History of Lee County, together with biographical matter, statistics, etc., Part 8

Author: Hill, H.H. (Chicago) pbl
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, H.H. Hill
Number of Pages: 910

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A small steamer is now plying between Dixon and Grand De- tour, a run of nine miles up the river. In this distance there is a fall of nine and a half feet, and the flow of the current of Rock river at low-water mark is 7,355 cubic feet of water per minute, which is sufficient for good water-power, but requiring slack water for naviga- tion. This is met by the dam across the river at Dixon, which is seven feet in height. In an early day the commissioners of Lee county granted the right to build a dam across the river at Dixon. Now the river is spanned by bridges and obstructed by dams, an in- dication that the idea of the profitable navigation of Rock river has been abandoned.

COUNTY BUILDINGS.

Location .- The undersigned commissioners appointed by the act creating the county of Lee " Approved February 27, 1839," having been duly sworn and after examination, having due regard to the set- tlements and convenience of the present and future population of said county of Lee, do hereby locate the seat of justice for the aforesaid

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

county of Lee at the town of Dixon ; and have stuck the stake for the place or point at which the public buildings shall be erected on the quarter section composed of the west half of the northwest quar- ter of the section four, township number twenty-one, range nine east, of the 4th principal meridian, and the east half of the northeast quarter of section number five, same township and range aforesaid. And we further report that the proprietors and owners of lots in the aforesaid town of Dixon have executed cer- tain bonds guaranteeing the payment of six thousand four hundred and sixty dollars, which is exclusive of one thousand and fifty dollars signed by Messrs. Gilbraith, Wilkinson & Dement, which is embraced and included in a bond of three thousand dollars, and included above ; also one bond for a deed of eighty acres of land adjoining said town of Dixon : all of which is respectfully submitted to the county com- missioners' court of Lee county. Given under our hands and seals this 21st day of May, A. D. 1839.

D. G. SALISBURY. [SEAL]. ETHAN H. NICHOLS. SEAL]. L. G. BUTLER. [SEAL].

On the 27th of December, 1839, the court of commissioners received plans and specifications which were submitted by the clerk for the building of the court-house of stone or brick, and put the same on file. At the same time the clerk submitted plans and specifications for build- ing a jail of stone and timber, which was also accepted and placed on file. The clerk was further ordered to advertise for sealed proposals, which would be received up to the 6th of January, 1840, for building said court-house and jail ; and on the 7th of January the court awarded the building of the jail to Messrs. Aplington & Holbrook for the sum of fourteen hundred and ninety-five dollars; and the building of the court-house was awarded to Samuel M. Bowman, which was to be of brick and was to cost the sum of six thousand and eight hundred dol- lars, in accordance with his bid.

The court-house was erected according to the contract during the year 1840 ; and as it was accepted of the commissioners from the hands of the builders, it is just to presume that it was located on the parcel of ground that was pinned by the stake which was driven by the com- missioners on the selection of the site for the seat of justice. That was a great day for the county of Lec, which saw the stake driven that has held the seat of justice on the beautiful eminence for more than forty years.

The commissioners were fortunate in the selection of a location " so beautiful for situation." The plat of ground on which it stands extends from Second to Third street, north and south, and from Ottawa street on the east to Galena street on the west. It is inclosed and the

COUNTY BUILDINGS.

yard has been cultivated into a beautiful lawn and shady grove in the midst of which the court-house stands. From the court-house the ground recedes with a gentle slope so that the people emphatically "go up to the house of justice," The court-room is on the second floor, and over the judge's stand hangs upon the wall a life-size portrait of Mr. John Dixon, the founder of the city and the first white settler in Lee county. From the observatory may be seen the clear waters of Rock river as they flow out from between the hills far away to the north and come meandering down the beautiful valley and flow away to be lost behind the forest-covered bluffs to the southward.

The jail was built of hewed logs erected on a stone foundation and was located on the south side of Third street opposite the court-house. It was erected during 1840; but a brick building for the county sheriff's mansion being erected on the southeast corner of Ottawa and Second streets in 1846, the jail was removed to that location and re- erected back of said building some time in 1847. This wooden structure served the county for the incarceration of her criminals until 1872. Although it had been set on fire at different times it was able to hold those committed to its keeping. In 1868 or 1869 a prisoner attempted to burn his way out of his confinement with a hot poker, and would doubtless have succeeded had not some small boys been playing near by and discovered the burning of the jail. In the February term of the court, 1872, the supervisors provided for the building of the present jail by making an appropriation of eighteen thousand dollars for the purpose. There were also plans provided for the sale of the old jail property and the purchase of new lots for the jail and sheriff's house. This was prosecuted and the buildings erected where they now stand, on lots Nos. two and three on the southeast corner of Third and Hen- nepin streets. The contract was let to Messrs. Jobst & Price, of Peoria, this state.

