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 9
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After a few months spent by me as clerk in a store, Colonel Easton proposed to me that I should take a stock of goods, in partnership with him, and keep a store at Alton or neighborhood, and accordingly I became a resident, as before said, in Illinois-now become a State-on the first of December, 1818.
It was not in Alton that my store was opened. Alton was in embryo. When Col. Easton brought me first in his gig to see the place, there was a cabin not far I think, from the southeast corner of the penitentiary wall, or corner of State and Short streets, occupied by the family of a man whom the Colonel had indneed to establish a ferry in competition with Smeltzer's ferry, a few miles above. I have forgotten the name of this ferryman, but his habitation was about as primitive and unsightly as I had seen anywhere. I do not think he was overworked by the
73
MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Alton.]
A few log cabins had previously been built, one of which was used as- the ferry house to accommodate those crossing the river at this point.
Late in 1818 Col. Easton made a contract with William G. Pinckard and Daniel Crume for the building of four log houses on different parts of the town site. The plan was subsequently changed so as to unite two of these in to one, which was put up, and with a covering of weatherboards and other improvements added in after years is still standing in the rear of Second street, east of Piasa. It was for many years known as the Hawley House.
A row of small tenements was built during 1819 under the brow of the bluff which extended along where second street now is west of Piasa.
In order to induce travelers to come by the Fountain Ferry a road was necessary from Milton to Alton, and a bridge was indispensable to cross Shields Branch.#
Accordingly Col. Easton made a contract with Joel Finch to build a frame bridge for which he was to be paid at the store of Mr. Lippincott the sum of two hundred dollars.
This bridge was built very near the site of the present covered bridge. One or two of a similar kind succeeded the original at about the same place, before the present structure was erected. At first the road wound somewhat through the bottom, but was soon made as now along the slope of the bluff.
There were at this time two families residing between Milton and Alton or more properly between Wood River and the Bates farm. On the farm next adjoining Wood river was the family of the widow Meacham, who had resided there during the war of 1812. At her house the Indians called on the evening of the murder of the Moore family. The other was that of Mr. James Smith near Alton. One of his daughters was afterwards married to a Mr. Jubilee Posey who resided for many years in the neigh- borhood of Troy.
business of his ferry at that time, for the old east and west road passed north and out of sight of the Fountain Ferry, and it was not easy to pursuade travelers to try the new one, even if they ever heard of it, which was probably rather seldom.
* At a very early day there was a family by the name of Shields residing adjacent to this Branch, and from that faet it is supposed the Creek received its name. See Major Pruitt's reminisence.
The following is from the journal of the late Rev. J. M. Peck, and will give an idea of the two Altons as they appeared at that date to a casual visitor:
" The late Hon. Rufus Easton of St. Louis, who had become interested in the landed property, projected as the site of Alton city, exacted the promise that we should not decide on our location until we had visited and explored that site, or rather the village now known as Upper Alton, two and a half miles In the rear, and on elevated and healthy ground. And we hope it will amuse and not offend our readers in that vicinage if they have a truthful description of the two Altons as they then appeared.
We (singly-not our colleague) left St. Charles on February 23d, 1819, and rode
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A GAZETTEER OF
[Alton.
In what is now known as Hunterstown there were evidently some im- provements made previous to 1820, as will be learned from the following extract from the columns of the "Edwardsville Spectator" of April 18th, 1820 :
"The subscriber has just finished large and commodious BUILDINGS, suitable for public entertainment, in the town of ALTON, on the bank of the Mississippi, near Fountain Ferry, on the main road to Boone's Lick and Salt river. He is disposed to let them on moderate terms, when suited with a tenant. From its local situation there can be no doubt of its be- coming one of the best stands in the State.
Alton, Illinois, Nov. 15th, 1819. CHARLES W. HUNTER."
down to the "Point" towards Smeltzer's ferry, then located about three mile s above the site for a city. Here we crossed the river a little after sunset, and had five miles to ride to the inhabited village. For three miles the pathway lay along the brink of the low water of the river under the cliffs. Not far from the present site of the Alton House, there was a building, but whether a rough frame or a log- house it was too dark too perceive. (There were four cabins on the town site.) Here we obtained directions how to find and follow the dubious pathway through the brush and forest. up a long hill to the village. It was cloudy and dark, but on emerging from the forest, we found on every side the appearance of camp-fires. Log heaps, piles of brush, old stumps and other combustible materials were glow- ing with heat, and spreading an illumination over the plateau. Inquiry was made for a tavern or boarding-house, and we were directed to a long, low, ill- looking log-house. It was about forty feet in length, and probably sixteen feet wide, the doorway for entrance at the west end, and the dining-room, as it seemed to be used for eating purposes, was the first room entered. The table was sup- ported by forks driven in the ground, on which rough, newly sawed boards ex- tended perhaps twenty feet. An old cloth covered a portion of the table. A supply of dirty dishes indicated that several boarders might have had a late supper. The part from which the dishes and cloth had been removed was occupied by three parties with cards, or something resembling spotted pieces of pasteboard ; all in harmony with the rest. On inquiring for the landlord, a shock-head, begrimed features, and soiled garment that appeared to belong to a " human " came in. The first thing was to find a stable and feed for a wearied horse.
