1882 History
Chapter 9 – City of Hillsboro
HILLSBORO — ITS RELIGIOUS HISTORY — THE METHODIST CHURCH — ORGANIZATION, MEMBERS AND PREACHERS — THE PRESBYTERIANS — THEIR CHILDREN — OTHER RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS — BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS — THE MASONS — ODD FELLOWS, ETC., ETC.
"God attributes to place
No sanctity, if none be thither brought
By men who there frequent.” — Milton.
By W. H. Perrin
THE Rev. N. S. Dickey, in his address upon the semi-centennial of the Presbyterian Church of Hillsboro, said: "The good seed carried by emigrants is usually sufficient to begin the work of raising society to a higher level of civilization, and their transforming power counteracts those demoralizing influences which tend to social degeneration and disruption. These Christian influences are active in their conflicts with evil and attractive in social power; and they usually act as a nucleus around which will gather those influences necessary to carry society onward to a state of comparative perfection. We may see by comparison with the past how much has been done in this respect. The progress and triumph of Christian truth, the superstructure on which every society which approximates perfection must rest, is also made apparent. It is thus seen that no other power but Christian truth can vitalize, expand, harmonize, direct and control the forces which underlie and build up the great fabric of society." This was true of the early settlers of Hillsboro and vicinity. It is much to their credit that they were mostly a Christian people, and laid the foundation of religious organizations in an early period of their occupation of the country. The Methodist circuit-riders, the forerunners of Christianity, as John was of the Master, were the first heralds of the Cross in the wilderness of Illinois. They traveled over the country on horseback, gathering the scattered settlers together, preaching the Gospel to them, and forming them into religious societies. As early as 1820, they made their regular visits to the neighborhood and preached in private houses. Jesse Walker, Peter Cartwright, Samuel Thompson, Charles Holliday, Joshua Barnes and Thomas Randall, pioneer Methodist preachers, were in the county from 1820 to 1823, and preached frequently in the settlers' cabins, and later, Bishops Morris and Ames preached in the old log court house and schoolhouse in Hillsboro. Thus was the introduction of Christianity coeval with the settlement of the country by white people.
The Methodist Church. — The organization of the Methodist Church of Hillsboro dates back to about 1824-25. Says Mr. Rountree: "It worshiped mainly in one old log schoolhouse, while for more general annual worship a camp ground was established on land now owned, and perhaps then, by Wesley Seymour, near his house, but across the road in the brush." Among the regular ministers who preached at at Hillsboro, in that early day, were Revs. John Dew, John Benson, James Mitchell and his brother, John T. Mitchell. Rev. N. S. Bastian, now of the Christian Church, is said to have preached his first sermon on the Hillsboro Circuit. Among the early members of the church were Benjamin and Joseph Miller, Mr. Stout, John Prentice, Hiram Rountree, Samuel Bennett and others of the pioneers of the neighborhood. "Though much zeal was manifested, it was at a much later day before an effort was made to build a church edifice. A frame building was commenced and partially enclosed about 1834-35, on the lot now used as the Methodist parsonage. Being, however, unable to finish it for want of means, at the suggestion of John Tillson, who promised to largely assist them in completing it, they moved it to South Hillsboro, on ground known since as the Wyman lot, where it stood in an unfinished state for several years, being only used in summer when the weather was pleasant.
