UNIVERSITY OF 
 ILLINOIS L^ 
 AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN 
 ILLfNOIS HISTORICAL 
 
Seventy- Fifth 
 
 Anniversary 
 History 
 
 of the 
 
 First Baptist Church 
 
 URBANA, ILLINOIS 
 
 Organized September 21, 1838 
 
 A day in golden letters to be set 
 Among the high tides of the calendar 
 
 Rev. Gideon M. Shott, D. D. 
 Pastor 
 
 Diamond Jubilee Week 
 
 September 21-28, 1913 
 
Complements of 
 
 The History Committee 
 
 L. A. McLean, Chairman. 
 Mrs. Melissa Carson. 
 Mrs. Margaret Walker. 
 Mrs. R. A. Webber. 
 , N. A. Riley. 
 Rev. G. M. Shott, SecretarjJ 
 
Seventy- Fifth 
 
 ANNIVERSARY HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH 
 
 URBANA, ILLINOIS 
 
 ORGANIZED SEPTEMBER 21, 1838 
 
 DIAMOND JUBILEE WEEK 
 
 SEPTEMBER 21-28, 1913 
 
 "A day in golden letters to be set 
 Among the high tides of the calendar." 
 
 Rev. Gideon M. Shott, D. D. 
 Pastor 
 
PREFACE 
 
 The Historical Committee was ap- 
 pointed to write the history of the 
 First Baptist Church of Urbana, for 
 the period of 75 years, from September 
 21st, 1838, to September 21st, 1913. 
 Our task would have been compara- 
 tively an easy one if the material had 
 been collected. On the other hand it 
 has been a difficult tas'k on account of 
 the scattered condition of the meager 
 material at hand. Historians are not 
 supposed to be poets with cultivated 
 imaginations, and it has been very dif- 
 ficult to put in the proper filling to 
 make the book symmetrical. All has 
 been done that is reasonable, to gather 
 and arrange the material, and the re- 
 sult is hereby presented to those who 
 will appreciate the personality of the 
 people of whom your committee writes 
 so inadequately. The Committee has 
 sought by every ordinary means to 
 avoid mistakes, and will regret the ap- 
 pearance in these pages of anything 
 that is not correct, or does not reflect 
 full credit upon the people, or the 
 work of the past. For this reason we 
 have given you as many pictures as we 
 could, that their dear faces might 
 speak the message we cannot fully ut- 
 ter. 
 
 "He being dead, yet speaketh." 
 
 Historical Committee. 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 We have an idea that Baptists would 
 do well to look a little more carefully 
 to their history. Details of great im- 
 portance are lost to the future because 
 at the time they are not thought to 
 be of importance, or the actors are 
 too modest, or too indifferent to give 
 them permanence. Finding that the 
 oldest, and most important book of 
 records in our church has been lost, 
 and most of those who knew anything 
 of the early days fast passing away, it 
 seemed best that all the materials that 
 were available, had better be put in 
 some permanent form. Details that in 
 themselves may not seem important 
 to us just now may be of vast import- 
 ance later on. It may be when the 
 history of One Hundred years is 
 written, that the task of this writing 
 will show the wisdom of the under- 
 taking. It is also very important that 
 the church should look backward 
 c ^nietimes to see the stages through 
 which God has led it. The opening 
 chapter takes us back more than one 
 hundred years. The next three chap- 
 ', ters cover a period of nearly a quarter 
 - of a century each. The rest of the 
 . <fl book is arranged as nearly in natural 
 ~r order as possible. Pictures have been 
 freely used because we had so many, 
 and some others were easily obtain- 
 able. It has been impossible to give 
 
 pictures of any more pastors, or con- 
 stituent members. 
 
 The book is not printed to make 
 any more money than the cost of 
 printing, and advertising, and other 
 necessary expense, which has been re- 
 duced to a minimum by the pastor 
 giving his time to arrange the pages, 
 and adjust the cuts, etc. The Histor- 
 ical Committee has done all its work 
 as a service of love and hence saved 
 much expense. Most of the parties 
 for whom new cuts were made, paid 
 for them themselves, thus saving ex- 
 tra expense. If the book appeals to 
 you it would be a happy thing if you 
 would mention it favorably to others 
 who will buy, and thus save the Com- 
 mittee any personal debt. No church 
 debt is to be incurred by this history 
 and it need not interfere with any de- 
 partment of giving. In the hope that 
 it may serve the purposes for which 
 it was intended, and lead many to 
 think more of their church, and be 
 willing to do more for it, this book is 
 introduced to its readers. 
 
 L. A. McLean, Chairman. 
 Rev. G. M. Shott, Secretary. 
 Mrs. Melissa Carson. 
 Mrs. Margaret Walker. 
 Mrs. R. A. Webber. 
 N. A. Riley. 
 
L. A. M'LEANMEMORIAL. 
 
 "THUS IT BECOMETH US TO FULFILL ALL RIGHTEOUSNESS." 
 
 "Therefore, we are buried with him by baptism into death: That like as 
 Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also 
 should walk in newness of life." 
 
 "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us, (not 
 the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience 
 toward God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ," 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 ABORIGINAL HISTORY 
 
 "Look now abroad! Another race has filled 
 
 Those populous borders wide the wood recedes, 
 
 And towns shoot up. and fertile realms are tilled; 
 The land is full of harvest and green meads." 
 
 Twenty-two years before Illinois 
 became a state, and was admitted into 
 the Union, Elder David Badgley or- 
 ganized a Baptist Church at New De- 
 sign Monroe County, on the 29th day 
 of February, 1796, with 28 members. 
 This was the first evangelical church 
 organized in Illinois territory. 
 
 Greed for gold, led the Spanish to 
 discover, and religious enthusiasm led 
 the French to settle the Mississippi 
 valley. George Rogers Clark went to 
 Virginia, and presented plans for the 
 occupancy of Illinois by Americans, 
 to Patrick Henry, Governor of the 
 state. Illinois was then under the 
 jurisdiction of Virginia. Clark receiv- 
 ed his instructions in January, 1778, 
 and in February set out for Pittsburgh. 
 He gathered four companies of men, 
 and captured Kaskaskia without shed- 
 ding a drop of blood. This signal vic- 
 tory owed its bloodless triumph to the 
 fact that the people of Illinois County 
 had a wholesome dread of the Virgin- 
 ians, whom they called "long knives." 
 
 October, 1778, the Virginia assembly 
 called this territory the County of Illi- 
 nois. Since that date five large states 
 have been formed out of this county. 
 For some time the contentions of Brit- 
 
 ish, French, and Virginians made the 
 administration of government very 
 difficult. The seat of government was 
 at Marietta, Ohio. In 1800 the Terri- 
 tory of Indiana of which Illinois was a 
 part, was formed with the seat of gov- 
 ernment at Vincennes. In 1809 the 
 Territory of Illinois was constituted 
 with the seat of government at Kas- 
 kasia. In 1818 Illinois was received as 
 a sovereign state into the union. It 
 was stipulated that Vandalia was to be 
 the Capitol for 20 years, after which 
 Springfield was phosen as Capitol. 
 The aboriginees of this land rapidly 
 perished before the march of civiliza- 
 tion. 
 
 There are evident signs that one, if 
 not two or more peoples, lived, and 
 loved, and died on this rich soil before 
 the Indians, whom it is customary to 
 regard as first. And yet these remote 
 peoples lived such a simple life that 
 no art works, or implements, are left 
 to us except the most primitive sort, 
 to tell of their degree of advancement 
 in the scale of civilization. They 
 used only stone implements, which in 
 the manufacture, required infinite pa- 
 tience, These early occupants of the 
 soil despised labor, and imposed it as 
 
a degradation upon their women. In- 
 dian corn and tobacco are all of their 
 contributions to the world progress. 
 The Pottawotamies and Kickapoos 
 roamed these great prairies and many 
 of their representatives were still 
 scattered through this county at the 
 time of the beginning of churches and 
 schools. A$ late as 1832 Indian corn 
 mills could be found among the hazel 
 brush around the court house square. 
 "Old Soldier" Shemanger, a Pottawot- 
 tamie chief, claimed this location as 
 his birthplace, and said he loved the 
 spot, and hated to leave it. Amos 
 Johnson, who remembered encamp- 
 ments of Red Men in 1830, says, "The 
 braves amused themselves by cutting 
 mortices with their tomahawks 
 through two trees that stood near 
 each other, into which they inserted 
 the ends of poles laid horizontally, 
 one above the other at convenient 
 distances, making a large living lad- 
 der of great height. Up this ladder 
 the Indians would climb when the 
 weather was warm and sultry to catch 
 the higher breezes, and escape the 
 annoyances of the mosquitos. He has 
 seen them comfortably reclining and 
 asleep in the tops of the trees while 
 their squaws were engaged below in 
 domestic duties." 
 
 "In the winter of 1852 or 1853 a 
 company of braves came from the 
 West through Urbana on their way to 
 visit the President in Washington. 
 While stopping here one of their num- 
 ber sickened and died, and was buried 
 in the old cemetery of Urbana. His 
 companions greatly mourned him and 
 placed at the head of the grave a 
 board with divers cabalistic signs, 
 and also a pole which for several 
 years supported a flag, and other orn- 
 aments. After committing his body to 
 the grave his comrades blazed a road 
 with their tomahawks, from the grave 
 to the "Bone Yard" branch, to guide 
 the dead man's thirsty spirit to the 
 
 water." 
 
 "And we have built our homes upon 
 
 Fields where their generations sleep." 
 
 The honor of being the first white 
 settler belongs to Runnel Fielder, who 
 "squatted" on what was afterwards 
 known as the Roe farm. He built the 
 first mill for the grinding of grain 
 about 1828. 
 
 The first minister to hold religious 
 services in the county was Rev. John 
 Dunham of the United Brethren 
 Church. Next to him was Rev. 
 Mahurim, a 'Baptist, and next to him 
 Alexander Holbrook, a Methodist ex- 
 horter who sometimes rode a steer to 
 his appointments. Among the eccen- 
 tric ministers of that time was Rev. 
 Samuel Mapes, who rode on a steer 
 which was usually ornamented with a 
 bell. He rode barefoot and carried a 
 gun." Next to these adventurous pio- 
 neers came a class with the love of 
 home, and school, and church, and as 
 one has said, "the wilderness, and 
 solitary place was glad for them, and 
 the desert rejoiced, and blossomed as 
 the rose." They fought against the 
 melancholy ravages of malaria, the 
 pestiferous mosquito, the prairie fly, 
 and faced and fought the terrible but 
 sublime prairie fires. They ushered 
 in that hospitable period when every 
 "latchstring hung outside," when 
 every house was an inn, and every loaf 
 was baked to share. 
 We, have entered into their hard 
 earned possessions and will never be 
 able to repay a tithe of the gratitude 
 we owe to these sturdy pioneers who 
 fitted this country for the habitation 
 of vast multitudes of people. These 
 were the kind of people of which our 
 historic church was organized. Many 
 of their descendants are among us 
 till this day, and names familiar to 
 the traders and trappers at Runnel 
 Fielder's store are among our most 
 familiar names, while we plan our 
 seventy-fifth anniversary. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 ORIGINAL HISTORY 
 
 It is to be all made of sighs and tears; 
 
 :t is to be all made of faith, and service; 
 
 It is to be all made of fantasy 
 
 All made of passion, and all made of wishes: 
 
 All adoration, duty, and observance; 
 
 All humbleness, patience and impatience; 
 
 All purity, all trial, all observance." 
 
 The First Baptist Church of Ur- 
 hana, Champaign County, Illinois, 
 was organized under the preaching of 
 Elder Isaac Newell. The denomination 
 has been identified with Champaign 
 County ever since its organization. 
 
 The Rev. Mahurin, a Baptist 
 
 preacher, was the first minister to 
 proclaim the gospel in the county. He 
 enlisted in the Black Hawk war, and 
 went as chaplain of a regiment rais- 
 ed in this part of the state. 
 
 Father John G. Robertson, a Baptist 
 layman, entered land in section 10 in 
 Urbana township in 1830. He was a 
 zealous Christian worker, and no 
 doubt to him is due the credit of sow- 
 ing the seed which afterwards result- 
 ed in the present Baptist church. He 
 is said to have held the first religious 
 meetings ever held in Urbana after it 
 became a town. He removed near 
 Mahomet, where he raised a family 
 from which descended some of the 
 best people of that vicinity. In the 
 records of the old lost book of Minutes 
 which Brother L. A. McLean took 
 the precaution to copy many years 
 ago is the opening statement that 
 the church was organized in the Old 
 Court House in Urbana. In a copy of 
 the Champaign County Herald of Au- 
 gust 22nd, 1888, it stated that the 
 church was organized in the house, or 
 in the grove of Samuel Brumley, 
 about one mile and a half east of town. 
 Of this, however, we are assured that 
 the date is right and the names of 
 the constituents correct. 
 Rev. Isaac Newell was a missionary 
 sent out to Central Illinois by our 
 
 Am. Bap. H. M. So. 
 
 Elder Newell has a record for much 
 work as a missionary of the society. 
 It was while he was at Bloomington 
 that he came over, and worked in this 
 place. In 1832 there were but 131 
 miles of operative railroads in this 
 country. Travel was entirely by pri- 
 vate conveyance. 
 
 The Chrisman Church in this Asso- 
 ciation was organized in 1832, and In- 
 dianola in 1837. Urbana church was 
 organized by Elder Isaac Newell, the 
 third Sunday in September, 1838. In 
 1839 the County Commissioners order- 
 ed the County Clerk to convey to the 
 Baptist church of Urbana a town lot 
 to be seletced by the Trustees on the 
 condition that they erect a house of 
 worship on the same within twelve 
 months. The financial condition of 
 the church was such that the offer 
 was not complied with. Among the 
 converts of Elder Newell was Mrs. 
 Malinda Bryant, converted in 1934. 
 Four years later she united with the 
 Urbana church, and held her mem- 
 bership there for many years. She 
 was born in Shelby County, Kentucky, 
 in 1812, and came to this county with 
 her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Bu- 
 sey, in 1831. She was united in mar- 
 riage with John Bryant in 1833, about 
 the time of the organization of this 
 county, and was the first bride in the 
 county. She made five horseback 
 trips to Kentucky to visit the scenes 
 of her childhood. 
 
 The names of the original constitu- 
 ents of the church are thirteen in 
 number, as follows: 
 
Matilda Bixler 
 
 Samuel Brumley 
 
 Lia Brumley 
 
 John Brumley 
 
 Nancy Cook 
 
 David Cox 
 
 Phoebe Cox 
 
 Ivan Jones 
 
 Elizabeth Jones 
 
 Eda Porter 
 James T. Roe 
 
 Lillie Roe 
 Elizabeth Truman 
 
 and his wife purchased the farm of 
 Runnel Fielder and made the first im- 
 provements in the county. He is 
 prominently connected with the City 
 of Urbana, having made four addi- 
 tions to the town site. Mrs. Roe died 
 in November, 18CO, and Mr. Roe sur- 
 vived her until August 23, 18G6, when 
 
 Mrs. Matilda Bryant. 
 
 Deacon James T. Roe 
 We are fortunate in having a brief 
 notice of one of the constituent mem- 
 bers, Deacon James T. Roe, also a 
 cut. He was one of the first Deacons 
 elected in 1839. He and his wife were 
 constituent members. He was a good 
 organizer and did much to help in the 
 organization of the new church. He 
 was born in Oregon County, New 
 York, August 4th, 1793. He was unit- 
 ed in marriage June, 1831, to Lillis 
 Busey, daughter of Isaac Busey, one 
 of the pioneers of this county. He 
 
 James T. Roe 
 
 they were united above. Two sons 
 survive them, John B. Roe, who resides 
 in Kansas, and Isaac B., who resides 
 near this city. All these have long 
 since been called to their reward, and 
 history has not been left to give us 
 the knowledge of their trials, and 
 successes, when to be a Christian was 
 not so easy a task as some now think 
 it is. 
 
 Deacon Matthias Rinehart 
 
 Deacon Matthias Rhinehart. He 
 was the first Deacon of the church, 
 being elected in March, 1839. He 
 came from Chester Co., Pennsylvania, 
 to this county, in the fall of 1829, and 
 bought the farm once owned by A. M. 
 Fauley in Somers Township. He was 
 
highly respected by the community, 
 and those who survived him spoke 
 well of him to the end of their lives. 
 He was alike a good neighbor, citizen, 
 and church member. He ably filled 
 
 Matthias Rinehart 
 
 the office of Deacon for several years. 
 He died in this County about 1863 at a 
 good old age. 
 
 Matthias Rinehart. 
 
 The honor of making the first set- 
 tlement in Somers County is conceded 
 to Matthias Rinehart. He came from 
 Ohio in 1827. He married Elizabeth 
 March. Mr. Rinehart used to relate 
 many stories concerning "ye olden 
 times." He relates that the year 1831 
 was without a summer. Frost delayed 
 in the springtime, and returning pre- 
 maturely in Setpember, destroyed the 
 crops and a long season of suffering 
 followed. December, 183G, a deep snow 
 fell and was followed by a heavy rain, 
 which was succeeded by a severe 
 freeze, and many persons who were 
 not prepared for it froze to death. Two 
 men named Hildreth and Frame, were 
 
 out, and became confused and wander- 
 ed from their way. They killed their 
 horses, and Frame entered the body 
 of his horse for protection against the 
 cold, but it proved to be his grave, 
 where he was found frozen to death 
 by a searching party, and Hildreth lost 
 Lis toes and fingers from the excessive 
 cold he endured while wandering 
 around all night. Mr. Rinehart was 
 very successful in business, and spent 
 his closing days in plenty. When he 
 came to this neighborhood he was a 
 Dunkard, and there being no church 
 of his faith near by, he sought, and 
 gained admission into the Baptist 
 church, and was one of its earliest 
 members, and was elected Deacon on 
 the same night with Deacon J. T. Roe. 
 March, 1839,. Deacon Rinehart died 
 in 18G3. 
 
 Up till 1850 services were held in 
 the homes of the members except on 
 regular preaching days, when the 
 school house across the road from 
 Mr. Samuel Brumley's house in Sol 
 Nox's wood pasture was used. This 
 school house is known in history as 
 the place where A. Bruer, the school 
 master, smoked the scholars out. 
 
 In 1850 the church was dismissed 
 from the McClain Association, and 
 joined the Bloomfield Association, 
 August 8, 1851. Urbana having be- 
 come a good sized town, and the 
 church having been strengthened by 
 a number of Baptists moving to the 
 
 Brumley's School House 
 
City, it was decided to build a suitable 
 house of worship. 
 
 In November, 1851, John White, Wil- 
 liam Gill, D. O. Brumley, Colonel Bu- 
 sey, and James S. Busey, were ap- 
 pointed as a Building Committee to 
 superintend the new church building 
 which was completed and paid for in 
 1856. At the same time James My- 
 ers, D. O. Brumley, and T. L. Truman, 
 were elected trustees of the church. 
 The ladies who have always contrib- 
 uted largely to the church, raised 
 money, and purchased a church bell, 
 which was the first bell in the coun- 
 ty, and was hauled here by teams from 
 the east. Many people who had never 
 heard a church bell ring, came many 
 miles to hear this one, which has 
 tolled the death knell of hundreds, 
 and called thousands to worship, and 
 pray during its half century and more 
 of continuous service. Was it not 
 sweet and musical still as it called us 
 to our 75th Anniversary on Septem- 
 ber 21st? On March 30, 1852, the 
 church asked the American Baptist 
 Home Mission Society to assist them 
 in the support of a pastor, to the ex- 
 tent of one hundred dollars per year, 
 which request was granted. May Cth, 
 1854, the church passed a resolution 
 thanking the society for their timely 
 aid, and declared themselves able to 
 support themselves. This is the only 
 instance on the church records where 
 outside aid was asked. In January, 
 1849, the church had grown to 43, and 
 May 1st, 1854, it was 72. July 1st, 
 185G, it was 95. August 15, 1857, it 
 was 77. August 20th, 1858, it was G9. 
 From 1848 to 1871 the church scarcely 
 ever missed a regular church meet- 
 ing, which was invariably preceded 
 by a sermon by the pastor. The 
 church looked after the welfare of 
 its members regularly, as a sample 
 resolution will show, that was passed 
 by the church in their June meeting, 
 1858, as follows: "Resolved, that any 
 
 members who absent themselves for 
 three successive regular meetings 
 shall be looked after by a Commit- 
 tee." This resolution has never been 
 repealed. The first deacons were 
 Matthias Rhinehart and James T. 
 Roe, elected March, 1839. On the 
 31st of August, 1851, J. P. Ireland was 
 elected deacon. On the 5th day of 
 April, 1856, James S. Busey and Wil- 
 liam Gill were elected deacons. June, 
 1858, E. S. Packard, J. N. Wilson, and 
 James Myers were elected to the same 
 office. 
 
 The pastors who served up to this 
 time were Elders Isaac Newell, Free- 
 man Smalley, Daniel J. Porter, Rual 
 Dotson, G. W. Dare, D. S. French, 
 
 Taylor, Ira H. Reese, G. M. 
 
 Carter, John A. Pool, G. W. Riley and 
 A. L. Farr. The brethren who had 
 served as church clerks were David 
 Cox, James Mjers, T. J. Newport, 
 Jeptha Truman, David Quick, and A. 
 J. Allan. 
 
 (For length of service, time of 
 election, for all the above, see table). 
 
 We are fortunate in having the 
 pictures of some of these old worthies, 
 and the biographies of some, for whom 
 we regret we have no pictures. 
 Rev. D. S. French, D.D. 
 
 Rev. David S. French was one of 
 the early pioneer preachers, and serv- 
 ed the Urbana church as Pastor, from 
 August to December Gth, 1851. He 
 was a sound and positive preacher, 
 and very successful in his ministry. 
 He preached the gospel in this asso- 
 ciation, and in Indiana, for nearly 
 forty years. From a memorandum 
 made not long before his death we 
 learn (that ihe had baptised about 
 1,500 persons. He graduated from 
 Granville College in 1840. He contin- 
 ued preaching till his health failed 
 him, and then went to Brookston, In- 
 diana, and in company with his son, 
 Chester C., ably conducted a news- 
 paper, which was edited by his son 
 
Rev. D. S. French 
 
 for many years after the father's 
 death. In 1877, the degree of Doctor 
 of Divinity was conferred upon him, 
 of which he was worthy. Many in 
 this Association in days that are now 
 gone remembered him for leading 
 them to Christ. His works follow 
 him. 
 
 Deacon James Myers 
 Deacon James Myers. He was cer- 
 tainly one of the founders of the 
 church and bore the burdens of its in- 
 fancy with much patience and faith 
 and he was permitted to watch its 
 growth for nearly forty years, and see 
 the fruits of his toil. It was he who 
 prevented the splitting of the church 
 and the organization of a Baptist 
 church in Champaign instead of Ur- 
 bana. He was born in Scott county, 
 Kentucky, February 22, 1813. His pa- 
 rents moved to Indiana when he was 
 14 years of age. He came to Urbana 
 in 1835. He was married to Miss 
 Anna Cook, and raised a large family. 
 His wife died. He was married to 
 Mrs. Julia Chandler in the spring of 
 1871. He died February 22, 1883. He 
 was deacon for twenty-five years, a 
 position which he faithfully filled to 
 
 the very last. He was clerk of the 
 church for eleven years from May, 
 1844. He was faithful to the services 
 of the church, never missing a service 
 if it was possible for him to attend. 
 He bore his part in every department. 
 He took an active interest in the 
 formation of the Centennial Church, 
 and labored hard in securing funds 
 Tor the ibuilding. His ^death to|ok 
 place on his 70th birthday when sur- 
 rounded by his family. What a meet- 
 ing that must have been when he 
 joined those who had gone before. 
 
 Deacon James S. Busey 
 Eeacon Jams S. Busey. Mr. Busey 
 was another member whose name was 
 closely associated with the history of 
 the church, and to whom the church 
 is indebted more than to any one man 
 for the church building. He was ap- 
 pointed in 1851 as a member of the 
 Building Committee, and was the re- 
 sponsible member financially of the 
 Committee. He gave freely of his 
 time and money, till ITie building was 
 completed. He was born in Shelby 
 county, Kentucky, January 24, 1824, 
 
 James Myers 
 
8 
 
 J. S. Busey 
 
 and came to this county in 1846. He 
 was made a deacon of the church, 
 April 5th, 1856, and served until 1858, 
 when he removed to Arbela, Missouri, 
 where he resided till his death. Janu- 
 ary 7th, 1888, he had a stroke of 
 apoplexy, which deprived him of 
 speech and made it difficult for him to 
 walk. What sweet memories of work 
 well done must have comforted his 
 closing hours. 
 
 Deacon William Gill 
 
 Deacon William Gill was a man 
 whose name will always be remem- 
 bered in connection with the Urbana 
 Baptist church. His house was ever 
 open and in the early days he was 
 the host of the church, and never 
 better pleased than when his table 
 was surrounded by his brethren. He 
 was elected Deacon, April 5th, 1856, 
 and was ordained soon after, and held 
 the office till the day of his death. He 
 officiated in the communion service of 
 the church only a short time before 
 
 William Gill 
 
 his death. He also was a member of 
 the building committee, and was ac- 
 tive in the erection of the meeting 
 house. He doubtless made as many 
 sacrifices for the church as any mem- 
 ber in it. He was always at his post 
 of duty, sickness alone seemed to pre- 
 vent his attendance at the worship, 
 and services of his church. He was 
 born in Shelby county, Ky., April 3, 
 1819. He was married in Franklin 
 county May 19, 1842, to Miss Elizabeth 
 Hodges. They lived happily together 
 for twenty-four years, when God call- 
 ed Mrs. Gill to be at rest July 17, 186G. 
 The result of this union was two chil- 
 dren, Mrs. Mattie Branes of Alpha, 
 Missouri, and a son who died in in- 
 fancy. Mr. Gill united with the Bap- 
 tist church at the age of twenty-one 
 years, and continued a member until 
 his death, which took place April 19, 
 1885. He was recognized by church 
 and community as a good man. He 
 came to Urbana in 1850. 
 
9 
 
 Deacon Dudley McClain 
 
 Dudley McClain 
 
 Deacon Dudley McClain was one of 
 the most efficient and well known 
 members of the church. He was 
 elected Deacon, January 2nd, 1870, 
 and ably filled that important office 
 until his death, which took place No- 
 vember 17th, 1880. He was born in 
 Harrison county, Ky., April 28th, 1817. 
 He was united in marriage October 
 19th, 1837, to Miss Rebecca Hannah. 
 He was converted under the preaching 
 of his brother-in-law, Elder G. W. 
 Riley, in 1840, at Bloomfield. He was 
 elected Deacon when only 28 years of 
 age. He removed with his family to 
 Urbana in 1864. He was loyal to his 
 church, his pastor, and to his breth- 
 ren, and his counsel was always high- 
 ly prized. He always had a word of 
 encouragement for his brethren, and 
 no weak Christian ever talked with 
 him without thanking the Lord for 
 euch Christians as Dudley McClain. 
 He was a man of few words, but his 
 face literally glowed with the love 
 which was within. He stood high in 
 
 the community as well as in the 
 church, and the expression could be 
 frequently heard that, "if there was 
 ever a Christian, Dudley McClain is 
 one." The church deeply felt the 
 loss when the Ix>rd called him home. 
 He left surviving him his estimable 
 wife and son, Judson, and one daugh- 
 ter, Mrs. Fannie Dicken, who is still 
 a member of the church and is with 
 us to celebrate this diamond Anniver- 
 sary. 
 
 Deacon Jackson M. Everett 
 
 Deacon Jackson M. Everett was 
 born in Lewis County, Ky., July 20th, 
 1820. He was converted when about 
 twenty-one years of age, and united 
 with the Baptist church. He came to 
 Champaign, Illinois, in 1859, and to 
 Urbana in 18GO. He at once placed 
 his membership here, where it remain- 
 ed till his death, which took place 
 February llth, 1870. He was elected 
 as Deacon, June 1st, 1860, and served 
 faithfully the rest of his life. He was 
 a man of deep conviction on religious 
 subjects, and was fearless in his ex- 
 pression of them. He was loyal to 
 God, his pastor, the church, and the 
 brethren. The two children for whom 
 this godly man so earnestly prayed 
 have found their father's Saviour. 
 Miss Kate Everett was prominently 
 connected with the Youths' Christian 
 Association, which had much to do in 
 preparing the young people of the 
 church for the great revival of 1S83. 
 Rev. Charles T. Everett has done ex- 
 cellent work in Chicago and elsewhere 
 in the ministry. 
 
 Edward Ater 
 
 Edward Ater was born June 6th, 
 1815, near Clarksburg, Ohio. During 
 his boyhood his father moved to 
 Perrysville, Ind., and settled on a 
 farm. He was married to Miss Lydia 
 Green at the age of 22. He moved to 
 Illinois in 1837, in what is now Piatt 
 County. Thence he moved to Urbana 
 
10 
 
 and entered into mercantile pursuits 
 and helped in the development of the 
 city and county. He was mayor, 
 sheriff, judge and commissioner. His 
 wife died March IGth, 1857, and he 
 was subsequently married to Miss 
 Margaret Cramer. In the spring of 
 1859 he united with the Baptist 
 church under the late Elder G. W. 
 Riley. He was an ardent church 
 member, serving as treasurer and 
 deacon for many years. He moved 
 from Urbana to Montk^llo, where 
 for the last ten years of his life he 
 was a great sufferer. His summons 
 came November 8th, 1893. He was 
 buried with Masonic honors in Mt. 
 Hope cemetery. 
 
 Robert Slater 
 
 The Historical Committee is fortu- 
 nate to have in its possession an 
 autograph church letter written to the 
 Bloomfield Association in its meeting 
 in Paris in 18G3. Robert Slater was 
 clerk from 1857-18G5. The paper is 
 yellow with age, but the ink is almost 
 as perfect as the day it was written. 
 The letter is a very fine sample of 
 the kind written for many years. It 
 is dated carefully, which shows the 
 accuracy of the habits of the writer, 
 and it is written with evident care. 
 The character of the writer shows 
 through the splendid lines. It is a 
 pity that it cannot be presented ex- 
 actly as it is in the original. It is as 
 follows: 
 
 The First Baptist Church of the 
 City of Urbana to the Bloomfield 
 Baptist Association when convened 
 with the church at Paris, sendeth 
 greeting: 
 Dear Brethren: 
 
 Through the tender mercies of our 
 Heavenly Father we are once more 
 permitted to send you our annual 
 message by our delegates whom we 
 have chosen to sit with you in coun- 
 cil, to aid devising the best means 
 to carry forward the work of our di- 
 
 vine Master, whose smiles and bless- 
 ings we trust will be with you through 
 all your deliberations. 
 Dear Brethren: 
 
 We feel truly grateful to God for 
 his blessings bestowed upon us as a 
 church, during the year that is just 
 past, and we live in peace, and still 
 enjoy the labors of our beloved Pas- 
 tor, G. W. Riley, who ministers faith- 
 fully to his people in word and doc- 
 trine. The meetings of the church 
 are well sustained, our Sabbath 
 school is well attended, and still 
 growing in interest, and promises 
 much good. In conclusion, brethren, 
 pray for us, and the prosperity of Zion, 
 and may the united prayers of all 
 God's people go up to the "God of 
 Battles" for the success of our armies, 
 and for the restoration of peace to 
 our bleeding country." The usual 
 statistics of membership (see Mem- 
 bership Table 18G3) are then given, 
 and some pencil notes which are not. 
 clear enough to read, and then the 
 signature, Robert Slater, Church 
 Clerk. 
 
 This letter contains one reference 
 to the war that was then waging be- 
 tween the states. Little did these 
 men then dream of the far-reaching 
 results of that awful civil strife on 
 the history of our country and church. 
 
 In June, 18GO, the spire of the 
 church was struck by lightning. There 
 was a fair prospect for the destruc- 
 tion of the church, which was noted 
 by George W. Flynn and J. O. Cun- 
 ningham, who were passing by. Mr. 
 Flynn climbed the bell rope, and pull- 
 ed buckets of water up by the same 
 means, and saved the building from 
 destruction. 
 
 Elder G. W. Riley 
 
 In October, 1858, Elder G. W. Riley 
 was recalled, and served as pastor 
 until April 7th, 18G7. From that time 
 the church rapidly grew in numbers 
 
11 
 
 Rev. G. W. Riley 
 
 and in strength, and at the end of 
 his pastorate about 300 persons had 
 been received by baptism, and 200 by 
 letter. During the same time about 
 200 members were dismissed by let- 
 ter, excluded or died, leaving the 
 number at his resignation, about 300. 
 During the next three years the church 
 was supplied by Rev. S. B. J. Bryant, 
 and A. L. Seward. During this time 
 the church suffered greatly from in- 
 discretions of Rev. S. A. Bryant. The 
 church vindicated her honor and 
 standing by excluding Rev. Mr. Bryant, 
 and a council being called by agree- 
 ment, the action of the church was 
 approved, and the Elder was suspend- 
 ed from the ministry for one year. 
 The ministry of Elder Seward only 
 tended to keep up discord in the 
 church. 
 
 This well-known man of God was 
 born in Clermont County, Ohio, Sep- 
 tember 2, 1813. He was converted at 
 Bethel, Ohio, in 1833, and in June, 
 1833, married Miss Bethire McClain. 
 Shortly after this he moved with his 
 parents to Bloomfield, where h was 
 
 on November, 183G, licensed to preach, 
 and August 13th, 1838, he was ordain- 
 ed by the Bloomfleld church, and be- 
 came its pastor for one-half time. 
 January, 1837, he rode horseback to 
 Upper Alton to pursue study to sup- 
 plement his inadequate common school 
 education. Finding the expense too 
 great for his meager means, he re- 
 turned home after one month. He was 
 a cabinet maker, and worked at his 
 trade, using all leisure moments to 
 read, and prepare himself for his call- 
 ing. In the autumn of 1839 he took 
 his wife in a buggy, and drove to 
 Granville, Ohio, for the purpose of at- 
 tending College there, but his people 
 at Bloomfleld were so persistent he 
 returned to them after a short time, 
 and remained 12 years. In a memor- 
 andum he says he traveled an average 
 of 1,200 miles per year, and preached 
 200 sermons per year. He built nine 
 meeting houses. In 1848 he retained 
 one service per month a,t Bloomfleld, 
 and accepted the call to Paris for the 
 rest of the time, moving to Paris to 
 live. In 1858 he came to Urbana as 
 Pastor, and remained eleven years. 
 Then he moved to Champaign, where 
 he built their first house of worship, 
 raising most of the money himself, 
 and giving largely of his own means. 
 He returned to Urbana in 1872, re- 
 mained two years, then went to In- 
 dianapolis two years, then to Paris 
 till 1879, then back to Urbana, where 
 he spent the sunset of his life. His 
 summons came August 18, 1881. 
 
 Over the entire field of the Bloom - 
 field Association, which he organized, 
 his influence is still felt, though it is 
 100 years since he was born, and a 
 generation since he 'fell on sleep." 
 He was honored by his brethren with 
 the office of Moderator, 25 years in all. 
 He was elected for 15 years consecu- 
 tively (184G-18G1). 
 
 He was also appointed to preach 
 the Association Sermon on 8 different 
 occasions. His two sons, N. A. and 
 
12 
 
 Ozias, are still with us with prospects 
 of many years to remain. His noble 
 wife did not leave the scenes of her 
 long term of life until her 92nd year. 
 Your Committee take delight in pre- 
 senting her picture as it was taken on 
 her 92nd birthday. 
 
 Mrs. Bethire Riley 
 
 Mrs. Bethire Riley 
 
 The wife of Elder G. W. Riley was 
 born in Harrison County, Ky., July 
 23, 1812. At ten years of age she 
 moved to Clairmont, Ohio, and lived 
 there till 1833, when she was married 
 to Elder Riley. They moved to 
 Paris, Illinois, where he was -Pastor. 
 In 1859 they came to Urbana. She 
 was in her 92nd year when her sum- 
 mons came, and was the oldest mem- 
 ber in the church. Her" judgment in 
 church matters was always safe and 
 good. N. A. and Ozias Riley, her 
 sons, still survive her. She was a 
 woman of fine intellect, and kept stor- 
 ing her mind with useful knowledge 
 to the very last. Her home was the 
 stopping place of every traveling 
 Baptist among the old settlers, in 
 the olden time. Her later days were 
 surrounded by every luxury and care, 
 and yet she often reverted to her 
 early life in the little old log house, 
 in which she began building her 
 home, as her happiest days. Even 
 these sweet old memories are now 
 eclipsed by her present "house not 
 made with hands eternal in the heav- 
 ens." 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 MEDIAN HISTORY 
 
 "A nameless man amid the crowd 
 
 That thronged the daily mart, 
 L,et fall the words of hope and love. 
 
 Unstudied from the heart, 
 A whisper on the tumult thrown, 
 
 A transitory breath, 
 It raised a brother from the dust. 
 It saved a soul from death, 
 O germ! O fount! O word of love! 
 
 O thought at random cast! 
 Ye were but little at the first, 
 
 Yet mighty at the last." 
 
 o 
 
 On February 2nd, 1870, Elder G. W. 
 Riley was again recalled for a third 
 time as Pastor, and during his min- 
 istry the church was harmonized and 
 
 united, and a considerable number 
 added. On the 10th day of November, 
 1872, Elder D. F. Carnahan was call- 
 ed as pastor, who did much to build 
 
13 
 
 up, and indoctrinate the church in the 
 fundamental principles of the Bible, 
 and during his ministration, which 
 continued until August 30th, 1874, 
 many souls were added to the church. 
 The church parted with Elder Carna- 
 han and his estimable wife with great 
 regret. 
 
 Rev. D. F. Carnahan 
 
 The Historic Committee delights to 
 le able to perpetuate his memory and 
 present his genial face to the church 
 of coming generations. 
 
 Rev. D. F. Carnahan 
 
 Born in Pennsylvania in 1825 and 
 buried from his home in Champaign, 
 111., Sept. 16th, 1894, on his 69th birth- 
 day. Such is the beginning and end- 
 ing of one of God's noblest men. He 
 began his work as a teacher. He was 
 baptized March 14, 1847, at Whitehall, 
 Pa. He was licensed in 1849 and or- 
 dained Sept. 25th, 1852, at Bridge- 
 port, Pa. He began with 15 members, 
 and in a short period left 135 mem- 
 bers, and in 1856 went to Calvary 
 Baptist church, Philadelphia, Pa., No- 
 vember, 1856 he went to Ohio, and for 
 
 three years was agent of the Ohio 
 Baptist convention. In 1859 he be- 
 came pastor at Zanesville, Ohio. He 
 then entered military service, became 
 major of the 79th Ohio Vol. Inf., and 
 saw some active service. A part of 
 this time he was in command of his 
 regiment. He entered the army hop- 
 ing to be able to do a good service 
 by preaching to the soldiers, but his 
 expectations were not realized and he 
 resigned. Dayton, Ohio; Burlington, 
 Iowa, and Aurora, 111., enjoyed his la- 
 bors as pastor. He was Superintend- 
 ent of Missions in Illinois (1868). 
 
 Springfield, Urbana, Nov. 10, 1872- 
 Aug. 30, 1874, Dixon, Streator, Illi- 
 nois and Appleton, Wis., were also 
 blessed by his labors among them. 
 In 1887 he began what proved to be 
 his last labor of love and service. He 
 engaged in the work of the "Chil- 
 dren's Home Society," helping to 
 bring "childless homes, and home- 
 less children together." In connec- 
 tion with this work he made over 
 2,500 addresses, often making five, or 
 six on a Cunday. He was a peace- 
 maker in all the churches with a pe- 
 culiar aptness to harmonize conflict- 
 ing elements. 
 
 His last illness was for fourteen 
 long, painful months, during which 
 for a part of the time his sufferings 
 were acute. His faith was uncloud- 
 ed, his resignation was unmurmur- 
 ing. In a private letter to a friend 
 soon after beginning the work of the 
 Children's Home, he says, "I never 
 missed preaching but three times in 
 35 years on account of sickness. I 
 have been favored with excellent 
 health. Life has had but few trials. 
 My brethren have showed me from the 
 beginning, especial honors, really 
 more than I deserve, and my heart 
 clings to them with very tender 
 Christian love. I am ready when the 
 Master calls, and most gladly would I 
 welcome his coming for his saints." 
 
14 
 
 I would that thus when I shall see 
 The hour of death draws near to me, 
 Hope, blossoming within my heart, 
 May look to heaven as I depart." 
 
 Rev. W. H. Stedman, D.D. 
 
 Rev. W. H. Stedman, D.D. 
 
 February 10th, 1875, Rev. W. H. 
 Stedman was called as pastor, and 
 began bis work by developing the 
 energies of the church, and by mak- 
 ing out a list of all available active 
 members, which scarcely reached 
 one hundred, regarding these as the 
 cbnrch, and relying on the power of 
 Pod, he went forward in the work, and 
 God owned, and blessed their united 
 efforts in the salvation of many souls. 
 
 Up to the fall of 1878 one hundred 
 and ninety were added to the church. 
 One hundred and thirty by baptism, 
 and sixty by letter. The strong point 
 In his ministry was the indoctrination 
 of the members in Bible teaching, 
 with a view to practical work. L. A. 
 McLean, Ozias Riley, Allen McClain, 
 William Hawker, and others went to 
 Centennial, Blackberry, Somers, Lev- 
 erett and Star school houses, and con- 
 ducted services. The services in the 
 Centennial school house resulted In the 
 
 year 187G in what is now known as 
 the Centennial church. At the Star 
 school house more or less regular ser- 
 vices were held, and some valuable 
 accessions came from that work into 
 the First Church. In 1878 Elder Sted- 
 man, aby assisted by Deacon Allen 
 McClain, held a meeting in the Cen- 
 tennial school house, when about GO 
 were united to the church, nearly all 
 by baptism. During the winter of 
 1879 the school house was closed 
 against the brethren, and Rev. Sted- 
 man. Deacon Myers, F. P. Apperson, 
 Deacon Allen McClain. and others, at 
 once set to work and succeded in 
 building and paying for a comfortable 
 church building, capable of holding 
 about three hundred. Deacon Allan 
 McClain took charge of this work, and 
 under his administration several re- 
 vivals were held, and a large number 
 were added to the church. On the 
 5th day of February, 187G, he was v 
 elected Deacon, and the Lord blesse 1 
 him in his office as Deacon, and also 
 gave him power to preach the gospel. 
 In the home church the congregations 
 grew too large for the seating ca- 
 pacity of the house, and in 187G a 
 vestry was added to the meeting 
 house, costing about $850, which add- 
 ed greatly to the convenience of the 
 church, and Sunday school. Elder 
 Stedman has through the church ap- 
 pointed Missionary Committees who 
 do the collecting, saving the expense 
 of representatives of the different so 
 cieties visiting the church. Tract and 
 Visiting Committees have been ap 
 pointed, and the energies of the 
 church being thus developed souls 
 were saved and much good done. 
 
 On January 8th, 1879, a committee 
 consisting of Amanda M. Allen, Mrs. 
 CJlasgo, and Mary L. Perry reported 
 that they had visited 123 places and 
 distributed 143 tracts. March 15th, 
 1879, twenty-three were present at 
 the prayer meeting and nearly all par- 
 ticipated in the Covenant Services. At 
 
15 
 
 that meeting a day of fasting and 
 prayer was recommended, and a com- 
 mittee appointed to see every member. 
 April 5th, 1879, the Tract Committee 
 reported 90 places visited, and 252 
 tracts distributed. This committee 
 also reported the salvation of some 
 souls as a result of their Tract work. 
 September 3rd, 1880, a member was 
 excluded for two reasons (1) presist- 
 ent failure to keep her covenant, and 
 (2) keeping company with depraved 
 characters. 
 
 February 4th, 1881, the salary of 
 pastor was increased to one thousand 
 dollars per year. April 1st, 1881, a 
 committee reported active members, 
 234; delinquent, 1C; non-resident, 
 45; total, 295. July 7th, 1881, the 
 Lords' Supper was observed in the 
 evening. March 5th, 1882, Elder Sted- 
 man resigned and the church accepted 
 the resignation. His resignation was 
 greatly regretted by the church, and 
 the whole community. He has re- 
 mained in the state, holding important 
 pastorates, and is a frequent, and wel- 
 corr.e visitor at the old First church, 
 and he is now a citizen among us, and 
 will have a part in the observance of 
 our Seventy-fifth Anniversary. 
 
