USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer County : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc., gathered from mattter furnished by the Mercer County Historical Society, interviews with old settlers, county, township and other records, and extracts from files of papers, pamphlets, and such other sources as have been available : containing also a short history of Henderson County > Part 52
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540
HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
town site. The building is still standing, and is used as a business house below and residence above. The business rooms are occupied by M. S. Boice, with, a china store, and W. J. Stuart with a barber shop, while a recent addition is used as a cigar manufactory by C. L. Brankamp. The building is now owned by Capt. L. B. Morey.
The first business house erected was on College avenue, south of the railroad, and was occupied by John S. Moore and O. C. Allen, under name of Moore & Allen, with a general stock of dry goods, gro- ceries, hardware, etc. Dr. S. Macy started the first drug store, and was the first dentist in the new village. Thomas Maddox opened the first hardware store and tin shop. He is still a resident, although long since retired from business. J. E. Harroun was the first postmaster, and it is said he carried the mail in his hat, and delivered it whenever or wherever he should happen to meet the fortunate recipient of a letter or newspaper. Judge Jolin S. Thompson built what was then consid- ered a very fine residence, and moved into it in the fall of 1857 ; and right here we will say something of the proprietors of the town. Judge T. was one of the early lawyers of the county, and had attained a fair prominence .in his profession in the district. He was subse- quently elected circuit judge and filled the position acceptably. During what was termed the "Johnson campaign," he was a candidate for congress on the Johnson, or fusion, ticket, but was defeated. He was, moreover, a man of energy and push, and whatever he understood he generally pushed to completion. Failing in his political aspirations, he turned his attention to securing the completion of the railroad so long promised, but as yet without prospect of completion. Largely through his efforts the company was reorganized under the name of the American Central ; new subscriptions were secured from townships, villages, and private individuals. He was indefatigable in his efforts, and would doubtless have pushed the road through to completion under the organization of which he was president, had he not secured an advantageous arrangement with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, whereby the latter was to complete the road from Galva to Keithsburg for the consideration of a lease thereof for ninety- nine years. . Under this arrangement the road was completed in 1869, and has since been operated under the charter of the American Cen- tral, but is known as the Galva and Keithsburg branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad. This lease, however, was distasteful to the people, who, while paying their subscriptions to the railroad, did not relish the idea that the funds went into the pockets of the judge and his associates, and many were the anathemas showered upon his head. This, we believe, was all wrong; the judge had secured the
541
MERCER TOWNSHIP.
completion of the road, which has proven worth more to one and all than was ever hoped for, and it matters little whether it was built and operated by the Amercan Central or the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy. It may have been to a certain extent a "sell out" on the subscrib- ers, but it was much better to be "sold out" with the road than without it. The advantages conferred and secured by the road cer- tainly far outweigh the disadvantages under which we might still be laboring but for the energy and tact of Judge John S. Thompson.
Shortly after the completion of the road, Judge T. removed to San Jose, California, where he followed his profession of the law, and entered into politics to some extent ; but having had some experience in railroad building, he has again entered into that pursuit, and is at present president of a new company known as the Rock Island & Southwestern, which proposes to build a road from Rock Island to New Boston, where it will cross the river and connect with ex-senator Harlan's road to Kansas City. Surveys have been made, and efforts are now in progress for securing the right of way and the establish- ment of the line. The surveys run through Duncan, Eliza. and New Boston townships, and if built will open up a rich section now having poor facilities for reaching market. The headquarters of the company are in Chicago, where the judge at present resides.
Levi Willits, his partner, was one of the early settlers of New Boston, and he and William Drury were among the first business men of that place, where for many years they conducted a general store, and by judicious investments in real estate, both laid the foundaton for wealth. Mr. Willits was a thorough and far-seeing business man, and so open-handed and liberal in his dealing that he won the regard of all with whom he came in contact, and at his death in 1858, he was truly mourned by all who knew him.
In 1857 the Barton house, on the corner of College avenue and Seventh street, was erected and opened by D. N. Barton. It was a large four-story brick building, one of the largest at that time in the military tract, and has ever since ranked as a leading hotel of the place. It changed hands a number of times, until the ownership fell to Mr. Schuyler Button; but a short time after he took possession it caught fire and was destroyed, the walls being so badly damaged that they were taken down. The fire occurred on November 16, 1867, and the loss was $10,000, the heaviest ever experienced before or since within the village. The building was at once rebuilt, and is at present occupied by John S. Button, a son of the gentleman last mentioned.
