USA > Illinois > Cass County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Cass County, Volume II > Part 30
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767
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
There he was establishing himself fairly well in practice, when he received from an old school- mate ot Gottingen University, a pressing invita- tion by letter to come to Beardstown, glowing accounts being painted of the future of the little village on the Illinois River. Yielding to impor- tunities, he therefore came to Beardstown in 1847, and at once began the practice of medicine. Two years later, in January, 1849, he was united in, marriage at Beardstown, to Miss Caroline Havecluft, a daughter of one of the very earliest pioneer settlers of Cass County. Dr. Ehrhardt was a man of broad education, of a scientific mind, and thoroughly schooled in the knowl- edge of materia medica. A man of very studious habits, he was yet sociable and companionable in his intercourse with his fellow men, and a highly esteemed resident of Beardstown for many years. He died in that city in November, 1SS1, and his wife on October 10, 1911. One son, Dr. Henry Ehrhardt, resides at Beardstown, where he has been a successful medical prac- titioner for many years.
Another of the early settlers of Cass County in the medical profession was Dr. Harvey Tate, who came to the county in 1841. He was born February 20, 1810, in Miami County, Ohio, and there studied medicine and practiced for about ten years, when he came to Beardstown. From that place he drove over the rough roads to within three miles of Virginia, and there set- tled, remaining for a short time, and during that period practiced his profession, then moved to Virginia, and soon securing a lucrative prac- tice, continued a resident of that town the remainder of his life, except for a brief period when he lived at Nauvoo, and one season when he traveled in eastern states, hoping the change would prove beneficial to his wife's health. Dr. Tate held several of the town offices, and was at one time county superintendent of the public schools of Cass County. He died at his home in Virginia, June 21, 1891, at the advanced age of eighty-one years.
Other physicians came to Beardstown and Virginia at an early day, but little can be learned of them. except that they were well educated and highly trained in their profession. They became highly respected residents of the county, who lent their aid in every way to secure an uplifting of the communities in which they located. In 1834, there were at Beardstown the following physicians: Drs. Christ, Hochstetter, Owen M. Long, and J. C. Smith. Between that
time and 1848, came Drs. V. A. Turpin, Charles Sprague, C. C. Emmerick and George Van Ness, and perhaps others came, but, remaining for only a short time, have slipped from the memory of the old residents. Dr. Charles A. Hathwell came to Jersey Prairie and located about a half mile east of Princeton. Later he moved into Virginia, where he divided the practice with Dr. Rufus S. Lord, Dr. Conn and Dr. Stockton. Dr. Charles E. Lippincott, another early physi- cian, located at Chandlerville in 1849. Dr. Samuel Christy came to Beardstown in 1849, and atter practicing and conducting a drug store there until 1852, moved on a farm which he purchased, in Lancaster (now Philadelphia) Precinct. There he gained an extensive country practice, and when a postoffice was established in the precinct, he became the first postmaster. While there he was also elected to the legislature. Fur- ther mention is made of Dr. Christy in another chapter.
Dr. David M. Logan was born in Belmont County, Ohio, January 4, 1821. When he reached his majority he was graduated in medicine, and located at Newmanville, Cass County, in 1859. He continued in the hard, toilsome country prac- tice until 1SS9, when he moved to Ashland, but his health having given way, he went to live with an elder brother in Boone County, Iowa, where he died July 14, 1900, aged seventy-nine years. His body was brought back to Cass County and buried in the Newmanville cemetery. Drs. Charles Houghton and Charles S. Mathews were also practicing physicians at Newmanville. Dr. Mathews endured the hardships of country practice for a number of years. Dr. William G. Unland was born in Cass County, and was grad- uated in medicinc. After practicing in several localities in this state, he finally settled in Beardstown, in 1880. Dr. Joseph Falonie was active in the medical profession at Beardstown prior to 1SS1. In that year an epidemic of smallpox occurred in that city, and Dr. Falonie, after ministering professionally to many of the afflicted, himself contracted the disease, and died from its effects, in April, 1SS1. Dr. Hans H. Littlefield was born at Wells, York County, Me., September 25, 1823. He located at Beardstown in 1848, but remained only for a short time, moving over into Schuyler County, later returned to Cass County, again locating at Beardstown in 1860, and made that city his home during the remainder of his life. He served for two years
768
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
as a surgeon in the Civil war. His death occurred at Beardstown June 26, 1903.
