USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume I > Part 44
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A grist mill was built on Macoupin creek in 1840 by William Nichols. It was propelled by water power. He subsequently sold the mill and it was changed to steam power. There was prior to this a small horse mill built by a Mr. Pow- ell. Two others of the same kind were also built by Peter Akes and David Plain.
The first store in the township was kept by G. W. Barnett. The first land entries were by David Cook, May 4, 1829, eighty acres in section 9; William G. Cook, May 4, 1829, forty acres in section 17; John Yowell, July 25, 1830, eighty acres in section 3.
On the line of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad, in the northeast part of the township, is located the village of Atwater. Here are probably about a half dozen stores, a church, and near by, a school.
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The Bank of Atwater was established in 1904 and has a cash capital of $10,500. Deposits show $50,000. The bank is incorporated and the president is O. B. Cain; cashier, J. P. Enslow.
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GIRARD TOWNSHIP.
Girard township is formed from the southern half of township 12, north range 6. The land, which is very fertile, is drained by branches of Otter and Ma- coupin creeks. From the fact that there was a scarcity of timber in this dis- trict, this township was not settled as early as many of the other townships in the county. However, a few families settled as early as 1830 in the southwest corner, among whom were Daniel Black, William and Charles Cox, Jesse Ash- lock, a Mr. Mathews and Harlam and Thomas Warren. In 1835 John Hender- son located at the cross roads, a mile and a half north of the present site of Girard and conducted a tavern, as it was on the stage line running from Spring- field to 'Alton. The place was for many years known as Henderson's and later as Virden's stage stand.
About 1834 Dr. Edwards and Coe Mather laid out a town at the edge of the timber, a part of which was located on the present site of Girard. They named the place Girard but the only improvement that was there made was a brick kiln.
Until the year 1840 there were few settlements made but after that time this locality became the permanent home of many settlers. Eventually, in 1852, the Chicago & Alton railroad was built through the township, which furnished ship- ping facilities for produce, but prior to the building of this road the farmers. had to haul their grain and produce to the St. Louis and Alton markets, where wheat sold at from twenty-five to fifty cents per bushel.
The first death in the township wa's that of Mrs. Thomas Warren, in 1833. The first couples to be married were Elisha Smith and Susan Evans and a Mr. Duff and Juliet Henderson.
The first sermon preached in the township was by a traveling minister of the Methodist denomination and the services were held at the home of one of the settlers. For some time the residents of this locality went to North Otter township to attend religious services in the homes of the settlers. John Steward and Bird England were local preachers and P. Lamay, of the Baptist faith, also held religious services here occasionally.
The first mill erected in the township was run by horse power and was built by a Mr. Sprouse. Steam mills were soon built on Waverly and Lick creeks and there was also a water mill on Sugar creek. In 1846 B. Boggess built a steam saw and grist mill in North Otter and this proved a great convenience for the people of Girard township.
GIRARD.
The town of Girard was laid out in the spring of 1853 by C. H. Fink and B. Boggess, and the survey was made by Nathan Savage. It covered a portion of the land on which Edwards and Mathers had contemplated laying out a town many years previously. It is surrounded by a beautiful prairie country and in
CASH CROC
WEST SIDE SQUARE, GIRARD, BEFORE FIRE OF 1909
J.N.M. ELVAIN
WEST SIDE SQUARE, GIRARD)
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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the center of the town is a public square, set out with trees, which adds not only to the beauty of the place but affords comfort to the residents.
The first addition to the town was. made in the year 1855 by Thomas Lewis and John Way. A sale of lots was made on the 21st of August that year, which sold at from $20 to $60 each. The second addition was made by B. Boggess on the north and east sides of the town in 1866, when he added a tract of sixty acres.
The first building in the town was one which was moved from the country by B. Boggess and occupied by Dr. Abraham Miller and family. In the fall of 1853 Dr. Miller, N. Branham and C. H. Fink built dwelling houses and B. Bog- gess built a store and J. S. Warfield a blacksmith shop.
A. S. Mayfield opened the first store in the town in the summer of 1853.
The first school was taught by a Miss Purdy in an unfinished dwelling in the fall of 1853. Later a one-story frame schoolhouse was erected on the site where the present public school stands.
In the spring of 1855 a church was erected, which was used as a union church by Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, Christians and Universalists. In 1864 the Presbyterian congregation purchased the building and eventually the other denominations each built for themselves a house of worship.
