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 55

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 55

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).

January 1, 1864, the Iroquois County Medical Society met in Wat- seka, and among other things adopted a bill of prices for medical and surgical services, the first of the kind adopted in the county. An extra- ordinary cold storm set in that evening, during which several persons returning to the country were badly frozen, among whom was a Mr. Ooton and a lady with him, who resided in Belmont. Ooton's limbs had to be amputated, and the lady died at the Poor Farm from the effects of the cold.

In April, 1865, the county seat was removed from Middleport to Watseka. The circuit clerk's and recorder's offices were first moved into a small building on lot 6, block 27, east across the street from Secrest's drug store, and the county clerk's office was moved into John Paul's building on the south side of the depot grounds. They were kept in these places a short time and then again moved, the circuit clerk's office to the lower story of the school building, on lot 11, block 20, and the county clerk's office to a room owned by William F. Keady, just west of it and on lot 10, of the same block. This was the east lower room of a two-story frame block that had a short time before been erected by William F. Keady, A. P. Furguson and Daniel Parker. The offices were kept in these buildings until they were destroyed by fire, on the night of October 15, 1866, and they were then moved into the new court-house, which was nearly completed. During said time the upper story of the school-house had been used for a court room.

In 1865 Vennum & Tillinghast and John F. Fairman erected a wooden block on lot 15, block 19. The east lower room has been used for a drug store, and is owned by Mrs. George E. King (formerly Mrs. H. A. Tillinghast), and now occupied by the Arnold Bros. ; and the west half of the building is owned by Adam K. McNeill, and occu- pied by Alex. Gillfillan as a dry-goods and grocery store. In 1866 Francis J. Sears, Thomas Vennum, William M. Coney, H. A. Tilling- hast and John Paul, at a cost of about $8,000, erected a brick building, 25×80 feet, and three stories, on the west half of lot 14, block 19. The lower story is occupied as a hardware store by L. Marsh, and the upper

HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

story has been used as a Masonic hall, and is occupied by the lodge and the chapter of the order.

The three-story frame block, 44×54 feet, on lot 10, block 19, with brick basement, was moved from the " Old Town" in 1866, by C. F. McNeill and William Frees, at a cost of $1,000. It is occupied by Dr. H. A. Alter's book store, and by Mr. Greene's grocery and boot and shoe store. Aaron Willougliby's brick, 25 × 70 feet, with stone cellar, was built in 1868, at a cost of $6,500, on west half of lot 12, block 19. It is occupied by him as a grocery store. William M. Coney's brick, 25×100 fect, two stories and cellar, was built by him on east half of lot 13, block 19, in 1875, at a cost of $4,500. It is occupied by him as a dry-goods and grocery store. Mrs. Emily English's brick, 20x50 feet, on west half of lot 16, block 19, was built by her in 1869, at a cost of $5,000. It is two stories and used as a bakery and boarding house.

The National Bank Building, 25 × 70 feet, two stories, on west half of lot 8, block 20, was built in 1875, at a cost of about $4,500. The lower story is used by the First National Bank, and the upper story as an Odd-Fellows hall, and is used by the lodge and encampment of that order.

The court-house was erected on the west half of block 29, in 1866, at a cost of $28,000. For further particulars as to this, the reader is referred to the General History of the county.

The brick school building was erected in 1868, at a cost of about $12,000, on a tract of four acres immediately south of block 34, bought for the sun of 1,200 of the executors of the estate of Hon. John Chamberlain. The building is 60×75 feet, two stories and basement, warmed by a hot-air furnace, and well furnished.

Between the years 1855 and 1870, and somewhat later, several fine brick residences were erected in the city, among which may be men- tioned those built by Charles Sherman, Mrs. Orra L. Chamberlain, Decatur Morgan, Asa B. Roff, William P. Anthony, M. Stanley, L. Marquardt, Daniel Parker, George E. King and the writer. During the same time many fine frame residences were erected, among which may be mentioned those built by Hon. Franklin Blades, Dr. William Fowler, Dr. C. Secrest, Daniel Fry, Seeley Hetfield, John L. Donovan, William M. Coney, John Sheridan, John Fagan, Thadeus Wade, Robert Doyle, George C. Harrington, Dr. Jewett, Hon. Thomas Vennum, Tracy B. Harris and many others, which we cannot take the space to mention. The city is noted for fine residences.

Between the years 1862 and 1868, many store buildings and resi- dences were moved from the "Old Town " to Watseka.

John L. Donovan

LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

MIDDLEPORT AND BELMONT TOWNSHIPS.

