USA > Illinois > Lee County > History of Lee County, together with biographical matter, statistics, etc. > Part 13
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After the reorganization of the church by Rev. William Uhl, John N. Burket and John Moyer were chosen elders, and John Beal and Henry Burket, deacons. In November of the same year an organ- ization was effected for the purpose of erecting a house of worship, J. N. Burket. Henry T. Burket. Jonathan De Puy and John Beal were chosen trustees. The house, erected the following year, was located in the southeasterly part of the city, but it was found inade- quate to the increasing congregation, and the site unsatisfactory. and was abandoned for a more commodious one on Second street in 1869. On February 14 it was dedicated. the dedicatory sermon being preached by Rev. G. A. Bowers. The building is a neat brick struc- ture, 42×80 feet, two stories high, costing $15,500.
The society has a handsome parsonage on the lot adjoining the church which was erected during the summer of 1876.
The church was dedicated on July 28, 1872; the morning ser- mon was delivered by Rev. Mr. Ravlin. and in the evening by Rev. J. A. Smith, D.D. The auditorium will comfortably seat 500 peo- ple. The Sabbath-school room occupies nearly the entire basement story. On June 23, 1878, the society celebrated their fortieth anni- versary, in the church.
The pastors since the organization are B. B. Carpenter from June 1840 to October 1844; Burton Carpenter from December 1844 to March 1845 ; Wmn. Gates occupied the pulpit occasionally and Wm. Walker about four months between March 1844 and April 1847. when E. T. Manning became pastor for one year; S. S. Martin became pastor in 1849 for one year: G. W. Benton supplied the pulpit for about six months between Martin's pastorate and August 1851. when
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
John E. Ball became p istor for about four years : Anson Tucker took charge in May 1855, served eleven months : W. R. Webb became pastor in June 1856, served over four years ; Win. G. Pratt became pastor in March 1861, for one year; W. S. Goodno in September 1862, served two years; J. H. Pratt became pastor in October 1864, served over nine years ; D. F. Carnahan became pastor in August 1874; O. P. Bestor, took charge in August 1877. Rev. L. L. Lipe is present pastor.
The First Baptist Church of Dixon. - This church was organized under the auspices of Mrs. John Dixon and her sister, Mrs. Kellogg, at Buffalo Grove, on May 28, 1838, there being present all the mem- bers of the denomination in the vicinity of Dixon and Buffalo Grove. Rev. Thomas Powel acted as moderator. The following persons be- came the original members of this society : Mr. H. H. Bicknell, Re- becca Dixon, Elizabeth Bellows, Jerusha Hammond, Sarah Kellogg, Martha Parks, and Ann Clarly. At the close of four years there were seventy names on the church roll of membership. All the original members but Mrs. Hiram Parks have passed away. An organiza- tion was effected under the state laws for the purpose of building a house of worship, February 22, 1842, un ler the name of " The Dixon congregation." Smith Gilbraith, J. T. Little, J. B. Nash, Stephen Fuller and Elijah Dixon were elected trustees. Under this organi- zation a lot was secured on Ottawa street, and a briek edifice was erected in the following year ( 1843) ; elder Jacob Knopp, of Rockford, officiated at the dedicatory services. Subsequently the property was disposed of, and in 1869 a more imposing building was erected on Second street, the corner-stone being laid on October 1 of the same year. It is a comodious brick edifice, 90×45 feet, and was built at a cost of $15,000. Rev. Mr. Bestor is present pastor.
St. Luke's Episcopal Church .- This church was organized in the summer of 1837, under the labors of Rev. James De Puy, by the election of wardens and vestrymen. After this faithful minister was removed from the congregation the work of the church was sus- pended, and all the church records up to 1855 were lost. On March 19, 1855, a meeting of the vestry met at the office of Messrs. Robert- son, Eastman & Co., Rev. Mr. Bently being present. At this meet- ing Addison Rice, S. C. Eells, A. McKay and H. Hine were chosen vestrymen, and Geo. C. Chapmon and J. K. Edsal were chosen war- dens. A building was erected on Peoria street, since changed into a dwelling which stands now directly north of the present church. In 1871, an enlarged area of ground was purchased on the corner of Peoria and Third streets, on which the present beautiful stone edi- tice was erected in the same year.
