Pgs 412-686 - Illinois Ancestors

fifteen years, Alonzo B. Abbott mas superintendent of the Sundav
school, and Mrs. BIary E. Moody for one year.
Methodist E$iscopaZ chur.c7~, the records of which are not among
the best, dates back to the clays of Seeley's Point ancl Wall's schoolhouse.
The trustees of the church, as nainecl in "Churcl~ Iiecord,"
mere Henry Seeley, Allen Spelhnan, James Woods, C. &I. Teeter,"
Dan. Drawyer," George W. Iteed," W. P. Dntor, Robert Uo:zrdmnnall
prior to 1878. IJncler date 1878, the follo~ving are named: E. J.
Griffin, George Shalv, H. B. Harris, C. I-I. Scllermerltorn," J. 13.
Smith,* T. F. Fate, J. Boardman," D. V. Redcling," J. Wolfe,{+ Ilen1.y
Kellogg," and Carl Stagg. . The names marlted tllus ]>are alsh
served as ste~varcls fro111 1871 to close of 1578. The class-lenders were
J. B. Robertson, Allen Spellman, E. J. Griffin, J. Cl~ilds, J. 13oardrna11,
John H. Elliott, Peter Stunns, a local preacher, ant1 Jaines Wootls
exhorter. The Sunclay school superintendents in 1571 were I,. A.
Foster, E. J. Griffin, E. IJ. Norris. Subsequent appointlnents were J.
B. Smith, N. Coleman, Joseph Wolfe, ancl George H. Tllo~npson. In
1877, Pa,ul Newton and Helen Young were nppolntecl, ant1 J. B. Smith
in 1878. The pastors are named as follows: L. Webber, ISTO; 3:.
Eansom (three years), 1871 ; J. M. Murphy (t\vo years), 1574; 11. C.
Birch, 1876 to October 14, IS78 ; Jacob Dilatthews, 1878 ; W. A. Cummings,
1883; ancl J. E. Wasson, the present pastor in October, 1585.
Dr. IIunter, W. J. Minium, G. E. Wooclruff, anti T. J. Woocl officiated
at baptisms here.
The membership is fifty-five ; value of propeiaty, $4,700 ; Snndav
school scholars, ninety-eight ; voluines in library, 118. 1111875-76, tlce
present house of worship was erected at a cost of $3,500. In lS86, the
building was extensively repaired, and re-openecl August 22d by Rev.
G. W. Gue, of Peoria.
The Bajtist chtbrch dates its organization to Deceniber 12, 186'3, '
when the adjourned meeting, referred to in the sketch of the Congregational
church, was held at Braclforcl. Elder Sticlcney presented the
following articles of association : " We, tlie undersi~ned, clo inutnally
agree to form ourselves into a Baptist conference, tor the purpose of
maintaining the worship of Gocl with a view of being ~r~nizecl into a
regular Baptist church, as soon as providen tin1 circumsta~~ces shall
seem to justify its existence. J. 31. Stickney, Andrew Eritton, Eunice
Britton, Annie Prout, Christianna Ulshceffer, William F. Patt, Mrs.
Madge J. Patt, Sarah Hatch, John 11. I-Iatch, EIannah S. F~~lkerson,
John M. Jacques, C. M. Jacques, Mary Winslow, and John Winslow.
William F. Patt was chosen clerk of the conference. On January 23,
1870, Elder dtickney held the first services here. On May 1,1870, the
conference members organized the First Regular Baptist Cnurch of
Bradford,." The members, who were united immediately after organization,
were A. Blake, who died in 1875; Sister I-I. Wilcos, now at
Adele, Ia.; Washington Fullrerson ancl daughter Eunice; Olive A.
Richards ancl Mrs. Blake. J. Winslow ancl A. Eritton were elected
deacons on May 1, 18'70. The council to recognize the organization
-
* Deceased.