles further West, into Jeffer-
son county, Tenn., he accompanied him ; and there they
both found a home in the house of his father's brother, John
Blackburn, a man of rare excellence. There he completed
his literary course, and also pursued his theological studies,
under the instruction of the Rev. (afterwards Dr.) Robert
Henderson, who then resided five miles distant, near the
town of Dandridge. He was licensed to preach by the Pres-
bytery of Abingdon, in the year 1792, and ordained by the
same Presbytery ia-Sept., 1794. It is worthy of remark that
his uncle, to whom he was indebted for his education, instead
of being in affluent circumstances, was dependent for his
own living upon his daily labor.
The scattered population of that region was, at that time,
constantly liable to Indian depredations. A company of sol-
diers was about to march from the neighborhood in which he
lived, to protect a fort on the spot on which Maryville was
subsequently built. Mr. Blackburn being doubly armed —
having on one hand his Bible and Hymn book, and on the
other his hunting shirt, rifle, shot-pouch, and knapsack —
joined this company, and marched with them to the fort ;
and there he commenced his labors as a minister of the Gos-
pel. Within sight of the fort, he built a house for his own
dwelling. Shortly after was erected a large log building
that served as a church. He soon took charge of the New
Providence Church, Maryville, and another church called
Eusebia, about ten miles distant. Besides his stated labors
in these congregations, he preached much in the region
round about, and organized several new churches. During
the early part of his ministry here, his situation was one of
imminent peril. So long as the Cherokees remained hostile,
no work could be done except by companies — some being
obliged to stand as sentinels, while others would work, with
their loaded guns so near that they could seize them in a
moment. As there were many forts in the region, the young
preacher would pass, under an escort, from fort to fort, and
within a moderate period would preach in them all. He
very soon became a general favorite, and his preaching com-
manded universal attention. When the people were out of
their forts, the place of preaching was generally a shady
grove ; the immediate position of the preacher was beneath
GIDEON BLACKBURN, D. D. 201
some wide-spread oak ; and he usually stood with his gun at
his side, and all the men, including also boys who were old
enough to use a rifle, stood around him, each with gun in
hand. He was compelled at this period to perform not a
httle labor with his own hands ; and his preparation for
preaching was made either while he was actually thus
engaged, or in brief intervals of leisure which he was able
to command. He kept himself not only on familiar terms,
but in exceedingly kind relations, with all his people, and
exerted a powerful and most benign influence in forming
their characters.
Mr. Blackburn was an active participant in the scenes of
the great revival which took place at the South and West
during the early part of this century. I have in my posses-
sion a letter to the Rev. Dr. Green of Philadelphia, written
in 1804, in which he not only expresses the utmost confi-
dence in the genuineness of the revival, but says of the
"bodily exercise," or "jerks," as it was sometimes called —
" I have not only heard of it, and seen it but have felt it.
and am persuaded that it is only to be effected by the imme-
ediate finger of God."
Not long after Mr. Blackburn's settlement at Maryville,
his attention was earnestly drawn to the condition of the
neighboring Indians, and he soon commenced a vigorous,
and, so far as possible, systematic, course of effort to evan-
gelize them.
In 1803, he was a member of the General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church from the Union Presbytery, and was
appointed the same year to act during a part of the time, as
a missionary among the Cherokees. As early as 1806, he
had two flourishing schools in the nation, the second of
which was established in August of that year, commencing
with thirty scholars. His health about this time was much
impaired and he was induced to go to Georgia to seek medi-
cal aid ; and while under the care of a physician — not being
closely confined, he availed himself of the opportunity thus
furnished, to do something toward his favorite object of
evangelizing the Indians. In 1807, he made a tour through
the Northern States, to collect funds in aid of his missionary
operations, and, after an absence of seven months, returned
with $5,250, which had been contributed for that purpose,
besides a large quantity of books and clothing. The next
year, (1808) he made a tour of six weeks through the Chero-
202 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
kee nation, and was much encouraged by the visible marks;
of progress among them, though he was prevented, by want
of the necessary means, from attempting the estabhshment of
any new schools. In the latter part of 1809, he made another
similar tour among the Cherokees, which occupied him
twelve weeks. Among other services which he performed
on this tour was an examination of a wagon road, which
the Indians, without the assistance of a white man, had built
through a part of their conntry, crossing two considerable
mountains. This he regarded as an evidence of civiliza-
tion altogether unprecedented in the history of the tribe.
Though Mr. Blackburn had lost nothing of his inter-
est in the Indian mission, and would gladly have con-
tinued in it if the requisite means had been provided,
yet, in view of all the circumstances of the case — par-
ticularly of his own pecuniary embarrassments, which
had been occasioned chiefly by his personal sacrifices
for the mission, he felt constrained to retire from the
field. Accordingly, having disposed of as much of his
property as he could, he removed in the autumn of 18 10 to
Maury county, Middle Tennessee, but remained there but a
few months. In the spring of the next year he removed
again and settled at Franklin, the capitol of William-
son county, eighteen miles south of Nashville. Here
he took charge of Harpeth Academy, situated one
mile east of the town, for the support of his family, while he
preached in rotation at five different places, within a range of
fifty miles. Though he found the religious state of things
very discouraging, a favorable change seems very soon to
have occurred ; for within a few months after he commenced
his labors, he had organized churches at the several places
at which he preached, and at the first communion there were
present three thousand persons, and forty-five new members
were added to the church. After his removal to Franklin,
his health was greatly improved — chiefly, as he supposed,
on account of his being relieved from the many toils and ex-
posures incident to his missionary excursions.
He was honored with the degree of Doctor of Divinity
from Greenville College, Tennessee, in 181 8.
He remained at Franklin about a dozen years, during
which time, in addition to his other duties, he superintended
the studies of several young men in preparation for the min-
istry. In May, 1823, he visited, by request, the Presbyte-
GIDEON BLACKBURN, D. D. 2O3
rian congregation in Louisville, Ky., and preached several
Sabbaths with great acceptance, the result of which was
that, on the 9th of June following, the church unanimously
called him to be their pastor. He accepted the call, and
having arranged his affairs in Tennessee, returned to Louis-
ville, where he entered upon his duties on the 12th of" No-
vember. His labors here are said to have been greatly
blessed to the edification and increase of the church.
For the following incident which occurred, as I suppose,
in connection with his ministry at Louisville, I am indebted
to Curran Pope, Esq. : " There is or was in this vicinity a
church called ' Beulah,' erected and donated by a Mr.
H , the deed to which was drawn by Dr. Blackburn, and
the gift was made through his influence. Mr. H. had been
an extensive negro trader to the South, and had accumulated
a large estate. He was converted by the preaching of Dr.
Blackburn, and in his last moments Dr. B. was with him, and
wrote his will, by which he emancipated all his negroes, and
provided for their support and removal to Africa, and con-
veyed his real estate for benevolent objects. The probate
of this will was resisted by the heirs next of kin — he being
unmarried — and the will was set aside by the Court of Ap-
peals, on account of the controlling influence exercised over
the testator by Dr. Blackburn."
In October, 1827, he accepted the Presidency of Center
College, Danville, Ky. Here he remained, performing, be-
sides the duties of President, a great amount of ministerial
labor, till 1830, when his connection with the college ceased.
He then removed to Versailles, Ky., where he was occupied,
partly in ministering to the church in that place, and partly
as an agent of the Kentucky State Temperance Society.
In October, 1833, Dr. Blackburn removed to Illinois, and
never afterwards had a stated charge. In 1835 he was em-
ployed by the Trustees of Illinois College to raise funds for
that institution in the Eastern States. While thus engaged,
he conceived the idea of establishing a Theological Semin-
ary in Illinois. The plan which he proposed was this — that
individuals should advance money at the rate of two dollars
per acre for Government lands in Illinois, for which he would
have to pay but one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre,
that of the surplus, twenty-five cents should be retained by
him for his services and expenses, and the remaining fifty
cents out of each two dollars advanced, should be invested
204 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
in lands for founding and sustaining the proposed seminary.
The plan was embarrassed by serious difficulties; he did not
live to see it fully carried out, but the efforts which he made
have resulted, since his death, in the establishment of Black-
burn University at Carlinville, 111.
In the division of the Presbyterian Church, Dr. Blackburn
went, heart and hand, with the New School. I have seen
letters from him written about that time, which show that he
had no doubt the truth and right were upon that side, and
that if circumstances had favored it, he would probably have
been one of the leaders in the controversy.
As early as i826,'I)r. Blackburn began to be the subject
of a cancerous affection, of which he writes thus, in May of
that year, to the Rev. Dr. James Richards — " I have been so
much afflicted with a cancer on my lip, for several months
past, that it has paralyzed my exertions, and rendered me
very uncomfortable. The issue of it is yet rather doubtful."
After about a year it was removed, but in 1836 — owing, as
was supposed, to excessive bodily exertion — it reappeared
in a form so aggravated as to threaten a fatal and speedy ter-
mination. He. continued, however, to preach for some
months after this, though the exertion occasioned him great
pain. In the early part of the winter of 1837-8, he fell upon
the ice, and so severely injured the hip-joint that he was never
able to walk afterwards. Thus he was confined to his bed
for about six months — suffering intensely at times, not only
from the injury, but especially from the cancer, which be-
came daily more painful. Amidst all his suffering he man-
ifested a cheerful submission to the Divine will, and remarked
to one of his friends, in his own impressive manner, that the
Saviour was at his side directing every pang he felt. In con-
versation with his wife, he expressed a hope that the Lord in
mercy would send some other disease, which would give him
an earlier and an easier dismissal from his sufferings. For
this, he said, he often prayed. His prayer was signally an-
svvered. Two weeks before his decease, he was attacked
with dysentery, under the debilitating influence of which he
gradually declined. He died at Carlinville, on the 23d of
August, 1838, in the sixty-sixth year of his age.
He was married on the 3d of Oct., 1793, to Grissella Black-
burn, his second or third cousin. They had eleven children
— seven sons and four daughters. Two of his sons were suc-
cessful preachers of the Gospel, and one died while fitting
GIDEON BLACKBURN, D. D. 20$
for the ministry. One son and one daughter still survive.
His second son, James Hervey, was a young man of re-
markable promise. He was distinguished for his fine genius,
varied and extensive acquirements, and elegant and fascina-
ting manners. He possessed many of the most striking
characteristics of his father; indeed, it was Dr. Anderson's
opinion that of the two, nature had cast the son in the finer
mould. This son had been a sceptic until he was eighteen
or nineteen years of age ; but through his father's influence
and prayers had become a Christian, and had determined to
prepare for the Christian ministry. Having concluded his
classical and scientific studies, he wished to obtain a -knowl-
edge of the Hebrew. His father sent him to IMaryville, in
East Tennessee, to study the language with his old friend.
Dr. Anderson. He had been there about six months, en-
dearing himself to everybody, when he was attacked with
erysipelas, and in a few days died. The sad intelligence of
his death. Dr. A. communicated to his father by letter, with
a request on the back of the letter that the postmaster would
hand it to him immediately. The letter arrived on Sunday
morning. The postmaster went to church, and when the
doctor arrived, handed it to him. He stepped aside and read
it, folded it up, put it into his pocket, went into the pulpit,
preached as usual, did not make the remotest allusion to his
bereavement, and not until he went home, and attempted to
communicate the intelligence to his family, did the "great
deep " of his grief break up. Then came, as I have heard
him say, the most dreadful conflict of his life. For God, as
as he said, had laid the pride, the idol, the honor, and glory,
of his house in the dust. " I did not know how to reconcile
it either with his wisdom or goodness, nor do I yet knoiv ;
but I believe, yes, I believe it is all right — all wise — all good
— and that is enough to satisfy reason and piety; and pas-
sion and selfishness ought to submit, must submit — yea and
I do submit, rejoicing that the Lord God Omnipotent reign-
eth."
Samuel Emmons Blackburn was a son of Dr. Gideon
Blackburn ; was educated at Danville, Ky., and came to Illinois
in 1832. He labored in Carlinville and Spring Cove. He
died in 1 836, on the Ohio river, of bilious fever, and was
buried at Shawneetown, 111. He was on his way to Kentucky
206 PKKSBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
on business at the time of his decease. He left one daugh-
ter, Jane, who is the wife of P. Y. Stuart, of Bloomington,
Ilhnois.
Spring Cove Church was organized, June 22, 1834, by-
Rev. Dr. Gideon Blackburn and his son, Rev, Samuel E.
Blackburn, at the dwelling house of the former, with the fol-
lowing members, viz. : Grundy H. Blackburn, John B. Car-
son, A. M. l^lackburn, John J. Brown, S. J. Hamilton, M.
J. Hamilton, Elizabeth H. Hamilton, Nancy Carson, Eliz-
abeth C. Carson, Margaret G. B. Carson, Grissella Black-
burn, James M. Carson, William H. Carson, James TuU,
Sarah TuU, E. G. Hamilton, Mary Carson, Gideon H.
Blackburn, S. W. Blackburn, Elizabeth H. Brown. Eld-
ers: James Tull, William H. Carson, John J. Brown, John
B. Carson and Grundy H. Blackburn. The first place of
worship was at Dr. Blackburn's house; then at a small
meeting house, in Macoupin creek bottom, in what is now
N. Challacombe's pasture, not far from the residence of R.
W. Odell. This meeting house consisted of posts set in the
ground for frame and covered. It was also used for school
purposes. Afterward the congregation used a school-house
on the N. E. quarter of N. W. quarter Sec. 21, T. 9, R. 9 W.
Subsequently a frame house was erected in the woods at the
top of the hill. This was on N. E. quarter of S. E. quarter
Sec. 21, T. 9, R. 9 W. It was built there to accommodate
that portion of the congregation which dwelt in and about
Chesterfield village. In 1847 eight members were dismissed
and organized into a Congregational church at Chesterfield,
This left the building at one side of the parish, and soon after
it was removed to its present site in Summerville. The eld-
ers elected, since the first five, are Peter Brown, E, M. Gil-
more, and T. L. Blair in 1848; J. F. Roach and James M.
Carson in 185 I ; Luther P. Palmer and Nicholas Challacombe
in 1867. In 1872 limited eldership system was adopted. The
present elders are Nicholas Challacombe, James M. Carson
and John Ashill. The Sabbath-school connected with this
church has had an existence, in some form, since 1 834. It has
been and is an important means of good. The following per-
sons have been superintendents, viz : Thomas E. Blackburn,
W. H. Carson, Allen T. Brown, J, M. Carson, L, L. Love, Al-
bert Eastham, J. J, Gulick, N. Challacombe and G. B, Car-
CARLINVILLE CHURCH. 20/
ison, who is the present superintendent. The following are the
MINISTERS who liave served here in the order of their names :
Gideon Blackburn, D. D., Samuel E. Blackburn, John G.
Simrall, L. S. Williams, Hugh Barr, William Chamberlain,
J. A. Ranney, Hugh Barr — second time — W. T. Bartle, S. P.
Lindley, H. D. Piatt, Thomas Reynolds, David Dimond, D.
D., H. D. Piatt— second time— H. N. Wilbur and W. R.
Adams. Mr. x^dams is still in office, and has been since 1S67,
with only one brief interruption. Besides those named above,
several others have served the church for very brief periods.
This church has enjoyed several seasons of spiritual refresh-
ing. In all, until 1876, one hundred and ninety-five have been
connected with it. Of these thirty have died, seventy-four
been dismissed to other churches, eight have been expelled,
twenty-seven lost and fifty-six remain.
Carlinville Church was organized June 30, 1834, by
"Rev. Gideon Blackburn, D. D., with these members : Ellen
Moore, Lucy Stephenson, Julia A. White, Alice Good, Lucy
M. Greathouse, Mrs. Parks, Malvina Hoxey, Edward Plant,
Elijah Harlan, Mrs. Harlan, James Parks, John S. Great-
house, Thomas D. Moore, Ruth Holton. Elders : Elijah
Harlan ; James Parks, Thomas D. Moore, John S. Great-
house, Edward Plant, June 30, 1834; J. R. Lewis, Bela White,
December 7, 1834; David A. Smith, June 21, 1838; Orrin
Cooley, August, 1839; Dr. W. A. Robertson, August
.25, 1839; John Beattie, November 27, 1841; Charles Dor-
man, November 8, 1848; D. T. Patchen, May 2, 1855 ; Phi-
lander Braley, J. M. Brown, Henry Page, February 13,
1859; Abner Brown, W. H. Parks, December 18, 1870 ;
James Venable, October, 1871. May 4, 1872, this church
adopted the plan of eldership limited to five years. June 15,
1873, R. B. Minton; June 14, 1^74, Philander Braley; June
20, 1875, D. T. Patchen; May 28, 1876, Charles Campbell;
May 13, 1877, James Venable; May 12, 1878, R. B. Minton,
were elected on this plan. Ministers — names given in order
of their service: Gideon Blackburn, Samuel E. Blackburn,
John G. Simrall, L. S. Williams, for four years and a half; J,
A. Ranney, one year; J. S. Graves, Joseph M. Grout, A. M,
Dixon, C. A. Leach, two years ; Edward McMillan, from
1856 to 1862, when he entered the army as chaplain and died
in the service; T. H. Newton, one and a half years ; J. B. L.
208 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Soule, three years ; John Patchen, one year and three months ;
Hugh Lamont ; S. A. Whitcomb, installed pastor April,
1874; W. H. Jeffries, J. B. L, Soule, second time, two years,
and until August i, 1876; Dr. E. L. Hurd and Prof. Rufus
Nutting, jr., have supplied the pulpit since. The first church
building was erected in 1835, on lots donated by David A.
Smith and Isaac McAfee, and cost about twenty-five hun-
dred dollars. The second building was erected in 1869, and
cost nine thousand dollars. Both these structures are of
brick. In 1873 a chapel and parsonage were added, and
cost thirty-five hundred dollars. In the erection of all these
church structures, >Elder Philander Braley has borne a con-
spicuous part, both in furnishing means and superintending,
the work.
Kaskaskia Presbytery met at Shawneetown, April 18,.
1834. Ministers T^XQSQnt: John Mathews, William K. Stew-
art, B. F. Spilman, Alexander Ewing, Roswell Brooks. Eid-
ers present : William H. Brown, Vandalia ; James A. Ram-
sey, Sugar Creek ; William Porter, Gilead ; W. A. G. Posy,
Shawneetown; James H. Rice, Sharon; Samuel Boyd, New
Haven. Marine Church was received. James A. Ramsey
was licensed April 19, 1834. Theron Baldwin was dismissed
to Illinois Presbytery. Benjamin F. Spilman, minister, and
W. A. G. Posey, elder, were elected Commissioners to the
Assembly. The fall meeting was held at Vandalia, October
10. William Hamilton was dismissed to Muhlenburg Pres-
bytery.
Marine Church was organized Nov. 2, 1833, with sixteen
members. Roswell Brooks preached here one-half the time
for one year. Next succeeded, Robert Blake, one-half the
time for two years. Then the church was vacant until 1840,
when T. Lippincott was employed, and continued, one-half
the time for three years. A plesant revival occurred and
twenty-seven were added to the church. Then followed
James R. Dunn. After eighteen months' labor elsewhere,
Mr. Lippincott supplied again for one year. The subsequent
ministers, named in their order, are these : Calvin Butler,
Sigmund Uhfelder, James A. Darrah, C. J. Pitkin, William
Ellers, A. D. Jacke, H. W. Wood, J. Scott Davis, C. T. Hal-
MARINE CHURCH. 2O9
sey, the last from Jan., 1874, to Jan., 1878. Elders: James
Breath, James M. Nichols, Geo. W. Welsh, Nov. 2, 1833 : C.
Lyman, Feb. 10, 1842; Geo. T. Allen, April 30, 1843; John
Breath, same; A. L. Saunders, Feb. 7, 1848; J. S. Cottrell,
same; Joel Simpson, April 30, 1854; Richard P. Marshall,
same ; Lewis Potter, April 16, 1864 ; Samuel H. Brown, May
8, 1869; Richard A. Marshall, April 21, 1872. The original
members were these : James Breath, Elizabeth Breath, Geo.
C. Allen, Mary Allen, James M. Nichols, Elizabeth Nichols,
Geo. W. Walsh, John R. Kerr, Wm. Anderson, Eunice A.
Anderson, Gertrude Anderson, Zilphatt Parker, Geo. Foster,
Hannah N. Foster, Rebecca L. Breath and Mary A. Breath.
Calvin Butler came here in 1849, and died Nov. 3. 1854. His
house, occupied by his widow and family, burned down in
the fall of 1855. For several years past the Sabbath school,
and indeed the whole church work here, has devolved on Elder
Lewis Potter and his excellent wife. There is a good frame
church, built in 185 1. Before its erection, all denominations
used the same buildino-.
Sangamon Presbytery met at Sand Prairie, Tazewell
county, April 18, 1834. Sugar Creek and Lick Creek
churches were received. The fall meeting was held at Spring-
field, Oct. 14. Dewey Whitney was received from the Pres-
bytery of West Lexington, Ky.
Sugar Creek Church was organized Nov. 4, 1833, by
Revs. J. G. Bergen and T. A. Spilman, with eighteen mem-
bers. Its name disappears in 1857. It became absorbed
in Auburn and Brush Creek churches.
Lick Creek Church was organized Nov. 18, 1833, by J.
G. Bergen, with fifteen members. It became mostly merged
in Chatham Church. Its name disappeared from the min-
utes in 1836. Lick Creek is an affluent of Sugar Creek, fall-
ing into the latter from the west, and north of Chatham.
Dewey Whitney was born 179^. at Marlborough,
Vt. His ancestors were English. In religious belief he
13
2IO PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS,
was Presbyterian. He pursued his classical studies in New-
England, his theological with Dr. Gideon Blackburn, Ky.
He was licensed to preach by Muhlenburg Presbytery at
Elkton, Todd county, Ky., April 14, 1823. He joined San-
gamon Presbytery, III, April 14, 1834. He was installed
pastor of Second Presbyterian Church, Springfield, 111., April
20, 1836. He was married Aug. 28, 1827, to Mildred K.
Thornton, of Ky. He had two children, Julia O. born Oct.
23, 1828, and William Dewey, born Oct. 6, 1830. He suf-
fered for years with bronchical affection, which rendered it
necessary for him to refrain from pulpit duties. His death
occurred July 27,^857, ten miles South of Brandon, Frank-
lin county. Miss., and was produced by concussion of the
brain, occasioned by being thrown from a horse. His daugh-
ter, Mrs. Julia O. Allen, resides at 3107 Clark Avenue, St.
JLouis, Mo.
Palestine Presbytery held its first meeting at Darwin,
Clark county, April 18, 1834. Mi?dsters present: Stephen
Bliss, Isaac Bennet, John Montgomery, John C. Campbell,
Enoch Kingsbury. Elders present : Thomas Buchanan,
Wabash; Adriel Stout, Paris; James Smick, Darwin. Bru-
lett's Creek Church was received. Isaac Bennet was chosen
Commissioner to the Assembly, John Montgomery was made
Stated Clerk. The fall meeting was held at Paris, Oct. 9.
Three Ministers and four Elders were present.
Enoch Kingsbury was born in Langdon, N. H., April 21,
1800. His ancestors were English and Presbyterian, or Con-
gregationalists. He was a graduate of Amherst College, in
1827. He studied theology at Auburn, N. Y., and at Prince
Edward, Va. He went South for his health. On his return
he had a call to settle in Granby, Mass., but the Missionary
spirit urged him West. He was married in Simsbury, Ct.,
to Fanny R. Goodwin, and ordained the same month in
South-Hadley, Mass., sine titulo. He must have gone to
Illinois immediately, for he was in Danville on the second
Sabbath in January, 183 1, at which time he commenced his
labors there. His first Western ecclesiastical connection was
undoubtedly with Crawfordsville Presbytery, for he was, in
1831, a member of the Synod of Indiana, though Danville
JOHN C. CAMPBELL. 211
Church, to which he ministered, was from May, 183 1, (when
the Assembly constituted the Synod of Ilhnois) in the bounds
of the Presbytery of Sangamon. It was not until the Synod
of Illinois, in 1833, constituted the Presbytery of Palestine,
that he or his church formed an ecclesiastical connection in
this State. He was the father of eight children : James
Goodwin, born Jan. 18, 1832; Samuel Lyman, born Dec. 31,
1833, died Feb. 28, 1837 ; Helen Maria, born March 20, 1835,
died Nov. 15, 1836; Edward Beecher, born Oct. 20, 1836,
died Aug. i8, 1864; Nathan, born Nov. ii, 1838, died Feb.
10, 1841 ; Martha Ann, born May 25, 1841, died Sept. 23,
1864; Mary Candace, born Dec. 27, 1842; Samuel Davies,
born July 5, 1846.
Mr. Kingsbury's labors were very extensive and arduous.
He was stated clerk of his Presbytery for a long series of
years. He was ever an out-spoken abolitionist, and a stren-
uous upholder of the sanctity of the Sabbath. Danville was
his home during his entire residence at the West. For more
concerning him, the reader is referred to a sketch of that
church. He died there Oct. 26, il
John C. Campbell was born Dec. 27, 1802, in Blount
county, Tennessee. He was of Scotch descent, the son of
Presbyterian parents. He was educated at Maryville College,
Tenn., from whence he graduated in 1829; in Sept., of the
same year, he was licensed, and in the autumn of 1830, was
ordained. In 1830, he removed with his wife to Edgar county,
111., and had under hii charge the New Providence and New
Hope churches, situated ten miles apart, where he remained
twenty-five years. During this time he preached to the New
Providence Church with the exception of about four years,
when he was engaged in preaching, one year each, to the
churches at Charleston, Grandview, and Paris, 111., one-half
the time, and one year he was traveling as a Sabbath school
agent, while he preached ocsasionally at various other points.
As a result of his labors many were gathered into the church.
In 1857, he removed with his family to Cerro Gordo, Piatt
county, III, where he remained until his death, Dec. 31, 1862.
He preached alternately to the church at Cerro Gordo, and
at a point eight miles north. He was married in 1830 to
Miss Sibby Ewing, who resided near Maryville, Tenn. She
was born April 26, 1809, and was the daughter of strict Presby-
212 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
terian parents. Their oldest child, Wm. A., was born in-
1832, Martha in 1834, Harriet N. in 1839, Jennie E. in 1842,
Maggie M. in 1844, and Claiborne Y. in 1847. They were-
all gathered into the church in early life. The three oldest
and the youngest have long since passed away.
Danville Church was organized March 8, 1829, by Rev.
Samuel Baldridge, M. D., with these eight members, viz :
Asa R. Palmer, Josiah Alexander, Elizabeth Alexander,
Mary Ann Alexander, Solomon Gilbert, Submit Gilbert,
Pamela Tomlinsori and Lucy Gilbert. Of these, the last
only is living. She is now Mrs. Russell. It seems, though
irregularly, to have been under the care of Wabash Pres-
bytery, or Vincennes as it became in 1830, or perhaps of
Crawfordsville, which was organized in the fall of 1829, until
the Illinois Synod, in 1833, constituted Palestine Presbytery.
Dr. Baldridge labored here half the time for one year.
Enoch Kingsbury commenced his labors on the second Sab-
bath in January, 1831, and continued to supply the church,
statedly about one-half the time for twenty-five years, and
after that occasionally until 1866, a period of thirty-five years
of stated and occasional service. From 1838 until Sept., 1857,
he labored in conjunction with his brother, Rev. Nathaniel
Kingsbury, Orrin Cooley and Charles H. Palmer, with each
at different times and for different periods. September i, 1857,
Wm. R. Palmer took the entire charge of the church until
Sept. I, 1861. He was succeeded by James W. Stark, who
supplied regularly for two years, after which E. Kingsbury
supplied till April 4, 1864. W. A. Hendrickson followed till
July I, when D. R. Love took charge till Oct. i, 1865. Then
the session again invited Mr. Kingsbury, until a more per-
manent supply could be obtained. For the first six years the
church was without any house of worship. Though few and
feeble, they erected the first church in Danville, and the sec-
ond Presbyterian church on the east side of the State. They
procured the first bell ever brought up the Wabash above Vin-
cennes, and the second bell for a Protestant church that was
brought into this State. The first was at Vandalia. That
church building cost ;$ 1,400. After answering a variety of
purposes for twelve years, in which it had been used by
twelve different denominations, it was repaired at ^n expense
of two hundred and fifty dollars, and used principally for
DANVILLE CHURCH. 213
public worship, though to such it was never formally dedi-
cated. In 1859, the congregation fitted up the basement of
the new church and worshipped thereuntil the main audience
room was completed. That building is fifty by seventy-four
feet, the basement twelve feet high, and the upper story
twenty-four feet. The audience room is one the best in the
State, and furnished with a large, fine organ. The whole
structure cost over ;^ 12,000, and was dedicated Dec. 24,
1865. The sermon was preached by Dr. Tuttle, President
of Wabash College. During the ministry of Rev. S. Bald-
ridge, five were added to the original eight. During that of
Mr. Kingsbury and his co-laborers, one hundred and six-
teen. Under Mr. Palmer, sevent\'-five. Mr. Stark, thirteen.
Mr. Love, thirty-three, and three between that time and the
dedication, making a total of two hundred and fifty-three up
to that period. The actual membership at the time of dedica-
tion was one hundred. Charles P. Felch was immediately
called to be pastor on a salary of ;^ 1,200. He entered upon
his duties Jan. 22, 1866. He was installed in June of the
same year, and continued in charge until June, 1868. Mr.
Kingsbury succeeded Mr. Felch as supply pastor, in July,
1868, and continued until his death, Oct., 26, same year. He
was succeeded by Wm. R. Powers, who continued but a few
months. The present pastor, Asahel L. Brooks, commenced
here Dec, 1870, and was installed in April, 1871. Under
his ministry two hundred and thirty-seven have been
received. In all five hundred and seventy-four. Present
number two hundred and eighty-seven. Elders : Asa R.
Palmer, Josiah Alexander, Solomon Gilbert, James M. Cul-
bertson, Eben H. Palmer, Wm. P. Chandler, James P. Brown,
Benjamin Crane. Term service adopted 1870. Since then
these persons have been chosen : Wm. P. Chandler, Geo.
B. Yeomans, Benj. Crane, James Risk, Eben H. Palmer,
James Dougherty, Wm. A. Clements, J. E. Field. This
church owns a convenient parsonage, bought Nov., 1870, at
a cost of ^4,000. It celebrated its semi-centennial, March
8, 1879, with appropriate and interesting services.
Darwin Church, Clark county, was organized, July i
and 2, 1 83 1, by Revs. Enoch Bouton and John Montgomery,
with these members, viz: James Welsh, James Smick, Will-
iam R. Stewart, Laura Stewart, Mary Welsh, Rebecca Chen-
214 PRE5BYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
owith, Esther Bouton, George Armstrong, John Welsh, Wil-
lis Fellows, Elizabeth Davidson, Margaret Welsh. Elders :
James Welsh, James Smick, Willis Fellows — these were the
first. Then George Armstrong, July 29, 1837; John D.
Mitchell, October 20, i860; Robert Williamson, October 7,
1871 ; William Marvin, October 7, 1871. Ministers: Sam-
uel Baldridge, M. D., October 22, 1832, continued one year;
John C. Campbell, occasional, in l834and 1838 ; Robert Ruth-
erford, July 29, 1837; Isaac Bennet, occasional, 1839, 1840;.
E. W. Thayer, licentiate, was here frequently in 1840, also
as minister in June, 1840, November, 1841, and February,
1844; R. H. Lilly,-^t)Ccasional, 1846 and 1847; Ellis Howell,
in 1857, i860 and 1866; R. C. McKinney, 1867, 1869;
Thomas Spencer, two years from January I, 1871 ; George F.
Davis began in 1875, and continued two years. All these
ministers had one or more other preaching places connected
with this, generally Marshall or York, sometimes both. The
first house of worship was built by the Presbyterians and
Methodists in Darwin, about forty years since. The present
was finished in 1871, at a cost of twenty-five hundred dol-
lars. It is in T. 9, R. ii W., Sec. 3, close by the eastern line
of the section and half-way between the north and south
line thereof. This congregation erected their house of wor-
ship without aid from abroad. Dr. John D. Mitchell gave
the site and five hundred dollars. The name of the church
was changed from Darwin to Walnut Prairie by Mattoon
Presbytery in the spring of 1871. The whole number of
persons who have been connected with the church from the
beginning is not far from seventy. Like Danville and New
Providence, this church was connected with Vincennes Pres-
bytery until Palestine Presbytery was established.
Brulitt's Creek Church, Bromfield postofifice, was or-
ganized by Enoch Kingsbury, April 16, 1834, with eighteen
members. It was in the northern part of Edgar county, upon
and near a creek of that name which runs eastward into the
Wabash. Samuel Elder was one of the elders. Its existence
was brief.
The Synod of Illinois met at Springfield, October 16^
1834. Members were present from each of the five Presby-
THE SYNODS. 21 5
teries, viz : Illinois, Kaskaskia, Sangamon, Schuyler and Pal-
estine. A new Presbytery, called Ottawa, was organized.
Their declaration on slavery was this : " Synod consider the
existing system of holding in involuntary servitude their fel-
low-men as a crime of no ordinary character, against which
they do hereby most earnestly and solemnly protest." The
churches of Alton and Marine were transferred from the
Presbytery of Kaskaskia to that of Illinois. The throes of
the division earthquake were beginning to be felt. On
the question of approving and adopting the " Act and
Testimony," the vote was taken by yeas and nays — eight in
in favor and twenty-six against. Among the latter was the
name of John G. Bergen. William J. Fraser presented and
read a communication from himself renouncing the jurisdic-
tion of the Presbyterian Church. Synod, while pronouncing
his communication irregular, accepted it, and declared them-
selves no longer responsible for his personal or official acts.
CHAPTER VI.
MEETINGS OF PRESBYTERIES AND SYNOD FROM 1 83.5 TO 1 838,
WITH SKETCHES OF THE CHURCHES AND MINISTERS BELONG-
ING TO THE SEVERAL YEARS OF THE PERIOD.
Authorities: Same as as last chapter; sermon of D. H. Hamilton, D. D.,
Rev. S. C. Baldridge, Henry Tanner.
"^^ YEAR 1835,
The Presbytery of Illinios met at Carlinville, March 26,
1835. Ministers present: John Brich, Samuel E. Blackburn,
Thomas Lippincott, Elisha Jenney. Elders present: John
R. Lewis, Carlinville ; Wm. H. Carson, Spring Cove ; James
Kerr, Jacksonville ; Enoch Long, Alton. Ministers absent :
Gideon Blackburn, J. M. Ellis, Edward Beecher, J. M. Stur-
tevant, B. Y. Messenger, Henry Herrick, Theron Baldwin.
Benoni Y. Messenger was dismissed to Litchfield South As-
sociation, Ct. Elisha Jenney, minister, and James G. Ed-
wards, elder, were elected Commissioners to the next As-
sembly. William G. Gallaher was received from the Pres-
bytery of Cincinnati. The fall meeting was held with Pis-
gah Church, Morgan county, Oct. 8. Alfred H. Dasheill
from the Second (Assembly's) Presbytery of Philadelphia,
Milton Kimball from the Presbytery of Athens, and Hugh
Barr from the Presbytery of North Alabama, were received.
Frederick W. Graves, licentiate, was received from the Pres-
bytery of Geneva. An adjourned meeting was held at Alton,
Nov. 18, at which Mr. Graves was examined, and ordained
j.astor of the Alton Church.
William Green Gallaher was born in Roane county,
East Tenn., Feb. 27, 1801. He is the sixth child in a family
of four sons and six daughters of Thonias and Mary Galla-
her, who were both formerly from the vicinity of Millerstovvn,
Penn. James Gallaher, the grandfather of William G., removed
to East Tennessee and located on a farm in Washington
county. The ancestors on both sides were Scotch-Irish,
some of whom participated in the famous siege of London-
REV. WILLIAM G. GALLAHER. 21/
■derry. Thomas Gallaher removed to Illinois in 1833, locat-
ing in Sangamon county, where he resided until his death.
William Green was in boyhood inured to farm labor.
Several of his early years were spent in teaching school. At
the age of twenty-three he entered Greenville College, Tenn.
He studied theology under his elder brotlier, James, and with
Frederick A. Ross. He was licensed in 1827 by the Pres-
bytery of Holston. After his licensure he traveled and
preached for two years in the Southern States, and two years
in Winchester, Ky. He labored in 1831-32 in the Third
Presbyterian Church, Cincinnati, as co-pastor with his brother
James. In that city he married Miss Sarah Kautz, March
12, 1833. The same year he removed with his wife to San-
gamon county, Illinois, locating on a farm near Berlin. He
soon began to labor with the Pisgah Church. In addition
to his ministerial labors he gave attention to agriculture.
He continued with that church for more than thirty-one
years, and saw it increase from twenty to about one hundred
and fifty members. At the close of his labors he was pre-
sented with a beautiful photograph Bible.
Mr. Gallaher had eleven children, two of whom died in in-
fancy. His eldest son, Thomas, died in his fifteenth year,
Oct. 26, 1852. His second son, Wm. G., Jr., was a graduate
of Illinois College ; also of the law school at Albany, N. Y.
He was married, Feb. 24, 1870, to Miss Jennie E. Boyle, of
Philadelphia, and died the 26th of October following, at Den-
ver, Col. His youngest son, James Allen, died in the Union
army Aug. 9, 1862. The names of the daughters are Emil}^,
wife of Wm. Russell ; Mary, wife of E. W. Bradley ; Marga-
ret K., wife of Wm. E. Capps ; Sarah, wife of Francis A.
Riddle. The two youngest are Hannah and Lucinda. Mr.
G. resides in Jacksonville, and still enjoys good health. He
is one of the trustees of Blackburn University. He is pos-
sessed of considerable property, and is highly esteemed for
his generous and Christian benevolence.
Alfred H. Dashiell, D. D.
A very interesting sketch of this brother, from his own pen, has been received.
Its length forbids its insertion, and I substitute for it a paper from his son,
Alfred H. Dashiell, jr., pastor of our church at Bricksburg, N. J.
My father was born Aug. 2, 1793, on the eastern shore of
Maryland, Kent county. Of Huguenot ancestry, son of Rev.
2l8 PRE3BYTERIANI6M IN ILLINOIS.
George Dashiell. Graduated at University of Pennsylvania.
He studied law with Wm, Pinckney, Esq., but was diverted
to the ministry by a desire ( he told me ) to serve the Sav-
iour and be useful in bringing souls to Him. He was
ordained by the Presbytery of Philadelphia. He was pas-
tor of the Mariner's Church, Phila., then of First Church,.
Jacksonville, 111., then President of Female Academy, Nash-
ville, Tenn., then pastor Presbyterian church, Franklin,
Tenn., then for nineteen years at Shelbyville, Tenn., then.
President of the College at Rogersville, Tenn., where he
received the degree of D. D. from Maryville College. Since-
the war he has bee'ri without charge, occasionally preaching
till infirmities of age prevented. He is now residing at
Brooklyn, N. Y., in the eighty-sixth year of his age.
Dr. N., my father, is so infirm, being afflicted with a cancer
which has eaten through the roof of his mouth, that I have
ventured to give you the above items. I ought to have said
that his ministry at Shelbyville was attended with one of
the most wonderful outpourings of the Spirit that has occur-
red in my day. One hundred, at least, were converted,
sweeping all classes of the town. My father refused to go
into the Southern Secession from the General Assembly, and
remained loyal to it and the country, when several of his
children went into the rebellion. He retains his faculties
wonderfully well ; he is an omnivorous reader, and bears his.
bodily afflictions with a sweet patience, which assures me that
he is ripening for the Lord's garner.
A. H. Dashiell, jr.
Dr. Dashiell's children are as follows : Richard Ridgely,.
physician, settled in Jackson, Tenn.; Alfred Henry, minister,
Bricksburg, N. J.; George, twin, Merchant, Memphis, Tenn.;.
Robert, twin, dead ; Wickliffe Bond, physician, Kaufman,.
Texas; daughter, dead ; Elizabeth, married James Murrell,.
dead ; Ann, married J. D. Perryman, dead ; Emily, married
in Memphis ; Sophia, married B. Carter Harrison, grandson,
of President Harrison ; Lavinia, married Dr. Wm. Lytle,.
Murphreesboro, Tenn.
Milton Kimball was born in New Hampshire, in 1799.
He was converted at the age of twenty, and immediately
commenced preparing for the ministry. He graduated at
Amherst College in 1826. He spent one year at Andover
F. W. GRAVES HUGH BARR. 2ig
Seminary, and graduated at Auburn in 1829. He was
ordained by the Tiiird Presbytery of New York in July of
the same year. He was sent as Home Missionary to Meigs
county, Ohio, in Oct., 1829. He labored there four years,
organized two churches in the time, saw one house of wor-
ship erected, and great advances made in the temperance
cause and Sabbath schools. He was agent of the A. B.
C. F. M., in Illinois and Missouri, from 1834 to 1836, making
his residence at Jacksonville, III. He preached at Augusta,
111., for ten years, from 1836 to 1846, and died there Oct. 10,
1865, aged sixty-six years.
Frederick W. Graves was born at Leverett, Hampshire
county, Mass., March 9, 1806. Graduated at Amherst Col-
lege and studied theology at Auburn Seminary. He entered
Auburn Seminary in the fall of 1829. He was ordained by
Presbytery of Illinois pastor of Alton church, Nov. 18, 1835.
He was one of the six original members of Alton Presby-
tery which held its first meeting at Alton, April 4, 1837.
He was dismissed to the Third Presbytery of New York,
April 4, 1839. He commenced his labors with Alton Church
June, 1835, and ceased Nov., 1838; though the pastoral rela-
tion was not dissolved until April 4, 1839. After leaving
Alton his labors were mostly in several of our larger cities
and generally for brief periods, and were principally of an
evangelistic character. -He died at Canandaigua, New York,
Dec. 8, 1864, and was buried at Corning. He married Miss
Susan E. Hoyt, in Painted Post, now Corning, N. Y., April
25, 1834. Their children's names are Helen A., born Jan.
7, 1837; Edward Payson, born April 27, 1840; Mary E.,
born Jan. 29, 1845 ; Frederick William, May 5, 1S52. They
are all living, and in the State of New York. Mrs. Graves
resides at Corning New York.
Hugh Barr was born in North Carolinia, May 12, 1790.
His parents were Patrick and Nancy Barr. They emigrated
to Sumner county. Middle Tennessee, in 1799, bringing with
them a family of eight sons and two daughters, of whom
Hugh was the youngest but three. His education was
begun and completed in the school of Rev. Dr. Gideon
Blackburn, in Tennessee. This school, like the similar ones
220 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
under Drs. Doak and Anderson, while being thorough and
liberal, was marked for making men rather than scholars,
and preachers rather than theologians. Having completed
his academic studies he began life as a teacher, and estab-
lished a school at Hopewell, Tenn. In 1813 he married
Miss Catharine Hodge, daughter of Joseph Hodge, an Elder
in the Hopewell Church. In the Indian war of the South,
he went as a soldier under Gen. Jackson, leaving his young
wife and .home at the call of patriotism. He served through
the whole of that struggle, taking part in its bloodiest bat-
tles, particularly that known as the " Horse-Shoe." At the
end of the war, he resumed his occupation of teaching. He
had now been for several years a member of the church.
Through the influence of Dr. Blackburn, he had had his mind
early directed to the ministry. Now he set about the study
of theology. He was licensed about 1819, and preached his
first sermon in Hopewell Church. He was ordained and
sent as a Missionary to North Alabama, and was settled at
Courtland in 1821. He remained there as pastor for four-
teen years. In this, his first settlement, he was eminently
successful. Many and large revivals were the fruits of his
toil. But slavery drove him away. He could not live in a
land where labor was a reproach, and injustice and immoral-
ity a part of the organic structure of society. Liberating his
slaves, with the offer of a home in Liberia, or in the great
Northwest, he came to Illinois in 1835. For six months he
supplied the church of Pisgah, Morgan county, and then
settled at Carrollton, the shire-town of Green county, in
November of the same year, where he remained until the
close of his ministerial labors. His health gave way under
the severe bereavement by which first he lost the wife of his
youth, and then a beloved and promising son. He sank
peacefully to rest at Jacksonville, Aug. i, 1862.
Manchester Church, Morgan county, was organized last
Sabbath in July, 1835, with these members: Robert Hus-
ton, Mrs. Mary Huston and Mrs. Martha Thomas. Elders:
Robert Huston, 1835; Robert McCrackin, 1838; Joel Sugg,
sr., 1841 ; William Stryker, 1849; James Leighton, 1855, ^^^
John Murray in 1867. Ministers: William G. Gallaher,
Hugh Barr, George C. Wood, J. M. Grout, Gideon C. Clark,
C. B. Barton, Revs. Messrs. Ward, Williamson and Steven-
KASKASKIA AND SANGAMON PRESBYTERIES. 221
son. There has been a church edifice, but it is worn out.
From deaths and removals this church has become very
small and feeble.
The Presbytery of Kaskaskia met at Greenville, April
10, 1835. Ministers present : John Mathews, William K.
Stewart, Benjamin F. Spilman. Elders: William H. Brown,
Vandalia ; William Nelson, Greenville; James H. Rice,,
Sharon; James Martin, Gilead ; John Harris, Sugar Creek;
David McCord, Bethel. Ministers absent: Albert Hale, J.
F. Brooks, Roswell Brooks, Alexander Evving. John Math-
ews, minister, and James A. Ramsey, elder, were elected
Commissioners to the Assembly. William K. Stewart was
appointed Stated Clerk. The fall meeting was held with
Sugar Creek Church, October 3, 1835. Albert Hale was dis-
missed to Illinois Presbytery, and Alexander Ewing to San-
gamon.
The Presbytery of Sangamon met at Bloomington,
April 3, 1835. Ministers present: J. G. Bergen, Dewey
Whitney, Lemuel Foster, Flavel Bascom, Thomas A. Spil-
man. Elders : Elijah Slater, Springfield ; Samuel Waldrow,
Tazewell; A. C. Washburn, Bloomington; J. N. Moore,
North Sangamon; L. M. Ransom, Farmington. Washing-
ton Church, organized November 16, 1834, by Flavel Bas-
com and Lemuel Foster, with ten members, was received.
Lemuel Foster, minister, and A. C. Wasburn, elder, were
appointed Commissioners to the Assembly. A called meet-
ing was held at Springfield, June 18, 1835, at which the Sec-
ond Presbyterian Church of Springfield was received. At
the same time the Presbytery declared it to be their fixed
opinion that the organization of a church without an order of
Presbytery was irregular and unconstitutional, though fre-
quently done. The fall meeting was held, October 10, at
Holland's Grove. Alexander Ewing was received from the
Presbytery of Kaskaskia. The church of Chatham was re-
ceived. At an adjourned meeting, held November 25, John
G. Bergen was installed pastor of the First Springfield
Church.
222 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
The Second Presbyterian Church of Springfield was
organized by John G. Bergen May 26, 1835. The following
ithirty persons were the original members, viz : E. S.
J*helps, Samuel Reed, John F. Ragne, Thomas Moffett,
William C, Stevenson, Hugh M. Armstrong, Charles C.
f helps, John B. Watson, Erastus Wright, EUphalet B. Haw-
Jey, E. S. Phelps, jr., William M. Cowgill, Isaac A. Hawley,
James R. Phelps, Eliza A. Moffett, Lucy Cabaness, Ann
Phelps, Eliza M. Ragne, Ann lies, Lavinia M. Armstrong,
Anna Poe, Clementine S. Cowgill, Mary D. Sayre, Isabella
G. Hawley, Mary Watson, Mary M. Planck, Jane Wright,
Mary Shirrell, Naflcy R. Humphrey, Jane Reed. Elders :
The first, E. S. Phelps and Samuel Reed. Since, the follow-
ing: Thomas Moffett, Joseph Thayer, John B. Watson,
Charles R. Wells, Eliphalet B. Hawley, Bishop Seeley, Ros-
well P. Abel, James C. Conkling. Ministers : Dewey Whit-
ney was elected pastor, March 25, 1836, entered immedi-
ately upon his labors, and continued until February, 1839.
In the summer of the same year Albert Hale was elected pas-
tor, began his labors November 15, 1839, and was installed
July I, 1840. He remained pastor for nearly twenty seven
years, abounding in labors which were richly blessed, and
resigned his charge, September 19, 1866, to take effect the
first of January following. In February, 1867, Rev. G. H.
Robertson was elected pastor and installed on the 21st of
April following. His successor is George H. Fullerton. In
the month of January, 1867, fifty-five persons were dismissed
from this church to form the First Congregational Church of
.Springfield. Upon the division of the church in 1837 this
church adhered to the New School, It was always firmly
.arrayed upon the side of human freedom and, during the
great civil war, was thoroughly loyal to the country. Its
iirst house of worship was dedicated Sabbath, August 23,
1840. That was succeeded by a very large and costly struc-
ture, to pay for which has cost the congregation long and
painful efforts.
Chatham Church was organized June 21, 1835, at the
house of Rev. Dewey Whitney, two miles from the present
Chatham village, by Revs. D. Whitney and T. A. Spilman,
with these members, viz : William Thornton, Judith P.
Thornton, Mary E. Thornton, Emma D. Thornton, Martha
CHATHAM CHURCH PALESTINE PRESBYTERY. 223
W. Thornton, Mildred R. Whitney, Jonas Whitney, Louisa
Whitney, Alonzo How Whitney, Juha M. Whitney, WiUiam
•H. Meteer, Ehza Meteer, Harvey Hall, Rebecca Ann Hall.
Elders: June 21, 1835, William Thornton ; Nov. 22, 1835,
Luther N. Ransom, Cornelius Lyman, William W Meteer;
Feb. 3, 1 841, William Holland and Asahel Thayer; April 7,
1844, Cyrus W. Van Deren, Harvey H. Hall, J. R. Lewis;
Jan. 15, 1859, John Smith, Henry Thayer; Feb. 14, 1864,
Joseph B. Whitney, James Melvin, John L.Turner; March 5,
1876, William C. Lockridge. Ministers: Dewey Whitney,
William C. Greenleaf, William Fithian, Josiah Porter, A. M.
Dixon, Noah Bishop, E. W. Thayer, W. B. Spence, John H.
Harris, John D. Jones for four years ending Sept. 1877; H.
G. Pollock, one year. The church building was erected
about 1850, and cost $1300. Renovated 1876-7 at a cost of
eight hundred dollars. Before this house was erected, ser-
vices were held in a school-house on the south side of the
square. The parsonage was erected in 1875 at a cost of
^1600. No debt. Tne present membership is forty-two.
The Presbytery of Palestine met with Pleasant Prairie
Church, April 24, 1835 ; Ministers present: John C. Camp-
bell, Stephen Bliss, Isaac Bennet, John Montgomery, Enoch
Kingsbury. Elders present : James Ashmore, Pleasant
Prairie; John King, Bethel Church, afterwards Oakland;
Martin Brooks, Paris. Reuben White was received from the
Presbytery of Vincennes. The Church of Pisgah, Lawrence
county, was received. The session of Pleasant Prairie submit-
ted these questions : " Should we admit to the communion of
the Church an individual who holds his fellow being in per-
petual bondage, or one who has sold his fellow being for gain
as a bond slave, or one who rejects some of the essential doc-
trines of the Presbyterian Church?" Presbytery resolved:
" That we do not deem it within our province to give an effi-
cient reply to these questions; but that it is expedient to
enter into a free discussion of them." This was done. In the
light of 1880 one can but wonder such questions should ever
have needed formal discussion; or that any church judica-
tory should ever have dared to dodge their decision. Rev.
John C. Campbell was appointed Commissioner to the next
Assembly. The fall meeting was held at Danville. Samuel
Baldridge, M. D., was received from the Presbytery of Vin-
•cennes.
224 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Reuben White in 1805 was studying for the ministry un-
der the care of Abingdon Presbytery. He joined Palestine
from Vincennes Presbytery, April 24, 1835. He was resid-
ing in Paris, 111., in 1 836, without charge.
PisGAH Church was organized March 15, 1835. The
names of the original members are these, viz : Thomas Buch-
anan, Elizabeth Buchanan, Caroline Buchanan, Victor Buch-
anan, Rebecca Buchanan, Walter Buchanan, Jane Buchanan,.
Samuel Young, Nancy Young, William Lawson, Martha
Lawson, James Lawson, Nancy Lawson, Elizabeth Lawson,.
Margaret Lawson, Sarah Lawson, Jane Richardson, William
Denison, Margaret Denison, Robert Denison, Nancy Deni-
son, Alexander Denison, Mary Ann Denison, John Denison,
Calvina C. Miller, Elizabeth Melton, Samuel Newell, Sarah
Newell, sr., Sarah Newell, jr., John A. Newell, Margaret
Ann Newell, Mary Newell.
The site of the church consists of one acre. It is on the
N. E. corner of the S. E. quarter of the S. E. quarter of
Sec. 23, T. 3, N. R. 12, W. of 2. P. M. The original church
building is of logs, twenty-four feet square, with a gallery
opposite the pulpit, and extending over about half the inte-
rior. In front this gallery is about seven feet above the
floor* and is nearly level. It is reached by a stairway at the
side of the building, to the right of the pulpit. The pulpit is
a curiosity, a semi-circular tub, about three feet six inches
wide and deep, and six feet three inches above the floor.
It is the workmanship of Rev. Isaac Bennet, and precisely
like the one he built for the first church building in Pleas-
ant Prairie. This Pisgah Church is ceiled overhead, and
was never plastered. It is now used as the wood-house of
the present church, and is four or five rods back of it. A
number of forest trees stand in this acre, and afford a grate-
ful shade to the many teams which gather here on every
Sabbath. It was erected about 1834, and cost two hundred
dollars.
The present church building is a frame, and was built in
1857. It cost one thousand dollars. This congregation owns
a parsonage which is situated in Bridgeport. It was purchased
in 1 87 1, and cost seven hundred and fifty dollars. A study
has since been added at a cost of one hundred and thirty
dollars. Two brothers of Thomas Buchanan — Walter and
REV. SAMUEL BALDRIDGE, M. D. 22 5
Victor — are still alive and reside in the Pisgah congregation.
These Buchanans are from Kentucky.
Elders: Thomas Buchanan, Samuel Newell, Williata M.
Crane, John B. Maxwell, Robert Laughlin, James Watt,
Robert Denison, Aaron J. Gould, Daniel Gibbs, Hugh Orr,
Milton Laughlin, A. H. Laughlin, Isaac N. Crane, William T.
Buchanan, William Gillespie, James M, Buchanan. The
whole number of communicants three hundred and twenty-
six. Present number one hundred. Ministers: Isaac Ben-
net, from organization till late in the fall of 185 i. He was
installed in April, 1845. D. A. Wallace, supply pastor one
year; B. Leffler temporary supply in summer of 1855 ; John
B. Saye supply pastor from October, 1855, till October,
i860; John Mack, December, i86i,to April, 1870 — April 2,
1865, he was installed; Robert G. Ross, from May i, 1870, to
April, 1876 — he was installed November 25, 1871 ; Thomas
Smith commenced here May i, 1876, was installed May i,
1877, and is still in charge.
Samuel Baldridge, M. D.
The following interesting article is by Rev. S. C. Baldridge, of Friendsville,
Wabash county. 111. The reader will see in it the affectionate tribute of a son to
a beloved and honored father.
Samuel Baldridge, son of John and Margaret (Ferrel)
Baldridge, was the third of twelve children, and was born
near Guilford Court House, North Carolina, March 21, about
1780. The family were Scotch-Irish. The family removed
to Cook county, Tenn., about 1794, and settled on the French
Broad river. As he approached manhood, his brother James,
the eldest of the children, and he built a "saw and grist
mill" on the Clear creek, an affluent of the French Broad.
While occupied in this enterprise he experienced religion.
His parents were Covenanters, and had trained him in the
knowledge of the scriptures with their proverbial faithful-
ness, but their prejudices were strong, and when Samuel
announced to them that he wished to join a Presbyterian
church, his father very promptly assured him that if he did
he would disinherit him ; and when he went on to follow his
convictions, he was solemnly informed that his name was
stricken out of the will. Nothing moved by this, he began
to turn his thoughts to the ministry. In 1778 a good man,
14
226 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Samuel Doak, a graduate of Princeton in 1775, had settled
on the Holston river among some Scotch-Irish emigrants
from Virginia, and opened a school in a log building put up
on his farm, and organized a church. Thither the young
convert went, and in due time graduated at Dr. Doak's
school, by this time chartered as " Washington College." It
was some thirty miles only from the Baldridges.
"First Tuesday in September, 1805, being a candidate
under the care of Abingdon Presbytery, he, with Reuben
White, and Alexander M. Nelson, were directed to turn their
attention to the study of divinity under the inspection of
some member, or°"rnembers of Presbytery, and they were al-
lowed to prepare and deliver exhortations."
January 23, 1806, he was married to Miss Lucinda Doak,
daughter of Rev. Dr. Doak, his venerated teacher. She was
a blithe and gentle woman, of very fair complexion, pleasant
features, golden hair, and of unusual intelligence and piety.
"October 5, 1807, he was licensed at Salem Church,
Washington county, Tenn., the pastoral charge of Dr. Doak,
and appointed to supply within the bounds of the Pres-
bytery until the next stated meeting."
October ii, 1808, he was ordained pastor of the united
churches of Rock Spring and Glade Spring. 1 809 he was
appointed Commissioner from the Presbytery of Abingdon
to the General Assembly.
Meantime his father and family had removed to Ohio, 1 808,
and were living in Hamilton, where he visited them, and be-
ing pleased with the wonderful promise of the Miami country,
in 1 8 10 he obtained a dissolution of the pastoral relation, and
a dismission from the Presbytery of Abingdon to the Presby-
tery of Washington, Synod of Kentucky. Another motive
which operated in inducing him to leave the South was his
growing opposition to the system of slavery. Plis family
consisted at this time of three — his wife and two children, a
son and daughter. They came across the great wilderness
of Tennessee and Kentucky in wagons, with their household
effects, during the summer of 18 lO, and reached Lawrence-
burg, Ind., in safety. Among the Presbyterian families that
welcomed him, was one named Chambers. He had been an
elder in East Tennessee, and a fellow-helper'*there, and this
msLy have been a reason for Mr. B.'s locating in this village.
And then, too, there was an " open door." The fertile val-
leys of the Ohio and White water were attracting an enter-
REV. SAMUEL BALDRIDGE, M. D. 22/
prising class of settlers. But it was missionary ground. No
'Churches organized — no meeting houses — no salary to sup-
port him — no missionary fund to secure him his bread while
toiling at the foundations of Zion. How was he to sustain him-
self? He was not of a temperament to hesitate long. He
procured a large house, still standing in the oldest part of
the town, and opened a school. He taught the English
branches and the classical languages — his school was academ-
ical in its grade. Like Dr. Doak, his preceptor, he taught
his students in the classics to converse in those languages
in their recitations, and at his table, and in their walks. Be-
fore he had time to connect with the Presbytery of Washing-
ton, that Presbytery was divided by the Synod of Kentucky,
October ii, i8io, and he and Joshua L. Wilson, Matthew G.
Wallace, William Robinson, and James Welsh, were consti-
tuted into the " Presbytery of Miami." He w^s appointed
to supply statedly at Lawrenceburg and Whitewatev. Thus
he continued for two years — teaching and going from neigh-
borhood to neighborhood preaching in private houses, and
far and near where a " door of usefulness " seemed to open.
In this time he organized several churches — among them, if
.my information be correct, the Presbyterian Church of Har-
rison. September 12, 1812, he was appointed to spend two
weeks in the vacancies above Dayton — "the barrens of
Ohio." October 5, 181 3, he was dismissed to the Presby-
tery of Washington. During his residence at Lawrence-
burg he studied medicine that he might support himself in
the missionary work, and " go a warfare " as a faithful sol-
dier of Jesus Christ " at his own charges."
He became a successful and highly popular practitioner,
and not only supported his family while doing a vast amount
of ministerial work, but also in a i^w years accumulated a
handsome property. April 6, 18 14, he connected with the
Washington Presbytery and was appointed as stated supply
of Washington for one-half of his time, and of London for
one fourth. The next year, 18 15, he was appointed to sup-
ply London and Treacle's Creek. He was recognized by
his fellow-laborers as a " natural born missionary," and his
zeal and energy were honored by his being freely appointed
to the most arduous itinerant labors. " The captains of the
saints were cavalry in those daj's," says Dr. Monfort, and
here was one who accepted joyfully the burdens of the day.
.He had the same spirit, the same sound constitution, the
228 PKICSBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
same delight in preaching the gospel that characterized the
Gallahers, and Nelsons, and Henderson, and that whole-
generation of evangelists that sprang up in the same region
and went out from Dr. Doak's wise and solid training to
make the wilderness rejoice. I have heard him say that "in
his prime, after a hard day's ride, it would rest him to preach
in the evening." As an example of what was often occur-
ing, sometimes by order of the Presbytery, but oftener by his
own enthusiasm in the ministry, it may be mentioned that in
September, 1815, Presbytery appointed him to labor ten
days on Paint creek. Deer creek, Big and little Darby and
the head waters of Miami. While at London, he had sev-
eral students in medicine. April 8, 1818, he was dismissed
to the Presbytery of Lancaster, and in September was duly
received by that Presbytery. The next spring he received a
call to take the pastoral charge of the churches of Salt Creek
(now Chandlersville), Buffalo (now New Cumberland), and
Pleasant Hill (now New Concord), and the next June he
was installed. This relation continued until April, 1823,
when he was released from Buffalo and Salt Creek, but con-
tinued pastor of the Pleasant Hill Church until the spring of
1824. He was thus pastor and stated supply in that field for
six years. In 1824 he removed to Jeromeville, in the bounds
of the Presbytery of Richland, and took charge of the con-
gregation, at that time a large one, embracing many excel-
lent families. He enjoyed, too, from the first a lucrative prac-
tice in medicine. He was now in easy circumstances. The
late Thomas W. Coulter, his son-in-law, has said that at the
time of his settling at Jeromeville he was worth ;$ 10,000. He
built a residence there and seems to have contemplated mak-
ing it his permanent home. But two blows fell upon him
that unsettled him. One was the death of his wife. Mrs. Lu-
cinda Doak Baldridge died Aug. 18, 1825. They had been
married now nearly twenty years, and had had six children
born to them, three of whom were dead. The eldest child,
John Witherspoon Doak, lived to enter his eighteenth
year, a lad of much promise, and contemplating the minis-
try. He died Feb. 24, 1824. At the time of Mrs. B.'s death,
the Doctor was near forty-six years of age. His family con-
sisted of two daughters — Esther, seventeen years of age, and
Eliza, six, and a son, Eliphalet Nott, aged ten. His field of
labor embraced the churches of Jeromeville, Perryville and
Rehoboth, one-third of the time at each, and innumerable
REV. SAMUEL BALDRIDGE, M. D. 220
•preaching places at private houses through the country far
and near, for he rejoiced to preach, and never lacked an au-
dience. May 25, 1826, he was united in marriage with Miss
Mary Coulter, daughter of Jonathan Coulter, Esq., of Perr**
ville. Dr. Baldridge continued to supply this field until in
1828, when he lost his property by going security, in an evil
moment, for Joseph Naylor, of Jeromeville. In the summer
of 1828 he came West and located in Eugene, Vermilion
county, Indiana, in the bounds of the Wabash Presbytery, to
which he was dismissed Sept. 9, 1828. Oct. 15, 1829, the
Synod of Indiana met at " Shoal Creek," Bond county. 111.
At that meeting, the Presbytery of Wabash was divided and
the Revs. Samuel Baldridge, John R. Moreland, Samuel H.
McNutt, George Bush, James Crawford, James Thompson,
Jeremiah Hill and John L. Thompson, were set off to consti-
tute the Presbytery of Crawfordsville, April 4, 1832, he was
dismissed to the Presbytery of Vincennes, near Terre Haute,
having removed to " Honey Creek Parsonage " and taken
charge of Honey Creek and New Hope Churches. The
writer's first recollections are connected with that old par-
sonage. It was a hewed-log building, and stood in the edge
of a grove full of wild cherry and mulberry trees, and front-
ing a wide, low prairie, and looking towards Prairieton (now
Sullivan.) The whole landscape was overflowed in time of
high water in the Wabash, and looked like a sea. An un-
paralleled June freshet came once to within a few yards of
the door, and stood for such a time over the garden as to
destroy it. Flights of blackbirds that would fairly darken
the air, lodged in the grove. Whether the property belonged
to the congregation I know not. It was while we lived on
that romantic and secluded place that the courage and
energy of my mother saved her household from violence
and perhaps destruction. At the time, father was gone, and
the family at home were my mother, myself and two of a
sister's children, Lyman B. Matson, Esq., Mansfield, Ohio,
and a brother of his, all children. The evening was a bright,
moonlit one, and towards bed-time our house dog began to
bark violently. One of the children, going to the door, saw
a blacked man dodge behind the stable. Mother became
ceVtain that some one was prowling around. She got in
plenty of wood, and replenished the fires. By and by
she had prayers with us as usual in father's absence, and the
children were put to bed, and the lonely mother was left
230 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
with no guardsman but God. Closing all the curtains and
barricading the door, she sat down at the table with her
Bible. She heard stealthy steps around. She was aware of
some one looking through the key-hole, at last a hand was.
laid on the latch and a shoulder put against the door, and
then a heavy push. The slender door cracked under the
strain. The heroic mother stood with the axe up, ready to
hew at the robber when the door gave way. She called on
the sleeping children, by their sir names, to get up and
defend themselves, as though they were sleeping knights.
But by a merciful Providence, the door did not break in, and
the dreadful mora^ent passed. This was repeated one or
more times and the villian might have effected his entrance,
but toward morning she heard the clatter of father's horse
trotting to the gate, and the robber ran off into the grove.
This was the place, too, where the great calamity of Dr.
B.'s life occurred — an attack of palsy. He had just left a
patient and was mounting his horse at the gate, when the
bolt fell. He was taken home in an unconscious state, and
remained so for several weeks. One afternoon he awoke
as from a sleep. When he was able to sit up, one day he
noticed the books in his library, and after surveying them
in silence, at last asked what they were. Mother tried to
explain and to recall them to his mind by reading the titles
on the backs. But in vain. Still the poor dazed mind
seemed to suspect some hidden harmony in them. At last
one day he asked that one of the books might be laid on his
lap. But all was empty. The letters and the words were
meaningless all. My mother has said that she had a full
sense of the bitterness of her grief, when her husband sat
there helpless, and his mind a blank. She never could take
a book and sit down to teach him his letters, in answer to
his importunities, without uncontrollable weeping. One day,
however, as she was going through the heavy task, her hus-
band all at once turned to her with dilated eyes and trem-
bling with excitement, and said, " Mary ! I see it all." From
this time on the past more and more yielded up her lost
treasures. But his power was gone. A wreck of himself, he
removed to Paris, Edgar county. 111., where he bought a farm
and lived for several years. At last he exchanged that for
a farm in the bounds of the New Providence Church, one-half
way between Paris and Terre Haute. Here the family lived
for some years — a happy example of how " God can supply
REV. SAMUEL BALDRIDGE, M. D. 23 1
all our lack." With no resources, he " gave us bread to eat
and raiment to put on." Here he was residing when he
became connected with Palestine Presbytery. In about the
year 1840, through the kindness of friends, he was invited to
take charge of the Presbyterian church in Kalida, Putnam
county, Ohio. He had preached occasionally for years —
could not live without preaching — but he had had no charge
before since the wreck of 1833. He preached, too, at Dills-
borough, Dearborn county, Ind. From there, about 1843,
he removed to Oxford, Ohio, for the benefit of the Univer-
sity for a son. In consequence of a speech in the Synod of
Cincinnati, by the President of the University, Rev. George
Junkin, D. D., in which slavery was apologized for and
defended, he left Oxford and removed to Hanover, Ind., in
1844. In 1846, Sept., 12, he had the great misfortune to
lose his wife, a lady remarkable for her piety, prudence,
cheerfulness, and a most affectionate and equable disposi-
tion. This broke up his home. In 1856, his son, Rev. S. C.
Baldridge, in charge of Wabash Church, Wabash county,
111., brought him from Ohio, and gave him a home in his
age. Feb. 29, i860, he died at his son's residence. His
remains were taken to Hanover, and buried by the side of
his last wife. The monument that marks their graves bears
the following inscription :
" Denique Coelum."
Rev. Samuel Baldridge, AI. D., Mary Coulter Baldridge,
Born in North Carolina, Born
March 21, 1780. Jan. 26, 1794.
Licensed by Abingdon Presbytery, Died,
1807, Sept. 12, 1846.
Died
Feb. 29, i860.
The Synod of Illinois met at Union Grove, Tazewell
county, Oct. 15, 1835. The six Presbyteries of the State,
to-wit : Illinois, Kaskaskia, Sangamon, Palestine, Schuyler
and Ottawa, were all represented. The resolution passed last
year with reference to " Tlie St. Louis Observer,'' was rescinded,
"Synod believing that it is an individual rather than an ec-
clesiastical duty to sustain religious periodicals." A protest
against the above quoted reason for the act of rescinding was
presented, with the signatures of B. F. Spilman, William K.
232 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Stewart, John Brich, Alexander Evving, David Gibson and
Smiley Shepherd. The true reason, in the minds of the
Protestants, for the vote of rescinding, was that the paper
had in several instances published articles " at variance with
our standards and, as we think, with the word of God." The
churches of Belleville and Bethel petitioned to be trans-
ferred from Kaskaskia to Illinois Presbytery. The petitions
were refused.
YEAR 1836.
The Presbytery of Illinois met at Alton, April 21,
1836. Ministers present: Hugh Barr, A. H. Dashiell, F.
W. Graves, Edward Beecher. Elders: Enoch Long, Alton;
John B. Carson, Spring Cove. Ministers absent: John
Brich, Gideon Blackburn, D. D., J. M. Ellis, Milton Kimball,
J. M. Sturtevant, Theron Baldwin, Henry Herrick, Thomas
Lippincott, Elisha Jenney, William G. Gallaher. Albert
Hale, from the Presbytery of Kaskaskia, Thaddeus B. Hurl-
but, from the Presbytery of St. Louis, and Augustus T. Nor-
ton, from the Presbytery of Columbia, N. Y., were received.
E. P. Lovejoy was present as corresponding member from
Presbytery of St. Louis. A. H. Dashiell, minister, and Dr.
H. K. Lathy, elder, were appointed Commissioners to the
Assembly. Enoch S. Huntington was licensed to preach
the gospel. The fall meeting was held at Jacksonville, com-
mencing October li, 1836. Of its seventeen ministers
thirteen were present and five elders. John G. Simrall was
received from the Presbytery of Transylvania, and Amos P.
Brown from that of St. Louis. A. H. Dashiell was released
from the care of the Jacksonville church.
Thaddeus Beman Hurlbut was born at Charlotte, Vt,
October 28, 1800. He graduated at Hamilton College, N.
Y., in 1828, and at Andover in 1831 ; agent of Am. Tract So-
cietv, Virginia, 1 831-32; agent American Educational Soci-
ety for Ohio and Kentucky, with residence in Cincinnati, in
1833-34; ordained by Presbytery of St. Louis, September,
1834; agent for American Tract Society for lUinois and Mis-
souri, 1834-37; joined Presbytery of Illinois as above; an
original member of Alton Presbytery, April 4, 1837; asso-
(T/^c^^ . c(^. yz^^z^^to-i^
A. T. NORTON, D. D. 233
ciate editor of Alton Observer, 111., 1837-38; supply pastor at
Edwardsville, 111., 1838-39; Home Missionary and teacher,
Alton, 111., 1839-43; dismissed to Ottawa Presbytery, Sep-
tember 13, 1845 ; supply pastor St. Charles and Lowell, 111.,
1843-47; Upper Alton, supply pastor, 1847-52; pastor 1853-
56; supply pastor Concord, Plainview, Brighton, etc., 111.,
1857-60; joined Alton Presbytery, second time, October 13,
1848, and was dismissed, second time, April lO, 1858, to Illi-
nois Association ; supply pastor Congregational churches,
Hammond and West Salem, Wis., 1860-65 J residence in
Upper Alton, occasionally preaching, 1865-79.
Augustus Theodore Norton was born in Cornwall,
Litchfield county. Conn., March 28, 1808. The names of his
parents were Theodore Norton and Mary (Judd) Norton —
the former born in Goshen, Ct., February 17, 1775, the latter
in Litchfield, Ct., September 21, 1775. They were married
January 22, 1797. The original ancestor of the family in this
country was Thomas Norton of Guilford, Ct., who immi-
grated to that colony from England in 1639, and was one of
the first twenty-five planters in that place. He had six child-
ren, two of whom were sons — Thomas and John, His de-
scendants are numerous and are settled all over the country.
The subject of this sketch when only three
months old was deprived of his father. His mother married
again six years after, and he was brought up with his mater-
nal grandmother, his mother and step-father until the age of
ten. His early life was full of sorrow, hardships and pov-
erty. When a child he was sickly and delicate, but out-door
exercise, farm labor and boyish games gave him at length a
firm constitution, so that in after life he became remarkable
for physical vigor and strength. At the age of ten he be-
came an inmate in the family of Dea. William Collins, of
Litchfield, Ct, where he remained until the age of fourteen.
In his fourteenth year he became a hopeful subject of renew-
ing grace. He was baptized by Rev. Lyman Beecher, then
pastor of the Litchfield Church. From fourteen to eighteen
he was part of the time with his step-father, Joel Millard, in
Cornwall, and part with Judge Moses Lyman, of Goshen,
Ct., who took a deep interest in his welfare, doing him more
real service than all others combined. At the age of seven-
teen he taught a district school for several months at Salis-
234 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
bury, Ct. In 1826 his preparation for college commenced,,
and was completed in less than two years. In the fall of 1828
he entered the freshman class of Yale College, and graduated
with one of the highest honors of the class, Aug. 15, 1832. He
immediately took charge of an academy in Catskill, N. Y.,
and at the eame time read theology with Rev. Thomas M.
Smith, paying particular attention to the Hebrew language
then and during his subsequent life. He was licensed by the
Presbytery of Columbia, September 17, 1834, at Stockport,
near Hudson, N. Y., and at once commenced his ministerial
labors with the Presbyterian Church of Windham, Green
county, N. Y. j^- April i, 1835, he was ordained by
the same Presbytery. His settlement with this congregation
was rather the result of the strong persuasion of others than
of his own choice. His cousin. Rev. Theron Baldwin, and
his old associate, Frederick Collins, who had been for sev-
eral years in Illinois, urged him to come to them. He ac-
cordingly resigned his pastorate and removed to Illinois,
arriving at Naples, on the Illinois river, where Mr. Collins
then resided, October 25, 1835. Here he remained for one
year, preaching at Naples and Meredosia. In September,
1836, he passed through a very severe sickness. In October
of the same year he removed to Griggsville, Pike county,
and labored there, at Pittsfield and Atlas, same county, till
April, 1838. At Pittsfield he organized a Presbyterian
church in January, 1838, being the first of a large number
of churches which he afterwards gathered. He then ac-
cepted an invitation to St. Louis, where under his labors the
Second Presbyterian Church was organized in the fall of
1838, and where he continued for one year. In February,.
1839, he was called to the pastorate of the First Presbyterian
Church, Alton, 111., and entered upon his labors there on the
first Sabbath in March. On the ninth of the next May he
was installed. This position he retained for more than nine-
teen years, during all of which period his relations with his
own flock and with all his evangelical fellow-laborers were
of the most endearing and harmonious character. The church
flourished greatly under his leadership, and became in its
character and influence one of the leading Presbyterian
churches in the State. In September, 1859, he was ap-
pointed "District Secretary of Church Extension and Home
Missions " for the West. For a few months after this appoint-
ment his family residence was in Chicago, but in the spring
A. T. NORTON, D. D. 235
of 1 86 1 he returned to his home in Alton, though still re-
taining the same position. After the union of the New and
Old School Assemblies, in 1870, his field was limited to the
Synod of Illinois South. In May, 1845, he orig-
inated and for twenty-three years edited and published the
Presbytery Reporter, a monthly magazine. In December,
1868, he transferred the list of subscribers to the Cincinnati
Herald. His religious views are, and ever have
been, thoroughly evangelical and Calvinistic. Ecclesiasti-
cally, he is a Presbyterian from conviction and preference.
The degree of D. D., or doctor of sacred theology, was con-
ferred upon him by Wabash College, Ind., June 22, 1868.
This honor he did not seek. Indeed no one of the important
positions he has occupied in life has come to him in any de-
gree or in any sense by his own contrivance, or with his own
previous consent or knowledge. He gratefully acknowledges
that God has led him. He is a corporate member of the
A. B. C. for Foreign Missions, a member of the Board of
Trustees of Monticello Female Academy, and of Blackburn
University. In early life his political views were
those of the old Federalist party, then of the Whig, then Re-
publican, and always anti-slavery. Though never active in
politics, he has ever held decided views and expressed them
fully. In the late civil war he preached patriotic sermons on
more than one hundred occasions. November
12, 1834, he married Eliza Rogers, daughter of Dea. Noah
Rogers, of Cornwall, Ct. She was born August 12, 1812,
and is a lineal desendant of Rev. John Rogers, the first mar-
tyr in the reign of "bloody Mary," having been burned at
the stake in Smithfield, London, February 14, 1554. The re-
sult of this union is five children — two sons and three daugh-
ters. The eldest, Augusta A., died when seven years old.
The next, Eliza Delphine, is the wife of Capt. Charles H.
Phinney, of the ship " Mary L. Stone." The third is Wil-
bur T., editor of the Alton Telegraph. The fourth, Isabella
R., is at home with her parents. The fifth, Edward R., is in
Cape Town, South Africa, connected with the " Standard
and Mail," and special correspondent of several papers in
this country.
Amos P. Brown.
A letter from this brother himself will furnish the best account accesible to us
of his early years.
"I was born in Thornton, Grafton county, N. H., June 15,
236 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
1791, As to the time and place of my education, permit
me to make you my father confessor and write ^'non est."
I was hcensed to preach by the Plymouth Association, con-
sisting of two ministers, Rev. Messrs. Fairbank and Rolf, sit-
ting in my mother's parlor at Thornton, N. H., Jan. 24, 18 16.
I was ordained by a council at Campton, same county and
State, on the first day of January, 18 17, pastor of the Con-
gregational Church, in a meeting house said to contain the
last sounding board in that State. From 1822 to 1834 I
spent the time in western New York. I entered upon mis-
sionary labors in Missouri, June 18, 1834. Within the year
I traveled along th^- river counties nearly from the north to
the south line of the State. I assisted Rev. Thomas Don-
nell in organizing a church on Black river, one hundred and
fifty miles south of St. Louis, in July, 1834. I attended a
very interesting meeting with Rev. J. F. Cowan at Cape
Girardeau, where a church was organized a few weeks after-
ward," He became supply pastor of Jerseyville
Church, Illinois, in October, 1835, and so continued until
1838. Here he made himself a home on the south edge of
the village, and here he remained in feeble health, but cul-
tivating his few acres of land, for several years after he
resigned the charge of the church. Then he removed to
Rushville, 111., and again made himself a home and labored
in the ministry as much as his feeble health would allow.
He was one of the original members of the first
Alton Presbytery, and removed his relation from that to the
Presbytery of Peoria, April 20, 1850. He died
at his home in Rushville, May 16, 1859, being at the time a
member of Schuyler Presbytery. He was twice married.
His widow, Mrs. Cornelia H. L. Brown, survived him several
years, and left liberal legacies to several of our benevolent
societies and boards. She died at Minonk, 111., Feb. 8, 1869,
in the family of her step-daughter, Mrs. Joseph Fowler.
Rev. John M. Brown, now of Highland, Kan., is a son of
Amos P. Brown. In his days of feeble health,
when unable for much physical exertion, Mr. Brown wrote
many interesting and valuable articles for the religious
press. His first wife was Jane Little, daughter of Hon.
Joseph Little, Boscawen, N. H. They were married Feb.
II, 1817. She died in Jerseyville, Feb. 21, 1836. Their
children were Eliza Ann, born October 7, 1818; John, born
October 18, 1820, died in childhood; Sarah Jane, born
JAMES STAFFORD. 23/
April I, 1825 ; John Mills, born Oct. 28, 1828; Joseph Little,
born May 29, 1830. All these are dead save John Mills and
Eliza Ann, widow of the Rev. Joseph Fowler, who is in
Minonk, Illinois. Mr. Brown's second wife was
Cornelia H. Loenard, of Carrollton, Ills., and previously
of Bound Brook, N. J.
The Kaskaskia Presbytery held their spring session in
1836 with the Gilead Church, in Jefferson county. Their
principal action consisted in the reception of Wm. J. Frazer,
who had as related previously, withdrawn from the Presby-
terian Church. Their fall meeting was held with
the Sugar Creek Church, commencing Oct. 15, 1836. James
Stafford was received from the Presbytery of Western
District. William K. Stewart was released from the pastoral
charge of Vandalia Church.
James Stafford was the grandson of James Stafford
who came from Ireland more than a hundred years
since and settled first in Pennsylvania, and afterwards
removed to Mecklenburg county, N. C. His first wife died
in Pennsylvania, leaving one son, George, who was the father
of James Stafford. George Stafford was married to Tirzah
Alexander, who was the mother of the subject of this notice.
Tirzah Alexander was born about 1770, and, being early left
an orphan, was raised by her uncle, Abraham Alexander, an
Elder of Sugar Creek Church, Mecklenburg county, N. C.
This Abraham Alexander, the maternal grandfather of
James S., was chairman of the meeting at Charlotte, held on
the 20th of May, 1775, at which was made the celebrated
" Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence," the fore-run-
ner, and to some extent the model of the National Declara-
tion of July 4th, 1776. Mr. Stafford was therefore from
patriotic as well as pious and honored ancestery.
Until sixteen years of age he worked upon his father's farm.
Manifesting an early and earnest desire for a thorough edu-
cation, he was sent to a classical school taught by John M.
Wilson, D. D., pastor of Rocky Creek Church, Cabarras
county. For more than two years he went from home daily,
riding over six miles, to attend this school. Here he was pre-
pared for College and was sent to the University of N. C,
238 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
located at Charlotte, in his native county. He graduated in
1820 in the twenty-first year of his age. Soon after
his graduation he entered upon the study of theology with
his old preceptor Dr. Wilson. He was licensed by the Pres-
bytery of Concord in the spring of 1822, or 1823 — and was
afterwards ordained pastor of the churches of Thyatira and
Bethphage — the former in Rowan county, the latter in Cabar-
ras county. His ministry here continued for several years,
and is represented to have been acceptable and useful, and
his standing as a Presbyter good. His residence and labors
there would probably have continued for life, but, in the
madness and darki^ess of the times, the Legislature of his
native State passed a law by which it was made a penal
offence to teach a negro to read. Characteristically bold and
out-spoken in the expression of his opinions where he
deemed a moral principle involved, he was not of such a
nature as to maintain a politic and worldly-wise silence. His
protest and condemnation of the iniquity made his position
uncomfortable. He determined, against the wishes of his
friends, to leave the South and find a home where the atnios-
phere was not tainted and polluted by the influence of slavery.
He went first to Cincinnati, O., and preached a month or two
for Dr. Joshua L. Wilson, then proceeded seventy-five miles
farther north. The severity of the winter drove him
thence, and he located and found a field of ministerial
labor in Paris, Tenn. Here his first wife, whom he mar-
ried in Carolina in 1825, was buried. He afterwards preached
in Raleigh, Tenn. In 1836 he removed to Illinois and set-
led upon a small farm in Bond county, two miles north of
Greenville and near the original Greenville Church. His
ministry here was continued, with slight interruptions, through
thirteen years — the principal interruption being a temporary
removal to McComb, that he might aid in the incipient
efforts to establish a college there. He soon returned to
Greenville. Here his second wife died. After leaving
Greenville he labored for longer or shorter periods in the
churches of Carlyle, Sugar Creek, Trenton, Nashville and
Ducoign. From his home near Ducoign he trav-
eled to considerable distances, during the last years of his
life, to preach to feeble and destitute churches. Thus he
labored during his last summer in southern Missouri.
He was born in Mecklenburg county, N. C, on the
8th of May, 1800, and died very suddenly at his home in
JAMES STAFFORD. 239
Perry county, Illinois, on the 27th of April, 1868. He had
just returned from the regular and adjourned meetings of
Presbytery at Carlyle and Trenton, where he seemed to be
in his usual health. He is represented to have been unusu-
ally cheerful and well, and to have spoken, during the few
intervening days, with unwonted liveliness of the renewal of
old acquaintances, and his enjoyment of fraternal fellowship
and communion at the Presbyterial meetings. He preached
his last sermon during the visit to the people of his former
charge at Sugar Creek church. By invitation of friends he
worshiped on his last earthly Sabbath with the Protestant
Episcopal church of Ducoign, and seemed devoutly to enjoy
the service. He died the next day, Monday. The circum-
stances of this sudden death are thus stated by a member of
his family: " He had told the household some weeks before
that he felt he might die suddenly, and requested to be
looked for should he be absent unusually long. On Mon-
day, the 27th of April, he had been taking more than usual
exercise, ate a light dinner and went out to finish some sod-
ding in the yard, which he cut two or three hundred yards
from the house and drew on a small sled to which a horse
was harnessed. He had laid two loads and had almost
reached the house with the third. A little girl found him
lying on his back, as she supposed asleep — his horse stand-
ing quietly by him. The child ran to a negro man just on
the other side of the stable, who did not go until urged the
second time by the child. When he reached the spot the
body lay there in a very composed attitude, as if he had
only fallen asleep, but the spirit had fled." Mr. Stafford
was three times married: May 23, 1825, to Miss Dovey
Johnson, seventeen years of age. She died April 28, 1833,
at Paris, Tennessee. Jan. 15, 1835, he married ^liss Isabella
Elliott, of Fayette county, Tenn. She died Feb. 13, 1846.
June, 1848, he married Mrs. M. E. Wyman, at Springfield,
111. This lady still survives, and resides at Portland, ]\Iaine.
She was the widow of Rev. Robert Wyman, a missionary of
the A. B. C. F. M. Mr. Stafford had six chil-
dren ; three daughters, Harriet, Dorcas J. and Mary E., by
his first marriage. By his second, two sons and a daughter;
Paschal G., William Hr >er and Martha Ann. Harriet,
Mary and Martha have uied. The others survive. Mr.
Stafford was a man of strong intellectual grasp and power,
• decided and positive in his convictions, and bold and fearless
240 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
in his maintenance of what he regarded as important truth.
As a scholar, he was liberally educated, a man of
general reading and information, and endeavored through his
life to keep abreast of the times on all the great questions
which interest the intelligent, the patriotic and the pious.
As a theologian his orthodoxy was never ques-
tioned or questionable. He was a diligent student and ever
ready to expound and defend the grand and distinguishing
doctrines of the gospel. As a preacher he was
argumentative, forcible, earnest and impressive — rather than
fluent or eloquent. His ministry drew to him the men of
thought and culture in the several communities in which he
lived and labored.""
The spring meeting of Sangamon Presbytery was held at
Irish Grove, April i, 1836, by adjournment at Farmington,
April 19, and at Springfield on the 20th. Thomas Gait, a
licentiate of the Presbytery of Ohio, was received, examined
and ordained pastor of Farmington church. Dewey Whit-
ney was installed pastor of the Second Presbyterian Church
in Springfield, April 20. The fall meeting was
held at Hillsboro, Oct. 15, 1836.
The Presbytery of Palestine met with Pisgah Church,
Lawrence county, April 28, 1836. John Montgomery was
dismissed to the Presbytery of Schuyler. Isaac Bennet was
appointed stated clerk in his place. John McDonald was
received from the Presbytery of Chillicothe, Stephen Bliss
and Thomas Gould were appointed Commissioners to the
next Assembly. The church of Charleston was received.
The fall meeting was held with New Provi-
dence Church.
Charleston Church, Coles county, was organized June
13. i835> by Revs. John Montgomery and John McDonald,
with twelve members, James A. Mitchel and James Lumbric,
elders. The elders since elected are Stephen D. Shelledy
and William Coilum, October, 1837; James M. Millar and
Dr. Robert A. Allison, April, 1845 ; George S. Coilum and
Dr. James E. Roberts, October 25, 185 1 ; John A. Miles in
SYNOD OF ILLINOIS. 24I
1853; John McNutt and William Miller, Dec. 9, 1854; A.
Carroll and Richard Roberts, February 27, 1864; W. R.
Adams and T. C. Miles, March 28, 1871. Ministers: John
McDonald, one-half the time up to the spring of 1843, ex-
cept about twelve months in which Stephen A. Hodgeman,
licentiate, officiated. In the spring of 1843 Joseph Piatt held
a meeting at which twenty-six united on examination. Henry
I. Venable in 1844-5. I^ this year the church edifice was
finished. Previously to that the church had worshiped in
the court-house, in school houses and private residences.
Joseph Adams in 1846-49. Robert A. Mitchell, licentiate,
one-half the time from 1849 to 1853. Henry I. Venable
again in the spring of 1853, for all his time for two and one-
half years. R. A. Mitchell was again employed in January,
1856, as pastor. The present house of worship was erected
in 1857 at a cost of about nine thousand dollars. Mr. Mitch-
ell remained until 1870. Robert ¥. Patterson took charge
of the church October i, 1870, and was installed the next
spring. He remained until 1874. J. A. Piper took charge
in 1875 and still remains. The total number received since
the organization is about five hundred. James M. Miller is
Clerk of the Session, and was a very large contributor to-
wards erecting the house of worship and removing its debt.
The Synod of Illinois met at Alton, commencing Oc-
tober 20, 1836. At this meeting the Presbytery of Alton
was established with these boundaries : Commencing at
Bushnell's ferry on the Illinois river, its line ran east with the
road through Carrollton and Carlinville, and from the latter
point on the road southeast towards Hillsboro until that road
met the line of Montgomery county ; thence south with the
west line of Montgomery to Madison county ; thence east
six miles to the west line of Bond ; thence south with that
line to the road leading from St. Louis to Greenville; thence
with that road to a point due north of the northeast corner of
St. Clair county; thence with the eastern and southern lines
of St. Clair and Monroe to the Mississippi; thence up that
and the Illinois river to the place of beginning. Thus it in-
cluded the whole of Monroe, St. Clair, and what is now
Jersey county, the half of Green and Macoupin, and the
whole of Madison, except about one township and a half in
the southeastern corner of the county. The churches of
15
242 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Carrollton and Carlinville went with the IlHnois Presbytery.
The principle of "elective affinity," which had been croping
out here and there for two or three years, had much to do
with the drawing of this line ; and appeared especially in the
fact that Bethel church, in Bond county, had liberty, if it
chose, to attach itself to Alton Presbytery, and West Liberty,
in St. Clair and Madison, to Kaskaskia. Elijah
P. Lovejoy, of Missouri Synod, was present at this meeting
as corresponding member. Thomas A. Spil-
man and the church at Hillsboro were transferred to the
Presbytery of Kaskaskia. The case of William
J. Eraser, who had'been received by the Presbytery of Kas-
kaskia, came before Synod, and this resolution was passed,
viz.: "That the Presbytery of Kaskaskia be, and they are
hereby required, at the next meeting of Synod, to produce
their records in the case; and that until then, the Synod do
not recognize William J. Eraser as a Presbyterian minister;
nor at all, until they shall have good reasons to withdraw
their disapprobation of the manner of his renouncing our
connection, and his positive withdrawal from the Pres-
byterian Church." Of that part of this resolution, refus-
ing to recognize Mr. Eraser as a Presbyterian minister, no-
tice of a complaint to the Assembly was given by John
Brich, B. E. Spilman, John Mathews, Alexander Ewing,
John N. Moore, William White, Hervey McClung, William
K. Stewart and James Stafford.
YEAR 1837.
The Presbytery of Illinois met at Carlinville April 4,
1837. The following members were dismissed, viz. : Milton
Kimball to Schuyler Presbytery, John M. Ellis to Monroe,
and Henry Herrick to Union, Tenn. Dr. Gid-
eon BlsLckhurn, minister, and David B. Ayres, elder, were ap-
pointed Commissioners to the next Assembly. The
fall meeting of the Presbytery was held at Carrollton, com-
mencing September 29, 1837. Notice was taken of the death
of John Brich, which occurred in March, 1837. A. H. Dash-
iell was dismissed to the Presbytery of Nashville, and Theron
Baldwin to that of Alton. Two papers were presented to
the Presbytery, one sustaining the course of the New, the
other that of the Old School in the last Assembly. The
JOHN SILLIMAN. 243
vote was taken by ayes and nays, when the New School pa-
per obtained eleven votes, and the Old School two.
The Presbytery of Kaskaskia met with Greenville
church, Bond county, March 17, 1837. John Silhman was
received from the Presbytery of Morgantown. John S,
Reasoner was received as a licentiate from the Presbytery of
■Cayuga, examined and on the i8th of March, 1837, ordained.
T. A. Spilman was appointed stated clerk in place of VVm.
K. Stewart, resigned. Wm. J. Fraser and Wm. K. Stewart
were dismissed to the Presbytery of Scuyler. James Staf-
ford, minister, and George Donnell, elder, were appointed
Commissioners to the next Assembly. West-Libery church
in Madison county was received. A paper on the state of
the church, in which decided Old School ground was taken,
was adopted by an unanimous vote. The Presbytery,
reported to the Assembly nine ministers and thirteen
churches. The fall meeting was held at Hills-
boro, Oct. 14. The reform measures of 1836 were unani-
mously approved.
John Silliman.
I insert liere a letter written by his daughter, Mrs. A. A. M. Leffler, to Rev.
S. C. Baldridge, April 7, 1870.
" Rev. John Silliman was born in Rowan county, N. C,
Aug. 13, 1786. His parents were John and IsabeHa Silliman,
Scotch Covenanters. They were persons of ^exemplary
piety and considerable education ; so much so that they
fitted their five sons for college without sending them to
school. My father was their fourth son, and was considera-
bly over twenty when his attention was directed to the min-
istry. His father had one of the finest libraries in the land ;
living in easy circumstances, his sons had fine opportunities
for improving their minds. I remember to have heard my
father say that the knowledge he gained in the years he
spent at home among those leather-bound books, after he
attained his majority, was of incalculable benefit to him in
ministerial life. When he graduated none of us can tell.
His diploma, with many valuable papers of his own, was
turned with the home of his childhood, about 1818 or 1819.
244 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
He studied theology with Dr. John H. Rice, of Virginia, and
was Hcensed and ordained by East Hanover Presbytery, at
Prince Edward, Va., and was one year a co-pastor with Rev.
Matthew Lyle. In i8i8hevvas married (Dr. A.Alexander
officiating ) to Julia E., daughter of Maj. Samuel Spencer,
of Charlotte county, Va. His choice of a wife proved most
happy, as her ardent piety, cultivated mind and pleasing
manners, rendered her a most acceptable pastor's wife. At
the time of his marriage he had in his possession a * call ' to
the church in Morgantown, N. C, and in January, 1819, was
installed, and continued their pastor until the fall of 1836,
when he removed to Illinois. During that pastorate of
seventeen years he received into the church more than six
hundred persons on examination, besides those received in
missionary stations among the mountains. Dur-
ing the two years that my father lived in Illinois he received
many urgent solicitations to return and again take charge of
the church in Morgantown; and at the time of his death he
had accepted an unanimous call to return and take the pas-
toral work in his old charge. When my mother visited the
place, with her children, nine months after the death of her
husband, she was much moved to find a great part of the
church in deep mourning for their beloved pastor. He died
Nov. 3, 1838, aged fifty-two years and three months. A. A.
M. Leffler." He, his amiable partner, and several
of their children now rest in the old church yard at Sharon.
His headstone bears this inscription:
la Memory of
Rev. John Silliman, Presbyterian Clergyman,
Departed tliis life November 3, 183S,
Aged 52 years.
The aged people of Sharon church remember him as very
sociable and hospitable ; as a preacher, doctrinal and rather .
lenghty in his sermons ; as a citizen, full of enterprise and
schemes for the improvement and progress of the country.
He bought a farm of eighty acres when he came, and soon
had up a new house. In 1837 he taught a select school.
He furnished the capital for setting up a carding machine.
He was full of business.
West Liberty church was organized by B. F. Spilman, in
the six mile settlement, Madison county, Oct. 19, 1836, with
SANGAMON AND PALESTINE PRESBYTERIES. 245
'Cleven members, Samuel S. Rankin, elder. The name of
this church was changed to Brooklyn by Presbytery, April
II, 1840. Having ceased to exist its name was stricken
from the roll April 14, 1845.
Sangamon Presbytery met at Springfield April 7, 1837.
Erastus W. Thayer was licensed April lO, 1837. Dewey
Whitney, minister, and Joseph Thayer, elder, were appoint-
ed commissioners to the Assembly. The fall
meeting was held at Farmington, October 16, Josiah Porter
was received as a licentiate from the Presbytery of Shiloh, and
his request to be ordained, sine titulo, was not granted. A
long paper approving the course of the majority in the last
Assembly was adopted by seven ayes to four nays, thus
placing this Presbytery on the Old School side in the
great division then spreading through the Church.
The Presbytery of Palestine, met at Palestine April 20,
1837. Isaac Bennet, minister, and D. Smick, elder, were
appointed commissioners to the next Assembly. At an ad-
journed meeting held at Paris, June 2, Robert Rutherford was
received from the Presbytery of Chillicothe. The fall meet-
ing was held at Charleston, Oct. 13. Ministers present:
Samuel Baldridge, Robert Rutherford, J. C. Campbell, Enoch
Kingsbury. Elders present : John Dodds, Wabash ; Cyrus
Rice, Shiloh; Thomas Buchanan, Pisgah ; James Lumbric,
Charleston ; James Black, Bethel. The following
very explicit resolution on slavery was adopted by an unan-
imous vote, viz : " Believing that slavery as it exists in the
United States is a very aggravated sin, with which the Great
Head of the Church is greatly displeased, and that all who
contenance it are implicated in it ; Resolved, ( i ) That such as
sell their fellow-beings into perpetual, involuntary slavery for
the sake of gain ought to be suspended from a participation
in the sacraments of the New Testament until they give evi-
dence of repentance. (2) That this paper be read publicly
in all our churches, and that a copy be sent to the Alton
Observer and the Western Presbyterian Herald!'
On the other questions then pending as between New and
Old School, this Presbytery did not at this meeting take any
decided ground.
246 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Alton Presbytery, established by the last SyruDd, held"
its first meeting at Alton, commencing April 4, 1837. Minis-
ters present : Thomas Lippincott, Albert Hale, John F.
Brooks and Amos P. Brown. Ministers absent : Frederick
W. Graves and Thaddeus B. Hurlbut. Elders present : A.
Alexander, Alton ; James M. Douglas, Bethel. The licen-
tiate, Enoch S. Huntington, was present. Elijah P. Lovejoy
was received from the Presbytery of St, Louis, and was
appointed Stated Clerk. This office he held till his death.
The first twenty-six pages of the Records are in his hand
writing. Joshua T. Tucker, a licentiate, was received from
the Presbytery of^t. Louis. Upper Alton church
was received. Tlie churches of the Presbytery not repre-
sented were South Green, afterwards Jerseyville, Spring
Cove, Marine, Collinsville and Belleville. F. W. Graves, min-
ister, was appointed Commissioner to the Assembly. A long
and able memorial upon slavery was unanimously adopted.
It concluded by asking the Assembly to adopt these three
declarations. ( I ) " That slaveholding, or the buying, sell-
ing, or holding human beings as property is sin. ( 2 ) That
the General Assembly will not be responsible for its perpetua-
tion. ( 3 ) That the judicatories of the Church ought to
take suitable measures to purge the Presbyterian Church of
the evil." Here there is no uncertain sound.
The fall meeting was held with Bethel church, commencing
Sept. 14. Ministers present : Elijah P. Lovejoy, T. Lip-
pincott and E. L. Huntington. EldI':rs: Horace Look,
Collinsville ; Enoch Long, Upper Alton ; James Davis,
Bethel. Elijah P. Lovejoy was made Moderator. The
ordination of Enoch S. Huntington, at Bethel, May 26,
'^^37, was reported. A memorial to Synod, on the sub-
ject of the Church's participation in the sin of slavery,
drawn up by Mr. Lovejoy, was adopted by an unani-
mous vote. At an adjourned meeting held at Upper Alton,
Nov. 15, Joshua T. Tucker was ordained, and Charles G.
Selleck, having been received from the Consociation of the
Western District of Fairfield county, Conn., was installed
pastor of the Upper Alton church. Resolutions
were adopted on the death of Mr. Lovejoy. Among them
was this one. " That we have entire confidence in the truth
and final triumph of those principles of the freedom of
speech, the freedom of the press and the freedon of the slave
in defence of which he lost his life."
UPPER ALTON CHURCH. 247
Upper Alton Church was organized January 8, 1837, by
Revs. F. W. Graves, T. B. Hurlbut and Thomas Lippincott,
with twenty-three jnembers. It appears that in June follow-
ing a union was effected between this and a Congregational
church in the same place. By this union twenty-six members
were added. One article provides for the election of Elders
triennially. E. P. Lovejoy was the first minister. He labored
gratuitously. C. G. Selleck was installed pastor Nov. 16,
1837, and resigned the charge in October, 1841. Hubbel
Loomis succeeded him as stated pastor until May, 1843.
j\Ir. Loomis was succeeded by H. B. Whittaker, who
continued his labors here until his death, Sept. 15, 1844.
Williston Jones succeeded Mr. Whittaker, and remained
until May, 1845. • Lemuel Foster, T. B. Hurlbut and Wil-
liam Barnes, labored for different periods. W. R. Adams
from 1861 to 1867. Since then Lucius L Root, Rob-
ert Rudd, John Huston and Samuel B. Taggart have served
this church. The latter is still their minister. Elders :
Enoch Long, Ebenezer Dennison, John Manning, Samuel
Archer, William Clark, Alfred Cowles, Joseph Gordon,
W^inthrop S. Gilman, Russell Scarritt, William Bates, Wm.
Cunningham, Myron Ives, J. J. Hastings, S. W. Ball, J. P.
Burton, T. R. IMurphy, Joseph Piatt, W. S. R. Robinson and
probably some others. The Records have been very imper-
fectly kept. The first church edifice was erected in 1836,
and occupied the same site as the present one. Previous to
that the church worshiped in what was known as the
" Brick School House." The first church edifice was burned
Feb. 10, 1858. The present building was commenced soon
after, but for lack of funds went on but slowly. It was
finally finished, and dedicated Nov. 15, 1865. This church
has had many difficulties. Among these were its semi-con-
stitution ; the vicinity of other strong churches, and the
exceedingly fluctuating character of the population of the
place.
Elijah Parish Lovejoy.
Henry Tanner, in 1837. a resident of Alton and now of Buffalo, N. Y., has
given a brief sketch of Mr. Lovejoy, and a pretty full one of his death and the
events preceeding it. As Mr. Tanner was personally cognizant of these events
and one of the defenders of the press on the night of Lovejoy's death, I have
decided to transfer to these pages his truthful and graphic account.
Mr. Lovejoy was born in Albion, Maine, November 8,
248 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
1802. He would have been thirty-five years old the day
after he was murdered. He was a son of Rev. Daniel Love-
joy, a Congregational minister. He was a graduate of Water-
ville College, and soon after graduating emigrated to St.
Louis, Mo, where for several years he taught a school. Sub-
sequently he became editor of the Sf. Louis Times, and ad-
vocated the election of Henry Clay for the Presidency. His
writings exhibited talents of a very high order and were ap-
preciated by his co-workers. During this period Mr. Lovejoy
was what is denominated a sceptic, though far from being an
infidel; but in a revival of religion in St. Louis, in 1832, he
was converted, an^. soon after entered Princeton Theolog-
ical Seminary, and, ending his studies there, was licensed to
preach by the Second Presbytery of Philadelphia, but was
soon thereafter induced to return to St. Louis and take the ed-
itorial charge of the St. Louis Observer. His connection with
that paper commenced November 11, 1833. His course as
an editor was bold and fearless, exhibiting great courage in
what was to his mind duty. He soon found himself in con-
troversy with Romanism, getting the ill-will of many of that
faith in St. Louis, by his strong denunciation of the use of
the United States soldiers stationed there, and of the use of
the American flag in the public dedication of the Roman
Catholic cathedral of St. Louis. And by them he was in
turn denounced as an Abolitionist, although at this time he
was the farthest removed from that faith. But the cry was
raised against him, a Northern man in a slave city and State,
and for an object, and it had its effect. His office was for a
time closed in consequence of the excitement growing out
of this. He denounced his persecutors and made a power-
ful, patriotic and, for the time being, effectual appeal to the
public of St. Louis that produced reaction in his favor. At
this time Lovejoy was contemplating removing his office and
press to Alton, and had taken some steps in that direction ;
had visited Alton and held consultations with citizens, but
no decision had been made respecting it. But
now came the murder in St. Louis of a black man by the
name of Mcintosh, who was a deck hand on a steamer lying
at the levee, and in retaliation for abuse which he could no
longer endure, stabbed and killed a white man. For this
high-handed offense the black man was chained to a tree or
stump and burned to death by the mob in that city. This
crime was justified by the city judge, whose name was Law-
THE BURNING OF M INTOSH. 249
less — a good name for the occasion. Mr. Lovejoy handled
this act of the mob and the charge of Judge Lawless with
severity, sparing neither language nor energy in denouncing
both. This so exasperated the mob that the old cry of abo-
lition was again raised against him, and his office destroyed.
Mr. Lovejoy, now in earnest for another place
to establish his paper, where he could fire into the enemies
of peace and good order, for he was by no means beaten,
turned to Alton as a base of operation, being the nearest
town to St. Louis, and in a free State ; but previous to re-
moving there he had a meeting with a number of citizens of
Alton, representing the business and the property of the city
to a great degree. They questioned him as to his course
in regard to slavery, should he come among them to publish
his paper, for but few of them were then Abolitionists. Mr.
Lovejoy's answers were characteristic of the man. He said
slavery is a subject that ought faithfully to be discussed in
our religious and political journals, and as an editor he should
never relinquish his right to discuss that or any other sub-
ject he might think it his duty to discuss. " I do not know,"
said he, "that I shall feel it my duty to discuss it here as fully
as I did in St. Louis; there, where its enormities were con-
stantly before me, I felt bound to lift up my voice against it,
as in the murder of Mcintosh. This I claim as my consti-
tutional right, a right which I shall never relinquish to any
man or body of men. But to discuss the subject of slavery
is not the object of my paper, except as a great moral sub-
ject in connection with others. jVIy object is to publish a re-
ligious journal which shall be instructive and profitable to my
fellow-citizens. As to the subjects I shall discuss, and the
manner of doing it, I shall ever claim the right of deter-
mining for myself, always accepting counsel from others with
thankfulness."
This was all plain and well understood, and Mr. Lovejoy
was cordially welcomed as a citizen of Alton. But notwith-
standing all this, the night after the press was landed it was
destroyed, it having been left on the bank of the river over
night, the building for its use not being ready to receive it,
and no one dreaming of any trouble towards it. A public
meeting of the citizens was called the following day, and the
sentiments expressed on the outrage committed were so
strong, and the noble stand to defend the law at all hazards
so firmly taken, that the reputation of Alton as a law-abid-
250 PXESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
ing city, both abroad and at home, was very high. At this
meeting Mr. Lovejoy reiterated in substance the remarks
just quoted, and said he claimed the right to discuss any sub-
ject, holding himself responsible to the law of the land. He
did not ask the citizens of Alton to grant him the right — he
claimed this as the right of an American citizen. It has been
charged by the abettors of the mob by which Mr. Lovejoy
was killed, that he violated a pledge given when he came to
Alton, not to publish Abolition doctrines, but this is not true,
Lovejoy gave no pledge beyond what the language quoted
would imply. He was not a man to promise he would not
discuss any subject. He was as honest as he was fearless in
the line of what to him was duty. Another press
was bought, shipped to Alton and put to work, the title of
his paper being changed from the St. Louis Observer to the
Alton Observer. The progressive interest, however, felt by
Lovejoy in the subject of slavery, although yet calling him-
self a Colonizationist, was so strongly marked in his expres-
sions, that it raised against him the old cry of Abolitionist,
and soon led to the destruction of this second press in
Alton, on the night of the 22d of August, 1837. The author-
ities of the city made no serious attempt to save this press
or disperse the mob. John M. Krum was then mayor of the
city, and politely requested the gentlemen engaged in de-
stroying the press and property to please disperse and go
home, and he was answered that they would do so as soon as-
they had finished the little job they had on hand ; and in turn
they advised the mayor to go home himself lest he might get
hurt, which order was obeyed by the mayor. This act of the
mob and the supineness of those in authority, and perhaps
the constant thinking that he must have all the time kept up
on the subject, brought Mr. Lovejoy to the front as an avowed
Abolitionist, immediate and unconditional, and for him to de-
cide was to act. He at once issued a call for a convention to
assemble at Upper Alton, for the organization of a State
Anti-Slavery Society, and on the 26th of October, 1837, the
convention thus called convened at Upper Alton. I was
present at this convention and amid all the scenes that so
rapidly followed. A large number of persons not friendly to
the call came into the convention, professing to adopt the
sentiments, and enrolled themselves as members, and by their
number succeeded in passing resolutions in opposition to the
intention of those who issued the call. U. F. Linder, a law-
LINDER AND HOGAN. 25 1
yer, and then Attorney-General of the State, and John Ho-
gan, a Methodist minister, were the most active and ac-
knowledged leaders of those who were bent on obstructing
the work of forming a State Anti-Slavery Society, for which
the call had been issued. The meeting, however, came to
its end, somehow, but whether by adjournment, or by all
leaving the room, I do not now recollect. The next day,
however, the friends of the call met at the home of Rev. T.
B. Hurlbut, in Upper Alton, and about sixty names were
recorded as organizing the State Anti-Slavery Society of Illi-
nois, and elected their officers. The following Sab-
bath, October 29, the Rev. Edward Beecher, then President
of Jacksonville College, preached one sermon in Alton and
one in Upper Alton, with great plainness of speech, on the
subject of slavery; and on the Monday following, October
30, several members of the late convention and many of the
principal citizens of Alton met in the store of Alexander &
Co., to consult on the expediency of establishing the press
again in Alton, and if established, of defending it. After much
deliberation, it was advised that Mr. Lovejoy go on and re-
establish the press, and that it was the duty of friends of free
discussion to stand to the last in his defense.
At a subsequent meeting held in the Riley building, the
same day, but more publicly called than the former one, the
same U. F. Linder and Rev. John Hogan were the promi-
nent leaders of the opposition to Lovejoy — the minister
Hogan especially, who said to Lovejoy that St. Paul when
persecuted in one city fled to another, and that he (Lovejoy)
should, as a Christian, follow Paul's example and flee from
Alton. At this meeting also, U. F. Linder, Attorney-Gen-
eral, made a speech full of bitter denunciation of Lovejoy
and of all Abolitionists, ministers of the gospel, etc. All
aimed to stir up the mob spirit and to intimidate and drive
Lovejoy from the city. After he had concluded his effort,
Mr. Lovejoy obtained the floor. He went to the desk in
front of the audience, laid aside his overcoat, and in the most
calm and deliberate manner addressed the meeting. He
repelled the several charges and insinuations that had been
made by the principal speakers, Linder and Hogan, saying
that it was not true that he held in contempt the feelings and
sentiments of this community in reference to the great ques-
tion that was agitating it. He respected and appreciated the
feelings of his fellow-citizens, and it was one of the most
252 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
unpleasant and painful duties of his life that he was called
upon to differ from them. If they supposed he had published
sentiments contrary to those generally held in this commu-
nity, because he delighted in differing from them or in occa-
sioning a disturbance, they had entirely misapprehended
him. But although he valued the good opinion of his fellow-
citizens as highly as any man could, yet he was governed by
higher considerations than either the favor or fear of
man. He was impelled to the course he had taken because
he feared God. As he should answer to God in the great
day, he dare not abandon his sentiments or cease in every
proper way to propg^ate them. He told the meeting he had
not asked or desired any compromise; he had asked for
nothing but to be protected in his rights which God had
given him, and which were guaranteed to him by the consti-
tution of his country. He asked, " What infraction of the
laws have I been guilty of? Whose good name have I in-
jured? When and where have I published anything injuri-
ous to the reputation of Alton ? Have I not, on the contrary,
labored in common with the rest of my fellow-citizens to
promote the reputation and the interest of Alton? What
has been my offense ? Put your finger upon it, define it, and I
stand ready to answer for it. If I have been guilty, you can
easily convict me. You have public sentiment in your favor.
You have your juries, and you have your attorney, (looking at
the attorney Linder,) and I have no doubt you can convict me ;
but if I have been guilty of no violation of the laws, why am I
hunted up and down continually as a partridge upon the
mountains ? Why am I threatened with the tar barrel ? Why
am I waylaid from day to day and from night to night, and
my life in jeopardy every hour? " He also said, " You have
made up a false issue (as the lawyers say) ; there are not two
parties in this matter between whom there can be a compro-
mise." He planted himself upon his unquestionable rights ;
said the question to be decided was not whether a compro-
mise could be effected, but whether he should be protected
in the exercise and enjoyment of those rights. ^'This is the
question : whether my property shall be protected ; whether I
shall be suffered to go home to my family at night without
being assailed and threatened with tar and feathers and as-
sassination ; whether my aflflicted wife, whose life has been
in jeopardy from continued alarms and excitement, shall
night after night be driven from a sick-bed into the garret
LOVEJOY S SPEECH. 2$$
to save her life from the brick-bats and violence of the mob.
T/iat, sir, is the question?" (Here his feelings overcame
him and he burst into tears.) Many others in the room also
wept, and for a time the sympathies of the meeting were
with him. He apologized for having betrayed any weakness
on the occasion; it was the allusion, he said, to his family
that overcame his feelings. He assured them it was not
from any fears on his part. He had no personal fears. Not
that he felt able to contest this matter with the whole com-
munity— he knew perfectly well that he was not — but where
should he go? He had been made to feel that if he was not
safe in Alton, he would not be safe anywhere. He had re-
cently visited St. Charles, Mo., for his family, and was torn
away from their embrace by a mob. He had been beset night
and day in Alton. Now, if he should leave Alton and go
elsewhere, violence might overtake him in his retreat, and he
had no more claim for protection upon any other community
than he had upon this. He had finally come to the determi-
nation, after consulting his friends, and earnestly seeking
counsel of God, to remain in Alton, and here to insist upon
protection in the exercise of his rights. If the civil authori-
ties refused to protect him, he must look to God for protec-
tion ; and if he very soon found a grave in Alton, he was sure
he should die in the exercise of his duty. His manner no
man could describe. He was through it all calm, serious^
firm and decided, no epithet or unkind word escaped him ;
yet, he knew he was among deadly enemies. As
soon as he left off speaking he left the building, and Linder
again took the floor. He treated as hypocritical cant every-
thing Mr. L. had said; he held him up as a fanatic, as a dan-
gerous man in the community; he was violent against Mr. L.
and his friends all, as Abolitionists. The chair-
man, Hon. Cyrus Edwards, arose and in a very respectful but
decided manner expressed his dissent from the sentiments just
uttered. He urged the importance of maintaining peace and
good order, and concluded by saying that he wished to take his
stand before the country on that. But the meeting was carried
on the side of Linder and his followers, and adjourned with the
evident expressions of hostility and determination to
ruin Lovejoy or pursue him to the death. It had
already been published in the city that Rev. Edward Beecher,
who has before been alluded to, would preach a sermon in
the Presbyterian church that evening, October 30, on the
254 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
times. Threats had been loudly made that he should not be
allowed to do so. The mayor had been informed of those
threats and asked to protect the meeting, but made light
of it ; but the friends of free speech and good order did not
feel so quiet about it, and proposed to the mayor that they
thought they had the power to enforce order, if with his con-
sent, they could carry their guns with them. This he objected
to, but said we could privately take them to some place near
the church, and if needed we could be called on, and he himself
would attend the meeting as we urged him to do. We qui-
etly took our guns to the house adjoining the church, and
not willing to trust 'the mayor too far, put ourselves under
the orders of one of our number, " him to obey." When Mr.
Beecher had got about half through with his talk, a stone
went through the side window at his head, but missed its
mark. The stone had hardly stopped, when the call of our
leader was made, "to arms," and a line was, luithout the order
of the mayor, almost in an instant formed in front of the
church, extending beyond the front far enough to cover each
side of the church. The result was to form the outsiders
into as orderly a company of citizens as those on the inside
— and Mr, Beecher was allowed to finish his discourse. But
when he had concluded, and dismissed the congregation,
and the citizens with arms in hand were returning to their
rooms where they were in the habit of meeting, an alterca-
tion took place between the foremost of them and a company
of the mobites, in which the breech of a gun, held in the
hands of Moses G. Atwood, (if my memory serves me right,)
was broken, and the mob were thereafter willing to allow the
rest of the guns to pass along. Mr. Lovejoy was one of the
number who held those guns, and on returning to his house
from the rooms that night, he was waylaid, but passed with-
out being known, as he had exchanged his broad-brim white
hat for the cap of a friend as a precaution. When the mob
found that Mr. L. had passed them, they attacked his house ;
but seeing a rifle in Mr. L.'s hands, they prudently retired.
Agreeable to the decision at the Alexander
store meeting, another press had been bought and was on
the boat shipped from St. Louis to Alton. Precautions had
been taken to have it arrive at such an hour as would most
likely enable us to get it in store without its falling into the
hands of the mob on the banks of the river. To this end a
messenger had been sent below to meet the boat and ask the
THE PRESS STORED. 255
•captain to lay by at the mouth of the Missouri till such time
as would enable him to reach the dock at Alton about mid-
night. This was easily done, as the boat was owned by
some of the parties interested in having the press re-estab-
lished in Alton.
In the meantime, a company of about sixty volunteers
had enrolled themselves under the laws as a military com-
pany and tendered their services to the Mayor to keep the
peace of the city. This number of men had met for drill
that evening, at the store where the press would be landed,
and they were armed with good rifles, all well loaded with
ball. The captain of the boat was ordered to land the boxes
containing the press, and if any attack was made on the
boxes, to pull his boat out of harm's way as soon as possi-
ble. The sixty men inside had concluded to prolong their
•drill till the press was landed and stored, so they were
divided into companies and stationed at points overlooking
the boxes, and all had received orders that if any unauthori-
zed person should attempt to handle the boxes, they were to
shoot at the boxes, and if anybody was in the way, it would
appear to be the fault of the intruder. A committee of two
were sent to call the Mayor and have him at the store, that,
at least, he might see it well done. He was a batchelor,
and slept at his office near the store. To the first summons
he promised to come, but was so long in doing it that a sec-
ond was sent, with orders to come with him and show him
the way. This was effective, and the committee and Mayor
came in together. The press however was successfully
landed, no demonstrations of a mob being made, unless per-
haps a horn or two blown at a distance. The press was soon
transferred from the boat to the fourth story of the ware-
house belonging to Godfrey & Oilman, and our military
company was left to continue their drill till morning or go to
sleep as best they could. This brings us in de-
tail to the morning of the 7th of November, 1837. All was
quiet in the city, the press was out of harm's way, boxed up
and in the loft of a good warehouse, in the keeping of re-
sponsible men, and no demonstration towards its being un-
packed or put in motion. As night approached, nearly all
of the men who had given their names to form that military
company went to the building containing the press, one loft
of which was our drill room, and were drilled there until nine
■o'clock. Then, as no one apprehended any trouble, the com-
256 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
pany was dismissed, and each was about going quietly home^
when Mr. Oilman, one of the owners of the store, asked if
some few of the number would not volunteer to remain
through the night, as they could be made comfortable for
sleeping on the goods in the store, and he was intending to
stay himself as a precaution against any one breaking into
the store and committing any depredation. Nineteen men
volunteered to stay, and with Mr. Oilman made twenty in
all left in the store. Within ashort time appearances seemed
to indicate that the mob were gathering, but no one thought
of any serious trouble till Edward Keating, a lawyer, and
Henry W. West,^ merchant, came to the building and
asked to be admitted to see Mr. Oilman, the owner. Some
one not possessed of much judgment (for they were both
known to favor the mob), allowed them to come in. They,
of course, soon took in the small number left to guard the
building and press, and they then informed Mr. Oilman that
unless the press was given up to the gentlemen outside, the
building would be burned over our heads and every man
killed. Consultation was had inside and they were promptly
given to understand that the press and the store would be de-
fended. Some of us were for keeping these parties prison-
ers till morning, that they might share our fate, if need be.
Early in the night, after the main body had left,
the twenty men remaining in the building had elected Dea-
con Enoch Long to act as their Captain, if anything should
occur requiring concert of action ; and as he had seen ser-
vice in the war of 18 12-15, we supposed him the most fit man
for such a case, and it was by his orders that these two spies
were allowed to depart. About as soon as the mob could get
their report, we understood by the wild shouts among them
that our numbers were satisfactory to that side, at least, and
that we would have work to do. A council was called by
the inside party, to take measures for defense, and some
advised most vigorous defense, and as severe punishment to
the mob, if we were attacked, as possible ; but our Captain
overruled, saying our course would be a useless sacrifice of
human life, and if the mob, whose shot and stones had began
to come, should persist in their attack, after being counseled
of the consequences, then he would select some one man to
fire into the mob, and no doubt they would instantly disperse.
He was promptly told by some that they would not be so
selected, that if they fired into that mob, which they were
THE SPIES LET GO. 25/
anxious to do, they should fire with all present. And some
took themselves to different parts of the building to defend
on their own account, but there was thereafter no concert of
action by the defenders. The building was in fact two build-
ings with ends to the street and to the river, and at one side
was a vacant lot. The building was of stone, over one hun-
dred feet long at the side toward the vacant lot. The
attacking party were covered by this stone wall. The ends
of the buildings on street and river would show as two
stores — three stories on the street and four at the river end,
owing to the formation of the land. The two upper stories
were lofts or garrets, the roofs of each resting on the middle
wall, and no communication between them without going
down the stairs of one, and up those of the other. In the loft
of one of those stores was stored stone jugs and jars.
Reuben Gerry had stationed himself in this loft, while
the writer was in the other. The mob were work-
ing in the street in front of both, but more particu-
larly under Gerry's part, for the door they were
trying to force was more directly under him. In his
room, and my own also, were doors fronting the street, under
the roof, with small glass windows in the doors, but no other
windows. Mr. Gerry had opened the door in his room over
the head of the mob, and was amusing himself and them by
rolling the jugs and crocks out of the door down on their
heads. From my standpoint I was getting the benefit of the
effect, but could not communicate with Gerry nor let him know
I was there. The mob for a time tried throwing up stones,
but they did not go up with the same effect that the jugs
went down, and one of their number was selected to cross
the street and shoot whoever might be throwing down the
jugs whenever he should again appear. By the time the party
had got to his appointed place where he could command
Gerry's door, my rifle was through the glass forming the top
of my door and resting on the sash, perfectly covering the
man in the street. I knew him well, and saw him clearly,
for it was a beautiful moonlight night. Two men had come
up to the room where I was, to get a good sight of the mob,
and the street was full. They were asking me not to shoot,
for we were getting the worst of the fight already. My
promise was readily given not to shoot unless the man raised
his gun to shoot Gerry; if he did, he could never perform
the act. But Gerry knew of the preparations to shoot him,
i6
258 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
and did not know of my position, neither could I let him
know, so he kept out of sight and saved the life of one who
bragged the next day that he was the one who shot Love-
joy, perhaps not one hour later. I soon heard Mr. Gerry go-
ing down stairs and immediately went down myself and we
met on the floor below ; and while we were discussing the
situation with the view of returning to our stations, he to roll
jugs and I to cover him, we heard the report of a gun close
to us from the inside and the exclamation that a man on the
outside was shot. Our captain had put in force his saving
theory and had selected one man to fire, and that shot had
killed a man by tffe name of Bishop, on the outside. The
ball had entered the top of his shoulder while he was stoop-
ing to pick up a stone and gone nearly through him length-
ways. I heard 07ie call and ask " Who fired that gun ? " and
answered " / didy I went to the window and saw four
men pick up Bishop, one by each arm and one by each leg,
and carry him to Dr. Hart's office, nearly opposite, but I sub-
sequently learned the man was dead when they reached the
office with him. The shooting of this man seemed to have
the effect contemplated by our captain, and the mob with-
drew. But the lull was short; they soon returned reinforced,
and with savage yells threatened to fire the building and
shoot every " d d Abolitionist," as we were all then
called, as we might leave the building. Even at this time no
orders were given for any concentrated fire on the mob ; but
many shots were fired, but with poor effect. The mayor
came in the building and we asked him to take us outside to
face the mob and order them to disperse, or else in their
hearing order us to fire, and we would pledge our lives to
clean them out, but he prudently and cautiously declined,
saying he had too high a regard for our lives to do that, but
at the same time he justified our right of defense. When
he returned to the mob from us he could do nothing. His
former acts in submitting to being snubbed by the mob, who
before his face was destroying the press formerly alluded to,
took from him all power now, and he had to look on and see
the work of death and of ruin. About this time the mob
had approached the building with a long ladder; and operat-
ing on the side of the house next the vacant lot, where there
was no opening in the long wall, they had got the ladder to
the roof and a man on the ladder with material to set the
house on fire on the roof When volunteers were called for
STRUGGLE AT THE WAREHOUSE. 259
to go out and shoot the man off the ladder, the men on the
lower floor — Mr. Lovejoy, Amos B. Roff and Royal Weller
— stepped out of the door towards the river, and as they
stepped clear of the door to get at the side of the building,
Mr. Lovejoy received five bullets in his body and limbs from
behind a pile of lumber near by where men were concealed,
probably for the purpose. Mr. Roff was also shot in the leg ;
and Mr. Weller was shot in his leg, and had a bullet through
his hat that just cleared his head. Mr. Lovejoy walked in
and up stairs one story to the office, saying as he went, " I
am shot ! I am shot ! I am dead ! " He was met at the door of
ithe room by all on that floor, and died without a struggle
and without speaking again. The two that were wounded
also got back up stairs to the same room. Very soon there
appeared on the river side of the building the same two men
who were in the beginning admitted and let out of the build-
ing— Keating and West — and calling the attention- of who-
ever was in sight, displayed a white handkerchief and called
for Oilman, and said that the building was on fire, but the
BOYS would put it out if he would give up the press ; that was
all they wanted, and would not destroy anything else, nor
hurt any one if the building was surrendered. Mr. Gilman
then concluded that inasmuch as there was great value in
the building of goods, and also the interests of many firms
all over the State were jeopardized, and Mr. Godfrey, his
partner, not present, that to save all these interests it was his
judgment the buildings and press had best be abandoned to
the mob. Others, under the circumstances, could say noth-
ing, and so it was resolved to give it up, and the spies were
so ordered to notify their fellows. Accordingly our guns
were secreted in different places, and all of the number left
the building in a body, except Lovejoy, dead ; Roff and
Weller wounded, and S. J. Thompson, who remained till the
mob entered ; and as the men passed by that vacant lot, it
seemed as if a hundred bullets were shot at them from the
mob congregated at the other and higher end of the lot, and
being thus elevated the balls sung harmless by to the river.
The escaped congregated in a hardware store on Second
street, a little removed from the scene of action, and after a
while each went to their several homes, and the work of de-
struction was completed on the press.
The next morning, on returning to the scenes of the night,
the dead body of Lovejoy lay where it fell, and the dead
260 PRESBYTEKIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
body of Bishop in Dr. Hart's office. Friends procured a
hearse and removed the body of Mr. Lovejoy to his late res-
idence, his wife being stricken by the blow to utter helpless-
ness. Owen Lovejoy met the corpse of his brother at the
door. Mr. Lovejoy was buried, I think, the day following.
Rev. Thomas Lippincott made the prayer at his funeral, and
never a word or intimation but that the death was a natural
one. It was a rainy, drizzly day — fit one for such a funeral.
No word or allusion to mob violence, and so Lovejoy was
buried without inquest or word to tell the manner of his
death. After the body was taken home from the place of
death, Owen Lovejoy, the brother of the martyred, standing
over the dead body, vowed that from henceforth he would
fight the cursed institution that had killed his brother. The
country knows well how that vow was kept.
The names of the twenty men that night in the building
here follow : Elijah P. Lovejoy, killed by the mob Nov. 7,
1837; Amos B. Roff, then wounded, since dead ; Royal Weller,
then wounded, since dead ; Wihiam Harned, dead ; James
Morse, Jr., dead; John S. Noble, dead; Edward Breath, (sub-
sequently missionary to Persia), dead ; George H. Walworth,
dead ; J. C. Woods, dead ; George H. Whitney, dead ; Reu-
ben Gerry, dead ; Winthrop S. Gilman, living in New York
City; Enoch Long living in Sabula, Jackson county, Iowa;
George T. Brown, living in Alton ; (left the building early in
the evening) ; Sarjiuel J. Thompson, (residence unknown) ;
H. D. Davis, do not know if living or dead ; D. F. Randall,
do not know if living or dead; D. Burt Loomis, living in
Stillwater, Minn.; Thaddeus B. Hurlbut, residence in Upper
Alton ; Henry Tanner, residence in Buffalo, New York.
Enoch S. Huntington was born at Ashford, Windham
county. Conn., Sept. 30, 1804. He graduated at Amherst
College, Mass., and studied theology at Lane Seminary,
Ohio. He was ordained by Alton Presbytery at Bethel,
Bond county. May 26, 1837. He was dismissed from that
Presbytery March 30, 1838, to Peoria Presbytery. After
leaving Bethel he preached some five years in Pleasant
Grove, Tazewell county, 111. From thence he went to Clin-
ton, Conn., and thence to Danbury, Conn., where he died
April 7, 1862. He was three times married, and left a widow,
Mrs. Esther Lyon Huntington, who resides in Fairfield,
Connecticut.
C. G. SELLECK J. T. TUCKER. 26 1
Charles G. Selleck was born in Norvvalk, Conn., Feb.
26, 1802. He graduated at Yale College, 1827. His stud-
ies preparatory to the ministery were prosecuted under the
care of Hanover Presbytery. Licensed March 2, 1830, by
the Consociation of Fairfield West. He was ordained by
the same body pastor of Ridgefield church. Conn., May
10, 1831. Removed to Upper Alton, 111., Oct., 1837.
Preached and taught at Waverly, 111., eleven years.
Removed thence to Jacksonville in 1851. Took charge of
the Female Academy there, and preached at the same time
at Naples and to Union church for two years. While here
his only son, Sylvester, a young man of great promise and
excellence, was removed by death. Mr. S. next went to
Plaquemine, La., in 1857; took charge of a Female Acade-
my and was installed pastor of the Presbyterian church in
that place. Here he remained about four years, until July
4, 1 861, exercising considerable freedom of speech he was
expelled from his home and charge. He returned to Illi-
nois and settled for seven years on a farm in Jackson coun-
ty. Finding from experience, the Southern climate more
congenial to his constitution, he went thence to Florida,
and settled at or near New Smyrna, Volusia county. Here
he has opened an orange plantation, and preaches regularly
to two or three small churches. Here his excellent wife
died Nov. 19, 1878.
Joshua T. Tucker was born in Milton, Mass., Sept. 20,
1812. He fitted for college at Phillips Academy, Andover,
Mass.; graduated at Yale College 1833 and at Lane Semina-
0^ 1837. Ordained by Alton Presbytery Nov. 15, 1837, at
Upper Alton. Dismissed to Schuyler Presbytery and from
thence to Presbytery of Northern Missouri in 1840. Pastor
at Hannibal from 1840 to 1846, and of North Presbyterian
Church, St. Louis, 1846-48. Installed at Holliston, Mass.,
June 6, 1849. Remained there until Nov. 6, 1867. Installed
at Chicopee Falls, Mass., April 8, 1868, where he remained
until Oct. 1877 — ten full years with that people.
He has been largely engaged in editorial work in connection
with the pastoral, for a time editing the Boston Recorder, and
owning one half of it. He was one of the original founders
of the Boston Revieiv, and for eight years one of its editors.
He has published a " Life of Christ," a volume of between
262 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
three and four hundred pages; also a journal of an exten-
sive European tour in 1859. He is occupied with literary^
work, and resides in Harrison square, Boston, Mass.
When he took charge of the church in Holliston, it
numbered one hundred and seventy. He left it with four hun-
dred and thirty members. His first wife, Mary
Oland Stibbs, of St. Louis, he married in 1837. She died in
1844. Four children, of whom the two youngest died in in-
fancy. The two older are now Mrs. Mary Ellen Nettle-
ton, of Boston, and Mrs. Anna Eliza Richardson, of Chicago..
The latter has a daughter, Edith R. In 1845 he married
Miss Annie D. Sitackford, of St. Louis. One child by this
marriage, died in infancy. In 1875 Iowa College sent him a
diploma of D. D.
The Synod of Illinois held its annual meeting at Spring-
field, commencing Oct. 19, 1837. I^ was largely attended.
The papers presented with regard to the then threatened
division of the Church and upon the subject of slavery were
of great interest and ability. The narrative was of a very-
encouraging character, and most elegantly written. The
harassing case of Wm. J. Eraser was settled for the present by
adopting these two resolutions: (i) "That the Presbytery of
Kaskaskia acted discourteously and unconstitutionally in
receiving Wm. J. Eraser without recommendation received
from the Presbytery of Illinois, and leave granted by the
Synod of Illinois. (2) That the said William J.
Frazer cannot obtain a seat in the Presbyterian Church ex-
cepting through the Presbytery of Illinois, with leave granted
by the Synod of Illinois." The case was appealed,
to the Assembly.
CHAPTER VII.
MEETINGS OF THE PRESBYTERIES AND SYNOD FROM 1 838 TO
184I INCLUSIVE, WITH SKETCHES OF THE CHURCHES ORGAN-
IZED AND OF THE MINISTERS COMMENCING THEIR LABORS
HERE WITHIN THE PERIOD.
Authorities: Records of Synod, Presbyteries and Churches; Rev. S. C.
Baldridge; Rev. R. Stewart.
YEAR 1838.
This was a momentous year. It witnessed the division of
the Synod of Ilhnois into New and Old School. I shall
pursue the same course as in previous chapters, giving the sa-
lient facts in their order, and letting those facts speak for
themselves.
Illinois Presbytery met with Pisgah church, April 19,
1838, Ralph W. Gridley was received from the Presbytery of
Ottawa, and order taken for his installation over the church
of Jacksonville, April 25, 1838. The church in Peccan bottom
was received. Edward Beecher, minister, and A. H. Bur-
ritt, elder, were appointed Commissioners to the next Assem-
bly. A pro re riata meeting of this Presbytery was held in
the Presbyterian Church at Jacksonville, July li. Minis-
ters present: Hugh Barr, Ralph W. Gridley, J. M. Sturte-
vant and Elisha Jenney. Elders present : W. C. Posey,
Jacksonville ; Samuel Reaugh, Union ; Ralph McCormick,
Pisgah; Robert Huston, Manchester. Ministers absent:
Gideon Blackburn, D. D., Edward Beecher, William G. Gal-
laher, John G. Simrall and A. T. Norton. The meeting was
called to hear a written report from the Commissioners to
the last Assembly, to the effect that they approved of and
had taken part with the Assembly which convened in the
First Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia. This report the
Presbytery approved, and justified the course of their Com-
missioners by a vote of five to two. The ayes were Gridley,
Sturtevant, Jenney, McCormick and Huston. The nayes — ■
264 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS,
Posey and Reaugh. The Moderator, Hugh Barr, did not
vote. Against this decision Messrs. Posey and Reaugh en-
tered their protest. The fall meeting was held
at Jacksonville, September 20. Andrew L. Pennoyer was
received from the Congregational Association of Illinois.
A. T. Norton was dismissed to the St. Louis Presbytery..
Ralph Wells Gridley was installed pastor of the First
Presbyterian Church, Jacksonville, April 25, 1838. His la-
bors continued a httle over two years. He died Feb. 2, 1840,
at Ottawa, 111., at tke house of his son-in-law, William H. W.
Cushman, aged forty-seven. He was the son of Rev. Eli-
jah Gridley, near forty years pastor of the church at Granby,
Mass. He graduated at Yale College in 18 14, and pursued
his theological studies under President Dwight. He was set-
tled at Williamstown, Mass., October, 18 16, where he re-
mained seventeen or eighteen years. His ministry there was
greatly blessed. About six hundred were admitted to the
church during that time. In the spring of 1834 he left that
place and went to Illinois, and in the autumn to the town of
Ottawa. From thence he went to Jacksonville. During his
ministry at this place a re-union was effected between the
Presbyterian and Congregational churches. In
1839 he attended the meeting of the Assembly and visited
his former people in Massachusetts. On his return severe
disease fastened on his lungs and throat. He resumed his
labors at Jacksonville, but was soon obliged to desist. He
took a journey to Ottawa and there died. His youngest
child, Susan Kellogg Gridley, followed her father within a
few weeks. Mr. Gridley was greatly beloved in Jackson-
ville, and is spoken of to the present day with love and ven-
eration.
Peccan Bottom Church had but a brief existence.
Panther Ceeek Church was represented in Presbytery
at Jacksonville, September 20, 1838, by William Sewall. In
1844 he was still an elder. By 1849 the nameof this church
had disappeared from the roll.
The Presbytery of Kaskaskia met at Sharon, White
county, April 13, 1838. Cyrus Riggs was received from the
CYRUS RIGGS. 265
Presbytery of Schuyler. B. F. Spilman, minister, and W. A.
G. Posey, eldej^, were appointed Commissioners to the Assem-
bly. James Stafford was dismissed to the Pres-
bytery of Schuyler. The fall meeting was held
with Greenville church, Bond county, September 21. Wil-
liam J. Fraser was present and recognized as a member, the
Assembly having decided to that effect. He was, at his re-
quest, dismissed to the Presbytery of Schuyler. This Pres-
bytery resolved, "That the Assembly of 1838, which met
and organized and continued to hold its sessions in the Sev-
enth Presbyterian church in Philadelphia, is the true General
Assembly of the Presbyterian Church; and that any min-
ister or church that adheres to any other body as the Gen-
eral Assembly, does virtually secede from the Presbyterian
Church." In this position the Presbytery were unanimous.
Cyrus Riggs was a lineal descendant of Miles Riggs, who
came from Wales to America about 1630. He was the son
of Joseph and Hannah Riggs, was born in Mendham, N. J.,
Oct. 15, 1774, and removed thence with his father's family
across the mountains to the wilderness of Washington coun-
ty. Pa, He became pious early in life and united with the
Presbyterian church. At the Academy in Cannonsburg —
soon after Jefferson College — he fitted for college. He mar-
ried Miss Mary Ross, July 25, 1797. He graduated in 1803.
After graduating he taught in the college, at the same time
studying theology with Rev. Dr. John McMillan. He was
licensed in 1805, and, after itinerating awhile, accepted a call
to the churches of Fairfield and Mill Creek, and was ordain-
ed their pastor by the Presbytery of Erie in 1806. Thence
in 1813, he removed to the church of Scrubgrass, and was
installed pastor of that and West Unity churches. While
here he attempted to introduce Watt's Psalms and Hymns in-
stead of Rouse's version. But he met with an opposition stop-
ping only just short of actual violence in the Unity branch of
his charge. He therefore left that part of his field in 1823,
though he remained with the Scrubgrass church some ten
years longer. About this time he started west and arrived
with his family at McComb, 111., in the fall of 1836. He
labored for two years among the destitutions of Schuyler
Presbytery. In 1838 he removed to Elkhorn — now Nash-
ville— church, and labored there, on Mud Creek and at vari-
266 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
ous other points for four years. He organized, at a later
date, Galum church in Perry county. Thus he spent the
evening of his days, laboring with great zeal, patience and
energy, until Feb. 14, 1849, when he was suddenly removed by
paralysis, while in his study preparing a sermon for the next
Sabbath. His body lies with that of his wife, who had died
Aug. 17, 1845, ir^ t^^s retired cemetery of the Elkhorn church.
Mr. Riggs and his wife were the parents of
eight children^ — three sons and five daughters — who are all
dead save the youngest son, Rev. Cyrus Riggs, D. D. Their
bodies are far scattered — three in Kansas, one in Missouri,
one in Iowa and Uvo in Western Pennsylvania. They were
all married save the eldest daughter, Hannah, who spent
eleven years of her prime as a missionary among the Ottawa
Indians, on the Maumee, and there contracted the disease
which ended her days.
The Presbytery of Sangamon met with the North Sanga-
mon church, April 6, 1838. Ministers present: John G.
Bergen, Dewey Whitney, Lemuel Foster, Thomas Gait.
Elders present : Azel Lyman, Farmington ; Joseph Torrey,
First Church, Springfield ; John B. Watson, Second Church,
Springfield ; J. N. Moore, North Sangamon ; C. Lyman,
Chatham ; S. McElvane, Sugar Creek ; B. Leeper, Bloom-
ington ; J. Cantrill, Waynesville. The licentiate, Josiah
Porter, was dismissed to Presbytery of Crawfordsville. John
W. Little, from the Central Association of New York, and
William C. Greenleaf from the Association of Oxford
county, Maine, were received. Also Cyrus L. Watson,
from the Presbytery of Schuyler. Cyrus L. Watson, minis-
ter, and Joseph Torrey elder, were appointed Commission-
ers to next Assembly. Alex. Ewing was dismissed to the
Presbytery of Schuyler. The fall meeting was
held with the Irish Grove church Sept., 11.
