Cass County, Illinois - Military History, 1915 (part 2 of 2)

Thomas Wilson, Henry H. Hall, John Rodgers, Henry Freeman, Milton Berry, William Campbell, A. C. Crandall, J. B. Craft, Z. W. Gatton, and their successors. They were vested with all the rights and property of the former seminary and the Union College, and power to sell and convey the property was conferred. The school continued for another year, and then, it being very apparent that even under the new corporation it had not long to live, the Sangamon Presbytery of the Cumberland church, pursuant to the authority granted them in the last named act, concluded to sell and dispose of the property hefore it became absolutely useless. Thereupon it met upon September 2, 1870, and directed the trustees to sell the property, adopting the folloWing obituary resolutions:

"Whereas, the Virginia Seminary of the Cumberland Presbyterian Chureh is in a dilapidated condition, unsuited to keep a school therein without extensive repairs, and whereas, there is no money in the board treasury with which to repair. and whereas, the seminary has ever failed to meet the wishes and expectations of its best friends, and whereas, three of the school districts including Virginia, have consolidated for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a graded school in the town, and whereas, the directors of the united districts have caused an election to be held which has resulted in authorizing them to borrow §$5.000 to be spent in purchasing school property, and whereas, they have determined to commence building this fall in the event they cannot buy the seminary, in which case we could not compete with this school nor sell the property: therefore, resolved: That as Presbytery we instruct our board of trustees to sell the entire seminary property to the directors of Union District No. 1. town of Virginia. Cass County, Ill, for school purposes alone."

The price was fixed at $5,000, and the trustees were left to agree upon such terms as they thought best as to payments, interest on deferred payments. ete. Following this authority, the trustees sold the property to the trustees of schools of township 17, n., range 10. w., for the use of the inhabitants of the Union District. The deed bears date of May 17, 1871. The original building was built by George W. Weaver, a contractor and builder of Beardstown, and after the Union District took possession extensive repairs were made and the building served as a public school for many years. The a long time, even after the name had been changed back to that under which it was first incorporated. With this one exception, however, as before stated, institutions of learning in Cass County have been the public free schools.

Review Of Early Schools

A review of the early schools of the county will be of interest. Outside of the towns and villages and even in some of them, it is difficult to obtain definite information, as to the establishment of schools in the various parts of the county before and about the time of the adoption of the free school system, but the following is fairly accurate, and will at least serve the purpose of enlightening the present and future generations of the difficulties under which the rudiments of an education were obtained by our forefathers.

Thomas S. Berry came from Virginia in 1829, a distance of over 900 miles, on horseback, carrying all he possessed in the way of worldly goods in saddle bags. He stayed with Benjamin Stribling on a farm about one and one-half miles west of the present site of Virginia, the first winter, and the next two winters he taught a subscription school in a cabin near the Stribling home. He seems to have been the first teacher in the central part of Cass County. William Holmes, afterwards the first representative in the legislature from Cass County, taught the first school held near Sugar Grove, now a part of Philadelphia Precinct, in 1881. The school was held in the cabin of Mr. Holmes, which he had built when he came into the county, and had abandoned for the new frame house he built further north. Mr. Holmes is said to have been an excellent teacher, but rather too kindhearted and lenient with the unruly. Weeling Berry taught a subscription, or what was sometimes termed a select school from November. 1839. to September, 1840, in a log house built on section 27, township 17, range 10.

Earliest In The Field

Monroe Precinct seems to have been the earliest in the field with a school. James Davis had come to the neighborhood in 1826, and entered the west half of the southwest quarter of section 12, township 17, range 11, and being of a progressive nature and realizing that it was necessary to facilitate legitimate progress by providing opportunities for the children to acquire some schooling, proposed to the neighbors, in 1829, that if they would render assistance, he would permit a schoolhouse to be built on his land, suggesting as a location a spot south of his house on the south side of the highway which ran westerly about where the present highway is along the George Davis farm, and that he would contribute money and labor as well in order to provide a place where the children might be taught at least their ''a-b-abs." Within a month from the time this generous offer was made, an appreciative collection of settiers had a log schoolhouse up and provided with puncheon benches for the children to sit on, and a large 2-inch plank set up on four stout legs or pegs for the teacher's desk; and some greased paper pasted over the openings cut in certain of the logs, for windows. Behold the temple of learning was ready for use. Jesse Pierce was the first teacher, and had for some of his pupils the Clark children, David, Thomas and Patience; James A., Julia Ann, John and Thomas Davis; Emily Spencer, Jake Shoopman, James and Nelson Graves, George Savage, Logan, Samuel and Mary Wilson, and Isaiah and Sylvyester Huffman. William Chapman was the next teacher and taught for one term, when he was followed by John Gelespie, who was an excellent teacher and remained several terms. The burning of the old schoolhouse terminated his connection with the district. The chimney of this schoolhouse was built like most of the chimneys of the residence cabins, that is with sticks laid up like the logs of a house, and daubed with mud. Inside the fireplace the daubing was thicker and was supposed to be burned hard like brick and impervious to the fire, but a portion had cracked and fallen out and one night the chimney got on fire and soon spread to the building and burned it to the ground. The people soon had another cabin up and supplied it with glass windows, much to the delight and pride of the children.

The Walnut Grove schoolhouse, on the southeast corner of the southwest quarter of section 25, township 17, range 10, was built in 1883, and this was known as the Princeton school for a number of years, as the children from that hamlet attended there before a building could be found or erected in Princeton for school purposes. It cannot be learned who taught the first school, but one of the early teachers was

Joel C. Borinson, who taught during 1835 and 1836, and perhaps earlier. The schoolhouse was of logs and served well as a school building until 1845, when a storm in the nature of a cyclone, in June, 1845, scattered its logs through the timber.

In 1880 a rude log schoolhouse was built on section 35, township 19, range 9, on the Petersburg and Beardstown road, in what is now Richmond Precinct. It was about where the Dick schoolhouse of the present is located. An Englishman named James L. Grant, taught the first school. Among his pupils were C. J. Wilson, Pollie Dick, John Hash, James and Levi Dick, and Henry Taylor. It is said that Mr. Grant was an excellent teacher. At Puncheon Grove, southeast of Mr. Grant's school, the Baptists erected a church building in 1842, which was used as a schoolhouse during the week days.

In Hickory Precinct, which was then named Bowen, the first subscription school was taught by B. F. Nelson in the fall of 1834, in a vacated log cabin, standing near the site of the Jacob Houk residence, on the Sangamon Bottom road. Mr. Nelson is described as a person prepossessing in appearance, scholarly, and gentle manly in his manners, but entirely without energy and industry. The cabin caught fire and burned down from his carelessness, so it was thought, and this ended the school for that season and for several others, as no more school was held in that neighborhood until 1836, when William Cole built a small cabin for the sole purpose of a schoolhouse, and tendered it to any person competent to teach. Carlton Logan accepted the challenge and subscriptions and taught during the winter of 1836. In 1840 a log schoolhouse was built on the present site of the Hickory schoolhouse, which served the purpose of a schoolhouse for seventeen years. A new frame building was erected in 1857, and for five years the distinguished L. U. Revis wielded the birch, or more properly speaking, the split clapboard, as no birch grew in that neighborhood.

In 1889 a schoolhouse was built on the present site of Bluff Springs, but its exact locality cannot be ascertained, but it is believed to have been located where the store building of John Clark was burned a few years ago, at the crossing of the two public highways. Henry Babb was the first teacher, and Mary Ann Lindsley the second. Miss Lindsley was the wife of John L. Buckley, to whom she was married June 2, 1S44. The third teacher was Mr. Humingston, whose Christian name is not known. In 1860, Bluff Springs built a substantial frame school building about half a mile south of the present village, and has since added another room, and now has as excellent a country school as may be found in the county.

