USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Jacksonville > Historic Morgan and classic Jacksonville > Part 15
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THE PARK FAMILY- THE FIRST PRINTING AND BINDING.
handiwork-'will be coming in due time ' The wife laughs in her turn-replies 'no doubt.' -and, taking one of the graceful tripods in her hand, carries it forth to sit upon while she milks the cow-for she understands what she is expected to do, and does it without delay. In oue corner near the fire-place, the aforesaid cupboard is erected-being a few oaken shelves neatly pinned to the logs with hickory forks-and in this arranged the plates and cups; not as the honest pride of the housewife would arrange them, to display them to the best advantage, but piled away ore within another, without reference to show. As yet there is no sign of female taste or presence.
"But now the house receives its mistress. The 'happy couples' ride up to the low rail fence in front. the bride springs off without assistance, affectation, or delay. The husband leads away the horse, or horses, and the wife enters the dominion where, thence- forward, she is queen."
In August, 1884, the Park family had a pleasant reunion in Jacksonville after a separation of many years. Of six brothers and one sister, the youngest born in 1828, all were living and most of them in good health. Altogether they made an interesting group of substantial citizens of whom any county might well be proud. Five of them lived in this county and two at a distance. Thomas Park, the father, came to the state in 1828, and with a wife, six boys and one girl, moved to Morgan county in the spring of 1831 He died in 1852 and Mrs. Park died in 1873. This year the seven children are still living and met in this city and were photographed in a group. Their ages were as follows: John J., 69; H. M., 67; J. A., 65; Elijah II., 63; Wm. R., 60; Robt. 1., 56 and Sarah J., 54. They all met at the Old Settlers' Reunion, August 7th, 1884. and ate dinner together, and on the next Thursday they had a reunion at the old Park, homestead, eight miles northwest of the city, and now the residence of J. A. Park. This is probably one of the most remarkable reunions which was ever held in this county. They were all born as early as 1828 and have lived to meet at the end of fifty- three years residence in the county, a complete family of children,-the father and mother both having died.
As to the first printing, publishing and book-binding in this city and county, we extract as follows from the scrap-book of Capt. John Henry, deceased, preserved in the Free Reading Room of the Jacksonville Y. M. C. A .:
"The first editor was an old gentleman by the name of Robert Goudy. He was a book-binder by trade and his office was in a little frame building in the west part of the city. He established a printing office in connection with his bindery. His was the first book-bindery established in Illinois, but owing to his advanced age he did not suc- ceed well in business. He had three sons, all of whom were good business men, and one is now living in Chicago and is a leading lawyer and politician of the democratic party. This bindery and printing office was established about 1830. The next paper established in Jacksonville was by James G. Edwards in the same year. He came to Illinois as one of the company to establish the Illinois College at Jacksonville but soon after he opened in a wider field, becoming tired of being confined to one organization. Ile soon adapted himself to the western people and their customs, and launched out boldly for himself (with the assistance of his wife) in the printing business and his paper soon had a respectable circulation. He continued to publish the paper for about eighteen months or two years, and then moved to lowa, and there established the Burlington Hawkeye. By his ability, energy and pluck his paper soon became the leading one of the state, and still retains its popularity. He proved himself to be a valuable citizen, but he died young, leaving no heir. His paper was published in the interest of the old whig party.
"The next paper in Jacksonville was published by Samuel S. Brooks, a man of much independence. He was quiet and pleasant in his manners and an able writer and pos- sessed of great determination. He published one of the ablest democratic papers in the state and advocated the claims of Gen. Jackson for the presidency. Ile labored hard to bring Stephen A. Douglas before the people of Illinois and he was a great favorite with Douglas in the great contest between Lincoln and Douglas in 1858. No man that I know figured so largely as an editor as did Brooks. He was at different
JOSIAH M. LUCAS THE PATRIOT IN 1832.
times connected with several papers, among which were the Quincy Whig and the State Register. He died between the age of 65 to 70 years after leading a luisy and use- ful life.
