USA > Illinois > Henry County > History of Henry county, Illinois : it's taxpayers and voters, 1877 > Part 61
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47
504
POPULATION OF HENRY COUNTY.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
BISHOP HILL.
Anderson Lars W. Harness Maker.
Blomberg Peter 0. Justice of the Peace. Blacksmith and Machinist.
Ericson Jno. A. Town Collector.
Chaiser Jno. P. Lumber and Grain Dealer. Agent P. & R. I. R. R.
Johnson Magnus, Harness Maker.
Lindbeck Jno. E. Dealer in Dry Goods, Groceries and Clothing. Postmaster. Nilson Jno. A. Principal of School.
ΝΕΚΟΜΑ.
Johnson Eric, Lumber and Hardware Dealer.
POPULATION OF HENRY COUNTY, BY TOWNSHIPS.
TOWNSHIPS.
Total.
Native. For'ign.
White. Color'd.
White.
Color'd.
Alba
295
213
82
295
75
Annawan
I261
1043
218
1258
3
916
Andover
1767
780
987
1759
8
962
Atkinson
II32
898
234
II32
240
Burns.
1144
967
177
II43
I
773
Cambridge
1682
1276
406
1679
3
1097
Clover
1695
1328
367
1695
724
Colona
I223
905
318
I223
471
Cornwall
952
808
144
952
689
Edford
948
657
291
948
364
Galva
3096
2251
845
3079
17
140I
Galva
2160
1582
578
2143
17
1005
Geneseo
408 1
3155
926
4068
I3
2436
2
Geneseo
3042
2353
689
3031
II
1792
2
Hanna
964
680
284
964
418
Kewanee
4225
2869
1356
4188
37
2344
Loraine
577
433
144
577
396
Lynn
III9
466
653
III2
7
677
Munson
II7I
936
235
II71
694
Osco
I216
SSo
336
I216
576
Oxford
1327
860
467
1327
839
Phenix
793
688
105
793
799
Weller
1560
682
878
1559
I
1055
Western
1372
929
443
1372
858
Wethersfield
I247
1047
200
I244
3
I297
Yorktown
659
. 477
IS2
659
557
1870.
1860.
505
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
( Continued from page 185.)
Farland and Jno. M. Evans. deacons, and Geo. Lobingier, clerk. At this latter date, Hannah and Elizabeth Kirkland, Mrs. Mary E. Evans, Mary Busenback, Mary L. Cahon, John, Hannah B., and Melinda McFarland, Mary Hazle, Miranda M. Nocl, and Nathaniel C. Whitney, united with the church.
On January 1, 1871, the congregation purchased the Baptist Church (the old school-house), and removed it to its present location, where they still continue to worship. They have now 50 members, and a Sunday- school of about 35 scholars.
This church was organized at first by Rev. James E. Gaston, who remained about one year. For about three years the pulpit was filled with " supplies," when the Rev. John W. Errett was called, and remained until January, 1868. In January, 1869, elder G. W. Sroupe was engaged to preach to them, and remained until March, 1872. On October 1, 1873, Rev. James Seaton was called, and remained until March, 1875. Since thien no regular pastor has filled the pulpit. The congregation is now in good condition, and expect, as soon as they are able, to erect a commo- dious and comfortable church.
The Swedish Lutheran Church. The people constituting this relig- ious body met for some time prior to their organization in the court-house, and in the Christian Church. They were organized in the first mentioned house on May 30, 1875, with 52 members. The organization was made by Rev. L. Carlson, of Andover. They soon after purchased the house of worship owned by the Congregationalists, which they still occupy. Rev. Carlson is yet pastor; the membership having increased to 69. About 35 scholars attend the Sunday-school.
The Congregationalists are the oldest religious organization in Cam- bridge. The church was composed of members from the different colonies surrounding the town. In February, 1837, a few persons professing this faith met together, and on the 9th day of that month the First Congre- gational Church was formed, with a membership of eleven, as follows : Nelson Garnes and wife, Henry G. and Mrs. Fidelia Little, H. G. and Mrs. Elizabeth Griffin, Joseph and Mrs. Julia A. Tillson, C. W. Daven- port, Mrs. Margaret Attwater, and Mrs. Ruth Moore. Of these, Judge Tillson, Mr. and Mrs. Griffin, and Mrs. Attwater are now members. The organization was effected by Rev. L. H. Parker, of Galesburg, and Rev. William F. Vaill, of Wethersfield, so well known to the early settlers of the county.
