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 54

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 54

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S. S. and D. B. Gardner erected a large double two-story store building in 1851, which is still standing where erected ; and, in 1854, George King and M. and J. Hogle built a large three-story store building on lots 6 and 7, block 41. This was, in 1857, purchased by the writer and William Frees, who removed it to Watseka in 1866. Frees afterward sold his half to Col. M. H. Peters, and the building is now known as the " McNeill & Peters Building." The upper story has been occupied as lodge rooms by the Masons and Odd-Fellows, and other secret societies, both in the old and new town.

William Frees, of Joliet, Ill., located in Middleport in the spring of 1854. He engaged in the hardware and tinning business, and his was the first establishment of the kind in the place. He remained in the business here until 1863, then removed to Watseka, and sold out in 1865, after which he and wife visited Germany, their native place, returned to this country and located, in the same business, at Ashton, Illinois, where he still resides. His wife died last fall. They were highly respected, sociable and charitable people.

Hon. John Chamberlain located here in the spring of 1855. He formerly resided at " Buncombe," to which place he had come from the state of New York. He died in December, 1866. (See his biography elsewhere.) Hon. Franklin Blades located at Middleport in 1852, and engaged in the practice of medicine. He was also for a time in partnership with Dr. Jesse Bennett in the drug business ; became editor of the Republican in 1856; engaged in the practice of the law in 1858, and is now judge of the circuit court. He has been a

HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

leading man in the county, and filled many honorable and prominent positions. Henry C. Bryant came from Williamsport, Indiana, in 1850 or 1851. He was for a time in partnership with Henry W. Hogle in carriage and wagon-making; afterward he engaged in the drug business, and for several years was a justice of the peace. He purchased a farm sonth of Middleport in 1858, and located on it. In 1854 Mr. George King came to this place from his farm, east of town, and engaged in the dry-goods business, as noticed in the history of the town, to which the reader is referred.

In the fall of 1853 the Presbyterian church of the place was organ- ized by Rev. James Ferguson. Rev. C. H. Palmer came in 1855. The church building was built in 1861, and is still standing. Mr. Palmer died at Watseka, February 12, 1877, an exemplary christian, beloved and respected by all. His widow and family reside there.

Stephen G. Bovie, attorney, came to Middleport in 1853. He engaged in the practice of the law, and he and lady also taught the Mid- dleport school for several years. From 1859 to 1863 he was master-in- chancery of the county, and in 1877 was the republican nominee for county judge. He resides at Watseka. The writer came to Middle- port from his farin on lower Spring creek, April 1, 1857, where he resided until January 1, 1867, when he removed to Watseka, where he now resides. (See biography.)

In 1858 an addition was made to the court-house, and from that time until 1862, at which time the court-house was burned, many buildings were erected and improvements made, among which were the Presbyterian church and school-house, built in 1861. From the burning of the court-house the village declined, and after the removal of the county-seat to Watseka in April, 1865, most of the buildings worth removing were removed to the latter place in 1866 and 1867. The business men and firms of the place were : Merchants-Henry Troup, Hardin Graves, Goodenow & Brown, Sherman & Brown, Daniel Parker, John Youndt, Zeigler & Co., Sherman, Ayres & Co., Sherman & Patterson, King & Patterson, Winthrop Patterson, M. & J. Hogle, S. S. & D. B. Gardner, May & High, David Hoover, Joseph Rogers, John F. Wright, Joiner & Allen, Fowler & Fry, Bowman & White, Keady & Petts, John H. Empie, and a few others not remem- bered : Druggists-R. Taliaferro, Harwood & Fletcher, Bennett & Blades, H. C. Bryant, E. R. Sheffield, Wesley Bonfield, H. A. Tilling- hast and Henry Tillinghast, H. A. Tillinghast & Co., and J. & M. V. B. Harwood : Physicians-John Harwood, Nathaniel Wilson, A. E. Mandeville, R. Taliaferro, Samnel Hneston, Jesse Bennett, Franklin Blades, A. N. Crawford, C. F. McNeill, E. R. Sheffield, Edward

MIDDLEPORT AND BELMONT TOWNSHIPS.

