Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 133

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913; Gale, W. Shelden
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1388

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KNOX COUNTY.

property became more active. Lots were sold and after a short interval resold, and always at a profit. The location of the railroad shops and depots on college ground added materially to the resources of Knox College, as the large reservation of one thousand acres still lay adja- cent to the town, substantially unimpaired. Im- portant additions were laid out by the college, and by other land owners, on every side of the original plat. Large lots were subdivided.

DEPRESSION AND RECOVERY.

In August, 1857, when speculation was at its height, there came, like a killing frost, the effect of the bank failures, beginning at Cincinnati and spreading a financial panic over the entire country. Fortunately there was in Galesburg a solid foundation for much of the apparent pros- perity. While realty had appreciated, it was yet lower than in other towns of less merit, the increase in the valuation of well situated prop- orty having rested only on the anticipation of a few years' growth. But for many years suc- ceeding the panic of that year the town, while increasing in population, suffered from a deca- dence. Real estate speculation was dead. Well located property was frequently sold, for actual occupancy, at prices about the same as those of former days; rarely at a higher valuation. Yet some, in locations considered especially de- sirable, was often taken for investment. Not a few outlying lots came to have a mere nominal value, and some additions were vacated, for more advantageous use as farms.

With the outbreak of the civil war, however, the aspect of the situation began materially to Improve. There was a marked influx of popu- lation, and both building and business began to revive. From 1861 to '86 the number of inhabi- tants steadily increased, though from year to year in a varying, and on the whole declining, ratio. Important improvements of every kind were made during this period. Large churches, schoolhouses, hotels, public halls and the Bur- lington depot were built; the county seat was removed to the city, and county buildings erect- ed, the number of stores and dwellings doubled, and the streets and parks were vastly improved. With the location of the Santa Fe railroad, in 1886, came a rapid rise in the value of real prop- erty, and a new era of land speculation began, accompanied by a speedy growth of population. Once more property was in demand, not only for improvement but for investment and specula- tion as well. Again additions and sub-divisions

were made, vacant lots occupied, street pave- ments-already begun-annually extended, and the street car system developed. New churches, large and stately, took the place of the earlier houses of worship; old schoolhouses were en- larged and remodeled, and new ones, of more modern style, erected, to meet imperative de- mands. A new theatre and a new postoffice were built; the business streets were extended, and new and finer business blocks replaced the orig- inal structures, which proved inadequate to meet the requirements of a constantly growing trade. Old dwellings gave place to new; streets were laid out and handsome residences erected, and older thoroughfares extended. Such im- provements as these, with others, have combined to make the city one of the most beautiful in the State. New insitutions were added, and the large suburb of East Galesburg was built up and connected by an extension of the street car system.

Since 1895 there has been some apparent fall- ing off in the ratio of increase of population. The speculative inquiry for real property has not been so large nor have so many dwellings been erected; yet there has been little, if any, falling off in business, none in the public im- provements, and none in the valuation of the best property.

VILLAGE AND CITY INCORPORATION.

The town (village) of Galesburg was incorpo- rated in 1841. Its territory embraced two square miles, the measurement being two miles from east to west, and one from north to south. It included not only the first plat, but also such addition as was obtained by extending the boundary lines one-fourth mile on the south and the same distance toward the north. At that time its outline was defined by the present Losey, Pine and Knox streets, and (on the west) by a line running one-half mile west of what is now called Henderson street.

In 1857 the city of Galesburg was incorporated. The municipal limits included an area of nine square miles, the boundaries on each side being of equal length. The center line coincided with that of the Government survey which separated the southeastern quarter of Section 15 from the northeastern quarter of Section 16. It ran along Main street, three rods east of Cherry. A con- siderable acreage in farm lands was added, but a reduction of the limits, in order to secure a square, compact form, would have excluded a part of the land already platted. The number

