USA > Illinois > McDonough County > History of McDonough county, Illinois, its cities, towns and villages with early reminiscences, personal incidents and anecdotes and a complete business directory of the county > Part 64
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Universalist, east Jackson ; Rev. B. N. Wiles, Pastor.
('ITY GOVERNMENT.
Mayor, Ashur Blount: Clerk, L. E. Wyne; Police Magistrate, O. F. Piper ; Attorney, J. H. Franklin ; Treasurer, C. V. Chandler : Collector, Henry Shetterly ; Assessor, Hugh Ervin ; En- gineer and Surveyor, J. W. Brattle ; Marshall, Karr Mcclintock; Policemen, Henry Chapman, and John Simmons ; Street Supervisor, G. B. Gash; City Weigher, John S. Smith ; Sexton, John Shannon.
COUNCIL.
First Ward, W. E. Martin, and E. F. Bradford : Second Ward, J. H. Cummings. and J. E. Wyne : Third Ward, John McLean, and D. Scott; Fourth Ward, W. O. Thomas, and J. Gamage.
636
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
BOARD OF HEALTH.
Ashur Blount, President; Dr. W. O. Blaisdell, Dr. W. F. Bayne, and Dr. P. H. Garretson, Mem - bers.
SOCIETIES. MASONIC.
(Hall third floor Holland's block, northeast eorner Square.) Macomb Lodge No. 17, A. F. & A. M., meets first Friday in each month.
Kyle Lodge No. 553, A. F. & A. M., meets third Friday in each month.
Morse Chapter No. 19, A. F. & A. M., meets second Friday in each month.
ODD FELLOWS.
(Hall Gamage block, Second floor, 7. S. Randolph.) Military Traet Lodge No. 145, mects every Tuesday evening.
Washington Encampment No. 39, meets first and third Thursdays of each month.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Good Samaritan Temperance Society, meets alternately at the churches, Sunday at 4 P. M. Macomb Literary Society, meets every Monday evening. Hall in Holland's block. Macomb Shooting Club, meets Campbell's bloek. west side Square, second Tuesday each month. MeDonough County Stock, Agricultural and Mechanical Association. Fair grounds south end of Lafayette.
637
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY
CHAPTER XLI.
BLANDINSVILLE.
In 1842 Joseph L. Blandin, the owner of the southeast quarter of section thirty-two, concluded to locate thereon a new town, and for that purpose secured the service of Samuel Hunt, Esq., County Surveyor, who proceeded to survey and lay it off. To the place was given the name of Blandinsville, in honor of its founder.
The neighborhood in which the town is located had long been known as "Job's Settlement," and was the second one in the county, William and Iraby Job having located here as early as 1827. Even for ten years after the town was located the people in various parts of the county would still familiarly call it by its old name.
No sale of public lots was ever made, and no special effort made to push the town as is now customary. The first lots sold at from twenty-five to fifty dollars each.
The town is very pleasantly situated, and various additions have been made to its territory, the first being by Thomas J. Davis, who had laid off the southwest quarter of section thirty- three ; after which we find additions recorded by William H. Grigsby and Thomas I. Sorter on section thirty-three, Joshua Dunham on section thirty-two, and Mr. Foster, northeast quarter section five, Hire township.
The first dwelling house erected after the laying off of the town was by Charles R. Hume, who, together with Joseph C. Blandin, a son of the founder of the place, erected the first store building, the latter of which still stands, and is yet a good, sub- stantial building. It is in size eighteen by thirty-four feet, and is now used as a paint shop.
Blandinsville is surrounded by as fine farming country as can be found in the State, and her growth has been uniform with it. No
638
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
effort has ever been made to establish manufactories, and therefore the mercantile and laboring classes are dependent upon the trade of the farming community. The mercantile trade of the place has always been good, its business seemingly never to have been overdone. Among the many who have engaged in business here during the past thirty-five years, we recall the name of S. J. Hopper, who came here about the year 1846, and for some sixteen or eigh- teen years enjoyed a very large trade. Mr. Hopper continued in business until elected sheriff of the county in 1860, when he re- moved to Macomb, remaining there until his death, which occur- red a few years afterwards. A. P. Hopper came about the same time, and for many years has been engaged in the milling busi- ness. Ed. R. Jones has been in the mercantile trade for a great many years. Others somewhat prominent were Harrison and Adonijah HIungate, R. D. Hammond, J. F. Durant, Dr. Huston, Joseph L. Blandin, George W. Blandin, and many others.
