USA > Illinois > Hancock County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II > Part 80
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McDonough County, on the south by Fountain Green Township, and on the west by Durham Township. Two branches of Crooked Creek ex- tend into the township. It has both timber and prairie land and is well adapted to the success- ful growth of wheat. The rural improvements of today, the fine tilled fields, the well-built barns and silos (in fact, whatever makes a farm desirable), are in evidence along every highway throughout this goodly township.
FIRST SETTLERS
Among those who first settled in La Harpe Township were Jacob Compton and Abraham Brewer about 1830. They were followed by Wright Riggins, John Scott, L. R. Chaffin, Mr. Hendricks, Mr. Hobraker, Jonathan Wassom, Job Clinkenbeard, Jesse Seybold, Isaac Sears, George Sears, Daniel Drake, Marvin Tryon, Sam- uel White, Lot Moffit, Jeremiah Smith, Lewis C. Maynard, Henry Comstock, Charles Comstock, James Gittings, Dr. George Coulson, Daniel N. Bainter, Hezekiah Lincoln, Jasper Manifold, John Warren, Benjamin Warren, Joseph W. Nudd, James Reynolds, Dr. Richardson, George Oatman, Mr. Johnson, Lyman Wilcox, Joel Brad- shaw, W. C. Bainter, H. H. Barnes, Smith Bryan, Samuel Cogswell, L. S. Cogswell, John Manifold, William F. Manifold, H. R. Painter, and M. D. Sanford.
Among these pioneers were families from the Southern and Middle States, and from New Eng- land. Before the advent of the railroad, which necessarily changed all things, La Harpe Town- ship shipped more wheat from the Warsaw mar- kets than any other, except possibly Fountain Green Township. What was styled the "North Prairie" was capable of producing twenty-five to forty bushels per acre of the finest grade of wheat grown in any part of Illinois. The rail- roads of the Township are the old "Burlington route" through to the northwest part of the Township (operated by the T. P. & W.), and the Toledo, Peoria & Western, running to the south- west through the city of La Harpe to Warsaw (also to Keokuk) on the Mississippi river. The only towns in the Township are La Harpe and Disco.
Disco, a small village, on the line between La Harpe and Durham Townships, is a station point on the railroad, one mile from the northern line of the township and county.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY
THE CITY OF LA HARPE
The early French explorers first named this locality La Harpe. That was more than two hundred years ago. But the English-speaking people platted La Harpe in 1836, under efforts of Major William Smith and Marvin Tryon. Prior to that time, the town had been called "Franklin," but there were so many post-offices in the United States by that name (so named in honor of Benjamin Franklin), that the postal authorities refused to have another so named ; hence, that name was dropped and the settle- ment was named La Harpe. Major Smith set- tled there, coming from New Hampshire with a stock of goods in 1831. He remained only a few years. A partner of his was Oliver Felt, at Montebello, who had a portion of the small stock brought in from New Hampshire. All along shore were found squatters and keel-boat men of the whole blood, white or red, and half- breeds, for customers. Major Smith had the first store of La Harpe Township.
Louis R. Chaffin was the first postmaster in the township, holding the position until 1846, when he left for other parts. He was a Mormon in religious faith and practice.
La Harpe, in the long ago, was an industrial center of some note. A hat factory started by E. G. Hazeltine, an Eastern Yankee, was for a time quite pretentious. Dr. George Coulson financed a plow factory. His patterns did away with the wooden mould-board plows then in use. He also manufactured furniture, which was sold locally. His plant was located on the present site of Estes & Son. M. C. Buffington's cultivator factory once occupied the same site, but the plant was later moved to Burlington, Iowa, where it was conducted quite success- fully for several years under the name of the Buffington Wheel Company. The Pierpont Wag- on & Plow Company's plant was located on the present site of the city pumphouse, and was enlarged when Pierpont & Tuttle engaged extensively in manufacturing. Later the plant was moved to Bushnell, and subsequently the firm went into bankruptcy. The Breed & Mun- ger pump factory employed a number of men and was prosperous for a time. Bushnell bid for this plant, and offered sufficient inducements to secure its removal. Later Cedar Rapids se- cured this industry. The Ingraham brick and tile factory, and the Mason concern in the same business, did well. Henry C. Coulson
operated a slaughter yard north on Second street near the creek, which gave employment to fifty people or more, and the free spareribs and backbones were eagerly taken by the poor of the city. At that time tenderloins sold for fifty cents for a patent bucketfull. The War- rens, Gochenour, and Hindle & Gittings ware- houses and rendering plants were big concerns. The teaming to Pontoosuc where the products were corded up in large ricks to await the opening of river navigation, gave employment to farmers for miles around, as well as team- sters of the town. A distillery operated by Elias Boner, E. C. Claycomb, Henry Berges, with La Harpe capitalists backing the enter- prise, did a big business. Joseph Nichols had a distillery on his farm, south of the corner occupied by the Morris Chapel, near Disco.