11
Yours truly
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS R L
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THE CITY CHURCHES.
Sept. 7, 1871, the corner-stone of St. Luke's church was laid by Rev. John Wilkinson, who was rector of this parish from 1858 to 1860. The church was opened for services September 15, 1872.
Rev. Mr. Bentley was the first rector of the parish after this reorganization, and he was succeeded by C. J. Todd in August of 1856, and he by J. G. Downing in May 1857 ; Rev. J. Wilkinson was rec- tor from August 1858 to August 1859 ; Rev. A. J. Warner became rector in January 1861, and was succeeded by G. C. Street in April 1862. and Jas. W. Coe in May 1863, who continued in charge until July 1865 ; Rev. H. H. De Garmon was rector from March to Sep- tember 1866; D. W. Dresser from November 1866 to November 1867; H. W. Williams from March 1868 to June 1871; M. Byllesby from November 1871 to April 1873 ; Samuel Edson from May 1873 to October 1875 ; Joseph Cross from December 1875 to October 1876 ; W. Henry Jones from November 1876 until his death, April 26, 1878. Rev. W. W. Steel, came in September 1878. Rev. J. Wilkinson, at this writing (1881), is serving the church temporarily.
The Universalist Church .- This society was organized in 1870. This was anticipated by a Universalist centenary held in the Methodist Episcopal church, when measures were initiated that resulted in the above organization, and the establishment of the Universalist church in Dixon. The following gentlemen were elected trustees for the so- ciety in view of the building of a church edifice : Edward Sterling, L. A. Sutton, A. Hubbard, William Parker, and L. Sherman.
The society held services in Union hall for awhile, and from there they went to Tillson's hall on Galena street, which they used until their house of worship was erected. To accomplish this a building committee was elected, consisting of G. L. Herrick, W. A. Judd, S. Merriman and C. F. Emerson. A building was erected, 40×80 feet, on the corner of Second and Hennepin streets, and was dedicated by Rev. J. E. Forrester, D. D., August 7. 1873. Rev. H. V. Chase was the first pastor, and remained with the society five years. He was succeeded in December, 1876, by Rev. D. F. Rogers, who served as pastor for one year, and about the beginning of 1877 Mr. Chase was again called to the pastorate of the church.
The Catholic Church of Dixon .- This church was established under Rev. Father Fitzgerald in 1854, in which year he erected their first house of worship and a parsonage, on Fifth street. In 1873 this house was abandoned as a house of worship, for a new and very im- posing one on the corner of Market and Seventh streets. This was done under the general management of Rev. Father McDermott. The old building has been appropriated to denominational school
9
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
purposes, under the control of the Sisters of Charity. The church building is the largest in the city, having a seating capacity of 600. The church, including altar furniture, etc., cost about $30.000. The bell on the church has a weight of 2500 pounds, and was purchased at a cost of $900. There are 200 families connected with the con- gregation of this church. Rev. Father Hodnett is pastor.
Oakwood Cemetery, containing ten acres, is situated immediately east of the city. Its site is a very beautiful one, overlooking the magnificent valley of Rock river for miles in either direction. It is high and rolling ground, interspread with a natural growth of trees and shrubs, making its landscape beauty unsurpassed for a "city of the dead." A part of this cemetery was dedicated for cemetery pur- poses by the Hon. John Dixon, on the original plat of the city, and the remainder was purchased and laid out by the city. It is under control of the city council. The rapid growth of Dixon will soon render it necessary to enlarge it or to seek out an additional site for cemetery purposes.
CIVIC SOCIETIES.
Of these Dixon has twelve organizations, a fact indicative of the social and benevolent nature of her people. With the exception of one. these are all secret societies. the aggregate membership of . which is over 500. Most of them are beneficial in their character, and one has a life insurance connected with its organization. Thus provision is made for the afflicted during life and their survivors after death.
