Memorials of Methodism in the Bounds of the Rock River Conference

: Memorials of Methodism IN THE BOUNDS OF THE ROCK RIVER CONFERENCE. BY REV. A. D. FIELD, OF THE ROCK RIVER CONFERENCE. « « CINCINNATI PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR BY CRANSTON & STOWE. 1888. Copyright BY A. D. FIELD, 1886. PREFACE. THE writer of these veracious sketches came to Illinois with his father's family, and settled in Chicago, in June, 1835. In 1839 he became ac- quainted with Methodism and Methodist preachers. Circumstances connected with the residence of family relations led him to the acquaintance with Methodist workings in many parts of the Rock River Conference from the date mentioned above. Being four years a member of Clark Street Church, and having been now (1886) over thirty-seven years a member of the Rock River Conference, there are few who have a better knowledge of the men and times than the writer. Being at the dedication of Canal Street Church in Chicago, in 1843, we took the first notes refer- ring to Western Methodism; and about 1850 we fully determined to write such a work as we now give the reader. Ever since we have been gather- ing, as we could, items for such sketches. We have received information from many sources concerning most events, and it is wonderful how much those who took part in the events differ in statements. 4 PREFACE. Out of these contradictions we have been able, in most instances, to arrive at the truth, and we think the sketches are generally correct. We append a few words of request and of ex- planation. 1. This work has been hurried through the press, under financial difficulties to be sure, if pos- sible, to get it into the hands of the few remaining early members before they are gone. The reason of this wish is, that we hope it will call forth at once corrections and additional matter. We ear- nestly request all readers to send to us at once every thing of interest they may recall concerning early societies and early workers. Be careful to give names and dates correctly. We are preparing a further work, to be mainly devoted to the life and times of the workei-s. All matters of interest illustrating the lives of such men as Jesse Walker, John Sinclair, Hooper Crews, Philo Judson, J. H. Vincent, R. A. Blanchard, Luke Hitchcock, C. H. Fowler, S. B. Beggs, B. H. Cartwright, etc., will be received with thankfulness. 2. The body of this book was written in 1865. Since then we have brought most matters briefly to date. Every fact and date up to 1865 was care- fully considered. We have not had time to be so careful concerning matters since then. We were PREFACE. 5 more anxious to preserve the earlier incidents, as the doings of later years are yet in the hands of the living, and, for the most part, already on record. 3. Our idea in the beginning was to write little concerning living men. Concerning many men, Ave began with lengthy sketches; but we soon found we must omit much intended matter to keep our pages within bounds. Some of Rock River's most noted men have done most of their work in our bounds since the body of the work was written, and, for reasons given above, have hardly been mentioned. Among them are O. H. Tiffany, Ar- thur Edwards, R. M. Hatfield, and a host of oth- ers, whom we intend, if life is spared, some time in the near future, to enshrine in the printed page. 4. Such a local work as this book is, will neces- sarily have a limited sale ; and as the money in- vested in it is needed for further publications, we trust every well-wisher will aid, by purchase and notice, the sale of this work. 5. We are sure many persons will be disap- pointed when they find how brief is the account of matters which they have learned to look upon as of great importance. Their disappointment will be just; but our apology is, we found it impossible to crowd into a volume all that ought to be said. We have purposely given most space to matters of the 6 PREFACE. early day that would be lost. A volume as large as this could be written concerning every prominent interest. If life is spared, we hope to do some of these things hereafter. We have had aid from so many, it would be difficult to mention all. The most effectual aid has come from our friend, Dr. J. H. Vincent, to whom we return most cordial thanks. If any reader shall find that his Church has not been written up in the following pages, he will please collect the early history, and forward the notes to the author. A. D. FIELD. Indianola, Warren Co., Iowa. February, 1886. } CONTENTS CHAPTER I. Introduction of Methodism into Illinois—First Appoint- ment in Rock River Bounds—Salem Mission on Fox River in 1825—Jesse Walker, Page 7. CHAPTER II. Introduction of Methodism into Galena in 1828—First Ap- pointment of the Whites in Rock River Conference—John Dew, 26. CHAPTER III. Chicago, 35. CHAPTER IV. Introduction of Methodism into Chicago 49. CHAPTER V. Chicago Methodism from 1832 to 1835—First Methodist Church built, 78. CHAPTER VI. New Circuits between 1830 and 1835—Des Plaines, Ottawa Bureau, Princeton—David Blackwell, William Royal, . 