History of Iroquois County, together with Historic notes on the Northwest, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and other authentic, though, for the most part, out-of-the-way sources, Part 110

Author: Beckwith, H. W. (Hiram Williams), 1833-1903
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co.
Number of Pages: 1180


USA > Illinois > Iroquois County > History of Iroquois County, together with Historic notes on the Northwest, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and other authentic, though, for the most part, out-of-the-way sources > Part 110


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).


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Page.


LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS


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ONARGA TOWNSHIP.


books. To place the institution on a sure foundation it was necessary to endow it; to accomplish this object its friends in this part of the state, in 1872 (the M. E. centennial year), made an effort to that end, and raised by subscription $22,026.50. By reason of the hard times, and the conditions under which the donation was received, that fund has shrunk to about $16,500, which is now placed beyond the probability of loss. Rev. J. T. Dickinson was president for six years, ending July, 1877, at which time Rev. John B. Robinson took his place, and is the present incumbent. Besides the regular academic courses usually taught in such institutions, a complete course is given


REV. JOHN B. ROBINSON.


in commercial science ; this department is now, and has been for the last ten years, in charge of Prof. John H. Atwood. Ellen J. Benham, lady principal, and Phæbe Van Benshoten, teacher of French, Latin and English, have been teachers in their several branches for the last seven years.


From the beginning music has received its share of attention, and in June, 1878, G. Frank Page was engaged to take the entire charge of the department. The professor is a finely educated musician, in the theory as well as the art. His study of music was completed by a two-years course in the world-renowned school in Leipsic, Ger- many, under the tuition of the German masters ; this preparatory 35


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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.


training has made him a superior teacher. From the crude organi- zation existing when he came, he has now one of the most complete conservatories for musical culture in the state. A separate building was prepared for his use, and in the beginning of 1880 the Congre- gational church was leased for a term of years, and a number of rooms arranged for instruments and classes. There are six pianos and one large pipe organ, furnished by him for his pupils. Vocal culture, theory and composition are made prominent features of this school. Thus far it has proved a complete success, and bids fair to hold its present high reputation.


For the last two winters President Robinson has furnished a course of popular lectures. Ex-Vice-President Colfax, Gov. Cum- bach, of Indiana; Dr. Gregory, of the State University of Cham- paign, and other eminent men, were among the speakers. The pro- ceeds were for the benefit of the school, resulting in the purchase of astronomical apparatus, and lastly a fine five-foot telescope. The whole number of pupils attending the seminary proper the last year was 227 ; in the commercial department, 47; conservatory of music, instrumental, theory and composition, 59; vocal classes, exclusive of the juvenile and citizens' classes, 200. Of the number, 206 are enumerated twice, leaving the total number of different pupils in this institution, 327. Rev. George W. Gray was elected first principal ; Rev. O. W. Pollard, February 27, 1865; Rev. N. C. Lewis, Septem- ber 20, 1865; Rev. O. W. Pollard, June 5, 1866; Prof. C. Loza Smith, January 21, 1868; Rev. W. C. Knopp, January 8, 1868; Prof. W. J. Beams, August 6, 1869 ; Prof. H. C. Burch, August 18, 1870; Rev. J. T. Dickinson, president, July 12, 1871; Rev. John B. Robinson, May 28, 1877.


CHURCHES.


The first preacher on Spring creek was the Rev. Mr. Springer ; he was the first Methodist minister located in the county, and lived at John Nelson's, on Sugar creek, in 1854. He held meetings at Abraham Lehigh's and Jesse Amos' in 1835. Rev. A. Wiley and Rev. Leander Walker preached at the same places and at Jonathan Wright's the succeeding two years. Louisa Wright taught a Sunday school in the summer of 1837 : some of the children had testaments, and some had spelling-books.