Tupper, - Ryder, Joseph Brelsford, William H. Sommers and L. N. Pittwood. The physicians of the county organized a county med- ical society at Middleport, May 13, 1851. How long this organization was continued the writer is not able to state. The physicians of the county again organized, February 23, 1861, and this organization con- tinued for several years, and in which much interest was manifested. The attorneys were Charles Gardner, Henry Starr, George B. Joiner, Van H. Higgins, Jacob A. Whiteman, James Fletcher, S. A. Washing- ton, S. G. Bovie, A. B. Roff, Chester Kinney, Charles P. Kinney, C. F. McNeill, Franklin Blades, George H. Walser, Wilson S. Kay, Thomas Vennum and George E. King: Justices-Jacob A. Whiteman, John S. Finley, D. A. Falkenbury, Samuel M. Ayres, Henry C. Bryant, C. F. McNeill, William F. Keady, C. P. Kinney, James C. Steely and Andrew Rush.

Circuit courts at Middleport were attended by the following for- eign attorneys : Pearson, Terry and Davis, of Danville; Bryant, Chandler and Gregory, of Williamsport, Indiana; Beard, Mace, Jones and others, of La Fayette, Indiana ; Voorhees, of Covington; Indiana ; Osgood, Fellows, Snapp, Randall and Fuller, of Joliet; Ives and others, of Bloomington ; and Starr, Loring, Bonfield, Paddock and Moore, of Kankakee, and many others.

Schools were taught by the following persons: John Harwood, Adrian Egbert, Sr., D. A. Falkenburg, George B. Joiner, S. A. Wash- ington, Rolla Pearsoll, W. S. Kay, Chauncey Fiuley, W. D. Robinson, F. Winkley, S. G. and Mrs. Bovie, George W. Rider, E. R. Akin, N. M. Bancroft, J. M. Mercer, and many others.

A county agricultural society was organized at Middleport, and fairs held there in 1855, 1856, 1857 and 1858.

Middleport was well located and once a prosperous and thriving vil- lage of about 800 inhabitants, and the memory of many pleasant associa- tions is connected with it. The failure to secure the location of the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw railway, from the lack of liberality and man- agement on the part of its citizens, together with the consequent loss of the county seat, has been its ruin. We would like to say many more things about Middleport that might be of interest to the reader, but the fact that we are limited as to space forbids it.

Henry Troup was the leading spirit of the village and one of its most prominent citizens. He was born in Maryland, April 25, 1800, and died April 8, 1859. By prudence and economy he accumulated quite a fortune for his day, and it is truly said of him that "He was a faithful, industrious and correct business man, affable and courteous, domestic in his habits, and strictly moral and honorable." His widow

HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

still resides in their old homestead in Middleport, respected as one of the oldest settlers of the place.

Middleport was incorporated as a village, April 16, 1859, by the election of John Hogle, Wilson S. Kay, B. F. Barnum, D. B. Gardner and Alfred H. Torrey as trustees. D. B. Gardner was elected presi- dent, and William H. Taylor was appointed clerk. The territory incorporated was one square mile, commencing at the S.E. corner of the S.W. ¿ of S.E. + of Sec. 30, T. 27 N., R. 12 W., and running east one mile and south one mile. This incorporation was maintained only until the loss of the county-seat, and Middleport has since been added to the corporation of Watseka.

A child was born to Mr. and Mrs. William Lyman soon after they came, in 1836. Mandaville Little was married to Lavina Frazier in 1838 or 1839. The wife of John Lyman, Jr., died in 1840. These constitute the first birth, marriage and death in Middleport.

WATSEKA COURT HOUSE.

WATSEKA.

