History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 128

Author: Mercer County Historical Society (Ill.); Henderson County Historical Society (Ill.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co.
Number of Pages: 1424

USA > Illinois > Mercer County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 128
USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 128

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It so happened that at one time the proprietor was away and Ben was behind the counter when a customer came in and wanted some molasses. On turning to the barrel Ben found the molasses slow to run, the weather being cold, so he pulled out the plug, set under the measure and continued to wait on his other customers. Adam Sloan, who was ever ready for a joke, induced the molasses customer to go off for an hour or two, and he (Sloan) engaged Mr. Martin in talk on the fluctuating prices of corn and the uncertainty of the markets till he was quite sure Ben had forgotten the open bung, when he. with the others present, sauntered out to await coming events. In the course of an hour they returned and found Ben sitting with both feet in the molasses busily'engaged figuring on the profit and loss on grain. When he was apprised of his situation he " set 'em up all round, " and never again went much on slow molasses. Notwithstanding all the difficulties that then presented themselves, Mr. Crosthwait did a flour- ishing business. He soon after built a house just opposite the depot. on the extreme east end of Main street, on the south side.

The next to enter into the mercantile trade in town was Isaac . Myerstine, who occupied the third house west of the east end of Main street, on the south side. He opened up a stock of dry goods, gro- ceries, hardware, drugs and medicines. Between him and Crosthwait, on the same side of the street, a hotel was built by A. Talcott, and occupied by him as such till the time of his death, in about 1866. His wife continued the business a year longer and then sold out to James

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Paul, who ran it until about 1876, when it passed into the hands of other parties and finally became the property of Robert Martin, who built up its lost reputation.

In 1858 the place began to assume an air of importance as a com- mercial point, but no postoffice had yet made its appearance, and accordingly the people in this vicinity concluded to ask Unele Sam to grant them one, and thus obviate the necessity of going three miles south of town for a weekly mail. After getting the required number of petitioners that old distributor of postoffices quietly dropped a com- mission as postmaster into the lap of B. H. Martin, who kept the postoffice for a few years in one corner of his grain warehouse, and the people congratulated themselves hereafter on a daily mail, and that in town. About the same time the useful Benj. H. Martin was elected and commissioned a justice of the peace, though up till this time there seems to have been but little need of a court of justice, as most all difficulties were settled amicably or the parties would adjourn to some convenient place and knock the difficulties off of each other's face.

In 1859 John McKee opened a store in the building Purcell had occupied, but soon after built a larger and more commodious building near the depot, north side, east end of main street, where he carried on a snecessful trade till 1864, when he sold to David Bovee and bought three lots in Rigby's addition to Biggsville, on one of which he built a fine store and there started a thriving business in drugs and groceries. He and James Sloan Jr. also built on lot 5, block 2, the store now occupied by Frank McKim. These buildings were sold and Mr. McKee built on lot 4, block 2, and there run a drug business exclusively till his removal to Iowa in 1868. After Mr. McKee left the part of town near the depot Mr. John McKinney (now of the Aledo, Illinois, postoffice) occupied the old MeKee stand and did a large and flourishing mercantile business for several years. Mr. John MeDill was also an early merchant in the town. In 1867 Jos. M. Michener bought the house John KcKee first built on lot 6, block 2, in Rigby's addition to Biggsville, and engaged in the hotel and restaurant business, and by strict economy and the aid of an industrious family has gathered around him a goodly share of this world's goods. Subsequent to the laying off of the original town, additions have been platted as follows : B. H. Martin's three additions, 1861, 1865 and 1882; Brown & Downey's, 1861; Van Tuyl's, 1865; Shoemaker's, 1866 ; Rigby's, 1863 ; Belden's 1870; McKee's 1878. Van Tuyle and Shoemaker's additions are the largest and on these the residence part of the town is built. After McKee built his first business house on