In 1854 a postoffice was established at Girard and James Mitchell was ap- pointed the first postmaster. Prior to this time the people had received their mail from the Pleasant Grove office in North Otter township.
The first warehouse was built by J. W. Woodroof in the fall of 1854 and he bought and shipped the first carload of wheat from this place.
H. Hall built the first flour mill in 1855. Later J. W. Woodroof, Walker & Miner and Lancaster & Erwin built flour mills here.
A coal shaft was sunk in 1869-70, when a seven foot vein of coal was reached three hundred and fifty feet below the surface. This shaft is now owned by the Girard Coal Company. From this time on the town of Girard began to grow and improve.
OBTAINS A CITY CHARTER.
In 1880 a petition was presented to the board of trustees praying that an election be called to determine the question of organizing under the city charter under the general law. An election was called for and met September 14, 1880, and resulted in an overwhelming victory for city organization. The city officers were elected at the regular annual election in April, 1881. The outgoing board of trustees refused to receive the election returns for such election, claiming such organization had not been made within the time required by law, refusing to vacate their seats for the newly elected officers and continued to hold regular meetings to elect and commission officers elected by them. The newly elected city council met for the first time in July, 1881.
Legal proceedings were instituted in the circuit court of Macoupin county to determine the legality of the town board's action. That court decided against the town board and an appeal was taken to the appellate court, which early in the year 1882 also decided adversely to the town board. It was not until Feb-
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ruary 7, 1882, that the town board made its laws. Thus for nearly two years there was maintained in Girard two sets of officers, each striving to maintain its supremacy and to secure the other's overthrow.
In the fall of 1880 the second railroad (the present J. & St. L.) was finished through Girard from Jacksonville to Litchfield. This gave additional passenger and shipping facilities to the city and doubtless has contributed much to its sub- sequent growth and development.
In 1881 there was prepared and published a complete set of ordinances for the then new city. Aldermen were elected at large and not until in January, 1882, was the city divided into wards. In September, 1885, the petition of R. S. Cowan and others was presented to the city council praying that an election be called "to determine the question whether the city of Girard shall be changed from city and become village." Pursuant thereto an election was called, result- ing in a decided majority against such change. In 1886, a complete revision of the city ordinances was made and published. This revision remained the code of the city until 1892, when a new revision was made and published.
A BUSY TRADING POINT.
Girard is now a city of 1,891, having gained 230 in population since the census of 1900. Its mines employ many people and are among the largest in the state. On three sides of the public square are business emporiums of a char- acter not often found in a place as small as Girard. The buildings are modern and the stocks of various descriptions, equal in quantity and quality to many cities of much more importance.
ELECTRIC LIGHTS.
For the past several years Girard has owned its lighting plant. In 1892 the city council granted a seven year license to George A. Eastham and Charles Evans to place electric light poles in the streets of Girard, contracting with them for lights for such streets. On the expiration of their franchise, which was by vote in 1900, it was determined that the city should own its own electric light plant. About that time the city issued bonds to the amount of $6,000 and bought the plant, which had been built by George L. Tipton and E. M. Burnett. The city then built a substantial brick power house in another locality, installed new machinery, and today has a modern lighting plant more than sufficient to meet the demands upon it. The streets are lighted on a "moon" schedule and at the present has in service twenty-six arc lights.
A GOOD PLACE IN WHICH TO LIVE.
Girard is a desirable place in which to locate and take up a residence. It has a splendid school and several churches, the Methodist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Catholic, Germán Baptist, Lutheran Baptist, Universalist and Christian. Most, if not all, of these organizations have new, substantial and handsome church buildings, ranging in cost from four to five thousand dollars each.
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The city has seven miles of cement walks. Five miles of these walks have been laid within the past four years. There is a good brick city hall building, which was erected many years ago and an excellent volunteer fire company, to whose paraphernalia a Howe gasoline fire engine was added in April, 1911, at a cost of $2,000.
Prior to 1907 saloons had existed in Girard for a period of twenty-six years. In the spring of the year mentioned, under Mayor C. H. Metcalf's administra- tion, the saloons were "turned into the discard" and when he retired from office the treasury contained $2,200.
