Organized in 1878, The Old Settler's Association has had annual meetings for the past 88 years. Two of these meetings stand out with more prominence than others. One was the meeting of 1898, when the log cabin on the public square was raised as a Memorial to the County's pioneers. Each family bringing a log. Madison Winn being the architect and at a meeting August 25, 1898 was Master of Ceremonies. General T. J. Henderson gave the dedication address.
The other meeting of more than unusual interest was that of 1912. when the Old Settlers' Monument was dedicated. P. M. Rennick, of Peoria delivered the address. On the North side facing the Main Street is the inscription, "In memory of the pioneers of Stark County; On the west side the inscription. "In memory of Stephen A. Douglas who spoke here Oct. 5, 1858"; on the east side, is inscribed, "In Memory of Abraham Lincoln who spoke here October 6, 1858; and on the south side is the simple statement "Dedicated August 20, 1912".
This year, 1966, Joel Wright is President and William Lehman will be honored on the Stark County Old Settler's badge.
The State Bank of Toulon was established in 1903 and the Capitol Stock was fixed at $25,000. The first officers were: S. M. Adams, President; D. K. Fell, Vice President; W. W. Fuller, cashier.
In 1915, this bank reported a surplus of $25,000, Undivided profits amounting to $10,711, and deposits of $275,000. S. M. Adams was then president; R. E., Taylor, vice president; E. H. Lloyd, cashier; George Nowlan, assistant cashier.
This year, 1966, the bank shows a surplus of $250,000.00, Undivided profits of $118,248.06 and deposits on demand $3,655,308.74; time deposits of $3,001,050.71.
The present officers are: President, Earl O. Turner; Vice President. Wm. E. Turnbull; Vice President. Paul H. Walker; Cashier, Gerald C. Staples; Farm Representative and assistant cashier, Robert V. Fuhr. Directors are the following: Allen C. Hodges, Earl O. Turner, Carl W. Lehman, William E. Turnbull, Fred O. Heaton, George H. Ham, and John R. Jackson.
"MILLER'S POINT", 1839, Became Toulon in 1841
Above is an artist's conception of Main Street in Toulon in the year 1839, two years before the town existed. The drawing is the work of the late Gus Hulsizer, former editor of the Stark County Sentinel, early day newspaper, published in Toulon at the time the site was chosen for the seat of justice of Stark County in 1841. The only house upon the original plot of the town was a small cabin occupied by John Miller and his family. This cabin had been erected by Minott Silliman in the spring of 1835 and sold with the land to John Miller. The place afterward becoming known as "Miller's Point".
The first school in Toulon was taught by Elizabeth Buswell of Osceola, in the upper room of the old Court House, in 1843.
Miss Susan Gill. Miss Booth and Mr. W. W. Drummond held private school classes in their homes.
The first school in Toulon was called the "Old Brick". Located near the western line of town, facing Jefferson Street, this was a one room building, the brick being specially burned by Mr. W. B. Sweet and the lumber was hauled from the Illinois River, when the building was built in 1846.T. J. Henderson was the first teacher at the "Old Brick", Miss Booth followed him. During the summer of 1849, Miss Boyce had an independent school in the Masonic Hall when it stood near the Methodist Church, facing Henderson Street, and N. F. Atkins and wife were the first teachers in the Seminary which they occupied under contract on permission from the supervisors.
In 1860 two new frame buildings were erected in the northern and eastern borders of the town, to accomodate the growing numbers of primary scholars. This arrangement seemed to be very adequate for about ten years when the project of a new and improved school house, large enough to accomodate all grades under one roof and one principal, began to claim attention.
This school, where most of our generation had at least some of their education, was erected and ready for the school year of 1875. This two story building of brick structure was erected at a cost of $20,000 including grounds, furniture and our buildings. The building would house or seat three hundred pupils. The expense was met by a district tax, levied by the voters. The teachers this year of 1876 were Mr. Frank Mathews, Principal; Mr. Manning Hall, in the grammar school; Miss Sarah Berfield, in the intermediate; and Miss Pauline Shallenbuger and Kate Keffer in the primary department. The board of directors the same year were Mr. Benjamin Turner, Dr. Bacameister, and John Berfield.
This building was used until our present grade school was finished and moved into in 1950. The all purpose room was built in 1956 and the same year a hot lunch program was started.
In 1957 a two month kindergarten was started, now 1966, a full time kindergarten is enjoyed. This year the enrollment was 300 including the kindergarten. With twelve full time teachers and three part time.