 In 18G7, while a student at Shurt- 
 leff College, Elder Steadman began 
 to develop his building specialty, by 
 organizing the First Baptist church of 
 Shelbyville, 111., and in 18G9 building 
 their present meeting hcuse. While in 
 Detroit, Mich., his church establish- 
 ed two mission Sunday schools, each 
 soon becoming an independent Bap- 
 tist church, and each was provided 
 with good, substantial buildings. 
 While he was pastor the home church 
 secured its present site on Grand 
 River avenue, and erected its splen- 
 did house. February 10, 1875, he was 
 called to the pastorate of the First 
 Baptist church of Urbana, 111. In 
 connection with his work here he 
 built the Centennial Meeting house in 
 
 1879, and added a large vestry to the 
 building of the First Church. In 1894 
 he became pastor of the First Bap- 
 tist church of Champaign, 111., and 
 while there built their present splen- 
 did house of worship, and also the 
 parsonage. After leaving Champaign 
 he organized the Villa Grove church, 
 and built its meeting house, and at 
 Arcola, and Arthur he built substan- 
 tial churches, and paid for them. In 
 the year 1885 Shurtleff College con- 
 ferred upon him the honorary title of 
 Doctor of Divinity. His old friends 
 in and around Urbana, and Cham- 
 paign, delight to do him honor, and 
 are ever interested to hear him, when 
 he is present in any of the churches. 
 He has never lost his interest in Cen- 
 tennial, and the other Missions of his 
 ministry. The Historical Committee 
 will anticipate the program of our 
 15th Anniversary to record that Dr. 
 W. H. Steadman will have a large and 
 prominent share in its exercises. What 
 a joy it must be to him to stand by 
 the side of the road, and 'see the old 
 procession file slowly out, and the ne^v 
 file hurriedly in, to take the reins and 
 direct the affairs of the church in 
 which he has put so much red blood, 
 and careful teaching, and prayers. 
 May he not be called away till a new 
 and better day than any of us have 
 ever seen, dawns on the old church, 
 and her great and scattered member- 
 ship. Dr. Steadman has been honored 
 by his brethren of the Bloomfield As- 
 sociation, preaching its annual sermon 
 in 1876 and 1897. He was elected 
 moderator in 1878, 1879. 1881, 1903 to 
 19] 1. He also saw considerable ser- 
 vice in the civil war. 
 
 Rev. G. M. Shott 
 
 Sunday, April Gth, 1882, the church 
 voted a unanimous call to Rev. G. M. 
 Shott of Newport, Ky., to become pas- 
 tor for one year, dating from May 1st 
 at a salary of $800 and parsonage. 
 Elder Shott was young and inexperi- 
 
16 
 
 Rev. G. M. Shott 
 
 euced, and delicate in health. He was 
 an eloquent speaker possessed of 
 more than ordinary push, and enter- 
 prise, and soon had the church crowd- 
 ed at each service. He was an earn- 
 est worker, his sermons were filled 
 with love, as well as the gospel, which 
 awakened sinners, and made it ex- 
 ceedingly uncomfortaDle for the easy- 
 going class of Christians. The result 
 was that the hand of the Lord was 
 soon visible, and a revival of his work 
 was begun, and a largo number add- 
 ed to the church. The members be- 
 came wide-awake, and active in 
 church work, and by discipline brought 
 the standards to a very high pitch. 
 
 August 2nd. 1882. a proposition was 
 made by the Pastor to remodel the 
 church, and on December 4, '82, the 
 cost was reported at $385.71. August 
 30th, 1882, a motion was carried to 
 commune once per month. September 
 27th, 1882. John Carman was licensed 
 to preach the gospel and preached 
 his first sermon. About the same 
 time Augustus Carman returned f r om 
 
 Rochester, and preached his first ser- 
 mon. December 4th, 1882, a commit- 
 tee was appointed to raise the salary 
 of the pastor. Twenty persons consti- 
 tuted that Committee, and pledged 
 themselves to give, or raise $30.00 
 apiece. 
 
 The salary was raised to $1,000 be- 
 ginning with January 1, 1883. Jan- 
 uary 7th, 1883, a special meeting was 
 begun, the pastor doing most of the 
 preaching. Rev. R. E. Carney o f To- 
 lono, an old college mate of the p3&l r > 
 was called in to help during the most 
 exacting part of the meeting. This 
 meeting continued with two, and three 
 meetings per day, until April ICth, 
 1883. February 15th, the pastor was 
 given power to appoint committees to 
 aid in the examination, and indoc- 
 trination of candidates i'or bantisrn 
 Nearly four hundred persons (includ- 
 ing duplications) were used during 
 the meetings, with a powerful reflex 
 benefit to the whole church. OI 
 course, the deacons and some of their 
 v.ives were in almost all the commit- 
 tee meetings, el 'aeon Knowlton of 
 the .Champaign church was frequent- 
 ly in the services, aa i was asked to 
 give his counsel, and heio in this work. 
 
 During this period 158 professed a 
 hope in Christ, and all united with the 
 church by baptism. A few not count- 
 ed in the above made profession and 
 united elsewhere. Most of these con- 
 verts were carefully taught before 
 they were brought into the church. A 
 special fund was provided to purchase 
 Keat's catechism for converts. June 
 27th, 1883 the "Star Book" was adopt- 
 ed as the Manual of the church. There 
 has never been a change made in the 
 Manual. Resolutions have been pass- 
 ed which clearly set forth the same 
 principles though couched in different 
 phrase. The Manual seems to have 
 teen forgotten during many long per- 
 iods of the life of the church. June 
 13th, 1883, it was learned that the 
 Ranton 1 church, which hart invited tte 
 
17 
 
 Bloomfield Association to meet with 
 them could not entertain it, and the 
 Urbana Church immediately sent an 
 invitation to meet with them. Some 
 new features were introduced in this 
 meeting and will be noted at the 
 proper place. 
 
 By action of the church August 22nd 
 a corrected list of members was print- 
 ed, and sent out to all members. 
 
 October 3rd, 18S3, a committee was 
 appointed to devise a systematic plan 
 for meeting the expense of the coming 
 year, and when it reported November 
 28th, the third point in their recom- 
 mendations read, "the Pastor's salary 
 shall be advanced in proportion to the 
 increase of membership, and subscrip- 
 tion, by reason of revival, or other- 
 wise. "Their eighth point reads 
 "The Treasurer shall keep an accur- 
 ate account with each member sub- 
 scribing, and shall on tbe first of each 
 quarter send a statement to all who 
 are in arrearage." The ninth point 
 reads, "We recommend the plan of 
 weekly payments as far as possible." 
 The tenth reads, "Every member of 
 the church shall be expetced to make a 
 subscription." January 2nd, 1884, it 
 was significant of the times that we 
 should find a young brother rising in 
 the Covenant Meeting, and making a 
 statement to the effect that "a short 
 time since he had allowed himself to 
 yieM to his temper and was sorry that 
 by so doing he had brought reproach 
 upon the church." On motion he was 
 restored to full fellowship, and the 
 confidence of the brethren. In the 
 same meeting another well-known 
 brother offered a written confession of 
 considerable length detailing his mis- 
 doings and asking the church for for- 
 giveness. He also was restored to 
 full fellowship and confidence by a 
 special vote. A third person made 
 similar statements, and was restored. 
 February 6th, 1884, a young sister con- 
 fessed her sorrow on account of at- 
 tendance, and participation in a dance. 
 
 The church by motion accepted her 
 confession, and restored her to fel- 
 lowship in the church. At that meet- 
 ing differences of opinion in the 
 church were very frankly confessed as 
 shown by a ballot which had to be 
 taken the sixth time before a full 
 Board of Deacons could be elected. 
 
 When the full complement was 
 elected the Pastor gave the hand of 
 fellowship to the new Board. March 
 5th, 1884, the principle of taking an 
 offering at each Communion service 
 was established. May 7th, 1884, the 
 Communion service was changed back 
 to once in two months. 
 
 May 22nd, Rev. G. M. Shott offered 
 his resignation, giving as his reasons 
 the sickness of Mrs. Shott and the 
 two children. During his Pastorate 
 1G5 were baptized, 33 taken in by let- 
 ter and experience, leaving the roll 
 378. Much of his work was done 
 among the young people, who were 
 receiving a good training in Bible 
 study through the work of the Y. C. A. 
 established by John Carman, and the 
 excellent work of Elder Steadman. 
 However, the average age of the con- 
 verts of Elder Shott's ministry was 
 23 years. Many thought he ought to 
 stay longer, and take care of this 
 large body of young members. He 
 removed to Wheeling, W. Va., where 
 for some time the health of Mrs. Shott 
 and the children was improved. 
 
 Mrs. Shott never completely recov- 
 ered from the malarial effects of this 
 climate, which gave rheumatism, and 
 heart trouble, from which after eight 
 years of invalidism she went to her 
 reward, October 31st, 1891, loved and 
 honored by all who ever knew her. 
 Three daughters survive her and one 
 went ahead to welcome her home. 
 The last service of the ministry of 
 Elder Shott was the ordination of Dea- 
 cons S. S. Hall, G. A. Walker, N.. A. 
 Riiey, F. M. Snyder, J. W. Cushman, 
 and J. P. Blue. The ordaining prayer 
 was offered by Elder S. F. Gleason, 
 
18 
 
 the charge to the deacons by Elder 
 R. B. Carney, the charge to the church 
 by Elder G. M. Shott. The service of 
 laying on of the hands of the presby- 
 tery was very impressive and left a 
 higher ideal of Deaconship. At the 
 close of this service accompanied by 
 many of the congregation Elder Shott 
 and family took tte train for the 
 scenes of their labors in the "Little 
 Mountain State," little thinking that 
 after a period of nearly thirty years 
 he would return to take up his un- 
 finished work. 
 
 He was born in Staunton, Virginia, 
 and received his first impression of a 
 religious character from the Episco- 
 palians. His family were all Baptists 
 with few exceptions. Later, he was 
 greatly influenced by Rev. G. B. Tay- 
 lor, D.D., the great Batpist mission- 
 ary to Rome. He took his high school 
 course in Staunton. Baptized January 
 2nd, 1874. Licensed to preach, Sep- 
 tember 13th, 1875. Attended college 
 at Richmond, Va. Preached his first 
 sermon in Staunton, July 23rd, 1876. 
 Studied theology in the Southern Bap- 
 tist Thelogfaal Seminary at Louisville, 
 Ky., under the famous Dr. Broadus, 
 Dr. Boyce, Dr. Toy, Dr. Whitsitt. 
 While a student in the Seminary he 
 was employed as city missionary in 
 Louisville, where was organized the 
 first Sunday Schools that have now 
 become such a net work of missions, 
 and churches. His first pastorate 
 was a brief one on the banks of the 
 Ohio at Hawesvil'e, Ky. This church 
 asked for his ordination, which was 
 held in the Walnut Street Baptist 
 Church in Louisville, Ky. July 31st, 
 1876, he was married to Miss Kate J. 
 Knight of Louisville, Ky. From 
 Hawesville he was soon called to be- 
 come (he pastor of the First Church of 
 Newport, Ky. From Newport, Ky., he 
 came to Urbana. From Urbana he 
 went to Wheeling, W. Va. At Hawes- 
 ville he held a great revival meeting 
 greatly strengthening the old church. 
 
 At Newport he secured a new and 
 commodious church building in the 
 center of the town, where it still re- 
 mains. A new parsonage and free- 
 dom from state convention support. 
 The chief thing done here in Urbana 
 was to lead in a great revival. At 
 Wheeling a heavy debt was paid. At 
 First Church, Zanesville, the. church 
 was thoroughly repaired and renovat- 
 ed. At Dayton street, Cincinnati, O., 
 a new church was organized and 
 made independent. At Madisonvil!e 
 the church house burned, and a new 
 fireproof house was built. From Mad- 
 isonville he was called to Fairmount, 
 W. Va., to undertake the task of or- 
 ganizing a new local church, and 
 building its edifice. This was accom- 
 plished in less than three years. Much 
 of the house was built by his own 
 hands. Scarcely had the Fairmont 
 work been launched when a flattering 
 call came from North Church, New 
 York City, where he had wide experi- 
 ences in preaching and lecturing in 
 almost all the great churches of the 
 city ,and many of the noted churches 
 in New England. He left as his me- 
 morial in the North Church an en- 
 dowment that ensures a church there 
 forever. Thence to the Old Historic 
 Scotch Plains church, where he had 
 his longest, and most tedious Pastor- 
 ate. It was an endowed church with 
 great wealth, and a small membership 
 with limited population. From this 
 church he was called to Lyons Farms 
 Church, Newark, N. J.. a daughter of 
 Scotch Plains, where he held a very 
 successful revival, removed the old 
 church building, and erected a new one 
 of splendid dimensions, doing much of 
 the work with his own hands. A break 
 down of nerves, and a siege of chills 
 drove him back to the mountains of 
 West Virginia, to Mannington, where 
 in a few months his usual powers of 
 endurance were recovered, and he 
 held meetings in his own, and many 
 neighboring churches with great ac- 
 
19 
 
 ceptance and in most cases success. 
 Oakmont, Pa., made him a flattering 
 offer ,and after considering it for a 
 few weeks, he accepted a call, and was 
 succeeding admirably, having paid off 
 all debts and led in a great neighbor- 
 hood revival of very wide influence 
 and power when he was recalled to 
 Urbana, August, 1912. The last ser- 
 vice at Oakmont was the burning of 
 the last notes, and mortgages and the 
 freeing of the church from debt for 
 the first time in its history. He will 
 observe his 37th ministerial anniver- 
 sary July 23. He has preached 5,406 
 sermons, and written much for the 
 press. June, 1913, Ewing College con- 
 ferred the honorory degree of Doctor 
 of Divinity. L. A. McLean. 
 
 Deacon G. A. Walker 
 
 George A. Walker 
 
 This woll-known and highly re- 
 spected citizen was born of Scotch- 
 Irish parents in Deering, New Hamp- 
 shire, December 13, 1832. Early in 
 
 life he came with his parents to Tre- 
 mont, Illinois, where he spent his 
 early years. He had a common school 
 and academic education, but the 
 death of his father threw the care of 
 the family upon him at a very early 
 age, and his further improvement of 
 mind must be done on his own re- 
 sources. He always found time to 
 read, and store his active mind with 
 useful knowledge. He knew his Bi- 
 ble well, and became a very accurate 
 and helpful teacher, and many are 
 teaching now who had their first les- 
 sons from him. He was married to 
 Miss Experience Drake of Delavan, 
 Illinois, in 1868. She was a true and 
 devoted helpmeet of deep piety and 
 unselfish life. She died July 19th, 
 1884. He married Miss Margaret J. 
 Porter of Urbana, June 9th, 1897. He 
 was a man of unusual balance, and 
 had a strong capacity for enduring 
 friendships. In his public career he 
 valued his trusteeship of public funds 
 as a sacred trust. He was a great 
 lover of his church, and was an hon- 
 ored Deacon for many years. In 1871 
 he moved to his farm south of Ur- 
 bana, where he lived till July 12th, 
 1910, when he moved to his magnifi- 
 cent High street house, expecting to 
 have time for a larger usefulness to 
 his church. July 18, he was stricken 
 with paralysis, and the death angel 
 hovered till he was released Novem- 
 ber 7th, 1910. His widow still sur- 
 vives him, and is a member of this 
 Historical Committee seeking in the 
 sunset glow to honor his memory, 
 and that of many others, whom she 
 has known and loved in the long ago. 
 
 "Think of me as withdrawn into the 
 
 dimness, 
 Yours still you mine, remember all 
 
 the best 
 
 Of our past moments, forget the rest, 
 And so to where I wait, come gently 
 
 on. ;> 
 
20 
 
 Rev. E. C. Sage, Ph.D. 
 June 15th, 1884, a formal call was 
 extended to Rev. B. C. Sage of Geneseo 
 Falls, Illinois, to become Pastor. July 
 9th we find Elder Sage presiding as 
 moderator of the meeting for busi- 
 ness. June 14th, 1885, a meeting was 
 held at the Centennial Mission for 
 the purpose of organizing a separate 
 church. August 2nd, a council for 
 recognition was called to recognize 
 the Centennial Baptist church. Au- 
 gust 9th, 1885, the Trustees were au- 
 thorized to deed the property to the 
 Trustees of the Centennial Church. 
 This motion was rescinded January 
 4th, 1886. December Gth, 1885, the fi- 
 nances, both on Pastor's salary, and 
 incidentals, were found in a deplor- 
 able condition, and a motion was pass- 
 ed recommending that an apportion- 
 ment be made to each member sub- 
 ject to his, or her approval. January 
 13th, 1886, the Finance Committee re- 
 instruced to proceed according to 
 their own judgment. April 4th, 1886, 
 it was determined to observe the or- 
 dinance of the Lord's Supper once 
 per month, instead of quarterly. Mon- 
 day, April 5th, 1886, Pastor Sage made 
 a report of work done, which it is 
 good should be reported in part." A 
 large number will ever look back to 
 this winter as the date of their birth 
 into the kingdom of Christ. Family 
 altars that had been broken down, 
 have been repaired, and many hearts 
 and homes made bright by Him who 
 is the Light of the world. While 
 these things give us joy our hearts 
 are saddened by the continued apathy 
 of not a few. The habitual absence 
 of strong men and women living but 
 a few blocks from the church sitting 
 at home within the sound of the bell, 
 and apparently unconcerned for the 
 salvation of dying souls around them 
 these things cause sadness of 
 heart." At the close of this excel- 
 lent report Elder Sage reports the to- 
 
 tal membership of the church to be 
 357. July 5th, 1886, the motion con- 
 cerning the observance of the Lord's 
 Supper was rescinded and its quar- 
 -terly observance recommended. Sep- 
 tember 29th, 1886, Pastor Sage pre- 
 sented his resignation to take effect 
 December 31st, 1886. Elder Sage was 
 an earnest Christian man, a good 
 speaker, and labored faithfully in the 
 Master's cause. He was a man of fine 
 scholarship, and an expert Hebrew 
 student. When he resigned it was to 
 take a position in President Harper's 
 School of Hebrew, and to take a post 
 graduate course in Yale College, New 
 Haven. During his pastorate 56 were 
 added to the church. This left the 
 number of church enrollment at the 
 close of his work, 355. 
 My Dear Mr. Shott: 
 
 Your letter of June 20th has just 
 now reached my hand, and I hasten to 
 reply. I regret that it will be imprac- 
 ticab'e for me to comply with your 
 request for an extended review of my 
 pastoral experiences. Mrs. Sage and 
 I start for Europe tomorrow, and the 
 few hours which remain before sailing 
 must be given to peparation for our 
 long journey. 
 
 At the time of my pastorate in Ur- 
 bana there was in the church a large 
 body of strong, mature, and influen- 
 tial men and women, whose devotion 
 to the Christian cause through many 
 years had made the church what it 
 was, and whose consecrated services 
 resulted in its permanence and 
 growth. I cannot speak too highly of 
 their noble lives. Many of the chil- 
 dren of those influential families have 
 developed into like-minded, and effi- 
 cient Christian workers, and are now 
 holding important positions in the 
 business and educational world. 
 
 Mrs. Sage and I have pleasant rec- 
 ollections of the cordial reception giv- 
 en to us in the homes in and about 
 the city, making our pastoral visits a 
 
21 
 
 constant joy and a sweet remem- 
 brance. 
 
 Our relation to the other Christian 
 churches of the city and community 
 was most cordial. In my long experi- 
 ence I do not know of any place 
 where I have lived in which the spir- 
 it of co-operation has been more de- 
 lightfully manifest than in Urbana at 
 the time of our residence there. 
 
 I wish you would convey to the 
 Committee in whose 'behalf you have 
 written .and also to the entire church 
 membership the cordial greetings of 
 Mrs. Sage and myself and extend to 
 them our sincere wishes for the con- 
 tinued usefulness of the church to the 
 community and to the greater world. 
 Very truly yours, 
 
 E. C. SAGE. 
 
 Dr. Sage is abroad, and it is im- 
 possible to get a cut. 
 
 December 1, 188G, a letter was 
 granted to Burritt A. Cushman to the 
 North Baptist Church, New York 
 City. It was through him that Rev. 
 G. M. Shott was introduced to the 
 North Church, and was at once called 
 to take charge of that old historic 
 church. During his stay in and around 
 New York he was secretary of the 
 Baptist Ministers' Conference of New 
 York City for twelve consecutive 
 years, and became well-known 
 throughout the denomination as well 
 as in New York. B. A. Cushman was 
 in the Y. C. Association when Elder 
 Shott was Pastor of Urbana. What 
 influences one exerts is never known, 
 and may not be known till it is seen 
 in the undimmed light of the glory- 
 land. If the endowment of that great 
 old church during the Pastorate of 
 Elder Shott is of any special value to 
 the kingdom of our Lord it must be 
 shared with B. A. Cushman in the 
 final reckoning, and also with this 
 church. 
 
 Rev. F. J. Leavitt 
 
 June 1st, 1887, a call was extended 
 to Rev. F. J. Leavitt of Plattsburgh, 
 Mo., to become Pastor. He accepted 
 August 1st, 1887. Elder Leavitt was 
 an earnest and interesting speaker, 
 evidencing the truth of his teachings 
 by his daily life, and possessed the 
 unanimous esteem of the church, and 
 community. The church by judicious 
 discipline reduced the number of its 
 members about 50, leaving the mem- 
 bership 298, although the active work- 
 ing membership would not exceed 175. 
 May 4th, '89, Pastor Leavitt resigned. 
 June 5th, 1889, the Advisory Commit- 
 tee requested the Pastor to withdraw 
 his resignation. June 19th, 1889, the 
 resignation of Pastor Leavitt was ac- 
 cepted. 
 
 Rev. F. J. Leavitt writes from Leav- 
 enworth, Kansas, where he is State 
 Prison Chaplin: "So many years 
 have gone by since I left your city 
 that it is difficult to recall my experi- 
 ence with the church as I would like. 
 
 My pastorate there began in August, 
 
1887, and continued two years. The 
 church was united, hopeful, enthus- 
 iastic; the membership large, com- 
 posed of many excellent people. The 
 pastor's leadership was recognized and 
 a disposition to follow him shown. 
 The Sunday services brought out good 
 congregations, generally speaking. 
 
 The teaching service, or Sunday 
 School was in the" hands of good offi- 
 cers, and faithful teachers. The 
 teachers' meetings were the best I 
 have seen anywhere. Quite a goodly 
 number attended the prayer meetings, 
 several usually taking part. The 
 young people were loyal to the pastor, 
 and church. 
 
 The first year saw progress, several 
 leing added to the church. A meeting 
 developing considerable interest was 
 held either the first or second year, 
 which resulted in several additions to 
 the church, mostly young people. I 
 was assisted in that meeting by Rev. 
 William Bilbro, then of Missouri. 
 
 My brief stay with that people was 
 in the main very pleasant, and I al- 
 ways read with much interest any- 
 thing I see concerning the church. 
 The body of our little boy lies in the 
 cemetery there, and this makes Ur- 
 bana very dear to us. 
 
 Sincerely yours, 
 
 F. J. Leavitt. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 PRESENT HISTORY 
 
 " Not enjoyment and not sorrow, 
 Is our destined end or way, 
 
 But to act. that each tomorrow 
 Find us farther than today. 
 
 Act act in the living: present! 
 
 Heart within and God o'er head." 
 
 Rev. W. W. Smith 
 
 August 28th, 1889, a call was extend- 
 ed to Rev. W. W. Smith to become 
 Pastor. He accepted the call. Decem- 
 ber 4th, 1890, revival services were 
 begun by Evangelist Dillard, and con- 
 tinued till the 19th of same month. 
 February 25th, 1891, a resolution was 
 passed in reference to some humiliat- 
 ing trials to which the Pastor had 
 been subjected. "Whereas, Our be- 
 loved Pastor, Rev. W. W. Smith, has 
 recently become the victim of ma- 
 licious slander at the instigation of 
 , who on the 23rd day of Jan- 
 uary, 1891, was dismissed from the 
 church for violation of her covenant 
 obligations, and Whereas, he has 
 been compelled to take his place as 
 defendant during a most critical in- 
 vestigation of the charges preferred 
 
 against him, and from which he 
 emerged without a stain upon his 
 character as a gentleman, and Chris- 
 tian; therefore, be it Resolved; that 
 the First Baptist Church of Urbana re- 
 gard this persecution of its Pastor as 
 a tissue of falsehoods from beginning 
 to end, emanating only from a vile, 
 revengeful heart, having but one 
 thought, viz., seeking to bring re- 
 proach upon the Pastor, the church, 
 and the cause of Christ. Resolved; that 
 this church holds in utter contempt 
 this proceeding against Mr. Smith, 
 and heartily join with the Court, and 
 the public at large in his thorough 
 vindication. Resolved, that we will 
 stand by our Pastor as a church and 
 give him a hearty and united support 
 in his Christian work." These reso- 
 lutions were unanimously adopted by 
 a rising vote. 
 
23 
 
 June 3rd, 1891, Pastor Smith resign- 
 ed, and his resignation was accepted. 
 Wednesday, August 12th, 1891, Elder 
 C>. M. Shott, a former Pastor, being 
 on a visit, was asked to administer 
 the ordinance of Baptism, which he 
 did for Brother Charles Mullendorf. 
 
 Rev. J. W. Primm 
 
 November 1st, 1S91, Rev. J. W. Primm 
 was called as Pastor, and began his 
 work November 15th, 1891. Decemter 
 30th, 1891, the Communion was chang- 
 ed to first Sunday in each quarter. 
 October 2nd, 1892, Rev. J. W. Primm 
 resigned in words expressing the 
 highest type of Christian gentleman 
 and scholar. Things had entered 
 into the relations of his work that 
 had materially affected his work, and 
 he sincerely thought he ought to sever 
 his connection as Pastor. His resig- 
 nation is as fol'ows, "When I came 
 among yon a few months ago I hoped 
 for brighter days, but instead the 
 darkening cloud has grown more 
 dense, and has now burst in fury upon 
 
 me. "The heart knoweth its own bit- 
 terness," and I would not have you 
 suffer with me or on my account. For 
 myself and family I ask your most 
 earnest prayers. May God grant to 
 you all, the guidance of his Spirit and 
 the riches of his grace." 
 
 The resignation was accepted, and 
 the following resolutions passed: 
 
 "Whereas, Rev. J. W. Primm has 
 tendered his resignation as Pastor of 
 this church to depart for another 
 field, therefore, be it resolved, that we 
 recognize in Brother Primm an earn- 
 est Christian man, and an able Pas- 
 tor, and that it is with regret that we* 
 accept his resignation. That we 
 tender ihim our prayers, and 'best 
 wishes for abundant success in what- 
 ever field of labor he may be called." 
 
 This honored servant of God was 
 born in Belleville, November 17, 1848, 
 He was for some time vice-president 
 of the Beekeepers' Association, in 
 which business he was an acknowl- 
 edgd authority. He was pastor of the 
 First Baptist church of Urbana for a 
 short time, and atferwards also of 
 Herald of Hope for a short time. To- 
 wards the latter part of 1912 he began 
 to fail, and slowly yielded to his last 
 enemy, April 16, 1913, at the age of 
 G5, having been in the ministry 45 
 years. 
 
 He was scholarly and exact in his 
 preaching, and an able preacher of 
 the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 
 
 Rev. J. F. Mills, Ph.D. 
 
 December 18th, 1892, Rev. J. F. Mills 
 was called to the vacant Pastorate, 
 and on Decem'ber 1st, in the evening, 
 we find him at work on the field. Jan- 
 uary 13th, 1893, an ordaining Council 
 met to advise in reference to the or- 
 dination of Brother Mills to the gos- 
 pel Ministry. 
 
 A splendid programme of a very 
 high order of exercises was carried 
 
24 
 
 Rev. J. F. Mills 
 
 out with Dr. Galusha Anderson of the 
 Divinity School of Chicago as examin- 
 er, who conducted a rigid examina- 
 tion, and all questions were answered 
 by Brother Mills in a most satisfactory 
 way. In the evening when the Ordina- 
 tion programme was carried out Dr. 
 Anderson preached the ordaining ser- 
 mon from the words, "and the com- 
 mon people heard him gladly." Mat- 
 thew 12:37. 
 
 After the sermon, Dr. Anderson of- 
 fered the prayer of ordination, while 
 the hands of the Presbytery were laid 
 upon the head of the candidate. The 
 charge to the Pastor was given by 
 Rev. E. J. Beardsley. The charge to 
 the church by Rev. R. W. Bell; the 
 right hand of fellowship by Rev. E. A. 
 Stone. Benediction by Rev. J. F. 
 Mills. September 13th, 1893, N. A. 
 Riley presented, his resignation as 
 Chorister, (See resolutions), and 
 nominated George M. Bennett as his 
 successor. He was elected and leads 
 the music o fthis Anniversary with 
 great acceptance to all the people in 
 
 the church and in the community. In 
 November, 1893, beginning the 27th, 
 special services were led by Rev. Riley 
 of Fairbury, 111., and J. W. Tanner 
 of Normal, 111. December 27th, special 
 meetings closed. 
 
 In February, 1885, a motion to take 
 steps to build a new house of wor- 
 ship during the present year was 
 passed, and a committee consisting of 
 Rev. J. F. Mills, George Bennett, and 
 M. D. Busey, was appointed to solicit 
 funds. 
 
 This sentiment was brought about 
 by a very passionate sermon preach- 
 ed by the Pastor, Rev. J. F. Mills, 
 from the text "Lengthen thy cords and 
 strengthen thy stakes." March 21st 
 the church ordered the committee to 
 proceed at once. April 3rd, 1895, 
 shows the following classified report 
 of amounts pledged to that date: 
 
 No. 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 2 
 
 1 
 15 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 19 
 
 3 
 
 2 
 
 4 
 55 
 
 1 
 
 15 
 17 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 42 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 Pledge. 
 
 Amount. 
 
 $1000.00 
 
 $4000.00 
 
 500.00 
 
 2500.00 
 
 350.00 
 
 350.00 
 
 250.00 
 
 750.00 
 
 200.00 
 
 800.00 
 
 150.00 . 
 
 300.00 
 
 125.00 
 
 125.00 
 
 100.00 
 
 1500.00 
 
 75.00 
 
 150.00 
 
 60.00 
 
 240.00 
 
 50.00 
 
 950.00 
 
 40.00 
 
 120.00 
 
 30.00 
 
 60.00 
 
 1.00 
 
 4.00 
 
 $25.00 
 
 $1350.00 
 
 24.00 
 
 24.00 
 
 20.00 
 
 300.00 
 
 15.00 
 
 255.00 
 
 12.50 
 
 37.50 
 
 12.00 
 
 48.00 
 
 10.00 
 
 420.00 
 
 9.CO 
 
 9.60 
 
 8.00 
 
 8.00 
 
 7.00 
 
 ' 7.00 
 
 6.00 
 
 6.00 
 
25 
 
 45 
 
 1 
 
 5.00 225.00 
 
 2.00 2.00 
 
 Grand total $14,541.10 
 
 May 8th, 1895, plans were presented 
 by J. E. Hall for the new house and 
 were adopted. During the process of 
 building the Congregation met in the 
 Universalist meeting house and also 
 a part of the time in the Hall. Octo- 
 ber 1st, 1895, an invitation was ex- 
 tended to the State Convention to 
 meet here October 14th, 1896. March 
 8th, the first meeting in the new 
 church house was held in the Sunday 
 School room of the new building. 
 
 Rev. J. D. Porter was invited to 
 hold meetings. No record of results 
 of that meeting are to be found. March 
 29th, 1896, the new house was dedi- 
 cated. January 27th, 1897, $2500.00 
 was borrowed on security of church 
 property to pay off debts against the 
 church. September 15th, 1897, a rec- 
 ommendation of the Beacons was 
 passed that the entire membership 
 together with a statement of the sub- 
 scription of individuals to current ex- 
 penses, be printed and sent out to 
 each member. October 29th, at the 
 Annual Roll Call the membership was 
 385, of which 222 were present, or 
 accounted for. Non-residents, 71, 
 with 15 responses, making a total 
 membership of 456, with 237 respons- 
 es. December 1st, 1897, a recom- 
 mendation was passed that Deacons 
 and Trustees shall be ineligible to re- 
 election for one year. August 3rd, 
 1895, Rev. J. F. Mills resigned to take 
 place September 1, 1898. 
 
 During the fall of 1902, while com- 
 pleting my work at the Divinity school 
 of the University of Chicago, I was 
 led to accept the pastorate of the 
 First Batpist Church of Urbana, 111., 
 agreeing to preach every two weeks 
 and send supplies in the interim. Held 
 
 some special services during the 
 Christmas holidays and came to Ur- 
 bana to stay the following June. 
 There were three factors which led 
 me to accept this call. First, I saw 
 that there was a large number of 
 young people in the families of the 
 church who had grown up and re- 
 mained unconverted, here was a great 
 and a good work to be done; a cur- 
 sory glance at the old building was 
 convincing that if much progress was 
 to be made, a new church would be 
 necessary soon; I believed it was pos- 
 sible to greatly enlarge the constitu- 
 ency of the church. An active evan- 
 gelistic work during the first ttfree 
 years brought into the church most of 
 the young people and many of the 
 boys and girls of our Baptist families. 
 This was mainly carried on through 
 the regular services of the church. 
 The call to the building movement 
 came to the pastor with sudden and 
 convincing revelation. A previous 
 thoughtful and very earnest confer- 
 ence with certain church officers had 
 led us to decide that with so many 
 new converts to train and feed with 
 the Word, that it would not be wise 
 to go forward with the building move- 
 ment at that time. But God's mes- 
 sage came to the pastor, "Go For- 
 ward." He gave this message to the 
 church. The officers met the follow- 
 ing evening and said, "Pastor, we do 
 not eblieve it is possible now, 'but we 
 do not dare to stand in the way of 
 such seemingly strong convictions, go 
 ahead for one month and see what 
 you can do toward a building fund, 
 but we cannot consider building un- 
 less $12,000 is pledged. At the end 
 of the month the pastor asked for ten 
 days' extension of time to complete 
 the canvas, and then reported $16,000 
 in subscriptions. At once prepara- 
 tions were made for building. 
 
 "The walls were builded because 
 the people had a mind to give." Many 
 
26 
 
 gave to the point of great sacrifice, 
 for which we devoutly thank God to- 
 day, for it enabled us to build a 
 church not only suited to the needs 
 of that day, but one that wll continue 
 to be a splendid workshop for many 
 years to come. Many wondered if we 
 should ever see that same fervent 
 evangelistic spirit in the new build- 
 ing that had characterized the work 
 of the last three years in the old, 
 that same spirit was manifestly pres- 
 ent in the fall of 1897, and during the 
 first six months of 1898. Then we 
 were permitted to enlarge the place of 
 our habitation, to lengthen our cords 
 ad strengthen our stakes, to gain a 
 place in the hearts of many new fam- 
 ilies in the community, for most of 
 those baptized at this time were from 
 families not previously connected with 
 the church. The building movement 
 was successfully completed without 
 friction, leaving us in good condition 
 to go forward with the building of the 
 greater spiritual temple. The work of 
 the Ladies' Church Extension Society 
 deserves to te specially commended, 
 for they laid the foundation for the 
 building fund, and helped to create a 
 growing sentiment which at last en- 
 abled the church to unanimously unite 
 in the erection of a new temple of 
 worship. We were permitted to see 
 our membership nearly doubled in six 
 years. J. F. Mills. 
 
 Rev. M. L. Rugg, D.D. 
 
 October 12th, 1898, Rev. M. L. Rugg 
 was unanimously called to the Pastor- 
 ate . March 5th, 1892, after the 
 Trustees had made their final report 
 on church building, the church heard 
 an address from Deacon J. S. Hall on 
 the church 'building, including the 
 raising of funds and the planning and 
 erection of the building. 
 
 Professor C. H. Hopkins spoke on 
 the support of the church as coming 
 from those who are loyal, and inter- 
 
 Rev. M. L. Rugg, D.D. 
 
 ested in the welfare of the church. 
 N. A. Riley spoke of some historical 
 incidents relating to the church, and 
 Mrs. J. M. Lewis spoke of the Ladies' 
 Church Extension Society, and the 
 fact that this Society has contributed 
 $2891.00 towards the church building, 
 and furnishing fund. Brother W. O. 
 Connor spcke for the Young People, 
 and Geo. M. Bennett spoke of the 
 choir, and the need for more hymnals, 
 and a pipe organ to help the efficiency 
 of the musical services of the church. 
 Brother L. A. McLean spoke of the de- 
 velopment of the church, Brother Fred 
 C. Hubbard presented the final report 
 of the Trustees on the Building Fund. 
 
 All cancelled papers in connection 
 with the building were burned, and 
 the day went down as a red letter day 
 in the history of the church. 
 
 September 4th, 1901, the Building 
 Committee reported finances as fol- 
 
27 
 
 lows: ferent churches from the east to the 
 
 Receipts. far west in our country, I have yet to 
 
 General subscription $22,254.91 find one in which the personal rela- 
 
 Ladies Society 800.00 tionship of pastor and people was more 
 
 Memorial Window Fund 790.18 harmonious and cordial. During the 
 
 Stanford Hall subscription.... 373.54 six years I served the church as pas- 
 Ladies' Society, Aug. 10 198.00 tor, extending from November, 1898. 
 
 to the last of 1904, I have not record- 
 Total receipts $24,416.63 ed upon memory's tablet a single in- 
 
 Contracts. stance in which unpleasant words or 
 Paid out to Aug. 1, '01 $23,989.63 actions marred the perfect pastoral re- 
 Paid on note 400.00 lations. 
 
 Interest on note 27.00 To state that there were never dif- 
 
 ferences of opinions regarding church 
 
 Total paid out $24,416.63 work among so many members of such 
 
 Amt. due on subs $1188.00 varied conditions of living and think - 
 
 Amt. due on deed 464.50 ing would be to declare a unity of 
 
 conclusions impossible among those 
 
 Total amount due $1652.50 with such differences of viewpoints. 
 
 Bal. of debt 500.00 But though differences might arise. 
 
 Leaving a balance of $1152.50 the tie of Christian love bound the 
 
 hearts of pastor and people in such 
 
 if pledges were paid. unity of purpose in carrying them out 
 October 12th, 1902, roll call, to that the different pieces became one 
 which 213 members responded. De- building in the finished work. This 
 cember 3rd, 1902, a Pipe Organ Com- unity of thought, and purpose, and ac- 
 mittee was appointed to raise funds ^on was well expressed in the verse 
 and were given conditions. of tha t hymn we so often sung at 
 December 21st, 1902, Evangelist communion service: ' Blest be the tie 
 Tera Smith was invited to assist Pas- that binds our hearts in Christian love, 
 tor Rugg in holding special meetings The fellowship of kindred minds is 
 to begin January llth, 1903. October lik e to that above." 
 19th, 1904, Pastor M. L. Rugg resigned, My Impressions regarding the 
 to take effect December 1, 1904. church, as already mentioned would in 
 I send my greetings and best wish- many ways apply to my relationship 
 es to the First Baptist Church of Ur- to those without. Especially did I find 
 bana, 111., on this her seventy-fifth an- the fellowship of Christian love in 
 niversary. I congratulate pastor and those who bear another name. And 
 people on the blessings which have at- those who worshiped with us in kin- 
 tended them and made it possible to d re d faith from the university. I knew 
 celebrate under such pleasant condi- them only a few years, yet I came to 
 tions this auspicious occasion. look upon many of them, not as guests, 
 After being in the pastorate over but as members of our church home, 
 thirty years, I can truthfully say that In with the review of these relation- 
 the six years I spent as Pastor of the ships are the many social and friendly 
 Urbana Baptist church count, in every ones with those I met in the business 
 way, among the most pleasant and and society ways of the city. I can 
 prosperous of my ministry. After a wish for my successor no more pleas- 
 personal acquaintance as pastor of dif- ant review than that which rises to 
 
28 
 
 my own mind as I write. For such 
 pleasant relationship in the future as 
 have marked those of the past is the 
 wish and prayer of one of the old pas- 
 tors. M. L. Rugg, D.D. 
 
 REV. J. A. BROWN. 
 
 Rev. James A. Brown was called to 
 the Pastorate April 5th, 1905. The 
 new parsonage, 205 West High street, 
 was decided upon by the Trustees, and 
 consented to by Mrs. Busey, to which 
 she gave $4,000.00, and the church 
 ordered the Trustees to close the deal 
 at once, the purchasing price being 
 $6.800.00. December 6th, 1905, the 
 Trustees recommended that a Finan- 
 cial Agent be employed at a salary of 
 $100.00 per year, and the church 
 adopted the recommendation, appoint- 
 ing Miss Anna Webber as the first 
 and only paid agent. August 15th, 
 1905, Pastor Brown resigned to take 
 effect October 31st, 1906. The church 
 accepted the resignation. 
 
 Letter of Rev. J. A. Brown. 
 
 There is little to be said about my 
 short pastorate in the Urbana church. 
 I was there only one year and six 
 months. At the beginning of my work 
 
 "Mother Busey" gave the money by 
 which the present fine parsonage was 
 made possible to the church. The 
 weekly system of giving to Missions 
 was introduced, and pushed to such an 
 extent that there was complaint that 
 more gave to Missions, than to our 
 regular church expense. The Sabbath 
 School was changed from the noon 
 hour to the morning. We remember 
 our Urbana friends with tender regard, 
 and affection. My work at Blooniing- 
 ton, Indiana, was eminently successful 
 six years, and my work here in a great 
 educational center is succeeding ad- 
 mirably, with every seat taken, and 
 constant additions to the church. I 
 will mail you my "cut" whenever you 
 want it. Yours truly, 
 
 Emporia, Kan. James A. Brown. 
 
 Rev. Robert Van Meigs 
 
 October 24th, 1906. a call was ex- 
 tended to Rev. R. V. Meigs to the pas- 
 torate of the church. Only a few had 
 heard him, or seen him. After lengthy 
 specifications had been presented by 
 him, and accepted by the church, he 
 
29 
 
 was installed as pastor. November 7th, 
 190G, 28 names were dropped from the 
 roll for delinquency. June 5th, 1907, 
 the church was the recipient of an 
 Individual Communion set from Sisters 
 S. H. Busey and Augusta Morgan. A 
 vote of thanks was extended to them 
 for this thoughtful gift. October Gth, 
 1907, the Deacons were instructed to 
 use one-fifth of the Communion of- 
 fering for other objects, and purposes, 
 than usually this .fund is used. De- 
 cember 4th, 1907, it was decided to 
 elect a Moderator, whose duty it shall 
 be to preside over all business meet- 
 ings, and whose term of office shall 
 be one year. By unanimous vote Dea- 
 con J. S. Hall was elected to that po- 
 sition, which he has held with honor, 
 and acceptance to this day. In this 
 meeting a motion was passed request- 
 ing the heads of each department to 
 present an annual report of work done 
 by that department for the year 
 closing with December 31st. Septem- 
 ber 8th, Rev. R. S. Mackey, pastor of 
 the "Church of God," presented him- 
 self for membership in this church, 
 and after examination by Deacons and 
 others he was received as a member, 
 and the hand of fellowship extended 
 to him. At the same meeting it was 
 moved and carried, that the church 
 request the Bloomfield Association in 
 its meeting at Arthur, to examine 
 Rev. Mr. Mackey as to ordination, to 
 the gospel ministry as a Baptist. Oc- 
 tober Gth, 1909, the Trustees reported 
 the gift of $300.00 by Miss Myra Sil- 
 vers to the church. December 2nd, 
 1909, the Deacons reported that there 
 were 49 conversions as a result of the 
 Herald of Hope work in the north part 
 of the city. They recommended the 
 formation of a mission branch of the 
 First Church. For further history see 
 Herald of Hope Baptist church. Sep- 
 tember 18th, 1909, the Deacons recom- 
 mended that the Rev. Edgar Wool- 
 
 house be called as Assistant Pastor of 
 the First Church with a view to tak- 
 ing charge of the work at Herald of 
 Hope Chapel. December 7th, 1910, 
 the Pastor, R. V. Meigs, was request- 
 ed to take charge of Finances for the 
 year 1911. June 7th, 1911, it was mov- 
 ed and carried that one service every 
 two months be devoted to the Com- 
 munion service. September 23rd, 1911, 
 the Rev. Edgar Woolhouse was callel 
 to the Herald of Hope Mission. Jan- 
 uary 3rd, 1912, the plan of financing 
 the church was left as last year, in 
 the hands of the Pastor. February 
 4th, 1912, Revs. R. S. Kirkland and 
 F. F. Leonard began a special meet- 
 ing. There is no further record of 
 that meeting as to results, or time of 
 continuance. July 17tn, 1912, Rev. R. 
 V. Meigs presented his resignation as 
 Pastor, and it was accepted to take 
 place September 1st, 1912. Resolu- 
 tions were passed on the resignation 
 of Rev. R. V. Meigs. Brother Meigs 
 was a very magnetic man with a pas- 
 sion for additions, and a persistent 
 method of working to that end. His 
 history in the church, page after page, 
 is that of gathering in. There were 
 some periods of discipline, and some 
 names were dropped, but the whole 
 work of his five years, and eight 
 months of service was along the line 
 of accretion to the church. Several 
 times his health was in jeopardy, and 
 the church always came to his relief, 
 and did the handsome thing to his 
 help, and to her honor. During his 
 ministry in 1910 the Church enter- 
 tained the State Convention. During 
 this Pastorate a class in the Sunday 
 School was organized, and called the 
 "Tri-mu Class." This class might be 
 made the strongest organization in the 
 church, and will be so, when they 
 give the emphasis of their work to 
 the spiritual side of the church. 
 
