History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 85

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

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of the United States. They offer the above goods for " cash," good hides, deer skins, beeswax and tallow.

Announcement is made in October, !820, of the dissolu- tion of partnership between John W. Skidmore and Sampson Willard. A subsequent advertisement states that the for- mer gentleman, on the road between Edwardsville and Wilt's mill, had lost a portmanteau containing one linen shirt, marked J. W. S., one pair white pantaloons and two handkerchiefs, one white and the other silk. A liberal re- ward is offered for the return of the above articles to the subscriber at Edwardsville. Francis Richman, baker, wishes to inform the public that he keeps constantly on hand an assortment of bread and biscuit, and that he sells superfine flour, made in Cincinnati, at seven dollars per barrel. William F. Roberts, in 1823, calls the attention of the publie to the fact that he has opened a porter cellar, where the best Pittsburgh porter in bottles can be had at all times, for cash or Illinois state paper. Atwater & Meeker adver- tise, in 1823, that they have groceries for sale, and the same year, John Adams announces that he has put up machinery for carding wool and fulling cloth, and having had long experience in the business he expects to give satis- faction.

Under date of November 20, 1819, W. C. Wiggins, pro- prietor of the " Edwardsville Hotel,-sign of General Wash- ington," informs his friends and the public that he has opened a house in the brick building, on the northeast side of the public square, where he will be glad to accommodate those who favor him with a call. A year later, October 10, 1820, William H. Hopkins announces that he has opened a house of entertainment on the southeast corner of the new public square, where he will endeavor to give satifac- tion and be happy to attend upon the calls of those who may favor him with their custom. We also learn that Henry Kelly kept a tavern at Edwardsville, in 1824.

Among the professional announcements is that of Theo- philus W. Smith, who states, May 2, 1819, that he has com- menced the practice of the law, and will attend the circuit courts in Madison, Bond, Washington and St Clair counties, and the supreme court at Kaskaskia. Chester Ashley, attorney, announces that he will practice in Illinois, and in the counties of St. Louis and St. Charles, Missouri. D. P. Cook & S D. Lockwood, under date of April 1, 1823, state that they have entered into partnership to practice law, and that their office is in the upper end of Edwardsville. J. D. Woolverton, physician and surgeon, gives the infor- mation, in May, 1823, that he has returned to Edwardsville. William Mason Simons, M. D , offers his professional services as practitioner of phys'es, midwifery and surgery. He could be found one door above the post-office, or at the residence of Rowland P. Allen.

That the carly residents of Edwardsville were not destitute of popular amusement is shown by an advertisement which states that Messrs. Ludlow & King and the St Lonis The- atrical Corps have the pleasure of informing the ladies and gentlemen of Edwardsville and vicinity that they propose giving three evenings' entertainment in the form of a dra- matie olio. The advertisement is dated May 1, 1820, and

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

the performances were announced to take place on the fol- lowing Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, at the house of John T. Lusk. John H. Randle, librarian, ealls an annual meeting of the stockholders of the Edwardsville Library to be hell at the court house on the 1st of January, 1×21, for the election of five directors. On the 10th of September, 1820, the regiment of mili ia, under command of Col. William Parkinson, was reviewed by Gov. Bond.

The newspapers of Edwardsville for some years subsequent to 1820, had larger circulations and were more widely read, than any other journals published in the state. The adver- tisements show that they were expected to reach a class of readers outside the limits of the state. Sales of town lots at Naples, Columbus and other towns on the Ilinois river are announced in the columns of the Spectator. Robert Mc Cloud informs the citizens of Missouri, north of the Missouri river, that no delay will be occasioned on his part in com- mencing the publication of the Missouriun, a weekly paper to be issued at St. Charles, Missouri. Advertisements of runaway slaves from owners in Missouri are not uncommon.

ANTICIPATED VISIT OF LAFAYETTE.

It was thought that the Marquis De Lafayette, while on his visit to America in 1824, would visit Madison county, and the patriotic citizens of Edwardsville made arrange- ments to give him a cordial reception. A meeting was held at the Washington hotel on the ninth of October, 1824, for the purpose of appointing suitable committees. Emanuel J. West was called to the chair, and Abraham Prickett was appointed secretary Theophilus W. Smith spoke at large ou the character and services of the defender of American liberty. On the motion of John T. Lusk, a committee of forty-two persons was appointed to receive the distinguished visitor. This committee was made up, in comsiderable part, of citizens of the county who had served in the war of the Revolution. Lafayette reached St. Louis on the last day of April, 1825. but did not come to Edwardsville. He was greeted at St. Louis by a large concourse of people, many of whom were citizens of Madison county. Thirteen cannon were fired in his honor. Several of the residents of Ed- wardsville were introduced to the distinguished man by Daniel P. Cook, then a representative in Congress. Gov- ernor Coles escorted him from St. Louis to Vandalia and Shawneetown.

