USA > Illinois > Madison County > Madison > Anniversary: City Of Madison, Illinois 1891-1966, 75th > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8
purposes were soon installed as well as fifty-one arc lights for street lighting. More than 1500 shade trees were planted within a few months along the street parkways to beautify the village. Upon taking office Mr. Garesche had found that there were sufficient surplus funds in the village treasury to erect a new village hall. With the approval of the Village Trustees, plans were drawn and con- struction of the building started. When completed and ready for use in 1907, it was one of the finest buildings of its type in Madison County. Its cost was $35,000.00, and proof of the fine quality of the materials and workmanship used in its con- struction is that today, fifty-nine years later, the building is in excellent condition and is still used as the City Hall of the City of Madison.
1904, Warren Champion holding his youngest son Randall in his back yard at Fourth and Ewing. Rus- sian Orthodox Church and the Methodist Church are in the back ground.
-22-
1906, Looking East on Fourth Street.
Plans were also made during the early years of the Garesche administration for the construction of an adequate sewerage system, including a pump- ing station of sufficient proportions to cover the estimated growth of the village for many years. More than four miles of concrete sidewalk were laid during Mr. Garesche's first term and the old wooden sidewalks were soon to become a thing of the past.
The First National Bank was organized in 1906, with Frank Troeckler as President, and Warren Champion as Cashier. That same year saw the es- tablishment of Madison's first newspaper, the "Madison Tribune." Mr. A. Connole was its owner and Henry Connole, its editor. The paper later com- bined with the "Madison Republic" under the name of the "Madison Republic and Tribune", and finally ceased operation during the 1950's. For years the paper had been published by John Vaught. Its last publisher was Mrs. Irene Hilt.
Madison's first big fire occurred late in 1907 when the large department store owned by D. Waschauer, which covered a half block, fronting the west side of Madison Avenue, from the alley between Second and Third Streets to Third Street, burned to the ground. The fire, with flames rising high in the air, was a raging inferno, and for a
time before it was extinguished, it was feared that the entire village would catch fire from the sparks and be destroyed. Fortunately no lives were lost. Part of the nearby Bottom Building on the opposite corner was burned. It should be remembered that at this time the fire apparatus of the village still consisted of a hand-drawn hose cart manned by volunteers. The fire pointedly demonstrated to the villagers the devastation that might be caused by the lack of sufficient equipment and trained per- sonnel.
A new fire bell to notify the populace of fires and to call firemen to duty was purchased by the Fire Department and on November 22, 1908 it was christened by Dorothy Marie Garesche, the three year old daughter of the Village President, with appropriate ceremonies. The names of the then members of the Fire Department are molded on the bell. Years later, when an electric siren was in- stalled, the bell was removed and placed on a pedestal in front of the City Garage Building across the street from the City Hall where it now stands. Two years later, a modern fire wagon, drawn by two horses, was purchased and substituted for the hand-drawn hose cart.
The members of the First Baptist Church erected a new church building at the corner of Fifth and
1909, Fourth St. Looking west.
-23-
Alton Avenue in 1908 on lots which had been pur- chased by members of that church in 1891. As the church grew an addition was built in 1939 and in 1953 a brick educational building was added. In 1960 the old part of the church was brick veneered and a new entrance was added to the front. The entire auditorium was remodeled. The present church structure is one of the most imposing edi- fices in Madison.
A mission was founded by the National Presby- terian Mission Board on Madison Avenue in 1909 with a Bulgarian worker in charge. In 1919 Mrs. Dora Ashley took over the leadership of this project and for years thereafter endeared herself to the people of foreign descent by acting as their teacher and adviser. She conducted classes at the mission to assist numerous Madisonians in obtaining their citizenship papers and to acclimate them to Ameri- can life and customs. When she departed this life several years ago her name was synonymous with self-sacrifice and service to others.
The 1910 census showed that the population of Madison had risen to 5047, an increase of 3068 inhabitants during the first ten years of the new century.