Oregon Precinct secured a schoolhouse at what is now known as Quebec as early as 1840, through the efforts of James Garner, Elijah Carver and James Mathews. Its first teachers were William Pallet and Miss Dorothy Major. The next school] built in Oregon was at the point near the center of the precinct which had borne the name Oregon from about the time of the organization of a church society in the neighborhood. In 1855 a congregation of Methodists was established and a schoolhouse built for the common purpose of a school and meeting house for the church. Until about this time all the schools mentioned heretofore had been conducted on the subscription plan. There was no such thing as a public tax for the maintenance of schools. Nearly everyone in a neighborhood who had children to send to school paid something, if they did not have money they paid in produce of some kind, and almost any kind was regarded as legal tender in those pinching days. A college education was not necessary as a qualification for a teacher in pioneer days. A knowledge of "readin', 'ritin' and 'rethmetic,' and in the latter branch of those mysterious arts, to be abie to cipher to the double rule of three was deemed sufficient for all practical purposes. Many of the early teachers, however, did know much more than these rudimentary branches, but did not deem it wise or safe to reveal their more advanced learning. Had a teacher been discovered demonstrating a problem in Euclid he would have been regarded as a necromancer, and looked upon with grave suspicion.

In villages and cities, the beginning of localities which have since developed into schools, was much the same as in the districts which hare remained rural. In the Panther Creek settlement, which ultimately became the thriving village of Chandlerville, the first school was conducted by Mrs. Henry Ingalls, who opened and taught the school in her private residence, south of the Dr. Chandler home. After several terms she discontinued the work and was succeeded by Mrs. Emily Chandler Allen, a sister of Dr.

Chandler, who permitted her the use of his home for school purposes. The school was conducted fora year. John Rickard taught a school at his residence on the farm south of the settlement, known for many years as the Hash farm.

In 1838, Dr. Chandler becoming tired of having his private residence used as a schoolroom, built a small frame house toward the east, and near the present business part of the village, where Mrs. Ingalls resumed teaching, and continued until the spring of 1841, at which time a church society had been organized and a church building erected and the small schoolhouse becoming crowded, the church building was tendered for use as a schoolroom, and from the beginning of the winter term of that year on there was a regular school, taught in turn by Miss Dunham, Miss Pease, and Miss Hosford. Others who taught subsequently were: David Craig, Peter Rickard, Emily Chandler and Helen Cotton. These schools were all subscription, and this kind of school prevailed until 1856, when the new free school law began to be put into action. That year a frame building was erected on lot 60 of the original town, which is the site of the present school grounds, and that answered for a school building until 1868, when a portion of the first brick school was erected. In 1878 the brick building was completed then containing five rooms. The attendance however increased to such an extent that in 1906 a new, substantial brick building with many modern conveniences was built, and Chandlerville now has a first class school in its limits, and a number of country schools in the precinct.

Arenzville Precinct had the same experience with the early schools as did the other parts of the county. A church building was erected in 1889, within the present town limits on ground donated by the proprietor of the town, Francis A. Avenz., which was used during week days as a school. About 1858S a school building was erected. on the south half of block 4 of the original town, and used as a school untik 1877, when lot 3 of the same block was purchased and a building was erected. It served the village until 1892, when grounds and buildings were sold to the village trustees, and are now used as town hall and calaboose. In June, 1891, the district bought a part of out lot 9 and commenced at once to erect a new school building. It was completed in 1892 and was occupied until November 11, 1908, when it was burned at 2:30 p. m..and com- pletely consumed. Prompt action was taken by the school board and in 1910 a splendid new up-to-date building was ready for use, and has furnished the village and school district with every accommodation deemed necessary for school purposes.

Ashland did not come into existence as a village or precinct until the free school system Was in operation, yet it had some difficulty in getting schools inaugurated. In 1859 a school was organized and an old abandoned building previously used as a grocery store was fitted up as Well as possible, and there George Coffin taught the first school within the village limits. The only school outside the village prior to that date was one known as the Beggs school. Tor three years school was conducted in the old grocery building when the present site was purchased, in block 97 of the original town, and a frame building erected which served untii 1866. In that year a new brick building of two rooms was erected, but the next year it was badly damaged by a storm. It was repaired and lasted until 1881, when the present building was erected under the supervision of William Douglas, William Jones and Silas Hexter. Ashland schools have a well developed progressive system of grade and high schools.

Beardstown Schools

Beardstown, the village, the town, the city, has been most active. energetic and successful in establishing and maintaining a public school system, that now stands in the very foremost rank of city public free schools. The founder of the town, Thomas Beard, and his most intimate friend and associate, Francis A. <Arenz, were both graduates of colleges, and appreciated highly the advantages of an education. Although these men, as well as many other enterprising early settlers of Beardstown, lent their aid in every way possible under the environments and primitive conditions, Beardstown had many of the experiences that other parts of the county had in laying a foundation for the education of the children. The history of the Beardstown schools is presented in a brief sketch entitled "Educational Progress in Beardstown," by Hon. John Listman, clerk of the city court of Beardstown, and secretary of the school board for a number of years.

were no free schools, and all the schooling the children received was from subscription schools common in those days. Such schools were maintained by the heads of families, by paying so much per month for each child. These schools were taught by parties who had sufficient learning to give instructions, including the 'birch' and 'hickory,' but had no special preparation for teaching. These schools were hard on the children of the poor. If a man could not pay the fee he could not send his children. These schools were held in shops, warehouses, and other buildings very poorly equipped for school purposes. The first school taught in Beardstown was a subscription school kept in an unused building facing on State street, between First and Second streets. In the year 1833, Thomas Beard, the founder of the city, erected a building on Sixth street, immediately east of State street, which he donated to the public for educational purposes: and later the building was occupied ly Dr. Hoffian as an office and chemical laboratory. During the forties, an old warehouse, situated on the corner of LaFayette and Second streets, was used as a schoolhouse for several years. Between the years 1830 and 1853. schools were held in different buildings; and parochial schools were also maintained during that time by various churches. In 1852, Beardstown began the erection of a spacious brick school building, known as the Brick School. on block 386, March and Beards' addition, where now stands the Central building. This building was completed in 1858, and was the first free school in the city. It served the people unti! 1Ss4, when the present Central building was erected at a cost of over $26,000. In 1887, two rooms were erected in the Fast ward, and two rooms in the West ward. In 1SS9, two more rooms were added to the West ward building, and in 1890, two more rooms were added to the East ward school. now called the Washington school. In 18938, the Second ana Fourth ward buildings were erected. In 1908, the Second ward building was remoyed and the Lincoln building was erected on the same lot: and was opened in the spring of 1909, and is now the home of the high school, which is growing rapidly. Two more rooms have heen added since to the Washington school, making it a six-room building.

"But the problem of taking care of the children of the west side of the city has been for some time, so to speak, the child of sorrow. to the board of education, and was not easy of solu- tion. The Fourth ward building had for a time been considered unsafe, and yet could not be dispensed with unless other provision could be made to house the children residing within the bounds of the west side district of the city. But the solution came sooner than anyone expected or looked for. In the spring of 1918, during the extreme high water, it became evident that the Fourth ward building was unsafe, and had to be condemned and abandoned. It thus became imperative for the board of education to take some decisive action in reference to making provision for the children residing within the West ward district, and to erect a building on some site centrally located within the district and easily accessible to all children residing within its bounds. It so happened that this site became available, a bond issue of $25,000 was voted, and after due deliberation the board proceeded 'to erect a school building of eight rooms, and which should be artistic in its architectural aspects; to be equipped with all modern devices, and to make it in all respects as nearly as possible an ideal school building which would be a credit to our city, and in which we all could feel and take pardonable pride,' the board being prompted by the principle that the best is only good enough for our children. The building known as the Beard school, situated on the site of the old city cemetery, was completed and formally dedicated October 30, 1914. The total value of our school property today, including this building, is about $170,000. The enrollment in our schools last year was 1,421 pupils."

Thus it appears the public schools of Beardstown have made a most creditable progress. About thirty years ago when the idea was first attracting the attention of school boards and teachers, manual training was introduced in the Beardstown schools, but did not remain long enough to give it a fair test as to its utility, but five years ago it was reinstated and seems to be gaining in fayor. A new feature in school work is the organization of Parent-Teachers' Associations. They have such an association now in Beardstown, and it is proving of very great helpfulness to the discipline of schools. Truancy of pupils in Beardstown has been reduced to the minimum. A circumstance connected with the Beardstown schools especially worthy of note is the fact that one person was for so many years employed as a teacher. The Tllustrated Directory of Cass County Schools, published by A. E. Hinners, then county superintendent of schools,

"We take pleasure in presenting the picture of Mrs. J. G. Dowler, who is a pioneer school teacher of this county and perhaps of the state. Mrs. Dowler has taught for forty-four cousecutive years in the Beardstown schools. A great at one time pupils of hers. In addition to her many years of experience, Mrs. Dowler keeps abreast with the times and is well posted on the modern methods employed in teaching. We believe that Mrs. Dowler's record as a teacher can hardly be duplicated." Mrs. Dowler continued with the schools as a teacher until 1907, making in all forty-nine years' service in the public schools of her native city.

