History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 92

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

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S. E. quarter section eleven, containing 160 acres, was entered by Andy Donegan, Angust 19, 1814. S. W. quarter sertion twelve, con- taining 160 acres, was entered by Andy Donegan, August 19, 1814. Fractional section thirteen, containing 2783 acres, was entered by Andy Donegan, August 19, 1811. Fractional section fourteen, con- taining 93.15 acres, was entered by Andy Donegan, August 19, 1814. N. E. and N. W. quarters section twelve, containing 320 acres, were entered by Lester, and Easton, legal representative of John Lester, December 14, 1814. S. E. quarter section ten, containing 29.13 acres, was entered by heirs of Babo, April 25, 1815. N. E. quarter section eleven, containing 160 acres, was entered by William Russell, April 27, 1815. S. W. quarter section eleven, containing 151 2% aeres, was entered by William Russell, April 27, 1815. N. W. quarter scetion ten, containing 29.13 acres, was entered by Dennis Valentine, April 28, 1815. East half S. E. quarter section 12, containing 80 aeres, was entered by James Smith, September 27, 1816. West half S. E. quar- ter section twelve, containing 80 acres, was entered by James Smith,

376

HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

Alton, extended from Market street on the west to Henry street on the east, and from the river north to Ninth street. The first step which Col. Easton took towards building up the town was the establishment of a ferry. As early as the year 1506 a ferry was in existence on the Mississippi, just above the mouth of Wood river, conducted by Eli Lang- ford, who carried passengers to the opposite shores of both the Mississippi and the Missouri. A man by the name of Piper had a ferry across the Mississippi at the mouth of Ilop Hollow, above the site of Alton. This ferry afterward came into the possession of Michael Squire and a man named Smeltzer, and at the time the town of Alton was founded was known as Smeltzer's ferry For much of the time the landing place on the Illinois side was several miles above Alton. Smeltzer built a brick house on the Missouri side with brick made on the Illinois side of the river. This house gave the name to the " Brick House Bend," and was in existence till 1866, in August of which year it fell down. Smeltzer was a great miser. He was accustomed to ride with a tow-string bridle. Once when sick he told his brother-in law that he had a barrel of silver dollars buried, but died finally without telling where the money was hidden.

In opposition to Smeltzer a man, in the interest of Cul. Easton, established at Alton a ferry, which he called the Fountain Ferry. The landing place was at the mouth of the Little Piasa, or as the ferry-man called it, " Fountain Creek." It is likely that the name of "Fountain " was given to the creek and ferry on account of the well-known cave (or fountain) spring in which the cave has its source. A few log cabins were soon afterward built, one of which was used as a ferry house to accommodate travelers cross- ing the river at this point.

The first year gave the town no brilliant promise of fu- ture growth. Its condition in the year 1318 is thus por- trayed by the Rev. Thomas Lippincett : "In a few days after my arrival in St. Louis I was employed for a little while to do some writing for Rufus Easton, Esq. One of the jobs executed by me for him was making a fair copy of a plat, or map, of Alton, a town which he had laid out the previous year, on the banks of the Mississippi, in Illinois. The map was designed for exhibition in the East in order to affect the sales of lots. I took some pains to make it look well, and, I believe, gave satisfaction. After a few months spent by me as clerk in a store, Col. Easton pro- posed to me that I should take a stock of goods, in partner- ship with him, and keep a store at Alton or neighborhood, and accordingly I became a resident, as before said, in Illi-

September 27, 1816. N. W. quarter section eleven, containing 160 acres, was entered by Rufus Easton, September 30, 1816. N. E. qnar- ter section ten, containing 149.60 acres, was entered by Abraham Prickett, July 18, 1817. By reason of the diagonal course of the streets, it is difficult to give the exact boundaries of these sections. Section eleven includes the central part of the incorporation north of a line drawn east and west through the intersection of Market and Sixth streets. Fractional section fourteen is immediately sonth of it, including the business blocks. Section twelve is east of eleven, frac tional section ten immediately west of it. while fractional section thirteen is east of fourteen and sonth of twelve.

nois-now become a State-on the first of December, 1818. It was not in Alton that my store was opened. Alton was in embryo. When Col. Easton brought me first in his gig to see the place, there was a cabin not far, I think, from the southeast corner of the penitentiary wall, or corner of State and Short streets, occupied by the family of a man whom the Colonel had induced to establish a ferry in competition with Smeltzer's ferry, a few miles above. I have forgotten the name of this ferryman, but his habitation was about as primitive and unsightly as I had seen anywhere. I do not think he was overworked by the business of his ferry at that time, for the old east and west road passed north and out of sight of the Fountain Ferry, and it was not casy to persuade travelers to try the new one, even if they ever heard of it, which was probably rather seldom."

