USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Jacksonville > Historic Morgan and classic Jacksonville > Part 22
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54
In 1855, a large and commodious wing was added to the Illinois Female College.
The Morgan county representatives in the United States Congress, Illinois Legisla- ture and county offices were:
1851-Treasurer, Wm. G. Johnson ; Surveyor, Harvey Routt.
1852-54-Congress, Richard Yates ; Senator, Joseph Morton : Representatives, W. Brown. Edward Lnsk ; Sheriff Martin H. Cassell: Circuit Clerk, Charles Hardin ; Pros- ecuting Attorney, Cyrus Epler ; Coroner, Timothy Chamberlain.
1858-County Judge, James Berdan; County Clerk, Matthew Stacy; Treasurer, Wm. G. Johnson; Surveyor, Geo. M. Richards: School Commissioner, Willys Catlin.
1854-'56-Congress, Richard Yates ; Senate, Joseph Morton ; Representatives, Hor- ace A. Brown, Isaac R. Bennet ; Sheriff, Cyrus Matthews.
1855-Treasurer, Wm. G. Johnson: Surveyor, Charles Packard; For Prohibition 1,571, against 1,416.
1856-'58 -- Congress, John Williams ; States Attorney, Albert G. Burr ; Senator, Cyrus Vanderen ; Representatives, Cyrus Epler, E. B. Ilitt : Sheriff, Charles Sample, Coroner, James E. Mitchell ; School Commissioner, Newton Bateman.
1857-County Judge, Joseph T. Cassell; County Clerk, Matthew Stacy; County Treasurer, Wm. G. Johnson; Surveyor, Wm. S. McPherson; School Commissioner, Newton Bateman.
On December 30th of the year 1852, the principal edifice of Illinois College, a building 104 by 40 feet, and four stories high, was destroyed by fire; and through the neglect either of college agents or insurance agents, or both, with only three thousand dollars insurance ; and many believed that that must be the end of the institution. That it was greatly depressed could not be denied. The whole value of its endowment at that time was not much over $20,000, and all its property of all kinds could not have been estimated so high as $50,000: $30,000 would have been nearer to its real value.
Since that time the trustees have never rested many months at a time, from efforts to increase its resources. A new building was erected and finished in 1857 at an ex- pense of more than $20,000 at a time when the cost of building was not more than half as great as now. In 1858 a subscription for the endowment of the college and dis- charging a debt incurred in erecting the new building was completed. amounting in round numbers to $50,000. This subscription was payable in installments running through several years; and, owing to the disasters of the times, some of it remains yet unpaid, but esteemed good. Another portion of it will never be paid. But more than $30,000 has been paid and the sum ultimately realized from it will be more than $40,- 000. In 1855 the college graduates numbered 130, of whom 118 were living. Over 1,000 pupils had been taught in the college during the first twenty-five years of its existence.
The following named represented their fellow citizens in the town board of trust- ees, during the years named. Only those italicized are living to-day (1884) :
Michael Rapp, '51 to '55 and '57; William Ratekin, '51 to '54; Fleming Stevenson, '51; David A. Smith, '51; Stephen Sutton, '51 to '54 and '56 to 57; Joseph Capps, '52 and '54; William Branson, '52 and '55: Alexander McDonald, '53 and '54; Nimrod De- wees, '55; Joel Goodrick, '55; Benjamin Cassell, '55; Timothy D. Eames, '55: James
131
BAILY AND SELBY AS EDITORS AND PUBLISHERS.
S. Anderson, '56; Edward Elliott, '56; Cyrus Matthews, '56; Edward Lambert, '57; William H. Broadwell, '57; Lewis Hatfield, '57.
In 1857 Illini Lodge, No. 4 of Odd Fellows, had a membership of 125, and certain members thereof, thinking it had growth large enough, and that there was room in this city for another similar organization coneluded to withdraw and found a second lodge. This was done on the night of October 7, 1857, the lodge being instituted by R. W. Grand Secretary, Saml. Williams. It was christened Urania Lodge No 243, with the following charter members : P. B. Price, R. D. Landers, G. W. S. Callon, B. F. Bristow, W. D. Crowell, G. S. Smith, W. T. Dunlap, J. E. Dunlap, W. D. R. Trotter, Henry Rice, , P. G. Gillett, Pres. Spates and S. Dewees.
The first officers elected were as follows: B. F. Bristow, N. G .; W. D. Crowell. V. G .; Henry Rice, Recording Secretary; and G. W. S. Callon, Treasurer. The best of feeling has always existed between the two lodges, and they have jointly occupied the same lodge room. For some five years Urania Lodge grew and prospered, when re- verses came, and for two or three years a quorum could be got together with difficulty, and several times the members came within a few votes of surrendering their charter. New life being given the lodge by the initiation of some active and earnest men, a fresh start was taken and prosperity has since attended its existence. It now is the sec- ond lodge in size in the state, having an active membership of 220.