LA HARPE BUSINESS DIRECTORY FOR 1859
D. Gochenour, Dry Goods and Groceries. J. & B. Warren, Dry Goods and Groceries. Peyton & Coulson, Dry Goods and Groceries. Hurdle & Gittings, Dry Goods and Groceries. G. W. Todd, Dry Goods and Groceries. B. F. Burnett & Son, Attorneys at Law. Dr. N. B. Butler, Physician and Surgeon. Dr. W. Huston, Physician and Surgeon. H. Hyatt, Drugs and Medicines. J. Gardner, Drugs and Medicines. H. H. Bliss, Furniture Store. F. R. Hodkin, Merchant Tailor. J. W. Nudd, Justice of the Peace. John Sperry, Justice of the Peace. A. & E. Claycomb, Pro- prietors La Harpe Hotel.
La Harpe came to be a village of considerable prominence. In 1879 it supported a good bank- ing institution, and had a large country trade for its numerous stock of merchandise. It also had a newspaper which is still being published there-the "La Harper."
MUNICIPAL HISTORY
La Harpe was incorporated as a "city" in 1880, with mayors and clerks from that date to the present time as follows :
Mayors-George F. Otto, 1880; George Coul- son, 1884; I. S. Landis, 1885; J. M. Campbell, 1886; G. F. Otto, 1891; F. O. Mason, 1893; C. H. Ingraham, 1896; William Young, 1899; H. E. Claycomb, 1901; C. H. Ingraham, 1903; C. A. Knappenberger, 1905; W. J. Riggins, 1906; W. F. Bradfield, 1907; H. M. Britt, 1909; Fred Randall, 1910; Clay Nudd, 1911; A. G. Conwell,
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY
1913; John W. Lyon, 1915; R. M. Cassell, 1917; C. K. Todd, 1920.
Clerks-J. M. Robinson, 1880; Israel Brun- dage, 1883; George Gilliland, 1884; C. B. Brad- shaw, 1885; Hez. Henry, 1889; R. L. Widing, 1893; G. K. Brayman, 1897; T. J. Kirby, 1899; R. B. Williams, 1901; H. Coquillette, 1903; W. E. Miller, 1905; H. M. Bradshaw, 1909; Rolla Link, 1917; C. S. Hodges, 1920.
The city officials_are: Mayor, C. K. Todd ; Clerk, C. S. Hodges; Treasurer, Fred Randall ; City Attorney, C. W. Warner ; Aldermen : G. A. Boggus, D. R. Burr, George Emory, Albert Hur- dle, W. E. Manifold and C. A. Mills; Health officer, C. H. Ingraham.
The city is possessed of a full "square" in the center of the plat, used for park purposes. It is finely shaded by hard maple and other beauti- ful shade trees set out many years ago by thoughtful men. The center of this square is provided with a good band stand.
In the eastern portion of the city is a two- story brick city building with council chamber and headquarters for the volunteer fire company. This building was erected in 1894. It has two bells-one on top of the building and a larger bell for fire alarms only, which is just in the rear of the city building and on a high steel tower. The water supply, from a deep well, is pumped to a high steel water reservoir. These water works for fire protection and other pur- poses were installed a quarter of a century or more ago. The city depends now on the power derived from the Great Keokuk Dam for its electricity, the same being a private corporation furnishing many cities and towns with their light.
