History of Sangamon County, Illinois, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 38

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company
Number of Pages: 1084

USA > Illinois > Sangamon County > History of Sangamon County, Illinois, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 38

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vice as an errand-boy, he entered the printing office and stereotype foundry of John Fagin, to learn the trade. At this time he could scarcely read, and knew nothing at all about writing. By patient endeavor he learned to read well and write a fair hand, and before many months ex- pired he was made one of the proof-readers in the establishment; but the life of a printer did not suit him. He had for many years a desire to learn the trade of a machinist, and when two years had passed of his printer's life, he ran away to Wilmington, Delaware, and applied for a situation in the railroad and machine shops of that city. He was told they could not give any attention to his application without recom- mendations. He then went on foot to New Castle and asked old friends of his father, and those who had known him when a small boy, to recommend him. This they did; and armed with his recommendations he returned to Wil- mington, to be told that he must wait three weeks before an opening could be made. This he could not do; he was away from home, with- out money and without friends. Starvation was staring him in the face; he must get work-and at once. He therefore bound himself to the firm of Hollingsworth & Teas, to learn the trade of blacksmith and machinist. Before the expira- tion of his term of service the firm failed, and he then engaged with Elliott & Huston, loco- motive builders, of Wilmington. Here he re- mained until 1849, when he received an invita- tion from Mr. Hollingsworth, who had removed to Chicago, to come to that city and take charge of the iron-shops that he was about to establish. He accepted the invitation and entered upon the work, where he remained a short time, and then received and accepted the appointment of trav- eling agent of an agricultural firm. In this line of business he continued with success nntil 1857 -save for a short period in 1853-4, when, his health having failed him, he returned to his old home in Delaware. While east he was married, July 1854, to Charlotte, daughter of Jesse Jan- ney, of Cecil county, Maryland. Six children have been born unto them, two of whom are now living-Lizzie G. and Presco Wright.

In February, 1856, Mr. Kidd brought his family to Springfield, where they have since continued to reside. In 1857, he served as bailiff in the United States Marshal's office. In 1858, he was elected Coroner and was also appointed Deputy Sheriff. In the winter of 1858-9 and 1859-60, he served as Sheriff of the Supreme Court of Illinois. In 1860, he was ap- pointed by Judge Treat, Crier of the United

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States District Court, which position he contin- ned to hold until the spring of 1877. In addi- tion to the offices mentioned, Mr. Kidd served as Assessor in Springfield for a period of fifteen years, and Collector by election, two years.

While serving as Deputy Sheriff, Mr. Kidd read law, and passing a successful examination before Judge Walker, of the Supreme Court, was licensed to practice. He never opened an office and tells upon himself that he never had but two cases, in the latter one he took offense at the answers of a colored witness, and struck him over the head with an iron square, and was fined by the Justice of the Peace three dollars for contempt of court. He then retired from active practice.

As a writer Mr. Kidd has a peculiar style of his own. He follows the model of no man. When he writes a sentence, no man can mistake its meaning. It is plain and to the point, yet so worded that it cannot be thought to be from the pen of another.

THE SPRINGFIELD TIMES.

In 1844, the Democratic party in Sangamon county was somewhat divided on purely local issues. The Register espousing the side of one faction, left the other without representation. This necessitated the starting a second Demo- cratic paper in Springfield, and S. S. Brooks, who in 1829-30 published the Illinois Herald, was induced to make the venture. The new paper was called the Springfield Times. It was a small folio sheet, but edited with the vim characteristic of the Brooks family, who were born newspaper men. The Times only existed about one year, the party not being able to sup- port two organs, and the breaches in the party being healed. Mr. Brooks, though an excellent newspaper man, was no business manager, and never succeeded in his chosen profession. An old man, he wandered back to Springfield occa- sionally, and worked at the case in the Register and other offices, to secure a livelihood for him- self and family.

THE MASONIC TROWEL.

