USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois : biographical and pictorial, Volume I > Part 51
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LIFE MEMBERSHIP.
The first certificate of life membership in the association was applied for and received by Mrs. J. I. Rinaker, the second by Miss Sue Dick.
Mesdames J. P. Matthews and H. M. Kimball proved themselves able and willing workers in the interests of the library and were among the early presi- dents. Mrs. M. J. Anderson was also painstaking and faithful in the discharge of her duties in the chair.
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Mrs. C. A. Walker had the arduous task of preparing the second catalogue of the library's books, but with her committee of able workers, consisting of Mesdames J. I. Rinaker, Lolah W. Woods, M. L. Keplinger and the Misses Sallie Welch and Mamie Johnson, the work when completed met with com- mendation. Mrs. Walker also served as president of the association and made a very efficient officer. Mrs. A. H. Eldred was one of the presidents of the organization and proved an able and painstaking executive. The library was gratefully indebted to her for the stove, which she generously donated for the purpose of heating the library room. Mrs. Thomas Rinaker may also be mentioned as one of the presiding officers, who gave her time and interests to the affairs of the association. The same may be said of Miss Sue Dick, who as president was a zealous worker and by her donations of valuable books added much to the growing library.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT.
Mrs. F. W. Burton, Mrs. W. H. Steward and Mrs. M. L. Keplinger, besides their ability in conducting the affairs of the library, as presidents won enviable reputations as financial managers of entertainments through which they added largely to the funds of the association. Many others who acted in an official capacity deserve much credit for their faithfulness in discharging the duties de- volving upon them. Among these may be mentioned J. T. Rogers, M. L. Kep- linger, George Hunter, W. H. Steward, Mesdames Charles Otwell, S. S. Hunter, Mary P. Hankins, Lucretia Liston, Lolah W. Woods and the Misses Maria Fish- back and Mamie Johnson. Their work and interests manifested in the library can hardly be over-estimated.
LIBRARIANS.
The faithful librarians who ever held to their post of duty deserve encomiums, for they have ever been willing to perform their duties and lend all possible assistance to the patrons of the library. Mrs. W. R. Welch and Miss Sue Dick, respectively, were the first librarians. Others who have followed them have been more than trustworthy in the performance of their duties. These remarks may also be applied to the present librarian, Miss Mattie Johnson, and her assistants, the Misses Davis, David and Hassett. Mrs. W. H. Behrens is the present presi- dent of the association.
. Many donations of books have been made, adding largely to the growing list of volumes on the library shelves. The main workers in sustaining the library were among the older citizens and their families who worked to promote its growth. Many of these have passed to the great beyond. It is somewhat re- markable that of all the officers elected in the annual meetings of 1872, 1873, 1874 and the chief promoters of the organization, few remain at this day citizens of Carlinville. Those now here are Mrs. M. J. Anderson, Miss Sue Dick, Mrs. J. I. Rinaker, J. G. Koester and M. L. Keplinger. This remnant of the old guard, so to speak, remains to witness and enjoy the success of its undertakings.
The library is now in a prosperous condition. It contains over 5,000 volumes and has a yearly circulation of over 7,000. All the best and most popular maga-
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zines are found upon the library shelves. None of the officers are paid. The only remuneration they receive is the free use of books. Of late years the offices have all been filled by women, with full control and supervision. The support of the library is secured through the membership fees of $2, yearly, and fines received from those retaining books in their possession over the time limit.
The library has no endowment fund. At first, through the kindness of citi- zens, donations were made until the association became self-sustaining from mem- berships, fines and entertainments. In 1871, $400 had been subscribed and later other donations were made. Since then it has had a slow, but steady growth, until now it is identified with the best interests of the city.
BANKS AND BANKERS.
The banking house of Crittenden H. C. Anderson started in 1869 under a special charter to the Henderson Loan & Real Estate Company, which began business in the place now maintained by the C. H. C. Anderson Banking Com- pany. The head of this financial concern was George H. Holliday, a former county judge who became very prominently involved in the history of the present court house. The bank was capitalized at $5,000. James J. Furber was its cashier and Holliday was at the head of the concern until January, 1870, when C. H. C. Anderson purchased the business and reorganized the institution. Mr. Anderson, from the fact that he had invested a large sum of money, was prac- tically in control of the bank. However, he retained Mr. Furber as cashier and at the time, Samuel T. Mayo, Julius G. Chester and Charles W. Weer appeared among others on the board of directors. The bank was conducted under the corporate name of the Henderson Loan & Real Estate Company until about the year 1879, when the charter was surrendered. Mr. Anderson retained his in- terest, which covered practically the business and conducted the bank as a private concern, retaining Mr. Furber as cashier.
