Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 36

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Currey, J. Seymour (Josiah Seymour), 1844-1928. 4n; Scofield, Charles J. (Charles Josiah), 1853- 4n
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1174

USA > Illinois > Hancock County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II > Part 36

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Oak Valley School-District No. 242; 1 school- house; rural; Ruby Triboulet, teacher ; enroll- ment, 15.

Star School-District No. 243; 1 schoolhouse ; rural ; Neva Mae Fletcher, teacher ; enrollment, 26.

Franklin School-District No. 244; 1 school- house; rural; Virgil R. Pence, teacher ; enroll- ment, 14. -

White Prairie School-District No. 245; 1 schoolhouse; rural; Bertha Mitze, teacher; en- rollment, 33.

Total enrollment for Rocky Run Township, 113.

STATISTICS FROM : THE ANNUAL REPORT OF THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, 1919-20

Total number of boys and girls under the age of 21 years, 10,096.

Total number of boys and girls enrolled, 5,639.

High School enrollment: boys, 369; girls, 530; total, 899.

Number of High School tuition pupils : boys, 194; girls, 249; total, 443.

Number of High School graduates: boys, 67; girls, 107; total, 174.

Average length of term, 7.97 months.

Number of teachers: men, 37; women, 256; total, 293.

Number of teachers receiving less than $500 annually, 67.

Average annual salary paid : men, $1,024.94; women, $606.81.

Average annual salary paid all, $659.61. Total amount paid teachers, $193,267.69.

Number of teachers contributing to the State Teachers' Pension Fund, 179.

Value of sites, buildings, and equipment, $576,516.00.

Amount of school tax levied, $239,210.00.

Total number of school districts, 176.

Number of school libraries, 174; number of volumes in libraries, 16,688.

Total current expenses, $252,311.88.

Total amount of State Distributive Fund, $25,478.22.

Number of schools that enrolled fewer than six pupils, 1; six to ten pupils, 28; eleven to fifteen, 40. .

NON-HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT

Amount of tax raised by the non-High School District, $21,469.06.

Cash on hand July 1, 1919, $6,625.31.

Amount of High School Tuition paid, $24,- 734.35.

CONSOLIDATED DISTRICTS AND COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOLS

Elvaston District No. 128 was the first con- solidated district formed in the county. Two districts, Nos. 128 and 136, were consolidated April 30, 1918, under the Act filed June 28, 1917. February 20, 1920, Districts No. 124 and No. 126 were added. When school opened in Sep- tember of this year, the pupils of the outlying districts were transported in auto-trucks to the central school, located in the village of Elva- ston.

The first Community High School was estab- lished at Augusta, November 8, 1919. The Au- gusta district includes the greater part of Augusta township and portions of adjoining townships of Adams and Schuyler counties.

December 6, 1919, Bowen and vicinity estab- lished a Community High School District, in- cluding Chili township and a portion of Hus- ton township in Adams county.

Both of these districts opened school under the management of the new Community High School Boards of Education on the first Mon- day of September, 1920.

Accredited High Schools-Augusta, Bowen, Carthage, Dallas City, Hamilton, La Harpe and Warsaw.

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

Recognized High Schools-Augusta, Basco, Bowen, Carthage, Colusa, Dallas City, Denver, Elvaston, Ferris, Hamilton, La Harpe, Nauvoo, Plymouth, Warsaw and West Point.

CARTHAGE FEMALE SEMINARY

The first attempt at teaching the higher branches in an institution in this county was made when Carthage Female High School and Teacher's Seminary was promoted. A charter was obtained from the State and approved February 15, 1837. The charter called for an institution to be located not more than one mile from Carthage, that this school should be open to all denominations, and no profession of religi- ous faith was to be required for entrance qualifi- cation. The following men were its incorpora- tors : Sidney H. Little, David W. Mathews, Samuel Marshall, Benjamin F. Marsh, Thomas H. Owen, Mark Aldrich, John Lawton, Samuel M. Newhall, Walter Bagby, Thomas Gregg, Ellis Hughes, Homer Brown, E. E. De Vander- voort, David Greenleaf, Michael Rickard, Val- entine Wilson, Wesley Williams, Julius A. Reed, Ero Chandler, and Silas Felt, all of this county.