John Wilder Little was born in Northampton, Mass ,,
May 19, 181 2. His literary course was pursued at the Fel-
lenberg Institute, Greenfield, Mass., and his theological with
Rev. John Todd. At the age of eighteen he joined the
church. He was licensed and ordained in Central New
York. He came to Illinois in 1837 and united with Sanga-
PALESTINE PRESBYTERY. 267
mon Presbytery as above. He labored with Sugar Creek
and North Sangamon churches, and died of pneumonia at
Athens, 111., June 2, 1 842, He was married in Whately, Mass.,
June 17, 1838, to Miss Mary Loomis of that place. He had
but two children, Sarah Frances, born April 29, 1839, and
John W., born May 20, 1842. This son graduated at Jeffer-
son College, Cannonsburg, Pa., in 1869, and at Allegheny
Theological Seminary in 1872, and is now pastor of Cross-
Roads church, Wexford, Pa.
William C. Greenleaf was born at Newburyport, Mass.,
Oct. 5, 1797. He was of American parentage. Was edu-
cated at Bangor, Maine. Ordained at Andover, Maine, by
a council of Congregational ministers, in Sept., 183 1. He
labored at Andover, Maine, nearly seven years ; at Amos-
keag, N. H., six months in 1837. From thence he removed
in Nov., 1837, to Auburn, Sangamon county, 111., where he
labored six years. His next residence was at Chatham,
same county. February, 1847, he removed to Springfield,
occasionally preaching at Chatham and other places until a
few months previous to his death. He married Clara Par-
sons, Oct. II, 1831, at Williamsburg, Maine. They have
had no children. He died at Springfield, 111., July 21, 185 1.
His widow still survives, and resides in that city.
The Presbytery of Palestine held its spring meeting in
1838, at Paris, April 12, and its fall meeting with New Provi-
dence church commencing Sept. 19. There was an inter-
mediate called meeting in July, at which nothing was done.
Enoch Kingsbury, minister, and Asa R. Palmer, elder, were
appointed Commissioners to the General Assembly of 1838.
Joseph Butler was received from the St. Lawrence Presby-
tery. As between the New and Old School
Assemblies, the vote was for the Old School, one minister
and five elders ; for the New School, two ministers and two
elders, and two excused from voting. Isaac Reed was
received from the Crawfordsville Presbytery.
Joseph Butler was born on the shores of Lake Cham-
plain, in 1799. He was hopefully converted at the age of
268 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
eight years. He was educated at Middlebury College,
licensed by a Congregational Association at Montpelier in
1825, and ordained by Champlain Presbytery in 1827. In
1836 he came West, and after spending some time in Indi-
ana, crossed the Wabash and came to the home of Rev.
Stephen Bliss. He was introduced at once to the church in
Edwards county, called Shiloh ; and there labored, with but
short intermissions for twenty-three years. He removed
from Illinois to Pawselim, Minn., where he died Oct. 27,
1872, aged seventy-three years. He was four times married.
The Presbytery of Alton convened at Collinsville,
Thursday, March 29, 1838. E. S. Huntington was dismissed
to the Presbytery of Peoria. Daniel E. Manton, a licentiate,
was received from the Presbytery of New Brunswick,
examined, and, on Sabbath, April ist, ordained, sine titiilo,
The church at Edwardsville was received.
Albert Hale, minister, and Solomon E. Moore, elder, were
appointed Commissioners to the Assembly. A revival was
reported in the church at Alton, from which forty-nine were
received on the first Sabbath in March — forty-seven of
whom were by examination. At a called meet-
ing held at Alton, July 5, 1838, Theron Baldwin was received
from the Presbytery of Illinois. Owen Lovejoy was taken
under care of Presbytery and licensed. The Presbyter}' by
an unanimous vote placed itself on the New School side.
The regular fall meeting which was to have
been held at Bethel, failed for want of a quorum. A called
meeting convened at Alton, Oct. 30, 1838, at which Joseph
Fowler, a licentiate of the Presbytery of Cincinnati, was
received.
Edwardsville Church — the second one — was organized
sometime in the winter of 1837-8, by a Committee of Alton
Presbytery. It was received under the care of that Presby-
tery, March 30, 1838, Joseph M. McKee being present as
elder. Another elder was Matthew B. Torrance. This
church was supplied from October, 1843, to April, 1845, by
Rev. Thomas Lippincott, in connection with Troy. A little
before Mr. Lippincott's labors closed at Edwardsville, Dr.
James Spilman, an elder brother of Rev. B. F. Spilman, and
SYNOD OF ILLINOIS. 269
a staunch Old School elder, came there to reside. He was
friendly, but not disposed to unite with a New School or-
ganization. The church being weak, wishing to secure his
influence and seeing little to choose between New and Old
School went over to him and connected with Kaskaskia Pres-
bytery, which had organized an Old School church there,
June 22, 1845. For one year Rev. B. F. Spilman was their min-
ister. He was succeeded by Rev. Alexander'Ewing until his
death, Aug. 12, 1848. At that time the church occupied the
Baptist house of worship. In 1856, Dr. Spilman leased the
Episcopal house. Rev. L. P. Bates was minister from 1856
to 1859. After Mr. Bates' death and Dr. Spilman's removal,
the Second Presbyterian Church at Edwardsville, which be-
gan as New School, then became Old School, ended in death,
and its name was erased from the roll of Presbytery.
Daniel Eddy Manton was born in Kinderhook, N. Y.,
in 1 811 or 18 12. He graduated at Amherst College in 1831 ;
studied theology at Princeton and Andover; was stated sup-
ply at Fayetteville, N. Y., in 1836 and at Redding, Ct., in
1836-7; he preached at Edwardsville, 111., in the winter of
1837-8, and was ordained by Alton Presbytery as mentioned
above. He soon after returned East, went to the West In-
dies, and remained a few months. With health not perma-
nently improved, he returned to his mother at Kinderhook,
and died there from consumption, March 5, 1 841, in his thirti-
eth year.
The Synod of Illinois met at Peoria, September 26,
1838. At this meeting was consummated the division of the
Synod into New and Old School. For the Moderator's
chair two candidates were put in nomination — John Blatch-
ford and John Mathews. Mr. Blatchford was chosen by a
vote of forty-seven to twenty-three. After various futile at-
tempts to bring about a vote of adherence to the Old School
Assembly, the minority organized in another place, and
chose John Mathews their Moderator. They numbered fif-
teen ministers and ten elders — in all twenty-five. The New
School numbered forty-five in all. The minority claimed to
be the Synod of Illinois. The majority made no declara-
tion on that subject, but took it for granted as they were the
2/0 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
majority, held the organization and retained the records.
On the then very agitating subject of slavery the New School
were substantially a unit — holding slaveholding to be a sin.
On this subject the Old School were divided.
The Old School Synod altered the bounds of Kaskaskia
Presbytery, making it to include all the State lying south of
the north lines of Green, Macoupin, Montgomery, Fayette,
Effingham and White, thus embracing the whole of the ter-
ritory of Alton Presbytery. From this period
the two Synods moved on as two distinct denominations
until 1870, when the dissevered body was again re-united.
Here*-'Commence the real troubles of the histo-
rian whose aim and wish is to be entirely impartial. Shall
he treat the two bodies as one, only having an increased
number of Synods, Presbyteries and churches; or shall he
speak of them as two distinct denominations, each claimxing
to be itself and the other also, taking up first one, then the
other? Either course has its objections and difficulties. He
will try to combine the two, so as to bring out the real un-
derlying unity arising from oneness of doctrine and polity,
and with only so much of difference as the O. S. and N. S.,
which letters — as interpreted by what went before, what
happened in the interim, and what is now following —
are reduced from capitals to small letters, o. s. and n. s. This
seems like a happy thought. I will follow it.
YEAR 1839.
The Presbytery of Illinois, n. s., met at Manchester,
April 3, 1839. Loring S. Williams was received from
the Presbytery of Arkansas. John G. Simrall was dismissed
to the Presbytery of West Lexington. Ralph W. Gridley,
minister, and Alexander H. Burritt, elder, were appointed
Commissioners to the Assembly. A special meeting was
held at Jacksonville, July 18, 1839. The church of Winches-
ter was received. Charles E. Blood was received
as a candidate from the Presbytery of Cincinnati, examined
and licensed. The fall meeting was held at
Jacksonville, September 19. George C. Wood was received
from the Presbytery of St. Charles.
Winchester Church was organized April 24, 1839, with
L. S. WILLIAMS — G. C. WOOD. 2/1
eleven members. At one time it numbered eighty members.
Its ministers have been George C. Wood, W. H. WiUiams,
Josiah Porter, A. L. Pennoyer, and others. It has never
had an installed pastor. Elders: Stephen Scales, Edwards
Pond, John Moses, W. P. Goldsmith. It has had repeated
revivals and great fluctuations in its condition. It has a de-
cent and sufficiently capacious house pf worship. Is at pres-
ent— 1879 — vacant and depressed.
LoRiNG S. Williams was born in Pownal, Bennington
county, Vt., June 28, 1796. He was educated at Fairfield
Academy, N. Y. Sent out by A. B. C. F. M. as a teacher
to the Choctaw Indians. Was licensed by the Mississippi
Presbytery, December 20, 1828. Ordained by Tombigbee
Presbytery, March 27, 1830. Joined Illinois Presbytery as
above; Alton Presbytery, September 12, 1845, ^^^ was dis-
missed, October 13, 1848, to St. Louis Presbytery. He has
been for some years in Glenwood, Iowa, where he has been
occupied with Bible work, missionary service, and for four
and a half years as county Superintendent of schools. In
Iowa he joined the Congregational church. He is still living
at Glenwood, and with his third wife who is twenty-four
years his junior. His daughter, Matilda, has taught for
many years in Chesterfield, Macoupin county, 111. His
youngest daughter is wife of Rev. Marshall Tingley, Sioux
City, Iowa. One son is residing in Summerville, Macoupin
county. 111. A son and two daughters are, or lately were,
with their father at Glenwood.
George C. Wood was born in New York City, May 20,
1805. He was sent from home to attend school in early life,
principally at Blooming Grove and Newburgh, N. Y. He
graduated at Williams College in 1827, and at Auburn Semi-
nary, N. Y., in 1830. He was licensed by Mendon Associa-
tion, Livingston county, N. Y., Jan. 26, 1830; ordained by
the same body, June i, 1830. From Auburn he started for
Missouri, accompanied by Rev. B. F. Hoxsey and others,
and after a tedious journey of six weeks, by land and water,
in wagons and stages, in steamboats and flat-boats, and not
very unfrequently on foot, he and his company arrived safely
at St. Louis, Oct. 20, 1830. I now quote from a letter
2/2 PRE3BYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
of Mr. Wood to myself: "My first field of labor
was at St. Charles, Mo. During the two years of my resi-
dence there that church was blessed with two precious re-
vivals and from a small beginning became a strong body.
The church, however, became divided in the choice of a
pastor, a part being for Rev. James Gallaher and a part for
Rev. Hiram Chamberlain. The influence of that division and
strife is felt to this day. Before leaving St. Charles I was
prevailed upon by Dr. David Nelson and the trustees of Ma-
rion College, to accept a position in that institution. I was
soon, however, convinced of the impracticability of the
scheme, and in gogA time left the ship and did not sink with
it. I labored in Missouri eight years, and during that time
preached statedly to the churches where I was located, and
spent much time in destitute places, holding protracted
meetings and organizing churches. Some of these are to-
day among the most promising in northern Missouri. In
September, 1869, I visited, by special invitation, one of these
churches — that of New Providence. It was on the occasion
of the re-union of that church. And what a glorious sight
we were permitted to behold ! Instead of the little band,
thirty-five years before organized into a church, we had rep-
resentatives from five churches who had met to celebrate
their mother's birth day. I resided at Manches-
ter, 111., seven years, and next preached at Winchester and
Whitehall. At each of these places we were permitted to
rejoice in the displays of God's grace. In 1842 there were
added to the church at Whitehall forty-five on profession of
their faith. At Jerseyville and Greenville, where I after-
wards labored, we had frequent seasons of spiritual refresh-
ing. I was a member of the Synod of Illinois at its first
meeting in September, 183 1, at Hillsboro, Illinois — being
then connected with the Presbytery of Missouri."
Mr. Wood joined the Presbytery of Alton April 3, 1846.
For two or three years he labored in Homer, Mich. He re-
turned to Illinois and was installed pastor of Greenville
church, Bond county, July 23, 1853. He was dismissed from
the same, Sept. 26, 1857. Since 1857 he has resided in
Jacksonville, 111., in a pleasant home of his own, laboring as
Presbyterial missionary and acting as stated clerk of the Illi-
nois Presbytery, and then of the Central Synod. For five
years before his death he was afflicted with paralysis. To-
ward the close his sufferings were extreme. His groans, ex-
KASKASKIA PRESBYTERY. 2/3
torted by his terrible agonies, could be heard in the streets.
His tender, faithful wife watched over him to the last, and
went down with him to the edge of the river. He died Jan.
5, 1879. He married Frances Emeline, daughter
of Gurdon Bulkley, Aug. 3, 1830, at Williamstown, Mass.
Henry Hoxsey Wood, son of Mrs. Wood's sister, Mrs. Hox-
sey, was born Sept. 17, 1831. He lost his mother when
seven months old, and was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Wood
as their son, and by request of his mother. Henry married
Miss Fanny R. Jackson, of Jerseyville, who died in five years,
leaving a son, Henry, who lives with his father and grand-
mother. His own son, George Gridley Wood,
was born January 14, 1842, graduated at Illinois College in
1862, entered the Union army the same year, and died at
Memphis, Tenn., aged twenty-one, wanting one month. He
was a noble, patriotic, Christian young man.
Rosa Frances, Mr. Wood's only daughter, was born October
6, 1848, and married William H. Covert, Esq., State's Attor-
ney, of Quincy, 111. They have one son and one daughter.
Mrs. George C. Wood was born July 31, 1810, and united
with the Congregational church at Williamstown, Mass.,
under the pastoral care of Rev. Ralph W. Gridley, in 1825.
Her Bible verse is Prov. 31:31 : " Give her of the fruit of her
hands ; and let her own works praise her in the gates."
Kaskaskia Ppesbytery, o. s., met at Vandalia April 12,
1839. B. F. Spilman, minister, and James A.
Ramsey, elder, were appointed Commissioners to the Assem-
bly. The report to the Assembly showed six ministers, one
licentiate and fourteen churches. An adjourned
meeting was held at Greenville commencing June 13, 1839.
The church of West Liberty was received. Cyrus C.
Riggs, licentiate, was received from the Presbytery of Alle-
gheny. Wm. J. Fraser was put upon trial for slandering
some of his ministerial brethren and for certain questiona-
ble pecuniary transactions. On the last of these he was
convicted and deposed from the ministry. Mr. Fraser
appealed to the Synod from this sentence. The
fall meeting of this Presbytery was held at Hillsboro, com-
mencing Oct. 12, 1839, Mud Creek church, in St. Clair
county, was received. John Mathews was dismissed to the
Presbytery of St. Louis.
17
274 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Mud Creek Church was organized by Rev. Cyrus Riggs,
Sept. 28, 1839, with seven members. There were two Bid-
ders. One of these was Ephraim Hill. This church was
afterwards merged in that of Sparta, and Sparta became
Jordan's Grove, and is now Baldwin.
The Presbytery of Palestine met at Palestine, April 11,
1839. Walnut Grove church was received. The
•division of this Presbytery into n. s. and o. s. was accom-
plished at this meeting. The minority — consisting of Enoch
Kingsbury, John-C Campbell and Joseph Butler, with the
•churches of Danville, new Providence and Shiloh — adhered
to the n. s. The majority consisting of Robert Rutherford,
John McDonald, Isaac Bennet, Stephen Bliss, Isaac Reed
and Samuel Baldridge, M. D., with the other churches of
the Presbytery, adhered to the o. s.
Walnut Grove Church, in Shelby county, was organized
in 1839, by Rev. John McDonald, with Amos P. Balch and
Tobias Rainer, elders. The name was changed to Mc-
Cliiskey by Presbytery Sept. 28, 1843. It was in T. ii, R. 5
E. Robert Rutherford ministered to this church for a time.
It has long been extinct.
Palestine Presbytry, n. s., met with New Providence
church, Aug. 29, 1839. Ministers present: Joseph Butler,
Enoch Kingsbury, John C. Campbell. Eldkrs: John Mc-
CuUoch, New Providence; Truman Gould, Shiloh. Nathan-
iel Kingsbury, of Union Association, N. H., was received.
Enoch Kingsbury was made Stated Clerk.
Nathaniel Kingsbury was dismissed from Palestine Pres-
bytery, June 3, 1842, to the Presbyterian and Congrega-
tional Union of Wisconsin. He was a brother of Enoch
Kingsbury, and about four years older. He was settled at
Mt. Vernon, N. H., before he came West. He was twice
married. He died in 1843. He had several children all of
whom are dead.
OKAW CHURCH. 2/5
Palestine Presbytery, o. s., met at Paris, Oct. lo, 1839.
Present, Ministers: Isaac Reed, Isaac Bennet, Robert Ruth-
erford, John McDonald. Elders : John Bovell, Paris ; Find-
ley PauU, Palestine; James Walker, Okaw; Tobias Rainer,
Walnut Grove ; James Black, Bethel, or Oakland ; Thomas
Buchanan, Pisgah. The churches of Okaw, Newton, and
Mt. Carmel were received.
Okaw, in Coles county, was organized first in 1839 by a
Committee of Palestine Presbytery, with eleven members,
and one elder, James Walker. This organization was in ex-
istence until 1846, when it was dissolved by Presbytery.
Another, by the same name, was made at Fillmore, June 17,
1854 — Fillmore was half way between Hermitage and Bour-
bon Point — by Revs. H. I. Venable and R. A. Mitchell and
Elder Israel J. Monfort, with these members, viz. : Richard
W. Hawkins, Jane Hawkins, Mary Logan, Amanda Moore,
William H. Randolph, Dorcas Rice, Mary Kingry, Robert
McCaig, Noble J. Braun and Elizabeth Welch. Elders :
William H. Randolph and Richard W. Hawkins. Elders
since appointed : James Walker, John A. Magner, David
H. Campbell, William M. Richey, B. H. Burton, John T.
Reed, R. P. Burlingame, Ripley A. Clisby, Thomas Rankin.
Ministers : Henry I. Venable ; J. W. Allison, who was in-
stalled; R. M. Roberts, 1 869-1 873; W. H. Jeffries; John
Locke Martin, student; J. W. Cecil. This church has held
its meetings at different places, as Flat Branch — a stream
-west of Humboldt, which runs west into the Kaskaskia —
Bourbon Point. Fillmore and Areola. At the last place they
met, June 18, 1858, received eleven members and held com-
munion. Rev. John A. Steele was present with Mr. Vena-
ble. This church was first called Arcola in the records,
January 9, 1859. Under Mr. Roberts' ministry, in the win-
ter of 1 87 1-2, there was an interesting revival — more than
forty persons being added. The church never had but one
house of worship, the present building, erected in 1862, cost-
ing about twelve hundred dollars. Elder David H. Camp-
bell donated the site. Previously the congregation had wor-
shipped in school houses in different neighborhoods — as
Fillmore, Bourbon, Flat Branch (in the Methodist house
there), and at Arcola in vacant warehouses after the con-
struction of the Illinois Central Railroad in 1855.
276 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Newton Church, Jasper county, was organized in 1839
by a Committee of Palestine Presbytery, with six members,
Benjamin Harris, elder. This organization went down. An-
other was made, by the same name, September 18, 1852,
with these members: Mrs. Elizabeth P. Harris, Mrs. H. V.
Harris, A. S. Harris, Joseph Wilson, Mrs. Ann Wilson,,
Robert Delzell, Mrs. Dorcas Delzell, Mrs. Martha Max-
well, Mrs. Elizabeth Maxwell This organization was made
by Revs. Robert Simpson and W. P. Thompson. It had
no elder until June 5, 1853, when A. S. Harris was chosen.
Other ELDERS : Hiram Wade, Adrian F. Aten, James R,
Jackson, Calvin "G. Chariot, Samuel Cowman, Henry Van-
derhoof, Francis M. Ross. Ministers : Robert
Simpson. H. I. Venable, Thomas M. Chesnut, Ogden Hen-
derson, James Brownlee, George W. NicoUs, the present sup-
ply pastor. This church has never had an installed pastor.
There have been several considerable periods in which they
were vacant. Before the erection of the church edifice
meetings were held at the court-house, or at the Methodist
church. The dedication of their house took place July 19,^
1868. Its cost was about three thousand dollars. It is a
plain frame building, with cupola and bell. There is an in-
teresting Sabbath school under the management of D. E,
Robuck.
The Church of Mt. Carmel, Wabash county, was or-
ganized. May 5, 1839, by Revs. Stephen Bliss and Isaac
Bennet, Committee of Palestine Presbytery, with these mem-
bers, viz. : William Eldridge, Paulina Eldridge, Anna E.
Page, Elizabeth Bell, Elizabeth P. McDowell, Rachel R.
Cook, Elijah Harris, Elizabeth Harris, William H. Miller,
James D. Knapp, Sarah Knapp, Martha Harris, William
Mudge, Mary R. Mudge, Alvin S. Sturgis, Anganet Sturgis,.
Margaret Mahon, William H. Swain, Abigail Swain, Rebecca
Galloway. Robert H. Lilly was installed pastor, June 1 3, 1 840,
A church building of brick was erected in 1838-9, the finest
church in town, and at that time in the Presbytery. This house
was totally destroyed by a tornado, June 4, 1877, by which
much other injury was done to property in the place, and
seventeen lives lost. Ministers: Blackburn
Leffler in 1847, and P. W. Thomson from 1848 to 1852;
John L. Hawkins, 1852-56; next and until 1859, Charles
PRESBYTERY OF SANGAMON. 2/7
Spinning; J. C. Thompson, 1860-63; William S. Heindel,
1875 ; Thomas C. Winn, now a missionary in Japan, while a
student of Union Theological Seminary spent vacation here
in 1876. Elders: William Eldridge, Elijah Harris, James
TMcDowell, Isaac Ogden and Charles Roedel — all dead ex-
cept the last. This congregation will build a new church ed-
ifice soon.
The Presbytery of Sangamon, o. s., met at Springfield,
April 5, 1839. William G. Gallaher, a member of " the late"
Presbytery of Illinois was received without a letter. Four
churches, to-wit: Union, Jacksonville, Providence and Pis-
gah, attached by Synod of Illinois, o. s., to this Presbytery,
were represented by elders. Andrew Todd was received
from the Presbytery of Ebenezer. J. G. Bergen, minister,
and I. R. Kincaid, elder, were appointed to the next Assem-
bly. The report to the Assembly showed seven ministers
and eight churches. The fall meeting was held
at Jacksonville, commencing Sept. 13, 1S39, and an adjourn-
ed meeting at the same place, Oct. 5, 1839. The
Pisgah Session, church and minister, Rev. Wm. G. Gallaher,
announced that they had reversed their former action seeking
connection with Sangamon Presbytery and should remain
with that of Illinois. Mr. Todd reported that he had formed
a church at Winchester consisting of about ten members.
The Presbytery of Illinois had received the church of Win-
chester under their care the preceding April. Here is an
illustration of the ecclesiastical partisanship of the time.
Andrew Todd was born Jan. 13, 1800, at Paris, Bourbon
county, Ky. He was a son of Andrew Todd, an eminent
physican, whose death occurred in May, 18 16. This Dr.
Todd was a surgeon in our revolutionary war, a gentleman
of high attainments in hi§ profession, of ardent patriotism
and deep piety. Rev. Andrew Todd's grandfather was Rev.
John Todd, of Louisa county, Va., a Presbyterian minister of
high character and attainments. His mother was a woman
of uncommon piety and excellence. Mr. Todd's collegiate
education was at Washington and Jefferson Colleges, Wash-
ington county. Pa. He graduated in 18 17. He united with
the Presbyterian Church at the age of eighteen. After
2/8 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
graduating, he spent one year in the study of medicine. He
entered Princeton Seminary in i8i8, and passed through tlie
entire course. He was hcensed by the New Brunswick Pres-
bytery, April 26, 1 82 1. Dismissed to the Presbytery of
Ebenezer, Jan. 30, 1822. Ordained by that Presbytery,
July 25, 1823, sine titido. He married Miss Catharine Wil-
son, Aug. 26, 1826, at Washington, Pa. He was installed
( I ) pastor of Cherry Spring and Hopewell churches, Ky.,
first Wednesday in Feb. 1824. Dismissed April 8, 1826.
(2) Flemingsburg, first Friday of May, 1826. Released
Oct. 4, 1838. (3 ) Jacksonville, 111., in the autumn of 1838 —
released by death; Sept. 2, 1850. His decease took place
at Casa Bianca, Florida, of bronchial consumption. His
ministry was marked by revivals — his manner very tender
and earnest — his preaching remarkably adapted to convince
the judgment and enlist the affections of his hearers. About
five hours before his death he wrote on a slate, " Most done
mourning." In reply to the question, " Are you at peace ?"
he replied, "As much so as is possible." The Prcsbytci'ian
Herald ?,2\^ of him, Oct. 1850. " We have known him from
our earliest recollection, and can truly say that we have
never known a more unblemished character than his. His
distinguishing characteristics were strong common sense,
ardent and devoted piety, and universal good-will to all his
fellow men." He left two children, one of whom
is Mrs. Belle T. Waugh, wife of Rev. Joseph Waugh, Ph. D.,
of Washington, Pa. His active ministry at Jacksonville, 111.,
continued eleven years, during which one hundred and
eighty-two were added to his church.
Central Presbyterian Church, Jacksonville, 111. The
history of this church is identical with that of the First
Presbyterian church, Jacksonville, down to September 28,
1838, which has already been given. From that time for-
ward its history will be told mostly in the words of its pres-
ent pastor, Rev. W. W. Harsha, D. D., taken from his sermon
preached at the dedication of their present church edifice.
The Jacksonville Presbyterian church was rent in twain by
this division — that of 1837-8. There were three elders in
the church at the time — William C. Posey, David B. Ayres
and Daniel C. Pierson. Mr. Posey and a minority of the
church, sympathizing with the Old School Assembly, ad-
CENTRAL CHURCH. 2/9
hered to that body and carried their cause before the Synod
of Illinois, which met in Peoria in September, 1838. The
Synod, Old School, took this action : " Peoria, September
28, 1838. On motion resolved (in accordance with the act
No. I and its sections, of the late Assembly), that the mi-
nority of the session and church of Jacksonville be, and
they are hereby declared to be the session and church of
Jacksonville.
A true copy of the record of the Synod of Illinois.
J. G. Bergen, Stated Clerk."
The majority of the church, with its elders, was of course
recognized by the courts adhering to the New School As-
sembly, and thus there were here in existence two churches,
each tracing its origin to the original act of organization, and
having a common history from 1827 to 1838. The records
and property were surrendered without litigation to the party
which adhered to the New School Assem.bly.
This church retained the old name — " The Presbyterian
church of Jacksonville," until the j^ear 1870, when upon
the re-union of the two Assemblies, it took the name of
" The Central Presbyterian church " — the other church hav-
ing adopted some years ago the name of "The First Pres-
byterian." This church was found, after the di-
vision, to embrace forty-two members. It secured the servi-
ces of Rev. Andrew Todd, of Flemingsburg, Ky., who en-
tered upon his labors with them in the autumn of 1838.
They worshiped first for a few months in a frame building
which stood on the north end of the lot on which the Park
House now stands, the use of which was given by Governor
Duncan without charge. Afterward the Congregational
church edifice was secured at a nominal rent. This building
now forms the rear portion of the edifice on the east side of
the city square, used by Messrs. Johnson & Son as a furni-
ture store. In the mean time preparations were
made for the erection of a sanctuary for themselves, and in
the year 1840, about two years after the division of the
church, the frame building on West State street was comple-
ted— the lot having been donated by Col. John J. Hardin.
In this sanctuary the congregation worshiped for nearly
thirty years, leaving it only a few months before entering the
lecture room of the present building, in 1871.
Since the division, in 1838, this church has had four settled
pastors. Andrew Todd labored with great zeal, earnestness
280 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
and self-denial from November, 1838, until failing health
compelled him, in the autumn of 1849, to seek a warmer cli-
mate. But he continued to fail, until on the 2d day of Sep-
tember, 1850, in the fifty-first year of his age, he fell asleep
in Jesus, at Casa Bianca, near Monticello, Fla.
Mrs. Todd, his widow, yet lives, spending her last days
with her daughter, the wife of Rev. Joseph Waugh, at Wash-
ington, Pa.
After the death of this gifted man, J. V. Dodge was called
to the pastorate. Mr. Dodge continued his labors four years
and a half, from the autumn of 1850 until the spring of 1855,
when the pastoral relation was dissolved.
After the resignation of Mr. Dodge, John H. Brown, D.
D., acted as stated supply for one year. From Sept., 1856,
until the following spring, the pulpit was supplied chiefly b}'
Dr. Bergen of Springfield. In 1857, R. W. Allen, took
charge of the church as supply pastor. Having received a
call to the pastorate, Mr. Allen was installed Dec. 5th, 1858,
and continued until May, 1867. Mr. Allen's pastorate
embraced the period covered by the late civil war — a period
most distracting, and highly unfavorable to church growth.
After Mr. Allen's resignation the church was without a pas-
tor for two years, with the exception of six months, when
they enjoyed the labors of R. J. L. Matthews, formerly of
Vandalia, 111. In 1869, W. W. Harsha was called
from the South Presbyterian church, Chicago. His labors
among you are still continued — 1879 — There were received
during Mr. Todd's active ministry of eleven years, one hun-
dred and eighty-two members. During Mr. Dodge's labors,
extending through four and one-half years, ninety-two were
received. In the one year, in which Dr. Brown acted as sup-
ply pastor, forty-two were received. During Mr. Allen's
pastorate of ten years, including the unpropitious era of the
war, one hundred and twenty-three were admitted. During
the ministry of Mr. Matthews, eleven were added. During
the last five years, two hundred and thirty-eight have been
received — one hundred and fifty-two of these upon profession
their of faith. To sum up these results : In the
thirty-eight years that this church has maintained its separ-
ate existence, six hundred and eighty-eight persons have
connected themselves with it. Of these three hundred and
forty-two have been brought to Christ through its instru-
mentality.
ALTON PRESBYTERY. 28 1
Since the division, the following elders have been chosen :
John M. Hill, Nov. 17th, 1838; Robert Brown and James
M. Duncan, Feb. 12th, 1842; Stephen M. McClain, March
nth, 1843 ; Thomas White, April 26th, 1846, died July 6th,
i860; Dr. O. M. Long, Aug. 27th, 1847. Dr. Long still
lives and represents our government abroad, though now a
member of another communion. Robert Officer acted with
the session for a few months in 1853, ^^^ then removed from.
the city. Thomas Officer, Dr. N. English, Stephen Sutton,
Wm. Stover, J. V. D. Stout, Nov. 8th, 1854. Dr. Gad-
■dis, Valentine S. McCormack and John A. Russell, May
nth, 1862. Dr. Gaddis went to his reward Dec. 1st, 1863.
Mr. McCormack was dismissed to the Westminster church
of this city, and last year was called from earth by a sud-
den and terrible accident upon the railroad in the vicinity,
and Mr. Russell has been laid aside by sickness. Elliott
Stevenson, Thomas G. Taylor and Joseph N. Taylor, Aug.
8th, 1869. The present acting eldership consists of Messrs.
Sutton, Stout, Stevenson, Thomas G. and Joseph N. Taylor.
A successful Sabbath school has been maintained in con-
nection with this church from the first. The present beauti-
ful church edifice was dedicated April 19, 1874. It cost
with the lot, ^33,000.
Alton Presbytery met with Bethel church, Bond county,
April 3, 1839. Greenville church was received. F. W.
Graves was dismissed from his pastoral relation to the Alton
church, and from this Presbytery to the Third Presbytery of
New York. Joshua T. Tucker, minister, and Owen Love-
joy, licentiate, were dismissed with general letters. The
name of South Green church was changed to Jerseyville.
F. W. Graves, minister, and John Coggswell, elder, were ap-
pointed Commissioners to the Assembly. Joseph Fowler
was ordained April 4, 1839. An adjourned meet-
ing was held at Alton, May 9, 1839, at which A. T. Norton
was received from the Presbytery of St. Louis and installed
pastor of the Alton church. Theron Baldwin preached the
sermon The fall meeting was held at Jerseyville
September 12.
Greenville Church, Bond county, n. s., was organized by
Revs. Thomas Lippincott and T. C. Lansing, D. D., Novem-
252 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS;
ber 24 and 25, 1838, with these members, viz.: John Green-
wood, John Coggswell, John G. Lovett, WiUiam Nelson^
Chauncy L. Eldridge, Henry Briggs, Warren Chapman,
Elizabeth Briggs, Lucy Wait, Roxaland Lovett, Lusalla
Chapman, Clarissa Eldridge, Elizabeth Wait, Ruth Ann
Berry, Polly A. White, Elizabeth Blanchard. Elders : Wil-
liam Nelson, Warren Chapman. Afterwards — A. L. Saund-
ers and Seth Fuller. The reasons for establishing this church
are these: March 10, 1819, as related elsewhere in this vol-
ume, a church was formed in Bond county called "Shoal
Creek church," embracing all the Presbyterians in the county.
The center of this^congregation was in what was called the
" Ohio Settlement," about six miles north of Greenville. In
1825 Shoal Creek was divided into three. Bethel, Shoal Creek
and Greenville churches. In 1832 Shoal Creek and Green-
ville were united under the name of Greenville. Up to this
time Greenville was without a house of worship. Now they
built about two miles north of Greenville village, on the left-
hand side of the Hillsboro road. This church enjoyed the
labors of Messrs. Hardy, Ewing, W. K. Stewart and James
Stafford up to April, 1838, when Mr. Stafford removed to
McDonough county. This left that church without a minis-
ter from 1838 to 1840. Their house was two miles away,
with no prospect of building in the village. At this time,
1838, Dr. T. C. Lansing removed to Greenville, expecting to
make the place his home. Dr. Lansing was strongly New
School. Others in Greenville and the neighborhood sym-
pathized with him. By organizing a n. s. church it was
thought Dr. Lansing's services could be secured as minister,
and the spiritual necessities of the rising county seat be
much better cared for than by the then vacant church whose
house was two miles away. Hence the new organization
was made. They commenced a house of worship in 1839
and dedicated it January i, 1843. ^^ 1846 this church be-
came Congregational in its internal government, though still
retaining its exterior Presbyterian connections. In 1870
those of the members who preferred the complete Presbyte-
rian polity united with the Old School, which had many
years before erected a house of worship in Greenville. The
remainder took the entire Congregational order, and have
still a bare existence.
JOSEPH FOWLER. 283
Joseph Fowler was born in Blanford, Mass., August 9,
1809. He removed with his parents when he was eight years
old to Central Ohio, where he remained until he was nine-
teen. He then returned to Massachusetts and prepared for
college at the Academy in Westfield. He graduated at
Yale College in 1834, and at Lane in 1837. He then spent
one year traveling and preaching in Missouri. He then went
to Jerseyville, 111. He was ordained by Alton Presbytery,
April 4, 1839, sine titnlo. He left Jerseyville in the summer
of 1840, and spent a year in teaching — preaching also most
of the time. He then removed to Northern Ohio, where he
took charge of the church in York, Medina county, about
May I, 1842. At that time " Oberlinism " was running wild
through the churches in that region, causing distractions
and divisions. He could not bear to labor amidst dissen-
tions, and felt confident he could do more good in another
field. He returned to Illinois, taking charge of the church
in Lacon, in October, 1845. Here he remained eight years.
In August, 1853, he removed to Astoria, Fulton county, tak-
ing charge of the small church there, but giving part of his
labors to destitute places in the vicinity. This was within
the bounds of Schuyler Presbytery. After leaving Astoria
he spent a year with the church in Rushville, commencing
there about September, 1855. He removed to Magnolia,
Putnam county, November 15, 1856. This was his last
charge, for before one year was ended he received his release
from earthly labor. He died, September 6, 1857. His was
a life of earnest, efficient, self-denying labor. He married
Eliza Ann Brown, daughter of Rev. Amos P. Brown, at Jer-
seyville, 111., March 23, 1841. Their children were Ellen Phi-
lena, born July 17, 1842; Calvin Amos, born December 2,
1844, died aged one year; Frances Josepha, born September
22, 1846; Theodore William, born November 14, 1848, and
Cornelia Leonard, born September 29, 185 1.
The Synod of Illinois, n. s., met at Jacksonville, Sept.
19, 1839. Members were present from six Presbyteries.
Rev. Dr. Lyman Beecher was a corresponding member and
preached the opening sermon.
The Synod of Illinois, o. s., met at Springfield Oct. 17,
1839. Members were present from five Presbyteries. In
284 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
the case of the appeal of Wm. J. Fraser from the action of
Kaskaskia Presbytery, in suspending him from the ministry,
the decision of the Presbytery was affirmed by a vote of six-
teen to five. Mr. Fraser gave notice of an appeal to the
Assembly. Three ministers belonging to the Presbyterian
Church, n. s., were present. In the record of their invitation
to sit as corresponding members they are called " ministers
of the Church of Jesus Christ." To this language the Assem-
bly took this exception : " The bodies to which these minis-
ters respectively belong, not being mentioned." A resolu-
tion on the subject of slavery having been indefinitely post-
poned, seven members protested against the decision, to-wit :
John McDonald, Thomas Gait, Robert Rutherford, Robert
B. Dobbins, James L. Lamb, Adriel Stout and John W. Little.
YEAR 1840.
The Presbytery of Illinois, n. s., met at Winchester,
Scott county, April 10, 1840. Robert Kirkwood, from the
Classis of Cayuga, and Luke Lyons, from the Presbytery of
Kalamazoo, were received. Andrew L. Pennoyer,
minister, and Wm. A. Robertson, elder, were appointed Com-
missioners to the Assembly. The name of Apple Creek
church was changed to Whitehall. The fall
meeting was held at Whitehall, Green county, Oct. 2, 1840.
Charles E. Blood, licentiate, was dismissed from this to Al-
ton Presbytery. Charles B. Barton and Joseph
H. Buffington were licensed to preach, Oct. 5.
Robert Kirkwood was born in Paisley, Scotland, May
25, 1793. He was converted in his twenty-fifth year. Shortly
after he entered college. In 1824 he commenced the study
of theology under Dr. Dick, in the University of Glasgow.
He was licensed in 1828. Came to the United States the
same year. Supplied the pulpit of an absent minister in the
city of New York the first winter. He united with the
classis of the Reformed Dutch Church. His first settlement
was at Cortland, N. Y., where his labors were blessed to the
ingathering of an hundred souls. His next settlement was
at Auburn, N. Y., in 1836. In 1839 he removed West, as a
Home Missionary, and united with the Presbytery of Illinois,
LUKE LYONS. 285
April 10, 1840. Having relatives in Plum Creek neighbor-
hood, Randolph county, Mr. Kirkwood commenced preach-
ing there in December, 1843. O" the 26th of Feb., 1844, he
and Rev. Wm. Chamberlain organized the Plum Creek
church, of which he was installed pastor by a committee of
Alton Presbytery, June 9, 1844. This relation was dissolved
April 3, 1846. He was dismissed from the Alton Presbytery
to the Fourth Presbytery of New York, Oct. 19, 1847. After
his return East he engaged in Bible and Tract agencies until
185 I, when he removed to Yonkers, Westchester county, N.
Y., and engaged in writing for the press. This he continued
until stricken down by paralysis, one year before his death.
He died Aug. 26, 1866, aged seventy-three years and three
months. His widow and son, Alexander, reside in Yonk-
ers, N. Y.
Luke Lyons was born in Coleraine, Franklin county,
Mass., Oct. 2, 1 79 1. He went from there to Albany, N. Y.,
where he engaged in teaching and in preparing for the minis-
try. He received the degree of A. M. from Williams Col-
lege ; completed his course at Princeton, N. J., in 182 1, and
was licensed by Albany Presbytery, Sept. 20, 1821. Was
ordained, sine titulo, by Albany Presbytery, Oct. 8, 1822.
Supplied Esperance, N. Y., and was installed pastor in Aug.,
1824. Left there Oct. i, 1827, was installed in Cortland-'
ville, N. Y., July 30, 1828, remained there about four years.
Installed in Rochester, N. Y., March 12, 1833: remained
there about six years. Was then a pastor in Michigan two
years. Joined Alton Presbytery, Oct. 12, 1843. Installed
pastor in Jerseyville, 111., Dec. 18, 1843. ^^e died January
II, 1845. His funeral sermon was preached by Rev. A.
T. Norton. He was a faithful, devoted, interesting and suc-
cessful minister. The young were his peculiar care. He
was singularly successful in discovering and developing tal-
ent, in finding hands for all work and work for all hands.
Mr. Lyons married Miss Aurelia Fobes, at Albany, N. Y., in
18^24. They had ten children, seven sons and three daugh-
ters. Of these three only are living — the eldest son, Henry
M., at Chicago, and Mrs. Rev. Geo. R. Moore and Mrs. John
N. Crawford. Mrs. Lyons died in the summer of 1875, at
the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Moore, in Philadelphia.
286 PXESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Whitehall Church, the first, is Apple Creek continued.
Elders: Henry Tunison, John Morrow, in 1842. Richard
Fulkerson in 1844. In 1849 it withdrew from IHinois Pres-
bytery and united with that of Sangamon. It was foolish
enough to become a partner in an Union church edifice ;
but the other partner or partners managed to get and keed
the control pretty much, and our interests did not flourish
under the arrangement. A Dutch Reformed minister com-
ing to the place, our people fell in with him and tried that
isjn a while. This likewise came to naught. The Presby-
terians finally determined to organize afresh, and build a
house to live in, the title deeds to which should be in their
own pockets. The organization was made Sept. ii, 1870,
by Revs. S. H. Hyde and A. T. Norton, D. D. Twenty-
four persons became members. James Cochran, Dr. J. B.
Steere and J. C. Tunison, elders. An excellent brick church
was erected, at a cost of about ^8,000 in 1871. The church
has since moved forward with good courage, efficiency and
success.
Kaskaskia Presbytery met with Elkhorn church, April
10, 1840. The name of West-Liberty church was changed
to Brooklyn. Cyrus C. Riggs was ordained, sine titiilo, April,
13. Benj. F. Spilman, minister, and W. A. G. Posey, elder,
were appointed Commissioners to the Assembly. The church
of Pisgah was received. The Presbytery reported to the
Assembly seven ministers, sixteen churches and one licenti-
ate. This Presbytery held z. pro re nata meeting at Carmi,
Aug. 28, 1840. Benj. B. Brown was received from the Pres-
bytery of Troy.
The sentence of deposition, passed by this Presbytery
and confirmed by the Synod, upon Wm. J. Eraser, having
been reversed by the last Assembly, a general letter of dis-
mission was granted him. Andrew M. Hershey, licentiate,
was received from the Presbytery of Washington and
ordained. The fall meeting was held at Hills-
boro, Oct. 9. James Stafford was received from the Pres-
bytery of Schuyler. The Carlinville church, o. s., was
received. The name of the "Kaskaskia" church was
changed to that of the " First Presbyterian Church of Ches-
ter."
Cyrus C. Riggs, D. D., third son of the Rev. Cyrus Riggs,
CYRUS C. RIGGS. 28/
sketched on a preceding page, was born April 13, 18 10, in
Mercer county, Pa. He removed with his father to Scrub-
grass, Venango county. Pa., in 181 3, and spent his early
youth laboring upon a farm. In his seventeenth year he
was visited with a violent sickness which brought him
near the grave, and left him with a constitution perma-
nenly impaired. On recovering sufficiently he entered upon
preparatory studies with his father. He graduated at Jeffer-
erson. College in 1836. He took his theological course in
Allegheny Seminary, Pa., and was licensed April 4, 1839, by
the Presbytery of Allegheny. Receiving a commission
from the Board of Home Missions, he came immediately to
his father's house in Elkhorn, 111. Making that
his headquarters, he spent the summer itinerating among the
vacant churches in that region. The next winter he spent
with the old Kaskaskia church in the village of Chester.
At that time — winter of 1839-40 — Chester had no church of
any denomination. The magistrate of the village, a liberal-
minded, public-spirited citizen, in belief, a Universalist,
opened his office, furnished it with seats and acted as sexton
the whole winter, all without charge. April 13, 1840, Mr.
Riggs was ordained, sine titulo, by the Presbytery of Kaskas-
kia. He soon gathered thirteen members of the Kaskaskia
church, then called the First Church of Chester, and held with
them regular services in that village one-half the time. The
other half he preached in Liberty and at Shiloh school-
house. May 13, 1840, he married Mary C. Todd, only
daughter of Rev. Nathaniel and Elizabeth Todd, of Alle-
gheny City, Pa. She was in every way a help-
meet for him. In 1841 an interesting revival was experi-
enced which added numbers, life and vigor to the Chester
church. Soon after he organized the church at Liberty, now
Rockwood, and in 1843 that of Sparta. In 1845 he led the
Chester people in the work of building a sanctuary. Need-
ing change of climate, he visited Western Pennsylvania, and
was soon called to the pastorate of the churches of Annapo-
lis and Richmond, Stubenville Presbytery, Ohio, and installed
over them in the spring of 1846. He continued there to the
fall of 1849, when having organized a church in East Spring-
field, he gave up Annapolis and devoted himself to the two
others. He was appointed also President of Richmond
College. But finding the charge of the churches and the Col-
lege duties too much for his strength, he gave up the field in
288 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
the fall of 1 85 1, and became pastor of the church of Sewick-
ly, Redstone Presbytery, Pa. He occupied this field for
nine years. His next charge was Sharon and Clarksville,
Mercer county, Pa. Severe labor in a great revival brought
on great prostration, leaving him unequal to a pastoral
charge. In 1868 he removed to Beaver, Pa., and took
charge of a Female Seminary. Dr. Riggs had
four children, one son and three daughters. The eldest,,
Elizabeth B., is married to Dr. L. R. Webster, and resides in
Grass Valley, Nevada county, Cal. The second, Elliott
Swift, is unmarried and a physican in Allegheny City, Pa.
The third, Mary -Content, is married to Thomas P. Dickson,,
and resides near Clarksville, Mercer county, Pa. The young-
est, Achsah Jane, is unmarried and resides with her parents
at Beaver Falls, Pa.
PisGAH Church, Gallatin county, was organized by B. F.
Spilman, March 17, 1840, with nine members and two elders,
one of whom was John Douglas. It has long been extinct.
Andrew M. Hershey came from the Presbytery of Wash-
ington, Ky., to that of Kaskaskia, as a licentiate, July 29,
1840, and was ordained the same day, sme titulo. He was
supply pastor of Carmi church in 1840, and so continued for
about two years. He was a man of polished manners, a
good preacher, and sustained a good character for scholar-
ship and ministerial deportment. He wrote and read his-
sermons. While in Carmi he spent a portion of his time in
teaching. In 1862 he was supply pastor of Greenwood
church, a member of Potomac Presbytery, and his postoffice
address Brentsville, Va. Subsequently his name stands as
a member of the same Presbytery, but W. C, until 1866,.
when it appears for the last time. Whether he went with
the Southern church, or went up higher, I know not.
Carlinville Church, o. s., was organized, December 8,.
1839, by Rev. T. A. Spilman, with these members, viz. :
George Harlan, Margaret Harlan, David Nevius, Jane Nev-
ius, Rainey L. Berry, Mary Jane Berry, Sarah S. Barrick,.
Mary M. Fishback, Mary P. Parks, Elizabeth Brown, Julia
Winchester, Lucy Stevenson. George Harlan, elder.
CARLINVILLE CHURCH, O. S. 289
Ministers : Thomas A. Spilman, A. C. Allen, P. D, Young,
Peter Hassinger, and several others who give the church oc-
casional supply. August 10, 1844, twelve members of this
Carlinville church were organized by Rev. A. C. Allen into
a distinct body, called the Presbyterian church of Dry
Point, and the Carlinville church, o. s., ceased to exist under
that name. The elders of this new organization were George
Harlan, Elijah Harlan and Henry Fishback. Elders subse-
quently appointed were William Robinson, W. H. Edwards,
George W. Quigley and Dr. James F. Spilman. The latter
was appointed February i6, 1868. This church was subse-
quently called Bayless, and is still known by that name, but
is nearly extinct. The last elder, Elijah Harlan, Esq., died
at Bunker Hill, January 6, 1879. It has still a small frame
house of worship at Baylesstown, on the railroad near Dor-
chester, Macoupin county. Several of its families have united
with the Plainview church. Two or three members reside in
Bunker Hill.
The Presbytery of Palestine, n. s., met at Danville,
April 3, 1840. Ministers present: Nathaniel Kingsbury,
Enoch Kingsbury, John C. Campbell. Elders : Dr. A. R.
Palmer, Danville; John McCullock, New Providence; Joseph
Allison, Pleasant Prairie. N. Kingsbury, minister, and A. R.
Palmer, elder, were appointed Commissioners to the Assem-
bly. The fall meeting was appointed with the Pleasant Prai-
rie church, September 4, 1840, but failed from waV* of a
quorum.
Palestine Presbytery, o. s., met at Palestine, May 8, 1840.
Henry I. Venable, from the Presbytery of Transylvania ; R.
H. Lilly, from the Presbytery of Muhlenberg, and Erastus
W. Thayer, licentiate, from the Presbytery of Sangamon,
were received. Mr. Thayer was ordained, May 9, 1840, sine
titido. A called meeting, held at Paris, July i,
1840, dismissed Samuel Baldridge, M. D., to the Presbytery
of Sidney. The fall meeting was held at Dar-
win, commencing September 17. The new church of York
was received. Isaac Bennet resigned as Stated Clerk, and
R. H. Lilly was appointed to take his place.
18
290 PRESBYTERI'ANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Henry Isaac Venable was born in Shelby county, Ky., June
28, 1811, and died in Paris, 111., May 22, 1878. He united
with the Presbyterian church in Danville, Ky., at the age of
seventeen, while pursuing his studies in Center College, where
he graduated July 2, 1830. He pursued the first part of his
theological studies in Princeton Seminary, N. J., but com-
pleted his course in the Union Theological Seminary of Vir-
ginia. He received his Master's degree from Hampden Sid-
ney College, September, 1833, was licensed by the Presby-
tery of West Hanover, April 19, 1834. After several months
Mr. V. was commissioned as a missionary to South Africa
by the AmericanHBoard of Missions. October 10, 1834, he
was ordained to the ministry by the Presbytery of Transylva-
nia in session at Danville, Ky. October 21, 1834, he was
joined in marriage with Miss Martha A. Martin. Mrs. V.
and four of her sisters became the wives of Presbyterian min-
isters, and her only three brothers are now active and most
useful ministers— Rev. W. A. P. Martin, D. D., LL.D., of the
Imperial University of Pekin, China; Rev. C. B. H. Martin,
D. D., of Evansville, Ind., and Rev. S. N. D. Martin, Kan-
sas. In November, 1834, Mr. V. and wife, with
ten other missionaries sent out by the same Board, sailed for
Africa. Of these twelve, three only survive — Rev. Alden
Grant, Rev, Daniel Lindley, and Mrs. M. A. Venable. For
more than four years Mr. and Mrs. V. labored among the
heathen tribes of Africa. But the work was twice arrested
by the native wars, and with impaired health they were
oblig-^j^^ to suspend their labors and return to America,
cherishing a fond hope that they might be permitted to
to resume their chosen work. A hope, in their case, never
to be realized. Soon after his return to the United States,
Mr. V. became minister of the Presbyterian church of Paris,
111. This charge he served until 1841, when he resigned it,
and soon after laid the foundation of Edgar Academy, which
he conducted with great energy and success for about nine
years. During this period about eight hundred pupils of
both sexes received their education, in whole or in part,
under his training. About 1850, with a view to a wider
range of usefulness, Mr. V. made a tender of his school to
the Presbytery of Palestine, retaining the position of Princi-
pal. While engaged in energetic efforts to carry out these
enlarged plans, he was thrown from his buggy and received
an injury which arrested his labors in this sphere and well-
HENRY I. VENABLE. 29 1
nigh ended his hfe. Those who knew him in his prime
freely assert that he did more than any ten men of his day
to give a generous impulse to the cause of education in
Eastern Illinois. And it may safely be said that but for
this distressing casualty, Mr. V. would have occupied a rank
among the foremost educators in the West. His recovery
was slow. But as soon as able he was again in the harness,
as an untiring worker for the Master. He supplied the fee-
ble «,nd destitute churches, and performed missionary labor,
for which he possessed rare talent ; hunting up scattered
members of the flock, and gathering them into the fold.
During this period of twenty-five years the churches of New-
port, Eugene and Carpenterville, Ind., enjoyed his labors.
He supplied the church of Charleston, Coles county, three
years ; was pastor of the church of Oakland, 111., nine years ;
and the churches of Newton, York, Pleasant Prairie and
Wakefield enjoyed his ministrations for shorter periods of
time. His last labors were in a mission Sabbath school and
preaching station, in a destitute ward of Paris, 111., and
occasional supplies of the pulpits of his brethren. For about
a month before his death he had suffered greatly from an
attack of acute rheumatism, but was better. On the 2ist,
he was up most of the day, conversed with his friends, and
wrote letters. About 8 p. m. the messenger came. He was
stricken with paralysis, and suddenly was oblivious to all
around, and before the dawn on the 22d his soul had entered
into the everlasting rest. Rev. R. D. Van Deursen, the pas-
tor, assisted by Rev. Messrs. R. A. Mitchell, of Kansas, 111.,
S. J. Bovell, of Ashmore, and J. Crozier, of Athens, the last
two former pupils of Mr. V., conducted the funeral services ;
while six of his old students bore the remains of their
revered preceptor and friend to their final resting place.
Robert Hervey Lilly was born in Kentucky, studied
theology at Princeton, was stated supply at Franklin, Tenn.,
was pastor of the churches of Bethany and Livingston, and
supply pastor of Princeton, Ky., pastor at Mt. Carmel, 111.,
in 1840, supply pastor of Palestine, Crawford county, 1845,
and missionary in different places in the state 1849-64. He
died at Champaign, III., Jan. 14, 1874, aged sixty-nine, be-
ing a member of Bloomington Presbytery.
292 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Erastus W. Thayer was born in Massachusetts, gradua-
ted at Amherst College ; studied two years at Andover ; was
ordained by Palestine Presbytery May 9, 1840; stated sup-
ply and supply pastor at Palestine, Crawford county, eight
years; W. C. at Paris 1851-53, Springfield, 111., 1853-55, and
Decatur, 111., 1857-60; supply pastor Chatham, 111., 1862; W.
C. Springfield, III, 1879.
The Church of York was organized June 27 and 28, 1840,.
by Rev. E. W. Tli^yer and Elder Willis Fellows, at the school
house in ^own, with these members, viz. : Martin Sparks, Mrs-
Ann Sparks, Misses Harriet Ann and Mary Jane Sparks,
Matthew Hughes, Mrs. Elizabeth Hughes, Miss Julia Rich-
ardson, Mrs. Harriet Ketchum, Miss Mana Ketchum, Wm.
H. Nelson, Mrs. Lydia Nelson, Mrs. Elizabeth Fitch, Miss.
Hannah M. Fitch, Mrs. Sophia M. Graves, Mrs. Esther P.
Williamson, Lucy Ann Wood and Miss Nancy Richardson.
Of these, one member — Mrs. Harriet Ketchum — continues
to-day on the ground. Rev. Erastus W. Thayer
says: "I commenced labor in York in 1837, and preached
two years without being invited to any house, paying a bill
at the tavern every appointment. This I did on account of
one old man, Willis Fellows — he was an elder in Darwin
church — who desired it with many tears. No other minister
of any denomination ever officiated in the town until the
interest began to appear, when a proselyting and ignorant
Baptist preacher came and drew away seventeen of the con-
verts. Mr. Fellows presided at the organization and re-
ceived the first company of converts, being able to hear
their examination perfectly. He had been stone deaf for
many years, but at the last his ears were opened. In a day
or two after the organization he fell dead. But he left suc-
cessors." Rev. John Crozier, of Palestine, supplied the
church in 1854 one Sabbath in the month. Rev. John A.
Steele preached here in 1855; Rev. E. Howell every other
Sabbath from 1857 to 1865 or 1866; Rev. R. C. McKinney,
1867-8; Rev. Thomas Spencer, 1870-73: Rev. Geo. F.
Davis, 1876-78.
Elders: Martin Sparks, 1840; D. O. McCord, M. D.,
Robert Nichol, William Kelley. A house of worship was
erected in 1858, at a cost of ^1,300, besides bell and furni-
ture. Previously services were held in the school-house, the
the town hall, or in the Methodist church.
BELLEVILLE CHURCH. 293
The Presbytery of Sangamon met April 3, 1840, with
Sugar Creek church. Thomas Gait, minister, and James L.
Lamb, elder, were appointed to the Assembly. The fall
meeting was held with North Sangamon church, commenc-
ing September 25, 1840. They reported to the Synod five
ministers and nine churches.
Alton Presbytery met at Upper Alton, April 11, 1840.
Albert Hale was dismissed to the Presbytery of Sangamon.
The church of Belleville was received. A. T. Norton, min-
ister, and W. S. Oilman, elder, were elected Commissioners
to the Assembly. A. T. Norton and Theron Baldwin were
appointed a Committee to procure an Evangelist to labor in
the Presbytery.
The Belleville Church was organized, December 14,
l^39> by Revs, Thomas Lippincott and A. T. Norton, with
these nine members : William E. Chittenden, Thomas H.
Kimber, Alonzo Dewey, Mrs. Sarah Dewey, Miss Sarepta
Elder, Miss Esther C. Dewey, David Miley, Mrs. Phoebe Mi-
ley and Charles T. EUes, Elders : William E. Chittenden,
Thomas H. Kimber. The ministers who have served the
church are these: Thomas Lippincott for about one year
after the organization ; William Chamberlain preached here
for awhile, every alternate Sabbath, then every fourth Sab-
bath. When he was not present the meetings were conducted
by Elder Chittenden. Henry B. Whittaker labored from
August I, 1842, to April, 1843; Wilham E. Chittenden was
ordained as pastor April 21, 1844, and remained until Sep-
tember 13, 1846. His services were of great value. It was
mainly through his efforts that the second house of worship
was built. James R. Dunn for six months in 1845 ; B. Y.
Messenger for six months in 1846-7; Joseph A. Ranney com-
menced as supply pastor November, 1847, was installed May
19, 1848, and dismissed September 3, 1854. During his min-
istry the church had a steady growth. John Gibson was
with this church from April to November, 1855 ; W. W. War-
ner about a year in 1855-6; B. F. Cole, E. Barber and W.
F. P. Noble were here for very short periods ; Andrew Luce
commenced November, 1857, '^^^^ installed October 2, 1859,
and dismissed by Presbytery October 11, 1865. The latter
294 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
part of this period he was absent as Chaplain in the Uniorr.
army; Ovid Miner during 1864, in Mr. Luce's absence. John
H. DilHngham commenced here May 15, 1866, and contin-
ued three years; James Brownlee one year; Gerret Huyser
one year; Henry W. Woods labored here one year and
three months. Elders : Besides the first two —
W. E. Chittenden and T. H. Kimber — Thomas Osborn was-
elected in 1842 ; Henry Batz and David Swyer in 1843.; Wil-
liam Underwood in 1848; Charles T. Elles and Russell
Hinckley, April 7, 1850; Edward W. West, January 2, 1876;
Joseph Small an(^James McQuilkin, April 30, 1879.
The places of worship have been these : (i) The build-
ing erected and owned by Thomas H, Kimber, on the cor-
ner of Jackson and Second North streets, of brick, plain and
small. It is still standing, with alterations and additions,
and is owned by John Hamner. (2) Miss Esther C. Dew-
ey's school-room. (3) The court-house, and not unfrequently
a grove. (4.) A rented room in High street, opposite Mr.
Brooks' school-house. (5) The brick church, dedicated No-
vember 9, 1844, It cost twenty-five hundred and thirtj^-two'
dollars. Large repairs were made upon it at different times,,
amounting in all to five thousand three hundred and forty-
eight dollars. This building was sold to the City Council for
forty-five hundred dollars. The present beautiful brick
edifice was dedicated July 9, 1876. It cost, including lot,
$21, 4.^2. The organ cost in addition eighteen hundred dol-
lars. O. S. Thompson began his labors here as supply pas-
tor, May 2, 1875, and was installed pastor October 21, 1877..
The church has received altogether three hundred and fifty-
nine members — over one hundred of these have been re-
ceived under Mr. Thompson's ministration.
Since 1852 this congregation has been self-supporting. It
has ever maintained a large and remarkable well-conducted'
Sabbath school. In the midst of a population, two-thirds
or more of whom are Germans, and of these a great part
Romanists ; the Sabbath school has been perhaps the most
efficient means of usefulness. It has taken forty
years to get this church fairly on its feet. But now it is a
power for good m Belleville, St. Clair county, and in the
whole of South Illinois,
The Presbytery of Alton met at Alton, Oct. 8, 1840.
MEETINGS OF SYNODS. 295
The Committee, Revs. Norton and Baldwin, reported that
they had employed Rev. William Chamberlin to labor in
this Presbytery as an Evangelist, on a salary of four hun-
dred dollars per annum, for which the Presbytery is respon-
sible, either by collections or by the aid of the A. H. M. S.,
who had commissioned Mr. Chamberlin, guaranteeing his
salary, but with the expectation the amount would, if pos-
sible, be raised in the bounds of the Presbytery. They also
reported that they had raised and paid Mr. C. ninety-six
dollars. The Missionary submitted a report of his labors up
to this time. Charles E. Blood was received as
a licentiate from the Presbytery of Illinois, examined, and a
committee appointed to ordain him.
Charles Emerson Blood was born in Mason, N. H.,
March i, 1810. Graduated at lUinois College 1837, and at
Lane Seminary 1840. Ordained pastor of Collinsville church
Nov. 4, 1840, by Presbytery of Alton, through its committee.
Dismissed from that pastoral charge April 24, 1847. He was
in Collinsville twelve years, the five last engaged in teaching.
Dismissed from Alton to Illinois Presbytery, April 23, 1853.
Preached to Farmington church, eight miles west of Spring-
field, one year. In 1854 he removed to Manhattan, Kas.
He remained there seven years. Returned to Illinois in
1861, and was stationed at Wataga, near Galesburg, having
charge of a Congregational church there and of another
small one in Ontario. He died march 25, 1866, at Wataga, III,
of typhoid pneumonia. His last words were, " Home, home
with Jesus in heaven " ! ! His widow, Mrs. Mary E. Blood,
resides at Galesburg. They had no children.
The Synod of Illinois, n. s., met at Canton, commenc-
ing Oct. 15, 1840. Members were present from eight Pres-
byteries. Nothing was done save the usual routine duties.
The Synod of Illinois, o. s., met at Rushville,
Oct. 15, 1840. Members were present from four Presby-
teries. Rev. W. J. Eraser, after having been deposed by
two Presbyteries, whose decisions had been confirmed by two
Synods, had been restored by the Assembly, o. s., and
appeared in this meeting of Synod as a member of Peoria
Presbytery in good standing. Most of the busi-
296 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
ness of this meeting of Synod related to those portions of
IlUnois outside the limits which this volume is designed to
cover and is therefore not here noticed. This
resolution is general and worth recording, viz : "Whereas
the Synod of Illinois some years since considered it best to
dispense with agents for the benevolent institutions of the
church, the same was reconsidered, and it was resolved, as
the result of our experience that it is not expedient to deprive
our churches of their services, but to invite tJieir aid and
co-operationr
■^ YEAR 1 841.
The Presbytery of Illinois was to have held its spring
meetino- this year at Carlinville, but failed to do so for want of
a quorum. A meeting was therefore called at Whitehall, July
23, 1 84 1. On account of this mid-summer meeting the
usual fall meeting was omitted.
Kaskaskia Presbytery met, April 9, 1841, with the Gilead
church. Alex. Ewing was received from the Presbytery of
Schuyler. Andrew M. Hershey, minister, and W. A. G.
Posey, elder, were chosen Commissioners to the Assembly.
Benj. B. Brown was granted a general letter of dismission.
The report to the Assembly showed eight ministers and
eighteen churches. This Presbytery held its fall
session with Greenville church, commencing Oct. 16, 1841.
The churches of Carlyle, Mt. Vernon and Crab Orchard
were received. James Stafford was installed pastor of Green-
ville church, April 24, 1841.
The Church of Carlyle, Clinton county, was organized
Tune 19, 1 841, by Rev. James Stafford, with these nine mem-
bers : James Rankin, Nicholas Laughrey, Emma Webster,
Thomas McNeal, O. B. Nichols, George Ravens, Elizabeth
J. Rankin, Sarah Mitchell and Jane Affick. Elders : Nicho-
las Laughrey, the first ; since appointed, O. B. Nichols, Adam
Yingst, John Ross, E. B. Lockwood, John O. Yingst, Jacob
Youno", C. F. Putney. Ministers : James Stafford, William
Gardner, J. S. Howell, Francis H. L. Laird, pastor; Ovid
Miner, a Congregationalist, Peter Hassinger, S. D. Loug-
PALESTINE PRESBYTERY. 29/
head, W. W. Williams, F. G. Strange, J. Rogers Armstrong.
The present house of worship is old and small, and is doubt-
less the only one they ever possessed. This church has no
great hold of the community which is largely German and
Romanist.
The Church of Mt. Vernon, o. s., Jefferson county, was or-
ganized by B. F. Spilman, with ten members and two elders,
in 1 84 1. It was dissolved at its own request by the Presby-
tery of Kaskaskia, April lO, 1852, and its members attached
to Gilead.
Crab Orchard Church, so called from the stream of
that name in Williamson and Jackson counties, was organ-
ized, June 19, 1841, by Rev. B. F. Spiiman, with these mem-
bers, viz. : William Richart, James Richart, Joseph Magin-
nis, Jane Richart, Rebecca Maginnis, Elizabeth Ann Rich-
art, Oliver M. Dickinson, Maria Dickinson, William S. Rich-
art, Margaret B. White. Elders : William Richart and
Joseph Maginnis. This church, known at first as " Crab
Orchard " church, was taken under the care of Alton Pres-
bytery in the fall of 1845, ^^^ was thereafter known as
"Eight-Mile Prairie" church. Through deaths and remov-
.als it Ions: since became extinct.
Palestine Presbytery, n. s., held no meeting in 1841.
The Presbytery of Palestine, o. s., met at Charleston,
April 15, 1841. Erastus W. Thayer, minister, and Findley
Paull, elder, were elected Commissioners to the Assembly.
John S. Reasoner was received from the Presbytery of Kas-
kaskia. An adjourned meeting was held at the
meeting house near Herekiah Ashmore's, June 17, 1841.
Shiloh church, Lawrence county, was received. Arrange-
ments were made to organize Hebron church, on June 19,
inst. The fall meeting was held with Pleasant
Prairie church, October 14, 1841.
Shiloh Church, Lawrence county, was organized in 1841,
hy Isaac Bennet, with thirteen members, John Wright and
2gS PRESBYTERIAN ISM IN ILLINOIS.
James Wright, elders. The school-house which this church-
occupied for religious services was one mile south of an old
village site called Charlottesville, which was ten miles north-
west of Lawrenceville, and near Crawford county line. The
membership at the highest was only about fifteen.
After the Lawrenceville church was opened the Shiloh or-
ganization was abandoned and dissolved by Presbytery, May
2, 185 1, Its members were attached to Lawrenceville.
Hebron Church, Ashmore post office, Coles county, 111.,,
was organized June' 19, 1841, at an union meetinghouse near
Herekiah J. Ashmore's, one and an half miles west of the pres-
ent village of Ashmore, with these members, viz. : Robert
Brooks, Mary Boooks, James H. Bovell, Jane M. Bovell, Al-
fred J. L. Brooks, Mary Brooks, Robert A. Brooks, Samuel
Hoge, Letitia Hoge, Sarah Moffitt, Thomas C. Mitchell, Isa-
bella A. Mitchell, Margaret J. Mitchell, Cynthia Moffitt, James
Moffitt, Martin Zimmerman, Sarah Zimmerman and Mary
Brooks. Elders : Thomas C. Mitchell and Robert Brooks.
The organisers were Revs. Isaac Bennet and John S. Reasoner,
and Elders James Balch and William Collum. Ministers :
John McDonald; John A. Steele, from 1844 to 1848; Joseph
Adams: James Cameron; R. A. Mitchell, 1854 to 1859;
James W. Allison ; Stephen J. Bovell commenced December,
1865, and is still supply pastor. Elders since the first two —
William W. S. Brooks, 1844; Alfred J. L. Brooks and Allen
Brooks, 1852 ; S. J. Wright and J. M. Moffitt, 1866; Thomas
J. Bull, 1873. The members of Hebron church
built a house of worship in 1844, two miles west of the pres-
ent village of Ashmore It was twenty-two by thirty, and a
very rude affair — frame, never painted, and never received
but one coat of plaster. The pulpit was a curiosity. It con-
sisted of a chamber, four by six, enclosed by substantial
plank. To enter it the minister must ascend a flight of stairs
which landed him on a platform four feet above the floor of
the church. When he sat down, and closed the door through
which he entered, he was eflectually hidden from the congre-
gation. When he stood up his head was in close proximity
to the ceiling. This house was used until 1867. The pres-
ent house of worship, in the village of Ashmore, was dedi-
cated October 20, 1867. It is thirty-six by fifty, and cost
three thousand two hundred and fifty dollars. Of this three
DAVID D. M KEE. 299-
hundred dollars was received from the Board of Church Erec-
tion ; fifteen hundred dollars were paid by persons not mem-
bers of the church. This church has never had an installed
pastor. The present minister. Rev. S. J. Bovell, resides in
the village of Ashmore in a home of his own.
The Presbytery of Sangamon, o. s., met at Springfield,
April 2, 1 841. David D. McKee was received from the
Presbytery of Philadelphia. The Presbytery reported to the
Assembly six ministers and nine churches. John G. Ber-
gen, minister, and James M. Duncan, elder, were appointed
to the Assembly. The fall meeting was held at
Jacksonville, September 24.
David Davies McKee gives the following sketch of him-
self: "I was born in Harrison county, Ky., August 14, 1805.
My ancestors on both sides were Scotch-Irish Presbyterians,
and emigrated to this country in the beginning of the 1 8th
century. My parents were among the earlier settlers in
Kentucky. In my twentieth year I united with the Mt.
Pleasant Presbyterian church. In my twenty-second year I
entered upon studies preparatory to the ministry. I fitted for
college in a classical school, taught by Rev. Robert Stuart,
in Fayette county, Ky. ; entered the freshman class in
Center College in 1828, and graduated in 1832. After spend-
ing a year at home on the farm, I returned to Danville in
1833 and spent a year in the study of theology with Drs. J,
C, Young and S. W. Green. In the fall of 1834 I entered
the second class at Princeton Seminary, and remained there
until May, 1836, I was licensed by the Presbytery of Phila-
delphia at Salem, N. J., in October, 1835, and was ordained
by the same Presbytery, in August, 1836, as co-pastor with
Rev. Ethan Osborn over the church of Fairfield, N. J. That
church has since been divided, forming the three churches of
Fairton and first and second churches of Cedarville, In the
fall -of 1838 I went to Kentucky and supplied the church of
Russellville until the spring of 1840, when I accepted an in-
vitation to supply the churches of Winchester and Union, the
former in Scott and the latter in Morgan county. III. In
1841 I gave up the church in Winchester and took charge of
the Providence church, in the north part of Morgan county.
300 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
This church then embraced the field now occupied by the
two churches of Providence and Virginia. In the fall of
1844 I accepted an invitation to Vandalia, 111. The summer
of 1845 is memorable in that region for the prevalence of mal-
arial disease. Scarcely a family escaped, and often entire
families were prostrated. This was the case with my own.
In the spring of 1846 I left that region, went to Western
Pennsylvania and took charge of the churches of Freeport
and Buffalo. In the spring of 1848 I found it necessary to
bring my motherless children to Greensburg, Ind,, to find a
home with a widowed sister. After spending a year as a mis-
sionary in the netvly formed Presbytery of Whitewater, I
took charge of the churches of Bath and Billingsville in
Franklin county. In 1858 I removed to Hanover for the pur-
pose of educating my children, and at dift'erent times sup-
plied the churches of Hanover, Graham, New Philadelphia
and Walnut Ridge. In 1864 I accepted a chaplaincy in the
U. S. army, and continued in the service until June, 1865.
For the last few years I have been in feeble health and have
had no charge. I was married to my first wife,
Miss Lucy Ann Kerr, Oct. 20, 1836, in Bowling Green, Ky.,
and to my second wife, Mrs. Jane Butler Patterson, in Han-
over, Ind, April 2, 1849. I have had seven children. Mary,
born October 16, 1837; Sarah C., born June 23, 1842; Har-
riet J., born November 30, 1844; Mary E., born Feb. 2, 1850 ;
Noble B., born September 23, 1852; Rachel Anna, born
May I, 1854; Sophia P., born May i, 1857."
The Presbytery of Alton held its spring meeting with
Bethel church, Bond county, commencing April 8, i84i,and
its fall meeting at Jersey ville, beginning October 13, 1841.
Joseph Fowler was dismissed to the Presbytery of Marion,
Ohio. Lemuel Foster was received, October 13, from the
Presbytery of Sangamon. William Chamberlain was re-
ceived from the Presbytery of North Alabama Charles G.
Selleck was dismissed from the pastoral care of Upper Alton
church.
William Chamberlin.
The following biographical sketch of this brother is extracted from his funeral
■sermon, preached at Monticello, April i, 1849, by Rev. A. T. Norton.
He was born at Newbury, Orange county, Vermont, Feb.
WILLIAM CHAMBERLIN. 3OI
29, 1 79 1. The next year his parents removed to Bradford,
in the same county, where they resided until Mr. C. was twelve
years of age. The family then removed to Greensboro, in
Orleans county, where they continued three years. Their next
place of residence was Hardwick, in Caledonia county.
At this place, when at the age of nineteen, Mr. C. ex-
perienced that great change, without which no one can " enter
into the Kingdom of God." He has left in his own hand-
writing a very full account of his conversion, and subsequent
exercises. He says — ' 'I was from a child very light, and
much inclined to put serious thoughts from my mind ; but
God by his Spirit used frequently to warn me, and some-
times my fears were almost unbearable." In Hardwick, he
formed acquaintance with a company of young people,
whom he speaks of as very agreeable ; and as desiring to
appear respectable in the world, while greatly attached to
vain amusements. They were all alike thoughtless and
secure in sin, until God in mercy interposed. As the cir-
cumstance which awakened him was not a little remarkable,
I give it pretty much in his own language. He says — " In the
spring of 18 10, I was tending a saw-mill on River-la-Moille.
The banks were more than full, and the stream rushed down
the craggy rocks with the greatest impetuosity. When the
saw had gone through the log, and I was prepared to cut
another board, I hoisted the gate in vain. The mill would
not start. I knew not the cause then, nor do I know now,
unless God designed it to bring me to a sense of my danger.
When I found the mill would not start, I engaged a man to
to assist me in searching for the cause. We stopped the
water from the floom, and I went down to see if anv thing-
had gotten between the wheel and the apron. I found noth-
ing. I then went down upon the wheel and began my
search there. While l>'ing upon the wheel, I heard suddenly
a roaring of water, which sounded differently from the ele-
ment about me, and felt it dash in my face. I was
not alaxmed, but perfectly self-possessed. I am con-
scious of no agency of my own in removing from that
wheel. The first I can remember of my own exertions
in the matter, I was standing clear of the wheel,
from which I had but that instant escaped, holding on
to some timbers, while the wheel itself was revolving with
the greatest velocity. My neighbor was over my head wit-
nessing the scene. He heard the noise, and looking down^
302 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
saw the floom full of water ; then looking at me saw my last
foot leave the wheel the moment it started. The upper
gates had given way ; the floom was filled at a dash ; and
the gate over the wheel being open, a full head of water
was instantly precipitated upon it, causing' it to fly round
with frightful speed." In this case we see that
-our brother was just as near death as he could be and escape.
I was once conversing with him on the agency of angels.
The passage, Heb. I, 14: — "Are they not all ministering
spirits," etc., was repeated. He expressed his full conviction
that they were not only ministering spirits to achial saints,
but to those destined to become such — "to them who shall be,"
■etc. He said he fully believed they ministered to those who
had been given to Christ in the covenant of redemption, not
only after, but before their conversion. He then related the
circumstance I have just repeated. He said he kiiezv he had
himself no voluntary agency in escaping from that wheel —
that he had no intention of escaping, and that he knew not
his danger until he was safe from it. He believed, he said,
that God's angels rescued him To go oh
with his narrative — " While looking at that wheel I felt that I
was a miserable sinner, and that there was a God in heaven
whom I determined to seek, I thought on the privileges I
enjoyed, and resolved within myself to have religion." He
thought that by making one prayer he could become a
Christian. That prayer he determined to offer . that night,
and accordingly retired for that purpose. But to his amaze-
ment, he found he had no lieart to pray. He felt ashamed
and confounded ; and after much difficulty and many
struggles, got upon his knees ; but even then was ashamed
' to pray, and finally retired, having offered no prayer. Then,
from having felt that it was an easy thing to get religion, and
that he could have it when he chose, he was tempted to
to think it was impossible for him to be a Christian, and that
he had better go on in his former sinful course. His serious-
ness, however, continued. But soon he began to entertain
.a good opinion of himself — to think he was not so wicked as
many others; and found it impossible to realize he was
.a sinner. A singular delusion seized him. He fancied he
must commit some atrocious crime in order to feel that he was
a sinner. While thinking one day what act of sin to commit
in order to bring upon himself a sense of guilt, "All at once,"
2ie says, " my sins stared me in my face. I saw I was fight-
WILLIAM CHAJIBERLIN. 3O3
ing against God and all holy beings; and that I had already
committed sins enough to sink me to everlasting ruin. From
this time my convictions became more pungent." He saw
that he " must be born again ; " and that he had no inclination
to seek Christ in the way the gospel required.
Up to this time he had confined his feelings to his own
breast. He now, however, unbosomed himself to a pious
friend and received his counsel, from which he derived great
benefit. After great struggles with himself, and feeling at
times the burden of his sins almost too great to be borne, he
at length entertained hope that he was indeed born of God.
Still he says distinctly that he knew not the precise period in
which the change took place. Soon alter this,
he worked with a Quaker, who sought to teach him that the
Old Testament was of little or no binding authority. He
also frequented the religious meetings of various denomina-
tions. The effect was, that he became much confused and
perplexed in regard to doctrinal points. He then came to a
somewhat singular determination. It was to give up all his
preconceived notions, and as he expressed it, " look to Christ
for doctrine, as well as right feelings." He compared hi3 state
of mind to a full cup, which was emptied, and then refilled
with something different. While in this state of mind, he at-
tended his own church — the Congregational. When a person
was received as a member, as the articles of faith were
read over, he found to his surprise and joy that they exactly
coincided with his own views. From that hour he never
seems to have wav^ered at all in regard to his religious belief.
During the nine years that I have know^n him, I have been
struck with the clearness of his doctrinal views. Most em-
phatically was he established in the faith. Soon
after his conversion he united with the Congregational
church, and appears from the first to have been an active
Christian. In the spring of 1811, when he was twenty years
of age, he went with his father and brother to the northern
part of the State of New York. During the former part of
that summer he worked at the business of carpenter, and in
the latter part was engaged in rafting on the Salmon and St.
Lawrence rivers. When near Quebec their raft was wrecked,
one man drowned, and the rest saved with great difficulty.
After this disaster he returned to his friends in Hardwick, Vt.
No man, after passing through the burning sands of Zahara,
ever rejoiced more to reach a cultivated and watered spot
304 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
and human habitations, than he did to enjoy once more the
means of grace. In February, 1812, he lost a
beloved sister, aged eighteen. When told by her physician
that she must die, his distress was almost overwhelming. He
retired for prayer, and found relief in pouring out his heart
before God. He was then able to converse with her calmly.
But he had hope in her death. In March, 18 13,.
when twenty-two years of age, he went to Silver creek, Pa.
He there purchased a lot of land, and spent the summer in
manual labor. On the Sabbath he was engaged in Sunday
school, and, with others, in conducting religious meetings.
During the two foilowing winters he was employed in teach-
ing school in Bridgewater. In the intervening summer he
was employed in some business connected with the sale of
lands.
While employed as a teacher, he abounded in labors for
the spiritual good of those about him. He followed the
good old practice of catechizing his pupils every week. For
this work he seems to have prepared himself by meditation
and prayer. Another means of doing good was by holding
a weekly meeting for young people. The conduct of this
meeting seems to have devolved almost solely upon himself.
The desire of becoming a minister, which he had indulged
at different times since his conversion, took, while he was at
Bridgewater, a definite shape. After much reflection and
many struggles with himself, he there resolved to enter upon
a course of study for the ministry. In forming this resolu-
tion he was aided by the advice of two or three judicious
ministers of his acquaintance. Accordingly, at the close of
his second wmter in teaching, in April, 18 15, when he was
twenty-four years of age, he set off with his pack on his back
for Wilksbarre, to enter the academy there. His means
were exceedingly limited. On this point he says — " I have
but nineteen dollars in money and a note against a man for
twenty more. I can expect no help from my parents. I
therefore have only to look to God ; and I think I am better
off than though I had property; for then I might run in my
own strength ; but now I can go but just as far and as fast as
God will have me ; so that if he has any work for me to do
he will provide the means for my education. If otherwise, I
shall be obliged to stop. I think, therefore, I have the great-
est reason to bless God that I am in just such a situation as I
am."
WILLIAM CHAMBERLIN. 3O5
Plis confidence in God for support was not disappointed.
He received some assistance from the Susquehanna Benevo-
lent Association. But aid from this source was very precari-
ous, and was withdrawn just at the time of his greatest need.
At one time he tells us he had but four and a half cents in
his purse, and knew not from whence it was to be replen-
ished. At Wilksbarre, he boarded in the family
of Rev. A. Hoyt, his future father-in-law. He continued in
the Academy till Sept. 1816. He then engaged again in
teaching. I find no record of his movemets, or
of his feelings, from Sept. 10, 18 16, when he left the Acade-
my and engaged in teaching, until he was on his way to the
Cherokee nation in Dec. 1817, I conclude he was licensed
in the spring or summer of that year, and very soon com-
missioned by the American Board as missionary to the
Cherokees. He was then twenty-six years of age. On his
way to mission ground, he acted as agent for the Board,
preaching and taking up collections. In this way he trav-
eled slowly, and did not reach his field of labor till March
10, 1818, He was most cordially received by the mission-
aries, Kingsbury and Hall. Rev. A. Hoyt and family, from
Wilksbarre, Pa., had preceeded him a short time. On the
22d of the same month, he was married in the public assem-
bly, to Miss Flora Hoyt. The ceremony was performed by
his father-in-law.
I have not time to follow him during his arduous labors of
nearly twenty-one years among the Cherokees. Suffice it to
say, he was ever the pioneer missionary . He, of all the others,
was the man to break ground. He secured, in an eminent
degree, the confidence and affection of the Red-men. He
had also the full confidence of his missionary brethren, and
of the Board at home. Possessing a vigorous constitution,
much of the hardest service devolved upon him.
When the missionaries, Butler and Worcester, were put in
the Georgia Penitentiary, he escaped the same fate only
because his station was a few miles over the line in Alabama.
He lived to see the wilderness become a fruitful field. The
savage became civilized. Many of the Cherokees took their
places around the Sacramental Board, as the humble follow-
ers of Christ. In June, 1838, his family returned
to Pennsylvania. Mr. C. remained behind to assist the
Cherokees in preparing for their removal West of the Mis-
sissippi. He then visited Pennsylvania and New England.
19
306 PRESBYTEKIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
In May, 1839, he and his wife started in a one-horse wagon
to seek out the Cherokees in their new home. They trav-
eled through Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and fifty miles west
of the Mississippi. Here they were stopped by news of the
civil war among the Cherokees. Having friends in Carlin-
ville, in this State, they proceeded there, with the purpose of
remaining till the affairs of the Cherokees should be so far
settled as to give encouragement to further labor in their
behalf. Meantime, Mr. C. acted as agent for the Board in
the northern part of this State. This he continued till June
1840. At that tipie he came to Godfrey, 111., obtained an
honorable and hfghly complimentary discharge from the A.
B. C. F. M., and immediately entered the service of the Alton
Presbytery. On this branch of his history, I feel
qualified to speak, having from the first been chairman of
the committee to direct his labors. Look at our twenty-six
cJmrchcs. In founding at least fourteen of them he has been
directly and largely instrumental. In a very large part of the
revivals with which we have been favored for the past nine
years, he was present as an active, and conspicuous instru-
ment. In his last tour South, in the heart of a severe winter,
and when suffering greatly from ill health, he was permitted
to share in the labors and triumphs of a revival. How glori-
ous was his exit ! From the midst of the most blessed revi-
val which Alton has ever seen, he went up in a chariot of
fire ! In that revival he labored and prayed, and felt as men
are wont to do when they stand just on the verge of heaven.
Look at the extent of his labors. Through all
the counties bordering on the Mississippi, the Ohio, and
the Wabash, as far up as the northern line of Jersey
county, extended across the State, and many times through
nearly all the interior counties, has he gone, preaching, dis-
tributing tracts, conversing, praying, and striving in every
way to save souls. Other denominations than his own have
felt the influence of his labors, and been greatly quickened
thereby. Look at the privations he has endured. To be
absent so constantly from home is no small trial. To travel
in all weathers and to be subjected to all kinds of fare; to be
sick without suitable nursing or medicine ; to ford swollen
streams, and swim them when past fording — these are but a
part of the trials to which he has been subjected. He died
at the house of the writer of this volume in Alton, 111., Wed-
nesday, March 14, 1849, in the midst of a glorious revival.
SYNOD OF ILLINOIS. . 3O7
He was providentially brought to the place at the commence-
ment of the work.
The Synod of Illinois, n. s., met at Union Grove, Putnam
county, Oct. 21, 1841. Members were present from six
Presbyteries. Thomas Lippincott resigned as Stated Clerk
and Lucien Farnam was appointed in his place. The meet-
ings of this Synod in these years were largely occupied
with sermons and discussions on slavery and Christian
Union. At this meeting, Rev. Owen Lovejoy, who
was present as corresponding member from the Rock
River Association, preached by invitation a sermon on
slavery. Provision was made for four sermons at the
next meeting — one on each subject of Missions, Slavery,
Education and Christian Union.
The Synod of Illinois, o. s., met at Springfield, Oct. 21,
1 841. Five Presbyteries were represented. The Synod's
business mostly concerned matters and persons outside the
scope of this volume.
CHAPTER VIII.
MEETINGS OF PRESBYTERIES AND SYNODS FROM 1 842 TO 1 846,
INCLUDING SKETCHES OF THE CHURCHES ORGANIZED AND OF
MINISTERS COMMENCING THEIR LABORS HERE WITHIN THE-
PERIOD.
Authorities: Origijwil Records; Presbytery Reporter; various writers of
sketches.
YEAR 1842.
The Presbytery of Illinois met with Pisgah church,
March 4, 1842, and adjourned to meet at Jacksonville the
next day. Thomas Laurie, a licentiate of the Andover Asso-
ciation, was received, and on March 6 ordained as a mis-
sionary to the Nestorians of Persia. WiUiam H. Williams
was received from the Presbytery of Tuscaloosa, and was
installed pastor of the First Presbyterian church in Jack-
sonviUe, March 8. J. H. Buffington, licentiate, was dismissed
to the Presbytery of Schuyler. The fall meeting
was held at Whitehall, September 30. Salem church was
received.
Thomas Laurie, D. D., was born in Scotland. Graduated
at Illinois College, 1838; ordained as above; was missionary
to the Nestorians from 1842 to 1846; preached to the First
church. South Hadley, Mass., 1848-51 ; to the South church.
West Roxbury, Mass., 1851-67; without charge at West
Roxbury, also in Europe, 1867-69; supply pastor Pilgrim
church, Providence, R. I., and in Chelsea, Mass., 1869.
William Henry Williams was born in New York ; grad-
uated at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa., 1823; studied the-
ology at Princeton, N. J.; was a missionary in Georgia while
a hcentiate ; ordained over the Third church in Albany, N.
Y., Dec. 9, 1828 ; supply pastor and pastor in Tuscaloosa, Ala.,
1831-36; teacher 1833-41 ; pastor First Presbyterian church.
PRESBYTERY OF KASKASKIA. 3O9
Jacksonville, 1842 ; teacher, 1843 ! principal of Keokuk Sem-
inary, Iowa, 1849-56; Home Missionary, Iowa, 1863; sup-
ply pastor, Perry, 111., 1866-69. Died at Hendersonville, N.
C, December 21, 1876, aged seventy-three. He was a mem-
ber at the time of his death of Schuyler Presbytery, 111.
Salem Church was formed by Rev. L. S. Williams, in
Macoupin county, sometime in 1842. Alfred Blair was elder.
It was about ten miles east of Carlinville, near the county
line. The meetings were held in private houses, or in a
country school-house. This church never had more than a
dozen members, with the one elder, named above. Its name
was erased from the roll of Presbytery, April 4, 1862.
The Presbytery of Kaskaskia met at Chester, April 15,
1842. Archibald C. Allen, licentiate, was received from the
Presbytery of Louisville, ordained on the i6th inst, and on
the second Saturday in June, 1842, installed pastor of Hills-
boro church by a Committee of Presbytery. Cyrus C.
Riggs, minister, and John Mann, elder, were appointed Com-
missioners to the Assembly. The Presbytery reported to
the Assembly eight ministers and twenty churches.
The fall meeting was held at Hillsboro, commencing
October 15, 1842.
Archibald Cameron Allen was born in Kentucky ; grad-
uated at Wabash College, Crawfordsville, Ind., 1838; studied
theology at Princeton ; ordained and installed as above ; la-
bored at Terre Haute and Hopewell, Ind. ; chaplain U. S.
army 1862-65; supply pastor Indianapolis, Ind.; is now sup-
ply pastor at Hamburg, Iowa.
The Presbytery of Palestine, n. s., met with the New
Providence church, June 3, 1842. Nathaniel Kingsbury was
dismissed to the Presbyterian and Congregational Union of
Wisconsin. The fall meeting was held with Pleas-
ant Prairie church, commencing September 30, 1842. Enoch
Kingsbury was appointed Commissioner to the next Assem-
bly.
310 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Palestine Presbytery, o. s., met at Mt. Carmel, April 21,.
1842. The fall meeting was held at Palestine, commencing
October 6, 1842, John A. Steele was received from Presby-
tery of Lexington.
Sangamon Presbytery, o. s., met with Union church,
Morgan county, April 4, 1842. Andrew Todd, minister, and
James L. Lamb, elder, were appointed to the Assembly. The
fall meeting was held at Jacksonville, October 19. West
Union church was received.
West Union, afterwards Murrayville Church, was organ-
ized in the fall of 1843, t>y a Committee of Sangamon Pres-
bytery in the grove west of Mrs. Helen McDonald's. The
house of Mrs. McD. was in what is now Murrayville. The fol-
lowing were the original members : Edward Ray, Nancy
Ray, Helen McDonald, John Murray, sr., Hannah Murray,
Samuel Murray, Elizabeth Murray, Jean Wilson, William Mc-
Donald, Mary McDonald. Elders : Edward Ray, the first ;
Wm. McDonald, Alexander Cunningham, Oliver P. Reaugh,
Samuel McKean, Willis McClung. Ministers :
Thomas A. Spilraan, Charles G. Selleck, Thomas M. Newell,,
John D. Shane, Noah Bishop, Thomas D. Davis, Robert W.
Allen. In April, 1871, the name of the church was changed
from West Union to IMurrayville. The present
house of worship was sufficiently advanced to be used for re-
ligious services in i860. Previous to that time the congre-
gation held their meetings in a school-house about a mile
north of Murrayville, or in a grove not far from widow Mc-
Donald's.
The Presbytery of Alton met at Collinsville, May 3,
1842. At the session of this Presbytery held at Alton, Oct.
8, 1840, the following terms of correspondence were adopted ;
"(i) That we adopt the practice of receiving delegates, as
corresponding members, from such Congregational and
other churches, within our bounds, as harmonize with us in
belief of the essential doctrines of Christianity; provided
that they are willing regularly to report to this body. (2)
That such delegates have the right not only to speak, but
HUBBEL LOOMIS. 3II
also to vote on all matters which come before this body,
except such as are strictly Presbyterial. (3) That we will
consent to act as an advisory council in all cases of reference
which these associated churches may bring before us." At
the meeting of the same Presbytery at Tower-Hill, Sept. 26,
1867, these resolutions were repealed. But from Oct. 8,
1840, to Sept. 26, 1867, these resolutions were in force. On
the basis of this plan at their own application, through their
Elder, A. W. Corey, Monticello church was received under
the care of this Presbytery, r\Iay 3, 1842. C. G.
Selleck resigned as Stated Clerk, and. A. T. Norton was
appointed in his place. This resolution was
adopted : " Whereas, Rev. Hubbell Loomis, of Upper
Alton, would feel it a privilege to become connected with
this Presbytery, provided he can do so without yielding his
views of immersion ; and whereas, we have full confidence in
his Christian and ministerial character, and he pledges himself
while in connection with us to leave all others in the unin-
terrupted posession of their own opinions on the subject of
baptism ; Resolved, That he be now received as a mem-
ber of this Presbytery."
HuBBEL Loomis was born May 31, 1775, in the south part
"of Colchester, New London county. Conn. His spiritual
birth he dates in April, 1791. This birth awakened an earn-
est desire, which continued through life, to know what are
the teachings of the Bible. He preached his first sermon
May 31, 1801, under license from the Association of New
London county. Conn., and was ordained pastor of the
church in Wellington, Tolland county. Conn., in the early
part of August same year. In 1828 he resigned his charge,
and — on account of change of views on the subject of
baptism — united with the Baptists. June 8, 1830, he arrived
in Illinois Vv'ith his family, and in 1S32, settled in Upper
Alton, and with others commenced labor to found a Baptist
College in that town. ]\Iay 18, 1838, the Baptist church of
Upper Alton, with which he had united, withdrew from him
their fellowship on the charge that he had violated covenant
obligations by withdrawing irom their meetings and commun-
ion with the avowed intention of uniting with another church.
Soon after this he connected with the Presbyterian church
of Upper Alton. May 3, 1842, he was received as a mem-
312 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
ber of Alton Presbytery. The condition of that reception
becoming burdensome, he was dismissed from Presbytery, at
his own request, April i8, 1 85 1, and again united with the
Baptists, in whose communion he remained until his death,
which took place Dec. 15, 1872, in his ninety-eighth year.
In 1805, he married Jerusha, daughter of Deacon David
Burt, of Long Meadow, Mass., by whom he had six chil-
dren. Five of them still survive. This wife died in 1829.
The same year he married Mrs. Hannah Pratt, of Charles-
town, Mass. She died in 1864, at the age of seventy years.
His children were Jerusha, Sophia, Elias, Caroline, David
Burt and John Gailvin. Elias is Professor of Natural Phi-
losophy in Yale College. Sophia was married to Hon.
Cyrus Edwards, and has for forty years resided in Upper
Alton.
The fall session of Alton Presbytery was held at Green-
ville, Bond county, commencing Oct. 13, 1842. Robert
Stewart was received from the Presbytery of Knox. C. G.
Selleck was dismissed to the Presbytery .of Illinois. The
church of Troy was received.
Troy Church, Madison county, was organized Oct. 2,
1842, by Revs. Wm. Chamberlin, T. Lippincott and C. E.
Blood, with these members : J. K. Reiner, E. C. Reiner,
James Perigo, H. Perigo, Cyrus Scott, jr., P. Scott, E. Scott,
L. A. Scott, B. Posey, G. W. Scott, E. Goodwin, E. Davis and
Cynthia Scott. This was the first church organization of any
denomination in the village of Troy. Up to Dec. 22, 1867,
the church had received eighty-five members, only sixteen
of whom were then remaining. At that time Rev. Robert
Stewart commenced his permanent labors. Since then and
up to Jan. I, 1878, one hundred and twelve have been added.
Before Mr. Stewart, the church was served by the following
ministers : Wm. Chamberlin, Thomas Lippincott, J. R.
Dunn, Calvin Butler, L. A. Parks, licentiate, John Gibson,
Socrates Smith, James A. Darrah, Caleb J. Pitkin, William
Ellers and A. D. Jack. Most of these labored here only
half the time. The following are the elders : Dr. J. K.
Reiner and James Perigo, the first two. Thomas Smith,
Westley Jarvis, Oliver Beard, John R. Swain, Dr. F. W.
MEETINGS. 313
Lytle, L. R. Cornman, John McKee, Dr. F. A. Sabin, Andrew
Kimberlin, James A. Henderson, Samuel Yandell, James W.
Barlow, Edward Bigelow, Thomas H. Bell, R. C. Morris,
Henry A. Risser, James Lang, Thomas J. Purviance and
John Bosomworth. In 1845 the church adopted the limited
period of Eldership. The first house of worship was a neat
frame, twenty-four by thirty feet. When the new house was
erected the old one was sold and is now private property.
This new house is of brick, sixty by thirty-six feet, with
basement story and audience room above, and cost $10,000.
Eleven hundred of this were donated by the Board of
Church Erection. The corner-stone of this house was
laid on Mr. Stewart's birth-day, May, 3, 1871. It was dedi-
cated May 3, 1872, the day the pastor was seventy-four
years of age. This church has ever had a Sabbath school
vigorously maintained.
The Synod of Illinois, n. s., met at Bloomington, Octo-
ber 20, 1842. Members were present from nine Presbyteries.
Lucien Farnam resigned as Stated Clerk, and Lycurgus P.
Kimball was appointed in his place. A petition to the As-
sembly was adopted for a new Synod in this State, to be called
The Synod of Peoria, and to include the Presbyteries of
Ottawa, Peoria, Knox and Galena. The Presbytery of Sanga-
mon (n. s.) was attached to that of Illinois. Five Presbyte-
rial missionaries have been employed by five different Pres-
byteries, and their labors attended with such success as to
strongly commend the plan to all. A petition was sent to
the Governor of the State asking him to appoint the last
Thursday in November as a day of thanksgiving.
Synod of Illinois, o. s., met at Jacksonville, October 20,
1842. Members were present from five Presbyteries. They
reported to the Assembly forty-eight ministers and ninety
churches.
YEAR 1843.
The Presbytery of Illinois met at Carrollton, March
31, 1843. Edward Beecher, minister, and John Adams,
elder, were appointed Commissioners to the Assembly. Luke
Lyons was dismissed to the Presbytery of Alton. The
314 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
fall meeting of this Presbytery was held with Pisgah church,
commencing September 7. The ministers and churches of
the Sangamon Presbytery, n. s., were according to directions
of Synod, attached to this Presbytery. This is the list. Min-
isters : Albert Hale, Bilious Pond, John F. Brooks, Josiah
Porter, Elisha Jenney and Dewey Whitney. Churches : Sec-
ond church Springfield, Farmington, Chatham, Spring Creek,
Waynesville and Mechanicsburg. Charles G. Selleck was
received from the Presbytery of Alton. The pastoral rela-
tion between the First church, Jacksonville, and Rev. W. H.
Williams was dissolved.
Josiah Porter.
This brother shall himself give his own history.
I was born in the genial climate of South Carolina, April
10, 1802. My ancestry on both sides were Presbyterians.
My father, Josiah Porter, was born in Londonderry, Decem-
ber 25, 1750. He was well instructed in the principles of
plane and spherical trigonometry, and of these he was a very
capable teacher. He was one of the elders in the Fishing
Creek Presbyterian church and a devout Christian. He died
near Nashville, Tenn., December 19, 18 14.
Mother's name was Rachel Gill, Scotch parents, Presbyte-
rian, and all were zealous friends and decided defenders of
the Independence of the Colonies, for which cause they suf-
fered many hardships. I commenced my stud-
ies for the ministry, May i, 1825, in Boubon Academy under
Professor Sharpe, and after three sessions attended a paro-
chial school one year. I spent a few months studying He-
brew in a class taught by Rev. John McFarland. At the
opening of the fall session, 1828, I entered Center College as
a manual-labor student. Two years I pursued my studies
there. I then went to Indiana University, on account of the
resignation of Dr. Blackburn as President, in consequence of
the O. S. and N. S. controversy. Two years I spent in
Bloomington, Ind., and graduated September i, 1832. Thence
I went to Lane Theological Seminary and studied until
the spring of 1 834. Under the private instruction of J.
W. Hall, D. D., I closed my preparatory studies. I
thought myself called to preach the Gospel from sev-
eral considerations : ist. Because of my great change of
JOSIAH PORTER. 315
views as to the paramount importance of the Gospel and a
predominating desire to teach this way of Hfe to others.
Besides, I felt a great deadness to the world, and was willing
to give up the pursuit of a lucrative trade. Again, my pious
mother said she had lent me to the Lord, as Hannah did
Samuel. I moreover subjected my views and feelings to
ministers and experienced Christians, to theological profess-
ors and Presbyteries, and with the cordial approval of all, I
went forward. AH along my preparatory course I saw
encouraging fruits of my labor. And now at the age of
seventy-six I am happy that I obeyed the heavenly call, and
only regret that my labors have been so fruitless. Shi-
loh Presbytery, Oct. 3, 1835, at Murfreesboro, Tenn., gave me
license. Crawfordsville Presbytery, on April 3, 1838, ordained
me, sine titiilo, at Waveland, Ind. Immediately after licen-
sure I labored in Smith county, Tenn., in Carthage and Pay-
ton's Creek congregations six months. Next I preached one
year to the Chatham and Sugar Creek congregations, 111., on
a salary of three hundred dollars. At the close of the year
we had a most precious revival — thirty-five hopeful conver-
sions. But a change of views on the subject of immediate
emancipation ruled me out. I sought a new home and re-
moved to Eugene, Ind., where I taught school and preached
to a small church almost without compensation. My removal
was in the winter and I can truly say the journey was awful
and expensive. While at Eugene I was ordained. That fall
I was greatly and dangerously afflicted. In December, 1838,
1 was invited to supply Waynesville, Illinois, Presbyterian
church. Here I preached seven and a half years as supply
pastor. Whilst laboring here the church and temperance cause
prospered, Sunday schools flourished; and I supplied the coun-
ty of DeWitt with bibles and organized an o. s. church in Ran-
dolph Grove, which was received by Sangamon Presbytery.
In 1845 I became bible colporteur and preached often. In
1846 Illinois Presbytery commissioned me to ride as mission-
ary in their bounds. I aided in organizing a Presbyterian
church in Rochester, eight miles east of Springfield. In
1847 I was invited to take charge of Winchester, Scott
county, Presbyterian church and vicinity. My congregations
were large and interesting. Besides I preached at Exeter,
Manchester and two or three school houses. It was a very
promising field; but a little root of bitterness worked me out.
In 1849 I removed to Chatham and began the mixed labor
3l6 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
of farming and preaching. I continued for two years with-
out profit either to myself or the people. Next I preached at
Spring Creek with but little encouragement. In 1855 I was
invited by one of my Scott county (a Mr Loud) school house
converts to supply Virden church, which I had assisted to
organize the year before. There I preached one half of the
time for one year. Since that time I have preached only
occasionally. I have superintended Sunday school some,
but for a year or two have retired. July' 18, 1837, I was
married at Chatham, 111., to Martha Winnyfred Thornton,
daughter of William Thornton, formerly of Kentucky, where
my wife was bornj-iVIay 20, 181 5. We had born five children,
all daughters. Three died in infancy. Two survive. Mary
Louisa, was born Nov. 17, 1842; Agnes, Sept. 24, 1850.
In 1815 my mother removed to Indiana. Very
little preaching was to be had, and that of poor quality.
Until 1823 I had but little religious interest. I then attended
church and was really anxious, but I had no one to teach me.
In 1824 I had access to a fragment of a Bible. I read the five
books of Moses and became a prisoner at the bar. My hope
from previous education, or pious, praying ancestry left me.
My convictions deepened. I refused to open my heart, and
the conflict was desperate. On the fifth and sixth of Sept.,
1824, at a Cumberland camp-meeting I avowed my anxiety.
I asked what should I do to be saved. I prayed in deep
agony, almost despaired of ever finding mercy. In my
deep despair a kind brother said softly, 'The blood of Jesus
Christ cleanseth from all sin.' Light, peace, joy and love
filled my soul. I shouted for joy. At the same time a
brother in Tennessee, two hundred miles distant, professed
his faith in Christ ; and his first letter after was to exhort me to
seek the Savior. In the sequel we both toiled through many
difficulties, studied together, graduated together, were licens-
ed together, and married within a year of each other. But
on the 25th of August, 1 840, he passed from time, and I am
still spared, the youngest of a family of fourteen children.
Mechanicsburg church was organized about 1843. The
place is twelve miles east of Springfield and three miles
south of Buffalo, on the Wabash R. R. It had as elders,
John Thompson, G. P. Bruce, and probably others. Its name
last appears on the minutes of 1867, when it was reported to
contain six members.
VVAVELAXD CHURCH. 3^7
The Presbytery of Kaskaskia met at Shawneetown,
111., April 21, 1843. James Stafford, minister, and W. A. G,
Posey, elder, were appointed to attend the next Assembly,
B. F. Spilman was installed pastor of the Shawneetown
church, April 22d. The church of Belleville, o. s., was re-
ceived. The fall meeting was held at Greenville. Wave-
land, Liberty and Sparta churches were received.
Belleville Church, o. s. April 5, 1843, James Stafford
organized a church at Belleville with eighteen members. Of
these, ten were from the already existing church, n. s. Two
elders were elected, of whom Thomas Osbcrn was one. By
this division the church of 1839 was much weakened and a
deal of ill-feeling engendered. But the wise counsels of that
godly man, Rev. William Chamberlin, were oil on the troubled
waters. The aggrieved members nearly all returned to the
church they had left, and the o. s. organization was aban-
doned.
Waveland Church. The location of its present building
is in Montgomery county, T. 7 N., R. 4 W., Sec. 2, S. W.
quarter of N. W. quarter. It was organized by Rev. A. C.
Allen at the house of William P. Brown, July 28, 1843, with
these twenty-five members : John Brown, Sarah Brown,
Leeve Brown, William P. Brown, Newton G. Brown, Eliza-
beth Brown (widow), Nancy Brown, Eliza Brown, Rufus P.
Brown, William Brown, jr., Margaret Craig, Jesse D. Wood,
Minerva J. Wood, Sarah D. Blackwood, Emeline Black-
wood, Levi H. Thom, Margaret A. Thom, George Nichol-
son, George L. Clotfelter, Jemima Clotfelter, Elizabeth Barry,
Joseph McLean, Abigail McLean, Enos Clotfelter, Elizabeth
Brown. Elders: John Brown, Levi H. Thom, Dr. Jesse D.
Wood. It is an outpost of the Hillsboro church, and was
supplied by its ministers — A. C. Allen, T. W. Hynes and R.
M. Roberts — up to 1859. Since then its ministers have been
William Hamilton, John S. Howell and James Henry Spil-
man up to 1875. For several years the congregation wor-
shiped, in pleasant weather, in a grove, at other times in
private houses. In October, 1847, ^^^ church received a gift
of six acres of land, on which, in 1847-8, they erected a plain
house of worship. This was used for twenty-four years. In
3l8 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
1872 they erected the present building — a neat, convenient
frame — at a cost of sixteen hundred dollars.
The number received to membership from the beginning is
one hundred and fifty-three. Present number forty-nine.
The elders, besides the first three, are Joseph McLean, Rufus
P. Brown, John McLean, Alvin A. McLean and David H.
Clotfelter. Since the administration of James H. Spilman,
several ministers have supplied for brief periods. At the
present time — 1879 — Rev. N. S. Dickey, of Hillsboro,
preaches every Sabbath P. M.
Sparta, Jordan's Grove, or Baldwin Church. It was
organized at Sparta, Randolph county, July 29, 1843, by Rev.
Cyrus Riggs, with these members, viz. : Ridley Bannister,
Martha A. Bannister, Martha M. Pelton, John C. Hanna,
Lucy G. Hanna, H. M. Livingston, Jane M. Livingston and
Temperance McCormick. Eldkrs : H. M. Livingston and
John C. Hanna, the first. Afterwards — Samuel J. B. Meek,
February 26, 1846; Ephraim Hill, August 8, 1846; Samuel
Ewing, 1850; William Lively, Angus McAllister and
George W. Lash, 1854; Alexander R. Lessley, Jared Rule,
January, 1858; Arthur T. Tovrea, May 30, 1872; George
Wilson, June 8, 1870; William Cox, Thomas J. McBride,
William W. Prine, June 6, 1874. Ministers: Cyrus Riggs,
from beginning to April, 1845 ; B. F. Spilman, from Febru-
ary, 1846, to September, 1851; B. Leffler one year; C. D.
Martin, W. R. Sinn, 1858-60; Martin B. Gregg, August 25,
1872, till his death, August 31, 1873; James Scott Davis,
January, 1874, to June, 1875; M. M. Cooper, September,
1876, to August, 1877. The name of the church was changed
from Sparta to Jordan's Grove, April 12, 185 1. It was
changed again to Baldwin, after the church building was re-
moved to that village. While worshiping in
Sparta this church had no edifice of its own. Its meetings
were not long held in that village, but in the country some
six miles northwest. Here, i. e., on the N. E. quarter of N. W.
quarter of sec. 8, T. 4 S., R. 6 W., they erected in 185 1 a
house of worship, which cost about one thousand dollars.
At this site is a cemetery. This house was removed to Bald-
win, on the narrow gauge railroad, in the fall of 1872, re-
paired and furnished anew, all at a cost of twelve hundred
dallars. It was dedicated June i, 1873. This congregation
ROCKWOOD CHURCH. 319
Tias been vacant mostly since Mr. Cooper left, and is now in
a languishing state.
Liberty, now Rockwood Church, is on the Mississippi
river, in the southeast corner of Randolph county. It was
organized at the house of Dr. James C. Junk, by Rev. Cyrus
C. Riggs, March 9, 1843, with twenty-nine members. Eld-
ers ; James Clendenin, James McLaughlin, John Hender-
son and Wm. Henderson, the first ; afterwards, Paul Hol-
worth, Wm. Hamilton, William Herdman, John H. Clende-
nin, Hazlett H. McLaughlin, Wm. H. Bilderback, J. L.
Mann, S. P. Tuthill, Wm. B. Gray, John P. Mann. Minis-
ters: Cyrus C. Riggs, B. F. Spilman. Alex. Brown, A. A.
Morrison. B. H. Charles, A. R. Naylor, John C. Wagaman,
Alfred Wright, James Scott Davis.
In a revival in 1862, twenty-nine persons were received ;
in another, in the winter of 1876, twenty-eight were added.
The name of the church was changed from Liberty to Rock-
wood, Feb. 16, 1865, to correspond with the name of the
village as changed by the Legislature. This congregation
met in private houses, or in the school-house until the dedi-
cation of the present house of worship, which took place
late in the fall of 1864. This house is of brick, and cost
^1,950, of which from Church Erection Board three hundred
dollars. The site is two lots, bought for thirty dollars. The
original families of this church were from Virginia, the
Carolinas and Kentucky.
The meeting of Palestine Presbytery, n. s., appointed
at Danville, for April 5, 1843, failed from lack of a quorum.
No meeting was attempted in the fall.
Palestine Presbytery, o. s., met with Darwin church,
April 6, 1843. Isaac Bennet, minister, and Findley Paull,
elder, were appointed Commissioners to the Assembly.
The Presbytery reported to the Assembly ten ministers, fif-
teen churcKes and one hundred and twenty-five additions in
the year ending with this meeting. The Fall
rneeting was held at Charleston, commencing Sept. 27, 1843.
Tii.e name of Wahiut Grove church was changed to McClus-
■key, Isaac Reed was dismissed to Richland Presbytery, Ohio.
320 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
The Presbytery of Sangamon met at Irish Grove, April
7, 1S43. John G. Bergen, minister, and James L. Lamb,
elder, were appointed to attend the next Assembly. They
reported five ministers, ten churches and an aggregate mem-
bership of four hundred and seven. The fall
meeting was held with Providence church, commencing
October, 2.
The Presbytery of Alton met at Belleville, March 30,
1843. The " First Presbyterian church of Nine Mile Prai-
rie," afterwards QM Ducoigii, was received under their care.
Henry Whittaker, a licentiate, was received from the Lex-
ington Presbytery, Mo. A report was received
from the Greenville church, of the successful efforts of Elder
Asa L. Saunders, in the churches at the East, to raise funds
to pay the debt on their house of worship. Presbytery
reported to the Assembly, ten ministers, one licentiate,
thirteen churches and nine hundred and thirty-seven com-
municants. Lemuel Foster, minister, and Asa L. Saunders,
elder, were appointed to attend the next Assembly.
The Presbyterian church of Nine Mile Prairie, after-
wards Old Ducoign, was organized at the house of Mrs.
Sarah Root, Nov. 15, 1840, by Rev. Benj. B. Brown, at that
time a member of Kaskaskia Presbytery. No elders were
at that time appointed ; but a resolution was adopted, that,
for the present, the male members be regarded as the ses-
sion. Rev. Wm. Chamberlin completed the organization,
Dec. 16, 1842, when Johnston Burbank and Wm. Chandler,
were made elders. The other members were these, viz.:
Elmar W. Adams, Henry W. Smith, Miss Mary Hinckley,
George Burbank, Hiram and Miss Laura Burbank, Mrs.
Mary Burbank, Wm. P. Burbank, Hiram Hinckley, Mrs.
Sarah Hinokley, John Chandler, Mrs. Mary Chandler, Miss
Ellen Tuthill, Miss Elizabeth Tuthill, Mrs. Maria Wall, Oliver
K. Clouch. Ministers : Josiah Wood, from July 9,
1843, to Sept. 22, 185 1. He was installed. Wm. H. Bird,
from Nov. 25, 185 i, to Sept. 10, 1854. Albert Smith, from
March 21, 1855, one year. Josiah Wood, second time, as sup-
ply pastt)r, April, 1856 to Jan., 1857. Joseph A. Bent, one
year. Thomas Lippincott, March, 1858, to May, 1863. Josiah
JOSEPH A. RANNEY. 32 I
Wood, third time, June, 1863, to Nov., 1865. Thomas Lip-
pincott, second time, March, 1865, April, 1867. C, F. Hal-
sey, Oct., 1867, one year. J. M. Stone, D. D., Sept., 1871,
to his death, Oct., ii, 1876. Elders: Besides
the first two, Thomas L. Ross, Russel Tuthill, Benj. Sprague,
Hiram Hinckley, Geo. W. Burbank, Geo. M. Hinckley,
Miles Peck. Miss Eliza Paine, daughter of Dan-
iel Paine, South Amherst, Mass., and Miss Elizabeth Rey-
nols were received Dec. il, 1852. The last returned to the
church as widow of Asa L. Saunders, April 19, 1856.
The places of worship were, (i) The building erected
for church and school-house in 1844, cost about four hun-
dred dollars, and was owned by the community. (2) The
school-house east of the Seminary. (3) The Seminary
itself. (4) The school-house again, and still used. The
name of this church was changed to Old Ducoign, March
17, 1865.
Alton Presbytery met at Upper Alton, October, 1843.
Francis Barnham, Bunker Hill; E. B. Goddard, Woodburn,
and Timothy Turner, Monticello (corresponding churches),
were in attendance. Luke Lyons, from the Presbytery of
Illinois ; Josiah Wood, from the Presbytery of Madison, and
Joseph A. Ranney, from the Presbytery of Clinton, Miss.,
were received. Henry B. Whittaker was ordained, Sabbath
evening, October 15.
Joseph Addison Ranney was born in Westminster West,
Vt., February 15, 1 817. He was the son of Joseph Ranney,
who was a pillar in the Congregational church of what is
called the West Parish of Westminster. His mother, Tri-
phena Hitchcock, was a woman of eminent piety. His
brother, Timothy Emerson, was many years a missionary
among the Cherokee Indians. Their grandfather, Elijah
Ranney, was made deacon of the church at the time of its
organization, and their great-grandfather was deacon of the
church in the East Parish at its organization before the revo-
lutionary war. He was a descendant of Thomas Ranney who
emigrated from Scotland in the 17th century and settled in
Cromwell, Ct. The two brothers, Timothy and
Addison, were received into the church in the days of their
20
322 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
youth. They felt the same call to leave the farm and pre-
pare for the ministry. They fitted for college at Phillips'
Academy, Andover, Mass., and graduated at Middlebury
College, Vt., in 1839. Timothy pursued his theological
course at Andover and gave his life to the missionary work
under the care of the A. B. C. F. M. Joseph Addison, fear-
ing that insidious enemy, consumption, fled from the cold
climate of Vermont and took refuge in the State of Missis-
sippi. For a short season he taught a small school in a log
school-house in the little village of Preston, consisting of a
few cotton planters from Georgia and South Carolina. His
health improved and he was restored to his former vigorous
constitution. In the summer of 1840 he attended
the meeting of Clinton Presbytery, and was received under
their care as a candidate for the ministry. In May, 1S41, he
was licensed, and in May, 1842, ordained by the same Pres-
bytery. For one year he preached, as a licentiate, in a log
school-house in Yalabusha county, and in a log church in Tal-
lahatchie county. This church was of the most primitive
style, being built of logs without any chinking. The seats
were puncheons without backs and strangers to edge tools of
any kind. In the summer of 1841, Mr. Ranney, seeing his
way into the ministry fairly opening before him, returned
to Vermont on a visit and a little matrimonial business.
Going North, he had as a traveling companion Mr. C. C.
Campbell, a former school mate in the academy and college.
On their way they took in Washington City and made it a
business to attend Congress for a season. It was during an
extra session, soon after the death of President Harrison, and
in the palmy days of such statesmen as Webster and Clay,
Benton and Calhoun. In the autumn, in company with his
young bride and three young ladies going to Mississippi as
teachers, and a young man going as a shoe maker, he took
ship at Boston for New Orleans, and thence a steamer to
Memphis. Here he procured a horse, and putting to him
the harness and buggy brought, with many other Yankee
notions, from Vermont and Boston, he and bride finished
the journey by a buggy ride. The rest of the colony went
on to their places of destination by stage. For more than
one hundred miles they traveled in this way till they found
a hearty welcome at Preston. Before one year was com-
pleted at that place, Mr. Ranney was invited to Grenada.
His second year in preaching, and the first after ordination.
JOSEPH A. RANNEY. 323
lie had the two important fields, Grenada and Middleton,
twenty-five miles apart. Sometimes his wife accompanied
him to the appointments at Middleton. On one occasion as
they were returning, they found a stream too high to ford in
safety. They waited over night at a cabin. In the morning
the stream was yet swimming. A saddle was borrowed, and
man and wife crossed the stream on a fallen tree, and the
horse swam across. Both then mounted the horse and went
home riding double. In an old cemetery on a pleasant hill-
side in Grenada, they buried their first-born child, named Timo-
thy Addison. In June, 1843, they removed to
Illinois, not content to make a permanent home in a slave
State. Their first Sabbath in Illinois was spent at Alton, in
the home of Rev. A. T. Norton, pastor of the Presbyterian
church there. On the following Tuesday, Mr. Ranney rode
fifty miles on horse-back, from Jerseyville to Jacksonville,
to attend commencement in Illinois College. After that
ride, he heard Henry Ward Beecher's address before the
Literary Society of the College. At that time the man, now
so famous, was known only as the son of Dr. Lyman
Beecher. Many thought that sparks of the Beecher fire
came out occasionally. For two years, from
1843 ^o 1S45. ^^i"- Ranney preached at Carlinville one-half
the Sabbaths, giving the other half to Spring Cove and
Chesterfield. Dr. Gideon Blackburn, had just passed away,
and his widow and sons and daughters were members of
his congregation. A orphan grand-daughter of Dr. Black-
burn, Jane M. Blackburn, was received as a member of his
family, and remained such for a number of years and until
her marriage. In Feb., 1846, at the death of
Rev. George Pyle, Mr. Ranney was invited to take his place
as Chaplain in Monticello Seminary and pastor of the church
worshiping in the chapel. In the autumn of
1847, he accepted a call to become the pastor of the church
in Belleville. Here for the first time he was regularly in-
stalled, and for the first three or four years acted under
commission of the A. H. Missionary Society, receiving from
the people and the Society a salary of four hundred dol-
lars. When the church became able to pay the whole sal-
ary and raise it to five hundred dollars, it was thought to be
very cheering progress.
In the summer of 1854, after laboring in Belleville nearly
seven years, Mr. Ranney having had several severe attacks of
324 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
sickness, and having lost his wife and one child in the place^
yielded to the advice of some of his friends, resigned his
pastorate, and removed to Allegan, Mich. He there had
a pastorate of about five years. From thence he was called
to the pastorate of the church in Three Rivers, Mich., which
continued thirteen years. At the close of his labors there,
he accepted an invitation from the Trustees of the Michigan
Female Seminary, located at Kalamazoo, to labor one year
or more to raise funds to relieve that institution from debt.
It is a Seminary on the Mt. Hoiyoke plan, and under the
care of the Synod of Michigan. This work having been
accomplished, Mr. Ranney accepted a call to become pastor
of the church in Delphi, Ind. This was his fourth pastorate
and lasted five years. He then resigned and removed to
Kalamazoo, Mich. In an ordinary minister's life
a vast number of minds in a great number of places are-
reached by the gospel message. The audiences addressed
are not usually large, and there is no special attention
called to such a humble ministry. Buf when the results are
brought together, they give us much surprise. We are
reminded of the prophet's beatitude, " Blessed are ye
that sow beside all waters." As we have a complete
record of this ministry, it may interest some persons to
review the facts. In Mississippi the gospel
was preached ninety-eight times ; Illinois eight hundred
and ninety-eight times; in Michigan 1,756 times; in
Indiana four hundred and ninety-seven times ; in
Massachusetts sixteen times ; in Ohio ten times ; in.
New York eleven times ; in New Hampshire thre'e times ;
in Missouri same ; in Iowa and Wisconsin each twice ;
in Pennsylvania, Georgia, West Virginia, Maine, District of
Columbia, Atlantic? Ocean, in ship Palmyra, on steamer
Lake Erie and Mississippi River, each once. Total, three
thousand three hundred and four. In a ministry continued
through many years the gospel is not only offered to a vast
number of minds of all varieties, but some valuable fruits are
sure to be gathered up. Our most convenient estimate of
some of these fruits is based on the number of members
received into the communion of the church. In the minis-
try under review four hundred and sixty-nine were received
on profession and three hundred and nine by letter, total
seven hundred and seventy-eight — one hundred and fifty-
four adults and one hundred and twenty-seven infants were
JOSEPH A. RANNEY. 325
ibaptized. Mr. Ranney's family. In the Autumn
of 1 841 he was united in marriage to Phoebe A. Hitchcock at
Westminster West, Vt. The ceremony was performed in the
same church where both had attended Sabbath-school and
professed religion. They had born to them four sons, two
of them dying in infancy. Albert Barnes was born in Car-
linville, Oct. 31, 1844. He was in the army, under Sherman
in the famous march to the sea. After the war he went into
the mercantile business at Three Rivers and continued there
thirteen years, acting as an elder in the church and superin-
tendent of the Sabbath-school some part of the time. He has
lately removed with his wife and three children to Welling-
ton, Kansas. Joseph Addison, jr., was born in
Monticello Seminary, Oct. 12, 1847. He is a merchant in
Three Rivers, and a member of the Presbyterian church in
that place. He has a wife and two children. Mary E. Ran-
ney was adopted and baptized in the spring of 1859. She
graduated at the Michigan Female Seminary at Kalamazoo
in the class of 73, and has been teaching in the public
schools of Kalamazoo, Mich., and Delphi, Ind., for some time.
Mr. Ranney's second marriage took place at
Alton, 111., Oct. I, 1853, being united to Miss Wealthy A.
Hitchcock. The ceremony was performed by Rev. A. T.
Norton at the residence of Mr. W. F. Guernsey. During the
Avar, Mrs. Ranney took a commission from the U. S. Chris-
tian Commission, and went to Nashville with her husband.
She rendered great service in one of the hospitals while Mr.
Ranney went to Chattanooga and Kingston, Ga. On the
1st of Feb., 1875, Mrs. Ranney met with a fatal accident, hav-
ing fallen from a train of cars near Fort Wayne, Ind., while
trying to save her insane sister. Mr. Ranney
married again on the 17th day of May, 1876, being united to
Mrs. S. Matthews at Passaic, N. J., by Rev. R. G. Wilder, of
the Kalapoor JNIission. At the present time, December,
1878, the home of Mr. Ranney and wife is in Kalamazoo,
Mich. It is his purpose to make that place his headquar-
ters so long as life's warfare shall continue.
JosiAH Wood was born April 7, 18 14, at Cobbleskill, N.
Y. He united with the Presbyterian church when eighteen
years old ; studied two or three years at Rochester, N. Y. ;
he entered Hanover College, Ind., and remained there until
2,26 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
his senior year. He then resorted to teaching for a time
He read theology one year under the direction of Rev. John
McE. Dickey, pastor of Pisgah church, in Clark county, Ind.
He afterwards spent two years in Lane Seminary. Licensed.
by the Presbytery of Madison, Ind., April 4, 1842, and or-
dained by same Presbytery, October 12, 1843. Installed
pastor of Nine-Mile Prairie church, November 13, 1843, and
dismissed September 22, 185 1. He afterwards served that
church for two considerable periods. But the establishment
and general management of Ducoign Female Seminary was.
his great life-work. For several years that institution was-
flourishing and accomplished great good. He was supply
pastor of Tamaroa church in Perry county, 111., when he died
near New Washington, Ind., June 5, at four o'clock p. m.,.
1870.
The date of his marriage I cannot give. His wife's maiden,
name was Mary A. Giltner. She died at Old Ducoign, Perry
county. 111., September 7, 1877, and is buried there. She
was at her death sixty-nine years and seven months of age.
Henry B. Whittaker was born at Charleston, Kenawha
county, Va., November 15, 1814. His parents were pious,
and formerly from Massachusetts. He was brought up to re-
spect religion and attend church. From twelve to eighteen his
time was chiefly spent in a store with his father, and in going
up and down the Ohio and Kenawha rivers in a store boat
selling goods. Ardent in his temperament, he entered warmly
into the pursuit of pleasure, and tried every scene of amuse-
ment. When eighteen years of age he was hopefully con-
verted. By the advice of Dr. David Nelson, who happened
to be in Charleston, he went in January, 1836, to Marion Col-
lege to study for the ministry. In the latter part of that
year he left for Marietta College, Ohio, where he remained
until August I, 1840, when he went to Lane Seminary, hav-
ing, however, first spent five or six months in Oberlin. In-
April, 1842, he left the seminary and went into Missouri,,
and was licensed, June 25, by the Presbytery of Lexington.
He labored a short period in the Platte country and in
Belleville, 111., and then went to Ohio, was married August
31, 1842, and returned immediately to Belleville. After la-
boring there several months he came to Upper Alton, April
23, 1843. In October next ensuing he was called to become
MEETINGS OF PRESBYTERIES. 32/
their pastor. That call he declined, but was ordained by-
Alton Presbytery, sine titido. He continued, however, to labor
in Upper Alton, and with great acceptance, until seized with
his last illness. He died at sunrise, Sabbath morning, Sep-
tember 15, 1844. -^t five o'clock p. M of the same day his
remains were consigned to the tomb. On the next Sabbath
morning his funeral sermon was preached by Rev. A. T.
Norton at the church in Upper Alton. Thus passed away,
when only twenty-nine years and ten months of age, this min-
ister of ardent piety, flaming zeal and high promise.
The Synod of Illinois, n. s., met at Quincy, being their
first meeting since the establishment of the Synod of Peoria.
Members were present from the Presbyteries of Alton, 111.,
and Schuyler. The attention of Synod was called to the for-
mation of the Western College Association, and to their ap-
pointment of Rev. Theron Baldwin as their Corresponding
Secretary. Both the Association, its objects and their ap-
pointment of Mr. Baldwin were highly commended.
Synod of Illinois, o. s., met at Macomb, October 5,
1843, Members were present from four Presbyteries ; none
from Kaskaskia or Palestine. New Albany Theological
Seminary was approved, and four directors from this Synod
appointed.
YEAR 1844.
Illinois Presbytery met at Jacksonville, April 11, 1844.
Joseph A. Ranney was received from the Presbytery of
Alton. Robert Kirkwood was dismissed to the Presbytery
of Alton. J. H. Buffington, licentiate, was received from the
Presbytery of Schuyler. The Exeter church was received.
At a called meeting, June 27, 1844, Chauncy Eddy was re-
ceived and arrangements made for his installation, June 30.
A meeting was held with Spring Creek church, August 22.
Exeter Church was organized in 1844 with fifteen mem-
bers, Samuel Crawford, elder. It had but a very brief ex-
istence. Its name appears for the last time in the minutes of
1851.
328 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Chauncy Eddy was born in Connecticut in 1796; educated
at Williams College, Mass., and at Andover Seminary, where
he graduated in 1 82 1. Home missionary in South Carolina,
1821-22. Agent A. B. C. F. M. in Vermont and New York,
1822, Ordained May i, 1824, in North Carolina. Home
missionary there 1824-26. Supply pastor Presbyterian
church, Penn Yan, N. Y., 1827-30; pastor there 1830-31.
Agent Western Education Society, 1831-32. Agent A. B.
C. F. M. for Central New York, 1832-42. Agent N Y. Col-
onization Society, 1843. Pastor First Presbyterian church,
Jacksonville, 111., 1844. Pastor at Lanesboro, Mass., 1853-56.
Died at Beloit, Wts., Dec. 30, i860, aged sixty-four.
The Presbytery of Kaskaskia met with Gilead church,
Jefferson county, May 10, 1844. A. C. Allen, minister, and
John Siddall, elder, were appointed to the Assembly. Hope-
well and Bethany churches were received. Thomas A. Spil-
man was dismissed to Sangamon Presbytery. The Presby-
tery reported to the Assembly eight ministers, one licentiate
and twenty-six churches. The fall meeting was
held at Hillsboro, Oct. 4.
Hopewell Church was organized in 1844 by James Staf-
ford with ten members. John Denny and one other, elders.
Its post-office was Greenville, Bond county. It was dissolved
by Presbytery, Oct. 8, 1847, and its members attached to
Greenville.
Bethany, afterwards and now Staunton church, is within
one mile of the south line of Macoupin county, T. 7, R. 6,
Sec. 32. It was organized under the name of BetJiany, Nov.
18, 1843, with eight members, viz: James F. Spilman, sr.,
James F. Spilman, jr., Sarah V. Spilman, Mary Agnes Spil-
man, Wm. B. Higgins, Elizabeth R. Higgins, Charles Fish-
back and Mary M. Fishback. Elders : James F. Spilman,
sr., and Charles Fishback. It has never had a pastor, and
in no instance has its minister given his entire time to this
one church. The ministers, in their order, have been these:
E. F. Chester, licentiate, B. F. Spilman, James Stafford, John
S. Howell, P. D. Young. From 1850 to 1866, a period of
STAUNTON CHURCH. 329
sixteen years, tlie church had only occasional preaching.
There were internal difficulties and no growth. March 31,
1866, Rev. R. M. Roberts and Elder S. A. Paden visited the
•church and succeeded in so adjusting matters that regular
services were revived and an era of encouraging progress
commenced. The next minister v/as Wm. P. Teitsworth.
John S. Howell, J. Scott Davis and John Huston succeeded.
C. G. Keown, a Cumberland minister, was the next and last.
The church is now — 1879 — vacant. The first
house of worship was dedicated Dec. 31, 1848. The second
and present house was dedicated May 25, 1872. The
lot was donated by Wm. D. Shirley, This edifice — a
neat frame — cost ;^2,500. Aid in building was received from
the Board of Church Erection. The elders, be-
sides the first two, are these : Hugh Caldwell, Henry G.
Caldwell, David Ferguson, Wm. McKitrick and John Liv-
ingston. The rotary eldership system was adopted April 22,
1876. The records do not show when the name was changed
from Bethany to Staunton. But it was done, either by
.authority or custom.
Palestine Presbytery, n. s., held no spring meeting in
1844. Its fall session was held with New Providence church,
commencing Sept. 6. The Shiloh church, having changed
to "The Trinity Congregational church" requested to be
received on the plan of Union. Their request was granted.
The Presbytery of Palestine, o. s., met at Palestine,
April 25, 1844. Joseph Piatt was received from the Pres-
bytery of Transylvania. J. S. Reasoner was dismissed to
the Presbytery of Crawfordsville, and Isaac Reed to that
of Madison. The church of Shelbyville was received.
Isaac Bennet, minister, and Thomas Buchanan, elder, were
appointed to attend the Assembly. Presbytery expressed
the opinion that it was the right and privilege of Ruling Eld-
ers to lay on their hands in the ordination of ministers. R.
H. Lilly was dismissed from the pastoral care of Mt. Carmel
church. The Fall meeting was held at Paris, commencing
October 4.
Joseph Platt was born in Ireland; graduated at Center
PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
College, Ky., 1834, and at Princeton Seminary in 1837;.
ordained, sinetitulo, Dec. 8, 1840; pastor of Indiana churchy
near Vincennes, 1855; pastor at Farmington, III, in 1858;
supply pastor in Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, North Caro-
lina, Sugar Creek, Ind. Pastor at Bardolph, Illinois in 1875-8.
Shelbyville Church, o. s., organized in the court house,,
July 31, 1843, by Revs. Joseph Piatt and J. S. Reasoner,
with twelve members. David Ewing and James Elder, eld-
ers. It was dissolved April 2, 1852, by Presbytery at their
session in Charlesten. It was not represented in Presbytery
more than once or twice. Rev. Joseph Piatt was the only
supply. He came once in six weeks and staid for four or
five days at each visit. He supplied one year. The records-
are lost.
The Presbytery of Sangamon met at Jacksonville, April
5, 1844. David D. McKee, minister, and S. Q. Reaugh,.
elder, were appointed to the Assembly The Presbytery
reported to the Assembly five ministers and ten churches.
The fall meeting was held at Springfield, commencing Octo-
ber 9. Thomas A. Spilman was received from the Presby-
tery of Kaskaskia, and D. D. McKee dismissed to the same..
The Presbytery of Alton met at Marine, April 4, 1844..
The installation of Luke Lyons, as pastor of Jerseyville
church took place Dec. 26, 1843. Wm. E. Chittenden was-
licensed April 5, 1844, and at an adjourned meeting at Belle-
ville, April 21, 1844, ordained pastor of that church. Plum^
Creek church was received. Joseph A. Ranney was dis-
missed to the Presbytery of Illinois. Robert Kirkwood was
received from the same Presbytery. The report to Synod
showed fifteen ministers, sixteen churches and 1,152 mem-
bers. Missionary funds raised for the year, eight hundred
and twenty-four dollars. The fall meeting was held at Jer-
seyville, October 15. George Pyle was received from the
Presbytery of Cincinnati, and ordained Oct. 16. William
Fithian was received from Presbytery of Schuyler.
PLUM CREEK CHURCH. 33 I
Plum Creek Church was organized Feb. 24, 1844, by
Revs. Wm. Chamberlin and Robert Kirkwood, with twenty-
one members. Robert Kirkwood was installed its pastor^
June 9, 1844. He remained about two years. John Gibson
was installed Nov. 22, 1847. ^^ remained until 1853. Then
for five years there were no regular services. Josiah Wood
preached one-half the time from 1859 to 1863. John Gib-
son was their minister again from 1864 to 1868. Between
1868, and 1872, there were several different ministers for
short periods. Martin B. Gregg began labor here June 5^
1872, and died Aug. i, 1873. James Scott Davis was here
from 1873, to June 6, 1875. Alfred W. Wright, from Jan.
1876 to April, 1879 — three-fourths of his time.
The congregation worshiped for some time in a small log
school-house, belonging to the School District. The church
then united with the District in building a larger house, and
held it in common for church and school purposes till June,
1866. Then the congregation took possession of the brick
building they now occupy, which cost from ;^i,6oo to ^$1,800.
It stands on the S. W. quarter of the S. W. quarter
of Sec. 7, T. 4, R. 6, W. Elders: John Bicket, Robert
Crawford, John Kirkwood, Robert Kirkwood, John Smith,
Wm. B. Crawford, Matthew Kirkwood, Alex. Dunlap, James
Allen, Thomas Gordon, Wm. H. Ross, Joseph Smith. In
1876, the rotary system was introduced. The P. O. address
of most of the members of this church is Sparta, Randolph
county.
William E. Chittenden was born in Guilford, Ct., July
6, 1808. He was educated in an academy in Litchfield
county, Ct. He was for several years clerk in a store in
Goshen, Ct. In about 1827 he, with the writer and a few
other youths in that place, formed a praying circle which
met ne evening each week. He was in Alton, 111., in
1838.0 In 1839 he was in Belleville, and was one of the
first members and elders of that church. He conducted
their meetings whenever they were without a minister, and
with so much acceptance that, though without a classical ed-
ucation, that church sought his licensure and ordaination
over them. Presbytery also advised this course, and licensed
and ordained him as above. He was dismissed from that
pastoral charge, October 18, 184S. He then labored for a
332 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
time in Cohocton valley, N. Y., to gather a scattered church.
He soon, however, engaged in his old business, and became
cashier of a bank in Ohio. While thus employed in the
week, he preached for the most part upon the Sabbath to a
pastorless church. He next went to Holly Springs and took
charge of the northern bank of Mississippi. There, too, he
found and occupied a vacant pulpit, and received a call to
become pastor, which he did not accept. He next resided
for several years in Canada, and ceased entirely from pulpit
labor. On account of his long absence from them, the Pres-
bytery of Chickasaw, to which he was attached, dropped his
name from their list, though without any charge of wrong.
For nine years next previous to 1870, he resided in Buffalo,
N. Y., and acted as elder in the North Presbyterian church,
the pastor having full knowledge that he was an ordained
minister. While measures were being taken for his re-con-
necting with Presbytery he removed to Knoxville, Tenn., and
was there in 1870, constantly acting as lay preacher, though
engaged in secular pursuits. Mr. C. has been
three times married. Mr. C. D. Afflick, of St. Louis, is his
son-in-law.
George W. Pyle was born August 12, 18 13, at a place
called the Seven Stars, seven miles from Philadelphia. His
father was a Quaker. His mother was in the habit of taking
her son away alone and praying with him. She died when
George was about twelve years of age. He had no oppor-
tunities of early education at all. Some time after his moth-
er's death, he was sent from home to learn the trade of car-
riage making. During his apprenticeship he was vain and
wild. When about twenty years of age, he left Philadelphia
with four other young men for North Carolina, intending
there to work at his trade. While passing through Virginia,
the stage in which they where traveling broke down. The
landlord, with whom they staid while waiting to have it
repaired, informed them there was a camp-meeting in the
neighborhood, and advised them to attend, saying to Mr.
Pyle in particular, that he hoped he would become a Chris-
tian. This was on Monday. The young men went to the
meeting. Mr. Pyle was awakened by the first sermon he
heard. He and his companions continued in the meeting all
the week. All of them became deeply interested. Mr.
GEORGE W. PYLE. 333,
Pyle's convictions amounted to agony. Still there was one
thing he was determined not to do — he would not go forward
to be prayed for. On this point his opposition centered for
some time. At length he yielded it. On starting to go
forward he lost his hat in the crowd, but so fearful was he
that his present resolution would fail, if he turned back for a.
single moment, that he let it go and pressed to the anxious
seat. He there prostrated himself before God, yielded up
his heart and was filled with joy unspeakable.
His first thought after this change was, what shall I do for
Christ? The answer to the question was instantly given. I
ivill be a minister. At this time he could barely read, and
that was all. He here bought the first book he ever owned,
"Janeway's Token." His four companions were also con-
verted, and all went on their way rejoicing. In
North Carolina he made a public profession of religion, by
joining a Presbyterian church. He labored at his trade, and
spent his Sabbaths in teaching the blacks and in holding
meetings. While there he heard of Jacksonville College,
probably through Rev. Edward HoUister, who was then in
North Carolina, and was about emigrating to this State. Mr.
Pyle came on with him, and drove one of his teams.
When he arrived at Jacksonville, he found himself among
strangers and pennyless. He entered the preparatory de-
partment, and, then a young man about-twenty-one years of
age, commenced with the studies of a little boy, and as he
said himself, with a dull, heavy mind. His food was
coarse, his bed a blanket. His expenses were defrayed
principally by working at his trade. After spend-
ing two years in the preparatory department, he entered col-
lege, where after four years of successful study he graduated
witli honor. His room in college was over the study of Pres-
ident Beecher. He has stated, that when his heart was
almost ready to fail, he has felt his courage revive by hearing
the prayers of that godly man. From Jackson-
ville he went, immediately after graduating, to Lane Semin-
ary to prosecute his theological studies. At the close of two
years he was licensed to preach the gospel by the Cincinnati
Presbytery. For eight months subsequently to this he con-
tinued in Lane Seminary, supplying, during three months of
that period, the church in Reading, eight miles distant. That
church were anxious to retain him, but he had consecrated
himself to Illinois. In the spring and summer of 1843 ^^
334 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
preached four months in Springfield, 111., supplying Mr.