The great financial panic that swept over the country in 1837-38, so paralyzed the people that this building was never completed. About 1840, a combined effort was made to build a church, and all denominations united together, the result of which was the final completion of the old Methodist Church that stood upon the corner of the square, and which was completed during the administration of Rev. N. S. Bastian. It was informally dedicated by a revival of religion which increased the membership of the church to over one hundred. Following Mr. Bastian. Rev. John Van Cleve came — a man of the highest order of talents and piety, as well as of usefulness in the church. Mr. Rountree gives the following as the manner in which these early preachers were paid for their services as pastor: "It was often amusing to cast up accounts and see how they were paid. For instance, few could pay money — nearly all paid in truck or traffic. One would send, say, twenty-five bushels of corn, at 12-1/2 cents a bushel; another, ten bushels of wheat, at 37-1/2 cents a bushel; another, fifty pounds of side bacon, at 3 cents a pound, or hams at 4 cents; while whole hogs of fresh pork would be at the rate of 1-1/2 to 2 cents a pound. Again, one would furnish clothing, say, jeans, at 50 cents per yard, or linsey, at 25 cents, besides articles, such as gloves, socks, etc., at similar low prices. It was a mystery then, and is still a mystery, how they lived; but they did live, and that, too, when it was fashionable to have large families, and to educate them at their own expense. They did live, and generally within their income, if their pay could be called income." The problem of how they lived may be solved in the simple statement that the good old-fashioned Gospel of that day was not so expensive an article as that served out to us at the present time, by the Beechers, Talmages and other silk-stockinged divines of the country, who proclaim the word from marbled desks to audiences arrayed in silks and broadcloths, who doze away the time in softly-cushioned pews, laid with Brussels carpets."
Rev. John Van Cleve was followed by Rev. Robert Blackwell, and he by Rev. Samuel Elliott, who, the next year, was succeeded by the Rev. D. J. Snow. The Methodists differ from most other denominations, in that they change their ministers every two or three years. Rev. Mr. Elliott is represented as a preacher who won great popularity while pastor of the church at Hillsboro, and was almost unanimously petitioned for again, but from some cause the Conference saw fit not to grant the petition, and sent him elsewhere, which somewhat excited the indignation of the Hillsboro Church, and Rev. Snow found grim visages and sour faces confronting him upon his "first appearance." He seemed to comprehend the situation at once, or had had an inkling of how matters stood, and took for his text, upon the occasion of preaching his first sermon, the following words from Matthew, xi, 3: "Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?" The announcement of his text is said to have brought to the countenances of many of his hearers feeble smiles, and the manner in which he handled it, and the application he made, restored all to good humor, and he finally became a popular and beloved pastor. He was succeeded the next year by Rev. S. Shinn, and he by Rev. T. W. Jones. Next came Rev. Preston Wood; he was followed by Rev. James Crane, and he by Rev. William Pallet, who died in 1873. Rev. B. C. Wood was the next pastor, succeeded by Rev. D. Bardrick, who remained two years; he was followed by Rev. Green McElfresh, he by Rev. B. Hungerford, and he by Rev. McCaskell, who did not stay, and the place was filled by Rev. W. C. Lacy, followed the next year by Rev. A. C. Vanderwater. Rev. S. S. Meginniss came next, remaining two years, and under his administration the present church was built, and the old one on the corner sold.
Of this building, which was erected in 1863, Mr. Rountree says: "Though money enough was subscribed to nearly pay for its erection, still a debt was created, that with the debt on the parsonage, remained an incubus over the church for ten years, and was paid up in full this year (1873) leaving the church free from debt, with a building worth some $15,000 and a parsonage worth about $3,000, and some one hundred and fifty members with sufficient ability to support a first-class preacher." Since the above was written by Mr. Rountree (in 1873), the church under the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Hoffman, experienced quite a revival and increase of membership. He remained with the church for three years. The present pastor is Rev. Thomas I. Coultiss, a preacher of great ability, a pleasing speaker, and a natural orator. He is now (1882) serving his first year with the church, and his accomplishments as a pastor should endear him to his congregation.
The Methodist Church of Hillsboro, almost from its original organization has maintained a Sunday school. At present it is large and flourishing under the superintendence of Mr. Burns.