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

the hill in the west part of town. the business gradually left that part of the town near the depot. Immediately after Mr. McKee had platted his addition to Biggsville, in 1878, he built the large store on lot 1, block 3, and the following year another commodious store on lot 2, block 3, in his addition to Biggsville, the former now occupied by Geo. W. Holmes as a general store and the latter by Mr. McKee as a drug store. Biggsville had no resident physician up to 1865, or about that time, when Dr. David McDill came and permanently located here, where he soon built up and enjoyed an extended and lucrative practice. Ile built the first house in Shoemaker's addition to Biggsville, which ho sold to his successor in practice, Dr. Maxwell, in 1878, who in turn sold ont to Drs. Bailey & Mekemson in 1882. Dr. MeDill removed to Burlington and Dr. Maxwell to Keokuk, where they are more than sustaining their former reputations both as citizens and physicians. The first blacksmithing done in the town was during the building of Biggs' mill in 1844, by Paul D. Birdsall. This, however, was only a private affair and the earliest business of the kind was started in 1856, by one Patrick Shaw, whose business it was to mend forks, shovels and iron and steel plows, which had taken the place of the pioneer's rude wooden implements, for it must be borne in mind that the first plow used on the prairie was made of wood, with a steel share and drawn by from four to six oxen. Len Fuller was also an early manipulator of the hammer. They were followed by J. H. Wiley, whose anvil still rings under the muscular stroke of the ham- mer ; Dixon & Rodman are also later blacksmiths.

Samuel McDonald was also an important character for a time in Biggsville. While owner of the mill here he refitted throughout.

B. H. Martin, Esq., who figured so prominently in the early his- tory of the town, is still residing here, on his fine farm adjoining the incorporation. Crosthwait resides in Iowa. The town since 1875 has made good progress, and now is quietly enjoying its hard earned reputation.

Below is given a list of the present business men of Biggsville, their business and the year in which they came : John McKee, drug- gist, 1859; James Sloan, boot and shoe maker, 1862; H. L. Kelly, hardware and agricultural implements, 1874; Geo. McDill, general store, 1879; J. Montgomery, grain dealer, 1882; Geo. W. Holmes, general store, 1876; J. E. Pearson, groceries, 1872; J. C. McDill, groceries, 1878; J. H. Wiley, blacksmith, 1872; McDill & Nesbet, butchers, 1882; B. F. Dyson, harness and saddlery, 1881; A. G. Graham, postmaster, 1876; W. A. Miller, barber, 1878; A. W. Gra- ham, general store, 1877; Frank Mckinn, general store, 1877; Dixon

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& Rodman, blacksmiths, 1880; M. M. Rowley, editor, 1875; R. J. Martin, Biggsville Hotel, 1878: T. W. Dennis, lumber and coal, 1864 ; John Fulmer, furniture, 1866; John Henderson, physician, 1881; Bailey & Mekemson, physicians, 1882 ; B. F. Bassett, wagon maker, 1872 ; Russell Graham, U. P. minister, 1873.

ACCIDENTS.

On December 24, 1844, William Cowden was accidentally killed while excavating dirt to be used in constructing the new dam at Biggs' mill. He was one of the first half-dozen settlers in the county. October 10, 1852, Dennis Swords was killed by the falling of an em- bankment while grading on the railroad, a few rods southeast of where the depot now stands, at the east end of Main street. He had been in this country three years, and his family were on their way here at the time of his death. The same fall James Kinchler was killed in the same place the same way. An Englishman (name un- known) was drowned near town, in Tom creek, while riding a horse after the cows. His horse mired down, threw his rider and plunged on to him. Isaac Shook, in the country, was killed by being thrown from a fractious horse. His nephew, Asa Shook, was killed by horses running away with the cultivator on which he was riding, on his way to dinner. James Harbison, a young man, was killed while attempt- ing to ride an unbroken colt. He left a wife and three children. His sister, Caroline Harbison, a young lady, was drowned while crossing Ellison creek with a wagon, in high water. The box tipped off, cover- ing her in the stream ; hier brothers and sister at the same time mak- ing their escape. John Milliken was killed by falling on a butcher's knife. It entered his head near the temple. Miss Rachel Salter was drowned while skating on Peoria lake, while on a visit to that city. William Goff was drowned in South Henderson creek, on Sec. 25, near Salter's Grove, in 1879. A stranger by the name of Graham was drowned in the mill-pond one 4th of July. An unknown Swede was drowned in the same place a few years previous. Thomas Sugart, a boy five years old, was drowned in the creek, below the dam, in 1876.

JOURNALISM IN BIGGSVILLE.

