Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of St. Clair County, Volume I, Part 79

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. ed. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. jt. ed. cn; Wilderman, Alonzo St. Clair, 1839-1904, ed; Wilderman, Augusta A., jt. ed
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 698

USA > Illinois > St Clair County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of St. Clair County, Volume I > Part 79

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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS.

good state of preservation by the citizens, has an extreme length of about 150 feet, by fifty in width at the front legs and thirty-nine at the hind legs, and an elevation equal to the height of a man. There are some smaller mounds in the vicinity, and some bird effigies on Rock River some six miles below Rockford. There is also an animal effigy near the village of Hanover, in Jo Daviess County, with a considerable group of round mounds and embankments in the immedi- ate vicinity, besides a smaller effigy of a similar character on the north side of the Pecatonica in Stephenson County, some ten miles east of Free- port. The Rock River region seems to have been a favorite field for the operations of the mound- builders, as shown by the number and variety of these structures, extending from Sterling, in Whiteside County, to the Wisconsin State line. A large number of these were to be found in the vicinity of the Kishwaukee River in the south- eastern part of Wiunebago County. The famous prehistoric fortification on Rock River, just beyond the Wisconsin boundary-which seems to have been a sort of counterpart of the ancient Fort Azatlan on the Indiana side of the Wabash -appears to have had a close relation to the works of the mound-builders on the same stream in Illinois.

MOUND CITY, the county-seat of Pulaski County, on the Ohio River, seven miles north of Cairo; is on a branch line of the Illinois Central and the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad. The chief industries are lumber- ing and ship-building; also has furniture, canning and other factories. One of the United States National Cemeteries is located here. The town has a bank and two weekly papers. Population (1890), 2,550; (1900), 2,705; (1903, est.), 3,500.

MOUNT CARMEL, a city and the county-seat of Wabash County; is the point of junction of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis and the Southern Railroads, 132 miles northeast of Cairo, and 24 miles southwest of Vincennes, Ind .; situated on the Wabash River, which sup- plies good water-power for saw mills, flouring mills, and some other manufactures. The town has railroad shops and two daily newspapers. Agriculture and lumbering are the principal pursuits of the people of the surrounding district. Population (1890). 3,376; (1900), 4,311.

MOUNT CARROLL, the county-seat of Carroll County, an incorporated city, founded in 1843; is 128 miles southwest of Chicago, on the Chi- cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. Farming, stock-raising and mining are the principal indus-

tries. It has five churches, excellent schools, good libraries, two daily and two semi-weekly newspapers. Pop. (1890), 1,836; (1900), 1,965.

MOUNT CARROLL SEMINARY, a young ladies' seminary, located at Mount Carroll, Carroll County; incorporated in 1852; had a faculty of thirteen members in 1896, with 126 pupils, prop- erty valued at $100,000, and a library of 5,000 volumes.

MOUNT MORRIS, a town in Ogle County, situ- ated on the Chicago & Iowa Division of the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 108 miles west by north from Chicago, and 24 miles south- west of Rockford; is the seat of Mount Morris College and flourishing public school; has hand- some stone and brick buildings, three churches and two newspapers. Population (1900), 1,048.

MOUNT OLIVE, a village of Macoupin County, on the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis and the Wabash Railways, 68 miles southwest of Decatur; in a rich agricultural and coal-mining region. Population (1880), 709; (1890), 1,986 ;(1900), 2,935.

MOUNT PULASKI, a village and railroad junc- tion in Logan County, 21 miles northwest of Decatur and 24 miles northeast of Springfield. Agriculture, coal-mining and stock-raising are leading industries. It is also an important ship- ping point for grain, and contains several elevators and flouring mills. Population (1880), 1,125; (1890), 1,357; (1900), 1,643.