There is in this stirring little city a splendid opera house building, erected by T. C. Dodson, about 1893, at a cost of $15,000. There is also a woman's club here, which is now about three years old. The presiding officer is Mrs. Ella Toland. There are several fraternal orders, among them being Girard Lodge, A. F. & A. M., the Eastern Star, Girard Lodge of Odd Fellows and Rebekahs, Knights of Pythias and Rathbone Sisters, Knights of Labor, Modern Woodmen of America, Hibernians, Court of Honor and others. Luke Mayfield Post, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized soon after the war, with a large mem- bership, which has dwindled down to a few old veterans, the others having answered the last roll call.
In the fall of 1909 Girard was visited by quite a disastrous fire, which de- stroyed about $35,000 worth of property, consisting of business buildings on the west side of the square. New buildings at once took their place, which added materially to the fine appearance of the square. During the holidays of 1910 the O'Neil block burned to the ground, entailing a loss of from $10,000 to $12,000.
CHIEF EXECUTIVES OF THE CITY.
Below is given a list of the men who have served Girard as president or as mayor of the village and city of Girard since the year 1865:
1865-6, William S. Littlepage; 1867-69, Joseph Mckinney; 1870, Barnabus Boggess; 1871-2, Daniel S. Macknett; 1873, R. S. Cowan; 1874-5, William E. Eastham; 1876-7, William S. Littlepage; 1878, Henry D. Lowe; 1879, William S. Littlepage; 1880, Henry D. Lowe; 1881-2, Thomas C. Cherry ; 1883-4, L. C. Murphy ; 1885-6, William S. Garretson; 1887-8, R. S. Cowan ; 1889-90, Lewis C. Deck ; 1891-2, R. S. Cowan ; 1893-4, Edward C. Knotts; 1895-6, R. S. Cowan ; 1897-8, William N. Drennan; 1899-1900, Frank G. Wood; 1901-03, Alexander W. Crawford; 1903-5, Philip Flood; 1905-7, Alexander W. Crawford; 1907-II, C. H. Metcalf; 1911, A. H. Miller, who is the present incumbent.
BANK OF GIRARD.
The Bank of Girard was organized December 10, 1873, by James D. Metcalf, B. P. Andrews, J. W. Woodroof and John F. Roche. The officers were: James D. Metcalf, president ; B. P. Andrews, cashier ; H. C. Hamilton, assistant cashier.
In 1908 the institution changed its character to the extent of securing a charter as a state bank, assuming the name of the State Bank of Girard, the first officers of which were: H. C. Hamilton, president; J. D. Metcalf, vice presi-
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dent; J. M. Metcalf, cashier; E. E. Littlepage, assistant cashier. This list of officers prevails at the present time. The directors are H. C. Hamilton, J. D. Metcalf, J. M. Metcalf, E. E. Littlepage, John F. Roche, B. P. Andrews and J. W. Woodroof.
The paid up capital of this financial institution is $50,000, with a surplus and undivided profits of $12,500. It does a general banking business and is considered one of the most substantial concerns of the kind in the county.
PEOPLES BANK OF GIRARD.
This bank was organized February 1, 1893. Its first officials were: J. N. McElvain, president ; W. S. Garretson, vice president ; J. O. Burton, cashier ; Jason N. McElvain, W. S. Garretson, S. O. Smith, J. Coy Roach, J. O. Burton, F. G. Storz, T. H. Cherry, directors. The bank is capitalized at $40,000 and has a surplus of $20,000. Its present officials are: S. A. Smith, president ; T. H. Cherry, vice president ; J. H. Tietsort, cashier ; S. O. Smith, T. H. Cherry, J. H. Tietsort, J. O. Burton, M. H. Tietsort, G. G. Garretson, T Coy Roach, directors.
BRUSHY MOUND TOWNSHIP.
Brushy Mound township is bounded on the north by Carlinville, on the east by Honey Point township, south by Gillespie and on the west by Polk township. It took its name from the large mound, situated near the center of the township.
In the year 1828 Theodorus Davis, Jr., became the first settler of the town- ship. In July, 1829, John Moore, with his family, consisting of wife and three children, settled in the township. He located on a tract of land about three miles southwest of Carlinville.
In 1830 David Gimlin settled on land about three miles southwest of Carlin- ville, in Brushy Mound township. He was a Baptist minister and preached the first sermon ever delivered in the township.
In 1831 several settlers came, among them the Weatherfords, Jefferson Har- din and others, who located in the northeast corner of the township on what was later known as Weatherford's prairie. Soon afterward came Elijah Mitchell and Thomas Hughes and settled on Brushy Mound prairie. About this same time Henry and Thomas Beauford and Willis and William Whitworth, with their families, also settled here.