In the winter of 1838 a church was organized. Reuben Skeels and his wife Sally, Henry Skeels, Mrs. Diana Harper, Margaret and Mary Ann Harper, Mrs. Jane Pangborn and Orvis Skeels were its founders. The sermon. on that occasion -the evening of Febru-


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ary 1-was preached by Justus Ryman from Luke xii, 32, "Fear not, little flock, for it is your father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." In a short time Mrs. Almira Root became a member. The next summer Thomas M. Pangborn joined, and not long after- ward Samuel H. Harper and his wife united with the little church, as did some of the Frame family. The first meetings were held at the house of Reuben Skeels, afterward at Alexander Harper's, his house being more central. A Sabbath school was organized, but on account of prevailing sickness it was discontinued till the summer of 1839. Mr. Skeels brought a collection of Sunday school books from Ohio ; these were used for a library. The county at that early day was a missionary field, and was known as Iroquois mission as late as 1844. At the organization of the church Mr. Skeels was appointed class leader, and in 1840 T. M. Pangborn took his place. The latter has held that position ever since. Hooper Crews was the presiding elder, and lived at Danville. G. W. Robins, also of Danville, suc- ceeded him. His successor was John W. Phelps, who lived at Wash- ington, Tazewell county. Then came John Morey, of Abingdon, who was followed by Orlando Walker, from near Joliet, and John Chandler, of Peoria. Z. Hall was here in 1855. John W. Flowers, P. T. Rhodes, J. S. Cummings, G. R. Palmer and H. I. Brow were the elders since Z. Hall. The preachers from 1838 to 1856 were : Justus Ryman, John W. Parsons, L. Oliver, Samuel T. Burr, Will- iam Gage, Lewis Roberts, S. Stover, Reuben Moffatt, George W. Homes, Uriah Giddings, Alonzo D. Feidler, with Mrs. Royal as assistant, Joseph Wilson, William R. Irving, James Watson.


After the log school-house was built, in 1843, at the basin, meet- ings were regularly held in it. This was the place of worship until 1853, when the new school-house was erected. Middleport circuit was made about 1844. It included Spring creek settlement, and in about 1850 the circuit of Ash Grove was organized, including this settlement. In 1856 Onarga circuit was created, and November 22 of that year the first quarterly conference in it was held at Body's school in Belmont. Z. Hall was the elder, and William A. Presson preacher in charge. He was "allowed $225 table expenses and $216 quarterage." There were four classes: Onarga, Lower Spring Creek, Williams at Samuel Williams', and Oxfords, near Hamilton Jefferson's. The church had increased till it was able to build a place for worship, and in the summer of 1856 erected a structure, 30×40 feet and 18 feet high, with tower. This building was located on lot 2, block 17, of Onarga, donated by David A. Neal, of Salem, Massachusetts. The dedication sermon was preached by the Rev.


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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.


Mr. Slanter. On that occasion the people donated $354 to liquidate the debt. The building cost about $1,500. At that time it was the best meeting-house in the county. In 1865 this building was sold, and the church has held its services since in the chapel of Grand Prairie Seminary. From the little band of eight organized into a church in 1838, in a log cabin, it has grown into a church of 150 members; Sabbath school numbers 100. Dr. H. M. Laney is the preacher in charge.


As early as 1843 the United Brethren had a representative on Spring creek ; the Rev. Kenoyer, of Beaver lake, held meetings at Frame's and Mrs. Lehigh's. An organization was perfected, but the members being few, regular preaching was not secured for many years. In 1856 a church was formed, and held regular meetings each two weeks at the River school-house until about four years since, when the place was changed to the west school-house. A Sabbath school is well attended in warm weather, and is suspended in the winter. Samuel Zook is presiding elder, Henry Merideth, preacher, and Richard Barrett, class-leader. The membership is twenty-five.