MOUNT STERLING, a city, the county-seat of Brown County, midway between Quincy and Jacksonville, on the Wabash Railway. It is sur- rounded by a rich farming country, and has ex- tensive deposits of clay and coal. It contains six churches and four schools (two large public, and two parochial). The town is lighted by elec- tricity and has public water-works. Wagons, brick, tile and earthenware are manufactured here, and three weekly newspapers are pub- lished. Population (1880), 1,445; (1890), 1,655; (1900), 1,960.

MOUNT VERNON, a city and county-seat of Jefferson County, on three trunk lines of railroad, 77 miles east-southeast of St. Louis; is the center of a rich agricultural and coal region; has many flourishing manufactories, including car-works, a plow factory, flouring mills, pressed brick fac- tory, canning factory, and is an important ship- ping-point for grain, vegetables and fruits. The Appellate Court for the Southern Grand Division is held here, and the city has nine churches, fine school buildings, a Carnegie library, two banks, heating plant, two daily and three weekly papers. Population (1890), 3,233; (1900), 5,216.

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MOUNT VERNON & GRAYVILLE RAILROAD.' (See Peoria, Decatur & Evansville Railway.)

MOWEAQUA, a village of Shelby County, on the Illinois Central Railroad, 16 iniles south of Decatur; is in rich agricultural and stock-raising section; has coal mine, three banks and two newspapers. Population (1890), 848; (1900), 1,478.

MUDD, (Col.) John J., soldier, was born in St. Charles County, Mo., Jan. 9, 1820; his father having died in 1833, his mother removed to Pike County, Ill., to free her children from the influ- ence of slavery. In 1849, and again in 1850, he made the overland journey to California, each time returning by the Isthinus, liis last visit ex- tending into 1851. In 1854 he engaged in the commission business in St. Louis, as head of the firın of Mudd & Hughes, but failed in the crash of 1857; then removed to Chicago, and, in 1861, was again in prosperous business. While on a business visit in New Orleans, in December, 1860, lie had an opportunity of learning the growing spirit of secession, being advised by friends to leave the St. Charles Hotel in order to escape a mob. In September, 1861, he entered the army as Major of the Second Illinois Cavalry (Col. Silas Noble), and, in the next few months, was stationed successively at Cairo, Bird's Point and Paducah, Ky., and, in February, 1862, led the advance of General McClernand's division in the attack on Fort Donelson. Here he was severely wounded; but, after a few weeks in hospital at St. Louis, was sufficiently recovered to rejoin his regiment soon after the battle of Shiloh. Unable to perform cavalry duty, he was attached to the staff of General McClernand during the advance on Corinth, but, in October following, at the head of 400 men of his regiment, was transferred to the command of General McPherson. Early in 1863 he was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel, and soon after to a colonelcy, taking part in the movement against Vicksburg. June 13, he was again severely wounded, but, a few weeks later, was on duty at New Orleans, and subsequently participated in the operations in Southwestern Louisiana and Texas. On May 1, 1864, he left Baton Rouge for Alexandria, as Chief of Staff to General McClernand, but two days later, while approaching Alexandria on board the steamer, was shot through the head and instantly killed. He was a gallant soldier and greatly beloved by his troops.

MULBERRY GROVE, a village of Bond County, on the Terre Haute & Indianapolis (Vandalia) Railroad, 8 miles northeast of Greenville; has a local newspaper. Pop. (1890), 750; (1900), 632.

MULLIGAN, James A., soldier, was born of Irish parentage at Utica, N. Y., June 25, 1830; in 1836 accompanied his parents to Chicago, and, after graduating from the University of St. Mary's of the Lake, in 1850, began the study of law. In 1851 he accompanied John Lloyd Ste- phens on his expedition to Panama, and on his return resumed his professional studies, at the same time editing "The Western Tablet," a weekly Catholic paper. At the outbreak of the Rebellion he recruited, and was made Colonel of the Twenty-third Illinois Regiment, known as the Irish Brigade. He served with great gallan- try, first in the West and later in the East, being severely wounded and twice captured. He declined a Brigadier-Generalship, preferring to remain with his regiment. He was fatally wounded during a charge at the battle of Win- chester. While being carried off the field he noticed that the colors of his brigade were en- dangered. "Lay me down and save the flag," he ordered. His men hesitated, but he repeated the command until it was obeyed. Before they returned he had been borne away by the enemy, and died a prisoner, at Winchester, Va., July 26, 1864.