In the cause of education Blandinsville has kept pace with the rest of the county, her public schools usually being among the best. At an early date the United Brethren in Christ established in the place an institution of learning, to which was given the name of Blandinsville Seminary. During the short period of its existence it accomplished much good. Not being financially a successs, the building and grounds were sold to the village, and is yet used for school purposes.
Until the completion of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, the town in its growth compared favorably with others in the county, after which its progress was not so great. The facilities gained by the others from the introduction of the rail- road enabled them to gain greatly over her in population and wealth. Her leading citizens at once saw the danger to which she was exposed, and when the subject of constructing the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Railroad was agitated, they began at once to take steps to secure its location through their town. Del. Mar- tin, C. R. Hume, S. J. Hopper and others worked hard to this end. Although it was a number of years from the commence- ment of its agitation until finally completed, its friends never ceased their labors or seemed to weary; they entered upon the work with a determination to succeed in their efforts, and succeed they did. The town itself raised forty-five thousand dollars for the purpose.
639
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGHI COUNTY.
The building of the road was the salvation of Blandinsville. A new life and spirit seemed to animate her citizens, and im- provements began to be made upon every hand. Fine stone buildings were erected, new dwelling houses sprang up, old ones were repaired and otherwise improved. The slow-going manner of doing business gave way to the Young America mode, all of which has redounded to the advantage of the place. A compari- son of the little, one-horse stores of the early day with the mam- moth establishment of Dines Brothers, will show the great improvements made. The trade of the place to-day, exclusive of grain and stock, will amount to $500,000 per year.
With respect to religious privileges, the town has as many ad- vantages as any in the county, there being large congregations of Baptists, Christians, Methodist Episcopal, and United Brethren in Christ, each of whom have fair church buildings. A historical sketch of each of these churches is given in the religious depart- ment of this work. Attention is called thereto.
In the transaction of the business of the place we find repre- sented two agricultural implement dealers, one baker and con- fectioner, one bank, three barbers, four blacksmith shops, two book and stationery, three boots and shoes, two hats and caps, one clothing, one jeweler, two dentists, three druggists, five dry goods, two furniture, two grain dealers, eight groceries, three hardware, two hotels, one justice of the peace, four lawyers, two livery and feed stables, one lumber yard, two meat markets, two mills, two millinery stores, one police magistrate, six physicians, three restaurants, three harness shops, one tailor, three wagon shops, four churches, three secret societies.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
1877.
AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS.
Clements, W. R., north Main Street.
Conwell & Edmonston, south Main Street.
BAKERS AND CONFECTIONERS.
Foley, J. M., south Main Street.
BANKERS
MeVey & Pancake, Main Street.
BARBERS.
Bond, M. M ., south Main Street. MeFall, S., south Main Street. Porter, Daniel, Main Street.
640
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
BLACKSMITHS.
Hughes. J. M., one block east of Main Street.
Sanders & Sorter, south Main Street.
BOOKS AND STATIONERY.
Fee, J. W., south Main Street.
Goodnight, T. H., south Main Street.
BOOTS, SHOES, HIATS AND CAPA.
Alexander, David, Main Street.
Ilollebaugh, W. II., manufacturer boots and shoes, north Main Street.
Land & Co., W. B., Main Street.
CLOTHING.
Terry, M. A., corner Main and Harrison Streets.
CLOCKS, WATCHES AND JEWELRY.
Bennett, L. J., north Main Street.
DENTISTS,
Butler, W. O., north Main Street.
DRUGGISTS.
Emery & Ferman, Main Street.
