USA > Illinois > Morgan County > Jacksonville > Historic Morgan and classic Jacksonville > Part 40
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The present number of volumes catalogued is twenty-one hundred and fifty. From the manner in which the books are selected, one might suppose that the library was a very choice selection, and the supposition would be strictly in accordance with fact.
250
JUDGE LEEPER-A PIONEER'S LIFE.
Thirteenth .- ONE OF THE FIRST, SKETCH OF THE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF JUDGE JOHN LEEPER, WHO CAME TO MORGAN COUNTY IN 1823.
John Leeper, or Judge Leeper, as he was called, one of the early settlers of Morgan 'county, and whose residence was near where Jacksonville now stands, a man of some note in his day, deserves more than passing notice by any who undertake to write a satisfactory history of early days in this county.
He was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, August 23d, 1786. His father, James Leeper, was brought from County Down, Ireland, by his father, Allen Leeper, when he was but a child seven years old. They were of Scotch origin, and Presbyterians, and fled from Scotland to Ireland in the days of religious persecution.
In an early day James Leeper moved from Pennsylvania to Georgia, where John Leeper was married at the age of twenty to Fidelia McCord, who was but sixteen. They were married October 28th, 1806. In the year 1809 he moved with his wife and two children to Bradford county, Tennessee, and grubbed out a farm in the cane and cedar woods on Rock Creek, near Duck River. Here Mr. Leeper remained until the spring of 1816, when being pervaded by a desire to find a better country, and one in which there was no human slavery-an institution he was bitterly opposed to from principle -- he started, with his wife and six children, on the 5th of April, 1816, for Illinois territory, arriving at Edwardsville the 25th of May. Remaining here a few days, he moved on into Bond county, and located four miles south of Greenville on Beaver Creek. On the first Sabbath after their arrival here -- other emigrants being along with Mr. Leeper- they drew their wagons up in a circle and herein worshipped the God of their fathers, and called the place Bethel.
Mr. Leeper proceeded to open up a farm near this place, and also built a mill, and set about building up good society by organizing the church and the school. In 1823 he moved to Morgan county, arriving the second day of November, and bought the cabin then owned by Thomas Arnett, one mile southeast of the public square in the present city of Jacksonville. At that time there was no house in sight in any direction. HIere, by the help of his wife and ten children, Mr. Leeper soon made a large farm, planted ten acres of orchard, built a large two-story double log house, and a large Penn- sylvania barn. Said barn was built in 1827, and is still standing at this writing (1884) as an old landmark in the southeast part of the city.
Morgan county at this time was a wilderness of uncultivated land; but very soon emigration began to come in from the east and the south, and the lands were taken up rapidly. The city of Jacksonville was laid out in 1825. The church and the school soon became a felt want. A school was opened in a log house, built about 200 yards south of the southeast corner of the public square, and the Hon. Judge William Thomas was the first teacher. This was about the year 1827. A Presbyterian church was organ- ized June 30, 1827, in Judge Leeper's barn, the Rev. John Brich presiding at the organ- ization. Mr. Leeper and wife, and ten others constituted the church. John Leeper and William C. Posey were elected ruling elders. The only surviving member of the original church is Mrs. Polly Mears, now 82 years old, and living in Greenville, Bond county.
In the years 1828-'29 the idea of building Illinois College began to be agitated. Mr. Leeper being a man of some wealth and feeling much interested in any movement having a tendency to improve the country and elevate humanity, pushed this enterprise forward, delivering on the ground the brick for the first building. The first day of January, 1830, school began in this building with nine students. They were Alvin M. Dixon, James P. Stuart, Merrill and Hampton Rattan, Samuel R. and Chatham H. Simms, Rollin Mears, Charles B. Barton and William Miller.
Mr. Leeper was elected a member of the legislature in 1827. He was a Whig in politics, of the Adams school, and his house was a kind of headquarters of the politicians of those times. He also kept a kind of ministers hotel, where all of every denomina- tion felt free to come, and very often preaching meetings were held in his house before
THE LEEPERS-FROM EAST TO WEST IN 1834.
there was any church or school house. His horses and carriages were always ready for the conveyance of those who traveled to and from their appointments in this way, and his teams were ever at hand to haul wood to the poor and to the preacher. Mr. Mr. Leeper had a farm of nearly 400 acres; but large as it was, he felt it was not sufli- cient for the support of his growing family-being the father of fourteen children. In October, 1831, he moved to Putnam county, Ill., and opened up another large farm : and two years after built mills on Bureau creek, which supplied flour and lumber and carding for this new country for many miles around. He died the 14th of December. 1835, from an injury he received while working at his mills. Thus ended a most us - ful and active life, beloved and esteemed by all who knew him. Ex-President Sturte. vant thus speaks of this good man, in an historical address delivered in Jacksonville in 1855: "John Leeper was a man whose strict integrity, enlarged publie spirit, 1 1- affected piety and comprehensive charity is worthy to be held in remembrance. His removal from this community was a great loss. It was considered a privilege, in early days, to hold meetings in Judge Leeper's barn."