The sheriff's house is built of briek ornamented with dressed stone, making it a very attractive edifice. The jail which connects it on the rear is built of dressed stone, and is very secure. The buildings are not only an addition to the good appearance of that part of the city, but are a credit to the county.

The Government Land Office .- In 1840, when the government land office was removed from Galena to Dixon, the mode of convey- ance, as well as the means of communication, was in a primitive state. The office, with its iron safe, papers and maps, was loaded upon a " prairie schooner," under the command of Col. John Dement, receiver, and Mayor Hackelton, register. Left in charge of a driver, and pro- pelled by half a dozen yokes of oxen, this conveyance was many days on the road, traveling a distance of sixty-five miles. It arrived in the

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

fall of that year, in the midst of the presidential campaign which re- sulted in the election of Gen. Harrison. It was first opened in the Van Arnam building, on Ottawa street. At that time but a small portion of the lands in the district had been brought into market, and the subsequent heavy sales brought people from all parts of the coun- try loaded with specie with which to make their entries. The specie was subsequently shipped to the sub-treasury at St. Louis.

The small stone building occupied by the land office department, is still standing on the northwest corner of Ottawa and Second streets.

RELIGIOUS PROGRESS IN THE COUNTY.

The first Methodist sermon preached in the region of country be- tween Rock Island and Galena, was by the Rev. Mr. Sugg, in the . house of John Ankany. The Illinois conference recognized this as missionary territory in 1835, and appointed Rev. James McKean in charge of what was called the Henderson Mission. Rev. Henry Sum- mers was presiding elder of the district. The headquarters of the mission was Elkhorn Grove. Early in 1836 Rev. McKean passed Dixon's Ferry ; and after crossing the river he returned and announced to the few people who were standing on the bank of the river, " I will preach in this place four weeks from to-day," and rode away, leav- ing his anditors to conjecture as to who and what manner of man he was. On the appointed day the mysterious stranger appeared with saddle-bags, hymn-book and Bible, and found the neighbors assembled to hear what message he might bring to them. He continued his visits to the ferry, preaching in their cabins or in the grove, until some time in 1837, when he organized the first Methodist class in Dixon and Lee county. The following persons were received as the original members of this class: S. M. Bowman, and Mrs. E. A. Bowman ; John Richards, and Ann Richards; Caleb Tallmage, and Amanda Tallmage, and Maria McClure. The society worshiped in a room over Messrs. Bowman & Boardman's store, corner of Galena and Water streets. In the following fall (1837) Revs. Robert Delap and Barton Cartwright were sent as circuit preachers, by the authority of Bishop Roberts; Alfred Brunson being presiding elder. The preaching place this year was in a frame school-house, 20×30 feet. This house was used as a court-house and all public gatherings as well as a place for worship. Rev. Delap's health failing, he retired from the work in May, leaving his colleague in full charge until the close of the year. He was known as the " Prairie Breaker," which honor he received as an expressed appreciation of Christian and earnest work as a missionary on the great prairies of Illinois. The circuit being large, the society received a visit from their minister once in six weeks. Not un-

RELIGIOUS PROGRESS IN THE COUNTY.

frequently the pioneer preacher would be absent from his home for a number of weeks successively without so much as hearing from home and loved ones who were anxiously waiting and longing for his return. In the autumn of 1838 Isaac Pool and Riley Hill were appointed to this mission by Bishop Soul. Rev. Hill was esteemed as a young man of fine talents, but his work was short, having fallen in his Master's work early in the next year at the inlet, now called Lee Center. His place was filled by Rev. Luke Hichcock, who was reappointed in the fall of 1839, by Bishop Roberts. Bartholomew Weed was appointed presiding elder of the district.

There had been received in the society, in addition to the original members, np to August 1839, T. D. Boardman, Mr. and Mrs. Perry, and Mr. and Mrs. McCabe, and in the following October the society was greatly strengthened by the addition of O. F. Ayres and wife. In the fall of 1840 Richard A. Blanchard was appointed to the Dixon circuit, by Bishop Waugh. During this conference year the Rock River conference was organized (in May, 1841), and held its first ses- sion at Mount Morris ; John Clark being presiding elder of the dis- trict, known as the Mount Morris district; and at this session of the conference Philo Judson was appointed to Dixon circuit, and S. S. Stocking, presiding elder.

