USA > Illinois > McHenry County > History of McHenry County, Illinois : together with sketches of its cities, villages and towns : educational, religious, civil, military, and political history : portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, also a condensed History of Illinois > Part 50
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About 1867 Dr. Stone bought C. B. Durfee's drug store. Several years later he sold out to Dr. Adamns who conducted business until his death. J. S. Wheat and A. S. Wright then bought the stock, and under the name Wheat & Wright the busi- ness was conducted until 1880. A. S. Wright has since been proprietor.
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
Wheat & Murphy next set up a drug store, and about two years ago the firm became Murphy & Blossom.
The first jewelry store was established by Geo. F. Mills who was in business about seven years. He was succeeded by George Sylvester, and Sylvester by M. Sherman who still conducts the busi- ness. E. W. Blossom opened the next jewelry store in 1866 and s still in trade.
The first wagon-makers in the village were two brothers named Eddy who opened a shop in 1846. The first blacksmith was H. P. Norton, and the first shoemaker, Ira. C. Trowbridge.
The first school was taught in the old conrt-house (then new) in 1846. The first religious services were also held in the court- house. They were conducted by Rev. Howe, a Presbyterian clergy- man, in the winter of 1844-'5.
Alvin Judd was the first hotel-keeper, opening his house to the public in 1844-'5. It stood where the bank now is. Martin Thrall bought it in 1855, and about five years later sold out to O. A. Kent who enlarged and improved the building and made it the Exchange Hotel. He died while its proprietor, and his family continued the business until about 1868. H. H. Hildreth was the next proprietor, succeeded by John H. Thomas. The hotel was destroyed by fire in 1872.
The Waverly House was built by Roswell Enos in 1851. In 1854 it fell into the hands of Leander Church who enlarged it and gave it its present name. Church sold out to'Daniel W. Robinson who further enlarged the building to its present size. He rented it to Geo. S. Sherwood, the present proprietor.
The Richmond House, in Commercial Block, was built in 1874 and has since been conducted by E. H. Richmond.
Rudolph Diesel started a furniture store over twenty years ago.
A saw-mill was erected in 1852 by Enos W. Smith, and ran fo about four years, doing a considerable business. H. M. Wait and others started a flax-mill in 1846, and soon after converted it into a planing-mill.
A tannery was started by Roswell Enos about 1854. It was a small affair, and was destroyed by fire after being in operation a few years.
Gilbert B. Dake and Cornelius Quinlan built a steam flouring mill in the north part of the city in 1856. It proved an unprofita- ble venture and the mill has not been in operation for several years. Later a grist-mill was run for a time in Phoenix Block
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
In 1866 J. C. Teeple and Henry Eckert erected a foundry and machine-shop on Dean street, near the depot, at a cost of $8,000. They carried on business in partnership for a time. Then Teeple sold out and Eckert continued alone. The property next came into the hands of L. H. S. Barrows, the present owner. The foundry part of the business was abandoned some time ago.
In 1868 C. B. Durfee began the manufacture of drain tile at Woodstock. Soon after, the industry took the name of the Wood- stock Brick, Drain Tile and Peat Works, using the peat found in the vicinity for fuel. The business was closed in 1873.
Banking .- Dr. C. B. Durfee began the banking business about 1852, and carried it on for about two years when he failed and was succeeded by the firm of Fuller, Johnson & Co., which was at first composed of A. W. Fuller, C. B. Durfee, L. S. Church, Neill Don- nelly, J. H. Johnson and G. W. Bentley. This firm reorganized under the National banking law and became the First National Bank; but in 1869 C. B. Durfee & Co. again commenced business which they continued until 187-, the firm consisting of C. B. Durfee, E. E. Sherwood, D. W. Robinson, J. S. Wheat, Henry W. Mead, M. L. Joslyn, J. A. Parrish and D. P. Conklin. In May, 1875, T. D. Murphy and R. Bishop opened the Farmers' Bank, a rivate banking institution, which continned about three years.
