USA > Illinois > Madison County > Alton > Gazetteer of Madison County : containing historical and descriptive sketches of Alton City, Upper Alton, Edwardsvile, Collinsville, Highland, Troy, Monticello, Mairne, Bethalto, and other towns, including some account of the resources of the various townships, to which is added a directory of the Altons,. > Part 16
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128
A GAZETTEER OF
[U. Alton.
There are also free schools in the town with able and competent teachers
The moral and religious character of the people will compare favorably with any vilage in the State, of its size and business. The cheapness of land, and facilities for acquiring a thorough education is not excelled, and most probably, not equalled, by any other place in the West.
It was in Upper Alton that the first Washingtonian Temperance Society was formed, which sent out lecturers to the various parts of the State, and to Iowa; forming other societies of a like character, by which a great amount of good was effected, and which is apparent even to this day in many places.
The mercantile business done here is only of a retail character. There
He assured Mr. Peck that his opposition to Alton as the site of the contemplated Institution, was untenable, and must be abandoned.
After consultation with Dr. Edwards, George Smith, Deacon Haskell, Stephen Griggs and others, the very spot on which the college now stands, was selected by Dr. Going as the site of the Seminary, provided, the title to the soil could be pro- cured. Such title was obtained through the agency of Gov. Ninian Edwards.
On the fourth day of June, 1832, Alton Seminary assumed "a habitation and a name;" by the organization of a Board of Trustees, consisting of Dr. B. F. Ed- wards Rev. Hubbel Loomis, Enoch Long, Esq., Dea. William Manning, and Stephen Griggs, Esq. On the seventh day of July following, George Smith, Esq., and Hon. Cyrus Edwards, signed the original articles of Association, and assumed in all re- spects equal responsibilities.
All these gentlemen were members of the Baptist Church, or Baptists in relig- jous beleif except Enoch Long, who was a Presbyterian. The Seminary thus originated, was placed under the direct and almost exclusive control of Rev. Hub- bel Loomis, who with his family had recently emigrated from New England. From the very inception of the enterprise in June, 1832, until his resignation in June, 1836, four years, the entire management of the school, even to the employ- ment of Assistants, was entrusted to Mr. Loomis.
Lands .- On the very day that the Board of Trustees was organized, June 4, 1832, arrangements were made to purchase three hundred and sixty-two acres of land, embracing a tract of one hundred and twenty-two acres on which the College now stands, and three eighty acre tracts entered by H. Loomis, and held by him in trust for the College. To enter this two hundred and forty acres, Mr. Loomis advanced the money, three hundred dollars, and held in reserve for a considerable time, six hundred dollars more to purchase other lands for the College, which the Trustees unfortunately failed to invest. As an evidence of the wisdom of the plan of investing largely in lands for the benefit of the College, so strenu- ously advocated by Mr. Loomis, it may be noted, that previous to the first day of December, 1935, three thousand five hundred dollars had been realized from the sale of lots. A subsequent exhibit showed forty-one lots and sixteen acres of land sold from the one hundred and twenty-two acre tract, for five thousand one hundred and fifty-seven dollars, leaving still unsold, forty acres, and twenty-seven lots, worth several thousand more.
To the unwearied labors, self-sacrificing spirit and financial management of Rev. H. Loomis, including loans of money made by him, the College is indebted largely for its present prosperity.
Charter secured and accepted .- In 1835, at the session of the Illinois General As- sembly, Hon. Cyrus Edwards, by dint of immense labor and "log-rolling," com- bining the educational interests of other portions of the State, and also of the other religious denominations, procured a College Charter. The bill under which the charter was granted was sufficiently liberal in its provisions, to permit the
129
MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
U. Alton.]
are several dry goods, and family grocery stores, one hardware and one drug store, which do a good retail business.