The matter did not take definite form until 1841, in Warsaw, when an organization was ef- fected with Mr. Marsh as president and Thomas Gregg as secretary.

Rev. Lawton, then in New Hampshire, solicited funds to the extent of $1,100. Mr. Lawton died in New Hampshire and the funds thus collected were returned to the givers by his administrator. Thus commenced and ended what bid fair to become a flourishing educa- tional institution.

WARSAW UNIVERSITY

In the summer of 1840, under a state charter, an attempt was made to establish an institution of learning at Warsaw, which was also to have connected a medical department with it. Rev. Gideon B. Perry, D. D., was chosen its presi- dent, and a preparatory department was set in motion in conjunction with the public school. A commencement day was appointed, and Presi- dent Perry delivered an inaugural address, but the "commencement" also proved to be the end of the institution for the "Warsaw University" ceased to exist.

LA HARPE SEMINARY

During Centennial Year, 1876, the Protestant Methodist Church Conference sought to estab- lish a seminary of learning within its bounds. Several of the communities of the county were contestants for the honor and finally La Harpe secured it. The citizens there raised $15,000, and built a commodious edifice, but the Confer- ence had anticipated results which did not materialize, for the endowment fund was not forthcoming and the project was not carried out.

The building stood under mechanics lien for $5,000 for a time, and then James Gittings, a wealthy farmer in La Harpe Township, re- deemed the building, and through the influence of several enterprising citizens established a private school under charge of Professor Cassell of Adrian College, Mich. This school opened September, 1879, under the following instruct- or's : Literary department, I. W. Cassell and Edgar Hurdle; Department of Music, Miss E. Beal; Department of Painting and Drawing, Miss Ada Shriver. In 1880 it was stated that this school had a building equal to any of its size in the State. The general attendance was seventy-five pupils. This school was finally closed, not being able to contend with the high school, normal schools and similar public in- stitutions of learning which came into being as the country developed.

CARTHAGE COLLEGE

At a convention called at Dixon, by the au- thorities of the Lutheran Church of the West, including Illinois and Iowa, August 31, 1869, it was resolved to secure a location, and to at once proceed to found a college of high grade. Committees were appointed and a second meet- ing was held at Carthage in December, the same year, chiefly for the purpose of receiving bids for the erection of a college building. Many towns presented their claims for its location and agreed to furnish the necessary buildings or funds with which to open such a college, on the condition that the Lutheran Church would provide the necessary endowment. A local board of trustees was selected, of which James M. Randolph, M. D., was elected president, and David E. Head was made secretary. Prominent in this enterprise were H. W. Draper, B. T.

CARTILAGE COLLEGE, NORTH HALL

CARTHAGE COLLEGE, DENHART HALL FOR GIRLS

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

Scofield, R. W. McClaughry, A. J. Griffith, Boyd Braden and other well-known Hancock County citizens. Carthage was chosen the seat for the college and work commenced in the summer of 1870. The corner-stone was laid May 10, 1871, in the presence of a vast con- course of people who hailed with delight the new college coming. The original building, still in good preservation and in constant use, was built 85x65 feet, and four stories high. It was completed in the autumn of 1872 at a cost of almost $35,000.

A large campus was added and the whole set out to trees and shrubs of an ornamental kind. In 1873 two large dormitories were erected, and a president's house purchased in 1874. It was stated by college authority in 1880, that the entire institution had cost about $50,000. The educational work of this college was commenced in September, 1870, in a rented hall in Carthage, by Professor L. F. M. Easter- day, A. M. In the fall of 1871 the school was removed to its new home in the red brick college building, now known as the "old build- ing."