MUNN, Daniel W., lawyer and soldier, was born in Orange County,Vt., in 1834; graduated at Thetford Academy in 1852, when he taught two years, meanwhile beginning the study of law. Removing to Coles County, Ill., in 1855, he resumed his law studies, was admitted to the bar in 1858, and began practice at Hillsboro, Mont- gomery County. In 1862 he joined the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, with the rank of Adjutant, but the following year was appointed Colonel of the First Alabama Cavalry. Compelled to retire from the service on account of declining health, he re- turned to Cairo, Ill., where he became editor of "The Daily News"; in 1866 was elected to the State Senate, serving four years; served as Presi- dential Elector in 1868; was the Republican nomi- nee for Congress in 1870, and the following year was appointed by President Grant Supervisor of Internal Revenue for the District including the States of Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. Removing to Chicago, he began practice there in 1875, in which he has since been engaged. He has been prominently connected with a number of important cases before the Chicago courts.

MUNN, Sylvester W., lawyer, soldier and legis- lator, was born about 1818, and came from Ohio at thirty years of age, settling at Wilmington, Will County, afterwards removing to Joliet,

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where he practiced law. During the War he served as Major of the Yates Phalanx (Thirty- ninth Illinois Volunteers) ; later, was State's Attorney for Will County and State Senator in the Thirty-first and Thirty-second General Assemblies. Died, at Joliet, Sept. 11, 1888. He was a member of the Illinois State Bar Associ- ation from its organization.

MURPHY, Everett J., ex-Member of Con- gress, was born in Nashville, Ill., July 24, 1852; in early youth removed to Sparta, where he was educated in the high schools of that place; at the age of fourteen he became clerk in a store; in 1877 was elected City Clerk of Sparta, but the next year resigned to become Deputy Circuit Clerk at Chester, remaining until 1882, when he was elected Sheriff of Randolph County. In 1886 he was chosen a Representative in the Gen- eral Assembly, and, in 1889, was appointed, by Governor Fifer, Warden of the Southern Illinois Penitentiary at Chester, but retired from this position in 1892, and removed to East St. Louis. Two years later he was elected as a Republican to the Fifty-fourth Congress for the Twenty-first District, but was defeated for re-election by a small majority in 1896, by Jehu Baker, Democrat and Populist. In 1899 Mr. Murphy was appointed Warden of the State Penitentiary at Joliet, to succeed Col. R. W. McClaughry.

MURPHYSBORO, the county-seat of Jackson County, situated on the Big Muddy River and on main line of the Mobile & Ohio, the St. Louis Division of the Illinois Central, and a branch of the St. Louis Valley Railroads, 52 miles north of Cairo and 90 miles south-southeast of St. Louis. Coal of a superior quality is extensively mined in the vicinity. The city has a foundry, machine shops, skewer factory, furniture factory, flour and saw mills, thirteen churches, four schools, three banks, two daily and three weekly news- papers, city and rural free mail delivery. Popu- lation (1890), 3,380; (1900). 6,463; (1903, est.), 7,500.

MURPHYSBORO & SHAWNEETOWN RAIL. ROAD. (See Carbondale & Shawneetown, St. Louis Southern and St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Railroads.)

