USA > Illinois > Edwards County > Combined history of Edwards, Lawrence and Wabash counties, Illinois. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 51
USA > Illinois > Wabash County > Combined history of Edwards, Lawrence and Wabash counties, Illinois. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 51
USA > Illinois > Lawrence County > Combined history of Edwards, Lawrence and Wabash counties, Illinois. With illustrations and biographical sketches of some of their prominent men and pioneers > Part 51
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
definitely. About two miles west, and beyond Wan- borough, were numerous small and fertile prairies, ex- tending to the Little Wabash, from six to ten miles dis- tant. On the south was my own beautiful prairie. Thus the spot for our town, in a central situation, was selected. Now for a name. We were long at a loss. At last we did what almost all emigrants do, pitched on a name that had its association with the land of our birth. Albion was then and there located, built, and peopled in imagination. We dropped off, one by one, to sleep, to confirm in dreams the wanderings of our waking fancies." It was agreed the next morning, before separating, that they should meet on the following day as follows: Mesers. Flower and Fordham were to leave home at a given hour the morning following, and travel due north from Mr. Flower's dwelling, and at the same hour in the morning, Mr. Lawrence and Mr. Ronalds were to travel south from their homes in the Village Prairie, and that the place of meeting should be the place of the imaginary town. The programme was carried out, and the place of meeting was in rather an open space of woodland, and the ground level. They said, " Here shall be the centre of the town." The spot of their meeting is now the public square of Albion. This selected ground is situated in the northeast portion of township two south, and range eleven east of the third principal meridian. The surveying and platting of the town was entrusted to Mr. Fordham. One of the company went to Shawneetown and entered one section, which was all laid off in town lots, with a large and commodious square in the centre. The blocks imme- diately around, and on the main streets, were divided into quarter-acre lots. The blocks outside were divided into half acres. As the distance increased from the centre, the lots increased in size, until the outer belt of allotments comprised five and seven acres. No addi- tions have been made since the laying off the town. It still remains one mile square. What is somewhat pe- culiar about the platting, is that not a street iu the town was given a name. By common consent of the citizens the street north of the square is called Church street ; that on the east, Park street ; on the south, Main street ; and the one in the west, Depot street. No other streets have ever received adopted names.
The first house built in the town was a double log cabin, and situated on Main street, southeast of the square, and was constructed for a tavern. John Pitcher was the landlord. Both have passed away long ago. The next building was a double and single log cabin, occupied for both a dwelling and blacksmith shop. John Penfold was the smith. In the language of Mr. Flower, " There stood Albion, no longer a myth, but a reality, a fixed fact. A log tavern and a blacksmith shop."
Among the first business houses was the old market- house, situated in the square, a little south of the court- house. It was seventy-five feet long, standing on a stone foundation, and covered with a shingle roof. One
division of it was fitted up for the reception of books, that were donated by the friends in England for the purpose of a nucleous to establish a library. The room was also used for public meetings and public worship. When Albion became the capital of the county in 1821, the first courts were held in the market-house. The first goods were sold by George Flower, and the store- house was situated on the hillside, back of George Fer- riman's old store. Elias P. Fordham bought Mr. Flower's little stock of goods, and after conducting the business for a short time he sold out to James Oliver, who conducted the business for several years. The first postmaster was a man by the name of La Serre, and the mail was kept in a log building just west of Frank Harris' present dwelling. The first school was taught by Oswald Warrington, near Edgar Brandon's residence. The first regular school was conducted by John Love, in an old building which stood in the northeast corner of Robert Curdling's lot. The first school-house was erected by four citizens of Albion, on the lot where the Cumberland Presbyterian church building now stands. The first church-house erected was iu 1840. It was built by the Christian denomination ; it was constructed of brick, and is yet in a good state of preservation. The first mill was built in 1821, and located on the lot where James Churchill's present residence stands. It was a tread mill run by four oxen and with no great capacity.