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF WATSEKA

Was organized in the year 1870, with a capital of $50,000, the stockholders representing some of the best known and wealthiest citizens of the county. At the first election of officers Hon. Samuel Williams was chosen president, David McGill, vice-president, and George C. Harrington, cashier. There has been no change in the officers of the bank since its organization, with the ex- ception of the election of an assistant casliier, in the person of Josiah G. Williams. Not knowing whether the enterprise would receive immediate recognition by the public, the bank made its first office in the second story of the Willoughby Building. However, meeting with unexpected favor, it was soon necessitated to seek a more ac- cessible and commodious office and shortly erected a wood structure on the site of the present building. This building not proving adequate, the bank, in connection with the lodge of Odd- Fellows, as before stated, erected their present fine building in 1875. The bank now has the réputation of doing the largest volume of com- inercial business of any bank of its capital in the Northwest, its ex- changes running in to millions of dollars annually. During the financial panic of 1871, caused by the Chicago fire, and the subsequent panic of 1873, when most of the banks in the country were necessitated to close their doors, the First National Bank of Watseka kept open doors and hon- ored every demand made upon it. It is recognized as one of the institu- tions of the county in which the people feel a just pride,-solid and safe beyond question, and its management conservative enough to keep it so. The banking house of Donovan, Woodford & Co. (John L. Don- ovan, George A. Woodford and Thomas Vennum, proprietors) com- menced operations in the second story of the Masonic Building, in 1869. This bank did a profitable and reputable business, unaffected by the panics, until November 2, 1874, when the proprietors sold out to the firm of J. Matzenbaugh & Co., composed of Josialı Matzenbaugh and Henry T. Skeels. . The name was then changed to the Watseka Bank. This firm dissolved partnership, March 1, 1878, and the busi- ness was continued by Henry T. Skeels. This bank failed, and an assignment of its effects was made to Daniel Fry, for the benefit of its creditors, March 14, 1879. It is presumed that the effects will satisfy all just claims.

The Opera Hall Building, 40×60 feet, was erected on the south 3

HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

halves of lots 1 and 2, block 18, in 1867, by John Reeder, for a woolen factory. It was filled with machinery for this purpose by Mr. Russell, and run for some time manufacturing woolen goods ; but the supply of water failing (this was before artesian wells), the machinery was sold to J. W. Stearns & Co., and removed to the "Old Town." It stood unused for several years, and was then fitted up for a hall. It is now owned by Mr. John W. Riggs, who is well patronized-the citizens manifesting a taste for theatrical, scientific, intellectual and other entertainments.

The Baptist church, on lots 9 and 10, block 9, was built in 1869. It is a frame, 40× 60 feet, and not yet entirely finished.

The Catholic church, 35×55 feet, was erected on lots 9 and 10, block 3, in the fall of 1878. It is a frame, and cost about $3,000.

The Methodist Episcopal church, Presbyterians, Baptists, Catholics, United Brethren and Adventists have church organizations in Wat- seka, the dates of which the writer has not been able to procure, but most of them have had organizations for many years.

THE SCHOOLS OF WATSEKA.

The first school in Watseka was a small frame building erected on the south side of the depot grounds in 1861. This was sold, and removed by James T. S. Irons to his lot in the southeastern part of the city in 1865, and was afterward used by him for a carpenter shop. In 1863 a two-story frame school-house, 20×36 feet, was built on lot 11, block 20, at a cost of about $2,000. The first school taught in this was by J. B. Eno, now of Crescent. This building was rented to the county in the summer of 1865, the lower story being used for the county clerk's and the treasurer's offices, and the upper story for a court-room. It was in this room that Harper was tried and convicted for the murder of Nelson. This building was destroyed by fire on the night of October 15, 1866, as before stated.

The present brick school-house, on the four-acre lot south of block 34, was erected in 1868, as elsewhere stated, at a cost, including the grounds, of about $14,000, and the bonds of the district to that amount were issued and sold to John Sheridan to raise the necessary amount to purchase the grounds and erect the building. The district is a union district, No. 7, towns 26 and 27 north, range 12 west, 2d principal meridian. Previons to 1866, M. Stanley, Charles Sherman and A. B. Roff were directors. Since that date the following directors have been elected : 1866, John Paul; 1867, Thadeus Wade; 1868, C. Secrest ; 1869, C. F. McNeill, in place of Secrest, resigned ; 1869, John Paul; 1870, W. I. Jones, Z. Beatty and William Fowler-

MIDDLEPORT AND BELMONT TOWNSHIPS.

