[Page 141]
Additional Centennial Farms in Marshall and Putnam Counties as reported to
the Committee
OWNER - LOCATION (TOWNSHIP)
Mrs. Dorothy Rae - Bell Plain
Elijah E. Perry - Bell Plain
Wilbert and Anabelle Griffin - Bell Plain
Verle Kolb - Bell Plain
William Hattan - Bennington
Mrs. Ray Litchfield - Bennington
Harold and Gallette Beckwith - Bennington
Mrs. Emma (Schmillen) Schook - Bennington
Mrs. Loretta Lutz - Evans
Harold and George Gallup - LaPrairie
Cliff and Ruth Marshall - LaPrairie
Eugene S. Turnbull - LaPrairie
Carl and Mary Webber - LaPrairie
Charles Scoon Heirs - LaPrairie
Elizabeth Scoon - LaPrairie
Mrs. Margaret Green - LaPrairie
George Aitchison Heirs - LaPrairie
Mrs. Hester Allen - LaPrairie
Mrs. Mary Casey - LaPrairie
Mrs. Gertrude Green - LaPrairie
Wayne Ehringer Heirs - Hopewell
Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Buck - Richland
Janet Stateler Heirs - Roberts
Elizabeth B. Jones - Roberts
Mr. Robert Kelly - Saratoga
Mrs. Pearl Swearingen - Saratoga
Mr. Leslie Harrison - Saratoga
Viola Rezab - Whitefield
Roger Rowe - Whitefield
Philip and Julia Edgerley - Granville
August Kunkel - Granville
Mr. and Mrs. Edward Holly - Granville
Mr. Galvin Real - Senachwine
Mrs. Helen Sipe and Mrs. Henrietta Holmes - Senachwine
Mr. Francis Quinn - Senachwine
[Page 142]
Widely known as the Church on the Hill, Boyd's Grove Church is located four
miles east of Bradford, Illinois. It came into being in 1851 when six
families who had been holding meetings in their homes agreed to organize a
church. The name was taken from a settlement to the north called Boyd's
Grove.
The first building was erected on the present site at a cost of $800., the
lumber coming from the land nearby the stone for the foundation from a
quarry near Sparland. Quoting from a paper prepared in 1881 and speaking of
the l880's, "Those were the good old days when Methodism was distinctive.
The men and women sat apart. The people came in wagons, sometimes drawn by
oxen. No one rode in buggies or carriages for they had none. The fasts on
the Friday before quarterly meetings were enjoined. A sentinel was always
placed at the Love Feast Door. We had no music or choirs. The preacher first
read the hymn which was a very impressive part of the service. ... The
shoutings were occasional and the 'amens' frequent. ... A Methodist who did
not attend class and kneel down to pray was no Methodist at all. ..."
On August 27, 1919 lightning struck the church and it was totally destroyed
by fire. A new building was dedicated June 19, 1921 which with periodic
improvements stands today. The 125th anniversary of the congregation was
observed June 27, 1976 with a traditional chicken dinner, homemade ice cream
served at the social hour and the afternoon program was presided over by
Orval Crooks. Pastor of the Church is Rev. Frank J. Rider who lives in
Bradford and is also pastor of the Leet Memorial United Methodist Church
there.
(Taken from newspaper story by Oral Holler.)
| Bureau | Putnam | |
| Stark |
 |
La Salle |
| Peoria | Woodford |
