Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 136

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 136
USA > Illinois > Lake County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 136
USA > Illinois > Mercer County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 136
USA > Illinois > Kane County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 136
USA > Illinois > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 136
USA > Illinois > Coles County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 136
USA > Illinois > Clark County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 136
USA > Illinois > McDonough County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 136
USA > Illinois > Schuyler County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois > Part 136

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).

May 12, 1880, an ordinance was passed to connect the City Park with the Central Park by a boulevard, which was planned by Dr. Standish. This driveway is regarded as the most beautiful in the city.

682

KNOX COUNTY.

In the Spring of 1887, the president of the Park Commission, with the approval of his associates, presented to the Council a plan for improving and beautifying Central Park, which was adopted. This park, in one year, was made so beautiful as to be a rival of the most artistic park. It has won praises from all who have seen it. The parks of Galesburg are neat and attractive. Their influence is felt in every nook and corner of the city, and even in the county.

The present board is composed of the follow- ing: J. V. N. Standish, president; Loren Stevens, secretary; Hiram Mars, C. A. Webster, N. W. Boon, P. M. Stromberg. At different times the following have been members of this commission: O. T. Johnson, B. F. Arnold, T. J. Hale, John McFarland, George Churchill, Francis Fuller, George C. Lanphere, M. L. Comstock, Isaac Perkins, O. F. Price, E. P. Williams, W. Selden Gale, Henry Gardt.

MILITARY COMPANIES.

The first military companies in Galesburg were organized before the Civil War, probably in 1857, certainly not before 1856. There were three of them, all formed about the same time. At that period there was no State militia, although the State furnished equipment for volunteer companies. Probably the first of those enlisted here was the Galesburg Light Guards. This was an infantry company, and numbered, perhaps, fifty men. Prominent in organizing it were L. D. Rowell, Charles Sheeley, James Andrews, Daniel Farrell and a Mr. Huntoon. The company drilled on the second floor of a building near the northwest corner of Main and Prairie streets. At the time of the Lincoln-Douglas debate they acted as a bodyguard for the great contestants. escorting them to and from the college campus, where the speaking was heard. The first offi- cers of this company were: L. D. Rowell, captain; Charles Sheeley, first lieutenant: James Andrews, second lieutenant; and Daniel Farrell, orderly sergeant. The organization disbanded before 1861.

The Scandinavian Rifles was the second Galesburg company. It was organized in 1857, and disbanded a year or so before the war. Nearly all the members enlisted in the Union army. With the exception of one "section," of about tweleve men, who were from Victoria, it was composed of Swedes living in Galesburg. There were from fifty to seventy members. They drilled on the ground east of Chambers

and south of North street, and at first used a room in Dr. McCall's water cure establish- ment for their armory, but subsequently had their headquarters in a building on the north side of Main street, just west of the public square. They also acted as an escort of honor to Lincoln and Douglas. Their officers, in order of service, were: Captains, Leonard Holmberg, A. Stenbeck and Olof Staul, who was afterward known as Captain Olof S. Edvall, of the Forty-third Volunteer Infantry. First lieutenants, Olof Staul and a Swede by the name of Shanstrom. Second lieutenants, O. P. Pearson, C. E. Lanstrum and Nels P. McCool. A few of the original members still live in Galesburg, among them being Swan Anderson, John Erickson, C. E. Lanstrum, William O. Nelson and Nels Olson.

There was also in those days an artillery company in the city, which had but few mem- bers and whose battery consisted of one gun. It was organized in 1857 or 1858, and after a year or two disbanded.

The three companies which have been men- tioned, together with a Knoxville cavalry com- pany, united to form what they styled the "Knox County Battalion," which drilled on the prairie, half way between Knoxville and Galesburg. The officers were, Colonel T. J. Hale, Lieutenant Colonel L. D. Rowell, Major Leonard Holmberg and Sergeant Major Cal. Cover.

There were no other military organizations here until after the enactment of the law creating a State militia. The first company recruited here under that law was Company B, of the Fourth Infantry, which was mustered into the State service about September 27, 1878, the Hon. Frank Murdoch acting as mustering officer. There had been more or less talk of forming such a company for a year or two before, and E. R. Drake had circulated a paper calling for its organization, which had received several signatures. William Whiting was colonel of the regiment, and O. L. Higgins lieutenant colonel.