Watseka was first known and designated by the name of "South Middleport," Hon. Micajah Stanley, proprietor. The village covered

MIDDLEPORT AND BELMONT TOWNSHIPS.

the west 123 180 acres of the S.E. } of Sec. 32, T. 27 N., R. 12 W. The W. } of said S.E. ¿ was entered by Mr. Stanley, April 28, 1835, and the E. ¿ September 3, 1836. The survey was made in October, 1859, by Moses H. Messer, county surveyor; plat made May 9, certi- fied by the proprietor May 16, and recorded June 1, 1860. "Stanley's Addition to South Middleport," covering the balance of said S.E. 4, was surveyed by Messer September 12, 1861, certified by the proprie- tor September 17, and recorded October 1, 1861. At the suggestion of Mr. Stanley, Winthrop, Patterson and other old citizens, the board of supervisors of the county, at their September meeting in 1863, changed the name of "South' Middleport" to " Watseka," in honor of the Indian woman of that name, heretofore referred to in this history ; and by act of the general assembly, approved February 16, 1865, and in force from and after its passage, said order of said board so changing the name of said town, was defined and declared to embrace South Middleport and Stanley's addition thereto, as laid out and platted on the entire S.E. ¿ of said Sec. 32. The county-seat having been removed to Watseka, as thus defined, it will be seen that, in law, it covers only said S.E. ¿ and not the whole of the city of Watseka.

Hon. John Chamberlain, April 4, 1860, by M. H. Messer, surveyor, laid off a tier of twenty-four lots on the north side of lot 2, N.E. Į of Sec. 5, T. 26 N., R. 12 W., adjoining South Middleport, the plat of which was recorded May 11, 1860. On October 5, 1864, this plat (as to lots from 1 to 18 inclusive, and also lot 23), was vacated, and lots 18 and 23, corresponding with Third and Fourth streets, were dedicated as streets.

"Troup's Addition to Watseka," surveyed by E. W. Dodson, county surveyor, covering a large part of the S.W. } of N.E. ¿ of Sec. 32, was laid off by Theodore and Anna F. Troup, his wife, December 4, 1865, and plat recorded December 29, 1865.

"Roff and Doyle's Addition of Out-Lots to the town of Watseka," surveyed by M. H. Messer, was laid off by Asa B. Roff and Robert Doyle, covering the most of the S.E. ¿ of N.E. ¿ of Sec. 32, July 12, 1866, and plat recorded July 13, 1866.

"Fairman's Addition to the town of Watseka," surveyed by M. H. Messer, on S.E. ¿ of N.E. ¿ of Sec. 5, T. 26 N., R. 12 W., was laid off by John F. Fairman, July 3, 1866, and plat recorded July 13, 1866.

"Charles Sherman's Out-Lots to Watseka," were surveyed and plat- ted February 9, 1869, and plat recorded March 10, 1869. They cover the N.W. ¿ of N.W. Į of Sec. 4, T. 26 N., R. 12 W.

"County Clerk's Plat of Belmont Addition to Watseka," covering the Sherman out-lots, and also the out-lots sold, by Chamberlain, by

HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

inetes and bounds, east of Fourth street, was platted by John M. Bur- ton, county surveyor, by order of A. Honeywell, county clerk, June 18, 1873, and recorded June 26, 1873.

" Chamberlain's Addition to the City of Watseka," covering nearly all of the north half of said Sec. 5, east of Sugar creek and west of Fourth street, was platted September 21, 1871, and plat recorded July 1, 1873.

"Stanley's Second Addition to Watseka," on S. ¿ of S.W. 4, N. W. ¿ of S. W. 1, and S. W. 1 of N. W. 1 of Sec. 33, T. 27. N., R. 12 W., was surveyed by John M. Burton, county surveyor, April 14, 1873, and plat recorded April 23, 1873.

John Chamberlain and James W. Lawrence laid off the N.E. ¿ of S.W. ¿ of said Sec. 32, into out-lots, May 2, 1860, and the plat of which was recorded June 7, 1860. A cemetery lot in this tract had been con- veyed by Samuel M. Ayres and wife, August 13, 1855, to the county court of Iroquois county, Illinois, and deed was recorded December 9, 1873. An addition to this cemetery was made by Chamberlain and Lawrence, and in which both have been buried. Many of the old citi- zens of the two towns and surrounding country have been buried here.

A " County Clerk's Plat " of out-lots in S.E. ¿ of S. W. { of said Sec. 32, surveyed by John M. Burton, county surveyor, June 10, 1875, was recorded June 15, 1875. Also a "county clerk's plat" of out- lots in the N.E. ¿ of said Sec. 32, surveyed by Jolin M. Burton, county surveyor, May 20, 1876, was recorded May 26, 1876.