We cannot name all of the first business men, but will try and note those who are still residing here, who came in 1856 or 1857.
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
James M. Wilson, lawyer, established a furniture store in 1857 ; was subsequently elected circuit clerk ; read law, and has for years been a member of the firm of Pepper & Wilson. I. N. Bassett, of the law firm of Bassett & Wharton, has practiced here continuously since 1857. C. F. Cunningham has been in business here since the spring of the same year, first as a painter, and afterward starting and still running a carriage shop. ITis brother, Frank C., learned the painting trade with him, and is still following it. M. L. Marsh opened an office as notary public in 1857 ; was afterward elected justice of the peace, in which office he is now serving his fifth consecutive term. Horace Bigelow, one of the founders of the " Record," in June of 1857, is still one of its publishers, having now been connected with it for a quarter of a century. N. Edwards came here in 1857 or 1858, and has been in business of some kind ever since. George McEowen started a wagon-shop in 1857, and still does a little repairing at the old stand. John Rainey has resided in the same house twenty-five years. Joseph McCoy, T. H. Day, J. H. Abercrombie, H. R. Morri- son, C. S. Richey, and J. M. Warwick were among the first residents, and are still here. D. V. Reed, now deceased,was another, and his wife lives adjoining town. Capt. J. Y. Merritt, now of Eliza town- ship, came to the town site with the first load of Inmber.
The great event, however, of 1857, was the removal of the county seat from Keithsburg to Aledo, which was decided by a vote of the people on August 3d of that year. The result was a majority in favor of removal, of 930 ont of a total vote of 2,028. Below we give the figures from official returns :
Township.
For removal. Against. Total vote.
North Henderson.
89
25
114
North Pope (now Rivoli) .
1
75
Richland Grove
104
. .
104
Suez
60
18
78
Greene.
62
40
102
Maclura (now Preemption) .
133
1
134
Ohio Grove
121
9
130
Mercer
231
·
231
Perryton
126
3
129
Abington
34
67
101
Millersburg
84
82
166
Duncan
36
23
59
Keithsburg.
26
228
254
New Boston
233
45
278
Eliza .
66
7
73
Totals
1,479
549
2,028
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MERCER TOWNSHIP.
The majority was of a decisive character as an expression of the will of the people, and we remember of a sort of a jollification in Aledo after the returns were received. but we can find no account of it in the " Record " of that week ; whether the editor thought the affair of too small importance to mention, or was too magnanimous to har- rass his Keithsburg readers with the account, we cannot now conjec- ture. But the citizens had a good time, at any rate, and fired anvils, burned turpentine balls, and shouted to their hearts' content.
Aledo citizens had donated a block of ground for a court-house, and had subscribed between $6,000 and $7,000 toward its construction. A brick building had been erected, suitable for use as county offices, and as soon as possible after the decision the officers and records were brought to Aledo. The building now used for a court-house was erected for a school-house, but the lower story was fitted up so that it could be used for a court-room, and it was in this that the first term of court was held.
One of the attorneys at this term was Charles M. Harris of Oquawka, but who has since removed to Chicago, and for one term represented that district in congress. Mr. Harris was a very large, heavy man, and somewhat pompous withal. Aledo had no sidewalks in those days, and in wet weather mud abounded everywhere. One day Mr. Harris, while returning from the court-room to the hotel, got stuck fast in the mud in the middle of the street. He wore very low shoes or slippers, and they would pull off at every effort he made to extricate himself. The few who witnessed his efforts were much amused. Finally Mr. Jacob Cool procured a team and some assist- ance, backed the wagon up to Mr. Harris, and by hard work those in the wagon pulled him out of his shoes and drove him to his hotel, where a boy was found ready to earn a dime by fishing up and clean- ing the lost brogans. Mr. Cool still lives in Aledo, and we who wit- nessed the fun often have a laugh as we speak of "Charley Harris stuck in the mud."
The first school taught in Aledo was the preparatory department of the Mercer Collegiate Institute, by the Rev. William Townley, in a building erected in the southwest part of the town, long since remodeled and turned into a residence. The Mercer Collegiate Insti- tute was designed to be a college of the first class, under the auspices of the Presbyterian church. They built a large brick building on what is now known as south addition, and started a school therein, but it was not supported in a manner to secure success. The idea of the college was at last abandoned, and as the building was deemed unsafe,
544
HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
owing to the use of poor stone in its foundation, it was sold and pulled down, the material being disposed of at retail for what it would bring.
