History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 101

Author: Brink, W.R. & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Edwardsville, Ill. : W. R. Brink & co.
Number of Pages: 698

USA > Illinois > Madison County > History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches > Part 101

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Among other early preachers, besides those already men-

tioned, were Bennett Maxey, Nathaniel Pinckard, Thomas Randle, and Samuel Thompson, all of the Methodist por- suasion.

The first school-house was situated in section 4, on the land now owned by George Cartwright. The house was an unpretentious one, being constructed simply cf rough logs. The first teacher was an old man by the name of Peter Flinn. He taught here some little time, and went to parts unknown. The early Justices of the Peace were Nathaniel Pinckard, Wm. G. Pinckard, John Allen, and Benjamin Spencer. These were all magistrates as early as 1818. The first Sunday school was organized by Mrs. Thos. Lippincott, at the old town of Milton, in 1819. This was not only the first Sunday-school in Wood River, or Madison county, but it was the first in the state of Illinois. The first to practice medicine here was Dr. Tiffin, who resided about three miles down the river at a point then called St. Mary's. He afterward moved to Edwardsville, an I thence to St. Louis. Erastus Brown was also an early physician. The first post- office was established at Milton in a very early day, but at just what date none now living are able to tell. Richard Cartledge opened a coal mine in section 1, as early as 1839. No shaft was sunk, as coal could be procured by drifting into the bluff. The first blooded stock was intro- troduced in 1840, by a man of the name of Van Wagner. It consisted of hogs and horned cattle, imported from Europe. It may not be generally known, but in an early day (1818, or before) there was quite an extensive packing house, established at the mouth of Wood river, in section 28. D. E. Tiffin was the proprietor. Both beef and pork were packed here for the foreign markets.

The first town or village of any sort in Wood River was the town of Milton. The exact date of its inception is now difficult to determine, but from the best proofs at hand it must have commenced its existence about 1808-9. It was situated three miles from the mouth of Wood river, in section 17. The town was undoubtedly started by John Wallace and Walter J. Seeley, as they owned in 1818 nearly all of the improvements in the village. They were transacting business under the firm name of Wallace & Seeley, and owned three mills, two saw-mills and a grist mill. A dam was thrown across the river here which gave a head for water power. The saw mills were located at op- posite sides of the river, and at either end of the dam. The town also contained a distillery, one store, a blacksmith shop and a tavern. The latter was kept by Joel Bacon, and the store was conducted by Thomas Lippincott, under the firm name of Lippincott & Co. This was in 1818, and Milton was then flourishing and enjoying its palmiest days. The miasma rising from the back water caused by the dam, pro- duced a great deal of sickness at certain seasons of the year, and Milton's sun began to set. A few years, and it was nearly depopulated. Another decade and the buildings were torn down and removed to other parts ; only one rickety building was left standing, tenantless and silent. Other ex- tinet towns, were Chippewa, Gibralter, and we also find the name St. Mary's; but they were all in the Mississippi or the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico, nearly half a century

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

ago. Chippewa was situated directly opposite the mouth of the Missouri, and could boast of one of the first steam mills in Madison county. Gibraltar was about a mile above the mouth of Wood river and located on the west bank. St. Mary's must have been a place or town in name only. Abraham Preuitt, now residing at Dorsey's station, says that Dr. Tiffin settled near the mouth of Wood river and built a two story house, and the place was called St. Mary's. Lip- pincott in his Memoirs also speak of Dr. Tiffin residing at the aforementioned place.

VILLAGE OF BETHALTO.

This is a thriving little town, situated on the Indiana polis and St. Louis railway, and contains a population of about 800. It was laid out by Joel U. Starkey, and the plat was recorded June 23d, 1854. The original site was located in the southeast quarter of section 1, but other additions have been made, and now about one-fifth of the population reside over the line in Fort Russell township. The town was first called Bethel, but as soon as the post-office was established it became necessary to change the name, as there was already another town of the same name in the state. A compromise was, therefore, effected between the two names, Bethel and Alton, Beth-alto. The first building was a board shanty, sixteen feet square, erected by Thomas Smith, in 1854, and situated on what is now the widow Mape's place on Oak street. Mr. Smith utilized it for a dwelling, and also kept a small stock of groceries. The next business house was built by Wm. Tyron in the spring of 1855. It was a frame building 30x40, and situated on Prairie street and Railroad avenue. Mr. Tyron put in a general stock of goods, and continued business for some years. The house is yet standing, and is occupied by Charles Bruening for a general store. The next industry in the town was a brick yard, established by John A. Miller, in the spring of 1856, and located north of the railroad on the corner of Mill and Oak streets. The same spring the firm of Hamilton & Pig- gett erected a steam circular saw mill on the north side of the railroad on Oak street, between Second and Third. At that time the present site of Bethalto was covered with heavy timber, as was also a portion of the surrounding country. In consequence of this the mill flourished and did a thriving business, but in a few years timber became scarce, and it was moved to Hamel township. William Tyron kept the first post office. This was in 1855. The first hotel was built and kept by Anthony B. Carroll in 1858. It was situ- ated on Prairie street and Railroad avenue, and north of the railroad. The first blacksmiths were the firm of Richard & Samuels. The trade was established iu 1856, and located on Second and Oak streets north of the railroad. The first church was erected by the Catholics, and dedicated in the summer of 1862. It is a frame structure in a very good state of preservation, and was considered in the day of its construction a pretty fair building. The first Justice of the Peace elected in the corporation was John A. Miller,