James H. Major and others held a meeting October 4, 1856, at the Harper school-house, to consider the subject of organizing a Bap- tist church. On the 1st of November a second meeting was held and Elder M. C. Blankenship presented the usual articles of faith, and they were signed by William A. Hall, Viletty Hall, James H. Major, Mary Major, William M. Devore, Samuel Major, Susan Major and Mary Major, and they were organized into a church. M. C. Blankenship and A. C. Blankenship supplied the pulpit till David Lewis was settled as their pastor, November, 1857. Early in 1858 steps were taken to build a house of worship, which resulted in the erection of a building 38×56, 25 feet high, with a tower; it was located in the village of Onarga, and was dedicated January 25, 1859. S. M. Brown, now of Loda, was settled about this time, and continued pastor till August 25, 1860. There was a debt of a few hundred dollars on the church, which claim fell into the hands of the Rev. L. Foster, and the Congregational church became owner of the property in the summer of 1860. January 30, 1864, the church was dissolved for the purpose of organizing a new one of the same faith. At this time the membership was seventy-five. February 12 a new organization was perfected, with thirty members. April 10 D. W. Morgan was settled as pastor. In the spring of 1866 a new church building, 29×42, 18 feet high, was erected on lot 1, block 20. Dr. Colver preached the dedicatory sermon June 3. Morgan resigned


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ONARGA TOWNSHIP.


March 20, 1867, and Peter Conrad became the pastor in September, and continued two years. For the last four years there has been no preaching, but the organization is still held.


In 1856 the Rev. Mr. Tayler came, under the auspices of the Presbyterian church, and meetings were held at the school-houses in the neighborhood, and in the depot buildings. March 3, 1857, a church was formally organized by a committee of the Presbytery of Peoria. It was composed of fourteen members : C. C. Wells, Martha B. Wells, Robert S. Johnson, Mary Johnson, Darius Matthews, William P. Pierson, Mary C. Pierson, John S. Storms, Hezekiah Storms, Cath- arine Allen, Lewis Avery, John R. Loudon and Elizabeth Loudon. C. C. Wells, W. P. Pierson and Darius Matthews were the elders. In 1858 steps were taken to secure means sufficient to erect a church. This was done on strict business principles, by taking the donors' notes, etc. The house-a neat Gothic structure, 28× 40, 12 feet high, with high, sharp roof, an ell 16×24 for a Sunday school room open- ing into the main building-was completed in 1859, and on the 11th, 12th and 13th days of November of that year it was dedicated, the Rev. Henry Bacon, of Covington, Indiana, now of Toledo, Ohio, officiating. This building cost $1,850, and when dedicated was paid for, and twenty-five cents of the building fund remained in the treas- ury. The Rev. W. C. Magner is the present pastor. W. P. Pier- son, J. R. Loudon, Leonard McIntyre, W. D. Matier and Peter Risser are the elders. The membership is about 125, and Sunday school members about 100. In May, 1858, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the United States of America met in Chicago; the members of that body were invited to an excursion, and on the 28th six passenger coaches were switched at Onarga. At once the cloth began to pour out, till 400 clergymen were in and about the depot. The little church here had made ample prepara- tion to receive them. All the citizens were enlisted in their enter- tainment. Tables were improvised from the lumber yard, extending along the platform at the depot, and while the address of welcome by William P. Pierson, and the response by Rev. D. Little, of Ohio, were being made, the good ladies of the village spread a most sub- stantial collation. After partaking of this unexpected repast they returned to Chicago. It was a most enjoyable occasion, long to be remembered by the participants.


As early as August 29, 1858, the Episcopalians of Onarga had service in town. From the fact that they held a festival at the pas- senger house on the 11th of that month it would appear this sect was represented before the first date. The Rev. Mr. Broadenax


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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.


preached October 31, and Bishop Whitehouse held service in the M. E. church December 16, 1858, and again November 15, 1859. The church was organized by the Rev. M. Phillips, of Peoria, with about twenty-five members. George M. Lovell, Horace Pinney, James P. Peckham, Elkanah Doolittle and Mrs. Mary Doolittle were among its founders and earnest supporters. In the fall of 1867 the church, 25×60 and 12 feet high, Gothic style, with tower at one corner, was built at a cost of about $5,400. It is now the property of the Doolittle heirs. The church has not sustained a preacher for some years.


