History of Logan county, Illinois : its past and present.., Part 28

Author:
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Chicago : Donnelley, Loyd & Co.
Number of Pages: 596

USA > Illinois > Logan County > History of Logan county, Illinois : its past and present.. > Part 28

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Among the most zealous advocates were found such men as Revs. J. B. Logan, J. R. Brown, S. Richards, A. J. McGlumphy, James White and J. C. VanPatton, "of Illinois, and Revs. J. R. Lowrance and W. F. Baird, of Iowa.

As soon as the several Synods embraced in the proposition had fully decided to undertake the enterprise, a commission consisting of Rev. S. Richards, for the Synod of Sangamon ; Rev. J. C. Smith, for the Synod of Central Illinois; Rev. J. H. Hughey, for the Synod of Illinois; Rev. James Ritchey, for the Synod of Indiana; Rev. J. R. Lowrence, for the Synod of Iowa, was appointed to receive bids and determine upon the location, which was competed for by Newburg, Indiana ; Mt. Zion, Cherry Grove, Virginia, and Lincoln, Illinois.

Rev. James White, at that time pastor of the C. P. Church at Lincoln, espoused the cause with zeal and energy; and to his untiring exertions and influence, backed by the hearty assistance of such men as A. C. Boyd, Col. R. B. Latham, and other citizens of Lincoln, is due much of the credit of the final location.

At the suggestion of A. C. Boyd, James White and others, a meet- . ing of the citizens was called at the Court House, in the fall of 1861, which was largely attended, and, notwithstanding that for three years they had been constantly called on for aid to carry on the war, a subscription of

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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

over $25,000 was raised as a donation toward defraying the expense of the building, provided the decision of the Commission was favorable to this locality.

Mr. White was appointed a delegate to meet the commissioners at Mt. Zion, in February, 1865, to represent the interest of Lincoln, and presented the matter to them in its most favorable light, aided by the large subscription, and the assurances of the citizens that "The young and flourishing town of Lincoln, as well as the young and prosperous county of Logan, having as yet no institution of learning of a high grade, would hail with joy and pride the location of your college at this place, and would take a lively interest, as well as a commendable pride, in fostering and endowing the institution, and the college would, perhaps, meet with less opposition and competition here than at any other point."

Yet with all this array in his favor, Mr. White was barely able to .secure a visit of the commissioners at this point, so strongly was each member urged and instructed to favor home locations. Succeeding in the object of his mission, however, the commissioners agreed to visit this place on the following day.

The morning was cold, rainy and dreary; yet the citizens came forth to meet the commission with a hearty welcome, and accompanied them to the various sites offered.

The decision of the commission was favorable,-and in due time the university, and the hillock on which it stands, was consecrated to the cause of Religion, Art, Science and Culture.

Ground was broken for the erection of the college building on the anniversary of the honored man whose name it bears (suggested by the late John Wyatt, Esq., one of the first trustees). The work of laying the foundation was pushed forward vigorously under the general super- vision of A. Mayfield, Esq., and on Thursday, September 14, 1865, the ceremony of laying the corner stone took place on the grounds of the University, in the presence of a large assemblage of Masons, Odd Fellows, and other benevolent associations ; the clergy, teachers, returned officers and soldiers of the war, together with many citizens of Logan and surrounding counties, and friends of the institution. The oration was delivered by Governor Richard J. Oglesby. The exercises were inter- spersed by vocal and instrumental music, and were satisfactorily enjoyed by all present.

In the fall of 1866, the building was so far advanced that it was formally opened for the reception of students.

The building has since been finished and furnished with all the appliances of education found in the best colleges and seminaries, and the spacious grounds surrounding it have been beautified with shade trees and other improvements.

The Presidents of the University have been, 1st: Rev. Azel Free- man, D.D., who served for four years, giving universal satisfaction by his liberal spirit, his zealous piety, his profound learning, which gained for him the esteem and confidence of his students and co-laborers; and his earnest Christian character so firmly impressed itself upon the individ- uality of the institution that many regretted his retirement.

2d. Rev. J. C. Bowdon, D.D., succeeded to the presidency ; but finding the institution under such a substantial organization, that he con-

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tented himself with carrying out the plans already commenced. He remained with the institution until his death, and was succeeded by

3d. Rev. A. J. McGlumphy, D.D., elected to fill the vacancy, which position he still retains.

The University, though under the control of the C. P. Church, is not sectarian in its character. All candidates for admission who pass a satisfactory examination, and sustain a good moral character, whether male or female, whatever their religious preferences may be, are admitted.