The congregation continued to occupy the court-house in company with the Methodists and Baptists for several years. By the year 1854 they had increased to 24 members, and in May of that year decided to erect a church. This was accomplished the ensuing Summer and Autumn, and was dedicated January 12, 1856. It was occupied until the year 1875, when it was sold to the Swedish Lutherans, and the building of the pres- ent fine and commodious cdifice comnicneed. It is almost completed, and will cost about $12,000. The membership is now about 100.
Father Vaill, as he was called, remained preaching for the congrega- tion about one year, and was succeeded in the pastorate by the Rev. Joseph D. Baker, whose pastorate is the longest of any-seventeen years. Rev. L. H. Parker was then called, who remained one year. The next
506
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
was Rev. Joel Grant, three years, and following him was Rev. Thomas Douglas, about two years. The Rev. S. F. Dickenson, the present pastor, has had charge only a few months. The congregation is in a prosperous condition, 'and expects to occupy its new house of worship in a short time.
This church furnished a full quota of men for the late war, and on one fine Sabbath morning, without any previous notice, raised at a single collection over $1,000 for the Sanitary Commission.
The Methodist Episcopal Church. In common with other religious bodies the early members of this church met in the old court-house at first, where, in 1850, they were organized into a church. At that date there were about 20 persons united, under the labors of Rev. - Harding, a missionary of the M. E. Church through the West. Some of the prin- cipal members were John and Mary Russell, S. P. and Mrs. L. Cady, Michacl Grant, A. S. Ebright. A. M. Comstock and wife, Elias Morse (known as " Father Morse," and for twenty-five years a class-leader), and his wife, equally well known for her hospitality.
At that time, the Cambridge Mission comprised Cambridge, Spring Creek (now Atkinson), Geneseo, Deanington (now Orion), Red Oak and Berlin (now Swedonia). In 1855 the congregation crected their first church. It was a plain unpretentious brick structure, and was dedicated two years later by Rev. Silas Boules, of Chicago. It was re-modeled in 1865, and re-opencd by Dr. Eddy, of the same city. Becoming unsafe, it was taken down in 1874, and the same year replaced by the present safe and comfortable house, which has cost the society $8,000. It was dedicated by Bishop Andrews.
The following ministers have had charge of this church : Rev. Hard- ing, one or two years ; H. J. Humphrey, two years ; C. M. Wright, onc year; G. W. Brown, two years; D. A. Falkenburg, two years; Geo. C. Woodruff, two years; J. J. Fleehearty, two years ; G. M. Morey, two years ; W. B. Frezell, three years; J. D. Smith, two years; William Leber, one year ; and Geo. I. Bailey, three years.
The present pastor is Rev. C. M. Morey, who is now preaching his second time to this church.
At present the membership is 135; the Sunday-school, nearly 100; and both church and school are in a prosperous condition.
The Protestant Episcopal (Trinity) Church. This is a mission, established under the care of the Grace Church Parish, whose permanent head-quarters are at the church of the latter, about five miles northwest of Cambridge.
Their very convenient and comfortable church editice was erected in 1876, costing $5,000. The membership is now about 30, with a Sun- day-school of the same number. The pastor is Rev. J. S. Chamberlain, rector of Grace Parish, who resides in Cambridge. He ministers every Sabbath in both places, devoting the afternoon of that day to the Trinity Church.
THE SCHOOLS.
The first school in Cambridge was taught in the year 1845 or 1846 by Miss Sarah Francis Little, sister of Henry G. Little. The building occupied was the old court-house, which served for various uses until
507
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
sold to the Gaines Brothers. In the year 1850, the building now used as the Christian Church, was ereeted. This was used until the year 1856, when the briek structure in College Square was built. During the Win- ter of 1856-'7 the school was divided into two departments, and in addi- tion to the frame sehool-house, the basement of the old M. E. Church was used, the briek sehool-house being incomplete. This was the first grading or division of the schools into more than one department. The Principal was Dr. R. C. Raymond, now a practicing physician of Cam- bridge. He was assisted by Miss Fanny Sould and Miss Luey Brooks. As there were but two departments, it is probable one resigned during the year, and was sueeeeded by the other. The following year the school was held in the briek house, with Henry P. Sumner as Principal with one assistant. Dr. Raymond eame again in 1858. He was sneeeeded by the following persons as Principals : A. B. Converse, William Wight, - - Thorpe, and Miss Sarah B. Dunn. These occupied the position till 1863, when Ira D. Marston assumed charge, and remained until 1866. During all these years but one assistant teacher was needed, the building eon- taining but two rooms and two reeitation rooms capable of accommodat- ing the juvenile population of the town. In the Autumn of 1866, B. F. Barge, present County Superintendent of Schools, was seeured as Prin- eipal, and remained in charge until 1872. At first he had but one assist- ant ; but in 1868, the frame building oeeupying the same lot, was com- pleted. and two additional departments added. In 1872 one more was also added to thesc, making four in all. At the elose of the session of 1871-'2, Mr. Barge went to Geneseo, and Mr. C. J. Gruey, the present Principal, was placed in charge. At that time the enrollment was 288. In 1873 he established the present High School course of study, and in 1875 graduated the first class from that course. He also graduated a elass the following year. The enrollment is now 450, and the attend- ance close upon that number. These are divided into five departments, requiring the services of six teachers, one, Mrs. Gruey, assisting in the High School. The frame building was enlarged to six rooms during the Summer of 1876, and is now sufficiently large to accommodate the sehool. Should the growth of the town continue as it has sinee 1871, additional room will be needed to keep the educational facilities of Cambridge to the present high standard.