Dr. George W. Goodspeed was located in Old Princeton for a few years, but in 1859 moved to Virginia, where he purchased lots and built him- self a comfortable residence, becoming identified with the growth of the city, and so continuing until late in life, when he moved to Colorado, and there died April 14, 1890. His remains were brought back to Virginia and buried in the beau- tiful Walnut Ridge cemetery which he had helped the city of Virginia to acquire and l'ay out. Dr. N. S. Reed came from Geauga County, Ohio, to Chandlerville in the spring of 1852. He was a young man and had just been graduated in medicine. Having some means which he desired to invest, and also desiring to secure a home and settle down to the practice of his profession, he purchased a tract of land near the village of Chandlerville, and provided him- self with a comfortable home. He had a widely extended practice, and a great circle of friends and acquaintances who had learned to respect him very highly, when he died August 11, 1901, at his home in Chandlerville. His daughter, Mrs. Morse, still lives in the village of Chandler- ville, of which place her son, Albert Morse, is the present mayor.
Dr. N. H. Boone, of Chandlerville, was born at Troup, Ga., June 6, 1836, and practiced medi- cine at various places prior to coming to Chandlerville in 1864. Here he has since resided, being engaged in an active practice until within a few years of the date of this writing, when he retired, having accumulated consider- able wealth. Dr. John Francis Snyder came to Virginia in 1864, and soon acquired a very extended practice and retained it for about a half a century, when he voluntarily retired. He is so closely identified with the history of Cass County and of the state that nothing further need to be said here to acquaint the reader with one of the ablest physicians and surgeons of central Illinois. Dr. Watson W. Gailey was born in Pennsylvania, near Newcastle, in 1842, and came to Illinois, locating in the village of Prentice, Morgan County, in 1865. A short time later he moved into Aslıland, a few miles north of Prentice, and resided there the remainder of his busy life. Dr. L. S. Allard was a resident physician of Virginia for several years before the Civil war. He organized a company and was enrolled in the Nincteenth Illinois Volun- teer Infantry, and served throughout the war.
He then returned to Virginia, and later removed to Arkansas.
PHYSICIANS OF THE PRESENT TIME.
The foregoing, with perhaps some few excep- tions of physicians who were in Cass County for but a short period, covers all who came in the first half of the county's existence. As the county increased in population, many other phy- sicians came, some remained, and are still here, while others soon thereafter removed to differ- ent localities. The physicians residing and practicing in Cass County at the present time (1915) are the following : BEARDSTOWN-Drs. George W. Bey and his son Walter, T. J. Schweer, C. E. Soule, M. J. Palmer, Henry Ehr- hardt, Roy H. Garm, Charles E. Soule, Thomas G. Charles, W. G. Unland and J. F. Jones. ASH- LAND-Drs. J. A. Glenn, D. S. Gailey, D. Lyons and W. S. Taylor. CHANDLERVILLE-Drs. N. H. Boone, Howard B. Boone, John G. Franken and G. Eversole. ARENZVILLE-Drs. J. M. Swope and A. F. Streuter. VIRGINIA-Drs. Charles M. Hub- bard, A. R. Lyles, J. A. McGee, H. L. Day and W. R. Blackburn. NEWMANVILLE-Dr. R. C. Clifford.
The corps of physicians in active practice in Cass County numbers as able, intelligent and conscientious men as are to be found in any community in the state. Their activities in life are not limited to the lines of their chosen pro- fession, but they are to be found in the front ranks of the supporters of schools, churches, and every movement projected for the elevation of society and the promotion of the general wel- fare of the particular community in which they live.
CASS COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.
In 1906 a medical association of the county was formed taking in almost all the resident physicians. It has been maintained to the pres- ent time and holds monthly meetings, at which the various phases of diseases and the latest discoveries and usages in treatment are dis- cussed. Frequently lectures or addresses are given, or papers are read, of a high scientific character, and are extremely interesting and in- structive to the medical fraternity, and thereby beneficial to their patients.
Henry Cunningham
769
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
CHAPTER XX.
BANKS AND OTHER . FINANCIAL INSTITU- TIONS.
IMPROVED BANKING LAWS-MORE SECURITY -- FED- ERAL RESERVE LAW-NO MORE WILDCAT BANKING -PRESENT STATE RESTRICTIONS-EARLY OPERA- TIONS IN CASS COUNTY-BANKING AT BEARDS- TOWN-BEARDSTOWN BANKING COMPANY-CASS COUNTY BANK-FIRST STATE BANK-THE BEARDS- TOWN STATE BANK-THE PEOPLES BANK-BANK- ING AT ARENZVILLE-THE PEOPLES BANK-THE FARMERS AND MERCHANTS STATE BANK-BANK- ING AT CHANDLERVILLE-STATE BANK-PEOPLES STATE BANK-BANKING AT VIRGINIA-CENTEN- NIAL NATIONAL BANK-PETEFISH, SKILES & CO. -FARMERS NATIONAL BANK-BANKING AT ASH- LAND SKILES, REARICK & CO .- FARMERS STATE BANK-OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.
