HISTORY OF LEE CO, NO AUTHOR, PUB HHHILL AND CO, 1881. PAGE 523 The German Baptist church(more familiarly known by the name of Dunkard) was organized in what is now Nachusa twp, by Rev Joseph EMMERT, who built a house of worship on sec 5, T 21, R 10, as early as about 1850. This structure was superseded by a more stately edifice several years ago, in size 34 x 54, with basement, kitchen, and sleeping room above the audience room. This same organization existed prior to Mr Emmerts coming to Lee Co, but was located JUST ACROSS THE RIVER IN OGLE CO. To them Mr Emmert first preached, but for the convenience of himself, his many friends and members who were settled around him Lee county, organized as above stated, with the following members: himself and family, Christopher LAHMAN and wife, Jacob RIDDLESBERGER and wife, Samuel RIDDLESBERGER and wife, Oliver EDMONDS and wife, Isaac SIETS(CAROLYN'S NOTE--should be SEITZ) and wife, Andrew DIERDORF and wife, Benjamin KESLER and family, with a few others. With a will and determination, this little band of disciples held together and kept the faith through the pioneer period, and like the star in the east, guided many good men from Pennsylvania and other eastern states who came later and joined this little company, whose members are now counted by scores, and to whose fair dealings and honest industry may be credited the prosperity of the community in which they live. Their present preacher is Rev Levi RAFFENSBERGER, who has been prominently connected with the church for many years. Mr Benjamin KESLER has been an elder for about 28 years, and has been a pillar to the church ever since his residence in the county. In connection with this church is a beautiful cemetery where now sleep a number of the early pioneers, the forst of whom was Debbie BEEVER. This burial place is free to all, and all the surrounding country bury there. Very early in the settlement of Nachusa township a Methodist minister by the name of BENJAMIN preached to the pioneer settlers in their cabin homes. Another minister, by the name of REED, an Englishman by birth, who has since returned to England, preached to the early settlers near Mr BRIERTON's in the little stone school-house, spoken of elsewhere. Religious services are still kept up by this denomination. ----------------- PAGE 547 same book. Jacob EMMERT, retired farmer, Nachusa, and is the son of Joseph and Catherine (AVEY) Emmert, and was b in Washington Co, MD, July 23, 1807. He was reared a farmer, which business he followed through life. December 16, 1830, he married MISS MARY NEWCOMER, also a native of Washington Co, MD. She was born February 15, 1811. In 1844 they came to IL and settled in Ogle Co, but one year later removed to near where he lives now in Lee Co. He is the father of eight children, five of whom are living: Zachariah, William H, Jacob M, Susan, and Catherine. Jacob M enlisted in Co C, 34th ILL Vol. Inf, in September 1861, and followed the fortunes of war nearly four years. In the fall of 1864 he was detached as sergeant of Gen Jefferson C Davis's escort, but again joined his regiment. He was at the grand review at Washington , and was finally discharged with the glorious old 34th in 1865. December 12, 1870, he married Miss Mary E OHMERT, of Lee Co; they have two children: Gracie L and Kittie C. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Carolyn Atkinson< catkinsn@ECITY.NET > (© 1997 Carolyn Atkinson)