Christian County, Illinois - Chapter 14, 1880 (part 2 of 4)

The number of Catholic femilies amounts to about seventy at present, of whom far the greater part live in the country ; about one-fourth of them are of German descent, the rest English-speaking people. The church is entirely too small, but we hope a new building will be erected at a time not far distant. The next Catholic church was organized at Assumption, in 1857, by Mr. E. E. Malhiot. He donated ten acres of ground, and with his own money, built a little chapel and priest-house. The first resident priest was Father Gonaud, a Frenchman. After about three years he was succeeded by Father Dutour, who remained four years. Father Bedart followed him for three years, and then Father Recouvreur. The latter remained only three months. Next was Father Jacque, a native of Alsatia. He remained at Assumption for six years, and greatlj' improved the Catholic church and congregation. A new brick church was commenced under his guidance. He also built a new priest-house, since the old one had been destroyed b}' fire. When Father Jacque left Assumption, he was f dlowed by Father Withopf who remained there three years, till Fenyen came, who remained only three months. Father Dechene succeeded him in November, 1878, and is jjastor at the present time. Since he came he has finished partly the inside work of the church and priest-house, built by Fathei- Jacque.

The number of Catholic families at present amounts to abnut one hundred and twenty, partly French, Canadians, Irish descent and a few Germans. The church is a strong and large brick building, situated in the suburbs of the town. There is also a Catholic grave-yard not very far from it.

The Catholic church at Pana was built in I860, liy Father Cusack. It used to be attended from Shelbyville and different places in the neighborhood. Father Cusack's successors were Father Turmel, Father Jacque and Father Lohmann. Rev. Father Storp, who came there about 1876, remained a short time and moved to Shelbyville He attends Pana every other Sunday. The number of Catholic families is about one hundred, of which near half live in the town itself.

The Catholic congregation of Jlorrisonville was organized about 1870 by Father Lohmann of Hillsboro, who built the church at that time. The first residing priest was Fatlier Claus, who moved there from Taylorville about 1873 and attended each place every other Sunday. It wa.s by him, that the priest-house also was built.

He was succeeded by Rev. Father Teppe in 1877, who is j-et pastor; he attends, also, the Brown settlement, eight miles west, in Montgomery County.

The Catholic congregation of the latest date in Christian county is that of Stonington, ten miles north from Taylorville. It was incorporated about the year 1873. Father Kane, at that time pastor of the church in Macon, was the first one to encourage the Catholics around the little town of Stonington to build a church and organize themselves as a congregation. The R. C. Bishop Baltcs of Alton, when asked, gave his consent. Hence a subscription was taken up; but for ditterent reasons, the work failed at that time, and was stopped till 1877. This was the time when Father Schulze came as a resident priest to Taylorville. For about half a year he visited Stonington one Sunday in each mouth and held mass-service in different dwelling-houses. The people were again encouraged to take up the work of church-building. Another subscription was raised and the first steps taken. Two lots of ground were donated by Mr. Covington, who was not a member of the church. The ground having been deeded in the name of the congregation, the building of the new church was commenced in the fall of 1878. JSIr. Lukas Pfeiftenberger, of Alton, made the designs and superintended the work. The latter was given by contract to Messrs. Cottom & Cromwell, two mechanics of Taylorville, who completed it about June, 1879. From that time the church has been attended every other Sunday b}' Father .Schulze from Ta3'lorville.

The present membership is about forty families, almost all living in the cauntry surrounding the little town. The church, though a frame building, is of strong material, 70x40 feet, and has a nice and substantial appearance.

The Christian Church

Ever}' innovation on the established ideas and customs of a nation or community must meet with much opposition, and succeed, if at all, only by the most determined and persistent, efforts.

Even truth itself is not secure against the prejudices and jealous mistrust of those who are wedded to an error that has become venerable through age and general acceptance. Every advance in science, art or religion, has been made in the face of a host of opposers ; some of whom wholly misconceived its character and design, while others fought it from zeal for the traditions of the fathers, and others, still, from a preference for popular error over unpopular truth.

Especially is this true of religious jirogress. Any new religious doctrine, whether true or flxlse, is viewed with groat jealousy, and attacked with strong denunciation, by those who have imbibed doctrines sanctioneil by many generations of pious ancestors, Luther, Calvin, and Wesley, like all other great refi)rmers, had no easy path to tread in leading men into the clearer light of God's holy truth.

A modern example of this prejudice against religious novelty is seen in the history of that religious body known as the " Christian Church," or " Disciples of Christ."

Refusing to wear any other name than that applied by the inspired writers of God ; recognizing the authority of the sacred Scriptures alone, in all matters of faith and discipline ; ami pre- upon " the fiaiiiilaliii]! nt' tlic aj)ostles anil puopliets," by iliscarding all laiiiuui nanus, ci-ueds, and tests of fellowship - thus restoring the primitive and apostolic Christianity; it could not be otherwise than that nianv, wliu had been trained to revere the creeds and churches of tlieir fathers, should strenuously oppose a moveniont that seemed to them a complete subversion of their cherished systems of faith and worship.

Ilcncc it was, that the first preachers of this order met with a jirompt repulse, or a cold welcome, at best, from many sincere Christian i)eopl(\ who were only zealous for what they considered the true interests of the kingdom of Christ.

Christian county was wo exception to the general rule. For several years, the jireachers of the Christian Church were looked upon by many as perverters of the gospel, and disturbers of the peace of Zion ; and tjie doors of churches and school-houses were closed against them, and communities warned to shun their deadly heresies. In some cases, the opposition assumed the shape of abuse, and such appellations as " Campbellitcs," and even "water-dogs," were contemptuously applied to them by some who thought that calumny and ridicule were proper weapons to use in religious controversy. In the midst of all this harsh treatment, huwcvir, these men of God met with much kindness at the hands of very many good people, who, though they held to a different religious faith, were yet too full of the love of God to maltreat any one, who was seeking honestly to proclaim His holy word.

In short, the experience of these men is identical witli that of the pioneers of every religious faith ; and the story of the labors and hardshijis of one, would be equally true of all. To work hard from Monday until Saturday on the farm, and on Sumlay to ride on horse-back ten or twenty miles, to fill an appointment at some school-house or log-cabin, returning to the work of the field at daylight Monday morning, was an every week afiiur with many of them. Hard labor ami generous sacrifice was then the conniiou lot of all.

Probably the first preacher of the Chrl.-tian Church to visit this county was W. V. Bowles, or " Wat " Bowles, as he was familiarly called, whose home was in Logan count}'.

In the summer of 1842, he was invited by Elder White, a Baptist minister, to assist him in a meeting at a union meeting-house on Mosquito creek, in the north-east corner of the county. Elder Bowles came, in obedience to the invitation, but was denied the privilege of speaking in the church. He thereupon repaired to a grove near by. and preached to a large congregation; and again _ the following day, at the dwelling of A. D. ^'ortllcutt, at that tin)e a member of the Baptist Church. At the close of the second sermon, three per.sons were immersed, one of whom was the late James Sanders, well known throughout the county.

In the fall, Elder Bowles returned to that neighborhood and held a short meeting, which resulted in the organization of a congregation of nine members, three of whom are still living, viz., G. T. Fletcher and wife, now of Decatur, and Elder A. D. Norlheutt. From this small beginning, grew, in a few years, a flourishing congregation, which at one time numbered over 200 members.

This congregation, known as the Mosquito Creek Chnreli, after some years gave up its organization, and divided itself among the surrounding congregations, of which there were several within a radius of a few miles.

In 1848, Elder Northcutt, then living at Shelbyville, began to make frequent visits to Taylorville, where he preached in the courthouse, and occasionally in the school-house, or the VL. E. Church. These visits were coiitiiuie(l tiiitil ISO:!, when the congregation at

In the spring of 1853, Elder Northcutt moved to Prairieton township, where he still resides, and for several years was almost incessantly engaged in preaching the gospel, and organizing congregations in this and adjoining counties.

Among others, churches were established near the present site of Randallville, and at Bolivar, a few miles west of Mt. Auburn. Both of these were were finally absorbed by the Blue Motnid and Mt. Auburn congregations.

Elder Xorthcutt was likewise employed for one year a.s county Evaugelist, l)y a co-operation of the churches throughout the county. Indeed, a history of the Christian Church, during this period, would be little more than a sketch of his labors and their results. These were ver}' busy years with him, as lie was almost alone in the work of preaching the faith he held. But, at last, other laborers came to his assistance, and the work grew in proportions under their combined labors.

In 185G(?) elder A. C. !McCollum organized a congregation in Locust school-house, a half mile north of the present site of Owaneco ; and a few years later, elder John W. Tyler, of Macon county, established the Sanders church, in the extreme northern part of the county.

Besides the ministers already named in this sketch, elders John F. England, John Wilson, Thomas Cully, William Vanhooser, A. J. Kane, C. T. Cole, E. C. Weekl}- and Wm. M. Brown, labored to a greater or less extent at different points ; and the following additional congregations were organized : - Liberty, Mt. Auburn, Pana, S.iuth Fork, Edinburg, Palmer, Assumption and Salem. Of these, all except Palmer still retain their organizations. The church at that point built a good house of v.'orship, but lost it in a few years bv the foreclosure of a mortgage, and soon ceased to be.

The present number of congregations of the Christian Church in this county is ten, viz: - Assumption, E linburg, Liberty, INIt. Auburn, Owaiieo, Pana, Salem, Sanders, South Fork and Tavlorville.

The aggregate membership of these churches is over 900, and the value of their church property about 814,000. The aggregate seating capacity of their houses of worship is 2400.

There are four ministers of the Christian Church now living in this couutv, who are regularly employed in the work of preaching the gospel. They are A. D. Xorthcutt, C. T. Cole, S. K. Willson and W. F. Pvichardson.

