USA > Illinois > Cass County > History of Cass county, Illinois > Part 10
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When the court house was built in the square now occupied as the city school, the business was drawn around it as it is now around the present square, and as we have said, some of the old business houses are still standing, and there are traces of others. No
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
one with an eye for the glorious and beauti- f il can see any improvement made, either in location or beauty, by the removal from the " West End Square " to the present business location. Hall's, we have seen, was the first store opened. Charles Oliver was a clerk in Hall's store, but in a year or two went into business on his own account. He kept the second store in Virginia, and remained a mer- chant of the place for many years. His store was on the southwest corner of the old square, south of Beardstown street, while N. B. Thompson-probably the next merchant- had his store on the same corner, but north of Beardstown street. Portions of these old buildings are still standing, but with changes are now dwellings, or parts of dwelling-houses. Dr. Hathaway opened a drug-store on the northwest corner of the old square, the first one in Virginia. Other branches of business were established, and other stores were open- ed. The house, or the brick part of it, where Harry Thompson now lives, was a store-house with a hall in the second story, that used to witness strange events during the late un- pleasantness. The old-fashioned brick, a little further east from Thompson's, and on the same side of the street, was also a store-house. Thus, a quarter of a century ago, was a busy town, where now are but a few private resi- dences around a beautiful square, in which stands a rather dilapidated looking temple of learning.
Charles Oliver, the second merchant, sprang from a family of merchants. His father was a heavy importer, and two uncles-brothers of his father-were wholesale merchants of Philadelphia, while four of his sons were merchants. One of these' sons-William A., opened the first store on the south side of the present public square, in the Mead building, now ocenpied by J. O. Hammer as a saloon. Ile had entered Dr. Hathaway's drug store, and after becoming familiar with the business,
not having means to go into the drug busi- ness, his father divided his own stock of goods with him, giving him some five or six hun- dred dollars worth of goods out of his store, which he opened out, as we have said, on the south side of the present square. Influences were at work then, which eventually resulted in the removal of the business to its present location, affording at least one instance of the star of empire moving eastward instead of westward.
Jake Dunnaway, who was a mail contractor, had purchased the stage-stand in Virginia, which was then kept in what is now the Virginia house, or a part of it, and this was one of the influences in moving the business in this di- rection. The proposed Illinois river railroad was another. These, together with other in- ducements, which finally culminated when the county-seat was moved to Beardstown, accomplished the change. N. B. Thompson, whose store we have mentioned as standing on the sonthwest corner of the old square, and a man of keen penetration in business affairs, saw the tendency of the town to move eastward, and built a store house on the south side of the present square. He did not occupy it, however, but rented it to other parties, and continued at his old stand sometime longer. Finally he moved his store house, now a part of the city hotel, from the old square, to the site of the hotel on the north side of the present square, and opened his store in it, though there was no other house then in the vicinity. But, he said, his trade would follow him wherever he went, an asser- tion that proved true, as he was one of the successful merchants of the town for many years. Milton Trotter built the first brick store house on the present square, which is known on the plats as " Washington Fount- ain Square." It comprises two stores below and Trotter's hall above. After this time bnsiuess built up rapidly in the new locality,
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
and business houses were erected, until the present state of improvement was reached. The war between the east and west ends, which was carried on with considerable ardor at times, after the removal of the county-seat back to Beardstown, in 1845, gradually sub- sided, and the east end became the establish- ed scene of business and trade.
Mr. Hall, besides building the first store house and residence, built also the first tavern in the town, which was first kept by Powell & Beadles. With many changes and im- provements, modernizations, etc., until but little of the original building is left, it is now the Virginia llouse, and is kept at present by J. B. Craft. It, and the City Hotel, kept by the jolly and genial John Gore, are the hotels of the town.
A post-office was established at Virginia, and L. F. Sanders was appointed postmaster. It was a primitive affair, with its one and two mails a week, presenting quite a contrast to Mr. Wilson's well-arranged and lucrative office.
