Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume I, Part 59

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913; Church, Charles A., 1857-
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 724

USA > Illinois > Winnebago County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume I > Part 59

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and leased, in 1878, for fifty years, to the Illinois Central Railroad: (2) The Rantoul Division from Leroy to the Indiana State line (66.21 miles in Illinois), chartered in 1876 as the Havana, Ran- toul & Eastern Railroad, built as a narrow-gauge line and operated in 1881; afterwards changed to standard-gauge, and controlled by the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific until May, 1884, when it passed into the hands of a receiver; in December of the same year taken in charge by the bondholders; in 1885 again placed in the hands of a receiver, and, in October, 1886, sold to the Illinois Central: (3) The Chicago, Havana & Western Railroad, from Havana to Champaign, with a branch from White- heath to Decatur (total, 131.62 miles), constructed as the western extension of the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western, and opened in 1873; sold under foreclosure in 1879 and organized as the Champaign, Havana & Western; in 1880 pur- chased by the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific; in 1884 taken possession of by the mortgage trustees and, in September, 1886, sold under foreclosure to the Illinois Central Railroad: (4) The Freeport Division, from Chicago by way of Freeport to Madison, Wis. (140 miles in Illinois), constructed under a charter granted to the Chicago, Madison & Northern Railroad (which see), opened for traffic in 1888, and transferred to the Illinois Central Railroad Company in January, 1889: (5) The Kankakee & Southwestern (131.26 miles), constructed from Kankakee to Bloomington under the charters of the Kankakee & Western and the Kankakee & Southwestern Railroads; acquired by the Illinois Central in 1878, begun in 1880, and extended to Bloomington in 1883; and (6) The St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute (which see under its old name). Other Illinois branch lines of less importance embrace the Blue Island; the Chicago & Texas; the Mound City ; the South Chicago; the St. Louis, Belleville & Southern, and the St. Charles Air-Line, which furnishes an entrance to the City of Chicago over an ele- vated track. The total length of these Illinois branches in 1898 was 919.72 miles, with the main lines making the total mileage of the company within the State 1,624.22 miles. For several years up to 1895 the Illinois Central had a connection with St. Louis over the line of the Terre Haute & Indianapolis from Effingham, but this is now secured by way of the Springfield Division and the main line to Pana, whence its trains pass over the old Indianapolis & St. Louis-now the Cleve- land, Cinciunati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway. Between June 30, 1897 and April 30, 1898, branch lines in the Southern States (chiefly in Kentucky

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and Tennessee), to the extent of 670 miles, were added to the Illinois Central System. The Cairo Bridge, constructed across the Ohio River near its mouth, at a cost of $3,000,000, for the purpose of connecting the Northern and Southern Divisions of the Illinois Central System, and one of the most stupendous structures of its kind in the world, belongs wholly to the Illinois Central Railroad Company. (See Cairo Bridge.)

ILLINOIS COLLEGE, an institution of learn- ing at Jacksonville, Ill., which was the first to graduate a collegiate class in the history of the State. It had its origin in a movement inaugu- rated about 1827 or 1828 to secure the location, at some point in Illinois, of a seminary or college which would give the youth of the State the opportunity of acquiring a higher education. Some of the most influential factors in this move- ment were already citizens of Jacksonville, or contemplated becoming such. In January, 1828, the outline of a plan for such an institution was drawn up by Rev. John M. Ellis, a home missionary of the Presbyterian Church, and Hon. Samuel D. Lockwood, then a Justice of the Supreme Court of the State, as a basis for soliciting subscriptions for the organization of a stock-company to carry the enterprise into execution. The plan, as then proposed, contemplated provision for a depart- ment of female education, at least until a separate institution could be furnished-which, if not a forerunner of the co-educational system now so much in vogue, at least foreshadowed the estab- lishment of the Jacksonville Female Seminary, which soon followed the founding of the college. A few months after these preliminary steps were taken, Mr. Ellis was brought into communication with a group of young men at Yale College (see "Illinois Band") who had entered into a com- pact to devote their lives to the cause of educa- tional and missionary work in the West, and out of the union of these two forces, soon afterwards effected, grew Illinois College. The organization of the "Illinois" or "Yale Band," was formally consummated in February, 1829, and before the close of the year a fund of $10,000 for the purpose of laying the foundation of the proposed institu- tion in Illinois had been pledged by friends of education in the East, a beginning had been made in the erection of buildings on the present site of Illinois College at Jacksonville, and, in Decem- ber of the same year, the work of instruction of a preparatory class had been begun by Rev. Julian M. Sturtevant, who had taken the place of "avant- courier" of the movement. A year later (1831) Rev. Edward Beecher, the oldest son of the inde-