THIE SLAVERY CONTEST IN EDWARDSVILLE.

Many articles in reference to slavery appear in the early papers, and during the campaign of 1824, much space is de- voted to the discussion of the subject. In July, 1824. Hooper Warren, editor of the Spectator, gives au account of an attack made upon him by Theophilus W. Smith, editor of the Illinois Republican, the journal published in the interest of the pro-slavery party, from which it appears that Smith entered Warren's office on the 12th of July, with a dirk and a whip, but seeing that the latter was armed with a pistol, he turned about and left. Emanuel J. West, who had ap- parently been in waiting, then immediately entered the office and observed that Smith only wished for an explanation and

intended no harm. Warren thereupon observed that if Mr. Smith would demean himself peaceably he might come in, and on Mr. West pledging himself that such should be his deportment, Smith was sent for. Toen ensued a confer- ence in which each endeavored to obtain a written acknow- ledgement that the other had no personal knowledge of anything derogatory to his character as an individual. The difficulty was as to which should take the lead in making this acknowledgement.

Before the emference began, upon the suggestion of Mr. West, a mutual surrender of arms was made. It appears that while Mr. Warren was engaged in writing, Smith found Lis way to his opponent's pistol and threw the priming out of the pan. This, Mr. Warren remarks, " displayed his cun- ning, at the expense of his bravery." Upon the final re- fusal of the editor of the Spectator to make reparation, Mr. Smith, knowing his adversary had no weapon of defense, at- tempted an assault with his whip and dirk, but was prevent. ed by Mr. West from doing Mr. Warren the slightest injury.

After the defeat of the convention party at the election in August, the announcement is made that the elders of the Presbyterian church at Edwardsville, "concurring with their brethren of the Methodist church in the Kaskaskia and Hlinois circuits, in believing it to be the duty of the pious in this State to give publie testimony of their grati- tude to Almighty God, for his goodness in averting the evil of slavery which lately threatened our State, ' have ap- pointed the last Friday in October to be observed as a day of thanksgiving aud prayer.

EDWARDSVILLE IN 1833.

The settlement of the country to the north of Madison county, and the establishment in that region of new centres of trade, took away much of the importance of Edwards- ville. Its trade was absorbed by St. Louis, and subsequently by Alton, and about the year 1825 its population began to deeline. The town, in 1833, had about three hundred and fifty inhabitants. The principal mercantile business at that date was carried on by Joshua Atwater and Andrew R. Skidmore, under the firm name of A. R. Skidmore & Co. Mr. Atwater retired from business with a competence in 1837. Mr. Skidmore went to Alton in 1838, failed there in business in 1841, and subsequently removed to California, where he died. Isaac Prickett still carried on his store in the brick building on Main street, nearly opposite the old court-house. Dauiel Meeker also had a store. He came to Edwardsville from New York, and died about 1840. From 1831 to 1836, John Hogan was a merchant in Edwardsville. The latter year he removed to Alton. He was then a Meth- odist minister, and frequently preached throughout the county. In 1836, he was elected a member of the State leg- islature, and subsequently, was the Whig candidate for congress against Gov. John Reynolds. He was appointed by P'resident Harrison register of the land office at Dixon in this state, but was removed during the succeeding admin- istration of Tyler. He then became a resident of St. Louis where he still lives. For some years he was the postmaster of that city.

338

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

John Adams was also in the mercantile business in 1833, carrying on a store in connection with his castor oil factory, and wool carding machine. He subsequently disposed of his store, and was elected sheriff. He was a Whig in polities and a strong supporter of the Baptist church. He was a man of generous impulses, popular with the people, and had for enemies. The mill owned by Paris Mason was in operation in 1833, but not long afterward was abandoned. The floods in the Cahokia occasionally caused great damage, and it was found difficult to keep it in repair.