Below we give the names and dates of organization of the differ- ent lodges and societies, together with the principal officers :
Masonic. - Friendship Lodge, No. 7. Organized under dispensa- tion from the Grand Lodge of Kentucky on November 6. 1840 : ob- tained charter from the Grand Lodge of Illinois October 6, 1841. Officers : J. V. Thomas, W. M .; E. W. Smith, S. W .; G. D. Laing, J.W., W. A. Sussmillch, Sec .; Theodore Moeller, Treas.
Nachusa Chapter, No. 56. Organized under dispensation July 29, 1859 ; received charter September 30, 1859. Officers : J. B. Pomeroy, H.P .; S. S. Dodge, King; J. W. Latta, Scribe; D. B. McKenney, Treas .; C. G. Smith, Sec.
Dixon Council, No. 7. Organized under dispensation December 1, 1863. Officers : C. S. Brown, Thrice Illus. G. M .: J. B. Pomeroy, Sec.
Dixon Commandery, No. 21, K.T. Organized under dispensa- tion June 16, 1866 ; obtained charter October 23, 1866. Officers : J. B. Pomeroy, E.C .; S. S. Dodge, G .; John D. Crabtree, C.G. ; James A. Hawley, Treas. ; C. W. Latimer, Rec.
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CIVIC SOCIETIES.
Odd-Fellows .- Dixon Lodge. No. 39. Organized under dispen- sation May 28, 1848. Officers : Orvill Anderson, N.S .; Edmund Camp, V.G .; M. C. Weyburn. Sec. ; H. P. Wickes. R.S. ; Francis Forsyth, Treas.
Nachusa Encampment, No. 115. Organized under dispensation March 9, 1871 ; obtained charter October 10, 1871. Officers: M. C. Weyburn, C.P. ; C. W. Dey, H.P .: F. Hegert. J. W. ; F. P. Beck, Scribe ; C. F. Emerson, Treas. ; R. Rierson, J. W.
Rucker Lodge, No. 493 (German). Organized August 7. 1872. Officers : A. Reseck, N.G .; L. Faulkaber, V.G .; A. Levi, R.S. ; C. Gonnerman, Treas.
Temperance Societies .- Father Mathew's Total Abstinence and Benevolent Society. Organized February 4, 1870. Officers : James Rice, Pres. : John Hennessey, V .- Pres. ; Dennis Denny, Rec. Sec. ; Patrick McDonald, Treas. ; C. J. Turney, Marshal.
Dixon Division, No. 11, S. of T. Organized November 11, 1875. Officers : B. F. Stewart, W.P. : J. W. Clute, Treas .; L. Hess, R.S.
Forest Home Lodge, No. 137, A.O. U. W. Organized Jammary 29. 1879. Officers : H. P. Wiekes, M.W .; W. J. Daley, P.M. W. ; H. Christman. Foreman : Eugene Pinckney, Overseer ; G. A. Mead, Rec. ; L. D. Pitcher, Financier.
Henderson Encampment, No. 27, O.C.D. O. J. Downing. Com .; W. J. Johnson, Lieut. Com .; Henry Barnes, Adj't : J. N. Hyde, Q .- M.
Dixon Boat Club was organized May 22, 1878. Officers: E. C. Parsons, Pres .; F. K. Orvis, V .- Pres .; W. M. Kennedy, Sec .; Geo. D. Laing, Treas .; C. E. Chandler, Capt.
July 6, 1875, the " Woman's Christian Temperance Union " was organized in the basement of the Methodist church, through the ef- forts of Miss Frances Willard, of Chicago. The Union consisted of thirty members. Officers elected were President, Mrs. S. H. Manny; Vice-Presidents, Mrs. D. F. Carnahan, Mrs. Linebarger, Mrs. Ed- son, Mrs. Chase, Mrs. E. C. Sickles ; Recording Secretary, Miss Lila Fargo ; Corresponding Secretary, Miss E. W. Alexander ; Treasurer, Miss Nellie Holt.