30 
 
 Letter of Rev. R. V. Meigs. 
 Mrs. Meigs and I began our work 
 with the church January 1, 1907, and 
 closed Sept. 1, 1912. At the beginning 
 of my pastorate I declared that the 
 First Church of Urbana should have a 
 membership of one thousand strong. 
 The first year the clerk reported 133 
 additions. The trustees reported a 
 deficit of $929.19 wiped out. The sec- 
 ond year there were 122 additions, and 
 the building was renovated, credit for 
 which was duly given to the varous 
 departments by Chairman N. A. Riley, 
 the Clerk L. A. McLean saying in his 
 report, 'The year has been one of the 
 most prosperous in the. history of the 
 church." During the year the benevo- 
 lences increased more than 25 per 
 cent. The Sunday School attendance 
 had almost doub'ei that of January, 
 1907, the average being 35G, with of- 
 ferings $8.92 per Sunday. In 1908, in 
 the afternoons the pastor held a cate- 
 chetical class for the younger mem- 
 bers of the church, out of which the 
 Junior Church grew in 1909, and in 
 
 1910 the Junior, and Intermediate C. 
 E. In 1910 a splendid Bible rHass was 
 conducted by Deacon E. S. Hall at Mrs. 
 Artemesia Busey's home. In the midst 
 of large plans which were being car^ 
 ried out successfully came the sick- 
 ness which enforced a vacation of 
 three months and won my undying 
 gratitude to the church for its kind- 
 ness. In the year 1911 a finance com- 
 mittee of men was organized, which 
 succeded in meeting current expenses, 
 and also reducing the deficit more than 
 $200.00. An attack of appendicitis in 
 
 1911 made another three months' va- 
 cation necessary, and the church cared 
 for me. Mrs. Meigs and I enjoyed our 
 work with the church, and Association, 
 and University people and also our 
 church choir. It is our prayer that the 
 Urbana church may grow in spiritual- 
 ity, and membership, and interest in 
 
 missions among all its people. 
 Cordially yours, 
 
 R. V. Meigs. 
 
 Rev. G. M. Shott, D.D. 
 
 By a singular providential dealing, 
 Rev. G. M. Shott had been invited to 
 visit here on his return from the 
 Northern Covention at DesMoinea, 
 Iowa, but it so transpired that he 
 could not attend the meetings at 
 Des Moines, and cancelled his engage- 
 ment. A little later he was requested 
 to pay a vacation visit to Urbana and 
 visit with old friends and members, 
 and preach as a supply for Elder 
 Meigs. The arrangement had been 
 made, and the dates set for July 21 
 and 28. On Thursday, July 18th, in 
 a letter from Pastor Meigs, making 
 final plans for the visit he informed 
 Elder Shott of his resignation. 
 
 At his first interview with Elder 
 Shott, Elder Meigs said, "Why can- 
 not you come back, and take up the 
 
31 
 
 work again." The matter was looked 
 upon at first as a passing complement, 
 and pleasantry, but after the first 
 Sab-bath of services old friends who 
 had been in Mr. Shott's former Pas- 
 torate met in groups, and at once be- 
 gan to discuss the possibilities of his 
 return to a second Pastorate, and so 
 that by Wednesday of the first week 
 of his visit it was practically settled 
 that a call would be extended. On 
 quickly the the sentiment spread, 
 Sunday, August 4th, 1912, the Pulpit 
 Committee reported a recommenda- 
 tion to call Rev. Gideon M. Shott to 
 a second Pastorate to tegin Septem- 
 ber 1st, 1912. He immediately ac- 
 cepted, and was on the field in time to 
 attend the Bloomfield Association at 
 Sidell. 
 
 The first work which has not yet 
 been quite finished has been to find, 
 and as far as possible line up the 
 large, and scattered membership of 
 the church. The organization of the 
 University Baptist Church, and a lit- 
 tle later the organization of Herald of 
 Hope as a separate church, and soon 
 after that the organization of Cun- 
 ningham Avenue Mission into a separ- 
 ate Baptist church, has made some 
 drafts upon our membership, but at 
 tlrs time as this history goes to press 
 the membership all told is GG4. 
 
 Rev. G. M. Shott was asked to teach 
 the "Agoma" Student Class and has 
 been teaching a Teachers' Class also, 
 besides taking a full hand in all the 
 other services, doing some outside 
 work besides. He expects, and has 
 already begun to do work in the As- 
 sociation, and at other points, and has 
 many calls for addresses, and funerals, 
 and other services. 
 
 During 1913 the Trustees are re- 
 sponsible for the financing of the 
 church. The church has been careful- 
 ly districted, and visitors located in 
 each district to look after each de- 
 
 partment of church work, and report 
 results. This method has not yet had 
 a good chance to reach results, but its 
 influence has already been very wide- 
 spread, and if the members of the 
 committees on the districts will do 
 the work asked of them it will revolu- 
 tionize the attendance, and finances 
 of the church. The Pastor relates al- 
 most daily little pleasant surprises of 
 finding people who were either ac- 
 quainted in the first Pastorate, or 
 were related in some way, making 
 each day a joyful day of service, and 
 surprises. 
 
 L. A. McLean. 
 
 FOURTH QUARTER CENTURY. 
 
 With the close of these pages our 
 church will be entering upon the 
 Fourth Quarter Century of its history. 
 May not t ehexperiences of the Three 
 Quarters through which it has come 
 (each -patience and perseverance and 
 strict adherence to Covenant? Would 
 it not be a fine ambition to strive to 
 exalt the standards of our church, and 
 denomination? At the time this book 
 goes to press it is being prophesied by 
 those who ought to know, that there 
 are many signs of a return to more 
 conservative standards, and deeper 
 spiritual ideals. The Bible is being 
 read as it never has been read in all 
 the years. It has passed successfully 
 through decades of the most destruct- 
 ive criticism possible to the judg- 
 ments of men. Every advantage has 
 been taken of its many translations, 
 and the consequent errors that have 
 crept in from careless usage, and yet 
 the integrity of the Word of God 
 stands secure. 
 
 Let us all begin at once to make 
 this generation tell on all successive 
 generations. 
 
32 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 PASTORS DEACONS CLERKS LICENSE 
 
 "And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists and 
 some Pastors and some teachers." 
 
 Pastor. 
 
 Elected. 
 
 Resigned. 
 
 Duration. 
 
 Rev Isaac Newell 
 
 September, 1838.. 
 
 June 1839 
 
 9 months 
 
 Rev F Smalley 
 
 October 1839 
 
 June 1840 
 
 8 months 
 
 Rev Dan'l Porter 
 
 July, 1840 
 
 March 1842 
 
 1 voar 8 months 
 
 Rev Dual Dotson 
 
 May 1842 
 
 eptember 1843 
 
 
 Rev G W Dare 
 
 . 1847 
 
 May 3 1849 
 
 
 Rev Rual Dotson 
 
 March 3, 1849 
 
 July 5 1851 
 
 2 years 4 months 
 
 Rev. D. S. French 
 Rev Mr Taylor 
 
 August 30, 1851.... 
 March 6, 1852 
 
 December, 1851..- 
 March 5 1853 
 
 4 months. 
 
 Rev Ira M Reese 
 
 May 21, 1853 
 
 May 6 1854 
 
 1 year 
 
 Rev G W Carter 
 
 July 1 1854 .. 
 
 March 3 1855 
 
 8 months 
 
 Rev. John A. Pool 
 Rev. G. W. Riley.. 
 Rev. A. L. Fair.. 
 Rev. G. W. Riley 
 
 December 1, 1855 
 April 5, 1856 
 January 1, 1857. 
 October 16 1858.. 
 
 January 1, 1856.... 
 September 1, 1856 
 March 1, 1858 
 April 7 1867 
 
 1 year. 
 5 months. 
 1 year, 2 months. 
 9 years 5 months 
 
 Rv. A.B. J. Bryant 
 
 October 2, 1867.... 
 
 July 3 1869 
 
 1 year 5 months. 
 
 Rev. A. L Seward 
 
 July 25, 1869 
 
 July 1, 1870 . . 
 
 11 months 
 
 Rev. G. W. Riley.. 
 D. F. Carnahan.... 
 W H Stedman 
 
 February 2, 1870.. 
 Nov. 10, 1872 
 May 10, 1875 
 
 Nov. 10, 1872 
 August 30, 1874.... 
 March 5, 1882 
 
 2 years, 9 months. 
 1 year, 9 months. 
 7 years 
 
 Rev G M. Shott 
 
 August 1, 1882 
 
 June 8, 1884 
 
 1 year 10 months. 
 
 Rev B C. Sage 
 
 July 1, 1886 
 
 June 8, 1887 . . . 
 
 11 months. 
 
 Rev. F. J. Leavitt 
 Rev. W. W. Smith 
 Rev. J. W. Primm 
 Rev. J. F. Mills.... 
 Rev. M. L. Rugg.. 
 Rev. J. A. Brown 
 Rev. R. V. Meigs 
 Rev. G. M Shott 
 
 August 1, 1887 
 September 7, 1889 
 November 8, 1891 
 December 18, 1892 
 December 1, 1898 
 March 22, 1905.... 
 December 9, 1906 
 September 1, 1912 
 
 August 1, 1889 
 September 1, 1891 
 October 2, 1892.... 
 September 1, 1898 
 November 1, 1904 
 October 31, 1906.. 
 September 1, 1912 
 
 2 years. 
 2 years. 
 11 months. 
 5 years, 8 months 
 5 years, 9 months 
 1 year, 6 months. 
 5 years, 8 months 
 
 
 
 
 v 
 
 The average of all the pastorates 
 is 2 years, 7 months. The longest 
 single pastorate was that of Elder G. 
 W. Riley, 9 years and 5 months. Th'e 
 second longest is that of Rev. W. H. 
 Stedman, D.D., 7 years and 1 month. 
 
 To Elder Riley came the unusual ex- 
 perience of a third call to the pastor- 
 ate while Elder Rual Dotson and 
 Rev. G. M. Shott were each honored 
 with a call to a second partorate. 
 
33 
 
 "For they that have used the office of a deacon well, purchase to them- 
 selves a good degree, and great boldness of the faith which is in Christ Jesus." 
 
 DEACONS 
 
 Matthais Rhinehart, March, 1839. 
 James T. Roe, March, 1839. 
 William Gill, April 5, 185G. 
 James S. Busey, April 5, 1856. 
 J. N. Wilson, June 1, 1858. 
 
 E. S. Packard, June 1, 1858. 
 James Myers, June 1, 1858. 
 Joseph T. Everett, December 5, 1861. 
 William P. Sweet, February 4, 1863. 
 J. W. Everett, February 4, 1863. 
 Edward Ater, December 19, 1863. 
 Dudley McClain, January 2, 1870. 
 
 S. S. Hall, January 2, 1870. 
 Allan McClain, February 5, 1876. 
 George Walker, July 1, 1881. 
 P. Richards, March 19, 1884. 
 N. A. Riley, February 6, 1884. 
 J. W. Cushman, March 19, 1884. 
 J. P. Blue, March 19, 1884. 
 
 F. M. Snyder, February 6, 1884. 
 L. G. Hubbard, December 7, 1887. 
 J. S. Hall, October 1, 1893. 
 
 C. A. Tufts, December 5, 1894. 
 George Walker, December 5, 1894. 
 M. D. Busey, December 4, 1895. 
 N. A. Riley, December 4, 1895. 
 
 G. H. Clark, December 1, 1897. 
 George Walker, December 7, 1898. 
 John Ross, January, 1898. 
 
 M. D. Busey, December 6, 1899. 
 E. M. Knowlton, December 6, 1899. 
 James I. Batler, December 5, 1900. 
 J. S. Hall, December 6. 1911. 
 William Gardner, December 3, 1903. 
 M. D. Busey, December 7, 1904. 
 
 A faithful Deacon is a blessing to 
 any church or pastor. There is more 
 than ordinary opportunity in this 
 church for the office of Deacon to be 
 of special help to the Pastor and 
 
 J. S. Hall, December 5, 1906. 
 
 E. S. Hall, May 1, 1907. 
 
 F. J. Clark, Sept. 1, 1907. 
 
 D. L. Scroggins, May 1, 1907. 
 J. V. Riggs, December 4, 1907. 
 J. W. Primm, December 2, 1908. 
 M. D. Busey, December 2, 1908. 
 J. I. Butler, December 2, 1908. 
 F. M. Wardall, December 5, 1900. 
 Joseph M. Roberts, Dec. 5, 1900. 
 N. A. Riley, December 14, 1901. 
 John Ross, December 3, 1903. 
 Hiram V. Jones, Dec. 7, 1904. 
 W. B. Clark, December 5, 1906. 
 John Ross, December 4, 1907. 
 
 J. P. Blue, May 1, 1907. 
 
 C. A. Tufts, January 5, 1907. 
 
 L. G. Hubbard, December 4, 1907. 
 William Gardner, December 4, 1907. 
 J. W. Peacock, December 4, 1907. 
 F. C. Hubbard, December 2, 1908. 
 George Schiff, December 2, 1908. 
 J. W.z Primm, December 2, 1909. 
 H. V. Jones, Decemuer 2, 1909. 
 F. M. Wardall, December 2, 1909. 
 Edward Lee, December 2, 1909. 
 H. P. Stinespring, Dec. 7, 1910. 
 
 E. S. Hall, December 7, 1910. 
 
 D. H. Goodspeed, December 6, 1911. 
 Edward Lanham, March 1, 1911. 
 
 E. P. Barnhart, December 6, 1911. 
 L. A. McLean, December 4, 1912. 
 Hiram Jones, December 4, 1912. 
 W. I. Roberts, December 4, 1912. 
 J. S. Hall, December 6, 1912. 
 
 E. T. Strong, December 4, 1912. 
 W. L. Bennett, December 4, 1912. 
 
 church. A spiritual Deacon will stand 
 as a peacemaker between contending 
 parties. He can smother flames start- 
 ed by wagging tongues before a great 
 fire is kindled. 
 
34 
 
 CLERKS 
 
 "Write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for 
 time to come, forever and forever." 
 
 F. M. 
 
 F. M. Snyder 
 
 Among the clerks we find that F. 
 M. Snyder held the longest continu- 
 ous service. His term of service 
 lacked three months of eleven years. 
 L. A. McLean 'had two terms as clerk, 
 one of two years and another of nine 
 years continuously. F. M. Snyder was 
 born November 19th, 1834, at Homes- 
 dale, Pa. He became a printer's ap- 
 prentice at the age of 16 and after 
 coming to Urbana in 1850 he was em- 
 ployed by the Urbana Union and set 
 the first type for a newspaper in Ur- 
 bana. He has followed some form of 
 the business for most of his life as 
 editor, publisher, or journeyman. He 
 edited and published the Urbana Re- 
 publican, which afterwards was merg- 
 ed into the Champaign County Her- 
 ald, for ten years. He suffered three 
 disastrous fires, but rose each time, 
 
 Snyder 
 
 and continued to publish a newspaper. 
 In 1882 he took the place of composi- 
 tor on the Herald, and held that posi- 
 tion for a long time. June 21st, 1860, 
 he married Miss Clara Goodspeed, who 
 is still living. A large family gathered 
 about their hearthstone, and still live 
 with one exception to cheer their de- 
 clining days. Mr. Snyder had three 
 years of war service from which he 
 came home in '65 badly broken in 
 health. He at once addressed him- 
 self to his chosen calling, and made 
 headway against difficulties formid- 
 able enough to have discouraged even 
 a stronger man. He is a man of per- 
 sistent will power, and at present is 
 Justice of the Peace, doing business 
 without much loss of time. 
 
 He is an enthusiastic Odd Fellow, 
 and a member of the First Baptist 
 church of Urbana since March 3rd, 
 1883, when Rev. G. M. Shott in his 
 first pastorate baptized him and Mrs. 
 Snyder. His minutes are orderly, and 
 fairly full, and withal show care, and 
 neatness. He handled "the pen of a 
 ready writer." 
 
 David Cox, 1838-May, 1884. 
 
 James Myers, May, 1844-Ap. 2, 1853. 
 
 T. J. Newport, Apr. 2, 1853 -May 
 
 6, 1864. 
 Jephtha Trumann, May 6, 1854- 
 
 August 5, 1854. 
 David O. Quick, August 5, 1854- 
 
 May 31, 1856. 
 Andrew J. Allan, May 31, 1856-June 
 
 1, 1857. 
 Robert Slater, July 12, 1857-July 1, 
 
 1865. 
 Allen McClain, July 1, 1865-June 
 
 3, 1871. 
 Henry Steele, June 3, 1871-January 
 
35 
 
 12, 1872. 
 Jeptha Truman, Jan. 1, 1872-May 
 
 4, 1873. 
 Robert Webber, May 4, 1873-March 
 
 6, 1875. 
 
 L. A. McLean, March G, 1875-March 
 31, 1877. 
 M. D. Busey, March 31, 1877-Jan. 
 
 8, 1879. 
 Mrs. Hattie Gere, Jan. 8, 1879-Jan. 
 
 1, 1881. 
 
 E. H. Cunningham, Jan. 1, 1881- 
 Dec. 28, 1881. 
 
 W. B. Carman, Dec. 28, 1881-June 
 
 28, 1882. 
 W. H. Dickerson, June 28, 1882- 
 
 August 15, 1883. 
 
 F. M. Snyder, August 15, 1883-Apr. 
 
 4, 1894. 
 
 Burt Webber, April 4, 1894-Dec. 5, 
 
 1894. 
 John Kerrigan, Dec. 5, 1892 -Dec. 
 
 2, 1896. 
 C. G. Hopkins, Dec. 2, '96; July 
 
 5, 1899. 
 
 F. C. Hubbard, July 5, 1899-Dec. 
 
 14, 1901. 
 C. G. Hopkins, Dec. 14, '01-Dec. 3, 
 
 1902. 
 L. A. McLean, Dec. 3, 1902-Dec. 
 
 6, 1911. 
 
 C. A. Tufts, Dec. 6, 1911-Dec. 4, '11. 
 Horace Ingalls, Dec. 4, 1912 
 Twenty-six clerks in all; an aver- 
 age of three years apiece for "25 of 
 tLem that handled the pen of the 
 writer." 
 
 LICENSE 
 
 "As ye ero, preach." 
 
 While the church has sent out 
 hundreds of members to take up work 
 elsewhere, it has not been prolific in 
 Ministerial results. So far as records 
 show only four persons have ever been 
 licensed to preach, and not one has 
 gone to the Foreign field. November 
 2, 1872, Henry Steele was licensed and 
 September 27, 1882, John Carman was 
 licensed, and August 5, 1895, W. G. 
 Spurgin was licensed, but his license 
 was revoked July 5th, 1899, he having 
 chosen a secular calling instead. Feb- 
 ruary 14, 1883, Deacon Allen McClain 
 was licensed to preach. The church 
 should not only "pray the Lord of the 
 harvest that he would send laborers 
 into the harvest, "but it should seek 
 out promising young men and women, 
 and lay the burden of responsibility 
 upon them to prepare themselves for 
 the many-sided phases of presenting 
 the gospel both at home, and abroad. 
 Our Young People's Society has been 
 paying about seventy-five dollars per 
 year towards the support of Gaula 
 Sayanna, a native Missionary in Han- 
 
 amakonda Deccan, India. 
 
 We have one member of our church, 
 Rev. W. H. Stallings, who is at Hamil- 
 ton, N. Y., preparing himself for work 
 on the foreign field. He was not li- 
 censed by this church, but represents 
 it as a student for the Ministry. 
 
 The supply of ministers depends 
 largely upon the home life, and the 
 church life of boys who come from 
 Christian homes. If they are proper- 
 ly taught in Missions, and the great 
 privileges of serving Christ at home 
 and abroad, we shall never lack min- 
 isters. The ministry demands the 
 best that any man can bring into its 
 service and the finest intellect cul- 
 tured to the limits of utmost ability 
 is none too small to consecrate to 
 Him who gave himself for the world. 
 The new minister of the next twenty- 
 five years will be more manly and 
 natural. 
 
 Let all who read this book pray 
 that the old church may send out 
 many a herald not only into the home 
 field, but abroad as well. 
 
36 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 FINANCES TREASURERS TRUSTEES 
 
 "On the first day of the week let everyone of you lay by him in store as the 
 Lord hath prospered." 
 
 FINANCES 
 
 From the time the church failed to 
 secure the lot granted to them by the 
 county in 1839, the financial prob- 
 lem has been an unsettled one. All 
 sorts of plans, and ways and means 
 have been instituted to put the church 
 on a good financial footing, but none 
 of them have been worned up to the 
 point of absolute success. The min- 
 utes swarm with constant references 
 to incomplete finances. (See chapter 
 on Resolutions). As the membership 
 increased the difficulties of the finance 
 part of the work seemed to increase. 
 There seems to be a sort of special 
 tenderness about the matter of fi- 
 nance, all through the church. The 
 fear of infringing on the personal 
 
 prejudices of members who range 
 along a wide difference of opinions 
 about the matter of giving, seems to 
 be at the bottom of the whole mat- 
 ter The Bible is specially explicit 
 ir the matter of the Stewardship of 
 God's people for finances. Your com- 
 mittee would urge a campaign of 
 persistent effort along the line of the 
 individual, proportionate, and sys- 
 tematic giving through the envelope, 
 weekly, till we get this matter out of 
 the ruts. It is not a good advertise- 
 ment to the world to see the church 
 run on such a cheap basis, with all 
 other things, including the homes of 
 its. people, run on a high finance 
 basis. 
 
 TREASURERS 
 
 "And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast 
 money into the treasury." 
 
 From the earliest times in the 
 church the collecting and handling of 
 money seems to have been by a Fi- 
 iiance Committee, and sometimes by 
 two such committees. A single 
 treasurer was not elected as far as 
 records at hand show till December 
 31st, 1880, when Brother B. S. Lan- 
 ham, whose name is frequently seen 
 on Finance Committees, becomes the 
 Treasurer. November 8th, 1883, John 
 Ross was elected to that office, which 
 he resigned September 10th, 1884, 
 when Ozias Riley was elected and 
 filled the office till April Gth, 1885, 
 when E. M. Knowlton was elected to 
 fill out the unexpired year, and has 
 remained the continuous Treasurer 
 for more than 28 consecutive years. 
 
 No one knows the harrassing detail? 
 of handling money for church pur- 
 poses, where so many do not con- 
 tribute regularly and through envel- 
 opes. Many little misunderstandings 
 are sure to result requiring explana- 
 tions which are not often accepted in 
 a sweet spirit. No man in the history 
 of the church could have brought 
 more patience into the work than he 
 has done, and the years of his con- 
 stant service are the highest proofs 
 of his abilities and the confidence the 
 church reposes in him. The Contrib- 
 utors might make the work less irk- 
 some by regularity and using the en- 
 velopes so that he can take his own 
 time to make credits. 
 
37 
 
 Everett Knowlton 
 
 EVERETT M. KNOWLTON. 
 Everett M. Knowlton was born in 
 Stratton, Vermont, and took a course 
 of study in Leland and Gray Seminary 
 in Townsend, Vermont. He came to 
 Urbana in 1877, and engaged in busi- 
 ness for a few years. He then formed 
 the firm of nowlton & Bennett, which 
 has been doing a thriving business at 
 the old corner, for more than twenty- 
 six years. The store is also a sort of 
 Baptist Headquarters for Baptists 
 from far and near. Brother Knowlton 
 was married to Miss Hattie Bennett, 
 and though she is as staunch a Pres- 
 byterian as he is a Baptist, yet they 
 have an ideal plan by which each one 
 
 remains loyal to the church of person- 
 al choice with a delightful "right of 
 way" for visiting each other's church. 
 Brother Knowlton is closely related 
 to Missions on the Foreign field on 
 account of Rev. M. J. Knowlton, who 
 was our missionary to Ning Po, 
 China. After twenty years on the for- 
 eign field, Rev. M. J. Knowlton re- 
 turned to this country for rest, and 
 then returned to China, where he died 
 in 1872. Treasurer Knowlton has 
 been treasurer so long that he is the 
 most thoroughly posted man on the 
 financial spirit of our church, and his 
 advice is very valuable on any finan- 
 cial problem. His reports for detail, 
 and accuracy, are models, and the 
 minutes for many scores of business 
 meetings would be barren indeed if it 
 were not for these carefully made re- 
 ports. He has long since learned to 
 patiently endure the carelessness and 
 forgetfulness of members, who throw 
 an unnecessary strain upon him. It 
 is certainly "a means of grace" to 
 him. Let us use the church envelope 
 to pay our subscriptions in, and thus 
 avoid errors and save his valuable 
 time. I am sure no effort to show our 
 appreciation of his long, and accurate 
 service would be more acceptable to 
 him than a constant balance in the 
 Treasury. 
 
 TRUSTEES 
 
 "Give an account of 
 
 James Myers, Nov. 1851. 
 T. I,. Truman, Nov. 1851. 
 Daniel Brumley, Nov. 1851. 
 George Brumley, July, 1856. 
 Alonzo Stearns, April 5, 1856. 
 E. S. Packard, Feb. 5, 1858. 
 James Myers, Dec. 10, 1873. 
 Dudley McClain, Dec. 10, 1873. 
 N. A. Riley, Dec. 10, 1873. 
 G. A. Walker, Feb. 6, 1881. 
 M. D. Busey, 1888. 
 
 thy stewardship." 
 
 B. S. Lanham, March 19, 1884. 
 L. A. McLean, March 19, 1884. 
 Patrick Richards, June 6, 1883. 
 M. D. Busey, March 19, 1884- 
 B. S. Lanham, 1882. 
 M. W. Kaucher, Dec. 30, 1891. 
 John Lewis, January 2, 1895. 
 L. G. Hubbard, Jan. 2, 1895. 
 Robert A. Webber, Dec. 1, 1891. 
 N. A. Riley, Dec. 7, 1898. 
 J. S. Hall, Dec. 7, 1899. 
 
38 
 
 William Schiff, June 7, 1899. 
 
 W. O. Connor, Dfcc. 6, 1899. 
 
 Mrs. R. A. Webber, Dec. 6, 1899. 
 
 Mrs. Melissa Carson, Dec. 31, 1900. 
 
 F. C. Hubbard, Dec. 2, 1901. 
 
 M. D. Busey, 1881. 
 
 George Schiff, Dec. 2, 1901. 
 
 James I. Butler, Dec. 2, 1901. 
 
 M. D. Busey, Dec. 2, 1901. 
 
 C. G. Hopkins, Dec. 14, 1901. 
 
 C. A. Tufts, Dec. 14, 1901. 
 
 D. L. Scroggins, Sept. 9, 1903. 
 Walter S. Ware, Dec. 3, 1803. 
 Mrs. R. A. Webber, Dec. 3, 1903. 
 Geo. M. Bennett, Dec. 7, 1904. 
 
 F. C. Hubbard, Dec. 7, 1904. 
 
 Frank L. Busey, May 3, 1905. 
 
 Otis M. Percival, May 3, 1905. 
 
 Wm. Schiff, Dec. 5, 1906. 
 
 Mrs. C. L. Van Doren, Dec. 5, 1906. 
 
 Frank L. Busey, Dec. 4, 1907. 
 
 H. P. Stinespring, Dec. 4, 1907. 
 
 N. A. Riley, Dec. 2, 1909. 
 
 Wm. Dietrick, Dec. 2, 1909. 
 
 C. J. Johnson, Dec. 7, 1910. 
 
 E. A. Winchester, Dec. 7, 1910. 
 C. D. Gulick, Dec. 6, 1911. 
 
 F. C. Hubbard, Dec. 6, 1911. 
 W. R. Barnhart, Dec. 4, 1912. 
 George Douglass, Dec. 4, 1912. 
 
 Owing to the fact that the Budget 
 of the necessary expenses of this 
 church is always more than the peo- 
 ple are willing to subscribe at the 
 beginning of the year, the church has 
 always been in debt to a greater, or 
 less extent, except at brief intervals. 
 The pastor was informed that there 
 was no debt that was not provided for 
 in good pledges. We cannot collect 
 these pledges, and the debt has been 
 growing, and would soon be unman- 
 ageable. F. C. Hubbard, President of 
 Board of Trustees, feeling the sense 
 of responsibility resting upon the fin- 
 
 nance committee, and trustees, pro- 
 posed a plan by which two thousand 
 dollars has been pledged, to meet the 
 present deficit, and also to pay coal 
 bill, so that no deficit will ensue be- 
 cause of this special strain. A plan 
 will te put on foot at once to keep 
 out of debt. As you read these pages 
 they will not show the hard work 
 necessary to get the money, but they 
 will record all bills paid, and no defi- 
 cit. Will not all interested in the 
 church help to keep up this high 
 ideal? Thank God and Fred C. Hub- 
 bard and take courage. 
 
 HOSPITALITY 
 
 "Given to hospitality." 
 
 The Urbana church has not been 
 lacking in hospitality. The people of 
 this church have ever been delighted 
 to entertain the ministers, and also 
 the state convention, and the Bloom - 
 field Association. The following is 
 the record of such entertainment. 
 
 The church entertained the state 
 convention in 1879, 1886, 1910; the 
 Bloomfield association, 1885, 1862, 
 1868, 1873, 1883, 1888, 1913. 
 
 As this book goes to press the 
 church is preparing to entertain the 
 Bloomfield Association. An import- 
 ant programme is in preparation, and 
 anticipations are running high that we 
 will have one of the best meetings 
 ever held. A Council is called to meet 
 Monday night to recognize three new 
 churches, organized in Urbana during 
 1912. 
 
39 
 
 BENEVOLENCE TABLE 
 
 This table begins with the first 
 record of Mission money in the 
 Bloomfield Minutes. None of the min- 
 utes of an earlier date contain any 
 reference to Mission money at all. 
 Sometimes a collection was taken in 
 
 bulk at the Association, but no cred- 
 its were given to any local church. 
 
 The only record of finance of any 
 kind is money for minutes which be- 
 gan to be recorded in I860, and may 
 bt seen in *the membership table: 
 
 1 m 
 
 ^ <? ^ 
 ffi 2. *d 
 
 . OKS 
 
 g 
 
 g 
 
 p 
 
 M 2 _ O 
 p f ~ 
 
 f 3 S- 
 
 1877 
 1878 
 1879 
 
 32.00 
 55.00 
 35.08 
 
 
 
 20.00 
 33.9( 
 36.1J 
 
 ! 
 
 7.00 
 
 25.851 
 
 
 52.00 
 114.75 
 78.23 
 
 1880 
 
 
 
 30.00 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 30.00 
 
 1881 
 
 75.00 
 
 
 
 71.9J 
 
 
 | 32.95] 17.00] 
 
 196.88 
 
 1882 
 
 65.50 
 
 
 
 99.5^ 
 
 
 15.00] 10.00] 
 
 190.04 
 
 1883 
 
 21.85 
 
 
 
 67.7E 
 
 
 17.50] 11.50] 
 
 118.60 
 
 1884 | 13.68 
 
 51.81 
 
 
 68.20 
 
 
 7.55] 3.21] 
 
 144.51 
 
 1885 
 
 5.00 
 
 71.31 
 
 53.00 
 
 72.9^ 
 
 
 18.77 
 
 31.78] 
 
 252.80 
 
 1886 
 
 
 
 42.95 
 
 87.7f 
 
 
 23.50] 33.04] 
 
 107.24 
 
 1887 
 
 
 14.00 
 
 
 52.6* 
 
 35.00 
 
 26.45] 
 
 
 128.13 
 
 1888 
 
 80.00 
 
 18.23 
 
 
 61.15 
 
 35.00 
 
 32.65 
 
 22.00| 
 
 249.03 
 
 1889 
 
 42.04 
 
 38.64 
 
 29.69 
 
 54.80 
 
 93.38] 73.94 
 
 43.73| 
 
 376.22 
 
 1S90 
 
 9.00 
 
 59.001 
 
 31.1? 
 
 39.70] 
 
 32.50 
 
 
 171.33 
 
 1891 4.80 f 19.70 
 
 
 3.3E 
 
 29.70] 
 
 21.00 
 
 
 78.55 
 
 1892 
 
 50.37 
 
 58.53] 3.07 
 
 41.0f 
 
 23.00] 11.89 
 
 6.00 
 
 
 193.95 
 
 1893 
 
 39.30 
 
 38.50] 47.04 
 
 94.8F 
 
 36.35] 11.60 
 
 29.25 
 
 
 296.87 
 
 1894 
 
 10.50 
 
 51.35] 7.32 
 
 42.2? 
 
 19.73 
 
 10.07 
 
 23.95 
 
 
 165.15 
 
 1895 
 
 17.10 
 
 11.17] 14.25 
 
 11.00 
 
 25.98 
 
 
 
 
 77.50 
 
 1896 
 
 
 63.851 35.00 
 
 40.45 
 
 31.39 
 
 
 12.00 
 
 
 182.69 
 
 1897 ...... 
 
 12.56 
 
 34.40] 14.25 
 
 53.1? 
 
 25.32 
 
 
 
 
 139.71 
 
 1898 
 
 16.10 
 
 52.87] 26.64 
 
 37.90 
 
 29.50 
 
 226.38| 31.40] 
 
 420.79 
 
 1899 
 
 15.00 
 
 58.30 34.50 
 
 45.75 
 
 25.751' 22.35] 27.40! 
 
 229.05 
 
 1900 79.03 
 
 56.68] 30.54 
 
 49.5? 
 
 28J5 
 
 
 
 
 243.98 
 
 1901 54.55 
 
 54.21 32.29 
 
 67.00 
 
 2r.75 13.35] 13.35] 5.00 
 
 261.50 
 
 1902 86.44] 102.51] 63.25 
 
 88.41 
 
 20.'75| 20.00] 
 
 381.36 
 
 1903 74.98 73.06] 26.00] 66.50 
 
 27!00| 20.00| 19.701 
 
 307.24 
 
 1904 59.98| 68.061 28.40 
 
 49.40 
 
 31.00 
 
 11.75 
 
 36.70] 
 
 285.29 
 
 1905 29.00 
 
 10.00| 30.00 
 
 44.00 
 
 26.00 
 
 
 8.75| 
 
 147.75 
 
 1906 63.22 
 
 43.97] 30.00 
 
 104.12 
 
 30.00 
 
 8.79] 35.11] 
 
 315.21 
 
 1907 
 
 88.24] 42.32] 35.00] 81.07 
 
 25.00 
 
 16.38] 12.75] 6.59| 307.35 
 
 1908 155.33] 95.34| 40.00] 114.17 
 
 46.00] 60.12] 30.11] 11.29] 552.36 
 
 1909 110.76] 95.78 
 
 54.50] 114.72 
 
 52.50 
 
 85.27] 30.29] 11.36 
 
 555.18 
 
 1910 101.87] 62.64] 50.00] 198.31 
 
 37.00 
 
 23.37| 73.37! 8.77 
 
 555.33 
 
 1911 97.42] 64.35] 57.00] 218.69 
 
 47.00] 54.72| 11.751 6.81 
 
 557.74 
 
 1912 148.96] 104.62] 50.00 
 
 215.67 
 
 95.00] 86.61] 30.80] 135.00 
 
 866.66 
 
 1913 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Tot ]1749.66ll515.02i 871.69|3349.35 943.95] 956.81|2228.44| 184.82J9382.97 
 
 This table has been prepared with 
 great care and yet it is not absolute- 
 ly correct. Each clerk had his way 
 of counting the finances of the church 
 
 and some did not report the same way 
 twice in succession. It is the best we 
 can do. 
 
40 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 PAST MEMBERSHIP 
 
 "Not one of them is forgotten before God. 
 
 A. 
 
 Adams, G. Clarence 
 Adams, Mrs. Amanda 
 Adams, Annie M. 
 Adams, Ellis 
 Aiken, Frances 
 Allison, Roy 
 Alverson, C. G. 
 Allen, Mrs. Stephen 
 Alverson, Mrs. C. G. 
 Alsen, Albert 
 Alberts, Jesse 
 Alberts, Lavada 
 Albright, Mary 
 Allen, Andrew 
 Allen, Amanda 
 Allen, Mrs. Elizabeth 
 Alper, Mrs. 
 Amsbary, Bertha 
 Ammerman, D. R. 
 Anderson, Helen 
 Anderson, S. B. 
 Anderson, Frank. 
 Apperson, Maria 
 Apperson, Maria 
 Apperson, Virgil 
 Apperson, Francis 
 Apperson, Mary 
 Applegate, Mytrle 
 Aper, Dr. 
 Aper, Julia 
 Arms, Martha 
 Askew, James N. 
 Atkinson, Mrs. Annie 
 Ater, Mr. 
 Ater, Mrs. 
 Aterton, Elizabeth 
 Ater, Edward 
 Ater, Mrs. Margaret 
 Ater, Abraham 
 Ater, Mrs. Abraham 
 Atherton, W. C. 
 Atherton Mrs. W. C. 
 Austin, C. Mi 
 Austin, Mrs. L. M. 
 Austin, Pearl M. 
 Austin, Lulu S. 
 Austin, Maria 
 Ayres, Frank 
 Ayres, Mattio 
 B. 
 
 Baird, Mrs. 
 Baird, Arthur 
 Baird, Hattie 
 Brown, Stella B. 
 
 Brcwntleld, Mrs. Laura 
 Baird, Frank 
 Barker, J. J. 
 Barker, Nora 
 Barnhart, Charles 
 Baird, Lillie 
 Baird, William 
 Bayne, Frank 
 Bailey, Kate 
 Bain, William 
 Bain, Mrs. William 
 Barton, Frank 
 Barton, Mrs. Frank 
 Baker, C. J. 
 Bane, Mrs. Martha 
 Bass, William 
 Bass, Mrs. Rachel 
 Bagley, Anna 
 Bailey, Mrs. J. J. 
 Barnes, Mrs. Mattie Gill 
 Beasley, Mrs. William 
 Beatty, F. M. . 
 Beard, Charles 
 Beasley, William 
 Beasley, Ora 
 Beatty. Owen 
 Beardsley, Arvilla N. 
 Beaupre, William 
 Becker, Mrs. Wave 
 Beebe, Ruth 
 Beebe, Nellie 
 Beeby, Mrs. Frank 
 Beebe, Rev. W. H. 
 Beebe, Frank 
 Beebe, Mrs. W. H. 
 Beeker, Lillie 
 Beechman, Mrs. Mae 
 Beck, John 
 Beebe, Louis 
 Beebe, Florence 
 Beechman, Loretta 
 Behrens, Mrs. Anna 
 Bell, Elizabeth 
 Bell, Nancy. 
 Benton, Ethel 
 Beneflel. Edaline 
 Benedict, Mrs. Mary 
 Bennett. Charles 
 Benedict, Leo 
 Benedict, Ollie 
 Bennett, Clara 
 Benedict, Otis 
 Benedict, Mary 
 Baird, Grace 
 
 Bennett, Annie 
 Bennett, Lillie 
 Benedict, ertha 
 Bingham, Hester 
 Birney, S. H. 
 Bixler, Matilda 
 Blaydes, Grace W. 
 Blue, Mrs. Minnie 
 Blue, Mrs. Estella 
 Blackburn, C. H. 
 Blizzard, Mrs. Peter 
 Blackburn, Mrs. Marion 
 Blue, Peter 
 Blue, Nellie 
 Blue, Fredericka 
 Blue, Edith 
 Blue, J. P. 
 Blue. Alice 
 Blackwell, Anna 
 Blackstone, Mrs. 
 Blue, M. C. 
 Blizzard, Peter 
 Boyd, S. M 
 Boley, Katie 
 Bond, Walter 
 Booker, Mrs. A. J. 
 Boys, Mrs. 
 Boggs, James 
 Boyd, Mrs. Elizabeth 
 Bonsson, Mrs. 
 Booker, Clinton. 
 Boone, Hugh T. 
 Bond, Mrs. Walter 
 Bond, J. M. 
 Bonar, Katie 
 Boley, Jennie 
 Boner, Llbbie 
 Bosson, Mrs 
 Bond, William 
 Bradrick, Mrs. G. E. 
 Braman, Martha J. 
 Braman, Mary D. 
 Brash, Mrs. Charles 
 Braqkney, Mrs. Eiima 
 Brash, Char'es 
 Bridge, Glenn 
 Brill, John 
 Brown, Arthur A. 
 Brown, Mrs. Hattie 
 Brown> Rev. J. A. 
 Brown, Mrs. Helen M. 
 Brown, .DeWitt 
 Brothers, uoldis 
 Bennett, Thomas A. 
 
41 
 
 Benefleld, Eva 
 Bradford, Albert 
 Brash, Hannah 
 Brash, David 
 Brash, Wesley 
 Brash, George 
 Bryant, Lillas 
 Britton, (Jertrude 
 Breneman, B. F. 
 Breneman, Mrs. Lavinia 
 Breneman, Forest 
 Bradford, Paul 
 Breceknridge, Mrs. M. 
 Brownfleld, C. J. 
 Brown, Susan 
 Brown, Peter 
 Brown, Lafayette 
 Brown, Albert 
 Brownfield, Mrs. Robert 
 Brown, Mary 
 Bromley, Merby 
 Bronson, James 
 Brown, Henry 
 Brown, Sarah 
 Brown, A. 
 Brown, Arthur 
 Brown, Ham. 
 Brown, Mrs. eJnnie 
 Brumley, Almira 
 Bruley, Lucy Ann 
 Bruce, Dexter 
 Brumley, David A. 
 Brumley, Samuel 
 Prumley, Elizabeth 
 Brumley, John 
 Bruce, Mrs. D. W. 
 Bruce, Dexter 
 Bruce, Mrs. Dexter 
 Bryan, Matilda 
 Bryant, Rev. S. B. J. 
 Bryant, Mrs. S. B. J. 
 Burke, Miss M. 
 Burke, Irene 
 Butler, Mrs. Angie 
 Busey, Mrs. Kate 
 Butts, Mrs. Gertie 
 Bullock, Willie. 
 Burke, W. C. 
 Burnett, Elizabeth 
 Burke, P. E. 
 Burke, Isabella. 
 Burke, Willie. 
 Burklow, Mrs. Ailcy. 
 Burke, Eugene. 
 Busey, Mrs. Elizabeth 
 Busey, Samuel 
 Busey, Simeon H. 
 Busey, Minnie 
 Busey, Robert O. 
 Bush, John K. 
 Butler. Charles 
 Buterfleld, Mrs. C. E. 
 
 Butler, Richard 
 Butler, Annie 
 Busey, James S. 
 Browning, George 
 Byrd, Arthur 
 Busey, Mrs. James S. 
 
 C. 
 
