USA > Illinois > Mason County > Centennial history of Mason County, including a sketch of the early history of Illinois, its physical peculiarities, soils, climate, production, etc. > Part 10
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HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
tion of the new incorporation act by a large majority. Minority representation was rejected.
This result necessitated a change in the boundaries of wards pre- vious to the next general election. The census was taken by a committee appointed by the Council, and an ordinance was duly passed, dividing the city into three wards, as follows: First ward lay west of Mason street and north of Chestnut; the second, west of Mason street and south of Chestnut; and the third, all that por- tion of the city east of Mason street.
ELECTION, APRIL 15, 1873.
Mayor-T. J. Watkins.
Aldermen Ist Ward-A. A. Cargill and J. S. Gates.
2d W. I. Kincaid and J. C. Ellsberry.
3d W. S. Chenoweth and L. D. Case.
City Attorney-Wm. P. Freeman.
City Clerk-J. C. Warnock.
City Treasurer-John Lazelle.
Police Magistrate-Jacob Benscoter.
City Marshal-Dennis Pride (appointed).
But this article is already extended to twice the length I had in- tended, and, lest I weary the reader, I must hasten to a conclu- sion.
To-day, Mason City has a population of at least 2,000. During the last six years the average increase in population has been about 250 per year. Perhaps a larger amount of business is transacted here every year than in any other city of equal size in the State of Illinois. This city is situated in eastern Mason county, in the center of a well settled and exceedingly fertile district of country, and, as long as agriculture shall continue to be the true basis of wealth and power, just so long will the prosperity of Mason City be as- sured. But, though the success of our city is largely dependent upon the support of agriculturists, it must be admitted that the growth and improvement, both of the city and the country sur- rounding it, is, to a considerable extent, due to railroads, and to the pluck and enterprise of our merchants, grain dealers and other business men.
The Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western Ex. R. R. was com- pleted through this place to Havana, in January, 1873, It will
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HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
soon be finished to the Mississippi river, and will then be one of the most important railroad lines in the West. It is probable that within two years a road, to be known as "The Grand Junction Railway," will be built from Quincy to this place, making connec- tion here with the Chicago & Alton R. R.
And so, from all points of view, the outlook is most encourag- ing. "It doth not yet appear what we shall be," fully, but enough can be seen to inspire in any reasonable observer the belief that Mason City is destined to move onward and upward to a much higher rank among the host of cities stationed in the great Mississ- ippi Valley.
For the above sketch of Mason City, we are very largely in- debted to G. W. Ellsberry, Esq., Attorney-at-Law, in Mason City, and for his kindness to us in the compilation of the material ; for this, we only wish that he may be prospered and built up as has been the city of his adoption.
One of the elements of Mason City's prosperity is the class of mechanics who have, fortunately for her and them, made their homes within her limits.
Among them we are pleased to note Ambrose and Sons, dealers in tin, stoves and hardware; L. Swing, tin, stoves and hardware; Fiddler & Pritchet, saddles, harness and trunks, Hawes & Co., saddles, harness and trunks; Cole, boots and shoes; Gardner, boots and shoes ; and Finch, boots and shoes; Mundt & Oeltjen, merchant tailors; Cameron, merchant tailor; Cooper, merchant tailor.
Among her Physicians we find Drs. J. P. Walker, J. B. Mc- Dowell, O. P. Crane, J. W. Speez, I. N. Ellsberry, A. M. Bird, J. M. Taylor, G. B. Black and J. A. Walker.
Messrs. Kincaid & Bradley, druggists, and Fiddler & Pritchett, saddlers, are the oldest business firms in the city without change.
In dry goods and general merchandise, we find Cargill & Swing, Wakeman, Freeman & Co., Gulick, Taylor & Co., Sharp Bros. and Mr. During.
In drugs, Kincaid & Bradley, J. H. Hopkins, W. A. Dunn, Sharp Bros. & Co.
Livery stables, W. T. Lynch and B. D. Riner have both num- ber one establishments.
Restaurants, Radebaugh & Manspeaker, Jacob Maurer, W. Le- Sourd, and Nelson Wallace.
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HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
Jewelers, J. C. Ellsberry, J. L. Davison, J. A. Smith, and H. C. Parker.
