USA > Illinois > De Witt County > History of De Witt county, Illinois. With illustrations descriptive of the scenery, and biographical sketches of some of the prominent men and pioneers > Part 42
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Steam Elevator, William Bishop proprietor, was established in 1861, and situated on the west side of the switch of the Illinois Central railroad, and north of the depot. It is a two story build- ing with a brick-one story for a foundation, and the remain- der built of frame material, and was constructed at a cost of $12, 000. The main building on the ground is 40x90 feet, with . boiler-room attachment 16x35 feet, and one story high. The engine power is twelve-horse, and has the capacity of elevating 5,000 bushels daily. The building has store rooms sufficient to contain 20,000 bushels of grain, besides having cribs detached capable of holding 10,000 bushels of corn. Mr. Bishop also deals in lumber, sash, doors, and mouldings. The building for the latter purpose is detached from his elevator, and is 40x60 feet, and one story in height. Ile also has an excellent lumber shed 40x60 feet. Three men are given constant employment by this industry.
Florist and Gardener, W. W. MeAboy, proprietor. The busi- ness was established in the summer of 1881, at a cost of $3,000, and located in block 21, four blocks south of the public square. It has three green or hot houses, each 50 feet in length, through which extend iron pipes heated with steam. The building also has an excellent brick basement for placing the heating apparatus and keeping bulbs, vegetables, ete. 85,000 worth of plants can be raised annually, and the business gives employment to three hauds. Mr. McAboy is a practical florist and gardener, and the citizens of Clinton may congratulate themselves for having such an establishment in their midst.
Farmers' Mill .- This mill does both custom and merchant work. It was constructed by Clark and Mckinney in 1858, and afterwards passed into the hands of Carl & Rosdail. It is now leased to Sylvester & Boyce, who conduct the business. The building is a two-story, with brick basement, and is 30x36 feet. It has two run of stone, one for wheat, the other for corn, and has the capacity of manufacturing 25 barrels of flour daily, be- sides from 75 to 100 bushels of meal. The annual value of man . ufactured product is estimated at 830.000. It has an engine of thirty horse-power ; the mill gives employment to three men, and is situated four blocks directly south of the court-house square.
Brick Tard .- This industry was established in 1870, by James Bell, present proprietor, and located at the junction of Illinois Central, and Wabash railways. The yard occupies one acre of ground and manufactures from the bottom found at the works ; eight men are kept in employment, and they manufacture 500, 000 bricks annually. It uses the hand mould only. Mr. Bell supplies the demand for bricks from the various parts of the country.
Planing Mill -This mill was constructed iu 1862, by, C. Funk, who is its present owner, and it is situated a little west of the Illinois Central depot. Its original cost was 83,000. The building is a frame 30x50 feet, and two stories high, besides an engine and boiler room 10x40, one story. The engine is 20
horse-power. Mr. Funk employs in his business five men, and does contracting, building, drafting, etc. There is but one other business of the kind in the county, which is situated in Farmer City.
Carriage Manufactory of Morrison & Rhom, and located on East Main street, east of the public square. This manufactory was established by J. R. McErvin in 1856, and came into the possession of the present firm in the spring of 1879. It is a frame building two stories high, and covers an area of 66x150 feet. It also con- tains out buildings, drying sheds, yardage, etc. Eight men are employed, and 89,000 worth of manufactued material turned out annually.
Hay Press, situated on the switch of the Illinois Central, north of Bishop's Elevator. This business was established in the fall of 1877, at a cost of 81,800. The establishment is 50x80 feet in size, and has the capacity of pressing eight tons per day, giving employment to five men and three teams. Ships mainly to the Southern States. Wesley Leavitt, proprietor.
Broom Factory .- This factory was established in 1880, and lo- cated on the corner of East Main and Jefferson Streets, It has the capacity of manufacturing 8,000 brooms annually. It is con- ducted wholly by the proprietor, G. W. Gash.