The growth of the town was very slow until the county seat was established here, when it took a new impetus, and built up quite rapidly. Its present popu- lation is about one thousand inhabitants. The precinct, according to census of 1880, contained 3.156 inhabitants.
Incorporation -The town was organized under a general act of the State Legislature, and the first meet- ing of the Town Board was held December 3d, 1860, the following named persons being the officers elect of said board: Dr. F. B. Thompson, George Harris, George Bowman, Edgar W. Brandon and Edwin Dick- son. Dr. Thompson was chosen president of the board and George Bower was appointed clerk pro tem. At a subsequent meeting held December 6th, Joseph Wil- liams Sr., was appointed village clerk, John Bower, treasurer, and K. A. Bowman, town constable.
Re-organization .- At a meeting of the Town Council held November 2d, 1875, a petition was presented, signed by thirty-three legal voters of the town, asking that the question be submitted to the legal votera of the town of Albion, as to whether such town shall or- ganize as a village under the act providing for the incor- poration of cities and villages, approved April 10, 1872. The proposition was carried, and the fourth Tuesday of November, 1872, was named as the day for holding said election. The result of the vote was as follows : For village organization, 66 votes ; against organization, 29 votes. Whereupon it was decided at their next regular session, that the town of Albion from henceforth should be duly incorporated as a village under said act
RES. OF JAMES CHURCHILL.
RES. OF MRS. JOEL CHURCHILL.
JOURNAL OFFICE .
--
CHURCHILL
BROTHERS
CHURCHILL BROS
BUSINESS BLOCK OF CHURCHILL BRO'S. ALBION, ILLINOIS.
OF THE
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
The present officers are, William Curtis, president. Other members of the board, John Eastham, George Baker, John Wilson, William Runcie, Lucius Harris, and Edward Craig, clerk.
Street commissioners, John W. Brown; treasurer. Edgar W. Brandon; city marshal, Joseph Ibbotson ; city attorney, J. M. Campbell.
PRESENT BUSINESS.
Anchor Mills, Steel & Harris, proprietors. This in- dustry was established in 1874, by Smith Bunting and Walker, and took the present firm name in December, 1881. They are situated on the east side of Depot street, near the Air Line depot. The building is a frame, three stories high, and a basement. The main building is 40x50 feet in size; the engine-room is a brick one story, 30x40 feet; a warehouse detached is 30x60 feet. The estimated value of capital invested is $12,000. It contains four run of stone, with a capacity of manufacturing 125 barrels daily, and gives employment to seven men. It does both merchant and custom work, and ships mainly to New York, Phila- delphia and New Orleans. The principal brands are, " Level Best," "Gilt Edge," " Rosette," and "Southern Belle." The mill is driven by a fifty horse-power engine.
Albion Flouring Mills, owned and operated by Hodg- son Brothers, and located in the east part of the town, on out-lot No. 36. This mill was built in the summer of 1857, by John Hodgson, and was the first steam flouring mill erected in Albion. The present firm have been the proprietors since August, 1863. It is a three story frame building, and 40x53 feet on the ground. The capital invested is about $9,000. It contains three run of burrs, with a capacity of grinding forty barrels of flour per day, and furnishes employment to three men. It does both merchant and custom work, and ships . mainly to the south. The annual value of manufactured, product is about $40,000. Power of engine, thirty horse.
Packing House of C. S. Stewart & Co. This industry was established by Alexander Stewart in 1843. He continued the business until 1875, when it passed wholly into the hands of his sons. The pork house is sit- uated in the southwestern part of town, and is 38x100 feet in size, and two stories high, the basement story being brick. It has the capacity of packing 3,000 hogs in the season, and when in full operation it employs ten men. The product is shipped mainly to Cincinnati. Other packing houses have been in operation at Albion, but have recently gone out of business.