A new means of transportation to St. Louis was provided when the construction of the Mckinley Bridge was completed in 1910. The Illinois Traction System extended its electric lines into downtown St. Louis over this bridge. This meant the end of the old ferry system operating across the river and it went out of existence after having served the area for nearly a hundred years.
The Holy Trinity Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church was erected at Thirteenth Street and Grand Avenue in 1910. Its membership held services there until 1912 when fire destroyed the building. Serv- ices were held in Granite City until 1929 when the present church was erected on the site of the orig- inal church.
The cornerstone of St. Marys Greek Catholic Church, located at 1312 lowa Street was laid in July, 1912. Construction of the building was com- pleted within a few months and it has served the congregation continuously since that time for re- ligious services.
On Christmas day, 1912, the St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church and School, a new two-story frame building, containing a parochial residence, two classrooms and the church on the second floor was formally opened near Tenth Street and Lee Avenue. Because of the increasing number of children, and lacking proper accommodations the school was closed after a few years and most of the local chil- dren attended the public school.
In 1913, the Madison Fire Company, under the leadership of its Chief, Pearl Smith, constructed a two-story building on Third Street, adjacent to the City Hall. The first floor of the building was used as a moving picture theater until recent years. The second floor, a large hall, was used for meetings of the Fire Company for dances, as a meeting place for other organizations and for civic activities. In addition to the service he gave the community as Chief of the Fire Department, Pearl Smith was for many years Supervisor of Venice Township and Chairman of the Madison Cohnty Board of Super-
visors.
A building located at Fifth and Ewing Avenue that had previously housed a long distance tele- phone exchange was purchased by the members of the Methodist Church for their religious activities and dedicated in 1914. This building was altered to meet the needs of the church. Since that time, and up to the present, the Methodists of this com- munity have continued to hold their services there. They have modernized the building in recent years and it is one of the most impressive buildings in the community.
In 1902, 1907, 1911 and 1913, additions had been added to the original Harris School building. The need for a separate High School building was recognized by the residents of the School District and in 1914, a new High School building was erected at the corner of Third Street and Alton Avenue. Many of the present residents of the City attended High School in this building. A new Senior High School building was later erected east of McCambridge Avenue in 1950 and 1951. At this time the old High School building is used as a Junior High School for 7th and 8th grade pupils. In 1915, Louis Baer, the first Superintendent of the Madison Public School System died. In 1922, a new grade school building was erected at Rhodes and McCambridge Avenue and named the "Louis Baer School" in his honor.
The Southern Missionary Baptist Church organ- ized in 1917, first held services at West Third and Washington Streets, later moving to 900 Franklin Street. In 1947 their church was damaged by fire. After it was repaired services were held in the building until 1965 when the construction of a spacious new brick church at Klein and Bissell Street was completed. The building is of the most modern construction and will meet the needs of the congregation for many years to come.
The sewage disposal system and pumping station which had been planned during the first years of the Garesche administration became a reality with its construction in 1917 and 1918.
During 1917 and 1918, our nation was embroiled in war with Germany and her allies. The residents of Madison did everything within their power to secure victory in that conflict. Many young men of the village served in the armed forces during the First World War, some never to return again. The citizens who remained at home worked long hours in the industries of the area. School pupils planted "Victory Gardens" to relieve food shortages. All of the civic organizations put forth their utmost efforts to insure success in the war effort. When the war ended on November 11, 1918, Madisor had every reason to feel proud that it had done its share to safeguard the American way of life.
In 1918, during the last year of the First World War, the Village of Madison, as well as its neigh- boring communities, suffered heavily from an epi- demic of Spanish Influenza that swept over the country. Many of its residents died of this dread disease before it finally abated.
1919 saw the return of the soldiers from over- seas and the army camps in this country, and peace time activities started again. During this year Madi- son's third bank, the Union Trust Company, was
-24-
organized and established their banking business in a building on the west side of Madison Avenue, between Twelfth and Thirteenth Streets.
The population of the village as shown by the 1920 census was 4,996, a loss of fifty residents from the 1910 population. This was nothing un- usual as other communities in the area had like- wise lost population, primarily because of the effects of the recent war.