NAPERVILLE, a city of Du Page County. on the west branch of the Du Page River and on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 30 miles west-southwest of Chicago, and 9 miles east of Aurora. It has three banks, a weekly newspaper, stone quarries, couch factory, and nine churches; is also the seat of the Northwestern College, an institution founded in 1861 by the Evangelical

Association; the college now has a normal school department. Population (1890), 2,216; (1900), 2,629

NAPLES, a town of Scott County, on the Illi- nois River and the Hannibal and Naples branch of the Wabash Railway, 21 miles west of Jackson- ville. Population (1890), 452; (1900), 398. '

NASHVILLE, an incorporated city, the county- seat of Washington County, on the Centralia & Chester and the Louisville & Nashville Railways; is 120 miles south of Springfield and 50 miles east by south from St. Louis. It stands in a coal- producing and rich agricultural region. There are two coal mines within the corporate limits, and two large flouring mills do a considerable business. There are numerous churches, public schools, including a high school, a State bank, and four weekly papers. Population (1880), 2,222; (1890), 2,084; (1900), 2,184.

NAUVOO, a city in Hancock County, at the head of the Lower Rapids on the Mississippi, between Fort Madison and Keokuk, Iowa. It was founded by the Mormons in 1840, and its early growth was rapid. After the expulsion of the "Saints" in 1846, it was settled by a colony of French Icarians, who introduced the culture of grapes on a large scale. They were a sort of communistic order, but their experiment did not prove a success, and in a few years they gave place to another class, the majority of the popu- lation now being of German extraction. The chief industries are agriculture and horticulture. Large quantities of grapes and strawberries are raised and shipped, and considerable native wine is produced. Population (1880), 1,402; (1890), 1,208; (per census 1900), 1,321. (See also Mor- mons. )

NAVIGABLE STREAMS (by Statute). Fol- lowing the example of the French explorers, who chiefly followed the water-ways in their early explorations, the early permanent settlers of Illi- nois, not only settled, to a great extent, on the principal streams, but later took especial pains to maintain their navigable character by statute. This was, of course, partly due to the absence of improved highways, but also to the belief that, as the country developed, the streams would become extremely valuable, if not indispensable, especially in the transportation of heavy commod- ities. Accordingly, for the first quarter century after the organization of the State Government, one of the questions receiving the attention of the Legislature, at almost every session, was the enactment of laws affirming the navigability of certain streams now regarded as of little impor- tance, or utterly insignificant, as channels of

