USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Jacksonville > Historic Morgan and classic Jacksonville > Part 20
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WEST CHARGE .- 1850-51, J. L. Crane; 1855, S. Elliott; 1853-'54, R. W. Travis; 1855, J. E. Wilson : 1856, W. S. Prentice: 1857 '58, J. R. Locke.
PRESIDING ELDERS. 1851-'53, John S. Barger; 1854-'57, Geo. Rutledge.
The German M. E. Church was constituted in 1856, with thirty-two members. They met in the Grace M. E. Church, where they had divine services about six months, when they purchased a church of the Baptists, which they now occupy. They have now about forty members.
The Grace M. E. Church, first called M. E. Church of West Jacksonville, was or- ganized in the fall of 1850, with five classes; James L. Crane was appointed first preacher. Rev. W. D. R. Trotter was the first presiding elder, Joseph Capps and Wil- liam Thomas, stewards. First rented the old frame church built by the Presbyterians, on the northwest corner of Church and West State Streets, building afterward owned by Universalist Society. Central Presbyterian Church now stands upon the spot. Re- moved to the southwest corner of same streets when the brick church was completed, which cost $6,000. While undergoing repairs, six years ago, a strong gale of wind blew down the west gable and damaged the building so much that it was taken to the ground and an entire new edifice was erected, at a cost of about $17,000. The new church is built in form of a eross, and is finely frescoed and is provided with handsome stained glass windows.
The Rev. Edwin Johnson served the Congregational Church as the pastor from 1851-'58.
The Catholic Church of our Saviour-Roman Catholic-has at present a very large membership. In 1851 the Rev. Gifford, the priest at Springfield, came to Jacksonville and finding four or five families professing that faith, held divine service, and appoint- ed George Eberhard, Edward Keyes and Henry McDonnell as collectors to raise funds and assist in the establishment of a church here. The meetings for services were held in a private house at first, but soon the increase of the congregation demanded more room and the old court house was occupied. Murray MeConnel donated the society a lot near the railroad depot, on which a house of worship was erected. This, however, became too small, and during the war the present fine structure was commenced.
As to the benevolent fraternities, Jacksonville Chapter, No. 3, Royal Arch Masons was instituted July 25, 1845. The charter members were as follows: Win. B. Warren, Philip Coffman, John T. Jones, Horace Spalding, Levi Lusk, E. M. M. Clark, Nath. Coffin, C. W. Chatterton and A. R. Robinson. The first officers were W. B. Warren, II. P .; Philip Coffman, K., and John T. Jones, Scribe. In 1882 this body had 138 active men here and was one of the most flourishing chapters in the state. The fees for mem- bership were $42 for the degrees and $2.00 yearly dues. Meetings were held on the second and fourth Monday evenings of each month. Stephen Ellis was H. P., Dr. C. G. Brown, secretary and C. M. Eames, treasurer.
In the great mining excitement of 1848 and '49, the city and county contributed its quota to the host that hurried to California to seek their fortunes in the gold fields. There were some forty-five from Morgan, and among them were Cyrus Epler, William Rockwell, A. C. Patterson, E. M. Rees, Wash. Graff, Joseph Heslep (who led one com- pany across the plains,) John Hill, Abram Grimsley.
From a copy of the Morgan Journal, a four page weekly paper, of February 28, 1845, then in its first volume, under that name, "edited by an association" and pub- lished by Wm. C. Swett, we learn that among the lawyers of the town that year (but now sleeping in the silent city,) were Gen. E. D. Baker, Senator Richard Yates, Judge William Brown, John L. McConnel, Esq., Col. John J. Hardin and Hon. David A. Smith. In the advertising columns are the following named business and professional men that were still residents of Jacksonville in 1878-thirty-three years later :
11S
THE MEXICAN WAR VOLUNTEERS BUENA VISTA.
William Thomas. James Berdan, Robert Hockenhull, T. D. Eames, Michael Rapp, J. H. Bancroft, Jos. W. King, William N. Ross, David Prince and John W. Goltra.
Those italicized are living with us at this writing-six years later.
