USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Jacksonville > Historic Morgan and classic Jacksonville > Part 28
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For County Surveyor. WILLIAM LYNN.
MORGAN COUNTY UNION TICKET-1865.
For Judge of County Court. CAPTAIN H. G. WHITLOCK.
For Associate Justices, CAPTAIN J M. LANE. LIEUT. JOHN HARDIN.
For County Clerk. CAPTAIN HORACE CHAPIN.
For Assessor and Treasurer. CAPTAIN WYLLYS MEACHAM.
For School Commissioner. LIEUT. WM. L ENGLISH.
For County Surveyor, PRIVATE JOSIAH BARROWS
BAKER CO
YOUNG LADIES' ATHENEUM. FOUNDED 1864.
CHAPTER X .- 1866-73.
Jacksonville Incorporated as a City-Conservatory of Music and Oak Lawn Retreat Founded-City Waterworks Constructed-The Murder of Gen. McConnel-Mur- der Trials- New Societies-School for Feeble Minded.
HIS period was quite an interesting one to the churches, schools and business interests of the city. The population reached over nine thousand, and the pres. ent city charter was adopted, (1867,) the Conservatory of Music, Oak Lawn Retreat, the State Asylum for the Feeble Minded were founded and incorpora- ted, and our splendid system of city waterworks begun and completed.
In 1857. Rev. R. W. Allen, formerly pastor of the Pisgah Presbyterian Church, of Kentucky, took charge of the Central Presbyterian church as stated supply. Having received a unanimous call to the pastorate, Mr. Allen was installed December 5, 1858, and continued his faithful labors until May, 1867, when he resigned. After Mr. Allen's resignation. the church was without a pastor for two years, during which time they were dependent upon transient supplies for preaching, with the exception of six months. when they enjoyed the very efficient labors of Rev. R. J. L. Matthews, formerly of Van- dalia. Eleven persons were added to their membership in that time. The foundation of their present church edifice was laid in the autumn of 1870, and the building was en- closed the following summer. The first Sabbath of January, 1871, they entered upon the occupancy of their new lecture room.
In May 1869, Rev. W. W. Harsha, D. D., was called from the South Presbyterian Church, Chicago. He was born in West Hebron, Washington county, N, Y. He re- ceived his collegiate education in Union College, Schenectady, N. Y. He studied law, but shortly after entering upon the practice, changed his profession and entered the ministry, in connection with the Associate Presbyterian Church. Joined the Old School Church in 1854. He commenced his ministry in Galena, in 1846. His pastoral charges have been at Galena. Hanover, Savanna, Dixon, Chicago and Jacksonville. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity in 1872, from Fulton College, Missouri, of which institution Rev. Dr. Price was at the time president. On going to Dixon. in 1855, he founded the presbyterian institution, known as the Dixon Collegiate Institute. and acted for some years as its president. He continued as pastor of the Central Church for fifteen years, resinging in June 1884 to accept the presidency of Belleview College, Nebraska.
At the beginning of this term of years Rev. James G. Roberts was the pastor of the Congregationalists. He was succeeded, in 1869, by Rev. Wm. H. Savage, now of Bos- ton, and he in turn, in 1875, by Rev. Eli Corwin, D. D., now in Racine, Wisconsin.
The First Presbyterian congregation lost their church edifice by fire in December. 1861. Its successor was dedicated January 5, 1867. In the interval, worship was held in Strawn's Hall. Preparations to build were commenced in the Autumn of 1863. The corner stone of the new edifice was laid with appropriate ceremonies Aug. 4, 1864. The Lecture and Sunday School rooms were set apart to their appointed use June 28, 1866. The dedication of the building, as a whole, took place as stated above. The day was propitious, and the exercises appropriate and of great interest. The pastor was aided by Rev. James G. Roberts of the Congregational Church, Rev. S. A. Kingsbury of the Baptist Church, Rev. Robert W. Allen of the Second Presbyterian Church, and Rer. W. F. Phillips of the Methodist Church. The dedicatory prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Allen. The music was of a high order of style and adaptation.
172
CHURCHES AND Y. M. C. ASSOCIATION.
The building was of the Romanesque style of architecture, from designs by W. W. Boyington, the masonry work and ornamental plastering were by Howard & Thompson. the carpenter work by Hugh Wilson, the painting and graining by McDonnell & Right- mire, the glazing by George A. Misch, the upholstering of seats by George W. Graves, and the gothic chair for pulpit by Jacob Braun. The entire cost of the building, including clock, (by the city) bell and furnishings (by the Ladies' Sewing Circle,) was $60,000, and the estimated value of the property, including ground, $75,000. A debt of $6,000 was provided for before dedication.
