Madison County, Illinois - Chapter 14: Ecclesiastical History, 1882 (part 4 of 5)

In 1856, the services of Rev. W. W. Brown were secured, who labored among this people until some time in 18G1. During his service the society took steps toward erecting a church house of their own. They received a grant of land by deed dated Aug. 13th, 1859, in trust from Jefferson Fruit and wife for the purpose of erecting thereon a house of worship. la 1861, Rev. C. G. Keown was employed for a part of his time. He served them until the spring of 1863, when the services of Rev. A. Johnson were secured. He remained with them for three years. He was followed by Rev. Wni. Turner. Mr. Turner sustained his relation with them for ten or a dozen year.?, preaching to them, baptizing their children, marrying their young and burying tluir dead. The congregation flourished during the time he had charge of it. For some time, as early as Aug. 1869, the congregation worshiped in the school-house, and sessional meetings were frequently held in it. In accordance with an arrao gement entered into by the ministers and others interested, a quarterly association was held to discuss questions relative to the prosperity of Cumberland Presbyterians in Madison county.

On the Uth of August, 1871, it convened with Columbia congregation. The assembly discussed two questions : How to strengthen and make more efticient the congregations, and how best to promote revivals of religion. Encouraged by the success of the meeting, on Monda}', 14th inst , the male members met in the school-house to consider the question of building a house of worship. Rev. Joel Knight presided and Rev. J B. Logan acted as secretary. After a full and harmonious discussion a paper for subscriptions was cir. culated ou a basis of not less than $1500. The ofler of John F. Sloan of a site for the house was accepted, and the house was built. It is a neat frame structure, a credit to the comunity in which it stands. After a long and useful service Mr. Turner severed his connection. He was succeeded by Rev. W. J. McDavid, who became the incumbent in 1876, and remained to this day. He is surrounded by a good people by whom he is beloved, and bids fair to do them and the entire community great good.

Omph-Ghent

Omph-Ghent congregation was organized on the 10th of April, 1848, this being the second organization effected in the county. Eleven persons petitioned Vandalia Presbytery to form them into a congregation. The petition was granted, and Rev. J- M. Bone ordered to eflTect said organization. For this purpose the petitioners met at the Omph-Ghent school-house at the time mentioned. Rev. J. M. Bone and T. K. Hedges were present. The ruling elders elected were Daniel Crowder and John B. Robinson. Rev. T. K. Hedges was secured immediately to serve the new congregation. The organization was followed by a protracted meeting, in which the Rev. J. M. Bone assisted the pastor. This meeting seemed to be one of unusual interest ; and many were added to the church as its result. It being inconvenient to meet in the school-house, a subscription paper was circulated for the purpose of building a house of worship. Money was secured, the house was built, and on the 15th of September,

1841, it was solemaly dedicated to God, Rev. J. G. White, preaching the sermon. Two days after Vandalia Presbytery luet tliere, which resulted iu a protracted meeting of great power. October 6th, a missionary society was formed iu the church to aid Vaudalia Presbytery in its missionary operations. In April, laaO, Mr. Hedges severed his connection with the congregation. Presbytery meeting there, ! the services of Rev. Barber were secured for six months, to preach one-half his time.

On the 11th of March, liSoO, the session adjourned to meet at Liberty Prairie school-house on Monday evening, April 8th. At, a session meeting September 1st, the services of Mr. Hedges were again engaged with the understanding that he preach in the Omph-Gheut church the first and third Sabbaths in the month, and at Liberty Prairie school-house at night of the same Sabbaihs. On the 19th of June, 1852, the session ordered one of the members to appear and answer to several charges - of misconduct unbecoming the Christian character. These charges show the vigilance exercised in earlv days over members of the church. Mr. Hedges continued as pastor until some time in 18.53, when he became involved in difficulty with his session, because of unlawful power assumed by him and the neglect of duties ordered by the session to be performed. In view of these facts the elders resigned their offices - at least until a new minister was secured. This was a heavy blow to the congregation, and threw it into disorder. Some time after the services of Rev. J. B. Logan were secured for one Sabbath in the m nth for one year. His services closed with a series of meetings of profound interest and widespread results. Four mouths later Mr. Logan came to receive members into the church, bringing with him Rev. J. B. Lowrance. These two, with one elder, composed a session. Mr. Logan ceasing his connection with the congregation, Mr. Lowrance succeeded him. After six months (October 18.55) Mr. Lowrance, left. During the following winter Rev- A. M. Wilson, of Upper Alton, supplied them. In October, 1856, Rev. W. W. Brown entered upon his duties as their pastor, and continued to serve them till the fall of 1861. At that time Rev. C. G. Keowu was ordered by his Presbytery to su[)ply the congregation according to their request. During the winter of 1864 the congregation was without a minister. Rev. A. Johnson was secured in the spring to minister unto them, in cjnnection with Columbia congregation. He served till the spring of 1866, when he resigned.

In 1866 Rev. Wm. Turner accepted the call to this church, which then only enrolled the names of 14 members. Tor a number of years he divided his time between Oraph- Ghent and Columbia congregations. During the fifteen years he served Omph-Ghent, he received 66 persons into the church In 1880 there were five elders, one deacon, six additions, four adult and two infant baptisms, fifty-seven communicants, sixty-two in Sabbath-school, two hundred volumes in library. They contributed during ihe year, §60 for the Sunday-school cause, S50 for home missions, $175 for foreign missions, S ?40 for pastor's salary, 865 for supplies, S5.30 for Presbyterial purposes, $88.75 for donation to pastor - total, $695.30. Value of church property, $4,000. After a long and successful pastorate, Mr. Turner gave way in 1881, to Rev. J. W. McDavid. He is a faithful, energetic worker, untiring iu the discharge of duty. He has the esteem of the entire communities where he labors. The congregation has been well trained, and gives liberally to every enterprise of the denomination. While the old parent church at Omph-Ghent is losing its hold, the one at Liberty Prairie is fast in the ascendancy, and is destined ere long to give name to the congregation. At the latter place there is a pretty country church, with many of the modern appliances, close to which is a convenient parsonage, all located in a fine farming country. The congregation is prosperous and hopeful.

Connected intimately with the history of Omph-Ghent, was Samuel Jb. Miller. Born iu Baltimore, Md., March 7th' 1803, he came to Omph-Gheut in 1839 or 1840. He united with the church soon after its organization, and for more than twenty-seven years was a member and clerk of its Session. He was a frequent attendant upon the lower judicatories, and always interested in any plan put forth for the welfare of the church He was eminent also in other circles. Before leaving Baltimore he had taken all the degrees in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and it was his pleasure to organize the first lodge weit of the Alleghenies. He organized the first lodges in St. Louis and Alton. He was indeed the oldest Odd Fellow but one in the United States at the time of his death. After leaving Baltimore he lived for five years in Alton, whence he moved to Omph-Ghent, where he lived the rest of his days. He died at his home, July 25th, 1879, at the ripe age of 76 years. Honorable mention should also be made of John Estabrook, a member of this congregation. He inaugurated the movement of sending two young men as missionaries to Japan, by subscribing $1000. Nor did his beneficence in this direction cease here. For several years after he gave each year $100 to the same cause. He died a few years since^ beloved by all.

No unfair distinction will be made if notice is taken of J. Russell Newman. Devoted to his church, he has spared neither time nor means to help it advance. The neat little cottage in Liberty Prairie is due largely to his liberality. The parsonage that stands close to it, costing something more than $1 200 was built entirely by him.

Omph-Ghent congregation may well be proud of its record. If it has not been great, it has been useful, and bids fair for a long and prosperous career. It is thought it will soon purchase the p rsonage, and hold it as church property.

Alton congregation has had the most eventful history perhaps of all the congregations in the county, and, in some respects, in the State. A missionary society organized by I Vandalia Presbytery employed Rev. A. M. Wilson as mis- 1 sionary under the bounds of the Presbytery, who reported, in the fall of 1850, a subscription paper for sustaining a missionary at Alton. The proposition met with such favor that in 1853, Rev. T. H Hardwick was employed as a missionary there. He entered upon his work December 1st.

During this time he and others held a meeting of considerable interest in Upper Alton, at which there were over 30 pro' fessions, and twenty-sis offered themselves to form an or ganization. Mr. Hardwick. however, became discourajj;e<l from some cause, and refused to stay longer than one year- For about six months Rev. A. M. Wilson supplied the mission. In the spring of 1855, Rev. J. B. Logan, who was then publishing the Missouri Cainherlmd Presbyterian in St. l/ouis, removed to Alton. He was solicited to take charge, and agreed to do so until a missionary could be secured. In June of that year he organized a congregation of 18 members, - all females except four, - in the Lutheran church on Henry street. The four male members were Benjamin R )se and A. JI. Wilson, of Upper Alton, and William Blair and Stephen Lufkin, of Alton. Only one of these - Jlr. Wilson, is alive at this writing so far as the writer knows. AVilliam Blair was the father of Mr. J. L. Blair, an old and esteemed citizen of Alton, who for ruany years was one of her leading wholesale merchants. Mr. Lufkin removed from Alton to Joliet, and became warden of the penitentiary there. Mr. Rose lived to a ripe old age and died in Upper Alton. These three laymen were the origional elders.

The Lutheran people had promised the use of their hou.se each Sabi)ath afternoon to the new organization. But one Sabbath whcu the time for assembling came the pastor and his people found tiie door locked against them. Only a few services were held after this until the first Sabbath in January, 1856, when the basement of a building they had begun was so far finished that they could worship in it. The ne.xt Sabbatli a Sabbath School was organized of twenty-five or thirty members, with Mr. Lufkin as superintendent. In the spring the audience room was finished, and the building was formally dedicated in June, Rev. Jacob C.Clark, of Sullivan, Mo., preaching the sermon. The building and grounds cost about 85,500, not more than one half of which was provided for.