 Catlett, Roland 
 Cadwell, H. S. 
 Carnahan, W. E. 
 Campbell, Mrs. M. 
 Carter, Mrs. S. S. 
 Carpenter, Mary 
 Carey, Mrs. Pearl 
 Campbell, Mrs. M. P. 
 Campbell, Mary 
 Call, John 
 Call. Levica 
 Carman, Ella 
 Carman, Mrs. Julia 
 Carman, W. B. 
 Carmna, John 
 Carman, Rev. I. N. 
 Carman, David 
 Carson, Anna 
 Call, Ada 
 Carpenter, Mrs. L. 
 Call, H. M. 
 Call, Mrs. H. M. 
 Castor, Miss S. A. 
 Caranahan, Rev. D. F. 
 Carnahan, Mrs. D. F. 
 Carle, Ruth 
 Campbell, Quintin. 
 Campbell, Elizabeth. 
 Carter, Rev. G. W. 
 Call, Samuel. 
 Call, Mrs. Samuel. 
 Calhoun, Laura. 
 Campbell, Malinda. 
 Cassell, Benjamin C. 
 Cassell, Vina. 
 Carr, Sarah. 
 Carey, Elwood. 
 Carey, Elmer. 
 Cast'e, Martha. 
 Carey, Mrs. Mary. 
 Canada, Mrs. John 
 Call, N. M. 
 Call, Mrs. N. M. 
 Canada. Mrs. John 
 Chapman, Warren S. 
 Chapman, Mrs. W. S. 
 Chambers, Margaret 
 Chenowith, Grace 
 Cloud, Ida Mae 
 Campbell, Gladys 
 Clark, Mrs. W. B. 
 Clark, Bert. 
 Clark. F. J. 
 Clellan, Anna. 
 Clements, Flossie 
 
 Clark, Mabel. 
 Clark, W. B. 
 Clark, Mrs. F. J. 
 Clark, Miss Rose. 
 Clark, Myrta. 
 Clark, Mrs. G. H. 
 Conklin, Mrs. W. A. 
 Claybourn, E. S. 
 Claybourne, Mrs. E. S. 
 Clements, Sarah. 
 Clift, P. P. 
 Cliff, Albert. 
 Cliff, Sarah. 
 Cloyd, Millie. 
 Cloyd, Frank. 
 Courtney, William. 
 Cox, Mrs. Henry. 
 Cooper, Mrs. Alice 
 Cooper, Mrs. Ella 
 Comstock, aDniel. 
 Comstock. Mrs. E. 
 Conklin, Mrs. W. A. 
 Coughlin, Theodore 
 Connor, Mrs. Bell. 
 Cox, Mrs. J. (Frank). 
 Coughlin, Mrs. B. 
 Coffey, Walter. 
 Cooper, Anna B. 
 Coverdale, Mrs. Rosa. 
 Cox, Brother. 
 Cox, Mrs. Miranda. 
 Cox, George. 
 Cooper, Margaret. 
 Courtney, Frances. 
 Collins, Amelia. 
 Collins, E. W. G. 
 Collins, Mrs. E. W. G. 
 Courtney, Anna. 
 Cook, Nancy. 
 Cox, David. 
 Cox, Phoebe. 
 Courtney, Mrs. Alice. 
 Conkle, Willie. 
 Cooper, Mrs. Amanda. 
 Cox, William. 
 Cox, Julia. 
 
 Cunningham Brother. 
 Cunningham, Sister. 
 Cunningham, Minnie. 
 Cunningham, Naaman. 
 Cunningham, Grace. 
 Cunningham, Lulu. 
 Cunningham, E. H. 
 Cunningham, Mrs. E.H. 
 Cushman, Mrs. Ruth. 
 Cushman, E. H. 
 Cushman, Orinda. 
 Cushman, Elwin. 
 Cushman, Mrs. M, Ware 
 Cushman, Lucian. 
 Cushman, eLicester. 
 Cushman, Grace. 
 
42 
 
 Cushman, Clara. 
 Cushman, Mother. 
 Cutshall, Ida. 
 Clark, G. H. 
 Clark, Mrs. G. H. 
 Clark, Mytra. 
 Cheney, Charles 
 Connor, Will O. 
 Cox, Frank. 
 Comstock, Laura. 
 Comstock, Mrs. A. 
 Conkle, Miranda. 
 Coogler, Emma. 
 Crow, Amanda. 
 Creiger, Lizzie. 
 Creech, William. 
 Curtz, Mrs. Ida. 
 Cutler, Charles. 
 Cutler, Mrs. Charles. 
 Curts, William. 
 Cushman, Burritt. 
 Cunningham, Alfie. 
 Cushman, J. W. 
 Cushman, Maude. 
 Cushman, Mrs. Lizzie. 
 
 D. 
 
 Davidson, John. 
 Davidson, Mrs. John. 
 Davis, Nellie. 
 Davison, Mrs. Lulu. 
 Davis, Forest. 
 Dare, Rev. G. W. 
 Dare, Flora. 
 Dass, John. 
 Darling, J. C. 
 Darling, Harry. 
 Davison, Frank. 
 Davison, Caroline. 
 Danney, E. C. 
 Danney, Mrs. E. C. 
 Davidson, Albert. 
 Davidson, Mrs. Alice. 
 Davis, Howe. 
 Davis, Mrs. N. M. 
 Davis, Hazel 
 Dale, George. 
 Davison, Mrs. Hannah. 
 Darby, Harry. 
 Davis. Minnie. 
 Davis, Dorsey. 
 Dexter, Henry Y. 
 Defenbaugh, Samuel. 
 Deck, Rachel. 
 Deck, Louisiana. 
 Depuy, Louisa. 
 Dempsey, Mollie. 
 Deputy, Miss Emily. 
 Depuy, George. 
 DeAtley, Ed. 
 Depuy, Mrs. eGorge. 
 Defenbaugh, Mary. 
 Defenbaugh, William. 
 
 Defenbaugh, Daniel. 
 Dietrick, Prof. William 
 Dietrick, Mrs. William 
 Dickerson, William. 
 Dickerson, Mrs. Wm. 
 Dickerson, Carrie. 
 Douglas, Josephine 
 Douglas, Mrs. Samuel. 
 Dougan, Sarah C. 
 Dougan, Mrs. L. (Porta 
 Dodge, Mrs. Isabella. 
 Downs, Mrs. M. R. C. 
 Douglas, Frank. 
 Downs, John. 
 Dodge, Mary. 
 Douglas, James. 
 Dougan, John H. 
 Dodge, Albert. 
 Doss, William. 
 Dotson, Rev. Rual. 
 Dougan, Clara. 
 Dougan, Grace. 
 Dougan, Mrs. M. J. 
 Donahue, Mrs. Merby. 
 Drago, Vina. 
 Dreese, Marie. 
 Drury, Alice. 
 Durman, eBnjamin. 
 Dudley, Ella. 
 Dudley, Mrs. Cora. 
 Dunn, Phoebe. 
 Duncan, Mrs. James. 
 Dunn, Minnie. 
 Duff, Mary. 
 Duff, Alice. 
 Dudley, Miss Ella. 
 Dudley, Clara. 
 
 E. 
 
 East, Mrs. Mae Brash. 
 Eads, Lettie. 
 Easterbrook, P. H. 
 Ebert, Evan. 
 Ekborn, Mrs. aDisy. 
 Ely, Miss Daisy. 
 Elliot, Omar. 
 Elliott, James. 
 Everett, Mrs. J. T. 
 Euripides, Fijaro. 
 Elliott, Mrs. Minnie. 
 Everett, Joseph T. 
 Everett, J. W. 
 Ermentrout, Daniel. 
 Everett, Charles. 
 Everett, Kate. 
 
 F. 
 
 Farr, Rev. A. L. 
 Farrell, Mrs. J. A. 
 Farrell, Halle. 
 Ferris. Stanley. 
 Farrow, Rilla. 
 Fenner, Edith. 
 Fenner, Margaret. 
 
 Fiscus, Cora. 
 
 Fijardo, Euripides. 
 
 First, Mrs. Maude. 
 
 Fiscus, Prilla. 
 
 Fitzgerald, Nettie. 
 
 Fluke, Mrs. Eva. 
 
 Fleck, Mrs. N. J. 
 
 Flick, Nancy. 
 
 Ford, Merle. 
 
 Ford, Mabel H. 
 
 Fox, Mrs. Amanda. 
 
 Francis, Charles L. 
 
 Franklin, Harvey. 
 
 Framm, Wallace. 
 
 Framm, Mrs. Mary. 
 
 Frame, Sim. 
 
 Franklin, Reisin. 
 
 Frame, Charles. 
 
 French, Rev. D. S. 
 
 Frizzier, Laurie. 
 
 Fugate, Dr. J. T. 
 
 Fugate, Allie. 
 
 Fugate, Dora. 
 
 Forsythe, James. 
 G. 
 
 Qardner, William. 
 
 Gardner, Mrs. Emma. 
 
 Gardner, Elsie Yanos. 
 
 Gardiner, Willie. 
 Gardiner, Arthur. 
 Gardiner, Lulu Green. 
 
 Gardiner, J. J. 
 Gallagher, Louis. 
 Gardner, Charles Roy. 
 Gardner, Mrs. Nellie R. 
 Garrell, Mr. 
 Gere, Asa. 
 Gere, Lucindas. 
 Gere, Warren. 
 Gere, Eliza. 
 Gere, Harriet. 
 Gere, Louisa. 
 Gere, Frank. 
 Gere, Mrs. E. A. 
 Gibbs, L. C. 
 Gibbs, Edith. 
 Gill, William. 
 Gill, Mrs. Elizateth. 
 Gilliland, Elizabeth E. 
 Gibbs, J. R. 
 Gibbs, Mrs. J. R. 
 Gibbs, Alice. 
 Gibbs. Mabel. 
 Gibbs, Clark. 
 Gibbs, Willet. 
 Glover, Allen. 
 Glenn, lona M. 
 Glascock, Kate. 
 Goodspeed, Hurr. 
 Goodspeed, William. 
 Goodspeed, Lute. 
 Good, Nancy J. 
 Good, Peter. 
 
43 
 
 Goodspeed, Clarence. 
 Groucher. 
 Gary, Mrs. John. 
 Gere, Mary. 
 Gere, Nettie. 
 Goodspeed, Isadora. 
 Golden, eJnnie. 
 Goodman, Mrs. Mae. 
 Grant. William. 
 Groom, J. K. 
 Grant, Amelia. 
 Grant, Lida. 
 Creech, Mrs. William. 
 Grant, Fred 
 Grant, Isaac. 
 Griffith, Mary. 
 Griffin, Mrs. Cora'. 
 Granberry, Miss. 
 Griffith, Herbert. 
 Gremberg, Cla'ra. 
 Griffith, John. 
 Grosvener, Mrs. Nancy. 
 Grimes, D. 
 Griffith, Frank. 
 Griffith, Mrs. Ella. 
 Graham, Mrs. J. F. 
 Groom, Frances. 
 Groom, William. 
 Gulick, Rev. E. E. 
 Gulick, H.' Earl. 
 Gulick, Mrs. Hattie. 
 Gunthorpe, James M. 
 
 H. 
 
 Hagan, Mrs. Charles. 
 Hagan, Charles. 
 Hall, Julia. 
 Hall, E. S. 
 Hall, Grace. 
 Hall, Mrs. Emma. 
 Hall, Mrs. -ohn. 
 Hall, Lottie L. 
 Hall, Ellis B. . 
 Hall, Mrs. Viola R. 
 Hall, Fred A. 
 Hall, Lydia. 
 Hale, Roy J. 
 Hall, S. S. 
 Hall, Mrs. S. S. 
 Hall, Walter, 
 Hall, E. P. , , 
 Ham, W. H. 
 Ham, Willard 
 Ham, Jacob. 
 Haney, Mrs. Linda Ann. 
 Hanes,' Mrs. Eliza. 
 Hamilton, Cecil. 
 Haney, Mrs> Bell. 
 Haney, James. 
 Haney, Delia Iva. 
 Haney, Alice. 
 Haney, Anna Myrtle. 
 
 Harmison, G. A. 
 Harrison, Donald. 
 Harrison, Jeanette. 
 Harvey, Mary E. 
 Harmison, Rebecca. 
 Harding, Lucinda. 
 Harland, Louisa. 
 Harmison, Samuel B. 
 Harland, Charles. 
 Harvey, Charles O. 
 Harvey, Lucy M. 
 Harris, Dora M. 
 Hargis, W. I. 
 Hart, Maud. 
 Harmison, Rosetta. 
 Hawk, Isaac. 
 Hawk, Mary F. 
 Hawker, WiUi am - 
 Hawker, Mattie. 
 Hawk, Russel. 
 Hawk, Frank. 
 Hawker, Charlie. 
 Hawker, D. W. 
 Hawker, Frank. 
 Hawn, Mrs. Luella. 
 Hawker, Stephen. 
 Hawley, Emma. 
 Ha*wley, Lucy. A. 
 Harris, Charles. 
 Harvey, Libby. 
 Hawley, Frank. 
 Hayworth, Emma. 
 Hays, Fred. 
 Harvey, Mary E. 
 Hawk, Merl. 
 Hawkins, P, E. 
 Hawn, Nellie. 
 Hawn, Albert E. 
 Hays, C. C. 
 Hays, Mrs. C. C. 
 Hays, Eva. 
 Head, Augustine. 
 Hedges, Emma. 
 Hendricks, Nellie. 
 Heller, Mrs. ohn. 
 Henning, Daisy. 
 Heller, Marion. 
 Henderson, Daisy. 
 Hensing. Jeronimo. 
 Heckler. Alohzo. 
 Heller, John. 
 Heller, Mary. 
 Hedges, Samuel B. 
 Hedges, rMs. S. B. 
 Heller, James. 
 Heller, Florissa. 
 Henderson, Clara I. 
 Kerrigan, John. 
 Heckler, Charles. 
 Heckler, Mrs. R. M. 
 Kerrigan, Guy. 
 
 Herrick, Burton. 
 Herrick, Mrs. Lavinia. 
 Kerrigan, Mrs. John. 
 Herriott, Mrs. Viva. 
 Kerrigan, Mary. 
 Hews, A. H. 
 Higgins, Mrs. Amanda. 
 Higgins, Charles. 
 Higgins, Calvin. 
 Higgins, Amanda. 
 Higgins, Lewis. 
 Higgins, Sarah. 
 Higgins, Jennie. 
 Hill, Mrs. Mary. 
 Hill, Edward. 
 Hively, James. 
 Hively, Mary A. 
 Higgins, Effie. 
 Higgins, Charles. 
 Hinckly, Emma. 
 Hines, Mrs. Laura 
 Hills, F. C. 
 Kills, Annie. 
 Hill, Joseph. 
 Howard, William. 
 Howard, Mrs. Mary A. 
 Hopkins, Robert E. 
 Howser, eGor^e. 
 Howser, Ethel. 
 Horton. Clyde. 
 Hodge, Jennie F. 
 Howard, rMs. Clara. 
 Hopkins, Myrtle. 
 Hodge, Thomas. 
 Hodge, Mrs. Drusilla. 
 Howser, Anna Esther. 
 Hopkins, C. G. 
 Hopkins, Mrs. Emma. 
 Howser, Mrs. Emma E. 
 Holland, Nettie F. 
 Hovey, Nettie F. 
 Hovey, Selden P. 
 Holmes, Polly. 
 Hollister, Flora T. 
 Howser, Louisa. 
 Houchins. Huldah. 
 Howser, Minnie. 
 Howe, Hattie. 
 Howe, Grace. 
 Houston, Mrs. H. A. 
 Holmes, Mrs. C. B. 
 Howser, David. 
 Howser, Mary. 
 Howser, Jennie. 
 Horn, L. W. 
 Howard, Silas. 
 Hogge, Mrs. 
 Horn, Luster A. 
 Hudson, Mrs. Clara. 
 Hunt, Mrs. E. Green. 
 Hutson, Eugenie. 
 
Hubbard, Geo. D. 
 Kurd, Chester. 
 Higgins, Mrs. S. B. 
 Hubert, J. I. 
 Hughs. 
 
 Huxley Sister. 
 Hurd, J. C. 
 Hurd, Mrs. Martha. 
 Huhn, Katie. 
 Hubbard, Charles. 
 Hull, John. 
 Hughes, Martha. 
 Hurd, Clinton. 
 Hurd, Joseph. 
 Hurd, Jarvis. 
 Hurd, Simpson. 
 Hull Cantonia Gill. 
 
 I. 
 
 Innes, Stella. 
 Innes, Dorothy. 
 Innes, Mrs. Emma. 
 Ingraham. Charles. 
 Ireland, J. P. 
 Itz, Henry. 
 
 J, 
 
 Jackson, Letitia. 
 Janner, Mary. 
 Jaquith, Jessie D. 
 Jaquith, Mrs. Jesse. 
 Jarrett, ohn. 
 Jarvis, Mrs. 
 James, Edward. 
 James, Mrs. Anna D. 
 Jackson, George W. 
 Jackson, Lavinia. 
 Jameson, Mrs. Fannie, 
 pohnson, James E. 
 Johnson, J. J. 
 Johnson, Mrs. J. J. 
 Johnson, lantha B. 
 Johnson, Harry B. 
 Johnson, Mrs. Jennie. 
 Johns, Rev. H. A. 
 Johns, Mrs. H. A. 
 Jones, R. A. 
 Jones, Sarah. 
 Jones, Mrs. Effle. 
 James, Mrs. Elizabeth. 
 Jones, Lewis. 
 Johnson, Wilbur. 
 Johnson, Mary. 
 Jones, Florence M. 
 Jolly, Arleigh C. 
 Johnson, Mrs. W. C. 
 Jones, Ivan. 
 Jones, Elizabeth. 
 Jones, Mrs. Amy. 
 Johnson. Mrs. Julia. 
 Jones, Frank. 
 Jones, Orin. 
 Jones, Kersey. 
 Jones, Lewis. 
 
 Jordan, Lizzie. 
 Jones, Amy. 
 Jones, Samuel B. 
 Johnson, Lucy. 
 Jutton, Mary Busey. 
 Justus, Mrs. M. A. 
 Justus, Ida. 
 Julian, E. W. 
 
 K. 
 
 Kennedy, M. W. 
 King, Hudson. 
 King, Hudson. 
 Kiler, Mrs. Charlotte. 
 Kirkland, Rev. J. P. 
 Kirkland, Mrs. Maggie. 
 Kirkland, Mjonnie. 
 King, Mrs. Anna. 
 Kinnear, Stephen. 
 Kinnear, Mrs. Stephen. 
 Kimterlin, Nettie. 
 Knight, Ida. 
 King, Lillie. 
 Kirby, Rebecca. 
 Kirby, Francis. 
 Kirkpatrick, Mrs. V. 
 Klackner. August. 
 Kirtley, Mrs. W. H. 
 Kirtly, W. H. 
 Klinger,- Mrs. ate. 
 Knox, Mrs. Jane. 
 Knowlton, Lizzie. 
 Knowlton, W. M. 
 Koch, Florence. 
 Koch, Lloyde. 
 Koch, Edna. 
 Koch, Mrs. Florence. 
 Kaisel, Lewis. 
 Kaucher, Martin. 
 Kaucher, Mrs. Mary F. 
 Kemmer, John. 
 Kellar, Scott. 
 Kennedy, Mrs. John. 
 Keeler, eLna. 
 Kesler, Lola. 
 Kennedy, C. F. 
 
 L. 
 
 Lanham, B. 8. 
 Lanham, Mrs. B. S. 
 Lanham, George. 
 Lawrence, Mrs. 
 Lackey, Mrs. Eli. 
 Lackey, Maud. 
 Landis, John. 
 Landis, Mrs. A. 
 Lawrence, Sister. 
 Lawrence, Minnie. 
 Lawrence, Mrs. Emma. 
 Lackey, E. 
 Leavitt, Rev. F. J. 
 Leavitt, Mrs. Fannie. 
 Leavitt, Mrs. Lillie H. 
 Leavitt, Rev. J. A. 
 
 Leavitt, Hallie. 
 Leavitt, Lulu. 
 Leavitt, Elgin. 
 Leavitt, Ralph. 
 Lee, aMrion. 
 Lee, Lillian. 
 Lee, Mrs. J. A. 
 Lemon, Mrs. aMtilda. 
 Lemmen, Susie. 
 Leney, Mrs. Etta. 
 Leib, Harry E. 
 Leming, Mrs. Mary. 
 Lesure, Mrs. C. S. 
 Lewis, Ida M. 
 Lewis, Ralph. 
 Lewis, Stanley. 
 Lewis, Lucy. 
 Lewis, John M. 
 Lewis, Fannie. 
 Lewis, Hannah. 
 Lewis, Mrs. C. A. 
 Linch, Bessie Mae. 
 Littler, Frank. 
 Lindley, Clara. 
 Littler, Mrs. Laban. 
 Litler, Samuel. 
 Littler, Sarah. 
 Lloyd, D. H. 
 Lloyd, Mrs. D. H. 
 Lloyd, Frank. 
 Lochrie, Addie. 
 Lott, Mrs. Susan. 
 Lowe, Amanda. 
 Long, Miss Cora. 
 Lund, Exerett. 
 Lumley, Mrs. Nellie. 
 
 M. 
 
 Maguire, N. 
 Maguire, John. 
 Maguire, William. 
 Maguire, Marcellus. 
 Maguire, Morley. 
 Maguire, Mrs. Nettie.. 
 Majors, Mollie. 
 Malone, Mrs. Emma. 
 Manney, Mary J. 
 Manson, Mrs. F. 
 Manning, Hannah. 
 Mansfield, Jessie. 
 Mapes, Charles. 
 Mapes, Mrs. Delia. 
 Mapes, Edgar. 
 Mapes, Fred. 
 Mapes, Mrs. Phoebe. 
 Martin, J. L. 
 Martie, Elmer. 
 Martin, Sarah. 
 Martin, Margaret. 
 Martin, Eunice. 
 Martin, Hugh. 
 Markley, Fannie. 
 Markley, J. H. 
 
45 
 
 Mathews, Harvey. 
 Maxwell, Charles. 
 McBlenne, Mrs. R. 
 Markley, Flora. 
 Merchant, Mrs. Emma. 
 Mitchell, Mrs. Erne. 
 Moody, Mrs. W. M. 
 Moore. Mrs. Lou. 
 McCord, Margaret. 
 McCloskey, Mrs. Mary. 
 McCloskey. Thomas. 
 McCloud, Gus. 
 McCool, E. H. 
 McClurg, Ernest. 
 McCool, eParl. 
 McClain, Frank. 
 McClain, Sallie. 
 McClain, Clara. 
 McCurnes, Kittie. 
 McCurnes, Mabel. 
 McClain, Mamie. 
 McCloud, Emma. 
 McClelland, Alexander. 
 McClelland, Geneva. 
 McClain, Charles. 
 McCoy, Martha. 
 McClain, J. H. 
 McClain, Mrs. J. H. 
 McClain, Dudley. 
 McClain, Rebecca. 
 McClain, Allan. 
 McClain, Allan. 
 McClain, Elizabeth. 
 McClain, Addie. 
 McClelland, Anna. 
 McCullough, Maggie. 
 McClain, Bessie. 
 McDonald, Florence. 
 McDonald, William. 
 McFarland, Mrs. B. F. 
 McFarland, Frank. 
 McjGjilltelantfi Nellie. 
 McLennen, Duncan. 
 Mclntyre, 'Curtis. 
 Mclntyre, Jennie. 
 Mclntyre, Hattie. 
 McLennen, Mrs. D. 
 McLennen, Alexander. 
 McLennen, Mrs. Alex. 
 McLennen, Jessie. 
 McLennen, Zan. 
 Mclntyre, rMs. Maude. 
 McLaughlin, Jarrett E. 
 Mclntyre, Mrs. Mary. 
 McLean, Clair. 
 Mclnnes, Mrs. F. 
 Merrick, Mrs. Harry. 
 Merrifleld, Mary O. 
 Mendenhall, Mrs. Belle. 
 Mills, Rev. J. F. 
 McLaughlin, Mrs. E. 
 
 McLennen, Emma Ross 
 McGeorge, Laura. 
 McLennen, Katie. 
 McLennen, Aggie. 
 McWilliams, Emma. 
 Mercer. Mrs. James B. 
 Mechling, L. M. 
 Mechling, Mrs. L. M. 
 Merrick, Harry. 
 Meigs, Mrs. R. V. 
 Meigs, Rev. R. V. 
 Merrifield^ Leonard. 
 Mills, Mrs. J. F. 
 Miller, Jacob. 
 Mix, Martin. 
 Miner, T. Ralph. 
 Miner, James H. 
 Miner, Mrs. Mary D. 
 Miner, Fred G. 
 Miller, Riley. 
 Miller, Elizabeth. 
 Miller, Lena. 
 Mitchell, Maud. 
 Miner, Mrs. P. B. 
 Michs. Sister. 
 Mitchell, Jane. 
 Miller, Emma. 
 Miller, Mrs. Caroline. 
 Miller, Daisy. 
 Miller, Ona. 
 Miller, Walter. 
 Miller, Joseph. 
 Miller, W. K. 
 Moody, Mrs. W. M. 
 Mosely, Mrs. Sarah M. 
 Moore, Rosa. 
 Morgan, A. W. 
 Morgan, Mrs. L. G. 
 Morgan, Bertha L. 
 Morgan, Stella W. 
 Morgan, Alfred R. 
 Morrison, eParl. 
 Morrison, James. 
 Morrison, Minnie. 
 More, Robert. 
 Morris, Mary. 
 Moore, Clementine. 
 More, Peter. 
 Morehouse, D. C. 
 Morehouse, Mrs. D. C. 
 Morehouse, Arthur. 
 Morehouse, Arthur. 
 Montezuma, Carlos. 
 Moore, W. A. 
 Moore, Mrs. W. A. 
 Munger, Mrs. Etta. 
 Murdock, Paul. 
 Murphy, Mrs. Mary. 
 Mykins, Mrs. M. L. 
 Myers, A. 
 Myers, Mrs. James 
 
 Myers, James M. 
 Myers, Julia. 
 Myers, Mrs. Anna. 
 Myers, Mrs. ames. 
 Myers, Mrs. James. 
 
 N. 
 
 Nelden, George. 
 Newburn, G. E. 
 Newell, Rev. Isaac. 
 Nichols, Ralph. 
 Newport, T. J. 
 Nolan, Miss Bell. 
 Nolan, Thomas. 
 Nolin, James B. 
 
 O. 
 
 Oburn, Rush. 
 Oburn, August. 
 Oburn, Letita. 
 Oburn, William. 
 O'Bryant, Annie. 
 O'Bryant, Clara. 
 Ogden, Charles L. 
 O'Harra, Elizabeth. 
 O'Harra, Arthur. 
 Oleson, Albert. 
 Orendorf, Mrs. Ethel 
 Orendorf, Charles D. 
 Osgood, Huldah. 
 Osborn, Charles A. 
 Ouderkirk, Mr. 
 Ouderkirk, Mrs. 
 Overstreet, Mrs. Mabel. 
 
 P. 
 
 Parris, Beulah. 
 Parker, Lulu. 
 Parker, W. W. 
 Parker, Mrs. Adeline. 
 Patton, A. S. 
 Patton, Mrs. A. S. 
 Parnell, John. 
 Palmer, Landon. 
 Page, Sarah. 
 Parnell, Guy. 
 Paris, Ethel. 
 Patton, Mrs. Minnie. 
 Parnell, Charles. 
 Patterson, Matilda. 
 Palmer, Laura B. 
 Personette, Mrs. Etta. 
 Personette, Anna. 
 Perry, Mary C. 
 Perry, George. 
 Peacock, J. William. 
 Peacock, Emma L. 
 Perry, Cora. 
 Perry, Mary L. 
 Peshing, W. L. 
 Pershing, Mrs. W. L. 
 Perry, E. S. 
 Potts, Ethel. 
 Packard, E. S. 
 
46 
 
 Pool, Rev. John A. 
 Perry, Mrs. E. S. 
 Phillips, .Wheeler. 
 Phillips, J. S. 
 Phillips, Miss. 
 Phillips, Sarah. 
 Parris, Hazel 
 Pilcher, G. Wiley. 
 Pilcher, Bliss A. 
 
 Pilcher, Mrs. Lennie. 
 Pickard, Ada.. 
 Pilcher, Gleason. 
 Pitman, Clara. 
 Pickerell, Lawrence. 
 Pittman, Frank. 
 Poley, Mrs. Sadie. 
 Porter, Lewis. 
 Porter, Rev. aDniel T. 
 Platt, Mrs. E. 
 Porter, Eda. 
 Porucas, Mrs. H. M. 
 Porter, Ambrose. 
 Powell, Mrs. Matilda E. 
 Powers, H. M. 
 Porter, Delilah. 
 Prim, Rev. J. W. 
 Primm, Mrs. J. W. 
 Prim, Pauline. 
 Primm, Clara. 
 Primm, Phillip. 
 Prim, James. 
 R. 
 
 Radley, Amanda L. 
 Radebaugh, Grace. 
 Radebaugh, S. B. 
 Radebaugh, Olive. 
 Ramsey, Mrs. 
 Ramsey, Hattie. 
 Ramsey, Eliabeth. 
 Radley, Sarah Ann. 
 Radebaugh, Ina. 
 Radebaugh, Addie Mae. 
 Radebaugh, Clarence. 
 Radebaugh, Otis. 
 Reeves, S. 
 
 Reeves, Mrs. Florence. 
 Reid, Leonard. 
 Reid, Lena. 
 Reid, Charles. 
 Reeves, Mrs. J. C. 
 Reinhart, Matthias. 
 Reeves, Edson. 
 Reeves, Mason. 
 Reeves, Howell. 
 Reeves, Fannie S. 
 Reynolds, H. S. 
 Reynolds, Addie F. 
 Retzolk, Mrs. Mary. 
 Rehberg, Fred. 
 Rehberg, Mrs. Fred. 
 
 Reynolds, J. A. 
 Reynolds, Mrs. J. A. 
 Reynolds, H, S. 
 Rea, Mrs. Sarah P. 
 Reeves, William. 
 Renfrew, Delia. 
 Reese, John. 
 Reese, Rev. Ira H. 
 Richter, Ralph. 
 Riley, Ozias. 
 Riley, Mrs. Ozias. 
 Rittenhouse, Mrs. 
 Riley, Annie. 
 Riley, Emma. 
 Riley, Maggie. 
 Riley, Rev. G. W. 
 Riley, Mrs. Bethire. 
 Richter, H. A. 
 Richter, Mrs. H. A. 
 Richardson, W. B. 
 Richardson, Cecil. 
 Richards, Patrick. 
 Rice, Miss. 
 Richardson, Z. 
 Richardson, Mrs. Z. 
 Roach, Mrs. Flora. 
 Roughtcn, Stokey. 
 Roberts, Lovida. 
 Robertson, James. 
 Robertson. Mrs. James. 
 Roe, J. W. 
 
 Romine, Mrs. Maggie. 
 Ross, C. N. 
 Roach, David. 
 Roach, Carrie. 
 Robert, Sadie. 
 Rogers, Henry B. 
 Ppgers, Margaret. 
 Romine, James. 
 Romine* Mrs. James. 
 Roach, John. 
 Romine, W. H. 
 Romine, Mrs. W. H. 
 Roach, Mrs. S. 
 Roughton, Samuel. 
 Roe, James T. 
 Roe, Lillie. 
 Roberts, Lydia. 
 Romine, Mrs. Louisa. 
 Roberts, Mrs. Sadie. 
 Roberts, Joseph M. 
 Russell, H. T. 
 Rugg, Rev. M. L. D.D. 
 Rugg, Mrs. Lillie A. 
 Rugg, Arthur E. 
 Hugg. Herbert. 
 Ruggles, Jennie F. 
 Russell, Hugh. 
 Ruggles, Ernest. 
 Ross, Mrs. Eva. 
 Rugg, Mrs. Edna. 
 
 Sargeant, Mrs. Laura. 
 
 S. 
 
 Sampson, John. 
 Sampson, Clarence. 
 Sadorus, Hattie. 
 Sage, Rev. E. C. 
 Sage, Mrs. E. C. 
 Sanderson, "Sarah. 
 Saulsberry, Miss. 
 Sayers, Miss Emma. 
 Sampson, Ed. 
 Seaman, Ed. 
 Scott, Mrs. Susan. 
 Scott, Melissa. 
 Schuppel, Charles H. 
 Schoon, John. 
 Schoon, Mrs. Jessie. 
 Schif, Querin. 
 Scott, Johanna. 
 Schlorff, Mrs. May. 
 Scott, Joanna. 
 Scloan, John. 
 Schiff, William. 
 Schiff, Anna. 
 Schiff, Mary. 
 Schiff, John. 
 Schiff, Sarah. 
 Schiff, Mrs. Mae. 
 Scleik, Mrs. Maggie. 
 Scott, Mrs. Anna Lee. 
 Scott, Mabel. 
 Shaw, Earl. 
 Shaw, Nellie. 
 Shaw, Mrs. 
 Shepherd, W. A. 
 Shroyer, Mrs. Margaret 
 Shott, Mrs. Kate J. 
 Shrei, Freeamn. 
 Shannon, Mary E. 
 Shepherd, Charles. 
 Shannon, Amy. 
 Shepherd, Mrs. Cyrus. 
 Shepherd, Miss. 
 Smith, Mary. 
 Shepherd, E. 
 Slater, Peter. 
 Slater, Elizabeth. 
 Smith, Mrs. Mary. 
 Smith, Elizabeth. 
 Sides, D. A. 
 Sides, Mrs. M. J. 
 Smith, Arthur W. 
 Shannon, Olie. 
 Slade, Mrs. , 
 Si 1 key, J. P. 
 Silkey, Mrs. Catherine. 
 Shannon, Mertie. 
 Slater, Robert. 
 Smith, Paul. 
 Smith, Margaret. 
 Smith, Mrs. Aggie. 
 
47 
 
 Smith, Mrs. Margaret. 
 Smith, Lafayette. 
 Smith, George. 
 Skidmore, Mark. 
 Silver, Raymond. 
 Sloan, Minerva. 
 Slater, Emma. 
 Slater, Francis. 
 Slater, Lydia. 
 Slater, Mary. 
 Slater, Eleanor. 
 Roberts, Marion. 
 Shaw, Willie. 
 Stevens, R. H. 
 Surbaugh, Ida. 
 Surbaugh, Charles. 
 Shepherd, W. A. 
 Shaffer, Mrs. Flora. 
 Sipes, Daniel A. 
 Sites, Mrs. N. J. 
 Simms, Etta. 
 Slade, W. S. 
 Slade, Mrs. America. 
 Slade, Henry. 
 Slade, Amelia. 
 Sloan, Mrs. Minerva. 
 Smalley. Rev. Freeman 
 Smith, Rev. W. W. 
 Smith, Blachley. 
 Strak, George. 
 Stevens, Katie A. 
 Straight, Mrs. 
 Straight, Charles. 
 Steerens, Franklin. 
 Stark, Charles. 
 Stark, Mrs. Amanda. 
 Strale, Charles. 
 Steadman, A. B. 
 Stanard, Burt. 
 Stevenson, Lizzie. 
 Stout, Irene. 
 Stamp, Mrs. Anna. 
 Sutherland, G. Fred. 
 Sullivan, Mrs. Mary. 
 Surbaugh, Mollie. 
 Surbaugh, Mrs. Louise. 
 Seward, Rev. A. L. 
 Sweet, Wm. P. 
 Stearns, Alonzo. 
 Stevenson, Arthur. 
 Stovel, Mrs. Annie. 
 Smith, Rosa S. 
 Snyder, John. 
 Snyder, E. M. 
 Sprouse, Mrs. M. A. 
 Snyder, Wm. H. 
 Snyder, Charles. 
 Slade, Lucy E. 
 Snedaker, Abraham. 
 Snedaker, Mrs. A. 
 Smith, James S. 
 
 Snideman, Laura. 
 Snyder, John. 
 Snyder, Mrs. 
 Smith, Mrs. R. S. 
 Smith, G. W. 
 Snider, Drusilla. 
 Smith, Sarah. 
 Somers, Mrs. Ada. 
 Somers, Mabel. 
 Somers, Charles. 
 Somers, Mrs. C. 
 Spencer, Mrs. C. A. 
 Sparks, John. 
 Spence, Ina. 
 Spooner, Mrs. Dr. 
 Spencer, James. 
 Spencer, C. A. 
 Spencer, Newton C. 
 Spencer, Julia. 
 Spurgion, Susanna. 
 Steadman, Rev. W. H. 
 Steadman, Belle K. 
 Steadman, Mrs. 
 Steadman, Fannie. 
 Stidham, Mary. 
 Stidham, John D. 
 Stidham, Joseph P. 
 Stidham, Sarah. 
 Stemfleld, Mrs. 
 Steele, Henry. 
 iStu'bbe, Hamilton. 
 Staley, Mrs. 
 Stallings, W. I. 
 Stark, Mrs. Mattie. 
 Stevenson, Arthur. 
 Stidham, Emma. 
 Stovel, Mabel. 
 Strover, Mrs. Mary. 
 Stevens, R. H. 
 Stearns, Mrs. Delia. 
 Sturkins, James. 
 Sturkins, Mrs. Annette. 
 Stevens, A. Woodward. 
 Stevens, Mrs. A. W. 
 Stamey, Nancy D. 
 Stanfleld, 
 
 Starkey, Mrs. (Wood) 
 Starks, Mrs. 
 Straigdt, Grace A. 
 Steele, Mrs. 
 Stevens, Sybil. 
 Swain, Sarah E. 
 Swartout, Mrs. L. 
 
 T. 
 
 Tackey, Amelia. 
 Taylor, William. 
 Taylor, Henry. 
 Taylor, John. 
 Tanner, Mary. 
 Taylor, Phillip. 
 Taylor, Rev. Mr. 
 
 Taylor, Amanda. 
 Temple, Mrs. Stella. 
 Terry, Mrs. E. A. 
 Tenbrink, Mrs. Emma. 
 Telford, Mrs. Fred. 
 Terrill, Mrs. Lucia. 
 Teters, Mrs. 
 Thayer, Mrs. Lottie. 
 Thomas, Frank. 
 Thomas, Mrs. Ida. 
 Thornton, A. 
 Thorpe, Mrs. Carrie. 
 Thomson, Belle. 
 Thompson, Mrs. Mollie 
 Thomas, J. F. 
 Throckmorton, Mrs. E. 
 Titus, E. S. G. 
 Titus, Mrs. Laura. 
 Terrain, Annie. 
 Terry, E. A. 
 McClain, Annie. 
 Tips, Mrs. Minnie. 
 Tilbrook, Anna. 
 Timmons, Lura. 
 Timpson, John. 
 Todd, Belle. 
 Towel, Mrs. Maria. 
 Toy, Frank. 
 Trauer, Mrs. Lottie B. 
 Truman, J. L. 
 Tracy, Mary 
 Truman, Pepnth:ih. 
 Truman, Mrs. Jephthah 
 Trenary, Evander. 
 Truman, T. L. 
 Trenary, Lizzie. 
 Trenary, Charles. 
 Trenary, Elizabeth. 
 Truman, Elizabeth. 
 Trenary, Randolph. 
 Trenary, Mary A. 
 Tumelson, Mrs. Ruby. 
 Tufts, J. S. 
 Turnipseed, Mrs. 
 Turner, Charles. 
 Tucker, Mrs. Fuaice. 
 
 U. 
 Underbill, Maud. 
 
 V. 
 
 Van Buskirk, Julia. 
 Van Doren, r>ora Ann. 
 Van Doren, Robert. 
 Vandevort, JamieEon. 
 Van Zandt, J G. 
 Van Zandt, Mrs. J. G. 
 Vickers, William. 
 Vickers, M.iry. 
 Vaughn, Mrs. Addie. 
 
 W. 
 
 Wade, Benjamin. 
 Walker, Maggie B. 
 
48 
 
 Ware, Walter S. 
 Watson, John. 
 Walker, H. E. 
 Walker, Mrs. H. E. 
 Walker, Staunton. 
 Wagner, Viola. 
 Wascher, Frank. 
 Wascher, Mrs. Frank. 
 Ward, Robert. 
 Warren, Fannie. 
 Walters, Mrs. Ellis. 
 Wardall, Lillian N. 
 Walker, Experience. 
 Walruth, A. 
 Washington, Mrs. M. 
 Wall, Mrs. 
 Watch, Angie. 
 Waller, Rev. J. C. 
 Waller, Mrs. J. C. 
 Waldt, Emma. 
 Waldt, Charles. 
 Ward, Uriah B. 
 Watson, Lovida. 
 Watkins, Sloan. 
 Walker, G. A. 
 Ware, Mrs. Mae. 
 Walters, Mrs. Martha. 
 Webber, Robert A. 
 Warrick, Theron. 
 Webber, Mrs. Anna B. 
 Webber, J. Clay. 
 Webb, Mrs. Minnie. 
 West, Mrs. E. N. 
 Webber, Lois E. 
 Webber, Geo. W. 
 Webber, Mrs. Alice. E. 
 Webber, Fred. 
 Webber, Sallie. 
 Weeks, Carrie. 
 Wellman, Laura. 
 
 Westburg, Mrs. Emma. 
 West, Amanda L. 
 Wheelock, Clifford. 
 Wheelock, George. 
 Wheaton, Mrs. Clara. 
 White, Miss. 
 Whiteneck, Emma. 
 Williamson, Amelia. 
 Williamson, Mary. 
 Williamson, William. 
 Williamson, Mrs. Wm. 
 Williamsey, Mrs. 
 Williams, Arthur. 
 Wills, Charles. 
 Wills, Millie. 
 Wilson, J. W. 
 Wilson, Mrs. J. W. 
 Wilcox, Rev. Nathan. 
 Wilcox, Mrs. Jane. 
 Wiseman, Mrs. Mary. 
 Wingler, Nellie. 
 Wingler, Walter. 
 Wingler, Mrs. Mary C. 
 Winkley, Ed. C. 
 Winger, John H. 
 Winters, Bessie. 
 Winters, Sarah. 
 Winters, Harry. 
 Winters, John. 
 Winters, Stella. 
 Winchester, Effie. 
 Woody, W. N. 
 Woolhouse, Rev. E. 
 Woolhouse, Mrs. E. 
 Woolhouse, Lolela. 
 Woolhouse, Jennie. 
 Woolhouse, Dwight. 
 Woolman, Mrs. Zenia. 
 Winchester, Effie. 
 Woods, Mamie. 
 
 White, S. C. 
 Wigner, G. H. 
 Wigner, A. J. 
 Wiley, Francis R. 
 Wills, Mrs. Nancy. 
 Wills, David. 
 Wills, Mrs. David. 
 Wills, Nancy. 
 Wilcox, Jane. 
 Woodworth, Howard. 
 Woodworth, Mrs. M. C. 
 Woolf, A. 
 Woodworth, M. C. 
 Wright, Harold. 
 Wright, Thyrl. 
 Wright, Frances. 
 Wright, Helen. 
 Wright, Earl. 
 Wright, Julius. 
 Wright, Ruth. 
 Wright, Allen. 
 Wright, Mrs. E. R. 
 Wright, Mrs. Ella. 
 Wright, Marietta. 
 Wright, Lindley A. 
 Wright, Mrs. Taylor. 
 Wright, Effie. 
 Wright, Emma. 
 Wright, Mattie. 
 Wright, S. C. 
 Wright, Edward. 
 Wright, Mrs. Edith. 
 
 Y. 
 
 Yant, William A. 
 Yant, Mrs. W. A. 
 Yanos, Mrs. Maggie. 
 Yanos, Edward. 
 Yeo, Hael Bird. 
 
 Z. 
 Zimmermann, Simeon. 
 
 Membership of the Past. 
 
 The Historical Committee greatly 
 regrets the loss of all records of 
 membership back of 1872. In so far 
 as names were carried into the new 
 records beginning January, 1872, they 
 are included here. It is absolutely 
 impossible to get these lost names in 
 any way. The loss covers a period of 
 34 years. Brother L. A. McLean 
 copied the general history from the 
 old book that is lost, and the Com- 
 mittee hereby expresses its gratitude 
 that we have that part which estab- 
 
 lishes beyond doubt the time, and 
 peculiar cricumstances under which 
 the church was organized. A com- 
 plete list of thirteen constituent 
 members are mentioned in the gener- 
 al history, and the official directory is 
 almost perfect. Every inducement 
 has been offered to search for the old 
 book, and yet no trace of it can be 
 fcund. However a very large number 
 of people are named above who came 
 in during the time covered by the lost 
 book. It has been possible to estab- 
 lish how most of that early date went 
 out of the church, but to publish that, 
 
49 
 
 with how they came in, and went out 
 since 1872, would exceed the limits of 
 our space, and not be of any special 
 value except to a few. This list of 
 1540 is given above, with the assur- 
 ance that it is the best that can be 
 done, but is by no means correct. 
 
 In view of the usual carelessness 
 of clerks of that early day, and also 
 the fact that this church has had an 
 unusual history in the addition of 
 many persons to her membership, who 
 moved away, and were never heard 
 from afterwards, also many married, 
 and the change of names was not 
 noted, and they were thus lost to the 
 cause by lapse of address. It is pos- 
 sible that the membership, if we 
 could re-establish it from the lost 
 book, allowing for usual imperfection 
 in reeords of the times, would easily 
 reach 2,000. 
 
 If any reader of these pages can 
 supply any names of persons certain- 
 ly members of the First Church, Ur- 
 bana, at any time during its history, 
 and not found on these lists, the His- 
 torical Committee will file any such 
 reports in shape for the writing of 
 the 100 years history, which will 
 doubtless be the next attempt. Every- 
 thing in reason has been done in the 
 way of advertisement, and public no- 
 tice to get as nearly correct as possi- 
 ble. 
 
 How carefully all clerks of all de- 
 partments ought to be to preserve 
 every item with its day, month, and 
 year, so that it will be of value in fu- 
 ture writing. Where it 'has been 
 known only the maiden name or tne 
 married name is given, but many 
 mistakes have been made because no 
 one knows the change. 
 
 THE OLD GUARD. 
 
 Our life is nothing but a winter's day, 
 Some only break their fast and so away; 
 Others stay to dinner and depart full-fed; 
 The deepest age but sups and goes to bed; 
 He's most in debt who lingers out the day; 
 Who dies betimes has less and less to pay. 
 