In Odd Fellowship a "camp" is a higher degree to which only third degree mem- bers can be admitted. It is to Odd Fellowship what the Knights Templar are to Ma- sonry. In this city Ridgely Encampment, No. 9, was organized October 14, 1857, with Jacob McFarland, E. W. Roberts, G. W. S. Callon, M. Rapp, James II. Lurton, Wash. Allen, Lewis Hatfield, Aug. E. Ayers, Mortimer Stout and John Pyatt as charter mem- bers. This encampment has always been in flourishing and prosperous condition.
In 1855 the Sentinel came into existence as the organ of the Democratic party, and for many years it manfully and ably stood up for the doctrines and interests of the par- ty. It was established by Mr. J. R. Bailey, who removed to this city from Mt. Sterling, where he had been for three years both publisher and postmaster. He continued as editor and proprietor for seventeen years.
Mr. Paul Selby conducted the Journal during the hot, exciting times of "Kansas- Nebraska," and other discussions preliminary to the war, and he made it a Republican newspaper.
It was during Mr. Selby's ownership, that the office was burned out of its home, over the east end of what was then B. F. Stevenson's store, now the "Standard" store. The scattered material and books were moved into one of the upper rooms nearly oppo- site its present stand, and the Morgan JJournal continued at a new stand.
Mr. Selby has since been employed, editorially, upon the State Journal, been an editorial proprietor of the Quincy Whig, served on a Minnesota paper, and is now one of the proprietors of the State Journal, besides holding the lucrative position of post- master at Springfield. He has fought a long fight, seen the triumph of principles that he advocated at personal risk, and deserves his success.
We get a glimpse into Jacksonville business affairs in 1855 through the columns of the Jacksonville Constitutionalist, (Democratic) "a weekly paper for the people, devoted to the best interests of Illinois." Under date of May 25, the editor, J. M. Taggart, says : "We have authorized Mr. Wm. M. Springer (not then M. C.) to receive subscriptions and receipt for same."
Other agents of the paper are announced, among them John Gordon, Lynnville, D. C. Callon, P. M., Bethel.
IIon. S. T. Logan is advertisedl for a temperance speech, at the Court House. The annual session of the Grand Temple of Illinois had been meeting at "Grierson's Grove," and Rev. Jonathan Atkinson, president of Berean College, and Hon. Wm. H. Herndon, of Springfield, had made addresses. The marriage of McLean F. Wood and the death
132
BUSINESS ITEMS IN 1855.
of Charles, infant son of Charles and Elizabeth Hardin, are announced. Note is made of the expedition in search of Dr. Kane-the vessels being named "The Release," and "The Arctic."
As to advertisements, G. M. Chambers is to have a sale of Short Horn Cattle, on his farm ; John Selby gives notice of his fine assortment of dry goods, groceries, &c: Dr. Wm. S. Edgar is in the drug business; J. W. King and J. N. Kayser in partnership in watch-making; Alderman & Tomlinson in clothing; Bristow & Bros. in dry goods, etc., Stewarts is the leading millinery house; the law partnership of Wm. Brown & H. B. McClure is dissolved and Richard Yates (not then governor, or senator) and Mr. McClure form a co-partnership; S. A. Cornean is a candidate for clerk of the Supreme Court; Alex. McDonald sells dry goods, and A. C. Dickson & Son lumber and grain; Edward I. Eno is also a grain dealer ; Edwin Clement has marble works on West State street; I. L. Morrison & M. P. Ayers are in partnership in real estate business; W. H. Hartley has imported horses ; R. & J. Hockenhull as druggists dissolve partnership, and Thos. C. Routt has opened a new stock of groceries.
Among the doctors are C. K. Sawyer, G. Y. Shirley and Owen M. Long. Rivers has a daguerrean room, and Corcoran & Austin are grocers. B. F. & W. S. Ford are associated as brother harnessmakers. J. H. Lurton has carpets to sell, and E. Hamilton holiday presents. Galbraith & Cassell keep stoves and tinware, and P. B. Price adver- tises "time keepers." Ayers & Co. are in the hardware line, and Hamilton & Sutton are a new dry goods firm. From the secret society cards we see that Dr. N. English was W. M. of Harmony, No. 3, and W. S. Hurst of Jacksonville, No. 570. A. C. Dickson was secretary of the latter and R. D. Landers of Illini, No. 4, of which Wm. H. Bowen was N. G., Wm. Ratekin was C. P. and Lewis Hatfield Scribe of Ridgely Encampment and James Berdan W. P. of Excelsior Division Sons of Temperance, and W. B. War- ren Grand Master of the Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M. of Illinois.