Incorporation .- Bethalto was incorporated as a town under a special act in force, April 19th, 1869. The first officers elected were, Jacob Huppert, President of the board ;

trustees, John P. Richards. J. P. Cumming, J. C. Bau- gert, and John Jackson. April 23d, 1873, an election was held to determine whether the town should incorporate as a village under the general law, with the following result: For village organization 14 votes ; against village organization 9 votes. The majority being in favor of organization, an election was called May 5th, following, for the purpose of choosing village officers. The following named persons were elected : Stephen A. Albro, President of Board ; Trustees, Conrad H. Flick, John V. Richards, Adam Elspermann, Charles Gundall and John Stolze; Clerk, William E. Lelir ; Police Magistrate, John A. Miller. Frank M. Randle was appointed village constable, F. W. Stolze, Supt. of streets, and Lewis Kleim, treas. The present board recently elected are : John Wiedmer, E. W. Reid, John Dippold, F. Weaver, B. Picker, and John Falkenberg; Clerk, W. H. Battles. The town is in good condition financially, and the walks and other improvements indicate a tasty and prosperous people. One of the largest and most extensive flouring mills in Madison county is located here.

President Merchant Mills and Elevator .- John W. Kauff- man, proprietor, This industry was established in 1859, by James Neimrick, it then having three ruu of stone with a capacity of manufacturing 100 barrels of flour daily. In 1877, it was torn down, and rebuilt by the firm of Meyer & Guye with a daily capacity of 500 barrels. In 1879, both of the firm died, and the following year it was leased by E. O. Stanard & Co., for twelve months. January, 1881, it was purchased by J. W. Kauffman who increased its capacity to 600 barrels. In March 1882, a complete change was made in the grinding apparatus, substituting the Gray roller system in the place of burrs. This is a new departure, and consid- ered far in advance of the old system. Its former capacity remains unchanged. The mill proper is 54x80 on the ground, and five stories in height, and has a stone basement. The elevator, which is run in connection with the mill, is 40x80 feet base, and 85 feet high. It has the capacity of elevating 15,000 bushels of grain daily, and of storing 70,- 000 bushels of wheat. A ware-house is detached 65x150 feet, and will store 10,000 barrels of flour. A cooper shop is conducted in connection with the works, and is a part of the property. The whole concern covers one and a half acres of ground. It is located on the I. & St. L. Railway. The switch from the mill to the road is owned and operated hy the proprietor of the mill. The capital invested is estimated at $125,000. Fifty men are employed by this enterprise. Flour is shipped mainly to the Eastern states and Europe. This vast machinery is driven by a 250 horse-power engine. No elevator or mill in the county has better facilities for re- ceiving and discharging grain, feed, flour, etc , than this. The elevator is hopper-bottom, or in regular elevator style, and so conveniently arranged for changing grain from bin to bin that it is not necessary to use the scoop in any part of the building. The mill contains a bran bin capable of holding ten car loads of bran, and a smaller one that holds four car loads of shorts. A corn elevator also belongs to the concern. It is a frame building 16x30 feet on the ground and 30 feet high, and stores 5,000 bushels of corn. The

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

whole business is under the general superintendence of John Wiedmer.

Kurnack Mill -This mill was established by the firm of Ewan & Flick in the fall of 1872, and passed wholly into the hands of the senior member of the firm, J. T. Ewan, in the fall of 1879. It is located on Prairie street, a little north of the railroad. It is a frame building, two stories high with a basement, and 28x60 feet on the ground. The engine room is one story, and 16x40 feet. The mill has four run of burrs, and has the capacity of grinding 100 barrels of flour daily, and gives employment to twelve men. The annual manufactured product is estimated at $165,000. The capital invested is $14,000. The flouring is done by an improved process, and the flour sells well in the Eastern markets; it is however, mainly confined to custom work. The machinery is driven by a forty-horse power engine. A cooper shop is run in connection with the mill. It is a de- tached building 20x30 feet in size.