July 16, 1853, a division of the Sons of Temperance was insti- tuted under the name of Lee county Division. No. 376, and the following named gentlemen elected officers: L. Wood, P.W.P .: W. H. Andrews, W.P .: J. Kerr, W.A .: J. W. Clute, F.S .; W. H. H. Crow, R.S .; A. T. Murphy, T .; HI. O. Kelsey, C .: H. Brookner, A. C. About a month later the paper, in speaking of this society, says that it is "increasing very rapidly, already numbering some fifty members."
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
March 23, 1866, a Lodge of Good Templars, No. 756, was or- ganized in Dixon. The Lodge surrendered its charter in the spring of 1868, and the active members united with the Sons of Temper- ance.
October 27, 1870, Rebecca Lodge, No. 30, was organized, with the following charter members : A. Platt, G. L. Herrick, H. K. Strong, Frances Forsyth, Constantine Wild, Phebe Pratt, Julia Her- rick, Mary A. Strong, Lucy A. Forsyth, and Barbara Wild.
Diron Crown Temple, No. 25, U. O. A. T .- This lodge was organized August 30, 1880, by N. P. Barry, in the Universalist church.
The following persons were the charter members, to wit : Ben- jamin F. Stewart, Geo. N. Barnes, William Chiverton, John Oconon, John Moseley, Austin Morse, B. B. Higgins, Clayton Brown, Jessey Hettler, John Hettler, E. H. Groh, John A. Stumpp, L. H. Burd, Sherwood Dixon, Dr. Henry Brooks, Miss Malissa Barnes, Miss Mary Brown, Miss Blanch Taleott, Mrs. G. G. Stewart, Mrs. Mary Hettler, and Miss Mary Lynch.
Present board of officers: Geo. W. Barnes, Templar; Austin Morse, Past Templar; Mrs. G. G. Stewart, Vice-Templar ; Miss Malissa Barnes, Lecturer; Benjamin F. Stewart, Recorder; J. F. Morseley, Financier ; Jessey Hettler, Treasurer; E. H. Groh, Mar- shall ; Wm Chiverton, Guard ; Blanch Talcott, Watch.
This organization has associated with it a mortuary department, which provides a beneficiary fund, to be distributed, in case of the death of a member of the department, to such parties as provided for in the mortuary certificate.
This is the only temperance organization in the country with which a beneficiary department is associated. The influences and advantages of this provision are quite apparent in the prosperity of the order in local organizations, as well as the general interest felt throughout the country in the welfare of the new order. In cases of need, benefits are distributed to siek or disabled members, as may be ordered by the Temple, of which such person or persons are members.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
Is entirely volunteer, and consis's of a hose company of sixty-five men, and a hook and ladder company of twenty-six men. These companies were both organized in January, 1870 ; up to that time our city was without any organized force for fire protection. In 1869 the Water Power Company had put in a rotary pump of a rated capacity of 1200 gallons per minute-about double the capacity of a first-class steam fire engine. This pump, together with 600 feet of hose, was
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THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
originally intended for the use of the manufacturing establishments at the water-power, but when the fire companies were organized the city assumed charge of the pump and bought 1000 feet of additional hose, and one hose reel, hook and ladder truck, and other necessary fire apparatus. The fire hall was built in 1871; the upper story is divided into two meeting rooms, one for each company, and the lower story is used for apparatus. In the winter of 1871-2, water mains were laid from the pump to the corner of Main and Galena streets, and afterward to the corner of Hennepin and Second streets. In 1876 the city put in a piston pump with a capacity of 1600 gallons per minute, but owing to the small mains cannot be worked to its full capacity. The city has expended for apparatus and property for the fire department since its organization over $13,500. The de- partment had at the beginning of this year three hose carts, twenty- one hundred feet of hose, and two hook and ladder trucks, but nearly a thousand feet of hose was destroyed at the recent disastrous fire. Too much cannot be said in praise of our firemen for the prompt manner in which they have ever responded to the alarm of fire, and the herculean efforts made to save the property of their fellow citizens. Another item that should not be overlooked in this connection is the fleetness and efficiency that our firemen have ac- quired by earnest practice, wherein the Dixon Hose Company has become famous, they having at two state tournaments secured the Champion's belt over many competitors.