IMPROVED BANKING LAWS.
The financial standing of any community de- pends largely upon the stability and integrity of its banking institutions. The banking laws of the state of Illinois were not, until rather late in its existence as a state, of such a character that the mere fact of the institution being a banking firm or corporation was any evidence of the financial stability of the concern. But later legislation under the stringent provisions of the constitution of 1870, and the present federal banking laws, though not as perfect as might be desired, have placed safeguards around the banking business, so that persons who become depositors, or have dealings with well founded banks now may feel comparatively secure. The days of "wildcat" banking are passed forever in this state. The people will no longer submit to anything of the character in that line we had prior to the constitution of 1870. The salient features of our present organic state law upon that subject are : that no state bank shall here- after be created, and the state shall not own or be liable for any stock for any banking com- pany or corporation; that no law creating or authorizing any corporation with banking pow- ers, or any amendment to such law shall go into effect until the same has been submitted to and
approved by vote of the people ; that every stock- holder in such institutions shall be individually responsible and liable to its creditors over and above the amount, of stock held by him or her, to an amount equal to his or her respective shares so held, for all its liabilities accruing, while he or she remains such stockholder; that the suspension of specie payments by banking in- stitutions on their circulation created by the laws of this state, shall never be permitted or sanctioned.
EARLY OPERATIONS IN CASS COUNTY.
A period of fanatical internal improvement and the wild financiering and speculative craze that began in 1837, culminated in a financial crash in 1842 that precipitated many a bank- ruptcy and brought dire distress and ruin to thousands of honest men who found themselves without means to meet their obligations. In the rural districts money became so scarce that all business transactions were reduced to barter and exchange of commodities. To aid in local transactions, the merchants issued due bills to their customers, which passed current, at cer- tain discount, where the parties issuing them were well known, and as has been casually men- tioned heretofore in these pages, the county com- missioners of Cass County attempted to come to the assistance of the people by providing for the issuance of county warrants that might be used as a medium of exchange. On March 10, 1842, at the March term of the county commis- sioners' court of Cass County, it was ordered by the court that Henry H. Hall, who founded Virginia, be appointed to procure a suitable plate of steel, copper or some other suitable metal, for engraving notes to be issued as county warrants for the county of Cass, and state of Illinois, and that he procure a supply of blanks for the present use. The county commissioners at that time were: John C. Scott, Marcus Chan- dler and William H. DeHaven. Nothing further seems to have been done about the matter, and no person living seems to remember that any such notes. were ever in circulation. Recently, however, some of the old blank warrants were found. They bear no date, but are printed from an excellent steel engraving in very artistic design, in the similitude of one dollar bills. A renewed search of the ancient records, page by page, they not being indexed. revealed the fol- lowing fact concerning the plate and notes. In
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
the record of the proceedings of the county com- missioners' court of June S, 1844, appears the following :
"It is ordered that Henry H. Hall be notified to deliver, or canse to be delivered, to the county commissioners' court, at their July called term, to be held on the third Friday in July, 1844, the steel plate for striking Cass County orders, and all blank orders in his possession." The records of the proceedings of the July called meeting of the commissioners makes no mention of the subject. The legislature had invalidated all such warrants or orders, and forbidden any municipality to issue any such. It is presumed the commissioners got back their plate and blank warrants, and thought it was unnecessary to say so in the record, as the people of Cass Connty did not receive the benefits intended by the accommodating county commissioners.
BANKING AT BEARDSTOWN.
No regular banking institution appears to have been organized in Cass County prior to 1855 or 1856. There was, however, some banking or bankers' property subject to listing in 1857. The state auditor's report for 1857 shows in the list of bankers' property that Cass County had $3,000 worth of property. James C. Leonard was a private banker in 1860, at Beardstown, but failed in 1866.
THE BEARDSTOWN BANKING COMPANY was in- corporated in 1869, by act of legislature ap- proved March 30 of that year, with a capital stock of $100,000. The incorporators were : James C. Leonard, John A. Ames, Edward B. Leonard, George H. Nolte, Herman Engelbach, Martin L. Read, Franklin A. Hammer, Fred- erick Ehrhardt, Henry T. Foster and Chauncey Rice. The name, John A. Ames, is probably an error in print, and most probably is intended for Jolın A. Arenz. This institution was organized and conducted as a bank until about 1875, when the Cass County Bank was organized. It opened for business in 1876 with Abner Foster as presi- dent. In 1878 Frank A. Hammer was elected president. The Cass County Bank continned in business until 1SSS, when it was succeeded by the First State Bank.
