Early History of Worden
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. Bennet Jones occupied a cabin at Lamb’s Point during the
early part of 1818. Allen and Keltner, two brothers-in-law, made
small improvements the same year, but sold out soon and moved away.
Archibald Lamb, possibly a brother to John Lamb, commenced his
improvements in 1818, where he lived for over 57 years. He farmed
and had a large apple orchard.
A sawmill was established nearly a half mile southwest of Lamb’s
homestead. The small settlement took on the name of Lamb’s Point,
and a post office was established with William Roseberry as
postmaster. 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 postmaster 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. During
the Civil War, Lamb’s Point became a recruiting station. The Wall
store was sold in 1867, along with the post office, to
Colonel John C. Worden, who became the next
postmaster.
The Founding of Worden
In 1870, John C. Worden laid out town lots on 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.
Progress
W. F. Roberson opened a grocery in Worden 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 time of growth 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 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
History of Colonel
John Charnock Worden
John Charnock 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 America alone in 1848, 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 night school to educate himself. He
next became a canal-boy on the Erie Canal, 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 Whitestown Seminary
for one term, 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, Illinois,
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
America 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, and Colonel
Worden died in February 1895.
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
Lamb’s Point School
A log schoolhouse with a stone chimney existed in Lamb’s Point in
about 1826. It was still in use in 1854.
Worden School
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 near 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.