Early in the eighties, the Illinois militia was reorganized, and this company became Com- pany C, of the Sixth Infantry, I. N. G. The officers, in order of service, have been as fol- lows: Captains, E. F. Phelps, J. M. Martin, Howard Reed, G. P. Hoover, W. S. Weeks, H. A. Norton, A. W. Stickney, C. E. Fitch, E. C. Elder and T. L. McGirr; first lieutenants, Charles Wells, E. R. Drake, Guy B. Dickson,

683

KNOX COUNTY.

W. S. Weeks, H. A. Norton, H. M. Tompkins, A. W. Stickney, C. E. Fitch, Frank L. Andrews, V. N. Ridgeley, Fred W. Porter and C. A. By- loff; second lieutenants, Fred Brooks, C. F. Hamblin, Charles Waste, Frank Thulin, C. E. Fitch, Robert Hillier, E. C. Elder, C. Hoffman, F. S. Montgomery, V. N. Ridgeley, W. L. Arkels, E. A. Johnson and Daniel K. Smyth.

Company C's first active service was in 1886, during the labor troubles at East St. Louis. On April 21, 1886, Captain Weeks received the following order: "Report with your company at East St. Louis via Q. Road. J. W. Vauce, Adjutant General."

The company left at once, and rendered ex- cellent service, being on duty for about three weeks.

In 1894, it was twice called upon to preserve order on occasion of disturbances by striking miners. On June 10, the men were ordered to Pekin, where for four days they guarded the city, and especially the jail, where thirty-seven prisoners were confined. Again, on July 8, they were ordered to Spring Valley, to protect the town from riot and the lawlessness attendant upon the great coal miners' strike, then in pro- gress, remaining there one week.

In September, 1898, the company was once more called into service. It was ordered to report at Fulton, where there was some appre- hension of trouble over the removal of the headquarters of the Modern Woodmen. The train was made up, but just as the men were about to board it, the orders were counter- manded.

The great opportunity in its history, how- ever, came to Company C when war was declared against Spain. It left Galesburg for Springfield, April 26, was mustered into the Federal service May 11, and reached Camp Alger nine days later. The men arrived at Charleston, S. C., July 7, Siboney, Cuba, July 15, and Guanica, Porto Rico, July 25. From Guanica they marched to Yauca, Ponce, Ad- juntas and Utuado, and thence back to Ponce, where they embarked for home on September 7, reaching New York on the thirteenth, Springfield on the seventeenth, and Galesburg on the twenty-first. Until November 20 they were on furlough, and on the twenty-fifth of that month were mustered out. Every member of the company returned home, a fact which reflects great credit upon its officers. The com- pany underwent its share of the hardships of camp life and campaigning. It spent about

seven weeks in the island of Porto Rico, cheer- fully undergoing hardships and privations which greatly taxed their strength, and win- ning respect and admiration for the manly and soldierly qualities which the men displayed.

On their return to Galesburg the men were received with honor, and welcomed as heroes of a war toward the successful issue of which they had materially contributed. Their cap- tain, T. L. McGirr, has recently received a captain's commission in the United States pro- visional army, and has left the company after the longest term of service ever rendered by any of its officers. He was elected Captain on March 14, 1891, and served continuously from that date until September, 1899.

Battery B, of Galesburg, enjoys a reputation second to that of no other artillery company in the State. It was organized in March, 1897, as an independent company, under the name of the Galesburg Light Artillery. No one was admitted to membership who had not had experience in military affairs and who could not show special qualification as a horseman, sharpshooter, or in some kindred department of athletic sport. The members were uniformed and equipped at their own expense, and bought their horses and part of their ordnance. The battery was allowed the use of two field pieces of the latest pattern, loaned by the government to Knox College, and was materially assisted at the beginning by Dr. J. H. Finley, president of that institution, and by Lieutenant (now Captain) W. A. Phillips, of the regular army, military instructor at the college. The battery took part in several competitive drills and mil- itary tournaments, and, on request of the State authorities, joined the National Guard, being mustered into service as Battery B of the Artillery Battalion, I. N. G., on July 7, 1897. Captain C. C. Craig, its former commander, was elected captain, and F. C. Henry, first lieu- tenant. F. W. Wolf was chosen second lieuten- ant. Lieutenant Wolf soon afterward resigned, and J. F. Hamilton and W. W. Smith succeeded him. Just prior to the Spanish war the com- pany received from the State its full equipment as a machine gun battery, and recruited and drilled until its complement was filled and it had reached a high degree of efficiency. The members, to a man, volunteered for the war, and were called out, but failed to see active service.