fatigable Lyman Beecher, and brother of Henry Ward-already then well known as a leader in the ranks of those opposed to slavery-had be- come identified with the new enterprise and assumed the position of its-first President. Such was the prejudice against "Yankees" in Illinois at that time, and the jealousy of theological influ- ence in education, that it was not until 1835 that the friends of the institution were able to secure a charter from the Legislature. An ineffectual attempt had been made in 1830, and when it was finally granted, it was in the form of an "omni- bus bill" including three other institutions, but with restrictions as to the amount of real estate that might be held, and prohibiting the organiza- tion of theological departments, both of which were subsequently repealed. (See Early Col- leges.) The same year the college graduated its first class, consisting of two members-Richard Yates, afterwards War Governor and United States Senator, and Rev. Jonathan Spillman, the composer of "Sweet Afton." Limited as was this first output of alumni, it was politically and morally strong. In 1843 a medical department was established, but it was abandoned five years later for want of adequate support. Dr. Beecher retired from the Presidency in 1844, when he was succeeded by Dr. Sturtevant, who continued in that capacity until 1876 (thirty-two years), when he became Professor Emeritus, remaining until 1885-his connection with the institution cover- ing a period of fifty-six years. Others who have occupied the position of President include Rufus C. Crampton (acting), 1876-82; Rev. Edward A. . Tanner, 1882-92; and Dr. John E. Bradley, the incumbent from 1892 to 1899. Among the earli- est and influential friends of the institution, besides Judge Lockwood already mentioned, may be enumerated such names as Gov. Joseph Dun- can, Thomas Mather, Winthrop S. Gilman, Frederick Collins and William H. Brown (of Chicago), all of whom were members of the early Board of Trustees. It was found necessary to maintain a preparatory department for many years to fit pupils for the college classes proper, and, in 1866, Whipple Academy was established and provided with a separate building for this purpose. The standard of admission to the col- lege course has been gradually advanced, keeping abreast, in this respect, of other American col- leges. At present the institution has a faculty of 15 members and an endowment of some $150,000, with a library (1898) numbering over 15,000 vol- umes and property valued at $360,000. Degrees are conferred in both classical and scientific

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courses in the college proper. The list of alumni embraces some 750 names, including many who have been prominent in State and National affairs.

ILLINOIS COUNTY, the name given to the first civil organization of the territory northwest of the Ohio River, after its conquest by Col. George Rogers Clark in 1778. This was done by act of the Virginia House of Delegates, passed in October of the same year, which, among other things, provided as follows: "The citizens of the commonwealth of Virginia, who are already set- tled, or shall hereafter settle, on the western side of the Ohio, shall be included in a distinct county which shall be called Illinois County; and the Governor of this commonwealth, with the advice of the Council, may appoint a County-Lieutenant or Commandant-in-chief of the county during pleasure, who shall take the oath of fidelity to this commonwealth and the oath of office accord- ing to the form of their own religion. And all civil offices to which the inhabitants have been accustomed, necessary for the preservation of the peace and the administration of justice, shall be chosen by a majority of the citizens of their re- spective districts, to be convened for that purpose by the County-Lieutenant or Commandant, or his deputy, and shall be commissioned by said County-Lieutenant." As the Commonwealth of Virginia, by virtue of Colonel Clark's conquest, then claimed jurisdiction over the entire region west of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi, Illinois County nominally embraced the territory comprised within the limits of the present States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wiscon- sin, though the settlements were limited to the vicinity of Kaskaskia, Vincennes (in the present State of Indiana) and Detroit. Col. John Todd, of Kentucky, was appointed by Gov. Patrick Henry, the first Lieutenant-Commandant under this act, holding office two years. Out of Illinois County were subsequently organized the follow- ing counties by "order" of Gov. Arthur St. Clair, after his assumption of the duties of Governor, following the passage, by Congress, of the Ordi- nance of 1787, creating the Northwest Territory, viz. :

NAME COUNTY-SEAT DATE OF ORGANIZATION

Washington Marietta July 27, 1788

Hamilton Cincinnati Jan. 4, 1790

Cahokia

St. Clair Prairie du Rocher April 27, 1790

Kaskaskia

Knox Post St. Vincennes

Randolph Kaskaskia

June 20, 1790 Oct. 5, 1795

Washington, originally comprising the State of Ohio, was reduced, on the organization of Hamil- ton County, to the eastern portion, Hamilton

County embracing the west, with Cincinnati (originally called "Losantiville," near old Fort Washington) as the county-seat. St. Clair, the third county organized out of this territory, at first had virtually three county-seats, but divi- sions and jealousies among the people and officials in reference to the place of deposit for the records, resulted in the issue, five years later, of an order creating the new county of Randolph, the second in the "Illinois Country" -- these (St. Clair and Randolph) constituting the two counties into which it was divided at the date of organization of Illinois Territory. Out of these events grew the title of "Mother of Counties" given to Illinois County as the original of all the counties in the five States northwest of the Ohio, while St. Clair County inherited the title as to the State of Illinois. (See Illinois; also St. Clair, Arthur, and Todd, (Col.) John.)

