The early settlers were men and women of hardy stock; people of virility and integrity; good foundation stones upon which to carry on the building of the community. They were an active, aggressive, and enterprising set. They left these foot prints in indelible demarcations. From them, from their activities, from their objectives, we learn a valuable lesson. They did the ground work, the basic process. They set the plumb line. Let us follow it. Let us, who are chips of the old block, hew to the line.
The Krumwiede brothers August and Henry, and their devoted wives, brought with them the embodiment of fine Christian training. They knew and knew well the cardinal doctrines of the Holy Scriptures, the chief articles of the Christian faith. Strong and unflinching in their convictions, a firm belief in "A Mighty Fortress is Our God," they were safely anchored and feared nothing. That truly was an inestimable asset - one that thieves cannot take nor moth destroy. The elder Krumwiedes lived that faith, their staunch characters bore testimony to this fact. It is a matter of pride and heartfelt satisfaction to note that their posterity, their sons and daughters, are types of the prototype. There are now four generations. Does not this clearly verify and substantiate what Dr. Martin Luther so nicely says in his exposition of "The Close of the Ten Commandments", " Showing Mercy and Grace unto Thousands of them (Bis in Tausand glied) that love Me and keep My commandments." Such blessed promises.
In their log cabin, in its charming environment by the brook and the woods, Father and Mother Krumwiede lived happily. They had no modern conveniences, no electric power and light, no radio, no telephone, no horseless carriage, but they had a mission and ideal purpose. They felt the guiding and sustaining hand of their Lord. They had knowledge that was Power, Invincible Power.
In the course of time, the family grew in numbers, but also in opulence. Wie Die Olzwvega SaSzan Dea Kindar Umdan Tisch Har; quoting the Psalmist, "The tree grew and had many branches." The home was home to all, but more room was necessary. A new home was built, of ample dimension. A two-story frame with an L addition, basement, and garret. This was a great and a greatly appreciated improvement. That residence is still standing and is in excellent condition. It now (1941) is the home of Mr. Leo Kottke and family.
When the Henry Krumwiedes settled here, there was no church of any denomination. The want was keenly felt. Under such circumstances, the Family Altar was used the more but was not a heart-satisfying supply (Gleich und gleich geseltsich gern). More families moved into this rich section of agriculture. Filial souls met. These newcomers also longed for regular divine services for spiritual care.
Occasionally, a so-called circuit rider would appear and offer to preach a sermon and, incidentally, to baptize what children were brought for that purpose. One of these was a Pastor Meier. A little group would assemble in the public school house or in one of the homes. But there seemed to be a deficiency in the sermons of these pastors; there was not the wanted essence of the Law and Gospel. Their sermonizing on the doctrine of Justification did not ring true; in short, it was not genuinely Lutheran. Our friends heard of the Lutheran Church in Kankakee, of Rev. Mueller in Champaign, and of Rev. Lindemann and Rev. Schuessler in Joliet. These preached here occasionally by invitation. From these the starving souls got what they were praying for.
Rev. Suess over in Melvin, an orthodox Lutheran pastor, came over to offer his services. The old pastor many times made trips to Buckley in all kinds of weather, and back, and even up to Milks Grove northeast of Gilman, and always on foot. Rev. Suess worked faithfully, but was called to a charge in Texas. Again, the little flock was without a shepherd. However, they now knew where to get good advice.
The pastors of Kankakee and Joliet were called for counsel and assistance. The budding congregation was told to apply for a young pastor - for a graduate of Concordia College in Springfield, Illinois. That was done, and the prayers of these Christians were heard faster and in a greater measure than they anticipated. When the college faculty at Springfield read the information received from the Rev. Mueller and Rev. Schuessler, they decided to act promptly; not to wait for graduation day in June, but then. In May, young Rev. George Blanken was selected and sent to take charge of the small flocks at Milks Grove and Buckley.
From Springfield, the ICRR brought the young minister to Gilman. In Gilman he did not receive much information nor any encouragement. He did hear favorable statements about Buckley. Rev. Blanken took the first train available for Buckley. Milks Grove and Gilman, that apparently was more or less indifferent, neither warm nor cold, are still without a flourishing true Lutheran Church, seven decades after rejection of that proffer.