Mr. Paul Brown, principal, conducts one of the best managed and most productive schools in the county.
TOULON FIRE DEPT.
The fire dept. was organized in the early 90's and Charles S. McKee was appointed chief a little later. A position he held until 1920, the first apparatus purchased for the use of the company was a second-hand hose reel, which was bought from the city of Galva, then came the hook and ladder truck, later Mr. McKee went to Indianapolis, Ind., and purchased a combined gas engine and hose cart from the Howe Manufacturing company of that city.
The company then, as now consisted of twenty five members.
Many changes have been made in fire fighting equipment until now Toulon has a very up to daze fire fighting unit.
The present chief is Mr. Philip Pyle with two assistant chiefs under him. First assistant Otto Paulson, second assistant Ben Parker.
FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH
Through the influence of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Noland and interested friends in the Toulon area, a Bible class was started late in 1960. Pastor Clifford C. Ecker of Bradford First Baptist Church volunteered his services to conduct these Bible Study classes on Thursday night of each week. Classes met at several different homes in Toulon and surrounding area.
In the fall of 1961 it was decided by the group to organize and start a new church at Toulon, Illinois. The Rebecca Lodge was rented and the first regular church service was held October 15, 1961. Pastor Clifford C. Ecker being the pastor from this date through May 1962. Church services were held in the Rebecca Lodge until November 26, 1961, at which time the church was moved to 223 W. Main St., second floor of the Packer Building. By December 14, 1961 a list of twelve names were secured from those who wished to be charter members of the church.
On February 9, 1962 a special, notary approved, meeting was held, with Pastor Clifford C. Ecker as chairman. At this meeting the charter members adopted as their corporate name Faith Baptist Church. Deacon-Trustees were then elected and a non-profit corporation was formed. Application was then made and the church was registered with the State of Illinois as a non-profit corporation.
On May 1, 1962 a special business meeting was held and a constitution and doctrinal statement was adopted by the church.
May 3, 1962 Pastor Lawrence Mullinax was given in invitation to be pastor of the church. He accepted this invitation and continued to serve as the pastor until October 1963.
In June 1962 the church purchased the Carol Noland property at 120 N. Olive St. to be used as a parsonage, and future lot for building a new church.
In September 1963 the church moved to 624 E. Jefferson where they met in the basement of the Robert Dustin home. Pastor Benjamin Jochums was then called to be interim Pastor until a full time man could be secured. He served in this capacity until March 1964 at which time Harold E. Eckert of Chattanooga, Tennessee accepted an invitation to come to Toulon as pastor of the church. Pastor Eckert served as pastor until January 15, 1966. Benjamin Jochums was again called to serve as interim Pastor for the church.
On April 5, 1966 ground was broken on the church property to start building a new church building. May 3, 1966 the basement and foundation were completed and construction of the upper story was in progress.
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE SOCIETY
On May 16, 1914 a meeting was held by students of Christian Science in Toulon to organize a Christian Science Society. The first Sunday church service was held in Woodman Hall on May 24, 1914. A notice of this service appeared in the Start County News. After meeting certain requirements, the Society was recognized in July of 1916 as a branch of The Mother Church in Boston, Massachusetts.
In January of 1915 the hall over Dewey's Bank was rented. Christian Science services were continued in this location until October, 1955, when the Society rented rooms in the Cobb building, located at 113 N. Washington. Services are still held there at 11 AM. each Sunday. A Christian Science Sunday School convenes in this building at the same hour.
The year 1966 marks the Centennial Year for the discovery of Christian Science by Mary Baker Eddy.
BAPTIST CHURCH
Old records of the Toulon Baptist Church reveal many interesting facts and highlights of the life of this church, which is still standing in the same location these 118 years.
Condensed here are a few facts:
The church body was organized in 1848 and affiliated with the Ill. River Assoc. The present lot was purchased for $137, and a brick building 36' x 58' was erected and officially dedicated on March 25, 1855.
Discord arose and the congregation divided; the 2nd group building a new wooden church--now the Catholic church -- and separate services were held for 9 years. Reunion came in 1877, and the new united congregation began again to labor together in the Lords work.
Early in the morning of Sept. 22, 1894, the church was struck by lightning and destroyed; walls left standing. The church immediately rebuilt. Extensive rebuilding was done in 1915, and additional improvements have been added consistently through the years.
The present parsonage was built in 1898.