The "Plaindealer," published at Oqnawka, was purchased by a stock company and moved over to Biggsville in 1867, the first munber being published under the name of "The Henderson Plaindealer," December 12; Ira D. Chamberlin, editor and publisher. In about one year's time the "Plaindealer" was turned over to Judson Graves, the stockholders agreeing to pay him $1,000 per year. At the end of the

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IHISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

first year the receipts of the establishment not "panning out" satisfac- torily, the whole establishment was turned over to Mr. Graves with the agreement that he should take the office and run the paper for his pay. For a few months Mr. Graves published the paper on those terms, and then removed to Kirkwood (then Young America), and from thence to Galesburg, where the "Plaindealer" is still published by Iram Biggs. The "Biggsville Clipper" was established by M. M. Rowley in 1875, the first number being published May 29. The "Clipper" has continued its publication from its foundation until the present time under its original management, and, though not a paying institution, has proved far more successful, stable and permanent than its predecessors, and, with the continued assistance of the liberal- minded citizens and business men of the town, is likely to prove a permanent fixture of the town and county. Marellies M. Rowley, editor, was born in Attica, Indiana, February 12, 1842. In 1846 his father, Rev. Rossiter Rowley, a minister in the Methodist Episcopal church, removed to the northern part of Illinois. Young Rowley's life was without events up till the fall of 1857, when he had completed an apprenticeship as printer on the "Fulton Democrat" at Lewiston, Illinois. His parents then removing to Peoria were accompanied by our subject, who there turned his attention for a time to the study of medicine. After a short time spent in the practice of medicine at Monmouth Mr. Rowley removed to Biggsville and started in business. August 22, 1862, he was united in marriage with Miss Drusilla Criss, a native of Berlin, Ohio, born November 2, 1842. They are the parents of five children, whose names are Rossiter C., Samuel F., Applonia D., Harry and Philo.

VILLAGE SCHOOLS.

With the growth of the town and with its advancement step by step, so also did the schools grow and prosper. Their origin here by several years antedates the laying out of a railroad, the platting of a town, or even the advent of many settlers, and dates its beginning back to the log cabins of 1846, when Mr. Biggs and Jerry Meechim con- structed a rude frame building of the material used for shanty shelters by the Mormons employed by Mr. Biggs while building his mill in 1844. This antiquated school-house was built on what has since been laid off and platted as lots 4 or 5, block 2, in Rigby's addition to Biggs- ville, and near a convenient patch of bushes which the children used to bend down and ride for horses, and probably some of them long remember the master's "hazel" and how easily it was obtained. The first school was taught there in 1847 by Prof. Joshua Hopkins. He

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was succeeded, in the years 1848 and 1849, by the Misses Elizabeth and Frances Downey, who had acquired considerable of a reputation as pioneer school teachers in Warren county. They were the daughters of Rev. Peter Downey, the frontier preacher. This was all the school- house of which the place could boast up till 1861, when B. II. Martin platted his first addition to the town on lot 17, on which a school-house was at once built, size 22×28, with twelve-foot posts. This was quite a respectable building and added a new attraction to the newly started village. This building did service for church as well as school purposes for a number of years. As the town grew and increased in population, nearly all of which extended westward, the necessity for a larger house and more central location presented itself, and accordingly the school board in 1869 built a fine two-story school edifice in the west part of town, on Shoemaker's addition. Here three teachers are kept employed directing the young minds of about an average attendance of 125 scholars. Of this their last effort the citizens of Biggsville have a just reason to feel proud, as good schools bespeak future prosperity to any community.

CHURCHES.

One great cause of the remarkable prosperity, good order and high morality of this township may be easily traced to the three churches of Biggsville. Their influence is not divided, but united. The people of these organizations have always worked hand to hand and heart to heart on all questions pertaining to the morality, good order and social welfare of the community. Sectarian jealousy and rivalry are things ahnost unknown in their midst; while the spirit of proselytism is regarded as "A monster of so frightful mien, as to be hated needs but to be seen." The Sabbath is really a day of rest and worship. The whole community, with but few exceptions, go to church-those who are members and those who are not,-and the non-member is as welcome and feels as much at home in church as the member. The churches have always worked unitedly in the cause of Temperance, and as a result not ą drinking saloon has been in or near the town for many years. An intoxicated person is very rarely seen, and when seen is regarded by almost everyone with mingled feelings of pity and disgust. The churches make it a rule to help each other, " bearing one another's burdens," and are also quite liberally supported by many outside of all church connection. These are some of the reasons why people love to live in Biggsville, and so regret to leave it. Strangers are always struck with the peace, quietness and good order and good society of the place ; and among the prominent causes of this state of things we place our three churches.

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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.

The first services in connection with the UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH were held during the summer of 1859, in a grove east of town, south of the railroad bridge. The grove has since been cut down. The services were conducted by Rev. J. A. P. McGaw, then pastor of the United Presbyterian congregation of South Henderson, he occupying this field as a mission point.

The congregation was organized January 3, 1866, in the school- house which is still standing in the east part of town, afterward known as the Cumberland Presbyterian church, now used as a lumber-room by Robert Mickey.

