USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Jacksonville > Historic Morgan and classic Jacksonville > Part 31
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It is a very false impression that Jacksonville has nothing but educational, reli- gious, literary or charitable institutions to boast of. The product of such an institution as our "City Mills" is a real source and justifiable cause of local pride, reflecting credit upon Jacksonville. Messrs. Fitzsimmons & Kreider, the well-known and enterprising proprietors, in order to meet the demands of increased business, have this year pur- chased the extensive warehouses, elevators and cribs of T. & F. Keener, to enable them to handle all classes of wheat and thus make better selections of grain for their milling. The capacity of the mills has also been again largely increased by the addition of the most improved roller mills, and another line of centrifugal machines, disintegrators, etc. These improvements necessitated increased capacity in motive power. Messrs. Fitzsimmons & Kreider have been in the flour-mill business together since 1876, a pros- pering period of eight years. Before 1876 both were engaged separately in the same business for several years. The City Mills, now in their control, has been in successful operation for thirty years.
In this chapter we have already made reference to the trial of Robinson, accused of the murder of Gen. McConnel. The tragedy itself occurred on the morning of the 9th of February, 1868. Mary Ryan, a domestic of the household, entered his office,
189
THE MURDER OF GEN. MCCONNEL.
which was also his bed-room, located in an L of his home on North Main street. She found the General lying on the floor upon his face in the midst of a pool of clotted blood. She testified that she had been in his room to make up his bed and that about ten minutes after leaving it, while up stairs she heard a loud sudden noise like a fall. Returning almost immediately, she found him murdered, and although it was broad daylight, no person was seen by any of the family to enter or leave the room. There was no evidence of a scuffle. The wounds were five in number, all in the head, the jaw bone was broken and the skull fractured in several places.
The general was in his usual health and had expected to go to Springfield that very day on professional business. The coroner's jury found that he came to his death "from and by reason of blows willfully and feloniously inflicted with some instrument unknown to the jury, in the hands of W. A. Robinson." This emphatic verdict was reached unanimously, fifteen minutes after the dismissal of the last witness. The ac- cused was 28 years old, only resident here a short time, and was keeping a small gro- cery store. To raise means for this he had borrowed $420 in gold of Gen. McConnel. giving his note for the same. He was seen entering the General's premises that morn- ing by W. H. Worrell, a milk-man, and the murdered man was evidently computing interest at the time of his death.
As to the deceased he has been already frequently referred to in these pages. He was born on the 15th of September, 1798, in Orange county in the western part of the State of New York. his boyhood's days were spent there and in Chemung county, near Elmira. At the early age of fifteen, he left the Empire State and his father's fami- ly for the great west-then so undeveloped, unpeopled, almost unknown. As early as 1815, he was in the boundaries of our own state, but not permanently settled until about 1820 or 1821. At that time, his home was in or near what is now Scott county. Soon after he removed to within the boundaries of what became the town of Jackson- ville. Dwelling in this locality for almost fifty years, he had, of course. been deep- ly interested and identified with the growth of the place. A man of indomitable en- ergy, of great endurance, addicted to no evil habits, always willing to contribute of the ample means which he acquired in his long residence here, he came to be one ever looked up to for advice in regard to matters pertaining to the interests of the place.
In his chosen profession of the law, he has been one of the most active and promi- nent members of the Morgan county bar.
In political life the General never swerved from his earliest attachments to the Democratic party, and worked so acceptably, so indefatigably, for the advancement of the principles which he advocated, that he well earned the xoubriquet by which he was so universally known as the "wheel-horse of the Democracy." He has often repre- sented his party in their national, State and county nominating conventions. For four or five years, during the administrations of Presidents Pierce and Buchanan, he filled the office of fifth auditor of the treasury. As early as 1838, lie was a member of the lower house of the Illinois Legislature, and near the same time, served ascommissioner of internal improvements.
A member of our general assembly for several successive terms, he became one of the most active participants in the deliberations of that body and the acknowledged leader of his party. His last service in political life was the filling of a term of two years in the State Senate, representing this district. His title of general was acquired. we believe, by his position in connection with our State militia, though he also served as a volunteer in the so-called "Black Hawk War."
During the darkened years of our country's history, when the pall of the rebellion and civil war hung over the land, the general was always found among the compara- tively few of his party who followed in the lead of their lamented Douglas, and re- mained unflinchingly, a war Democrat, true to his country and to the real principles of his party.