April, 1872, Rev. D. L. Tressler, A. M., was elected as Professor of Ancient languages and other branches of study. Various professors put in many hard years within the walls of this the first building of the present Carthage Col- lege. The faculty, as first constituted, was as follows : Rev. D. L. Tressler, A. M., President ; L. F. M. Easterday, A. M., Professor of Mathe- matics and Astronomy; Rev. J. W. Richard, A. M., Professor of Latin Language and of His- tory ; E. S. Breidenbaugh, A. M., Professor of Natural Science, with Mr. W. S. Cress as tutor, and J. M. Helfrich, teacher, of music and in- structor in German.

The institution met with a great loss February 20, 1880, when it was called upon to mourn the death of President Tressler, who had been with the institution seven years, and had to do with the founding of the Carthage Lutheran Church, and whose whole life was wrapped up in the College and church work of his adopted city, Carthage.

With the passing years many changes have taken place at the college, those who were mere boys in the days mentioned and who attended this institution and graduated there have long since been absorbed in life's realities, in the professions and trades, as well as in mercantile

life and agriculture. Some are still here, while many are gone to their long home, and their children are being educated in the college of their fathers and mothers.

There were few changes in the membership of the faculty before the death of President Tressler. After the death of President Tressler, Professor Easterday took charge of the presi- dency. Financial troubles arose and the resig- nation of the whole faculty followed in 1883. A new faculty with Rev. J. S. Detweiler at its head was elected but the troubles continued . and during the following year President Det- weiler and the other members of the faculty resigned.

In 1884 Rev. E. F. Bartholomew was elected president and a new faculty was chosen. It was at this time that Dean W. K. Hill first became associated with this college. President Bartholomew was succeeded by Rev. Holmes Dysinger in 1888. During the administration of President Dysinger the attendance was doubled and the college building was repaired.

Rev. J. M. Ruthrauff became president in 1895. President Ruthrauff worked earnestly for the success of the college and it was through his efforts that an endowment fund of $50,000 was raised and funds for the new dormitory for girls were secured.

Rev. Frederick L. Sigmund succeeded Presi- dent Ruthrauff in 1900. Denhart Hall (now North Hall), a handsome brick cottage, capable of accommodating thirty girls, was completed in 1901. In 1905 a new gymnasium was built at a cost of $12,000. In 1906 a very important campaign in the interests of the school was begun. Mr. Henry Denhart of Washington, Illinois, offered to add $100,000 to the endow- ment fund, if the college would raise a similar amount. Andrew Carnegie offered to give $20,- 000 for a new Science Hall on the condition that the $200,000 endowment was raised. Two years were given in which to raise the money. President Sigmund succeeded in raising the re- quired amount and as the result of his labor Carthage College has a large endowment fund and a new Science Hall which was completed in 1912.

In 1909 President Sigmund was succeeded by Rev. H. D. Hoover, under whose guidance Car- thage College has continued to advance to the foremost rank of small colleges in the Middle West.

832

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

In March, 1916, Carthage College was offi- cially placed on the list of accredited colleges made by the North Central Association and thus declared to be a first class American college by a most discriminating and competent author- ity. Since the above date there has been no - question as to the scholastic standard of Car- thage College. During this period of progress the library was increased to more than 20,000 volumes and Miss Emily C. Pennock made Librarian.

Denhart Hall, a new dormitory to accommo- date about 140 girls, was completed during the summer of 1918 and dedicated September 19th, at the opening of the college. The building cost about $100,000, about one half of this amount being given by Mr. Henry Denhart of Washington, Illinois, the remainder subscribed by friends in Hancock County and from the college field. Miss Letta Simmons, Dean of Women for the past six years, has charge of this Hall.

Up to the time of writing, Carthage College has graduated from its department of Liberal Arts, 387 students, many of whom are residents · of the county. During 1917 and 1918 Carthage College sent many of its young men and sev- eral from the faculty into the service. During the year 1918-19 there were 328 students en- rolled, including the S. A. T. C. unit which was disbanded in December, 1918. The present enrollment is 266.

