USA > Illinois > Macon County > History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876 > Part 14
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23
The present officers are :
D. L. Bunn .L. D. Theo. Coleman .. W. C . T.
W. G. Inman. . P. W. C. T. Ruth Culver. . W. V. T.
John House W. S.
DECATUR PUBLIC LIBRARY.
This library was the result of the labors of the Ladies' Library Association, which was organized some eight years ago. The li- brary was collected and managed by that association until Sept. 9, 1875, when all the books and furniture were transferred to the city of Decatur, and is is now under the auspices of the city council. There were in the library when control was assumed by the city 1692 volumes and at the end of the first half year there were 1300 borrowers. During this period 17,572 books had been loaned, or an average of 117 per day, and 28,345 persons had visited the rooms. At the end of the first year 24,933 books had been loaned, or 3130 per month, and 40,138 persons had visited the library and recorded their names, which the librarian estimates is not more than half the actual visitors, as many visitors do not record their names. At present the number of volumes in the library is in excess of 2000 and is being increased as the funds under the control of the library board will justify. The library is supported by a tax levied upon the city property under the law of the state. There is in connec- tion with the library a reading room, on the files of which are kept all the leading newspapers, journals, magazines, etc., of the United States. Fifty different newspapers alone are on file. The books in the library have been selected with care and judgment, and it is useless to add anything more than the above exhibit of the number of readers to show the benefit being derived by the public through
188
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
this small library. It is hoped that the number of books will soon be increased so as to meet the public demand, as it is felt that the present facilities are entirely inadequate. The interest the comniu- nity takes in reading and general information derived from a gen- eral library and reading rooms, is a matter of education to a large extent. The aggregate value to be attached to this channel of in- formation cannot be estimated. Many young persons are found daily at the library and reading rooms, engaged in reading useful books or papers who otherwise would be denied any privi- leges in that direction for want of means. Others are there who have cultivated a taste for the study and perusal of useful books, who otherwise might be cultivating a taste for vice in some one of its thousand enticing forms.
The following constitute the present members of the library man- agement :
W. A. Barnes, President.
Mrs. S. F. Greer, Secretary.
R. L. Evans, Librarian.
DIRECTORS .- W. A. Barnes, J. L. Peake. W. L. Hammer, Mrs. S. F. Greer, Mrs. B. F. Sibley, Mrs. C. A. Ewing, W. W. Foster, Fred. Kuney, W. T. Wells.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
Administration .- W. L. Hammer, W. T. Wells, Mrs. B. F. Sibley.
Finance .- J. L. Peake, W. L. Hammer, Mrs. C. A. Ewing.
Buildings and Grounds .- Fred. Kuney, J. L. Peake, Mrs. C. A. Ewing.
By-Laws and Regulations .- W. W. Foster, Fred. Kuney, Mrs. B. F. Sibley.
Library and Reading Room .- W. T. Wells, W. W. Foster, Mrs. S. F. Greer.
189
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
CHAPTER VII.
OUR MANUFACTORIES.
We give below a few brief sketches of some of our principal manufacturing institutions, though we fail to notice all, for want of space, what we have to say is not in the way of laudation or ful- some praise of any of the institutions mentioned, nor as an adver- tisement to either of them ;* but to illustrate as best we can the present condition of the county in this department of wealth and progress. We have aimed thus far in this work to treat of facts as we find them, without undue praise or partiality. Of the import- ance to be attached to manufacture in adding to the prosperity of a city or locality, nothing need be said. We only need point to places having equal facilities-one with manufacturing institutions, and the other with none. The one is alive with energy and activ- ity, the other is dead; the streets of one city are noisy and bustling with business and trade, and those of the other are lifeless and inac- tive; the one grows rapidly, and soon has its buildings, its churches, its schools and colleges of superior merit and magnificence, the other has its old tumble-down, rickety rookeries, and its grog-shops are the principal places where the people congregate.