Harmon G. Reynolds, the founder and editor of the Masonic Trowel, is one of the oldest Masons in the State, having taken his degrees in Warsaw Lodge, in 1843. He was Grand Marshal of the Grand Lodge in 1848, and was elected Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge and Chapter, and continued as Grand Secretary of the Lodge until 1851. In 1868, he was elected Grand Master, and held this position for

two years. He remained Secretary of the Grand Chapter until 1869. He assisted in the initia- tory work of forming the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters, and was the first Recorder of that body. Mr. Reynolds has been Master of three lodges, and High Priest of three Chapters, and was first Commander of Elwood Commandery No. 6, of this city. All of which positions he filled with credit to himself and honor to the fraternity. He also received, in 1854, the thirty-second degree of the Ancient Scottish Rites, and the thirty-third in Boston, in 1864. In 1858, he located in this city, and established, in 1862, the Masonic Trowel. with which paper he retained his connection until 1868. He has always had the editorial control of its columns, and his labors therein have re- dounded to the general welfare and prosperity of the craft at large. By the fire, on the night of the 22d of February, by which the Trowel was destroyed, he was stripped of every dollar of his earthly possessions.

ILLINOIS STATE DEMOCRAT.

In 1857 a paper under the above name was started in Springfield by J. J. Clarkson, with Elliott B. Herndon, editor. As its name implies it was a Democratic paper, and was started to combat the heresies supposed to exist in a por- tion of the Democratic party, headed by Stephen A. Douglas. It lived about three years.

THE SUNDAY MAIL.

This was a five column quarto, issued every Sunday morning by The Mail Company, and was well filled with local news. It was short- lived.

ILLINOIS FREI PRESSE.

Many attempts have been made to publish a German paper in Springfield, but until the Frei Presse was started, all prior to that had proven failures. On the eleventh day of January, 1872, Edward Rummel, then Secretary of State, com- menced the publication of the Frei Presse, an eight column folio, in support of the Liberal movement then being advocated by such men as Horace Greeley, Charles Sumner, John M. Pal- mer and others. Mr. Rummel only retained con- nection about three months, and then sold to Gehring & Hotze, two practical German printers. Mr. Gehring assumed editorial control of the paper, and has since continued to act as manag- ing editor. The success of the paper was assured from the start, the Germans largely supporting the new movement. It has had a uniform, steady

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growth, and is not only regarded as the most successful German paper, but is said to be the most successful German or English paper in Springfield. The office is well supplied with type and presses, and does a general book and job business in connection with the publication of the paper. After a time, Mr. Hotze retired, and Mr. Gehring became sole editor and pro- prietor.

Frederick Gehring was born in Baden, Ger- many, March 4, 1841. His early life was spent in that country, in attendance upon the common and high schools. In 1856, he came to America, and settled in Lafayette, Indiana, where he en- tered a German newspaper office, to learn the trade of a printer. Here he remained about three years, and then went to Indianapolis and worked as a journeyman printer. From Indian- apolis he drifted on to St. Louis, where he was when the war for the Union commenced. Re- turning to Indianapolis, he enlisted as a private in the Fifteenth Indiana Infantry, and served three years, being wounded at the battle of Stone river. On his recovery he was placed on detached duty, where he remained until the close of his term of enlistment, when he was dis- charged. Returning to Indianapolis, he served for some years as local editor of the Telegraph, of that city, and for about six months as po- litical editor of a German paper. On the 19th day of October, 1865, he was united in marriage to Miss Kathrina May, of Indianapolis. They have had six children, three of whom are now living-two boys and one girl. In April, 1872, Mr. Gehring and his family came to Springfield, and he purchased an interest in the Frei Presse. In 1374 he was elected a member of the legis- lature, by the combined Liberal and Democratic vote, and was classed in the House, politically, as a Democratic-Liberal. He now claims to be a Liberal-Democrat, and the Frei Presse as a Liberal-Democratic paper. In the legislature, he was placed on the committee on mines and mining, the committee on printing, and also on education. The committee on mines and mining framed the law that was passed regulating the government of mines. Mr. Gehring is a mem- ber of the A. O. U. W., and Turn-Verien. He was the originator of the Building Associations of Springfield, and has taken great interest in their work. He is a good writer, and a prac- tical business man.

STAATS WOCHENBLATT.

The Staats Wochenblatt is a large seven column quarto, and was established in the fall

of 1878, its first number bearing date November 21. Il. Schlange is the editor and proprietor. The Wochenblatt has been a success from the start, it now having a bona fide circulation of fifteen hundred copies weekly. Mr. Schlange was born November 16, 1844, at Hanover, Ger- many. As soon as sufficiently advanced he entered the Jacobson Institute, where he re- mained until he was sixteen years of age. He then entered the army as a private, and passed the various grades of promotion umtil he was

made Assistant Quartermaster. In 1865 he came to America and landed at New York in the early part of December, where he remained a few days and proceeded to Springfield, Illinois, his destination, arriving there January 2, 1866. At Springfield, he learned the trade of cigar- maker, and continued in that business until he established the Wochenblatt, in 1878. At this time there was no Republican German paper in Springfield, and Mr. Schlange thought it to be a good opportunity to establish one. The result has more than exceeded his most sanguine expecta- tions. Mr. Schlange and Anna Ahrens were married in Lincoln, Illinois, February 25, 1868. Two children have been born unto them- August and Lena.