The manufacturing business is very considerable, particularly the pot- ter's ware, brickmaking, &c. An abundance of the finest clay for brick, is here found; as well as clay suitable for potter's ware, in the vicinity. All kinds of stone ware, stone pipe, for conveying water under ground, and stone pumps are manufactured here in large quantities, and sent out in all directious, by land and water. There are from six to eight potteries in constant blast, three of them do salamander work, and one does terra cotta work; all of which is made profitable to the proprietors. In addi- tion there are saddle and harness shops, blacksmith, wagon, buggy and other mechanical shops.
establishment of any number of Colleges, under the control of any religious denomination.
In this charter, a Theological Department was carefully and positively prohibi- ted. Two agencies operated to produce this prohibition. In the first place, the Baptists of Illinois were largely Antinomian and Anti-mission, and consequently possessed an inexorable hatred and holy horror of ministerial culture acquired in the schools. If a minister could master "Dilworth's Spelling Book," if he could read the New Testament, and line a hymn, he was far more likely, if successful in winning souls to Christ, to glorify the grace of God, than if he had enjoyed the opportunities for liberal culture.
Politicians too, then as now, were exceedingly jealous of the rights and liberties of the people. They professed to believe that theological instruction, was but another name for religious proscription, and was an immediate and designed, though covert purpose of establishing at no distant day, "State Religion," to the utter extinction of all "Religious Toleration."
Under this charter, accepted March 6th, 1835, the "Trustees of Alton Seminary," were incorporated under the designation of "The Trustees of Alton College, Illinois." Of this Board, Rev. Hubbel Loomis was chosen President, and Stephen Griggs, Secretary. At a meeting of the Board March 6, 1835, Rev. J. M. Peck, George Haskell and Alfred W. Cavarly, were added to the Board.
Buildings .- The first building erected was the "Academic Hall," built of brick, two stories high. On the first floor were the Chapel and Library, on the second floor were two rows of small, dark, ill-constructed, poorly ventilated dormitories or students. This building has since been remodeled more in accordance with the demands of modern taste, and serves the purpose of a Chapel.
The second building was of stone-a main building and two wings; the main building was thirty-eight by forty-two feet, two stories high, besides basement and attic. It was built at a cost of four thousand three hundred dollars. The Trustees gave it the modest name of "Seminary Hall and Refectory," perhaps because orginally a "Refectory" was a hall or apartment in Convents and Monas- teries, where a moderate repast was taken.
The third building is the present College edifice-one hundred and twenty feet in length and forty-four feet In width, with a hall running the entire length of the building, crossed by a transverse hall through the centre. It is built of brick, with stone foundation. It is four stories high, and was intended to furnish six- teen students' rooms on each floor making sixty-four rooms. Several of these rooms have, however, in a number of instances been thrown in to one, for "Library," Cabinet, Recitation Rooms, and rooms for "Societies."
Shurtleff College has outgrown its buildings. A building larger, more com- modious, and more iu harmony with the architectural taste of the present age, is 18-
130
A GAZETTEER OF
[U. Alton.
In the year 1822 a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons was organized and installed, called "Olive Branch Lodge, Henry H. Snow being the first Master. It was the first Lodge in this part of the State; since that time two other lodges and a Masonic Chapter, and also a temple, and division of the Sons of Temperance have been organized.
In the year 1818 a post office was established here; Dr. Augustus Lang- worthy, an early emigrant from Vermont, was the first Post Master. The office was supplied with a weekly mail, carried on horseback, on a mail route from Carlyle, Ill., to St. Charles, Mo., crossing the river at Alton; this office was then called Alton. In the year 1832 Rev. B. Maxey, who
an imperative necessity, and the corner stone of a new edifice, one hundred and eighty-five feet in length by eighty-one feet in width has already been laid, four stories high, to be built of Alton lime stone, material as firm and durable as can be found in the Mississippi Valley. This building is to be speedily erected.
Faculty .- Rev. Hubbel Loomis had exclusive control of the school from its in- ception, June, 1832, to his resignation in June, 1836.
FROM.
PRESIDENTS. TO.
1835 .. .Rev. Washington Leverett, A. M., Ex Officio .. 1841
1841
.. Rev. Adiel Sherwood, D. D.