The years of the "Roaring 20's" had begun!
Before 1920 all of the residents of Madison were required to go to the post office to receive the mail. In that year this became unnecessary as a free mail delivery service was inaugurated.
Later that same year, on December 15, 1920, an incident occurred which had a great effect on the village. The Helmbacher Forge and Rolling Mill, one of the early established industries in the village, which was connected with the operation of the American Car and Foundry Company burned down. Throughout a quarter of a century this company had provided employment for many Madisonians. It was a spectacular fire. Fire companies from St. Louis, Venice, and Granite City, battled the blaze for hours. It was a windy day and small fires caused by the sparks broke out in other parts of the village. The mill was never rebuilt and its loss proved to be a severe blow to the economy of the community.
The first meeting place of the members of the Church of God in Christ was located in a small house at 918 Webster Street, West Madison. The membership grew and in 1921 their present church was erected at 711 Franklin Street. It is still used by the congregation for their religious services.
In 1922 the Minerva Reading Club, an organiza- tion of civic minded women, brought to the atten- tion of the community the advantages of having a collection of worth while books. Through the activi- ties of the club, the Madison Public Library was organized, maintained by public taxation. The
original Library Board was composed of Mrs. Mar- garet Harlan, its first President, Mrs. Herman Schermer, Mrs. J. B. Storey, Mrs. Dora Ashley, Miss May Eiler and Mr. L. A. Winsor. Mrs. Fanny Allison succeeded Mr. Winsor in 1928. In 1923 there were 2000 volumes in the library. The first librarian was Mrs. Ralph Johns who was followed by Mrs. Jean Porter. In August, 1925, the library was housed on the second floor of a building located at 423 Madison Avenue. Sadie M. Crawford became librarian at that time and for many years, until she retired, she continued to serve in that capacity. Because of the growth of the library it was moved in 1930 to more spacious accommodations on the ground floor at 430 Madison Avenue. By 1933 there were 4700 volumes in the library. The library continued to grow and within a few years the need of a separate building to house its activities became apparent. Plans were made for the construction of a new building at the southeast corner of Fifth and Ewing Avenue. The Madison Fire Company com- pletely financed the cost of the erection of the building having entered into an agreement with the City for repayment of the amount as city finances permitted. The final cost of the building was $15,266.73. It was dedicated on May 1, 1947. At that time Mrs. Margaret Harlan was President, Mrs. Fanny Allison, Vice-President, Mrs. Nevenka Kacalieff, Secretary, and Laura Ulffers, Helen Johns, Charlotte Storey, Margaret Green, Marjorie Long, and Elizabeth Louis, members. Sadie Craw- ford was Librarian and Mary Connole, Assistant Librarian. An addition to the building was con- structed in 1956, at a cost of $13,091.00. The library has continued to grow, both in number of volumes and in borrowers, until today, in 1966, it contains approximately 16450 volumes. It is ex- pected that before many months have elapsed it will be necessary to build an addition to the build- ing. At the present time the Library Board is com- posed of Mrs. Margaret Harlan, President, the only remaining member of the original Board, Mrs. Nevenka Kacalieff, Secretary, Mrs. Mary Pashoff,
First church in Madison. Burned to the ground on Dec. 24, 1924 but was rebuilt soon after.
-25-
Mrs. Dorothy Sbabo, Mrs. Newell Williams, Mrs. Ruth Fogle, Mrs. John Mc Elwain, Miss Eunice Hatscher, and Mrs. Evelyn Holt. The Librarian is Mrs. Blanche Revelle, and Mrs. Louise Lewis is Assistant Librarian.
The Mount Nebo Baptist Church, which had been organized in 1898, held their services in a small frame building until 1922, when they erected a new brick church. In 1943 the building was almost totally destroyed by fire. Their present church was constructed in 1944 at West Second and Jefferson Streets, West Madison.
In 1923 the Madison Fire Department was mod- ernized when a new 350 gallon capacity fire truck was purchased.