In 1832 William Kettner and family located on what was known as Spanish Needle prairie.
In 1833 or 1834 Jefferson Weatherford built a mill which was operated by ox power.
In 1837 Haskins Trabue built a carding factory. which for many years sup- plied the settlers with woolen yarn.
In the spring of 1851 Thomas Carr and Elijah Mitchell built a grist mill on Honey creek and in 1853 B. F. Clark and J. R. Mitchell built a mill on Spanish Needle prairie. Some time later Braley's mill on Honey creek, and Borough's mill at Borough station, were erected.
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The first couple married in this township was William Flinan and Miss Edith Gimlin, daughter of David Gimlin, their wedding being celebrated on the 17th of January, 1833.
The first child born in the township was Theodorus, son of John and Ann Moore, on the 16th of September, 1830. When seventeen years of age he en- listed for service in the war with Mexico and died of yellow fever at Tampico, Mexico, September 30, 1847.
The first house of worship in the township was erected by the Baptists, on section 12, in the northeast part of the township. It was 20x30 feet, built of hewn logs, covered with oak shingles, while the floor was made of undressed oak plank. In 1852 this structure was replaced by a frame building, which was erected on the south side of Honey creek timber. In 1873 a third building was erected.
The first school district in the township was organized in 1834. The build- ing was made of logs and the school was conducted by Thomas P. Low.
The first entries of land in the township were made as follows: October 19, 1829, eighty acres on section 5, by Travis Moore ; October 8, 1830, eighty acres on the same section by David Gimlin; October 16, 1830, eighty acres on section 12, by Harding Weatherford.
VIRDEN TOWNSHIP.
Virden township lies in the extreme northeastern corner of the county and is bounded on the north by Sangamon county, on the east by Montgomery county, on the south by Girard township, and on the west by North Otter township. The land is mostly prairie. As the years have passed the farms have been well improved and highly cultivated, being settled by a thrifty and energetic class of farmers. The land is afforded good drainage by Sugar and Brush creeks.
The first settlers in the township were Robert Smith and Joseph Davidson, who with their families came from Ohio in the fall of 1829, locating on Sugar creek in the northwest part of the township. The first land entry was made November 9, 1829, by M. Davidson and Robert Smith on the northeast quarter of section 6. Among the early settlers here were John Gelder, Thomas G. Duckles, who settled here in 1838; John G. Smith, who made a permanent loca- tion here in 1852; and Abner Kent, William Gibson, Noble Walters, Samuel Hullet, and Preston Wright.
Rev. Edward Rutledge preached the first sermon in one of the private homes. He was of the Methodist faith. That denomination built the first church in 1853. Subsequently it gave way to a new church edifice and the old structure was used for a blacksmith shop.
The first child born in the township was Robert Davidson, whose birth oc- curred in 1831.
Greene B. Haggard and Eliza Smith were the first couple married in the town- ship, the wedding being celebrated on the 22d of April, 1846.
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The first schoolhouse was built of logs in 1841, and was located on section 18. The first teacher was Mrs. Rebecca Kent, who taught for three months, receiv- ing as her compensation fifteen dollars.
VIRDEN.
· The town of Virden was named in honor of John Virden, who for some years was proprietor of a hotel and kept a popular stage stand two miles south of the village. The town was laid out in 1852 by Messrs. Heaton, Dubois, Chesnut, Hickox and Keiting, and the first lots were sold in October of that year. It was surveyed by John L. Morrell.
The first building in the town was the hotel erected and conducted by John Virden.
The first residence in the town was erected and occupied by Alexander Hord and his family.
The first store in the town was opened by Henry Fishback, in November, 1852. After four months he sold to John I. Beattie, who took possession Feb- ruary 1, 1853. Page Heaton opened the first dry goods and grocery store in the town. In January, 1853, the first postoffice was opened in his store. In the summer of 1853 Joseph E. Walker built a blacksmith shop.
The first mill was built by John Williams, and was known as North mill. It was destroyed by fire a few years after it began operations. A second mill was erected by Matthew Cowens and called South mill.
In the spring of 1853 the first school was taught by Mrs. James Hall in a private home.
In 1853 the first marriage occurred in the town, the contracting parties being Miss Hannah Stead and a Mr. Lloyd.
The first death was that of John Dryr in 1855.