Pond, A. B., Main Street.
Huff, F. M., South Main Street.
DRY GOODS.
Dines Bros., corner Main and Harrison.
Gillam, J. & J. P., South Main Street.
Hoffman, J. R., South Main Street.
MeCord, W. H., corner Main and Jackson.
Pancake, S. M. & Co., South Main Street.
FURNITURE.
Spielman Brothers, North Main Street. Wilson, A., South Main Street.
GRAIN DEALERS
Grigsby., W. H. Gamage, D. C.
GROCERIES.
Coffman, J. M. & Bro., Main Street, opposite Bank.
Dines Bros., corner Main and Harrison.
Gillam, J. & J. P., South Main Street.
Griffith, H. C., North Main Street.
MeCord, W. H., Main and Jackson ..
Paneake S. M. & Co., South Main Street.
O. M. Scoville, 5, Main Street.
HARDWARE, STOVES AND TINWARE.
Conwell & Edmonson, South Main Street. Hume, R. W., one door south of Bank. Thompson, N., South Main Street.
HOTELS.
Edel House, northeast corner of the square ; Joseph Edel, Proprietor, Central House, Main Street ; Frank Kellogg, Proprietor.
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE.
Gillihan, W. W.
LAWYERS.
Fuhr, George S., Dunean Block. Hume, Charles R., South Main Street. Ralston, D. R., South Main Street. Ward, James R,,
LIVERY AND FEED STABLES.
Carinaek & Murray, S. Main street. A. Kellogg, S. Main street. LUMBER, LIME, CEMENT, ETC.
Thomas Marsden, S. Main street. J. T. Campbell, N. Main street. W. R. Skinner, S. Main street.
MEAT MARKETS.
641
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
MILLERS.
Depot Mills, W. G. Grigsby, proprietor, opposite depot. Hopper & Meeks, two blocks west of depot.
MILLINERY STORES.
Miss E. L. Foley, Main street. Helen A. Palmer, S. Main street.
PHYSICIANS.
Clark & Gamble, S. Main street. J. H. Emery, S. Main street. R. D. Hammond, Main street. 8. Thompson, S. Main street.
Huston, W. M., Jackson Street.
POLICE MAGISTRATE.
Hnme, Charles R. S., Main Street. Fee, J. W.
POST MASTER.
RESTAURANTS.
Foley, J. M., S. Main Street.
Gardner, W. E., N. Main Sereet.
Jones, E. R., S. Main Street.
SADDLES AND HARNESS.
Myers, J. M., S. Main Street. Conway, B., N. Main Street.
Fowler, John W., N. Main Street.
STATION AGENT.
Butler, G. W., Agent T., P. & W. R. R. and U. S. Ex. Co.
TAILORS.
Mason, HI. N., S. Main Street.
WAGON, CARRIAGE AND BLACKSMITHS.
Gist & Epperson, Main and Harrison Streets. Keithly & Phillips, north Main Street.
Sanders & Sorter, south Main Street.
CHURCHES.
Baptist Church, Maple Street, one block south Square. Christian Church, Harrison Street, west of Main Street; T. H. Goodrich, pastor. M. E. Church, Jackson Street, west of Main ; G. B. Snedaker ani W. B. Alexander, pastors. United Brethren in Christ Church, Harrison Street, one block east of Main; Isaac Valentine, pastor.
SOCIETIES.
New Hope Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 263; hall, over Huff's drug store ; James Ray, N. G. Blandinsville Encampment I. O. O. F., No. - ; W. R. Skinner, C. P. Hardin Lodge, A. O. U. W., No. 25; John W. Fowler, M. W.
642
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
CHAPTER XLII.
INDUSTRY-DODDSVILLE-MIDDLETOWN.