Wagon and Plow Factory .- This establishment is conducted by Painter & Frankland, and is situated on Church street, north of the public square. The busi- ness was commenced in 1868. The shops comprise the wood-working portion of the buildings, 25x38 feet, brick, one and one-half stories ; blacksmith shop 20x80, one story, frame paint shop 20x70, two stories besides two 27
lumber sheds, each 60 feet in length. The annual manufacture of wagons and plows will average about seventy of the former and six hundred of the latter, with a value ranging from $12,000 to $15,000. Ten men are given employment. The plow manufactured is a patent belonging to the company, and is known as the "Stump Plow." It is sold both east and west.
Wagon and Carriage Factory, George Bower, pro- prietor. It is situated on the south side of Main street, one block east of the square, and the business was estab- lished in 1860, by the firm of Tribe & Bower. It con- tains two frame buildings, the wood-shop being one and one-half stories high and 22x60 feet in size ; the black- smith shop is about 40x50 feet. This factory turns out, annually, about twelve buggies and twenty wagons, giving employment to four men. Furnishes home de- mand and neighboring counties with carriages and wagons.
Cooper Shop of A. Bassett is situated on the west side of Depot street, near the Anchor Mills. The busi- ness was established by Mr. Bassett in about 1876. The building is a frame, one story, 22x56 feet, with store room 18x50 feet. Both loose and tight work are manu- factured. Four men are employed. Value of manu- factured product per year, about $5,000.
Cigar Manufactory was established in 1875, by Frank Dalby, and came into the hands of the present pro- prietor, J. C. Ferriman in November, 1882. It is located in the Craig Block, southwest from the square. Three men are employed, and a product of about $3,000 manu- factured per annum.
Brick Yard of Bassett & Sons commenced operations as early as 1850. It is located in the south part of towu, just across from the Air Line railway: When in opera- tion it gives employment to twelve hands, and burns about 400,000 bricks each season. Ships largely to the southern parts of the state.
Carding Mill, owned by Mrs. John Tribe. This mill was established by John Tribe, at Wanborough as early as 1827. In 1836, it was moved to Albion, where it was conducted by Mr. Tribe until his death. It is yet in running order and located on out-lot number 88, in the west part of the town. In an early day it did all the carding for the citizens for many miles around.
Albion Marble Works, B. F. Thrall proprietor, are situated on the south side of Main street, two and a-half blocks west of public square. These works were estab- lished in the spring of 1880, by Mr. Thrall. Two men are employed, and a product of about $1,800 is turned out annually.
Besides the above the town contains a good library ; a well drilled cornet band with nineteen instruments, the members all uniformed ; an excellent school build- ing; four good church buildings, Presbyterian, Metho- dist, Episcopal, and Christian ; also two Hotels. The side walks are well kept, and numerous shade trees abound in every part of the city.
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
BUSINESS HOUSES, TRADES, ETC.
General Stores .- Churchill Bros., Harris Bros , C. S. S. Stewart & Co., John Woods, Frank M. Martin and K. A. Bowman.
Groceries, Queensware, etc .- Frank Dalby, George Baker, Edward Craig, John Hands, Jacob Michels.
Hardware and Stoves .- Charles H. Mann, John Skeavington.
Stoves and Tinware .- George Weaver, Harry Dalby.
Druggists and Pharmacists .- B. F. Michels, John C. Ferriman, H. F. Low.
Dry Goods .- H. Wagoner.
Clothing, Hats, Caps, etc .- N. Gross & Co.
Merchant Tailor .- S. N. Dalby.
Harness, Saddlery and Hardware .- James T. Craig & Son.
Harness and Saddlery .- H. P. Craig, Richard Curd- ling
Furniture and Undertaking .- Craig Bros.
Furniture Store .- K. A. Bowman.
Undertaker .- John Bower.
Lumber Merchants .- W. H. Brown, John Smith, Eli Bunting.
Agricultural Implements .- John Skeavington, Painter & Frankland, Eli Bunting.
Blacksmiths .- Robert Hall, W. H. Johns, T. J. Chism.
Bakeries and Restaurants .- Frank Dalby, George Baker.