The crying need of the churches of this order in Christian county is reffiilar pa--<torid lubur. For lack of it many of them are languishing, and without it, some of them must soon die.

With the numbers and financial ability they possess, a far more laudable work might be accomplished than has yet characterized their history as a religious pcojile.

The history of the Christian Church in Assumption dates from the fall of 1870, when elder J. ^M. Jlorgan held a meeting in the Baptist Church, and baptized several persons These, with a few who were already members of this order, in all numbering twenty, continued for several years to meet frequently on the Lord's day, to attend to the Lord's Supper, and hear the preaching of the gos|)el by J. M. Morgan and A. D. Northcutt.

In October, 1875, their house was begun, and was completed in January, 187(5, elder N. S. Haynes, of Decatur, dedicating it on the second Lord's day of that month. The building, which is surrounded by a handsome grove of maples, is a substantial frame, measuring 36x54 feet, the ceiling being 18 feet, and the spire 85 feet in height. It is neatly finished within, the walls and ceiling being wliite, the wood-work grained, and the aisles and pulpit carpeted. There is a baptistery under the pulpit, dressing-rooms at the side, a large bell, and a good cabinet organ.

The entire cost of building and grounds, complete and ready for use, was S3800. The seating capacity of the building is 325. The dedication of this church was followed by an interesting revival which resulted in adding 17 to the congregation, bringing its number up to 41. During this meeting, the organization of the church was completed by the election and ordination of W. P. Mauzy and D. J. AVatson as elders, and William Abbott, Dr. S. M. Benepe and John J. Benepe as deacons. On the 30th of January a Sundayschool was organized, which has increased in numbers and interest till the present time.

From this time forward, the gi'owth of the church was rapid and uninterrupted. O. Q. Oviatt and J. 0. Henry filled the pulpit of the church during the spring and summer of 1876, and in ( tctober, elder Geo. F. Adams added 17 members, in a protracted meeting.

During the following 3'ear (1877), F. jM. Guinn preached regularly at Assumption for about three months, and was succeeded b)' elder A. D. Northcutt. In October of this year, the congregation held a revival of 30 days, conducted by elder D. P. Henderson, and resulting in the addition of 13 persons to the church. During this meeting, the official board of the congregation was increased in number, by the addition of J. R. Milligan as elder, and L T. Watkins and S. M. Coonrod as deacons. At the same tinie E. E. Cowperthwait was ordained to the work of the Christian ministry.

Throughout the following year ( 1878), A. D. Northcutt and E. E. Cowperthwait preached regularly for the church, and frequent additions wei-e made to its membership. During September of this year, the church held its annual revival meeting, a.ssisted by elder W. F. Richardson, which increased by 13 the membership of the congregation.

Its Sunday-school numbers 90, with four officers and nine teachers. J. M. Birce is the efficient superintendent, and A. (i. Chilton, secretary.

Edixeukg Christian Church

It was not iixr from the year 1856, that the above-named congregation wa.s organized by Elder A. D. Northcutt. It numbered 30 members, and chose as elders, B. F. Stokes and B. K. Prater.

The present membership is 120. B. K. Prater, S. D. Matthews, T. J. Prater and J. M. Chandler compose the eldership ; and R. K. Johnson and Elisha Prater are deacons.

In the spring of 1853, Elder A. D. Northcutt settled in Prairieton township, and began at once to preach in the school-houses in the vicinity, and in the dwellings of his neighbors. The only mendjers of the Christian Church in the neighborhood at that time were himself and wife, and Stephen Workman.

In 1854, a congregation of nine members was organized in a log school-house on Flat Branch, Stephen Workman being chosen as elder, and S. B. Workman as deacon.

About 1860 a house of worship was built at a cost of over 82,000. It is situated about three miles south-west of Moawequa, near the banks of Flat Branch creek, and surrounded by fine forest trees. The building, however, has not been kept in good repair, and now presents a very dilapidated appearance.

There have been upwards of 400 names on the roll of this congregation, since its organization, many of whom have moved to the w'estern states and territories, and helped to form new churches there. The Christian Church atFriendville, Nebraska, is composed of members from this organization.

The present membership of Liberty Church is 157. George Bilyeau and X. B. Lawrence are the elders, and Michael Workman and AVilliara Robinson, deacons.

A. D. Northcutt is the only minister this church has ever emjiloyed, in regular pastoral labor. He is at present preaching there one-half of his time.

Mt. Auburn Christian Church

In 1863, several members of the Christian Church living in and around Mt. Auburn, began meeting for worship occasionally in the school-house at that point.

In 1809, the congregation, then numbering about forty, com- ]ileted its organization by the selection of C. T. Cole, Ira Ellis and Paul Smith as elders ; and William Young and James Evans as deacons.

For several j-ears following its organization, the Mt. Auburn church enjoyed the regular labors of Elder John W. Tyler and A. D. Northcutt, with occasional visits from John L. Wilson, John England, Dr. John Hughes, Dr. John Engle, and E. C. Weekly. At a later date, C. T. C(jle and Alfred Lewis preached at that point for three years.

The nominal mendiership of the church is 150; but as it has not met for worship for nearly two years, unless a revival soon take ]dace there, the Mt. Auburn Christian Church will be a thing of the past.

Rana Christian Church

In the year 1869, elder J. O. Henry, of Vandalia, organized a Christian Church of 18 members, at a school-house two miles southeast of I'ana.

Ill 1874, the place of meeting was changed to Lawrence's hall, in Tana ; and again in June, 1878, to the City Hall, where the ehurch still assembles for worship. The present officers are : - J H. Dawdy and Griffith Evans, ciders; J. F. Miller and Richard Couch, deacons; Charles Dawdy, clerk. The menibership is now 47.

Tills eongri-gation hopes to be able soon t(j Iniild a house of worship, wliich, if realized, would very materially advance its iiiHuencc and growth in the coinmnuity.

Salem Christian Church

This congregation meets for worship in the Salem school-house, four miles west of Blue Mound. It was organized ou the first Lord's day in June, 1879, by elder C T. Cole. The membership, at that time numbering 14, has now increased to 27.

South Fork Christian Church

This church, located in the eastern part of South Fork township, was organized in September, 1871, by elder A. C. MeColhim ; and the following year erected a house of worship, costing .S1.500, and having a seating capacity of 300.

This church is at present, and has been for some time, without preaching; and with 1.50 names ou the cluueh book, has an actual membership of but 2.5.

Taylorvili-E Christian Church

This congregation occupied the C. P. Church a part of tlie time till the following year, when a house of worship was built, at a cost of about S2.500. This was, at that time, the best church building in the county.

So rapid was the growth of the church at that time, that the congregation numbered 150, shortly after the completion of the house of worship. Had harmony and zeal characterized its efforts at this period, a very strong church might have been established in Taylorville.

As it was, however, the labors of many good and true men were not enough to counteract the effect of discord and carelessness ; and at the end of twenty years, the church was weaker, instead of stronger, than at the beginning.

Among those who preached for the congregation during these years were A. C. MeCollum, A. D. Northcutt, Thomas Cidly, John L. Wilson, J. W. Taylor, AVilliam M. Brown, A T. Maupin and William Vanhooser.

Matters remained thus till December 1st, 1878, when Elder S. R. Willson came to Taylorville to attempt a restoration of the church. The task seemed hopeless at first, but after many months of hard labor there seemed a promise of success. On September 28th, 1879, thirty-three members of the Christian Church entered into a covenant, pledging themselves to more earnest and united labor for Christ, and efi'ected an organization by the selection and ordination of the proper officers. William Frampton, R. P. Langley and \V. N. Long were chosen as elders ; to whom was afterwards added L. R. Hendricks.

Elder Willson is now on his second year's labor for the Taylorville church, and the growth, though slow, is very perceptible. The congregation now numbers forty ; and though far from strong, either in numbers or wealth, yet the harmony that prevails, and zeal that characterizes the membership, seem to promise better days for the Christian Church in Taylorville

The Sunday School in connection with this church is thriving in the hands of a corps of efficient officers and earnest teachers. It numbers over one hundred scholars. William Frampton is the superintendent, and Miss Susie L. Harner, secretaiy.

A colony, mainly of Massachu.setts people, began a settlement on the prairies of this township in January, 1856- Almost without exception they were people of religious faith and habits, and it was their determination to establish Christian worship and ordinances as soon as possible.

The first Sunday the colony spent in the settlement was oliserved by divine services in the only house which was then built, and each Sunday thereafter services were held, members of the colony taking turns in conducting them.

Early in the Spring of the same year, the whole cougregation organized themselves into a Sunday School, wdiich held its session immediately after the usual morning service. Mr. O. M. Hawkes was superintendent. The following summer. Rev. Joseph Gordon, of Alton Presbytery, came to the settlement once a month antt preached, with the exception of two Sundays, when services were conducted by visiting ministers ; this was all the assistance received previous to the organization of the church.

September 7th, 185G, the church was organized. Rev. A. T. Norton, of Alton Presbytery, was the only minister present, and presided. Twenty-two persons entered into covenant as follows: Debby A. Hawley, from Congregational Church, Sunderland, Mass. Brainard Smith, " " " "

Soon after the organization, IVIr. and Mrs. Benjannn E. Warner were received to membership b}- letters from the Congregational Church of Hinsdale, ]\rass.

In October of the same year the church connected itself with the Morgan Conference of Congregational Churches, which has since become the Southern Congregational Association of Illinois.

The church has always held to the faith and jirinciples of the Pilgrims, who landed from the Mayflower in Dec. 1620, and established the first Congregational church in America.

2. A church is a company of Christians associated for communion in the gospel ordinances and for the promotion of the Christian foith, having no superior but Christ.