For the Mexican War, under Gov. Ford's call, a company was raised in Jackson- ville by J. S. Roberts, editor of the Jacksonville Standard. Jacob Zabriski was elected first lieutenant, J. L. McConnel, second lieutenant, and James Dunlap, third lieuten- ant. Another company was raised at Waverly, Morgan County, by Col. Win. Weather- ford, who had figured in the Black Hawk War. Jacob Brooks was organizing a com- pany at Bethel. Neither this company nor Capt. Roberts' was quite up to the mini- nuum when the day arrived to start to Alton, the place of rendezvous, and it was decided that the company that was full should be accepted and go. Both companies were marched around the square in Jacksonville with an understanding that a part at least of one of the companies would break and go with the other. The wagons which were to take them to Alton were drawn up in South St. Louis Street. The companies started from thence to march around the square. After in motion Lieut. McConnel passed back along the line and asked the men to preserve their organization, and when back to South St. Louis Street to make a break and take possession of the wagons. The other company preserved its organization, not a man faltered, but when Roberts' company reached the wagons and made a break and climbed into them, they stood for a minute in a dazed sort of a way, when about one-third of them broke ranks and joined Roberts' and moved off with them in triumph for Alton.
The first night the boys stayed at White Hall. They received an address of welcome at Carrollton, and reached Alton at the end of the second day, and were quartered for night in an old stone packing house on front row by the wharf or levee. The next morning they were marched out to Frytown, where they were incorporated into the first regiment Illinois volunteers. Colonel J. J. Hardin commanding. Roberts' com- pany being designated as D. The drill. both company and regimental, began in earn- est. Captain Roberts was compelled to resign in consequence of a diseased limb, and Lieut. Zabriski was elected captain. The other lieutenants went up one step, and S. Black was elected third lieutenant.
By copies of the same paper dated in April and May, 1847, we find extracts from letters written by Maj. Warren, detailing the incidents of the bloody battle of Buena Vista, at which Col. Hardin, Capt. Zabriski and privates Emerson and Connaught, of Jacksonville, were killed, also a report of a meeting held in Alton "for the purpose of adopting measures expressive of their gratification on account of the recent victory of American arm, on the field of Buena Vista. Also a statement that the population of the world is 812,553,721; that Jersey City has elected the Whig ticket by 283 majority; that the fashionable color in Paris is amaranth; that the Camden (N. J.) Phoenix, an administration paper, has declared for General Taylor as the democratic candidate for the presidency, and another paper for Hon. John Sergeant for vice president on the same ticket with him. The Journal, by the way, has the name of Gen. Zachary Tay- lor at its mast-head, to which N. M. Knapp, in a communication, objects as "prema- ture." In another column are election returns, and among other things these show that N. M. Knapp and his Whig colleague. Daniel Dinsmore, were elected in Scott County over their "Locofoco" antagonists; that A. R. Knapp (Whig) carried Jersey ; W. A. Grimshaw (Whig) Pike; J. M. Palmer (Loco) Macoupin : Col. Singleton ( Whig) Brown, and B. F. Northcutt (Whig) Menard. Editorially the Journal declares that "everything looks favorably for the Whigs," the Whig gains since the gubernatorial election being remarkable.
"Details of the battle of Buena Vista," from the New Orleans Delta, occupy three and a half columns. On the editorial page we find the names of S. D. Lockwood, Wm. Thomas, Jas. Dunlap and Jas. Gordon on the "Union Ticket" for the convention. Be- low is a card from "A Whig," who seems to bolt the nomination of the Union candi- dates, and set up the names of Newton Cloud and J. W. Evans in opposition to Dunlap
4
119
JACKSONVILLE NEWSPAPER NEWS IN 1547.
and Gordon. Then follows a few editorial squibs, something about the "Virginia Acad emy."
As items of local news, we notice the dedication of the new Presbyterian meeting house," on May 11th. 1847: a public meeting with speeches and resolutions in respect for the late C'ol. John Hanlin: a call for mounted volunteers by Capt. Joseph Heslep. also a call for a Sunday school convention. signel by John Adams. president of the as sociation, and the following superintendent : H. Spaulding. Wm. Patekin. Wm. Storer. J. W. Goltra. W. H. Holland. E. T. Doane an 1 D. B. Ayers. It seems, 100, that the Illinois College catalogue is just out and the Journal is pleased to announce 111 students-39 medical. 35 collegiate, 12 irregular, and 22 preparatory. But a comparison of the advertising columns with the Journal's of today show. the ravages of time. To be sure W. H. Broadwell sells -ploughs." Robert Hockenhull is in the drug business, B. & J. Pystt are in the tobacco trade and William Thomas is land commissioner. bu: no other modern signs appear.
