Rev. James Gore, 1865-1954

17th Pastor of Herrin FBC

1916-1919

Rev. James Gore

Born: September 17, 1865… St. Joseph, Missouri

Died: January 22, 1954… Tulsa, Oklahoma

James married Kathryn Hughes on September 2, 1896. 

They had 4 known children.

James was in the Class of 1896 and graduated from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY.

James was a son of Noah Jackson and Mary C (Fly) Gore.  He had 4 known older siblings, and 4 known younger siblings.  James grew up on a farm in Missouri… his father and grandfathers were all farmers.  However, he felt the pull to go in a different direction with his life, and in 1885, James preached his first sermon.

His obituary states that James’ father Noah, was a Confederate army veteran.  We have not been able to find any military records for Noah at this time.  However, James’ Uncle William Fly (a brother of his mother), served in the Confederate army, as part of the Missouri Cavalry.  Uncle Fly fought at Gettysburg and was taken as a POW in Maryland.  Prior to the Civil War, Uncle Fly went West for the 1849 Gold Rush… but was unsuccessful.

Herrin FBC building, 1902-1917

Rev. James Gore, 1917

What happened while Rev. Gore was at Herrin FBC:

• Mrs. Gore reorganized and helped develop a functioning women's organization in the church, which would later be part of the WMU

• During a pastor’s conference and ladies meeting in December of 1917, the church building caught fire and was not able to be saved

• Church services were held at City Hall in a courtroom 

• Rev. Gore led the church in finding a new site and erecting a new building (the brick church that used to be by the hospital)

• From 1917 to 1919, Rev. Gore and many other men of the church, donated their days/months to working on the new church building.  Total cost to build was $50,000.

Rev. Gore resigned from Herrin FBC on September 28, 1919.  He then moved to Oklahoma.

Fun facts:

• In 1893, James ran the Cherokee Strip to find land for his sister.  

• In 1930, James officiated a wedding in an airplane, flying over Tulsa, OK.

Wilhemine "Minnie" Henrietta Ritter, 1873-1945

Wilhemine “Minnie” Henrietta Ritter was born 151 years ago this week. She was one of six known children born to George and Henrietta (Belk) Ritter. She is one of my Great Grandmothers. 

 Minnie was born on March 9, 1873, near Chebanse, IL. Her parents had been born in Germany. Her father George had arrived in New York City in July of 1865. He was a harness maker. Her mother Henrietta arrived in New York City in July of 1867. 

 Growing up in and around Chebanse… Minnie would have witnessed several firsts for the town. She wouldn’t have remembered it, but when she was a year old, Chebanse got their first water tower. She was 7 when they got their first fire department. She was 9 when the first telephone came to town. She was 11 years old when General John. A. Logan (of Southern IL and Civil War fame) came to Chebanse on his campaign for Vice President in 1884. I would imagine she probably remembered that for her whole life (whether or not she was on the grounds)… a crowd of 15,000 people attended the BBQ dinner at Milk’s Grove (due West of Chebanse and Clifton). I bet she also would have remembered the big snowstorm that hit when she was 12 years old. The town had to shovel the roads by hand. When she was 13, a tornado caused total destruction in a 4-mile wide path through Chebanse. 

1884 article about the Logan campaign stop

 Minnie married John D. Offerman on Nov. 23, 1898, when she was 25 years old. They moved to a farm southeast of Irwin (northwest of Chebanse). They would have 3 daughters, the middle one being my Grandmother, Leona. On the evening of July 17, 1903, a tornado hit their area. It did a lot of damage to surrounding farms, as well as their own. I assume they had a storm cellar that the family (John, Minnie, 4 yr old Mildred, 1 ½ yr old Leona) sheltered in that night. When the storm was over, John and Minnie had lost their house, barn, corn cribs, a windmill and their crops. Minnie was about 6 months pregnant at the time, with their 3rd child. 

1903 tornado article

the John Offerman home after they rebuilt

 The Offerman’s rebuilt and by the 1920’s, they owned a steam engine and a threshing machine. They operated a "threshing ring" which was a cooperative arrangement for harvesting grain crops. John's younger brother Henry ran the steam engine for him for several years. There were horse-drawn wagons bringing the cut grain stocks to the threshing machine in the yard behind the house. There were other horse drawn wagons for hauling the grain. There was the sound and smell of the steam engine and a huge stack of fresh hay. Best of all was the good country food prepared by the wives. Each wife in the threshing ring prepared food for the workers in their turn and each tried to outdo the others. I wonder what was Minnie’s favorite food to make? 