AUBURN CITIZEN.

In 1873 Lowdermilk & Stover commenced the publication of the Auburn Herald, a six column folio. The paper was started mainly for the purpose of affording the business men of Auburn an advertising medium, but the citizens believed it should be something more, and therefore the experiment was tried of giving the community a good local paper. Not having an office of their own, the printing was done in Virden at the office of the Virden News, and the paper circu- lated from Auburn. After the expiration of about five months, a stock company was formed for the purchase of office material, and the outfit was purchased of the Virden News in August, 1874, M. G. Wadsworth, of Auburn, and W. F. Thompson, of Virden, becoming publishers, by purchase from the stock company.

A sketch of the senior proprietor of the Her- ald-W. W. Lowdermilk-will be found in con- nection with the History of Anburn. A. B. Stover, the junior, came from Havana, Illinois. He was at one time editor of the Mason County Herald. When he came to Auburn he engaged as a clerk in a dry goods store, retaining con- nection after engaging in editorial work. He was an easy and fluent writer. After the Herald changed hands, he made a profession of religion

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

and conducted a series of meetings in Auburn with great success. He was induced togo before the Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and by that body was licensed to preach the Gospel. He is a good talker and is now meeting with success in the ministry.

When Wadsworth & Thompson became the proprietors of the Herald they rented a room in the bank building and continued its publication. At the commencement of the second volume the name was changed to the Auburn Citizen, and the paper enlarged to a seven column folio. The following spring the senior bought out the junior partner's interest, and has since been sole pro- prietor. The Citizen was enlarged to an eight column folio April 22, 1880, and changed to a five column quarto, December 9, 1880. The Citizen has no political bias, its special mission being local news. It is at present the only paper published in Sangamon county outstde of Spring- field

Moses G. Wadsworth was born in Hallowell, Kennebec county, Maine, February 3, 1826, and is the son of Daniel and Margaret F. Wads- worth. His parents were of English and Welsh origin, the father being descended, on the father's side, from Peregrin White, the first white child born in America. Moses G. came to Illinois, in his fifteenth year with his parents, settling in (old) Auburn, where the parents are still living, the father in his eighty-third and the mother in her eightieth year. They have resided in the same house about thirty-eight years. Moses G. Wadsworth was married in September, 1849, to Elizabeth F. Wheeler, of Macoupin county, who died in May, 1857, leav- ing five children, four of whom are living. He was married again in November, 1862, to Mary E. Day, of Chatham, who has borne him seven children, four of whom are living. Until after the death of his first wife, Mr. Wadsworth fol- lowed farming. After that he worked princi- pally at carpenter work, until his connection with the Auburn Herald (afterwards Citizen,) in 1879. He was clerk of his township three years; assessor one year, and tax collector nine years. He has been school trustee ten or more years, and Secretary of Ark and Anchor Lodge of Masons, eleven years.

TILE EVENING POST.

The only evening paper at present published in Springfield, was established in January, 1880, the first number being issued on the 3d. Its publication was decided upon by a number of printers and newspaper men of the city, who

were out of employment at the time, caused by a strike in the composing room of the Register office. There being no evening paper in the city, they decided to occupy the field, and incorpo- rated the Capital Co-operative Publishing Com- pany, with a capital of $1,000, which was subse- quently increased to $2,000. Charles W. Bovard, F. II. B. McDowell, Andrew McWeeney, J. II. Duggan, W. H. Mursinna, William F. Aitken, T. F. Harrington, J. M. Higgins, Louis Souther, and Louis Schuckers, were the original stock- holders. F. II. B. McDowell was elected editor- in-chief, with J. M. Higgins and Louis Souther as associates. During the first month, Messrs. Souther and Higgins withdrew from the com- pany. Mr. McDowell continued as editor-in- chief until the latter part of May in that year, when, owing to a dissatisfaction among the stockholders and a desire on their part to sus- tain the principles of the Greenback party, he withdrew. At that time, the paper had become well established, and its circulation was the largest it attained during the year. Mr. J. K. Magie was elected editor-in-chief, on Mr. Mc- Dowell's withdrawal, and occupied that position until August 1, when, the business of the paper having been badly damaged by his administra- tion, at the request of the Board of Directors, Mr. McDowell again assumed its management, and he now owns nearly all the stock of the company. The paper is a handsome seven- column folio, having been enlarged from a six- column folio on the 16th of October, 1881. Its political tone is of the stalwart Republican order, and it exerts no little local influence. Its circulation is largely among the working classes. Its subscription price is $5 per year.