Hale's pulpit during his absence. Subsequently he traveled
through some portion of Southern Illinois and visited Alton.
From thence he went, in September, to Peoria, where he con-
•cluded to remain. On the first of November following, he
jnarried Miss Mary G. Wilson, of Reading, Ohio. He re-
mained in Peoria one year, preaching the gospel faithfully
amidst many discouragements. He came to Mon-
ticello, Madison county. 111., in September, 1844, ^^^ for ^'^^
year and four months ministered to that church, and acted as
■chaplain to the sern.inary. He died at his room in the sem-
inary building, January 22, 1846, after a sickness of only
■seven days. He left one little son, Theodore. Soon after
his death ten or twelve young ladies, members of the semin-
ary, publicly confessed Christ, most of whom referred their
first impressions to Mr. Pyle's last sermon and his death-bed
.exhortations.
William Fithian was born December 11, 18 14, at Bridge-
water, N. Y. He was educated at Delaware College and
Princeton Seminary. He was ordained April 16, 1842, by
the Presbytery of Schuyler. He joined Alton Presby-
tery April 17, 1844, and was dismissed from it April 5, 1845.
He labored during that year with Bunker Hill church, 111.
He was at Pembroke, N. Y., in 1855-57. His address in
1870 was St. Louis, Mo.
The Synod of Illinois, n. s., met at Jerseyville, October
17, 1844. Members were present from the Presbyteries of
Illinois, Schuyler and Alton. None from Palestine. In
view of the great importance of Sabbath-schools, and Bi-
ble classes, Synod earnestly recommended that they take the
place of one of the ordinary exercises of the Sabbath where
they cannot otherwise be held. The Synod of
Illinois, o. s., met at Springfield, October 10. Members
-were present from five Presbyteries. Nothing was done aside
from the usual routine business.
YEAR 1845.
The Presbytery of Illinois met at Springfield, April 10,
CHARLES B. BARTON. 335
t845. William Fithian was received from the Presbytery of
-Alton, and L. S. Williams dismissed to the same. J. H.
Buffington proffered the surrender of his license. The prof-
fer was accepted. Bilious Pond was continued as Presbyte-
rial missionary. This Presbytery also recommended that
Sabbath-schools and Bible classes take the place of one of
the ordinary Sabbath services when their object cannot be
•otherwise attained. The fall meeting was held at
Winchester, Sept. ii. Also an adjourned meeting at Spring-
field, October i6. Charles B. Barton was received from the
Presbytery of Knox.
Charles Backus Barton was born at Fitchburg, Mass.,
'Sept. I, 1810. I give the following interesting sketch of
.him and his father in his own words.
" In connection with the biographical sketch solicited for
'this volume, it is fitting to furnish some account of my fath-
er's life and work. Though he did not labor in this field as
•a Christian minister, yet he entered it for that purpose, but
was immediately called to the higher service of the Master;
and was probably the first Presbyterian minister who died in
111. Rev. Titus Theodore Barton, was the son of David
Barton, of Granby, Mass., and was born Feb. 17, 1766. He
became a soldier in the revolutionary war at the age of four-
teen, serving until the close of the war; was in several
important battles, and came near losing his life at one time
by starvation ; at another, while on guard, a spy attacked
him with bayonet in hand. The boy felled him at his feet ;
the weapon in the hand of the falling victim pierced through
the thick flesh of his leg, and he drew it forth, bound up the
wound with his handkerchief, and remained at his post until
morning, rather than report himself wounded and obtain
relief His stories of hairbreadth escapes, hard-
ships and heroism, in these three years of soldier life, while
himself but a boy, left a deep impression on my early mem-
ory. He graduated at Dartmouth, in 1790.
.Studied divinity with Dr. Charles Backus; also studied
medicine and obtained the degree of M. D., but his life was
chiefly devoted to the ministry. He was settled over the
" Church of Christ in Tewksbury," in 1792. In 1794, was
tnarricd to Mrs. Ruth Wood, widow of Rev. Jacob VVood,
of Newbury, Vermont, and the daughter of Stephen Huse,
330 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
of Methuen, Mass. A curious document is in my possession
of her first husband's — his call to the pastoral care of the
town and church of Cambridge, bearing date Sept. i8, 1786.
After mentioning the call of the church, the notice thereof
to the town, and its concurrence therein, the town clerk fills
out the call thus. " And by way of encouragement to his
taking the pastoral charge over them, ( the church and
town) have voted him the following settlement and salary,
viz.: For his settlement he shall have tw j hundred acres of
land, one hundred acres lying in first division, lot number
twenty-seven ; the other anywhere in town, provided it be
a good settleable-dot. Also to give one hundred pounds
toward building him a house, to be paid in labor and mater-
ials by the tenth of Nov., 1787. For hissak.ry he shall have
forty pounds the first year, to rise five pounds a year until it
amounts to eighty. The salary is to be estimated on silver
at six and eight pence per ounce. Also fifty cords of wood
annually to be drawn to his door and cut suitable for his
fire-places. John Fapot, Town Clerk."
This is a rather more liberal outfit than the early minis-
ters of Illinois received. My father was dis-
missed from his first charge in 1 803, and in 1804, was
installed over the church of Christ, in Fitchburg. In the
fall of 18 17, he removed to West Tennessee, with a family
of nine children, of whom I was the youngest, being seven
years old the first day of September, of that year. After
spending ten years there, he decided to remove to Jackson-
ville, III., with most of his children. But he died suddenly
with disease of the heart two days after entering the State.
Rev. Richard Tolman, one of his successors at
Tewksbury, in an historical address of 1858, says of him:.
" His stalwart frame fitly symbolized his energetic mind, a
mind that could seize a subject with a firm grasp, and handle
it like a master. He was strong, too, emotionally..
A powerful heart throbbed within that massive frame,
prompting him to do that which he undertook with all his.
might, whoever or whatever might oppose. Hence, he could
not bear the former half-way covenant, by which confessedly
unconverted persons were admitted to the church, and thus
the grand distinction between the church and the world in a
great measure destroyed. There was no half-way with him
about anything, especially in matters of such transcendent
importance as those pertaining to the church. Accordingly,.
CHARLES B. BARTON. 33/
in his endeavors to bring up the church here, from the laxity
of the half-way covenant to what he supposed was the true
scriptural platform ; he did not mince matters at all, but threw
his whole soul into the work, notwithstanding the warmth
with which he was opposed, and all the trials which it cost
him. So, too, while pastor of the church in Fitchburg, dur-
ing the war of 1812, when there was a division between
Federalists and Republicans, he felt it his duty to urge his
people to sustain the government in their resistance to the
usurpations of the British crown, and he therefore determined,
as he tells us, whether his people would hear him or not, he
must declare the truth, and trust the event. And he did
declare it, without anything like a craven heart, or mealy
mouth ; though it kindled up against him an enmity of the
fiercest character." A few quotations from his " Fast ser-
mon" preached at Fitchburg, July 23, 18 12, lifts the curtain
from the past, and brings before us the throbbing
hearts, and kindling eyes, and fiery words of rebellion and
loyalty in that historic crisis. In that sermon he says,
"Our government it is believed has made every possi-
ble experiment at negotiation. There was no alterna-
tive. War with England, or servile submission to her,
were the only objects before it. Of these two objects
the government chose war, and have declared it against
England and her dependencies. No sooner was the
declaration heard, than the enemies of the government
through the nation rally in their strength, and set themselves
in the most violent opposition. Were what is now talked
against the government and its supporters carried into ac-
tion, the land must be stained with the blood of its inhabi-
tants. Brother with brother, father with son, and son with
father, would join in the horrid battle. It was thought some
months ago that if government should declare war, the di-
vision would be apparently healed, and there have been some
noble examples of this nature. Would all do likewise, the
war would be short, little blood would be shed, and we might
shortly have peace on just and equitable terms. But if the
nation must be divided against itself, it needs no uncommon
sagacity to see that ruin is not far distant. The administra-
tion after weighing the consequences have taken their stand.
Their supporters are numerous, and will not in the hour of
danger abandon the government." In his "apol-
ogy" for publishing this sermon, he regrets exceedingly the
21
338 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS,
necessity which compels him to differ from "so large a pro-
portion of his ministerial brethren — men of great talents, and
eminent for their piety," with whom he " has had the most
cordial, brotherly fellowship." He suggests that some of
his excited hearers, by taking the subject to their closets,
might abate their opposition, and closes by saying — " Many
sermons in the past ten years have been printed apparently
to stir up opposition to the government, and few or none to
excite the people to confide in and support their rulers."
Though it was said of him at the time that " his gun did
more execution a^the breach than at the muzzle" (unsettling
him in both instances), yet he lived to see the success of his
own opinions both in the Church and in State ; and he
must have been happy in the consciousness of having fought
and suffered heroically for them. Mr. Tolman in 1S5S says:
" Of the four hundred and eighty Congregational churches
in Massachusetts, I do not know of one but has abolished the
half-way covenant, and stands upon the very platform to
which he tried to bring the church of Tewksbury sixty years
ago." The journey from Massachusetts to Ten-
nessee occupied seventy-three days, full of hardships and
peril, exhausting all of my father's means. His anticipa-
tions regarding the new home were bitterly disappointed.
But he was compelled to remain with all his family.
The ten years there were full of care, toil and privation.
He labored on the farm, felled the forest, split rails (two hun-
dred the day he was sixty years old), planted orchards and
vineyards, worked in the shop at coopering and cabinet-mak-
ing, preached almost every Sabbath with little remuneiation,
often riding forty miles a day on horseback to reach appoint-
ments; practiced medicine quite extensively among the
poor, and wrought with his pen, during what leisure he could
command, against the errors in belief and practice with which
he came in contact. He was a member of Shiloh
Presbytery at the same time with Dr. Blackburn and a part of
the time served as its missionary. But his ex-
hausting labors were fast consuming his energies ; and with
the determination to remove as many of his children as pos-
sible from the influence of slavery, and with a hope to devote
himself exclusivey to the work of the ministry; he decided
to remove to Jacksonville, 111. The journey was half accom-
plished when we reached the Ohio river. While we were
ferrying over, a sound which had been ringing in his ear
CHARLES B. BARTON. 339
wherever he had traveled for ten years past, pierced his sen-
sitive heart for the last time. The poor slave's fruitless cry
for mercy under the driver's lash, was borne over the waves
from the Kentucky shore. The note of anguish died on the
air and we trod the soil of freedom once more.
Two of his married daughters were left behind, caught in the
meshes of slavery. How would that dear father have felt,
could he have foreseen that, from that hour a widening gulf
•would open between his children, through which, eventually
the crimson tide of civil war would flow ! But his release
from the burdens and sorrows of earth was now very near.
We rested two days on this side of the river,
and on the third morning, he rose at daybreak, apparently in
usual health, and spoke cheerfully of starting again on the
journey ; but in an instant fell speechless, and in a few
moments life was extmct. In that sparsely set-
tled region we were obliged to send eighteen miles to pro-
cure the services of a minister of another denomination for
the funeral. We buried him on the bank of the beautiful
Ohio, two miles below Ford's Ferry. (This ferry is on the
Ohio twenty-five miles South of Equality, on the great road
from the south part of Kentucky and Tennessee, to Illinois
and Missouri.)
The widow and her children resumed their mournful jour-
ney, passing over sea-like prairies which stretch onward from
ten to twenty miles without human habitation.
We found Jacksonville a collection of twenty-five or thirty
dwellings, chiefly log cabins, two or three stores, and a whiskey
tavern. A rude log school-house served as a sanctuary for
all denominations ; where three and a half years after, April,
1830, Rev. John M. Ellis, was installed pastor of the Presby-
terian church. A strong prejudice was excited
against this noble man, to whose indefatigable labors, Jack-
sonville is much indebted for its wealth and culture, by
reports he gave at the East of the want of an educated min-
istry at the West. That his statements were well founded,
let a few facts testify. On one occasion I heard a traveling
preacher in a log house, standing on the identical spot of
ground where Illinois College is built, and which was soon
after purchased by Mr. E. as a location for this institution,
who informed his hearers that the Bible \YdiS so named because
it was a guide to heaven. " By," he said, " means a way or
path ; as we say a by-path. Bill means a writing of instruc-
340 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
tion to guide men. So you see, my brethren, these two
words have been put together and we have this By-bill, our
guide to heaven." At another time I heard a Fourth-of-
July sermon in the Jacksonville court house. The speaker
labored hard to impress his hearers with the great obliga-
tions of free citizenship. Like other would-be orators he
felt the need of some high-sounding sentence on which to
ring the changes and round out his periods, so he adopted
this significant one : " Consider, then, your great privileges
and responsibilities O ye Libertines of America ! "
A young minister told me of his various calls to preach.
Among these he-'felated that one night a ball of fire rolled
along the floor through his room, which he regarded as God's
voice or vision calling him to the work of the ministry.
I was frequently asked what call I had received directly
from God, implying that I ought to have heard a voice,
seen a vision, or dreamed a dream, or had some other
strange manifestation. The young minister who saw the
ball of fire said in a sermon, that the enjoyments of heaven
would be like what he experienced when a boy in his
" father's peach orchard," where he to used to eat his Jill
of peaches and then " roll down the grapy hilly Another time
he said (to show the insignificance of the greatest of men) :
" Take the greatest potentate on earth, and the wildest back-
wood's angel who ranges the outskirts of heaven, and they
coiddnt hitch horses together."
Ministers frequently boasted that they " never rubbed their
backs against a college wall." And I aver that such men
stood well in the denomination to which they belonged.
But to-day some of their descendents are among our cul-
tured citizens, and owe their distinction in a great measure
to the institutions their fathers opposed. For our first house
( as there were none to rent), I went to the forest, cut logs,
split and hewed puncheons for the floor, rived boards for
the roof, built mud jams for fire-places, with mud and stick
chimney, not spending five dollars for doors, windows, nails,
hinges, etc. It was a happy home wanting only the lost
one. My new responsibilites and relations, my
great loss united with the interest shown in my behalf by
Christian friends, were calculated to lead me to adopt higher
aims in life than ever before. Ten of the most important
and impressible years of life had been spent under the dark
shadow of slavery; and I have since contemplated the situa-
CHARLES B. BARTON. 34I
tion With amazement and gratitude that I did not goto utter
ruin. In these years I had only six months' schoohng out-
side our family. I am especially indebted to Revs. J. M.
Ellis and J. M. Sturtevant, for their interest in my behalf.
They had much to do with my coming into the church ;
deciding to obtain an. education, and devoting my life to the
ministry. Of my religious experience I can only say that
by the bad teaching of good men, I went through the then
usual ordeal of a long painful seeking, resuking in a night
of agony, when I concluded religion was not in findmg
something but doing something. The requirements of the
Bible commended themselves to my understanding and con-
science. I resolved to obey and trust God.
On the first Monday in January, 1830, the preparatory de-
partment of Illinois College opened under the instruction of
Rev. J. M. Sturtevant. This was an eventful period in the
history of Illinois. It was the consummation of the heroic,
self-sacrificing, far-seeing labors of J. M. Ellis and his noble
coadjutors east and west, and the birth of collegiate educa-
tion here, in connection with its twin brother, Rock Spring
Seminary, now developed into Shurtleff College in Alton.
I was one of the seven students in whose pres-
ence our instructor solemnly consecrated to God the institu-
tion whose walls have echoed his voice from that day to the
present hour. Six pleasant years, which memory
often reproduces both in waking and sleeping hours, passed
in preparatory and collegiate studies. Several religious
awakenings occurred during the course in which nearly every
student was hopefully converted ; among them some highly
gifted men who have since filled important positions in the
Church, in educational institutions, and civil and political life.
Our class, four in number, graduated in 1836.
The early students of this college may have suffered some-
what for want of the facilities furnished by older institutions.
But we cannot believe it possible to have manned this infant
college with a better corps of instructors than its president
and faculty.
Soon after graduating I entered into a co-partnership with
an esteemed friend with whom I had long been acquainted.
This relation has continued forty-two years and bids fair to
continue to the end. Our first united labors were in teach-
ing, in which my companion in this tribulation was far more
successful than myself. Our school system was tken very
342 ■ PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS,
imperfect, and often in the hands of men who needed greatl7
to be taught. In one place I procured from the proper offi-
cer a certificate setting forth the holder's capability of teach-
ing the English branches of a common school, the higher
mathematics and the Greek and Latin languages, who. could
not write his own name! In the fall of 1840 I
was licensed by the Illinois Presbytery, N. S. This event
fulfilled a long cherished desire of my mother, which had
been disappointed by the chosen life-work of two other sons.
For twelve years she was spared to afford me her hints, coun-
sels and prayers. She knew well what the work of the min-
istry included, since two of her brothers, as well as both her
husbands, had filled that office. At the advanced age of
eighty-four, after twenty-five years' of widowhood, she went
to rest honored and beloved by all who knew her, leaving de-
scendants as numerous as her years. I went to
my first charge in the western part of Peoria county in rail
cars drawn by mules from Jacksonville to Meredosia, and
thence up the river to Peoria. From thence to Newburgh —
my new home — in a buggy furnished by Moses Pettengill,
Esq., whose friendship and aid, with those of his first wife,
were highly valued in after years. Our housekeeping com-
menced there in a small unplastered tenement, having a
loose-floored loft entered by a ladder. Here we fared sump-
tuously, entertained distinguished guests and many friends.
Wife did the cooking by an open fire, and when the hearth
was all occupied by gentlemen's legs, their owners gallantly
aided by placing the skillet and coffee-pot on the coals, and
returning them when ready for the table, around which we
merrily gathered, some on boxes and kegs — chairs being a
scarce commodity. A neighboring minister on one of these
occasions proposed to send us some of his chairs, as he owned
six, and was obliged to stow three of them in the loft for
want of room in his cabin. A Congregational
church of some thirty members was organized soon after my
arrival, and in June, 1841, 1 was ordained as its pastor by Knox
Presbytery, with which I had united. I preached occasion-
ally at Brimfield, where a flourishing church afterward grew
up. My labors here continued four years, during which the
church doubled in numbers, and many of the friends among
them will ever be cherished in our memory. Newburg with
its church was afterwards absorbed in the rising town of Elm-
wood, near by. In the fall of 1 845 I was requested to
CHARLES B. BARTON. 343
visit the Congregational churches of Bunker Hill and Wood-
burn, but through the mismanagement of committees on sup-
ply, I met a rival candidate there. He thought it wise to draw
denominational lines sharply. I thought otherwise, and left
the field to him, and at once proceeded to Bethel, Bond
county. This mother church, whose children have migrated
in many directions and become the elders and ministers of
many others churches, will, doubtless, be described in another
place. I labored there nearly two years. At
the solicitation of Rev. Wm. Kirby, then agent of the Home
]\Iissionary Society, I took charge of the Presbyterian
church of Farmington, Sangamon county, in the summer of
1847. This church contained men and women of decided
intelligence and independent character; but some serious dis-
agreements had hindered its progress in preceding years. It is
written, " One sinner destroyeth much good." How true is
this if the sinner be a saint of the first water ! By the bless-
ings of the Lord their divisions were so far healed as to
bring them into harmony, and the church grew and pros-
pered during the four years of my labors there. At the end
of this period it became evident that if I remained longer, I
must do it in opposition to the will of the strongest man in
the church. He was greatly given to change, and unreason-
ably exacting, yet possessing qualities and qualifications
that rendered him deservedly esteemed, so that the general
feeling was, that it was " best to let Uncle John have his
way." Believing, as I then did, that entire harmony between
so prominent a member and the minister was indispensable
to the prosperity of the church, I decided to leave. But
this step I, with most of the church, had reason to regret,
for the result was the opening afresh the wounds that had
been closed, and the formation of another church.
I spent one year in Jacksonville, in labors of which I
am now enjoying the fruit; and the next in unavailing efforts
to resuscitate the Presbyterian church in INIanchester. The
town then afforded only a miserable school-house for the use
of all denominations. It was built on wooden pillars, high
enough to accommodate all the swine of the village under
the floor, if they arranged themselves judiciously. The ser-
vice and song were assisted by the shrill alto and the deep
bass of the occupants beneath, and fleas and ill-behaved
youngsters added to the interesting variety. Determined
not to continue the partnership with the pigs, I took the
344 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
liberty to stop them out, and was reproved for depriving
their owners of a convenience to which the public were en-
titled ! I was not much aided by the ministers who shared
these accomodations with me, one of whom held forth from
a text which he said could be found in one of the epistles of
*' General Peters This church contained some
very estimable families, and there was a time when they
might have erected such a house of worship as would allow
to their children a thorough religious training, but neglect-
ing their opportunity, they prepared the way for the weak-
ness and decay which followed. In the fall of
1853, 1 went to set^O-'e the Congregational churches of Bunker
Hill and Woodburn. The former village was in many
respects the most desirable for a residence, but from events
which had previovsly occured, I felt under obligation to
make my home in Woodburn.
In Bunker Hill, serious difficulties were healed, and mem-
bers which had been too hastily thrust out were penitently
invited to return, and resume their places in the church.
Hopeful conversions also swelled their numbers, and at the
end of two and a half years, it seemed best that each of
these churches should have the exclusive service of a minis-
ter. I remained in Woodburn which had also been blest
and strengthened, and bonds of strong affection formed ; and
no lapse of time or change of relation can release me from
obligations which the sympathy and loving aid of friends
there had then imposed on me. The Woodburn church
knew me to be decidedly opposed to slavery, and I knew
that two influential families in it were from the South, and had
a pecuniary interest in the institution. But having great
confidence in these brethren, I trusted that the advancing
spirit of the age and increasing personal devotion to Christ
would carry us peacefully through the crisis. But the event
shewed that preaching against sin is no smoother work now,
than in the days of our fathers.
Contending against sin in the abstract, or sin that has
been conquered, is very safe and reputable ; but grappling
with a living sin, with its teeth in it, is quite another thing.
After some five years of peaceful work, circumstances
brought the question of the right of property in human beings
into a shape in which a decided stand must be taken. The
result was, that the brethren from the South turned against
me and desired my removal. I did not, however, feel obliged
CHARLES B. BARTON. 345
to uproot all the fibres of influence which had been years in
growing, because a few friends had become alienated from
me, painful as that fact was. I remembered Farmington.
These brethren submitted to the will of the majority, and
confined their opposition to an annual attempt to dissolve
my connection with the church. After this state of things
had continued five years longer, I resigned my charge. The
church had now grown from the weakest to the largest and
most influential in the village, and I hoped that, uniting
upon a new minister, they might go on prosperously. At
the request of the church, I recommended my successor, a
fine scholar, a good preacher, and I then supposed a man of
kind and Christian spirit.
My home and means of support were in Woodburn, and
I needed rest after twenty years of labor. I hoped that my
resignation had satisfied my opponents, and I exerted my-
self to make my successor's sphere of usefulness wide and
unobstructed. But it soon appeared that peace was not to
be permitted me there. Under some influence the new min-
ister's heart was turned against me, and he resisted all
efforts at reconciliation, even refusing to meet brethren from
abroad who offered themselves as mediators. I have never
heard of any Christian minister who endorsed or sustained
him in the attitude which he then chose to take. He suf-
fered himself to become the exponent of the enmity of my
former opposers, and led the church through a course of
action in regard to me, so unreasonable, so precipitate, and
so disorderly in every step as to bring severe censure upon
it from a council of their own choosing, and for a time almost
to destroy its influence for good in the surrounding commu-
nity. The remarkable accusation which furnished the basis
■of this action was presented in the following words: " You
are hereby charged in general terms with walking contrary
to the peace of the church and the interests of religion."
This anomaly of putting a man on trial for his general con-
duct, excited the amazement and mirth of a council called
to review the proceedings. When I invited the church to
unite with me in calling a mutual council, I received an in-
sulting refusal ; and, when after waiting several weeks at the
request of ministerial brethren, hoping for a better state of
feeling, I called an ex parte council, representing the promi-
nent Congregational churches in Southern Illinois, with those
of St. Louis ; the church, in the person of its leader, met the
346 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
invitation of these brethern to make this a mutual council^
in the same spirit, refusing even to answer questions which:
the council desired to ask them. Tlie brethren, seeing the
church thus misled and endangered, thought it right to-
depart from their established rules, and give to them the
exclusive hearing which they demanded, but which they had
forfeited by refusing a mutual council. In doing this, they
arrested and mutilated the legitimate council organized the
day preceding. I was obliged to protest against this irregu-
larity— it being utterly unknown to Congregational usage —
and against any decision of theirs regarding me, as the law-
lessness of the organization was equalled by the looseness
of its proceedings. They listened for ten hours to all that
my accusers chose to say, without pretending to confine
them to testimony formerly given, required no solemnity of
form, gave them the benefit of each other's presence, and
placed no restraint or limitation upon their irrelevant and
desultory talk ; and of course, in this case, there could be nO'
reply to what was said. After all was sifted and weighed,,
they concluded by advising the church to rescind its action.
The legitimate council advised me to make such conces-
sions to the church as I "candidly believed were due to
them." The ministers and delegates who composed this
council were excellent men, and strove to do the best in
their power. They certainly designed no injustice; but
from my experience in this, and my observation of other
church trials, I am convinced that three rules ought never to
be violated in such cases.
1st. No complaint should be entertained at all without a
definite charge, and false accusation should be treated as a.
great crime.
2d. That witnesses should be brought under the restraints
and solemn forms of a civil court, and be examined apart
from each other.
3d. That men appointed to investigate and decide cases,,
should be governed strictly by the established rules which
the wisdom of ages has provided, and long experience tested.
Extemporized machinery for peculiar circumstances, will not
prove as reliable as the old, well tried guides.
( Bro Barton's experience has taught him genuine Pres-
byterianism.)
In the spring of 1867 I went to Richview to care for
a newly organized Congregational church. It was com-
CHARLES B. BARTON. 34/
posed of good materials and its outlook was full of promise.
Immediately a comfortable house of worship was prepared,
the minister installed with ample salary provided.
The unbounded expectation of pecuniary profits from fruit
growing had drawn this people together ; but the bubble
soon burst, and the same spirit of adventure and enterprise
which had brought them here quickly scattered them every
whither. The church in less than four years was reduced to
a mere handful, and is practically extinct; and in March,
1872, I am again at Bethel. It is and is not the Bethel I
left twenty-five years ago. The hoary living then, are now
the holy dead ; the middle-aged are now bending under the
weight of years, and the children and youth of that time are
the fathers and mothers of this, filling the places of trust va-
cated by death or decaying faculties. But spite of these
great changes. Bethel is essentially the same it always has
been. They most truly can say —
"We are the same things that our fathers have been,
We see the same sights tliat our fathers have seen,
We drink the same stream and we feel the same sun,
And we run the same race which our fathers have run."
In the spring of 1874 I removed to Jacksonville, and have
since then preached most of the time to the Second Portu-
guese Presbyterian church through an interpreter. The aged
among this people, who were driven from Madeira by Popish
persecution, are simple-hearted lovers of Christ, delighting to
be fed on the sincere milk of the word, and they grow thereby.
Many of their descendants are intelligent, progressive men,
whose lives may hereafter shed light on the mystery of God's
providences in bringing this people here to add their nation-
ality to the many strands entwined in our American civiliza-
tion. The labor of this sketch has been to crowd out of it,
and not into it, the experience of sixty-eight years. Hence
were all written that could be said of any man's life — how far
short would it fall of the reality !
Life seems to me a solid sphere on whose surface narrative
is but a single line. It can tell us that a man lived thus and
so ; that he was fawned or frowned upon for this or that ;
that he played an important or unimportant part here or
there; and in the end of his diversified appearances on the
stage, affording at intervals remote a momentary spectacle
for lookers-on, he disappeared and is seen no more. But
Avhat all this and all else wrought on his own being, what he
was to himself, to his kind, and to his God ; what were his
348 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
communings, and the conflicts of his soul with unseen forces,
his victories and defeats, he cannot reveal if he would, for
there is no language to utter these mighty mysteries. Yet
these " abysmal deeps of personality " are a man's life.
Charles Backus Barton.
The Presbytery of Kaskaskia met with Sugar Creek
church, April 14, 1845. D. D. McKee was received from the
Presbytery of Sangamon. Elisha F. Chester, licentiate, was
received from the Presbytery of Salem, examined and or-
dained sine titulo. A. Ewing, minister, and James A. Ram-
sey, elder, were appointed Commissioners to the next Assem-
bly. The churches of Carlinville, Belleville, Brooklyn and
Mud Creek, having ceased to exist, their names were stricken
from the roll. Galum church was received.
Galum Church — so named from a creek near by — was
organized by Rev. Cyrus Riggs, June 29, 1844, on Four-Mile
Prairie, at the house of James C. Kimzey, with these mem-
bers, viz: William Hamilton, Nancy Hamilton, Mary Kim-
zey, Jane Brown, Ann Hamilton, Julina Ann Woodside, John
Hamilton, Polly M. Foster, Jane Kimzey, Nancy Jane Hamil-
ton, James C. Kimzey and Woods M. Hamilton. Elders :
John Hamilton and William Hamilton. Elders since elected :
John Steel, Woods L. Hamilton, Ephraim R. Kimzey, James
Taylor, A. A. Kimzey, John M. Craig, Moses French John
V. Tyler, A. T. Hughey, J. P. Rial, William B. Kimzey, Sam-
uel D. Rule. Ministers : Cyrus Riggs ; B. F.
Spilman supplied from two to three years, preached here
fifty-six sermons, received twenty-one members and baptized
twelve persons ; C. D. Martin ; John Mathews ; Daniel Steele
was ordained over the church ; William H, Templeton, from
the Creek Nation ; George K. Perkins, George B. McComb;
M. M. Cooper; Jared Stone, D. D. ; George B. McComb, sec-
ond time. The first place of worship was a log
building, near the site of the present house, erected about
the time the church was organized. To aid in building the
present house the Church Extension Board donated one
liundred dollars, with which the congregation bought eighty
acres. Seventy acres of that land were sold. With the
proceeds the present house of worship was erected on the
ELISHA F, CHESTER. 349
remaining ten acres. That eighty was the east half of the
N. W. quarter of Sec. 4, T. 6 S., R. 3 W. The ten acres on
which the house stands is the northeast corner of the N. W.
quarter. The building was finished in 1854. It is thirty-
four by forty-four, ceiled throughout, and cost six hundred
dollars. It is in the timber — no other building of any kind
being in sight. The whole number of members
down to 1874 was one hundred and ninety-five. The county
is Perry. The posto fifice Pinckneyville.
Elisha Freeman Chester was born August 20, 1806, in
Otsego county, N. Y. His grandfather's grandfather, Sam-
uel Chester, came from Chester, Eng., near 1660. He be-
came a citizen of New London county, Ct., in 1663. The
record of his children, their baptisms and his will is there.
He was one of the persecuted Non-conformists of England.
I now use Mr. Chester's own language : " I carry
my maternal grandfather's name, Elisha Freeman. He was
also from England, and in his earlier Christian life a Presby-
terian. But he became a Baptist, and a preacher in that
Church. My mother was also a Baptist. My father was first a
Congregationalist, then a Presbyterian. From nine years of
age I was brought up near Columbus, Ohio. My college
course was taken in the Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. I
graduated in 1 839. After teaching two years in Kentucky
I took the three years' theological course at the New Al-
bany, now the Chicago, Seminary, I was licensed in the
spring of 1844. Under a commission from our Board of
Home Missions I took charge of Dry Point and Staunton
churches, Macoupin county. 111., in the spring of 1845. I
was ordained by the Presbytery of Kaskaskia at Sugar Creek,
April, 1845. In 1846 I took charge of Providence church,
Cass county, 111., and remained there two years. My next
charge was a little church in Ogle county. 111., now called
White Rock. There I labored two years. Then I was ap-
pointed missionary colporteur, with a monthly preaching ap-
pointment. After two years of successful labor in that
branch of our work, I took charge of two churches I had
gathered in the time in Stephenson county. I was then a
member of Chicago Presbytery. About that time I married
Miss Eliza A. Brown, only daughter of Rev. Sidney Smith
Brown, at Concord, Mich. Then, on solicitation, I under-
350 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
took to resuscitate the Michigan Central College, which had
been abandoned by all its professors to establish the Hills-
boro College. The effort failed. I then returned to my
land near Rochelle, in Ogle county, and improved it, preach-
ing once in two weeks in a grove where sixty saddles had
been found in a hollow log. Those who had emptied the
saddles had all disappeared. A pleasant, well-dressed con-
gregation, which received the word with gladness, had taken
their place. Ten years I have labored as colpor-
teur Missionary for the Board of Publication in Northern Il-
linois and, to some extent, in Wisconsin. Since
coming to this nevv State of Nebraska, I have labored as I
could. I know my work has not been in vain.
Of the four children born to me, two are living and with me
— Charles Monod, born October 20, 1857, and Hattie Isabel,
born October i, i860.
Elisha Freeman Chester, Geneva, Neb."
The Presbytery of Kaskaskia met at Greenville, Bond
county, October 3, 1845. B. F. Spilman was appointed
Stated Clerk in place of C. C. Riggs resigned. C. C. Riggs
was dismissed to the Presbytery of Steubenville. Andrew
M. Hershey was dismissed to the Presbytery of Carlyle.
The pastoral relation between A. C, Allen and the church of
Hiilsboro was dissolved, and Mr. Allen dismissed to the
Presbytery of North Alabama. Mr. Blackburn Leffler, li-
centiate, was received from the Presbytery of Salem, and, on
the fifth inst, ordained 52>^^ tihdo. The o. s. church,
of Edwardsville, organized April 19, 1845, was received. B.
F. Spilman was dismissed from the pastoral care of Shaw-
jieetown church, and appointed Presbyterial Missionary.
Blackburn Leffler joined Kaskaskia Presbytery as a
licentiate of Salem Presbytery; was ordained at Greenville,
111., as an Evangelist; married Miss A. A. M. Silliman,
daughter of Rev. John Silliman; lost his hearing, and is now
at Westminster, California.
The Presbytery of Palestine, n. s., did not hold a meet-
ing in the spring of this year, but convened Sept. 19, 1845,
with the Pleasant Prairie church, n. s.
MEETING OF PRESBYTERIES. 351
The Presbytery of Palestine, o. s., met with Pleasant
Trairie church, o. s., April 25, 1845. Stephen Bliss, minister,
and Adriel Stout, elder, were appointed Commissioners to the
next Assembly. A pro re nata meeting was held August
2.6, 1845. The regular fall session was held with Pisgah
•church, Lawrence county, commencing Sept. ii, 1845.
Sangamon Presbytery met with the Sugar Creek church
April 4, 1845. Thomas A. Spilman, minister, and James
L. Lamb, elder, were appointed Commissioners to the next
Assembly. Five ministers and eleven churches reported.
The fall meeting was held with Union and Jacksonville
churches, commencing Oct. 7, 1845.
Alton Presbytery met at Troy, April 4, 1845. Hurri-
cane church, Fayette county, was received. William Fith-
ian was dismissed to the Presbytery of Illinois. Provision
was made at this meeting for the publication of the " Alton
Presbytery Reporter " under the direction of the Missionary
Committee, A. T. Norton, chairman. This was
the origin of the paper, in pamphlet form, and under the
names first of Alton Presbytery Reporter, and, when it
was adopted or recommended by other Presbyteries, of Pres-
bytery Reporter, published the first year semi-yearly, then
quarterly, bi-monthly and finally monthly, continued until the
beginning of 1868. At the last date its subscription list was
sold to the Herald and Presbytery, Cincinnati. Several
important numbers have been published since. This publi-
cation, continued about twenty-five years, consists of eight
volumes of about six hundred pages each. During the
-whole period, A T. Norton, was its responsible Editor and
Publisher. It was, beyond doubt, an important factor in the
rapid and extensive growth of the first Alton Presbytery.
Indeed its influence was largely felt in the New School
^denomination through the entire State. It was disposed of,
perhaps, unwisely, simply through the weariness of its Edi-
tor and Publisher, in carrying any longer so heavy a burden
in addition to his other duties. It was always made to pay
its way. In the end its subscription list brought four hun-
>dred dollars.
352 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Hurricane Church was organized Feb. 23, 1845, by Wm,
Chamberlin with five members, Mr. Beach, elder. It was in
the western part of Fayette county; named from Hurricane
creek, and was merged in the church of Mulberry Grove.
The Presbytery of Alton met at Ducoign, in Nine-Mile
Prairie, Sept. 11, 1845.
Gov. John Reynolds in his Pioneer History of Illinois, p. lo, says : "At this
time — 1800 — the Kaskaskia tribe of Indians had for their chief, Ducoign, who
was a cunning man and had considerable talents. He boasted that neither he nor
his nation had ever shed'white man's blood. This was no doubt true. He had vis-
ited President Washington at Philadelphia, and wore a medal from his great father,
as he called the President." There has been a great variety of practice about
the spelling of the name of the places called from this Indian chief — Duquoine,
Duquoin and Du Quoin. I think the extract above should settle the matter. At
any rate in this work the name is Ducoign.
Mulberry Grove and Marion churches were received. L-
S. Williams was received from the Illinois Presbytery. Wil-
ilston Jones, licentiate, was received from the Presbytery of
Cincinnati, examined and ordained Sept. 13. John Gibson
was licensed for one year. The church of " Eight-Mile
Prairie," formerly called " Crab Orchard," in Williamson
county, was received.
WiLLiSTON Jones was born in Holland, Erie county, N,
Y., February 7, 18 14. He was an only son, but has two sis-
ters living. His parents removed when he was only five
years of age to St. Clair county. 111. He was converted
when about seventeen, at Lewiston, 111., under the preach-
ing of Rev. Aratus Kent. He graduated at Illinois College
in 1840, and at Lane Seminary in 1844. He was licensed by
the Presbytery of Cincinnati, May 30, 1843. Ordained by
the Presbytery of Alton, September 13, 1845, at Ducoign,
on Nine-Mile Prairie, Perry county. After leaving the sem-
inary, Mr. Jones labored for a season in Upper Alton. He
was then employed by Alton Presbytery as an itinerant to
labor with Rev. William Chamberlin. In April, 1846, he was
dismissed to the Presbytery of Knox. He went to Canton,
111., in the latter part of 1845, and remained there three
years. He was married, September 16, 1846, in St. Louis,
to Miss Elizabeth H. Shearer, of Aurora, Erie county, N. Y.
WILLISTON JONES. 353
This excellent lady is Still living. Her residence is at 52 How-
ard street, Albany, N. Y., where she is engaged in benevolent
■ work. They have had no children of their own, but have
acted the part of faithful parents to two adopted daughters.
I\Iuch the largest part of Mr. Jones' ministerial life has been
spent in Iowa. He went to Cedar Rapids in the fall of 1848,
labored there eight years and seven at Iowa Falls. While in
the former place he performed missionary labor at Solon, Mt.
Vernon, Pleasant Prairie, Center Point, Shellsburg, Vinton
and Brooklyn. At five of these places he organized churches.
During his residence at Iowa Falls he organized the church
at that place, also at Maysville, Otisville, Oakland and Point
Pleasant. He preached a year or two regularly at Steam-
boat Rock, Berlin and Eldora — traveling with a pair of mules
that whole seven years through summer's heat and winter's
cold, through sloughs and snowdrifts. A bitter sectarian
persecution followed him all the time. Says a friend, speaking
of these incessant labors, " No wonder the mules died of the
blind staggers." In March, 1865, he left Iowa Falls, and
was for a time in the service of the Christian Commission.
He was with the army of the Potomac when Richmond was
captured. At the request of the writer he went in May of
the same year to labor with our young and feeble church
in Rolla, Mo. Here he performed the last work of his life.
The Presbytery of St. Louis met in Rolla, October 30, and
special meetings were held during the session, and for sev-
eral days after. i^Iuch religious interest was felt in the com-
munity. !Mr. Jones was surpassingly earnest in the cause,
laboring incessantly. In the midst of these labors he was
stricken down by sickness. He had just purchased a resi-
dence in Rolla, and, after he was prostrated by disease, was
carried on a bed to his new earthly home, from which he was
so soon t") ascend to his heavenly. He died November 20,
1865. His funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Henry A.
Nelson, D. D., from the words, " He being dead yet speak-
eth." In the year 1853 Mr. Jones and the writer
stood on the brink of the Niagara river, on the British side,
about a mile below the Falls. Looking out upon the seeth-
ing, whirling, tumultuous waters he said, " Let us sing the
Doxology." Accordingly, in that wonderful temple, we
lifted up our voices, scarcely audible to ourselves amidst that
majestic, mighty sound of many waters. Mr. and
j\Irs. Jones' daughter, Jennie H., married Rev. H. T. Perry.
354 PRESBYTER! ANISM IN ILLINOIS.
They are missionaries of the A. B. C. F. M., at Sivas, in
Western Turkey. Their other daughter, Emehe, studied
medicine, and is now resident physician of Wellesley Female
College in Massachusetts.
Mulberry Grove Church was organized in the summer
of 1845 by Rev. Robert Stewart v/ith ten members, James
A. Hubbard, elder. It was dissolved, September 30, 1861,
and its members connected with Greenville. It never had a
house of worship.r^was not planted and could not grow.
Marion Church, Williamson county, was organized Aug.
31, 1845, by Revs. W. Chamberlin and Williston Jones,
with these members : Samuel Aikman, Henrietta Aikman,
William Aikman, Maria E. Aikman, Eliab Aikman, Lewis
Calvert, Mary Cox, Louisa Cox and Margaret McMurray.
Elders : Samuel Aikman, the first one ; Napolean B. Cal-
vert ; Joseph Maginnis ; St. Clair McMurray ; James Aik-
man. Ministers : Nehemiah A. Hunt took charge of the
church in 1848; John W. McCord ; John IngersoU ; Hillery
Patrick ; Charles G. Selleck, after the war and when he was
residing near Carbondale. The last sessional record was
made July 25, 1858. A church building was erected while
Mr. Hunt was here at a money cost of about four hundred
dollars. Mr. Hunt himself did much of the work. The
members also turned in labor. That building was taken
down in 1870. Part of the materials were sold to the Cum-
berlands who put them into a house of their own about three
miles east of town. The lot which had been donated by Mr.
Hunt was sold for two hundred and five dollars and the
money returned to him at his residence in Sterling
Center, Minn, The members have all died, removed or
joined other churches except Mrs. Elizabeth Owen and her
sister, Rebecca Harrison, now Mrs. Hugh Richart, at Carter-
ville, Williamson county. Forty-one persons were connected
with this church from its organization down to 1858. It has
never been formally dissolved, and might be resuscitated with
suitable effort. N. B. Calvert has the record book and has
become a thorough Methodist.
SYNOD OF ILLINOIS. 355
The Synod of Illinois, n. s., met at Springfield, Oct. i6,
1845. Members were present from five Presbyteries, includ-
ing that of Des Moines, Iowa. The Synod of
Illinois, o. s., met at Jacksonville, Oct. 9, 1845. Members
were present from five Presbyteries. Both Synods adopted
■resolutions asking the Governor to appoint this year also the
last Thursday of November as a day of Thanksgiving.
CHAPTER IX.
MEETINGS OF PRESBYTERIES AND SYNODS FROM 1 846 TO 1 849,
INCLUDING SKETCHES OF THE CHURCHES ORGANIZED AND OF
THE MINISTERS COMMENCING THEIR LABORS HERE WITHIN
THE PERIOD.
Authorities: Records'of churches, Presbyteries and Synods; authors of the vari-
ous sketches.
YEAR 1846.
The Presbytery of Illinois met at Farmington, April 2,
1846. Socrates Smith, who had been ordained by a Com-
mittee of Presbytery, at Beardstown, Nov. 23, 1845, was
present as a member. Albert Hale, minister, and David B.
Ayres, elder, were appointed Commissioners to the Assembly.
J. A. Ranney, G. C. Wood and C. B. Barton, were granted let-
ers of dismission. Hugh Barr resigned the office of Stated
Clerk, and Albert Hale was appointed in his place.
The fall meeting was held at Mechanicsburg, Sept. 10.
The church of Rochester was received. Harvey Blodgett
was received from the Presbytery of Cleveland.
Socrates Smith was born at Henniker, N. H,, June 16
1814. Graduated at Dartmouth College 1842, and at Union
Seminary, New York, 1845. Ordained Nov. 23, 1845 ; sup-
ply pastor at Beardstown, III, 1845-46; Panther creek. 111.,
1846-50; joined Alton Presbytery, April 16, 1852; teacher
at Greenville, 111., 1850-53 ; Home Missionary in Jersey
county, 1853-55; supply pastor, Troy, III, 1855-59; farmer
near Greenville, 111., 1859-68. Died Feb. i, 1868, on his
farm. His widow is still livins".
Harvey Blodgett was born in Brimfield, Mass.. in Aug.,
1801. He was converted in 1825. He graduated at Am-
herst College in 1829, After leaving college he spent some
time in teaching, and at intervals afterwards. As a min-
KASKASKIA PRESBYTERY. 35/
ister he labored principally in the northern part of Ohio.
For six years he was pastor of the Presbyterian church of
Euclid, a few miles east of Cleveland. For five years he
was Agent of the A. B. Society mostly in central Illinois
with his residence at Jacksonville, where he died in June,
1850. His funeral was from the First Presbyterian church
in that place. Sabbath, June 23. Mr. B. possessed
a mind vigorous, strong, comprehensive. He thought deeply,
reasoned justly, and expressed himself lucidly. He had
strong common sense. His religion was that of action
rather than feeling — principled, steady, laborious.
Rochester Church, Sangamon county, 111., was organized
on the first Sabbath in August, 1846, with eight members.
Gardner T. Bruce and Moses Fairchild, elders. Its name
was erased from the roll of Presbytery, April 4, 1862.
Kaskaskia Presbytery met at Mt. Vernon, March 20,
1846. William A. Smith was received from the Presbytery
of Muhlenburg. B. F. Spilman, minister, and Alex. Kirk-
patrick, elder, were appointed Commissioners to the Assem-
bly. The collections for Domestic Missions made in their
■ churches were directed to be appropriated to the support of
the itinerating Missionary, B. F. Spilman, except of the
churches whose ministers were local Missionaries. Elisha
F. Chester was dismissed to the Presbytery of Sangamon.
William Gardner was licensed. The fall meet-
ing was held with Sugar Creek church, Oct. 2. David D.
McKee was dismissed to the Presbytery of Allegheny. John
S. Howell was ordained, sine titulo, October, 3. Thomas W.
Hynes, licentiate, was received from the Presbytery of Madi-
son, and ordained Oct. 4.
Hopewell Church was reported to the Assembly this
year, P. O., Benton, Franklin county, with eight members.
In 1848 it reported thirteen members. In 1850, twelve mem-
bers. In 1859 its name does not appear. Oct. 8, i860, its
name was changed by Presbytery to Knob Prairie. That
prairie is fifteen miles north-east of Frankfort, Franklin
■county. Nothing more is known of the church from any
records.
358 presbyterianism in illinois.
John Smith Howell.
The following sketch is furnished by his widow, Mrs. Elizabeth Howell--
She resides on her own farai, Bond county, near Elm Point church and post,
office.
John Smith Howell was born January 13, 18 13, on Long
Island, N. Y He was of Welsh descent. His parents were
Congregationalists. His mother died on Long Island. His
father moved to this state in 1822, and united with the Pres-
byterian church in Greenville. He had a family of nine
children. All of them became Christians in early life. They
were two sons and-"seven daughters. John Smith, the sec-
ond son, experienced religion when thirteen years of age, at
a camp-meeting in Bethel, under the preaching of B. F. Spil-
man. He united with Greenville church. His brother was-
thrown from a horse and killed when eighteen years old.
His father was anxious to give John an education, but could
not spare him from the farm. That father, Joseph Howell,
for several years an elder in the Greenville church, died in
1832. When he came to this state he was living with his
second wife, by whom he had one son, Silas. When, there-
fore, his father died, John S. had the care of the family, con-
sisting of his step-mother, his half-brother, Silas, and two
sisters. The step-mother died in 1835. Feb. ii, of the
same year, John S. married Elizabeth Johnson, daughter of
George Johnson. She was of Irish descent. She became a
Christian in her nineteenth year, and united with the Presby-
terian Church. In the fall of 1837, John S. made up his mind
to study for the ministry; and, if needful, devote ten years to
the work of preparation. He first studied at the Academy in
Bethel, then at Illinois College, where he graduated in 1844.
He studied theology with Rev. James Stafford at Greenville.
He was licensed in the fall of 1845, and took charge of Sugar
Creek and Staunton churches. Ordained as above stated.
He spent four years in the vicinity of Sugar Creek, laboring
with that and other churches. In the spring of 1850, he took
an agency for books. In 1854 he commenced labor in
White and Gallatin counties — preaching at Equality, Sharon
and Carmi. In the spring of 1862 he returned to Bond
county, and took charge of Elm Point and Wavelandi
churches. In the fall of 1869 he substituted Staunton for
Waveland. In the spring of 1872, when making arrange-
ments to remove his family to Staunton,, his health failed.
THOMAS W. HYXES. 359
July 29th, he preached his last sermon, and died Sept. 23,
1872. Three children died in infancy. A son
was killed at Fort Donelson, Tenn., Feb. 15, 1862. A
daughter, Lizzie, only survives. She is married and resides
with her mother at Elm Point. Mr. Howell was a truly
Godly man. He made his way to the ministry by dint of
indomitable courage and perseverance, and proved useful in
his chosen work.
Thomas Woodruff Hynes.
Auto-biographical.
I was born at Bardstown, Nelson county, Kentucky,
October 5, 18 15. My father, William R. Hynes, was a
native of Washington county, Alaryland. !My grandfather,
Thomas Hynes, came to Kentucky about 1780. The
Hynes family came from Coleraine, Ireland, and were of
Scotch-Irish stock. ]\Iy paternal grandmother, Abigail
Rose, was of Welch descent. My mother, Barbara Chen-
ault, was a native of Essex county, Va. Her family were
Huguenot French, and all of the name in this country are
descendants of three brothers who fled from France at the
time of the terrible slaughter of the Protestants, commonly
known as the massacre of St. Bartholomew. My father was
an elder of the Presbyterian church of Bardstown, and died
there in 1837. -Sly first school was taught by my
uncle, Stephen Chenault. After attending the common
schools at Bardstown, I was for two or three years in the
Roman Catholic college of that place, called "St. Joseph's
College." In October, 1833, I went to Hanover College, In-
diana, where I graduated in 1836. I entered immediately
the Indiana Theological Seminary at Hanover, then taught
by Dr. John Matthews and Professors Bishop and Cunning-
ham. At the end of one year in the seminary, my old pre-
ceptor in mathematics. Prof. John H. Harney, left the college,
and recommended me to take temporary charge of his classes
until a professor could be elected. This I attempted, in con-
nection with my theological course, but soon found both
more than I could carry along profitably. After one or two
terms, I was appointed to the chair of mathematics, and was
thus diverted from my theological course for several years.
In the mean time I was ordained a Ruling Elder in the Han-
360 PRESBYTERIAMSM IN ILLINOIS.
over church. Providence opened the way for my leaving
the college in 1844. I again entered the seminary, which
by that time had been removed to New Albany, Ind. I
finished the seminary course there in June, 1S45. I was li-
censed by the Presbytery of Madison, soon after leaving the
seminary, at a meeting held at Carrollton, Ky.
I preached about one year in Jennings county, Ind. In
March, 1846, I settled at Hillsboro, 111. Receiving a call to
the pastoral charge of that church, I was ordained by the
Presbytery of Kaskaskia, at Sugar Creek church, on the 4th
October, 1846. I removed to Bond county in
185 I, and after abOut one year's preaching in various places,
began to preach in Greenville in May, 1852 — first for one-
half the time. I removed to Greenville in 1854, and was
soon installed as pastor there. I resigned that charge in
1867. I have since that supplied, for portions of
my time, the churches of Waveland, Elm Point and some
other vacancies. I have preached for ten years at a mission
station at Old Ripley, Bond county, being near my farm.
My oldest son is William Dunn Hynes, who lives
at Indianapolis, Ind., and is a route agent on the Vandalia
railroad. My second son, Samuel Burke H}-nes,
is Gen'i Ag't A. T. & S. F. R. R. at St. Louis, Mo. Their
mother was a daughter of the Hon. Williamson Dunn, of
Hanover, Ind. Besides the above, I have one
daughter and two sons at home.
Thomas W. Hynes.
The Presbytery of Palestine, n. s., held no meeting in
1846. The Presbytery of Palestine, o. s., met at
Paris, April 3, 1846. R. H. Lilly, minister, and James W'elsh,
elder, were appointed Commissioners to the next Assembly.
The same Presbytery held its fall meeting at Charles-
ton, 111., commencing October 2, 1846. The churches of
Marshall and Grandview were received under care of Pres-
bytery. The church of Okav/ was dissolved and its mem-
bers transferred to Charleston.
Marshall Church, Clark county, was organized, April
25, 1846, by Revs. H. I. Venable, R. H. Lilly and Elder
James Welsh, with these members: Alexander Matthews,
GRAND VIEW CHURCH. 3^1
Prudence Matthews, Rachel Matthews, Amy Matthews, John
R. Matthews, M. J. Matthews, James Gibson, Rachel A.
Babcock, Prudence Cochran. Elder : Alexander Matthews.
Ministers: Ellis Howell, 1855 to 1865; R. C. McKinney,
1868-69; Thomas Spencer, 1871-72, irregular appointments;
George F. Davis, 1876, and is still in the field. Elders: Al-
exander Matthews, the first; Elza Neal ; Jacob C. Smith;
John Morton. Mr. Matthews is dead. The others are liv-
ing. During its frequent vacancies this church had occa-
sional supplies from the Presbytery. A house of w^orship
was commenced in 1858 and finished the next year, after a
severe struggle. In 1877 this house was remodled and
put in complete repair. Its site is beautiful.
The growth of the church has been slow from the beginning.
For years it had no regular ministry. The entire mem-
bership is one hundred and thirty-two. It should
be said that this ground had been pre-empted, and by rather
sharp practice. Rev. Isaac Reed, for several years a mem-
ber of Palestine Presbytery, had made an appointment for
organizing a Presbyterian church. Congregationalists in the
vicinity and from Terre Haute so maneuvered the meeting
that the vote did not express the preference of the majority.
Since Mr. Davis entered the field the Sabbath-
school has been greatly enlarged, and the general condition
of the church and congregation much improved.
Grandview Church, Edgar county, was organized by Rev.
John A. Steele, July 27, 1838, with these members: James
Hite, Ann W. Hite, John Tate, Nancy Tate, Robert M. Tate,
Susan Tate, Margaret I. Tate, Jacob S. Brown, Ellen B.
Brown, Joseph Brown, Wm. A. Cale, Mary Cale. John Shultz,
Susan Shultz, Catharine Steele, Rachel Frame, M. Snapp.
Elders: James Hite, Wm. A. Cale, John Tate, Joseph
Brown, the first. Elders since: S. Houston, William
Blackburn, Dr. D. W. Stormant, Isaac Hewitt, R. T. Alex-
ander, Robert M. Tate, Jacob Braden, and probably others.
The two last named are the present elders. The
church was organized in a frame store-room, used now as a
lumber house in the central part of the village. There the
church held their meetings until about 1841. The church
edifice was first erected in the south part of the town.
Afterwards the same building was removed to its present
0
62 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
location and enlarged. The house on the first site was dedi-
eated by Rev. John A. Steele, about 1841, On its second
and present site it was dedicated by Rev. Samuel Newell,,
and cost, as it now stands, $2,100. The parsonage was built
about 1856 or 1857. It cost six hundred dollars. The site
is a quarter-acre lot. Ministers : John A. Steele
was the first, and continued until 1854; James Huston, 1855 ;
N. S. Palmer, 1856-59; Charles P. Spinning, licentiate, i860,
afterwards pastor and remained until April, 1867, a revival
under his pastorate; S. Martin, 1867-69; J. W. Allison,
1869-71 ; Joseph Lowry, 1871-72 ; Lewis E. Jones, 1873-77 ;.
Simeon C. Head, Jan. 1878 and still continues.
The Presbytery of Sangamon met at North Sangam-on,
April 3, 1846, Elisha F. Chester was received from the
Presbytery of Kaskaskia. Andrew Todd, minister, and
Jacob F. Bergen, elder, were appointed to the next Assem-
bly. The Presbytery reported six ministers and eleven
churches. A memorial had been presented by Dr. Andrew
Russel, of Union church, against the action of the Assembly
of 1845 upon slavery. This had been laid over to the pres-
ent meeting, when the following action was taken. "Resolved,
(i) That we approve the course taken by the memorialist,
to exculpate himself from any participation in the guilt, real
or supposed, contracted by the Assembly of 1845, in their
action on the subject of slavery. (2) That Dr. Russel's
paper be returned to him with a copy of the action of Pres-
bytery thereon." So fine a specimen of non-committalism
ought to go down to after ages ! The fall meet-
ing was held at Springfield, Oct. 7. George McKinney,,
licentiate, was received from the Presbytery of Salem.
The Presbytery of Alton met at Collinsville, April 2,
1846. Geo. C. Wood and C. B. Barton, from the Presbytery
of Illinois, and James R. Dunn, from the Congregational
Association were received. Robert Kirkwood was dis-
missed from the pastoral care of Plum Creek church and
from the Presbytery, with a general letter. Robert Stewart,
minister, and Russell Scarritt, elder, were appointed Com-
missioners to the Assembly. Williston Jones was dismissed
to the Presbytery of Knox.
JAMES R. DUNN. 365
James R. Dunn was born at Wilmington, Delaware, Dec,
18, 1 8 16. He was educated at the Classical Institute in that
place. Ordained by the Illinois Congregational Association
at Griggsville, Pike county. 111., in April, 1842. Was sup-
ply pastor of Congregational church in Ottawa, 111., in 1842-
43. Spent one year in Collinsville, 111., teaching part of the
time, and supplying the churches of Collinsville, Marine and
Belleville. Spent two years in the counties of Jackson
and Union as Missionary. His residence was at Western
Saratoga, some eight miles northeast of Jonesboro. Then two
years at CarroUton. The next four years, from 184910 1853,.
with the Congregational church of Chesterfield, Macoupin
county. Settled at Wenona, Marshall county, 111., in 1853,
where he spent ten years. Left Wenona in 1865, and dwelt
at Normal four years. His next residence was Jacksonville.
He is now in St. Louis, supply pastor of the South church,
and a member of St. Louis Presbytery. He has one son,,
Edward, who is a lawyer.
An adjourned meeting of Alton Presbytery, was held at
Marion, Williamson county, commencing July 31, 1846,
The churches of Western Saratoga and Murphysboro, were
received. N. A. Hunt, licentiate, was received from the
Presbytery of Schuyler, examined, and on Sabbath, July 2,
1846, ordained, sine titulo. The fall meeting was
held at Upper Alton, Oct. 12. J. A. Ranney was received
from the Presbytery of Illinois.
Nehemiah a. Hunt was born in Mason, N. H., Sept. 27,
1 8.1 1. He was educated at Oberlin, Ohio, IMission Institute,
Quincy, 111., and at Lane Seminary. Ordained as above.
He labored at JNIarion, Williamson county, many years, and
accomplished great good. He was a prodigious worker,
labored with his own hands as much as Paul ever did or
could. After leaving IMarion, he labored several years with
Bethel church. Bond county, Illinois. He was dismissed
from Alton Presbytery to the Central Association of Minn.,
April 15, 1844, His present residence is Sterling Center,
Minn. His wife's maiden name was Clarina A. Conrad, born
in N. C, in 18 18. They were married Nov. 4, 1844.
364 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Western Saratoga Church, Union county, in the north-
eastern corner of T. 12 S., R. i W., was organized by Wil-
liam ChamberHn, with eight members, in the spring of 1846,
Noah Harlow, elder. James R. Dunn resided there in the
summer of 1846 and ministered to that and several churches
in that general region. But the members soon removed, and
the church became extinct.
The Church of Murphysboro, the county seat of Jack-
son county, was organized July 19, 1846, by WiUiam Cham-
berlin with seven^'members, William McClure, elder. This
church had considerable success for several years. It was
served by William H. Bird, Josiah Wood and others. In
April, of 1850, the Presbytery of Alton held its session with
them. It had then a membership of twenty-six. Dr. A. S.
Latta was an elder. At one time, under the lead of Josiah
Wood, they had a house of worship enclosed, though it was
never finished. Through the removal of important members
and poor management this church went down. Its house
was lost to it. The church records are also lost. Two or
three members may be left. But nearly all have removed,
died or united with the Lutheran church in the same place.
Rev. James G. Butler, of Grand Tower, is at this time — 1879 —
renewing the effort, and with good promise, at the depot and
mines on the opposite side of the Big Muddy.
Synod of Illinois, n. s., met at Alton, October 15, 1846.
Members were present from five Presbyteries. George C.
Wood was appointed Stated Clerk in place of L. P. Kimball,
resigned. Routine business — petition to the Governor to
appoint the last Thursday of November for general thanks-
giving— approval of the Assembly's action on slavery, and
an appeal case from Presbytery of Des Moines were the
principal items of business. The Synod of Il-
linois, o. s., met at Springfield, October 3. Members were
present from five Presbyteries.
YEAR 1847.
The Presbytery of Illinois met at Jacksonville, April
8, 1847. Andrew L. Pennoyer, who had been absent from
MEETING OF PRESBYTERIES. 365
several meetings of Presbytery on account of ill health, was
present. The overture duly sent down — " Shall the General
Assembly hold its sessions annually instead of triennially ? "
was answered in the affirmative.*
A paper was adopted setting forth the present state of Il-
linois College, and recommending to the churches of the Pres-
bytery to make an annual collection in its behalf
The fall meeting was held at Concord, commencing Octo-
ber 7, 1847. William Fithian was dismissed to Ontario Pres-
bytery. String Prairie church was attached to the Presby-
tery of Alton ; Alanson Alvord from the Brookfield Associ-
ation, and C. B. Barton, from the Alton Presbytery, were re-
ceived.
Kaskaskia Presbytery met with the Gilead church, Jef-
ferson county, April 9, 1847. John L. Hawkins from the
Presbytery of Redstone, and Philander D. Young from the
Presbytery of Ogdensburg were received. A committee re-
ported the installation of T. W. Hynes pastor of Hillsboro
church on October 20, 1846. William A. Smith, minister, and
Amzi Andrews, elder, were appointed Commissioners to the
Assembly. Blackburn Leffler was dismissed to the Presby-
tery of Palestine. William B. Gardner was ordained, sine tit-
nlo, April 12. The fall meeting was held at Hills-
boro, October 8. William A. Smith was dismissed to the
Presbytery of Mississippi. The church of Hopewell, Bond
county, was dissolved and its members directed to apply to
to the church of Greenville.
John L. Hawkins was born at Chambersburg, Franklin
county, Pa., August 8, 1800. His ancestors were Scotch
Covenanters. His parents moved to Washington county, Pa.,
in 1807. He graduated at Washington College, 18 18. His
theological training was directed by Drs. John Anderson,
Andrew Wylie and Thomas Hoge. His class of nine was
the gem of the Western Theological Seminary. He was li-
censed by Washington Presbytery, April 21, 1825, and or-
dained by the same, October, 1827. He spent a pastorate of
*The triennial plan had been found wholly unsatisfactory and lasted only from
1S40 to 1846, when the Assembly was restored to the same status it occupied
when the division took place.
^66 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
fifteen years at Connersville, Fayette county, Pa. He came
to Illinois December, 1844. He labored with Carmi church,
White county, as supply pastor from 1845 to 1849. ^^ ^'^'^s
married to a daughter of the Rev. John Silliman, who died at
Sharon, White county, November, 1838. He commenced
labor with Carbondale church, Jackson county. 111., January
10, 1872, and still continues in that field. That church had
then forty-four members. It has now one hundred and two.
Seventy-five have been received under Mr. Hawkins' minis-
try and sixty-six persons baptized.
Philander Dickinson Young was born in the state of
New York. Graduated at Union College in 1842 and at
"Princeton Seminary. He was ordained, sine titulo, by the
Presbytery of Ogdensburg, June 18, 1846. Labored awhile in
Edwardsville, 111.; supply pastor at Chester, 1852. A mis-
.sionary in Wisconsin. Supply pastor at Oilman, 111. Is now
at Orange, Cal.
William Berley Gardner was born in Newburyport,
Mass., and received his early education at one of the colleges
■in Maine. He was forty-five years of age when he died with
pneumonia in the winter of 185 1. He was ordained by Kas-
kaskia Presbytery, April 12, 1847, at Gilead, Jefferson county.
After this he labored in various churches in Southern Illinois ;
.among which were Equality, Mt. Vernon, Gilead and Elk-
horn. This latter was, by his advice, moved to Nashville.
That congregation still worship in the house planned by him.
It was the second church edifice in the place. Mrs. J. H.
.Sawyer, of Nashville, is a daughter of Mr. Gardner.
The Presbytery of Palestine, n. s., having failed to hold
.any meeting in 1846, was directed by Synod to convene with
Pleasant Prairie church, April 29, 1847. The direction was
.complied with. Charles H. Palmer, licentiate, was received
from the Presbytery of Cincinnati, examined and ordained
May I, 1847. A plan of correspondence and co-operation
tin the Home Missionary work between this and the Alton
Presbytery was adopted. The fall meeting was held with
JSTew Providence church, Oct. 7.
CHARLES H. PALMER. 367
Charles H. Palmer was born in Moscow, Livingston
•county, N. Y., Jan. i, 1818. His ancestors were English in
nation and Calvinistic in religious sentiments. His father,
Asa R. Palmer, was an elder in Danville Presbyterian church
from its origin until his death. Charles came with his father
to Vermillion county, Ind., in 1826, and from thence to Dan-
ville, 111., in 1828. He graduated at Wabash College in
1843, and at Lane Seminary in 1846. He was licensed by
•Cincinnati Presbytery, and ordained by that of Palestine,
May I, 1847. He had charge of the Pleasant Prairie church,
n. s., Coles county. 111., for two years. He removed to Dan-
ville in 185 1. He took charge of Middleport church, Iro-
quois county, 111., in 1856 and remained until 1870. In 1872
the went to Tazewell county. 111., and took charge of a church
there for two years. He then returned to his home in Wat-
■seka, Iroquois county, and labored as an evangelist in vari-
ous directions until his death, which took place instantly in
his own house, Feb. 13, 1877. In the fall of
1852 he married Mrs. Sophronia M, Carnahan, at Chalmers,
White county, Ind. He had four children, all of whom are
living — Cornelia, born Sept. 10, 1853; Asa Gardiner, born
Aug. 29, 1856 ; Charles White, born Oct. 22, 1858, and Wm.
Henry, born Jan. 25, 1S67. The widow remains with her
children at their home in Watseka, 111.
Palestine Presbytery, o. s., met March 26, 1847, ^-t Pal-
estine church, Crawford county. For their fall meeting they
met at Grandview, Edgar county, Oct. 7. Blackburn Lef-
fler from Kaskaskia Presbytery, and Joseph Adams from
'Crawfordsville Presbytery were received.
Joseph Adams died, without charge, at Frankville, Iowa,
March 6, i87i,aged sixty-two, a member of Dubuque Pres-
bytery. He was dismissed from Palestine to Wisconsin
Presbytery, Sept. 13, 1850.
The Presbytery of Sangamon met with Sugar Creek
<;hurch, April 2, 1847. J- Cr. Bergen, minister, and Asahel
Stone, elder, were appointed to attend the Assembly. The
fall meeting was held at Petersburg, commencing Sept. 17.
368 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
The Presbytery of Alton met at Greenville, April 22,
1847. Brighton church was received. The overture from
the Assembly, about restoring the annual meetings of the
body, was affirmed. Charles E. Blood was dismissed from
the pastoral care of Collinsville church. George Spaulding
was licensed, April 24. Joseph Gordon, from the Vandalia
Presbytery of the Cumberland Church, and William H. Bird,
from the Schuyler Presbytery of the same Church, were
received.
Joseph Gordo!*: I give the sketch of this brother partly
in his own words and partly in the language of another.
" I was born February 14, 1802, in the county of Monaghan^
Ireland. My parents were Scotch-Irish Presbyterians. All
the school education I ever received was in Ireland. I was
induced to seek the ministry because I felt that * Woe is me
if I preach not the gospel.' I was licensed in Upper Alton
at the spring meeting of the Vandalia Presbytery of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Ordained by the same
Presbytery October 5, 1844. I preached in Ma-
con and Bond counties while in connection with that Church.
In the spring of 1847 I united with the Alton Presbytery,
and immediately entered the Home Missionary field in South-
ern Illinois, under the direction of the Missionary Committee
of that Presbytery.
I was married to Letitia W. Robinson, daughter of
David and Elizabeth Robinson, ( both members of the
Presbyterian Church,) at or near Edwardsville, Madison
county, Sept. 13th, 1827. My wife has borne me eleven
children, four of whom only survive, viz.: Mrs. Sarah J. Sea-
man, born Dec. 26th, 1829. Mrs. Elizabeth A. Abernathy,
born Sept. 7th, 1841. Jos. A. Gordon, born Feb. i8th,
1847, and Mrs. Julia G. Remann, born March ist. 1849.
The most pleasing incident of my childhood was
the intense earnestness manifested by my parents to give me
an education out of their limited means, and especially the
great care they took in having me study the Bible and West-
minster catechism. From these two sources I have derived
more theology than from all other helps I have been able to
reach. As I write this sketch, retrospectingthe past as I do,
my soul is filled with joy which nothing but God's word can
inspire, when I call up the time where, away in Old Ireland^
WILLIAM H. BIRD. 369
under my Uncle Carson's white-thorn hedge, at the age of
six years I committed to memory the twenty-third psalm."
What follows is from the pen of another, Mr. Gordon
did good service while in the Cumberland Church, as many
can testify who were acquainted with him at that time. In
the spring of 1847, having united with the Alton Presbytery,
he entered on the work of Home Missions, under the direc-
tion of the Missionary Committee of the Presbytery, and has
labored in Southern Illinois to the present time. During
this period he has organized eight Presbyterian churches and
ten Sabbath-schools. Four of the churches are now self-
sustaining. He taught the first Sabbath-school in Liberty
Prairie, Madison county, and the third one in that county.
He was engaged for months in lecturing on temperance dur-
ing the Washingtonian movement, traveling over the North-
ern part of Iowa, and a large portion of the state of Illinois.
In this work he was called the " Irish Poney," and whilst
thus engaged, part of the time in connection with one or two
others, about seven thousand persons signed the pledge.
The writer has known him forty-five years and can add his
testimony to his uprightness, purity of character and success-
ful labors.
William Harrison Bird,
Was born in Fayette county, near Lexington, Ky., May 31,
1814. His father's name was Abram. His mother's maiden
name, Catharine Fry. They were born and raised in Shen-
andoah county, Va., and married there, the bride being but
fifteen years of age. They removed immediately to Ken-
tucky, arriving there probably about 1802. They removed
to Missouri in 1825 and settled on a farm near Hannibal,
which at that time had but one house. They were thrifty
farmers, owning a few slaves, but working with their own
hands, industrious and abounding in hospitality. In the lat-
ter part of his life, Mr. Abram Bird, through his too great
confidence in others, lost his property. In hopes of recover-
ing himself he went to California. He did not succeed ;
and on his return died at sea, five days out from San Fran-
cisco, Oct. II, 1850. He was then seventy years of age.
Abram Bird and his wife did not become pious
until 1832. In that year they and several of their children
23
370 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
were converted at a camp-meeting held by Dr. David Nel-
son, and united with the Presbyterian Church, in Marion
county. Mo. They had twelve children, eleven
of whom reached maturity, and five are still living. Mrs.
Catharine Fry Bird died in Missouri about 1857. At the
death of her husband, her own home was broken up, and
from that time forward she resided with her children. Wm.
H. Bird's early advantages for an education were very limi-
ted. His only religious instruction was from a pious grand-
mother, who used to converse and pray with him. Dr. Nel-
son was the first preacher he ever heard who really preached
the Gospel. He -was accustomed in his youth to spend the
Sabbath in hunting and fishing. His connection with the
church occurred in 1833. His first marriage was to Miss
Eliza Eveline Gash, a native of North Carolina. It took
place in Marion county, Mo., Jan. i, 1834, when he was less
than twenty years of age. The children of that marriage
were six : Mary Jane, now Mrs. Wm. B. White, born Sept.
14, 1835 ; Martha Ann, now Mrs. T, W. Lippincott, born
May 17, 1838; Samuel Wylie, born Oct. 2, 1S40; Abraham
Calvin, born March 4, 1843; Martin Luther, born Jan. 15,
1847, and Eliza Eveline, now Mrs. Nelson Lance, born April
II, 1849. All these are living, Mary Jane at Spearville, Kan-
sas, Martha Ann at Pana, 111., Samuel W. at Spearville, Ford
county, Kansas, Abram C. at St. Louis, Mo., 2312 Chestnut
street. Martin L. is an engineer on the St. Jo branch of the
North Missouri R. R. Eliza E. is in Bourneville, Ohio. All
are members of the of the Presbyterian Church — active, use-
ful, consistent Christians. The first Mrs, Bird died in Mt.
Vernon, III, Aug. 18, 1855. April 16, 1856, Mr. Bird mar-
ried INIiss Susan Bowen, She was born at Felchville, Wind-
sor county, Vt. She was educated at the academies of Per-
kinsville, Springfield and Ludlowville, Vt., and Yates, New
York. She came west with Gov. Slade in 1855, and taught
near Mt. Vernon, 111. The children of this sec-
ond marriage were also six — four sons and two daughters.
Of these, two died in infancy, and two others after reaching
the ages of three and four. Of the two survivors, Ossian
Fremont, born July 22, 1862, resides with his half-brother,
Abraham C, in St. Louis. The remaining one, Susan Row-
ena, born July 31, 1865, is with her mother at Woodburn, 111.
So far as Mr. Bird had a religious trainuig, it
was in the Presbyterian Church. With that Church he uni-
WILLIAM H. BIRD. 37 1
led. Feeling a desire to preach the Gospel, he removed
with his family to Mission Institute, near Quincy, March 15,
1840, and prosecuted his studies at that institution. Fearing
that his educational qualifications were too limited to admit
licensure in the Presbyterian Church, he applied to the Salt
River Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church,
and was by them licensed to preach, April 6, 1844, after
having studied about four years. He was ordained by the
Rushville Presbytery, C. P., Sept. 30, 1845. He labored in
the Cumberland Church from the time of his licensure till
Oct. 2, 1846 — one year and seven months. In the first part of
this time at Bernadotte, on Spoon river, and at Table-Grove,
in S. VV. corner of Fulton county, teaching school as well as
preaching. His support was very small. April 10, 1845, he
says : *' We have been wonderfully exercised in view ot our
temporal wants. In an unusual degree of faith and reliance
on God we have been supplied with one hundred pounds of
flour, three and one-half yards of jeans, three dollars, sixty-
two and one-half cents in money and one piece of bacon."
He oiganized a church at Table-Grove, Oct. 18, 1845. Later
he had a circuit including Rushville, Schuyler county. But
he was not satisfied with his connection with the C. P.
Church. Hence he took his dismission from them, attended
a meeting of the Schuyler Presbytery, n. s., at Quincy, and
was received into that body, Oct. 2, 1846, after an examina-
tion in theology only. The same fall he removed with his
family to x\lton Presbytery with which he united April 23,
1847, ai^d was installed pastor of Vergennes church, July 18,
1847. A. T. Norton preached the sermon, Josiah Wood
gave the charge to the pastor, and J, R. Dunn to the people.
His field of labor included Murphysboro, Jackson county,
and Liberty, now Rockwood, Randolph county. In April,
1843, his pastoral relation with the Vergennes church was
was dissolved. He was installed pastor of the Old Ducoign
church Sabbath, Sept. 18, 1853. His subsequent fields of
labor were Mt. Vernon, Vandalia, Bethel, Sandoval and
Bethel the second time. In all these latter places he was
supply pastor. The only churches he served as pastor were
Vergennes and Old Ducoign. His longest stay in any one
field was at Bethel, where he remained, including both peri-
ods of service, for ten years. In April, 1868, while he was
residing at Bethel, his health gave way. It had been grad-
ually failing for some years. In April, 1865, he had apo-
372 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
plexy, and lay for several days at the point of death. But
he recovered so as to resume his labors. But the sickness
which laid him wholly aside from the ministry was a nervous
fever, in April, 1868. At two different times he was a pa-
tient for several months at the Water-Cure, Elmira, N. Y.
He was benefited but not restored. The summer of 1870
he spent with his wife's relations in Vermont. In
the spring of 1869, he fixed his residence at Pana, Illinois,
where — with the exception of the visit to Vermont and an-
other to Elmira — he remained until the spring of 1874, when
he removed to Wpodburn, where he died April 15, 1S77.
Though a constant invalid and a portion of the time a great
sufferer for more than ten years, his immediate death was
produced by a fall. Attempting to visit a sick neighbor, he
stumbled and struck his head against a post. Five days after
this he breathed his last. He was buried at Woodburn. At
the time of his death he was a member of Alton Presbytery.
He was mild in temper, modest and retiring in manner, but
keenly observant. He reached the ministry through many
obstacles and persevered in the work amidst great discourage-
ments. His preaching was uniformly profitable and often
with great unction and power. Some of Dr. Nelson's pupils
have said that in the pulpit he closely resembled that great
]\Iasterin Israel. Few men have been more blessed in their
children. Of the eight who survive, the seven elder are
pious, and connected with the Presbyterian Church. Tlie
youngest is at this time a girl of thirteen, and resides with
her mother at Woodburn. 111.
Brighton Church was organized the first Sabbath in^
January, 1847, by Revs. W. Chamberlin and J. A. Ranney
m the Baptist church with these twelve members, viz. : Nathan
Johnson and wife, John Jay Green and wife, Henry Boulter
and wife, L. P. Stratton and wife, James W. Gilson and wife,
Mrs. Cunningham and Mrs. David. Elders : Nathan John-
son, John Jay Green and Henry Boulter, the first. Since
then, L. P. Stratton, James W. Gilson, T. A. Brown, Edwin
Amass, Hezekiah C. Clark and William Boulter. Ministers :
Wm. Chamberlin; George Spaulding, ordained pastor in
1848 — the relation lasted only one year; — Thomas Lippin-
cott;T. B. Hurlbut; Henry D. Piatt in 185 1; Samuel K.
Sneed; Joseph S. Edwards; David Dimond, 1860-65 ; Geo,
BRIGHTON CHURCH. 373
L. Tucker; Wm. R. Adams, 1867 till about 1870; May 21,
1871, David Dimond, D. D., was installed pastor and still
continues. The first house of worship was a small brick
building, dedicated June I, 185 1, The present house was
dedicated Aug. 22, 1869. It is a frame building thirty-six by
fifty-six with a spire ninety feet high. It cost $6,400, and is the
finest edifice in the town. The whole number of members
has been one hundred and seventy-nine, of whom seventy-
six were received by letter and one hundred and three by
profession. Among this church's many loved and honored
ones, living and dead, James W. Gilson and Dr. T. A.
Brown, are pre-eminent. The former was born in Salem
Parish, Westmoreland county. Pa., in 1810. He was in early
life in business in Jeffersonville, Ind., where he became rul-
ing elder. He was active and prosperous in affairs, an ex-
emplary Christian, devoted to his church, a man of sagacity
and of great influence in the community. He died Aug. 30,
1864. Thomas A. Brown, M. D., a native of
South Carolina — an associate in early life of Dr. F. A. Ross,
.a graduate in medicine under Dr. R. D. IMassey — was a co-
worker with this church from ,the beginning till his death in
April, 1864. He was a superior singer, devoted to all good
things, and in every way reliable. In 1867, cer-
tain members — under the leadership of L. P. Strd,tton — with-
drew and formed a Congregational church. This movement
was not only utterly uncalled for, but has been, and is, the
great hindrance in this field. For seventeeen years previous to
that, the church had supported its minister and had sometimes
_given three hundred dollars a year for Christian work abroad.
Now both churches are feeble, having half their pastor's
time and giving very little to Missionary purposes. The
spectacle is sad and admonitory, and is regarded by Chris-
tian people of other places and other denominations as a
reproach and a warning. In May, 1 861, burglars
entered the house of one of the elders, and carried oft'' the
communion service, a box containing Sabbath school money
and a pair of boots. Two nights after a man was shot dead
when attempting to enter a house at Miles. On his feet
were the missing boots. The next March the sacred uten-
sils were found in a hazel thicket about two miles distant,
scarcely at all injured. They had been given to the church
by Deacon J. W. Archer, and after the schism were handed
over by Rev. Mr. Tucker, to the Congregational party.
374 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLIMOIS.
Alton Presbytery met with the Monticello church, Oct.
l6, 1847. There were present ten ministers and fifteen eld-
ers. Elder B. I. Oilman, represented Monticello church.
Two missionary delegates, viz.: Revs. Joseph Butler and C.
H. Palmer, were present from the Presbytery of Palestine,
n. s. The churches of Vergennes and Liberty Prairie were
received. Wm. H. Bird was installed pastor of Vergennes
church, by a committe of Presbytery, July 18, 1847. -^
committee was appointed to ordain John Gibson, pastor of
Plum Creek church. Wm. E. Chittenden was dismissed
from the pastorat§rof Belleville church. Robert Kirkwood
was dismissed to the Fourth Presbytery of New York, and
Charles B. Barton to that of Illinois. The thanks of the
Presbytery were presented to the Principal, Miss Philena
Fobes, teachers and pupils of Monticello Female Seminary,
for the interesting performances in Calisthenics and Music,
with which they had favored the body. And they were
assured the Presbytery both individually and collectively feel
the warmest interest in the continued prosperity of the insti-
tution. E. B. Olmsted was received from the Evangelical
Lutheran Synod.
Vergennes Church is in the north part of Jackson county,
in T. 7, S. R., 2 W. It was organized by Revs. W. H. Bird
and Josiah Wood, July 17, 1847, with twenty-four members.
Thomas L. Ross, Russell Tuthill and S. C. Porter, elders.
W. H. Bird labored here for several years. But most of the
leading members have removed or died. The church still
exists and has occasional services. But it never had any
other house of worship than an inconvenient school-house.
Elder R. B. Blacklock, M. D., is still .on the ground.
Liberty Prairie Church was in Madison county, T. 5 N.
R. 8 W. It was organized by Revs. Lemuel Foster and
Joseph Gordon, July ii, 1S47, with ten members. Wm. S.
B. Robinson, Thomas Waples and Franklin Sleight, elders.
It had but a brief organic existence, though its principal
members still remain, and are connected with Moro or
Edwardsville churches.
edward b. olmsted. 375
Edward Bigelow Olmstkd,
Auto-biographical.
"I was born on the 29th day of Nov. 181 3, in Philadel-
phia." So says the family record. My father, Edward
Olmsted, was a printer and publisher in Philadelphia, and
relinquished his business to accept a commission as 3rd
Lieut., in the i6th Infantry Reg., U. S. A., which was soon
ordered to join the expedition under General Wilkinson,
destined to invade Canada. But that Province was not fated
to become a star on the broad shield of the great Republic.
The battle of Williamsburg, sometimes called Chrystler's
field, fought Nov. nth, 1813, does not figure much in
history, but was as decisive, so far as the conquest of Canada
was concerned, as Waterloo or Pharsalia.
Lieut. Olmsted fell at the head of his company, and was
buried on the field of battle, after the manner of Sir John
Moore. . In his last letter, to his father, dated Sackets
Harbor, Oct. 2nd, 1813, he writes: "By vacancies that
have occurred, I am now a ist Lieut., in command of
sixty men. The conflict will be a bloody one, and if
I survive it I will write the particulars, ( I hope from
Montreal ), if not, remember me as I deserve. I hope
to sustain the honor of our family and name."
The family is English and very ancient. The founder in
America was James Olmsted, who came over with other Pur-
itans in the ship Lion in 1632, braving the danger of winter
winds and inhospitable shores, that they might found "a
Church without a bishop, and a State without a king."
Among the names of the_^ founders of the Hartford colony
on the monument in Hartford City are three Olmsteds. from
whom, it is thought, all of the name have descended. They
have, so far as I have been able to learn, been a God-fearing
people, and have inscribed the name high on the roll of fame
in civil and military life. Notably, Capt. Gideon Olmsted,
of the Colonial Navy ; Prof. Dennison Olmsted ; Prof. L. G.
Olmsted, LL.D., and Fred. Law Olmsted, the planner of New
York City Central and other parks. I know that
no one is entitled to any credit for what his ancestors did or
said ; at the same time it is pleasant to know that those who
have gone before have maintained the name and honor of
3/6 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
the family. My mother, whose maiden name was
Sarah Webster, was a native of New Jersey. Her parents
were Quakers. She. was a decided Presbyterian. Her sec-
ond marriage, to John Stevenson, of Chambersburg, Pa.,
caused our removal thither. I had the usual experience
of boys. With morning shining face, crept unwillingly to
school. There was no attrac )a there. The small boys
were called by our teacher " trash." When it was time for
recess he would say the "trash" may go out. His attention
was given to the more advanced scholars, because, I sup-
pose, it was more agreeable to his taste. On
Sabbath days I \fent with the family to the Presbyterian
church, then, and during my entire boyhood, in charge of
David Denny, a very dignified and learned pastor, who never
uttered a sentiment that I can remember. But singularly
enough, two words are indelibly engraved on my mind,
which may serve as a key to his discourses — condign piinish-
ment. There was no food for babes, and not much proven-
der for the half grown lambs of the fold. About 1830 or
1832, there was a great revival in the Evangelical Lutheran
Church, then in charge of Dr. Kurtz, afterwards editor of the
Lutheran Observer oi Baltimore. A conflict was going on in
that Church at that time between old measure men and new
measure men. Dr. Kurtz headed the latter party, and of
course was a revivalist. Some of the fathers were scandal-
ised when the pastor invited the anxious to remain and be
conversed with and prayed for. One of my visions of the
time was the sturdy old German deacons rising up as the
announcement was made, at the close of services, for an in-
quiry meeting, reaching up deliberately for their broad-
brimmed hats, and marching out in single file. In a short
time, however, there v/ere very few to say " the old is better."
New measures carried the day; and the Lutheran Church
entered an era of life and prosperity. About the same time was
brewing in the Presbyterian Church the trouble that ended
in the organization of the New School or Constitutional Gen-
eral Assembly. The former was a matter of " measures,"
the latter of doctrine, with perhaps a right smart sprinkle of
measures too. Although not considered a bad
boy, in fact having the approbation of the good, I found out
at these meetings, that I was a guilty sinner. I never had,
and never have had a single doubt in regard to the doctrine
of the atonement. I reached out like one sinking into un-
EDWARD B. OLMSTED. 3/7
known depths, and Christ took me by the hand, I was as
well assured of forgiveness as though the words were audibly
spoken, and though I have read and studied the Vestiges
of Creation, Renan's Life of Christ, Huxley and Robert In-
gersol, and other doubters, the equanimity of my faith has
never for a moment been disturbed to the extent of an atom.
What right has the effeminate inhabitant of an equatorial re-
gion to say to the sturdy and hardy Laplander there is neither
snow nor ice. " Why did I enter the ministry? "
Somehow it seemed, after I united wath the Church, a
general sentiment that I should study for that purpose. I
was very much impressed with the importance of religion
and was anxious to induce others to enjoy its blessings. A
way opened itself so clearly to the ministry that I dared not
refuse to enter. I had no debatings nor discussions in my
mind about it, and I never asked any one's opinion as to its
propriety. At about the age of nineteen, I enter-
ed Pennsylvania College, at Gettysburg. While there was
rewarded for early rising by a glorious view of the meteoric
shower of Nov. 13, 1833 — the most brilliant heavenly pyro-
technic display of which history makes mention. My step-
father carried on an extensive tailoring establishment, in
which many of my youthful days were spent.
To complete my studies at Gettysburg, seemed impracti-
cable, and although Horace Greely had not yet said, " Young
man, go out West and grow up with the country," neverthe-
less I went ; by stage to Pittsburg, by boat to Cincinnati, and
by stage to Indianapolis, where I met the Reverend and
beloved Abraham Reck, who had left a flourishing and
wealthy church in Maryland to found an English Lutheran
•church in Indianapolis. His first salutation was, the Lord
has sent you to me to prepare for the ministry. This was in
1836, and in October, 1838, he and I rode to Corydon, Ind.,
to a meeting of the Synod of the West, at which I was duly
licensed. There was a call for a minister from
churches in Union county. 111. The Synod directed me to
visit them, which I did on horseback and alone, through a
sparsely settled country, to me an unknown world. The
people of the two churches (near Jonesboro), agreed to give
me one hundred dollars per annum and my boarding. After
a stay of two weeks, the same faithful horse carried me back
to Indianapolis. Packing up my few effects — mostly books,
a saddle and inevitable saddle-bags, then new, but now laid
3/8 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
up in ordinary, after a close companionship of many thous-
and miles, through forests, across rivers, over prairies, in sun-
shine and in storm. And they would be good for ten }^ears
travel yet, but how would they look on a railroad car? N.
B. They shall not be laughed at, but some day will find a
place among the venerated relics of our pioneer history.
By stage to Madison, Ind., and by boat to Cale-
donia, where I landed in Nov., 1838, and proceeded to Jones-
boro on foot, A horse had been sent to Caledonia for me,
but delays on the river, caused by low water, resulted in the
return of the horse^without the expected rider.
On July 10, 1839, I was united in marriage to Mary, daugh-
ter of Capt. James Riddle, in the room in which 1 write
these notes. Unwilling to be married by a magistrate, T rode
to Union county and procured the services of Rev. James
Alexander, of' the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. My
faithful and devoted wife is yet spared to me. Time has
dealt gently with us. There is some abatement of the " nat-
ural force," manifest mainly in the inability to prolong effort.
But we enjoy serene and green old age, she being my junior
by seven years. Our children are these : George
Edward, born June 4, 1840, at Jonesboro ; James Henry,
born May 5, 1842, at Caledonia; Sarah Elizabeth, born
February i, 1844, at Jonesboro; Andrew Deardorff, born
April 10, 1846, at Jonesboro; Charles Marcus, born Decem-
ber 27, 1848, at Bethel, Bond county ; Elizabeth Ellen, born
February 16, 1852, at Caledonia; William Webster, born
March 14, 1854. Sarah Elizabeth died at Bethel, February
2, 1849. Upon the marble of her headstone are these words :
" Her sun has gone down while it is yet day." Henry died
at Caledonia, November 6, 1856, by the accidental discharge
of a gun in his own hands. On his tombstone are these
words : " I was dumb ; I opened not my mouth because thou
didst it." The four sons and daughter are honorably settled
in life, and we have cause for gratitude to God for our ex-
emption from trouble on their account. Incapable of false-
hood, fraud or deceitfulness, or of uttering a profane or vul-
gar word or sentiment, they have won the confidence and es-
teem of their associates. Two of them are members of the
Presbyterian Church. The others might be, and ought to be.
I was ordained in the Lutheran church, at Hills-
boro, October 4, 1839. I served the two churches near
Jonesboro, and organized two others — one in Pulaski county,.
EDWARD B. 0L>5STED. 379
the other in Jackson county, and divided my time among
them, and added largely to the membership. The latter
two churches are now large and flourishing and have erected
good buildings. The formation of the Jackson county
church was the immediate cause of my connection with the
Presbyterian Church. A small Presbyterian church had
been organized in the same neighborhood, and Bro. Bird, the
stated supply, and the brethren Wood and Dunn, thought the
American Home Mission Society would commission me to
serve both churches. To this end I attended the meeting of
Presbytery at Monticello, where the scheme was declared im-
practicable. For some time I had felt discouraged on ac-
count of my inability to preach in the German language, and
still more from the fact that my nearest ministerial neighbor,
Rev. Scherer, of Hillsboro, was one hundred and forty miles
away from me. Rev. A. T. Norton especially represented to
me that I could accomplish more by the change, and I did
not doubt it. So I obtained a dismission from the President
of the Synod, and united with the Presbyterian church
and the Presbytery of Alton, at an adjourned session at
Jacksonville, on October 22, 1847. ^'ly suc-
cessor at Jonesboro was a German and English preacher,
Rev. John Krack and I was elected stated supply of the
Bethel church in Bond county, to which place I removed
my family. The four years I remained there were the
happiest and probably the most useful of my life. There
were many additions to the church and one or two precious
and extensive revivals of religion. I shall never forget
the godly men and women, old and young, of that excel-
lent church and neighborhood. From Bethel
I removed to Caledonia, leaving the former place November
5, 185 1. On the 6th of June, 1852, I organized the Presby-
terian church of Caledonia, of five members. During a large
part of the intervening time I have been stated supply — it
seems to me to little purpose. I do not propose to excul-
pate myself nor to blame others, because it is written, " One
man soweth and another reapeth."
From a report of Rev. Robert Stewart, dated January,
1 85 1, I extract the following: "On Thursday I went to Cal-
edonia. There are Quakers, Methodists, Baptists, Luther-
ans, German Reformed, Presbyterians, Cumberland Presby-
terians, Campbellites, Universalists, and what else I know
not; and in building up Christ's kingdom these discordant
380 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
materials must be taken and made to harmonize. In this
work we must have much patience, perseverance, self-denial,
wisdom and faith." This is the enterprise I afterwards en-
gaged in. In patience I rivaled the Man of Uz ; in per-
severance and self-denial it seems to me I have not
been wanting; and I have come to doubt the wisdom of
trying to harmonize such discordant elements; and even
faith ought to have the element of plausibility. The great
trouble with the image of Daniel's dream was, that the legs,
which ought and do represent two sturdy pillars, were part
iron and part clay. They did not harmonize and could not
be made to do so. This is one of many causes
standing in the way of success here and in many other
places in Southern Illinois. I do not propose to discuss the
others. In 1853, ^^^ perhaps in 1852, I preached
half my time in Cairo, and aided in the founding of that
church. I have also supplied the Vienna and Villa Ridge
churches at times, and now supply the church of America, a
promising but small church. Now in conclusion, let me say I
rejoice in the providence of God, which lead me into the
Presbyterian ministry. My brethren have honored me as
much as I deserved. Once I represented the Synod of the
West in the Evangelical Lutheran Synod of the United
States, which met in Philadelphia, and once the Presbytery
of Alton sent me to the General Assembly at Dayton. For
a time I was Stated Clerk of our Synod, and to Bro. Norton
and others I am in part indebted for the appointment of
Hospital Chaplain, U. S. A., during the war of the Rebellion.
My relations with all the brethren have been cordial and
pleasant, and one of my greatest trials is that I cannot see
them often and know them better. And no small part of
my enjoyment consists in recalling, in silence and in solitude,
the kindly utterances of those who are gone and of those
who remain.
The Synod of Illinois, n. s., met at Jacksonville, Octo-
ber 21, 1847. Members were present from four Presbyteries.
The church of String Prairie, Green county, was transferred
to the Presbytery of Alton. The usual business was rapidly
and pleasantly transacted. The Synod of Illinois,
o. s., met at Peoria, October 24, 1847. Members were pres-
ent from six Presbyteries.
ALVIN M. DIXON. 381*
YEAR 1848.
The Presbytery of Illinois met with Pisgah church,
Morgan county. A. M. Dixon was received from the Pres-
bytery of Hamilton, Ohio. Chauncey Eddy was released
from the pastorate of the First church of Jacksonville, and
granted a letter of dismission and general recommendation.
The fall meeting was held at Farmington, Sep-
tember 20; also a pro re iiata meeting at Jacksonville, No-
vember 17, at which L. M. Glover was received from the
Presbytery of Washtenaw and installed pastor of First Pres-
byterian church, Jacksonville. William H. Williams was dis-
missed to Presbytery of Des Moines.
Alvin M. Dixon was born September 24, 1809, in Maury
county, Tenn. His paternal grandfather was Irish, his ma-
ternal grandfather, Scotch — both Presbyterians back to John
Knox. He graduated at Illinois College in 1836; studied
theology at Lane Seminary. He always intended to be a
minister — never but once swerving from that purpose, and
that for only a short period. He was licensed and ordained
by the Presbyterian and Congregational Convention of Wis-
consin in 1842. Subsequently labored at Waverly and Car-
linville, 111. At both places were extensive
revivals. He preached at Tafton — now Blooming'..on — Wis.,
ten years. He supplied for a short time Shullsburg, Wis.,
and Hebron, 111. He never preached in more than one place
without witnessing one or more revivals. He is now supply
pastor in Edgar, Neb. He has been twice mar-
ried. His first wife was Miss Sarah Howell, of Greenville,
111. His second, Mrs. E. J. Holmes, widow of Rev. Thomas
Holmes, Vandalia, 111. His first marriage was in March,
1837, the second, October 25, 1876. He had four children,
all by his first wife. Alletta H., Julia H., Laura A., now
Mrs. Reynard, and Mary A. When he went to
Jacksonville to fit for college he had only seventy-five cents,
and no friend to afford the least help. He fitted for college,
and paid his way through by his own industry and frugality.
He has educated his four children, giving them college and
seminary advantages, and has enough to save him from the
Presbyterian Hospital.
382 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Livingston M. Glover was born February 21, 18 19, in
Phelps, Ontario county, N. Y. He is descended from an
English ancestry. Families bearing the name are com-
mon in all parts of Britain, among them persons of considera-
ble distinction in their time. Two brothers, John and Henry
Glover, emigrated to America, the first about 1630, settling
at Dorchester; the second, about 1640, setthng at Dedham,
Mass. From the last the subject of this sketch was de-
scended. His father, Philander Glover, and his mother, Ru-
hamah Hall, were natives of Conway, Mass. About the be-
ginning of the present century the family settled in the " Gen-
esee countr}^," N. -Y., then a wilderness, now a garden. In
1833 they removed to the territory of Michigan, settling at
Lodi Plains, Washtenaw county. There he was initiated
into the mysteries of farming. His preparatory studies were
pursued at Ann Arbor. He graduated at Western Reserve
College, Hudson, Ohio, in 1840, and pursued his theological
studies at Lane Seminary. He was licensed and began his
ministry in Lodi, Mich., where several years of his boyhood
were spent, and where his religious life began. Thfs pastor-
ate lasted from 1842 to 1848, when he accepted a call to the
First Presbyterian Church of Jacksonville, 111. This pastor-
ate he has retained with great credit to himself and great ad-
vantage to the cause to the present time, 1879, a period of
thirty-one years, with the prospect that he will close his life
in the same relation. His work has not only been uninter-
rupted, but arduous. While a close and thorough student,
he has taken an active part in the educational and benevo-
lent enterprises of the place and region. For eighteen years
he was a Trustee of Illinois College and Secretary of the
Board. He is President of the Board of Trustees of Jack-
sonville Female Academy, and has raised large sums of
money in aid of its objects. He is also President of the Board
of Managers of the Oak Lawn Retreat, a private institution
for the treatment of the insane. His preaching is thoroughly
orthodox, logical, simple and clear. A large number of his
discourses has been published in pamphlet form. He is sel-
dom out of his pulpit on Sabbaths, or out of town either for
business or pleasure. He has twice traveled abroad. In
1858 he went as far as Syria and Egypt, touching at many
places of interest in Europe. In 1873 he went as delegate
from the Presbyterian General Assembly of this country to
that of the Free Church of Scotland. He is honorary mem-
MEETING OF PRESBYTERIES. 383
ber of several scientific associations, and in 1864 received the
degree of D. D. from Center College, Kentucky. In 1843
he married Miss Marcia A. Nutting, daughter of Prof. Rufus
Nutting, formerly of Western Reserve College. They have
five children — three sons and two daughters. The eldest
son, Lyman Beecher, is a graduate of Wabash College. This
son for several years edited the Daily Jo2(j'na/ of Jacksonville,
and is now agent of the American Press Association of
Chicago.
The Presbytery of Kaskaskia met at Shawneetown,
April 14, 1848. Thomas W. Hynes, minister, and James A.
Ramsey, elder, were appointed to the next Assembly. The
church of New Haven was dissolved, and its members at-
tached to those Presbyterian churches most convenient to
them. The same Presbytery met at Edwardsville, October
2d. The church of Pocahontas was received. Valentine
Pentzer was engaged for six months as Presbyterial Mission-
The Presbytery of Palestine, n. s., met at Marshall, Clark
county, April 27, 1 848. IMessrs. Chamberlin aud Norton,
Missionary delegates from Alton Presbytery, were present ;
also Rev. Samuel Kaldridge, M. D. The same
Presbytery met with Trinity church, Edwards county, Sep-
tember II. Joseph Wilson, licentiate, was received from
Cincinnati Presbytery, examined and ordained, sine titulo,
Tuesday, September 12.
Joseph Wilson.
Auto-biographical.
I was born in Stamfordham, England, July 31, 18 14. My
ancestors were of the same nationality and belonged to the
Presbyterian church of the place where I was born.
I was graduated from Wabash College at Crawfordsville,
Ind., and also from Lane Theological Seminary, at Cincin-
nati. I was licensed by the Presbytery of Cin-
cinnati and ordained by that of Wabash, formerly the old
384 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Palestine Presbytery. Have labored as stated supply for
the churches of New Providence in this State, and of Day-
ton and Rossville, Ind. Then at Pleasant Prairie and Neoga;
then at Shelbyville, and then again at Pleasant Prairie and
Neoga. I was married in Neoga to Miss Mildred
R. Johnson of the same place. We have now living two
children — Nellie C, born December 18, 1872, and Inolie P.,
born July 20, 1874. At New Providence, during
my stay, there was a large addition to the church, traceable,
no doubt, to the long and faithful labors of Rev. J. C.
Campbell. There was also a fair degree of prosperity in the
churches of Prairie-^'Bird and Shelbyville whilst I was with
them. The churches also at Pleasant Hill and Neoga en-
joyed special seasons of revival. I have labored
at other points, but those mentioned have been the principal
scenes of my ministry.
At present I have no ministerial charge, and am engaged
in mercantile business.
Joseph Wilson.
The Prfsbytery of Palestine, o. s., met with Pisgah
church, Lawrence county, April 13, 1848. Resolutions were
passed expressive of the sorrow of Presbytery in view of the
death of their highly esteemed brother. Rev. Stephen Bliss,
and of condolence with his bereaved family. Isaac Bennet,
minister, and R. H. Allison, elder, were appointed to attend
the Assembly. An adjourned meeting was held with Mc-
Clusky church, June i, 1848. Robert Rutherford was put
on trial for various common fame charges. The evidence
was heard, and another adjourned meeting held at Paris,
August I, 1848, when he was "suspended from the functions
of the ministry and the ordinances of the Church until he
give evidence of repentance." Mr. Rutherford appealed to
Synod. The same Presbytery met at Palestine,
September 21, 1848. Lawrenceville church was received.
Preston W. Thomson, licentiate, was received from the
Presbytery of Salem, examined and ordained, sine titiilo,
September 23, 1848. Presbytery directed the Clerk to no-
tify the Synod of Illinois that this Presbytery will apply ta
the next Assembly to be attached to the Synod of Indiana.
At a called meeting held at Paris, November 25, 1848, Joseph
Piatt was dismissed to the Presbytery of Western District,
preston w. thomson. 385
Preston Wallace Thomson.
Auto-biographical.
I was born January 17, 18 16, in Nicholas county, Ky. My
grandfather, James Thomson, emigrated from county Don-
egal, Ireland, in 1769, to America. He was an elder in the
Presbyterian church in Ireland and in this country. My
father settled in Indiana in 1828. He became an elder in the
Sand Creek church, Decatur county, Ind., where he died
August 7, 1840. Three of my father's sons became ministers.
His two daughters married ministers — one. Rev. S. H. Thom-
son, Ph. D., LL.D., was for thirty years professor of mathe-
matics and natural science in Hanover College, Ind. He has
a son who is a foreign missionary in Monterey, Mex. Five
of my father's grandsons became ministers. My
father's brother. Rev. John Thomson, had four sons minis-
ters— one of them. Rev. William M. Thomson, D. D., author
of " The Land and the Book " — and one grandson a minister.
Thus, thirteen of my grandfather's descendants were and are
ministers — all Presbyterian. My mother's father,
William Henry, was for many years an elder of the Cane
Ridge Presbyterian church, Bourbon county, Ky. His father
was a Presbyterian from the North of Ireland. So I am of
pretty fair Presbyterian stock. As Rev. James Gallaher
said of himself, " I was born on a Presbyterian last."
My literary education was somewhat irregular. I
read law and was admitted to the bar, but did not practice
much. I soon gave up that business and turned my atten-
tion to the ministry. I took a full course in the New Al-
bany Theological Seminary, and graduated in 1847.
I was licensed by the New Albany Presbytery, in the
fall of 1846, at Bedford, Ind. I was ordained by the Pres-
bytery of Palestine in 1848. I spent some nine months
under the American Tract Society as colporteur. I com-
menced my ministerial labors in the churches of Mt. Carmel
and Wabash, 111., in the summer of 1848. Preached to the
Mt. Carmel church about two years ; when in lieu of that I
took Richland church, and continued to preach to that and
the Wabash until the fall of 1852, when I removed to the
west side of the Illinois river. In the spring of 185 i we had
the most thorough revival of religion, in the Wabash
church, in its permanent effects that I have ever witnessed.
24
386 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Another took place there the next winter, though not so
marked. Having removed to the west side of the lUinois
river, I took charge of the churches of Vermont and Ben-
nington, now Ipava. To the former I preached about six-
teen months ; when in heu of it I took charge of the Pleasant
Prairie church, now Prairie City, in the spring of 1854. I
was installed pastor over the churches of Ipava and Prairie
City in the fall of 1854. In the spring of 1857 ^^^ removed
our residence to Prairie City. In the spring of 1858 I re-
signed the charge of the Ipava church. In lieu of it, after
attending the meeting of the General Assembly in New Or-
leans in 1858, I to6k charge of the church of Shiloh one
half the time till the spring of 1865. Then, on my return
from the Assembly at Pittsburgh, I gave my whole time to
the Prairie City church. In the fall of 1867 I resigned my
charge of the Prairie city church, having preached to it thirteen
years and a half. Then for a time I supplied the churches
of Lenox and Biggsville, Next the church of John Knox
for two years, and then in 1870 the church of Camp Creek
and was installed pastor. In connection with, and following
the week of prayer, January, 1872, we had a gracious revi-
val of religion in which twenty-five persons made public
profession of their faith in Christ at one time. In the
spring of 1875 I resigned the charge of the Camp Creek
church. Since then I have not been engaged in regular
ministerial work. I married Miss Mary Ann
Ashmore, in Clark county, 111., on the 14th of December,
1848, with whom I still live. We have a daughter, Emma
Clarinda, our only child, born the lOth of January, 185 1.
She married Theophilus G. Walker in connection with the
25th anniversary of ow' marriage. They have a son, born
December 8, 1876. He is called Wallace Allen, named for
his two grandfathers. We now live with our son-in-law, on
Camp Creek.
Preston W. Thomson.
Lawrenceville is the civil capital of Lawrence county.
It has a pleasant site on the south bluff of Embarrass river,
ten miles west of Vincennes, and at the intersection of the
Paris and Danville with the O. and M. R. R. The Pres-
byterian church of Lawrenceville, was organized Aug. 12,
1848, with twenty members. John B. Ma.xwell was the first
MEETIXG OF PRESBYTERIES. 387
elder. The records of the church were burned in the office
of Dr. Wm. N. Thompson. A. M. Martin was elder in 1850;
Dr. James Wright in 1859; Dr. Wm. N. Thompson in 1871,
but soon died ; Thomas Kirkwood is an elder at this time
and has been for a number of years. There is a good brick
.house of worship which was erected not long after the organ-
ization. Mrs. Mary M., wife of John B. Maxwell, was the
first mover towards its erection, and her husband bore a
large part of the expense. Mrs. M. is still living, and was
eighty-five years of age July 26, 1879. Through misman-
agement and no management our progress in this place has
been in the wrong direction. The church has steadily de-
creased for a number of years, and now counts only seven
members. It is entirely vacant.
The Preseytery of Sangamon met with Irish Grove
church, April 7, 1848. Andrew Todd, minister, and John
Allen, elder, were appointed to attend the Assembly. The
same Presbytery met at Jacksonville Sept. i, and by adjourn-
ment, at Springfield Sept. 26. Difficulties in the First church
at Springfield were the principal subject of consideration at
these September meetings. They ultimated in the resigna-
tion of Mr. Bergen, as pastor of that church; but with the
highest estimate and expression on all sides, of his character,
standing and ability. At another adjourned meeting, Oct.
14, at Rpck Island, it was announced that Synod had so
changed the bounds of the Presbytery as to include Revs.
James Stafford, T. W. Hynes and P. D. Young. Elisha
F. Chester was dismissed to the Presbytery of Rock River.
Alton Presbytery met with the Bethel church. Bond
county, April 20, 1848. Joseph S. Graves of the Congrega-
tional Association of Illinois, and Lemuel Grosvener of the
Presbytery of Northern Missouri were received. Hickory
Creek church, Fayette county, was received. Arrangements
were made for the installation of J. A. Ranney at Belleville,
on May 19, and of Lemuel Grosvenor at Collinsville May 18.
John Gibson was ordained over the church of Plum Creek,
Nov. 22, 1847, by Committee of Presbytery. W. E. Chitten-
den was dismissed. At an adjourned meeting at Woodburn,
May 10, Macoupin county, George Spaulding was ordained
PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLIXOIS,
over the churches of Woodburn and Brighton. The
fall meeting was held at Alton Oct. 12. Van Burensburg
church was received. L. S. Williams was dismissed to the
Presbytery of St. Louis.
Joseph S. Graves was born July 22, 18 14, at Hartford^
Conn. Educated at Illinois College and Lane Seminary.
Ordained, April, 1843, by Illinois Congregational Associa-
tion. Dismissed from Alton Presbytery, April 13, 1849, ^^
Hamilton Presbytery-. Labored at Woodburn and Bunker
Hill, 111., Cheviot and Aurora, Ohio, and Roscoe, 111.
Lemuel Grosvenor, son of Deacon Lemuel Putnam Gros-
venor, was born April 27, 1 8 14, in Boston, Mass. He studied at
the Latin school in his native city, and graduated at Mid-
dlebury College in 1835, and at Andover in 1843. Ordained
by St. Louis Presbytery, April 21, 1846. Supply pastor of
Rock Hill church. Mo., 1845-46. Joined Alton Presbytery
as above. Was installed pastor of Collinsville church, May
18, 1848. Dismissed from that charge Sept. 21, 1850.
Supply pastor subsequently of Jerseyville church. On leav-
ing the West he was settled at Woodstock, Ct., until about
i860, when he gave up preaching except on rare occasions.
He was married to his first wife, Hannah J.
Pearce, daughter of Hon. Dutee Pearce, of Newport, R. I.,
Oct., 1845. She died March 9, 1865. He married Miss
Grace Daganne, of Boston, in April, 1866, and went abroad
soon after. He resided one year in Paris, and afterwards in
London, where he died Aug. 8, 1870. Before he
went abroad he entered the Episcopal Church, and dropped
the Rev. from his name, and requested his friends to do the
same. He had no children. Immediately after
his graduation at college he entered upon the study of the
law and was admitted to the bar in Boston. He soon emi-
grated to Galveston, Texas, where he united school teaching
with his legal profession. During the time he was brought
very low by fever, and it pleased God to bless the efforts of
an Episcopal clergyman to his conversion. He then conse-
crated himself to the ministry, studied at Andover and la-
bored at the West as stated above. He was a great grand-
son of Gen. Israel Putnam, and wrote many valuable articles
JOHN GIBSON. 389
defending his ancestor from libels of modern historians. He
was a scholarly man, and contributed many original thoughts
to the literature of his day.
John Gibson.
This gifted man, and beloved brother and father in the
ministry, died at Duncansville, Blair county, Pa., June 2,
1869, at the house of his brother. Rev. William J. Gibson.
I append an interesting letter from this brother, re-
specting Mr. Gibson's history before he became connected
with the Alton Presbytery :
Duncansville, Blair Co., Pa., June 29, 1869.
John was the eldest of nine children, and I the youngest.
My brother was born at Kellswater, near Monnerea, County
Derry, Ireland, November 6, 1790. In 1797 our father
came to this country. He was a minister in
the Reformed Presbyterian Church; and after preach-
ing some time in New York and in Philadelphia, he
finally settled in Ryegate, Caledonia county, Vt. There my
two older brothers, John and Robert (who died in 1837, pas-
tor of the Sixth Street Reformed Presbyterian church), re-
ceived their academical education, principally under the
direction of our father. In 1811 John left home for the city
of New York. He studied theology under Rev. Dr. S. B.
Wylie, of Philadelphia, then the only theological professor
in the Reformed Presbyterian church. In what
year he was licensed I cannot tell He was ordained pastor
of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, in Baltimore city, De-
cember 31, 1819. Some few years after his settlement, he
married Miss Elizabeth Jameson, daughter of Dr. Horatio
G. Jameson, of Baltimore. By her he had six children, four
of whom are still living — a daughter and three sons.
His oldest son is a Lieutenant-Commander in the Navy,
and his second son a brevet-Brigadier General in the regular
army, being a graduate of West Point Mihtary Academy ;
and his third son is a lawyer by profession ; his fourth son
studied law, but died soon after being admitted to the bar.
At the time of the division of the Covenanter
Church, afterwards denominated Old School and New
School, my father and brother Robert went with the Old
.School party and John with the New School ; but in a short
390 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
time he left them and connected himself with the Presbytery
of Baltimore, of the General Assembly. In the
closing part of the year 1834, he went to the southwest; first,
I believe, to St. Louis, then to New Orleans, and in 1835
took charge of Brandon Academy, Mississippi, where he con-
tinued for three years, till 1838. After that time you proba-
bly know more of his history than I do, as he went with the
New School in the division of our Church, and I have always
been a member of the Old School division, and was a mem-
ber of the General Assembly for the first time in 1838, the
year that division took place. In June of last
year, at my earnest- 'solicitation, he came to spend his last
days with us. He was then in feeble health, but was able to
preach occasionally for me till about the middle of last win-
ter, when manifest symptoms of dropsy began to appear.
The disease was the result of other diseases with which he
had been afflicted for years before. He died in peace,
though in much physical suffering, on the second day of this
month. Had he lived till the sixth day of November, he
would have been seventy-nine years of age. My
dear sir, I am obliged to you for your favor and the kind
things you are pleased to say about my brother ; and if we
live, I hope to know you better after the re-union of the Old
and New Schools.
W. J. Gibson.
When I first made the acquaintance of John Gibson, he
was teaching in Alton. This was probably in 1840 or 1841.
He became a member of Alton Presbytery, October 18,.
1847, and was made pastor of Plum Creek church on the 22d
of November following. That pastorate was not of long
continuance, though the last years of his ministerial life were
spent with that people. Meantime he labored at Belleville,
Vandalia, and with several other of the churches in Alton
Presbytery, for limited periods. His sermons
were exceedingly rich in matter, and were uniformly deliv-
ered without manuscript. He was a highly instructive
preacher, though cool and unimpassioned. He
was exceedingly social in his disposition, and affable and
pleasant in his manners. He was ever prompt in
his attendance upon ecclesiastical meetings, and was looked
up to as an authority on doctrinal and constitutional ques-
tions. His brethren in the Presbytery miss his genial, sunny
smile, and his sparkling wit, tempered, as it ever was, with a
SYNOD OF ILLINOIS. * 39I
humble devotional spirit. There were faults and
sad falls in one period of his history ; but those of us who
knew him the most intimately, during the last twenty-five
years of his life, have not the slightest doubt of his sincere
repentance and thorough reform.
George Spaulding was ordained by Alton Presbytery,
May 10, 1848, Dismissed by them to Piscatiqua Associa-
tion, April 23, 1853. When last heard from, in 1869, he was
in West Eau Claire, Wis.
Hickory Creek Church, in Fayette county, about four-
teen miles southeast of Vandalia, was organized, March 24,
1848, with twelve members, by Rev. William Chamberlin.
Alfred Ervin and Leonard Washburn, elders. It existed a
few years, and exerted a good influence ; but deaths, re-
movals and the lack of ministerial supply led to its discon-
tinuance as an organization. The members remaining united
with the Cumberland Precinct, now Brownstown church.
Van Burensburg Church, eight miles north of Mulberry
Grove and in the southeast corner of Montgomery county,
was organized. May 28, 1848, by Rev. William Chamberlin,
with six members, James H. Abell and Thomas Harris, eld-
ers. This church was connected with that of Mulberry
Grove, September 11, 1843. Since which time the two have
been merged with that of Greenville — Mulberry Grove being
now an out station of the Greenville church.
Synod of Illinois, n. s., met at Quincy, October 19, 1848.
Rev. J. M. Sturtevant, Moderator. The Synod
OF Illinois, o. s., met at Rock Island, October 12. The ap-
peal of Robert Rutherford against the sentence of Palestine
Presbytery, suspending him from the ministry, was referred
to an adjourned meeting of Synod, to be held at Jackson-
ville, January 4, 1849. [The meeting failed from want of a
quorum.] Kaskaskia Presbytery was made to embrace all
that part of the State lying south of the north line of town-
ship three north on the 3d principal meridian. Sangamon
392 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Presbytery was bounded thus : Beginning with the northeast
corner of T. 3 N., R. i W. ; thence north with the 3d princi-
pal meridian to its intersection with Salt Creek; thence down
that creek and Sangamon river to the Illinois ; thence down
the Illinois and Mississippi rivers to the northwest corner of
Kaskaskia Presbytery; thence east with the north line of
that Pesbytery to the place of beginning. Palestine Presby-
tery was defined thus : Beginning on the third principal mer-
idian, at its intersection with the north line of Kaskaskia
Presbytery, north to the northern line of T. 21 N. ; thence
east to the east line of the State ; thence with the State line
to the northeast corner of Kaskaskia Presbytery.
CHAPTER X.
MEETINGS OF PRESBYTERIES AND SYNODS FROM 1 849 TO
1853, INCLUDING SKETCHES OF THE CHURCHES ORGANIZED
AND OF THE MINISTERS COMMENCING THEIR LABORS HERE
WITHIN THE PERIOD.
Authorities : As in the previous chapter.
YEAR 1849.
ILLINOIS Presbytery met with Spring Creek church, April
13, 1849. J- ^^- Grout was received from the Presbytery of
Schuyler. Messrs. Grout and Pond were continued as Pres-
byterial Missionaries. Whitehall church gave notice of
withdrawal from this Presbytery to attach themselves to
Sangamon Presbytery, o. s. The name of the church was
stricken from the roll. Albert Hale resigned his office as
Stated Clerk, and L. M. Glover was appointed in his place.
H. Blodgett, minister, and D. A. Smith, elder, were appointed
Commissioners to the Assembly. The fall meeting was at
Jacksonville, September 4, 1849.
Joseph Merriam Grout was born in Westboro, Mass.,
September 1 1, 1814. His ancestors were English. He grad-
uated at Yale College in 1840, and at Yale Divinity School
in 1843. He labored in the West, first in Schuyler Presby-
tery; then in that of Illinois as Presbyterial Missionary. He
took charge of Shelby ville church, June 30, 185 1, and con-
tinued to act as supply pastor until his death by cholera,
August I, 1855. He was buried at Shelbyville.
He married Mrs. Priscilla Groves, of Mechanicsville, 111.
They had two children — William T., born ]\Iarch 12, 1853,
and now living in Sangamon county ; and Joseph M., born
after his father's death. Mrs. Grout died within ten weeks
after the birth of Joseph M. This young man is a lawyer in
Springfield, a member of the Second Presbyterian church.
The following circumstance was related to me
394 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
by Rev. Dr. David Dimond : On the death of his father, Mr,
Grout became heir to three thousand dollars. He went
East ; received his money ; placed it in his valise ; went witk
the valise in his hand to the railroad depot, and put it down
for a moment to purchase his ticket. On turning to take it
up, the valise could not be found. Neither it or its contents
were ever more heard of by their owner. Mr. Grout seems
to have kept this misfortune a secret from all, save a few
trusted friends. Several circumstances corroborate the ac-
count. One is, that on his return to Shelbyville he was ob-
liged to give up property for which he had bargained.
The Presbytery of Kaskaskia met at Chester, April
13, 1849. Isaac Bennet, who became connected with this
Presbytery by the action of the Synod at its last meeting,
was present. B. F. Spilman, minister, and Dr. William Sim,
elder, were appointed Commissioners to the Assembly. This
Presbytery reported to the Assembly that they consist of five
ministers and nineteen churches. The fall meeting was held
at Carlyle, Clinton county, commencing October 2, 1849.
Presbytery, dissatisfied with their northern boundary, as fixed
by the last Synod, sent a memorial praying that it might be
extended as far north as the southern boundary of Montgom-
ery county — to run due east from the Illinois river to the Lit-
tle Wabash ; thence down that river to its mouth.
Palestine Presbytery, n. s., met at Pleasant Prairie, April
28, 1849. Charles H. Palmer, minister, and Asa R. Palmer,
elder, were appointed Commissioners to the Assembly. The
fall meeting was held at Danville, September 25. It was re-
solved to ask the Synod to change the name of this Presby-
tery to that of Wabash. Also to request Illinois Synod to
unite with that of Indiana in petitioning the Assembly to at-
tach this Presbytery to the Synod of Indiana ; and also to
add to this Presbytery all that portion of the Synod of Indi-
ana which lies south of Warren county, and west of the
Wabash river in Indiana.
The Presbytery of Palestine, o, s., met with the Pleasant
Prairie church, April 5, 1849. John A. Steele, minister, and
ROBINSON CHURCH. 395.
John Y. Allison, elder, were chosen Commissioners to the
next Assembly. The church of Robinson was received.
The Presbytery made petition to the Assembly to be at-
tached to the Synod of Indiana with such boundaries as
were theirs when notice of the petition was given to Synod.
The fall meeting was held with Bethel or Oak-
land church, commencing October 4. It was stated that the
petition of the Presbytery to be attached to the Synod of
Indiana had been granted by the Assembly. H. I. Venable
was dismissed to the Presbytery of New Albany. Robert
A. Mitchell, licentiate, was received from the Presbytery of
New Albany. The church of Richland was received.
The church at Robinson, Crawford county, was organized,
October 28, 1848, with sixteen members, James Eagleton,
elder. The members were from Palestine church. This or-
ganization had but a brief existence. It seems to have been
premature ; and the members, convinced of this, dissolved
the organization and returned to the parent church.
But on November 8, 1872, Rev. Thomas Spencer and
Elder Findley Paull renewed the organization with forty-
eight members, under the name of "The First Presbyterian
Church" of Robinson. The first elders, appointed for three
years, were William C. Wilson, John H. Wilkin and Rufus
R. Lull. November 28, 1875, F. Robb was appointed for
three years, William Austin for two years, and Joseph Al-
exander for one year. Ministers : Aaron Thompson, from
the beginning to the end of 1873; Thomas Spencer, from
beginning of 1874 until his death, August 15, 1876; John E.
Carson commenced July 7, 1877, and remained one year.
This church has no house of worship in their own name ; but
have the right to use the house of the Methodists, whenever
the latter do not wish it. At present the Presbyterians oc-
cupy the house one half the time. The Sabbath schools of
the two churches are together. This congregation in 1878
erected a parsonage at a cost of one thousand dollars. The
lot on which it stands was donated, and its value is not reck-
oned in the thousand dollars cost. All the ministers thus
far have been supply pastors.
Richland Church, Richland county, six miles south of
39^ PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Olney, was organized at Fairview, Aug. 26, 1848, by a Com-
mittee of Palestine Presbytery, with these eighteen members :
Miles Yocum, Maria Yocum, Jefferson Matthews, Jphn Hil-
lis, Malissa Hillis, Wm. Hillis, Ann Hillis, John Reasoner,
Jacob Lutzin, Henry Roush, Catharine Roush, Elizabeth
Roush, Mary Knight, John T. Madden, Mary Mad-
den, John Walker, Julia Walker, Emily Reasoner.
Elders : William Hillis and Miles Yocum. Other
elders : Miles R. Yocum, William Bell, Harley Kings-
bury, James E. Bell, Milton Eckley, W. M. Robinson, L. W.
Miller, W. M. Severance, Thomas Eagleson, M. D.
Ministers : Isaac Bennet organized the church. John
Crozier with S. C. Baldridge held a meeting here in Feb.,
1855. R. H. Lilly in 1856; John Crozier, 1857. Thomas
Smith was supply pastor from Aug., 1868 to March, 1871 ;
W. M. Reed, 1873; C. C. Bomberger, 1875; Joseph Butler
preached here occasionally ; J. Scott Davis commenced here
in June, 1878, preaching once in two weeks. He still con-
tinues. The church building is situated on S. E.
quarter of N. W. quarter of Sec. 35, T. 3 N., R. 10 E. The
site is one-quarter of an acre. The cemetery, of one acre,
adjoins the church site on the west. The building was com-
menced May 14, 1863, and finished June, 1865. It cost in
all about one thousand dollars. The Board of Church Ex-
tension donated two hundred dollars. Before the erection
of the church, the congregation had met in school houses and
in the Methodist church in Fairview — a little village about
one mile east. Up to 1878, the members of this church, all
told, numbered one hundred and fifty-eight. This congrega-
tion is much scattered.
The Presbytery of Sangamon held a called meeting,
Feb. 6, 1849, and organized the "Third Presbytertan church
of Springfield," with forty-four members. The Presbytery
met at the same place, April 6, 1849, for their regular spring
meeting. The church of Rattan's Prairie was received. The
church of Whitehall was received on their own request. It
had been until this time connected with the Illinois Presby-
tery. James Stafford, minister, and E. R. Wiley, elder, were
appointed commissioners to the next Assembly. James
Smith, D. D., was received from the Presbytery of Louisville,
and installed pastor of the First Presbyterian church, Spring-
THIRD SPRINGFIELD CHURCH. 397
field, April 12, 1849. An adjourned meeting was held at
Greenville, May i, to settle difficulties between the pastor of
that church, James Stafford, and Geo. Donnell. The object
was happily accomplished. The Presbytery held a called
meeting at Springfield, and installed Richard V. Dodge pas-
tor of the "Third church of Springfield " Aug. 2,
Their regular fall meeting was held at Petersburg, Oct. 8.
Valentine Pentzer was received from the Presbytery of Upper
Missouri.
The Third Presbyterian Church was organized in
Springfield, 111., the 7th of February, 1849, by the following
named persons, leaving the First Presbyterian church, viz.:
Asahel Stone, Emelia Grimsley, Eliza Lowry, James L..
Lamb, Susan C. Lamb, Rebecca Bradstreet, Edmund R.
Wiley, Catharine Wiley, H. G. Henry, Mrs. A. G. Henry,.
Augusta Ulrich, E. B. Pease, Mary A. Pease, Harriet Ulrich,
C. W. Pelton, Martha A. Pelton, Mary L. Brigham, A.
Crosby, Mrs. A. Crosby, Sarah A. Richard, H. D. Brigham,
Abigal S. Tously, Catharine Latham, John E. Roll, Susan L.
Cook, Mary Johnson, Jacob Ruckle, Laura A. Ruckle, C. H.
Van Bergan, Daniel Ruckle, Catharine H. Ruckle, E. H.
Beach, Andrew Johnson, Sarah Johnson, Eliza H. Beach, Wm.
Lowry, Philip Stone, Abigal C. Stone, R. Beach, James Hap-
per, Jane Happer, G. L. Cranmer. Sarah Crosby, Nancy
Hargrave, Maria W. D. Ruth. Names of Elders : Asahel
Stone, James L. Lamb, E. R. Wiley, Richard H. Beach,
Harvey D. Brigham, Charles B. Pelton, John S. Vreden-
burgh, Edmund G. Johns, Lucian C. Boynton, E. R. Ulrich,
R. W. Dillen, Pharis C. Dorwin, Adam Johnson, Alexander
Pringle, John S. Vredenburgh, jr., Edwin A. Wilson.
Names of ministers : first, Richard V. Dodge ; sec-
ond, C. P. Jennings; third, G. W. F. Burch ; fourth, H. M.
Paynter ; fifth, J. L Gulick ; sixth, A. K. Bates; seventh,
F. M. Baldwin, supply pastor.
They first worshiped in the court-house. The first build-
mg cost over $10,000; second, over $65,000, which swamped
it and they had to sell to First church ; quite a number of
the members staying in said First church organization, while
three elders and twenty-five members kept up the Third
church organization and built a small church for $2,500, and
now have a membership of over seventy in the norths
398 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
end of the city, well attended and new members admitted
every communion. Are in a healthy condition and out
of debt.
The church of Rattan's Prairie, now called Moro, was
organized by Revs. Valentine Pentzer and P. D, Young, De-
cember 9, 1848, in a school house where the village of Beth-
alto now is, with these members, viz. : Samuel Smith, Ruth
Smith, Hugh Smith, Letitia Dorsey, James Purdy Smith,
Elizabeth Smith, D. Duncan Smith, Ann M. Pentzer, Mrs.
Ann Smith. Samii6l Smith was made elder. He died in
June, 1856. Since appointed, Hugh Smith, Nov. 20, 1854;
Wm. A. Lanterman and Geo. F. Stahl, same date ; Samuel
L. Dorsey, James Harvey Smith, Hiram E. Stahl, elected in
first part of 1870; W. S. B. Robinson about 1876.
Ministers: Valentine Pentzer; P. D. Young, 1850 ; Peter
Hassinger, 1853-56; S. B. Smith, 1857-58; R. M. Roberts,
1S60; F. H. L. Laird, 1862 ; A. N. Denny, 1864, till his death,
Sept. 29, 1868; R. G. Ross, 1869; M. B. Gregg, 1871 ; Geo.
B. McComb, 1872; John Huston, 1874: Wm. L. Johnson,
1876 ; Samuel B. Taggart, 1879. The name of
the church was changed from " Rattan's Prairie " to " Moro "
by Presbytery April 6, 1865, There has been
but one house of worship. It was erected in the summer and
fall of 1853. It is near the Moro depot. A cemetry is in
the same enclosure with the church. The cemetery adjoins
the church site. Before the church was erected, the common
place of meeting was Bethalto school house.
James Smith, D. D., was born in Glasgow, Scotland, of
Christian parents. On his mother's side he was descended
from the celebrated Bruce family. His mother was renown-
ed for her beauty, he has said, and he for the wildness of his
youth. He was known in his native place as " the wild
rover." When on the street with his mother he has heard
the suppressed whisper, " There goes the beautiful mother
and the wild rover." He had a good education, and was ex-
tremely fond of reading. He tells that in early life he was
himself a deist, led astray by the writings of Volney and Tom
Paine. This was the state of his mind when he came to this
country and settled in Tennessee, where he edited a paper
JAMES SMITH, D. D. 399
in Nashville. Soon, however, he was converted. His deism
and infidelity were renounced, and he turned to preaching
the faith which once he had despised. His familiarity
-with infidel and deistical writings peculiarly quali-
fied him for the defense of the faith.
During the winter of 1839 while upon a visit to Columbus,
Miss., the home of that artful and noted enemy of Christian-
ity— Olmsted — the author of the work, " The Bible its
own refutation," he was challenged to a public debate on
the Evidences of Christianity. Olmsted was an artful and
eloquent man, the leader of the deistical party in Mississippi.
He was popular with the irreligious masses, and exercised a
most pernicious influence, especially with the young men.
From a sense of duty Dr. Smith accepted the challenge. At
the appointed time, in the presence of a vast assembly from
all parts of the State, Dr. Smith met his antagonist in open
debate. He was fully prepared, had his arguments system-
atically arranged and was ready to meet his opponent at
every point. The discussion lasted three weeks, and resulted
in the utter defeat of the infidel, who was no longer able to
keep his temper. On closing his argument on the last night,
Dr. Smith so carried the audience with him that when Olm-
sted rose to reply the congregation in a mass left the spot.
The infidel raved awhile to a few that lingered, and then
closed in disgust. When the debate was closed, Dr. Smith
received a written testimonial, signed by a number of the
best citizens of the place, thanking him for his able defense
of the truth. One of the papers, summing up the general
sentiment in regard to the debate, says : " The conclusion of
of every enquirer after truth must have been that the champ-
ion of deism was signally defeated, and his cause left bleed-
ing on the field." Dr. Smith afterward com-
piled his argument, and published it in the form of a book
entitled, " Christian Evidences." This book was read by
Abraham Lincoln, who pronounced its arguments unanswer-
able, and said, in the presence of most respectable and truth-
ful people, I have no more doubts as to the truth of the
Christian religion. Dr. Smith was connected
with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Kentucky, but
was thoroughly Calvinistic in his theology. The Springfield
church. 111., of which he became pastor, April 11, 1849,
prospered under his ministry. He was dismissed from that
charge, December 17, 1856. He acted for two or
400 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
three years as agent for Peoria University. On Mr. Lincoln's-
accession to the Presidency, he appointed Dr. Smith consul
to Glasgow, Scotland. There he spent the closing years of
his life. He died in Dundee in the seventieth year of his
age.
Richard Varick Dodge was born in Illinois; graduated
at Yale College in 1840, and at Princeton Seminary in 1842;
ordained, sine titulo, June, 1846; supply pastor at Princeton,
Ind., 1844; Terre Haute, 1846; pastor Third Presbyterian
church, Springfield, 1849; Second church. Wheeling, Va.,
1857; Third, Wheeling, 1862 ; Second church, Washington,
Pa., 1864; supply pastor Fourth church. Wheeling, Va.,
1868; pastor Madison, Wis., 1869. Is now without charge
in Chicago, 111.
Valentine Pentzer was born in Franklin county, Pa.,
May 13, 1 8 II. He was educated at Jefferson College, Pa.
Removed to Marion College, Mo., in 1837, and, while engaged
in teaching in that institution, was married to Miss Ann M.
Owen. Went to Southwest Missouri in 1838, and was en-
gaged in preaching and teaching in various places until 1847,
when he came to Madison county. III, and supplied Rattan's
Prairie church. In 1849 he removed to Macoupin county
and labored with Dry-Point church. He died there, Novem-
ber 9, 1849, leaving his wife and six children in straitened
circumstances. He was a man of untiring energy and devot-
edly attached to the cause in which he labored.
Alton Presbytery m.et at Belleville, April 12, 1849.
George Spaulding was dismissed from the Brighton church,
and installed, by a Committee of Presbytery, pastor of Bun-
ker Hill church. May 24, 1849, retaining also his pastoral
charge of Woodburn. Joseph S. Graves was dismissed to
the Hamilton Presbytery, Ohio. Calvin Butler was received
from Evansville Presbytery. Vandalia church was taken
under the care of this Presbytery. A. T. Norton, minister,
and Asa L. Saunders, elder, were appointed to the Assem-
bly. The tone of the narrative was very encouraging. The
Missionary spirit was steadily increasing. Extensive revi-
vals had been experienced — one of great power in the Alton
church.
CALVIN BUTLER. 4OI
Calvin Butler was born in Jericho, Vt., May 23, 1797.
His ancestors, on the Butler side, were Scotch-Irish. He
was educated at Middlebury College, Vt., and at Andover
Seminary. Ordained by Londonderry Presbytery in 1827.
Labored first at Princeton, Ind. ; then at Evansville. Went
next to Washington, Daviess county, Ind., where he preached
till the fall of 1838, he then removed to Warrick county, Ind.,
and preached to two churches until 1849, when he came to
Marine, Madison county, 111. Joined Alton Presbytery as
above. Died suddenly of heart disease at Marine, 111., Nov.
2, 1854. The house of the family was burned, Nov. 10, 1855.
No insurance. The loss was partly made up by friends.
He married Malvina French in Vermont. His sec-
ond marriage was to Catharine Smith, in 1839. There are
seven of his children living — two sons of Malvina's, and one
son and four daughters of Catharine's. The last wife is still
living and resides with her children.
Alton Presbytery met at Vandalia, September 20, 1849.
N. A. Hunt was installed by Committee, June 10, 1849, over
the church of Marion. In the summer of this year the
country was visited by cholera. Several of the churches of
this Presbytery suffered severely from this scourge. A day
of fasting and prayer, appointed by the President of the
United States, was observed in August with great unanimity
and earnestness. Almost instantly the plague abated.
Presbytery reported to Synod twenty-one ministers, twenty-
six churches, one thousand, three hundred and eighteen com-
municants, ;$i,450.20 Missionary money raised, and ^3,316.25
paid for support of gospel in their own churches. A called
meeting was held at Greenville, October 18, and on the 21st,
Robert Stewart was installed pastor of that church.
The Synod of Illinois, n. s., met at Danville, Septem-
ber 27, 1849. The name of "Pa,lestine" Presbytery, n. s.,
was changed to that of " Wabash." " The Alton Presbytery
Reporter" was made the vehicle for publishing the minutes
of the Synod. The Synod of Illinois, o. s.,
met at Canton, October 11. The sentence of the Presbytery
of Palestine, suspending Robert Rutherford from the minis-
try, was removed. P. D. Young, James Stafford and the
25
402 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
churches of Edwardsville, Greenville and Bethany were at-
tached, for the present, to the Presbytery of Kaskaskia.
YEAR 1850.
The Presbytery of Illinois met at CarroUton, Febru-
ary 21, 1850. "Alton Presbytery Reporter" was adopted as
the medium of the churches of this Presbytery. The Car-
roUton church, which had become greatly disorganized, was
righted up by the interposition of Presbytery. A new board
'of elders was appointed, consisting of A. W. Lynn, Robert
F. Clark, Chester Armstrong and J. H. Wilson, and a new
roll of members made out. The same Presbytery
held its fall meeting with Pisgah church, commencing Sep-
tember 12.
The Presbytery of Kaskaskia met with Elkhorn
church, April 12, 1850. James Stafford was dismissed from
the pastoral care of the Greenville church. P. D. Young,
■rakxister, and Elder Amzi Andrews, elder, were appointed
to the Assembly. The Presbytery reported six ministers,
one licentiate, seventeen churches, five hundred and thirty-
four members, and seventy dollars for Foreign and Domestic
Missions. The fall meeting was held at Green-
ville, Bond county, commencing October 5. Blackburn Lef-
fler, from the Presbytery of Palestine, and John Kennedy,
from the Presbytery of Louisville, were received.
John Kennedy was a native of Belfast, Ireland. He was
in the work of the ministry more than forty-three years.
About twenty-five years of his. life were spent in the United
States. He united with the Kaskaskia Presby-
tery as above. He died in Chester, July 21, 1851, in the
sixty-sixth year of his age. He was a pre-eminently good
man.
The Presbytery of Wabash, formerly Palestine, n. s., met
with New Providence church, April 26, 1850. Rev. Samuel
Baldridge, M. D., of the Free Presbytery of Ripley, Ohio, was
present as a corresponding member. Joseph Wilson, minis-
ALTON' AXD SANGAMON PRESBYTERIES. 4O3
ter, was appointed Commissioner to. the Assembly. The
fall meeting was held with Trinity church, Edwards county,
•commencing September 19. This Presbytery approved the
attitude of standing in prayer as being the most convenient,
the most common, the most becoming and the most scrip-
tural.
The Presbytery of Palestine, o. s., met at Palestine, April
II, 1850. John A. Steele, minister, and John Y, Allison,
elder, were appointed to the Assembly. Edgar Academy,
at Paris, was taken under the care of Presbytery. Joseph
Piatt returned his dismission, dated December 9, 1848. Re-
fering to the act of Synod in changing their bounds. Presby-
tery resolved to use all proper efforts to retain their integrity
and identity. The same Presbytery held their fall meeting
at Grandview, commencing Sept. 12, 1850. B. Leffler was
dismissed to the Presbytery of Kaskaskia, Joseph Adams to
that of Wisconsin and Joseph Piatt to that of Logansport.
The Presbytery of Sangamon*, o. s., met at Jacksonville,
April 5, 1850. Andrew Todd was dismissed on account of
failing health from the pastoral care of Jacksonville church,
and also from this to the Presbytery of Florida. J. G. Ber-
gen, minister, and John Todd, elder, were appointed to
attend the Assembly. The fall meeting of the Presbytery
was held at Springfield, commencing Oct. 8. The death of
Andrew Todd was announced as having taken place near
JVIonticello, Florida, Sept. 2, 1850, and before he had used
liis letter from this Presbytery, Wm. Perkins was received
from the Presbytery of Rock River. John V. Dodge was
received from the Presbytery of Vincennes.
John Varick Dodge was born in New York. Graduated
at Yale College 1836 and at Princeton Seminary. Ordained
at Evansville, Ind., June 6, 1S40. Pastor at Jacksonville,
111., 185 1. Supply pastor at Canton, 111., 1856, and at Third
church. Wheeling, Va., 1859-60. Chaplain U. S. army,
1862-65. Resides at Evansville, Ind.
The Presbytery of Alton met at Murphysboro, Jack-
son county, April 18, 1850. Joseph E. McMurray was
404 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
licensed April 20, 1850. Amos P. Brown was dismissed to>
the Presbytery of Peoria. John Gibson, minister, and Sam-
uel Wade, elder, were appointed to the Assembly. John K.
