USA > Illinois > Madison County > Centennial history of Madison County, Illinois, and its people, 1812 to 1912, Volume I > Part 73
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"The part of Looking Glass prairie we were now on, captivated all of us who took part in the expedition to Vandalia wonderfully at first sight. Here we did not find the endless for- ests of Missouri, nor the monotonous un- bounded prairies of Illinois. And yet our eyes rested here on a prairie landscape, but the green plains were decorated with very many pleasant hills and deep dales, so as to give the whole a park-like appearance. And this beautiful picture was enframed on the west by the woody heights of Silver creek and the luxuriant foliate forest of Sugar creek in the east. . The prairie, as far as the eye could see, lay untouched before us in all
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its magnificence. Small herds of deer and a few cattle were grazing in the high rich grass, which looked like a bright carpet in its thousandfold flowers of all colors. There were but few signs of culture. At great distances, along the edges of timber, smoke would. issue out of log houses. That the object of our six months of travel and search had been reached, was at once clear to all. A feeling of joy and satisfaction of having at last found what we had been look- ing for, found expression from the hearts of all in the exclamation: 'Here it's good to dwell, here let us build cabins, here is room for us all and thousands of others, though it is not a mountainous country, yet we will call it, in honor of our dear fatherland, New Switzerland.' "
From thereon, as already indicated else- where, the gradual and comparatively rapid settlement and development of the township began, the experienced farmers and agricul- turists of Europe bringing culture and civili- zation, converting this and neighboring town- ships from a wilderness into one of the rich- est and most prosperous parts of the great state of Illinois, if not the garden spot, as it is often called. Space forbids further de- tails, but the foundation of
SEBASTOPOL
in the southeastern corner of Helvetia town- ship should not remain unnoticed. A so- called "French Settlement" was started by colonists from the French cantons of Switzer- land about 1848, but mostly promoted in 1856 by L. Trembley, a native of France, who lived on the border of Clinton county for years prior to the foundation of the settlement. This being a rich and beautiful agricultural sec- tion inhabited by industrious people, Tim- othy Gruaz saw the advantages in laying out the little town of Sebastopol in 1860, after having previously, in 1858, opened a store on the north side of the settlement near the Ram-
say farm. Eventually the village had about a dozen houses, and in addition to the general store two blacksmiths (J. C. Luchsinger and Elisha Demoulin), a cartwright (Rud. Kauf- mann), and a shoemaker (Aug. Keiser). The store of Gruaz soon came into the hands of Wm. Hagnauer, Sr., then some years later to J. C. Steiner, and lastly to Elisha Demoulin, who closed the store about twelve years ago, the blacksmith, cartwright and shoemaker also having gone out of business about the same time, so that since then only dwelling houses remain. During the best years of this village Anthony Hoefli also conducted a small tavern.
ST. MORGAN
Another well-known little crossroads "town," called St. Morgan, needs to be men- tioned. It is in the southwestern corner of the township, 5 miles south of Highland, on the Trenton road. E. M. Morgan, a good man, a pioneer of Clinton county, settled there in 1844. He was associate justice of Madison county from 1857 to 1861. He opened a store and had a postoffice established there, with himself as postmaster. Nicholas Zopf opened a tavern, and Fred. Hanselmann started a blacksmith shop, which still exists. But the store and the tavern, which, after the death of the original owners, repeatedly had other proprietors, have been closed since a number of years.
PROMINENT FARMERS
In conclusion some of the more prominent farmers (not already mentioned elsewhere), who settled in the township previous to 1860, deserve to be remembered, namely: Chr. Bau- mann, Jos. Blattner, Martin and Christian Branger, Chr. Bargaetzi, J. G. and son P. C. Chipron, Fred. Feutz, Martin Hug, Seb. Holz- inger, Carl and Ant. Hammer, Gottl. Heinrich, Christian and Fritz Koch, Christian Kuhnen, Jacob and Albert Kleiner, Melchior Koehler, Val. Krenzer, Jacob and John Leder, Jacob
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
Leutwiler, Alois Latzer, Jacob Mueller, Arn- old Rietmann, Anton Schuler, Peter and Fred. Schrumpf, Xavier Voegele, Melchior Weber, Rudolph and son Joseph Widmer, and the brothers Rudolph, Jacob, John and Henry Zobrist. Those active in a business way and not mentioned elsewhere, were, among others : Louis and Frank Appel, Geo. Dumbeck, J. B. Edelmann, Martin Hahn, John Hiestant, Jacob Haeusli, Geo. Brawand, Caspar Kamm, John Mueller, Querin Mueller, J. U. Oehler, Geo.
