History of Worden, Illinois
Madison County ILGenWeb Coordinator - Beverly Bauser
Lamb’s Point and New Hampton
A native of
Tennessee, John Lamb was the first to locate on the rich prairie
of Illinois where Worden would later be located in Omphghent
Township. A sawmill was established nearly a half mile southwest
of Lamb’s homestead. The settlement of Lamb’s Point and the post
office, under the direction of William Roseberry who lived
nearby, took his name. Roseberry turned the post office over to
his neighbor, James Burley, who lived just across the road.
Hampton Wall’s farm (a son-in-law of Robert Roseberry) was the
next post office in Lamb’s Point in 1857. Wall set up a store
with his post office, and laid out the town of New Hampton in
1860, comprising of ten acres. This store was sold in 1867,
along with the post office, to John C. Worden, who became the
next postmaster. (See below for more
information on John C. Worden.)
The Founding of
Worden
In 1870, John C. Worden laid out in town lots the
balance of the north eighty of the northeast quarter of section
35. When an election was held seven years later concerning the
right-of-way for the Decatur and St. Louis Railroad, John Worden
was influential in changing the negative vote to an agreement.
The railway station was named Worden in 1870 by the railroad
company, in honor of the part he played in helping them secure
the land. As a result, the post office was immediately changed
to Worden. Mr. Worden was the first railroad agent, and did the
company’s business for seven years, while at the same time
attending to his store. For eleven years he was the postmaster.
W. F. Roberson opened a grocery in 1867. Joseph Floyd and
Co. built a flouring mill in 1873. William Wyatt was the first
blacksmith, which he opened in 1861. Frank Ferli was the second
blacksmith. H. R. Dorr was the first physician of Worden.
The Worden Mining Company opened its mine in 1876. This soon
brought a boom time in Worden. In June 1877, the first 20
bushels of coal was brought up to the surface. The coal was
hauled to town and auctioned to the highest bidder – Worden City
Mills, for $52. Eventually the coal mines shut down, and Worden
became a residential town. The load of coal was driven to the
mill and burned in the furnace.
The Wabash Coal Mining
Company’s shaft on the farm of Joseph Lamb was sunk in 1881, and
was owned by F. P. Baker & Co., of St. Louis.
John C.
Worden and James Kell constructed the first steam elevators in
Worden in 1870. It was later enlarged and conducted by C. A.
King & Co., of Toledo, Ohio. A second steam elevator was built
by George Breed & Bros. In 1873, Joseph Floyd & Co. built a
flouring mill of three run of burrs. After running about six
years, it was moved to Jonesborough, Illinois, and subsequently
destroyed by fire.
Worden business in 1882 included:
Physicians – H. R. Dorr, J. H. McDonald, and H. Powers
General Stores – H. C. Picker, C. Rudolph, Henry Reese
Groceries & Notions – W. F. Robinson
Drugs and Notions – P.
H. Paul
Postmaster – P. H. Paul
Notions – D. Hirschfeld
Merchant Tailor & Clothing – F. A. Schmitt
Groceries – J.
McDonnell, H. Knollmann
Bakery – Philip Enerich
Furniture
& Undertaking – Joseph Heidel
Hardware & Tinsmith – r. Wildi
Saddles & Harness – J. Uhl
Hotel – Frederick Putting
Livery – J. M. Lowry
Boots & Shoes – Jacob Dornseip, K. Lorch
Barber – F. W. Schwer
Blacksmiths – Frank Firli, William
Schutte, William Winter
Wagonmaker – Samuel Merz
Police
Magistrate – John C. Worden
John C. Worden
John C. Worden
was born at Preston, Lancashire, England, June 24, 1834. He was
the second son of Peter and Ann (Charnock) Worden. Peter Worden
died when John was at the tender age of six. He remained with
his mother until the age of thirteen, when John immigrated to
American alone, locating first at Albany, New York. He worked
for six months at the public works, for a salary of seven
shillings a day. Afterward he apprenticed himself for one year
to learn blacksmithing. He attended the night schools to educate
himself. He next became a canal-boy on the Erie Canal. He then
sought a position with a farmer, paying his board by labor, and
attending school during the winter months. His next occupation
was working in a brickyard for fourteen dollars a month. He
attended for one term, Whitestown Seminary, after which he
purchased a half interest in a canal boat. During the following
winter he drove a stage from Mohawk to Herkimer, and in the
ensuing Spring clerked in a provision store. Worden next engaged
in teaching during the winter of 1853-54, in western New York.
He again entered a provision store, where he remained eight
months, leaving in 1854 to engage with his aunt (Mrs. Elizabeth
Sandbach), then residing in Madison County, about two miles
northwest of the future village of Worden. He remained in her
employ about five years, then in 1856 returned to England, where
he spent nine months with relatives. He came back to American in
the Fall of the same year and taught school in St. Louis County,
Missouri. In 1857, he taught school in Moultonville for five
winters. He was appointed Deputy Sheriff and Deputy Assessor. He
then went into business at New Hampton, now the village of
Worden. On November 26, 1867, John married Miss Virginia J.
Weaver. Six children were born. His wife died September 12,
1881.
When the Decatur & East St. Louis Railroad (later
the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific) was contemplated, Worden gave a
speech which encouraged the establishment of the railroad. In
appreciation, the railroad named the depot after him.
Subsequently, Worden laid out the town, which was named in his
honor.
Early Worden Schools
Residents of Worden erected a large,
two-story schoolhouse surrounded by pleasant grounds. The first
school treasurer of the district was Hampton Wall.
Early Worden Churches
The New Hope Baptist Church,
near Worden, was constituted as early as 1840 with sixteen
members. The church edifice was constructed in about 1850, and
stood originally in the cemetery, a half mile north of town. It
was later moved into the village to its present site. Rev. J. V.
Hopper was pastor from 1851 to 1859. During this period the
church enjoyed growth.
The Methodist Church was
organized in 1870, when Rev. J. A. Beagle of New Douglas Circuit
met with a few area citizens. In 1871 the Methodists built their
frame church, at a cost of $3,000.
In 1876 the German
Lutheran Church was constructed, and was also used by them for a
schoolhouse.