 Every army has its "Old Guard" 
 and the country seeks to show its ap- 
 preciation for them in various ways. 
 The Historical Committee takes this 
 plan of showing our appreciation for 
 those who remain from a former gen- 
 eration and who have been longest in 
 the membership of this church. 
 
 It is a coincidence that the church 
 began with thirteen and at the close 
 of three-quarters of a century there 
 are only sixteen who can show a con- 
 tinuous membership of from 48 to 55 
 years. These are given in the order 
 of their union with the church as 
 nearly as can be ascertained: N. A. 
 Riley, January, 1858. Mrs. Margaret 
 (Porter) Walker, 1861. Mrs. H. M. 
 Palmer, 1861. L. A. McLean and Mrs. 
 
 Jennie McLean, 1863. Mrs. M. A. Car- 
 son, 1863. M. D. Busey, 1863. Mrs. 
 Phcebe Goodspeed, 1863. Mrs. Mary 
 (Carr) Silver, 1864. Mrs. Cornelia 
 Johnson, 1864. Mrs. R. A. Webber, 
 October, 1865. Mrs. Anna Busey, 
 1865. Mrs. Mary Benedict, 1865. Mrs. 
 Artemesia Busey, 1865. 
 
 Since writing the above list it has 
 oeen discovered that Mrs. Mary Silver 
 came into the church in 1863, and 
 Mrs. Betty Thomas, 1865. 
 
 In addition to the above there are 
 some who are conspicuous for their 
 long membership in the kingdom 
 though not in this church who justly 
 deserve a place in this chapter on ac- 
 count of their faithfulness to the 
 church. 
 
50 
 
 M. D. L. Sellers. 
 
 It is a common thing to see M. D. 
 Sellers, and Mrs. M. D. Sellers walking 
 with their canes to almost every ser- 
 vice. They are members of classes in 
 our school, and they are as regular as 
 those who are many years their Jun- 
 ior. He has been a church member 
 here and elsewhere fifty years, while 
 she has been a member G3 " years. 
 Uncle 'Jimmie" Butler, as he is af- 
 fectionately called, is quite regular in 
 his attendance, although the years are 
 wearing heavily upon him. His em- 
 ployers at the Court House have pen- 
 sioned him as an expression of their 
 high appreciation for him, and the life 
 he has lived among them. J. V. and 
 Mrs. J. V. Riggs are also regular in 
 their attendance at Sunday School 
 and prayer meeting, and church. They 
 
 Mrs. Rebecca Sellers. 
 
 are enjoying their closing years, al- 
 though afflictions have visited them 
 recently. The next in age is too large 
 a list to be published, and they must 
 be contented to be the old guard of 
 the next quarter century history. 
 
 We are really setting the pace now 
 for the progress of the next quarter of 
 a century. Changes are taking place 
 around us and within us. Old things 
 are giving way to the new and this is 
 as it should be. In the spiritual world 
 similar things are taking place. Men 
 and women are readjusting their faith 
 and reasserting old things that abide 
 and insisting on new and untried 
 things. Let us not give up that which 
 is distinctly declared in God's word, 
 but learn to adapt it to the new life 
 of luxury and self interest. 
 
 "They shall bring forth fruit in old age." 
 
51 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 PRESENT MEMBERSHIP 
 
 "Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together as the manner of some is.' 
 
 A. 
 
 Adams, Helen, 611 Eureka St. (C). 
 Adler, C. J., 907 E. Green. 
 Adler, Mrs. Anna, 907 E. Green. 
 Adler, Emily M., 907 E. Green. 
 Adler. Hulda L., 907 E. Green. 
 Alberts, Mrs. Emma, 105 E. High. 
 Alberts, Joe, 105 E. High. 
 Alberts, Wiley, 106 E. Illinois. 
 Allen, Rolla, 207 E. Illinois. 
 Allison, Carl, 337 Y. M. C. A. 
 Ammerman, Mrs. Lennie, 801 E. Main. 
 Ammerman, Charles, 801 E. Main. 
 Ammerman, Howard, 206 E. Mam. 
 Ammerman, Mrs. Howard, 801 E. Main 
 Andrews, Cortland, 212 W. Nevada. 
 Archdeacon, Will., R. F. D. 12 (U). 
 Archdeacon, Dolly, 804 E. Green. 
 Arledge, Mrs. Grover C., 710 E. Park. 
 Artman, Callie, R.F.D. 5 (C). 
 Artman, Josephine, R.F.D. 5 (C). 
 Auton, William, 304-5 Market. 
 
 B. 
 
 Barnhart, E. P., 209 W. Calif. 
 Barnhart, Mrs. Sarah, 209 W. Calif. 
 Baird, S. D., Bainbridge, Ind. 
 Baird, t'.rs. S. D., Bainbridgp Ind. 
 arnhart, W. R., 709 W. Main. 
 Barnhart, Emma, 709 W. Main. 
 Barnhart, Elsie, 709 W. Main. 
 Barnhart, Flossie, 709 W. Main. 
 Basye, Mrs. Mary, 80S E. Green. 
 Basye, Helen, 803 E. Green. 
 Becker, Mrs. Earl, 505 S. North. 
 Bennett, W. L., 402 S. Vine. 
 Bennett, Mrs. Phoebe, 402 S. Vine. 
 Bennett, Mrs. Lydia, 204 S. Vine. 
 Bennett, Juanita, 204 S. Vine. 
 Bennett, Geo. M., 209 W. Green. 
 Bennett, Mrs. Emma, 209 W. Green. 
 Benedict, Ruth, Kenosha, Wis. 
 Beverlin, Wm. H., 704 W. Elm. 
 Beverlin, Gladys, 704 W. Univ. 
 Beverlin, Mayme, 704 W. Univ. 
 Birdsell, Ruth, 208 S. Market. 
 Blaisdell, Mrs. Minnie, 506 S. 3rd (C). 
 
 Blake, Ethel, 212 S. Neil (C). 
 Blue, T. F., 310 N. Race. 
 Blue, Mrs. Elizabeth, 310 N'. Race. 
 Rlue, Mrs. Sarah, 406 N. Race. 
 Booker, A. J., 702 E. Calif. 
 Booker, Sylvia, 702 E. Calif. 
 Booker, Gail, 702 E. Calif. 
 Borden, Mrs. Sarah A., 914*6 Calif. 
 Boyd, Bert, 112 S. Lynn. 
 Boyd, Arch., 115 N. Webber. 
 Bradford, Mrs. Emma, 401 E. Green. 
 Bradford, Will, Springfield, 111. 
 Bradford, Earl, Springfield, 111. 
 Braman, J. A., St. Louis, Mo. 
 Brash, James, Indiana Ave. 
 Breakfield, W. Walter, Paris, 111. 
 Brownfield, J. W., 903 W. Illinois. 
 Brownfield, Mrs. Sarah, 903 W. Illinois. 
 Brown, Howe, 605 S. Market. 
 Brown, Mrs. Mattie, 605 S. Market. 
 Burlison, W. L., 1104 S. 3rd (C). 
 Burlison, Mrs. W. L., 1104 S. 3rd (C). 
 Busey, Mrs. Artemesia, 602 W. Univ. 
 Busey, M. D., 201 W. Green. 
 Busey, Mrs. Anna, 201 W. Green. 
 Butler, J. I., 506 S. Urbana. 
 Busey, Allan, 705 N. Coler. 
 Busey, Mrs. Iva, 705 N. Coler. 
 Busey, Frank, 354 Franklin, Buffalo. 
 Busey, Mrs. Lillian, 354 Franklin, C. 
 Burke, Lillie, R. F. D. 8. 
 Busey, Delbert, R. F. D. 5 (C). 
 Busey, Mrs. Maude, R. F. D. 5 (C). 
 
 C. 
 
 Cady, Mrs. Rose, 701 W. Stoughton. 
 Campbell, Mildred, Freesoil, Mich. 
 Campbell, Mrs. Jessie, 604 Spring. (C). 
 Cannon, Mrs. F. L., 202 S. Busey. 
 Carpenter, Lizzie, 105 S, Vine. 
 Carson, Melissa, 310 W. High. 
 Cassell, Mrs. Sarah, 405 S. Market. 
 Chadwick, Harry, 406 S. Race. 
 Chadwick, Mrs. Nettie, 406 S. Race. 
 Chadwick, Frances, 406 S. Race. 
 Clements, Charles, 711 W. Clark. 
 Clift, Mrs. Emma, R. F. D. 8 (U). 
 Coffey, Joel, Lafayette Ind. 
 
52 
 
 Cole, Davis, 403 N. Lake 
 Cole, Mrs. Davis, 403 N. Lake. 
 Combest, W. P., 812 W. Church. 
 Combest, Mrs. W. P., 812 W. Church. 
 Comstock, Mrs. Bertha, 508 B. Green. 
 Condit, Esther, 302 W. High. 
 Connour, Janey, 704 W. Park. 
 Connour, May, 704 W. Park. 
 Conkwright, Dewey, 206 W. Nevada. 
 Conoway, Mrs. Myrtle, 410 W. High. 
 Conklin, W. A., 508 S. Market. 
 Conklin, Roscoe, 508 S. Market. 
 Conklin, Glenn, St. Petersburg, Fla. 
 Cook, Mrs. Cora, 606 E. High. 
 Coppenberger, Mrs. Lulu, 505 N. Coler 
 Coppenbarger, Etta, Loda, 111. 
 Corbin, Mrs. Ada, 509 W. Univ. 
 Corbin, Bonnie, 509 W. Univ. 
 Corray, H. M., R. F. D. 8 (U). 
 Corray, Mrs. H. M., R. F. D. 8 (U). 
 Corray, Mrs. Angeline, R.F.D. 8 (U). 
 Cottrell, Mrs. Flora, 205 W. Illinois. 
 Courtney, Albert, 407 S. Webber. 
 Courtney, Mrs. A., 407 S. Webber. 
 Courtney, Lottie, 407 S. Webber. 
 Cox, Harry, R. F. D. 33, Dewey, 111. 
 Cox, Mrs. Opal, R. F. D. 33, Dewey. 
 Cox, Henry, R. F. D. 8 (U). 
 Cox, Mrs. Anna, R.F.D. 8 (U). 
 Creek, Mrs. May, 115 W. Wash. 
 Crouch, Clyde, R. F. D. 10 (U). 
 Crouch, Mrs. Ida, R. F. D. 10 (U). 
 Cunningham, Mrs. N., 608 E. Calif. 
 
 D. 
 
 Daniels, Mrs. Edith, Butler, Mo. 8. 
 Day, Mrs. Anna E., 1307 Church. 
 Day, Mrs. Lettie, 129 N. Race. 
 Deason, Mrs. Elva., Murphysboro, 111. 
 Denton, John, Chicago, 111. 
 Denton, Mrs. Lou, 603 S. Market. 
 Denton, Marie, 603 S. Market. 
 Desmore, W. H., 206 E. Green. 
 Desmore, Mrs. Margaret, 206 E. Green 
 Dexter, E. G., San Juan, P. R. 
 Dextei*, Mrs. E. G., San Juan, P. R. 
 Dicken, Mrs. Fannie, 302 W. Elm. 
 Dickerson, Esther, 903 W. Univ. 
 Dickerson. Mrs. Margaret, 903 W. Uni. 
 Dodson, Mrs. Jennie, R F. D. 12. 
 Dolph, Mabel, 806 E. Hudson. 
 Douglas, George, 604 S. Market. 
 Douglas, Mrs. Jennie, 604 S. Market. 
 Douglas, Roy, R. F. D. 10. 
 Doyle, Mrs. Nettie, 503 E. Elm. 
 Dunn, Mrs. Hazel, Ralph, Iowa. 
 
 Dunn, Raleigh, Ralph, Iowa. 
 Durni, Bertha B., 1003 W. Clark. 
 Dunn, Ida May, 509 W. Calif. 
 Dunn, Adelaide, 509 W. Calif. 
 Durman, Kathleen, Little Rock, Ark. 
 Dyson, Chester, R. F. D. 9 (U). 
 
 E. 
 
 Edwards, Grover C, 702 S. Market. 
 Edwards, Mrs. G. C., 702 S. Market. 
 Ellis, Amelia D., 405 W. Main. 
 Ervin, J. C., Kankakee, 111. 
 
 F. 
 
 Faust, Otto, 1011 E. Main. 
 Fallon, Vallie, 613 W. Stoughton. 
 Ferrand, Olive, Kankakee, 111. 
 Ferrand, Walter, Chicago, 111. 
 Fleck, Louis, 903 E. Green. 
 Flexman, C. G., 906 Stoughton. 
 Flexman, Mrs. C. G., 906 Stoughton. 
 Fluke, Melvin, R. F. D. 10. 
 Fluke, Mrs Ethel, R. F. D. 10. 
 Fox, Mrs. Delia, Springfield R F D 5 
 Frame, Walter, Danville, 111. 
 Frame, Ed., 207 S. Poplar. 
 Franklin, Warren. 407 N. Busey. 
 Franklin, Gladys, 407 N. Busey. 
 Franklin, George, 723 S. Market. 
 Franklin, Mrs. Geo., 723 S. Market. 
 Franklin, Laura, 723 S. Market. 
 Freeman, Mrs. Alice. 504 W. Elm. 
 Freeman, Helen, 504 W. Elm. 
 Freeman, Harry, Cairo, 111. 
 Frisinger, Del, Decatur, 111. 
 Frisinger, Mrs. Del., Monticello, 111. 
 Frisinger, Claude, Graymont, 111. 
 Fulton, Paul, 1204 W. Hill. 
 Fulton, John, 1204 W. Hill. 
 Fulton, Ixmise, 1204 W. Hill. 
 
 G. 
 
 Gay, Elbert, R. F. D. 8. 
 Gerbing, Agnes, 508 E. Illinois. 
 Gerbing, Mrs. Jennie. 508 E. Illinois. 
 Gerbing, Herman, 508 E. Illinois. 
 Gilmer, Irvin, R. F. D. 8 (U). 
 Gilmer, George, 800 W. Park. 
 Gleason, Vallen, 910% S. Water. 
 Gleason, Mrs. Dorothy, 910% S. Water. 
 Gleason, Marion, 212 W. Nevada. 
 Gleason, H. F., 306 W. Washington. 
 Gleason, Mrs. Edith. 306 W. Wash. 
 Gleason, Mrs. Maryland, 212 W. Nev. 
 Gleason, Katharine, St. Louis, Mo. 
 Good, Mrs. Jessie B., 705 E. Cal. 
 Goodspeed, D. H., 304 West Illinois 
 Goodspeed, Mrs. Phoebe, 304 W. Ills. 
 
CORRECTIONS. 
 
 Page 3 Column 
 
 2 
 
 Line 25 read 
 
 1884. 
 
 8 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 1868. 
 
 22 
 
 1 
 
 20 
 
 Sep. 7 1889. 
 
 38 
 
 2 
 
 8 
 
 E. P, Barnhart, 1908. 
 
 
 
 9 
 
 Burke Webber. 
 
 
 1 
 
 12 
 
 Amelia Richards. 1902 
 
 49 
 
 1 
 
 29 
 
 Mary Benedict. 1864 
 
 53 
 
 \ 
 
 16 
 
 Hall J. 3. 905 S. Busey. 
 
 
 
 
 Hall Ella 205 W. Green. 
 
 55 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 Marion Roberts 
 
 71 
 
 2 
 
 
 last line read 1903. 
 
 76 
 
 2 
 
 19 
 
 1912. 
 
 
 2 
 
 20 
 
 1913. 
 
 90 
 
 2 
 
 7 
 
 Renfro for Renfrew. 
 

Goodspeed, W. S., 205 W. Univ. 
 Goodspeed, Mrs. Stella, 205 W. Univ. 
 Goodspeed. Mrs. Anna, 410 W. High. 
 Gooduough, Mrs. Edith, 305 S. Coler. 
 Gorman, Mrs. Minnie, Arlington, Colo. 
 Gray, John, 928 W. Green. 
 Grimes, Ralph, 405 W. California. 
 Grimes, Mrs. Caroline, 405 W. Calif. 
 Grant, Mrs. Pearl, Decatur, 111. 
 Grubbs, Zella, R. F. D. 7 (U). 
 Guard, Mrs. Maud, San Antonio, Tex. 
 Gulick, Mrs. C. D., 1005 W. Oregon. 
 Gulick, C. D., 1005 W. Oregon. 
 
 H. 
 
 Hacker, Mrs. E., 705 E. Calif. 
 Ham, Mrs. Ellen, 211 E. Illinois. 
 Hall, Mrs. Sarah, 905 S. Busey. 
 Hacker, Walter, 705 E. Calif. 
 Hacker, Mrs. Mattie, 705 E. Calif. 
 Hamilton, Roy, Rodman, Iowa. 
 Handley, Mary, Potaskali, Ohio. 
 Harmison, L. A., 105 N. Goodwin. 
 Harmison, Mrs. Rose, 105 N. Goodwin. 
 Harmison, Beatrice, 105 N % Goodwin. 
 Hawley, O. J., 714 W. Elm. ' 
 Hayes, Dwight, 211 E. Main. 
 Hayes, Mrs. J. A., 401 W. Oregon. 
 Hays, Burt, 904 S. Race. 
 Hayes, Mrs. Nellie, 904 S Race. 
 Hedge, Mrs. Anna, 1304 W. Clark. 
 Heffley, Mrs. Geo., Rockford, 111. 
 
 Heller, R. W., 206 S. Cot. Gr. 
 Helm, Clifford, 406 S. Market. 
 Henderson, A. H., 508 S. Market. 
 Henderson, Mrs. A. H., 508 S. Market. 
 Henning, Lillie, Seymour, 111. 
 Henning, Mrs. Adam, Dukesbury. 
 Henning, Adam, Alberta, Canada. 
 Hissong, J. L., 405 W. Calif. 
 Hissong, Mrs. Catherine, 405 W. Calif. 
 Hissong, Frank,, 405 W. Cal. 
 Hiserodt, Clyde, 107 Urbana. 
 Houchins, Mrs. E. E., 408 S. Anderson. 
 Howard, Mrs. Dora, 1006 W. Green. 
 Howe, Richard, 804 W. Springfield. 
 Hoffman, Mrs. A.. 612 E. Church (C). 
 Hunter, Lawrence, R. F. D. 10. 
 Hunt. Mrs. Nettie. 905 S. Coler. 
 Hubbard, L. G., R.F.D. 10 (U). 
 Hubbard, Mrs. Helen, R.F.D. 10 (U). 
 Hubbard, Minnie, R.F.D. 10 (U). 
 Hubbard, F. C., R.F.D. 10 (U). 
 Hubbard, Mrs. Martha, R.F.D. 10 (U). 
 Hubbard, Nellie, R.F.D. 10 (U). 
 
 Kurd, Mrs. Lillie, R.F.D. 8 (U). 
 Hurd, Clint, R.F.D. 8 (U). 
 Hyatt, Albert, 113 N. Central. 
 
 I. 
 
 Tkins, Mrs. Maude, 206 S. Cot. Gr. 
 Ingalls, Horace, 209 W. Oregon, 
 innes, John, 309 W.. High. 
 
 J. 
 
 Jasper, T. M., 341 E 43, C. 
 Job.son, Mrs. A., Portland, Oregon. 
 Johnson, R. B., 310 W. Calif. 
 Johnson, Mrs. Cornelia, 310 W. Calif. 
 Johnson, C. J., 410 W. Calif. 
 Johnson, Mrs. Eliabeth, 410W. Calif. 
 Johnson, Howard, 410 W. Calif. 
 Johnson, Lelian, 410 W. Calif. 
 Johnson, Arthur, 401 S. Grove. 
 Johnson, Mrs. Ethel, 401 S. Grove. 
 Johnson, Wm., 701 E. Green. 
 Johnson, Walter, 701 E Green. 
 Johnson, Mrs. George, 207 W. High 
 Johnson, Harry, 608 E. High. 
 Johnson, Mrs. Hazel, 608 E. High. 
 Johnson, William, 702 E. Hi;h. 
 Johnson, Mrs. Sarah, 702 E. High. 
 Johnson, Joseph, R.F.D. 8 (U). 
 Johnson, Elmer, 106 N. Lincoln. 
 Johnson, Mrs. Anna, 106 N. Lincoln. 
 Jones, Hiram, 109 W. Illinois. 
 Jones, Mrs. Mary. 109 W. Illinois. 
 Jones, Sadie, 109 W. Illinois. 
 Jones, Frank, 710 S. Race. 
 Jones, Marie, 710 S. Race. 
 Jones, Arthur, 710 S. Race. 
 Jones, Wm., 710 S. Race. 
 Jones, Edgar, 710 S. Race. 
 Jones, Mrs. Anna, 710 S. Race. 
 Julian, Mrs. Mary, 111 W. Main. 
 
 K. 
 
 Kaucher, Mrs. Geraldine, R.F.D. 8 (U). 
 Kellar, Mrs. Bertha, R. F. D. No. 12. 
 Kirby, Mrs. Alta, R.F.D. 8 (U). 
 Knowlton, E. M., 302 W. High. 
 Kirkland, Rev. R. S., 502 W. Illinois. 
 Kirkland, Dudley, 502 W. Illinois. 
 Kirkland, Annirene, 502 W. Illinois. 
 Kirkland, Mrs. Eva, 502 W. Illinois. 
 Kirkpatrick, Mrs. Ombra, 206 W. 111. 
 Klockner, Flora, 503 W. Park. 
 Kurtz, Mrs. Iva, Brooks, Ind. 
 Kyte, Orlando, Wabash Ave. 
 
 L. 
 
 Lanbam, Ed., 309 N. Race. 
 Lanham, Mrs. Mary, 309 N. Race. 
 Lanham, Roy, 309 N. Race. 
 
54 
 
 Lanham, Ralph, 309 N. Race. 
 Laws, Mrs. Sylvia, Rodman, Iowa. 
 Layman, Mrs. Gertrude, 308 W. 111. 
 Lemen, Mrs. Jessie, Wheatland, Ind. 
 Leonard, Harold, Lewiston, Minn. 
 Leonard, F. F., 209% W. Illinois. 
 Leonard, Mis. F. F., 209% W. Illinois. 
 Lemen, E. J., Wheatland, Ind. 
 Leonard, Dorinne, 209%., W. Illinois. 
 Leonard, Russell, 209% W. Illinois. 
 Leonard, Hazel, 209% W. Illinois. 
 Lee, Mrs. Mary, 301 E. Elm. 
 
 Lee, Edward, 301 E. Elm. 
 Lin, Thian K., China. 
 Louthan, J. M., 1105 W. Oregon. 
 
 Loveless, Ruah, 1005 W. Illinois. 
 Lund, Mrs. Frank, Nevada, Iowa. 
 
 Lund, Frank, Nevada, Iowa. 
 M. 
 
 Maguire, Mrs. Anna, 808 S. Mathews. 
 
 Mahn, Charles, 307 S Race. 
 
 Mahn, Mrs. Clara, 307 S. Race. 
 
 Mahn, Ruth, 307 S. Race. 
 
 Mahn, George, 307 S. Race. 
 
 Martin, Oliver, 1102 W. Church. 
 
 Martin, Lloyd, 204 W. Lake. 
 
 Martin, Ella, 1102 W. Church. 
 
 Martin, Mrs. J. L., 1102 W. Church. 
 
 Martin, Mrs. Effie, 123 Pine, aDnville. 
 
 Mason, Dr. J. S., 202 S. Race. 
 
 Mathingly, James, 914 E. Park. 
 
 Mathews, Louise, Sadorus, 111. 
 
 Mathews, Harvey, Sadorus, 111. 
 
 Mathews, Shirley, Wellington, 111. 
 
 Mathews, Francis, Sadorus, 111. 
 
 Mathews, Mrs. Theodocia. Texas. 
 
 McLean, A. H., 206 W. High. 
 
 McLean, Mrs. Pearl, 206 W. High. 
 
 McLain, Berl, 1409 Park. 
 
 McFarland, Alice, 603 W. Clark. 
 
 McFarland, Mrs. B. T., 603 W. Clark. 
 
 McCown, Lovell, 312 W. Calif. 
 
 McCown, Mrs. W. M., 312 W. Calif. 
 
 McClurg, Vane, Danville, 111. 
 
 McCown, J. T., 312 W. Calif. 
 
 McLean, Mrs. Jennie. 412 W. High. 
 
 McLean, L. A., 412 W. High. 
 
 Merrick, Wilbur, 109 College. 
 
 Merrick, Earl, 109 College. 
 
 Merrick, Mrs. Bell, 109 College. 
 
 Merrick, Edith, 109 College. 
 
 Merchant, Olive, Kinmundy, 111. 
 
 Merchant, Gertrude, Kinmundy, 111. 
 
 Miller, Joseph H., 1002 W. Oregon. 
 
 Miller, Jesse, 304 W. Calif. 
 
 Miller, Mrs. Maude, 304 W. Calif. 
 Miller, Mrs. Mamie, Mattoon, 111. 
 Miller, Mrs. Josie, Urbana. 
 Mitchell, Mrs. Anna, 508 W. Oregon 
 Mitchell, Feme, 508 W. Oregon. 
 Mix, Martin, 1006 W. Calif. 
 Mollendorf, Charles, Evanston, 111. 
 Mollendorf, Mrs. Jennie, Evanston, 111. 
 Mol!endorf, Clara, Evanston, 111. 
 Mollendorf, Harold, Evanston, 111. 
 Moody, W. W., 1006 W. Univ. 
 
 Mollendorf, Paul, Evanston, 111. 
 Morris, Hazel, Indianapolis, Ind. 
 Morgan, Mrs. Augusta, 602 W. Univ. 
 Morgan, Grace, 602 W. University. 
 Morehouse, Frances, Normal, 111. 
 Morris, Mrs. Pearl, Peoria, 111. 
 Mullin, Mrs. Anna, 403 W. Park. 
 Murdock, Mrs. C., 105 College. 
 Murdock, Jesse, 105 College. 
 
 N. 
 
 Neal, Ethel, 315 Poplar. 
 Nelson, Mrs. Blanche R.F.D. 33 Dewey 
 Nesmith, A. W., 205 E. Church (C). 
 Neville, Mrs. Nancy, 306 S. Race. 
 Neville, Claire, Ft. 'Sam Houston, Tex. 
 Niblick, Robert, 702 S. Race. 
 Newell, Agnes, 111 W. Clark (C). 
 Niblick, Bascom, 702 S. Race. 
 Niblick, Hallie. 702 S. Race. 
 Niblick, Mrs. Anna, 702 S. Race. 
 Niblick, George, 702 S. Race. 
 Nog'e, Opal, 207 W. Oregon. 
 Nogle, Miss Caroline, 207 W. Oregon. 
 
 O. 
 Owens, A. W., 910% W. Calif. 
 
 P. 
 
 Parker, W. T., 402 W. Illinois. 
 Parker, Mrs. W. T., 402 W. Illinois. 
 Parker, Feland, 402 W. Illinois. 
 Parker, Leota, 402 W. Illinois. 
 Parker, Fred, 202% W. Illinois. 
 Parker, Lura, 402 W. Illinois. 
 Parker, Nona L., 703 W. Clark. 
 Parker, Ina, 402 W. Illinois. 
 Palmer, Mrs. Lydia, 209 W. Ch., (C). 
 Palmer, Mrs. Hnnah, 404 E. High. 
 Parris, Harold, 1304 W. Hill. 
 Percival, Ruth, 906 W. Green. 
 Pearson, Mrs. A., 810 W. Springfield. 
 Pearson, Pauline, 810 W. Springfield. 
 Pearson, Wilbur, 810 W. Springfield. 
 Peters, Mrs. Lottie, Danville, 111. 
 Percival, C. S., R.F.D. 10. 
 Percival, Mrs. Anna, 906 W. Green. 
 
55 
 
 Percival, Olive, 90G W. Green. 
 Percival, Otis, 906 W. Green. 
 Pickerell, Roy, R.F.D. 8 (U). 
 Pittman, Charles, G08 S. Cot. Grove. 
 Pittman, Mrs. Susan, COS S. Cot. Gr. 
 Pitman, Hazel, 608 S. Cot. Gr. 
 Pittman, Daisy, 608 S. Cot. Gr. 
 Pittman, Clyde, 608 S. Cot. Gr. 
 Pittman, Ethel, 608 S. Cot. Gr. 
 Porter, Wilbur, Dakota. 
 Powell, L. L., 507 Chalmers (C). 
 Priley, Mrs. Nettie E., 112y 2 White (C) 
 Price, Mrs. Eva, 5021 Forrestville ave 
 Price, Ray, 5021 Forrestville ave., C. 
 Prue, Mrs. Mary, 405 Railroad. 
 
 R. 
 
 Rahe, Estella, Colorado. 
 Renfrew, Carlos, 307 W. High. 
 Renfrew, Mrs. Leone, 307 W. High. 
 Renfro, Estella, 701 W. Calif. 
 Rea, Mrs. Minnie, 503 W. Main. 
 Renfrew, Charles, 604 W. Main. 
 Renfrew, Mrs. Francis, 604 W. Main. 
 Renfrew, Clara, 604 W. Main. 
 Reid, Mrs. Marietta, 904 S. Bv.sey. 
 Reid, Olive G., 904 S. Busey. 
 Reimer, Mrs. Will, 806 W. Park. 
 Renner, Mrs. Louise, 906 W. Stoughton 
 Reed, Mr. G. W., R. R. 57, Sidney, 111. 
 Reed, Mrs. G., R. F. D. 57, Sidney, 111. 
 Rice, Warren, Clarksdale, Miss. 
 Rice. Irl, Clarksdale, Miss. 
 Richards, Clarence, Carlsbad, N. M. 
 Richter, H. A., Washburn, 111. 
 Richter. Mrs. .H. A., Washburn, 111. 
 \\i\ey. Clarence, 604 W. High. 
 Richards, C. W., 305 W. High. 
 Ritchey, Mrs. G. F., 805 W. Green. 
 Ritchey, Royal W., 805 W. Green. 
 Riley. N. A., 501 W. Main. 
 Richter, Gladys. 717 S. Market. 
 Richter, Leonard, 717 S. Market. 
 Richter. Mrs. Mattie, 717 S. Market. 
 Richards, Ralph, 1304 W. Dublin. 
 Richards, Mrs. Amelia, 302 W. Green. 
 Riggs, J. V., Loda, 111. 
 Riggs, Mrs. Clara. Loda, 111. 
 Kiggs, Bessie, 607 S. Race. 
 Richards, Mrs. C. H.. Fithian, 111. 
 Riley, Fred, Chicago, 111. 
 Roach, Samuel, 701 E. Calif. 
 Ronch. Mrs. Mattie, 701 E. Calif. 
 Roberts, Mrs. Wilber, 407 E. Calif. 
 Roberts, Wilbur, 407 E. Calif. 
 Roe, Mrs. Glenn H., R. F. D. 12. 
 Roberts. W. I., 108 E. Calif. 
 
 Roberts, Nettie 'M., 108 E. Calif. 
 Roberts, Mrs. Fannie, 108 E. Calif. 
 Roberts, Nettie M., 108 E. Calif. 
 Roberts, Harry, 108 E. Calif. 
 Rogers, Mrs. Luella, Brocton, 111. 
 Roberts, Nettie, 508 W. Oregon. 
 Roney, Grace, 315 W. Univ. 
 Roney, Flora, R. F. D. 12. 
 Rootes, Ward, 706 E. Walnut. 
 Ross, John, 203 E. Illinois. 
 Ross, Mrs. Sadie, 203 E. Illinois. 
 Ross, Eva, 203 E. Illinois. 
 Ross, Charles, Oklahoma City, Okla. 
 Ross, Will, 812 W. Healy (C). 
 Roughton, Harold, 401 S. Grove. 
 Rowland, S. A., 905 S. Sixth (C). 
 
 S. 
 
 Saltzgarver, Mrs. Arthur. Gibson, 111. 
 Saniels, T. W., 603 W. Green. 
 Schultz, Mrs. Nettie, 303V 2 E. Hill (C) 
 Scroggins, Mrs. D. L., 707 W. Wash. 
 Scroggins, D. L., 707 W. Wash. 
 Schaudt, Mrs. Ethel, 1003 W. Univ. 
 Scroggins, June, 707 W. Wash. 
 Scroggins, Frank, 707 W. Wash. 
 Schiff, George, R. F. D. 8. 
 Schmitt, Leonard, 703 W. Univ. 
 Schilling, Ralph, R. F. D. 12. 
 Schilling. Flossie, R. F. D. 12. 
 Scruby, A. T., 603 W. Green. 
 Scruby, Mrs. A. T., 603 W. Green. 
 Scott, Anna, R. F. No. 9. 
 Schiff, Mrs. George, R. F. D. 8, 
 Sellars, M. D. L., 410 W. Green. 
 Sellars, Mrs. Rebecca, 410 W. Green. 
 Shen, Wen Yu, 1012 W. Oregon. 
 Shaffer, Edna! 112 N. Central. 
 Shaffer, Willard, 112 N. Central. 
 Shaffer, Bernice, 112 N. Central. 
 Shaffer, Gladys, 407 W. Calif. 
 Shaffer, Glenn, 407 W. Calif. 
 Shaffer, Beulah, 407 W. Calif. 
 Shaffer, H. Y., 407 W. Calif. 
 Shaffer, Mrs. H. Y.. 407 W. Calif. 
 Shaffer, Florence. 112 N. Central. 
 Sharp, Mrs. Elsie, 1010 W. Green. 
 Sharp, Ethel, 1010 W. Green. 
 Sharp. Bertha, 1010 W. Green. 
 Shaffer, Mrs., 112 N. Central. 
 Sheffer, Mrs. James, 103^ W. Green. 
 Shelby, Violet, Gravel Siding (C>. 
 Shewart, W. A., 90iy 2 W. Green. 
 Shepherd, Elmer, 208 Nevada. 
 Shott, G. M., 205 W. High. 
 Shott. Cora E., 205 W. High. 
 
56 
 
 Shott, Elsie J., 205 W. High. 
 Shott, Ruth E., 205 W. High. 
 Siders, Mrs. Anna, Fairlands, 111. 
 Silver, Mrs. Mary, TOG S. Busey. 
 Siverling, Gladys, Cam. Springs, Pa. 
 Siverling, Mrs. M., 'Cambridge Spg. Pa 
 Sides, Harold M., R. F. D. 10. 
 Slawson, Mrs. Josie, 505 E. Green (C). 
 Slawson, W. H., 505 E. Green (C). 
 Slack, J. K., 408 W. Green. 
 Slater, Esther, 704 S. Market. 
 Slater, Mrs. Mary, 704 S. Market 
 Smith, Howard. Geneseo, 111. 
 Smith, Mrs. Edna, Geneseo, 111. 
 Smith, Mrs. Minnie, 203 E. High. 
 Smith, Verne, 203 E. High. 
 Smith, Edward, 508 S. Urbana. 
 Smith, Mrs. Mary, 508 S. Urbana. 
 Smith, David, R.F.D. 12 (U). 
 Smith, Mrs. Belle, R.F.D. 12, (U). 
 Smith, Thamer, 108 E. Oregon. 
 Smith, Roy, 108 E. Oregon. 
 Smith, Etta, 403 S. Anderson. 
 Smith, Mrs. David, 403 S. Anderson. 
 Smith, Mrs. Flora, 108 E. Oregon. 
 Snow, T. W., 611 W. Illinois. 
 Snow, Mrs. May, 611 W. Illinois. 
 Snyder, Maud, 402 W. Univ. 
 Snyder, Ralph, 402 W. Univ. 
 Snyder, Frank, 402 W. Univ. 
 Snyder, F. M., 601 W. High. 
 Snyder, Mrs. Clara, G01 W. High. 
 Somers, Mrs. Ed., R.F.D. 8. 
 Somers, Roy, R. F. D. No. 9. 
 Sponsel, Olive, Mrs., Mandan, N. D. 
 Sponsel, Mrs. Olive B., Laurel, Mont. 
 Spurgin, Wm., 910 W. Green. 
 Stallings W. H., Hamilton, N. Y. 
 Stamp, George, 113 Franklin. 
 Stamp, Juanita, 113 Franklin. 
 Stark, J. E., New York. 
 Stark, Mrs. Mattie, Paris, 111. 
 Stevens, R. H., Deland, Fla. 
 Stevenson, Ethel, 305 W. Illinois. 
 Stinespring, H. P., R.F.D. 9 (U). 
 Stipes, Mrs. E., R.F.D. 
 Stinespring, Mrs. Leota, R.F.D. 9 (U). 
 Strickland, Mrs. Ida, 207 W. Oregon. 
 Strickland, Mrs. Stella, 508 W. Ore. 
 Strickland, Willie, 207 W. Oregon. 
 Strickland, Myrtle, 207 W. Oregon. 
 Strong, Mrs. S. A., 507 E. Green. 
 Surbaugh, Wm., Bloomington, Ind. 
 Strong, Earl, 507 E. Green. 
 Sutton, Mrs. Ella, 108 W. Green. 
 
 T. 
 
 Tarpenning, Mrs., 109 E. Hill (C). 
 Tarpenning, C. A., bOG E. Clark (C). 
 Terry, Mrs. Clara, 408 S. Anderson. 
 Thompson, Chas. H., 1203 W. Spring 
 Thomas, Mrs. Betty, 20G W. Green. 
 Thorpe, J. C., 407 E. Main. 
 Thomas, Abner R., 402 W. Elm. 
 Thomas, Polly E., 402 W. Elm. 
 Thomas, Handley, 402 W. Elm. 
 Thorpe, Mrs. Fanny, 501 E. Main. 
 Thompson, Ruth, R. F. D. 9 (U). 
 Thompson, Mrs. Lulu, Ogden, 111. 
 Tierney, Mrs. Sarah, 511 White (C). 
 .Tillotson, I. F., 704 W. Park. 
 Tillotson, Mrs. I. F., 704 W. Park. 
 Tipton, Evilo, R.F. D. 8 (U). 
 Toy, Addie, 705 Stoughton. 
 Toy, Carrie, 705 Stoughton. 
 Toy, Fred, 5519 Minerva, Ch. 
 Towersey, James, Thomasboro, 111. 
 Towersey, Mrs. Sarah, Thomasboro. 
 Tufts, C. A., 107 W. Hill (C). 
 Tufts, Mrs. Roxana, 107 W. Hill (C). 
 1-ufts, Mrs. L. O., 107 W. Hill (C). 
 
 V. 
 
 Van Deventer, Lola, 1305 W. Stoughton 
 Vanbuskirk, Roy, 1002 W. Oregon. 
 Van Doren, Mrs. C. L., 712 W. Oregon. 
 Van Doren, Mark, 712 W. Oregon. 
 Van Doren, Paul, 712 W. Oregon. 
 Van Doren, Frank, 712 W. Oregon. 
 Van Doren, Guy, 809 W. Nevada. 
 Villers, rMs. M. E., 301 W Oregon. 
 Von Holter, Mrs. De Etta, Mahomet 
 Von Koten, Mrs. Ida, 108 E. Illinois. 
 Vaughn, Herstal, Denver, Colo. 
 Vaughn, John, Denver, Colo. 
 
 W. 
 
 Wagner, W. T., 107 N. Webber. 
 Walker, Mrs. Margaret. 308 W. High. 
 Walti, Mrs. Josie, 704 E. Green. 
 Walti, Louis, 704 E. Green. 
 Walti, Nora, 704 E. Green. 
 Wardall, F. M., 1011 W. Illinois. 
 Wardall, Mrs. Myra, 1011 W. Illinois. 
 Wardall, Edna, 1011 W. Illinois. 
 Wascher, Mrs. Laura, 303 S. Vine. 
 Webber, Frank, COS E. Main. 
 Webber, Laura, G05 E. Main. 
 Webber, Mrs. Grace. 605 E. Main. 
 Welch, Mrs. Grace, 309 W. High. 
 Webber, T. Burke. 105 W. Illinois. 
 Webber, Mrs. Jessie, 105 W. Illinois. 
 Webber, Robert, 106 W. Illinois. 
 
57 
 
 Webber, Mrs. Mary, 401 S. Market. 
 Webber, Elizabeth, 401 S. Market. 
 Webber, Anna, 401 S. Market. 
 Webber, Geo. B., 510 B. White. 
 Webber, Pearl, 709 W. Green. 
 Webber, Georgia, 510 E. White. 
 Weeks, Harry, 1123 E. 43d, Chicago. 
 White, Perry. 404 E. Elm. 
 White, Mrs. Mary, 404 E. Elm. 
 White, Harry, Thomasboro, 111. 
 White, Mrs. Harry, Thomasboro, 111. 
 Wheaton, Lillie, 112 W. Curtis (C). 
 Whitlach, Mrs. Bertha, 404 E. Green. 
 Whitlach, Irene, 404 S. Vine. 
 Williams, John, 207 W. Ind. 
 Williams, Mrs. May, 207 W. Ind. 
 Williford, Lewis, 108 N. Romine. 
 Willlford, Allen, 108 N. Romine 
 Winchester, Bessie, R.F.D. 12 (U). 
 Winchester, Mrs. S. E., 610 W. Calif. 
 Winchester, Benjamin, 610 W. Calif. 
 Winchester, S. E., 610 W. Calif. 
 
 Wyninger, Mrs. H. T., 305 E. Oregon. 
 Winchester, Mrs. E. A., R.F.D. 12 (U). 
 Williams, Jennie, 305 S. Grove. 
 Wilcox, A. I., 901 W. Illinois. 
 Wilcox, Mrs. Ruby, 901 W. Illinois. 
 Williams, Mrs. Anna, 901 S. Busey. 
 Williams, Mrs. Grace, Mattoon, 111. 
 Winsor, Mrs. Rosa, Farmer City, 111. 
 Winchester, E. A., R.F.D. 12 (U). 
 Wright, Mrs. Anna, 107 N. Webber. 
 Williams, Edith, 1002 Daniel St. 
 Williams, Charles, 1002 Daniel St. 
 Wooden, Eula N., Orchard St. 
 Woolman, Collet, Shreveport, La. 
 Woodin, Mrs. John. Dundee, Minn. 
 Wright, Jewell, 107 N. Webber. 
 Wright, Ruth, 107 N. Webber. 
 
 Y. 
 
 Yates, James, 704 E. Calif. 
 Yount, Fred, 508 W. Oregon. 
 Yount, Mrs. Myrtle, 508 W. Oregon. 
 
 CHURCH MEMBERSHIP. 
 
 Because of the different modes of 
 securing membership in the diverse 
 denominations of our times and the 
 easy method of securing union, real 
 membership is not regarded as high- 
 ly as it ought to be. The church is 
 the representative of Christ, and is 
 designated as the "body of Christ." 
 Each member ought to understand 
 that as a part of the body, he weak- 
 ens or strengthens the body. If some 
 of the cells of the lungs fill up, and 
 do not perform their natural functions 
 it throws more of the work of breath- 
 ing upon the cells that are active. If 
 too many cells become atrophied, and 
 as a consequence too much is thrown 
 on the healthy cells, they will some 
 day break down with overwork, and 
 lose their power of giving vitality to 
 the body. If you do not pay as much 
 as you ought some one else will have 
 need to pay more than he ought. This 
 church is carrying a great number of 
 nominal members who do not give be- 
 cause they say they cannot. They do 
 
 not attend, and as a consequence do 
 not get the inspiration of being pres- 
 ent when others Interested in kindred 
 things, are studying, or working, and 
 as a natural consequence they lose 
 interest. Why not wake up, and take 
 hold and learn to enjoy the work, and 
 worship. 
 
 BAPTIST PROPORTION. 
 
 "According to the American Bap- 
 tist Yearbook, in six states Alabama, 
 Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, 
 South Carolina and Virginia one out 
 of every five of the population is a 
 Baptist; in Kentucky, one out of every 
 ten is a Baptist; in Arkansas and 
 Texas, one out of every eight; in Ten- 
 nessee, one out of nine. In the Dis- 
 trict of Columbia, Missouri, and 
 Louisiana, the proportion is one to 
 eleven. Then the ratio jumps to one 
 out of twentyone in Oklahoma; twen- 
 ty-eight in West Virginia, and thirty- 
 one in Kansas. In the United States 
 the average is one to seventeen. 
 
58 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 MEETING HOUSES DEDICATIONS PARSONAGES 
 
 "The groves' were God's first temples." 
 "Who am I then that I should build an house, save only to burn sacrifice in." 
 
 In the seventy-five years of .the his- 
 tory of the Urbana Baptist Church it 
 has had but three meeting houses, if 
 indeed we may consider the little log 
 school house at Brumley's as its first 
 meeting place. 
 
