Woodford County, Illinois - Chapter 8, 1910

Chapter 8

THE early pioneer, tho far removed from educational in stitutions, maintained a high intellectual standard. Within a few years after the coming of the first settlers', steps were taken for the education of the youth of that day. Schools sprang up here and there, sometimes in the home of some great hearted pioneer, at other times in a rude log building erected for a school house. These were conducted under trying conditions. The terms were short and the equipment was of the crudest character, yet in spite of disadvantages, the school, coupled with the rough pioneer life, developed the children of the pioneer into stalwart , trustworthy men and women

The first schools were supported by private contributions .or tuition. In some instances the teacher boarded from house to house as a part of his salary. The school houses were built of logs, with a hole cut in the side for light. In one end was a large fireplace, and the seats were near the wall. These consisted of boards sawn from the neighboring timber. Holes were bored in the bottom and pegs were driven in for legs. A board was fastened to the wall and served as a desk. There was little attention paid to the child's comfort. The individual seat with its highly polished desk, and the well lighted school building, heated by steam, were as yet undreamed of luxuries.

S6 History Of Woodford County

As the settlers became more numerous, more ample provisions were made for school work and in 1837 the first free school was conducted by Miss Love Morse in the vicinity now known as Cazenovia. From this humble beginning the public school system has developed until every child now has the opportunity of attending school at the public expense.

Walnut Grove became the center of an educational movement that has since its origin played an important part in the history of the intellectual development of Central Illinois. In 1847 Elder John T. Jones opened a school at the head of Conover avenue, but the work was cut short by an epidemic of measles.

In August, 1848, A. S. Fisher was employed to teach ten months. His salary was guaranteed by Elder Ben Major, E. B. Myers, Elijah Dickinson, Sr., and B. J. Radford, Sr. This school was located on a lot northeast of the cemetery in Walnut Grove. The course included some of the higher studies, and drew pupils from the entire neighborhood. The next year the building was enlarged, and Miss Sue Jones was employed to teach the primary work, while Prof. Fisher gave his attention to the higher branches. This was the beginning of Walnut Grove Seminary. In 1849 $2,500 was' raised for the erection of a building to be devoted to the work of the growing institution. It was located west of the old brick boarding hall and was a two-story brick structure. In December the school was incorporated as Walnut Grove Academy with John T. Jones, as president, and A. S. Fisher, as secretary. Elder Ben Major, who was so earnest in the support of the plans for the school, is honored as its founder. The first bepuest was made by Jonathan Tressler, a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Walnut Grove in 1838.

In 1855 a charter was granted Eureka College and in September of that year it opened with William M. Brown, president; A. S. Fisher, professor of Mathematics; John H.

Education And Religion

Neville, professor of language ; 0. A. Burgess, professor of 'science and philosophy ; and Richard A. Conover, teacher in the preparatory school.

In 1857 and '58 the first college building was erected on the present campus, which was deeded to the college by Elias B. Myers and Elder James Conover. In 1860 E. W. Dickinson was the first graduate. He has been identified with the interest of the institution and the city since that time. In 1869 the chapel was erected, west of the original building. In 1884 Abingdon College, which had been conducted by the Christian church for a number of years, was united with Eureka College. A modern structure was erected in 1890, known as the Burgess Memorial hall, half of the funds necessary for the construction of the building being contributed by Mrs. 0. A. Burgess.

Burgess Memorial Hall

Prominent among the names of men who have taught in the institution stand those of Dr. J. M. Allen, John Lindsey, II. W. Everest, B. J. Radford, Carl Johann and R. E. Ilieronymus. Among the most liberal friends have been, John Darst, who at one time mortgaged his farm to save the institution ; Thomas Bondurant, of Deland, who gave a large sum tu aid in securing a fund of $100,000 for the school: and Dr. N. B. Crawford, who gave $25,000 in a single gift. He is at present president of the hoard of trustees, while R. E. Ilieronymus has been president of the college, until recently, when his resignation was tendered.

The alumni of Eureka College number nearly 600 men and women, of whom seven have been called to be presidents of colleges, and normal schools. One has been a governor of a state, another of a territory, while still others have represented their districts in congress and in the state legislature. While numerous churches and schools have felt the uplifting influence of the institution thru ministers and teachers.