The schools of Beardstown and the two rural schools in the district are under the supervision of Prof. H. G. Russel, superintendent, while the school board of education has a system of committees by which the general management is attended to. These committees are: Buildings and Grounds, E. E. Nicholson, chairman, Dr. C. E. Soule and John Listman; Rules, Forms and Complaints, A. S. Coil, chairman, Charles F. Kenedy and John T. Garm; Teachers and Salaries, John Listman, chairman, and Dr. C. E. Soule; Auditing and Finance, Dr. C. E. Soule, chairman, John T. Garm and E. E. Nicholson; Supplies and Expenditures, John T. Garm, chairman, John Listman and E. E. Nicholson; Text Books and Library, C. F. Kenedy, chairman, A. S. Coil and Dr. C. E. Soule; and Printing, Dr. J. T. Sechweer and John Listman. Dr. J. T. Schweer is president of the board.

Schools In The City And Precinct Of Virginia

School experience at Virginia does not differ materially from that of other points in the county. The earliest schools and their teachers outside of the city have been mentioned. When the town of Virginia was platted a few lots were designated as school lots. One of these was north of the present site of the new Methodist church, and it is said on that lot as early as 1837 a cabin was built and used for school purposes. It is doubtful about the building being a cabin. but there was a school kept in a building there and Miss Ann Jordan was the first teacher. Her successor was a Miss Williamson. Above the room used as the Harris Chair factory. on the west side of the public square, there was a vacant space, a sort of attic, but it was fitted up and used as a school room for girls and small children. Another school was kept in the upper story or loft of the Protestant Methodist church building, on one of the lots designated on the plat as a church lot, and being lot No. 64 of the original town. Still another school was held in the Dwelle property on South Front street, which was a private residence. All the schools were subscription or select ones. Among the early teachers other than those mentioned were: Miss Mary Ann Lindsley, later Mrs. John Buckley, W. H. H. Carpenter, who subsequently became county clerk, a Mr. Morgan, David Blair and others whose names are forgotten, all of their pupils having passed away long ago.

In 1845, the county seat having been removed to Beardstown from Virginia, the courthouse, which had been erected in 1838, beeame vacant, and the county commissioners for the advancement of education, entered an order at the July term of the Commissioners' Court on July 14, 1845, directing the clerk of the board to make a lease of the public square and the buildings thereon, being the house erected for a courthouse, to the trustees of township 17, range 10, for a term of ten years, for a consideration of one dollar, the directors of District No. 1 of said township to have control of the property with authority to make necessary repairs and modifications of the building to fit it for use asa schoolhouse. The lease was executed and the building fitted up and used as a schoolhouse until 1851, when, at the December term of that court, on December 38, the commissioners. pursuant to a petition from the inhabitants of Virginia, and the school district, finding it was the wish of the people of the county, donated the said property to the trustees of township 17, range 10, for District No. 1 of said township, for school purposes, with provision that if the property or any part thereof be used for any purpose other than for schools, it should revert to the county. The property was accepted and used until 1867, when the building was remodeled. From then on it was used as a school, being the only school building in the city until the purchase of the seminary property as before described. After the purchase of the seminary building. the old building was used for a primary building and continued as such until May 5, 1911, when it caught fire and the upper parts were so badly damaged that it was remodeled as a one-story building and is still in use for the primary de-

The old seminary building and spacious grounds were contracted for in 1870, but the deed was not made until May 17, 1871. In this old building the high school of Virginia was inaugurated in 1873, with a three-year course. The first Glass to graduate was that of 1876, under Prof. Johnson. now a lawyer of California, and consisted of four members only, namely: Miss Flora B. Bergstresser, a daughter of a leading merchant of Virginia at that time; J. C. Cherryholmes. a son of Abraham Cherryholmes, an early settler of Virginia; Miss Nellie Snyder. a daughter of Dr. J. F. Snyder of Virginia; and Miss Sallie Ruth Beadles, now the wife of Judge Charles AS. Martin.

Large Losses By Fire

In 1892 the school board and the citizens generally believed the city should have a new and more modern building for the increasing school population. They immediately set to work. The old seminary building was torn down to make room for the new building, and on September 18, 1898, the new school building, which had cost and was a model structure, with all modern improvements and conveniences, was opened. Professor T. W. B. Everhardt was the superintendent of the city schools when the new building was dedicated. With this splendid new building and the old one in excellent repair and conveniently remodeled on the interior, Virginia people felt they were well provided with school buildings of which they were justly proud, and which would serve them for generations to come. Alas for human hopes and calculations. In a few years both buildings were burned. The new high school building caught fire on the night of January 11, 1912, and was almost consumed by the flames before anyone was aware of the fire. It was a bitter cold night, the temperature at zero, and nothing could be done to save the building. <All the school books, the records and the splendid library were at the mercy of the flames, and became a total loss. The year 1911 and the first few days in 1912 were disastrous times for the schools of Virginia. First there was the burning of the primary building; then the cyclone of November 11, 1911, which demaged

Fine Modern Structure

The Virginia people, having the characteristics of the American people everywhere, did not lose courage but provided for continuing the schools in the vacant rooms wherever a class could be located. The directors then proceeded to arrange for rebuilding. A bond issue of $20,000 was voted by the people of the district. which, together with the insurance money received for the burned building, provided means for erecting a new building and it was dedicated April +. 1913. This building is of the most modern design, plain in exterior appearance, but equipped on the interior in a manner the experience of teachers and architects has demonstrated is best suited for school purposes. It cost ahout $33.000, and is built upon the same ground as the previous building. These grounds comprise about nine acres, and are well shaded with trees and the property is one of the best in the county. Some objections were made by the citizens of the district to the location on account of the fact that it is so far from the center of population, it being at the extreme southwest corner of the city. but the grounds being so excentionally suited for a school campus, and no steps taken to secure another location, the subject dropped. The school has a department of manual training which contains some features of domestic science. Vrof. A. M. Santee is at present the superintendent of the city schools. These schools are upon the accredited list and are as progressive as any schools of the county.

There are no high schools outside of the villages and cities; the legislature, however, by an act passed and approved June 26, 1913. provided for attendance upon high schools by pupils from districts where no high school is maintained, and the work of the school does not go above the eighth grade. The parent may select the high school for his children to which he wishes to send them, but this selection must have the approval of the directors of the district in which the pupil resides, and tuition is to be paid by such district.

Appointment Of Teachers

There are sixty-two rural districts in the county, two of them. the Lynn school in township 19, range §, and the Bluff Springs school. Each has two rooms and employs two teachers; therefore there are sixty-four rural teachers annually employed in the county. In the villages and cities the number of teachers are as follows: Arenzville has four teachers, including the principal. Ashland has nine teachers, including the principal, and has, in addition, a teacher who superintends the musical department. Chandlerville has a principal and five teachers. Beardstown has a superintendent besides thirty-four teachers, eight assigned to the high school and twenty-six to the grades. Virginia has a superintendent, four teachers in the high school, and eight in the grades, besides a director of the musical department. Teachers' institutes are held regularly each year during the vacation months, and teachers' meetings are held frequently during school terms.

School Commissioners And Superintendents

Prior to the amendment to the school law, approved February 16, 1865, relative to the election of a county superintendent for each county, an officer called a school commissioner was elected in each county, whose duties and prerogatives were very similar to that of the county superintendent in that act provided for. The persons holding the offices mentioned in this county since its organization have been as follows: School commissioners - Richard S. Thomas, John B. Shaw, Frank Holenger, and James K. Vandemark, The county superintendents of schools have been as follows: James K. Vandemark, the late Dr. Harvey Tate, of Virginia; John Gore, Allen J. Hill, who served from 1877 to 1882; Andrew L. Anderson, 1882-1886; Charles A. Schaeffer two terms to 1894; John G. Pearn, 1894-1898; Albert E. Hinnes, 1898-1906; Henry Jacobs, 1906-1914; and Walter kk. Buck, who was elected in 1914 for a term of four years without any opposition on any ticket.