The first steam mill within the corporate limits of Virginia was built by N. B. Burs. It was a modern two-run mill, and did good work until 1852-3, when it was burned. The city was without a mill then until the present one was built by Armstrong & Beasley, some twenty years ago. It became the property of Jacob Dunnaway, who sold it to Mr. Cos- gro, the present owner, in 1871. He re- modeled and improved it in every respect, and made it thoroughly a first-class mill. Originally it had but one run of buhrs, but Mr. Cosgro has added two more, and all the latest improved machinery, purifiers, Moline clean- ing machinery, etc. He makes the patent process flour as well as straight grade flour, and turns out at the rate of forty barrels every twelve hours. The production of his mill is consumed mostly at home, though he ships considerably at certain seasons of the year,
and grinds winter wheat altogether. Mr. Cosgro learned the milling business in New York State, at Albany, Oswego, etc., and came West in 1860, stopping at Peoria, where he was engaged in the Fort Clark and City Mills, coming to this city in 1871, as stated above.
There is an inevitable meanness in every grand event, and homeliness of detail in each heroic life, which time does not wholly erase. We go a thousand miles away to get the mountain's height, and we are, it may be, too near the men and things of which we write. It is difficult to compose a history of the city on perspective, and, like a Chinese draughts- man, leave the background and shadow out. Any one can be wise for yesterday, for he has results to guide his judgment. But Virgin- ia's yesterday is long gone by, and her history has lost much of the morning freshness. The incidents of its first years, however, are as freely eanvassed as those of the present. Each feeling and prejudice has been nursed to keep it warm.
Dr. Hall was the first physician. Although he had graduated from the best schools and colleges of Europe, and had served in the British navy, he never practiced his profes- sion after settling here, except in case of ex- treme emergency, but devoted himself to other business interests. Dr. M. H. L. Schooley was the next physician, and com- menced practice about 1836. He was the first who opened a doctor's office, as Dr. Hall did not practice. He graduated at Philadelphia Medical College, and continued in practice in Virginia until 1867, when he removed to Cass County, Mo., where later he died. Dr. Lord came about 1846, and practiced some three years in partnership with Sehooley. Dr. Tate came in 1841. Ile was a graduate of the Medical College of Ohio (Cincinnati), in the class of 1840. Dr. Hathaway came in 1844, and kept the first drug store opened in the town;
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
Dr. Snyder came in 1863. The last named has a fine museum which he values very highly, and indeed, there are very few such private collections to be found in the country. At the present time there are six practicing physicians in Virginia, viz .: Drs. Tate, Good- speed, Snyder, Hubbard, Colladay, and Smith.
" When lawyers take what they would give; When doctors give what they would take ;
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Till then let Cummmings blaze away, And Miller's saints blow up the globe ; But when you see that happy day, Then order your aseension rohe."
The first lawyer was Mr. Friend, who open- ed an office here in 1836. He was licensed to practice, and was a very successful lawyer. R. S. Thomas, probably the next lawyer, came in 1839, and was a brother to Judge Jesse B. Thomas, one of the early United States senators from Illinois. R. S. Thomas was a man of considerable energy. He was president of the old Illinois River Rail- road Co .; was elected to the legislature in 1847, and for a time was editor of a Whig paper, the Class County Times. He remained in Virginia until 1865, when he removed to Chicago, where he died about 1869. Mark W. Delaha was another of the early lawyers, and located in Virginia in 1844. He was a man of ability, a fine orator, and a most radi- cal Whig, and edited, for a while, the first paper established in Virginia, The Chronicle, an ultra Whig paper. Lee Carpenter, J. N. Gridley and R. W. Mills came in at a later date. The bar of Virginia comprises now some nine members, as follows: J. N. Gridley, R. W. Mills, A. A. Leeper, G. L. Warlow, Henry Philips, George Martin, W. H. Thacker, C. M. Tinney and Charles Martin.
The banking business is represented in Virginia by three banks, firmly established, and comprising considerable capital.
The Farmers National Bank, of Virginia,
was organized in 1865, with the following officers: S. S. Vance, president; H. H. Hall, vice-president, and John H. Wood, cashier; the first board of directors were S. S. Vance, H. H. Hall, 1. M. Stribling, William Stevenson, John A. Petefish, N. B. Thompson and A. G. Angier. The capital was originally $50,000, and the circulation $15,000, but in 1869 the capital was increased to $150,000, and the circulation to $145,000. In 1876, Mr. Wool resigned his position as cashier, and organized the Centennial National Bank, and Mr. J. T. Robertson was appointed cashier in his stead, which position he now holds.