H. Spalding advertises "photographic miniature :" Rev. Chauncey Elly has Iret a pair of spectacles : Cheeseman and Lucas are blacksmiths : D. Robb is a literal alves- tiser of his store. (dry good. boots and shoes, nails, sal :. school books, bonnets, furs. whips, carpets. &c., &c .. ) Kibbe & Lathrop (groceries and dry goods) hold forth under the Morgan House, afterwards Mansion and now Park Hotel): J. W. King has guld pens st his jewelry establishment: E. & W. Hamilton have s bakery and confectionery : Scott & McDonald are also in the dry goods and notion feld, as are Jackson & Gilles. P. Coffman & Son. T. D. Eames. R. Bibb, Ottawa Wilkinson and Corcelics Hook. Nathaniel Coffin is agent for the Northeastern Mutual Life Insurance Company and William A. Conn is pork and beef packer.
Wm. R. Williams has a daguerreotype gallery. McDonald & Chambers deal in cloths, satinets and jeans : J. B. C. Smith has -new goods and a new store' -- sign of the "Beehive :" D. B. Avers & Co. are druggists and booksellers : David Prince, Nathaniel English. G. Y. Shirley and O. M. Long are the M. D's .: Hardin & Smith. Brown & Yates. Wm. Thomas, H. B.McClure. James Berdan, John W. Evans and Wm. H. Sig- ler are the lawyers; W. Catlin sells watches, clocks and jewelry: E. Corcoran sells books. stationery. quills. &e .: Conn & Chambers are commission and forwarding mer- chants: Matthew Stacy. Michael Rapp and Thomas Ford are saddle and harness men: C. P. Dunbaugh keeps the Morgan House, and J. H. Finch announces his stage routes -three times a week to Alton, via Athensville, and three times a week to Quincy. vis Meredosia.
The Morgen Journal was then (May 21st, 1847.) in its third volume. The paper was then a six column quarto weekly sheet. two columns to a page smaller than the present Diily Journal, "published every Saturday morning, in the building over O. Wilkinson's store. on the southwest corner of the square." The editors and publishers were W. C. Swest and J. B. Shaw." "Terms. $1.50 in advance. $2.50 at the end of the year."
Wm. C. Swest in 1843 had succeeded the retiring publisher and changed the name of the paper to the Morgan Journal, with Wm. H. Sigler, editor. John B. Shaw also edited the paper for a short period in 184 ;. I: should have been remarked before that the paper was an advocate of the Whig party.
We find in this paper the resolutions adopted st a mass meeting of citizens on re- ceip: of the news of the battle and death of Col. Hardin. Also the proceedings of s meeting of the Scott county bar on receipt of similar news. Army operations take up two-thirds of the paper, and but little space is given to home or local matters excep: reports of meetings.
In the proceedings of s "Union mass meeting" to nominate candidates to the con- stitutional convention, regardless of party and of politics, we and the following parlis- mentary fillibustering on the part of the old wheel-horse of democracy. Gen. Murray McConnel. Esq .. who offered the following resolution. viz:
120
PHI ALPHA FOUNDED- THE INSANE HOSPITAL.
Resolved, That in the opinion of this meeting we, now present, have not the right to select the candidates for the whole county, and that we have no power to sell out the votes of the free voters of Morgan County, be they Whigs or Democrats.
To which resolution, N. Coffin, Esq., offered the following amendment, viz:
"But that we have a right to make our own selection, and recommend that selection to our fellow citizens, which is all this meeting intends to do."
Which amendment was accepted by Mr. McConnel, who then moved further to amend said resolution by the following: "But nobody is bound by our actions, not even ourselves; which last amendment being put to the meeting by the chair, was by vote laid upon the table, and the original resolution as offered by Mr. McConnel and amend- ed by Mr. Coffin, was adopted.
On the evening of September 30, 1845, in the room of G. R. Henry, then a student of Illinois College was born the Phi Alpha Society. The founders were only eight in number. The object of the organization was the improvement of their literary tastes and the acquirement of readiness in debate and extempore speaking. The founders were (Dr.) Wm. Jayne, Springfield, Ill., (Congressman) H. S. Van Eaton, Woodville, Miss., (State Senator) Eugene Baldwin, - -, Minn., Robert Wilkinson, , Colo., (Dr.) G. R. Henry, Burlington, Iowa, (Dr.) P. C. Ross, Fulton county, Ill., (Prof.) Robt. D. Wilson, - -, Cal., (Dr.) N. Wright, Springfield, Ill,
In the first 25 years of its history 500 members were enrolled.
In 1848 two State eleemosynary institutions were "on their feet," established by the State or by private munificence and enterprise. The institution for the Deaf and Dumb had just been opened on a small scale, the foundation of the Hospital for the Insane were being laid, and a class of blind was being taught by a blind man.