Mr. Josiah M. Lucas emigrated from Maryland to Illinois and settled in Jackson- ville in 1830 and after being here a short time he conceived the idea of establishing a weekly paper. He was a single man. He ventured out west on his own hook without friends, but it was only a short time before he comprehended the situation of the coun- try and people. He was well calculated to adapt himself to a mixed community and soon brought warm friends to his aid. He established his paper in the interest of the old Whig flag and rallied for Henry Clay for president. He ranked among such men as J. J. Hardin, Wm. Thomas, Richard Yates and others of the same class. Hle proved himself equal to the task of conducting his paper in the proper manner, always keep- ing in sight of it himself and never allowing anything to enter its columns which was mean or disrespectful. They were always open to friend or foe for fair and honorable debate. Mr. Lucas retired from newspaper life and went to Washington where he was elected postmaster of the House of Representatives. IIe filled many positions, both civil and military, and was a United States Consul for several years. Those positions he filled with credit to himself, the government, and those whom he served.
We have been told that the first straw bonnet for ladies wear ever brought to town for sale was by Mr. T. D. Eames, who began mercantile life here in 1835.
In illustration of the difficulty of obtaining news promptly in olden times, we quote as follows from the editorial columns of The Illinois Patriot, predecessor of The Journal, of date of Thursday, February 23d, 1832, and flying the name of Henry Clay for president.
THE OLD STORY .- The mail, which was due on Tuesday, arrived yesterday, bringing us no news east of Springfield. We learn by the Springfield papers that a gentleman who arrived at that place from St. Louis, informed the editors that the nomination of Mr. Van Buren had been rejected. We await with great anxiety for some official news which will confirm this statement.
That the protection of American industries was then as now a question of political discussion is shown by the following editorial:
"With nothing on hand but old papers, we are glad to have it in our power to lay Mr. Clay's speech on the tariff before the public this week. We have seen Mr Hayne's reply-it is an eloquent speech, but the doctrines it inculcates aim a death blow at the American system, and would, if adopted, prostrate the energies of the manufacturer, choke the avenues by which our farmers are to realize a compensation for their labors and throw out of employment many industrious citizens."
We have already made frequent reference to the Rev. John M. Ellis and his pi- oneer work here as preacher and founder of educational institutions, but feel that all the readers of "Historic Morgan" will be glad to know more of this saintly man and his early labors. Hence we extract as follows from the Presbytery Reporter, Dr. A. T. Norton, editor, of September 1859: "Furnished with a hundred dollars as an outfit, the young minister made his way in six weeks (for the Ohio was low) to Illinois. There were then but three Presbyterian ministers in the state, Rev. John Brich, who resided near Jacksonville, and who perished by cold a few years after; Rev. Stephen Bliss in the southeast part of the state, and Rev. B. F. Spillman in the southwest part of the state, who lived until the present year." *
* * * * "Mr. Ellis was that type of mind and from that stock of mankind, with whom it is an instinct to build colleges. From Elias Cornelius he had received the charge to build up an institution of learning which should bless the West for all time.' He gave instruction himself to a select class nenr his residence, and in all journeys and intercourse it was a prominent subject of his conversation. In Presbytery he obtained the appointment of a committee to advise on the subject. Of this committee Mr. Giddings was removed by death. Mr. Cham- berlain was averse to the movement and Elder (now Rev.) Thomas Lippincott gave his cordial aid to Mr. Ellis." * * * * * * "The earliest considerable subscription was $400, made by Deacon William Collins, Sr., of Collinsville."
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MORGAN, GREENE AND SANGAMON IN 1828.
"In January 1828, Mr. Ellis and Mr. Lippincott went on a tour of inquiry and ob- servation to the Sangamon country, the latter having an extensive acquaintance with the public men in that region. At Jacksonville so charming was the landscape, so rich the soil around and so enterprising the people who settled there that Mr. Ellis appears to have concluded at once that this was the place for a seminary in preference to other towns he visited, Within a few days with characteristic promptitude, he purchased eighty acres of land and set the stakes for a building. It remained to secure the ap- probation of Presbytery (Missouri) to this location, and the sanction of those who had subscribed money. The latter point alone was obtained. Mr. Ellis appears to have determined to remove to Jacksonville and in the summer he took up his residence there. The following extracts from his letters to the A. H. M. S, will be read with interest:"
JANUARY 6, CARROLLTON .- This is in Greene, one of the three most important coun- ties in the state. A few Presbyterians, perhaps twenty, are in a church, weak and faint. I told the people of the Home Missionary Society, and gave them what encouragement I could, and this relieved their spirits a little; but they must have something more.
