USA > Illinois > Lee County > History of Lee County, together with biographical matter, statistics, etc. > Part 12
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The first grammar school is taught by Miss Adelia Pinckney, with an attendance of twenty-seven pupils, and the second by Miss Nellie Sonle, with an attendance of thirty-four.
The first intermediate is taught by Miss Hattie Sterling, with an attendance of fifty six pupils ; the second, taught by Miss Ida DeLand, numbers forty-five pupils ; the third, taught by Miss Emma Burnham, numbers forty-nine pupils, and the fourth, taught by Miss Fannie Mur- phy, numbers fifty-seven pupils.
The primary department is taught by Miss Amelia MeCumsey, and numbers fifty-one pupils.
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
North of the court-house, in the first ward, is another primary school where Miss A. G. Curtice instructs forty-five pupils. West of the central depot, in the third ward, is another small school building in which Mrs. L. L. Woodwarth instructs forty-seven pupils.
Since the grade system of instruction was adopted in the south side schools, beginning with 1364, there has been seventy-two gradu- ates from the high school: forty-one females and thirty-one males. There has been two or three classes graduated from the high school on the north side since the adoption of the grade system in that dis- trict in 1869; the number of graduates we, however, were unable to learn.
The Catholic society has a denominational school with an average attendance of 150 scholars, under the instruction of four Dominican sisters and one novice. The school was started about 1872 in the old church building, under the labors of Father McDermott, and lias been kept up in a prosperous condition ever since.
In addition to the public schools our city has the Rock River Uni- versity. The building is a large briek and stone edifice, five stories high, located on a high eminence in the east part of the town, and commands a view of the country for many miles in extent all around our city, as well as the course of Rock river in its meanderings toward the father of waters, until it passes from the range of sight. The building is constructed on an extensive plan and is admirably adapted to the purpose for which it was erected.
January 30, 1855, a meeting was held at Exchange Hall for the purpose of taking into consideration the plan proposed by the Rock River Presbytery, through their agents Revs. Harsha and Mason, for locating a college at this place.
As a result, on July 4, 1855, the corner stone of the Dixon Colle- giate Institute was laid in the presence of a large concourse of people. B. F. Taylor, of Chicago, delivered the oration. The institution had an endowment of $25,000; the citizens of Dixon giving grounds, property, apparatus, etc., to the extent of $12,000. In 1857 the insti- tution was incorporated by special act of the legislature. In 1858 it was abandoned by the presbytery.
In 1858 the Dixon Collegiate Institute was reorganized under the auspices of A. M. Gow.
September 8, 1863, the Dixon Seminary was opened in the college building by S. G. Lathrop and M. M. Tooke.
January 20, 1874, a conservatory of music was started in the sem- inary building, by Profs. S. W. Moses and E. A. Gurney.
November 1, 1875, school was opened in the college building
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DIXON HOTELS.
under the name of the Rock River University. O. G. May, presi- dent, and M. M. Tooke, regent.
December 2, 1878, A. M. Hansen took charge of the Rock River University.
September 3, 1879, the Rock River University opened under new management ; J. R. Hinckley, president.
The institution settled down to a preparatory and military acad- emy, yet competent instruction in the normal, business, musical and art departments was provided for those wishing such special work.
The last board of management and instruction consisted of Jay R. Hinckley, president; Maj. H. O. Chase, military instructor; W. H. Chamberlain, business manager; Henry M. Douglass, Mrs. Jay R. Hinckley, and Miss Lucy Whiton.
Normal School .- The citizens of Dixon have pledged an appro- priation of $25,000 for the purpose of establishing a normal school, which it is expected will be opened September 1 by Miss Dilly and Flint, of Valparaiso, Indiana, in the old seminary building until their new- building is erected.
DIXON HOTELS.
It has been said of the early days of the country that "every house is a place of entertainment." Some special attention was given to this by a few families in an early day, but the first hotel built for the pur- pose was the Western, erected in 1836, and opened in that winter by Messrs. H. Thompson and P. Mckinney. It was what is now used as the northern part of the Revere house, on Hennepin street near Second. This was followed by the Rock River house, in 1837, by Messrs. Crow- ell & Willson. This house was afterward known as the Phoenix, and was destroyed by fire in 1846. The Dixon house was the third build- ing erected for a hotel in Dixon, and was built about 1840.
