Effingham County, Illinois - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 12 of those read), 1883

UPY OF EFFINGHAM-ITS RELIGIOUS HISTORY-EARLV CHURCHES AND PREACHERS-ORGANI ZATION OF DIFFERENT DENOMINATIONS-SECRET AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS FREEMASONRY, ETC.-EARLY SCHOOLS OF THE TOWN-PRESENT EDUCA- " TIONAL FACILITIES - MERCY HOSPITAL, ETC., ETC.

" Whilst poliHcians are disputing about monarchies aristocracies and republics, Christianity is alike applicable, useful, and friendly to them a.\l." - Paley.

O OCIETY, as it circles outward from a com- ^ moa center, has a tendency to degenerate from its original and higher type to one of a lower tone and standard. History reveals the fact that every receding circle of civilization has lessened the forces forming and completing a perfect state of society. On nearly every wave of immigration some good seed is borne to grow up in the opening soil of the new country. The good seed is usually sufficient to begin the work of raising society to a higher level of civilization, and their transforming power counteracts those demoralizing influences which tend to social degeneration and disruption, as the lawless and vicious seek the frontiers, where there is less restraint from civil power. This good seed becomes the nucleus around which gather those loftier feelings necessary to carry society onward to a state of comparative perfection and happi - ness. Christian truth is the great superstructure on which every society that approximates perfection must rest. Said an old minister of the Gospel once: "It used to make my heart sick in the early years of my ministry to dismiss members of my charge to churches in distant regions, and have brothers and sisters and neighbors leave us for settlements in the opening Territories. But as I have grown oldei; and followed these emigrants to their new homes, and have found them far more useful in church and State than they ever could have been in the regions they left behind, where others held the places of influence - as I have seen them givintr a healthy and vigorous tone to society, while the separation caused a pang of sorrow, the good accomplished more than compensated for the pleasure lost." It was to such emigrants as those mentioned in the above extract that Illinois is indebted for her Christian civilization of to-day. The good seed brought hither by these humble pioneers, have brought forth good fruit, and produced blessings more than a hundred-fold.

Effingham is well supplied with chm-ches and church edifices. The following sketch of the Methodist Church is furnished us by the pastor, Rev. E. H. Manier. The earliest date of an organized Methodist Episcopal Church in Ewington, of which the chui-ch in Effingham is successor, was 1835. That there was preaching in Effingham County at a much earlier date is evident from the fact that there was then an organized circuit with regular preaching places; but no definite information is at eommaad as to who were the ministeis previous to this date. The following ministers were appointed to the Ewington Circuit. The dates are not given as absolutely correct, but approximately so : In 1835, Rev. Mr. Graham; 1837, Rev. Mr. Chambers; 1838, Rev. Leroy Lowery; 1839, Rev. Mr. Tennison; 1840, Rev Benjamin Newman; 1841, Rev. Mr. Wasburn; 1842, Rev. Mr.

In 1867, the circuit was divided and the city of Effingham made a station; that is, was given the exclusive services of a pastor. Since then the church of Effingham has had for its pastors the following ministers: In 1867-68, Rev. J. H. Lockwood; 1869, Rev. J. Leeper; 1870-71, Rev. M. N. Powers; 1872-73, Rev. N. Hawl*y; 1874, Rev. M. H. Nichols; 1875, Rev. J. Harris; 1876-77, Rev. William Wallis; 1878-79, Rev. J. Gibson; 1880-81-82, Rev. R. H. Manier, the present pastor. The membership is now 164, and eight probationers; total, 172 members; In 1866, the present substantial brick church was built and named "Centenary," that year (1866) being the one hundredth anniversary of the introduction of Methodism in America. A good Sunday school is kept up throughout the year.