The building for the Deaf and Dumb was so far completed as to be open for the re- ception of pupils January 1846. Committees of the board of directors superintended the building in person without charge to the State. In December, 1846, there were thirteen pupils in the school. Since that time, as the number of pupils has increased, additions have been made to the buildings, and improvements, until now about two hun- dred and fifty can be accommodated. The trustees residing in Morgan county have al- ways served without compensation. Those from other counties are paid their traveling and personal expenses in attending the meetings of the board. The treasurer makes no charge for his services.
Mr. Thomas Officer, formerly of the Ohio institution, was appointed superintendent and the school continued under his efficient management until 1855.
By the act of incorporation indigent pupils alone are allowed to be educated at the expense of the State. By an act passed in 1847 the board and education of all of suita- ble age is made free. After the establishment of this institution, General Hardin and Judge Thomas, consulting about future action in the Legislature, agreed to next en- deavor to secure a hospital for insane ; but in March, Thomas was elected circuit judge, and left the Senate, and before another session of the Legislature the State, for the time being, became bankrupt, so that Gen. Hardin, though remaining a member of the House, never moved in the matter.
During the winter of 1845-'46, several public meetings were held in this place at the instance of Dr. Meade, then connected with Illinois College, who made speeches on the subject to secure action on the part of the people and the establishment of a hospi- tal. The doctor had collected information from almost every county in the State as to the number and condition of the insane. Gen. Hardin also took part in the discussion. The result was that a committee was appointed consisting of Samuel D. Lockwood, Dennis Rockwell, James Dunlap, Nathaniel English, William Thomas, David Prince, John J. Hardin, Samuel Adams and Edward Meade, to take charge of the subject and to inquire and ascertain what could be done. It was supposed to be possible to obtain by donation a tract of land on which to place a hospital, and that by private contributions sufficient funds could be obtained to erect buildings for those having means to pay for care and support.
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MISS DIX BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE.
These gentlemen subsequently met as a board of trustees and appointed Dr. N. English president, William Thomas secretary, and Dennis Rockwell treasurer.
James Dunlap, John J. Hardin, Dr. N. English and Dr. D. Prince were appointed a committee to select a location for the institution. Dr. Samuel Adams was appointed to obtain information in regard to the construction of buildings, laying out of grounds, the treatment of the insane, and the general management of such institutions.
The committees had several meetings, made divisions of labors, assigning to each division specific duties. This was a time of great pecuniary embarrassment through- out the State; the State government was being supported on credit; auditor's warrants selling at 74 to 80 cents on the dollar; property and produce selling at great sacrifices, and the people acting under fearful apprehensions of the future. This committee soon found that the people, though willing to aid in such an enterprise, were unable to con- tribute sufficient means even to purchase 160 acres of land. If they had been asked for corn or pork, or cattle or hogs, which could not be sold for much more than the cost of transportation to market, they would have given liberally In kind.
In the spring of 1846 Miss Dix, upon the earnest solicitation of a citizen of Jack- sonville, Mr J. O. King, changed her intended programme for that season and visited this place, and after several conferences with our citizens agreed to traverse the State, visit the penitentiary, the county poor houses and jails, and make an appeal to the suc- ceeding Legislature in behalf of the insane. She made a trip through several counties north of the Illinois River and returned. She then visited some parts of Missouri, and then went into the counties south to Belleville, and probably to Nashville, and from thence in pursuance of some previous engagement she went across the State to Indiana and from thenee to Columbus, Ohio, where she was taken sick and remained until De- cember. Our State Legislature met the first Monday in December-Morgan county had one Senator (Hon. John Henry) and four Representatives, Newton Cloud, (who was elected speaker of the House) Joseph Morton, William H. Long and William Thomas. Soon after the organization of the House the latter introduced a bill to establish a re- treat for the insane, with no provision for any appropriation ; it passed the House, went to the Senate and was referred to a committee, and before it was reported Miss Dix ar- rived in Springfield, in very feeble health; by special invitation she made the house of Col. Thomas Mather her home during the session of the Legislature. Win. Thomas was the only member of the Legislature with whom she was acquainted. He introduced her to Senator Henry who had charge of the bill, and he introduced all the senators who were willing to see her, after which Thomas introduced all the members of the House, by companies of from ten to twelve.
