Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 74

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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opposed to that measure in a new party under the name "Republican." During the winter of 1854-55 he received a call from Gen. J. D. Web- ster, at that time part owner of "The Chicago Tribune," which resulted in his visiting Chicago a few months later, and his purchase of an inter- est in the paper, his connection with the concern dating from June 18, 1855. He was almost immediately joined by Dr. Charles H. Ray, who had been editor of "The Galena Jeffersonian," and, still later, by J. C. Vaughan and Alfred Cowles, who had been associated with him on "The Cleveland Leader." Mr. Medill assumed the position of managing editor, and, on the retirement of Dr. Ray, in 1863, became editor-in- chief until 1866, when he gave place to Horace White, now of "The New York Evening Post." During the Civil War period he was a zealous supporter of President Lincoln's emancipation policy, and served, for a time, as President of the "Loyal League," which proved such an influ- ential factor in upholding the hands of the Gov- ernment during the darkest period of the rebellion. In 1869 Mr. Medill was elected to the State Constitutional Convention, and, in that body, was the leading advocate of the principle of "minority representation" in the election of Representatives, as it was finally incorporated in the Constitution. In 1871 he was appointed by President Grant a member of the first Civil Service Commission, representing a principle to which he ever remained thoroughly committed. A few weeks after the great fire of the same year, he was elected Mayor of the city of Chicago. The financial condition of the city at the time, and other questions in issue, involved great diffi- culties and responsibilities, which he met in a way to command general approval. During his administration the Chicago Public Library was established, Mr. Medill delivering the address at its opening, Jan. 1, 1873. Near the close of his term as Mayor, he resigned the office and spent the following year in Europe. Almost simultane- ously with his return from his European trip, he secured a controlling interest in "The Tribune," resuming control of the paper, Nov. 9, 1874, which, as editor-in-chief, he retained for the remainder of his life of nearly twenty-five years. The growth of the paper in business and influence, from the beginning of his connection with it, was one of the marvels of journalism, making it easily one of the most successful newspaper ventures in the United States, if not in the world. Early in December, 1898, Mr. Medill went to San Antonio, Texas, hoping to receive relief in that

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mild climate from a chronic disease which had been troubling him for years, but died in that city, March 16, 1899, within three weeks of hav- ing reached his 76th birthday. The conspicuous features of his character were a strong individu- ality and indomitable perseverance, which led him never to accept defeat. A few weeks previ- ous to his death, facts were developed going to show that, in 1881, he was offered, by President Garfield, the position of Postmaster-General, which was declined, when he was tendered the choice of any position in the Cabinet except two which had been previously promised; also, that he was offered a position in President Harrison's Cabinet, in 1889.

MEDILL, (Maj.) William H., soldier, was born at Massillon, Ohio, Nov. 5, 1835; in 1855, came to Chicago and was associated with "The Prairie Farmer." Subsequently he was editor of "The Stark County (Ohio) Republican," but again returning to Chicago, at the beginning of the war, was employed on "The Tribune," of which his brother (Hon. Joseph Medill) was editor. After a few months' service in Barker's Dragoons (a short-time organization), in Septem- ber, 1861, he joined the Eighth Illinois Cavalry (Colonel Farnsworth's), and, declining an election as Major, was chosen Senior Captain. The regi- ment soon joined the Army of the Potomac. By the promotion of his superior officers Captain Medill was finally advanced to the command, and, during the Peninsular campaign of 1862, led his troops on a reconnoissance within twelve miles of Richmond. At the battle of Gettysburg he had command of a portion of his regiment, acquit- ting himself with great credit. A few days after, while attacking a party of rebels who were attempting to build a bridge across the Potomac at Williamsburg, he received a fatal wound through the lungs, dying at Frederick City, July 16, 1863.

MEEKER, Moses, pioneer, was born in New- ark, N. J., June 17, 1790; removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1817, engaging in the manufacture of white lead until 1822, when he headed a pioneer expedition to the frontier settlement at Galena, Ill., to enter upon the business of smelting lead- ore. He served as Captain of a company in the Black Hawk War, later removing to Iowa County, Wis., where he built the first smelting works in that Territory, served in the Territorial Legislature (1840-43) and in the first Constitu- tional Convention (1846). A "History of the Early Lead Regions," by him, appears in the sixth volume of "The Wisconsin Historical Soci-

ety Collections." Died, at Shullsburg, Wis., July 7, 1865.