C. H. C. Anderson conducted this bank alone until July, 1889, when he asso- ciated with him as partners in business his son, John C. Anderson, the present head of the bank, and his daughter, Effie M., the wife of W. L. Mounts. Six months after this arrangement was consummated Mr. Anderson died. At the time that he assumed control of the institution in 1870, the bank was capitalized at only $5,000 but previous to his death the capital stock had been increased to $100,000, and at the time of Mr. Anderson's death, the reports show a surplus of $25,000. This was in 1890. Mr. Furber continued as cashier until his death, which occurred November 8, 1903, in his seventieth year.
In 1878 the banking house of Chestnut & Dubois failed. This was the first banking institution established in Macoupin county. Mr. Anderson had no knowledge of the difficulty of the Chestnut & Dubois bank until the morning that a notice was posted on the bank's doors. This announcement caused un- easiness and unusual commotion among the depositiors of the banks, but Mr. Anderson continued business just the same. During that day, say about closing time, some of Mr. Anderson's heaviest depositors became apprehensive as to
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whether he could pull through the storm, and called upon him to learn of the situation. His only reply to their importunities and. questions was :
"They might close my doors but they can't break me."
Mr. Anderson invited his depositors back of the counter and insisted on them making a thorough examination of his books, saying to them:
"Gentlemen, I want you to understand that not only the assets of this cor- poration but every dollar of my private property is behind this bank."
The result of the examination of the books satisfied Mr. Anderson's callers that the bank itself was perfectly solvent and the consequence was that ten of the most substantial business men of the city executed to Samuel T. Mayo a power of attorney authorizing him to sign their names as guarantors upon any certificate of deposit issued by the C. H. C. Anderson Bank to such customers who desired to have their deposits secured. This arrangement was availed of by a few of the depositors but by noon of the next day, all danger of a run was over. At that time Mr. Anderson's private means amounted to about $100,000 and it might be here stated parenthetically that the Anderson bank has without any special difficulty withstood three financial panics-those of 1873, 1878 and 1893.
The capital stock of this bank is $100,000. The president is John C. Ander- son and John Westermeier is cashier, while H. Dey is assistant cashier.
Mr. Westermeier succeeded Mr. Furber in 1890 and has been the cashier of the bank ever since that time.
The Farmers and Merchants Bank of Carlinville was organized in April, 1904 by Judge Lewis C. Peebles, John R. Duckles, H. A. Steinmeyer, Thomas P. Ross, William J. C. Grotefendt, Dr. J. P. Denby, W. B. Otwell, L. E. Mason and others. The institution was capitalized at $35,000. It began with a prosperous business at the start, which has continued and multiplied to the present time. It has made no change in its capital stock, and its liabilities amount to $150,000.
CARLINVILLE NATIONAL BANK.
This institution was organized May 5, 1890 by A. L. Hoblit, Sylvester Hoblit and others. W. F. Burgdorff was the first president ; Peter Heinz, vice president ; A. L. Hoblit, cashier ; Frank Hoblit, assistant cashier. The first directorate was composed of W. F. Burgdorff, Joseph Bird, Peter Heinz, Milton McClure, F. W. Burton, John I. Rinaker, Robert B. Shirley, Sylvester Hoblit and Charles Gilman.
The concern was capitalized at $50,000 and began doing business May 5, 1890 in the old First National Bank building, which is leased by the management Since its organization the net earnings of the bank have been $194,000, of which $96,000 have been paid out in dividends and $98,000 now represents the sur- plus and undivided profits. As shown by the statement of June 7, 1911, the capital and surplus of the bank was $153,000; total resources, $700,000; deposits, $534,000.
The present officers are: W. F. Burgdorff, president; Joseph Bird, vice president ; A. L. Hoblit, cashier ; C. H. Diesel, assistant cashier. Frank Hoblit,
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a former assistant cashier, is now the president of the First National Bank at Lincoln, Illinois.
