History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part 71

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. ; O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 948

USA > Illinois > Union County > History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois > Part 71
USA > Illinois > Pulaski County > History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois > Part 71
USA > Illinois > Alexander County > History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois > Part 71

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).

its connection with Cairo has been kept in the possession of the Mound City Church, the names of certain pastors who officiated from the time of organization to the year 1865 will not appear here. In the year 1865, the church was organized as a station, under the pastorate of Rev. J. P. Dew, with forty-nine members in full connection. The charge was then in Equality District, Southern Illinois Conference. The pastors who have been associated with the charge from 1865 up to September, 1880, when it ceased to be a station, are Revs. J. Hill, one year ; F. L. Thompson, one year ; A. P. Morri- son, one year ; D. W. Phillips, two years ; F. M. Vantreese, two years ; C. H. Farr, one year ; J. H. Garret, one year ; R. Z. Fahs, one year ; Revs. Fredgold and G. W. Willson, two years ; Ephraim Joy, three years. In 1880, the charge was organized into a circuit, and Rev. E. M. Glasgow was sent and had the pastoral care for one year. In September, 1881, at the Con- ference held in Greenville, Bishop Hurst sent to the charge Rev. H. A. Doty, who is now the present pastor.

In the year 1865, under the labors of Rev. J. P. Dew, a brick church, 36x60 feet, was built. Its cost was $5,000. Its seating capac- ity will accommodate 300 persons. On the 1st day of July, 1866, it was solemnly set apart and dedicated to the worship of Al- mighty God, by Dr. G. W. Hughey, now of St. Louis, Mo. Since its origin, up to the pres- ent time, the records designate its prosperity and its decline. During the palmier days of the city, it flourished accordingly. During the last pastoral year, twenty-six have been added to the church at Mound City, so that at pres- ent there is a membership of sixty, and in the entire charge a membership of 140. The charge is now, as Mound City and Ville Ridge charge, in the Mt. Vernon District, Southern Illinois Conference, with Rev. C. Nash, Presid- ing Elder. For the above history of the Meth-

572

HISTORY OF PULASKI COUNTY.

odist Church, we are indebted to the very kind and reverend Mr. Doty.

In 1861, Dr. Stephen J. MeMaster resigned the Presidency of a college in Missouri, and be- came Chaplain of Col. Buford's Illinois regi- ment. In 1862, by special request, he became Chaplain of the United States Government Hospital at Mound City, where he administered to the sick and dying. Finally, a chapel for regular service was fitted up in the hospital. The service in the chapel was attended by cit- izens as well as soldiers. Dr. McMaster was a gentleman of education and cult- ure. In 1863, Dr. Isaac P. Labough became rector of the church in Cairo. Desiring to hold church in Mound City, the Methodist Church was kindly tendered him, where he held service for awhile and afterward at the schoolhouse. In 1865, the Rev. John Foster held service in the schoolhouse. During the year 1866. the Rev. William Britton officiated. and during this year the church was built and dedicated St. Peter's. Dr. N. R. Casey gave the lot ; it was 26x60 feet, upon which it was built ; and at a festival, held in the brick store- house on the corner of Poplar and First streets (afterward occupied by W. J. Price) the members realized $2,200. Rev. M. Lyle held the first service in the church, followed by Rev. Mr. Roften in 1868. Rev. William Mitchell had charge during the year. Bishop White- house confirmed a class of thirteen in 1869-70. The Rev. James Coc and Rev. Edwin Conn held service in the church Sunday afternoons. In 1871, Rev. A. E. Wells had come to Mound City as Chaplain of the Navy Station, but soon took charge of St. Peter's Church, and re- mained its minister for six years; he was a so- cial, pleasant gentleman. and was favorably known by the community. Rev. Dean Ervine held service in 1881, and in 1882-83 Rev. Will- iam Steel and Rev. F. P. Davenport occa- sionally held service in the church. Bishop Whitehouse, McClaren and Seymour were

present at different confirmations. To the Rev. Dr. McMaster, in his capacity as Chaplain at the hospital at Mound City, should be given the credit of inaugurating the first move to- ward the establishment of the church. While the church is at present without a minister, its members keep up their Sunday school organi- zation, and it is understood they are soon to be supplied with a pastor.