MELROSE, a suburb of Chicago, 11 miles west of the initial station of the Chicago & North- western Railroad, upon which it is located. It has two or three churches, some manufacturing establishments and one weekly paper. Popula- tion (1890), 1,050.

MEMBRE, Zenobius, French missionary, was born in France in 1645; accompanied La Salle on his expedition to Illinois in 1679, and remained at Fort Creve-Cœur with Henry de Tonty ; descended the Mississippi with La Salle in 1682; returned to France and wrote a history of the expedition, and, in 1684, accompanied La Salle on his final expedition ; is supposed to have landed with La Salle in Texas, and there to have been massacred by the natives in 1687. (See La Salle and Tonty.)

MENARD, Pierre, French pioneer and first Lieutenant-Governor, was born at St. Antoine, Can., Oct. 7, 1766; settled at Kaskaskia, in 1790, and engaged in trade. Becoming interested in politics, he was elected to the Territorial Council of Indiana, and later to the Legislative Council of Illinois Territory, being presiding officer of the latter until the admission of Illinois as a State. He was, for several years, Government Agent, and in this capacity negotiated several important treaties with the Indians, of whose characteris- tics he seemed to have an intuitive perception. He was of a nervous temperament, impulsive and generous. In 1818 he was elected the first Lieu- tenant-Governor of the new State. His term of office having expired, he retired to private life and the care of his extensive business. He died at Kaskaskia, in June, 1844, leaving what was then considered a large estate. Among his assets, however, were found a large number of promis- sory notes, which he had endorsed for personal friends, besides many uncollectable accounts from poor people, to whom he had sold goods through pure generosity. Menard County was named for him, and a statue in his honor stands in the capitol grounds at Springfield, erected by the son of his old partner-Charles Pierre Chou- teau, of St. Louis.

MENARD COUNTY, near the geographical center of the State, and originally a part of Sangamon, but separately organized in 1839, the Provisional Commissioners being Joseph Wat- kins, William Engle and George W. Simpson. The county was named in honor of Pierre Menard, who settled at Kaskaskia prior to the Territorial organization of Illinois. (See Menard. Pierre.) Cotton was an important crop until 1830, when

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agriculture underwent a change. Stock-raising is now extensively carried on. Three fine veins of bituminous coal underlie the county. Among early American settlers may be mentioned the Clarys, Matthew Rogers, Amor Batterton, Solo- mon Pruitt and William Gideon. The names of Meadows, Montgomery, Green, Boyer and Grant are also familiar to early settlers. The county furnished a company of eighty-six volunteers for the Mexican War. The county-seat is at Peters- burg. The area of the county is 320 square miles, and its population, under the last census, 13,120. In 1829 was laid out the town of Salem, now extinct, but for some years the home of Abraham Lincoln, who was once its Postmaster, and who marched thence to the Black Hawk War as Captain of a company.

MENDON, a town of Adams County, on the Burlington & Quincy Division of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway, 15 miles northeast of Quincy ; has a bank and a newspaper; is sur- rounded by a farming and stock-raising district. Population (1880), 652; (1890), 640.

MENDOTA, a city in La Salle County, founded in 1853, on both the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy and the Illinois Central Railways, 80 miles southwest of Chicago. It has eight churches, and its public school system embraces three graded schools and a high school. Wart- burg Seminary (Lutheran-opened in 1853) is located here. A good public library was founded in 1870. The chief industrial plants are two iron foundries and machine shops. The city has two hanks and four weekly newspapers. The sur- rounding country is agricultural. Population (1880), 4,142; (1890). 3,542; (1898) estimated, 4,500.

MERCER COUNTY, a western county, with an area of 555 square miles and a population (1890) of 18,545-named for Gen. Hugh Mercer. The Mississippi forms the western boundary, and along this river the earliest American settlements were made. William Dennison, a Pennsylvanian, settled in New Boston Township in 1828, and, before the expiration of a half dozen years, the Vannattas, Keith, Jackson, Wilson, Farlow, Bridges, Perry and Fleharty had arrived. Mer- cer County was separated from Warren, and specially organized in 1825. The soil is a rich, black loam, admirably adapted to the cultivation of cereals. A good quality of building stone is found at various points. Aledo is the county- seat. The county lies on the outskirts of the Illinois coal fields and mining was commenced in 1845.