CARLINVILLE LOAN & BUILDING ASSOCIATION.
The above institution was organized about the year 1885 by Robert E. Love, Thomas Rinaker, A. G. David, L. P. Peebles, W. F. Burgdorff, W. E. P. Ander- son, W. H. Steward, W. O. Steinmeyer and others, with a capital stock of $500,000. The institution is a very prosperous one and is now capitalized at $2,000,000.
Its officers are: W. F. Burgdorff, president; C. Westermeier, vice president ; A. L. Hoblit, treasurer ; Thomas Rinaker, attorney; C. G. Heinz, secretary.
THE MACOUPIN TELEPHONE & TELEGRAPH COMPANY.
The Macoupin Telephone & Telegraph Company, an independent telephone company, owns and operates telephone exchanges at Carlinville, the capital city of Macoupin county, and at Atwater, Illinois. The company is incorporated under the laws of the state of Illinois, and was originally incorporated, July 30, 1900, with an authorized capital stock of $10,000, the incorporators being James A. Fletcher, C. G. Heinz, Frank Paul, Theodore C. Loehr, Robert Whitely, Jr., C. J. C. Fischer and J. E. McClure.
This telephone company was born of a necessity for a toll line connection with a telephone exchange in the county seat, which was felt by independent telephone companies operating exchanges in the cities, towns and villages in the northern part of Macoupin county. Connection had been denied them except on ruinous terms.
The Macoupin Telephone & Telegraph Company opened its Carlinville ex- change, January 1, 1901, with one hundred telephones in service and one toll line connecting with the exchange of the Girard Telephone Company at Girard; through that exchange with all other cities, towns and villages in the northern part of Macoupin county and a few points in Montgomery, Sangamon and Morgan counties. Today this company on its Carlinville and Atwater exchanges has seven hundred and fifty subscribers, has toll line connection over its own or inter-company owned metallic toll lines with every city, town and village in Macoupin county, with every independent telephone company and exchange in the adjoining counties; and over the copper metallic toll lines of the Kinloch Long Distance Telephone Company of Missouri, the Inter-State Independent Telephone & Telegraph Company, of Springfield and Aurora, Illinois, and through the connecting lines of these great companies the subscribers of the Macoupin Telephone & Telegraph Company may have telephone toll line serv- ice, promptly and satisfactorily to about five thousand cities, towns and villages in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio, including such great cities and trade centers as Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri; Louis- ville, Kentucky; Terre Haute and Indianapolis, Indiana ; Springfield, Decatur, Bloomington, Peoria, Quincy, Rock Island, Joliet, Aurora and Chicago, Illinois; Keokuk, Fort Madison, Burlington, Muscatine, Davenport and Clinton, Iowa.
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AMERICAN WOMAN'S LEAGUE
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY
The local as well as the toll business of the company is steadily growing, and it seems reasonably probable that the growth will continue until every residence in town and every farm residence will have a telephone connecting with the central offices of this company. The company but recently increased its capital stock from $10,000 to $50,000 in order to raise funds to increase switchboard capacity in the central offices, to provide additional cable and more country lines and telephones, the present equipment being fully employed. The rates for service vary according to the kind of -service desired.
The time is here when telephone service is as necessary and important to every one as postal service, and it is only a question of time when every one to whom first class local and long distance service is of importance will have "a telephone connecting with the exchanges of The Macoupin Telephone & Tele- graph Company, and through its exchanges with the toll lines and exchanges of independent telephone companies elsewhere.
The present officers and directors of the company are: Theodore C. Loehr, president ; Frank Paul, vice president; A. F. Loehr. secretary, treasurer and manager. Directors, A. F. Weiss, H. C. Wargensted, Frank Paul, C. Wester- meier, Henry W. Paul, A. F. Loehr.
CARLINVILLE WOMAN'S CLUB.
By Elizabeth Pegram Lumpkin.
As the seat of Blackburn College, Carlinville, has for a half century boasted of its culture and educational attainments, hence, naturally, literary clubs liave been numerous and popular throughout a long series of years.