(i. A church has power, - (L) To choose its own officers. (2.) To admit or exclude its own members. (3.) To adopt its own creed. (4.) To arrange the details of its own worsliip. (5.) To choose its own methods of religious and benevolent work. 7. Churches may unite in associations or conferences for purposes of mutual assistance and edification ; but all decisions of ecclesiastical bodies have only a moral power over the churches.

In February, 1857, the church called for its first njinisttr, Rev. William C. Merritt, who labored here until February, 1861 ; he continued to live in Rosemond until 1866, when he removed to Dallas City, Illinois. In 1870, he removed to California, where he has since resided. Louder his ministry the church grew rapidly, and 44 members were added.

Mr. Merritt was born at St. Clairville, Ohio, November 14th, 1814. Graduated at Illinois College in 1842, and at the same Theological Seminary in 1845 ; was ordained by the Illinois (now Qnincy) Association at Mendon, in May, 1846. He married Mary L. Carter, a native of Connecticut. Tiicj- have four children living.

The second minister of the church was Rev. Tinuithy Hill, a brother of Edward S. Hill, one of the original members ; he labored here nearly three years. I'nder his ministry ipiite an ixtcnsive revival occurred, in consequence of which the church received about 30 members. Mr. Hill was the son of Rev. Ebenezer and Abigail CJones) Hill, and was born in Mason, N. H., June 30th, 181i). His iiuher was the pastor of the Congregational Church at Mason for 64 years. He graduated at Dartmouth College in 1842, and at Union Theological Senjinary in 1845 ; was licensed by the Third Pi'csbytery of New York in April, 1845, and ordained by the Presbytery of St. Louis, Octciber 22d, 1846 ; was supply pastor of Presbyterian C^hurch, St. Charles, Mo., 1846-1851 ; Fairmount Presbyterian Church, St. Louis, !Mo., 1852-1860; Congregational Church, Rosemond, February, 1861, to October, 1863 ; Shelbyville, Illinois, Presbyterian Church, October, 1863, to July, 1865 ; Second Presbyterian Church, Kansas City, Mo., 1865-1868 ; District Secretary Pres. Board of Home Jli-ssions from October, 1805, to the present time. Received title of D.D. from Highland University in 1873. Married November 2d, 1854, Frances Augusta Hall, and has two children living.

The third minister was Rev. Edward B. Tuthill, who remained but one year, viz., from April, 1864, to April, 1865, during which time the church received six members. The church was then a year without a minister; but regular services were sustained, and eleven members added. After leaving Rosemond, Mr. Tutliill was supply pastor of the Congregational Church at Concord, Illinois, eleven years, and has since leaving there labored in Colorado and California.

The fourth minister was Rev. Alfred A. Whitmore, who also remained but one year, beginning June 1st, 1866. In that year five members were added, and the churcli building was erected at a cost of 83,200. The congregation had worshiped for some years in the school-house, but owing to some difficulty created bv menjbers of another denomiuation, the directors refused to allow this house to Ijc used any longer for religious services.

jMr. Whitmore was born near Geneva, N. Y., July 7th, 1817 ; graduated at Oberlin in 1846 ; labored one and a half years as an evangelist; was supply pastor of Congregational Church, Ash burnham, Mass., 1848-1853; labored in Ohio, 1S53-1864; was supply pastor of Congregational Church, Henry, Marshall county, Ills., 1864-1806, and of Rosemond Congregational Church, 1866-7. Since leaving Rosemond he has labored in northern Illinois and Iowa. He married September 17th, 1849, Martha P. Fletcher, of Enosburgli, Vermont, and has six children living.

The fifth minister was Rev. John R. Barnes, who remained a little more than two years. The most extensive revival the church has known occurred under his Uiiuistry, and fort3'thrce membeis were added to the church.

IMr. Barnes was born in Southington, Ohio, December 15th, 1829; graduated at Oberlin College in 1861 ; was approbated for the ministry by Plymouth Rock Association at Hampden, Ohio, in 1862; preached a few months for the churches of Hartford and Fowler, Ohio, and then entered Andover Theological Seminary ; graduated there in 1865 ; ordained at Plainfield, Connecticut, Oct. 5th, 1865, and preached there until the spring of 1867 ; was supply pastor at Rosemond, June, 1867, to September, 1869; at Collinsville, Illinois, Presbyterian Church, Septendjcr, 1S69, to April, 1874; at Earlville, Illinois, Congregational Church, November, 1874, to November, 1876; at Eldora, Iowa, Congregational Church, November, 1876, to November, 1878; since February, 1879, has been supply pastor at Fayette Congregational Church, Iowa.

The sixth and present minister of the church is Chas. T. Derin<'. He was born on Long Island, N. Y., January 21st, 1842 ; gra<hiated at Hamilton College, 1864, and at Andover Seminary, 1868 ; began labor here December, 1869, and was ordained pastor of the church,

March 9th, 1870. During his ministry the duircli lias received fifty-oue members. He married, October 2(lth, 18T(!, Mary J., daughter of William Bailey, of Kosemond.

Tlie oldest member at the organization of the cliiuch was Mr.5. Dobby Amelia Hawley, widow of Kev. Win. A. IlawKy, of Hinsdale, Mass. Her brother, Mr. B. E. Warner, and all her livingchildren except one, were members of the Rosemond colony. .She was the mother of Benj. R. Hawley, JMrs. John Putnam, ]Mrs. Braiiiard Smith, Mrs. O. M. Hawkes, and Sirs. John L. ^Marvin. All these were among the original members of the cliuich. She died April 8th, 1858, aged CO.

The Cjerman Evangelical St. John'S Chltxtt

Rev. Matthias ( Jalster, a i)i(ineer of the German Evaiigelieal Synod of N. A., located at Pana, after having worked for many years in Ohio and Indiana, and organized a congregation ten miles north-east of this city, and began to preach in August, 186-1. In September he organized a congregation under the name of German Evangelical Lutheran. Its first members were L. Schlierbaeh, Niehol Neu, Michael Neu, Christian Neu, Peter Neu, L. Paul, and A. Botschner. Its first stewards -were L. Schlierbaeh and Niehol Neu. The services were held partly in the first M. E. Church, while on its old site, and jiartly in the old city school building, called the Lawrence School. In order to have a house of worship of their own, they passed iu a meeting in December, 18G5, a resolution to build a frame church, 40x'25, which resolution was without delay executed at a cost of S3000.

In another meeting, the members then united, changed the name " Evangelical Lutheran " into simply " German Evangelical," with the additional " St. John's," so that it now bears the name " German "Evangelical St. John's Church." As the founder of the church, Rev. Galster, lived too great a distance from the town, the congregation thought it to their best interest to have a minister of the gospel residing in tliieir midst, and, according to the advice of brother Galster, tendered a call to Rev. J. Gubler, then at St. Charles, Mo. He accepted and entered his field in this city in July, 1870. As the congregation had no parsonage then, the preacher had to rent for one year, at the expiration of which the}' bought the very same building with lot for 8175.

Rev. Gubler connected with his charge at Pana a new field eight miles west of Taylorville, so that in Pana he preached but every '' other Sabbath. For three 3'ears he taught a parochial school. As a great desire was manifested by the Americans to learu the German language, the German school was then attached to our department of public schools, and is conducted as such to this date. A Sabbath School was staited in the beginning of the congregation, but has been more successfully carried on since a preacher located iu Pana.

In 1875, Rev. tiubler resigned and went to Inglefield, Ind. The writer of this sketch is his succe.ssor. Before entering his new field, the congregation built a school-room to the west end of the church for the sum of S2")0, so that Rev. Pfeiffer found for his work a neat little school-house, which proved to be too small through all this time of his teaching. As the preacher's family suffered from chills and fever owing to the location of the parsonage, the congregation agreed to sell it and build a new one in a healthier location. This resolution was carried out in 1877 ; the old parsonage sold for 862.5 ; a lot on the west slope of the east ridge was bought, and a two-story frame house erected thereon for the sum of 81215, of which the last part was paid this spring, so that the property of the congregation is free of debt. When the old Presbyterian cliurch was taken down, the congregation obtained the bell of that church ; also a few years before a good and beautiful organ from Prince & Co., of Buffalo. The congregation has now forty members; has service every Sabbath morning, and every other Sabbath evening. The Sabbath School numbers from forty to fifty scholars, superintended by L. Schlierbaeh. From this congregation have .sprang one west of Taylorville, and one seven miles south of Pana, at (_)ronee, Shelby Co., Ills. Among its first members who still belong to the church are L. Schlierbaeh and L. Paul.

Srttunlay, April 24tli, I83O, will Idiig he remeiuln'rej liy tin' re.-i- (leuts of Cbristian county as an qioch in its history, fniught with desolation, ruin and death

On Sunday nioruing vague rumors 'were afloat, as to the awful calamity caused h}' the dread cyclone's resistless march. The storm seems to have gathered in the south-west, and traveled almost a uorth-eastwardly direction, with but little deviati<m from a direct line from whence it came, until eleven miles of a beautiful farming country had been utterly stripped of liuildings, fruit trees, fencjs, etc., the accumulation of years of toil of many a sturdy tiller of the - soil, leaving in its track three dead and man}' wounded, several of whom will probably die ; besides stock of every description, strewn about, and mangled in every conceivable manner.

The first place in the track of the storm was the home of ~S{v. Thomas Smith, 4] miles from this place. Mr. Smith, in his delineation, represented the storm as seen by himself, as gathering in niid air preparatory to the fell onslaught, and remaining statiouar}' for a few seconds, then with a rush bej'oud comparison, swooped down, lifting the house clear of the foundation and partially turning it about, dropped it some twenty-five feet away, overturning the kitchen stove and a dish safe, the latter falling upon his little boy of three years, fortunately doing him no harm. The outside of the house presents the appearance of having withstood a siege from a battering ram, the shingles being torn off in many places, while a great hole in the side of the house, shows plainly that a missile of some weight found a lodgment there.