Blacksmiths, W. S. Cheneworth, manufacturer of wagons on an extensive scale; H. B. Cease, also a large manufacturer; and H. S. Houseworth, wagon manufacturer. Geo. Yost, Roberts & Benway, James Stebbins and Chas. Brooker, are among the sub- stantial mechanics in their line.
The banks of the city are, the First National Bank and F. N. Smith & Co., both substantial institutions.
In hotels, the St. Nicholas, by H. L. Gray; the Sherman, by J. C. Bell; and the Mason City House, by Mr. Johnson.
Of her elevators and her warehouses, Mason City can well con- gratulate herself. M. R. La Forge & Co., R. A. Mulholland, John Stewart, and John Pritchet are the owners. They have an aggre- gate capacity of over one million bushels, and facilities for hand- ling second to none.
Of carpenters and cabinet makers, there are many, but we failed to obtain a full list, and omit all.
Painters, J. F. McDonald, S. P. Woodward, Geo. Jackson, Amos Cole, T. H. Price & Bro., Mark Banis, J. F. Culp.
An extensive carriage manufactory is carried on successfully by Samuel Cobbs, and a wagon factory by W. B. Ward.
CHURCH SOCIETIES.
PRESBYTERIAN-S. J. Bogle, Pastor. Services every Sabbath, at II o'clock, A. M., and 7:30, P. M. Sabbath School, at 9:30, A. M. E. M. Sharp, Superintendent.
BAPTIST-C. A. Hobbs, Pastor. Service every Sabbath, at II o'clock, A. M., and 7:30, P. M. Sabbath School, at 2:30, P. M. J. J. Hastings, Superintendent.
METHODIST-Jas. W. Sinnock, Pastor. Service every Sabbath, at II o'clock, A. M., and 7:30, P. M. Sabbath School, at 2:30, P. M. Henry Wakeman, Superintendent.
BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.
MASON CITY LODGE, No. 403, A. F. & A. M .- Regular com- munications on the second and fourth Tuesday evenings of every month. S. M. Badger, W. M. J. F. Culp, Secretary.
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HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
MASON CITY LODGE, NO. 337, OF I. O. O. F .- Regular Meet- ing every Thursday evening in their hall, LaForge Block. G. W. Ellsberry, N. G. P. Mundt, Secretary.
MASON CITY DIRECTORY.
T. J. Watkins . Mayor.
J. Benscoter Magistrate.
I. R. Brown Attorney.
John Lazelle Treasurer.
J. C. Warnock . Clerk.
John Wilson Marshal.
D. E. LeSourd . Deputy Marshall.
J. S. Gates Alderman Ist ward.
A. Green ..
John Dietrich Alderman 2d ward.
M. C. Vanloon
W. S. Chenoweth Alderman 3d ward.
S. D. Swing
One characteristic of the people of Mason City, and that to which we attribute the success and healthfulness of every department of her trade and her manufactures, is the system of home patronage she has always pursued. Her own mechanics are the first choice of her citizens for them to bestow their patronage on. Her own merchants are the persons who receive the patronage of her man- ufacturers and mechanics. This system of mutual patronage is one of the most commendable as well as the most profitable that can be pursued. It increases and fosters neighborly feeling, socia- bility, and the improvement of society, and is alike commendable and desirable to the head, the heart and the pockets of the people who practice it. It is not a principle of selfishness, but is an ap- plication of that christian principle which is older than christianity; practiced, recommended and enforced in the days of Confucious, adopted in a negative form by later rulers, and affirmatively com- manded by the founder of the Christian system, viz: "Do unto others as you would that they should do unto you."
POSTMASTERS IN MASON CITY.
The first Postmaster, on the establishment of an office in that city, was Mr. A. A. Cargill. Then Israel Hibberd, E. J. Mell,
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J. H. Cleveland, Miss Louisa Hoyt, and J. S. Baner, the present gentlemanly incumbent.
Mr. Cargill, in addition to being the first Postmaster of the city, served a second term in that office, between the terms of Mr. Hib- berd and Mr. Mell.
The observance of the-
CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY
Is thus set forth by the fournal, published at Mason City :
The celebration of the Centennial Fourth of July in Mason City was satisfactory, in its general particulars, to all who partici- pated. Great preparations had been made, and on Monday P. M. the prospects were fair for a good time, and an occasion of pleasure without any alloy. The heavy wind and rain storm of Monday night seriously damaged the wigwam and flooded the ground, so that on the morning of the Fourth everything looked inauspicious, and disappointment sat on every countenance. By nine o'clock, however, such large numbers of people were coming into town, that it was evident that the war of the elements had not in the least quenched the patriotism of the people, and that the prospects for a glorious Fourth were still good. A large force of men were put at work to repair the wigwam, and it was determined to pro- ceed with the programme as arranged.