The physicians in Edwardsville in 1833, were Dr. B. F. Edwards and Dr. Peter W. Randle. Dr. Edwards made Edwardsville his residence in 1827, when thirty years of age. Dr. Todd was then the only regular physician in the county. Edwards bought Dr. Todd's house, the latter moving to another loca ion. For two years, these two were the only physicians in the county. Their practice extended for fifty miles around. Dr. Edwards kept four or five horses, and frequently rode one hundred miles in twenty-four hours. For months in the sickly sea: o 1, his sleep did not average four hours out of twenty-four, and yet he was accustomed to say that in those days he did not receive large enough returns from his practice to support his family. Dr. Peter W. Ran- dle began practice in 1833. He had studied his profession under Dr. Edwards, and succeeded to his practice, the latter being anxious to relinquish it. He was an able and popu- lar physician. From Edwardsville he went to Alton, and afterward to California. He became the President of the Eclectic Medical College, founded at San Francisco, of which · city he is still a resident. Dr. John Woodson, a very ta- lented gentleman, who had begun a successful practice at Edwardsville, died in 1832. Dr. Solon Stark practiced his profession at Edwardsville for some years, becoming a resident of the town previous to 1836.

The most prominent attorney in Edwardsville in 1833 was James Semple. He removed to Altom, and repre- sented Illinois in the United States Senate from 1843 to 1847, and subsequently was appointed minister to one of the South American States. Jesse B. Thomas, jr., was also practicing the legal profession at Edwardsville, and was in partnership with David Prickett, under the firm name of Prickett & Thomas. John S. Greathouse was another at- torney of that period, and Seth T. Sawyer, now of Alton, who had studied law in Semple's office, was entering upon his legal career.

In 1833 there were two churches; a frame structure, used by the Methodists, stood on the site of the present Methodist church. The Baptists occupied a building which is now used by the fire company as an engine house. The town at that time was as moral and religious in its tone as any place of its size in the State. During the winter of 1827-28 there had been a marked revival of religion, which still left its influence on the community.

In "Peck's Gazetteer of Illinois," published in 1834, the population of Edwardsville is given as seventy fami- lies, and the town is described as containing a court- house and jail of brick, a land office for the Edwardsville district, four stores, two taverns, two physicians, four law-

yers, a castor oil factory, and a female academy taught by a lady, and occupying a commodious building The inhabi- tants are represented as generally industrious intelligent, and moral, a large proportion being professors of religion. The location is spoken of as pleasant and healthy, on high ground, and in the centre of a well watered and well-tim- bered country, settled with enterprising farmers. The " Traveller's Directory," by the same author, issued five years later. gives the same description of the place, with the exception that the number of stores is stated at seven instead of four.

SUBSEQUENT GROWTII.

For some years the town showed little signs of improve- ment. The fear of the removal of the county seat was an incubus on its growth. Alton kept up a constant agitatiou with the view of obtaining the public buildings, aud be- coming the seat of justice. This uncertainty was 'somewhat removed by a provision in the State constitution of 1848, inserted chiefly by the efforts of Edward M. We-t, of Ed- wardsville, a delgate to the constitutional convention, which made it a matter of great difficulty to secure the division of a county, or the removal of a county seat. Substantial improvements began then to be made, and the growth of the town has since been prosperous and steady. The popu- lation in 1847 was about seven or eight hundred. In 1860 the number of inhabitants had increased to two thousand.

Among the representatives of the business interests of the town for the twenty years succeeding 1835, may be named Edward MI. West, who became a resident of Edwards- ville in 1833, and in 1835 began the mercantile business which he continued until 1854. He was born in Botetourt county, Virginia, in 1814, and came with his father Tilgh- man H. West, to this State, when four years old. In 1829 he went to Sangamon county, and was in the recorder's office (his uncle, Edward Mitchell, being recorder of San- gamon county and postmaster at Springfield.) till 1831. In 1834 he learned the mercantile business at Alton, with Godfrey, Gilman & Co., then the largest business firm in the State. Since 1858 he has been in business as a banker. Alfred J. Lusk opened a store in 1834, which he carried on for a number of years. Orren Meeker was in business as a merchant eight or nine years, and was succecded by Fred- erick.T. Krafft. William Peel and Edward S. Brown had stores, and William Gillham was in the mercantile business from 1837 to 1841. Julius L. Barnsback settled in Ed- wardsville as a merchant in 1837, and the name of " Barns- back " has since been a familiar one in connection with the business interests of the town.