The mission flourished until the war came on in all its darkening fury and cast a black pall of despair over it. It was cut off from communication with the Board of missions at Lebanon, Tenn., from which it was rceiving $200 a year. Added to this was a debt of nearly $2,300, bearing ten per cent, interest. To deepen the darkness, Mr. Logan was on a small salary, all of which he never received, and he was individually responsible for the debt on the church. But generous friends provided for the wants of the missionary and his family, who, aided by Mr. R. M. Beard as agent, raised the money and paid off the debt. The re-adju.stment everywhere taking place after the war, had its effects upon the church, crippling her numerically and financially. On the heels of this an addition was made to the church building iavolving a debt of $2,503, which, to some extent, still hangs over the congregation. Up to 1870 there had been in that church over seven hundred professions of religion, and between four and five hundred had been received into membership. In 1871, Mr. Logan, after a long, active and useful service, resigned. His resignation was not accepted, however, and he wfs prevailed upon to serve them another

A very brief sketch of his life is all that the allotcd space will allow. Mr. Logan was born in Limestone count}', Ala., December 18, 1820. In early life he went with h's parents to East Tennessee, where he lived till early manhood. While (juite young he was the subject of deep and pungent convictions upon the subject of religion. In his seventeenth year he became a candidate for the ministry, and in a year or two thereafter was licensed and then ordained. Leaving Tennessee, his parents removed to southwest Missouri, where his father died. In April, 1852, at the advice of friends, he started the 3figsouri Cumberland Presbyterian, in Lexington, Mo. After about one year the paper was removed to St. Louis, and from there, in the winter of 1855- 56, to Alton, 111. In May, 1857, he sold out to A. F. Cox, who was publishing a paper in Louisville, Ky. Soon after he, in conjunction with Rev. W. W. Brown, bought the Lidies' Pearl, and published it in Alton till stopped by the war in 1861. In June 1862, he started the Wedeni Cumberland Preshyierian, which he published till 1866, when he sold the list and material to Mr. T. H. Perrin, retaining the editorship. In 1868, Rev. J. R. Brown bought a half interest. Mr. Logan then bought the list of the Cumberland Presbyterian, published in Pennsylvania, and the two lists were united, Mr. Logan being one of the editors of the consolidated paper, which bore the last named ti le. Soon after he sold out all right and title to the paper. In 1875, the Cumberland Presbyterian having been bought by the Board of Publication and removed to Nashville, Tenn., Mr. Logan and T. H. Perrin started a little monthly called Our Faith, which they continued to issue until the St. Lmiis Observer, a weekly, started from St. Louis, bought the list.

Besides these things he was connected with the Board of Missions for many years, holding the offices of President and Secretary. He also issued several works of a doctrinal and historical character. After five years of pastoral labor at Taylorsville, 111., on the 14th of September, 1878, not quite 58 years of age, he " fell asleep." His body lies in the Alton cemetery. The ministers who followed Mr. Logan at Alton were Revs. J. T. May, J. W. Blosser, J. H. Hendrick, E. B. Crisman, D. D., W. B. Farr s^nd M. Lowe.

In 1863 the General Assembly appointed a missionary committee at Alton to do the work for the churches in the north, which the board of missions at Lebanon, Tenn , could not do on account of the war. The committee consisted of eleven members. In 1865 the General Assembly converted this committee into a board of missions, of which Mr. Logan was elected president. For four years this Board continued, caring as best it could for the missions under it. While the men composing it held opposite views in regard to the issues of the war, these views never found their way into the counsels of the Board. The interest and information on this subject prevalent over the northern states may be due, in no small desree, to its work. In 1869 the General Assembly consolidated the two missionary boards, locating the new board at St. Louis, where it remains to-day.

Congregation was organized by Rev. J. B. Logan and H. M. E .gan, on the 23d of April, 1866, in the Bethel school-house, with twenty-seven members. The original Elders were: D H. Starjjey and J. A Miller. The first deacons were: Joe H. Gadd and E. C. Long. Rev. H. M. Eagan was secured as their minister, and the congregation soon after their organization began the erection of a house of worship. A lot was secured, upon which a neat brick church was built, at a cost of $4,000. The house was finished in the fall, and soon thereafter Mr. Eagan ceased his ministrations. He was a warm-hearted, zealous Christian gentleman, and the society flourished under his care. Their memory of him is fresh to-day. At the time he lived at Alton, and was secretary of the board of mjssions located there. After a long and useful life he is now spending his old age in WashingtonTerritory, loved by all who know him. Rev. Thomas Potter was secured to preach for them for one year for $1,000. At the end of the year he severed connection. Efforts were made to secure the services of Rev. J. R. Brown, but without success Rev. J. R. Madden offered to supply them one-half his time; but before they decided he took other work. At the fall session of 1869, Presbytery ordered Rev. T. W. McDavid to supply the congregation for six months. At the spring session of 1870, Rev. William Turner arranged tosapply them in connection with Omph-Ghent congr gation. For two years he served them, and then they were again without a minister. Du ring all these years the congregation had been increasing in members and influence. In the fall of 1873, F. H. Culley, a licentiate! a young man of pleasing addre.ss, becanae supply to them. He remained for at least a year, and then entered the halls of Lincoln University. Disgrace overtook him and he fled. He was subsequently deposed from the ministry by Vandalia Presbytery. Dark days followed. A shock had been given to the society from which it seemed they would not rally. They had no minister for some time, and became somewhat discouraged. Rev E. B. Crisman, moving into the village preached for them occasionally, although he was not regularly employed. After his departure, the little band had no one to minister to their spiritual needs. In the spring of 1879, W. C. Logan, a young man just licensed to preach, supplied them for a few months upon alternate Sabbaths. In June, or July he left, having been called to a church in Indiana. They dragged along as best they could until June, 1880, when Rev. W. T. Baker was secured to supply them for a time. In the spring of 1881, Rev. D. H. Starkey, who had been a charter member and also a ruling elder in the congregation, engaged to supply them half his time . Since then they have had regular services. The frequent changes made, and the long intervals when they had no minister, have worked greatly to the disadvantage of the congregation. But a few of the persevering ones held ou> and now there is a better prospect before them than there has been for many years. They have an interesting Sabbath school, which meets each Sabbath morning, and sustains a

This brief sketch is by no means perfect. Blaterial for an accurate account was not at hand, and the lack of time forbade any extensive search. It will serve, however, to show the reader something of what has been done by this particular branch of the great Vine. It has in the county, four organizations, five church-houses, all in good condition with, perhaps, one exception ; all supplied statedly with the means of grace and a membership of five hundred (more or less). There was an organization effected in the American Bottom, but it did not attain much permanency, and is now out of existence.

By Rev. E. G. Chaddock

The beginning of the movement that resulted in the organization of the church, was the organizing of a Sunday school in the spring of 1858, under the auspices of the Young Men's Christian Association. The first place of meeting was the German Methodist church with an attendance of nine pupils. But there was in it a spirit of aggre.ssiveness and there followed a period of rapid growth. Before the close of the year it numbered over a hundred pupils. Several changes of location followed, but notwithstanding, the school continued to prosper not only increasing in number but becoming instrumental in the conversion of many who were added to the several churches of the city. And as no conveniently located hall could be secured, it was finally determined to build, and thus secure a permanent house for the school. In 186S the main building of that now used for a church was erected. The school at that time numbered more than three hundred pupils, and had taken its place among the more efficient moral and spiritual forces of the city.

There had been in the Presbyterian church of Alton, from its beginning, many whose early training had been Congregational and the propriety of organizing a Congregational church had from time to time been a subject of consideration on the part of some of them. On the evening of June 3d, 1870, a preliminary meeting was held at the house of Mr. T. T. Lewis, fifteen persons were present. It was made a subject of prayer, and after a season of devotion, there was a general and free discussion of the propriety of organizing, and all were found to favor it.

A committee was appointed consisting of Samuel Wade, James Newman and John Atwood to prepare a statement setting forth the reasons and motives that actuated them in the movement. On the 10th of June this committee gave the following report :

" Seeing in the present prosperity and large membership of the church with which we stand connected, (the Presbyterian), indications of God's providence pointing to this as a time to colonize, we, the undersigned, while grateful for a place in its fold so long, and with most fraterual feelings toward all its nieiubars, do rejoice to unite in ourefforUs to build up another church of God of such polity as we think m)st scriptural and best adapted to utilize, and bring out the working force of individual Christians. Looking to the Great Head of the Church for guidance in our Christian work for the salvation of souls and for our growth in grace, we do hereby pledge each to the other our hearty co-operations in prayers, in efforts and in suffering if need be, to plant an organization which shall hold forth the word of Life to souls that are perishing."

On the 2!)th of July following, The Church of the Redeemer, of Alton, was duly organized with 48 members. Rev. H, D. Piatt, of Brighton, Illinois, presiding. Thirty of this number had letters from the Presbyte'ian church of Alton. Seventeen had letters from other ciiurches of Alton, and from churches out of the city, and one was received by profession of faith. Soon after eleven more came from the Presbyterian church. A call was immediately extended to Rev. M. K. Whittlesey of Ottawa, Illinois, to become pastor of the new church and was accepted. At a meeting held August 27th, a manual was adopted and officers were elected. Oct. 18th, a council convened to recognize the church and install its pastor. Shortly after the action of this council the church and its pastor were admitted to the Southern Association of Illinois. Very soon the church was to have the chastening which the Word declares shall be given to true children This came in the loss by death of several of those who had been most active in connection with the organization of the church. During the first year of its history, four were called awaj' and their loss was most seriously felt, but a very considerable number were also added, chiefly by profession and the church had abundant reason to believe it had the Master's approbation in its work.

