Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 135

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

USA > Illinois > Knox County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 135
USA > Illinois > Lake County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 135
USA > Illinois > Mercer County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 135
USA > Illinois > Kane County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 135
USA > Illinois > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 135
USA > Illinois > Coles County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 135
USA > Illinois > Clark County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 135
USA > Illinois > McDonough County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 135
USA > Illinois > Schuyler County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 135

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The "Knox County Observer"' was published in 1865, by Louis V. Taft, but lived only a short time.

The "Liberal" was started in 1867, by Stephen R. Smith as a weekly. He discontinued it in 1870 aud sold the material.

The "Galesburg Republic" was founded Janu- ary 1, 1873, by Judson Graves. It was an eight column folio, and for three months was issued as a semi-weekly; after that as a weekly. In December, 1879, Messrs. Henry Emrich and iram B. Biggs, the present proprietors, purchased the office. The paper is an eight column quarto, published weekly. It is staunchly republican, and has taken an active part in politics, in which field it has had considerable influence. It has always viewed practical questions from high, moral ground, opposing questionable means and methods. It has enjoyed the confi- dence of party leaders, of whom its editor, Mr. Emrich, is one, and it has a fair patronage.

"The Republican Register," the old leading journal of the county, is a seven-column quarto, having both daily and weekly editions. It is the result of the consolidation of the "Register" and the "Republican," both Galesburg papers. The former was established in 1866, by Stephen R. Smith, William J. Mourer and H. D. Babcock, and, after several changes, was bought by E. F. Phelps, in 1872. The latter first appeared in 1870, its proprietors and publishers being C. E. Carr and J. M. Prior, who sold to S. W. Grubb In 1872. In December of that year, the union was consummated. A company had been formed, styled the Galesburg Printing Company, for the especial purpose of becoming the owner

Francis A Truer

677

KNOX COUNTY.

of these two papers. J. B. Boggs is President; L. F. Wertman, Vice-President; and S. W. Grubb, Secretary and Treasurer. The manage- ment of the journal is under the control of S. W. Grubb, a practical printer of over half a century's experience. The paper is uncompro- misingiy republican in politics. It receives the Associated Press dispatches, and the local columns are usually full and well arranged, and embrace all the happenings of the city, and, indeed, of the entire county, its list of regular correspondents in various parts of the county contributing well prepared articles on the news of their district each week. It has the largest circulation in the county. Fred R. Jelliff is editor, with Eugene M. Weeks and George M. Strain for assistants. Four years ago the Gales- burg Printing Company erected a new, modern building on Simmons street, between Prairle and Cherry, equipped with new machinery.

The Evening Gazette was published at Galesburg for a short time after the great strike on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad. The officials of that road were very much dis- satisfied with the course pursued by the "Re- publican-Register" during the labor troubles, and so transplanted the "Monmouth Gazette" to this city. But the paper could not live here and after a brief struggle suspended publication.

The "Galesburg Evening Mail" was started May 13, 1891. It was the outcome of a factional fight in the republican party of Knox County, which had spread throughout the tenth Con- gressional district. The leaders of the two fac- tions were General Philip Sidney Post and Colonel Clark E. Carr. Both men were am- bitious to represent the district in Congress. Colonel Carr's candidacy was vigorously sup- ported by the one daily paper in Knox County at that time, the "Republican-Register." The need of having an active organ in the field to compete with this influence gave impetus to the project already under consideration to found in Galesburg another daily paper. The original promoters were W. Bennett Barnes, son of General Barnes, who was for years prominent in Illinois journalism, in Galesburg and else- where, and the proprietors of the Colville job printing office, George W. and William R. Col- ville. A stock company was formed, in which a majority of the stock was held by Colville Brothers and Mr. Barnes. General Post and his friends were well represented. The company organized with S. H. Bateman President, and G. W. Colville Secretary. The first Board of

