USA > Illinois > Lee County > History of Lee County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 25
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Levi, born Nov. 9, 1796; died Sept. 28, 1857, at Amboy, Illi- nois.
Lurena, born Dec. 22, 1798; married Augustus Trowbridge : died Dec. 7, 1867, at Lee Center, Illinois.
Nathaniel C., born May 3, 1803; died Nov. 27, 1864, at Genoa. DeKalb county, Illinois.
Sarah, born May 1, 1805; married Sabin Trowbridge; died Dec. 8, 1861, at Lee Center, Illinois.
Joseph, born April 15, 1807; died May 5, 1882, at Amboy, Illinois.
Timothy P., born March 28, 1809; died Jan. 7, 1872. at Amboy, Illinois.
Elizabeth, born Nov. 13, 1811; married Hezekiah MeKumne: died Feb. 7, 1899, at Lee Center, Illinois.
Ann, born Feb. 4. 1814; married Anstin B. Trowbridge: died Feb. 11. 1880, at Lee Center, Illinois.
Hiel, born Dec. 31, 1816: died April 28, 1880, in Amboy town- ship, Lee county, Illinois.
Miles, born May 11, 1818; died Aug. 27. 1877, at Lee Center. Illinois.
Olive, born June 17, 1823; married Alpheus G. Skinner: died Oct. 1. 1892, at China township, Lee county, Illinois.
These twelve children of Nathaniel Lewis, Jr., were all born in Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, and all, with their families. came to Illinois between the years 1842 and 1845; and at one time. were all in Lee county, Illinois.
AMBOY OF TODAY By P. M. James
The city of Amboy has had its vicissitudes and days of darkness and gloom; but, phoenix-like, it is arising from the ashes of the dead past and with confidence and assurance is now looking straight into the future.
The removal of the Illinois Central railroad shops and the heavy bonded indebtedness of the township, voted for the construc- Vol. I-18
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tion of the Rock River railroad .- the two ghastly spectres which for many years hung like a funeral pall over our people .- are now matters of ancient history.
The Illinois Central has in a measure returned to Amboy,-its monthly pay roll at the present time at this place amounting on the average to $15,900 with bright prospects for an increase in both pay roll and business and with a strong probability that this company will again make this place a regular terminal station. At the present time, the company makes Amboy its freight terminal, and it is here well provided with side tracks and roundhouse. The business transacted by this company at this place is summarized by its gentlemanly agent. A. A. Carmichael, as follows :
Employes at station, 16; at roundhouse, 25 ; on section, 15; and on trains and engines, 140: making a total of 196 and an average of over thirty thousand freight cars are handled through the Amboy yard each month.
The Rock River railroad bonds have long since been paid ($100,000), and long years of interest, and from this time on the road constructed, now a branch of the Chicago, Burlington and Quiney railroad, will be a good investment and a source of income to the entire town, at least in the payment of taxes, which for the year 1912 amounted for the township to the sum of $2,692.46.
Amboy is also the western terminal of the Northern Illinois Electric Railway Company which has its road under construction from Amboy to DeKalb, and of which twelve miles, reaching through Lee Center and Bradford to near the Reynolds township line, are completed and in operation. These three railways give Amboy excellent shipping facilities, but the one thing that has during the past few years tended to build up Amboy and its busi- ness interest has been the development of the agricultural resources in this vicinity. By a thorough system of drainage by means of tile and open ditches, it has discovered that the farm lands in the vicinity of Amboy may and have become very productive,- and as a result our business men now look and depend on the farmer more than any other one class of people. As these farms continue to improve in valne and prodnetiveness it is but natural to believe that Amboy will be benefited thereby.