At a very early day a cabin was built on Shields' branch by James Shields who lived in it a number of years. From this circumstance the creek received its name.

Hunter's Spring, on the northeast corner of Second and Spring streets, is said to have been discovered in 1804 by James Pretiitt and James Stockden, who at the time were living on the bluff, below what is now known as Alton june- tion. On a hot Sunday in summer, taking their rifles they traveled up the river to explore the country. Becoming thirsty at noon they followed up a small stream till they came to its source in the rocks, and there discovered the fa- mous spring, since known as Hunter's spring.

Near this spring in 1811 a mau named Price was killed by the Indians .*

In the year 1818 William G. Pinckard, William Heath and Daniel Crume settled on ground now comprised within the city of Alton. Pinckard's and Heath's families each consist- ed of a wife and one child, and Crume was their brother-in- law. They emigrated from Springfield, Ohio, and arrived at what is now known as Bozzatown on Shields' branch, on the 15th of October, 1818. Four weeks were occupied in making their journey. On their way westward they occa- sionally met emigrants eastward bound who declared that if they ( the Pinckard party ) went to Alton they would all die, as the country was very unhealthful and the " graveyard of the West." On their arrival at Shields' branch they took possession of a " half-faced " camp, as it was called, in which the whole party lived for nearly two months. The room,

* In the latter part of 1810 Price and Colter built a log cabin on the hill above the spring and cleared a small traet of land in the bottom. Near the same, June 20, 1811, they were in the field at work. Price hoeing corn, Colter was plowing ; they discovered two Indians approaching. Price said " I will go to the cabin and get the gun. " The Indians came np pretending to be very friendly, the larger one gave his hand to Price, at the same time seizing the gun and holding Price while the other Indian ran up behind Price and shot him in the back, being so near that the powder burned a hole in his shirt as large as a person's hand. Colter seeing what was going on mounted his horse to escape but received a shot in the leg. He succeeded in giv- ing the alarm. Solomon Preuitt and two of his brothers with others gave pursuit until coming into the heavy timber in Wood River bot- tom, night coming on they gave up the pursuit. The next day they found that the Indians had taken refuge under a large tree that had been blown down and escaped.

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

which was about sixteen feet square, had a clap-board roof with a hole in it through which the smoke of the fire escap- ed. About one-half of the floor was covered with puneh- eons, while the balance served as kitchen and fire-place. Here was spent some of the coldest and most disagreeable weather of that winter. Soon after their arrival, Major Charles W. Hunter, proprietor of what was afterward called Hunterst own, made an offer of town lots to the party if they would establish a pottery on his land. The proposi- tion was partially agreed to, and Pinckard and his comrades built a cabin of round logs on Shields' branch, about one hundred yards above where the covered bridge now stands. It had only one room, sixteen fect square, with hewed puncheon floor, clap-board roof, and was chinked and daubed. Into this comfortable cabin the families moved one week before Christmas, 1818. For some days previous the weather had been very cold. On Christmas day the men found a fine bec tree on the branch, and the honey contributed greatly to the enjoyment of the festivities of the day.

During the winter of 1818-19 William G. Pinckard and Daniel Crume made a contract to build a house for Col. Easton. This house was built of hewed oak logs. It had two large rooms with one open space between them over which a roof was thrown. This house was long the stopping-place, or hotel, of the village of Alton. For many years it was occupied by Thomas G. Hawley. It stood near the corner of Second and Piasa streets, and when toru down in 1868 the logs were found to be as sound as when placed in position. Some of these logs came into the pos- session of H. G. McPike, and are now in a small building erected on his premises as a memento of the early days of Alton.

Although small cabins had been erected previously this was the first structure which could be called a house built upon the site of the city of Alton.

In 1819 William T. Pinckard, assisted by Crume and Heath, built for Major Hunter, a frame house which was the first frame building erected in Hunterstown. This house stood on Second street.