Character Of Religious Sentiment In Early The Early Preachers

ONEERS - GROVES UTILIZED AS SUMMER CHURCHES - CAMP MEETINGS ENJOYED - FIRST PREACHERS IN CASS COUNTY - REY. REDDICK HORN ACTIVE VERY EARLY - VARIOUS DENOMINATIONS ESTABLISH ED - PROTESTANT METHODIST - METHODIST EPISCOPAL - REY. PETER CARTWRIGHT - FIRST RESIDENT PREACHER - GERMAN EVANGELICAL - CONGREGATIONAL - BAPTIST - LUTHERAN - CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN - ROMAN CATHOLIC - CHRISTIAN OR DISCIPLES - ABANDONED CHURCHES - W ITCHCRAFT IN CASS COUNTY - A DEBT OF GRATITUDE OWED TO THE EARLY PREACHERS.

Church Organization

The early settlers of Cass County came from so many different parts of the United States and of European countries, that it was but natural that there should be equally as great a variety of religious opinions and views. When Eli Cox came into the eastern part of the county, and when Thomas Beard located at the Mound village of the Indians on the Illinois River, there was no organized religious society anywhere north of Jacksonville, nor was it certain that there was any such society even at Jacksonville, for that place was then but the merest straggling village, and was not even laid out as a town until several years later. It is true that the French priests had passed up and down the Illinois River for a number of years before that period, and had established missions among the Indians, but even these missions had been abandoned and the natives had relapsed into a renewed state of barbarism not at all in keeping with the teachings of the kindly disposed priests. So the religion of Cass County, prior to 1835, may be said to have been that of the faith of each contingent of emigrants, which they had imbibed from their ancestors, and brought with them over the long, rough roads, through the forests and unbroken prairies, or across the wide sea from England, Ireland, Germany and other countries which all sent many excellent men and women to blaze the trail of civilization. Whatever degree, however, or variety of religion each community or individual had. it was mostly considered orthodox, and little attention was paid to the distinctions between denominations. There were no church buildings for several years after the white settlers began to arrive. As a matter of course people who had any religious sentiment at all, wanted their children educated to some degree at least, and so schoolhouses were erected as the first public buildings, and these, such as they were, were thrown open by the people for the purpose of holding religious services in them. The dwellings of the settlers were also opened to the itinerant preachers whenever they came along, and any and all people were welcome at the meetings. In the summers the meetings were often held out of doors, under the magnificent forest trees, and as the country increased in population, and preachers became more numerous, regular meetings, which were called camp meetings, were held in the groves and in the timber. People would come from points many miles distant to attend these camp meetings, and a great religious revival would ensue. Perhaps the most noted camp meeting grounds were those near the farm of William Holmes, east and north of the Cunningham tan-yard, about six miles in an easterly direction from Virginia. As time worked changes for the betterment of conditions, the people in the settlements built houses of worship, all sects usually uniting for this purpose. The first church buildings were of logs, covered with clapboards, but after the sawmills began to make their appearance, and the trees were converted into excellent lumber, very substantial structures were erected. Most of these old buildings have disappeared, and the congregations that once so loyally supported the preaching services, have long years slept in the little graveyards that were to be found in close proximity to the church.

First Preachers

The first itinerant preachers in Cass County, and some of the first to permanently locate here, were Protestant Methodists, although the Methodist Episcopals, the Baptists, Presbyterians and Cumberland Presbyterians, and some of the Christians or Disciples, came at a very early day. The source of information concerning early preachers, and of the early churches and religious organizations, is so meagre, and of such traditional character that little that could be regarded as authentic, can be said. Rev. Reddick Horn was certainly in the county in a very early day, and taking an active part in stirring up the sinners, and was chaplain on the staff of Governor Reynolds in the Black Hawk campaign, when the seldiers rendezyoused at Beardstown. It is said he was very erratic and disputatious, and the records show that he was sued several times in the first few terms of the Cass

County court, and he in turn sued a number of delinquents. He served one term as circuit clerk for the county. The records also reveal the fact that he engaged in business transactions, and bought and sold real estate, purchasing some of the first town lots sold at Beardstown and Virginia; took an interest in politics; was an uncompromising Whig, and withal, preached wherever and whenever he had an opportunity. In 1832 he preached in the schoolhouse at Beardstown, erected by Francis A. Arenz and Thomas Beard, and also in the courthouse at Virginia, built by Dr. Hall in 1888, under contract with the county. On one occasion, Judge Dunner, at Beardstown. announced that on the next Sabbath, the president of the Protestant Methodist church would preach. <A large congregation gathered, among them being N. B. Thompson, then circuit clerk, a man of great dignity, always scrupulously dressed in the latest fashion. He invariably wore a high silk hat, commonly called a "plug." When the hour for preaching arrived, to the disappointment of those assembled to hear the stranger, in walked Reddick Horn. Mr. Thompson was a Democrat, and disliked the Whigs cordially, and Mr. Horn especially. While the preacher was a good, Christian gentleman, it Was said he "would walk a long distance to hate a Democrat." In order to make his dislike and disgust more noticeable, Mr. Thompson waited until Myr. Horn arose to read the scriptures, when. placing his "plug" hat on his head, he walked down the aisle and out the door. The reverend gentleman, however, met the emergency with the ready wit of the early backwoods preacher, and while the distinguixed Mr. Thompxo Was nearing the door, Mr. Horn quoted in a loud, distinct voice: "The wicked flee when no man pursneth," and then expounded the doctrines of the scriptures as he understood them, for an hour or more, without any further notice of the incident.

Protestant Methodist Churches

The Protestant Methodists built the first chureh at Virginia. It was located on one of the lots designated on Dr. Hall's plat of the place, as a church lot. and stood on the present site of the Goodell-Skiles lumber yards. Another early comer of that denomination was the Rey. William H. Collins. who was born in Sligo, Ireland, November 21. 1795. His parents emigrated from Ireland in 1796, and took a goat with them on board the vessel so that little William might be sure of having milk. The family lived in Maryland for a time after their arrival in this country, but later went to the state of Virginia, and from there to Ohio, where William married Miss Rebecca Brinkerhoff, April 18, 1825. He left working as a saddler to become a Protestant Methodist minister, and after preaching in yarious places in Ohio, came to Illinois about 1834, evidence of this being found in an advertisement in the Beardstown Chronicle, published by Francis A. Arenz in that year. Jt has been frequently suggested that the expression "preaching at early candlelight" was the invention of some irreverent vaudeville stage performer, but not so. Ilere is the expression in the following adyertisement or announcement:

~The Reverend Wim. H. Collins from Ohio, of the Methodist Protestant Church, will preach in Jacksonville, on Thursday night, the 20th inst. at early candle lighting, and on Friday night at New Lexington, and on Saturday and Sunday 22 & 23, at Wm. Babbs, and on Thursday 27th at Beardstown in the new schoolhouse." The date of the paper is March 15, 1834. Mr. Collins was a fearless preacher, and a man personally of the highest integrity. Although not possessing much means, he was frugal and saving, and acquired a comfortable home for his family according to the standards of those times. During his residence at Beardstown, he owned bis own house, and when he went to Virginia, he built a residence on the east side of Main street, now adjoining the livery barn property, a half a block south from the public square at Virginia. The house is yet standing, and in fair condition, being still used as a residence.

Methodist Episcopal Churches

The Methodist Episcopal church, established at Beardstown about 18386, had sent representatires to preach much earlier. A church building was erected in 1548, at the corner of Fifth and State streets, and an addition was made to it in 1874. The old buildings were torn away in 1889. and a splendid. commodious, up-to-date church erected, with Sunday school rooms, parlors and all modern conveniences. It also has a fine pipe organ. The church has a large membership, a well organized Sunday school that is attended by the older members as well as the children. It has never been without a pastor since its organization.