Next in turn came the home of S. W. Hawkins, on the farm of Andrew Simpson, of Taylorville, and full two miles from Mr. Smith's and four miles north-west of Clarksdale ; the intervening property seeming to have escaped with very little, if an}- damage. The buildings on the Simpson farm, were a farm-house one and a half stories in height, an old house used for storage, a smoke-house and barn, of which hardly a vestige remains. A sou of Mr. Hawkins, in reply to your correspondent said : That on the approach of the storm tlie whole family gathered in a room in the south-east corner of the house, and that at the first burst of the cyclone it wrenched the door open, and being shut in the interval of a momentary lull, was kept shut during the rest of the gale. Just here it may he well to state that eveiy one in speaking of the gale, agree in the one statement, that there were but two blasts, and that the second one did the damage - the second tore the house from its accustomed resting l)lace, tearing away the top story ; and bursting out the. north side, leaving the wrecked hull thirty or thirty-five feet from the foundation blocks. On the upper Hoor wore three beds and a lot (if canned fruit, of which not a particle can be found ; the stable is a mass of ruins. The old house and smoke-house are utterly obliterated; one new wagon and sleigh were broken to pieces; one wheel and a part of an axle of the wagon were found across a hedge one hundred yards away. A colt standing in the stable remained unhurt through the demolishing of the structure. The poultry belonging to the farm were either killed or scattered, as none can be found. Luckily the orchard escaped without serious damage. The family were fortunate in passing through the whole disaster without a scratch, but how, no one can im.igine. Surely a higher power than that of the storm king's kept watch there.

From the Simpson farm to the home of the widow Carlton two and one quarter miles away, the cyclone seems to have raised and ]iassed harmlessly over, there dropping low enough to catch up the h luse, unroofing it, and like the two dwellings bef jre spoken of, left the remains several feet from its former resting-place. Mrs. Carlton was alone and sick at the time, but in some manner escaped unhurt.

At !Mr. Edward Leigh's, the gale struck with terrific violence, sweeping everything before it ; dealing out pain and death, devastation and its manifold accessories more cruel in its mighty wrath than the vaunted fire fiend or mighty waters of the vast deep. Mr. L?igh and family (eleven ) sought safety in the cellar, to which, no doubt, they owe their hajipy escape from death. The house, a handsome two story frame building, erected last fall, at a cost of three thousand dollars, was swept away with as little ceremony as one would toss an objectionable bit of board from the side-walk ; and as a spectator said, grinding it into fragments while suspended in the air. The family are all uninjured (except Lizzie, aged twelve years, who was slightly bruised ). His total loss will probably amount to So,000.

Next in the track of the storm came the residence of Jlr. John Gessner, who, with his family - like Leigh - took refuge in tiie cellar - all escaped unhurt. !Mr. Gessuer's house and bain was utterly demolished, and one horse and one cow killed, three horses injured, besides losing furniture, clothing, etc., entire.

Thos. J. Langley's house stood abouf two hundred yards east of John Gessncr's. Here the cyclone, terrible in its frenzv, snatched up a human being and daslied it down to death. ^Ir. Langley's family consisted of himself, wife and two children - boys. Jlrs. Langley was instantly killed ; tlie body, as found after the storm had abated, presented the apj)carancc of having been struck with some projectile, tearing a great hole in the side of the body - unduulitedlv the death wound. :Mr. Lani.'lev is hnrrililv bruised and cut, but with till' rliaiiccs in favor uf hi.- recovery. One boy of eleven years was cut about the fiicc and arm. Mr. Brait.s - a visitor at the Langley home at the time of the disaster - escaped with a scalp wound of three inches in length, and a few bruises.

Mr. A. Elliott suffered to the extent of having several ribs broken, also the bridge of his nose. Mrs. Elliott, who with a mother's devotion, sought to shield her offspring from harm, regardless of the peril menaein."- herself, clasped a child under each arm, with another in her lap, awaited the onset. J\Irs. Elliott was severely wounded, while the children came out unhurt. The house is a total ruin.

Of Eynaldu Carlton's house, not a piece remains. Jlr. and ]\[rs. Carlton attempted to hold the door, but without success. They then ran out and were only slightly injured.

Willow Ford bridge, across the South Fork of the i^angaraon river, and four miles south-west of Taylorville, was next caught up and hurled to destruction ; pieces of the timbers being found on the bluli's a mile away. On the west side of the bridge the tornado had swept through the timber, laying in waste everything in the road of its merciless march. One curious feature of the storm was here manifest. Huge trees that had been .standing side by side ; the one would be found with the top directly in the teeth of the storm, while its mate was prostrate in the opposite direction. At the bridge, the track of the cyclone, as shown by the devastation, could not have been more than a hundred j'ards in width.

James J. Williams and wife saw the storm apiiroaeliing and took refuge in a cave. Although the door was blown down, and death seemed inevitable, they escaped unhurt. Nothing was left of the house but the parts on which it stood. The furniture, bedding and clothing were blown away - not a vestige remaining. A hor.se and mule were killed, and ten head of cattle arc missin"-. A new wagon that he had only taken home on Saturday, was torn to pieces, and one of the tires was found several liundred yards away, wound around a log. A quarter of a mile beyond his place was another house, owned by him and occupied by A. J. Cutler. As the storm approached, Mr. Cutler, who was at Williams' house, attempted to reach home, but was overtaken by the hurricane, and compelled to run the gauntlet of flying rails, boards and timber. How he escaped a violent death, is indeed a wonder, as his clothing was literally torn from his body. When nearing his home, the tornado lifted the hou.se from the ground and lie saw the form of his little daughter carried away, high above the tree-tops ; the body was found the next morning quite a distance from the house, in a brush pile with the upper part of the head gone - the skull crushed. His little son was found a shoi't distance from the house, horribly mutilated and dead.

Frank Peters occupied a house near the Cutler family. On the approach of the storm the family took refuge in a log stable; turning the horses out, they placed the children in the manger and tried to hold the door shut, but without avail. The structure was almost entirely destroyed ; happily the whole family escaped with but a few slight bruises. The house so lately deserted, was so completely demolished that hardly a log or piece remains. The horses trotted off to the west of the track of the storm and came through unhurt.

John Haj'es, a tenant on the farm of ]Mr. Valentine, narrowly escaped. The house was lifted from over the heads of himself and family, leaving them on the floor - none were seriously injured, except Mr. Hays, who received a fracture of the skull. One horse, a dog, several hogs and some poultry were killed. The roof was taken ofl' the house of Wm. Welsh, who lives close by the Hays family. Here the tornado left the timber and shot acro.ss the prairie, tearing up hedges, fences, and laying waste everything in its course - hogs, cattle and live stock of every kind were horribly mangled and killed. The barn of E. A. Miller was utterly demolished, and a large amount of stock killed or crippled, so as to render them worthless. A house owned by Jlr. Miller and occupied by Andrew Olliver was blow'n down, the faniil}' remaining unhurt. Mr. and Mrs Geo. Higgins were found a few hours after the storm had subsided, a quarter of a mile away from where the house had stood ; locked in each other's arms, covered with mud, insensible, bleeding and horribly mutilated. James Watts and wife lost their home, household goods and a great deal of stock. They are both seriously injured. Not yet satisfied with the destruction already wrought, the hurricane swept on, next striking and demolishing the house of ^Irs. Holfner. She, with five children, were caught in the falling building, injuring Mrs. Holfner and two children so badly that their recovery is despaired of Frank Harkett's house next came in route - one end was blown out and the roof lifted off, leaving the occupants uninjured. Jonas Kimmerer's barn went next, together with scvei'al buildings and sheds adjoining; all the stock on the place was either killed or maimed .so as to render them utterly valueless. The Perkins' school-house is a complete wreck; nothing remains to show where it once stood'.

The last stroke of the terrible cyclone fell on the 40x110 feet barn and elegant buildings and sheds, on the fine stock farm of J. J Perkins, literally demolishing the whole, and sweejiing them away with such velocity as to not leave a trace behind. Most of the stock having been sold during the day, the loss in the killed and injured will not fall heavily on Mr. Perkins.

Here the reign of the storm fiend seems to have ended after having run his mad race, and laid in waste miles of the most prosperous part of Christian county ; and it is with thankfulness that we lay down the recording pea - glad to know that here ends the most disastrous chapter in the history of old Christian, but with sad memories of the scenes of suffering, devastation, woe and death.

"HE early history of what is now known as Taylorville township dates as far back as 1818 - twenty-one years before the county of Christian was organized, and to the year when the great State of Illinois was admitted into the sisterhood of states. The hardy pioneer and hunter, tlie advanced couriers of civilization in the west at that earl}' day had penetrated its forests and plains where before alone had trod the stealthy Indian in search of the noble bison, and smaller game that roamed at will over the broad prairies. These pioneers were a hardy race ; they were possessed of untiring energy, dauntless courage, and physical constitutions that could withstand the hardships and privations incident to a pioneer life. It was their task to clear the forest, push back the red man and blaze the way for the incoming tide of immigration and civilization that was pouring in with resistless force from the old world into the new, and from the east to the great west. How well and nobly they performed their task is well known and written in the history of every state in the west. The township of Taylorville includes in its boundaries all of Town 13, Range 2, save about half of section 31 and a small por. tion of section 30, and sections 1, 2 and 12, and of sections 3, 11, 13, 14, 24 and 25 in Tow'n 13, Range 3. The township is bounded on the north by Buckhart, and on the east by May, on the south by Johnson and on the west by South Fork. The township is watered and drained by the South Fork of the Sangamon river, and Flat Branch. The former enters the township on the south siile of section 36, Town 13, Range 2, and flows in a northerly direction to the south-we.st quarter of section 25, from whence it flows in a south-westerly direction, and out of the township in section 34. It again enters the township in section 31 and flows in a north-westerl}' direction, forming the western boundary of the township. It makes its exit from the township in section 3, Town 13, Range 3. Flat Branch enters the township in section 24, Town 13, Range 2. It flows in a south-westerly direction and empties into the South Fork of the Sangamon in the south-west part of section 25. The township is well timbered with all kinds of wood indigenous to this climate and section of the country. The soil is exceedingly fertile and sufficiently undulating to carry oft" the excess of rainfall. The Decatur and St. Louis railroad, now under the control of the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Company, and the Ohio and Mississippi railroads, oft'ers abundant facilities for conveying the surplus products of the soil and creating good markets for the farmers and merchants.