On exploring the premises, I found him in a log pen with some boards over one half the roof, and the mud mid-leg deep. Seeing no chance for better quarters, I left him munching corn, of which he had a supply.
It did not take many minutes to frame and carry into effect a resolution to find better quarters for his rider. While living in St. Louis the preceding year, I had formed a slight acquaintance with the family of Doctor Erastus Brown, who in autumn had removed to Upper Alton. Offering a dirty, ragged boy a dime to pilot me to Dr. Brown's, slinging my saddle-bags on the arm, and climbing over stumps and logs, brought us to the snug, neat, newly-built log-house-no, we will call it a " cottage"-where we found the doctor, his lady, and two or three little ones, in as comfortable quarters as any decent folks deserved to have in those frontier times.
"Doctor, I have called to impose myself upon your hospitality," and I gave him a brief sketch of my recent adventure, amongst wretchedness, filth, drunken ribaldry, and low profanity of the boarding-house.
Both declared a hearty welcome, and regretted I did not call on them on my
.
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MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Alton.]
The manufacture of lime was begun in this vicinity at an early day for in a column of the same paper MATTHIAS P. RINGER & Co. advertise that "Any quantity of good unslacked LIME may be had for 25 cents per bushel at ALTON, on the Mississippi," by applying to them.
By a notice on the same page dated Feb. 23, 1820, ENEAS PEMBROOK calls the attention of the traveling public to the fact that "The subscriber has caused the roads leading to and from Fountain Ferry to be put in good repair, and he has an excellent set of boats and hands." Remembering the fact that he had a competitor in the keeper of Smeltzer's Ferry his rea- son is quite obvious, for the following advice to those traveling this wav, that they "be not misled nor otherwise delayed."
"On leaving Milton for the river, keep the left hand road to the foot of the bluff. It is level and dry. In traveling to the east from St. Charles to the State of Illinois take the right-hand road when you get within about a mile of Smeltzers, where you will observe the marks of a signboard knocked down. In passing this way you will not be detained by high winds." He added that he also kept a TAVERN at the ferry for the accom- dation of travelers.
Whether this Eneas Pembrook was the person who first started the Fountain ferry in 1817 the writer could not learn.
first arrival. I told the good lady not to get supper, for I had eaten a late dinner, and it was drawing towards bed-time, but in the quickest time she had the tea made and the table spread. I told her I was used to sleeping on the floor with my saddle for a pillow, and saddle-blanket for covering, but I was ushered into a neat little room, with a bed and covering fit for a prince. In all my wanderings, I never experienced as great and sudden a transition from wretchedness and filth to comfort and happiness.
In the morning, after an early breakfast, in company with my friend, Dr. B., I made an exploration through the town, was introduced to several citizens, and learned all that was necessary of Upper Alton at that time, as the site for a seminary of learning.
There were on the spot between forty and fifty families, living in log-cabins, shanties, covered wagons, and camps. Probably not less than twenty families were destitute of houses; but were getting out materials and getting up shelters with industry and enterprise. I had become acquainted with the extremes of the social state, and had no opportunity to enlarge my experience. Doubtless there were other families living as comfortably as the one whose hospitality I had shared.
I found a school of some twenty-five or thirty boys and girls taught by some baekwoods fellow, but the chance for a boarding-school was small indeed. There was the old settlement about the forks of Wood river and Rattan's prairie that miglit furnish a few sehiolars. The Macoupin settlement-real frontler rowdies- was thirty miles north, of a dozen families; then three families had ventured over Apple Creek. The emigrants to the Sangamon country went there the preceding winter. Peoria, on the Illinois river, was an old French village of twenty-five cabins. Morgan, Cass, Scott, and all those counties along the Illinois river were the hunting-grounds of the Indians. The late Major Wadsworth and half a dozen families had made their pitch in Calhoun county. All the country to the east and north was one vast wilderness."
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A GAZETTEE OF
[Alton.