GENESEO.
In population, wealth and business importance, this is the chief town of Henry County. It is situated on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, twenty-six miles east from Roek Island, and one hundred and fifty-nine miles west by south from Chicago, in one of the richest agricul- tural seetions of the Prairie State. The surrounding country is thickly populated and highly cultivated, presenting in every direction a succes- sion of well-improved farms, farm houses, and orchards, which bespeak the enterprise, thrift and wealth of the inhabitants.
EARLY HISTORY.
'The early history of this particular section of country dates back a little over forty years, when the advanee wave of emigration in the shape of a colony from western New York began to roll over these prairies.
508
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
That colony consisted of seven members, viz: Messrs. Cromwell K. Bart- lett, Culver Bartlett, Elisha Cone, Reuben Cone, Henry Manville, and John C. Ward, of Bergen, Genesee County, New York, and Roderiek R. Stewart, of the adjacent town of Geneseo. The colony appointed threc of its members, Messrs. Stewart, Ward and Bartlett, a committee to seleet and purchase their lands. Arriving at Chicago in June, 1836, they were advised by Governor Ford to seeurc this tract of land without delay. At Brandenburg's they found Mr. James M. Allan, who assisted them in locating the site of the colony, where now stands the thriving young eity. They bought this seetion of land at one dollar and a quarter per aere, selected the best of it for the village plat of forty acres, set apart the cemetery, a bloek for the school and the church, the beautiful publie square, and the " gospel lot," which in 1865 reecived its commodious par- sonage. At first the plan and the practice was to give every respectable man a village lot if he would build upon it. The committee returned and made their report to the proprietors, who determined to make the removal that Fall.
On the 17th of September, five families of the colony -those of the two Cones, the two Bartletts and R. R. Stewart-numbering forty per- sons, in their own wagons, entered upon the journey. The families of Messrs. Ward and Manville remained behind, to follow the next Spring. The route chosen by the company was aeross Canada, southern Michigan and northern Indiana, via Princeton, Ill. The journey required nine weeks.
Near Ypsilanti, Michigan, the roads were so bad that they made only seven miles in six days, their wagon boxes sometimes dipping mud. The stage-coach, keeping them company for a timc, was onee upset in their sight, almost literally burying a woman and her child in the miry soil, while the other passengers, ou foot, prepared for any momentary emer- geney, earried along the traditional rail.
The company attended religious services wherever ,an opportunity offered, and when denied that privilege, held praise meetings at their eamp, in the true Puritan spirit. They arrived at their destination early in the Winter, and as many as could eame at onee to the colony pur- chase.
The committee entered about 2,000 acres of land. A portion of the company halted at Providence colony during the Winter; the rest eame on and creeted cabins. C. K. Bartlett built the first one ; it stood on the ereek south of where the eity now stands, and near the spot seleeted for the saw-mill, which was built early in 1839. Culver Bartlett built near by ; Stewart, fearing the malaria of the creek bottom, pitehed his eabin upon the upland prairie, a wise precaution which was readily followed by the other settlers, after a brief experienec of chills and fever.
The part of the company left at Providence colony attempted to come on in December, under the guidance of Mr. E. M. Stewart. A warm rain had converted the snow into a soft slush, but the wind suddenly changed to the northwest, with such a rapid reduction of temperature, that in a very short time tire surface of the slush was frozen hard enough to bear a man's weight. The party were obliged to return. So intense was the eold that, in spite of all efforts at self-protection, many were frozen, and one so badly as to be mutilated for life.