The institution is under the management of a Board of Trustees, consisting of £fteen members-three from each of the Synods before mentioned -and working under an act of the Legislature of the State of Illinois, passed February 6, 1865, incorporating the following-named persons the first Board of Trustees, viz. :

For the Synod of Sangamon-Hon. G. H. Campbell, J. S. Metcalf, Esq., A. Mayfield, Esq.

For the Synod of Illinois-Rev. J. M. Miller, Rev. J. E. Roach, John Wyatt, Esq.

For the Synod of Central Illinois-A. C. Boyd, Esq., James Cod- dington, Esq., Rev. J. B. Logan.

For the Synod of Iowa-Rev. David Lowry, G. W. Edgar, Esq., J. F. D. Elliott, Esq.

For the Synod of Indiana-Col. R. B. Latham, Rev. Elam McCord, John Howser, Esq.

Following is a complete list of the names of other perons who have held positions on the Board since its organization : Hon. S. C. Parks, Hon. W. B. Jones, Hon. Wm. McGalliard, Hon. Colby Knapp, Rev. F. Bridgeman, Rev. R. C. Hill, Rev. J. C. VanPatton, Rev. W. C. Bell, Rev. H. D. Onyett, Rev. James Ritchey, Rev. J. T. Ferguson, Rev. C. J. Hill, Rev. W. F. Baird, Rev. S. E. Hudson, Thomas McClure, Esq., Samuel Sargent, M.D., Edward Burton, Esq., J. A. Bell, Esq., S. P. Davidson, Esq., Ezra Davis, Esq., A. Clay, Esq., E. J. Secor, Esq., J. S. Randolph, Esq., Alfred Bryan, Esq., J. H. Danley, Esq., J. A. Hudson, Esq., J. U. Starkey, Esq.

OFFICERS OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

Presidents-Hon. G. H. Campbell, two years; Col. R. B. Latham, nine years.

Secretaries-Rev. J. C. VanPatton, five years ; Hon. Wm. McGal- liard, two years ; S. N. Bridgeman, one year ; Prof. A. R. Taylor, three years.

Treasurers-Col. Colby Knapp, two years ; A. C. Boyd, four years ; Rev. W. C. Bell, one year ; Jas. A. Hudson, four years.

Financial Agents-R. M. Beard, Esq .; four years ; Rev. J. C. Van- Patton, two years; Rev. I. N. Biddle, one year ; Rev. J. S. Grider, one year ; Rev. J. A. Chase, one year.

The following-named persons have held positions as teachers forming the Faculty of Instruction :

President and Professor of Mental and Moral Philosophy-Rev. A. Freeman, D.D., four years ; Rev. J. C. Bowdon, D.D., three years *; Rev. A. J. McGlumphy, D.D., four years.

*Dr. Bowdon died during his third year, and Vice-President A. J. McGlumphy, D.D., filled the place during the remainder of the year, when he was elected to the Presidency.

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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

Professors of Mathematics-Rev. A. J. McGlumphy, A.M., seven years ; Rev. B. F. McCord, A.M., four years.

Professors of Ancient Languages .- Rev. S. Richards, A.M., five years ; Rev. D. M. Harris, A.M., six years ; Wm. Mariner, A.M., Prof. of Latin, the present year.

Professors of Natural Sciences .- J. F. Latimer, one year ; Rev. D. M. Harris, A.M., three years ; A. R. Taylor, Ph. B., five years.

Professor of Elocution .- S. S. Hamill, A.M., five years.

Teachers of Music .- Miss Anna L. Walters, three years ; Miss Helen Brewster, two years; Miss Mary E. Gibbs, two years ; Miss Dora S. Miller, one year ; Miss Laura A. Howell, M.M., one year ; Miss Ada Woods, M.M., one year ; August Rhu, M.M., two years ; F. H. Zimmer- man, M.M., the present year.

Professor of Penmanship .- D. R. Lillibridge, M. Acc., two years.

Matrons, and Professors of English Literature .- Mrs. M. E. Miller, one year ; Miss Minerva Lindsey, one year ; Mrs. C. E. W. Miller, two years ; Miss S. J. McCord, B.S., one year.

Professor of Systematic Theology .- Rev. S. Richards, D.D., five years.

Professor of Pastoral Theology .- Rev. J. W. Poindexter, D.D., three years.

Professor of Law .- Hon. R. C. Ewing, one year.

Teachers of Ornamental Painting .- Miss Mary H. Harris, two years ; Mrs. I. Wilkinson, one year.