Among the early . . aufacturing institutions of the county was the " old ox mill," erected just east of the old Revere house site, in the year 1839. This was erected by J. J. Peddecord, Ninian Ped- decord and E. O. Smith. The motive power was obtained by pla- cing three or four cows upon an inclined wheel, their heads being
* No institutien mentioned in this chapter has contributed one cent for the notice given it, and some of them not even subscribed for this work.
190
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
secured to a cross beam. Much difficulty was experienced for some time after this mill was set in operation, in getting the machinery so regulated as to be under the control of the person in charge. The gearing apparatus was not perfect, and occasionally a cog slipped, or the connections between the wheel and the mill machinery be- came detached, and then there was a runaway. The cows would become frightened and commence running, which gave the revolu- tions of the wheel more velocity, and then a scene of general con- sternation spread throughout the village. All kind-hearted citizens would rush to the rescue, and assist " Uncle Henry " in stopping his mill, by throwing rails and logs under the wheel. Some of the cows on the wheel being larger unable to keep up with it, its rev- olutions were so rapid, would be found dragging by the head. The bellowing of the cows, the screaking of the machinery, the smash- ing of the rails; the quick, excited and shrill voice of " Uncle Hen- ry," in giving orders, are remembered by many of the old settlers, and related with wonderful minuteness. When it was announced that the mill was running away with itself, then there was running to and fro like there was at Belgium's capital, on a certain noted occasion.
The principal product of this mill was corn meal, and the tolls derived glutted the market, and there being no demand except the home demand, the mill soon proved an unprofitable investment, and was sold to Joseph Stickel. He sought to make it a paying invest- ment by grinding corn for Allen's distillery. As soon, however, as it was known that he was, in this indirect way, giving "aid and comfort," as it were, to the production of whisky, he was brought before the church, of which he was a member, and required to produce the " thus saith the Lord," for his iniquitous and nefarious traffic, or be expelled from the church. What the result was of the indictment of Bro. Joe, we do not know, but so it was, how- ever, in a short time the mill ceased to run, and was purchased by a man from Clinton, by the name of Ward, and was converted into a carding factory, and run as such for a great many years.
It may not be known to many that lime was ever manufactured in this county, but such is the fact. Capt. D. L. Allen, at an early day erected a lime kiln on the river, a short distance southwest of the city of Decatur, at what is still known as the "old lime kiln ford." He manufactured a considerable quantity of lime from lime-
191
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
stone obtained in that vicinity, sufficient, at least, to meet the wants of our people. The lime produced is said to have been of a very fine grade, and was purchased by builders in Springfield on account of the superior finishing qualities it possessed.
Senator R. J. Oglesby was imbued, in his early days, with the idea that rope making would be a success, and started a rope fac- tory. Hemp was raised and ropes were actually made and placed in the market by Mr. O., but the remuneration not being adequate to meet his expectations, the rope works, after a year or so, were abandoned.
THE DECATUR FURNITURE COMPANY.
This is one of our largest manufacturing establishments. It was commenced in 1866, under the firm name of Wm. Lintner & Co. Mr. L. sold his interest in 1875 to his co-partners, Messrs. Pedde- cord & Burrows, who are now the owners of the entire establish- ment. This firm is engaged in the manufacture of all kinds of furniture, and has a capital invested in the business of about one hundred thousand dollars. The furniture manufactured by this firm is shipped to all parts of Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, and Indiana; the sales of which amount, in the aggregate, to one hundred and fifty thousand dollars annually. The lumber used by the company is obtained from southern Illinois, Indiana, and Tennessee, and is required to be selected with great care, as none but the best is suit- able for the grades of furniture manufactured by this company. The yearly pay-roll will average about 100 men, to whom is paid annually about $50,000. It is a matter of verification that the number of persons deriving a support from this factory alone, will equal in numbers, if not exceed, the entire population of Decatur prior to the building of our railroads.
The company is also engaged in the manufacture of wood pumps, which are sold largely throughout the northwest. The business was commenced by the manufacture of this article in 1863, by Messrs. Barnes & Lintner, who employed, at the commencement, not to exceed a half dozen men. As the business increased, new buildings were erected and machinery purchased, until at present the main building used by the company is 108x36 feet, five stories high, with two additional buildings 100x32 and 99x92, each three
192
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
stories high, besides other out houses used for the drying and stor- age of lumber.
