History of Macoupin County, Illinois, Part 45

Author: Brink, McDonough & Co.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 440

USA > Illinois > Macoupin County > History of Macoupin County, Illinois > Part 45

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The first step in the founding of the new town was the establishment of a store, January, 1836. Messrs. True and Tilden brought from St. Louis a wagon-load of groceries and dry goods, and the first impetus was thus given to the business prospects of the infant town. The first house was built by Moses True, and stood on the west side of Washington street on the spot now occupied by Dr. Milton's office. Mr. True's residence in 1836 is de- scribed as " having only one room, the roof projecting and forming a piazza on either side, with an opening from side to side over the loose, split boards which formed the ceiling."

From the reminiscences of the settlement of the town, read by John A. Pettingill, July 4th, 1876, we copy the following :

BUNKER HILL PLATTED.

"Early in March of 1836, Messrs. True and Tilden employed Luke Knowlton to lay out and plat the now city of Bunker Hill. This was but seven years from the first settlement of the township. The settlements lay on the direct mail route between St. Louis and Springfield. The town having been laid out, Messrs. True and Tilden at once commenced the con- struction of 'The Old Tavern,' now a part of the Richards' Block. Mr. Tompkins set out the first tree (locust) in Woodburn, and brought the first trees (locust) into Bunker Hill, which Mr. True set out, some of which, in both places, are still growing.

" At this early day it was impossible to depend upon home institutions and home mechanics. Upper Alton blacksmiths made the iron work for plows, while the natives sought out twisting trees, from which they wrought out our wooden mould-boards, with the balance of the stock equally as prim- itive. All the pine lumber came down the Ohio to Cairo in rafts, and was thence shipped to St. Louis and Alton by steamboat. The nearest saw mill was on the Cahokia, north of Edwardsville. The first flour used in the new hotel came from Carlinville, and for a number of years Carlinville and Belleville were the best points for wheat and flour. The first sermon preached at Bunker Hill was by Elder Kimball, from Upper Alton."

OLD TIME MAIL.

In those days of slow locomotion, much inconvenience was experienced in passing through the country, when the quickest correspondence expected by

mail to and from Boston was fifty days, and often seventy. Uncle Sam charged twenty-five cents as single postage on letters at that time.

Dr. Ebenezer Howell became a resident of Bunker Hill in the spring of 1837, and for several years was the only physician. George Howell, his son, was the first child born in the town.

In the summer of 1837 Mr. True enlarged his hotel by putting up an addition. In the succeeding fall Josiah Richards, who had come from Bos- ton, purchased the goods in the store of Mr. True. He was also appointed deputy post-master by Mr. Buell, who then had charge of the Lincoln office, and the post-office was removed to Bunker Hill. Early in 1838 Nathaniel Phillips and family arrived. The name of the post-office was changed from Lincoln to Bunker Hill, and Mr. Phillips was ap pointed the first post-master December, 1838, Mr. True retired from the hotel, and was succeeded by N. H. Flanagan from New Jersey as proprietor. In the spring of 1839 J. W. Cummings, G. Parmenter, Charles Burnham, R. Califf, Nathaniel Burnham, D. E. Pettingill, and Joseph and Edward Burton settled in the town and vicinity. John A. Pettingill also arrived in April, 1839, and started the first nursery of fruit trees in the township. He was also one of the early school-teachers, and since his first coming to Bunker Hill has been interested in many ways in the improvement of the town. Charles Johnson, of Med- ford, Massachusetts, came in May, 1839. S. H. Davis, A. B. Davis, R. Ridgeley, James Hamilton, I. Southworth and Charles Cavender were early settlers in the neighborhood of the town. Francis N. Burnham made im- provements north-east of the town, and presided over the first school ever taught in Bunker Hill. He was succeeded by John A. Pettingill.

The first couple married within the town limits were Francis N. Burn- ham and Miss Harriet Phillips.