ILLINOIS FARMERS' RAILROAD. (See Jacksonville & St. Louis Railway.)

ILLINOIS FEMALE COLLEGE, a flourishing institution for the education of women, located at Jacksonville and incorporated in 1847. While essentially unsectarian in teaching, it is con- trolled by the Methodist Episcopal denomination. Its first charter was granted to the "Illinois Con- ference Female Academy" in 1847, but four years later the charter was amended and the name changed to the present cognomen. The cost of building and meager support in early years brought on bankruptcy. The friends of the insti- tution rallied to its support, however, and the purchasers at the foreclosure sale (all of whom were friends of Methodist education) donated the property to what was technically a new institu- tion. A second charter was obtained from the State in 1863, and the restrictions imposed upon the grant were such as to prevent alienation of title, by either conveyance or mortgage. While the college has only a small endowment fund ($2,000) it owns $60,000 worth of real property, besides $9,000 invested in apparatus and library. Preparatory and collegiate departments are main- tained, both classical and scientific courses being established in the latter. Instruction is also given in fine arts, elocution and music. The faculty (1898) numbers 15, and there are about 170 students.

ILLINOIS FEMALE REFORM SCHOOL. (See Home for Female Offenders.) -

ILLINOIS INDIANS, a confederation belong- ing to the Algonquin family and embracing five tribes, viz .: the Cahokias, Kaskaskias, Mitcha- gamies, Peorias and Tamaroas. They early occu-

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pied Illinois, with adjacent portions of Iowa, Wisconsin and Missouri. The name is derived from Illini, "man," the Indian plural "ek" being changed by the French to "ois." They were intensely warlike, being almost constantly in conflict with the Winnebagoes, the Iroquois, Sioux and other tribes. They were migratory and depended for subsistence largely on the sum- iner and winter hunts. They dwelt in rudely constructed cabins, each accommodating about eight families. They were always faithful allies of the French, whom they heartily welcomed in 1673. French missionaries labored earnestly among them-notably Fathers Marquette, Allouez and Gravier-who reduced their language to grammatical rules. Their most distinguished Chief was Chicagou, who was sent to France, where he was welcomed with the honors accorded to a foreign prince. In their wars with the Foxes, from 1712 to 1719, they suffered severely, their numbers being reduced to 3,000 souls. The assassination of Pontiac by a Kaskaskian in 1765, was avenged by the lake tribes in a war of ex- termination. After taking part with the Miamis in a war against the United States, they partici- pated in the treaties of Greenville and Vincennes, and were gradually removed farther and farther toward the West, the small remnant of about 175 being at present (1896) on the Quapaw reservation in Indian Territory. (See also Cahokias; Foxes; Iroquois; Kaskaskias; Mitchagamies; Peorias; Tamaroas; and Winnebagoes.)

ILLINOIS INSTITUTION FOR THE EDU- CATION OF THE BLIND, located at Jackson- ville. The institution had its inception in a school for the blind, opened in that town in 1847, by Samuel Bacon, who was himself blind. The State Institution was created by act of the Legis- lature, passed Jan. 13, 1849, which was introduced by Richard Yates, then a Representative, and was first opened in a rented house, early in 1850, under the temporary supervision of Mr. Bacon. Soon afterward twenty-two acres of ground were purchased in the eastern part of the city and the erection of permanent buildings commenced. By January, 1854, they were ready for use, but fif- teen years later were destroyed by fire. Work on a new building was begun without unnecessary delay and the same was completed by 1874. Numerous additions of wings and shops have since been made, and the institution, in its build- ings and appointments, is now one of the most complete in the country. Instruction (as far as practicable) is given in rudimentary English branches, and in such mechanical trades and

avocations as may best qualify the inmates to be- come self-supporting upon their return to active life.

ILLINOIS MASONIC ORPHANS' HOME, an institution established in the city of Chicago under the auspices of the Masonic Fraternity of Illinois, for the purpose of furnishing a home for the destitute children of deceased members of the Order. The total receipts of the institution, dur- ing the year 1895, were $29,204.98, and the expenditures, $27,258.70. The number of bene- ficiaries in the Home, Dec. 31, 1895, was 61. The Institution owns real estate valued at $75,000.