Boot and Shoe Stores .- R. Curdling and Son, John Batson.
Books and Stationery .- William Runcil.
Florists .- S. N. Dalby, Mrs. J. R. Jacobs.
Jeweler .- John W. Leonard.
Physicians .- F. B. Thompson, L. W. Low, H. L Dixon, A. Low, H Walters, J. C. McClurkin, S. D. Low.
Grain Dealers and Shippers-Harris Bros., C. S Stewart & Co., John Eastham.
Meat Market .- E. Chism, L. C. Bond.
Milliner .- Misses Williams.
Milliners and Dressmakers -Misses Smith and West.
-Dressmakers .- Miss Miller, Miss S. Simpkins.
Livery Stables .- John Sentance, T. J. Killough.
Barber .- Samuel Payne.
Contractors and Builders. - Elias Weaver, J. C. Weaver, Hall & Tribe, John Bower.
Masons, Bricklayers and Plasters .- William Borrell, George Horton, George Bassett. Stone Mason .- Hugh Denoon.
Painter and Glazier .- E. W. Brandon.
Photographers .- F. B. McConnell, J. W. Belts. Postmaster .- J. Churchill.
Hotels .- Woods House, E. and L. Woods, proprietors; Bowman House, William Bowman, proprietor.
Newspapers. - Albion Journal, Morris Emmerson, editor ; Albion News, Walter Colyer, editor.
SOCIETIES. *
Hermitage Lodge, A. F. and A. M., No 356, was chartered the 3d of October, 1860, with eight charter members. The present membership is 56. The whole number of names enrolled on the lodge books is 98. The lodge meets in its hall over Churchill Bros. dry goods store. Financially it is in good standing
Albion Lodge, No. 181, A. O. W. W., was organized and chartered April 7th, 1881, with 38 charter mem- bers; it now numbers 41. The whole number enrolled is 48. The lodge meets in Temperance Hall the first and third Tuesday of each month. Its finances are in excellent condition.
Albion Division, No. 157, S. of T. was chartered November 27th, 1848, with 11 charter members, eight of whom are yet living, and four of the same are still members of the lodge. Present membership, 85 ; whole number enrolled, 840. The lodge meets at Division Hall every Monday evening. It is out of debt, and sufficient means in treasury to conduct the lodge. Tradition says that there was an organization of Masons and Odd Fellows in Albion as early as 1819.
TOWN OF FRAZIER (BROWNS).
This town was laid off and planted by John Hender- son, December 26th, 1880, and placed of record, Decem- ber 28th, of the same year, and described as follows : Commencing at a stone corner in the N. E. corner of the N. W. } of sec. 4, Tp. 2S., R. 14 W. of the 2d P. M. The town takes its name from the prairie in which it is situated-Frazier's prairie.
BUSINESS OF THE TOWN.
Tile Factory, Boren & Beloat, proprietors. It is situated two blocks east of the depot, on the south side of the Air Line railway, and was established in the sum- mer of 1882. The shed of the works is 18 by 250 feet in size ; the tile mill is Penfield's patent, and has the capacity of manufacturing 8,000 feet of tile per month. The works give employment to five men. The size of tile made is from 3 to 8 inches, and the estimated value of manufactured product per year is $4,000. Three hundred cords of wood are consumed during the season.
St. Charles Hotel .- Milton Westfall, proprietor.
Physician .- J. H. Harris.
Physician, Druggist, and Pharmacist .- A. W. Messick.
Groceries, Notions, and Hardware .- K. Marriott.
General Stores .- Stephens & Malone, Jennings & Mussett.
Groceries, Queensware, etc .- E. Craig.
Wagon and Repair Shop .- W. Biggers.
Grain Dealer .- K. Marriott.
Shoe Shop .- Nelson Jones.
General Blacksmith .- Charles A. Schwartz.
Dressmaker and Milliner .- Miss Mills.
Postmaster .- K. Marriott.
* We are indebted to the Secretaries of the various lodges for the data of the time.