JOHN HANLAN First Druggist in Madison
Fire destroyed a landmark in the community in 1924. The Presbyterian Church, the first in Madi- son, burned to the ground. The cornerstone of a new church building to replace it was laid in 1925. The building was completed in 1926, and still serves the Presbyterians of the community as their place of worship.
Realizing the need of a new parochial school the parishioners of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church gave their attention to the erection of a new school building in 1924. Ground was broken on May 19, 1925 for an up to date brick building containing nine rooms and a church auditorium. The new school was formally opened September 1, 1925, with a school enrollment of 265 pupils.
Fourth and Fifth Streets were paved in 1925. In 1926 the paving of Second and Third Streets was extended to McCambridge Avenue, and State Street was repaved. That same year the first Madi- son Avenue Whiteway was constructed.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus Polish National Cath-
olic Church commenced the erection of a new brick church at 930 Reynolds Street with the laying of the corner stone on November 21, 1926. The first solemn Holy Mass was celebrated in the new edifice on February 20, 1927. Since that time the Parish members and all of the Societies of the Church have conducted their religious activities and church services in this building.
A tornado struck the Tri-City area on Septem- ber 27, 1927. A large number of buildings in Madi- son were heavily damaged but fortunately no Madi- sonians lost their lives although a number of them were injured.
A large addition was added to the Madison High School Building in 1930. It consisted of a combined gymnasium and auditorium. It is used now for the same purposes by the Junior High School.
The population of the village had reached 7661 by 1930, an increase of 2665 over the 1920 census. At that time, according to census records there were 944 native born white families, 623 foreign born families, and 292 negro families in the village. The principle industries of the community were the American Car and Foundry Company, which within a few months was to close, the Laclede Steel Com- pany, the General American Transportation Com- pany, the Kettle River Tie and Lumber Company and the Madison Packing Company.
The years of the 1930's had far reaching effects on the village. In 1929, a ten year period of reck- less spending, investment and speculation came to an end in this nation with the Wall Street market crash.
Madison, depending for its very existence on its industries, became one of the very first communi- ties in the nation to feel the effects of the greatest depression this country had ever known. During the 1920's there had been steady full time employ- ment for the residents. Smoke poured from all of the smoke stacks of the various industries in the area which were the life blood of the village. It was a period of financial boom and prosperity. But with the advent of the 1930's a person could look in any direction and not see a wisp of smoke from any industry anywhere. Most Madison residents found themselves without employment. Its three banks closed their doors. The Tri-City State Bank and the Union Trust Company did not reopen, leaving only the First National Bank to serve Madi- son. Hundreds of Madisonians were forced to de- pend upon relief organizations for their food, cloth- ing and housing. At stated intervals recipients of relief would form long lines at the Township Relief Office to receive their weekly allotments of life's necessities. They would generally bring small carts and wagons, called "Hoover Carts", to carry these items home with them. In the meantime, Madison lost its first established industry. The American Car and Foundry Company which had given em- ployment to thousands over the years, closed its doors never to open again. It was the construction of this industry that led to the founding of the Village of Madison in 1891. As it was among the very first communities to suffer from the depres- sion it was among the last to recover from its devastating effects and it was not until the late 1930's that recovery from its economic ills begar
-26-
to take place. The years of the thirties were dis- couraging, unhappy years for most Madisonians, and as events turned out, they proved to be the last years of the operation of the community under the Village form of government for Madison be- came a City in 1942, and with this step gained a new lease on life.
The United Hebrew Congregation of the Tri- Cities erected a large synagogue at 1536 Fourth Street in 1933. The membership worshiped in this building for a number of years when because of the small number of Jewish families residing in the Tri-Cities services were suspended. The building was acquired in 1965 by the Church of Christ which now holds services there.
Although Madison had been furnished with free mail delivery service since 1920, the City had never been provided with a Post Office building. The Post Office in the years past had been housed in various business buildings. In 1936, the corner- stone of a new Post Office building was laid and construction was completed during the next year. The building located on the southwest corner of Sixth Street and Madison Avenue is an imposing structure and provides the City with modern postal services. The present Postmaster is William Clinton.