Coal Mines .- There are two small coal mines near the suburbs of the town. One is owned by David Brunton, the other by Michael Mayer. Bethalto is situated over a fine vein of coal which is from five to eight feet in thickness, and it is obtained by going only about 70 feet below the surface, The ouly wonder is, that this industry receives so little at- tention. The shafts in operation do but very little work, aud are not prepared to do anything like an extensive business.

Sheridan House .- Conrad H. Flick proprietor. This house has been recently built. and is a fiue brick building three stories high, and with basement under ground. It is nearly square, being 45x56 feet base. It contains sixteen guest-rooms and two store rooms; also a commodious office and sample room. A dumb-waiter is arranged to communi- cate from the kitchen to the basement, and the house con- tains all other conveniences peculiar to a good hotel. It is located on the corner of Third and Oak streets. The property is valued at $6,000, and it is indeed an ornament to the town. There are three other hotels in the village. The Union Hotel, H. J. Hensech, proprietor ; Bethalto House, John Cooper, proprietor; and the Cooper's Ex- change, with John Husum as proprietor.

Public Hall .- This is situated in the second story of the Neisler building. It is 40x60 feet in size, and is conveniently arranged with stage and stage fixtures, and is seated with chairs capable of accommodating 500 persons. The stage is 16 feet in depth, and has a breadth of thirty feet. It is ar- ranged with foot-lights and has three sets of scenery.

A Cornet Band was organized about two years ago, and it is now in good working order. There are thirteen mem- bers in the band, and they are all welluniformed. It contains eleven horns, two tenor drums and one bass drum. The in- struments and uniforms cost about $500.

School House .- This is a fine brick building situated in the castern part of the village, and was constructed in 1867, at a cost, including furniture, of $7,000. It is two stories high, with a cupola and bell, and contains four rooms. Four teachers are employed, and it is sutably graded for the best advancement of the pupils. There are three church houses

of fair dimensions, the Cumberland Presbyterian, United Baptist and the Catholic. For a full history of these socie- ties see Ecclesiastical chapter.

We here append a directory of the present business of the village not already mentioned.

General Stores .- W. H. Battles, Lewis Klein and Charles Brucning.

Groceries, Queensware, etc .- John Hickerson.

Druggists and Pharmacists .- Neisler & Randall.

Boot and Shoe Store .- Charles C. Bangert.

Hardware, Tinware and Agricultural Implements .- Neis- ler & Randall.

Hardware, Groceries and Agricultural Implements .- John A. Miller.

Furniture and Undertaking .- George Dorr.

Tin Ware .- Isaac Scammill.

Watch Maker and Jeweler .- August Smitz.

Harness and Saddlery .- John Gray.

Physicians .-- N. B. Richards, E. W. Reed, Joseph Cobb.

Blacksmithing .- John Bahr, Gottleib Klem.

Wagon Maker .- Charles Buck.

Painters .- Charles Andrews, - Angil.

Barbers .- August Smitz, John Russell.

Restaurants .- Mary McAliney, Hannah Gill.

Livery Stable .- Joseph Starkey.

Justices .- John A. Miller, C. H. Flick.

Noturies, Insurance and Real Estate Agents .- W. L. Pig- gett, John A. Miller.

Carpenter and Builder .- C. H. Flick.

Shoe Makers -Charles Langhart, Charles Bangert and Charles Gundall.

Meat Market .- John Falkenburg.

Milliners and Dress Makers .- Laura Smith, Mrs. Cobb.

Carpet Weaver .- Caroline Starkey.

Postmaster .- W. H. Battles.

There are also five saloons in the towu at this writing.

SOCIETIES .*

Bethalto Lodge, No. 406, A. F. and A. M., was chartered October 5th, 1846, with 18 charter members. Whole number enrolled, 74. Present membership, 24. The Lodge meets before the full moon in each month. It has a good lodge room, and is in good condition financially.

United Ancient Order of Druids, Teutonia Grove, No. 25. This society was organized September 9th, 1871, and chartered September 27th, 1874, with a membership of six. There have been 46 members enrolled ; five have died since organization. There are now 25 members enrolled and in good standing. The society has paid out for sick benefits. $929. Each of the five deceased members have received $500. The Lodge meets the first and third Fridays in each month, in the village Hall. It is in excellent condition financially.