In 1846, Johnson Downen, Esq., living on southeast quarter of section 15, 5 north, 1 west, Industry township, made a proposition to John M. Price, a young blacksmith, to give him an acre of ground, and the neighbors of Mr. D. offered to erect for him a shop, if he would settle there and follow his trade. This offer Mr. Price accepted and a shop was erected for him which he oc- cupied for many years. This was the beginning of the present village of Industry, but at the time no thought was experienced of a town being there located. A postoffice had been located in the neighborhood for many years in charge of Joel Pennington, Esq., an old pioneer of the county, who kept the office at his resi- dence. When Mr. Price settled here the country around was in a wild and uncultivated state, save a farm here and there, the greater number of which were located east and southeast of the present town, around the old Carter settlement. He has informed us he has stood in his door and shot wild turkeys, and from his yard killed deer, squirrels, and other wild game. He remembers killing a wolf where the saw mill on Main street now stands; and again, when the mill was located about the centre of the street opposite Vance's Hotel, upon one occasion, a half grown deer in its fright ran into the mill and was knocked in the head with an ax.
In 1860, Cleon and Desa Reddick came to the place and started a dry goods and grocery store, the first in the place. This busi- ness they continued for two years, when J. M. Price purchased the stock and continued the business. These gentlemen were the first to settle here after Mr. Price. Next came Dr. Duncan, so well and favorably known through the south part of the county. He was the first physician in the place, and for some years the only one; and there probably is not a family in the whole town-
643
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
ship but has had his professional service. Dr. Duncan departed this life in the Spring of 1877, his loss being deeply felt by the whole neighborhood.
The first survey was in October, 1855, six blocks being laid off by William H. Rile, County Surveyor. In 1858 four additions were made to the town, viz .: Eastern, western, southern aud northern; and again, in 1867, Downen's addition was surveyed. The place was given its name by J. M. Price and Cleon Reddick. A nickname had been given it some time previous by Springer, who had called it Pinhook, for what reason is not known by even the oldest inhabitant.
The town has been of slow but steady growth, it having none of the advantages of railroad towns of the present day. During the last three years more improvements have been made in it than during the same length of time in its history, the improvements being of a permanent character. It is hoped these will continue.
Notwithstanding the place was laid out in 1855, it was not in- corporated until 1867, when it was organized under a special charter, the first meeting of the Board of Trustees of the town occurring the evening of May 16, 1867. The following are the names of those comprising the first Board : William Sullivan, President ; Daniel Carroll, John Shannon, D. M. Creel and B. F. Botchlet. This organization of the place was continued until 1873, when it was re-organized on the 24th of January, under the general law, as a village, with the following named Trustees: John McKinney, President ; J. F. Mosser, John W. Flack, J. D. Goble and John D. Merrick.
The village has always been a moral and religious one, and has never, since its organization in 1867, granted license for the sale of intoxicating liquors.
The public schools of the place have kept pace with those of other towns. The village has a large school building situated on Main street, and from seven to eight months in the year a free school is held therein. Good teachers have usually been em- ployed, at salaries ranging from fifty to seventy-five dollars per month. Prof. HI. M. Towner was employed as principal during the school year of 1876 and '77. Perfect satisfaction was ren- dered by this gentleman to the patrons of the school. Prof. Thomas Odenweller is engaged for the season of 1877-'78.
Three church buildings are in the place, and divine services are held in each. The denominations represented are Christian,
644
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
Cumberland Presbyterian and Methodist Episcopal. Sketches of each of their organizations will be found elsewhere in this work. Rev. J. L. Towner, pastor of the Christian Church, has held that relation a longer period than either of the others. His ministra- tions have been very acceptable to the people.
In manufactories the village has not much to boast, and until a railroad is secured will probably never do much in this respect. A flouring mill, which supplies the people with an excellent quality of flour, a saw mill and a wagon shop are the only representatives of this branch of industry in the place.
The village is twelve miles from any railroad station, and four towns with railroad depots are situated that distance from it, viz .: Macomb, Table Grove, Vermont and Adair. These facts serve as a drawback to the prosperity of the place, but, as before remarked, the town prospers nevertheless. Among her business men are several that are alive to her interests, and who work to that end. The population of the town is at present about five hundred.