In September, 1898, the battery was ordered hy telegram to proceed to Pana, to preserve

684

KNOX COUNTY.

order and protect lives and property, which were endangered by riots resulting in conflicts between the striking miners of that vicinity and the civil authorities. In two hours after being notified, the company was on the way. At Springfield rifles were issued, and only two of the Gatling guns were retained. On arriving at Pana, though numbering but seventy men, the battery soon had the situation under con- trol, and all disorder came to an end. While in camp there, the command improved every opportunity for instruction and drill, and be- came very proficient, particularly in the use of the Gatling arm

On Oct. 13, telegraphic orders were received to proceed to Virden, where a serious conflict had started between some two thousand strik- ing miners and their sympathizers and about two hundred Pinkerton guards and a force of deputy sheriffs, employed to protect the mines there. In forty minutes the command had broken camp, packed its equipment and stores, and was at the railway station, where an engine and freight cars were in waiting, and the men started for Virden. In the meantime, fifteen men had been killed and thirty or more wounded at that town. The strikers had driven the deputies and guards inside a fortified stock- ade surrounding the mines, which they were preparing to blow up with dynamite. The artillerymen landed from the train outside the town shortly after dark, and, supported by the Gatlings, made a charge, separated the warring factions, and occupied the points of vantage. Before morning every non-combatant had been disarmed, the ringleaders arrested, and all dis- order quelled. Only one man was killed on either side after the arrival of the battery. For prompt and effective work at Pana and Virden, Captain Craig and his men were honored by a letter of thanks from the Gover- nor.

The company has always maintained the high standard of its personnel, and has been especially well known for the character of its members and the excellent discipline observed.

KNOX COLLEGE.

Knox College aud Galesburg were the out- growth of one plan-the unique conception of a college growing up in the midst of, and sup- ported by, a village, which was to exist solely for the purpose of giving to the young people of the West a college, where near at hand, with but little expense, they could acquire a higher

education. [See "City of Galesburg" for a more detailed account of its founding and early his- tory.]

In January, 1837, Nehemiah H. Losey, after- ward Professor of Mathematics at Knox Col- lege, assisted by Miss Lucy Gay, opened a school at Log City for the especial benefit of the families of the colony, who settled here in 1836. This school continued until the academy was opened in 1838, when Professor Losey be- came its Principal. With this small school, Knox College, as a working institution, may be said to have had a beginning.

In Whitesboro, New York, on January 7, 1836, the subscribers to Rev. George W. Gale's plan had voted to name their embryo institution "Prairie College," but 'in the act of incorpora- tion the name "Knox Manual Labor College" was substituted. The title at first selected, it was thought, would seem less appropriate when placed in a thriving town, surrounded by a highly cultivated country. Knox, as a name, might define the location, or it might call to mind the founder of the British and American Presbyterian churches. It will be borne in mind that manual labor was to be a feature of the institution. The fact that land, such as cost the Oneida Institute in New York State one hundred dollars per acre, could be had in Illi- nois practically without cost, was a leading consideration in the undertaking. But it soon appeared that, while the town population around the Oneida Institute furnished a market for what could be produced by the manual labor of men working a small part of each day with inexpensive outfit, farming in Illinois, requiring continuous work with team and implements, was impracticable under college management. Students were encouraged to take advantage of opportunities for work in the shops, houses, and grounds of citizens, and such as chose generally found situations. Labor was always honored in Knox College; it was the prevail- ing sentiment with the founders that indolence was disgraceful and idleness a crime.

Only about one hundred acres of the college farm reservation was put under cultivation be- fore the coming of the railroad, with depots, shops and yards, located on the premises, made its sale a source of wealth to the institution. The name "Manual Labor," becoming inap- propriate and misleading, was, on petition of the trustees, stricken out by act of the Legislature.

As incorporators, were selected five of the original colonists already on the ground, George

ALUMNI HALL-KNOX COLLEGE.

685

KNOX COUNTY.

W. Gale, John Waters, Nehemiah West, Thomas Simmons, and Nehemiah H. Losey. To them were added Matthew Chambers and Erastus Swift, of the Vermont accession to the colony, Parnach Owen and John G. Sanburn, prom- inent citizens of Knoxville, George H. Wright, a Monmouth physician, and Ralph H. Hurl- burt, a leading merchant, packer, produce dealer, and land holder living at Mount Sterling -Hurlburt and Wright being from Oneida County, New York.