CHAPTER VIII.
Devoted to Politics in Old Morgan-The Early Political Career of Hon. Richard Yates-The Election Returns in 1856-Rocking the Cradle of Liberty in the West- Lovejoy, Beecher & Co .- " The Underground Railroad" had a Station at Jackson- ville, Conductors Snedeker, Irving, Henderson, Spencer, and others, Directors Wolcott, Reed, Carter, Willard. Melendy, et al .- Old Time Abolitionists-Forma- tion of the First Republican Club in the Nation-The "Free Democracy" of 1853 - The Missouri Compromise Discussion, Prince, McConnel, Dickens, Adams, Sturtevant, et al.
ISTORIC MORGAN and Classic Jacksonville have their political history as well as religious, social, educational, etc.
As stated in the first chapter the first election in the county was in March 1823. In August, 1824, was the election for and against a constitutional conven- tion, and as this would settle the slavery question in this State it roused much feeling as is shown by the Morganian Society, whose constitution is recorded in that chap- ter. Mr. A. K. Barber, now living in Jacksonville, and who came here in 1824, well re- members the party feeling then between Whigs and Democrats and the charges of cor. ruption made against Henry Clay. He voted then for John Quincy Adams, and voted this fall for James G. Blaine.
Rev. D. Pat Henderson insists that the first abolition newspaper (called the States- man) ever published west of the mountains, even before Lovejoy's time, was published in this city, over Goltra's hat store, by himself ; and edited by Prof. Turner. Of this Turner cannot himself affirm, as he does not distinctly remember the dates, as Hender- son does. Turner says: "Even that tame little sheet was regarded as a menace to the church and the state and a danger to the college. I have not seen a copy of it since those days. I have no doubt I should now be heartily ashamed of its stupid conserva - tisms."
From 1851 to '57 the most honored political representative claimed by Jacksonville as peculiarly her own, Hon. Richard Yates, was making for himself a reputation as orator and statesman extending all over and beyond this State. In 1852 he was a can- didate for congressional honors from the then sixth district on the same ticket with Gen. Winfield Scott, for President. The latter was not elected as our readers know, the latter was chosen first in 1850 and re-elected in 1852 and 1854. Of his canvass of his district in 1852, the Carlinville correspondent of the Carrolton Gazette of that year says:
"Triumph is the only word in our language that will give you a full idea of the effect of Richard Yates' progress round about us, and also in Carlinville, on Monday last. True, Mr. Calhoun acquitted himself with his usual ability, but Mr. Yates re- plied in an unusual strain of eloquence and power, and left an impression among our people, such as no man, not a member of the Democratic party, could possibly attain. While Democrats here grant to Mr. Calhoun all they can grant in ability an energy, still Dick Yates accomplished, from a cause which none of us can describe, in the HEARTS of the masses, that which will lead to his election in November next.
The meeting here was well attended by members of both parties, and I hear of no man who takes exception to the eloquence, the power, the ability, earnestness, energy, and honesty of Richard Yates."
In 1856 when the national Republican party was organized, upon an anti-slavery platform, Mr. Yates heartily espoused its cause and stumped the State in favor of John C. Fremont and the Republican party. During the campaign in the court house at Virginia, Cass county, he made an appeal to his old Whig friends and acquaintances
134
YATES AND THE WHIGS-ELECTION OF 1856.
and to the Democrats present to induce them to cut loose from the old parties. He urged that there was no issue between Whigs and Democrats, and that the question of human slavery was the great issue before the American people.
The Whigs present, Dr. Allard and others, were indignant, and greeted the speaker with groans and hisses, while the Democrats laughed in his face and treated the matter as a huge joke.
When Richard Yates earnestly declared to this sneering audience that the Republi- can party would yet be the ruling party of the nation, the statement was received with an incredulous smile of contempt.
At the close, Mr. Yates, not daunted by the unmanly and contemptible manner in which his arguments had been received, asked those in the audience who were in favor of the Republican party -- opposed to the further extension of slavery-to rise to their feet. In the entire audience there were only eight persons who had the manhood, moral courage and genuine nerve to face the sneers and scoffs of the crowd, and stand up in favor of human liberty.
Among these brave men and women who so nobly placed themselves on record, was Horace Spaulding, the well-known school teacher, Rev. Wm. Collins and the wife and daughter of Mr. Spaulding.