On March 19, 1853, a company was formed with a capital of $10,- 000 for the erection of a large hotel, the building to be ready for the publie in July, but was not ready until December 10 of that year. This is the Nachusa house, and was built upon a foundation that was laid for a hotel in 1838, which enterprise failed at the time through the then existing financial stringency felt in the state. The Nachusa house is situated on Galena street, opposite the public square. It occupies a commanding eminence, and overlooks the whole town, as well as the course of Rock river for many miles above and below the city. It is built of undressed limestone, and, including the basement, is five stories high. The main building is 48×40 feet, with a wing in the rear 80×36 built to the main building by E. B. Stiles in 1854. The fifth story was added to the building in 1867, and is finished with a Man-
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
sard roof. The original and entire cost of the building was over $30,- 000 ; to erect this house now, with the present cost of materials, would probably be near $40,000. The management of the house is now in the hands of Mr. Geo. Benjamin, who is a thorough business man.
The Washington house was erected in 1854 on the corner of Main and Ottawa streets. It is a three-story brick structure, 34×60 feet, with a large frame addition in the rear. This house is near the business part of the city, and close to the Rock river water-power. The present proprietor, Henry Remers, erected the building, and has conducted the business since that time, with the exception of four years, between 1856 and 1860.
NACHUSA HOUSE.
In August, 1855, Mr. McKenney removed the Dixon house from the ground now occupied by Riley's brick buildings on Main street to its present location opposite the Opera house.
On June 14, 1856, Messrs. Cropsey, Dement & Noble commenced the erection of a large hotel, called the Shabbona House, near the depots. It was afterward leased to Messrs. Crocket & Dake. In the following year (1857) it was opened by Mr. Benjamin, from Vermont, and the house changed in name to the Dement House. On December 2, 1868, it was reopened as the St. James Hotel by H. E. Gedney. This was followed by the Waverly House, at the Air Line depot, by Messrs. Cheney & Co., on April 19, 1860; at the present writing it is under the management of Mr. Thomas Yonng.
The Keystone House was opened in 1866, on Main street, near
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Galena, and is quite centrally located ; it is under the direction of Mrs. E. Brautegan at the present writing.
The hotels of a city form one of the chief attractions to the traveling public. From the character of the hotels an opinion either favorable or otherwise is generally formed of the enterprise of a place ; for a people who are hospitable, and appreciate the presence and comfort of strangers who may visit their city, will see to it that good accommoda- tions are provided for them ; and the ample provisions made in the city of Dixon, and the hospitality extended to strangers, are well attested by the traveling public.
BRIDGES.
In 1845 Mr. Dixon spent most of the time of a legislative session in Springfield in an effort to secure the passage of a " bridge and dam " charter for the benefit of the city. It was strongly opposed on the ground that the state had no power to authorize any obstruction to a stream declared navigable within its limits ; that the stream belonged to the whole people and could not be diverted from the interests of commerce to private or corporate purposes. To this it was replied that the river was not in fact navigable without the aid of dams, and that the Rock river valley was destined to become a vast manufacturing re- gion. Mr. Dixon succeeded toward the close of the session in getting the bill through, although the bridge was to supersede his ferry, which was then yielding to him $800 per year. Under this charter the first bridge was built in 1846 at a cost of $8,000. This bridge was built by the Rock River Dam and Bridge Company in the fall and winter of 1846 and 1847, at the foot of Ottawa street. Travel had hardly con- menced when the spring freshet of March 20, 1847, swept away the north half. The bridge was rebuilt two feet higher than the original bridge during the summer at a cost of $2,000. The contractors were Lorenzo Wood and Luther I. Towner. The board of directors consist- ed of the following gentlemen : John Dement, Oliver Everett, John . Dixon, M. Fellows, Ottis A. Eddy, J. B. Brooks, Jas. P. Dixon, and Horace Preston. This bridge stood as repaired until the spring of 1849, when the south half was taken out. The ferry was brought into requi- sition until the summer of 1851, when the south half of the bridge was rebuilt, raising it four feet higher than the north half, making this part of the bridge six feet higher than the original bridge. The following persons constituted the directors of the bridge company, who were elected on May 5, 1851 : John Dement, C. Aldridge, John Shellaber, J. B. Brooks, John V. Eustace, Carleton Bayley, I. S. Boardman, jr., Lorenzo Wood, and E. B. Baker.