Fourteenth-COMING WEST FIFTY YEARS AGO-FROM NEW YORK TO JACKSONVILLE IN 1834- READ BEFORE THE JACKSONVILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, DECEMBER 4, 1884, BY JOSEPH H. BANCROFT, EsQ.
Fifty years ago, when Gen. Jackson was President and Webster, Clay, Calhoun and Benton ornamented the Senate, the tide of emigration was sweeping towards the West. Then a young man, struck by the wave, like Cassius MI. Clay as he was standing on the bank of the troubled Tiber-he into the river, I into a steamboat-I was an emigrant. "Then the glorious thoughts which, now to speak, would bring the blood into my cheeks, passed o'er me." I thought of-a governor, a member of Congress. perchance a justice of the peace. But the highest flights of fancy, the highest aspira- tions of my ambitions, imagination's utmost stretch, in wonder died away without even suggesting the possibility of being called on to narrate the incidents of that eventful journey before an historical society in the Athens of the West. This was before Mr. Greeley gave his advice to the young man, so often quoted. It was a raw and gusty day in March, in 1834; the parting words were said, we took the boat for New York glided quickly down the Connecticut and entered Long Island Sound, which seemed to be holding high carnival with the elements. The "raging waves dashed high on bleak New England's shore" that night. The torrents roared and we did buffet it. Our gal- lant steamer, with lusty screws dashing them aside and stemming it with heart of con- troversy, out-rode the storm, passed safely through Hell Gate and landed us safely at the wharf in New York, then a thriving city of about 200,000 inhabitants, who were just introducing gas for illuminating purposes. The storm continued all the next day with unabated fury, and but few persons were seen on the streets. Here we met Mr. E. Wolcott, a leading merchant of this place, and we journeyed together. The day fol- lowing we steamed down the bay to Amboy, where we first discovered a railroad, a fair description of which I am quite sure would bring tears to the eyes of Brother Morse. We were five hours in getting under way, and were conveyed about thirty miles to a point on the Delaware, whence a steamer took us to Philadelphia. We found comfort- able quarters at Mrs. Yohie's celebrated hotel on Chestnut street. Next morning we took stage for Reading, where we spent the Sabbath. Monday morning found us packed inside of a stage coach, having capacity for twelve passengers inside, and every seat was occupied, all bound for Pittsburg, having the Alleghany mountains to pass-and who that has ever made that trip in Winter has forgotten Sideling hill ? As we were nearing that place, one of the passengers entertained us with his previous ev perience. The stage was overturned, and rolled down an embankment sixty feet high and lodged in the branches of a sturdy oak.
In due time the dreaded place was reached, and our driver shouted, " Hold on to the
252
STEAMBOATING FIFTY YEARS AGO.
upper side," and cracking his long whip, the horses flew and the passengers, with beat- ing hearts and bated breath, held with all their might to the upper side.
At the end of three days' and nights' continuous travel we reached Pittsburg, some- what tired. Here we found two boats taking in cargoes, for St. Louis and intermediate ports, both of which, we were assured, would leave that day, and selecting the one we liked best, went on board. The night passed and we were at the wharf, and so on un- til the third day the boat was loaded, and we were gliding down the beautiful Ohio. We stopped at most of the landings, spent a day and night at Cincinnati and Louisville, where we lost much time in getting through the canal. Our boat had a large number of passengers, among whom were about the usual number of gamblers who plied their vocation through the night, and money was freely wagered. After leaving Louisville we made but few stops till we rounded into the turbid waters of the Mississippi.
