History of Morgan county, Illinois : its past and present, containing a history of the county; its cities, towns, etc.; a biographical directory of its volunteers in the late rebellion; portraits of its early settlers and prominent men [etc., etc.], Part 43

Author:
Publication date: c1878
Publisher: Chicago : Donnelley, Loyd & co.
Number of Pages: 792

USA > Illinois > Morgan County > History of Morgan county, Illinois : its past and present, containing a history of the county; its cities, towns, etc.; a biographical directory of its volunteers in the late rebellion; portraits of its early settlers and prominent men [etc., etc.] > Part 43

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

Dr. Higgins. He arrived at the institution on the 16th of June, and assumed its superintendence.

From time to time various needed improvements have been made, and additions have been erected, until at the present time the building can easily accommodate six hundred inmates, and the necessary attend- ants. The institution for some time was greatly inconvenienced on account of scarcity of water, but a few years ago a large reservoir was erected, which, with the water works of the city, furnish a never-failing supply. The buildings are thoroughly heated with steam, and lighted by gas, and are furnished with every necessary convenience and improve- ment. Repairs are constantly being made, and every thing is kept in the best of order. Dr. H. F. Carriel, the present superintendent, is a native of Charlestown, N. H. He is a graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of New York City. He began his labors with the insane, April 1, 1857, in the New Jersey State Asylum at Trenton, and ever since has devoted his time exclusively to this work.

Oak Lawn Retreat. Institutions for the care and treatment of the insane have existed for a very long period in the world's history. The first of which we have any account, were. founded by monks and other pious brotherhoods, when insanity was conceived to be a visitation of evil spirits, and not, as now regarded, a disease, subject to medical treatment, like other diseases of the human system. With the more complete organization of society, in later times, and the spread of greater intelligence, they gradually assumed their present shape, being directed by medical men, sometimes built and endowed by the benefactions of the charitably disposed, and occasionally, though rarely, aided by enlightened governments and mu- nicipalities. During the present century, particularly, the claims of the insane to shelter, comfort, and proper treatment, have been more com- pletely recognized than ever before, and society is fully alive to its duty in this regard. In our own favored country this is done in one of two ways : by institutions founded by individuals, either singly or incorpo- rated ; or by States, cities, or counties, as the case may be. In some of these latter cases the public function confines itself simply to the pro- vision of suitable buildings and appurtenances, leaving the cost of maintainance to be borne by those necessitated to resort to their use. In other instances, of which the State of Illinois is an example, the State assumes all the cost of buildings, maintainance, and treatment. This most bountiful liberality has the natural effect to draw under the care of the State the insane of all classes and conditions, leaving some un- provided for. The result of such attempt at a universal provision is, that the receptacles for the insane of a State adopting this policy must be crowded to an unpleasant degree, and naturally there is brought about a promiscuous association not always desirable. There can be no distinctions made or favors shown to any, where the rights and standing of all are on exactly the same basis. To grant such distinctions, under the circum- stances, would be a breach of a public trust. With the increase of pop- ulation, wealth, and refinement, the instances multiply where cheapness is not alone a consideration. As an inevitable social necessity, a class of institutions come into being where pecuniary means can arrange for all the special favors and advantages that any case may require. The rule that

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governs in the choice of a hotel, a seminary, or a social set, will not make the insane asylum an exception where the means are at hand to dictate a selection. The knowledge that large numbers of the insane were being transported from Illinois, and States even farther west, to far distant institutions in the older States, under the above men- tioned circumstances, led to the establishment of OAK LAWN RE- TREAT, in the year 1872, by Andrew J. McFarland, M. D., so long superintendent of the State Hospital here. It occupies a site of sixty acres fronting on Morton avenue, about one and a fourth miles from the public square, in the city of Jacksonville. The location, as regards picturesque- ness, salubrity, water-supply, drainage, etc., is every thing that could be desired. It has accommodations for about twenty patients, and is now (1878) occupied to its full capacity, though early additions to its build- ings are contemplated. .