The new and capacious cathedral for the Roman Catholics of the county was com- pleted about 1866, and including the school and convent property is worth about $65,000. The church was dedicated by Archbishop Purcell, of Cincinnati, Ohio. The parsonage, now used for the school, was built about two years after the completion of the church. The school is under the control of the Sisters of the Order of St. Dominic and is supported by the congregation. It is conducted ten months in the year.
In 1867, Trinity (Episcopal) Church edifice was remodeled and greatly improved, at a cost of some $16,000, by the addition of a recess chancel at the south end and an extension of thirty feet, with tower and spire to the north end, stained glass windows and heightening of roof and ceiling.
Another "Christian" church was organized in the old Court House, in 1866, by twelve persons, adherents of that denomination. Among them were Workman Cully, L. B. Ross, Charles E. Russell and Hiram Smedley and their families. Rev. J. E. Wright was the pastor, and continued to serve them until 1869 or 1870. They occupied the Court House until the completion of their house of worship, on South Main Street, in 1868. The pastors succeeding Rev. Wright were Revs. J. J. Summerbell, C. W. Garoutte and P. W. Sinks.
As is well known one of the most successful christian and philanthropic institutions of the city is the Young Men's Christian Association, whose fine building attests the estimation in which its usefulness is held by the public. Robert D. Russell tells the story of its origin, or the first attempt to inaugurate the movement for a city Y. M. C. A .:
"During the month of May, 1870, the City of Jacksonville, Illinois, was visited by Mr. Weidensall, agent of the National Young Men's Christian Association with a view to the formation of a local branch." The first meeting was held on the 29th of May, 1870. Up to December 23d, 1870, four meetings was held. So far as the record discloses, the only business transacted at these meetings was the adoption of a Constitution and By- Laws, and the election of officers. This last item of business occurred at three different meetings. First. temporary officers were elected at the organization meetings, then of- ficers to serve until November, then the annual election the first Thursday in November. On the 23d of December, 1870, the last meeting of this first association was held. The record reads as follows:
"A called meeting of the Association was held at C. M. Eames' book-store this morn- ing, President DeMotte presiding On motion it was decided to have Prof. G. W. Brown examine the subscription list for library and reading room, and after returning the por- tion to subscribers which he thought best. to pay the balance of money in the treasury to the president of the Ladies Benevolent Association. On motion the Jacksonville Young Men's Christian Association adjourned sine die."
For the history of this society's successful successor, see next chapter.
The Soule Chapel Congregation (Methodist Episcopal South) is very small at pres ent and does not support a regular ministry. Among its constituent members were E. B. Hitt, S. S. Spurgeon, Silas Veitch, Mrs. Becraft, James Cravan and D. C. McCoy. The congregation had a very neat house of worship on East College street which cost about $5,000.
The compiler of this volume, then "Ye Local" of the Daily Journal, said in April, 1867 of the churches of Jacksonville:
"Hand in hand with a love of education goes the love of worshipping God. The founders and patrons of institutions of learning are God fearing, God serving. men and women. The Athens ot the West almost deserves the title of the city of churches, for her churches will attract auy one's attention, from their number and prominence, seven-
173
THE CHURCHES IN 1867- THE DAILY JJOURNAL.
teen houses of worship are already erected, many of them beautiful in appearance, and two more church societies are about to build sanctuaries for themselves.
Presbyterian. - This denomination has now five edifices completed. The First church, (new school) which was organized in 1827, with only a dozen members, and now has two hundred and fifty upon its rolls, with three hundred children in its Sabbath school, has just dedicated the finest church building in the state, a brick structure, built in mod- ern style, with organ, stained glass widows, immense auditorium, &c. Rev. Dr. L. M. Glover, pastor. The Westminster church, (new school) has just been completed by the erection of a bell tower, and furnished with organ, altar, frescoed walls, &c. The so- ciety wns organized in 1860, with thirty-five members, now has one hundred and forty- one, with Dr. D. H. Hamilton as pastor and a flourishing Sabbath school of one hundred scholars. The Second church, (old school) was organized in 1838, having then twenty- one members, which have since increased in number to one hundred and twenty. Their house of worship was erected in 1840. Rev. R. W. Allen is at present the pastor, with T. G. Taylor, Esq., as superintendent of the Sunday school of eighty pupils. The Por- tuguese colonists in Jacksonville have two Presbyterian societies, each with a neat and commodious church. The first society was organized in 1849, built its church in 1852, and now has one hundred and thirty members, with Rev. A DeMattos, pastor. The second congregation was originally with the former, but re-organized in 1858, erecting a house in 1864. Rev. Robert Lennington is in charge. Over three hundred children are in their two Sabbath schools.