EMERALD

Was laid out by George W. Carr and George A. Smith, and the plat recorded July 14th, 1858. It is situated on

* We are indebted to the secretaries of the societies for these data.

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

the east line of a tract of land containing 180 acres, being a part of the east half of section 16. This town is better known as Alton Junction, and is named Wanda station by the railroad corporation. The I. and St. L. railroad trans- fer and feed all the stock passing over the line at this point. The road has six long switches here, and one switch engine is kept busy in making transfers, etc. The Tile works of M. H. Bowles & Co., are located a little above the station, and are one of the most extensive industries of the kind in this part of the state. Not less than $100,000 have been invested in establishing the works, and they give employment to about twenty men. All sizes of tile are manufactured from two inches in diameter to the largest sewer pipe. There are two general stores at the station. John Koch and George Smith are the proprietors. The former is also post- 54

master. There is also a blacksmith shop conducted by David D. Tomlinson, besides fiye saloons and two boarding- houses. The town contains about 250 inhabitants, and has an air of considerable push and business.

Salu was laid out and the plat placed on record August 1st, 1825, by Bennett Maxey, Erastns Brown and Zachariah Allen. It is situated in the southwest quarter of section 6, on the first high, rolling ground from the river. It long since merged into Upper Alton, as the latter place grew in importance, and Salu is now known only in history and on paper. According to the census of 1880, Wood River town- ship contained a population of 4,885, composed of various nationalities. S. B. Gillham has the honor of representing the township in the county board since township organiza- tion in 1876.

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

LIT 1€

BARTLETT HINDS MILLS, was born in Montrose, Penn- sylvania, on the 22d day of October, 1815. He married Delia Halsey, at Fairfield, N. Y., August 26th, 1841. The family for a time lived on the paternal farm, west of Mout- rose. He afterward taught school and made some prepara- tion for the practice of the law, and was editor of the Inde- pendent Republican. This with a short engagement in mer- cantile pursuits occupied him until January, 1852. There were born of the marriage in and near Montrose, Charles Francis Mills, born 29th day of May, 1843, Martha Lewis Mills, born 18th day of March, 1845, and Henry Edmund Mills, born 24th day of June, 1850. In January 1852, the family removed to Candor, Tioga county, New York, where was born Ruth Catharine Mills, on the 3d day of May, 1853. In 1854, the family moved west, and settled at Up per Alton, Illinois, where Mr. Mills continued to reside until his death, July 30th, 1877 On coming West Mr. Mills became interested in the cause of Temperance, principally laboring with the Independent Order of Good Templars. He was for many years Grand Worthy Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, having an office in St. Louis, and

for several terms was Right Worthy Grand Secretary of the National Lodge of the United States and Canadas. For eleven years he published the official organ of the order , known as " The Good Templar." At the breaking out of 1 the war, although past the age for active engagement and not being physically strong enough for service, he took an active interest in encouraging those who could go, and in sustaining them by aid and comfort at home. He was one of the charter members of the first Union League started in Upper Alton, which was among the first organized in the State. He organized the first Ladies' Union League, com- posed their ritual and caused the organization to spread over the entire State, thus starting a movement which caused large amounts of money, clothing and sanitary stores to be col- lected for the use of the army in the field besides educating public sentiment to the necessity of a vigorous prosecution of the war. He had imbibed strong anti-slavery sentiments from his father, Josiah Mills, who had been an old revolu- tionary veteran.

He was for some time Financial Agent and a Trusteee of Shurtleff College. In 1868 he became engaged in the in-

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

surance business in St. Louis, still making his residence in Upper Alton, and in 1870, became editor of the Western Insurance Review, which he continued to edit until his death, furnishing copy to the last number which appeared before his death. He became a member of the Baptist church while yet a young man, and was a regular attendant upon the services of the Upper Alton Baptist Church. and a frequent attendant upon the meetings of the Edwardsville Baptist Association.

The immediate ancestors of Bartlett H. Mills, were Josiah Mills, who married Elizabeth Sturdevant in January 1812. Josiah Mills, was born in Roxbury, Mass., on the 7th of October, 1763. In his 14th year, then a homeless orphan, he enlisted in the Revolutionary army as a drummer. After a year's service he received a musket which he carried until the close of the war. Was at the battles of White Plains, with Gates at Stillwater and Saratoga, with Washington at Trenton, Princeton, the march through the Jerseys, Valley Forge and Yorktown. Emigrated soon after the war to Joy, Oxford county, Maine. In 1804, he received a commission (now in possession of the family at Upper Alton) as Captain of Massachusetts volunteers, Maine, being then a province of Massachusetts. Removed to Susquehanna county, Pennsyl- vania, and with Bartlett Hinds (after whom B. H. Mills was named) made the first settlement near Montrose in 1817. He died on his farm west of Montrose, March 23d, 1833. He was a pensioner of the Revolution. See Blackman's history of Susquehanna county, Pa., pp. 313 and 314.