Tutors .- J. R. Starkey, one year ; A. H. Mills, two years.

Table showing the number of students in attendance in each scholastic year:

1st year, - 171 5th year, 206

9th year, - 305

2d year, - 250

6th year, - 240 10th year, 271

3d year, - - 183 7th year, 185

11th year, - *250

4th year, - 211 8th year, 232

LITERARY SOCIETIES.

There are five Societies connected with the University, devoted to the literary culture of the members.

The names of these Societies are, for ladies, the Neatrophean and Amicitian ; for gentlemen, the Amasagacian and Athenian.

The Alumni Society, composed of the graduates of the Institution, now numbers eighty-four members, as shown by the following table :

From class of 1868,

From class of 1873, 10

66 66 " 1869,

" 1874, - 8

" 1871,

66 " 1876, 7

66 " 1872,

1877, 14

Total, -

66 " 1870,

" 1875,

It will be seen by consulting the statistics embraced in this sketch that the Institution ranks high in an educational point of view, and has so far met with unparalleled success. It is trusted that its future will maintain its good qualities of usefulness in the community, and that the citizens will ever be found ready to appreciate its merits.

*Estimated.

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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

MT. PULASKI.

Prior to the year 1836, the summit of the hill on which the old court-house stands, was for many generations the home of the prairie wolf. Here this primitive inhabitant of the Western prairie could find a dry, sandy home. The early settlers found it had been well improved by these animals, and for some time after the settlement of the country, sand, thrown up by the wolves, could be had in abundance.

Some of the earliest settlements in the county were made along Salt Creek, on the north of Pulaski, and Lake Fork on the west. The physi- cian who sometimes practiced here was Dr. Alexander Shields, who then resided in Springfield. In the early part of 1836, during one of his visits to his patients in these settlements, he was struck with the great natural beauty and advantages of an elevated portion between these two creeks, and on his return to Springfield spoke enthusiastically of the location to Jabez Capps, then a merchant in Springfield, and an extensive owner of real estate there, then not held at a very high figure. If the reader will turn to his biography in the directory of Pulaski Township, many interesting incidents will be found connected with his life in the present State Capital. He was not then progressing as he desired in business, ' and was thinking of removing to some other locality and laying the foundation for a new town. Dr. Barton Robinson, who was in an adjoining room, heard the conversation passing between Dr. Shields and Mr. Capps, and became at once interested. Dr. Robinson became one of the most prominent men in this part of the county. He was well educated, and was an excellent physician and a very public-spirited man. He was born May 19, 1819, in New Malton, Yorkshire, England. He studied medicine in London, where he graduated. He came to America and joined his brother, JamesT., at Buffalo Hart Grove, Sangamon County, in December, 1831. He was married in this county in May, 1833, to Mahala Barber. In 1836, he went to Mt. Pulaski, and was always most prominently connected with the town. Here he practiced medicine many years, and was widely known. In 1858 he removed to near Farlin- ville, Linn County, Kansas, where he yet resides. His family consists of four sons, all living near him. Soon after a company, consisting of Mr. Capps, Dr. Robinson, and G. W. Turley, was formed, and in August these persons with Thomas Skinner, a surveyor, came to the present site of Mt. Pulaski and laid out a town. The company had, a few months before this, entered considerable land here, and made one of their number agent. After completing the survey, the party returned to Springfield. Mr. Capps made arrangements with Jerry Burks, a settler on Lake Fork, to remove a cabin he had previously built there to the west side of what was laid out for a public square. It was moved there, and placed on the spot of ground now occupied by the Post Office. Mr. Capps' wife had died early in the spring preceding these movements, leaving him with three small boys. He married on his return from the survey, and on the morning after his wedding started with his family for their new home .. He put into his wagon some necessary furniture, some provisions, and a few goods, and with these followed the road leading to the Lake Fork set- tlement. From this settlement to the Mound was only a trail, which, instead of leading to its top, passed by the base on to Salt Creek. Follow-

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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

ing this, the family soon came to their new habitation, which they found moved and set up. Placing the family in this, the upper story of which they occupied, Mr. Capps returned to Springfield for other necessaries of life and additional goods. After making a few trips, he had a well-selected stock of a miscellaneous assortment of merchandise suitable for a pioneer store, embracing every article from a nail to a barrel of sugar.

