The morning call., 1891-06-05

traTy TO the generally received Impression,
a refined and inielligent-looking man. His
residence, called Heaven" near Rockford,
Ill. consists of beautiful dwelling, hand
somely furnished, in the midst of highly
cultivated estate of 500 acres, and the COM
munity living in the house consists OF thirty
persons, the females being known as angels.
They claim to live absolutely pure lives,
and even the tie of marriage, which had
formerly united some of the parties, is DOW
ignored, and pure, platonc affection has
taken its plac-.
This picture is an extremely good likeness
of George Jacob Schweinfurth, and it has a
history. One of his most intimate followers
is an amateur photographed. She lives in
the INN nediate family of SchReinfurth, on
Weldon Farm, near Rockford. Ill.,, and as
special favor he allowed her TO take por-
trait of him to be kept simply for herself.
No matter by what influence, a print was
pro cured made from the negative OF this the
only photograph OF Schwenfurth in exist
ence. He takes special pains to prevent
copies being made, and has positively re-
fused to sit for any photographer but the
female follower aforesaid. The above por-
trait was made direct from copy OF her
picture, aud Is the first authentic likeness of
this individual that has appeared A man
that makes the claims and has the wealth
and following which Schweinfurth has is IA
subject of universal curiosity. The reader
will be interested to learn that his eyes are
light blue; his hair is reddish auburn; his
beard, sandy red; his complexion, very fair.
SchWeinfurth is of medium height and spare
fern. In manner he is quiet and retiring.
Schweinfurtd Is head OF the community OF
a sect founded sixteen years ago by Mrs.
Dora Beekmap, wife of a Congregational
minister, who preached that she possessed
the attributes of the risrn Lord. The CEN
tral church of her followers was at BYRON.
near Rockford. After curiously change
able career Schweinfurth became one of her
followers and finally head of sect she
founded, which has churches at Chicago,
st. Charles, Minneapolis, Paw Paw. Louis
vile, LeavenMOrth and Kansas City, and
members scattered IN many other places
The headquarters AZ Weldon Farm are
sumptuOusiy furnished, and the property.
which is Schweinfurth's is said TO be worth
half million dollars.
The man who claims to be Christ In his
second advent and the Almighty God, and
who finds many people willing to believe
these pretensiOns, was born at Marion, Mar
ion County, Ohio, of German parents in
1853. He was variOusly occupied up to 1873
and 1874, when he taught school near Jack
sen. Mich In 1875 lie ended his own school
days at Evanston. ILL.,. and in 1876 he went
to francisco, Mich. Later he went 10 his
birthplace. where he made up his mind TO
be preacher. He entered the Detroit
Methodist Conference on tiial in 1871 HIS
first and only appointment from MethO-
dist Conference was in 1877 TO the Alpena
Mission, Mich. At the conference of 1878.
held at Ann ArbOr, committee recom-
mended his diScOntinuance RS preacher
on trial. Schwelufurth has never been a
Methodist minister His adhere nee to the
faith taught by Mrs. Dora Beekman brought
his progress toward admission to tile MethU-
dist ministry TO q StandStill