86. 8 CONTENTS. CHAPTER VII. Galena from 1830 to 1835—First Communion in Northern Illinois—First Church in Rock River Conference in 1833—H. Crews at Galena, Page 97. CHAPTER VIII. Progress of the Work from 1835 to 1840—Galena Church burns—Peter Borein in Chicago, 108. CHAPTER IX. Progress of Methodism from 1835 to 1810 continued—Week- day Appointments, 130. CHAPTER X. The Work from 1835 to 1840 continued—Buffalo Grove— J. McKean—Apple River—Moses Shunk, 141. CHAPTER XI. New Circuits from 1835 to 1840—Sycamore—Roscoe—Bel- videre—J. W. Whipple—Joliet—Plainfield, 151. CHAPTER XII. The Work from 1835 to 1840 continued—Elgin—Church built at Elgin—Rockford—Freeport, 165. CHAPTER XIII. Crystal Lake and Dixon—L. Hitchcock, 183. CHAPTER XIV. First Session of Rock River Conference in 1840—Rock River Seminary Founded, • igg^ — CONTENTS. 9 CHAPTER XV. New Circuits of 1840—Lockport—Savannah, . Page 208. CHAPTER XVI. Chicago from 1840 to 1845—Chicago becomes a Circuit Abram Hanson—Love-feast Tickets, 217. CHAPTER XVII. Review of the Work from 1840 to 1845 237. CHAPTER XVIII. The Wesleyan Secession—Rock River Conference and Slavery, 261. CHAPTER XIX. The Work from 1840 to 1845 continued—Canal Street Church—Sessions of Conference from 1841 to 1849—Iowa Conference set off, 270. CHAPTER XX. Chicago Methodism continued—New Clark Street Church built—A. R. Scranton—James Mitchell Troubles, .... 286. CHAPTER XXI. Canal and Indiana Street Churches—The Mitchell Trouble in those Churches, 305. CHAPTER XXII. New Circuits and Resume of the Work between 1845 and 1850—Fate of Second Charges—Spirit-rapping—Wilbur — 10 CONTENTS. McKaig—Which is the Oldest Society in the Rock Eiver Con- ference ? Page 321. CHAPTER XXIII. Conferences of 1850 and 1851—Bishop Hamline's Love- feast—Jesse Walker reburied at Plainfield—New Churches built—Rockford—Joliet—Other Stations and Circuits, . 347. CHAPTER XXIV. Conferences of 1852, 1853, and 1854—Speech-making Vis- itors—The German Work—The Tornado of 1860—Leading Dedicators—Last Traveling by Private Conveyance—Dr. Dempster's First Appearance, 370. CHAPTER XXV. Evanston and its Schools—Evanston founded—Dr. Demp- ster—Garrett Biblical Institute, 405. CHAPTER XXVI. The Biblical Institute and Northwestern Christian Advocate— Methodist Periodicals—Editors of Advocate—Eliza Garrett W. P. Jones's Elegy on J. V. Watson—Book Depository T. M. Eddy, 421. CHAPTER XXVII. Conferences of 1855 and 1856—Visitors—New Charges Clark Seminary—Division of Conference—Stations and Cir- cuits, 438. CHAPTER XXVIII. Conference of 1857—J. H. Vincent and Sunday-school In- stitutes, 45g_ — CONTENTS. 11 CHAPTER XXIX. Conferences of 1858 and 1859—Thomas North withdraws J. H. Vincent, Secretary—A. D. Field, Statistical Secretary Street-preaching, Page 465. CHAPTER XXX. The Conference of 1860—Free Methodist Secession, . 481. CHAPTER XXXI. Resume of the Work from 1860 to 1864—List of the De- parted 501. Memorials of Methodism IN THE BOUNDS OF THE ROCK RIVER CONFERENCE. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION OF METHODISM INTO ILLINOIS. IF there is any evil connected with such a work as this, it will be a tendency to Chnrch glori- fication ; for there is a Church egotism as well as personal self-esteem. We may make such a work the occasion of vain boasting, or we may so recount God's mercies to us as that we shall praise him the more. How little of what we have undertaken to sketch would ever have been produced had not God been with his laborers ! We of to-day, who pass the months surrounded by the pleasant influences of Christian society, with our Churches, our social meetings, our Sunday-schools, and the regular min- istrations of the Word, do not, we fear, fully appre- ciate the cost at which these privileges have been wrought out for us. The long years of toil and days of anxiety endured by our pioneer members and preachers, if fully realized by us, would cause us to prize more highly the results of those early labors, and remember with fonder solicitude the names of those early workers. And let no ruthless ! 14 MEMORIALS OF METHODISM. hand carelessly lay waste the fair fields of Method- ism, planted and watered with so many labors and tears A few years ago Judge Smith, an old settler of Indiana, in delivering lectures on the early times, speaking of the early progress of religion, said : " Had it not been for these men with their saddle- bags, on horseback, the West would have gone to barbarism." In the first settlements the Sabbath was forgotten, the Bible little read, and vices were rife.

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