The Methodists are the next in number of churches, having four finished and one soon to be constructed. The west charge now has three hundred and thirteen members though organized only as far back as 1850. Rev. James Leaton, pastor. The cast charge have not yet moved into their new buiding, which is about finished, but are worshipping in the house erected in 1839. They have two hundred and fifty members, with Rev. Dr. Phillips as pastor. The south charge are now procuring subscriptions for the building of a church. The German and African Methodists each have a meeting house, each society consisting of about sixty members, and carrying on Sabbath schools The former society was organized in 1856, the latter in 1842.
The Baptists have two churches. The first was organized in June, 1841, dedicated their large brick edifice in 1857, and at present have over two hundred members. The Rev. S. A. Kingsbury is the pastor. One hundred and fifty scholars are in their Sunday school. The other society is the African with one hundred and three members and Rev. A. W. Jackson as pastor. Their Sabbath school consists of fifty members.
The Christian denomination have two societies, one with a commodious building, erected in 1847 and two hundred and forty communicants. The church numbered eighty when organized in 1832. Elder Enos Campbell is the present pastor. The other society has lately organized, and is under the charge of the Rev. J. E. Wright. They are now making efforts to erect a building for their Sabbath use.
The Congregationalists have a spacious church in a beautiful part of the city, well furnished. Rev. James G. Roberts is their pastor. 'T'hey have a membership of one hun- dred and ninety, with one hundred and fifty in the Sabbath school. Their present house was dedicated in 1850. Their first place of worship (1833) was a log cabin, the first reg- ular church was built in 1835 and since known as Union Hall.
The Episcopalians have one edifice, Trinity church. Dr. T. N. Morrison. rector. Number of members, eighty. The society was organized in 1832, and the church erected four years later. The building is to be entirely remodeled this spring.
The German Lutherans were organized into a church society eleven years ago. They now have twenty members, a neat church and fifteen Sabbath school scholars. Rev. Francis Lehman is the pastor.
The Catholic society was organized in 1856, and now numbers two thousand mem- bers. Rev. Joseph Costa is the priest and superintendent of the Sabbath school.
As to the local press, in 1866 Frank Martin published for a short time the daily Ad- vertiser, with also a weekly issue. Boch were short lived.
Col. George P. Smith became associated with Mr. J. J. Ironmonger, and editor of the Journal in 1865. Under Ironmonger & Company the Journal took a great step for- ward and became quite a political power. April 14, 1866, the firm having purchased a steam press, began the publication of the Daily Journal, with G. P. Smith as editor: Mr. David M. Swales being foreman of the news-room. He is now foreman of the print- ing office of the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb.
In its first issue the firm advertised for a local editor of the paper, and Frank Mitch ell was appointed. Mr. Mitchell was a son of Prof. B. F. Mitchell, principal of the Female Academy from 1859 to 1865. Frank began work about April 17, 1866, also act. ing as night editor for a time.
174
THE FIRST DAILY-OTHER JOURNALISTIC NEWS.
Incidentally it may be mentioned that, at the birth of the new daily, as its first sheet came from the press, there were present, G. P. Smith J. J. Ironmonger, R. B. Mitchell, John Oliverson, pressman, John K. Lathrop and Ensley Moore.
The young daily was a small, unpretentious sheet, compared with its present size and appearance, but Jacksonville had a daily, and that daily has lived !
As before stated, Frank Mitchell became local editor, and his facile pen and keen intelligence were employed about six months, when he went to Missonri, where he be- came an American Sunday School Missionary, and is now a Presbyterian minister in Callaway county. Among Mr. Mitchell's special associates was Charles M. Eames. It was, perhaps, owing to this circumstance that Eames succeeded Mitchell as local editor. Mr. Eames resigned in 1867, to become city editor of the re-organized Quincy Daily Whig. He was succeeded by Mr. Lyman B. Glover, then about 21 years of age, as local of the Journal. Under Ironmonger & Co., the Journal increased in job work, and July 19, 1866, the Weekly was enlarged to nine columns. Soon after this Mr. Iron- monger retired from the Journal and purchased the Franklin Job Office from Franklin J. Martin.
Col. Smith was now sole proprietor of the Journal establishment, with L. B. Glover as local editor and Mr. Robert Bradbury in charge of the job department. Ob- servant students of the list of income payers soon saw that the newspaper business ap- peared to be getting profitable, for Col. Smith reported a handsome income. It was, therefore, not difficult for the gallant Colonel to dispose of his property at a large price.