THE FIRST STATE BANK of Beardstown was organized December 24, 1SSS, and a charter from the state of Illinois was granted February 26, 1SS9, to conduct a banking business under the laws of the state of Illinois, according to an
act passed shortly before that time, permitting banks to be incorporated by the state. The first board of directors elected to serve this bank consisted of the following well known men: Adolph F. Sielschott, William Huppers, Philip Knhl, Anton Rink, John W. Newbnrne, Henry Ehrhardt and Henry Garm, On January 12, 1SS9, Adolph F. Sielschott was elected president of the corporation ; Henry Garm, vice president ; and T. L. Mathews, cashier. The bank was then located at No. 114 Main street, in Beardstown, which place was occupied as a bank office until June 2, 1896, when the bank, in connection with Cass Lodge No. 23, A. F. & A. M., purchased the building of William Huppers on the corner of Main and State streets, which they occupied until 1914, when they moved to their present quarters on the corner of State and Second streets. This building was erected by the bank during 1913 and 1914, and was opened on June 2 of the latter year. The present location is a prominent corner in the business district of Beardstown. The bank building is of dark, hol- low, Bedford stone on the exterior. The interior is finished in Sienna marble, with Heautville marble trimmings. The vault is particularly well protected and constructed in every way looking to the safety of the bank, and the entire interior decorations and equipment are of the most modern pattern, as well as the building itself, and Beardstown feels that it has one of the most modern banking buildings in central Illinois. The stockholders are certainly to be congratulated upon such a fine building and lo- cation and the increased volume of business it is bringing them justifies the expenditure. On March 1, 1892, T. L. Mathews resigned as cashier
of the bank and Malcolm H. Wallace was elected but resigned on May 25, 1892, when R. H. Garm was elected and filled tlie position continuonsly until January 1, 1915, when he was elected pres- ident of the bank. H. M. Schmoldt had suc- ceeded A. F. Sielschott as president, on April 2, 1895, and continued to act as such until his death in June, 190S, when Werner Stenernagel was elected and he served until he was suc- ceeded by Mr. Garm, in 1915. Henry Garm served as vice president of the bank from the time of its organization until his death in 1899, when lie was succeedled by William Huppers, and when he died, in 1909, was succeeded by Phil Kuhl, who continued as vice president until January 1, 1915, when Thomas V. Brannan was elected vice president. The present board of
771
HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
directors consists of the following members : R. H. Garm, president ; T. V. Brannan, vice presi- dent ; A. H. Krohe, Philip' Kuhl, Werner Steuer- nagel, E. L. Oetgen and William P. Beatty. The bank when originally organized commenced busi- ness with a capital stock of $25,000. On July 1, 1896, this was increased to $50,000, and on April 11, 1904, it was further increased to $100,- 000. The capital and snrplus is now $200,000, the snrplus being equal to the capital, and was attained in 1911.
THE BEARDSTOWN STATE BANK was organized April 2, 1910, under the state laws of Illinois, with a capital stock of $50,000, and surplus of $10.000 fully paid up. The incorporators were : H. W. Hackman, E. H. Kinney and E. T. Hunter. The bank opened for business December 19, 1910, with the following officers and directors : Charles F. Johnson, president ; H. W. Hackman, vice president ; E. H. Kinney, cashier; E. T. Hunter, assistant cashier ; and Charles F. John- son, H. W. Hackman, E. H. Kinney, J. W. Al- bright. C. E. Williamson, Thomas R. Williams and William Huppe, directors. The bank build- ing was erected in 1910 at a cost of $40,000, and is owned by the vice president, H. W. Hackman. It is a handsome building of vitrified brick, ar- tistically finished on the interior, and is lo- cated on the corner of Washington and Second streets, across from the Park Hotel, one of the eentral locations. The present officers are : Charles F. Johnson, president ; H. W. Hackman, vice president ; E. T. Hunter, cashier ; William H. Huppe, Charles F. Johnson, H. W. Hackman, Thomas R. Williams, B. E. Peck, J. L. Long and E. T. Hunter, directors. This bank has had a remarkable growth since its organization, its total resources now being over $145,000, and with the co-operation of its 100 stockholders scattered throughout the entire community, sub- stantial increase is predicted in the next few years.