James Clark and S. S. Clark became residents of the prairie in December, 1840. In 1840 Judge P. C. Huggins moved from Woodburn, where he had been engaged in the mercantile business, and succeeded Josiah Richards as proprietor of the store. For several years he was the only merchant in the town. In November, 1847, John A. Pettingill established the second store.

Mr. Pettingill in his Centennial History recalls the following incidents :

" The 4th of July, 1839, was the first anniversary of the 'day we cele- brate' ever observed in due and ancient form in this township. The day preceding was all bustle in the getting and raising of a liberty pole, and making a leafy bower to cover the extended tables. The 'glorious fourth ' ushered in a terrible hot day ; but despite the heat, the whole community turned out, in all, some sixty souls ! F. Burnham was master of ceremonies, and N. H. Flanagan orator of the day. Dr. E. Howell read the Declaration of Independence, when H. V. A. Tappen made some cogent remarks. After dinner, J. W. Cummings, as toast-master, called the assemblage to order and read the toasts, which were well responded to. The ground occupied was that now covered with stores, south of Huggins block. The political campaign of 1840 brought the democrats to Bunker Hill, and the whigs as- sembled at Woodburn ; and each duly celebrated the 4th of July as best they could. The former were presided over by N. H. Flanagan, and Rev. Mr. Arnold, of Alton, orator. The whigs listened to Mr. Lincoln, John Hogan and Judge Davis, from Alton. July 4th, 1841, was enjoyed by those who rode to Gershom Flagg's, and on their return found well-spread tables at Landlord Gillett's, who occupied the old tavern. July 4th, 1842, was passed by with the raising of a liberty pole and good round cheers. July 4th, 1843, was duly celebrated at Bunker Hill. Some four hundred persons gathered to hear the orator of the day, J. A. Delano. N. H. Flanagan presided, and the Upper Alton Band gave us fine music. July 4th, 1844, about three hundred and fifty citizens, headed by the Bunker Hill Band, went to Woodburn, and there met the Alton Band. Mr. Edwards, of Alton. was the orator of the day.

As early as 1834 a military company was organized, with John Wilson as captain, succeeded by Washington Dilk, and afterward by Wiley Breden. The first muster in this township occurred on the 27th of September, 1839. A regimental organization existed in Southern Macoupin, with R. Bayless as colonel and P. C. Huggins as major, and the muster in question was the stated parade of the battalion, which made its headquarters at Bunker Hill. The Bunker Hill company mustered forty men ; Capt. Van Tyle was in command."

BUNKER HILL CEMETERY.

Among the attractions of Bunker Hill is a beautiful cemetery, handsome- ly laid out on high, rolling ground, just within the eastern limits of the city. The grounds are profusely ornamented with shade trees and many varieties

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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

of shrubbery. The monuments are elegant in design and workmanship. " The records show that about 1840, Moses True donated half an acre of ground for cemetery purposes. In 1841, by the voluntary contributions and labor of the people, the ground was fenced and laid out. Until 1852 it remained thus. In June, 1852, a number of citizens assem- bled to consider the propriety of organizing an association to hold and care for the property. E. Howell was chairman, and J. A. Pettingill, sec- retary. Messrs. J. A. Delano, E. Howell and J. A. Pettingill were consti- tuted a committee to ascertain the cost of ground and material for fence, and to draft a form of constitution and by-laws, June 16, the committee reported, and an organization was effected with C. D. Marsh, J. A. Pettin- gill and J. Pierson as trustees, and J. A. Delano, secretary and treasurer. A subscription paper was circulated, and with so much success that it was decided at the same meeting to purchase three acres of land in addition to Mr. True's donation, and adjoining the same. This ground was fenced and platted the same year, the engineering (of a primitive style) being per- formed by the trustees and treasurer, and without charge. March 4, 1861, the association was organized under the state law, the officers elected being J. A. Pettingill, president ; J. F. Cummings, T. J. Van Dorn, Richard Ridgeley, directors, and J. A. Delano, secretary and treasurer. October 4, 1867, four acres additional were purchased of N. H. Flanagan, making the cemetery grounds nearly eight acres in extent.