The Baptist Church was organized in 1861 by Elder Uriah McKay and an ecclesiastical counsel, composed of Rev. McKay, W. C. Mitchell, John W. Cleveland, J. W. Billingsley and John Verplank. The original members were Ij. R. McMurry, Elizabeth McMim-y, D. W. Bouland, Catharine Bouland, W. P. Surrells, S. V. Sm-rells, P. P. McCain, Grace Mc- Cain, Giles Baldwin, Sarah Baldwin, Mrs. D. D. Bouland and H. N. Leland, together with Elder McKay. The pastors have been Elders Uriah McKay Evans, E. S. Graham, I. S. McHan, A.. Rhodes. Stephens and W. H. Wilson. The church is without a pastor at present. It was originally organized at the house of W. P. Surrells, where services were held for one month. A house on the west side of the Illinois Central Railroad was used - then the court house until 1866, when the present church building was erected. It is of brick, 20x60 feet, and stands on a lot donated by Alexander & Little, and cost about 16,000. The first officers were Rev. McKay, Moderator, and W. P. Surrells, Clerk; Giles Baldwin, H. B. Wagner and Jesse Said, Deacons; A. Wilson, L. R. McMurray and Mr. Bradley, Trustees. The present officers are B. B. Miner, Clerk; W. C. Wright, W. P. Surrells, and Mr. Miner, Trustees The membership is about fifty; Owen Scott is Superintendent of the Sunday school.

St. Anthony's Roman Catholic Church dates back to 1858. Prior to that year, the few Catholic families, and we learn from Father Jungmann, the present rector, residing in this vicinity, were visited from time to time by clergymen of the Diocese of Alton. Services were held in a small log house which is still standing in the rear of Funkhouser's new store. The last priest who said mass i n it was the Rev. Father Fortmann. In 1858, the Catholics, encouraged by Father Frauenhofer, who resided at that time in the Green Creek settlement, and was rector of the congregation there, decided to build a respectable church edifice. The plan was carried out under Rev. Father Bartels, the zealous rector of the congregation at Teutopolis, who, in the spring of 1858, laid the corner-stone of the old church of St. Anthony's congregation, at present the school bouse of the church. In the fall of the same year, the Rev. Father of the order of St. Francis took charge of the congregation at Teutopolis, where a convent had been built. From the convent, the several Catholic congregations of the neighborhood were attended as missions by the Rev. Fathers. Among others, also that of St. Anthony's congregation at Effingham was given to their charge. The Kev. Father Capestran said the first holy mass in the new church on Christmas morning, 1S5S. In succession the following priests of the order of St. Francis had charge of St. Anthony's Church: Rev. Father Servatene, Heribert, Raynerius, Killian, Ferdinand, then Rev. Killian again. In September, 1871, Rev. Michael Weis, secular priest of the diocese of Alton, was appointed rector of St. Anthony's congregation at Effingham, and, on the 23d of March, 1877, Rev. Father Jimgmann, the present rector, took charge.

When the first church was built, the following Catholic families then lived around here: C. and Joseph Bloemer, and their mother (widow of Arnold Bloemer), Henry Herboth, Hille, Wilenborg, Peter Thoele, Ferdinand Messmanu, H. H. Dust, Bernard Dassenbrook, Fred Braun, Joseph Feldhake, the Koesters, Buessing, Husmann, Matthias Moening, J. F. Schwerman, Knage, Herman Fechtrup, Gerhard Osthoff, Mindrup, Vogt, Gebbon Vogt, Fredrick Hoffmann, William Messmann, H. Harmann, B. Kemper, Gerhard H. Ney, John Ney, Bernard Ney, Herman Ney, John Fechtrup, Arnold Kreke, Bernard Betters, Dreymann, Alshop, Mette - about forty families altogether. The congregation grew rapidly and in the course of time the church became too small to hold the faithful. Hence, under the pastorate of Rev. Father Weis, the erection of a large, beautiful church was agitated. In February, 1873, the fij-st contract for material was made. The magnificent building as it now stands was finished in 1875. Solemn blessing of the newcharch took place on the 13th of June of the same year, by the Right Rev. Joseph Baltes, Bishop of Alton, to whose diocese St. Anthony's belongs. The church is an ornament to the city and an honor to the Catholic inhabitants. Its cost was about $40,000; its size, 06x165 feet - steeple, 181 feet without cross or vane. The present number of families who worship in it are 180, comprising about 1,000 persons. The Trustees are John J. Rickelmann, with the pastor. Bishop and Vicar General,