About this time the town of Salu was laid out, adjacent to Upper Alton In a communication published in the Spectator and dated November 15th, 1819, after mentioning the advantageous location of Alton and the impor- tant position it must inevitably take in the future commerce of the west, the writer states that
"This town Salu is situated on the first high, rolling, and commanding ground from the river on sec. 6, in town 5 N. and range 9 W. of the 3d principal meridian, adjoining and north of Upper Alton, in the county of Madison, and State of Illinois."
"The great road leading from the east throughout this state to the Mis- souri Territory, the Boon's Lick and Salt river countries, runs through this town and crosses the Mississippi at the well known Smeltzer's ferry. This road will be made to fork at this town, and run also to Fountain ferry, at lower Alton. These two ferries are the only ones of any impor- tance, that can ever be established on the Mississippi between the Mis- souri and Illinois rivers. The great national road, running from the City of Washington westwardly, must necessarily be made to cross one or the other of these ferries, when it shall be extented to the Missouri and the rocky mountains.
"It may be considered extraordinary that a new town, bearing a new name, should be laid out adjoining Upper Alton, as this town is well sit- uated, and already contains more than thirty families. It is from these considerations that the town of Salu is laid out, and the lots now offered for sale to actual settlers. No clear and indisputable title could heretofore have been obtained for any lot in Upper Alton; the embarrassments on the land were complicated and difficult. Under these circumstances, the people who had settled in Altou could not prudently make improvements, but had become more and more convinced of its unusually healthy and commanding situation for a great town, were unwilling to remove to any cther town or part of this state or country; therefore, the subscribers pur- chased the site for the town of Salu, which has all the advantages of Alton and have given the new town a new name, because Alton embraced Up- per and lower Alton, two separate and distinct sites for towns, situated more than one mile apart; from these considerations it was not thought advisable to extend Alton to greater limits; and, therefore. the subscrib- ers have named the new town Salu.
BENNETT MAXEY, ISAAC WATERS,
ERASTUS BROWN, ZACHARIAH ALLEN."
Litigation kept Alton from improving for ten or twelve years. Several of the leading lawyers of Illinois obtained possession of a claim adverse to Col. Easton's to the land on which the town had been laid out. Such men as Ninian Edwards, the Territorial Governor, Nathaniel Pope, so long the able District Judge, and others, could bring wealth, legal talent, and ex- perience into the conflict, while Col. Easton had them all to contend with.
Of course no permanent improvements nor extensive purchases would be made while this contest was going on.
The difficulty was finally compromised by a division of the land. Of this division, Edwards, Pope & Co. obtained, among others, some blocks in the north-eastern portion, which are now partly included in Middletown.
By an act of the State Legislature approved February 15th 1827 Shad- rack Bond, William P. McKee and Gershon Jayne were appointed "Com- missioners to select and procure a suitable site for a penitentiary on the
,
77
MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Alton.]
Mississippi river at or near Alton, in Madison County. They were to have a care that the title be secure, and were authorized to cause the erec- tion of buildings with the necessary cells, guard houses, work shops, and other apartments. The funds for defraying the building and other expen- ses were to be obtained from one half the proceeds of the sales to be made by James Caldwell, the commissioner appointed to sell certain lands within the Saline reserve of Gallatin County.
The following is a LIST OF THE LANDS included in the limits of Alton showing when and by whom each quarter and fractional section was entered together with the number of acres in each, including sections 11, and 12 and fractional sections 10, 13 and 14, all in township five north and range ten west of the third principal meridian.
N. E. quarter of section 10, containing 149.60, acres was entered by Abraham Prickett, July 18, 1817.
N. W. quarter section 10, containing 42.15, acres was entered by Dennis Valentine, April 2Sth 1815.
S. E. quarter section 10, containing 29.13, acres was entered by heirs of Babo, April 25, 1815.
N. E. quarter section 11, containing 160 acres was entered by William Russell, April 27, 1815.
N. W. quarter section 11, containing 160 acres was entered by Rufus Easton, September 30, 1816.
S. W. quarter section 11, containing 154.28, acres was entered by William Russell, April 27, 1815.
S. E. quarter section 11, containing 160 acres was entered by Andy Don- egan, Angust 19, 1814.
N. E. and N. W. quarter section 12, containing 320 acres was entered by Lester and Easton, legal representative of John Lester December 14, 1814.
S. W. quarter section 12, containing 160 acres was entered by Andy Donegan, August 19, 1814.
East half S. E. quarter section 12, containing 80 acres was entered by James Smith, September 27, 1816.
