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CEMETERIES.
By J. R. Gorin, Esq.
The
stockholders of the Cemetery Association, in Decatur,
organized under the general law of the State, on the
27th day of March, A. D. 1857, by electing William
Martin, Sr., president, Nathan W. Tupper,
treasurer, and John Ricketts, David L. Allen
and Daniel C. Lockwood, directors. The name
given to the Association, and by which it is designated,
is "The Decatur Greenwood Cemetery."
The Cemetery is situated south of and adjoining the
city. Since the organization in 1857, the grounds
have been tasteful laid out, and many who have purchased
lots have ornamented them, and fitted them up in a style
which makes the place look cheerful and attractive.
The grounds have become quite a resort for the citizens,
especially for those who have friends buried there.
For the present beautiful arrangement of the grounds,
and the improvements made thereon, we are largely
indebted to Hon. Henry Prather, deceased, who
was, at the hour of his death, and had been, for several
years previous, president of the Association, and who
devoted a great deal of his time devising means to
beautify and adorn the grounds, and make them more
attractive. The grounds are still being beautified
under the present management. Alexander T. Hill,
president; Wm. L. Hammer, John Ullrich and
Henry B. Durfee, directors, and J. R. Gorin,
secretary treasurer.
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VINEYARDS.
By Theodore Hildebrandt, Esq.
The choicest
and most grateful of all fruits, the Grape, is grown
here quite extensively. Ever since its
introduction from Asia into Europe, it has kept pace
with civilization. There are about 300 acres in
cultivation, 150 of which are in bearing, and the
business has been very remunerative to vineyardists.
Of the 300,00 vines grown, one-half are Concords,
one-quarter Cataw
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ba's and the rest the various kinds, such as Delaware,
Roger's Hybrids, Iona, Clinton and innumerable new
varieties put into the market annually by
Horticulturists. The yield of wine in 1870 was
about 500 barrels, one-half of which was made by the
Decatur Wine Company, whose product compares favorably
with that of older makers in older wine districts.
The time is not far distant when Central Illinois will
not be compelled to import wine from other States and
countries, but will largely export, and give to our
people a good wine as cheap as the poor people of the
old countries get it. There are yet hundreds of
acres of fine river bluff lands in the vicinity of
Decatur, well adapted to the growth of the Grape, which
can be bought very cheap. The soil of these bluff
lands is peculiarly rich, and just such as the
vineyardist always looks for but seldom finds, and only
awaits the labor of experienced men and a little capital
to give hundreds remunerative employment and pleasant
homes.
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FAIR
GROUNDS.
By O. Bramble, Esq.
The Decatur
Fair Grounds, situated one-half mile south of the city
limits, were first laid out in 1857, by a stock company,
and most of the present improvements were made while
under its control. In 1868 the grounds, were given
to Macon county. They have an area of forty acres,
the entire grounds being a natural grove, cleared only
sufficient to make room for the necessary buildings and
sheds, and affords shade of unusual beauty and extent.
An eight foot tight board fence encloses the grounds.
There are six springs within the enclosure, which
furnish water to an unlimited extent and of the best
quality. The principal buildings consist of a
large amphitheatre that has accommodations for 5,000
persons; Farm Product Hall, 40x100; Mechanical and
Industrial Hall, 40x60; A Fine Art Hall, (octagon.) 40
ft.; Cattle Stall accommodations for nearly 500; also
Pens for 500 Hogs.
The Illinois State Fairs have been held here for the
years 1863-64, and 1869-70.
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These grounds are thought, by all who have visited
them, the most beautiful and bet for fair purposes of
any in the United States, and considered by most of the
patrons of our State Fair, as an appropriate place for
its permanent location.
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PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND
SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS.
LADIES LIBRARY ASSOCIATION
This
organization, as indicated above, is under the exclusive
management of the ladies of the city. It is in a
flourishing condition, and is considered one of the best
and most permanent institutions of the place.
Besides opening to the public an excellent circulating
library, this association is the organized medium for
securing lectures from abroad.
The Circulating Library is open every Saturday, from 1
o'clock until 5 o'clock P. M., for exchange of books.
Any person may become a life member on the payment of
$3. And any member shall be entitled to all the
privileges of the Association.
THE CONCORDIA CLUB.
Such is the
name of an association existing in our city. Its
purposes are the promotion of the literary and social
amusements. It was founded in the fall of 1868, by
a few of the most prominent German citizens, and
although at first intended exclusively for Germans, it
has become so popular, and the influence has been so
strong, as to change the programme materially, and the
Club counts amongst its members, not only the prominent
Germans, but some of the most prominent of Americans.