Deering was ordained, sme titido, April 23, 1850. The Pres-
bytery reported to the Assembly twenty-one ministers,
twenty-six churches, 1,428 communicants, ^1,384 for Mis-
sions, for support of gospel in the churches, ^3,550-
John K. Deering was born May i, 1823, at Paris, Maine.
Educated at Bangor Seminary. Ordained as above. Labored
in Jonesboro, Unions-County. Dismissed from Alton Presby-
tery, April 19, 185 1. Has labored since in Assahet, Sterling
and Franklin, Mass. Also at Farmington Falls, Holden,
Solon, Minot, Maine. Was three years in mercantile busi-
ness with his brother in Portland Maine, being unable to
preach. Three winters, 1858, 1859 and i860 he spent travel-
ing in the Southern States. In Nov. 1852, he
married Miss Lydia P. Prescott, of Farmington Falls, Maine^
They have five children.
The Presbytery of Alton met at Greenville, Bond
county, Sept. 20, 1850. John H. Russ was received from
the Presbytery of Fort Wayne, Ind. Ewington and Metropo-
lis churches were received. Also the Congregational church
of Chesterfield on the plan of correspondence. It was
decided that the records of Congregational churches in cor-
respondence with Presbytery were not subject to review-
George. C. Wood was dismissed to the Presbytery of Mar-
shall, Mich. Lemuel Grosvenor was dismissed from the pas-
toral charge of Collinsville church. The entire support of
the Missionary, Joseph Gordon, has since April last been
borne by the Presbytery.
John Hovey Russ, was born in Hinsdale, Mass, May 10,
1797. Educated at Williams College, Mass. Ordained by
the Mountain Association in Piainfield, Mass, June 2, 1829.
Soon after his ordination he removed to Ohio, and preached
in Sandusky City, Greenfield, New Haven and Plymouth.
Was pastor of York church, Medina county, Ohio, where
he remained five years. He afterwards preached in Burling-
METROPOLIS CITY AND CHURCH, 4O5
ton, Marion county, and in New Carlisle, Clark county, Ohio,
one year at each place. For nine years he preached in Bluff-
ton, Wells county, Ind. His next field was
Ewington, Effingham county, where he died May 4, 1857.
He married Miss Harriet Edwards, sister of Rev.
Joseph S. Edwards, Nov. 5, 1830, in Harrisville, Medina
county, Ohio. He labored three years in Ewington, 111., in
the ministry, and then devoted himself to teaching. While
in Ewington he buried two sons, sixteen and eighteen years
of age. Two sons remain — Henry, at Bethany, Harrison
county, Mo., and Lyman B., at Mason, Effingham county 111.
The widow — if still living — is with the latter.
Ewington Church, Effingham county, was organized by
John H. Russ with eight members, in 1850, Jesse Parkurst,
elder. The Central R. R. was constructed passing through
Effingham. The county seat was removed from Ewington
to Effingham. The former place went down utterly and the
church with it.
Metropolis City and Church. The town of Massac lies
between Metropolis City and the site of old Fort Massac — oc-
cupying the entire space between the two. Going up the
river, Metropolis City is first, next Massac town and then
the site of the Fort. All three lie along the river bank and
occupy a space of about two miles. Just above the site of
the Fort, Massac Creek empties into the Ohio. In 171 1 a
missionary station was established by the French Jesuits at
Massac. In Nov., 1758, as Washington was drawing near
Fort Duquesne, the frightened garrison, about five hundred
in number, set fire to the fort and retreated down the river.
They landed at the French missionary station of 171 1 on the
lower Ohio and built a fort called Massac, one authority says
from M. Massac who superintended its construction. Gov.
Joliu Reynolds, in his " Pioneer History of Illinois," and John
M. Peck in his Gazetteer give a different account of the origin
of its name. They say, " The Indians on the side of the river
opposite the Fort covered themselves with bear skins, and
imitated that animal in their movements on the sandy beach
of the river. A party of the French soldiers, supposing
them true and genuine bears, crossed the river to have a bear
406 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
hunt. The remainder of the troops left their quarters to see
the sport. In the meantime a large body of warriors, who
were concealed in the woods near by, came silently behind
the fort, entered it without opposition, and very few of the
French escaped the massacre. They afterwards built
another fort on the same ground and called it Massac in
memory of this massacred They subsequently aban-
doned the position. Gen. Geo. Rogers Clark, in his move-
ment on Kaskaskia in June, 1778, landed at this fort and
marched his troops across one hundred and twenty miles.
Subsequently to this a military road was opened from Fort
Massac to Kaskaslda, and the miles marked on trees and
painted red. Gov. Reynolds saw these marks in 1800, when
a boy of twelve, he passed over the route. In 1800, two com-
panies of United States troops were, stationed at this fort.
The site of the fort is still clearly traceable. The-
Presbyterian church of Metropohs City was organized June
8, 1850, by Revs. Robert Stewart and John K. Deering with
these members : Mrs. Catharine McBean, George Hawpe,
Mrs. Rebecca Hawpe, Dorcas Gregg, Nancy Carmichael,
Joseph E. Smith, Mrs. Jane E. Smith and Mrs. Harriet
House, in the school-room of Mrs. House. Joseph E. Smith
(died June 13, 185 1) and George Hawpe, elders. The elders
since appointed are Aaron Huffman, in 185 1; Reuben
Laughlin, in 1868 ; Joseph P. Bowker and David H. Freeman,
March 25, 1868. Until 1866 this church had but little minis-
terial care. Revs. R. Stewart, W. H. Bird, N. A. Hunt and E.
B. Olmsted paid it occasional visits. Rev. Geo. W. Elliott
was here awhile in 185 1 and Rev. G. W. McCord in 1855.
Rev. A. S. Avery began here in Aug. i, 1855, and continued
three years. March, 1866, the writer visited the place and
labored several days. He found but three members left.
During the visit he received eight more. July 5, next ensu-
ing, Rev. J. H. Scott took charge of the church and remained
until Sept. 6, 1871. Rev. Edward Scofield was here from
Aug. 13, 1872, to April, 1873. His daughter, Mrs. Julia.
McCartney, wife of Juuge McCartney, is still there. Rev. J.
H. Scott returned there after Mr. Scofield's departure and
remained in charge of the church until Oct., 1878, when fail-
ing health compelled his resignation. He continued there,,
however, in his own pleasant home until his death, Feb. 25,
1879. The house of worship was erected in 1866, 1867 and
1868, and dedicated Sept. 6, 1868. It cost ^2,000, of whiclr
PRESBYTERY OF ILLINOIS, 40/
five hundred dollars were donated by the Board of Church
Erection. The site — a very beautiful one — was donated by
Mrs. Catharine McBean, to whom, under God, the existence
of this church is owing. Its whole number of
members from the beginning has been ninety-nine.
The Synod of Illinois, n. s., met at CoUinsville, Sep-
tember 26, 1850. Members were present from five Presby-
teries, including that of Des Moines, Iowa. Henry C.
Abernethy was chosen Stated Clerk in place of George C.
Wood, removed from the bounds of this Synod,
The Synod of Illinois, o. s,, met at Springfield, October
10, 1850. Members were present from five Presbyteries.
The conflict of opinion between the Synod and the Presby-
tery of Palestine, as to the proper boundaries of the latter,
seems to have been settled by the action of the Assembly.
By that action the bounds of the Presbytery were declared
to be as they were before the Synod's attempt to change
them in 1848.
YEAR 185 1.
The Presbytery of Illinois met at Carlinville, April 24,
185 1. Alanson Alvord was dismissed to the Fox River
Congregational Union. Hugh Barr, minister, and Charles
R.. Wells, elder, were appointed to attend the Assembly.
Socrates Smith was dismissed to Alton Presbytery. The
Presbytery reported fifteen ministers and fourteen churches.
The fall meeting was held with the Spring
Creek church, commencing September 20. John G. Rankin
was received from the Presbytery of Schuyler, and Gideon
C. Clark from the Ilhnois Central Association. Shelby
church was received, A called meeting was held at Jack-
sonville, November 12, at which George Pierson, licentiate,
was received from the Andover Association, examined and
ordained, sine titido, November 13. He was immediately
dismissed to the Presbytery having the Choctaw churches in
charge.
John Gault Rankin was born March 31, 1821, in Jeffer-
son county, East Tenn. His ancestors were Scotch-Irish
408 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Presbyterians. His father and three uncles were Presbyte-
rian ministers. Graduated at Mission Institute, near Quincy,
111., in 1845, and at Lane Seminary in 1848. Was licensed
by Cincinnati Presbytery, May 5, 1847, near the close of his
middle year in the seminary. He was examined in theology
by the late Thornton A. Mills, D. D. Mr. Mills, not having a
very high idea of Dr. Beecher's theology, took all " the boys "
through a fiery ordeal. But as Dr. Beecher was always on
hand ready to defend his " boys " — as he used to call them —
the greater part of their examination consisted, after all, in
sitting quietly and listening to the theological hair-splitting
of Drs. Beecher and Mills. Mr. Rankin was ordained by
Schuyler Presbytery, September 13, 1849. He commenced
laboring with the First Presbyterian church, Warsaw, 111.,
September 10, 1848. Resigned, March, 1850. In March,
1851, hetook charge of Carrollton church, Green county,
111., and remained ten years. In March, 1861, he returned to
Warsaw, and continued till December, 1868. He then took
charge of Monticello church, Madison county, and was chap-
lain of the Monticello Seminary. In 1872 he was with Fer-
guson church, St. Louis county, Mo. His next field was
Centralia, 111., from whence he returned to his old field, War-
saw, III, where he still remains. He was married in Quincy,
111., to Miss Philomela Prentiss, April 3, 185 1. Her native
place was Prattsburg, Steuben county, N. Y. Her father,
Harvey P. Prentiss, still lives in Quincy. Her mother was
Livonia Loomis, daughter of Deacon Gamaliel Loomis, of
Prattsburg, N. Y. Mr. and Mrs. Rankin have no children.
Gideon C. Clark was born in Somers, Tolland county,
Ct., February 21, 1821. His ancestors came from England
in the Mayflower in 1620. He was educated at Yale College
and the "Theological Institute" at East Windsor, Ct. He
was converted at the age of twelve, and soon had his atten-
tion directed towards the ministry by his mother. He
was licensed at Northampton, Mass., by a Congregational
Association in 1846. Ordained, September 29, 1847, -^^^^^
titiilo, at Somers, Ct., his native place, by a council called for
the purpose, and came immediately West. His labors have
been almost exclusively in Illinois. (i) Rockport, Pike
county, a very hard field. (2) Winchester, Scott county.
Here he found a Presbyterian church, and here he remained
GEORGE PIERSON. 4O9
five and an half years. Here his labors were pleasant and
successful. At this time he changed his ecclesiastical rela-
tions from the Congregational to the Presbyterian Church.
While here, March 17, 1852, he married Miss Jane A. Smith,
of Jacksonville, 111. (3) Collinsville. Here he remained
eight years. (4) Woodburn, Macoupin county. The church
was Congregational, but much nearer the New England
model in doctrine and discipline than any other he had
found in the West. He was here five and an half years, la-
boring with acceptance and success. He was a member of
the Assembly at New York in 1869, and witnessed the re-
union of the two branches of the Church. (5) Nokomis,
Montgomery county, one year. (6) Mt. Vernon, Jefferson
county, where he labored three years. (7) Fowler, Benton
county, Ind. He went here to build on his own foundation,
and succeeded — organizing a church at Fowler and another
at Sheldon, eighteen miles distant. He remained in this
field eighteen months. (8) Shipman, Macoupin county, 111.
This was a scene of former revival labors. He had been
with them at the organization of the church, and at the ded-
ication of their house, and was bound to them by many ties
of affectionate remembrance. He remained two years. (9)
Greenfield, Green county, was his next field. He occupied
it with acceptance until April, 1879. Mrs. Clark is still liv-
ing. They have three daughters. Olive, born February 22,
1853 — married, December 25, 1872, to Mr. C. M. Noble, of
Mt. Vernon, 111. Clara, born July 20, 1855 — married, Sep-
tember 19, 1875, to Henry Templeton, of Fowler, Ind.
Katie, born December 12, 1862. Mr. Clark has
labored much and successfully in revival meetings.
George Pierson, M. D., was born in Illinois. Graduated
at Illinois College, 1848, and at Andover Seminary, 185 1.
Ordained Nov. 13, 185 1, as above. Missionary among the
Choctaws 1852-55 ; at Strong's Island, Micronesia, 1855-57;
Ebon, Covell's Island, 1857-60; supply pastor Brooklyn
Presbyterian church, Cal., 1862-66; pastor of same 1866-70;
supply pastor Adel, Iowa, 1871-75 ; supply pastor Solomon,
Kansas, 1876-79.
The present Shelbyville Church was organized at Prairie
Bird, June 30, 1851, by Revs. Bilious Pond and Elisha Jen-
4IO PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
ney, with these members, viz.: Robert Burke and Esther
Burke, his wife ; David Ewing and Evelyn Evvdng, his wife ;.
Adam Fulton and Elizabeth Fulton, his wife; George Hill
and Elizabeth Hill, his wife; Mrs. Martha Weakly, Mrs.
Sarah Campbell, Mrs. Jane Fickner, Mrs. Nancy Ogden,
Mrs. M. H. Moulton, Miss Mary H. Mclver, Miss Sarah
Hill, Mrs. Sarah Breckenridge, Miss Mary Ann Burke and
Miss Mary Ann Eversol. David* Ewing was made elder.
The elders subsequently elected are these : George Hill,
Feb. 7, 1852; John D.Amlin, Feb. 23, 1857, died Aug. 1858;
John Hunter, Nov. 21, 1858, died April 2, 1865; George
Griggs, Nov. 21, 18-58; Geo, Hannaman, April 7, 1S60;
Robert Carnes, April 7, i860; Ebenezer Cheney, April 10,,
1864; Lindsay McMorris, March ii, 1866; Thomas H.
West, March 11, 1866; James D. Hunter, Jan.. 4, 1872;
David Ewing, re-elected after being connected with Prairie
Bird church. Ministers : J. M. Grout took charge of the
church at its organization and continued as supply pastor
until his death, by cholera, Aug. i, 1855, Joseph Wilson in
1856, and continued till 1859. H. K. Baines, of the German
Reformed Church officiated for a time, after Mr. Wilson.
M. P. Ormsby, in i860, and continued until Jan. 1861.
James B, Sheldon, early in 1861 and continued one year.
Timothy Hill, 1862, and removed in August, 1865. R, D.
Van Deursen, pastor elect, March 17, 1867, installed May 5,
1867, and resigned Sept. 29, 1871. L. I. Root, from Nov.,
1871, till Feb. 2, 1874. A. W. Williams, from Feb. 2, 1874,
till first Sabbath in May same year. B. Mills, May 18, 1874,
to Sept. 23, 1877. W. C. West, commenced April 3, 1878,
and is still there. Houses of worship : The first
house, a frame building, erected in 1856 or 1857, cost six
hundred dollars. It is now used as a private residence. The
present house is a substantial brick building. It was erected
in 1864, and cost ^5,500, It has a fine audience room. Sab-
bath school and lecture rooms, and pastor's study,
David Ewing has been a prominent and leading man in
all Presbyterian movements at Shelbyville and Prairie Bird.
He came to this county in the fall of 1842, He was born
in Fairfield county, Ohio, near Lancaster, May 21, 1816.
His ancestors were Scotch-Irish. He has six children, three
sons and three daughters.
PLEASANT RIDGE. 4II
The Presbytery of Kaskaskia met at Sparta, April ii,
185 1. John Mathews was received from the Presbytery of
St. Louis. The church of Redbud was received. James
Stafford was received from the Presbytery of Palestine. John
Mathews, minister, and L. D. Skilling, elder, were appointed
Commissioners to the Assembly. The name of Elkhorn
church was changed to that of the First Presbyterian CJmrck
of Xasliville. Presbytery reported to the Assembly nine
ministers, twenty one churches, six hundred and sixty-five
communicants, for Domestic Missions forty-three dollars,
Foreign, sixteen dollars, for support of gospel in the congrega-
tions, eight hundred and fifty-five dollars. The name of
Sparta church was changed to Jordan's Grove. The
fall meeting was held atEdwardsville, Sept. ly. The church
of Pleasant Ridge was received.
Redbud Church was organized Nov. 24, 1850, by B. F.
Spilman with fourteen members. Two elders were appointed.
Mr. Spilman gave them monthly preaching for nearly one
year — in all, twenty-one sermons. This church was dissolv-
ed by Kaskaskia Presbytery, April 16, 1855, and its members
attached to Jordan's Grove.
Pleasant Ridge was organized by Rev. Wm. Gardner,.
May 17, 1851, with these fourteen members : James H. Han-
na, Elizabeth A. Hanna, Eliza Bean, Elizabeth Pettit, James
H. C. Hanna, James Bilderback, Maria Bilderback, John C.
Hanna, Mary A. Hanna, Elizabeth Conant, Mary Van Zandt,
Jane Pettit. Henry N. Pettit, Louisa Pettit. Elders : James H.
Hanna. He continued a member of the Session until his death
in i860. Elders since: Henry N. Pettit, 1855-65; Wm. H.
Mann, 1858, still acts; Harvey Bilderback, Sept. 30, 1865-
66\ Alfred H. Mann, Sept. 30, 1865, to Sept. 19, 1875, James
J. Bean, March 17, 1867, still acts ; John W. Burke, March 17,
1867 to Nov. 15,1875. Ministers: The first, Alex. Brown,
who died in Chester, April 10, 1853. He occupied the pul-
pit in 1852 and until his death ; P. D. Young, 1855 and part
of 1856; A. A. Morrison, fall of 1857 till spring of 1S60; B.
H. Charles, 1862. Mr. C. Monfort, licentiate, for three
months in 1853 ; A. R. Naylor, fall of 1863 to spring of 1866 ;
A. J. Clarke, as supply pastor, from July, 1867, until April,,
412 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
1868, when he became pastor of this and Chester church un-
til April, 1876. At that time the pastoral relation was dis-
solved. He continued, however, to supply both churches
until Sept., 1876. J. W. Cecil, for thirty Sabbaths, beginning
with Jan., 1877. The church was organized in
an old log school house that stood about half a mile nearly
due west of the present church. In 1855 and 1856, th& con-
gregation built a neat frame house twenty by thirty feet.
This was sufficient to accommodate the congregation for
twelve or fourteen years. It cost about six hundred and
fifty dollars; Church Extension donated fifty dollars. In
1873 the house was'-so enlarged as to double its capacity, at
a cost of twelve hundred dollars. Church erection donated
three hundred dollars. Its site is T. 6 S,. R. 7 W., Sec. 36,
S. W. quarter, or near the center of the south half of the sec-
tion. The dwelling house owned and occupied by Rev.
John Mathews, when he was preaching in this neighborhood,
is about three-quarters of a mile northwest of this church.
The Presbytery of Wabash met with Pleasant Prairie
church, April 17, 1851. Long Point church was received.
Enoch Kingsbury, minister, and A. R. Palmer, elder, were
appointed to attend the Assembly^ Charles H. Palmer was
dismissed to the Presbytery of Logansport. The
fall meeting was held at Danville, Sept. 8. Hillery Patrick
from the Presbytery of Kingston, was received. The church
of Liberty Prairie was enrolled.
Long Point Church was organized by Rev. John H. Russ,
April 5, 185 1, at the dwelling-house of John G. Morrison.
This was a log house about fifteen by twenty feet, consisting
of one room and a loft over head, and situated about four
miles southeast of the town plat of Neoga, in the edge of ^ a
narrow strip of timber running from northwest to southeast
across the prairie, and hence called " Long Point." Hence
the first name of the church. The spot was central to the
population and had begun to be a center of business. The
church was organized with these ten members : John G.
Morrison and Eliza N. Morrison, James H. Morrison and
Sarah C. Morrison, Nathan Gould and Martha Gould, Sarah
Morrison, Margaret Morrison, Tirzah Morrison and Mary
HILLERY PATRICK. 415:
Ann Parkerson. John G. Morrison and Nathan Gould eld-
ers. Ministers : John H. Russ, supplied the church for two
years one-fourth the time. Joseph Wilson began in the
spring of 1854 and continued one-half the time until Oct.
1 866, with the exception of six or seven months in 1857-58,
during which Samuel Ward was supply. October i, 1865,
John B. Brandt, became supply pastor. Elders: John G.
Morrison and Nathan Gould the first. November, 1852,
Wm. M. Allison; July 10, 1858, James Ewing; May 9, 1866,
Alex. B. Ewing and Wm. Clark. April 29, i860,
the present house of worship erected at Neoga, was
dedicated during a session of the Wabash Presbytery at the
place. Great change3 had transpired on account of the
construction of the Illinois Central R. R., and the fixing of a
depot there, making that the proper church center. Up to
June, 1866, this church had received one hundred and ten
members.
HiLLERY Patrick was born in Charlotte county, Virginia,
Sept. I, 1802. His classical education he received at the
colleges of Greenville and Washington, East Tenn. He
graduated at the latter, but studied mostly at the former.
For one year after graduation he studied with reference to
the legal profession. But becoming a converted man he
changed his plan of life, and took a regular theological
course at Maryville, under Dr. Isaac Anderson. He was
ordained at New Philadelphia, East Tenn., July 28, 1826, by
the Union Presbytery, and the same day was married to Miss
Mary Houston, with whom he lived happily thirty-eight and
an half years. In 1850, he came with his family to Southern
Illinois, for he did not find the South an agi'eeable home for
a man of anti-slavery views. He joined Wabash Pres-
bytery as above. From that time to his death he labored in
Southern Illinois, at Carmi, Sharon, Equality, Albion and
McLeansboro. He united with Alton Presbytery, Sept. 27,
1S56, and after that labored at Mt. Vernon, Marion, Old
Ducoign, Vergennes and Little Muddy, six miles east of
Tamaroa. For all these years of labor he did not receive
from all Missionary sources and from the churches more
than seven hundred dollars. In 1864, when residing near
Tamaroa he buried his faithful wife. After that he resided
in Tamaroa. His children are six — one son and five daueh-
414 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
ters — all living, and able to say, " Our Father which art in
Heaven." He died at Tamaroa, III, Oct. 27, 1872, at the
residence of Mrs. Spiller, a widowed daughter with whom
he resided.
Liberty Prairie Church, Piatt county, was organized
Aug. 4, 185 1, at the house of John McKinney, on the north
side of Sangamon river, in Macon county, near its east line,
by Rev. Enoch Kingsbury with these six members, viz.:
John McKinney, Mrs. EHza McKinney, Andrew M. Mc-
Kinney, Mrs. Mary A. McKinney, James S. McKinney
Isaac R. McKinney, all from the Presbyterian church in
Livonia, Ind. Elders : John McKinney and Andrew McKin-
ney, the first ; since appointed, Alex. McKinney, Z. P. Can-
trell, W. B. Taylor, A. L. Rogers, David Moyer, 1873 ;
Abraham Funk. Ministers : Enoch Kingsbury, occasional
for the four first years; Charles H. Palmer, June, 1855 ; John
C. Campbell, Aug. 8, 1857, till his death, Dec. 31, 1862;
Joseph E. McMurray, March 8, 1863, one year. Two or
three for brief periods since. Is now — 1879 — vacant. The
name was changed from " Liberty Prairie " to " Cerro Gordo "
in i860. Likewise the location of the church to the village
of Cerro Gordo, on the Wabash R. R., in Piatt county. The
church edifice was dedicated Nov., 1861. It is a plain frame
building with a spire.
The Presbytery of Palestine met at Lawrenceville, May
I, 185 1. Robert Simpson was received from the Presbytery
of Vincennes. The church of Shiloh, Lawrence county, was,
at their own request, dissolved and the members attached to
the Lawrenceville church. Erastus W. Thayer, minister,
and J. M. Miller, elder, were appointed Commissioners to
the Assembly. The fall meeting was held at
Palestine, Sept., 18. James Cameron was received from the
Presbytery of Sidney.
Robert Simpson, in 1851-53, was in Robinson, Crawford
county. 111. From 1854 to 1867, he was at Newton, Jasper
county. Then his name disappears from the minutes.
GEORGE M. TUTrilLL. 4I5
James Cameron, in 1852, was with Hebron church, Charles-
ton, 111., postoffice; in 1853, teacher at Charleston, 111.; in
1854-5, pastor at Monmouth, 111. ; from 1856 to i860, at
Brunswick, 111., supply pastor two years; without charge
two years; 1861, at Brunswick, Mo., Wyaconda Presbytery;
1862-65, back again to Brunswick, 111, but in same Presby-
tery; in 1866, at Peoria, 111; 1867-74, not reported; in 1875-
76, he, or some one of same name, again appears as at San
Bernardino, Cal., supply pastor in Los Angeles Presbytery ;
in 1877-78, supply pastor at Colton, Cal., same Presbytery.
The Presbytery of Sangamon met with Sugar Creek
church, April 4, 185 1. William Bishop, licentiate, was re-
ceived from the Second Presb}'tery of New York. J. V.
Dodge was installed pastor of the Jacksonville church on
the fourth Sabbath of April, 185 i, by a Committee of Pres-
bytery. Thomas W. Hynes, minister, and J. F. Bergen,
elder, were appointed to the Assembly. The fall
meeting was held at Hillsboro, commencing September 9,
185 1. T. W. Hynes was released from the pastoral care of
the church of Hillsboro.
The Presbytery of Alton met at Bunker Hill, April 17,
185 1. The church of Pickneyville was receivd; George M.
Tuthill was received from the Presbytery of St. Louis. Hub-
bel Loomis, having joined the Baptist Church, was dis-
missed. Joseph E. McMurray was ordained, sine tihdo, April
19, 185 1. Lemuel Grosvenor, minister, and P. B. Whipple,
€lder, were appointed to attend the Assembly. J. K. Deer-
ing was dismissed to the Association of Penobscot, Maine.
Robert Stewart was dismissed from the pastorate of Green-
ville church, that he might act as Missionary of this Pres-
bytery.
George Miller Tuthill was born at Wading River,
Long Island, N. Y., October 31, 1818. Graduated at Am-
herst College, 1839, and at Union Theological Seminary,
1846. Ordained by St. Louis Presbytery, April 22, 1847;
supply pastor, St. Louis, Mo., 1847-49; Monticello, 111. (God-
frey postoffice), 1849-51; supply pastor, Kalamazoo, Mich.,
4l6 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
185 1 ; pastor (Cong.) St. Clair, Mich., 1851-58; supply pas-
tor, Pontiac, Mich., 1858-65; pastor, Ashtabula, Ohio, 1865-
6"] \ District Superintendent American Bible Society, Kala-
mazoo, March, 1871.
Joseph E. McMurray was born in Tennessee, September
23, 1818; educated at Lane Seminary; ordained April 19,
185 1 ; dismissed from Alton to Schuyler Presbytery, Octo-
ber 21, 1853. Labored several years at Hardin, 111. Re-
signed at Hardin, October 14, 1855. After leaving Hardin
he labored awhile. --at Brighton, Iowa. Was railroad agent
and postmaster at Cerro Gordo, 111., several years and at the
time of his death. For two years, while in that position, he
supplied the Cerro Gordo church. He came to the Presby-
terian from the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he was
a preacher. He came under the care of Alton Presbytery and
was by them sent to Lane Seminary. He died at Cerro
Gordo, III, January 27, 1868. He married Miss Nancy C.
Parks, of Sringfield, 111., January 28, 1852. The widow, Mrs.
Nancy C. McMurray, resides now at Auburn, 111. There are
three children living.
PiNCKNEYViLE Church, n. s., was organized April, 185 1, by
Rev. Josiah Wood, with eight members, Nathan Weeks,
elder. It accomplished little and was short-lived.
The Presbytery of Alton met with Chesterfield church,
Macoupin county, Sept. 19, 185 1. The Union church, Ma-
coupin county, and the Mt. Vernon church. Bond county,
were received. The Missionary report commenced thus :
" The plan of Missionary operations entered upon by this
Presbytery in the spring of 1840 has been signally owned of
God. Mainly through its workings our churches have in-
creased from ten to thirty-two, and our ministers from seven
to twenty-three." Josiah Wood was released from the pas-
toral care of Old Ducoign church. Lemuel Foster was dis-
missed to the Presbytery of Illinois. John IngersoU was re-
ceived from the Ashtabula Association, Ohio, and recom-
mended to labor, as an Evangelist, with the brethren and
churches who may wish his services.
UNION CHURCH. 41/
John Ingersoll. I have not been able to learn anything
about him. He came to Alton Presbytery as above, and was
dismissed from them and given a general letter, Oct. 6, 1855.
I don't knov/ where or when he was born, or educated, or or-
dained. It is not to his credit that he is the father of the
loud-mouthed, blatant infidel, Bob Ingersoll, who strives to
quiet a biting conscience by reviling God's word. He resid-
ed a short time in Alton, and his wife died there. He has
been dead for several years. It was a smart but queer fam-
ily, and all their peculiar characteristics have culminated in
the infidel, Bob.
Union Presbyterian Church, Macoupin county, 111., was
organized July 12, 185 1, at the house of Peter Brown, by
Rev. George Spaulding, with these eighteen members :
Peter Brown, Catharine Brown, John H. Brown, Newell H.
Brown, Elizabeth C. Brown, Ephraim M. Gilmore, Mary M.
Gilmore, Lucinda I. Gilmore, Mrs. Mary M. Welch, Halybur-
ton Parks, Jane Parks, WiHiam S. Parks, Julius E. Parks,
Mrs. Barbara Dixon, Mrs. Amanda Quick, Mrs. Mildred
Tunstall, Henry W. Meriwether and Dorotha Meriwether.
September 26, 1856, the name of Union church was
changed by Presbytery to that of " The First Presbyterian
of Plainview." Elders : H. Parks, Peter Brown, Ephraim
Gilmore and Henry W. Meriwether, elected when the church
was organized. July 22, 1855, Martin N. Gulick. October
27, 1861, Samuel Brown. In December, 1867, Samuel
Welch and Samuel L. Wilson. The first sacramental meet-
ing was held in the school house in Old Brooklyn, July 13,
1 85 1. For several years the church worshiped in neigh-
boring school-houses and in private dwellings. January 17,
1858, the present house was dedicated by Rev. Edward Mc-
Millan. Ministers: H. D. Piatt, 1855; L. P.
Lindley, 1857; T. B. Hurlbut, 1858; W. C. Rankin, 1860-61;
R. Smith, 1860-61. He was an impostor. He joined Alton
Presbytery on a forged certificate. Thomas Reynolds, 1861-
64; E. W. Taylor, i866-yo; W. R. Adams, 1870; E. W.
Taylor, 1872-73; W. R. Adams, pastor, 1874, until this
time. This church has enjoyed several interest-
ing revivals. From 1874 to 1876, eighty-five were added by
examination and sixteen by letter. The Presbyterian is the
only church edifice in the place. The greater part of the
26
4l8 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
members of the Dry-Point, or Bayless church, have con-
nected here. The congregation has a nice parsonage conve-
nient to the house of worship.
Mt. Vernon Church, Bond county, about eight miles di-
rectly west of Greenville, was organized, August 25, 185 1,
by Revs. E. B. Olmsted and R. Stewart, with nine mem-
bers. Elders : Patterson F. Luark and Jonathan D. Floyd.
Name changed to " Shoal Creek ;" finally transferred to
Bethel church. Rey, T. W. Hynes preaches now in the same
neighborhood.
Synod of Illinois, n. s., met at Sringfield, September 24,
185 1. Members were present from five Presbyteries. The
Synod consisted at the time of sixty-six ministers and eighty-
seven churches in five Presbyteries. The Synod
of Illinois, o. s., met in Chicago, October 9, 185 1.
YEAR 1852.
The Presbytery of Illinois met at Jacksonville, April
16, 1852. William G. Gallaher, minister, and Samuel Ran-
nells, elder, were appointed to the Assembly. The Presby-
tery convened for its fall meeting at Farmington, August 27.
There were collected for the Presbytery's Missionary opera-
tions this year four hundred and thirty dollars and ninety
cents,
Kaskaskia Presbytery met at Chester, April 9, 1S52.
William Hamilton was received from the Presbytery of Muh-
lenburg. The church of Mt. Vernon was, at its own request,
dissolved and its members attached to Gilead church. James
Stafford, minister, and James A. Ramsey, elder, were ap-
pointed to attend the Assembly. The fall meeting was held
with the Sugar Creek church, commencing October 7.
Wabash Presbytery met with the New Providence church,
Aprill 22, 1852. The church of McLeansboro was received.
The fall meeting was held with the Pleasant Prairie church,
commencing September 9.
JOHN CROZIER. 4I9
IMcLeansboro Church, n. s., was organized probably in
the early part of 1852 by Rev. Hillery Patrick. It was re-
ported to the Assembly as one of the churches of Wabash
Presbytery down to 1855, and as having ten members. Then
its name disappeared.
Palestine Presbytery met at Charleston, April i, 1852.
R. H. Lilly, minister, and John S. Hite, elder, were appointed
to the Assembly. John Crozier, licentiate, was received
from the New Albany Presbytery, examined and ordained
on Sabbath, April 4. The church of Shelbyville was dis-
solved. Isaac Bennet was dismissed from the pastorate of
Pisgah church. Also from this to Peoria Presbytery.
John Crozier was born in Manchester, Adams county,
Ohio, Aug. 27, 1822. His father was David Crozier, third
son of John and Jane Crozier, Scotch-Irish Covenanters, who
emigrated from the city of Armagh, in Ireland, and settled in
Fayette county, Pennsylvania, soon after the close of the war
of the Revolution. His mother was Margaret Means, eldest
daughter of William and Nancy McElroy Means, also of
Scotch-Irish descent, and staunch Presbyterians. William
Means was an elder in the Fair Forest congregation, Spartan-
burgh district, in South Carolina, under the pastoral care of
Rev. Wm. Williamson, father of the now veteran missionary,
Dr. Thomas Williamson, for more than forty years a laborious
and successful missionary among the Dacota Indians. Wm.
Williamson was a minister and a slavc-Jiolderby inheritance. His
conscience was disturbed at the thought of holding his fellow-
men in bondage, some of whom were members of his church,
and brethren in the Lord. So, as early as 1804, he came to
Adams county, Ohio, as Dr. Howe in his history of the
Presbyterian church in South Carolina says, " From a desire
to manumit his servants, and for other reasons, he removed
with a portion of his congregation to the state of Ohio."
A few years afterwards his elder, William Means, who had
been a Whig soldier in the war of Independence and never
oivned a slave, followed his pastor to Ohio, and remained an
honored and useful Ruling Elder in the church of Manches-
ter until the fall of 1822, when he removed to Edgar coun'.y,
III., near the site of the present city of Paris, which was loca-
420 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
ted in the spring of 1823, and when the Presbyterian church
of Paris was organized in Nov., 1824, by Rev. Isaac Reed,,
Mr, Means, in connection with Samuel Vance, and John
Bovell was chosen a Ruhng Eelder, and lield that office until
his death in 1847.
He is still represented in that church by two sons, John
C. and Thomas N. Means, the former of whom is an elder
in his father's stead. The family of Mr. Crozier also came
to Illinois in the fall of 1822, and located at Paris. David
Crozier laid the foundation of the first house in Paris. The
subject of this sketcl;;.was baptized in 1825, by Rev. Samuel
T. Scott, of Vincennes, the first settled minister in Indiana..
He was the subject of early religious training and experi-
enced deep and pungent convictions of sin before he was
eleven years old. In 1835, the family removed from Paris,.
and settled in Joliet, where they sojourned five years, and in
1840, they removed to the vicinity of Iowa City, Iowa.
Here in May, 1842, he united with the First Presbyterian-
church of Iowa City, then under the pastoral care of the
Rev. Michael Hummer. Soon after he became deeply anx-
ious as to his future calling, and was impressed with a great
desire to spend his life in the proclamation of the glorious-
gospel, if God in his providence would open the way. After
consulting his pastor he entered upon his preparatory stud-
ies under the tuition of Dr. Wm, Reynolds, who kept a pri-
vate school in the winter of 1842-43, in the basement of the
Protestant Methodist church in Iowa City. Five months
were spent here in reviewing English studies. In April, 1843,
he set out on foot for Hanover College, Ind., a distance of
five hundred miles. He took Paris the place of his early
boyhood in his way. Rev. H. I. Venable had been for a
year or two teaching an academy at Paris, and proposed to
young Crozier to spend a year or two there, and prepare for
college. It was replied, " I have special arrangements made
at Hanover for boarding, tuition," etc. " Well," said Mr.
Venable, " We will make special arrangements kere." Said
the young man, " Your session is nearly out and it is scarcely
zvorth while to begin for this piece of a term." " Never,.
mind," said Mr. V. "You've seen your kin, and now begin
at once, and you will be through the Latin grammar by the
time the session closes " [three zvecks). " But I've no books,,
and no money to pay tuition." "Never mind that" rejoined
Mr. v., " We will borrow books until you can get books of
JOHN CROZIER. 421
your own ; and as for tuition, I'll get that out of you !
Begin at once." He started for his school-room, and said
to his pupil, " Come along with me." A Latin grammar
was borrowed, and the young man was assigned the first
declension of Latin nouns and recited three lessons that
afternoon! Here he remained until Sept., 1845, when he
entered the sophomore class in Miami Universit}-, Ohio,
then under the Presidency of Dr. E. D. MacMaster, where,
in company with Dr. S. S. Laws, now President of the Uni-
versity of Missouri, Rev. John W. Drake, Ely Booth, Esq.,
and the lamented Isaiah Little and others, he graduated
Aug. 10, 1848. In October following, he entered what is
now the Theological Seminary of the Northwest, then
located at New Albany, Ind., under Dr. James Wood
and Daniel Stewart. The next year the Faculty was in-
creased by the addition of Dr. E. D. MacMaster, as Pro-
fessor of didactic, polemic and exegetic theology. Also
Dr. Philip Lindsley, so long the popular and accom-
plished President of the University of Nashville, became
a member of the faculty. Here Mr. C. remained three
full years, and graduated in 1851 with Drs. R. C. Mat-
thews, Thomas R, Welch, John M. Worrell, James W. Hoyte
and Rev. J. B. Drake and others. In company with his
class-mate, R. C. Matthews, he was licensed to preach by the
Presbytery of New Albany, at Jeffersonville, Ind., on the 3d
of April, 1850, and during the following seminary vacation
he supplied the churches of Paoli and Utica, Ind. Immedi-
ately on his graduation he accepted an invitation to supply
the church of Palestine, 111., and soon after was joined in mar-
riage with Miss Harriet N. Williamson, the eldest daughter
of the late Rev. Alexander Williamson. In April, 1852, he
was ordained as an evangelist by the Presbytery of Palestine,
in session at Charleston, 111. Rev. John A. Steele preached
the sermon, presided and proposed the constitutional ques-
tions ; Rev. John McDonald offered the ordaining prayer,
and Rev. E. W. Thayer gave the charge to the evangelist.
Rev. Isaac Bennett, Rev. R. H. Lilly and Rev. James Came-
ron took part in the ordination. Mr. C. supplied the church
of Palestine, also engaged in missionary labors in the sur-
rounding country until the fall of 1852, when he accepted an
invitation to supply the church of Charlestown, Ind, A de-
sire to be near enough the seminary to pursue a resident
graduate course led him to accept this invitation. But his
422 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
heart was with the destitutions of the Home Missionary-
work, and in April, 1853, he yielded to the earnest solicita-
tions of the church in Iowa City to undertake the pastoral
office over them, and removed thither and entered on his
work. The church was weak in membership and resources,
and embarrassed with a heavy debt. This was the church
where, as a timid youth, he had ten years before first professed
his faith in Christ. Though signally successful in his work
for a period of six months, yet he was unable to divest him-
self of a sense of unfitness to have the pastoral charge over
those whom a few years before he had been accustomed to
look up to as his su-periors. His first charge at Palestine
had remained vacant and he gladly gave up his work in Iowa
City and returned to Palestine. Here he remained until the
fall of 1855, when the Western Executive Committee of the
Board of Domestic Missions, at Louisville, Ky., appointed
him general financial agent for the Synods north of the Ohio
river. This appointment, unsought and undesired, he ac-
cepted as a call of Providence, and during the next eighteen
months traveled constantly in the States of Ohio, Indiana
and Illinois, presenting the claims of the great Home Mis-
sionary work to the churches, raising funds for missions and
urging upon churches and pastors plans of systematic giving
to the Boards of the Church, and thus to dispense with sal- .
aried agents to carry on the various benevolent schemes. At
the close of his agency he declined overtures to settle in
a well established and wealthy church in Ohio, and came to
Olney, III, there to build up a church not on another man's
foundation. On his arrival at Olney, in February, 1857, he
found four feeble women and one man, members of the Pres-
byterian church, as a nucleus with which to make a begin-
ning. Here he settled, preaching one-third of his time at
Olney, and one-third at Richland church, five miles south of
Olney, and one-third at Union church, in Lawrence county,
a church which, in company with Rev. Robert Simpson and
Elder Findley Paull, of Palestine, he had organized in June,
1854. In October, 1858, the Synod of Illinois erected a
new Presbytery, embracing eighteen counties in the south-
eastern angle of the State, called the Presbytery of Saline.
Five ministers were included in this organization, viz. : B. F.
Spilman, John S. Howell, John B. Saye, Samuel C. Bald-
ridge and John Crozier, with the following churches under
their care : Olney, Richland, Union, Lawrenceville, Pisgah,
JOHN CROZIER. 423
Wabash, Friendsville, Mount Carmel, Carmi, Sharon, Equal-
ity, Shawneetown, Golconda and Knob Prairie. The first
meeting of the new Presbytery was held at Friendsville in
May, 1859. Two days before the meeting, Rev. B. F. Spil-
man, the senior minister and veteran missionary of Southern
Illinois, was called to his rest. Three of the remaining min-
isters had been members of the Presbytery of Palestine and
knew little of the great field committed to their care. It was
important that the territory be at once explored, the vacant
churches visited, and laborers introduced into the fields
"white to the harvest." Mr. C's. experience as a missionary
agent at once led the brethren to fix upon him as the man
for this work, if his own field could be temporarily supplied.
Providence opened the way. David McKnight Williamson,
a theological student of Princeton, who had completed his
second year in the seminary, and knew something of the des-
tutions in this part of Illinois, wrote to one of the brethren
a few days before the meeting of Presbytery, proposing to
place himself under the care of Presbytery and be licensed,
and spend the summer in such labors as might be assigned
him. He met with the Presbytery of Saline at its organiza-
tion, and was licensed, and Presbytery appointed Mr. C. to
evangelistic services within the bounds of Presbytery for the
next three or four months, and Mr. Williamson to supply the
churches of Mr. C's. charge. During the summer of 1859
Mr. C. traversed the whole field, preaching in all the vacant
churches, and encouraging the people and doing what could
be done to have the destitutions supplied and obtaining much
valuable information, which was a great use in subsequent
furtherance of the work. Mr. C. then resumed his pastor-
ate work at Olney. The present house of worship there was
completed and occupied in i860. When the great rebellion
broke out, in 1861, Mr. C. was heart and sotd with the Govern-
ment, and on Sabbath eve, April 21, i86i,he preached the first
patriotic sermon in Olney to the volunteers of Capt. Lynch's
company. He was among the first in Olney to observe the
week of prayer and took an active part in a series of Union
services in January, 1863, when the churches of Olney were
blessed with the first general revival of religion. All the
churches were strengthened by this work of grace, and about
fifty members were added to the- Presbyterian church. So
during the remaining years of his pastorate in Olney, 1864,
1865 and 1866, there was a delightful religious interest in con-
424 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
nection with Union services during the week of prayer, the
services being often protracted for several weeks. At the
meeting of Presbytery, in April, 1866, he resigned his pas-
toral charge, leaving as a result of nine years' labors, a church
of one hundred and twenty communicants, a good house of
worship finished and paid for, with a good Sabbath school
and established habits of systematic benevolence. Presby-
tery immediately appointed him Presbyterial Missionary for
one year at a salary of one thousand dollars, five hundred
of which was appropriated by the Board of Missions, and
five hundred by ]Messrs. Peeples & Ridgway, of Shawnee-
town. Mr. C. prosecuted this work with untiring zeal dur-
ing the year, traveling and preaching incessantly, strengthen-
ing the weak churches, seeking to have them supplied, and
preparing the way for the organization of churches. With
April, 1867, closed Mr. C.'s labors in Southern Illinois.
From his first coming to Palestine in 1851, to April, 1867,
he had assisted at the organization of the following churches :
Union, Friendsville, Olney, Wakefield, Hermon, Odin,
Flora, Hopewell, Bridgeport. Grayville and Larkinsburgh,
and was more or less influential in preparing the way for
other organizations which have been effected by those who
have entered into his labors. In July, 1867, he received a
call to the pastorate of First Presbyterian church of Oxford,
Ohio, which he accepted, and in August he began his labors
there. The re-union tide by this time had begun to rise in the
Presbyterian Church, and made itself felt in every commu-
nity where there were two Presbyterian churches, and but
one was needed. The two churches at Oxford had been
asunder for thirty years, and although each was doing a good
work in its own sphere, yet the burden of support of two
churches was felt to be heavy, and the question of union
began to be spoken of. Mr. C. promptly told the session
of the First church, that though it would be a great per-
sonal sacrifice to leave Oxford, with its high educational and
social advantages ; yet when the time for re-union came, he
would open the way so that the two churches could come
together with vacant pulpits, and the united charge thus be
left free to call the pastor of their choice. In anticipation
of the re-union of the Assemblies, in Nov., 1869, Mr. C. ten-
dered his resignation as pastor of the First church of Ox-
ford, in September previous, having been called to the
pastorate of the North Sangamon church, Presb}'tery of San-
DAVID A. WALLACE. 1.25
gamon. He removed at once to his new field where he has
continued active in the duties of his office in his own pas-
toral charge, often assisting his brethren and doing much
missionary service in destitute places as opportunity offers.
Elder Findley PauU, furnishes this anecdote.
During his pastorate of Palestine church, there was one
season a large crop of corn raised. Many corn buyers
were in the countr}^, and they got up what was called a
Corn Ball, and invitations were scattered far and near. Mr.
C. heard of it, and told me he would blow it up and he
would not wait until it was over. He would do it the next
Sabbath. I remarked, " Give them rope and they will hang
themselves." " No," he said, " I will doit if I have to leave
the next week." He preached what was called his Corn
Ball Setmon, from Galations iii : i. It was a powerful ser-
mon and cut close. One of the managers called one of
the elders into his store and asked if he had Mr. Crozier's
subscription. ** Yes," he replied. " I will pay twenty-five
dollars per year while he remains here. A man that will
rebuke what "he believes to be wrong as fearlessly as he did,
I will support." The proprietor of the hotel, where the ball
was held, sent him a fine cake. He sent it back, saying, he
" would not eat anything oft'ered in sacrifice to idols," and
wrote a kind letter with it. The hotel keeper afterwards
united with the church.
Palestine Presbytery met at Lawrenceville, Oct. 5, 1852.
D. A. Wallace was received from the Presbytery of Whitewa-
ter. " North Arm Presbyterian church " was received.
Also the church of Decatur.
David A. Wallace.
Auto-biographical.
I was born April 18, 1818, in Butler county, Ohio. IMy
ancestors on both sides were Scotch-Irish Presbyterians.
I pursued my classical studies partly under the tuition of my
pastor. Rev. David Monfort, of Franklin, Indiana, and at
Hanover College. I studied theology at New Albany Sem-
inar}' under the instruction of Dr. John INIatthews.
I was long and often impressed with the idea that I must
426 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
preach the gospel. But from a sense of unfitness, a lack of
qualifications and the want of means to secure an education
this idea was dismissed and I had about concluded to follow
some othe.r calling. But just at that time my pastor, not
knowing the struggle that had been going on in my own mind,
called me into his study and gave me such counsel and en-
couragement as forever settled the question. I at once set
about making preparation for the work. I was
licensed April 6, 1844, in Indianapolis, Indiana, by the Pres-
bytery of Indianapolis, and ordained by the same Presbytery
pastor of the Presbyterian church of Georgetown, Brown
county, Ind., June a'S, 1847. After my licensure, I served
for a time the churches of New Burlington, Windsor and
Bloutsville, Delaware county, Ind. My next charge was
Georgetown, in connection with Harmony, a church which I
had organized in Bartholomew county, Ind. I next took
charge of Union, a small church in the south part of Decatur
county, Indiana, in connection with Napoleon, (afterwards
changed to Ripley), and all of Ripley county in which I
organized the churches of Versailles and Mt. Hope. In the
spring of 1852, I went to Lawrenceville, III, and supplied
that and Pisgah churches one year. I then went to the
church of Nashville, 111., and was installed pastor, June 18,
1854. The pastoral relation was dissolved Oct. i, 1862. I
returned to Lawrence county, and labored in a destitute
missionary field one year. I then took charge of Crow
Meadow church, in Marshall county. 111., which I served till
October, 1868, at which time I was compelled to give up, in
consequence of a severe attack of inflammatory rheumatism.
For some time I was unable to preach much, but engaged
in colporteur work and preached occasionally. In the spring
of 1 87 1, 1 went to Iowa, to try to recuperate, and found work
there for a while in the church of Frankville, Winnesheik
county, and then at Mt. Hope, Allamakee county. At the
end of the year I returned to Illinois, and served the
churches of Salem (at Mahomet), and Springvale in Cham-
paign county, 111. I now have no regular pastoral
charge. I have settled on a small farm in Livingston county,
111. I was married Nov. 18, 1846, in Decatur
county, Ind., to Miss Margaret Jane Thomson. We have
two children, Henry Melancthon, born Aug. 23, 1847, and
Sarah Ernestine, born Oct. 5, 1850.
D. A. Wallace.
Sannemin, Livingston County, IlL
FIRST CHURCH OF DECATUR. 42/
North Arm Presbyterian Church was organized in the
summer of 1852 by the Committee of Presbytery, with ten
members, Samuel Mann, elder. It was in Edgar county,
not far from Paris, and was dissolved by Presbytery of Pales-
tine, April 24, 1854, and its members attached to Paris
church.
The First Presbyterian Church of Decatur was organiz-
ed in the house of Mr. Samuel Powers on the first day of May,
1852, by the Rev, Robert H. Lilly, who was appointed a
committee for that purpose by the Presbytery of Palestine.
The members at the organization were David Hopkins,
Catharine, his wife and Lydia, their daughter, Nancy Eagar,
Mrs. Mary Lilly, Miss Agnes McCormick, John Nicholson
and his wife Julia, Robert Moffit and his wife Elizabeth.
David Hopkins was elected first Ruling Elder. Rev. Augus-
tus F. Pratt gathered up this little church and preached to
them one year. After him the Rev. David Monfort, D. D.,
then quite an old and feeble man, served the church until
Oct., 1854. About the middle of the next month, the church
secured the services of the Rev. Erastus W. Thayer, who
served them until the spring of 1857. The con-
gregation up to about this time worshiped in the old court-
house, then in the old Academy, and in a new building
which was erected on East Main street, on a lot belonging
to Dr. Roberts, and designed ultimately for a store-house.
The next minister was the Rev. P. D. Young, who preached
one year. Rev. T. M. Oviatt was invited to the charge of the
church in July, 1858, and was, in the following spring, in-
stalled as the first regular pastor. He continued in the pas-
toral relation till Jan., 1863, and was succeeded in the follow-
ing spring by Rev. D. C. Marquis, who was called from this
church to the North Presbyterian church in Chicago, in Jan.,
1866. The church, during the pastorate of these last two
men, had a steady and much more rapid growth. Mr. Mar-
quis, though a young man, had preaching powers of no ordi-
nary character. His sermons were evangelical, clear and
profound, and were delivered with great force and animation.
If he has had any equal as a sermonizer among the young
men in Central Illinois, it was his immediate successor, the
Rev. Samuel Conn. Both these gentlemen were early hon-
ored with the degree of Doctor Divinitatis,hQCdi\ysQ by native
428 PRESBYTERIAXIS5I IN ILLINOIS.
power and hard study, they earned the distinction. Mr.
Conn's health, which was never firm, suffered under the labor
and care of the church, and in September, 1868, he closed
his labors here. During the last year of Mr. Conn's pastorate
a second church was organized in connection with the New
School General Assembly, with forty-two members from the
first church and seven from other quarters. This branch of
the church enjoyed the very acceptable services of the Rev. A.
L. Brooks till after the union of the two General Assemblies,
when he accepted a call to Danville, 111., and the two churches
united. The elders of both cliurches were elected to consti-
tute the session of'the re-united church. After Mr. Conn
left, the Rev. John Brown, D. D., supplied this church during
the greater part of the next winter. In the spring
of 1869, Rev. James E. Moffatt, a young man from the Chi-
cago Theological Seminary, was settled as pastor and re-
mained four years. After him came the Rev. Robert Mac-
kenzie and preached a few months over two years. In Sep-
tember, 1876, Rev. W, H. Prestley accepted a call to this
church, and is now preaching most acceptably to full houses.
The church which began with ten members and
one RuHng elder, now has about three hundred members, a
full bench of Ruling Elders and full boards of deacons and
trustees. A large and successful Sunday-school is maintain-
ed under the auspices of this church.
Elders of First church: David Hopkins, Dr. James E.
Roberts, Samuel Frederick, Thomas Lewis, S. C. Roberts,
Orlando Powers, S. G. Malone, J. E. Roberts, D. C. Brown,
Geo. E. Morehouse, T. H. Allen, R. P. Lytle.
The Second church was organized Jan. 18, 1868, by Drs. D.
H. Hamilton and W. D. Sanders in Powers' Hall, where their
meetings were subsequently held. Elders : Hazen Pressey,
J. H. Lewis, G. E. Morehouse. The First and
Second churches were united Dec. 28, 1870. Elders elected
■since the union : Reuben Nims, R. C. Crocker, W. R, Scroggs.
In 1855, the brick church on Prairie street was
begun. It progressed but slowly, and was dedicated March
6,1859. It cost ^9,000.
The Presbytery of Sangamon met at Springfield, April 2,
1852. James Smith, D. D., minister, and J. T. Eccles, elder,
were appointed to attend the next Assembly. An adjourned
HARDIN CPIURCPI. 42g>
meeting was held with Sugar Creek church, April 20. The
fall meeting was held with Union church, commencing Sept.
14.
Alton Presbytery met at Troy, Madison county, April
15, 1852. Hardin church, Calhoun county, was received-
George Spaulding was released, on account of ill health,,
from the pastorate of Woodburn and Bunker Hill churches,
and also dismissed from the Presbytery, and given a general
letter of recommendation. Socrates Smith was received
from the Presbytery of Illinois. Lawson A. Parks and Wm.
T. Bartle were granted license, George M. Tuthill was dis-
missed to the Eastern Association of Michigan. N. A.
Hunt was released from the pastoral charge of Marioa
church. Joseph A. Ranney. minister, and L. A. Parks, elder,,
were appointed to attend the Assembly. David Dimond.
was received from the Presbytery of St. Louis. The narra-
tive showed that the past year had been one of great pro-
gress through almost the entire field.
Hardin Church Is located in the town of Hardin, the
county seat of Calhoun county, a beautiful and picturesque
little village nestling at the foot of a grand bluff on the Illi-
nois river. The church is quite as old as the village. It
was organized first, on Oct. 17, 185 1, under the direction
of Alton Presbytery, by Revs. E. B. Olmsted and Robert
Stewart, in the parlor of Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Child, with four-
teen members. Mrs. Child was one of the fourteen, herself
a thorough Scotchwoman and Presbyterian, born in Edin-
burg, and brought up on oatmeal and the Shorter Catechism,,
which she can repeat verbatim, at past sixty years of age.
.Her house has ever been a preacher's home, and her daugh-
ter Sarah, as well as herself, a great help to the church. At
this first organization, Steele Cunningham and John Mort-
land, sr., were chosen elders. The former, after a few years,
died. " Father " Mortland, as he is now familiarly called,
still lives and continues, as he has done, to serve the church,
though past eighty 3-ears of age. For many years the
church had no other elder; and always he and his sons have
been a large part of the financial strength of the church.
The Hardin church is another plant from Scotch-
Irish seed. From the spring of 1852, on for
430 PRE3BYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
three years, the chUrch had the services of Rev. Joseph E.
McMurray as stated supply. Later they had the services of
Rev. Loring S. WiUiams for a short time, and during the year
1865, Rev. Horatio N. Wilbur. Then they were without any
minister, and had only very occasional preaching until
March 26, 1871, when H. P. Carson, a licentiate of Alton
Presbytery, sent by the Home Missionary Committee, began
laboring among them and extended his efforts to six other
points in the county. In the meantime the church records
had been wholly lost, and deaths and removals had reduced
the membership to four souls, including the only elder remain-
ing. They had hitherto no exclusive house of worship, but
had helped to build a house for both school and church pur-
poses, which they shared with the public school.
After Mr. Carson had gathered a congregation and preached
a few months, it was found nine persons wished to unite with
the church. Accordingly, Rev. A. T. Norton, D. D., came
and spent a few days preaching and administering the ordin-
ances, and with the consent and advice of the elder, recon-
stituted the church, receiving into fellowship those who
wished, and restoring the membership to the original num-
ber, lacking one. This was on August 12, 1871. October
29, of the same year, three more members were received,
when Rev. C. S. Armstrong, of Alton, was present with the
church and administered the ordinances, Mr. Carson assist-
ing. On the same day the church chose Robert Sibley for
an additional Ruling Elder. Dr. Armstrong often afterwards
came to aid the preacher in charge, and it was chiefly through
God's blessing on his labors in a revival that the church ex-
perienced an awakening which permanently and greatly
effected the whole village and vicinity during the first
months in 1875. The church, on March 31,
1872, called H. P. Carson to become their pastor. The call
was accepted and he duly ordained at an adjourned meeting
of the Presbytery with congregation, July 21, 1872. In the
meantime Mr. B. F. Child, on his dying bed, had given the
church a lot on which to build a house of worship ; so that
through the persevering efforts of the pastor-elect, and the
earnest and generous contributions and prayers of the mem-
bers, the congregation and their friends generally, irrespective
of creed or denomination, the church was able to present for
dedication on the same day a beautiful, modern and tasteful
house to the Lord, all furnished, even to a large fine bell. (The
HARDIN CHURCH. 43 I
last was secured through the voluntary and generous efforts
of the late Captain Stephen Child, son of Mr. and Mrs. B. F.
Child, who secured in addition to his own the more than
sufficient contributions.) The 2ist day of July, 1872, was a
memoriable day to the Presbyterian church of Hardin, and
to the village and vicinity generally. Every body was pres-
ent, even Roman Catholics and infidels, and some from
twenty miles in the country. The dedicatory services
occurred at 1 1 a. m., just after the Sabbath school session.
Dr. Norton preached the dedicatory sermon. After very
generous contributions from the congregation, including
every member of Presbytery present, if not every body
else, which cleared all financial obligation. Rev. C. S. Arm-
strong led in the dedicatory prayer. The ordi-
nation services occurred in the afternoon. Rev. W. L. Tar-
bet preached the sermon. Rev. S. H. Hyde gave the charge
to the pastor after the laying on of the hands of Presbytery.
Rev. W. R. Adams gave the charge to the people. The day
closed leaving the church, for the first time in its over
twenty years' history, in the possession of a home duly dedi-
cated to the worship of the Triune God, and a pastor duly set
apart for His and their service. Rev. H. P. Carson
remained their pastor until April 20, 1879, on which da}' he
preached his farewell sermon. The pastoral relation by con-
current request having been dissolved by Presbytery. He went
to take charge at once of the Presbyterian church ofTaylor-
ville, 111. During his pastorate of eight years, the Sabbath
school grew in membership from forty to one hundred and
fifty; in average attendance from over twenty to eighty; a
Sunday school teachers' meeting was steadily and regularly
maintained after the first year. There were added to the mem-
bership of the church, sixty-three; forty-nine on profession
and fourteen by letter. Only two died, but nineteen moved
away. The ordinance of baptism was administered to fifty-
one persons including infants. The second additional elder,
Morris Fisher, was chosen Sept. 27, 1874. For years he has
been superintendent of the Sabbath school, a great help to the
church financially and spiritually, and growing in efificienc}'.
The fifth and last ruling elder, up to this date, is L. M.
Brady, who was elected Sept. 9, 1877. One having died,
the church is now left with four living, active elders.
H. P. Carson.
432 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
David Dimond was born at Groton, N. H,, April 26, 1S19.
He was an only child. His father died when he was but
four years old. He was brought up on a farm until he was.
fifteen years of age. He united with the Congregational
Church in Brighton, Mass., Feb. 8, 1835. Fitted for college
at Andover, Mass. Graduated at Dartmouth College,
1842, and at Andover Seminary, April 8, 1845. Licensed by
Andover Association April 8, 1845. Ordained by St. Louis
Presbytery in St. Louis, April 21, 1846. Supply pastor at
Troy, Mo., until Nov. i, 1850, when he went to Collinsville,
111., where he labored four years. United with Alton Presby-
tery first, April 17,-1852. Professor of Latin and Greek in
Webster College, Mo., ten miles west of St. Louis, and sup-
ply pastor of Rock Hill church 1855-59. His
next field was Brighton, 111., where he remained untill 1865.
Then to Shelbyville and next to Anna, Union county. 111.
From thence he returned to Brighton and was installed pas-
tor there. This position he still retains. He re-
ceived the degree of D. D. from his Alma Mater, Dartmouth
College, July 21, 1870. Seldom has this honor been better
deserved. I have occasion to know its bestowal was not
only unsought, but took him entirely by surprise. He pos-
sesses that virtue so rare in these latter times — modesty. In
one of his letters to the writer he caps the climax of his low
estimation of himself by signing his name " david dimond" !
A {&\v of his intimate associates and friends understood and
appreciated his scholarly attainments, his great ability and
rare worth. Among these were Drs. Artemas Bullard and
Henry A. Nelson. With talents and acquirements sufficient
for the highest stations, he has occupied, for the most part,
only the humblest. His life has been full of deep affliction.
He has buried one wife and all his children. For several
years past he has been nearly blind. But he still pursues
his ministerial labors, drawing upon the resources of a thor-
oughly disciplined and well-stored mind. His first
wife was Miss Augusta Coffin, born at Hanover, N. H., Oct.
25,1822. She was united to Mr. Dimond, August 8, 1848.
Her death occurred at Brighton, Sabbath July 30, 1871. She
was an intelligent, accomplished, lovely Christian lady, and
amidst much ill health acted well her part. She was the
mother of five children, none of whom remain. Oct. 8, 1872,.
Dr. Dimond married his second wife, Mrs. Mary W. Waldron,.
daughter of Stephen Wingate, M. D., formerly of Great
MEETING OF PRESBYTERIES. 433
Falls, N. H. She still lives and is an exemplification of
Mary and Martha combined.
Alton Presbytery met at Alton, Sept. i6, 1852. Henry
D. Piatt was received from the Illinois Association. T. B.
Hurlbut was installed pastor of Upper Alton church, Sept.
19, 1852, by a committee of Presbytery. An adjourned
meeting was held with Spring Cove church, October 17, at
which Wm. T. Bartle was ordained, sine titnlo.
Henry Button Platt was born at Plymouth, Conn., July
13, 1823. He- was educated at the Mission Institute, near
Quincy, 111., and at New Haven Divinity school. He was
ordained by the Illinois Association at Griggsville, 111.,
April 13, 1851 ; supply pastor Brighton Presbyterian church,
1851-57; united with Alton Presbytery, Oct. 17, 1852; sup-
ply pastor Chesterfield, Macoupin county, 1858-68; Home
Missionary Superintendent ( Cong'l ) for Southern Illinois,
1868-71 ; supply pastor Congregational church, Lincoln, 111.,
1871. Is now residing at Brighton, and supply pastor of the
Congregational church in that and one other place. He
married Miss Sarah E. Stratton, of Brighton, 111., Feb. 5,
1852. They have two danghters and a son.
William T. Bartle was born at Mullica Hill, Gloucester
county, N. J., Feb. 17, 1822. Educated at Knox College,
111.; licensed by Alton Presbytery, at Troy, 111., April 16,
1852. Dismissed from that Presbytery April 22, 1854.
Has labored since at Knoxville, Wethersfield, Chicopee,
Congregational churches. 111., and at Camp Point, 111., Lapeer
and Decatur, Presbyterian churches, Michigan,
His first wife died in her twenty-first year. He married
the second time, and has eight children. He has been
blessed with sound health and been a very laborious, earn-
est, successful minister. He is now, 1879, in Cromwell, Iowa.
The Synod of Illinois, n. s., met at Keokuk, Iowa, Sept.
22, 1852. The Presbytery of Des Moines was divided into
three, and the Assembly requested to organize a Synod of
Iowa, n. s. The Synod of Illinois, o. s., met at
Peoria, Oct. 14, 1852. Members were present from six Pres-
byteries. Much time was occupied in discussing the sub-
jects of theological education and of religious papers.
27
CHAPTER XI.
MEETINGS OF PRESBYTERIES AND SYNODS FROM 1 85 3 TO
1857, INCLUDING SKETCHES OF THE CHURCHES ORGANIZED
AND THE MINISTERS COMMENCING THEIR LABORS HERE
WITHIN THE PERIOD.
Authorities : As in pfevious chapter.
YEAR 1853,
Illinois Presbytery met at CarroUton, April 14, 1853,
John G. Rankin, minister, and C. R. Wells, elder, were elected
Commissioners to the Assembly. The fall meet-
ing was held at Winchester, Scott county, commencing Sep-
tember 8. C. E. Blood and Thomas Lippincott were re-
ceived from Alton Presbytery, and Rufus Nutting, jr., on
evidence of his ordaination by an Ecclesiastical Council.
Rufus Nutting was born in Randolph, Vt, September 28,
1823. His father was of English descent and his mother
Scotch-English, both Calvinistic and orthodox, after the
New England style. He graduated at the Western Reserve
College in Northern Ohio, and took a full divinity course in
the Theological Seminary at that time connected with the
same college. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Por-
tage in 1847. From 1849 to 1852 was pastor of the Congre-
gational church at Ravenna, Portage county, Ohio, under
the then existing plan of Union. In 1853 he was called to
the professorship of Latin and Greek languages in Illinois Col-
lege, at Jacksonville. After thirteen years' service in that ca-
pacity he resigned on account of impaired health, and removed
to Indianapolis, Ind., and was engaged there in business,
preaching occasionally, till 1876, when he was elected to the
chair of Latin and Greek languages in Blackburn University at
Carlinville, 111. That post he still occupies. He
was married in 1849 to Margaretta L. Hurd, of Detroit,
Mich. He has six children, all living — Millicent M., born
KASKASKIA AND WABASH PRESBYTERIES. 435
1850; Margaretta Caroline, born 1852; William Hurd, born
1854; Charles Cleveland, born 1858; Helen Louise, born
1864, and Annie Scudder, born 1867.
The Presbytery of Kaskaskia met at Nashville, April
■8, 1853. A Committee was appointed to install B. F. Spil-
man pastor of Shawneetown church on the second Friday
•of June next. William Hamilton, minister, and Amzi An-
drews, elder, were appointed to attend the next Assembly.
'C. D. Martin was received from the Presbytery of Palmyra.
The fall meeting was held at Hillsboro, Octo-
ber 7, D. A. Wallace, from the Presbytery of Palestine,
and Peter Hassinger, from that of Red Stone, were received.
Arrangements were made for the installation of James Staf-
ford over Sugar Creek church, October 23.
Peter Hassinger was born in Delaware ; studied theolo-
gy at Princeton in 1823-24; ordained in Gravel Run church,
Pa., October, 1828; supply pastor in Evansburg, Hammonds-
burg and Northbank, 1832; pastor, Clayville, Pa., 1837; pas-
tor, Unity, Pa., 1839; Waynesburg and Newton, 1845-49;
Somerset, Jenner and Petersburg, Pa., 1851-52; Edwardsville,
Staunton, Rattan Prairie, 111., 1853-57; Sugar Creek, 1857-
60. Postoffice address, Aviston, 111.
Wabash Presbytery met with New Providence church,
April 21, 1853. Bethel church, in Crawford county, and Eb-
enezer, in Richland, were received. Hiram Franklin Tay-
lor was received from the Presbytery of Kingston. C. H.
Palmer was elected Commissioner to the next Assembly.
The fall meeting was held with Trinity church,
Edwards county, commencing October 13.
Bethel Church, Crawford county, was organized by
Joseph Butler in 1853. John Duncan and William Delzell,
elders. It was near where Duncanville now stands. Mr.
Butler visited them a few times, and they were then left to
starve. Their names were — A. D. Delzell, Mrs. M. E. Del-
zell, William Delzell, Mrs. M. I. Delzell, L. B. Delzell, John
43^ PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Duncan and Mrs. S. M, Duncan. There were three others,,
making ten in all. Most of them connected with Palestine
church, August 27, 1857, and were afterwards setoff to Beck-
with Prairie church.
Ebenezer Church was organized by Joseph Butler early
in 1853, probably in Richland county. Robert Delzell an
elder; ten members. It was reported in 1854-55 with ten
members; in 1856 with eight; in 1857 with ten. After that
was not reported. It was one of those bantlings, born and
left to perish. I have found no one who knows with cer-
tainty where its location was.
Hiram Franklin Taylor preached awhile to New Prov-
idence church, Edgar county, 111. Died in 1855, being at
the time a member of Des Moines Presbytery.
The Presbytery of Palestine met at Paris, April 7, 1853.
John A. Steele, minister, and John Y. Allison, elder, were
appointed to the Assembly. D. A. Wallace was dismissed
to the Presbytery of Kaskaskia ; John Crozier to Presbytery
of Cedar, and P. W. Thomson and James Cameron to that
of Schuyler. The fall meeting was held at Grand-
view, commencing October 15. H. I. Venable was received
from the Presbytery of Crawfordsville.
The Presbytery of Sangamon met in Jacksonville, April
I, 1853. G. McKinley, minister, and E. R. Wiley, elder,
were elected to the Assembly. The fall session
was held with North Sangamon church, commencing Sep-
tember 8.
The Presbytery of Alton met at Brighton, April 21,
1853. George C. Wood was received from the Presbytery
of Marshall, Mich. Samuel R. H. Wylie, licentiate, was re-
ceived from the Sangamon Presbytery of the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church. John Gibson was released from the
pastoral care of the Plum Creek church. A. T. Norton and
PRESBYTERY OF ILLINOIS. 437
William H. Bird, ministers, and A. L. Saunders and William
P. Pitman, elders, were appointed Commissioners to the
Assembly. The Missionary Committee made a report cov-
ering one year and seven months. In that time they had re-
ceived one thousand and twenty-three dollars and expended
•one thousand and twenty-nine dollars. Two missionaries had
been sustained all the time on the field, and one other for a
short period. The church of Caledonia was received.
The fall session was held at (Old) Ducoign, commencing
.September 15. The church of Van Burensburg was united
with that of Mulberry Grove. William H. Bird, having been
previously dismissed from the pastorate of Vergennes church,
was installed over the church of Old Ducoign. J. E. Mc-
Murray was dismissed to the Presbytery of Schuyler.
Caledonia Church, Pulaski county, was organized by E.
B. Olmsted, July 6, 185 1, with five members, George Havvpe,
•elder. It has had but a sickly existence. Louis Jaccard was
an elder in 1876. He is now dead. The church has a frame
house of worship, though much out of repair. It last re-
ported twelve members.
The Synod of Illinois, n. s., held its annual meeting at
Belleville, commencing September 20, 1853.
The Synod of Illinois, o. s., met at Macomb, October 13,
1853. This Synod, as now constituted, embraces all the
State of Illinois, except the Presbytery of Palestine, which is
attached to the Synod of Indiana.
year 1854.
The Presbytery of Illinois met at Chatham, April 13,
1854. A. M. Dixon, minister, and John Kirkpatrick, elder,
were appointed to the next Assembly. The fall
session was held at Mechanicsburg, commencing September
8. George Pierson was received from Choctaw Presbytery.
Mr. Pierson, being about to depart on a mission to Microne-
sia, desired to form this ecclesiastical connection. The
.church of Virden was received.
438 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
The Church of Virden was organized in the spring of
1 854 by a Commission of Illinois Presbytery, consisting of
Revs. John G. Rankin, Josiah Porter and A. M. Dixon.
Certificates were received from Mr. John I. Beattie, his wife,
Lucy, and his daughter, Letitia, from the Presbyterian
church of Carlinville ; from Mr. Rufus W. Loud, his wife, Jane,
and his daughter, Elizabeth Jane, from the Presbyterian
church of Winchester; from Mrs. Lucy D. Hardin and her
daughter, Emily, from the Second Presbyterian church of
Springfield, 111. These eight persons were organized into a
church, to be known under the name of the " First Presby-
terian church of Virden." John I. Beattie and Rufus W.
Loud were chosen elders. The church was sup-
plied with the ministry of the Word from the summer of
1854 until May, 1859, by ministers from Jacksonville, Spring-
field, Chatham, Carlinville and Waverly. In May, 1 859, the
Rev. William L. Tarbet, from Giles county, Tenn., began
his ministy to this church. In the spring of i860 Mr. Tar-
bet was installed pastor and continues such until this present.
The church had about forty members at the
time of Mr. Tarbet's becoming their pastor. Since that time
there have been received to the communion one hundred
and fifty members. At this date, April, 1879, we report only
one hundred and twelve members. During the past twenty
years, eleven members have died, and twenty-nine have been
dismissed. Within this pastorate I have baptized eighty-one
infants and forty adults. A movement was made towards
erecting a house of worship in the autumn of 1856. Messrs.
R. W. Loud, John I. Beattie and O. Cnaffee were appointed a
building Committee. A loan of five hundred dollars was
obtained from the Church Erection Fund. The house was
completed in the winter of 1857, ^^^ dedicated March 24,
1858. Rev. W. D. Sanders, D. D., preached the sermon,
and the Rev. W. G, Gallaher offered the dedicatory prayer.
The total cost of the building was four thousand dollars.
When I became the pastor of this church it had rest-
ing upon it a debt of twelve hundred dollars, which was
daily increasing by accumulating interest. The pastor and
one of his elders, R. W. Loud, resolved to remove this bur-
den ; to do which they assessed each member a certain
amount, to be paid in three annual installments. Having
made the assessment and ascertained it would just re-
move the debt, they called the members together and told
ROBERT M. ROBERTS. 439
them what they had done, and asked them to ratify it, which
the\' most generously did. Since then we have owed no man
anything but to love. The present elders are
John I. Beattie, Nathan Johnson, G. W. Simons, W. Wilder
and R. Ball. Ours is the rotary eldership.
William L. Tarbet.
The Presbytery of Kaskaskia met at Hillsboro, Feb. i6,
1854, received R. M. Roberts from the Presbytery of New
Albany, and installed him pastor of the Hillsboro church.
Robert M. Roberts was born in Jonesboro, Washington
county, Tenn., May 22, 1823. His father's name was Thomas
O. Roberts and the maiden name of his mother Jane Mitchell.
His father was of Welsh descent and his mother Scotch-
Irish — both Presbyterians. He received his collegiate edu-
cation at Washington College, East Tennessee, under the
presidency of Rev. A. A. Doak ; his theological education
at Northwest Theological Seminary, when located at New
Albany. He was licensed Oct., 1848, at Paris,
111., by the Presbytery of Palestine, and commenced his min-
istry at Bedford, Ind., where he labored four years.
He was married Aug. 28, 1850. to Mary R. Monfort,
daughter of Rev. David Monfort, D. D., then pastor of the
church at Franklin, Ind. In the fall of 1849, he
was ordained to the ministry by the Presbytery of New Alba-
ny. In the fall of 1852, he accepted a call from
the church of Hillsboro, where he was pastor seven years.
Whilst there he organized the churches of Butler and Litch-
field and supplied them as he could. He at the same time
supplied the church of Waveland occasionally.
Oct.. 1859, he accepted a call to become the pastor of
the church at Litchfield, and preached there nine years. In
the fall of 1868, he removed to Areola, and supplied the
church there five years. Then he accepted a call to the
church of Pana, 111., and is now in his sixth year there. He
has three children' buried at Hillsboro, Ills., all of them hav-
ing died in infancy. He has a son and daughter still living,
T. M., in the hardware business at Nokomis, 111., and Alma
P., at home with her parents.
440 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
The Presbytery of Kaskaskia met at Shawneetown,
April 14, 1854. The licentiate, James A. Ramsey, surrender-
ed his license, from want of health, to labor as a preacher.
The surrender was accepted. The church of Pocahontas
was received.* Elm Point church was received.
A committee was appointed to look after the history of the
churches in this Presbytery. James Stafford, minister, and
J, F, Spilman, elder, were appointed Commissioners to the
next Assembly. Cave Spring church was received. Arrange-
ments were made for installing D. A. Wallace over Nashville
church on the i6th of next June. The fall meet-
incf was held at Cack'le, Oct. 6. Daniel Steele, licentiate,
was received from the Presbytery of Marion. T. W. Hynes
was appointed Stated Clerk in place of B. F. Spilman.
Pocahontas Church was organized March 19, 1854, by T.
W. Hynes with eleven members, W. K. Mount, elder. It
was dissolved by Presbytery Sept. 18, 1866. It accomplished
nothing.
Elm Point Church was organized Nov. 5, 1853, by Wm.
Hamilton and Elder John Denny, with these members :
George Denny, Mary McCaslin, Margaret Black, Jane Black,
Anthony Hill, Josiah T. McLain, Robert Armstrong, Wm.
McCaslin, Eliza Hill, James Wafer, Violet E. Alexander,
Wm. N. Donnell. Elders : George Denny, Anthony Hill
and William N. Donnell. Ministers : Wm. Hamilton, John
5. Howell, T. W. Hynes ; James H. Spilman, commenced
August, 1S75 and still continues. Elders besides the first
three: John A. A. McNeely and Thomas Wafer, Jan. 12,
i860. Claudius L. Herndon and Joel S. Preddy, April 29,
1877. The house of worship was erected in
1856, and cost about ;^i,500. It was built by themselves.
There is a cemetery in the same lot. The location is near
the south line of S. W. quarter, of S. E. quarter of Sec.
6, T. 6, R. 3. Rev. T. W. Hynes, married
Elizabeth Wheeler, a member of Elm Point church, Dec.
8, i860.
*A church of "Pocahontas" was received by this Presbytery at its session in
Shawneetown, April, 1848. But it muse have died, and been forgotten; for now
a new cliurch of the same place and name is received.
CAVE SPRING CHURCH. 44 1
Cave Spring Church, in southwest part of Randolph
"County, was organized Nov. 25, 1853 v/ith these fifteen mem-
bers: H. H. McLaughHn, J. H. McLaughhn, Thomas Kelley,
Ehzabeth Kelley, James Clelland, Isabella Clelland, Permelia
McLaughlin, David Carson, Susanna Carson, Adam Parkhill,
Jane Parkhill, James McLaughlin, Elizabeth McLanghlin,
John McLaughlin, John Parkhill and N. E. McLaughlin.
Elders: H. H. McLaughlin, at the time of organization.
Since, Thomas Kelley, W. H. Brenneman, Robert Brown,
W. H. Bilderback, James F, Bilderback, E. P. Bilderback.
The last three are the present elders. Ministers : A. A.
Morrison, W. H. Templeton, nine years; J. C. Wagaman,
■one year ; W. H. Templeton, again for three years ;
A. W. Wright, one year; Samuel Pettigrew, one year;
J. S. Davis, two years; W. H. Templeton, the third
time, is still the supply. Neither of these ministers have
spent with this church more than about one-fourth of the
time. It is entirely a country church, and has had several
different places of worship. The second was in Sec. 28, T.
7, R. 5 W. In 1872 it was Mt. Summit school house. In
1877, it was fixed at Spring Vale school house and there
continues. This church has now sixty members. Its post
office is Rockwood, Randolph county, III.
The Presbytery of Wabash met with the church of
Long Point, April 7, 1854. E. Kingsbury, minister, and
Wm. M. Allison, elder, were elected to attend the Assembly,
The fall session was held with the Liberty
Prairie church in Piatt county, Oct. 4, 1854. H. F. Taylor
•was dismissed to the Presbytery of Des Moines.
The Presbytery of Palestine met at Charleston, Coles
county, April 20, 1854. John Crozier was received from
the Presbytery of Cedar. The Presbytery determined to
apply to the Assembly to be restored to the Synod of Illi-
nois. R. H. Lilly, minister, and J. Y. Allison were ap-
pointed to the Assembly.' The church at Martinsville was
received. Arrangements were made for the installation of
Samuel Newell, pastor of Paris church on Sabbath, May 28,
prox. R. A. Mitchell was ordained, sine titulo, Sabbath,
April 23, 1854. The North Arm church, was dissolved and
442 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
the members remaining attached to Paris church. The
records of the Presbytery were examined by the Synod of
Indiana, at New Albany, Oct. 2i, 1854.
Samuel Newell, D. D. — By Mrs. Martha A. Venable —
He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, April 23, 1811. His parents
were American and true Presbyterians. His father was for
many years an elder in the First church, Cincinnati. His
mother was a woman of no ordinary piety. His primary edu-
cation was obtained at the schools in Cincinnati. His col-
legiate education af ' South Hanover, Ind., where he gradu-
ated in 1835. He studied theology at the same place under
Drs. Matthews and McMaster. He was licensed by Salem
Presbytery in April, 1837. He labored first as a Presbyte-
rial missionary in the bounds of Salem Presbytery. In 1841,
he removed to Cincinnati where he had been called as co-pas-
tor with Joshua L. Wilson. He had not occupied that posi-
tion long before he was called to Lebanon, Ohio, where he
was pastor for nearly twelve years. In the spring of 1853 he
took charge of the Paris church, 111., which position he occu-
pied for eighteen years. April 6, 1 837, at Livonia,
Ind., he married Miss C. D. D. Martin, daughter of Rev. VV.
W. Martin, one of Indiana's early ministers, having removed
to that state from Kentucky in 18 18. The ceremony was
performed by Rev. W. A. Holiday, of Indianapolis. They
were blessed with nine children, six sons and three daughters.
Henry A., born July, 1838, is a Presbyterian minister, and
has charge of Rochester church, Minn. ; William M., born
Aug., 1841, is an M. D. ; Samuel R., born 1843, died in 185 1.;
John Morrison, born 1845, also an M. D.; Susan M., born
Feb. 4, 1847; Louisa C, born Feb. 16, 1849, died 1858; Rob-
ert M., born 1851, also an M. D. ; Emma B., born Jan. 16,
1853; Samuel, born Aug. 19, 1858. Of this large family all
that are living, excepting one, have assumed for themselves
the vows taken by their parents. Samuel R. died of that
dread disease, cholera, only a few hours from his infantile
play to the embrace of death. Little Louie was sick eight
weeks. At first she was afraid of death, but having given
herself to Jesus, she looked calmly into the opening tomb.
Mrs. Newell went to her heavenly home April i,
1870. She was everything included in the names wife and
mother. She was an helpmeet for her husband. His heart
ROBERT A. MITCHELL. • 44J
safely trusted in her. My first acquaintance with
Bro. Newell was in the summer of 1834 at South Hanover,
where he was a student. He was always a ready speaker,
often making addresses on temperance in neighborhoods
around South Hanover. The Sabbath-school cause shared
largely in his efforts. But Bro. Newell's peculiar fort was in
the pulpit. I never knew any one who, in times of adversity
and bereavement, could so enter the feelings of the afflicted.
He fell asleep Sabbath morning, June 22, at
about eight o'clock, 1879, at his home in Paris, 111. He was-
buried the next Tuesday from the church. The sermon was
preached by his successor, Rev. R. D. Van Deursen, to an
immense congregation.
Robert A. Mitchell was born near Jonesboro, Wash-
ington county, E. Tenn, April 6, 1829. His father, James
A. Mitchell, was elder in the church of Jonesboro ; and both
parents were of strong Calvinistic predilections. They came
to what is now the city of Charleston, Coles county, 111., in
the fall of 1833. It was the memorable fall of what was called
the star-falling. He was the eldest of a family of ten, and was
the first to discover, from the door of the tent, that strange and
exciting phenomenon. The inhabitants of the neighborhood
all came to the encampment, some of them frantic with alarm,
declaring that the judgment day had come.
After remaining some years in Coles county, and giving as-
sistance in opening a farm on the prairie, he was sent back
to attend college in his native State, at Washington College,
Washington county, then, and for fifty years previous, under
the control of the Doaks. During his college course, and
while at home on a visit, he was received under the care of
the Presbytery of Palestine, in session at Paris, 111. The
first question asked him on his examination was, whether he
could count a hundred backwards! He had from
yo.-.th a desire to preach; and this abiding desire, together
with the hope of conversion, is all the account he gives of a
call to the ministry. It has up to this date been his chief joy
to preach. He formed, while at college, and even before, a
strong aversion to the Calvinistic faith. His grandfather,
who lived near the college, discovering this, took great care
to satisfy his mind on these disputed points. He placed in
his hands Dickinson on the "Five Points." This was read
444 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
-again and again with great care. The doctrine of human
depravity, as discussed in that book, gave him the first in-
sight into these doctrines of grace. Even after this he was
regarded as radical, and often called the Presbyterian Meth-
odist— Presbyterian, from his Calvinistic views, and Metho-
dist for his loud preaching. He took a regular
course at the Theological Seminary, New Albany, Ind. (now
the Northwest Theological Seminary of Chicago,) He was
licensed by the Presbytery of New Albany, November, 1848.
Ordained by Presbytery of Palestine, April 23, 1854. He
was called to supply the church of Charleston, the home of
his parents and man^p- kindred. This was November, 1848.
He supplied this church and the church of Pleasant Prairie
for about five years. He then took charge of the churches
of Oakland and Hebron (Ashmore postoffice) for three years.
He then was recalled in 1856, and regularly installed over
the church of Charleston, where he continued pastor until
near 1870. At the close of this pastorate, by far the happi-
est of his life, he accepted a call to supply the church of
Kansas, 111. He served this church eight years, and then,
and up to this date, November, 1878, supplied the churches
of Chrisman and Redmon, both of Edgar county, 111. He
has since included Casey, Clark county, in his field.
He was married to Miss Ann E. Roberts, a native
of East Tennessee, in March, 1849. Their living children
are the following: Allison McDonald, aged twenty-six ; Eliza
Jane, aged twenty-four ; James Thomas, aged twenty-two ;
Henry Steel, aged nineteen; Robert Allen, aged thirteen;
David Nelson, aged ten.
Martinsville Church, Clark county, was organized Nov.
.26, 1853, with nineteen members. Elders: Milton Eckley, T.
B. McClure and E. F. McClure. This church has gone
down, the last remaining member having united with the
Casey church.
The Presbytery of Palestine met at Paris, October 14,
1854. Samuel C. Baldridge, licentiate, was received from
Madison Presbytery, examined and ordained on Sabbath,
■October 15, 1854. Union church on String Prairie, Okaw
•church at Fillmore and Sullivan church were received. John
SAMUEL C. BALDRIDGE. 445',
A. Steele, minister, and David McCord, elder, were appointed
to the Assembly.
Samuel Coulter Baldridge was born at Eugene, Ver-
milion county, Ind., August 6, 1829. His father, Rev. Sam-
uel Baldridge, M. D., was of Scotch-Irish origin. His
mother, Mary Coulter, was daughter of Jonathan Coulter, of
Perryville, Ashland county, Ohio, a Western Pennsylvania
elder. S. C. Baldridge graduated at Hanover College, 1849,
and studied divinity at New Albany Theological Seminary,
where he graduated in 1853. He was led to the ministry
from home influences and the spirit and example of a noble
band of young men — his associates in college. He was li-
censed by the Presbytery of Madison in the spring of 1853,.
and ordained at Paris, 111., October 15, 1854. He has labored
in Wabash and Friendsville churches, Wabash county, since
1853. Since i860 he has been also the responsible head of
Friendsville Academy, an important and useful institution
still in successful operation. He married Miss
Jane Corrie, December 17, 1855. His children are Herbert
Coulter Baldridge, born December 4, 1856, and Mary Bald-
ridge, born November 9, 1865. Mr. Baldridge's residence-
and address are Friendsville, Wabash county, 111.
Union Church, Lawrence county, was organized June 17,.
1854, by John Crozier, with these members: William B.
Leech, Mrs. Mary Leech, Miss Martha Ann Leech, Joseph
M. Grimes, Mrs. Ruth Grimes, William T. Grimes, Lavina
Grimes, Thomas Grimes, Winna Ann Grimes, William Good-
man, Mrs. Susanna Goodman and Wickb Devonshire. Eld-
ers : Joseph M. Grimes and William B. Leech. Other eld-
ers: William Goodman, December 13, 1863; H.Kingsbury;.
John N. B. Hardy and Henry Goodman, November 29, 1868;
H. M. Wagner; J. B. McCord; J. C. Wagy. Ministers: W.
H. Lilly; John Crozier; J. B. Saye; John Mack; Robert
G. Ross, from 1870 to 1876; Thomas Smith took charge in
1876, and still continues. The church was organized at the
house of William B. Leech, T. 4 N., R. 13 W., Sec. 17, N. W.
quarter of the section. The meetings were held at first in pri-
vate houses, and then in school houses until the present
house of worship was built. It is in T. N. 4, R. 13 W., Sec.
44^ PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
8, S. W. corner of N. W. quarter. It was dedicated October
2S, 1 868, and cost fifteen hundred and fifty dollars. Of this
sum three hundred dollars was from Church Erection.
Before the erection of the church, meetings were some times
held at Prairieton, about one and an half mile north of Cler-
mont. This church has received in all one hundred and
seven members. Its present number is forty-four.
Sullivan Church, Moultrie county was organized by H.
I. Venable, July i, 1854, with eight members. William
Martin, elder. This.^church went down entirely.
Another, by the same name, was organized by Clarke Lou-
don and Elder G. M. Thompson, April 23, 1870, with nine
members. Elders : Andrew Martin and Alex. Walker.
Another elder since appointed is Dr. J. C. Brooks. Clarke
Loudon supplied this church a while. John Payson Mills fol-
lowed in 1874. Since then it has had no regular supply.
It has never had a house of worship of its own.
Sangamon Presbytery met at Center church, near Farm-
ington, April 7, 1854. N. S. Conkling, from the Presbytery
of Newton, and T. M. Newell, from the Presbytery of Wash-
ington, were recieved. R. V. Dodge, minister, and John
Todd, elder, were appointed to the Assembly. Decatur
church requested this Presbytery to unite with them in ask-
ing the Assembly to transfer them from the Presbytery of
Palestine, Synod of Indiana, to the Presbytery of Sangamon,
Synod of Illinois, This request was granted by the As-
sembly. The fall meeting was with Providence
church, commencing Sept. 12. At a called meeting in Jack-
sonville, Oct. 13, H. R. Lewis was received from the Rush-
ville Cumberland Presbytery.
Henry R. Lewis. Of his early life I can learn nothing.
He united with Sangamon Presbytery from the Cumberland
Church. He was with Taylorville church from June, 1858,
till early in 1861. He organized the church of Assumption,
May 7, 1859, and the Old School church of Pana, Feb. 25,
i860, with twelve members. H. D. Brigham and Joseph
Poor, were elders. In Pana he resided for over a year, and
SAMUEL R. H. WYLIE. 447
preached in Short's old frame town hall, now Lawrence's.
He also preached for the Prairie Home church. In 1862
he entered the army. In 1870-73 he was in Bonaparte,
Iowa, as pastor elect. In 1874 he was in Grasshopper, Kan-
sas. After that }'ear his name does not appear on the min-
utes of the Assembly.
Alton Presbytery met at Marine, April 20, 1854. Thomas
H. Holmes, licentiate, was received. Wm. T. Bartle was
dismissed to the Central Congregational Association. I\It.
Vernon and Carbondale churches were received. The Mis-
sionary Committee reported $658.27 raised, $702.83 disbursed,
and the two Missionaries, Joseph Gordon and Robert Stew-
art, employed. At an adjourned meeting held at Ducoign
(old), Samuel R. H. Wylie was ordained.
Samuel R. H. Wylie was born in Logan county, Ky.,
Nov. 28, 181 1. He was self-educated, having attended
school but nine months. He was licensed in the Cumber-
land Church, and labored in that connection two years in
Virginia, Cass county. He was ordained by the Alton
Presbytery as above. His first field under their care, was
Pinckneyville, from which point he also supplied. Plum
•Creek and Vergennes. He removed to Mt. Vernon, to
take the charge of that church, in July, 1854. He was
taken sick immediately after his arrival, and died Aug. ii,
1854. He was the father of six children, four daughters and
two sons. The two eldest daughters, died in the faith. The
sons are Christian men, and members of the Presbyterian
•church, as are also their surviving sisters. Mrs. Wylie — Emily
A. — IS a sister of Rev. W. H. Bird. She is now Mrs. Michael
Tromly, resides in Mt. Vernon, 111., and is for the second
time a widow.
Mt. Verxon Church, Jefferson county, was organized
Feb. 21, 1854, by Robert Stewart with these members: War-
ner White, Eliza White, Juliana Gray, Louisa M. Bogan,
George Mills, Hannah Mills, John C. Gray, Sarah A. Tanner,
William D.Johnston, John S. Bogan. Elders : George Mills,
Warner White, John S. Bogan. Other elders : Samuel Gib-
448 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
son, Jan. 2, 1870; William B. White, Jan. 2, 1870; Timothy
Condit, April 29, 1 85 5, died April, 1S61 ; James F. Fitch j,
Stephen B. Kelso, Dec. 1874; James M. Pollock, July 25,
1876. Ministers: Samuel R. H. Wylie, July 13, 1854, died
Aug. II, 1854; Wm. H. Bird, 1855; Hillery Patrick, 1856,'
Charles Kenmore, 1858; John Gibson, 1858; R. G. Williams,
1869-70; Gideon C. Clark, 1870-73; Solomon Cook, 1873-74;
A. C. Johnson, 1874-76; M. M. Cooper, three months in
1876; Geo. B. McComb, 1876-78; J. J. Graham, June, 1878,
who was installed Aug. 16, 1878, and still remains.
In the interval between 1858 and 1869, the Presbytery's
missionary, Joseph (jordon, paid them several visits.
The organization took place in the house of Dr. John
C. Gray. Their first place of meeting was Odd Fellows Hall,,
the use of which was furnished them gratis. The present
brick house of worship was erected in 1854-55, ^t a cost of
about $4,000. The church is at this time in good condition..
Congregations increasing. It has had in all, eighty-seven
members.
C.-^RBONDALE Church, Jackson county, was organized Feb,
12, 1854, by Josiah Wood and Robert Stewart with five
members; R. R. Brush, elder. Other elders: D. H. Brush,
E. P. Purdy, D. N. Hamilton. Ministers : Josiah Wood, Wil-
liam S. Post, Edward F, Fish, J. L. Hawkins. This congre-
gation possess a good house of worship.
The Presbytery of Alton met with Bethel church, Sept.
29, 1854. J. A. Ranney was released from the pastoral care
of Belleville church, and John Gibson from that of Troy.
John W. McCord was received from the White River Pres-
bytery of the Cumberland Church. David Dimond was dis-
missed to the Presbytery of St. Louis, and J. A. Ranney to
that of ^Marshall, Mich. The church of Jonesboro was re-
ceived.
John W. McCord was born in La Fayette county, Ky.,
Nov. 25, 1800. He was self-educated. He was ordained in
the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, IMarch 8, 1828, and
continued laboring in connection with that church in Mis-
WILLIAM D. SANDERS. 449
souri and Arkansas until he united with Alton Presb}-tery.
He remained in the bounds of that Presbytery, laboring at
Richview and other places, until April, 1859, when he went
into Southwest Missouri, and united with Osage Presbytery,
n. s. That Presbytery was dissolved by the war. He then
became connected with the Southern Presbyterian Church,
and has continued to labor until this time in Central and
Western Arkansas as an itinerant. His post office address
in 1870 was Elgin, Jackson county, Ark., where he had his
home with his youngest son, C. P. McCord.
The Synod of Illinois, n. s., met at Jacksonville, Oct. 5,
1854. That of Illinois, o. s., met at the same place Oct. il,
1854. The Presbyteries of Sangamon and Kas-
kaskia both appointed committees this year to visit Alton,
and see whether the way was open to establish there an Old
School church. Both committees fulfilled their commission,
but did not find the way open for the enterprise they contem-
plated.
YEAR 1855.
Illinois Presbytery, met at Naples, April 13, 1855. Wm.
D. Sanders was received from the Presbytery of Portage,
Ohio. E. Jenny was employed as Presbyterial missionary
for another year at a salary of five hundred dollars. Jo-
seph M. Grout, minister, and Samuel Crawford, elder, were
appointed commissioners to the next Assembly. The fall meet-
ing was held at Carlinville, commencing Sept. 20, 1855. J*
M. Sturtevant and Charles B. Barton were dismissed to the
Morgan Association. Cyrus L. Watson was received from
the Presbytery of Schuyler. " The Presbytery Reporter"
was commended to the patronage of the churches. Presby-
tery recorded its gratification at the recovery of the Black-
burn fund, and the now promising prospect of building up a
theological school at Carlinville in accordance with the orig-
inal plan of Dr. Blackburn.
William D. Sanders was born in Huron county, Ohio,
October 2, 1821. After receiving his primary education he
studied at Huron Institute at Milan, Ohio, and in 1845 grad-
28
450 PRESBYTERIANISxM IN ILLINOIS.
uated at Western Reserve College. The next three years he
was principal of Richfield Academy in Summit county. In
1848 he entered Hudson Theological Seminary. During his
connection with the seminary he spent over a year in raising
money to rescue the institution from financial difficulties. In
this he was eminently successful. In 185 1 he married Miss
Cornelia R. Smith, of Cleveland. He was ordained by the
Presbytery of Portage, and took charge of the church of
Ravenna, Ohio. Three years later he accepted the chair of
rhetoric, elocution and English literature in Illinois College
at Jacksonville, and performed its duties for fifteen years.
In i864lie established the Young Ladies Athe-
naeum, a school which has acquired considerable celebrity
and received liberal patronage. He also organized and put
into successful operation the Illinois Conservatory of Music.
Besides these educational labors, he has often supplied the
pulpits of Jacksonville, and was the regular supply of Pisgah
church, Morgan county, for eight years. He has declined
repeated calls to the pastorate of churches in Chicago and
Cincinnati. He has been honored with the degree of D. D.
He has five children, two of whom are college graduates.
The Presbytery of Kaskaskia met with Galum church.
Perry county, April 13, 1855. J. L. Hawkins was dismissed
to the Presbytery of Palestine. The church of Lively's
Prairie was received. Robert M. Roberts, minister, and
Joseph T. Eccles, elder, were appointed Commissioners to
the next Assembly. Daniel Steele was ordained pastor of
the Galum church, April 16, 1855. He now resides in Ran-
toul, III. The fall meeting was held at Green-
ville, Bond county, October 8. Samuel Pettigrevv was re-
ceived from the Presbytery of St. Louis. Thomas W. Hynes
was installed pastor of Greenville church, October 10.
Lively's Prairie Church was organized December 16,
1854, with fifteen members. Elders : William Lively, the
first; John Hood, in 1858; Robert Cunningham. The post-
office was Sparta. It was dissolved by Presbytery, October
II, 1864, and its members attached to Jordan's Grove.
Samuel Pettigrew was born in Pennsylvania ; studied at
Princeton and Allegheny Seminaries; labored at Red Mills,
JOHN B. SAVE. 451
1^. Y., Carmel and Maline Creek, Mo. ; at Carlyle and San-
doval, 111.; practiced medicine at Whitehall, 111. ; supply pas-
tor at Cave Spring, Shiloh and Rockwood, 111. His home is
in St. Louis, Mo.
The Presbytery of Wabash met with Pleasant Prairie
church, April 27, 1855. John C. Campbell, minister, and
Andrew McKinney, elder, were appointed to the Assembly.
The fall meeting was held with the Long Point
church, commencing October i.
The Presbytery of Palestine met at Palestine, April 5,
1855. John A. Steele, minister, and David McCord, elder,
were appointed to attend the Assembly. The fall
meeting was held at Friendsville, October 4, 1855. John B,
Saye was received from the Presbytery of Indianapolis ; also
John L. Hawkins from the Presbytery of Kaskaskia.
John B. Saye. Of this man I have learned nothing, ex-
cept through Rev. John Crozier. Saye located at Law-
renceville and Pisgah in 1855. He had charge of these
churches in May, 1858, when he and Mr. Crozier organized
Hopewell church, about three and one-half miles north-
west of Bridgeport. Having come nearly to the close of his
usefulness in Lawrenceville and Pisgah churches, he seems
to have favored this organization as a field for himself He
gradually became entangled in a series of acts which led to
a judicial process, and to his deposition from the ministry.
He then took refuge in the Episcopal Church, and was or-
dained a deacon by Bishop Whitehouse. He finally left
them and died a few years ago in Springfield, in communion
with the Methodists. In war times he was a pronounced
" copperhead."
The Presbytery of Sangamon met at Springfield, April
6, 1855. J. V. Dodge was dismissed from the church of
Jacksonville. James Smith, D. D., minister, and J. F. Ber-
:gen, elder, were appointed Commissioners to the Assembly.
The fall meeting was held at Springfield, com-
452 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
mencing Sept. 14. The Free Portuguese church of Spring-
field was taken under the care of the Presbytery.
Alton Presbytery held an adjourned meeting with the
Monticello church, Jan. 18, 1855. "The church of Christ in
Monticello " presented a request to come fully into connec-
tion with the Presbytery, as a regular Presbyterian church.
Their request was granted. Wellington W. Wells, licentiate^,
was examined and ordained as pastor of Monticello church..
Wellington W. Wells was born at Hanover, Ohio, July
14, 1829. Parents moved from Connecticut to Ohio, in 18 10.
Presbyterians. Educated at Marietta College, and at An^o-
ver and Lane Seminaries. Licensed by Cincinnati Presby-
tery in 1852. Ordained as above, Jan. 18, 1855, over the
Monticello Presbyterian church. At a previous hour of the
same day that church had come into full connection with
Alton Presbytery. Mr. Wells was released from that charge,
Sept. 29, 1855. After leaving Alton Presbytery, in 1858, he
labored a large part of the time for several years with Wal-
tham Presbyterian church. La Salle county, residing on his-
farm which was in the parish. He was, however, at We-
nona, 111., in 1866-67, and at Vandalia, 1867-68. He has
been since at Buchanan, Mich. His labors with
the Waltham congregation were very successful. He mar-
ried Julia W. Skinner, 1854, at Marietta, Ohio. They have
two children, Wellington S., born March 30, 1854, and David
C, born July 29, 1857.
Monticello Church, Godfrey post office, Madison^
county. 111, For several reasons peculiar importance at-
taches to the history of this church. Hence I propose to
give it fully enough for complete comprehension. In doing
this I shall derive my materials from the " church manual
compiled and published by an order of Session in i860,"
from the church records, from the records of the Presbytery
of Alton, and, in relation to the church edifice, from the-
records of Monticello Seminary. It was organized in the
chapel of Monticello Female Seminary, Nov. 2, 1839, Rev.
Theron Baldwin, who was then a member of Alton Presby-
MONTICELLO CHURCH. 453
1:ery, presiding. I undoubtedly state the exact truth, when
I say the pecuHar shaping of the church's constitution was
■due alone to Mr. Baldwin. The original members were
these : Jabez Turner, from the Reformed Dutch Church,
Kinderhook, N. Y.; Timothy Turner, Jairus Burt Turner,
Ann W. Turner, Elizabeth Turner, from the Valatiaa, Kind-
erhook, Presbyterian church, N. Y.; James Howell, Ann
D'Hart Howell, Sarah Howell, from Reformed Dutch
church, Beawenburg, N. Y.; Rufus G. Turner, Mary Ann
Turner, from the First Presbyterian church, Matteawan, N.
Y., Edwin B. Turner, Congregational church, Jacksonville,
111.; Catharine Ingham, Rebecca Ingham, Elizabeth Wil-
kins, Mary E. Oilman, Calvin Godfrey, from the Presbyterian
■church, Alton ; John Mason, sr., from Congregational church,
■Castleton, Vt.; Elizabeth Howell, from Presbyterian church,
j^ew Brunswick, N. J. Eighteen persons, twelve of whom
were from Presbyterian churches, four from the Reformed
Dutch, which is Presbyterian under a different name, and
two ConCTresfationalists. With a Presbyterian organizer,
.sixteen out of eighteen Presbyterian members, one would
have expected a Presbyterian church. Martin Ash, Maria
Ash, Susan W. Miles, Caroline W. Baldwin, Benj. Ives Gil-
man, Philena Fobes, Huldah M. Sturtevant and Mary Marr,
were received on examination. This constitution
was adopted: "Art. (i) This church shall be called TJic
•Church of Christ in Monticello. (2) The business of the
church shall be transacted by a Session, consisting of the
pastor (who shall be ex-officio, Moderator) and a certain num-
ber of elders chosen by nomination. The elders shall hold
their office no more than one year, at any one time, without
.a re-election. Art. (3) The nomination of elders shall
be made by the pastor, with the consent of the Session,
not less than two weeks previous to the time for entering
upon the duties of this office, and unless objections
are publically made by at least two members of the
church in regular standing, they are to be considered
as elected. (4) In the reception of members, and all
cases of discipline, a vote of the church shall be nec-
essary to ratify the decision of the Session. Art. (5.) No
.alteration shall be made in this Constitution or in the Con-
fession of Faith, except by a vote of two-thirds of the mem-
bers present at a regularly notified meeting for this purpose."
Ecclesiastical history can scarcely furnish a match to this !
454 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
According to Art. i, there was and could be in the village,,
or precinct called Monticello, no church but this one. Ac-
cording to Art. 2, when the church had no pastor, there
could be no Session, for he was an essential part of it. The
elders were not to be chosen by vote of members, but by
nomination of pastor — Art. 3. Hence, necessarily, the elders
were the creatures of the pastor. And when the church
had no pastor, no elders could be appointed. By Art. 4,.
the Session was deprived of all real authority.
The Confession of Faith adopted consisted of nine Arti-
cles, and was thoroughly orthodox and Calvinistic. The
first elders put in office under this unique constitution were
Timothy Turner and Benjamin L Gilman. Others, down to
1854. are as follows: Abijah W. Corey, 1841; Benjamin
Godfrey, 1842; Nathan Johnson, 1845; John Mason, sr.,
1846; George Smith, 1847. The ministers have been these :
(i) Theron Baldwin, supply pastor from November 2, 1838,
till November 22, 1840. October 4, 1840, the church invited.
Mr. Baldwin to become their pastor, and instructed B. I. Gil-
man and Timothy Turner to apply to Presbytery to have
him installed. This was done, November 22, 1840. A. T.
Norton, of Alton Presbyterian church, preachd the sermon,
T. B. Hurlbijt, of Upper Alton, gave the charge to the pastor,
and T. Lippincott to the people. It was a 56v;^/-installation —
Presbyterial, inasmuch as Presbytery was consulted about it,
and agreed to Mr. Baldwin's wishes as to the individuals to
officiate, all of whom were co-Presbyters with himself — non-
Presbyterial in that the constitutional questions were omit-
ted. Nothing can be more farcical than Mr. B's.
attempts to wear, and not to wear, the Presbyterian harness.
The records of the Session during the whole of
Mr. B.'s administration are very neatly kept in due Presbyte-
rian form. From only a single entry would one suspect the
church to be anything else than Presbyterian. "July 31,
1 841, Timothy Turner was appointed (by the Session) a del-
egate to the Alton Presbytery on the ground that such dele-
gates were received on certain conditions, by said Presbytery
as corresponding members." The " conditions " referred to
are contained in a plan of correspondence drawn up by Mr.
Baldwin and foolishly adopted by the Presbytery of Alton
at its fall session in Upper Alton, 1840. That "plan" is as
follows: (i) "That we adopt the practice of receiving dele-
gates, as corresponding members, from such Congregational
MONTICELLO CHURCH. 455
and other churches within our bounds as harmonize with us
in belief of the essential doctrines of Christianity, provided
they are wiUing regularly to report to this body. (2) That
such delegates have the right not only to speak, but also to
vote on all matters which come before this body, except such
as are strictly Presbyterial. (3) That we consent to act as an
advisory council in all cases of reference which those asso-
ciated churches may bring before us." At the fall meeting
in 1867, these resolutions were repealed. But from the fall
of 1840 to the fall of 1867, they were theoretically in force,
though practically disregarded. The fact is, the Presbyterian
system is complete in itself. All foreign elements engrafted
upon it are so many excresences which have in the end to be
cut off or out. Mr. Baldwin left in April, 1844.
He was succeeded by Elisha Jenney until September, of the
same year. George Pyk- followed and remained to his death,
Jan. 22, 1846; Joseph A. Ranney from March, 1846, to Nov.,
1847; William Homes frgm June, 1848, to June, 1850; Geo.
M. Tuthill from Oct., 1850, till May, 1852; Charles Temple
from June, 1852, till June, 1854. All the above ministers
were connected with the Presbyterian Church save Charles
Temple, and all with Alton Presbytery save Messrs. Temple
and Homes. Monticello church was received by
Presbytery, according to the terms of correspondence, May
3, 1842, and thereafter represented in Presbytery and Synod
with as much regularity as any other church down to 1854.
January 18, 1855, the Presbytery of Alton met
with the ]\Ionticello church, 'fhat church presented a request
to come fully into connection with Presbytery. The request
was granted. Subsequently, but on the same day, Welling-
ton W. Wells was by the Presbytery ordained pastor of
that church according to Presbyterian usage. The church
remained in this connection until Oct. 2, i860, when the
following minute appears upon the Records of Presby-
tery : " The Alton Presbytery have received certain pa-
pers from the congregation at Monticello, in which they
express their opinion that the relation subsisting between
said Presbytery and the congregation ought to be dis-
solved. The Presbytery express their regret that such
a feeling should exist among those brethren with whom
we have lived for years on terms of the greatest friend-
ship. But as the papers inform the Presbytery, the church
/las withdrawn from our body, we erase the name of
456 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS,
the Monticello church from our roll." The manual of the
Monticello church refers to this matter thus : "In 1855, the
church united with the Presbytery of Alton, and remained in
that connection till June, i860, when the Presbytery having
ceased t€) co-operate with the A. H. M. Society, (with which
this church had co-operated since its first organization and
still preferred to co-operate ) it withdrew from Presbytery,
and resumed its original independent condition." While
under the care of Presbytery, the church was prosperous and
united. For the first year W. W. Wells was their pastor. He
was duly released frpm that charge by Presbytery, Sept. 29,
1855. In October, Rev. Albert Smith became supply pastor.
He was called to the pastorate and installed by the Presby-
tery of Alton, Nov. 22, 1856, and remained in that relation
until his death, April 24, 1863. Mr. Smith did not withdraw
from the Presbytery with his church. Very singularly the rec-
ords of the church during the period of its connection with
Presbytery cannot be foiuui. That they were duly kept there
is no doubt. Such pastors as Messrs. Wells and Smith would
not have neglected so vital a matter. Besides, they were
before Presbytery, in the spring of 1856, duly examined and
approved. In 1855, the church reported eighty members.
In 1856, ninety-one; 1857, ninety-five; 1858, ninety-three;
1859, ninety-eight; i860, one hundred and eight. In 1857,
Benj. Webster was added to the Session. Those six years
nearly, of connection with the Presbytery, were years of
union, peace and unmixed prosperity. In those years the
church edifice was erected by the trustees of the seminary,
" for the joint use of the Monticello Presbyterian congrega-
tion " and the seminary, according to a plan, dated August
10, 1857, and signed by B. Godfrey and P. Fobes, on the
part of the seminary, and B. I. Gilman and A. W. Corey,
on the part of the congregation. The title to this property
is with the trustees of the seminary. To trace the history of
this church since its witlidrawal from Presbytery does not
comport with the design of this book. While Mr. Smith lived
it prospered. His wise and steady course kept the elements
in repose. December 16, 1867, the first constitution of the
church was essentially changed. Since that time, or rather
since its withdrawal from the Presbytery, it has not been
Presbyterian, whatever else it may have been or is. Upon
the whole, the history of this church, since the death of Dr.
Smith, has demonstrated the utter absurdity of attempting
SAMUEL WARD. 45/
to build up an orthodox church which shall be z^;^-denomi-
national. Drs. Baldwin and Smith were able men. Tlicy
could hold a church to orthodox moorings by their indi-
vidual power and Presbyterian connections. Lesser men,
with no such connections, will surely fail. No church can
live and grow and be useful without some distinctive and
acknowledged system of doctrine and polity.
Alton Presbytery met at Greenville, April 19, 1855.
Sigmund Uhlfelder was received from the Presbytery of
Franklin, Mo. James R. Dunn was dismissed to the Presby-
tery of Peoria and Knox. A. T. Norton, minister, and Geo.
T. Allen, elder, were appointed Commissioners to the Assem-
bly. The fall meeting was held at Bunker Hill,
•commencing Sept. 28. Samuel Ward, licentiate, was
received from the Pataskala Presbytery, examined and
ordained on Sabbath, September 30. W. W. Wells was
released from the charge of Monticello church and W. H.
Bird from that of the church of Ducoign. John Ingersoll
was dismissed with a general letter.
Sigmund Uhlfelder was born in Markt Lenkersheim,
'Bavaria, Sept. 28, 181 8. He was educated at Oakland Col-
lege, Miss., and at Union Seminary. Ordained about 1853,
by Third Presbytery of New York. Joined Alton Presby-
tery as above, and served Marine church, Madison county.
Was dismissed from Alton Presbytery, April 4, 1857. Then
labored in Loganville, Sauk county. Wis., two years, and at
Sherrill's Mount, near Dubuque, Iowa, three years. Since
then he has resided in New York City, and been engaged
in the book business. He is now, 1879, in Germany. About
1855 he married Elizabeth Winter. His ecclesiastical con-
nection is still with the Fourth Presbytery of New York.
Samuel Ward was born in Reading, Berkshire county,
England, May 3, 1825. He was educated at Marietta Col-
lege and Lane Seminary. Ordained by Alton Presbytery,
-September 30, 1855. Was laboring at that time with the
Pinckneyville and Vergennes churches. Dismissed to Wabash
Presbytery, September 26, 1857, and supplied their churches
458 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
of Neoga, Pleasant Prairie and Unity. In 1866 he went to
Vandalia, Owen county, Ind., and labored there about two
years. September 26, 1868, he began with Claiborn church,
Vincennes Presbytery, Sullivan county, Ind., and was in-
stalled pastor within a year. Here, in sixteen months, he re-
ceived fifty-six members, two-thirds of them by examination.
By order of Vincennes Presbytery, a new church was formed
from the members of Claiborn church in Clay county,
called Howesville. With this new church Mr. Ward is still
laboring. His wife is a daughter of Isham Purdy, formerly
of Vergennes, Jacks9n county, 111., now of Ducoign. Mr.
W. has said to me — " My wife was partly induced to accept
my offer of marriage by the interesting account of my ordin-
ation in the Presbytery Reporter. Thank you for that !"
Rev. Josiah Wood officiated at his wedding, April 10, 1856.
He has four children in this, and one in the other world. His
postoffice address is Coffee, Clay county, Ind.
The Synod of Illinois, n. s., met at Vandalia, October
4, 1855. The principal measures of the meeting related to
the completion of the effort to raise the Church Erection
Fund, and the amount necessary to purchase the Presbyte-
rian House in Philadelphia. Assessments for both those ob-
jects were laid upon the several Presbyteries. The Church
Extension enterprise, designed as supplemental to the oper-
ations of the American Home Missionary Society, was
heartily endorsed, and a Synodical Committee appointed to
promote its interests. The Synod of Illinois,
o. s., met at Bloomington, October ii, 1855. Dr. Bergen
reported that he had prepared a history of the Synod down
to 1838. The Assembly was requested to erect a new Synod
in this State, to consist of the Presbyteries of Chicago, Rock
River and Schuyler, under the name of The Synod of Chi-
cago. A charter for a Synodical College, to be located at
Peoria, was presented to Synod, accepted and measures,
taken to forward the enterprise.
year 1856.
The Presbytery of Illinois met at Manchester, April
17, 1856. The Presbyterial ^lissionary. Rev. Elisha Jenney,
resigned on account of difficulties with the A. H. M. Society..
LITCHFIELD CHURCH. 459
In view of this resignation and its cause, the Presbytery
put on record : " We cannot but be alarmed that the imme-
diate occasion of his withdrawal is the unwillingness of the
A. H. M. Society still to co-operate with ecciesiastical bod-
ies in the missionary work as it has done for many years
past. It now conies to this, that we must discontinue our
itinerant missionary work or carry it forward in entire inde-
pendence of that Society.'' The Missionary Committee were
instructed to correspond with the Society, and in case they
continued to refuse co-operation, to secure as soon as possi-
ble the services of an able and efficient man to enter on this
work, to be supported by this Presbytery, and to be entirely tinder
its control. Thomas Lippincott, minister, and Samuel M.
Rannels, elder, were appointed to attend the meeting of the
Assembly. The fall meeting was held with
Pisgah church, commencing September 19. Alvin M. Dixon
was dismissed to the Presbyterian and Congregational Con-
vention of Wisconsin.
The Presbytery of Kaskaskia met at Nashville, Wash-
ington county, April ii, 1856. C. D. Martin was dismissed
to the Presbytery of Upper Missouri. A. D. Wallace, min-
ister, and Joseph T. Eccles, elder, were appointed to attend
the Assembly. Litchfield church was received. The Stated
Clerk, T. W. Hynes, was requested to write a history of the
churches in the Presbytery. The Presbyterial Academy at
Nashville was reported to be in a flourishing condition, under
the charge of Alfred N. Denny, though in debt to the amount
of fourteen hundred dollars.
Litchfield Church, Montgomery county, was organized
in the Methodist house, February 9, 1856, by Rev. R. M.
Roberts and Elders Robert Paisley and J. T. Eccles, with
these members : John M. Paden, Samuel A. Paden, James M.
McElvain, Angelina A. INIcElvain, R. N. Paden, Illinois E.
Paden, Polly M. Paden, Daniel P. Brokaw, Caroline Bro-
kaw, Lydia Jane Crawford, Martha B. Crawford, Mrs.
Isaac Skillman and Mrs. E. M. Bryan. * Elders : James
]\I. McElvain, Samuel A. Paden. Elders since appointed:
E. R. WiUard, A. E. Scott, Edward Skelton, Dr. J. D.
Smith, William Grubbs, G. M. Loughmiller, William M. Skel-
400 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
ton, Daniel W. Taylor, C. M. Gilfillen. Minis-
ters in the order of their service: P. S. Hassinger; B. H.
Charles; S. B. Smith; D. R. Todd; R. M. Roberts, 1860-
68; A. S. Foster, pastor, 1869-71; S. Irvin McKee ; A. J.
Clark; D. W. Evans, commenced April 7, installed May 12,
1878, and still remains. Before the erection of
the present house, services were held in what was then known
as " Cumming's Hall." The present house was erected
about 1858, and cost about four thousand dollars. There
have been received to the church about two hundred
and forty members. ^. When the Session appointed
a chorister, on a certain occasion, they expressed the hope
that he " would sing a reasonable number of old tunes ! ''
A member, who was neglecting public worship,
gave as the reason for so doing, that the present supply voted
for Abe Lmcoln for President. For other misconduct that
member was afterwards excommunicated.
The Presbytery of Kaskaskia met at Hillsboro, Octo-
bery 4, 1856. Blackburn Leffler was dismissed to the Pres-
bytery of Indianapolis. A. A. Morrison was received from
the Presbytery of Hocking. James Stafford was dismissed
from the pastorate of the Sugar Creek church. The TJis-
sionary Committee were directed to continue efforts to se-
cure the services of a Presbyterial Missionary. Samuel Pet-
tigrew was dismissed to the Presbytery of St. Louis.
Wabash Presbytery met with New Providence church,
Edgar county, April 25, 1856. Hillery Patrick was dismissed
to the Presbytery of Alton. J. C. Campbell was elected
Commissioner to the next Assembly. The fall meeting was
held at Danville, commencing September 26.
The Presbytery of Palestine met at York, 111., April 3,
1856. John Crozier, minister, and A. M. Vance, elder, were
appointed to attend the Assembly. The fall ses-
sion was held at West Urbana, commencing October 9. N. S.
Palmer was received from the Presbytery of Madison. Diffi-
culti^es in the church at West Urbana led to an adjourned
meeting at Paris during the Session of Indiana Synod at
NATHAN S. PALMER. 46 1
that place, and also to another adjourned meeting at West
Urbana, November 1 1. At this meeting the difficulties were
finally adjusted.
Nathan S. Palmer.
By his daughter, jNliss Alice R. Pahner.
My father began his life, ?^Iay 15, 1 821, in Highland county^
Ohio. He was the son of Thomas and Ruth Palmer, both-
eminent for their Christian characters, and one of a large
household of brothers and sisters. His mother died in 1844 ;
his father in 1 861, aged eighty-two. He made the Christian
profession at the age of twenty-one, in the Indian Creek
church, near Logansport — the church of which his father,
and for many years after his brother, Jonathan, were elders.
The moral influences of his Christian home gradually turned
his thoughts to the work of the ministry. Accustomed to
meet difficulties, innured to toil, the embarrassments in the
way of his education did not deter him from the purpose
formed. At the age of twenty-three my father entered Han-
over College and completed the usual course of study in
1848. His theological studies were pursued for a time at
the New Albany Seminary, and completed under Dr. N. L.
Rice in Cincinnati. He was licensed by the Presbytery of
Madison, 185 1. He was ordained at New Albany, 1852. His
first field of labor was at North Salem, in the Crawfordsville
Presbytery. He then removed to Carpentersville and la-
bored for a year. From Carpentersville he was called to
New Washington, Clark county, where he spent three years,,
until invited to take charge of the church of Grandview, 111.,
near Paris. Says a brother minister : " Here for two years
he did the work of a pastor with great acceptance to the peo-
ple and with successful results in the church. The enlargement
of the congregation, the membership and all the moral forces of
the church witnessed the approval of the Master. Forty mem-
bers were received into this church at one time." More than
one hundred additions to the church were made during his-
pastorate here. In 1858, he was invited to take
charge of the church at Brazil, Ind. He accepted the invi-
tation and with his accustomed faithfulness and love for his
work toiled on as long as health permitted. During his pas-
torate here he labored almost incessantly for the building of
a church edifice. Besides subscribing- all that he was able
462 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
to this house, on more than one occasion, when hands could
not be obtained, he hauled brick, and assisted the carpen-
ters in their work. It became apparent that this double
labor and anxiety were more than he could long carry.
Hence with a. view to resting and restoring his health, if
possible, he removed to Franklin in 1863. For about seven
years he engaged in the service of the American Tract
Society. During the first five years of his labor for this
cause, he preached as supply for several neighboring con-
gregations, and by his labors aided to his fullest ability vari-
ous young and struggling churches. He was
married in 185 1, to-'Miss S. C. Young, daughter of Thomas
D. Young, of Hanover, Ind. This lady is a niece of Rev.
W. W. Martin, himself one of Indiania's pioneer ministers,
and the father of seven sons and sons-in-law, who were
preachers and missionaries in the Presbyterian Church,
The children of N. S. and Susan C. Palmer, are
William Martin, born Aug. 8, 1853; Alice Ruthela, born
April 4, 1856; Charles Newell, born Oct. i, 1857; Kittie
Emma, born Feb. 9, i860; Martha Margaret, born Oct. 29,
1 86 1, and Kattie Clare, born Aug. 10, 1866. Both of the
sons died in infancy, but the daughters are all spared, we trust
to become a comfort and support to their mother in her
declining years. My father gently departed from
his earthly home in Franklin, Ind., Tuesday morning, Nov.
25, 1873. From his funeral sermon preached by the Rev.
S. E. Wishard, I make the following quotation :
" His work of preaching was about done before I came to
this church, hence I have known him more as a hearer. He'
was one of those brethren to whom it is a privilege to bring
the message of the gospel. He came to this house of wor-
ship to feed on the word of God, not as a critic, but as
one hungry and thirsty. His prayers, his words, his life,
were helpful to this church and pastor. These he gave us
as long as life remaimed. Knowing how he lived, you would
scarcely ask how he died. Every one who has seen his life
could anticipate the manner of his departure. A few hours
before his death he said to me while at his bedside: * It is only
to trust all, to resig)i all, nothing more is needed.' His de-
parture was almost like a translation, so painless, apparently,
and so instantly accomplished. He has gone a little before
us. A faithful minister, a loving brother has ' fought the good
fight ; kept the faith ' — has entered into rest to go no more
NATHAN S. PALMER. 4G3
out forever." Says Rev. S. E. Barr, who was in-
timately associated with my father in college and often in
their ministerial works : " As a preacher of the Gospel,
Brother Palmer was earnest, faithful and instructive. Lov-
ing Christ, he loved to preach Christ, and many who heard
the truth from his lips will bear testimony to his edifying
and comforting expositions of the word of God."
Every one who has ever spoken to me of my father,
has noted several characteristics, which were so prominent
as to have been remarked by his children, though they were
all very young at the time of his death. His
mildness and gentleness of disposition were noticeable.
My mother says that upon only two occasions, during
her twenty-three years of married life, did she see her
husband "out of temper." His white heat of anger lost its
■earthly dross at the throne of grace, and became only a
righteous hatred of wrong and a stronger determination to
uphold and protect the right. From the time of
liis conversion my father always laid aside as God had pros-
pered him, a certain per cent, of his income for charitable
purpose. He remembered every one of the Presbyterian
Boards as they seemed to him of relative importance.
Though he never omitted an opportunity to give religious
instruction to the poor and needy, he deemed it his first duty
to, as far as possible, relieve their physical wants.
A third trait I would mention, namely, his effort and
success in obeying Christ's command to keep " unspotted
from the world." From every place or act of doubtful
amusement, from every word of ridicule that might hurt the
feelings, or injure in the slightest degree his neighbor's repu-
tation, from every word or jest written or spoken, that tended
€ven faintly to lower the tone of his own mind or that of
another, from every transaction that was not perfectly hon-
est and liberal toward others he carefully refrained. His
whole life as witnessed day by day in my childhood has led
me to believe that such a plane of beauty and purity of
character as was reached by my father, can only be attained
by those who are in constant communion with the Creator
of all beauty and purity.
At a called meeting of Sangamon Presbytery, held at
Springfield, February 19, 1856, Antonio De Mattos was re-
464 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
ceived from the Free Presbytery of Glasgow, Scotland. The
regular spring meeting was held at Springfield, commencing
May 4. J. V. Dodge, minister, and J. L. Lamb, elder, were
appointed to attend the Assembly. The Portuguese churches
of Jacksonville and Springfield, under the care of the Free
Church Presbytery of Glasgow Scotland, were, on applica-
tion, received. The latter is to be known as the " Second
Portuguese church of Springfield." The fall
meeting was held with Irish Grove church, September 9.
John H. Brown, D. D., was received from the Presbytery of
West Lexington. Also Noah Bishop, from the Presbytery
of Miami. James -Smith, D. D., was released from the pas-
toral charge of the First church of Springfield, December
17, 1856, at a meeting of the Presbytery called for the pur-
pose.
John H. Brown, D. D., was born at Greensburg, Ky.,
March 26, 1806. He was religiously trained and educated.
He studied theology under Rev. Dr. Clelland, and entered
the ministry when about twenty-one years of age. He first
served the church of Richmond, Ky., where he was minister
for twelve years. He was then called to the McCord church
of Lexington, where he also remained twelve years. He
afterward supplied the Central church of Jacksonville, 111.,
for a year and an half. While there he received calls at the
same time from Memphis, Tenn., and from the First church
of Springfield. He accepted the latter, and remained in that
field until June, 1864. He afterward supplied the FuUerton
Avenue church of St. Louis. He was then called to the
Thirty-first street church of Chicago, where he labored with
great usefulness till his death, which took place February
23, 1872, in the sixty -sixth year of his age. He
was a man of great pulpit-power. He had a clear, logical
mind, and in deliberative assemblies few equals. He sus-
tained himself in a discussion before Presbytery with that
celebrated controversialist. Dr. Robert J. Breckenridge, and
carried the decision of the question in his favor. He con-
ducted the correspondence in the celebrated debate between
Dr. Rice and Alexander Campbell with acknowledged abil-
ity. Dr. Rice pronounced him one of the finest sermon-
izers of his time.
MISSIONARY REPORT. 465
Noah Bishop Avas born in Litchfield, Milton parish, in
about 1809. He fitted for college at Goshen Academy, Ct.,
and graduated at Yale College in 1833. He preached sev-
eral years for Union and West Union churches in Morgan
county, 111. Went to Missouri in 1868 or 1869, and settled in
Ironton, but had no ministerial charge. He died there, Sep-
tember 22, 1869. He left one son — J. N, Bishop — who re-
sides in Ironton, Mo., and two daughters. The name and
address of the eldest daughter I cannot give. The youngest
is Mrs. Belle Moser, of Ironton, Mo.
The Presbytery of Alton met at Mt. Vernon, April 3,
1856. A. S. Avery was received from the Presbytery of
Indianapohs, and Albert Smith from Tolland Association,
Connecticut. The Missionary report was presented and
adopted, and from it I here present the following extract :
" Up to this time, or until Mr. Stewart's labors closed, the
middle of January last, the Missionaries of this Presbytery-
have acted under a commission from the A. H. M. S. Until
two years past, their commissions have been co-extensive
with our bounds. That Society has not only permitted them
to labor under the direction of this body, but has repeatedly
expressed their approbation of the arrangement, their full
conviction of its utility, and their high satisfaction with
its results. Now, however, for reasons best known to them-
selves, they refuse to do this, and insist that every mission-
ary should have certain specified places in his commission,
where he is expected to confine his labors. At one of these
he must reside — i. e., the Society has virtually aimed a death-
bloiv at our Presbyterial Missions, At the same they are un-
derstood to be extremely anxious to put into our field an
agent of their own, to do lord, salary the work which your com-
mittee have been doing for sixteen years gratuitously ; and
to supersede, or transfer to their own hands, that pioneer work
of exploration, of supplying destitutions, of organizing new
churches and of nursing feeble ones, which has hitherto been
the business of our missionaries. If we submit
to this we come under the complete control of a Society out-
side of our Church — we deprive ourselves entirely of the
power of extension as a denomination — we may not even
nurse our feeble churches without that Society's permission ;
and we must be content to let the duty and the privilege of
29
466 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
extending Jesus Christ's kingdom over our wide borders, pass
into the hands of a body over which we not only have no con-
trol, but in the management of which we have no voice.
Shall we submit to this ? Your committee say — No ! most
emphatically. Our duty to our God — our own ministerial vows
— our duty to the perishing around us, and our regard for our
own beloved Zion, forbid it. Your committee therefore pro-
pose to employ two missionaries under tJic sole and only direc-
ttion of his Presbytery, with no commission from any other
source save the Lord Jesus Christ, i. The Rev. E. Jenney,
for one year from the first of January last, for five hundred
dollars, and his necessary traveling expenses, to labor espe-
cially as an evangelist, in strengthening our feeble churches.
2. Rev. J. Gordon, from the 24th of this month, on the same
terms, to labor as a pioneer, and more especially on our lines
of railroad. It is expected that, as opportunity serves, these
two missionaries will co-operate, and render to each other
mutual assistance. They will also furnish a full report of
their labors, at least once a quarter, to be spread out before
our churches in the columns of the Reporter. Presbytery
will perceive that this involves an expenditure of from eleven
to twelve hundred dollars. Of this amount two individuals
now stand pledged for five hundred dollars. Mr. Jenney is
employed on that foundation. The remainder must come
from our own congregations. We have seven churches which
are self-sustaining. The principal burden — if burden it can
be called — will come on these seven churches. The Mis-
sionary churches are bound by the commissions which their
ministers hold, to take up a collection, annually, for the So-
ciety which aids them. This we should expect them to do,
and not to pay the collections, as heretofore, into the treas-
ury of the Presbytery. We hope, however, and expect, that
divers of their members will take such an interest in this
Presbyterial Home Mission operation as to afford it a liberal
support, and that without prejudice to the A. H. M. S. The
plan now proposed by your committee involves no departure
from our policy for sixteen years. But this re-affirmation of
that policy is rendered necessary, by the altered course of
the Society Our Presbyterial Missionaries will, as before, be
under our sole and exclusive direction. Our operations will
be twice as extensive as previously — two men being em-
ployed instead of 07ie — and our collections and expenditures
will be increased in a still larger ratio. We hesitate not to
ALBERT SMITH, D. D. 467
rsay that the adoption of this scheme will secure for Home
Missions from our field fully three times as much as has been
raised in any previous year. To the two individuals — A. M.
Blackburn and S. L. McGill — who have promised the five
hundred dollars, our special thanks are due. It is their be-
nevolence which makes the enlargement proposed practica-
ble. At the same time not only is no harm done to the
Home M: S., but a positive benefit. For if something be
subtracted from what has hitherto been counted to their
treasury, we virtually more than replace it by relieving them
of the support of two missionaries ; and at the same time throw
directly into their treasury the collections from all our Mission-
ary churches." A called meeting was held at Car-
bondale, June 17, 1856, and measures taken to establish Car-
bondale College.
Abraham S. Avery was born in East Lyme, Ct., 1792.
He was not a graduate. Studied theology with a private
minister. He joined Alton Presbytery, April 4, 1856. He la-
bored some months with Metropolis church in Massac county,
111. He was dismissed from Alton Presbytery to that of
Pataskala, Ohio, April 7, 1859. He died, very poor, at Law-
renceburg, Ind., September 3, 1868, aged seventy-six. In
1870 the widow and two daughters were residing at the place
of his death. He was thoroughly consecrated to the work of
the ministry.
Albert Smith, D. D., son of Henry and Phoebe (Hender-
son) Smith, was born in Milton, Vt, February 17, 1804.
After leaving school, till he was twenty-one, he wa§ engaged
in a store in Vergennes. He then went to New York, with a
view of engaging in the mercantile business as a pursuit for
life. But finding no satisfactory opening, he went to Hart-
ford, Ct., where he commenced a course of study prepara-
tory to entering upon the profession of the law. During
that winter — 1826-27 — ^^ experienced a change of heart,
which also brought a change in his views of life, and led
him to turn his attention to the ministry. From that time,
with a view of qualifying himself for college, he spent sev-
eral years in teaching, till he entered Middlebury College, Vt.,
in 1829, at which institution he graduated in 183 1. In 1835
468 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
he graduated also at Andover Theological Seminary, and in
1836, having been licensed by Andover Congregational As-
sociation, he was ordained by a Congregational council,
and settled as pastor over the Congregational church at
Williamstown, i\Iass. Here he remained some three years,
when, in 1839, he was called to the professorship of lan-
guages in Marshall College at Mercersburg, Pa. Thence, in
1841, he was called to the chair of rhetoric and oratory in his
Alma Mater at Middlebury, Vt. In 1845 he re-
turned to the work of the ministry, and was settled as pas-
tor of the church in-Vernon, Ct., where he remained, till com-
pelled by his declining health, to remove to the West in
1854. He spent the winter of 1854-5 ^^ Peru, Ind., in sup-
plying the church there. The ensuing summer he spent in
Ducoign, in the southern part of the State of Illinois, In the
fall of that year he was settled at Monticello, 111., where he
died, April 24, 1863, of ossification of the heart.
Dr. Smith was married to Miss Sarah Stoddard, of North-
ampton, Mass., a sister of the well-known missionary. Rev. D.
T. Stoddard. She, with two sons, survive. ]Mr, Smith was
brother to Henry Smith, D. D., and step-son to Joel H. Lins-
ley, D. D., each of whom had been a President of Marietta
College. The degree of D. D. was conferred upon him by
the Baptist College of Upper Alton, while he was residing at
]\Ionticello. His son, Arthur, graduated at Union College
and is a minister. His other son, C. Stoddard Smith, in 1870
was residing in Springfield, 111.
The Presbytery of Alton met with Spring Cove church,
at the village of Summerville, INIacoupin county, Sept. 25,
1856. Joseph S. Edwards was received from the Presbytery
of Hamilton. The churches of Shipman, Centralia. Pana
and New Ducoign were received. The name of "Union"
church was changed . to that of the " First Presbyterian
church of Plainview." Hillery Patrick was received from
the Presbytery of Wabash. N. A. Hunt was dismissed to
Morcran Conference.
Joseph S. Edwards was born at Manlius, Onondaga
county, N. Y., Nov. 6, 18 18. He was the only son of Rev.
Joseph Edwards, who was pastor of the Presbyterian church
JOSEPH S. EDWARDS. 469
in Manlius, Onondaga county, N. Y., and who could trace
back his ancestry to a brother of President Jonathan Ed-
wards. He was educated at Oberhn College and Lane
Seminary. He was licensed Oct. 5, 1842, and ordained
May 19, 1845, by the Presbytery of Athens, Ohio. He
joined Alton Presbytery as above. He was dismissed to
Cleveland Presbytery, April 19, 1867. While in Alton
Presbytery he labored at Jerseyville, as supply pastor, but
was absent several years before taking his letter. He has
labored in quite a number of places in the last fifteen years
and largely as an evangelist. Among these places are
Plymouth, Wakeman, East Cleveland, Elyria, Norwalk and
Milan. He was a very able preacher, and very successful in
winning souls. Though mild in temper, and pleasant in man-
ner, he was a most uncompromising opponent of slavery, and
sometimes stirred up fierce opposition among those who had
a warm side toward that institution. But the Lord greatly
owned his labors. He was a very large man.
In a letter dated August 16, 1870, he says: " I have been
constantly increasing in weight since I was twenty-eight-
years of age, and now weigh three hundred and eighty
eight pounds, and yet I labor almost constantly in the pul-
pit." His height was fully six feet. He died in
Cleveland, Ohio, Oct. 17, 1876, aged fifty-eight years, eleven
months and eleven days. He has left a widow and several
daughters.
Shipman Church, Macoupin county, was organized Sab-
bath, August 3, 1856, by A. T. Norton, one of the Commit-
tee of Presbytery, with these ten members : John Jay Green,
Mrs. Virginia T. Green, Joseph S. Rogers, Dorothea Meri-
wether, Mrs. Jenny Law, Miss Elizabeth Law, Mrs. Mildred
Floyd, Miss Frances Pollard, A, F. Pope, Mrs. Margaret
Jane Pope. Elders : John Jay Green and A. F. Pope, the
first. Since appointed : Haliburton Parks, L. A. Williams,
Martin Olmsted, C. B. Preston, Morris H. Lee, Aaron Mey-
ers, 1874. Ministers: In the first four years several differ-
ent ones served for very brief periods. About 1861, Thomas
Reynolds began his labors and continued till 1865 ; Eli W.
Taylor, 1866; Wm. R. Adams, 1870-74, was pastor; Gideon
C. Clark, 1875 ; Eli W. Taylor supplied at intervals after his
/first coming to Shipman, in 1866, and died at his residence
4/0 PRESBYTERIAXISM IN ILLINOIS,
in that village Feb. 13, 1S79. W. R. Adams is now, 1879^
supplying this church so far as one sermon in two weeks can
do it. The church was organized in the upper story of a
ware-house. The present edifice was built in 1862, and cost
$2,000. Of this amount three hundred dollars was a dona-
tion from the Board of Church Erection.
The First Presbyterian church, Pana, 111., was organized
under authority of Alton Presbytery, n. s., by Rev. Joseph
Gordon, Sept. 21,^-1856, with these eight members, viz.:
Franklin L. Saunders, Mrs. Mary J. Saunders, Mrs. Caroline
Tunison, Robert Alexander, Mrs. Martha J. Patton, Miss
Martha Patton and ]\Irs. Mary J. Price. At the time of the
dedication, Sept. 3, 1876, all these eight still survived. Five
of them remained as members of the church, and were pres-
ent at the dedication ; one had taken a letter to Iowa, one
to Missouri, and one had united with a Baptist church near
her home in the southwestern part of Shelby county.
The labors and struggles of the few in the day of
small things were many and severe. In 1855,
Rev. Joseph Gordon, a Missionary, in the employ of the
Alton Presbytery, was called by his duties through the laid
out, but as yet unbuilt, town of Pana. There being no pub-
lic house he found entertainment at the residence of Mrs.
Martha J. Patton. The supposition of the family that they
were entertaining a minister proved true, and Mrs. Patton
was rejoiced to find in him a minister of her own beloved
Presbyterian -church. Soon after, it was found
that Mr. F. L. Saunders, another of the few citizens of Pana,
was a Presbyterian. A few others were discovered. Mr.
Gordon was invited to come and preach. This he did, deliv-
ering his first discourse April 23, 1856. The preaching place
was in a little house about sixteen by sixteen, owned by
M. S. Beckwith, and used as a ware-room. It stood on the
alley west of the first church house. Arrangements were
made for Mr. Gordon to preach occasionally, and then
steadily. At his first visit the project of building was
mooted and a subscription started. As there was then no
church organization, a religious society Avas organized and
trustees appointed to serve until a church could be form-
ed and reported to Presbytery. They were John M. Patton,
Franklin L. Saunders, I\I. B. V. Stryker, C. H. Tunison and
PAX A CHURCH. 47 I
Mason French. A building committee was also elected, con-
sisting of John M. Patton, Milan S. Beckwith and F. L.