1924 John Offerman threshing machine

1924 Minnie doing laundry

 After being a widow for 3 years, Minnie passed away at the age of 72, on December 13, 1945. The state database lists her place of death as Otto Township, Kankakee County. Otto Township includes Irwin, the north side of Chebanse, portions of southern Kankakee, etc. Maybe she died in her own home… or in the home of another family member. I have not been able to locate an obituary yet, that might provide more details. She is buried beside her husband, at Evergreen Cemetery, in Chebanse.

Minnie's grave

Robert Kirkpatrick 1754-1835

Today I introduce you to one of my 6th Great Grandfathers, Robert Kirkpatrick.  He was a pioneer, soldier, husband, father, and hopefully, a friend to many.  He died 189 years ago this week.

Robert Kirkpatrick was born January 19, 1754, in the Camden District of South Carolina.  His parents are believed to have been Francis and Hannah (Ward) Kirkpatrick.  Francis and Hannah married very young, and had 5 known children.  Hannah was from South Carolina.  Francis and his family had left Scotland and come to the Colonies around 1746.

Robert married Mary Ann Campbell at the age of 17, in South Carolina, in 1771.  They had nine known children.  Their daughter Nancy, is my 5th Great Grandmother.

When the Revolutionary War began, Robert enlisted as a Patriot early on.  He was present at the Battle of the Great Cane Brake, along the Reedy River in the southern portion of present-day Greenville county, South Carolina.  The battle took place on Dec. 22, 1775, with a Patriot victory.  There were 1300 Patriots against 500 Loyalists that day.  In the Summer of 1776, Robert was part of a group sent into the Cherokee Nation.  Sadly, their orders were to destroy the Cherokee towns and villages.  Later, he was stationed at Ninety-Six for a while, and pursued Indians who were rumored to be joining the British.  In 1779, he was in a skirmish with the Tories near the Edisto River and assisted in pursuing “Bloody Bill” Cunningham.  It’s unclear exactly when Robert’s service officially ended.  We know that he served some of his time  in 3 month intervals… he’d volunteer, serve 3 months, go home… then repeat.  His pension records state that in total, he served one year and 7 months (over at least a 4 year time frame).

After the War, Robert and his family moved to Powell Valley, Virginia.  The exact year is unknown.  Family legend has it that Robert was captured by Indians while living there, and held prisoner for 5 months.  Part of the legend is that he pretended he didn’t understand what they wanted him to do… if they wanted him to weed their crops, he could chop down the crop as well as the weeds.  Perhaps he thought that if they believed he was crazy, they would let him go.  The story continues that after 5 months, he was able to escape and go home.  It’s said that his children didn’t recognize him with the long hair and Indian clothing, thankfully his wife did!

Powell Valley, Virginia

By 1790, the Kirkpatrick’s were living in Madison County, Kentucky.  Then in 1800, they were in Green County, Kentucky.  And by 1803, they were in their final residence of Jackson County, Tennessee.  I assume Robert was a farmer, but have no records to back that up.  

1830 Jackson County, TN census

In 1832, Robert applied for a military pension.  In it he states he has “a record of his age in his possession, which he took from his father’s Bible.”  He was granted $63.33 per year until his death.

page from Robert's pension record

Robert passed away on February 24, 1835, in Jackson County, Tennessee.  He is buried in Hix Cemetery (aka Old Kirkpatrick Cemetery), located along the Cumberland River north of Gainesboro.

Rev. G.W. Syfert, 1861-1942

 My church has a very well documented history.  We date back to 1865, when the members met in a log cabin.  I have been on the Historical Committee off and on for over a decade now, and am always looking for new things to showcase for our current members to see.

A year or so ago, I started a family tree for each of our early pastors.  I didn't go into many details at the time... just got the basics going.  I try to change the history display case once a month... and for this month, I chose to tell the story of one of our pastors.  I chose our 12th pastor, Rev. G.W. Syfert... here is his story (or at least the parts that I was able to find).

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Rev. George William (G.W.) Syfert

Born: June 6, 1861 in Beecher City, IL

Died: September 11, 1942 in Herrin, IL

Buried: Herrin City Cemetery

12th Pastor of Herrin FBC: 1901-1906

Rev. G.W. Syfert, thought to be around 1903-04

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G.W. Syfert grew up on a farm near Shelbyville, IL. His father owned 40 acres, with 3 horses, 4 milk cows, 10 sheep, and 19 pigs.  They grew wheat, rye, corn, Indian corn, oats, peas, beans, and Irish potatoes.  They also had an orchard. His parents were Nathan and Mary Ann (Dunaway) Syfert, both born in Ohio.