Said plats, with the territory beyond them included within the corporate limits, comprise the city of Watseka.

INCORPORATION.

South Middleport was incorporated, by vote, as a village, August 28, 1863. An election for trustees was held, September 7, 1863, at which A. B. Roff, Ransom Munson, George G. Mayo, Francis J. Sears and Conrad Secrest were elected. On September 12, 1863, the board of trustees organized by electing C. Secrest president, and R. Munson secretary.

The city of Watseka was incorporated by charter, approved Febru- ary 19, 1867. The distinctive feature of this charter was that it pro- hibited the sale or giving away of intoxicating liquors, except for sacramental, mechanical and medicinal purposes. The charter in . other respects conferred the usual powers granted to cities. The corporate limits embraced the N.W. ¿ of Sec. 4, and the N. ¿ of Sec. 5, T. 26 N., R. 12 W., and the S.E. ¿ of N.W. }, the S.W. ¿ , and the E. ¿ of Sec. 32, and the W. Į of Sec. 33, T. 27 N., R. 12 W. The

MIDDLEPORT AND BELMONT TOWNSHIPS.

city existed under this charter until November 16, 1872, when by vote it adopted the powers conferred by the general incorporation act of the state, approved April 18, 1872. The village of Middleport was annexed by ordinance to the city, April 5, 1869.

The following persons have been elected mayors and appointed clerks of the city : March 4, 1867, Charles Sherman, mayor, and A. B. Roff, clerk ; March 2, 1868, Micajah Stanley, mayor, and H. H. Alter, clerk; March 1, 1869, Thomas Vennum, mayor, and H. H. Alter, clerk ; March 7, 1870, George C. Harrington, mayor, and H. H. Alter, clerk ; March 6, 1871, George C. Harrington, mayor, and H. H. Alter, clerk ; March 4, 1872, Seeley Hetfield, mayor, and H. H. Alter, clerk ; April 15, 1873, Seeley Hetfield, mayor, and H. H. Alter, clerk ; April 20, 1875, M. H. Peters, mayor, and H. H. Alter, clerk ; April 17, 1877, Franklin Blades, mayor, and H. H. Alter, clerk ; April 15, 1879, M. Stanley, mayor, and H. H. Alter, clerk. Blades resigned, as mayor, September 8, 1877, and on October 9, 1877, Mathew H. Peters was elected to fill the vacancy.

Daniel C. Secrest, son of Hon. C. Secrest, was born June 10, 1860 ; Daniel Parker, son of Daniel Parker, Sr., died January 7, 1863; and Ransom Munson was married to Miss Julia A. Follett in April, 1860. These constitute the first birth, death and marriage in Watseka. Mr. Munson died January 8, 1871, aged about forty-one years. His widow resides in the city.

David Johnson is the first colored person who located in the city. He was born a slave, in Rutherford county, Tennessee, August 31, 1832. He was received in the 76th Ill. Vol. Inf. as a "contraband," in the summer of 1862, at Bolivar, Tennessee, and came to Watseka in November of that year. He married Mary A. Hemming, of Ross county, Ohio, April 25, 1867. Her father, Madison Hemming, son of "Dusky Sally," one of Thomas Jefferson's house servants, claims to be a son of Jefferson, and one of his colony of servants located by him in Ross county, Ohio, in 1830. Johnson is a barber by trade.

A post-office was established at Watseka in 1862, and A. B. Roff was appointed first postinaster. He held the office until 1866, when Charles Jouvenat was appointed his successor. In 1868 Zacheus Beatty, editor of the "Republican," was appointed to succeed him. On February 23, 1874, our present postmaster was appointed, who is · one of the most efficient and accommodating officers in the state. The statistics of the office for 1879 show: Number of mails forwarded, 3,120 ; number of stamps sold, 68,646 ; envelopes and wrappers, 12,150 ; postal cards, 35,778; total, 116,574 ; value of above, $3,021.80, and total receipts, $3,460.16. Money orders issued, 1,296; amount,

HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

$14,898.80 ; money orders paid, 843, and amount, $10,999.38. Letters inailed, 71,240 ; postal cards, 27,976 ; newspapers, 88,036 ; packages, 728; total, 187,980. Total receipts, $18,358.96.