Too far advanced in life to take an active part in military life, he nevertheless.
190
GENERAL MCCONNEL'S FAMILY -- MORGAN MILLS.
with eloquent voice and stirring appeal, arrayed himself on the side of those who were sustaining the government in those trying hours.
The deceased left a widow and four children, all well advanced in life, to follow him to another world and mourn his loss while they survive him. Of the latter, one son, George, was an active Republican and prominent citizen, serving as alderman and mayor of the city. He is now the dramatic and musical editor of the Chicago Times. The other son, Edward, is a brilliant writer for the press, and now master in chancery. The two daughters are living in New York City, one the widow of the late Senator James McDougal, of California, the other the wife of his brother John. The only other child of the General, the talented lawyer and author, John L., preceded his father to the grave.
Returning again to the subject of manufactures, we feel that reference should be made to the long established flour-making industry now known as Morgan Roller Mills, now owned by Messrs. Scott, Hackett & Chambers. The mills are located on the banks of the Mauvaisterre, directly north of the city. They were first built in 1845 or '46 by Messrs. James Dunlap, Jonathan Neely and John Holland, all now deceased. In 1847 the building was destroyed by fire; Mr. Holland became sole proprietor and rebuilt the mills. In 1853 Messrs O. D. Fitzsimmons and Jonathan Neely bought interests. Three years later Messrs. Davenport & Fitzsimmons bought out Holland & Neely. In 1865 Mr. F., then owning the City Mills, purchased his partner's interest in the Morgan Mills and thus controlled both. In 1868 the latter property was sold to Mr. Mapes, and later became the property of the First National Bank through the failure of Mapes & Sons. Litigation regarding the title continued for several years. During this period, (in February, 1874) it passed into the hands of Messrs. Edward Scott & James H. Hack- ett, who in 1884 sold one-third interest to Mr. L. W. Chambers. In the fall of 1882, the mills were almost entirely rebuilt and supplied with modern machinery, necessary for the Hungarian system of gradual reduction.
CONSERVATORY
1
44488144
CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC
WIT
CONSERVATORY
FIRST NATIONAL BANK
ILEHAL
CONSERVATORY MUSIC STORE.
ILLINOIS CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC. FOUNDED 1872.
CHAPTER XI .- 1874-'80.
A Glance at what Jacksonville was Ten Years Ago-A City of Churches, Colleges, Schools and Benevolent Institutions-Also a Business and Manufacturing Center of Present Prospective and Importance-Literary and Aesthetic Societies-Munici- pal Statistics-Public Improvements-A live Railroad Point, a good Stock Market, a Great Place for Marrying and a Place where some People die-The Original Gar- den of Eden, with all the Modern Improvements.
HE Chicago Daily Tribune of Jan. 6, 1875, editorially referred to our little city of ten years ago as follows, basing its comments upon the annual review pub- lished in the Jacksonville Daily Journal:
"Jacksonville, as everybody knows, is a city of State institutions, and, though not containing much more than 10,000 inhabitants, has many metropolitan fea- ures not usually found in places of greater pretentions. Its Insane Asylum contains 474 patients, and is one of the best conducted institutions in the country. The Deaf and Dumb Asylum has 341 pupils, who are taught reading and writing and the higher branch- es The Institution for the Education of the Blind bas 107 pupils, and the Institution for the Education of the Feeble Minded Children has 103 inmates. In addition to the state asylum, there is the Jacksonville Surgical Infirmary, the Oak Lawn Retreat, or private asylum for the insane, and an Orphan's Home. It has musical and literary so- cieties in a flourishing condition; a Free Public Library and Reading-Room; a Library Association-quite a distinct organization-with industrial schools and benevolent socie· ties. There are seven public schools. with 1,500 pupils and 34 teachers; two private schools for boys and three for girls; 21 churches and two parochial schools. The city valuation for 1874 was: Real estate, $4,024,210; personal estate, $1,606,837; total, $6,- 631.047. The city taxes for 1873 were at the rate of one and one halt per cent. Park improvements for the year 1874 cost $9.768.45.