.1815
1849 1846 .. .. Rev. Washington Leverett, A. M., Ex. Officio.
1850 .. . Rev. Norman N. Wood, D. D ..
1855 1855 .. . Rev. S. Y. McMasters, L. L. D., pro. tempore ..
1856 ...... Rev. Daniel Read, L. L. D., preseni incumbent.
PROFESSORS.
1811. Rev. Washington Leverett, A. M., Mathematics and Natural Phil- 1853
Rev. Zenas B. Newman, A. M .. Oratory, Rhetoric and Belles Lettres .. .1844 1841 osophy*
IS56. .. Ebenezer Marsh, Jun., A. M., Ph. Dr. Chemistry, Geology and Min-
1863. eralogy*
.Rev. Edward C. Mitchell, A M., Biblical Studies and Sacred Rhe-
1864
toric* Rev. Robert F. Pattison, D. D., Systematic Theology and History of Doctrines*
Rev. Justus Bulkley, D. D .. Professor of Church History and Church 1864
1865.
Polity* .. Rev. Warren Leverett, A. M., Associate Professor of Ancient Lan-
guages*
186) ....... . Rev. O. L. Barler, A. M., Phonography, and Principal of Commercial Department *.
PRINCIPALS OF THE PREPARATORY DEPARTMENT.
1834 ....... Jolın Russell, L. L. D. 1835
1810 1835 .. .... Rev. Zenas B. Newman, A. M.
1838. .. Rev. Samuel R. Allard, L. L. D
1839
1811 1839. .Rev. Warren Leverett, A. M
1819 1846 ... .. Rev. Justus Bulkley, A. M
1850 1849. William Cunningham, A. M
1853 1850 .. ... Philip P. Brown, Jun
1851
1853.
.James R. Kay, M. D
.1855 1854 .. Rev. Elihu J. Palmer
1855. William A. Castle ..
1856 1856 ... Rev Warren Leverett, A. M.
1865 1865 .. Edward A. Haight *.
-Present incumbents.
1856
1841 .. . Rev. Warren Leverett, A. M., Latin and Greek Languages ....... 1853 1847 Rev. Erastus Adkins, A. M., Oratory, Rhetoric and Belles Lettres 1853 1853 .. Rev. Erastus Adkins, A. M., Latin and Greek Languages ....
1855 1853. . Rev. Justus Bulkley, A. M., Mathematics and Natural Philosophy
1853 .. .Orlando L. Castle, A. M., Oratory, Rhetoric and Belles Lettres *..
1855 1855 ... . Rev. Washington Leverett, A. M., Mathematics and Natural Phil- osophy*
1855 .. .. Oscar Howes, A. M., Latin and Greek Languages and Literature*
131
MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
U. Alton,]
was one of the early circuit preachers in Virginia, and who had emigrated to Ohio, and then to Illinois, was appointed postmaster by Jolin McLain then Post Master General. The name of the office was changed to that of Salu, an addition to Upper Alton, where the venerable old gentleman resided. In 1826, Mr. Maxey resigned, and George Smith was appointed. The office was brought back from Salu, and the name rechanged to that of Alton, and continued so until 1835, when David Smith received the appointment, and the name "Upper Alton," was substituted. The office at Alton City which had previously borne the name of "Lower Alton," was called "Alton." In the year 1849, F. Hewitt, was appointed postmaster,
Students .- From June, 1832, to June 1836, under the administration of Rev. H. Loomis, the average attendance of Students is supposed to be about seventy-five. From 1836 to 1811, the average number of Students in attendance was eighty- eight, and of Instructors four.
Since June, 1841, the number has been slowly but steadily increasing. During the last nine years the average number in attendance is one hundred and twelve, about one-third of whom have been Ministerial Students. The number in atten- dance for session of 1865-6 was two hundred twenty-three.