The railroad facilities at this point enables this firm to compete successfully with the older and larger establishments of Cincinnati and eastern cities.
The established reputation and capital of the Decatur Furniture Co., will continue to render it one of the manufacturing institutions which Decatur and Macon county may justly be proud of,
UNION IRON WORKS.
These works are among the most important of our manufactur- ing institutions. They were commenced in 1864 by Burroughs & Co., upon a limited scale, intending at the time only to start a first- class repair shop for machinery. Like all institutions of the kind, however, that are backed by capital and industry, their work in- creased as its character became known. Additions have been made to the buildings, machinery facilities, etc., from time to time, to the extent of $75,000. The company is at present engaged in the manufacture of steam engines, mill and elevator machinery, the Western Corn-Sheller and Cleaner, and general repairing. Their facilities are such that engines of the most powerful construction, as well as of the most intricate nature, are being made here and ship- ped to all parts of the west, and east as far as Ohio, and south as far as Tennessee.
About one hundred thousand dollars worth of work is annually turned out by the firm, requiring a working force of at least thirty- five men-the most of whom are skilled mechanics. The chief characteristics of the engines manufactured are, durability, simpli- city and symmetry. In the construction of the various parts they avoid clumsiness and weight, except where absolutely necessary for strength. From all the information we have been able to obtain from persons who have used engines manufactured by the Union Iron Works, we do not hesitate to say that their work is entitled to be classed as equal to any other product of western skill. The work of manufacturing engines is divided into separate and distinct departments, and each department has a superintendent who has attained his position by years of practical experience.
Another branch of the business of this firm is devoted to furnish- ing plans and specifications, and superintending the construction of
193
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
flour mills and elevators. Millwrights are constantly kept em- ployed in this department.
Within the last two years, the manufacture of the "Western Corn Sheller" and the "Western Corn Cleaner" has been engaged in. These machines are the inventions of C. C. Burroughs, one of the members of the firm, and are meeting with a success scarcely anticipated by the inventor. They are supplanting the old ma- chines that have been in popular favor for years, and are destined to be of material benefit to the whole agricultural west. Three of the principal articles of manufacture of Macon county are Macon county inventions, and are designed to supply the wants of our ag- ricultural community. The one above mentioned, while we have no space to devote to a description of its merits, we doubt not will become, when properly before the public, an article of remuner- ation to its inventor and manufacturers, as well as a valuable ma- chine in the speedy preparation of our immense crops of corn for the market.
The Union Iron Works are owned by C. C. Burroughs, James Millikin, John M. Flood and Charles Gradweld, the latter two hav- ing become members of the firm in 1873.
DECATUR BAGGING CO.
During the summer of 1875, the Decatur Bagging Co. was formed, composed of the following parties: Moses Jerome, A. W. Conklin and D. S. Shellaboyer. Immediately after the organiza- tion of the company very large and extensive buildings were erec- ted on the Toledo, Wabash and Western Railroad, in the city of Decatur, for the purpose of carrying on the business in. These buildings, together with the necessary machinery, engines and fix- tures, were erected at a cost of over $50,000. The business of the company is the manufacture of but a single article, viz : "bagging," which is used only for covering cotton bales. The market for this article of manufacture is all points south devoted to the culture of cotton.
In connection with this manufactory, and belonging to the com- pany, are four tow-mills, located as follows: Paxton, Buckley, Ran- toul and Onarga, which cost about $35,000. The flax lint is man- ufactured into tow in these mills and shipped in bales to the factory here, where it is spun and wove into cloth and shipped south.