Among those who have contributed to the success of the paper, a mournful tribute is due to the late Henry G. Fitzhugh, who died Novem- ber 15, 1880, at the age of twenty-two years, at the time of his death being its city editor. He was one of the brightest young journalists the city has ever produced, and his sad death, after a short illness of pneumonia, was a shock to all who knew him. Ilis remains were interred at Oak Ridge.

The present editorial staff of the paper is composed of F. H. B. McDowell, S. P. V. Arnold, and L. M. Snell.

Mr. McDowell was born at Freeport, Illinois, January 7, 1854. Compelled at the age of thir- teen to leave the High School, by the necessity of his earnings for the support of his father's family, he entered the office of the Freeport Bulletin, in March, 1868, as an apprentice, and

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acquired the printer's trade. In January, 1872, he left his home for Chicago, where he remained until the fall of 1876, working at his trade in the Chicago Tribune composing room. In No- vember of that year he formed a partnership with W. W. Lewis in the publication of the Carroll County Gazette, at Lanark, Illinois. The partnership continued until February, 1878, when Mr. Lewis retired, and he continued its publication until January, 1879, when he dis- posed of the paper and removed to Chicago. In September of that year he was elected Secretary of the State Bureau of Labor Statistics, which position he now holds. He was married to Anna Magnusson Jewett, of Chicago, in Novem- ber, 1876.

S. P. V. Arnold, associate editor and business manager of the Post, was born in Steubenville, Ohio, in 1854, where he resided until twelve years of age, when he removed to Columbus, Ohio. He was educated at Otterbein Univer- sity, at Westerville, Ohio, and graduated at the National Normal School, at Lebanon, Ohio, in 1875. Previous to and after graduating, he

taught school for seven years. In the fall of 1878, he went to St. Louis and established the American Trade Journal, which he continued until August, 1881, when he sold his interest in the paper and came to Springfield, and became connected with the Post as associate editor and business manager.

CAMPAIGN PAPERS.

Many campaign papers have been issued in Springfield; the most noted of which were the "Old Soldier," published in . 1840, by the Whig general committee; and the "Old Iliekory," published by the Democratic general commit- tee. Each of these papers had a circulation of 35,000 copies, and were very effective campaign sheets, and will readily be called to mind by the old settler.

The "Conservative" was a seven-column folio, issued during the presidential campaign of 1856, and supporting Millard Fillmore for the presi- dency. It was edited by a committee of the Springfield Fillmore Club, and was an interest- ing political sheet.

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HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY.

CHAPTER XII.

REED AND DONNER EMIGRANT PARTY.

Since the discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus, there has ever seemed a disposition to push on toward the setting sun. Like the story told children of the sack of gold placed at the termination of the rainbow, which creates an earnest desire in their hearts to secure the treasure, so there appears before the eyes of all men, in dazzling splendor, visions of untold wealth and honors, to be secured in the great West

Early in the spring of 1846, a party was organ- ized in this county for California and the Pacific coast. Gold had not then been discovered, but a knowledge of the beautiful Sacramento valley had been obtained, and it was thought a home could there be made which would be delightful and pleasing to all. The party left Springfield April 14, 1846, full of hope and spirit, looking forward to the time when they should reach their destinations and be at rest. Little did they anticipate the trials and tribulations that awaited them as they passed over the mountains and across the great American Desert. When they left Springfield, the party numbered thirty- four persons. The following named were among the number:

James F'. Reed and Mrs. Margaret W. Reed, his wife, with their four children, Virginia E. B., Martha J., James F., Jun., and Thomas K .; also Mrs. Sarah Keyes, the mother of Mrs. Reed.