The structure erected in 1851 stood until the spring of 1857, when the descent of the ice on the 24th day of February of that year carried
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
it away. During 1856 a free bridge was built by private parties across the river in what was known as Morril Town, below where the railroad bridge stands. This was just completed when, on the 14th of February, 1857, the ice which had accumulated around the piers was lifted up by the rising water, carrying the bridge with it; but the ice not breaking up, the superstructure was not carried away. It was damaged, however, so that it had to be rebuilt, which was done in the spring, only to be carried away by the June freshet. At this time both bridges, the one at the foot of Ottawa street and the free bridge below, were destroyed. On the 23d of May, 1857, Mr. James A. Watson commenced the erection of a foot-bridge at the foot of Galena street, but money was raised in a few days after to erect a wagon and foot bridge, which was completed during the summer, and on the 28th day of November, 1857, two spans of the north end went down with two loaded teams and eight or ten head of cattle. This was repaired only to be swept away by the flood of June 3, 1858, which also destroyed the free bridge which had been rebuilt. The city paper, of this date, said : "Rock river is at this time swollen to overflowing its banks. Both the wagon bridges at this place have suffered in consequence of the flood. The free bridge, but a small portion of which was carried away, will be repaired immediately ; while steps will be taken by our citizens to build a new bridge in the place of the one swept away at the foot of Galena street." On the 25th of August, 1859, active operations were commenced in the erection of a free bridge at the foot of Galena street to cost $12,000; Z. H. Luckey, contractor. Four months after it was completed, on the 20th of February 1859, the dam gave way be- fore an accumulation of ice, which together descended against the bridge and carried away two bents at one crash; and later, two more were taken. In the following August, 1860, a free bridge was commenced to take the place of the toll-bridge taken out by the ice in the previous winter. The completion of this bridge was embarrassed by not having sufficient funds at command to carry the work forward. " Free bridge parties " were given and the proceeds added to the liberal con- tributions of the merchants. Finally, the necessary sum ($13,000) was raised and the bridge was thrown open to the public amidst great rejoicing, January 1, 1861. This was an event in the history of Dixon. On New Year's eve a large "free bridge party " was held a the Nachusa House, which was so successful that the arrearage that had delayed the completion of the work was arranged. The object was ac- complished so that at four o'clock in the afternoon of the next day, January 1, the mayor and council, in sleighs and cutters, headed a large procession across the bridge accompanied by the sound of music and the thunder of cannon. About this time the lower bridge disap- peared.
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BRIDGES.
On May 10, 1866, a middle span of the bridge went down with a drove of about one hundred head of cattle, all of which were thrown into the river, and two were drowned. Repairs were begun on Decem- ber 2, 1867, by James Watson ; but in the spring, March 7, 1868, the bridge was destroyed by the high water and floating ice. This freshet took out about 120 feet of the south end of the dam, and battered down one pier of the railroad bridge on the following night.
Through all these years, until the city ereeted the Truesdell iron bridge in 1868, nine bridges-all of wood resting upon wooden trestles or piers-had been, either in part or wholly, swept away by the treaeher- ous waters of Rock river. This being the case, the people finally came to the conclusion that they would erect a bridge which no flood could wash away. With much labor and expense piers and abutments of solid masonry were placed upon substantial foundations made by driving piles below the gravel and changing the bed of the river. Upon these piers and abutments was placed a handsome superstructure wholly of iron, with the exception of the floors. The entire cost of the work to the city was $75,000. The opening of the bridge to the public on Jannary 21, 1869, was made the occasion for a celebration by our citi- zens, and after a severe test of its strength the structure was accepted by the city, and all rejoiced that they had at last secured a bridge of sneh great strength. The occasion was celebrated by a procession a mile long headed by Father Dixon in a carriage; he was followed by other old settlers, Dixon cornet band, the city council, and citizens in wagons and carriages; and no one present upon this occasion thought they would live to see its destruction ; but alas! how frail are human hopes! Scarcely four years had passed when it fell, resulting in such a fearful sacrifice of life and property, and eausing so much suffering.