Ill writing the early history of a county and its townships, recapitulation to some extent becomes unavoidable, and in order to avoid it as much as possible, we must refer our readers to the general history of the early settlements to be found in anotiicr chapter of this book.

From the best information possible to be obtained, the honor of being the first settler in what is now known as Taylorville Township belongs to John S. Sinnet. He located and built a cabin on a portion of land now embraced in the south-east part of Taylorville, not far from where the fair-ground spring is. He located there in 1818. In 1829 he sold out his improvements to Col. Thos. S. Young. The Brents family came soon after, and by some it is thought that they were settlers here before Sinnet, but as stated above, the best information is that Sinnet was first and the Brents came in 1820. The widow Brents brought her family with her. There were William C, John and Simeon ; her sons were young boys at that time. The latter son is still living in the county. Daniel C. Goode is credited with being in the county and a resident of this township as early as 1824. He located two and a half miles east of Taylorville, and close to where the town of AUenton stood. He entered the first land in the township in 1830. We will have occasion to speak more fully of him further along in this chapter. In 1825, William Wallis arrived. He married a daughter of the widow Brents. He opened a small farm one mile east of the present town of Taylorville. He was a Kentuckian by birth. Jesse Langley first settled on a tract of land on the west side of the township in 1828. In 1834, he removed to a small improved farm formerh' occupied by John Brents, on the east side of the township. Mr. Langley, in his day, was one of the prominent and influential men of the county. He became a large land-owner and wealthy. He was the first man in the county that erected a distillery and manufactured alcoholic spirits. In 1829, there was quite a large number of settlers came into the township. Among them may be mentioned, Jesse Jlurphy, who settled on an improved piece of land about two miles west of Taylorville. Aaron Vandevecr, a native of Washington County, Indiana, a farmer and a Baptist preacher, came into the county in the year above mentioned. His son, Hon. H. M. Vandeveer, came to Taylorville in 1839, when the county-seat was located, and has remained here up to the present. The same year, 1829, witnessed the arrival of the "Young" family - Col. Thos. S. Marcus L. and John, with their fiimilies. They were from Kentucky. In 1830, John Gore, Sr., arrived ; he settled on and improved a tract of land four miles west of the town of Taylorville. In 1833, Thos. Young, Sr., settled in the township at a point one mile south-east of this town. James Hanes came to the township in 1834. He subsequently erected the first hotel in Taylorville, now a part of the Globe Hotel, on the north side of the public square. Daniel C. Goode entered the land on which Taylorville now stands, in 1835. He afterward settled on a farm three miles north-east of Taylorville, where he died. Thomas Dawson was an old settler in the county ; he came in 1822. In 1824 he built a horse mill on Flat Branch, and ran it three or four years, after which he moved to Missouri. Thomas S.

Leachmaii, a iiu-inor, came into the townsliip in 1837, and Frank Haues iu 1838. In 1839, Ezekiel S. Young, a prominent man, became a resident of Taylorville, where he resided till his death in 1857 ; he raised a large family, and many of his descendants still reside in the county. On the organization of the county, he was elected its first county clerk. He resigned the office August 1st, 1840- In August, 1842, he was elected a member of the County Commissioners' Court. William Thomas was an early settler; he was elected justice of tlie peace, and held the office for many years, or until his death. In 1839, Morgan Goode, a half brother of Daniel C, emigrated from Indiana and lived the first winter on the Fraley farm, four miles east of Taylorville. The next year after the location of the county-seat, he moved to Taylorville. He is credited with building the first dwelling-house in the town. There were other buildings, a half-dozen perhaps, that had been moved from Edinburg and Allenton and used as business houses and dwellings, but his was the first house erected for dwelling purposes exclusively in the town. It was afterwards removed to the alley in the rear of Anderson's bank. James Waddle and family came in 1836, and settled on a tract of land adjoining Taylorville on the east. He remained there for several years. In 1840, came John W. Wheat and settled in Taylorville, and taught the fir.-t school iu the town after it was located. He was also a lawyer, and was second resident practicing attorney in the town or county. After him came Philip C. Ferguson. James R. Lucas and family came in 1840. He, however, had been a resident of the county since 1836. Then came the Easthams and Goodens. W. S. Frink came to the county in 1836. He afterwards became the owucr of the land on which Allenton stood.

The first marriage iu Taylorville took place January 1st, 1841. The high contracting parties were John Gilbert and Clara Ann Young. They were united iu the holy bonds of matrimony by Rev. Aaron Vandeveer. The marriage license was the twentysixth one issued in the county.

The first child born in the town of Taylorville was Sarah Lucas. The first death was " Cockle" Reece, who was proprietor of the first grocery store in the town.

The fir.st entry of land upon record, in Taylorville township, was made by Daniel C Goode. The entry bears date January 25tli, 1830. He entered the E. half of the N. E. quarter of section 24, T. 13 north. Range 2 west. The second entry was made by Jesse Langley, May 30th, 1830. He entered the E. half of the N. E. quarter of section 12, T. 13, R. 3 W. The same day. John Young entered the N. E. quarter of section 1 in T. 13, R. 3 W.

The town of Taylorville is one of the oldest in the county. It is centrally located, and is equi-distant from Springfield, Decatur, Shelbyville and Hillsboro.

It was located May 24th, 1839, by a commission appointed by the legislature for that purpose, soon after the organization of the county. When the location was made, the land on which Taylorville was built belonged to Daniel C. Goode, who entered it on the 14th of December, 1835. He conveyed it to Dr. Richard F. Barrett, John Taylor, 51. Eastham and Robert Allen, who had it surveyed and platted. At the time of the location of the county-seat, the towns of Edinburg and Allenton were rivals for that honor. Edinburg had then a population of several hundred inhabitants, and Allenton presented advantages of no mean pretensions. Both towns were backed by their respective citizens. Both were sufficiently near the geographical centre, so that opposition in that direction was not thought of The query arises, why these places were overlooked and neglected, and the county seat located where there was not the least sign of a habitation. The location was made through the personal eiforts of Daniel C. Goode. He was in many respects a remarkable man, and as a manager of men and director of local events and enterprises, it is doubtful if the county has ever produced his equal. He was a large, fine-looking man, with a splendid phvsiquc, and had a personal magnetism that won men to him at once. He and Robert Allen laid out the town of Allenton. Allen was the owner of the stage line, between Springfield and Ttrre Haute, Indiana. Goode kept the stage stand at Allenton.

The town was named after John Taylor, one of the commissioners who located it. He was a resident of Springfield, and was for a long time Register in the Land Office. The first house erected was a small frame building 12x12 feet; H. M. Vandeveer was the liuilder. He commenced its erection in July of 1839, and completed it iu several months, after which he occupied it as clerk, a position to which he had been appointed when the county was organized. It served as his habitation, clerk's office, court room, etc., until the erection and completion of the new court-house in 1840. In the winter of 1839-40, buildings were removed from Edinburg and Allenton to the county-seat. The first business house was Samuel Reece's grocery store. It was a building called the old Charlie Clark home, maved from Edinburg, and stood on lot No. 9, l)lock 15. He kept store iji one end and lived in the other. The counter was about six feet in length. He sold coflfee in those days at fifty cents per lb., and other luxuries in proportion. He did not have much to sell, but, notwithstanding, he was considered of much importance in his day. Dr. Alexander Ralston, a Scotchman, and Mr. Gilbert opened the second store iu Taylorville. The doctor used his room for some time as an office, after which was opened the store of Ralston & Gilbert. The .store-house of

Prickett's was moved from E.liubiirg to T;iylorville. B.Mijamiii L. Yates opeued a general store. In 1846, Messrs. Walker, Plielps & Co., of Carlinville, brought an extra large stock of goods to the town. They were in a small bulling on the north side of the public square. The whole stock amounted to S1700. It made a great sensation. No princely merchant with a 850,000 stock could at tliis day produce more profound sensation.

Dr. Slater was the first physician in the town. He remained Init a short time. Dr. Ralston was tlie second. After him came Drs. Higby, Chapman and Goudy. The first sermon preached in the town of Taylorvillo, after its location, was by Rev. Michatl Shunk. H. M. Vandeveer was the first post-master. The post-ofiice was in the court-house.

The town improved .slowly. The Great Eastern stage line passing through the place daih-, imparted a little life and excitement to the town. The merchants had to haul their goods from St. Louis. Flour was hauled from Springfield, and sold at S3.50 per barrel. Farmers hauled their wheat to Springfield, and received from 35 to 40 cents per bushel. Pork was worth SI. 50 per hundred. Beef 82.00 per hundred. Butter was worth 5 to 6 cents per pound, and potatoes 15 to 20 cents per bushel.

The first school taught in Taylorvillo was by Ji:>hn W. Wheat, in 1840. Tiien followed Thos. B. Dougherty, David Miller, Aaron H. H. Roundtree, Mi.ss Sarah Holland. Schools were taught in different houses; the last, in Captain Hardin's office, on the south side of the public square. Miss Holland was one of Gov. Slade's "School Marms" sent out from the Xew England states. She was well educated, and possessed superior attainments. She died with cholera, in Springfield, in 1852.