The following named gentlemen occupy the position of Trustees of the village at the present writing: J. W. Leach, President ; John McKinney, Simon Gustine, l'. B. Cordell, John A. Sullivan, J. H. R. Clayton.
The following is a summary of the number and various kinds of business firms : Agricultural implement dealer, one; blacksmith, one; boot and shoe-makers, two; barber shop, one; restaurant, one; carpenters, three; drug stores, two; general merchandise, two; groceries, three; hotels, one; saddle and harness shop, one; hard- ware stores, two; insurance companies, one; meat markets, two; mills, two; millinery and dressmaking one; millinery and notions, one: painters, one; photographers, two; physicians, three; wagon makers, two; societies, three.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS.
J. W. Leach, llickory street.
BLACKSMITII.
Caleb Hathaway, Sullivan street.
BOOT AND SHOEMAKERS.
B. F. Blotchett, Main street.
John McKinney, Sullivan street.
CONFECTIONERY, RESTAURANT AND BARBER SHOP. J. R. Patterson, Main street.
645
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
CARPENTERS.
J. S. Baymiller & Bro., Sullivan street. James Kee, Hickory street. James Laughlin, Main street.
DRUGS.
Hyatt Bros., Main Street. Kyle, Joseph B., Main Street.
GENERAL MERCHANDISE.
Merrick, J. T., Main Street. Mosser, J. F., Main Street.
GROCERIES.
Cordell, J. W., Main Street. Greenwell, Charles, Main Street. Sheestey & Butcher, Main Street.
HIOTEL.
Vance House, Main Street, W. R. Vance, proprietor.
HARNESS AND SADDLERY.
Bechtol, U., Main Street.
HARDWARE.
Cordell, J. W., Main Street. Taylor & Son, Main Street.
INSURANCE COMPANIES.
Industry Mutual Insurance Company. Ilenry Black, President ; W. R. Pennington, Treasurer : John Downen, Secretary.
MEAT MARKETS.
Greenwell, Charles. Main Street. Pennington, Benjamin, Main Street.
MILLS.
Industry Mills, E. Fish & Son. Saw Mill, Hyatt, Snowden & Co., Main Street.
MILLINERY AND DRESS MAKING.
Kemper & Sullivan, Mrs., Main Street.
MILLINERY AND NOTIONS.
Kemper, E. B., Main Street.
NOTARY PUBLIC.
Cordell, Presley, with J. F. Mosser.
PAINTERS.
Seward, D. A., Hickory Street.
PHOTOGRAPHERS.
Pittman, George N., Main street. Robinson, James R., Main street.
POSTMASTER.
Cordell, J. W.
PHYSICIANS.
Creel, D. M. Office over Kyles' drug store. Duncan, Charles. Office at residence. Shannon, George. Office with Hyatt Bros.
WAGON MAKERS.
Kemper, J. M., Sullivan Street. Black, J. T. N., Main street.
TOWN OFFICERS.
Vanee, W. R , Clerk. Office in hotel. Downen, John, Police Magistrate. Office over Kyles' drug store. Flack, John W., Justice of the Peace. Office over Kyle's drug store. 11-41
646
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
SOCIETIES-SECRET AND BENEVOLENT.,
Industry Lodge No. 271. John McKinney, Secretary ; Douglas Pennington, N. G. Industry A. F. and A. M., No. 327. I. N. Beaver, MI.
Industry Grange No. 58. A. J. Vail, Master ; W. S. Pile, Secretary.
BAND.
Industry Cornet Band, H. C. Sullivan, Leader.
CHURCHES.
Christian Church. Elder J. L. Towner, Pastor. Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Methodist Episcopal Church.
DODDSVILLE.
This town is on the southern line of the county, with a portion of it in Schuyler county. It was laid out in 1836 by Samuel Dodds. That portion in this county is on section 32, Industry township. In the town are two good churches-the Presbyterian and the Methodists-W. G. Irwin, dealer in dry goods and groce- ries, also Postmaster ; J. B. Wheeler, blacksmith ; J. II. Wheeler, wagon maker ; J. W. Donoley, M. D.