Passing the Grand Chain and the Graveyard, we saw three steamboats which had been wrecked by snags and sawyers in that dangerous locality, which place has since been made comparatively safe and is no longer a terror to navigators of the. Missis- sippi. Reaching St. Louis on the second day from Cairo, we found a city of about 6,000 inhabitants, and here for the first time met the institution of negro slavery. There were still standing many of the old French residences, which gave it the appear- ance of a foreign city. Here we found an old schoolmate, who had been a resident about two years, from whom we learned much about the city and the people. I re- member that a short walk west from Main street brought us into a timbered region, probably where Fourth street is now situated. After waiting two days for a boat going np the Illinois river, without success, we took the stage for Jacksonville. On the way we were several times advised by our driver to get out and walk over some place where he thought it dangerous to ride. We reached here, having been three weeks on the way, and found a small place with a population of about 600, it having been greatly reduced by the prevalence of Asiatic cholera during the previous year. Of all the men who were then in business here, I can think of but two who are now living, and out of all the then residents but few are with us.
The old United States Bank furnished the entire circulation of paper money in this state-not a bank within its borders; no railways in existence; no telegraph; letter postage twenty-five cents.
HH
EROCERS-PALLA
AYERS' BLOCK, WEST STATE STREET, IN 1884.
Occupied by D. B. & II. B. Smith, Geo. H. Huntoon, E. C. Simms, Jenkinson Bro. and the Daily Courier.
1 .
MAKING SHIRTS. BROOMS, CLOTHS, CARS AND SULKY-PLOWS. 253
Fifteenth .- A FEW MANUFACTURING ENTERPRISES,-SOME DEFUNCT AND OTHERS STILL IN EXISTENCE.
There should be due reference made in such a work as this to all efforts to promote industrial or manufacturing interests whether they have been financial successes or not. The Shirt Manufactory of J. L. Padgett & Co., the Broom Factory of C. H. Dunbrack, the Home Woolen Mills, the Jacksonville Car and Manufacturing Co., and the Jackson- ville Sulky Plow Works are among the number. All but the last. are now defunct. As to the Home Mills the in-opportune time of the fire alone smothered the scheme.
A company for the manufacture of woolen goods was organized in 1865, with a paid up capital of $100,000. This was entirely invested in four acres of land adjacent to the brook in the southern part of the city, in a large and convenient building, in a tene- ment block on South West Street and in necessary mill machinery. The incorporators were Messrs. A. E. and M. P. Ayers, George M. McConnel, John Gordon, William T. Beekman, William Richardson and Henry Staley. Mr. Beekman was elected president, and McConnel secretary. The mills started with from 60 to 70 employes and a good trade. The mill itself is said to have been the best constructed in the West. In Jan- uary, 1873, by the carelessness of a spinner, who allowed threads to be ignited in a gas jet, burning in the early morning, and then to fall upon an oil-soaked floor, it was totally destroyed by fire, and the loss was so heavy upon the stockholders, coming at the very outset in their investment, that they have never rebuilt. They still hold the ownership of the land and the Factory Block.
As to the Car Works, this enterprise was started in 1872, the company being incor- porated in March, 1873, by stock subscribers with a paid up capital of $40,000. The most active promoters and original stockholders were E. C. Kreider, (president,) Wm. E. Veitch, (secretary and treasurer.) Joseph O. King, A C. Wadsworth, Dr. David Prince, Edward S. Greenleaf, Jolin A. Ayers and others. Five acres of land in the southeastern part of the city, on the line of the Jacksonville Southeastern Railroad, were purchased, the needed building was erected, tools and machinery purchased and the "Jacksonville Car Works" were in running order by August, 1873. A small contract was filled, then the panic came on and the works shut down temporarily. Later an attempt was made to manufacture agricultural implements, in the building, under the management of Joseph N. Taylor. This venture proved unsuccessful and was soon abandoned. The floating indebtedness of the company became quite large, but was taken up by a few gentlemen who secured themselves by a second mortgage under which the property had to be sold. It was bought in by the mortgagees and held until a sale was consum- ated with Mr. T. C. Dutro, of St. Louis, Mo., at a price which gave them no profit. Dutro organized the "Jacksonville Car Company," enlarged the capacity from two to ten cars per diem, by additions to building and machinery, and operated it for a number of years, building many flat, box and stock cars. This company in turn became involv- ed, got an extension of time on their paper, but finally were foreclosed under mortgage held by the bank and individual creditors, all in Jacksonville, and thus the matter stands to-day.