ILLINOIS MIDLAND RAILROAD. (See Terre Haute & Peoria Railroad.)

ILLINOIS RIVER, the most important stream within the State; has a length of about 500 miles, of which about 245 are navigable. It is formed by the junction of the Kankakee and Des Plaines Rivers at a point in Grundy County, some 45 iniles southwest of Chicago. Its course is west, then southwest, and finally south, until it empties into the Mississippi about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Missouri. The Illinois & Michigan Canal connects its waters with Lake Michigan. Marquette and Joliet ascended the stream in 1673 and were probably its first white visitants. Later (1679-82) it was explored by La Salle, Tonty, Hennepin and others.

ILLINOIS RIVER RAILROAD. (See Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Railroad of Illinois.)

ILLINOIS SANITARY COMMISSION, a vol- untary organization formed pursuant to a sug- gestion of Governor Yates, shortly after the battle of Fort Donelson (1862). Its object was the relief of soldiers in actual service, whether on the march, in camp, or in hospitals. State Agents were appointed for the distribution of relief, for which purpose large sums were collected and dis- tributed. The work of the Commission was later formally recognized by the Legislature in the enactment of a law authorizing the Governor to appoint "Military State Agents," who should receive compensation from the State treasury. Many of these "agents" were selected from the ranks of the workers in the Sanitary Commission, and a great impetus was thereby imparted to its voluntary work. Auxiliary associations were formed all over the State, and funds were readily obtained, a considerable proportion of which was derived from "Sanitary Fairs."

ILLINOIS SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE AND MANUAL TRAINING FOR BOYS, an institution for the training of dependent boys, organized under the act of March 28, 1895, which was in

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effect a re-enactment of the statute approved in 1883 and amended in 1885. Its legally defined object is to provide a home and proper training for such boys as may be committed to its charge. Commitments are made by the County Courts of Cook and contiguous counties. The school is located at Glenwood, in the county of Cook, and was first opened for the reception of inmates in 1888. Its revenues are derived, in part, from voluntary contributions, and in part from pay- ments by the counties sending boys to the institu- tion, which payments are fixed by law at ten dollars per month for each boy, during the time he is actually an inmate. In 1898 nearly one-half of the entire income came from the former source, but the surplus remaining in the treasury at the end of any fiscal year is never large. The school is under the inspectional control of the State Commissioners of Public Charities, as though it were an institution founded and main- tained by the State. The educational curriculum closely follows that of the ordinary grammar schools, pupils being trained in eight grades, sub- stantially along the lines established in the public schools. In addition, a military drill is taught, with a view to developing physical strength, command of limbs, and a graceful, manly car- riage. Since the Home was organized there have been received (down to 1899), 2,333 boys. The industrial training given the inmates is both agricultural and mechanical, -the institution owning a good, fairly-sized farm, and operating well equipped industrial shops for the education of pupils. A fair proportion of the boys devote themselves to learning trades, and not a few develop into excellent workmen. One of the purposes of the school is to secure homes for those thought likely to prove creditable members of respectable households. During the eleven years of its existence nearly 2,200 boys have been placed in homes, and usually with the most satisfactory results. The legal safeguards thrown around the ward are of a comprehensive and binding sort, so far as regards the parties who take the children for either adoption or apprenticeship- the welfare of the ward always being the object primarily aimed at. Adoption is preferred to institutional life by the administration, and the result usually justifie's their judgment. Many of the pupils are returned to their families or friends, after a mild course of correctional treat- ment. The system of government adopted is analogous to that of the "cottage plan" employed in many reformatory institutions throughout the country. An "administration building" stands

in the center of a group of structures, each of which has its own individual name :- Clancy Hall, Wallace, Plymouth, Beecher, Pope, Windsor, Lincoln, Sunnyside and Sheridan. While never a suppliant for benefactions, the Home has always attracted the attention of philanthropists who are interested in the care of society's waifs. The average annual number of inmates is about 275.

ILLINOIS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY, the leading educational institution of the Methodist Church in Illinois, south of Chicago; incorpo- rated in 1853 and located at Bloomington. It is co-educational, has a faculty of 34 instructors, and reports 1,106 students in 1896-458 male and 648 female. Besides the usual literary and scien- tific departments, instruction is given in theology, music and oratory. It also has preparatory and business courses. It has a library of 6,000 vol- umes and reports funds and endowment aggre- gating $187,999, and property to the value of $380,999.

ILLINOIS & INDIANA RAILROAD. (See Indiana, Decatur & Western Railway.)