At a quarterly conference that convened at Daysville, June 8, 1842, the first steps were taken toward the building of a house of worship, by appointing T. Judson, S. G. Holbrook, L. G. Winkoop, and J. Dixon a committee to estimate the probable expense of erecting a church edifice in Dixon. They reported at a subsequent meeting, which lead to the beginning of the building which was completed the following year, and dedicated by the Rev. John T. Mitchel, at that time presiding elder of the district. It was a brick structure, and was completed at a cost of $4,000. It was located on Second street, near Ottawa. The board of trustees consisted of J. P. Dixon, C. Edson, O. F. Ayres, W. G. Winkoop, Thomas McCabe, J. Brierton and S. M. Bowman.

At the session of Rock River conference held in Chicago, August 3, 1842, Bishop Roberts presiding, the Dixon circuit which then embraced Washington Grove, Lighthouse Point, Jefferson Grove, Daysville, and Paynes Point, was extended so as to include Palestine Grove, Malugin's Grove, and Inlet Grove, now Lee Center. Philo Judson and W. H. Cooley were appointed circuit preachers. This work was divided, soon after, by the presiding elder Mitchel setting off all the territory north of Franklin Grove to W. H. Cooley, and the southern division was left under the pastoral care of P. Judson. This order, however, was revoked at the following quarterly conference held November 12, 1842, placing it back to its former arrangement.

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

Sabbath-schools were now organized,-the first at Dixon soon after the dedication of the chapel ; and at the quarterly conference held July 15, 1843, the following was reported : "There are two schools in the lower division of the circuit; and one at Dixon with eight teachers, sixty scholars, and a library of ninety volumes." The superintendent was O. F. Ayres ; the secretary, T. D. Boardman, and John W. Clute was librarian. This was a union school up to 1845, when it became a Methodist denominational school. O. F. Ayres continued superin- tendent for ten years, when the demand upon his time and talents for the pulpit was so great that he was compelled to resign his office, to the regret of himself and the school.

Washington Wilcox was appointed to the circuit in 1843, and was succeeded by the appointment of David Brooks in the autumn of 1844, and Stephen P. Keys in 1845, under whose labors a great temperance work was done, closing up all places where strong drink had been sold. The number in church membership was increased one third during the year. In the fall of 1846 his place was filled by the appointment of Milton Henry and R. W. H. Brent to the charge.

At the session of Rock River Conference in the antumn of 1847 the Dixon circuit was embraced in the Rock Island district, under the presiding eldership of John Sinclair. R. P. Lawton was appointed preacher in charge of the circuit, and in the following year under the labors of Rev. William Palmer, appointed by Bishop Morris, the church enjoyed the visitation of a special revival, under which many were converted and added to the church. The Sabbath schools were pros- pering. In the Dixon school were eight teachers, fifty scholars, and twenty dollars' worth of new library books. During the pastorate of Mr. Palmer, the basement of the chapel was finished, and a bell pur- chased for the tower. He was succeeded by Thomas North in 1850, under whose labors a noted revival occurred.

Soon after Rev. Mckean visited the neighborhood of Dixon's Ferry, the Rev. Thomas Powel, of the Baptist church, came to Buffalo Grove as the forerunner of that denomination ; and as early as 1838 organized the first Baptist church of the vicinity at Buffalo Grove, which was the parent society of the First Baptist church of Dixon. The original society was divided into the Buffalo church and the Dixon church. The former, however, was subsequently discontinued.

Rev. Thomas Powel was an earnest pioneer missionary, and lives in the memory of the church revered as the founder of the Baptist denomination of the christian church.

In connection with these pioneer ministers may be mentioned also the Rev. L. Hitchcock, Bishop Chase, of the Episcopal church, and Rev. James De Pui, who experienced with them the privations of

RELIGIOUS PROGRESS IN THE COUNTY.

the early days of Lee county. The life of the itinerant in those days was one of sacrifice not only to the faithful minister, but to his family. Exposed to perils in floods and storms, as well as long tedious rides across the unbroken prairie, fording streams, sometimes by swimming his faithful and orthodox horse; startled by the scream of the wild-cat or howl of the wolf from the evening shades of a neighboring grove; lodging in the pioneer cabin, whose clapboard roof but illy turned the falling rain or drifting snow.