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transportation. Legislation of this character NEALE, THOMAS M., pioneer lawyer, was born in Fauquier County, Va., 1796; while yet a child removed with his parents to Bowling Green, Ky., and became a common soldier in the War of 1812; came to Springfield, Ill., in 1824, and began the practice of law; served as Colonel of a regi- ment raised in Sangamon and Morgan Counties for the Winnebago War (1827), and afterwards as Surveyor of Sangamon County, appointing Abraham Lincoln as his deputy. He also served as a Justice of the Peace, for a number of years, at Springfield. Died, August 7, 1840. began with the first General Assembly (1819), and continued, at intervals, with reference to one or two of the more important interior rivers of the State, as late as 1867. Besides the Illinois and Wabash, still recognized as navigable streams, the following were made the subject of legislation of this character: Beaucoup Creek, a branch of the Big Muddy, in Perry and Jackson Counties (law of 1819); Big Bay, a tributary of the Ohio in Pope County (Acts of 1833); Big Muddy, to the junction of the East and West Forks in Jefferson County (1835), with various NEECE, William H., ex-Congressman, was born, Feb. 26, 1831, in what is now a part of Logan County, Ill., but which was then within the limits of Sangamon; was reared on a farm and attended the public schools in McDonough County; studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1858, and has been ever since engaged in practice. His political career began in 1861, when he was chosen a member of the City Coun. subsequent amendments; Big Vermilion, declared navigable (1831); Bon Pas, a branch of the Wabash, between Wabashı and Edwards Coun- ties (1831) ; Cache River, to main fork in Jolinson County (1819) ; Des Plaines, declared navigable (1839) ; Embarras (1831), with various subsequent acts in reference to improvement; Fox River, declared navigable to the Wisconsin line (1840), and Fox River Navigation Company, incorpo -. cil of Macomb. In 1864 lie was elected to the rated (1855); Kankakee and Iroquois Navigation Legislature, and, in 1869, a member of the Con- stitutional Convention. In 1871 lie was again elected to the lower house of the General Assem- bly, and, in 1878, to the State Senate. From 1883 to 1887 he represented the Eleventh Illinois Dis- trict in Congress, as a Democrat, but was defeated for re-election in 1890 by William H. Gest, Republican. & Manufacturing Company, incorporated (1847), with various changes and amendments (1851-65) ; Kaskaskia (or Okaw), declared . navigable to a point in Fayette County north of Vandalia (1819), with various modifying acts (1823-67) ; Macoupin Creek, to Carrollton and Alton road (1837); Piasa, declared navigable in Jersey and Madison Counties (1861); Rock River Navigation Com- NEGROES. (See Slavery and Slave Laws.) pany, incorporated (1841), with subsequent acts NEOGA, a village of Cumberland County, at the intersection of the Illinois Central and the Toledo, St. Louis & Western Railways, 20 miles south west of Charleston; lias a bank, two newspapers, some manufactories, and ships grain, hay, fruit and live-stock. Pop. (1890), 829; (1900), 1,126 (1845-67); Sangamon River, declared navigable to Third Principal Meridian-east line of Sanga- mon County-(1822), and the North Fork of same to Champaign County (1845); Sny-Carty (a bayou of the Mississippi), declared navigable in Pike and Adams Counties (1859) ; Spoon River, navi- NEPONSET, a village and station on the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, in Bureau County, 4 miles southwest of Mendota. Popula- tion (1880), 652; (1890), 542; (1900), 516. gable to Cameron's mill in Fulton County (1835), with various modifying acts (1845-53); Little Wabash Navigation Company, incorporated and river declared navigable to McCawley's NEW ALBANY & ST. LOUIS RAILWAY. (See Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis (Consoli- dated) Railroad.) bridge-probably in Clay County-(1826), with various subsequent acts making appropriations for its improvement; Skillet Fork (a branch NEW ATHENS, a village of St. Clair County, on the St. Louis & Cairo "Short Line" (now Illi- nois Central) Railroad, at the crossing of the Kas- kaskia River, 31 miles southeast of St. Louis; has one newspaper and considerable grain trade. Population (1880), 603; (1890), 624; (1900), 856. of the Little Wabash), declared navigable to Slocum's Mill in Marion County (1837), and to Ridgway Mills (1846). Other acts passed at various times declared a number of unim- portant streams navigable, including Big Creek in Fulton County, Crooked Creek in Schuyler NEW BERLIN, a village of Sangamon County, on the Wabash Railway, 17 miles west of Spring- field. Population (1880), 403; (1900), 533. County, Lusk's Creek in Pope County, McKee's Creek in Pike County, Seven Mile Creek in Ogle County, besides a number of others" of similar character.

NEWBERRY LIBRARY, a large reference lì- brary, located in Chicago, endowed by Walter L.

---- ---

The Newberry Library.

Chicago Academy of Sciences.

Chicago Historical Society.

Art Institute.

Public Library. Armour Institute. PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

Court-House.

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Newberry, an early business man of Chicago, who left half of his estate (aggregating over $2,000,000) for the purpose. The property bequeathed was largely in real estate, which has since greatly in- creased in value. The library was established in temporary quarters in 1887, and the first section of a permanent building was opened in the autumn of 1893. By that time there had been accumulated about 160,000 books and pamphlets. A collection of nearly fifty portraits-chiefly of eminent Americans, including many citizens of Chicago-was presented to the library by G. P. A. Healy, a distinguished artist, since deceased. The site of the building occupies an entire block, and the original design contemplates a handsome front on each of the four streets, with a large rectangular court in the center. The section already completed is massive and imposing, and its interior is admirably adapted to the purposes of a library, and at the same time rich and beautiful. When completed, the building will have a capacity for four to six million volumes.