About four hundred yards above the bridge over Shields' branch, Pinckard, Heath and Crume built a large log cabin intending to start a pottery, but their plan was not carried into execution. The cabin remained in an unfinished con- dition, and for many years afterward, in fact as late as 1830 or 1831, was used in warm weather as a meeting-house for the Methodlists. William Heath built a cabin for himself on Shields' branch, just below the covered bridge in which he lived till August, 1829, when his wife died.

Joel Finch became a resident of Alton in 1819. Hc was a carpenter and began building houses. During the year 1819 be built a house for Major Huuter, in which Hunter moved the same year, and in which his wife died not many months afterward. In this year a row of small tenements was built under the brow of the bluff, extending along where Second street now is, west of Piasa.

In order to induce travelers to come by the Fountain ferry, a road was necessary to Alton from the old town of

Milton, in the forks of Wood river ; and it was found indis- pensable to build a bridge over Shields' Branch. A frame bridge was accordingly built by Joel Finch, under contract with Col. Easton, who agreed to pay him two hundred dol- lars at the store of Thomas Lippincott in Milton. This bridge was constructed very near the site of the present covered bridge, and the original was succeeded by one or two structures of a similar kind, at or about the same place, before the bridge which now spans the Branch was erected. At first the road wound partly through the bottom, but was soon made, as now, along the slope of the bluff.

There were about this time (1819) two families residing between Wood river and Alton. On a farm adjoining Wood river, the Widow Meacham had resided from a date pre- vious to the war of 1812. Near Alton lived James Smith, whose daughter became the wife of Jubilee Posey, one of the pioneer settlers in the neighborhood of Troy.

In the columns of the Edwardsville Spectator of the 18th of April, 1820, appears the following advertisement. The buildings referred to are, doubtless, those we have already mentioned to have been erected during the year 1819 by Joel Finch and Pinckard, Crume and Heath : "The sub- scriber has just finished large and commodious buildings, suitable for public entertainment, in the town of Alton, on the bank of the Mississippi, near Fountain ferry, on the main road to Boone's Lick and Salt river. Ile is disposed to let them on moderate terms, when suited with a tenant. From its local situation. there can be no doubt of its becoming one of the best stands in the State.

CHAS. W. HUNTER."

In the same number of the Spectator, Matthias P. Ringer & Co. advertise, that " Any quantity of good, unslacked lime may be had for 25 cents per bushel at Alton, on the Mississippi," from which it would seem that the manufac- ture of lime was begun in this vicinity at an early day.

On the same page of the same paper is a notice, dated February 23d, 1820, in which Eneas Pembrook calls the attention of the traveling public to the fact that " The sub- scriber has caused the roads leading to and from Fountain ferry to be put in good repair ; and he has an excellent set of boats and hands." Lest travelers " be not misled nor otherwise delayed," he gives the following directions : " On leaving Milton for the river, keep the left hand road to the foot of the bluff. It is level and dry. In travelling to the east, from St. Charles to the State of Illinois, take the right hand road, when you get within about a mile of Smeltzer's, where you will observe the marks of a sign-board knocked down. In passing this way, you will not be detained by high winds."

In connection with the fact that Smeltzer was running a ferry in competition farther up the river, the reason for these directions is very obvious. Pembrook adds, that ho also keeps a tavern at the ferry for the accommodation of travelers. Whether this Encas Pembrook was the same person who started the Fountain ferry in 1817, it is impos- sible to ascertain.

Beck's Gazetteer of Illinois and Missouri, written in 1821, thus speaks of Alton : " Alton, although yet small, pos- sesses natural advantages rarely equaled. Situated, as it is,

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

at the junction of three large and navigable rivers; possess- ing a fine and commodious harbor and landing for boats at all seasons of the year ; surrounded by a fertile country, rapidly settling, it bids fair to become a populous, wealthy, and commercial town."

The superior advantages of the town came to be recog- nized by some of the leading men of the state, who obtained possession of a claim to the land on which the town had been laid out adverse to that of Col. Rufus Easton. Among the opponents of Easton were such men as Ninian Edwards, (the territorial governor), and Nathaniel Pope, who for many years sat on the bench of the United States District Court. Easton had the wealth, legal talent and experience of influential adversaries to contend with. Meanwhile, as no clear and undisputed title to property could be given, persons who would have become purchasers were driven away, no permanent improvements were made, and the town languished. This difficulty was finally compromised by a division of the land. Among the portion allotted to Edwards, Pope, and their associates, were some blocks in the northeastern part, now partly included in what is called Middletown.

