USA > Illinois > Macon County > History of Macon County, Illinois, from its organization to 1876 > Part 15
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The Barnes' check-rower, made by this firm, has only been upon the market for a short time, and its merits not fully understood. The advantages claimed for it are, durability; that it will not con- tract or extend; no side draft; convenience in use, and adaptability to all planters.
The firm employs on an average about 14 hands, and occupies the old agricultural shops.
The members of this firm are thorough business men. Mr. Chambers is now (1876) mayor of the city of Decatur, and Mr. Quinlan is an old and respected citizen of the county.
W. & B. SAWYER.
Linseed Oil and Oil Cake.
The oil mill of this firm was put in operation in 1867, and with the additions made since, including machinery, is valued at $30,000, There are $75,000 worth of oil and cake annually manufactured,
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
the principal markets for which are St. Louis and New York. A large proportion of the oil cake is exported to Europe. They also have a retail trade extending throughout Illinois, Indiana and Missouri. The number of men employed by the firm is 13. The flax seed consumed by the mill averages about 50 thousand bushels per annum, and is principally raised in Southern Illinois, for which $1,40 to $1,50 per bushel is paid.
The firm is composed of William Sawyer and Benjamin Saw- yer. The latter has been a resident of Macon County since 1836, and the former since 1867. Of the business qualifications of the firm nothing need be said. It is a straightforward business firm; energetic and responsible.
BOYD, HASKELL & CO.
" Decatur Woolen Mills."
This is among the oldest existing manufacturing institutions of the County, having been established in 1859, by the present firm composed of the following persons, viz: Wm. H. Boyd, L. C. Haskell and W. J. Myers. The principal goods manufactured are flannels, yarns, blankets, jeans, and, also, card and spin. The wool used by the firm is procured from Macon and adjoining counties entirely, and the products of the factory are sold through- out Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan and Indiana; amounting annually to about $75,000 in value.
In 1868 the mills were destroyed by fire, but were immediately rebuilt. The value of mills, including machinery, is not far from $30,000. The firm are thoroughly initiated in all the details of the business, and are sound business men, and have in their employ about 25 persons the year round.
Prior to their engaging in this business here in 1859, Mr. Boyd was a resident of Maryland, Mr. Haskell of New York, and Mr. Myers of Pennsylvania. The latter has been an influential mem- ber of the city council.
This firm, but with little attempt at show or display, has been, and continues to be, engaged in a department of manufacture that Macon County could illy afford to be without.
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
PETER LOEB.
Manufacturer of Agricultural and Gray Iron Castings.
Mr. L. erected his shops and foundry in the summer of 1876, and is a man of twenty years experience in his line of business. He has on an average ten men in his employment since ready for busi- ness. He says with the patronage thus far received, and the facili- ties he has, he will in a short time more than double his present amount of business, which he estimates for 1876 at $15,000. The necessity for a foundry of the character of Mr. L's., of course can not be denied. Our farmers annually expend thousands of dollars for the repairs of machinery ordered at Cincinnati, Pittsburg and elsewhere, which might just as well be expended at home. Loss of time and the freights in the shipment should be considered and would be no small items in the aggregate.
Il. MUELLER & CO.
Manufacturers of Water Main Tappers, Toy Pistols, Gunsmithing and General Repairing of Machinery.
This firm has been in business since April, 1874, the senior mem- ber having carried on a gunsmith and general repairing shop for a great many years. He is thoroughly conversant with his busi- ness in all of its branches, and the firm is wide awake and thorough- ly energetic in all things pertaining to their line of work. Their annual manufactures will run from twelve to fifteen thousand dol- lars per annum, and the monthly pay-roll will not fall short of nine men. Their business is increasing, and their shops, machinery, etc., speak well for the present and future. The water main tap- per made by the firm is an ingenious and very simple invention, perfected and patented by H. Mueller.
KRAMER & MCCLELLAND.
Manufacturers of Road, Spring and Lumber Wagons Carriages and Buggies.