Sunday, May 4, 1873, the Truesdell iron bridge fell, precipitating about two hundred men, women and children, who were witnessing a baptismal ceremony just below the bridge, into the streamn without a moment's notice ; thirty-seven persons were drowned, or killed by por- tions of the structure falling upon them; forty-seven were seriously and five mortally injured. The bridge was twisted and broken from end to end, and hung from the piers, an appalling sight in itself. Those killed were Miss Katy Sterling, Miss Melissie Wilhelm, Miss Maggie O'Brien, Miss Nettie Hill, Miss Ida Vann, Miss Ida Drew, Miss Agnes Nixon, Miss Bessie Rayne, Miss Irene Baker, Miss Emily Dem- ing, Miss Lizzie Mackay, Mrs. Doctor Hoffinan, Mrs. J. W. Latta, Mrs. Col. H. T. Noble, Mrs. Benjamin Gilman, Mrs. Carpenter, Mrs. Will- iam Took, Mrs. James Goble, Mrs. Elias Hope, Mrs. E. Wallace, Mrs. E. Petersberger and little daughter, Mrs. Thomas Wade, Mrs. Henry
So ar Ers
X
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
Sillman, Mrs. William Merriman, Mrs. C. W. Kentner, two children of Mrs. Hendrix, two daughters of Mrs. Stackpole, Clara and Rosa, Mr. George W. Kent, Mr. Frank Hamilton, Mr. Edward Doyle, Mr. Thomas Haley, Mr. Robert Dyke, Mr. Jay R. Mason. Died from wounds : Mrs. P. M. Alexander, Mrs. William Vann, Mrs. Charles March, Mrs. W. Wilcox, Mr. Seth H. Whitmore.
In the fall of 1873 the Howe truss wooden bridge was built by the American Bridge Company, at a cost of $18,000; it was finished November 18. This bridge is still standing; and although the water has been two feet higher this spring (1881) than ever known before, the bridge remains unharmed.
THE CITY CHURCHES.
The intelligence and morals of a city or community will be ex- pressed in its schools and churches. The former indicates the educa- tional tendencies, and the latter the religious advantages of the com- munity. The life of Dixon has been ever associated with both the educational and the religious, even when there were no school or church buildings the literary and religious education of the young was not neglected ; but in the cabin homes and around the homely hearth-stone began the first teaching of the intellect and heart. The fruits of this early education are now being gathered by the descendants of those noble men and women of primitive days. It was written of Dixon in 1845 that the village had reached a population of 400, and had four religious denominations,-Methodist, Baptist, Episcopalian, and Con- gregational-a select and district school.
A Unitarian church was organized in 1850, but little, however, had been done to prosper the society until 1855, when Hon. J. V. Eustace, Dr. O. Everett, G. L. Herrick, and others, with the aid of Rev. Mr. Kelsey as pastor, selected a beautifully designed frame building on the north side, where services were held for a few years, when the organ- ization disbanded and the property was sold.
In 1854 a Congregational church was organized with nine members : Revs. S. D. Peet, D. Temple, and H. Hesley successively served as ministers ; B. D. Gay, S. K. Upham, and B. Gellman as deacons. The organization disbanded in 1858, the most of the members connecting with the First Presbyterian church.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Dixon .- This society was the first religious organization in the bounds of Lee county, bearing date 1837. The class was organized by Rev. Mr. Mckean, who received as original members of the class S. M. Bowman and Mrs. E. A. Bowman, John Richards and Ann Richards, Caleb Tallmage and Amanda Tall- mage, and Maria McClure. The society worshiped in a room over
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THE CITY CHURCHES.
Messrs. Boardman & Bowen's store. In 1839 the class had an addi- tion to the original members : T. D. Boardman, Mr. and Mrs. Perry, and Mr. and Mrs. O. F. Ayres. At this time services were held in the school-house. . The first house of worship was erected in 1843, and dedicated by Rev. John T. Mitchel. This was a brick structure cost- ing $4,000, and was located on Second street near Ottawa. The board of trustees consisted of Jas. T. Dixon, C. Edson, O. F. Ayres, W. G. Winkoop, Thomas McCabe, J. Brierton, and S. M. Bowman.
The first parsonage was built in 1851, 24×30 feet, at the expense of over $800. This house stood on Third street near where the Illinois Central depot stands. This property was sold, and a lot procured on which the present church and parsonage buildings stand. During the conference year of 1854-5 the present church edifice was built on Peoria street. It was improved in 1870 and 1871, and again in 1876, at a cost of $2,700. The original cost of the church was $15,000. It was not entirely finished until 1857, when it was dedicated by Bishop Bowman. The pastors since the organization of the class are as fol- lows: Robert Dulap and Barton Cartwright came here as circuit preachers in the fall of 1837 ; they were followed by Isaac Pool and Riley Hill; Luke Hitchcock came in 1839, Richard Blanchard in An- gust 1840, Philo Judson in fall of 1841. August 3, 1842, Inlet Grove, Palestine Grove, and Melugin's Grove were added to Dixon circnit, which already embraced Washington Grove, Light House Point, Jef- ferson Grove, Daysville, and Paine's Point ; Philo Judson and W. H. Cooley were appointed circuit preachers. W. Wilcox was appointed to Dixon in August 1843, David Brooks in July 1844, S. P. Keys in Au- gust 1845, Milton Haney and R. W. H. Brent came to this charge in August 1846, R. P. Lawton came in 1847, Wm. Palmer in fall of 1848, Thomas North in July 1850, James Baume came in September 1852, J. W. Agard in 1854, Wilbur MeKaig in September 1855, N. P. Heath in 1857, L. A. Sanford in Angust 1858, S. G. Lathrop in 1859, O. B. Thayer in September 1862, W. H. Smith in March 1864, G. L. S. Stuff came in October 1864, T. C. Clendenning in October 1865, George E. Strobridge in October 1867, J. H. Brown in October 1869, John Will- iamson in 1871, Isaac Linebarger in October 1874, G. R. Vanhorne in October 1876, A. W. Patton in October 1879, and Rev. Mr. Cleve- land in October 1880.