Directors included, in addition to these gentle- men, F. A. Freer, H. L. May, W. B. Barnes and W. R. Colville. Mr. Bateman was succeeded later by W. O. Lovejoy, and the company as then organized remained Intact until further trans- fer was made, in 1895. The paper as first pub- lished was a seven column folio. It obtained the United Press franchise, and began to be felt as an important factor in the community from the first. In keeping with the original idea of pro- moting the interests of the Post faction in re- publican politics, the "Mail" was for years par- tially, aud at times wholly, edited by F. A. Freer and Philip S. Post, a son of General Post, and others alive to the General's interests. The success of the latter in securing the nomina- tion and election to Congress eventually re- moved from the paper a certain part of Its political responsibility, but it remained in the newspaper field in active competition. The pa- per was subsequently edited by G. W. Colville, while W. R. Colville was business manager. On March 18, 1895, the interest held in the com- pany by the Colville Brothers and W. B. Barnes was transferred to D. H. and Benjamin B. Hampton, formerly publishers of the "Macomb By-Stander." Benjamin B. Hampton succeeded G. W. Colville as secretary of the company and became the active manager. D. H. Hampton was made editor. Within a short time the office was moved from the old Colville job office into a new building erected for it at 50-52 North Cherry street, and in August, 1899, to more spacious quarters in the Marquette Building on South Cherry street. Its form has been changed to a six column quarto, although frequently publish- ing ten, twelve and even sixteen pages. The growth of the paper in the past few years, in spite of hard times, has been rapid. Many addi- tions have been made to its equipments, among others being a Linotype machine. Under the present management the name of the paper was changed from "The Galesburg Daily Mail" to "The Galesburg Evening Mail," which It now bears. A weekly edition is also issued, and has reached a position of influence throughout Knox County. The paper holds the Associated Press franchise and features its important news items in metropolitan style. Its excellent news service, both telegraphic and local, has gained for the paper a clientele of readers which has made it a valuable advertising medium. It re- mains thoroughly republican in politics.

The "Galesburg Labor News" is published every Saturday from the Plaindealer Printing

678

KNOX COUNTY.

Company's office hy H. C. Smalley, who started the paper September 14, 1895, in connection with J. A. Smith, whom Mr. Smalley bought out in 1898. It is a six column folio, devoted to the interests of organized labor and wage workers generally, and is endorsed by the Trades and Labor Assembly of Galesburg, of which it Is the official organ.

"Liberty" was established In 1892. It was a Blx column quarto, published every Saturday by W. C. Holden. It was strictly independent In politics, but opposed to Catholicism. After a somewhat checkered career it ceased publica- tion in 1897.

BANKS.

As a rule, banking in Knox County has been conducted on safe, conservative principles. The failures have been few, and the business has steadily grown, in extent and volume, as pop- ulation and wealth increased. At present, the number of banks in the county is nineteen, lo- cated at nine different points, five being estab- lished at Galesburg. Their aggregate paid up capital exceeds $1,100,000, while their surplus and undivided profits amount to more than $260,000. Their total annual deposits average about $1,750,000 and their loans reach $2,250,000 each year.

The history of the institutions throughout the country at large may be found under the caption of the city or town in which located. A brief account of the inception, growth and pres- ent condition of banking in the city of Gales- burg is given below:

"Reed's Banking House" was the earliest, hav- Ing first opened its doors in July, 1855, as a private bank. Its founders and sponsors were A. D. and Horatio Reed and E. L. Chapman. In 1857, a charter was obtained under State law and it became a bank of issue. It was success- ful, notwithstanding the financial panic of that year, its notes never falling below par. In 1860, Mr. Reed erected a new building at the north- west corner of Main and Cherry streets and the bank was moved into more spacious quarters. A few years later, Mr. Reed removed to Chi- cago, and its affairs were wound up.

In the same year in which Reed's Banking House was founded, T. L. McCoy, who had shortly before opened a packing house at Gales- burg, established a "wild cat" bank in connec- tion with his business. It was called the Nemaha, and was nominally located at Browns- ville, Nebraska. It issued a large volume of

currency, which found ready circulation, but in the early days of the war it fell together with scores of similar ventures.

The Knox County Savings Bank was the out- growth of and successor to the business of Sid- ney Meyers and Company, a banking firm or- ganized in 1861. Mr. Meyers soon removed to Chicago, and Josias Grant conducted the busi- ness under the new name until lack of funds compelled the closing of the doors. The share- holders lost heavily, but the depositors were paid in full.

The First National Bank was organized in January, 1864, with C. H. Matthews, President; Frans Colton, Vice-President; and E. L. Chap- man, Cashier. Its capital stock was originally $100,000, but was increased to $150,000. In 1866, the present bank building on the northeast cor- ner of Main and Cherry streets was erected. This bank, largely through the efforts of Tim- othy Moshier and Francis Fuller, its President for many years, has built up a very large busi- ness. L. F. Wertman is now President, Fred Seacord Vice-President, and Lorin Stevens Cashier. Its surplus and undivided profits are $74,852; its deposits $350,000, and its loans $375,- 688.