 The Brumley School House, located 
 about a mile and one-half east of Ur- 
 bana was the first place that shelter- 
 ed these early worshippers, with per- 
 haps an occasional appointment in the 
 Old Court House, which was also a log 
 house. 
 
 From 1838 to 1850 these meetings 
 were thus held from place to place 
 with no certain abiding place. The 
 Brumley school house was known for 
 many years as the place where Mr. A. 
 Bruer, the schoolmaster, smoked the 
 scholars out at Christmas time. In 
 
 Old Church Erected 1856 
 
 this house many of the early settlers 
 received all their education. In No- 
 vember, 1850; the church appointed 
 John White, William Gill, U. O. Brum- 
 ley, Col. M. W. Busey, and James S. 
 Busey as a building committee. The 
 committee discharged its duties and 
 the house was erected and paid for in 
 185G, The following quotations from 
 the Urbana Union edited by J. O. 
 Cunningham, will give some idea of 
 the times and perhaps give the date 
 of the first organization of women 
 for church work. "The Ladies of Ur- 
 bana desirous of aiding in the pur- 
 chas of a bell to' be placed upon the 
 Baptist church now in process of con- 
 struction in this place, are invited to 
 meet' at the court house next Tuesday 
 at 2 p. m., for the purpose of forming 
 a society with the above purpose in 
 view." April 5, 1855. 
 
 "The Ladies of the Urbana Sewing 
 Society held in the courC'liouse yard, 
 Friday' ' afternoon; September 7th, a 
 festival for the purpose of getting 
 money to buy a bell for the new Bap- 
 tist church." Sept. 14th, 1855. 
 ' "The bell for the new Bdptist church 
 has arrived, and will soon send forth 
 its mellow peals to vibrate over the 
 prairies, as often reminding us of the 
 persevering and noble hearted efforts 
 of the ladies of Urbana, through 
 whose efforts alone the purchase has 
 been made. The bell is one of beau- 
 tiful tone, and will tend much to en- 
 liven the place, especially on Sabbath 
 mornings, when we shall henceforth 
 be greeted by the "church going bell." 
 Sept. 27th, 1855. January 3rd, 185C, 
 "Last Sabbath the Baptist church in 
 this place was dedicated by Rev. Mr. 
 
59 
 
 Thomas of Bloomington. His versa- 
 tility of talent was made use of in this 
 instance. A debt of $1,134.81 for ma- 
 terial and work on the church remain- 
 ed unpaid, with no perceptible means 
 of paying it. The whole amount, 
 however, was assumed by individuals, 
 placing the church out of debt at 
 once. Much credit is due Mr. Thomas, 
 who will long be remembered by our 
 people." 
 
 a time has the cry, "what shall I do 
 to be saved," been lifted up from pen- 
 itent hearts. Many a time has the 
 fiery and dogmatic teachings of the 
 scriptures been rung out over the 
 heads of the waiting crowds, "believe 
 on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou 
 shalt be saved." 
 
 Repairs and some changes have 
 somewhat changed the original ap- 
 pearance of the house, but have added 
 
 Interior of Old Church 
 
 For forty -one years that building 
 stood and housed the multitudes who 
 have worshiped there during the busy 
 days of western settlement, and war 
 readjustment. By glancing at the long 
 list of members who for longer or 
 shorter periods have passed through 
 the membership of the church that has 
 been worshipping in this place you 
 will see what an influence centered 
 in that old historic building. Many 
 
 to its efficiency and usefulness, with- 
 out detracting from its simplicity. 
 During the ministry of Elder W. H. 
 Steadman the congregations grew too 
 large for the seating capacity of the 
 house, and in 1876 a Vestry with two 
 rooms was added to the back of the 
 meeting house costing $850, which 
 added greatly to the convenience of 
 both church and Sunday school. Dur- 
 ing the ministry of Elder Shott a 
 
60 
 
 Baptistry was also added to the plat- 
 form of the building. At some period 
 in the history of the building two 
 doors of entrance were made where 
 
 was probably the greatest personal 
 triumph in which the church ever en- 
 gaged. On February 21st, 1895, Rev. 
 J. F. Mills preached a memorable ser- 
 
 SECOND BUILDING. 
 
 one had been in the, original entry. 
 These features have been perpetuated 
 in pictures in the glass windows of 
 the present house as seen on the 
 north side central window and the 
 south side central window. 
 
 With unexpected suddenness the rec- 
 ords announce in terse phrase what 
 
 First Baptist Church, Erected 1896. 
 
 mon from the words, "lengthen thy 
 cords and strengthen thy stakes." It 
 was this passionate sermon that ex- 
 cited the people to a splendid frenzy 
 of work and sacrifice. The member- 
 ship of 400 had now quite outgrown 
 the old meeting house of 1855. The 
 officers met on Monday night, and 
 
61 
 
 Stanford Hall 
 
 perfected plans which were presented 
 to the church on Wednesday night, 
 and Rev. J. F. Mills was appointed to 
 undertake the raising of the neces- 
 sary funds for the new building. He 
 was also empowered to call in any 
 help he might see fit. 
 
 L. G. Hubbard set the pace and 
 gave $1,000.00, which led the following 
 to subscribe a like sum: M. D. Busey, 
 Patrick Richards, E. M. Knowlton, and 
 Geo. M. Bennett. The following sub- 
 scribed $500.00 each: R. A. Weber, J. 
 M. Lewis, George A. Walker, J. S. 
 Hall, Mrs. Elizabeth Smith and family, 
 N. A. Riley, and Querin Schiff and 
 family. Other numerous subscrip- 
 tions from two hundred dollars down 
 were made. In one month from the 
 start the Committee reported $5,000. 
 J. S. Hall was appointed chairman of 
 the Building Committee with M. D. 
 Busey, L. G. Hubbard, R. A. Webber, 
 E. M. Knowlton, J. M. Lewis and L. 
 A. McLean. Stanford Hall of the 
 University Class of 1895 was elected 
 as Architect and later as Superintend- 
 ent of the building. The dimensions 
 
 of the building are 114x72, with a bell 
 tower 98 feet high. It is of German- 
 Romanesque architecture in brick and 
 gray stone. Memorial windows of 
 tasty designs make permanent the 
 names of many beloved members. It 
 was found necessary to raise an ad- 
 ditional $2,600.00 and to leave off 
 some ornaments in order to make the 
 subscription cover the bids. Mr. S. H. 
 Busey and wife, General Busey, and 
 Mrs. J. C. Kirkpatrick contributed 
 this amount, and a tablet to their 
 mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Bush Busey, 
 perpetuates their generosity as well as 
 their mother's love for children. 
 
 MRS. M. W. BUSEY. 
 
 Born in 1800. Maiden name, Miss 
 Elizabeth Bush of Washington Co., In- 
 diana. Became a resident here in 1833. 
 
 Many of those who had given large- 
 ly at the first stages increased their 
 gifts from $100.00 down. Special men- 
 tion should be made of J. Stanford 
 Hall, upon whom the great responsi- 
 bility of seeing his plans carried out 
 
62 
 
 to execution rested. The construction 
 of the roof to support the great weight 
 is a marvel of architectural and me- 
 chanical skill. L. M. Moore and Son, 
 the contractors, are lavish in their 
 praise of the perfection of detail in 
 the Architect's plans. The Building 
 Committee had their share of well- 
 earned praise during the various 
 stages of the work, and their faces 
 are perpetuated in a cut in this vol- 
 ume. To the Rev. J. F. Mills more 
 than to any other single person, Is 
 due the honor, and praise for the 
 great building. His pastorate was not 
 only successful, for three years previ- 
 ous to the .building enterprise, but he 
 broke the record of men who build 
 churches, and stayed two years after 
 his heroic task had been finished, to 
 enjoy the fruit of his incessant toil. 
 
 Deacon S. S. Hall. 
 
 Samuel Stillman Hall was born at 
 Sumner, Maine, November 30th, 1808. 
 He was the son of Rev. Zenas Hall, a 
 Baptist pioneer preacher in Maine. 
 
 January 1st, 1833, he was married to 
 Lydia Ring, who died a year later. In 
 1835 he married Elizabeth Ring, who 
 bore him eight sons, and proved a good 
 and faithful wife and mother, till her 
 death, which came in 1852. In 1857 
 he moved from Maine to Illinois, on 
 a farm near Tonica. Here lie hved 
 for 22 years, honored and respected 
 by all. Here he met with his s f *cond 
 great sorrow, i.ae death of his wife in 
 September,, 1852. She left him with 
 a large family, some of which were 
 quite small. In 1853 he married to 
 Harriet Mitchell, whc bore him one 
 daughter, Miss Ella E. Hall, who is a 
 member of our church at this writing, 
 and furnishes the committee with the 
 data of this biography. In 1869 he 
 
 moved to Urbana, where he spent the 
 rest of his life, blameless, comforting, 
 and helpful. He gave five sons to the 
 civil war, and one sleeps in the cem- 
 etery at Chattanooga, Tenn. His third 
 wife died August 14th, 1887, leaving 
 his daughter to comfort and care for 
 him in his declining years. He was 
 baptized at Parkham, Maine, January 
 1st, 1832, and walked in "newness of 
 life" for more than sixty-three years. 
 He was Deacon, and Sunday School 
 Superintendent for a number of years 
 at Tonica. He was Deacon of the Ur- 
 bana church for twenty-five years, re- 
 ceiving ordination with a number of 
 others on the last night of the first 
 pastorate of Rev. G. M. Shott, June 
 9th, 1884. His death came May 19th, 
 1895, at the advanced age of 87 years. 
 There are many still in the church 
 to "rise up and call him blessed." 
 
63 
 
 BUILDING COMMITTEE 
 
 Reading from left to right: M. D. Busey, E. M. Knowlton, N. A. Riley, 
 R. A. Webber, J. M. Lewis, L. A. McLean, L. G. Hubbard, E. S. Hall. 
 
64 
 
 "All the people dedicated 
 o 
 Dedication of the First Building. 
 
 From the files of the Urbana Union 
 of January 3, 1856, the following no- 
 tice is taken: "Last Sabbath the Bap- 
 tist Church in this place was dedicat- 
 ed by Rev. Mr. Thomas of Blooming- 
 ton. The services were made very in- 
 teresting throughout by the presence 
 of Mr. Thomas, who is a gentleman, 
 eloquent in the pulpit, and affable 
 among the people. His versality of 
 talent was made exceedingly useful in 
 this instance. A debt of $1,154.81 for 
 material, and work on the church, re- 
 mained unpaid, with no perceptible 
 means of paying it. The whole amount 
 was assumed by ^individuals placing 
 the church out of debt at once. Much 
 credit is due the exertions of . Mr. 
 Thomas, who will long be remember- 
 ed by our people." This church build- 
 ing was the first of any pretensions in 
 the county. It was the only church 
 building with a belfry for many years. 
 Many scenes of blessed spiritual reap- 
 ing have been seen within those old 
 historic walls. Many a hundred souls 
 were born within those walls, and 
 many an anthem of high praise to God 
 has teen echoed back by them. The 
 first baptistry indoors in the history 
 of the church was built during the 
 pastorate of Rev. G. M. Shott, by Mr. 
 Martin Kaucher, who was the first, or 
 nearly the first to enter its waters. 
 
 Dedication of the Second Building. 
 May 29th, 1896. By actual count, 
 1,350 people crowded into the new 
 meeting house to participate in the 
 dedication exercises. Rev. Myron W. 
 Haynes, D.D., of Chicago, preached the 
 dedication sermon from Luke 5:11: 
 "And when they had brought their 
 ships to land they forsook all, and 
 
 the house of the Lord." 
 
 followed him." 
 
 Among the duties of the consecrated 
 life he emphasized the privilege of 
 giving, and then asked for $3,000 to 
 pay the balance of debt on the church. 
 In a few minutes $3,237 was pledged. 
 Deacon Hall spoke of the harmony 
 that had prevailed during the erection 
 of the building. N. A. Riley, treasur- 
 er, reported that a total of $23,784.94 
 had been raised leaving $3,000 to com- 
 plete the payment of all bills. Of this 
 amount Mrs. J. C. Thomas of the 
 Ladies' Extension Society reported 
 that the Society had paid $888 on the 
 building fund. In the. afternoon at 3 
 o'clock the auditorium was crowded to 
 the limit, 1,500 people being in at- 
 tendance. 
 
 Ministers of the various denomina- 
 tions of the Twin Cities were on the 
 platform, and some of them made rep- 
 resentative speeches congratulating 
 the church upon its splendid achieve- 
 ment. President Draper of the Uni- 
 versity of Illinois was one of the 
 speakers, and made an excellent ad- 
 dress, portions of which only can be 
 given here. "You have passed a gra- 
 cious compliment upon the University 
 in giving it a voice on this auspicious 
 occason. The toleration of creed, not 
 the absence of it, is an element in the 
 state, and in the University. It is 
 appropriate that the state in which 
 toleration has reached its fullest 
 fruitage should offer amends to the 
 denomination which has suffered most 
 from religious intolerance, and perse- 
 cution. It has been true of the Bap- 
 tist denomination that the blood of 
 the martyrs has been the seed of the 
 church. The state congratulates this 
 church today. The University is very 
 dependent upon the virility, and 
 strength of the religious life of the 
 Twin Cities. We have 900 young men, 
 
65 
 
 and women brought here each year, 
 and it is a great charge. The Univer- 
 sity is proud today that the planning 
 of this beautiful structure was done 
 by one of its worthy sons, Stanford 
 Hall, architect. Many added children 
 gather around its knee; may its in- 
 fluence count, forward, not backward, 
 up not down, out, not in, and all lend 
 a hand." 
 
 Dr. M. W. Haynes then engineered 
 another collection and subscription 
 covering all the needs of the new edi- 
 fice, making the total subscriptions 
 for the day from over 200 subscrib- 
 ers, $4,235. At night another full 
 house was gathered in the dim light of 
 the side lights of the building, and 
 waited with great expectancy to see 
 the electric lights turned on the great 
 central chandelier. Rev. W. H. Stead- 
 man, D.D., offered the dedicatory 
 prayer, and many will never forget the 
 tender pleading of that prayer, for 
 God's blessing to rest upon the new 
 building as a means towards the effi- 
 ciency of the church, and its work. 
 Dr. Haynes then preached another im- 
 pressive sermon. The events of this 
 great day in the history of the church 
 mark the beginning of a new condition 
 of things. 
 
 With such splendid facilities for the 
 propagation of the gospel to multi- 
 tudes, the responsibility of the church 
 to so live, and teach as to draw the 
 needy people under the influence of 
 the teaching of this great pulpit is 
 very evident. Recording angels may 
 well hover over this scene of many 
 tears and triumphs, to carry back the 
 tidings of repenting souls. 
 
 D. F. Carnahan the church took its 
 initial step in this necessary enter- 
 prise. May 4th, 1873, a committee of 
 
 PARSONAGES. 
 
 Half the battle of long settlement 
 in the pastorate is won when the 
 church provides a comfortable home 
 and keeps it in good repair for the 
 pastor. During the pastorate of Rev. 
 
 Old Parsonage Erected 1873 
 21 persons was appointed to take 
 steps toward securing a parsonage. 
 
 The next record concerning the 
 parsonage is December 10th, 1873. 
 "The Trustees were instructed to bor- 
 row $450 for the purpose of paying 
 the debt on the parsonage and to 
 mortgage the church property to se- 
 cure the same. April 3rd, 1875, shows 
 the next record, the committee on 
 ways and means of meeting the dues 
 to the loan association and discharg- 
 ing the parsonage debt asked for 
 further time. June 5th, 1875, the 
 church agreed to pay in 60 days from 
 date without interest, $25 in full of all 
 demands for "rodding" the parsonage. 
 This small debt caused no end of 
 needless confusion, and was a wet 
 blanket to many a subsequent enter- 
 prise in the days while the memory 
 of it lasted. The parsonage was paid 
 for, costing about $2,500. 
 
 March 22nd, 1905, the trustees re- 
 ported a gift froni Sister Artemesia 
 Busey of from $3,500 to $4,000 as a 
 parsonage fund on condition that the 
 church would furnish a suitable lot. 
 This generous gift was accepted and 
 the entire congregation proceeded to 
 visit Sister Busey, and personally 
 
66 
 
 Mrs. A. S. Busey 
 
 thank her for her generous and timely 
 gift. It is highly fitting that a brief 
 biography of "Mother Busey," as she 
 is affectionately called, should be 
 handed down to the successive gener- 
 ations in the church, who will read 
 this history. At the time of writing 
 this sketch she is in her 87th year, 
 and while she suffers somewhat on 
 account of impaired sight, she is 
 otherwise remarkably active, and at- 
 
 tends her church services with con- 
 sistent regularity. She is quite sure 
 that she came into the church under 
 Elder G. W. Riley in his second pas- 
 torate, which would be between 1858 
 and 1867, and she is certain that she 
 was baptized in what is now called 
 Crystal Lake. She is close on the 
 heels of the oldest living members of 
 the church, and may yet outlive them. 
 She certainly took a fine way to make 
 her gift one that would bring out the 
 thanksgiving of all who shall ever live 
 in the splendid new parsonage. 
 
 GEORGE BRASH. 
 
 New Parsonage, 1905. 
 
 George W. Brash is one of the best 
 known men around town, as well as 
 in the church. It is probable that he 
 is one of the oldest members of the 
 First Baptist Sunday school, having 
 joined it fifty years ago. He was born 
 March 17th, 1858. He has been all 
 these years more or less interested in 
 the church and its work. When the 
 new church was dedicated he became 
 its janitor, and with the exception of 
 about two years he has had charge of 
 the church for 18 years. It is perfect- 
 
67 
 
 ly natural to see him in and around 
 the building, and the trustees give him 
 a wider latitude of freedom than is 
 usually allowed. As to how he has 
 done his work the years of observa- 
 tion on the part of the multitudes that 
 
 have passed in and out of the building 
 will testify as well as his long years of 
 continuous service. While practically 
 a young man he will rank with those 
 of longest recollections of the early 
 days of the church. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 FIRST BAPTIST SUNDAY-SCHOOL 
 
 "So they read in the book of the law of the Lord distinctly and gave the 
 sense, and caused them to understand the reading." 
 
 URBANA BAPTIST SUNDAY 
 SCHOOL. 
 
 C. W. Richards, Superintendent. 
 
 As far as can be ascertained from 
 records the Baptists took part in a 
 union school till the church building 
 was completed in 1856, when a Bap- 
 tist school was organized. This school 
 has always flourished, and large num- 
 bers have been gathered into the 
 church through its teaching. The ef- 
 
 fect of a weekly teachers' meeting for 
 most of the life of the school, can- 
 not be estimated. The church is the 
 head of the school, and elects the 
 leading officers, and holds the balance 
 of power, when the school needs ad- 
 vice, and special help. Early, this 
 school felt the influence of the work 
 of B. F. Jacobs, our great Sunday 
 School worker, and organizer. B. F. 
 Jacobs is the father of our Interna- 
 tional system of lessons, which have 
 stood the test as no other plan has 
 so far. In connection with this in- 
 ternational idea of similar lessons 
 have grown up many other institutions 
 such as institutes, interdenomination- 
 al meeting for groups, and neigh- 
 borhoods, that have done incalculable 
 good for our cause. Early in the 
 progress of this new idea came that of 
 organized classes and the Urbana 
 school can boast of such an organ- 
 ization as early as any. Our school is 
 well organized, as the following list 
 of names will indicate: 
 
 The following is a list of the or- 
 ganized classes with their names and 
 the teachers who are now teaching 
 them. There are but few classes in 
 the school not organized. The oldest 
 in point of history is first given and 
 the rest in the order of their rooms, 
 from right to left of the school room. 
 
68 
 
 ORGANIZED CLASSES 
 
 LOVE AND SERVICE. 
 
 She chose his service for the Lord of Love 
 Had chosen her. and paid the awful price 
 For her redemption! and sought her out, 
 And set her free, and clothed her gloriously, 
 And put his royal ring upon her hand, 
 And crowns of loving kindness on her head." 
 
 This class began with the history 
 of the first church building in 1856, 
 when the Sunday School was first or- 
 ganized. At the first it consisted of 
 both men and women. The following 
 are some of the teachers of the class: 
 Rev. D.- F. Carnahan, Rev. W. H. 
 Steadman, D.D., Deacon Dudley Mc- 
 McClain, Deacon Allen McClain, Dea- 
 con James Myers, J. P. Blue, Mrs. 
 Hattie Gere, Mrs. Amanda Allen, Mrs. 
 L. G. Hubbard, Mrs. Fraflcis Renfrew, 
 Deacon E. S. Hall, and Deacon J. S. 
 Hall. Mrs. Nettie Hunt is the teacher 
 at present. 
 
 The class was organized in 1909 by 
 J. S. Hall, and called the Ladies' Bi- 
 ble Class. Mrs. Waller was elected 
 president, and Mrs. Mary Lee, secre- 
 tary, and treasurer, both serving two 
 years. In 1911 Mrs. Nettie Hunt was 
 elected teacher; Mrs. Ella Button, 
 president; Mrs. Mary Lee, secretary 
 and treasurer. May 20t'h, 1912, the 
 class met in the church and reorgan- 
 ized, changing the name to "The Love 
 and Service Bible Class of the First 
 
 Baptist Church." The class adopted 
 the geranium as the class flower, and 
 the name of the class is its motto, 
 "Love and Service." One of the works 
 of this class is to give flowers to the 
 sick, and "shut ins." 
 
 The present enrollment of the class 
 is 41, and its average attendance 20. 
 
 The officers for 1912 were as fol- 
 lows: 
 
 Mrs. Nettie Hunt, teacher. 
 
 Mrs. Fred Hubbard, assistant teach- 
 er. 
 
 Mrs. Ella Sutton, president. 
 
 Mrs. Dora Van Doren, vice-presi- 
 dent. 
 
 Mrs. Alice Freeman, secretary. 
 
 Mrs. Mary Lee, treasurer. 
 
 Mrs. Margaret Walker, libarian. 
 
 Mrs. Fred Hubbard, reporter. 
 
 Mrs. Elsie Sharp, entertainer. 
 
 June 17th, 1913, the class met with 
 Mrs. Artemesia Busey for a picnic 
 supper and for the election of officers. 
 The officers of 1912 were elected as a 
 whole for 1913. 
 
 "OUR CLASS" 
 
 "One 
 OUR CLASS. 
 
 In 1868 Mrs. Kate Glasgow organiz- 
 ed a class of girls and taught them 
 until January 1st, 1874, when on ac- 
 count of her age she asked L. A. Mc- 
 Lean, then superintendent of the 
 school, to take it, which he did. 
 
 This was the first class to organize, 
 and was the beginning of cass organiz- 
 
 by one." 
 
 ation in the school. Mr. McLean has 
 taught the class ever since, with the 
 exception of several months this year 
 while sick when the work was carried 
 on by Mrs. L. A. McLean with excel- 
 lent success, and she is and has been 
 for about two years and over recogniz- 
 ed as the assistant teacher, and while 
 Mr. McLean does the teaching she 
 
69 
 
 does the "Mothering," and is the ad- 
 viser of the girls, a position which 
 she is so able to fill. 
 
 The prime object is to lead the 
 
 L. A. McLean 
 
 members to Christ, and then build 
 them up in Christ, and the funda- 
 mental principles of right living and 
 
 of preparing for the time when they 
 shall take charge of homes of their 
 own and of making the burdens of 
 life lighter for their parents. This is 
 the fifth generation which has been 
 taken in the class, and as fast as they 
 are prepared they are graduated out 
 as teachers, or workers. Over two 
 hundred and twenty-five girls have 
 passed through the class. Over fifty 
 heads of families in Urbana have been 
 members. One of the graduates not 
 long since said to Mr. McLean, "Did 
 you know that out of the large num- 
 ber of the girls of the class who have 
 been married, there has not been a 
 single divorce?" 
 
 The teacher found that this was 
 true with only one exception. The 
 teacher is very proud of his work done 
 in the past thirty-nine years, and re- 
 gards this as his life work. 
 
 "AGOMA"_STUDENT CLASS 
 
 AGO MA. 
 
 "The heart of the righteous studieth to answer." 
 
 A student class was organized Sep- 
 tember, 1906-1907 by Dr. E. G. Dexter. 
 In the summer of 1907, he moved to 
 Porto Rico. In 1907-1908 the class 
 was taught by E. S. Hall. During 
 this period the class grew in numbers, 
 due largely to the efforts of Rev. Roy 
 G. Merrifield, student pastor for 1907- 
 1908. He divided his time between 
 this and the Champaign church, urg- 
 ing students to attend the church, and 
 Sunday School services. It was dur- 
 ing this term that the class was or- 
 ganized as the "Agoma" class. In 1910- 
 1911 the class was taught by Prof. J. 
 G. Van Zandt. International Lessons 
 were used as before with special em- 
 phasis on what was called laboratory 
 work. He was always careful to make 
 present day applications to the lesson 
 
 class some practical work to do dur- 
 ing the week. 
 
 In 1911-1912 the class was taught 
 by Dr. C. S. Wilson, who was not in 
 favor of the International Lessons for 
 adult classes. He lead the class in a 
 study of the "Life of Christ," by Bur- 
 ton and Matthiews, with a harmony of 
 the Gospels, by Stevens and Burton. 
 He urged the reading of an entire 
 book at one sitting before taking it up 
 in parts for study. 
 
 The class is made up almost entire- 
 ly of students, though during the year 
 1912-1913, the "old men's class" has 
 been somewhat disbanded for want of 
 a teacher, and frequently sit with 
 the "Agomas." It is a "co-ed" class 
 and cordially invites students, espe- 
 cially to its meetings every Sunday 
 
 truths. Every Sunday he gave the morning. It is an organized class with 
 
70 
 
 George Mahn as president, and Miss 
 Elsie Shott as vice president, Miss 
 Bertha Dunn as secretary, and Miss 
 Nora Parker, treasurer. Since Sep- 
 tember, 1912, the pastor, Rev. Gideon 
 M. Shott, D.D., has been the teacher, 
 and much attached to his class. He 
 teaches by lecture, and aims to take 
 the widest possible range of instruc- 
 tion in order to prepare each member 
 of the class to become a teacher, here, 
 or elsewhere 
 
 The enrollment is about 35, with the 
 attendance about the same as the en- 
 rollment. A special rally will be made 
 about the time this book gets into the 
 hands of its readers, to make that 
 class up to one hundred. A most de- 
 lightful evening was spent by the class 
 at the parsonage at the closing of the 
 school year. These class meetings 
 may be held quarterly with the begin- 
 ning of the school year in September. 
 
 TRI-MU. 
 
 For it's something' to start; it's something 1 to bring 
 
 Your brain, soul, and muscle to strive in the ring; 
 
 It's something to fall, when the foeman is stout. 
 
 But it's "nothing"' to stand at the platT and "strike out." 
 
 J. S. Hall. 
 
 On April 18, 1907, a class in the 
 Sunday School was organized for the 
 younger married people of the church, 
 by Mrs. Ida Meigs. Its first name 
 was, "New Movement Adult Bible 
 
 Class," changed to Tri-Mu, May 8, 
 1907. It was organized with a mem- 
 bership of 8. Mrs. Ida Meigs was its 
 first president, which position she 
 held till she removed from Urbana, 
 September 1st, 1912. Mrs. Maud Mil- 
 ler has been its president since that 
 time. The first secretary was W. W. 
 Bond, the following occupying that 
 office for longer or shorter terms: 
 
 Mr. Merrick, Minnie Hubbard, 
 
 Verne Smith, and its present secre- 
 tary, E. T. Lanham. The first teacher 
 was Miss Wenona Benefiel, the next, 
 Professor Woolman, the next Prof. 
 William Dietrick, and the next Deacon 
 J. S. Hall, its present teacher. The 
 class meets monthly on Tuesday night 
 for business, and sociability, and the 
 ladies of the class meet a part of the 
 year weekly for social entertainment. 
 Its present enrollment is GO. Its name 
 implies, "Muscle, Mind, and Morals." 
 Its motto is: "I am only one, but I am 
 one; I cannot do everything, but I can 
 do something; what I can do, I ought 
 to do, and by the grace of God, I will 
 do." 
 
71 
 
 INTERMEDIATE DEPARTMENT 
 
 Class. organized. Teacher. 
 
 Love and Service 1856..Mrs. N. Hunt 
 
 Our Class 1868 L. A. McLean 
 
 Tri-Mu April 18, 1907 J. S. Hall 
 
 Agoma Sept. 1906~..Rev. G. M. Shott 
 Baptist Boosters-Howard Ammerman 
 Baptist Volunteers. ...Mark VanDoren 
 
 True Blues Miss Elizabeth Webber 
 
 The Baptist Club..Mrs. Emma Bennett 
 
 Willing Workers Mrs. C. Hissong 
 
 Royal Leaders J. L. Hissong 
 
 Judson Mission Class Elsie Shott 
 
 Golden Rule Class Feme Mitchell 
 
 What I Can Class..Mrs. Flora Cottrell 
 
 Buds of Promise Ethel Stevenson 
 
 Dorcas Club Miss Lura Parker 
 
 Excelsior Club Miss Stella Renfro 
 
 Willing Workers Miss Grace Roney 
 
 PRIMARY DEPARTMENT. 
 
 'A little child shall lead them." 
 
 Miss Anna Webber 
 
 As far as can be learned, Mrs. 
 Amanda Allen was the first primary 
 teacher, being followed by Mrs. Hoi- 
 lister and the Misses Mayme McClain, 
 Alice Fugate and Maggie Riley. Miss 
 Nellie McLean, now Mrs. Nellie Lum- 
 ley, took charge of the work in 1882, 
 and continued until 1889. Mrs. J. A. 
 Leavitt and Mrs. Smith, the latter the 
 wife of the pastor, had charge dur- 
 
 ing the next two years. Mrs. Fannie 
 Dicken followed in '92 and '93 and 
 was succeeded by Mrs. J. F. Mills, 
 in '94. Mrs. Belle Conner followed 
 and taught till the summer of '02. 
 Miss Myrta Clark taught from '02 till 
 June, '05 when Miss Anna Webber 
 took up the work and is still in 
 charge. In the old church the pri- 
 mary met in the little room at the 
 northwest end of the church, using 
 the little red benches so well remem- 
 bered by those who attended at that 
 time. After the new church was built 
 the primary occupied the rooms in 
 the basement known as the dining 
 room and ladies' parlor. The De- 
 partment teaching force now includes 
 the superintendent, secretary and 
 seven teachers. The records show 
 that since June, '05, 640 children have 
 been enrolled in this department, and 
 131 have been promoted. The pres- 
 ent enrollment is 125, 25 having just 
 been promoted. Since 1905, two 
 teachers have passed to the great be- 
 yond, namely: Miss Grace Hall and 
 Miss Effle Winchester. There have 
 been no deaths among the children 
 enrolled during this time. A great 
 many have come into the Primary 
 from the Cradle Roll since the or- 
 ganization of the Cradle Roll, in 
 April, 1913. 
 
72 
 
 HOME DEPARTMENT. 
 
 "Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them 
 when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when 
 thou liest down, and when thou risest up." 
 
 The Home Department of our Sun- 
 day School was organized January 1, ] 
 1901, by Miss Nelle Hubbard, who was 
 made its first superintendent, and 
 held that office till January, 1913. In 
 1907, Branch iSunday School No. 1 
 was organized on East California 
 street, and many of the Home De- 
 partment members gave regularly to 
 its support. It then numbered about 
 75 members. At the beginning of 
 1913, Miss Nelle Hubbard became 
 superintendent of the Cunningham 
 Avenue School and resigned the su- 
 perintendency of the Home Depart- 
 
 ment, and Mrs. G. M. Shott was ap- 
 pointed superintendent. 
 
 This department is calculated to 
 bring the Bible back to the home and 
 create a desire on the part of parents 
 to teach and help their children to 
 understand its precious truth. Every 
 sincere believer will welcome and 
 help forward this great work. Every 
 member, of the church should be en- 
 rolled in it, and take the readings, 
 and report to the visitors of the Home 
 Department so that a perfect report 
 can be made for each Annual Direct- 
 ory. 
 
 CRADLE ROLL 
 
 " Only a tender flower 
 
 Sent us to rear, 
 Only a life to love 
 
 While we are here. 
 Only a baby small. 
 
 Never at rest. 
 Small, but how dear to us, 
 God knoweth best." 
 
 This department was organized 
 April, 1903, by Miss Nelle Hubbard, 
 with 20 members. No graduation 
 exercises into the Beginners Depart- 
 ment have been held, but when a child 
 enters the main school, a certificate 
 to that effect is given. 
 
 Miss Nellie Hubbard was its first 
 Superintendent and Mrs. Mae Creek 
 is its present superintendent. Twen- 
 ty-four have just been graduated 
 from the Beginners department to the 
 main school. The enrollment at 
 present is 104. 
 
 Extreme age and tender childhood 
 meet in this Sunday school. The lit- 
 tle child clinging to another's hand 
 and the old man and woman leaning 
 on the staff, are common sights. An 
 orchestra takes a very prominent part 
 in the musical part of the Sunday 
 School. At the head of the Sunday 
 School music department on most 
 Sunday mornings one may see Mr. N. 
 A. Riley wielding the baton, and lead- 
 ing the singing with as much of his 
 old time energy as the whitening 
 
 years will admit. He stands as 
 straight and steps as light as when 
 in 1865 he began to lead the old choir. 
 It was about that time that he began 
 leading the music of the Sunday 
 school. Fifty years of song! 
 
 The following superintendents serv- 
 ed at a time when no records were 
 kept or they have been lost: 1856- 
 1860, J. N. Wilson; 1861, A. J. Allen; 
 1862, E. S. Packard; 1863, George 
 Browning; 1864-1868, A. J. Allen; 
 1869-1870, L. A. McLean. The follow- 
 
73 
 
 ing table shows the rest of the super- gether with all the statistics that are 
 intendents up to the present time, to- available. 
 
 "The branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified.' 
 
 BRANCH SUNDAY SCHOOL NO. 1. 
 
 Branch Sunday School No. 1 was or- 
 ganized October 27th, 1907, in a small 
 dwelling house situated at 806 East 
 California street. Deacon William 
 Gardner was the first superintendent, 
 and he continued in office till his re- 
 moval from the city, about seven 
 months later. Walter Bond, Rev. E. 
 E. Gulick, T. L. Warrick, W. E. Carn- 
 ahan, and Joel Coffey followed as su- 
 perintendents. In connection with 
 this school, Mrs. Catherine Hissong, 
 one of the teachers, organized a 
 "Mother's Club," which helped very 
 
 much socially and financially. From 
 the first there was a good interest, 
 and good feeling in the neighborhood 
 toward the school. Several professed 
 conversion from the school and many 
 came into the home school, some join- 
 ing the church. After three years' 
 work the school was abandoned for 
 lack of interest on the part of the 
 church, and not on the part of the 
 neighborhood. During the whole time 
 the school paid all its regular ex- 
 penses, paid some on the rent, and 
 gave something each year for mis 
 sions. What a power that work might 
 have been if it had been kept up. 
 
 "Each one resembled 
 CHILDREN OF THE KING. 
 
 Sunday, October 8th, 1888, a meeting 
 was held in the church for the pur- 
 pose of organizing a society to be 
 known as "The Children of the 
 King." Twenty-nine persons united 
 in the formation, and elected Nellie 
 McLean as president. George Hub- 
 bard, secretary; Flora Ross, treasur- 
 er; Rev. T. F. Leavitt. instructor. 
 Meetings were held with regularity 
 from the organization till January, 
 1890, when the only records in the 
 possession of your committee sudden- 
 ly stop, leaving all the rest of the 
 pages in the book blank. 
 
 BAPTIST BOYS' BRIGADE. 
 
 the children of a king." 
 
 The society had one special good 
 thing in its make-up, and that was the 
 study of the Word of God under com- 
 petent instructors. Concerts and com- 
 mittees on various subjects enough to 
 confuse older heads must have had 
 something to do with its sudden 
 death. The pages of this society will 
 very clearly show why there are so 
 many people who think social work is 
 all the church work there is to do. 
 Too much care cannot be taken in the 
 starting of new societies to put them 
 on a high and safe basis, and teach 
 them the right relations of the church 
 and kingdom of Christ. 
 
 February 28th, 1903, the Baptist 
 Boys' Brigade was organized by Will 
 Groom and Glenn ridge. The age line 
 was set from 10-17, and by May of 
 the same year the enrollment was 70. 
 
 Col. R. J. Lewis of the Iowa State Col- 
 lege, assisted in drilling the brigade 
 for special entertainments. No further 
 records can be found except a refer- 
 ence in the Association Minutes of 
 1904, "an excellent Boys' Brigade is 
 maintained." 
 
74 
 
 SUNDAY SCHOOL TABLE 
 
 HO 
 
 pq 
 
 o 
 
 3 
 
 CD 
 
 H 
 
 CD 
 3 
 
 L. A. McLean. 1871 
 
 L. A. McLean 1872 
 
 L. A. McLean. : 1873 
 
 L. A. McLean 1874 
 
 L. A. McLean 1875 
 
 L. A. McLean., ; 1876 
 
 L. A. McLean 1877 
 
 L. A. McLean 1878 
 
 Allen McClain.:. 1879 
 
 Allen McClain 1880 
 
 Ozias Riley 1881 
 
 J. P. Blue 1882 
 
 J. P. Blue ; 1883 
 
 J. P. Blue 1884 
 
 J. P. Blue 1885 
 
 L. A. McLean 1886 
 
 L. A. McLean 1887 
 
 L. A. McLean 1888 
 
 L. A. McLean 1889 
 
 J. P. Blue 1890 
 
 Mrs. M. L. Julian 1881! 
 
 C. A. Tufts 1892 
 
 C. A. Tufts 1893 
 
 C. A. Tufts 1894 
 
 C. A. Tufts 1895 
 
 C. A. Tufts 1896 
 
 C. A. Tufts 1897 
 
 C. A. Tufts 1898 
 
 J. S. Hall 1900 
 
 J. S. Hall 1901 
 
 J. S. Hall : 1902 
 
 J. S. Hall 1903 
 
 J. S. Hall 1904 
 
 J. S. Hall 1905 
 
 C. W. Richards 1906 
 
 C. W. Richards 1907 
 
 C. W. Richards 1908 
 
 C. W. Richards 1909 
 
 C. W. Richards 1910 
 
 C. W. Richards 1911 
 
 C. W. Richards 1912 
 
 C. W. Richards ... .. 1913 
 
 200 
 136 
 
 175 
 
 250 
 
 300 
 215 
 
 28350 
 
 300 
 300 
 310 
 250 
 
 22J250 
 18J250 
 
 22 
 22 
 22 
 26 
 28 
 29 
 31 
 30 
 29 
 34 
 34 
 
 250 
 250 
 255 
 166 
 192 
 189 
 250 
 232 
 287 
 348 
 225 
 258 
 299 
 277 
 275 
 301 
 280 
 406 
 555 
 425 
 575 
 500 
 490 
 
 120 
 114 
 
 155 
 
 210 
 200 
 273 
 240 
 182 
 178 
 174 
 164 
 160 
 160 
 160 
 152 
 133 
 170 
 157 
 231 
 172 
 195 
 225 
 168 
 159 
 150 
 162 
 175 
 180 
 194 
 350 
 385 
 370 
 387 
 300 
 350 
 
 10 
 
 115 
 100 
 105 
 
 20.50 
 22.70 
 28.90 
 25.00 
 12.50 
 6.21 
 17.20 
 11.59 
 20.00 
 
 9.08 
 
 3.40 
 
 15.00 
 
 35.37 
 
 16.50 
 
 12.39 
 
 66.36 
 50.00 
 
 75.00 
 
 63.00 
 
 60.00 
 
 100.00 
 96.65 
 
 98.00 
 79.25 
 75.00 
 75.00 
 97.50 
 116.18 
 94.22 
 
 120.36 
 134.50 
 124.95 
 101.27 
 106.00 
 125.00 
 108.59 
 163.22 
 179.00 
 191.63 
 190.71 
 184.89 
 250.00 
 450.00 
 450.00 
 
 75.00 
 
 63.00 
 
 60.00 
 
 100.00 
 96.65 
 
 118.50 
 101.95 
 103.90 
 100.00 
 110.00 
 122.39 
 111.42 
 
 104.53 116.12 
 
 140.36 
 134.50 
 134.03 
 104.67 
 121.00 
 160.37 
 125.09 
 163.22 
 191.39 
 191.63 
 190.71 
 184.89 
 250.00 
 450.00 
 516.36 
 
 450.00)450.00 
 450.00(500.00 
 275.00J275.00 
 
 372.70 5189.45 55G2.15 
 
75 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 BAPTIST YOUNG PEOPLE'S SOCIETIES 
 
 "We study that we may serve." 
 
 Pres. S. A. Rowland. 
 
 About the year 1878 the Carman 
 family came to Champaign, where 
 Rev. I. N. Carman was pastor for sev- 
 eral years. John C. Carman, then a 
 mere lad, caught a vision of a young 
 people's organization that should be- 
 come state wide, and perhaps world 
 wide. It was called Youths' Chris- 
 tian Association. It was organized in 
 Indianapolis in 1876. Its distinguish- 
 ing principle for which it was organ- 
 ized was Bible reading, and interpre 
 tation, and the application of the 
 things they learned to personal work. 
 A more earnest and serious company 
 of young people it would be hard to 
 find. Brother John C. Carman was 
 the acknowledged leader, with officers 
 under him in the various departments. 
 
 B. A. Cushman was the first president 
 in the society in our church. While 
 it was interdenominational, and other 
 churches had similar organizations, 
 the Baptist young people had the 
 largest, and indeed some of other de- 
 nominations were members in the 
 Baptist society. Miss Jennie Monett 
 (Burton) was the state representative. 
 Miss Nellie Carman, and Miss Nellie 
 McLean taught children's meetings 
 along somewhat the same lines as 
 the Jxiniors of today are taught. Part 
 of the training of the Y. C. A. was 
 how to conduct business meetings, 
 make motions, organize deliberative 
 bodies, and conventions. Some of the 
 best workers in the First church, and 
 in the community, were able to take 
 a higher place in the history of the 
 churches of the community because of 
 the high standards sustained at that 
 time. Many of the older members 
 who are active in the First church to- 
 day were members of that early so- 
 ciety. About this time, February 2, 
 1881, the Christian Endeavor society 
 was organized, and soon eclipsed, and 
 in 1885 absorbed the Y. C. A., though 
 at its best C. E. has never laid out 
 such a field of work, nor prosecuted it 
 in as close, and careful way, as the 
 earlier, and smaller society. As was 
 natural, and to be expected, most of 
 the societies of our Baptist young 
 people, went into this new Endeavor 
 movement, and it was pushed with 
 such vigor that it seemed to be draw- 
 ing all our youth away from our dis- 
 tinctive church doctrines, and work. 
 In self-defense of the denomniation it 
 was necessary that another organiza- 
 
76 
 
 tion should be effected that would be 
 as wide in its scope as the former so- 
 ciety. Dr. F. L. Wilkins and others 
 met in the Second Baptist church of 
 Chicago July 7th, 1891, and organized 
 the Baptist Young People's Union of 
 America. Launched in great prayer, 
 and caution, it soon became a strong 
 force in the field, and rallied from 
 5,000 to 10,000 people at its annual 
 gatherings. Many Baptists who went 
 into the Endeavor movement came out 
 of that, and took up the distinctly de- 
 nominational work, and added some 
 features in the way of special Chris- 
 tian culture studies that have been, 
 and are still, without a peer in any of 
 the other movements. 
 
 The tides of interest in our local so- 
 ciety has ebbed, and flowed from one 
 position to another, and while it has 
 profitted by some of the best things in 
 all these forms, it has never serious- 
 ly set itself to the business of largest 
 efficiency in any of them. As nearly 
 as possible the dates will be given, 
 and such statistics as are available, 
 as to its officers and what money was 
 raised, and other special matters of 
 history. 
 
 ,lt is to be regretted here that many 
 of the dates that are on some of the 
 books are only partial dates, and no 
 orderly manner of keeping records has 
 ever been adopted. One advantage in 
 writing this history is to create in all 
 
 clerks and secretaries a desire to keep 
 records for the sake of the future his-r 
 torian. 
 