Prader, Const. Rappenecker, Theo. Ruegger, Arnold Stoecklin, Peter Streiff, Geo. Schep- perle, Anton Schwarz, Max Schmidt, John Spoerri, Michael Stamm, J. Sackett, Nic Voe- gele, Andreas and Peter Voegele, Jul. Wick, Lorenz Winter, Chas. Wurst, Nic. Witschi, Dr. Alois Wick, Dom. Wiget. Very few of the above are still living, but nearly all the names are yet represented by their descend- ants.
CHAPTER LXIII
HISTORY OF HIGHLAND
EARLY SETTLEMENT OF HIGHLAND-FOUNDATION OF THE TOWN-INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AND GENERAL GROWTH-FIRST GENERAL ELECTION-POSTOFFICE ESTABLISHED-GERMAN AND SWISS IMMIGRANTS-HIGHLAND IN 1841-ENTERPRISES OF THE PAST-HIGHLAND MILITIA-SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES-THE PUBLIC SCHOOL-PROMINENT MEN-SOCIETIES AND LODGES-INCORPORATED AS A VILLAGE-ORGANIZE AS A CITY-PRESIDENTS AND MAYORS OF HIGHLAND-INDUSTRIES-BANKS-STORES AND HOTELS-A CITY IN A PARK.
By John S. Hoerner
Much has been written and published about Highland in the earliest days as well as up to the present time, partly for advertising pur- poses and partly for historical records.
In order to eliminate inaccuracies and state- ments known to be doubtful or overdrawn in any respect, this sketch will be based upon official records, memoranda and information of old settlers, and personal observations, mak- ing it simply a statement of facts without elaboration for fame, for I am confident that our little city has in itself ample merits to make it appear in every respect not only creditable, but even praiseworthy.
EARLY SETTLEMENT OF HIGHLAND
The settlement of this part of the county by white people began as early as 1804, but these were very few and far apart up to 1831, when immigrants from Switzerland began to arrive, followed in increasing numbers by other Swiss and Germans up to 1837, when the town of Highland was founded. But be- fore proceeding with the history of the town, it may be desirable to describe the conditions of this region at that time.
Joseph Suppiger had built the first house (a frame) at a point which later became about the center of the town of Highland. From this place southward to Lebanon and Trenton not one farm had been started on the grand prairies, nor north up to Saline and east to Pocahontas, except at the edge of timber of the prairie, west of Silver creek and east of Sugar creek, where there existed a few farms of mostly small dimensions. The same was the case on the neighboring Shoal creek prai- rie. When the first larger number of Swiss immigrants who followed the first Swiss set- tlers (the Koepflis and Suppigers) arrived in 1833, they bought of the Americans these farms, or so-called improvements consisting of a log cabin and several acres of cultivated land, with the right of pre-emption. Having disposed of his improvement, the squatter would then pack his few effects upon a horse, the lady and children upon another, and away they would go, the man-armed with a shot- gun-as escort afoot or upon a third horse if he had one. Usually the purchaser, after hav- ing paid for the improvement and for one or two cows, chickens and hogs, was rid of his
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money, the mover having taken it away out of circulation, so that buying and selling had to be transacted mostly on the exchange plan. But due to the arrival of fresh immigrants this section was never entirely out of money.
The crisis of 1837 was not felt or even known here until a few years later, because the settlers were separated from the rest of the world and received no newspapers. It was a remote region, with no officially estab- lished road, not even to St. Louis. There were no bridges over the creeks, which were impassable when the water would rise. In short, the district in which Highland was located was at that time almost an unknown country. It took strangers three or four days to come here from St. Louis. There being no roads to other settlements or towns, certain parts in the landscape, Indian mounds and the points where the sun rose or set had to be kept in the eye, when going anywhere through the high prairie grass with ox teams or on horse back. On returning the animals instinctively usually found the straightest way home.
The first domicile of the Koepflis, before they built their fine residence on the so-called Koepfli hill just north of town, was the "Gruetli farm," afterwards owned by Frank Lorenz, and now the property of his son, Ed Lorenz. It was headquarters at that time for the district, and though hard to find by those not knowing the locality and vicinity, was yet constantly besieged by people from all directions, who either came to see father Koepfli, the only doctor within a wide range, or for advice or information regarding the purchase and sale of lands, etc., as well as out of curiosity or for investigation. For im- migrants, especially, it was the first place of refuge. A gathering of twenty persons at that time, however, was sensational in the sparsely settled locality.