Magill House .- This is an establishment of which the people of Cliutou may well be proud, being one of the finest, largest, and best arranged hotels in Central Illinois. It was constructed by the Magill Brothers, at a cost of 835,000, the first work being done in 1871, and completed in 1872. It is a brick structure, three stories high, besides the basement, and covers half a block. The rooms are large and airy, being forty-five in number, besides three store rooms on the first floor. It is situated just north of the square, fronting on Center Street. The building was origi- nally heated by hot air, the furnaces being situated in the base- ment. This mode of heating was soon abandoned on account of the expense being too great for the income of the house. The dining room, billiard room, and halls, are large and commodious. The basement is now utilized for a laundry. A. W. Razey is the present efficient landlord. There are two other hotels in the city, the Clinton House and the City Hotel. Both are situated on Center Street, a little north of the Magill House.
Jno. Warner & Co., Bankers .- This business was established the 1st of September, 1867, and is the oldest bank in the city. It is situated in the south corner of the public square. It contains a fire proof vault, and McNeal & Irvin's best burglar-proof safe with time lock. The capital stock is $50,000, with a surplus of 887,706. The firm transaets all the business of the bank.
De Witt County National Bank is located in one of the best buildings in the city, and situated on the south side of the square facing C'enter Street. It was chartered in the spring of 1871, with a capital stock of $50,000. It has a surplus of $18,000. Hall's burglar-proof safe with time lock is used, and enclosed within an excellent fire-proof vault. J. T. Snell, president ; Wm. Metzger, cashier.
Haek: Line, owned and run by T. S Hutchason. The line con- taius one bus, two hacks, and baggage wagon. Makes all trains both night and day. The barns are situated on the corner of Monroe and Center Streets, near the Magill House.
Clinton Fire Company, No. 1, was organized in 1874, with the total number of members of Engine Company 19, Hose Com- pany 20. They have a fine hand engine and 500 feet of hose and hose-cart. The company are all well uniformed and excel- lently drilled for duty. The treasury is well supplied with funds sufficient to run the organization for a year or more. The
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HISTORY OF DE WITT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
eogiue building is situated iu the south-west corner of the Magill Block, and is two stories high, 34x66 feet on the ground, and constructed of brick. The first floor is used for engine and hose room, with a portion cut off the north end for the purpose of a ealaboose. The upper story is divided into two departments for Firemen's Hall and Council Room. The present officers are as follows : Chief, H. C. Henson ; Captain, James Armstrong ; Secretary, James M. Kirk ; Treasurer, A. W. Razey ; Foreman Eugine Co., Lafayette Ely ; Assistaut Foreman Engine Co .. David Edwards; Foreman Hose Co., Matt. Clive; Assistant Foreman Hose Co., Jake Bryant ; Pipeman, L. S. Harrell ; Committee of Inquiry, T. B. Me Elhiney, A. F. Ely, and Joseph Metzger. Total membership at this writing, 16 in the Engine Company and 14 in the Hose.
People's Library Association was chartered in the fall of 1879, with A. W. Razey secretary, who is the present incumbent. It started with a membership of 50, which at this time has increased to 75. Originally the library contained only 100 volumes, but has now over 300. The variety of reading matter consists of the biographies of eminent men, fiction, and standard literature of the day. M. M. Delevis, librarian.
The School Building is an ornament to the town, and >peaks in unmistakeable language of the public spirit and enterprise of the people. It was constructed in 1867, and is situated in the north part of the town within an enclosure of five aeres. This is really the prettiest part of the eity, being high and rolling ground, just suited to the purpose to which it is devoted. The ground for- merly belonged to Stephen A. Douglas, and after his death his widow donated her interest in the property to the city for school purposes. The building is constructed of brick, three stories high, besides the basement, and contains twelve rooms graded as follows : four primary, five intermediate, two grammar, and one high school department, and gives employment to twelve teachers besides a principal. Its cost was nearly $50,000, and originally it was heated by hot-air furnaces, but is now heated with steam apparatus, it being considered more healthy and eon- genial to the pupils. The basement is used for the generating of steam, and also furnished with rooms convenient for the family nse of the janitor. The architecture of the building is pleasing to the eye, containing a eupola and other adornments in keeping with the house and grounds. Good walks lead to it from every direction, and everything about the premises is kept in first-class order.