National Bank .- The First National Bank of Woodstock was organized in 1864, with a capital of $50,000. L. S. Church, Presi- dent; C. B. Durfee, Cashier; N. Donnelly, M. F. Irwin, L. S. Church, C. B. Durfee, A. M. Fuller and J. H. Johnson, Directors. Edward A. Murphy is the present President, and John J. Murphy, the Cashier.
In 1857, the business men of Woodstock who advertised in the Sentinel were as follows:
Harper & Wright, architects; Dr. P. W. Murphy, surgeo n en tist; T. D. Murphy, Asa W. Smith, M. L. Joslyn, F. Van Wickle, M. C. Johnson, lawyers; Yost Andrews, boot and slioe manufact- urer; J. C. Trowbridge, ditto; A. W. Tappan & Co., N. Don nelly, G. W. Bentley, Lyon & Sherwood, L. Burtchy, Jr., general merchants; John Bunker, grocer; S. Newitter, B. Carter, clothing dealers; C. S. Reeder, Geo. D. Greenleaf, furniture; Mills & Dodge, jewelers; H. Sears & Co., books and stationery; Steam Flouring Mills, Dake & Quinlan; Empire Mills, F. W. Moss; Ful- ler, Johnson & Co., bankers; Woodstock House, B. S. Patty, pro prietor, Phoenix Block; Exchange Hotel, H. H. Hildreth; Geo. W.
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
Pooler, house and sign painter; R. A. Clark, harness and carriage trimming; Jacob A. Davis, hardware dealer; Dickinson, Lyon & Co., produce commission merchants-firm D. O. Dickinson, I. B. Lyon and M. W. Hunt; Hunt & Fuller, lumber dealers; J. H. Hamilton, physician.
Among the oldest establishments now doing business in the city may be mentioned the following: E. A. Murphy & Co., started in 1856 by John J. Murphy; Bunker Brothers, begun in 1856 by John Bunker; I. T. & A. L. Salisbury, established in 1860, by I. T. Salisbury; Donnelly's store, started by Neill Donnelly in 1852; J. C. Choate, 1865; T. J. Dacy, agricultural implements, 1868; J. S. Medlar, artist, 1858.
The following is a list of all the business interests of Woodstock in the year 1884: Agricultural implements, Wm. Austin, T. J. Dacy & Co .; boots and shoes, Wm. H. Dwight, E. C. Jewett; blacksmiths, Michael Eckert, Michael Flavin, H. M. Foot, Kuhn & Bier, Lusern Allen; bank, First National, Edward A. Murphy, President; brewery, Arnold Zimmer & Co .; barbers, Leon- ard Leidig, Henry Schneider; carpenters, A. C. Belcher, Simon Brink; creameries, Joseph Newman, Waterman Factory, W. A. Rodgers, proprietor; Carriage & Wagon Mfr's, B. F. Ells- worth, D. L. Kelley, Martin Lambert, John Tong; cigars and tobacco, Fredric Merton, Fred Renich; dressmakers, Mrs. Marion Cooper, Mrs. M. B. Quigley; dentist, C. N. Kendall; druggists, L. T. Hoy, G. S. Stone & Son, A. S. Wright, Murphy & Blossom; furniture, Rudolph Diesel, J. J. Stafford; groceries, B. S. Austin & Co., G. Blakeslee & Son, Bunker Brothers, Frank M. Bunker, John P. Zimpleman, A. B. Cowlin, Jno. Donnelly, O. H. Gill. more, James Lunney; grain dealers, Furer & Slocum; gunsmith, B. Sherman; harness manufactory, E. R. Bird, W. H. Spriggs, John Sterba, Daniel Tripp; hotels, Richmond House, E. H. Rich- mond, proprietor; Waverly House, George L. Sherwood, proprietor; hardware, Stein Brothers, Thomas Whitson & Son; jewelry, E. W. Blossom, Marvin Sherman; liverymen, Ladd Austin, Rufus H. Austin, Wm. Quinn; lumbermen, Bagley Brothers, Darwin Crumb, J. H. Garrison & Co .; lawyers, Asa W. Smith, B. N, Smith, Chas. P. Barnes, Bourne & Gillmore, A. B. Coon, Ira R. Curtiss, C. H. Donnelly, J. H. Johnson, T. D. & E. D. Murphy; merchants, Earnest Ansorg, Neill Donnelly, M. D. Hoy, John C. Choate, A. Levinson, E. A. Murphy & Co., I. T. & A. L. Salis- bury; meat market, B. C. Marten, G. W. Bordwell, Andrew