November 22 and December 2, 1858, the friends of the denom- ination of Congregationalists held meetings preparatory to organ- izing a church. December 9 a council was assembled and the society organized. Harvey Frisbie, Betsey Frisbie, Samuel O. Fowler, Joseph S. Fowler, Gordon Baldwin, Harriet S. Baldwin, Henry Hewms, Simeon P. Avery, Samantha Avery, Celestia Avery and Henry Plumb were the members. January 5, 1859, H. Frisbie and S. P. Avery were appointed deacons. For two months meetings were held in the Methodist church, when an arrangement was made with the Baptists for the use of their church, without charge, a part of each Sabbath. At this time Lemuel Foster was settled as pastor. He was followed by Alpheus Winter, May 7, 1863, G. R. Hewling in July, 1866, and E. M. Dwight, February 25, 1869, the last named remaining ten years. Since then the pulpit has been supplied from Chicago. This church has struggled along with a small member- ship. The Sunday school, organized when the church was, has always been well attended. The church is denominated the First Congregational.


The Second Congregational church was organized February 16, 1879, with seventy-nine members; Rev. James W. West, pastor ; John C. Ramsey and David Peters, deacons. A Sunday school of about sixty-five meets during the milder seasons. Meetings are usually held once each Sabbath at the Ramsey school-house.


The Rev. M. Bowen, of Chicago, a Universalist minister, preached the funeral sermon of Ira Lindsey in April, 1844. He remained in the neighborhood a year or two. He was the pioneer of this sect on Spring creek. March 13 and May 15, 1859, the Rev. Mr. Liver- more preached in the school-house to the friends of this faith. April 24 the society was organized by electing Lewis J. Bennett, Daniel W. Parker, Julius L. Dewey, G. B. Fickle, trustees; Richard A. Hungerford, secretary, and Dr. Samuel Hueston, treasurer. For a number of years this society employed ministers to preach, but never


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ONARGA TOWNSHIP.


settled one. Meetings were held in the school-house and at the depot. A Sunday school was organized and sustained for some years. The Rev. Josiah Davis often preached for this society. There is now in its treasury over $100.


In 1865 and 1866 a number of families of the Society of Friends set- tled in Onarga. Most of them were from Indiana, one from Maine. The heads of the families met at the house of B. F. Jenkins, and united in asking the "Wabash Meeting" for the privilege of holding a meeting for worship, preparatory to a monthly meeting. The re- quest was granted, and on the 4th day of the 5th month, 1867, by direction of "Wabash Quarterly Meeting" of Friends, the meeting in Onarga was opened and organized by a committee from that meeting. They built a place of worship, 30×46, 15 feet high, a plain wooden structure. Miss Jane E. Weeden, sister of Samuel E. Weeden, by her individual effort collected about $900 in cash to build the house. During the last few years many of the families moved away, till there are not enough remaining to sustain a meet- ing. Jonathan Owen, in January, 1880, sold the property to the colored Baptist denomination.


The Seventh-day Adventists organized a band, consisting of J. W. Tait, Nancy J. Tait, Sarah F. Owen, John Haven and Eva Haven. This was the result of a course of lectures and sermons delivered in a large tent, in the summer of 1877, by R. F. Andrews and G. W. Colcord. The mission connected with this band was organized December, 1877. Its object is to distribute documents of their belief. Regular meetings are held each week, and preaching as often as a minister can come. The Sunday school of this band numbers about twenty persons.


The Christian Church was organized by Rev. D. R. Cotton, in February, 1877; John Cunningham and Thomas B. Weekley were appointed elders ; James Cunningham and Francis Duncan, deacons. . At that time there were about twenty members. A Sunday school is connected with this church. The Rev. Mr. Pointer has been the minister since the second meeting in 1877; meetings were held at the River school-house for about a year, and since then at the Ram- sey school-house.


The colored people ever since they have been here, have had their church organizations ; they now have three, and hold services in two places nearly every Sabbath ; they are designated as follows : First (colored) Baptist, Methodist Episcopal (colored), and African Methodist. . The Baptists now have the Friends' church. The M. E. church have a house 14×40, and the African Methodists have a house about 14×20.


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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.