-25
194
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
This manufactory requires the labor of 160 hands, who are em- ployed winter and summer alike, one-half of whom are females, and the average pay of all is $1 per day. We were pained to learn that five-sixths of the raw material used by this company in the manu- facture of its goods is raised in other counties than our own, so that, while the location of the manufactory is here and the most of the employees are residents, which are of great benefit to Decatur and the county, it might be made to contribute far more to our material worth, if the farmers of the county were to devote attention to the cultivation of flax and hemp, so as to supply the demands of the fac- tory. If the culture of the raw material be a source of income to the farmers of Ford and Champaign counties, why may it not be to our own people, especially when the cost of transportation must of necesssity be taken from the price paid in those foreign counties. Besides, it is a well attested fact that our soil, climate, etc., are equally if not better suited for the successful cultivation of this ar- " ticle. This, together with the fact that hemp and flax are articles of easy culture, very prolific, and will meet with a home mar- ket, ought to stimulate some of our farmers to devote some atten- tion to this article of agriculture. We are disposed to assert, from an examination given to this subject, that if our farmers would devote some part of their farms to the culture of hemp and flax, so as to supply the demands of the factory, it would save to the peo- ple of the county thousands of dollars that are annually expended elsewhere, and induce the bringing to this county the tow mills now erected in other counties, besides being a source of revenue and profit-to our own people.
The bagging factory is now owned entirely by Messrs. A. W. and C. A. Conklin, who are men of capital, energy and perseve- rance, and who are now thoroughly initiated in the business. We have no doubt they will, with their business qualifications, soon make this, to us, new branch of industry one of the best paying in- stitutions located in our midst. The class of persons furnished em- ployment in the factory though not what are termed skilled me- chanics, yet they are of that industrious and peaceable sort who otherwise might have difficulty in obtaining employment or means of support for themselves and their families, and whose earnings are devoted to that purpose rather than indulgence and vice, as we see among employees of other manufacturing institutions. We
195
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
have no hesitancy whatever in saying that the Decatur Bagging factory is now one of our most important manufacturing institutions, and one of which Macon county ought to be proud, and is destined to be of far greater importance to us.
It asks no bonus or support from us other than what is to the in- terest and profit of our people to give, in the way of material fur- nished, for which a market is made. Its owners are our own citi- zens and of us and expect to remain with us.
HAWORTH & SONS.
" To save time is to lengthen life,"
Is an old saying, and as true as it is old. The object sought to be obtained in almost all of our modern inventions is time and labor. So with Haworth's Check-Rower. Its main object is to save the time and labor of the farmer in the corn-planting. season, when every minute of time saved is almost as precious as minutes of gold. When he is ready for planting his corn, every hour lost is a propor- tionate loss in bushels at the ensuing autumn. The check-rower is the invention of George D. Haworth, one of the members of the firm, and was completed and a patent obtained therefor in the year 1869. Valuable improvements have been added to it from time to time since as experience has dictated, so that farmers who under- stand and have had the use of this machine attach to it a value next in importance to the corn-planter itself. Upon level western prairies, where the soil is such that the weeds grow as rapidly as the corn, and sprout and commence growing as soon as the ground is broken up, it is found very desirable that the corn should be planted in rows each way, and planted as soon as possible after the soil is turned over, so that the corn will have an equal chance with the weeds and grass. Without the use of the check-rower it is necessary that the entire piece of land, ten or twenty acres as the case may be, shall be broken up, then it must be marked off with a marker so as to make the cross rows, by which it is found that by the time the entire piece of land is broken up and crossed off the weeds are beginning to show themselves above ground in the part first plowed. But with the check-rower this difficulty is obviated, and that too, even if the farmer has but one team to use.
But it is useless to dilate upon the merits of this machine; as such it is an invention of the county, and of which the people will yet
196
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
more thoroughly appreciate. The firm engaged in the manufacture of this implement are M. Haworth, L. L. Haworth, J. W. Haworth, and George D. Haworth-father and sons. They were formerly from Clinton county, Ohio, and removed to Illinois in 1852, and to Macon county in 1857. They are all men of energy and thorough business qualifications. They took hold of this invention a few years since, and by industry and perseverance have overcome the natural prejudice existing among the people against all new inven- tions; so that now increasing demands are coming from Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and Texas, for it.