ILLINOIS & SOUTHEASTERN RAILROAD. (See Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad.)

ILLINOIS & SOUTHERN IOWA RAILROAD. (See Wabash Railroad.)

ILLINOIS & ST. LOUIS RAILROAD & COAL COMPANY. (See Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis (consolidated) Railroad.)

ILLINOIS & WISCONSIN RAILROAD. (See Chicago & Northwestern Railway.)

ILLIOPOLIS, a village in Sangamon County, on the Wabash Railway, 20 miles east of Spring- field. It occupies a position nearly in the geo- graphical center of the State and is in the heart of what is generally termed the corn belt of Cen- tral Illinois. It has banks, several churches, a graded school and one newspaper. Population (1890), 689; (1900), 744; (1910), 849.

INDIAN MOUNDS. (See Mound-Builders, Works of The.)

INDIAN TREATIES. The various treaties made by the General Government with the Indians, which affected Illinois, may be summa- rized as follows: Treaty of Greenville, August 3, 1795-ceded 11,808,409 acres of land for the sum of $210,000; negotiated by Gen. Anthony Wayne with the Delawares, Ottawas, Miamis, Wyandots, Shawnees, Pottawatomies, Chippewas, Kaskas- kias, Kickapoos, Piankeshaws and Eel River Indians: First Treaty of Fort Wayne, June 7, 1803-ceded 2,038,400 acres in consideration of $4,000; negotiated by Governor Harrison with the Delawares, Kickapoos, Miamis, Pottawato-

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mies, and Shawnees: First Treaty of Vincennes, August 13, 1803-ceded 8,911,850 acres for $12,000; negotiated by Governor Harrison with the Caho- kias, Kaskaskias and Mitchagamies. First Treaty of St. Louis, Nov. 3, 1804-ceded 14,803,520 acres in consideration of $22,234; negotiated by Gov- ernor Harrison with the Sacs and Foxes: Second Treaty of Vincennes, Dec. 30, 1805-ceded 2,676, 150 acres for $4,100; negotiated by Governor Harrison with the Piankeshaws: Second Treaty of Fort Wayne, Sept. 30, 1809 - ceded 2,900,000 acres; negotiated by Governor Harrison with the Dela- wares, Eel River, Miamis, Pottawatomies and Weas: Third Treaty of Vincennes, Dec. 9, 1809 -ceded 138,240 acres for $27,000; negotiated by Governor Harrison with the Kickapoos: Second Treaty of St. Louis, Aug. 24, 1816-ceded 1,418,400 acres in consideration of $12,000; negotiated by Governor Edwards, William Clark and A. Chou- teau witlı the Chippewas, Ottawas and Pottawato- mies: Treaty of Edwardsville, Sept. 30, 1818- ceded 6,865,280 acres for $6,400; negotiated by Governor Edwards and A. Chouteau with the Illinois and Peorias: Treaty of St. Mary's, Oct. 2, 1818-ceded 11,000,000 acres for $33,000; nego- tiated by Gen. Lewis Cass and others with the Weas: Treaty of Fort Harrison, Aug. 30, 1819- negotiated by Benjamin Parke with the Kicka- poos of the Vermilion, ceding 3,173,120 acres for $23,000: Treaty of St. Joseph, Sept. 20, 1828- ceded 990,720 acres in consideration of $189,795; negotiated by Lewis Cass and Pierre Menard with the Pottawatomies: Treaty of Prairie du Chien, Jan. 2, 1830-ceded 4,160,000 acres for $390,601; negotiated by Pierre Menard and others with the Chippewas, Ottawas and Pottawatomies: First Treaty of Chicago, Oct. 20, 1832-ceded 1,536,000 acres for $460,348; negotiated with the Pottawatomies of the Prairie: Treaty of Tippecanoe, Oct. 27, 1832-by it the Pottawato- mies of Indiana ceded 737,000 acres, in consider- ation of $406,121: Second Treaty of Chicago, Sept. 26, 1833-by it the Chippewas, Ottawas and Pot- tawatomies ceded 5,104,960 acres for $7,624,289; Treaties of Fort Armstrong and Prairie du Chien, negotiated 1829 and '32-by which the Winne- bagoes ceded 10,346,000 acres in exchange for $5,195,252: Second Treaty of St. Louis, Oct. 27, 1832-the Kaskaskias and Peorias ceding 1,900 acres in consideration of $155,780. (See also Greenville, Treaty of.)

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Winnebago County, Volume I, Part 59

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913; Church, Charles A., 1857- Publication date: 1916 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 724

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913; Church, Charles A., 1857-
Publication date: 1916
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 724