509
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
At the time of which we are writing the great prairies of this portion of the West presented a very different appearance from that which is now offered to the view of the traveler. On the west, twenty-six miles distant, there was the fort on Rock Island, with the small settlement then called Stephenson, in its vicinity ; on the south, the little colony of Wethersfield had just started, while a few miles west of the present town of Cambridge was the still earlier colony of Andover; at Hender- son's Grove, forty miles away, in Knox County, was an old " Sucker " set- tlement, with the Galesburg colony hovering under the border of its forest in the famous " Log City ;" on the east was the village of Prince- ton, settled in 1831 by a colony from Northampton, Mass .; towards the north, three familics had just settled on Rock River; here and there were a few families on these prairies, such as the Brandenburgs, Hannas, and Gordons, on Green River, and the Crooks and Seelys, at Prophets- town - all like solitary ships on the ocean.
Messrs. Ward and Manville came with their families in the Spring of 1837. During the following Summer the town was laid, out by the Trus- tees, John C. Ward, Cromwell K. Bartlett and R. R. Stewart. It con- tained four blocks of twenty-four rods square; in depth north and south, three blocks, and east and west five blocks, with the public square in the center. The streets were ninety-nine feet wide, except North and South Streets, which were sixty-six feet in width. Spring and Creek Alleys were thirty-three feet wide. The town was named Geneseo by Mr. Stewart, from his own town of the same name in New York. Surveyor Seymour's certificate to the town plat bears date Dec. 13, 1837.
Mr. S. D. Bacon, long and favorably known as a teacher of vocal music, and a few others, joined their fortunes with the colony before the lots were divided. The method of division was to make choicc by casting lots ; and the proceeds of the remainder were to be applied to the building of a seminary.
Of great and small, the colony at the outset numbered abont fifty souls. C. K. Bartlett and Elisha Cone are dead, as are also three of the younger members. Culver Bartlett lives near Alcdo, Ill .; John C. Ward sold out and returned East; R. R. Stewart died in Geneseo in 1860. The remainder of the older colonists, including the widows of Messrs. Bartlett and Cone, are now residing in Geneseo, and all in easy circumstances.
Elisha Cone built the first cabin in the town, and J. C. Ward the first frame house. The latter also opened the first store. The demand for lots was moderate, and the town made slow progress for many years. One of its chief beauties, however, was inaugurated by the early settlers in the planting of the fine shade trecs which ornament all parts of the original plat, and which has been an example worthily followed in the newer portions of the city.
The Spring of 1837 witnessed the planting of the first crop in the colony. Like pioncers generally, they lived for many years on homely fare - corn bread and pork, chiefly. The nearest markets were at Peoria, Rock Island and Chicago. Many of the colonists preferred to go to the latter city, as goods could be purchased cheaper there than farther west. For three years most of their mail matter was obtained at Andover, but in 1839, they obtained a post-office. James M. Allan was appointed post- master. Postage on letters at that period was twenty-five cents, and
510
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
many were the devices resorted to to obtain that amount, to enable a person to get a letter out of the office.
In the Winter of 1836-7, James M. Allan went to Vandalia and secured a separate organization of Henry County, it having been before that time under the jurisdiction of Knox County. At the first county election, in June, 1837, thirty-seven votes were polled.
Distance from market at this early period kept prices down, so that for several years corn was worth only ten or twelve cents a bushel ; wheat thirty to fifty ; pork a dollar and a half per hundred ; and cows ten or twelve dollars cach. This was the period of the great financial depres- sion of 1837-8. Yet, struggling with adversity, the community made progress. ' Other families of like sympathy were attracted to the settle- ment, and they are deserving of almost equal credit with the original colonists. Some of these were the households of Marcus B. Osborne, Lyman Snow, the first blacksmith, Philo Ward, Dr. Enos Pomeroy, Mr. Gilmore and Mr. Richards. The town grew but slowly, and for several years before the railroad was built was almost at a stand-still. But that great thoroughfare brought the place out into the world and gave it a new impulse towards that business and commercial status which it has attained.
The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad was surveyed in 1850, and completed through the county in 1854. At this latter date the · population of Geneseo was hardly 500, and the trade of the place chiefly with the farming community around it. But no sooner had the railroad become a reality than an active change was manifest in the town. What before had been a dead town in many respects at once sprang into active busy life. That portion of land comprising at present the business part of the city was the property of Mr. Merritt Munson, who had it surveyed and laid out in 1853 and '54. He at once offered good inducements to any who would crect business houses upon it.