The Carlinville Woman's Club was, however, the first organization among the women of Macoupin county formed on the new utilitarian lines with un- restricted membership, and which acknowledged a common sisterhood and opened its ranks to all the women of the community, offering freely and gladly such help- fulness and culture as it is able to bestow. The Carlinville Woman's Club was organized November 29, 1899, and was federated with the Illinois State Federa- tion of Women's Clubs in 1901.
It announced that its "object shall be mutual counsel and improvement and general education, literary and philanthropic work."
The women present at the formation of the club were Mesdames John Pitt Matthews, John Palmer Matthews, George Baker, Solan Flautt, Lolah Woods, C. A. Walker, W. L. Mounts, A. L. Hoblit, C. J. Lumpkin and Miss Elizabeth Bell. The club was made departmental in its work with four general divisions. The first officers of the club were president, Mrs. W. L. Mounts; secretary and treasurer, Mrs. C. J. Lumpkin; chairman of literature department, Mrs. John Pitt Matthews; chairman of the music department, Mrs. Solan Flautt; chairman of the art department, Mrs. A. L. Hoblit; chairman of the magazine department, Mrs. George Baker. At the second election of officers the office of vice president and chairman of philanthropic work was added.
Through its four departments an effort has been made to offer a broader op- portunity for self culture to the women of Carlinville. The literature department has given each year wide and intelligent literary studies conducted by its own Vol. 1-28
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members or by lecture courses. The music department has been a strong section and has endeavored to give a more intimate and appreciative knowledge of tlie best in music. The art department has grown from the study of old masters into the discussions of civic art and efforts to wield an influence in the com- munity. The magazine department has broadened into the current events depart- ment, the work of which is to view more closely all the live issues of the day. The philanthropic department stands for general helpfulness in many lines. In the philanthropic work the club has done the most active work of this kind in the community since its organization, and takes largely the place of an organi- zation of associated charities as conducted in other communities.
Through this department the club fits out for school all cases of needy chil- dren reported and gives aid in cases of illness and poverty, and at Christmas time distributes baskets among the poor ; besides the club has by lectures on such sub- jects as the prevention of tuberculosis, pure food and health endeavored to aid in spreading a knowledge of the correct way of living.
The club has interested itself in a strong and effectual effort to assist the educational work of the community. March 21, 1901, the Blackburn Aid Asso- ciation was formed within the Woman's Club. The president of the club was also president of the organization, but with a secretary and treasurer drawn from the membership of the club.
The object of the association was to raise funds for Blackburn College, and was the initial incentive that resulted in the raising of the large endowment a few years later. The report of the work done by the Carlinville Woman's Club through this source as made April 24, 1902, was $5,946.10 in pledges, and $2,389.75 in cash, all of which was turned over to the college treasurer, and a field worker of the college pressed forward the work. This sum represented untiring work in the writing of hundreds of letters to friends and the alumni of the college, visits and solicitations.
In 1905 the Woman's Club put forth a vigorous effort again in behalf of Blackburn College and raised $1,200, which placed a chair of Domestic Science in the College and equipped a home for young women students under the super- vision of a Christian and cultured woman, an alumna of Columbia College, New York. A keen interest is felt and hearty support is given the college in all its efforts for the advancement of education and the welfare of the students.
An equally active interest has always been exercised in matters relating to the public schools. Eighteen large and handsomely framed photographs, reproduc- tions of the best in art, have been hung in the school rooms.
The club has many seasons maintained lecture courses of the highest grade. Three seasons the club took up the university extension course of Chicago Uni- : versity and also concerts of such high class that. only through the labors of the Woman's Club has the community been able to enjoy and profit from' the same.
The club has followed the lead of other clubs in the state and has conducted contests with school children in flower growing and the beautifying of yards, and has successfully appealed to the City Council to remove objectionable sights and to plant flower beds in the public parks.
The club year 1911 and 1912 opens on October 19, and the present officers are : President, Mrs. C. J. Lumpkin ; vice president, Dr. L. H. Corr ; secretary,
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Mrs. Nelly P. Reed; treasurer, Mrs. W. D. P. Warren; chairman of departments, Mrs. Earl Peebles, Mrs. E. Patchen, Mrs. Lolah Woods, Mrs. Lesser Nathan, Mrs. Harry Miller.
Larger activities have presented themselves to the club with each year, and its members have left behind them the old selfish spirit of only self culture of the early women's organizations and hold out helpful hands as the representative women of the tewntieth century, strong in body, mind and heart.