The organization was effected by Rev. A. M. Black. D.D. Dr. Black took a deep interest in the young congregation, and watched over it with great care for several years. The congregation was organ- ized under the oversight of Monmouth presbytery.

The original members came from the United Presbyterian congre- gations of South Henderson and Ellison, mostly from the former, viz : B. H. Martin, Dr. A. C. McDill, J. B. McGaw, Elizabeth McGaw, A. R. Graham, Mary A. Graham, Mrs. E. McDill, Margaret McDill, J. E. McClain, Frances MeLain, Andrew MeDougal, I. McDougal, Maggie H. Henderson, Mary Porter, J. S. Smiley, Mary M. Smiley, . Jane Gilmore, Mary E. Graham, John H. McDill, Mary A. McDill, M. M. Douglass, Ellen J. Stanley, Robert MeDill, Mary McDill, Rob- ert Y. McDill, M. W. McDiil, Margaret Young, William F. Campbell, H. M. Whiteman, Elizabeth Whiteman, A. G. Stewart, Jane Stewart, John Glenn, Margaret Campbell, thirty-four in all. Of this number twelve are still members of the organization, viz: Elizabeth McGaw, Mrs. E. McDill, Margaret McDill (Mrs. Henry Clark), Mary Porter, Jane Gilmore, M. M. Douglass, Ellen J. Stanley, Robert McDill, Mary McDill, H. M. Whiteman, Elizabeth Whiteman, Margaret Young.

For several years the congregation worshiped in what are now the rooms above Frank McKims' store, then known as Sloan's Hall. Here a Sabbath school was organized in connection with the congre- gation. It was a vigorous plant from the first and its natural force has never abated. It has proved to be one of the most efficient agencies of the congregation, and its influence for good has been felt throughout the entire community. The success and prosperity of the school, so far as human agency is concerned, may be attributed to a few untiring christian workers. Among the most zealous and faithful superintendents we may mention Robert Gilmore, J. B. McGaw, A. W. Graham and George MeDill, the present incumbent. It now has an enrollment of over 200 scholars.

A house of worship 65 × 36, with twenty-foot story, was completed and

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dedicated in the summer of 1869, at a cost of $6,000. Among those who were most active and instrumental in the work of building we may name B. H. Martin, H. M. Whiteman, Robert McDill, Andrew McDougal, John Smiley, John B. McGaw. S. C. Douglass, John Glenn and Margaret Young. The congregation have always taken pride in keeping their property in good repair, laying out at one time as high as $500 in this way. In 1882, they built a lecture and Sunday school room 33×24 at the rear of the main building at a cost of $1,000, with furnaces for heating the main building at a cost of $400. In 1875 a good parsonage property was secured. The congregation now has a property which is a credit to a small town like Biggsville and of which they may justly feel prond.

On January 3, 1866, on the day of organization, Dr. A. C. McDill and Capt. J. B. McGaw were elected ruling elders ; and on February 3, 1866, J. B. MeGaw was ordained and installed and Dr. A. C. McDill was installed ruling elders, Dr. A. C. MeDill having been previously ordained to the office while in connection with another con- gregation. December 1, 1866, H. M. Whiteman was ordained and installed ruling elder ; also, at the same time, Richey Campbell and Andrew McDougall were installed to same office, having been previ- ously ordained to the office in other congregations ; all having been elected to the office in this congregation. On March 30, 1875, J. D. Cochrane was elected elder and on the 28th day of same month was duly installed, having been ordained to the office in another congrega- tion in the year 1859. In the winter of 1879, Dr. T. J. Maxwell and Isaac McQuown were elected and installed ruling elders, having been previously ordained in other congregations. Of these, four members now remain, constituting the session of the congregation, viz : H. M. Whiteman, Richey Campbell, J. D. Cochrane and Isaac McQuown. The session has always been remarkable for their unanimity in coun- sel, and have been unusually successful in their spiritual oversight of the congregation.

Rev. D. W. McLane was called to become pastor April 30, 1866. Began stated labors August 21, 1866, and was ordained and installed October 16, 1866. He labored as pastor abont six months and was then released on account of failing health. Rev. John M. Bangh was called August 17, 1868, and was installed pastor October 7, 1868. Labored as pastor about one year and was then released to go and labor in a mission church in Chicago. Rev. D. M. Thorne was called June 24, 1871. Was soon after installed pastor. He labored as pas- tor for one year. Russell Graham, present pastor, was called Janu- ary 16, 1873. Was ordained and installed pastor April 29 of same

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year, and is now in the tenth year of his pastorate. All the ex-elders and pastors are still living and laboring in other fields. Among the prominent characteristics of this people may be mentioned regular attendance on public worship, freedom from the spirit of strife and discord, the amount of money promised to benevolent and religious purposes, a commendable liberality, contributing during last year (1881) over $2,700 for religious and benevolent purposes at home and abroad. Over $400 are contributed annually to mission work alone.