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
A coal shaft is being sunk near the town, and at this writing, a depth of 100 feet has been reached. A shallow vein of coal has already been passed through, and the present indications are that a paying bed of coal is not far beneath.
EDWARDS COUNTY AGRICULTURAL BOARD.
This society was organized in April, 1857, under the title of the " Edwards County Agricultural and In- dustrial Society." Pursuant to the call for organization, William Fewkes was called to the chair, and M. W. Uttley was appointed secretary, and F. W. Johnson appointed treasurer pro tem. The following named persons were appointed a committee to draft resolutions for the formation of the society : John Brissenden, Wm. Fewkes, George May, F. B. Thompson, and Joseph Skeavington. As per resolutions adopted, in order to become a member of the society, one dollar matriculation fee was required, besides the annual payment of the same amount. The following are the names of the first mem- bere : Brian Walker, Sen., F. W. Johnson, F. B. Thompson, Samuel Thompson, S. N. Dalby, Isaac Smith, Edward Colyer, Sen., Joseph Skeavington, Wm. Fewkes, Wm. Woods, John Brissenden, George May, Brian Walker, Jun., M. W. Uttley, Thomas Gill, Sr., John Collyer, Thomas Marriott, Gaspard Trasset, John Skeavington. Joseph Wood, Samuel Skinner, and John Pearce. The first officers elect were : President, John Brissenden ; Vice-President, Joseph Skeavington ; Se- cretary, Dr. Samuel Thompson ; Treasurer, Gaspard Trasset.
The first exhibition was commenced Oct. 22d, 1857, and was held in block Z, in the southeast part of the town. The fair was a success, as the records show that
after all liabilities had been paid, there was $103.73 re- maining in the treasury.
A special meeting of the board was called August 24, 1872, to take into consideration a re-organization of the society, under an act of the State Legislature, passed April 17, 1871. At this meeting it was decided to or- ganize under said act, and the foregoing name was accepted by the society.
The present fair ground was located in the spring of 1859, and situated in the north part of town-lots 63 and 68. The society at first purchased only six acres, but subsequently have added 8} acres, making a com- modious ground of 14} acres, and which contains an ex- cellent one-third mile track. The grounds are also furnished with an amphitheatre, judges and band stand, floral hall, agricultural hall, eating house, about forty horse stalls, thirty-five cattle sheds, feed stable, and upwards of forty sheep and hog pens. An excellent grove adorns the ground for the comfort of visitors, while the privileges for water are everything that could be desired. The society can boast of paying all premi- ums in full, from its first organization to the present time
The present officers are : President, Joseph Skeaving- ton; Vice-President, Thomas J. Smith ; Treasurer, Geo. Weaver ; Secretary, Morris Emmerson ; General Supt., John Landrigan ; Marshal, John Eastham ; Directors, W. W. Willis, H. B. Riggs, John J. Wick, L. C. Bond, Joseph Dixon, and Thomas Curtis.
This subject would be incomplete without the mention of an Agricultural Society being established at Albion, by Morris Birkbeck, George Flower, and a few others, in 1825. It is said to be the first fair held in the State. The premiums were paid with medals and silver ware.
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BIOGRAPHIES.
George Flower
THE story of the life's labors of no man adds such lus- tre to the pages of Edwards county history as does that of George Flower. An Englishman by birth ; an Ameri- can by choice. Well calculated by natural gifts, richly set with studied graces, to lend dignity to an English mansion, he loved rather the air of liberty and indepen- dence, breathed forth by American institutions, and became a child of her adoption. The charms of England, overhung as they were by the darksome wing of monarch- ical form of government were freely exchanged by him, for the toils and privations incident to pioneer life in the free air of republican America. No sordid ends were to be subserved in seeking a home in the then "far west." Wealth he already possessed ; position and power the family had already acquired. The stirring, bold utter- ances of American Independence had thrilled him, and the broad statesmanship exhibited in our national con- stitution had riveted his attention and gave being to a hope of becoming an American citizen. The idea of a land where all were sovereigns engaged his profoundest sympathies and American representatives to the courts
of Europe, such as Jefferson and Franklin, Adams and King, accepted by him as representatives of the talent and integrity of Americans, precipitated a realization of that hope. As he declares in his published history of the English colony of Edwards county, it never occurred to him that the principles of liberty and man's political equality could be set forth, a perfect theory upon paper, and be but imperfectly rendered in practice. Possessed of large wealth he transplanted on our prairies the art and improvements of the old mother country.