The pastorate of Rev. M. K. Whittlesey continued two years, and he was then dismissed by advice of council that hemi^ht takethe more responsible position of superintendant of Missions for the southern part of Illinois.

In December of the same year the church called Rev. Robert West, of Ludlow, Ky , and he began his labors February, 1873. During this same year additions and repairs were made upon the church building, and one of Hook's most excellent organs was placed in the church, a gift from Samuel Wade. During the winter following the church was greatly revived and received a large accession to its membership. Rev. Robert West was installed pastor of the church, April 29th, 1^574, and resigned his pastorate in the autumn of 1876. The church declined to accept it, but he urged the acceptance and the church finally yielded, and his labors closed Oct 12th, 1876, when Mr. West became superintendant of Missions for the State of Missouri.

The church had no pastor until March \»i, 1877, when Rev. Geo. C. Adams, of Hillsboro, received a call and began his work. He was installed Sep 28th, 1877, and was dismissed by council on his resignation, April 20tb, 1881. D.iringhis pastorate a fine parson ige was built and paid for, with the exception of one thousand dollars the land having been a gift of Arba Nelson, one of the members who united with the church at its organization, but who died soon after. Mr. Nelson had planned liberal things for the church, and had he lived would have done much for its spiritual and financial prosperty.

During the pastorate of Mr. Adams a very considerable increase in membership was made and it was a period of general prosperity with the church. He left to take charge of a ne* and promising interest in St. Louis, where he is at this time located.

On the 17th of July, 1881, a call was evtended to Rev. E. G- Chaddock, of Michigan, and he began his labors the 1st of September, 1881 ; since that time eleven have united with the church, m istly by profession, and arrangements have been nearly completed to pay off' the i)arsonage debt, only one hundred dollars now being needed to have the church clear from debt. The church is united and prosperous, with a flourishing Sunday-school, and a good congregation. The whole number received into the church since its organization is 199 ; of these 100 have been received by profession. The present membership is 147.

Lutheran Church

The fundamental laws of the United States guarantee perfect religious liberty to all - or, to use the words of Frederick the Great - allow all to seek their way to heavenly bliss on their own confession of faith. The German Protestant Church has thriven and prospered under those laws of liberty. The church had, however, to encounter many difficulties and overcome them, before it gained the independent position it now generally enjoys It is proper to state here that the liberal and'material aid extended by the native Americans with a ready and willing hand, has been the means of overcoming the pecuniary difficulties of the beginning. Other and graver ones, however, had yet to be met and conquered ; and this was a diffi -ult task to be performed by prudent and cautious clergymen, who had to act as mediators among heterogeneous elements. This was not always done, or, perhaps, injudiciously done, and hence we do meet here and there German Protestant congregations with the worm of di.scord in their vitals. In almost all cases these troubles may be traced to errors and blunders of hasty and inconsiderate preachers.

One should bear in mind that the German churches recruit themselves from immigrants from all parts of Germany and Switzerland, and that these people, in many instances, differ widely in their confessions of faith. It was a herculean task to be performed by the leading members. The most violent and stubborn contradictions had to be met, and abrupt lines of division to be obliterated, in order to form and crystalize the heterogeneous elements of Catholic.^, Lutherans, Calvinists, Presbyterians, Methodists, Trinitarians and Unitarians into a homogeneous congregation, the members of which should not longer quarrel about dogmatical differences, but excel one another in faith and works of love. Faith and love ! It is through them that the founder of our religion will enter our hearts, for He dwelleth not in a confession of faith pronounced by the lip, but liveth and worketh in the heart filled with the truth of His doctrine of love and burning with the sublimity of His Spirit.

Such was the spirit penetrating these congregations and animating their members to bear witness of their Christian purity. Thus fell the rugged partition of dogma, for the Church of God is not where confessions of faith are merely spoken, but where the Spirit of the sublime founder of our religion lives and works in the hearts of men.

It is nevertheless true, that the Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church did, and to this day does, desire to main tain an independent church government, founded on the traditions and the '- Concord ia-Book " of this church ; and that they therefore peremptorily refused, and still refuse, a union of Lutherans and the Reformed, and do not allow communion with others, whose clergymen are even excluded from the Lutheran pulpits. However, the congr -gations of the Lutheran Synod have made decided progress. Persevering labors and great sacrifices have enabled them to build splendid and mao-nificent churches and schools, and it is apparent that they, like other denominations, know how to erect edifices in which the Lord dwelleth with His Spirit and blessing.

Thus has the Protestant church of Madison county succeeded to have most of their congregations develop, without beino- fettered by an exclusive confession of faith. They have retained the Christian religion, as taught in the books of the Old and New Testament, and as explained or defined by the Confession of Augsburg {Confessio Augudana).

The " Credo unam sancta7n CaihoUcam et ApostoUcam ecclesiam '' has not yet been reached, but it is drawing nearer; for it is the free and living unity, held up by the ties of peace ; the unity in spirit, developing its various gifts ; the unity of order and concord ; the homogeneousness, despite dogmatical differences, which forever seeks, surely finds, and ultimately secures the '' Una Sanda EceleiUi."

In order to reach the historical development of the German congregations in the American Bottom, Madison county, we must refer to the beginning of the church life of the first inhabitants.

The M E. F.Benezer Church On Chouteau Slough

This church was erected in 1836. It was an unadorned loo- house, but answered all purposes of the times. A church yard, located in close proximity, became the last resting-place of the weary wanderers, and is to this day, now and then, used as a place of interment. A second church, was erected in 1840 near the Edwardsville plank-road, si.x miles east of the Mississippi. The most prominent members of these two congregations, whose descendants, now as numerous as the stars of the firmament, belong to the first families of the county and state, were : Benjamin Irish, T. J. Irish, Samuel Squire, Peter Barco, Calvin Kinder, Geo. A. Kinder, Samuel Kinder, J. W. Delaplain, J. Davidson, Wesley Lucas, James S. Smith, Th mas G. Lofton, William Atkins, William Snyder, Captain William Gillham, Isaac Gillham, Newton Gillham, George Hayes, John Hayes, Charles Harward, John Woods and Isaac Bradon.

Some German and Swiss families, who had arrived at an early day, were cheerfully granted permission to use those buildings as places of worship.

The population was constantly increasing, and the necessity of a larger place for public worship was universally felt. The Odd Fellows built a large hall in 1852, and had the spacious and beautiful room on the ground floor arranged for a church ; as such it is used to this day. The old church had by this time become rather dilapidated, and was abandoned by the Americans, while the Germans still used it as a meeting-house. The firmer erected at Kinder station a beautiful brick church in 1856, with foundations of cut stone. The upper flioor is the church-room, and will comfortably seat four hundred persons, while the lower rooms are used for schools.

The German population was now numerous enough to have a congregation of their own. Rev. W. W. Wilken,then a chaplain in the U. S. army, founded the first German congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Confession, in 1861.

A plain, frame building, was erected in the Six-mile Prairie, intended for a church and parochial school. The church was dedicated March 1,1862, by Rev. W. W. Wilken, who was then chosen pastor, and remained in charge for twelve consecutive years. The church building of 1862 had become too small for the increasing congregation, and the propriety of building a more suitable chur.h was apparent to all members. AVhile all agreed that a larger and handsomer building should be erected, discussion arose in reference to the site of the proposed church, and the praiseworthy harmony of the members, which had lasted for so many years, was sadly disturbed. During this agitation an offer was made by the M. E. Church at Kinder station to sell their handsome church, mentioned above, to the Germans of the St Johannes' Congregation. Henry Deterding, Conrad Deterding, Fred. Philipps, Henry Fehling, Louis Hill, Herman Brandes, Christ Ahrens, William Buenger, and Fred. Beekmau bought the building in 1880, and invited Rev. W. W. Wilken, then p stor of a congregation at Alton, to organize and take charge of this congregation, which now (1881) adopted the name of

Kinder Station

The unmistakable and wonderful success of the new cono-regation, counting eighty-six members within a few mouths after organization, ought to have induced all members of the

St. Johanues' Congregation to join it. Instead of doing so, they resolved, although not as numerous as the St. Peter's Congregation, to erect a new church on the site of their former frame edifice. The new building was consecrated in 1882. It is a modest, frame building, fairly equipped within, has a steeple and a bell, and is large enough to ajcamm3Jate all for many years to come.

French Congregation In Helvetia Data Furnished By Eev. L. F. Yulliet

On Sept. 6, 1848, an omnibus brought from St. Louis a dozen of immigrants, hailing from French Switzerland, one of whom was A. E. Bandolier, Constant Rilliet, in later years successor of Bandelier in the Swiss consulate, and associate county justice in 1861, and lastly Rev. Francis VuUiet, a minister of the Free Evangelical Church of Canton Vaud, who had come to America in the hope of finding here freedom of religion, that had been denied to him in his native country, the republic of Switzerland.

Soon after his arrival. Rev. VuUiet opened his house for religious worship every Sunday, to all persons speaking French, natives of Switzerland as well as of France. Rev. Vulliet was frequently reminded of the propriety of affiliating with the Presbyterians as nearest to the standard he acknowledged, but he preferred remaining independent. Notwithstanding this freedom from ecclesiastical connections and the willingness of the preacher to allow freedom of action to church members, petty differences appeared before long among the hearers. Some wanted a more familiar form of worship, some a more definite organization. Pastor Vulliet proposed to the disaffected to organize themselves, showing a readiness to help, but not disposed to lead. Some of the congregation had however other views, effected a separation, with the view of establishing, as they said, a stricter discipline and, at the same time, a less vigorous adherence to the historical forms of worship. Under the name of the ' Brethren," they started their own meetings in 1850. They formed the nucleus of the congregation of the " Plymouth Brethren," whose church, a frame building, stood for a period of twenty years on Sect. 24, three-fourths of a mile from the town of Sebastopol. A new church has since been erected, half a mile noith of the former.