In May, 1864, the Second National Bank was organized, with a capital of $60,000, which was afterwards increased to $100,000. David San- born was the first President; Edwin Post, Vice- President; and Albert Reed, Cashier. In a sense this bank may be said to be a continua- tion of the old Reed bank, taking much of that concern's business and occupying the same quar- ters, at the northwest corner of Main and Cherry streets. The present President is A. J. Perry, while Andrew Harrington and J. G. Vivion are Vice-President and Cashier. Its sur- plus and undivided profits amount to $50,000, while its average deposits are $225,000 and Its loans $230,000.

The Farmers and Mechanics Bank was estab- lished in 1870, with $100,000 capital, which has since been increased to $200,000. First officers: C. S. Colton, President; C. E. Grant, Vice- President; W. Little, Cashier. Until 1880 this bank also conducted a savings department. It has been a very prosperous and popular institu- tion. The present officers are: J. L. Burkhalter, President; G. D. Crocker, Vice-President; Leon A. Townsend, Cashier. Its surplus is $30,000; deposits, $350,000; loans, $400,000.

The Galesburg National Bank was founded in 1884, with $100,000 capital. W. W. Washburn

Dy Frosh

679

KNOX COUNTY.

was the first President; A. A. Smith, Vice- President; and James H. Losey, Cashier. It was first located on the northeast corner of Main and Prairie streets, but in 1897 was moved into a fine, new building of its own, on the diagonal corner. P. F. Brown is now President, William Robson Viee-President, and James H. Losey Cashier. Surplus, $25,000; undivided profits, $100,000; de- posits, $235,000; loans, $385,000.

The Bank of Galesburg, a State bank, was es- tablished in 1889, and incorporated in 1891, with $100,000 capital. It is located in the Fraternity Block at the corner of Main and Kellogg streets. The officers are: A. M. Craig, Presi- dent; N. O. G. Johnson, Vice-President; P. N. Granville, Cashier. It has a surplus of $50,000; deposits of $435,000, and loans amounting to $457,000.

HOTELS.

Considering its size Galesburg has not had many hotels, and of the few it has had, which now are gone, but little is known, probably be- cause their history was too uneventful to awak- en a lively interest in Its preservation.

The "Galesburg House" was the first hotel here. It stood on the southwest corner of Main and Cherry streets-a large frame building. Messrs. Brown and Beswick built it

as early as 1841 for Sebastian Adams, the first owner and proprietor, who sold out to Rev. H. H. Kellogg. While he owned it Levi San- derson was the proprietor. Other proprietors were Abraham Neely, Clarendon R. Palmer, who was one of the early postmasters, and T. G. Hadley, who was the last proprietor. The building was not used as a hotel after 1860, and finally it burned down.

The second hotel was the "Haskell House," built by George Haskell and his father a little before the coming of the rail- road, on the north side of Main street, about midway between Cherry and Prairie streets. It was a three-story frame building, quite pretentious for the times. It was sold to a man named Bonney and called "Bonney House" till it burned in 1859 or '60. It was noted as the first place in Galesburg where liquor was sold.

Next eame the "Willard Hotel" on the south- west corner of Main and Chambers streets. It was cut up into dwelling houses about 1860.

Fourth was a frame building near the "Five Points." It burned soon after erection.

Fifth was the "Bancroft House," the first

brick hotel in Galesburg. It was built on the corner of Prairie and Warehouse streets In 1857 by A. N. and G. C. Baneroft, who were the proprietors for ten years. Si Hall and a Mr. Cowan were later proprietors. For some time this was the best hotel in Galesburg, but it gradually deteriorated until it became almost worthless. Under the names "Lindell" and "College City" it was kept as a hotel until about 1890.

The "Transient House" was the sixth hotel here. It was built in 1855 by George Hinckley on the west side of West street between Simmons and Tompkins. J. Milton Smith, a great horse- man, came here about that time, bought the place of Hinekley and became the first proprie- tor. In 1856 he sold out to Daniel Henshaw, who ran the place for fourteen years as the "Henshaw House." In 1871 it was eut up into dwelling houses.

The "Clifton Hotel," the seventh Galesburg hotel, was built in 1858 on the southeast eorner of Main and Kellogg streets, and was at first known as the "Kellogg House" and later as the "Commercial Hotel." When the Fraternity Block was erected the Clifton was moved to its present location on Seminary street, and en- larged and improved. It is a frame bullding, and was for some years the leading hotel of Galesburg. Among the proprietors have been, first, Jerry Roberts, then Messrs. Barton, Owens, Blossom, Captain Lipe, James Boyd, J. J. Jhons, Joe Sayles, and Matt Gibson.