About one thousand three hundred young men have been educated in whole or in part, in Shurtleff College. The average attendance for thirty years has been ninety. Of this number so far as known, seventy-six have entered the Gospel Ministry; twenty-two have entered the Medical Profession; more than one hund- red and fifty of these Students are known to have entered the army of the United States. Two of them, John Pope and John M. Palmer, have, with great credit, filled the office of Major General of United States Volunteers, while many others in the capacity of Colonels, Majors, Captains, and lower officers, have led their men to the field of carnage and death.
Donors .- In October, 1835. Benjamin Shurtleff, M. D., of Boston, Mass., donated the munificent sum of ten thousand dollars. Five thousand of this sum was given for the erection of a "New College Edifice,'; and Five Thousand as the foun- dation of a Professorship of Oratory, Rhetoric and Belles-Lettres. In return for this munificent gift the name of the Institution was changed to "Shurtleff Col- lege, Alton, Illinois."
Hon. Cyrus Edwards, of Alton, Ill., gave to the College, as the foundation of the Edwards' Professorship of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, a valuable tract of land, from which the College have already realized not far from ten thousand dollars.
Elijah Gove, of Quincy, III., some years since gave ten thousand dollars as the foundation of the Gove Professorship of "Latin and Greek Languages, and Liter- ature." Mr. Gove has recently added five thousand dollars to his Professorship, making it fifteen thousand in all. His wife Mrs. R. Gove, has recently given ten thousand dollars, of which sum five thousand dollars is to be applied to the erec- tion of the New Edifice, and five thousand vested as a fund, the interest of which shall be annually appropriated under the direction of the Theological Faculty.
H. N. Kendall, of Upper Alton, Ill., has given seven thousand five hundred dol- lars to endow the chair of the President, ten thousand dollars towards the erec- tion of the new building and two thousand five hundred for other purposes.
Dr. E. Marsh, of Alton, Ill., has given, for endowing a Professorship, five thou- sand dollars, besides a liberal sum for the erection of a new building.
J .. L. Blair, of Alton, has given for endowing a Professorship five thousand dol- lars.
Major Hunter, late of Alton, Ill., gave lands valued at from three to four thou- sand dollars.
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A GAZETTEER OF
[U. Alton.
at Upper Alton, and held the appointment until 1853, when Joseph Chap- man, received the appointment. He was succeeded by James Smith, Aaron Butler and by Rev. T. B. Hurlburt, the present incumbent.
Among the early settlers of Upper Alton, were Joseph Meacham, Dr. Augustus Langworthy, Dr. Erastus Brown, who had the first drug store; Rev. Bennett Maxey, the first minister of the place; John A. Maxey, Eb- enezer Hodges, John Seeley, Rev. Nathaniel and Wm. G. Pinckard, John Allen, Justice of the Peace in 1818; Benjamin Spencer, Justice of the Peace in 1818; Willis Webb, Constable in 1818; Benjamin Hail, Constable in 1818; Samuel Delaplain, George Smith, Henry P. Rundle, Alanson S. Wells and others.
Hon. James W. Whitney, (familiarly called "Lord Coke,") who for some years previous to his death was the oldest lawyer in the State, resided in this town for many years after his emigration to Illinois in 1817. He was a fine classical scholar, and well versed in the intricacies of the Law. He died recently in Adams County, in this State, at the advanced age of eighty-five years.
CHURCHES.
The BAPTIST CHURCH at Upper Alton was constituted April 25, 1830, by. Rev. John M. Peck. The number of constituent members was eight, two of whom at least, Don Alonzo Spaulding, Esq., and Mrs. Frances Marsh, are now living. The church has had the services of twelve pastors and of numerous temporary supplies. The pastorates have varied in length from four months to nearly five years. That much lamented veteran Pioneer, Rev. Ebenezer Rodgers, served the church as pastor from May, 1834, till
Richard Flagg, of Alton gave one thousand dollars. Besides these, amounts from $1,000 and less have been given by many who wanted only the ability to have been numbered among the most liberal contributors.
Theological Department .- The Trustees determined June 3d, 1863, to establish a Theological Department in Shurtleff College. "The chair of Biblical Studies and Sacred Rhetoric" was accordingly established, and Rev. E. C. Mitchell of Rockford elected to this Professorship.
