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Source:
PAST AND PRESENT
of WARREN COUNTY, ILLINOIS

Published Chicago: H. F. Kett & Co.,
Cor. 5th Ave. and Washington St.
1877

CAMERON
Page 172

     Was laid out by Robert Cameron, Feb. 22, 1854, and was for some time known as Cameronville.  His plat included the south west part of the town lying south of the railroad.  Charles Waste laid out a portion directly eat of this, and north and west of this, across the railroad in Coldbrook township.  Quinby's addition was soon after made.
     A. B. Hawkins was the first merchant in town.  His store stood directly east of Isaac Wilson's ship in a no vacant lot.
     Owen C. Waste and Smith & Skinner of Galesburg opened stores soon after, and for some time a fine trade was engaged.  Mr. Hawkins had previously kept a store in Coldbook, but as soon as the C. B. & Q. R. R. was completed and Cameron platted he removed his store and goods to that place.  Nearly all the business of Cold Brook was brought to Cameron at this and latter dates.
     The town has always been small, but a good trade is steadily maintained.  A good number of stores and shops are now in successful operation, and enjoying a good patronage.

SCHOOLS.

     The first district school house was built south of the railroad, and was the first house erected on the village plat.  There being two districts, (the railroad being the dividing line between the township of Cold Brook and Floyd,) in 1871, these were consolidated into one, and the present two story building erected.
     It will accommodate 100 pupils, the attendance being now eighty-five.

[Pg. 175]
     This is the oldest congregation of this denomination.  It was organized in 1831.  Their earliest meetings were held in private houses and in the school house.  At this time they were at Cold Brook.
     Some of their Elders were John G. Haley, Elijah Davidson and Wm. Whitman.  Levi Hatchett, John E. Murphy and L. S. Wallace were some of the earliest ministers.
     A house of worship was built in Cold Brook in 1839.  The congregation continued to meet here until 1854 or '5 when they removed to Cameron and there erected their present church, costing about $3,000.  A portion of the congregation went near the present town of Alexis, where they have now a strong church.  About 1851 or '2 Elder R. R. Haley and Deacon John E. Murphey, with some thirty members went to Monmouth, Oregon, where they formed the nucleus of a large and flourishing congregation.  Josiah Whiteman, S. T. Sheton and Henry E. Haley were chosen to fill the offices made vacant by those removing to Oregon.
     The Cameron congregation have now aboat 125 members and sustain a Sunday school of 70 scholars.  Rev. D. D. Miller is the present pastor.

THE M. E. CHURCH.

     In the fall of 1856, ministers of this denomination commenced services in the school house, and soon thereafter organized the church.
     Some twelve or fifteen persons united.  Among them were Mr. and Mrs. Watt, Mr. and Mrs. Porterfield, Frank Morey, Benj. Tinkham, Mrs. Fox, Mrs. Gay and Mary Gay.  Rev. Fisher presided at the organization.
     In 1857, they erected their present church edifice, which is now inadequate to the wants of the congregation and will soon be replaced by a a commodious house.
     The growth of the congregation has been slow, and at no time has the membership been large.  The number now is about forty.
     The First Baptist Church at this place was organized June 30th, 1866, and its first meetings were held in the district school house with an original membership of nine persons, which has increased to sixty-five, and a Sunday school of sixty.
     The present church was built in 1869 at a cost of $3,200.  The pastors have have been the Revs. Wm. Whitehead, Jno. Bolton, W. R. Welch, E. L. Corfield and J. R. Pennington.  Their present pastor is Rev. G. D. Kent.
 

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