After the secession of the " Brethren " in April, 1851, the remaining members, about a dozen families, continuing to worship with pastor Vulliet, asked him formally to draw a confession of faith for them and to act as their pastor In this way was the French Evangelical Church of Highland organized. Meetings have been held regularly ever since on Sundays, first in the house of one member, then in the house of another, as they moved from the town to the country.

worship. It became therefore necessary to be incorporated under the laws of the Slate and to elect Trustees. C. Rilliet among them. The church was erected on lots 1 and 2, block 63, of brick, under contract with Niciiolas Rohr ior $1,352.20. The new building was dedicated on the first Sunday of October, 1859. In 1860 Florentine Delassus, Sr , and Louis Vulliet were elected elders Delassus died Dec. 1, 1865. The next to follow was pastor Vulliet, Feb. 21, 1874. Being then under the sole charge of the younger Elder, Louis Vulliet, the church elected him pastor in May, 1*<74, and resolved to perfect their organization by a revision of the constitution and to connect it with the Congregational Churches of America. This last did not take place till April 6, 1876, when the Southern Associatii)n of the Congregational churches of Illinois, convened at Bunker Hill, Macoupin county, admitted the French Evangelical Church, by her delegates, as a member of the Association. On the same day Louis Vulliet, one of the delegates of the church in Highland, was ordained to the ministry of the gospel.

In 1852 a number of families from North France for the most part converted from Roman Catholicism to the Baptist church arrived at Highland, settling in its vicinity. They first participated in worship with the French Evangelical Church, but their views on communion led them also to hold separate meetings. Thus originated the Bethania Baptist Church, organized near Sebastopol, by Rev. Foulon. The church building, dedicated in 1860, stands to this day on the N. W. corner of the N. E. quarter of section 24, in Helvetia township.

Allgemeine Christliche Kirche, Highland From Data Furnished By Rev. O. Rentschler

The origin of this congregation dates back to the very foundation of the town. The inhabitants, some of them Catholics, others Protestants of various persuasions were not numerous enough to justify the organization of separate congregations. A most admirable spirit of tolerance pervaded the colony, and the little meeting-house of 1840 was open to all. It is not uncommon to hear it said that the Germans as a rule are indifferent to religion and even great skeptics. There are of course a number of them inclined that way, but by no means a proportionably greater number than among other nations. In fact, it may be said, that a certain deep religious feeling pervades that nationality, not met with elsewhere. True, they are not loud and noisy in their professions, nor inclined to punish their flesh in the adoration of Him on High. Their poet's rapturous exclamation : "O wunderschoen ist Gotte's Erde, uud werth darauf vergnuegt zu sein." O beautiful is God's wide earth, well worthy to enjoy life's pleasures thereon ! is appreciated, thoroughly understood and universally practiced by that people. The popular songs of the German, his " Volks-

These " Volkslieder" might in many instances be called hymns, which in fact they are. But to return to the subject. The historical sketch of the Catholic churches gives the names of the priests, who conducted the religious services in the colony. Among the Protestant clergymen administering to the religious wants there, we mention first Rev. Rieger, a Lutheran Missionary, who visited the colony from time to time in 1840, 1841 and 1842. He was a devout Christian and a good man. His memory is cherished by the few survivors of that period to this day. Rev. Ciolina officiated in 1843 and 1844, Villnier in 1845. Rev. Douy, of Belleville, in 1847, Rev. Reineke, stationed at Marine, in 1848, Rev. Meier of St. Louis, in 1849 and 1850. The name of "Allgemeine Christliche Kirche " (a church for Christians of all denominations) was adopted in 1850, when a permanent organization was eflected. The following clergymen have conducted the religious services there, to wit : Rev. Krauss, 1850, Rev. Lepique, 1851, Rev. Mueller 1852 and 1853, Rev. Rettig, 1854 and 1855, Rev. Lepique, a second term, from 1856 to 1860, Rev. Luchsinger from 1860 to 1862, Rev. Schuepbach from 1862 to 1867, Rev. Mettelmann from 1867 to 1879. The congregation erected a beautiful church edifice in 1878. Rev. G. Rentschler succeeded Rev. Mettelraann, May 1, 1879. The interior of the building was finished during the year, an excellent organ procured and three church bells purchased. Rev. Rentschler organized a church choir, composed of ladies and gentlemen, and placed it under the directions of C. H. Seybt, who by zealous and untiring efi'orts, backed by talent and skill, has succeeded in making his choir peer to any in the country. The church membership is constantly increasing, and embraces now one hundred and forty families.

A Ladies' Association, counting over one hundred members, whose object it is to be charitable to the needy, to take care of the sick and to be good and kind to all, was called into existence by the persistent efforts of Rev. G. Rentschler, the present pastor of this most tolerant and highly interesting church organization.

IIOMAS KIRKPATRICK, a South Carolinian, in the year 1805 made the first settlement on the site of Edwardsville. The piece of land on which he built his cabin was a militia claim of one hundred acres, on Cahokia Creek, originally granted to Pierre Lejoy. This (.ff^^^Qc-s^ claim covered the northwest part of the ^kX present town. When the Indian troubles which preceded the war of 1812-14, began, a block-house was built for the protection of the several families which, by that time, had settled in the vicinity. This structure was known as Thomas Kirkpatrick's fort, and was an important link in the chain of military stations which guarded the Illinois frontier from the attacks of the savages. It stood to the north of the old court-house about three hundred yards from the banks of Cahokia Creek. It is said to have been built by a military company of which John G. Lofton was captain, William Jones, first lieutenant and Daniel G. Moore, second lieutenant.

The county of Madison having been organized in 1812, Kirkpatrick's farm was selected as the best location for the seat of justice. At the house of Thomas Kirkpatrick, on the fifth day of April, 1813, the court of common pleas for JIadison county held its first session. At this term of court Kirpatrick obtained license to keep a public house. The first merchant in the town was Abraham Prickett, and the second Benjamin Stephenson. Their stores were opened in 1815 or 1816. John T. Lusk was proprietor of the first hotel. In 1816 a town was surveyed by Kirkpatrick, and called Edwardsville, in honor of Ninian Edwards, then the territorial governor of Illinois. The growth of the new town was rapid. In a few years it attained a population of several hundred, and numbered among its citizens many influential and distinguished men. Governor Edwards made it hi^ residence, a bank was established, it became the seat of the United States land office and to the town flocked enterprising and talented men who deemed it the best point in the state from which to push their schemes for gaining wealth or' securing political advancement.

The first mention of a government for the town is in 1819, on the twenty-third of February of which year an act was passed by the state legislature, appointing Benjamin Stephenson, Joseph Bowers, Robert Latham, John Todd, Joseph Conway, Abraham Prickett and Theophilus W. Smith a board of trustees. On the third of the following May, an election was held at which Abraham Prickett, James AVatts>

John Todd, Robert Pogue, William Holland, Palemon HWinchester and William L. May were chosen Trustees. At this election Josias Randle, Abraham Prickett and Paris Mason acted as judges, and John Y. Sawyer and Stephen Dewey as clerks. The trustees elected in 182(1, were Edward Coles, John Y. Sawyer, David Swett, Josias Randle, John T. Lusk, Joshua Atwater and Paris Mason.

In 1819, Benjamin Stephenson, Ninian Edwards, Theophi" lus W. Smith, John Todd and others petitioned the board o tru-tees that a tract of land owned by them adjoining the town and which they had laid off" into lots, should be annexed to and made a part of the town of Edwardsville.

In the "Sketches of the Western Country." published by E. Dana, in 1819, Edwardsville is described as " a flouri.^hing town, containing si.Kty or seventy houses, a court-house, jail, public bank, printing office, which issues a weekly paper, and a United States land office of which Col. Stephenson is receiver." " As this county embraces all the lands above, east of the Mississippi river, and all the bounty lands in Illinois,' the writer goes to state, " soldiers' patents and grants of Illinois bounty lands are recorded here. In the vicinity of the town is a society of Methodists. There is an extensive tract of land around this spot of an excellent quality on which many plantations have been opened. But, unfortunately for settlers, the most valuable tracts have been monopolized by speculating men who are non-residents."

Early Citizens Of Edw.Vrdsvili.E.

The names given above of persons connected with the early government of Edwardsville, furnish a fair list of the leading men in the town about the year 1820. Benjamin Stephenson was a Virginian by birth. He came to this state from Kentucky in 1809. He served as sheriff" of Randolph county, and was colonel in the military service in two campaigns of the war of 1812-14. He was elected delegate to congre.ss from the territory of Illinois in 1811, and when the land office was established at Edwardsville was made the first receiver. He was an ardent Democrat in politics, an admirer of Andrew Jackson, and his sentiments were strongly pro-slavery. He was quiet, unpretentious and agreeable in his manners, and attended to his duties as receiver of the land office with much faithfulness. He died at Edwardsville, about 1824.

Dr. Joseph Bowers was one of the early physicians of Edwardsville. With his profession he united the occupation of a farmer. He removed to Carlinville, and represented Macoupin county in the state legislature. Dr. John Todd was a pronjiiunt represfiitalive of the medical profession He came fioni Lexington, KeLtucky, and was the brother of Robert Todd, who was the father of the wives of Abraham Lincoln and Ninian Edwards. He was a Whig in politics- He resided in Edwardsville, on Main street, where Judge Joseph Gillespie now lives. A log bouse was here first erected by Dr. Bowers to which Dr. Todd made a frame addition. He subsequently became a citizen of Springfield, where he practiced medicine some years and died.