The Germans' social spirit, aided by the advanced ideas
of their American fellow citizens, have established the
Association upon the most permanent footing, socially as
well as financially.
The Club Room offers entertainments for lovers of
tragedy or comedy, lovers of music, or those that desire
the more retired pastime of reading. Newspapers
and periodicals from abroad, as also the most prominent
literary journals of the country, are
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kept; while the singing club, although as yet in its
infancy, offers much towards the fulfillment of the most
sanguine expectations. The instrumental
entertainments, presided over by the accomplished
Prof. Goodman, are all that can be desired.
The association truly deserved the support of all
liberal minded citizens, and we bespeak for it a happy
and prosperous future.
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CHURCHES.
BAPTIST.
First. - Was
constituted September 14, 1843, with twelve members.
The successive pastors have been: H. W. Dodge,
Moses Lemen, B. Carpenter, C. H. Gates, N. Alvord, J. N.
Tolman, B. F. Thomas, S. G. Miner, F. M. Ellis, F. G.
Thearle and S. F. Holt. The present
nmber of members is 180. The Sunday School has 200
members: Geo. F. Wessels, Superintendent.
Their house of worship, a brick edifice, sixty feet by
forty, on the north-east corner of Water and William
streets, was dedicated December 27, 1857. It is
expected it will soon give place to a more commodious
and elegant building, one better suited to the present
strength and tastes of the Society. The present
officers of the Church are: S. F. Holt, Pastor;
Geo. Wood, M. Y. Givler and D. Moses,
Deacons.
Rolling Mill Chapel. - Erected by the Baptist
Church in 1871, at a cost of about $2,500. Sabbath
School has 150 members; Ira Harris, Jr.,
Superintendent.
Antioch, African. - Was organized 1858, with 14
members. Has a comfortable house of worship on
South Main Street, near Bramble's Grove. At
present without a pastor.
CATHOLIC.
St. Patrick's.
- Organized 1854. Present church building erected
1863, and is a handsome brick edifice, with sittings for
about 800 persons. The interior is finished in
most excellent taste, and is very attractive.
Present Pastor, Rev. R. A. Welch. Number of
members about 300 families, or 1,500 persons.
Sunday School
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200 pupils. Parochia School, 100 scholars, under
charge of P. A. O'Brian. Theresa Academy,
under care of this church, now closed, it is expected
will be open in November, under charge of Ursaline
Sisters, of New York.
CHRISTIAN.
Organized 1833,
with 12 members. Rev. Ira Mitchel, present
Pastor. Present membership about 150. Number
scholars in Sunday School, 100; William Shocky
Superintendent. The house of worship is a plain
one, and is quite too small for present congregations.
CHURCH OF THE UNITED BRETHREN IN
CHRIST.
Organized by
Rev. James Neighbarger, A. D., 1854, with six
members. House of worship, a plain brick building,
erected in the year 1857. Corner North Main and
Cerro Gordo Streets. Valued at $3,500.
Parsonage, same block, valued at $2,000. Total,
$5,500. Present number of members of Church, 110;
number in Sabbath School, 125. L. Field,
Pastor, G. Smelsby, Treasurer. At present,
No Superintendent of Sabbath School.
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
On Prairie
Street, between Main and Water. Organized 1856; 80
members. Building and lot valued at $6,000.
Rev. S. F. Gibb, Pastor. Sunday School
organized 1856; attendance 75. Volumes in Library,
400. D. L. Bunn, Superintendent.
CHURCH OF THE UNITED BRETHREN IN
CHRIST.
Organized by
Rev. James Neighbarger, A. D. 1854, with six
members. House of worship, a plain brick building,
erected in the year 1857. Corner North Main and
Cerro Gordo Streets. Valued at $3,500.
Parsonage, same block, valued at $2,000. Total,
$5,500. Presnet number of members in Church, 110;
number in Sabbath School, 125. L. Field,
Pastor, G. Smelsby, Treasurer. At present,
no Superintendent of Sabbath School.
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
On Prairie
Street, between Main and Water. Organized 1856; 80
members. Building and lot valued at $5,000.
Rev. S. F. Gibb, Passtor. Sunday School
organized 1856; attendance 75. Volumes in Library,
400. D. L. Bunn, Superintendent.
CHURCH OF GOD.