Rev. Peter Cartwright

On October 12, 1853, the Illinois Conference was held at Beardstown, the Rev. Bishop Scott presiding. At that conference, the Old Quincy district, which included Beardstown and Virginia stations, was changed, and the Pleasant Plains district formed. Rev. Peter Cartwright was appointed its presiding elder. This new district was composed of the following appointments: Beardstown station, Meredosia circuit, Havana, Jacksonville circuit, Sangamon, Virginia and Island Grove. Elder Cartwright had been a presiding elder of several districts prior to his appointment to the Pleasant Plains district, in both Kentucky and Illinois. It may be interesting to the present elders, or superintendents as they are now called, to hear what Elder Cartwright said of the early districts. Writing of them some years later, and referring to the Old Quiney district, he said:

"In 1851, my four years having expired on the Springfield district, I was appointed to the Quincy district, where I had traveled fifteen years before; then my district extended from the mouth of the Illinois River to Galena, and, indeed, as far north as was inhabited by the whites; and yet further still, into the Indian country, where I superintended the mission among the Pottawatomies. My district was then between four and five hundred miles from north to south, and I suppose I would average one hundred miles from east to west. I thought then the district was a small one, for when I was first appointed to a district in the Illinois Conference in the fall of 1826, my district commenced at the mouth of the Ohio River, and extended north hundreds of miles, and was not limited by the white settlements, but extended among the great unbroken tribes of uncivilized and unchristianized Indians." Most of the presiding elders, and nearly all the itinerent preachers of every denomination of that early day, had the same experience. They traveled their circuits, whether large or small, on horseback, through pathless timber, with a broken road only now and then; through the wide stretches of prairie, following a narrow path where the tall grass waved above them and their horses; over streams that were not bridged, oftentimes crossing on fallen trees, leading the faithful horses through the water beside them. Sometimes the horses would swim the deeper streams, earrying their riders over in safety. These preachers slept out of doors, with their saddles for pillows, and the saddle blankets for covering. They found no well-heated, well-lighted, comfortable church buildings in which to preach at the end of their journey, but more frequently delivered their religious message in some settler's cabin; and iater in the log schoolhouses that began to multiply as the country increased in population.

Rey. Peter Cartwright was a unique figure in those early days, and gained great fame and notoriety throughout Illinois, and, indeed, in the whole jurisdiction: of the Methodist church, as an eccentric backwoods preacher of great personal power and force of character. He, too, engaged in politics and was elected to the Illinois General Assembly, but when he came to try for a place in the national Congress against Abraham Lincoln, he was unsuccessful, although many Whigs who otherwise would have voted for Mr. Lincoln, could not resist the opportunity to vote for their long-time friend and spiritual adviser. Peter Cartwright was born September 1, 1785, in Amberst County, on the James River, Va. His father was an American soldier in the Revolutionary war. In 1790, the elder Cartwright moved to Kentucky with his family, and there Peter Cartwright was sent to school where he learned to read and write, and cipher a little. When about sixteen years of age, he was converted to religion, and soon began to ride a circuit as an itinerant preacher of the Methodist Kpiscopal church. He remained in Kentucky preaching and filling the office of presiding elder until 18238, when slavery, which surrounded him on all sides, became so obnoxious to him, he decided to emigrate to Illinois, hoping not only to get away from undesirable conditions, but also to better the prospects of his growing family. Accordingly, in 1828, with two companions, he set out on horseback for the beautiful land of the Illini. They crossed the Ohio River into Indiana; went up the east side of the Wabash River towards Vincennes, and crossed into Ilinois; followed the valley of the Wabash up to the grand prairie and across that to Fort Clark on Lake Peoria, where they crossed the Illinois River, and soon emerged from the bluff country into the military tract. Making an investigation of the prairies and rolling uplands of that part of Illinois, they made their way south and back again to the Illinois River to the Mound village, which, at that time, says Mr. Cartwright writing of the journey years later, comprised but one white family and one cabin, beside Indian tepees. From this place they traveled up the Sangamon River valley, then across in a southerly direction until they reached Richland Creek, in Sangamon County. Finding a tract of land with a double log cabin in fair condition, which suited him pretty well, Mr. Cartwright purchased it, and arranged to have it looked after until his return. Following a short stay, the little party started back for Kentucky, passing through the squalid little muddy village of Springfield. In the fall of 1824, Mr. Cartwright returned to Illinois with his family, and settled on the land he had purchased, and which he retained as his home the remainder of his busy, active life. The farm home of Rev. Cartwright Was hear to and a little north of Pleasant Plains, in Savgamon County, and there the most famous itinerant preacher of Illinois died, September 25,

First Resident Preacher

Rey. Levi Springer was another early itinerant preacher in central Illinois. and was really the first resident minister of the Methodist Episcopal church in Cass County. Levi Springer was born near Springfield. Ky., January 22, 1797. He came to Cass County in 1826, and July 11, 1827, he purchased of the Rev. Reddick Horn, a part of section 12, township 17, range 10, which Mr. Horn had entered from the government in 1826. In 1830, Mr. Springer entered eighty acres of land in the same section, and in 1835, 120 acres more, the balance of the section having been entered by Archibald Job, and Rey. Horn. On his land Mr. Springer built a cabin, a little north of the state road, which then ran near his premises on its way from Springfield to Beardstown. 'There was then no town of Virginia. A few years later the cabin burned, and Mr. Springer built a new frame house a little further to the west. It was built of lumber sawed from logs cut in the woods nearby, and most of the lumber, including the weather boarding, is of walnut. The house still stands in excellent condition, and is occupied as a residence by the only child of Rev. Springer, John S. Springer, who operates the old home farm. Mr. Springer had a large circuit over which to ride to his appointments and he officiated at the funeral of many early settlers at quite a distance from his home. He preached the funeral sermon of Dr. Ephraim Rew (the first physician of Beardstown and of the west end of the county) near Bluff Springs, May 24, 1842. His first wife, Elizabeth Short, died February 19, 1851. He afterwards married Elizabeth Freeman, a daughter of Silas Freeman, an early settler in the vicinity of Virginia. Some time prior to his death, Mr. Springer left the ministry, and devoted his attention to farming. When he died, November 13, 1871, he left an excellent farm for his wife and son, it being the land he had entered from the government. Rev. Springer is buried in the family graveyard on the southeastern part of the farm.

From the time Rev. Peter Akers, D. D., took charge of the mission station at Beardstown, in 1836, the Methodist Episcopal church increased in Cass County, and charges were established at a number of points. Virginia charge was established in 1851. Services were held in the public schoolhouse, on the old west public square, which had been built and used for the first courthouse in the county. In 1855 the first Methodist Episcopal church building was erected in Virginia, on lots 58 and 59 of the original town, on the north side of west Springfield street, one block west of the courthouse square. It was a frame building, about 30x 50 feet, of oblong shape, and fronted south. It had a wide, double-door entrance, and a square bell tower above the front. The sawed timbers used in its construction were hauled in the fall of 1854, by teams from the steam sawmill on Mauvisterre Creek, a few miles north of Jacksonville. Rey. Peter Cartwright preached the dedicatory sermon. The first pastor of the station was Rey. William Owen, in 1851, and the charge has been regularly supplied by the conference every year since. The old building served the congregation for forty years, but on July 25, 1895, the cornerstone of a new building was laid, and the edifice was dedicated on January 26, 1896, and stands on lots 83 and 84 of the original town, on the north side of State street, one-half block east of the courthouse square. It is a substantial brick building of gothic style of architecture, with a large main audience room, and Sunday school room to the side which may be thrown open with the main room. It has parlor and reading rooms on the second floor, is supplied with all modern conveniences, is beautifully finished and decorated, steam heated and electrie-lighted. On November 11, 1911, it was almost totally destroyed by the terrible cyclone which is elsewhere described, but was immedi- ately rebuilt and restored without a change in design. The church has a splendid pipe organ, an excellent Sunday school largely attended, and supports aid societies organized according to modern ideas, so that the church organization is kept in the foremost rank of religious activities.

At Chandlerville, a number of the Methodist faith were preached to in private houses until about 1850, when a regular pastor was secured for the charge. and the Congregational church building rented for service. In 1852 a frame building was erected on a lot donated by Dr. Chandler, and the society has been kept up ever since. The remodeled church is a convenient place of worship, and the members of the congregation are prosperous.