July 16, 1867, H. H. Hall was elected presi- dent, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the re- signation of Mr. Vance, which position he held for two years. A. G. Angier succeeded Mr. Hall; John A. Petefish and John Robert- son held the position of president one year each, succeeding Angier. Then George Gat- ton for one year, Angier again for one year, then Gatton for three years. In January, 1824, George Virgin was elected president, and has continued in the position to the pre- sent time. The present board of directors are: George Virgin, William Stevenson, Z. W. Gatton, Robert Taylor, J. G. Rexrout, John Robertson and J. T. Robertson. Z. W. Gatton, an old resident of the county, has been connected with the bank almost from the time of its organization to date, as a director or officer.
The bank building which this bank now owns, is as good a banking-room as may be found in Central Illinois. A pleasing feature of the institution is the kind and courteous book-keeper, Miss Virgin, whose pleasant face is always to be seen above the book-keeper's desk.
Petetish, Skiles & Co., is one of the leading banking houses in Cass County, and was or- ganized as a private bank in 187 , by Samuel H. Petefish, Ignatius Skiles and Jacob Epler.
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
It commenced business under rather unfavor- able circumstances at that time, having to contend with old established banks in adjoin- ing towns, as well as with a local bank. The office was placed in charge of Mr. Richard Elliott, as cashier, who continued with the firm for two years. At the end of the first year, Mr. Epler retired, and the business was con- tinued for some eight months, when Mr. George Virgin was admitted as a partner. In September, .8 2, the management of the business was transferred to Mr. E. T. Oliver, who was also admitted as a member of the firm, and who has continued to act as cashier up to the present time. The copartnership continued until April, 1873, when Ignatius Skiles, one of the leading members of the firm died, leaving interest in the business which was continued by his a'lministrator un- til September, 1875, when Oswell Skiles was admitted as a member of the firm to take his brother's place. In March, 1876, Mr. George Virgin retired, and Messrs. William Campbell and George Crum became members of the firm-it being composed of Samuel H. Pete- fish, Oswell Skiles, Elward T. Oliver, Will- iam Campbell and George Crum, who have composed the firm from the latter date up to the present time. Although numerous changes of personal members, the firm name has re- mained the same from the first, and it has be- come as thoroughly known and establishde in the county as any public institution.
The bank has had a varied career in point of business ; it has gone through panies, de- pressed and prosperous times, and through all has maintained its high standard of credit and fair dealing, at all times paying particular at- tention to the development of the local indus- tries and enterprises, as well as aiding its customers to successfully manage their private business. While not being organized as a corporation, it has always been rated as high in eredit and business ability as any of the
leading banks in Central Illinois, and at all times employing sufficient capital to supply the legitimate demands of business men who are dealing with it. The private means of the members of the firm are stated at over three hundred thousand dollars, composed of personal property, moneys and eredits, and unencumbered real estate, of the latter of which they own near five thousand acres of the best improved lands in the county, and all of which represents their credit in the bank- ing business, as they are individually liable for all the business transacted at the bank- counter. This fact alone has added largely to their long list of customers, as they well know no financial crisis can affect their interests when so thoroughly protected by private wealth.
In February, 1881, the firm bought out the banking house and business of Messrs. H. T. Chandler & Co., of Chandlerville, and re- ceived as a local member of the firm at that place, Mr. W. K. Mertz, who had been in the office for some nine years, an l opened the doors of the new firm of Petefish, Skiles &
Mertz, February 1, 1881. Having placed the business upon a firm financial basis, and prac- tically changed the workings of the former office, the public soon appreciated the efforts the new firm were making to furnish them first-class banking facili ies, and the rapid increase of business has attested the value of their regard. The business is under the im- me liate management of Mr. Mertz, but the general direction is from the heal fim at Virginia, whose large acquaintance an l busi- ness experience enable them to furnish all ae- commodations needed, and to supply all de- inands in a proper manner.