MERCY HOSPITAL, located in Chicago, and the first permanent hospital in the State-char- tered in 1847 or 1848 as the "Illinois General Hospital of the Lakes." No steps were taken toward organization until 1850, when, with a scanty fund scarcely exceeding $150, twelve beds were secured and placed on one floor of a board- ing house, whose proprietress was engaged as nurse and stewardess. Drs. N. S. Davis and Daniel Brainard were, respectively, the first physician and surgeon in charge. In 1851 the hospital was given in charge of the Sisters of Mercy, who at once enlarged and improved the accommodations, and, in 1852, changed its name to Mercy Hospital. Three or four years later, a removal was made to a building previously occu- pied as an orphan asylum. Being the only pub- lic hospital in the city, its wards were constantly overcrowded, and, in 1869, a more capacious and better arranged building was erected. This edifice it has continued to occupy, although many additions and improvements have been, and are still being, made. The Sisters of Mercy own the grounds and buildings, and manage the nursing and all the domestic and financial affairs of the institution. The present medical staff (1896) consists of thirteen physicians and surgeons, besides three internes, or resident practitioners.

MEREDOSIA, a town in Morgan County, on the east bank of the Illinois River and situated on the Wabash Railway, some 58 miles west of Springfield. Flour and lumber constitute the manufactured ontput. Population (1880), 750; (1890), 621. It was the first point to be connected with the State capital by railroad in 1838.

MERRIAM, (Col.) Jonathan, soldier, legisla- tor and farmer, was born in Vermont, Nov. 1, 1834; was brought to Springfield, Ill., when two years old, living afterwards at Alton, his parents finally locating, in 1841, in Tazewell County, where he now resides-when not officially em- ployed-pursuing the occupation of a farmer. He was educated at Wesleyan University, Blooming- ton, and at McKendree College; entered the Union army in 1862, being commissioned Lieu- tenant-Colonel of the One Hundred and Seven- teenth Illinois Infantry, and serving to the close of the war. During the Civil War period he was one of the founders of the "Union League of America," which proved so influential a factor in sustaining the war policy of the Government. He was also a member of the State Constitutional Convention of 1869-70; an unsuccessful Repub- lican nominee for Congress in 1870; served as Collector of Internal Revenue for the Springfield

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District from 1873 to '83, was a Representative in the Thirty-ninth and Fortieth General Assen- blies, and, in 1897, was appointed, by President Mckinley, Pension Agent for the State of Illinois, with headquarters in Chicago. Thoroughly pa- triotic and of incorruptible integrity, he has won the respect and confidence of all in every public position he has been called to fill.

MERRILL, Stephen Mason, Methodist Episco- pal Bishop, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, Sept. 16, 1825, entered the Ohio Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 1864, as a travel- ing preacher, and, four years later, became editor of "The Western Christian Advocate," at Cin- cinnati. He was ordained Bishop at Brooklyn in 1872, and, after two years spent in Minnesota, removed to Chicago, where he still resides. The degree of D.D. was conferred upon him by Ohio Wesleyan University, in 1868, and that of LL.D. by the Northwestern University, in 1886. He has published "Christian Baptism" (Cincinnati, 1876); "New Testament Idea of Hell" (1878) ; "Second Coming of Christ" (1879); "Aspects of Christian Experience" (1882) ; "Digest of Metho- dist Law" (1885) ; and "Outlines of Thought on Probation" (1886).

MERRITT, John W., journalist, was born in New York City, July 4, 1806; studied law and practiced, for a time, with the celebrated James T. Brady as a partner. In 1841 he removed to St. Clair County, Ill., purchased and, from 1848 to '51, conducted "The Belleville Advocate"; later. removed to Salem, Ill., where he established "The Salem Advocate"; served as Assistant Sec- retary of the State Constitutional Convention of 1862, and as Representative in the Twenty-third General Assembly. In 1864 he purchased "The State Register" at Springfield, and was its editor for several years. Died, Nov. 16, 1878 .- Thomas E. (Merritt), son of the preceding, lawyer and politician, was born in New York City, April 29, 1834; at six years of age was brought by his father to Illinois, where he attended the common schools and later learned the trade of carriage- painting. Subsequently he read law, and was admitted to the bar, at Springfield, in 1862. In 1868 he was elected, as a Democrat, to the lower house of the General Assembly from the Salein District, and was re-elected to the same body in 1870, '74, '76, '86 and '88. He also served two terms in the Senate (1878-'86), making an almost continuous service in the General Assembly of eighteen years. He has repeatedly been a mem- ber of State conventions of his party, and stands as one of its trusted representatives .- Maj .- Gen.