PRESENT FACULTY

Dr. Harvey Daniel Hoover, President; Dr. William Kuhns Hill, Dean of the College and Professor of Chemistry ; George Beiswanger, Dean of Men; Miss Letta Simmons, Dean of Women and Professor of Education; William Carl Spielman, Professor of History and Social Sciences; Miss Elizabeth Wiley, Instructor in English and History ; Dr. Samuel Going Heffel- bower, Professor of Philosophy; Alonzo Harvey Arbaugh, Professor of Bible and Religion ; Dr. Jacob Diehl, Professor of Religious Educa- tion; Miss Emily C. Pennock, Instructor in Latin and Spanish; J. H. Voss, Professor of Modern Languages ; Merle E. Chapin, Professor of English; Miss Goldena Farnsworth, Instruc- tor in Physics and Mathematics; Herbert Wil- liam Whitten, Professor of Classics; Dr. Charles A. Van Velzer, Professor of Mathematics; For- est A. Loudin, Physical Director, and Instructor

in Mathematics and Science in the Academy ; Miss Alice Kibbe, Professor of Biology ; Miss Alice R. Woolsey, Director of Department of Music; Miss Elizabeth Dean Fickett, Instructor in Pipe Organ and Theory; Miss Romilda Stall, Instructor in Piano; Virgil M. Johansen, Instructor in Violin; Miss Winifred Wiley, In- structor in Public Speaking and Expression, and Director of Physical Training for Girls; Miss Esther Jackson, Instructor in Domestic Science ; Dr. John Hummon, Field Representative.

ACADEMY

Miss Adah W. Livingston, Registrar and In- structor in History ; Miss Marie Cronk, Instruc- tor in English and French; Miss Erva Marie Moody, Instructor in Latin ; Miss Pearl Emma Goeller, Instructor in Commercial Courses.

MEMBERS OF BOARD OF TRUSTEES

H. M. Bannen, Minister, Rockford; Charles H. Boyer, Chicago; Henry Denhart, Banker, Washington; C. J. Driever, Real Estate, Chi- cago; Charles H. Feltman, Merchant, Chicago; J. C. Ferris, Banker, Carthage; Bruno Garten, Minister, Arenzville; Rev. G. W. Genszler, Ra- cine, Wis .; Harvey D. Hoover, President C. C., Carthage; Ezra Keller, Minister, Hillsboro; H. A. Kingsbury, Banker, Washington; S. M. Lesher, Minister, Burlington, Ia .; Rev. S. P. Long, Chicago; D. E. Mack, Attorney, Carthage ; H. L. McGill, Minister, Anna ; J. A. McCulloch, Supt. Mary Shippert Home, Nachusa ; Amos Mil- ler, Attorney, Hillsboro ; C. J. O'Hara, Attorney, Carthage; J. A. Ohlhaver, Joliet ; E. M. Rob- bins, Dentist, Carthage; W. Rosenstengel, Edi- tor Zionsbote, Carthage ; Frank Schutter, Manu- facturer, Pleasant Valley, Ia .; Henry C. Sprick, Banker, Quincy ; C. J. Tressler, Attorney for Swift & Co., Chicago.

CHAPTER X

MORMON HISTORY IN HANCOCK COUNTY

ADVENT-MORMON INVASION-NAUVOO CHARTER- - NAUVOO LEGION-AGRICULTURAL AND MANUFAC- TURING ASSOCIATION-ASSUMPTION OF CIVIL

CARTHAGE COLLEGE, SCIENCE HALL

CARTHAGE COLLEGE, GYMNASIUM

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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