One other enterprise deserves mention, the Jacksonville Sulky Plow Works, with a paid up capital of $20,000 was organized in January, 1881. The original stockholders were Mr. A. C. Wadsworth, (president,) Dr. II. F. Carriel, (vice-president,) Mr. James H. Hackett, (secretary and manager,) Mr. William E. Veitch, (treasurer,) Messrs. S. B. Gray, William D. Mathers and Mortimer Cahill. The company purchased the property near the junction depot, known as the Russell & Akers foundry, added buildings, machin- ery, stock, etc., and proceeded to manufacture and wholesale a certain patented sulky attachment for plows, harrows, etc. Their manufacture to date amounts to 1,500, none of which have been retailed, but sales have been throughout Illinois and Missouri. Price $40. The works do not run continuously, and shut down last summer (1884.) Some changes are contemplated before re-opening. A part of their building is now rented and occupied by A. C. Thompson, iron founder and moulder. See cut page 243
254
PROF. STURTEVANT AND A PEACE SOCIETY.
Sixteenth-EXTRACTS FROM THE "PATRIOT"-SCHOOL MATTERS IN 1833.
In a copy of the Illinois Patriot, published in this city February 1833, we find the following: "The new school house at Linnville will be opened for Divine wor- ship to-morrow, when sermons will be preached as follows: At 11 o'clock a. m., by Rev. E. Beecher; at 1:30 p. m., by the Rev. W. Spencer."
We also find communication from (then) Prof. Sturtevant, dated January 17, 1833, copied from the Illinois Herald, then edited by Brooks, from which we extract as follows;
SIR :- In your paper of the 12th inst. is a paragraph purporting to be an extract from a letter from some person in this town I observe with mingled emotions of indig- nation and regret, some statements fitted, and I fear designed, to throw contempt upon the institution in which I have the honor to be instructor. I should have allowed the matter to pass by in merited neglect, but for two reasons-first, because, as the person principally referred to in the above named letter is said to be a " Professor" in the col- lege in this place, and as I am at present the only instructor in the institution to whom that appellation is appropriate-it bears the appearance of a personal attack on me ; and such to a considerableextent must be the impression on the community-though I am persuaded the writer should not so have intended it. And second, because, though it is not my custom to turn aside to reply to every ill-natured remark which may be made in a passion, about the literary institution of which I was the first instructor-and of which I am now and ever will be a devoted friend, while it adheres to the enlightened, liberal and truly republican principles upon which it is founded, yet there is a point beyond which the friends of this institution will not endure in silence the propagation of the most malignant slanders through the newspapers, but will avail themselves of that pub- lic vindication, which the unquestionable soundness of their principles will always ren- der easy. That point in the present case has been already reached, and we shall vindicate ourselves, lest we prove traitors to that good cause-the cause of education-which we are laboring with our whole strength to promote. Suffer me, therefore, to request that you will insert this communication in your paper without delay-and I make this request the more freely, as it is over my proper name, and I am therefore personally responsible for the statements which it contains.
The letter above referred to relates to certain transactions which took place in the Court House in this town on New Year's eve. A meeting of citizens had been called at that place on that evening, to take into consideration the expediency of forming a " Peace Society." Such societies have been in existence in different parts of the United States and Great Britain for many years; and as they are all formed on the same princi- ples, there is fortunately no difficulty in obtaining "exact " information on the subject.
A Peace Society is a voluntary association of individuals, for the purpose of pro- moting the general prevalence of peace among the nations of the earth. Its only means for effecting this object is by operating on public opinion; and this again it seeks to move only by free discussion, and the circulation of facts illustrative of the evils of war. It neither inculcates on its members nor requires of them anything in the least inconsistent with the justice and necessity of defensive war, but enrolls among its members those who strenuously maintain both. Such is a Peace Society. The writer, whose words you extract, says " The Presbyterians were about to form some kind of society." Here I must correct a little. The Presbyterians here are not in the habit of doing such things as a party-we ever assume the right individually of thinking for ourselves, and acting according to our own private judgment. And in this case we differ in opinion many thinking a Peace Society a very good thing, and many others thinking it of little or no use. Not one of the Presbyterian "clerical gentlemen" of the town and vicinity was present at the meeting. The chairman, one of the oldest settlers, and most respected citizens of this county, was never suspected of being a Presbyterian; and would not, I presume, fecl himself flattered by being placed at the head of a Presbyterian movement. The secretary is a highly respected clergyman of the Methodist Church. * *
JACKSONVILLE'S BEAUTY, TOPOGRAPHY AND WATER SUPPLY. 255
Seventeenth-A FEW GENERAL REMARKS BY DR. ANDREW MCFARLAND, AS PUB- LISHED IN THE DAILY JOURNAL, IN 1875.