The Presbyterian Church. — Prom a sermon delivered March 10, 1878, upon its semi-centennial anniversary, by Rev. N. S. Dickey, at the time pastor, we compile the following sketch of the Presbyterian Church of Hillsboro: Hillsboro, March 10, 1828. — Rev. John M. Ellis met several people of Hillsboro and vicinity, at the house of John Tillson, Jr., and formed a church, to be known by the name of the "Presbyterian Church of Hillsboro." John Tillson, Jr., was received on certificate, and Mrs. Margaret Seward on examination; John Tillson, Jr., was ordained as Ruling Elder. It thus appears that this church began with two members, one of whom was made Ruling Elder. From the organization, March 10, 1828, to September 28, 1828, Rev. Solomon Hardy occasionally moderated the session and supplied the pulpit, or rather preached in the schoolhouse and the court house, for there was no house of worship nor pulpit in Hillsboro. Four persons were added to the church under these labors, two on examination and two by letter, making a total of six. For more than a year after this there is no record, and report says the church only had occasional preaching from passing clergymen. From April, 1830, to October, 1841, a period of seven years and six months, Rev. Thomas A. Spillman was the stated supply of the church. The first recorded report of the church was made to the Presbytery of Central Illinois, April 2, 1830, a little more than two years after its organization, and was as follows: “Total in communion, per last report, six; added on certificate, one; total now in communion, seven. Funds for Commissioner to General Assembly, $1." In October of the same year, another report was made to the same Presbytery, when the communicants had doubled. October 11, 1830, the records of the church were first presented to the Presbytery, and with slight exceptions were approved. The approval was signed by Rev. Benjamin F. Spillman, Moderator of the Presbytery.
The next report, April 1, 1831, was made to the Presbytery of Sangamon, holding its session at Springfield, when the membership had again doubled, being twenty-eight; $3 was given to the Commissioner's fund. In 1832, the membership was fifty-three, and $3 was contributed for Assembly's fund. According to the report made April, 1837, the membership was sixty-four, $3 was given to the Commissioner's fund, and $41 to education. These $41 are the first given by the church to any benevolent cause, and shows that the fathers were wise in providing for future pupils of the church.
During the ministry of Mr. Spilman, 138 persons were received to the membership, forty on examination, and ninety-nine by certificate; thirty-three died, and sixteen were dismissed. The church under this ministry contributed $215 to missions, $60 for education and $39 for Commissioner's fund. No report of contributions for the last two years of Mr. Spilman's ministry is recorded, though no doubt collections were taken as usual. What was paid for salary and congregational expenses is not recorded. The average yearly additions to the church under his labors were fourteen. Mr. Spilman was a faithful pastor, and did much toward laying a good foundation for building up a successful church. Under his ministry the Sabbath school was a union one, and usually all denominations worshiped with his congregation. The first house of worship was built during this time. Rev. T. E. Spilman, of Butler, and Rev. J. H. Spilman, of Bethel, honored and useful ministers of Jesus Christ, are his sons. During the fall of 1841, and the winter of 1842, Rev. James Stafford, pastor of the Greenville church, is recorded as having moderated the session several times, when twenty-three persons were received into the church. Mr. Stafford supplied the pulpit for a few Sabbaths and held a protracted meeting during this time, when the Spirit was poured out upon the people.