The Methodist Episcopal church at Ashland was organized in 1857, using the Mitchell schoolhouse, southwest of the village, for meeting purposes for some time. In 1861 it was reorganized, and meetings were held in vacant store buildings, and later in the village schoolhouse. A substantial frame building was erected in 1870, and the congregation increased and prospered, and having outgrown the old building, a splendid new brick building of modern stlye and convenience was erected in 1911, on the same site. Walter S. Rearick, who has been president of the county Sunday school association for a number of years, has been superintendent of the Sunday school of this church, and one of the most energetic and active members of the Ashland congregation for over twenty years.

Arenzville has a fine congregation of active and energetic members who erected a handsome new building in 1905, where they have regular services weekly, and a _ progressive Sunday school.

There were a number of Methodist charges established in the rural parts of the county, some in a very early day, and others later on. Quite a number of them have been disbanded, and the church property reverted to the donors, or was sold and taken to other districts. There are yet churches at Monroe, Garner Chapel, Bluff Springs. Griggs Chapel. Richmond and Zion in Princeton Precinct. The Centenary Church, near the home of John Beggs, north and west of Ashland. was built and named in honor of the hundredth anniversary of the Methodist Episcopal chuveh in America. It is in an excellent community. aud is well supported.

German Evangelical Churches

The first church building to be erected at Beardstown was placed on the corner of Fifth and Washington streets and designated the German Evangelical church. The building was completed late in 1841, and served the purpose of the German Evangelical congregation until a change in the organization of the society itself was made in 1845, when the name was changed to the German Methodist church. At least a large portion of the former congregation adopted that name. and although the Evangelical church continued in existence for a time, it disintegrated and the building was sold to H. T. Foster, who turned it into a dwelling. The other branch, known as the German Methodist, continued to exist for a number of years.

Congregational Churches

The second church edifice at Beardstown was built at the corner of Third and Washington streets, in 1845, by the Presbyterians. but in February, 1850. the organization hecame a Congresational church. and is known as the First Congregational Church of Beardstown. This church includes within its fold many of the best citizens of Beardstown, and the surrounding country. In 1909 the old brick building that had stood as a landmark on the public corner for so long a time, was torn away. and a new, up-to-date building was commenced. This was completed and dedicated in 1912. It is a handsome structure and so built and apportioned as to meet the requirements of the prosperous congregation and the excellent Sunday school.

There is but one other Congregational society in Cass County, and it is located at Chandlerville. This society also started as a Presbyterian organization under the guidance of Revs. Hale and Baldwin, in October, 1836. Services were held in the house of Dr. Chandler, but in 1S41. a chureh building of moderate cost was erected, and regular pasters employed. By a yote of the members, the organization became the Congregational church, and the change was made a matter of record in 1847. This congregation had some noted people as its pastors or occasional preachers. including President Sturtevant and Prof. J. B. Turner, of the Illinois College at Jacksonville, as well as Rev. Thomas Lippineott. father of General Charles E, Lippincott. These ministers were all noted men in the early history of Illinois, and their respective biographies. which appear in the first volume of this work, are very interesting and worthy of perusal. In 1879 the congregation believed it time to erect a new house of worship. The little old church which had stood the storms for forty years was still in fair condition, but no longer suitable for the needs of the large congregation that had grown up in the progressive village. The old building was sold to a carpenter, Jacob Metzmaker, and moved off the lots, and a new, commodious frame building erected. It was dedicated January 14, 1881. This building served until 1904 when, while it was undergoing some repairs, it mysteriously caught fire and was totally destroyed. A new building was conimenced soon thereafter and finished, being dedicated December 9, 1906. It is of frame, of handsome design, and stands in a_ beautiful grove on a tract of high, rolling land, originally donated by Dr. Chandler, the founder of the village.

Lcaptist Churches

Among the early Baptist ministers were Rev. Cyrus Wright and Rey. William Crow, the latter being said to have preached at many places in the eastern part of the county as early as 1827. Rev. Cxrus -Wricht preached at most of the appointments in the county throughout the country regions, and in Virginia and Beardstown, Tle later entered politics, was elected to the lower house of the legislature, and served his constituents well in that body.

The Baptists now have a good sized congregation and a new and unusually handsome, modern church building. at Ashland. In that community, although long before the idea of its developing into a town or village. William Crow and a few other devoted members of the faith, had preached the gospel to the scattered settlers. AMG DY Ges LOVE on the upper Sangamon bettom road, in Richmond Precinct, there has been a services are very irregular, and it seems difficult to keep a pastor employed, although the community is composed of as excellent citizens as are to be found in the county. There is also a Baptist church at Beardstown, organized recently, that seems to be gathering some strength. At Virginia. where the Baptists are not numerically strong, there is a very comfortable church edifice. but no regular services have been held in it for some time.

Lutheran Churches

The Lutheran church at Beardstown and elsewhere in the county has a number of church societies and houses of worship. The church at Beardstown, known as the Fourth Street Lutheran church, was instituted by certain members of the German Methodist church, who felt that a new organization would better enable them to conduct their services and exercise their faith in accordance with their views of the teaching of the scriptures, than they could by remaining with the German Methodists. In 1848 a building was erected on lot 1 of block 45, original town, which was used as a school for the church, as well as for a place of worship. About 1850, the congregation built a church at the corner of Fourth and Lafayette streets. About 1871, a difference arose among the members, and a new church society was formed and a new building erected, on Sixth street, where the new congregation worships. In 1894 the Fourth street church built a new building, of an excellent, ornamental as well as practical design, and it is well furnished and handsomely decorated on the interior, is also supplied with a splendid pipe organ, the first one to be placed in any church in the county. Services are conducted in both German and English. An energetie Sunday school is an important feature of the church.

At Chandlerville, a local society of the Evangelical Lutheran church was organized in 1870, and in a short time erected a church building. Previous to the construction of their building, they had held services in the Congregational and Christian chureh buildings. A parochial school was organized in connection with the church. the minister of the church acting as a teacher. The congregation is not large, but includes the majority of the German families in the village and surrounding country.

Arenzville has a flourishing Lutheran congregation which has been in existence since the platting of the village. A new church building was erected later on, the materials used being brick and stone. and the completed edifice is as substantial a structure as may be seen outside of the city of Beardstown.

A convenient church edifice was built by the Lutherans at Bluff Springs in 1910, where regular services are held which are attended by a fair congregation.

Arenzville, on section 25, township 17, range 12, the Lutherans have a church and a school where they have ministered to the spiritual wants and educational interests of the community for over forty years. About six miles west from this church, on section 30, of the same township, was erected, about 1876, another Lutheran church, and a parsonage. It has ever since been maintained for the benefit of the residents of that neighborhood who otherwise would be compelled to go a long distance to attend public worship. At one time a country post office was established at that point. and named Lydia.

Cumberland Presbyterian Churches

The Cumberland Presbyterians were the first to erect a church in Arenzville, which was in 1854, but it appears when completed there were not sufficient funds in the treasury to defray the expense, and by common consent the building was used by all denominations until 1870, when the Cumberland Presbyterians paid off the debt and became sole proprietors. This denomination flourished well and was very prosperous for a number of years, and established churches at Virginia, where a brick edifice was erected. and at Hickory, on the Sangamon bottom, which still maintains its organization and an excellent country Sunday school. There is a regular pastor at this charge.

The Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian church was organized in the neighborhood about three and one-half miles west of Virginia, and in 1857 a frame building was erected, of the style then in common use for country churches. It stood on section 6, township 17, range 10, and faced the highway toward the west. Later it was deemed advisable to seek a new location for the building of a new church, and the old one was disposed of, a tract of land secured on section 81. township 18. range 10, on the east side of the public highway running north and south, and but a small distance north of the line of the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad. There a new frame building of about the same seating capacity as the old church, yet of more modern design, was erected, in which the services are pretty regularly held, and a Sunday school is maintained throughout the year. The ehurch building of the Cumberland Presbyterians mentioned as having been built in 1879, at Virginia, is no longer used for public worship. It stands on the lot on the northwest corner or junction of east State and Cass streets. The Woman's Club now occupies it as a rest room and meeting place for the transaction of club business.