A parochial school was established in connection with the congregation, and has been in operation since about 1858. It was at first in charge of men teachers, but for nine years it has been under the supervision of the pastor, assisted by the Sisters of Notre Dame. The school at present consists of three departments, numbering about 180 pupils.

"The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was organized by Rev.. Mr. Luther in the year 1865. The original members were Samuel Fortney. Class-Leader, Mr. Bright and wife, T. J. Gillenwaters. Mrs. Filler, Thomas Thayer and wife. The society was organized in the court house, and services held there and at private residences until 1870, when the present church building was erected, 26x 40 feet, at a cost of $1,700. Judge Gillenwaters donated the ground on which it is erected, and contributed the larger part of the money needed for its completion. The following pastors have been in charge of the church: Revs. Luther, Divender, Bigel, Deeds, Bigel, Bundel, etc. The society has become extinct, and the house is now owned by Judge Gillenwaters.

St. Mary's Mission Episcopal Church first held services in Effingham about twelve years ago, under the supervision of Rev. John W. Osborne, who organized a parish and remained with them about a year. The parish consist- ed of six families and met for religious worship in the Southern Methodist Church, which they rented for that purpose. After Rev. Osborne left, no services were held until the fall'of 1879, when Eev. W. H- Steele, of Centralia, took charge of the mission acd conducted monthly services to June, 1880, at which time he left and moved to Colorado. The Rev. Jesse Higgins succeeded Kev. Steele at Centralia, and continued the services at EflSngham for a few months, when Kev." Mr. Gray settled here ag resident missionary, but had served the mission only three Sundays when he was taken sick and died in the hospital at this place. In May, 1881, Rev. Mr. Steele returned from Colorado and settled here as resident missionary, and has been with the charge ever since.

In the fall of 1879, Mrs. F. M. Bagg, Mrs. S. N Scott and Mrs. Mary Thiolger, three estimable ladies of the mission, organized a Sunday school, into which they gathered the poor childi'en of the city that had been unable to attend any of the other schools on account of clothing, want of shoes, etc. Their deficiencies were supplied by those three good Samaritans, who went out into the highways and byways, and gathered in the waifs and fitted them for school by a generous outlay of their own private means. The school has been conducted with the most remarkable success, and now has an attendance of over thirty-five children. Since the organization of the school thirty-one of these children have been baptized. Mrs. Bagg carried wood from her own wood pile during the cold weather to warm the house. Ah! reader, think you not that when these noble women reach the other shore, they will receive crowns bright with many jewels? It is under the influence of such as they that stern men of the world who have squandered life and innocence without a sigh, may see' the distant gates of Eden gleam and catch a foretaste of heaven. The mission owns no church edifice, but holds services in the Southern Methodist building. On the first visit of the Bishop, he consecrated the grave of Rev. Mr. Gray in the public cemetery, and two other private lots at the same time, and confirmed three adults. The mission is as yet weak in members, there being but seven families and eleven communicants belonging to it. It is the deanery of Mattoon and in the diocese of Springfield. The first officers were Mr. E. R. Connolly, Senior Warden; S. P. Simpson, Junior Warden; F. M. Bagg, Treasurer, and S. N. Scott, Secretary.