The brick seminary was erected in 1850, by the school directors of the town and the Sons of Temperance, Division No. 145. The lower story was used for school purposes, and the upper one as a temperance hall. Among the teachers employed in th's building were D. L. Moore, John B. Jones and others. In 1858, the town was divided into three districts, and school-houses erected in each. These subserved the interests of the people until 1870, when the town was divided into two districts. The districts have now two fine brick school-houses ; the one in the east costing 810,000, and the one in the west §24,000. The value of school furniture is about 8600 The number of children attending these schools between the ages of six and twenty years, are eight hundred and fifty. There are two principals, and ten assistant teachers employed in these schools.

The first church erected in Taylorville was the Cumberland Presbyterian. It was occupied Djoember 24th, 1848. It was a frajne structure in the south-west part of the town, located on lot No. 5, block No. 28. The building was 24 by 36 feet. No longer needing it f )r church purposes the society sold it in May, 1874, for 8400, and' it has been converted into a family residence. The M. E. Church was a brick building built in 1848. It was located on lot Nos. 5 and 6, block No. 24. After being u.sed for many years it was torn down, and on its site was erected the present building. About one year after the completion of these two churches the Roman Catholic Church was finished by old " Dickey " Simpson, who made sacrifices without which it never would have been built. He deserves to be held in dear remembrance by the Catholic society for his untiring and self sacrificing work in the cause of ills and their faith. He deserves a burial under its chancel, with a marble slab to perpetuate his virtues and memory. This church stood south of the Public square on lot No. 4, block No. 27, but was moved, in the summer of 1874, further south, to lot No. 6, block No. 30, on the Catholic Church grounds.

The Baptist Church was the fourth, and was erected in 1854. The Presbyterian Church society, of Taylorville, was organizsd in 1857, by Dr. J. G. Bsrgen, of Springfield, Illinois, and its present frame house of worship was built in 1870. The present new Cumberland Presbyterian Church edifice was built in 1873. In size it is 40 by 70 feet, and seats 400 persons. Its cost, when built, was 89,000. The Christian Church was built in 1857.

In the winter of 1S56 Dr. Goudy was sent to the legislature from this district, and among other measures secured, obtained a liberal charter fi)r the Pana and Springfield railroad, and perfected the charter of the Decatur and East St. Louis railroad. The.se charters remained comparatively a dead letter, but served the valuable purp.ise of agitating and keeping the project before the people until it resolved itself into an accomplished fact. The charters were renewed, and both roads built and put in operation. The Pana and Springfield, now known as the Ohio and Mississippi road, has been extended to Beardstown on the north, and Shawneetown on the south. This road was the first one contemplated to this i)lace. The first advent of the " Iron Horse," in Taylorville, was on the 28th of October, 1869. Its arrival from Pana caused no little sensation. The Decatur and St Louis railroad was completed soon after. With the completion of these roads, Taylorville improved rapidly. Good and substantial buildings were erected, trade and business more than doubled, and its population increased to 3,000 inhabitants.

The first man in Taylorville who might be terrasd a manufacturer, was Abel Conner, a blacksmith. Jesse Langley built a horse mill in the year 1837, on Spring Branch, one mile and a half east of Taylorville. Its power was obtained by an inclined wheel propelled by milch cows. In connection with the mill he had a distillery. He built the mill with a double object in view, for the grinding of corn and barley, for the use of the distillery, and at the same time to grind corn for the accommodation of the neighborhood. He carried it on for three or four years, when he sold it, and it was removed to the North Fork.

In 1850 Dr. Goudy supplied a want long felt by the erection of the first steam saw and grist mill in Taylorville. It contained but one pair of burrs, used for grinding corn. It was built at a cost of 82,000. It was located in the south-east part of the town. It was the first thing that stimulated enterprise in furnishing lumber and the building up of the town. In time it changed hands, and Esquire E. S. Young & Sons bicame the owners. It burned down in 1853.

The first steam flouring mill was built by William T. Sprouse & Co , in 1853, in the western part of the town. In its day it was looked upon as a " big thing," and of no mean pretensioas. It was furnished with two run of stones, one for wheat and tha other for corn. It changed ownership several times, being successively operated b}' Wra. T Sprouse & Co., Col. Thomas P. Bond, Jesse Richardson, King & Co., V. T. Priest, Barfield and Sandford, and C. W. Davis. The latter purchased the entire mill in 1860, and cjnverted it into a woolen factor}', - carding and spinning. During this time he bought and shipped some 20,000 lbs. of wool annually. In 1872 it was again converted into a " custom flouring mill." It is still owned by C. W. Davis, but at present is not operated.

for milling facilities. lu 1859 V. T. Priest erected a iijcrcliant steam flouring mill in the southern part of the town, below the old Fair grounds. It was of more enlarged capacity, capable of running four pair of burrs. It w^as styled and known as the " Forest Jlills." It was a three story brick structure, and cost about 115,- 000. It was destroyed by fire in 1872.

In 18G8 Reuben Wilkinson, John W. Price and William 8. Moore erected the steam flouring mill in the northeast part of the town, on the O. & M. railroad, known as the " Ruth Mills," and now operated by Price & Wilkinson. It is a brick structure, three stories high, has four run of burrs, and is furnished throughout with the latest improve-ment and appliances. The cost of the building and machin ery was §30,000. It has a capacity for manufacturing 100 barrels of flour every twenty-four hours. There is also attached to the mill an elevator for the handling and shipping of grain, with a capacity of 1,000,000 bushels annually. The firm of Price and Wilkinson manufacture into flour 50,000 bushels of wheat, and buy and ship 100,000 bushels of wheat and 200,000 bushels of corn annually. The firm of S. S. Sprague it Co have also an elevator on the track of the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific railroad. Their capacity for handling grain is about the same as Price & Wilkinson's. They have also two run of burrs and manufacture large (juantities of corn meal which is shipped to eastern markets.

The Sattley Bros., manufacturers of agricultural implements, organized and commenced operations in 1869. They manufiicture from five hundred and fifty to six hundred sulky plows annually, and about the same number of walking plows, and about four hundred cultivators. The main building is 100 by 30 feet, and wing CO by 30 feet. Messrs. Sattley Bros, have all the latest improvements in machinery for turning work out skillfully and rapidly.

John W. Young, President of the Board of Trustees of the town of Taylorville, presented to the County Court, March 11, 1853, the following statement of the poll books of an election held on the 4th day of March, 1853, to vote for and against " Incorporating the town of Taylorville," in these words and figures to wit : " At an election held at the court-house in the town of Taylorville, in the county of Christian and State of Illinois, on the 4th day of March, 1853, to vote for or against incorporating the town of Taylorville, the following was the vote given, viz For incorporating 45 votes ; against incorporating 6, certified by me, H. D. Brigham, Premkni; Milton Pike, Clerk.

The present officers of the town are : T. W. Long, President of the Board of Trustees ; James White, T. P. Baxter, C. W. Powell, R. Wilkinson and James White, Trustees ; J. C. McBride, Attorney for the Board ; J. P. Baxter, Treasurer ; J. B. Ricks, Police Magistrate ; W. R. Elzroth, Marshal.

This Society was organized on the '21st day of July, 185(!. A constitution and by-laws were adopted. At the preliminary meeting to determine whether a society should be formed, Frederick Wcelhouse was called to the chair, and H. M. Vandeveer appointed secretary. The organization elected the following officers : George Housley, President; A. D. Northcutt, Griffith Evans and H. O. Farrell, Vice-Presidents ; T). D. Shumway, Recording Secretary ; John D. Brown, Corresponding Secretary ; J. H. Clark, Treasurer ; Albert Sattley, Chief Marshal.

The fir-st fair was held on the society's ground-, south of Taylorville, October 21st, 1856, and was a creditable affair. The society had purchased fifteen acres of land from Albert Sattley for fair grounds.

The present officers are : John B. Ricks, President ; W. A. Perkins, Vice President; W. A. Cioodrich, Secretary; A. Sattley, Treasurer ; H. W. Sharp, J. W. Hunter, W. T. Baker, J. M. Simpson and J. A. Hill, Directors.

The Taylorville Dramatic Cojipany'

A society known as the above-named, was permanently organized on the 16th of December, 1878, with the following officers: - James B. Ricks, President and JManager ; Arthur Crooker, Assistant Manager ; V. B. Kelly, Treasurer ; Wm. H. Kaup, Secretary.

The membership consists of the above-named officers, and Messrs. Charles E. Johnson, C. A. Parish, Wm. McCaskill, Wm. T. Vandeveer, and Misses Retta Ricks, Lillie Clark, Minnie Kittle, Jennie Goudy and Adah Hay.

They have given several exhibitions of the minor drama and comedy order, in which they displayed considerable talent and received the highest encomiums from the local press and competent critics.

Leadinc Business House.S Of 1880

Grocerij Stores. - The grocery and provision trade is represented by Wilkinson & Co., Young & Anderson, L. R. Hedrick & Co., James Bourne, Colloway & Torrey, J. H. Fowler.

Secret Societies

Mound Lodge No. 120 A. F. and A. M. was organized under a dispeu.'ation from the Grand Lodge, December 1st, 1851. The charter members and names of first officers were :

Taylorville Chapter No. \'2i, E. A.M., was organized under a dispensation from the Grand Chapter of the State of Illinois, July 18th, 1866, by Comp's William T. Frink, H. P. ; B. T. Brown, K. ; and W. A. Gocdrich, S. The Chapter was regularly chartered October 5th, 1866. The first three principal officers were D. D. Sluimway, H. P. ; B. F. Barnes, K., and W. A. Goodrich, S.