JANUARY 13 .- Preached in Jacksonville Sabbath and week-day, as in Greene county. Morgan is an interesting county. There is a little church in it, trying to do what they can, and with good prospects.
JANUARY 20, SPRINGFIELD, Sangamon county .- Andiences full and attentive. When I inquired whether any Presbyterian Church existed here. no one could tell me. During the two weeks spent here, however, a church of twenty members was formed, to which additions have since been made.
In passing from Springfield to Hillsboro, I swam two creeks with my horse in the winter season. But this should be no terror to the missionary coming from the east. This and other like trials and exposures are no more than lawyers, judges, and all men of business are occasionally exposed to; and if one cannot do as much for the souls of men, how can he be called a missionary of the cross. . Still as the country improves these hardships disappear.
Mr. Lippincott accompanied him on this journey, and his recollections of it are re- corded in a letter which follows. The meeting of Presbytery was one in which a vote passed adverse to Mr. Ellis' plans. It is no wonder that a Presbytery in Missouri should think Jacksonville out of the center. His visits to Shoal Creek and Collinsville were necessary to secure their ratification of his purchase and confirmation of their subscriptions. His marriage occurred the day following the date of the letter preceding :
AUGUST 1, 1828 -The church at Jacksonville, on the last Lord's day, received an ac- cession equal to the whole number of members, making now twenty-eight. There seems to be a rich blessing in store for this section of the state, if we can obtain laborers. These counties. Morgan, Sangamon and Greene, are populating with unexampled rapidity, having doubled their inhabitants in three years. The market on the Illinois River was opened this year by team, and eight or ten steamboats have visited the Morgan landing this spring, and more expected.
SEPTEMBER, 25, 1828 .- The church here are engaged in building a parsonage, and is perfectly unanimous in all its proceedings. Nothing can exceed the kind attention paid to me and my family. The sum engaged for my support is $150 or more, principally in produce. Building the house is a heavy burden.
In the engagement made with the people I have reserved one Sabbath in four to preach occasionally in other parts of the county, and to visit churches abroad. In com- pliance with repeated solicitations, I went on the 8th of September to Canton, Fulton county, seventy-five miles northwest of Springfield, and returned in seventeen days, dur- ing which I rode in all 234 miles, preached thirteen sermons, constituted a church in Ful- ton of nine members, administered the sacrament three times, baptized six adults and five children, and attended six prayer meetings. The anxiety to obtain preaching of our de- nomination is expressed in language of earnest entreaty. In Fulton county two men are ready to engage $50 each for the first year. It is a desirable place. Half the people are from New England and New York, and the health is excellent. At least five or six mis- sionaries are imperiously needed in Illinois.
A seminary of learning is projected to go into operation next fall. The subscription now stands at $2,000 or $3,000. The site is in this county. The half-quarter section purchased for it is certainly the most delightful spot I have ever seen. It is about one mile north of the celebrated Diamond Grove, and overlooks the town and country for miles around. The object of the seminary is popular, and it is my deliberate opinion that there never was in our country a more promising opportunity to bestow a few thou- sand dollars in the cause of education and of missions.
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FATHER ELLIS' TRAVELS IN 1829-31.
FEBRUARY 16, 1829 .- We have occupied for several weeks the house built for us by the church here; a convenient frame house with three rooms. They are now adding out buildings. Everything goes on harmoniously. What is most needed now is a suitable meeting house. Preaching is held in a school house, but on common occasions it is usual to see numbers going home unable to gain admittance. Few towns have risen as rapi lly as Jacksonville. About a dozen frame buildings finished in good style have gone up the last year. I have not counted the temporary log buildings going up daily almost.
God is sending forth laborers in answer to prayer. Another young man, licensed October 8th, by our Presbytery, now offers his services to your society. In January a Presbytery was organized in this state, having been set off from Missouri by Synod of Indiana last October. We have eight ministers and two licentiates.
(The ministers were John G. Bergen, Springfield; Solomon Hardy, Greenville; John Matthews, Kaskaskia; John Brich, Jacksonville; Stephen Bliss, Centreville; B. F. Spill- man, Shawneetown; J. A. Spillman, Hillsboro; and Mr. Ellis. The licentiates, C. L. Watson and Thomas Lippincott.)