Saunders. Mr. Saunders was the only one of the trustees
and building committee who was then or ever became a
church communicant. This made Mr. Saunders' duties par-
ticularly onerous and difficult; for while with him church in-
terests were paramount, with his associates they were sub-
sidiary. David A, Neal, of Boston, Mass., one of
the proprietors of the town, donated the lot on which the
church was built. It is eighty by one hundred and sixty feet
on Locust between north Second and north Third streets.
The church erection committee loaned five hundred dollars.
The subscription amounted to about $l,200. With this pro-
vision the building committee undertook to erect a house
thirty-four by fifty feet, sixteen foot story with bell tower.
They made a contract with Thomas B. Hickman for $2,IOO
to erect and complete the structure by Jan. i, 1857. The
building, however, was not completed until the fall of 1857.
Meantime, on June 13 of that year, a terrible tornado swept
over Pana, destroying many buildings and partly unroofing
and otherwise greatly damaging the yet unfinished church.
The contractor contended he was not in fault, and could not
be held responsible. The majority of the trustees sided with
him; so that repairing the damages caused by the storm was
a new tax upon the congregation. At length, however, the
structure, though never strong and substantial, was so far
completed as to be used. It was dedicated by Rev. Joseph
Gordon, Sept. 19, 1857. In all the long and severe struggle
to secure this first house of worship, F; L. Saunders was the
only active male member. The drafts it made upon his
time and purse were constant and great. On the
Sabbath next succeeding the dedication, Alton Presbytery
met in it. The first recorded meeting of Session was held
Oct. 16, 1857, when two members were received by letter
and three by examination. The storm of the
17th of June, 1857, checked the hitherto rapid growth of the
town, and the financial crisis of the fall of the same year,
brought it to a complete stand-still. In 1858 another storm
so racked the house that the entire plastering had to be re-
newed. This w^as done mainly at the expense of F. L. Saun-
ders. In March, 1868, a third tornado passed
over Pana, damaging many buildings. The cupola of the
church was blown off and the side stove in by the blow-
4/2 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
ing against it of another house roof. Up to
September, 1861, the total membership had been forty-four.
Of these nineteen had died, or removed, and those re-
maining were mostly females. The elders left were C, W.
Sibley and F. L. Saunders. The former had volunteered in
the army, and the latter was much of his time absent. The
little flock seemed weaker than ever. The prayer-meeting
had been removed to a private house, and the sexton's
duties were performed for a time by Mrs. C. W. Sibley. She
actually kindling the fires and ringing the bell.
From Sept., 1861, tg^ Jan., 1864, there were but seven addi-
tions, most of whom remained but a very brief period, and
one only, Mrs. H, B. Bach, until this time. In
1864 there were ten additions, five of whom still remain.
In 1865 there were nine additions, of whom
seven remain. In 1865 the house was again
repaired, painted within and without, and the church acquired
new vigor and hopefulness. July i, 1866, Wil-
lard P. Gibson began his labors here, and was ordained pas-
tor of the church on the third of October following.
Up to the coming of Mr. Gibson, the church had
never been favored with regular preaching oftener than on
each alternate Sabbath. For a considerable period the Bap-
tists had occupied the house. With Mr. Gibson a new
era commenced. Preaching was had every Sabbath by a
pastor residing among his people, and the church began to
develop in usefulness, intelligence and independence.
Though still receiving aid from Home Miss'ons, their con-
tributions to that cause amounted to more than one-half
their receipts therefrom. Mr. Gibson remained until the fall
of 1870. Since Jan. i, 1870, the church has been self-
sustaining. January i, 1870, Rev. John Kidd,
commenced preaching to the church as supply pastor, and
soon after removed to Pana with his family. He continued
in the same relation until January i, 1874, when he was suc-
ceeded by Rev. R. M. Roberts. In February, 1875, Mr.
Roberts called the officers of the church together and urged
upon them the absolute necessity of erecting a new house
of worship. After a long and anxious consulta-
tion, a resolution was passed that if the church would clothe
the Session and Trustees with power to sell the present site
and buy another, leaving them unhampered as to location,
or cost of building or plan, they would undertake the enter-
PANA CHURCH. 473
prise. At a meeting of the church held Feb. 17, 1875, the
authority was given, the site to be approved of by the church.
The committee at once went to work. After much negotia-
tion a site was selected, seventy by one hundred feet, cor-
ner of North Third and Maple streets. The church con-
firmed the selection by a vote of thirty-five to four.
As a compromise between the one-story and the two-
story church, the committee decided on a plan submitted by
Elder T. W. Lippincott, for a building forty by eighty feet,
with side entrances and a sliding partition cutting off thirty-
two feet for Sabbath school room, with sociable room above.
A sub-committee on finance, consisting of R. C. Coyner,
J. S. Veeder and S. W. Bird, were appointed, and a con-
struction committee composed of T. W. Lippincott, S.
P. Johns and D. C. McLeod. The financial labor was
divided, giving the ladies the responsibility of raising
money for the interior and through the Sabbath school
for a bell of five hundred pounds. All engaged with a will,
and notwithstanding stress of times, poor crops and bad
weather, the new church was dedicated, practically free from
debt, September 3, 1876, The cost was for lot fifteen hun-
dred dollars, for the structure ^10,500. The bell,
which hung in the first church edifice, is now doing duty for
the Lutheran church in Pana. The succession of
ministers is as follows; Joseph Gordon, who was supply pas-
tor from its foundation till June, 1858 ; then James S. Wal-
ton till June, 1859; J. Gordon served again until May, 1863 ;
he was followed by E. W. Taylor to September, 1864, when
J. Gordon returned for the third time and served until March,
1866. As mentioned already, W. P. Gibson was installed,
October 14, 1866, and continued until December, 4, 1870.
John Kidd followed as supply from January, 1871, till Octo-
ber, 1873. January i, 1874, R. M. Roberts was called as pas-
tor, and is still acceptably occupying that post.
The succession of elders is as follows : F. A. Saunders, S.
A. Call, E. B. Hartshorn, Eh F. Chittenden, Charles W. Sib-
ley (rotary plan adopted April 24, 1867), Alfred McCline,
Andrew W. Grailey, Thomas W. Lippincott, Samuel P.
Johns, Robert C. Coyner, Douglas A. Gilbert, J. S. Veeder,
Samuel W. Bird.
The First Presbyterian Church of Centralia was or-
ganized by Josiah Wood, September 21, 1856, with these
474 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
members : Thomas S. Allen, Mrs. IMargaret Allen, Phineas
Pease, Mrs. E. M. Pease, Dr. D. W. McCord, Mrs. J. E. Mc-
Cord, J. G. Buggraf, Mrs. Eliza Buggraf, H. C. Pease, John
Templeton, Mrs. Margaret Benson, Mrs. Susan B. Storer,
Mrs. Harriet Bailey. Elder: Phineas Pease. Elders since
elected: A, P. Merriman, September i6, i860; W. S. Rob-
ertson, October, 18, 1863; Anthony Styles, 1864; S. N.
Blythe, August 6, 1866; R. R. Woodward, January 26,,
1868; Alonzo Tufts, January 26, 1868; Seth S. Andrews,
November 17, 1872; David Van Benthuysen, November 17,^
1872; Edwin S. Cpndit, January 4, 1874; William Bailey,
January 4, 1874; Charles P. Tyson, January 4, 1874; Sam-
uel M. Walker, March 7, 1875 ; James K. Bahm, June 25,
1876; C, H, Tatman, January 29, 1877; James Y. Toppings
January 29, 1877; John A. Malone, January 29, 1877.
Ministers : Josiah Wood held the first religious services
at the Centralia House, December 24, 1854. He held the
second service at the same place, March i, 1855, and from
that time preached every alternate Sabbath at the Centralia
House until the spring of 1856, when the meetings were held
in a school house on Locust street. Joseph Gordon, 1856;.
Rufus Patch, licentiate, 1858; J. S. Edwards, 1859; Thomas
Sherrard, i860; Charles F. Beech, 1864, pastor; J. W.
Stark, 1866; Edward Scofield, 1870; J. G. Rankin, 1872; P.
S. Van Nest, 1873, W. L. Boyd, 1876; J. M. Green, April,.
1878, pastor, and still continues.
The church edifice was erected on corner of Hickory and
First North street, and dedicated April ii, 1858. Rev. A.
T, Norton, D. D., preached the sermon. The house cost
^2,228, of which five hundred was from Church Erection.
The parsonage was erected about 1865, and
cost thirty-five hundred dollars. The church became self-
supporting about 1864.
The First Presbyterian Church of New Ducoign was
organized by Joseph Gordon, September 14, 1856, with these
members: Alvah I. Sprague, Mary Sprague, Harriet E. Keyes,
Edwin N. Smith, Sarah Smith, Lucius B. Skinner, George S.
Smith, Juliana Smith, Jane Smith, Jane Hunt. Elder first Geo.
S. Smith. Elders since: Lewis Dyer, M. D.,Aug. 14, 1858;
Moses H. Ross, August 14, 1858; Russell Tuthill, George M.
Hinckley, Reuben Berry, January 6, 1867; William H.
NEW DUCOIGX CHURCH 475
Holmes, October i, 1876. Present session — 1879 — Holmes,
Hinckley, Smith. Ministers: W. S. Post, November i,
1856, to November i, 1861 ; Thomas Lippincott, November
I, 1S61, to May I, 1862; Yates Hickey, June i, 1862, to-
August I, 1862; James Stafford, August i, 1862. to April i,
1864; J, Jerome Ward, April, 1864, to April, 1S66; Joseph D.
Barstow, November 26, 1865, to November 26, 1867; Josiah
Wood, November, 1867, to May i, 1868; Peter S. Van
Nest, May i, 1868, to July 23, 1871 ; Edward F. Fish, No-
vember 30, 1 87 1, to March i, 1878, pastor; Charles T. Phil-
lips, November 20, 1878, and still continues.
The parsonage was a legacy to the church from Mrs. Sarah
Root, who died June 29, 1867. Its value then was about fif-
teen hundred dollars. With the recent improvements, it is
about the same now. There is a comfortable house of wor-
ship, built in 1858 at a cost of twenty-five hundred dollars.
Before its erection meetings were held in a school house.
The Synod of Illinois, n. s., met at Quincy, October 2,
1856. The Synod of Illinois, o. s., consisting,
since the last Assembly, of only the three Presbyteries of
Kaskaskia, Sangamon and Peoria, met at Springfield, Octo-
ber 9, 1856. Dr. J. G. Bergen resigned his post as Stated
Clerk, and Rev. Robert Johnston was appointed his succes-
sor. This Synod concurred with the other Northwestern
Synods in establishing the Northwestern Theological Sem-
inary.
CHAPTER XII.
-MEETINGS OF PRESBYTERIES AND SYNODS FROM 1 85/ TO
1859, INCLUDING SKETCHES OF THE CHURCHES ORGANIZED
AND THE MINISTERS COMMENCING THEIR LABORS HERE
WITHIN THE PERIOD.
Authorities : Original Records ; Auto-biographies ; Presbytery Reporter.
YEAR 1857.
The Presbytery of Illinois met at Shelby ville, May i,
1857. Joseph E. McMurray, of the Presbytery of Alton,
Edward McMillan, of the Presbytery of Shiloh, Tenn., and
John C. Downer, of the Presbytery of Belvidere, were
received. W. D. Sanders, minister, and Joseph Thayer,
«lder, were appointed to attend the Assembly.
The fall meeting was held at Springfield, Sept. 29. Caleb J.
Pitkin was received from the Presbytery of Hudson, Ohio.
Thomas Lippincott was dismissed to the Presbytery of Alton.
Edward McMillan was born Sept. 2, 1804, in Cumber-
land county. North Carolina, about seven miles from the
town of Fayetteville. His father's name was Malcolm Mc-
Millan ; his mother Joanna Jacobs, the daughter of an Eng
lish gentleman.
His paternal grand parents were zealous Covenanters and
were more or less persecuted for their devotion to civil and
religious liberty. They came from Scotland just before the
commencement of the Revolutionary war, and ardently
espoused the cause of the colonies against the oppression of
the British crown.
His father was a poor, plain, judicious, pious and liberal
man, an elder in the church, and much respected for his
practical religious character. His mother was a gay, light-
hearted woman; and, possessing a superior voice, she would,
in the absence of her husband, sing frivolous songs for the
.amusement of her children, and occasionally dance to add
EDWARD M MILLAN. 477
to their delight. When Edward was four years of age, his
mother was made a new creature in Christ, and laid aside
her frivolty ; so that when he would ask her to sing a song
such as she once did, she would burst into tears and tell
him those were wicked songs and then she would sing to
him one of the songs of Zion. His father was a staunch
friend of civil and religious liberty. In i8i2 he shouldered
his rifle, served during the war under General Jackson, was
with him at New Orleans and saw the British thoroughly
defeated. Before Edward was a year old his
parents left N. C, moved to Smith county, Tenn., and settled
on a farm. He worked on the farm with his father in sum-
mer and in winter attended to the distillery, which in those
days was the farmer's market for their corn. During the
leisure moments he had while minding the still he engaged
in studying arithmetic, in which his father aided him. Con-
vinced of its wrongfulness his father soon abandoned the
business of distilling. When Edward had entered
his seventeenth year, the few families of "like precious
faith," built a house of worship, organized a church, and
engaged the labors of Rev. Hugh Shaw. With this church
the young man united. In his eighteenth year
he commenced studying for the ministry. He first attended
a school in Wilson county, taught by Rev. Samuel DonnelL
Then another in Sumner county, taught by Rev. J. R. Bain.
He was taken under care of Shiloh Presbytery about 1825
studied theology with Rev. Geo. Newton and was licensed
Sept., 1827. He began his ministerial labors with the
churches of McMinnville and Pond Spring, in Warren
county. In 1828, he married Miss Eliza C. Donnell, a
daughter of his old preceptor. From 1829 to 1835, he
labored in Alabama, where he succeeded in building up two
large churches. About that time his wife and an infant
son were taken from him by death, leaving him with three
daughters. That they might be placed under their grand-
mother's care, he returned to Tennessee, and accepted a call
to Bethany church, in Giles county. Here he spent three
years. In 1837-38, the majority of the Session of his church
determined to go with the O. S., and required their minister
to do the same. This he refused, and demanded to have
the question submitted to a vote of the church. This was
done, and the majority agreed with their pastor, and re-
quested him to remain. This he did for another year, so far
4/8 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
as to give them one-fourth of his time. About
this time he married Miss Mary Ann Brown, who still
survives. He soon removed about twelve miles north
of Bethany, into a neighborhood where there was no
church organization, and but two persons who had been
members of the Presbyterian Church. He soon gathered
a congregation, which embraced the majorty of the citi-
zens in that section. He was agent for sev-
eral years of Jackson College, located in Columbia, Tenn.
In July, 1850, he .was installed pastor of
the N. S. church, Gallatin, Sumner county. In connection
with this pastorate lie had charge of the Female Academy of
the place. In 1855 the political horizon began to
grow murky, and Mr. McM. concluded it was his duty to
leave a country cursed with slavery. In 1856 he came to
Illinois, and took charge of the church in Carlinville. Here
he labored until July, 1862, when he accepted of the chap-
laincy of the 32d Regiment Illinois Infantry. In this new
field of labor he exhibited the true elements of a minister of
Christ, and of a Christian patriot. He was with his regiment
in its marches through Mississippi, Tennessee and Georgia.
He acted as a father to many a sick and wounded soldier.
While his regiment was at Marietta, Ga., he was attacked
with bilious fever, and died on the 27th of August, 1864, in
the sixtieth year of his age. Mr. McMillan was
the father of fourteen children, seven of whom survive him,
two daughters and five sons. He was devotedly attached to
his family ; when on a furlough from his regiment, he would
often express his gratitude to God for permitting him to be at
home once more. But dearly as he loved his family, he
loved his Master's work more. He was a doc-
trinal preacher. His habit was, during the first twenty years
of his ministry, to clearly and fearlessly discuss the funda-
mental doctrines of Christianity. He was a decided Calvin-
ist in doctrine, a Presbyterian in polity, yet large-hearted and
catholic, ready at all times to give the right hand of fellow-
ship to all followers of Christ. When the Exscinding Acts
of 1837 and 1838 were passed, his soul rose up against their
tyranny, and he unhesitatingly threw himself on the side of
the Constitution and of right. He never saw the day in
which he repented of the bold stand he then took.
CALEB J. PITKIN. 479
John Camden Downer was born at Bozrah, Ct., April 2,
1811. Graduated at Yale College in 1841. Ordained, si?ie tit-
zilo, by the New London Consociation, March 26, 1845. Home
Missionary at Elizabeth, 111., 1845-47. Supply pastor First
Presbyterian church, Freeport, 111., 1847-49. Pastor of the
same from July 10, 1849, to April 10, 1853. Missionary agent
of Peoria Synod, 1853-54. Preached in Connecticut in 1854-55.
Principal of the Literary Department of Blackburn University
at Carlinville, 111., at the outset of that institution in 1855.
Secretary and agent of same from 1856 to 1866. Supply
pastor of De Soto Presbyterian church, Mo., 1867-70. Home
Missionary in Jefferson county. Mo., with residence at De
Soto, 1 87 1, and still continues. Mr. D. has one daughter,
Lucy, who is married, and three sons.
Caleb J. Pitkin — Auto-biographical — was born In Milford,
Conn,, December 4, 1812. His ancestors were
of the Puritan stock, their settlement in this country being
at Amherst, in Mass., previous to the year 1666. The religi-
ious character and principles of the fathers have come down
in unbroken succession from generation to generation.
His education was obtained at Western Reserve
College, where he graduated in 1836, and from the theologi-
cal department of the same institution in 1839.
His call to the ministry was that, in that department of
labor he could most successfully meet the convictions of
duty. He was educated for and set apart by the prayers of
his father to that work. He was licensed in Sept.,
1839, t>y the Presbytery of Portage, and ordained over the
church in N. Bloomfield, Ohio, in Feb., 1843, by the Presby-
tery of Trumbull. He had charge of that church in all
about fourteen years. In the meantime he had charge of
the Presbyterian and Congregational churches of Sandusky
City, during the years of 1850 to 1S53. In Sept.,
1856, he removed with his family to Winchester, Scott county,
Illinois, where he had charge of the Presbyterian church for
two years. In Feb., 1859, he took charge of the
churches of Troy and Marine, in Madison county, and con-
tinued with them three years. In 1863 he took
charge of the church in Vandalia, where he continued as
supply pastor for two years. In July, 1866, he
took charge of the church in Cerro Gordo, Piatt county, and
480 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS,
for two years spent one-half of the time with the churches
of Bement and Tolono. Continued supply pastor of the
church in Cerro Gordo seven years. In 1874
was elected Superintendent of Schools for Piatt county, and
served in that office for the term of four years.
In 1878 removed to Akron, Ohio, where he is now residing,
having no ministerial charge. While in Illinois, was a mem-
ber of the Presbyteries of Illinois, Alton, Wabash and
Bloomington. From the latter he received a letter of dis-
mission to the Presbytery of Cleveland, of which he is now
a member. His second and present wife is sister
of Rev. Gideon C.Clark, lately of Greenfield, Green county,
Illinois.
Kaskaskia Presbytery met at Carmi, White county,
April 10, 1857. William R, Sim was licensed. John
S Howell, minister, and J. A. Ramsey, elder, were ap-
pointed to attend the Assembly. A called
meeting was held with Sugar Creek church, June 18. P. D.
Young was dismissed to the Presbytery of Sangamon.
Salem church was received. The fall meeting
was held at Salem, Marion county, Oct. 2. John Mack,
licentiate, was received from the Presbytery of Schuyler.
Salem Church, Marion county, was organized on the
i6th and 17th of May, 1857, by Rev. T. W. Hynes and Eld-
ers Arba Andrews, with these members: John Gibbons, Mrs.
Sarah Gibbons, R. W. Pratt, M. D., Mrs. Hannah M. Pratt,
John Mack, Mrs. Mary Ann Mack, Leonard D. Skilling,
Thomas Hughes, Mrs. Jane A. Hughes, Miss Deborah A.
Sweney, Jacob W. Mack, Mrs. Mary L. Mack, Dr. Isaac N.
Sweney. Elders : Leonard D. Skilling and Dr. Isaac N.
Sweney. Elders since elected : Arba Andrews, R. W. Pratt,
]\I. D., S. S. Andrews, B. F. Bumgardner, John Gibbon, Wil-
liam McKibbon. Ministers : John Mack, L. B.
W. Shryock, Wm. G. Thomas, Solomon Cook, Joseph War-
ren, D. D., was pastor from May 9, 1867, for three and a
half years ; R. C. Galbraith, Adam Johnston, J. E. Spilman,
D. D., supply pastor, Nov. 10, 1876. The church
was organized in the old Cumberland house. Meetings were
held there, in the new Cumberland house, and in the
JAMES M. ALEXANDER. 48I
court-house until the erection of the present brick church,
in 1869, at a cost of $3,500. Of this five hundred dollars
was from the Board of Church Erection.
The Presbytery of Wabash met with Long Point church,
April 24, 1857. Joseph Wilson, minister, and Patrick Nich-
olson, elder, were appointed to the Assembly. Trinity-
church asked and received a dismission from the Presbytery.
It became Congregational. The fall meeting was
held at Cerro Gordo, Piatt county. Samuel Ward was re-
ceived from the Presbytery of Alton. The name of " Lib-
erty Prairie " church was changred to " Cerro Gordo."
The Presbytery of Palestine met at Lawrenceville, Law-
rence county, April 9, 1857. E. R. Lynn was dismissed to
the Presbytery of Schuyler. Henry L Venable, minister,
and Findley Paull, elder, were appointed Commissioners to
the Assembly. James W. Allison was licensed.
The fall meeting was held at Newton, Jasper county, com-
mencing September 24. James M. Alexander was received
from the Presbytery of Chickasaw. The church of Friends-
ville was received. Robinson church was dissolved, and its
members attached to Palestine church. The installation of
James M. Alexander over the church of Palestine was ap-
pointed for the second Sabbath in November, but did not
take place.
James M. Alexander. Of his early history I can learn,
nothing. He commenced labor in Palestine in April, 1857.
He was with that church till May 22, 1858. Elder Findley
Paull, of Palestine, says : " Mr. Alexander opened an acad-
emy here in 1858, and was the means of bringing Stephen
J. Bovell to us as a teacher — the only good he evjr did here,
that I am aware of. When the war broke out he volunteered
as a soldier, but was afterwards appointed a chaplain and
went South. He became Colonel of a colored regiment,
and was dismissed in disgrace. He deserted his most excel-
lent Christian wife and five children, became a spiritualist,
licentious, and everything that was bad. The last I heard of
him he was living in New Orleans. His name was stricken
30
482 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
from the roll of Palestine Presbytery ; Jiow, I can't say.
They made quick work of it. Bro. Roberts, of Pana, could
perhaps, explain. Alexander's eldest son is dead. His
second is married, and engaged in farming. Two other sons
have places in Paris, Edgar county, where Mrs. Alexander
resides. Her daughter, of about sixteen, lives with her."
Friendsville Church, Wabash county, was organized
by. Revs. S. C. Baldridge and John Crozier, August 29, 1857,
in the Presbyteriari" Church at Friendsville, with these mem-
bers : J. P. McNair, M. A. McNair, Susan McNair, J. F.
Younken, Mary A. Barney, Harriet C. Younken, J. C. K.
Younken, Mary C. Younken, Augustus A. Gould, Eliza Gould,
C. B. Gould, Geo. Danforth, Emily Danforth, Mary Danforth,
Emma A, Danforth, A. M. Maxwell, Barton P. Baker, Lu-
cretia Baker, James Williams, Lucinda Williams, Ellen
Andrus, Sarah E. Williams, Elijah Harris, James McDowell,
E. P. McDowell, Sarah Wilkinson, Alice Ann Wilkinson and
Mrs. Margaret McLain. Elders : James P. McNair and Dr.
A. M. Maxwell. Elders since appointed : J. F. Youn-
ken, William McLain, Franklin Danforth, J. C. K. Younken.
Rotary eldership adopted March i, 1873, when J. C. K.
Younken, J. P, McNair and Augustus A. Gould were elected
for three years. A brick house of worship was
erected about 1848 by the families in and near Friendsville,
who were then a part of the Wabash congregation. This
house was renovated in 1875, and is still in use,
Friendsville Seminary was established under the auspi-
ces of Friendsville church and its efficient pastor. Rev. C.
S. Baldridge, the only regular minister this church has had
since its organization. This institution was opened in Sep-
tember, i860. In 1 867 the present building was finished and
occupied. In 1870 a partial endowment was secured,
which has since been increased by gifts and legacies. This
school is still in successful operation, under the wise manage-
ment of Rev. C. S. Baldridee.
Sangamon Presbytery met at Decatur, April 3, 1857.
Dawson church was received. James Smith, D. D., was dis-
missed to the Presbytery of Chicago. Dr. John H. Brown,
minister, and John Todd, elder, were appointed to attend
DAWSON AND TAYLORVILLE CHURCHES. 483
the Assembly. Arrangements were made for the installa-
tion of Antonio De Mattos, pastor of the Portuguese church
of Springfield on the third Sabbath of April inst.
The fall meeting was held at Virginia, commencing Sep-
tember 10. Taylorville and Jerseyville churches were re-
cieved. Robert W. Allen was received from the Presbytery
■of West Lexington.
Dawson Church was organized, January 23, 1857, with
these members : James Wilson, Jane Wilson, Thomas Wil-
son, John Wilson, Mary Wilson, Ann Wright, Lillias Con-
stant, Jane Constant, Mary Johnston, William Kirkpatrick
and Elizabeth Wr^ht. Elders : James Wilson, Archibald
Maxwell, John B. Wright and John Wilson. Ministers :
John G. Bergen, D. D., D. R. Todd, E. W. Thayer, A. Bar-
tholomew, W. G. Keady, B. E. Mayo. A church edifice was
erected in 1857 ^^^ cost fourteen hundred dollars. The
church has had in all eighty-three members. Dawson is
about twelve miles northeast of Springfield, on the Toledo
railroad.
Taylorville Church was organized by Rev. J. G. Bergen,
D.D., July 26, 1857, with these nineteen members: Natha-
niel Harris, Mrs. Sophronia Harris, Calvin Goudy, Mrs. Mar-
tha A. Goudy, H. D. Brigham, Mrs. Mary L. Brigham, A.
B. Harris, Mrs. Sarah Harris, Noyes Ladd, Mrs. Phcebe
Ladd, Jacob Overholt, Mrs. Abigail Torrey, Geo. W. Lash,
Mrs. Susan C. Sattley, Mrs. J. E. Chapman, Mrs. Mary Ryan,
Mrs. Harriet Ladd, Mrs. Jane Miller, Miss Sophronia Harris.
Elders: Calvin Goudy, H. D. Brigham, and Nathaniel Har-
ris. Elders since appointed : Joseph C. Smith, Samuel W.
Morrison, J. E. Montgomery, E. H. Johns, Alfred B. Harris,
Wm. W. Hall. Ministers : H. R. Lewis, John H. Harris,
Robert Rudd, L. F. Walker, Harlan P. Carson. Mr. Walker
was pastor. The church was organized in the old Cumber-
land building, where it continued to worship for several
years, and then in the Northwest school house until the
erection of the present edifice, east of the square. It was
dedicated Feb. 6, 1870, and cost, with the lots, ^6,000.
484 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
The Second Presbyterian Church, Jersey ville, was organ-
ized Aug. 16, 1857, at the residence of William J. Herd-
man, by Rev. J. G. Bergen, D. D., with these members : Wil-
Ham J. Herdman, John L. Terrill, Mrs. Jane Terrill, Mrs,
EHzabeth Jane Clendenning, Mrs. Jane J. Dunn, David R.
Herdman, Thomas M. Herdman, Adam Haynes, Mary J.
Haynes, Mrs. Ann Colean, Mrs. Sarah E. Powel, Joseph
McReynolds, Mrs. Margaret McReynolds, Thomas J. Mc-
Reynolds, Mrs. Rose Ann McReynolds, Alex. A. McRey-
nolds, Mrs. Helen M. McReynolds, William Hackney, Mrs.
Margaret Hackney, ..Miss Amanda E. Lanier, Mrs. Margaret
Potts, Miss Elizabeth Potts. The first Elders elected were
William J. Herdman, William Hackney, Joseph McReynolds.
Jan. 4, 1858, Geo, W. Potts; April 3, 1859, David E. Beaty;
March 2, 1861, A. A. McReynolds and Jeremiah Beaty;
June 3, 1876, R. A. King; April 5, 1879, Thomas J. McRey-
nolds. Ministers : Samuel Lynn, pastor ; John F. Baker, W.
H. Jeffries, J. M. Scott, pastor. The house of worship was
erected in the summer of 1858, and dedicated in the same year.
It cost between ^4,000 and $5,000 dollars. The
whole number of members that have been in connection is
one hundred and ninety-five. This church, orig-
inally Old School, has for some years been connected with
the Southern Assembly — the only one in this State having
such a connection.
Robert Welch -^llen — Auto-biographical. He was
born of pious parents, in Shelby Co., Ky., march 25th, 1817.
His parents, James and Elizabeth Logan Allen, were origi-
nally from Augusta and Rockbridge county, Va., of Scotch-
Irish descent. Robert was the youngest of eleven children,
there being six sons and five daughters. He had three
brothers who were ministers in the Presbyterian Church, viz.:
John Newton, William Graham and Archibald Cameron.
Robert, when thirteen years of age, removed with
his parents to Montgomery county, Indiana, to a farm, now
a part of the town of Waveland. He joined the Presbyte-
rian church of Waveland, Sept. 2, 183 1. He entered Wa-
bash College the day it first opened, in Dec, 1833. Gradu-
ated July, 1839. In July, 1842, received the degree of A.
^I. He was matriculated in the Theological Seminary at
Princeton, N. J., Nov., 1839. Failing in health, he left the
ROBERT W. ALLEN. 485
seminary at the close of his second year. He was Hcensed
to preach by the Presbytery of Crawfordsville, Aug. 15th,
1 841, at Thorntown, Ind. Ordained at Frankfort, Ind., by
the same Presbytery, Sept. 30, 1843. After hcensure he
spent about a month as agent for Home Missions. By invi-
tation he suppHed the churches of New Castle and Pleasure-
ville, Ky., from the ist of Nov^ember, 1841, to the ist of
April, 1842, when he returned to Indiana, and supplied the
churches of Waveland and Bethany. These churches de-
sired to make out a call for a pastoral relation ; but he
thought it not advisable to settle where so many of his kin-
dred lived, and accepted a call to the churches of Jefferson
and Frankfort, Ind., in the spring of 1844, and was installed
in June of the same year. His pastoral relation to these
•churches was dissolved Sept. 28, 1853, with the expressed
regret of all the members. But preaching steadily three
times on Sabbath and twice in the week, was too great a
labor for his health. Receiving an invitation from the Pisgah
church, Ky., in the Presbytery of Lexington, he entered this
field, Oct., 1853. This pastorate continued until April,
1857, when he accepted a call to the church of Jackson-
ville, 111., April 24, 1857. This charge he resigned in
the summer of 1867. Late in the fall he removed to
Decatur, and missionated in the vicinity of Harristown,
until in Sept., 1868, he undertook to supply the church of
•St. Charles, Mo. He continued there until Dec, 1869. In
Jan., 1870, he returned to his residence in Jacksonville, and
supplied the churches of Union and Murrayville. In this
work he continued until the 30th of Dec, 1871, \yhen the
Union church and a part of the Pisgah church were re-
organized and called Unity. This church desiring all his
time, he gave up that of Murrayville. The pastoral relation
was formed by Presbytery on Sabbath, Nov. 2, 1873. This
relation abides up to the present time, May, 1879.
Mr. Allen was united in marriage by his brother-in-law,
Rev. Samuel Taylor, to Miss Margaret A. Maxwell, daugh-
ter of Col. Samuel D. Maxwell, of Frankfort, Ind. They
have been blessed with six children, four daughters and two
sons. The eldest, a daughter, died in Frankfort, Ind., in her
seventh year. A son died in early infancy. The
Lord has enabled him to preach almost every Sabbath for
nearly thirty-eight years, has permitted him to witness sev-
■eral precious revivals, and to rejoice in the salvation of
xnany souls.
486 PRESBYTEKIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Alton Presbytery met at Cairo, April 2, 1S57. Charles
Kenmore was received from the Presbytery of Geneva, New
York. William S. Post, licentiate, was received from the
Third Presbytery of New York, examined and ordained,
sine titnlo, on the evening of April 3. Sigmund Uhlfelder
was dismissed to the Presbytery of Columbus, Wis. Joseph
Gordon, minister, and J. N. Adams, elder, were appointed
to attend the Assembly. The church of Gillespie was
received. George C. Wood was appointed on the Missionary
Committee in place of H. D. Piatt, resigned.
Charles Kenmore was born Oct. 9, 18 14, at Newton
Ards, Ireland. His father was Scotch-Irish, his mother
Scotch. Graduated at Oneida Institute, 1837, and at Union
Seminary in 1839. His first field of labor was Sodus, Wayne
county, N. Y. While there was ordained by the Genesee
Consociation. Labored at several places in Western N, Y.,
until 1856; at Dyersville, Iowa, in 1857; at Mt. Vernon and
Cairo, 111, 1857-58. On account of bronchial troubles he
went South and taught in Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia and
Florida, 1858-71. Died at Hornellsville, N. Y., June 15,
1 87 1, where his widow, Mrs. S. E. C. Kenmore, still resides.
William S. Post was born at Madison, Conn., Nov. 17,,
1823. Educated, in his own v/ords, "All along shore."
Ordained by Alton Presbytery, April 3, 1857. While a
member of that Presbytery he labored at Jonesboro, and
Carbondale, and was dismissed from it April 13, 1856. He
was two years chaplain in the army. Then he labored at
various places on the Iron Mountain Railroad, until Aug. 6,.
1869, when he renounced his baptism and ordination and
submitted to be re-baptized and re-ordained by the Baptist
Church. He has since labored mostly with a congregation
of that order in Belleville, 111. He has been
twice married. His first wife was Catharine Elizabeth Howd,
born at Durham, Conn,, in 1827. She was married to Mr.
Post July 26, 1848, and died at Carbondale, March 12, i860.
His second wife was Miss H. A. Ross, a daughter of Elder
Moses Ross, late of Ducoign, 111. She retains her connec-
tion with the Presbyterian Church, and has her childrea
dedicated to God in baptism.
GILLESPIE CHURCH. 487
The First Presbyterian Church in Gillespie, Macou-
pin county, was organized in 1856, by Joseph Gordon with
eight members. For about one year it enjoyed something
hke the stated ministrations of the word. Then it remained
almost wholly destitute until the summer of 1865. During
those years of destitution the church fell away by deaths and
removals until only three resident members were left. July
II, 1865, Rev. Wm. P. Teitsworth commenced laboring there
each alternate Sabbath. On Oct. 14, 1865, he fixed his
residence at that place, and divided his Sabbaths between
Gillespie and Staunton. As the old church was so nearly
gone, it was thought best to re-organize. This was done on
Saturday and Sabbath, Jan. 20 and 21, 1866, by Revs. W.
P. Teitsworth and A. T. Norton. The re-organized church
retained the old name, and started with thirteen members
and three elders, viz.: John D. Martin, Robert E. McNeeley
and David O. Settlemire. For a time the enterprise was
successful. But difficulties arose. Mr. Teitsworth left, and
his place was not supplied. The church had no house of
worship. The upshot thus far is that the name has been
dropped from our roll, although two or three members are
still left.
Alton Presbytery met at Pana, Sept. 25, 1857. Samuel
Ward was dismissed to the Presbytery of Wabash, and
Lemuel Grosvenor to the Windham County Association,
Conn. George C. Wood was released from the care of the
Greenville church. The church of Shoal Creek was dis-
solved, and its members attached to Bethel. A Form of
Admission to the Church was adopted. The churches of
Richview, Cumberland Precinct and Tamaroa were received.
An adjourned meeting was held at Alton, Oct.
2, at which Edward Hollister was received from the Presby-
tery of Schuyler.
Richview Church, n. s., was organized by J. W. McCord,
August 23, 1857, with sixteen members. Dr. H. B. Lucas
and James L Logan, elders. This church had a brief season
of prosperity. It undertook the erection of a house of wor-
ship, but the enterprise dragged heavily. The walls were
partly put up — it was brick — and then stood unfinished so long
488 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
that the winds and weather threw them down. IMr. McCord
left, and the enterprise failed. Dr. Lucas, one of the elders,
is still in the place, but in another church connection.
The Old School organized here — per Rev. James
Stafford — February 10, 1865, with these members: William
Cunningham, Margaret E. Cunningham, Rebecca Fesler.
Lizzie LefEler, Anna F. Williams. C. J. Bethel, Jennie K.
Bethel, Matilda Willis. Elders: William Cunningham and
C. J. Bethel. Elders since elected : Joseph Houston,
Geogre L. Lyon, Henry Newton Pettit, J. F. Walker, E. B.
Wright, George W. Cone. Ministers: R. G.
Williams, licentiate,"£ommenced with the beginning and sup-
plied the church some months. He was called to the pas-
toral charge in 1866, but was not installed. William Bridg-
man supplied from the spring of 1867, but was notified by
the Session to leave before his year expired. Elijah Buck sup-
plied in 1868. Isaac N. Candee, D. D., began here in the spring
of 1869, was installed and labored until his death, June 19,
1874. Wilham H. Rogers supplied in 1876, E. W. Clark
now serves the church a portion of his time. A good brick
edifice was erected in 1865. The same year six persons
were received from a little Congregational church which had
been established in the place, and which is now in articido
mortis. This church was in its most flourishing
condition under Dr. Candee. In 1871 its membership was
eighty-five. All the benevolent Boards were aided, Dr. C,
himself, contributing more than all the congregation. Fruit-
growing, from which much was expected in this region, has
proved a failure as a source of profit. People have moved
away and property depreciated very greatly. The church
has partaken of the general depression, and has now little
more than a name. A private school was estab-
lished here by R. G. Williams, who put up a large building,
and became greatly involved. This property was sold to S.
J. P. Anderson, D. D., who succeeded but poorly. The
building and grounds have passed into the hands of Rev, E.
W. Clark, who still continues the school.
The Presbyterian Church of Cumberland Pre-
cinct was organized by William H. Bird, February 8, 1857,
with these members: Samuel Van Horn, Maria Van Horn,
Joseph Stevenson, Henry Gruver, Ann Eliza Gruver, WilUam
TAMAROA CHURCH. 4^9
Stanford, Martha E. Stanford, Mrs. Abigail Griffith and Mrs.
Emily Stanford. Elders: Samuel Van Horn, Joseph Ste-
venson. Elders since chosen : James Gates, John G. IN'Ic-
Cormick, R. J. Pilcher, Abner Griffith, James E. Foster, Al-
fred Erving, Samuel L. Ketchum. Ministers : William H.
Bird; J. L. Riggs ; Joseph Gordon; Charles F. Halsey ;
Joseph Gordon, second time, from 1872 for about two years;
William EUers, a short time ; A. H. Parks, still in charge.
The name was changed from "Cumberland Precinct" to
" Brownstown " in 1871. The church building, erected at
Brownstown, was dedicated January 21, 1872, by Joseph
Gordon, and cost two thousand dollars. The church was
organized in the small building close by widow Abigail Grif-
fith's. This building belongs to the Griffith property, and
was used as a store when the National Road was building, z.
e., from about 1834 to 1837. It was afterwards used as a
school house, but was always private property. Meetings
were held there for ten years, or until the school house on S.
E. quarter of S. E. quarter of Sec. 4, T. 6, R. 2 E. was built in
1856. Then that school house was used until the church ed-
ifice in Brownstown was finished.
Tamaroa Church was organized by EHsha Jenney, May 24,
1857, with these members: Wm. Yates, Mrs. Elizabeth Ann
Yates, Miss Lydia Hudson, J. M. Simpson, i\Irs. Ann E. Simp-
son, Mrs. Rosemond O. Blanchard, Miss Mary Aim Yates,
Miss Adelaide Simpson. Elders : Wm. Yates, J. W. Simpson.
Elders since chosen : Oliver Alden Holt, Jedediah Lathrop,
Dr. C. M. Hughey, Townsend Blanchard, Hillery S. Patrick,
Joseph W. Haines, Providence White. Ministers: Thomas
Lippincott, 1858-62; Josiah Wood, October, 1863, to May,
1S67; Charles F. Halsey, October, 1867, one year; M. V.
B. Van Arsdale, December, 1870, to July, 1871 ; John Hus-
ton, 1872, one year ; Robert Rudd, September 6, 1874, to
thi-? time. Places of meeting: (i) Under Masonic Hail.
(2) School house. (3) Methodist church. (4) Present edifice
which was built in 1868. and cost twenty-six hundred dol-
lars. Present number of members forty-nine.
Synod of Illinois, n. s., met at Alton, October i, 1857.
The Stated Clerk, Henry C. Abernethy, resigned and Edward
490 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
B. Olmsted was appointed in his place. A Synodical
Church Extension Committee was appointed, consisting of
Georq'e I. Kinsr, William G. Gallaher, A. T. Norton and
Joseph Wilson, ministers, and Frederick Collins, David A.
Smith and J. G. Lamb, elders. This Committee was author-
ized to appoint a Secretary to take charge of the Church
Extension operations of this Synod and to direct his labors.
The Synod of Illinois, o. s., met at Hillsboro, October
8, 1857. The appeal of James Stafford from the action of
Kasksakia Presbytery, in refusing to place Trenton church on
its roll, was sustained, and the Presbytery was ordered to en-
roll that church. From this decision an appeal was taken to
the Assembly by R. M. Roberts and others.
YEAR 1858.
Illinois Presbytery met at Virden, April 8, 1858. G. C.
Clark was dismissed to the Presbytery of Alton. W. G.
Gallaher, minister, and Thomas Moffett, elder, were chosen
Commissioners to the Assembly. The fall meet-
ing was held at Jacksonville, September 9. C. G. Selleck
was dismissed to the Presbytery of Louisiana. George C.
Wood was received from the Presbytery of Alton, and ap-
pointed Presbyterial Missionary.
The Presbytery of Kaskaskia met with Jordan's Grove
church, April 9, 1858. Zion church was received. Rev.
P. R. Vanatta was employed to labor as an itinerant in the
bounds of the Presbytery. Presbytery earnestly advised
their churches to make liberal collections for Domestic Mis-
sions, and " instead of remitting the funds to the Board, de-
vote them to this home work." P. R. Vanatta was received
from the Presbytery of Rock River. An adjourned meeting
was held v/ith Galum church, August 5, at which Daniel
Steele was dismissed from the pastoral care of that church.
Peter Rulison Vanatta was born in New Jersey. Edu-
cated at Princeton College and Seminary. From 1859 ^^
1862 he was W. C. at Indianapolis, Ind. At^Lafayette in 1866,
agent of Bib!e Society, in which service he seems to have
remained until this time, and with his residence at Lafay-
ette. I get no response from him.
ZION CHURCH. 491
ZiON (German) Presbyterian Church was organized at
Fosterburg, Madison county, October 12, 1857, by Revs. J.
G. Schaible and H. Blanke, with twenty members. Up to the
fall of 1877 the church was served by three ministers — H.
Blanke, J. H. Reints and August Busch, who entered upon
their work in 1857, 1869 and 1873, respectively.
The first Elders were Fred Wortman and C. Breuken,
Afterwards P. A. Scheldt, Earnest Wortman and C. F Lob-
big. In August, 1878, the church adopted the time service
method, at the same time reducing the Board to two, C,
Breuken and P. H. Scheldt. This church has
had a membership of one hundred and thirty-nine in all from
the beginning. Its present membership is eighty-nine.
A house of worship was built soon after the organi-
zation, which cost about five hundred dollars. A parsonage
was erected at the same time at a cost of about four hun-
dred dollars. Additions have been made to the parsonage
since, so that the present value of the church property, in-
cluding house of worship, parsonage and grounds, is about
;gi,500. Since the fall of 1877, this church
was without a pastor. During the spring and summer of
1878 it was served by a licentiate, Albert F. Beyer, then a
student of Danville Seminary, whom the church elected
their pastor, and who was ordained over them May 14, 1879,
by a committee of Alton Presbytery. The church
building is situated in T. 6 N., R. 9 W., Sec. 14, N. E. quarter
of S. W. quarter of the section.
The Presbytery of Kaskaskia met at Litchfield, Oct. 8,
1858. The church of Trenton was enrolled according to the
decision of Synod, the Assembly having failed to take up
the appeal from the Synod's decision. Samuel B. Smith
was received from the Presbytery of Schuyler. Thomas W.
Hynes declining to serve longer as Stated Clerk, R. M. Rob-
erts was appointed to that post. The churches of Xenia
and Mason were received. The name of Bethany church was
changed to Staunton. An adjourned meeting was held with
Jordan's Grove church, Nov. 19, at which, on the 20th, Wm.
R. Sim was ordained over the churches of Jordan's Grove
and Lively's Prairie. B. H. Charles was received from the
Presbytery af Transylvania.
492 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Samuel B. Smith was born in Gettysburg, Pa., in March,
1806. Educated at Dickinson College, Pa. Spent two years
in Princeton Seminary, 1824-25. Was a Home Missionary in
Ohio, Missouri and Illinois. Resided several years in Alton,
111., preaching so far as infirm health would permit. He re-
turned to his native place in 1865, where he continued to re-
side until his death, May 23, 1879 His remains were buried
in the family burying lot in Evergreen Cemetery.
In May, 1868, the writer dined with him at his home in Get-
tysburg, that place now so famous for the great battles of
July 1, 2 and 3, 186^.
B. H. Charles' name first appears in the minutes of the
Assembly in 1856. The next year he was pastor of the
church at Springfield, Ky. From thence he came to Illinois
and ministered for several years to the church of Chester.
His name appears for the last time in the minutes in 1868,
when he was at Boonville, Mo. He is still living in Missouri,
and probably connected with the Southern Presbyterian
Church,
William R. Sim was born in Golconda, Pope count}^ III.,
Nov. 25, I S3 1. He was the third son of Wm. Sim, M. D.,
who was a native of Aberdeen, Scotland, and a graduate of
the Royal College of Surgeons, in London ; a man of great
mental culture, warm heart and generous nature, zealous in
the discharge of duty, and. characterized by that determina-
tion of purpose, indomitable will and energy, so peculiarly
Scotch, He, Wm. Sim, settled in this country, January,
1818, just before Illinois was admitted to the sisterhood of
States, was for a period of nearly forty-six years a Ruling
Elder in the Presbyterian Church, and during a long, labor-
ious and eminently useful professional career, never failed to
recognize the hand of God in all his undertakings. His life
was one of piety, and his house the home of ministers of
the Gospel of all denominations. Frances E.
Jack, mother of Wm, R. Sim, was born in Philadelphia, Pa.,
April 4, 1803; was united to Wm. Sim, M. D., in the
holy bonds of matrimony, March 2, 1822. She, how-
•ever, died March 29, 1836, leaving five children; Chris-
tiana, John A,, James J., F. L,, and the Wm. R. Sim,
WILLIAM K. SIM. 493'
to whom this memorial is dedicated, who was then only-
five years old, thus being deprived of the tender care
of a Christian mother early in life. In the fall of 1847
he entered Hanover College, at South Hanover, Indiana,
The following year he was accompanied by his younger
brother, F. L. Sim, now, and for the last eighteen years a
practicing physician of j\Iemphis, Tenn. The latter was
inclined to be frolicsome and mischievous, which contrast
soon created the impression that William was the best young
man in the school, and Frank the wildest. Aug.
9, 1854, Wm. R. graduated at Hanover, and the following
fall entered the Theological Seminary at Danville, Ky., from
which he graduated May, 7, 1857. He pro-
fessed religion and connected himself with the Presbyterian
Church during the early part of February, 1849; he had,
however, previous to this time, lived the life of a Christian.
During childhood, and as he grew up, he was always consid-
ered by his parents, playmates, and the citizens generally, as
scrupulously truthful and exemplary in conduct.
After completing his seminary course, he was licensed
by the Kaskaskia Presbytery, and in the fall of 1858 was
installed pastor of the churches of Jordan's Grove and Lively's.
Prairie, Randolph County, 111. He continued to serve as
pastor of these churches with great satisfaction to the mem-
bers, from the fall of 1858, until October, i860, when he
took charge of the church at his native place, Golconda,
where he remained until his death. September
20, 1861, he was married to the accomplished Miss Maria
Pinney, of Princeton, Ind. Edgar Allen was the name of
their only offspring, born July 14, 1862, who,, however, did
not long survive the father, as he died Nov. 2, 1868. In
the fall of 1862 Mr, Sim's health began to be undermined
by consumption, and from this time until his death, his labor
was very much interrupted. He died July 7, 1864, in his
native town, surrounded by his immediate family, and all of
his relatives, he died as he had lived, faithful to his God.
He was characterized by a very remarkable de-
gree of refinement in thought, expression and deportment, and
an amiability which won for him the admiration and love of all
who were intimate with him. He was a pure
minded man and a cheerful Christian ; and yet, his earnest love
for souls often seemed to fill him with the most agonizing dis-
tress. In a letter written by deceased to his father
494 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
from Hanover, Feb. lo, 1849, we find the following, " I have
good news to tell you ; I joined the church last Sabbath. My
prayer to God is to keep me from temptation, and enable me
to follow him in all things. I hope you will remember me
in your prayers, that I may not turn to the world again, but
may be zealous in the cause which I have espoused."
Rev. B. C. Swan of Shawneetown, 111., says, " I have
no recollection of any manifestations of sinfulness, in word,
or act, during my whole acquaintance with him. One of his
youthful associates said to me, ' he was the best boy that
ever lived in Golconda,' all of the people of his native place
loved him, and he loved them with an ardor altogether inex-
pressible." B. H. Charles, of Chester, 111., writes,
" He was a very earnest man of God. His whole heart
seemed to be taken up with his work. He seemed to be
ambitious of but one thing, and that was to please his Mas-
ter. He seemed remarkable for his humility, and his man-
ner was always very quiet and unassuming."
Thos. F. Cortelyou, says, "From the students' prayer-meet-
ing, and the Sabbath morning prayers, Sim was seldom ab-
sent. At times but few came together in the social prayer-
meetings, but among those few I well remember his face.
He was a diligent student, and punctual in attendance upon
the instructions of the different professors, whose full confi-
dence he possessed." Mr. Sim's widow has mar-
ried Dr. J. A. Koch, a practising physician in Golconda, and
an active member of the Golconda Presbyterian church.
Butler Church, Montgomery county, was organized,
August 29, 1858, at the school house, by Rev. R. M. Roberts
and Elders T. W. Washburn and J. T, Eccles, with these
members : Mrs. H. K. Harper, Catharine Cowdy, Israel Sew-
ard, Martha M. Burnap, Mrs. Sarah Ware, William Seward,
Mrs. Mary Cunningham, Robert Bryce, S. M. Hedges, Mar-
garet Seward, Lawrence Hugg, Susanna Cunningham, Mrs.
Mary McReynolds, Mrs. Minerva Steere. Elders : S. M.
Hedges and Robert Bryce. Elders since these two first :
Matthew McMurtry, Thomas Colvin, Joseph Burnap, A. J.
Diddle, J. T. Ross, Samuel Berrie, William Seward. Minis-
ters : R. M. Roberts : W. L. Mitchel ; R. M. Roberts, the
second time ; Cornelius V. Monfort, licentiate ; S. D. Lough-
head ; T. E. Spilman began in April, 1868, as licentiate, was
FLORA CHURCH. 495
ordained the next November, and has continued, with some
interruptions on account of ill health, until this time. The
church building was dedicated July 3, 1864, and cost twenty-
two hundred dollars. This is a working, united church, with
a leader whose physical strength is far overmatched by his
■energetic, devoted spirit.
The Church of Xenia III., was organized by the Pres-
bytery of Kaskaskia, April 21, 1858, per Revs. R. M. Roberts
and P. R. Vanatta and Elder T. W. Sweeny. It commenced
with eleven members and William Townsley, elder. Names :
William Townsley, J. M. Haines, Eliza Talifer o, Nancy J.
Henderson, Margaret Walker, Amelia Townsley, Henry S.
Watson, E. Jane Mannagh, Jane Bilding, S. J. Holman and
Belinda Haines. The church was ministered to occasionally
by Revs. P. R. Vanatta, F. H. L. Laird and D. R. Todd.
The majority of the members and the only elder having re-
moved to the neighborhood of Flora, a town on the Ohio &
Mississippi Railroad in the same county, on the 28th May,
1864, Rev. John Crozier and Elder Thomas Buchanan,
Committee of Presbytery of Saline met at Flora for the pur-
pose of re-organizing the church. And on April 15, 1867, ten
persons having in the mean time been received, the Pres-
bytery of Saline, then in session in Flora, changed the name
of the church of Xenia to that of Flora and received it under
their care by that name. The church was ministered unto
by Rev. John Crozier and others for a season ; then regularly
by Rev. R. C. Galbraith, pastor of Odin church, in Marion
county. It had received thirty-six members, elected A. K.
Tate, George W. Norris and H. M. Todd, elders, when on the
October 10, 1870, it called Rev. R. C. Galbraith, pastor for
half the time. He was installed December 4, 1870. Two
lots, on one of which was a building suitable for a manse,
and the other for the erection of a church building, were pur-
chased. The house was erected, and on the third Sabbath
of May, 1 87 1, dedicated. Sermon by the pastor from Gen.
28:17. Ten persons were received on examination, seven-
teen on certificate, fifteen dismissed to other churches and
two persons suspended between the dedication and the 17th
August, 1873. The term service of the eldership had been
adopted, and William Townsley, H. M. Todd, William W.
Stewart and Dr. E. C. Park were elected to serve for a term
496 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
of three years. August 17, Mr. Galbraith requested the church
to unite with him in requesting the Presbytery to dissolve
the pastoral relation, on the ground that the experience of
last winter in mission work in the country forbade him to
undertake the work which the pastor of this charge ought
to perform. The church assented and appointed Elder H.
M. Todd to attend the approaching meeting of the Presby-
tery at Cairo and present the action of the church. Presby-
tery granted the request. Rev. William M. Reed
acted as supply pastor from January, 1S74, to October, 1875.
Afterwards Rev. M. V. B. Van Arsdale from April, 1867, to
February, 1876. Flora church has received, on certificate
sixty-three, on examination sixteen, dismissed forty-one, sus-
pended two, died four, now on roll thirty-seven. Has given
to Domestic Missions, one hundred and thirty-nine dollars ;
for Foreign ninety-four dollars ; Church Erection, one hun-
dred and fifty-four dollars ; Ministerial Relief, forty-four dol-
lars ; Freedmen, twenty-nme dollars; Education, twenty-
three dollars ; Publication, eleven dollars; Sunday schools,
fifty-four dollars; total, four hundred and fifty-nine dollars.
Subsequent to the week of prayer, in 1877, Rev. H. B. Thayer
held a series of gospel meetings wHich resulted in an addi-
tion of thirty-four on examination. Rev, A. McFarland is
now pastor, with good prospect of growth and usefulness.
Trenton Church, Clinton county, was organized, May
26, 1857, with fourteen members, by the Presb3-^tery of Kas-
kaskia through its Committee, Rev. D. A. Wallace and Eld-
ers John Denny and Hugh Adams. Eleven of the fourteen
were from Sugar Creek church. John Douglas,
Charles Teibout and Robert Douglas were made elders.
Of the original members three, Charles Teibout and
wife and Thomas McGlaughlin, are in California. Two,
Robert Douglas and wife, are in Colorado. Mrs. M. E. Staf-
ford is in Portland, Me. John Douglas, Mrs. Anne Douglas
and Mrs. Alia Gelly have deceased. Elisha Bedell and wife,
Thomas Craig and wife and George Craig are still in Tren-
ton. Ministers: James Stafford served the
church from its beginning until the fall of i860. He was
succeeded by H. M. Corbett, who continued until October,
1865. William Bridgman came next after Mr. Corbett, but
remained only until April, 1866. For eighteen months, end-
TRENTON CHURCH. 497
ing October, 1S67, James Brownlee divided his time equally
between this church and that at Lebanon. He was suc-
ceeded by Henry Mattice, who came to Trenton in the
fall of 1867, and remained until October, 1868. George
W. Fisher came in June, 1869, was installed pastor
of the church March, 1872, and still remains. His
ministery has been one of great success both in Trenton
and at Sugar Creek. The two churches constitute his par-
ish, giving him a comfortable support, sharing equally his
labors and defraying each one half his salary. Elders : John
Douglas, elected 1857, died July, 1858; Charles Tiebout,
elected in 1857, removed to California in 1873; Robert
Douglas, elected in 1857, removed to Colorado in 1868.
These were the original elders. Augustus Alvord, elected
Sept., 1859, died Sept., 1872; Anderson T. Ely, elected
April, 1867, died Sept., 1871 ; George T. Baldwin, elected
March, 1863, still in office; Wm. D. Lewis, elected April,
1867; Joseph Garrigus, elected August, 1871, resigned May,
1874. In Dec, 1875, the church adopted the " Rotary Sys-
tem," and now elect their elders and deacons for three years.
The present elders are George T. Baldwin, S. B. Wyle and
Linn Bedell. The Presbytery of Kaskaskia met
with this church in 1859, ^^^4 ^^^ 1868. The Presbytery of
Alton, after the re-union in Nov., 1869, held its second stated
meeting with this church, and in March, 1872, an adjourned
meeting to install Rev. G. W. Fisher. The pres-
ent and only church edifice was erected in 1859, and dedi-
cated in December of the same year. Its cost was about
;^i,500. The church owns a parsonage which cost seven,
hundred and fifty dollars, a memorial of the re-union.
In the history of this church there have been four
seasons of special religious revivals, viz.: in 1865, 1868, 1872
and 1875. This church received aid from the
Board of Home Missions until 1872. For one year there-
after it was aided by the Board of Sustentation. In 1873 it
became self-sustaining, with the aid of Sugar Creek. The
two churches together constitute one very interesting and
important parish. The growth of the church has
been pretty steady. Fifty-three were added under Mr. Cor-
bett, eight under Mr, Brownlee, thirty-one under Mr. Mat-
tice, and ninety-six, counting to April, 1877, under Mr.
Fisher. About two hundred and two have been received to
the church in all. Of these not far from one hundred re-
31
49^ PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
main. A Sabbath school is sustained by the church with
commendable vigor, and the cause of benevolence is not
neglected.
Mason Church, o. s,, Effingham county, was organized
April 22, 1858, with nineteen members and three elders.
One of them was J. S. Covert. This organization did not
long exist.
The Presbytery of Wabash met at Danville, April 27,
1858. The reception of Tolono church, n. s., should be
here recorded. William R. Palmer was received from the
Presbytery of Crawfordsville. Charles H. Palmer, minister,
and W. M. Allison, elder were appointed to attend the As-
sembly, The fall meeting was held with Pleas-
ant Prairie church, commencing Oct. 4. F, A. Deming was
received from the Presbytery of Huron. Mattoon church
was received.
ToLONO Church, n. s., was organized Feb. 16, 1858. It
was organized and supplied for some months by Rev. Isaac
P. Stryker, of Urbana. Through his efforts a house of wor-
ship was erected. The first records are lost, but some of
the original members were these : R. A. Bower, Mr. Ennis
and wife, Mrs. Penington, Mrs. Archer, Mr. Stephenson and
wife, Mrs. White, Mrs. Louisa Pierce. The first elder was
probably R. A. Bower. Then William Keeble, and then
S. S. Salisbury.
The Old School organized here Sept. i, i860, per Rev.
R. H. Lilly. Their first members were these : Mrs. Jane C.
Barker, Miss Malvina A. Barker, Miss Eliza J. Barker, Mrs.
Theda W. Tewksbury, Mrs. Mary C. Ferris, Wm. Culbert-
son, Mary Culbertson, Miss Hester Ann Culbertson, Miss
Mary Ann Culbertson, Miss Margaret Culbertson, Mrs.
Agnes Smith, Mrs. Louisa Pierce, Wm. Keeble, Elizabeth
Keeble. Wm. Keeble appears to have been the only elder.
The Ministers who supplied the n. s. church, were Isaac
P. Stryker, George D. Miller, of Tuscola, C. J. Pitkin. O. S.
Ministers : Thomas J. Taylor, who died here June, 1865, and
D. F. McFarland, who resided at Mattoon.
WILLIAM R. pal:mer. 499
Since the re- union, the elders have been Stephen Norton,
1871 ; James C. Evans and John Bond, 1872; Alex. Taylor,
John Cromie, Henry C. Barnet and David Maxwell, 1875 ;
R. C. McMurdy, 1878. The Ministers since the re-union
have been, J. L. IN'IcNair, the first resident minister; D. R.
JLove, D. S. White and J. P. Mills. The last is still in charge.
Whole number of members, two hundred and twelve. Pres-
-ent membership about one hundred. There is
a parsonage.
William Randall Palmer was born at Griswold, Ct.,
January 15, 1822. His parents were both of English nation-
ality, -and members 'of the Congregational Church. His
father was born on the beautiful farm in Preston, Ct., still in
the possession of a relative, which their Puritan ancestry
bought from the Indians in the early days of the New Eng-
land Colonies, and where seven generations of the family
are buried. From his father he inherited a fine physical de-
velopment, habits of industry, love of order, and entire
thoroughness and integrity in everything ; from his mother,
a remarkable love of beauty, an exquisite taste, and a heroic
faith m the providence and the promises of God. Those
Avho have known him, will remember how lovingly he used to
.speak of her, as " That mother of a mighty faith." He was
the first born, and even before his birth was consecrated by his
parents to the ministry. While he was quite young his father
removed to the city of Norwich, where his boyhood was
spent. Here he became personally interested in religion
when about ten years old, during a very precious and gener-
al revival which reached all the churches in the city, and
brought many into Christ's fold. He attended
the best schools in the city, and commenced a classical course
with a view to entering college. The financial reverses of
1837 seriously affecting his father's circumstances, he left the
city and removed to a farm in Lisbon, and the plan of an
education was given up. With this change in his circum-
stances, came loss of interest in religious things and a neglect
of Christian duty. It was not the custom in New England,
forty years ago, to encourage children to make confession of
their faith in Christ, and he always felt that he suffered great
loss in his own experience on account of this neglect. In
after years, when he became a pastor, it was always a joy to
iiim to welcome the little ones to the church.
500 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Soon after his twenty-first birth-day, his mother entered
the heavenly home, with these last words as a legacy to her
children: "Ready — all ready." The following
winter, while teaching in a neighboring town, he was thrown
mto the midst of a precious work of grace, which led to the
renewal of his Christian life, and his re-consecration to the
Saviour. With this came a longing for useful-
ness and an earnest desire to save souls. He commenced at
once personal work for the Master, doing readily and cheer-
fully everything which offered as Christian duty. Friends
who saw his earn^estness and consecration, urged him to
study for the ministry. He longed to enter upon the work,
but a hesitation in his speech, which -he feared would pre-
vent him from becoming an acceptable public speaker, kept
him from a prompt decision. But when assured by his pas-
tor. Rev. Levi Nelson, in whose kindness and wisdom he
placed implicit confidence, that practice would improve his
utterance, he decided at once to commence his studies. It
is proper to say in passing, that this stammering never
affected him in prayer, never interfered with his usefulness
as a preacher, and after a few years was entirely overcome.
He fitted for college at Leicester Academy,
Mass., and entered Amherst College in 1845, graduated in
1849. Among his classmates were Rev. Charles Hartwell,
now veteran missionary in China, Rev. Dr. Henry Lobdell,
who sleeps near the banks of the Tigris, and the present Presi-
dent of Amherst College, Rev. Dr. Julius H. Seelye. The
same year, 1849, he entered the East Windsor Theological
Seminary, now located at Hartford, Conn., and graduated in
1852. His seminary vacations were spent so successfully in
colporteur work, among the " hill-country " of his native
State, that the American Tract Society gave him at once an
appointment as General Agent of the State of Indiana.
He had been licensed by the Hartford Association
of Congregational ministers in the spring of 185 1, and he
was ordained by a council of Congregational ministers in
Chicopee, Mass., Sept. 16, 1852. Rev. Dr. Nahum Gale,
preaching the sermon.
He accepted the appointment of the Am. Tr, Society, and
spent the next year in Indiana, with headquarters at Indian-
apolis. In the summer of 1853 he accepted a call to the
Centre church, Crawfordsville, Ind., and was installed their
pastor. Here he remained four years, and then accepted a
FRIEND A. DEMING. 5^^
call to the Presbyterian church in Danville, 111., where he
also remained four years. From thence he removed to the
Second Presbyterian church of Fort Wayne, Ind., which he
supplied two years, and then came to the Presbyterian church
in Attica, Ind, At the close of the second year in Attica,
he was takenalarmingly ill of jaundice, followed by malarial
fever. As he partially recovered, change of climate was
recommended by his physician, and in 1866 he returned to
New England. For a few months he supplied different
churches, but he was prostrated again in the autumn of the
same year by a violent attack of congestion of the brain.
Repeated attacks have followed and he has been ever since
a confined invalid, unable to preach or to perform any con-
tinuous mental labor. This prostration of body and mind
was probably occasioned by over work in the malarial climate
of the Wabash Valley. Since that time he has resided in
Chicopee, Miss. In addition to his regular pas-
toral labors, he performed a great deal of missionary work,
preaching to destitute churches in the country and assisting
other pastors in times of revival. His ministry has been
fruitful and happy. " Permitted to preach the gospel fourteen
years." is his own record of his life. He was
married at the time of his ordination, Sep. 16, 1852, to Clara
E, Skeele, of Chicopee, Mass., a descendant of Gov, John
Carver and John Hovvland, two of the heroes " Who in the
INIayflower's cabin signed the first New England charter."
Their children are four; William Kimberly, born in Craw-
fordsville, Ind., March 19, 1856; Charles Skeele, born in Dan-
ville, 111., Aug. 4, 1858; Clara Francis, born in Danville, 111.,
Feb. 24, 1861; Francis Leseure, born in Fort Wayne, Ind,,
Aug. 28, 1863.
Friend Absalom Deming. — Auto-biographical. — I was
born in Washington, Berkshire county, Mass., on the
4th of May, 1813. I am a Puritan of the Puritans. On my
father's side I can trace my ancestry back to the traditional
"three brothers," who came, not exactly in the "May-
flower," but at a very early day, to the colony of Massachu-
setts. But, liistorically, I can go no further back than a Mr.
Jonathan, or John Deming, who seems to have been a right-
hand man of Dr. Hooker in the settlement of Hartford and
Wethersfield, Ct, about the year 1635. On the
502 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
female side of the Deming line, I can trace my lineage tO'
George William Bradford, who came in the " Mayflower."
On the maternal side I can trace my ancestry
back, in a direct line, to one Anthony Eames, of whom his-
tory speaks as engaged in a fierce contest, at Hingham, Mass.,
about 1640, in regard to some disputed military title.
It will thus be seen that the "religious belief" of my
ancestry must have been of the Puritan type, as no other was
tolerated in Massachusetts at that early day. I think I may
fairly claim to be of pure English extraction, both on my
father's and mother's side. But from the statement made in
Savage's Biographical Dictionary, that "Eames" (my moth-
er's paternal name), was originally from Exmes, in Orme,
Normandy, France, and was pronounced "Ames," it is sup-
posed that, on my mother's side, I am of French extraction,
and that the family name was deriv^ed from the place from
which they emigrated, first to England, and then to Neiv
England. To resume my personal history, I
graduated at Union College in 1837, at New Haven Theolog-
ical Seminary in 1840. In the spring of 1840 I
spent a few months with a little church in Atkinson, N. H.
But after graduating in August, 1840, I came directly to
Ohio, and commenced laboring, as opportunity presented,
among the missionary churches on the " Western Reserve."
In June, 185 1, I was ordained by the Grand River Presby-
tery over a little church in Rome, Ashtabula county, Ohio.
With this church I labored till August, 1844, when I com-
menced labor with the Congregational-Presbyterian church
in Freedom, Portage county, Ohio. Here I remained till
1852, when I removed to Berlin Heights, Erie county, Ohio,
and spent several years in connection with the church at that
place. In 1858 I removed to Edgar county. Ills.; and here
first came on to the field of your historical enquiry, in con-
nection with the church at New Providence. In 1862 I re-
moved to Mattoon, Coles county, and commenced laboring
with a recently formed church in that, then, new railroad
town. This formed my last pastoral charge. Since my la-
bors closed there, they have not been confined to any one
church, but I have endeavored to embrace opportunities as
they have presented themselves in laboring for the Master.
As to my notions in entering the ministry, I may
say that I truly hoped to be able to accomplish more for God:
and humanity than I could in any other sphere of labor.
J.IATTOON CHURCHES. 5O3
Whether such has been the result is known only to Him
who seeth the end from the beginning. And though, in
answer to your last question, I cannot say that anything start-
ling, or of very special interest, has broken in upon the even
tenor of my day, I may, yet, say that my labors have not
been wholly barren of good results. In every field I have occu-
pied, I have been able to gather some sheaves into the garner
of the Lord. My labors have all been bestowed on mission-
ary fields. In two of them I have aided in building pleasant
and comfortable parsonages ; and in two others, in replacing
old and dilapidated houses with new, beautiful and commo-
dious places of worship. February, 1843, ^ was
married to Mary I., the youngest daughter of Deacon E.
Chester, of Rome, Ohio. We have had four children, all of
whom are still living, members of the church, and, in some
good degree, acting well their part in their several stations
and relations in life. The eldest, Sarah E., was born June,
1844; married to D. T. Mclntyre, an attorney at law in Mat-
toon, 111., where she is still living. Halbert H., born in
August, 1845, is a practising physician in Pana, 111. Cor-
delia P., born in March, 1847; married a D. D., and is hap-
pily settled in Northfield, Minn. Mary M., born December,
1848; married an M. D., and is settled in Shelby ville, 111.
The above comprises, I think a brief answer to the
queries propounded in your circular. To this, I don't know
that I could add anything that would be of any particular
interest to the public, or worthy of a place in your book, and
will therefore not trespass upon your space.
The First Presbyterian Church of Mattoon, Coles
county, was organized by Revs. A. T. Norton and Enoch
Kingsbury, in the Baptist church edifice, June 27, 1858, with
the following ten members : Matthew Wilson, Mrs. Alargaret
Wilson, James Bickley, Mrs. Maria Bickley, Mrs. Mary Wil-
liams, Wm. C. Cunningham, Mrs. Fanny Cunningham, Park
P. Francis, Mrs. Jennie Moore, Francis and Mrs. Cordelia E.
Gill. Mrs. Cunningham, who had been a Catholic, united
by profession and was baptized. Elders : William C. Cun-
ningham. Elders since appointed: G. W. Horn, J. Sawyer,
Ichabod Jennings, A. C. Ewing, H. I. Treat, John O. Mc-
Clelland. Ministers: Enoch Kingsbury, J. P. Stryker, J.
S. Edwards, 1860-62; Friend A. Deming, 1862, the first resi-
504 PRESBYTERIAXISM IN ILLINOIS.
dent minister; J. Lewis Jones, 1867, one year; John Kidd,
1868-70, X. S. Dickey, Jan. i, 1871. The church
edifice was dedicated Aug. 7, 1864. Previous to this, they
had no settled place of worship, to the great detriment of
the congregation. The whole number ever in
connection with this First church of INIattoon was one hun-
dred and twenty-nine, at the time of the union of the
churches, Dec. 26, 1871, 'Sir. Dickey would not allow his
name to be used as a candidate for the pulpit.
The Second, or-G. S. Church of Mattoon, was organ-
ized by a committee of Palestine Presbytery, I\Iay 27, i860,
with these members : Mrs. Mary E. Bridges, Mrs. Martha
M. Bishop, Mrs. Betty Johnson, W. E. Smith, John A. For-
line, David Forline, Mrs. Betty Dora, Roe M. Bridges, Mrs.
Rebecca Boyd, Miss Frances A. Boyd, Miss Orpha E. Boyd,
James Boyd, D. T. Mclntyre, Miss Cynthia Van Zandt, Rob-
ert Campbell, Mrs. Robert Campbell, IMrs. Margaret Keely,
^Irs. :\Iartha A. Smith, :Mrs. :\Iartha J. Van Zandt and Mrs.
Mary E. Boyd. Elder : W. E. Smith. Elders since : Edie
Stewart, Wm. Millar, Alpheus Hasbrouck, Edwin W. Vause,
Sanford Williams. Ministers : J. W. Allison, Alfred Hamil-
tton, D. D., 1863-66; J. E. Lapsley, Oct. 6, 1866, April 3,
1870; W. B. Noble, June, 1871. The house of worship was
erected about 1864, and cost $3,000. The whole number of
members connected with this church, previous to the union,
was two hundred and eighty-nine. At the time of the union
there were one hundred and thirty-eight resident and thirty-
five non-resident members. The union of the two
churches was effected by the Mattoon Presbytery, Dec. 25,
1871. Theirfirst Sabbath service was on Dec. 31, 1871. Ses-
sion at that time, Rev. W. B. Noble, and Elders Wm. Millar,
W. C. Cunningham, Alex. E. Ewing, Edwin W. Vause and
Daniel C. Wykoff. During January, 1S72, services were held
alternately in the two houses, the one east, and the other
west of the Illinois Central Railroad. The parsonage was
erected in 1872, and cost $,2500.
Ministers of the united church : W. B. Noble, till April,
1872; D. W. Moore, Oct., to Nov., 1872; H. W. W^oods,
supply pastor, Dec, 1872, May, 1873, instahed May 6, 1873;
dismissed in April of 1875. J. L. McNair commenced June
13, 1875, was installed pastor and still remains. The church
JOHN HUSTON. 505
<on the east side was sold for $2,500 to the Congregational-
ists, and the money used to pay the debts on the parsonage,
and for improvements on the west-side church. In 1S74,
there was an interesting revival. Xinety-three were received
to the church, forty-nine of them by profession, the others
by letters. This accession includes the whole year from
April, 1873, to April, 1S74. Number now in communion,
two hundred and seventy-seven.
The Presbytery of Palestine met at Charleston, April i,
1858. John Huston, from the Presbytery of Sidney, and Ellis
D. Howell, from the Presbyter}' of Oxford, were received.
Xeoga and Olney churches were received R. A. Mitchell,
minister, and James M. Miller, elder, were appointed to
attend the next Assembly. R. A. Mitchell was installed
pastor of the Charleston church, April 3. Charles P. Spin-
ning: was licensed.
John Huston was born Nov. 16, 18 16, in Ohio. He was
licensed by the Presbytery of Chillicothe, in the fall of 1845,
and in 1847 ^^'^^ ordained pastor of Indian Creek church,
Logansport Presbytery. His early training was not religous,
neither of his parents being pious, though their influence
was in favor of morality and Christianity In after years his
mother became a Christian. His academical education was
acquired mainly by private study. For a time he attended
school at Circleville, Ohio. His theological training was
mainly under the direction of Rev. Samuel Carothers, D. D.,
of Greenfield. Ohio, and Rev. Hugh S. Fullerton, of South
Salem, same State. But he was truly self-educated. His
thirst for knowledge was such that after making respectable
attainments in Latin, Greek and Hebrew, he attempted the
master}' of the S\-riac and Chaldee languages. He
labored in Carmi, White count}*, 111., two and an half years,
commencing in 1865. Subsequent!}- he was at ]\IcLeans-
boro, Tamaroa, Moro and Upper Alton, 111., and is now in
Albany, Mo.
Ellis D. Howell was born near Bala. North Wales, Sept.
j6, 1S07. His ancestors were Welsh Congregationalists.
506 PRESBYTERIANISM Ix\ ILLINOIS.
He was educated principally in Wales ; came to England ; ^
his youth and engaged in business in Sheffield. The dai-
and place of his license are not known to the writer. He-
labored some years in the ministry in the vicinity of Sheffield^
England, and came to America in the summer of 1844. He
supplied the Welch Congregational church of Paddy's Run,.
Butler county, O., for one year. Then took charge of the
Presbyterian church of Reily, O. Here he remained until
the spring of 1857 when he came to Marshall, Clark county,
III., and took charge of Marshall, Walnut Prairie and York
churches. Here he remained until the spring of 1867, when
he removed to Milton Station, Coles county. 111., and had
charge of Milton, Pleasant Prairie, o. s., Kaskaskia and Hick-
ory Grove churches. He remained in Milton — now Hum-
boldt— until the spring of 1 876, when he was invited to go
back to his former charge at Reily, Butler county, O., where
he now is (1879). He was ordained at Reily, O.,
1846. He was married June i, 1833, to Miss
Mary Ann Lindley, of Sheffield, Eng. She died Nov. 18,
1874. He was married the second time May, 1877, to Mrs.
Mary Ann Wehr, of Franklin county, Ind. There
are three children, viz.: George David, born April 7, 1834;
Mary H. — now wife of Rev. J. W. Allison — born July 19,
1836, and Ellis L., born Jan. i, 1852.
Neoga Church, old school, was organized by Rev. John
McDonald and Elders I. J. Monfort and David Dryden,
Committee of Palestine Presbytery, November, 1857, with
these thirteen members: James Wilson, Mrs. Ann Wilson,
Joseph Gibson, Mrs. Maria J. Gibson, Sarah C. Greene, John
H. IMcQuown, Robert M. Hunter, Mrs. Sarah Hunter, Sam-
uel Dryden, Jonathan Dryden, Nancy Dryden, Andrew Gray,
and Mrs. Mary Gray. Elders: Dr. J. H. McQuown, Jo-
seph Gibson. The Ministers were John E. Elliott, David
McFarland and Nathaniel Williams. This church had in-
creased during the nine years of its existence, so that
there were on its roll in 1866 about forty-eight names. June
23, 1866, the two churches of Long Point, n. s., and Neoga,
o. s., effected an organic union. The elders of both churches
resigned. The church then voted to connect with Wabash
Presbytery. The elders of both the old churches were then
elected, viz. : John G. Morrison, Edie Stewart, Alex. B.
OLNEY CHURCH. $0/
Ewing, William Clark, Joseph Gibson, John R. ^litchell and
James Ewing. Rev. John B. Brandt was chosen minister.
He remained until Oct., 1867. Rev. Wm. B. Fans succeeded
in Dec, 1868, and remained until his death, Nov, 4 1871.
Dec. 28, 1871, Rev. N. S. Dickey was engaged for one year.
Dec. 31, 1872, Rev. John M. Johnson took charge as pastor
and still remains. The rotary system of eldership has been
adopted by this church. The present number of members
is one hundred and fifty.
Olxey Presbyterian Church, Richland county, was or-
ganized January 8, 1858, by a Committee of Palestine Pres-
bytery, with these members : Mrs. Mary Knight, Mrs. Eliz-
abeth Darhng, Mrs. Mary McClure, Mrs. Milla Burrell, Mrs.
Rebecca A. Wilson, Mrs. Harriet N. Crozier, John Boyd,
James Crozier, ]\Irs. Jane Wilson, John Henderson, Mrs.
Jane Henderson, Miss Mary A. Henderson. Elder: John
Henderson. Elders since chosen : George W. Cone, D. D.
Marquis, David Smith, John L. Campbell, James W. Beck,.
Harris Haywood, William H. Wallar, L. M. Parker, Dr. Ely
Bowyer, Judge J. C. Allen. The four last named are the
present Board. Ministers: John Crozier; Henry
E. Thomas, pastor; Archibald H. Sloat ; Solomon Cook; R.
J. L. Matthews, pastor; John Stuart, pastor, began June,
1876, and still continues. The church building-
was completed in i860 and cost three thousand dollars. The
parsonage was built in 1864 and cost thirteen hundred and
sixty-five dollars. The church and parsonage are on the
same lot and are together worth five thousand dollars. In
October, 1877, there was still a debt on the parsonage of four
hundred dollars. There is a Congregational
church in this place, organized in 1873, the fruit of a quarrel.
The Presbytery of Palestine met at Marshall, Clark
county, September 16, 1858. Hopewell and Tuscola churches
were received. The name of Okaw church was changed ta
Arcola. Joseph Piatt and S. N. Palmer were dismissed to
the Presbytery of Crawfordsville.
Tuscola Church was organized by Revs. R. H. Lilly and
H. I. Venable, May 8, 1858, with sixteen members. Eld-
508 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
ERS : W. H. Randolph, Silas Miller and James S. Walling.
Since elected: Samuel Daggy, Thomas W. Robinson, Wil-
liam C. Bradley, William H. Lamb, Thomas Owens, Holland
Griswold, Noah Amen, William B. Ervin, Samuel Waddell.
Ministers: George D. Miller; Edwin Black, from 1865 to
1874, pastor: W. H. Prestley; A. W. Ringland.
The church building, twenty-eight by forty-five, was dedi-
cated second Sabbath in January, 1865, and cost ^2,000.
Two additions have since been made at a cost of $1,400. In
March, 1874, thirty-one persons were received by examina-
tion and one by letter. The Second Presbyter-
ian church was organized June ii, 186S, by a committee of
Palestine Presbytery, with thirty-eight members. Elders :
Samuel Waddell, Thomas W. Robinson and Noah Amen. The
First and Second churches of Tuscola were combined into
one in 1874, by the Presbytery of Mattoon to which both be-
longed. The Session of the two churches became the Session
of the united church. There have been in all about four hun-
dred members connected with these Tuscola churches.
The Second church never possessed a regular church edifice.
They rented part of the time a hall in the village. Also
worshiped in two school houses, one two miles, the other
three and one-half miles north of the village. Their supply
of preaching was irregular. Among others Revs. John G.
Miller, of Neoga, W. W. Williams and Ellis Howell, visited
them occasionally.
Hopewell Church was situated three and a half or four
miles northwest of Bridgeport. It was organized by Revs.
John Crozier and John B. Saye, May 15, 1858, with sixteen
members. James Martin, elder. Other elders were Alex.
Bell and John A. Newell. It had a log building for a place of
worship- It was named Hopezvell at the suggestion of Mr.
Crozier. But its name did not save it. It has mostly been
absorbed by the Bridgeport church. It at one time had
forty-six members. But in 1867 its name had disappeared
from the minutes,
Presbytery of Sangamon met at Jacksonville, April 3,
1858. Robert S. Finley, from the Presbyter}^ of Elizabeth-
town, and Samuel Lynn, from the Presbytery of Ebenezer,
SAMUEL K. SNEED. 509-
were received. A special meeting was held at Springfield,
May 13, at which C. P. Jennings was received from the Pres-
bytery of Iowa and installed pastor of the third church
of that city. Serious difficulty had arisen in the Portuguese
Church in Springfield about the validity, or non-validity, of
Romish baptism. The pastor, Antonio De Mattos, had been
baptized in the Romish Church, held his baptism to be valid
and refused to be re-baptized. Upon the general question
the Church and congregation were pretty evenly divided.
Presbytery cut the Gordiaa knot by dissolving the pastoral
relation. The fall meeting was held with North
Sangamon church, September 14. T. M. Oviatt was received
from the Presbytery of Iowa.
The Presbytery of Alton met at Rich view, April 8,
1858. Thomas Lippincott, from the Presbytery of lUinois,
Samuel K. Sneed, from the Presbytery of Keokuk, and An-
drew Luce, from that of Fort Wayne, were receiv'ed. Also
the First Presbyterian church of Cairo. Robert Stewart
and A. T, Norton, ministers, and L. A. Parks and Russell
Tuthill, elders, were appointed Commissioners to the Assem-
bly. H. D. Piatt was dismissed to the Morgan Conference,
and T. B. Hurlbut to the General Association of Illinois.
At a called meeting held in Alton, July i,W. W. Wells, was
dismissed to the Presbytery of Ottawa; A. T. Norton was
released from the pastoral care of the Alton church ; Cor-
nelius H. Taylor was received from the Presbytery of Huron
and installed pastor of the Alton church. The
fall session was held at Plainview, commencing October 2,
George C. Wood was dismissed to the Presbytery of Illinois,
and Gideon C. Clark was received from the same Presbytery.
Provision was made for the installation of Andrew Luce, pas-
tor of Belleville church, on the second Tuesday of November
next.
Samuel Kirby Sneed.
I give the sketch of this good man in his own words, penned February 17, 1871.
I was born in Kentucky, just back of Louisville, January
16, 1798. I went to school in Louisville till I was eighteen.
I entered Yale College 18 16, and was graduated 1820. In 1821
I went to Andover, Mass., and remained one year. My
510 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
health faiHng, I came home. In the spring of 1823 I was
taken under the care of the Louisv'ille Presbytery, when it
extended indefinitely west. I was licensed in June, 1824,
and ordained in May, 1826. I spent 1S25 and 1826 as an
agent for Center College, Kentucky — first going to New
England, and then through Kentucky. In the fall of 1S26
I settled as a pastor with the churches of Springfield and
Lebanon in the Presbytery of Transylvania. I remained
with them three years during the precious revivals in Ken-
tucky. In the fall of 1 830 I accepted a commission as Super-
intending agent for^Sabbath schools in Indiana, when the
great effort was made to plant a Sabbath school in every
neighborhood in the great valley. I traveled very exten-
sively in Indiana in the winter of 1831 and 1832. I was in
Louisiana on the same agency. In June, 1832,
I settled as pastor in New Albany and remained there eleven
years. I resigned that pastorate in 1843. ^ then became
agent for Wabash College at Crawfordsville, Ind., and con-
tinued in 1:hat agency two and one-half years. In the spring
of 1846 I took charge of the church in Evansville, Ind., but
my health utterly failed, and in 184SI resigned again. After
spending some two years in trying to get well, in 1 850 I
again took the agency for Wabash College. In 1852 I went
to Keokuk, Iowa, as pastor, where I continued two and a
half years. In 1855 I removed to Monticello Seminary and
preached there four months. In February, 1856, I became
agent for Yellow Springs College in Iowa. The remainder
of that year and most of 1857 were spent in the service of
that college. I joined the Alton Presbytery, April 9, 1858,
and took charge of the Brighton church for one year. In
December, 1858, I came to Missouri and joined the Presby-
tery of St. Louis, and for a short time was agent for Linden-
wood Female College. In 1859 and 1S60, for one year, I
acted as Presbyterial Missionary, mostly in the bounds of
St. Louis Presbytery. The war broke up my operations.
Since then I preached one year to that portion of Bon
Homme church which remained with the General Assembly.
For the past twelve years my home has been at Kirkwood,
Mo. And now I am an old man, seventy-three years and
one month old, with the infirmities of age upon me, broken
down in health and unable to preach, but burning with desire
to do so and praying that the kingdom of God may come
with power. Samuel K. Sneed.
He died at Kirkwood, Mo., Aug. 30, 1876, aged 78 years.
ANDREW LUCE. 5 I I
Andrew Luce — Auto-biographical. — I was born in Lon-
don, England, September lo, 1813. What literary education
I received, aside from home-study, was at a private institu-
tion in London, conducted by Rev. Edward P. Turner, M.
A., of Cambridge Universit\-. Studied theolog}'
tinder the direction of Rev. Asa F. Clark, Presbytery of Al-
bany, N. Y., and Rev. Joseph Babcock, Presbytery of Fort
Wayne, Ind. Was licensed at a meeting of the Presbytery
of Fort Wayne, held in the Shiloh church, Wabash county,
Ind., April, 1845. Was ordained in the same year, at the
fall meeting of Presbytery, held in the Second Presbyterian
church of Fort Wayne. From the date of licensure until
July, 1857 — twelve years — I supplied for eighteen months,
the First church of Jay county ; for two years, a missionary
field in Wabash county, and for eight years, the Presbyterian
■church of Winchester, Randolph county. In July, 1857, I
accepted a call from the Presbyterian church of Belleville,
St. Clair county, 111.; was installed its pastor November,
1858. In March, 1863, the war having so diminished the
resources of the church as to cause them to be unable to raise
the sum pledged for the pastor's support, I accepted the
office of chaplain tendered me by the officers of the 24th
regiment of Missouri volunteers (infantry), and served in that
■capacity until the regiment was mustered out of service in
October, 1864. I removed to Carbondale Janu-
ary', 1865 ; was supply pastor of the church at that place un-
til 1868, when I became missionary and superintendent of
schools to the Grand Tower Railroad and Mining Company.
In July, 1869, 1 became supply pastor of the church at Rolla,
Mo., but declining a call to become pastor, returned to Car-
bondale, October, 1872, and edited a weekly newspaper until
July, 1875. I then removed to Greenfield, Greene county;
remained there as supply pastor one year. In Octo-
ber, 1875. I returned to Indiana, and took charge of the
churches of Liberty, Shiloh and La Gro. (The latter place
is my residence.) I have preached for two years to the
church in whose house I was licensed thirty-three years ago.
In almost all my congregations I find some of the hearers of
almost my first attempts to preach the Gospel in Indiana.
Andrew Luce.
He married, Jan. 17, 1844, Caroline E. French, daughter
of Enos French, of West Stockbridge, Mass. This excel-
lent lady died in Rolla, Mo. A married daughter resides at
Rolla, Mo., and another at Red Bud, 111.
512 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Cornelius Hector Taylor was born in Shelburn, Vt.^.
March 14, 1821, and died February 25, 1875. He was the
son of Vernon D. Taylor, who, at the date of his birth, was
engaged in business, but afterward became a minister of the
gospel, and labored as such till the infirmities of age laid him
aside. Even in boyhood, the son became the companion,
almost the counselor, of the father. In his youth Cornelius
had a business training and experience which were of decided
advantage to him in his subsequent life.
At the age of nineteen or twenty he resolved on a liberal
education. He prepared for college at Kalamazoo, Michi-
gan. In Septembet", 1842, he entered the Freshman class in
the Western Reserve college. He was graduated in 1846,
and prosecuted his theological studies three years longer at
the same institution. Then he supplied the pulpit of the
church in Willoughby one year. In 185 1 he became pastor
at Huron, where he remained till 1858. This church he found
dependent on missionary aid. He left it self-sustaining, and
with a neat, commodious house of worship, which is a monu-
ment of his energy and discretion. In 1858 he
sought a change of field. His health suffered from the cli-
mate at Huron, and he went to Alton, 111. He had been a
leading member of Huron Presbytery and the Western Re-
serve Synod. He became a foremost man in Southern Illi-
nois, caring for many feeble churches of Alton Presbytery.
While there the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity was
conferred upon him by the authorities of Shurtleff college.
In Alton he labored ten years, and established a name
which is as the odor of precious ointment. The people of
Huron are scarcely yet reconciled to his departure from them.
In 1868 he became pastor of the Third Presbyterian church,
Cincinnati, and continued such until his death, at his resi-
dence in that city, February 25, 1875. His labors there
were extremely arduous, but attended with good success.
In that pastorate of seven years the additions to the church
were four hundred and twenty-two — two hundred and fifty-
four of them on profession of their faith. His funeral ser-
vices were held in his church at Cincinnati, Sabbath, Feb-
ruary 28. His remains were then taken to Alton, 111., the
scene of his last previous pastorate, where, after appropriate
services, they were deposited beside those of his son, George
Bellamy.
Mr. Taylor married Julia A. Edwards, of Southampton,.
CAIRO CHURCH. 513
Mass., May 7, 1850, a lineal descendant of Jonathan Ed-
wards. Their children are Edwards Cornelius, born June 8,
1852; Julia King, April 25, 1854; George Bellamy, April 18,
1856; Frank Livingston, September 10, 1858; Benj. Kirk
Hart, August 13, 1864. The widow resides in Alton.
Dr. Taylor was invited in 1873 and 1874 to the church of
Hudson, O., in connection with a professorship of philoso-
phy in Western Reserve college, and then to the presidency
of the college. These calls gave him much concern, but he
did not see his way clear to leave Cincinnati. He also re-
ceived calls to Norwalk, O., and to Quincy, 111., the latter
but a few weeks before his death. As a public speaker he
greatly excelled.
Cairo Church. On the first Sabbath in January, 1855,
the house of worship of the Cairo Presbyterian church was
dedicated, Rev. Robert Stewart preaching the sermon. The
means for its erection were raised mainly from abroad. The
first five hundred dollars were secured by Rev. A. T. Nor-
ton in St. Louis. Seventeen hundred and sixty-two dollars
were collected by Rev. R. Stewart in twenty-two towns and
cities in Illinois. Five hundred and thirty-four dollars were
secured in Cairo. The site was donated by the Cairo Com-
pany. In 1858 the rivers broke through the levee and laid
Cairo under water. In the church the water rose to the pulpit
cushion, but spared the Bible lying upon it. It cost five hun-
dred dollars to repair the damages. Since then the church has
been again thoroughly renovated, a fine organ placed in it,
and a commodious parsonage erected adjoining the church
building. A sermon was preached in Cairo, February 8,
1852, by Rev. Robert Stewart on the "Sam Dale" wharf
boat. Rev. E. B. Olmsted preached in the evening of the
same day in the dining hall of the hotel on the point. The
church organization took place December 20, 1856, with
ten members, three males and seven females. No elders
were elected at that time. The ministers have been : Rob-
ert Stewart; E. B. Olmsted; A. G. Martin; E. Folsom;
Charles Kenmore ; Robert Stewart, again ; H. P. Roberts,
in 1865. Under his ministry the church became self-support-
ing. Charles H. Foote, installed October 20, 1867, and B.
Y. George, pastor, who still continues. Elders : E. O. Wil-
cox, James McFerran, Walter Hyslop, D. W. Munn, J. B.
32
514 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Read and J. M. Lansden. Since 1863 this has been one of
the most interesting, prosperous and efficient churches in the
Presbytery of Cairo. Morally and religiously speaking, no
greater contrast probably is to be seen in the Christian
world than between the Cairo of 1852 and the Cairo of 1879.
The following statements were made on the floor of Synod
of Illinois South at Cairo during its meeting in October,
1875, by Rev. David Dimond, D. D., and are here committed
to writing at the desire of the pastor of that church : "Just
thirty-one years ago, then a licentiate, I was passing down the
Ohio river from Pittsburg on my first journey to the West.
In the party were John N. Lewis, D. D., author of the Pres-
byterian Manual, Rev. Artemas BuUard, D. D., pastor in St.
Louis, and his wife and four children. Saturday night over-
took us at Cairo. Though we had paid our fare to St. Louis,
none of this company would journey on the Sabbath. Cairo
was a forlorn looking place of about thirty uninteresting
houses, and some traces of railroad earth-works raised ten
years before. An old steamer, 'The Vicksburg,' dismantled
of its machinery, lay at the landing, and served as a wharf-
boat and hotel. Here we spent the Sabbath. Word was
sent abroad and an audience of about fifty gathered on the
old boat, morning and night, to hear the gospel.
"Such was a Sabbath spent in Cairo in 1845. In the
autumn of 1854 I casually met Rev. A. T. Norton on the
streets of St. Louis. Said he to me, * We are building a church
at Cairo. Robert Stewart will have charge. I am here so-
liciting funds.' I took Dr. N. to my friend A. V., not a
Christian, but a large-minded and generous man. We found
him at home. He promptly gave twenty dollars in gold.
Showed us some rare objects of virtu in his parlor, and we
were on the side-walk again in fifteen minutes. Said Dr. N.
to me, 'This has been a pleasant call and differs from an in-
terview I had yesterday. I called on Col. J. B. Brandt, at
his marble mansion on Washington avenue, between Third
and Fourth streets. He heard me fully, took my book and
wrote twenty-five dollars, carefully dried the ink and handed
it back. Said I to him, " Colonel, you are known to be a
millionaire and attached to Presbyterianism. If you send me
away with less than one hundred dollars, you will destroy
my prospect of doing anything in this city," "Do you
think so?" responded the Colonel! And thus, by dint of
pressure I obtained from him one hundred dollars. It was thus.
SYNOD OF ILLINOIS.
D'D
brethren, that the house where Synod meets was reared,
and of Dr. Norton it may be said, as it was of the builder of
the great cathedral, Si nioinwientum quaeris? Circtimspice.
And the Doctor may also reflect, as he looks over this city
.and this Synod, quae regio non nostri plena laboris !
Synod of Illinois, n. s., met at Springfield, October 7,
1858. Hardin church was attached to Alton Presbytery.
The Church Extension Committee reported that they had
employed Rev. A. T. Norton during the entire year, his salary
being paid by a i^w individuals. His report of labors was
presented, approved and his appointment continued.
The Synod of Illinois, o. s., met at Peoria, September
13, 1858. The bounds of its Presbyteries were re-arranged,
and two new Presbyteries — Hillsboro and Saline — erected.
CHAPTER XIII.
MEETINGS OF PRESBYTERIES AND SYNODS FROM 1 859 TQ
1 86 1, INCLUDING SKETCHES OF THE CHURCHES ORGANIZED
AND THE MINISTERS COMMENCING THEIR LABORS HERE
WITHIN THE PERIOD.
Authorities: Original Records; Auto-biographies; Presbytery Reporter.
YEAR 1859.
The Presbytery of Illinois held a called meeting at
Jacksonville, commencing February 22, 1859, to investigate
difficulties in the First Presb3'terian church in that place.
The regular spring meeting was held at Carrollton April 14.
The church at Maroa, organized by Rev. A. T. Norton, Jan.
30, 1859, with twenty-four members, was received, J. G.
Rankin, minister, and Chester Armstrong, elder, were ap-
pointed to attend the Assembly. Norman A. Prentiss was
licensed April 16. The fall meeting was held at
Winchester, beginning September 15. The church of Green-
field was received. C. J. Pitkin was dismissed to the Pres-
bytery of Alton. Geo. C. Wood reported service through
the year as Presbyterial missionary. His support — $800 and
traveling expenses — was secured by special collections, indi-
vidual donations, and subscriptions in the churches where
his labor was expended. Adjourned meetings were held in
October and December, at which the investigation of the
difficulties in the First church of Jacksonville was continued.
These difficulties increased as the case proceeded, and ulti-
mated in a judicial trial, which was not decided until March
9, 1S60. It excited most intense interest at the time, greatly
divided public opinion in Jacksonville and elsewhere, and is
yet too recent, although twenty years in the past, to justify
the historian in recording a decided opinion. It was proba-
bly, however, one of those cases so frequently occurring
among good, but short-seeing and fallible men, in which
both sides were right, and both wrong. Its effects remain,
and will when the actors are all laid in the tomb.
GREENFIELD CHURCH. 5^7
Greenfield Church, Green County. The Presbyterian
body had not even a nominal representative in this place till
May 15, 1859, when Rev. Geo. C. Wood found his way hither,
gathered up the scattered elements of this faith, and organ-
ized them into what is known as The First Presbyterian
Church of Greenfield. The number of members was
twelve, viz : R. E. Wilder, A. T. Wilder, E. M, Gilmore,
Mary M. Gilmore, Hiram B. Ellis, F. A. Ellis, George Mc-
Chesney, Hannah L. Gushing, M. F. Spencer, Mary I. Spen-
ycer, Robert Harden, Lucy Harden, Philip S. Moser and
Hashy Moser. R. E. Wilder and Hiram B. Ellis were elected
elders. For a brief period Mr. Wood ministered
as supply pastor, after whom Rev. J. R. Armstrong and Rev.
Morgan L. Wood, with other more transient supplies, with
frequent interruptions, till 1870, when the Rev. M. L. Wood
was employed as supply pastor, and continued till 1875- H.
B. Ellis having deceased some years before, George Mc-
Chesney was elected elder in January, 1 871.
Hitherto the church had held their public services in the
•Union and old Baptist churches. This year they accepted
-an invitation of Prof. Wilder to hold all their services in his
■" private academy," which they did for some three years,
when they removed to their new church, partially completed,
•erected the year before, 1872. This structure,
since finished, is a commodious brick edifice, located in the
•center of town, having a large audience room above, with an
inviting room below, furnished with every appliance for Sab-
bath school and other church purposes, the whole worth
.some ;^9,ooo. May 19, 1873, Charles G. Gray was added to
the eldership, thus forming the trio that have continued to
this present, 1879. On the retirement of the Rev.
Morgan L. Wood, in 1875, after a short interregnum, filled
by several temporary supplies. Rev. Andrew Luce was em-
ployed for one year. Then Rev. Gideon C. Clark. He con-
tinued till April of the present year, 1879. Thus,
though this church has had a nominal existence of just twenty
years, its active life is embraced within the brief period of
eight. During its history, though now numbering only fifty
members, it has had on its roll eighty. Its Sabbath school,
from very small beginnings, was declared in a late county
Sabbath school convention "the banner school" of the
•county, both for numbers and efficiency. Its weekly prayer-
.meetings, both general and female, are efficiently maintained.
5l8 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Though financially poor, with one or two exceptions, with
little aid from outside sources, and located under a meridian
where genuine Presbyterian material is confessedly a scarce
article, it has attained to its present efficiency and prestige,
mostly through the unwearied efforts and labors of its pres-
ent board of elders. The ministrations of its pul-
pit, while not brilliant or rhetorical, have been sound and
faithful. Its whole history has beeii one of peace — only one
case of discipline having occurred to cause friction — thus in-
dicating the efficiency of the Presbyterian polity. Having no
rival, and situated in at own of 1,500 inhabitants, it presents
a field for usefulness second to but few others.
The Presbytery of Kaskaskia met at Chester. April 8,
1859. Georgetown church was received. D. A. Wallace
was elected stated clerk ; B. H, Charles, minister, and Rob-
ert Douglas, elder, were chosen commissioners to the Assem-
bly; Daniel Steele was dismissed to the United Presbyte-
rian church. Presbytery of St. Louis. The fall
meeting was held at Trenton, October 7. F. H. L. Laird,,
from the Presbytery of Potosi, and William H. Templeton,
from the Presbytery of the Creek Nation, were received. B.
H. Charles was installed over Chester church, April 11.
Georgetown Church, Randolph county, was organized
by a committee of Kaskaskia Presbytery January 22, 1859,
with these eleven members : James Brown, Sr., Mrs. Eliza-
beth K. Brown, Miss Amanda Brown, Miss Ann Eliza Brown,
James Brown, Jr., Alfred A. Brown, Samuel N. Brown, Mrs.
Frances K, Whitford, Mrs. Anna Mathews, Mrs. Anna C.
Parker, George Gordon. Elder: James Brown, Sr. Elders
since appointed: Robert Cunningham, March i, i860, from
Lively's Prairie church; A. A. Brown and R. G. Reynolds,
May 12, 1866; J. L. Mann and James A. Reynolds, March,
1873; John Morrison, John H. Barber, James M. Malone,.
February 15, 1875. Ministers: John Mathews, about once
a month during his residence in the place ; Wm. H. Temple-
ton, from June, 1867, to June, 1869 ; A. J. Clark, from April
to October, 1875 ; J. W. Cecil, October, 1875, to March,
1876; James Scott Davis, June, 1876, to June, 1878. No
regular preaching since. The name of the church was
FRANCIS H. L. LAIRD. 519
changed from Georgetown to Steele's Mills in April, 1875.
The organization took place in the old Baptist house, which
stood on the site of their present edifice. Services were held
mostly in the old Baptist church, but sometimes in a store-
house on the Alma side of the town, and occasionally at the
railroad depot. The site for the present and only church ed-
ifice owned by the congregation was given by Mr. and Mrs.
W. F. Stinder. The building was erected in 1875, and cost
;^5,ooo. The corner-stone was laid July 17, 1875, and the
edifice completed December i, of the same year.
WiLLiAiM H. Templeton was born in Pennsylvania ; grad-
uated at Washington college, Penn., in 1845 ; studied theol-
ogy at Princeton. Was a missionary to the Creek Indians
in Arkansas several years. In this State he has labored in
the southwest part of Randolph county, with the church of
Galum, in Perry county, where his residence is, with Oak
Grove church, in Wasliington county, and is now occupying
his old field in Randolph.
Francis H. L. Laird. He shall tell his own story. I
was born January 21, 1802, less than a mile from Raccoon
church, Washington county. Pa. My father, James L.,
was a Scotch-Irish Presbyterian — had four sons — James,
Episcopal minister; John, a lawyer; Robert M., Presbyte-
rian minister, and myself His daughter, Rebecca,
was consort of Rev. C. Vallandigham, and Eleanor, consort
of S. S. Henry. I attended Washington College, also Jef-
ferson College, and closed at the Western University, Pitts-
burg. November 9, 1828, was ordained deacon
in St. John's church, Norristown, Pa., by Bishop H. U. On-
derdonk, D. D., and received Priest's Orders from him in
Trinity church, Pittsburg, 1829. April, 1852, I was received
into Louisville Presbytery; removed to Corydon, Ind. ; be-
came supply pastor to the church, and taught the public
school. During the first year I taught the Shorter Cate-
chism to thirty children, who met me in the church on Sat-
urdays. The second year, the Rev. John Wallace having
left Ebenezer and Rehoboth, I rode thirty miles and
preached three times each Sabbath. In 1854 I became sup-
ply pastor to the First church, Bloomington, Ind. During
520 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS,
the year twenty were added by examination and twelve were
recovered to duty at Vandalia, where I preached once a
month on Saturdays and Sabbaths. In 1855 I left Bloom-
ington and served different missionary stations at Auburn
and Potosi, Mo., and elsewhere until December, 1858, when
I became teacher of the public school and and supply pas-
tor of the church in Carlyle, 111., and afterwards pastor.
During the three and a half years while there, the church
was repaired, and a bell purchased, with funds I collected
chiefly in my native place, Raccoon, to which I made a
hasty visit. April, 1862, became supply to Moro church,
which a severe attack of rheumatism obliged me to resign in
1863. I removed to Upper Alton, April, 1864. Since which
I have been able to preach but a few times, in consequence
of the rheumatism and nasal catarrh. The latter still injuri-
ously affects my speech and hearing. So long as I was
able, I preached three times almost every Sabbath and never
rode less than five miles to the afternoon appointment.
July 15, 1828, the Rev. John H. Hopkins, rector of Trin-
ity church, Pittsburg, married me to Miss Sarah McFarland,
of Montours congregation, near Pittsburg. Only three
children of our ten are now on earth, viz. : Adehne Rebecca
Dorsey, Anne Elizabeth Pallies and William White Laird.
Three sons volunteered to suppress the rebellion. My third
son died, October, 1862, of chronic diarrhea at U. S. Hos-
pital, Mound City. In 1863 I brought his remains to Moro,
opened the coffin and painfully found that he had been
buried alive ! My oldest son was killed and stripped by the
rebels at Memphis, November, 1864. My second son was
wounded at the battle of Corinth, Miss., and after having
served more than three years was honorably discharged, re-
turned and died here, December 4, 1866. Three daughters
died within the last few years. My dear wife died November
I, 1868.
The Presbytery of Wabash met with the New Prov-
idence church, April 21, 1859. Charles H. Palmer was dis-
missed to the Presbytery of Bloomington, Friend A. Dem-
ino-, minister, and J. G. Morrison, elder, were appointed Com-
missioners to the Assembly. The fall session was
held at Danville, commencing October 5. Unity church
was received.
JAMES W. ALLISON. 521
Unity Church was organized by Rev. Samuel Ward in
the fall of 1859. It was in Shelby county, T. 10 N., R. 6
'E. Its elders were D. D. Cadwell and Thomas McMellen.
It was soon disbanded.
The Presbytery of Palestine met at Palestine, Craw-
ford county, April 14, 1859. Allan McFarland was received
from the Presbytery of Whitewater, and on the 15th installed
pastor of the Palestine church. J. A. Steele, minister, and
David Dryden, elder, were appointed to attend the Assem-
bly. Wakefield and Kansas churches were received. Ste-
phen J. Bovell was licensed. The fall meeting
was held at Grandview, October lO. John Elliott, from the
Presbytery of Chicago, and Henry T, Morton, licentiate, from
the Presbytery of Vincennes, were received. On the iith
inst. James W. Allison and Henry T. Morton were ordained,
sine tihilo.
Allan McFarland was born in the State of New York ;
graduated at Union College 1849; studied theology at Prince-
ton; ordained at Penfield, N. J., April, 1853; supply pastor
at Brookfield, Ind., 1864; pastor at Palestine and Beck-
with Prairie from 1858 to 1868, but was absent two years of
the time as chaplain in the army ; preached at Farm-
ington. 111., several years subsequent to 1870, and is now —
1879 — at Flora, Clay, county, 111. He is a brother greatly
useful and greatly beloved.
James W. Allison was born in Augusta county, Va.,
May 23, 1828. His ance-Jtors were Scotch-Irish Presbyte-
rians. He came with his parents to Edgar county. III., in
November, 1838, in the eleventh year of his age. He la-
bored on a farm for several years, attending the common
school for a few months every winter. He united with the
Presbyterian church of Grandview in November, 1842. He
entered upon a course of study with the ministry in view in
185 1 ; graduated at Hanover College, Ind., in 1856. He
studied theology at the New. Albany and Allegheny Semin-
aries— graduating at the latter, April, 1838. He was licensed
i)y the Presbytery of Palestine in April, 1857, and ordained
522 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
by the same at Grandview, III, October ii, 1859, Immedi-
ately after leaving the seminary he took charge of a mission-
ary field on the Illinois Central Railroad, between Tuscola
and Mattoon. The churches of Areola, Tuscola, o. s., Milton,,
and Mattoon, o. s., were organized during his eleven years
service in that field. His principal labors, however, were at
Areola and vicinity, where he was installed pastor. In the
same period he supplied for a short time the churches of
Kansas and Pleasant Prairie in connection with Areola. He
resigned the care of Areola church at the close of 1868, and
took charge of the churches of Grandview and Dudley for
two years, when his health became impaired and he was
obliged to desist from regular ministerial work. He is now
— 1879 — on a farm near Kansas, Edgar county, preaching as
opportunities present and health permits, but is without reg-
ular ministerial charge. He has been twice married. First
to Miss Anna E. Nelson, of Hanover, Ind., May 4, 1858,.
who died August, 1861. Second, to Miss Mary A. Howell,
daughter of Rev. Ellis Howell, October 7, 1862. They have
one child, Ellis Y., born August 19, 1863.
Henry T. Morton. Have found out nothing of his early
history. He was a licentiate of Vincennes Presbytery in
1859. Ordained as above. Supply pastor at Newton, 111.,
in i860; pastor at Bardstown, Ky., in 186 1. In 1862 he was
W. C. at Shelbyville, Ky., a member of Louisville Presby^^
tery. In 1863 supply pastor at Rockfort, Ind. At Ow-
ensboro', Ky., in 1864, teacher and supply pastor. At
the same place in 1865, but only teacher. After that year
his name disappears from the records of the Assembly.
Wakefield Church was organized by Rev. John Crozier
October 9 and 10, 1859, with six members, Joseph Wilson
and James McKinney, elders. May 21, 1871, the name was
changed to Mt. Olivet. In 1873 the elders were James R.
Richey, Andrew D. Delzell and James Caldwell. At that
time the resident members numbered twenty-six, and James
Brownlee was their minister. At present, 1879, George W.
Nicolls preaches here and at Newton, Jasper county. This
church, Mt. Olivet, is in Richland county, about seven miles
north and six west of Olney. Its post office is Olney. It has-
KANSAS CHURCH, 525
a good church building, dedicated October 8, 1871. The
Mount OHvet church building is on a level prairie, about twa
miles north of Onion Hill.
Kansas Church, Edgar county, was organized November
7, 1858, in the Methodist Protestant church, by Revs. J. A.
Steele and Henry I. Venable, and Elder J. Y. Allison, with
these members : George Brown, Hannah T. Brown, S. C.
Hogue, Martha J. Hogue, James F. Hogue, Samuel Hartzell,
Mrs. Sarah Hartzell, Cyrus Goodale, Mrs. C. Goodale, Dan-
iel Shafer, Louis Shafer, Henry Bull, Mrs, Mary Shy, Miss
Mary Shy, Margaret Barnet, Mrs. M. Shafer and Henry
Shafer, Elders: George Brown, Henry Bull and S. C,
Hogue. Elders since chosen: John Y. Allison, Sanford
Williams, Dr. Geo. Ringland, John S. Paxton, Ministers :
James W. Allison, 1860-62; Nathaniel Williams, 1863-64;
S. B. Taggart, 1864-69, pastor; R. A. Mitchell, 1870-77.
The church building is a large frame, on a very pleasant site,
and was erected in 1862-63, at a cost of $2,850. In the sum-
mer of 1858 the pulpit was supplied by William F. Ringland,
student of theology, a son of elder Dr. Geo. Ringland. A
commodious parsonage was erected in 1864, at a cost of
;^2,ooo. Until the erection of the present church, the place
of worship was the Protestant Methodist house, which then
stood in the centre of the village.
The Presbytery of Sangamon met at Williamsville, April
20, 1859. R. W. Allen, minister, and John Todd, elder^
were appointed to attend the Assembly. The fall
meeting was held at Taylorville, commencing September 13.
The church of Tacusa was received. Adjourned meetings
were held at Springfield September 22, and October 19, at
which the conduct of Henry R. Lewis in certain money
transactions was investigated, and he was deemed deserving
of severe rebuke, which was accordingly administered. Two
members of the Presbytery complained to Synod of this sen-
tence as being inadequate.
Tacusa, or Assumption Church was organized in the
house of Marcus L. Barrett, May 27, 1859, by H. R. Lewis,.
524 PRESBYTERIANI3M IN ILLhXOIS.
with twenty-four members. Elders : S. C. Sheller and
Wm. G. Calhoun. Elders suice chosen: Daniel Gahagan,
Zadok Lanham, George White, Samuel M. Moore, William
Ray, Dr. Joseph D. Bennett. Ministers : H. R. Lewis,
1859-60; Clark Loudon, 1861-66; B. E. Mayo, 1866-68, the
last year pastor ; Washington Maynard, 1868 — installed Sep-
tember 24, 1863, dismissed September, 1875 ; R. M. Neiil,
January I, 1876, August, 1876; Washington Maynard (sec-
ond time), October I, 1876 — still acting. The church edifice
was dedicated June 23, 1861, and cost ^^1,000. A parsonage
was erected in 1867 on the same half-acre lot with the church,
and cost seven huirdred and fifty dollars. This church was
originally called Tacusa. Tacusa and Assump-
tion were at first two small places on the railroad, within one
half mile of each other. They finally consolidated under the
name of Assumption, and the church, by common consent,
took the name of the village. The site for the edifice and
parsonage was donated by the proprietor of the town, Col.
E. E. Milhoit. The whole number of members
connected with this church is two hundred and nine.
A member of Assumption church is in Missouri peniten-
tiary. He killed a man in a quarrel in Missouri years ago,
escaped to this State, became a convert to Christ, united
with Assumption church, was arrested for that long-ago kill-
ing, tried, convicted and sentenced to the penitentiary for
eleven years, about five of which he has served out. He is
.believed to be a truly Christian man.
Alton Presbytery met at Centralia April 7, 1859. Mound
City church was received. James S. Walton, from Athens
Presbytery, and Almond G. Martin, from Coldwater Presby-
tery, were received. N. A. Hunt, not having used the letter
granted him September 26, 1856, returned it to Presbytery.
A. T. Norton, minister, and J. N. McCord, M. D., elder, were
appointed commissioners to the Assembly. The chief busi-
ness transacted at this meeting had reference to the relations
of the Presbytery to the American Home Missionar}' Society.
As this business was of general interest, and concerned most
vitally the very existence of the New School body as a Pres-
byterian Church, I should hardly be excused did I not go
into it somewhat in detail. Happily the means for doing
this with entire accuracy are at hand. They are found in
ALTON PRESBYTERY AND A. H. M. S. 525
the records of the Presbytery and in the Presbytery Reporter
for May, 1859:
More than one entire day of this session of Presbytery^
April 7-1 1, 1859, was occupied in considering its relations to
the A. H, M. S. The statement of the Stated Clerk, in intro-
ducing the discussion, was substantially as follows :
A matter of great interest and importance has been
sprung upon us. Since January last, the A. H. M. S. have
been refusing to commission or re-commission any missiona-
ries on our field. An extensive correspondence has been
carried on between the various missionaries in whose behalf
applications have been made to the society, and between
myself and the society. Rev. D. B. Coe, D. D, is the Secre-
tary, to whom has been committed the task of making known
to us the Society's behests. In order that the Presbytery
may perfectly understand this subject, and be able to act in-
telligently, I propose to bring before them the correspond-
ence which has been had. First, however, I will offer a few
preliminary remarks, for the sake of those who have not been
with us from the beginning. The Alton Presby-
tery took measures for entering upon the work of Presbyte-
rial missions, April ii, 1840. At their session held at that
time in Upper Alton, Presbytery passed these resolutions :
(1) That the interests of religion, within the bounds of this Presbytery, require
the immediate employment of a missionary, who shall devote his whole time to-
ministerial labor in our destitute churches and settlements.
(2) That Rev. IMessrs. T. Baldwin and A. T. Norton be a committee to pro-
cure a missionary, and make arrangements for his laboring under the direction of
this Presbytery.
In pursuance of these resolutions the committee immedi-
ately employed Rev. William Chamberlin. In their simplic-
ity they deemed the authority of Presbytery sicfficient ! They
did not even dream that they must first ask the A. H. M. S.
to allow them to enter upon this work ! Presbytery paid
Mr. Chamberlin's entire salary up to January 24, 1841. Sub-
sequently one-half his support was furnished by the A. H.
M. S., the other half by the Presbytery. Since
the period above referred to — April ii, 1840 — we have con-
stantly had one, a portion of the time two, and, for a short
period, three missionaries in our employ. This
Presbyterial missionary work was mostly, though not exclu-
sively, confined to the vacant churches of the Presbytery
until October, 1844, when by vote of Presbytery it was for-
mally extended, and made to include the exploration of our
526 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
jield and the planting of new churches. Additional mission-
aries, first Rev. Williston Jones, then Rev. Joseph Gordon,
and still later Rev. Robert Stewart, were employed, and the
pioneer work was pressed forward vigorously and with suc-
cess. Until about 1854 or 1855 we acted in com-
plete and kind co-operation with the A. H. M. S. The prin-
ciples of co-operation were then understood on both sides,
and sacredly regarded. As the natural consequence, the
sentiments of co-operation were felt and cherished. We ap-
pointed our Presbyterial missionaries, they commissioned
them. We directed their labors exclusively. We raised
money from all ouf churches and paid our missionaries there-
with, save that portion of their salaries pledged them in their
respective commissions by the society. We reported our
receipts at the end of each year. Even the collections
which their missionaries were, by the terms of their commis-
sions, bound to take up in their respective fields were paid to
our treasury, and were by the society regarded as a full fulfill-
ment of the obligation. Dr. Milton Badger in a letter to me,
dated March 27, 1845, says, " We shall regard the collection
taken tip and paid over to the Presbytery, as the one contempla-
ted in the proviso r viz., of the commission of their missiona-
ries. Our Presbyterial missionary committee acted as the
agent of that society on our field ; and, I venture to say, they
never had a paid agent who did the work as well, or anything
like as well as that z^/z-paid committee. Their agent in those
days. Rev. William Kirby, came into the field about once
a year; but he never found anything of consequence to
do for the society, and he showed his wisdom by letting well
enough alone. Our churches and ministers and missionary
collections steadily increased. All the Home missionary
money raised on our field went through the hands of our
Presbyterial missionary committee. Here was proper, true
and real co-operation ; the control, direction and agency work
on the field were all in our hands ; all applications for aid
from our feeble churches were made through us. We re-
ported to them what we did, and the wants and condition of
our feeble churches. They, as the general agent of the denomin-
ation, sent to our feeble churches and new and needy fields a por-
tion of the funds which our strong churches at the East were put-
ting into their hands for that very piirposc. With this condition
of things we were perfectly satisfied. The society, too, were
satisfied apparently, and praised us so frequently and loudly
ALTON PRESBYTERY AND A. H. M. S. 5 2/
as to bring the blush to our cheeks, and attract the attention
of the country. But this prosperous and to us sat-
isfactory condition of things was not allowed to continue.
There was actually danger, lest in this way, the real mission-
ary power of our Church should get into play, and render
less necessary, or sink in importance the great central agency
in New York. The Church Extension movement in our As-
sembly— one chief feature of which is the exploration of new
territory and the organization of Presbyterian churches — was
inaugurated. The society seems to have felt it necessary
about that time so to change their policy as to control, or
prevent this pioneer work. Accordingl}^ they adopted a rule
not to cominission missionaries except to labor at certain points
designated in their cojnniissions. This would seem like a small
thing. But it was like the tax on tea in ante-revolutionary
times. It contained a mighty principle. .It was virtually
saying to Presbyteries, either that they could not, or should
not direct their own Presbyterial missionaries. In the former
case it was an insult. In the latter, it was assuming to them-
selves— a mere voluntary society with no other than a money
basis — a power whicli God never gave to any other body than
his Cliiirch. Just at this point commenced the divergence
between this Presbytery and that Society. For half a year
our missionary, Rev. Robert Stewart, was kept uncommis-
sioned by the rule which I have mentioned, and by other
pretexts — such as that he was engaged a portion of his time
in protracted meetings, and in pr9moting the building of
churches — the society not seeming to heed at all the fact that
he was oiir missionary, was doing, in all this, our bidding, or
at least acting with our consent, and that we on the ground
must be presumed to know better where and hozv our mis-
sionary should labor than they could, a thousand miles off,
in their up-stairs office in Nassau street, New York. In a
word, they were manifestly and persistently taking from us
the right arm of our strength — that inlierent God-given right
which we never could surrender without faithlessness to our
Master, our Church and ourselves, viz., the right to manage
•OUR OWN BENEVOLENT OPERATIONS. Thcy , the mere agents,
the servants of the Church, were attempting to lord it over
God's heritage! Talk of an Ecclesiastical liicrarchy ! a
voluntary society, that has grown fat and sleek and proud on
the offerings of the Church, is a spiritual despot that can vie
with Rome ! But to return to my narrative.
528 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
After a half year of negotiations for a commission for Mr.
Stewart, weary, sick, and disgusted with the whole corres-
pondence, I at length named to the Executive Committee
some ten or fifteen places, scattered from Dan to Beersheba,
in which we might wish our Missionary to labor. The letter was
designed to convey to the Executive Committee my excessive
aiid emphatic disgust at their requirements. But, uiirabile
dictii ! it brought the commission ! In order to be free from
such harrassments, and that the Society and all men might
understand that we should not yield up the control of our
Presbyterial Missionary work, this Presbytery, ar their ses-
sion in Mt. Vernon',''April 4, 1856, adopted a report which
contains the following language :
Until two years past the commissions of our Presbyterial missionaries have
been co-extensive with our bounds. That society has not only permitted them to
so labor under the direction of this body, but has repeatedly expressed their ap-
probation of the arrangement, their full conviction of its utility, and their high
satisfaction with its results. Now, however, for reasons best known to them-
selves, they refuse to do this, and insist that every missionary should have certain
places specified in his commission, where he is expected to confine his labors.
At one of tliese he must reside. That is, the Society has virtually aimed a death
tlo'cV at our Presbyterial missions. If we submit to this, we come un-
der the complete control of a society outside of our Church — we deprive our-
selves entirely of the power of extension as a denomination — we may not even
cherish our own feeble churches without that Society's permission ; and we must
be content to let the duty and the privilege of extending Clirist's kingdom, pass
into the hands of a body over which we not only have no control, and in the man-
agement of which we have no voice. Shall we submit to this ? Your
committee say — No ! most emphatically. Our duty to our God — our own min-
isterial vows — our duty to the perishing around us, and our regard for our be-
loved Zion forbid it. Your committee, therefore, propose to employ
two missionaries under //^e sole and only direction of this Presbytery, with no
commissions from any other source, save the Lord Jesus Christ.
Since that date, April, 1856, we have acted on the princi-
ple then laid down. No notice, however, was taken of it
until the beginning of the present year.
During 1858 the plan acted upon by Alton Presbytery
was carried through Illinois Synod. That Society, which
has been termed the " mother of churches," — may it not
prove a jr/^y)- mother ! — seems to have taken new alarm, and
to have determined to try upon this Presbytery the effect of
chastisement. They began, however, with Wabash Presby-
tery, first refusing a commission to Rev. C. H. Palmer, on the
ground tliat Presbytery had assumed an independent position
in regard to the H. M. work. But Alton Presbytery was evi-
dently the chief offender, and on that devoted body the
blows have fallen most frequently, and upon them they are
ALTON PRESBYTERY AND A. H. M. S. 529
falling still. Jan. ii, 1859, Dr. Coe addressed a letter to
Rev, E. B. Olmsted, of which the portion which follows is all
that bears upon the question before us :
The Presbytery to which your church belongs was formerly one of the most
efficient allies of this Society. All its contributions for Home Missions were re-
ported to us, and were expended in the support of our missionaries. Of late the
Presbytery has adopted a plan of independent action, appointing its own mission-
aries, and contributing its funds to their support. For two years, only one or
two small collections have been made for the Society (except a part of the con-
tributions of the churches assisted by it), while more than $2,000 have been ex-
pended in that time by Presbyterial missions. If the Presbytery prefer
this independent action, we may, as we do, regret it ; but they have a perfect
right to adopt it, and we have no right to complain. But the principles of this
Society will not allow it to grant aid to the feeble churches of ecclesiastical bodies
which do not co-operate with it in the missionary work. This principle is un-
derstood by, and has received the approval of the Missionary Committee of
your Presbytery. As they no longer act in co-operation with the Society, they
cannot expect its continued assistance, and we can only refer the churches need-
ing aid to that committee for relief. We should rejoice to labor with
our brethren in Southern Illinois, as heretofore, in supplying the destitute and
building up the Redeemer's kingdom. But if the work can be done more effect-
ually in some other way, we will cheerfully acquiesce, and turn to other fields.
The next day, Jan. 12, Dr. Coe addressed a letter to Rev.
H. Patrick, of Marion, of the same general purport, making
no new points, and declining to re-commission him for the
same reasons. The next letter, in the order of
this tedious correspondence, is from Dr. Coe to myself, dated
Jan. 19th, and is in reply to a brief note from me inquiring
for the facts in Mr. Palmer's case. After stating the reasons
for which the application for a commission for Mr. Palmer
had been rejected — reasons entirely similar to those in the
cases of Messrs. Olmsted and Patrick — the secretary goes on
to say, " He, Mr. Palmer, was assured, that we should be
most happy to aid those churches, as heretofore, if the Pres-
bytery will co-operate with the Society in good faith, to the
extent of its ability." Here we get a glimpse of what the
doctor means by " co-operation." He evidently thinks the
Presbytery will be in a state of " co-operation " ivhen it does
for home missions all it can, and does that all through the Amer-
ican Home Missionary Society. Such a ^(?-operation (from coriy
together, and opero, to work, meaning a zvorking together^ is a
great misnomer. It is not the co-operation of two partners,
both of whom exercise control ; but the co-operation of the
head of a firm with one of his clerks. The Society is the
head of the Home Missionary establishment in America
(it is the American H. M. S.) ; the Presbyterian Church is
only a clerk in the establishment, and has no business to do
530 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
anything except as the head of the establishment dictates !
If, however, this great Presbyterian Church will only " in
good faith, and to the extent of her ability," act according
to the principles of the A. H. M. S. — that Society will conde-
scend to co-operate with her ! Is not that a stoop of conde-
scension ! Further on, in the same letter, the
secretary says to me, " I have now before me a letter from
you in which you distinctly recognize it (this principle of co-
operation) as essential to an auxiliary relation, and modify
the missionary arrangements of your Presbytery, so as to
bring them into harmony with it." The reply to
this will be found "in my letter to Dr. Coe, dated January 25,
1859. It was forwarded to Dr. Hatfield, with the request
that he would peruse it, and either hand it to Dr. Coe or re-
turn it to me, with his own suggestions. He took the former
course, merely remarking in a note to me, dated February
7. iS59> " I was not present, I think, when Bro. Olmsted's
case was before us. I knew nothing of the difficulty until
advised of the similar case in Wisconsin." This sentence is
significant. It lets out the very important fact that this policy
of refusing commissions to the missionaries in Presbyteries
which performed some portion of their missionary work inde-
pendently, was initiated by the Executive Committee wJien
Dr Hatfield zvas absent. Who else was absent from that im-
portant meeting? Was Dr. Asa D. Smith one of them?
This is the letter :
Alton, III., January 25, 1859.
Dear Bro. Coe :
Yours of the 19th is before me ; also the letter you wrote to Rev. E. B. Olm-
sted on the nth inst. In these letters you distinctly say that the A. H. M. S.
declines longer to aid the feeble churches in the Presbyteries of Alton and Wa-
bash, because they have assumed a position independent of that Society, by ap-
pointing missionaries of their own, and making collections for their support. It
is true that these Presbyteries, and the Illinois Synod, and the Peoria Synod, and
the Albany Synod, and I know not how many more, have appointed missiona-
ries of their own, and pay them from their own contributions. But
why have they done it ? Because the A. H. M. S. — a voluntary society, with-
out the slightest ecclesiastical authority, have exceeded their true function —
which is singly and solely to be agents of the churches, so far and so long as the
churches are pleased to employ them — and have intruded into the work of ec-
clesiastical control ■iXiA direction, e. g. Until about two years ago Alton Pres-
bytery appointed an itinerant missionary or missionaries, had them commis-
sioned by your Society, and reported their collections. But mark ! The Pres-
bytcry directed the labors of those missionaries. In order, as I now firmly believe,
and then did, to prevent this Preshytcrial direction, you made the rule that your
missionaries could labor only at points designated in their commissions. That
rule, made for the nonce, virtually took from our hands what we believed we had
no right to yield up, XSxo. business of planting our own churches in our own terri-
tory- We threw ourselver upon our inherent aad inalienable right and sacred
ALTON PRESBYTERY AND A. H. M. S. 53 1
^dtity to do this work in our own way, independent of any and of all foreign dic-
tation. And since your Society would not sufter us to do it through them, we
-determined to do it widiout them. But we liave gone no farther
than this. We have simply vindicated our rights ; not to have done this would
have been unfaithfulness to our Master and our Church. We have commissioned
none but ?V?«^ra«/ missionaries. We have no purpose to commission any others,
unless you compel us to do it — and your present action looks very like it. We
have taken no collections except such as were necessary to meet the expenses of
this pioneer missionary work. Most of our churclies contribute to your Society.
I many mention Monticello, CoUinsville, Bunker Hill. Brighton, and I believe
Belleville. These are more than half of our self-sustaining churches. Besides
these, a// our missionary churches contribute to your treasury. I repeat, then :
We have not assumed an independent position, except with reference to the pio-
neer branch of the general missionary work — and to this your Society has forced
us. If, besides contributing to your Society, we sustain pioneer mis-
sionaries of our own, I know not on what principle that can be a ground of com-
plaint, or how that can constitute the shadow of a reason for withholding aid
'from our feeble churches. Have we ever agreed that we will do nothing for the
Home Missionary cause, except through one particular channel ? Do I under-
stand that unless we do all that we do, for Home Missions, through your Society,
you will do nothing for us ? You assure Mr. Palmer the Society will aid these
feeble churches if the Presbytery co-operate with them to the " extent of its
ability.^' i.e. It must do all it can do through you, or have no help. This is
drawing the lines pretty close. It may be possible that your Society can in this
way control our Presbyteries and Synods. There is no telling what men will do
when they are threatened with starvation. But if they do your bidding under
such a pressure, you will lose both their confidence and respect. The
allegiance of our Presbyteries and Synods is to our General Assembly, not to
-.the A. H. M. S. Our Assembly declared in 1855 (See minutes for that year, p.
21), " That the functions now assigned them — the Ch. Ex. Com. — are those of
etnploying Prcsbytcrial, Synodical and other Presbyterian itinerant or exploring
■agents, and also the receiving and disbursing of funds for these objects.''^ This is
jprecisely what Alton and Wabash Presbyteries have done — nothing more.
We may well ask by what ri^ht the A. H. M. S. are punishing us for follow-
ling the recommendations, or obeying the behest of our own Assembly ?
The rule you have adopted places you in conflict with our whole Church.
Your interpretation of co-operation is clearly this : You say to us, you must do
■ all your home missionary 7vork through our Society ; then we will help your fee-
ble churches. Such an interpretation of co-operation we never have admitted and
mever shall. It is seldom I write so long a letter, but in advocating
the rights of the weak against the strong, and of the oppressed against the op-
ipressor, "my heart becomes hot within me." If your Society insist on their
present course, I see no alternative but an appeal to the public. Our feeble
•churches and indigent ministers shall not suffer without at least one strenuous
•effort in their behaif.
To this letter Dr. Coe sent a reply, dated February i8,
1859. It is too long to quote in full. He states that the
subject to which this correspondence refers had been fully
discussed by the Executive Committee at their meeting, Mon-
day, February 14, but that no further action was taken, add-
ing : "The principles involved in my letter of January 19,
will doubtless be applied, as they have been heretofore, in all
:similar cases." The Secretary goes on to request that the
.action of the Executive Committee be communicated to the
.Presb>-tery, and in the very ivords in zvhich it had been made
532 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
knozvn to me. He meets no one of my positions. He is pre-^
eminently evasive and unfair. He quotes, e, g., with great
gusto, from the Assembly's Minutes of 1854 — "that the diffi-
culties apprehended, being all happily adjusted, they see no
occasion to create any other instrumentality" — than that of
the A. H. M. S. — but utterly ignores the action at St. Louis in
1855, when our Church Extension Committee was established.
He does not know such a Committee exists ; and that our
Church is looking upon it every year with increasing favor
and hope, and becoming more and more convinced of its in-
dispensable necess-ity. The Societ)^ calls in
question my assertion that " the Society has no right to or-
ganize churches." It lias no such right, and can put forth no
such claim, unless its conductors are believers in the doc-
trines of radical Independency. If they hold that laymen-
may organize churches, then they may say that the Society
can do it as such. But if they admit none can do that act
save regularly ordained ministers, their claim falls. Presby-
terians certainly will not admit that the A. H. M. S. is an
ecclesiastical body.
Dr. Coe's letters to Rev. W. S. Post, dated February 15,
1859, rejecting the applications of the churches of New Du-
coign and Carbondale ; to Mr. Pitkin, dated March 15, 1859,
rejecting the application of the church in Troy; to Mr. Bird,,
dated March 29, 1859, commiserating with him in his embar-
rassments at being connected with such a rebellious Presby-
tery; to Mr. Gibson, dated March 4, 1S59, rejecting the ap-
plications of the church in Mt. Vernon, were all read in full.
Their contents were entirely similar to those in the letter to
Mr. Olmsted. They were all electioneering documents, cal-
culated and, no doubt designed, to influence votes in the
Presbytery. The agent of the Society was also
present, having in his pocket copies of my letters to Dr. Coe,
which had been forwarded to him from New York. He was
armed cap-a-pie for advocating the claims of the Society.
Previously to the meeting of Presbytery, he had been to
the Session of Alton church, to draw them into the Society V
measures. How many other Sessions, and how many of our
ministers he approached for a similar purpose I know not.
But, beyond any question, there was a concerted and desper-
ate attempt made to dragoon the Presbytery into submission.
How well it succeeded the action of the Presbytery will
show. After the presentation of the subject and
ALTON PRESBYTERY AND A. H M. S. 533
the reading of the correspondence by the Stated Clerk, the
■whole matter was referred to a special committee, consisting
of Messrs. Norton, Taylor, Edwards, Parks and Porter.
The committee unanimously agreed upon the following re-
port :
Whereas, Difficulties have arisen between the Executive Committee of the A.
H. M. S. and this Presbytery, concerning the terms of co-operation between us
and them, this committee recommend :
1. That we appoint now, as we have done ever since 1840, a Missionary Com-
mittee, to consist of seven members — three ministers and four elders — one of
whom shall be chairman, and another secretary and treasurer — four of the com-
mittee to constitute a quorum, and the committee to meet monthly in the city of
Alton. They also recommend that Rev. C. H. Taylor be the chairman, and El-
der Isaac Scarritt secretary and treasurer of the committee, and that the other
members be Rev. Messrs. J. S. Edwards and A. T. Norton, and Elders A. M.
Blackburn, L. A. Parks and J. W. Gilson.
2. That this Committee on Home Missions be instructed to advise the Execu-
tive Committee of the A. H. M. S. as follows :
1. We must insist upon Its being our duty, our right, and an imperative neces-
sity, to employ an exploring missionary witliin our bounds, as hitherto.
2. We are willing, nevertheless, to co-operate with the A. PI. M. Society ; and
in case their aid is continued to our missionaries, we do hereby request that all
our churches contribute yearly to its treasury, according to the full measure of
•their ability.
3. If the Executive Committee of the A. H. M. S will not pledge continued
aid to our needy churches on these terms, we recommend that Presbytery adopt
the following plan :
(i.) They urge that as many of the missionary churches as possible assume at
-once the position of self-support — and that, in other cases, two, three, or even
four churches be united, if necessary, in the support of one man.
(2.) That Presbytery also urge upon all our churches to take up the largest col-
lections possible for the general work of home missions in our bounds— and that
in order to meet the present home missionary exigency, collections to all volun-
tary societies, save the A. B. C. F. M., be either suspended for a year or two
entirely, or be greatly reduced ; and that all the monies so collected be paid to
the Treasurer above named.
(3.) That Presbytery direct their Home Missionary Committee to prepare a
a memorial for the next General Assembly, giving a succinct but comprehensive
history of the present difficulty, and requesting them to so enlarge the functions of
•the Assembly's Permanent Church Extension Committee, that they can aftbrd aid
to all the missionaries of this body from whom the A. H. M. Society is now with-
holding commissions, and to all others in our bounds whom this Presbytery or
their Missionary Committee recommend.
(4.) Should the needed aid not be gained in the way last named, that Presby-
tery empower their Missionary Committee to employ an agent to raise the funds
wherever they may direct.
(5.) That our commissioners to the next General Assembly be specially charged
to urge the memorial above named upon the attention of the Assembly, and to
gain from the Church Extension Committee the aid needed.
(6 ) That our churches, whose applications have been rejected, be directed,
-after doing their utmost'for themselves, to make application to this Presbyterial
Home Missionary Committee.
(7.) That our present Presbyterial Missionary, Rev. J. Gordon, be continued
■to labor as heretofore, under the direction ef the Presbyterial Missionary Com-
imittee.
The report was thoroughly discussed, nearly every mem-
534 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
ber of Presbytery and the agent of the H. M. Society,.
Rev. E, Jenney, participating in the debate. It was
finally adopted with an unanimity most surprising, consider-
ing the powerful extraneous influences which had been
brought to bear upon the body. Only two or three voted-
against it. It was a noble triumph of principle over domi-
neering injustice, the power of the purse and the prestige of
the third of a century.
May 5, 1859. — ^^ have just received from Isaac Scarritt,
Esq., a note saying " that he transmitted to the A. H. M. S..
the action of Presb.ytery of Alton so far as it related to them,"
and also a letter from New York.
This letter, which we think all will regard as virtually the
closing act in this long drama, is as follows :
New York, April 26, 1859.
Isaac Scarritt, Esq., — Dear Sir :
Your communication of April iSth, enclosing a minute of the doings of the
Presbytery of Alton, was duly received, and was laid before the Executive Com-
mittee at their meeting yesterday. They reciprocate most cordially the desire
of the Presbytery to resume the co-operaLon which has so long subsisted between-
this Society and that body, in the work of home missions ; and the only ques-
tion that arose in considering the minute forwarded by you, respected its import
as to a single point. They were uncertain whether it is the design of the Presby-
tery that the missionary sustained by its funds shall be commissioned by this
Society, as was always done from 1840 to 1856, or should act independently, as
has been the case since the latter date. In order to settle this question, so as to-
prevent future misunderstanding, the committee adopted tiiianimozisly [who yier&:
present? Ed.) the following minute, viz. :
"A communication having been received from the Presbytery of Alton, enclos-
ing a minute adopted by that l.ody at its late meeting, in reference to the 'terms,
of co-operation ; '
" Resolved, I. That the Presbytery be informed that the following principles,
govern the Society in co-operating with auxiliaries and ecclesiastical bodies, and
this committee will be happy to co-operate with the Presbytery on the same-
terms, viz.:
" 1st. That the missionaries laboring within the bounds of an auxiliary or ec-
clesiastical body be commissioned by this Society, and be governed in their labors
by its principles.
"2d. That the funds raised on the field be applied to cancel the pledges con-
tained in the commissions, and be acknowledged by the Society as contributed
to its treasury.
" 3d. That the churches on the field co-operate cordially with the Society in.
the raising of funds, and contribute yearly to its treasury, according to the full
measure of their abihty.
'^Resolved, 2, That this committee continue to regard the work of exploring
and occupying new fields of labor as one of great importance, and by sustaining
general exploring agents, and other itinerant laborers, having missionary circuits,
more or less extensive, as circumstances may require, they are enabled to reach>
every portion of the field, and carry forward, with harmony and efficiency every
department of the missionary work. As soon as we are informed that
the missionary work of the Presbytery has been brought into harmony with these-
principles, the way will be open to render aid to the churches within its bounds.""
Very respectfully yours, etc.,
D. B. COE, Secretary, etc.
ALTON PRESBYTERY AND A. H. M. S. 535
This is unmistakable. For once we will give the A. H.