Sefied

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of wards was fixed at six, two of which were located in the half-mile square in the center. The first ward lay south, and the second north, of Main street. The others were equal in area and alike in form. The third included the ter- ritory north and northeast of the central square; the fourth, that iying east and southeast; the fifth, the section south and southwest; and the sixth, the area on the north and northeast. The population of the several wards was not grossly unequal, although the first and second, notwith- standing their small territory, were the most populous. The increase of population around the railroad yards virtually necessitated the creation of a seventh ward, in 1870. Its limits Included the territory embraced within the rail- road grounds, covering parts of the original fourth and fifth wards. No further change in the number or boundaries was made until 1894, when the greater growth of the third, then con- sidered as outlying, made the relative distribu- tion of population disproportionate. Thus, the fourth ward had nearly twice the number of inhabitants to be found in the first and second, combined. A new division extended the two central wards, and the boundaries of the other five were re-adjusted, so as measurably to equalize the population, having regard, at the same time, to compactness of territory and com- munity of interest.

By an act approved in 1867, and confirmed by subsequent legislation, the city is granted the same proportionate representation in the Board of Supervisors as is any town in the county; that is to say, an additional Supervisor for every 2,500 inhabitants in excess of 1,500.

ANTAGONISM OF MORAL AND POLITICAL BELIEFS.

The political creed of the early colonists em- braced two fundamental tenets :- opposition to slavery and hostility to the use of alcoholic stimulants. They came from a section where these principles were regarded as heing, if not essential to salvation, at least requisite for re- spectability. When they reached Illinois they were brought into close and constant touch with a people of different dress, speech and habits of thought. At first they were regarded as pre-eminently "peculiar." They were Pres- byterians, abolitionists and teetotallers; they were, therefore, objects of mild curiosity and viewed with a distrust which amounted almost to suspicion. Their assimilation with their new neighbors was a task calling for time and.

mutual concession, and among the points of difference between the two classes of settlers perhaps the most prominent was the divergence in political creeds.

The first election of any real importance was held in 1838. In that year Stephen A. Douglas and John T. Stewart were opposing candidates for Congress in a district which comprised nearly all of the State north of the lilinois River. Neither was known in Galesburg, but the colonists from New York, who were chiefly whigs, voted solidly for Stewart, who won the seat by a very narrow majority. It is said that the first visit of Abraham Lincoln to Knox County was in behalf of his friend Stewart, in anticipation of a possible contest, seeking to verify the unexpected vote. In 1840 candidates of the "Liberty" party secured a portion of the suffrages of the Galesburg abolitionists, and after that date the same political organization captured the greater part of this vote. In one word, Galesburg was politically isolated. It had no party affiliation with any other towu in the county, and its influence in elections was only felt when it happened to hold the balance of power. Gradually, with the arrival of new- comers and the maturing of a younger genera- tion, there came a shifting of political condi- tions. The coalition of the abolitionists with Van Buren's friends drew the allegiance of democrats while repelling many of those who were of whig antecedents, and a respectable vote was given Taylor in 1848. When organized. the republican party absorbed almost the entire voting population of Galesburg. The few demo- crats who yet made party fealty an article of faith found recruits only among new residents, more especially among the Irish employed in railroad construction; but in politics the city has ever been and still is overwhelmingly republican. The new alignment increased the political in- fluence of Galesburg, and gave it a controlling influence in the counsels of the dominant party in the county. In local elections the lines have been usually drawn very closely parallel to those 'aid down in national issues, and no candi- date running on a ticket supported by a dis- sident minority has ever succeeded In securing an election. During the sixteen years of village organization the issues were chiefly personal. "Aristocracy" and "workingmen" were terms not Infrequently employed as war cries, and shortly before a municipal charter was secured "Young America" was the slogan used against "Old Fogies," those raising this cry claiming

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to represent the progressive, as against the conservative, element. The leader of this party, Richard H. Whiting, was the last President of the village.

The temperance question had much to do with the organization of the "Young America" party. At the foundation of the colony an attempt was made forever to prohibit the sale of liquor within the limits of the village to be founded, by the insertion of a provision forfeiting to the college the title to any lot conveyed by the in- stitution itself, on which liquor should be sold. The character of the original population was such as to make whiskey selling as unprofitable as it was likely to be unpopular, and no at- tempt to introduce the liquor traffic was made until the railroad introduced a new population, of different training and diverse habits. With that the struggle for enforced prohibition be- gan, but the advocates of the movement lacked organization at the outset, and the party in control of the village affairs was too liberal to take any effort toward advancing it.