He was born in Hertfordshire, England, in the year 1787. His father, Richard Flower, resided for many years in Hertford, the county town, twenty miles north- east of London, where he carried on an extensive brewery. Having acquired a competence he retired from business, and lived upon a beautiful estate, called Marden, which he purchased, and which was situated three miles from Hertford. George Flower, in company with Morris Birkbeck made the tour of continental Europe, adopting a plan peculiarly their own and quite at variance with that of ordinary sight scers. They studied peasant life
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HISTORY OF EDWARDS, LAWRENCE AND WABASH COUNTIES, ILLINOIS.
in all its rustic simplicity, and graphically did Birkbeck present to the world an account of their experiences in a work entitled "Notes of a journey through France." Soon after their return to England, they were introduced to Mr. Edward Coles, who was on his return from a diplomatic mission to Russia, - an introduction which was succeeded by Mr. Coles' visiting Birkbeck at his home in Wanborough. An intimacy and friendship sprang up between them which doubtless had much to do in deter- mining the location of an English colony in Illinois. George Flower was the first to come to America, on a tour of observation. Although disabused of many of his preconceived ideas he still recognized the fact that here were opportunities for the accomplishment of vast good. He sailed from Liverpool in April, 1816, in the ship Robert Burns, under command of Captain Parsons of New York. Fifty days after starting he arrived in New York. From here he wrote a letter to Ex-Presi- dent Jefferson, to whome he had a letter of in roduction, from his old friend General La Fayette, which resulted in a kind invitation to go and enjoy the shades of Monti- cello. At the time Mr. Flower could not comply. He visited Philadelphia, where he met with Le Seur, the French naturalist, (who afterwards lived in Harmony, Indiana ;) Dr. Wistar, John Vaughan, a philanthropist, and others. Gradually was there being outlined, through contact with such characters, the idea of the establish- ment of a colony in the west. On horseback he made the circuit of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky and Vir- ginia, which in concise language, he recounts in his pub- lished history,-a history that at times is thrilling, again romantic and always instructive. In the autumn time he reached the home of Jefferson, with whom he passed much of the winter, returning to Philadelphia in the latter part of that season. Here he learned of the arrival of Mr. Birkbeck and family at Richmond. To meet and greet his old friend he hastened, and added another to the party of nine adventurers,-for such they truly were. The party consisted of Mr. Bir- beck, aged fifty-four ; his second son, Bradford, a youth of sixteen ; his third son, Charles, a lad of fourteen ; a little servant boy, Gillard, thirteen years old ; Elias Pym Fordham, (a cousin of Flower's;) Miss Eliza Birkbeck, aged nineteen ; Miss Prudence Birkbeck, aged sixteen ; Miss Eliza Julia Andrews, twenty-five; Elizabeth Garton, a ward of Birkbeck's and himself. After consultation they deci- ded to go westward ; exactly where, was uncertain. To Pittsburg they went in an old-fashioned lumbering stage- coach, which breaking down, necessitated the party to walk twelve miles, into the city. Determined to see the country they fitted themselves out with horses, blankets saddles etc., and wended their way to Cincinnati, Ohio, where they were joined by Mr. Sloo, the register of the newly opened land office at Shawneetown, in the terri- tory of Illinois. He piloted them the first day to the residence of General Harrison, thence across Indiana ; Mr. Sloo taking a southwesterly, and they a direct west- erly course, from a point of separation, when about two-
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