By an act of the State Legislature, in session at Vanda- lia, approved February 15th, 1827, Shadrach Bond, Wil- liam P. McKee, and Gershom Jayne, were appointed commissioners to select and procure a suitable site for a penitentiary on the Mississippi river, at or near Alton, in Madison county. They were directed to see that the title be secure, and were authorized to cause the erection of buildings with the necessary cells, guard houses, work shops and other apartments. The funds for defraying the cost of the building aud other expenses were to be obtained from one-half the proceeds of the sales to be made by James Caldwell, the commissioner appointed to sell certain lands within the Saline reserve of Gallatin county. Dur- ing the summer of 1829 the commissioners selected about- seven acres on the bluff which William Russell ceded as a site for the penitentiary. The contract for erecting the building was let by the Board of Inspectors to a man named Ivory, who brought on some mechanics and worked on the building for some time, but by reason of some mis- fortune, failed, and left the country. The contract was then re-let to Joel Finch, who completed the wood work, and to Laurence Stone, who constructed the masonry. Work was begun late in the year 1830, but little was done till the following spring, when the construction of the build ing was rapidly carried forward.

In June, 1828, block one, bounded by Front, Second, Alby and Market streets, was purchased from William Russell, who had succeeded to the interest of Col. Rufus Easton, by Gershom Flagg, who a few days afterward sold a portion of the block to William Miller, who had recently moved from Edwardsville. Mr. Miller occupied the ferry house, kept a small grocery, and acted as agent for William Russell, who resided in St. Louis and visited Alton at occa- sional intervals.

On the 21st of August, 1829, Beal Howard and Charles Howard arrived in Altou. They came from Maryland.

There was at that time an old frame building on a portion of the ground now occupied by the mill of D. R. Sparks & Co., which had been previously used by some old Indian traders. This building in 1829, and for some time after- ward, was occupied by Winthrop S. Gilman as a ware- house. It was subsequently replaced by one larger and more substantia ly built of stone, which was the base of operations for the firm of Godfrey, Gilman & Co., so widely and favorably known among the early business men of Al- ton. Beside this old frame house and the ferry house, there were only a few log cabins to constitute the old town. These cabins had been inhabited occasionally by transient residents for ten years previous. Corn was growing on a portion of the land between the Little Piasa and the bluff, and on the north and east there was a heavy growth of tim- ber. Along the slope of the bluff wild grape vines grew luxuriantly, while in the forest, east of the creek, the un- derbrush was so dense that the river could scarcely be seen ten rods distant. In Hunterstown resided Major Charles W. Hunter, and a few others, among whom were a man named Taylor and his sons-in-law, Oller and Million. Of these last, their chief occupation and delight was bee-hunt- ing, and they certainly feasted on corn-bread, milk and honey. They were not of that class of men who yield gracefully to the requirements of civilization, and it was not long before they sought wider freedom in a location farther out on the frontier.

In the year 1829 a frame building was erected on the site of the present Pre-byterian church on Market street. The workmen were brought from St. Louis. It was two stories high, about thirty feet in length, and was occupied hy Beal Howard as early as November, 1829. This is said to have been the first frame dwelling on the original town site. In September, 1829, Gershom Flagg sold the east half of block one to Charles Howard, who on the southeast corner of the block put up a small log dwelling. It stood just opposite the place occupied afterward so many years by the Alton House. In 1829, a few days after the arrival of the Howards, a Mr. Mintony became a resident of the town. He purchased a piece of ground, about two roods in extent, west of the Little Piasa creek and south of where Third street now is, for the sum of one hundred dollars. Upon this ground he built a steam saw mill, which stood a little way east of the present machine shop of George D. Hay den. After running this mill about two years, Mr. Mintor. sold it to Ninian Edwards. It then came into the manage- ment of J. S. Lane, a son-in-law of Gov. Edwards, who leased it for a time to Don Alonzo Spaulding, who had pre- viously resided some years in the vicinity of Edwardsville. With the exception of a cooper shop, carried on by William Miller, this was the first step in the way of establishing manufactories in Alton.

PROSPEROUS GROWTHI .- 1831-36.