Wesley (Merritt), another son, was born in New York, June 16, 1836, came with his father to Illi- nois in childhood, and was appointed a cadet at West Point Military Academy from this State. graduating in 1860; became a Second Lieutenant in the regular army, the same year, and was pro- moted to the rank of First Lieutenant, a year later. After the beginning of the Civil War, he was rapidly promoted, reaching the rank of Brigadier-General of Volunteers in 1862, and being mustered out, in 1866, with the brevet rank of Major-General. He re-entered the regular army as Lieutenant-Colonel, was promoted to a colonelcy in 1876, and, in 1887, received a com- mission as Brigadier-General, in 1897 becoming Major-General. He was in command, for a time, of the Department of the Missouri, but, on his last promotion, was transferred to the Depart- ment of the East, with headquarters at Gov- ernor's Island, N. Y. Soon after the beginning of the war with Spain, he was assigned to the command of the land forces destined for the Philippines, and appointed Military Governor of the Islands. Towards the close of the year he returned to the United States and resumed his old command at New York.

MESSINGER, John, pioneer surveyor and car- tographer, was born at West Stockbridge, Mass., in 1771, grew up ou a farm, but secured a good education, especially in mathematics. Going to Vermont in 1783, he learned the trade of a car- penter and mill-wright; removed to Kentucky in 1799, and, in 1802, to Illinois (then a part of Indi- ana Territory), locating first in the American Bottom and, later, at New Design within the present limits of Monroe County. Two years later he became the proprietor of a mill, and, between 1804 and 1806, taught one of the earliest schools in St. Clair County. The latter year he took up the vocation of a surveyor, which he fol- lowed for many years as a sub-contractor under William Rector, surveying much of the land in St. Clair and Randolph Counties, and, still later. assisting in determining the northern boundary 'of the State. He also served for a time as a teacher of mathematics in Rock Spring Seminary : in 1821 published "A Manual, or Hand-Book, intended for Convenience in Practical Survey. ing," and prepared some of the earlier State and county maps. In 1808 he was elected to the Indiana Territorial Legislature, to fill a vacancy. and took part in the steps which resulted in set- ting up a separate Territorial Government for Illinois, the following year. He also received an appointment as the first Surveyor of St. Clair

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County under the new Territorial Government; was chosen a Delegate from St. Clair County to the Convention of 1818, which framed the first State Constitution, and, the same year, was elected a Representative in the First General Assembly, serving as Speaker of that body. After leaving New Design, the later years of his life were spent on a farm two and a half miles north of Belleville, where he died in 1846.

METAMORA, a town of Woodford County on a branch of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, 19 miles east-northeast of Peoria, and some 30 miles northwest of Bloomington. Carriages and wagons are manufactured here, and the town has seven churches, two banks, a public park, good schools and a newspaper office. Population (1880), 828; (1890), 758. Metamora was the county-seat of Woodford County until 1899, when the seat of justice was removed to Eureka.

METCALF, Andrew W., lawyer, was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, August 6, 1828; educated at Madison College in his native State, graduating in 1846, and, after studying law at Cambridge, Ohio, three years, was admitted to the bar in 1850. The following year he went to Appleton, Wis., but remained only a year, when he removed to St. Louis, then to Edwardsville, and shortly after to Alton, to take charge of the legal busi- ness of George T. Brown, then publisher of "The Alton Courier." In 1853 he returned to Edwards- ville to reside permanently, and, in 1859, was appointed by Governor Bissell State's Attorney for Madison County, serving one year. In 1864 he was elected State Senator for a term of four years; was a delegate to the Republican National Convention of 1872, and, in 1876, a lay delegate from the Southern Illinois Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church to the General Con- ference at Baltimore; has also been a Trustee of McKendree College, at Lebanon, Ill., for more than twenty-five years.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, one of the most numerous Protestant church organiza- tions in the United States and in Illinois. Rev. Joseph Lillard was the first preacher of this sect to settle in the Northwest Territory, and Capt. Joseph Ogle was the first class-leader (1795). It is stated that the first American preacher in the American Bottom was Rev. Hosea Riggs (1796). Rev. Benjamin Young took charge of the first Methodist mission in 1803, and, in 1804, this mis- sion was attached to the Cumberland (Tenn.) circuit. Revs. Joseph Oglesby and Charles R. Matheny were among the early circuit riders. In 1820 there were seven circuits in Illinois, and, in