For some time it had been apparent to the home office that a bank was needed at Ash- land, and acting upon their own judgment in the matter, in addition to urgent requests from the business men of that place and vi-
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
einity, they, in September, 1881, established a private bank in that town, under the firm name of Skiles, Rearick & Co., being com- posed of the present firm at Virginia, and re- ceiving as an additional member, Mr. Walter S. Rearick, of Beardstown, who for some eight years had been connected with the Cass County bank at that place. Being successful in securing the services of a practical business man, the office was, upon September 5,1831, op- ened to the publie; not having time to provide a suitable office for transacting their business, the firm for three months occupied the rear part of a drug store in the place, during which time the builders were rapidly at work erecting a neat office building, which was oc- cupied by the firm about the 5th of Decem- ber. The immense corn business at that point, and the mercantile trade growing out of it, demanded good banking facilities, and the satisfaction of the customers of the bank shows it has been rendered equal to all demands. Like the Chandlerville office, the immediate management of the business is conducted by the local member, Mr. Rea- riek; but the control and direction of it pro- ceeds from the home office, and the firm feel very well pleased with the present business now in their hands at that place, and only hope their efforts to accommodate their present line of customers may be the means of enlarging their list of patrons.
Such is a short synopsis of the business of this firm, which has grown from a small be- ginning to be the most extensive in Cass County, and equal to the largest in other im- portant counties. Its business interests di- versifies into all the different neighborhoods in the county, and its credit is now as well- known abroad as it is at home. With ample means and unlimited eredit, it is so situated as to thoroughly put through any business en- terprise it may undertake, and the business ability of the individual members of the firm,
gives increased confidence to its patrons. To Mr. Samuel H. Petefish, the only living mem- ber of the original firm, is due in a great part the present prosperity of the business, and who at all times has the interest of the county as his objective point. Being the prime mover in the organization of the bank, he naturally feels very proud of its present pro- portions, and at is all times ready to advance the interests of its customers.
Each member of the firm feels the respon- sibility resting upon him, in having the sur- plus wealth of so many of the citizens of the county deposited with them for safe keeping, and to keep their honor and eredit untar- nished, and attend properly and in a business manner to the demands of their patrons, is their chief aim in the management of the business.
The Centennial National Bank was incor- porated April 11, 1876, with the following officers and directors, viz: A. G. Angier. John A. Petefish, Daniel Biddlecome, T. J. Crum, J. H. Bates, A. Struble, Robt. Hall, W. L. Black and Thomas Dunnaway. John A. Petefish was elected president, and John H. Wood, cashier. The original stockholders were, John Fielding, D. R. Downing, W. MI. Gorellery, Thos. Dunnaway, Daniel Biddle- come, Wm. Lindsey, John A. Petefish, A. G. Angier, Cyrus Crum, G. W. Goodspeed, John Epler, A. G. Epler, Wm. Epler, John A. Jones, N. W. Spillman, Geo. A. Woodworth, P. M. Petefish, J. F. Black, Joseph Wilson, James Thompson, T. J. Crum, J. W. Savage, W. L. Black, Geo. A. Beard, J. H. Bates, Henry Quigg, Amos Cox, Robert Hall, A. Struble, John Edwards, J. H. Tureman, R. W. Mills, Mrs. M. S. Caldwell, A. C. Anrier, Jno. H. Melone, Mary E. Henderson, John D. MeHenry, E. A. Gridley, T. J. Nesbitt and A. S. Montgomery. A portion of the above names are not on the rolls now, and in addi- tion to those given, are the following, who
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
have since come in: Maria Cunningham, B. Fielding, Martha B. C. Downing, Henry Philips, Mrs. E. J. H. Tomlin, Thos. Mead, A. Petefish and G. W. Crum. The capital stock was $60,000 until 1877, when it was reduced to $50,000, with a circulation of $45,000. The bonds were bought when they were high, and depreciated to such an extent, that they ab- sorbed the earnings of the bank up to 1879, when the first dividend was declared, which was ten per cent. An annual dividend has been declared every year since of eight per cent. During the past four years the business of the bank has more than doubled.
John A. Petefish continued as president until his death, May 24, 1880, when A. G. Angier became president, a position he still holds. T. J. Crum is vice-president at pre- sent. John H. Wood continued cashier until June 15, 1878, when he resigned, and the pre- sent incumbent, Mr. James B. Black, took his place.
We have noted the beginning of business in Virginia, and traced it from an insignificant village store to the present large and increas- ing business and trade.