We don’t know when or where he first began his ministry work.  He appears in 4 census records as a Clergyman, Baptist Minister, Preacher and Minister.  His obituary states he was a Baptist minister for 20 years, and that he served part of that time in Herrin, Salem, Vandalia and Villa Grove.  In research, we learned that he also served at the Woodlawn FBC, Watson FBC, and at the Paradise White Church in Perry County, IL.  We do not know how long he spent at most of these churches.

In 1883, at the age of 21, he married Laura Jones, in Fayette County, IL.  They had one child, Walter.  Laura passed away in 1939, and G.W. married Anna Wilson in 1940.

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Sept. 26, 1903
From “The Standard”, a Baptist newspaper

"Herrin is a city of 5,000 people and is but a few years old. It is a great coal mining town.

The Baptists have had a country church there for fifty years and the city has grown entirely around the meeting house lot of six acres. It has sold half the land for a ward school and sold the old meeting house to the Methodists and has built a new church and parsonage.

Rev GW Syfert became pastor of this church about three years ago. Since that time he has added about 400 members to the church. One year he baptized more converts than any other pastor in the state. The church seats about 500 people and is almost always overcrowded. Bro Syfert does his own evangelistic work.

Both this church and Marion have raised more than double their apportionment this year for state missions."

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Church dedication program, 1903

Some important things that happened while Rev. G.W. Syfert was at our church: -- Held one of the greatest revivals in the history of our church in 1901. There were 140 conversions, 108 accepted for baptism, and 13 received by letter.

-- The church outgrew the building. Land was purchased and a new church was built in 1902. The name of the church was changed to First Baptist Church on January 18, 1902.

-- In January of 1903, the Sunday School was reorganized and all of the classes were graded for the first time.

-- In June of 1903, there was a small-pox epidemic. The church was closed for 3 months.

-- In 1905, the first music committee was appointed. A new addition and a baptistry were added to the church. Membership had grown to 675.

Wilhelm Henry Offerman 1868-1894

Wilhelm Henry (or William) was born in Otto Township, in Kankakee county, Illinois (possibly in Chebanse) on December 24, 1868.  He was the first child born to Heinrich Christian and Maria Sophia (Doscher) Offerman.  His brother John is my Great Grandfather.

Heinrich Offerman family, circa 1898 (William Henry is in the portrait)

Both the 1870 and 1880 census records list this Offerman family in Otto Township. Heinrich was a prominent farmer.  He and wife Maria Sophia were born in Germany and had come to America in 1867.  So William grew up farming, but at some point he learned how to operate a traction engine.  The article about his death calls him a Traction Engineer.

I looked it up… a Traction Engine, was a steam engine that could move on it’s own (not pulled by horses or oxen).  A real benefit on big farms!  One thing I read stated… “The steam engineer was a trained and skilled professional of the simpler unmechanized times.  The engineer was a breed of proud, strong and very important men who loved their work.”

Example of a Traction Engine, 1894

Sadly, the only other thing known to tell about William’s life… is how he died.  

Here’s what the Kankakee Daily Republican newspaper had to say…  “William Offerman, a young engineer, met his death in a horrible manner on a traction engine at 3 o’clock this afternoon in Otto Township.  The engine was hauling a corn sheller from one farm to another.  William Offerman was standing between the engine and the water tank running it, unsuspicious of the horrible fate in store for him.  The engine had reached the center of a wooden bridge across one of the small creeks in Otto, when the structure suddenly parted in the center.  The engine and water tank came together and the life of the young engineer was crushed out.  Death occurred instantly.  The men who assist in running the engine and corn sheller say that Offerman never uttered a cry.  His body is horribly mangled and still remained between the engine and the water tank when news of the shocking accident was brought to this city.  It was impossible to pull the machinery of the engine apart to extricate the mutilated remains of the unfortunate engineer without the assistance of a derrick or a large force of men.  Leon Hay brought the news to this city.  He notified the coroner, Jacob Willman, who immediately left for the scene of the accident.  The dead engineer is well known in Otto Township where his parents live.  He was 26 years old and unmarried.”

Technically he was 10 days shy of turning 26 years old.  William is buried in Mound Grove Cemetery, in Kankakee.

Elizabeth Shoemaker 1788-1863

 160 years ago last week, one of my 4th Great Grandmothers passed away.  