M. S. the credit of plainly showing its hand. There is abund-
ance of fair and smooth speech, and about the usual amount
of verbosity; but there is point, unmistakable point. We
think the office, Bible House, Astor Place, can no longer
be termed as we once heard it, "Circumlocution Office,"
" point no point!' After digging underground for months
and years, and finding themselves unearthed, they suddenly
spring to their feet exclaiming, "we stand here in the open
sunlight, zvhere we always have stood!'
The co-operation! here set forth is this: 1st. The society
propose to direct and control every missionary laboring in
the bounds of the Presbytery,
(2) They propose that the churches cordially contribute
all their missionary funds to its treasury.
(3) They propose to take entire charge of the pioneer, or
church extension work, and, finally,
(4) They propose, in a word, to " carry forward every de-
partment of the Home Missionary Work."
They do not intend our General Assembly's Church Ex-
tension Committee shall have a dollar to expend, or a place
on earth to set their foot. Now " know all men
by these presents," that this is co-operation as understood
at the Bible House, Astor Place, New York !
But amidst all this outspokenness there is a touch of the
old diplomacy. They don't understand what the Presbytery
mean when they say, ' ' We must insist upon its being our duty,
our jight, and an imperative Jiecessity to employ an exploring
missionary zvithin our bouiids as hitherto!' What language
cozdd be plainer? Why do the Executive Committee stum-
ble here ? Is this a ruse ? And did the Secretaries imagine
that by its use they might prevent the publication of the ac-
tion of Presbytery this month, prevent its being brought up
at the next meeting of the Assembly, and thus, by gaining
time, have the game in their own hands by giving the starva-
tion argument longer time to develop its irresistable logic ?
We are sorry to suppose it possible good men could re-
sort to such subterfuges, but experience is a stern teacher.
It is painfully apparent that the Home Missionary Society
is not what it was when Dr. Absalom Peters and Dr. Charles
Hall were its Secretaries. It is currently believed
now to be essentially a one man pozuei ; and that the Senior
Secretary is the talented, if not disinterested and impartial
536 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
pilot, who stands at its helm, and is guiding it with ail sails
set into the harbor of radical independency !
1879. Was not this true prophecy?
The above action of Alton Presbytery was indorsed and
sanctioned by that of Chicago the same month, and the
whole was sent to the Assembly as a memorial in May, 1859.
The action of the Assembly accorded substantially with the
plea of the memorial. The way being thus prepared, the
Assembly of 1861 took into its own hand its entire Home
Missionary work. This done, the greatest barrier to the re-
union of the two Assemblies was removed. All this is but
another illustration of the maxim, that great events often pro-
ceed from little causes.
James S. Walton was born January 13, 1817, In Chester
county, Pa. Graduated at Marietta College in 1843, and at
Lane Seminary 1846. Ordained by the Presbytery of Ath-
ens, Ohio, April 15, 1847. Joined Alton Presbytery, April
8, 1859, ^"*^ took charge of Pana church. He, or rather his
wife, taught school in the same place. He was an able ser-
monizer, but became so deaf as to be unable to hear his own
voice, and was obliged on that account to give up preaching.
He then worked at the trade of a carpenter, which he had
learned in his boyhood, and subsequently on his farm near
Pana until his death, which took place October i, 1874.
Almond G. Martin was born in Maumee, Ohio, January
21, 1821. Educated at Western Reserve College and
Seminary. Ordained by Elyria Presbytery in 1849. Joined
Alton Presbytery, April, 1859. Labored at Cairo, 111. Was
dismissed, April 4, 1862, to the Presbytery of St. Joseph.
In 1870 he was laboring in a missionary field in Fort Wayne
Presbytery. He is now — 1879 — at Thorp's Spring, Texas,
and is still a member of Fort Wayne Presbytery, but with-
out ministerial charge.
Mound City Church was organized, February 6, 1859,
by Revs. A. T. Norton and E. B. Olmsted, with ten members.
Adam Mason, Jacob Skeen and Edward H. White, elders.
This church lived but a short time. The members removed.
MEETING OF PRESBYTERIES. $37
Another church of the same name was organized by Revs.
A. T. Norton and H. B. Thayer, September 14, 1873, with
seven members. The hcentiate, William B. Minton, was lo-
cated there. His success for a time was very encouraging.
A hall for religious services had been rented and a cabinet
organ procured. An excellent, public-spirited gentleman,
Mr. Edwin S. Chester, had located in Mound City as Super-
intendent of the " Handle Works." He encouraged this
•church movement in every way. But before many months
he removed and took the business with him. Mr. Minton,
too, left for Anna, and this second Mound City church has
followed the first. Possibly one or two members may yet re-
main. But Mound City itself is well nigh extinct. The
business and the people are gone. The buildings are mostly
a ruin.
Alton Presbytery met at Belleville, September 29, 1859.
'C. J. Pitkin was received from the Presbytery of Illinois. A.
T. Norton resigned as Stated Clerk, and C. H. Taylor was
appointed in his place. The report of the Missionary Com-
mittee was encouraging. The contributions for Home Mis-
sions had increased one hundred per cent. Andrew Luce was
installed pastor of Belleville church, Sabbath evening, Octo-
ber 2.
The Presbytery of Hillsboro held its first session at
Hillsboro, commencing November 27, 1858. This Presbytery
was constituted by the Synod of Illinois, o. s., in October,
1858, and comprised the counties of Bond, Fayette, Marion,
Clay, Effingham, Montgomery, Jersey and the south part of
Macoupin. It consisted of seven ministers and seventeen
churches. The same Presbytery met at Jerseyville, April 8,
1859. Peter Hassinger, minister, and William Lanterman,
elder, were appointed to attend the next Assembly. Sando-
val church was received. John Mack, licentiate, was dis-
missed to the Presbytery of Kansas. Henry Blanke was
-received from the Presbytery of St. Louis. Samuel Lynn
was installed pastor of the Second Presbyterian church of
Jerseyville, April 10. A called meeting was held at Hills-
boro, commencing July 19. David R. Todd, licentiate, was
received from the Presbytery of Miami, examined and or-
dained, sine titulo, July 22. The same day Alfred N.
X)enney was received. The fall meeting was held
538 PRESBYTEKIANISM IN ILLINOIS,
at Moro, Rattan's Prairie church, commencing October
7. L. B. W. Shryock was received from the Presbytery of
Ebenezer. R. M. Roberts was released from the pastoral
care of the Hillsboro church. He also resigned his position
as Stated Clerk, and T. W. Hynes was appointed in his
place.
Henry Blanke, a German preacher, died at Bay, Mo.,
February 25, 1873, aged fifty-three. At the time of his
death, and for several years before, he was a member of St.
Louis Presbytery. ,.
David R. Todd was born January 31, 1829, in Hanover
township, Dauphin county, Penn. His ancestors were from
Ireland, Presbyterian in belief. He fitted for college at Leb-
anon Academy, Warren county, Ohio, and graduated at
Washington College, Washington county, Penn., in 1852.
He studied theology at Danville, Ky. He was licensed by
Miami Presbytery September 12, 1855; ordained 1859; be-
gan preaching in Putnam county, Ind., to the churches of
Putnamville and Walnut Hill. Was with them one year and
a half. In 1857, was settled over the churches of Jefferson
and Sugar Creek, Clinton county, Ind. He next labored at
Flora and Xenia, 111. Then, in succession, at Litchfield,
Dawson and Williamsville, same State. His next field was
Bethlehem and Union churches, Cass county, Ind. In Sept.,
1870, he removed to Jackson county, Kansas, his present
field of labor. His father, James Todd, a tanner, born Feb-
ruary 15, 1804, near Harrisburg, Penn., was drowned in the
Susquehanna river when the son was only two years of
age. He was taken to reside with his grand-parents, who re-
moved to Warren county, Ohio, in 1831. He married, March
23, 1858, Miss Carrie N. Baker, of Jefferson, Clinton county,.
Ind., daughter of A. Baker, one of the pioneers of the State
of Indiana. Mr. Todd has a family of five children : Irene
E., born March 8, 1861 ; Kate Lizzie, November 2, 1863;
David Abner and Carrie Baker, twins, May 8, 1856; Jennie
Joy, May 6, 1877.
T — Lazarus B. W. Shryock — was born near the village of
New Salem (now Delmont), Westmoreland county, Penn.,
L. B. W. SHRYOCH. 539
July, 1826, within the bounds of the Presbyterian congrega-
tion of Congruity, Presbytery of Blairsville. Under the min-
istry of Rev. Samuel McFarran, D, D., I was baptized, and
made a profession of religion in my twentieth year.
My ancestors, on my father's side, came from the Rhine
(Palatinate), 1733. They were Lutherans. On my mother's —
whose name was Wilson — they came over about the time of
the founding of Penn's colony, and were " Friends." My ac-
ademic education was obtained mainly at Richmond Classi-
cal Institute (afterwards college), Jefferson county, Ohio.
My college course was taken at Jefferson College, Cannons-
burg, Penn., from which I was graduated August 3, 185 1.
My theological education was pursued at Harrodsburg, Ky.,
under the direction of the Rev. John Montgomery, D. D., my
pastor at that time. I was licensed by the Presbytery of
Transylvania at their sitting in Danville, Ky., April 22, 1853.
I was ordained, si)ie titnlo, by the Presbytery of Ebenezer at
Covington, Ky., Nov. 15, 1855. I removed to Marion county,
111., Sept., 1859, to take charge of the churches of Salem and
Sandoval, and occupy Kinmundy, where I organized a
church in the winter following. After the war came on and
since, I have labored in Indiana and Iowa, and am now un-
der call to the churches of Hamilton and Wythe, Presbytery
of Schuyler, and also the churches of Leon and Garden
Grove, Presbytery Des Moines. One of these calls I shall
accept. I was married August 5, 1852, to Miss
Elizabeth Abraham, at Steubenville, Ohio, who still sur-
vives. We have had three children, all now living : William
T., born May 28, 1853; Everett H., born October 21, 1857,
and Anna VVilson, born November 26, 1865.
Every man's life is an interesting book to himself, and it
ought to be to him an instructive one, as evincing the out-
working of the purposes of a superintending Providence.
Mine has proved to me the great value of faithful, early parent-
al and pastoral training — the importance of good and industri-
ous habits, and the inestimable power over a human life of
the word of God well imbedded in the warp and woof of the
early life.
Sandoval Church was organized this year, with four
members — A. Anderson, elder. This church never had much
efficiency or success. The New School bouy, supposing it
to be extinct, or at least in avticulo mortis, organized here
540 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
March 4 and 5, 1865. Frederick E. Robinson, elder, and
William H. Bird, minister. For a time this church grew and
gave good promise of an useful career. But these promises
all failed. The members nearly all removed, and the church
was dissolved by Presbytery, October 10, 1868. The o.
s. church continued awhile longer in name, but for the most
part without the ordinances, until all that was left of it — in-
cluding the elder — joined a Congregational church which
had been established in the place.
The Presbytery of Saline was organized by the Synod
of Illinois, o. s., at' their session in Peoria, October 8, 1S58,
and made to include, in general terms, the southeastern part
of the State. Its first session was to have been with the
Wabash church, on the fourth Saturday of November, 1858.
But that meeting failed, and the moderator, S. C. Baldrige,
called the Presbytery together at Friendsville, Wabash
county. May 5, 1859. John Crozier, minister, and John F.
Younken, elder, were appointed to attend the Assembly.
David McKnight was licensed. The fall meet-
ing was held at Olney, commencing October 8. This Pres-
bytery had a territory of sixteen counties, but at first only
four ministers and nine churches.
The Synod of Illinois, n. s., met at Danville, October 7,
1859. Resolutions of co-operation with the trustees of
Blackburn Theological Seminary in the objects of that insti-
tution were adopted, and a Committee of Visitation ap-
pointed. The cause of Church Extension received much at-
tention, and the forward movements of the several Presby-
teries of the Synod and of the Assembly in that cause, re-
ceived unanimous and enthusiastic approval.
The Synod of Illinois, o. s., met at Paris, Edgar county,
October 12, 1859. Seven Presbyteries were represented, in-
cluding the two new ones of Hillsboro and Saline. The
bounds of Saline Presbytery were extended in its northwest
part so as to include Marion county, and Rev. L. B. W.
Shryock located at Sandoval.
YEAR i860.
Illinois Presbytery met at Carlinville, March 12, i860.
William L. Tarbet was received from the Presbyiery of
WILLIAM L. TARBET, 54I
North Alabama, Arrangements were made for his installa-
tion over the church of Virden on the second Sabbath of
May, i860. A petition signed b}' thirty-three members of
the First Presbyterian church of Jacksonville was presented,
asking to be organized into a new church, to be called " The
Westminster Presbyterian church of Jacksonville." A com-
mittee was appointed to organize the church. J. C, Dow-
ner, minister, and H. Ellis, elder, were appointed to attend
the Assembly.
William L. Tarbet. I give the sketch in his own lan-
guage, but adding these facts. He is a Trustee of Black-
burn University and Secretary of the Board. His whole pas-
toral work is perfectly systematized. In particular is his
plan for raising funds for benevolent causes the most com-
plete and successful in the Synod, or the State, He was-
born to demonstrate that order, system, promptness and reg-
ularity are as important and valuable in religious as in secular
affairs,
" I was born in Blount county, East Tenn., August 8, 1825.
My ancestors on both sides were Scotch, My maternal
grandfather, David Eagleton, was brought up in Edinburgh.
They were of the Calvinistic belief I was instructed by my
parents until my sixteenth year, when I became a pupil of
the Rev, Hugh King Shields, who had charge of the acad-
emy in Savannah, Hardin county, Middle Tenn,, a village to
which my parents removed in the winter of 1833, I re-
mained in the academy about three years, when I entered
Jackson College in Maury county, Middle Tenn, I was
graduated in the summer of 1847. I taught in the academy
in Savannah the following year, and in the autumn of 1848 I
entered Lane Seminary, and studied under Drs, Beecher^
Stowe and Allen. I left the seminary in the summer of 1850,
returned to Tennessee and taught two years in the academy
at Lawrenceburg. I was licensed by the Presbytery of
Richland, April, 185 1, in what was called "The Brick
Church," Giles county. I was ordained by the same body,
October, 185 1, during its meeting in the Elk Ridge church,
in Giles county. I was consecrated to the work
of serving God in the ministry of his Son by a godly mother,
whose prayers are among the first things in my recollection.
My first field of labor was composed of the churches of Cor-
542 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
nersville and Brick Church in Giles county, Tenn. My next
field was in Nashville, Tenn. I remained there about eight
months, when I returned to Giles county and became stated
supply to Bethany church. I continued with that church about
three years, when I received a call to the Presbyterian church
in Virden, Macoupin county. 111. I entered this field, May,
1859, and here the great head of the Church has continued
me until this present. I was installed pastor of this church,
May 13, i860. I was united in marriage to Miss
Emma Hall Calvert, June 13, 1854, at Bowling Green, Ky.,
by the Rev. Edward McMillan. There have been born unto
us three daughtersand two sons. Two daughters have been
removed to the heavenly kingdom. Mary Lyon, born Jan-
uary 22, 1855, died April 6, 1874; and Ellen G., born
August 12, 1857, died August 13, 1857. Our surviving
children are William L., born January 21, 1859; Henry B.,
born November 18, 1861, and Emma H., born December 5,
1864.
William L. Tarbet."
Virden, Decembr 3, 1878.
The Presbytery of Illinois held their fall meeting with
Pisgah church, commencing September 6, i860. Martin P,
Ormsby, licentiate, was received from the Presbytery of Ca-
yuga. He and Norman A. Prentiss were examined, and on
Sabbath, September 9, i860, ordained. Prairie Bird church
was enrolled this year by this Presbytery,
Prairie Bird Church, Shelby county. Prarie Bird is a
would-be village (no plat recorded), with a population of
about fifty. The village and Presbyterian church building
are in T. 12 N., R. 3 E., S. 19, S. E. quarter. The church site
is two acres. Cemetery on it. The church was organized by
Geo. C. Wood, missionary of the Presbytery of Illinois, April
8, i860, with these members: Robert Burke, Esther Burke
David Ewing, Evelyn Ewing, Elizabeth Fulton, Geo. B. Hill,
Elizabeth Hill, Jane Feckner, Mrs. Sarah Armstrong, Mrs.
Mary Ann Jackson, Sarah Hill, Robert Harper, Margaret
Harper, Zadock Lanham, Jane Gardner, Jacob Lair, Lois
B. Lair, Emily Piatt, Geo. Griggs, Christiana Griggs, Eleanor
Griggs, Aaron Griggs, Mrs. Sarah Hunter, Mrs. Sarah Am-
lin, James Hutchinson, Dr. John H. Quown. Elders : Da-
WESTMINSTER CHURCH. 543
vid Evving, Geo. B. Hill, George Griggs, the first. After-
wards appointed: James Moore, M. D. Lane, John B.
Smith, Anderson Hunter. Ministers: J. S. Walton, 1862;
Eli W. Taylor, two years, from June, 1863 ; G. A. Pollock,
ordained over the church June 2, 1866 — continued until
1869; J. D. Jenkins, November, 1874, or sooner, till end of
1875 ; Adam Johnston, January, 1877, and still continues.
The house of worship — frame — was erected in 1857, and cost
eight hundred dollars. Shelbyville church was organized in a
barn, at the place now called Prairie Bird.
Westminster Church, Jacksonville, was organized by a
committee of Illinois Presbytery May 13, i860, in the Con-
gregational church, with forty-five members — thirty-five of
these were from the First church. Elders : David A. Smith
and Henry Jones, M. D. Elders since appointed : Augus-
tus R. Barber, Wm. Russell, Wm. C. Stevenson, Joshua
Moore, John M. Brown, William E. Capps. Of these eight,
David A. Smith and Joshua Moore have died. Ministers:
David A. Hamilton, D. D., pastor, began October i, i860,
.and remained till December 31, 1871. This pastorate was
pleasant both to pastor and people, and fruitful in good re-
.sults. The additions were two hundred — fifty-nine by let-
ter, and one hundred and forty-one by examination, H. V.
D. Nevius was installed November 17, 1872. He remained
but eighteen months. Samuel M. Morton began his labors
here on the last Sabbath of October, 1874, and was installed
October 27, 1875. He still remains. The church edifice is
on the corner of College avenue and Westminster street. It
was erected in the summer of i860, and dedicated in the
fall of that year. In 1866 great improvements were made.
Among them was the erection of a tower, in which is a bell
weighing 3,500 pounds. These improvements cost ^8,000.
In 1875 ;^2,500 more were expended upon the building,
making the whole cost of the property, as it now stands,
$ij,^oo. The annual expenses have averaged ^2,700. The
benevolent contributions have aggregated, up to July, 1876,
$14,818 — an average of nine hundred and twenty-six dollars
annually. There have been connected with this church,
down to July, 1876, three hundred and twenty-one persons.
544 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Martin P. Ormsby — In his own words. I was born June
I, 1830, in Underbill, Vt., of American parents, belonging to
the Baptist church. However, two uncles, on my mother's
side, Rev. Calvin Butler and Rev. Joseph Butler, were Pres-
byterian ministers. Was educated in a law office and in
Auburn Theological Seminary. Was licensed by Cayuga
Presbytery in the spring of 1859, and ordained by the Pres-
bytery of Illinois in the fall of i860. Labored about a year
at Shelbyville, two years each at Wilmington and Mt. Car-
roll, five and a half years at Minonk, a year at Winchester,,
and seven years at Eureka, 111., where I now am. Was mar-
ried to Miss M. Ca'tharine Huffman December 25, i860, at
Shelbyville, but the Lord has given us no children.
Norman A. Prentiss was born at Prattsburg, Steuben-
county, N. Y., January 12, 1829. Graduated at Amherst
College, Mass., in 1854. Became principal of a seminary
in Danville, 111., in the same year. In 1857 he took charge
of the Presbyterian academy of Carrollton, 111. From thence
to Warsaw, 111., as superintendent of the public schools in
that city. Ordained September 9, i860, by Illinois Presby-
tery. In 1867 he went to Philadelphia, Penn. He was sup-
ply, pastor of Mantua Second Presbyterian church, West
Philadelphia, for about two years. He then was pastor of a
Congregational church, La Salle, III, for about four years.
He is now pastor of the First Congregational church, Aurora,^
111. He married Miss Caroline Hovey, of Cov-
entry, Ct. He would prefer to be in the Presbyterian Church,
but of late years his lot has been cast with another denomi-
nation.
The Presbytery of Kaskaskia met with Pleasant Ridge
church, Randolph county, April 13, i860, W. R. Sim, min-
ister, and Hugh Adams, elder, were appointed to attend the
next Assembly. The fall meeting was held at
Nashville, Washington county, commencing Oct. 5. Mas-
coutah church was received. A. A. Morrison was dismissed
to the Presbytery of Highland. Arrangements were made
for the installation of F. H. L. Laird, pastor of Carlyle
church, on the 28th inst. D. A. Wallace was elected Stated
Clerk.
BEMEXT CHURCH. 545
jMascoutah Cpiurch was organized i\Iay 12, i860, with
nine members, Jacob Sullivan, elder. It was dissolved by-
Presbytery April II, 1868, and its members directed to at-
tach themselves to the church of Trenton.
The Presbytery of Wabash met at Neoga, April 27,
i860. Joseph Wilson, minister, and Wm. M. Allison, elder,
were appointed to attend the Assembly. The name of Long
Point church was changed to that of Neoga. Bement church
was received. Tuscola church — old school — was, at their
own request, received under the care of this Presbytery.
The fall meeting was held at Cerro Gordo, September 29,
i860. The Presbytery took occasion to express their confi-
dence in the general good management of the Home Mis-
sionary Society, and their dissent from the course of the
" Presbytery Reporter," in calling in question that manage-
ment. They do not make it matter of record that the price
of this sycophancy was the lifting from them of the Society's
ban. However, when they found the Assembly was sustain-
ing the positions of the Alton and Chicago Presbyteries, and
of the " Presbytery Reporter," they wheeled into line.
Bement Church was organized August 29, 1869, by Rev.
T. P. Emerson, in the Methodist church building, with these
members : Mr. E. C. Camp, Mrs. E. J. Camp, Mrs. Mary
Ellen Camp, William Newton, Mrs. Margaret Newton, Mrs.
Sarah E. Bryant, Mrs. E. P. Swanny. Elders : E. C. Camp,
William Newton, Geo. Sanford, William M. Camp, John H.
Murphy, L. W. Brodman. The rotary system was adopted
in 1872. Ministers: T. P.Emerson, S. A. Hammer, B. F.
Sharp, A. W. Ringland, who is still in charge.
Present membership, one hundred and eight.
The church building was begun 1870. The basement was
completed the same year. The audience room in February,
1876. Whole cost, ^11,240. This church is in a healthy,
growing condition. There was an earlier organization, n. s.,
about i860.
The Presbytery of Palestine met at York, April 12,
i860. Ellis Howell, minister, and J. P. Mitchell, elder, were
appointed to attend the Assembly. The name of Bethel
35
546 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
church was changed to Oakland. The fall meet-
ing was held at Grandview, commencing September 4. E.
W. Thayer was dismissed to the Presbytery of Sangamon.
H. I. Venable was installed pastor of Oakland church, May
19, i860. Charles P. Spining was ordained pastor of the
Grandview church, September 5, i860. At a called meeting,
November 26, Henry T. Morton was dismissed to the Presby-
tery of Louisville.
Charles P. Seining. — Auto-biographical. — 1 was born
at Oxford, Ohio, September 12, 1830. My ancestors on my
father's side came from England and Holland On my moth-
er's side, from Holland and France. Both branches of the
family when they came to this country settled near Elizabeth-
town, N. J. In 1797 my grandfather, on my father's side, re-
moved from New Jersey and settled for a short time near
Cincinnati, and then located permanently near Dayton, Mont-
gomery county, Ohio. About the same time my grandfather,
on my mother's side, Peter Perlee, located at Lebanon, War-
ren county, Ohio. My ancestors were of the
Presbyterian faith. My father, C. H. Spining (who at this
date is still living at Dayton, Ohio, at the advanced age of
eighty-six), has been for more than fifty years a ruling elder.
The greater part of this period he has been connected with
the First Presbyterian church of Dayton. At
the age of eighteen I was sent to Dayton to enter a high
school, where I remained three years. I then attended the
university at Charlottesville, Va., for two years. Having
spent a short time in teaching school in Indiana, I removed
with my brother George to Illinois, where we together bought
a farm near Paris, Edgar county. In the autumn of 1855 I
entered the Theological Seminary at New Albany. This
was the last session of the seminary at that place. I was
licensed April i, 1858. On the 4th of May, 1858. I was
married to Miss Mary E. Brooks, daughter of Mr. Thomas
M. Brooks, of Edgar county, 111. A few weeks after my
marriage I took charge of Mt. Carmel church for one year.
August 21, 1859, I took charge of the Grandview church,
and was ordained its pastor. The whole of my ministerial
labors with this church, as supply and pastor, covered a pe-
riod of eight years. The membership in actual attendance
when I took charge was about eighty-five. The acces-
MEETING OF PRESBYTERIES. 54/
-•sions to the church, by examiaatioa and certificate, were
about fifty. The first Sabbath in July, 1867, I
■commenced preaching to the church of Warsaw, Ind., but
in August, 1868, removed to the vicinity of Iowa City, Iowa,
taking charge of the Fairview and Solon churches. I re-
mained with Fairview church three years and a half — with
Solon only two years. In the spring of 1873 I removed to
Poweshiek county, Iowa, taking charge of the Deep River
and Montezuma churches. I have had eight children. Two
have died. Lillie, my oldest child, a daughter of three years,
was taken away from us with the disease of small-pox while at
Grandview, 111. Our fourth daughter, Mary, died at Warsaw,
Ind., in infancy. My living children are as follows: Jennie
Perlee, in her eighteenth year ; Essie Brown, in her sixteenth
year; Charles Martyn, in his fourteenth year ; Flora Amanda,
in her ninth year; William Brooks, in his sixth year, and
Grace Gertrude, in her fourth year. I shall ever have cause
-of gratitude to God for the religious instruction, the godly
•example and constant prayers of my faithful cojv'ANIox.
C. P. S PINING.
Davenport, Iowa, 1S79.
The Presbytery of Sangamon met at Decatur, April 10,
i860. C. P. Jennings, minister, and Jacob F. Bergen, elder,
were appointed to attend the Assembly. A. C. Gish, elder
in Auburn church, having avowed himself a Universalist, was
deposed from the eldership and suspended from the commu-
nion of the church. August 30, i860, the Presbytery met
at Petersburg. P. D. Young was dismissed to the Presbytery
■of Bloomington. October 13 the fall meeting
commenced at Decatur. E. W. Thayer was received from
the Presbytery of Palestine. This year the Pana, o. s.,
church was enrolled. It had but a brief existence.
The Presbytery of Alton met at Jersey ville, April 12,
i860, George W. G3odale, of the Presbytery of Blooming-
tou, David Dimond, of the Presbytery of St. Louis, and C.
H. Foote, of the Presbytery of New Brunswick were re-
ceived. C. H. Taylor, minister, and J. G. Lamb, elder, were
■elected Commissioners to the Assembly. C. H. Foote was
installed pastor of the Jerseyville church.
548 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Charles Henry Foote was born at Lenox, Mass., June
17, 1825, same day the corner-stone of Bunker Hill monu-
ment was laid. His ancestry were Scotch-Irish. His pre-
paratory education was at Rochester, N. Y. His collegiate
at Williams College, where he graduated in 1849. Studied
law two years with Judge Humphreys, Rochester, N. Y. His
theological course was taken at Princeton. Licensed by the
Presbytery of New Brunswick, February 8, 1854. Ordained
by the same body pastor of the Second Presbyterian church,
New Brunswick, N. J., July 20, 1854. Installed pastor of the
Presbyterian church, Jerseyville, 111., April 15, i860; of the
Presbyterian church, Cairo, April 20, 1867 ; the North churcli,,
St. Louis, 1871 ; of the Walnut Street Presbyterian church,
Evansville, Ind., 1875. Called to the Presbyterian church,"
Ionia, Mich., 1878. In these several fields there were added
under his ministry, at New Branswick, sixty-five ; Jersey-
ville, one hundred and twenty-one ; Cairo, one hundred an d
nine ; St. Louis, two hundred and ninety-six ; Evansville,
one hundred and thirty-eight; in first five months at Ionia — -
where he still is — fifteen. Total, seven hundred and forty-
four. Married June 13, 1854. His children — Bessie Green^
born August 10, 1855, died January 17, 1856. Carrie Palmer,
born June 11, 1857, died October 16, 1859. Mary Scott,
born August 19, 1861. He says: "The anxiety, conversa-
tion and prayers of my mother, under the Spirit, influenced
me to enter the ministry. The advice of Judge Humphrey,,
with whom I studied law, who said, ' You had better go to
the seminary, for when you come to die you will die a hap-
pier man as a minister than as a lawyer,' settled the matter.
My lot and life as a minister have been better than I hoped..
God has been good to me. The churches I have ministered
to have taken me at my best. My brethren in the ministry
have honored me with their confidence. The degree of D.
D. was conferred by Blackburn University in 1871.''
George W. Goodale. — From his own pen. — I was born in
the town of West Boylston, Worcester county, Mass., May
I, 1 82 1. My ancestors were of the Puritan stock. I was of
the sixth generation from Robert Goodale, who, with his
wife, embarked at Ipswich, England, in 1634, and landed at
Salem, Mass. The numerous descendants of that family are
now scattered through nearly all the Northern and Western
GEORGE W. GOODALE. 549
"States, a large portion engaged in agriculture, few in the
learned professions, and still fewer in politics. But one of the
name has been known to live by the sale of intoxicating liq-
uors, and the history of the family tells of no drunkards.
But few families represent Puritan faith and Puritan habits
better than the Goodales. Deacons were abundant among
them ; patriots not a few, and many champions in the cause
of anti-slavery. The good old writings of Calvin, Baxter,
Doddridge, Edwards and Payson were their meat and drink.
This son of such sires early developed the hereditary taste
for such reading, and almost from my earliest recollection de-
termined to be a Christian. Misconceived ideas as to what
►conversion was prevented me from making a public profes-
sion of faith in Christ until eighteen years of age. My early
life was not without good Sabbath school instruction and pul-
pit teaching. Public schools had laid a good foundation in
letters. At the age of twenty-one I commenced a prepara-
tory collegiate course at Groton, Mass., and graduated at
Amherst in the class of 1848. About the time I
imade a public profession of religion, Dr. Bullard, formerly of
.St. Louis, presented the need of men and means for the
West. The purpose was then formed to qualify, as well as
rmeans would admit, and respond to the Doctor's Macedo-
nian call. I was then an apprentice ; but as soon as my time
was out, and I could choose my way, I laid dov^n my tools,
settled with my late employer, received his note for twenty-
five dollars, the balance due me, and started for school.
Here I met other young men with quite limited means, who
were looking forward to a course of study that should qualify
them for the gospel ministry. What others could do I was
sure I could, and relying upon my twenty-five dollar note,
and my own efforts, I commenced the study of the Latin
grammar and Greek lessons. Soon after I visited my father
and told him my purpose and that I needed classical books.
His faith and funds were not equal to the occasion. He, how-
ever, gave me a wood-pile and use of team to haul it to mar-
ket. I very soon converted it into about fourteen dollars'
worth of books and took them home with much satisfaction.
After examing for a while the contents of my bundle of books,
he carefully laid them down and, with a serious tone, said :
" George, it is a pity to waste so much money." Those lexi-
cons are still by me as I write this reminiscence. My natural
^diffidence led me to think that perhaps public speaking was
550 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
not my calling. I loved teaching, and was not without tes-
timony of success in that department of labor, It seemed
to me not much below the ministry as a field for usefulness.
I had reason to think that I had already led several of my pu-
pils to Christ. I believed I could reach a class that a preacher
could not. At this time I had an unexpected call to take
the charge of an important school in Sag Harbor, N. Y. It
seemed to be the Lord's ordering and I accepted. With this
situation and a pretty good salary, I married, September 15,
1849, Miss Mary Hope, of Clinton, Hunterdon county, N. J.,,
and elected her first assistant in my school. At
the end of three years, failing health induced me to give up
teaching for a time, try the climate of the West and a more
active life. We settled in Wenona, Marshall county, 111,
While in the employ of the Illinois Central Railroad Com-
pany, I gathered a Presbyterian church at that new railroad
station and acepted the office of ruling elder.
The Presbytery of Peoria and Knox wanted me to enter
the ministry. I gave reasons substantially as above. Presby-
tery thought they should not be sustained. T then proposed to
be loyal to their government, and submitted to an examination.
I was licensed September 6, 1856. In the redi-
vision of the Synod into Presbyteries, Wenona fell to Bloom-
ington Presbytery, and I was by them ordained at Washing-
ton, Tazewell county, soon after. My first charge
was the church at Kappa, 111., with El Paso as a preaching
station. Soon after entering that field, the Lord gave His
approval to my ministry by converting a goodly number of
my hearers. Had ft not been for this, I should have doubted
the wisdr n of Presbytery in setting me to the work.
During my ministry at El Paso, 111., a church was organ-
ized there, composed of New School Presbyterians and Con-
gregationalists. Through the persistent efforts of " one wo-
man," a majority of Presbyterians gave way and the church
adopted the Congregational order. This church was marked
" vacant " in the next published minutes of the Association,
and a man was sent to candidate for the pastorate which I was
still holding. At this time the friction was considerable be-
tween the two bodies. In Dec, 1859, I accepted a more ho-
mogeneous field at Vandalia, III. After nearly three years' la-
bor here, I resigned to take the charge of the incipient college
at Carbondale, having been elected to that trust by the joint
action of Alton Presbytery and the trustees of that inst'tu-
GEORGE W. GOODALE. 55 1
tion. The war and its influences paralyzed our efforts there,
and eventually caused the loss of that valuable property to
the object originally designed. Finding my efforts hindered
at Carbondale, I accepted the invitation of Col. Pease to as-
sist in collecting his regiment of volunteers, and serve as
chaplain. In this work I continued until his regiment was
consolidated with Col. Morrison's, which together constituted
the Forty-Ninth Illinois. Col. Morrison's chaplain went on
with the army, while I accepted the charge of the church of
Greenville, under the care of the Alton Presbytery.
At the close of the war I was again persuaded by Dr. Nor-
ton to embark in a Synodical college, or training school for
young men, at Weston, Platte county, Mo., where a valuable
property could be obtained at small cost, and at the same
time revive our denominational work in that part of the
State. Three years' labor here teaching and preaching so
thoroughly undermined my health that protracted illness was
the result. Complete release from sedentary life and from
mental labor, was my only hope. I then, in Sep-
tember, 1868, removed to Kansas City, and engaged in bus-
iness for five years, during the former portion of the time
assisting in the building of the Third Presbyterian church of
that place, and effecting its organization, which followed the
erection of their house of worship. The latter two years I
preached in vacant pulpits. Finding my health
again fully restored, I accepted an invitation to supply the
First Presbyterian church of Knob Noster, Mo., for one
year. Before that year closed, I was called to this field, in
the new State of Nebraska. In September, 1874, I removed
here, and at present writing am supplying the First Presby-
terian church of Pawnee City, Neb. As the fruit
of our college enterprise at Weston, Mo., four or five young
men were started in a course of preparation for the ministry.
One has gone to his reward, having but just entered upon
his work. The others are now laboring in important churches
east of the Mississippi, No small work was done in
opening the way for the education of the colored people of
that town and vicinity. We have now living two
children. Our eldest is Mrs. J. T. Maitland. Her husband
is elder of the church at Weston, Mo. She was born at
Sag Harbor, Suffolk county, N. Y., April 30, 185 1. The
youngest, a son, Geo. W., Jr., was born December 28, 1857,
at Wenona, Marshall county. 111. He is now assistant cash-
ier of the Exchange Bank of Hastings, Neb.
552 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Alon Presbytery held its fall meeting at Pana, commenc-
ing September 29, i860. Monticello church gave notice of
its withdrawal from the care of Presbytery. Presbytery bear
testimony that in the present crisis of our home missionary
affairs, their churches have done nobly in the work of self-
support.
HiLLSBORO Presbytery met at Sandoval, April 6, i860.
At a called meeting of this Presbytery, held at Hillsboro
December 20, 1859, W. L. Mitchell, licentiate, had been re-
ceived from the Presbytery of Iowa, examined, and ordained
pastor of Hillsboro church. Samuel Lynn, minister, and
John F. Templeton, elder, were appointed to attend the
meeting of the Assembly. The " First German Presbyterian
church of Jerseyville," was received. Henry Martyn Cor-
bett was licensed April 9. The fall meeting was
held at Greenville, Bond county, commencing September 14.
D. R. Todd was dismissed to the Presbytery of Saline, and
P. R. Vanatta to that of Indianapolis. Alfred N. Denny was
ordained, sitte titulo, Sept. 17.
" The First German Presbyterian Church of Jersey-
ville," was organized January 15, i860, with thirty-four
members and two elders, by Revs, Henry Blanke and Sam-
uel Lynn. It was dropped from the roll in 1868.
William Luther Mitchell, son of William and Eleanor
Mitchell, was born in Maury county, Tenn, July ii, 1828.
He was converted at the age of twelve years, under the
preaching of Rev. Daniel Baker, D. D.; graduated at Jeffer-
son College, Pa., 1854, and at Princeton Seminary, N. J.,
1857; was licensed by the Presbytery of Lafayette, Mo.,
Sept., 1857; supplied the First Presbyterian church, Burling-
ton, Iowa, a year and a half; was ordained and installed
pastor of the Presbyterian church, Hillsboro, 111., by the
Presbytery of Hillsboro, December, 1859. After a short but
successful ministry, he finished his labors and entered into
rest February 23, 1864. He married Miss Mary
B. Mutchmore, May 4, 1858, who, with two children, sur-
vives him. The widow resides with her father at Moro, Mad-
ison county, 111.
ALFRED N. DENNY. 553
Alfred Nelson Denny was born in Bond county, 111., on
December 7, 1830. He was the son of John and Sarah
Denny, and was a child of the covenant. He made a pub-
lic profession of religion at the age of twelve years. His
father came to this State in the year 181 8, and was a citizen
of Illinois under its territorial government. His early life
was spent amid the sparse population, the broad and open
prairies, the pioneer schools, and the scattered and feeble
churches of early times. He graduated at " Illinois College "
in the year 1854, and after completing the regular course of
collegiate studies, was employed for about a year in teaching
in that institution. Leaving Jacksonville, he was engaged in
teaching elsewhere for two years. He entered the Union
Theological Seminary, at New York City, in Sept., 1857, and
was for about two years a student in that institution. At the
end of his second year his health seemed so precarious as to
raise the question in his own mind, and also among his
friends, as to the propriety of continuing his studies, and
even the prospect of his ever entering the ministry. Several
severe attacks of hemorrhage greatly enfeebled him and
caused anxious solicitude on the part of his friends. His
own mind was perplexed as to the path of duty, and his way
seemed hedged up. In these perplexities he sought coun-
sel and advice from his pastor and other pious friends. After
several prayerful interviews, it was decided to seek licensure
at once, and to enter upon the duties of a missionary. The
parts of trial were privately arranged. He was licensed in
the fall of 1859, and was ordained September 17, i860. He
immediately began his labors as a preacher in the destitute
region around his home. He preached several months at
Mason, also at Nashville, and finally at Moro, where he had
charge of the united field of Moro and Dry Point. He was
married, September i, 1863, to Miss Martha J. Y. Mutch-
more, who survives him. He died at his own house in Mo-
ro, Madison county. 111., Sept. 29, i!
The Presbytery of Saline met at Shawneetown, April
5, 1S60. The name of John Mack was enrolled as licentiate.
He was examined and ordained, sine titulo, Sabbath even-
ing, April 8. L. B. W. Shryock, minister, and J. P. McNair,
elder, were appointed to attend the Assembly. • An ad-
journed meeting was held at Carmi, May 24, i860, at which
554 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
N. F. Tuck was received as licentiate from the Presbytery of
Ebenezer, examined and ordained, sine titido.
The fall meeting was held at Xenia, commencing Octo-
ber 5. D. R. Todd was received from the Presbytery of
Hillsboro. The name of Hopewell church, Franklin county,
was chanced to Knob Prairie.
The Synod of Illinois, n. s., met at Carlinville, October
4, i860. The Synod Illinois, o. s. met at De-
catur, October 10, i860. Members were present from the
seven Presbyteries <:omprising the Synod.
CHAPTER XIV.
MEETINGS OF PRESBYTERIES AND SYNODS FROM 1 86 1 TO
1863, INCLUDING SKETCHES OF THE CHURCHES ORGANIZED
AND THE MINISTERS COMMENCING THEIR LABORS WITHIN
THE PERIOD.
Authorities : Original Records ; Auto-biographies ; Presbytery Reporter.
YEAR 1 86 1.
Illinois Presbytery met at Jacksonville, April 5, 1861.
The church of Murrajrville was received. J. G. Rankin was
dismissed to the Presbytery of Schuyler, and M. P. Ormsby
to that of Chicago. D. H. Hamilton was received from the
New Haven Congregational Association, and was installed,
April y, pastor of the Westminster church. At a called
meeting held at Virden, May 3, W. R. Adams was licensed.
The fall meeting was held at Carrollton, commencing Sep-
tember 5. E. Jenney was dismissed to the Congregational
Central Association of Illinois. Measures were taken to
continue the employment of the Presbyterial Missionary ,_
and to obtain, if possible, aid towards his support from the
Church Extension Committee. Waitstill B. Orvis was re-
ceived. N. A. Prentiss was dismissed to the Presbytery of
Schuyler.
David H. Hamilton, D. D., was born at Canajoharrie^
N. Y., October 29, 18 13. His twin-brother says that before
he was six years of age he could repeat from memory the
entire gospel of John. He was in the habit at that early age
of declaiming from the writings of Milton, Young, Addison,
Pope, Cowper, etc., while his only teachers were an older
brother and sister. At the age of thirteen he entered the
academy at Canajoharrie and remained there two years.
Then followed two or three years of poor health, during
which time he taught school and studied as he was able.
At about the eighteenth year of his age he entered the
556 PRESBYTERIAXISxM IN ILLINOIS.
Academy of Amsterdam and was there fitted for college.
He went next to Union College and graduated with honor.
After studying law he was admitted to the bar, and after one
year's practice, having a bright future before him in his pro-
fession and every prospect of success, not feeling satisfied
that it was the work to which the Master had called him. he
abandoned it and entered the Theological Seminary at Au-
burn, N. Y, There he took the full course, and on the day
he was licensed a committee from the church of Trumans-
burg, N. Y., invited him to become their pastor. He ac-
cepted the call and-labored there most successfully for ten
years. Receiving a call to a church in New Haven, Ct.,
he removed to that city and there labored for about six
years, and from New Haven he went to Berlin to attend the
university there. He remained in Europe a little over two
years, studying at Berlin in term time and traveling during
his vacations. Upon his return from Europe he
received a call from the Westminster church of Jacksonville,
111. There he labored for twelve years most successfully, and
during the time wrote that wonderful book, "Autology,"
which will be read, studied and admired, when the feeble
and flippant productions of some authors, now so popular,
are forgotten. After spending about fourteen months in
Boston, superintending the publication of this work, he ac-
cepted a call to the church of Ripley, and here for six years
performed more labor than any two men I ever knew. I
have known him to preach one hundred sermons in ninety
consecutive days. Dr. Hamilton came to Ripley
in April, 1873, and made my house his home for some days,
and from that time until he left us, in May, 1879, I was on
the most intimate terms with him, and while he soon won my
love and respect, I can truly say that a thorough acquaint-
ance of six years only served to increase my esteem and ad-
miration for the man. Endowed by his Creator with superior
talents, cultivated by long years of study and research, with
a constant flow of humor and innocent mirth, he was a most
delightful companion. In the pulpit he was a giant — the
grand themes of the gospel filling his whole soul, and realiz-
ing that he was a messenger from the Infinite One, on a mis-
sion involving the interests of eternity, he would preach with
an earnestness and emotion which arrested the attention of
the most thoughtless and stupid. He shrunk from no labor
•or privation, and was, I think, the most unselfish man I ever
DAVID H. HAMILTON, D. D. 557-
knew. The poorest and humblest outcast enHsted his 53^111-
pathy and were the objects of his benefaction. I cannot
forego mentioning one incident, amongst many, to illustrate
what I mean. He came to my house one dark, cold night,
some two years ago, and urged me to go with him to visit a
poor old colored woman who lived in the outskirts of Rip-
ley. I tried to beg off, as the night was dark and disagreea-
ble, but no, go I must. We groped our way along until we
reached the little rough board shanty, where old Aunt Sallie
lived. The Doctor knocked at the door, and some one called
out, "Who dar?" I answered, "Dr. Hamilton." "God
bless you," was the reply. We were admitted and the Doc-
tor talked to the poor old African with as much earnestness
and feeling as if he had been addressing a great congregation
of the rich and the learned. We then knelt down on the
rough floor and he uttered such a prayer as I am sure I never
heard, and I doubt if such an one was ever heard in heaven
before. Then giving the old black woman some money we
left. I have traveled with him a great deal, and often in the
rail car or omnibus, with closed eyes, his lips would move,,
and getting my ear close to him I would find he was com-
muning with his Father in heaven. This great
and noble man, overworked, both mentally and physically,,
left his people in Ripley, May 10, 1879, to go to Boston, in
part on business and in part to recuperate his health. His
wife accompanied him, and when they reached Kingsboro,.
N. Y., he was unable to proceed on his journey. There, at
the house of a near relative, he received every care and at-
tention. He lingered and suffered with most wonderful pa-
tience, until July 4, at two o'clock, p. m., when his spirit was
set free. His funeral took place on the following Monday,.
and at the same hour a memorial service was held at Ripley,
Ohio, where a large and deeply solemn audience showed the
love and respect in which he was held. A good
man's life, next to the religion of Jesus Christ, is the most
sacred and valuable thing in the universe of God.
W. W. GlLLILAND.
The Presbytery of Kaskaskia met at Liberty, Randolph-
county, April 12, 1861. W. R. Sim was dismissed to the
Presbytery of Saline. F. H. L. Laird, minister, and W. N..
Bilderback, elder, were appointed to attend the Assembly
558 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
F. H. L. Laird was installed pastor of Carlyle church, Octo-
ber 28. The fall meeting was held at Carlyle,
October ii, 1861. James Stafford was dismissed to the
Presbytery of Rock River.
The Presbytery of Wabash met at Farmington, Coles
county, April 19, 1861. George D. Miller was received from
the Presbytery of Logansport. William R. Palmer, minister,
and D. D. Cadwell, elder, were appointed to attend the As-
sembly. The Presbytery receded entirely from the position
they assumed last year, on the subject of Home Missions, by
withdrawing their countenance and support from the A. H.
M. Society, and declaring their adherence to the Assembly's
Church Extension plan. The fall meeting was
held at Tuscola, September 6.
George D. Miller was born June 15, 1811, near Day-
ton, Ohio, and was dedicated to God by his pious parents in
baptism. He graduated at Wabash College in 1840. Stud-
ied theology at Lane Seminary. Was licensed by the Pres-
bytery of Crawfordsville in July, 1843. His first field of
labor was Romney, Tippecanoe county, Ind., and its neigh-
borhood. In November, 1847, he took charge of the church
of Monticello, White county, Ind. Preached there three-
fourths of his time — the other fourth twelve miles north. In
May, 1848, he organized Bedford church with eight members.
After a few years he was installed pastor of that church, and
remained until the spring of 1857, when his health gave way
and he resigned. The next winter he spent at the South to
recruit. In April, 1858, he returned to Indiana and labored
as a missionary at several places on the New Albany, Salem
& Michigan City Railroad for four years. His regular route
was from St. Pierre to Harrisonville, or Tippecanoe Battle
Ground. On the second Sabbath in August, i860, he began
his labors at Tuscola, 111., and remained as supply pastor
until November, 1865. In 1871 his health obliged him to
give up preaching entirely. His disease was consumption,
and he lingered, calm and patient, until January 25, 1876.
His widow still — 1879 — resides in Tuscola.
The Presbytery of Palestine met with Pleasant Prairie
church, April ii, 1861. J. H. Steele was dismissed to the
NEW HOPE CHURCH. 559
Presbytery of Highland, and John ElHott to that of Bloom-
ington. The churches of New Hope and Milton were re-
ceived. Samuel Newell, minister, and A. B. Austin, elder,
were appointed to attend the Assembly. The
fall meeting was held at Oakland, September I2. The church
of Beckwith Prairie was received.
New Hope Church, Jasper county. The church building
is situated on S. E. quarter of N. E. quarter of S. 6, T. 8 N.,
R. lo E. This church was organized by Revs. A. McFarland,
H. T. Morton and Elder A. S. Harris, June 2i, i86q, with
the following members, viz. : Adrian F. Aten and Catharine
Aten, James R. Jackson and Margaret Jackson, Martin N.
Henderson and Delilah E. Henderson, Geo. W. Jenkins and
Elizabeth Jenkins, Aaron M. Aten and Martha Aten, Elisha
McLain and EHza McLain, Mrs. Nancy R. McKinley, John
H. Aten, Henry H. McKinley, Susan M. Black, Hannah C.
Black, Harriet A. Banta, Eliza I. McLain. Elders : J. R.
Jackson, A. F. Aten and M. N. Henderson. No records of ses-
sions from June 15, 1861, toMay 28, 1865. J. P. Fox was min-
ister most of that time. There have been connected with the
■church sixty-five members in all. The organization took
place in A. F. Aten's barn. The church house was built in
1869-70, Whole cost about ;^ 1,200 — Church Erection con-
tributing three hundred dollars. The site of the church is one
acre, the gift of A. F. Aten. Ministers : H. T. Morton,
three months in i860 ; H. I. Venable, eleven months in i§66 ;
J. P. Fox, in 1863-65, a young man from near Vincennes ;
John Miller, four years, 1867 to 1871 ; S. R. Bissell, one year,
1872 ; Geo. F. Davis, three years, from 1873 to 1876; Geo.
W. Nicolls began June, 1877 — ^^^^^ remains, preaching one
Sabbath in the month, resides at Newton. Preaches one-half
his time at Newton, one-fourth at Mt. Olivet.
Milton Church, Coles county, was organized at Flat
Branch, by Rev, H. I. Venable, May 18, 1861, with these
members, viz. : John W, Payne, Richard W. Hawkins, Jane
Hawkins, Mary E. Hawkins, Rebecca Boyd, Francis A. Boyd,
Thomas Danner, Matilda Danner, Noble Danner, James W.
Junkin, Catherine Junkin, David S. Junkin, Samuel VV. Jun-
kin, Martha E. Junkin, Geo. W. Woods, Sallie M. Woods, Ar-
560 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
thur J. Boyd, M.E. Boyd, O. E. Boyd, Rebecca Walker, Re-
becca A. Walker, Ellen Junkin, Catharine J. Crevistan, Miss
Mary E. Hutchinson. Elders : Rich'd W. Hawkins, Jas. W.
Junkin and Arthur J. Boyd. Elders since these three first:
Jesse B. Gray, Smith Nichols, H. L. Stewart, Wm. P. West-
bay, Geo. W. Gray, Geo. W. Woods, W. J. Nicholson, W. H.
Wallace. The rotary plan was adopted August 20, 1876.
Ministers : H. I. Venable, J. W. Allison, Ellis Howell.
This congregation has a large frame house of worship. The
post office is now, 1879, Humboldt. The name of the church
is still Milton.
Beckwith Prairie Church, Crawford county, was organ-
ized August 31, 1 861, by Revs. E. Howell, A. McFarland
and Elder Findley Paull, with these members : James H,
Richey, Matilda Richey, Wm. Delzell, Mary Jane Delzell,.
Robert M. Delzell, Wm. M. Richey, Minerva Richey, Nancy
Richey, Susan Duncan, Wm. Thomson, Margaret Thomson,
Madison Cawood, Catharine Cawood, R. A. Delzell, Emeline
D. Delzell, W. B. Cawood, S. M.. Cawood, Wm. Stuart, A. C.
Gould, Elizabeth Gould, Samuel J. Gould, Achsah Gould,
Margaret Sherrell, Wm. C. Dickson, Caroline V. Dickson,.
Mary C. Stuart, Samuel E. Sherrell, Mrs. Eliza Sherrell.
Elders : James H. Richey, Samuel J. Gould, Wm. Delzell,
the first. Since appointed : David Meskimen, W. B. Ca-
wood and Archibald C. Gould, April 23, 1870; Morgan M.
Dick, 1873; William A. Hope and Andrew Duncan, Nov.
15, 1877. Ministers: Allen McFarland ; J. C. Thornton^
August 13, 1869 ; Aaron Thompson, June 16, 1872 ; Thomas
Spencer, November 13, 1874, till his death, August 13, 1876 ;
John E. Carson, April 28, 1877, till sometime in 1879. The
house of worship — a neat frame building, painted white, sit-
uated in the timber — was erected in 1859, at a cost of ;^i,300.
It is located in S. E. quarter of S. 23, T. 6, R. 12, one" mile
from Duncanville, a village on the Paris & Danville railroad.
Whole number of members connected with the church froni.
its beginning, one hundred and eight.
The Presbytery of Sangamon met at Sprinfield, April 3,.
1861. J. G. Bergen, D. D., minister, and Josiah Waddell,
elder, were appointed to attend the Assembly. C. P. Jen-
nings was released from the pastoral care of the Thrid church.
WEST OKAW CHURCH. 56I
Springfield. West Okaw church was received. At a pro re
nata meeting at Springfield, May 2, Willis G. Craig received
license. The fall meeting was held at Spring-
field, October 8. D. R. Todd was received from the Pres-
bytery of Saline.
West Okaw Church was organized October 20, i860, by
Revs. H. R. Lewis and T. M. Oviatt, in Friendship school-
house, Shelby county, with these members : G. M. Thomp-
son, Eliza Thompson, Margaret Thompson, Harriet N.
Thompson, Samuel G. Travis, Anna B. Travis, Catherine E.
Travis, Mary Foster, Harris B. Thompson, Elizabeth Thomp-
son, Robert Lay, Alice Lay, J. J. Freeland, Mary B. Free-
land, Mary A. Freeland, Catharine Freeland, Sarah G. Free-
land. (These Freelands are from Hillsboro, N. C.) Mary
Wingett, Ann Berg, Henry Berg, F. M. Chamberlain, Ann
E. Chamberlain, Eleanor Gray, Mercy H. Bacon, Emily J.
Richardson, James S. Travis. Elders : Gardner M. Thomp-
son, John J. Freeland, Samuel G.Travis, Henry Berg and F,
M. Chamberlain. Elders since appointed : William Bard,
James G. Marshall, James L. Neil, Nelson V. Stine, Wm. Mc-
Burney, Frederick Orris. Ministers: H. R. Lewis, from
the first until September 14, 1862; Clark Loudon, 1863-69,
pastor; J. D. Jenkins, December 23, 1873, till March 28,
1875 ; Julius Spencer, March 28, 1875, till beginning of 1878 ;
William E. Lincoln, 1878, and still continues. The church
edifice was dedicated April 24, 1869. It is situated in the
S. E. corner of the N. E. quarter of S. 34, T. 14 N., R. 3, E.
of 3 P.M. The cemetery connected with it contains two acres.
The church building is forty by fifty feet. It cost about
^3,500. The parsonage is half a mile south of the church ; is
thirty by forty feet, two stories, and cost ;^ 1,050. It was
built in 1875.
The Presbytery of Alton met at New Ducoign, April 11,
1861, A. T. Norton and T. Lippincott, ministers, and D.
H. Brush and G. S. Smith, elders, were appointed to attend
the Assembly. W. R. Smith presented a letter purporting
'to be from the Presbytery of Edinburg, Scotland, and on the
ground of its was received. Conclusive evidence was after-
wards found showing the letter to have been a forgery, and
the man was expelled. Thomas Sherrard, licentiate, was re-
35
562 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
ceived from the Presbytery of Cayuga, examined and or-
dained Sabbath, April 14, sine titido. The fall
•meeting was held at Vandalia, commencing September 28,
Mulberry Grove church was dissolved and its members at-
tached to Greenville church. Thomas Reynolds, Ezekiel
Folsom and Edwin G. Bryant were ordained, sine tihdo.
Thomas Sherrard was born November 25, 1829, in county
Antrim, North of Ireland, and was Scotch-Irish. He gradu-
ated at the University of Michigan in 1857. Studied theol-
ogy at Princetonand Auburn. He was ordained as above.
Supply pastor at Centralia, 111., 1861-64, and at Brooklyn,
Mich., 1865, till his death, August 10, 1874. He was mar-
ried to Valeria D. Gray, a daughter of Dr. Gray, of Mil-
waukee, Wis., June 21, i860.
Edwin G. Bryant was born at South Bend, Ind., June 15,
1836. He graduated at Wabash College, Ind., 1857. Stud-
ied theology at Princeton, N. J. Ordained by Presbytery of
Alton October, i, 1861. Labored at Vandalia and Durand,
111., Hastings, Mich., Atkinson and Garden Prairie, 111. In
1878 he was supply pastor Plymouth Second church, Ply-
mouth, Mich. He was married in 1864, to Miss E. J. Ca-
pron, of Durand, 111., and has two children, Charles H. and
Arthur E., aged at present twelve and eight years respect-
ively. It will be proper to add that Mr. E. Che-
ney, who was ordained an elder in the church of Vandalia,
while Mr. Bryant had charge of it, is now acting in the same
capacity in Calvary Presbyterian church in Detroit, Mich.
Ezekiel Folsom, was born at Hebron, N. H.. December 22,
1798. He had only an ordinary English education, but much
experience as a Christian worker, when at sixty-three years
of age, he was ordained. It was, however, with special re-
ference to a chaplaincy in the army hospital at Cairo, 111., a
situation for which he was eminently fitted. He died at
Lake Forest, 111., March 27, 1871, a member of Chicago"
Presbytery.
Thomas Reynold's was born in England. Ordained Oc-
JOSEPH J. GRAY. 563
tober I, 1861, by Presbytery of Alton. He labored awhile
at Shipmaa, 111. He was suspended by Presbytery, April 16,
1870. He was a conceited, coarse, boorish man, upon whom
the Presbytery most unwisely laid their hands.
The Presbytery of Hillsboro met with Sugar Creek
church, April 12, 1861. Joseph J. Gray was received from,
the Presbytery of Schuyler. R. M. Roberts, minister, and
.S. A. Paden, elder, were appointed to attend the Assembly.
The fall meeting was held at Jerseyville October 4, 1861.
St. John's German Pre.sb_\'terian church was received. Hen-
;ry M. Corbett was ordained April 15, si/ie titulo. Augustus
JCiess was licensed Oct. 7.
Joseph J. Gray — Auto-biographical — was born August 5,
1804, in Halifax county, N. C., of American ancestry. While
yet quite young, his parents died, leaving him in care of a
guardian, Col. John Lockhart by name. He was converted
while in college, at the age of nineteen. His preparatory
■education was received at Raleigh, N. C; his collegiate at
Union College, Schenectady, N. Y., and his theological at
Hanover, Ind. He was licensed and ordained in 1832, by
the Presbytery of Orange at its spring session in Raleigh.
He began his labors in North Carolina. Came to Illinois
•in 1837, and preached at Union church, Morgan county, dur-
ing 1838. In 1839 his health and voice failed. Since that
time he has not been able to engage in regular ministerial
work. His home for the last thirty years has been on a
farm near Greenfield, 111. He was married in 1826
to Elizabeth G. Hubbard, niece of Dr. Eliphalet Nott, at
Schenectady, N. Y. Dr. Nott performing the ceremony at his
own house. She died in 1845. In 1847 he was
married to Salhe S. Capps, daughter of J. T. Gilman, M. D.,
of Quincy, 111. From these two marriages there
were sixteen children, ten of whom arrived at years of matu-
rity, the others dying in infancy. One of the ten — Frederick
R. Gray — died of pulmonary consumption, October 11. 1878,
after a year's illness. The other nine are still living. One
of them — Charles G. Gray — is an elder in the Greenfield
church.
564 PRE3BYTEKIANJSM IX ILLINOIS.
Henry Martyn Corbett was born at Bristol, R. I., Dec,
14, 1832; of English descent. His parents were Congrega-
tionalists at the East, Presbyterians at the West. His pa-
rents settled at Jerseyville, 111., in the spring of 1838. Re-
sided there until he was grown. From his early boyhood he
had a strong desire to be a minister. Commenced his pre-
paratory studies at twenty years of age, at Fulton, Mo.
Graduated at the college there June, 1858. Studied theol-
ogy at Princeton. Licensed by Hillsboro Presbytery April
7. i860. His first charge was the Sugar Creek and Trenton
churches, Clinton county, 111. Was with them two years
from September i, i860. Ordained by Hillsboro Presbytery
April 15, 1861. Married Miss Melinda E. Richmond, March
7, 1861, at Rochester, Vt. At the end of two years he gave
up the charge of Sugar Creek church, and devoted his whole
time for three years more to Trenton church. In the fall of
1865 he took charge of the mission field of East St. Louis.
Preached the first sermon by a Protestant minister on
" Bloody Island." Remained in charge of this field for nine
months. Organized, July, 1866, a Presbyterian church of
fourteen members in connection with the Presbytery of Kas-
kaskia. In the fall of 1866 took charge of the church of
Winfield, Iowa, and continued three and one-half years. In
this time its numbers increased from sixty-five to one hun-
dred and fourteen. In the fall of 1870 removed to Illinois,,
and took charge of a mission field in Osco and Munson
township, and organized the Presbyterian church of Munson^.
July, 1871. Remained here five years. In 1875 took charge
of Sharon church, Whiteside county. 111., and continued for
over two years. In 1876, from excessive use of his voice in
a protracted meeting, contracted a throat disease, which has
ever since disabled him from ministerial labor. In the spring
of 1878 he removed with his family to Nelson, Nuckolls
county. Neb., and engaged in mercantile business. He has
had six children — Arthur Chestnut, born at Trenton, 111., Jan.
12, 1863 ; Henry Richmond, born at the same place, Oct. 3,
1864; Virginia Harbert, born at Winfield, Iowa, Feb. 13,
1867; Mary Ann, born at same place, Jan. 30, 1869; Ellen
Alberta, born at Osco, Henry county. III, May 24, 1871 ;
Melinda Rachel, born at Munson, Henry county, 111., Aug.
26, 1873.
St. John's German Presbyterian Church was organizec?
BEXJAMIN C. SWAN. 565
at Ridgeley, Madison county, III, with thirty-two members
and two elders. The exact date of the organization is not
given. But it was between April and October, i86l. This
-church has gone into another connection.
The Presbytery of Saline met at Mt. Carmel, Wabash
county, April 4, 1861. Nathan F. Tuck was dismissed to
the Presbytery of Paducah, and John Mack to that of St.
Paul, Minn. J. C. Thornton, licentiate, was received from
the Presbytery of Upper Missouri, examined and ordained,
April 7, 1 86 1, sine titido. S. C. Baldridge, minister, and
James P. McNair, elder, were appointed to attend the Assem-
bly. A pro re nata meetmg was held at Friends-
ville, Aug. 6, when L. B. W. Shryock was dismissed to the
Presbytery of Zanesville ; D. R. Todd to that of Sangamon,
and D. M. Williamson, licentiate, to the Presbytery of Lo-
gansport. The fall meeting was held at Gol-
.conda, September 12.
Benjamin Chestnut Swan, son of Benjamin Chestnut
and Hannah (Cowgill) Swan, was born, November 27, 1823,
near Camden, Preble county, Ohio. The mother
of Hannah Cowgill was a member of the Presbyterian
■church and a very devoted and exemplary Christian. Joseph
Swan, grandfather of B. C. Swan, sr., and brother of
Rev. William Swan (noticed in Elliott's life of McCurdy),
came from Ireland about the middle of the last century, and
was an elder in the Rocky Spring Presbyterian church, near
Chambersburg, Pa. The various branches of this family,
however scattered and varied in their surroundings, are kin-
dred in their devotion to Presbyterianism.
Benjamin C. Swan, sr., was a man worthy of his godly an-
cestry and for many years a ruling elder. As such he was
faithful in his office-work and in his attendance upon the
church courts, and such was his known attachment to the
standards of the Presbyterian Church, and such the confi-
dence his Presbytery reposed in him, that they sent him to
the General Assembly in the tr3'ing times of 1835 and 1837.
He faithfully endeavored to train his children to a practical
-sense of their individual responsibility to God, and carefully
instructed them in the ti^iths of the Bible, in all which he was
566 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
most fitly aided by his pious wife ; and their affectionate teach-
ings combined with their consistent examples made theirs a
truly Christian home. In due time each of their children-
professed the faith of their parents. In 1831 he removed to-
the vicinity of Oxford, Ohio, that the family might be nearer
the educational and religious privileges of that place.
In i(S4i the subject of this sketch united with the Presby-
terian church at Oxford. From this time his fixed purpose
was to try to serve the cause of Christ in whatever way His
providence might indicate. The great wants of the Church
seemed to call for .ministers. But the office seemed so holy
and exalted that he hesitated to enter upon a calling for
which he felt so unworthy. Yet encouraged by the plainly
expressed opinions of others, in whose wisdom and piety
he had confidence, he was led at length to go forward
with a view of qualifying himself for this work, which, if ac-
ceptable to the Master, he felt would be his highest privil-
ege. He graduated at Miami University, Ox-
ford, Ohio, in 1845 ; attended the Associate Reformed The-
ological Seminary at at that place during the session 1846-7
and the Western Theological Seminary, Allegheny, during
the sessions of 1847-8 and 1848-9. As the Rev. E. D. Mac-
Master, D. D., who had been his teacher in college, and for
whom he cherished an affectionate veneration, was entering
his theological professorship in the New Albany Seminary >.
he concluded to finish his theological course in that institu-
tion. He was licensed by the Oxford Presbytery, June, 1 850,
and ordained by the same, April, 185 1. From
the time of his licensure to August, 1852, he supplied the
churches of Salem, New Lexington and Winchester, Oxford
Presbytery. Some of the few families of the Winchester
church becoming discouraged in regard to building up a
church there, concluded to remove West together, provided
Mr. Swan would go with them. In September he, with the
two elders of the church, visited together several places in.
Illinois, among which was Carthage, county seat of Hancock
(the Mormon) county. Having decided to remove to that
place and unite in the organization of a church, they returned
to Ohio to make ready. In November, Mr. Swan removed
to Carthage and entered upon his work, preaching in an
" upper room," kindly lent by Mr. Artois Hamilton, where
the First Presbyterian church of Carthage was organized,
January I, 1853, ^"^'^^^ eleven memb'ers, having Mr. Swan as.
BENJAMIN C. SWAN. 5^7
their minister, and as their only elder for some time Dr. John
Mack, who afterward entered the ministry and labored suc-
cessfully for some years in Southern Illinois. The various
providences leading to the field, together with the numerous
influences favoring the work were very encouraging, and yet
great sacrifices and patience as to difficulties were required
from both minister and people. But a willingness on the
part of both to work and sacrifice together with an affec-
tionate union in the blessed tie that binds, and the divine
favor secured success in the object of their common interest.
The church secured aid from the Board of Home Missions
to the amount of one hundred dollars a year for three years
when it became self-sustaining, having meantime built a
house of worship at an expense of over four thousand dol-
lars, of which three hundred dollars were received from the
Committee of Church Erection, and received no other aid
outside the community. While residing in Carthage he per-
formed much missionary work in a large territory around,
having^, beside an actuating desire to save souls, a sense that
the Home Mission work is the hope of our Church and
land, and he reahzed in his relation to these Boards that the
assistance they render to individual churches, although small
in the grand scale, may be, and often is, vital to their estab-
lishment. Mr. Swan was installed pastor in 1855 and con-
tinued as such until the fall of i860. In October,
i860, he removed to Shawneetown and began his work as
supply pastor of the Presbyterian church there. In Sep-
tember, 1862, he was appointed Chaplain of the 131st Reg-
iment Illinois Infantry Volunteers, and served for thirteen
months, until that regiment was consolidated with another.
After his return he resumed his work in Shawneetown and
was installed pastor in 1864. During his stay there a very
desirable parsonage was purchased, and much of kindness
beside was done for him and his family. While in charge
there he performed much labor outside of his own congrega-
tion, especially at Saline mines, and in the churches of Equal-
ity and Golconda. Within this time the community was
much disturbed by border troubles on account of the civil
war and the embarrassments arising therefrom. In July, 1 868.
the pastoral relation was dissolved, and in August he entered
a neighboring field, combining the churches of Carmi, Sharon
and Enfield. He had aided in organizing the
latter church, and having frequently preached for each of
568 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
them during his residence in Shawneetown, felt an interest
in them and hoped that his labors there would be useful.
This work was somewhat like that of the earlier ministers —
churches small, railroads not yet built, and travel from one
appointment to another generally done on horseback and at
great expense of time and strength. While dividing his time
among them, when the roads and weather admitted, he fre-
quently preached in all three places on the same day. After
two and a half years of this work, he spent all his time at
Carmi, where he had been installed pastor in August, 1870,
and where he and his family enjoyed a pleasant residence
while he labored in this field. The pastoral relation was dis-
solved in October, 1877, when he began supplying the
churches of Enfield, Sharon and McLeansboro, in which work
he has continued to the time of this narrative. Con-
sidering his varied experiences, he still rejoices that the Lord
has permitted him to enter and continue in the ministry, and
has given him reason to hope that He has in some measure
carried on His work in the Church through so humble an in-
strumentality. Growth in grace and in divine knowledge on
the part of some of the Lord's people, and the increase of
their numbers, together with their sympathy and co-opera-
tion, are among the considerations that have sustained him,
looking humbly forward meanwhile to the day when every
man's work shall be tried. He was married, No-
vember 19, 1850, to Miss Mary Cassandra, daughter of John
and Eliza (Young) Woolf, then residing in Camden, but
shortly before of Newark, Ohio, where Mr. Woolf, who was
a man of deeply reflective and mature Christian character,
had long been an elder under the ministry of the Rev. Wil-
liam Wylie, D. D. His wife, whose ancestors were among
the first Presbyterian settlers of Newark, N. J., and after-
ward of Newark, Ohio, and who fully shared the faith of her
husband, was a lovely character, and well qualified for her
duties in training their covenanted family. The daughter
brought up under such parental and ministerial influences
was qualified in every way to be a helpmate for her hus-
band, wisely sustaining him in his trials and discouragements,
and strengthening him in his ministerial duties and work.
Their living children are Mary Chestnut (Mrs. Willis), born
September 29, 1851 ; Walter Sidney, M. D., born April 15,
1854; Augusta Davidson, born February 21, 1865.
ECCLESIASTICAL MEETINGS. • 569
Jefferson Clay Thornton was supply pastor at Mt.
'Carmel, 111., 1861-63; at Lawrenceville, 111., 1864-68; in
transitu, 1869-70; supply pastor, ^Palestine, 111., 1871 ; at
Knob Noster, I\Io., 1872-73 ; W. C, 1874-77 at Knob Noster;
same in 1878 at Warrensburg, Mo.
The Synod of Illinois, n. s., met at Jacksonville, Octo-
ber 3, 1861. George C. Wood was appointed Stated Clerk.
Resolutions were passed strongly approving the action of
the last General Assembly in establishing their Home Mis-
sionary Committee. Also of earnest sympathy with the
Government and its armies in their efforts to put down con-
spiracy and rebellion in our land; and recommending fer-
vent prayer to God for his blessing upon the President and
his advisers, and for the officers and soldiers of our armies.
To these patriotic resolutions the Synod unanimously re-
sponded.
The Synod of Illinois, o. s., met at Springfield, Octo-
•ber 9, 1861, and was largely attended. Much time was spent
in several judicial cases. The action of the Assembl}^ upon
the state of the country, as expressed in the " Spring Reso-
lutions," was approved by a very decided vote, though not
without protest from a minority consisting of nine persons.
YEAR 1862.
The Presbytery of Illinois met at Virden, April 3,
1862. The names of the two churches of Salem and Roches-
ter were erased from the roll, as they had become extinct.
The Second Portuguese church of Springfield was received,
and its elder, Jose Rodrigues, took his seat as a mem-
ber. W. G. Gallaher, minister, and David A. Smith, elder,
were appointed Commissioners to the Assembly.
The fall meeting was held at Farmington, commencing Sep-
tember 12. The name of String Prairie church was changed
to that of Walnut Grove.
The Presbytery of Kaskaskia met with Galum church.
Perry county, April 10, 1862. The Presbyterian church of
Union county, at Jonesboro, was received. D. A. Wallace,
aninister, and W. H. Mann, elder, were appointed to attend
57© PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
the Assembly. The Presbytery this spring reported to the
Assembly four ministers, thirteen churches and three hun-
dred and seventy-seven members. The fall meet-
ing was held at Chester, commencing September 26, 1862.
W. H. Templeton was elected Stated Clerk. James Staf-
ford was received from the Presbytery of Rock River. F.
H. L. Laird was released from the pastoral care of Carlyle
church, and D. A. Wallace from that of Nashville.
The Presbytef;.ian Church of Union County was or-
ganized at Jonesboro, Union county, in March, 1861, by Rev.
James Stafford, with thirteen members. Never accomplished
anything and was dissolved by Presbytery, April 6, 1866.
Wabash Presbytery met with New Providence church,
April II, 1862. James W. Stark, licentiate, was received
from the Fourth Presbytery of New York, examined and
arrangements made for his ordination at Danville, 111., on the
first Sabbath of June next. William R. Palmer was dis-
missed to the Presbytery of Fort Wayne. J. C. Campbell,
minister, and J. M. Culbertson, elder, were appointed to at-
tend the Assembly. The fall meeting was held
at Mattoon, September 12.
James Worthington Stark was born in Colchester, Conn.,
March 4, 1873. His mother and her family — the Worthing-
tons — were Episcopalians. His father was brought up a
Baptist, but never could persuade himself to unite with that
church, and remained a non-professor, with great respect for
religion — heart and mouth full of its melodies, and life gov-
erned by its principles. They early emigrated to Michigan,
settling at Jonesvilie, where, upon a farm, the boyhood of
the subject of this sketch was passed. Baptized in the Epis-
copal Church, he probably would have remained there, had it
not been for the arrogance of the minister at the time of the
revival in which he was converted, claiming that going to the
Presbyterian church through the week was disloyalty to the
true Church. He united with the Presbyterian Church when
he was eighteen, the year after liis conversion, at Ypsilanti,
Mich., where he attended the State Normal School, gradu-
JAMES W. STARK. 57*
ating at that institution. For a year he taught in Pontiac,
Mich,, agreeably to his purpose of making teaching a Hfe-
work. He then concluded to more fully fit himself, and en-
tered the sophomore year in Michigan University, Ann Ar-
bor. Had the way opened at his graduating in 1858 for
teaching, he probably would have considered that his call-
ing. As it did not, he traveled through the summer, viewing
the West with his father, and at the opening of the term in
Union Theological Seminary, New York city, saw his way
clear to enter that institution, ^r^m which he graduated ia
1 86 1. Before leaving New York he was invited to the
church of Danville, 111., the pulpit of which would be vacant
in September. He was licensed by the Fourth
Presbytery of New York, and spent the summer preaching
to the Congregational church in East Mathias, Maine. In
September he entered upon his labors in Danville, calling at
Jonesville, ]\Iich., by the way, and taking with him from
there as a life-companion Miss Cynthia M. Buck, daughter
of Rev. E. Buck, who himself performed the marriage cere-
mony. As a graduate of the then flourishing
female college, at College Hill, Ohio, and preceptress in the
high schools at Litchfield, Coldwater and Tecumseh, Mich.,.
— the latter place for four years before her marriage — she
was well fitted for the positions she has since occupied with
her husband. These have been : Danville, 111.,
two years, 1861-63, ^^ which place he was ordained by Wa-
bash Presbytery, June i, 1862 ; Jefferson, Wis., one year,.
1863-64; Berlin, Wis., two years, 1864-66; Centralia, 111.,
four years, 1866-70; Bloomfield, Iowa, two years, 1871-73;.
Jersey ville, 111., six years, 1873, to present date — the field
he still occupies. One year after leaving his work
at Centralia, was spent on a farm in Iowa, recruiting his en-
feebled health, yet not to the entire giving-up of ministerial
work for that period. Once in three weeks he supplied
Bethel church, near Washington City, Iowa, and occasionally
other points in spiritually destitute places. But the year was
one of rest, and he always counted it as adding ten years at
least to his years of gospel labor.
The Presbytery of Palestine met at Paris, Edgar county,.
April 10, 1862. A. S. Kemper, licentiate, was
received from Cincinnati Presbytery, e.camined and ordained,.
;S72 PRESBYTERIAXISM IN ILLINOIS.
sine titulo, April ii. A. McFarland, minister, and Thomas M.
Brooks, elder, were appointed to attend the Assembly. S. E.
Vance was licensed. The fall meeting was held
at Newton, Jasper county. D. F. McFarland was received
from the Presbytery of Peoria. Union church, Clark county,
was received. John Fox, licentiate, was received from the
Presbytery of Vincennes.
Augustus S. Kemper — Auto-biographical. — I was born in
Cincinnati, O., February 21, 1836. My parents also were
both natives of 0hio, and of Presbyterian ancestry. My
grandfather was frequently a commissioner to the Assembly
in the early part of this century, when he had to make the
trip from Cincinnati to Philadelphia on horseback. I was
educated at Woodward High School, Cincinnati, and spent
two years at Danville, Ky., Theological Seminary, leaving
there at the outbreak of the civil war. I was licensed by the
Presbytery of Cincinnati, September 5, i860, and ordained
in Paris, 111., by the Presbytery of Palestine, April ii, 1862.
I ministered to the Old School church in Mattoon, 111., for
.a time, then went to Chicago, spent a session, and graduated
.at the theological seminary there in 1863. I was always del-
icate in health, from an injury to my spine, and other causes,
and came to Minnesota, to see whether it could be recruited.
It has been in a measure. I was married May
31, 1855, in Springfield, Ohio, to Miss Mary Bradbury, a
member of the Presbyterian church of that place. She died
.at our present residence, Lanesboro, Minn., June 16, 1877,
leaving me one son, Charles W., now aged twenty-one, and
one daughter, Agnes Grant, now aged sixteen. I only add,
that with unabated ardor, I love the Church of my fathers —
the Church of my infant years, and the Church of my choice.
In her bosom I have lived — in her bosom I hope to die.
Union Church, Clark county, was organized at a school
house called Union school house, about four miles south of
the present railroad village of Casey, by Rev. H. I. Venable,
-on the second Sabbath in June, 1862, with nine members.
John Scott was chosen elder. This church disbanded, and
the members united with Casey church, February 11, 1872.
Among those who thus united at Casey were John Scott, the
-elder of Union church, and his wife.
PRESBYTERY OF SANGAMON. 573,
David F. IMcFarland joined Palestine Presbytery from
that of Peoria. In 1871 he was supply pastor at Santa Fe,
New Mexico. In 1875 he was agent at San Diego, Colo-
rado. He died at Lapwai, Idaho territory, May 13, 1876, a
member, at the time of his death, of Los Angelos Presbytery.
The Presbytery of Sangamon held ^l pro re nata meeting
at Springfield, Jan. 16, 1862, at which Geo. W. F. Birch was
ordained pastor of the Third Presbyterian church, Spring-
field, on the 17th. The spring meeting was held at Jackson-
ville, commencing April i, 1862. John Dale, minister, and
John S. Vredenberg, elder, were elected Commissioners to
the Assembly. An adjourned meeting was held July 15, at
Springfield, at which Robert Lemington was received from
the Presbytery of Logansport, examined, and ordained pas-
tor of the First Portuguese church at Springfield. In con-
nection with this charge, he was also, on the first Sabbath in
August, 1862, installed over the Portuguese church at Jack-
sonville. The fall meeting was held at Jackson-
ville, commencing October 6. J. V. Dodge was dismissed^
to the Presbytery of Vincennes.
Geo. W. F. Birch was pastor of Third church, Springfield,.
1862-69 5 i'^ 1870. W. C. ; pastor in Lexington, Ky., 1871-73;.
pastor Indianapolis Third church 1874-76 ; in transitu, 1877-78.
The Presbytery of Alton met at Collinsville, April 3,
1862. Edward Hollister was dismissed to the Presbytery of
Schuyler, and A, G. Martin to that of St. Joseph. C. H.
Foote and Andrew Luce, ministers, and Samuel Wade and
L. A. Parks, elders, were appointed Commissioners to the
Assembly. The Presbytery memorialized the Assembly on
the subject of establishing an Itinerating ]\Iissionary System.
The fall meeting was held at Shipman, Macoupin county,
commencing September 26. Pinckneyville church was dis-
solved. Theron Baldwin was dismissed to the Congrega-
tional Association of Southern Illinois. The church of No-
komis was received.
NoKOMis Church was organized, June 21, 1862, by Rev,
Joseph Gordon, with these members; Thomas Derr, David
574 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Nickey, Wilson Silsbee, Jane Nickey, Rebecca Matkin, Eg-
lantine Strider, Rebecca Jane Silsbee, Phcebe D. Derr, Irene
B. Derr, Nelly A. Derr, Amanda E. Matkin, Nancy Yarnell.
Ministers: Joseph Gordon, till April, 1869; G. C. Clark,
August 20, 1869, to January 20, 1870 ; C. K. Smoyer, licen-
iate, January 28, 1871, to June 7, 1873 ; Joseph Gordon, sec-
ond time, June, 1874, to June, 1875 ; John Payson Mills, No-
vember, 1875, to April, 1878; James Lafferty, August, 1878,
still continues. Elders : David Nickey, at the organiza-
tion; Thomas Derr, March 25, 1865; Benajah Mundy,
March 21, 1868; Martin Harkey and John Johns, January
22, 1870; H. S. S'train, M. D., August 8, 1874; James Bryce,
November 3, 1878. The church edifice was dedicated No-
vember 3, 1867, and cost about four thousand dollars. From
Church Erection five hundred dollars were received. About
one hundred persons in all have been connected with this
■church.
The Presbytery of Hillsboro met at Litchfield, April
II, 1862. Alfred N. Denny, minister, and George Donnell,
-elder, were appoinred to attend the next meeting of the As-
sembly. The patriotic spirit of this Presbytery was man-
ifested by the adoption of this resolution : " That we ap-
prove the preamble and resolutions adopted by the General
Assembly of 186 1 on the state of the country, and rejoice
that the Assembly took ground so timely and so nobly in
these resolutions — breathing, as we believe they do, a Christ-
ian and loyal spirit becoming the Presbyterian Church in the
United States of America." The ayes and nays on this
resolution were these : Ayes — Thomas W. Hynes, P. Has-
singer, R. M. Roberts, Henry Blanke, Alfred N. Denny,
Henry M. Corbett, W. L. Mitchell, George Donnell, J.
A. A. McNeeley, Samuel A. Paden, S. M. Hedges, Joseph
T. Eccles, W. H. Edwards, Ludwig Pape, Hugh Smith.
Nays — W. Hamilton, S. Lynn, A. A. McReynolds.
The fall meeting was held at Hillsboro, commencing Oc-
tober 3. Henry M. Corbett was dismissed to the Presby-
tery of Kaskaskia. This was the last meeting of Hillsboro
Presbytery as such. It had an existence of four years.
The Presbytery of Saline met at Grayville, April 3,
1862. J. C. Thornton, minister, and James E. Bell, eider,
ROBERT L. m'cUNE. 575
were appointed to attend the naxt meeting of the Assembh'.
At an adjourned meeting held at Lawrenceville, June 5,
John Mack was received from the Presbytery of St, Paul.
The fall meeting was held at Salem, Marion county, com-
mencing October 2. R. Lewis McCune was received on tes-
timony as a member from the Presbytery of Winchester, now
dispersed by the war. J. S. Howell was dismissed to the
Presbytery of Hillsboro. The patriotic spirit of the Presby-
tery was manifested by their hearty approval of the resolu-
tions of the Assembly on the state of the country. John
B. Saye was, after trial, deposed from the ministry for
falsehood, double-dealing and other unministerial conduct.
He appealed to Synod.
Robert Lewis McCune was born in Mercersburg, Frank-
lin county, Pa. His father was of Scotch-Irish, his mother
of English and Dutch descent. He graduated from Mar-
shall College, Mercersburg, Pa., in 1848, and at Allegheny
Seminary in 1855. He was licensed by the Presbytery of
Carlisle in June, 1855. In the spring of 1862 he came to
Illinois and took charge of the churches of Carmi, Gray-
ville and Sharon, White county. His labors in Southeast-
ern Illinois were abundant and successful. Since then he
has labored in Pennsylvania, Northeastern New York and
Iowa. He is now — 1879 — residing in Mercersburg, Pa., in
the old homestead where he and his father were born. He
married Miss Lizzie H. Wallace, daughter of Dr. Wallace,
of Philadelphia, April 4, 1877.
The Church at Grayville, where the Presbytery held its
session, noticed above, was never fully organized. June 4,
1859, Revs, John Crozier and J. S, Howell visited the place
by direction of the Presbytery, and enrolled the following
names: Mrs, Frances A. Spring, Mrs, Eliza Sinvell, Mrs,
Margaret Spring, Mrs, S. E. St. Albans, Mrs. E. M, Webb,
George Gilbert, Mrs, Harriet Gilbert and Mrs. Mary B. Ri-
gall. No elder was appointed then or ever. It seems to
have been received by Presbytery, but had so little care that
it never came to anything. It is another example of the folly
of bringing into life without furnishing any adequate means
for sustenance and growth.
5/6 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS,
The Synod of Illinois, o. s., met at Quincy, October 2,
1862. Rev. Henry Kendall, D. D., was present, and made
deeply interesting statements on the subject of home mis-
sions. Strong patriotic resolutions were adopted, in which
it was said that, in order to bring the pending conflict to a
righteous issue, they would, were it needful, speitd the last
ounce of gold and pour out the last drop of blood ! This was
the spirit of 1776 ! The Synod of Illinois, o. s.,
met at Jacksonville October 8, i852. The Presbyteries of
Hillsboro and Kaskaskia, were united under the name of Kas-
KASKIA.
CHAPTER XV.
MEETINGS OF PRESBYTERIES AND SYNODS FROM 1 863 TO
1865, INCLUDING SKETCHES OF THE CHURCHES ORGANIZED
AND THE MINISTERS COMMENCING THEIR LABORS WITHIN
THE PERIOD.
Authorities: Original Records; Auto-biograpliies ; General Catalogues;
Presbytery Reporter.
YEAR 1863.
Illinois Pbesbytery met with Pisgah church, April lo,
1863. Antonio De Mattos was received. J. E. McMurray
was dismissed to the Presbytery of Wabash. Rufus Nutt-
ing, minister, and D. A. Smith, elder, were appointed Com-
missioners to the Assemby. Morgan L. Wood was received
from the Presbytery of Peoria. The fall meeting
was held at Shelbyville, commencing September 10. Cyrus
L. Watson was dismissed to the East Central Association of
Illinois. Geo. C, Wood was appointed Stated Clerk, and
also re-appointed Presbyterial Missionary.
Morgan L. Wood, was born at Amsterdam, N. Y., May 8,
1820. His ancestors were English and Presbyterian. He
was educated at Union College and Auburn Seminary. Li-
censed by Presbytery of Tioga, October, 1848, at Bingham-
ton, N. Y., and ordained by the same at Conklin, N. Y., April
24, 1850. He has labored at Conklin, Ludlowville and Tri-
bus Hill, N. Y., at Carrollton and Greenfield, 111., and is now
at Marion Centre, Kan. He has suffered greatly
from ill health, twelve years of constant neuralgia and ten of
aphonia. He has been twice married, and had ten children
— eight daughters and two sons. His eldest daughter, x\lice
M., died at Oxford, Ohio, while a member of the Western
Female Seminary.
Kaskaskia Presbytery met at Greenville, Bond county,
April 10, 1863. By act of the Synod of Illinois, o. s., the
36
5/8 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Presbyteries of Kaskaskia and Hillsboro were thrown to-
gether, under the name of Kaskaskia. This was the first
meeting of the united body. John Howell was received from
the Presbytery of Saline. William Barnes was received from
the Mendon Congregational Association. W. H. Templeton
resigned the office of Stated Clerk, and Alfred N. Denny
was appointed in his place. D. A. Wallace was dismissed
to the Presbytery of Saline. Henry M. Corbett, minister,
and Joseph T. Eccles, elder were appointed to attend the
meeting of the Assembly. Arrangements were made for the
installation of R. M. Roberts pastor of Litchfield church on
May ly. The fall meeting was held with the
Waveland church, Montgomery county, Oct. 9.
William Barnes — Auto-biographical. — I was born at
Portsmouth, Ohio, February 8, 18 14. My parents were of
Scotch blood and Methodists. When nine years of age, I
removed with my family to Marion county, Ohio. Professed
religion in Milan, Ohio, in 1833. Graduated at Yale in 1839,
and at the East Windsor Theological Seminary in 1842.
Had been licensed to preach by the New London (Conn.)
Association September i, 1841. Was married at Manches-
ter, Conn., August 18, 1842, to Eunice A. Hubbard. Was
ordained and installed at Hampton, Conn., September 21,
1842. Was installed at Foxboro, Mass., December 15, 1847.
I came West in 1852. In Illinois I have had
charge of churches in Upper Alton, Chandlerville and Sugar
Creek, though not installed in either. I was with the latter
church thirteen years, and with the others, both East and
West, about five years each. The mother of my
children died at Jacksonville, 111., on May 18, 1874, and I
was married again at Chandlerville, to Mrs. S. E. Sewall
Fry, August i, 1878. I have had four children,
William Henry, born at Hampton, Conn., May 14, 1843;
Nathan Hale, born at the same place, July 12, 1845 ; Mary
Elizabeth, also born at Hampton, June 30, 1846, and Charles
Albert, born at Upper Alton, III, July 4, 1855.
Jacksonville has been my family residence for eighteen
years, on account of its educational advantages, and I con-
sider myself as now, for the most part, eineriUis.
William Barnes.
NATHANIEL WILLIAMS. 579
The Presbytery of Wabash met at Tuscola, April 24,
1S63. Enoch Kingsbury, minister, and Eben H. Palmer,
•elder, were appointed Commissioners to the next Assembly.
Pliny S. Smith was licensed. The fall meeting
was held at Cerro Gordo, Piatt county, September 28. Rob-
•ert Rutherford was received from the Presbytery of Ripley,
and William M. Taylor from the Cumberland Presbytery of
Decatur. Against this last act William M. Allison entered
his protest, on the ground that Presbytery did not receive
•evidence of the proper literary qualifications.
The Presbytery of Palestine met at Marshall, Clark
-county, April 9, 1863. Nathaniel Williams was received
from the Presbytery of Chillicothe. J. M. Alexander, min-
ister, and William Redick, elder, were appointed Commis-
sioners to the Assembly, and distinctly instructed to take
ground there on the question of loyalty to the Government,
which shall accord with the " Spring Resolutions." They also
strongly indorsed the President's Proclamation of a fast on
the 30th of April, inst. John Fox was ordained, sine titulo, on
the nth. Henry F. Nelson was licensed the same day.
The fall meeting was held at Kansas, Edgar county, com-
mencing October 9. A. S. Kemper was dismissed to the
Presbytery of Chippewa. A. Hamilton, D. D., was received
from the Presbytery of Chicago. Samuel E. Vance was or-
dained, sine titulo, October 11, and dismissed to the Pres-
bytery of Schuyler.
Nathaniel Williams was born, November 16, 18 16, in
Adams county, Ohio, in a log house surrounded by Indian
trails. Col. John Morrison, his maternal grandfather, re-
moved from New York to Kentucky and settled at Bryant's
Station, 1789, and with his wife helped to form the Presby-
terian church of Paris, Ky. His father, William Williams,
was one of three brothers who came from Wales and settled
one in Massachusetts, one in New Jersey, and one in Vir-
ginia. His father was the brother who went to Virginia,
but married in Kentucky. Both his parents hated slavery
and pitied the slaves. There were slaves in the family, but
none were bought or sold and all were freed as soon as pos-
ble. His father was of the Methodist Church bv birth, but
580 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Calvinistic in faith. When in a backshden state he would
read the Bible and say, " If this be true I shall be restored."
He was restored and died in the Lord. Mr. Wil-
liams obtained an education by dint of perseverance through
great difficulties. He was licensed by the Presbytery of
Chillicothe at Greenfield, April 7, 1853. For nine years he
labored at New Market. In 1862 he removed to Illinois and
took charge of Kansas church, Coles county. He labored
in the bounds of Mattoon Presbytery until 1874, when he
went to Iowa and was installed pastor of Hermon church at
Melpine, where he^ still remains. In June, 1848,
he married Ann Baskin, of Hillsboro, Ohio. They have had
five daughters, only three of whom are living.
Samuel E. Vance was born in Paris, Edgar county, 111.,..
July 29, 1835, His grandfather and father were natives of
Virsfinia, and removed to Paris from East Tennessee in 1822.
The family were originally Scotch-Irish and Presbyterian..
His preparatory education was received at Edgar Academy
of Paris, 111. His college course was taken at Jefferson Col-
lege, Cannonsburg, Pa., where he graduated in i860. His
three years' theological course was taken at the Seminary of
the Northwest, graduating in 1863. The Presbytery of Pal-
estine licensed him, April lO, 1 862. In the summer of 1862-
he supplied the church of Pleasant Prairie. Within a few
weeks after graduation he was invited to supply the churches
of Altona and John Knox in Knox county. 111. Before the
year closed he received a call to become pastor of John
Knox and Oneida churches and and was installed by the
Presbytery of Schuyler. On this field he labored for six
years. In the spring of 1869 he accepted a call from the
church of Farm Ridge, La Salle county, 111., where he
labored for two years. After which he became pastor
of the Presbyterian church of Granville, Putnam county. 111.
In October, 1872, he accepted a call from the church of
Lexington, McLean county. 111., and was pastor of that church
for more than five years. In January, 1878, he received a
call from the Presbyterian church of Stevens' Point, Wis.
To this field he removed February i, 1878, and was installed
pastor May 7. In this field he is still laboring. On Decem-
ber 23, 1863, he was married to Kate Frame, daughter of
Rev. Reuben Frame, at Morris, 111. They have four children.
ELI \V. TAYLOR. 5^1
Selby F., was born Nov. 17, 1864; Hattie Shelledy, born
March 18, 1S67; Edward Elbridge, July 23, 1872; James
Milton, May 21, 1875.
Alfred Hamilton, D. D., was installed over Mattoon
•church April 13, 1864. He remained there that year and
the next. In 1866-67 he was in Chicago in infirm health.
In 1 868 his name disappeared from the minutes of the As-
sembly.
The Presbytery of Sangamon met at Decatur, April i,
1863. C. P. Jennings resigned his office as Stated Clerk,
-and G. W. F. Birch was elected in his place. T. M. Oviatt,
minister, and S. G. Malone, elder, were elected Commission-
ers to the Assembly. T. M. Oviatt was released from the
pastoral care of the Decatur church. C. P. Jennings was
dismissed to the Presbytery of Logansport. The
fall meeting was held with Centre church, commencing Sep-
tember 29. David C. Marquis, hcentiate, was received from
ithe Presbytery of Beaver. Geo. K. Scott was received from
the Presbytery of Wooster, Ohio. An adjourned meeting
was held at Decatur, commencing November 7, and on Sab-
bath, the 9th. D, C. Marquis was ordained paster of the
Decatur church.
The Presbytery of Alton met at Cairo, April 2, 1863.
Eli W. Taylor, from Lake Presbytery, and Elijah Buck, from
Coldwater Presbytery, were received. W. R. Smith, who
united with the Presbytery on a forged certificate, was de-
posed. J. R. Johnson was licensed. A. T. Norton and Jo-
seph Gordon, ministers, and M. Fehren and Samuel Wade,
elders, were appointed Commissioners to the Assembly.
The fall meeting was held at Alton, Sept. 28.
Eli W. Taylor — Auto-biographical. — I was born in Chit-
tenden county, Vt., December ii, 1806. My ancestors were
.among the early emigrants to this country from England.
On my father's side they were of the Church of England. In
Cromwell's time, some of them affiliated with the Puritans,
and coming to this country, settled at New Haven, Ct. My
smother belonged to the Lawrence family in Massachusetts.
582 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Her grandfather was one of the colony from Massachusetts
which settled in and around Hartford, Ct., making his home
finally in Canaan. The house he built still stands, with the
names of himself, Isaac Lawrence, and all his family cut in
the stone step of the front door. My parents
emigrated to Vermont soon after the revolution. They had
six children, who lived to profess their faith in Christ. Two
sons and a grandson entered the ministry. The eldest son
was an eminently useful physician in Morgan county. 111.
At the age of thirteen I made a profession of religion,
x^lmost from the first, my thoughts were turned towards the
ministry. "' I entered the University of Vermont
at Burlington and continued for three years, when my course-
was interrupted by protracted illness and the death of my
father. The university subsequently conferred on me the
degree of A. M. My theological studies were pursued with
private instructors. In the spring of 1830 I was licensed,
and in December following ordained by Rutland Asso-
ciation, Vt. After spending about three years as a Home
Missionary in Western Vermont, I accepted a call from
the Congregational church in Croydon, Sullivan county,
N. H. Here I was permitted to witness a striking display of
the power of Divine grace. The church had become re-
duced to a small number, and the whole region was overrun
with Universalism and kindred systems. Their most bold
and blatant advocates were men who had once professed to-
be Christians. Within a year, however, the Spirit of God
was evidently at work among us, and this influence increased
and extended gradually till it seemed to pervade the great
mass of the people. The work thus begun continued
about two years. Nearly one hundred were added to the
church. Opposition, for the time, was silenced and the moral
aspect of .the whole community changed. While for a short
time in charge of another church, about thirty were received
as the fruits of a revival, I was frequently called ten, and
sometimes twenty, miles to attend funerals and perform other
services in mid-winter, the cold intense and the snow very
deep. The work was beyond my strength, and I was forced
to resign my charge and seek relief in a southern latitude.
On my return I accepted a call from the Congregational
church in Williamstown, Orange county, Vt. With that peo-
ple I spent about ten pleasant years. Again
prostrated, I accepted an agency for the American Tract So-
ELIJAH BUCK. 5^3
ciety, and spent most of two years in Mississippi and Ala-
bama. Instead of returning to New England, I accepted a
pastoral charge in Cass county, Mich., where I remained
seven years. I had previously connected with Presby-
tery. In i86i I came to Illinois, and for three years minis-
tered to the church in Pana. In 1865 I took charge of the
churches of Shipman and Plainview, Both churches were
small and their houses of worship in an unfinished state. At
the end of four years both houses were finished and neatly
furnished. The accessions to the membership amounted to
sixty-one. Subsequently I labored for a time with the
church at Walnut Grove, in Greene county. In
August, 1830, I was married to Laura, daughter of Deacon
Lyman King, of Burlington, Vt. Our children all died in
infancy. My wife still survives. For forty-eight years we
have walked and labored together in this blessed work. A
considerable portion of our time has been spent in Home
Mission fields, where a full share of the toil and privation
falls upon the minister's wife. This she has cheerfully borne —
a faithful and efficient helper. Together we have labored —
together we wait the call of the blessed Master to enter into
rest.
E. W. Taylor.
Shipman, III., October, 1878.
This beloved brother died at his residence in Shipman, III., February 13, 1879.
His widow survives.
Elijah Buck was born at Great Bend, Susquehanna
county, Pa., March i, 1799. He was educated at Hamilton
College, N. Y., and at Auburn Seminary. Licensed in 1826.
Ordained April 28, 1830, by the Presbytery of Susquehanna.
United, first time, with Alton Presbytery April 3, 1863. Dis-
missed to Kaskaskia Presbytery, April 17, 1868. United
second time with Alton Presbytery October 8, 1869, from
Kaskaskia Presbytery. By the reunion and re-construction,
he was throw into Cairo Presbytery, with which he is still —
1879 — connected, with his residence near Centralia. Mrs.
J. W. Stark, of Jerseyville, 111., is his daughter.
He labored for years in Michigan. In Illinois he has
preached at Kinmundy, Odin, Centralia and Richview.
The Presbytery of Saline met at Olney, April 2, 1863.
Arrangements were made for the installation of S. C. Bald-
584 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
ridge, pastor of Wabash and Friendsville churches on the last
Sabbath of April, inst. John Mack, minister, and Harley
Kingsbury, elder, were chosen to attend the Assembly.
William G. Thomas, licentiate, was received from the Pres-
bytery of Logansport. A pro re nata meeting was held
June 30, with the Wabash church, and adjourned to Pisgah
church August 4. Their object was principally to consider
the case of John B. Saye. He had been deposed by the
Presbytery, and had appealed to the Synod. The Synod
had sustained the appeal so far as to pronounce the sentence
of deposition as too severe, and that it should have been " sol-
emn admonition."-- The Presbytery had appealed the case to
the Assembly, where the appeal was lost by one vote. This
restored Mr. Saye to the ministry, but obliged the Presbytery
to inflict the sentence which the Synod had declared proper,
viz.: "solemn admonition." The Presbytery summoned
Mr. Saye to receive this admonition. He refused, with ex-
pressions of contempt for the Presbytery and its proceed-
ings; whereupon Presbytery deposed him for contumacy.
Saye appealed to the Synod of 1863, and his appeal was not
sustained. In all this tedious process the temper of Presby-
tery was most admirable, and their adherence to rules exact.
At last justice ivas secured. Such is ever the operation of the
Presbyterian system, when its rules are rigidly adhered to.
The case was so protracted simply because the Assembly, in
a fit of impatience, rushed to a conclusion without proper
consideration. The fall session was held with
Sharon church September 24. On Sabbath, the 24th, Wil-
liam G. Thomas was ordained, sine titulo. A. R. Naylor was
received from the Presbytery of Chillicothe.
Arthur Ralph Naylor was born at Cynthiana, Harrison
county, Ky., December 20, 18 12. His parents were of
Scotch-Irish descent, and belonged to the Associate Re-
formed Presbyterian Church. He was early left an orphan.
He was converted in early youth. He graduated at Miami
University, at Oxford, Ohio, August, 1841. He waslicensed
by the Presbytery of Oxford, at Brookville, Ind., in the spring
of 1842. Pie was ordained by the Presbytery of Cincinnati
pastor of Treesburg and Ebenezer churches June 12, 1844.
He was married at Oxford, Ohio, December i, 1841, to
Miss Elizabeth Montgomery, daughter of Major James Mont-
SYNOD OF ILLINOIS. 585
■gomery. They have had three sons, who have reached ma-
turity : Francis M., a professional teacher and an elder in
the First Presbyterian church, Terre Haute, Ind.; Thomas E.,
a business man and an elder in Providence church, Solomon
Presbytery, Kan., and Arthur W., who is a member of one of
the churches in Pittsburg, Pa. His sons are all business
men, but exemplary Christians, with God-fearing wives.
He has been laboring as a minister about thirty-eight years,
■divided as to time and place thus : eighteen years in pastoral
labor in Ohio ; twelve years in Indiana ; four years in Illinois,
and now about four years of pioneer labor on the frontier
of Northwestern Kansas.
The Synod of Illinois, n. s., met at Jerseyville, October
I, 1863. That portion of Illinois Presbytery lying east of
the Illinois Central Railroad, and including the churches of
Shelbyville and Prairie Bird, was set off to the Presbytery
of Wabash. The former declarations of this Synod, with
regard to the rebellion raging against the Government, were
.repeated and emphasized in the strongest manner.
The Synod of Illinois, o. s., met at Bloomington, Octo-
■ber 14, 1863. Their declarations in regard to the wickedness
•of the existing rebellion against the Government were equally
as decided as those of the New School Synod. Their in-
dorsement also of the efforts of the Christian Commission,
and their urging of its claims upon the churches, were all the
most earnest Christian patriot could desire. It is interesting
to note, as the years of the rebellion rolled on, the rising
tone of patriotism and the utter disappearance of disloyal
manifestations in all our Ecclesiastical bodies, except on the
part of a very few individuals in the Presbytery of Sangamon.
YEAR 1864.
The Presbytery of Illinois met at Springfield, April 7,
1864. Morgan L. Wood, minister, and R. E. Wilder, elder,
were appointed to attend the next Assembly. T. H. New-
ton was received from the Presbytery of Missouri. Wm. R.
Adams was ordained, April 9, sine titulo. The fall meeting
was held at Carrollton, commencing August 30.
5^6 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Thomas Henry Newton, D. D. This article is made up
of extracts from a letter of his to me, written in 1879:
" Your conception of the history of Presbyterianism in
middle and south Illinois is entirely just. I have often won-
dered why such a history was not undertaken by all localities
in the United States, so that material might be furnished
for a correct general history of the whole Church. * * *
I was born in Philadelphia, Pa., June 25, 1821. * * *
It is with no small degree of interest that I look back to
my residence in Illinois, whose growth has been so marvel-
ous and whose political position is so commanding. * *
As my name indicates, I am of English stock. The Newtons
are- an old family in England, and with very similar charac-
teristics. Newtons are not politicians. I never knew one of
the name a rebel, a regicide or a seditionist. They keep quiet
and mind their own business. If political affairs don't suit
them they simply withdraw, as did Sir Isaac Newton when
he shut himself up in his observatory rather than become
member of a cabal. My parents were staunch Protestants
from the Church of England. My father affiliated with the
Methodists ; my mother with Presbyterians. They trained
me with great care. My general education was
obtained in ordinary schools. I graduated at La Fayette
College in 1846. My theological course was taken at Prince-
ton, N. J. I was licensed by the Presbytery of Philadel-
phia in April, 1848, The same Presbytery ordained me to
labor as a chaplain in St. Thomas, W. I., in November, 1850.
Besides labonng in the West Indies, I was supply pastor at
Berwick, Pa., in St. Louis, Mo., in Southwest Missouri and in
Carlinville, 111., from 1862 to 1864. Since my labors in Car-
linville I have had no regular field. I have preached a good
deal, but been in too feeble health to do much. I now re-
side in Virginia and have preached for four months for two
small churches. That is the most continuous labor I have
done for years. While I write this I am visiting in Camden,
N. J. I was once married and have one child —
George Junkin Newton — born in St. Louis, July 15, 1858. I
wish thus to go on record : / never ivroiiged any one, Jior
preached for filthy lucre. My address is Richmond, Va,
"Thomas H. Newton."
William R. Adams was born of pious parents, August i,
1830, at New Boston, N. H. United with the Presbyterian-
WILLIAM R. ADAMS. 587
church of that place October, 1848. Completed his prepar-
atory course in New Ipswich and Francestown academies.
Entered Dartmouth College in August, 1855, and graduated
from that institution July 28, 1859. In the autumn of the
same year he came to Illinois, and located at Carlinville, be-
ing engaged as an instructor in the public school. During
his stay there he studied theology with Rev. John C. Downer,,
then at the head of Blackburn Seminary. In May, 1861,.
was licensed by Illinois Presbytery. In September of that
year was called to take charge of the high school at Alton,
as its principal. At the same date began to supply the pul-
pit of the Presbyterian church of Upper Alton. September
9, 1861, he was united in marriage with Miss Ellen D. Rich-
mond, formerly of Rochester, Vt.; subsequently a teacher
in the Alton schools, but more recently principal of a young
ladies seminary at Carlinville. He continued in School at
Alton till 1865, but remained as supply pastor at Upper Al-
ton till September i, 1867, a period of six years. He was
ordained April, 1864, by Illinois Presbytery. Served as
chaplain of the 133d regiment Illinois volunteers during its
term of enlistment. United with Alton Presbytery in the
autumn of 1865. In September, 1867, he removed to Brigh-
ton, and took charge of Brighton and Spring Cove churches.
At these points he labored until September 1870, Thence
he removed to Shipman, and became supply pastor of the
churches of Shipman and Spring Cove, preaching more or
less for the church at Plainview. During his stay at Ship-
man, he acted as pastor of that church for three years, being
installed by a committee of Presbytery in the fall of 1871.
In September, 1874, he removed to Plainview, and undertook
the supply of that and Spring Cove church. At this time —
1879 — he ministers to Plainview, Spring Cove and Shipman
churches. To the first, one-half the time, to each of the oth-
ers, one-fourth. In June, 1875, he was honored
with the degree of A. M., by Blackburn University.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Adams are Anna Trible,
born August 31, 1864; James Henry, born April 3, 1868;.
Fannie P., born October 13, 1872.
The Presbytery of Kaskaskia met with Pleasant Ridge
church, Randolph county, April 7, 1864. T. W. Hynes,
minister, and Augustus Alvord, elder, were chosen to attend
^88 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
the Assembly. The fall meeting was held at
Trenton, commencing October 8. A. R. Naylor was received
from the Presbytery of Saline, and S. D. Loughead from
that of St. Louis. Lively's Prairie church was dissolved. R.
G. Williams, licentiate, was received from the Presbytery of
■Ohio.
Samuel D. Loughead. His name first appears in the
minutes in 1858, when his address was Jefferson City, Mo.
In 1862-73 he was pastor elect at Montgomery City, Mo. In
1866 he was supply pastor at Carlyle, 111. In 1871 he was
at Thayer, Kansas. His name then disappears. His name
is spelled hougkead and houg/ieed.
The Presbytery of Wabash met with New Providence
church in Edgar county, April 15, 1S64. Timothy Hill was
received from the Presbytery of St. Louis. James W. Stark
was dismissed to the Presbytery of Milwaukee. R. Ruther-
ford, minister, and Alex. McKinney, elder, were chosen to
-attend the Assembly, Pliny S. Smith was ordained, sine
titido. With 1865 his name disappears from the minutes.
The fall meeting was held with Prairie Bird church, Shelby
county, September 2. J. B, Sheldon was received from Hu-
ron Presbytery.
Timothy Hill, D. D., was born in Mason, N. H., June 30,
1 8 19. His father was Rev. Ebenezer Hill, who was ordained
pastor of the Congregational church in Mason, N. H., in No-
vember, 1790. He remained pastor of that church until his
death in 1 854. His ancestors were English Puritans, and
emigrated to this country about 1630. Mr. Hill graduated
at Dartmouth College 1842, and at Union Seminary, N. Y,,
1845. He was licensed by the Third Presbytery of New
York, April 18, 1845, and ordained at St. Louis by the Pres-
bytery of St. Louis, October 22, 1846. He came to Missouri
under the direction of the A. H. M. Society in October, 1845.
Labored in Monroe county until July, 1846. Was supply
pastor of St. Charles church. Mo., 1846-59; at St. Louis,
North church, 1859-60; at Rosemond, 111., 1861-63 ; at Shel-
byville. 111., 1863-65; at Kansas City, Mo., 1865-68. He was
appointed District Secretary of the Board of Home Missions
in 1868, and is still acting in that capacity. For the last ten
PALESTINE AND SANGAMON PRESBYTERIES. 589-
years he has traveled in that work about one thousand miles
per month. In 1873, he received from Highland University
the degree of D. D. He married, at St. Louis, Miss Frances
A. Hall, November 2, 1854. They have two living children :
John Boynton, born November 3, i860, and Henry Edward,
born February 9, 1863. Dr. Hill's residence is in Kansas
City, Mo.
James B. Sheldon resided in Lawrence and then in Troy,
Kansas, and died at the latter place, October 7, 1872, aged
fifty-one years, being at his death a member of Highland
Presbytery.
The Presbytery of Palestine met at Mattoon April 12,
1864. Alfred Hamilton, D. D., was installed pastor of Mat-
toon church, o. s. The fall meeting was held at
Charleston, September 13, 1864. Samuel B. Taggart was re-
ceived at an adjourned meeting held at Kansas, October 29,.
and installed pastor of that church on the 30th. H. L Ven-
able was appointed Stated Clerk.
Samuel B. Taggart was born atCannonsburg, Pa., March
31, 1833. Graduated at Jefferson College, August i, 1856.
Had united with the Covenanter Church at an early age.
Began the study of theology at Reformed Presbyterian Sem-
inary, Allegheny, Pa., and finished at Princeton, N. J., in 1861.
Licensed by Presbyteiy of New Brunswick, and ordained in
1862 by Presbytery ofVincennes. Has labored at Sullivan,
Ind., at Kansas, 111., and is now — 1879 — at Upper Alton and
Moro, with residence at former place.
Sagamon Presbytery met at Springfield, April 8, 1864,
Clark Loudon was received from the Presbytery of Phila-
delphia. J. A. Pinkerton, minister, and Stephen Sutton,
elder, were appointed to attend the assembly. At a
pro re nata meeting held at Springfild, June 29, J. H. Brown,
D. D., was released from the pastoral care of the First Pres-
byterian church of Springfield. The fall meeting;
was held with North Sagamon church Sept. 13, 1864.
590 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Clark Loudon was born in County Armagh, Ireland,
October 19, 1823, and educated at Belfast. Came to this
country in 185 1 ; was licensed in Ireland. The first ten years
of his ministry in this country were spent in Philadelphia, in
charge of the Fifteenth Presbyterian church in that city,
over which he was ordained early in 1853. He came to Illi-
nois about 1862, and labored until 1S75 in Marrowbone
township, in Moultrie county, and in the Prairie Home
parish in Shelby county. He organized, in that general
field, two churches — Sullivan and Dalton — and assisted in
erecting two gooci church buildings. He married December
15, 1864, Miss Mary A. Freeland. In 1875 their children
were three little girls. In 1876 he removed with his family
to Minnesota, and has labored since at Shetek and Tracy.
The Presbytery of Alton met at Carbondale, April 14,
1864. J. J. Ward, of Dayton, William Ellers, of Coldwater,
and M. B. Ormsby, of Galena Presbyteries, were received.
C. H. Foote and E. B. Olmsted, ministers, and F. A. Sabin,
M. D., and David Beatty, elders, were appointed Commis-
sioners to the Assembly. The license of J. Russell John-
son was recalled. N. A. Hunt was dismissed to the Minne-
sota Congregational Association. The fall ses-
sion was held at Old Ducoign, October 3 and 4. Charles F.
Beach was received from the Presbytery of Chicago. C. H.
Taylor resigned as Stated Clerk, and A. T. Norton was ap-
pointed in his place. At an adjourned meeting, held at Cen-
tralia, Charles F. Beach was installed pastor of Centralia
church, and S. R. Bissell was received from the Presbytery
of Washtenaw.
J. Jerome Ward was born at Bloomfield, N. J., March 9,
1813. Educated at Lane Seminary from 1830 to 1834. Or-
dained, February 10, i84i,by Presbytery of Onondaga, over
the church of Camillus. Spent ten years in Onondaga
Presbytery, ten in that of Niagara and three years in that of
Dayton. United with Alton Presbytery as above. Labored
one year in New Ducoign. Dismissed in the spring of 1865.
Labored then two years in Decatur, Mich., and three and
one-half years in Michigan City. He is now — 1879 — at
Kasson, Minn.
WILLIAM ELLERS. 59 1
Charles F. Beach was born at Jewett, Greene county, N.
Y., Sept. 5, 1827. Educated at Auburn Seminary. Received
the degree of A. M. from Knox College, June 23, 1859. Or-
dained by Chicago Presbytery, Jan. 10, 1856. United with
Alton Presbytery and was installed as above. Was dis-
missed from that charge July 19, 1866, Dismissed from
Alton to St. Lous Presbytery same date. Has since la-
bored at Portage City, Wis., at Warsaw, Ind., and has been
for several years in Louisville, Ky., acting as editor and evan-
gelist. He is the author of several small works of much
merit. He is a member at this J;ime — 1879 — o^ the Louis-
ville Presbytery, connected with the Northern Assembly.
William Ellers was born March 5, 18 11, in Rendsburg,
Dutchy of Schleswig, then in Denmark, now Prussia. Edu-
cated in Rendsburg, and in the University of Keil in Hol-
stein, where he spent several years, and then came to this
Western world. He landed at New York in September,
1836, with the intention of traveling through the country,
rgaining all possible information, and then of returning to
Hamburg and establishing a bureau of information fur Ger-
man emigrants to America. He became, however, so much
interested in the country that he abandoned his first de-
sign and determined to remain. October i, 1856, he was
ordained in Fort Wayne, Ind., by the classis of St. Joseph
of the German Reformed church, and ministered to a charge
in the town and vicinity of Goshen, Elkhart county, Lid.
This charge he resigned in the spring of 1858 to minister
to two German congregations in ]\nchigan. While thus em-
ployed he became acquainted with the Burr Oak Presbyte-
rian church and became their pastor, through the Presbytery
of Coldwater, in November, 1858. After a ministry of five
years this pastorate was dissolved and he came to Illinois.
From 1863 to 1865 he served the churches of Troy and
Marine in Madison county. For one year from January,
1865, he was Bible agent in Michigan. He then became
city Missionary in New Albany, Ind. There he labored for
one and a half years, being connected with Salem Presby-
tery. His next field was as missionary among the Germans
in ]\Iilwaukee, Wis. There he remained till January i, 1870.
His next field was Mine La Motte, Mo. He has labored
since in Watson and Edgewood, 111., and is now — 1879 — in
Olney with a German congregation.
592 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Sandford R. Bissell was born May ii, 1818, at East
Windsor, Ct. He was educated at Western Reserve College
and Lane Seminary. He was ordained June 30, 1847, by
the Genesee Association. He united with Alton Presbytery
as above and was dismissed to the Presbytery of Wabash,
April 13, 1866. He has labored since as minister at Effing-
ham, Greenup, New Hope and with other churches in that
section of the State. He has been principally occupied,
however, as teacher of a private school in Effingham. His-
wife is a lady of superior education, much firmness of Christ-
ian principle and perfect consistency of conduct — a good-
wife, mother and i^liable m'ember of the church.
Saline Presbytery met with Richland church, April 8,
1864. D. A. Wallace was dismissed to the Presbytery of
Bloomington. S. C. Baldridge, minister, and R. W. Pratt,
M. D., elder, were elected Commissioners to the next Assem-
bly. The church of Odin was received. The
fall session was held at Equality, commencing September
15. William C. Thomas was dismissed to the Presbytery of
Logansport. Bridgeport church was received.
Odin Church, Marion county, was organized by Revs.
John Crozier and Wm. G. Thomas, March 26, 1864, with
thirteen members. Elder Joseph M. Wilson. Revs. Wm. E.
Thomas and Elijah Buck ministered to the church until 1865.
Nine persons were received, and A. C. Davis was elected
elder. R. C. Galbraith was installed on the first Sabbath in
October, 1865. A church edifice of brick, erected at a cost
of $3,000, was dedicated June 3, 1866. The church grew
with the growth of the town in the rush of travel during the
war, and for a year or two subsequent. But the close of the
war and the opening of a direct route from St. Louis to^
Cairo, acted adversely both upon town and church. Mr.
Galbraith resigned and left. The church became reduced
almost to extinction. But a few praying ones were left and.
better prospects have begun to open.
Bridgeport Church, Lawrence county, was organized by
Revs. John Crozier and John Mack and Elder Thos. Buchanan,
May 7 and 8, 1864, in the Methodist house, with these mem-
BRIDGEPORT CHURCH. 593
bers: Diana Douglas, James Crooks, Alvira Crooks, Alex.
Bell, Margaret Bell, Hiram W. Cooper, Mahulda A. New-
ell, James H, Martin, Mary R. Martin, Louisa Martin, Mary-
Martin, Salina Douglas, Charles Douglas, Eusebia Martin,
Martha Martin, Alney L. Martin, John A. Newell, Margaret
A. Newell, Cyrus Culbertson, Susan Culbertson, Alfred Har-
ris, Mary Harris, James Johnson, Martha Johnson. Elders :
Alex. Bell and John A. Newell. Alex. Bell was an elder of
the Hopewell church, which was gradually merged in this at
Bridgeport. Rev. John Mack was the first minister of the
church. He was supply pastor, and continued until 1868
or perhaps longer. Cyrus Culbertson and Hiram Cooper
were chosen elders, August 19, 1865. Other Ministers:
R. G. Ross, September i, 1870, and continued till spring of
1876. Thomas Smith commenced May i, 1876, and is
supply pastor of this church and Union, and pastor of Pis-
gah. Good church building, cost $2,700.
The Synod of Illinois, n. s., met at Centralia, October 6,
1864. The Synod of Illinois, .0. s., met at Olney, October 12,
1864. Dr. Alfred Hamilton was made Stated Clerk. Both
Synods began to agitate the subject of re-union.
37
CHAPTER XVI.
MEETINGS OF PRESBYTERIES AND SYNODS FROM 1 865 TO
1868, INCLUDING SKETCHES OF THE CHURCHES ORGANIZED
AND THE MINISTERS COMMENCING THEIR LABORS WITHIN
THE PERIOD.
Authorities: Origfnal Records; Auto-biographies; General Catalogues;
Presbytery Reporter.
YEAR 1865.
The Presbytery of Illinois met at Chatham, April 6,
1865. David H. Hamilton, D. D., minister, and A. C. Hin-
ton, elder, were appointed to attend the meeting of the
Assembly. William R. Adams was dismissed to the Presby-
tery of Alton. The fall meeting was held with
the Westminster church, Jacksonville, commencing Septem-
ber 5. William A. Hendrickson was received from the
Presbytery of Schuyler ; Geo. C. Wood was reappointed
Presbyterial Missionary.
The Presbytery of Kaskasi/.ia met at Moro, Madison
county, April 6, 1865. The church of Richview was re-
ceived. The name of August Ki(|:ss, a licentiate, was dropped
from the roll of Presbytery. The name of Rattan's Prairie
church was changed to Moro. S. D. Longhead, minister,
and Hugh Smith, elder, were appointed Commissioners to
the next Assembly. The fall meeting was held
at Carlyle, Clinton county, commencing October 2. The
name of the Liberty church was changed to Rockwood.
The Presbytery of Wabash held a called meeting at
Mattoon, January 7, 1865, received John L. Jones from the
Presbytery of Schuyler and installed him pastor of the Mat-
toon church. The spring meeting was held at
Neoga, April 14, and the fall meeting at Shelbyville, Octo-
ber 4. David R. Love, from the Presbytery of Logansport,
DAVIU R. LOVE. 595
and Thomas H. Spencer, from Salem Presbytery, were re-
<:eived. Timothy Hill was dismissed to the Presbytery of
Lexington. Watson and Effingham churches belong to this
year, but through some error their names were not entered
•on the roll of Presbytery.
John L. Jones was preaching to the New Providence
•church, Emerson, Mo., postofifice, in 1 860-61 — a member of
the Presbytery of Northern Missouri, N. S. The war drove
him out of Missouri. In 1864 he was Presbyterial Mission-
ary of Schuyler Presbytery, and resided at Brooklyn, Schuy-
ler county. 111. Installed at Mattoon as above. He remained
about two years and went to Kansas. He organized a Pres-
byterian church at Salina, Kan., in November, 1867, and
preached there and at Solomon City until his death, which
took place May 3, 1871. He was forty-five years of age, and
at the time of his death a member of the Presbytery of To-
peka.
David R. Love was born in Tollcross, a suburb of Glas-
gow, Scotland, May, 183 1. His parents, x'llexander and
Jean Rankin Love, were members of the Presbyterian church.
In 1842 he migrated with them to Nova Scotia, sojourned
there four years, and on June 27, 1846, was shipwrecked
near the coast of Massachusetts ; twenty-nine persons were
drowned, and among whom were his mother, brother and
sister. His father, sister and himself made their home in
Pennsylvania. In his twentieth year, when teaching school,
he was converted and the following summer united with the
O. S. Presbyterian church. He prepared for college at Lu-
zerne Presbyterial Institute, Wyoming valley, Pa. ; entered
the freshman class in the College of New Jersey, and was
graduated in 1S58; entered Princeton Theological Seminary
in September following, and was graduated April, 1861. He
was licensed by the Presbytery of Luzerne, O. S., at King-
ston, Wyoming valley. Pa., April 17, i860. His first field of
labor was Rossville, Ind. He began to supply that church
June 7, 1861 ; was ordained over it, October 3, 1861 ; labored
there three years; ministered to the N. S. Presbyterian
church, Danville, 111., fifteen months ; was pastor of the church
.at Lexington seven years, Tolono two years, Farmer City
iiiearly two years, and has labored in Fowler, Ind., since July
596 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
I, 1877. During these eighteen years he has preached'
two thousand, six hundred and seventy-four sermons, re-
ceived three hundred and ninety-six persons to church mem-
bership and in his own charges has enjoyed nine precious
revivals. Mr. Love has been married twice. First,
on June 23, i(S64, to Lida, daughter of Rev. James A. Car-
nahan, of Dayton, Ind. They had tv/o children — Flora,
born August, 1865, and Nillie, born May, 1867. In March,.
1874, his first wife died, and in June, 1876, at Aurora, III, he
married Henrietta, daughter of Dr. R. B. Landon, of Fre-
donia, N. Y. They have one child — Lida Landon — born
May 5, 1877.
Thomas Spencer was born in Wilmington, Vt., April 25,
181 2. He was one of a family of eight children. His grand-
father removed from East Haddam, Ct., when Abner, father
of Thomas, was about eighteen years of age. Thomas la-
bored upon the farm with his father until his sixteenth year.
His early education was at the common school and the acad-
emy of Barre, Mass. While in the academy he was con-
verted to Christ. He graduated at Union College, N. Y., in
1837. Having to depend largely upon his own resources
in procuring an education, his energies were taxed to the
utmost. While in college he fell a victim to the small-pox,,
in its most malignant form. For many weeks his life trembled
in the balance. He bore the traces of this fell disease to his
grave. After leaving college, a great part of his life was
spent in teaching. In 1840 he was appointed professor of
languages in the Western University, of Pittsburg, Pa., at
the same time he edited a literary paper. This year, 1840,
he married Miss Eliza Kelly of Pittsburg. Soon after he-
studied theology, in part at Allegheny City, Pa. His first
field of labor in the ministry was at Marlboro, Vt., where he
was pastor from 1844 to 1846. He then took charge, for a
time, of a church in West Brattleboro, Vt, About 1852 he
went to Indiana under the auspices of the A. H. M. Society,
and labored in Blackford and Franklin counties. He was
principal of the Female College of New Albany from 1857
to 1859. From thence he removed to Glendale, Ohio, near
Cincinnati, and was engaged in the Female College there
for four or five years. He next came to Terre Haute, Ind.,
and became Professor of Natural Sciences, Moral Philosophy
and Logic in the Terre Haute Female College. It was while
THOMAS SPExN'CER 59/
thus engaged that he united with Wabash Presbytery, and in
addition to his teaching, took charge of the New Providence
church, eight miles west of Terre Haute. In 1869 he re-
moved his relation to Green Castle Presbytery, but con-
tinued to teach in Terre Haute. In that city he buried his
first wife, October 6, 1870. In 1871 he united with the Pres-
bytery of Mattoon and. took charge of the churches of
York, Walnut Prairie, and Marshall, in Clark county. In
that field he remained four years. November 2, 1872, he
married Mrs. Mary E. Besser, widow of Nathan Besser, and
daughter of Robert Williamson, an elder in Walnut Prairie
church. She had two sons, aged twelve and fourteen years.
]\Ir. Spencer's last field of labor was Palestine, Robinson and
Beckwith Prairie churches, with his residence at Palestine.
For the greater part of the time he preached one sermon to
each of these places on each Sabbath. Only once did he
fail of meeting an appointment, and then on account of a
terrible storm. The churches were all enlarged and strength-
ened under his care. He secured their entire confidence and
warmest attachment. He was removed in the midst, not only
of his ministerial usefulness, but while maturing plans for
establishing an academy among his people. On Sabbath,
August 5, 1876, he preached his last sermon to his church in
Palestine from the words : " Come unto me all ye that
labor," etc., and with great power. At 3 o'clock, p. m., he
heard his Sabbath-school class. At 9 o'clock the same even-
ing he died. His funeral was attended at the parsonage in
Palestine, and his remains conveyed for interment to the
cemetery of the Walnut Prairie church. His
education was a very finished one. He ranked high as an
instructor of youth, and was enthusiastic in that calling.
But his chosen work was that of the ministry. As a preacher
he was evangelical, earnest and instructive. In his family he
was an affectionate husband, courteous and kind to domes-
tics— a priest in his own house. His wife's sons he regarded
and treated as his own. He was very industrious — through
life an early riser and regarding the morning hours as the
best for study. In New England he was a Congregationalist ;
.at the West a New School Presb3''terian — always and every-
where non-partisan and catholic. All who new him loved
him. The widow resides with her sons and sister in Terre
Haute, Indiana.
598 PRESBYIERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Watson Church, Effingham county, was organized by Rev,
S. R. Bissell, April 15, 1865, with these members: Jacob
Covert, Martha Covert, WilHam Wilson, Mrs. Elizabeth Wil-
son, P. H. Humes, Mrs. Mary Humes, Mrs. Maria Humes,
I\Irs. Bridget Larew and Mrs. Anna Bail. Elders : P. H.
Humes, Jacob Covert, appointed July i, 1865 ; James Rus-
sell, September 7, 1873; Francis Cooper, sr., August i, 1874;.
Charles M. Service, July 18, 1875. Ministers:
S. R. Bissell, the first, Joseph Wilson preached and adminis-
tered the supper, December 13, 1865. Adam Johnson, G.
A. Pollock, Enoch Kingsbury and A. T. Norton preached
here on a few irregular occasions. From 1867 to 1873 this
church had no preaching. Wm. EUers was employed May
4, 1873, and remained until 1877. This church has no
property.
Effingham Church was organized by Revs. A. T. Norton
and S. R. Bissell, in the court-nouse at Effingham, Novem-
ber 13, 1864, with these members: Solomon Swingle, Mrs.
M. E. Swingle, Mrs. S. P. Bissell, Isaac Bates, Mrs. Jane
Bates. Elders: Isaac Austin, Henry Thompson, February
2, 1868; Samuel F. Gilmore, Virgil Wood, November, 1870;
limited eldership adopted August, 1877, when A. Stewart
was chosen for five years, G. Ogden for four years and Vir-
gil Wood for three ye:irs. IMixisters: S. R. Bissell, G. A.
Pollock began here December, 1869, and resigned in Decem-
ber, 1877. He was pastor. William C. Cort, 1878. The
house of worship — a substantial brick building — was dedi-
cated October 23, 1870, free of debt. It cost ^4,300. Before
its erection the places of meeting were, (i) the court-house,
about one year; (2) Mr. Bissell's school house; (3) the Bap-
tist church for one-half the time. Mr. Pollock's pastorate
continued eight years. When he commenced, the church
had fifteen members. He left it with one hundred and
seventy. The whole number received in those eight years
was two hundred and twenty-seven. Of these by letter,
fifty, by examination, one hundred seventy-seven. Baptisms
in the period, seventy-seven adults and forty-four children.
Marriages, fifty-one. Deaths of members, four, and one
baptized child. The amount of money raised and expended
in those eight years was $14,800, being an average of $1,850'
per year.
STEPHEN J. BOVELL. 599
Palestine Presbytery met at Grandview, April ii, 1865.
Stephen J. Bovell was ordained on the I2th. C. P. Spining,
minister, and Findley Paull, elder, were appointed to the As-
sembly. H. A. Newell was licensed, and at the fall meeting
dismissed to ]\Iiami Presbytery. H. I. Venable was dis-
missed from the pastoral care of Oakland church. The fall
meeting was held at Areola, October 2.
Stephen J.\y Bovell was born May 27, 1827, near the
old Salem church, Washington county, Tenn. He is the
third son and fourth child of Rev. John V. Bovell, who was
president of Washington College, East Tenn., during the
years 1827 and 1828, and who died in Paris, Edgar county,
111., in November, 1829. His grandfather was the Rev. Ste-
phen Bovell, D. D., who preached for nearly forty years to
the Presbyterian church in Abingdon, Va., and who died in
the beginning of the year 1840 in Coles county. 111., having
lived the three previous years in Hannibal and Palmyra, Mo.
The grandfather traced his ancestry back to the old Hugue-
not stock of France. The maiden name of the mother of
the subject of this sketch was Christiana Gray, whose father
was an old Scotch Presbyterian of the blue-stocking type.
After the death of the father in Paris, 1829, the mother re-
mained there till the year 1835, when she, with her four
children, removed to the southern part of Coles county. 111.,
near the Pleasant Prairie church, and where the subject of
this sketch worked on a farm until he was twenty years of
age. In the month of April, 1847, he became a student in
Edgar Academy, then under the control of Rev. H. I. Ven-
able, where he remained until October, 1849. Leaving the
academy he went to Hanover College, Indiana, and entered
the sophomore class of that institution and remained there
three years, graduating with the class of 1852. After spend-
ing two years in teaching he entered the Theological Sem-
inary at New Albany, Ind., October, 1854, where he spent
one year, at the end of which his health failing from the en-
tire paralysis of both lower and upper extremities, he was
compelled to abandon his preparation for the ministry for the
time and engage in other pursuits. In March, 1856, he was
united in marriage with ]\Iiss IMartha J. Howe, to whom he
had been engaged for four years, in the vicinit}' of Flemings-
burg, Ky., and for two seasons thereafter engaged in farming
600 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
in Edgar county, 111. In the autumn of 1857 he removed to
Palestine, 111., and in conjunction with another gentleman
took charge of a literary institution known as Palestine
Academy, where he continued to teach during the following
eight years. Pursuing as best he could in the meantime his
theological studies, he was licensed by the Presbytery of Pal-
estine, in the town of Palestine, 111., April 16, 1859. The same
Presbytery ordained him April 16, 1865, at Graadview, 111.
The six years intervening between the time of his licen-
sure and ordination were spent in teaching through the
week and preaching on Sabbath tc vacant churches in the
surrounding towns, among which were Carlisle, Ind., and
Palestine, Hutsonville, Robinson and Beckwith Prairie, 111.
In October, 1865, he removed to Ashmore, Coles county,
111., and took charge of the Hebron and Oakland churches
as supply pastor, which relation he sustained to both churches
until the close of the year 1878, at which time he severed his
connection with the Oakland church. He still resides in
Ashmore and continues his relation as supply pastor with
the Hebron church. He was elected County Superintend-
ent of Schools of Coles county md held the office for a term
of four years, beginning December i, 1869.
Three children have been given to him and his devoted
wife — John Howe, born April 10, 1859; Henry Paull, born
November 20, i860, and Louella, born Decembe. 7, 1863.
The first of these gladdened the hearts and home of his
parents for two and one-half short years, and then was not,
for God took him. The other two still live, and together
with the parents and the aged mother of Mr. Bovell, now in
her eightieth year, and an orphan niece of Mrs. B.'s, in her
twenty-third year, constitute the present household.
Sangamon Presbytery met at Williamsville, April 21,
1865. W. B. Spence was received from the Presbytery of
Sidney. Noah Bishop, minister, and S. H. Jamison, elder,
were elected Commissioners to the Assembly.
The fall meeting was held at Decatur, October 2. F. H.
Wines, licentiate, was received from the Presbytery of New
Brunswick, examined and arrangements made for his ordi-
nation over the First church of Springfield, October 28. F.
N. Ewing was received from the Presbytery of Chicago.
Macon church was received.
FKEDEKICK h'. WINES. 60I
Frederick H. Wines. I was born in Philadelphia, April
9, 1838. My father'.^ family are of Welsh origin, and we
-suppose our name to have been formerly spelled Wynnes.
On my mother's side I am of English descent, with some
mixture of Huguenot blood. I was prepared for coUeg eby
my father^ Rev. Dr. E. C. Wines, who was a teacher, and
graduated in 1857 at Washington College, Pa., of which he
was at that time a professor. I was educated for the minis-
try at Princeton, N. J., and graduated at the seminary in
the class of 1865. I had been a member of three classes,
my studies having been interrupted the first time by an affec-
tion of the eyes, and the second timeby my enlistm.ent in the
regular army of the United States as a hospital chaplain. I
served in the army in the war for between two and three years,
and was stationed at Springfield, Mo. I was licensed, before
the war, by the Presbytery of St. Louis, in the fall of i860,
and had acted as stated supply of the Presbyterian church at
Springfield, Mo., where I was when the war broke out. After
graduating at the seminary I accepted a call from the First
Presbyterian church of Springfield, 111., and entered this field
in June, 1865, and was ordained and installed October 29 of
the same year. In June, 1869, I commenced my
labors as Secretary of the State Board of Public Charities,
and resigned my pastoral office, June 14, 1869.
I was married, in 1865, to Miss Mary Frances Hackney,
daughter of Wilson Hackney, of Springfield, Mo., and have
four children living, whose names are Emma Stansbury, Ar-
thur St. John, William Frederick and Charles Alfred. The
•oldest is now ten years of age.
Fred. H. Wines.
William B. Spence. — Auto-biographical. — I was born in
Warren county, Ohio, in 1806. My ancestors on both sides
were of the Scotch-Irish, who, in the eighteenth century,
settled the Cumberland valley, Pa. I graduated at Miami
University, Oxford, Ohio. I was licensed in 1838 by the
Presbytery of Salem. In 1841 I was ordained by the Pres-
bytery of Sidney pastor of th^ church of Troy, Ohio. In
1842 I became pastor of the church of Sidney, Ohio, and
continued in that pastorate twenty-three years. In the spring
of 1865 I removed with my family to Chatham, Sangamon
county, 111., and became supply pastor for the church of that
place for three years. I am now in the eleventh year of my
602 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
pastorate in the church of Pleasant Run, Hamilton county,.
Ohio. I have been fifty-four years in full membership in the
Presbyterian church, am in the forty-second year of my min-
istry and in the seventy-fourth year of my age.
Fielding Nathaniel Ewing was born in North Carolina.
Graduated at the University of Nashville, Nashville, Tenn.,
in 1838 and at Princeton Seminary. Ordained, sine titulo, in
Kentucky, April, 1846. Supply pastor at Morganfield and
Caseyville, Ky., 1.844. Supply pastor at Bloomington, 111.,
1850 — pastor 1857 to 1859.' Agent of Chicago Seminary
1863. Resides at Decatur, 111.
Macon Church was organized in 1865 by Rev. D. C. Mar-
quis, with twenty-seven members and two elders — Dr. W. W.
Johnston and William Gibson. Their first minister was Sam-
uel W. Mitchell, their present one Samuel J. Bogle. They
have a house of worship and a membership of about one
hundred and fifty.
The Presbytery of Alton met at Alton April 13, 1865.
W. R. Adams, from the Presbytery of Illinois, George L.
Little, from the Presbytery of Chicago, and C. F. Halsey,
from the Presbytery of Fox River, were received. Sandoval
church was received. Charles F. Beach and C. J. Pitkin,
ministers, and Isaac Scarrit and D. W. Munn, elders, were
elected Commissioners to the Assembly. Andrew Luce was
released from the pastoral care of the Belleville church.
The fall meeting was held at Pana, commencing October
2. J, J. Ward was dismissed to the Presbytery of Kalama-
zoo, Mich., and George W. Goodale to that of Lexington,
Mo. Hiram P. Roberts was received as an ordained minis-
ter. Ezekiel Folsom was dismissed to the Presbytery of
Chicago. Kinmundy church was received. David Dimond
was dismissed to the Presbytery of Wabash.
Charles F. Halsey was born in Plattsburg, Clinton coun-
ty, N. Y., November 16, 1803. His father. Rev, Frederick
Halsey, was born on Long Island, graduated at Columbia.
GEORGE L. LITTLE. 603.
College, settled at Plattsburg, gathered a church and was its
pastor until 181 3, and taught many years. Charles F. pur-
sued his literary course at Plattsburg Academy, and gradu-
ated at Auburn Seminary, 1835. He was head clerk and
book-keeper in an importing hardware store at Troy, N. Y.,
but resigned that place in 1831 and prepared for the minis-
try. He was licensed by Champlain Presbytery in 1835, and
ordained by the same body in February, 1836. His first field
of labor was Russelltown, district of Montreal, Canada.
Was there two years. His next field was Stockholm, Law-
rence county, N. Y. His labors in both these fields were
successful. He was then laid aside one year with bronchitis
and general prostration. He occupied several other fields in
Northeastern New York, Canada and Vermont. He removed
West in May, 1858, and labored at Wausau, Wis., until the
close of 1 863. j anuary 3, 1 864, he removed his family to Col-
linsville, Madison county. 111., and served that church be-
tween three and four years. Since that time he has labored
at Tamaroa, Old Ducoign, Dongola, Dubois, Brownstown
and Marine. He is still residing at the latter place.
He was married January 4, 1837, to Miss Sylvic Ann
Morse, daughter of Dr. Stephen F. Morse, Chateaugay,.
Franklin county, N. Y., a descendant of the Morses who
came over in the Mayflower. They have seven children :
Sarah Letitia, born February 25, 1838 ; Caroline Piatt, borni
May 18, 1840; Catharine Maria, born February 6, 1842;
Ann Eliza, born October il, 1844; Gertrude Amelia, born
July 17, 1849; Frederick Stephen, born November 12, 1S53 5
Mary Isabella, born October i, 1857.