Recent experience has made it apparent to all that our city needs better and more serviceable means for fire protection. Present indi- cations are that this desired object will soon be accomplished, as practical movements are now being made to accomplish that desir- able end.
With admirable perseverance the Dixon Hose Company have se- cured a fine library of nearly one thousand volumes, many of which were kindly donated by friends of the company. Citizens not mem- bers of the company become entitled to the privileges of the library by donating $1, or a book worth $1.50, subject to the approval of the company, and the payment of 50 cents yearly dnes. A few weeks ago the Monitor Hook and Ladder Company commenced a library in their meeting-room, which already numbers over 100 volumes.
Mr. R. S. Farrand is the present fire marshal ; J. W. Latta, assist- ant. Officers of the Hose company are C. C. Atkins, foreman ; F. J. Finkler, first assistant ; William Rock, second assistant ; Nathan McKenney, secretary ; Charles Weisz, treasurer. Officers of the hook and ladder company: Chas. Ramsey, foreman ; Corydon
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
Cropsey, first assistant ; U. R. Friesenberg, second assistant ; J. A. Stumpf, secretary ; G. W. Taylor, treasurer.
DISASTERS.
It would be a pleasure we have never experienced as yet to be able to write the history of a community or city that has had unin- terrupted prosperity ; to be favored with the good without an admix- ture of evil. Dixon is not an exception to the common experience of humanity in adversity as well as in prosperity; and however unpleasant the task may be, we are compelled to turn aside from the reflection of Dixon's prosperity and enterprise to chronicle her mis- fortunes and losses. The most common destruction to property resulted from
The Fire Records .- The first conflagration of especial note was on August 2, 1856, when the stable belonging to the Mansion House property burned down. It was believed to be the work of an incen- diary, which consumed the building with eleven horses, a peddler's wagon, etc .; the loss being about $5,000. On Sunday, April 25, 1858, the jewelry store of S. A. Bancroft, in A. T. Murphy's build- ing on Main street, was burned with all goods not in the safe.
In the following year, October 14, 1859, the city was visited by a fearful holocaust that consumed the property of more than twenty business men. Seventeen buildings were burned, extending for more than half a block on both sides of Main street, extending west from the corner of Hennepin street. Among the buildings burned was the old original school-house, which had been removed from the original lot where D. W. McKenney's residence now stands, several years previous, and was then occupied as a store-room. The fire resulted from an unknown incendiary, and resulted in over $30,000 loss, with an insurance of but little over $10,000. During the same year a dwelling house, owned by B. E. Deyo, was burned, with a loss of $1,500, with no insurance.
On January 29, 1860, the machine shop, owned by Col. John Dement, was burned out, resulting in a loss of $25,000, and no insurance. This damage was repaired in two months' time, the building being lowered one story because of damages done by the fire. This was followed in the same year by the burning of a car- penter shop, with four chests of tools, owned by Messrs. Herrick & Gordon ; damage, $350. And on October 3, in the following year, the dwelling house of H. Logan was burned by lightning; loss, $600. In less than fourteen months the inhabitants of the quiet town were called from their slumbers at two o'clock in the morning to resist the fiery fiend, then leaping from the boot and shoe store
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DISASTERS.
belonging to Mr. Sprauge. From this it swept through E. Giles' shoe house, a small building, and the stone building on the corner of Main and Galena streets, occupied by Mr. Roberts as a hat store. Mr. E. W. Hine's dwelling was saved only by the utmost exertions of the citizens. The stone building was owned by Champ Fuller, on which there was no insurance; the building occupied by Mr. Sprauge was owned by J. B. Charters, and was insured for $400. The entire loss reached about $5,500. In April of the following year the Union Block was lowered one story, the walls being unsafe for large assemblies after the fire of 1860.