Joseph Conway came to Illinois from Maysville, Kentucky, and settled at Kaskaskia in 1812, and there engaged in the practice of law. During the war of 1812-14 he was in the contractor's department on the frontier. From Kaskaskia he came to Edwardsville. For some years he filled the office of circuit clerk ; he was elected a member of the state senate in 18-4, and represented Madison county as senator till 1833. He removed to the northern part of the state, and was killed by a lall from the upper to the lower deck of a steamboat on the Mississippi river, near Kock Island.

Jaines, Paris and Hail Mason were natives of New Hampshire. James Mason purchased Kirkpatrick's interest in the original town ; he removed from Edwardsville in 1833. He was the founder of the town of Grafton, on the Mississippi, in Jersey county. Paris Mason carried on the milling business. Hail Mason was one of the early justices of the peace; be removed to Scarritt's prairie, in Godfrey town, bliip.

Abraham Piickett, the pioneer merchant in Edwardsville, wiis born near Lexington, Kentucky, and first came to Madison county in 1808. He was employed for some time in the drug business in St. L -uis, and then opened a store in Edwardsville. The first county court of Madison county, held in 1813, granted him a license to retail merchandise. About the year 1825 he removed to Adams county, and made an addition to the present city of Quincy. While a resident of that part of the state he was engaged in trade with the Indians. While at work on a contract to clear a portion of the Red river from snags and other obstructions to its navigation, he died, at Natchitoches, Louisiana, in 1836. He was the postmaster at Edwardsville for a number of years; he was a delegate from Madison county to the convention which assembled at Kaskaskia in July, 1818, and framed the first constitution of the state of Illinois, and was a member of the first legislature which met after the admis.'ion of the state into the Union. His son, George W. Prickett, now a resident of Chicago, is said to have been the first white child born in Edwardsville.

Isaac Prickett, who in 1815, had settled in St. Louis, cime to Edwardsville in 1818, and engaged in the mercantile business in partnership with his brother Abraham. He afterward established a store on his own account, which he carried on for many years, in the brick building on Main street, in which Mrs. Nancy Eberhardt now lives. He was postmaster, public administrator, quartermastergeneral of the militia and inspector of the Illinois penitentiary. From 1838 to 1842 he filled the oflice of receiver

Palemon H. Winchester was born either in Virginia or Tennessee, in 1794. On the evening of Saturday, January 29, 1824, he killed Daniel D. Smith, recorder of Pike county, and his trial, on the charge of murder, was one of the most interesting in the records of the early Illinois courts. He was acquitted. He removed to Mac .upiu county, opened the first law office in Carlinville, served there for several years as judge of probate, and died in 1F60.

Theophilus W- Smith was a lawyer and politician. la 1822 he was elected a member of the state senate. In 1825 he was made one of the judges of the supreme court, and was on the bench till 1842. He possessed fine judicial ability, but could never entirely abstain from dabbling in politics. He was strongly pro-slavery in his sympathies, and was one of the leaders of the "Convention party" in 1824. He established the Illinois Republican, at Edwardsville, in the interest of the slavery movement.

John T. Lusk was born in South Carolina, November 7, 1784. In 1791, his father, James Lusk. removed to Kentucky, and established a ferry across the Ohio river, opposite the present town of Golconda. This was widely known as Lusk's ferry, and a creek which empties into the Ohio iu the vicinity bears to this day the name of Lusk creek. In 1805 John T. Lusk came to Madison county, and settled in the neighborhood of svhere the town of Edwardsville is now built. In 1809 he married Lucretia. daughter of Charles Gillham. She was the only one of his eight children who remained in Madison county. He was in the ranging service during the war of 1812-14. AVhile the men were absent, the women sought refuge in the fort, or blockhouse, and Mr. Lusk's wife was appointed their captain. She was an excellent rifle-shot, and had plenty of spirit and bravery. When Edwardsville began its growth, he moved into the town and erected a building of heavy hewn logs, a story and a half in height, with three rooms on the ground floor, in which he opened the first hotel in Edwardsville ; he kept this hotel for some-years. He served as dt-puty circuit clerk under Hail Mason, and afterward filled the office of county clerk ; he was also recorder and postmaster. He died December 22, 1857.

Joshua Atwater was one of the earliest school-teachers in Edwardsville. He emigrated from Westfield, Massachusett.«, to St. Claircounty,iu 1801, and taught school in Illinois as early as the year 1807. He became a citizen of Madison county in 1817. He was a man of New England education and habits. He wa-" the founder of, perhaps, the first charitable institution organized in the Territory of Illinois. This society, which was formed March 1st, 1809, was called the "Charitable Society," and its members bound themselves to make quarterly contributions to a fund which was to be employed for the relief of the oppressed and afflicted of all ranks and colors, without discrimination or prejudice." The constitution is drawn up in the handwriting of Mr. Atwater, and his name, although he was then a poor man, appears at the head of the list for the highe.t amoun

One of the most remarkable men who ever lived in Edwardsvile was James D. Henrj'. He worked in the town a? an ordinary shoemaker, occasionally showing evidence of a brutal and passionate nature, but subse(iuently achieved distinction in the Black Hawk war and became the nominee of the " People's party," for the position of governor of the state. He was born in Pennsylvania. At Delaware, Ohio, in 1816, he had a fight in the shop in which he was working, and whipped three or four of his brother siioemakers, and then left the town in haste. He journeyed down the Ohio and up the Missis*ippi river in a keel boat, landing at the mouth of Wood river. He came to Edwardsville in 1822. His education was deficient, and he attended a night school taught by William Barrett, where he gained his first knowledge of arithmetic. His passions were revengeful and uncontrollable when aroused, and his physical strength and readiness to fight, gave him the reputation of a dangerous antagonist.

He fancied that a negro named Jarret, who belonged to Joseph Conway, had insulted him, and he inflicted on the black man a terrible revenge. The negro had taken refuge in the stable of Rowland P. Allen, whence Henry dragged him forth. Stripping him of all his clothing, except his trousers, he fastened him to the end of the horse rack in the public street. He had procured five hitkory withes as the instruments of punishment, and laying a sword and pistol on a block within three feet of his victim, with a dagger in one hand and whip in the other, he began to lash the poor negro unmercifully. When the negro drew back on the rope and begged for mercy Henry would draw the keen edge of his bowie knife over the negro's naked abdomen and threaten him with instant death unless he submitted quietly to the punishment. Court was in session, and a hundred men were in town, present and looking on, including the sheriff and other officers of the law, but none dared to interfere. When he had used up his second, or third whip, the wife of Rowland P. Allen heard the negro's cries and ran to his rescue. Appealing to the men present in vain, she went back to her kitchen, and procuring a formidable carving knife, rapidly approached and cut the rope by which the negro was bound. Henry stood still with astonishment, suspending his blow in the air, and as the woman led the negro away .said threateningly that a woman might lie his hands but it would not have been well for any man to have done to oppose him.

This is the dark side of Henry's character. He was ambitious, and possessed an intense longing for militar}' fame. He was fond of hearing of the exploits of Cresar and Napoleon, and the other great generals ol the world, and Judge Joseph Gillespie, then a boj', was accustomed to spend hours in his shop, reading to Henry, while he worked, of the achievements and campaigns of celebrated warriors. He left his trade to engage in the mercantile business. In 182()

*.A.niong the signers are Jesse Walker, William Scott, Fen. M. Pia't, John Ererett, David Everett, William Barioi, Ih )mas Kirkpalrick, Robert McMaban and Giles Maddux.

he moved to Springfield. He was elected sheriff of Sangamon county, and filled the office with satisfaction. The Black Hawk war gave him at last the opportunity for which he longed. His genius for military affairs soon gained him distinction, and he came to be recognized as the ablest and most successful general of the war.

In his person he was si.K feet in height and well formed. In his disposition he was exceedingly modest and retiring, and sometimes gloomy and melancholy. At long intervals he indulged in spells of intoxication, and then, if his anger was excited, he was reckless and desperate. The fear of danger never entered his breast. The unfortunate circumstances of his birth made him sensitive and diffident, and he avoided the society of ladies. At the close of the Black Hawk war the citizens of Springfield gave a splendid entertainment in honor of his military services, and it is said that during the evening he never once appeared iu the apartment where the ladies presided. He died among strangers at New Orleans, on the fourth of March, 1834, and such was the peculiarity of his disposition that he never infirmed his attendants at the hotel of his identity as General James D. Henry of the Black Hawk war.

Erastus Wheeler became a citizen of Edwardsville in 1819. He was born in Otsego county, New York, in 171)7. He was a soldier in the war of 18r2-'14, and was present and participated at the battle of Lundy's Lane, and the siege of Fort Erie. He enlisted in the Black Hawk war in 1831, and in the campaign of the following year was captain of a company under Gen. Samuel Whiteside. He was a captain in Col. Bissells regiment in the Mexican war.

Five persons, who filled the office of governor of the State, were for various periods residents of Edwardsville in early days. These were Niiiian Edwards, Edward Cole.s Joseph Duncan, John Reynolds, and Thomas Ford Among other distinguished men who made the place their home, were Jesse B Thomas, sr., United States Senator from 1818 to 1829; Daniel P. Cook, the first representative in Congress after the admi<sion of the State into the Union ; Emanuel J. West, Judge Jesse B. Thom^, jr. ; Judge Samuel D. Lockwood ; George Forquer, John D. R-eves, afterward editor of the Gongreidonal Glnbe'j Chester Ashley, subsequently United States Senator from Arkansas ; Benjamin J. Seward, brother to William H. Seward, governor of New York; Judge James Semple; Benjamin Mills, and Henry Starr.

It was not unu.sual for Wiggins' hotel, the popular hostelry of Early Edwardsville, to have twenty-five regular boarders. Edward Coles boarded at this hotel for years. Many of these guests were young professional men, doctors and lawyers, who according to a lady, whose memory reaches back to that olden time, " were well dressed, fashionable, and handsomer than any that can be seen nowa-days."