This is one of the oldest firms, if not the oldest in the county, having been established in 1854. Each member of the firm has been a resident of the county since 1853. The firm has a capital
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
invested of $10,000, and their annual manufacture aggregates in the neighborhood of that amount. Their wagons, etc., find a mar- ket in this and adjoining counties, and some are shipped to Indiana and New Mexico. Their work, as thousands of their customers can verify, is of the most substantial character, as well as orna- mental, and needs no commendation. They make a specialty of "Jump seats and Greencastle bodies."
WAYNE BROS.
This firm is engaged in the manufacture of carriages, buggies and spring wagons, and also do a large repairing business. The members of the firm are, John B. and Wm. J. Wayne. They are natives of Pennsylvania, but have been residents of Illinois for about 25 years, and of Macon county four years. Each of the firm is thoroughly conversant with all the minutiæ of the business. Their average annual manufacture of vehicles of various kinds ag- gregate $20,000, the most of which is sold to home customers; some goods, however, are shipped to Iowa, Kansas and Texas. The material used by the firm is obtained in the eastern markets, and is selected with the greatest of care. The carriages and bug- gies made are substantial and well built, and this firm has turned out some of the finest work in Central Illinois. They have in their employ about 20 of the most skillful mechanics, in the different de- partments of their work.
D. S. SHELLABARGER.
Flour Mills.
This firm commenced business in Decatur in 1862, and is com . posed of D. S. Shellabarger, John B. Shellabarger and Win. Bow- ers, though we believe some changes have been made in the firm in that time. Each member of the firm is thoroughly acquainted with the flouring business in all its departments. The senior mem- ber of the firm has been mayor of the city, as well as alderman. They have a capital invested in the milling business, consisting of real estate, machinery, etc., of $35,000. The average annual value of manufactures will run from $175,000 to $200,000. They have in their employ eight men, and their principal market is Macon county and surrounding country.
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY
GEO. PRIEST & CO.
Flour Mills.
One of the oldest flour mills in the county is that of Geo. Priest & Co. The firm is now composed of Geo. Priest and A. N. Deal, , both of whom are thoroughly initiated in all the departments of their business. They have a capital invested in the business of about $33,000, and the annual product of flour, etc., manufactured amounting to $150,000, requiring the labor of eight men. Their business extends throughout the county and along the railroad lines leading from Decatur.
GREENFIELD, BELL & CO.
Flour Mills.
This mill has been in operation about eight years, and has an investment of $20,000 in real estate, buildings and machinery, with a capacity of producing annually 11,000 barrels of flour, employing six men, and has a trade extending in almost every direction within a radius of thirty to forty miles from Decatur. The members of this firm are old residents of Macon county, Mr. Bell having been born here, and Mr. Greenfield came at a very early day.
HARPSTRITE & SCHLANDEMAN. Manufacturers of Beer.
This firm began business in 1862, in Decatur. The members of the firm are Edward Harpstrite, who came from Clinton county in 1855, and Henry Schlandeman, who came from Logansport, Ind., in 1856. They have an investment of $60,000 in their business, and their annual manufactures amount to about $40,000, which finds a market in Macon and adjoining counties. They annually consume about 10,000 bushels of barley, for which they pay on an average ninety cents per bushel, which is shipped to them from Kansas, Nebraska and Minnesota. Their hops are obtained from New York. Ten men are in the employ of the firm.
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
FERRIS & EMMONS.
Manufacturers of and Dealers in Lubricating and Illuminating Oils and Axle Grease, and Dealers in Animal Oils.
This firm was organized in 1875. The members of the firm are W. P. Ferris, who came to Macon county in 1871, and was en- gaged until 1875 as conductor on the T., W. and W. R. R. G. W. Emmons came to Macon county in 1870, and was conductor on the above road until 1874. Mr. F. is a native of New York, and Mr. E. of New Hampshire. The annual sales of goods man- ufactured and on sale, are $100,000 per annum. Number of men employed by firm, six. Principle market for goods, Illinois, and some have been shipped to Kansas. The carbon oil used by this firm is shipped in large iron tanks made expressly for the purpose, and transferred directly from the tanks by means of siphons to the tanks of the firm, which have a capacity of 8,000 gallons. From these tanks the oil is transferred to the barrels for distribution.
ELWOOD & CO.