CITY GOVERNMENT
The city of Amboy was originally incorporated under a special charter Feb. 16, 1857. which was amended Feb. 24. 1869, but on
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LEE COUNTY FAIR, 1912. AMBOY
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May 8, 1888, was reorganized under the city and village laws of the state. The more marked improvements during the past few years have been the installation of a city water system, with the water supplied of an excellent quality from an artesian well over two thousand feet in depth, under Mayor George E. Young; the removal of the old wooden awnings in the business section, the con- struction of cement sidewalks and the installation of a general sewer system under Mayor J. P. Johnson : the paving of the streets in the business section, and the extension of water mains, sewers and cement walks under Mayor John P. Harvey; and the instal- lation of the boulevard lighting system in the business section. and the improving and rebuilding of the electric lighting system of the entire city, under the present mayor, Fred N. Vanghan. The present officers of the city government are as follows:
F. N. Vaughan, mayor ; Messrs. W. J. Kcho, C. A. Fenstemaker, H. W. O'Toole, W. J. Edwards. T. B. Fisher, James Briggs, Frank Brady, E. H. Barlow and A. J. Barlow, aldermen : J. W. Kelleher. city marshal: F. A. Flach, city clerk : Paul F. Reilly, city treas- nrer: William L. Leech. city attorney: John M. Egan, Jr., city engineer : F. C. Vaughan, fire marshal : Dr. E. A. Sullivan, health officer : V. B. Andruss, water commissioner; H. H. Badger, J. C. Mackinnon and W. J. Edwards, park commissioners.
AESTHETICS
The civic pride of the citizens is shown by the well painted homes, the well kept lawns and the care and attention given street trees, shrubs and ornamental plants, by reason of which Amboy always presents a neat and tidy appearance. The city owns Green River Park, a tract of about forty acres lying adjacent to the city on the east and which is well shaded with native oak trees. This park is situated on the banks of Green river, is well cared for by the city and is well patronized, not only by the people of the city, but also by many people from a distance.
Adjacent to this park on the south and west are located the grounds and improvements of the Lee County Fair Association with a half-mile track which is a joy to the horsemen. During the fair the association is granted the use of the park, and taken together they make an ideal place for the ammal gathering of the people of the entire county.
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HOSPITAL
Amboy Hospital, owned by the Amboy Hospital Company, Incorporated, is located at the corner of Plant and Division streets and is well equipped and has competent mirses for the treatment and care of the sick and for surgical operations, and is being much appreciated and well patronized by our citizens. While it is owned and controlled as a private corporation, yet its doors are always open for any legitimate business and all reputable physicians and surgeons.
SCHOOLS
There are three school buildings in Amboy,-a pebble dash two- room building located on East Main street, a two-story brick building on West Provost street, and a two-story pressed brick high school building located near the center of the city. Grades 1 to 4, inehisive, are taught in the two first mentioned build- ings, and grades 5 to 12 inelusive, are taught in the high school building.
The high school has a regular four-year course and includes household seience, mannal training and agriculture. As to the character and standard of the work done in the high school it is sufficient to mention the fact that this school has been on the fully accredited list of the University of Illinois for many years, and at the present time its graduates may obtain seventeen credits or two more than are required for admission to the university.
The board of education consists of Frank P. Blocher, president ; P. M. James, secretary ; and Messrs. Fred N. Vanghan, J. M. Egan, Jr., G. A. Deming, C. H. Wooster and Charles A. Zeigler. The teachers for 1913-14 are: Otis M. Eastman, superintendent and principal of the high school: Misses Myrtle Kenney, Ruth F. Keefer and Launa B. Robinson in the high school: and in the grades, Misses Edna Washburn, Josie F. Keho, Jennie Carroll, Margaret Hanmond, Catherine Clark, Lcota Dee Brown and Lena Elois Seranton. Mr. Eastman and Miss Keofer are from the Uni- versity of Illinois; Miss Robinson from Wesleyan University of Bloomington, Illinois; and Miss Kenney a post graduate of South- ern Illinois Normal University; of the grade teachers, three are Normal School graduates, and all have had normal school training.