Rev. Archibald C. Allen received a unanimous call to the pastorate of the church, March 24, 1842, at a salary of $500. He was installed pastor by the Kaskaskia Presbytery, June 11, 1842. Rev. James Stafford presided, put the constitutional questions, and delivered the charges to pastor and people. Rev. Thomas A. Spilman preached the installation sermon. During Mr. Allen's ministry of two years, fifty persons were added to the church, forty-two on examination and eight by letter; fifteen were dismissed and six died. In these years the church gave for benevolent work, $56 — $28 per year. The average yearly increase during this pastorate was twenty-five. The church was vacant from May, 1844, until March, 1846. During this time Rev. C. C. Riggs supplied the pulpit a Sabbath or two, and was invited to become pastor. The records for this period, nearly two years, are meager. John Tillson and wife, and five other persons, were dismissed. John Paisley and Margaret W. Paden died, and Benjamin S. McCord was received into the church on profession of his faith in Christ. Rev. Alexander Ewing moderating the session. February, 21, 1846, Rev. T. W. Hynes, for some time a Professor in Hanover College. Indiana, was unanimously chosen to supply the pulpit, at a salary of $400. He accepted and entered upon his work in the spring of 1846. The report to Presbytery from April, 1845, to March, 1846, gives the total in communion as one hundred and one, five having died and nine having been dismissed. Mr. Hynes' name appears upon the records as Moderator of sessions up to August 3, 1851, a period of about five and a half years. During his pastorate, forty-one persons were received into the church, and sixteen were dismissed. Robert Paisley, Henry Tibbets, William Brown, Joseph T. Eccles, Thomas Sturtevant, were elected and installed Ruling Elders. From September, 1851, to August, 1853, the church seems to have been without a pastor. September 24, 1851, the session was moderated by Rev. J. Smith, D. D., and six persons were received on examination to the fellowship of the church. June 21, 1852, Rev. Mr. Hamilton presided over the session, and two names were enrolled, one by letter and one on examination.
On the 12th of August, 1853, Rev. R. M. Roberts was called to the pastorate of the church, at a salary of $400. He accepted the call, and continued to sustain this relation until it was dissolved at his request, and the church declared vacant, October 30, 1859. Mr. Roberts served the church a little more than six years. During his ministry, one hundred and sixteen persons were received, an average of nineteen per year. Resolutions highly complimentary to Mr. Roberts, and indorsing him as a Christian gentleman, and commending the fidelity of his labors, were passed by the congregation at the time of his withdrawal. November 12, 1859, twenty-one persons were dismissed to form the Hillsboro Congregational Church. Rev. William L. Mitchell acting as Moderator of the session.
On the 20th of December, 1859, Rev. William L. Mitchell was called as pastor of the church, at a salary of $500, and on December 23, 1859, was ordained and installed by the Presbytery of Hillsboro. He continued this relation with acceptance and success, until his lamented death, February 23, 1864 — a period of a little more than five years. During this time seventy-one names were added to the roll, forty-six on examination, and twenty-five by letter — an average of fourteen per year; twenty-nine were dismissed. Mr. Mitchel's remains are buried in the city cemetery. After Mr. Mitchell's death, Rev. Julius A. Spencer, of St. Louis, supplied the pulpit for several weeks. March 1, 1865, Rev. J. R. Brown was invited to supply the pulpit. He at once entered upon his labors and continued to serve the church until March 22, 1870, a period of five years. Fifty persons were added to the church during his pastorate, on examination, and sixty-five by letter — a total of one hundred and fifteen — an average of twenty-three per year; twenty-nine persons were dismissed.
From the close of Mr. Brown's labors until the beginning of the next year, about nine months, the church was vacant. August 24, 1870, Rev. J. H. Spilman acted as Moderator of the session, and Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Davidson were received into the church by letter, and three were dismissed.
Rev. S. A. Whitcomb seems to have commenced his labors about the beginning of the vear 1871. He served the church two years, at a salary of $1,000 per year, and free use of the parsonage. Rev. W. W. Williams was, by a unanimous vote of the congregation, April 27, 1873, invited to supply the church for one year, at a salary of $1,000, to be paid quarterly in advance, and also the free use of the parsonage. Mr. Williams worked with energy and acceptance for nearly nine months, directing his efforts to the completion of the audience room of the house of worship. The first services help therein, still in an incompleted state, was the funeral of the pastor. Resolutions of commendation were passed by the congregation, in reference to Mr. Williams, after his death. After this, the church was vacant for several mouths. In September, 1874, Rev. Charles Fueller was invited to supply the pulpit at a salary of $1,000, and use of the parsonage. He served the church for three years, during which time fifty-nine persons were added. Mr. Fueller labored earnestly to lift the debt off the house of worship. Under his lead furnaces, at a cost of $346, and cushions, at about the same cost, were placed in the church, besides what was done to lift the encumbrance from the building. He ceased to serve the church October 1, 1877, and January 1, following, Rev. N. S. Dickey, entered upon his work as stated supply. At the present writing (1882) the pastor is Rev. S. C. Dickey, a son of the above, and a young man of rare promise.