Manufacturers of Doors, Sash, Blinds, etc.
This firm was organized in 1865; the Messrs. Elwood having been residents of the county for 22 years. They have a cash capital invested in this county of about $40,000, and have been doing a large and increasing business in their line since they came to Decatur. They own large pineries in Michigan, which are under the charge of D. Elwood, one of the members of the firm, from which they obtain the principal part of their lumber. The annual average manufactures of the firm amount to $40,000, and from 23 to 25 men are employed by them. The firm manufactures and sells about two million feet of lumber per annum, which finds a market in Macon and adjoining counties.
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
RAILROADS .*
A history of the railroad interests of the State, would be a volume of itself, and not devoid of interest.
From the introduction of railroads in this country, Illinois has been destined to be a railroad State. The foresight of Hon. Ste-
NOTE .- The first successful locomotive steam engine in the world was in- vented by George Stephenson, and is still preserved at Darlington, England. Prior to its invention Mr. S. was regarded as "the craziest man in all Eng- land," but after its successful operation, on its trial trip he was regarded as "the smartest man in all England and in all the world." The first railroad and upon which this engine ran, was completed from Stockton to Darlington, England, Sept. 27, 1825. The project of Stephenson was ridiculed in parliament, and a large concourse of people gathered upon the occasion of the trial to ridicule the "insane " Stephenson. The engine was attached to a train of 34 coal wagons and coaches, which were about the size of an ordinary old-fashioned stage coach. The passengers took their places in the coaches, and a man on horseback took his position in front of the engine to herald the approach of the coming train ! The signal for starting was given, and the engine started off with the cars like a "thing of life." The gentleman who was to ride on horseback in front of the train to announce its coming, soon found it convenient to " look out for the cars," and left the track in disgust! The ridiculing spectators who were left behind, were in a ridiculous state of mind at the unexpected success- ful working of the crazy man's engine. The journey was completed at the speed of 15 miles an hour, and from that time since the name of George Ste- phenson has been written high upon the scale of the world's benefactors.
In 1831 a railroad was comple ted from Albany to Schenectady, New York, a distance of 16 miles, which was among the first roads upon which a train of cars were propelled by steam in America, and took place the year the road was finished. The trains upon this road, however, ran very slowly. The road ran over hills and down into the valleys, so that it was necessary to draw the trains up acclivities, in places, by stationary engines. The first engine upon this road was the "John Bull," which was made in England, and weighed four tons. The venerable Thurlow Weed was among the 15 passen- gers upon the first train of passenger cars propelled by steam. But little did he suspect on the morning of that excursion that in much less than half a century he would behold trains running through that Mohawk valley at the rate of 40 and 50 miles an hour, and still others bearing freight sufficient in value to have paid for the entire Mohawk & Hudson Railroad, with its equipment. One of Stephenson's engines was put upon a road constructed by the Dela- ware and Hudson Canal Co., from their coal mines to Honesdale, in 1829, but it was not used for passenger traffic to any great extent, if at all.
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
phen A. Douglas in getting the Illinois Central Railroad construc- ted from Cairo to Chicago and Dunleith, has resulted in incalcula- ble benefit in opening up the fertile prairies of Illinois to cultivation. He lived long enough to see his expectations more than realized, and his predictions fully met. The early railway legislation of this State fully manifests the popular feeling as to the necessity of some means for the transportation of our grain and herds of cattle and hogs. The means of attaining the requisite railways, however, were matters of serious consideration, and of no well-defined opin- ion. One crude idea that seems to have pervaded the entire legis- lature in 1835-6-7, was that these great highways of commerce might be legislated into existence; hence it was that in those years there were enacted that gigantic enterprise that has since been known as the internal improvement scheme. It had for its object the construction of canals and railways, branching out to almost all parts of the country; all to be built and owned by the State; the construction of one-half of which would have bankrupted Illinois beyond all hopes of recovery.
