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 65
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649
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGHI COUNTY.
In 1859 there was inaugurated an institution in this place which spoke well for the carly settlers of the town. We allude to the Prairie City Academy, started under the auspices of the Free Will Baptist Church. For several years the institution met with good success, students being attracted there from many of the ad- joining counties, and a bright future seemed before it, but for some cause dissatisfaction arose as to its management, and the town, which had a half interest in it, withdrew its influence and sup- port, and the church not being able to support it alone, it was com- pelled to suspend. The property was sold, the town becoming the purchaser, and it is now used for the purpose of a public school.
With reference to the public schools of the place, the citizens take an especial pride, and not without cause. From the report of the superintendent of schools of the town we gather the in- formation that they are in a very flourishing condition, the general average in deportment, attendance and study being better than in any of the schools with which we are ac- quainted. The graded system was adopted a few years ago and has worked to the satisfaction of nearly everyone. There are three school buildings, known as the East, West, and Academy schools. In these schools for 1876, and 1877, were employed seven teachers, under the superintendeney of Prof. J. H. Graham, an experienced and efficient instructor and director, as follows: Sadie Hamilton, Assistant; Miss E. J. Vose, teacher in the grammer school ; Miss Nancy Morgan, intermediate; Misses Lou Brink- meyer, Julia Barnes, and Addie Durham, primary. So far as we can learn all give good satisfaction. The average salary paid these teachers is $53 per month. Average number of pupils in attendance is 330. The following named gentlemen compose the present Board of School Directors : B. F. Bradbury, JJ. A. Ham- ilton, and A. T. Irwin.
There are five denominations of Christians having organizations in this village, viz : Presbyterians, Missionary Baptists, Free Will Baptists, Congregationalists, and Methodists. Each of these have good comfortable church edifices. Taking into consideration the number and excellent quality of the schools, and the number of churches, with large and efficient memberships, it is not to be won- dered that Prairie City is a moral and religious town, and that temperance generally prevails. License has only occasionally been granted by some of the Town Boards for the sale of intoxicating
650
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
liquors. In the early part of 1874, a saloon was opened by a Mr. Colwell, the result of which was evil, so much so as to attract the attention of the noble-hearted women of the town, and they de- termined, if possible to avert the danger ere it was too late; ac- cordingly they presented the following to the Board of Trustees at a special meeting held March 6, 1877, which had the desired ef- feet :
" We, the women of Prairie City, respectfully inquire whether if Mr. Colwell now ceases to retail intoxicating drinks in Prairie City, you will return to him such part of the money he paid on his present license as will be the proportion for the time from which he ceases until the close of his term of license ? We regret exceedingly the necessity of our seeming in any way to interfere with the management of civil affairs in our village, but our hearts have been pained for months by the result of the liquor traffic to the unfortunate victims of intemperance and their defenseless families. The time has come, in our judgment, when it should cease-must cease."
Thus the efforts of a few resolute women, in their weakness accomplished what man, in his boasted strength, could not do.
The old cemetery one-half mile north of town was used as a final resting place for the dead but a few years, when, becoming too small, and no land adjacent could be purchased, it was thought best to purchase a larger tract, and therefore a five-acre lot was purchased one mile northwest of town, and is now known as the new cemetery.
On the seventeenth day of December, 1873, a vote was taken for or against organizing as a village, under the general law of the State, resulting in its almost unanimous adoption, only four votes being polled against it. Under this law the village Trustees have greater power than is bestowed upon the town Trustees under the old organization. The first annual election for village Trustees occurred Tuesday, April 21, 1874, the following named gentlemen being elected as members of the board : T. L. Magec, president: A. T. Irwin, A. Burr, J. Alex. Hamilton, JJ. S. Alexander and John T. Davis ; clerk, R. D. Stevens.
The first resolution passed by the board was in favorance. and the first ordinance was upon the same subject. The following named persons have since been elected members of the board of trustees: 1875-J. E. Dunham, president; A. T. Irwin, J. F. Davis,
651
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
J. Alex. Hamilton, B. F. Bradbury, and A Lanphere. 1876-T. L. Magee, president; A. T. Irwin, J. H. Wilson, J. S. Alexander, J. F. Davis, and W. J. Randolph. C. W. Taylor is the present village clerk.