During the half century just closed, ten ministers have acted as stated supply or pastor. Seven others are recorded as having acted as Moderator, once or oftener, of the session, including those who organized the church. The whole number of members received since the organization is 669 — 321 on examination, and 348 by letter. This is an average of about fourteen per year, nearly equally divided by letter and on examination.
At a meeting of the congregation, held August 7, 1859, it was resolved to build a new and larger house of worship, taking down the old one and working the material into the new — provided sufficient funds could be raised. Rev. R. M. Roberts was appointed to canvass the congregation and take subscriptions and report at another meeting. Success did not crown this effort, and the old church was used until 1860, when it gave place to the present edifice, the basement being used in the fall of that year. During construction the congregation worshiped in the Unitarian Church, and in Clotfelter's Hall. According to the report of the building committee, made by Judge J. T. Eccles, the cost of the edifice and furnaces was $13,758.31; of this sum the ladies paid $663.43. Furnaces were put in the first year of Mr. Fueller's pastorate, at a cost of $346. Cushioning the seats cost nearly $400 more, so that the whole cost of the house in its present state was about $14,500. For some years a debt rested upon the house of worship. April 25, 1875, Judge Eccles donated $2,602.18, principal and interest due him for money paid upon the building. This noble example stimulated others; Mr. James Paden donated several hundred dollars due him, and under the lead of the pastor, Mr. Fueller, the whole debt was paid except a few hundred dollars, for which the parsonage is held. A united effort and this no doubt could be very easily paid.
October 15, 1857, during the Rev. R. M. Robert's pastorate, at a meeting over which Joseph T. Eccles presided, William Brown, William Witherspoon, D. S. and A. L. Clotfelter, and L. H. Thorn were appointed a committee to make estimates of the cost of a parsonage. A lot was bought for $300, and the present house was built at a cost of about $1,200.
The Sabbath school has not been neglected. A number of years before the organization of the church, a school was maintained by the Tillson family, in their residence. In the early years of the church, all denominations represented in the town patronized the school, and, though it was under the supervision of the session, it was carried on as a union school. In later years, the other denominations drew off and established their own schools. According to rules adopted by the church, the Superintendent and Vice Superintendent are to be chosen at a congregational meeting appointed for the purpose, the election to be by ballot, all the members of the church, in good standing, having a right to vote. The Superintendent thus chosen, with the advice and consent of the session, is to appoint the teachers; "keeping always in view Christian character, and aptness to teach." The records of the school, until recently, have not been preserved. The interest, for a few months past, has been growing, but many of the officers, and many of the church members, do not attend the school, nor show that interest in it essential to its growth and highest growth and usefulness. Every member of the church, young or old, should, if practicable, be connected with the Sabbath school, as teacher or learner. That church which does not take care of the spiritual interests of the rising race must, in time, fail of success.
In addition to the church Sabbath school, several interesting neighborhood schools, under the supervision of some of our people, have been and are maintained in the country, a few miles from the city.
The Congregational Church. — This church is an offshoot of the Presbyterian Church of Hillsboro, and, as we have seen, was organized by a number of persons, who were dismissed for that purpose. In the fall of 1859, they organized themselves into the Congregational Church of Hillsboro, or became the nucleus of the organization. From Dr. Washburn, who communicated to us the principal facts connected with the history of this church, we learn that there was a large Eastern element here at that time who had not identified themselves with any church, and these, with the twenty-one persons from the Presbyterian Church, formed a membership of about forty. The auspices seemed favorable for building up a large church, and up to the civil war everything in connection with it seemed prosperous. At the call for volunteers, a large proportion of its membership and congregation enlisted. Some never returned from the war; some of the members moved away, and others died. In the meantime, the Old and New School Presbyterians united, a fact familiar to all readers of their history.