Among the many handsome ornaments which adorn this beautiful tract of ground,

THE SOLDIERS' MONUMENT

Is at once the most costly and striking-a fitting tribute to the memory of the martyred soldiers of the republic.

The monument is of hard gray sandstone, and stands 29 feet 4 inches high. A heavy moulded base contains the following inscription upon its north front :

TO THE MEMORY OF THE BRAVE MEN Who Died in the Service of their Country during the War for the Suppression of the Slave-holders' Rebellion of 1861.

THIS MONUMENT IS ERECTED BY THEIR FELLOW-CITIZENS.

" Dulce et Decorum est, pro Patria Mori." 1866.

Immediately below this inscription, the words "Soldiers' Monument " stands out in full relief. The other three sides of the base are occupied with the names of the dead, the number of their regiment, and the place and cause of death. From the base rises the first obelisk, resting upon which is a carved block, bearing in relief a trophy, consisting of cannon, crossed arms and flags, partly concealed by a shield, surmounted with stars and stripes. From this block rests the second obelisk, with capital upon which is perched a life-size representation of an American Eagle with wings extended.

The preliminary steps in the erection of this monument were taken No- vember 11, 1865, at a public meeting of which James Hamilton was chair- man, and J. A. Delano, secretary. These gentlemen served in these capaci- ties until the work was completed and all bills settled; and much of the success of the enterprise is due to their indefatigable efforts. February 14, 1867, the monument was unveiled, and the financial accounts closed up, when it was found that the cost amounted to $1772.44. Of this, $1215.35 was subscribed by individuals; $200 donated by the cemetery association ; and the remainder was made up by sociables and literary exhibitions, dona- tions by secret societies, etc."

The following are the present officers of the cemetery association :--- President-John A. Pettingill.

Secretary and Treasurer-J. A. Delano.

Trustees-E. Burton, G. Parmenter, and D. E. Pettingill.

BUNKER HILL ACADEMY.

Among the institutions of which Bunker Hill may justly feel proud is the

Academy. Its history dates back to December 22d, 1857, when a meeting was held "to take measures looking to the establishment of an academic school. E. Harlan was chairman, and H. M. Hutchinson, secretary. The following committees were appointed by the chair : To solicit subscriptions -A. W. Ellet, P. C. Huggins, James Weller, T. J. Van Dorn ; on building -E. Howell, G. C. Mack, G. Parmenter, J. A. Delano. At a subsequent meeting, Dr. Delano withdrew, and J. V. Hopper was substituted. E. H. Davis was added to the committee. It was decided at this meeting to organ- ize a joint stock company, with $25 as a share. January 12, 1858, the sub- scriptions to stock amounted to $7,075, whereupon J. W. Cummings, A. J. Coates and J. F. Vandeventer were appointed a committee to procure plans, etc. January 26th, a constitution was adopted. The amount of capital stock was fixed at $25,000. It was provided that the Academy ' should not be sectarian or denominational, and to promote this object not more than one-third of the trustees shall at any time be members of any one religious denomination.' The following officers were then elected : President, A. W. Ellet ; Trustees, P. C. Huggins, W. Gill, Chas. Parmenter, E. Howell, J. S. Flanagan, J. A. Pettingill. January 31st, Mr. Pettingill resigned his trustee- ship, and H. W. Burton was elected to fill the vacancy. J. W. Cummings was elected treasurer. P. C. Huggins offered to donate a lot for the build- ing, and his proffer was accepted. The building erected was brick, three stories high, symmetrical in its design, attractive in every detail, and sur- rounded by beautiful grounds. The cost was about $19,000. The school opened in 1859, and the number of pupils speedily ran up to 193. Then the war came. One of the assistant teachers (Prof. Smith) and thirty-nine of the pupils entered the army at the first call. Others soon followed, and it became necessary to close the school. The building was then leased to the district as a public school, and was so occupied until 1870. In that year repairs and improvements were made to the value of $2,000 (the money being derived from sale of additional stock certificates), and the building was again put to use for its legitimate purpose."