Previous to the building of the present court-house, in 1857, business was all transacted in the lower town. After the completion of this structure the stores gradually moved up town, and in the course of a few years a complete change in the business locality was effected. The removal of the pub- lic buildings from the lower to the upper town, was the end of a struggle which had continued from the commencement of the growth of Edwardsville. As early as 1820 active ex- ertions were made by prominent citizens to have the court- house aud jail removed to what they considered a better

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

location, and in June of that year Benjamin Stephenson, Theophilus W. Smith and Ninian Edwards, for themselves and other property owners, offered a square of ground as a site for a court house with sufficient space on which to build a " gaol." Still more liberal offers were subsequently made in the hope of securing the removal of the county buildings from their original location.

LAND OFFICE.

An important institution in Edwardsville in early times was the land office. This brought many visitors to the town. The act reducing the price of the public land to a dollar and a quarter an acre went into effect May, 1820. Procla- mation was made by the President of the United States of public sales of land in the Edwardsville district, thirty-eight townships and fractional townships, on the first Mouday of October, 1820, and at various other times. The sales of land for two weeks in the following January amounted to twenty-six thousand five hundred dollars. Most of these lands were in the Macoupiu and Apple Creek settlements, and were sold to actual settlers.

Advertisement was made in the newspapers of the banks whose bills would be received at the lad office. In 1820 these banks were, Bank of the United States and branches, Bank of Illinois at Shawneetown, Bank of Edwardsville, Bauks in Boston, New York City, Philadelphia and New Orleans, Bank of Baltimore, Bank of Maryland, banks in the District of Columbia except Merchants' and Franklin Bank of Alexandria, Bank of Bath, Maine; Cumberland Bank, Portland, Maine; Cheshire Bank, Kcene. Now Hampshire ; Merchants' Bank, Salem, Massachusetts; New- port Bank, Newport Rhode Island ; New Haven Bank, Bristol Bank, Bristol, Rhode Island; New Lon- don Bank, Mechanics and Farmers' Bank, Trenton Banking Company, Trenton, N. J. ; Easton Bank, Easton, Pa., Harrisburg Bank, Harrisburg, Pa., Branch of Farmers Bank of Delaware at Newcastle ; Offices of disc unt and deposit of Bank of Virginia at Fredericksburgh; Lynch- burgh and Petersburgh, Virginia; Bank of Augusta, Ga., Planters and Mechanics' Bank, Huntsville, Alabama terri- tory, and Bank of Missouri, at St. Louis.

Subsequently by order of the Secretary of the Treasury, it was directed that the bills of the following banks should only be received : Bauk of Illinois, Shawneetown, Banks in Boston, Banks in the City of New York, Banks in the City of Philadelphia, Banks of Baltimore (except City Bank), Banks in District of Columbia (except Merchants' and Franklin Banks of Alexandria), and Banks of Rich- mond, Virginia.

REGISTERS OF LAND OFFICE AT EDWARDSVILLE.

NAME.

TEMI ORALLY APPOINTMENT.

PERMANENT APPOINTMENT.

REMALKS.

John McKee. .

. . April 30, 1816

Nath'I Pope.

Oct. 31, 1818 Nov. 13, 18ts Appointed Judge.

Edward Coles .

Mar 5, 1819 Jan. 5, 1820 Resigned.

William P. McKee.

Jan. 13, 1:23

Sam'l. H. Thompson

Jan. 17, 1835 Died Mar. 19, 1842.

Alex. W. Jones. .

May 14, 1:42 Died Jan. Is 15.

Jacob Judy

Mar 12, 1845

Matthew Gillespie .

Mar. 16. 1849

Michael G. Dale ...

Mar. 21, 1853

RECEIVERS OF LAND OFFICE AT EDWARDSVILLE.

NAME.

T&M##11. A1:Y APPOINTMENT.

APPOINTMENT.

REMARKS.

Benj. Stephenson.

April 20, 1816

Samuel D. Lockwood

Jan. 28, 1823

.James Mason . .

May 21, 1825 Jan. 4, 1826

E. J. West.

July 3, 1829

. Not Confirmed.

Benj. F. Edwards. .

Dec. 17, 1829 Resigned May 3,'36.

Alex. M. Jenkins.

July 5, 1836

Mar. 14, '38.

Isaac Prickett .

April 5, 1838 Died July 15, '44.

John G. Cameron.

Jan. 23, 1845 Resigned Dec. 3,'49.

Blueford Johnson . Oct. 10, 1849 Ang. 27, 1850

W. A. J. Sparks.

Mar. 30, 1853

THE BANK OF EDWARDSVILLE.