The colored people of Mound City are sup- porting four churches. The First Free-Will Baptist Church is located in the northwest part of the city. It is a frame building, 26x50, has been built for several years, and has one hun- dred and eleven members, while the average attendance at the church is about one hundred and fifty. Rev. Nelson Ricks is the pastor. They have forty-five children that attend the Sunday school. The Second Free-Will Baptist Church is near Main street, in the upper por- tion of the city. It is not so fine a church as the First. It is a box house, 18x30 feet. They have twenty-five members ; the average attend- ance is about fifty. Rev. George W. Young is the minister in charge. They have twenty-five children at their Sunday school. The Meth- odist Church is a frame building, 25x40 feet, has a membership of forty, fifty or more gener- ally attending the meetings on Sunday. Rev. Joseph White is in charge. Thirty-five chil- dren attend their Sunday school. The Mis- sionary organization has no building of its own to worship in. They rent the Second Free-Will Baptist Church to hold their meetings. They have twenty members. Rev. Charles Moore is the minister. Have no Sunday school.

On Sunday, November 2, 1879, about 2 o'clock in the afternoon, fire was discovered is- suing from the top of John Zanone's two-story building, on Main street, used for a saloon, billiard hall and residence, and almost immedi- ately thereafter it was evident the building could not be saved. The wind was blowing rapidly from the northwest, and the entire roof

578

HISTORY OF PULASKI COUNTY.

was soon in flames. Mrs. Vogel's two-story house, north of Zanone's, was soon on fire, while Kriss Keller's, south, had caught and was burning. Then on the north followed the burning of a one-story house, belonging to Mr. Blum. Here an effort was made to stay its progress north by pulling down the Blum house. but it was not accomplished, and soon Mr. F. T. Fricke's drug store and his residence, in the rear, were on fire, that soon extended to the large double two-story house belonging to G. W. Carter. Then came Peter Coldwater's two-story building, saloon and residence, together with Unsol's building, residence and barber-shop. This included all the buildings from where the fire started, going north on Main street. to William Stern's two- story brick house. Here the fire was stopped going north ; by great exertion Stern's house was saved. All this time the fire was being driven on rapidly by the wind southwest. After Keller's house came Alexander Wilson's furniture store. When once on fire, it was but a moment when G. F. Meyer's large two-story grocery store was on fire. From Meyer's, on the corner of Main and Walnut streets, the fire was driven across Walnut street, and caught the old brewery building, on the corner of Wal- nut and First streets. The large two-story brick residence of Mrs. Ninnenger's, along- side of the brewery building, was next to take fire and burn ; then Mrs. Moll's residence and store building west of the brewery ; then the old public schoolhouse across, the alley on Wal- nut street. By pulling down the schoolhouse saved the buildings south, to the river, from the brewery. The fire burned all the buildings on First street to Poplar, then it crossed Pop- lar street and burned W. J. Price's brick store- house ; from there it went west on Poplar street to where Mr. Nordman now lives. and south on First to the reservation. From Mey- er's store and the old brewery, the fire crossed Walnut and First streets, to G. G. & J. W.

Morris's tin shop, then Tom Dun's house, then Mrs. M. E. Rawlings' large two-story brick house, then William Dougherty's two-story frame residence. All the houses in the block east, the fire had burned ; B. L. Ulen's resi- dence, Ferd. Wehrfritz on Commercial street, and all the buildings (skipping colored church) and depot on that block. From there it caught the cooper shop, Rawlings' reservation, then the court house building, then Meyer & Nord- man's stave factory, and then all the buildings on the bank of the river, that was built by the Government, except the one now used by Mr. Reel for a flouring mill. Fifty-five houses, in- cluding business houses and residences, in three short hours, had been reduced to ashes.

The city was without a fire engine. They had hooks and ladders, and worked man- fully, but it was soon evident, nothing could stay its march to the river. The wind seemed to increase with the fire until it blew a gale, bearing boards and shingles, which blew across the river, setting the woods on fire in Ken- tucky. When the fire was discovered, the people were helpless. No power they had at command could stay its progress. The Mayor telegraphed to the Cairo fire companies, and they responded cheerfully. The Cairo & Vincennes Railroad furnished an engine and flat cars, upon which two hand-engines were brought to the city with the companies, while the fire had about exhausted itself when they came, for the want of material to burn. The engines did good service in throwing water on the still burning houses. It was not believed any number of engines, after the fire got well started, could have stayed its progress. Many lost not only their homes, but all their homes contained. Household goods removed from the house and left on some street far away from the fire, where it was supposed they would be safe, were soon overtaken by the fire and burned up in the street. Even the locust trees upon the Mound on the river bank,

. 574

HISTORY OF PULASKI COUNTY.