Elder E. W. Hicks, pastor for 19 years, and a tireless worker, also held services in rural area; at Saxon and Stringtown; the Jug Run, Ham, Quinn, and Winans Schools. From these meetings came many members of this church. Mr. J. H. Winans organized and became Supt. of a S. S. which met in the Quinn School house for 20 years. Later when the Winans school was built, he started a S. S. there and served many years.
Early baptisms were held in Indian creek west of town; also in Spoon river, east of the former Jug Run school. The first baptistry was built in 1886. Candidates scurried across the lawn, south, to the home of Mrs. John Culbertson, for their change of clothing.
Covenant meetings were held on Saturday afternoons at stated times, and members were expected to attend. If they were negligent a few times, or were careless in church attendance, a committee was sent to call and find out why. It was not uncommon for such members to be excluded because of unchristian conduct.
Families prominent in the work of the church in the early years include Culbertson, Thompson, Stickney, Packer, Winans, Price, Hart and later Griffith, Dexter. There were other families equally important, but as space in this account is limited, it's not possible to list them.
Presently as a church family, we are especially blessed in having as our pastor, Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Anderson, now ministering in their 13th year. Together, as we look back over the years and also ahead into the future we are reminded of the words of Paul when he wrote "I count not myself to have reached perfection; but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus."
ST. JOHN'S CATHOLIC CHURCH TOULON, ILLINOIS
St. John's Catholic Church, of Toulon. dates back to 1840 for its beginning, for then the Nowlans, Drinnins and a. few other catholic families settled in the immediate neighborhood of the City of Toulon. Priests came here from Peoria and Lacon and mass was offered in the homes of the parishioners. About 1867 a mission was established at Toulon and was attended by priests from Peoria. Lacon, Bradford, Kewanee and other places for several years. On December 30, 1877, Rev. John Moore, of Peoria, offered mass in the Second Baptist Church building, this being shortly after the two Baptist churches in Toulon had consolidated, and on March 1878 the present church building was purchased from the Trustees of the Baptist Church. For many years St. John's Catholic Church of Toulon was a mission of St. John's Catholic Church of Galva. From 1923 to the present time it has been a mission of St. Dominic's Catholic Church, of Wyoming, and has been attended by the following named pastors: Rev. James M. Fitzgerald, 1923-1941; Rev. Edmund J. Bratkowski, 1941-1962; and Rev. Bernard Dempsey, the present pastor since 1962.
THE METHODIST CHURCH
As early as 1835 Methodism was introduced in Stark County by a missionary sent out from Peoria by Bishop Morris. He made arrangements to organize a Class to meet in Adam Perry's home in the Essex settlement. It was transferred in 1841 to the cabin of Caleb P. Flint within a mile south of Toulon and a year later to the home of Jacob Prior in the village. Here in Mr. Prior's cabin Brother Wollascroft, the circuit preacher; led the singing and preached.
Beginning April, 1844, the Class met in the Court House where the first Quarterly Conference was held. It was decided in 1853 to build a church and within a year a new frame building was erected a block north of the present church at the cost of $2,000. By this time the church had resident pastors, the Reverend Lazenby being the pastor in charge. During the next 31 years the Methodists worshipped in this building.
Under the leadership of the Reverend W. W. Carr a new church was built in 1885 on the site of the present church. The trustees were H. Shivers, W. B, Nelson,, J. DeMuth, Martin Rist, J. B. Cooley, W. O. Norton, Dr. T. Bacmeister, O. Brace, and D. Tinlin. The last three named were appointed on the building committee. The building which cost $7,000 was dedicated Dec. 13. 1885. The architecture of the new church was traditional with a high spire and high backed,, straight pews, some of which were cushioned by families who sat in them every Sunday. Mrs. Stewart had a special chair below and beside the pulpit where she sat in dignity with her ear trumpet.
In 1920 a committee composed of J. W. Sundquist, A. E. Sundquist, P. E. Cole, Clyde Shults, and Frank Martin, was empowered to build a new church. The pastor was the Reverend Fletcher DeClark. July 24, 1921, the new building was dedicated. Then came the depression. By 1938 the building debt was removed. The present church has been the scene of two anniversaries. The ninetieth was when the Reverend D. J. Geach was the minister. The Reverend R. T. Ballew, a former pastor, 1909-1914, was the speaker. In 1941 the Hundredth Anniversary was celebrated during the pastorate of the Reverend W. F. Powell.