Col. Smith was a native of Virginia, an original Republican in that state, a fine public speaker and ambitious of political success. He sold Chapin & Glover the paper and emigrated to Kansas.
Capt. Horace Chapin and L. B. Glover became proprietors April 14, 1869, Mr. Glover being editor. Ensley Moore became their local editor for a short time. He was subsequently local and assistant editor of the Jacksonville Independent.
Mr. Glover's management was noted, perhaps, most for the development of the job of- fice, with Mr. Bradbury, who has ever since continued in that capacity, as foreman.
Mr. Glover was but 23 years of age when he became editorial proprietor, and Capt. Chapin was then postmaster of this city. Capt. Chapin had lived at Chapin, Morgan county, before the war; he entered the army and lost a leg at Chickamauga, after which he made Jacksonville his home. Edward Dunn, afterward city attorney, suc- ceeded Moore as local editor. He was followed in turn by Jarvis G. Shaw formerly of the Springfield (Mass.) Republican, and Shaw gave place to George N. Loomis, all dur- ing Chapin & Glover's ownership.
In 1872 Mr. J. R. Bailey, who for 17 years had edited and published the Jackson- ville Sentinel, was compelled, by failing eyesight, to dispose of all his newspaper inter- ests. He retired to farm life, remaining there in quiet retirement until his death. His successors in newspaperdom, were Fanning, Paradice & Co., who also bought the Jack- sonville Independent, and added steam fixtures and a power press. The latter had been established April 29, 1869, by Ironmonger & Funk, Henry B. Funk being editor. Dur- ing its continuance under Mr. Funk, Ensley Moore was employed as assistant editor. In 1873 the establishment was sold to Gersham Martin-W. T. Dowdall, of the Peoria Democrat, afterward purchasing an interest. It was conducted by Martin & Co., until purchased by T. D. Price & Co.
On a beautiful autumnal afternoon, in the month of September, 1869, a large con- course of people gathered to witness the dedication of Diamond Grove Cemetery. On reaching the cemetery, the company gathered about a fine monument standing near the entrance. It is of white Italian marble with a square base about three feet in diameter, and about three feet high above the pedestal to the shaft, which is of the same material and eight feet in height, surmounted with a wreath, making the whole height of the monument, from the foundation to the top of the shaft, thirteen feet. It is the first monument which strikes the visitor as he enters the enclosure, and its historic inscrip-
175
THE ROE MONUMENT-M. E. PREACHERS.
tions at once explain the fact that the cemetery itself still bears the name given it by the first pioneers of the county. On the eastern base of the monument appears the fol lowing inscription :
ISAAC FORT ROE. SON OF REV. OZEL ROE, OF WOODBRIDGE, N. Y.
Left New York for the West October 15, 1819, settled in DIAMOND GROVE, In February, 1820, Died October 12, 1821, AGED FORTY-EIGHT YEARS. ROE.
The inscription on the western side reads:
1869. ERECTED BY THE COUNTY OF MORGAN, TO THE MEMORY OF ISAAC FORT ROE, One of three first settlers, and the first person who died in this county.
Facing the driveway, on the north side of the monument, is a bas-relief represen- tation of him who sleeps beneath, in his pioneer dress, with rifle on his left arm, and broad-ax in his right hand, while in the distance the pioneer's cabin is seen.
On the south side of the monument the following historical sketch is engraved : "An emigration society in the city of New York, October 12, 1819, appointed David Berdan, Isaac Fort Roe and George Nixon, to explore the Western States and select places of settlement for its members. They left the city October 15, 1819, crossed the Wabash at Vincennes December 26, passed and named Diamond Grove January 23, 1820, in which he selected a place of residence, and in February built a log cabin and became one of the first three settlers in the county."
Among the audience assembled were those who knew Mr. Roe, and could testify to the facts narrated. Dr. Chandler, who attended him in his last illness, and Mr. Huram Reeve, who had in his possession the nails used in making the linn-tree coffin for Mr. Roe, were there.
After appropriate exercises dedicating the cemetery and the monument, Judge William Thomas read a paper, prepared by him from facts, mostly obtained from the journal of Mr. Berdan, furnished by his son, Judge Berdan. All of especial interest have already been given in condensed form in the first chapter of this book.
The Methodist Episcopal pastors of these years were :
EAST CHARGE-1866, J. MI. Lane; 1867-'68-'69, F. W. Phillips; 1870-'71-72, N. P. Heath ; 1873, F. W. Phillips; 1873, A. S. McCoy.