Trade soon began to come to the enterprising pioneer. People from where Clinton is now situated, to the site of Decatur made this point one to purchase common household necessities. Those, who could not pay in money, brought peltry of various kinds, which Mr. Capps took to Springfield and exchanged for goods. . He made nearly all purchases for several years in St. Louis. His goods were shipped up the Mississippi to the Illinois River, thence up that stream to Pekin, where he received them into his wagon, and hauled them across the country home. His route lay through Postville, then containing only a house or two. It was, however, quite a point, as the stages coming from Chicago to St. Louis, and from Peoria down would often meet there. The "tavern " on Sugar Creek was kept by William ("Pap") Ryan, as he was always known. He was a rather eccentric, but excellent, Christian man, and faithfully observed evening prayers, to which he would always invite any travelers who chanced to be stopping with him. On a certain evening, while conducting this service, a rather amusing incident occurred. For a light he used a "dip," being nothing less than a kettle-lid inverted, the hollow filled with tallow and a cotton rag placed therein, one end of which projected slightly over the edge of the lid, and being lighted made a good substitute for a lamp or candle. While at prayer, one of the travelers, a rather wild fellow, by some means got one of his hands in this dish, and pulling the rag wick into it, set it all ablaze, and severely burned his hand. Forgetting where he was, and being frightened by the sudden pain, he very emphatically exclaimed, "Gosh ! darn the thing!" " Amen !" said Ryan, at that instant closing his prayer. For many days after, the two expressions were common by-words among the amused travelers.

During Mr. Capps' first two years of life at the Mound, he and the adjacent settlers often drove their hogs to Pekin, where they were slaughtered, and the pork shipped to St. Louisby the rivers. Occasionally he would exchange goods for dressed pork, which he hauled to the same place, and then shipped to the same market.

At the expiration of nearly two years he was joined by three young men, Andrew Danner, a blacksmith, a Mr. Miles and Horace Roe, carpenters. All these boarded with Mr. Capps, and worked at their respective trades. Christian Danner, a brother of Andrew, came soon after with a family. These persons were from Pittsburg, and had probably come to St. Louis by water, and there hearing of some of the interior Illinois settlements, and their great desirability as homes, finally found their way to Mr. Capps' new town. Thus far it had received no name. In deciding upon one, the few residents, loyal to their country, chose that of *Pulaski, and the

*The hero from whom the town takes its name, was the son of a Polish nobleman. He was born in Lithu- ania, March 4, 1747. He warmly espoused the freemen's canse in his own land, and was in danger of his life- thereby. Coming to America, he offered his services to Washington as a private soldier, but rapidly rose to. distinction and to the grade of a general. He led a force of soldiers against the enemy at Savannah, where. on the 11th of October, 1779 he received a mortal wound. He was taken on board a vessel in the river, but expired in a few hours. He was buried in the Savannah River, and in after years the citizens of Georgia raised a monument at Savannah to perpetuate his memory.

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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

place heretofore being called, from its location, the Mound, easily came to be called its present name. The situation is, indeed enchantingly beau- tiful. At the date of which we are writing, the scene must have been beyond description. The wildness of the prairie bounded on the north and west by the Salt Creek and Lake Fork timber, and on the east and south by an extended plain, whose boundary was beyond the vision, covered with the wild, rolling prairie grass, is a scene yet vividly impressed on the minds of these pioneers, and one on which they love to linger.

Christian Danner built a frame house soon after his arrival, it being the second in the place. Mr. Capps had erected one about a year and a half after his arrival, the upper story being used for a dwelling, the lower for a store. The carpenters found work enough among the surrounding settlers. The two named were soon joined by Willis Roe, who afterward lost his life by the fall of a beam in a building in which he was working. The blacksmiths set up a small shop immediately on their arrival, in which they sharpened hoes and plow-points, and made other instruments used by the frontier settlers. The plows then had only a wooden mould-board, and attached to the plow-point was an iron shoe, in which a socket was made for the insertion of the wooden plow-point. The corn was generally cultivated with the hoe and a single corn-plow.

No sooner had these families located here, than ministers of the gospel came to visit them. Even when Mr. Capps was the only resident on the "point," some stopped with him over night when on their way from one settlement to another. Prominent among these was "Father Bowles," as he was called, of the Christian Church. In 1840 or '41, Dr. John Clark located in the village, on the lot his family yet occupy. His was the fourth or fifth family in the place, while he was the first resident physician. The second physician was Dr. A. C. Dement.