The "Union Hotel," the eighth here, was opened in January, 1870. It was built by a stock company, of which Captain Grant was President and C. S. Colton the chief stock- holder. Finally it passed into the hands of the Colton family. It was burned early in 1871 and was rebuilt the same year. For a number of years it has been one of the best hotels in Illi- nois. The proprietors have been: Hi Belden, a Mr. Redy, from Joplin, Missouri; Redy and Hamilton, Maj. C. E. Hamilton, a Mr. Wormley, Gorham and Mundy, Mundy and Brownell, Brownell, Dixon and Stansbury, Maj. Stans- bury, Henry Gardt and Company, and George J. Mills. It is now owned by Henry Gardt and Company, who lease it to Mr. Mills. It occupies the block at the northwest corner of the Square and Broad street.

The ninth hotel in Galesburg was "Brown's Hotel," which, ever since its opening on No- vember 1, 1872, has been one of the two lead- ing hostelries in the place. It was built by a

680

KNOX COUNTY.

stock company of which Geo. W. Brown and Charles H. Matthews were the principal stock- holders. It is a large brick edifice on the southwest corner of Main and Kellogg streets, and has been altered and improved two or three times since its first building. In 1891 Norman Anthony purchased it and still owns it. For the first two years of his ownership it was run by McMurtry Brothers and Kirch. Since then Mr. Anthony has run it himself. The other proprietors in order were Frank Poindexter, Messrs. Mead, Benjamin Lombard, Sr., and Cap- tain H. C. Case.

The next hotel here was the "European Hotel" on Seminary street at the head of Tomp- kins street. It was built about 1890 by Ben Buckley, who has owned it ever, since. It is a frame building, not very large but a very pleasant place.

The "Arlington Hotel" was built by Crocker and Robbins on Seminary street opposite the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad depot and opened for business April 20, 1896. It occupies part of the first and all of the second and third stories of a large brick building. No meals are served here, but owing to its location and the tact and skill of its proprietor it has secured a very large share of the transient business of Galesburg. Charles D. Hall has been the proprietor ever since the opening of the house.

WATER SUPPLY.

The city is situated on a prairie, with no large stream within its borders or in its vicinity.

Wells sunk in a retentive sub-soil afforded a satisfactory water supply until within a few years. In the early days the average well sunk to the level of the hard blue clay, an ordinary depth of from sixteen to twenty feet, seldom failed to supply the domestic wants of a fam- ily. A shaft sunk to greater depth, in the under- lying strata, was likely to pierce into a sand vein, with which the clay was penetrated, and might liberate a strong underground current, which sometimes rose to nearly the surface of the ground.

A mammoth well on the grounds of the Chi- cago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad for many years supplied all the wants of the company at this, a division point, even after the estab- lishment of the Stock Yards. Gradually, how- ever, there came to be felt a necessity for fire protection. Cisterns were placed at points of convenience, to be filled from wells and kept in readiness for emergencies. The well at

Brown's Corn Planter works not only supplied this extensive manufacturing plant, but was also utilized for filling the public cisterns.

The first agitation for the establishment of a system of public water works had its origin in the appreciation of the necessity of better pro- tection of the city against conflagration.

Court Creek, a part of the head waters of which rise within the city limits, enters Gales- burg about two miles from the heart of the city through a deep valley extending twelve miles eastward to Spoon River. The elevated lands upon either side are cut by rapidly falling valleys, becoming narrow and deep, and afford- ing a natural sluice-way for the drainage of the country for many miles on both sides. George W. Brown had, upon his own land, formed a small artificial lake in one of the valleys for his own pleasure. Afterwards, he excavated an- other, much larger, now known as Lake George, a charming and favorite resort, a more par- ticular description of which is given on another page. There was also a public well upon his premises, and another on the grounds of the Frost Manufacturing Company.

The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Rail- road Company, needing a more abundant sup- ply of water, had excavated a lake in Court Creek Valley, with pipes running thence to the depot grounds. At this time the entire municipal supply consisted of a reservoir on Seminary street, holding eleven hundred barrels, and one on West street with a capacity of fifteen hun- dred barrels. Two steam pumps and twelve hydrants constituted the distributing force.