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554 HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
Malzer; milliners, Miss Eliza Donnelly, Mrs. A. J. Buell, Mrs. M. Church & Co .; masons, Peter P'. Corby, Judson Irish; mer- chant tailors, John Howe, Wm. H. Sanford; marble cutter, Henry Young; physicians, J. Northrop, Wm. W. Cook, E. V. Anderson, L. H. Davis, D. C. Doolittle, D. C. Green, Edward Bennett, Wm. H. Buck; photographers, G. A. Bunker, J. S. Medlar; pickle manufactory, Squire Dingee & Co., Norman Frame & Co., Pickle Growers Union; painter, G. T. Goodrow; repair shop, R. J. Osman; restaurants, F. F. Thomas, Sam Mc- Nett, James Balger, A. J. Buell; shoemakers, N. H. McCahill, Dan. T. Ring; saloons, F. Arnold, John McGee, Bachman & Retterer, Fred Marks, J. H. Murphy, Short & Kennedy.
INCORPORATION.
Woodstock was incorporated by a special act of the Legislature approved June 22, 1852, and the Government vested in a president and Board of Trustees. The charter was afterward amended several times.
Woodstock was incorporated as a city in 1873. The vote upon the question of city government was taken March 24, 1873, and resulted as follows: For city organization, 109 votes; against, 0.
TOWN OFFICERS.
Officers of the incorporated village of Woodstock for the year 1852: President, Alvin Judd; Trustees, Joseph Golder, L. S. Church, C. B. Durfee, J. C. Trowbridge, George H. Griffins; Clerk, Charles Fitch; Town Surveyor, John Brink; Constable and Collector, L. W. McMaster; Treasurer, Charles Fitch.
1853 .- President, Alvin Judd; Treasurer, F. W. Smith; Consta- ble, James M. Kimball; Clerk, C. Fitch; Trustees, Arad Sly, F. I. Mansfield, Erick Knudson, C. M. Willard, Wm. B. Hart, L. Joslyn.
1854 .- President, Enos W. Smith; Assessor and Treasurer, Levi Sherwood; Constable and Collector, I. M. Kimball; Police Magistrate, Enos W. Smith; Trustees, Charles M. Willard, Neill Donnelly, Thomas F. Sherman, M. B. Baldwin, Geo. H. Griffin, Wm. Sloan.
1855 .- Neill Donnelly, President; L. W. McMaster, Treasurer and Assessor; Henry A. Tower, Constable and Collector; Geo. A. Austin, Clerk; Geo. W. Tyler, Surveyor; Thomas Whitson, Arad Sly, J. H. Johnson, John Donnelly, M. B. Baldwin, Caleb Rich, Trustees.
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
1856 .- President, Neill Donnelly; Assessor and Treasurer, L. W. McMaster; Constable and Collector, M. Church; Trustees, H. M. Wait, Arad Sly, E. M. Lamb, Melvin B. Baldwin, Caleb Rich, John Donnelly.
1857 .- Melvin B. Baldwin, President; C. W. Craig, Constable and Collector; Ira Slocum, Treasurer and Assessor; M. W. Hunt, E. M. Lamb, E. E. Richards, Lindsey Joslyn, Charles Schryver, P. B. Enos, Trustees.
1858 .- M. W. Hunt, President; Enos W. Smith, Police Magis- trate; C. W. Craig, Constable and Collector; B. Carter, Assessor and Treasurer; H. B. Burton, C. M. Willard, N. S. Wicker, G. B. Dake, W. P. Jewett, Alvin Pike, Trustees.
1859 .- H. B. Burton, President; Geo. Tyler, Assessor and Treasurer; S. Van Curen, Constable and Collector; Geo. Hebard, Geo. H. Griffing, Charles Schryver, Perry W. Murphy, Cornelius Quinlan, Alvin Judd, Trustees; G. B. Watrous, Clerk.