At the close of the war, in 1865, the present brick church was built, at a cost of over $7,000. Services were continued and good congregations were kept up for several years. A comfortable parsonage was built in 1878, and the society was free of debt. However, removals, and the death of some of its best members, gradually reduced its strength and its financial ability, and since the beginning of the present year (1882) no services have been held. Its future usefulness and prosperity, at this time, seems somewhat in doubt. "The rapid growth of the town might infuse new life and continue its existence, but at present it would seem as well that they should become associated with the other Protestant churches of the place, rather than drag out a feeble existence." Though no preaching is had now at the church, a Sunday school is maintained.
Lutheran Church. — The early history of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hillsboro is somewhat obscure, and the best efforts to obtain the first written records of the society have proved of no avail. They have disappeared from the archives of the church, when or how, no one seems to know, and hence we are obliged to glean its early history from other and, perhaps, less reliable sources. Mr. Springer furnishes us the following of this church:
The Lutheran denomination was particularly strong in North Carolina, whence had come many of the prominent families of Hillsboro and vicinity. It was one of their first acts to provide themselves a church and a pastor in order to continue in the forms of worship familiar and dear to them. The Rev. David Scherer was the father of the Lutheran Church at Hillsboro, and organized it about the spring of 1833. The society worshiped for the first two years in the old log court house, and then commenced the erection of a comfortable frame church building on the sight of the present edifice. “Father Scherer," as he was called, and is now referred to, served the church for six or seven years, and was followed by the Rev. A. A. Trimper, and he, in 1847, by Rev. Francis Springer; he by Rev. J. J. Lovengood, in 1852; he by Rev. George A. Bowen; he by Rev. J. M. Cromer, and he by Rev. C. A. Gelwick, the present pastor.
The congregation, at a meeting held in Februarv, 1856, resolved to build a new house of worship, and $1,700 were at once subscribed. Work was commenced, and the result was the present building, which was finally completed. It is a brick structure, with basement, and auditorium above, and is handsomely finished and furnished within. Among the officers of the church, as Elders and Deacons, in its earlier days, were Jacob W. Scherer, Alfred Miller, Henry Meisenheimer, Caleb T. Sifford, John Ritchie, Simeon Scherer, E. B. Hubbell, Henry Walter, Richard McFarland, Jacob Cress, Sr., Jacob Cress, Jr., and Edmund Miller, about half of whom are yet residents of the county. The church has always been one of great influence for good in the community, having many liberal-hearted workers in its membership, and being favored in general with ministers of energy and high literary attainments. The church has long carried on and supported an interesting Sunday school.
The Unitarians were an early religious organization of Hillsboro. Their old church building is one of the relics of the past, and few of the rising generation, perhaps, know that such a church ever existed in the city. The old building, now occupied by Mr. Cress as an agricultural implement depot, south of the American House on the main street, was the temple of worship of the Unitarians thirty or forty years ago. But, as the old and prominent members died off, or moved away, the church diminished in numbers, and eventually became extinct. There has been no Unitarian service in the town, we believe, since the war, but the old church building still stands, a monument to their former zeal and influence.
The Cumberland Presbyterians organized a church in Hillsboro, prior to the late civil war. Rev. Mr. Logan, at the time editor of a religious paper at Alton, was chiefly instrumental in its organization, and was present at the time the church was constituted. A number of persons of the Cumberland Presbyterian faith united with the society here, and for several years the organization was kept up. Meetings were held in the old Unitarian Church building for a time, and arrangements were attempted for the erection of a building of their own, but the movement was unsuccessful. The membership increased but slowly, the effects of the war were experienced, and the "Ship of Zion" was finally abandoned. Some of the members united with the Cumberland Presbyterians at McDavid's Point, and at other places, while others cast in their lots with some of the churches in the city, mostly with the Presbyterian Church.