that had so long been cherished by the people, were all burned down. No lives were lost, but distress and excitement were seen everywhere; women and little children huddled together in the middle of the street, wondering where they would lay their heads that night, or when their hunger would be relieved ; and to add to the calamity, thieves were busily engaged in car- rying off any and everything they could get hold of that was left exposed. Special police- men had to be appointed before the stealing could be stopped. Those whose houses had not burned provided for as many of the destitute as they could, and in this way all had found a place to sleep, and were provided with something to eat by 10 o'clock that night. An appeal the next day was made to the public, and some $1,500 or $1,600 was given by various towns and cities for the destitute. This was greatly appreciated. The estimated loss by the fire was over $200,000. The citizens that had escaped the fire continued to render aid and comfort to the afflicted. Compared with the size of the city and the number of inhabitants, the fire in 1879 was as disastrous to Mound City as the great Chicago fire was to that city. While the fire was discouraging, the owners of the property burned set about at once rebuild- ing. and while all the lots made vacant by the fire have not been rebuilt upon, still a majority of them have, and instead of frame houses, the larger number are elegant brick dwellings and business houses.

In 1857, Conner & Fubager built and operat- ed a stave factory in the upper part of the city. They worked about fifty men. At that time they procured the timber for their staves, imme- diately around the factory, as a heavy forest of fine timber lay all around them. In 1858, the factory burned. In 1857, H. C. Howard & Co., near Connor's stave factory, built and operated a furniture factory. The close proximity to desirable timber, the cheapness of labor, and the cheapness of freight upon the river, made

it a desirable location. Their trade was prin- cipally from the South. The civil war coming upon the country, the factory in 1861 was closed. Mr. Howard, the active partner, some years later, died, and it was never revived. In the same year, a planing mill and a sash and door factory was built in the same neighborhood of the furniture factory. For want of capital, the parties that built it sus- pended before they had run it long. The same year, and near the furniture factory, Johnson & Carpenter built a flouring mill. This mill was run for a number of years, when the build- ing was purchased by Yocum, and in 1864 started an ax handle factory ; later it was Yocum & Harris, and in 1869 the Walworth Handle Works were established, where McDow- el's saw mill now stands, and Yocum & Harris and the Walworth factories were consolidated. They did an extensive and profitable business until 1876. They moved the factory to St. Louis, where it is still operated by Chester & Harris. In 1858, a man by the name of Skeen built a saw mill near the mouth of Cache River. In abont a year, it passed to a man by the name of Brown, and from Brown to a man by the name of Dudley. In 1861, Capt. W. L. Hambleton became owner, and William Dougherty operated it a year or two, when George E. Lounsberry had charge of it until 1868, when William Dougherty became owner. He moved it near the bank of the Ohio River, rebuilding the greater part of it. He operated it until 1872, then Craig & Crandell for a year followed ; by Crandell, Morris & Dougherty for a year, when the machinery was sold and removed, which ended the existence of rather an eventful saw mill. In 1869, Jones & Harlin established a shingle factory at the mouth of Cache River. Soon after, in 1870, A. J. Dough- erty bought it, and run it for a year. In 1871 he added machinery for manufacturing staves, but it was burnt down soon afterward. In July, 1871, A. J. Dougherty bought the build-

575

HISTORY OF PULASKI COUNTY.

ing in which Yocum first started his ax handle factory, and started a stave factory, first mak- iug salt barrel staves for the Ohio Salt Com- pany. In the course of the year, he enlarged the business by manufacturing flour barrel staves. The demand for the goods increased, and instead of eight or ten men employed, as was all required at the start, the trade now re- quires 100 men to operate it. In 1877, a stock company was organized, and is now carried on as the Mound City Stave Company. The first stockholders were: W. L. Halliday, Jake Martin and A. J. Dougherty. The stock is now owned by A. J. Dougherty and Orlando Wil- son ; capital stock, $5,000. In 1881, the factory burned down, involving a loss of $15,000 ; in- sured for $7,000. After the fire, the company purchased the lots on the corner of East First street, and levee, upon which they built the present factory at a cost of $20,000, and are now operating it with success.

In 1865, the hub and spoke factory was established in the Union Block building by the Keer Bros., with W. H. Stokes, of Louisville, Ky., furnishing the capital. It was eontinned for a number of years, realizing ready sales for their work, but by a combination of circum- stances, principally bad management, it went into bankruptcy.

In 1867, Edward Shippen commenced to manufacture wheel-barrows in the Union Block, which he carried on extensively for about four years. He was a son-in-law of the late W. H. Stokes, of Louisville, Ky. Becoming interested in the provisions of his father-in-law's will, he moved to Louisville to look after it.