Prairie City has seldom been without its weekly paper. In April, 1857, B. W. Seaton began the first publication of the P'rai- rie City Chronicle, which continued about one year, when it was merged into the Prairie Chief, and published in the interests of the Good Templars. This sheet was continued but a short time. The next was the Prairie Chicken, a small seven by nine sheet, which soon took its flight to other regions. In 1869, the Prairie City Herald was established by Chas. W. Taylor. This paper has obtained a national reputation-its short, pungent editorials being copied in almost every sheet throughout the Union.
As showing the amount of business transacted by the railroad company, from figures furnished by Hon. W. MeCredie, Freight Auditor of the road, we glean the following: For the past five years there were shipped an average each year of corn, 205 cars; oats, 29; rye, 35; cattle, 43 ; hogs, 80 ; flour, 2; other freight, 96. Received during the same time, per year : lumber, 84 cars; agri- cultural implements, 4; merchandise, 107; other freights, 24. A total of 449 shipped and 218 received.
A better class of dwelling houses are shown in this town than in many of its size in the country, while the business houses are good, but none of any special pretensions. There are several business firms in the village worthy of a special notice, among which we may mention the following :
Alonzo Barnes .- This gentleman, in company with Major Par- ker, as we have before remarked, was the first to open a stock of merchandise in the place, as early as 1854, nearly two years before the completion of the railroad : and from that time to the present has never been out of the mercantile trade. Major Parker re- mained but a short time, when he withdrew, Mr. Barnes continu- ing the store until 1869, when he disposed of his interest, and at once engaged in the hardware trade, which business he yet fol- lows, having a large and profitable trade. His place of business is on the corner of Smith and Main streets, and his main salesroom is crowded with everything pertaining to the hardware trade. Especial attention is given to heating and cooking stoves, and the best manufactures in the country are represented. In builders' hardware he carries as fine an assortment as can be found in the
652
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
county. He is also engaged in the manufacture of tin and sheet iron ware, and will do job work in this line as low as can be done in the county, and warrant all work. In an adjoining room he carries a fine line of furniture, which should be examined before purchasing.
W. F. Taylor is one of Prairie City's most enterprising young men. Wilbur came to this place in 1867, and opened a small stock of books and stationery in a room on Main street, and, like thousands of others, had a hard time in establishing a trade. But pluck and determination will accomplish wonders, and we there- tore see Wilbur, after a lapse of ten years, enjoying a satisfactory trade, which increases year by year. His stock comprises every article usually found in a book and notion house suitable for the wants and desires of the people of this neighborhood. Wilbur deserves success, and should have it.
Andrew Burr .- This gentleman came to Prairie City in its infancy, and soon thereafter engaged in mercantile trade, and ever since has been one of her leading business men-one who stands high in the estimation of his fellow-citizens in the town and coun . try surrounding. In his store, on Washington street, near the depot, may be found a full line of staple and fancy groceries, builders' hardware, paints and oils. He also deals extensively in lumber, a good stock of which he always has in his yard near his store, and at prices as low as can be obtained elsewhere in the county. That he may continue to enjoy success in trade is the desire of all his many friends.
S. P. Tobie .- Sixteen years ago this gentleman opened in the jewelry business in this city, and has since met with good success. In his store room on Main street may be found a full line of the latest styles of jewelry, silverware, and all brands of the cele- brated American watches. As a workman Mr. Tobie is A No. 1, and all work entrusted to his care will be done to the satisfaction of his patrons, and guaranteed in every respect. Besides his jew- elry stoek may be found here a fine line of the celebrated Reming- ton breech-loading shot guns, revolvers, and cartridges. In this line Mr. T. undoubtedly carries the best assortment in the county.
J. A. Hamilton .- Mr. H. came to this place in 1855, and com- menced business as a dealer in boots and shoes, continuing the same for ten years. He was the first to engage in this line of trade in the town. In 1865 he purchased a stock of clothing and gents' furnishing goods, since which time he has continued in
653
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
this trade, together with that of furniture and musical instru- ments. He has at all times a good assortment of all kinds of goods in his line, and, together with his salesman, will endeavor to please all who favor him with their patronage. You can't find a better place at which to trade.