Immediately after dinner the procession was formed by Capt. Weaver, the Marshal, in front of the Journal office. The Mason City band took the lead. Following next came the chariots of State, the first one representing the States in the Union in 1776; the second one the Union as it is now. In each chariot the States were represented by young misses, appropriately dressed. These chariots were followed by the fire company, with the engine orna- mented and bedecked with flags. Next came the carriages with the speakers, the clergy, the members of the press, and a lengthy procession of citizens. After marching through the principal streets, the line of march was concluded at the wigwam. The ground about the wigwam was, in consequence of the rain, in a very damp condition, but every one seemed willing to make the best of the situation, and the programme was gone through with with great interest to all. After music by the band, and an elo- quent prayer by Father Randle, and a patriotic song by the Glee -15
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Club, Augustus Green, the President of the day, delivered a most thrilling and eloquent poem, for the opening address. The Declar- ation of Independence was read by Capt. W. H. Weaver, and was read in a manner that elicited the warmest applause. Next came the oration of the day, by Rev. John Crozier, of Menard county. Mr. Crozier's oration is worthy of an extended notice, which we are not able to give it at this late hour, before our paper goes to press, especially as we are too much demoralized by the fatigue and excitement of the week to write anything connectedly. Suffice it to say that the oration was eloquent and eminently appropriate, and was listened to with great interest by all. The oration was followed by short addresses by Geo. W. Ellsberry and Joseph Baner, Esq., and then by toasts and responses, interspersed with songs by the Glee Club and music by the band. Of the responses to the toasts, the original poem by Mr. Green, to the sentiment " Now and Then," received very many encomiums, and while all who responded did themselves great credit, this poem was the bon mot of the occasion.
At night the vast assemblage gathered about the wigwam to witness the display of fire-works. The discharge of these pyro- technics was superintended by Frank Culp, and as a matter of course, under his management, was a perfect success; being, prob- ably, the finest exhibition of the kind ever given in Mason county.
Notwithstanding the war of the elements, the celebration was an occasion of which the managers may be well proud. It is probable that at least four thousand people crowded our streets, and enjoyed the day and its ceremonies.
The thanks of the community are due to the band and the Glee Club for their music and aid; to the committee who labored hard to get the wigwam erected; and while we never like, on such oc- casions, where all are willing to do what they can to aid a laudable enterprise, to bestow especial praise on any single individual, we know that we express the unqualified thanks of all who participated in the jubilations of the day, to Ben Riner, who, though least con- spicuous in the ceremonies, was the main spoke in the wheel; in fact, the hub of the whole affair. Almost unaided, he solicited and collected the funds, amounting to nearly $500, and paid the bills as presented, taking upon himself a large responsiblity, and pushing the matter to a successful issue. We only hope Ben may live to raise the money for another centennial in Mason City.
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HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
The following is from the Independent, of Mason City, on the Centennial Anniversary.
HOW MASON CITY, DISPOSED OF THE CENTENNIAL FOURTH .- A GALA DAY.
The long-looked for and long-talked of Centenary Fourth of July came last Tuesday, made its bright page in history, and left its glorious memory with those who celebrated it. It was the grand spectacle of a powerful and patriotic nation, rising simulta- neously throughout its broad expanse and doing honor and homage to a beloved country and revered ancestry, and it now remains for the innumerable localities to record what they did and how they did it. It is our province to help make up the record, and pre- serve from oblivion, the manner in which the patriotic people of Mason City commemorated the Great American Day.
The storm of the previous night disarranged our plans some- what, but while we reverently acknowledged our dependence up- on the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, we were not disposed to superstitiously look upon this as an interposition of His providence to prevent our celebration, but rather to give thanks that the day was so pleasant after all. Our artificial shade was blown down, and the ground underneath made wet and muddy; but with this ex- ception, which caused a delay of the exercises until afternoon, everything passed off pleasantly.