Illinois Institution for the Education of the Blind. Prior to the year 1833, no institution of this kind existed in the United States. That year Dr. Howe, of Boston, and J. R. Freidlander, Esq., of Philadelphia, intro- duced the system in use in Europe into each of these cities. The systemn adopted by these gentlemen was that in vogue among the French. This method was invented by Abbe Hauy, in 1785. Previous to this time blindness was considered to be the greatest of deprivations. The loss of the organs by which man usually receives a knowledge of objects around him, was naturally supposed to close the world to him, and to produce a mental darkness which no skill could enlighten. This opinion was so universally prevalent, that no effort was inade, except in rare instances, to instruct this class of unfortunates. The benevolent Abbe one day entered a cafe in Paris, and hearing some blind musicians performing with skill and taste certain trifling airs learned by ear, asked himself the ques- tion, " If these men can perform so well without instruction, can not instruction improve their talents ?", He commenced an investigation of the powers and capabilities of the blind, and devised a method of print- ing for their use, which is still followed. In 1789, his efforts attracted the attention of the French government, and it established the institution in Paris for the education of the blind. This was the first attempt at opening a school for the blind. The regulations established, the methods adopted at that time, and the course of instruction have been continued to the present time. From the cities of Boston and Philadelphia, have radiated the methods of instruction, and there is now scarcely a State in the. Union which has not made liberal appropriations for the education of its blind. The first attempt to instruct them in this State, was made in the city of Jacksonville, in the year 1848, by Mr. Samuel Bacon, a blind man, formerly of the Ohio institution. His school was supported by the liberal donations of the citizens of Jacksonville.

On the 13th of January, 1849, the Legislature passed the act incor- porating The Illinois Institution for the Education of the Blind. In accordance with the provisions of this act, the trustees named therein, Messrs. Samuel D. Lockwood, James Dunlap, W. W. Happy, Dennis Rockwell, and Samuel Hunt, met on the third day of February, of that year, and organized by electing Mr. Lockwood president, James Berdan secretary, and Mr. Rockwell treasurer. The school under their control was opened for the reception of pupils the April following. Mr. Bacon,

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TYLER * EIGHT.

ILLINOIS INSTITUTION FOR THE EDUCATION OF THE BLIND.

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who had been quite successful, was engaged as principal of the institution. The number of pupils quite small at first, gradually increased. No vacation occurred in the school until the 10th of July, when the first term was closed, and the pupils, then numbering twenty-three, after a public examination, were dismissed until the first Wednesday of October. Mr. Bacon opened his first school in a building on North Main Street, now known as the John McConnell property. After the incorporation of the school, it was removed to the Wilson farm, west of the city, which place is now known as the Robb farm.

Mr. Bacon having resigned at the close of the term in July, the board deputed one of their number to visit similar institutions, in other States, for the purpose of engaging a competent superintendent. The result of this visit was the selection of Dr. Joshua Rhoads, former super- intendent of the Pennsylvania Institution for the Blind, as principal, and Mrs. Rosanna Rhoads as matron. Under their direction the school opened on the first Wednesday of October, with twenty-three pupils, this number being all that could be accommodated at this time.

The board had purchased an eligible site, comprising twenty-two acres of ground, in the eastern part of the city, where the foundations of a · building suitable for the accommodation of this class of persons was laid, and work on the walls was progressing favorably ; this building in an unfurnished condition, was occupied for the first time in January, 1854; it was entirely completed January, 1855. The course of instruc- tion was enlarged, so as to include the various trades, and some of the fine arts. Dr. Rhoads continued as principal of the institution, until 1874, a period of twenty-four years ; during which time, many improve- ments were made, and the institution brought to the front rank.

Dr. Phillips the present superintendent, speaking of Dr. Rhoads, says :

."Since my last report, my predecessor, Dr. Joshua Rhoads, has died. His health, feeble at the time of his resignation, continued to fail until February 1, 1876, when death relieved him of his sufferings. A graduate of the Pennsylvania University of Medicine, he was engaged in the active prac- tice of his profession for a number of years. He was principal of the Pennsylvania Institution for the Blind for four years. In 1850, he was elected principal of this institution, which position he occupied for twenty-four years. Possessed of a good mind, which was well culti- vated, he was qualified both by nature and habit, for the work to which he gave so much of his life. Methodical, earnest, and in love with his work, the institution was well conducted and successful under his admin- istration. At the time of his death he had entered upon his seventieth year."

The buildings completed January 1, 1855, were with various addi- tions, and improvements, occupied without interruption, until the morn- ing of the 20th of April, 1869, when the main building with its contents, was entirely destroyed by fire. The pupils and teachers were imme- diately removed to Berean College building, situated two squares west. through the kindness of Mrs. E. Ayers, who owned the building, school was again resumed, and continued until the institution could be rebuilt. The new building was completed and opened January 26, 1870. The school las progressed most favorably ever since. Dr. Rhoads, owing to

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

failing health, resigned his position in 1874, and F. W. Phillips, M.D. for many years a prominent minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, was appointed to the vacancy. The school continues to prosper. There are now 120 pupils in attendance. Additions and improvements have been made from time to time, as necessity demanded. It is hoped by the friends of the institution, that the east wing will before many years be erected. When this is completed, Illinois will have furnished ample provision for all this class of unfortunates, within her borders. The inventory and appraisement of the buildings, grounds, and property belong- ing to the institution, on the 30th of September, 1876, was $167,558.91.