Presbyterian Churches

On November 21, 1911. the congregation of the Central Presbyterian church and that of the First Presbyterian church of Virginia, united, and occupy asa place of worship the new church built by the latter organization. Upon the consolidation of the two congregations, they adopted the name originally borne by the first church, that of the Presbyterian church. of Virginia. It is the largest and most active church of that denomination now in Cass County. The original Presbyterian church of Virginia was organized on July 4, 1868. upon petition that was signed and headed by Dr. G. W. Goodspeed, the well known physician who lived and practiced his profession for so many years at Virginia and in the surrounding country. The church building. however, had been erected in 1857, but not quite completed that year, although services were held therein. and the next year the building was completed. This church was thereafter used for forty-four years. Rey. John Dale, who was the stated supply at the Providence church for a number of years, had filled the pulpit at Virginia. but when he entered the Union army in 1862. as chaplain. it was thought desirable that a separate congregation he established at Virginia. This led to the petition above mentioned. Upon the organization of the chureh in 1863, Dr. G. W. Goodspeed and David Downing were elected and installed as elders, and Glasgow Clendenin, J. N. Wilson, J. J. Bergen and <A. G. Angier were ordained as deacons. In 1865, Rey. David J. Strain preached as supply for the congregation, and his work was so satisfactory that he was extended a regular call, and on June 20, 1866, he was installed pastor. He remained as a regular pastor until June 13, 1880, at which time. on account of advancing age, and failing health. he resigned. He again was made its regular pastor, June 27, 1884. and continued in its service until his death. which occurred March 5. 1896. No minister of the gospel in Cass County, and no minister of any community, was more heloved by a congregation, or was more highly respected by all people. <A beautiful memorial window was placed in the new chureh py the congregation as a testimonial of the love and esteem they had for their departed pastor. The building mentioned as erected in 1857 was put up on lot 111, of the original town of Virginia, on the south side of west State or Beardstown street, just east of the county jail. This building is now owned by Robert Mann, who uses it as a photograph gallery. A new church, of a beautiful and unique design, was erected by the congregation. It was commenced in 1901, and completed and dedicated July 6, 1902. It stands on lot 3, of Barden and Wood's Addition to Virginia, at the junction of Hardin and south Cass streets, and is of stone and brick, with ele gant audience room and Sunday school and class rooms so arranged that the whole may be thrown open together to accommodate a large audience. The church is supplied with a pipe organ. There is a large basement which is used as a special class room and for social gatherings. The cathedral glass windows are of exceptionally artistic design. The membership of this congregation is large, and it has a number of missionary and other church auxiliaries, and a most excellent Sunday school. The old bell which rang out over the prairies for a half a century from the tower of the frame building now swings in the new tower, the only oue left of all the original church bells in the town.

Catholic Churches

The Catholics of Cass County are represented by a number of organizations. The one at Virginia is St. Luke's Roman Catholic church. and was organized about 1840. For a number of years it held its meetings in a frame building on lot S6 of the Public Grounds Addition to Virginia, south of the first court house square in the west part of town. There the local church was organized. The first official Catholic ceremony that occurred at Virginia appears to have been the baptism of Jane, daughter of Robert Maslin and Ellen (Dolan) Maslin, June 2, 1867. Rev. J. A. Jacque officiating. This priest ministered to the wants of Catholics throughout Menard and Schuyler, as well as Cass county. In 1868 Rey. A. C. Busch took charge, and continued his ministrations at Virginia and throughout the county, so continuing until 1873, when Father J. A. Mark attended at Virginia. About 1875 a new church building was commenced on lot 1, of the original town of Virginia. at the corner of Cass and Myrtle streets. The work was halted for some reason, and in 1876 Father

M. C Ryan took charge and the building was completed about 1878. In 1891 Father P. J. McMannus succeeded Father Ryan, and remained until 18938. From that time until 1895, priests from Jacksonville attended. In the latter year Father Maskel was appointed, and was succeeded by Father Thomas McGrath, who, in turn, was followed by Father M. J. Davis, who remained until 1906, when the present incumbent, Father Cronin, succeeded. A parochial house was built in 1893 or 1894, while Father Crowe of Jacksonville was in charge. Improvements on church and parsonage, costing $3,000, were made in 1909-10. From the time a priest was located permanently at Virginia, in 1873, the Chandlerville Catholics have been attended from there. There is also a mission at Arenzville, with church building and property, which from its organization until 1902 was under the care of Beardstown, but in that year it was transferred to the care of Father Davis, and is still ministered to from Virginia.

Ashland Catholic church was organized in 1871. and services were held in the schoolhouse. In a short time, however, a small building was erected, but the congregation grew so rapidly, that in 1880 lots were purchased in block 43 on west Main street, and plans begun for the erecfion of a new church and parsonage. The building was completed in 1882 and is a handsome frame structure that cost about $5,500.

St. Alexious Catholic church of Beardstown was organized about 1871, but there had been a Catholic organization prior to that time, and regular services held. The church property was deeded in 1857 to the bishop of the diocese in which Beardstown was located, for the use of the Catholic population of Beardstown. A building was erected in 1857, and considerably enlarged and improved in 1860. In 1871 the real estate was deeded by the Bishop of Alton to the St. Alexious Catholic church of Beardstown, and later a substantial new church was built. It is of brick with stone foundation, tall spire and cathedral glass windows. It stands on lot 6 of block 45 of Beard and March's Addition, facing south on Sixth street. There is a large and prosperous congregation and a parochial school, the building for which is on the same block, facing on Fifth street.

Christian Or Disciple Churches

Barton Stone and others preached in various places in this and in surrounding counties. In 1861, Elder D. W. Shurtleff preached at Beardstown, and organized a local congregation, but it did not remain in existence long. The Civil war coming on, the flock was scattered, and there not being enough members to establish a strong local church, owing to the strength of the other denominations, the project was temporarily abandoned. In 1862 Elder Shurtleff went to Chandlerville, and at the Pleasant Ridge schoolhouse organized a church, with Mr. and Mrs. C. J. Wilson, W. D. Leeper and others assisting. The congregation grew from this beginning, and when it was decided to erect a church edifice, Robert Cole, J. A. Raines, S. B. Jones and James Armstrong were appointed as the building committee to carry out the project. Elders Raines and Rice preached alternately for some time. Prof. McCaukle, of Eureka College, and Elder A. G. Kane, of Springfield, held revival meetings, and thereby many were induced to unite with the church. In 1863 Dr. N. H. Boone, a member of the Disciples church, located at Chandlerville, and at once took a deep interest, and a flourishing Sunday school was organized and has since been well maintained. In the year 1911 it was deemed most expedient to build a new chureh edifice and the work was commenced at once. It is of frame, with a brick and concrete foundation, of handsome and pleasing design in outward appearance, and very conyeniently arranged on the interior, no space being wasted. The basement is nicely furnished and is used for the meeting of the Sunday school and for social gatherings of the congregation. The Christian church of Virginia built a house of worship in 1854, on lots 9 and 10 of Hall's Addition to the Public Grounds, at the junction of west Beardstown and Job streets. Services were held and preaching done by itinerant preachers whose names have passed from the memory of those now living, and the records have been lost. In 1873 the church was revived and services held, but not very regularly, until 1875, when the chureh was fully reorganized. Revival meetings were held at various times and a regular pastor employed. Part of the time Rey. C. W. Elder, a son of Dr. Elder, the first physician to locate in or near Cass County, preached for the congregation. In 1879 the old building was torn down and the material removed to lot 96, of the original town of Vir- ginia, at the corner of East State and Cass streets, and a new building erected. This served the congregation until 1894, when it became necessary on account of the increased membership to have a larger room. The old building was therefore remodeled, and a room added in the rear for Sunday school purposes. This building was dedicated by Elder Raines of Cincinnati, Ohio, December 16, 1894, but in June, 1897, it caught fire during an electric storm, and was burned to the ground, nothing being saved, the loss including the Sunday school books, records, and furniture. The congregation accepted the tender of the use of the Baptist church, where services were held until the new church was completed on the old site. This was in 1898, and the dedicatory exercises took place on October 30th of that year. The new building is an excellent one of brick and stone, with two corner towers, and cathedral glass windows of beautiful design. There is a large Sunday school room, with a full opening at the side of the main audience room, being separated from it by rolling doors. <A fine pipe organ stands in an alcove at the left of. the pulpit. There is also a fair sized basement. fitted adequately and used for social purposes and for a class room for some of the grade classes. The congregation is prosperous, and the Sunday school is excellent. At Ashland there is also a congregation owning a substantial frame building. but the servyices have been somewhat irregular. Notwithstanding adversities, the brethren here have kept the faith and consistently supported the plea of a united church for all Christian people. Beardstown revived the church at that place, or rather organized an entirely new congregation, April 5, 1911. Meetings had been held and a Sunday school organized in September of the year prior to the organization, and the success of these undertakings prompted the ones interested to incorporate a local church. The first pastor of the new church was Elder George W. Morton, who still continues in charge. The church was incorporated as the Central Christian church of Beardstown, Ill. Trustees were elected and the chureh property of the former German Methodists at the corner of Fifth and State streets, was purchased. In 1913, this edifice was remodeled so that now it is a very convenient and modern place of worship. The congregation is prosperous and growing.