At the time of taking this action, it was not definitely anticipated that a dis- tinct Theological department would be immediately called for, but upon the opening of the succeeding Collegiate year in September, 1863, a new set of students presented themselves, composed of graduates, ordained ministers and others, whom it was found necessary to organize at once into a Junior Theologi- cal Class.
June Sth, 1864. The Trustees constituted the "chair of Systematic Theology and the History of Doctrines," to which the Rev. Robert E. Pattison, D. D., of Wor- cester, Mass., was called.
The chair of "Church History and Church Polity" was also constituted, and Rev. Justus Bulkley, D. D., appointed to the Professorship.
There were thirty students in the Theological Department during the session of 1865-6.
Wehavegleaned the facts liere presented respecting "Shurtleff" from a discourse prepared by Rev. Justus Bulkley, D. D., and from the College Catalogues.
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MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
U. Alton.]
December, 1933. For nearly six years the meetings of the church for pub- lic and for social worship were held either in private houses or in what was known as "the Brick School-house." Then the "Academic Hall of Alton (now Shurtleff) College" was occupied for meetings until the present house of worship was completed, in the autumn of 1836. The whole number received into the church to this date (July 7, 1866,) is seven hun- dred and sixty-one. The catalogue of present members contains two hundred and fifty-one names.
The METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. In 1817, the first class of Methodists was organized, composed of Ebenezer Hodges, Mary Hodges, Jonathan Brown, Delila Brown, Oliver Brown and John Seely. Mrs. Mary Woodburn was the first to join this original Church. The next to join them was Mrs. Wm. G. Pinckard, who is the only one of the number now living. The first services were held in the cabin of father E. Hodges, which stood on the site now occupied by the present Baptist Church. It is supposed that John Dew was the first preacher. Mr. Dew at this time was a local preacher, though before and since he was a prominent man, first in the Tennessee Conference, and then in the Missouri Conference, which at that time included the State of Illinois. The first regular pastor was Samuel H. Thompson, who officiated from 1818 to 1820. Upper Alton at this time belonged to what was called the Illinois circuit. The names of the ministers who have since officiated in this Church are here given chronologically. Rev. Alexander McAllister followed Thompson, and remained one year. James Scott was the pastor in 1821; succeeded by Jesse Hale in 1822. In 1823, John Dew returned for two years, followed by Ebenzer T. Webster, in IS25. In 1826, S. HI. Thompson returned another term of two years, and was succeeded by Rev. Wm. Chambers, in 1828. In 1829 Upper Alton was known as a part of Lebanon circuit, John Dew being the pastor again. In 1830, Stith M. Otwell served as pastor, followed by John Dew, in 1831. At the close of this year the work was again changed, throwing the place into the Alton circuit, with Rev. Asahel Phelps as preacher in charge of this congregation. In 1833, James Hadley was pastor, succeeded in 1834 by Barton Randle, and in 1835 by A. L. Risley. During this year the first church was erected; a frame building (yet standing,) nearly opposite the house now occupied by this society. In 1836, Simon Peter had charge, assisted by Wm. Mitchell, now in charge at Edwardsville. In 1837, J. Benson and Norman Allyn, labored together. In 1833, the Illinois Conference met in the old Church; Bishop Soule prosiding. This year Rev. Mr. McMurry was stationed here. In 1839, Win. L. Deneen who also officiated in 1840, and assisted by Rev. Mr. Fairbanks, had both Altons together. In 1811, Norris Hobart, succeeded in 1342 by Rev. J. Bastian and C. J. Houts, preachers in charge of both Altons. 1843 John Hatton, 1844 Mr. Mather, 1845 John Borland; 1846 L. Dwight; 1847 and 1848 Thomas Magee. In autumn of 1849 L. C.
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A GAZETTEER OF
[U. Alton.