Taijlorville Lodge No. 413 /. 0. 0. F. - This Lodge was organized and instituted March 8th, 1870. The names of the charter members were Francis Sauter, Peter Neu, Wni. H. Barr, and L. F. Wolfkill. The first officers were D. S. Wolfkill, N. G. ; Francis Sauter, V. G. ; Wm. H. Barr, Sec. ; Peter Neu, Treas. ; Chris. Neu, Guard. The present officers are D. Hoover, X. G. ; E. C. Holmes, V. G. ; J. H. Abell, Rec. Sec. ; William T. Vandeveer, Treas. ; E. J. Hunt, Guard. Present membership 86.

Atnrapliael Encampment, No. 137, was instituted April 8th, 1872. The charter members were Samuel H. jNIossler, A. P. Gsborn, Chas. Spire, H. C. Johnson, Gus Stine, J. H Abell, and S. Skiles. The present officers are, Samuel H. Mossier, C. P. ; A. P. Osborn, H. P. ; Wm. Williams, J. W. ; J. W. Xichodemus, S. W. ; J. H. Abell, Scribe ; C. N. Meredith, Treas ; E. J. Hunt, Sen. Present membership 26-

Taylorville Guards

This command was organized June 17th, 1876. It numbered fifty men, and included among its members the best and most active citizens of the town. The first officers were, Wm. T. Vandeveer, Captain ; S. McKnight, 1st Lieutenant ; James S. Culver, 2d Lieutenant, were commissioned June 21 to rank from Juno 19th, 1876. These officers assisted in the organization of the 5th Regt I N. G , on the 20th day of June ; at that time it drew its letter and has since ranked as Company " B," 5th Regt. I. N. G. On the 12th day of July, 1877, the company was organized under the new military code - which became a law July 1st, 1»77 - under the same commissioned officers, its strength being forty men. During the riots of 1877 this company did effectual service in aiding the State and county authorities, at various points, in protecting private and public property, and both officers and men deserve much credit for the part they took in assisting to preserve and maintain order. At the time of the riots the company numbered 54 men, including officers, and every man was in his place. Peace being restored, the company left East St. Louis and returned home, where they <vere greeted by a large concourse of citizens, in the court-house yard, where Mi.?s Lulu Rockwell, in behalf of the citizens, welcomed the boys to their homes and presented them with an elegant stand of colors. Capt. Vandeveer received them in behalf of the company, and returned its thanks for the ovation, for the colors, and for the kindly words of welcome. August 4th, 1877, Capt. Vandeveer was commissioned Major, and aid on the Governor's staff. On the 8th of August he was relieved from command, and his connection with the company ceased. At an election held Aug 6th, 1877, to fill the vacancy caused by the promotion of Capt. Vandeveer, Sergeant McKnight was elected Captain, James S. Culver 1st Lieutenant and Wm. H. Haup 2d Lieutenant Ou the 13th of Aug. following, the company received fortv stand of improved Springfield rifles. Ou the 23d of May, 1878, the company, under command of Capt. McKnight, took part in the removal of the old battle flags and trophies from the old Arsenal, in Springfield, to Memorial Hall, in the new capital building. Decoration day was observed by this company May 30th, 1878. July 1st, 1879, Capt. S. IMcKuight was appointed inspector of rifle practice for the 5th Regt., which position he now holds. At an election held to fill vacancy, James S Culver was elected Captain, Wm. H. Kaup 1st Lieut., F. L. Parkison 2d Lieut., subsequently Lieutenant Kaup resigned and Sergt. G N. Burleigh was elected to fill the vacancy. The present officers are James S. Culver, Capt. ; G. N. Burleigh, 1st Lieut.; F. L. Parkison, 2d Lieut., an old soldier and officer in the war of the rebellion. The company is in good condition, and deserves well of the citizens of Taylorville.

Biographical Sketches

The sulijcct of tills sketch is n native of Indiunn, Ijoni in AVashin;,rt()ii conuty, March r2th, 181(5. The Vaiuleveor faiuily were originally from Xurth Carolina; movcil to Kentucky, then to Indiana; and in tlie fall of 18'2!l his ihther, Key. Aaron Vandevier, came with his family to Illinois, and settled on a farm on Clear creek in Sangamon connty. The country was sparsely si ttled, and the means for obtaining an education limited. Here and there over the country was a subscription-sohool ; the teacher, " boarding around," taught on the principle of the three " R's." It ivas in one of these log-cabin schools that he entered, and after a three-months' course graduated. His parents were poor, and of ncce.ssity required their sons to labor constantly on the farm to aid in supporting tRtir large familj'. He thus toiled most of the time till he was twentyone years of age. He is emphatically a self made man, and the most of his education was obtained by studiously devoting to bis books all the spare time at his disposal. He acquired a taste I'or reading early in life, and by close and assiduous study attracted the attention of Hem. John T. Stuart, of Springfield, Illinois, who tendered him the use of his valuable lilirary, liy which means lie was able to gain considerable legal knowledge. He remembers the kindness of Mr. Stuart with the most grateful thanks, and always speaks of this gentleman as bis friend and benefactor.

As is the custom of most indigent young men, he, too, played the part of the "school-master" for a time. In the year 183t! he taught in a log school-house on .Vudy Finley's farm, some twelve miles west of Taylorville, then in the county of Sangamon. The building was made in regular jiioncer log-cabin style, without the use of a nail, with a large fire-place, and a log some ten or fifteen feet long cut out of the side for a window, using oiled paper for windowpanes. His was a subscription-school of three months in the year, terms |2 per quarter for each scholar and board around. The latter arrangement did not suit his genius or taste, as it frittered away too much time, which he wished to devote to the study of his chosen profession of law. To obviate this difficulty, he put up a log-cabin 10xr2 feet in size on his farm adjacent, and "kept bach." Thus he passed one or two years, farming in the summer, teaching in the winter, and reading during his leisure hours. The Judge bad a great aversion, then as now, to seeing idlers around him consuming day-

He remembers his milling experience in earlier years. Corn was shelled by scraping it on the back-edge of a knife driven into the end of a board, and in the absence of any contrivance of this sort, the fire-shovel was used over the wash-tub. Wash-tubs were improvised by sawing a barrel in two. The older boys generally went to mill on horseback, mounted on a two-bushel bag of grain - and occasionally it would not be very well adjusted, when it caused the boys a great deal of trouble. They usually kept one grist at the mill, thus having a load each way. They often had to go a long distance to mill.

In time he was admitted to the practice of law. Ilis first case was in the Circuit Court of Sangamon county, in Springfield. He was employed by the widow of Samuel Miller, deceased, to institute suit against Jesse Hanon, Sr., to compel a more faithful administration of his trust. This caused the young barrister to appear before the able and intelligent bar at the capital of the state, then composed of such men as Lincoln, Logan, Baker, Lanibourn, and others, where he distinguished himself in managing the ease to a ,- ^ successful issue. This triumph was as gratifying to his old neigh- , bors as it was stimulating to his own future success. He partici- " pated in the organization oT< the cimnty, and at the first election held on the 1st of April, 1839, was elected "County Recorder," and a few days thereafter- appointed by the County Court school commissioner, which causedhis removal to the county seat. On the 1st of June of the same 3'ear he was appointed by Judge Treat clerk of the Circuit Court, which office he held for many years. He was elected a member of the House of Representatives in 1812 over Martin White, the former representative, and Henry T. Luckett - both popular men. On his return home, at the close of the session in 1843, he was reappointed clerk of the Circuit Court; being a member of the legislature, he was ineligible, for the time being, to hold the office. In the same year he was elected justice of the peace. He was subsequently appointed post-master of Taylorville, which office he held for many years. The older inhabitants remember its being kept in the clerk's office up-stairs, in the old Court House, then the most public place of resort in the town.

In 184G he answered to the first call of his country, and raised a company for the Mexican war, and was elected its captain. When beating up for recruits several public meetings were held in the Court House, and some amusing as well as patriotic speeches were made. The company was rejected by the Government, as the qu.ita of the state under the call of the government was full. He was shorth' afterward appointed by President Polk as assistant quartermaster in the United States Army, with the rank of captain. He had the command of his department under Col. W. B. AVarren, of Jacksonville, in bis forced march from Jlonclova to Saltillo, and so discharged his duties as to receive high commendation from Col. Warren. He was in the battle of Buena-Vista, and was acting as aid on the staff of General Taylor. Capt. Yandeveer does not claim to have been able to distinguish himself in the army, where there were so many eminent soldiers, but he feels that he discharged the duties of his office to the satisfaction of each of his commanding officers, and had their confidence and respect, and particularly that of Col. Warren and Gov. Bissell.

On his return home, at the close of the war, his name was prominently mentioned as a candidate for Congress. And at the democratic convention held shortly afterward at Shellnville, after numerous ballotings for the various aspirants, he would have been nominated on the next ballot bad he not stepped within the bar and peremptorily requested the withdrawal of his name from the contest, greatly to the disappointment of his friends. He was chosen one of the democratic electors in 1848 ; was electsd, and cast his vote for General Lewis Cass. It was a sore trial as against his old commandei-, General Taylor, of Mexican war fame.

In 1849 he was elected judge of the County Court of this county under the newly-adopted constitution, and was elected to the same office in 1853. He held the office for a term of eight years, and during that time displayed for his county some of the powers he is supposed to use with success in his private bu.siness. Although the county was comparatively new, and in a monetary point of view poor, he and his associates erected the present fine Court House, at a cost of about 816,000, and paid for it as the work was done, while many other counties in the state, more favorably situated, are in debt for their public building?. In the other duties devolving upon him, not only in current county aflairs, but in the probate department, he displayed equal skill and good judgment in his various decisions.