The Low Point Academy was an institution that promised good results in the field of education, but its usefulness was cut short by its destruction by fire in 1877. It was built by a company each of the members of which paid $100. Prof. J. E. Lamb, who served two terms as county superintendent of schools, was elected as principal and the attendance was very encouraging. The fire occurred shortly after its erection and, as there was no insurance on the structure, it was never rebuilt.

The high school is the product of the public school system, and has developed in this county during the past twenty-five years. In spite of its recent introduction it has met with gratifying success. More than 50 young people graduate annually from the high schools of the county. Four of the schools are on the accredited list of the University of Illinois; Eureka, Minonk, East and West Side ElPaso. Today there are eleven graded schools in the county, employ fifty-seven teachers. The total enrollment of pupils in the graded and rural schools of the county in 1908 was 4343, while the value of school property was estimated at $242,695. The expenditures for the support of the public school during that year were $115,672.79.

Recently the County Superintendent, F. H. Doeden, has instituted the rural commencement, at which those who have successfully passed the seventh and eighth grade examina- tions receive diplomas from the Superintendent. The commencement of 1909 was the third, yet. in that brief time it has become very popular. The class this year numbered fifteen.

In 1908 there was opened the first consolidated school in the county at Congerville. The children are transported in wagons and the principal of the school, Prof. J. C. Whetzel, reports a successful operation of the plan. This year Roanoke and Metamora have each enlarged their districts by taking in new territory.

The school library has come to be one of the most helpful features of the public school in the county. The Minonk school has the best equipped library among the town schools, it having been enlarged by donations in memory of Donald Stoddard and Mrs. Louisa M. Parkes. It is estimated that there are now 9,000 volumes in the public school libraries of the county, with a value approaching $6,000.

Hand in hand with the intellectual development of Woodford has gone its spiritual growth. The path broken by the pioneer in his search for new lands was quickly sought and followed by his spiritual adviser and friend.

The pioneer preacher was early on the ground to administer comfort to the discouraged and saddened and rebuke to the wayward. Long before the first church was erected services were held wherever circumstances would permit. Sometimes they were held in a school house, sometimes in a barn, or in some home thrown open to the people, and occasionally they were held in the grove. The preacher was a God fearing man, fearless in rebuking sinners and in warning them to flee from the wrath to come. Zadock Hall "Worth township. An old companion of Peter Cartwright, he came to this county in 1830 and settled in what was later had many of the characteristics of that fearless exponent of Methodism. His voice was raised thruout Central Illinois calling men to repentance and a new life. Pie was but one of the many who have been instruments in the hands of God for the accomplishment of his work in the county. John Oatman, William Davenport, James Robeson, J. D. Newell, Barton W. Stone, Jeter Foster, and W. T. Adams raised their voices and preached the gospel among the pioneers. There was a high moral standard established among the settlers, and they were not satisfied until churches were formed. The first church to organize in the county was the Christian church at Eureka. It has maintained its organi- zation since 1832, and is now one of the strongest Protestant organizations in the county. The denomination has become strong and now has ten churches within the borders of Woodford, with an estimated membership of 1,650.

The Methodist circuit rider was early on the field evangelizing, and but a few years elapsed before the organizing of the first church. The earliest churches of this denomination were at Metamora and on the Ten Mile. From this beginning the number has multiplied until there are

From the earliest days there has been preaching by Presbyterian ministers, but the first church of thai denomination was not established until 1853, when the Low Point church was founded. The year following a United Presbyterian church was opened. There are four congregations of the Presbyterian faith in the county with a membership of about 550. More than $8,000 is annually expended by these organizations in the support of the gospel.

The first Baptist church was organized at the home of James Vance in 1837 by Rev. J. D. Newell. Soon afterward the Richland Baptist church was formed. These have passed out of existence, but there are now in the county, five organizations with 500 members, and churches valued at $38,000. They expend about $5,000 in support of the work of their denomination.