The original draft of the city's charter vested the right to license and control the liquor traffic in the council. To this strong objection was made, and a separate vote was taken on the adoption of that clause, the majority against license heing large. Under the new government, the "Young America" party retained its or- ganization, and, calling itself the Liberal party, appeared in nearly every election down to 1897. It has included the saloon interest, as well as temperance men who do not favor extreme measures. The line between it and the oppos- ing party has been loosely drawn, and at all times affected by other questions and personal and local interests. A liberal Mayor was elected in 1859, and again in 1864, '65 and '66. Having never, prior to the year last named, been in con- trol of the council, the main object actually ac- complished by the opposition was to hold in check and counteract the efforts of the party in the majority. The saloons continued to exist, either by sufferance or successful resistance of the intermittent efforts to drive them out. In 1867, Charles P. West being Mayor, a vigorous effort was made for suppression, and a consider- able sum expended for this end; but the result was a disheartening disappointment to those who had been most interested in the cause of prohibition. For the next four years temper- ance men controlled the administration, yet lit- tle attempt was made to do more than preserve order. For a portion of the time saloon keepers

were periodically arrested, and subjected to the payment of a light fine. In 1872 it appeared that no fines had been collected, and that there were twenty-two open saloons, besides numerous places in the outskirts of the city where the traffic was carried on in a small way. The tem- perance people seemed to have given up the fight as hopeless. Mr. Field, then Mayor, pro- posed the passage of an ordinance legalizing the sale of liquor, but imposing a license fee so high that few would care to pay it. With the aid of these licensees, who would have a peculiar interest in driving out illegitimate dealers, the traffic might be regulated and controlled. While the want of special power in the charter to grant license might tend to invalidate the pro- tection from prosecutions under the State law thus offered to dealers, the guarantee of exemp- tion from attack by the city would, it was thought, induce acceptance of it. An ordinance was passed fixing the license fee at six hundred dollars, a sum at that time considered an ex- treme rate. The policy was approved by leading citizens, who were strongly opposed to the traf- fic, as likely to afford the best practicable meas- ure of relief possible from an evil which it was thought impossible wholly to eradicate. Yet very soon there was developed a feeling of hos- tility to the measure as immoral, and in 1874 the ordinance was repealed. In 1875, on that issue, the Liberals elected the Mayor but failed to secure a majority of the council. In 1876 the temperance party secured control of both the legislative and executive branches of the city government, and, with the whole force of the city at command, a vigorous and unrelenting war was made upon the sale of liquors. A stub- born resistance was encountered and large sums were expended by both sides to the controversy. An intensely bitter feeling was engendered, dis- turb'ng social and even domestic relations, and ending in the practical defeat of the temper- ance party, with heavy costs to be paid by the city and county. In the middle of the year, upon petition of the citizens, an election was called on the proposition to adopt, in place of the old special charter, the general law for the government of cities. The proposition was car- ried by a decisive majority and the announce- ment of the result was followed by bonfires and illuminations. In 1877 a Liberal Mayor was elected, and thirteen of the fourteen aldermen were of the same municipal party. A license ordinance was passed, which, with amendments made from time to time in the direction of more

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careful restrictions, is still in force. The rate of license was in 1884 advanced to one thousand dollars. Prohibition districts had been estab- lished, saloons being prohibited from the vicin- ity of churches, schools, depots, public build- ings and parks, as well as from principal thor- oughfares and residence districts, and confined to localities already occupied and within reach of police supervision. Places for the sale of stimulants in Galesburg are few in number, compared with those in other cities of like population. Their increase has not kept pace with the growth of the city.

GALESBURG IN THE CIVIL WAR.