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CHURCHES
To accommodate the various religious beliefs of her citizens Amboy is well supplied with church organizations, as follows:
St. Patrick's Catholic Church, with a large brick edifice located on Jones street, and with Rev. T. J. Cullen, priest, in charge; German Lutheran, located on Jones street; Baptist on Mason street, Rev. Earl A. Riney, pastor; Methodist Episcopal with a stone edifice on Mason street, Rev. JJ. W. George, pastor; St. Luke's Episcopal, on Mason street; Congregational, located at corner of Main and Plant streets, with Rev. H. H. Appelhan, pastor ; and the Christian Science occupy rooms in the Badger Block.
NEWSPAPERS
For many years Amboy has had two newspapers, known as the Amboy News and the Amboy Journal, but in October, 1913, the News-Journal Company was incorporated and took over and con- solidated both plants and will continue publishing the Amboy News.
The names of the directors and officers of the News-Journal Company are as follows :
G. L. Carpenter, president ; Philip Clark, vice president ; Andrew Aschenbrenner, H. H. Badger, George P. Miller; and Mary J. Burnham, secretary-treasurer.
BANKS
The First National Bank of Amboy, as shown by its statement of Oct. 21, 1913. had a capital of $100,000.00, a surplus and undivided profits amounting to $107,690.16, and total assets. of $1,155,724.17. The officers of the bank are, Fred N. Vaughan, president : Elijah L. King, vice president ; H. H. Badger, cashier, and L. L. Brink and W. B. Vaughan, assistant cashiers. The di- rectors are F. N. Vaughan, E. L. King, E. L. Price, H. W. Hilli- son, W. V. Jones. W. A. Green, P. M. James, Philip Clark and H. H. Badger.
The Amboy State Bank, was established in December, 1912, with a capital of $25,000.00: on Oct. 22, 1913, it reported assets to the amount of $84,624.14. The officers and directors of the bank are: George P. Miller, president; F. W. Harck, vice president : R. W. Ruckman. cashier: and Messrs. F. C. Haley. Jarvis Leake,
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George Malach, J. A. Jones, A. D. Fristoe, R. W. Jamison and John Daehler.
INDUSTRIALISM
The crying need in Amboy is the establishment of industries that will furnish work for our young people so that they will not be compelled to go elsewhere to find employment.
The John P. Harvey Bridge and Iron Works occupies com- modious quarters with high grade machinery, and is engaged in concrete and structural steel work. Mr. Harvey employs ten men, and his pay roll for labor for 1913 amounts to $6,500.00 per year and material $10,500.00.
The Sanitary Creamery Company purchases milk and cream and sells milk, cream and butter. It has twelve employees in its service, and last year paid out $71,296.85 for milk and cream and $7,118.00 for labor. The officers of the company are P. M. James, president ; H. H. Badger, vice president, and J. C. Mackinnon, secretary-treasurer and general manager.
The Entorf Filter Company, Amboy, III., was incorporated on April 17, 1913, with a capital stock of $15,000.00. The company is engaged in the manufacture of the Entorf water separating filter for gasoline, kerosene and similar oils. The officers are Charles A. Entorf, president, and Carl P. Baird, secretary-treasurer.
MASONIC
Illinois Central Lodge, No. 178, A. F. and A. M., with 112 mem- bers: W. B. Vaughan, W. M .: B. B. Lewis, S. W .: J. C. Mac- Kinnon, J. W .: V. B. Andruss, secretary ; L. L. Brink, treasurer ; W. L. Berryman. S. D. : Andrew Myers, J. D. : W. F. Graves. S. S. ; Edward Morris, J. S. ; W. F. Entorf, organist : T. B. Fisher, chap- lain ; W. P. Long, tyler.
Amboy Chapter 194, R. A. M., with 104 members: W. J. Edwards, E. II. P .: John C. MacKimon, K .; W. B. Dewey, S .: John Reeves, secretary ; W. P. Long, treasurer : J. H. Ayres, C. H. : J. P. Johnson, P. S .: A. A. Carmichael. R. A. C .: C. F. Dewey, M. 3 V. ; F. C. Hogert. M. 2 V .: J. P. Brierton. M. Ist W .: R. L. Virgil, sentinel : V. B. Andruss, chaplain : B. B. Lyons, steward.