Beginning in 1866, with a membership of thirty-four, there has been a steady increase until there are now an actual membership of 200. It is the largest congregation in the county, and its complete growth is evidently not yet attained.

After a long and fruitless search and many anxious inquiries, only a brief and fragmentary history of the Methodist Episcopal church of Biggsville can be presented to our readers, and the cause can be justly laid to incomplete records and imperfect memory. Tradition has it that about 1860 a class of that faith was organized in Biggsville, composed of the following members, citizens of the little village and vicinity : H. P. M. Brown (local preacher), H. W. Crosthwait (leader), C. W. Brown, C. W. Brouse, Matthew Douglass, H. Watson, James H. David Douglass, Humphry Alexander, and their respective wives. They worshiped for a number of years in the school-house in the east part of town, and not unfrequently in the beautiful grove of timber then standing on lots 35 and 36, Brown & Downey's addition to Biggsville-Mrs. Jane Kelley's property. Soon after the organization of this class a Sabbath school was organized, and with varied success carried on in connection with the church, and was taken part in by all classes, regardless of sectarian interest. As the church and Sabbath school grew in interest and numbers, the need of a house in which to worship became apparent, and in the summer of 1866 the society elected a board of trustees with instructions to negotiate for a lot and take the necessary steps to securing the means for building a church.

In 1867 lots 2 and 3, in block 9, of Shoemaker's addition to Biggs- ville, was purchased by the trustees at a cost of $100, and afterward excavating for a basement was begun and finally completed. This was followed by the stone work, and walls were raised a sufficient height for one story, as it was designed to have a school-room under the main audience room. These walls were, after being finished, condemned or considered insufficient, and were taken down to a proper height for a foundation. There does not appear to have been any move made in the way of raising money till the spring of 1868, when on March 21 a subscription paper was drawn up, circulated and well patronized. A

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building committee was appointed consisting of II. P. M. Brown, C. W. Brouse and Smith Wax, who employed workmen, with Krow and Monroe as foremen, and early in the summer of 1868 work was begun and vigorously prosecuted till the building was completed. It was dedicated December 30, 1868, by T. M. Eddy, D.D., of Chicago, who succeeded in raising that day by subscription the sum of $2,184, besides a cash collection of $105, an amount equal to the indebtedness then standing on the church. As is generally the case, so it was here. Influenced by a power sermon, men subscribed sums of money they afterward found it difficult to pay, and the church was clouded with debt for some time with interest at the rate of ten per cent accumulat- ing ; but the money was finally raised and the indebtedness canceled. The church, which is in size 36×60, with twenty-foot posts, on which was mounted a lofty spire, cost the incredulous sum of $4,400. The first board of trustees, II. W. Crosthwait, C. W. Brouse, Matthew and David Douglass, H. Alexander, H. P. M. Brown and C. W. Brown were elected for five years, and all but the latter two (who had moved away) were re-elected at the expiration of their first term of office. The following is a list of the pastors in charge since the society's organiza- tion : James Tubbs, David Pershian, J. A. Windsor (in charge during the building of the church), N. T. Allen, J. W. Coe, U. Z. Gilmer, J. S. Budd, D. M. Hill, D. S. Main, Wm. Merriam and C. B. Couch. The conference year, the last, was completed by Rev. N. T. Allen. The board of trustees in 1882 are: C. W. Brouse, G. W. Holmes, H. Watson, Peter Ward, C. Rodman and Wm. Van Tuyl. The society has a membership of about sixty, with H. Watson, leader; C. W. Brouse is superintendent of the Sabbath school, which is on good finan- cial basis but is not largely attended. In 1879 the forty-foot spire was removed, leaving in its place only the belfry, thus lessening the danger from storms and avoiding repeated damage to the building.

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History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc, Part 128

Author: Mercer County Historical Society (Ill.); Henderson County Historical Society (Ill.) Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co. Number of Pages: 1424

Author: Mercer County Historical Society (Ill.); Henderson County Historical Society (Ill.)
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : H.H. Hill and Co.
Number of Pages: 1424