The first brick business house in the town was built in the Summer of 1854, by the Perry Brothers. It is now the furniture manufactory of A. H. & M. Green. The property owners of the old town made strenuous efforts to retain the trade in the old places, and although they succeeded for a time, it was ultimately of no avail, for the railroad gradually and surely drew the center of trade and business towards the depot. Until the erection of the Perry Brothers' store, in 1854, all trade was carried on in wooden buildings, and, indeed, there were but few of any kind. Now the increasing trade demanded larger and better buildings, and soon other brick structures appeared. The Methodist Episcopal Church was founded abont this time, and erected their first house of worship, now Teutonia Hall. Prior to this there had been but one church in the place. and that occupied the upper story of the Seminary building. But the increase of population strengthened other denominations, so that soon churches of different orders were formed. So, also, of the public schools : an impulse was given to them which soon absorbed all special attempts at education, and the Seminary was converted into the principal building. for the graded school system.
In an article contributed to the Geneseo Republic, of December 15, 1865, by Mr. Merritt Munson, one of the prominent citizens and early settlers, showing the standing of the town in 1853, the following state- inent is made :
511
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
" Number of families within the corporation, 45
Number of tenements within the corporation, 38
Number of tenements outside the corporation, within a limit of ten miles square, 31
Number of families outside the corporation, within a limit of ten miles square, 33
Population of Genesco, January 1, 1853.
200
Population outside the corporation, within a limit of ten miles square, -
175
Total population, 1853, 375
Present population of Genesco (1865), - 3,000
Present population, within a limit of ten miles square, - 2,500
Total population,
5,500
Increase in thirteen years, 14 to 1."
The article further says :
" At the time mentioned (Jan. 1, 1853), there was no church edifice in town (the Congregational Church used for a place of worship the upper story of the Seminary building); there were two lawyers, two doctors, one tavern, two shoe shops, three stores, one tin shop, one har- ness shop, two blacksmiths, one tailor, one cooper shop, which, together with some half dozen carpenters, joiners and masons, constituted the business force of the town.
The lawyers were : James M. Allan and W. Sanford ; the doctors, Enos Pomeroy and R. J. Stough ; the merchants, Henry G. Sleight, Perry Brothers, and G. H. King ; the shoemakers, E. Bryant and John Gustus ; the landlord, George Richards; tinner, John Anderson ; harness-maker, Josiah Stewart ; blacksmiths, Lyman Snow and Hiram Deyo ; cooper, S. Howard, and tailor, James Young."
In June, 1855, the editor of the Rock Islander visited Gencseo. An article from his pen was published in the Henry County Dial, of June 21, from which a good idea of the growth and trade of the town at that period may be obtained. He says :
" During the year 1854, there were one hundred new buildings erected in Geneseo, and thus far in the present year (1855), there have been about seventy built. Four hotels are well sup- ported, and doing a good trade. Several new mer- cantile buildings have been and are still being erected. That of the Perry Brothers is thirty-five by sixty-five feet, and three stories higlı. Sleight Brothers are also erecting a good mercantile house opposite the southwest corner of the park. * The Methodist Episcopal Church, now under the care of Rev. H. J. Humphreys, is to have the first * * large church bell in the county. It will cost $300.
The professions are well represented in the village. There are three lawyers, a half a dozen or more physicians, and five ministers-some of whom are retired. The town has three drug stores, thrce groceries, two furniture stores, three shoe stores, two stove and hardware stores, two tin shops, eight dry-goods stores, one clothing store, three lumber yards, four blacksmith shops, one saddler shop. two livery stables, one bakery, one banking house, two carriage factories, one jewelry store, one meat
512
HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY.
market, four joiner shops, three forwarding houses, one of which does a business of 2,500 bushels of corn daily."
A great part of this trade had come to Gencseo after the year 1853, and this advance in business has kept steadily on, until this number of business houses is in nearly all cases doubled, and many others added.
On February 14, 1855, Geneseo was incorporated as a town, and remained under that form of government until February 16, 1865, when, by a special act of legislature, it was incorporated as a city.
The cabin of R. R. Stewart was the first hotel in town. He sold this to Mr. A. Miller, in the year 1854, who removed the cabin, and erected a frame structure in its place. This he enlarged at various times, and occupied until 1864, when it was destroyed by fire. He at once began the erection of the present fine structure, capable of accommodat- ing over one hundred guests, which was opened to the public in June, 1866.
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