B. F. Bradbury .- Is the proprietor of the leading dry goods and grocery houses of this village, and one well worthy the liber- al patronage he has so long enjoyed, and the confidence and re- spect of his fellow citizens, not only in the town but in the sur- rounding country. One of the first to engage in the mercantile trade here was L. H. Bradbury, the father of the present propri- etor, who soon after received as a partner his son, and the firm was long known as L. HI. Bradbury & Son. In 1874, the senior Brad- bury retired, leaving the business in the hands of its present owner, who will doubtless continue the same for many years. Mr. B. has a large and commodious store room on the corner of Main and Washington streets where may be found a large and well se- lected stock of dry goods, notions, boots, shoes, hats, caps, staple and fancy groceries, glass and queensware, etc., etc. Mr. B's. long business experience enables him to buy goods at bottom figures, which, together with his judgment in selecting the best quality and the latest styles of goods, enables him to offer his trade su- perior inducements. "A liberal man deviseth liberal things," says the wise man of old, and believing in the truth of the maxim, we have no hesitancy in recommending this gentleman to all our readers as a representative man of his town.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
1877.
BAKER.
Trumphy, Henry, north side of Main, near depot.
BANK.
First National Bank, south side of Main.
BARBERS.
Humphrey, David, Washington Street, near Main. Young, S, S., south side of Main, near Smith.
BLACKSMITHIS.
Bivens & Taft, Main, near Center. Robertson, H., Main, near Centre. Steach, 11. S., Main, near Centre. Steach, R. R., Main, near Ohio.
BOOKS AND STATIONERY.
Taylor Bros., north side of Main, near Smith.
654
HHISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
BOOT AND SHOEMAKERS.
Gebhardt, Henry, south side of Main.
Rose, James A., south side of Main, near Ohi ). Dean, C. A .. Main. BROOM MAKER.
Vinning, J. B., Main, near railroad.
CABINET MAKERS.
David, S., east si le of Smith, near Washington. . Ristey, Michael. CARPENTER.
Phillips, A .. west skle of Washington.
CLOTHING.
Davis, J. F., south side of Main, near Washington.
Hamilton, J. A , south side of Main, near Washington.
DRESS MAKERS.
Burt, Mrs. Mary, east side of Washington, near Main. Foresmen, Mrs. E. B., north side of Main, near Smith.
DRUGGISTS.
Brinkerhoff, E. L. M., Main Street. Krieder, W. L. & Co., Main Street
DRY GOODS, BOOTS, SHOES AND NOTIONS
Bradbury. B. F., corner of Main nnd Washington Streets. Mead, A., southeast corner of Main and Washington Streets.
FURNITURE.
Barnes, Alonzo, northeast corner of Main and Smith Streets. Hamilton, J. A., south side of Main near Washington.
GROCERIES.
Bradbury. B. F., corner of Main and Washington Streets. Burr, A., Washington Street near the depot.
Harrah, C. A., Main Street near the railroad.
White, E., corner of Main and Washington Streets.
Lyons, F. C., south side of Main Street near the railroad.
GUN DEALER.
fobie, S. P., south side of Main near Smith Street.
HARDWARE.
Barnes, Alonzo, corner of Main and Smith Streets. Burr, A., Washington Street near the depot.
HOTELS.
City Hotel, C. Heminover, proprieter, Washington near Main Street.
JEWELRY, CLOCKS AND WATCHIES.
Tobie, S. P., Main near Smith Street.
Wagoner, A. H., Washington near Main Street.
LAWYERS.
Boynton, E. A., sonth side of Main near Washington Street. Sanford, H. C., Washington Street.
LIVERY STABLES.
Combs, Robert, Washington Street. Everly, George V., City Hotel.
LUMBER.
Burr. A., Washington Street, near depot. Kendrick, T. L., Washington Street, near depot.
MEAT MARKET.
White, E., corner East Main and Washington Street.
MILLS.
Central Mills, J. B. Fast, eorner Main and Center Streets. Eagle Mills, Joshua Larkins, Washington Street, near depot. Prairie City Mills, John E. Dunham.
.
655
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
MILLINERY AND DRESS MAKING.
Chapin, Miss N. C., north side Main Street, near Smith. Hoyt. Mrs. A. R. north side Main Street.
Pippit, Mrs. J., south side Main Street, near railroad. Hobart, Mrs., south side Main Street, near Smith.
PHOTOGRAPHIER.
Durham Susan, Mrs., north side Main Street, near Smith.
PHYSICIANS.