She thus had the opportunity of presenting the object of her mission. She very soon presented a memorial to the Legislature asking for the establishment of a hospi- tal for insane. The Senate committee instead of reporting the bill which had passed the House, reported a new bill, prepared by the late JJudge Constable, under the direc- tion and supervision of Miss Dix, entitled "An act to establish the Illinois State Hospi- tal for the Insane," accompanied by a report prepared by Dr. Meade. About this time Senator Henry was elected to Congress to fill a vacancy and left the Senate. The bill provided for levying a special tax of one-fifth of a mill on the dollar for three years for the purposes of the institution It passed the Senate, 23 to S, locating the hospital at Peoria. When it came up for consideration in the House, on motion "Peoria" was stricken out and "Jacksonville" was inserted. The rules were dispensed with and the bill passed. The Senate on the same day concurred in the amendments.
The trustees purchased 160 acres of land at about $21 per aere for the use of the institution, and during the summer and fall had the foundation of the building nearly or quite laid. Judge Thomas says: Miss Dix informed the board that the plan of the hospital building then in the process of erection in Indiana was the best in the United States, and in consequence the board obtained a copy of that plan, which upon examin- ation was adopted. The plan of heating at that day was by furnaces with hot air.
ILLINOIS INSTITUTION FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB AT JACKSONVILLE. FOUNDED 1846.
123
BLIND TEACHING THE BLIND-JUDGE THOMAS.
Of the Insane Hospital the first board of trustees was composed of Judge Thomas as president, Samuel D. Lock wood, Joseph Morton, Owen M. Long, Nathaniel English, William W. Happy, JJames Dunlap, James Gordon and Aquila Becraft. Dr. James M. Higgins was the first medical superintendent, and served until about 1854.
The real credit for the legislation which secured the Hospital is perhaps due to a greater extent than to any body else to the venerable Judge Thomas, of Jacksonville, who prepared the original bill for the location of the Hospital for the Insane : to Richard Yates who introduced it in the House, and to the late Joseph Morton, who, as a mem- ber of the House, zealously supported it. We accord this credit to Judge Thomas be. cause he not only framed the bill locating the first State institution at Jacksonville, but afterwards, as a member of the House, was the leading and influential champion of sim- ilar measures as to other institutions, although he was zealously aided by other citizens of Jacksonville.
Gov. French approved the Thomas bill on the 1st of March, 1817, it passed the House February 27, by a vote of 67 to 17. JJacksonville was selected as the site of the future institution the twenty-eighth in number in the country.
The bill appropriated $60,000 to erect the centre building and one section on each side, The capacity of the institution was then rated at 250 patients.
In 1847 a blind man named Bacon, visited JJacksonville and proposed the opening of a school for the blind, with a view to the location of such a school by the State. A number of the citizens of Jacksonville agreed that if he could secure and teach a small class for six months as an experiment, that they would pay the expenses, to which he assented. He secured a class of six and opened the school, during the summer of ISIS, which was continued at the expense of the citizens until relieved by the State, more than a year later. The Legislature met in January, 1849, and early in the session a bill which Judge Thomas had prepared was introduced in the House by Mr. Yates, for "an act to establish the Illinois Institution for the Education of the Blind."
The six scholars were taken to Springfield and had an exhibition before the Legis. lature to satisfy the members that the blind could and ought to be educated. The bill appropriated the proceeds of a tax of one-tenth of a mill on the dollar to aid in the establishment of the school, and also $3,000 in advance to enable the trustees to com- mence building. This tax was required to be set apart as a separate fund, to be known as the fund for the blind. The last section of the act, provides "that the blind of this State, who are of suitable age and capacity, shall be raised and taught in the school, and enjoy all the benefits and privileges of the same, free of charge." Samuel D. Lockwood, Dennis Rockwell, James Dunlap, William W. Happy and Samuel Hunt were appointed trustees. The names were agreed on by the members of the Legislature from this com- ty, and were inserted after the bill was proposed. The school was superintended chiefly by Dr. Nathaniel English and Mr. Jos. O. King, neither of whose names ever afterwards appeared in connection with the institution.
The trustees organized by electing Mr. Lockwood president, James Berdan secreta- ry, and Mr. Rockwell treasurer. The school under their control was opened for the re- ception of pupils the April following, (1849).
Mr. Bacon was engaged as principal of the institution The number of pupils, quite small at first, gradually increased. No vacation occurred in the school until the 10th of July, when the first term was closed, and the pupils, then numbering twenty. three, after a public examination, were dismissed until the first Wednesday of October. Mr. Bacon opened his first school in a building on North Main Street, now known as the John McConnel property. After the incorporation of the school, it was removed to the Wilson farm, west of the city, which place is now known as the Robb place.
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