The Presbyterian Church .- The First Presbyterian Society in Dixon was organized January 29, 1853, George Sharer and James Means being chosen deacons. Having no house of worship, they met in the stone school-house. The original members were George Sharer, Nancy Sharer, James Means, John Beatty, Nancy Beatty, Mary Richardson, Robert McBride, Mrs. Jane Smith, and Mrs. Jane
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
Little. In 1855 Rev. W. W. Harsha assumed charge of the church, and in the same year (June 1855) the church was organized under the general laws of the state for the purpose of building a house of wor- ship, and the following persons were chosen trustees : James L. Camp, Isaac Means, Samuel Crawford, S. Russell, and S. C. Warden. Their house was erected on Third street and dedicated on February 17, 1856, by Rev. Mr. Harsha, their pastor. This building stood adjoining the place of the present house, and was a small brick building, 28×42 feet. This house proving in time to be inadequate to the demand of the congregation, additional ground was secured and the present struc- ture was erected in 1866, at a cost of abont $15,000. It was dedicated on October 28, 1866. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. W. W. Harsha, who was their first pastor, and dedicated the first church edifice. The building is constructed of dressed limestone and is 41×72 feet. The building is surmounted by a tower 130 feet high, which incloses a fine bell weighing over two thousand pounds. There are connected with this church about two hundred members. Rev. E. C. Sickles has been pastor of the congregation for the past eighteen years.
The present church edifices in the city are handsome, substantial buildings, constructed and furnished according to modern tastes, and present a pleasing and inviting appearance. All the present church structures in use, except one, were built within the past fourteen years. These buildings are all conveniently large for the wants of this place, and have a total seating capacity of over 3,000, but upon special occa- sions can be made to accommodate a much greater number. The church property of our city represents a total value of over $140,000.
New Evangelical Lutheran Church .- This christian denomination was first represented in Lee county by " The First Evangelical Luthe- ran congregation of Lee county," which was organized under the official and ministerial supervision of the Rev. Jacob Burket, on August 20, 1848, in the barn of J. N. Burket. south Dixon. The following persons were constituted members of the society : John N. Burket and Mary Burket. John Mayer and Elizabeth Mayer, Nathan Hetter and Catherine Hetter, Phillip Mower and Mary Mower, Jacob Shoop and Catherine Shoop. Catherine Grow, Nancy Smice, Lydia Courtright, Catherine Palmer. Magdalene Clinetob, and Mary A. M. Burket.
Jacob Bnrket sustained the relation of pastor for two years, his service closing Angust 1850. He was succeeded by Ephraim Miller, who took charge of the congregation in May 1851, and remained with thein until May 1852. He was followed successively by Charles Young and William Uhl.
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THE CITY CHURCHES.
On November 12. 1853, the congregation changed the name of the society to the Apostolic name of "St. Paul's Evangelical Lu- theran church." and incorporated by filing a certificate of corpora- tion in the county recorder's office. After this change the congre- gation was served as pastor by D. Harbaugh until the division of the congregation as given below.
In December. 1856. the society was divided by the German por- tion of the congregation withdrawing and organizing an independent congregation. After completing their organization they called to the pastorate Rev. Charles Young. During the time of their sepa- ration the English church was served by Revs. J. L. Guard. J. R. Keiser. and A. A. Trimper. During the pastoral services of the latter gentleman the societies were reunited prior to the spring of 1870, from which time the pastors have been Revs. N. W. Lilly. S. S. Waltz, and L. L. Lipe. the present pastor.
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