Krieder, W. L., Main Street. Magee, T. L., south side Main Street, near Washington.
Westfall, A. M., Main and Washington Street.
Vose, Julia Mrs., north side Main Street.
POSTMASTER.
Smith, Ezra D., corner Main and Smith Streets.
PAPERS AND PRINTERS.
"Prairie City Herald," II. B. Taylor, Editor, office corner Main and Smith Streets.
RESTAURANTS.
Clark, Thomas. Washington Street, near Main. Foster, Z. A., Main Street.
SADDLE AND HARNESS MAKERS.
Magee, A., south side Main Street. near Smith.
McCartney, E. C .. north side Main Street, near Smith.
STATION AGENT.
Irwin, A. T., also Express Agent.
TAILORS.
Byerly, John, Washington Street.
WAGON MAKERS
Steneh, George C., Main Street near Center. Woodmansee, F. A., (also carriage), corner of Main and Ohio. Bivens, Thomas E., Main Street.
656
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
CHAPTER XLIV.
BUSHNELL.
The thriving city of Bushnell is most beautifully situated, and surrounded by the finest country in the Military Tract. In 1854, before the completion of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- road, John D. Hail, of Macomb, sold a two-third interest in the northeast quarter of section 33, 7 n., 1 w., to D. P. Wells and Iverson L. Twyman, also of the city of Macomb, and the three together determined on the establishment of a town on that site. William H. Rile, Esq., then County Surveyor, under the direction of Messrs. Hail, Twyman and Wells, laid off the town, running the streets parallel with the railroad, which had then been graded through the proposed site, and which extended across the quarter, entering thirty-five chains south of the southwest corner, and passing out the same number of chains north of the northeast quarter. The quarter was divided into forty-eight blocks of twelve lots each, the blocks being 360 feet square. Two streets, running parallel with the railroad, one on either side, were made seventy feet wide, and all others sixty.
The first public sale of lots was made in May, 1854. About seventy lots were sold, realizing about $6,000, the prices varying from $30 to $120 cach.
The town was named in honor of Hon. N. Bushnell, at that time President of the Northern Cross Railroad, the name by which the present Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad was then known.
When the town was laid out there was nothing on its proposed site but a large "wolf pole," a pole erected on the highest emi- nence in the neighborhood where it could be seen by the parties engaging in the wolf hunt and to which all would tend, meeting
657
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
in one common center. The nearest house was Hiram Markham's, three miles west. For miles around not a rod of land was en- closed by a fence, and not a road was located in the neighborhood. The country was just as wild as when created by the Author of the Universe, and upon the trackless prairies there was as much danger of being lost as in a dense forest. In 1855, John Hen- drickson, at present station agent at Bardolph, then a young man of seventeen or eighteen years of age, became lost on the prairie between the present site of the towns of Prairie City and Bush- nell. He became so bewildered as night came on, that he could not tell the direction in which he was going, and wandered around in a eirele. Not returning at night, his father organized a party to search for him, and with lanterns and guns they started out. The dismal howl of the prairie wolf could be heard upon every hand and the heart of the young man became faint, indeed, as the hours wore on. He was afraid to cry out, for fear of starting the wolves, but the party in his search had no such fears, and ever and anon they would call out his name. Finally, he heard the call and faintly answered. Soon the party closed around him, and the lost was found, and glad enough he was to be rescued. Ile now thinks the click of the telegraph instrument is music far preferable to the howl of the prairie wolf, especially as it sounded on his ears about twenty years ago.
Twyman, Wells & Hail erected the first business house, which they sold to Hiram Markham, who brought the first stock of mer- chandise to the town. The stock was not very large, but it answered the wants of the people at that day.
William Cord, Hiram Markham, and William Vickers were the first to erect dwelling houses in the place. John Crawford com- meneed the erection of the first hotel, but before completion sold it to John D. Hail, who, in the summer of 1855, completed the same and opened it for the accommodation of the traveling public.
The growth of the town was not very rapid the first year, the railroad not being completed and the people not accustomed to push things through with lightning speed. But in the second year, as the sound of the locomotive's whistle could be heard in the distance, they began to pour in, and by the time the merry call of the conductor, "all aboard," was heard the town was fairly alive, and the spirit of young America seemed to pervade every citizen of the little village, and dreams of future growth and great-
658
IIISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
ness pervaded the minds of all. A class of citizens came to the village possessed of indomitable perseverance and grit and with a determination to make the town one of the best in the State of Illinois. Among the early settlers who worked fer the best inter- est of the place we recall the names of Hiram Markham, James Cole, James Kelly, Dr. Clarke, Daniel Negley, James Smith, - Hunt, A. Everett, A. Hess, and S. A. Hendee.