LIBRARY
The first interest in a public library for La Harpe was manifested about 1856, and the chief promoters of the movement were: Dr. N. B. Butler, John Warren, J. W. Nudd, D. Gochenour and J. W. Bray. About 100 volumes were pur- chased, and some time thereafter turned over to the teachers in the public school. Still later, probably in 1900, Mrs. Florence Hungate or- ganized the Ladies Outlook Club, and as its president suggested the re-organization of the original library, and her fellow members agreed, and carried out the idea. What were left of the books were turned over to the club. The ladies gave public dinners and entertainments from time to time to raise funds, solicited con-
tributions, and did everything possible to awaken an interest in the movement. Finally the club was enabled to secure over 1,000 books, whereupon the city council was prevailed upon to take over the library under statute provisions. The city appointed a library board and there- after made annual appropriations for the main- tenance of the library.
In the meantime Mrs. Hungate made applica- tion to Mr. Andrew Carnegie for funds to erect a library building. Having formulated her application in due form, accompanied by a suc- cint history of the enterprise, she was success- ful and received the necessary donation for the erection of a handsome library building costing $5,000. The cornerstone was laid September 25, 1905, with impressive ceremonies. Mrs. Hun- gate, president of the library board, delivered the following address upon that occasion :
"This building, to be known as the Carnegie Library, has been ordered by a direct vote of the citizens of La Harpe; concurred in by the Honorable Mayor and City Council, and man- aged and controlled by the board of directors according to law. It has also been endorsed by the city and made possible by the munificence of Mr. Andrew Carnegie, without whose gen- erous gift of $5,000, the enterprise could not have succeeded. And now, in honor of those parties, and by the authority of the library board, I formally lay the cornerstone with its memorial contents, and upon the structure to be erected I ask the blessing of Almighty God that it may endure as an instrument of good for- ever, and may it also be an ornament to the town and a monument to Mr. Carnegie and the enterprise of our citizens."
Since then generous contributions of money and books have been made by sundry indi- viduals.
This public library received a gift from Quin- ton C. Ward of Macomb, and also a gift of $2,- 500 in books from C. L. King of St. Louis, Mis- souri.
The officers of the library are : Mrs. Ada Ash, president ; J. B. Campbell, vice-president ; Miss Bertha Butler, secretary ; Mrs. Effie M. Fowler, treasurer ; Frances Sharpe, Alice Warner, J. M. Law, Albert Moore, trustees; and Charity G. Shrier, librarian.
TESTAMENTARY BEQUESTS
La Harpe is the beneficiary of several testa- mentary bequests. Benjamin F. Johnson, by his
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY
last will and testament, gave to the city, lands in Hancock County worth probably $350,000, and $50,000, the income from which is to be used to maintain a school in said city, the tuition of which must be free. Mary Davier bequeathed about $26,000 to build a hospital in the city. Mrs. J. F. Bradfield, by her will, provided for the maintenance of the Women's Restroom. These benefactions entitle the donors to the gratitude, remembrance and respect of all good citizens of the city now living, and all yet to come, who shall enjoy the benefits thus pro- vided. These philanthropists by their charitable gifts, have left a monument to their memory more enduring than brass or marble.