During the past 25 years the church has continued to grow and has undertaken various tasks relative to spiritual growth and improvement of church facilities. The pastoral leadership of this period was given by P. Henry Lotz, Melvin Beger. E. B. Morton, William Howard Baker, John H. Curtis and Joseph Martin, during whose ministry the One Hundred Twenty-fifth anniversary is being observed. The real history of a church should be more than an account of buildings, but of the people who are the church and whose activities keep it alive. It is to be hoped that the next 75 years will see increased spiritual growth and a greater application of Christian principles to the life of this community.
HISTORY OF THE TOULON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
On November 29, 1966, the Toulon Congregational Church will be 120 years old, as a fully organized church. Previous to formal organization there was a group, properly called a Congregational Society, meeting at or near Toulon contemporary with the Methodist classes meeting in and about this area. This church owes its existence to the labours of a Home Missionary Pastor from the East. the Rev. S. G. Wright, a relative of the Wright family who made their home in Toulon. This church is fortunate in its singularly complete record of its history
as the Clerk's books still in use today contains the minutes of every business meeting from the November 29, 1846 organization meeting up to the present time, duly signed by the Pastor or Clerk or both. This record is supplemented by the journal kept by Rev. Wright of his busy labours, his trials and tribulations, as he preached here and there, at various points in Stark County and outlying points.
From 1840 on, he had preaching appointments here or near here and from 1843 on he makes record of regular preaching appointments with the group at Toulon held either at the Court House or at the homes of members. In 1842 he preached 170 sermons and traveled 2,166 miles; In 1843, 200 sermons and 2,353 miles; in 1844, 180 sermons and 3,103 miles; and all these miles were covered on horseback or by wagon. His salary from the Home Missionary Society averaged about $300 per year and this sum was eked out by products from a few acres of land that he bought and farmed himself. So all this tremendous amount of labour was accomplished at the cost of personal discomfort and self denial to himself and his family that would appall the people of today.
A few extracts from his journal give a better idea of his life of toil and self-sacrifice in these pioneer days when our midwest area was more frontier than anything else:
"Dec. 24, 1841 - Started for Walnut Creek; there had been a great rain, the Creek was swimming; -- had much difficulty in crossing the branch above Trickle's Mill; had to break ice for nearly an hour, and to go around by Frakers Grove in order to get to the bridge below Centreville; preached at Mr. Foster's Friday evening, etc. ----
In one occasion, returning from Princeville, he writes -
"Jan. 17th, 1842 - On my way back, found Spoon River over its banks, for a quarter of a mile or more, and the ice too thick to break; went back to Rochester" (Rochester was near the Peoria County line) "and made out to cross the River".
Again, he writes sorrowfully -
"Jan. 31st, 1842 — Find I have attended evening meetings for ten successive nights; feel the need of rest; can't bear everything, though I should love to hold meetings seven times a week while I live."
After a trip to Farmington, still in 1842, he writes -
"Nov. 30th - The country is fast filling up; where six years ago everything was in a state of nature, as far as the eye could see, now farms are seen in all directions and many little towns are springing up. Preached five times at Swan Creek."
So the journal runs on and on as he tells of his labours, funerals, sickness among the settlers, his own family and himself sick with fever, as he tries to help others, his house so cold the ink freezes in his pen as he writes. Then on Nov. 6th, 1846. he writes of a plan to organize a Congregational Church at Toulon, on the last Sabbath of the month. The following is the entry that tells of this event.
The first record in the Clerk's book of the new church reaffirms the above entry. It is to the seven members of the Rhodes family, of this group of nine, that the window back of the choir loft in the present church is dedicated, the gift of their descendants. The other two members were Mr. and Mrs. Giles C. Dana, who moved away from the community at an early date. Slowly, very slowly, grew the little church, at first under the patient leadership of this Rev. Wright, who became its first Pastor. The country was new its people were poor, but out of their little, they gave, and by 1849 it seemed to be quite firmly established, strong enough to erect the first church edifice, of any denomination, in Stark County. On Dec. 13, 1851, the first meeting was held in this new building. It was unpainted; the stone foundation was incomplete and since some of these early settlers let their hogs run at large these hogs gathered under the building and accompanied the services with their grunts and squeals, to the delight of the children; the walls had only one coat of plaster; and the room was furnished with rough boards and planks on supports for seating."Dec. 1st - On Sabbath (Nov. 29th) Brother Park was with me at Toulon and we organized a church of nine members. It was a solemn time. The house was full and I hope a good impression was made."