The first Presbyterian Cbm-ch of Effingham^ was organized November 13, 1864, in the court house, by Revs. A. T. Norton and S. R. Bissel. The following were the original members: Solomon Swingle, Mrs. M. E. Swingle, Mrs. Sarah Bissel, Isaac Bates and Mrs. Jane Bates. Previous to this, Mr. Bissel had been preaching to the Presbyterian congregation, and he still continued to supply the pulpit in connection with his labors in conducting a private school. The services were held for one year in the court house, and afterward in Mr. Bissel' s schoolroom. Ml'. Bissel served the church until 1869. He was assisted in church and school work by his excellent wife, whose memory is still preserved as a lady of superior education and perfect consistency in her daily life. Under their united labors the church membership increased to twenty.

In 1869, Rev. Ernest A. Pollock accepted a call to supply the pulpit, and entered upon his labors in December. He came to this place under the appointment of the Board of Home Missions of the Presbyterian Church. He gave one half of his time to Effingham, and also served other points in the vicinity. After he came to the church, services were held in the Baptist Church every alternate Sabbath. The m(-.mbers, however, soon began a church of their own, which was completed in October, 1870. It is a fine brick building, and cost, furnished, §4,300. It was dedicated to the worship of God on the 23d of October - Eev. Dr. Jewett, of Terre Haute, preaching the sermon on that occasion and the pastor oifering the prayer. Rev. S. R. Bissel, former pastor, Rev. Mr. Powers, of the Methodist Church, and Rev. Mr. Rhodes, of the Baptist, assisting in the services. This church was partly unroofed and suffered other damages in a severe storm some years ago, but was immediately repaired. Mr. Pollocli continued pastor for eight years - in the first four the church became self-supporting. He resigned in December, 1S77, and accepted a call to Mendota. During his pastorate of eight years, 220 were added to the membership), and in the same period some $14,000 was raised and expended in the work of the church. After the departure of Rev. Mr. Pollock, ii call was extended to Rev. Mr. Cort, then a student of theology of the Northwestern University of Chicago. After his graduation, he nettled in Effingham as stated supply of the church, but the ill health of his wife caused his resignation at the end of one year. The church was then without regular preaching for a short time, when a call was extended to Rev. Moses Paisley, of Hillsboro, in October, 1879, for one year. He is now pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Lomonauk, HI. Rev. Thomas E. Green was the next pastor, and remained six mouths, when he accepted a call to the First Presbyterian Chui-ch at Sparta, 111. Next came Rev. George D. McCulloch, who took charge of the chm-ch July 1, 1881, and continued until the fall of 1882, when he accejjted a call to the Presbyterian Church at Hillsboro, and there is at present no regular pastor.

The Sabbath school work began with the church's first existence, being carried on first in Mr Bissel's schoolroom, and afterward in the church. At present the corps of teachers numbers thirteen, and the average attendance 130 pupils. S. F. Gilmore is Superintendent, and Alex Phelon, Secretary.

" A history of this church," says Rev. Mr. McCulloch, who furnished us this sketch, "would be incomplete which did not recognize the efficient help the women have given in every department of its labors. They have been ready in every good word and work. The Ladies' Aid Society has existed since the beginning of the church. It has contributed largely to meet the espenses^and monthly " socials " have ministered to the life and the enjoyment of the congregation. A women's prayer meeting has met regularly for several years. A women's missionary society has been organized, and meets monthly in the interest of missionary work. The report given to Presbytery last year contained these items: Given to benevolent boards of the church, $5,500; expenses for all church purposes, $1,230."

St. John's Lutheran Church was organized in 1864, at the residence of Charles Hartman, with a membership of six families, viz., Ch.arles Hartman, Jacob Bauer, Gottlieb Noller. Christian Alt, John Lunow and Henry Shulte. The organization was effected through the influence of Rev. Charles Meyer, of Kankakee. For two years services were held at private residences and at the court house, and in the absence of ministers were conducted by Charles Hartman. The present church house was built in 1S6S, on ground donated by Christian Alt. The building is a frame, 30x50 feet, and cost §2,200. It was dedicated in December, 1808, by Reva Charles Meyer and Hemy Holterman. Eev. Meyer was the first pastor and served at in- tervals from 1864 to 1S67. He was succseded by Rev. Henry Holterman, from 1867 to 1870; then came Rev. G. A. Feustel, who tended the flock until 1876. The church was without a pastor now for one year, but serv ices were held every Sabbath by the members. Rev. Lewis Frase came in 1877, and labored here until 1881, and, in February, 1882, the present pastor, Rev. W. Lewerens, took charge. The church has a membership of forty-two families. A Sunday school was organized in 1864, at Hartman's residence, and has been aa important factor in the church ever since. Mr. Hartman was elected Superintendent, and the first attendance was some forty children