MEREDOSIA.

This thriving town is in the extreme western part of Morgan County, on the east bank of the Illinois River. The earliest mention we are able to learn of this town, relates to the year 1816, when Gen. Murray McConnell, in passing up the river to where Peoria now stands, found one white man residing at the head of a lake near the site of the present town of Meredosia. This man was a French priest, who was doing missionary work among the Indians, who had quite a village just north of the present town. In honor of this priest, Mr. J. E. Waldo, and Philip Aylesworth -two gentlemen who were prominent citizens of the place for many years - named the town. The name of the priest was Antoine D'Osia, and the name given to the town was partly on account of the lake being near where the town was to be. The meaning of the word is Mere, a lake, and DeOsia, of Osia, or D'Osia's lake. The records show that the town was platted on December 27, 1832, by Thomas T. January, on frac- tional section 21, township 16 north, range 13 west. The lots were sixty by one hundred and fifty feet. This was the south part of the present town, which was laid out in after years by Jonathan Cobbs and Philip Aylesworth, on the northeast quarter of section 21.

Among the first stores erected in Meredosia, was one kept by Isaiah Stites, on the ground where now stands the handsome residence of Absa- lom Sibert, Esq. In the Fall of 1831, Mr. Daniel Waldo, a native of New Hampshire, came to Meredosia, and in connection with his brother, who had come out the preceding year, opened a general variety store. His stock of goods was brought from Boston and New Orleans, and was the largest stock in the county at that time. At that date there was no money of any kind in the settlement, and in lieu of it, the common cur- rency of the frontier was used. This consisted of coon skins, furs of all kinds, honey, beeswax, or whatever the settlers had to give in exchange. The settlement at this time consisted of about twenty families. There was no school in the place until 1833, when Mr. Pickett opened a school in one room of the double log cabin of Mr. Jonathan Cobb. This was a pay school, and had an average attendance of twenty scholars. Each child paid two dollars per quarter. The pay consisted of furs, generally, though the teacher was willing to take whatever he could get.

It was during this year (1833) that Stephen Arnold Douglas came to Illinois. He was born April 13, 1813, at Brandon, Vermont. At the age of twenty years, he came to this State in hopes of bettering his condi- tion. He landed at Meredosia, in 1833, where he met Mr. Daniel Waldo

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and Mr. Edward Lusk, two of the pioneers of Illinois, who are still resid- ing there. He was in search of a school; but failing to find one here, he proceeded on foot to Bethel, where he met with a like result. He went on to Jacksonville, and finding no employment there, proceeded to Winchester, where he succeeded in securing a school of forty pupils, at three dollars per quarter. When he reached Winchester, his ex- chequer was reduced to thirty-seven and one-half cents. He kept up his law studies, and the following March was admitted to the Bar by the Supreme Court, sitting at Vandalia. He now betook himself to the practice of law, and speedily won distinction in his profession. Within a year of his admission to the Bar, before he was twenty-two years old, he was chosen by the legislature, attorney-general of the State. In 1836 he was elected to the legislature from Morgan County, being the young- est member of that body. "It was in 1833 that President Jackson added to his refusal to re-charter the United States Bank, the removal of the deposits. Great was the consternation of the people, and a panic pre- vailed. Party feeling ran extremely high, the president's supporters were unsettled in their views, and thousands differed with him on these measures. Douglas had just located at Jacksonville, and opened a law- office in a room in the court-house. The Whigs of Morgan County, from their number and standing, were arrogant and audacious in their denun- ciation of the administration. Douglas mingled freely with the people, who usually crowded the county-seat on Saturdays, and, among them, was outspoken in his approbation of acts of the administration. He and the editor of the Democratic paper at Jacksonville, deeming it advisable to rally the undecided, effect an organization of the administration party, and define its position, in opposition to the views of many friends, called a mass meeting, and prepared a set of resolutions endorsing the bank policy of the administration. On the day of the meeting, the court-house was thronged with people of both parties. Douglas, being comparatively a stranger, declined to offer resolutions ; but as it soon became appar- ent that unless he did it would not be done, he boldly advanced and read them, following with a few brief explanatory remarks. Immediately upon his conclusion, Josiah Lamborn, a Whig of great influence and ora- torical powers, attacked the resolutions, and their reader, in a severe and caustic manner. The blood of Douglas was up ; this was his first politi- cal effort, but he met his antagonist with such arguments, so vehement and effective, that the excitement of his friends reached the highest point of endurance ; they cheered, seized, and bore him aloft through the crowd, and around the public square, in gratitude and admiration, apply- ing to hiin such complimentary titles as ' high-combed cock,' ' little giant,' etc., which last, by its peculiar appropriateness, adhered to him to the last. His effort that day, in a measure, changed the political destiny of Morgan County. It was long remembered, and the old veterans of Mor- gan always held that Douglas never equaled this speech of March, 1834."*