It was a gigantic undertaking without any means of accomplish- ing. It was a brilliant idea, without any sort of conception as to the requisite amount of capital to give it practical shape and direction. It was akin to that other idea, and had about as much consistency in it, by which the fellow undertook to jump across the Mississippi by taking hold of his boot straps. The whole internal improve- ment scheme collapsed with the financial panic of 1837. Several millions of dollars were appropriated from the treasury and ex- pended with scarcely a dollar to show therefor except a few em- bankments in different parts of the State. Among the projected lines of railway under which work was commenced under the improvement system was that of the Northern Cross Railroad, chartered in 1837, running from Quincy to Danville and the State line. The first locomotive engine that ever ran in Illinois was placed upon this road, and ran through from Meredosia to Jackson- ville, perhaps in the winter of 1838-9.
The above road was completed through to Springfield from Jacksonville in 1842, and the cars made three trips to the Illinois river every week; which feat is spoken of by the journals of that day as wonderful! This road was constructed by nailing flat pieces of iron upon long pieces of timber, running lengthwise with the
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
road. The road, however, had not been in use long before the track became uneven and rough, and the engine was so out of re- pair that it had to be taken off the road, and the cars were then propelled by mules! This process of locomotion finally became unendurable, and the whole road was sold by the State for a mere nominal consideration. We mention these facts, as they constitute the first railroad experience of Illinois; and also for the reason that the Northern Cross Railroad formed a part of the line, which, after various consolidations, became the
TOLEDO, WABASH & WESTERN RAILWAY.
This, though built under a different name, was the first railroad that was constructed through the county of Macon. From the time its cars ran into Decatur in April, 1854, commences the rapid improvement and almost unexampled prosperity of our county. At that date commences the real history of our agricultural and com- mercial advancement. Then all the stock in trade of all the mer- chants in the county would have made but a few dray loads. From that period hog drovers became scarce. Thenceforward those old- fashioned, broad-tyred Virginia wagons, with their inevitable accompaniments-the two dogs and a tar bucket-ceased to be vehi- cles transporting our dry-goods and groceries from St. Louis and Chicago. Their owners, who had hitherto made the principal part of their living by "wagoning," looked upon the construction of the railroads with an eye of suspicion, and regarded it as an inter- ference, to some extent at least, with " vested rights." Other ob- jections were urged against the construction of railroads, that to us in this day would seem laughable indeed; among others it was urged that the whistling of the engines and noise of the cars would drive away all the game! Others said the ranges would all be des- troyed, and poor people would have to keep their cattle and hogs enclosed.
The T., W. & W. R. R. has been one of the two roads that has been largely instrumental in making our county what it is. To our merchants and our farmers who ship stock and grain east, this road has been of incalculable value.
* We understand that after January, 1877, the name of this road is to be changed to the Wabash Railway.
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
The length of the road is as follows:
Main line from Toledo to Quincy 473 miles. St. Louis Division (from Decatur to E. St. Louis) IIO
Keokuk Branch 41
3 66
Naples Branch
Total 627
Of these 627 miles there are in Illinois 386 miles.
The annual shipments forwarded by this line will average from 350 to 400 thousand dollars, and the annual receipts are about one hundred and twenty thousand dollars from Decatur station, as shown by the books of the company. The passenger traffic from Decatur varies between 90 and 100 thousand dollars. The pay- roll for men employed in Decatur, runs between five and six thou- sand dollars per month.
THE ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD.
In September, 1850, an act of Congress was passed granting lands to the State of Illinois for the purpose of constructing a rail- road through Central Illinois. The legislature of Illinois in 1851 incorporated the Illinois Central Railroad, and the lands held in trust by the State were transferred to the company upon a compli- ance with the conditions of the charter. The road was completed through Macon county in 1854, from the north, and the entire line soon thereafter opened to the public.
The procurement of aid from the general government, by the donation of lands, was a subject that the people of the county had taken an interest in for several years prior to the passage of the act. It became a question in the election of representatives to the legis- lature, and was made one of the issues of the campaign of 1848. It is said that a senator from Macon county was the first to intro- duce and secure the passage of a resolution by the legislature re- questing and urging our senators and representatives in congress to secure the desired aid from the general government. As elsewhere remarked, Senator Douglas, who was always alive to anything that had for its object the improvement of the State, and the benefit of our people; acting upon the resolution, secured the passage of the law, donating to the State for the use of the railroad, every alternate section for the distance of six miles upon each side of the proposed line.