A parochial school was established in connection with the church by Rev. Holterman, who taught in Jacob Bauer's residence, with an attendance of about thirty scholars. A neat school building was erected in 1870 at a cost of i?SOO. It stands on the church lot and is an honor to the conrregation. The present attendance will average about fifty children.

Benevolent Institutions. - Secret societies and institutions have existed so long that no history tells of their beginning, and they will, doubtless, continue " until time shall be no more." The history of Freemasonry, the most ancient of these societies, is veiled and clouded by almost unwritten centiu-ies; yet, amid the political fluctuations of the earth, and the downfall of States and Empires, its traditions have been borne to us on the current of time, and been gathered together by the Masonic student for the meditation and instruction of the craft All who have considered the origin of Freemasonry have been convinced that the germ from which it sprang was coeval with that wonderful command of Jehovah: " Let there be light," and from the coincidences found to exist between it and the ancient mysteries, they were very similar in character. We know that the aims of these institutions are good, because the results achieved are so grand and glorious. We believe the world is better for their existence, secret though they are in their workings, and agree not with those who believe that everything is evil which is veiled in secrecy, and hidden from the eyes of the curious.

Freemasonry is represented iu Eflfingham by a lodge and by a chapter of Royal Arch Masons. The lodge was originally organized at Ewington, when that city was in the heyday of its glory and prosperity. The first record was as follows: " Ewington Lodge, U. D., Free and Accepted Masons, met in regular communication February 10, 1854. At that meeting James M. Long was Master; Elisha D. Cunningham, Senior Warden; John H. Crocker, Junior Warden, and Eli Philbrook, Secretary. The lodge was chartered by the Grand Lodge in the following October as Ewington Lodge, No. 149, and the first ofiScers elected under the charter were James M. Long, Master; E. D. Cunningham, Senior Warden; James M. Healey, Junior Warden; D. Rhinehart, Treasurer; John S. Kelly, Secretary; Samuel Moffitt, Senior Deacon; John LeCrone, Junior Deacon, and John G. Gamble, Tiler. After the county seat was moved to Effingham, the lodge was also moved, and at the session of the Grand Lodge, held in October, 1869, the name was changed to Effingham Lodge, and the number (149) retained. The present officers are: W. H. Barlow, Master; E. C. Van Home, Senior Warden; W. W. Gibbons, Junior Warden; H. B. Kepley, Treasurer; A. W. LeCrone, Secretary; R. C. Harrah, Senior Deacon; J. N. Murphy, Junior Deacon, and L. J. Harding, Tiler.

Masons, was organized under a dispensation from W. M. Egan, M. E., Grand High Priest of the State. Among the original members were William B. Cooper, Joseph B. Jones, Jacob Goddard, H. Buflfner, J. Claypool, J. Niernan, N. C. Turner, H. B. Turner, J. Barkley and N. C. Kitchell, of whom William B. Coojaer was the first High Priest; Joseph B. Jones, King, and W. H. Sinclair, Scribe. There is at present twenty-eight names upon the records, with the following officers, viz.: Owen Scott, High Priest; B. F. Kagay, King; J. H. I. Lacy, Scribe; William Bear, Captain of the Host; H. B. Kepley, Principal Sojom-ner; Gus Elbow, Royal Arch Captain; Charles Busse, D. J. McCabe and R. C. Harrah, Grand Masters of the Veils; Samuel Allsop, Treasurer; John Jones, Secretary, and L. J. Harding, Tiler.