The Whigs who at that time called Dick Yates a "fool and fanatic," afterwards as- sisted in electing him governor of Illinois. The men who at that time abused Dick Yates for drawing votes from the Whig party, to-day abuse Prohibitionists for drawing votes from the Republican party.
Apropos of politics and Jacksonville lawyers of 1852, we will quote further from the Gazette letter already referred to. The writer from Carlinville says :
"We have had in connection with our court and bar several old members who have long stood by the law and its administration. There is Judge Woodson, who gets younger in good looks and intellectual strength as he advances in years; David A. Smith, of Jacksonville, belonging to an age that is past, but who nevertheless, still keeps the ca- pacity of holding his own in corpulency; Charles D. Hodges, whom Greene county ought to be proud of. besides our own Palmer, Weer, etc. These men have long officiated in courts of justice to the advancement of equity and good order.
Both the interest manifested in hearing the returns from the election of 1856-the first national struggle by the ever since victorious republicans, and also the meagreness of the news received the day after the balloting as compared with the completeness of returns of later campaigns, is shown by a Springfield Journal extra, dated November 6th, 1856 :
The following dispatches have been received at this office this a. m .:
CHICAGO, 9 P. M.
MESSRS. BAILHACHE & BAKER:
We shall go to Springfied with 28,000 majority for Fremont.
CHICAGO, 5th, 9} P. M.
EDITORS JOURNAL:
Cook county gives Fremont 3,600 majority. The First and Second Congressional Districts give 18.000 majority for Fremont The counties of Cook, Carroll, Kane, Kan- kakee, Joe Daviess, DeKalb Boone and seventeen towns in Bureau county show 13,179 majority for Fremont; being a gain of 967 on vote ot 1854. The indications are that the Republican State ticket is elected.
LOUISIANA -Parishes show steady gains for the Democrats. The .State is doubtful. MISSISSIPPI .- Scattering reports show Democratic gains.
GEORGIA. - Meagre returns show gains for the Democrats.
ALABAMA. - Scattering returns show Democratic gains.
TENNESSEE .- Nashville -Buchanan gains on Johnson's vote
ILLINOIS .- St. Clair county reported 300 majority for Fremont. Morrison, Demo- crat for Congress about 800.
Kærner, Republican, beaten for Senate.
Madison county. - About half heard from gives Fremont 705, Fillmore 908, Buchan- an 1,038. Bissell 695, Richardson, 735 Morris 52.
St. Clair county .- Belleville. - Fremont 331, Fillmore 196, Buchanan 338
Rushville .- The full returns from all townships except five, are in. Buchanan's majority is about 1,100 over Fremont. This will be increased by the five townships to
135
FIRST REPUBLICAN CLUB IN THE UNITED STATES.
hear from which are all Democratic but one, which gives a small Republican majority. As far as heard From Richardson 897. Bissel 560 Morris 24
In July 1884, Richard Yates, Jr., a talented young lawyer just entering zealously into political life and the practice of law, prepared for the Daily Journal of this city, an article entitled "Rocking the Cradle" and showing the difficulties contended with by local Republican party in the days of its formation, the story of Abolitionism and its agitation here and the liberty movement. It appears from the writer's interviews with Mr. J. O. King, Mr. Anderson Foreman and Mr. Henry Irving, as published in this article that Jacksonville has the honor of organizing the first Republican club in the nation in 1853.
Mr. Yates writes in introducing this matter as follows :
But. in 1840 a party organization was effected, a national convention held and candi- dates nominated. Jas. G Birney for president. The war was be un. The small party trappled with slavery and from the first the slave power winced at the force of its grip. Birney polled 7,000 votes. In 1844 he was again a candidate and polled 62,000 votes, of which Jacksonville furnished seventeen
The year 1848 saw the organization of the . Liberty Party," composed of a combina- tion of all ante slavery elements. It held a National convention at Buffalo in June, 1848. and nominated Martin Van Buren for president vs the Whig candidate, Gen. Taylor. Among .he anti-slavery Wh gs who supported Taylor and voted against both Van Buren, the Liberty candidate, and Cass, the De nociatic candidate, were New England's great statesman. Daniel Webster. New York's popular leader, Wm. H. Seward, and the West's favorite. Abraham Lincoln-not then an Abolitionist. though a sworn enemy to slavery.
Compromise measures of 1850 made California afree state, permitted slavery in New Mexico and Utah, gave Texas 90 000 square miles of free soil, abolished the slave trade in the District of columbia and humiliated the free states by a more stringent fugitive slave law The denuse of the old Whig party followed in 1852.
