Early Effingham County

We tend to forget what the early settlers of the area faced and how different it is today than it was then. In a letter dated May 11, 1859 that Father Servatius Altmicks wrote to his Provincial in Germany we find the following information about life in early Effingham:

Effingham is a recently founded and flourishing town, which is growing every day. It has a railroad station (the station at which we get off in order to reach Teutopolis) and therefore it is greatly frequented, so that many different nationalities are represented there. Catholics are in the minority. Most of the inhabitants are Methodists, Baptists, Unitarians, Presbyterians, etc. and some do not know what religion they profess. Nevertheless unconcerned I go out in my religious habit without ever meeting the least insult. Last fall the American non-Catholics greatly marveled at our strange garb, eyed us from head to foot, and then asked some Germans about these curious men. In Teutopolis one man thought that we were Indians expelled from their tribe. But when these people returned to us they became friendly and polite yes even generous towards us. A new perplexity arose. They noticed that we did not accept money and would not even touch it. Then perhaps a slight doubt arose in their minds whether we were mentally balanced since according to their opinion we despised that which they valued most, for in America the golden dollar is reverenced as much as the golden calf was revered among the Israelites.

The trials of these early missionaries to the Illinois region were numerous. During November and December of 1859 the Franciscan Fathers were celebrating the Jubilee Year as declared by Pope Pius IX. They ranged far and wide throughout the Alton diocese. In another extract from Father Servatius letters we find the following:

Many a night we must camp in log-huts which you at home would find qualified for a hog-pen. These huts are built of rough logs placed one above the other. Sometimes too the rain gently drips from the ceiling. A short time ago I spent three nights in such a shack. On the second night a dreadful rainstorm arose. Right next to my bed the rain pelted down during the night and the next morning I began my day's work in a soaked habit.

We also find the curious reference to a group of Frenchmen who were the descendants from the intermarriage of French colonist and Indians who had been converted by the early French Missionaries. Father writes that they had been without the aid of a French speaking priest and that the nearest one was 140 miles away. He describes this French colony as being near the Watson area. We do know that two Frenchmen presented themselves to Father in November of 1858 needing a priest because one of their number had fallen from a bridge. After days ride South from Teutopolis on horseback they broke free of the woods and galloped across a vast endless prairie. Towards evening they had arrived and found the Frenchman still alive and Father Servatius administered the last rights to the man who died not long after the priest's departure. Father Servantius vowed to render what help to them he could and returned to them in February of 1859. He describes what happened in the following letter:

Again I set out on horseback. All appurtenances to Mass, such as chasuble, altar-cloths, etc, were buckled to the horse. Chalice and altarstone were in my pocket. I rode to Effingham. From there I was accompanied by a German with whom I ordinarily board. Towards evening we arrived at the place of the highly surprised Frenchmen and I remained with them for two days. Each day I said Mass in the same log cabin in which the above mentioned Frenchman had died. Using our privilege I celebrated without a server. The crucifix of my rosary took the place of an altar-cross. On the first day I read to them in French, after the gospel of the Mass, both gospels of the proceeding and of the following Sunday. To this I added a sermon on such fundamental truths of our holy religion as what is our final destiny and which is not our destiny on earth. On the following day I preached on the means to be employed to reach our final destiny. During the sermon the Frenchmen remained in devout kneeling posture and looked at me so attentively as if ready to snatch every word from my lips. Afterwards I asked the men, and especially one, whether they had understood me. He answered me: "Monsieur Cure,compris, comme il faut." ("Father, I have understood every word.") But what gave me real pleasure was that on the very same day I received actual proofs of how well they had understood and how willing they were to follow my few and imperfectly uttered admonitions. Since that time I had very many cheering evidences of this kind. Because ever since I tried to gather this little flock around that improvised altar, these people come to Effingham where they meet me at least on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays… I left this mission with fervent thanks to God who had granted me such a great grace and such consolation in helping these forsaken souls. When I was almost about to leave a couple asked me for marriage instructions. Some time later I performed the marriage ceremonies for them, and still later anther couple at Effingham. 1

And so we find that the first couple joined in marriage at St. Anthony church on July 11, 1859 were T. Martini and Mary Raciot of near Watson as recorded by Father Servatius.

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Hilda Engbring Feldhake, Saint Anthony's Century 1858-1958 ( Effingham, Illinois 1958), pp.11-12

 

Parishes of Effingham County   

 

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