George Donner and Mrs. Tamsen Donner, his wife, with their five children, Elitha C., Leanna C., Francis E., Georgiana and Elizabeth P.

Jacob Donner and Mrs. Elizabeth Donner, his wife, with their five children, Isaac, Lewis, Samuel, George and Mary; also William and Solomon Hook, children of Mrs. Donner by a former marriage.

There were also Milford Elliott - often men- tioned as Milton Elliott-James Smith, John

Denton, Eliza and Bayless Williams, Walter Herron and Hiram O. Miller. There were some others, but I have been unable to learn their names.

Leaving Springfield, their first point of desti- nation was Independence, Missouri, where they were to make the final preparation for crossing the plains. They were joined at various points by parties from other places, as follows:

From Lacon, Illinois: Jay Fausdick and Mrs. Sarah Fausdick, his wife. Mr. and Mrs. Graves, with their eight children, Frank, Mary, William, Ellen, Lavina, Nancy, Jonathan and Elizabetlı. Mrs. Fausdick was a danghter of Mr. and Mrs. Graves.

From Iowa: Patrick Brien -spelled, in some places, Brein and Breen - Margaret Brien, Mar- garet J., John, Edward, Patrick Jun., Simon, James and Peter Brien, and Patrick Dolen.

From Belleville, Illinois: J. P. Eddy, Mrs. Eddy and W. H. Eddy.

From St. Louis, Missouri: William Foster, Mrs. Foster and George Foster; and from Ray county, Missouri: William McCutehen, Mrs. Mccutchen and Harriet MeCutehen.

From Tennessee: Lemuel Murphy, Mrs. Mur- phy, Lander, Mary, William and Samuel Mur- phy; William Pike, Cynthia Pike and N. Pike.

From Germany: Mr. and Mrs. Kiesberger, or Keysburg, B. and L. S. Keysburg. Mrs. Wolfinger, Mr. Rhinehart. Mr. Spitzger and Carl Berger.

From Springfield, Ohio: Samuel Shoemaker. From Chicago, Illinois: C. T. Stanton.

At Independence the party laid in their sup- plies for the long journey across the plains. At that time it was absolutely necessary that emi- grants should travel together in large bodies in order to protect themselves from the Indians, and it was never safe to start until the grass had

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sufficiently grown to afford subsistence for the cattle.

Early in May the journey began from, Inde- pendence. No trouble was experienced until they came to Big Blue river, four miles above its mouth. They found the stream quite full, and had to provide themselves with rafts before crossing. Just before reaching this place, Mrs. Keyes, the mother of Mrs. Reed, became ill, and while here, on the morning of May 29, breathed her last. All work was suspended and each per- son vied with the other in rendering to her the last tribute of respect. A neat coffin was con- structed, the remains placed in it and buried on a beautiful elevation, near a burr-oak tree. Re- ligions services were conducted by a minister present with the party. The grave was sodded and the tree made to serve the purpose of a head- board. On it was cut the following inscription:

"Sarah Keys, aged 70 years. Died 29th May, 1846. From Springfield, Illinois."

At the foot, a coarse white stone, resembling marble, was placed, containing the words:

"Mrs. S. Keys. Aged 70 years."

Flowers and young cedars were placed at the head and foot of the grave.

Between Independence and Blue river the Reed and Donner party fell in with Colonel W. H. Russell and company, who had left Inde- pendence a few days before them. Passing Blue river, they all traveled together until they reach- ed Little Sandy river, where a separation took place, the majority of them going to Oregon; Colonel Russell heading the latter. The day after the separation the Reed and Donner party elected George Donner, Captain, and from that time it was known as the "Donner Company." They continued their journey up the valley of the Platte river, passing Fort Laramie and cross- ing the Rocky Mountains to Fort Bridger with- out any serious mishap. This had occupied the entire summer. They tarried at the Fort four days. Letters had been left here for the party, warning them against taking the Hasting's Cut- Off, and advising them to go by the Fort Hall route. The latter was an established and well known route, but much longer than the former, and required a detour to the northwest. The Hasting's Cut-Off passed through Webber's canyon to the south end of the great Salt Lake, near where the city of Salt Lake has since been built. This route being more direct and some three hundred miles shorter, was an inducement to emigrants to go that way. Unfortunately, the

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History of Sangamon County, Illinois, together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 38

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company Number of Pages: 1084

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Inter-state publishing company
Number of Pages: 1084