Elizabeth Sturdevant Mills, mother of B. H. Mills, was born in Danbury, Conn., in 1771, and died in Montrose, Pa., in September, 1841. Her father was Elder Samuel Sturdevant of the extensive Sturdevant family of Braintrim, Skinners Eddy and Lacyville, Pa. Their ancestry is traced back to an original Sturdevant, who was stolen from London Bridge when a boy, and brought to America and sold for his passage. From his looks and clothing he was supposed to be of noble birth, and in his last years was advertised for in England, but owing to his age aud the rigors of the voy- age he did not go to answer the call.

Delia (Halsey) Mills, was born in Fairfield, Herkimer county, New York, on the 5th day of February, 1817, and was married to B. H. Mills, August 26th, 1841. After the death of her husband in 1877, she removed to St Louis, and lived with her son, Henry E. Mills, until the summer of 1881, when she removed to Greenville, Illinois, to live with her daughter, Ruth C. Mills, Principal of Almira College. Her immediate ancestors were Sylvanus Halsey and Cordelia (Sayre) Halsey. The Halseys were descended from Thom- as Halsey who died in 1678, at Southampton, Long Island, and was one of the twenty original settlers of Lynn, Massa- chusetts. In 1637, he was a resident of Lynn, and iu 1638, he owned there 100 acres of land. His first wife was mur- dered by the Indians (See Howell's History of Southampton and Prime's History of Long Island, pp. 94 and 96.) The arms of the family in Hertfordshire, England, are Argent, three boars' heads, couped in pale sable. He came from England in the Speedwell in 1635. The original Thomas Halsey. d. 1678, had a son, Thomas Halsey. The 24 Thomas

had a son Josiah b. 1656-7 Feb. 15 ; David b. Apr. 12, 1663, 1. 1732 and others. 1st Josiah d. 1739 had a son, Deacon Jo- siah, b. 1692, d. 1744. Deacon Josiah had a son, Israel. Israel, had a son, Willman, b. 1750, d. 1786. Willman Halsey had a son Barzillai, a son Sylvanus, father of Delia (Halsey ) Mills. Her mother, Cordelia (Sayre) Halsey, was a descendant of Thomas Sayre, the first of that name in Southampton, and one of the eight original " Undertakers," so called because they bought a vessel and came in it to Southampton. The great age to which these early settlers lived in the salt at- mosphere and on the abundant oyster and fish diet which they enjoyed would have proved profoundly discouraging to modern " Undertakers." He came to Southampton in 1640, and was originally from Bedfordshire, England. (See Ho- well's History of Southampton, p. 18.) In1638, he and his son Job had each 60 acres of land allotted to them in Lynn, Mass. The arms of this family in Bedfordshire, England, are Gules, a chevron ermine between three sea gulls, Ar- gent, Thomas Sayre d. 1670, b. about 1594, had a son 2 Francis, and others. Francis had a son, Ichabod, 1º Icha- bod had a son 'Joshua, who was in the Revolutionary war with General Clinton. 1 Joshua had ason ? Joshua, who had a son Paul, b. Oct. 22, 1766, who married Mary Halsey, Dec. 9, 1784, and had among other children Cordelia Sayre, who married Sylvanus Halsey, and was the mother of Delia (Halsey) Mills. The Sayre or Sears family is traced to one Richard Sears who lived in 1507. The name is evidently French, and Captain Thomas Sayre, of Southampton, claims that there is evidence that the family were originally Hu- guenots, and settled in England after some hostile edict in France. It is recorded that one Stephen Sayre left South- ampton and returned to England and became High Sheriff of London, which office he held at the tine of the Revolu- tionary war, when his American sympathies could not be re- pressed, and for their expression he was compelled to retire to France. There he found relatives of their orignal stock with whom he remained until his subsequent return to America.

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History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 101

Author: Brink, W.R. & Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Edwardsville, Ill. : W. R. Brink & co. Number of Pages: 698

Author: Brink, W.R. & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Edwardsville, Ill. : W. R. Brink & co.
Number of Pages: 698