An election was held by the voters of the township of Goshen on the third of May, 1819, for seven Trustees of the town of Edwardsville. The poll list, still preserved, shows that fifty three votes were cast, among which were those of the following persons : John Y. Sawyer, Jolm T. Lusk, Paris Mason, Joseph Conway, Theophilus W. Smith, Robert Latham, John Ringokl, John H. Randle, Robert Pogue, Jacques Metta, Benjamin Stephenson, Don Alonzo Spauld ing. Hail Mason, John Wilson, William L. May, John Todd, Simon Ray, Abraham Prickett, Joseph Remington, Isaac Prickett, James Watts, Isaac Scarritt, James Mason, Palemon H. AVinchester, Jacob Prickett, Joshua Atwater, Thomas Tindall, Charles Jackson, Willam Holland, John L. Whaling, and Asa Morse.

To Mrs. Nancy Eberhardt now belongs the honor of being the oldest resident of Eilwardsville. She was born in Kentucky. In 1813 her brothers, Jephthah and George Larapkin came to Illinois. The former settled at Edwardsville, and for five or six years carried on a potter's shop, which stood on Main street, just above the residence of Judge Gillespie. He removed to Quincy in 1819, where a few years afterward he died. George Lanipkin settled on a farm southeast of Edwardsville. On the return of Jephthah Lampkin from a visit to Keutucky in 1818, he brought back with him his sister, Nancy, then a young girl. She has lived in Edwardsville ever since. In 1822 she became the wife of Isaac Prickett. Her first husband died in 1844. But two other persons are now living who were in Edwardsville when she came ; Rev. Richard Randle, now of Taylorville, and his sister, Mrs. Martha Ripley, of Staunton, Illinois.

In the files of the early newspapers of Edwardsville may be found many items of interest in reference to the town. The physicians had formed a medical association, and there is a notice signed by John Todd, president, that the First District Medical Society of the State of Illinois would convene at Edwardsville on the second Monday of May, 1820. Another notice shows that Samuel G. J. De Camp was the secretary of this society. The mechanics of the place had also formed an organization, known as the Edwardsville Mechanics' Society, which during the year 1820, held monthly meetings at the house of Messrs. Bruner and Stuckey- Wesley Allwine advertises, under date of June, 1820, that he has c.)ntinually on hand all kinds of Windsor chairs, and that he neatly executes house and sign painting.

James Wright, tailor, informs the public that he is prepared to execute any kind of work in his line of business in the neatest and most fashionable manner and on the shortest notice. Officers' uniforms made in the most elegant style. He advertises for an apprentice, between fourteen and eighteen years of age, and adds that members of the artillery company can have their uniforms made in an elegant and cheap manner. S. T. & J. A. McKenney, next door to the post-office on Main street, call attention to the fact that they have the exclusive right to make and vend springsaddles itt Illinois, on Bryan's old spring cantle plan, and on his new and highly improved style. Their other goods -' Bridles, martingales, valises, portmanteaus, hor.-eman's caps, holsters and other military accoutrements," they warrant equal, if not superior, to any made in the western part

Announcement is made in October, !S20, of the dissolution of partnership between John W. Skidmore and Sampson Willard. A subsequent advertisement states that the former gentleman, on the road between Edwardsville and Wilt's mill, had lost a portmanteau containing one linen shirt, marked J. W. S., one pair white pantaloons and two handkerchiefs, one white and the other silk. A liberal reward is offered for the return of the above articles to the subscriber at Edwardsville. Francis Richman, baker, wishes to inform the public that he keeps constantly on hand an assortment of bread and biscuit, and that he sells superfine flour, made in Cincinnati, at seven dollars per barrel. William F. Roberts, in 1823, calls the attention of the public to the fact that he has opened a porter cellar, where the best Pittsburgh porter in bottles can be had at all times, for cash or Illinois state paper. Atwater & Meeker advertise, in 1823, that they have groceries for sale, and the same year, John Adams announces that he has put up machinery for carding wool and fulling cloth, and having had long experience in the business he expects to give satisfaction.

Under date of November 20, 1819, W. C. Wiggins, proprietor of the " Edwardsville Hotel, - sign of General Washington," informs his friends and the public that he has opened a house in the brick building, on the northeast side of the public square, where he will be glad to accommodate those who fiivor him with a call. A year later, October 10, 1820, William H. Hopkins announces that he has opened a house of entertainment on the southeast corner of the new public square, where he will endeavor to give satifaction and be happy to attend upon the calls of those who may favor him with their custom. We also learn that Henry Kelly kept a tavern at Edwardsville, in 1824.

Among the professional announcements is that of Theophilus W. Smith, who states, May 2, 1819, that he has commenced the practice of the law, and will attend the circuit courts in Madison, Bond, Washington and St Clair counties, and the supreme court at Kaskaskia. Chester Ashley, attorney, announces that he will practice in Illinois, and in the counties of St. Louis and St. Charles, Missouri. D. P. Cook &S D. Lockwood, under date of April 1, 1823, state that they have entered into partnership to practice law, and that their office is in the upper end of Edwardsville. J. D. Woolverton, physician and surgeon, gives the information, in May, 1823, that he has returned to Edwardsville. William Mason Simons, M. D , offers his professional services as practitionei of phys'cs, midwifery and surgery. He could be found one door above the post-office, or at the residence of Rowland P. Allen.

That the early residents of Edwardsville were not destitute of popular amusement is shown by an advertisement which states that Messrs. Ludlow & King and the St Louis Theatrical Corps have the pleasure of informing the ladies and o-entlemen of Edwardsville and vicinity that they propose o-ivino- three evenings' entertainment in the form of a dramatic olio. Tne advertisement is dated Miiy 1, 1820, and the pprnirmances were announced to take place on the following Tupsday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, at the house of John T. Lusk. John H. Handle, librarian, calls an annual meeting of the stockholders of the Edwardsville Lilirary to be held at the court house on the 1st of January, l'y21,for the election of five directors. On the lOlh of September, 1820, tlie regiment of niili ia, under coraniand of Col. AVilliam Parkinson, was reviewed bj' Gov. Btiud.

The newspapers of Edwardsville for some years subsequent to 1S20, had larger circulations and were more widely read, than any other journals published in the state. The advertisements show that they were expected to reach a class of readers outside the limits of the state. Sales of town lots at Naples, Columbus and other towns on the Illinois river are announced in the columns of the Spectator. Robert Mc Cloud informs the citizens of Missouri, north of the Missouri river, that no delay will be occasioned on his part in commencing the publication of the MUsourian, a weekly paper to be issued at St. Charles, Missouri. Advertisements of runasvay slaves from owuers in ]\Iis30uri are not uncommon.

Anticipated Visit Of L.Vfayette

It was thought that the Marquis De Lafayette, while on his visit to America in 1824, would visit Madison county^ and the patriotic citizens of Edwardsville made arrange, nients to give him a cordial recepti(m. A meeting was held at the Washington hotel on the ninth of October, 1<S24, for the pur])Ose of appointing suitable committees. Emanuel J. West was called to the chair, and Abrahatn Prickett was appointed secretary Theophilus W. S uith spoke at large on the character and services of the defender of American liberty. On the motion of J )hn T. Luik, a committee of forty-two persons was appointed to receive the distinguished visitor. This committee was made up, in considerable part, of citizens of the couuty who had served in the war of the Revolution. Lafayette reached St. Liuis on the last day of April, 182.5. but did not come to Edwardsville. He was greeted at St. Louis by a large concourse of people, ma ly of whom were citizens of Madison county. Thirteen cannon were fired in his honor. Several of the residents of Edwardsville were introduced to the distinguished man by D.iuiel P. Cook, then a representative in Congress. Governor Coles escorted him from St. Louis to Vandal ia and Shawneetown.

Many articles in reference to slavery appear in the early papers, and during the campaign of 1824, much space is devoted to the discussion of the subject- In July, 1824, Hooper Warren, editor of the Spectator, gives an account of an attack made upon him by Theophilus W. Smith, editor of the Illinois Republican, the journal published in the interest of the pro-slavery party, from which it appears that Smith entered Warren's office on the Vllh of July, with a dirk and a whip, but seeing that the latter was ariued with a pi-stol, he turned about and left. Emanuel J. West, who had aji. parently been in waiting, then immediately entered the office and observed that Smith only wished for an explanation and intended no harm. Warren thereupon observed that if Mr. Smith would demean himself peaceably he might come in, and on Jlr. West pledging himself that such should be his deportment, Smith was sent for. Tnen ensued a conference in which each endeavored to obtain a written acknowledgement that the other had no personal knowledge of anything derogatory to his character a.s an individual. The difficulty was as to which should take the load in making this acknowledgement.

Before the conference began, upon the suggestion of Mr. West, a mutual surrender of arms was made. It appears that while Mr. Warren was engaged in writing, Smith found Lis way to his opponent's pistol and threw the priming out of the pan. This, Mr. Warren remarks, " displayed his cunning, at the expense of his bravery." Upon the final refusal of the editor of the Spectator to make reparation, Mr. Smith, knowing his adversary had no weapon of defense, attempted an assault with his whip and dirk, but was prevented by Mr. West from doing Mr. Warren the slightCft injury.

After the defeat of the couvention party at the election in August, the announcement is made that the elders of the Presbyterian church at Edwardsville, " concurring with their brethren of the Methodist church in the Kaskaskia and Illinois circuits, in believing it to be the duty of the pious in this State to give public testimony of their gratitude to Almighty God, for his goodness in averting the evil of slavery which lately threatened our State, ' have appointed the last Friday in October to be observed as a day of thanksgiving and prayer.