From this time, Douglas' political career began, and, as his after life is so well known to the readers of these pages, we desist from further mention of him here. He died in 1861, and is buried in a beautiful spot in the suburbs of Chicago. His grave is near Lake Michigan, in " Doug- las Grove," near where was "Camp Douglas" during the late war.

*Davidson & Stuve's History of Illinois.

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HISTORY OF MORGAN COUNTY.

In 1835, Messrs. D. and J. E. Waldo erected a distillery for the manu- facture of whisky. The capacity was three hundred bushels of grain per day. In connection with the distillery, the proprietors opened the first blacksmith shop in the place, and engaged James Wolf to manage that part of the business for them. A few years later, a saw mill was added to the distillery. The distillery was afterward owned by Roe & Gove, who dis- posed of it to Mr. Joab Wilkinson. The machinery finally became worn out, and the business was abandoned. The first frame buildings erected in the town were by the Waldo brothers, in 1833; the lumber was split from logs, and rough dressed. The first tavern was kept by Mr. Geo. Finch, who was running a stage line between Jacksonville and Mt. Sterling, having Meredosia as his " half-way house." This hotel was a very large building, containing seventy-five rooms, and was in one respect like ancient Rome, " not built in a day." At first there were but a few rooms, the others being added from time to time. In 1867, the building was destroyed by fire. In 1850, another hotel was erected and opened by Mr. Holderby ; this is the present hotel of the place, Dr. H. J. Parker being the proprietor. During the Summer of 1851, Mr. Holderby opened a lumber yard, the first in the town, which business he conducted until the time of his death, in 1854. The yard then passed into the hands of Grierson & Wallahan, who were engaged in the dry goods and grocery business. The business was conducted by Messrs. Grierson & Wallahan until the year 1861, when Mr. Grierson, becoming fired with patriotism, entered the army, and afterward became noted as General Ben. Grierson, so well known all over the country.

In the Fall of 1839, Mr. Edward Lusk, who had been keeping a . store in Jacksonville for six years, went to St. Louis and purchased a steamboat. This boat -the American -he ran between St. Louis and Peoria, carrying passengers and freight to all the landings between these points. Mr. Lusk continued on the river as captain of the American for five years, when he settled in the neighborhood of Meredosia, and engaged in farming. Mr. Lusk is still living, at the age of sixty-two, and no one is more highly esteemed where he is known."

The first postmaster in Meredosia was Mr. Philip Aylesworth. The mails were carried by a man named Pickett, who rode between Quincy and Springfield once every week. When the old man came in sight of the settlement he would blow a horn to assemble the settlers to receive their mail. The postage was paid by the person who received the letter, not by the writer as is done now. At that time the rates were graded so that the postage on a letter which had been carried a distance of thirty miles or less was six cents, a greater distance ten, or eighteen and three- fourths, and for any distance over five hundred miles the postage was twenty-five cents. Under the administration of President Jackson, Mr. Daniel Waldo was appointed postmaster. This position he retained for sixteen years. When Mr. Buchanan was elected president he saw proper to appoint one of his own political party to the place. President Grant re-appointed Mr. Waldo to that position, which he now holds. He has now been in the employ of the postoffice department for twenty-five years, and has held the position of justice of the peace for forty-one years. "'Squire " Waldo is one of the early settlers of whom but few are now residing in the county. He is in his seventy-sixth year, and an active man.

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Previous to 1837, there had been no regular preaching. During this year several ministers held services in the houses of the settlers. Among these traveling preachers was the Rev. Ben Newman. About this time the citizens without regard to denominational differences united in erecting a house of worship. This house was built near where the railroad depot now is.