Wood-Lawn Cemetery .- This cemetery contains sixty-five aeres of ground, and was formerly owned by George W. Gideon. In 1861 his son, Edwin W., who had enlisted in the army, came home sick on furlough, and soon afterward died. He was the first buried here, and the lot where the interment was made was donated by Mr. Gideon as a burial-place for the soldiers of the war. The site being high and rolling, and favorably situated for a cemetery, the citizens purchased the ground and fitted it np for a eity cemetery. The site was well chosen, for no better place could have been selected for miles around. It is situated about half a mile north-west of the business part of the town. The best of side-walks are kept to the very gates of this silent city ; arched gateways of considerable height first catch the eye of the stranger. A sextou is employed, and everything is kept in a manner ereditable to the eitizens. Many excellent monn- ments adorn the grounds, the most prominent being situated about central, within the first rise of ground leading from the town. It is a marble shaft, twenty-five feet in altitude, sur- mounted by a life-sized soldier, standing on guard. The monu-
ment speaks for itself,-it is not necessary to read the scores of names engraved upon it to tell you that this is the spot where many a brave soldier is sleeping his last sleep, and that the granite soldier is standing his watch, for " the army is sleeping." All around the monument small mounds of ground show that many have already been buried here. This is a county enterprise, erected by the citizens of De Witt, and under the auspices of a regularly constituted organization, entitled " The De Witt Connty Soldiers' Monument Association," having a president, secretary, treasurer, etc. Every soldier's name, whether he dies in the county or out of it, if he were a resident of the county, after his death, is engraven upon this monument. The corner-stone was laid the 4th of July, 1868, and the monument unveiled just one year from the laying of the corner-stone, and cost $2,500. Ac- cording to an act of congress, the general goverment has obli- gated itself to furnish all head and foot-stones, free, to the graves of the soldiers coming nnder the regulations of Associations regularly established. The following is a correct copy of a letter sent to Stephen K. Carter, of Clinton, in reply to a communiea- tion between him and the quartermaster general of the United States Army, and is dated June 4, 1881 :
Sir : Your letter of 31st ult. at hand. Head-stones will be furnished as soon as practicable, but probably not this year. [Signed, etc.
The city also contains several fine church buildings, and two live printing establishments, the histories of which will be found in the Ecclesiastieal chapter, and the History of the Press.
MERCANTILE HOUSES AND TRADE OF 1881-2.
Dry Goods, Carpets, Dealers in Woolens, etc .- Magill Bros.
Wholesale Grocers und Queensware .- H. C. Wilson ; Sackett & Hammond : Gallaher Bros.
Hardware, Stores and Agricultural Implements .- Hand & Li- senby, John Killough, Woy & Scott.
Drugs. Medicines, Books und Stationery .- J. B. Hunt.
Groceries. Queensuure, Cigars, Tobacco and Woodemwar .- Mc- Kinney & Porter ; I. Campbell ; Phares & Harwood.
Furnituer und Undertaking-MeFarland & Rogers; Faekett & Carroll.
Harness, Saddlery, ote -I. B. Beatty & Son ; William Metzger. Lumber Merchants .- William Bishop ; E. Kent & Co. ; Lean- der MeGraw.
Restaurants and Bakeries,-J. S. Wilson : Phares & Davidson ; Kelley Bros. ; Charles Cawrey.
Grurral Stock .- Drew & Inman.
Clothing, Hats, Cups, ote .- H. Katz & Bro.
Dry Goods and Notions .- J. F. Miller; T. Frisch, Henry Crang.
Boot and Shoe Stores .- O. J. Woodward; Dabl & Gay.
Drugs and Medicines,-J. C. Myers; W. H. Wheeler & Co. ; De Levis & Monlux.
Dry Goods, Boots, Shoes, Hats, cte .- H. Toombs.
Books and Stutimmery .- A. C. Hand & Co.
Watches, Clocks und Jewelry .- J. R. Jones ; N. E. Wheeler. Millinery and Fancy Goods .- Mrs. M. P. Beatty ; Mrs. N. E. Wheeler ; Mrs. J. W. Bowren; Mrs. S. F. Conkling. Sewing Machine Agent .- W. B. Barnett.