The Centenary Independence morn was ushered in by ringing of bells and firing of anvils (the cannon failed to come), and a gen- eral jubilee of salutations. Early in the day the business portion of the city, and a large number of dwellings, were beautifully decorated with flags and banners. At quite an early hour the streets were thronged with people, and as the clouds broke away, wagon loads almost innumerable came pouring in from all the sur- rounding country, and every train brought still others from distant places. Everybody seemed happythat they were vouchsafed the great privilege of stepping across the centenary line in the life and progress of their beloved country.
The procession was formed at the corner of Tonica and Chestnut streets. The order of the procession was as follows: First, Mason City Cornet Band; second, a chariot of state, containing thirteen Misses, representing the original thirteen States; third, a chariot of state containing thirty-eight Misses, representing the present num-
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ber of States; fourth, the fire engine, followed by the fire company in uniform; fifth, carriages containing the mayor, president, orator of the day, editors and ministers; buggies and wagons. The line of march was through the principal streets of the city to the wigwam.
The exercises at the wigwam commenced with music by the Band and Glee Club, which interspersed the excrcises throughout, which were in the following order:
First-Prayer by Rev. G. D. Randle, the oldest minister in the city.
Second-Reading of the Declaration of Indedendence, that im- mortal document, which, though old, is ever new, and which for a complete century has stood the test of criticism, and stands to-day unchallenged as the masterpiece in the English language, as it was admitted to be by the learned and eloquent Wm. Pitt in his day. It was read by Capt. W. H. Weaver, and in a manner that did justice to that time-honored instrument, and credit to himself.
Third-Poetic Address, by Augustus Green, President of the Day, which was a beautiful and expressive production, acknowledg- ing the protective beneficence of God in preserving our nation, and paying a glowing tribute to the immortal heroes of the Revo- lution.
Fourth-Oration by Rev. John Crozier, in which we think he fully sustained what we promised of him, as an orator, scholar and historian, in this paper last week; although the circumstances of the situation were against him, yet by his elegant and eloquent style and expression he held the marked attention of the vast and un- comfortably situated audience, while he beautifully traced the his- tory and outbursts of the spirit of liberty down through the des- potisms and monarchies of the world, and how the hand of God had led the people on through succeeding ages to the full estab- lishment of Liberty and Independence in the great nation of the United States, and how the same divine hand had led the little but heroic band of patriots through the terrible war of the Revolu- tion.
After the oration, short addresses were delivered by J. S. Baner and G. W. Ellsberry, after which a variety of toasts were read and responded to, which was a pleasant feature of the occasion, and which was both amusing and instructive. This concluded the ex- ercises at the wigwam, and the audience adjourned up town for a
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HISTORY OF MASON COUNTY.
social time, friends and acquaintances grouping together in squads as circumstances favored.
At night was a grand exhibition of fireworks, which was wit- nessed by an immense crowd of people. But unfortunately for a full fruition of great and well founded expectations, the electic fire- works of the clouds began to illuminate the western horizon early in the evening, and warn the people that time nor thunder storms waited not for man nor for any public gathering. The people stood their ground, however, in the face of the ominous thunder and lightning until about the last minute, when there was a simul- taneous start for home.
Taking it all in all, it was an occasion of which eastern Mason county may well feel proud, in that despite the wind and weather they did their duty towards commemorating the Great Centennial Fourth, and if any failed to find in it all we promised in a rather extravagant article on the subject last week, we charge it more to their lack of appreciation, hearing and eyesight, than to an over- wrought imagination from exaggeration on our part; and if we should be editing the Independent when the next centennial comes round, and you, kind readers, should be the readers of it, we will make all right then whatever may have been amiss this time.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
In presenting the biographies of present residents and the former EARLY residents of Mason county, we have taken representatives of three divisions of subjects, viz : Old settlers who were early identified with the settlement of the country and have passed away ; secondly, old settlers identified with the interests of the county who are still liv- ing; and thirdly, the representatives of the business interests of the county at the present time. In these I have taken subjects from all lines of business and professions, without regard to wealth or official position, but to present briefly all the different divisions above stated.
LYMAN LACY.
Lyman Lacy was born in Tompkins county, New York, May 9, 1832. He is the son of John and Cloe (Hurd) Lacy, who re- moved to Michigan in 1836, and in 1837 settled in Fulton county, Illinois. His preliminary education was acquired in the public schools of Illinois, whence he was transferred to Illinois College, at Jacksonville, from which institution he graduated in 1855. In the same year he commenced the study of law at Lewistown, with Hon. L. W. Ross, and in 1856 was admitted to the bar.