COMMERCIAL INTERESTS
Agricultural Implements-Ira Kilgore. At- torney-C. W. Warner. Auto Garages-F. M. Crist, Sticklen Bros. Bakery-C. A. Mills. Banking-First National, La Harpe State Bank. Barbers-George Johnson, L. E. Mesick, Bil- liard Hall-George Johnson, G. A. Zern. Black- smiths-J. A. Estes, J. H. Prior. Cement Works -W. J. Fowler. Clothing-La Harpe Clothing Company (composed of Charles S. Coulson and C. M. Anderson), F. A. Warren. Coal Dealers- Coulson & Mayor, Headen Bros. Dentists-Drs. G. W. Aldrich, R. A. Myers. Drugs-F. F. Ved- der, Charles Wheaton. Dry Goods-Mason Dry Goods Co. (conducted by W. O. Mason.) Ele- vators-Coulson & Mayor. Feed Mill-J. A. Kraft, I. F. Landis. Furniture-S. E. Biggs & Son, W. C. McClure. General Merchandise T. M. Roberts, "Royal Store." Grocers-La Harpe Supply Co., G. H. Thompson, Towler Bros., Harry Warner, Wright & Kilgore. Hardware -- La Harpe Hardware Co., W. A. Maxwell. Har- ness-Jolin Peyron, Stout & Thrift. Hotel-The Tremont by M. L. Bright. Ice Dealer-Headen Bros. Jewelry-Victor Roderick. Lumber-J. M. Lyon. Meat Market-G. A. Boggus. News- papers-The La Harpe, The Quill, The Times (See "Press" Chapter). Photographs-H. L. Bushnell. Physicians-Drs. J. C. Ash, Barker & Barker, D. F. Beacom, I. M. Martin, Louise Menough (Chiropractic), L. J. Rhea. Restau- rants-William Mills, H. S. Slıriver. Stock Deal- er-G. G. Adams. Tailor-August Yanson. Variety Store-Murray Law. Veterinary-F. A. Britt, G. V. Conn.
POST-OFFICE
The postmasters since the establishment of the office in June, 1836, have been as follows, as has been learned from official sources : Louis R. Chaffin, June, 1836; David Gochenour, January, 1846; 'Henry C. Coulson, February, 1853 ; H. H. Bliss, December, 1856; E. C. Coulson, October, 1859; H. H. Bliss, December, 1860; W. E. Co- quillette, August, 1865; E. Z. Hills, June, 1871; John Warren, May, 1873; E. L. Warren, Decem- ber, 1876; S. W. King, September, 1882; Joseph R. Booth, September, 1884; J. C. Coulson, March, 1886; Mary Figley, June, 1889; Judd Hartzell, August, 1896; W. O. Butler, December, 1900; I. F. Landis, August, 1909; J. V. Sperry, August, 1913. There have been eighteen postmasters at La Harpe during its history, which extends over eighty-three years.
POPULATION
According to the census of 1920, La Harpe Township has a population of 1,949; and the city of La Harpe, 1,323.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS-1920
Supervisor, I. F. Landis; Town Clerk, E. C. Warren; Assessor, Chas. Ketcham; Highway Commissioner, E. B. Starkey; Justices of the Peace, Fred Salisbury and George Coulson ; Constables, Henry Reiselt and George Andrews ; School Trustees, J. W. Louden, E. L. Traser and Charles E. Burkhart; School Treasurer, W. B. Kaiser.
CHAPTER
MONTEBELLO TOWNSHIP
BOUNDARIES-CITY OF HAMILTON-MONTEBELLO ---- EARLY SETTLERS-THE NAME "HAMILTON"- POST-OFFICE - POSTMASTERS - CITY INCORPORA- TION-CITY PLAT ADDITIONS-COMMERCIAL IN- TERESTS-SUNDRY INDUSTRIES-1920 OFFICIALS.
BOUNDARIES
Montebello Township is bounded on the north by Sonora Township, on the east by Prairie
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY
Township, on the south by Wythe Township and on the west by the Mississippi River. Its name is derived from a now extinct village called Monte Bello from a city of that name in France. The two words, Monte Bello, are now written to- gether as Montebello.
EARLY SETTLERS
Some of those who are to be numbered among the early settlers of Montebello Township are the following : John Waggoner, Luther Whitney, Messrs. Rich and Cheney, William Vance, Isaac R. Campbell, John Johnson, Hazen Bedell, Oliver and Cyrus Felt, Samuel Steele, John Gordon, John Cochran, A. P. Cochran, Abram Smith, Enoch D. Brown, Frederick Loring, James and Mathew Gray, Dr. Adolphus Allen, Homer Brown, Ebenezer Carrier, H. R. Dickinson, Bryant Bartlett, Austin Wardell, Gen. R. F. Smith, Isaac Newton Waggoner and Capt. James White.