Physicians .- C. Goodbrake, John Wright, Jobn Edmiston, G. W. Hyde, J. C. Myers, Dr. Downey, David Edmiston, Dr. Sap- ington, A. W. Edmiston, G. H. Garwood, I). Wilcox.
Grain Dealers,-E. Kent, William Bishop, Leander MeGraw, Abner Pbares.
Meut Markets .- W. B. Rundle, Hanger & Deland, Daniel Crang, Jacob ITaller.
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HISTORY OF DE WITT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
Blacksmith Shops .- George Aughenbaugh, George Armstrong, William Bosler, Thomas Armstrong, William Catterlin.
Stock Dealers and Shippers .- Strain & Nagley, James De Land, Wolf & McHenry, Jacob Zoger, James Wilson, Philip Clark.
Insurance Agents, etc .- S. F. Lewis, D. McArthur, M. Dona- hue, Conklin Bros., E. S. Van Meter, R. W. Robinson. Livery Stables -H. B. Taylor, William Weedman.
Cigars and Tobacco .- B. Burroughs, F. P. Brenner.
Hardware and Stores .- C. O. Jones.
Clothing and Gents' Furnishing Goods .- L. Frendenstein & Co.
Dress Makers .- Phillips Sisters, Miss M. Bell, Mrs. J. Porter, Mrs. Van Lew, Mrs. Messer, Miss Annie Carrol, Mrs. Toombs. Agricultural Implements. - H. H. Harwood.
Merchant Tailor and Clothier .- N. J. Runbeck.
Photograph Gulleries .- F. O. Pease, G. W. Browning.
Dentists .- W. F. Calhoun, J. G. Hyer.
Boot and Shoemaker .- John Bjorkquest.
Barbers and Hair Dressers -Frank Hull, J. O. Watters, A Jackson, H. Collins.
Couper .- Geo. W. Moore,
Carpenters and Juiners -P. H. Atherton, Robert Phares, Henry Bogardus, William Atherton, Thomas Bryant, Davis Eley, Samuel Petticord, J. A. Day, William Hall, A. Goodrich, E. Atherton, S. K. Harrold, Warren Winslow, Mathew Irvin.
Masons and Bricklayers .- O. L. Kirk, A. H. C. Barber, R H Ross, James Spradling, James Kirk, Samuel Jackson.
Printers and Glaziers .- J. Robison, William Spradling, C. A. Owens, Geo. Upshaw, G. Gladel, Charles Gideon, James Fackerell.
Junk Store .- H. Taylor & Son.
Tailor .- J. Jepson.
Postmaster .- Richard Butler.
SOCIETIES *
Plantagenet Lodge, No. 25, K. of P. was organized under dis- pensation from the Grand Lodge, March 6th, 1872, and chaz- tered January 25th, 1873. The following were the charter offi- cers: William Swan, C. C .; Samuel Proud, V. C .; A. J. Lewis, Prelate ; A. V. Lisenby, K. of R. and S .; C. C. Stone, M. of F .; Jno. W. Stiles, M. E .; G. H. Gardner, M. A .; Geo. W. Ely, I. G .; John Cawrey, O. G. Total charter membership 13. The present officers are, Richard Butler, P. C .; E. G. Argo, C. C .; Drew Inman, V. C .; F. O. Pease, Prelate ; H. L. Hunter, R. R. and S .; N. E. Wheeler, M. of F .; William Metzger, M. of E .; Lyman Ilenry, M. at A .; A. C. Hosmer, I. G .; M. M. Woy, O. G .; A. W. Razey, Deputy Grand Chancellor for District of De Witt. F. M. Burroughs is Grand Master at Arms in Grand Lodge of the State of Illinois. The present membership is 75. The Lodge meets in their Castle Hall, in Warner's Block every Thursday night. The condition of the Lodge financially is ex- cellent, owing nothing, and has $350 in the exchequer. The past two years have been very important ones to the Lodge, hav- ing increased its membership from 34 to 75.
A new and important feature has been recently added to this order, entitled the Endowment Rank of K. of P., and is in a growing and prosperous condition, especially is this true with sec- tion No. 205, which is composed of the members of Plantagenet Lodge, No. 25. This feature is mainly for life insuring on a safe plan, and at a nominal cost.