In 1855, Rev. Wright. feeling the church was now firmly on its feet, resigned that he might go on with his missionary work, in the area to the Northwest, and Rev. K. C. Dunn succeeded him. The twelve years he spent here were much like those of Rev. Wright. Both men were deeply interested in everything for the good of the community, in roads, bringing the dirt road in, public works, schools, literary matters, and above all in the abolition of slavery. Indeed it was the preaching against slavery that held back the growth of the little church in its earliest days, but by and by ideas changed, of course. This kind and gentle Rev. Dunn resigned, due to ill health, and he is buried here in our Toulon cemetery. It is to him that the window on the west wall of the present church sanctuary is dedicated, the gift of his family.
In the 1860's, this church knew all the griefs and burdens of the Civil War. At one time, there was not a single able-bodied man left in the congregation. All were in the battle lines. Judge W. W. Wright I, father of W. W. Wright II, and grandfather of the present Joel Wright living here now, was a captain in this War. It is in memory of Judge W. W. Wright I and his brother-in-law, Rev. R. L. McCord, the third pastor of this church, beloved Christians of this church, that the window on the north wall of the sanctuary is dedicated, by his family.
After the war, there were quiet, peaceful years and the church grew year after year, not by
leaps and bounds, but gradually. By and by its members felt they needed more room for its various activities and the second church building came into being, a comfortable, pictureque, frame building. This building was dedicated January 3, 1884.
The church continued to grow and then suddenly a great calamity came about. Early Sunday morning, March 2, 1913, the church building, with all furniture, fixtures and contents was completely destroyed by fire. This was, perhaps, the most spectacular fire that ever occurred in Toulon. The night was bitterly cold, the thermometer below zero, while a strong wind was blowing from the northwest, carrying blazing masses of burning material all over town. Thus the old frame church, home of so many precious memories, disappeared. However its broken hearted members gathered up their courage and in a short time, committees were appointed and plans were underway, in spite of their pastorless condition, to build a new church. The present beautiful brick structure, suited to various kinds of work, with pipe organ and lovely memorial windows of colored glass was dedicated October 15, 1914.
The night was stormy and roads all but impassable (no paved roads then) with thunder, light-ning and rain, but all available seats were filled and many had to stand. The speaker of the evening was Dr. Harry P. Dewey, noted Congregationalist, brother of our Charles P. Dewey, living here in town.
In the days, while the new building was being built, there were rumors of a possible war; then World War I struck, followed by the greatest economic depression of all time; and World War II soon after that. These three events were profoundly discouraging to this church and all its sister churches here in Toulon, but all came through. So now after the celebration of three great anniversaries, the 50th, 75th and 100th, the First Congregational Church of Toulon looks forward to its 120th birthday, November 29, 1966, with the courage born of experience, with many adversities in the past, to passing this institution on to those who come after, "not less but greater".
EASTERN STAR
Toulon Chapter No. 10, Order of the Eastern Star was organized under a charter dated February 17, 1871 issued by the Supreme Grand Lodge of New York, where all the early Eastern Star Chapters received their authority.
The charter and records of the chapter were burned in the fire of May 17, 1877, which destroyed the Masonic Hall, and on October 2, 1S77, a new chapter was obtained from the Grand Chapter of Illinois. In 1915 the Chapter numbered over one hundred members. At the present rime we have around two hundred members. Our chapter is proud to have twelve 50-year members, forty three Past Matrons, fourteen Past Patrons, and tour Grand Lecturers.
One of our Past Matrons, Kathryn Lowman Brace, served our Chapter from 1921 to 1957 as Secretary.
TOULON WOMAN'S CLUB
The Toulon Woman's Club was organized November 2, 1878. Ten ladies signed the first constitution Mrs. E. H. Shallenberger, Stella Walker, Ruth A. Turner, Harriet M. Blair, Eliza Lyon, Emily Hall, Carrie Rhodes, Lois Baldwin, Miss Sarah Berfield. and Miss Sarah Turner.
The club grew in members. In 1951 the Delphian Club (which had organized in 1921) joined the Woman's Club. These ladies felt they could better maintain the high standards of their club with more members and present more intellectual programs. Still later the Amateur Music Club (organized in 1919 under Miss Irene Nowlan) joined the Woman's Club as a Music department.
The Woman's Club has since added two more departments, the Garden and the Literary.
The membership is open to any woman in the community.
The Toulon Woman s Club sends students to Music Camp, Conservation and Art Camp, each year, cares and plants flowers in front of the State Bank, planted a tree in the Court Yard and promotes other projects in our town.
The club is federated with County, District, State, and Nation.
The 1965-1966 President was Mrs. Leslie (Cleora) Milburn. The 1966-1967 President is Mrs. Willard (Martha) Price.
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