THE PEOPLES BANK of Beardstown was organ- ized as a private bank in 1877, with John H. Harris as president, and Thomas K. Condit as cashier, and with the following board of di- rectors : John H. Harris, John H. Hagener, Wil- liam Jockisch, J. A. Arenz, and S. L. Calif. The capital stock was $10,000, The bank prospered and in 1SS2 increased its stock to $15,000. In 1SSS the bank changed from a private bank to the First National Bank of Beardstown, and has steadily increased in business until it is now considered the strongest bank in the county.
It has a capital stock of $100,000, and a snrplus of $125,000. A report. of the business of the bank at the close of business, March 4, 1915, shows resources of $1,182,335.0S. This bank be- canie a member of the Federal Reserve in 1914. The location of this institution is on the corner of Main and State streets, which is lot 1 of block 10 of the original town of Beardstown. This lot is owned by the bank, and in 1910 a new and modern building of handsome style of architec- ture was erected on this lot to replace the orig- inal one then standing. It is exceptionally well furnished with every modern convenience and device for absolute safety of deposits and valn- ables intrusted to its keeping. The building, fixtures and furniture are valued at $40,000. Thomas K. Condit has been cashier of the bank since its organization, and John H. Harris was its president from the organization of the bank until his death, March 4, 1911. He was suc- ceeded by Jolin Schultz, who still maintains that position. Upon the death of Henry C. Meyer, A. E. Sehmoldt succeeded as vice president. Floyd M. Condit is the present assistant cashier. The board of directors is composed of the fol- lowing: John Shultz, T. K. Condit, A. E. Schmoldt, Martin McDonough, George H. Kuhl- man, William H. Deppe and J. T. Schweer.
BANKING AT ARENZVILLE.
THE PEOPLES BANK of Arenzville was estab- lished about February 1, 1SS2, with A. J. Saylor as president, and Charles H. Condit as cashier. This bank continued as a private bank and a branch of the Peoples Bank of Beardstown, until about the time the parent bank was changed to the First National Bank of Beardstown, when it became the First National Bank of Arenzville. Charles H. Condit resigned as cashier after the change, and went to Winchester, Ill., where he is in a banking business. Then George Engel- bach became cashier and is still serving. IIer- man Engelbach is the president and J. M. Swope is the vice president of this bank, which has a capital stock and surplus of $120,000, owns a substantial bank building, and enjoys a large patronage.
In 1910 the FARMERS & MERCHANTS STATE BANK was organized to be opened for business at Arenzville, and a charter granted August 31 of that year. A new bank building had been erected, and the bank began business with a capital stock of $25,000. William H. Witte is
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY
the president, A. E. Crnm is the vice president, and John Theivagt is the cashier. The new bank has a large number of stockholders and there is every indication of its having a long and prosperons existence.
BANKING AT CHANDLERVILLE.
THE STATE BANK was chartered in 1903. The banking business of Chandlerville was started by Barr, Chandler & Company in October, 1871. H. T. Chandler was an active trader and needed a bank convenient to take care of his private business. Mr. Barr had been a practical banker, in business at one time at Jacksonville, and was induced to come to Chandlerville and take charge of the bank. The other, the third mem- ber of the firm, was Mrs. Emily (Chandler) Lippincott, wife of Gen. Charles E. Lippincott and a daughter of Dr. Chandler. As Mr. Barr did not appreciate the necessity of coming from Jacksonville every week to look after the bnsi- ness, and as his wife did not care to move to Chandlerville, in the spring he severed his con- nection with the bank, and Linns C. Chandler, a younger brother of H. T. Chandler, who had just been graduated from a Chicago college, was taken into the bank 'as assistant cashier. He soon decided, however, to engage in a law prac- tice, and was elected state's attorney of Cass Connty in the fall of 1872, and his place was then filled by William K. Mertz. Mr. Mertz had been employed by George Plahn, a well remem- bered pioneer merchant of Beardstown, but had later gone to Bath in Mason Connty, to take charge of a branch store for Mr. Plahn. Mr. Chandler was recommended to secure the serv- ices of Mr. Mertz, and did so in 1872. The bank had, in the meanwhile, taken Gen. Lip- pincott in as a partner, the firm being Lippin- cott, Chandler & Co., and it was conducted un- der that name for three or four years, when, Gen. Lippincott retiring, the firm became H. T. Chandler & Co. In 1SSO the bank was bonght by Samuel H. Petefish, George Conover, W. K. Mertz and Oswell Skiles, and was given the name of Petefish, Skiles & Mertz. Business was continued under that name for several years, when Mr. Petefish sold his interest, and the firm name was changed to Conover, Skiles & Mertz. It continued under that caption until December S, 1903, when the bank was chartered under the state banking law, and opened for business January 1, 1904, as the STATE BANK OF
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