The civil war aroused great enthusiasm here as elsewhere. From its first settlement Gales- burg was an abolition town, and the first anti- slavery society in this part of the country was organized there in the winter of 1836-7. The settlement was a recognized station on the fa- mous "underground railway," and many a fugitive slave was helped to Canada and freedom by Galesburg citizens. Jonathan Blanchard, the President of Knox College from 1845 to 1857, was one of the most noted abolitionists in the entire Northwest, and his views were shared by many. As may be supposed, the place furnished few sympathizers with the Mexican war, but when the Kansas trouble came, sympathy and ald were heartily offered to the Free State Kansans, not only by the city but also by the entire coun- ty, the first carload of supplies for the Kansas sufferers being sent from Knox County. So, in 1861, there went from Galesburg 554 volunteers, aside from one hundred day men, to join the Union army. The bounty money given amounted to $24,000. More than $25,000 was given to pur- chase soldiers' supplies, and about $16,000 to aid soldiers' families. A Soldiers' Aid Society, organized in the county, derived a large share of its support from Galesburg. Meetings were frequently held, where the utmost enthusiasm prevailed. Chaplain McCabe held one in the old First Church, and gave his reminiscenses of life in Libby Prison. He called for contributions, and the citizens responded with nearly two thousand dollars. Even the children remem- bered the soldiers. About four dozen little girls organized a "Juvenile Soldiers' Aid Society," and worked many months preparing articles for the sick and the wounded.

STREET PAVING.

In 1876 the question of gravelling the streets was agitated, and finally Main street and a few

others were treated in this way. It proved an unsatisfactory substitute for paving, but much better than the soft prairie mud. In 1884 the first block of brick pavement was laid on Main street, between Kellogg and Seminary. To-day more than twenty miles of streets have been thus paved, and the city has let contracts for many more. Before this paving it was not un- usual to see vehicles completely mired on the principal streets, and during an entire winter merchants were compelled to deliver goods in hand carts.

MANUFACTURES.

The city draws its main commercial support from the farmers of the surrounding country. The railroad shops employ a large number of men, but of manufactories there are few. At- tempts have been made, by offers of bonus, to induce the location of many concerns of various kinds, but so far none of these have been ac- cepted. The principal factories at present are these:

Brown's Corn-Planter Works. The buildings occupy nearly all of Block 30, and one hundred and thirty-five men are employed. (See bicgraphy of George W. Brown.)

Frost Manufacturing Company. The founder of this concern was J. P. Frost, who, in 1838, opened a small shop in the Ferris steam saw- mill, in Henderson Grove. In a few years he moved to Galesburg, and in 1856, in company with Andrew Harrington, put up a building for a machine shop and foundry. Soon W. S. Bel- lows and L. C. Field came into the business, which increased largely. In 1867 the company was incorporated, and it now employs about seventy-five men. C. A. Webster is the Presi- dent, and Andrew Harrington the Secretary and Treasurer.

Colton's Foundry, formerly called the Novelty Works, was established by G. D. Colton, in 1838. In 1865 Mr. Cheney became a partner, who, after his death, was succeeded by C. S. Colton. From that time the business has been generally pros- perous. The present manager, O. J. Colton, st one time attempted to remove the factory to a ste northeast of Galesburg. The new building there erected was once burned and once un- roofed hy a storm and the plan was abandoned, the works still standing on Block 84.

In 1844 Lucius Nutting came to Knox County and worked his way through school by making brooms. From such a modest beginning has de- veloped the present Boyer'a Broom Factory,

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KNOX COUNTY.

which does an extensive business, employing thirty-five men. A. A. Boyer, the proprietor, Is blind, but is nevertheless one of the most ex- pert broom makers in the country, and an in- ventor of much useful broom machinery.

The first steel plow and the first successful wood bender were invented in 1842 and '44 by H. H. May, then a Galesburg citizen. (See Steel Plow.) His sons, S. W. and H. L. May, invented and manufacture new styles of pumps and wind mills. An extensive factory in that line, on Block 52, is now operated by the last named.

The Willis Cornice Works, established in 1891, is now a large plant. Barrett's Machine Shop, Fuller's Sash and Door Factory, and Kimber's Box Factory, which is owned and operated en- tirely by women, and the College City Soap Works complete the list of Galesburg's more important factories.

TRANSPORTATION, LIGHTING AND TELE- PHONE SERVICE.