After his return from Mexico in 1847 he resumed the practice of his profession, and has stood at the head of the bar as a successful practitioner for over a quarter of a centurv.

In November, 1860, he was elected, for the second time, a member of the House of Representatives from Christian and ]\Iontgomery counties. It was during this time that the civil war commenced, demanding legislative skill and judgment, which he possessed in an eminent degree, commanding the confidence and respect of the members of that body. He was severe in his remarks on the rotten, broken banks, and on all occasions voted for a sound, reliable, constitutional medium of exchange. Perhaps a better idea of the character and standing of Mr. Yandeveer, as a member, may be gathered from an article written by a correspondent of the St. Louk Republican, under the title of "Sketches by a Lobbyist," who thus speaks: "Judge Yandeveer, of Christian, is one of the active, thinking, and working members of the House of Representatives. He is not much given to speech-making, but when he does he commands the individual attention of the whole house. He is a lawyer by jirofession, and generally participates in the debates when legal questions are before the house ; is posted upon all matters of general interest, understands the wants of his constituents, and is an able and efficient representative. He is a man of fine appearance, unquestionable integrity, and acknowledged ability ; is a stanch democrat, and always votes the straight ticket. He occupies a high position in the affections of his people, and has several times been solicited to run for Congress, but as often refu.sed. His social qualities are of the most agreeable order: he is a warm-

In 1862 he was elected to the State Senate fnmi the district composed of the counties of Macoupin, Montgomery, Christian and Shelby. A long experience in business, and a general knowledge of men and things, acquired by contact with the realities of life, enabled him to be a useful member of the Senate. He participated in many of the discussicms before this body, and commanded its attention and respect. Many of his speeches have been highly spoken of, and have occasionally been illuminated with flashes of genius that would do honor to any niau. The leading trait of his character is his strong and unswerving will. He never abandons a position once taken. This quality has the eflect in his ease, as it has had iu all others, to make him warm friends and bitter enemies. He is an ardent democrat of the old school, and has an abiding faith in democratic principles.

In June, 1870, he was elected judge of the Tenth Judicial Circuit, embracing the counties of Christian, Montgomery, Fayette and Shelby, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Eice. Was again elected without opposition in 1873 for a term of six years. As a presiding judicial officer he has rendered general satisfaction, and won golden opinions from the members of the bar and others interested.

and vigorous intellect. He is a close thinker, stands well asa judge, and has rendered many important decisions. His manner is plain, with no attempt at a flourish of language or oratorical skill.

Judge H. M. Vandeveer was happily married in the spring of 1841 to Miss Mary Jane Rucker. She is a native of Kentucky, but was a resident of Christian county, Illinois, at the time of her marriage. Five children are the fruits of this union, three of whom are living, viz., William T. and Eugene A., who are jointly engaged in the banking business in Taylorville, under the firm name of H. M. Vandeveer & Co. ; and Lizzie J., who is yet beneath the parental roof

Judge H. M. Vandeveer is a representative Western man, and one who, by the sheer force of indomitable will, industry, and perseverance, has risen from the depths of comparative obscurity, and made for himself a name and honorable position among men. His has been the most familiar and prominent name in Christian county for nearly a half century. The history of one can almost be traced in the other. From the organization of the county town to a recent date, he has been in one way or another identified and connected with its civil history. In its political history he has been a central figure, wielding more influence and directing more successes than any other citizen of the county. He was always a trusted leader and safe counsellor.

Was born in Sauganion county, Illinois, January 23(1, l^'oi. His father, Daniel McCaskill, was of Scotch parentage. They tame to America about the close of the Revolutionary war, and settled in Korth Carolina. Daniel McCaskill became a resident of Illinois. He subsequently removed to Brown county in this state, where he died in 1851. lie was a Methodist minister, and also a physician, and practiced his profession, more or less, for the greater part of his life. He married Esther Turner, a native of Virginia. She died in 18(54. There were nine children, eight of whom survived the parents. Alexander is the fourth in the family. He spent his youth upon the farm and attending the schools during the winter mouths. AVhen he arrived at his twentieth year he left home and attended schools at Jit. Sterling, 111., and prepared himself for the profession of law. He spent the following six years in attending and teacliing school, and in reading law. A portion of that time was spent in the law office of Judge Bailey, Van Vleck and Wells, of McComb, Illinois. He was admitted to the bar in 1857, and commenced the practice of his profession immediately thereafter in Prairie city, McDonough county, Illinois. In the year of his admission he came to TaylorvUle, where he continued the practice until the spring of 1859, when, in company with his brother and three others, he determined to go to Pike's Peak, in quest of gold. They provided an outfit, and the trip was pleasantly and safely made. After their arrival at the Peak the subject of this sketch commenced mining for gold, in which he was tolerablv suc- cessful. He remained there until the fall of the same year, when he returned to Brown county, Illinois, and, in the spring of 1860 again went to the Peak and remained there until 18(31, when he came back to Taylorville and resumed the practice of law, in which he has continued, with but slight interruption, up to the present time. In 18C5 he was appointed, by the county court, to fill out the unexpired term of the County Superintendent of schools. In the fall of the same year he was elected to a full term of the ofiice, and continued Superintendent until 1869. He then resumed the jH-actice. In the summer of 1872 he was appointed State's Attorney for the county, and at the general election, in the fall of the same year, was elected to fill that position for four years. In 1877 he was nominated by the democratic partv, in convention assembled, for the office of County Judge, and was elected, and is now discharging the duties of that office in a manner that justifies the wisdom of those wlio honnred him with their suffrages. In politics he has always been an uncompromising democrat, and has, on all occasions, given his adhesion to that political organization. He has been twice married In 1856 he was united in marriage to Miss Elvina Metcalf, a native of McDonough county, Illinois. She died in 1862. In 1864 he married Mrs. Elizabeth Hedd nee Maxwell. By the first marriage there were two children, both boys, named William H., and Davy McCaskill. By the second he had two children named Thomas Eddie and Carrie, only daughter. The latter died Xovember 21st, 1879, in the fifth year of her age.

A NATIVE of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, was born Dec. 2, 1839. His father's name was Samuel Taylor. He married Isabella Lawrence, both of whom died while James M. was yet young. He attended the village schools during the winter seasons and herded sheep in the summer mouths. In the sjiring of 1854, while yet in hi? fifteenth year, he left his native land and came to America, landing in Quebec in June, and from there went direct to Waukegan, Lake county, Illinois. There he worked upon a farm, and in the winter months attended school.

In the fall of 1856 he went to La Crosse, Wis., where hr worked in a mill, and remained there till about September 1st, l'^-")?. In the winters of 1858, '59, '60 and '61 he taught, and in the sunuiier of those years attended Kenosha High School or Waukegan Academy, and by that means perfected his education. On the Ist of August, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company C, 96th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Col. Thomas E. Chapman, commanding. He served with the regiment, and participated in most of its engagements until wounded. He had been promoted to second sergeant, and was in line of promotion, when, unfortunately for him, he was struck iu the right elbow with a rifle balLwhile in line of battle at Buzzard's Roost or Rocky Face Ridge. He was wounded on tlie 9th of May, 1864, and suffered amputation of the arm on the 27th of the same month. He was discharged from the service March 20th, 1865. A younger brother, John Y. Taylor, also a member of the same company, was wounded at the battle of Chickamauga, and lost his right arm. He afterwards died from his wounds. After ]\Ir. Taylor was discharged from the service he returned to Lake county and attended school during tlie summer and winter of 1S65.

In January, 1866, he entered the law ofiice of Messrs. Blodget, Upton and Williams, of Waukegan, and commenced the study of law. He was admitted to practice in 1868 at the spring term of tlie Supreme Court at Ottawa. In the fall of the same year he came to Tavlorville, and commenced the practice here in conuectiim with Andrew Simpson, with whom he formed a law partnersliip, which continued for two years till January 1st, 1870. He then resumed the practice of his 25rofession alone, and has so continued to the present. In 1872 he purchased a set of title abstracts of H. P. and D. D. Shuniway, and has pursued that business in connection with his law practice.

He was married on the 26th of November, 1868, to Miss Adelia A. Stewart, of AVaukegan, Illinois. Her fother, Philander Stewart, is an old resident and prominent man of the northern part of the state. He is of Scotch ancestry, and was a native of Western New York. Five children have been born to James M. and Adelia A. Tavlor - three boys and two girls. Their names are Samuel Stewart, May F., Mabel G., Leslie James, and John W. Taylor.

Iu politics iMr. Taylor is an ardent and active republican. He was for six years chairman of the republican county central committee. He cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, and since then has stood by the party of his first choice.

During his residence in Waukegan he was Deputy Collector of Customs under Judge Scates, and such was his superior's confidence in his honesty that he was not required to give a bond.

As a lawyer, !Mr. Taylor takes front rank at the bar of Christian county. In his manners he is a social and agreeable gentleman, and is regarded as an upright and honorable citizen.

Book-makers, and tlie compilers of local history, like the niaiuifacturers of other articles, are guide<l, in a measure, by the taste of the public, and are often compelled to accede to its <lemands. Never before, however, have the writers of county history been required, by public sentiment, to make a record of one who came into the county a stranger, and almost a boy, with no introduction but his face and manners, and no capital but his health, his honor and his intellect, and left it before he reached the meridian of his M]anhood.

And yet, in compliance with such a sentiment - such a public wish - we insert in this volume a brief biography of William H. Kirkwood. He was born on the 31st day of May, 1844, in Ross county, Ohio ; the third son of Charles and Hannah Kirkwood. His two elder brothers died in infancy. Shcjrtly after William's birth his father moved to Chillicothe and became a merchant, Init by endorsing heavily for a friend, was soon involved in debt, and with the loss of his property, lost his ambition and energy. The family then moved to C'ircleville, where, after five years of extreme poverty, his father died.