The first child born in the town was Mary, daughter of John Dohoney, later of Carlinville. Her birth occurred December 4, 1852.
The first sermon was delivered by Edward Rutledge, a Methodist minister, in the hotel of John Virden. The first regular preacher was Rev. Baker.
Dr. Charles Holliday located here for practice in 1854.
In 1870 the village voted $30,000 for the building of the Jacksonville & South- eastern railway. It was finished about the close of 1871 and was thirty-one miles long. J. W. Lathrop was appointed the first station agent. The first freight received was January 25, 1872. It was two rolls of leather from Jacksonville and consigned to Battise & Huntly, of Carlinville. The first freight shipped was a carload of coal from the Virden Coal Company and consigned to J. I. Cochran, of Jacksonville, on the 10th of January, 1872.
The Chicago & Alton railroad also passes through the town.
In 1869 a coal shaft was sunk by a stock company in Virden.
AS THE YEARS HAVE PASSED.
In 1890 the census gave Virden a population of 1,160. Today it has, by the United States census an even 4,000, and is still growing, not only in the number
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of its citizens, but in a business way. Virden is a first class little city and its mining interests made for it one of the principal coal centers of the county. Its mercantile houses compare very favorably with places of more consequence and the buildings, which surround the public square, are, many of them, new and at- tractive in appearance. In 1910 Jackson street, considered the main thorough- fare of the city, was paved with brick from Dye street to Madison. Within the past seven years about twenty miles of cement sidewalks have been laid and a project is now on foot by the citizens for the building of waterworks. For some years an electric light plant has been in operation, built by corporate in- terests, and it is one of the most complete establishments in this section of the state.
NEW CITY HALL.
In 1910, a substantial and attractive city hall was built on the east side of the public square, at a cost of $4,000. Here are the council chambers, city officials' offices and room for the volunteer fire department, the paraphernalia of which consists of a Watrous fire engine, costing $1,400, and purchased in 1909. Hose carts and sufficient hose complete the outfit.
The city is economically governed and well policed. Its streets, surrounding the public square, are kept free from dust by sprinkling them with oil.
Virden, of course, has her societies of various descriptions. Chief among them are the Masons, Eastern Star, Odd Fellows, Rebekahs, Modern Woodmen, Knights of Pythias, Red Men, Foresters and others. John Baird Post, Grand Army of the Republic, was at one time a strong organization. Disease and death have crept into the ranks of the members and today but a corporal's guard is left to answer the roll call.
STATE BANK.
About 1866 this bank was organized by Chesnut & Dubois, bankers of Car- linville, and the firm was composed of C. P. Heaton, A. McKim Dubois and John R. Chesnut. The concern then passed into the hands of Frank Heaton, a son of C. P. Heaton, and C. M. Walworth, the latter now connected with the First National Bank of Chicago. Later Benjamin F. Caldwell, Edward Keys and Lewis, of Springfield, and J. P. Henderson and George J. Pattison, of Virden, bought the concern and run it as a private bank for about six years, when the Springfield interests were purchased by Henderson and Pattison and the banking firm took the name of Henderson, Pattison & Company, the com- pany being George H. Hill. This condition obtained until about 1900, when Mr. Pattison died and soon thereafter the State Bank was organized by J. P. Hender- son, Henry Kable, George H. Hill, John Gelder, and others. Capitalization, $50,- 000. Officials : J. P. Henderson, president ; John Gelder and Howard T. Wilson, vice presidents; J. W. Everts, cashier ; Harry G. Hill, assistant. The last state-
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ment of the bank issued in June, 1911, showed total resources of $352,000; de- posits, $300,000.
THE FARMERS AND MERCIIANTS STATE BANK.
In 1893 the Farmers & Merchants Bank was established by O. R. Rohrer and others, which eventually, about three years ago, was sold to C. D. Brown & Company. Most, if not all of this time, O. R. Rohrer was the cashier. In the winter of 1910 Mr. Brown died and on December 19, 1910, the bank received its charter as a state bank and assumed the title of the Farmers & Merchants State Bank. It was capitalized at $55,000. B. R. Hieronymus, president; O. R. Rohrer, cashier.
NILWOOD TOWNSHIP.
Nilwood township is a rich agricultural region and is bounded on the north by Girard, on the west by South Otter, on the south by Shaw's Point township, and on the east by Montgomery county, and lies in the northeastern part of the county in the eastern tier of townships. It is well drained by Macoupin creek and its tributaries.
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