FOUNDATION OF THE TOWN
The legislature of Illinois, in its winter ses- sion of 1836-1837, made a large appropriation for the building of railroads. One of them was in contemplation to run from Alton to Mount Carmel. This induced eastern land speculators, relatives of General James Sem- ple of Alton, then speaker of the house of representatives, to purchase land between Ed- wardsville and Carlyle. The settlers of this locality had no idea where the railroad would pass through the country until one day, quite unexpectedly, two strangers appeared on horse- back, looking around in every direction and in- quiring about the owners of land. One of these was General Semple, who then visited Joseph Suppiger, telling him that he and others had bought lands in this section because the rail- road would pass through here and intended to lay out a town, but desired that he (Jos. Supp- iger), Dr. Koepfli and James Reynolds join them as founders of the town. An agreement to that effect was soon made, deciding that 100 acres were to be platted into forty-five blocks, each 300 feet square with the usual streets and alleys, the central block being re- served or donated for public or school pur- poses. The survey was made by the then county surveyor, Benaiah Robinson. In nam- ing the town Suppiger and Koepfli proposed either Helvetia or New Switzerland, but to General Semple these names appeared too for- eign, and being of Scotch descent and his new associates also hailing from mountain regions, he proposed Highland, which was finally adopted. Zschokke street of the town was made considerably wider than the others, for the purpose of allowing the prospective rail- road the right of way. That railroad, how- ever, was not completed, though considerable grading (even yet visible around here) had been done, being presumably abandoned on ac- count of the panic of 1837.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
The next step taken by the promoters of the town was a public sale of lots on September 16, 1837. Constable Nic Kile was the auc- tioneer. The attendance was not large, because the vicinity was but sparsely settled, and out- siders could not be expected, since similar pro- jects were being pushed everywhere. Though special inducements were offered purchasers, only a comparatively small number of lots could be sold. In celebration of the affair a supper was served, the cost of which, includ-
In the mill Sylvan Utiger installed a turn- ery, making bed posts, naves for wagons, etc. The settlers then began building frame houses and improving the log cabins. But for heat- ing, cooking and baking they all had the large fire places, because cast iron stoves were too expensive. The meals, at that time, consisted usually of cornbread, bacon or venison. Deer at that time were so numerous that the meat could be bought for less than one cent per pound in winter. Potatoes were a rarity
HIGHLAND MILLING COMPANY, FOUNDED IN 1837 By Joseph Suppiger and Associates.
ing refreshments, amounted to the total sum of $10.50. Wesley Dugger, from the neigh- borhood of the present town of St. Jacob, was the only one present from a distance. He bought a corner lot on which he built a frame house and started a small country store at the place now occupied by A. Urban.
Immediately after the sale of lots Joseph Suppiger prepared for the building of a steam mill, thus affording welcome employment to others, with the further effect that the build- ing of houses began, the first one being a log cabin of about 20 feet square, in which on New Year's day, 1838, the first public dance took place.
among the native settlers, but the foreign im- migrants began planting them, and soon they were plentiful.
The so-called Methodist hill was at that time the meeting place of deer, rabbits and wolves, the latter being especially severe on young pigs. All animals being allowed to run at large before the stock law was enacted and effective, not only farms, but also all occu- pied or improved places in town had to be fenced to keep the animals out. Hogs, at that time, were of a breed having very long snouts, enabling them to do considerable dam- age. But the settlers knew how to put these animals to work. They would scatter corn
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
over newly broken soil, and the hogs would pulverize it to perfection. In the same man- ner they would be induced to uproot the loam used for chimneys in log houses. When log cabins were built, the neighbors would assist in the raising, and for pay would be rewarded with a "frolic." This brought the widely scat- tered neighbors together for better acquaint- ance and friendship.
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AND GENERAL GROWTH
The industrial development and growth of the town began upon completion and opera- tion of the mill in the spring of 1839. But skilled tradesmen and mechanics were anx- iously desired and the wish gratified when in the summer of that year two young men ar- rived, a wagon maker by name of Kruker from St. Gall, Switzerland, and Lang, a black- smith from Germany. Jacob Eggen imme- diately set them to work making the first wagon, which they completed to perfection, thereby establishing a reputation that brought them abundant work.