1860 .- Neill Donnelly, President; Walter P. Jewett, Assessor and Treasurer; Sabine Van Curen, Constable and Collector; H. B. Burton, O. S. Johnson, L. H. Davis, Enos W. Smith, W. P. Jewett, R. F. Crawford, Trustees.
1861 .- M. L. Joslyn, President; J. B. Church, Police Magistrate; H. Hathaway, Constable and Collector; C. B. Durfee, Assessor and Treasurer; E. E. Richards, Clerk; O. S. Johnson, A. W. Fuller, D. H. Davis, Geo. H. Griffing, J. C. Choate, Chas Crawford, Trustecs.
1862 .- H. S. Henchett, President; E. E. Richards, Clerk; Hiram Hathaway, Constable and Collector; C. B. Durfee, Assessor and Treasurer; J.B. Church, Police Magistrate; O. S. Johnson, E. E. Richards, John J. Murphy, E. E. Thomas, B. F. Crawford, Geo. F. Stone, Trustees.
1863,-Wm. Kerr, President; E, E. Thomas, Assessor and Treasurer; F. C. Joslyn, Constable and Collector; E. E. Richards, Clerk; R. G. Schryver, G. N. Sherwood, E. M. Lamb, E. E. Thomas, T. F. Johnson, G. B. Watrous, Trustees.
1864. - Win. Kerr, President; M. H. McCahill, Constable and Collector; G. B. Dake, Assessor and Treasurer; L. H. Davis, H. B. Burton, A. W. Fuller, Wm. Hart, Jr., Geo. H. Griffing, A. E. Smith, Trustees.
1865 .- Wm. Kerr, President; G. B. Dake, Assessor and Treas- urer; W. H. Murphy, Constable and Collector; J. H. Slavin, H. B. Burton, Martin Hass, Andrew Bourne, Geo. H. Griffing, Trustees; J. A. Parrish, Clerk. 35
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
1866 .- M. L. Joslyn, President ; G. B. Dake, Assessor and Treasurer; J. B. Church, Police Magistrate; Wm. H. Murphy, Constable and Collector: J. A. Parrish, Clerk; E. E. Thomas, M. F. Irwin, M. Church, H. B. Burton, R. Diesel, Geo. Stinson, Trustees.
1867 .- John S. Wheat, President; Wm. H. Murphy, Constable and Collector; W. P. Jewett, Assessor and Treasurer; J. A. Par- rish, Clerk; Elam M. Lamb, J. S. Medlar, Jas. Northrop, A. W. Fuller, R. Diesel, Neill Donnelly, Trustees.
1868 .- B. N. Smith, President; E. E. Richards, Assessor and Treasurer; Malachi Church, Constable and Collector; G. B. Bassett, Clerk; W. H. Richards, E. Baldwin, Chas. H. Russell, L. H. Davis, Ed. Furer, John Nugent, Trustees.
1869 .- M. D. Hoy, President; E. E. Richards, Assessor and Treasurer; M. Church, Constable and Collector; J. H. Tappan, Clerk; L. H. Davis, J. D. Short, Ira Slocum, H. E. Tower, E. E. Thomas, Thomas Whitson, Trustees,
1870 .- E. E. Richards, President; Jas. B. Church, Police Mag- istrate; M. Church, Constable and Collector; E. E. Richards, Asses- sor and Treasurer; N. Donnelly, R. Diesel, R. C. Jefferson, A. C. Belcher, H. E. Tower, T. Whitson, Trustees; S. Brink, Clerk.
1871 .- E. E. Richards, President; S. Van Curen, Constable and Collector; Erastus Richards, Assessor and Treasurer; S. Brink, Clerk; T. J. Dacy, R. C. Jefferson, R. Diesel, Jas. Northrop, W. H. Sanford, H. E. Tower, Trustees.
1872. - L. H. Davis, President; John A. Parrish, Assessor and Treasurer; S. Van Curen, Constable; T. J. Dacy, J. S. Wheat, Geo. L. Sherwood, M. D. Hoy, G. K. Bunker, E. E. Thomas, Trustees; S. Brink, Clerk.
CITY OFFICERS.