The Methodists also proposed to found a college here. and the Rev. H. J. Humphrey was sent here to superintend its construction. Ground was secured, a most beautiful site, on the apex of a mound about half a mile west of town, now in the center of the farm of John C. Dool. Foundations were laid for a large and expensive structure, a commodious residence built for President Humphrey (now owned by I. N. Bassett, Esq.), and suddenly the enterprise collapsed, for want of funds to carry it further. The Methodist Episcopal college was a failure.
Later Mr. J. R. Wylie established the Aledo academy, which is still running, it having received a living, if not a liberal support. The course of study is that usually taught in academies, and Mr. Wylie is a thorough and competent teacher. While the school is not strictly sectarian, Prof. Wylie is a strong United Presbyterian, and his school is largely supported by the membership of that church. The academy building is beautifully located on a block in the south part of the town, is not large, but is well arranged, and sufficient in size to accom- modate more students than have yet been brought together within its walls. It is a good school and worthy of support, but with the present advanced course of study in our public schools it can never hope for a very liberal support, the public schools fitting students for admission to our best colleges, or for a place among the ranks of teachers, which is all that can be expected of an academy.
The history of the Aledo public schools is of such importance that we will devote a chapter specially to them.
Aledo has been singularly fortunate in regard to fires. , The first of importance was the burning of the residence and drug-store of Dr. S. Macy in October, 1866, entailing a loss of about $1,000 over and above insurance. The Button house was burned in 1868, and in June, 1871, the large livery barn of Smith & McBride was burned, the loss being from $2,000 to $3,000. The next fire occurred on July 2, 1876. when the fine residence of Joseph Harvey on Seventh street was totally destroyed, just as it was completed and before it was ready for occu- pancy. The loss was about $2,000 above insurance. The last was the burning of the residence of Edward James in the southwest part of the town, his loss being about $700. There have been numerous alarms and frequent incipient blazes, but fortunately those enumerated are all that have caused much damage. The village has a small but efficient volunteer fire company, well equipped with one large and a number of small cheinical engines, hose and ladder wagon, buckets, etc., and
545
MERCER TOWNSHIP.
their prompt and efficient work has more than once saved valuable property from the flames.
Two severe wind storms have visited Aledo, each doing considera- ble damage. The first was in the early years of its history, and the most serious damage was removing the frame of the Methodist Episco- pal church (then in course of erection) partially off of its foundation. The second came in June, 1876, and unroofed barns, leveled fences and trees, damaged a number of buildings, and blew down the spire and a part of the south end of the United Presbyterian church, which had but recently been built and was yet partially unfinished. The congregation had it at once rebuilt and the lower story fitted for occu- pancy, and have worshiped in it ever since, having only just com- menced the work of finishing the upper story.
Aledo has seven churches, but as these have been written up elsewhere we will only name them. They are the Methodist Episco- pal, Presbyterian, United Presbyterian, Congregationalist, Episcopal, Swedish Lutheran, and Baptist. The pulpits of the Congregationalists and Baptists are now vacant, and that of the Lutherans is occupied but half the time.
The growth of the village has been at times spasmodic ; at times steady and substantial. It has now passed the spasmodic period ; brick is more and more used, and some of her business houses would do honor to much larger places.
The first business houses were opened south of the railroad, and for a number of years that part of town was the business center; but this gradually worked northward, and at present College avenue, north from the railroad, and Seventh street, east of the avenue, are the main busi- ness localities.
The population of Aledo in 1880, within the corporate limits, was 1,500 ; but this included none of the additions to the village outside the corporation lines. Counting these, the number reached about 2,000, which has been since slightly increased ; 2,100 would be a fair estimate at present.
The equalized valuation of property, as returned by the assessor for 1881, was as follows: lots, $160,847 ; personal, $323,365; railroad, $13,527 ; total, $497,739; say in round numbers, $500,000. Taking into account the manner of assessing, at one-half, one-third, and often one-fifth of the actual valne of property, and $2,000,000 is a low figure for the wealth here represented.
The town was incorporated in 1863, under the general laws. an election being held August 15 of that year, resulting forty-eight votes for incorporation and five against. The first election for trustees was
546
HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
held September 5, 1853, at which the following were chosen : Simeon Macy, president; E. Gilmore, George Turner, William McK. Young, and John R. Bassett. The latter served as village clerk, and N. P. Brown was appointed treasurer.
In September. 1872, village organization was adopted, under the provisions of the laws of that year; the election, November 11, result- ing forty-four votes for, and five against village organization.