A Council of Royal and Select Masters was in existence here until, by the authority of the Grand Bodies, the Council was merged into the Royal Arch Chapter.

Dallas Lodge, No. 85, I. O. O. F., was instituted at Ewingtou by H. D. Rucker, Grand Master, October 17,1851. The chai-ter members were John S. Kelly, K. H. Biu-ford, James M. Fergus, S. B. Holcomb and Joel Elam. Mystic Lodge, No. 420, instituted at Edgewood in July, 1870, was consolidated vith Dallas Lodge, No. 85, in 1876. Jupiter Lodge, No. 455 (German), instituted in July, 1871, in Effingham, was consolidated with Dallas Lodge in December, 1874. It is estimated by accurate calculation (says Mr. Le Crone, to whom we are indebted for this information), that Dallas Lodge has paid out, since its institution, $1,500 in benefits to its members: Present membership, sixty-one; funds on hand, $900, and a flourishing lodge. The names of the officers were not furnished.

The Schools. - The educational history of Effingham dates back to the very commencement of the town. The first school was taught by John Hoeny, beginning in the spring of 1855. It was carried on in a house built by Richard Dorsey, a brother to William Dorsey, the merchant, and is now owned and occupied by the widow of Charles Bourland. Alexander S. Moffitt taught the next school in a house now owned by Charles Troy. Both of these schools were non-sectarian private schools. In the spring of 1856, the Catholics built a small log house (already alluded to) on the lot in the rear of Funkhouser's " Trade Palace," which for some time answered the double purpose of both school - house and church. The first teacher to occupy this house was Barney Wernsing, the present County Treasurer. His school, as well as those of all other teachers for some ten or twelve years, was attended by children of all denominations then residing in the village.

The schools of the city now occupy two brick buildings, one on the east and one on the west side, of four rooms each. The two buildings cost something like $22,000 originally, and have since been refitted at a cost of about $2,000 a piece. Nine teachers are employed, as follows: Prof. N. B. Hodsden, Superintendent; Pi-of. F. L. West, Principal of the High School; Hester Spencer, Mary Hasbrouck, Ollie Buchanan, west side; Prof.

The cost of running the schools is annually about §6.000; teachers' salaries, $3,960; enrollment of pupils, 604; average attendance, 450. The buildings are comfortable, but are of an inferior quality, when compared to many school buildings of other cities in the State, of Effingham's size and importance.

Mercy Hospital is a city institution deserving of mention. It was built about the year 1866, by the St. Anthony's congregation of Effingham, under the auspices of Bishop Baltes, of this diocese. Six acres of ground within the city limits were donated by Matthias Moening. It is under the control of the Franciscan Sisters of Mercy, and is open to all classes and denominations. The building cost $15,000 and stands west of the Illinois Central Railroad. It is one of the best institutions of the kind in the State. Di-s. J. N. Groves and L. J. Schefferstein are the attending physicians.

hopes, have added both age and dignity to the little city since it was laid out. Many of the old citizens who were wont to indulge in pleasant dreams over what the town would some day be, are quietly sleeping their last sleep. The boys and girls of those early times are boys and girls no longer; they have taken the places of men and women in the ranks, and are earnestly endeavoring to do the work laid out for them. The reflections, however, of what they were in their youthful days, can be seen in the many bright and happy faces of the scholdrs who now attend the public schools Dm'ing these years - almost a third or a centm-y - Effingham has steadily gained in financial strength, and it is to day one of the solid little cities of Southern Illinois. Nature has laid a golden offering at her feet, but only those found on the siu'face have as yet been utilized. But some day in the future she may muster sufficient courage to investigate the mysteries beneath her feet, and when once the light of day is permitted to shine upon them, a trausfoi'mation of the town may take place, as amazing, perhaps, as those accomplished by Aladdin and his wonderful lamp.