 No records of any Young Peoples 
 organization can be found from 1880 
 or earlier till 1892. Burritt A. Cush- 
 man was the president of the earliest 
 soriety. In 1892 Clara Lee was secre- 
 tary, and from 189G to 1900 F. C. Hub- 
 bard was secretary, and no name of 
 president is given since 1892-1903. 
 Lulu Gardner was secretary and in 
 1905, Ombra Herriott and 1906, Pearl 
 Webber. The presidents since 1907 
 have been as follows: 1907, J. C. 
 Thorpe; 1908, J. C. Thorpe; 1909, 
 Howard Ammerman; 1910, F. W. Gar- 
 rett; 1911, Joel Coffey; 1913, Earl 
 Strong; 1912, S. A. Rowland; secretary 
 for 1909, Horace Ingalls; 1910, Flora 
 M. Parker; 1911, Edna Wardall; 1912, 
 Ruah Loveless; 1913, Sadie Jones. 
 The average membership during the 
 years where any record can be found 
 for the work of the Young People in 
 G in all is 72. Money given to mis- 
 sions, $684.65. Current expenses, 
 $310.45. Total money reported on 
 records found, $995.10. This amount 
 includes the pledge to Dr. Timpany, in 
 India. As this history goes to print 
 the B. Y. P. U. of America is in ses- 
 sion at Brooklyn, New York, where 
 doubtless many good motions will be 
 carried in view of greater efficiency 
 the kingdom. 
 
 JUNIOR SOCIETY 
 
 "Wist ye not that I must be 
 The earliest report of a Junior C. E. 
 society in the minutes of the Bloom- 
 field Association was in 1895. Miss 
 Clara Cranberry was leader. A table 
 of membership is given in last two 
 columns of Senior Society table. Miss 
 Lucia Hall was leader in 1896. No 
 leader is reported for 1897. Miss 
 Edith Fenner was leader for 1899 and 
 
 about my father's business?" 
 
 1900. There is no report in minutes 
 for any year since. Tne church direc- 
 tory for 1902 contains some items. 
 The society collected some fruit and 
 jelly, and the girls dressed dolls for 
 Miss McKean of New York City. 
 Twenty-three took C. C. C. work and 
 three completed the four years' work. 
 Total amount raised during the year, 
 
77 
 
 $1.06. In 1903 the Junior boys showed 
 much inteerst in distributing good lit- 
 erature and the girls dressed dolls for 
 Miss McKean. The Juniors planted 
 nasturtium seed, whose flowers were 
 brought to the church during the 
 summer. In the autumn interesting 
 graduation exercises were held for 
 eleven Juniors, who . graduated into 
 the Senior society. Twenty-two Jun- 
 iors successfully passed the C. C. C. 
 examinations. Total amount of money 
 raised, $31.21. Margaret Fenner, 
 leader. In 1904 it was noted that the 
 boys and girls met separately in the 
 study of the C. C. C. and 22 examina- 
 tion papers were sent to headquarters. 
 Fourteen Juniors have been received 
 into the church by baptism. Amount 
 raised, $31.57. Margaret Fenner, 
 leader. There are no reports again till 
 1909, when it is noted that a Junior 
 Baptist church was organized, April 
 4th, 1909. Meetings were held each 
 Sunday afternoon except in August, 
 with an average attendance of about 
 30. Amount raised, $7.77. 1910, no 
 report. In 1911, mention is made of 
 
 special mission studies, but no statis- 
 tics are given except the enrollment 
 of 40. 1912 the Junior Society of C. 
 
 E. was re-organized as a Junior B. Y. 
 P. U. Mrs. Catherine Hissong, leader. 
 Enrollment, 38; amount raised, $8.19. 
 No examinations in C. C. C. work tak- 
 en this year. Society adjourned for 
 the summer, June 1st. Among the 
 leaders for' whom dates are uncertain 
 are Mrs. Pilcher, Miss Nettie Roberts, 
 Mr. Miller, Miss Verne Mitchell, Mrs. 
 
 F. F. Leonard, and Mrs. Burt Hays. 
 The membership is referred to nine 
 times, making an average of active 
 members, 20; associate, 30. The high- 
 est active membership reported is 40 
 and highest associate is 40. It is to 
 be regretted that the records have not 
 been kept. 
 
 " Wherewithal shall a young- man cleanse his way? 
 By taking heed thereto according to thy word." 
 
 INTERMEDIATE SOCIETY 
 
 February, 1911, cards were sent out 
 to a number of the young people, ask- 
 ing them to meet for the organization 
 of an Intermediate Society of C. E. 
 March 12th, 1911, sixteen met, and 
 were organized by Mr. Quist and the 
 pastor. Mark Van Doren was the 
 first president. Fifteen charter mem- 
 bers soon increased to 45. The new 
 society met each Sunday night at 
 6:15. The vacation of the first sum- 
 mer, practically suspended the society 
 for three months. September 6th, 
 1911, the society reorganized with 
 
 Dudley Kirkland as president. They 
 raised some money, and pledged $5 
 for church support, and proposed to 
 make a similar gift to missions. 
 
 No further records can be found, ex- 
 cept the very lamentable fact that 
 only a very few of the Intermediates 
 ever attend the 'Senior Society to 
 which they are eligible, and many of 
 them are members of the church. 
 Many efforts have been made to get 
 them to line up with the Senior So- 
 ciety without avail. Only a few have 
 so identified themselves. There was 
 no disposition to reorganize this so- 
 ciety in the autumn of 1912. 
 
78 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 MISSIONS 
 
 CENTENNIAL 
 
 " Weep not that the world changes did it keep 
 
 A stable changeless state, 'twere cause indeed to weep. 
 
 CENTENNIAL BAPTIST MISSION. 
 
 Centennial Erected 1876 
 
 Elder W. H. Steadman, early in his 
 ministry with the First Church be- 
 gan Bible readings, with a view to 
 trained evangelistic services. Manv 
 of the brethren caught the idea, und 
 went out into the neighboring school 
 houses, and reproduced, with their 
 own personal comments, the practical 
 things they had learned in the pastor's 
 class. The Centennial School House 
 was one of the strategic points for 
 such a service. Very successful 
 meetings were held there. In 1878 
 Elder Steadman ably assisted by 
 Deacon Allan McClain, held a meet- 
 ing in the school house, when about 
 60 were united with the First church, 
 nearly all by baptism. During the 
 winter of 1879 the school house was 
 closed against the work. Elder 
 Steadman, Brethren Myers, Apperson, 
 
 McClain, and others, set to work, and 
 soon had a comfortable building paid 
 for, holding about 300 persons. Broth- 
 er Allen McClain took charge of this 
 mission, and held several successful 
 revivals, and added a large number to 
 the church. Pursuant to a pervious 
 announcement, a maeting was held in 
 the Centennial meeting house, .UfiY 
 12. 1885, for the purpose of organiz- 
 ing a church. Letters of dismission 
 from the First church had been gi-xrt- 
 ed to the following: F. P. Apperson, 
 S. M. Boyd, Elizabeth Boyd, Patience 
 Apperson, Katie Boley, Susan Brown, 
 John Griffith, May Griffith, Martha 
 Hughes, William D. Siade, John Wat- 
 pon, Louisiana Deck, Mary E. Shuman, 
 Daniel Grimes, Jennie Brown, Ebert 
 Brown, Uriah B. Ward, Peter Good, 
 Lo/lnda Watson, Lucy Slade. An ad- 
 visory committee consisting of Deacon 
 G. A. Walker, Deacon J. W. Cushman, 
 F. M. Snyder, and James T. Butler 
 were sent from the First Church. John 
 Watson was chosen moderator, and 
 Miss Nettie Fitzgerald, clerk. William 
 Slade and F. P. Apperson were elect- 
 ed deacons. F. P. Apperson, William 
 Slade, Daniel Grimes, and G. A. Walk- 
 er from First Church, were eletced 
 trustees. The New Hampshire Cov- 
 enant and articles of faith were adopt- 
 ed. On October 10th, 1885, at business 
 meeting, a difference of opinion on the 
 matter of financing the church was 
 warmly discussed. The decision was 
 to take up a collection whenever tho 
 money was needed. 
 
 Deacon Allen McClain was spoken 
 of as Pastor, and money was paid to 
 
79 
 
 him for such service, but there is no 
 record of his call. November 28, 1885, 
 they decided not to take up a collec- 
 tion on Sunday evenings. A motion 
 was made to adopt "foot-washing" as 
 an ordinance in the church but ac- 
 tion was deferred, and the matter is 
 never referred to again. December 
 10, 1887, it was decided to close doors 
 to outsiders, on business meeting 
 nights. January 16, 1888, the follow- 
 ing was adopted, "It is the one that 
 leads meeting to move the stand about 
 over the church, to try to get the peo- 
 ple to keep order, if that won't do 
 they are to try them by the law." It 
 was also decided that "it is the duty 
 of the clerk to count the money, and 
 put it on the lap of the treasurer. 
 August 20, 1889, the membership was 
 30. At that time they paid $30 for 
 missions, and the Sunday school ex- 
 pense was also $30. January 31, 1897, 
 a Young People's Society was organ- 
 ized. John Archdeacon was elected 
 president. Several references are 
 made between the years 1897 and 
 1898 to the presence, and service of 
 Rev. J. F. Mills of the First Church. 
 February 29, 1899, a motion was 
 adopted to pay Brother Campbell 
 $300 per annum as pastor. On account 
 of inadequate records it is impossible 
 to continue the history. The work is 
 being kept up, however, by Rev. Ed- 
 gar Woolhouse, who held a very help- 
 ful meeting there in December of 
 1912, with (considerable encourage- 
 ment. The property is still held in 
 trust by the trustees of the First 
 Church, Urbana, and cannot be dispos- 
 ed of on account of terms of donor. 
 Permission was given February 2, 
 1878, to the members of the church 
 living at Centennial, to observe the 
 Lord's Supper. A nickering interest 
 has been kept up here, since the work 
 was started, veering between union- 
 ism and denominationalism. They 
 
 have not been exempt from times of 
 trial, and discipline, and deep feeling. 
 They have proven themselves very 
 human, but have enjoyed many rich 
 seasons of reviving grace. The prox- 
 imity of the church to the new inter- 
 urban car line, with a consequent in- 
 crease in the value of property in that 
 neighborhood, would seem to justify a 
 special effort to hold the field against 
 a greater day of prospertity. The cut 
 shows the building freshened up with 
 a new coat of paint, and other im- 
 provements. 
 
 Deacon Allen McClain 
 
 ALLEN M'CLAIN. 
 
 Allen McClain was born in Harrison 
 County, Ky., May 4th, 1823. Joseph 
 and Mary McClain, his parents, mov- 
 ed to Bethel, Ohio, when he was four 
 years old. He came to this state in 
 1833, and settled in Edgar County, Illi- 
 nois, where he and his brother Dudley 
 and brother-in-law Elder G. W. Riley 
 worked at the cabinet makers' trade. 
 In 1864 he located in Urbana, where 
 
80 
 
 he continued to reside till his death, 
 November 28th, 1899. He was married 
 to Elizabeth Busey, January 28th, 
 1864. He professed conversion in 
 1848, and was baptised the same year 
 by his Brother-in-law Elder G. W. 
 Riley, into the fellowship of the old 
 Bloomfleld Baptist church. He gave 
 himself to church work from the time 
 he was 20 years old. He was one of 
 the most familiar figures in the Ur- 
 bana church for many years. He was 
 a man of strong will, but pessimistic 
 at times. He believed himself called 
 to preach the gospel, and recited his 
 evidences of it oftimes to his friends, 
 and in the experience meetings of the 
 church, and to his Pastor Elder Shott. 
 
 February 14th, 1883, the Pastor ad- 
 vised the church to license Deacon 
 Allen McClain to preach the gospel, 
 which the church did by a unanimous 
 vote, and Deacon McClain took charge 
 of the Centennial work. 
 
 Several meetings of special interest 
 
 were held at Centennial with good re- 
 sults, and quite a number united with 
 the First church as a result of the 
 work done there. His home was al- 
 ways open to the preachers, and was 
 often the scene of hospitality. His 
 table was always well loaded, and his 
 guests urged to partake liberally of 
 ~is bounty. 
 
 His residence was between the 
 Twin Cities, and he had many ac- 
 quaintances in Champaign as well as 
 in Urbana. In 1883 he took letters for 
 himself and family to the Champaign 
 Baptist church, where he continued to 
 attend church up to the time of his 
 death in November 28th, 1899. 
 
 The Historical Committee is delight- 
 ed to be able to present such a fine 
 cut of his patrichal face, and splendid 
 beard. The men of his times are fast 
 passing away. Only a few of the Old 
 Guard are left to tell the story of the 
 early days. 
 
 "The old order changeth." 
 
 HERALD OF HOPE 
 
 " Ye Christian Heralds go proclaim 
 
 Salvation sent in Jesus' name." 
 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for." 
 
 Herald of Hope. 
 
 In the summer of 1909 the mission- 
 ary committee of the First Baptist 
 church of Urbana, composed of Rev. 
 R. V. Meigs, F. C. Hubbard and J. S. 
 Hall, drove over that part of Urbana 
 lying north of the Big Four railroad 
 to see the needs of that field. 
 
 They found no church or Sunday 
 school north of the track. More than 
 1,000 people were living in the north- 
 west part of Urbana, and among them 
 many children. 
 
 The committee was unanimous in 
 feeling that something ought to be 
 done. 
 
 In October following, Rev. Meigs 
 
 was in attendance at the state con- 
 vention at Galesburg. He telegraphed 
 F. C. Hubbard that the chapel car, 
 "Herald of Hope," Rev. Sparks and 
 wife in charge, would be in Cham- 
 paign the next Saturday, and to make 
 arrangements to sidetrack in Urbana. 
 Visit of the Chapel Car. 
 
 Arrangements were made to place 
 the car on side track put in at Ro- 
 mine street. Meetings opened in the 
 chapel car, Sunday, October 24th, 
 1909. 
 
 From the first success attended all 
 meetings. Meetings were held every 
 night and a Sunday school was organ- 
 ized, and held at 9:30 a. m. each Sun- 
 day, and preaching at 11 a. m. and at 
 
81 
 
 7:30 p. m. The Sunday school start- 
 ed with 43, and increased to 73. A 
 Junior C. B. soon had a membership 
 of fifty. The car remained until Jan- 
 uary 1, 1910. The last few weeks 
 Rev. Sparks and helpers solicited sub- 
 scriptions for a new building. Mr. 
 and Mrs. M. D. Busey offered to give 
 a lot east of the Hays school build- 
 ing. Rev. Sparks, feeling that the 
 corner lot, where the church now 
 stands, would be a better location, 
 he, with Mr. Busey, asked Mrs. Sim 
 to give the lot, which she most 
 cheerfully did, Mr. and Mrs. Busey 
 giving their lot for a parsonage. Sub- 
 scriptions were taken for nearly 
 $3,100. Two-thirds of this amount was 
 given by members of the First Bap- 
 tist church. 
 
 The matter was laid before the 
 board of deacons, and it recommend- 
 ed the church to carry forward the 
 work and appoint a building commit- 
 tee, which the church did, appointing 
 J. S. Hall, chairman; F. C. Hubbard, 
 secretary and treasurer; M. D. Busey, 
 W. R. Courtney, J. J. Johnson, How- 
 ard Woodworth. 
 
 June 30th, 1910, the corner stone 
 was laid by Brother Dunham, who 
 donated it. Rev. J. W. Primm led in 
 prayer, and Dr. E. B. Rogers delivered 
 an address. The first service of 
 prayer was held in the new building 
 August 10th, and the dedication took 
 place the 23d day of October. Sub- 
 scriptions were taken on dedication 
 to cover all indebtedness, but did not 
 cover the heating. The pastor, Rev. 
 J. W. Primm, Dr. Brand, Rev. Sparks 
 and Rev. Meigs, conducted the dedica- 
 tion exercises. 
 
 School Building Used. 
 After the chapel car left, through 
 permission of the school board of Ur- 
 bana, the use of the Hays school 
 building was granted for meetings 
 and Sunday school until the church 
 
 building was completed. 
 
 E. H. Renner of Urbana furnished 
 the chairs without rent until those 
 purchased arrived. Rev. J. W. Primm 
 was employed to preach and help in- 
 the work. 
 
 A Sunday school was organized in 
 the school house with Mr. Stephens 
 as superintendent. The work grew in 
 interest and numbers until the church 
 building was ready for use. After 
 the dedication of the church the work 
 took on new life under the leadership 
 of the pastor. 
 
 Rev. J. W. Primm was called to the 
 pastorate of Herald of Hope Mission 
 February 9, 1910. In the winter of 
 1910-11 several services resulted in 
 a number of conversions and addi- 
 tions to the church. In the summer 
 of 1911, one obstacle after another 
 arising, Rev. Primm and others be- 
 came discouraged and it was seen 
 that a change must be made. Through 
 the efforts of F. C. Hubbard, Rev. Ed- 
 gar Woolhouse and wife, who had 
 been in a similar work at South Dan- 
 ville and Grape Greek, were secured 
 to take up the work, Mr. Hubbard 
 standing security for their support. 
 They entered upon the work October 
 1, 1911, Rev. Woolhouse continuing 
 his work a part of the time near Dan- 
 ville. They proved to be the right 
 persons. 
 
 Progress of Movement. 
 
 By their wise methods and very 
 earnest, constant and untiring work 
 the field was developed and interest 
 increased until at the end of the year, 
 October 1, 1912, the Sunday school 
 had over 100 members, a young peo- 
 ple's union, very prosperous prayer 
 meetings well attended and full of in- 
 terest, the people united and ready to 
 work and all bills paid or provided 
 for. Since that time it has been 
 thought best that an independent or- 
 ganization be effected. 
 
82 
 
 Herald of Hope 
 
 To this end Rev. Woolhouse and each one making a subscription for 
 
 wife canvassed the field and found support. Letters have been granted 
 
 about 70 persons ready to go into the to these from the First Church, 
 new organization as charter members, 
 
 Ater, Mr. 
 Ater, Mrs. 
 Applegate, Myrtle. 
 Beeby, Rev. W. H. 
 Beeby, Mrs. W. H. 
 Beeby, Ruth. 
 Beeby, Lois. 
 Beeby, Nellie. 
 Beeby, Florence. 
 Benedict, Mrs. 
 Blue, J. P. 
 Courtney. William. 
 Davis, Miss Nellie. 
 Durman, Benjamin. 
 Davidson, Mrs. John. 
 Davidson, John. 
 Farrow, Rill a. 
 Hawk, Russell. 
 Hawk, Frank. 
 Kerrigan, Mary. 
 Kerrigan, J. W. 
 Kerrigan, Mrs. Celia. 
 Hill, Edward. 
 Hill, Mrs. Mary. 
 
 Howard, William. 
 Howard, Mrs. Mary A. 
 Johnson, Mrs. J. J. 
 Johnson, James J. 
 Johnson, Mrs. Edith. 
 Kinnear, S. D. 
 Kinnear, Mrs. Anna. 
 Koch, Florence. 
 Koch, Edna. 
 Koch, Lloyd. 
 Koch, Mrs. Florence. 
 King, Mrs. Anna. 
 Kesler, Lola. 
 
 Lee, Mrs. Lillian. 
 Lemmon. Susie. 
 Mechling, L. M. 
 Mechling, Mrs. L. M. 
 McClain, C. F. 
 McClain, Mrs. C. F. 
 McClain, Lena. 
 McClain, Vivian. 
 Merrick, Mrs. Harry. 
 
 Merrick, Harry. 
 
 Martin, Elmer. 
 
 Martin, J. L. 
 McFarland, B. T. 
 Parris, Hazel. 
 Shaw, Earl. 
 Sturkins, James. 
 Sturkins, Mrs. James. 
 Smith, George. 
 Smith, Mrs. Sue. 
 Smith, Paul. 
 Smith, Margaret. 
 Shafer, Mrs. Flora. 
 Walker, Mrs. H. E. 
 Walker, H. E. 
 Walker, Staunton. 
 Wagner, Viola. 
 Wascher, Frank. 
 Wascher, Mrs. Frank. 
 Woolhouse, Lolela. 
 Woolhouse, Rev. E. 
 Woolhouse, Mrs. E. 
 Woolhouse, Jennie. 
 Woolhouse, Dwight. 
 
83 
 
 Members added to Herald of Hope Church since the organization: 
 
 From First Church, Urbana. 
 
 Bailey, Mrs. Emma. 
 Benedict, Bertha. 
 Framm, Wallace. 
 King, Mrs. Emma. 
 Mitchell, Mrs. Erne. 
 
 Carlock, Robert. 
 Parris, Charles. 
 Ray, Mrs. Laura. 
 
 Moore, Mrs. Lou. 
 Parnell, Guy. 
 Richardson, W. B. 
 
 Shaw, Willie. 
 Stevens, R. H. 
 Surbaugh, Ida. 
 
 Richardson, Mrs. W. B. Surbaugh, Charlie. 
 
 From Other Sources. 
 
 Snyder, Mrs. E. M. 
 Susdorf, Mrs. Elsie. 
 Traxler, Mrs. Eva. 
 Traxler, Ellen. 
 
 Traxler, Ivan. 
 Traxler, Dolly. 
 Walworth, Edward. 
 
 Miss Nora Walti of East Urbana 
 has been a constant worker since the 
 start. 'She has served as teacher, su- 
 perintendent of Sunday school, presi- 
 dent of Young People's society, super- 
 intendent^of the primary, and as 
 church treasurer. The First Church 
 has stood by this work faithfully. 
 Business men and citizens of the two 
 cities have been most liberal and en- 
 couraging. 
 
 The Herald of Hope mission was 
 formally organized as a regular Bap- 
 tist church with Rev. Edgar Wool- 
 house as pastor, and with deacons, 
 trustees, clerk, treasurer, superin- 
 tendent and ushers, Dec. 15, 1912. 
 
 George F. Righter of Champaign, 
 and moderator of the Bloomfteld as- 
 sociation, was invited to preside dur- 
 ing the organization. He made con- 
 gratulatory remarks in the opening 
 of the meeting and introduced happy 
 references through the various parts 
 of the program. 
 
 While the motion to call Rev. 
 Woolhouse was preceding, Mr. J. S. 
 Hall, who has been identified with 
 this work from the beginning brought 
 the felicitations from the First 
 church, and highly recommended Rev. 
 and Mrs. Woolhouse as in every way 
 adapted to the work. Mr. Hall and 
 Fred C. Hubbard have been closely 
 identified with the enterprise from 
 the beginning and will continue their 
 
 support and sympathy. 
 
 Rev. Dr. Steadman, a former pas- 
 tor of the First Church, made the 
 first address to the new organization, 
 urging unity and peace. Rev. M. S. 
 Bryant, pastor of the University Bap- 
 tist church, gave a very helpful expo- 
 sition of scripture, urging the mission 
 of the new church and brought con- 
 gratulations. 
 
 Rev. G. M. Shott, pastor of the 
 First church, made an appeal to each 
 officer to hold up high standards from 
 the first. Rev. and Mrs. Woolhouse 
 were called out and made replies ex- 
 pressing their gratitude to the friends 
 who have helped to make the" enter- 
 prise successful. 
 
 The pulpit of the old historic First 
 church was given to this church and 
 graces the platform in dignified si- 
 lence, and yet it has its message from 
 the past to the present. 
 
 Officers of Herald of Hope elected 
 were as follows: Deacons, John Her- 
 rigan, three years; J. P. Blue, two 
 years; Frank Wascher, one year. 
 
 Trustees William Courtney, three 
 years; John Davidson, two years; 
 Lloyd Koch, one year. 
 
 Clerk H. E. Walker. 
 
 Treasurer -Frank Wascher. 
 
 Sunday School Superintendent 
 William Courtney. 
 
 Assistant Harry Merrick. 
 
 Chorister Edward Walworth. 
 
 Head Usher Stanton Walker. 
 
84 
 
 Financial report of Herald of Hope 
 Church from December 15th, 1912, to 
 August 1st, 1913: 
 
 Platform 10.00 
 
 Janitor's Salary 30.00 
 
 Lighting 20.00 
 
 Coal 45.00 
 
 Repairs of Sunday School 50.00 
 
 Expense of meetings 20.00 
 
 Salary of Pastor $358.00 
 
 Sunday School Expenses.... 79.00 
 
 Total $612.00 
 
 Rev. Edgar Woolhouse. 
 
 Rev. Edgar Woolhouse was born 
 October 19th, 1871, in Laurens, New 
 York. His parents were of New En- 
 gland stock German and English in 
 descent. He was concerted, and bap- 
 tized in Oneonta, N. Y., February, 
 1894, under the pastorate of Rev. C. 
 C. Pierce. He is a graduate of North- 
 field, and did this work after his 
 marriage. He also attended Colgate 
 
 Seminary for a brief time, and then 
 went to Colorado Springs, where for 
 a short time he took advantage of 
 the Colorado College. He then be- 
 came Home Mission Pastor under the 
 Board, at Mosca, Colorado, which 
 church ordained him June 9th, 1902. 
 He next organized the First Baptist 
 church at Alamosa, and raised the 
 money for a new building. October 
 1st he moved into Iowa, and on De- 
 cember 1st, 1903, we find him building 
 a church at Sigourney. October 1, 
 1905, he is in Watertown, 111., where he 
 had baptisms every quarter, using the 
 Mississippi river as a baptistry. Next 
 he organized and built a church at 
 Silvis, a suburb of Moline, 111. While 
 at Watertown, in eight months, he 
 collected $6,000 for a new building, 
 and on his last night there, burned 
 the last remnant of evidence of debt. 
 Thence he moved to Lorain, Ohio, 
 where he organized the Trinity Bap- 
 tist church. Thence he moved to 
 Danville, where in one year he erect- 
 
85 
 
 ed two substantial church houses. He 
 is indefatigable in his labors, and has 
 rare gifts along unusual lines much 
 needed in the earlier history of church 
 organizations. His wife ably assists 
 him in all departments, whether it be 
 in the pulpit, or in the homes of the 
 people. The history of his rapid and 
 successful movements are told in de- 
 tail under history of Herald of Hope, 
 Cunningham Avenue, and Centennial. 
 
 Mrs. Edgar Woolhouse. 
 At Oneonta, New York, September 
 1, 1876, was born this most excellent 
 helpmeet for a pastor. At the age of 
 14 she accepted Christ as her personal 
 Savior, and began work in earnest for 
 him. She was baptized October 4th, 
 1891. She was married to Rev. Edgar 
 Woolhouse, Nov. 28th, 1894. Side 
 by side she has worked with her hus- 
 
 band during their days of preparation 
 at Mt. Hermon, Mass., where he was 
 the first married student who ever 
 matriculated in the institution. Sick- 
 ness, and breakdowns have been hero- 
 ically met, both in the east and while 
 they were sojourning in the west. 
 
 Gradually, Mrs. Woolhouse had to 
 assume larger and larger responsi- 
 bilities until she finds herself in the 
 pulpit, preaching to help her husband, 
 while he works some needy field in the 
 neighborhood. God has owned her la- 
 bors in soul winning, and given many 
 evidences of approval of her work. 
 
 It is fitting that as they work side 
 by side in their pastorate, that you 
 should see them side by side while 
 you read this tribute to their work, 
 and worth. They are rearing a de- 
 lightful family who are fast coming 
 into useful Christian service. 
 
 CUNNINGHAM AVENUE CHURCH. 
 
 Erected 1912 
 
 "And the tabernacle shall oe sanctified by my glory." 
 
 Rev. Edgar Woolhouse discovered 
 the needs, and possibilities of a good 
 work in the brickyard neighborhood, 
 and began prayer meetings in private 
 houses, October, 1912, and the inter- 
 
 est increased from the start. On De- 
 cember 8, 1912, a lot was bought from 
 Miss Nelle Hubbard at $250, on Cun- 
 ningham avenue, and Rev. Woolhouse 
 was authorized by the First Church to 
 
86 
 
 secure funds to pay for the lot, and 
 also to erect a tabernacle. In the in- 
 credibly short space of eight weeks 
 this was accomplished. On Sunday 
 afternoon, December 22nd, 1912, a 
 congregation that taxed the capacity 
 of the new building, gathered to en- 
 joy the dedication services. Rev. W. 
 H. Steadman, D.D., presided, Rev. Dr. 
 D. O. Hopkins of the First Baptist 
 Church of Champaign, read the scrip- 
 tures, and at the close of the meeting 
 offered the prayer of dedication. Rev. 
 M. S. Bryant, Pastor of the University 
 Baptist Church, led in prayer. George 
 F. Righter, Moderator of the Bloom - 
 field Association, and others, made 
 addresses. Rev. G. M. Shott, pastor 
 of the First Baptist Church, Urbana, 
 preached the dedication sermon from 
 Rev. 11:1, after which he engineered 
 a collection, in cash, and pledges 
 which proved to be sufficient to pay 
 all bills to date. 
 
 On the day of organization Miss 
 Nelle Hubbard, who has taken spe- 
 cial interest in this Mission, was 
 elected Sunday School Superintend- 
 ent, which office she has held with 
 faithful regularity till now, often re- 
 maining to the Sabbath evening ser- 
 vices to act as Organist. 
 
 Shortly after the dedication, Pastor 
 Woolhouse conducted a special meet- 
 ing, which resulted in the conversion 
 of 35 people. It became a serious 
 question, owing to the great distance 
 from the First Church, and Herald of 
 Hope, as to what to do with these new 
 converts. It soon became evident that 
 an independent organization was the 
 only solution to the difficulty. 
 
 Brother Woolhouse was advised to 
 baptise all converts into the fellow- 
 ship of the Herald of Hope Church, 
 and then letter them at such time as 
 was best to effect an organization at 
 Cunningham Avenue. Accordingly, 
 the First Church passed a motion fa- 
 
 Miss Nelle Hubbard 
 
 vorable to organization, and in 13 
 weeks after the first prayer meeting 
 in that district, the Tabernacle was 
 filled to witness the organization of 
 this new church. Letters to the num- 
 ber of 34, mostly the new converts 
 that had joined Herald of Hope 
 Church, with one from the First 
 Church, were presented, and an or- 
 ganization effected. Inspirational and 
 congratulatory addresses were then 
 made by Drs. Steadman and Hopkins, 
 and Brethren M. S. Bryant and G. M. 
 Shott. Dr. Steadman called out the 
 following persons from the audience, 
 and all spoke words of encourage- 
 ment and inspiration. N. A. Riley, 
 W. H. Kerrigan, Mrs. Edgar Wool- 
 house, Miss Nelle Hubbard, and many 
 others. Rev. Edgar Woolhouse was 
 unanimously called as Pastor of the 
 new church, with the idea that he is 
 to give such time as he can, in con- 
 nection with his work at Herald of 
 
87 
 
 Hope, and the Centennial Church. The 
 following are the officers of the new 
 body: 
 
 Pastor Rev. Edgar Woolhouse. 
 
 Clerk Everett Lee. 
 
 Treasurer Mrs. E. C. Hotchkiss. 
 
 Deacon John Smith. 
 
 Deacon Daniel Grimes. 
 
 S. S. Supt. Miss Nelle Hubbard. 
 
 Trustees David Lee, Willard Sal- 
 yers, William Bevis. 
 
 The Church was incorporated under 
 the laws of the state in June, 1913, 
 and the deed of the property was 
 made in trust to the Trustees of the 
 Cunningham Avenue Baptist church, 
 with a clause saying if it ever ceases 
 to be used for Baptist purposes, it 
 will revert to the Trustees of the 
 First Baptist church for city mission 
 work. 
 
 The following are the statistics of 
 this young church. Additions by bap- 
 tism, 2; by letter, 31; total, 33. Death, 
 1; present membership, 32. 
 
 The value of the property is $700. 
 Home expenses have teen $542.86; to 
 
 Foreign Missions, $2.37; to Home 
 Missions, $2.37; to Publication Soci- 
 ety, $3.69. Total money raised for all 
 purposes, $551.29. 
 
 Sunday School. 
 
 Officers and teachers, 8; scholars, 
 70; average attendance, 55. Expens- 
 es of the school, $16; for missions, 
 $5.45. Total, $21.45. 
 
 A Baptist Young People's Society 
 has also been organized. 
 
 Unusually interesting services have 
 been held by the Young People's So- 
 .iety. The young people are showing 
 a growing interest in this work and 
 the signs are hopeful for still better 
 work. 
 
 June 19th, the church in- 
 structed the clerk to call a council to 
 convene in the First Church, Septem- 
 ber 8th, in connection with the Bloom- 
 field Association, to consider the rec- 
 ognition of the Church as a member 
 of the Bloomfield Association. The 
 University Baptist Church will call 
 the same council for the same pur- 
 pose, as also Herald of Hope. 
 
 Cunningham Avenue Membership. 
 
 Albertson, Fay. 
 Bemiss, George. 
 Bemiss, Mrs. M. O. 
 Bemiss, Eliza. 
 Bemiss, Phoebe. 
 Brown, Harry. 
 Brown, Zora. 
 Coopernell, Lena. 
 Ebert, Ora. 
 Ebert, Earl. 
 Grimes, Daniel. 
 
 Hotchkiss, Mrs. E. 
 Hotchkiss, lona. 
 Hotchkiss, Parris. 
 Lee, David. 
 Lee, Mrs. David. 
 Lee, Everett. 
 Lee, Mrs. Lillian. 
 Lee, George. 
 Moore, Mrs. Edith. 
 Morehead, Mrs. Ethel. 
 Price, Ella. 
 
 Rayburn, Mrs. 
 Salyers, Mrs. Willard. 
 Salyers, Willard. 
 Shepherd, Ethel. 
 Smith, John. 
 Smith, Mrs. Lottie. 
 Smith, Venia. 
 Smith, Marie. 
 Smith, Oma. 
 Tipton, Mrs. Charles. 
 Watson, Mrs. Maud. 
 
 New Fields. 
 
 The First Church is doing all that 
 its present strength will admit, but as 
 the spiritual life grows, and the mis- 
 sionary spirit increases, there are sev- 
 eral new fields where work ought to 
 
 be done. Large areas in our neighbor- 
 hood where there is no church of any 
 kind. Population and price of land are 
 increasing faster than the progress of 
 our work. -.. 
 
88 
 
 CHAPTER XIII 
 OTHER ORGANIZATIONS 
 
 MUSIC 
 
 Sing, whore the full-toned organ 
 Resounds through aisle and nave, 
 And the choral praise ascendeth 
 In concord sweet and grave." 
 
 MUSIC 
 
 A choir is considered a very im- 
 portant part of the organization of 
 every church. The choir of the First 
 Baptist church enjoys the distinction 
 of being next to the Sunday School, 
 the oldest organization in the church, 
 and also the unique history of 75 
 years of service with but three lead- 
 ers. Robert Slater, an exemplary, 
 and god-fearing man, was the first 
 leader, and led the singing with great 
 acceptance to the church. N. A. Riley, 
 son of Rev. G. W. Riley, was the sec- 
 ond choir leader of the church, begin- 
 ning in 1865, and continuing till Sep- 
 
 Robert Slater. 
 
 N. A. Riley 
 
 tember 13th, 1889, a period of 24 
 years. The third leader is George M. 
 Bennett,, continuing from September 
 13th, 1889, to this day. All of these 
 directors have used our own people 
 entirely, and few churches have been 
 blessed with such a high class choir 
 membership, and music of so high an 
 order rendered. Director and mem- 
 bers throughout have contributed 
 their services all these seventy-five 
 years. For years the music-loving peo- 
 ple of Urbana, Champaign, and the 
 community, have looked forward to 
 the annual song service of this noted 
 choir, as one of the musical treats of 
 
89 
 
 George M. Bennett 
 
 the year. It is much to the tact, and 
 management of these leaders that 
 there has never been a choir trouble 
 making more discord than harmony in 
 the church. The following served as 
 members of the choir during the term 
 of N. A. Riley: George M. Bennett, 
 E. M. Knowlton, L. A. McLean, Ed- 
 gar Lanham, George Hubbard, Mrs. 
 T. F. Fugate, Mrs. Flora Hollister, 
 Mrs. Alice Drury, Mrs. Augusta Mor- 
 gan, Mrs. G. M. Bennett, Miss Bettie 
 McKinzie, Mrs. Amelia Richards. 
 
 The organists of the church have 
 been as follows: Mrs. Susan Day, 
 Mrs. Fannie Dicken, Mrs. Anna Busey, 
 Miss Rose Lanham, Mrs. Emma Ben- 
 nett, and Mrs. Claude A. Binyon. 
 Prof. F. L. Lawrence, C. H. Mills, 
 Lloyd Morey. Each for their time of 
 service was the very best and most 
 faithful. 
 
 Many people who came into the 
 church for a longer or shorter time 
 
 received first, and most lasting im- 
 pressins of music, from the musicians 
 that have served this church. While 
 the present choir is one of the fore- 
 most south of Chicago, and is not to 
 be compared with any other, yet it 
 must be remembered that each choir 
 in its time in this church was of the 
 same high order, the best that the 
 times could afford. 
 
 On the voluntary retirement of 
 Brother Riley the following resolu- 
 tions were unanimously adopted: 
 "Whereas, our esteemed and beloved 
 Brother N. A. Riley has faithfully 
 served this church as chorister for the 
 past 24 years, and that during tha; 
 long period he has so managed mat- 
 ters that there has never occurred 
 such a thing as a "choir fuss," and 
 that he always has been in perfect 
 harmony with the different pastors 
 of the church. 
 
 Further, that Brother Riley has al- 
 ways shown a Christian spirit, and 
 by his excellent leadership and sweet 
 singing, (especially in special meet- 
 ings) of the church, he has largely 
 contributed in bringing souls to Christ 
 therefore, be it resolved: That while 
 we accept the resignation of Brother 
 Riley from active duties of his office 
 we desire to express our appYeciatiou 
 of his services in the years past, re- 
 membering that he was punctual, and 
 always faithful in all his church du- 
 ties. Also that he gave to the church 
 his best years, and at a time when 
 it needed his services most. That we 
 also recognize the fact that he has 
 been instrumental through the abili- 
 ties God has given him, in doing 
 much toward bringing up the church 
 from small numbers to its present 
 high standing. That we pray that 
 God's blessing may rest upon him, 
 and that the recollection of his past 
 faithful service may be a consolation 
 to him in the years to come. 
 
90 
 
 Pipe Organ 
 
 Resolved, That these resolutions be 
 spread upon our minutes, and that the 
 same be published in the Herald, and 
 a copy be presented to Brother 
 Riley." 
 
 Brother Riley had the pleasure of 
 nominating as his successor Brother 
 George M. Bennett, who has led the 
 choir from that day to this with high 
 honor, and has made this part of the 
 worship of the old First church nota- 
 ble far and wide. He will lead the 
 grand chorus of Thanksgiving in our 
 Diamond Jubilee when for one whole 
 week we will celebrate our 75th An- 
 niversary. In the personnel of the 
 choir are some who have held long 
 terms of office and should deserve 
 special mention in this volume. 
 
 Among those who have rendered val- 
 uable services in the choir in the last 
 twenty-five years are Misses Opal 
 and Birdie Heller, Emma and Lillie 
 Yanos, Fannie Dicken, Rose Lanham, 
 
 Ella Romine, Flora Ross, Effie Wright, 
 Belle, Marie, Adelia and Clara Ren- 
 frew, Lucia Hall, Ombra Herriott, 
 Minnie Franklin, Anna, and Elizabeth 
 Webber, Harriet Howe, Anna Riley, 
 Mrs. J. C. Thorpe, Lulu Gardner, Stel- 
 la Renfrew, Leota Parker, Bessie 
 Riggs, Gladys Beverlin, Grace Roney. 
 The gentlemen with good choir rec- 
 ords are: Edgar Lanham, George 
 Hubbard, Frank Renfrew, Clay Web- 
 ber, Carl Van Doren, Charles Thorpe, 
 William Schiff, Ellis Hall, C. G. Hop- 
 kins, Chester Richards, E. G. Dexter, 
 Carlos Renfrew, Frank Beebe, Clinton 
 Brown, Joel Coffee, P. K. Miles, S. A. 
 Rowland. Edgar Lanham enjoy? 
 the distinction of having entered the 
 choir at the age of 14 and has been 
 in the choir longer than any one now 
 living in the church, and while this 
 has not been continuous he still ag- 
 gregates more years than any one 
 else. He joined the choir in 1879. G. 
 
91 
 
 M. Bennett is next in length of years. 
 
 During Brother Bennett's time of 
 service, on December 3rd, 1902, a com- 
 mittee was appointed to raise not 
 less than $2,000 by good and substan- 
 tial subscriptions, or otherwise, as 
 they see fit, for the purchase of a 
 pipe organ, the work not to begin till 
 January, 1903, and to be finished April 
 1st, 1903, subscriptions .to be payable 
 one-half April 1st, and the rest July 
 1st, 1903. 
 
 The committee consisted of George 
 M. Bennett, N. A. Riley, William 
 Schiff, Mrs. Anna Frisinger, and 
 Chester Richards. April 8, 1903, the 
 Pipe Organ committee made a re- 
 port of progress, and the following 
 resolution was passed by the church: 
 "Resolved, That the same committee 
 be continued to finish up the organ 
 finances, and that said committee be 
 authorized to contract for, purchase, 
 and install in the church a new pipe 
 organ on the best terms possible at 
 a cost not exceeding $3,000, and that 
 the committee be instructed to sell 
 the Knabe Piano, and turn in the pro- 
 ceeds on the organ, and that a sub- 
 conlniittee with an expert if neces- 
 sary, be sent to Chicago to inspect 
 the propositions offered, if they think 
 best." 
 
 September 19th, 1903, the Pipe Or- 
 gan Committee made its final report, 
 which in part is as follows: "The or- 
 gan cost $3,000, but that does not in- 
 clude the preparation to the building 
 
 to receive the organ which is $200, to- 
 gether with a change in the roof of 
 the building, which was paid for by 
 the Organ company." Favorable 
 mention of the Ladies' Extension so- 
 ciety, and the 'Christian Endeavor, and 
 Professor Lawrence of the University, 
 who furnished the plan and gave ex- 
 cellent advice to the Committee and 
 various others, is made, and the re- 
 port asks for the discharge of the 
 Committee in the hope "that the in- 
 strument will be a great blessing in 
 the worship of God, that its beauti- 
 ful tones will tend to make the ser- 
 vices more reverential and impres- 
 sive, and that it will continue to serve 
 the high purpose for which it was in- 
 stalled long after we shall be gathered 
 to our home on the other side." 
 
 Fred C. Hubbard, on behalf of the 
 Trustees, accepted the organ, and the 
 church accepted it at the hands of the 
 Trustees by a rising vote. 
 
 Kindly mention was made of Mrs. 
 Emma Bennett, who had for seven 
 years served as pianist for the choir 
 with scarcely an absence. The thanks 
 of the church was extended to her as 
 she severed her connection with the 
 choir. 
 
 It is significant that for 12 years from 
 one to three Webbers and one to three 
 Renfrews have been in the choir. 
 
 "Sing aloud, 
 
 Old songs, the precious music of the 
 heart." 
 
 Wordsworth. 
 
 BAPTIST MALE QUARTET. 
 
 During the pastorate of Rev. J. F. 
 Mills a quartet was organized that 
 was an invaluable aid to all Evangel- 
 istic meetings, funerals, and many 
 other special as well as regular occa- 
 
 sions. It was composed of George 
 Bennett, Edward Lanham, Clay Web- 
 ber and Frank Renfrew. They also 
 filled an engagement for a large part 
 of a Chautauqua program. They are 
 preserved in the accompanying cut. 
 
92 
 
 Frank Renfrew 
 Edgar Lanham 
 
 Clay Webber 
 Geo. M. Bennett 
 
93 
 
 Ladies' Extension Society. 
 
 The ladies of this church have al- 
 ways been its strong supporters, both 
 financially as well as spiritually, and 
 proved themselves excellent finan- 
 ciers. 
 
 In 1854 and 1855 many carpenters 
 contributed work on the old church, 
 and the ladies furnished the dinner in 
 the building. In 185G, the ladies had 
 saved up enough money to purchase a 
 tell, it being the same that now hangs 
 in the belfry, and was the first church 
 in Central Illinois to have a belfry. 
 
 The ladies kept up their organiza- 
 tion, and under the pastorate of the 
 Rev. W. H. Steadman, D.D., named 
 their society "The Ladies' Aid," which 
 continued for over seven years, until 
 they organized under the Rev. F. J. 
 Leavett as "Social Workers.' The larg- 
 est work was done under the pastor- 
 ate of the Rev. J. F. Mills, who recog- 
 nized the strong help of the ladies, 
 which would be had in building the 
 new church. The church appointed 
 Rev. J. F. Mills the committee, with 
 power to call to his aid any help he 
 thought best, so he organized the la- 
 dies under the name of the "Ladies' 
 Extension Society." He was elected 
 its first president, and the ladies sub- 
 scribed $3,000 to the new church, 
 which was the first subscription made. 
 This was done in 1894. Rev. Mills was 
 continued as president of the society 
 
 until the end of the pastorate. On the 
 day the church was dedicated, the 
 ladies subscribed $500 toward the pur- 
 chase of the large pipe organ; they 
 also purchased the furniture for the 
 new church, and also paid for the dec- 
 orating of the same. 
 