The first building in Sonth Middleport (now Watseka) was a dwelling, 32×38 feet, ground floor, and 22×28 feet above, seven rooms below and four in second story, erected by Asa B. Roff, Esq., on lots 7 and 8, in block 11, in the fall of 1859, costing $1,500. This building is still standing, and is occupied and owned by Mrs. Taliaferro, daughter of Hon Micajah Stanley. Mr. Roff and family occupied this building until he built him' a fine brick residence, just north of Roff & Doyle's addition, in 1868. He sold this about one year ago, and with his family removed to Kansas, where lie now resides. The second was a warehouse, also used for a depot, 26×50 feet, with two rooms above for family, erected by John F. Fairman, at a cost of about $500. This warehouse is still standing on the railroad, just east of the " Williams House," and is occupied by Mr. Fields. The third was a lumber office, 14×16 feet, built by Andrew Dalton on the railroad grounds. A large stock of lumber was kept in connection with it. This office is now occupied by Edward Dalton. The fourth was a hardware storeroom, built by William P. Pierson, of Onarga, in the spring of 1860, 20×56 feet, on block 21. This was filled by him with a stock of stoves, hardware, agricultural implements, etc., and he also had a stock of lumber in connection with it. The fifth was a restaurant and saloon building, built by Jolin Steele, on the northeast corner of the depot grounds. This was occupied by him and others for some years, and finally sold to A. Willoughby and moved to a lot between Second and Third streets, on Walnut street. Steele came to Middleport in 1859, and brought there the first billiard table ever brought to the county. He has lately reformed and appears sincere. The sixth was a shoe shop, built by John Shafer, soutlı of the depot grounds. The seventh was a grocery store building, 20×40 feet, with cellar, built by William M. Coney, on east half of lot 13, block 19. The eighth was a drug store and dwelling, 20×40 feet, two stories, built by Dr. C. Secrest, on lot 1, block 28. The ninthi was a store building, 22×60 feet, two stories, witli an addition, one story, 18×40 feet, built by Dr. William Fowler, on the southi ends of lots 7 and 8, block 26. This building is now occupied by Mr. Daniel Fry with a stock of goods. The tenth was a saddler shop, built by William Munson, on west half of lot 13, block 19, and sold by him to Jolın Fagan. This is now known as C. Wade's store building, and occupied by the Martin Brothers. The eleventh was a dwelling 16×36 feet, story and a half, with six rooms, built on west half of lot 14, block 19, by Dr.

MIDDLEPORT AND BELMONT TOWNSHIPS.

Samuel Huestou. The twelfthi was a grocery store building, 18×24 feet, with cellar, and four rooms above, erected by George Courtright, on lot 11, block 19, and now occupied and owned by him. These were all built in the spring of 1860.

During the summer the following residences were erected : Cottage, 34×40 feet, two stories, six rooms, hall and porch below, and three rooms and hall above, finished in good style, built by John L. Dono- van, and still occupied by him and family. A dwelling, 16×24 feet, one story and a half, with an addition, 18×20 feet, five rooms below and three above, was built by William Brooks. This was subsequently purchased by Hon. Thomas Vennum, and has been enlarged and much improved, and is occupied by him and family. A dwelling, 20×30 feet, two stories and six rooms, built by David Hutchinson, on lots 7 and 8, block 28; the building is now owned by Dr. Joseph Euans. A dwelling, 20×30 feet, two stories and five rooms, built by Dr. D. Fenner, on lot 16, block 35, is now owned by Mr. David Jolinson, and occupied by liim and family. A dwelling by James Markle, 20×20 feet, four rooms and cellar, on lot 9, block 2.