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
There was some little apprehension existing for a while in refer- ence to the location of the road through the county. An effort was made to locate the road six miles west of Decatur, crossing the river at what was, in early days, known as the " cut-off," and a survey upon this line was made, but through the exertions of Hon. E. O. Smith and other citizens of Decatur, the " cut-off route" was abandoned, and the present route selected, though said by the en- gineer, Chas. A. Tuttle, to be more expensive.
This road, by judicious management, and the capital derived from the sale of its lands, has always been upon a sound financial basis. Its treatment of its patrons has been such as to call for no great amount of complaint, for want of equipment or means and proper facilities for transportation. Its management has been such that but rarely are suits brought for the recovery of damages for negligence on the part of its agents.
The passenger cars upon the road have never been remarkable for their costliness or splendor of their appointments; yet are usually substantial, safe, and have all the necessaries for ease and comfort. Its employees have been well paid and selected with reference to their qualifications and abilities. Engineers, conduct- ors and agents, who were in the employment of the company in 1854, still hold their positions.
There are 705 miles of road in Illinois, under the management of this company, distributed as follows:
Main line (Cairo to Dunleith). 455 miles.
Chicago branch (Centralia to Chicago). 250
By an arrangement recently consummated this company has now the control of a road extending to New Orleans, from Cairo, ma- king an entire line from either Sioux City or Chicago to New Orleans.
The average annual shipment forwarded by this road from De- catur, amounts to $25,000; and the receipts will double that amount, as shown by the books of the company. The ticket sales at the Decatur office do not vary far from $20,000 annually.
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
DECATUR AND EAST ST. LOUIS RAILROAD.
This road was chartered in 1867 and built in 1868, under the management of the T., W. & W. R. R., and has since been un- der the control of that road. It runs to East St. Louis, a distance of 108 miles, and since the construction of the great bridge across the Mississippi its trains run into the city of St. Louis. This road is regarded as one of our best and most important roads, and should it be extended to Chicago, as it was intended that it should be, it will be second to none as a means of furnishing transportation to the markets for our producing people. When we have a direct outlet to both Chicago and St. Louis-the great cities of the south- west-then our railroad facilities will be most ample and complete. We sought to accomplish this by means of the
DECATUR AND STATE LINE RAILROAD,
the charter for which was more than once defeated by the Chicago & Alton Co. It is asserted by some of our best informed citizens that the construction of this road after the charter had been obtain- ed was defeated through manipulations originating from the same source. We do not know where the blame lies for the loss to the people of this county of this very important road, but whoever was instrumental in it has a conscience inimical to the public interests of Macon county. The road was important; the subscriptions along the line were sufficient for its construction; it was under con- tract and partially built; and Decatur six years ago anticipated soon being the principal city on the shortest line of road through the most fertile portions of the state, between the cities of the northwest, but awoke one morning and found the work suspended and the people along the entire line dumbfounded, like the workmen at the tower of Babel. But why, the author is unable to state.
PEKIN, LINCOLN AND DECATUR RAILROAD.
This road was chartered in 1861, and the charter amended in IS65, and constructed in 1871. It is 67 miles in length, and was leased by the T., W. & W. R. R. Co. at its completion, and has been under its management until 1876. It extends from Decatur to Pekin on the Illinois river, but its trains run through to Peoria.
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HISTORY OF MACON COUNTY.
THE DECATUR, MONTICELLO AND CHAMPAIGN R. R.
This road was constructed in the year 1873, and extends to Champaign, Ill., where it connects with the branch of the I. C. R. R., north, and the I., B. & W. R. R., east. It is now consolida- ted with the latter road, and is known as the Decatur branch of the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western. It secures to us com- petition for eastern transportation.
DECATUR, SULLIVAN AND MATTOON R. R.
This road was chartered in 1861, and constructed in 1872, and ex- tends to Mattoon, Ill. It was intended that this road should be ex- tended through to Grayville, on the Ohio river, securing to us a southeastern travel and transportation but financial embarrassments have prevented its construction farther than Mattoon.
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