AMBOY ORDER EASTERN STAR WITH 131 MEMBERS
Mrs. J. P. Honeyentt, W. M .; Mr. J. P. Honeycutt, W. P .; Mrs. Mary Davis, A. M .: Mrs. Mande Brierton, secretary: Mr.
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John Reeves, treasurer; Mrs. Clara Carmichael, conductress; Mrs. Vera Peoples, A. C .; Miss Mae Searls, Ada; Mrs. Grace Brink, Ruth: Mrs. Helen Vaughan, Esther; Mrs. Ella Walters, Martha; Miss Mary Wood. Electa: Mrs. Fannie Doty. Warder; V. B. Andrnss, sentinel; Mrs. W. B. Dewey, marshal : Mrs. Sarah Brier- ton. chaplain : Stella M. Klein, organist.
M. W. OF A.
Amboy Camp No. 158, W. M. of A. Membership 120. E. H. Barlow, counsel ; G. M. Finch, advisor : W. P. Long. banker ; W. B. Vanghan, clerk ; E. J. Conderman, escort : Charles Kastler, watch- man ; Dr. C. A. Zeigler, physician : W. F. Graves, C. W. Maine and Ai. Tuttle, managers, and R. L. Bissell, sentry.
K. OF C.
Keenan Council No. 740, Knights of Columbus, was instituted June 21, 1913, with forty-five charter members, which has since increased to 147. The present officers are:
Grand knight, William E. Clark : deputy grand knight, John P. Canavan ; chancelor, Charles W. Rabbitt ; financial secretary, John F. Hammond : advocate, D. M. Reilley : treasurer, Paul F. Reilley ; chaplain, Rev. T. J. Cullen ; lecturer. Rev. F. S. Porcella ; inside guard, John J. Edwards; outside guard, Lyman T. Callahan ; trustees, Philip Clark, J. P. Harvey and F. W. Meyer.
AMBOY COMMERCIAL CLUB
Amboy Commercial Club has eighty members and the officers and directors are as follows:
W. T. Berryman, president: H. H. Badger, vice president : F. L. Doty, treasurer; B. B. Brewer, secretary ; G. L. Carpenter, W. E. Clark, D. L. Berry, directors.
This club was incorporated in 1911 ; has commodious rooms in the Entorf building and is doing much for the commercial interests of the city.
I. O. O. F.
Green River Lodge No. 999, T. O. O. F. was instituted April 26, 1911. at Amboy. It has seventy members at present time.
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Officers are: T. O. Clink, N. G .; Oscar Wilhelm, V. G .; A. A. Virgil, secretary ; J. F. Hook, treasurer; R. S. Brown, warden; George I. Welch, conductor; E .S. Coates, chaplain ; J. S. Conkrite, inside guard; superintendents of N. G., J. A. Church and L. A. Emery ; superintendents to V. G., E. H. Barlow and E. F. Barnes; W. L. Eddy, P. G .; R. L. Bissell, representative; J. A. Church, Dept.
REYNOLDS EVANGELICAL CHURCH, NEAR ASHTON
VAMI
MAIN STREET, WEST, ASHTON
CHAPTER XIX
ASHTON TOWNSHIP
And here is another resource of old Inlet! Until 1861 it was included in Bradford township. In 1861, it was set off by itself. It contains but one-half a government township.
Ashton was not settled early for the reason that, knowing the land was exceedingly rich and fertile, speculators later bought up nearly the whole township. Not a single settler is known to have settled here in the thirties and even not until the late forties when in 1848, Erastus Anderson settled here. A few weeks later his brother Timothy followed. In December their father followed.
In 1849 a man named Hubbard settled in the western part of the township, and in 1852 Daniel Suter located in the town and so did H. Sanders.
Another reason for the absence of settlers was the lack of timber. Old settlers demanded fuel. They feared the prairies over which the winds whistled. Then too, there was no great road or trail through that section and naturally settlers would not seek the country so long as claims nearer the trail were to be had.
The entrance of the Galena and Chicago Union railroad in 1854, gave this region its first impetus.