Geo. L. Little — Auto-biographical — was born in Somer-
set county, Pa., March 25, 1828. Ancestors were of Ger-
manic stock, and of the Lutheran faith. After preparatory
studies under the direction of a Lutheran minister, entered
Allegheny College in the Sophomore class, 1846, and gradu-
ated as Valedictorian in 1849. During a pun-
gent revival of religion in the Methodist church, in my
senior year, I consecrated myself to Christ and felt impelled
to the work of the gospel ministry. After gradu-
ation and some study of theology, was licensed and received
into the Erie Conference of the M. E. Church. After filling
several responsible appointments, and at the close of my
604 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
second year as pastor of the First M. E. church, Cleveland,
Ohio, beheving that my views of Christian doctrine were more
in harmony with the Calvinistic standards of the Presbyterian
Church, and having a decided preference for the government
and disciphne of that Church, 1 appHed for admission and
was received into the Presbytery of Cleveland, n. s. After
a year spent in city mission work in Cleveland, I received a
call to the First Presbyterian church, Waukegan, 111., which
call I accepted and was duly installed, 1857, ^Y the Presby-
tery of Chicago. After six years of labor with this church,
I transferred my ecclesiastical relations to the Presbytery of
Alton, and took charge of the Monticello church, Godfrey,
111. I remained here four years, and then removed to Coun-
cil Bluffs, Iowa, and projected a seminary for young ladies,
which I conducted until failing health compelled me to give
up the enterprise. Removing to Omaha in 1872, and re-
maining " out of the harness " for a time, to recruit my
health, I was appointed by the Board of Home Missions
Synodical Missionary for the State of Nebraska, and entered
upon that work July i, 1878. In 1850 I was
married to Miss Felicia H. Wick, of Greenville, Pa. Four
children, two daughters and two sons, all of whom are living,
are the fruit of this auspicious marriage. Coming
into the Presbyterian Church " on conviction," my attach-
ment to the Church of my adoption has grown stronger and
more tender with the lapse of years, as has also my faith in
•'ts distinctive doctrines.
Hiram P. Roberts. — Auto-biographical. — I was born at
Plymouth Hollow, Ct., September 22, 1831. Was educated at
Wesleyan University, Middletown, Ct. Am not a graduate
of a theological seminary. Was ordained as chaplain of the
.84th Regiment Illinois Volunteers, April 19, 1S63, which
regiment I entered as First Lieutenant, and was wounded at
Murfreesboro, December 31, 1862. Being disabled for fur-
ther service in the line, and having some practice in the way
of lay preaching, the regiment elected me chaplain, and I
served as such until March, 1864. My wound reopening I
was obliged to resign. After resting awhile I re-entered the
army as chaplain of 137th Illinois — Col. John Wood's one
hundred days men — in June, 1864, and served till mustered
out in September of same year. I commenced preaching in
ROBERT C. GALBRAITH. 605.
Cairo, January I, 1865, and left May, 1867. July 14, 1867,
I commenced in Peru, 111., Congregational ciiurch, and re-
mained until November i, 1868. From November i, 1868,
until the present, have been pastor of Congregational church
Council Bluff, Iowa, connected with Council Bluff's Associa-
tion.
Sandoval Church was organized by Revs. A. T. Norton
and W. H. Bird on the 4th and 5th of March, 1865, with
eight members, Frederick E. Robinson, elder. It had some
success and fair prospects for a time, and was ministered to
for one year by Rev. W. H. Bird ; but the members nearly all
moved away, and the church was dissolved by Presbytery
October 10, 1868.
KiNMUNDY Church, n. s., was organized by Revs. Elijah
Buck, A. T. Norton and C. F. Beach on the 19th and 20th of
Aug., 1865, with ten members. The term tenure of eldership
was adopted. Adna Colburn was elected for two years and
Elias Neil for one year. Other elders are Dr. L. D. Skilling and
John King. Ministers : Adam Johnston preached here for
several years ; M. M. Cooper, one year. The church owns a
commodious house of worship. An Old School church had
been established here several years before, but had gone en-
tirely down.
The Presbytery of Saline met with Pisgah church,
Lawrence county, March 30, 1865. B. C. Swan, minister,,
and Thomas S. Ridgway, elder, were chosen to attend the
Assembly. John Mack was installed pastor of Pisgah
church April 2. The fall meeting was held at
Odin, commencing September 29. R. C. Galbraith was re-
ceived from the Presbytery of Baltimore and installed pastor
of Odin church, Sabbath, October i.
Robert Craig Galbraith was born in Indiana county,.
Pa., February 26, 1811. He was son of Rev. James Gal-
braith, of the Presbyterian church, and grandson of Rev.
Joseph Henderson of the Seceder Church — all of Scotch-
Irish descent. He learned to "read, write and cypher" in
an old log school house on the banks of the Juniata, at.
6o6 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Hollidaysburg, Pa., and was taught Ross' Latin grammar so
thoroughly by his father that when he went to the prepara-
tory school, at Jefferson College in 1828, he soon overtook
the class that was six months in advance. Though he had
never seen a geography till he went to college, yet his father's
library, and the books of the neighborhood and the conver-
sation of the ministers who stopped at the " Minister's
Hotel" in those days, had supplied the want of what we
now call academic education. At that time Dr. McMillan
was still living, and Dr. Matthew Brown was principal of
Jefferson College, and Rev. William Smith was Professor of
Languages. Under their instruction he graduated in 1834,
and went to Princeton Theological Seminary, where he re-
mained till 1837. His call to the ministry was "the love of
God constraining us, the desire to win souls to that Saviour
who had done so much for him." Mr. G. was licensed by
the Presbytery of Huntington in the fall of 1836, and was
ordained by the Presbytery of East Hanover, at Jerusalem,
Va., in the spring of 1844. Chronic bronchitis caused his
removal south to engage in teaching in the fall of 1837. But
his health improving he took charge of the Presbyterian
church in Brunswick county, Va., in the fall of 1844, Being
prevented by ill health from fulfilling the long cherished de-
sign of going to India, he turned his attention to Africa as
it was found at home, and devoted much attention both to
preaching to the negroes and to their instruction in Sabbath
school. In 1849 he was invited by the Presbytery of Balti-
more to take charge of the Madison street (colored) church,
Baltimore. To that people he ministered till 1857, when it
was deemed best that Rev. Mr. Revels (since Senator Rev-
els) should take his place. Pastor of Govane chapel till
1865, he preached on Saturday nights to the colored people
on the Hampton estate and on Sabbath afternoons at the
factories and other destitute places around. At the close
of the war the illness of a son, who had been in the army,
caused him to " Go West;" and the fact that Odin, Marion
county. 111., had six or eight saloons and gambling houses and
neither church building or minister caused him to settle there.
But the cessation of business and travel after the war closed,
and the consequent decline of the town and removal of the
church members, resulted first, in adding the church of Flora
to that of Odin, and second, in substituting Fairfield, Wayne
county, for Odin, leading, finally, to a removal to Fair-
SMITH H. HYDE. 607
field in 1873, where he still — 1879 — remains. Mr.
G. was married in September, 1837, to Miss May Cade, of
Lawrenceville, New Jersey, by whom he had five children,
■only one of whom — Mr. J. C. Galbraith, of Chicago, 111. —
survives. Mrs. G. died in 1854, and 1856 Mr. G. was mar-
ried to Miss Olivia Gill, of Baltimore, who deceased in 1859.
After his removal West, Mr. G. was married at Vincennes,
Ind., to Miss Ellen B. Love, who, with two children, R. C.
Galbraith, jr., and Joseph H. Galbraith, still survives.
The Synod of Illinois, n. s., met at Shelbyville, October
5, 1865. Rev. Henry Kendall, D. D., Secretary of Home
Missions, was present. Also Rev. T. W. Hynes, of the Old
School Synod of Illinois, to present their fraternal greetings.
The Synod of Illinois, o. s., met at Champaign, Oct., 4.
YEAR 1866.
The Presbytery of Illinois met at Winchester, April 6,
1866. Smith H. Hyde and J. Rogers Armstrong, were re-
ceived from the Presbytery of St. Louis. Wm. L. Tarbet,
minister, and Joshua Moore, elder, were elected Commis-
sioners to the Assembly. The church of Buffalo was re-
ceived. The fall meeting was held with Walnut
Grove church, commencing September 21. At an adjourned
meeting at Jacksonville, October 5, Rev. Albert Hale was
released from the pastoral charge of the Second Presbyte-
rian church of Springfield.
Smith Harris Hyde was born in Youngstown, Niagara
county, N. Y., September 28, 1834. His parents had emi-
grated from Vermont in the year 18 19, and settled in this
place. His father, John A. Hyde, was a physician and an
elder in the Presbyterian church. His mother, Sarah Hyde,
was a woman of sterling character and devoted piety. It
was the desire and prayer of his parents that he should be a
minister of the gospel, while yet he was left to his own un-
trammeled choice. At the age of fourteen he
entered into full communion with the church, having been
baptized in infancy. His pastor was Rev. R. L. Hurlburt, to
whom he was greatly indebted for wise and affectionate coun-
sels. His mind then received a strong bent toward the
608 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
ministry, which during his college course, became a fixed de-
termination under the conviction that this was the Lord's
will concerning him. After leaving the public school, in his
native place, his literary education was pursued in the Col-
legiate Institute at Wilson, N. Y., in the Courtland Acad-
emy at Homer, N. Y., and in Yale College, New Haven,.
Ct., where he was graduated in 1857. In professional studies
he was graduated at Auburn Theological Seminary, May,
i860. During the vacation of 1859, he preached for the-
church in Somerset, N. Y., and for the church at Owasco
Lake during his senior year. Near the close of this year he
was licensed by the Presbytery of Niagara at Albion, New
York. Immediately upon graduation, having ac-
cepted a call to the Rock Hill church, St. Louis county. Mo.,
he made a brief visit to his native place, and set out for his-
distant field of labor, where he arrived June 2, and entered
at once upon his work. April 24, 1861, he was ordained
pastor of the church by the Presbytery of St. Louis.
In September, 1862, he was happily married to Miss Lu-
cinda T. Davis of Youngstown, N. Y., and a graduate of Ohio
Female College. In the autumn of 1864, he re-
signed the charge of the Rock Hill church, and accepted a
call to the church at Carrollton, 111., entering upon his labors
there in November, and continuing them to the present time,
1879. His installment as pastor of this church took place
the last Sabbath in April, 1866. He has served the cause of
the Master also as President of Green county Bible Society,
for a number of years, as Stated Clerk of the Presbytery of
Alton, and the Synod of Illinois South, and as member of
the General Assembly, on three different occasions.
J. Rogers Armstrong. — Auto-biographical. — I was born
April 9, 1827, in Rogersville, East Tenn. I am of Scotch-
Irish Presbyterian and French Huguenot descent. Was ed-
ucated at Marietta College, Ohio, Lane and Union Theolog-
ical Seminaries. Was licensed, September, 1855, by St.
Louis Presbytery, at the last meeting which Dr. Artemas
Bullard attended. Was ordained by North Missouri Presby-
tery October, 1857. My first charge was at West Ely, Mo.
(the seat of the theological department of Marion College,
where David Nelson taught, preached and was mobbed. Dr.
Ezra Styles Ely had also been their minister). Health failed,.
KASKASKIA PRESBYTERY. 609
and for two years taught and preached most of the time in
in Kirkwood, Mo., and CarroUton, 111. My next field was
De Soto, Mo. At present — 1879 — it is Walnut Grove and
Rockbridge churches. 111. I was married, Janu-
ary I, 1856, to Anna Eliza Whipple in Lacon, 111. Again in
Springfield, 111., to Mary Annie Yates, September 30, 1875.
Children — Augusta Jesse, born October i, 1856; Frederick
Stockley, January 20, 1863 ; Anna Whipple, August 6, 1865 —
two children of my first wife have gone before — John Hin-
ton, born September i, 1876. After I became a Christian it
was my earnest desire to go as a foreign missionary to Tur-
key ; but having been born at the South my friends all urged
me to give this up. I yielded to them, and then made my
greatest mistake. My next mistake has been in striving to
teach school in connection with preaching. I never had
brains enough for both. (In this he is not singular. — N.)
Buffalo Church was organized, December 20, 1865, by a
Committee of Presbytery, with nine members, Samuel Pleas-
ant and Jacob Lewis elders. From December to April the
church had increased to twenty members. It is still reported
on the minutes, but has diminished to ten members, or less.
The Presbytery of Kaskaskia met at Chester, April 3,
1866. S. P. Smith was dismissed to the Presbytery of Car-
lisle, Pa. The First church of Union county was dissolved.
William Bridgman was received from Fox River Presbytery.
T. W, Hynes, minister, and Hugh Adams, elder, were ap-
pointed to attend the next meeting of the Assembly. Cor-
nelius V. H. Monfort was ordained April 8. A church was
partially organized at East St. Louis, April i, 1866. The
names of eleven persons were taken, and the church was en-
rolled by Presbytery, but no officers were appointed and the
enterprise was abandoned. James R. Brown was received
from Presbytery of Schuyler. The fall meeting
was held at Nashville, commencing September 13. The
First German church of Jerseyville was dissolved. Mul-
berry Grove church was received. The name of Rev. Wil-
liam Hamilton was stricken from the roll. An adjourned
meeting was held at Richview, September 17, at which R.
G. Williams was ordained, sine titiilo. The church of Poca-
hontas was dissolved. 38
6lO PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
William Bridgman was at Trenton, 111., in 1866, and at
Richview, 111., in 1867, a member of Kaskaskia Presbytery at
Streator, 111., from 1873 to 1875, a member of Ottowa Presby-
tery and H. R. He died at Streator, III, May, 1875. His
widow is said to be in Oberlin, Ohio. His daughter — Mrs.
Plumb — at Streator, 111.
Cornelius Van Houtten MoNFORXwas ordained at Ches-
ter, 111., by Presbytery of Kaskaskia, April 8, 1866. The
same year he was. laboring at Butler, 111. In 1868 he was at
Otterville, Mo. In 1867, 1870 and 1871 he was at Oswego,
Kan., in 1872 he was at Labette, Kan., and died there,
August 10, 1872, aged thirty-seven. He was a member at
the time of his death of the Presbytery of Neosho. He was
the son of Rev. David Monfort, D. D., and was born at Frank-
lin, Ind., in 1835.
Mulberry Grove Church, o. s., was organized by T. W.
Hynes, August 12, 1866, with twenty-one members and two
elders It took the place of the n. s. church formed in 1845,
and dissolved September 30, 1861. It has become merged
in the Greenville church. Thus, in the case of Mulberry
Grove, twenty-five years have demonstrated the futility of
attempting to establish and permanently maintain a church
organization without a house of worship. A church is not a
tramp or a gypsy. It can't live without a home.
Wabash Presbytery met at Tuscola, April 29, 1866. Da-
vid R. Love was dismissed to the Presbytery of Blooming-
ton, and Pliny S. Smith to the Congregational Conference of
Missouri. Samuel Ward, minister, and David Ewing, elder,
were appointed to attend the next meeting of the Assembly.
John B. Brandt was ordained April 3, sine titulo. S. R. Bis-
sell was received from the Presbytery of Alton. Arrange-
ments were made for the ordination of G. A. Pollock over the
Prairie Bird church on the third of June, 1866. The
fall meeting was held at Cerro-Gordo, commencing October i.
David Dimond was received from the Presbytery of Alton.
Samuel Ward was dismissed to the Presbytery of Greencastle.
C. P. Felch was installed pastor of Danville church by a
GARNETT A, POLLOCK. 6ll
committee of Presbytery, June 6, 1866. The church of
"Noble Township" was received. C. J. Pitkin was received
from the Paesbytery of Alton.
John B. Brandt was born August 29, 1838, near Lancas-
ter, Ohio. He is Dutch on his father's side and German on
his mother's. His literary education was obtained at Whit-
tenberg College, Springfield, Ohio. His theological mostly
with private instructors. Was licensed by the Miami Synod
of Ohio, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Ordained by
Presbytery of Wabash, April 3, 1866. His early church re-
lati©n and licensure were in the Lutheran Church, for conve-
nience sake. The Presbyterian was always the Church of his
preference. He labored at Neoga, 111., for two years, from
Sept., 1865. Commenced at Indianapolis in 1867, and has re-
mained there ever since. He married Miss Emily A. Green at
Neoga, 111., September 28, 1868. He has four children, Sadie
J., Lillian E., Geneveve G., and Henry J, He went to
■college at eighteen. His father gave him sixty dollars, of
which fifty dollars were stolen before he reached the Insti-
tution. Was two hundred dollars in debt when he graduated,
which he paid in eighteen months. He served three years in
the army in our civil war, first as private, then as captain.
His experience in the army has been of great benefit to him
in all his labors since. These have been abundant, varied
.and successful.
Garnett Adrl\n Pollock was born the 8th of June,
1834, in Harrison county, Ohio. When about a 3^ear and a
half old, his parents emigrated to Logan county, Ohio. His
boyhood was spent on a farm with his father, until his
fifteenth year," when he entered a graded school, where he
remained one year. His parents then sent him to Geneva
Hall, where he studied until his junior year. This college
was founded by the Reformed Presbyterian (or Covenanter)
Church, and had also a theological department. To this
church young Pollock's parents, who were of Scotch-Irish
descent, belonged, and they sent their son to this school of
the prophets. The association at this school with theologi-
cal students, had much to do with the formation of char-
•acter that took shape in after life, but it was not until
.after September, 1857, when he consecrated himself to the
Lord, that he felt called to the ministry. At this time he
6l2 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
was pursuing his studies at Miami University, where he united
with the O. S. Presbyterian church. After graduating he
pursued his theological course at the Western Theological
Seminary, and was licensed in June, 1861, at Fletcher, Ohio,
by the Presbytery of Sidney. When licensed he held a pro-
fessorship in Augusta College, Ky., preaching only occasion-
ally. In 1865 he removed to Illinois, and became stated
supply of the church at Prairie Bird in connection with the
principalship of a male and female seminary at Shelbyville.
In June, 1866, he was ordained by the Wabash Presbytery
pastor of that churph. He ministered unto this church and
a new organization at Tower Hill until December, 1869 —
seeing them both strengthened spiritually and financially —
when he was called to Effingham, a mission church of fifteen
members. Here the Lord blessed his labors with several
precious revivals — the ingathering being at one time sixty-
six souls. This pastorate continued for eight years — the
last four the church was entirely self-sustaining, ranking
fourth in the Presbytery in membership and amount of
money contributed. This pastorate he resigned to accept
a call from the church at Mendota, which is his present
field of labor. On the 25th of December, i860,
he was united in marriage with Gertrude M. De Courcy, of
Newport, Ky. There have been born to them seven child-
ren, two of whom were " caught away " in their infancy.
James Earl, the eldest and only son, with four girls living,
viz.: Minnie B., Gertrude G., Mary and Ella Lou. The two-
eldest are members of the church.
Charles Patterson Felch was born in Michigan. Grad-
uated at Michigan University 1849, ^^^ 3-t Andover 1852.
Stated supply at Houlton, Maine, 1853-4. Ordained April,
1857. Was at Amboy, III, 1857-59; at Naperville, 111., 1860-
64. Supply pastor Presbyterian church, Lacon, 111., 1864-65.
Pastor at Danville, III., 1866-68. Was without charge at Au-
rora, III., 1868-69. H^is name disappears from the minutes-
in 1870.
Noble Township Church, Richland county. III., was or-
ganized by Rev. A. T. Norton, July 8, 1866, with twelve
members. Col. Andrew Flesher, elder. The organization
took place at Col. Flesher's house, about six miles north of
MEETING OF PRESBYTERIES. 613
•the village of Noble. Its center was afterwards made at
Noble. It has had but very little ministerial care, and is now
— 1879 — virtually extinct.
The Presbytery of Palestine met at Paris, April lo,
1866. R. A. Mitchell, minister, and R. M. Tate, elder,
'were appointed Commissioners to the Assembly. Prairie
City church was received. A. Carroll, Wm. C. Magner and
W. M. Crozier were licensed. Alfred Hamilton, D. D., was
dismissed from the pastoral care of Mattoon church.
The fall meeting was held at Palestine, Crawford county,
-commencing September 13. J. P. Fox was dismissed to the
Presbytery of Upper Missouri.
Prairie City Church, Cumberland county, was organized
-October 22, 1865, by D. F. McFarland and N. Williams,
■ministers, and J. Gibson, elder, with ten members. Elders :
N. C. Green and Mark Sperry,
The Presbytery of Sangamon met at Jacksonville, May
2, 1866. S. W. Mitchell was received from the Presbytery
•of LaFayette. R. W. Allen, minister, and D. C. Brown,
elder, were chosen to attend the next Assembly. G. S. Mc-
Clung, T. E. Spilman, and Emanuel N. Pirez were licensed,
and the latter ordained to the foreign missionary work.
The church at Pana was dissolved and its members granted
letters to the New School church of that place. At a called
meeting held at Virginia, June 19, D. C. Marquis was re-
leased from the pastoral care of Decatur church, and dis-
missed to the Presbytery of Chicago. Harristown church
was received. The fall meeting was held at Vir-
ginia, October 15.
Samuel W. Mitchell was born in Memphis, Tenn., Feb-
ruary 2, 1833. He was educated at Centre College and
Seminary at Danville, Ky. He was licensed by La Fayette
Presbytery at Kansas City, Mo., in April, 1859, and ordained
hy same Presbytery at Dover, Mo., September, i860. From
that time to this, his life has been spent almost wholly in the
'home missionary work in Missouri, although he labored
6l4 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
awhile in Macon, Sangamon county, 111. He was. for a
time, chaplain in the rebel army. He has been twice mar-
ried, and is now at Leesville, Henry county, Mo.
Harristown Church was organized on the first Monday
in May, 1866, by Revs. D. C. Marquis and F. N. Ewing,.
with twenty-two members and three elders. It has gone out
of existence, or been merged into something else.
The Presbytery of Alton met at Jersey ville, April 12,
1866. James Brownlee and H. N, Wilbur were received.
W. S. Post was dismissed to the Presbytery of St. Louis,
and S. R. Bissell to that of Wabash. C. H. Taylor and
Josiah Wood, ministers, and William Storer and Samuel
Wade, elders, were chosen Commissioners to the Assembly.
K pro re nata meeting was held at Centralia, July 17. C. F.
Beach was released from the pastoral care of the church of
Centralia, and dismissed to the Presbytery of St. Louis.
The fall meeting was held with the Bethel church, Bond
county, commencing September 13. John H. Dillingham,
was received from the Presbytery of Bloomington. Edward
Hollister from that of Schuyler, Joseph D. Barstow from
that of Erie. Willard P. Gibson, licentiate, was received
from the Presbytery of Cayuga, examined and ordained
October 3, pastor of Pana church. Wm. M. Stewart, licen-
tiate, was received from the United Brethren Conference of
Iowa. The churches of Anna and Mason were received.
C. J. Pitkin was dismissed to the Presbytery of Wabash.
The church of Lebanon was received.
John Henry Dillingham was born in the town of One-
onta, Otsego county, N. Y., October 26, 1830. His parents
were of English extraction. From New England they
came to New York, then to Illinois in 1856. He graduated''
at Hamilton College in 1857, and at Auburn Seminary in
i860. He was licensed by Cayuga Presbytery May 4, i860,
and ordained the 20th of June following, by the Pres-
bytery of Milwaukee. He was supply pastor of the
church of Manitowoc, Wis., for three years. He then came
to Illinois and supplied Wenona church till May, 1866, when.
MASON CHURCH. 615
he removed to Belleville, St. Clair county, where he re-
mained three years. He then went to St. Louis and labored
in connection with Fairmount mission and church until 1873.
Then he spent a year in Kansas with the Presbyterian
church of Paoli. In 1874 he came to his present field,
Rossville, 111. He was married March 10, 1861, to Miss M.
L, White, of Chautauoua county, N.Y. He has three child-
ren— daughters.
Mason Church. April 25, 1858, Rev. P. R. Vanatta, of
Kaskaskia Presbytery, organized a church at Mason, Effing-
ham county, consisting of these members, from the church of
Ewington, N. S. — Jacob Covert, Martha Covert, Susannah
Covert, Hosea Barron, Sarah H. Barron, John Trapp, Mary
Ann Trapp, Jesse Parkhurst, Mary Parkhurst, William Wilson
and Elizabeth Wilson. Other members : William F. White,
Agnes White, Thomas Winteringer, Catharine Winteringer,
Abraham Covert, Anna Wilkinson. This church was re-
ceived by Kaskaskia Presbytery. It had some preaching,
but never flourished at all. Part of its members are now
in Watson church, part dead. March 22, 1866, Rev. Josiah
Wood, of Alton Presbytery, organized a n. s. church
here with thirteen members. Elders : T. L. Sexton and P.
B, Odear. This church connected temporarily with Alton
Presbytery ; but being in the bounds of Wabash it was finally
and properly enrolled there. April 15, 1869, it was repre-
sented in that Presbytery by J. S. Covert. This part of Ef-
fingham county in which Ewington church, n. s., was formed
in 1850, and to which John H. Russ and Joseph Butler
preached, and in which Mason church, o. s., and Mason
church, n. s., Watson, n. s., and Edgewood, n. s., were
planted, has had very little suitable labor and been most
atrociously mismanaged. Of all these churches the only or-
ganization now left is that at Watson.
Horatio N. Wilbur was born July 10, 1804, at Fairfield,
N. Y. He was educated at Rome, N. Y., in the common
school. Ordained by Methodist Episcopal church October
10, 1840. Joined Alton Presbytery from that of Keokuk,
April 13, 1866. He labored awhile with Hardin church,
Calhoun county, but with little success. He went back to
the Methodists in 1868.
6l6 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
James Brownlee was born in County Down, Ireland,
March, i8i2. His ancestors were Scotch. He came to this
country in 183 1, landing at Philadelphia July 5th. He
united with the First Presbyterian church of the Northern
Liberties of that city in 1832. His classical education was
obtained at La Fayette College, Pa., and South Hanover Col-
lege, Ind. He studied theology with John McE. Dickey.
He was licensed by Madison Presbytery at Jacksonville.
Switzerland county, Ind., October, 1841, and ordained by the
same, October, 1842, six miles back of Madison on Indian
Creek. His time since has been spent in Rising-Sun, Co-
lumbus, Connersvllle and Southport, Ind., at Auburn and
Baldwin City, Kan., and at Lebanon, Belleville, Villa-Ridge,
Newton and Walnut Grove, 111. He has been three times
married, (i) To a daughter of James McClung, of Livonia,
Ind., April 28, 1839. She was the mother of five children,
and died near Auburn, Kan. Four of her children survive —
Mary Jane, Anna Maria, Addison McClung and James
Henry. (2) To the widow of Dr. T. B. McCewen, of West
Pennsylvania. He married her at Bainbridge, Ind., 1866.
She died July, 1868, at Lebanon, St. Clair county, 111. (3)
To the daughter of Leonard Cutler, now living in Fulton
county. 111, July 6, 1870. By her he has one child — Vilona
Cora, born near Caledonia, Pulaski county. 111.
Joseph D. Barstow was born January i, 1834, at Ches-
ter, Meigs county, Ohio. His parents were from the State
of Massachusetts and were staunch Presbyterians. He was
■educated at Marietta and Wabash Colleges and Lane and
Allegheny Seminaries. He was licensed by the Presbyter}'
of Pittsburg, April 17, 1861, and ordained the following year
by the Presbytery of Erie. His first field of labor after li-
censure was at Quincy, Adams county. 111., with the Second
Presbyterian church ; then at Birmingham, Pa., and next at
East Springfield, Pa. He then took charge for two years of
Ducoign church, Perry county. 111. He also assisted in or-
ganizing the church at Grand Tower, 111., and preached to
them for several months. August 24, 1864, he married Miss
Emma C. Barr, oi^ Quincy, III. He has two children living —
Adelaide Louisa and Le Roy Plumer.
WILLIAM P. TEITSWORTH. 617
WiLLARD P. Gibson was born at Charleston, Orleans
icounty, Vt., June 24, 1829. His father was the son of a
Scotch-Irishman from Cork. In 1838 the family removed to
Tioga county, Pa. Very early in life the young man en-
gaged in teaching and followed that calling mostly for sev-
enteen years. He studied theology at Auburn, and was
licensed by Cayuga Presbytery in May, 1865. One year later
he took charge of Pana church. 111., and was ordained its
.pastor September 25, 1866. He here expended four years of
successful labor. In May, 1871, he became pastor of the
church of Kingston, Pa. (Wyoming valley). Here he re-
mained until May, 1875. He then for a year supplied the
church of New Milford, Pa. In the fall of 1876 he took
-charge of the church of Greenville, Greene county, N. Y.,
where he still remains. He married, March,
1854, Miss Mary M. Root, of Susquehanna county. Pa.
They have had seven children, five of whom died in infancy.
The surviving two are Grace, born January 25, 1863, and
William E. Dodge, born May 23, 1867.
William P. Teitsworth was born near the village of
Elysburg, Northumberland county. Pa., July ii, 1829, the
third of a family of thirteen children. At an early age his
father's ancestors fled from Holland. They found a home
in what is now New Jersey. His mother's ancestors came
from Germany, fleeing likewise from persecution. Mr.
Teitsworth graduated at Jefferson College, Pa., and studied
theology at Princeton. He was licensed by the Presbytery
of Northumberland in the fall of 1858. His first charge was
in Columbia county. Pa. His next at Stroudsburg, Monroe
■county. He then was colporteur for six months in Eastern
Wisconsin, with Milwaukee as his center. He next took
•charge of the church in Allegheny, Catteraugus county, N.
Y., and united with the N. S. Assembly. He afterwards la-
bored with great success in Gillespie, Staunton and Leb-
.anon. 111., in Northeast Missouri and for several years last
past in Colorado. His present field is Rosita, Custar
■county. Col. September 12, 1865, he married
Miss Isabella S. Farr at Arkport, Steuben county, N. Y.
The First Presbyterian Church of Anna was orean-
6l8 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
ized by A. T. Norton, D, D., April 29, 1866, with these
members : Mrs. Ellen D. Willard, Mrs. Mary Dodds, Mrs.
Jennie S. Slick, Mrs. Rachel J. Phillis, Samuel B. Marks,.
Mrs. Elizabeth Marks, Mrs. Mary V. Readen, Virgil Beale,
Mrs. Kate Beale, Mrs. L. Foster, Mrs. Mary Slater, Dr. J.
G. Underwood, Mrs. Sarah A, Underwood, Mrs. Sarah Ann
Finch, Mrs. Mary Jane Short, Dr. Ford S. Dodds, and Mrs.
Almira Davidson. The organization took place in the
Methodist church at Anna. Elders : Virgil Beale, Claudius-
W, Collins, John D. Newbegin, James I. Hale, Harlan
Page Tuthill, E. L. Stocking, Jonathan H. Ryder, E. R. Jin-
nette. Ministers: David Dimond, 1867-70; E. L. Davies,
January, 1872, to June 26, 1874; Wilham B. Minton,
licentiate, January, 1875, to October, 1877, ordained pastor
April, 1874; E. L. Davies, second time, December 9, 1877,
and is still there. Places of meeting have been, (i) Method-
ist church, (2) store room fitted up for a chapel, (3) the pres-
ent church edifice, which was dedicated June 28, 1868, and
cost ;^3,56o. From church erection seven hundred dollars-
were received. It is a substantial, convenient house, and
occupies a most eligible site.
Lebanon Church was organized by Rev. A. T. Norton,.
April 8, 1866, with nine members, viz.: Dr. F. W. Lytle,
Mrs. F, M. Lytle, Miss Amanda M. Johnson, Mrs. Margaret
H. Woodworth, Mrs. Sarah J. Seaman, Mrs. Ruth Danforth,
Mrs. Helen M. Atwood, Mrs. Elizabeth Wheeler, Mrs. Hel-
en M. Horner. Elders: Dr. F. W. Lytle, Charles Sager,
James H. Patterson, Robert Mills, Elmore W. Elethorpe.
Ministers : James Brownlee, William P. Teitsworth, Ly-
man Marshall, who still continues and is pastor. The house
of worship was dedicated November 10, 1867, and cost
14,500. Received from church erection two hundred and
fifty.
The Presbytery of Saline rtiet with Wabash church, in
Wabash county, March 29, 1866. R. Lewis McCune was
dismissed to the Presbytery of Huntingdon, Pa.
John Crozier, minister, and Thomas Buchanan, elder, were
appointed to attend the meeting of the next Assembly.
John Crozier v/as released from the pastoral care of the 01-
ney church, and appointed Presbyterial Missionary. S. C^
JOHN B. L. SOULE. 6l^
Baldridge was released from the pastoral care of the Wa-
bash church. The fall meeting was held at
Shawneetown, commencing September 20. Blackburn
Leffler was dismissed to the Presbytery of Kaskaskia. Solo-
mon Cook was received from the Presbytery of Western
Reserve, and John Huston from the Presbytery of Bloom-
ington.
The Two Synods of Illinois met — the n. s. at Jackson-
ville, October 4, 1866 — the o. s. at Henry, Marshall county,
October 17, 1866.
YEAR 1867.
The Presbytery of Illinois met at Springfield, April 19,
1867. J. B. L. Soule was received from the Beloit District
Convention. John C. Downer was dismissed to the Presby-
tery of St. Louis. G. H. Robertson was installed pastor of
the Second Presbyterian church, Springfield, April 20.
The fall meeting was held at IManchester, September 20.
Rufus Nutting was dismissed to the Presbytery of Indian-
apolis. L. C. Boynton was licensed on the twenty-first.
John B. L. Soule was born in Freeport, Me., April 4,.
181 5. He is the son of Moses, who was the son of Moses,
the son of Barnabas, the son of Closes, the son of John, the
son of George, who sailed in the Mayflower in 1620. His
father was a native of Maine and his mother of Massachusetts.
His father was for more than half a century a deacon in the
Congregational church at Freeport. Mr. Soule
was fitted for college at Phillips Exeter Academy, and gradu-
ated at Bowdoin College in 1840. On leaving college he
was appointed preceptor of the old " Hampton Academy,"
in Hampton, N. H., a town settled in 1638. He came to-
the West in 1845, and taught a private classical school for
several years in Terre Haute, Ind., till elected professor of
Greek and Belles Lettres by the trustees of the Collegiate
Institute, in that city, which afterwards grew into the State
Normal School. In September, 1849, he was
licensed by the Crawfordsville Presbytery, but did not at
once enter on an active ministry. From the school-room he
went to the tripod, and was the first editor of the first sue-
■620 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
cessful daily paper in Terre Haute, the " Terre Haute Ex-
press." In 1855, engaging temporarily to supply
a church in Belvidere, 111., he contained through a year, and
then accepted a call to the Presbyterian church of Plymouth,
Ind. In 1859 he was called to the Congregational church in
Elkhorn, Wis., having been ordained in June, 1858, by the
Milwaukee Convention of Presbyterian and Congregational
churches, in session at Waterford, Wis. He was pastor of
the church in Elkhorn five years, and in the winter of 1 865
was invited to the charge of the Presbyterian church of Car-
linville, 111., whiph, after four years of labor, he resigned,
and was engaged as professor in Blackburn University till
1876, when he again had charge of the Carlinviile church for
two years. Resigning in 1878, he removed to Highland
Park, 111, Mr. Soule was married in 1840 to Miss
Mary L. Stevens, daughter of Rev. Ethan Stevens, of Hal-
lowell, Maine, who died in Terre Haute, June 19, 1848.
Two children of this marriage died in early childhood. He
was married again, August i, 1849, to Miss Caroline E. Gook-
ins, daughter of Seymour Gookins, Esq., of Terre Haute.
Of this marriage there are five children : William L., born
May 18, 1853 ; Charles B., born June 21, 1856; Frank, born
March 17, 1858 ; May, born April 7, i860; and Helen, born
June 27, 1866. The three sons are all graduates of Black-
burn University.
Gilbert H. Robertson. I have not investigated his early
history. From the Second church, Springfield, he was called
to Louisville, Ky., and was soon after expelled from the min-
istry and from the communion of the church for grossly im-
moral conduct. He has, however, succeeded in obtaining
some sort of license in the Methodist church, under cover of
which he was, in 1879, seeking access to some of our pulpits
in Northern Illinois.
The Presbytery of Kaskaskia met at Hillsboro, April
1 1, 1867. B. LefiEIer was received from the Presbytery of Sa-
line. R. M. Roberts was elected Stated Clerk. H. M. Cor-
bett was dismissed to the Presb\'tery of Iowa. R. M. Rob-
erts, minister, and George Donnell, elder, were chosen to at-
tend the next meeting of the Assembly. The
fall meeting was held with Dry Point church, commencing
THOMAS D. DAVIS. 621
October 5. B. H. Charles was released from the pastorate
of Chester church. The church of Edwardsville, being re-
duced to four members, was dissolved. T. D. Davis was re-
ceived from the U. P. Presbytery of St. Louis. A. J. Clark
was doubtless received at this meeting from the Presbytery
of Bloomington, though the records fail to show it.
Thomas D. Davis. — Auto-biographical. — I was born in
Chester District, S. C, December 26, 1832. My ancestry
on my father's side is Welch and English. Thomas Davis
came from Wales and married a Connecticut girl whose an-
cestors came from England. On my mother's side I am
Scotch and Scotch-Irish. My ancestors have been Presby-
terians as far back as I know — four generations. I received
my academical education in Tipton county, Tenn., my colle-
giate at Erskine College, Abbyville District, S. C, and my
theological at Oxford, Ohio. I was licensed by the Presby-
tery of Memphis — Associate Reformed Church — April, 1858,
and ordained by the Presbytery of Kansas i860. My fields
of labor have been Kansas, Pinckneyville, Perry county, 111.,
Nashville, 111., Union church, Morgan county, 111., Ironton,.
Mo., Providence church, Cass county, III, and Camp-Point
111., where I am now located. I was married to Miss Ella
W. Harrington, March 21, 1876. We have two children —
Alfred C, born January 13, 1877, and Edith A., born Febru-
ary 5, 1879. My wife is a daughter of Rev. A. L. Harring-
ton, and granddaughter of Frederick Collins, late of Quincy,.
Illinois.
A. J. Clark was born September 22, 1834, in Champaign
county, Ohio. Of Scotch and Welsh descent. Religiously
trained. Graduated in 1859 at Delaware, Ohio. Subse-
quently received the degree of A. M. from the same institu-
tion. Married Miss A. E. Williams, of Mechan-
icsburgh. Champaign county, Ohio, December 28, 1859.
Believing that he could best promote the cause of Christ
in the ministry he studied theology. Having studied He-
brew in college he made his further preparation for this sa-
cred calling privately. September 22, 1863, the Presbytery
of New Albany gave him license. He at once began to sup-
ply the church of New Philadelphia. In March following he
was invited to preach to the congregation at Clinton, 111...
•622 PRE5BYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
This he accepted and began his work among them. In the
fall of the same year, 1864, he accepted their call and was
ordained by the Presbytery of Bloomington. In 1867 he re-
signed this charge. During this pastorate a church debt was
paid and about one hundred communicants added to the
church. Having a call from Chester, 111, he began his labors
there in July, 1867, supplying also Pleasant Ridge church.
In the following spring was installed by the Presbytery of
Kaskaskia. Owing to the large number of Germans there
the field was limited; but the Lord favored him with several
revivals. The congregation in the country built a new frame
house of worship. ■ In town they repaired and remodeled the
stone church at considerable expense. He labored not
only in his own churches, but in the regions beyond. At
Pinckneyville he organized a church in May or June of
1868. In June, 1869, one in Sparta. July 7, 1870, his
only children. Homer Clifton, aged five years, and Winfred
Williams, aged twenty months, died of dysentery following
the measles, leaving a desolate home and sad hearts. But
these stricken parents found true Deut., 32:25, and 2 Cor.,
12:9, "As thy days so shall thy strength be," "My grace is
sufficient for thee " December, 1871, he was
so afflicted with rheumatism that he was able to do but little
until the followmg summer. During the remainder of his
stay in Chester, his labors were greatly hindred by this afflic-
tion. But in February, 1875, he bore a part in a series of
meetings at Steeleville, resulting in the reorganization of the
scattered and discouraged fragments of the little band, and
in increasing the number of communicants to nearly eighty.
During the following summer he preached for them, and
assisted in building their church house. In Octo-
ber of the same year, he removed to Litchfield and began
work as supply pastor. On account of Mrs. Clark's failing
health, he resigned in July, 1877, and removed his family to
Mechanicsburgh, Ohio, that she might be with her people.
She died November 24, of the same year, after protracted
and great suffering. She was of a quiet, gentle, and sweet
disposition, resigned, cheerful and hopeful. She lived in
daily communion with her Savior, died in faith, loved and
lamented by all who knew her. Two little girls still remain,
Wilmett and Bessie, who find a home at Mechanicsburg with
their uncle, Dr. J. H. Clark. Unwilling to be
idle, Mr. C. took charge of the churches of Belle Centre
RUSSELL D. VAN DEURSEN. 023
and Huntsville, the ist of August, 1877, and was soon in-
stalled by the Presbytery of Bellefountaine. Here he still
remains, laboring as best he can. But to him there is no
place but heaven so dear as the Presbytery of Alton and the
Synod of Illinois South.
The Presbytery of Wabash met at Shelby villa, April 11,
1867. Joseph Butler was dismissed to the Presbytery of
Winona, and David Dmiond to that of Alton. R. D. Van
Deursen was received from Athens Presbytery, Ohio. J. L.
Jones, minister, and Samuel Daggy, elder, were appointed to
attend the next Assembly. The fall meeting was
held at Danville, September 10. E. Kingsbury resigned his
office of Stated Clerk, after having served for thirty years,
and Edwin Black was appointed in his place.
Russell D. Van Deursen. — Auto-biographical. — I was
born in Richmond, Va., March 5, 1832. Baptized by Rev.
William J. Armstrong, D. D., June, 1832. Father a descend-
ant of Dutch settlers of Manhattan Island; born in Albany,
N. Y. Mother born in Connecticut, descended
from Baldwin family. Father for many years an elder in the
Presbyterian church, and both parents devotedly prayerful
children of God. Father died 1872. Mother living, aged
eighty-one — blind. Lives here. I attended school in Rich-
mond, Va., and entered sophomore class in Hampden Sid-
ney College in 1850. In the middle of the junior year health
failed, and I was compelled to quit study spring of 1852.
Took certificate of scholarship from professors of college.
Entered junior class in Union Theological Seminary, N. Y.,
and remained the year 1852-3. Health failed again, and re-
turned to Richmond, Va., and entered the profession of civil
engineering in surveys for Richmond and Danville, North
Carolina, Central and other railways. Went to Cincinnati
in 1857 ^^ service of Ohio & Mississippi Railway. Resumed
theological study at Lane Seminary and was licensed by the
Presbytery of Cincinnati, April 3, 1861. Sup-
plied church in Gallipolis, Ohio, from May to September,
1861. Ordained by Presbytery of Cincinnati, August 29,
1861, and left Gallipolis to enter the army as chaplain of 12th
Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. In service in West
Virginia. In the battle of Carnifex Ferry — our Col. Lowe
624 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
was killed. I took his remains to his family at Xenia, Ohio^
and preached funeral sermon. Was with regiment till
September, 1862, when I resigned and returned to former
charge — Gallipolis, Ohio — remaining there till April, 1867,
when I accepted a call to Shelbyville, 111., where I was in-
stalled May 5, 1867. Remained there till September i, 1871,
when, having accepted call to church in Paris, 111., I removed
and was installed pastor of this church April 21, 1872, and
I remain. I united with the Presbyterian Church
first in 1847, i^ Richmond, Va. — Rev. Joseph C. Stiles, D,
D., pastor. My mother informs me that at my birth she
" lent me to the L'ord " and prayed that I might be a minis-
ter of "the glorious gospel of the blessed God," and trained
me to think of it from earliest childhood.
I have been twice married and have had four children —
all of them living — three daughters and one son.
Homer Church, Champaign county, was organized by
Revs. Enoch Kingsbury and C. P. Felch, March 7, 1857, with
these members : Phoebe King, Carrie Linkham, Mary A.
Conkey, Julia A. Smith, Ellen H. Oilman, Nancy Gibson^
Mary Sullivant, Harriet Long, Miss Lois Ann Smith, Alice
Howe, Matilda Riley, Livia Riley, James H. Rayhill, William
H. H. Smith, John Summers, E. W. Taylor and Mrs. E. W.
Taylor. Elders : William H. H. Smith, E. C. Taylor,
James H. Rayhill, S. W. Thompson. Ministers: Enoch
Kingsbury, J. L. McNair, A. L. Knox, J. D. Jenkins. Fine
frame house of worship erected in 1873 at a cost of four
thousand dollars.
Palestine Presbytery met at Charleston, April 11, 1867.
James E. Lapsley was received from the Presbytery of West-
ern Reserve, and Henry A. Newell, licentiate, from the Pres-
bytery of Miami. N. Williams was dismissed to the Presby-
tery of Crawfordsville. S. B. Taggart, minister, and Richard
Roberts, elder, were appointed to attend the next meeting of
the Assembly. C. P. Spining was relieved of the pastoral
care of the Grandview church. W. C. Magner, A. C. Car-
roll and H. A. Newell were ordained, sine titido, April 13th..
H. A. Newell was dismissed to the Presbytery of Miami and
W. C. Magner to that of Bureau. The fall meet-
ing was held with Pleasant Prairie church, Coles county,.
PRESBYTERY OF SANGAMON. 62$
commencing October 7. H. I. Venable resigned as Stated
Clerk, and S. B. Taggart was elected in his place. A, C.
Carroll was dismissed to the Presbytery of La Fayette,
H. I. Venable to thatof Vincennes, and C. P. Spining to that
of Fort Wayne. Arrangements were made for the ordina-
tion of John Miller, on the 22d of October inst. The com-
mittee to install J. VV. Allison pastor of Areola church, re-
ported that duty performed on the I2th of May.
James Erasmus Lapsley was born in Pennsylvania, grad-
uated at Ohio University, 1861 ; studied theology at Alle-
gheny Seminary; ordained sine titido, June 28, 1864; was
missionary in Cleveland, O., and supply pastor at Tiffin, O.,
1865; at Mattoon, 111., iS66; Pastor of First Presbyterian
church, Terre Haute, Ind., 1870; pastor elect in Baltimore,
Md., 1872; died in that city, July, 5, 1872, aged thirty-three
years.
The Presbytery of Sangamon met at Assumption, April
9, 1867. B. E. Mayo, from the Presbytery of Whitewater,
and E. D. Barrett from the Presbytery of Saltsburg, were
received. Samuel Conn, licentiate, was received from the
Presbytery of New Brunswick, examined and ordained over
the church at Decatur, July 21, 1867. G. W. F. Birch, min-
ister, and J. S. Moore, elder, were appointed Commissioners
to the next Assembly. T. E. Spilman, licentiate, was dis-
missed to the Presbytery of Rock River. H. R. Lewis was
dismissed to the Presbytery of Fairfield. The name of
"Tacusa" church was changed to that of "Assumption."
Arrangements were made for the installation of B. E. IMayo
over Assumption church on the third Sabbath of June. A pro
re nata meeting was held in Decatur, July 19. R. W. Allen
was released from the care of the Second church, Jacksonville.
The fall meeting was held with Irish Grove church, Sep-
tember 10. J. S. McClung was dismissed to the Presbytery
of Bureau. D. R. Todd was dismissed to the Presbytery of
Logansport, S. W. Miller to that of Vincennes, and R. A.
Criswell to that of Bloomington. The church of Moawequa
was received. An adjourned meeting was held at Charles-
ton, October 10, at which R. J. L. Matthews was received.
39
626 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Elisha D. Barrett was born in Montgomery, Hampshire
county, Mass., January 19, 1790. His grand-father was from
London, Eng. He was a gospel minister and settled
in Connecticut. After his death his widow, Mary Dow
Barrett, removed with her four children to Montgomery,
Mass., where her son Daniel married and became the father
of seven sons and six daughters. Of these children, Elisha
D. was the fifth. He graduated at Williams College, Massa-
chusetts, in 1813. He first studied medicine and became an
M. D. He then took a theological course under the direc-
tion of Rev. A. G. Fairchild, and was licensed by the Pres-
bytery of Redstone, April 10, 1827. He labored for a short
time in Monongahela county, West Virginia, then as a mis-
sionary in Ohio. In the ^utumn of 1829 he was ordained
pastor of Plum Creek and Glade Run churches by the Pres-
bytery of Blairsville. He remained in this charge about
fifteen years. He then organized a church in an adjoining
county, became its pastor, and left it with more than
one hundred members and a good house of worship. Hav-
ing contracted a bronchial affection, which unfitted him for
pulpit labor, he removed to Granville, Ohio, and practiced
medicine there for four years. He then took charge of an
academy in Kittanning, Armstrong county, Pa. After continu-
ing there for some years he accepted an appointment as
ph3'sician to the Yankton Sioux Indians, Dakota territory.
With them he remained two years. Then came to Assump-
tion, 111., and settled down to the practice of medicine till the
infirmities of age compelled him to retire. He has
been three times married, and three times the marriage tie
has been broken by death. By the first marriage he had
three children, by the second four, and by the third nine.
Of these fifteen children six have deceased. He now re-
sides at Sedalia, Mo., with one of his children, having reached
the age of nearly ninety years.
Samuel Conn was born in Steubenville, O., March 4, 1838.
He graduated at Washington College, Pennsylvania, 1857.
Studied theology at Princeton, New Jersey. Chaplain in
U. S. army in 1862. Ordained at Decatur, 111., July 21,
1867. Supply pastor at CarroUton, O., 1868; pastor First
church, New Albany, 1870. He has received the degree of
D. D., and is now — 1879 — pastor of First church, St. Paul,
Minn. He is Scotch-Irish.
JOSEPH H. SCOTT, 62/
MoAWEQUA Church was organized May i8 and 19, 1867,
by Revs. S. W. Mitchell, Clark Loudon, and Elder S. H. Wil-
son, with thirteen members. Elders : Lewis Long and F.
M. Chamberlain, the first. Elders since appointed : Samuel
G. Travis, Geo. M. Stine, Thomas Hudson, R. B. Wilson.
Ministers: Charles K. Smoyer, J. D. Jenkins, J. Payson
Mills. There have been eighty persons connected with this
church. Their church building was erected in 1872 at a
cost of $3,500. From Church Erection they received four
hundred dollars aid.
The Presbytery of Alton met at Upper Alton, April 18,
1867. David Dimond was received from the Presbytery of
Wabash, Joseph H. Scott from that of Trumbull, Adam
Johnston from the Presbytery of Bloomington, and James
W. Stark from the Presbytery of Fox River. The churches
of America and Tower Hill were received. Joseph S. Ed-
wards was dismissed to the Presbytery of Cleveland. E. W.
Taylor and Thomas Lippincott, ministers, and Russell
Hinckley and Geo. E. Warren, elders, were appointed Com-
missioners to the Assembly. C. H. Foote was released from
the pastoral care of Jerseyville church. The
fall meeting was held with Tower Hill church, commencing
September 26. The Presbyterian church of Edwardsville,
and the German Presbyterian church of Trenton were re-
ceived. Geo. L. Little was dismissed to a new Presbytery to
be formed in Nebraska.
Joseph H. Scott was born March 22, 1825, in Becket,
Berkshire county, Mass. He was educated at Western
Reserve College and Seminary. He was ordained by Port-
age Presbytery, November, 1852. United with Alton Pres-
bytery, April 18, 1867. He labored for about ten years as
supply pastor ot Metropolis church ; succeeded in securing
a very neat house of worship in that place, in building up a
large Sabbath-school, and a small but compact and influen-
tial church. He had been for many years in feeble health,
and died at Metropolis, 111., February 25, 1879. He was
brother-in-law of the late Rev. Dr. C. H. Taylor, and died
•on the fourth anniversary of Dr. Taylor's death. His family
remain at Metropolis where they have a pleasant ho;ne.
62 8 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLI^'OIS.
Andrew DonnellJacke — Auto-biographical — I was bora
July 19, 1829, near Kingston, Decatur county, Ind. My
father, James Jacke, is a native of Greensburg, Pa., but his
ancestors came from the North of Ireland. My mother's
maiden name was Elizabeth Donalson. Her ancestors were
from the North of Ireland and Wales, They were both trained
in the Presbyterian Church and became communicants soon
after their marriage. My father has been an elder in that
Church for many years. Both parents are living at this date.
I graduated at Wabash College in 1854, and at Lane Sem-
inary in 1857. I was licensed by the Presbytery of Fort
Wayne, July 2, 1856, and ordained by the Presbytery of
Crawfordsville, July, 1857, as a missionary to Africa. My
first field of labor was in connection with the Gaboon mis-
sion in Western Africa. This mission work I was compelled
to leave at an early day on account of the failure of my wife's
health. We returned to this country in the fall of 1859. I
labored with several churches in Indiana until the spring of
1867, when we settled in Edwardsville, 111., and took charge
of that, Troy and Marine churche,-,. I remained with Ed-
wardsville church nearly six years. My next fields
of labor were in Kansas, where I still reside. I
was married August 20, 1857, to Mercy E. Tidball, in the
Shiloh Presbyterian church, Wabash county, Ind. We have
two children living — Justin Perkins, born April 25, 1861,
and Rebecca Eliza, born December 27, 1865.
Adam Johnston was born at Glasgow, Scotland, April 22,
1 8 14. He graduated at Middlebury College, Vt,, 1840.
Studied theology at Lane Seminary, taking the full course.
Licensed by Presbytery of Cincinnati, 1844. Ordained by
Presbytery of Peoria in Bloomington, 111., September 1846;
united with Alton Presbytery April 18, 1867. His fields of la-
bor have been these : Waynesville, 111., four years, commenc-
ing Nov. 1845; traveled one year as missionary in the bounds of
Chicago Presbytery ; Washington, 111., four years ; Sandwich,
111,, four years ; Eastmaville, Mich., two and a half years ; Chil-
licothe, 111., one and a half years ; Pontiac, 111., six years ; Kin-
mudy, ten years; Tower Hill and Prairie Bird churches, Shelby
county. 111 , where he now is. He was married in Chicago,
July I, 1847, to Miss Mary Ann Kent, a native of Rupert,
Vt. They have had eight children, six of whom are dead ;
AMERICA CHURCH. 629
two remain — Emily K., born in Chicago, March 6, 1850, mar-
ried to Rev. Duncan J. McMillan in June, 1879, and George
M., born in Pontiac, 111., May 6, 1864.
America Church, Pulaski county, about five miles up the
Ohio river from Mound City, was organized by Revs. E. B.
Olmsted and Andrew Luce, January 24, 1866, with these nine
members : Adam Mason, Mrs. Marth Mason, Jacob Skeen,
Mrs. Ellen Skeen, Dr. J. H. Brown, Mrs. E. A. Sanders,
Jacob Deihl, Mrs. Sarah J. Delhi and Mrs. Jane Cook. El-
der: Adam Mason. This organization absorbed all that
remained of the Mound City church. Rev. E. B. Olmsted
has been their minister from the beginning, giving them all
the supply they have received. This church has had some
growth and vitality, though its progress has been slow and
small. Its services are held in the school-house. America
is the site of an ancient town, twelve miles from Cairo, and
was laid out on a very extensive plan about 1816. Its name
indicates the expansive and ambitious views of its founders.
And for these views there was some justification. The site
is the first ground above Cairo on the Ohio river entirely
above overflow. And had not the channel of the river re-
ceded to the Kentucky side of the stream, America might
now have been what Cairo is. But nobody now expects
that Cairo, America, Thebes, Metropolis, or any of the
many other ambitiously named places of South Illinois will
ever rival St. Louis, Evansville or Cincinnati.
The "First Presbyterian Church of Tower Hill,"
Shelby county, was organized by Revs. A. T. Norton and
William P. Teitsworth, February 17, 1867, with these mem-
bers: Sylvester L. Van Dyke, Mrs. Lucy A. Van Dyke,
Thomas B. Johnson, William McKitterick, Mrs. Margaret
McKitterick, Mrs. Susannah E. Baines, Dr. George W.
Fringer, Mrs. Martha B. Fringer, Mrs. Caroline Everitt,
Perry McDowell, Miss Celestia A. Van D3-ke, Francis Mc-
Kitterick, Samuel McKitterick, Miss Mary A. Baines, Miss
Frances J. Baines and James M. Cook. The church came
under the care of Wabash Presbytery, though temporarily
■received by that of Alton. Elders : Sylvester L. Van Dyke ;
Thomas B. Johnson, and Dr. George W. Fringer, the first.
630 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Since elected: James J. Wiley, INIarch 9, 1872; Frederick
Stumpf, March 9, 1872; H. H. R. Baines, March 9, 1872;.
S. P. Powers, February 23, 1875; Dr. John Morgan, October
8, 1876, and H. F. Faught. Ministers: G. A. Pollock,
stated supply one year from November i, 1867; Nathaniel
Williams, one year from January, 1871 ; J. D. Jenkins, one
year; Adam Johnston commenced January, 1877 ^.nd still
continues. The ministers here supply also Prairie Bird
church, spending alternate Sabbaths at each place. The
whole number of members from the beginning up to May,
1878, is ninety. The house of worship is a frame building
and cost eighteen hundred dollars. It was dedicated Sab-
bath, September 29, 1867.
Edwardsville Church, in order the Fourth. The first
was organized March 17, 1819; the second, n. s., in the win-
ter of 1837-38; the third, o. s., April 19, 1845; the fourth,
being the one now in existence, Sabbath, August ii, 1867,
by Rev. A. T. Norton and Andrew D. Jacke. The original
members were these : Mrs. Charles Dimmock, Mrs. Lizzie H.
Pogue, Bezaliel Day, Mrs. Huldah Ann Day, Miss Nancy N.
Day, Miss Amelia C. Day, Mrs. Nancy E. T. Jacke, Mrs.
Anna Glass, Mrs. Rebecca Snyder, Mrs. Susan Karr and
Samuel W. Temple, Elder: Samuel W. Temple, the first;
since appointed : Charles W. Fangenwroth and John G.
Irwin. Ministers : A. D. Jacke, A. H. Parks, John Leigh-
ton, Lucius I. Root and James S. Berry. The
present house of worship, and the only one a Presbyterian
church in Edwardsville has ever owned, is a frame building
on a brick foundation and cost four thousand dollars. It was
dedicated on Sabbath, October 16, 1870.
The First Presbyterian Church of East St. Louis
was organized by Revs. A. T, Norton and M. B, Gregg, July
14, 1867, in the upper room of the two-story school house on
the island, with these members : Edwin E. Bassett, Mrs.
Mercy B. Gregg, Mrs. Ellen V. Barrowman, Mrs. Ellen M.
Hill, Mrs. Martha Ann Lowry, Mrs. Ann Brewer, Mrs. Lydia
Chamberlin, Miss Emma Mockbee, Mrs. Frances Todebush,
Mrs. Mary Ellen Maheng, James H. Brooks, David Shield,
Mrs, Euphemia Shield, Samuel McCullough, Mrs. Sophia
PRESBYTERY OF SALINE. 631
IMcCulIough, William Morrison, ]\Irs. Sophia Morrison and
Mrs. Virginia Raithel. Elders: Edwin E, Bassett and
David Shield, the first. Since appointed: William Craig
and Samuel McCullough, April 21, 1869; William G. Mahany,
February 20, 1870; Charles Bennett, George A. Galloway,
February 25, 1872; James A. Reynolds in the spring of
1877. Ministers: Martin B. Gregg; John D. Jones, April,
1869-71; Samuel Sawyer, January, 1872-73; William L.
Johnston, licentiate, commenced April, 1873, ordained pas-
tor October 26, 1873, dismissed May 3, 1879, after a six
years' pastorate of remarkable efficiency. Mr. Gregg, the
first minister here, commenced his labors in January, 1867,
under the care of the Presbyterian Home Missionary Com-
mittee of the New School Church. Services were held in
the upper room of the two-story school house on the island.
That building has since been burned. A church edifice was
built on the island in 1868 and cost six thousand, seven
hundred dollars. When in 1877-78 the new house was
erected on Collinsville avenue this one on the island was
taken down and the material used in the new, This new
house was dedicated Sabbath, September 8, 1878. It cost
upwards of five thousand dollars,
The Presbytery of Saline met at Flora, April 11, 1867.
Henry E. Thomas was received from the Presbytery of New
Albany and was installed pastor of Olney church on the
first Wednesday in May prox. by a Committee of Presby-
tery. W. H. Smith, licentiate, was received from the Pres-
bytery of Allegheny, examined and ordained, sine titulo,
April 14 inst. The name of Xenia church was changed to
Flora. John Crozier, minister, and Thomas Buchanan, elder,
were appointed to represent this Presbytery in the next As-
sembly. The churches of Hermon and Larkinsburg were
received. Joseph M. Wilson was licensed. An adjourned
meeting was held at Salem, Marion county. May 9, at which
Joseph Warren, D. D., was received from the Presbytery of
Schuyler and installed pastor of Salem church.
The fall meeting was held with Carmi church, commencing
September 12. The churches of Timberville and Elizabeth-
town were received. John Crozier was dismissed to the
Presbytery of Oxford. S. C. Baldridge was appointed Stated
Clerk and Treasurer in his place.
632 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
William H, Smith was born in Knox county, Ind., Sep-
tember 10, 1840. His ancestors, on the mother's side, are
Scotch-Irish, on his father.'s, German and Hollanders. He
was educated at La Fayette College, Pennsylvania, Hanover
College, Indiana, and at Western Theological Seminary,
Allegheny City, Pa. He was licensed April, 1866, by Presb)'-
tery of Allegheny City, and ordained by that of Saline, April,
1867. He preached at Wabash and Timberville — now Allen-
dale— churches, Wabash county, and taught at Friendsville
and Mt. Carmel, Wabash county, " North Sangamon Acad-
emy," Menard county. III, and is now engaged as principal of
the public school at Bath, Mason county. 111. He
married Margaret E. Colvin at Harelton, Ind., October, 1864.
They have four children — Minard S., Eva D., Jessie May
and Paul McCorkle.
A church called Hermon, in Decker township, Richland
county, four miles south of Noble Station, was organized by
Rev. John Crozier with twenty members, about the last of 1 866
or early in 1867. Ministers: John Crozier, Wm. Crozier,
Thomas Smith, John M. Robinson, licentiate, Solomon Cook,
Wm. M. Reed. Elders: Stafford Junkins, Joshua N. Al-
vord, Joshua D. Nichols. A church building was erected in
1869, on S. E. quarter Sec. 33, T. 3 N., R 9 E. of third
principal meridian. H: cost ^1,000.
Larkinsburg Church, Clay county. The Presbyterlal
missionary, Rev. John Crozier, visited this place on the last
Sabbath of March, 1867, held a meeting and administered
the supper to a band of some fifteen Christians, gathered by
Rev. Joel S. Graves, of the Presbytery of Florida. The or-
ganization was completed by the election of Edward Pat-
ton, elder. Among the original members were these : Mrs.
Eunice Graves, Cyrus Graves, Mrs. Hattie Graves, Charles
Graves, David Byers, Mrs. Francis P. Byers, Mrs. Julia
Ann Wood. Rev. R. C. Galbraith visited this band in
August, 1868, when David Byers was made elder. Rev.
Dr. Joseph Warren received the Thompson family, April 13,
1872, consisting of eight persons. They were from the
Mt. Vernon church, Tennessee. Two other Thompsons
joined July 6, 1873. Eli M. Thompson, the patriarch of the
family, was installed elder at the time of his reception. Henry
JOSEPH WARREN, D. D. 633
S. Watson was made elder July i6, 1873. He now resides
in Louisville, same county. Their only ministers have been
occasional supphes. This church is now — 1879 — nearly
extinct.
TiMBERViLLE, afterwards Allendale, church was organized
July 26, 1867, by Revs. S. C. Balbridge, W. H. Smith and
John Mack, and elders Thomas Buchanan and Henry Thomp-
son, v/ith these members : William McClain, Mrs. Margaret
McClain, Peter Kendal, Rebecca Kendal, Rosanna Green,
Sarah J. Price, Emma McClain, Mary Couch, Margaret
Gould. Elder: William McClain, who died April 20, 1877.
Thomas Gould came to a spot about one mile from what
is now Allendale, May 11, 18 16, from Ohio, down the river
"from Cincinnati to Evansville, then across the country to
the place his widow and son — Jacob S. Gould — now occupy.
Evansville had not at that time a shingled roof. Princeton,
Ind., was not in existence. The family Bible has this : " This
Bible is the property of Joseph Gould, bought the 7th of
April, 1802. Price six dollars." It was printed in Philadel-
phia, i8qi. Thomas Gould came originally from New
Jersey. His ancestors from England.
Joseph Warren, D. D. He was born at Brunswick,
Maine, August 30, 1809. After a short course of study at the
academy in Plymouth, N. H., he learned the art of printing
in the Statesman office at Concord, and afterward resumed
study at Phillips Academy, Exeter, where he experienced a
change of heart, and decided on devoting himself to the
work of the gospel ministry. At the age of twenty-five he
entered Lane Theological Seminary, and was one of the
large body of students who left on account of a difference of
opinion in regard to the discussion of the question of slavery.
He completed his studies at Allegheny Seminary, where he
first connected himself with the Presbyterian Church. In
October, 1838, in company with Messrs. Freeman and Scott,
he left for India, where his knowledge of printing contributed
to his great usefulness in superintending the press. He took
with him and set up at Allahabad the first mission press ever
.established in India north of Serampore. He was much en-
634 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
gaged in promoting the cause of education in India, and.
aided in establishing the High School at Agra for European
and Eurasean children. In 1853 ^^ returned to this country
to make provision for the education of his children, entered
for a time upon pastoral work in Indiana, and served also as
a chaplain during the war. He was pastor of Salem church
Marion county, III, from 1866 to 1869. He also taught and
preached in Flora, Clay county, III, from about 1869 to 1872.
In that year he returned to India and completed a Hebrew
grammar in the Urdu tongue, which is now in press, and had
partially completed a translation of Gesenius' Hebrew Lexi-
con. • He died of dropsy of the heart, at Morar, Gualior,
India, on the 7th of March, 1879. Rev. John S.
Woodside, of Dehra, Northern India, writes : " Throughout
his illness his constant prayer was for patience, that he might
have grace to endure all that he should be called to suffer.
He said he did not desire that life should be unduly pro-'
longed, but rather, ' Lord Jesus, come quickly.' He was
driven out almost daily, morning and evening, up to the last,
though he had to be supported — almost carried — to the con-
veyance. His last drive was on the evening before his death,
after sunset. At three o'clock in the morning a marked
change took place, and at four, while we knelt by his bedside
commending him to the care of a merciful Saviour, his spirit
took its flight. The funeral was at five o'clock
p. M., of the same day. It was very largely attended by all
classes in the community. Military officers, and men of all
ranks and arms, formed the majority of the procession. The
deceased had been acting as chaplain to the Presbyterian
soldiers in the Cantonment. The remains were therefore
conveyed on a gun carriage belonging to the Royal Horse
Artillery, drawn by six black horses — in the first place to
' the old Cantonment church,' where he usually officiated, and
afterwards to the cemetery. At the close of the funeral ser-
vices in the church, the whole audience walked around the
bier and took a last look at the features of their venerated,
pastor and friend." A daughter of his, by a former wife, is
Mrs. M?irgaret Warren Brmkerhoff, now of Washington
City, 1208 N street. Dr. Warren's last wife, whom he mar-
ried at Mt. Carmel, 111., and who is now his widow, remains
in India.
ELIZAEETHTOWN CHURCH. 635.
The Church of Elizabethtown, Hardin county, was or-
ganized by Rev. S. Cook and Elder J. E. Y. Hanna, May 18,
1867, with five members. January 19, 1868, Miller McClel-
lan was elected elder, and two additional members were re-
ceived. This church has not flourished, though it is in a con-
siderable village — the county seat of Hardin county. It
has had no ministerial care.
The SyxNod of Illinois met, the n. s. at Augusta, Schuy-
ler county; the o. s. at Charleston, Coles county; the first,,
October 3, the second, October 9, 1867.
F
CHAPTER XVII.
MEETINGS OF PRESBYTERIES AND SYNODS FROM 1 868 TO
1869, INCLUDING SKETCHES OF CHURCHES ORGANIZED AND
MINISTERS COMMENCING THEIR LABORS WITHIN THE YEAR.
Authorities: Original Records; Auto-biographies; Presbytery Reporter;
General Catalogue^,
YEAR 1868.
The Presbytery of Illinois met at Carrollton, April 15,
1868. A. L. Brooks was received from the Presbytery of
Peoria, and James R. Dunn from the Presbytery of Blooming-
ton. The Second Presbyterian church of Decatur was re-
ceived. J. R. Armstrong, minister, and George E. Moore-
house, elder, were elected Commissioners to the Assembly.
At an adjourned meeting held in-Decatur, May 5, Asahel L.
Brooks was installed pastor of the " Second Presbyterian
church " of that city. The fall meeting was held
at Maroa, commencing September 15. William A. Hen-
drickson was dismissed to the Presbytery of Columbus,
Wis.
Asahel L. Brooks was born at Madison, N. Y., June 19,
18 18. His parents were New Englanders — the father a Bap-
tist, the mother Presbyterian. He was educated at Hamil-
ton College and Auburn Seminary. Licensed by Genesee
Presbytery September, 1845; ordained by Troy Presbytery in
May, 1847, at Troy, N. Y. His fields of labor have been
Hamilton, Troy, Corning, Albion, N. Y., Bridgport, Ct., In-
dianapolis, Ind., Chicago, Peoria, Decatur, Danville, 111. He
is married, and his children are Olivia A., born at Hamilton,
N. Y., October 7, 1846; Walter A., born at Le Roy, N. Y.,
August 2, 1849; Frank Le Roy, at Albion, June 27, 1852;
Lillian M., at Albion, N. Y., November 21, 1853 ; Edward A.,
at Chicago, May il, 1857. He is now at Danville, 111., where
he has been pastor for nearly ten years.
The Presbytery of Kaskaskia met at Carlyle, April 9,
1868. Arrangements were made for the installation of James
GEORGE STEBBINS. 637
R. Brown over the church of Hillsboro, on May i6 prox..
and for that of A. J. Clark over the churches of Chester and
Pleasant Ridge on the 24th of same month. James R. Brown,
minister, and Hugh Smith, elder, were appointed to attend
the meeting of Assembly. The names of Rev. Samuel
Lynn and the Second church of Jerseyville were stricken
from the roll on account of their having joined another body.
(That body is the Presbyterian Church, South.) The church
of Mascoutah was dissolved. Henry Mattice, licentiate,
was received from the Presbytery of Kansas, examined and
ordained, sine titulo, April 17. R. M, Roberts was released
from the pastoral care of the church of Litchfield. He re-
signed his office of Stated Clerk, and J. S. Howell was ap-
pointed in his place. B. H. Charles was dismissed to the
Presbytery of Missouri, and S. D. Lougheed to the Presby-
tery of Potosi. A. J. Clark was installed pastor of Chester
and Pleasant Ridge, May 24. The fall meeting
was held at Richview, September 25. The churches of New
Amity, Denmark and Pinckneyville were received. John C.
Wagaman was received from the Presbytery of Warren. T. E.
Spilman, licentiate, was received from the Presbytery of Rock
River, examined and ordained, sine titiilo, at an adjourned
meeting held at Elm Point, November 5. Henry Blanke was
received. George Stebbins was received some time this
year from the Presbytery of Bureau.
George Stebbins was born in Norwich, Mass., July 15,
1796. His parents were English Protestants. His father
was a graduate of Harvard College — a physician and manu-
facturer of gun-powder for the Continental army. His
mother was an only child, daughter of Brig. Gen. Buckmin-
ster, of the British army. He was a graduate of Union Col-
lege, N. Y. Licensed, November, 1823, at Blooming Grove,
Orange county, N. Y. Ordained over the church in Mid-
dletown, same county, June, 1824. After laboring in several
places in Massachusetts he removed to Iowa, and then to Illi-
nois, and was installed at Sterling, Whiteside county. Re-
signed after a pastorate of twelve years. Labored in several
other places in Illinois. He next removed to Tennessee, where
he met with pecuniary losses. He then located in Richview,
Washington county. 111., and taught in the seminary at that
place. There he still resides. He has been twice
638 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
married. First in 1830, in the city of New York, to Esther
W. Wickham ; second, to Mrs. Jane Buttrick, of Peoria.
His eldest child, and only son, expired in Las Vegas, N. M.,
from the effects of an accidental pistol-shot, when in the ser-
vice of Government as Collector of Internal Revenue. He
has five daughters, four of whom are married.
Thomas E. Spilman, son of Rev. Thomas A, Spilman,
was born in Hillsboro, 111., October 21, 1836. He spent most
of his minority in Morgan county. He early determined to
fit himself for the ministry. His studies were prosecuted for
several years at North Sangamon Academy, near Spring-
field, in private, while engaged in teaching for a short time
at Illinois College, Jacksonville, and in the Northwestern
Theological Seminary, from which he graduated in the spring
of 1867. He was licensed by Sangamon Presbytery and la-
bored for a time in Shannon, Carroll county. In the spring
of 1868 he commenced labor with the Butler church, where
he has ever since remained. He was ordained by Kaskaskia
Presbytery, November 5, 186S. The Butler church has pros-
pered greatly under his labors. Mr. Spilman's
health is feeble, though his labors are abundant. He main-
tains a constant hand-to-hand fight with incipient consump-
tion. Besides his preaching and pastoral work he edits and
publishes a sprightly monthly paper called The Messenger.
This is proving a publication of great value in the Presbytery
and Synod. Mr. S. is unmarried.
Henry Mattice had but a very limited education. He
was supply at Trenton about one year. October 9, 1869, he
was dismissed to the classis of Paramus.
New Amity Church, at what is called Irishtown, about
five miles north of Carlyle, Clinton county, was organized
September 13, 1868, with sixteen members. There were
two elders, one of whom was John O. Yingst. It has been
•dissolved and its members connected with the church in
Carlyle.
The Church of Denmark, Perry county, about nine miles
southwest of Pinckneyville, was organized, August 30, 1868,
with nine members, J. L. Cottom, elder.
THORNTON K. HEDGES. 639
The Church of Pinckneyville, Perry county, was or-
ganized on the last Sabbath of May, 1868, with fourteen
members. This church died. Another was organized,
August 25, 1873, by Revs. J. M. Stone, D. D., and John Hus-
ton, with these members: Mrs. C. Baldridge, Miss Frances
Baldridge, Alexander A. Kimzey, Mrs. Jane Kimzey, Mrs.
M. J. Kelso, Mr. H. M. Brown, Mrs. Nancy Brown, Mrs. E.
E. Brown, Mrs. Louisa Opp, INIrs. Sarah Durringer, Samuel
J. Henderson, Mrs. Pelina Buchanan, Mr. J. Rusk and Mrs.
M. Harbison. Elders : Hugh M. Brown ; Alexander A.
Kimzey, the first; Ephraim Hill, September 5, 1874. Min-
isters: George K.Perkins; George B. McComb, August
31, 1873; M. M. Cooper, 1876; George B. McComb, second
time, who left in 1879. A house of worship was built in
Mr. Perkins' time, which has been forfeited to the creditors.
The Presbytery of Wabash met at Shelbyville, April 14,
1868. Thomas Spencer was dismissed to the Presbytery of
Greencastle. G. A. Pollock, minister, aad D H. West, elder,
were appointed Commissioners to the Assembly. An ad-
journed meeting was held at Shelbyville, June 9. James
L. McNair was licensed. John L. Jones was released from
the pastoral care of the IVIattoon church, and C. P. Felch
from that of Danville. T. K. Hedges was received from the
Foster Presbytery of the Cumberland Church.
Thornton K. Hedges was born, May 10, 18 19, in Spen-
cer county, Ky. His ancestors were English, among the
early settlers of Virginia, and strongly attached to the mother
country. In religious belief they were of the Church of
England, but as their families increased, numbers of their
members joined other communions, especially the Baptist
and Presbyterian. George Hedges, the father of
Thornton K., removed from Kentucky to Illinois in 1824,
and settled on Ridge Prairie, in Madison county. Being the
eldest son, Thornton was obliged to give his assistance upon
the farm. When twenty-one years of age he was converted
and united with the C. P. Church. Having determined to
seek the ministry he attended McKendree College at Leb-
anon, 111., and Lebanon College, Tenn. He was licensed in
April, 1846, by the Presbytery of Lebanon of the C. P.
640 PRESBYTERIAKISM IN ILLINOIS.
Church. In the summer of 1846 he returned to Illinois, and
was ordained by the Presbytery of Vandalia in September,.
1847. After much and very successful labor in varions places
he became, in 1861, chaplain of the io6th Regiment Illinois
Volunteers, in which he served until the close of the war. In
1868 he connected with the Wabash Presbytery of the Pres-
byterian Church, n. s., and took charge of the Pleasant Prai-
rie and then of the New Providence church under a commis-
sion from the Board of Home Missions. In 1869 he was
permitted to witness a precious revival under his labors.
The year 1870 he spent at several places on the Iron Moun-
tain Railroad in Missouri. His next fields were in Western
Iowa, and one year in Nebraska, his family residence being
in Logan, Iowa, where they still remain. Mr.
Hedges married Miss Mary J. Barber, daughter of Rev.
John Barber, October 16, 185 1. They have four daughters
living and four sons deceased. There names in the order of
their birth are these : Charles E., Clara E., John B., Addie
M., Georgiana, Edwin T. and Rebecca M.
The Presbytery of Palestine met at Kansas, April 28,
1868. A. McFarland resigned as Stated Clerk and S. J.
Bovell was appointed in his place. S. J. Bovell, minister,
and G. B. Balch, elder, were appointed Commissioners to the
next Assembly. At a called meeting, June 10, A. McFar-
land was released from the care of the Palestine church, and
dismissed to Vinton, Iowa. The fall meeting
was held at Milton, commencing September 28. H. I. Ven-
able was received from the Presb}'tery of Vincennes ; John
Miller was ordained, sine titiilo. Another called meeting was
held at Areola, December 15, at which J. W. Allison was
released from the pastoral care of Areola church with the
highest testimony to his integrity, faithfulness and usefulness.
The Presbytery of Sangamon met at Springfield, April'
14, 1868. The church of lUiopolis was received, F. H.
Wines and J. D. Kerr, ministers, and J. F. Bergen and E. R.
Ulrich, elders, were appointed Commissioners to the next
Assembly. A pro re nata meeting was held at Decatur,,
June 18, at which B. E. Mayo was released from the pastoral
care of Assumption church, and dismissed to the Presbyterjr
WASHINGTON MAYNARD. 64I
of Vincennes. The fall meeting was held at
Jacksonville, commencing September 15. Washington May-
nard was received from the Presbytery of Fairfield. Samuel
Conn was released from the pastoral care of Decatur church.
Illiopolis Church was organized 1868 by Dr. J. G. Ber-
gen with sixteen members. Its name has disappeared from
the records of the Assembly.
Washington Maynard was born in Athens county, Ohio,
March 23, 18 18, at which place his parents had recently set-
tled from Worcester, Mass. They were members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church ; for several years their farm
house affording a preaching place, and a home for the circuit
rider. Under these influences his early life was impressed
with gospel truth. When sixteen he united with the Method-
ist Protestant Church, At the age of twenty he felt pre-
pared by the help of the comm.on school and the academy, to
enter college, and was making arrangements to do so at
Athens, Ohio. But he had been licensed, and by the un-
wise advice of others, he entered the itinerancy instead
of college. He was ordained at Steubenville, Ohio, October
9, 1840, and stationed successively at Lancaster, Wellsville,
Mt. Vernon, Coshochton, Newark and Cambridge. But a
few years of study, work and experience convinced him that
he had made a mistake, both in regard to education and
church connection. He did not find himself to be a Method-
ist, either in modes of thinking or in methods of move-
ment. He felt the Presbyterian Church to be more congenial
to him. But the Calvinistic system of doctrine had to be
studied, and when it became clear to his mind as the true
.system of interpretation belonging to the Holy Scriptures, it
looked to him as though a fog had risen from the sacred word.
Passages before dark and inexplicable became clear, and
he felt, and does to this day, that the Arminian system of
interpretation fails to receive all of the word — that the Calvin-
istic system has all the positive truth contained in the Armin-
ian system, and that it steps forward to the fullness of the
divine truth, affording the key by which even Paul's " things
hard to be understood," are opened and made plain. With
a letter of dismissal from his old Church, after careful ex-
40
642 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
amination by Presbytery as to his qualifications for the
ministry, he was received into the Presbytery of Zanesville,
October 15, 1856. In the following January he received a
call to the pastorate of Truro church, in the Presbytery of
Columbus, where he continued until April, 1865. In this
month he removed to Fairfield, Iowa, and was installed pas-
tor of the Presbyterian church of that place, where he con-
tinued for three years. September i, 1868, he became stated
supply of the Presbyterian church of Assumption, 111., his
present field, which he has occupied during this period, with
the exception of one year. He has been twice
married, January 3, 1843, to Miss C. E., eldest daughter of
Benjamin Connell, of Lancaster, Ohio. His wife lived but
two and a half years after her marriage, and was soon fol-
lowed by a child of a year old, to the heavenly world. Octo-
ber 12, 1850, he was married to Miss Julia A. Carson, at
Cambridge, Ohio. Four children were born, Clara Eliza-
beth, Sept. 22, 185 1, married to Mr. D. De Lashmutt and
living at Assumption, 111., Mary Ellen, July 3, 1853, Martha
Irene, February 14, 1856, and William Horus, August 23,
1863. The last three still with their parents.
The Presbytery of Alton met at Lebanon, April 16,
1868. Lucius I. Root was received from the Presbytery of
Niagara, Charles W. Seaman and Martin B. Gregg, from the
Presbytery of St. Louis. Elijah Buck was dismissed to the
Presbytery of Kaskaskia. The Home Missionary collections
of this Presbytery this year, including a legacy of four hun-
dred and seventy dollars from Mrs. Sally Root, were $2,195.80.
The German Presbyterian church of Lebanon was received.
C. H. Taylor, D. D., was released from the care of Alton
church and dismissed to the Presbytery of Cincinnati. A.
T. Norton and Willard P. Gibson, ministers, and Dr. F. M.
Lytle and George S. Smith, elders, were appointed Commis-
sioners to the Assembly. The fall meeting was
held at Centralia, commencing October 8. George I. King,
D. D., was received from the Presbytery of Schuyler, and
Peter S. Van Nest from that of INIilwaukee. H. P. Roberts
and H. N. Wilbur were dismissed. W. D. F. Lummis was
received from the Methodist Church, and on examination, as
an ordained minister. Carl Linn was licensed to preach for
one year to the German-speaking population any where in
LUCIUS I. ROOT. 643
the bounds of the Presbytery. The name of Sandoval church
was stricken from the roll of Presbytery. At an adjourned
meeting, October 24 and 25, Dr. George I. King was installed
pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Jerseyville.
Lucius I. Root. — Auto-biographical. — " I was born, Aug.
16, 1820, at Brutus, Cayuga county, N. Y. I am English by
my father, Scotch by my mother. I was educated at Union
College and Princeton Seminary. I was licensed, April 18,
1849, t>y the Presbytery of Elizabeth at Rah way, N. J. Or-
•dained at Cambridge, Wis., by the Presbytery of Wisconsin,
June, 1850. My fields of labor have been Carroll College,
Wis., prof.; Saline, Mich., P. E. ; Bay City, Mich., pastor —
this church I organized — Ionia, Mich., pastor; Medina. N. Y.,
pastor ; East Saginaw, a short time — organized the church —
•did not remove to the field; Upper Alton, 111,, H. M.; Shel-
.byville. 111., pastor; Greencastle, Ind., pastor; Edwardsville,
111., pastor, I married, September 19, 1849, at
Lyons, N. Y., Miss Frances R. Toft, daughter of Deacon
Toft of Williamstown, Mass. Our children are Herbert
Toft, born at Saline, Mich., November 9, 1853; Frances E.,
.born March 2, 1856, at Saline, Mich.; Jennie M., June 2,
1859, died July, 1859, ^^7 City, Mich, ; Lucius Reed, at Me-
dina, N, Y., May 15, 1864. My education was
pursued under difficulties for lack of means. Left college
to teach for two terms, one in Baltimore, one in Frederick
City, Md. I also taught a time in Philadelphia during my
seminary course. The most important or immediately suc-
cessful labor of my life I consider the founding of Carroll
•College at Waukesha, Wis. It existed only in the charter.
I started a preparatory department, finished off the basement
of the Presbyterian church, had a large, flourishing school,
fitted a class for college and took them through the first term
of the freshman year. Much against the wishes of many
friends I resigned and left in the autumn of 1852. Teaching
was, or seemed to be, my forte. I have been doubtful ever
since whether I did right in resigning." This
sketch was written January 20, 1879. A few weeks after he re-
ceived and accepted a call to be professor of Mental and
Moral Philosophy in Park College, Parkville, Mo. He en-
tered upon his duties with great enthusiasm and with high
promise of a successful career. But in one month he was
644 PRE3BYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
stricken down with paralysis while sitting at his table and
died instantly. This was on May i, 1879.
The German Presbyterian Church of Lebanon was or-
ganized, February 16, 1868, by Revs. James Brownlee and
Charles W. Seaman, with eighty members. A church build-
ing was secured which is, however, heavily involved. Most
of the eighty members proved to be unconverted persons. A
very few remain, who conduct a Sabbath school and secure
preaching in the p. m. of Sabbaths by an Evangelical Ger-
man minister from Summerfield.
George Ives King was born in Adams, N. Y., June i,
18 1 5, of New England parentage. His father was not a pro-
fessor of religion. His mother was a member of the Meth-
odist Church. From his grandmother, King, who was a re-
markable Bible student and a Presbyterian, he received the
greater part of his religious training. At a very early age he
became familiar with the Bible, repeating whole chapters ver-
batim. He prepared for college at Lowville, N. Y., and
graduated from Union College in 1838. He studied theology
at Auburn Seminary. He was licensed by the Presbytery of
Columbia at Hudson, N. Y., April, 1840. To re-
lieve himself of debts incurred by his education he accepted
the position of Principal of Union Academy at Belleville, N.
Y., preaching in the time to two feeble churches on alternate
Sabbaths. After relieving himself of his pecuniary obliga-
tions he was ordained by the Presbytery of Utica pastor of the
church of Westernville in the fall of 1843. Hav-
ing overworked during a revival in the congregation, in 1846,
he contracted a throat disease which troubled him the re-
■_;. mainder of his life. He spent the two following years in trav-
V|.; eling through the Southern States in hope of restoration
'K;; to health. Finding himself only partially restored, and
wi deeming it imprudent to resume his labors in the severe cli-
mate of Northern New York, he resigned the Westernville
charge and accepted a call from the church at Hanover, N.
J., and was installed in 1848. In 1855 he was in-
vited to supply the First church in Quincy, 111., and was
installed its pastor May i, 1856. In 1868 he was installed
pastor of the First church in Jerseyville, 111. This was his
A
w,^
/^^ .^JL
-/^/i^/
GEORGE I. KING. 645
last charge. His health had been gradually failnig for many-
months. Early in 1873 he went down the Mississippi to try
the effect of a southern climate. Becoming worse, he sent
for ]\Irs. King, who immediately joined him in New Orleans,
where he died March 12, 1873. His remains were taken
first to Jerseyville and then to Quincy. In each of these
churches, where he had been pastor in the aggregate for seven-
teen years, appropriate funeral services were held. The
body was then deposited in the beautiful Woodlawn ceme-
tery of Quincy. Dr. King was held in high esteem by all
who knew him, and acted well his part in all the relations of
life. The degree of D. D. was conferred upon him by his
Alma Mater, July, 1864. He was one of the trustees of
Blackburn University, looked jealously after its interests and
was divising for it liberal things. He was sent several times
to the Assenably, where he discharged his trusts well and
faithfully. In the great home missionary discussion of 1859,
in the Assembly at Wilmington, his fearless, outspoken
■course aided not a little in securing the auspicious result. As
a preacher he was logical, clear, convincing. What he was
as a pastor is shown by the fact that under his ministry about
three hundred joined his several charges on profession of their
faith. He loved his own church, was watchful of her inter-
ests and jealous for her honor. Dr. King married
Miss Emily B. Sprague, October 12, 1840. She was born in
Hancock, N. H. Their children are these : Emeline, born
July 5, 1843, died February ii, 1845; George Sprague,
February I, 1 846, died September 3, 1847; Eha, February
27, 1849; Clara, January 15, 1851; twins born October 20,
1853, a son and a daughter, the son died on the day of his
.birth, the daughter, Cora, August 9, 1856; William Walter,
September 15, 1858, died July 29, 1862. Of these seven
children only two remain on earth — Ella and Clara — both of
whom are happily married, and reside one in Jerseyville, the
other in Jacksonville. Mrs. King's home is with her daughter
in Jerseyville. For a minister Dr. King was wealthy. He
purchased land at an early day near Peoria which became
•valuable. But his wealth was well bestowed. While he
lived and since his death — in the hands of his widow and
■daughters — it is a fountain sending forth streams to make
^lad the city of God.
Peter Stryker Van Nest — Auto-biographical — I was
646 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
born in Amsterdam, N. Y., August 21, 1813. My ancestors-
were from Holland, and of the Dutch Reformed faith. I
fitted for college at Kingsboro, graduated at Union, and at
Auburn Seminary. I was licensed in 1840 by the Presbytery
of Ontario, and ordained in 1842 by the Presbytery of De-
troit. My fields of labor have been Fentonville and Flint,
Mich., until 1844; Mt. Morris, N. Y., until 1852; Romulus,
N. Y., until 1855 ; Iowa City, Iowa, until 1861 ; Geneva, Wis.,
until 1867; Ducoign, 111., until 1871 ; Elkhorn, Wis., until
1873 ; Centralia, 111., until 1875 ; Burlington, Wis., until 1877 ;,
Whitehall, 111., until 1879. In my ministry I have witnessed
many precious re'vivals. I married Miss Caroline
Barker at South Wales, N. Y,, in 1842, We have trained
and educated several adopted children. I united
with the church at seventeen years of age, entered at once
upon studies for the ministry, prosecuted them without inter-
ruption, have engaged in nothing save appropriate minis-
terial work, and never been without a field. In June, 1876,
Centre College, Ky., conferred upon me the degree of D. D.
In all my work I have been ably sustained by my de\ oted
Christian wife.
William De Fletcher Lummis was born in Deerfield,
N. J., July 4, 1827. Educated at Marietta College, Ohio.
Ordained by Central Illinois Conference, (Meth. Epis.) Sep-
tember 16, i860. United with Alton Presbytery on ex-
amination, October 10, 1868. Was at the time, and for
several years later, residing on a fruit farm at Makanda, 111.
He married Miss Mary Harris, August 18, 1858. In 1878 he
was W. C. at Paton, Iowa.
Charles W. Seajian. — Auto-biographical. — I was born in'
the city of Berlin, Prussia, March 31, 1815. My parents and
grandparents adhered to the Lutheran faith, in which belief
I was brought up. At the age of fourteen I was confirmed
by Prof. Dr. Marks, university pastor, at that time in Berlin.
I was educated at the Universities of Berlin, Halle and Leip-
zig and prepared for the law, which I practiced several years
at the Berlin Chamber Court. Political difficulties caused
me to leave my home and emigrate to the United States. I
arrived in New York, November, 1849. From that time to
1859 I procured a living by writing letters, advising my
countrymen in legal matters. Converted I was in a Metho-
MARTIN B. GREGG. 647
dist meeting. Joined a Presbyterian church at Detroit,
Mich. I studied for two years under the care of the Presby-
tery of Detroit. Was ordained by the same Presbytery in
1859. Labored at Cedarville, 1861 ; Forreston, 1862; Free-
port, 111., 1865-66; was pastor of the Broadway church at
Patterson, N. J., 1867-68; labored at Trenton and Lebanon,
111., 1869-71. At each place a church was organized. The
church at Trenton has been disbanded. From 1872 to 1875
I labored with Jefferson Center church, Pa. Since that time
I have been at Cheviot, Ohio. I have been married twice.
My first wife was Mary Nisbeth, born May 22, 1824. I mar-
ried her in the State of New York. She died at Lebanon,
111,, July 19, 1870. By her I had one child — a daughter. By
my second wife I have no children.
Martin B. Gregg was born at Waterbury, Vt., July 8,
1822. He came to the Presbyterian church from the English
Wesleyan Church of Canada. He studied with Dr. S. H.
Cox and Rev. Elisha Whittlesey. He was ordained by the
Genesee Presbytery, October 8, 1861. He united with Alton
Presbytery, April 17, 1868. His first field in this region was
East St. Louis, He assisted in the organization of that church,
July 14, 1867, His next field was Fairbury in Bloomington
Presbytery, He then labored one year with the church of
Moro. His last field was with the Plum Creek and Jordon's
Grove — now Baldwin — churches. He died at Baldwin Sta-
tion, Randolph county, Sabbath morning, August 31, 1873.
The Presbytery of Saline met at Friendsville, April 2,
1868. The church of McLeansboro was received. George
B, McComb, last from the Presbytery of East Alabama, was
received. B. C, Swan, minister, and John F. Younken, elder,
were appointed Commissioners to the Assembly, Thomas
Smith was received from the Cumberland Presbytery of Mc-
Linn. A pro re nata meeting was held at Friendsville, April
5, at which Joseph M. Wilson was ordained to labor as a mis-
sionary among the Indians under the Assembly's Board of
Foreign Missions. At another pro re naUi meeting held at
Olney, August 4, B. C. Swan was released from the pastoral
care of Shawneetown church. The fall meeting
Vv^as held at Odin, commencing October 9. Harrisburg
648 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
church was received. Joseph M. Wilson was dismissed to
the Presbytery of Missouri River. An adjourned meeting
was held at Shawneetown, November 11, at which Enfield
church was received. Charles C. Hart was received from
the Presbytery of Athens and installed pastor of Shawnee-
town church. George K. Perkins was received from the
Presbytery of Paducah.
McLeansboro Church, in Hamilton county. In the sum-
mer of 1866 Milton Eckley, an elder in the Richland church,
and father of Thomas M. Eckley, a lawyer in McLeansboro,
spent several weeks in the latter place. He found several
Presbyterians there and secured a visit from Rev. John Cro-
zier, who preached several times in the court house. This
prepared the way for Rev, John Huston, who organized a
church, December 16, 1867, with these members : Henry W,
White, Joseph R. Siddall, John Parkhill, Martha Parkhill,
Elizabeth Parkhill, Julia White, Sarah Parkhill, Rebecca H.
Siddall. Elders : John Parkhill, the first. Since appointed:
John J. Powell, March 26, 1870, and Thomas M. Eckley,
May, 1872. Ministers: John Huston, from the organiza-
tion till about January i, 1873; John Branch supplied a few
times. At this time — 1879 — B. C. Swan has regular appoint-
ments. Up to November, 1877, fifty-six persons had been
connected with the church. A house of worship was ded-
icated in April of 1869 at the time of the meeting of Presby-
tery in the place. The house cost thirty-five hundred dol-
lars. Since the dedication four hundred dollars more have
been expended upon the building.
Harrisburg Church, Saline county, was organized by
John Huston and G. B. McComb, September 5, 1868, with
these persons : Israel D. Towle, Eliza Towle, William M.
Christy, Catharine Christy, Dr. J. F. Burks and Sarah Burks,
Elders : Israel D. Towle, Dr. J. F. Burks, the first. Since
appointed: John H. Wilson, September 4, 1870; William
Penn Hallock and Robert J, Ilrath, June, 1876. There have
been connected with this church in all thirty persons.
Ministers: George B. McComb, from the organization to
October, 1870; John Huston, six months; John Branch,
during 1873; George B. McComb, second time, during 1876.
ENFIELD CHURCH. 6_i9
P.evs. McComb and Branch divaded their Sabbaths equally
between this church and Equality. Occasional labor has
been bestowed here by. Revs. S. C. Baldridge, B. C. Swan,
Dr. A. T. Norton and others. This church has no property.
Enfield Church, White county, was organized by Rev.
B. C. Swan and Elder C. S. Conger, in the Cumberland
house of worship, ^vlay 2, 1868, with these members: Felix
H. Willis, Mary J. Willis, Gustavus A. Willis, Eliza J. Willis,
James E. Willis, Jennet Willis, Robert C. Willis, Benj.
L, Willis, Rufus A. Willis, John Campbell, sr., Clara
•Campbell, Angus Campbell, Andrew King, Clara King,
Franklin Miller, Almon Miller, R. W. Storey, Mrs. R. W.
Storey, Anna Wasson, Mary Miller, J. R. Dales, Susan Dales,
Margerie Connery. Elders ; Felix H. Willis,
James R. Dales, Andrew King, the first. Since appointed :
James Edward Willis, August 14, 1870; S. B. F. Miller,
same date; A. R. Tate, May 14, 1871. Whole number of
members one hundred and forty. Ministers : George K.
Perkins, March 14, 1869, to fall of same year; B. C. Swan,
from October, 1869, to March, 1871 ; Thomas Smith, March
15, 1871, to March, ■ 1876, pastor; Mr. Swan again since
March, 1876. Mr. Swan now resides in Enfield and gives
that church one half his Sabbaths. The other half he
divides equally with Sharon and McLeansboro churches. A
good house of worship, dedicated February 13, 1871 — cost
32,000. Repairs in 1873 costing about one hundred dollars.
The records of this church are correctly and beautifully
Icept. It is one of the model churches. Its members be-
lieve God is a God of order and not of confusion, and that
good taste, neatness, common-sense, and perfect correctness
should be conspicuous in everything pertaining to God's
house and God's worship,
George B. IMcComb was born September 6, 18 14, on Cross
Creek, Washington county, Pa., about tweve miles north of
the town of Washington. His parents moved to Franklin,
Ohio, in 18 19, and settled in the woods in Truro township.
His mother's maiden name was Butler. She was born near
Winchester, Va. In his youth he was rigidly drilled in the
Shorter Catechism, and committed to memory man\'
chapters of the Bible. He graduated at Washington Col-
650 PRESBYi'ERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
lege, Pa., in 1842. After his graduation he taught school for
several years. In 1845 he was a colporteur in Tennessee,
with Nashville as his headquarters. April 7,
1846, he married Miss Mary Malissa Jones, daughter of David
L. Jones, an elder in the Hopewell church. She bore him
one son, David Jonathan, born July 21, 1847. That son still
resides with his grandmother and manages her farm affairs.
That wife died May 4, 185 1. In the fall of 1849'
he was licensed by the Presbytery of Maury at Cathies Creek
church, Tenn. In the fall of 185 i he was ordained by the
same Presbytery. December 20, 1855, he mar-
ried Mrs. Amanda' F. Davis. By her he had five children.
He was in Tennessee teaching and farming all through the
war and down to the close of 1867 when he came to Illinois,
and in January, 1868, took charge of the churches of Equality
and ilarrisburg. He remained here four years. In the
spring of 1872 he took charge of Moro church for one year.
His next field was Pinckneyville, Galum, Prairie Grove and
Denmark churches. With the exception of an absence of
about eighteen months, he occupied this field until 1S79,
when he removed to Indiana church near Vincennes, Ind.
Thomas Smith was born August 24, 1823, in Kendal —
Westmoreland — England, His paternal ancestors were
Scotch. His grandfather, James Smith, by occupation a
tailor, when a young man came from Edinburgh, Scotland, to
Kendal, England. He there married, settled and reared a
family of six children, four sons and two daughters. They
were all Presbyterians — members of the Scottish Secession
Church, to which they were v/armly attached.
His maternal ancestors were English, by the name of
Greenipp. They were residents of Keswick — Cumberland —
England. His grandfather, Greenipp, was by occupation a
stone-mason. The family were Episcopalians, members of
the established Church of England. William,
the fourth son of James Smith, having come to man's
estate, was united in marriage with Miss Ann Greenipp, of
Keswick. They settled in Kendal for a while. Thomas
was the second son of William and Ann Smith, who, in 1824,
with their two sons left Kendall and went to Edinburgh ;
where, after a residence of seven years, the wife and mother
died. The father, after some months, returned with his two
THOMAS SMITH. 65!
little boys, James and Thomas, to their native town, and
having placed them in charge of an uncle, one of his
brothers, he returned to Scotland and has never since been
seen or heard from directly by any member of the family.
From that time onward life's pathway has been steep and
rugged. But that ever present though invisible guide who
" brings his people by a way that they know not," has thus far
made His power and His mercy known in His gracious deal-
ings with the subject of this narrative. In 1844,
after having worked eight years (seven of which were served
as an apprentice) at a trade which he preferred not to follow, he
left his native place and went, an entire stranger, to the city
of Manchester, to endeavor to obtain a situation in some one
of the many wholesale warehouses of that great city. He
made his first application on the evening of his arrival in the
city, but without success. He continued his search throughout
the day, from day to day, until the afternoon of the fifth day,
when it so happened that he made application at a firm, one
of whose proprietors as he afterwards learned, was a native of
Keswick, and who, in his boyhood, had attended school kept
by Mr. John Greenipp, an uncle of the applicant. His ap-
plication was successful; he obtained employment and soon
was quite happy in his new position. On the second Sab-
bath of his residence in the city of Manchester, he began to-
attend the Sabbath-school and church, of which Rev. J. W.
Massie, D. D., L.L. D., was pastor. Here his religious privi-
leges were exceedingly great, far beyond those of former
years, although they were always good. In 1845 he united
with Dr. Massie's church on profession of his faith. O.i the
2d of January, 1847, he was united in marriage, by his pas-
tor, to Miss Jane Brown, a native of Kendal and a member
of the Congregational Church. In the fall of
1849 they came to Albion, Edwards county, 111., from which
time to the present, their home has continued to be in
Southern Illinois. Their marriage has been
blessed with a family of six sons and one daughter, all of
whom are now living, exception their first born, a son, who
died in England at the age of nine months. The names and
dates of birth of the children are as follows, viz.: James
W., born in England, October 22, 1847, died 1848. The
remaining six were born in Albion, Edwards county. 111.:
Herbert B., January 25, 185 1, James W., December 22, 1852,
Thomas G., July 3, 1856, Mary J., September 27, 1858,.
.652 PRESBYTERIAN ISM IN ILLINOIS.
George H., March 29, i860, Otis A., April 20, 1862. In the
.spring of 185 1 he began to teach school and continued to
■do so summer and winter for more than two years. He
then accepted a situation as clerk and book-keeper in the
store of Mr. Alexander Stewart in Albion, 111. He con-
.tinued in that position until the latter part of 1856, at which
time he became a candidate for the ministry in the Cumber-
land Presbyterian Church. This last step was taken with
great diffidence, after much serious reflection, prayer and
counsel of pious friends and ministers. The step was urged
by some in view, as they thought, of promise of useful-
ness, and in view at that time of the great want of devoted
ministers in all that region of country. In April,
1857, he was licensed by the McLinn Presbytery of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Mt. Erie, Wayne
■county. 111. He then took charge of the Cumberland Pres-
byterian church in Albion, 111., where his home had
been since 1849. Ordained in fall of 1858 he continued in
charge until 1863, when he volunteered and became a
soldier in the ranks in the eighty-seventh Illinois infantry.
After a service of nine months in that regiment, he was trans-
ferred for promotion, and became the chaplain of the third
Mississippi colored, afterwards known as the fifty-third
United States colored infantry. He was mustered out with
the regiment in March, and reached home on the 6th of
April, 1866. He again became the stated sup-
ply of the Cumberland Presbyterian church in Albion, and
so continued until the fall of 1867. In April, 1868, he be-
came a member of the Presbytery of Saline — o. s., — by let-
ter from the McLinn Presbytery of the Cumberland Presby-
terian Church. Since that time he has supplied the churches
of " Richland " and " Hermon," for three years. Afterward
the churches of Enfield and Sharon for five years, and since
then Pisgah, Bridgeport and Union churches from
the spring of 1876 until the present time. As
to that which, in his opinion, constitutes his call to the
ministry. This he regards as threefold. ist. Internal —
wherein God by his Spirit drew and inclined him to the work —
filling the soul with love to Jesus and ardent longing for the
salvation of souls. Flooding the soul with sweet peace and
with a delightful sense of comfort in any and every pubhc
■effort to serve him in the gospel, and causing a sense of shame,
of condemnation and unhappiness when opportunities of pub-
lic efforts were given and were not improved.
GEORGE K. PERKINS. 655,
2d. Providential — whereby God seemed so to overrule cir-
cumstances and events in a way so remarkable and unlooked-
for, that he came to be almost pressed into the work.
3d. Official — by the Church — inviting, accepting and sus-
taining in a very cordial manner. And now, in
concluding this notice, he desires to "Thank Christ Jesus our
Lord, who, as he humbly trusts, has put him into the ministry."
His prayer is that he may " Obtain mercy of the Lord, to
be faithful." His wonder is that God, in his providence and
in his grace, should give him a place among his people and ap-
point him a place among his ministers, and thus permit him
to proclaim the gospel to his fellow-men. He desires no
higher honor among men than to be permitted to fill an hum-
ble place in the ministerial ranks of the great Presbyterian
Church — the Church of his fathers and the Church of his
choice.
George Kames Perkins was born in Wells, Maine, May
19, 181 1. His parents were earnest Christians. At the age
of nine years he was afflicted with necrosis in his right arm,
which caused him great suffering until he was about fifteen
years of age, when he was taken to Boston, where his arm
was opened and the decayed bone extracted by the celebra-
the Dr. Warren. He was educated at Amherst
College, where he graduated in 1835. After his graduation
he went to Kentucky, where he studied and for a time prac-
ticed law. In the fall of 1839 ^^ married Miss
Elizabeth O. Gray, daughter of Dr. William Gray, of Greens-
burg. Just before his marriage he united with the Presbyte-
rian Church. He soon removed to Huntsvile, Ala,, where
he and his wife taught a female academy. Having deter-
mined to seek the ministry he placed himself in the spring of
1840 under the care of the Presbytery of West Tennessee
and proceded to Andover, Mass., and there prosecuted theo-
logical studies for about one year. He was licensed in the
spring of 1841, and ordained in 1844 by the Presbytery of
West Tennessee. He preached at Decatur, Cortland, Beth-
esda and Piedmont in Tennessee. Of the last named church
he was pastor. He labored for a time in Alabama and in
Kentucky. At the close of the war he came to Illinois and
labored at Enfield, White county, at INIt. Vernon, Jefferson
county, and at Pinckneyville and Galum, Perry county. He
,654 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
died at Pinckaeyville, May 26, 1862. He has left a wido\
and eirfit children, four of whom are married.
Joseph M. Wilson was in Columbus, Neb., in 1871 and
up to 1873. In 1874 he was supply pastor of Mars' Hill
church, Athens, Tenn. In 1875 he was at Madison, Neb., and
is still — 1878 — at the same place.
The Synods of Illinois held their meetings in 1868 — the
New School at Springfield, commencing October 7, 1868 —
the Old School at CHnton, beginning September 30.
CHAPTER XVIII.
MEETINGS OF PRESBYTERIES AND SYNODS FOR 1 869 AND 187O,
INCLUDING SKETCHES OF CHURCHES RECEIVED AND MINIS-
TERS COMMENCING THEIR LABORS HERE WITHIN THE PERIOD.
Authorities : Original Records ; Auto-biographies ; General Catalogues.
YEAR 1869.
Illinois Presebytery met at Virden, April 9, 1869.
Smith H. Hyde, minister, and John Crocker, elder, were
chosen to attend the Assembly. The fall meet-
ing was held at Carlinville, commencing September 14.
George C. Wood resigned the place which he had occupied
for eleven years as Presbyterial Missionary. The Presbytery
bore the most emphatic testimony to his faithfulness, zeal
and usefulness.
The Persbytery of Kaskaskia met at Greenville, April
8, 1869. R. M. Roberts was dismissed to the Presbytery of
Palestine. J, A. Williams and James H. Spilman were li-
censed. J. A. Howell, minister, and W. N. Donnell, elder,
were appointed to attend the next meeting of the Assemby.
George Fraser was received from the Presbytery of La Fay-
ette, and on the iith installed pastor of Greenville church. At
a pro re nata meeting in Richview, May 14, I. N. Candee, D.
D., was received from the Presbytery of Warren, and arrange-
ments made for his installation over the church of Richview
on the 4th Sabbath in June prox. Another pro re nata meet-
ing was held at Hillsboro, June 21. A. S. Foster was re-
ceived from the Presbytery, Saltsburg, Pa., and arrangements
made for his installation over Litchfield church, July 23d
prox. A third pro re nata meeting was held at Richview,
September 9. J. A. Williams was ordained, sine titulo, and
dismissed to Presbytery of Austin, Texas. The
fall meeting was held at Butler, commencing October 8. Eli-
jah Buck was dismissed to the Presbytery of Alton. George
K. Perkins was received from the Presbytery of Saline, Rob-
ert G. Ross from that of Bloomington, and John H. Reints
656 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
from the Presbytery of Dubuque. Henry Mattice was dis-
missed to the classis of Paramus. Sparta church was re-
ceived. T. D. Davis was dismissed to the Presbytery of
Sangamon.
Isaac N. Candee, D. D., was born in Galway, Saratoga
county, N. Y., October 30, 1801. He studied at Balston
Academy in the winter and worked on a farm in the summer
until 1 8 16, when he entered a printing office. On the 20th
of September, 1822, he left the printing office and entered
Union College, wlrere he graduated in 1825. The same year
he entered Princeton Theological Seminary, where he grad-
uated and was licensed June 4, 1828. His first charge was
in Belvedere, New Jersey, where he was ordained pastor May
12, 1829. After spending fourteen years in New Jersey he
accepted the agency of the Board of Foreign Missions in,
the West. After spending nine years in the mission cause
he took charge of the church at La Fayette, Ind., December
23, 1849. His thifd charge was in Galesburg, in
this State, where he went in January, 1856. After preach-
ing eleven years with great success he took the financial
agency of the Northwestern Theological Seminary at Chi-
cago. In April, 1869, he came to Richview, 111. He was a
member of the Board of Trustees of Knox College. While
on his way to attend the annual meeting of that Board he
was taken ill in Peoria at the house of his daughter — Mrs. N.
B. Love. He died, June 19, 1874, after a sickness of only
twenty-three hours. He was well-known in the Presbyterian
Church, especially at the West. He was twice married.
The first wife was Elizabeth Schaffer, whom he married in
1832. She bore him two children — Sarah S,, and one who
died in infancy. His second marriage was, in 1837, ^o Eliz-
abeth Green. She bore her husband ten children — George
W., Marshal G,, Alice C, Louis, Anna M., Jennie, Charles
W., Henry A., Fannie and Robert M. Charles W. died in
the United States army in June, 1865. George W., Louis
and Jennie now live in Sioux City, Iowa. Marshal G, and
Alice C. Collom are now in Camden, Ala. Henry A. is in
Mobile, Ala., Sarah S. Love, in Peoria, 111. Fanny Gale, in
Galesburg, 111., and Anna C. Tindale in Nashville, 111. His
widow died, December 19, 1876, in Sioux City. Both are
buried in Galesburg. His degree of D. D. was conferred by
ROBERT G. ROSS. 657
Princeton College. The ten living children are all pious and
members of the Presbyterian Church.
Robert Gaius Ross was born near the Twenty-Mile
stand, Warren county, Ohio, January 13, 1832. His paternal
ancestry were Scotch-Irish Presbyterians; his maternal,
Pennsylvania, or Holland Dutch. His parents were mem-
bers of the Presbyterian Church — his father an elder. He
was taught in his childhood the Westminster Catechism.
At sixteen he united with the Church ; at twenty began
his academic course and graduated at Hanover College
in 1858. He studied three years at Princeton, grad-
uating in 1861. The summer vacation of 1859 he
labored for the Sabbath-school Union in the State of Dela-
ware. Was licensed in i860. Came to Illinois in Novem-
ber, 1 86 1, and supplied Union Grove Presbyterian church
during the winter. In May, 1862, he took charge of Salem
church at Mahomet, Champaign county. The next fall he
added the Jersey church to his field, and supplied the two
until the close of 1865. Then for three years longer he
confined himself to the Jersey church. He was ordained
October 18, 1863, by the Presbytery of Bloomington. He
was married November 20, 1862, to Miss Nannie A. East-
man, daughter of the late Rev. J. C. Eastman. She was a
lady of much excellence, and patiently shared the toils of
her husband till her death, January 18, 1873. Two sons
blessed their union, Charles Wilbert, born October 24, 1863,
and Joseph Marion, born November 4, 1865. In April,
1S69, Mr. Ross removed to Madison County and supplied
Moro and Bayless churches for one year. Then Moro alone
for a few months. He next took charge of Bridgeport, Pis-
gah and Union churches in Lawrence county. He remained
with these churches about five and a half years, being pastor
of Pisgah and the supply pastor of the other two. During
this time eighty-five persons were added — to Pisgah, thirty-
seven ; to Bridgeport, twenty-four ; to Union, twenty-
four. He baptized in the same years sixteen
adults and eighty children ; solemnized forty-one mar-
riages and officiated at fifty funerals. In the same
years these churches contributed nine hundred and seventy-
two dollars to the Church Boards, and nine hundred and
eighty-seven dollars to miscellaneous objects — a parsonage
41
658 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
was bought, a debt lifted from Union church and the building-
repainted, a new church erected at Bridgeport at a cost of
^2,700 and paid for. The pastoral relation in this field
ceased in April, 1876. During that summer Mr. R. visited
the Centennial Exposition at Philadelphia and friends in
Ohio. In November he removed to Campbell, Coles county,
and took charge of Pleasant Prairie church, with two build-
ings five miles apart, at each of which one service is held
every Sabbath. Here he married Miss Mary E. McDonald,
daughter of Rev. John McDonald, September 12, 1878. In
this field he still — 1879 — remains.
Jerome Augustine Williams was in Austin, Texas, in
1871, in New Castle, Ky., in 1872, in Edinburg. Ind., in
1S73-74, in Brookville, Ind., 1875-78.
John H. Reints was in Fosterburg, 111., 1870-73, in Emdeil,
111., 1874, in Hartsburg, III., in 1875, at Great Bend, Kan., in
1876-77. In 1878 his name disappears from the Assembly's
ministers. He was a German.
Salem Church, Madison county, Godfrey post-office, was
organized August 19, 1869, by Revs. John H. Reints, Mr.
Tchudy, and Elder Frederick Wortman with these members :
Henry Bausch, Anton Telgmann, Henry Koch, Frederick
Schallenberg, Nicolaus Ysch, Carl Wenzel, Hermann Bock-
strock, August Seller, John Hauser, Christ Schlenker, Ernst
Schallenberg, Henry Banker, Henry Landwehr, Henry
Schallenberg, Y. E. Schallenberg, Mathilde Koch, Teadore
Telgmann, Susanne Bausch, Charlotte Schallenberg, Mrs.
Ysch, Charlain Wenzel, Charlain Bockstrock, Hanne Hauser,
Anna Schlenker, Dina Schallenberg, Rosiene Seller. Elders :
Henry Bausch, Anton Telgmann. Ministers : John H.
Reints from the organization until August, 1877; August
Busch, 1878 ; Albert E. Bayer, present minister, was ordained
over them May 5, 1879. The church house was erected
within two months, September and October, 1869, and cost
about ^1,000. It is in T. 6, R. 9, S. E. quarter Sec. 18.
This church together with Zion church at Fosterberg, Madi-
son county, constitute a very interesting parish. All the
PRliSBVTERY OF WABASH. 659
tmembers of both are native Germans. Their religious ser-
vices are in that language.
The Church of Sparta, Randolph county, was organized
June 5, 1869, with sixty-three members. The elders ap-
pointed from that time to this are these : James Crawford,
James Craig, Samuel B. Hood, William Addison, Robert T.
Beaty, John Stevenson, James Hood, James Gardner, Samuel
L. Boyd, John A. Marlone, John H. Bratton, James Sproul,
Benj. Crawford, Hugh Bricket. Ministers: Rev. John Hood
began labor as pastor June 26, 1870. He was dismissed
June 30, 1878. Rev. Dr. John W. Bailey was installed pas-
tor October 25, 1878. The church edifice is a
handsome brick building, erected in 1870 at a cost of ^9,000.
This congregation is one of the very (ew in the State which
has never received any outside pecuniary aid. The church
.reported in 1878 a membership of two hundred and sixty-
four. Next to Paris, Edgar county, it is the largest in the
Synod, though Alton and Jerseyville report about the same
mumber of members.
The Presbytery of Wabash met at Effingham, April 15,
1869. John Kidd was received from the Presbytery of Ot-
rtawa. W. K. Powers was received. R. D. Van Deursen,
minister, and E. H. Palmer, elder, were appointed to attend
ithe Assembly. At an adjourned meeting in Tolono, June
15, James L. McNair was ordained. The fall
imeeting was held with Prairie Bird church, October 4. C.
P. Felch was dismissed to the Presbytery of Chicago. The
'Church of Edgewood was received.
John Kidd was born in Alloa, Clackmannanshire, on the
banks of the Forth, in Scotland, about forty miles from
Edinburgh, May 31, 18 16. His father was Thomas Kidd, a
devoted Christian who died uttering the words of Stephen,
"Lord Jesus receive my spirit." The son, John, was re-
markable even in childhood for his fondness for books and
study. He received a finished classical and theological edu-
cation at the University of Edinburgh. He was ordained
pastor of St. Andrews church, Fife county, in 1846. He
660 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
labored there eight years. In 1841 he married Miss Isabel'
Paton, daughter of Robert Paton, of Glasgow. This family
was connected with the Relief church. Mr. Kidd and his
family emigrated to this country in 1855, landing at New
York in March of that year. They left behind them three
infant children in the cemetery of St. Andrews. His first
ministerial charge in this country was the South Presbyterian
church of Milwaukee. Here he remained two and one half
years. His next charge was in Joliet, 111., where he remained
eight years. He next labored with Waltham church, La
Salle county, for one year and ten months. Mattoon, Coles
county, was his next field, in which he remained three years.
His last charge was in Pana, 111. In that city he died March
22, 1876. His widow and six children, one son and five
daughters remain. The widow and daughters reside in
Pana. The son, who is a lawyer, in Indiana.
James Lister McNair v/as born in Philadelphia, Pa.,
February 27, 1834. His ancestry on his father's side were
Scotch-Irish Presbyterians ; on his mother's side they were
sturdy Hollanders of the Protestant faith. His parents gave
all their children good educations. Nearly all of them be-
came Church members when young, and all who are living
fill respectable stations in society. He was mostly educated
at Central College, Fayette, Mo., where his parents had re-
moved when he was four years old. He was licensed by the
Presbytery of Wabash and ordained by the same at Tolono,
111., in 1868. His fields of labor have been first,
Tolono, 111. While there he gave part of his time to Philo,.
also to Homer. Through his instrumentality Philo built a
neat church. Since he left. Homer also has erected a good
building, which they called upon him to dedicate. He was
next called to Paxton, 111. While at this place he ministered
also to the Buckley church, ten miles north, giving them
three sermons a month. While in this field the people of
each charge erected a house of worship. He next accepted
a call to Mattoon, his present field of labor, where he has-
been nearly four years. When he came the old church build-
ing was very dilapidated and entirely too small for the con-
gregation. This building they enlarged and remodeled, and
now, for over two years, have been worshiping in a com-
modious, convenient and very beautiful church. In every
WILLIAM W. WILLIAMS. 66 1
field he has occupied God has made him the instrument of
winning many souls to Christ. He was married,
January lo, i860, to Miss Dillie P. Johnson, of Polk county,
Mo., who is a faithful and loving wife. They have had eight
children.
Edgewood Church, Effingham county, was organized by
A. T. Norton, D. D., Sabbath, June 19, 1869, with these six
members : Richard H Saunders, James Craik, Mrs. Barbara
•Craik, Mrs. Mary A. Johnson, Mrs. Margaretta A. Balcom
and Mrs. Jane C. Dye. Elders: Richard H. Saunders,
James Craik and Thompson. Ministers: Dr.
Joseph Warren, William B. Minton, H. G. Pollock, William
Ellers. None of these resided here saveW. B. Minton. The
people were greatly attached to him, and could he have staid
the church would undoubtedly have flourished. It has been
^dissolved by act of Presbytery.
The Presbytery of Palestine met at Mattoon, April 20,
:4 869. ^- ^^- Roberts, from the Presbytery of Kaskaskia, W.
W. Williams, from Bureau Presbytery, and R. C. McKinney,
from Lake Presbytery, were received. J. E. Lapsley, minis-
ter, and William Millar, elder, were chosen to attend the
.next Assembly. The name of J. M. Alexander was stricken
from the roll. The fall meeting was held at
Dudley, September 17, 1869. At a pro re tiata meeting in
Kansas, Coles county, S. B. Taggart was dismissed from the
pastoral care of that church.
William W. Williams was born in Highland county,
Ohio, April 17, 1828. His literary education was obtained
principally at South Salem, Ohio. He studied theology
-with Rev. Samuel Steele, D. D., of Hillsboro, Ohio. He
was licensed by the Presbytery of Chillicothe in 1857, and
■ordained by the same at West Union. He labored three
years at West Union and Manchester as pastor, residing in
the former place. From thence he went to Aledo, 111., where
he both preached and taught — his wife assisting him in the
school. This was followed by fifteen months' labor in Tus-
cola. He next went to Carlyle, Clinton county, where he
served as supply pastor for about four years. He removed
662 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
to Hillsboro in June, 1873. Before a year had passed he
was called to his last home. He died, January 21, 1874,
after an illness of ten weeks. His last audible words were :
"I will be so happy." He was married in September, 1856,
to Miss Sarah E. Lane, of Hillsboro, Ohio, the place where
she was born and where as a widow she now resides. He had
four children, all of whom are with their mother.
The Presbytery of Sangamon met at Petersburg, April
13, 1869. J, W. Scott was received from the Presbytery of
Madison. Noah Bishop was dismissed to the Presbytery of
Potosi ; T. M. Oviatt to that of Chicago; W. B. Spence to
that of Cincinnati, and John Thomas to that of Blooming-
ton. Arrangements were made to install Clark Loudon pas-
tor of West Okaw church, April 25 inst. D. J. Strain, min-
ister, and T. S. Henning, elder, were chosen to attend the
next Assembly. A. B. Frazier, formerly of the Free Synod,
was received. J. E. MofTatt, licentiate, was received from
the Presbytery of Chicago, examined at an adjourned meet-
ing and ordained pastor of the First church of Decatur, June
13. F. H. Wines was released from the pastoral care of the
First church of Springfield. The fall meeting
was held with Farmington church September 17. G. W. F.
Birch was released from the pastoral care of the Third church
of Springfield. John H. Harris was received from the Pres-
bytery of Chicago. G. W. F. Birch resigned as Stated Clerk
of the Presbytery, and J. D, Kerr was appointed in his place.
W. W. Harsha was received from the Presbytery of Chicago,
and installed on the first Sabbath in November pastor of the
Second church of Jacksonville.
W. W. Harsha, D. D., was born in West Hebron, Wash-^
ington county, N. Y. He received his academical education
in Salem, Washington county, N. Y., and his collegiate at
Union College. He studied law, but shortly after entering
upon its practice changed his profession and entered the min-
istry in connection with the Associate Presbyterian Church.
In 1 854 he joined the o. s. branch of the Presbyterian Church,
He commenced his ministry in Galena in 1846. His pastoral
charges have been Galena and Hanover, Savannah, Dixon,.
Chicago and Central church, Jacksonville. He received the
EDWARD F. FISH. 663
degree of D. D. from Westminster College, Fulton, Mo. On
going to Dixon in 1855 he found a Presbyterial school,
known as the "Dixon Collegiate Institute," and acted for
some years as^its president.
The Presbytery of Alton met at Brighton, April 22,
1869. Edward F. Fish was received from the Presbytery of
Columbus, John M. Johnson from the Presbytery of Rock-
away, John D. Jones from the St. Louis Association of Con-
gregational Ministers. The churches of DuBois, Vera, Sho-
bonier and Villa Ridge were received. Geo. I. King, D. D.,
and James W. Stark, ministers, and David Beatty and Lewis
Potter, elders, were appointed Commissioners to the Assem-
bly. Wm. M. Stewart, licentiate, was dismissed to the Pres-
bytery of Arkansas. The fall session was held
at Alton, commencing October 5, 1869. James Scott Davis
was received from the Illinois Congregational Association,
and Hugh Aiken McKelvey from the Chicago Presbytery of
the Reformed Presbyterian Church. The license of Carl
Linn, originally given for one year only, was not renewed.
Andrew Luce was dismissed to the Presbytery of Missouri.
Elijah Buck was received from the Kaskaskia Presbytery.
An adjourned meeting was held at Alton, December 16, at
which Chester S. Armstrong was received from the Presby-
tery of Lansing, and installed pastor of the Alton Church.
Edward Fowler Fish, born at Monticello, Sullivan
county. New York, September 23, 1828. Son of Rev. John
B. Fish who was the son of Rev. Peter Fish. Entered the
Sophomore class of Hamilton College in 1845. Was con-
verted in November, 1846, graduated in 1848, Spent four
years in teaching and traveling. Entered Lane Theological
Seminary in 1852. Was licensed by the Presbytery of
Scioto at Chillicothe, Ohio, April S, 1854. After graduating
in 1855, was accepted as a missionary of the A. B. C. F. M.
— the field not designated — but returned to Cincinnati and
spent another year at the Seminary as Hebrew tutor. A
severe sickness in the summer of 1856 rendered it necessary
to abandon the intention of going to China. Took charge
of a small Home Mission church at Mt. Vernon, Iowa. Was
married September, 1856, to Mi3s Anna J. Hinsdale, of
664 PRESBYTEKIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Leroy, N. Y. Ordained by the Presbytery of Iowa City,
February 7, 1857. Was taken sick immediately after, and for
two months was unable to preach. In consequence of con-
tinued ill health left Mt. Vernon in October, and for a year
was laid aside from the work of the ministry. In November,
1858, though still feeble in health, took charge of the church
of Panama, N. Y. At the end of two years was again com-
pelled to relinquish pastoral labor. Went to Ohio and spent
the most of the next four years in teaching, part of the time
as superintendent of public schools in Lancaster, and part as
principal of the preparatory department of Marrietta College.
In September, i'S64, went to Wisconsin and preached two
years to the New School church of Stevens Point, and the
Old School church of Plover. Labored two years at Colum-
bus in the same State. In 1868 moved to Carbondale, 111.,
and took charge of the church there. Became at this time
a member of the old Alton Presbytery. At the end of three
years became stated supply of the church of Ducoign, and
in December, 1872, was installed pastor of the same. This
relation continued until April, 1878, when it was terminated
in consequence of failing health. He is still an invalid.
John Mills Johnson was born at Morristown, N. J., July
27, 1815 Graduated at Princeton College in 1835, and at
Union Theological Seminary in 1841. Licensed and or-
dained by the Second Presbytery of New York in the Mur-
ray street church, October 20, 1841. Supply pastor and
pastor at Hanover, N. J., 1841-49. At Morristown, N. J.,
1849-55. Pastor at Hanover, N. J., 1855-68. Supply pas-
tor Vandalia, III, 1868-72. Pastor at Neoga, 111., 1873,
where he still remains. He is now a widower with only
himself and daughter in the family.
Hugh Aiken McKelvey was born in Chesterville, South
Carolina, March 23, 18 18. Graduated at Indiana State
University, Bloomington, Ind., 1843. Ordained by Western
Presbytery of Reformed Presbyterian Church of North
America, April 16, 1849. His ancestors were slave-holders
up to 1800, when the Reformed Presbyterian Church in the
United States was reorganized upon strictly anti-slavery prin-
ciples, and immediately emancipated their slaves. The re-
JOHN D. JONES. 665
■suit was that when the former masters removed — in 1830—
to Randolph county, 111., the descendants with three of those
•who were freed (one godly old woman brought from Africa,
at least one hundred and nine years old when she died) fol-
lowed, settled in the same neighborhood and belonged to
the same church. He made his profession of religion in Dr.
VVylie's church at about the age of eighteen. He settled in the
Walnut Hill congregation and remained six and a half years.
After giving up his charge from disease, he edited a county
paper for one year. He then went to Minnesota, where he
resided five years, laboring as a missionary at large for three
years of the five. He then, with his wife, received an ap-
pointment as teacher among the Freedmen. Early in 1864
he went to Vicksburg and Natchez with eight or nine others,
under the superintendency of Joel Burlingame, father of
Hon. Anson Burlingame, and, as his assistant, distributed
$4,000 worth of clothing to the countrabands. After four
months service at the South, he returned on account of the
failing health of his wife, who died one year from that time.
At the time of his union with Alton Presbytery — October 9,
1869 — he was residing with his second wife in Centralia, III.
He is now — 1879 — in Bridgeport, Ct., a member of West-
chester Presbytery,
John Davies Jones was born at Bala, North Wales, April
27, 1834. His parents were of the Congregational faith, in
which he also was brought up. He came to the United
-States in boyhood, and soon after his arrival began to pre-
pare for college with a view of entering the ministry, to
which he had been consecrated by his mother. He received
his classical training at Hamilton College, N. Y., and his
theological and philosophical at Yale College, New Haven,
Ct. He commenced to preach in 1856, and continued to
exercise his gifts as an evangelist during all the years of his
training. It was his intention originally to go as a mission-
ary to China, but the war of the rebellion disarranged his
plans, by calling for his services, which he felt bound to
loyally render his adopted country in her hour of trial.
While serving as a private soldier in the army, he was or-
dained June, 1864, by a mixed council at the Chnton Avenue
Congregational church, Brooklyn, N. Y., the Rev. Wm. Ives
Budington, D. D., the pastor of the church presiding, and
the Rev. Joseph P. Thompson, D. D., delivering the sermon
666 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
on the occasion. He was married at Marcy, New York^
April 8, 1859, to Miss Margaret Frances Griffiths, of Utica,.
N. Y. He has now Hving four children, viz.: Hamilton Y.,
born December 19, 1861 ; Adelma F., born November 12,
1864; Sumner Kase, born August 20, 1870, and Laura B.,
born August 3, 1876. He came to Illinois January 1867,
and took charge of the church at Collinsville, which he
served over two years, having his labors blessed with one of
the most powerful revivals in the history of that community.
Afterwards he took charge of the church at East St. Louis,
serving it for about three years, completing in the interval
and paying for tlie church building commenced by his pre-
decessor. On resigning his charge here, he served the
church at Winchester, in the Presbytery of Springfield, for a
year, and then, after spending a winter South in the service
of the Home Mission Board, he accepted a call to the church
at Chatham, which he served for upwards of four years, suc-
ceeding during his stay there to erect a commodious parson-
age as well as to rebuild the church. Since September, 1877,
he has been in charge of the church at Brazil, Indiana.
James Scott Davis, Born at Winchester, Va., July 2, 1828.
Ancestry, on father's side, Welsh and Presbyterian ; on
mother's, Scotch-English and Episcopalian. Cavalier and
Roundhead. Graduated from Knox College, Illinois, 185 1.
From Oberlin Theological Seminary 1854. Li-
censed by faculty of Oberlin Theological Seminary in 1854.
Ordained 1856 by Church of Christ, worshiping at Glenville,
Ky. Field of labor for first five years : North-
ern Kentucky, supplying two independent churches. During
i860, lectured in Northwest on religious anti-slavery work in
Kentucky. From 1861 to 1868 labored with Congrega-
tional churches in Southern Illinois. From 1869 to present,
with the Presbyterian churches in same portion of the
State. Married June 16, 1856, at residence of
Mr. John C. Rogers, father of bride, in Pittsfield, Ohio,,
to Miss Elizabeth Amelia Rogers, of royal descent.
Children — Elizabeth Amelia Rogers, born April 19, 1857;
Samuel Hopkins, born October 16, 1859; John Rogers, born
May 29, 1862; Almanza Scott, born August 17, 1864; Mary
Hamlin, born August 29, 1867 ; Henry Hamlin, born Sept. 12,
1869; George Thompson Brown, born July 4, 1873. Mary
C. SOLON' ARMSTRONG. 66/
Hamlin died September 9, 1868. Every Sabbath afternoon-
father went over the Westminster Catechism with the family.
He could answer any question and ask the next without a
book. One result of this is, that I am to-day a Presbyterian.
I have three volumes of the " Religious Magazine," ed-
ited by my grandfather — Cornelius Davis — in 1796, 1797 and
1799, at New York city. It must be strongly Calvinistic, for
the very paper is blue. I am, yearly, stronger in
the conviction that our children should be led to Christ at
the earliest possible time.
C. Solon Armstrong was born in Parishville, N. Y., Sep-
tember 4, 1826. His parents were Chester and Eunice Arm-
strong, of Addison county, Vt. Their parents were, on the
maternal side of each. Baptists; on the paternal side of each
Universalists. Chester and Eunice Armstrong became Christ-
ians and Congregationalistsin 1826 in Western N. Y. C. A.
was a Presbyterian elder the last thirty years of his life in
Michigan. C. S. A. became a Christian in very early child-
hood, at Ausable Forks, Essex county, N, Y., and was jre-
ceived to Congregational Church in Cornwall, Vt., Rev. Dr.
Burchard pastor, in 1836. Emigrated with his father's fam-
ily to Jackson county, Mich., in 1839. Remained on the farm
with his father till 1848 — teaching the last four winters pre-
vious to that date. In 1846 entered preparatory department
of "Michigan Central College" (now Hillsdale, and which,,
in 1876, conferred on him the honorary degree of D. D.) In
1848 entered Freshman in Michigan University. Was gradu-
ated in 1852, teaching all the way betimes. Was superin-
tendent of public schools in Jackson, Mich., one year fol-
lowing. In 1853 entered Union Theological Seminary, under
a strong conviction which had come from childhood, but only
now consciously accepted, that God was calling him into the
ministry. He went against earnest solicitations of friends to
remain in the profession of teacher, in which he had achieved
a rather flattering success. Revival influences and hopeful
conversions had occurred from the first under his teaching.
Was graduated at Union Theological Seminary in 1856..
Licensed by Third Presbytery of New York, April of same
year. Was superintendent of seamen's missions during the
three years for the Brooklyn City Bible and Tract Society.
Married, June 4, 1856, Miss Elizabeth D. Camp, of Pal-
668 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
myra, N. Y. Called June 15 to First church of Lansing,
Mich. Ordained pastor of the same November 6 of same
year, of which Presbytery he was subsequently for six years
Stated Clerk. Wife died, February, 1857, leaving an infant
daughter, still living. Married Emily Seymour, of Flushing,
Mich., October, 1859, by whom he has four daughters and a
son — all living. In September, 1864, was called to the chap-
laincy of 4th Regiment of Michigan Cavalry United States
army. Left the First church, having received to the commun-
ion two hundred and thirty-two members. Organized Second
church, also the " Cedar Branch chapel," and assisted in or-
ganizing four other churches at outlying preaching points.
He served one year in the army active campaigning to the
end of the war of the rebellion. Returned to Lansing, Mich.,
and took charge of the Second church till April, 1 869. Church,
finished and dedicated, cost ^10,000 — paid for — and has one
hundred sixty-five members ; three and a half years pastoral
care. Called to the present charge, Presbyterian
church of Alton, April, 1869. Has received since three
hundred and ten members. Meantime the church has bought
parsonage, four thousand dollars ; Mission property, fifteen
hundred dollars; expended at home on an average of three
thousand dollars, and given to outside benevolences (Boards
of churches chiefly) an average of eight hundred dollars.
From a very early time he has had an earnest sympathy with
evangelistic labor and organizing pioneer enterprises. In view
of this tendency he was once commissioned (in 1868), by the
Home Board, Secretary of Home Missions for the Synod of
Michigan, and has been more recently nominated by his own
Synod (Illinois South) to the like position. His efforts, aid-
ing brethren and at pioneer points, are believed to have re-
sulted in conversions scarcely less in number than those
that have occurred under his pastoral efforts.
Du Bois Church. This place is on the Illinois Central
Railroad, twenty-one miles south of Centralia. Our church
here was organized by Revs. A. T. Norton and C. F. Halsey,
Sabbath, January 24, 1869, with nine members — Louis Bunce,
Mrs. Susan W. Bunce, Mrs. Susan B, Williams, Thomas W.
Studderd, Mrs. Hannah A. Lounsbury, Horace Collins, Mrs.
Marcella Hale. Elders: Louis Bunce and Thomas W.
.Studderd, the first. James C. Lounsbury and Henry Hoi-
PRESBYTERY OF SALINE. 669^
brook appointed in 1875. Ministers: C. F. Halsey, John
Huston, George W. Ash, J. N. B. Smith, student, from Chi-
cago in summer of 1868, A. C Zenos, student from Prince-
ton summer of 1869. The church building was erected and
dedicated in 1874. It cost two thousand dollars. There
have been connected with the church forty-two members.
Vera Church was organized by Rev. Joseph Gordon,
January 17. 1869, with eleven members. Elders: John M.
Russell, Andrew Ray, the first. Since chosen : Jacob C.
Luken, William H. Hedges. The church has been reduced hy
deaths and removals to eight members. The church num-
bered at one time forty-four reliable members. Joseph Gor-
don has been their only minister. The places of meeting
have been a school house, and in a building erected by the
community, but claimed by the Protestant Methodists. Vera
is in the N. E. quarter of the S. W. quarter of Sec. 20, T. 7"
N., R. I E.
Shobonier Church was organized by Rev. Joseph Gor-
don, April 14, 1869, with these members: Edwin A.
Frye, Mrs. Amanda E. Frye, Samuel Spencer, Mrs.
Jane Spencer, John Muir, Mrs. Christiana Muir. Mrs.
Catharine Moran, Miss Sarah A. Moran, Alonzo Perry, Mrs.
Frances Perry. Elders : John Muir, Edwin A. Frye, the
first. Since appointed: Samuel Spencer, July 12, 1874.
Ministers: Joseph Gordon, from beginning to spring of
1873; William Ellers, about one year; Joseph Gordon,
again in spring of 1874, and still continues — 1879. This
church was organized in Mr. Frye's parlor. Shobonier is
T. 5, R. I E., Sec. 24, on main line of Illinois Central Railroad.
This congregation own no house separately, but have an in-
terest of two thousand dollars in the Baptist house and use it
freely.
Villa Ridge was organized April 4, 1869, by Revs. C. H.
Foote and E. B. Olmsted, with six members, Daniel H. Phil-
lips, elder.
The Presbytery of Saline met at McLeansboro, April
22, 1869. The church of Rome having but one member left
was dissolved. S. Cook, minister, and C. S. Conger, elder,,
were appointed to attend the next Assembly.
•6/0 PRESBYTERIAN ISM IN ILLINOIS.
The tall meeting was held with Pisgah church, Lawrence
•county, September i6. George K. Perkins was dismissed to
the Presbytery of Kaskaskia. Gilgal church was received.
GiLGAL Church was organized by Revs. John Huston, G.
B. McComb, and Elder John Parkhill, June, 1869, with six-
teen members and two elders. One of the two was John
McAfoos. His address, Macedonia, 111. Rev. A. C. John-
ston has labored here more or less for years. They have a
small but neat and convenient church house.
The Synod of Illinois, n. s., held their annual meeting at
Alton, commencing October 6, 1869. The appeal of James
B. Sheldon from the decision of Wabash Presbytery suspend-
ing him from the ministry, v.'as sustained. Much time was
■occupied with arrangements in view of the reunion of the
New and Old School bodies. The Synod of Illinois, o. s.,
imet at Springfield, October 14.
YEAR 1870.
The Presbytery of Illinois met at Jacksonville, April 5,
1870. J. R. Armstrong was dismissed to the Presbytery of
3t. Louis. Geo. C. Wood, minister, and Joel Catlin, elder,
were appointed Commissioners to the Assembly.
The Presbytery of Kaskaskia met at Pinckneyville, April
7, 1870. Geo. W. Fisher was received from the Presbyter}^
of Steubenville. A. J. Clark, minister, and S. B. Hood,
■elder, were appointed Commissioners to the next Assembly.
An adjourned meeting was held with Waveland church May
12, at which James H. Spilman was ordained pastor of Wave-
land church. A second adjourned meeting was held at
Sparta, June 15, at which John Hood, licentiate, was received,
examined and ordained pastor of the First Presbyterian
church of Sparta. The last meeting of Kaskaskia Presby-
tery as such was held at Vandalia, July 13, 1870.
Geo. W. Fisher was born near Hanover, Harrison county,
JAMES H. SPILMAN. 6/1
Ohio, December I2, 1834. His ancestors on the paternal
:side were German, on the maternal, Irish. His parents were
Armerican born and Presbyterians. He graduated at
Frankhn College, Ohio, September, 1858, and at the West-
ern Theological Seminary, Allegheny City, April, 1861. He
was licensed by the Presbytery of Steubenville, October,
i860, in the Presbyterian church of Island Creek, Ohio, and
ordained by the same Presbytery at Annapolis, Jefferson
county, Ohio, October, 1862. He was married
to Miss Mary Jane Gaskill, daughter of Rev. Allen Gaskill,
in Port Washington, Ohio, November 13, 1862. Their child-
ren are Allen Gaskill, born September i6, 1863; William
Har\'ey, September 7, 1866; George Wiley, June 12, 1872,
.and James Melville, July 27, 1877. He has had
two fields of labor, (i) Evans Creek and Linton in Presby-
tery of Steubenville from April, 1861, to December, 1868,
(2) Trenton and Sugar Creek, 111., in Alton Presbytery.
This field he still occupies, and with great success.
James H. Spilman was born January 21, 1840, in Hills-
boro, Montgomery county, 111. His father was Rev.