Next to the builders of the mill Jacob Eg- gen was also a pioneer in industrial promo- tion. He had arrived from Switzerland in 1833, and in 1835 started with M. Labhart, of Steckborn, Switzerland, on the present Lorenz farm, a pottery, furnishing pots to the white lead factory of St. Louis, salve jars for doc- tors and druggists, tile stoves made to order and installed for Germans in St. Louis, Belle- ville, Mascoutah (then called Mechanicsburg), etc. He also started the first successful brick yard, a negro having tried it before him, but failed to make brick fit for use. A distillery and the first bakery in Highland were also founded by Mr. Eggen.
As the town progressed most any industrial branch of manufacture was eventually cov- ered, even such uncommon ones as a powder mill, rope factory, tannery, etc., proving that
the Swiss and German immigrants were skilled in all the industrial vocations.
FIRST GENERAL ELECTION
The first election for senators and repre- sentatives, for the state, for governor and county offices, was held on the first Monday in August, 1839, at the school house on Methodist Hill, built in the spring of that year.
In December, 1839, Mother Suppiger and two daughters arrived from Switzerland (the sons had arrived earlier) ; also the Durer fam- ily with three daughters; Dr. Casper Koepfli, Jr., with wife, two daughters and one son, and several others. Shortly after their arrival the Durer family took charge of the first hotel, the "Eagle," which had been started by Anton Buchmann.
POSTOFFICE ESTABLISHED
The postoffice was established the same year, 1839, with David Thorp as postmaster, who had started the second store in Highland. Then a letter to Switzerland cost 50 cents, and in the United States 25 cents. Previous to this time mail was received from Troy once a week, Anthony Suppiger being the carrier on horseback at a yearly salary of $76.
GERMAN AND SWISS IMMIGRANTS
March, 1840, marks the arrival of welcome people from Saxony, Germany, who proved themselves very active and efficient helpers in the upbuilding of the colony, and to incite cheerful social life. Before coming here they had resided several years in Louisville, Ken- tucky. The party consisted of Charles and Edward Kinne (originally spelled Kuenne), Frederick Kinne and wife and her mother, Mrs. Richter, Miss Emily Richter, and Ed- ward Hammer, uncle of the Kinnes. These men were all skilled in handicraft, Charles be- ing a saddler and harness maker, Frederick a cabinet maker, and Edward Hammer car-
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
penter. These men, together with Joseph, Melchior, David and John Suppiger, who were already here, formed a small orchestra that furnished good music for concerts, and pri- vate entertainment.
On August 4, 1840, fifty-four immigrants from Highland and vicinity procured their naturalization papers at Edwardsville. There being too many to swear singly, it was agreed to take the oath in three groups at the reduced rate of 50 cents a man.
On the 22nd of August of the same year another party of sixty-eight persons, young and old, arrived from Switzerland, some set- tling in Highland, the others on farms adja- cent. They were an acquisition for the local- ity, readily adapting themselves to existing conditions, progressing through diligence, forethought and perseverance. From year to year others arrived, coming mostly from Switzerland and Germany, and thus the town and surrounding country was eventually de- veloped to one of the most prosperous towns and farming sections of the country.
HIGHLAND IN 184I
In 1841 the population of Highland con- sisted of 120 persons, young and old. Though the financial crisis, started in 1837, was now also heavily felt here, yet more houses were built and other improvements made. Owing to the failure of so many private banks paper money was either worthless or at considerable discount, while small change had disappeared. But our people knew how to help themselves in some way, so that progress continued never- theless. Mr. Eggen, who had visited Switzer- land in 1841, when returning in 1842, and coming from New Orleans on a steamboat to St. Louis, noticed that the captain was badly in need of small change, and showing him some small coins the size of a silver quarter but worth only 21/2 cents in Switzerland, was offered $7.50 for his entire supply amounting to only 75 cents.
At that time the extension of the national post road from Vandalia to St. Louis was in contemplation, and seeing the advantages of its passage through Highland, Joseph Suppiger induced General Semple, who was then a member of the senate at Washington to use his influence to change the route through Highland instead of through Marine, as had been intended. The answer came that their wish would be granted if they agreed to build the road from Pocahontas through Highland to Troy. This was done with alacrity and the willing sacrifice of time and money, the re- ward being that in the fall of 1843, on a Sunday, the first four-horse post coach passed through Highland, the event being witnessed by the entire population of the town and vicinity.
In the summer of 1843 Joseph and Salomon Koepfli, upon return from their visit to Swit- zerland, built their fine large residence on the beautiful hill just north of town, also convert- ing the grove on the north side into a neat park. The same year quite a number of build- ings were erected, and several stores opened. Peter Tuffli and his stepfather, John Lau- binger, bought the house in which Elijah Ellison carried on a store (one of the first in town) and opened therein the first regular meat shop. About the same time J. R. Blatt- ner began building the noted New Switzer- land House, which existed about fifty years until the late John Wildi bought it and erected in place of it his fine mansion.