WEST CHARGE-1865-'67, J. Leaton ; 1868-'70, W. F. Short; 1871-'73, E. Cranston.
SOUTH CHARGE-1866, J. M. Lane ; 1867, J. Harshman, 1868-'69, H. Wallace; 1870, G. Barrett, 1871, W. W. Roberts; 1872-'73-'74, J. W. Sinnock.
The presiding elders were; 1865-'68, Peter Akers; 1860-'72, George Rutledge.
In 1868 the terms East, West and South Charges were changed to Centenary, Grace and Brooklyn and by these names have since been known.
The Brooklyn M. E. Church was organized in the fall of 1867, with about seventy members. First held preaching in a private house, afterward in the school-house, until the brick building now occupied by them was completed in 1868. First preacher, Rev. John MI. Lane, followed by S. R. Harshman, Hardin Wallace, George Barrett, W. W.
176
MURDER TRIALS-DR. CARRIEL'S ARRIVAL.
Roberts, J. W. Sinnock and W. H. H. Moore. In 1878 the membership was 120, while Grace numbered 320.
The period under consideration was more prolific of murder trials than any one of similar length in the history of the county.
John Buchin was indicted at the August term, 1871, for the murder of his son, Paul Buchin, on the 27th day of May, 1871, by shooting him in the head with a gun. His trial was had at the April term, 1872; he was found guilty of manslaughter and given five years.
Henry Henslee was indicted in Tazewell county for the murder of his wife, Caro- line Henslee, by mashing her head with a flat iron. The case was brought to this county by a change of venue. He was sentenced for twenty years.
John H. Douglas had a true bill presented against him at the May term, 1872, for the murder, on May 23d, 1872, of Willis J. True, by striking him in the back with a hoe. The jury found the defendant not guilty.
George W. DeWitt was indicted in Brown county for the murder of Edward De Witt by shooting him with a gun, on September 1st, 1870. Case brought here by a change of venue. Defendant plead guilty to manslaughter and was given eight years.
Charles Atwood was indicted for the killing of Peter Hodin on the 13th day of July, 1870, a little northeast of this city, by stabbing him with a knife. The defendant was found guilty and sentenced to the penitentiary for a term of twenty-one years.
James F. Carpenter and Wesley Jones were indicted for the murder of Richard Beatley, on July 20th, 1871. The defendants were found not guilty.
Henry R. Gillespie was indicted at the March term, 1868, for the murder of John Ruschie by knocking him in the head with a fence rail. The case was tried once with a hung jury, after which the defendant gave bail, went away and never returned, on ac- count of which the case was stricken from the docket.
Thomas Cantrall was indicted at the November term of the circuit court, 1869, for killing Sampson Cantrall by cutting him in the stomach with a knife. He was found guilty of manslaughter and was given ten years.
John Minter had a bill found against him for the shooting of Samuel Newland on August 11th, 1870, at the August term, 1870. The jury found the defendant not guilty.
Lewis Maddox, William Maddox and William Knowles were indicted in Scott county for killing their father, William Maddox, by shooting him with a gun, on the 24th of November, 1870. A change of venue was taken to this county and the indict- ment nolle prossed.
Mahon Chapman had a "true bill" found against him for murder, at the August term, 1869, for killing Jephemiah Rodgers, by killing him with a shot gun, south of Neelyville. The defendant escaped to Missouri and was closely pursued by officers. Knowing that he would be arrested he killed himself with a gun. His indictment was stricken from the docket in November, 1869.
Isaac Berry et al. were indicted in Tazewell county for the murder of Henry Pratt, a deputy sheriff of Tazewell county, on 30th of July, 1869. This case created much ex- citement in Tazewell county and brought many people from there here. The jury sent Isaac Berry up for life, Emanuel Berry for fifteen years, William Berry fifteen years, Robert Britton fifteen years, Frank Daly fifteen years, and declared Simeon Berry not guilty.
Dr. Henry F. Carriel, who had been connected with the New Jersey Insane Asylum at Trenton for thirteen years previously, was secured as Dr. McFarland's successor as superintendent at the Central Hospital for the Insane, and is at the head of the institu- tion to-day. It is the unanimous verdict of those who have watched the growth and continued success of the charity under Dr. Carriel's excellent supervision, that there could hardly have been a wiser choice. The present trustees are R. W. Willett, of Yorkville, David E. Beatty, of Jerseyville, and Judge Edward P. Kirby, of Jackson- ville. Dr. Carriel's present medical assistants are Dr. Lewis A. Frost, who has charge
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