Madison lost two of its foremost citizens during the late years of the 1930's. Pearl Smith, who had held the offices of Superintendent of Streets of Madison, Venice Township Supervisor, Chairman of the Madison County Board of Supervisors and Chief of the Fire Department of Madison, died in 1937. He was succeeded by Joseph Grenzer, Village Col- lector, as Township Supervisor. In later years the Grenzer Homes were named in his honor.
Ferdinand A. Garesche voluntarily retired on May 1, 1937, as Village President of Madison. During his long tenure of office, and under his leadership, Madison had developed from a struggl- ing village to a well organized and prosperous com- munity. A large farewell party was held in his honor in the Fireman's Hall at which time he told of his experiences as Village President. This party was attended by several hundred Madisonians, all saddened by his decision to retire. The passage of time and the events of his strenuous and active life soon took their toll, for Mr. Garesche departed this life in 1939. He left a mark on the community that the passage of time cannot erase. The Garesche Homes were later named in his honor.
Robert Dron was elected to succeed Mr. Garesche as Village President in April, 1937. He remained in office until 1942. Born in Scotland, he came from there to Canada, and from Canada to Madison. He established an electrical contracting business here and gained a reputation as an astute and progressive businessman. He was serving as Treasurer of the Village at the time of his election, being succeeded in that office by John Amend. Mr. Dron's administration will be best remembered for the purchase of the Kingshighway Chain-of-Rocks Bridge for $2,300,000.00, from the Kingshighway Bridge Company on June 13, 1939. The acquisition of this bridge, spanning the Mississippi about five miles north of the village limits proved to be a God-send for the village. The cost was financed by the sale of revenue bonds at no expense to the
taxpayers of Madison. Not only did it provide em- ployment for a number of Madisonians, but in later years it became a source of substantial income for the soon to be organized City of Madison, without which many of the later improvements to the City could not have been accomplished. All of the in- debtedness incurred by the purchase of the bridge has now been paid. In the opinion of most Madi- sonians the purchase of this bridge has proved to be one of the most beneficial accomplishments for the residents of the municipality during its entire history.
The Madison Municipal Garage building was erected on Third Street, in 1940.
In October of 1941, the Village of Madison cele- brated the 50th Anniversary of its founding by holding a giant celebration over a week's period. Many types of amusement activities were provided for the residents and three of the biggest "name" bands of the country played at dances held each night in the High School Gymnasium. The carnival spirit prevailed during the entire time. Appropriate ceremonies were held commemorating the found- ing of Madison and important events in its history. It was the last big event ever held in the village, as its citizens, less than a year later, in March, 1942, voted to incorporate under the city form of govern- ment.
By 1941 it had become apparent to many for- ward looking citizens that the old village form of municipal government with its President and Board of Trustees elected from the village as a whole was outdated and could not adequately or efficiently serve the public interest. Petitions to incorporate Madison as a city were circulated and filed with the Village Clerk for presentation to the Board of Trustees. On February 17, 1942, the Board of Trustees adopted a resolution calling an election to be held in the village on March 24, 1942, for the purpose of determining the question whether Madi- son should be incorporated as a city. The election was held on that day. Later that evening the re- turns of the election were canvassed by the Board of Trustees which showed that 1830 residents had voted at the election of which 1284 had voted "yes", and 488 "no." There were 58 spoiled ballots. The Trustees then passed a resolution declaring Madison to have been incorporated as a City under the General Law, and called an election to be held on May 19, 1942, for the first election of city officers. Immediately after the passage of the resolution that evening, Robert Dron submitted his resignation as Village President, which was accept- ed by the Board of Trustees. At the subsequent meetings of the Board of Trustees held pending the election of the first city officers, Stephen A. Maeras, a member of the Board of Trustees, served as Village President pro tempore. Under this new form of city government Madison was divided into five wards, four wards being east of State Street and the other being in West Madison. Two alder- men were to be elected thereafter from each ward, ten in all, to comprise the City Council. The Mayor, City Clerk, City Treasurer, and Police Magistrate were to be elected by the voters of the City as a whole.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.