AMERICAN WOMAN'S LEAGUE.
The Carlinville chapter of the American Woman's League was founded by E. G. Lewis, of University City, St. Louis, and was organized by Miss Edna Jeffries, of Edwardsville, Illinois, at the present time the state regent. This took place December 5, 1909. Dr. L. H. Corr was selected as president ; Mrs. J. B. Searcy, first vice president; Mrs. John Omer, second vice president; Mrs. Alfred Mayfield, secretary ; Mrs. W. R. Crew, treasurer and local representative ; and Mrs. B. M. Davies, corresponding secretary.
After securing ten paid-up members at $50 per capita, the number and amount required at the time, the new association applied for a chapter house, having duly qualified for that advancement, in its progress toward the com- pletion of preliminary arrangements. The charter was granted and a contractor sent to this place to begin work, on July 21st, 1910, that being the day made memorable by the celebration of paying off the last of the court house bonds.
The purposes of the American Woman's League are the educational ad- ยท vantages to be secured to woman and her children, all minor children having equal advantages with the mother. Over fifty schools are affiliated with the league and through correspondence the league has the privileges of two hundred different branches taught. There is a fine arts building at University City, where the fine arts are taught in all their various forms. Painting, sculpture, drawing, pottery and other work in this line are taught. Scholars who show particular talent are received here and for such services as they are able to render, instruction is given them under the best masters from Europe, free of all charge.
The beautiful chapter house was erected upon a lot taken from the rear of the Judd homestead and donated to the chapter by Miss Martha E. Judd, for that purpose.
The present officers are: President, Mrs. J. B. Searcy ; first vice president, Mrs. Sadie Deadrick; secretary, Mrs. W. R. Crum; treasurer and local repre- sentative, Mrs. E. M. Davies; corresponding secretary, Miss M. E. Judd. The above are also unofficial members of the executive board.
THE MACOUPIN CLUB.
One of Carlinville's popular outing organizations is the Macoupin Club, which was organized 'May 24, 1902. Its object is to acquire, preserve and maintain hunting and fishing grounds. The members secured a preserve of sixty-five acres near Rinaker Station, twenty-two acres of which are covered by water-a
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reservoir formed by the construction of a dam across a ravine. While there is no club house, there is a building for a keeper, who is regularly employed to patrol the grounds and take care of the club's property. There are now about fifty members.
The officers are: President, Thomas Rinaker; vice president, Dr. C. A. Fischer ; secretary, A. M. Boring; treasurer, A. L. Hoblit. Board of directors: Silas Tappan, C. H. Burgdorff, A. M. Boring, A. L. Hoblit, Thomas Rinaker.
Daughters of the members have an auxiliary club and a tastefully built bunga- low is their meeting place on the hunting grounds. There are about twenty- five members.
THE BEAVER DAM LAKE CLUB.
In 1883 the Beaver Dam Lake Club was organized with C. A. Walker as president. The association ceased to exist in 1903 and the Henry Bradford estate, in 1904, built a hotel upon the ground at Macoupin Station, eight miles southwest of Carlinville. This is a popular resort for people of the county seat and St. Louis.
CARLINVILLE'S BEAUTIFUL CEMETERY.
The records of the above cemetery association do not give the delver after data any great encouragement to continue on his work, for the reason there is little to be found relating to this beautiful burial spot, that is, regarding its early history, that has been recorded. It is more a matter of tradition when the first interment was made here. It is the recollection of Mr. C. A. Walker that along about in 1831 he attended in this graveyard the funeral of the child of a neigh- bor but the name is now beyond his remembrance. Ezekiel Good, who at one time owned the land taken possession of for burial purposes, which was a part and parcel of a tract of land entered by him, was probably the next one to be buried here.
If the city has any title in law to this old burial ground, the records do not so indicate. There have been additions made, however, to that part now within the enclosure and known as the Carlinville cemetery, to which the city has a recorded title. But there are two tracts or parcels of land within the enclosure, to which the city has no legal title. That is that part known as the Halderman graveyard, to which the Halderman heirs still hold the title and that part known as the original graveyard. Of course, as a matter of fact, the title to the ceme- tery will never in all probability be contraverted.
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