One of the important features of Jacksonville is the Union Stock-Yards, for the amount of business transacted in Jacksonville and the surrounding region is much greater than one would think. The number of cars of stock received and shipped by the rail- roads was $2,527. At the Stock-Yards the receipts for the year were: Cattle, 22,366; hogs. 16 723; sheep, 1,139; and horses and mules, 643. Jacksonville has also been at work adding to its buildings during the year, which are, according to The Journal, of a creditable description. In manufactures Jacksonville is still in its infancy, but The Journal is a pretty newsy paper, well filled with advertisements, which tell more per- haps than the year's exhibit on the fourth page. For a town of 10,000 inhabitants, Jacksonville can boast more business, life and enterprise, and back up its boast with facts and figures, than many a city of double its size.
This was a very comprehensive summary of the Daily Journal's review, but for the purpose of introducing more names, facts and figures, we quote more fully as follows:
"Jacksonville, a city of about 10,000 inhabitants, the county seat of Morgan county, is situated in the heart of the great corn-growing and stock-raising region of Central Illi- nois, about thirty five miles due west from the State Capital. The soil here is unsur- passed in richness and productiveness, and its cultivators, as a class, are prosperous and independent in circumstances. The city itself, as the result of the surrounding agricul- tural prosperity, and of the fact that its first settlers were imbued with the value of re. ligious and educational advantages, has attained an importance and a reputation quite remarkable for a place of its size.
City valuation for 1874 is as follows: Real estate, $4,024,210; personal estate, $1,- 606,837; total, $5,631,047. The city taxes for 1873 were at the rate of one and one-half per cent., and for last year will be only a little larger. This is very low compared with most of the cities around us, whose taxation rates from two to five per cent.
The total receipts of the city treasury from April 1st, 1874, to January 1st, 1875, were $172,189.33; total expenditures, $172,189.33, of which the principal were P., P. & J. R. R. bonds, $50.000; water works account, $28,593; streets and alleys, $16,165.15; park improvement, $8,468.45; extension Church street sewer, $3,907.99; street exten- sion, $4,742.28; salaries, $5,668.32; police, $2,367.48; gas and gasoline, $5,874; board
193
JACKSONVILLE TEN YEARS AGO.
of health, $823 23; water expense, $2,350.26; teachers' salaries, $15,654; other school expenses, $5,418.
The number of marriages in the city last year were 318
The number of deaths about 180.
Jacksonville is yet in its infancy as a manufacturing town, but its infancy promises a sturdy manhood. The splendid system of water works now in successful operation has given a great impetus to manufacturing projects, and our list next year will be much extended. We mention now some of the more noticeable enterprises.
First among these stands the Jacksonville Woolen Mills, Joseph Capps' Sons, pro- prietors These mills manufacture largely of all sorts of woolen goods, yarns, &c., giv- ing employment to a force of about one hundred persons. The proprietors ship largely to all parts of the country, doing an annual business of not less than $200,000.
A paper barrel factory, on,a large scale is about to begin operations, some of the machinery having already arrived. This will form one of the most important manufac- turing interests in this part of the State
The manufacture of fine carriages and buggies, and wagons of all kinds. light and heavy, is carried on, on a large scale, by W. S. Richards, Samuel Cobb, Hellenthal. Vo- gel & Co., J. W. Hall, and E. Keemer, R. Walton, Day & Dunavan, Philip Lee, H. D. Gouveia, largely manufacture wagons
J. L Padgett's Jacksonville Shirt Factory is a new institution, that has sprung into a surprising success. The business of manufacturing shirts, begun on a small scale, has now assumed wide proportions, and already manufactured goods are sent far and wide. A large force of hands are constantly employed to meet the demands made.
Another new and important manufacturing enterprise is that of C. H. Dunbrack & Co., who manufacture gents' furnishing goods. Their goods have a remarkable popu- larity, and are to-day sold from Iowa to Texas by agents. Orders come fast and thick. Large shipments have been made of late, some to the extreme south. The branches of work embrace almost every kind of gents' wear save heavy clothing. The enterprise is ou an independent basis, sound and prosperous.
In the manufacture of fine candies of all kinds, and fine confectioneries, E. Hamil- ton & Son take the lead. Their arrangements are complete and their daily business very large.
The manufacture of cigars and of fine tobaccos in the city is immense. B. Pyatt & Son bave manufactured and sold during the year 415,600 cigars, an increase of 103,600 over 1873. Their sales of tobacco in other forms are fully as heavy. This firm is one of the most noted in the State.