W. ¿ S. E. quarter section 12, containing 80 acres was entered by James Smith, September 27, 1816.
Fractional section 13, containing 278.50, acres was entered by Andy Don- egan, August 19, 1814.
Fractional section 14, containing 98.15, acres was entered by Andy Don- egan, August 19, 1814.
The exact boundaries of these section it would be difficult to give, as the streets run in a diagonal course.
Section 11 includes the central part of the incorporation north of a line drawn east and west through the crossing of Market and 6th streets. Fractional section 14 is immediately south of it, including the business 11-
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A GAZETTEER OF
[Alton.
blocks. Section 12 is east of 11, and fractional section 10 is immediately west of 11, while fractional section 13 is east of 14 and south of 12.
June 7th, 1828, Gershom Flagg purchased block one, between Second and Front, and Piasa and Market streets, from William Russell, who, in addition to what he had originally entered, had also succeeded to the pos- session of a large portion of Col. Easton's former claims. A few days after, Mr. Flagg sold a portion of the block to William Miller, who had recently removed from Edwardsville. Mr. Miller occupied the Ferry House, kept a small grocery, and acted as agent for William Russell.
On the 21st of August, 1829, Beal and Charles Howard arrived in the vil- lage from the State of Maryland. There was at that time an old frame building on a portion of the ground now accupied by Mr. Shooler's Mill, which had previously been used by some old Indian traders. This building was, in 1829, and for some time afterwards, occupied by Winthrop S. Gil- inan as a ware house. It was subsequently replaced by one larger and more substantially built of stone, which was the base of operations for the firm of GODFREY, GILMAN & Co., so widely and favorably known among commercial men during the early days of Alton. Other than this old frame and the Ferry House, there were but a few log cabins that had been used occasionally, some of them, for the ten years previous by transient occupants. Corn was growing on a portion of the land be- tween the Little Piasa and the bluff, and on the north and east there was a heavy growth of timber. Along the slope of the bluff, wild grape vines were growing luxuriantly, while in the forest east of the creek, under- brush was so dense that the river could scarcely be seen ten rods distant.
Major Hunter was then residing in Hunterstown, with a few others among whom was one Taylor and his sons-in-law Oller and Million. The chief occupation and delight of these last named, and some of their neighbors, was bee-hunting, while their staple food was cornbread, milk and (wild) honey. Being disposed to evade the encroachments of civiliza- tion they are said to have removed at an early day.
A frame building was built for Beal Howard, by some work-men from St. Louis, on the site of the Presbyterian Church on Market Street. It was two stories high, about thirty feet in length, and was occupied as early as November 1829, being the first frame dwelling on the site of Alton. The title abstracts show that on September 4th 1829 Gershom Flagg made a deed ofthe east half of block 1, to Charles Howard, who put up a small log dwelling on the south-east corner of the same, inst opposite the present Alton House.
A Mr. Mintony caine a few days after the arrival of the Howard broth- ers and purchased about two roods of ground west of the Little Piasa and south of the present Third street for the sum of one hundred dollars. Upon this ground he built a steam saw mill which, on account of the ser- pentine course of the Piasa at that time, stood near the present site of
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MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Alton.]
Topping Bros. ware rooms, on Second street. Mr. Mintony run this mill about two years when he sold it to Ninian Edwards. The Gov- ernor's son-in-law J. S. Lane had charge of it thereafter, and for some- time leased it to D. A. Spaulding who had been a resident in the vicinity of Edwardsville for several years previous. With the exception of a cooper shop owned and carried on by Mr. William Miller for a short time previous, this Mill was the initiatory step in the way of manufac- tories in Alton.
During 1830 there were few permanent settlers located in the village. Among those who arrived in 1831 were Benjamin I. Gilman, Edward Bliss, William Manning, Samuel Avis, Mark Pierson, William Hayden, Elijah Haydon, Samuel Wade, A. C. Hankinson, Jacob D. Smith, Dr. Wm. Emerson, - Fleshman, S. Griggs Jonathan T. Hudson, and R.M. Dunlap, who was clerk of the Board of Trustees in 1832. Thomas G. Hawley had come some time previous, also Andrew Miller.