The Church of
God, in Decatur, was organized May 1st, 1857, by
Elder A. J. Fenton and assisted by Elder John
Winebrenner, consisting of ten members. The
following year the Church erected present house of
worship at the corner of North Water and Cerro Gordo
streets. The present church has fifty members,
with Elder M. S. Newcomer as pastor. The
Sabbath school has about one hundred members.
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL.
St. Johns',
located on North Water street, near Eldorado; was
organized in 1855. Wardens, Cyril Fuller
and James Forester; Lober Burrows and William
S. Quinlan, Vestrymen; Lober Burrows,
Treasurer; Wm. S. Quinlan, Secretary.
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LUTHERAN.
German,
church building corner Wood and Edwards streets.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL.
The Methodist
Episcopal Church was organized in the year 1831.
The Rev. Ashel E. Phelps was preacher in charge
of what was then called "Salt Creek Circuit." In
1838 the name changed to "Decatur Circuit." In
1854, Decatur became a station, and Rev. Reuben
Andrus was the first stationed minister. A
small frame building situated on lot 7, block 2,
original town of Decatur, was for many years their place
of worship; this was succeeded in 1852, by a brick
edifice 40x60 on the corner of East Prairie and North
Water streets, and this by the present magnificent
edifice, 85 x 120 feet, on the northwest corner of North
Water and William streets, costing when completed
$60,000. This edifice was commenced under the
auspices of Rev. Levi C. Pitner, preacher in
charge, in 1868. The congregation worshipped for
three years (the audience room being unfinished) in the
lecture room, the completeness of the arrangement of
which for Sabbath school purposes is well worth of note.
In June, 1871, Rev. James H. Noble, preacher in
charge, a contract was made with Messrs. Mills
and Harvy for the building (except frescoing).
These gentlemen have had the entire superintendence of
the work except as above, from the foundation stone to
the top of the main spire, and have faithfully carried
out the original design to the entire satisfaction of
the officers and members of the Church, and have
elicited the praise of all who have examined their work.
The frescoing is done in a fine, artistic style, and
reflects great credit upon Mr. M. Albyer, the
painter. The main spire is 10 feet high, and the
smaller one 140 feet high. The audience room will
accommodate 1,200 persons. The whole edifice for
architectural beauty and convenience of arrangement is
not excelled by any structure of the kind in the State.
It is massive and finished in a style of magnificence
which makes it an ornament to the city, and reflects
great credit upon the contractors and the workmen
engaged in the erection. The design is by the late
O. S. Kinney, Architect, Chicago. Preacher in
charge, James H. Noble; Trustees, Wm. T.
Stamper, President; Samuel
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F. Greer, Secretary; J. R. Gorin,
Treasurer; Peter M. Wikoff, Geo. W. Baker, Dr. Enoch
W. Moore, Jno. Imboden, Wm. J. Condell and Caleb
C. Burroughs. Building Committee, John
Imboden, C. C. Burroughs and J. R. Gorin.
Present members of Church, 450; members of Sunday
School, 450; Superintendent, J. R. Gorin.
STAPP'S CHAPEL,
Organized in 1867, as Franklin M. E.
Church, with fifty members. Purchased the site and
built the present house of worship, corner Franklin and
Edwards streets, 1868, which, together with the
parsonage, cost about $35,000. It is one of the
most attractive and convenient churches in Central
Illinois, and reflects great credit upon the architect
and builders, the latter - Mills & Harry - residents of
the city. Present pastor, H. O. Hoffman.
Membership of the Church is 215. Sunday School
numbers 300; D. S. Shellenbarger, superintendent.
African - Organized 1862 with four members
present. Membership 62. A. McIntosh,
Pastor. Number of Sabbath School scholars, 50.
C. S. Jacobs, Superintendent. House of
worship is on S. Main Street, near Bramble's Grove.
German. - Situated on
Edwards, near Union. Rev. Lewis Herman,
Pastor.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN.
Organized May
1, 1852, with 12 members. Rev. Mr. Pratt,
Pastor. Successive Pastors, Rev. David Manfort,
Rev. E. W. Thayer, Rev. P. D. Young, Rev. F. M. Oviatt,
Rev. D. C. Marquis, Rev. Samuel Conn.
Present Pastor, Rev. J. E. Moffatt. Elders,
S. S. Malone, Orlando Powers, T. H. Allen, G. E.
Morehouse, J. H. Lewis, R. P. Lytle. Present
membership, 240; Sabbath School, 225. Sabbath
School Superintendent, W. T. Wells.
UNITED BRETHREN.
Corner of Main
and Cerro Gordo Streets. Rev. Mr. Fields,
Pastor.
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