In 1879 the ordinances of the village were revised by James M. Wilson and Charles F. Durston, and were published in neat pamphlet form.
The following is a list of officers from the first incorporation of the town to the present date :
1863-5 .- Simeon Macy, president; E. Gilmore, George Turner, William McK. Young, trustees ; John R. Bassett, clerk ; N. P. Brown, treasurer.
1865-6 .- Simeon Macy, president ; J. S. Paxton, John R. Bassett, N. P. Brown, S. W. McCoy, trustees; S. C. Amberson, clerk ; James M. Wilson, treasurer.
1866-7 .- Simeon Macy, president; J. G. MeGuffin, John Porter, N. P. Brown, William N. Graham, trustees ; James M. Macy, clerk ; James M. Wilson, treasurer.
1867-8 .- M. L. Marsh, president ; John Porter, Robert Irvin, Lewis L. Troy, William N. Graham, trustees; James H. Connell, clerk ; Lewis W. Hause, treasurer.
1868-9 .- S. W. McCoy, president ; H. E. Wright, Wm. Robinson, T. H. Day, C. M. Kay, trustees ; C. J. Bartleson, clerk ; L. W. Hause, treasurer.
1869-70 .- C. S. Richey, president; P. Roberts, J. II. Snyder, Wm. N. Graham, J. M. Smith, trustees ; John G. McGuffin, treasurer; James H. Connell, clerk.
1870-71 .- R. Mentzer, president; I. N. Dunlap, H. R. Morrison, J. S. Pinkerton, Robert Irvin, trustees ; J. H. Connell, clerk; A. M. Byers, treasurer.
1871-2 .- N. Edwards, president; R. Mentzer, H. L. Thomson, T. Maddux, W. H. Holmes, trustees; N. Edwards, treasurer; H. L. Thomson, clerk.
1872-3 .- S. W. Gailey, president; Wm. N. Graham, J. M. Smith, E. L. Wolfe, S. C. Amberson, trustees; Wm. N. Graham, treasurer ; E. L. Wolff, clerk.
1873-4 .- E. Gilmore, president; Joseph Harvey, J. H. Aber- crombie, John Geiger, H. P. Graham, John MeKinney, Jr., trustees ; C. S. Richey, treasurer ; L. D. Holmes, clerk.
547
MERCER TOWNSHIP.
1874-5 .- E. Gilmore, president ; Geo. L. Bitts, C. S. Richey, H. S. Senter, J. C. Thomson, Geo. Irwin, trustees ; L. D. Holmes, clerk ; H. L. Thomson, treasurer.
1875-6 .- S. M. Evans, president ; H. S. Dunlap, J. M. Smith, Win. Winders, Jolm Geiger, J. O. Lundlad, trustees ; Joseph Harvey, treasurer ; A. D. McCandless, clerk.
1876-7 .- James M. Wilson, president ; C. F. Durston, James Eakin, E. B. David, J. B. Moore, W. C. Galloway, trustees ; J. F. Henderson, clerk; C. S. Harvey, treasurer ; Wm. McK. Young, police magistrate.
1877-8 .- James M. Wilson, president ; C. F. Durston, E. B. David, J. B. Moore, James M. Smith, James Eakin, trustees ; J. F. Henderson, clerk ; Wm. N. Graham, treasurer.
1878-9 .- E. B. David, president ; James M. Wilson, C. F. Dur- ston, J. B. Moore, W. A. Lorimer, A. H. Law, trustees ; J. F. Henderson, clerk ; Wm. N. Graham, treasurer.
1879-80 .- E. B. David, president; James M. Wilson, C. F. Durs- ton, J. B. Moore, W. A. Lorimer, M. F. Felix, trustees; J. F. Hen- derson, clerk ; Wm. N. Graham, treasurer.
1880-S1 .- J. B. Moore, president ; C. F. Durston, M. F. Felix, W. A. Lorimer, Martin Boyd, J. R. McCrea, trustees ; J. F. Hender- son, clerk; W. N. Graham, treasurer; W. McK. Young, police magistrate.
Under the law now in force one half of the above were to hold two years and one half but one. It was decided by lot, and the three trustees last mentioned drew the long term.
1881-2 .- M. F. Felix, president; W. A. Lorimer, Martin Boyd, J. R. McCrea, II. Parkman, L. D. Holmes, trustees ; J. W. Dilley, clerk; Win. N. Graham, treasurer.
Present Officers .- M. F. Felix, president; IT. Parkman, L. D. Holmes, J. B. Moore, Martin Boyd, H. Prentice, trustees ; J. F. IIen- derson, clerk ; Wm. N. Graham, treasurer; W. McK. Young, police magistrate.