De Witt Lodge, No. 84, A. F. and A. M. was instituted Octo- ber 8th, 1850. Evan Richards, John Warner, William S. Bates, and several others of the order, residing at or near Clinton, were among the charter members. Evan Richards was appointed by the Grand Lodge the first W. M .; John Warner, S. W .; and William S. Bates, J. W. The original charter and records were destroyed in the great fire of January 185s. A new and special charter was granted June 22, 1859. William W. Hickman was the W. M. The Lodge started out with a membership of 84. The names of the present officers are : A. V. Lisenby, W. M .; T. B. McElhiney, S. W .; A. J. McAboy, J. W .; Samuel Magill, Treasurer ; D. McArthur, Secretary ; E. Sylvester, S. D .; Philip Wolf, J. D .; A. W. Razey and Geo. W. Scott, Stewards ; A. H. C. Barber, Tyler. The present membership is 104. The Lodge meets in Masonic Hall on Friday evenings, on or before the full of the moon.
The order has an excellent hall, and all the surroundings to do good square work.
Goodbrake Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M. was instituted under let- ters of dispensation, in April, 1860, and chartered by the Grand Chapter, September 29, 1860, with the following officers; Oliver Hetzel, H. P; C. Goodbrake, K .; John Warner, S. The num- ber of charter members was 17. The present officers are, A. D. MclIenry, II. P .; E. Sylvester, K .; E. Johnson, S .; L L. Mc Graw, C. H .; O. L Kirk, Treasurer ; O. J. Woodward, Secre- tary ; I. Frendenstein, P. S ; P. Wolf, R. A. C .; T. B. McElhiney, M. 3 V .; A. V. Lisenby, M. 2 V. The past High Priests belong- ing to this chapter are: Dr. C. Goodbrake, O. Hetzel, E. H. Palmer, John Warner, A. H. C. Barber, L. H. Cope, W. H. Taylor, W. C. McMurry, A. D. McHenry, and J. T. IIand.
The present membership is 80. In addition to the chapter de- grees, those of Cryptic masonry are also confered in this chapter. The Chapter meets in their Hall, in Masonic building, in regu- lar convocation on the first Tuesday evening in each month. The finances of the order are in good condition, they owning considerable stock in the Masonic building.
Olire Lodge, No. 98, I. O. O. F., was instituted October 17th, 1851, by D. Durfee, D. G. M. H., and chartered November 26, of the same year. The charter officers were, Cyrus Funk, N. G .; W. II. Collins, V. G .; Robert Lewis, Sec ; James Tidball, Treas .- there were but five charter members. The present offi- cers are, Drew Innman, N. G. ; N. E. Wheeler, V. G .; N. F. Hunter, Sec .; F. P. Brewer, P. S .; W. H. Britton, Treasurer. Present membership 35. The order has paid out about $2,000 for benefits, and has assets of $500. The Lodge meets in Odd Fellows' Hall, in Warner's Block, every Tuesday evening.
Water Lily Lodge, No. 151, I. O. G. T. This Lodge was or- ganized June 19th, 1862 The following were the charter officers, A. H. C. Barber, L. D. G. W. C. T .; S L. Swords, P. W. C. T .; James J. Robinson, W. C. T .; Sarah J. Stevens, W. V. T. ; Joseph R. Wolf, W. S .; A. M. Warner, W. F. S .; Juliette Wolf, W. T., A. H. C. Barber, W. M .; Ellen King, W. A. M. Number of charter members 20. The present officers are, Ellen Sweeny, L. D. G. W. C. T .; W. B. Rundle, P. W. C. T .; R. B. Day, W. C. T .; Adelia T. Allyn, W. V. T .; E. Allyn, W. S .; A. H. C. Barber, W. T. S .; Sallie V. Field, W. T .; William Emerick, W. M .; Sophy Hutchinson, W. A. M. Present mem- bership 27.
DE WITT COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The first steps taken toward establishing this society ocurred in the summer of 1855. Notice was given and the meeting con-
* We are indebted to the Secretaries of the various Lodges for information in reference to the same.