The present officers of the Academy Association are : President, Dr. R. J. Hornby ; Trustees, Dr. J. A. Delano, Dr. F. Brother, Dr. E. C. Ellet, J. M. Dorsey, P. C. Huggins, and S. A. Fletcher.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

The commodious building now in use for public school purposes was com- pleted in 1869. Its cost was about $25,000. It has a seating capacity of 400.

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THE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.

An association was organized in 1867 for the purpose of establishing a library. The number of volumes is about two thousand five hundred, com- posed of well-selected and valuable books. This institution has been sus- tained solely by the private efforts of a number of the intelligent and enter- prising citizens of the town.

BUSINESS HOUSES, ETC.

The following list comprises the business houses, societies, and churches of Bunker Hill :

J. & M. Sessel, James Feeney, T. E. Dow.

Groceries .- S. N. Sandford, John Chappel, T. L. Spangenberg, A. Huber,

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F. Fredrickson, Chris. Hespie, William Sudel, S. S. Clark, T. E. Dow. Drug Stores .- J. A. Delano, Budd Bros. Bunker Hill Bank.

Machine Shops .- David Morris, Thomas Sanders.

Hardware .- Theodore Bumann, George McPherson & Co., C. E. Norcutt.

Harness Shops .- George Drew, M. Sokop, E. S. Williams.

Bakeries and Confectionery .- Philipp Froelich, C. A. Bartel.

Jewelers and Watchmakers .- F. A. Kuhn, I. W. Camp.

Furniture .- Parmenter & Sawyer.

Livery Stables .- John C. Payne, Wm. O. Jencks, J. L. Noel, A. H. Bastain.

Hotels .- Monument House, J. M. Williams, proprietor; Cottage House, Wm. Goodall ; Staunton House, A. Teichgraber.

Mills .- Globe Mills, J. Pettengill, proprietor ; Said, Waters & Co., Wise & Hill.

Elevators .- David Moro, Myer & Guye.

Hay Presses .- Bumann & Bauer, John T. Pennington & Co.

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Carriage Manufacturers .- Wm. O. Jencks, David Morris.

--- Butchers .- E. C. F. Hintz, Louis Janzen.

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Dry Goods Stores .- E. R. Davis, Bumann & Huggins, Johnstone & Burton,

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Lumber Yard .- H. M. Peden.

Blacksmiths .- David Morris, George Baker, Chas. Baker, Thos. Sanders.

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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Shoe Shops .- John Gosch, James Chastine, J. B. Dashley. Milliners .- The Misses Z. & S. Brown, Mrs. A. Gaunt.

Sewing Machine Agent .- Frank Campbell. Lawyers .- E. W. Hayes, A. N. Yancey.

Dentists .- E. L. Spencer, O. O. Stinson.

Physicians .- C. F. Barnett, E. S. Milton, E. Howell, F. Brother, E. C. Ellet.

Bunker Hill Gazette .- F. Y. Hedley, proprietor and publisher. Cigars and Tobacco .- James Klinefelter.

Churches .- Congregational, Baptist, Methodist, Episcopal (Christ), Ger- man Methodist, Catholic; also a German Lutheran Church, now building, but hold their meeting in the school-house.

Real Estate and Loan Agents .- C. C. Campbell, J. F. Cummings. Insurance Agents-S. N. Sandford, J. A. Delano, Wm. H. Budd, Theo. Bumann, T. L. Spangenberg.

City Officers .- Mayor, S. A. Fletcher; Aldermen, David Morris, Benja- min Fisher, E. C. F. Hintz, James Hamilton, John Gosch, William Neil ;

City Clerk, J. C. Wright ; City Treasurer, M. Sessel ; City Attorney, E. W. Hayes; City Marshal, Thos. Larmer ; Police Magistrate, P. C. Huggins. Post-master .- F. Y. Hedley.

BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.

Bunker Hill Lodge, No. 151 A. F. and A. M. was organized under dispen- gation January 18th, 1854, by the name of Florentine Lodge, by William Porter, John Treble, Charles Parmenter, E. B. Randell, Turner R. Hay- den, and Benj. L. Dorsey. The charter to establish Bunker Hill Lodge was granted on the 3d of October, 1854. Present Officers : John Patrick, W. M .; M. Sessel, S. W .; F. J. Stehlin, J. W .; David Morris, Treasurer ; F. W. Cross, Secretary; N. P. Frost, Senior Deacon ; A. N. Yancey, Junior Deacon ; Joshua Gibson and Henry Hillier, Stewards ; James Davie, Tyler. The Lodge comprises a membership of sixty-three.

Charter Oak Lodge, No. 258 I. O. O. F., was instituted October 15th, 1858. Charter Members : Francis MeCambridge, E. P. Maxey, Jason Tuttle, Wm. Gamage, and Rufus Renworthy. Present Officers : John W. Turk, N. G .; Walter Hedges, V. G .; Frank J. Stehlin, R. Secy .; J. G. Auer, Per. Secy .; John Gosch, Treasurer.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

MOSES TRUE, (DECEASED.)

THE history of few men better deserves to be commemorated in this work than that of Moses True, one of the earliest citizens of Bunker Hill. He was born in Salisbury (now Franklin), New Hampshire, August 30th, 1805. He obtained an ordinary common school education, and after reaching manhood was employed for six years in connection with Stephen Sanborn, afterward a resident of Bunker Hill, in the transportation of goods between Franklin and Boston. In the year 1831 he took charge of a canal packet running from Brockport, New York.

His acquaintance with John Cavender, John Tilden, and others, who had bought land (covering the site of Bunker Hill) with the intention of im- proving it and building a town, was the means of bringing him to Illinois. He traveled from the East in an ordinary covered wagon, and on Christmas day of 1835 halted his team on the ridge where now stands the town of Bunker Hill, then a wild prairie inhabited only by wolves. As a member of the firm of John Tilden & Co., he had an interest in the projected town, and acted as local agent for the other proprietors. His indomitable energy and perseverance were of great service in building up and improving Bun- ker Hill. In January, 1836, he brought from St. Louis a wagon load of groceries and dry goods, and opened the first store in the town. His cabin on the west side of Washington street was also the first hotel. Its accom- modations were extremely limited, but with genuine western hospitality its space was made adequate to every exigency, When it was found necessary to erect a larger building, the architect, who with the pioneer settlers of the surrounding country, entertained very limited expectations of the future prosperity of Bunker Hill, christened it at the grand " raising" which cele- brated the occasion " True and Tilden's Folly," little anticipating that the building was the germ which would develop into a prosperous and beautiful town.

After 1837 he devoted his attention entirely to farming and improving

the site of the town. He was the leader in all kinds of improvements. When Mr. Cavender and the other parties interested with him, made a divi- sion of their land in 1839, Mr. True took the south-east quarter of the town as his share. His residence was changed to Franklin street, and his time and energy given toward improving and beautifying that part of the town. His leisure time was occupied in setting out trees; and to him more than any one else is due the extent and beauty of the foliage which adds so much to the attractions of Bunker Hill, and the shady and beautiful streets of the town are the best monument to his wisdom and foresight. Among his other acts of public spirit was the erection of the building which stood on the site of the present Congregational church, which for years served both for school and church purposes. He joined the Woodburn Congregational Church in 1838, and united with the Bunker Hill church on its establish- ment in 1842, and was chosen deacon, a position which till his death he honored by an unselfish devotion to the interests of the church, and a con- sistent piety. He was a liberal supporter of all worthy objects, and assisted in founding the Bunker Hill Academy, the Library, and the Cemetery, of all three of which he was a member of the Boards of Directors.