A few years after the erection of this house, the Rev. W. H. Milburn, the celebrated "Blind Preacher," held a series of meetings here. An outgrowth of this series of meetings was the present Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1859, J. H. Carver and M. H. Mauck opened a general store. Their business increasing, more store room was necessary, and in 1868, they erected their present store. This is a large two-story brick building. The upper floor was added for the use of the Masonic Frater- nity. In 1867, Messrs. Hysinger & Graham opened a store for the sale of groceries, dry goods, and clothing; they soon found their business would justify the erection of a new building, and now have a large store on Main street. A large grist and saw mill was erected in 1859 by Kruse & Miller. This mill has since been operated by different parties, the present proprietor being Mr. C. C. Rieman, who is erecting a large mill to take the place of the old one. Messrs. Einstman, and Keener & Pike own and operate two large grain elevators; Mr. Einstman running a boat and several barges for the transportation of his grain to market. The amount of grain shipped from Meredosia during the last year was : corn, 150,000 bushels; wheat, 40,000. This business is about equally divided between the two grain dealers. Mr. Charles Heinz owns and operates a wagon shop, where he also manufactures agricultural implements. Another wagon shop is owned by Mr. Charles Button. Mr. Einstman has a saw mill which has a good local trade. Mr. Henry Shafer is doing a good business in the manufacture of furniture. Mr. David McGinnis has a first-class drug store, and does a good business. The fishing business is carried on quite extensively, large quantities of fish being shipped every day.

The town of Meredosia was incorporated November 23, 1850. The first trustees were: John Trabue, Wm. B. Newcomb, S. S. Winnegar, John W. Trover, and Wm. H. Long. At that time Meredosia contained about the same number of inhabitants as now. It had been in its day a thriving, energetic town, but other cities more prosperous in their growth had taken away its trade. This was owing chiefly to the inception and growth of railroads. At one time in the history of our county he who founded a town away from any lake or navigable river was deemed unwise, for no one ever dreamed that produce could be conveyed from one point to another save by water. Hence in the earliest settlement of the country all towns were found upon or near some navigable body of water. Meredosia was founded and grew well at first, but the railroad came in 1838, and other towns began to draw away its trade. This railroad, the the first in the Valley of the Mississippi, was part of the great internal improvement system begun in the Prairie State in 1835, and which for a time so nearly bankrupted the people.

The Northern Cross Railroad, the first one built under this system was let out to the contractors early in 1837. Some grading and other work was done during that season and on the 9th day of May, 1838, the

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first rail was laid at Meredosia. This was a great day in the history of the little town. Its streets were full of people who came to see what to many of them was the beginning of a monstrous piece of folly. The his- tory of this road, its small cars and meagre equipments, its trials, failures, and ultimate success, are recorded elsewhere in this volume, and need not be repeated here. Among the citizens of Meredosia who gave time and money in aid of this enterprise, none were more conspicuous than Mr. Daniel, Waldo. He was, as has been stated, one of the earliest mer- chants here, and has always been prominently connected with the growth of Meredosia. Speaking of his early experiences as a merchant, and of his acquaintance with men who afterward became prominent in the history of the State, Mr. Waldo related to the writer of these pages, his meeting with Stephen A. Douglas, who first set foot upon the soil of Illinois at the little town of Meredosia. Mr. Waldo says : "In the Fall of 1833, I was at the boat landing, receiving goods, when I was accosted by a young man who had just come on the boat. After the usual greetings of the day were exchanged, Mr. Douglas -for by that name he introduced him- self -inquired if I knew of a place where a school teacher was needed, I told him if a school teacher was needed any place under the canopy of heaven, Meredosia was that place. He went at my invitation, to my store, where I had quite a talk with him. He had been working at the cabinet business and afterward studied law in the State of New York. Wishing to better his condition financially, he had come out West. At this time, Mr. Douglas was but twenty years of age, failing to secure the interests of the people sufficiently to maintain a school, he " kept bar," for his board, and slept in my store. Not long afterward, he went to Bethel, but failing to secure a school at this place, he proceeded on foot to Winchester, while on the way he earned one dollar, for clerking at a public sale-the first money he earned in this State. He procured a school at Winchester, and after its close went to Jacksonville, where he located and shortly afterward began the practice of law." Mr. Waldo's recollection of Mr. Douglas, coincides with the statements we have already made, in the history of Meredosia. During the senatorial con- test in 1858, Mr. Douglas, as well as his opponent for public favor Abra- ham Lincoln, made many speeches here.

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History of Morgan county, Illinois : its past and present, containing a history of the county; its cities, towns, etc.; a biographical directory of its volunteers in the late rebellion; portraits of its early settlers and prominent men [etc., etc.], Part 43

Author: Publication date: c1878 Publisher: Chicago : Donnelley, Loyd & co. Number of Pages: 792

Author:
Publication date: c1878
Publisher: Chicago : Donnelley, Loyd & co.
Number of Pages: 792