At Buckley, the Lutheran pastor was given a warm and hearty reception. Messrs. H. and A. Krumwiede were at the station to greet him. The German people of Buckley hailed from Hanover, Germany, and imagine their pleasing surprise - so was Rev. Blanken a native son of that country. Landsleut! What joy!
The Buckley Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1870, as heretofore stated. This organization is still in existence. The Presbyterian Church on the corner of Lincoln and West Third Street (was established) in 1872. For many years, this church flourished; due to the removal of many members, it was finally closed. Later, a denomination, the Christian Church took the property over. By death and removals, the membership dwindled and the church was torn down and a residence on the corner stands in place of it.
Now another church, an Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Missouri Synod was soon to follow, and indeed was a necessity. It was in the spring of 1877 when Rev. George Blanken arrived. Mr. and Mrs. August Krumwiede hospitably shared their humble home with the young pastor, to the lasting blessing of both the pastor and his kind patrons. Mr. August Krumwiede and family then resided on Railroad Avenue, between Lincoln and Elm Streets, in the renovated residence. At the present, it is the residence of Mr. Henry Ilse and family. At this hospitable home, the young pastor found food, shelter and staunch friends.
The necessity of having a house of worship for the local Lutherans was apparent and conceded. With the Krumwiede families were the families of Wm. Ahlden, Henry Wolf, Henry and Louis Valberding; later the Luhrsen family, Louis Lustfeldt, John Ferdina, Christ Ouesse, William Poppe, Fred Weber, Louis Niemann, the Wagners, Voehls and the Wendts. All these had chosen Buckley for a future residence.
When it became known that the German element to this community contemplated the erection of a church building, Mr. John A. Koplin offered to donate the four lots on the north side of Main Street, between Oak and Park Streets, for that purpose. On that site, just east of the alley, the new church was built in simple but churchly architecture, churchly windows and doors and a spire. Money was scarce, but the love of the Lord opened willing hearts and the purses. The church was built and paid for promptly. This cannot be said of many congregations and their churches. A church to assemble with an energetic pastor as a leader, that injected new life into the members of the congregation and assured success.
When the constitution was submitted for adoption, it was Mr. Frederick Luhrsen who promptly put his signature there, the others quickly following.
Rev. Blanken loved music, and knew that music had charms, was an agency for culture and edification. Every week or more often, he gathered men, women and children to sing, to learn to sing correctly and harmoniously as The Lutheran Chorales. Out of this motley group of singers, a choir developed. On Sunday afternoons, the pastor taught Christenlihre in proper and wise manner. The fundamentals of Christian doctrines were studied. After the school work, the Sonntagschulharfen were opened and Vie die Altan Sungen So Zwitchartan Die Jungan. The young folks sang lustily, joyfully and sang well - remarkably well in four-part harmony.
To Rev. Blanken, the souls of the little ones were as precious as those of their elders. He espoused the need of a building to conduct a Christian Day School. This project soon materialized. It was placed on the corner east of the church. A frame building about 18' x 26' in size. Rev. Blanken threw his soul into his ministerial work among young and old, and by the Grace of the Lord with great and pleasing success, but after several years of constant use of his throat, in school, in church, in public and private addresses, his voice began to fail. Several Concordia College students were engaged to relieve him. Later, Teacher Appel was called, and the school had a trained Proeceptor! After one year's work, Mr. Appel followed a call to the school at Bloomington, Illinois. Again, the school had no teacher. A plea was sent to Addison Teachers Seminar at Addison, Illinois, to send a teacher. That request was complied with.
A young graduate came, stayed, and is here yet. He came in late August, 1885, and at this writing, the calendars and almanacs tell us that we are living in the year of Grace H.D. 1903. (9) It was J.M. Gross who responded to the call of St. John's Church at Buckley, who came with an eager desire to do his best efforts in teaching this parochial school, using the approved Lutheran Catechism, Bible History, and the secular branches in common use. Again, it was Mr. August Krumwiede and his estimable family who gave this young stranger a sanctuary. The family hardly had room to share, yet the good people took him in and gave him their best room, the parlor, for a study and a bedroom. (I was thankful then, and am today. They treated me well. Never will I forget that generous hospitality. In their home, I found with them a pleasant home for more than four years. This I here record in deep appreciation and gratefulness.)