The Baptists have an organized society in Hillsboro, but have no church building. The society was organized a few years ago, and arrangements made for occasional preaching, its limited number of members not admitting of its paying a regular pastor. The organization is still kept up, and administered to now and then by visiting preachers.
The Catholics. — St. Agnes' Roman Catholic Church represents that denomination in Hillsboro. The first Catholic services in the city were held in private houses from about the year 1854 to 1859, by traveling rnissionaries, especially by Father T. Cusack, now of Shipman, Ill. From 1859 to 1870, the Catholics of Hillsboro were attended from Litchfield. It was not until the latter year that the building of a church in Hillsboro was encouraged, and for that purpose a subscription was commenced by Father L. Hiussen, now of Belleville, Ill. The church was placed under the patronage of St. Agnes, and has since been known as the "St. Agnes' Roman Catholic Church." It was built under the supervision and management of R. H. Stewart, of this city, costing, when completed, about $6,000, and to its construction both Catholics and non-Catholics contributed with equal liberality. The building is 40x60 feet in dimensions, and the membership at present is between fifty and sixty families. The regular pastors of the church have been, since its organization, Rev. Gr. Lohman, from 1871 to 1876, now of Aviston, Clinton County, Ill.; Rev. P. J. Virsink, from 1876 to 1882, now at St. Marie, Jasper County, Ill. Present pastor is Rev. J. Storp, and to him we are indebted for the above facts.
The colored people, of whom there are quite a number in Hillsboro, hold services every Sunday afternoon in the basement of the Lutheran Church. They have no regular pastor, and only enjoy occasional preaching by minister's from abroad.
Secret Orders. — In conclusion of the chapter on the church history of Hillsboro, it is not inappropriate to devote a brief space to those benevolent organizations, which, in their quiet way, exert as widespread influence almost as the church itself. The good accomplished by these institutions cannot be estimated. There is nothing more wonderful in Freemasonry, the most ancient of these honorable and charitable fraternities, than its perpetual youth. Human governments flourish and then disappear, leaving only desolation in the places where their glory used to shine. But the institution of Freemasonry, originating so long ago that the oldest history tells nothing of its beginning, has survived the decay of dynasties, and the revolutions of races, and kept pace with the marvelous march of civilization and Christianity. Freemasonry was established in Hillsboro at an early day by the formation of a lodge of the order, and has existed with more or less zeal ever since.
The first lodge organized here was known as Hillsboro Lodge, No. 33. A., F. & A. M„ and was formed under the authority of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, by which grand body its charter was issued, under date of October 9, 1840. Among the charter members were C. B. Blockberger, H. Kingsley, M. Kingsley and M. P. Nickerson. Of these, the first three (in the order named), constituted the first Master and Wardens. The lodge continued to work under the Grand Lodge of Missouri until the formation of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, when it was re-chartered and re-organized.
Mount Moriah Lodge, No. 51, A., F. & A. M., was chartered October 4, 1848, and was but a re-organization of the original Hillsboro Lodge, under the Grand Lodge of Illinois. Its charter members were Ira Millard, Ira Boone, Jeremiah Hart, John S. Hillis, J. H. Ralston, M. J. Blockberger, M. Turner, Jacob Lingafelter, and their charter was signed by William Lavely, Grand Master, and William Mitchell, Grand Secretary. The first officers were Ira Millard; Master; Ira Boone, Senior Warden, and Jeremiah Hart, Junior Warden. The lodge has a nourishing membership, and is at present officered as follows: M. W. Miller, Master; C. L. Bartlett, Senior Warden; J. B. Atterbury, Junior Warden; J. W. Edwards, Treasurer; Benjamin E. Johnson, Secretary; J. M. Smith, Senior Deacon; J. B. Dreyhur, Junior Deacon, and W. R. Truesdell, Tiler.