1830, twenty-eight, the actual membership exceeding 10,000. The first Methodist service in Chicago was held by Rev. Jesse Walker, in 1826. The first Methodist society in that city was organized by Rev. Stephen R. Beggs, in June, 1831. By 1835 the number of circuits had in- creased to 61, with 370 ministers and 15,000 mem- bers. Rev. Peter Cartwright was among the early revivalists. The growth of this denomi- nation in the State has been extraordinary. By 1890, it had nearly 2,000 churches, 937 ministers, and 151,000 members-the total number of Metho- dists in the United States, by the same census, being 4,980,240. The church property owned in 1890 (including parsonages) approached $111,000,- 000, and the total contributions were estimated at $2,073,923. The denomination in Illinois sup- ports two theological seminaries and the Garrett Biblical Institute at Evanston. "The North- western Christian Advocate," with a circulation of some 30,000, is its official organ in Illinois. (See also Religious Denominations.)

METROPOLIS CITY, the county-seat of Massac County, 156 miles southeast of St. Louis, situated on the Ohio River and on the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Railroad. The city was founded in 1839, on the site of old Fort Massac, which was erected by the French, aided by the Indians, about 1711. Being in the heart of a timber district, its industries consist largely of various forms of wood-working. Saw and plan- ing mills are a commercial factor; other estab- lishments turn out wheel and wagon material, barrel staves and heads, and veneers. There are also flouring mills and potteries. The city has a public library, as well as numerous churches and schools, and three weekly papers, besides one monthly publication. Population (1880), 2,668; (1890), 3,573; (1893), school census, 4,983.

MEXICAN WAR. Briefly stated, this war originated in the annexation of Texas to the United States, early in 1846. There was a dis- agreement as to the western houndary of Texas. Mexico complained of encroachment upon her territory, and hostilities began with the battle of Palo Alto, May 8, and ended with the treaty of peace, concluded at Guadalupe Hidalgo, near the City of Mexico, Feb. 2, 1848. Among the most prominent figures were President Polk, under whose administration annexation was effected, and Gen. Zachary Taylor, who was chief in com- mand in the field at the beginning of the war, and was elected Polk's successor. Illinois furnished more than her full quota of troops for the strug- gle. May 13, 1846, war was declared. On May

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25, Governor Ford issued his proclamation calling for the enlistment of three regiments of infantry, the assessed quota of the State. The response was prompt and general. Alton was named as the rendezvous, and Col. (afterwards General) Sylvester Churchill was the mustering officer. The regiments mustered in were commanded, respectively, by Col. John J. Hardin, Col. Wm. H. Bissell (afterwards Governor) and Col. Ferris Forman. An additional twelve months' regiment (the Fourth) was accepted, under command of Col. E. D. Baker, who later became United States Senator from Oregon, and fell at the battle of Ball's Bluff, in October, 1861. A second call was made in April, 1847, under which Illinois sent two more regiments, for the war, towards the Mexican frontier. These were commanded by Col. Edward W. B. Newby and Col. James Collins. Independent companies were also tendered and accepted. Besides, there were some 150 volunteers who joined the regiments already in the field. Commanders of the inde- pendent companies were Capts. Adam Dunlap, of Schuyler County; Wyatt B. Stapp, of War- ren; Michael K. Lawler, of Shawneetown, and Josiah Little. Col. John J. Hardin, of the First, was killed at Buena Vista, and the official mor- tuary list includes many names of Illinois' best and bravest sons. After participating in the . battle of Buena Vista, the Illinois troops shared in the triumphal entry into the City of Mexico, on Sept. 16, 1847, and (in connection with those from Kentucky) were especially complimented in General Taylor's official report. The Third and Fourth regiments won distinction at Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo and the City of Mexico. At the second of these battles, General Shields fell severely (and, as supposed for a time, mortally) wounded. Colonel Baker succeeded Shields, led a gallant charge, and really turned the day at Cerro Gordo. Among the officers honorably named by General Scott, in his official report, were Colonel Forman, Major Harris, Adjutant Fondey, Capt. J. S. Post. and Lieutenants Hammond and Davis. All the Illinois troops were mustered out between May 25, 1847 and Nov. 7, 1848, the inde- pendent companies being the last to quit the service. The total number of volunteers was 6,123, of whom 86 were killed, and 160 wounded, 12 of the latter dying of their wounds. Gallant service in the Mexican War soon became a pass- port to political preferment, and some of the brave soldiers of 1846-47 subsequently achieved merited distinction in civil life. Many also be- came distinguished soldiers in the War of the

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Historical encyclopedia of Illinois, Part 74

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