From its first settlement, Jacksonville has been pre-eminently favored in number ing among its inhabitants men of great publie spirit, combined with large insight of the future. They left a stamp which can never be effaced save through a most unpar- donable negligence. Their influence and efforts drew to it colleges, seminaries, and State institutions of a high philanthropie character-these last an especial compliment to the intelligence and standing of this community in the State. They showed their appreciation of learning, in prompt efforts to promote a good system of common school education in the State, and well filled and well supported churches have always been proof of their regard for religions interests. Indeed, from the very first, Jacksonville took a position usually left till wealth and leisure give time for such undertakings. In all they did this large foresight is now seen. Wide and well-shaded streets, ample sidewalks and tasteful, well-ornamented dwellings, became an early characteristic, and are now a distinguishing beauty. The city at once attracts the attention of strangers of taste, who never leave it without encomiums upon its rare beauty.
*
Of the topography of Jacksonville, as the seat of a flourishing city, hardly too much can be said. It is, indeed, "beautiful for situation." Lying upon a gentle ele. vation, mostly sloping to the east and south, both the soil and aspeet have the essen- tials of complete salubrity. However populous it may become, it can never be sickly, if even common provision for drainage is made. There are no swamps, stagnant wa- ters, or other sources of noxious exhalation anywhere in its vicinity. These malarious diseases are seidom met ; and the mosquito, save in occasional seasons, rarely puts in an appearance. The streets of the city have yet some of the faults incident to all rich soils in wet weather. But pedestrians have nothing to complain of from the excellent sidewalks, extending far into the suburbs of the city; and pavements, in due season, will remove the evil.
As before mentioned, strangers invariably comment on the luxuriance of the shade- trees and ornamental shrubbery with which Jacksonville abounds. The early taste that promoted this feature of the city was greatly aided by the soil itself. Every kind of tree tolerated by the climate, whether evergreen or deciduous, finds a congenial soil here. It is a field where the landscape artist has everything ready to his hand, and some specimens of this most delightful art in the city deserve especial mention, if such mention did not seem invidious. When larger lots are taken up in the suburbs of the city, where an enlarged taste may have full scope, we hope to see elegant homes that may vie with those in the environs of Boston and Philadelphia.
The crying evil of Jacksonville, up to a recent period, had been a scarcity of water for extensive requirements. Important interests for a time suffered from this deficien- ey. After much discussion of plans and ways and means, active measures were set ou foot in 1873, which resulted in a most satisfactory accomplishment of the object, so that is believed that the city will be abundantly supplied for all coming time. The supply it gained, by surface impounding, and from the area of rain fall at command, is practically inexaustible. Except in the highest parts of the city, the water is carried into the upper parts of dwellings by its pressure a feat of untold value in its use. Being essentially a rain water, it is soft, free from chemical impurities, sufficiently clear for all mechanical purposes, and, by infiltration, absolutely so. The general plan of the water-works was suggested by E. S. Chesbrough, Esq., the eminent hydraulic engineer of Chicago. But large credit is due the water commissioners and resident engineers in their employ, for carrying to completion, -under the estimated cost, and contrary to the experience of most of our sister cities and the predictions of many at home-this most eventful undertaking We venture the assertion that never, since
256
JACKSONVILLE'S RAILROAD AND OTHER ADVANTAGES.
Moses took his celebrated water-works contract on Mt. Horeb, has any similar job been done so cheaply, expeditiously and substantially.
In its communication with the outer world, by means of railroads, Jacksonville has nothing further, in reason, to desire. No less than six radiating lines fix their center at this point. Several of these again branch within a short distance, forming a net- work so extensive that every considerable town in any direction is readily reached, while several competing lines connect with the larger cities. These enterprises have left no drawback whatever on the city, in the shape of taxes in aid of their construc- tion. In the beginning of this article it was pointed out that the progress of any people in material and intellectual advancement is greatly influenced by its food supply. It is not claimed that Jacksonville has any special pre-eminence over many other places in the same latitude. But it is certain that it is surpassed by none. The great staples of living, meat and grain, ought to reach here their very lowest minimum of cost. The greatest wheat-producers and cattle-breeders on the continent have long been found in the immediate vicinity. The great multiplication of institutions has gradually created a home market which for variety can nowhere be excelled. Here could fully be real- ized the wish of the great Henry of France, that every peasant in his dominion might have a capon in his dinner-pot whenever he desired. This abundance of the good things of life does away, in the greatest number, with anxiety as to the mere means of living, and affords thought for things higher and beyond. Where abundance does not run into an unworthy and useless luxury, it leads in this higher direction. And we hope and believe that it is this very thing that has contributed much to give Jacksonville its present enviable reputation.
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