On July 5, 1843, a Congregational society was organized at the resi- dence of Moses Crombie, and was called the "Congregational Church of Palestine Grove." The congregation worshiped in a school-house about a mile from the present site of the city of Amboy. They were ministered to by Rev. John Merrill, Rev. Ingersoll, father of the notorious Robert Ingersoll of the present day, Rev. Joseph Gardner and Rev Mr. Pierson. The last two divided their labors with Grand Detour and Palestine Grove. This society was formed before there was a house erected where Amboy now stands. The organization was after ward removed to Lee Center, in 1849. In 1854 the Amboy Congrega- tional church was organized. But as these local societies will be noticed in connection with the township in which they are located, we will not give a detailed account in this connection.

At an early day a Rev. Mr. Warriner, of the Baptist faith, com- menced preaching at Paw Paw Grove, in the southeast corner of the township, and afterward became the pastor of the present Baptist society in that place.

The religious societies have exerted a salutary influence on the moral development of the county.

Sabbath Schools .- The first Sabbath school was organized as a union school, in the new Methodist Episcopal church soon after its dedication, and on July 15, 1843, there were reported eight teachers, sixty scholars, and a library of ninety volumes. O. F. Ayers was super- intendent, T. D. Boardman, secretary, and J. W. Clute, librarian. This school afterward became the denominational school of the Methodist church. Other schools were organized as the several denominations organized societies. Sabbath schools are, at present, connected with all the churches in Lee county, and special reference will be made to them in connection with the history of each society. The total number of members of the several schools in Dixon aggregate about 800, the total number of volumes in library in the several schools is about 2,025.

At an early day, and about the time of the organization of the union school in Dixon, referred to above, there were schools organized in other parts of the county,-Inlet Grove, Malugin's Grove, and prob- ably at Palestine Grove.

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

The method of conducting Sabbath schools at this early day was quite primitive. There were but few conveniences compared with what are regarded as essentials in a well regulated modern Sunday school. There was no literature provided specially for the young, no Sabbath-school songs as now. The old hymn or psalm book was in constant use. It would seem odd, in these days of advancement and improvement, to require the infant class to repeat their A B C, or rehearse a spelling lesson, after opening the school by singing " Am I a Soldier of the Cross ?" and before singing the closing hymn " How Tedious and Tasteless the Hours !"; and yet such was the custom of the gone-by days. But these primitive schools were not failures, but served to impart moral sentiments and cultivate religions tendencies that have developed some of the best men of the country. At the present time the Sabbath schools of Lee county are fully abreast of the times.

Heresy .- Lee county has been visited by religious heresy and fanaticism under the banner of Mormonism. After the murder of the great Mormon high priest, Joe Smith, his brother, William Smith, with a small band of followers, took up their residence in Lee county, about twelve miles south of Dixon, where they kept up their organization and meetings for some time.

At the April term of circuit court in 1853, on the trial of the appli- cation of William Smith for a divorce, the jury found a verdict for the lady.

The following is part of a letter showing the "mind of the Lord " as revealed to his servant William Smith :

" Behold, verily, this is the mind of the Lord concerning those females who have received the priesthood by being sealed to my ser- vants William Smith and Joseph Wood [for many years a lawyer at Paw Paw, this county ], and have been washed, anointed and ordained under their hands, having been received into the priestess' lodge- having taken the covenant thereof; if they, or either of them, shall fall, or turn altogether therefrom, she or they shall be excluded there- from and from my church also, and shall not come forth in the resur- rection of the just. *

" Therefore, I, Jesus Christ, who am your Father and God, say unto you, if your wives be treacherous and sin against you and repent not, I will reveal it unto you. Therefore confide in me, and I will be your God and you shall be my servants. Amen.

" Yours truly,

" WILLIAM SMITH."

The First School-house .- Dr. O. Everett, in the " History of Dixon and Palmyra," published in 1880, says :

"In looking over some old papers recently, I came across the sub-

RELIGIOUS PROGRESS IN THE COUNTY.

scription paper for building the first school-house in Dixon, and have thought that it would not be without interest to many of your readers. This paper was got up in January 1837, and contains many names familiar to the old settlers. The subscription paper reads as follows :

"' We, the subscribers, agree to pay the sums severally attached to our names, for the purpose of erecting a school-house in the town of Dixon. Said school-house shall be for the teaching of primary schools, and shall be open for religious meetings of all denominations when not occupied by the schools.