City government organized April 19, 1873.
1873 .- John S. Wheat, Mayor; T. L. Maher, Clerk; J. J. Mur- phy, Treasurer; M. C. Johnson, Attorney; Aldermen: South Ward, W. H. Stewart, one year; G. K. Bunker, two years; A. Badger, one year; North Ward, E. E. Richards, one year; T. J. Dacy, two years; F. Arnold, two years; S. Van Curen, Marshal; A. J. Murphy, Street Commissioner.
1874 .- Neill Donnelly, Mayor; T. L. Maher, Clerk; John J. Murphy, Treasurer; J. A. Parrish, Attorney; J. B. Church, Police Justice; Aldermen : North Ward, Geo. L. Sherwood, G. Blakeslee;
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
South Ward, G. T. Barrows, W. B. Austin; S. Van Curen, Mar- shal; Street Commissioner, A. J. Murphy; Wm. Harbison, Pound- master; T. J. Dacy, Fire Marshal.
1875 .- R. C. Jefferson, Mayor; A. F. Field, Clerk; B. N. Smith, Attorney; John J. Murphy, Treasurer; Aldermen: G. K. Bunker, Peter Whitney, South Ward; R. Diesel, Henry Kennedy, North Ward; Frank E. Hannaford, Street Commissioner; Asa Pease, City Marshal; H. T. Nettleton, Fire Marshal; Wm. Harbison, Pound- master.
1876 .- Neill Donnelly, Mayor; T. L. Maher, Clerk *; J. J. Murphy, Treasurer; O. H. Gillmore, Attorney; Aldermen : Fred Renich, two years, Alonzo Dickinson, one year, North Ward; D. C. Green, two years, A. K. Bunker, two years, Chas. Schryver, one year, South Ward; S. Van Curen, Marshal; R. G. Schryver, Street Commissioner; T. J. Dacy, Fire Marshal; Wm. Harbison, Fire Marshal.
1877. - L. H. Davis, Mayor; S. Brink, Clerk; O. H. Gillmore, Attorney; J. J. Murphy, Treasurer; Aldermen : A. F. Field, J. D. Short, North Ward; J. Northrup, South Ward; H. M. Wait, Street Commissioner; S. Van Curen, Marshal; Geo. L. Sherwood, Fire Marshal; Wm. Harbison, Pound-master.
1878 .- L. H. Davis, Mayor; S. Brink, Clerk; O. H. Gillmore, Attorney; Aldermen : Chas. Schryver, A. K. Bunker, Geo. Eckert, South Ward; R. Diesel, A. Judd, North Ward; Joel H. Johnson, Police Magistrate; H. M. Wait, Street Commissioner; S. Van Curen, Marshal.
1879 .- John J. Murphy, Mayor; S. Brink, Clerk; C. H. Don- nelly, Attorney; L. T. Hoy, Treasurer; Burnham Sherman, Mar- shal; H. M. Wait, Street Commissioner; Aldermen : Geo. Eckert, two years, South Ward; John D. Short, two years, Henry D. Judd, two years, North Ward.
1880 .- Mayor, clerk, attorney and treasurer, the same as in 1879; J. S. Wheat, Street Commissioner; B. Sherman, Marshal; Aldermen: R. Diesel, two years, North Ward; A. K. Bunker, two years, E. W. Blossom, two years, South Ward.
1881 .- M. L. Joslyn, Mayor; C. H. Donnelly, Attorney; S. Brink, Clerk; J. J. Murphy, Treasurer; B. Sherman, Marshal; J. W. Fellers, Street Commissioner; Aldermen: John D. Short, two years; G. B. Blakeslee, two years, North Ward.
1882 .- Same officers as in 1881, with the following exceptions:
*Died 1877.
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
Aldermen: R. Diesel, North Ward; L. T. Hoy, Charles Schryver, South Ward; Joel H. Johnson, Police Magistrate; S. Rowley, Pound-master.
1883 .- George H. Bunker, Mayor; C. H. Donnelly, Attorney; S. Brink, Clerk; H. T. Donnelly, Treasurer; Aldermen : John D. Short, E. Furer, North Ward; Geo. Eckert, South Ward; S. Van Curen, Marshal; Jas. Bolger, Night Watchman; Chas. Heine, Street Commissioner; Wm. Harbison, Pound-master.