Aledo has ever been noted for the strong temperance views of its citizens, and since the spring of 1876 no saloon has been allowed within its limits. There is now in force an ordinance which prohibits the sale of spirituous liquors, even by druggists, for any purpose what- soever, except under restrictions so severe that none of the druggists have asked for a permit. It makes it a misdemeanor for a physician to prescribe liquor "except where good practice demands it," but fails to define what "good practice" is. As a consequence, physicians prescrip- tions must be taken to other towns if liquor is one of the ingredients.
548
HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
The Aledo cemetery is beautifully located. adjoining the town on the southeast. A part of it was donated, and the village has within a few years purchased a large addition. It is kept in fair condition and is partially set to evergreens. Some very fine monuments mark the resting place of departed friends.
BUSINESS.
L. F. Jobusch has occupied the same stand in the grocery business for over twenty years. J. H. Abercrombie has carried on the harness business most of the time since the town was started. II. R. Morrison has been continually in the furniture trade for twenty years or more. Sam- uel Marquis started the livery business at his present stand during the war. James Galloway & Son. started a grocery in 1869, and are the oldest firm in that business in town, in which there has been no change. C. S. Richey and John Shafer have been longer in the dry goods trade than other firms in town, but each have belonged to two or three different firms. Fred. Davis still occupies the blacksmith shop he built over twenty-five years ago.
The banks, as the moneyed institutions of the town, deserve more than a passing notice. The first bank started was by Bailey & Byers, in February, 1879, in a frame building that then stood on Seventh street, opposite and west of Button house, and was the only one then in the county. In the fall of that year Judge E. Gilmore purchased the interest of Bailey, and the firm was known as A. M. Byers & Co. In 1870, the large brick building on southeast corner of College avenue and Seventh street was erected, the corner room being fitted for a bank. and the remainder as business rooms. It is now occupied by the Aledo bank ; J. F. McBride and Mrs. A. M. Young on first floor, while the second is used as attorneys' offices and masonic lodge room. In April, 1874, A. M. Byers sold his interest to John McKinney, Sr., and agreed to do nothing in the banking business for one year. At the end of the year he organized a joint stock company and started a bank known as A. M. Byers & Co.'s Farmers Bank, opening it in the brick building on northeast corner of Seventh street and College avenue, which was purchased and fitted up for that purpose. The capital is over sixty thousand dollars and cannot be increased or dimin- ished until 1885. The stockholders are business men of Aledo and wealthy farmers scattered throughout the county. and the business is managed by A. M. Byers and a finance committee.
A. M. Byers was born and brought up on a farm near Harrisburg. Pennsylvania, and commenced his business career as clerk in a general store. In 1855, when about twenty years of age, he decided to attend
549
MERCER TOWNSHIP.
· a commercial college, but finally changed his mind. and after visiting Chicago and the west, he engaged in traveling for a wholesale grocery house in Goshen, Indiana. The next year he clerked for Col. John Williams, the pioneer merchant of Springfield, Illinois, and the next in a store at Rushville, Illinois. For the next few years he made his home at Beardstown, Illinois, but spent much of his time in Richard- son county, Nebraska, where he engaged largely in land speculations, and still owns some 2,000 acres of land on the Kansas and Nebraska line, some of it purchased in 1858. During these years he made an extended trip south, visiting all of the southern States except Florida.
March 13, 1861, he was married to Miss May F. Tull, at Beards- town, Illinois, and after a season of travel and sight-seeing, they settled in Adams county, Illinois, where Mr. B. engaged extensively in farm- ing and dealing in live stock, until about the close of the war, when, in connection with Thomas Bailey, of Camp Point, Illinois, he engaged in banking in that town, which is situated on the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroad, twenty-five miles east of Quiney. This they con- ducted profitably until 1869, when they opened the Aledo bank, but soon dissolved partnership, Mr. Bailey taking the Camp Point bank, and Mr. Byers remaining here and entering into partnership with E. Gilmore.
Mr. Byers has been uniformly successful in his business enter- prises and has found his ventures in Aledo highly satisfactory, so much so that when he sold out his interest in the Aledo bank, he decided to continue in the business here, after spending some months in search of a more promising location. He thoroughly understands his business, and has the entire confidence of the business community and of his associate stockholders in the bank. He owns a commodious and hand- some residence, the interior of which is a model of neatness and com- fort. a home in every sense of the word.
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