Pitner came, when the present house of worship was built. Autumn of 1850 C. M. Holliday came, and was pastor one year. In 1851, Dr. B. C. Wood; 1852, J. A. Robinson; 1853, J. S. Estep; 1854, W. G. Moore; 1855, George W. Robins. John W. Caldwell came about the close of the year 1856. L. W. Chandler followed one year, when J. W. Caldwell returned another year. In 1859, John D. Gillham; 1860, G. W. Jenks, 1861, W. W. Bridwell; 1862, Joseph Harris; 1863, Jacob S. Moore came and remained two years, followed by the present incumbent Wm. Jesse Grant.
This Church has a brick building neatly finished.
The PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH of Upper Alton was organized Jan. 8, 1837, with twenty-four members, by Revs. F. W. Graves, T. B. Hurlburt, and Thomas Lippincott. In the May following twenty-six new members were added, Congregational in their preferences, and so a Union form of Church Government was adopted after the plan of 1801. Of the original fifty members twenty-six are still living, only five of whom retain their con- nection with this church. The whole membership, from first to last, as appears upon the records, is two hundred and fifty-five. The present, membership is forty-seven.
The first minister of the church was Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy, acting as a temporary supply until a pastor could be secured. Rev. Charles G. Sel- leck was installed Nov. 16, 1837. He continued his labors with this peo- ple about four years. Subsequent to his dismissal, the church has enjoyed the stated means of grace under Revs. H. Loomis, H. B. Whitaker, Lemuel Foster, T. B. Hurlbut, - Barnes and W. R. Adams, the pres- ent incumbent.
The house of worship built in 1838 was destroyed by fire Oct. 10th, 1858. In 1861 a new house was so far completed as to be opened for public ser - vices. It was dedicated Nov. 15, 1865. The dedicatory exercises were performed by Revs. C. H. Taylor, D. D., Alton, T. M. Post, D. D., St. Louis Mo., and George Little, Monticello. The members of the Session are S. W. Ball, T. R. Murphy and J. P. Burton.
A Sabbath-school has been connected with the church for many years. At present it numbers nearly one hundred and twenty. S. W. Ball, Superintendent.
EDWARDSVILLE.
Edwardsville, the seat of justice for Madison County, Illinois, was set- tled by Thomas Kirkpatrick in 1805 .* The early settlers of the West were obliged to resort to block houses for protection against Indians. One of the first in the West was that built by a military company, of which John G Lofton was captain, and Wm. Jones first, and Daniel G. Moore second lieutenants. It was built on the south bank of Cahokia Creek in 1811. In 1816, Kirkpatrick laid out the town called Edwardsville, which was se- lected as the County Seat .; At this period Madison County embraced all of Northern Illinois.
Among the earliest settlers of Edwardsville and vicinity were James Gillhanı, 1793; John Gillham and sons, 1802; William Gillham, 1803; Charles Gillham, 1803; Bryant Mooney, 1803; John T. Lusk, March 5, 1805; Samuel Judy, 1801; Abraham Prickett; Thomas Good, May 20, 1808; Thomas Kirkpatrick, James Mason and others. The first marriage was probably that of James Gillham and Polly Good, January, 1809. John Crocker and Cynthia Moore were married soon after, and John T. Lusk and Lucretia Gillham on the 22d of August, 1809. George W. Prickett, now of Chicago, was the first child born in the town, October, 1816. Alfred J. Lusk was born on the 23d of July, 1814, a short distance from the town. The first death of a grown person was that of Mrs. Sally (Good) Moore sometime during 1809.
One of the first schools was kept by Joshua Atwater, who is still a
*On account of its prominence in the early settlement of the State, a complete history of Edwardsville would alone make a large volume. The limits of this work will only permit a short sketch; however throughout the pages previous to folio 67, frequent mention has been made of facts connected with the history of this town.
#An act was passed by the State Legislature Feb. 23, 1819, appointing Benjamin Stephenson, Joseph Bowers, Robert Latham, John Todd, Joseph Conway, Abraham Prickett and Theophilus W. Smith, a Board of Trustees for the town of Edwards- ville.
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