1884 .-- Mayor, Geo. K. Bunker; Clerk, S. Brink; Attorney, C. H. Donnelly; Marshal, S. Van Curen; Aldermen: North Ward, John D. Short, Emil Arnold, Ed. Furer; South Ward, Charles Schryver, Wm. B. Austin, George Eckert.
MEMORABLE FIRES.
Few towns of the size of Woodstock have suffered more from fires than this city during the last quarter of a century. An ac- count of the most memorable conflagrations is here given.
In 1851 the buildings on the south side of the public square were destroyed by a fire which originated in the office of the Wood- stock Argus. Ira Trowbridge, Alonzo Anderson, Jacob Petrie and the Argus were among the principal losers. Trowbridge re- built the next year. Anderson erected the structure long known as the "Woodstock House." C. B. Durfee and J. H. Johnson erected other buildings.
On Friday, Feb. 24, 1860, a fire broke out in Clapp's tin store, on the east side of the public square, but it was extinguished before much damage was done. On the next night, between eleven and twelve o'clock, the loft of a livery stable owned by M. L. Joslyn, on Main street, was discovered to be on fire. The stable was soon destroyed, the horses being rescued. Henry Sherwood's saloon and R. G. Schryver's furniture rooms also burned. The total loss was about $5,000. An Irishman named Cosgrove was arrested on the suspicion that he was the incendiary. He created some excitement a few days later by trying to commit suicide by hanging, in his cell at the jail. He was discovered, cut down, and revived.
Sunday, Oct. 8, 1871, the date on which the great Chicago fire began, Woodstock suffered a fire which destroyed about $20,000 worth of property, including several stores. Altogether nine buildings were burned .. The fire began in a hay-stack in the rear of James Lunny's saloon, at the southwest corner of the public
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
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square, and was discovered as the people were returning from church just after noon. The chief losers were John Bunker, Bun- ker Bros., Brink & Sanford, James Lunny, J. McMahon, C. H. & E. W. Blossom, J. Thomas and John Donnelly.
On the night of Tuesday, Aug. 27, 1872, Woodstock suffered her greatest loss from fire. All the buildings on the east side of the public square, from Dacy's warehouse to the " Rat Hole," were burned,-sixteen places of business, one dwelling and three barns. Theestimated loss was $31,000. Among the losers were: The Na- tional Bank, on building ; John Thomas, Exchange Hotel, furni- ture ; Holcomb Brothers, building ; C. H. Dickinson, boot and shoe store ; E. Furer, building ; F. Arnold, stock and building; Thomas Whitson & Sons, hardware store ; D. W. Robinson, build- ings ; J. Forman & Son, grocers ; J. L. Hoyt, boots and shoes; T. B. Wakeman and J. A. Parrish, lawyers. Several others whose names are not given lost from $100 to $500 worth of property each. As yet the town had no fire engine. The fire was supposed to have been incendiary.
Saturday, June 5, 1875, a fire in Woodstock destroyed $10,000 worth of property, burning I. A. Austin's livery stable and seven fine horses ; also a warehouse, owned by Mrs. Hunt.
On Saturday, March 6, 1880, about $25,000 worth of property was destroyed by fire. The buildings destroyed were T. J. Dacy's block and R. C. Jefferson's grain warehouse. The fire was dis- covered about five o'clock A. M. Investigation showed that burg- lars had been at work, and that the safes of the American Express Company and of Mr. Dacy had been blown open. The robbers secured no money, but took several valuable papers. The prin- cipal losers by the fire were ; T. J. Dacy, $13,000, insurance $4,000 ; Furer & Slocum, grain in Jefferson's warehouse, $1,975; E. R. Bird, $1,500 ; J. H. Durfee, $2,000 ; R. C. Jefferson, building, $3,000 ; W. D. Ringland, New Era office, $2,000 ; H. D. Judd, feed store, $1,800. Mr. Jefferson had no insurance upon his building. Most of the other losses were partially covered by insurance.