During the fall Hon. M. Stanley completed a hotel, 44×72 feet, three stories, with one-story kitchen on southeast corner, erected on northwest corner of block 26. It contained a hall in second story, 30 ×50 feet, and the building was well finished and furnished in first- class order. Mr. Stanley kept this house for the accommodation of the public about five years, and including the period of the war, and was noted for his liberality and kind disposition toward all, and especially the soldiers, justly and deservedly earning a reputation for the house attained by few. The honse was destroyed by fire on Saturday night, February 16, 1866, caused by leaving kindling in the oven of tlie kitchen stove, which took fire. The inmates and guests were alarmed by the fire about three o'clock in the morning, and some were compelled to desert the building in their night-clothes. Three Irisliman in the third story, who had failed to heed a timely warning to leave, were compelled to jninp from a window to the pavement below, alighting upon some bedding thrown down for that purpose, all escaping without injury, although one of them, more scared than hurt, was heard to ex- claim : " Holy Muther of Jasus, have mercy on me; my back's broke ; whisper to God fur me !" This house was not rebuilt by Mr. Stanley, but the lots sold by him to Mr. James McCurdy, who rebuilt it in 1869. This property was sold, March 28, 1877, to Mr. William Williams, who has fitted it up in good order, and keeps a first-class house.

In the fall of 1860, Mr. Daniel Parker erected on lot 7, block 20, corner of Fourth and Walnnt streets, a brick storeroom, 21×46 feet,

HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

two stories, with six rooms above for dwelling. This was the first brick built in the town. He filled the storeroom with a stock of goods and resided above. His son, Daniel, died here with small-pox, Jan- uary 7, 1863.

During the summer and fall of 1860 the following residences were erected on out-lots in the N.E. ¿ of S.W. ¿ of Sec. 32, T. 27 N., range 14 west : A dwelling, 16×25 feet, with two. wings, 13×13 feet each, two stories, ten rooms and two halls, finished in fine style, by Chester Kinney, Esq. This building was destroyed by fire about the time it was completed, the last of September, 1860, supposed to have been the work of an incendiary. A dwelling, 20×26 feet, two stories, and a wing one story and a half, 14×17 feet, eight rooms, hall and cellar, finished in good style, was built by S. G. Bovie, Esq. He still resides in this building. The dwelling, 15×22 feet, one and a half story, five rooms, was built by G. H. Walser, Esq .; and dwelling by Aaron F. Wright, 14×21 feet, two rooms and cellar. A store building (frame), 40×50 feet, two stories and attic, was built by Benjamin F. Masters, on lot 9, block 19, corner of Third and Walnut streets, in 1861. This is now owned by Jolin Reeder, and the west room, to whichi a one- story addition on back end, fifty feet in length, has been added, is now occupied by Isaac C. Wade's hardware store.

Andrew Dalton, in 1862, built a frame two-story store building, 20×90 feet, on the east half of lot 16, block 19. This building was afterward occupied by William Frees, Dodd & Browne, and Woodford & Har- rington with stocks of hardware, but for several years lias been occu- pied by C. G. Culver with a stock of dry-goods, groceries, etc. Dr. William Fowler built a fine cottage residence on a large out-lot in Cham- berlain's addition in 1862, which, with the surroundings, was fitted up in good taste. Here he resided until his death, December 31, 1872. His first wife, Eleanor White, whom he had married at "Buncombe," in this county, in 1839, also died here in October, 1871. He had again married a short time before his death, and his widow still resides in this homestead. Dr. Fowler was born in England in 1814, came to Virginia when a youth, studied medicine there, and located in this county in 1837, resided in " Buncombe " until lie came to Watseka with his family in 1862, and where he remained until his deatlı. During the time he lived in this county lie practiced his profes- sion, and also for several years was engaged in selling goods. He was one of the pioneers of the county, a man of high standing and char- acter botlı in his profession and out of it, kind in disposition, and highly respected. He was very sensitive, and by mistreatment he was induced to commit suicide by taking morphine.

MIDDLEPORT AND BELMONT TOWNSHIPS.

In the spring of 1863, through the exertions of Rev. P. T. Rhodes, $3,000 in amount were raised by subscription for building a M. E. church. A building committee, of which Dr. C. Secrest was chairman, was appointed, and the contract for building was let May 18, 1863. The building was erected during the summer, on the north half of lots 15 and 16, block 29, where it still stands. Since that time $900 in amount has been raised and expended in improving the building. This was the first church built in the city of Watseka.

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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 54

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

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