Abandoned Churches

Some of the abandoned churches to which reference is here briefly made, that were organized at a very early day, continued for a nunber of years and assisted very materially in civilizing the communities and in raising the moral standard to a high grade.

The Cumberland Presbyterian chureh had a building on section 6, township 17, range 10, on the ground donated by Rey. Benjamin Cauby in 1837. Later, about 1857, a new building was erected on the same ground, the old one being torn away, but in 1889 this building was abandoned. In 1848 the same denomination erected a building at Virginia, on lot 91 of Hall's first addition to Virginia. The building faced the south, and was located. near the north end of the lot, and the entrance to the front of the church was from Job street on the west. This building remained in active use until 1879, when the congregation built its new church edifice on Cass and east State streets. About 1904 it was purchased by the Holiness congregation and moved to lot SG of the same addition and was placed facing north on Beardstown street. It Was used by the above named sect of Christians until 1912. when it was destroyed by fire. These people, who now bear the nane of Nazarenes, built a new chureh edifice and continue to worship in it.

The Missionary Baptists built a chureh edifice at Princeton in 1835, but it did not remain there long, alfhough there appears to be no definite record of its removal.

In 1838 the Christian church congregation built a church edifice on lots 46 and 47, in Princeton, and continued to hold services at regular intervals until 1867. when, it becoming evident that Princeton would not he likely to increase in population or importance, and that the membership was decreasing, it was decided best to take down the building and move it to Philadelphia Precinct. where it was needed. About that time meetings had been he!d in a schoolhouse at Panther Grove, and later in the workshop of Joseph Black at Philadelphia, and thus the Philadelphia Christian church was organized. The old Princeton building was set up in Philadelphia Precinct on lots 1 and 2, in block 8S, where it still stands, but the congregation is practically abandoned, there being preaching only occasionally.

ciety' erected a building in 1869, on ground bought of Joseph Alison, but after being utilized for many years by the community as a church, it was abandoned, and is now the property of the county, bought in 1914. It is used as a voting and general meeting place for the transaction of the business of the road commissioners and other precinct officials. A church structure for union services was built in 1851 or 1852 on the southwest corner of section 21, township 17, range 10, on the Jacksonville road, about three miles south of Virginia, but it soon became the property of the Methodist Episcopal church and continued as a place of worship for that body until 1898, when that society was discontinued, and in 1909 the building was sold and removed.

The Clear Creek Baptist church was organized in Monroe Precinct, by Rev. John Ray, in his own cabin, in 1832. The society continued to hold its meetings in the cabins of the settlers until 1852, when the community felt itself deserving of a church edifice and erected a comfortable frame building, in which they held their religious meetings until 1898, when, the Baptist congregation having disbanded, the building was taken over by the people to be used as a business house for the precinct, and is so used at the present time. The Baptist church built near Hickory, not far from the present schoolhouse at that point, in 1853, was also abandoned and was removed about 1885.

A Christian chureb edifice, that was used as a union church, was built in a very early day, the exact date of which cannot be ascertained, on a tract of land adjoining the Indian Creek schoolhouse, in the northwest corner of the southeast quarter of section 29, township 17, range 12. It was abandoned about 1875, and a few years later torn down.

At Puncheon Grove, in the northeastern part of the county, the Baptists, under the preaching of Rev. Cyrus Wright, became fully organized and built a small frame church, which was also used as a schoolhouse. It was erected in 1842, aud meetings were held very regularly until the death of their minister, Mr. Wright, when the congregation became scattered and the building fell into disuse and decay, and was eventually torn down. Methodist Episcopal and Christian church buildings are yet standing at Newmanbut are not used regularly by either society.

organized for a number of years before the same denomination established a regular charge at Virginia, and had been holding services at the houses of the various members where the people could be accommodated, but, as the congregation increased it became almost imperative that a special and appropriate building should be provided. After the matter was agitated among the members, it appears, from the records, that on March 22, 1854, William Nesbit made a deed to Samuel McClure, Jacob F. Bergen, George Wilson, John Dobson and William Petefish, trustees of the Old School Presbyterian Church of township 17, range 10, as a donation in consideration of the erection of a church building. This church edifice was put up that year and is still standing, in comparatively good condition, but no regular services are now held in it, and so it really belongs among the abandoned churches.

There are other buildings in the county, or decayed' portions of them yet remaining, that have not been mentioned because there is no definite information obtainable regarding them. It does not indicate that religious sentiment has deteriorated because of these ruins, as the majority of the people who were connected with them united with other congregations of neighboring towns or cities, so that it was not deemed advisable to longer continue the support of so many churches in the outlying districts of the county. The lawless class that usually gathers along the frontier of a new county, robbing, thieving, stealing horses and committing all manner of wicked depredations, had been pretty well cleared out of the country before Cass became a separate county, and therefore as a county Cass had but little experience with such people. Yet, if it had not been for the spirit which prompted Christian organizations, such as represented by these same abandoned churches, with their unmistakable influence for good, and the exemplary lives of the supporters of those churches which laid the foundation for Christian civilization, we might, possibly, be still living in ignorance and the semi-barbarism that prevailed when Illinois was but a county of the Old Dominion.

While there were many denominational churches, and even a greater diversity of opinions concerning the teaching of the scriptures, there appears to have been but one society in the early history of Cass County that possessed religious fanatics of such a character as to prove a menace to the rights or liberties of individuals or the peace of the community. In 1834 the grand jury of Morgan County indicted some religious fanatics. This action presumably arose out of an incident which was said to have occurred in a small settlement on Middle Creek, in Lucas, now Richmond Precinct, but the facts have not been fully verified, nor has the exact location of the sect been certainly determined. It is said they believed in witchcraft and if anything went wrong in the settlement, they charged it to some one in the community, whom, they declared, was making use of devilish acts. They further claimed, so it is said, that such a person should be burned as an offering to appease the wrath of an offended deity, and they cast lots to determine who was the guilty person. Upon the last occasion of this casting of lots, the condemnation fell upon an old woman. She was bound and placed in one end of an old cabin where there was a large open fireplace, and a fire was kindled about her. She might have trusted to her martyr spirit, but it deserted her when the flames reached her and she screamed so loudly that she attracted the attention of a Mr. Elmore, who was in the neighborhood, hunting, and, breaking open the door with a rail, he scattered the fire and released the victim. The others concerned fied to the timber, but Elmore reported them to the authorities, and the indictment followed. That put an end to witchcraft in Cass County, or at least it ended the attempt by any sect to inflict so barbarous a punishment upon anyone supposed to be possessed by evil spirits.

The foregoing is a meagre but general history of all the denominational churches in the county. The great number of them and their various changes has necessarily limited the history to a general statement. Though there may be many whose names are not mentioned in this or any history, who are recalled by some of the present generation, and possibly many whose names are forgotten along with their particular efforts and sacrifices, vet the civilizing influences of all who came in the early days and battled with the adverse circumstances and conditions of early pioneer life, that they might spread the gospel, has been such that the present generation does, and all succeeding generations will forever, owe a debt of gratitude to those who long since have passed to their reward,