May 13, 1882, Sessions' building .was burned, involving a loss of about $5,000. Phoenix Block narrowly escaped. The fire was incendiary.
In December, 1882, the residence of E. A. Murphy on Jackson street was destroyed by fire. Loss, nearly $7,000.
The various fires have had the effect of improving the architect-
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HISTORY OF MO HENRY COUNTY.
ure of the city, the buildings destroyed having been replaced by better ones in almost every instance.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The corporation purchased a fire engine in Chicago in 1857, for $500. When it was tested it was found that it would not throw water. After some delay the engine was sent back and a part of the amount paid was recovered.
Thenceforth until costly experience had taught the citizen the need of apparatus for the extinguishment of fires, the town was without any fire department whatever. In 1872 the citizens raised by subscription a sufficient amount to pay for a fire engine, which was procured near the end of the year.
In January, 1873, a fire company was organized with A. S. Stewart, Foreman; B. Sherman, First Assistant; J. M. Southworth, Second Assistant; J. Van Slyke, Captain of Hose; Frank Bunker, Assistant; Chas. G. Thomas, Secretary; N. S. Norton, Treasurer; M. Goddard, Steward.
Soon after the engine was procured, the city bought liose, buck- ets, ladders, etc., and the fire department is now as efficient and well equipped as most volunteer organizations.
In 1871 the corporation caused wells to be dug on the public square for use in case of fire. In 1872 a lot was purchased and an engine-house erected.
POSTOFFICE.
The postoffice was established in 1844. Alvin Judd was the first Postmaster. He resigned in 1845 and Martin Thrall became his successor. Thrall was Postmaster three or four years, and was succeeded by Josiah Dwight, who kept the office until 1853. His successors have been F. D. Austin, 1853-'7; Dr. O. S. Johnson, 1857-'61; A. E. Smith, 1861-'6; Wm. E. Smith, 1866; O. H. Crandall, 1866-'7; M. F. Irwin, 1867-'9; Wm. E. Smith, 1869-'75; Asa W. Smith, 1875-'9; G. S. Southworth, 1879, present incumbent. Woodstock became a money-order office in 1866. The first order was issued Aug. 21, 1866, by E. Barton, to A. A. Kelly & Co., of Chicago; amount, $9. The first order was paid Aug. 7, 1866, to John D. Short; amount, $40. It was issued by Dr. Asa Horn of Dubuque, Iowa.
WOODSTOCK MINERAL SPRING.
The mineral spring on the public square in the city has become
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HISTORY OF MC HENRY COUNTY.
one of the most useful adjuncts of the city. Aside from the con- venience to the public, the water contains valuable medicinal prop- erties. It is believed that it has proved beneficial in a number of cases. A spring-house was built in 1873, which is an ornamental feature of the park.
An analysis of the water of the spring was made in 1879. The report was as follows :
LABORATORY OF RUSH MEDICAL COLLEGE, CHICAGO, July 12, 1879.
To the Mayor and Common Council of Woodstock, Ill.
GENTLEMEN :- Having subjected the water from the Woodstock Mineral Spring to a chemical analysis, I find it contains in each gallon of 231 cubic inches, the following substances in the quanti- ties given:
Chloride of sodium. 5.060 grains | Bicarbonate of magnesia .. 5.196 grains
Sulphate of potassia. 0.308 6 Bicarbonate of iron. 0.926
Sulphate of soda. 4.443
Phosphate of iron. .Traces
Bicarbonate of soda. 5.295
Alumina. 0.184
Bicarbonate of lime. .16.592
Silica.
0.863
Organic matter 1.098 ..
Total. 39.965
The water of the spring contains also sulphurated hydrogen. Its temperature at the spring was found to be fifty degrees F. in the summer.
The composition of the water is such as to recommend it in the treatment of numerous afflictions. Being mildly alkaline, through the presence of the bicarbonate of soda, lime and magnesia, it will undoubtedly be found valuable in many diseases of the stomach, bowels and kidneys, while the considerable proportion of iron that is present is very desirable in combinations, rendering it mildly tonic, and suggest its employment in the various forms of debility, anæmia, etc.
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