The town boasts no manufacturing enter- prises, to speak of, unless it be the tile fac- tory, now in the course of construction, and which will be, when completed, a good thing for the city, as it will be the beginning of manufacturing industries. It is manufactur- ing that makes a town, and the discovery re- cently of a fine vein of potter's clay in the vicinity of Virginia, ought to lead to the erection of works for the making of stoneware at no distant day.
The business of Virginia is strictly retail, and considering the competition it has in the neighboring towns, and the close proximity of Springfield, Jacksonville, and even St. Louis, it is large. The class of business houses are good for a town of this size, and are a credit to the business men ; banking
facilities are excellent, many of the residences are handsome, and the churches are spacious and commodious.
An item of interest that should not be overlooked, is the set of abstract books of J. N. Gridley. He has devoted much time, and expended about $10,000 in money, to the compiling of one of the finest and most complete set of Abstract books in the State of Illinois. They contain a correct copy of the entire records of Cass County, showing all the titles and all transactions affecting the titles of any and all real estate in the county, together with plats of all the towns, cities and villages, certificates of organization of all societies and incorporations, which exist or have existed, and much other valuable infor- mation. The entire set of records are sup- plemented with an official certificate, by the proper officer over the county seal, vouching for their correctness. It is not an easy mat- ter to estimate the value of this set of re- cords, particularly if the original records of this county ever be destroyed. The records were made almost entirely by Miss Mary E. Hill, one of the most efficient penwomen and thorough book-keepers in Virginia. As a work of art alone, they are worthy of perusal.
The Virginia Building and Savings Asso- ciation was chartered by the Legislature in 1876, with a capital of $500,000. The object of the association is to purchase and build city residences, thus aiding specially the working classes. The first officers were: James Thompson, President; John McHenry, Vice President; M. Graves, Treasurer, and R. W. Rabourn, Secretary. Directors: Jo- seph F. Black, P. H. Bailey, Robert Hall, M. Graves, and E. T. Oliver. It has already built about forty residences, and loaned out some $40,000. The association is composed of about one hundred of the best citizens of Virginia.
Virginia was incorporated as a village,
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HISTORY OF CASS COUNTY.
August 19, 1857. The first board of trustees was as follows: Alexander Sample, Stephen P. Gwinn, S. W. Neely, J. E. Haskell, and J. B. Thompson. The first officers were: C. H. Oliver, President; John W. Naylor, Town Clerk; L. S. Allard, Treasurer; James H. Harris, Town Constable, and John A. Giles, Street Commissioner. The town remained under this style of government until 1872, when on the 22d of August, of that year, it was incorporated as a city, and the first set of officers elected, were as follows, viz .: J. A. Petefish, Mayo .; E. M. Dale, Clerk; J. N. Wilson, Treasurer; R. W. Mills, Attorney, and Messrs. E. T. Oliver, A. E. Wyatt, John Rodgers, Joseph Wilson, and Morrison Graves, Councilmen. Since then the following gen- tlemen have served as Mayor of the city, viz: J. A. Petefish (two terms), 1872-3; Dr. G. W. Goodspeed, 1874; D. N. Walker, 1875; W. W. Easley, 1876; P. H. Bailey (two terms), 1877-8; John A. Petefish, until his death, which occurred in May, 1880; and J. T. Rob- inson was elected to fill out the unexpired term, until April, 1881; P. H. Bailey, 1881, and served until he moved away, when A. G. Epler was elected, and is (1882) the present incumbent. Other officers are R. W. Ra- bourn, Clerk; J. B. Craft, Treasurer; R. W. Mills, Attorney, and Marlin Cosgro and Reu- ben Lancaster, Councilmen from the First Ward; George E. Harris and Dr. D. G. Smith, Councilmen from the Second Ward; W. W. Bishop and Oswell Skiles, Councilinen from the Third Ward, and Daniel Murray, City Marshal.
The last premium list (1882) of the Cass County Fair Association, issued from the of- fice of the Virginia Enquirer, contains an historical sketch of the county, and of the city of Virginia, from which we make a brief extract, in conclusion of this chapter. It is a kind of peroration of the writer's article on Virginia, and shows the business and import-
ance of the city at the present time. It is as follows:
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