As the result of the correspondence between Mr. Ellis and the young gentlemen at Yale College, having been sent commissioner to General Assembly he spent the sum- mer of 1829 at the east, aiding them in raising a fund of $10,000 for the college and in maturing their plans. Two of them Rev. Messrs. Sturtevant and Baldwin arrived in Jacksonville in November, and the instruction in the college began the first of Jan- uary. The original stockholders passed resolutions of thanks to the young men of Yale College who had ailed in their enterprise, and placed them in the Board of Trustees; of thanks also to Mr. Ellis, and to donors to the college.
MARCHI 8, 1830 .- With no small degree of satisfaction I again address you from "my home in the west." The object of my late tour to the eastern states has been accom. plished beyond what we h.vi dared to anticipate. And since we returned Providence has accommodated every occurrence so as to promote and not to hinder its interests by conciliating prejudice, disarming opposition and securing publie favor. The number of students is seventeen; others are expected, aud we fear we shall not have sufficient ac- commodations. The present building contains, besides school room, only four rooms for students.
On the last week in January, I aided in the formation of a church in Schuyler county of twelve members. A year ago last July the church in Jacksonville consisted of fourteen members; now there are more than fifty.
JUNE 1830 -The pastoral charge of this church was committed to ine by installation on the first Sabbath in April. We have a very promising Sunday School. There is a good spirit in relation to the Bible cause. I hope to have something interesting to state concerning temperance. On the last Sabbath in April a church of fourteen members was formed in Jersey Prairie, ten miles from here, to which we dismissed six members, leav- ing our number fifty-one. We had received at the two preceding communions eighteen members.
JULY 1831 .- I am happy to state that our meeting house (30 feet by 40) is completed, and was dedicated June 19. No other Protestant church is finished with pews in the state. For more than one-third of the means of erecting this house we are indebted to friends in Philadelphia, New York and Boston. On common occasions it is filled to overflowing. Our meetings are solemn, and the church is increasing. At our next com- munion we expect to receive additions which will make our number exceed one hundred. I preach every week from three to six miles from town to interesting audiences.
OCTOBER (?) 1831 .- A new church has recently organized six miles east of this place, consisting of thirty members, mostly from our church, with prospect of great good. We have had several four days' meetings in this part of the state, but have not realized all the permanent good effects which we had fondly hoped. There are circumstances in a newly settled country doubtless less favorable to a continued revival than in the older states.
This brings down his history till the close of 1831, when his pastorate in Jackson- ville ended. IIe had projected the college and procured it real estate. The designs which resulted in the Female Seminary at Jacksonville and procured its beautiful grounds were formed in his house. This institution continues to be a monument in honor of him and his accomplished wife. He entered at once upon the service of the American Education Society in Illinois. In a short time he wrote as follows: "I have been engaged for two months -- February and March, 1832-as agent for the American Education Society, and as I am about to engage in the Indiana Branch of the Presby- terian Education Society at New York, I report the result of these two months, viz:
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EDUCATIONAL SUBSCRIPTIONS-CHOLERA IN ELLIS FAMILY.
an addition of more than one hundred members to the State Society, ten of whom are life members at $10; the rest pay one dollar annually. I have collected money in the following places, viz: Bond County, $27; Montgomery, $34; Vandalia, $35. Madison County, $76; Greenville, $16; Jacksonville, $70; Collinsville, $38. The winter has been severe, traveling difficult, meetings small.
The next year 1833, he was prosecuting his agency in Indiana, his family residing meantime at Jacksonville. The town was visited during July and August by the chol- era ; and Mrs. Ellis and their two children were swept away at once. The husband and father, constantly traveling, had not heard from them for two months. Having heard that the pestilence had reached Jacksonville he started homeward at once, alone and on horseback, his anxiety increasing every hour. He was just setting forward one day after dinner, when a man rode up whom he recognized as a townsman. "How long have you been from home ?" inquired Mr. E. "About two days." "Do you know any- thing of my family, sir ?" "Mr. Ellis, your wife and children are all dead and buried !"