McNeill and Paul having resigned ; 1871, Fowler reëlected for three years ; 1872, Seeley Hetfield elected for three years ; January 11, 1873, Henry H. Alter elected in place of William Fowler, deceased ; 1873, W. I. Jones reelected ; 1874, John Allison ; 1875, L. N. Pittwood ; 1876, W. I. Jones reelected ; 1877, D. W. Ayres; 1878, H. A. But- zow; and 1879, Josiah Williams. The amount borrowed on the bonds of the district, except $6,000, lias been paid. After the burning of the school-house, and until the present one was erected, John Paul's store-room on south side was used for a school-room. The amount of $1,300 insurance was collected and appropriated for school purposes.

The school, since the present building was erected, has been a graded school, and attained a high reputation under the management of Profs. Neal and Paisley.

THE 'PRESS OF THE COUNTY-SEAT.

The first paper published at the county-seat and in the county, was " The Iroquois Journal," a weekly newspaper, devoted to politics, lit- erature, the arts and sciences, agriculture, etc., published every Wednes- day, by J. A. Graham ; office in Wagner & Patterson's building, up stairs (Middleport). The subscription price was $1.50 per annum. This was a six-column paper, set in long primer type, and whig in pol- itics. This paper was printed on a "Ramage press" of the style of the days of Franklin,-wooden frame, double bed and single platen, requiring two pulls to print one side of the paper. It was almost use- less, the bed having been worn so much by rubbing with pumice stone that it required several layers of paper under the form to bring the center up. This press was used fifty years before in printing the terri- torial laws of Indiana, at Vincennes. It was bought by John R. Jones in 1842, and taken to Perrysville, Indiana, where Jones pub- lished the "Perrysville Eagle," which he printed on this press. In 1843 or 1844, Jones sold the press and office to Daniel Clapp, who took it to Danville, Illinois, and started the "Danville Patriot," which was printed on it. He afterward sold out to Roney & Peabody, who pub- lished the " Illinois Herald," which was also printed on this press up to November, 1850. On January 1, 1851, they sold this press and office to Josepli A. Graham for $400. It was hauled from Danville to Middleport for Mr. Graham, by Henry Root (since of Onarga) and Garrett Eoff (then of Middleport, but since deceased). Three volumes of the "Iroquois Journal " were printed on this press, when about April 1, 1854, it was sold to William F. Keady and Benjamin Scott, who printed one volume of the "Iroquois County Press" on it. It then went out of use until 1861, when it was sold to George Sellers & Bro., then of Clifton, in this county, who took it to Tuscola, in this

HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

state, and there printed a paper on it which they published, the name of which the writer is not now able to give. If this old press could still be found it would prove a valuable relic of a past age. The first issue of the " Iroquois Journal " is dated February 19, 1851. It has a "leader " on the prospects of Middleport, and also advocates slack- water navigation by the improvement, for that purpose, of the Iroquois and Kankakee rivers; chronicles the return of G. B. Joiner, H. C. Bryant and John Lehigh from California, and contains the advertise- ments of A. B. Roff, boot and shoe maker, Market street, Middleport ; and S. A. Washington, J. A. Whiteman, and Gardner & Fletcher, attorneys-at-law, Middleport Illinois. Three volumes of this paper were published at Middleport by Mr. Graham, the last issue being dated March 29, 1854, and a complete file of which is in the possession of the writer. It was ably conducted, and a lively interesting paper for its day.

Mr. Graham sold the "Journal" office, about April 1, 1854, to William F. Keady and Benjamin Scott for $450, who then commenced the publication of the "Iroquois County Press," a democratic paper, at Middleport. About one year after, Keady bought Scott's interest in the paper, purchased a new Washington press, and enlarged the paper to seven columns, and changed the name to " The Middleport Weekly Press." It was ably conducted by him in the interests of his party, but on account of his opposition to what he called " The Swamp Land Swindle," in the sale of the swamp lands of the county, he incurred the displeasure and opposition of some of the magnates of the demo- cratic party, and thought it prudent to sell out, which he did to Joseph Thomas and Ray W. Andrews, and retired from the paper, with the issue of July 18, 1857. Harmon Westbrook was employed by Thomas & Andrews as editor, but soon becoming offensive he was discharged by them, and was succeeded by Caleb Pink. Mr. Pink withdrew from the paper, July 27, 1858, and was succeeded by Michael Hogle as editor, and about the same time Hon. John Chamberlain became the proprietor. Mr. Hogle conducted the paper with some ability for sever- al years, but his strong southern sentiments at the commencement of the war became very offensive, even to many of his own party, and they repudiated his paper, and he retired from it abont October 1, 1864. He was succeeded by George C. Harrington as editor, who had charge of the paper for one year, and conducted it with ability and taste. The " Press " then ceased to exist.