MONTEBELLO
The village of Montebello was laid out in 1832 by Luther Whitney and William Vance. about two miles north of the present site of Hamilton. For a short period it seemed as if there was a brilliant future before Montebello, and the county court was held there several terms, but conditions changed and the population decreased, and there is now no trace of the village, save in public records and in memory of the oldest citizens of today.
HAMILTON
Hamilton is the only town or city within this township at present. It is one of the most flourishing and up-to-date incorporations in Hancock County. It was laid out in 1852 by Bryant Bartlett, William R. Hamilton, Powers Ritchey, Henry R. Dickinson, Sanford Faught. Henry Davis and George Edmunds, Jr. Artois Hamilton of Carthage was also associated with the founding of the new city. In 1873 a public- cation known as the "Dollar Monthly" gave an interesting account of the origin of the naming of Hamilton :
"The eight or ten square miles of territory, embracing bluff, river bottom, slough, hill and dale, woodland and sand-ridge, lying opposite Keokuk, the "Gate" of Iowa, is dignified by act
of General Assembly with the title of city-the City of Hamilton.
"People abroad might very naturally conclude that it received its name, as all the other twenty odd Hamiltons of the United States did, from Alexander Hamilton, one of the Fathers of the Republic ; but it did not.
"There is a legend that runneth in this wise: that in the years of the dim past, in the begin- ning of the embryo city that was to rival the then thriving village across the water, a con- clave of the proprietors was held to give the bantling a name. Of these proprietors we can now name only the following: Bryant Bartlett, who had supplied much of the hard labor and a good deal of the gas; Henry R. Dickinson, also a hard worker on the foundations of the city ; . Samuel Gordon, who had resided on the spot, as child and man, from the time whereof the mem- ory of man runneth not to the contrary, and who furnished a goodly portion of the land; and Artois Hamilton, of Carthage, who was supposed to hold pretty considerable sized-money bags. Money, 'the root of all evil,' is also considered the root of some good, and in this case was re- garded as the 'one thing needful,' so it was de- cided to give the new town the name of the holder of the aforesaid money-bags in the hope that the honor might induce him to 'shell out.' Of course other names were presented and duly discussed, such as 'Bartlett,' 'Gordon,' 'Rapid City,' 'East Keokuk,' etc., etc. But the question of finance outweighed all others, and it received the name it now bears."
There is also record that Messrs. Bartlett and Dickinson, in conjunction with Henry W. Sample of Keokuk, established a steam ferry between Hamilton and Keokuk, but with the building of the Keokuk and Hamilton bridge the neces- sity for it was obviated. (A history of this bridge will be found elsewhere in this volume. Also a history of the Great Dam at Hamilton and Keokuk.)
POST-OFFICE
In 1829 a post-office was established at Monte- bello and Hazen Bedell was appointed post- master by President Jackson and held the of- fice until 1835, when death claimed him. He was succeeded by John Johnson, who died in 1836, when Cyrus Felt was appointed and served until 1841. Enocli D. Brown was the next in- cumbent and held the office for about a year,
Fred B. Miller
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY .
when it was removed to Des Moines City and Levi Jackman was the postmaster. In 1843 it was returned to Montebello and E. D. Brown was made the postmaster. B. B. Gates served from 1845 to 1847, when E. D. Brown was re- appointed and he held the office until 1853 when it was moved to Hamilton. Dr. Githens was the first postmaster at Hamilton, and he was succeeded by Jolin C. Cox, who was suc- ceeded in 1857 by Thomas Reid. In 1861 Benja- min J. Welch was appointed and he was suc- ceeded in 1864 by E. C. A. Cushman. James Nolan held the office betwen 1866 and 1869, at the end of which time Thomas Gregg received the appointment and held it until 1876, when Dr. Githens was again appointed. Since then the postmasters have been as follows: M. B. Lane (1877), W. L. Guthrie, C. S. Gray, James A. An- derson, E. P. Denton, F. E. Herald, William Harkrader, who resigned before his term ex- pired, whereupon the present postmaster, Ole McCartney, was appointed. This is a third- class post-office with an annual business of al- most ten thousand dollars which now entitles it to be made a second-class office. Running from this office are two rural free delivery routes of about twenty-six miles each in length.