The second store was built by Benjamin Davis, which stood near the corner of the square, on the ground now occupied by Mr. Scroggins' new hotel. This store was in all respects like its predecessor, and contained every article demanded by the settlers. Jefferson Scroggins built a house about this time, in which he accommodated travelers. It stood about where Fred. Groesbent lives. Frank Schick, a German, was among the earliest resi- dents in Mt. Pulaski, and afterward one of her most enterprising citizens. Soon after coming, he worked for Mr. Capps in his garden for fifty cents per day. Next he tried making shoes, and being the first, and for some time the only shoemaker in the village, soon built up a good trade. His shoes at first were more noticeable for strength than elegance ; but people's tastes were at that time not so difficult to satisfy as now. The " wear and tear" of the article was more considered than the appearance. The only tannery in the vicinity was at Carter Scroggins' - a " trough " tannery. The location of the persons and industries mentioned had given the frontier village quite a business appearance, and made it a good trading place. In 1846 the third store was built by Thos. Lushbaugh. Comfort- able frame houses were being erected, and the comforts and luxuries of life were beginning to appear. In 1844 a frame school-house was built, and school regularly held therein. The Methodists held weekly services in Dr. Clark's house, and at Nicholas Moore's, a few miles north. The first brick house was built by Alexander Morgan, and used as a hotel. As such it is yet occupied. Mr. Brewer Bunn, now a prominent lawyer in

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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

Decatur, carried brick and mortar as a day laborer during its erection. The first brick business block was built by Dr. Robinson, referred to. It is now torn away. A brick house was not long after built by Mr. Zim- merman, also one by Mr. Craig.

At the organization of the county in 1839, the seat of justice had been placed at. Postville, nearly the center of the county. Then the county's limits were not the same as now - portions of Tazewell and De- Witt having since been added - and, as has been noted in the history of the county, a division of Logan was anticipated. In 1848, the county seat was, by a vote of the people, removed to Mt. Pulaski, with- the hope that a new county would be formed from the southern part of Logan. At that time Mt. Pulaski had increased to a prosperous village of three hun- dred inhabitants, and was enjoying an excellent trade. The town by sub- scription raised $2,700 ; the county gave $300, and a comfortable court- house, two stories in height above the basement, was built on the public square. It faced the west, and was ready for occupancy soon after the loca- tion of the seat of justice was fixed. The village had been incorporated in 1852 ; but this, by some means, was after a few years not recognized. The next year after the erection of the court-house, the incorporation was revived, and kept in active existence until 1872, when it was re-incor- porated under the general law for the incorporation of towns. By some means the boundaries to the town had never been stated, and any suit brought by the village would not stand in court. After a few years the citizens saw this would not do, as criminals would always go free on an appeal to the county courts. In 1876, Mr. M. Wemple and others circu- lated a petition to the County Judge asking for an election to settle the definite boundaries of the town. This object was obtained, and under the amended incorporation, the town is yet governed.

With the advent of the court-house, a remarkably rapid growth of the town began. In ten years the increase of population was over one hundred per cent. New stores and comfortable dwellings were rapidly built, and several new industries came quickly into existence. A jail was completed shortly after the court-house was built. It was con- . structed of brick, and was made two stories in height. The windows were covered with iron grating. This jail contained criminal and debtors' cells, and, though considered an improvement on the old log jail at Post- ville, could hardly be recognized as equal to it in safety. The contractor received $1,000 for its erection, and, from the present appearance of the jail, must have cleared considerable money. When the county seat was removed to Lincoln, in 1856, this jail passed into the hands of the town trustees, by whom it is yet used as a lock-up.

In 1800, the Methodists erected their church -the first in town. Two years after, the First German Evangelical Lutherans erected their first house of worship.

The industries of the town were the ordinary blacksmith and wagon shops, carpenter shops, and a small mill. Prior to the opening of the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis railroad, in 1853, mail was brought from Springfield, or from the stages on their route from Chicago and Peoria to St. Louis. When this railroad was completed, a stage made regular trips to Postville, or Lincoln, which was then just coming into existence. At every session of court, lawyers from Springfield and Peoria were in

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HISTORY OF LOGAN COUNTY.

attendance, and during that time the town presented an animated appearance. Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Douglas, David Davis, and others since famous in state and national history, were often seen in attendance at the Mt. Pulaski courts. The gentlemen named generally stopped with Jabez Capps while in town, he being an old friend and neighbor of Mr. Lincoln's, at Springfield.

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History of Logan county, Illinois : its past and present.., Part 28

Author: Publication date: 1878 Publisher: Chicago : Donnelley, Loyd & Co. Number of Pages: 596

Author:
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Chicago : Donnelley, Loyd & Co.
Number of Pages: 596