Elizabeth Ann Shoemaker was born in 1788, in Fincastle (Botetourt County), Virginia.  Her parents were believed to have been William and Elizabeth (some say Woodrum, some say Hogg for her mother’s maiden name) Shoemaker.  Fincastle still exists today, and in the 2020 census, was a town of 755 people.

built around 1783, Fincastle VA

built around 1791, Fincastle VA

In May of 1807, Elizabeth (age 22) married George Lavender (age 25).  They were married in Botetourt County.  They would go on to have 7 known children, daughter Elizabeth being my 3rd Great Grandmother.  The young couple remained in Botetourt County for a while, appearing there in the 1810 census.  George served in the Virginia Militia during the War of 1812.  Sometime between 1812 and 1820, they packed up and moved into Kentucky.  In the 1820 census, they were living in a place called Darnell's Parish, in Caldwell County, Kentucky.  I have tried to find out where Darnell's Parish was...but have had no luck.

1807 marriage record

Around 1828, the family moved up into Illinois.  In the 1830 census, they were in Pope County, and after that they lived out the rest of their lives in Hardin County.  George Lavender died in 1856, and is buried in Lavender Cemetery (where I visit every Spring), land donated by the family to be the cemetery.  Elizabeth was living with her son George and his family in the 1860 census.  She died on December 6, 1863.  Although her burial information is unknown, it’s likely that she rests beside her husband in an unmarked grave at Lavender Cemetery.

Stephen Burton, 1829-1905

 My 2nd Great-GrandUncle, Stephen Burton passed away 118 years ago, on November 16, 1905, in Murphysboro IL. He was 76 years old, and as a Civil War Vet, probably felt as if he’d lived several lifetimes.

Stephen was the oldest child of Jabez and Sarah/Sally (Pate) Burton. He was born in October of 1829, in rural Smith County TN. His little sister Luvisa, is my 2nd Great Grandmother. They were 19 years apart. The Burton’s left middle TN for Southern IL some time between 1840 and 1848. They were still in Smith County for the 1840 census, but we know that Luvisa (the last child) was born in Golconda IL, in June of 1848. In the 1850 census, they were farming and living in rural Hardin County IL.

On August 15, 1853, 23 year old Stephen married 15 year old Nancy Elizabeth Fletcher in Saline County IL. She had been born and raised there. They would go on to have 7 children, but only 4 would survive to adulthood.

In 1860, the family was living in Mulkeytown IL (Franklin County), and farming. That all changed when Stephen enlisted in the Union Army on August 13, 1862. He served as a Private in Company B and D of the 89th IL Infantry. He’s noted as being 5’8” tall, with brown hair, hazel eyes and a fair complexion.

After being mustered into service, Stephen was in battles at Lawrenceburg KY, Perryville KY, and finally at the Battle of Stone’s River in Murfreesboro TN at the end of December 1862. After Stone’s River, his regiment remained at Murfreesboro until June 1863. According to his records, when the regiment roll was taken in September of 63, he’s noted as having been in a convalescent camp in Murfreesboro since June of 63. He would remain there (and in Nashville) for the rest of the War. In February 1864, he was transferred to a Veteran Reserve Corp. One reason for the transfer was due to a hernia. In his pension records, it states that he “contracted a rupture on left side”, and that “the said disease was caused by exposure while doing duty as a soldier.” They also believed that mumps contributed to the “rupture”. He was mustered out of service at Nashville, on June 30, 1865.

While Stephen may or may not have felt lucky about his circumstances and staying in one place for so long during the War… we can look back and see that his health condition may have saved his life. His regiment participated in big battles while he was trying to heal. They were at Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge. All are well known battles.

Upon coming home to IL, Stephen became a merchant of some sort. They still lived in Mulkeytown at that time. The 1870 census states he was a merchant with a real estate value of $1000, and a personal estate value of $2000. That’s pretty big money for that time. Listed near him on the census are doctors, a miller, carpenters, a druggist, an engineer and a blacksmith.

In the 1880 census, Stephen’s a dry goods merchant. The family had moved to Cave Township (still Franklin County) by then. In the 1900 census, they were living in Murphysboro IL. There’s no occupation for Stephen. Their home was at 1903 Pine Street, which today is where the Immanuel Lutheran School is located.

Stephen’s death certificate doesn’t give a specific location of death, just the town. It says he died at 4:35AM, with cause of death being heart disease and rheumatism. He is buried in Tower Grove Cemetery in Murphysboro.

Pictures:

1850 census

1853 marriage record

Artwork of convalescent camps around Murfreesboro TN

1875 Franklin County IL map

1899 signature on pension application

Headstone in Tower Grove Cemetery