During Mayor Foote's administration, in 1883- 84, it was proposed to follow the example of the railroad company, and to create a lake in one of the valleys connected with Court Creek Val- ley, from which a supply of water might be ob- tained for general municipal purposes. It was pointed out that no limit could be placed upon the city's needs for years to come, as its wants were likely to increase beyond any provisions first made; and that an additional chain of lakes was a feasible project, which might furnish a water-shed of one hundred square miles.

The proposition was followed by an offer on the part of Nathan Shelton to construct a sys- tem of water works, requiring of the city only a franchise and an agreement to pay a given price per annum for a fixed number of hydrants for fire supply.

Under an agreement, such a system was con- structed, with several miles of pipe and a water

Geo. W Sale

681

KNOX COUNTY.

tower, the supply being obtained from a single well some eighty feet in depth and sunk through a fifteen foot gravel seam. Worthing- ton duplex pumps were to be installed, with a capacity of 4,500 cubic feet per day. A stand- pipe, fifteen feet in diameter and one hundred and thirty-three feet high, was also included. Nine miles of water main were laid and eighty hydrants put in. The annual cost to the city was to be eight thousand dollars.

Mr. Shelton was the promoter of the company, whose plant was located near the Burlington tracks, on North street. The supply proved inadequate, and citizens who had, in the antici- pation of its success, provided for taking water, found themselves without return. Yet the pro- ject proved sufficiently successful to float a mortgage, with bonds enough to reimburse the promoter.

The city refusing longer to pay for the serv- ice, a protracted litigation followed, resulting in the release of the municipality from the com- pany's claim. In the meantime (July, 1890), Galesburg had commenced the construction of a system of its own, and subsequently purchased the Shelton works.

The Cedar Fork Valley, near the west line of the corporate limits, was chosen for the site. The supply is obtained from wells sunk into an extensive, water-bearing stratum beneath the valley of Cedar Creek. These were subsequently re-enforced by artesian wells, penetrating the Trenton and St. Peter's limestone. The wants of the public are so fully met that there is no reason to doubt that the supply from the same sources can be indefinitely increased, and, should necessity arise, there is still Court Creek Valley, with its unlimited subterranean and surface springs. Seventy-six tubular wells are now in operation, connected by twenty-seven hundred feet of sixteen inch suction mains. A pump-house has been erected with two Gaskell- Holley, non-compound condensing engines, and three one hundred horse power boilers. A stor- age reservoir, with a capacity of four million gallons, has been constructed near the pump- house. In 1896, two artesian wells were drilled, which are operated by the Hewlitt air-lift sys- tem. There are twenty-seven miles of distribut- ing mains, from four to sixteen inches in diam- eter, and two hundred and ninety-four hydrants. This system has cost the city about $230,000. At present 1,500,000 gallons of water can be fur- nished daily, 1,000,000 of which are obtainable from the drift tubular wells.

PARKS.

By J. V. N. Standish.

Parks and boulevards are the pride and joy of every city. They are sources of pleasure and health to everyone. Emerson says: "No labor, pains, temperance, property, nor exer- cise, that can gain health, must be begrudged; for sickness is a cannibal which eats up all the life and youth it can lay hold of, and absorbs its own sons and daughters." No city should neglect to provide parks and pleasure grounds for its people. If she does, she becomes a lag- gard in the onward march of civilization. Civilization has its foundation in beauty and refinement. Take away these, and a nation of people would soon relapse into barbarism. The man that opposes public parks is not a bencfac- tor, but an enemy, of his race.

The parks of Galesburg are small, covering but a few acres. They are ornamental and attractive, and are kept in the neatest manner. A large variety of shrubs and trees decorate the green lawn, and an abundance of flowering plants give life and beauty to the scene. They are under the supervision of a Park Commis- sion of six members, created by the City Council.

April 13, 1876, the Horticultural Society of Galesburg presented a memorial to the Council. asking that a Park Commission be created of three or more members, who should have the control and supervision of the parks, and who should serve without compensation. On June 5, an ordinance was passed, defining the duties and powers of the commission, and by the mayor, George W. Brown, the following were appointed commissioners: J. V. N. Standish, O. T. Johnson, B. F. Arnold, T. J. Hale, John Mc- Farland, and George Churchill. By the terms of the ordinance, those appointed were required to draw lots for length of service. O. T. John- son and B. F. Arnold drew for one year; J. V. N. Standish and John McFarland, for two years; and T. J. Hale and George Churchill, for three years. The board was organized by elec- ting T. J. Hale, president, and George Churchill, secretary. Mr. Hale served four years as pres- ident, and Dr. Standish, the present incumbent, has served nineteen years.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 135

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