USA > Illinois > Mercer County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 53
USA > Illinois > Henderson County > History of Mercer and Henderson Counties : together with biographical matter, statistics, etc > Part 53
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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 out 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)
74
1
75
Richland Grove
104
104
Suez .
60
18
78
Greene
62
40
102
Maclura (now Preemption) .
133
1
131
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
25
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 Keithisburg 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,
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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. Maey in October, 1866, entailing a loss of about $1,000 over and above insurance. The Button house was burned in 1867, 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 chemical engines, hose and ladder wagon, buckets, etc., and
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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, 1877, 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 value 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
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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 elerk, 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. McGuffin, 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. II. Day, C. M. Kay, trustees ; C. J. Bartleson, clerk ; L. W. Hause, treasurer.
1869-70 .- C. S. Riehey, president; P. Roberts, J. H. Snyder, Wm. N. Graham, J. M. Smith, trustees ; Jolin 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, HI. L. Thomson, T. Maddux, W. H. Holmes, trustees; N. Edwards, treasurer; H. L. Thomson, elerk.
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, II. P. Graham, John McKinney, Jr., trustees ; C. S. Richey, treasurer ; L. D. Holmes, clerk.
547
MERCER TOWNSIIIP.
1874-5 .- E. Gilmore, president ; Geo. L. Bitts, C. S. Richey, II. 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, Wm. Winders, John 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.
1880-81 .- 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, H. Parkman, L. D. Holmes, trustees ; J. W. Dilley, clerk ; Wm. N. Graham, treasurer.
Present Officers .- M. F. Felix, president; H. Parkman, L. D. Holmes, J. B. Moore, Martin Boyd, H. Prentice, trustees ; J. F. Hen- 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.
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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. H. 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. MeBride 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 MeKinney, 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 TOWNSIIIP.
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 Quincy. 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.
His family consists of himself, wife, daughter Olive and son Edward. To the daughter he has given every educational advantage, . and she is a graduate of Monticello seminary. Her musical talent is of a superior order and she ranks among the best in Aledo as a pianist and vocalist.
Upon the organization of the Farmers' Bank, Capt. L. B. Morey was associated with Mr. Byers in its management for the first two years, when, finding the business too confining, he retired. Capt. Morey was almost raised in Mercer county. He served with distinction during the war as a lieutenant in company A, 37th reg. Ill. Vol. Inf., rising to the rank of captain. He was for a long time on the staff of Gen: F. J. Herron, during his operations in Arkansas and
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
Louisiana. He is still a resident of Aledo, and. in company with Martin Boyd, is engaged extensively in farming and stock raising.
On the retirement of Capt. Morey from the bank, Mr. William N. Graham was engaged as cashier. a position in which he is now serving his fifth year. during all of which time he has faithfully discharged his duties. Mr. Graham came to Aledo over twenty years ago, engaged in the plastering business for awhile with his brother H. P., taught school. clerked for Poage & Senter and Harvey Senter. was in the dry goods business with his brother George P. for awhile, with J. S. Pax- ton in the grocery business, and served one term as county treasurer, prior to entering the bank. He has always proven himself a good business man.
Such is a brief history of the banking business in Aledo, so far as Mr. Byers has been connected with it. The Farmers' Bank is on a sound financial basis. has an ample capital. and is backed by men of wealth and influence. It is an institution that has added largely to the growth and prosperity of Aledo, and deserves what it has ever re- ceived. the support and patronage of the citizens of our county.
The Aledo Bank is also one of the solid institutions of the county. Mr. John Mckinney, Sr .. bought the interest of A. M. Byers in April of 1874. and the firm name became Mckinney. Gilmore & Co .. the "Co." being L. C. Gilmore, son of the judge. This firm continued until April of the present year. when Mr. Mckinney purchased the interest of the Gilmores, and associated with himself his son James, under the name of McKinney & Co. Mr. John E. Gilmore. who was for some years in the employ of the old firm. still occupies the teller's desk. The bank has an ample capital to meet all demands of its patrons.
Mr. John McKinney, Sr., was one of the early business men of Oquawka. where he for many years conducted a large and eminently successful dry goods business. Tiring of this he retired, and for a number of years did a large business in loaning money in that place and vicinity. When he entered the Aledo Bank he purchased the fine residence of Judge John S. Thompson, and has transacted an extensive business in the way of loans. in addition to the regular banking busi- ness, having much more capital at his command than could be profit- ably used in the latter.
In 1881 he erected a large brick building adjoining the bank prop- erty and known as Mckinney block. It is one of the best arranged and most commodious business blocks in town, and the only one hav- ing a plate-glass front. One room is occupied by J. H. Ramsey with his fine jewelry stock, and O. A. Wallen with boots and shoes. The
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MERCER TOWNSIIIP.
other is used for the postoffice, having been built and arranged for that special purpose. The boxes, general delivery, etc., are equal to those found in large cities, and when fully completed the Aledo post- office will be one of the best and most conveniently arranged of any in Western Illinois. John McKinney, Jr., is postmaster, and John, senior, takes a pardonable pride in making the room a credit to the owner and to the village. The upper floor of the building is divided into commodious and well arranged office rooms. Mr. Mckinney has recently purchased the property adjoining the bank building on the south, and contemplates building a substantial brick building thereon at an early day.
The Aledo Bank enjoys the confidence and receives the patronage of the community at large, and is known to stand A 1 in the large commercial centers. Its business is large and renumerative, and it reflects credit and adds dignity and standing to the town whose name it bears. James McKinney, the junior member of the firm, has for a number of years assisted his father in his loan and real estate business, and is well qualified, by education and training, for the position of cashier, which he now fills. Archie Mckinney, a younger brother, has taken his place in the loan department. The latter is a young man of fine attainments, having received a thorough college training, and graduated with honor. IIe read law with the firm of Pepper & Wil- son, and was last year admitted to the bar. He has spent several months in Chicago where he expected to remain until recalled to take his present position. John E. Gilmore is a grandson of Judge E. Gil- more, and since the death of his father, some years ago, made his home with his grandparents. He has received a liberal education, and has a thorough business training in the bank in which he is now engaged, and his connection therewith cannot fail to prove advantage- ous to the business. The safe used is one of the best manufactured ; is made of five plates of solid steel, with solid corners, built from the outside inward, and is fire as well as burglar proof. It is provided with the Yale time lock, and the most approved combination locks on inner and outer doors. It weighs three tons, and stands in a fire proof vault of rock and brick. With its large capital, and such perfect vault and safe, unlimited security is offered to depositors. The safe is as good as any in the state, and its equal cannot perhaps be found outside of Chicago. L. C. Gilmore is also still connected with the bank. Few towns in our state can boast of two such banks, and the fact that there is business enough for both speaks well for the wealth and business enterprise of Aledo and Mercer county.
Summing all up, Aledo well deserves the good name it bears among
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HISTORY OF MERCER AND HENDERSON COUNTIES.
all who know of the business enterprise of her citizens. The latter are enterprising, progressive and public spirited in an unusual degree. Her business houses are mostly of brick; large and well filled with inviting and salable goods. She can boast of more and better side- walks than any village of the same size in the state ; indeed, some of the cities will not compare favorably with her in this regard. Her churches are numerous, large and well attended. Her public schools are among the best in the state. Her streets are well lighted and well kept. There are an unusually large number of fine residences and comfortable homes. She is surrounded by a wealthy and prosperous farming community, and lies in the center of as rich and productive a section as can anywhere be found. While her past has been one o steady advancement, her future is promising ; there is scarcely a possi- bility, and no probability of a loss of prestige, or a decline in wealth, prosperity or business enterprise.
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