The vigorous and healthy growth of the town began in the year 1831. The previous year a few permanent settlers were added to the place, but in 1831 the tide of immigra- tion began to flow in more strongly, mercantile houses were

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HISTORY OF MADISON COUNTY, ILLINOIS.

established, and several important business enterprises set en foot. Among those who came that year were : Samuel Avis, Edward Bliss, Robert M. Dunlap, Dr. William Emer- son, Mr. Fleshman, Stephen Griggs, Benjamin I. Gilman, William Hayden, Elijah Hayden, A. C. Hankinson, Jona- than T. Hudson, William Manning, Mark Pierson, Jacob D. Smith, and Samuel Wade.

Edward Bliss erected a frame building and opened a gen- eral store in the spring of 1831. This store was at the north side of Second street west of Little Piasa creek. William Manning, a former resident of Boston, who arrived in Alton April, 1831, soon afterward opened a store on Second street, opposite the present city hall. For several years he kept the largest stock of goods, and had the most extensive trade of any of the Alton merchants. He was assisted in the stere by his brother-in-law, Samuel Avis, and by Mark Pierson. He died in October, 1855. Mr. Fleshman was a merchant of considerable means, and for some time was actively engaged in making building improvements. He erected a two-story brick store, the first substantial mercan- tile building in the place. It stood on the south side of Second street, west of the Piasa, and was destroyed by fire. Early in the year 1831, Elijah Hayden purchased from William Russell the land from where the present building of Topping Bros. now stands, to one lot west of State street, and from the levee north to Third street. This purchase included the Fountain ferry privilege. He disposed of a large portion of the tract of ground for as much as he had paid for the whole, and then turned his attention to the ferry which had been discontinued for several years. He had a fine opportunity, as the boat at Smelter's ferry had sunk, and the emigration te Missouri and points westward was very heavy. He went te werk with energy, and put the ferry in good order, securing a fine boat, horses, and fixtures. Under his management the Fountain ferry became a source of profit te the owner and a benefit to the town. At times the threng of emigrants was so great that many were com- pelled to camp out and await their turn. A horse boat was first used which was afterward replaced by one propelled by steam. After running the ferry three er four years Mr. Hayden sold the boat and ferry privilege to Eli and Isaac J. Foster. Subsequently the ferry was kept in operation only at intervals till its permanent establishment in recent years.

Dr. William S. Emerson was the pioneer of the medical profession. He was the first physician to locate in the town. His professional attainments were superior, while toward every one he manifested a kind and gentlemanly demeaner which gained him the good-will and respect of the commu- nity. He was a member of the town Board of Trustees as early as 1834; in a few years he returned to the East.

Jonathan Trumbull Hudson was the first lawyer who opened an office in Alten. He was a member of the first Board of Trustees of the town, of which, except in the year 1834, he was president during the four or five years of his residence in that place. In 1832 he built a two story dwell- ing near the corner of Second and Henry streets. Ile had fine natural abilities and a good education. His manners

were genial, and he was well fitted to become a popular and successful leader. Thomas G. Hawley and Andrew Miller had become residents of the place previous to the year 1831.

The Rev. John M. Peek in his " Guide for Emigrants " written in 1831 thus spoke of Alton as it was at that date : "Lewer Alton is thought by many to present superior advantages for commerce and business to any other spot in the State. It is at the place where the curve of the Missis- sippi penetrates the farthest into the interior ef Illinois. It is within one mile of the mouth of the great Missouri, sixteen miles below the meuth of the Illinois, and at the junction where the business and commerce of the wide- spread regions of the northeast, north, and northwest, must arrive. The great road from all the northern portions of Illinois, and from the counties that extend along the eastern side of the Illinois river, in the direction of St. Louis, and the mouth of the Ohio, passes through this place. The Legislature of Illinois, at its last session, memorialized Con- gress to have the great National Road, now being constructed through Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, to the seat of govern- ment in Missouri, pass at or near this place; and, many are sanguine in expectation of this result. If it crosses the Mississippi above the mouth of the Missouri, Alton lies direct- ly in its route. It has the best landing for steamboats on the east bank of the Mississippi, having a solid rock of level surface, of suitable height, and to which boats at any stage of water can come and discharge and receive cargoes. It has been selected as the site of the state penitentiary, which is now building ; and it is thought by many that it will yet become the seat of government for the state."

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History of Madison County, Illinois With biographical sketches, Part 92

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