" The Investigator," a democratic paper, was started at Middleport, during the summer of 1855, by Dr. Richard Taliaferro and James H. Graham, in opposition to the " Middleport Press," in the interests of

MIDDLEPORT AND BELMONT TOWNSHIPS.

a faction of the democratic party, the members of which had become offended at Mr. Keady. It was a six column paper, set in long primer and printed on a "Foster press." It was published irregularly about six months, and then died for the want of patronage, and the office was sold to Mr. Thomas Vennum, and soon after the press and material were used for publishing " The Iroquois Republican," published every Thursday morning by J. A. Graham and D. T. Lindley, Jesse Ben- nett and Franklin Blades, editors, with the motto, " Strike, But Hear !" The first issue of this paper is dated at 'Middleport, May 8, 1856, -office in the room adjoining the store of S. S. & D. B. Gard- ner. The paper appears to have been well patronized from the start, and the first issue contains the cards of Drs. Harwood and Tupper, Dr. Jesse Bennett, Franklin Blakes, M.D .; M. V. B. Harwood and H. C. Bryant, druggists ; G. B. Joiner, James Fletcher, Stephen G. Bovie and Jacob A. Whiteman, attorneys ; Empie & Eldridge, saddlers; Seldon & White, bridge-builders; Daniel Hutchinson, blacksmith ; E. R. Aiken, A.M., Middleport Collegiate Institute and Female Semi- nary ; Barr & White, American House; and H. O. Henry, Wilson House. This issue also contains the names of the first republican central committee of the county, appointed at a convention held at Middleport, March 29, 1856, as follows: Middleport, Dr. Bennett, Dr. Blades and S. M. Ayers; Crab Apple, Winslow Woods ; Milford, William Gray; Onarga, Judge Pangborn ; Belmont, John Strean ; Wygandt, James P. Martin ; Concord, Dr. Urmston ; Beaver, Jonathan Watkins; Loda, James H. Major; Ash Grove, John H. Stidham ; and Chebanse, R. J. Hannah.

October 9, 1856, Graham & Lindley dissolved partnership, and Graham continues as publisher, and associates Andrew Robertson with him as printer. December 18, 1856, Graham & Vennum enter into partnership as publishers. March 26, 1857, Dr. Jesse Bennett severs his connection with the paper, and Dr. Blades continues as sole editor. August 6, 1857, Thomas Vennum closes his connection with the paper as publisher. November 5, 1857, Graham sells out to Andrew Rob- ertson and William H. Sheward, who become publishers. June 30, 1859, Dr. Blades withdraws from the paper and Andrew Robertson becomes editor. September 29, 1859, Robertson retires; and Novem- ber 3, 1859, Thomas Vennum announces the sale of the office to C. F. McNeill, who takes charge of it, and Samuel S. Patton is employed as foreman. January 7, 1861, McNeill sells the office to J. Ralph Robinson and Ancel B. Caddy. Robinson had formerly been editor of the "North Fairfield Gazette," Ohio, and latterly local of the " Peoria Transcript," and Mr. Caddy had for the three years previous been foreman

HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

in the " Transcript " office. Caddy left, October 27, 1861, to join Capt. McAllister's battery, at Fort Holt, and he died in the military service March 7, 1862, on the government hospital boat "Memphis." The office was sold to A. G. Smith February 19, 1862. Robinson went to Ohio and became the editor of the "Bucyrus Journal," having pur- chased that paper of D. R. Locke ("Nasby "). The office was removed by Mr. Smith to Watseka, in the spring of 1863. In October, 1866, Smith sold the office to Zaclieus Beatty, of Knoxville, Illinois, and removed to Danville, Illinois, where he became the proprietor and pub- lisher of the "Danville Daily and Weekly Times." He was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, in 1834, and educated in Ohio. April 1, 1873, Mr. Beatty sold the office to Alex. L. Whitehall and Elmer Brimhall, of Watseka. He liad enlarged the paper in 1872 and changed its name to the " Watseka Republican."

After selling out, Mr. Beatty and family returned to Knoxville, Illi- nois, where he now resides, and is publishing the " Republican Regis- ter." Mr. Brimhall purchased the interest of Mr. Whitehall in the paper, August 24, 1876, and became its sole editor and proprietor, and changed it to its present quarto form. August 1, 1877, he sold the office to Lorenzo Watson and H. A. Jerauld. Mr. Jerauld disposed of his interest to Watson, October 1, 1878, who is now the sole editor and proprietor of the paper. A power press has been added to the office. The "Republican " is the oldest paper in the county, liaving been established over twenty-four years ago. It has generally been conducted witli ability, and has had much influence in shaping the political and civil affairs of the county, and has been foremost in every moral reform.