The charter made the Board self-perpetuat- ing, with power to increase their number to twenty-four, in addition to the College Presi- dent, who was to be a member ex-officio. All vacancies were to be filled by vote of the Board itself. The thirteen places not filled in the charter were intended for colonists not yet ar- rived, new-comers, or influential men in the surrounding country from which patronage was expected.

On August 9, 1837, the Board of Trustees held its first meeting at Knoxville, in the house of Matthew Chambers, when it was voted to erect an academy building as soon as possible. John Waters was chosen President; N. H. Losey, Clerk; and John G. Sanburn, Treasurer; the term of office to be one year. William Holyoke, Peter Butler, and Silvanus Ferris were at the same time added to the Board. The building was finished in the Fall of 1838, and opened for students, with Professor N. H. Losey as Prin- cipal and Hiram Marsh as assistant.

In 1841, the college was fully organized, with Rev. H. H. Kellogg as President (he was chosen in 1838); Rev. George W. Gale, Professor of Belles-Lettres and acting Professor of Ancient Languages; and N. H. Losey, Professor of Mathematics. The next year Innes Grant was made Professor of Languages. In 1843, the first catalogue was issued, showing an enroll- ment of one hundred and seventy-five students.

In 1845, President Kellogg, who had been pas- tor of the church and college agent as well as president, resigned, and was succeeded by Rev. Jonathan Blanchard, who filled these offices until 1857. In 1846, the first class, nine in num- her, was graduated. In 1851, three young ladies graduated from the seminary, Knox's first alumnae. In all, one hundred and fifty-nine students graduated in the thirteen classes which left the institution under the Rev. Jonathan Blanchard's presidency.

In this period, occurred that bitter contro- versy, which threatened at one time to disrupt

the college, sometimes called the "Blanchard War." It was a struggle to place the govern- ment of Knox College in the hands of the Con- gregational Church. It was practically ter- minated (though the existing bitterness re- mained long after) April 30, 1858, when Rev. Dr. Harvey Curtis was chosen President. Since then the college, while non-sectarian in govern- ment and instruction, has had a Presbyterian President, except during the four years of Dr. Gulliver's incumbency, and a larger number of the trustees have belonged to that church than to any other.

In May, 1859, the General Association of the Congregational Church in Illinois adopted a report reflecting severely on Knox College and the opponents of Dr. Blanchard. But for many years past Knox College has found its warmest supporters in that as well as in the Presbyterian church.

Dr. Harvey Curtis remained through June, 1863. It was a hard time for the infant college. The war cut down the attendance so far that in the five years of his presidency only seventy- nine were graduated from both college and seminary.

In 1863, Dr. William Stanton Curtis was chosen President and remained in office five years, during which period the college had only sixty graduates.

At the close of his administration, the condl- tion of the Institution's finances had become alarming. At the beginning of its history, the net proceeds from the sale of lands, after meet- Ing expenses attending establishment of the colony, fell below expectations, and failed to provide an endowment sufficient for the support of the college, even in those times of low sal- aries, when the requirements were so much less than now. An unfortunate liberality, allowing more than one student to receive free tuition on a single scholarship at the same time, caused the attendance to be almost entirely on scholar- ships, thus cutting off revenue from tuition. But the gradual sale of town lots, on which little calculation seems to have been made, sup- plied sufficient Income to meet expenses, until the location of the railroad on college land brought its reserve property into market and largely advanced the value of all its unsold holdings.

The sudden and great Increase in the wealth of the institution was followed by liberal ex- penditures, extensive building, an enlarged faculty, Increased salarles, and the organization

686

KNOX COUNTY.

of the Female Seminary on a more expensive scale. The panic of 1857 dissipated much of this apparent wealth, but the sales had been large, and the full effect of the revulsion was not felt for some years.