Messrs. Myers & Knollenberg manufactured in 1874, 400,000 cigars, and their sales in other tobaccos will amount to as much as their cigar trade.
Romerman, the West State street tobacconist, has manufactured 200,000 cigars, and sold heavily of other tobaccos.
Flour is manufactured in large quantities and shipped to all parts of the country.
During the year just closed E. C. Kreider manufactured 12,800 barrels of flour, band- ling 64,000 bushels of wheat.
Messrs. Scott & Hackett manufactured 10,000 barrels of flour since April, when they began business.
Messrs. White & Shuff have manufactured 5,000 barrels of flour, and Messrs. Schoonover nearly as much more.
Other manufacturing interest might with propriety be mentioned, the coopers, the boot and shoe makers, harness makers, upholsterers, bottling establishments, where soda pop. beer, ale, cider, &c., are put up, collar makers, hoop skirt and hair makers.
Under the lead of our far sighted and public-spirited Mayor, Hon J. O King, sup- ported by a progressive common council. many improvements have been inaugurated and carried through, and our municipal affairs are in a very favorable condition.
During the year the public square has been made attractive by a handsome iron fence and fountain, and by a complete system of brick walks, and in the coming spring and summer will be an ornament and a joy. The total cost of the improvement was $9,- 768.45.
An important improvement-the extension of Church street sewer a distance of 2,- 962 feet-has just been completed at a cost of $3,907.99.
A of number of street extensions have been carried through at a cost of $4,750. 23, as follows: Mauvaisterre street, Versailles street, Clay avenue and Diamond street.
The expenditures for grading and draining streets, and building sidewalks and cross- ings for the eight months ending Nov. 30th, was $15,815. Several miles of brick walks have been laid at a cost of $3.306.34 The number of bricks used was 289,900. Three miles and six hundred and thirty-one feet of plank walks have been built since April 1st, for which 65.884 feet of pine plank, and 10,292 feet of oak lumber were used, making a total of 76,174 feet of lumber at a cost for material and labor of $1,563.23. Total cost brick and plank sidewalks $4,869.57.
194
PRIVATE RESIDENCES AND INSTITUTIONS.
In the way of new buildings, public and private, for the year, there have been many marked improvements. Few years in the past have furnished more. Among the more noticeable private residences that have been completed are those of L. W. Chambers, a fine two story frame of modern design, on West State street; Prof. J. H. Woods, a splen- did frame and one of the most capacious in the city, on West Lafayette street; Dr. Joshua Rhoads, corner Prairie and Reed streets, a fine frame of handsome design; Wm. E. Capps, a splendid brick, corner Westminster street and College avenue; Prof. R C. Crampton, a frame residence on College hill; M. H. Carroll, a fine frame on South Main street; Abner Yates, an imposing frame, finished on East State street; A. N. McDonald, a fine frame on East State street; Major W. P. Callon, a costly frame on North Main street north of the city; Andrew Russel, a large and expensive frame residence on Mound avenue; Rev. Dr. Nevius, a large brick residence on West State street; Dr. Kel . logg, a fine frame residence on College avenue; E. W. Bradley, fine frame residence on Diamond and Greenwood streets; James Scott, large frame on West North street, and many others, all adding to the beauty of the place that we would gladly speak of at length, but the list is long.
Many private residences in various parts of the city have been remodelled, added to and so improved in appearance that they seem as if entirely new, and certainly stranger eyes would so regard them.
Among the business houses erected, is Robert Buckthorpe's brick store building ( n East State street, 20 by 60 feet, two stories, with 14 feet ceilings, a neat building costing $4,000.
Among the public buildings that have been but recently completed, are the main building of the Institution for the Education of the Blind, a noble structure costing $75,- 000, a full and minute description of which has heretofore appeared
Though the corner stone of the fine new dormitory building of Illinois College on College Hill, was laid in 1873, most of the construction and the completion of the work were accomplished last year. The edifice is a handsome brick structure 100 feet by 50 feet, with three stories and basement, costing $21,000, though it has since been appraised by good judges, at $30.000 The building furnishes accommodations for 36 students. and is almost entirely paid for by the contributions of citizens of Jacksonville, alumni of the college and others
The dining hall and hospital building, and engine house, at the State Institution for Deaf and Dumb, the first a magnificent building completely adapted for the purposes for which it was built. A new and commodions school building is in course of erection, but for the present is lett severely alone.