He located in Havana in October, 1856, and continued the prac- tice of law until 1862, when he was elected to the lower House of the Legislature, on the Democratic ticket, to represent the counties of Mason and Menard, and served one term. In June, 1873, he was elected Circuit Judge of the seventeenth district, comprising the counties of Mason, Menard, Logan and De Witt. He was married May 9, 1860, to Miss Caroline A. Potter, of Beardstown, Illinois,
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who died September 12, 1863, and he married again, May 19, 1865, to Mattie A. Warner, of Havana.
The official positions held by Judge Lacy have been filled with ability; with great credit to himself and satisfaction to his constitu- ents. His standing as a judge is deservedly high.
JAMES W. KELLY.
The subject of this sketch has been a resident of this county twenty-two years. A practical farmer, a practical business man, and soundness and substantiality are the leading characteristics of his organization. He was born in the State of Delaware, January 8, 1819, and is consequently now in his fifty-eighth year, though his appearance would indicate ten years less to the casual observer. His avocation is that of a farmer, and a life-long experience has made it, with him, a financial success. He removed with his pa- rents to Ohio in 1827, and settled in Miama county. During his residence there he married to Miss C. Benham, in 1843, and for thirty-three years have they traveled the journey of life together, with a larger amount of health and comfort than usually falls to the lot of humanity.
They removed to Illinois in 1854, and settled on the farm where they now reside. An interesting family has sprung up about them. Mr. Kelly, in common with other substantial residents of our county, has served a full share in those humble but very important and useful positions of school and township trustee, and is a mem- ber of our county Board of Supervisors this centennial year; a body that feels his influence, and is benefited by and indebted to his judgment and practical business ability.
L. M. HILLYER,
Is a native of New York, and removed to this town Sept. 15, 1851, when this region was somewhat primitive, and Ha- vana contained less than three hundred inhabitants. His occupa- tion was that of a plasterer and bricklayer; he was a first-class workman, and a man of unusual energy and perseverance in the prosecution of his avocation, his motto being to do with his might
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what his hands found to do, provided always that it was done well. For about ten years he followed that avocation with more satisfac- tion to those for whom he labored than with profit to himself. About the year 1857 or 1858 he was elected a justice of the peace, in which office he served his constituents acceptably for a period of eight years; a position which his sound judgment and impartiality abundantly qualified him to fill. He was also a member of the board of town trustees for eight years, a place filled so much to the satisfaction of his constituents that they continued to re-elect him to the same position. So satisfactory was his services in these hum- ble but useful positions, that the people of the county said very emphatically, "come up higher." This they compelled him to do by electing him sheriff in 1864, under the old constitution, when two successive terms could not be served by the same man. He was re-elected however in 1872, and again in 1874, making four successive years of service in that important office, with credit to himself and satisfaction to his friends and constituents, and is the in- cumbent at the present time.
A personal acquaintance and neighborship with the subject of this sketch for over twenty years, has, perhaps, disqualified the writer from passing an impartial estimate and unbiased opinion on the man. We will hazard the remark however, that we have never known him to decline doing a favor or rendering a service for the accommodation of others. This, too, has been done as freely for the poor (and more so) than for the rich; and when there was no possible remuneration or hope of reward.
It has been the privilege of the writer to know of efforts by him to benefit others that have resulted in pecuniary loss, and that quite severe. In a private conversation on the subject, he remarked that "where intentions were all right, there were no one to blame." But it is to his official career as sheriff that we love to refer.
"He knew his duty, a dead sure thing, And went for it there and then."
While kindness to all is a predominant law and element of his nature, that principle of firmness so essential to strict official duty was its balance. Many incidents have occurred in his long official career that nothing but his indomitable firmness and strict adher- ence to duty have made the sequel to his honor and credit. His official term expires this fall, and he declines a re-election, which has been suggested by his friends. Active and prompt in the dis-
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charge of his official duties, satisfied with nothing less than his whole duty, a gentleman in his intercourse with all with whom he has to do, doing to others as he would that they should do to him; it is not strange that he has fast friends, and many of them. Enjoy- ing uniform good health, he bids fair for many more years to enjoy the good things of this world.
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