In 1857, William Ninnenger rented a two- story house, between Poplar and Main streets, in which he commenced the manufacture of beer, where he continued until 1860, when he built the brewery on the corner of Walnut and First streets. Here he made considerable money. In 1866, his health became bad, and he went to Havana, hoping to find relief, but

early in 1867 he died in New Orleans on his way home. His brother Charles continued the brewery until 1870, when he closed it and died in 1871. The Walworth Handle Company Jeft their building standing when they moved to St. Louis, and in 1878 John McDowell, from Brazil, Ind., purchased it and established an extensive saw mill. The mill has great ca- pacity, and is considered the most extensive of the kind in Southern Illinois, if not in the State. The active and congenial Quinn Mc- Cracken, also from Brazil, Ind., is the Superin- tendent. J. R. Reel, another gentleman from Brazil, in 1879 established in one of the orig- inal Government buildings, upon the levee, a flouring mill, but it became a victim to the great fire of the same year. He is now occu- pying and operating a flouring mill in the only building the ravages of the fire spared upon the river bank. In 1858, G. F. Meyer came direct from Germany to Mound City, and at once went into partnership with A. C. Hallen- berry in a small grocery store on Main street, opposite where the post office is now kept. They soon moved their business down to the brewery building, and then to the lot he now occupies, on the corner of Main and Walnut streets. Meyer & Hallenberry dissolved part- nership in 1867, Meyer continuing at the same location, Hallenberry establishing himself on the opposite side of the street, with a grocery store. Mr. Meyer at an early day connected the business of buying and shipping staves in the rough. At one time for a number of years he controlled and operated the saw mill known as Webster & Carroll's, located three miles north of Mound City ; had a wooden railroad built from the mill to the Ohio River, upon which the lumber was brought and shipped.

In May, 1879, Meyer & Nordman established their extensive and complete stave factory, in all its departments, upon the river bank just north of the Mound, and on Rawlings' reservation, when, the same year, November 2, 1879, the

576

HISTORY OF PULASKI COUNTY.

factory, staves and all apartments thereunto be- longing succumbed to the fire that was so dis- astrons to so much of Mound City. The ashes were hardly cold, however, when they began to rebuild, and on the 18th day of December the same year, they were running. They manu- factured, bricked and jointed seasoned white- oak staves and headings for ale hogsheads and barrels, beer half-barrels, and kegs for whisky, and sirup barrels ; in connection with the fac- tory they worked fifty men. They shipped their staves as far East as Boston, and west to San Francisco, and have quite a trade to Canada. Mr. Nordman came from Indianapo- lis ; like Mr. Meyer, he had much experience in the stave business ; both seeing and appre- ciating the advantages of the place for such an enterprise, availed themselves of it. The Wa- bash Railroad runs a switch upon their ground. The Mound City Railroad near by, and the Ohio River washing the shores just in front of them, tells them to choose the route to send their goods. The day the fire consumed the stave factory of Meyer & Nordman, it also burned the large grocery store of Mr. Meyer His loss was great, but he carried an insurance that relieved him to a considerable extent, and the next day after the fire, Meyer was found selling groceries on the opposite corner, in a building which he owned. In 1882, he com- pleted and moved into his elegant store build- ing upon the ground he had done business so long before the fire. His store building is complete in all its departments. It is built of the best of brick, foundation of stone. The struct- ure is 180x80 feet, and consists of four separate and distinct double stores having seven de- partments, all admirably managed and all con- nected by broad archways, with ample light, and two elevators. In one department groce- ries, in another hardware and stoves, then boots, shoes, hats and caps, then saddlery, then furniture, and separate departments for liquors and groceries in wholesale, each line

being full. The building is connected. with Cairo by telephone. The entire second floor is devoted to wholesale or duplicated stock, as is also the basement, which latter, together with the entire sidewalk extending around three sides of the building. is made of English Portland cement, making them impervious to water and vermin. The building has three fire and burglar-proof vaults, one in each double store ; on the second floor an elegant private and a book-keeper's office. Mr. Meyer buys for cash direct from importers and first hands. In a warehouse, 37x130 feet, he keeps wagons, buggies and carriages of all descrip- tions and styles. He keeps in a building 45x50, a full stock of sash, doors and blinds. He is interested in nearly every industrial enterprise that contributes to the growth. and prosperity of the city. His chief of staff, the gentlemanly Ferdinand Wehrfritz, has full charge of the business in Mr. Mey- er's absence. While other business men have made money in Mound City and gone else- where to spend it, G. F. Meyer spends it where he made it.