The settlement of the countrj'' to the north of Madison county, and the establishment in that region of new centres of trade, took away much of the importance of Edwardsville. Its trade was absorbed by St. Louis, and subsequently by Alton, and about the year 182-') its population began to decline. The town, in 1833, had about three hundred and fifty inhabitants. The princij)al mercantile business at that date was carried on by Joshua Atwater and Andrew R. Skidmore, under the firm name of A. R. Skidmore & Co- Mr. Atw^ater retired from business with a competence in 1837. Mr. Skidmore went to Alton in 1838, failed there in business in 1841, and subsequently removed to California, where he died. Isaac Prickett still carried on his store in the brick building on Main street, nearly opposite the old court-house. Daniel Sleeker also had a store. He came to Edwardsville from New York, and died about 1840. From 1831 to 183U, John Hogan was a merchant in Edwardsville, The latter year he removed to Alton. He was then a Methodist minister, and frequently preached throughout the county. In 183C, he was elected a member of the State legislature, and subsequently, was the Whig candidate for congress against Gov. John Reynolds. He was appointed by President Harrison register of the land office at Dixon in this state, but was removed during the succeeding administration of Tyler. He then became a resident of St. Louis wiiere he still lives. For some years he was the postmaster of that city.

John Adams was also in the mercantile business in 1833, ' carrying on a store in connection with his castor oil factory, and wool carding machine. He subsequently disposed of his store, and was elected sherifl'. He was a Whig in politics and a strong supporter of the Baptist church. He was a man of generous impulses, popular with the people, and had for enemies. The mill owned by Paris Mason was in operation in 1833, but not long afterward was abandoned. The floods in the Cahokia occasionally caused great damage, and it was found difficult to keep it in repair.

The physicians in Edwardsville in 1833, were Dr. B. F. Edwards and Dr. Peter W. Randle. Dr. Edwards made Edwardsville his residence in 1827, when thirty years of age. Dr. Todd was then the only regular physician in the county. Edwards bought Dr. Todd's house, the latter moving to another loca ion. For two years, these two were the only physicians in the county. Their practice extended for fifty miles around. Dr. Edwards kept four or five horses, and frequently rode one hundred miles in tsventy-four hours. For months in the sickly seaioi, his sleep did not average four hours out of twenty-four, and yet he was accustomed to say that iu those days he did not receive large enough returns from his practice to support his family. Dr. Peter \V. Randle began practice iu 1833. He had studied his profession under Dr. Edwards, and succeeded to his practice, the latter being anxious to relinquish it. He was an able and popular physician. From Edwardsville he went to Alton, and afterward to California He became the President of the Eclectic Medical College, founded at San Francisco, of which city he is still a resident. Dr. John Woodson, a very talented gentleman, who had begun a successful practice at Edwardsville, died in 1832. Dr. Solon Stark practiced his profession at Edwardsville for some years, becoming a resident of the town previous to 1836.

The most prominent attorney in Edwardsville in 1833 was James Semple. He removed to AltoI^ and represented Illinois in the United States Senate from 1843 to 1847, and subsequently was appointed minister to one of the South American States. Jesse B. Thomas, jr., was also practicing the legal profession at Edwardsville, and was in partoership with David Prickett, under the firm uaine of Prickett & Thomas. John S. Greathouse was another attorney" of that period, and Seth T. Sawyer, now of Alton, who had studied law in Semple's office, was entering upon his legal career.

In 1833 there were two churches; a frame structure, used by the ^lethodists, stood on the site of the present Methodist church. The Baptists occupied a building which is now used by the fire company as an engine house. The town at that time was as moral and religious iu its tone as any place of its size in the State. During the winter of 1827-28 there had been a marked revival of religion, which still left its influence on the community.

In "Peek's Gazetteer of Jllimis," published in 1834, the population of Edwardsville is given as seventy fami- - lies, and the town is described as containing a courthouse and jail of brick, a land office for the Edwardsville district, four stores, two taverns, two physicians, four lawyers, a castor oil factory, and a female academy taught by a lady, and occupying a commodious building The inhabitants are represented as generally industrious intelligent, and moral, a large proportion being professors of religion. The location is spoken of as pleasant and healthy, on high ground, and in the centre of a well watered and well-timbered country, settled with enterprising farmers. The " Travellers Diredonj," by the same author, issued five years later, gives the same description of the place, with the exception that the number of stores is stated at seven instead of four.

Subsequent Growth

For some years the town showed little signs of improvement. The fear of the removal of the county seat was an incubus on its growth. Alton kept up a constant agitation with the view of obtaining the public buildings, aud becoming the seat of justice. This uncertainty was 'somewhat removed by a provision in the State constitution of 1848, inserted chiefly by'the eflbrts of Edward M. We-t, of Edwardsville, a delgate to the constitutional convention, which made it a matter of great difficulty to secure the division of a county, or the removal of a county seat. Substantial improvements began then to be made, and the growth of the town has since beju prosperous and steady. The population iu 1847 was about seven or eight hundred. In 1860 the number of inhabitants had increased to two thousand. ^ Among the representatives of the business interests of the town for the twenty years succeeding 1835, may be named Edward M. West, who became a resident of Edwardsville in 1833, and in 1835 began the mercantile business which he continued until 1854. He was born in Botetourt county, Virginia, in 1814, and came with his father Tilghman H. West, to this State, when four years old. In 1829 he went to Sangamon county, and was in the recorder's office (his uncle, Edward Mitchell, being recorder of Sangamon county and postmaster at Springfield,) till 1831. In 1834 he learned the mercantile business at Alton, with Godfrey, Gilmau & Co., then the largest business firm in the State. Since 1858 he has been in business as a banker. Alfred J. Lusk opened a store in 1834, which he carried on for a number of years. Orren Meeker was in business as a merchant eight or nine years, and was succeeded by Frederiek.T. Krafft. William Peel and Edward S. Brown had stores, and William Gillham was in the mercantile business from 1837 to 1841. Julius L. Barnsback settled in Edwardsville as a merchant iu 1837, and the name of "Barnsback " has since been a familiar one iu connection with the business interests of the town.

Previous to the building of the present court-house, in 1857, business was all transacted in the lower town. After the completion of this structure the stores gradually moved up town, aud in the course of a few yeaps a complete change in the business locality was effected. The removal of the public buildings from the lower to the upper town, was the end of a struggle which had continued from the commencement of the growth of Edwardsville. As early as 1820 active exertions were made by prominent citizens to have the courthouse and jail removed to what they considered a better location, and in June of that year Benjamin Stephenson, Theophilus W. Smith and Ninian Edwards, for themselves and other property owners, offered a square of ground as a site for a court house with sufficient space on which to build a " gaol." Still more liberal oflers were subscfiuently made in the hope of securing the removal of the county buildings from their original location.

An important institution in Edwardsville in early times was the land office. This brought many visitors to the town. The act reducing the price of the public land to a dollar and a quarter an acre went into eftect Alay, 1820. Proclamation was made by the President of the United States of public sales of land in the Edwardsville district, thirty-eight townships and fractional townships, on the first Monday of October, 18'20, and at various other times. The sales of laud for two weeks in the following January amounted to twenty-six thousand five hundred dollar.'^. Most of these lands were in the Macoupin and Apple Creek settlements, and were sold to actual settlers.

Advertisement was made in the newspapers of the banks whose bills would be received at the laid office. In 1820 these banks were, Bank of the United States and branches, Bank of Illinois at Shawneetown, Bank of Edwardsville, Bauks in Boston, i^ew York City, Phihulelphia and New Orleans, Bank of Baltimore, Bank of Maryland, banks in the District of Columbia except Merchants' and Franklin Bank of Alexandria, Bank of Bath, Maine; Cumberland Bank, Portland, JIaiue; Cheshire Bank, Keene, New Hampshire ; Merchants' Bank, Salem, Massachusetts; Newport Bank, Newport Rhode Island ; New Haven Bank, Bristol Bank, Bristol, Rhode Island ; New London Bank, Mechanics and Farmers' Bank, Trenton Banking Conii)any, Trenton, N. J. ; Easton Bank, Easton, Pa., Harrisburg Bank, Harrisburg, Pa., Branch of Farmers Bank of Delaware at Newcastle ; Offices of disc unt and deposit of Bank of Virginia at Fredericksburg!); Lynchburgh and Petersburgh, Virginia ; Bank of Augusta, Ga., Planters and Mechanics' Bank, Hunlsville, Alabama terri- " tory, and Bank of Mi.ssouri, at St. Louis.

Subsequently by order of the Secretary of the Treasury, it was directed that the bills of the following banks should only be received : Bank of Illinois, Shawneetown, Banks in Boston, Banks in the City of New York, Banks in the City of Philadelphia, Banks of Baltimore (except City Bank), Banks in District of Columbia (except Merchants' and Franklin Banks of Alexandria), and Banks of Richmond, Virginia.

The Bank Of Edwardsville

The act incorporating the bank of Edwardsville became a law on the 9th of January, 1818. It was provided that the capital stock should not exceed three hundred thousand dollars, to be divided into shares of fifty dollars each. One third might be subscribed for by the legislature of the territory or state. As soon as fifty thousand dollars should be subscribed and ten thousand dollars actually paid in, the corporation might commence business and issue their notes accordingly. At the time of making the subscription it was directed that five dollars should be paid on each share, iu gold or silver, or bank bills that could command the same, the residue of the stock to be paid at such times and in such installments as the directors might order, although no single installment should exceed tweuty five per cent, on the s:ock subscribed for, aud St least sixty days' notice should be given in one or more newspapers of the territory. If any subscriber should fail to make the second payment the sum originally paid should be forfeited to the corporation. The corporation which was styled " The President, Directors and Company of the Bank of Edwardsville" was chartered to continue till the fiist day of January, 1838. The management of its afl^airs was placed iu the hands of a board of nine directors of whom not less than four should constitute a board for the transaction of business. The cashier was required to give bond in the sum of not less than ten thousand dollars. ^The total amount of debts which the corporation might at any time owe, whether by bond, bill, note, -or other contract, should not exceed twice the amount of the capital stock actually paid over, and above, the moneys there actually deposited in the bank for safe keeping. In case of excess the directors should be liable for the same in their individual capacities.