During the past year the original shops, machinery and facilities for manufacture, have been increased to more than four times their original capacity. The value of the real estate, shops, machinery, warerooms, of the firm does not probably vary far from $150,000. Thirty-five men are employed by the firm. One feature connected with the manufacture of the check-rower is that every part of the machine is made here in the shops, so that there is but a very small outlay of money by the firm that Macon county does not receive the benefit of. The value of the manufactures of this firm for the year 1876 will not vary far from $200,000.
ROBERTS, LYTLE & CO.
This firm has been in business but three years, and is composed of the following named gentlemen: T. T. Roberts, R. P. Lytle and O. Z. Green. While the articles manufactured by this firm, viz: wooden burial cases and caskets, are not pleasant to contem- plate, and never purchased except when painful necessity requires, yet in these pre-cremation days the demands therefor is steady and constant, and unaffected by the fluctuating influences operating upon other articles of manufacture. $40,000 worth of burial cases are annually manufactured by this firm, and shipped throughout Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and other States. The lumber used is ob- tained from southern Illinois, Michigan and Tennessee. Twenty men are employed by the firm the year round.
The members of this firm are all young men of energy and business qualifications, and their growing business will soon create a demand for much larger works and a greater investment of capital. Their present grounds, buildings and machinery cost in the neighborhood of $20,000.
197
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
H. W. HILL & CO.,
Manufacturers of Hardware Specialties and Hog Rings and Ringers.
This firm is composed of H. W. Hill and C. P. Housum, and commenced business in 1872. They were first engaged in the man- ufacture of H. W. Hill's hog ringer and rings; and by perseve- rance and energy have established a business in that line of work exceeding all others combined. With their present machinery they have a capacity of manufacturing 140,000 rings daily, and have placed upon the market in four years 30,000,000 rings, consuming 900 miles of wire. The market for this article of commerce ex- tends from Maine to California and Texas, and some goods have been exported to Europe. The demand for this device, manufac- tured by this firm, is increasing as its merits become known by the farming community. Over nine millions and a half of rings have been sold during the past year, which is fifty per cent. in excess of the sales the year previous.
The firm commenced business on a limited capital, and under disadvantages arising from imperfect machinery, or rather no ma- chinery at all; from prejudices naturally existing against all new and valuable improvements, and have been harrassed by litigations in reference to patents, almost without number. But notwithstand- ing these obstacles, they have by business tact and energy over- come them, and now constitute one of the substantial and securely established manufacturing institutions of which we may well feel proud, and have a capital of $30,000 invested. They also manu- facture, to a considerable extent, corn-huskers, ladles, etc., which are inventions of the firm. They also have in connection with their business a printing office, by which they are enabled to do all their own printing and advertising.
H. W. Hill, the senior member of the firm, is a native of North Carolina, and has been a resident of Macon county about 11 years.
Charles P. Housum, the junior member, is a native of Ohio, and has been a resident of Macon county about 11 years.
The reputation of Decatur as a manufacturing city and railroad center has been largely increased through the extensive advertising done by the firm. About three tons of advertising matter are an- nually distributed to all parts of the United States by them.
198
HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
CHAMBERS, BEHRING & QUINLAN.
Manufacturers of Champion Hog Ringer, Rings and Holder, Eaglebill Corn Husker, and Barnes' Wire Check-Rower.
The firm of Chambers & Quinlan was formed in the spring of 1875, for the purpose of manufacturing the Champion Hog Ringer, Rings and Holder. By their perseverance and devotion to the manufacture of their articles, they have succeeded in building up a business that is growing and permanent; so that they in Dec. 1876, associated with them Mr. J. Ed. Behring, as a partner, and exten- ded the list of articles manufactured by them, and are now manu- facturing the Eagle-bill Corn-Husker, Barnes' Wire Check-Rower, and Brown's Hog Ringer and Rings.
We have no space to enter into an examination of the merits of the various articles manufactured by the firm. It will be seen that all the articles are intended to meet the demands of our farming community. The Champion hog ringer and rings made by the firm is the only invention of the kind in use. The ring is a double ring and is said to have advantages over the single ring. It is suf- ficient to say that this article is found upon the shelves of hardware dealers throughout the United States, and is being introduced in Europe.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.