Inasmuch as a complete chronological re- view of the development of the town up to the present time would not only take up too much space, besides not being entirely inter- esting and exact data in all cases not obtain- able, it may be deemed sufficient to mention only the most noteworthy, omitting for an- other chapter such as have continued up to this time, together with those connected with them, noting here only the
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
ENTERPRISES OF THE PAST
Of factories and industries, except those already mentioned, from the early days until years past, we have had a powder mill several miles east of town, by J. Rudolph Blattner ; a carriage and buggy factory by Thomas Korink, who took first premium at the Ed- wardsville fair in 1863; planing mill by Nic Rohr & Sons; foundry and machine shop by Valloton & Lelaurin, then by John Ellison & Son, and others; tannery by Hy. Zweck and Joseph Speckart ; corn and grist mill by Jacob Grossenbacher & Son' (Daniel) up to 1892; fruit distillery, hydraulic wine and cider press by August J. Pagan, up to a few years ago ; brewery, 1841 to 1877 by John Geismann, who was also an expert cooper, making large casks.
Also the Highland City flouring mills, which was founded in 1866 by Hy. Hermann, John Leder and C. H. Seybt, the mill being de- stroyed by fire in 1889 and not rebuilt. The members of the firm then became partners in the Suppiger mill.
Jacob Eggen, soon after having started and brought to successful operation the first dis- tillery in 1844, associated with him Hy. Her- mann and George Ruegger as partners, con- tinuing as such firm until 1849, when the business passed into the hands of Anton Mueller, J. J. Spindler and Henry Hermann, who continued up to 1865, dissolving the partnership. Hermann then continued an- other year and closed the business to enter the new milling company.
The Highland woolen mills was originally started by N. Smiley in 1843 with a wool carding machine, later bought by William Stahl and converted into a yarn factory, the business then being continued successively by Bosshard, Feickert & Co., Bosshard, Pfen- ninger & Co., and finally by Charles Bosshard up to September, 1874, who then had to close
because the business could not be made re- munerative.
So-called general country stores, in addi- tion to the first ones already mentioned, were those of Crownover and Sackett, John Sup- piger, Hy. Weinheimer, Charles Feickert, J. G. Herzog, J. J. Spindler, Lorenz Winter, Rudolph Duckart, J. H. Willimann, and sev- eral others of less importance.
The first regular lumber yard was started by John Buchter and continued up to his death in 1881. Joseph Harnisch for many years had a hardware store in the east end. Joseph Rupf and Hermann Liebler each had furni- ture stores, but Liebler finally branched out into a unique business, having everything but farm machinery, so that a married couple could procure an entire outfit and supplies for living, and in case they died he also had the coffins and hearse. He closed out the business in 1876 and returned to Germany, where he died .*
The old well known hotels, long out of ex- istence, were the Highland House, by Jacob Weber ; the New Switzerland House, by J. R. Blattner ; the Eagle Hotel, by numerous own- ers, Nicolas Voegele, Hy. Laengle, Jacob Zimmermann, Albert Osthoff, etc .; the Re- public House, by George Prader, Casimir and John Hoffmann, and others.
In 1854 A. E. Bandelier, Dr. F. Ryhiner and M. Huegy opened a private bank under the firm name of F. Ryhiner & Co., the first and only bank in Highland up to April 30, 1885, when it failed with liabilities of about $800,000. The principal reason of their fail- ure was the very high rate of interest paid on time deposits. This brought large sums from Switzerland, amounting to about $375,000 at the time of their failure. In order to place
*It is said that during the cholera epidemic in 1849 and '50 he so overstocked himself with cof- fins that he still had some on hand during the sixties.
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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY
this large amount of money they employed agents in some of the counties in the southern part of the state. These agents, in order to make their commission, loaned large sums on any kind of poor land, and finally the bank would have to take the land for the debt. Then poor crops and hard times came along, so that the bank was unable to dispose of the lands to meet its obligations, and consequently caus- ing its failure. After seven years the affairs of the bank were finally wound up, the cred- itors receiving in all 28.65% on their claims. The assignees were Joseph C. Ammann, Fred B. Suppiger, John H. Hermann and Adolph Ruegger. Though this failure was a hard blow to many of the poorer class of our people, yet it had caused no perceptible suffering, the people simply continuing to work and saving up again as before.
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