POWERS-BEGINNINGS OF ANTAGONISM-NAUVOO ' TEMPLE-CHARGES VIOLATION EIGHTH COMMAND- MENT-DANITES-NAUVOO'S EXTRAORDINARY ORDI- NANCES-USE OF WRIT OF HABEAUS CORPUS --- BENNETT'S EXPOSE-NAUVOO EXPOSITOR ABATED -KILLING OF THE SMITHS-STATEMENT OF WIL- LIAM R. HAMILTON-STATEMENT J. H. S .--- STATEMENT OF WILLARD RICHARDS-COMPARISON OF STATEMENTS-STATEMENT OF MRS. EUDOCIA BALDWIN MARSH-OTHER DIFFICULTIES-PRES- ENT-DAY LATTER-DAY SAINTS-TRIAL OF FIVE MEN CHARGED WITH THE MURDER-EVENTS LEADING UP TO EXPULSION OF MORMONS-MOR- MON WAR-FEW INTERESTING ENACTMENTS OF THE ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE-OLD JAIL-MARION COMMUNITY.

ADVENT

The Mormons, after having been banished from Missouri, crossed the Mississippi River into Illinois at Quincy, in the winter of 1838-9. They were received with sympathy. Resolutions were passed at public meetings denouncing the action of the "border ruffians," as the Missouri- ans were called, in driving them out of Missouri, and they were given substantial assistance by public and private donation.

Naturally some of the Mormons drifted from Adams into Hancock County, in which latter county these received like generous treatment.

MORMON INVASION

The following account of the environment at the time of the Mormon invasion of Hancock County, is taken from Gregg's Prophet of Palmyra.

"The point selected by the Mormons on which to locate their new Zion, is certainly one of the most beautiful and salubrious in the west. It lies at the head of the Lower or Des Moines Rapids in the Mississippi, in a beautiful curve of the stream, and overlooking the broad river, its islands, and the Iowa bluffs and prairies beyond. Opposite to it, and embracing a third of Lee County, Iowa, and extending about twenty miles along the river, and back to the Des Moines, from its mouth northward, lies what was then known as the 'Half-Breed Indian Reservation.' These lands had recently become objects of speculation and litigation, growing out of the ill-advised action of the general government regarding them. It had been the

intention of the prophet to locate on the west side of the river, on these lands, having been invited thereto by Dr. Isaac Galland, who held some interest in the titles. He had called Smith's attention to them, while the latter was still in jail at Liberty; and it was this cor- respondence perhaps, that turned the tide of Mormon emigration to Hancock County. But after the chief's arrival among his followers, later, the project of settling in Iowa was aban- doned, and it was decided to plant the new stake where Nauvoo now stands, in Illinois.

"At that point there was then a little village located on the shore, called Commerce, con- taining perhaps a half-dozen houses, a store, and a post-office. It was one of the oldest settled portions of the county. Just below was the farm of Hugh White, and just east, on the bluff, was that of Daniel H. Wells, later the noted Adjutant-General of Utah fame. These farms, with much other land, were soon en- croached upon and absorbed by the growing city, whereupon Wells joined the church, became rich by the sale of his lands, was ever an active and violent partisan, and finally left with them for the wilderness. * * * *

"Opposite Commerce, in the then Territory of Iowa, stood the barracks of Fort Des Moines, but just vacated by the United States Dragoons, and at the time occupied by a few settlers. Here, also, was located the office of the 'New York Half-Breed Land Company.' Twelve miles below, at the foot of the rapids, and also on the Half-Breed lands, lay the village of Keokuk, named from a stately Indian chief of the Sac and Fox tribes, who frequented its environs with his dusky followers. Fort Madi- son, twelve miles up the river, had achieved the dignity of the county seat, and could count two or three hundred souls.

"In Hancock County (Illinois), eighteen miles below Commerce, lay Warsaw, with a popula- tion of about three hundred; Carthage, the county seat, in the centre of the county, and on a broad prairie, had not so many ; Augusta, St. Mary's, Plymouth, Fountain Green, La Harpe, Chili, and a few other villages, had been laid out (chiefly in 1836), and containing each a few families, were located in the midst of young and fast-growing settlements. There was no newspaper at any of these points, the near- est being at Quincy and at Rushville, the coun- ty seats of Adams and Schuyler Counties, ad- joining. The population of the county was

834

HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY

about five thousand, located mainly in the border townships.