The first church erected in Ashton was the Methodist, in 1863. It was a temporary building to hold down the donation of a lot until a better could be built. The second church was a Free Metho- dist Church built in 1864 and it is claimed for itself to be the first of that denomination to be built in the state. Among the first members were Jonathan Dake, Sidney and Melville Beach, Sylves- ter Forbes, Charles Butolpk, Isaac Martin, Samuel Walker, James Reed, William Martin : Rev. J. G. Terrol was the first pastor.
The third church was built in 1866 by the Catholic people with a membership of fifty. The Christian Church was built in 1868.
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Among its first members were F. Nettleton, J. P. Taylor and Peter Plantz. At first the meetings were held in a schoolhouse.
The German Baptist church was built just outside of the village to the south in 1866.
In 1877 the Presbyterians erected their church. Their first minister was Rev. S. Vale. Among the earliest members were Sammel F. Mills, Nathan A. Petrie and Messrs. Pollock, Griffith, Huston and Brewer.
Ashton is a wonderful little city. Beginning with 1863 it has been visited several times with very destructive fires. The grain elevator, loss $2,000 and the flouring mills, loss $60,000, were burned. In 1871, the railroad property, which consisted of two tanks, the depot and a coal house with 1,200 tons of coal were con- sumed. A lumberyard and four dwelling houses went too. The coal house was the origin. Loss $75,000. In 1874 the hay press and an elevator were burned ; loss $30,000.
Several tragedies have been enacted in Ashton, of the most atrocious character. A preacher named Samuel P. McGhee, a married man, in 1877 became infatuated with another woman. By the use of stryelmine, administered in small quantities he put his wife out of the way. When first taken ill, the doctor was called. He attended her constantly, but the trouble was not discovered until later. The last dose was administered by the husband just before he left for church to preach and hokl his usual Sunday services. He was arrested at once and placed in jail. At first he tried to fasten the blame on his fourteen-year-old danghter, and he suc- ceeded in having her sign an acknowledgment to that effect. But the jury did not believe him. He was seen to throw the package containing the last dose on an awning. It was recovered and used in evidence.
In this trial which lasted about a week before Judge Heaton and a jury, Judge John V. Eustace defended the prisoner. As already stated it was one of the noted trials in the state, and Judge Eustace presented a masterful defence. If he had not. the verdict of guilty and fourteen years, would have been for life or hanging.
MeGhee was a sleek fellow ; his long silky beard almost black. was regarded with the same affection that the peacock has for his brilliant tail. During all the long trial, he stroked it continually. The other tragedy was enacted but recently Ang. 18, 1912. It was a frightful one.
Warren Sanders had married Westanna Griffith, a young girl. almost yonng enough to be classed a child. She was handsome.
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In time a child was born, little Naomi. Later the couple parted. Sanders lacked the knack of getting along in the world. At first the father-in-law permitted him to occupy the old home farm.
He did not succeed there and experimented with other pursuits in town. At last Mrs. Sanders, left him and with the child, went to live with her parents. Reconcilements were effected, but for no lasting time. About a year before the tragedy occurred, Mrs. Sanders went to Chicago to seek employment. Sanders followed and for a short while they lived together. Another separation followed. Mrs. Sanders procured a divorce. Later the decree was reopened and there the matter stood, when learning from the daughter at Ashton, that his wife was to return to Ashton that night for a visit, Sanders waited till the train arrived that night, about 1 o'clock, and when his wife alighted, he deliberately shot her two times and she dropped dead on the station platform. Then turning to his mother-in-law, Mrs. Melva Griffith, who had brought the little daughter, Naomi, down to the train, he shot the mother- in-law twice, and then surrendered himself. He pleaded guilty to the indictment for murder and Judge Farrand sentenced him to life imprisonment. Mr. Harry Edwards made a remarkably able prosecution, and Mr. John E. Erwin made a brilliant defense. Ashton is one of the richest communities in this part of the state. Way back in the sixties, Mills & Petrie sold $109,000 worth of general merchandise in one year in Ashton and today in the little village the Ashton bank presents a statement of three-quarters of a million dollars, almost. Two of the very oldest, almost the very first business men of Ashton live there today. They are Samuel F. Mills and Nathan A. Petrie.