Years after, in relating it, the stricken man said, "Oh, I can never express the loneliness, the unearthly abstractedness, and finally the sweet submissiveness of that afternoon. At first I was staggered and stunned, but before night God seemed nearer to me and Christ dearer than ever before." Such a crushing calamity might well break down the strongest man. Those who saw him then seem to have been divided between sympathy for his unspeakable sorrow, and wonder at the faith and fortitude which he exhibited under it.
Among these coming to Jacksonville in 1831, was a promising boy of fifteen named Robert T. Cassell. He came with his father's family and here pursued a common- school education for five years and then was married to Miss Nancy Butler of Sanga- mon County. After his father's death that year, 1835, he lived in Woodford County until 1868, acquiring as well as inheriting much property and gaining quite a reputation as a lawyer. In 1866 he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives, and in 1868 received the appointment of United States special agent, making his home in Chicago and Philadelphia.
CHAPTER VI .- 1837-'43.
The First Secret Societies-Prospering Schools and Churchex-Crime and Criminals- The Earliest Railroading in the West-The Incipient Wabash-County und Town Officers-The First State Charitable Institutions.
"Gather up each foot-fall of the trodden way All the tender lispings of the by-gone day."
"I hear the tread of pioneers, Of nations yet to be, The first low wash of waves, where soon Shall roll a human sea."
HE first ramification of any secret order in Jacksonville was established in July, 1837, Illini Lodge, No. 4, 1. O. O. F., being then founded, before there was any Grand Lodge in the State, by Thomas Wildey, Past Grand Sire of the United States, from whom a dispensation was received, and by whom, in person, the lodge was instituted.
Thus "Illini" is one of the oldest and has since become one of the largest Odd Fellows' lodges in the State of Illinois. The charter members were George Hamilton, George Darlington, Josiah M. Lucas, Matthew McBride, Wmn. Davis, Mike Rapp, J. Burns and Sam Michael. This lodge was instituted in the old jail building on North Main street, where it met for some three years.
From the old jail the lodge was removed to a room over what was then known as Wilkinson & Bancroft's store, on the north side of the square. Before the year was out some trouble arose, the charter was surrendered, and meetings suspended. July 1st 1839, the lodge was revived, a new charter being granted, dated August 1st, to the same parties. Then the members moved to the third story of the building now occupied by Wm. Russel on the west side of the square. From there it was removed to the old Coffman building, now occupied by F. H. Stebbins. The next change was to Chambers' building, on the north side of the square. In 1863 they took possession of a fe large third story hall in the Adams-Smith building. Lastly, all the Odd Fellows societies moved into their new hall in the MeDonald Block, north side of the square, which is one of the finest, largest and best furnished lodge rooms in the State. This new hall is rented and furnished jointly by all the bodies, and is leased for a period of fifteen years.
Since its organization, Illini lodge has expended for charities (sick benefits, and death benefits for widows and orphans) about $40,000. During this time the lodge has lost only forty-seven members by death. From its organization over 800 candidates have been initiated, and there are at present over 240 active members. The members embrace many leading and reputable citizens, some of whom have been honored with high positions both in the order and in the State.
Harmony Lodge, No. 3, A. F. and A. M., was the second secret organization form- ed in Jacksonville, and from its birth to the present time has had a pleasant and pros- perous career. It was instituted October 4, 1841, the first officers being as follows: John Gregory, Master; Matthew Stacy, Senior Warden, and George Hackett, Junior Warden. In giving the places of meeting of this lodge the other Masonic bodies are included from their organization-all using the same hall.
The first lodge room was the third story of Goltra's buikling, on the southwest cor- ner of the square, occupying the same from 1841 to 1850. This lodge then joined with the town and placed the third story on what is now the second ward school house. This
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"FATHER ADAMS" AND THE FEMALE ACADEMY.
hall they continued to occupy for eight or ten years, when they sold their interest in said third story to the city and moved their hall to the third story of the building now occupied by Eppinger & Lehman. From there, in 1868, they removed to Gallaher's Block, on West State street, which they occupied ten years. In 1879 they changed their hall to Broadwell's Block, on South Main street. There they are now located, and have one of the best, most convenient and handsomely furnished lodge rooms in the state. This lodge has now an active membership of 100.
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