Thomas A. Spilman, who as well as his elder brother,
Thomas E., has been previously noticed in this volume.
He never could give the date of his conversion; but at the
age of si.xteen, he united with Union church in Morgan
county. In 1864 the family removed to Menard
county, where he studied under Prof. D. J. Strain and others.
He was licensed by the Presbytery of Kaskaskia at Green-
ville, Bond county, April 8, 1869. He immediately took
<:harge of Waveland church, Montgomery county, begining
there May i, 1869. He was ordained at the spring meeting
of the Presbytery, 1870, at Pinckneyville. He ministered to
Waveland church for six years, for the last two years divid-
ing his time M-ith Elm Point church. May i, 1875, he re-
moved ten miles south to Bond county, and took charge of
Bethel in connection with Elm Point church. With these
two churches his labors are still continued. April
17, 1871, he was united in marriage by his brother, Rev. T.
E. Spilman, to Miss Mary R. Hutchinson, a native of Cape
•Girardeau county, Mo. Their children are Charles Henry,
born June 8,1874, and Lizzie Althine, born October 9,
J 877.
6/2 PRESBYTERIANiSM IN ILLINOIS.
John Hood was born ia Washington county, 111., November
17, 1S38. His father was Archibald Hood, a native of South
Carolina, of Scotch-Irish extraction. He removed to Illi-
nois when about the age of thirty, and settled in Washing-
ton county. From his boyhood he was set apart
by his father for the Christian ministry. He was educated
at the State University of Indiana, graduating in 1862.
Immediately after leaving college he entered the Union
army as first lieutenant of company F., eightieth Illinois in-
fantry— Colonel Thomas G. Allen. On the death of Capt.
Jones he was promoted to the command of the company..
He participated in the sanguinary battle of Perryville, Ky,,
in which both the division and brigade commanders were
killed, together with a large number of line officers. He
commanded his company in this as in all other engagements
until the organization of the celebrated Streight raid in
which he participated. The raiders fell into the hands of
the notorious Joe. Forrest and his command, who out num-
bered them three to one, and on the 3d of May, 1863, made
prisoners of the entire band. The privates and non-com-
missioned officers were parolled soon after, but the officers,
one hundred and three in number, were taken to Rome, At-
lanta and Richmond, and kept in close confinement for
twenty-two months. Capt. Hood was sent to Libby prison
and endured the rigors of that horrible bastile for many^
months. He was afterward sent to Charleston, and was one
of the six hundred Union officers who were placed in the
line of the fire of the Union batterries on Morris Island, and
kept in that perilous condition for twelve hours. During
his confinement at Charleston the yellow-fever broke out,
and it was resolved to remove the prisoners to Columbia,.
South Carolina. While enroute Capt. Hood and Lieut.
Goode, of Indiana, resolved to escape from the train while
in motion. They made a desperate jump in the dark, and
escaped with life though badly hurt. They were able to
exchange their blue uniforms for gray by the aid of a.
friendly negro. They traveled through South Carolina and
Georgia with a view of reaching the Union lines in East
Tennessee. When within twenty miles of Atlanta and
Chattanooga railroad, they were overhauled by a band of
bush-whackers, and again plunged into captivity. He was
finally exchanged in March, 1865, after having been for
twenty-two months a prisoner. It was while lying in Libby
PRESBYTERY OF SANGAMON. 6/3
prison that he experienced the first inward call to the min-
istry. In October, 1865, he commenced the study of the-
ology in the Reformed Presbyterian Seminary at Allegheny
City. He was licensed by the Presbytery of St. Louis in
1869. Having connected with the Presbyterian Church he
was ordained over the Sparta church, June 15, 1870. He
remained in that charge until 1878 — an eight years pas-
torate, marked with very great success. April 25,
1 87 1, he married Miss Mary, daughter of P. B. Gault, Esq.,
of Randolph county, 111. They have one child, a daughter.
Mr. Hood is now laboring successfully in Cedar Rapids,
Iowa.
Wabash Presbytery met at Tolono, April 14, 1870, Wm.
B. Paris was received from the Presbytery of Peoria. The
church in Unity, Shelby county, was dissolved. T. K.
Hedges was dismissed to the Presbytery of St. Louis. G.
A. Pollock was released from the care of Prairie Bird church.
C. J. Pitkin, minister, and P. Nicholson, elder, were ap-
pointed Commissioners to the next Assembly.
William B. Paris was born in Ohio county, West Vir-
ginia, July II, 1834. Graduated at Washington College and
Allegheny Seminary, Pa. After licensure he served the
church at Mt. Gilead four years, and then removed to Mar-
shall county, in this State, where he labored for two years.
Thence he came to Neoga, Cumberland county, 111., and
there died, November 5, 1871, being the fourth year of his
service in that place.
The Presbytery of Palestine met with Hebron church,
Ashmore postoffice, April 14, 1870. S. J. Bovell was
chosen Stated Clerk. Ellis Howell, minister, and I. J.
Monfort, elder, were appointed Commissioners to the next
Assembly. W. W. Williams was dismissed to the Presby-
tery of Kaskaskia ; J. L. Hawkins to that of Oswego, and
J. E. Lapsley to that of Crawfordsville.
The Presbytery of Sangamon held a pro re nata meet-
ing at Springfield, January ii, 1870, at which James A.
Reed was received from the Presbytery of Dubuque. Ar-
42
6/4 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
rangements were made for his installation over the First
church in Springfield, on the first Sabbath of February,
1870. The spring meeting was held at Springfield, com-
mencing April 19. John Crozier was received from the
Presbytery of Oxford, and R. J. L. Matthews dismissed to
the Presbytery of New Albany. W. W. Harsha and C.
Loudon, ministers, and J. W. Frackelton and H. P. Lyman,
elders, were appointed Commissioners to the next Assem-
bly. At 2l pro re nata meeting in Bloomington, July 13, the
name of the Second church, Jacksonville, was changed to
Central.
The Presbytery of Alton met at Nokomis, April 14,
1870. David Dimond, D. D., and L. L Root, ministers,
and Isaac Scarritt and George E. Warren, elders, were
elected Commissioners to the next Assembly. The churches
of Dongola and Grand Tower were received — the latter in
anticipation of its organization. Provisions were made for
an address by Dr. Norton, giving the history of this Pres-
bytery at Alton, in October, 1870. At a called meeting in
Vandalia, at an interval of the meeting of the re-union
Synod of Illinois South, John G. Rankin was received from
the Presbytery of Schuyler.
Dongola Church, Union county, was organized by A. T.
Norton, D. D., and C. F. Halsey, February 23, 1869, with
these members : Mrs. Sophronia Jane Leavenworth, Mrs.
Susan F. Tew, Mrs. Mary Lombard, and Mrs. Angeline Cal-
vin. Elders : Richard A. Bristol, March 10, 1870, Wm.
D. Stark, February 2, 1874. Ministers: A. T.Norton
and C. F. Halsey, occasionally. Wm. B. Minton, 1873-76;
E. L, Davies, 1878. Mrs. S. J. Leavenworth has been from
the beginning and still is the leading spirit in this church,
though all the little band work nobly. They have an inter-
est in one of the two church buildings in the village.
The Church of Grand Tower was organized by Revs.
A. T. Norton and J. D. Barstow, May i, 1870, with twenty-
two members. Elders : Massadore T. Bennett, jr., John
Stevens, jr., Abner B. Parmelee, Richard O. Parmelee, Dan
Thomas. Ministers : J. B. Barstow, about one year from the
CHURCH OF SALINE MINES. 6/5
•organization, and James G. Butler since. Mr. Butler is pas-
tor. The present church edifice was built in the fall and win-
ter of 1871-72. It cost about four thousand, five hundred
dollars. It was dedicated January 28, 1872.
James G. Butler pursued part of a collegiate course at
Wilhams College, and left in 1862 for the U. S. service. He
entered the Theological Seminary at Auburn in 1867, and
graduated May 5, 1870. He came immediately to Grand
Tower, Jackson county. 111., was ordained October 29, 1870,
and the next d^y. Sabbath, installed pastor of that church,
where he has remained ever since. He preaches
also every Thursday night to a Presbyterian congregation
at Mt. Carbon, which he has recently gathered. The people
there are ripe for a church organization. There is a fine
Sabbath school of over eighty members.
The Presbytery of Saline met at Golconda, April 7,
1870. The churches of Saline Mines and Gilead were re-
ceived. John Mack was released from the pastoral care of
Pisgah church, and Joseph Warren, D. D., from that of
Salem. Henry E. Thomas, jr., minister, and J. F. Birks,
elder, were chosen Commissioners to the Assembly. Pro-
vision was made for the installation of B. C. Swan over Carmi
church on Sabbath, June 12, 1870.
The Church of Saline Mines, Gallatin county. Novem-
ber 12, 1869, the pastor of Shawneetown church, C. C. Hart,
and three of the elders, viz., J. M. Peeples, Matthew Hunter
and Robert Reid met at Saline Mines fourteen professing
Christians. They expressed a desire to be organized into a
branch of Shawneetown church. This was done, and the
Lord's Supper administered. Meetings were continued daily
for two weeks. Afterwards, in January, 1870, for three
weeks. God's Spirit was present and additions were made
to this branch church until it numbered eighty-three persons.
April 2d the pastor was here again and the branch church
expressed a desire to become a complete organization, wi'h
officers and a name of their own. This was done. Robert
Heed and Robert Wright were made elders, and the church
6y6 PRE3BYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
chose the name of Saline Mines. The elders of that church,
especially Robert Reid, have, under the sanction of Presby-
tery, since that time held regular religious services.
GiLEAD Church, in the western part of Lawrence county,,
was organized by Rev. S. C. Baldridge, February 13 and 14,
1870, with these eighteen members, viz. : Wm. D. Craig, Mrs.
Margaret Craig, Mrs. Naomi Finley, Mrs. Louisa Provines,.
Samuel Craig, Loren A. Finley, Mrs. Jane Webber, Thomas
A. Humbert, Mrs. Julia Humbert, these from the church of
Laurel Hill, Redstone Presbytery, Pa.; Wilhatn E. Doolittle,.
Mrs. M. J. Doolitte, William Provines, Mrs, C. Provines, Miss
Margaret O. McCormick from the church of Friendsville ;,
Mrs. Mary E. Craig, Mrs. Melissa Hillis, Mrs. Jane M.
Smalley and Mrs. Elizabeth J. Provines. Elders: William
D. Craig and T. M. Humbert. Ministers: S. C. Baldridge,.
C. C. Bomberger, and now James Scott Davis. The site of
the church building consists of one acre, and was bought for
fifteen dollars. It is the S. W. corner of S. W. quarter of
Sec. 31, T. 3, R. 13. The building is of wood, twenty-six by
forty, a perfect gem of good taste, embosomed in its grove
of native trees. It cost fifteen hundred dollars, and was
dedicated December 4, 1870; sermon by S. C. Baldridge.
Church Erection furnished four hundred dollars. The church
includes eleven families, mostly Scotch-Irish.
The Church of Auburn, in the south part of Sangamon
county, has not been named thus far in this history. I can
find in the Presbyterial records no account of its organiza-
tion. It was first reported to the Assembly in 1858. It then
had twelve members. In 1878 it reported thirty-five mem-
bers and H. S. Magill was an elder.
Carbondale Church,* Perry county. In November,
1852, the town of Carbondale was laid out upon the line of
the Illinois Central Railroad, then first located through said
*This church is mentioned briefly on a preceding page. A very complete ac-
count, from the pen of Col. D. H. Brush, has been sent me, but at too late a
period to find admission in its proper place. I insert here, however, its salient
points.
CARBONDALE CHURCH. ^JJ
county, and in course of construction. The writer of this
sketch, with Asgiil Conner and Dr. William Richart, had se-
lected the site of the town, of which the original plat was
made and acknowledged November 23 in said year. Upon
suggestion of the writer — not then a member of any church
— four lots were set apart for the use of that number of
Christian denominations (one to each), that might first select
for a place to build a house of worship, and were designated
upon the plat, as "Reserved for Churches" — such lots being,
one in each quarter of the town, equi-distant from its center —
the public square. The condition annexed to the donation
of the lots was entered upon the plat, in the following words :
"The lots donated to churches, as marked on this plat, are
not to vest in said churches until a house of worship shall be
erected thereon, of stone, brick, or frame, worth at least five
hundred dollars, and then to vest in fee simple in such church."
The first sermon in the place was preached by Rev. Jo-
siah Wood, a Presbyterian minister, in December, 1852. He
held services in a log cabin erected by Asgiil Conner for a
dwelling, but unfinished, having only the logs in place, the
roof on and floor laid. Mr. Wood at the same
time, acting for and on behalf of the Presbyterian Church,
made choice of lot No. 59, being the one in the southwestern
quarter of the town, reserved for church purposes. A sub-
scription paper was drawn up and circulated, and some
money secured for the erection of a " Presbyterian " church
building upon said lot. It may here be stated
that at the time of laying out the town it was proposed by
the writer that the sale of spirituous and intoxicating liquors
as a beverage should be forever prohibited upon any and all
the lots. The proposition was acceded to by all the others in-
terested, and a condition was adopted and entered upon the
plat and inserted in the deeds made to parties to whom lots
were conveyed, providing that " All the right, title and in-
terest of any person whatsoever to any lot in this town on
which he, she, or they, shall hereafter sell spirituous liquors,
to be used as a beverage, shall then and thereafter be for-
feited to and become the property of the inhabitants of the
said town for the support of public schools, and to that ex-
tent and for that purpose are hereby appropriated."
The first sale of the lots in the town was held January 4,
1853. Persons who desired to establish liquor-selling shops
were in attendance to purchase, but the announcement that
6/8 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
such traffic would not be permitted, and that the provision in-
dorsed upon the plat would be rigidly enforced, sufficed to
deter tippling-shop keepers from bidding, and relieved the
embryo city of their baleful presence then and since, except
in a clandestine way. On the 13th of February,
1854, Rev. Josiah Wood, assisted by Rev. Robert Stewart,
organized the " First Presbyterian church of Carbondale."
The members being Roland R. Brush, Frances E., his wife,
Dr. William Richart and Elizabeth, his wife, and Almira
Dougherty. Roland R. Brush was elected elder.
From this time on, for several years, the infant church had-
the varied experiences incident to new churches in the wil-
derness, having no regular preaching or place of worship.
Occasionally a minister would come and dispense the Word
of truth — perchance under a green tree of the forest or in some
friendly carpenter's shop, or private room of small dimensions.
A house of worship was commenced in 1856 and completed
July 12, 1859, after many delays and much struggling to ob-
tain needed means to carry on the work. The total amount
expended in building and furnishing the church was three
thousand, six hundred and forty-two dollars and fifty-two
cents, of which sum five hundred dollars had been borrowed
from the Church Erection fund, and over two thousand dol-
lars were owing to four persons, for money advanced by them
to complete the building. At this time the membership of the
church was sixteen, of whom ten were females. September
24, 1859, the house of worship was dedicated. December
18, 1859, Daniel H. Brush and Samuel I. Bartlett, were made
elders. In 1856 Rev. W. S. Post came and supplied the congre-
gation until August, 1862 when he entered the army as chap-
lain. He was succeeded for a time by J. Russell Johnson,
licentiate. In the spring of 1865, Rev. Andrew Luce took
charge and remained for three years. Under the
ministry of Mr. Luce the indebtedness of the church —
amounting to ^2,643 — was entirely removed. In
October, 1868, Rev. E. F. Fish took charge of the church
and remained three years. Dr. William Richart and Elder
Wm. Storer were removed by death in the fall of 1868, to the
great loss of the church. In January, 1872, Rev.
John L. Hawkins was employed as supply pastor and still
continues. In June, 1870, Col. D. H. Brush resigned the
office of ruling elder, which he had held since 1859, and the
plan of limited eldership was adopted. Edwin P. Purdy and
GREENUP CHURCH. 679
Davis N. Hamilton were elected on that plan, and have been
continued by successive re-elections until this present. A
Sabbath-school has from the beginning been vigorously
maintained.
Greenup Church, and Cumberlcounty, was org anized in
April, 1867, with emb these mers : Robert Boals, Mrs.
Sarah Jane Boals, William Stump, Mrs. Lucy Niswanger,
Nehemiah Francher, Mrs. Ella Francher. Robert Boals
was made elder. He died October i, 1868. Another elder was
Geo. Lewis. Largely through the persevering efforts of Mrs.
Boals — now Mrs. ShuU — and Mrs. Niswanger, a good house of
worship was erected and dedicated July 23, 1876. The ser-
mon on the occasion was preached by the writer. Rev.
Geo. F. Davis had labored there to some extent the year
before, and largely aided the church enterprise. Philo F.
Phelps, a student in theology, was with this people a portion
of the time in the summer of 1876, was highly esteemed and
very useful.
Of the following ministers who have labored in the
bounds marked out for this volume and previous to 1870, I
have gained no information other than that found in
the minutes of the Assemblies and the records of the Pres-
byteries and Synods, viz.: John G. Simrall, John S. Reas-
oner, Robert Rutherford, Andrew L. Pennoyer, Benj. B.
Brown, John A. Steele, Bilious Pond, William A. Smith,
Alanson Alvord, C. D. Martin, Thomas M. Newell, Andrew
A. Morrison, C. P. Jennings, Tracy M. Oviatt, John Elliott,
John Mack, Nathan F. Tuck, William M. Taylor, John Fox,
David C. Marquis, William G. Thomas, R. G. Williams,
James R. Brown, Solomon Cook, B. E. Mayo, Henry E.
Thomas, John C. Wagaman, John Miller, Charles Coffin
Hart, Geo. Eraser, William K. Powers, Robert C. McKinney,
Abram B. Eraser, James A. Reed, William A. Hendrickson,
A. S. Foster. Most of these are living and some near at
hand. To all these letters have been addressed, once, twice
and sometimes oftener, In case of the deceased, friends
have been addressed In vain.
CHAPTER XIX.
BRIEF SKETCHES. OF THE MINISTERS WHO HAVE COMMENCED
THEIR LABORS WITHIN THE LIMITS THIS BOOK EMBRACES
SINCE 1870, AND WHO ARE SUBSCRIBERS THEREFOR.
Note. — It was my original intention to have brought forward this history to
1876. Space forbids. Since the happy re-union of 1870, I shall say nothing of
meetings of Synods, or Presbyteries, or of individual churches. Still something
is due to those ministerial friends of this re-union period who are helping the un-
dertaking "with the sinews of war." But I have cat down terribly
NiNiAN Steele Dickey was born at Lexington, Scott
county, Ind., November 24, 1822. His father. Rev. John
McElroy Dickey, was the son of David Dickey and Marga-
ret Stephenson, his second wife. He was born December
16, 1789, and was of Scotch-Irish descent. His ancestors
emigrated to South Carolina from Ireland some time pre-
vious to the war of the Revolution, and many of them were
soldiers in that war — all of them on the side of Independ-
ence and liberty. Ninian Steele was the second
son of Rev. John McElroy Dickey by his second wife, Mar-
garet Osburn Steele. He became a communicant in the
church before he was twelve years of age. At the age of
nineteen he entered upon a course of preparation for the
ministry. He graduated at Wabash College in 1848, having
worked his way through by the most untiring industry.
His theological course was taken at Lane Seminary. He
was licensed by Cincinnati Presbytery in the spring of 1850,
and spent the summer ensuing in laboring with his father's
old charge — Pisgah church — New Washington, Ind. He re-
ceived a unanimous call to become their pastor, which he ac-
cepted and was ordained as such in the winter of 1 85 1. This
pastoral relation continued for three years.
June 8, 1852, he married Mary Jane Davis, daughter of
Solomon Davis, M. D,, of Columbus, Ind. Five sons and
two daughters are the fruit of this union. Two sons died in
early life. The rest survive. The eldest has for some years
been cashier of Cumberland county bank at Neoga, 111. The
second son is a student in Wabash College. The three sons
JOHN W. BAILEY. 68 I
are professors of religion. The youngest and the two daugh-
ters are at home with their parents. Mrs. Dickey is a woman
of culture, piety and unusual social qualities.
Mr. Dickey labored at Columbus, Ind., from June, 1853, to
December, 1870. January i, 1871, he took charge of the
First Presbyterian church, Mattoon, 111., and continued until
the First and Second churches were united. He then
went to Neoga, 111., where he remained four years. His next
field was Greenville, Bond county. November, 1876, he ac-
■cepted a call to the church of Mendota, La Salle county, III.,
where he remained fourteen months. January i, 1878, he
commenced at Hillsboro, 111., and there he still remains. In
each of these Illinois fields his labors have been largely
blessed.
John William Bailey was born, March 26, 1822, in Marl-
boro county, N. Y. On the paternal side he is descended
from the Huguenots — on the maternal, from Rev. Thomas
Hooker, D. D., formerly of Hartford, Ct. He received a
careful religious training and dates his religious life from his
earliest years. He studied law for two years in New York
city, but preferring the work of the ministry he entered upon
a course of thorough preparation. He graduated at Wil-
liams College in 1849, and at Union Seminary in 1852. The
same year he was licensed and received a call to the Second
Presbyterian church in Galesburg, 111. He remained in that
city nearly twelve years, being most of the time professor in
Knox College. In the spring of 1864 he accepted a call
from the First Presbyterian church in Bloomington, where he
remained nearly three years. In 1867 he was appointed Pro-
fessor of Theology in Blackburn Seminary, and soon after
President of the University. He remained in connection
with that institution about ten years. October 25, 1878, he
was installed pastor of the Sparta Presbyterian church, where
he still remains. March 10, 185 1, he married
]\Iiss Calfernia S., daughter of Harvey White, Esq., of Ver-
mont. They have had five children, three sons and two
daughters, viz.: John W., Frank, Christopher Rober, Grace
and Minnie. The third son was instantly killed by being
thrown from a railroad car. The degree of D.
D. was conferred upon him in 1869 by his Alma Mater.
Dr. Bailey is a perfect gentleman, a finished scholar and one
•of the ablest preachers in the land. His present congrega-
682 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
tion is the largest, save one in the Synod, and is composed
in great part of Scotchmen who appreciate sound evangehcal
truth, are nauseated with trash and despise cant.
Alfred W. Wright was born at Shepherdstown, Va.,
December i8, 1841. His ancestors on the father's side were
EngHsh and connected with the Friends, or Quakers — on
his mother's side they were Dutch and identified with the
German Reformed Church. His parents settled in Illinois
in 1844, where they both united with the Presbyterian
Church, o. s. His father has for many years been a ruling
elder. Mr. Wright served in the army during the
entire war of the rebellion. He was licensed by the Metho-
dist Conference, June, 1864, and ordained in S-ptember,
1867. He united with Alton Presbytery in April, 1872. He
has labored since, and with good acceptance and success,
principally in Randolph county, at Rockvvood, Cave Spring,
Shiloh Hill, Blair, Plum Creek and Coulterville churches.
Also with Yankeetown church in Monroe county.
He was married, April 10, 1866, at Pleasant Ridge, Randolph
county, to Miss Mary Jane Mann, daughter of Judge John
Mann. They have four living children with them and two
in heaven. The living on earth are Albina May, Hattie Ann,
Charles Luther and Alfred Clinton. The two departed ones
were boys and died in infancy. Mr. Wright is
now — 1879 — serving ''Mine La Motte church," in Mo.
William H. Ilsley was born in Montgomery county, 111.,
April 25, 1844. On his father's side he is descended from
William Ilsley, who was born in Newbury, England, in 1608,
and came to this country in 1634. He is English also on his
mother's side. He graduated at Blackburn University in
1873. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Alton, April
12, 1873. He was ordained by the Presbytery of Platte in
St. Joseph, Mo., October 8, 1873. His fields of labor have
been North church, St. Joseph, Mo., and at Hopkins, Nodo-
way county, where he still remains. He married
Miss Sarah E. Robb, in Montgomery county, March 12,
1865. Their children are these: Addie C, Carrie L. and
Frederick S. Mrs. Ilsley died of consumption,
September 29, 1870. His second marriage was with Helen
GEORGE F. DAVIS. 683
H. Smith in St. Louis, October 21, 1873. From this mar-
riage there have been two children, Mary L. and Harry E.
Mary L. died February 19, 1877.
William Hazlett Prestley was born in Pittsburg, Pa,
He is of Scotch-Irish descent. He was educated at Western
Pennsylvania University, Pittsburg, Pa., at Woodward Col-
lege, Cincinnati, and at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio,
where he graduated in 1852. Studied theology under Rev»
Joseph Claybaugh, D. D. Was licensed by the First Pres
bytery of Ohio, in connection with the Associate Reformed
Church in April, 1854, Ordained by the Ass. Ref. Presb.,
of Big Spring, 1855, while supplying the church at Potts-
ville, Pa. Installed pastor of the Ass. Ref. Presb. church at
Chillicothe, November, 1856. In 1869 with this church he
united with the Presbytery of Chillicothe, o. s. In Febru-
ary, 1876, he demitted this charge to accept a call to the
First church, Tuscola, 111. In September, 1876, he accepted
a call to the First church, Decatur, 111., where he still re-
mains. In 1857 he married Miss A. J. Burgoyne,
eldest daughter of Judge John Burgoyne, of Cincinnati,
They have four children, one daughter and three sons.
George F. Davis was born in Philadelphia, March ii,.
1823. His ancestors on his father's side were Welch, and
Protestant, on his mother's Irish and Catholic. They were
both natives of this country and neither of them religious.
He was educated at the Mission Institute, Quincy, 111, —
having studied there from 1841 to 1847. His theological
course was taken at Lane Seminary, 1847-50. He was
licensed by Cincinnati Presbytery in 1849, at the close of his
second year in the Seminary. Was ordained by Schuyler
Presbytery, n. s., April, 185 1. His first regular service was
as an itinerating missionary in the bounds of Schuyler Pres-
bytery. Next at Mt. Pleasant, Brown county. He was in-
stalled pastor of Newtown church in 1853, but returned to
Mt. Pleasant in 1855, and remained there until the close of
1867. January i, 186S, he took charge of LaGrange and
New Providence churches, Missouri, and remained until 1872,.
His labors in Missouri were by no means confined to these
two churches, but were various and effective in several other
'684 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
places. In the beginning of 1872 Mr. Davis procured the
organization of a church at Casey, Clark county, 111., re-
moved there in March, 1872, and remained until 1876, labor-
ing also more or less with Pleasant Prairie, Greenup, and
New Hope churches. In 1876 he removed to Marshall,
county seat of Clark county, and took charge of that. Wal-
nut Prairie and York churches. He still remains at Mar-
shall. June 12, 1853, he married Miss Sarah
Elizabeth Moore — near Rushville, 111., — daughter of John
and Elizabeth Moore. She has proved herself a true help-
mate, though suffering greatly from ill health. They have
had two children — sons — both of whom died in infancy, and
are buried at Mt. Pleasant. All through his ministry Mr.
Davis' salary, raised by the feeble churches he served, has
'been supplemented by the Fourth church of Washington,
District of Columbia.
Ferdinand G. Strange was born near Summerville. Chat-
tooga county, Ga., September 28, 1848. His great great
grandfather came from England and settled near Columbia,
S. C. His childhood and early youth were spent in East
Tennessee, but he removed to Bond county, 111., in 1866.
His ancestors came from England about 1740, and settled in
South Carolina where his father was reared. His parents
early united with the Presbyterian church, and are now mem-
bers of Wilbur Presbyterian Church, Douglas county, Oregon,
whither they emigrated in 1871. He was educated at Black-
burn University, Illinois, and at Lane Seminary. He was
licensed April ii, 1874, by Alton Presbytery. In August.
1874, he took charge of Carlyle and New Amity churches,
and was installed their pastor November 15, 1874. The New
Amity church was dissolved April, 1875, and its members
•transferred to Carlyle. His pastoral relation continued until
April, 1877. October 16, 1877, he was installed pastor of
Union and King City churches, Missouri, by a commission
•of Platte Presbytery, and is still in the same field.
He was married June 15, 1871, at Cottonwood Grove,
Bond county, 111., to Miss Sarah A. Robinson, third daughter
of J. W. Robinson, one of the first members and still a rul-
ing elder of the Bethel church. Sarah joined this church
at the age of fourteen, lived a beautiful Christian life, was a
most respectful and affectionate child and devoted wife, pos-
sessing an amiable, lovely character. She helped her hus-
ADAM C. JOHNSON. 685-,
band strugprle through the greater part of his education and
into the ministry, enduring feeble health all the while. She
died February 14, 1876, exchanging the cross which she had
faithfully borne through the bloom of youth into the prime
of womanhood for the crown given by that Jesus to whom,
during her last hours she commended her spirit. She left
two little boys, Pliny Robinson, born February 24, 1873, and
Henry Anderson, born February 2, 1876. Mr.
Strange was married the second time, November 7, 1877, in
the Presbyterian church at King City, Mo., to Miss Sarah
Naomi Van Derveer, a descendent of a New Jersey Dutch
Reformed family — a young lady of culture, talent and piety,.
a successful teacher for several years, and the third daughter
of Capt. J. S. Van Deveer, an alumnus of West Point. As a
fruit of this marriage a third son, Ferdinand Alexander, was
born September 24, 1878.
Adam C. Johnson was born near Princeton, Ky., June 28^
1832. His father John Johnson, was a Methodist minister of
some note, and died in 1858, at Mt. Vernon, 111., where he
settled in 1834. His mother was a native of South Caro-
lina, of Quaker family, and is still living, aged 84. A. C. was
educated first at Mt. Vernon, but finished his studies for the
medical profession in Kentucky. Was licensed to preach in
Methodist Episcopal church at Mt. Vernon in 1858, Re-
moved to Kentucky in 1859. Was ordained at Russellville,
Ky., in 1865. Returned to Mt. Vernon, 111,, in 1871, still
practising medicine though preaching occasionally. Was
admitted a member of Cairo Presbytery at their fall session
in 1874. Supplied Mt. Vernon church from October, 1874,
to April, 1876. Since then has been engaged in missionary
work in Jefferson county. He was married Jan-
uary I, 1862, to Miss M. A. Sweeny, of Irish Catholic parent-
age, at Dycasburg, Ky. They have four children, Susan,
John, Annie and Edwin. He accumulated much property in
Kentucky. Had a stock farm of eight hundred acres. Lost
it all by speculation. Returned to Illinois with fifty-three
dollars. The Lord has blessed him and he again owns a
comfortable home.
Alvan R. Mathes — Auto-biographical — I am the son of
the Rev. A. A. Mathes. I was born in Washington county,.
686 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
East Tennessee, on the 4th of July, 1839. I am of Scotch-
Irish extraction. Following the movements of
Providence, they came to this Western land while its govern-
ment was yet in its cradle. Landing in the Carolinas they
began life anew, lending their aid to the rearing of the young
child among the nations. The progeny succeed-
ing, spread Northward and Westward. As the
ancestry has been in the direct line of the Scot, giving what-
ever peculiarity belonged thereto, so the religious belief
of the Scottish Presbyterian has descended as our inheri-
tance. It has ever been that beautiful, consistent, God hon-
oring, man saving, Pauline system, commonly known as
*' Calvinistic." My course of college training
was begun at "Westminster College," Fulton, Mo. The
civil war of 1 861, coming on as I was completing my Fresh-
man year, caused a suspension of that institution.
In the fall of 186 1, I was admitted to the Sophomore
class in " Hanover College," Indiana, where I graduated in
the spring of 1864. In the following October I entered " The
Theological Seminary of the Northwest " at Chicago. Com-
pleting the three years course, I graduated, April, 1867.
The reason I must give for my entering the ministry
ought to be called an ordinary one, but perhaps is not. I
was brought up by my parents for it, and God honored the
training. My father was a hard-working, self-sacrificing
missionary, much of his time absent from his family, but he
did not forget his duty to his family and his God. His work
was grandly supplemented by my godly mother,
who entered into it as a Hannah. The recitation of
the Shorter Catechism was our Sabbath even-
ing's employment, which in my recollection never failed.
I was licensed at the end of my second year in the semin-
ary by the Old " Fairfield Presbytery," Iowa, at the Salina
church, April, 1866. Under the direction of Presbytery I
spent the following summer as supply for the Batavia and
Salina churches, returning in the fall to the seminary to com-
plete my course. In the spring of 1867 the Pres-
bytery of Cedar, Iowa, put into my hands a call from the
Milton Junction Presbyterian church to become their pastor,
which I accepted. I was duly ordained pastor July, 1867.
In 1872 I received a call from the Presbyterian church at
Shawneetown, 111., Cairo Presbytery, where I was installed
in the month of December. I continued here until Jul}--,
JOHN E. CARSON. 68/
1875, when I removed to Farmington, 111., Peoria Presbytery.
I hold a call from this church, but have not been installed.
I was married to Miss Alice M. Dinwiddle, of Hanover,
Ind., at Evansville. Ind., April 10, 1867. She was born at
Hanover, Ind., March 14, 1843, daughter of Alexander Din-
widdle and Nancy, his wife. " The Lord setteth the solitary
in families." To us he has given as ** olive plants " about our
table three children — Adah Myra, Archie Dinwiddle and
Lilly.
John Elder Carson was born in Beaver (now Lawrence
•county). Pa., September 21, 18 19. His parents were of
Scotch-Irish descent ; his father a Presbyterian and his
mother a Seceder, His earl}^ life was spent on a farm until
his twentieth year, at which time he entered Darlington
Academy, where, with intervals of teaching, he spent three
years. March 21, 1844, he was married to Miss Mary
FuUerton, of Columbiana county, Ohio. In the spring of
1845 he entered Washington College, Pa., and graduated in
September, 1846. He immediately took charge of Poland
Academy and continued two years. During this time he
.also studied theology and church history privately with the
pastor of the church of Poland. In September, 1849, he
entered the Western Theological Seminary at Allegheny,
where he remained two sessions, completing the course. He
was licensed in February, 1850, by the Presbytery of New
Lisbon. He was ordained pastor of Apple Creek church,
Wayne county, Ohio, November 12, 1850, by the Presbytery
of Coshocton. His subsequent fields have all been in Ohio
•until 1877, when he took charge of Palestine, Robinson and
Beckwith Prairie churches in Crawford county, 111. Here he
remained until sometime in 1879. He has five children —
four sons and one daughter.
John McCurdy Robinson, son of James P. and Lucinda
McCurdy Robinson, was born in Center Township, Guern-
sey county, Ohio, March 20, 1844. His ancestors were Penn-
sylvania Scotch-Irish Presbyterians. He emigrated with
his father's family to Richland county, III., in the autumn of
1858. He prepared for college under the tuition of David
Smith, and entered the Freshman class in Western Reserve
College, September, 1S66, completing his course at Miami
6S8 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
University, 1870. His theological training was chiefly had
at Danville, Ky., but the senior year was spent at the West-
ern Theological Seminary. His first thought of studying for
the ministry was awakened by his mother's conversations
with him when a child. He cannot recollect a time when it
was not before his mind as the work to which God was call-
ing him. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Cairo at
Shawneetown, 111., April, 1871, and during that and the suc-
ceeding summer vacation labored with the churches of Rich-
land and Hermon, Richland county, 111. Receiving a call
from the churches .of Georgetown and Fairfield, in Mercer
county, Presbytery of Erie, Pa., he settled there in April,
1873, and was ordained May 28. This relation continued
five years, and was dissolved by the Presbytery in April,
1878, when he accepted an invitation to settle at Shawnee-
town, 111., where he took charge of the work the first of June
and was installed pastor Thursday, November 14, 1878.
He was married to Miss Lizzie Tweed, of Georgetown,.
Ohio, October i, 1873. Two children were born to them in
the Pennsylvania parsonage — Mary Evangeline, July 11,.
1874; Lucy Rebecca, July 17, 1877. The Presbyterian
church at Shawneetown, over which Mr. Robinson is now pas-
tor, is where he was first taken under the care of Presbytery,
and where he was afterward licensed.
Samuel Mills Morton. I was born, April 20, 1840, in
Perry, Lawrence county, Pa. My father, William Morton,.
was born near Inniskillen, in the County Fermanagh, Ire-
land, of English ancestry, August i, 1784. His father's
family emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1789. He was a man.
of sound judgment and deep convictions; was a farmer, a
justice of the peace, a member of the State Legislature for
three terms, and for many years an elder in the O. S. Presby-
terian church of Slippery Rock, He died July 3, 185 1.
My mother, Hannah Slemmons Morton, was born in West-
moreland county, Pa., March 10, 1796. She was a devoted
Christian, and consecrated me, the child of her old age, to-
the service of God from the womb. The answer to her
prayers constituted my call to the ministry, I think. She
died December 25, 1865. My education was ob-
tained (l) in the district school of my native place; (2) one
year in the public high school, St. Louis, Mo. ; (3) the Frcsl -
ROBERT RUDD. 689
man and Sophomore years in the Washington University, St.
Louis; (4) the junior and senior years in Jefferson College,
Cannonsburg, Pa., where I graduated with the first honor of
my class in 1864. I studied theology in«the Western Theo-
logical Seminary at Alleghany, Pa., graduating in 1867.
I was licensed to preach by the O. S. Presbytery of Beaver,
Pa., in May, 1866, and was ordained by the N. S. Presbytery
of St. Louis, INIarch 22, 1868. My first charge was the North
Presbyterian church of St. Louis, where I labored from No-
vember I, 1867, until April 15, 1871. My second charge was
the Presbyterian church of Urbana, 111., where I labored
three years, from November i, 1871, until October, 1874. I
took charge of the Westminster Presbyterian church of
Jacksonville, 111., at the time I left Urbana, October i, 1874,
and have since remained in this field, with every prospect of
continued usefulness and happiness in my work. In all these
fields I have been regularly installed as pastor; have had
uniformly pleasant relations with my people, with almost
constant accessions to the church. During my labors in St.
Louis the membership of the church increased from one hun-
dred and forty to two hundred and eighteen ; in Urbana, from
seventy to one hundred and forty-five, and here in Jackson-
ville, from one hundred and forty to two hundred,
I was married, October 2, 1857, to Miss Julia A. Allen,
daughter of Nathan D. and Caroline Adams Allen, of Web-
ster Groves, St. Louis county, Mo. We have three sons —
Edward Payson, born September 25, 1869; Charles Web-
ster, born April 5, 1875, and Dwight Frame, born December
13, 1876. I had to depend almost entirely upon
my own exertions in obtaining my education, working my
way by teaching. I hold the orthodox New
School type of theology, holding and preaching the truth in
love. I have always been an earnest advocate of
total abstinence and prohibition of the liquor traffic.
I speak partly from notes and partly extempore.
Samuel Mills Morton.
Robert Rudd. I am a native of Appleby, Westmoreland,
England. Born June 10, 1812. Parents Episco-
palian. Educated partly in connection with the Episcopal-
ians and partly with the Congregationalists. In 1830 I be-
came a member of a Congregationalist family and com-
43
690 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
menced attending the Congregational Cliurch, Bradford,
Yorkshire, forming a new class of associates, becoming in-
terested in Sabbath school work and attending the private
classes of Rev. T. R. Taylor for Scripture study and general
instruction. Being led to see it to be my duty to consecrate
myself to Christ's service and to unite myself with His peo-
ple, I became a member of the Congregational Church, Brad-
ford, Yorkshire, on the 1st of August, 1834.
In the course of my early religious career I was greatly
encouraged by my pastor and friends to turn my attention
to the ministry. -After pursuing a course of preparatory
study and attending the theological lectures of Rev. Wal-
ter Scott, I became a co-pastor of the Congregational
Church Wibsey, near Bradford, where I labored from 1845
to 1855, when I left England for America. On arriv-
in America in September, 1855, I preached the first time in
the Congregational church, Kankakee, Kankakee county,
111. I was then directed to Elmwood, Peoria county, 111.,
where the Congregationalists were building a new church and
wished for a supply for the winter months. I was there from
December, 1855, to April, 1856. I then accepted an invita-
tion to Knoxville, Knox county, was there three years. Next
at Wethersfield, Henry county, 111., one year. Thence to
Oswego, Kendall county, 111., three years. Then at New-
ark, Kendall county. 111., three years. On leaving Newark I
was called to the Presbyterian church, Oswego, and labored
in that field two years. Removed in 1868 to the Presbyte-
rian church, Wiiliamsville, Sangamon county, three years.
Thence to Taylorville, Christian county, eighteen months.
Thence to Upper Alton, two years, and now nearly five years
at Tamaroa. Married twice, first, October 25,
1842, to Miss Ann Ackroyd, Bradford, Yorkshire, England,
died at Newark, January 10, 1865; second, to Mrs. Sophia
C. Holmes, St. Louis, Mo., my present companion, January
16, 1 87 1. No children. I was very early in life
deprived of my parents, and as early experienced the provi-
dential care of that good Being, who is and ever has been the
father of the fatherless. " Ebenezer, hitherto hath the Lord
helped me." Robert Rudd.
Simon C. Head was born in Rob Roy, Fountain county,
lad., November 2, 1S45, and was next to the y jungest child
SIMON C. HEAD. 69I
and the only one now living of a family of ten children.
Truxton Head and Mary Head, his parents, were of Ameri-
can birth and of English Puritan extraction, and were from
early life members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. S.
C. Head was received into the Methodist Episcopal Church
when in his eighteenth year. He received a liberal educa-
tion, graduating at the Battle Ground Collegiate Institute,
with class of 1869. After serving a short term in the Union
army of the war of 1861-65, he attended and graduated at
the Purdy Commercial College, of LaFayette, Ind. In 1870,
went to Nebraska. He there received a local preacher's li-
cense, September 23, 1871. He then took charge of the South
Bend mission on the Platte river. Here he labored for some
months and then returned to Indiana. At a quarterly Con-
ference, August 27, 1872, his license was renewed, and after
some weeks he was admitted on probation into the " travel-
ing connection " in the Northwest Indiana Conference, His
first appointment was Aydelotte circuit. At the conference
the following year he was appointed to Brazil Mission in the
coal fields of Clay county, Ind. The year following he was
ordained deacon by Bishop Wiley, and appointed preacher on
Sanford circuit, Vigo county. This year he was married to
Miss Belle Spears of Terre Haute, Ind., and in the succeed-
ing year was appointed preacher for Harveysburg. January
,17, 1-876, Charles Ernest was born. A second son, Frank,
was born at Grandview, Illinois, January 16, 1878. At the
Conference of 1877, ^^- Head was removed to Rochester
•circuit, on which — as also in all the preceding fields of his
labor — his work was graciously owned of the Lord, and this
too in despite of many hinderances both to pastor and peo-
ple that necessarily attend Christian work under the Metho-
dist itinerant plan. Being dissatisfied with the form of gov-
ernment of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Mr. Head took
from his conference a certificate of location, and in October,
1877, was admitted to the ministry of the Presbyterian
Church by Logansport Presbytery. January i, 1878, he ac-
cepted a call as supply pastor of the Grandview and Dudley
churches, in Edgar county, Illinois.
Adam W, Ringland was born October 8. 1849, at Amity,
Washington county. Pa. His ancestors were Scotch-Irish
Presbyterians. His collegiate education was at Danville,
692 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Ky., his theological at Chicago. He was licensed by the
Presbytery of Iowa in 1874, and ordained by that of Dubu-
que, 1876. His fields of labor have been First church in Du-
buque, Tuscola, and Bemeiat, 111. He is still at the last place.
He was married April 29, 1875, to Miss Elena H. Potter
at Mount Pleasant, Iowa. They have one child — a daughter
— Mamie Gary, born March 9, 1876. He experi-
enced great financial embarrassment during his entire course.
His entire outfit was one hundred and eighty-five dollars at
the beginning. His outfit at the close eight hundred dollars.
on the other side of the equation.
William E. Lincoln was born September 8, 1831, at Lon-
don, England. He says: " We reckon a translator of King
James' Bible, a leech at the field of Naseby, a farrier in
Cromwell's Ironsides, and Gen. Lincoln of the American
Revolution as of the family. They were mostly Episcopa-
lian in belief." He was educated at University
College, London, Oberlin, Ohio, and Hartford Seminary, Gt.
He was licensed at Hartford, Gt., and ordained at Hope, O.,,
in 1866. He has labored in Kentucky, Ohio, and Illinois..
He is laboring at present with West Okaw church, Prairie
Home, postoffice. 111. He married Louise Marshall, niece of
H. Cowles, D. D., the commentator, at Painesville, O., in
1865. They have five children, two sons and three daugh-
ters. He says : "The slaves condition moved my heart.
Before the war I preached for some years as an abolitionist.
Was at times in danger. Have been shot at. Have been
imprisoned for rescuing a slave from U. S. Marshall Four
armed U. S. officers with two aids held the slave in an upper
room. J. G. W. Gowles, after a parley with them, came to
me and said, ' If anything is done to save the slave you
must do it.' A call for volunteers was made. E. G. Sackett,
afterwards killed at Winchester, Va., and Lyman, one of
John Brown's men, and two colored men, who afterwards fell
at Harper's Ferry, volunteed. On order the five made a
rush through the guarded door, then up-stairs. A door was-,
opened by force — the slave rushed through and was free.
Arms were plentiful, but not a shot was fired. Imprisonment
of those directly and indirectly engaged followed. Being law
abiding we patiently suffered the penalties, yet our con-
sciences compelled us to deliver our brother from the blood
hounds."
HARLAN P. CARSON. 693
David Williams Evans was born at Caermarnthe Castle,
in the city of Caermarthen, South Wales, September 21,
1838. He comes of an ancient liberty-loving race, a people,
in their principles, eminently Puritan, in their habits of
•thought, purely Calvinistic. His parents, accompanied by
their children, emigrated to this State during his early child-
hood and settled at Rock Island, where all united, by letter,
with the Presbyterian Church. After a short attendance
upon the schools of the city, his purpose of studying for the
ministry, a purpose cherished in his heart from the earliest
years, took shape under the direction of the Rev. Aratus
Kent, of Galena, whose praise was in all the churches as
the efficient agent of Home Missions. Then followed those
years of study at the Galena Classical Institute and at Beloit
•College, culminating in his graduation with the class of
1862. Four years later the course of theological studies
was completed at Union Theological Seminary. About the
same time his Alma Mater bestowed on him the degree of
Master of Arts. Upon the completion of his stud-
ies, Mr. Evans was licensed by the Third Presbytery of New
York, and soon afterwards, in the Spring Street Presbyte-
rian church of the city, was ordained as an evangelist. Com-
ing West, he was invited to supply the First church of Ga-
lena for a season Here he began his studies for the minis-
try, and here, after the lapse of ten years, he began his labor
in that ministry into which he had toiled through that de-
cade. He was married at Galena in April of 1868
by the Revs. Kent and McLean to Miss Eliza Titcombe
Spare, then the principal of a young ladies seminary at War-
ren, 111. The}^ have four noble children, the joy and comfort
of their parents.
Harlan Page Carson was born, January 3, 1845, o^ ^
farm in Macoupin county. 111., of Scotch-Irish ancestr\' on
his father's side, and Dutch descent on his mother's. His
father, James M. Carson, was a ruling elder in the Spring
Cove church years before his birth, and has continued active
in the office ever since. He is also nephew of Gideon Black-
burn, D. D., founder of Blackburn University. His rsother,
Eliza J. Gulick, previous to marriage, was identified with the
Dutch Reform Church. It was /ler spiritual mindedness and
consecration impressed upon him in early childhood and fol-
694 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
lowed up by the prayerful and faithful training of his father
after she had gone to glory, that led his mind in the direc-
tion of the gospel ministry. The expressed wish of a sainted
mother, and a grandmother who named him, intensified and
wrought out by the Holy Ghost, constituted, as he believes,,
his call to the gospel ministry. His education
was obtained at Blackburn University, where he helped to
form the first graduating class, and graduated in the classical
and theological course June, 1870. The following Septem-
ber he was licensed by the Presbytery of Alton, in session in
Alton, and on July' 21, 1872, he was ordained pastor of the
Hardin church. He remained pastor of that church until
April, 1879, when, the pastoral relation having been dissolved
at his own request, he went to take charge of the Taylor-
ville church, Mattoon Presbytery. He was mar-
ried to Elizabeth Holliday, October 8, 1873, daughter of A.
D. Holliday, near Virden, and has two children — Rollin Gul-
ick, born September 15, 1874, and Elizabeth, born January
3, 1877-
Lyman Marshall, A. M., was born in Weare, N. H., June
20, 1823. Is one of the eldest — a twin^ — of a family of eight
sons and one daughter. His father, Moody Marshall, is of
Scotch and English, and his mother, Sarah Beard, of Scotch
and Irish extraction; the latter of the Londonderry (Presby-
terian) colony. His earliest recollections of home are of
reading and committing to memory the Word of God, and
of the family altar. The eight brothers all served on their
father's farm till they were about twenty years of age, at-
tending school and teaching in the winters. Four of them,
including the twins, (of the class of 1850,) graduated from
Dartmouth College with honor, earning the means by their
own labor. Seven are now living. Three are ministers of the
gospel, one a respectable lawyer in New York City, the rest
are farmers well to do. All have been married, and all with
their wives and elder children are active members of Evan-
gelical churches. This is not strange. Their father's lioiise-
hold kept Holyday at the house of God, three miles away.
Their "training up the aisle " to their pew, following one or
both parents, usually in the order of their ages, is proverbial
in their native town to this day. After graduating, Lyman
taught school three years, in the meantime pursuing the
study of the law, for which he had the most ardent love,.
LYMAN MARSHALL. 695
with the strongest desire and incHnation to make its practice
his life vocation. After much effort to banish convictions of
duty, he at length yielded to the persistent admonition of the
last words of his paternal grandfather, Jonathan Marshall,
who, on his death bed, with his hands on the heads of his
two little grandsons, then not six years old, said, " I hope
my little grandsons will be like David and Jonathan as
brothers attached to each other, and both be good ministers.''
The desire was granted; and here the subject of this sketch
would have it recorded of his own experience, to the glory
of God, that the compensations of the Divine Being are
wonderful. It was a " happy day " that he yielded to the
voice of his God. " From that hour he would rather be the
humblest of His ministers to preach the glorious gospel of
Christ, then to be the tallest lawyer on the earth." He
studied theology at Andover, Mass., completing two full
years in the class of 1856. He was licensed in October,
1855, by the Derry Association of Congregational
and Presbyterian Ministers. Was elected city mission-
ary of Manchester, N. H., in March, 1856, and or-
dained as an evangelist and stated pastor of the Christian
Mission (Third Congregational) church in October of same
year. His four years pastorate here won him the friendship
and esteem of all classes, as was touchingly testified by one
of the largest surprise parties — 4,000 people — ever visiting a
minister in New England at one time. Resigning this
charge he was immediately called to Greenfield, one of the
most pleasant villages and rural parishes in New Hampshire.
After a successful pastorate of four years, he accepted an in-
vitation to the church in Harrisville, twelve miles distant.
He served this church two years, when in the summer of
1866, he was called to the New School Presbyterian church
of Traverse de Sioux, (Saint Peter) Minnesota. Nearly four
busy, pleasant years were spent here. In May, 1870,
he received a call to the Presbyterian church of
Lebanon, 111. Commenced labors there the 19th
of June, and in December 21, 1871, was installed
pastor, which relation still continues. November
25, 185 1, he married Eliza Wingate, daughter of Dr. Stephen
Wingate, M. D., of Great Falls, N. H. They have two sons,
Frank Lyman, born March 3, 1853, and Ira Waldron, born
May 3, 1857, Both sons are members of the Presbyterian
Church. The elder is married, and has a little daughter
696 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
which, at her birth, had ten (10) Hving grand parents, 1. e., all
the four grand and six of the great grand parents. (Ex. 20:
12; and Psalm 103:17 and 128:6, and then the whole of it.)
His entire r_anistry has been pleasant, always with the confi-
dence and love of his people, with several seasons of religi-
ous awakening, and a few special ingatherings. He has en-
joyed the esteem of his brethren in the ministry, and a fair
share of the appointments and honors. It is justly due Mr.
M. to say, that his beloved wife has been a faithful helper in
all his labors.
R. J. L. Matthews was born in Floyd county, Ind., April
21,1832. Ancestry Scotch-Irish. He was mainly brought up
at New Albany, Ind. Attended the collegiate institute at
that place, and graduated at Hanover College in 1855. He
was licensed by the Presbytery of New Albany, Ind., hav-
ing studied theology at the seminary at New Albany. In the
fall of i860 he was ordained pastor of the church at Charles-
town, Ind., where he labored two years. In 1863 he ac-
cepted a chaplaincy at Jeffersonville, Ind., which he held^
two years. In the summer of 1865 he removed to Illinois,
where he supplied the church at Vandalia for two years, la-
boring with success, indicated by a large ingathering to the
church, and the erection of the building now occupied by
the Presbyterian church there. In the fall of 1867 he was
invited to the Central church at Jacksonville, 111. His health
becoming impaired, a trip to Europe was taken, and he re-
mained about two years, principally in Naples, Italy, where
he held the appointment of United States Consul. Return-
ing to this country in the fall of 1869, he engaged in literary
pursuits, but continued the work of the ministry as the way
opened near his old home at New Albany and Indianapolis,
supplying mission churches, preaching somewhere nearly
every Sabbath. In 1873 he was again called to labor in Illi-
nois and became pastor of the church at Olney. He left
that field in 1875. Mr. Matthews has since continued in the
ministerial work, pursuing also literary labors. For a year
he was chief editor of the Indianapolis Sentinel and corre-
spondent of several Eastern periodicals, supplying at the
same time a mission church at that point. For
the past two years, and at the present writing, he is pastor of
the church at Newport, Ky., opposite Cincinnati.
Mr. Matthews' first wife, whom he married in 1857, died
ALBERT B. BYRAM. 69/
in 1868, leaving a son, born November 28, 1862. To his pres-
ent wife, to whom he was married in 1876, also a son has
been born — Robert J. L. — December 7, 1877.
ALFRED M. Mann was born at Pleasant Ridge near Ches-
"ter, Randolph county, 111. He was married to Miss Sarah
S. Hood, March 20, 1861. Spent several months that year
in the service of the Board of Publication. Studied with
Rev. A. J. Clark for several years. Was licensed by Alton
Presbytery, April, 1875. Removed to Southern Kansas in
■October of that year and took charge of Wellington, and
Clear Water churches. Was ordained by the Presbytery of
Emporia, in December, 1875. December 22, 1876, was in-
stalled pastor of Belle Plaine church, which he had organ-
ized the previous summer. That is his present home and ad-
dress— Belle Plaine, Kansas.
Albert B. Byram was born in Dark county, Ohio, near
the western borders of the State, October 31, 1843.
Piis parents — Ebenezer and Sarah R. Byram — were natives
of New Jersey, from which State they emigrated to West-
ern Ohio, in the year 1834 or 1835. They were of English
and Holland descent, of a morally and physically vigorous
stock. In 1837 Ebenezer Bj^am was made an elder in the
New School Presbyterian church, in which he lived and la-
bored till the union in 1S70. He is still living, and at Janes-
ville, in Northwestern Iowa, whither he emigrated in 1853.
Albert B. was educated at the University of Iowa City,
and at the Northwestern Theological Seminary, Chicago.
He was licensed by Chicago Presbytery in the spring of
1876. In April, 1877, he took charge of the church at
Greenville, 111., and was ordained their pastor November 7,
1877, and here he still remains, He was married
in July, 1873, to I^.Iiss Mary E. Dawson at West "Liberty,
Iowa. They have one child — a son — Elbert Winfred, born
June 29, 1878.
Charles Turner Phillips was born in Orange township,
Delaware county, O., July 13, 1847. ^^is father, Jeremiah
Phillips, is a Methodist minister, and still resides in Olney,
111. The family are of Scotch descent. Charles Turner,
698 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
then a boy of fourteen, entered the army at the commence-
ment of the war and served till its close. He then went
West to Salt Lake, and had stirring adventures in the moun-
tains. After many tribulations he found his way into the
ministry of the Presbyterian Church. He was licensed in
the spring of 1875, and ordained in the spring of 1876.
Meanwhile he preached and taught in Tennessee. In Octo-
ber of that year he was installed pastor of two churches
in Reno county, Kan. His next field was the Presbyterian
church at Ducoign, 111., where he still remains.
He married Mfss Nellie E. Eckley, daughter of Milton
Eckley, in Obion county, Tenn., in October, 1870. Mr.
Eckley was formerly an elder in Richland church, Richland
county, 111. The fruit of this marriage is four children,.
Thomas M., Nellie E., Philip L., dead, and Charles H.
William L. Johnston was born, October 15, 1848, near
Annan, Dumfriesshire, Scotland. The space to follow his
early and stirring career is wanting. His education was ob-
tained largely by studying men and things, by traveling and
the constant exercise of his remarkable faculty of close obser-
vation. His academic and theological course was taken mostly
at Blackburn University, Carlinville, 111. He was licensed hy
Alton Presbytery in April, 1873, and immediately took
charge of the church at East St. Louis. He was soon in-
stalled its pastor, and remained in that charge until August
3, 1879. The same month he left for the Foreign Missionary
service at Sidon, Syria, under a Commission from the Board
of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. John-
ston's labors at East St. Louis were remarkable for their
adaptation to circumstances, their persistence under difficul-
ties and discouragements and for their success.
He was married, September 14, 1875, to Miss Ida Flor-
ence Davis. Their first born child, Lilly Belle, born July 6,
1879, was baptized, August 3, 1879, the day Mr. Johnston
preached his farewell sermon at East St. Louis. The writer
had the pleasure of officiating both at the marriage and at
the baptism,
Oliver Silas Thompson was born, August 6, 1841, at
Camden, Carroll county, Ind. On his father's side he is
English ; on his mother's, Scotch-Irish. His education,.
EDWIN L. KURD, D. D. 699
both literary and professional, was obtained at several insti-
tutions and is both liberal and thorough. He was licensed
by the Presbytery of St. Louis in the spring of 1870. In
1871 he was ordained. He first preached at Chouteau Ave.
Presbyterian church, St. Louis ; then at Troy, Mo. For sev-
eral years past he has been pastor of the Presbyterian church,
Belleville, 111., and there he still remains. July
14, 1875, he married Miss Kate Henry, only daughter of Dr.
Henry, of Nashville, 111., a descendant of Patrick Henry.
She is a graduate of Monticello Seminary. They have one
child.
Edwin L. Hurd, D. D., is a native of Wyoming county.
Western New York, where he became a member of the
church of his parents — the Presbyterian Church — at the age
of fourteen. At the age of seventeen, when nearly prepared
for college, he was estopped from all study by ill health, and
induced to travel in a sparsely settled and morally destitute
region of Southern New York and Northern Pennsylvania
in the work of one of the benevolent societies. " The young-
est and one of the most successful in the United States," the
secretary of that society said of him. Having regained
health, and his parents having removed to Galesburg, 111., the
seat of Knox College, he determined to pursue his studies in
that institution and entered the Freshman class in 1849, grad-
uating in 1853. The same autumn he'entered Union Theolog-
ical Seminary and graduated in 1856. January, 1857, he
took the pastoral charge of the Presbyterian church of
Augusta, 111., where he remained for more than twelve years.
At the close of that period there was but one adult member
of the congregation who was not a communicant.
For about four years he was pastor of the Presbyterian
church of Sandwich, 111., when he was called to the charge of
Highland Park Presbyterian church. In 1877 he was appointed
Professor of Theology and Mental and Moral Science in
Blackburn University. This post he still occupies with
credit to himself and advantage to the institution. Mrs.
Hurd is a daughter of the late George W. Gale, D. D., of
Galesburg, 111.
Edward Scofield, Sr., was born in Norwalk, Conn., Sep-
tember 22, 1810. In May, 1829, he united with the Congre-
gational Church in his native place. He entered the prepa-
700 PRESBYTEKIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
ratory department of Illinois College in 1831, graduating in
1837. ^^ ths ^^11 of the same year he entered Lane Theo-
logical Seminary — completing its three years course.
He was licensed by Cincinnati Presbytery in 1839, ^^^ ^^
1840 was ordained over the Presbyterian church at Cleves,
Ohio. June i6th of that year he was married to Elizabeth
Williams, in Cincinnati, Ohio, by whom he had ten children.
Three children died in infancy, the remaining seven in early
life made profession of their faith in Christ, and united
with the Presbyterian Church. Although driven
from one field -to another in the endeavor to preserve
health, it was his privilege of the thirty-nine years of his
ministry, to spend twenty-one with three churches, namely:
seven each, at Batavia, Ohio; Anderson, and Alishawaka,
Ind. During his early ministry, he often assumed
the care of two, sometimes three churches at the same time.
In addition to these named above, he served the Presbyterian
churches at Monroe, New Richmond, Mt. Pleasant and Lack-
land in Ohio, Franklin, Ind., and Lena, Centralia, Metropo-
lis, Waterman and Somonauk, 111., at which latter place his
labors closed on earth, October 12, 1878.
He labored much with his pen. In 1849 there was pub-
lished a second edition of his work on " Family Government,"
which was also translated into the Arabic, by American mis-
sionaries, for use in Syria. In 1 864 he prepared and pub-
lished a small book on " Civil Government and Rebellion,"
which was distributed by the Christian Commission among
the Indiana soldiers, during the late war. In 1867 was com-
pleted and issued his work, entitled " A Solar Heaven — A
New Theory." Other works have followed or preceded
these — much of his literary labor, both poetry and prose,
being for the secular or religious press.
'ff^aet.,i /,, j.:,„ Siv'^'" ■' '
CHAPTER XX.
CAPT. BENJAMIN GODFREY, MONTICELLO, JACKSONVILLE AND DU-
COIGN FEMALE INSTITUTIONS AND BLACKBURN UNIVERSITY.
Of Capt. Benjamin Godfrey, the founder of Monticello
Female Seminary, the trustees of that institution present
to the readers of this volume a fine steel engraving, and a
few particulars of his eventful hfe, regretting their inability
to give no more.
He was born at Chatham, jMass., December 4, 1794. He
was the fourth and youngest son of Knowles Godfrey, a na-
tive of the same State. He had but little opportunity for
early culture, as at the early age of nine years he ran away
from home to go to sea. His first voyage was to Ireland^
where he made his home for nine years. He was probably
occupied in these years in short coasting voyages. The
war of 1812-15 brought him home. He then spent some
time with his uncle Benjamin, with whom he studied and
acquired a fair practical education, to which he added
the knowledge of the science of navigation. He was con-
nected with the naval service during some part of the war..
He afterwards made several voyages as commander of a.
merchant ship to various parts of the world, including Italy
and Spain. He also, in command of his own ship, made
many voyages from Baltimore to New Orleans and the West
Indies. On the last voyage he was ship-wrecked near Bra-
zos, Santiago, and lost nearly all he had, and came near los-
ing his life. In 1826 he located at IMatamoras, Mexico^
where he opened up a very successful mercantile business.
Before he came out of Mexico he had accumulated a very
handsome fortune, and was transporting the silver across the
country on the backs of mules, when he was robbed of the
whole — some $200,000 — by guerrillas. Of that misfortune
he has been heard to say that it was the only time in his life
when he became entirely discouraged. He gave up, sat
down by the road-side and cried. But the next
we hear of him he was in successful business in New Or-
leans, where he remained until 1832, when he came North
702 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
and settled in Alton, and with W. S. Gilman. established thf-
well-known firm of Godfrey and Gilman. He
united with the Alton Presbyterian church on profession,
November 3, 1833. The same year he erected with his own
means a commodious stone church, with a basement and
spire, on the northeast corner of Third and Market streets,
where the Episcopal church now stands. He retained the
title to the property in his own hands, and gave the use of it
to the Presbyterian and Baptist churches, who occupied it
jointly until 1834, when the Baptists removed elsewhere, and
the Presbyterians occupied it solely until April 27, 1845.
Sometime subsequently to 1838, Capt. Godfrey had given
that property to Monticello Seminary. In April, 1845, the
trustees of that institution sold it to the Episcopalians.
July 5, 1840, Capt. Godfrey was elected an elder in the
Alton Presbyterian church, and remained such until Septem-
ber 18, 1844, when his church relation was transferred to
Monticello church, in which he acted as elder until his death.
Large-hearted by nature, made increasingly so by years of
life upon the ocean, his consecration to Christ expanded his
benevolent spirit to noble proportions. He began to devise
liberal things. Extensive travel and observation had re-
vealed to him the power of female influence over society at
large, and created in his mind a horror of the Romish sys-
tem as it stood related to this influence. The idea of the
ISIonticello Female Seminary as first conceived in his own
mind he thus describes:
One morning, while Ijang in my bed somewhat indisposed, my wife came into
the room, and as she went out made some remark. One of our little children,
that had just begun to lisp a few words, caught the remark, and while playing by
itself on the floor, repeated it over and over for some time. This led me to re-
flect on the powerful effect of a mother's example on the minds, manners, and
habits of their offspring, and the no less powerful influence that females have
over society at large. The mind is formed to a great extent in childhood, and
while under the direct care of the mother. From the time it can lisp, and even
betore, it goes to her with all its little troubles and difficulties, its pleasures and
pains, and her kind participation in all its concerns endears it so closely, and
gives it such implicit confidence in her, that it takes for granted any thing she
does or says is right, and is actuated accordingly.
With these reflections, the idea came into my mind to erect a Seminary, in
which females could, with the blessing of God, be prepared to discharge their
numerous, arduous and responsible duties. After consulting my wife as to the
propriety of such a step, to which she acceded unhesitatingly, and being desir-
ous to act the part of a faithful steward of what God had placed in my posses-
sion, I resolved to devote so much of it as would erect a building, to be devoted
to the moral, intellectual, and domestic improvement of females.
CAPT. BENJ. GODFREY. 7O3
This was the germ of Monticello Female Seminary. Upon
the building Capt. Godfrey expended ;^5 3,000. After it be-
came a chartered institution, he acted, until his death, as one
of its five trustees, and his ideas as to its management usually
prevailed. It opened April ii, 1.838, and has been from that
time till this, a great and most complete success. It has
been most fortunate in its principals, particularly Rev. The-
ron Baldwin, Miss Philena Fobes and Miss Harriet N. Has-
kell, who have occupied that position for nearly the whole
period of its existence, now more than forty-one years.
Capt. Godfrey purchased large tracts of land in Illinois,
and at the time of his death, in 1862, had unsold in his own
name 4,000 acres in Madison county alone. After closing
his business in Alton, he devoted himself to farming, with
his residence at Godfrey. But his active nature could not
long rest content with this quiet life. He became a large
railroad contractor, and constructed the road between Alton
and Springfield. This was perhaps the most perplexing and
harassing business of his life. His private property became
deeply involved, and much of it was entirely lost ; but not-
withstanding these losses and his large benefactions, he died
a wealthy man. Says inspiration : " They who honor me I
will honor."
He was twice married. First to Miss Harriet Cooper of
Baltimore, Md., Nov. 27, 18 17, with whom he lived twenty-
one years, and by whom he had twelve children. He was
again married, August 15, 1839, to Miss R. E. Petit of
Hempstead, Long Island, with whom he lived twenty-three
years, and by whom he had three children. Of his child-
ren five died in infancy. The rest lived to adult years. But
four, however, are now living, viz.: James Ryder, born Aug.
29, 181 8, at Baltimore, Md. He has been disabled by paral-
ysis for two or three years past, and is at this writing, entirely
helpless. Emily, born January 19, 1830. She married Joseph
R. Palmer at Brownsville, Texas, and now resides at Bruns-
wick, N. J. Catharine, born at Monticello, Jan. 20, 1835, mar-
ried to Hon. John M. Pearson. Benjamin, born at Alton, June
28, 1S40. All excepting Emily reside at Godfrey, Madison
county. 111. Capt. Godfrey died at his residence, Godfrey,
III., August 13, 1862.
Jacksonville Female Academy. This institution grew
out of a private school for girls, established by Mrs. Ellis,
704 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
wife of Rev. John M. Ellis, first pastor of the First Presbyte-
rian church of Jacksonville. Its organization occurred in.
December, 1830. Its first building was opened for pupils in
1833. It was chartered by the Legislature in 183$, being the
first educational institution chartered in the State of Illinois..
A little later during the same session of the Legislature, Illi-
nois, McKendree and Shurtleff colleges were chartered.
The beautiful grounds of the academy were donated by Dr.
Ero Chandler, an early and enterprising citizen of Jackson-
ville. The original building was thirty by forty feet on the
ground, having two stories and a basement. Several large
additions have since been made, and the structure at pres-
ent is conspicuous and imposing.
Principals of the academy and terms of service : Miss-
Sarah C. Crocker, 1833 to 1835; Miss Emilv Price, 1835 to
1837; John Adams, LL.D., 1837 to 1843; Rev. W. H. Wil-
liams, A. M., 1843 to 1848; Miss Lucretia Kimball, 1848 to
1850; Miss Elizabeth Mead, 1850 to 1851; Rev. Charles G.
Selleck, A. M., 185 1 to 1857; Mrs. Phoebe Thompson, 1857
to 1858; Newton Bateman, LL.D., and Miss Harriet P. Mur-
dock, 1858 to 1859; Benjamin F. Mitchell, A. M., 1859 to
1865: Gilbert Thayer, A. M., 1865 to 1874; E. F. Bullard,
A. M., 1874.
The institution began to graduate classes regularly in 1845,
and the alumnae now (1879) number more than three hundred.
As the institution is first in the order of time, its aim is not
to be second to any as regards excellence. It is a thoroughly
Christian school of the highest grade, having a course of
study as extensive as any in the land.
Though under Presbyterian control, it is conducted on lib-
eral principles and enjoys a large patronage from all Christ-
ian denominations.
The Institution has no endowment, but is out of debt and
comfortably self-sustaining.
The Board is self-perpetuating. L. M. Glover, D, D., Pres-
ident. Hon. Edward Scott, Secretary.
DucoiGN Female Seminary, Chartered February 13,
1855 — Became Private Property 1872. This institution de-
serves a permanent record in the history of Education and
Religion in Southern Illinois, which is especially appropriate-
here, as all the ministers in sympathy with the Presbyterian.
DUCOIGN FEMALE SEMINARY. 705
Church, operating in this section of country during the years
embraced in its history, are closely identified with it — the
most of them having been on its Board of Trustees, and at
least four having acted as agents to collect funds.
It is not the purpose of this sketch to give a full history of
its progress, step by step, but to show the spirit with which
the work was begun, and to some extent bring out results.
As it is impossible to speak of all the persons that became
interested, or of the individual teachers that labored, and
gave of their means to carry forward this work, only those
that contributed to bring it into existence, will be mentioned
by name.
The idea of the enterprise originated with Miss Eliza Paine,
of South Hadley, Mass., she having cherished and talked
over the plans that led to it long before an opportunity
offered for beginning the work.
Miss Paine offered her services to the " Boston Ladies' So-
ciety for the promotion of Christian education," and was
sent by them to Ducoign, Perry county. 111., June, 1852.
Finding a large school on her hands, and believing this to be
the spot for her long cherished enterprise, she at once took
the first step towards its accomplishment by sending for her
first helper, Miss E. Reynolds, who arrived three months
later — September, 1852.
This it must be remembered, was before the day of rail-
roads in Southern Illinois. These teachers reached Ducoign
via. St. Louis, going from St. Louis down the Mississippi to
Chester, thence forty miles over-land by private conveyance.
Our State Normal Schools had not then come into existence.
There were but few good schools, and not enough of any
kind to meet the wants of the people. There had been a
school of the higher order at Salem, Marion county. B. G.
Roots, the pioneer teacher of " Egypt " had kept a family
boarding school in Perry county, and afterwards taught the
"Sparta Seminary" for some years ; and two young ladies
from the East, Miss Gannett and Miss Chamberlain, had pre-
ceded Miss Paine by a year or two, and been doing good
work in the schools of Vergennesand Jonesboro.
At the close of a year in the district school, the two ladies
first named, met at the house of Rev. Josiah Wood — he hav-
ing become deeply interested in the Seminar>' enterprise —
and after much consultation and prayer, articles were drawn
up setting forth principles determining the character of the
44
y06 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
school, to present as a basis for home subscriptions. One of
these articles, giving tone to the whole, was, " It shall be a
Christia?i school. The teachers shall be members of some
Evangelical church, and the Bible the corner stone of all its
moral instructions." From this time on, Mr. Wood became
thoroughly identified with this enterprise, giving thought,
time, and money. A preparatory school went into operation
in the fall of 1853, in Rev. Mr. Wood's house, and afterwards
was continued in the dwelling house purchased of Dr. Wall
on the present Seminary lot. The corner stone of the Sem-
inary building was laid June 13, 1855, and as apropos of the
principles embodied in the articles of compact, a Bible (do-
nated by Rev. A. T. Norton) was among the things deposited
in this corner stone. The paper for subscriptions was circu-
lated at Ducoign and vicinity, and the people
subscribed liberally ; but the main reliance for
money to carry forward this work, was from the first,
churches, missionary associations, ladies' societies, and be-
nevolent individuals at the East. And this was brought
about very largely by and through personal friends and ac-
quaintances of Miss Paine and her co-workers. We do not
forget that many Christian helpers were found at the west.
One lady of CoUinsville, III. — Mrs. P. Morrison — gave large-
ly of her means to relieve the institution from embarrass-
ment, after the practical working of the school had demon-
strated the desirability of its continuance. The mission-
aries gave their influence to the work. The objects of the
school, as set forth in the first circular issued by the princi-
pal (Miss Paine) in the fall of 1854, were : 1st. "To train
teachers on the field. 2d. To provide for the education of
our home missionaries' daughters at the West. 3d. To as-
sist the deserving needy. 4th. To prepare our pupils for the
greatest possible usefulness in every sphere of duty." In
looking over a catalogue of pupils, I find the names of ten
young ladies, daughters of home missionaries, who were in
the school from one to four years each, during its early his-
tory. One donation of a thousand dollars was the result of
interest excited through one of these missionary families.
Cpuld the history of the pupils connected with this institu-
tion be fully written, we should see that streams of influence
have gone forth from it to bless all the region round about.
A very large proportion of the additions to the Ducoign
church during the first ten years that this school had an ex-
BLACKBURN UNIVERSITY. /O/
istence, were from its pupils. Others who became interested
in religion while there, united with churches in other places
after returning to their homes. When these left the school,
they went imbued with the spirit to work for the Master.
They had not only received good themselves, but were
made blessings to the families and neighborhoods from which
they came. Some are known to have established and main-
tained with little or no assistance Sunday-schools in places
were there had been none before ; others have been success-
ful in elevating the standard of common school instruction;
and of those that were called to give up their labors on
earth soon after leaving the Seminary, we have pleasing
evidence that their faith and trust held out to the end.
The founders and patrons of this school have been
disappointed as to its permanency as a chartered Seminary,
built and sustained by Christian benevolence. But it has
not been a failure. The influence of teachers and pupils
connected with it, is felt for good through all Southern
Illinois. Since it became private property, a school for
;both sexes has been sustained with creditable success.
The writer of the above graceful article is Mrs. E. R. Roots, wife of B. G.
Roots, Esq.. last President of the Board of Trustees of Ducoign Female Semi-
nary, the early and distinguished educator of Southern Illinois. Most of our read-
ers will understand that she is the same as Mrs. A. L. Saunders and MiSS E.
Reynolds.
Blackburn University. I shall not give a history of
this Institution, but barely name some of the most sali-
ent facts concerning it. The means for its establishment
were procured by Rev. Dr. Gideon Blackburn about 1835 on a
plan of his own. This plan secured some 16,000 acres of Illi-
nois lands which, being entered in his own name, he deeded in
trust to seven Trustees to carry out his plan. But as for nearly
twenty years the lands had little more than a nominal value,
the Trustees made no effort to establish the Institution, and
conveyed the lands to Illinois College to endow a Theolog-
ical Professorship in connection with that Institution. This
conveyance, however, did not stand, and the courts instructed
the Trustees to go forward and carry out Dr. Blackburn's
deed of trust by establishing the Institution at Carlinville.
A charter was procured which embodied the provisions of
the deed of trust, and the Institution was opened in a small
way, September 20, 1858, under the charge of Rev. John C.
Downer. A building was erected on the site designated by
708 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Dr. Blackburn. Robert B. Minton, A. M., and Rev. John L,
B. Soule were appointed professors. They entered upon
their work and prosecuted it successfully. In 1865 Rev.
John W. Bailey — soon made a D. D. — was appointed Professor
of Theology. The building was enlarged to the proportions
of the present structure and courses of classical, scientific
and theological training marked out. These have been
steadily prosecuted until this present, with some changes in
the instructors and some variations in the number of the stu-
dents. But upon the whole, the progress of the Institution
has been pretty steadily onward, and its promise of future
usefulness is highly encouraging.
Since the failure of Jacksonville College to furnish Presby-
terians of Southern and Central Illinois with such an institu-
tion as they needed, Blackburn University has arisen, a star
of much present effulgence and of large future promise. Its
endowment, together with the revenue derived from the stu-
dents, meet all expenses, and the Institution is free of debt.
Its property is probably worth to-day at least ^125,000.
Its present Trustees are Ex-Gov. John M. Palmer, Presi-
dent, Springfield; Rev. A. T. Norton, D. D., Alton; Phi-
lander Braley, Esq., Carlinville ; Rev. G. W. Gallaher,.
Jacksonville ; Rev. Wm. L. Tarbet, Virden ; Samuel Brown,
Esq., Plainview ; Hon. George E, Warren, Jerseyville ;.
Rev. Thomas W. Hynes, Pocahontas ; J. N. McCord, M.
D., Vandalia ; Russell Hinckley, Esq., Belleville ; E. L.
Hurd, D. D., CarHnville ; Hon. J. C. Irwin, Edwardsville ;
Rev. O. S. Thompson, Belleville.
Its Faculty: Rev. E. L. Hurd, D. D., Professor of Theol-
ogy and Mental and Moral Science. Robert B. Minton, A.
M., Professor of Mathematics, Rev. Rufus Nutting, A. M.,
Professor of Latin and Greek Languages. John D. Conley,
A. M., Professor of Chemistry and Natural History. Mrs.
Kate Hopkins, Principal of Ladies' Department. Henry
Merz, Instructor in German and French Languages. Thomas
E. Moore, Principal of the Preparatory Department.
CHAPTER XXL
The Rev. Aratus Kent, of Galena.
Contributed by Rev. D. W. Evans, of Litchfield, Illinois.
Mr. Kent's many friends, scattered through the Northwest,
will wish for nothing more and will accept nothing less than
an outline of the man as he was — a man of unbending integ-
rity, of stainless purity, of zealous devotion to piety, and to
crown all, of a self-sacrificing spirit and an inflexible will,
which enabled him to bend all his powers to whatever work
he undertook. I shall attempt, therefore, simply to chrystal-
ize in words the daily life of this good man, and that with the
faithfulness which Cromwell once demanded of the young
artist, Lely, to whom the commission of painting the great
Protector had been entrusted : " Paint me as I am," said he,
"if you leave out the scars and wrinkles I will not pay you a
single shilling." It is to be regretted that Mr. Kent did not
leave a record of his work in some tangible shape. But few
of the incidents of his life have been preserved. A full
memorial of one of the most successful of the men who have
stood in the pulpits of this section, could not be but a rich
treasure in the Church at large, a lamp to guide our young
ministers especially to sure success in the holy vocation of
ministerial service.
Our subject was of Puritan ancestry, born at Suffield,
Connecticut, January 17, 1794. Though none had less
reason than he for borrowing honors from his ancestry
or his relatives, yet it is a matter of interest to note that he
and Chancellor Kent, of N. Y., trace their lineage back to the
one family, which at an early day settled in the valley of the
Connecticut river. His father, a thrifty merchant
and farmer, early instilled into the mind of his child those
habits of industry, of study, of devotion, which made Puri-
tan New England so prominent a factor in the evangelization
and education of the Western States. Having completed
his preparatory studies at Westfield, Mass., he entered the
Sophomore year at Yale College and graduated at the age of
twenty-two, with the last class taught by the eminent President
7IO PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Dwight, of whom it was said, " That no man except the
'father of his country' had conferred greater benefits on our
nation." To perfect so far as possible these
preparations for his great work in the West, he spent the
subsequent four years in theological studies under the emi-
nent pastors, Romeyn and Mason, of New York city, and
soon afterwards devoted another year to select studies at
Princeton Seminary, N. J. Such were the men and such
the influences which moulded the early life of Aratus Kent,
who at Galena, 111., developed into an indefatigable self-sacri-
ficing pioneer missioaary, successful evangelist, faithful pas-
tor and zealous promoter of the higher schools of learning.
He was licensed by the Presbytery of New York, April
20, 1820. After a year of missionary work in the then
wilds of Ohio, and another in Blanford, Mass.. where a
powerful revival attended his preaching, he perfected his
preparation for the gospel ministry by devoting another
whole year to study at Princeton Seminary, N. J. The Pres-
byterian church at Lockport, N. Y., called him from Prince-
ton to the pastorate of their church ; there he was ordained
and there he spent three years in faithful service. This was
followed by a year devoted, in his native town, to study and
the care of his aged father, then eighty years old. Death,
which soon came to the relief of the aged sufferer, released
the son also from filial duties and sent him forth in quest of
his life's great work. Of this period he writes under date
June 4, 1828: "Having closed up my accounts, and seen
some suitable monuments erected over the graves of my de-
ceased parents, I bade adieu to the place of my father's sep-
ulchres, and immediately after dinner mounted my horse and
turned my face toward the north. But my heart was heavy, for
I was like unto Abraham who went forth, not knowing whither
he went." We may well add that like that ancient patriarch he
went forth girt with the single purpose of enquiring into and
following the leadings of the divine will. After some months
of uncongenial labors under the direction of a New Hamp-
shire missionary society, he took temporary charge of the
church at Bradford, where he preached in an almost continu-
ous revival. The pulpit of the Allen street Presbyterian church
of New York City being at this time vacant, an effort was
made to secure him, for what was then a most important field.
The few months which he spent with that devoted and
wealthy people, were to him full of rich and enriching ex-
ARATUS KENT. /I I
perience. Each of these varied fields became to him a
means of discipline. Each in turn helped in the unfolding
of that unerring judgment and accurate estimate of men and
things for which he was afterwards so noted. He was be-
ing led by a way that he knew not, " to the great and wide
field at the world's end " awaiting him. He entered each
field of work in turn, with the spirit of a soldier who coveted
only the opportunity to do self-denying work; who sought
for superiority only in hard labor and a holy life. The world
lies before such men, and avenues of labor open on either
hand, making the question of future settlement exceedingly
perplexing. It was so with Mr. Kent. These few months
spent in the pulpit of the Allen street church. New York,
brought him into contact with the Secretary of the A. H.
M. Society, and kindled anew his sympathy with the great
work of that society in the West. Bradford sought to re-
tain him ; Lockport urged her claims that he would resume
among them that work which he had begun three years be-
fore. The Allen street church of New York enticed him
with the advantages of a city pastorate. But his heart re-
sponded to neither. It was not until Dr. Peters, the Secre-
tary of Missions came to him with the call that was backed
by the wants of thousands of miners and merchants, who
were living in the Mississippi Valley without church or
school, that his heart was touched. He responded promptly,
" I go, sir," and rejoiced to find at last that Providence was
opening the way for him to labor where his heart and mind
had gone before — at the frontier of the then far West. We
find him, at this time, a tall, well proportioned man, in vigor-
ous health, with a mind well stored with thought, with men-
tal faculties well disciplined by study, and a heart already
enriched with tokens of the divine favor. He was then in
possession of those noble purposes and strong forces of
character which won for him his triumphs in Northern Illinois.
Indeed, a man more like the Master in integrity of heart,
in self-sacrificing spirit, and unswerving fealty to duty, it
were hard to find. We are not surprised then to learn that
those who sent him out on his mission to the miners and
merchants of the lead regions of Fevere river, entertained
for him the most flattering hopes of success, and we are pre-
pared for the statement, that he did not disappoint those
hopes. The blessing of God upon his labors made the
wilderness of reckless living on the banks of that stream to
^12 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
blossom with principles and virtues. It might well be said
of him as of the Master, that graces sprung up in his path
and truth took root wherever he wrought ; and it gives me
great pleasure to find that having placed this estimate upon
the character of the first pioneer missionary of Northern Illi-
nois, it is fully sustained by one who knew him perhaps more
intimately than the writer. Before the friends of Rockford
Seminary, of which Mr. Kent was one of the founders and
President of the Board of Trustees, Prof Emerson of Beloit
College, in a tribute to his memory said, " Roses mark his
steps where he trod the wilderness." Let us now resume the
thread of our narrative. Mr. Kent has heard in his heart
the cry of thousands of souls gathered without the gospel
in the lead mines, in and around what is now the rugged
city of Galena. Prompt then as ever in the performance of
a known duty, he immediately sets out by way of the Ohio
and Mississippi rivers, to the theatre of his future actions.
Benevolent then as in after life, he leaves the chief of his
earthly treasures, a valuable horse, as a parting gift to the
American Tract Society. On April 3, 1829, just after leav-
ing St. Louis, going north on the Mississippi, he writes, " I
am as one that dreams, with my paper on a trunk and my
pen trembling with the jarring of a steamboat contending
with the strong current of the Mississippi, I am urging my
way up the great valley to the lead mines, not knowing
the things that shall befall me there." He landed in Galena,
April 18, twenty-seven days after leaving New York. Here
and then the great work of his life was begun. He imme-
diately made himself known as a missionary, and the very
next day, being the Sabbath, he secured the largest dining
hall for services. The villagers and many others who came
on the Sabbath to do business in the village, crowded the
room and heard the message of the gospel that day for the
first time in many years. There we meet the man, there the
place and the occasion of the first preaching of Christ in
Northern Illinois. We may well pause a moment to take in
the surroundings, that we may better understand the man.
Galena was settled by a mixed people gathered from Eu-
rope and the Eastern States — among these were a few en-
terprising young people from New England and New York,
who remembered with something of affection the Church of
their fathers. A. few may have professed religion in their
more Eastern home, but were now "blighted and famished
ARATUS KENT. /I 3
Christians,' " Sabbath-breaking, profanity and gambling
had obtained an alarming and sickening prevalence." On
the river there was not another minister above St. Louis,
Northern Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota were oc-
cupied by Indians. The settlement at Chicago had not yet
begun. And the Rev. Jeremiah Porter had not yet come
with the garrison to Fort Dearbon. Mr, Kent
thus records his hopes and discouragements : " Here is opened
a great and effectual door to preach the gospel. I have long
desired to know what was the will of God, and if I have
never found my place, I hope that amid all discouragements
I may remember that I said I was willing to go to the world's
end if I could but be in the place God designed I should
occupy." It was indeed a " great and wide" field at the
world's end — discouragements there were in abundance. But
his courage grew with the difficulties. His faith gathered
strength with opposition. Confiding in the power of Him on
whom he leaned he was equal to every trying emergency.
Standing alone for years, the only champion of a pure
Christianity, he became to the wide range of country over
which he traveled the bulwark of its intelligence and piety.
An incident in one of his early tours of exploration exhibits
the spirit of the man. Coming to a bluff, that commanded an
extensive view of the valley of the Mississippi and of the
prairies on either side, he alighted from his horse and uncov-
ering his head he proclaimed aloud, " I take possession' of
this land for Christ." Such grave trusts have been assumed
by several of the wisest and most prudent missionaries of
the Cross. However, subsequent events have shown but few
to be less an empty boast than that trust assumed by Aratus
Kent, with uncovered brow and uplifted hand on the over-
hanging bluffs of the Northern Mississippi, before yet the
trails of the Black Hawk had been erased from the prairies.
That he exhibited a no less wonderful patience than faith in
working out the trusts so reverently assumed is seen in the
fact that it took nearly three years of toil before he was ena-
bled to organize with six members the first Presbyterian church
at Galena, and then amidst a population of several thousand
souls. Only two of the original six were from Galena; the
other four lived out from five to forty miles ; two were resi-
dents of a town soon afterwards known as Mineral Point,
Wis. That scattered membership gives us a hint
at least of the spirit of the man. In that early period he
714 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
went everywhere preaching the Word. Every settlement^
hamlet, village and town within a radius of a hundred miles
of Galena was wrought upon by his preaching. He never
took distances into account in the matter of reaching souls
with the gospel, which he himself so loved. Neither cold or
heat — neither dust, mud or snow ever weighed with him in
the fulfilment of his many engagements over that large dis-
trict and country. When once a friend remonstrated with
him, pleading "that he must save himself," his reply was, " I
do it not to please myself, but the Saviour." In that reply he
struck the key-note of the anthem of his life, whose rich ca-
dences continued to grow sweeter and clearer to the very end.
This continued until April, 1841, when we was installed pas-
tor of the church which he had gathered. Dr. Horatio-
Newhall, a life long friend and an elder of the church, writes
of him at this period, that his labors as a pastor were con-
stant; all knew him to be a man of God. In zeal and self-
sacrifice he was rarely if ever surpassed. The poor, the ig-
norant, the obscure, where objects to him of as much interest
as the wealthy and the accomplished, dealing out to each as
his case required, instruction, counsel, reproof or consola-
tion. He had no desire for popular applause. The only
superiority he sought was in labor, the only ascendency he
coveted was in self-denial and holiness. In these respects he
had few competitors for pre-eminence. The fruits of all this
labor and self-denial were shown in the revivals of 1837,
1840, 1841, 1842, and 1844. In these revivals alone two hun-
dred and sixty-six were added to the church. The history
of "those years is a record of abounding labors, patient en-
durance, of fealty to duty in the midst of unrequited toils.
He had a record of travel covering twenty thousand miles,
and four hundred and seventy-nine different places of
preaching, with three thousand sermons. I have sat in pro-
found admiration of the work of this devoted man of God.
I have been made glad in discovering that the spring of that
marvelous constancy that rose above every obstacle and
found a way through defeat to victory, lay in his deep seated
love for the Saviour. There was also, I may add, a clear con-
ception of this fact, that great events come in the track of
small causes. He did not therefore despise the day of small
things, but felt honored in being permitted to meet in town
and hamlet the growing emigration of the Northwest, to
stamp upon it the impress of Christian civilization. Sus-
ARATUS KENT. 715
tained in the day of small things by visions of a great and
prosperous future for the country, he went forth and sowed
the seeds of truth in the hearts of the dwellers by the rivers,.
on the prairies, and in the forests, and in hamlets, villages
and towns. Knowing that with the growth of the North-
west, these seeds of truth would blossom to cheer the toilers,
fill cabins with happiness, and the whole land with the frag-
rance of truth and virtue. Another trait that secured suc-
cess for him in his early struggles with the obstacles that
environed frontier work was his faithfulness to his own con-
victions— what his principles required he performed with
rigid punctiliousness. What a most sensitive conscience
commanded he did with all the force of a stroncr will. To a
genial, social nature was added a puritanic goodness almost
stern in its integrity, His nature had an admixture of traits
that won for him the respect of all classes alike. The rough
miner who had spent a quarter of a century among savages^
the trim and cultivated merchant from a New England
home, all alike respected the man who could bend the re-
sources of a strong mind and vigorous body, to lay those
humble foundations of churches, schools, collegfes, institu-
tions, whose living influences are felt to-day throughout
Northern Illinois, Southern Wisconsin and Iowa. In re-
viewing these years, Mr. Kent writes under date of Novem-
ber, 1843 : "As Paul did, so may I after foiirteen years, re-
count the events that have transpired since I came first to
the lead mines of the Mississippi. My parish from the-
Rock river to the Wisconsin has been surveyed, I have
preached at Prairie du Chien, Fort Winnebago, (Portage)
Madison, Potosi, Lancaster, Carrville, Mineral Point, Bel-
mont, Platteville, Pecatonica, Rockford, Grand Detour, Lyn-
don, Rock Island, Albany and Savannah. I have been in
perils of waters six times, perils in the wilderness three
nights, several times lost, but out of them all the Lord has
delivered me.
" When I came to Galena there was no church of any de-
nomination, either Protestant or Catholic, within two hundred
miles, no Sabbath, no minister, no God recognized, and there
was no communication with the rest of the world while the
Mississippi was frozen. Now we have churches, Presbyte-
ries, Conventions and Synods. My district has been sup-
plied with Bibles, and also with the bound volumes of the
Tract Society. Our village has become a city of three or
yi6 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
f
four thousand. Our church has grown to one hundred and
seventy-five, besides those gone to four new churches.
Monthly tract distribution scatters two hundred and fifty a
month. We have thirteen Sabbath-schools in the county,
and have raised for Foreign Missions, $1,530. God has done
great things for us."
Mr. Kent was one of those men who had broad
though conservative views. To him the school was
an ally of the church. Education was an handmaid of
religion. We would expect then to find in him an ardent
friend of learning. Indeed no sooner had he gained a foot-
hold for a church at Galena than he opened a school by its
side. Here he planted the germ of an institution which, at
that early period, did a good work, and which for twenty-
five years flourished under the name of the Galena Classical
Institute. At Presbytery and Convention he was the same
ardent friend of learning. When the Convention of Repre-
sentatives from the churches of Northern Illinois and Wis-
consin met at Beloit in 1844, to deliberate over the enterprise
of establishing a college and female seminary within their
bounds, Mr. Kent became an enthusiastic supporter of the
measure. He was chairman of the committee of ten whose
report led to the selection of Beloit, Wis., for the location of
the college, and Rockford, 111., for the female seminary. In
the labors of the committee he displayed such prudence with
zeal, such judgment with enthusiasm, that he won for himself
the unqualified admiration of his co-laborers in the great
work that lay before them. They selected him President of
the Board of Trustees of both institutions, and rewarded his
over mastering zeal by imposing upon him the honor of
laying the corner-stones of the buildings of both institu-
tions— of the college, June 24, 1845, of the seminary,
July .15, 1852. And is very gratifying to be able
to trace the history of these institutions, which have
already poured hundreds of graduates into the lap of
this Northwest, to help mould its Christian civilization,
back to their sources in the purposes and prayers of brave,
cultivated and godly men. But to none are they more indebted
than to this heroic though humble pastor of the First Pres-
byterian church of Galena. An incident which transpired
at the first meeting of the Board of Trustees of the College
is worthy of mention here, as showing the prevailing habit of
Mr. Kent's mind — that of prayer. Already had the Con-
ARATUS KENT. ^l/"
vention of Presbyterian and Congregational Ministers — one
in spirit and one in the faith of the Pilgrim Fathers — deter-
mined to estabhsh a college which would "provide able and
learned men to be leaders and guides in the advancing civili-
zation." It was a great thought. To execute that purpose
was for that early day a great work, and one Vv'hich must bi^
wrought out in the face of overwhelming obstacles. The
first meeting of the Board was therefore one fraught with grave
responsibilities. Such men as Peet, Clary, Hickox and
Chapiri, names revered throughout the churches of Wisconsm,
were there. Mr. Kent was in the chair, hopeful and confident.
They sat pondering in silence the magnitude of the trusts
imposed upon them. At length there steals into their hearts
a sense of responsibility that staggers their faith, and one
breaks the painful silence by giving voice to the question
which lay heavily on all their hearts. " Well, brethren,
what are we to do? " With ready answer Mr. Kent replied,.
^' Let us pray," "The prayer," says President Chapin, "that
then went up to heaven, warm and fervent from his lips, car-
rying the hearts of all, was the first gasp of the new born
college for life. The breath of a divine inspiration, we be-
lieve, came upon it then, and its history since has been a con-
tinued answer to that prayer." It was the habit of his mind
to walk in the light of God and work in His strength. Hence
that prayer going forth in faith came again laden with new^
hope and fresh courage for each heart in that band of Christ-
ian philanthropists. All felt as if an alabaster box of pre-
cious ointment had been broken, for the fragrance of that
prayer, like the ancient perfume, filled the house. And to
this day, in the memory of all who participated in that
simple but powerful pleading at the Throne of Grace, that
hour remains sacred. Nor is the force of that prayer yet
spent. It broods like a benediction over the labors of its
scholarly faculty, and lingers like the echo of a far off song in
the acquirements of every alumnus who leaves its halls. Both
the Faculty and Trustees feel that a college which has re-
ceived such signal tokens of favor in answer to prayer is des-
tined to perform no meagre part in the great work of educa-
ting and evangelizing our whole land. Similar
testimony as to his power in prayer comes to us from the sem-
inary at Rockford. At the laying of the corner-stone in 185 i,
after other appropriate remarks, he said, " Here let it rest
until 195 1," and then led the company in fervent prayer..
71 8 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
" Who knows," writes the revered Principal, "how much
the permanency of the Institution is owing to that prayer."
Among the traits which gave him power with God and man,
his habit of commimion with God zcas the most prominent and
effective. His labors to promote the educational interests of
the newly settled country were chiefly, though not altogether,
3pent in building up these two colleges. He has put labor,
thought and his ov^n means, saved by a stringent economy
in all family and personal expenses, into two or three other
of the higher schools of learning in this State and Iowa, But
of these two, the college at Beioit and the sister institution
at Rockford, the latter was the object of his special care. In-
deed, very appropriately has he been called the father of
Rockford Seminary. He remained its President from its or-
ganization until his death in 1869. For nineteen years he
presided at its anniversaries and presented their diplomas to
each successive class. He was an efficient administrator of
its affairs, even to the last, as is evident from the fact that no
one from the many friends of the seminary would entertain
the idea of relieving him from the responsibilities of his
office, though he often urgently expressed the desire that a
younger man should take his place. I can in no
better way express the high esteem in which his judgment
was held, than by recalling the reply which his life-long
friends at Galena made to the urgent request of the Trustees
of the seminary at Rockford, that he should move to that
city. So valuable were his services at the seminary, that the
Principal was commissioned by the Board of Trustees to go
to Galena to induce him to remove his residence to Rockford.
When the subject was laid before him, he said he would not
act unadvisedly in such a matter, and would take counsel.
Having invited in a {^^ of the citizens, the claims of the
seminary and the proposition of its friends and Trustees were
presented to them in its strongest light, and these men, who
had lived by his side knew his strong faith and heroic spirit,
replied, " Mr. Kent has been here so many years that he
is like a great oak whose roots extend under the entire
city, and to take him away would be like tearing up the en-
tire city." "And so he staid, died there and was buried
there." But to the last the seminary at Rockford was the
child of his affections. He cherished it and wrought unceas-
ingly to promote its interests. Under his fostering care it
had a vigorous and healthy growth, and stands to-day no
ARATUS KENT. 7I9
less a monument of the sagacity, the untiring zeal and ripe
judgment of Aratus Kent than of the devotion and rare accom-
phshments of its honored principal — Miss Anna P. Sill.
During these later years he was the indefatigable Superin-
tendent of Missions. In January, 1849, after nearly twenty
years of pastoral work at Galena, at the urgent solicitation
of the friends of Home Missions, he accepted the appoint-
ment of Superintendent for Northern Illinois. His duties
were exceedingly arduous ; but as everywhere he proved equal
to the demand. Dr. Horatio Newhall wrote of
him, " That his labors as agent were herculean. In storms
and sunshine, in heat and cold, in dust and mud, his self-de-
nying labors were prodigious. Again and again the execu-
tive committee of the society urged him to be more careful
of himself. His friends often reminded him of his age and
besought him to have some regard for his health. His only
answer was, I do it not to please myself, but to please my
Saviour." And they who knew him best believe
his statement far short of the truth when he wrote to a
friend, some three years before his death, that "during his
ministry he had a record of four hundred and seventy-seven
different places of preaching, two thousand, one hundred
and sixty-nine sermons — in all many more. Had traveled in
private conveyances probably 20,000 miles, and that now, by
special arrangement, he rode free over the Illinois Central
Railroad, which afforded him peculiar facilities for doing
good."
He had found a secret, which but few have, that of
turning into use while on his journeys, or amid strangers,
every hour of the day. His hours at home and abroad
alike were filled with useful labor. Wherever he tar-
ried, the early morning found him astir, and occupied in
seeking the divine blessing. From early communion with
the Master, this servant went forth to crowd a full day into
the work of his Lord. Every hour was utilized. It was his
habit while in motion on the cars, or waiting at depots, or tar-
rying in the homes of his friends, to perfect his plans for the
extension of the Church and to write words of encourage-
ment and counsel to thoSe who wrought with him in the
many churches which he had already planted. To not a few
did those letters bring the impulse needed to carry them
safely through some trying ordeal, or over some towering
obstacle. Those letters had in them a touch of that wisdom
720 PRE3BYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
which in the early morn he had sought from the mind of
God, and they deemed themselves fortunate who in their
work shared his prayers, sympathy and counsel. In the ex-
tension of the Redeemer's kingdom he coupled great pru-
duce to an aggressive spirit. To self-reliance he added a
habit of gleaning wisdom from many counselors. As in his
pastoral work at Galena, the Session of the church shared
fully in all his plans. It was his " cabinet " which he fully con-
sulted on all measures. So afterwards, when his relations to
that church were severed* and the burden of the many Home
Mission churches rested on his heart, they still remained his
trusted friends. He made but few moves, introduced but
few measures in his work in which he did not first fully coun-
sel with his God and his beloved brethren at Galena. No one
more than he realized how great a truth lies in Solomon's-
words, that " In the multitude of counselors there is safety."
This trait made him a man who moved slowly, but never back-
ward. Mr. Kent appeared to those who knew not of the secret
springs of his benevolence, and saw not the workings of his
self-sacrificing spirit, an austere man, stern if not severe, both
in character and in theology. But all who knew him con-
fessed that the goodness of his heart redeemed the man.
As a preacher, a rigid theology found no place in his pul-
pit. He wrought there that his hearers might execute in life
the principles which fell from his lips. His concern was
more to build them up as lively stones in the temple of our
God, than to present an exact statement of any one system
o( truth. It was more to him that his hearers practised the
truth they knew, than that they should acquire truth which
they could not convert into living principles. But he ex-
celled more as a pastor than a preacher. He abounded in
pastoral labors. With a mind capable of great things in the
study, he deliberately sacrificed the advantages which a
greater knowledge of books would have given him, and went
forth seeking for the straying sheep ot the fold. His sym-
pathy, wise counsels and prayers in the privacy of the home
circle, have been the means of cheering many a despondent
soul, lifting the fallen to their feet, literally saving the lost.
His severe aspect of countenance melted away in the sunny
solicitude which he felt for their welfare, and which beamed
forth from his eyes in his social intercourse with his people.
He was specially fitted for that kind of work. Never seek-
ing place or position for himself, he gave himself with a
ARATUS KENT. 721
noble and entire consecration to seek much for others.
Ever forgetful of self, he ministered in holiest and in hum-
blest forms to others. Of him as of the Master it might be
said in truth, "He saved others, himself he cannot save."
The spirit within him that was ever reaching out a helping
hand to a less fortunate fellow man, at times deepened into
the very self-abnegation of the Apostle Paul, who " could
wish that myself were accursed from Christ, for my breth-
ren, my kinsman, according to the flesh." His prayerful
life made him watch for the opportunities to be useful. At
home and abroad, on the street, on the steamboat, in rail-
road cars, and in private carriage, he was ever on the alert to
seize the flying chance to speak the helping word. Let me
set forth this trait by a single illustration : A short time be-
fore his death, being entertained one evening with a circle of
friends in one of his home mission fields, a stranger accosted
him, saying, "I presume you do not know me." "No," said Mr.
Kent. "I do not at present recall you," " Several years ago,"
continued the gentleman, we were "ascending the Mississippi
river together on the steamer War Eagle of the Northern
Line. In the cabin there was a group of young men playing
cards, gambling for the stakes. Being somewhat of an ex-
pert at the game I watched it with a lively interest, and stood
behind the players waiting my chances to take a hand. You
were sitting at a distance absorbed in your own thoughts —
I did not know you nor you me, but the twice that I lifted
my eyes from the players they caught your eyes, and the
consciousness that your were looking at me disconcerted me
— and it did not help the matter that I went around the
table so that my back was in your direction. Your eyes
seemed to follow me. There was in them a kindness and re-
proof that penetrated my very soul and held me in check.
Yet I argued with myself that I was my own master, and
would play at all hazzards. In my heart I was recklessly
resisting the influences pleading with me, and in another
moment would have signified my wish to stake something on
the game, when you stepped up behind me, and as gently as
possible laid your hand on my shoulder and whispered in my
ear, ' I guess I wonldn't,' and without attracting any atten-
tion, passed on to the other end of the cabin — but your
words did not pass on. They remained to guide my life in-
to new channels. I am pastor now at H , and am trying
to imitate you as you for long years have followed Christ."
45
722 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
Surely a " word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures
of silver."
But there was another influence operating on Mr. Kent's
life that secured for him a great measure of his success, to
which I have not yet alluded. It was the constant companion-
ship of his heart — the loving, graceful, beautiful wife and
mother of the household. With what tact, what infinite
skill would she round-out whatever her quick sensibilities
discovered lacking in her husband's word, tone, act or
work. How unobtrusively she would charm us all into our
best behavior and smile away the lingering clouds from
every brow. We feared the dominie, but we worshiped
the loving, gentle mother as the queen of all our hearts.
Among the many noble and beautiful Christian women
for which the city of Galena has been noted, Mrs. Caroline
Corning Kent stood foremost. She was known only to
be loved and wrought in womanly ways for the Master's
cause with a devotion not second to her husband's." He
loved her with all the devotion of which his somewhat rough
nature was capable, and she in turn with the rich graces of
her own heart beautified and softened his ruggedness. To
our boyish eyes, Mr. Kent stood as an oak, strong, unwedg-
able and gnarled, but in some way, we knew not how, she
threw the mantle of her graces around those knots and hid
from all eyes what may have been deemed unsightly. And
we saw his rugged strength heightened and ennobled by the
charm which her finer grace lent to his every virtue. Their
rich contrast of character formed for those who knew them
at home a very striking picture — a combination of virtue and
of grace that was exceedingly lovely. And it would be a
pleasant task to delineate more in detail the beautiful por-
trait of their family life with its charming and strong con-
trasts, but my time has been so broken, and my space so
limited, that I have to pass it over as a beautiful landscape
of which the artist catches a glimpse without time to repro-
duce its tints or outline on canvas.
Mr. and Mrs. Kent had three children, all of whom died in
infancy.
Yet their home was always full of children. In their broad,
practical charity they made their house the orphans' home.
They reared and educated twelve orphan children, all of
whom, with perhaps a single exception, still live. Some of
them fill places of trust and honor — all are useful members
ARATUS KENT. 723
of society. How they accomplished so much with the
small means at their command, we learn from a memoran-
dum penned by Mr. Kent a short time before his last illness.
Referring to his early married life he says : " It has been a
striking providence that we set about housekeeping with a
purpose to practice rigid economy (in defiance of surround-
ing habits) and to dispense with hired help, indoors and out,
that we might, by these retrenchments; lay by more to give
to those benevolent objects which are so constantly claiming
our charities. We have, therefore, for thirty-six years of our
wedded life, employed on ordinary occasions no such help,
but by the assistance of children, educated and trained to
industrious habits, we have lived quite as comfortably as
other families with whom we associate, and thus we have re-
duced our expenses in wages, wood and food, and prevented
much waste and vexation incident to employing irresponsible
persons. And it affords us pleasure to reckon up some
seven thousand dollars given away, while we have still
enough laid by for a decent support in our old age."
The magnitude of the sum saved and given away appears in
its proper light only when we remember that it was accom-
plished on a salary of six hundred dollars a year. This prac-
tice of economy on their part lifted itself into the sphere of
the positive virtue of self-denial, and together with the be-
neficient spirit which prompted every act, is worthy of our
profoundest admiration. Indeed it was ever the one con-
troling desire of their hearts, their one holiest ambition, to
execute in their lives the oft-enjoined maxim that the child-
ren of God are but the almoners of God, stewards of the
bounties which the most High has entrusted to their care.
While penning these lines in my study, a noted missionary
sits below in the quiet of the parlor talking with her hostess
of the wants of the great missionary field. She is weary
with her journeyings in behalf of the Woman's Board of
Missions, indeed is worked down to the verge of exhaustion.
While expressing her gratitude for the solicitude which had
prompted the preparation of some delicacies for her use, she
said : " I seldom purchase such things for myself, but keep all
for Persia." And when that evening she stood in my pulpit
I knew whence the spring of that mysterious influence which
she wielded. It was the sublime spirit of self-sacrifice. Noth-
ing for self— all for the Master "and for Persia." It winged
her words with power, it mantled her cheek and kindled her
724 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
eye with such a glow as beamed from the countenance of the
Divine Jesus who, as a missionary, walked in Oriental lands
eighteen centuries before her. This devotion to the land,
Avhere, as a missionary, she had spent the best years of her
life, forcibly recalled to my mind the constant self-denial
practiced by Mr. and Mrs. Kent and instilled into the minds
of all who became inmates of their home. They saved,
not to hoard, but to spend. They gathered, not to accu-
mulate, but to distribute. But nothing for self, "All for
Persia." To them Persia was the world. Their gifts, large
and small, have entered almost every avenue which the be-
neficence of the Presbyterian Church has opened, at home
and abroad. The " causes " of our Church were each in
turn remembered. Himself an agent of Home Missions, he
generously aided the Foreign Board. Thought-
ful for the comfort and education of those whom he had
adopted into his family, he aided nine other young men ta
qualify themselves for efficient ministerial work, and he has
induced many others to enter the ministry, whom he aided
by funds furnished at his solicitation by his relatives in New
York, by Augustus Estey, Esq., and others of Galena.
While bestowing his charities with a discriminating judgment
at home, he gave freely of his services and his means to
the establishment of three colleges and two young ladies*
seminaries, all of. which are now in a prosperous condition-
In October of 1868, in the seventy-fourth year of his age,,
he was in his usual good health and actively engaged in his
Mission work. The opening of the railroad to the Missouri
river, and his life-long interest in the Missionaries to the
Dacotahs, led him to vi3it them at the Santee Agency. Shut
out as these families were from Christian sympathy, they an-
ticipated great pleasure from his visit, and they were not
disappointed. To the missionaries those weeks remain
memorable for their sweet communion in reference to the
Master's work. To Mr. Kent they were at once the crown-
ing joy of his earthly life and the avenue by which his spirit
entered "the joy of his Lord." Having unwittingly drank of
the alkaline waters of that region he returned nome, after
four weeks' absence, suffering severely from gastritis, which
was soon followed by a low type of fever and symptoms u
softening of the brain. For months he was confined to tli
house, but with the early spring of iS69he rallied sufficient /
to visit the East. His mmd became clear and his ..^aim.
ARATUS KENT. 725
■greatly improved. But he lived no longer for the earth and
its labors. The forces of the world invisible had taken so
strong a hold of his affections that he continually longed for
the "rest that remaineth." During this brief season of un-
clouded intellect, it was to him a source of great disappoint-
ment that he had not already been called to deliver an ac-
count of his stewardship. As the young anticipate the pleas-
ures of a delightful journey, as the college lad the freedom
of the long vacation and the pleasant reunions of summer
months at home, so this servant of God yearned with restless
longing for the hour when the silver cord should be broken
and his freed spirit would mount to dwell forever with the
Lord. After four months' absence, visiting friends
in Cape May and a beloved sister in Philadelphia, he returned
to the scene of his labors, and soon after, on the 8th of No-
vember, breathed his last and entered into life. And three
days later devout men carried to the grave the remains of
one who feared nothing in the universe so much as that he
might not know all his duty, or knowing would not do it.
His physician and life-long friend, Horatio Newhall, of Ga-
lena, wrote of him : " The country owes him a debt of grat-
itude. He has performed labors, endured hardships and en-
countered exposures in the prosecution of his work which he
never would have attempted to gain wealth or fame. No
man has lived in the Northwest who has so left behind him
the impress of his life and influenced so many minds. May
not the humble minister who has spent his energies gather-
ing disciples on the frontier, and training them and their
children for usefulness on earth and glory in heaven, be re-
garded as having accomplished as much for his country's
weal as the Senator whose thrilling speeches have electrified
the nation?"
An unpretentious marble marks his grave in the old cem-
-etery at Galena. He wished for nothing more. He who
had lived to impress his life upon his age had reared a mon-
ument for himself in the hearts of men, more beautiful, more
enduring than marble. Beloit College pouring streams of ripe
scholarship into every profession ; Rockford Seminary, with
her Christian culture, sweetening and exalting the daily life
of hundreds of our homes ; churches in villages, towns and
cities throughout this Northwest, which, from seedlings
planted by his hand, have grown to spread their benedictions
over tens of thousands — these are his monuments, a mag-
726 PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLINOIS.
nificent mausoleum, which shall keep fresh the memory of
Aratus Kent.
It is true Mr. Kent's labors were expended principally in the Northwest portion,
of Illinois and in the adjacent parts of Wisconsin and Iowa. It is also true that
he was one of the first members of Sangamon Presbytery and of Illinois Synod,
and was present at its first meeting held at Hillsboro, in September, 1831.
Moreover, in the latter years of his life he made several tours for ministerial
labor through nearly the whole extent of what is now the Synod of Illinois South.
Hence the introduction of^ the preceding graceful and interesting article cannot
be regarded as militating with the general plan of the volume, though its most ap-
propriate place would have been among the doings and sketches of 1831.
INDEX TO CONTENTS.
PAGE.
PAGE.
Abbey, Ed. W.
143
Bamett, John andWm.
19
433
335
335
219
Adams, Joseph,
367
Bartle, W, T.
Adams, Wm. R.
586
Barton, C. B.
Alexander, James M.
481
Titus T. -
AUen, A. C.
309
Barr, Hugh,
Allendale, ch.
633
Barrett, E. D.
626
Allen, Robert W. -
169, 484
Barstow, Joseph D. -
616
Allison, James W. -
521
Blackburn, Gideon, -
- 12, 199
Alton, ch. the first, -
73
" Samuel, -
205
Alton, ch. the second,
172
Blanke, Henry,
538
Alton Presbytery, 246,
268,
281, 293
Brandt, J, B.
611
300, 310, 312, 320,
321,
330, 351
" Col. J. B, -
514
352, 362, 363, 368,
374,
387, 400
Brard, Miss Frances C.
- 56, 87
401, 403, 404, 415,
416,
429, 433
Beach, Charles F. -
591
436, 447, 448, 452,
457,
465, 468
Beckwith Prairie ch.
560
486, 487, 509, 524,
537,
547, 552
Beecher, Edward, -
168
561, 573> 581, 590,
602,
614, 627
Bethel ch.. Bond Co.,
99
642, 663, 674
" Coles Co.
176
Alvord, Alanson,
-
679
" Crawford Co.
435
A. H. M. Society, 459
465
525-536
" Wayne Co.
- 137, 140
Anderson, A.
-
58
Bell, first Protestant in 111
145
Andrews, Amzi,
-
59
Belleville ch.
188, 293, 317
Anna ch.
-
617
Bennet, Isaac,
19, 75, 187
Apple Creek ch., 111.
-
85, 168
Bement ch.
545
Apple Creek ch., Mo.
-
61, 72
Bergen, John G.
- 120, 141
Areola ch.
-
275
Bethany ch.
328
Armstrong, C. Solon,
-
667
Bird, W. H.
369
Armstrong, J. R. -
-
608
Birch, Geo. W. F. -
573
Ashmore ch.
-
298
Bishop, Noah,
465
Assembly, the first,
-
8
Bissell, Sandford R.
592
Associate Reformed,
-
15
Bliss, Stephen.
- 75- 77
Assumption ch.
-
523
" Samuel W.
82
Auburn ch. -
-
676
Brich, John,
114
Avery, Abraham S.
-
467
Bridgeport ch.
592
Baldridge, Samuel, M. D.
-
225
Bridgman, Wm.
610
S. C.
-
76, 445
Brighton ch.
372
Baldwin ch.
-
318
Blodgett, Harvey, -
356
Baldwin, Mrs. C. W.
-
26
Blood, C. E.
295
Theron, -
-
64, 156
Brooks, A. L.
636
Barnes, Mrs. Lydia,
-
151
" John F.
iSi
'* William,
-
578
" Roswell,
1S9
728
PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLLINOIS.
Brown, Amos P.
-
-
235
Cerro-Gordo ch.
414
" Benj. B.
-
-
679
Chester
58
*' James R.
-
-
679
Chester, E, F.
349
" John H.
-
-
464
Chittenden, Wm. E. -
331
" Preston,
-
-
73
Coe,D. B.
525
Brownlee, James,
-
-
616
College, Jacksonville,
- 141, 150
Brownstown ch.
-
-
488
Collins, Miss Almira, -
36
Bovell, Stephen J.
-
-
599
" William
62
Buck, Elijah,
-
-
583
CoUinsville ch.
83
Buffalo ch.
- '■'
-
609
Conn, Mrs. Eliza,
54
Bullard, Artemas,
-
-
161
" Samuel,
626
Burr, Mrs. P.
-
-
53. 54
Cook, Solomon,
679
Butler Calvin,
-
-
401
Corbett, H. M.
564
" James G.
-
-
67s
Cottage-of-Peace
95
" Joseph,
-
190,
192, 267
Crocker, Dea.Josiah, -
- 49- 148
" ch.
-
-
494
Crozier, John,
419
BruUItt's Creek ch.
-
-
214
Cumberland Presbyterian
9
Bryant, E. G.
-
-
562
" Precinct ch.
489
Cairo ch. -
-
-
513
Danforth, Cyrus,
75
" first Sabbath
in
-
514
Danville ch.
- 212, 213
" its church building,
-
514
Darrah, Martin B.
19
Caledonia ch.
-
-
437
Darwin ch.
213
Campbell, John C.
-
-
211
Dashiell, Alfred H. -
217
Cambridge Platform,
-
2
Davies, Samuel,
6
Cameron, James,
-
-
415
Davis, James Scott, -
666
Candee, I. N.
-
-
488, 656
" Geo. F.
683
Cannon, Ann B.
-
-
25
" Thomas D.
621
Carbondale ch.
-
-
448, 676
Dawson ch
483
Carlinville ch.
-
-
207, 288
Decatur ch. first & Second,
427
Carlyle ch.
-
-
296
Deering, John K.
404
Carmi ch.
-
-
"5
Deming, F. A.
SOI
CarroUton ch.
-
-
86, 169
Denmark ch.
638
Catlin, Oren,
-
-
34, 38, 85
Denny, A. N.
553
Cave-in Rock,
-
-
45
Deirow, Nathan B. -
- 41,46
Cave-Spring ch.
-
-
•441
Dickey, Ninian S.
680
Chamberlin, Wm.
-
-
300
DiUingham, Henry D.
614
Chatham ch.
-
-
222
Dimond, David,
432
Charles, B. H.
-
-
492
Dixon, A. M.
381
Charleston ch.
-
-
240
Dwight, President, -
3
Clark, A. J.
-
-
621
Dook, Miss Lucinda,
226
" Gen. Geo. R.
-
-
406
Dodge, John V.
403
" Gideon C.
-
-
408
" Richard V. -
400
Crab- Orchard ch.
-
-
297
Dongola ch.
674
Crawford, John,
-
.
44
Donnell, Thomas,
71
Central ch. Jacksonvile,
-
278
Downer, J. C.
479
Central Presbytery
140,
142
161, 166
Du Bois ch.
668
Centralia ch.
-
-
473
Ducoign, the Name, -
352
INDEX TO CONTENTS.
729
Ducoign, New, the ch.
-
474
Fulton ch.
-
139
" Female Seminary,
-
704
Gallaher, Thomas,
-
117
Dunn, James R.
-
363
Wm. G.
-
116
Ebenezer ch.
-
436
Galum ch.
-
348
Eddy, Chauncy,
-
328
Gardner, William.
-
29
Edgewood ch.
-
661
Wilham B
330
Edwards, Jonithan, -
-
3
Gear, D. L. -
-
58
" Joseph S. -
-
468
Georgetown ch.
-
518
Edwardsville ch. the first
-
39
Gerry, Reuben,
-
257
" ch. the second
-
268.
Gibson, John,
-
389
Efiingham ch.
-
598
W. J.
-
- 389- 390
Ehzabethtown ch. -
-
635!
W. P.
-
617
Ellis, John M.
55.
56, 59
Giddings, Salmon,
21,
33- 34, 37. 52
" Mrs. F. C. B. -
-
66
Gilead ch., Jeflferson
Co.
170
Elkhom ch.
-
187
" ♦' Lawrence Co.
676
Filers, William,
-
591
Gilgal ch.
-
670
Elliott, John,
-
679
Gillispie ch. -
-
487
Elm-Point ch.
-
440
Glover, L. M.
-
382
Enfield ch.
-
649
Godfrey, Capt. Benj
-
701
Episcopacy in Virginia,
-
5. 7
Golconda ch.
-
41
Equality ch.
-
182
Goodale, Geo. W.
-
548
Evans, David W.
-
693
Gordon, Joseph,
-
368
Ewlng, Alex,
-
186
Gould, Daniel,
-
- 41, 73
" David,
-
410
" Thomas,
-
- 75. 78
" F. N.
-
260
"
-
633
Ewington ch.
-
405
Grand Tower ch.
-
674
Exeter ch.
-
327
Grandview ch.
-
361
Farris, \Vm. B.
-
673
Grass Lake,
-
64
Felch, C. P.
-
612
Graves, F. W.
-
219
Finley, John E.
-
II
" Joseph S.
-
388
First churches in IIU.
-
139
Gray, Joseph J,
-
563
Eish, Edward F.
-
663
Grayville ch.
-
575
Fisher, Geo. W.
-
670
Greenville ch.
-
- 103, 281
Fithian, William,
-
334
Gregg, Martin B.
-
647
Elint, Timothy,
-
52,71
Greenfield ch.
-
517
Flora ch.
-
495
Greenhef, Wm C.
-
267
Folsom, Ezekiel,
-
562
Greenup ch.
-
679
Foote, Chas. H.
-
548
Gridley, R. W.
-
264
Foster, A. S. -
-
679
Grosvenor, Lemuel,
-
3S8
" Lemuel
-
193
Grout, Joseph M.
-
393
Fowler, Joseph,
-
283
Grove ch.
-
43
Fox, John,
-
679
Hale, Albert,
-
- lSl,222
Eraser, Abram B.
-
679
Halsey, Chas F.
-
6C2
" George
-
679
Hamilton, Alfred, D
. D.
5S1
" William J. 168,
184,
194, 215
D. H.
-
- 555- 574
Friendsville ch.
-
482
William
- 20, 1 86
" Seminary -
-
482
Hanna, Mrs. Agnes,
-
43
730
PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLLINOIS.
Hardin ch.
429
Illinois State, -
_
55
Hardy, Solomon,
104
" Territory,
-
51
Harrisburg ch.
648
" Presbytery 162
167,
168, 178
Harsha, W, W.
662
184, 194, 232, 242,
263,
327, 334
Harrison, Wm. H.
51
364, 393, 407, 418,
434,
437, 449
Harristown ch
614
458, 490, 5 16,' 540,
542,
555, 569^
Hart, Chas. C.
679
577, 585, 594, 607, 619, 636, 655
Hassinger, Peter
435
670.
Hawkins, John L.
- 20, 365
Illiopohs ch. -
-
641
Hawley, Stiles -■'■''■
160
Ilsley, Wm. H.
-
143, 682
Head, Simon C.
690
Indiana Territory,
.
51
Heard, Joseph
50
Ingersoll, John,
-
417-
Hebron ch.
298
Jacks6n, Andrew,
-
12
Hedges, Thornton K.
639
Jacksonville, First ch.
-
no
Hempstead, Stephen.
17
" Female Acadei
ny-
70J
Hendrickson, Wm A.
679
Jenney, Elisha,
179,534
Herman ch.
632
Jennings, C. P.
-
679
Herrick, Henry
163
Jerseyville, First ch, -
-
195
Hershey, Andrew M.
20
" Second ch.-
-
484
" a it _
285
*' German,
-
552
Hickory Creek ch.
391
Johnson, Adam C.
-
685
Hill, Timothy,
588
" John M. -
.
664
Hillsboro, III.
12S
Johnston, Wm. L.
-
698
Hillsboro Presbytery,
- 537,552
Jones, John D.
.
665
Hitchcock, Miss P. A.
325
" L.
-
595
Hogan, John,
251
Wilhston, -
-
352
Holhster, Edward,
- 40, 73
Jordon's Grove ch. -
-
318
Homer ch.
624
Kansas ch.
-
523
Homes, Henry
61
Kaskaskia,
14,
15,49,50
Hood, John
672
church.
-
54
Hopewell ch., Bond Co.
328
" Library Association,
56,57
" Franklin Co.
357
" Presbytery, 72,
162,
170, 1 8a
'* Lawrence Co.
508
185, 208, 221, 243,
264,
273, 286
" or New Hope
46
296, 309, 317, 328, 348,
350, 357
Howe, Elbridge G. -
- 89, 96, 98
365. 383, 394,402,
411,
418, 435
Howell, Ellis D.
505
440, 450, 459, 460,
480,
491, 51S
" John S.
20
577, 587, 594, 620,
636, 670.
" John Smith, -
358
Keating, Edward, -
-
256
Hunt, N. A.
363
Kemper, Aug. S.
-
572
Huntington, Enoch -
260
Kennedy, John,
-
58, 402
Hurlbut, T. B.
232
Kenmore, Charles, -
-
486
Hurricane ch.
352
Kent, Aratus,
-
709
Hurd, Edwin L.
696
Kidd, John,
-
659
Huston, John,
50s
Kimball, Milton,
-
218
Hyde, Smith H.
607
King, Geo. Ives,
-
644
Hynes, Thomas W. -
359
Kingsbury, Enoch, -
-
210,211
Ignorant preachers, -
340
" Nathaniel,
-
274
INDEX TO CONTENTS.
73^
Kirby, William,
Kirkwood, Robert,
Knob-Prairie ch.
Krum, John M.
Laird, F. H. L.
Lapsley, J. E.
" Robert,
Laurie, Thomas,
Larkinsburg ch.
Lawrenceville ch.
Leavenworth, Mrs.
Lebanon ch.
" German ch
Leffler, Benj.
Leggett, Miss C.
Lewis, Henry R.
Liberty ch.
*' Prairie ch
S.J.
w.
Madison
Piatt Co.
Co
Lick Creek ch.
Lilly, R. H. - - 20
Lincoln, W. E.
Lippincott, Thomas, - 141
Litchfield ch.
Little, John W.
" Geo. L.
Lively's Prairie ch -
Long, Enoch,
Loomis, Hubbel,
Loudon, Clark
Loughead, S. D. -
Longpoint ch.
Love, David R. -
Lovejoy, E. P.
" his last speech
" his death
Low, Benj. - - 52,
Luce, Andrew,
Lummis, W. D.-
Lyons, Luke,
McCluskey ch.
McComb, Geo. B. -
McCord, John W. -
McCune, R. Lewis - - 20
McDonald, John
McFarland, Allan
D. F.
179 I
284 I
357 I
250 I
519
625
46
308
632
386 j
52
618 !
644 !
350 j
149 I
446 I
319 I
374 i
414 I
209
291
692
147
459
266
603
450
256
311
590
588
412
595
247
251
259
107
646
285
274
649
448
.575
158
521
573
McGready, James, -
Mcintosh,
McKee, D. D.
McKelvey, H. A. -
McKinney, Robert C.
McLeanesboro ch. -
McMillan, Edward, -
McMurray, J. E.
McNair, J. L.
Mack, John,
Macon ch.
Makemie, Francis, -
Mann, Alfred M.
" John
Manton, D. E.
Manchester ch.
Marine ch.
Marion ch.
Marshall ch.
" Lyman,
Marquis, David C. -
Martin, Almond G. -
" C. D.
Martinsville ch.
Mason ch.
Mascoutah ch.
Massac, Ft.
Mathes, Alvin R.
Mattice, Henry
Mathews, John
Matthews, Mrs. S. -
R. J. L. -
Mattoon ch., the first,
" " " second,
Maynard, Washington,
May, Geo.
Mayo, B. E.
Mechanicsburg ch. -
Messenger, B. Y.
Metropolis City ch. -
Miller, Geo. D.
Miller, John
Mills, Samuel J.
Mitchell, R. A.
" Samuel W. -
" W. L.
Milton ch.
- 18, 19, 22
249
299
664
579
- 419,648
476
416
660
679
602
I
697
55
269
- 220,343
208
354
360
694
679
536
679
444
- 498,615
545
405
685
638
57: 70, 141
325
696
503
504
641
75.77
679
316
163
405
558
679
12, 13, 17, 52
443
613
552
559
732
PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLLINOIS.
Moawequa cli.
627
Ottawa Presbytery, -
-
215
Monfort, C. Van H.
610
Oviatt, T. M.
-
679
Monticello ch.
452
Palestine ch.
-
170
" Seminar}',
702
Palestine Presbytery, 210,
223,
240
245
Montgomery, John, -
180
267, 274, 275, 289,
297,
309
310
Moore, Miss Josephine,
65
319, 329. 350. 351,
360,
366
367
Moro ch.
398
383, 3S4, 394, 403,
414.
419
425
Morrison, A. P. -
679
436, 441, 444. 451.
460,
481
505
" James L. D*-'
35
507, 521, 545, 558,
571,
579
589
" Mrs P. -
702
613, 624,
640,
661,
673
" Robert, -
53
Palmer, Charles H. -
-
367
Morton, Henry T. -
522
" Nathan S. -
-
461
" Samuel M.
688
WiUiam R. -
-
499
Mound City ch.
536
Palmyra,
-
77
Mt. Carmel ch.
276
Pana ch.
-
470
Mt. Olivet ch.
522
Panther Creek ch. -
-
264
Mt. Vernon ch., Bond Co. -
418
Paris ch.
-
87
" " " Jefferson Co. -
447
Patrick, Hillery,
-
413
Mt. Vernon ch.
297
Patterson, Andrew 0.
-
19
23
Mud Creek ch.
274
Paull, Findley,
-
172
Mulberry Grove ch. -
354. 610
Peccan Bottom ch. -
-
264
Murphysboro ch.
364
Pennoyer, Andrew L.
-
679
Murrayville ch.
310
Pentzer, Valentine, -
-
400
Naples ch. -
180
Perkins, Geo. K.
-
653
Nashville ch.
187
Perrin, Truman,
-
80
JVaylor, A. R.
584
Pettigrew, Samuel, -
-
450
Neoga ch.
506
Phillips, Chas. T. -
-
697
New Amity ch.
638
Pierson, George,
-
409
Newell, Samuel,
442
Pinckneyville ch,
-
416
639
" Thomas M.
679
Pisgah ch., Gallatin Co.
-
28S
New Haven ch.
146
" " Morgan Co.
-
184,
224
New Hope, Jasper Co.
559
Pitkin, Caleb J.
-
479
New Providence ch.
142
Piatt, Henry D.
-
433
Newton ch.
276
" Joseph,
-
329
Newton, T. H.
586
Pleasant Prairie ch, -
-
163
Nine-Mile Prairie ch.
320
Pleasant Ridge ch, -
-
411
Noble Township ch.
612
Plum Creek ch.
-
331
Nokomis ch.
573
Pocahontas ch.
-
440
North Arm ch.
427
Pollock, G. A.
-
611
Norton, Aug. T. -
233
Pond, BiUous,
-
679
Nutting, Rufus,
434
Post, W. S.
-
486
Odin ch. -
292
Porter, Josiah,
-
314
Okaw ch. -
275
Potter, Mary P.
-
28
Old Ducoign,
320
Powers, W. K.
-
679
Ormsby, Martin B.-
544
Prairie Bird ch.
-
542
Olmsted, E. B.
375
" City ch.
-
613
Olney ch. - - -
507
Prentiss, Norman A.
-
544
INDEX TO CONTENTS.
??>};
Presbytery, first,
-
-
2
583, 592. 618, 63
I, 647, 669.675.
" Center,
-
-
39
Sanders, W. D.
449.
Prestley, Wm. H.
-
-
683
Sandoval ch.
539
Princeton College,
-
-
6
Sangamon ch.
lie
Procter, David C.
-
-
83
" Presbytery,
162, 176, 183,
Prospect ch.
-
-
43
192, 209, 221, 240,
245, 266, 277,
Pyle, Geo. W.
-
-
332
293. 299, 310, 320,
330, 35 1' 362,
Quincy ch.
-
-
167
3(^7' 387, 396. 403.
415, 427, 436,
Ranney, J. A.
-
-
331
446, 451, 463, 482,
508, 523, 547,
Rankin, John G.
-
-
407
560, 573, 581, 589-
600, 613, 625,
Rattan's Prairie,
-
-
398
640, 662, 673
Reasoner, John S.
-
-
679
Saye, John B.
451
Redbud ch.
-
-
411
Scarritt, Isaac,
534
Reed, Isaac,
-
-
79. 92
Schermerhorn, John F.
12. 13
" James A.
-
-
679
Schofield, Edward, -
699
Reints, John H.
-
-
658
Scott, Joseph H.
627
Reporter, Presbytery,
-
235
" Samuel T.
35
Reynolds, Miss E.
-
-
707
Seaman, Charles,
646
" Robert,
-
-
50
Selleck, Charles G. -
261
" Thomas,
-
-
562
Sharon ch. -
18
Richland ch.
-
-
395- 396
Shawneetown,
14, f5, 25. 106
Richview ch.
-
-
487
Shelby ville ch. 0. s. -
?>3(>
^iggSj Cyrus,
-
-
265
"
409.
" C.
-
-
286
Sheldon, James B. -
589
" Illinois,
-
-
136
Shepard, Adam,
8t
Ringland, Adam W
-
691
Sherrard, Thomas, -
562
Robertson, S. H.
-
-
620
Shiloh ch.
- 189, 191
Robinson ch.
-
-
395
" Lawrence Co.
297
W. McC.
-
-
687
Shipman ch.
469
Rochester ch.
-
-
357
Shoal Creek ch.
- 33, 418
Rockwood ch.
-
-
319
Shobonier ch.
669
Root, Lucius I.
-
-
644
Side, New and Old,
4
Roots, B. G.
-
-
707
Silliman, John,
20. 21. 243
Ross, Robert G.
-
-
657
Sim, Wm. R.
492
Routes. Water, Westward,
-
8
Simpson, Robert,
414
Rudd, Robert,
-
-
6S9
Simrall, John G.
679
Russ, John H.
-
-
404
Smith, Albert,
- 456. 467
Rutherford, Robert,
-
-
796
" Daniel,
13. 17. 18, 51
St. Charies, Mo.
-
-
71
" Horace,
- 163. 176
St. Johns' (German
)ch.
-
564
«' James, D. D.
39S
St. Louis in 1814,
-
-
16
" Mrs. John Blair,.
- 39- «i8
Salem ch.
-
-
480, 658
•' Joseph,
22
" Macoupir
1 Co.
-
309
" Samuel B.
492
" Presbytery,
-
79
" Socrates,
2,S'>
Saline Mines, ch. of
-
-
675
" Thomas,
- 20, 650
" Works,
-
-
15
" Wm. A.
679.
" Presbytery,
540, 55
565. 574,
" W\ H.
63a
734
PRESBYTERIANISM IN ILLLINOIS.
Sneed, S. K.
-
-
509
Tacusa ch. -
.
523
Snow Hill ch.
-
-
I
Taggart, Samuel B.
-
589
Society, A. H. M.
-
-
459
46s
Tamaroa ch.
-
589
Soule, John B. L.
-
-
619
Taper ch.
-
151
South, Green,
-
-
195
Tarbet, Wm. L.
-
438. 541
Sparta ch.
-
-
318
,695
Taylor, C. H.
-
512
Spaulding, Geo.
-
-
391
'« Eli W.
-
581
Spence, Wm. B.
-
-
601
" Hiram F. -
-
436
Spencer, Thomas,
. ■■■'
-
596
" Wm. M.
-
679
Spilman, Benj.
23.
24, 2
5. 27
131
Taylorville ch.
-
483
" B. F.
-
19.
20, 2
3, 80
Teitsworth, W, P. -
-
617
" James H.
-
-
671
Templeton, Wm. H.
-
519
" Thomas A
-
lOI
Tenney, David,
-
38,52
" Thomas E
.
-
638
Thayer, Erastus W.
-
292
Spining, C. P.
-
-
546
Third ch. Springfield,
-
397
Sprague, Daniel Green,
34, 38, 85
Thomas, Col. John,
-
54
Spring Cove ch.
-
-
206
Henry E. -
-
679
Springfield, First ch.
-
116
Wm. G. -
-
679
" Second ch.
-'
222
Thompson, Oliver S.
-
698
" Third ch.
-
597
Thomson, P. W.
-
3S5
Stafford, James,
-
20
145
237
Thornton, J. C.
-
599
Star-faUing,
-
-
443
Tillson, John,
-
131, 133
Stark, J. W.
-
-
570
" Mrs. John,
-
107, 134
Staunton ch.
-
-
328
Timberville ch.
-
633
Stebbins, Geo.
-
-
637
Todd, Andrew,
-
277
Steele, John A.
-
-
679
" David R. -
-
538
Steeles' Mills ch.
-
-
519
Tolono ch. -
-
498
Stewart, Robert,
-
-
197
Townsend, Jesse,
-
105
" W. K.
-
-
172
Trenton ch.
-
496
Stout, Adriel,
-
-
88
Trinity ch. -
-
191
Strange, F. G.
-
-
684
Troy ch.
-
312
String Prairie ch.
-
-
195
Tuck, Nathan F.
-
679
Sugar Creek ch.
-
-
144
Tucker, Joshua T. -
-
261
" '• Sangamon P
•esb.
209
Turkey-Hill ch.
-
49
Sullivan ch.
-
-
++6
Tuscola ch. -
-
507
Sturtevant, J. M.
-
-
157
Tuthill, Geo. M.
-
415
Swan, B.C.
-
20
loS
565
Uhlfelder, Sigmund
-
457
Swift, Miss Patty,
-
-
147
Unity ch.
-
521
Synod, the first,
-
-
2
Union ch.
-
169
" Division of,
-
-
4
" county ch.
-
570
" New-York,
-
-
4
" ch. Clark Co.
-
572
Synod of Illinois,
162,
183,
194,
214,
" ch. Lawrence Co.
-
445
231,
241,
262,
283,
295,
•• ch. Macoupin Co.
-
417
307,
355.
389,
391,
458,
Upper Alton ch.
-
247
475.
4S9,
515.
540,
554,
University, Blackburn,
-
707
■569, 576,
585.
593,
607,
Vanatta, P. R.
-
490
619
635,
654
670
Van Burensburg ch.
-
391
INDEX TO CONTENTS.
735
Vance, Samuel E.
-
-
580
Vandalia ch. -
-
-
135
Van Deursen, R. E
.
-
623
Van Nest, P. S.
-
-
646
Venable, H. I.
-
-
290
Vera ch.
-
-
669
Vergennes ch.
-
-
374
Villa Ridge ch.
-
-
669
Virden ch.
-
-
438
Wabash ch. -
-
-
74
" College,
-
-
63
" Piesbyter>',
402,
412,
418, 435.
441, 451
460, 481,
498, 520,
545. 558
570,
579,
588, 594,
610
, 623, 639,
659, 673
Wagaman, John C.
-
679
Wallace, David A.
-
-
425
Walnut Grove ch.
-
-
274
" Prairie ch.
-
-
214
Wakefield ch.
-
-
522
Walton, James S.
-
-
536
Ward, J. Jerome,
-
-
590
" Samuel,
-
-
457
Warren, Joseph,
-
-
(>33
AVatson ch.
-
-
598
" Cyrus L.
-
-
152
Waveland ch.
-
-
317
W^ells, W. W.
-
-
452
West Liberty ch.
-
-
244
Western Saratoga ch.
-
364
Westminster ch.
-
-
543
West Okaw ch.
-
-
561
" Union ch.
-
-
310
Whittaker, H. B.
-
326
White, Reuben,
-
224
Whitehall ch.
-
86, 2S6
Whitney, Dewey,
-
209, 210
Wilbur, Backus,
-
19,23
" H. N.
-
615
Williams, J. A.
-
658
Williams, L. S.
-
271
" Nathaniel,
-
579
R. G.
-
679
W. H. -
-
308
W. W. -
-
661
Williamson, Abraham,
-
41
Wilson, Joseph,
-
383
" Joseph M. -
-
654
Winchester ch.
-
270
Wines, Fred. H. -
-
6oi
Wood, Geo. C.
-
271
" Josiah,
-
325
•' Morgan L. -
-
577
Woodside, John S. -
-
634
Worcester, Miss E. -
-
78
" Noah, D. D.
-
78
Wright, A. W.
-
682
Wylie, Samuel,
-
52
" S. R-'H.
-
447
Xenia ch.
-
495
Year: 1816, 18 — '31, 167-
-'32,
178-
'33, 184—34, 194-
- 35,
216—
'36, 232— '37, 242-
-'38,
263-
'39, 270 — '40, 284-
-'31
296—
'42, 308—43, 3^3-
-'44,
327-
'45, 334— '46, 356-
-'47,
364-
'48, 381—49, 393-
-'50,
402—
'51, 407—52, 418-
-'53,
434—
'54, 437—55, 449-
-'56.
45S-
'57- 476—58, 490-
-'59.
5i<>-
'60, 540—61, 555-
-'62,
5"9—
'63, 577— '64, 585-
-'65,
594—
'66, 607— '67, 619-
-'68,
636-
'69. 655—'
70, 670
York ch.
-
292
Young. Clayton,
-
143
" John,
-
95
'« P. D.
-
366
Zion ch.
491
Princeton Theoloqical ,.f ,f,"[!i'ia['L,ii'|^:^[f
11012 01250 9644