MIDDLETOWN. (P. O. FANDON.)
Under the head of "Early Settlements," in Chapter viii, will be found notice of this place; therefore, we think it unnecessary to say more in this connection. The following comprises a list of business houses represented in the town: Minton Hatfield, gene- ral merchandise ; Robert Jeffries, drugs and groceries; W. W. Moore and J. II. Voorhees, blacksmiths; J. M. Mills, D. J. Fu- gate and I. N. Wear, physicians; M. Hatfield, postmaster ; John Griswold, patentee.
647
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
CHAPTER XLIII.
PRAIRIE CITY.
This town is situated on a beautiful rolling prairie, surrounded by a country which, in fertility of soil, is not surpassed in the State of Illinois. The whole country around is dotted over with some of the finest and best improved farms in the county. Prairie City is truly a city of the prairie, and its founders could not have selected a more beautiful and eligible location, or a name more appropriate for the town. The place was laid out on the pro- jected line of the Northern Cross, now Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, in 1854, by Ezra Cadwallader, Anson Smith, Ezra D. Smith and Edwin Reed, men of excellent judgment and more than ordinary business qualifications. The same year Messrs. Parker & Barnes, of Canton, came to the place, and opened a stock of general merchandise, first in a farm house near town, then in a store building on Main street, near Smith, which they erected for this purpose. This was the first building erected in town, and Parker & Barnes have the honor of being the first to engage in business. In their store-room Rev. Truman Grigsby, a Baptist Minister, preached the first sermon in the town. Rev. Samuel Dilly, a Congregational Minister, was next, preaching a short time thereafter in the house of Ezra Smith.
The town is laid out with streets running east and west and north and south. The original town only comprised forty acres. and lots were made 66x120 feet. Several additions have since been made to the town, and it now covers considerable ground : but the principal portion of it is located on the northwest quarter of section one of Prairie City township, being the extreme north- eastern portion of the county, seventeen miles from Macomb, and one hundred and eighty-six from Chicago.
648
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
In 1855, a frame school house was built, in size about 20x30 fect, on Clay street. The following year the Presbyterians erected a church building, being the first in the town. Ezra Cadwallader erected the first building for hotel purposes-the City Hotel.
In 1856, Alonzo Barnes, James R. Parker and Joseph Drake platted the first southern addition to the town, giving a lot to any one who would build a house thereon costing not less than one hundred and fifty dollars. This had the desired effect, inducing many to come here to make their homes. The place now grew so rapidly that it became necessary to incorporate as a town. Accordingly, on Saturday, January 10, 1857, a public meeting was held and the question voted for or against incorporation. Thirty- nine votes were cast for and five against. The proposition having been carried, an election was held on Saturday, January 24, at two o'clock P. M., for the purpose of choosing five Trustees, when the following gentlemen were elected: David Negley, L. II. Brad- bury, J. B. Robinson, George Hettle and M. T. Hand. A. Fisher was chosen as the first clerk of the board. A few days there- after the board met and adopted such ordinances as were thought for the best interests of the place.
No towu can be supposed to exist without a newspaper, so in the early part of this year, one was issued from this place. As an illustration of the rapid growth of the town, we copy the follow- ing communication which appeared in the Prairie City Chronicle under date April 23, 1857 :
"The rapidity with which our beautiful village has grown must astonish the natives. Notwithstanding the opposition of two rival towns, it has far exceeded the expectations of its most sanguine founders. Where now stands the Presbyterian Church, with its spire pointing heavenward, the school house by its side, where the growing idea may learn to shoot; the large and commodious edifice erected and occupied by Messrs. Barnes & Fisher and L. J. Wash- burn, near the railroad, the Cope House, and a dozen other build- ings in which are carried on a general mercantile trade, and dwelling houses scattered over nearly a quarter section of land, with a family in every seven by nine room-I say, where now stands all these, three years ago nothing was to be seen but the prairie grass waving in the summer breeze, with here and there a lowing herd, as they enjoyed the luxuries which nature had pro- vided for them."
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