The "Iroquois County Herald " was established about October 1, 1865, on the ruins of the " Middleport Weekly Press." This paper was published weekly, on Saturday, by George W. Keady (Michael Hogle, editor), at Middleport. It was independent in politics. The office was moved to Watseka about February 1, 1867, the last issue at Middleport being dated January 27, 1866, and this being the last paper published at Middleport. This issue contains an account of " a singu- lar stroke of lightning" at Middleport, on Friday evening, about nine o'clock, January 19, 1866, at which time the dwelling-house of tlie writer and the writer himself were struck, the house being badly dam- aged and the writer severely injured by the bolt. We give this inci- dent to prove that it is even possible to be struck with lightning in January, and survive it. Some time after the removal of the paper to Watseka, Charles Jouvenat became its editor. He was also appointed in the meantime postmaster at Watseka, and through the means thus

MIDDLEPORT AND BELMONT TOWNSHIPS.

obtained he sustained the paper until the spring of 1869, when he was removed from the post-office, and his paper ceased to exist. The press and material were sold some time after and taken to Rensselaer, Indiana.

" The Iroquois County Times " was founded at Onarga, in this county, by Louis M. Babcock and Jacob Keiser, the first issue being dated December 1, 1870, under the name of the "Onarga Times." Mr. Keiser in a short time withdrew from the firm, and Mr. Charles Drumm purchased an interest in the paper, Babcock being editor and Drumm foreman. On March 16, 1871, the paper was enlarged to an eight-column folio. In May of the same year the office was removed to Watseka, the last issue at Onarga being dated May 4, 1871, and the first at Watseka, May 27, 1871, the name having been changed to " The Iroquois Times." In December, 1872, the office was sold to Col. M. H.

TIMES OFFICE.

TIMESOFFICE

BOOK & JOB PRINTING.

DRANT HANTIN

Peters, who took control of the paper January 1, 1873. He sold it to Mr. Otto H. Wangelin, of Belleville, Illinois, June 5, 1874, who on February 26, 1875, enlarged it to a seven-column quarto, and on August 13, 1875, sold it to Mr. Auguste Langellier, who afterward, on August 10, 1876, reduced it to a six-column paper. During his management the Washington press upon which the paper had been printed was re- placed by an Acme power press, the largest country size, and at the same time changed the name of the paper to "The Iroquois County. Times." On July 1, 1878, Col. Peters again purchased the office, and is now sole editor and proprietor. He enlarged it to a seven-column quarto on January 1, 1878, the largest sized country paper published in the state.

The office is large and complete and permanently established, and the paper ably conducted. In politics the " Times " was originally in- dependent republican, supporting Greeley for president in 1872. It has

HISTORY OF IROQUOIS COUNTY.

since been independent in politics, and pursued that course which seemed to its editor best calculated to advance the interests of the people. Latterly it has advocated financial reform and supported the greenback party. Charles Drumm, who entered the office when it was first established, is still foreman, and is one of the best printers in the state.

MURDERS AND EXECUTIONS.

It has not been judicially determined that a murder has ever been committed at the county-seat, but it is charged that one, Daniel Peitz, poisoned his wife at Middleport, and Martin Meara was taken from the jail at Watseka and hanged by a mob. Peitz's wife died August 11, 1864, at two o'clock in the morning, a few days after she had given birth to a child. A short time before Peitz had purchased a quantity of arsenic at H. A. Tillinghast's drug store, in Middleport, stating at the time that he wanted it to poison rats. While his wife was sick he purchased her some port wine. He gave her some of this in a tea-cup on the morning of August 10, 1864. She was immediately taken violently ill, and Drs. McNeill and Sommers were sent for. Upon ex- amination they pronounced it a case of poisoning, and search being made for the cup from which she had taken the wine, it was found con- cealed on an upper shelf of the pantry, and in the bottom of it was found nearly an ounce of arsenic, which had been saturated with the wine. Peitz was soon after arrested, and when his wife died a coroner's jury found that she came to her death from poison being administered to her by her husband, Daniel Peitz, and he was committed to jail. There then being no jail in the county, he was sent to Kankakee city for safe keeping. Soon after he made his escape from the jail, and has not since been heard of.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

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 55

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