On February 8, 1865, a dwelling house in Dement Town, owned by Col. J. Dement, was burned down about three o'clock in the morning. The building was occupied by a Mr. Peifer, who, in his efforts to save some valuables, lost his life by burning with the building. On June 2, 1866, the paint shop of W. J. Daley, on Ilennepin street, was burned, at a loss of $500.
Near five years passed without loss, but on March 3, 1871, a fire broke out in a building on the north side of Peoria street, occupied by Mr. Schuchart and family as dwelling and saloon. The build ing, with three other frame buildings on the west, a barn in the rear, belonging to Drs. Wyn and Paine, and F. C. McKenny's livery stable on the east, were all consumed. The estimated loss was $4,000. On November 30, same year, the St. James Hotel burned. Insurance, $22,500.
In the spring of 1873 (March 12) the knitting-mills were destroyed by fire, with the roof of the flax factory, with damage to machinery. The loss on the knitting-mills was estimated at $20,000, and on the flax-mills $5,000, making a total of $25,000. In the following month (April 22, 1873) E. B. Stiles' dwelling on Main street, west of the arch, was damaged by fire to the extent of $200.
On February 19, 1875, a dwelling honse belonging to Henry. Brener, in the south part of the first ward, was burned down; damage was not stated. On December 4 of this year a fire broke out in the upper story of Becker & Underwood's flouring-mills. The elevators at the top of the mill and much of the machinery were destroyed. Most of the machinery was damaged by fire, or water thrown by the fire department, which did valnable service in arrest- ing the conflagration. The property was insured for $32,700, and the amount awarded for damages on property was $13,130. Messrs. Bennett, Thompson & Funk had large quantities of grain damaged by the water.
There was one fire, on April 10, 1876, which entirely destroyed the residence of Moses Jerome, in Dement Town. Loss not given.
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HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.
In the following year (1877) John McElroy's house, in the same town, was destroyed by fire, at a loss of $500 to the owner.
On February 6, 1878, a fire destroyed a business house on Main street owned by W. H. Van Epps, and occupied I. T. Van Ness, druggist, and Will. Sussmilch, jeweler. The loss on the building was about $500; no insurance. There was $3,500 insurance on the stock of drugs. Mr. Sussmilch lost about $500 on fixtures, etc .; fully insured. F. Hegert's drug store, next door east, was consid- erably damaged by removal of goods, and by water.
On March 23, 1879, J. C. Mead's book-store caught fire about three o'clock A.M. The flames were extinguished after the upper story and roof were destroyed; goods were removed without much damage. The loss was about $300; fully covered by insurance.
The year 1880 opened the fire record on January 13, when the home of Theodore Moeller was damaged to the amount of $100. On the Sthi of the following April, of the same year, the most disastrous fire that visited the city of Dixon broke out at the water- power about half-past one in the morning, and in one hour the large stone building owned by Caleb Clapp and Col. John Dement, occu- pied by H. D. Dement and S. C. Eell's flax-mill, and Thomas Bald- win's grist-mill, W. P. Thompson's and Becker & Underwood's flouring-mills, were a mass of ruins. The water-wheels and the pump house were also destroyed, thus cutting short the water supply ; the foundry of Brown & Edwards on the opposite side of the street was badly burned, and the plow works of C. H. Curtis caught fire several times. The Amboy fire company was telegraphed to for help, and the timely arrival of the company with their steamer probably saved the property on the south side of the street.
When the fire reached Becker & Underwood's mill there was a terrific explosion; fifteen or twenty firemen were working in and around the mill at the time; two of the number were instantly killed and ten others badly burned and injured. The killed were Ezra Becker and William Schnm. Wounded : Cyrus Lint, Win. Rink, jr., Orvil Anderson, Peter Ramsey, William Vann, Patrick Duffy, Lee Stevens, Frank Gætzenberger, Joe Hayden, and Joe Renland.
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