The original proprietors of the place, imbued with a spirit of liberality, gave to the town two blocks of land-one on the east side of the railroad, and one on the west. They also gave lots to such religious denominations as would build houses of worship. We find, therefore, to-day two beautiful parks and several beauti- ful and pleasant church edifices, and the community a strictly moral and intelligent one.
The first three or four years were disastrous to the welfare of the town, in consequence, principally, of the failure of the crops. Many farms had been opened, but the farmers had used up all their means in improvements, trusting they would be rewarded with good crops, which, failing them, left them in debt to the merchants of the place. The consequence of this state of affairs was that the merchants were unable to meet their bills, which caused the suspension of several. Notwithstanding all this, im- provements were constantly made, buildings for stores and dwell- ings were being erected, and the population was rapidly increasing.
In 1867, the T., P. & W. Railroad surveyed a line through the place, and the city subscribed to its capital stock, to aid in its completion. Many persons prophesied that by the introduction of the cross-roads the town would be killed, as all the country trade would be lost. Well, says Bushnell, to offset this we will erect a few manufactories. The extensive factory of Nelson, LaTourette & Co., for the manufacture of pumps, wind-mills, furniture and croquet, was first erected, soon followed by the LaHarpe Cultiva- tor Works of Pierpont & Tuttle, which is doing a very large and constantly increasing business. Other manufactories we observe, among the number being Messrs. Ball & Sons, carriage builders, Ayres & Decker, barbed wire fence, John W. MeDonough, rustic furniture. These are but the nucleus around which others will gather in time, andwe look forward to see the time when the place will be a large manufacturing point. With its railroad and other facilities there is really nothing to hinder.
659
HISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
During the past year, changes have taken place in the location of the passenger depots of the Galesburg and St. Louis divisions of the C. B. & Q. railroads. The two have been consolidated and removed up to the junction of the two roads. This will be a great convenience to the traveling public, and will be appreciated by them. The entire management of the station business is now controlled by the pleasant and accommodating A. II. McGahan.
Great improvements have been made in general appearance of the city in the past few years. New walks have been laid, the streets all put in good repair, and all things now wear an air of neatness to be commended. Two beautiful parks, one on either side of the railroad, capable of holding several thousand people, are thrown open to the public and afford a pleasant place for pic- nic parties, publie speaking, etc.
During the year 1876, at a cost of about $20,000, the city erected a high school building, which is an ornament to it. In this, as in all other matters, Bushnell does not propose to be ont- done, but intends that her public schools shall be the best. We trust she will ever be animated with this ambition. Our public schools are the hope of the nation, and upon their success or fail- ure depend the future of the republic.
The various benevolent and reformatory societies are well repre- sented, there being flourishing lodges of Masons, Odd Fellows, United Workmen and Good Templars. The Odd Fellows have lately fitted up one of the neatest lodge rooms in this part of the State. Bushnell has many live firms in her midst, quite a number of whom special mention is made further on in this article. To transact the business of the place we find three agricultural imple- ment dealers, one national bank, two bakeries, three barber shops, four blacksmith shops, two books and stationery, four boot and shoe manufactories, four carpenter shops, three cigar manufacto- ries, four clothing stores, one coal yard, eleven dry goods stores, two dentists, five dress making establishments, four drug stores, one foundry and machine shop, three furniture dealers, thirteen grocery stores, three hardware stores, three harness shops, five hotels, two justices of the peace, two jewelry stores, five law firms, two livery stables, two Iumber yards, two marble works, four mcat markets, five millinery stores, two mills, two newspapers, two pic- ture galleries, four painters, six physicians, one piano and organ dealer, two real estate agents, ten restaurants and confectioners,
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IIISTORY OF M'DONOUGH COUNTY.
two sewing machine agents, two tailor shops, one veterinary surgeon, four wagon and carriage makers, one wire fence manu- factory.
The Gleaner, published early in the year 1877, in an article upon the trade and business of the place during the previous year, gives much useful information. from which we glean the following facts :
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