The Methodist church at Del Rey was organized in 1875 by James Coleman, who preached once each week for the next two years ; J. P. Forsyth took his place for a year. In 1877 the Del Rey circuit was made, including this, a church at Veaches school- house, and the one at the Ricketts school-house; the latter was organized by J. Millsap. The Rev. H. Hart was in charge two years, and now J. M. Deatch is the pastor ; membership about fifty. The Sunday school has always been successful, numbering over sixty. F. P. Beach is class-leader, Stewart Lindsey and Elisha Danforth, stewards ; meetings are held in the school-house. The parsonage was built in 1877 at a cost of $600. Ricketts churchı, four miles east, has a membership of about fifty, and a Sunday school in the summer season. Hiram Salisbury is the class-leader, and Burr Smith steward. This church was organized by the Rev. J. S. Millsap, about 1875.


The prison department of the Western Seaman's Friend's Society is located in Onarga ; it has been in successful operation for five years. The object is to distribute reading matter of a religious, literary, scientific and agricultural character among the prisons, penitentiaries and jails of our land. Small libraries are often fur- nished to county jails and city prisons. Every two weeks from 9,000 to 12,000 pages are sent to those institutions. In 1877 there were received, assorted, packed and sent forward 1,000,000 pages ; in · 1878, 2,000,000, and in eleven months of 1879, 2,000,000. Large boxes of such literature have been sent to California, Texas, Arkansas, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Lou- isiana, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota and Kentucky, and their contents distributed among the prisoners of those states. Rail- roads and express companies carry all the packages without charge. In transporting 6,000,000 pages to Onarga, and sending out .5,800,000 in thirty-eight months, inadvertently there has been charged $1.15. The Rev. W. D. A. Matthews is the originator of this particular work, and to him is all honor due.


On March 17, 1856, a lodge of Good Templars was organized with about twenty members. Its numbers increased in a few months to about seventy-five. July 25, 1856, it suspended and surrendered the charter. December 24, 1864, Onarga Lodge Independent Order of Good Templars, No. 528, was instituted, with J. N. Bates, Rev. D. W. Morgan, Rev. O. W. Pollard, A. Owen, Elizabeth Owen, Rev. W. F. Lowe, Kate Morgan, M. H. Messer, Cyrus Austin, Jane Aus- tin, D. S. Gray, William Tharp, William S. Spurgeon, Hiram Lowe, Annie Van Duzor and Kate Lowe, charter members. Rev. D. W.


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ONARGA TOWNSHIP.


Morgan was W.C.T .; Jane Austin, W. V.T. ; John D. Thomas, W.S .; H. V. Needham, W.F.S .; C. Austin, W.T., and were among the officers installed February 10, 1865. This lodge has held regular · meetings each week, and its efforts and influence in the community have been successful. At one time there were 185 members in good standing. It now numbers 48 sisters and 35 brothers. The present officers are: M. H. Messer, P.W.C.T .; Thomas Davies, W.C.T .; Eliza J. Graves, W. V.T .; J. H. Atwood, W.S. & L.D .; Miss Scofield, W. A.S .; John Lash, W.F.S .; G. B. Winter, Sr., W.T .; C. A. Whit- more, W. M .; Louisa Fuedly, W.D.M .; Mary Fickle, W.I.G., Elmer Young, W. Sentinel; Mrs. 'Thomas Davies, R.H.S .; Mrs. Mary Riner, L.H.S. This lodge meets on Friday evenings.