The Kansas Nebraska bill repealing the Missouri compromise and establishing "squat- ter sovereignty" in the two new territories of Kans s and Nebraska, was forced through Congress by the slave power in 1854. Bissell. Yates and Washburne opposed it. The res .. It was that this district refu-ed to re-elect Yates to Congress that year and he retired to private life . to come up again later." as he said in a speech at the old court house in Jacksonville that year, "on the very same principles he then went down on." But though the slavery sentiment was thus strong in this vicinity, the people were startled and alarmed by the passage of that act, and it led to the organization of the new party, To prevent the introduction of slavery into the territories, which afterwards became known as the Republican party.
The writer is convinced that the first club or society for that purpose was organized in the city of Jacksonville. A great many clubs and societies had been organized pre- vious to that, all over the country, for the abolition of slavery, but so far as known the first club ever organized for the same purpose that the Republican party espoused when organized, was a society of seven citizens of Jacksonville.
Mr. Foreman says it was held at Mr. King's store on the north side of the square in this city, where Chamber's & Co.'s grocery store is now located. There were only seven persons present, namely: Elihu Wolcott, Joseph O. King, Anderson Foreman, John Mathers, William Harrison, Chas. Chappel and James Johnson.
"How and by whom was the meeting called?"
"By the mutual consent of all the seven named. There was a simple under- standing between them to the effect that they would meet and organize at that place."
"Had these seven men ever held any conferences together before that meeting?"
"Oh, yes, they had often talked of the necessity of making the curbing of the slave power, a political issue; but they had never formally met together or organized in any way."
"There had been a great deal of Abolition agitation all over the country, includ- ing Illinois, before that time. had there not?"
"Yes, and the feeling bad aroused not a few of our citizens. Elihu Wolcott had been president of the Illinois State Anti-Slavery Society, which first met at Upper Alton, October 28, 1838, and of which Elijah P Lovejoy was secretary. Dr. Edward Beecher drew up the preamble and declaration of sentiments of that society and it was a docu . ment of singular solemnity and force. Yes, the Abolition spirit was abroad in Illinois long before 1853 "
"Well, Elihu Wolcott was called to the chair and presided. Joseph O. King was appointed clerk of the meeting. The seven men mentioned above enrolled their names as members of the organization. The prime object of the society was to use all honor- able political means to prevent the extension of African slavery into states and territor-
136
THE FIRST REPUBLICANS.
ies, now known as free states and territories; this we continued to do as long as the in- stitution of slavery existed."
"Did your organization grow fast?"
"No; there was too much pro slavery feeling united against for us to increase in members rapidly at first, but the time came, I tell you, when no house was large enough to hold our meetings, and our membership was immense."
"Did you make public the fact that you had organized?"
"Not right away. But in the course of a year or two we had begun to have public addresses. Richard Yates made one of our first speeches. Not long after our organiza- tion we had to meet in the old tavern hall on the east side of the square, second door south of East State street. We held a great many meetings and conferences there."
"Was there ever any violence or turbulence at these meetings of yours?"
"No violence, but the excitement was often intense."
"How long was it before you began as an organization to figure in conventions and State politics?"
"Well the anti-slavery Whigs ran a candidate for State treasurer in 1854 as an anti- Kansas- Nebraska man. From that time on the Republican party began to make itself felt."
"When was the name Republican party first used?"
"By a convention at Bloomington in 1854 The new party was formally organized in May, 1856, at Bloomington Paul Selby, of the Jacksonville Weekly Journal, had called a conference of anti-Kansas Nebraska editors at Decatur in February, 1856, and that conference called the Bloomington convention, of which John M Palmer was presi- dent and Richard Yates one of the vice presidents. Though Buchanan carried Illinois that year by 9,100 majority over Fremont, Bissell, the Republican candidate for gover- nor, and the whole State ticket were elected by 4, 700 majority."
"Was the Republican organization pretty strong in Morgan county in 1856?"
"Yes; we were firmly established long before that. The pro slavery element, though it abused and despised us, could no longer bring to bear the pressure that they did upon the Abolitionists."
"Did any of the charter members of your club ever hold office at the hands of the Republican party?"
"No; they were not office seekers. King and Mathers were long afterwards each elected mayor of the city of Jacksonville, but they were all content and well satisfied with the assistance they had rendered to the grand party of freedom during its earliest struggles. We were the first club in Illinois to avow the same principles afterwards championed by the national Republican party."
Mr. King was found at his office, at the Jacksonville Gas Company's works, and interrogated as follows :
"Mr. King, were you the clerk of a meeting, held at your store, in this city, in 1853, for the purpose of organizing a political agitation for the exclusion of slavery from the free territories ?"
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.