Mound City Lodge, No. 250, I. O. O. F., was instituted March 11, 1858. The M. W. G. Master, W. Duff Green, of the I. O. O. F. of the jurisdiction of Illinois, accompanied by Grand officers, P. G., D. Hannon, R. W. D. G. M. pro- tem Brother Greenwood, R. W. G. M. P. G., George Mckensie, R. W. G. T. and Brother Owen, R. W. G. G., instituted the lodge with the following charter members : P. G. J. Gris- wold, P. G. H. Hiner, Bros. C. Kirkpatrick, W. McNight and J. S. Hawkins. On the same evening, the following persons were proposed and admitted, to wit : P. G. C. M. Ferrill, P. G. N. R. Casey, M. B. Riggs, A. Patrick, R. Adams and sixteen others. On the 12th of March, 1858, the hall was dedicated. On the 15th of October, 1858, a charter was granted to the lodge, W. Duff Green being Grand Master. The first officers elected were J.

577

HISTORY OF PULASKI COUNTY.

Griswohl, N. G .; C. Kirkpatrick, V. G .; William McNight, Sec .; and N. R. Casey, Treas. Since the institution of this lodge, a quarter of a cen- tury has elapsed. It has undergone many vicissitudes ; burning of its hall in the fire of 1879, it survives the struggle of other years with a brighter outlook before it. It now numbers twenty members. Its present officers are W. T. Freeze, N. G .; H. A. Doty, V. G .; L. D. Reel, Sec .; T. W. Reed. Treas. Since the burning of the hall in 1879, they fitted up a hall over Price's store, on Main street, and went there every Friday evening.

The Knights of Honor were organized in Oe- tober, 1879, with twenty-four charter members. Since then the order has increased to fifty-four members. But one death has occurred since the organization of the lodge, that of A. Schnider. The lodge meets in the Odd Fellows Hall. Its present officers are George Bosum, Dictator ; Joseph Cale, Vice Dictator ; H. G. Car- ter, Reporter, and Edward A. Hays, Financial Reporter.

The Ladies and Knights of Honor, No. 587, were organized November 4, 1882, with twenty- four charter members. They have increased since then to twenty-eight members. No death has occurred since the order was established. The present officers : Mrs. Joseph Goodloe, Pro- tector ; Mrs. Ninnenger, Vice Protector ; Mrs. Hattie M. Smith, Deputy Protector; Mrs. E. B. Watkins, Sec., and William Painter, Treas.

In 1857, there lived in Mound City a num- ber of Masons, belonging to lodges in different parts of the country, and that they might en- joy directly the advantages from the order, Cache Lodge was instituted in 1858. The fol- lowing were the charter members : James Goodloe, H. R. Howard, J. Y. Clemson, R. H. Warner, I. E. Anderson, J. R. Emerie and C. Jennings. James Goodloe was its first Master. Of the charter members none are now living in Mound City, and the majority have long since been admitted or rejected in the lodge

above. Many of them and of those that be- came members of the order were faithful and zealous in the cause, probably none so much as J. W. Morris, now of Cairo. He was fre- quently chosen to represent Cache Lodge in the Grand Lodge of the State, which duty he performed with great satisfaction. But eir- cumstances over which they had no control induced them to consolidate with the Cairo Lodge, which they did in 1874.

In 1866, the first Good Templars society was organized by old Father Bingham, the great temperance worker. The lodge was carried on successively, and did much good until 1876. The meetings were discontinued, but more or less temperance work was done until 1878, when the Red Ribbon movement was inaugurated by Dr. Reynolds, which resulted in much good. In 1882, another Good Templars Lodge was established, and is now in successful operation.

The first store opened in Mound City was by Gen. M. M. Rawlings in 1855, and contained a large stock of assorted merchandise. It was continued until early in 1863. The store room was 25x100 feet. The building fronted Raw- lings' reservation ; after 1863, it was known as the Marine Barracks, the marines occupying it for several years, or while they were sta- tioned at Mound City. The second business house was kept by R. H. Warner, 1856. It consisted of groceries only. He built the house, and it also fronted the reservation. The lot and buildings were afterward sold to Capt. Kelsey for $10,000. In 1857, Warner & Dona- gon kept a grocery store on Poplar street, between Front street and the reservation. John Donagon is still in Mound City. Then Harrell & Dougherty in 1856 kept a store con- sisting of general merchandise, wholesale and retail. John withdrew; had a grocery and provision store. Coyle & Harris were the first carpenters and builders to ask patronage in their business in Mound City. At the same time, Joe Worthington offered to do house

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.

History of Alexander, Union and Pulaski Counties, Illinois, Part 71

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. ; O.L. Baskin & Co. Number of Pages: 948

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. ; O.L. Baskin & Co.
Number of Pages: 948