The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1868-05-14
NUMBER SO.
The Moral and Religious History of the
Town of Bristol, Kenosha Go.
BY SAMUEL EDDY.

eve have several communications or
hand from Samuel Eddy, respectable ole
gentleman of Bristol Whether we car
find room for them hereafter cannot be
promised. Some time ago gentleman o.
that town furnished facts in the early his
tory of the town; Mr. Eddy brings it down
to later period Ed. TEL
Ed. TELEGRAPH Having read in your
valuable paper an account Of the first set
Element of Bristol which brought it up t
the year 1843, and being later residen
of the town it gives meFa good opportunity
to bring to the his tory, especially in it
moral and religious aspects to the present
time
The first sermon listened TO in the towr
was delivered by one Rev. D. in 1884,
text "there are six steps to the throne" h
however made out twelve before he go
through, Although he gave six more. step
than bargained for yet concluded if tina
was sample of western talent, / should b'
inc lined to return to my native east.
heard Elder Stebbins and then Elder Hobart
The latter announced for his text 'theil
rock is not our rock, the enemies themselves
being judges" He proved to denonstra-
ton the infidel was compelled to believe six
times as many absurdities as the christian
Then read Bishop Simpsons Sermons,
and came to the conclusion that the west
could compete with the world, notvithstand
ing there is Spurgeon in it.
| In 1916 some 200 assembled IN a beauti-
full grove to celebrate the 4th of July: a
splendid dinner and toasts were enjoyed on
that occasion. l had the honor of being ora
ttor of the day. For the next five years we
had good circnit preaching every year and.
some extra by local preachers Elder DEM
ming came to preach frequently. also Elder
Brande and Otis. The two latter made
my house their home, ! kepttheir thorses
-shod them and kept their buggies in re-
pair, as part pay for their good preach
ing.
The next thing of note was another 4th
of July celebration at the house of Serene
Fowler in the year 1847. Col. NJ Frank
orator Of the day and Elder ioDemming
Chaplain. The theme of tue orator was ed
ucation as moral elevator: Elder Dem
ming followed on the same subjsct. Serene
Fowler provided a sumptuous dinner on
that occasion, which was enjoyed by a large
concourse of people The toasts were an
nounccd by our now latnented Gov. Har
vey. Many went home on that day with
high resolves
Next came on the circuit preach or by
the name of S.. He said at quar-
terly meeting he thought if he did not
pre ach, he should be damned Elder Steb-
bins said to him, 'theu you will certain
" be damned, for you can't preach The
next preacher who followed S. was
Rev Mr.. Harvey he remained two years
and under his preaching some l. or 20 souls
were converted among the number was
Mr. Frsbee; when he came to the altar my
old friend Mr. Pike, cried out go it Isaac"
Well, he is going it yet, aud ere long will
make the celestial haven, unless he gets to
sleep on the track and the car of salvation
passes over him.
Our next curcuit preachers were Rev.
Scott and Blackburn in the year 1851 a
few were added to the church under their
preaching But in that year Rev. MIR.
GriswoId (tben lacal preaoheD held a
protracted meeting on Walkers Prairie,
and the result was some sixty conversions.
Thor school house becoming to strait they
built the first meeting house in Bristol, near
O. NJ. Wards, having Rev. Cocran and
Leonard for preachers. The church was
called Wesley ChapIe la 1852 Rev Mr..
Scott came this year Ashbury Chaple
was built at cost $1,000. Soon after
another meeting house was built on the
Plank Road by the Congregationalists but
the house standing on the Paris side of the
town line it belongs to that town to give
its history. Only one pleasing feature l
will mention lat my request We change
preachers on thanksgiving days each year
both congregations coming to gother, show,
ing the union of the orthodox christians
composing the great church universal
In 1858 Rev. II. Hersey was our prerch-
err, 1854, +. Curtis 1856 J.C Dana. Eth
or in 1854 or 1855 Hosner Chape was built
and dedicated by Rev. DR.. Eddy of Chicago.
In 1866 ]. G. Dana and J. r. Sheldon were
sent to the circuit, 1878 d. w Couch,
in 1859, A L. Cooper and followed in the
same year by D. Holmer; also s. l.. Leon
ard. In 1860-61 w. Carver The last
mentioned year will be memorable not on
ly in Bristol but throughout the world by
one of the greatest rebelions siuce the dawn
of creation Bristol was not an Idle specta.
tor for many of her young men can tell of
10 ny marches and terrible suffering in q
southern cline. Iu the spring of 1861
Bristol called out every man that was able
to shoulder a musket and organized them
for drilling in military tactics On the
following 4th of july, the whole pnpulation
of the town assembled in beautiful grove
in the south Bristol, to celebrate the 85th
Of American Independent CO.
1t was a beautiful day, all nature seem ed
to smile on the occasion, orr new military
came out with the stars and stripes, wav-
ing in the breezes of heaven. After nat
ionel another was sung, and other exercises
Judge Jilsun of Kenosha delivered an ora
ton, followed by S. Eddy to an audience
of nearly 1900 people. The first speaker
showed geographically that this nation
could never be divided into two nations,
and the latter speaker demonstrated the re-
bellon must of necessity prove failure. |
On the occasion the Ladies of Bristol pro-
vided a magnificent dinner.
In the year 1864 Rev.. w. Y. Jones came
TO this circuit and remained three years.
In his second year, he held nine weeks
protracted meeting in Asbury Chaple
which resulted in over 60 conversions.
In 1887 Rev. Mr.. Blackburn and Painter
were sent to the ristol circuit--two faith
full preachers: tt have Iabored efficiently |
and already over 30 have been added to the
church. Already the day star tegins to
dawn from on gh, the little stone cut out
of the mountain, is rolling on, uniting