FIRST THINGS.

First settler in this vicinity (Oxford township) Probably Almeron Underwood, already here in 1837. R. D. Timberlake came in 1837.

First house—The "Lone House ;" built before 1851.

First called "Heathland"—I852.

First called "Leoti"-1855.

First called "Woodhull"—Fall, 1857, or spring, 1858.

First Sunday-school (union)-1855; Geo. Dunkle, superintendent.

First church organized (Presbyterian)—November, 1856.

First Elders—Geo. Dunkle and Jas. Barton, November, 1856

First Presbyterian minister to supply—C. B. Bristol.

First session meeting—March 31, 1857.

First teacher on Woodhull prairie—Mattie Horn (Mrs. John Billings).

First delegate to Presbytery and also to Synod—Jas. Barton, fall, 1857.

First store—By Marshall Hurd and John Billings.

First Presbytery meeting in Woodhull—Spring, 1857.

First permanent minister—Jos. H. Marshall, installed May, 1857.

First Clover schoolhouse built—i859; Summit Level, fall, 1856.

First baptism—Henry Marshall McConnell.

First marriages—Lorenzo Walters and Miss Ellen McConnell, November 24, 1857; John Billings and Miss Mattie Horn; Henry F. Creighton and Miss Mary McConnell.

First church trustees (Presbyterian)—D. V. Thompson, Wm. D. Stitt, James Barton, January, 1865; for one year.

First church building commenced (Presbyterian)—Summer, 1865.

First Presbyterian Sunday-school superintendent—Julius Tower.

First church dedicated (Presbyterian)—September 16, 1866.

First communion service in first church—September 3o, 1866.

First member received into first church—Nancy Knox (Mrs. J. W. Shetler.)

First Sunday-school foreign missionary offering—Twelve dollars, October 13, 1867.

First wedding in first church—Julius Tower and Miss Ella E. Gamble, December 31, 1866.

First funeral in first church—Infant of Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Elder, November 16, 1867 .

First adult funeral in first church—Mrs. Edna Pritchard, December 13, 1867 .

First woman to pray in public (in Rock River Presbytery, perhaps in Illinois )--Mrs. W. C. Magner.

First marriage in first church—John Cox and Miss Mary Magner.

First baptisms in first church—Fanny Gamble (Mrs. L. E. Pritchard) and Carrie Overstreet (Mrs. Wm. Doyle.)

First chorister—Samuel W. Johnson, 1866.

First Organist—Probably Frances Grow (Mrs. Hardy), 1868.

First train through Woodhull—January, 1869.

First deacons elected— June 7, 1869 .

First delegate to general assembly of the Presbyterian church--D. V. Thompson, spring, 1870.

First manse purchased-1872.

First missionary society organized— January 8, 1874 .

First funeral in present church—Mrs. Anna Howell, February 1 1886.

First Y. P. S. C. E. organized— October 21, 1886 .

First junior society organized— February 18, 1894

 

 

The History of Henry County

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Illinois Ancestors