While in 1868, the college still had a large property, the difference between current ex- penses and income made the necessity of aid from the public soon apparent. Dr. John P. Gulliver, at that time a trustee, the pastor of a large Congregational church in Chicago, and well known as an effective speaker in pulpit and on platform, was proposed for President. It

was urged that his talents and reputation would attract and hold students, and, with the public, secure recognition and pecuniary aid. The Presbyterian trustees waived objection on de- nominational grounds, and he was unanimously elected. His administration was brilliant; he brought strong additions to the faculty; the number of students increased; and through his four years, from 1868 to 1872, there were sev- enty-two graduates. But expenses increased, little tuition was collected, the scholarships were still alive, and there was no considerable addi- tion to the endowment by donation. At the end of four years, so great was the reduction in the income-bearing property that the trustees deemed large reductions in expenses imperative. The President insisted on an increase both in teaching force and equipment, and resigned, sev- eral members of the faculty going at the same tlme. For three years the presidency remained unfilled, most of the duties of that position being filled by Dr. Albert Hurd. In 1875, Dr. Newton Bateman, who had then just retired from the State superintendency of Public In- struction, where his marvelous record had made hlm famous, was induced to accept the vacant place. During Dr. Bateman's administration the college grew largely. His character admir- ably fitted him for just this work. He gradually smoothed over the difficulties still surviving from the Blanchard controversy. His first graduating class numbered sixteen; his last, forty-nine. It was while he was President that Knox, in 1887, celebrated its semi-centennial. The gymnasium, the Alumni Hall, and the addi- tions to Whiting Hall were built, and the stand- ard of the curriculum was very materially raised. In 1884, the cadet corps was started, a law belng enacted authorizing the Government to detail a special officer here for the work. In 1883, under Miss Lepha A. Kelsey, the Con- servatory of Music was started. Under her suc-

cessor, W. F. Bentley, the school has grown till over two hundred and fifty pupils are now en- rolled. An Art School has also been established.

In 1892, Dr. John H. Finley, a Knox graduate of 1887, was elected President, Dr. Bateman continuing to act, however, for one year, and remaining with the institution which he had so greatly benefited and on which he had shed such honor, as President Emeritus, until his death, in 1897. In 1892-3, the college extension courses were organized, and are now conducted by the Professors, to the great good of the places, visited by them and the consequent favor- ahle advertising of the college. Extension lec- turers from other schools are also brought here. In 1894, the Summer School was established. Many more elective courses than formerly are now offered; the library has been greatly en- larged; the scientific equipment is much im- proved; and the education here obtainable is much more thorough than ever before.

Including the class of 1899, the total number of Knox graduates is twelve hundred and fifty- nine.

In June, 1899, President Finley resigned, to engage in magazine work in New York, and the college is as yet without a President. In the interim, the trustees elected Professor T. R. Millard Dean of the Faculty, and the present outlook for the institution is very bright.

In what has been already said, no special ref- erence has been made to the gradual multiplica- tion and improvement of the college buildings. The original structure was long known as the "old academy." It stood on the northeast cor- ner of Main and Cherry streets, and is now a dwelling house. Next came a Female Seminary, built in 1841 at a cost of five thousand dollars, aud burned in 1843. In 1844, the "East Bricks," which is still standing, and the "West Bricks," torn down to make room for Alumni Hall, were built. In 1846, the "new academy" was erected, and used as an academy for about twelve years, after which it was utilized for a High School, until it was finally demolished, to give place to the Union Hall. In 1855, the trustees found Knox College so much enriched by the rise of its real property, induced by the opening of the railroad, that they erected the main building and the principal portion of the Whiting Hall at a cost of nearly $100,000.

The first Gymnasium, a wooden building still standing on the east side of the campus, was erected by the students.

In 1885, the east wing of Whiting Hall was

George Cande Gala

687

KNOX COUNTY.

built, and in 1892, the west wing, each costing about ten thousand dollars. In 1888, the Ob- servatory was erected.

On October 8, 1890, President Harrison laid the corner stone of Alumni Hall, a handsome bulld- ing, erected by the gifts of old students. It con- tains a chapel, seating nearly one thousand, with Adelphi and Gnothautii Halls in either wing. Its cost approximated fifty thousand dol- lars.

Among the student organizations, the literary societies are the oldest and best known. Their work has been a distinguishing feature of the college for many years. The training there given in the facile use of language and in oratory has put the college at the head of all in the West in prize winning. Her orators have won the inter-state oratorical contest six times, tak- ing ave first prizes and once heing awarded sec- ond place. The drill in debate, in impromptu speaking and in parliamentary law, obtained in these societies, has also proved of incalculable value to their members in after life, as many graduates can testify.

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 136

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