In July, 1857, a congregation of this denomination of christians was formed at the rising town of Bushnell, with the following members: Henry Weiser and wife, Michael Miller and wife, George Ludwig and wife, Andrew Ludwig and wife, Henry Bertz and wife, Henry Wilmasshans and wife, Christ. Wiseman and wife and John Ewald and wife. The first minister was Rev. Peter Hehner. No sooner was the society formed than they began to look around for means with which to erect them a house of worship, and with this end in view elected the following gentlemen, a board of trustees to urge the matter: Henry Meiser, George Ludwig, Michael Miller, Andrew Ludwig and Henry Bertz. They at once set to work and before cold weather set in had the church in which they now meet, erected and finished. It is of frame, 25x40. Rev. Mr. Hehner was succeeded in the pastorate by Rev. C. Johnson, and he by Rev. John Saiser. There is now a membership of 60, in full communion, under the ministration of Rev. John C. Rapp, the present pastor, and a great good is wrought by their work in the community. The present officers are: Henry Rogers, elder; C. Nessel, deacon; C. Goeppinger, John Oblander and Frank Kramer, trustees. There is a flourishing Sabbath school in connection with the church, which was organized at the same time as the church, with Michael Miller as its first superintendent. The present membership is about 70, with C. Nessel as superintendent, and John Oblander as secretary.

Jacob Miller, former pastor of the German M. E. church at Bushnell, wa a native of Clayborn, Alsace, born January 13, 1815. When he was small his parents died, leaving him under the guardianship of his grandparents. He was brought up under religious influences, and when his grandfather died, the latter asked Jacob to lead a good life. In his 17th year he came to New York. He was married in 1835 to Magdalena Walter. Twp years after that he came west, stopping in Quincy, Illinois. There he joined the Lutheran church in 1843. He afterward joined the Congregational church, but finally became connected with the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1848 he obtained license to preach. Two years later he was sent to Pekin, Illinois. There he remained one year. In 1850 he went to Jackson, Missouri, where he remained two years. His next appointments were Alton, Red Bud, then Staunton, Vandalia and Highland, Illinois. His health failed him in 1857, and he was superannuated. He then retired to his farm, where he lived seven years. He next took up religious work near Staunton. In 1860 he had charge at Alton. In 1868, he had charges at Alton, Vandalia and Staunton. Thence he came to Bushnell, this county, where he was stationed and built a house. He was sent out again in 1869, and worked in Petersburg one year. He was then sent to Bushnell again, where he worked in the Lord's vineyard six months, before his death occurred. A few days before he died he talked about his soul's condition. The maiden name of the wife whom he left behind was Magdelena Walter. The names of their children were--Jacob and Joshua and the wife Henry Rogers. The funeral services of Rev. Miller were held in the American M. E. church at Bushnell, conducted by Rev. David Huene.

History of McDonough County, Illinois, 1885, Continental Historical Co., Springfield, Illinois
Transcribed by Robin Petersen for McDonough County ILGenWeb

Copyright 1999, 2000 Robin L. W. Petersen; all rights reserved. For personal use only. Commercial use of the information contained in these pages is strictly prohibited without prior permission. If copied, this copyright must appear with the information.

 
Return to Methodist Episcopal Church index