In 1854 Mr. Mills came here and engaged in the grain and him- ber trade. In 1858 Mr. Petrie, his cousin, joined him and ever since the lives of those two gentlemen have been wrapped up as one. For years it was their custom to dress alike: to wear mons- taches alike. They were married on the same evening, and for most of their married lives, they lived together. Now Mr. Mills is eighty-three years old and the devotion of Mr. Petrie, twelve years his junior, is even more beautiful than Jonathan's devotion to David.
About two years ago Mrs. Mills died. Mr. Mills and she had returned to the old family home in Parrish, New York. where, retired, the comforts of the old home and the glamour of childhood scenes might be enjoyed. On the death of Mrs. Mills, the husband
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returned to Ashton, where, though somewhat infirm, he enjoys the atmosphere of his carly successes.
In 1861, these gentlemen gave up the grain business for general merchandizing. In this they made fortunes. In 1867 they entered the banking business. A few years ago they incorporated as The Ashton Bank.
Sidney Beach came out to Ogle county in 1838, later he moved across the line to Ashton ; JJames King came to Bradford in 1854, later he moved into Ashton ; Peter Plantz moved from Ogle county into Ashton in 1856; Melville Beach, 1852; Riley Paddock settled in Ogle county in 1837, later he moved to Ashton: Erastus Ander- son settled in Ogle county in 1846: in 1848 he moved to Ashton township; Hemy Saunders, Jr., came here from Ogle county. Thus it will be seen that most of the first settlers moved from Ogle county, immediately north, and Bradford, immediately south.
What Kalamazoo is to the celery market, Ashton promises to he to the asparagus market.
About twelve years ago, Mr. Benton Drummond planted seven acres to asparagus. The next year he planted five acres, making a total of twelve acres.
In three years time after planting, the grass began to yield a crop for market. By careful tillage and very heavy enrichments each year, the field now yields ammally three thousand cases of choice grass. During the season Mr. Drummond hires seven peo- ple to cut and pack this grass. At first he shipped to Chicago. but the quality of his product spread so rapidly that very soon he was deluged with offers in other places, and latterly. all of his ship- ments have been made to Milwaukee.
Mr. Drummond's grass is labeled "The Drummond Grass." and is known and prized in every asparagus market.
In every crate there are twenty-four boxes. Every afternoon the grass is shipped on the four o'clock east bound train and arrives that evening in Milwaukee.
Since Mr. Drummond's snecess has become so pronounced, eight others have planted fields, so that now. Ashton furnishes about nine-tenths of the asparagus which goes into the Chicago market.
ASHTON OF TODAY
Sitting snugly in the midst of land, a piece of which sold recently for $300 per aere. Ashton should not be blamed if she were
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vain. But she's not. A more hospitable people cannot be found in the county than in Ashton.
The people are a church going, industrious and well to do peo- ple. There are no saloons here and there have been none for a long time. There are about one thousand people here at present I am told. Ashton is the home of several fraternal orders. Ash- ton Lodge, 977. I. O. O. F., is a very prosperous body. Frank Hart is noble grand : Arthur Dugdale is vice grand ; E. JJ. Yenerick is secretary and Faust Boyd is treasurer. Rebekah Lodge, 497, has a large membership. Its officers are as follows: Mrs. Lura Dugdale, noble grand ; Mrs. Mary Gilbert, vice grand ; Mrs. Myrtle Zeller, past grand; Mrs. Ida Bassler, secretary : Mrs. Olga Hower, treasurer: Miss Clara Bode, warden : Miss Lena Bode, conductor ; Mrs. Alice Hann, chaplain ; Mrs. Dora Putman, R. S. N. G. ; Miss Hattie Brown. L. S. N. G .: Mrs. Ora Beach, R. S. V. G .; Miss Gertrude Fell, L. S. V. G .: Miss Iney Hart, inside guard ; Mr. John Vanpel, outside guard.
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