It was directed that half-yearly dividends should be made of so much of the profits of the bank as should be deemed expedientand proper, and that the corporation should not at any time suspend, or refuse payment in gold or silver, of any of its notes, bill.^ or obligations, or of any moneys received on deposit. Benjamin Ste])henson, James Mason, John Mc- Kee, Joseph Conway, and Abraham Prickett, or any three of them, were appointed commissioners for receiving subscriptions.

An organization was effi?ctcd under this charter in 1818, and the bank placed in operation. In the only newspapers, of Kaskaskia and Edwardsville, there are notices calling for successive installments on the shares of capital stock.

Benjarahi J. Senrard, was the cashier in 1819. and was succeeded by K. T. McKeuuey. The tstablishnient of the bank, and tlie issue of its notes, had for a time a favorable iuflueuce on the prosperity of Edwardsville, but like all the other banking enterpiises oT that time in the state, the institution faikd and its notes fell to a value of less than fifty cents on the dollar.

Early Hotels

The first hotel in Edwardsville, built by John T. Lusk, was on Main S reet where now stands a building owned by Jacob Dengenfeldtr, and used as a saloon and grocery store. It was a long log building, and had three large rooms fronting the street. After Lusk closed out the hotel, the centre of these rooms he used for the post-office. One end was rented to Mrs. Howard who kept a pie and cake shop, and in the other a saloon at diflerent times was carried on by various parties

The old Wiggins hotel stood on the public square, east from the old jail. It had an extensive and fashionable patr.inage, and many distinguished men ate and slept within its walls. Before its door swung the sign of Gen. Washington. Its walls were so badly cracked by an earthquake that it was found necessary to abandon the building. It was purchased by I-iaac Prickett, who tore the building down, and with the brick were built the two small houses ttill standing on Main Street, between the residences of Judge Joseph Gillespie and Dr. Weir.

William H. Hopkins carried on a hotel in " upper town. " It was a frame building, and stood opposite the southeast corner of the public square near the residence of Henry C. Gerke.

A second hotel was built by John T. Lusk, on the spot now occupied by the Wabash hotel. It was a large frame building, and was destroyed by fire in 1839. Meriam Patterson kept this hotel for a time. His successor was Horatio G Street, and he was fiillowed by Cassius Hesket. While Street was proprietor, about the year 1830, it was renowned for the excellence of its fare and the superior manner in which it was conducted. The ftvshionable people of St. Louis patronized it during the summer months, and on Sundays it was a frequent resort of the citizens of Alton who drove over for the purpose of obtaining a good meal and having, at the same time, a day's recnation. It was during Hesket's administration that the old frame building burned down. The present brick structure was at once erected in its place, and was considered, in that day, a remarkably fine specimen of architecture.

Old Buildings

There are four houses in Edwardsville that have been standing since 1818. All are in the lower town. The first is the frame building now occupied as a store by William Hainlan. The second is the building just below Prickett's old store, now owned by Mr?. Eberhardt. It was originally built of logs, and has since been covered with weather boarding. Dr. De Camp lived in this house in 1818. It was at one time also the residence of Alexander Jenkins. The third is the frame house on Main Street in which Mrs. Sido now lives. Paris Mason occupied this house as a residence in 1818. Pjlemou H. Winchester, once lived in it.

Early Mails

The residents of Edwardsville, sixty years ago, were content to receive their letters once a week. In 1823 the mails all arrived and departed during the latter part of the week. The eastern mail arrived every Friday morning at nine o'clock, and fifteen minutes afterward departed for St. Louis. Returning from St. Louis it reached the town at ten o'clock Saturday morning and proceeded east with little delay. The western mail arrived Friday afternoon at five o'clock, and departed the next morning at half-past six. A mail from the south arrived Saturday noon. One left for CarrolUon every other Saturday, and returned the following Tuesday.

In 1824, a weekly mail for the southern part of the state left Edwardsville, meeting at Belleville the mail from St. Louis to Shawneetown. In September, 1824, the time of the departure of this mail was changed from Thursday to Saturday evening, of which the editor of the S/jedator complains as the new arrangement deprived him of his facilities for supplying his subscribers in the southern part of the state with their papers. In 1824, the mail between St. Louis and Vandalia, known as the great Eastern mail, by which the main bulk of matter for the post office reached Edwardsville, passed through the town, going east, on Thursdays and westward on Saturdays. About this period general complaints were made about the irregularities of the mails. Sometimes newspapers were months in reaching their destinatioQ. The mail bags were frequently surcharged with numerous public documents and blanks of various descriptions, which it was the practice of the goverment departments to forward in this manner to public offices in the AVest. The Spectator observes that great and important improve, ments in the mail establishment are contemplated, the proposition having been made to convey the mail by stages three times a week each way instead of making one trip on horseback.

On the first of April 1820, the Edwardsville postmaster, David Prickett, advertised that there were letters remaining in the office uncalled for, for one hundred and sixty-two parties. The town, then the location for the land office, was the common point of destination for emigrants from the East, many of them on their arrival scattering to the settlements on the northern frontier and this may account for the large number of uncalled for letters.

In 1832, a line of four horse coaches between St. Louis and Springfield was established. Leaving St. Louis every Thursday and Sunday at six o'clock in the morning, a stop was made for dinner at Edwardsville, and Springfield was reached at two o'clock in the afternoon of Friday and Monday. The stages left Springfield on Thursday and Sunday mornings; the passengers had breakfast at Edwardsville the next morning and arrived in St. Louis at two o'clock in the afternoon. The fare was five cents per mile.

Early Schools

In the Spectator of 1820, Madame De Jerome announces that she has opened an academy of science in which all will be taught the French language, geography, with use of globes, history, drawing and arithmetic. iShe also professes her readiness to teach young ladies the art of embroidery and needle work. Instruction was given to children in the rudiments of the English language. The school was open every day in the week, excepting Saturdays and Sundays, from nine to twelve in the morning, and from two to five in the afternoon. In her advertisement, which is dated October 10th, 1820, IMadame De Jerome states that if parents or guardians, disposed to favor her school, should doubt her ability to teach the branches named, she is willing to submit to an examination as to her qualifications. This was doubtless the first scho d of the kind in Edwardsville. Ordinary subscription schools, in which the common English branches were taught, had previously existed.

One of the early teachers wa^ Joshua Atwater, who taught a couj)le of years previous to 1820, when he relinquished the avocation of a teacher and opened a store. Don Alonzo Spaolding. during six months of the year 1S19, taught school in E Iwardsville. The first schools were mostly " loud schools,'' in which all the pupils studied their lessons aloud, so that they ould be heard at some distance away. The earliest schools were all taught by men. - Wheu the directors were urged to employ a young woman, who had come from the E.ist, the reply was that a lady would never succeed in niinaging the boys. The experiment was tried, however, and it was found that the young lady. Miss Hastings, had no trouble in controlling the boys, and maintained an excellent school.

In 1829 John York Sawyer taught school in a frame building, which still stands on Main street, on a lot adjoining the jail property. This building then faced another direction, and stood further back from the street, on the brow of the hill. Sawyer taught till he became the editor of the Speditor. He was succeeded liy Thomas Atwater, a brother to Joshua, and by au Englishman by the name of Scandrit, whose speech was strongly marked by a British accentuation. Mrs. Stearns subsequently kept a school iu the house which afterward became the residence of Matthew Gillespie, and in which Dr. Fifgenbaum now lives. Some of the older children used to attend, between 1830 and 1S40, a school taught by John Barber, three miles south of the town. Barber was a man of superior education and an excellent teacher.

The E Iwanlsville Female Academy was established in May, 1831, through the eiiorts of James Mason, William P. Mclvee, Dr. B. F. Edwards, John Adams and other leading citizens. B. Y. Messenger was the secretary of the board of trustees. The tuition was from two dollars and fifty cents to three dollars and fifty cents per (juarter. The school was held in a frame building, erected for the purpose, on Third street. Miss Alden came from the East to take charge of the academy, but her connection with the school was severed by her marriage to the Rev. Mr. Jenney, a Presbyterian minister of Alton. The next principal was Miss Chapin, who became the wife of the Rev. Mr. Hale, a Presbyterian clergyman of Springfield She was succeeded by Miss Loomis, daughter of a Baptist minister. She married Cyrus Edwards The school had a good patronage but the rapid changes in the faculty, occasioned by the marriage of its principals, destroyed its usefulness. After the academy was discontinued, the building was used for a time for a p ibiic school, but was afterward removed to the corner of Thira and Purcell streets, and is now occupied by T. C. Clark as a grocery store.

A Presbyterian minister named Young, taught a parochial school for some years, which was attcndeil by children belonging to families connected with his congregation. Samuel AUard taught school several years in the old academy building He afterward became a teacher in Shurtlefl' College. In 1838, a man by the name of Gibson, who was said to be a minister, taught school. He drank whisky, ate o]>ium, and preached an occasional volunteer sermon. Among subsequent teachers were Messrs Dwight, Potter and Teriy.

Church

The earliest religious organization in Edwardsville was a Pre.ibyterian Church, which was formed on the seventeenth of March, l8l9, with fifteen members. There was preaching at occasional intervals ; but iu a few years the society became extinct. It was revived by the Presbytery of Alton about 1828. The Rev. James Ewing was pastor from 184.5 till his death in 1818. The congregation used the Baptist church during this time. In 1856 the Episcojjal church was lea>ed. The latter ye.ir the Rev. L. P. Bates became pastor. He died in 1859.