 After the resignation of Rev. Mills, 
 Mrs. Fannie Lewis, and Mrs. Alice 
 Freeman served as presidents of the 
 society, and were succeeded by Mrs. 
 L. A. McLean, who served for seven 
 years, and in 1913 was succeeded by 
 Mrs. C. L. Van Doren. The officers 
 of the society were uniformally ex- 
 cellent workers, and the society was 
 always noted for the strong, financial 
 help it contributed. The society us- 
 ually bore the incidental expenses of 
 the church or purchased the fuel, be- 
 sides purchasing the carpets, decorat- 
 ing the church when it needed it. One 
 of the substantial donations made by 
 Mrs. Artemesia Busey, a member of 
 the society, was $4,000 in cash for the 
 purchase of the present commodious 
 parsonage, worth over $7,000. The 
 church sold its old parsonage and 
 paid the difference. 
 
 These are only some of the acts of 
 the ladies in the support of God's 
 cause, and the church is, and always 
 has been proud of the ladies, and 
 their self-sacrificing work for the 
 cause. 
 
 WOMAN'S MISSION CIRCLE. 
 
 The Woman's Baptist Foreign Mis- 
 sionary Society of the First Baptist 
 Church, Urbana, was organized in 1876 
 by Mrs. Franklin Walker, who was an 
 aunt of Mrs. L. G. Hubbard. This 
 was during the pastorate of Rev. W. 
 H. Steadman. A Young Woman's 
 Home Mission Circle was organized in 
 18S2 by Mrs. Kate J. Shott during the 
 first pastorate of Rev. G. M. Shott. 
 
 This was consolidated with the For- 
 eign Society in 188<3, and the organiz- 
 ation has since been known as the 
 Woman's Baptist Union Missionary 
 Sciety. In 1892, "The What I Can 
 (W. I. C.) Society" was organized un- 
 der the leadership of Mrs. E. S. Hall, 
 and mainttained for a period of three 
 years. A "Baby Band" has been kept 
 
94 
 
 up at different times, the last in 1909 
 under the supervision of Mrs. E. E. 
 Dexter. Among the active members 
 of the first organization of the For- 
 eign Missionary Society were Mrs. 
 Franklin Walker, Mrs. Amanda Allen, 
 Mrs. Eliza Gere, Mrs. Experience 
 Walker, Mrs. Dr. Fugate, Mrs. Allan 
 McClain, three Mrs. Cushman, and 
 Mrs. Spencer. Meetings have been 
 held regularly the first Tuesday in 
 each month. 
 
 In the early years of the Mission 
 Circle it was difficult to create an in- 
 terest to any great extent in Foreign 
 Missions. Mrs. John Gere more than 
 
 any other one, perhaps, carried the 
 work on her heart, and was ever act- 
 ive in furthering the cause, using 
 much time in distributing missionary 
 literature, and trying to secure at- 
 tendance at the meetings. 
 
 The table of officers and contribu- 
 tions will show that the membership 
 is not nearly so large as it should be, 
 in a church with so many women of 
 the age usually accepted for its mem- 
 bership. The records of reports and 
 other data are so incomplete that only 
 a meager idea of their work can be 
 published. 
 
 There is no material for a report 
 for the years between 1876 and 1882, 
 but after 1882 the material is more 
 WOMAN'S BAPTIST 
 
 plentiful, and the following table will 
 show as far as figures can, the result 
 of this organization. 
 MISSION CIRCLE TABLE. 
 
 Year. President. 
 1876 Mrs. W. H. Steadman 
 1882 Mrs Amanda Allen.... 
 
 Secretary. 
 Mrs. Amanda Allen 
 
 Mem I 
 
 8 
 
 Home [Foreign] Total 
 
 25 00 25 00 
 23 00| | 23 00 
 30 OOI 30 00 
 25 50) 53 00 78 50 
 7 00| 45 85 52 85 
 4 251 35 00 39 25 
 37 50| 20 00| 57 50 
 29 69| 93 38 ]f23 07 
 101 i38! 39 70|141 08 
 29 70 1 29 70 
 16 07J 23 00| 39 07 
 47 04 | 36 35| 83 39 
 7 32 19 73| 27 05 
 14 25 25 98| 40 23 
 20 25! 31 39| 51 64 
 14 25) 25 321 39 57 
 '26 64| 29 50| 56 14 
 34' 50| 25 76| 60 25 
 41 45 13 65 | 55 10 
 32 29 21 75 | 54 04 
 63 25 77 19J140 44 
 26 00 27 00| 53 00 
 >28 40 31 00| 59 40 
 30 00| 26 00| 56 00 
 30 00| 30 00| 60 00 
 35 00 25 00| 60 00 
 40 00 46 00| 86 00 
 54 50 52 50|107 00 
 50 00 37 00| 87 00 
 69 00 47 OOJ116 00 
 50 00 95 00|145 00 
 
 313 53J1062 7412076 27 
 
 
 36 
 
 1883 Mrs. John Gere 
 
 
 30 
 
 1884 Mrs John Gere 
 
 
 30 
 
 1885 Mrs John Gere iMrs. Dr. Fiie-ate 
 
 21 
 
 1886 Mrs. L. G. Hubbard.... 
 1887 Mrs. L. G. Hubbard.... 
 2888 
 
 Mrs. Dr. Fugate 
 
 
 Mrs. Dr. Fugate 
 
 29 
 
 Mrs. Jennie McLean 
 
 20 
 
 1889 Mrs. Harriet Gere 
 1890 Mrs. Harriet Gere 
 1892 Mrs. W. B. Webber.... 
 1893 
 
 Miss Ella Hall 
 
 22 
 
 Miss Ella Hall 
 
 
 Miss Ella Hall 
 
 12 
 
 Miss Alice Duff 
 
 30 
 
 1894 
 
 
 
 1895 Mrs. W. B. Webber.... 
 
 
 1896 Mrs. J. S. Hall 
 
 Mrs. G F. Mills 
 
 30 
 
 1897 Mrs. Margaret Walke 
 1897 Mrs. M. Walker 
 
 Miss Addie Toy 
 
 
 Miss Lulu Straight 
 
 
 1898 Mrs. M. Walker 
 1899 Mrs. M. Walker 
 1900 Mrs. M. Walker 
 1901 Mrs. G. A. Walker.... 
 1902 Mrs. M. L. Rugg 
 
 Miss Lulu Straight 
 
 
 Mrs. Jennie McLean 
 
 28 
 
 Mrs. W. O. Connor 
 
 51 
 
 Mrs. W. O. Connor 
 
 
 Mrs. W. O. Connor 
 
 
 1903 Mrs. M. L. Rugg 
 1904 Mrs. M. L. Rugg 
 1905 Mrs. M. Walker 
 
 Mrs. Nettie Hunt 
 
 44 
 
 Mrs. Nettie Hunt 
 
 34 
 
 Mrs. Nettie Hunt 
 
 84 
 
 1906 Mrs. J. A. Brwn 
 
 Mrs. Nettie Hunt 
 
 34 
 
 1907 Mrs. Nettie Hunt 
 1908 Mrs. Nettie Hunt 
 1909 Mrs. R. S. Kirkland.... 
 1910 Mrs. C. L. Van Doren 
 1911 Mrs. C. L. Van Doren 
 1912 Mrs. H P Stinespring 
 1913 Mrs. H P Stinespring 
 
 Mrs. W. B. Clark 
 
 32 
 
 Mrs. W. B. Clark 
 
 50 
 
 Mrs. A. J. Woolman 
 
 54 
 
 Mrs. A. J. Woolman 
 
 '58 
 
 Mrs. A. J. Woolman. . 
 
 57 
 
 Mrs. A. J. Woolman 
 
 78 
 
 Mrs. Maud Miller 
 
 80 
 
 
 |1 
 
95 
 
 FIRST CHURCH AND THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 "Study to show thyself approved unto God." 
 
 First Baptist Church, Urbana, and the 
 University. 
 
 No history of this church would be 
 complete without a reference to this 
 great state institution of learning. 
 The public movements which gave 
 rise to the University began in 1850, 
 though the principles upon which it 
 was later founded had been long be- 
 fore the American people. The first 
 convention was called at Granville, 
 Illinois, in November, 1881, and from 
 this grew several later conventions. 
 In January, 1865, the Board of Super- 
 visors made the following proposal to 
 the Illinois legislature: "We offer 
 the Urbana and Champaign Institute 
 Building, the College grounds, con- 
 taining about ten acres, also blocks 
 52 and 53, of the seminary addition 
 to Urbana, together with the appurt- 
 enances thereto belonging, with 140 
 acres of land adjacent thereto, valued 
 at $160,000, in consideration of the 
 permanent location of the Illinois In- 
 dustrial University upon the said 
 grounds." After prolonged debate the 
 bill passed the lower house accepting 
 the terms and locating the University 
 in Urbana. This naturally aroused a 
 great competition in other quarters, 
 and the people became very active in 
 offering inducements. 
 
 The Urbana location won, and the 
 people were exhilarated with their 
 triumph, and built great bonfires, and 
 opened public halls, and listened to 
 much oratory on the benefits that 
 were sure to accrue to this neighbor- 
 hood, from locating the University 
 here. The conveyances of property 
 were made May 8th, 1867. John M. 
 Gregory, L.L.D., was elected first re- 
 gent, and to him more than to any 
 
 one man, Is due the broad policy and 
 magnificent plans that underlie the 
 the work of the University. When he 
 reported his outline to the board May 
 8, 1867, it was the signal for all sorts 
 of differences of opinion and criti- 
 cisms. The opening of the University 
 was ordered for March 2, 1868. Fifty 
 students enrolled at the opening, and 
 the end of the first session of the Uni- 
 versity found the number of students 
 to have reached seventy-seven. The 
 state of Illinois has made constant, 
 and magnificent gifts, and appropria- 
 tions through all these years, so that 
 in 1878 the value of property was es- 
 timated to be at least $829,000. Since 
 that time the University has had 
 phenomenal growth in equipment, and 
 in enrollment. There are thirty fine, 
 and imposing buildings on the 
 Campus, and these exclusive of equip- 
 ment are valued at $2,093.500. 
 
 During the year 1911-12, 5,167 stu- 
 dents were enrolled, and the Faculty, 
 including all departments, numbered 
 about 600. Probably no church of the 
 27 within the Twin Cities, not dis- 
 tinctively organized as a student 
 church, has been closer to the life of 
 the University, than the First Baptist 
 church. Many of her young people 
 have been students, and some have 
 won places in the ranks of instruct- 
 ors. Many 'have received University 
 instruction along special lines, and 
 are out among the world's workers 
 making good. During all these years 
 the church and the university have 
 grown together. The church is sen- 
 ior by thirty years, but the last 45 
 years have been spent "neck and 
 neck" as the church, and University, 
 have forged ahead. 
 
 Part of the excellent speech of 
 
96 
 
 President Draper of the University at 
 the dedication of this new church is 
 presented in these pages as an evi- 
 dence of the good will existing be- 
 tween the church and university. 
 President James of the University 
 will be asked to take some part in the 
 celebration of our 75th Anniversary, 
 and it is a matter of regret that his 
 message cannot be given in this book. 
 For some years there has been a 
 large class of University men and wo- 
 men, in connection with our Bible 
 school in this church. It is an or- 
 ganized class, is "co-ed," and is call- 
 ed "Agoma," and has usually been 
 taught by a professor in the Universi- 
 ty, but at present it is taught by the 
 pastor, Rev. Gideon M. Shott, D.D. 
 Gradually, many of the students will 
 learn to attend the University Bap- 
 tist church under the excellent pas- 
 torate of Rev. M. S. Bryant, and yet 
 there will never be a time when there 
 will not be a student class in the 
 church, for the benefit of those who 
 are already members, or whose pa- 
 rents were members, and will prefer 
 their children should worship and 
 study in the old home church. This 
 will perpetuate the "Agoma" class, 
 
 and help to keep up the good feeling 
 that has always existed between the 
 two institutions. This church, almost 
 above any other, ought to present to 
 the student body, living its four, or 
 more years here, the highest spiritual 
 standards. It should be the aim of 
 the church to set up proper ideals for 
 the students, and not yield itself to 
 the natural proclivities of youthful de- 
 sires, and tendencies, when the re- 
 straints of home are taken away. 
 
 It should be the aim of this church 
 to see to it, as far as any and all who 
 ever attend the church, or school, 
 should go away filled with the high 
 ideals of spiritual life, and its real re- 
 lations to the great callings for which 
 these students come here to prepare. 
 The church receives them under its 
 influences at the time when they are 
 the most impressible, and when many 
 if not most of them are taking higher 
 ambitions, and seeking wider visions 
 of life. They are making new ties to 
 take the place of those at home, and 
 it should be the aim of our own 
 young people to set before these stu- 
 dents the highest images of religious 
 life and morality. 
 
 "Disputing' daily in the 
 
 This church is in a peculiar position 
 to show the student, the real relation 
 of piety to every day life. We should 
 create an atmosphere of real spirit- 
 ual life for the benefit of all students 
 in High school and University As a 
 matter of fact the organization of a 
 special church for Baptist students 
 has no special connection with the 
 organic work of the First Church and 
 'yet its existence interrelates the 
 two bodies in close sympathy. A Bap- 
 tist Guild called the Gregory Guild 
 was maintained by the Baptists at the 
 
 school of one Tyrannus." 
 University to which in 1908 our Young 
 People contributed $100. It was aban- 
 doned after a very fair test. 
 
 The First church had been looking 
 after a large number of Baptist stu- 
 dents as far as class work and young 
 people's work was concerned, till the 
 State Board of Missions appointed 
 Rev. M. S. Bryant to take charge of a 
 work for Baptist students in attend- 
 ance upon the University. Between one 
 and five hundred Baptist students, 
 either members of some Baptist 
 church, or Baptistically inclined, en- 
 
97 
 
 roll themselves each year for study 
 in the University. 
 
 Rev. Bryant secured quarters in the 
 Y. M. C. A. building for his work, and 
 soon organized a separate Baptist 
 church. As many of the students as 
 were willing to enter upon that spe- 
 cial work were interviewed, and 
 brought their letters. About 30 to 35 
 of those who were in attendance at 
 the First church changed their at- 
 tendance from the First Church. This 
 new church also took in some local 
 citizens who living near the Univer- 
 sity, could find it easier to attend ser- 
 vices there. Accordingly, the First 
 Church gave letters to the following 
 to unite with the University Baptist 
 church: 
 
 Rev. J. W. Primm, Pauline Primm, 
 Mrs. J. W. Primm, Philip Primm. Paul 
 Murdock, G. F. Sutherland, Uripides 
 
 Fijardo, Mrs. Ella Wright, Francis 
 Wright, Helen Wright. 
 
 These, though not many in num- 
 ber, made a historic connection with 
 that body. Since the organization 
 Rev. J. W. Primm has been called to 
 his reward after many months of ted- 
 ious suffering. He was loved and 
 honored for his high moral and spirit- 
 ual qualities, as well as for his ripe 
 scholarly attainments. The most de- 
 lightful fellowship exists between the 
 pastors of Urbana, Champaign, and 
 Herald of Hope churches, with Broth- 
 er Bryant, whose fitness for this stu- 
 dent work is so evident, and whose 
 teaching abilities make him a very 
 helpful factor in the work of the 
 Bloomfield Association. 
 
 Three Baptist churches organized 
 within that many months of the year 
 1912!! 
 
 RESOLUTIONS 
 
 "I am resolved what to do." 
 
 RESOLUTIONS. 
 
 The passing of resolutions by the 
 church upon the recommendation of 
 Deacons and Pastor, is an easy mat- 
 ter. Carrying out the resolutions im- 
 partially and faithfully is quite an- 
 other. While all these resolutions are 
 aimed to correct some worldly, or sin- 
 ful habit, they will not accomplish 
 that task by being simply recorded 
 upon the minutes. Any failure to 
 carry out the declarations of such 
 resolutions declares to the member- 
 ship, and the world at large that the 
 authority of the church is gone, and 
 the officials are helpless, and the 
 body has lost its power of self-gov- 
 ernment. 
 
 Most of these resolutions are but 
 modifications of the by-laws adopted 
 in our "Star Book," June 27th, 1883. 
 All questions pertaining to popular 
 
 amusements are included in the reso- 
 lutions in the back pages of the "Star 
 Book.'' These modifications, and re- 
 iterations of these principles go to 
 show that not all the members of the 
 church have lost their respect for 
 high spiritual ideals. That they must 
 be repeated with such desperate fre- 
 quency through all the years shows a 
 very low conception of sacred obliga- 
 tions on the part of many who claim 
 membership. Let us in future keep 
 more of them and make less. 
 
 Monday, April 6, 1885. Resolved: 
 "That resident and non-resident 
 members who fail to co-operate with 
 the church, either by their presence 
 or letter, for the space of one year 
 be dropped from the membership 
 roll." 
 
 March 27, 1889. "Whereas, a gos- 
 pel church is Christs representative 
 on earth, and when governed by his 
 
98 
 
 laws, and controlled by his spirit, is 
 opposed to all worldly alliances, and 
 can accomplish its mission only as it 
 keeps itself "unspotted from the 
 world," and 
 
 Whereas, to a great extent, it is the 
 Christian that is read by the world in- 
 stead of the Bible, and as the Chris- 
 tian separates himself from the world 
 and follows the Master, to the same 
 extent he honors the cause and ex- 
 emplifies the spirit of religion, and 
 builds up the cause of Christ, there- 
 fore, be it 
 
 Resolved: That in view of the po- 
 sition the Christian occupies before 
 the world as a follower of Christ, and 
 also being an example both in and out 
 of the church, we do not think it con- 
 sistent for a member of this church to 
 attend balls, card parties, or other 
 places of questionable amusement. 
 And in a spirit of earnest Christian 
 charity ask those of our members who 
 have been attending such places, for 
 the sake of the love they have for the 
 Master, and the honor of his cause, 
 that they refrain from doing so in the 
 future, remembering the injunction of 
 the Apostle, "to avoid every appear- 
 ance of evil." 
 
 June 5th, 1889. "That the church 
 demand of every member that he, or 
 she, according to his, or her covenant 
 vows, contribute to the support of the 
 church, according to his, or her abil- 
 ity. 
 
 Second, "That failure to assist in 
 defraying church expenses, be consid- 
 ered a sufficient ground for disci- 
 pline." 
 
 Third, "That a statement of the 
 condition of the church be read be- 
 tore the church the first Sunday in 
 each month." 
 
 "Resolved, That every non-resident 
 member be required to correspond 
 with the church at least, once a year, 
 and to contribute something to its 
 
 support as long as they retain their 
 membership." 
 
 January 3rd, 1894. "Resolved, That 
 no member be excluded from member- 
 ship in this church until they have 
 been visited twice, and kindly en- 
 treated to return to their duty, and 
 allegiance to the church, and shall 
 have had a thirty days' notice from 
 the church clerk to appear and an- 
 swer to the charges against them, 
 and give reasons why such action 
 should not be taken." 
 
 Resolved, That non-residents be 
 corresponded with twice and receive 
 notice from the clerk." 
 
 September 5th, 1906, "Resolved that 
 all non-resident members who have 
 been away three or more years and 
 who do not answer the correspond- 
 ence sent by the church, shall be no- 
 tified and if nothing is heard from 
 them in thirty days after such notice 
 is sent they are hereby directed to 
 be dropped from the church list." 
 
 January 4th, 1911, "That the names 
 of our non-resident members whose 
 address is not known after efforts to 
 find the same, be placed on a list and 
 may be carried two years. At the ex- 
 piration of said time those not heard 
 from during this time be erased from 
 the church roll." 
 
 June, 1858;, | "Resolved, That any 
 members who absent themselves for 
 three successive regular meetings 
 shall be looked after by a committee.'' 
 
 It is significant that this rule has 
 never been repealed. 
 
 November 3, 1897. "The Board of 
 Deacons recommend that a circular 
 letter to non-resident members be 
 prepared, urging (1) the importance 
 of active church work; (2) of uniting 
 with Baptist churches where they 
 now live, if possible, or if not, of com- 
 municating with this church at least 
 once per year and aiding in its sup- 
 port." These circular letters were to 
 
99 
 
 be sent out as occasion requires at 
 the discretion of the deacons. 
 
 November 3, 1909. "This is to cer- 
 tify that Evangelist Rev. R. S. Kirk- 
 land, is a member of the First Bap- 
 tist Church of Urbana, Illinois. He 
 has the respect of the membership of 
 the church. As an evangelist !his 
 work has been successful. His evan- 
 gelistic efforts are along safe, and 
 reasonable interpretation of New 
 Testament doctrines, and we wish for 
 him the largest blessing of the Lord." 
 
 March 2, 1910. "A recommendation 
 was made by the Trustees that all 
 members failing to contribute toward 
 the support of the church for a pe- 
 riod of one year shall at the option 
 of the trustees be placed on a delin- 
 quent list." The recommendation 
 was adopted by the church. 
 
 July 5th, 1907. "Whereas, there 
 seems to be a growing inclination to 
 disregard and use the Lord's day for 
 
 J. W. Cushmnn 
 
 purely secular pleasure; and Where- 
 as, it is reported that this practice 
 has in many places resulted in great- 
 ly lessening the attendance upon di- 
 vine worship and weakening the spir- 
 ituality of the church members, and 
 as it is directly opposed both in let- 
 ter and in spirit to the teachings of 
 our Saviour, therefore: Resolved, 
 That we, the Board of Deacons of the 
 First Baptist church, do recommend 
 that the church enact and enforce the 
 following rule. No member shall hold 
 any office in this church, or teach in 
 its Sunday school, who attends ball 
 games, theatres, or similar shows on 
 Sunday. No Sunday School, Class, or 
 Society picnics shall be permitted on 
 Sunday." 
 
 The recommendation was laid over 
 for one month, and then passed. 
 
 First Indoors Baptistry. 
 
 (Should be on page 60). 
 
 Soon after Elder G. M. Shott ac- 
 cepted the pastorate of the church it 
 was necessary to baptize some who 
 had been admitted for the ordinance. 
 Being in delicate health he refused to 
 administer the ordinance in the open, 
 and J. W. Cushman felt impressed 
 that it was his part to help in meet- 
 ing this emergency. Accordingly, 
 with some other volunteer help he 
 planned the first indoor baptistry in 
 the history of the church. 
 
 Many delightful, and touching 
 scenes were witnessed around that old 
 baptistry. The magnificent back- 
 ground of our present baptistry may 
 never conceal from eyes often wet 
 with glad tears, that first, and older 
 burial place. There may not be an 
 Apostolic succession, but there is a 
 succession of splendid Baptisteries by 
 which we may trace the history of 
 this New Testament ordinance from 
 the Jordan in the time of Christ till 
 now. 
 
100 
 
 CHURCH MEMBERSHIP TABLE 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 : "3 
 
 j I 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 m O 
 
 -<-> : 
 
 
 
 
 a 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 o -^ 
 
 fl O 
 
 s 
 
 
 E 
 
 
 e 
 
 c 
 a. 
 
 
 -5 
 a 
 
 c 
 
 
 
 a 
 
 Q 
 >> a 
 
 y ~l r- 
 
 f & 
 
 ~* 
 
 pq 
 
 2 i-i 
 
 .3 5 
 
 v co 
 
 X <1> 
 
 H Q 
 
 a 
 e 
 
 I & 
 ffi H 
 
 H 
 
 1851 
 1855 
 1856 
 1857 
 1858 
 1859 
 1850 
 1861 
 18G2 
 1863 
 1864 
 1865 
 1866 
 1867 
 1868 
 1869 
 1870 
 1871 
 1872 
 1873 
 1874 
 1875 
 1876 
 1877 
 1878 
 1879 
 1880 
 1881 
 1882 
 1883 
 1884 
 1885 
 1886 
 1887 
 1888 
 1889 
 1890 
 1891 
 1892 
 1893 
 1894 
 
 30 
 110 
 
 220 
 
 12 
 
 15| 
 25| 7 
 14 1 8 
 
 6J 2(22 
 
 7(24 32 
 
 9j' 7(15 
 
 9110(13 
 
 5J J15J 9j 
 Ll'l 21131 7 
 
 39 
 
 53 
 
 70 
 
 55 
 
 59 
 
 75 
 
 105 
 
 155 
 
 202 
 
 7| 2(201 
 7J 3(294 
 6 7(267 
 6(7 (307 
 
 41 1 
 
 8| 4 
 
 10J 2 
 
 51 3 
 
 24 
 
 12 
 
 131 6 
 
 10] 2 
 14 
 
 10 
 
 6j 1 
 6| 1 
 
 (288 
 164 
 157 
 144 
 162 
 161 
 180 
 179 
 
 6| 3| 2(148 
 12 4| 1(160 
 4j 7| 2|275 
 6 6 2J300 
 1|290 
 
 20(13(10 
 
 45(11 2|19| 9| 2(319 
 
 3| 9| (21) 9| 4(270 
 
 9|15|- 9| 51 2(252 
 
 143|ll|12|31|12 (371 
 
 22| 7| -3(331111 3(378 
 
 12( 2| |38|10| 3(350 
 
 33 j 6| 3|12|25| (355 
 
 I 71 1|15|13( 5(328 
 
 2|10| (16(29 
 
 34| 7| 2| 5 
 
 I 7 ! I 16 , 
 
 9|13| 7|16|26 
 
 2| 9| 3 9(15 
 
 41 21 3115! 
 
 3(298 
 1(333 
 2(318 
 2(300 
 3|282 
 3(306 
 
 62|27| 51 9 91 41342 
 
 1503.00 
 
 52.00 
 
 93.00 
 
 1528.45|114.75 
 1500.00 78.23 
 1500.00| 30.00 
 1087.54|196,88|184.00| 41.55 
 
 75.00 
 
 63.00 
 
 60.00 
 
 2.00 
 3.00 
 
 3.00 
 3.00 
 4.00 
 3.00 
 3.00 
 2.00 1 
 
 1.65 
 
 88.00 
 
 2.00 
 3.00 
 
 3.00 
 3.00 
 4.00 
 3.00 
 3.00 
 2.00 
 
 75.00 
 1.65 
 
 G3.00 
 
 1703.00 
 
 1000.00 190.04 
 1213.75J118.60 
 
 100.00] 
 
 28.40(1671.60 
 69.68 1740.91 
 2.00(11532.00 
 150'9.97 
 1293.04 
 
 3.00 
 
 96.65(669.00(2098.00 
 1108.49|114.51|116.71| 65.66 1405.37 
 1047.06|252.80H08.00|169.35|1577.21 
 1169.00|197:24|107.00J 31.00 1504.14 
 
 1097.00(128.13 
 1183.00J249.03| 79.25 
 1000.00J376.22| 75.00| 
 1076.00|171.33|100.00| 
 1100.00| 78.55 
 
 98.00| (1323.13 
 
 89.50(1600.78 
 1451.22 
 3.00(1350.33 
 3.00|1279.05 
 21.9511138.29 
 
 97.50| 
 
 800.00|193.95|122.39| 
 
 800.00|296.87| 89.22|179.00|1423.84 
 
 1753.33I165.15|105.53|229.50|2253.51 
 
101 
 
 1895 
 
 69 
 10 
 18 
 
 50 
 
 11 
 8 
 15 
 16 
 19 
 21 
 3 
 54 
 112 
 15 
 20 
 56 
 60 
 
 4 
 
 8 
 
 u; 
 
 23 
 15 
 
 10 
 21 
 12 
 
 ;:i 
 8 
 10 
 15 
 44 
 25 
 17 
 U 
 5 
 28 
 
 17 
 1 
 2 
 
 10 
 
 2 
 5 
 5 
 
 3 
 1 
 
 22 
 
 11 
 5 
 
 10 
 11 
 
 14 
 3 
 10 
 21 
 1C, 
 15 
 
 16 
 
 11 
 15 
 
 20 
 1!) 
 12 
 25 
 15 
 15 
 12 
 21 
 
 9 
 
 4 
 6 
 
 7 
 
 11 
 
 10 
 
 2<; 
 
 3 
 12 
 
 10 
 
 1 
 
 28 
 
 5 
 1 
 3 
 3 
 
 7 
 2 
 7 
 6 
 
 5 
 6 
 7 
 9 
 6 
 7 
 4 
 5 
 
 404 
 
 418 
 450 
 503 
 489 
 485 
 498 
 482 
 519 
 534 
 526 
 519 
 514 
 624 
 634 
 665 
 699 
 693 
 
 1598.S6 
 2316.15 
 
 1600.00 
 1693.00' 
 1738.00 
 1740.00 
 1890.62 
 '2002.40 
 2285.37 
 5868.38 
 6168.00 
 6800.00' 
 3170.15 
 3233.78 
 5627.80 
 7439.74 
 4407.39 
 4174.02 
 
 79.50 
 182.69 
 139.71 
 
 420.79 
 229.05 
 243.98 
 261.50 
 881.36 
 307.24 
 285.29 
 147.75 
 315.21 
 307.35 
 552.36 
 555.18 
 555.33 
 557.74 
 866.66 
 
 120.36 
 134.50 
 124.95 
 101.27 
 106.00 
 125.00 
 183.59 
 150.83 
 179.00 
 145.47 
 191.00 
 147.12 
 250.00 
 450.00 
 516.36 
 450.00 
 450.00 
 275.00 
 
 43.20 
 454.00 
 238.65 
 930.10 
 641.50 
 280.37 
 4.00 
 529.00 
 40.00 
 23.70 
 35.00 
 118.82 
 56.75 
 295.77 
 307.51 
 172.91 
 435.56 
 1863.9 
 
 1841.92 
 3087.34 
 2103.31 
 3145.16 
 2714.65 
 2389.35 
 2339.71 
 3163.59 
 2811.61 
 6322.84 
 6541.75 
 7381.15 
 3784.25 
 4531.91 
 7006.85 
 8617.98 
 5850.29 
 ) 7179.67 
 
 1896 
 
 1897 
 
 1898 
 
 1899 
 
 1900 
 
 1901 
 
 1902 
 
 1903 
 
 1904 
 
 1905 
 
 190G 
 
 1907 -. 
 
 1908 
 
 1909 
 
 1910 
 
 1911 
 
 1912 
 
 
 
 
 
 -W9 
 * ~ 
 
 w . S 
 
 P 1 <e> en oo P 
 to co -a to oo 
 t>s oo -q 01 (Si 
 
 k 10 O J- 1 
 
 I O O -J O OJ 
 > CO -J O -3 3 
 
 I-* i 
 
 >* CO C5 tO -31- 
 t- 1 O? -~1 -J CO C 
 i) ( -1 -3 C 
 
 Constituents. 
 
 At the last moment some valuable 
 information has come to the Commit- 
 tee, and also a picture from which we 
 are able to present another constituent 
 member with her history. Samuel 
 Brumley, a constituent member, was 
 born November 1st, 1797, and died 
 January 19, 1950. December 1th, 1817, 
 he was married to Eliza C. Hodges, 
 who was born September 18th, 1798. 
 She also was a constituent member. 
 They were the parents of seven sons, 
 and five daughters, all of whom lived 
 to adult age. They came from Shel- 
 by county, Ky., to Champaign, Illinois, 
 in November, 1830. John R. Brumley, 
 another constituent memebr, was born 
 October 12th, 1824. He was a son of 
 Samuel and Eliza Brumley. He died 
 August 26th, 1853. Elizabeth (Lee) 
 Truman, another constituent member, 
 was born November 30th, 1796, and 
 married John Truman, December 22nd, 
 1818, and died Miarch 1st, 1855. She 
 was the mother of four sons, and six 
 daughters, all of whom were grown, 
 
 and survived their mother's death. 
 The names of these original members 
 may be seen with others on page 4. 
 
 Mrs. Eliza C. Brumley. 
 
102 
 
 Rev. S. F. Gleason 
 
 ' 'Tis hard to lay into the earth 
 A countenance so benign! a form that walked 
 But yesterday so stately o'er the earth." 
 
 The Rev. S. F. Gleason was never 
 a member of the Urbana Baptist 
 church, but was always a welcome 
 guest in its homes, and gladly heard 
 as a preacher in its pulpit. It was 
 through his orderly habits of pre- 
 serving minutes, and other documents 
 of the Bloomfield Association, that 
 the Historical Committee have been 
 able to make as good a record as we 
 present in this volume. Your Com- 
 mittee delights to honor the charac- 
 ter of such a man, and perpetuate 
 his memory, by making permanent 
 his picture, and adding this bri^f 
 record of our appreciation. Mrs. S. 
 F. Gleason was very kind, and willing 
 
 to part with these accumulations of 
 long years, in order that they might 
 serve the cause she loves as dearly as 
 her honored husband loved it. 
 
 Your Committee has secured these 
 Minutes with the understanding that 
 they are to be bound in some practi- 
 cal way so that the separate copies 
 may not be lost, and they are to be 
 kept with the archives of the Urbana 
 church, where they may be consulted 
 by any historian seeking to write on 
 any subject which they may aid. 
 Brother Gleason was Secretary of 
 State Convention for 23 consecutive 
 years. He has been loved, and greatly 
 honored by his brethren. He has been 
 Moderator of the Bloomfield Associa- 
 tion 21 years, as follows: 1871, 1873, 
 1883-1895, 1897-1902. 
 
 He was clerk of the Bloomfield as- 
 sociation for four years, as follows: 
 1874, 1875, 1881, 1882. He was ap- 
 pointed, and preached the introduc- 
 tory sermon 1872, 1877, 1888. As 
 Moderator, his rulings were never 
 disputed, and his appointments of 
 Committees always very satisfactory. 
 His influence will live 'as long as 
 any remain who knew him personal- 
 ly and the Committee hopes this hum- 
 ble tribute to his careful habits, and 
 sweet spirit may be perpetuated 
 wherever, and whenever this book is 
 read. He held the Pastorate of the 
 Mahomet church for 18 years and 
 again a second pastorate in Mahomet 
 for three years, and at Gifford, 111., for 
 10 years. He was born January 1, 
 1839. Ordained June 10, 1865. Died, 
 Sept. 25th, 1905. 
 
103 
 
 D. L. Scroggins. Assistant Supt. 
 
 D. L. Scroggins, Assistant Superin- 
 tendent, should be on page 67, side by 
 side with C. W. Richards. He is a 
 regular attendant upon all services of 
 the church and makes a specialty o* 
 Sunday school work. 
 
 R. S. Kirkland 
 Evangelist. 
 
 Rev. R. S. Kirkland, an evangelist, 
 is a member with us, and owns prop- 
 erty here, and is educating his family 
 here. This is his headquarters and 
 
 he frequently returns and takes part 
 in our meetings and reports his work 
 from the various fields where he la- 
 bors. He is a man of very deep con- 
 victions and deals with the truth from 
 the radical standpoint. He is away 
 most of the year holding meetings 
 with pastors and unions. He and 
 Professor Leonard led an evangelistic 
 campaign in the home church a short 
 while ago. 
 
 F. F. Leonard. 
 
 Evangelistic Singer. 
 
 Prof. F. F. Leonard, an evangelis- 
 tic singer, is a member of our church 
 and makes his headquarters in Ur- 
 bana, while he goes all over the 
 country singing, and oftimes preach- 
 ing the Gospel. He can conduct his 
 own meeting, doing preaching, or 
 singing, or both. It is always a pleas- 
 ure to have him return home, and join 
 in our church services. Our people 
 
104 
 
 are very fond of his singing, and 
 leadership. His delightful family are 
 members with us and take full part in 
 our work. 
 
 B. S. Lanham. 
 
 MYRA SILVERS FUND. 
 
 October 6th, 1909, the trustees re- 
 ported the gift of $300 by Miss Myra 
 Silvers, which has been kept as a 
 sort of Music Fund. This fund ought 
 to be greatly increased by additions of 
 larger or smaller sums on the part of 
 those who appreciate good music. 
 
 It is very desirable that this fund 
 should be increased to a sufficiently 
 large sum that the income will furnish 
 our choir with plenty of new music, 
 as they may need it. The Trustees 
 will accept any bequest, large o- 
 small, if designated for this fund and 
 hold it in trust to the memory of Miss 
 Myra Silver. 
 
 Mrs. Eliza W. Silver, who died in 
 1863, was one of the oldest members. 
 Her son, Wallace Silver, still sur- 
 vives. 
 
 Miss Myra Silver. 
 
 B. S. Lanham was the custodian of 
 Incidental funds for many years in the 
 church during that period when the 
 church elected two Treasurers. 
 
 Brother Lanham was elected fre- 
 quently before and after Deacon Dud- 
 ley McClain died. The latter ha-3 
 been very deeply interested in this 
 part of the finance of the church anc, 
 very commendably had started e trus* 
 fund for that purpose. At the funeral 
 of Deacon Dudley McClain his spe- 
 cial fund was increased to $400.00 and 
 a mortgage was paid, and the iun: 1 
 ceased. 
 
 December 31, 1880, the church be- 
 gan to elect a single Treasurer and B 
 S. Lanham was elscted as the first 
 single treasurer. 
 
 He was also a regular attendant at 
 Prayer and Business Meetings, and 
 enjoyed the revival meetings, and 
 baptismal services. 
 
105 
 
 Farther Lights. 
 
 Monday night, August 25th, 1913, a 
 company of the young girls of the 
 church, met in the Parsonage, and or- 
 ganized a young girls' Missionary so- 
 ciety, and adopted the name given 
 above. Miss Elizabeth Webber was 
 elected president, Miss Margaret Cof- 
 fey, 1st Vice President, Miss Maud 
 Snyder, 2nd Vice President, Miss 
 Bessie Winchester, 3rd Vice President, 
 Miss Helen Freeman, 4th Vice Presi- 
 dent, Miss Esther Condit, Secretary, 
 and Miss Ella Zipprodt, Treasurer. 
 These Vice Presidents are at the 
 head of the various committees. The 
 Society will meet on the First Tues- 
 day in every month at 7:30 in the 
 Parsonage. 
 
 OFFICIAL DIRECTORY 
 
 Pastor Rev. G. M. Shott, D.D. 
 
 Moderator j. s. Hall 
 
 Clerk Horace B. Ingalls 
 
 Treasurer.... ....E. M. Knowlton 
 
 DEACONS 
 
 President H. P. Stinespring 
 
 Clerk Ed. Lanham 
 
 E. P. Barnhart. W. I. Roberts. 
 
 L. A. McLean. Hiram Jones. 
 
 E. T. Strong. J. S. Hall. 
 
 W. L. Bennett. 
 
 M'CLAIN-BUSEY FUND. 
 
 Deacon Dudley McClain had charge 
 of the incidental funds of the church 
 till he became thoroughly interested 
 in it, and began accumulating a fund 
 which was to be known as the Mc- 
 Clain-Busey fund for incidentals, tie 
 church agreeing to keep the fund up 
 to Three Hundred Dollars. On the TRUSTEES 
 
 day of Deacon McClain's funeral the President F. C. Hubbard 
 
 church paid a debt of $400.00 on mort- Secretary Charles J. Johnson 
 
 gage as a memorial to him. Other W. R. Barnhart. E. A. Winchester, 
 memorials should be organized for fu- George Douglass. Dr. C. D. Gulick. 
 ture contingencies. 
 
 SUNDAY SCHOOL 
 TWO NEEDS. Supt C - W - Richards 
 
 The first need of our school is that Asst Su & D - L - Scroggins 
 
 the teachers and officers shall em- 
 phasize the importance of pupils who WOMAN'S MISSION CIRCLE 
 
 are church members forming the hab- President....M rs. Leota Stinespring 
 
 it of attendance at church services. vice Pres Mrs - Catherine Hissong 
 
 The school was never intended to be 
 
 a substitute for church attendance. LADIES' EXTENSION SOCIETY 
 
 It defeats its purpose when made a President Mrs. C. L. Van Doren 
 
 substitute. The next need is a prop- 
 erly built primary building, where we YOUNG PEOPLE'S UNION 
 
 may care for all little ones in a light President S. A. Rwland 
 
 and comfortable room. Vice-President Agnes Newell 
 
106 
 
 rti. 
 
 INDEX 
 
 o 
 
 N. B. Chapter V and VI are misplaced, and the mistake was not discovered 
 till too late to correct it. This in nowise interferes with the continuity of the 
 history. 
 
 CHAPTER I. Pages 1-2. 
 
 Aboriginal Hisiory. Organization of First Church in the State. Indians. 
 Pottawotamies and Kickapoos. 
 
 CHAPTER II. Pages 3-12. 
 
 Original History. Organization of First Church, Urbana. Elder Isaac 
 Newell. Original 13. Mrs. Matilda Bryant. J. T. Roe. Mathias Rinehart. Log 
 School House. Rev. D. S. French, D.D. James Myers. James Busey. William 
 Gill. Dudley McClain. J. M. Everett. Edward Ater. Robert Slater. G. W. 
 Riley. Mrs. Bethire Riley. 
 
 CHAPTER III. Pages 12-22. 
 
 Median History. Elder D. F. Carnahan. Rev. W. H. Steadman, D.D. Rev. 
 G. M. Shott. George A. Walker. Rev. E. C. Sage, Ph.D. Rev F. J. Leavitt. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. Pages 22-31. 
 
 Rev. W. W. Smith. Rev. J. W. Primm. Rev. J. F. Mills, Ph.D. Rev. M. L. 
 Rugg, D.D. Rev. J. A. Brown. Rev. R. V. Meigs. Rev. G. M. Shott, D.D. 
 Fourth quarter century. 
 
 CHAPTER V. Pages 40-50. 
 Past Membership Roll. Membership of the Past. Old Guard. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. Pages 51-57. 
 Present membership. Baptist Proportion. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. Pages 32-35. 
 Pastors. Deacons. Clerks. F. M. Snyder. License. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. Pages 36-39. 
 
 Finance. Treasurers. Trustees. E. M. Knowlton. Hospitality. Benevo- 
 lence Table. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. Pages 58-70 
 
 Meeting Houses. Dedications. Parsonages. "Mother Busey." George 
 Brash. 
 
 CHAPTER X. Pages 70-75. 
 
 Sunday School. C. W. Richards. D. L. Scroggins. Sunday School Table. 
 Organized Classes. Departments. Branch School No. 1. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. Pages 75-78. 
 Young People's Organizations. Senior. Junior. Intermediate. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. Pages 78-88. 
 
 Missions. Centennial. Herald of Hope. Rev. Edgar Woolhouse. Mrs. 
 Woolhouse. Cunningham Avenue Church. Miss Nelle Hubbard. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. Pages 88-106. 
 
 Music. Robert Slater. N. A. Riley. George M. Bennett. Pipe Organ. La- 
 dies' Extension Society. Woman's Mission Circle. Baptist Boys' Brigade. 
 Children of the King. First Church, and the University. University Baptist 
 Church. Resolutions. Indoor Baptistry. J. W. Cushman. Miss Myra Silver. 
 Mrs. Eliza Brumley. B. S. Lanham. (Should be on page 37.) Rev. R. S. 
 Kirkland. Prof. F. F. Leonard. 
 
ERRATA 
 
 Page 9 A picture of Deacon Edward Ater was found too late for a cut. 
 Page 26 Near bottom of first column read March 5, 190;?, instead of J892. 
 Page 27 Balance line should be above balance and not. below 
 
 Page 29 Near bottom of first cohim, the para&raph on page 104 concerning 
 Miss Myra Silver, should be inserted. 
 
 Page 38 In middle article, right hand column, second line, from top read 
 Eighteen hundred Dollars are pledged and most of it collected. The 
 effort will continue till the full amount is raised. In last sentence 
 Brother F. C. Hubbard wishes his name omitted and all 'lonor given 
 to God. 
 
 Page 39 Bottom of table and statistics for 1913. State, $129.02. Home, $71.85. 
 W. H. M., $75.00. Foreign, $129.67. W. F. M., $80.00. 5'ub. Soc., 
 $18.59. Education, $16.74. Min. Home, $6.97. Total, $955.40. .Add 
 this to Grand Total, which will make the following total of all Be- 
 nevolence reported for 75 years. State Missions, $1,878.68. Home, 
 $1,586.88. W. H. M., $946.69. Foreign, $3,479.02. W. F. M.. $1,023.95. 
 Pub Soc., $975.40. Education. $2,245.18. Min. Home, $191.79. Grand 
 Total, $12,327.59. 
 
 Page 42 Add Mrs. William Creech. 
 
 Page 54 Omit name of Miss Caroline Nogle, who is now Mrs. Ralph Grimes. 
 
 Page 72- Second line from top right hand column read appointed May 12, 1913. 
 
 Page 74 Year 1898 E. C. Downey was Superintendent instead of C. A. Tufts. 
 Year 1899 reads as follows: J. H. Hall. Off. and Teachers. 34. Schol- 
 ars, 348. Av. At. 225. Expenses, $10>. Co. Missions, $15.00. Total, 
 $121.00. The grand total includes thifa year. 
 
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBAN* 
 
 "VENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY HISTORY. URBAN