Of those who subsequently made this their residence previous to the close of 1840 we have the names of Hezekiah Davis, Dr. Benjamin K. Hart, William McCorkle, M. W. Carroll, Jacob C. Bruner, who was Post Master in 1832 and for some years subsequent, M. Gillespie, Dr. E. Marsh 1833, William Barrett who opened a dry good store June 1832, J. A. Langdon, Richard Shipley, S. H. Denton, who had charge of the Penitentiary, John and George Quigley, Isaac Negus, merchant, Samuel C. Pierce, Simeon Ry - der, autumn of1834, Thomas G. Thurston, George Kelley, for several years Secretary of the town "Board of Trustees," and now a resident of Belleville, Illinois. George Smith, Eli Foster, Isaac J. Foster, Samuel Bush, J. W. Stoddard, S. W. and G. Robbins, Edward Breath, who with his part- ner, O. M. Adams, established the Alton Spectator, January 1832; Judge Hezekiah Hawley, Robert DeBow, John R. Woods, Perley B. Whipple, Samuel Pitts, Lawson A. Parks, Moses G. and John Atwood, George T. Brown, Lewis Kellenberger, Robert Smith, Arba Nelson, Benj. F. Child, Horatio B. Bowman, William Post, Henry Lea, Amasa S. Barry, E.L. Dim - mock, Thos. G. Starr, Charles Phinney, W. Libby, A. W. Corey, Calvin Stone, A. L. Corson, Richard Flagg, H. W. Billings, S. E. More, A. Alex- ander, Calvin Riley, J. W. and H. Buffum, T. L. and T. Waples, G. S. Gaskins, W. Harned, A. B. Roff, W. and H. Tanner, John Hogan, Dr. B. F. Edwards, John M. Krum, G. T. M. Davis, William Martin, T. P. Wool- dridge, J. C. Woods, Dr. E. W. Dill, John Dill, J. M. Morgan, W. T. Mil- ler, John Batterton, J. C. Milnor, A. Platt, J. W. Hart, N. D. Strong, Junius Hall, J. W. Chickering, W. F. D'Wolf, W. S. Lincoln, John Lin- coln, A. G. Sloo, H. G. McClintoch, Caleb Stone, Geo. W. Fox, Robert McFarland, Moses Forbes, R. M. Treadway, S. L. Miller, Charles E. Frost, Geo, Walworth, S. H. Kennedy, Jas. H. Lea, J. G. Lamb, John Dye, E. Trenchery, W. F. and J. Leonard, S. Lufkin, George L. Ward,
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A GAZETTEER OF
[ÅIton.
John Chaney, E. Levis, E. F. Fifield, E. Cock, James E. Starr, Wm. and Geo. McBride, Aaron Corey, Stephen Pierson, Andrew Mathers, Dr. Thomas M. Hope, John Mulledy, W. L. Chappell, J. S. Stone, W. P. La- mothe, John W. and Henry Schweppe, H. C. Sweetser, George and W. A. Holton, Nathaniel Buckmaster, John Sigerson, E. H. Harrison, John Rowe, Charles Trumbull, James Semple, Jas. D. Burns.
WILLIAM MANNING came from Boston to Alton April 22d, and soon afterwards opened a store on Second street opposite the site of the present City Hall. He had the largest supply of goods, and enjoyed the most ex- tensive trade of any of the Alton merchants during several subsequent years. SAMUEL, AVIS his brother-in-law, and MARK PIERSON remained with him as aids. Mr. Avis is still a resident of the city. Mr. Pierson was for many years afterwards a successful merchant. He died October 12th, 1855.
MR. FLESHMAN was a merchant of considerable means, and for some time was actively engaged in the building improvements of Alton. He erected a two story brick store, which was the first of any consequence; it stood on the south side of Second street west of the Piasa, and was burnt a few years since.
EDWARD BLISS put up a frame building and began trade with a general supply of goods, on the north side of Second street west of the Piasa, in the Spring of 1831.
JACOB D. SMITH had a brick-yard in the vicinity in 1831, or probably at an earlier date.
ELIJAH HAYDON arrived early in 1831 and purchased the land from the present site of Topping Bros. building to one lot west of State, and from the levee north to Third street, together with the Fountain Ferry privilege, from William Russell .* He served as a member of the Town Board of Trustees during 1834.
The first practicing physician who located in Alton was Dr. WILLIAM S.
*After disposing of a large portion of his ground for as much as he paid for all, he turned his whole attention to the ferry, which had been discontinued as such for several years. The boat at Smeltzer's being sunk, and Mr. Haydon having labored with energy to get his ferry in good order, with a fine boat, horses and fixtures, the immense tide of emigration to Missouri and other points westward sought this as a crossing, and the Fountain Ferry became an established institution, a source of profit to its owner and of benefit to the town. At times the throng of emigrants was so great that many were compelled to camp out and await their turn. The ferry was at first started with a horse boat, which was afterwards replaced by one propelled with steam. In the course of three or four years Mr. Haydon sold his ferry privi- lege and boat to Eli and Isaac J. Foster. A boat has been kept only at intervals since Mr. Haydon's removal.
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