NEWBERRY, Walter C., ex-Congressman, was born at Sangerfield, Oneida County, N. Y., Dec. 23, 1835. Early in the Civil War he enlisted as a private, and rose, step by step, to a colonelcy, and was mustered out as Brevet Brigadier-General. In 1890 he was elected, as a Democrat, to represent the Fourth Illinois District in the Fifty-second Congress (1891-93). His home is in Chicago.

NEWBERRY, Walter L., merchant, banker and philanthropist, was born at East Windsor, Conn., Sept. 18, 1804, descended from English ancestry. He was President Jackson's personal appointee to the United States Military Academy at West Point, but was prevented from taking the exami- nation by sickness. Subsequently he embarked in business at Buffalo, N. Y., going to Detroit in 1828, and settling at Chicago in 1833. After engaging in general merchandising for several years, he turned his attention to banking, in which he accumulated a large fortune. He was a prominent and influential citizen, serving several terms as President of the Board of Edu- cation, and being, for six years, the President of the Chicago Historical Society. He died at sea, Nov. 6, 1868, leaving a large estate, one-half of which he devoted, by will, to the founding of a free reference library in Chicago. (See Newberry Library.)

NEW BOSTON, a city of Mercer County, on the Mississippi River, at the western terminus of the Galva and New Boston Division of the Chi- cago, Burlington & Quincy Railway. Population (1890), 445; (1900), 703.

NEW BRIGHTON, a village of St. Clair County and suburb of East St. Louis. Population (1890), 868.

NEW BURNSIDE, a village of Johnson County, on the Cairo Division of the Cleveland, Cincin- nati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway, 53 miles northeast of Cairo. Population (1880), 650; (1890), 596; (1900), 468.

NEW DOUGLAS, a village in Madison County, on the Toledo, St. Louis & Western Railroad; in farming and fruit-growing region; has coal mine, flour mill and newspaper. Population (1900), 469.

NEWELL, John, Railway President, was born at West Newbury, Mass., March 31, 1830, being directly descended from "Pilgrim" stock. At the age of 16 he entered the employment of the Cheshire Railroad in New Hampshire. Eighteen months later he was appointed an assistant engi- neer on the Vermont Central Railroad, and placed in charge of the construction of a 10-mile section of the line. His promotion was rapid, and, in 1850, he accepted a responsible position on the Champlain & St. Lawrence Railroad. From 1850 to 1856 he was engaged in making surveys for roads in Kentucky and New York, and, during the latter year, held the position of engineer of the Cairo City Company, of Cairo, Ill. In 1857 he entered the service of the Illinois Central Rail- road Company, as Division Engineer, where his remarkable success attracted the attention of the owners of the old Winona & St. Peter Railroad (now a part of the Chicago & Northwestern system), who tendered him the presidency. This he accepted, but, in 1864, was made President of the Cleveland & Toledo Railroad. Four years later, he accepted the position of General Superin- tendent and Chief Engineer of the New York Central Railroad, but resigned, in 1869, to become Vice-President of the Illinois Central Railroad. In 1871 he was elevated to the presidency, but retired in September, 1874, to accept the position of General Manager of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, of which he was elected President, in May, 1883, and continued in office until the time of his death, which occurred at Youngstown, Ohio, August 25, 1894.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of St. Clair County, Volume I, Part 79

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. ed. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. jt. ed. cn; Wilderman, Alonzo St. Clair, 1839-1904, ed; Wilderman, Augusta A., jt. ed Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Publishing Co. Number of Pages: 698

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. ed. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913. jt. ed. cn; Wilderman, Alonzo St. Clair, 1839-1904, ed; Wilderman, Augusta A., jt. ed
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 698