New building, such as an engine house, ice house, shop, house for produce, filter, &c., have been added to the State Hospital for Insane, while many internal improvements necessary and important have been made.
At the Institution for Feeble Minded Children, one or two minor but much needed frame buildings have been added.
The splendid new edifice of the Central Presbyterian church congregation was fin- ished early in the year, and presents an imposing appearance. It is modest in style, but pleasing. With the tower and bell yet to be added, and the lot, it will have cost $33,000.
Grace M. E. church. one of the handsomest church edifices in the city, was dedi- cated to the worship of God, January 4, 1874 It cost $28,000. * * * * *
Jacksonville has been remarkably favored in the location of State institutions, being the site of four of the largest and best regulated of the kind in the country, as follows:
Illinois Institution for the Education of the Blind-F. W. Phillips, M. D., superin- tendent.
Illinois Central Hospital for the Insane-H. F. Carriel, M D , superintendent.
Illinois Institution for the Education of Feeble Minded Children-C. T. Wilbur, M. D., superintendent.
Illinois Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb-P. G. Gillett, L. L. D., principal.
The Insane Hospital has 474 patients, and is one of the best arranged institutions of the kind in the country. It is very pleasantly located about one mile south of the pub. lic square.
The Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, is located about one mile west of the public square and has 341 pupils.
The Institution for the Education of the Blind is located about three-quarters of a mile east of the public square, and has 107 pupils.
The Institution for the Education of Feeble Minded Children, is located one mile west of the square, on the property known as the Duncan estate, and has 103 pupils.
There are also three other benevolent institutions of note here, making seven in all.
The Jacksonville Surgical Infirmary is located on South Sandy street, three doors south of the public square, and is owned and managed by Dr. David Prince. It is sup- plied with large galvanic batteries. and all the apparatus appertaining to a thorough and
195
SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES IN 1571.
complete adaptation of electricity as u theraupetical agency. The establishment is also designed especially for the management of cures requiring surgical operations, and is supplied with ingenious apparatus for use in orthopedic and plastic surgery, in which operations Dr. Prince is regarded as a rarely prominent and successful.
Oak Lawn Retreat is located about one mile and a half southeast of the public square, is a nrivate hospital for the insane- arranged to accommodate about ten or twelve patients. It is managed by Dr. Andrew McFarland, for many years superintendent of the State Hospital for the Irsane, and is remarkably successful in his treatment of the insane. It is delightfully located-being one of the pleasantest places in the city which is noted for its charming residences.
The Orphan's Home, on East State street, established by Mrs. Eliza Ayers, has tarted anew in its noble work under the charge of Rev. Dr. Passavant. *
The following is a list of the numerous educational institutions in the city:
Illinois College-one of the oldest classical institutions in the west-Rev. J. M. Stur- tevant, D. D , president.
Illinois Female College (Methodist) W. H. DeMotte, A. M., president.
Jacksonville Female Academy (Presbyterian) E. F. Bullard, A. M., principal.
Young Ladies' Athenæum, Rev. W. D Sanders, D. D .. superintendent.
Illinois Conservatory of Music, Rev. W. D. Sanders, D. D., superintendent; Prof Pozuanski, musical director.
Whipple Academy, (branch of Illinois College. )
Jacksonville Business College-This excellent and growing institution was founded in 1866 by Prof. R C. Crampton. Its patronage has been steadily increasing from the first. During the term which has just closed, its attendance numbered over 130 students -both ladies and gentlemen. The course of study and business training is much more thorough than that found in many similar institutions. An evening school of great value to scores of young persons of our city is sustained for six months of the year. The prin- cipals, Prof. R. C. Crampton and G. W. Brown, have put forth every effort to make this the leading business college of the State and the west. Prof. W. R. Glen has charge of the penmanship department.
Parochial school (Catholic,) Sister J. Meher, principal. German Lutheran school-F. W. Knaach, principal. *
In respect to public schools, also, Jacksonville ranks very high. Under the charge of Prof. D. H. Harris, city superintendent, these institutions have reached a degree of thoroughness and excellence truly admirable. They number seven separate schools, with 34 teachers and about 1,500 pupils. The list is as follows:
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