"'Said house shall be one story high, and at least forty feet by twenty on the ground, and shall contain two rooms, which shall be connected by a door or doors, as may be thought proper.

"' The subscribers shall meet on Monday, the 20th day of February next, at six o'clock P.M., and choose three trustees to superintend the building of said house. The trustees shall have power to collect the money subscribed, contract for and purchase materials for said house, and employ workmen to build the same. They shall see that it is done in a plain, workmanlike manner, so far as the funds shall warrant.

NAMES.

Jas. P. Dixon, $25 00

Oliver Everett, 25 00

John Wilson, 25 00

J. W. Dixon, 10 00

Caleb Talmage, 20 00

E. W. Covill, 25 00

J. B. Barr, 10 00

E. A. Statia, 5 00

Samuel Leonard, 5 00

Jacob Rue, 5 00

B. B. Brown, 5 00

Sam'l C. McClure, 15 00

Samuel Gatten, · 5 00

Mrs. E. N. Hamilton, . 15 00

Edwin Hine, 5 00

Horace Thompson, 5 00

Mrs. R. Dixon, 30 00

L. D. Butler, 5 00

M. L. Dixon, 5 00

Mrs. A. Talmage, 5 00

Mrs. M. H. Barr, 10 00

J. Murphy, 10 00

N. W. Brown, 5 00

S. M. Bowman, 10 00

John Richards, 10 00

C. F. Hubbard, 5 00

W. W. Graham, .

5 00

T. L. Hubbard,

5 00

A friend, 5 00

M. McCabe, 10 00

Allen Wiley, .

10 00

Wm. Graham,

5 00

J. W. Hamilton, 5 00

Geo. L. Chapman, $5 00

W. H. Rowe, . 10 00

S. W. Johnson, 10 00

Robert Murray, 10 00

Elijah Dixon, 15 00

Hiram P. Parks, 10 00

John Q. Adams (expunged), 00 10

Seth D. Brittain, 20 00

(If he settles here.)

Lemuel Huff, . 15 00

Alanson Dickerman, 5 00

John Snider, 5 00

H. Martin, 5 00

W. P. Burroughs, 15 00

John Dixon, . 20 00

I. S. Boardman, 10 00

John Carr, . 5 00

George Kip, 5 00

" It will be noticed that many of the subscribers were persons living some distance in the country, and of those who came to the

HISTORY OF LEE COUNTY.

county during the next season. The reason that Father Dixon's name was not at or near the head of the list is that he was away that winter to Vandalia, then the capital of the state. It may also be noticed that the matter dragged somewhat, as such enterprises often do, and the ladies took it up, Mrs. Dixon giving the largest subscription on the list and Mrs. Hamilton a generous amount. Again it may be noticed that one John Q. Adams, not our present John Q. Adams, but an un- worthy bearer of a great name, in subscribing put two 00 where the dollars ought to have been, making his subscription but 10 cents. When his attention was called to it he said it was just as he intended to have it. His name was dealt with as was fashionable at that time ; it was expunged.

" The old school-house was built during the summer of 1837, of the size and form specified in the subscription paper, about twenty rods west of the cemetery, on or near lot one, block sixty-nine, now occupied by Harry Smith. It was built perfectly plain, without a cornice, and inclosed with undressed oak siding and a hardwood shingle roof. The inside consisted of two rooms, one six feet by twenty, extending across the end of the building, serving as an entrance-way or vestibule to the main room, which was twenty by thirty-four feet, with three windows on either side and one at the end of the room opposite the entrance. It was plastered on the inside with a single coat of coarse brown mor- tar, and was warmed during winter with a wood fire in a large box stove. In 1839 it was moved down to the north end of lot five, block seventeen, on the east side of Ottawa street, just south of the resi- dence of Dr. Nash, now occupied by Daniel McKenney, fronting to the north upon the alley. There it remained for several years, and was used for school-house, meeting-house and court-house (the first three terms of the circuit court of Lee county were held in it). Elections and political meetings and conventions were held in it, and it was always used for whatever other purpose the people might congregate.

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History of Lee County, together with biographical matter, statistics, etc., Part 8

Author: Hill, H.H. (Chicago) pbl Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, H.H. Hill Number of Pages: 910

Author: Hill, H.H. (Chicago) pbl
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, H.H. Hill
Number of Pages: 910