The government pays the rent, heating and lighting of a business building in which is kept the present post-office.
CITY INCORPORATION
Hamilton became an incorporated city in 1859, but prior to that it was operated as a town cor- poration, with a board of trustees. The chro- nology of the place is as follows :
1818-A quarter section (S. W. quarter 29-5-8) which now contains the principal part of Ham- ilton was deeded by Letters Patent of the United States to John Kernell, on account of his mili- tary service in the War of 1812. No settlement was made here then and the land was forfeited for the taxes of 1821 and 1822 and sold in 1825 for five dollars and fifty-three cents.
1832-The first permanent settlement was made by John Gordon, grandfather of one of the present merchants, John Gordon, who purchased the above named quarter section for one hundred and fifty dollars and erected a log cabin on the site of the present Gordon homestead, now fac- ing Ninth street.
1852-The Town of Hamilton was laid out,
platted and named. The main part of the town lay at the foot of the hill and in the bottom lands near the river. The town was named after Artois Hamilton, a prominent and wealthy citi- zen of that time.
1854-April 1st. The town of Hamilton was incorporated by a vote of the citizens in accord- ance with the general laws of the State at that time. On April 1st of the same year the first board of town trustees was elected.
1859-Feb. 24th. On this day the General As- sembly passed a special act for the incorporation of the town of Hamilton by the name and style of "The City of Hamilton." The corporate limits of the city as provided by the act embraced con- siderable territory and extended to the middle of the main channel of the Mississippi River. It was further provided that "whenever any tract of land adjoining the city of Hamilton shall have been laid off into town lots and duly recorded, as required by law, the same shall be annexed to and form a part of the city of Hamilton." Former ordinances and resolutions passed by the president and trustees of the town of Hamilton were to remain in force until repealed by the city council created under the special act. Other provisions were made in the special act to in- sure the continuity of municipal existence be- tween the town of Hamilton as theretofore ex- isting under general law and the city of Hamil- ton to take its place under the special charter. This act provided for a referendum. The presi- dent and trustees of the town of Hamilton were required to cause an election to be held on the third Wednesday in March, 1859, or as soon thereafter as convenient, at which the inhabi- tants of the town, who were authorized to vote for state officers, should vote for or against the adoption of the charter. It was provided that if a majority of the votes given at such election should be in favor of the adoption of the char- ter, the same should immediately be against the adoption of the charter, then the act in question was to be of no effect.
The first election was held on March 16, 1859. The vote of the people was for the adoption of the charter. This vote was ratified by the board of trustees on the same day. On April 1, 1859, was held the first election for mayor and alder- men under this special charter.
1872-September 9th. At a special election the question of incorporation under the act of the General Assembly of the State of Illinois, en-
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY
titled "An act to provide for the incorporation of cities and villages," approved April 10, 1872, and in force July 1, 1872, was submitted to and ap- proved by the electors of said city and ratified by a decisive majority.
1873-On third Tuesday of April was held first election for Mayor and board of Aldermen and a Marshal and Police Magistrate, under the gen- eral law.
1911-August 1st. Electors of Hamilton voted in favor of adopting Commission form of Mu- nicipal Government.
1913-May 7th. Mayor and four commission- ers, first under Commission form of government, assumed office following their election on the third Tuesday of April preceding.
MUNICIPAL OFFICERS
The following is a catalog of the Trustees of the Town of Hamilton, and the Mayors and City Clerks of the City of Hamilton from its organization in 1854.
Board of Trustees-1854-Thomas Mclellan, president; E. C. A. Cushman, John K. Allen, Lorenzo D. Bartlett. 1855-Thomas Mclellan, president ; John K. Allen, W. S. Record, Thomas Ruggles, Benjamin Davis. 1856-Benjamin Bartlett, president ; Thomas Reid, H. R. Dickin- sou, Henry Estabrook, John S. Cox. 1857- Thomas Mclellan, president; E. C. A. Cushman, Edward Humphrey, W. A. J. Russell, William R. Hamilton. 1858-John Banks, president; Wil- liam R. Hamilton, William B. Connor, Edward F. Humphrey, W. A. J. Russell.
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