Onarga Lodge, I.O.O.F., No. 208, was instituted July 23, 1856, by A. C. Lewis, acting grand master. The first officers were : Will- iam C. Moore, N.G .; R. W. Andrews, V.G .; A. N. Crawford, R.S .; T. M. Pangborn, Treas .; David Weaver, L.S .; M. F. Cheeney, O.G .; Horace Pinney, I.S.G .; Tom Lindsey, W .; J. C. Culver, C .; Robert S. Johnson, L.S.V.G .; O. H. P. Sheffer, L.S.S. This lodge sus- pended November 5, 1862, and until after the war. September 12, 1867, it was reorganized by Burges and White, who were deputized for that purpose. Rebekah Degree Lodge, No. 4, and Grand Prairie Encampment, No. 138, are connected with it. The present officers are : James E. Owen, N.G .; Robert Malcomb, V.G .; H. J. Free- man, R.S. & T.S .; Horace Babcock, Treas .; William A. Davis, W .; G. B. Munson, C .; H. Pinney, O.S.G .; M. McKenney, I.S.G .; W. B. Lyman, R.S.N.G .; G. B. Winter, Jr., L.S.N.G .; C. E. Van Neste, R.S. V.G .; George Nichols, L.S.V.G .; H. E. Bibbins, R.S.S .; W. Mace, L.S.S. This lodge had public addresses delivered before it. Ex. Vice-President Colfax and Hon. John H. Oberly were em- ployed for that purpose. Its meetings are held regularly, Thursday evening of each week ; number of members, 59.


A lodge of A.F. and A.M. was organized under a dispensation of the grand master, October 9, 1857. It was never chartered. It was reorganized and chartered October 5, 1859, as Onarga Lodge A.F. and A.M., No. 305. The charter members were: Curtis L. Knight, George B. Fickle, Charles Rumley, R. W. Andrews, Dr. Samuel Heuston, Thomas A. Norwell, Hamilton Jefferson and Japhet Hull. The first officers were : Curtis L. Knight, W.M., G. B. Fickle, S. W .; Dr. Samuel Heuston, J.W. The present officers are : Henry M. Lovell, W.M .; A. K. Doe, S.W .; John C. Culver, J.W. It is in a prosperous condition.


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HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.


MILLS.


The hand-mill was a pair of smooth granite burrs, about sixteen inches in diameter, so arranged that the grinder, while turning with one hand poured in the grain with the other. A peck of meal per hour was a fair result. As early as 1837 there were three such mills in the settlement, owned by Amos, Kyrk and Frame. About this time Amos bought a pair of the same kind of burrs, twenty-three and one-half inches across, and run them by horse-power. About 1846 Reuben Skeels bought a stump-mill of Northirup, and set it up on his farm. It was operated by horse-power. In 1849 Tom Lindsey and Seneca Amsbary put up a portable saw-mill on the south side of Sec. 31, T. 26, R. 14 W, where they sawed lumber for some time, when they moved it to a point on Spring creek about twenty rods southwest of J. H. Magor's residence. Here they ran a combined saw and grist mill, using the burrs purchased of Reuben Skeels. In 1850 this set of burrs was sold to Dr. L. Boyd, who set them up on the farm now owned by B. F. Lindsey. In the spring of 1850 James B. Mattock sold his farm near Jefferson's, and built a steam saw and grist mill at Del Rey. In a year or two he sold it to Culver and Greer, who ran it until the Illinois Central railroad was con- structed to that point, when they sold to Henry Bacon, one of the civil engineers of the road. Bacon ran this mill for several years, when at last it was dismantled, and the building fell into the hands of Mr. Sarles, who moved it on his farm. About 1856 Job Den- ning and David Reeder built a saw-mill two miles east of town; in a year or two a pair of French burrs were put in, also a bolt for flour. This mill in its doubled capacity was operated as late as 1868, when the engines, stones and all the machinery were sold, and the building converted into a hay barn. Mr. Merrel commenced the erection of a flour-mill in the village in 1859 ; the building was raised in August. The owner, running short of funds, sold out to Snodgrass and Campbell, who completed the building and put in three run of stone in August, 1860. The citizens contributed $1,000 for this enterprise. Wood, Long and Hungerford bought out Snodgrass and Campbell in September, 1864, and sold to Conrad Ludwick and Jacob B. Ludwick about 1866, who owned and ran it most of the time till May 24, 1873, when it was destroyed by fire. P. Risser & Sons, by the influence of G. R. Risser, one of the firm, erected their mill in 1872. August 28, 1873, it blew up, making a wreck of the engine and cool rooms, boilers and engine. A section of one boiler, about twelve feet long, weighing over a ton, was landed about 1,100 feet from the mill. No lives were lost; but Joseph Chenoweth, the




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