The first Lutheran church was in Worth township. It wTas a small.log building but it served as a meeting place for a number of families. The organization long ago ceased to exist and has passed out of the memory of many of the older settlers. There are now two synods of the Lutheran church represented in the county. The Missouri synod has four organizations with a membership of 579, and with church property valued at about $15,000. The Iowa synod has one society with a membership of 1,000. The Catholic church is the strongest in the county both in point of membership and wealth. The first church built was that of the Immaculate Conception at Lourds. This was organized in 1838, and in 1840 their church was erected. This is said to have been the first church built in the northern part of the state, altho there were others organized at an earlier date. There are now seven societies in the county, with church property exceeding $100,000. in value. They minister to the needs of about 600 families.

Education And Religion, 93

organized their first church in the county in Roanoke township, under the leadership of J. R. and Geo. AY. Gish, in 1852. In 1857 they erected their church. This organization has since that time been the center of the work of this society in the county.

The Amish church has developed considerable strength among the Germans during the last few years. In 1875 they erected a church northeast of Eureka, and have services there regularly. There was an Amish church organized in Worth township at an early date. There are two other organizations of this denomination in the county.

The Apostolic Christian Church has a strong membership in the country surrounding Eureka and Roanoke. Their church, southwest of the latter town, was built in 1873, and will seat 700 people. The congregation also has churches at Eureka and Roanoke.

The Congregationalists at one time had a church in El Paso, but it ceased to exist years ago. The Episcopalians organized a church at Metamora at an early date, but now have the only church of their denomination in the county at ElPaso. The German Evangelicals at one time had a church in that city, but this has been abandoned and an English Evangelical was established. This was the forerunner of a number of prosperous little churches of that faith in the county.

Rev. D. M. Ficken has served his congregation as pastor longer than any other minister in the county. He was born in Germany in 1815 and came to America thirty-eight years ago, having first been highly educated in Erlangen,. Goetlingen and Leipzig Universities. After coming here he served churches at Fort Madison, Peoria, Waverly and other points. March 23, 1879, he came to his present charge, the Lutheran church in Linn township. He has resided there since that time. During that period he has baptized 1151 children, confirmed 495 young persons, married 224 couples, buried 310 persons and collected nearly $6,000 for charity purposes.

The first Sunday School was established in the county in 1837 in what was known as the Morse settlement, the services being held at the home of Parker Morse, who lived near Cazenovia. The institution has grown and has been one of the most effective departments of the church. There are 38 schools in the county with a membership of 3,475 pupils. The AYoodford County Sunday School Association has been an effective feature of the work. The association holds a county convention annually and also arranges for one in each township in the county. The officers are as follows : President, -James AYarner; vice-president, Amos Alarshall; secretary, Airs. AY. II. Foster; treasurer, George Shuman, department superintendents: temperance, L. J. Freese, primary work, Airs. AY. F. Duilman ; home work, Miss Alice Briggs; teachers' training, AY. II. Foster; men's classes, J. F. Shephard ; executive committee, 0. AI. Davison, L. J. Freese and AY. II. Smith.

Woodford county has the distinction of having the first county Y. W. C. A. in the world. The National Board which is at the head of the great work, is located at New York City, and every country in the world has associations affiliated with it. For the past three years the splendid women at the head of this work have been trying to solve the problem of "How to reach the girls and women in the small towns and rural districts." Finally some one conceived the plan of organizing a county the same as if it were a city. This work was started in AYoodford county in May, 1908, when Aliss Helen F. Barnes, National Secretary from New York, and Aliss Harriet A. Broad, state executive of Chicago, made a tour of the county to arouse enthusiasm for this work. The secretary came the first of October and the first county association was organized October 17th, 1908, and became a part of the National Association. There is a board of directors, with Airs. AI. A. Adams, of ElPaso, as president, and each town or community is a branch with its own committee. Branches were organized in Eureka, ElPaso, Alinonk, Roa- noke, Benson, Secor, Washburn. The membership is 250 and clubs and classes in Bible study, gymnasium, sewing, fancy work and drawing have interested the members. Socials, lectures, picnics, and various entertainments have been enjoyed. Sixteen Woodford county young women attended the summer conference at Lake Geneva.

The association is for the spiritual, social, physical and educational needs of women. The aim of the county organization is to give the girls of rural communities the advantages of the college and city. The following are statistics :