Gas and electric light are supplied by a private company. In 1860 R. H. Whiting and other citizens organized the Galesburg Gas Light and Coke Company, with a capital of $100,000; and in 1865 the making of gas was begun. In 1886 the arrangements for furnishing electric lighting as well as gas were completed, and the name of the company was changed to the Galesburg Gas and Electric Light Company.

The telephone system was established here by the Central Union Telephone Company, about 1882. There are now five hundred and fifty telephones in the exchange.

The Street Car Company was formed in 1885, and horses were used for traction. It was then called the College City Street Railway Company. The first line ran from the Union Hotel to the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy depot, and the first car was started June 22, 1885. In 1890 the Galesburg Street Car Company was formed, to build the North Broad Street line, which was opened in 1891, when the two companies were consolidated. The present corporation, the Galesburg Electric Motor and Power Company, was chartered May 13, 1892, and the necessary city ordinance, empowering it to use the streets, was passed eighteen days later. The motive power was changed to electricity, a power house was built on Main street, just east of the Chi- cago, Burlington and Quincy track, the neces- sary equipment was obtained, and on December 16, 1892, electric cars began running. The com-

pany now has ten motor cars and twenty-seven trailers and fifteen and one-half miles of track. It employs sixty men. In 1897 the line was ex- tended to Knoxville, and the first car was started August 18, of the same year.

THEATERS AND HALLS.

Prior to 1857 public entertainments were given in some one of various halls or in the churches. In that year Dunn's Hall was erected on the southeast corner of Main and Prairie streets, and the first regular theatre was built, by Inness and Murdoch, in 1864. It was named Caledonla Hall, and has since been remodeled into the present Opera House. Another theatre, now commonly called the Old Opera House, on the south side of the public square, was built in 1872 and burned in 1886. In 1890 the present Audi- torium was finished. The situation of the city renders it a convenient stopping place for com- panies on their way west from Chicago. Owing to this and to the activity of Mr. Berquist, the Auditorium manager, Galesburg hears better companies than does any other town of equal size in the State.

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

Galesburg's Fire Department is well equipped and efficient. The first effectual step toward its organization was taken in 1856, when the council bought an engine named "The Prairie Bird" and a volunteer company was organized, com- posed of a majority of the business men of the community, with H. R. Sanderson as chief. In 1862 the "Pioneer Hook and Ladder Company" was formed, which disbanded in 1863. For sev- eral years volunteer companies were the only ones, but in 1879 a paid fire department was established, with Gus Peterson as chief. At present the force numbers ten regular 'and two call men, beside the chief. The equipment con- sists of a hose carriage, hose wagon, a ladder truck, a steam engine, a double chemical en- gine, eight horses and 2,200 feet of hose. The first fire attended by the department occurred May 19, 1879. James C. O'Brien is chief, and John E. Cater, assistant.

PUBLIC LIBRARY.

The Public Library had its inception in 1857 or '58, when the Young Men's Literary and Library Association was organized. In the win- ter of 1858-59 and 1859-60 lectures were given for the benefit of its library fund, and on Febru- ary 4, 1860, the association had four hundred

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volumes and over one hundred dollars' worth of furniture in their hall. In 1866 the number of books had increased to 2,850; and on May 26, 1874, the entire collection, 3,732 volumes, was donated to the city, upon its agreeing to assume future management and become responsible for all expenses incident thereto. Annual ap- propriations-at first $2,500, now $4,000-are made by the council. At present there are 142 periodicals and 2,200 volumes in the library. It is kept open from 9 a. m. to 9 p. m. every week day. The sum of five thousand dollars has been appropriated by the municipality for the erec- tion of a library building, on the northwest cor- ner of Prairie and Ferris streets. It will be thoroughly modern in plan and construction, and the value of the library to the people will be greatly enhanced. Miss Celia A. Hayward is now Librarian, with Miss Anna F. Hoover as assistant.

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 133

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913; Gale, W. Shelden Publication date: 1899 Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1388

Author: Bateman, Newton, 1822-1897. cn; Selby, Paul, 1825-1913; Gale, W. Shelden
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chicago : Munsell Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1388