The lodge formerly met in the upper story of a building used by Gunning as a blacksmith shop. Afterward, in connection with the Odd Fellows, they built a hall on Main street, near the court house. Finally, they sold out and built their present hall. They own the third story of a large brick building on the Main street, and have it handsomely fitted up and furnished.
Montgomery Chapter, No. 63, Royal Arch Masons, was organized several years ago, by the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Illinois. For a time it worked zealously, then the members seemed to become lukewarm, meetings were less frequent, and finally ceased altogether. The charter has been surrendered to the Grand Chapter, and Montgomery Chapter is, for the time at least, extinct. "It is not dead, but sleepeth," and may revive again when the companions awake from their present Rip Van Winkle sleep.
Hermon Chapter, No. 46, of the Order of the Eastern Star, was chartered by the Supreme Grand Chapter of Adoptive Masonry of Illinois, January 18, 1871. The first officers were Isaac Shimer, a Master Mason, Worthy Patron; Sister Augusta D. Marshall, Worthy Matron, and Sister Eveline C. Harris, Associate Matron. For several years an active interest was taken by the ladies of Hillsboro in the Order of the Eastern Star, and at one time their chapter was one of the most flourishing in the State. But of late their zeal has flagged, and they have suffered it to become almost entirely dormant.
Montgomery Lodge, No. 40. I. O. O. F., was instituted in Hillsboro May 30, 1848, by William M. Parker, of Belleville, Grand Master. The following persons were initiated into the order on that occasion, viz.: David B. Jackson, A. S. Haskell, Hiram Brown, William K. Jackson, John Burnap, George Blackman, George J. Brooks, J. L. Whitmore, and John R. Paisley. The first officers were: Henry Richmond (now of Litchfield), Noble Grand; David B. Jackson, Vice Grand; William K. Jackson, Secretary, and John Burnap, Treasurer. They met regularly in the hall then owned and occupied by the Masonic lodge, being the second story of Gunning's blacksmith shop. In 1855, in connection with the Masons, they built the hall already referred to. This was completed and dedicated on the 13th day of June, 1856. Afterward they bought out the Masons, and in October, 1867, deemed it advisable to sell their hall and build a new one on the opposite side of the street. The corner-stone of this building was laid on the 23d of October of that year, and the building completed early in 1868, when the lodge moved into it, and still occupies it. The present officers are: Wilbur B. Ralston, Noble Grand; J. L. McHenry, Vice Grand; William K. Jackson, Secretary; C. L. Bartlett, Treasurer; William K. Jackson, District Deputy Grand Master.
The Encampment branch of the order was instituted by Charles Trumbull, of Alton, January 16, 1857, and the following officers elected and installed, viz.: D. B. Jackson, Chief Priest; G. G. Withington, High Priest; William K. Jackson, Senior Warden; J. W. Cassaday, Scribe; A. S. Haskell. Treasurer, and A. H. Brown, Junior Warden. The membership of this body has never been large.
Hillsboro Lodge. No. 265, I. O. G. T., was organized February 11, 1881, with some thirty-odd members. The present officers are as follows: A. G. Taylor. W. C. T.; Mrs. Tirzah Depuy, W. V. T; Jacob Beck, P. W. C. T; James Lynch, W. S.; Mrs. Mary Johnson, W. F. S.; J. J. Miller. W. T.; C. W. Taylor. W. M.; Mrs. M. H. Johnson, W. D. M.; Libbie Horton, W. A. S.; Dudley Depuy, W. S.; Meda Hanna, R. H. S.; Lucy Robb, L. H. S.; Rev. S. C. Dickey. W. C. The lodge is small in numbers, but strong in faith, and inspired with the lofty aims of the cause in which they are engaged; the members, though few, work none the less zealously. That they have accomplished much, none can deny, but the field is still large for the exercise of their good work.
Extracted 24 Mar 2017 by Norma Hass from History of Bond and Montgomery Counties, Illinois, published in 1882, pages 232-241.