The act incorporating the bank of Edwardsville became a law on the 9th of January, 1818. It was provided that the capital stock should not exceed three hundred thousand dollars, to be divided into shares of fifty dollars each. One third might be subscribed for by the legislature of the terri- tory or state. As soon as fifty thousand dollars should be subscribed and ten thousand dollars actually paid in, the corporation might commence business and issue their notes accordingly. At the time of making the subscription it was directed that five dollars should be paid on each share, in gold or silver, or bank bills that could command the same, the residue of the stock to be paid at such times and in such installments as the directors might order, although no single installment should exceed twenty five per cent. on the s ock subscribed for, aud at least sixty days' notice should be given in one or more newspapers of the territory. If any subscriber should fail to make the second payment the sum originally paid should be forfeited to the corporation.

The corporation which was styled " The President, Direc- tors and Company of the Bank of Edwardsville " was char- tered to continue till the first day of January, 1838. The management of its affairs was placed in the hands of a board of nine directors of whom not less than four should consti- tute a board for the transaction of business. The cashier was required to give bond in the sum of not less than ten thousand dollars. /The total amount of debts which the corporation might at any time owe, whether by bond bill, note, or other contract, should not exceed twice the amount of the capital stock actually paid over, and above, the moneys there actually deposited in the bank for safe keeping. In case of excess the directors should be liable for the same in their individual capacities.

It was directed that half-yearly dividends should be made of so much of the profits of the bank as should be deemed expedient. and proper, and that the corporation should not at any time suspend, or refuse payment in gold or silver, of any of its notes, bills or obligations, or of any moneys received on deposit. Benjamin Stephenson, James Mason, John Mc- Kee, Joseph Conway, and Abraham Prickett, or any three of them, were appointed commissioners for receiving subscrip- tions.

An organization was effected under this charter iu 1818, and the bank placed in operation. In the only newspapers, of Kaskaskia and Edwardsville, there are notices calling for successive installments on the shares of capital stock.

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Benjamin J. Seward, was the cashier in 1819, and was suc- ceeded by R. T. McKenney. The establishment of the bank, and the issue of its notes, had for a time a favorable influ- ence on the prosperity of Edwardsville, but like all the other banking enterprises of that time in the state, the in- stitution failed and its notes fell to a value of less than fifty cents on the dollar.

EARLY HOTELS.

The first hotel in Edwardsville, built by John T. Lusk, was on Main Street where now stands a building owned by Jacob Dengenfelder, and used as a saloon and grocery store. It was a long log building, and had three large rooms fronting the street. After Lusk closed out the hotel, the centre of these rooms he used for the post-office. One end was rented to Mrs. Howard who kept a pie and cake shop, and in the other a saloon at different times was carried on by various parties

The old Wiggins hotel stood on the public square, cast from the old jail. It had an extensive and fashionable pa- trage, and many distinguished men ate and slept within its walls. Before its door swung the sign of Gen. Washington. Its walls were so badly cracked by an earthquake that it was found necessary to abandon the building. It was pur- chased by Isaac Prickett, who tore the building down, and with the brick were built the two small houses still standing on Main Street, between the residences of Judge Joseph Gillespie and Dr. Weir.

William II. Hopkins carried on a hotel in " upper town. " It was a frame building, and stood opposite the southeast corner of the public square near the residence of Henry C. Gerke.

A second hotel was built by John T. Lusk, on the spot now occupied by the Wabash hotel. It was a large frame building, and was destroyed by fire in 1839. Meriam Pat- terson kept this hotel for a time. His successor was Horatio G Street, and he was followed by Cassius Hesket. While Street was proprietor, about the year 1830, it was re- nowned for the excellence of its fare and the superior man- ner in which it was conducted. The fashionable people of St. Louis patronized it during the summer months, and on Sundays it was a frequent resort of the citizens of Alton who drove over for the purpose of obtaining a good meal and having, at the same time, a day's recreation. It was during Hesket's administration that the old frame building burned down. The present brick structure was at once erected in its place, and was considered, in that day, a remarkably fine specimen of architecture.

OLD BUILDINGS.

There are four houses in Edwardsville that have been standing since 1818. All are in the lower town. The first is the frame building now occupied as a store by William Hainlan. The second is the building just below Prickett's old store, now owned by Mrs. Eberhardt. It was originally built of logs, and has since been covered with weather board- ing. Dr. De Camp lived in this house in 1818. It was at one time also the residence of Alexander Jenkins. The

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History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 85

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