157
HISTORY OF DE WITT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
vened at the court-house with a goodly number in attendance. In organizing William Cottingham was chosen chairman of the meeting, and Jno. R. Blackford appointed secretary. The meet- ing then proceeded to cleet officers for the prospective association, which were as follows: President, Jno. D. Hutchin; Secretary, Dr. W. W. Adams; Treasurer, William Smith ; Trustees, William Cottingham, E. H. Robb, Ambrose Hall, T. F. Cundiff, A. P. Cushman, D. Il. Prouty, Barzilla Campbell, and N. C. Cane. A constitution was drafted with the usual preliminaries, with a provision that $1.00 should be paid into the treasury in order to become a member of the association. The following were appointed committeemen to solicit memberships in each pr - cinet : Creek Nation precinet, T. Lane and Samuel Smallwood ; Waynesville, John Lisk and A. P. Cushman ; Long Point, Il. Lane and Eli Harrell : Mount Pleasant, Asa Weedman and Isaac Monnett ; Marion, William Cottingham and William Powers ; Clinton, C. P. Ford and James Barnett.
Perhaps no better history of the rise and progress of this society could be given, than that published under the auspices of the association iu 1880. We, therefore, take the liberty to glean from the same, as great care and regard for facts were exercised by the writer ; in fact, Mr. W. B. Rundle, now secretary of the association, says that it can be relied upon as correct "The first annual fair of the De Witt County Agricultural Society was held in the fall of 1866. At that time it had no enclosed grounds or buildings, but launched out in the most primitive manner Where the late Dr. Porter's residence now stands was then an open field, overrun with smart-weed and dog-fennel. Here the society drove stakes and encompassed it with a stout rope. Inside of this ring the first fair was held. The regulations for admission were twenty-five cents for each person, or a season ticket for # family, one dollar. An outsider could see the exhibition as well as those admitted, but to the credit of the people of that day nearly everybody bought a ticket, and did not take advantage of the facilities of crawling under the rope or attempting to view the exhibition at a distance. The exhibition, like the fair grounds, was a slim affair. A few horses and a meagre number of horned cattle, comprised the entire list of stock entered for premiums. A small wagon would have held all the farm pro- ducts on exhibition. The best display was made by the women, of home-made bread, cakes, butter, domestic cheese, fruits, pre- serves, flowers and plants. These were arranged on tables sito- ated in the open air. On other tables were specimens of needle- work, knitting, bed spreads, ete Everything was of a practical character, and but very little of the fancy arts. The total amount paid out for premiums at this fair did not exceed fifty dollars.
" This primitive beginning encouraged the promoters of the en- terprise, and before the time came for holding the second fair, the society bought five acres of ground south-west of Clinton, the place now owned by E Giddings and occupied by T. N. Byerly. They enelosed the ground and built a few stalls for the arcom- modation of stock. There was no amphitheater or floral hall, as such luxuries were not then thought of. A small ring was formed, around which the prize stock was marched in solemn procession. This was a great day for the association, as nearly the whole of De Witt county came to the inauguration of the new fair-grounds."
The interest in the fairs so increased, that five acres soon be- came too small to accommodate the exhibitors and patrons of the society. Consequently, the old grounds were sold, and the asso- ciation procured the present site from R. S. Smith. These grounds are handsomely located, and situated about a half mile from the business part of the city. They contain twenty acres, and cost the society 81,200 In one corner is situated a fine grove, con- venient for the hitching of teams, and a resting-place for those in attendance. A half mile track is well kept for trotting pur- poses ; substantial sheds and stalls are constructed on the south and west sides of the enclosure. A large amphitheater, capable of accommodating five hundred persons, and a roomy floral hall adorn the grounds.
The association has had some reverses to impede its legitimate progress ; yet it has been remarkably fortunate in paying its pre- miums, as from the first, with the exception of two or three years, it has paid one hundred cents on the dollar. This necessarily gives the society a first-class reputation among its exhibitors. At the lowest cash value, the property of the society is worth $5,000, on which there is but a small indebtedness. By a liberal sup- port of the people this indebtedness will soon be wiped out, and the Agricultural Society of De Witt county will stand among the foremost in central Illinois.
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