His death occurred February 22d, 1878. He left a widow, formerly Betsy M. George, and two children, James True, now living near Wichita, Kansas, who was a son by a former wife ; and a daughter, Mary George True. He will be remembered as a public-spirited citizen and a man of many strong and admirable traits of character. He possessed an untiring energy, which spared no effort in the accomplishment of its object. In carrying out his business engagements, hardship and exposure were of little moment: Yet there was but little of the stern and forbidding in his nature. In his habits and inclinations he was social, cheerful, and kindly, and had a strong liking for beautiful and pleasing objects. His residence on south Franklin street was the handsomest in Bunker Hill, and was surrounded by ornamented grounds, which plainly showed the aesthetic tastes of the owner.

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HISTORY OF MACOUPIN COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

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JUDGE HUGGINS was born at Cornish, New Hampshire, February 28th, 1814. His ancestors were early settlers of New England. His father was Jonas B. Huggins, and his mother's maiden name Mary Throup. His grandfather, Samuel Throup, was judge of the Supreme Court of Vermont before the Revolution. He received his education in the common schools. The death of his father threw him on his own resources at the age of four- teen. He was clerk in a store in his native town for several years. The first wages he received was forty dollars a year, out of which he clothed himself.

He came West in 1837. A large emigration from New England was then filling up the Rock River country, and to that part of the state he in- tended to proceed. An attack of sickness caused him to leave the boat at Alton with the purpose of spending a few days with a cousin who had settled near Brighton, and, recovering his health, he concluded not to resume his journey. The southern part of Macoupin county impressed him favorably ; and with a stock of goods worth a few hundred dollars and a cash capital of seventy-six dollars, he began business as a merchant at Woodburn. The next year he opened a store at Bunker Hill, and for several years afterward was the only merchant in that town.

When the project of building a railroad from Terre Haute to Alton was first set on foot, Judge Huggins was active in securing the location of the line through Bunker Hill. He was one of the commissioners who secured the subscriptions of stock, and was active in getting the charter through the legislature. He was a large stockholder in the company, and a Director for eight years, for three of which he was chairman of the finance committee. He has been otherwise closely identified with the business interests of Bun- ker Hill. He built the first flouring mill ever erected in the town. In 1850 he built a large castor-oil mill, which six years afterward was de- stroyed by fire. He also secured the charter for the Farmers' Savings, Loan

and Trust Company, which afterward became the Bunker Hill Bank ; of which he was one of the directors and president.

He was formerly a whig, but joined the republican party on its organiza- tion. He was elected justice of the peace soon after coming to Macoupin county, and filled that office for twelve or fifteen consecutive years. In 1844 he was a candidate on the whig ticket for member of the legislature, as he was also in 1856, and both times came within a few votes of overcoming the usual large democratic majority. He was one of the most active opponents of the Court-house scheme, and did all he could to create a public sentiment against the erection of the building. In 1869, as republican candidate for county judge, he received the votes of many democrats opposed to the build- ing of the Court-house, and was elected. The building was completed and transferred to the county previous to his coming into office, but during his term several contests took place in regard to the payment of the bonds and the levy of a tax. He and other members of the Board were successful in defeating all measures for the collection of a tax until a compromise was finally effected. After the adoption of township organization he held the office of probate judge till 1873. He was elected a member of the board of supervisors from Bunker Hill township in the spring of 1879. Of the Con- gregational church at Bunker Hill he was one of the earliest members, as he has been one of its most constant supporters. He was also one of those most active in founding the Bunker Hill Academy, of the Board of Trus- tees of which he has been a member from its organization, and for many years its president. His liberality and energy have, indeed, been of material service in promoting many worthy objects, among which may be men- tioned the Bunker Hill Library and the Cemetery, both of which are highly creditable to the town, and bear testimony to the enterprise of its citizens.

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History of Macoupin County, Illinois, Part 45

Author: Brink, McDonough & Co. Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Number of Pages: 440

Author: Brink, McDonough & Co.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 440