Untitled Document

ELEANOR.

This is the latest town platted in Warren County. It is near to the site of old Denny, which was one of the earliest settlements in the county. Eleanor was laid out by County Surveyor J. Ed. Miller December 1, 1892, on the northwest corner of the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 35, on land owned by C. P. Avenell. It consists of three blocks and a tract of land not subdivided.

The postofilee was established at Eleanor in 1882, with V, H. Torbett as postmaster, the office being transferred from Denny. The postmasters since Mr. Torbett have been: J. W. Reynolds, W. M. Rodgers, W. H. Torbett (second term), and the present incumbent, R. J. Mitchell.

Even before the town of Eleanor was platted, the question of erecting a building in which religious services could be held was agitated. As early as 1886 a meeting was held In the Iowa Central depot, at which it was virtually decided to erect such a building, to be strictly undenominational, and open to any evangelical minister who might be secured to conduct services. Active work, however, was delayed until 1894, when the Eleanor Mission was organized with officers as follows:

President, A. B. Yoho; Secretary, Robert L. Avenell; Treasurer, W. M. Rodgers; Trustees, W. H. McKinnon, J. F. Schweitzer, Thomas Clark. A neat little building was erected, 18x40 feet in size, with a tower, at a cost of near $2,000, and dedicated January 6, 1895, by President J. B. McMichael, of Monmouth College, and President J. G. Evans, of Hedding College, Abingdon. A Sabbath school was organized, and carried on regularly, and preaching was held nearly every Sabbath.

The Mission was reorganized February 12, 1898, as the Eleanor United Presbyterian church, by a commission consisting of Rev. W. T. Campbell, D. D. , and Elders James Nesbit and John A. Templeton, all of Monmouth. There were thirty-six charter members, and the ruling elders chosen were Thomas Clark, E. S. MeCleilan, R. L. Aveaell, J. C. Schweitzer, W. H. McKinnon and W. H. Torbett. The pastors of the church have been Revs. F W. Schmunk, William Brown, and the present pastor, J. E. Kerr. The membership is about 35.

Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois

Submitted by the Webmaster

Illinois Ancestors

111006BMKF