"Quincy, where the refugees had first reached the State, was fifty miles down the river from Commerce. It was a thriving town of fifteen to eighteen hundred inhabitants, with two news- papers and a United States land office. It was also the residence of Hon. Thomas Carlin, Gov- ernor of the State, of Judge Richard M. Young, of the Fifth Judicial District, and of several of the most prominent lawyers.

"We have been thus particular in describing the condition of the people and county, and location of its most important places, in order that the reader may have a better comprehen- sion of the events to be narrated in the chapters to follow-events which brought trouble and disturbance where peace had reigned, and final- ly stained the rich soil of the prairies with the blood of the prophet and his brother and many of its other citizens."

The Mormons came in great numbers to Han- cock County in the spring and summer of 1839, and settled in many parts of the county, their chief settlement beieng at Nauvoo, with minor but considerable settlements at La Harpe, Ply- mouth, Macedonia, Green Plains and Monte- bello. They spread out to some extent into tlie adjoining counties. The site of the new city was named Nauvoo, which the Mormons said meant "pleasant land" (from the Hebrew, as they claimed). The city was laid out and named in September, 1839. The proprietors were Joseph Smith, Jr., Sidney Rigdon, Hyrum Smith and George W. Robinson. Within the next four years fifteen additions to the City were laid out.

The Mormons regarded themselves as the saints of God (Latter-Day Saints), and all others as Gentiles.

At a conference of the Church, which began on April 6, 1840, and lasted three days, and was largely attended, missionaries were ap- pointed, resolutions of gratitude for kind treat- ment by Illinois people were passed, as also resolutions of thanks to the Illinois delegation in congress, and to Gov. Carlin of Illinois and Gov. Lucas of Iowa for their sympathy and assistance.

Joseph Smith, claiming to act under revela- tions from on high, was in absolute control of the Mormons, and, for the purpose of collect- ing his followers together and strengthening his hold upon them, on May 24, 1841, issued

the following mandate, signed with his name, and addressed "To the Saints Abroad" :

"The First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, anxious to promote the prosperity of said church, feel it their duty to call on the Saints who reside out of this county to make preparations to come in, with- out delay. This is important, and should be attended to by all who feel an interest in the prosperity of this, the corner-stone of Zion. Here the temple must be raised, the university

be built, and other edifices erected which are necessary for the good work of the last days, and which can only be done by a concentration of energy and enterprise. Let it therefore be understood, that all the Stakes, excepting those in this county, and in Lee County, Iowa, are discontinued, and the Saints instructed to scttle in this county as soon as circumstances will permit."

This mandate met with obedient response from all classes of Smith's followers, who lost no time in finding new homes in Nauvoo and adjacent territory, or at least in Hancock Coun- ty, in consequence of which the county seemed to be in a fair way of coming under the domina- tion of Smith and his adherents.

THE NAUVOO CHARTER

But before this mandate was issued Joseph Smith and his followers had procured the enact- ment of the charter of the city of Nauvoo, with liberal provisions as to city government and with certain provisions and omissions which seemed to take the new city out from under the control of the legislature and to vest in its municipal court. extraordinary powers which should be exercised only by courts of general jurisdiction. This act was approved on De- cember 16, 1840, and went into effect on the first Monday of February, 1884. Many of its provisions were the usual provisions in city charters granted in that day. Among them was the grant of power to the city council to exercise such other legislative powers as were conferred on the city council of the city of Springfield by an act to incorporate the city of Springfield approved on February 3, 1840. It was not unusual in early days to make the powers conferred on the city of Springfield part of the charters of other cities by express refer- ence, which was a saving of labor in formulat- ing the laws and of expense in printing them.

835

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II, Part 36

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Currey, J. Seymour (Josiah Seymour), 1844-1928. 4n; Scofield, Charles J. (Charles Josiah), 1853- 4n Publication date: 1921 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1174

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. cn; Currey, J. Seymour (Josiah Seymour), 1844-1928. 4n; Scofield, Charles J. (Charles Josiah), 1853- 4n
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1174