USA > Illinois > Stephenson County > History of Stephenson County, Illinois : a record of its settlement, organization, and three-quarters of a century of progress > Part 66
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Major E. A. Duncan, formely of Sherman's Staff, says of General Smith D. Atkins: "The battle of Macon, or what is called Walnut Creek, was a cavalry engagement, fought by one of Kirkpatrick's Brigades under the com- mand of Colonel S. D. Atkins, of the 92d Illinois Mounted Infantry. This gallant officer with his little brigade fought the whole of Crew's division, and not only fought them, but whipped them-capturing nine pieces of artillery. The rout of the enemy was complete. For gallantry and soldierly bearing on this occasion, General Sherman recommended Colonel Atkins to the Secretary of the War for promotion. The promotion was made and no setting, however rich, ever became the jewel it contained more worthily than did his broad shoulders become the stars that gemmed them."
In 1865 General Atkins was appointed postmaster and has served in that capacity to the present day with the exception of the eight years of democratic rule by Grover Cleveland. During most of that time he has been editor and chief proprietor of the Freeport Journal. In county, state and national politics he has been a leader for fifty years. His editorials are more widely quoted than any other in Illinois. He is author of the iHstory of the Ninety-Second Illi-
O. H. Wright
William O. Wright
James Mitchell
John H. Addams
PROMINENT BUSINESS MEN OF FREEPORT
LICMARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY
nois Regiment. He was a member of the Chickamauga National Commission. He has always been a man of decided opinions, of unquestioned integrity and fidelity in fifty years of public service. He is the most widely known citizen of Stephenson County, and has enjoyed the personal acquaintance of most of the great men of the United States from Lincoln to Roosevelt-the only resi- dent of Stephenson County whose name is in "Who's who in America." Begin- ning as a farmer's boy he has been successful as lawyer, soldier, editor, author, in politics and in business. At the age of 75 he is still in active life, a grand old man whose happiest moments are in his home with his grandchildren upon his knees.
Mayor W. T. Rawleigh is one of the best known city officials in Illinois. He is giving Freeport one of the very best business administrations it has ever en- joyed. Mr. Rawleigh is a business man of unusual ability. Twenty years ago he began here without capital and today conducts probably the largest business in the county, with large four and six story buildings covering over half a block with over three acres of floor space. He employs over two hundred people in his plant and has over one thousand two hundred retail wagons carrying the trade over established routes in almost all the states of the Union. Besides being presi- dent and treasurer of this large business, Mr. Rawleigh is a director in the German Bank, mayor of Freeport, proprietor and editor of the Freeport Stand- ard. He has been honored by being elected president of the Citizens' Commer- cial Association and commander of the Sons of Veterans. Because of his suc- cessful and aggressive leadership, he is in demand as an official and speaker at meetings of the mayors of Illinois, and is now a candidate for the position of representative in the Illinois State Legislature. No man is readier than he to aid with time, influence and money in building up the city of Freeport. He is a demon for that work and by being methodical, he is able to deal successfully with all his vast interests successfully.
WHOLESALE HOUSES.
Guyer & Calkins. One of the most important commercial firms of Freeport is the wholesale grocery establishment of Guyer & Calkins. Since the establish- ment of the company in 1901, the business has been steadily and appreciably in- creasing, until at the present time the company has both a reputation and a prof- itable trade, extending over a wide territory.
Before the founding of the Guyer & Calkins Company, the wholesale grocery business was for a short time carried on by Clement & Calkins. The firm was dissolved in 1901, and the present company formed, Mr. Clement going into the real estate and land business.
The large warehouses of the company are located at 23, 25 and 27 Liberty street, near Galena. They are supplemented by three other buildings and ware- houses, which are utilized for carrying on the business. The tracks of the Illi- nois Central and Chicago & Northwestern Railroads lead directly to the factory, thus facilitating the loading and unloading of goods.
Many of the goods handled, especially the brands of canned goods, are put up under the direct supervision of the house, and thereby attain a degree of ex-
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cellence unapproached by most varieties of tinned goods on the market. Nine traveling salesmen are employed constantly by the company, who cover a large territory in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. The officers of the com- pany are : President, H. L. Guyer ; vice-president, Fred Dorman ; secretary and treasurer, W. L. Calkins.
Bowler & Jones. The Bowler & Jones firm is of recent origin, but the com- panies which preceded it, date back many years. The business now carried on by Bowler & Jones was established in 1852, by the late J. B. Taylor, who con- ducted it until 1888. He then sold out to Brigham, Bowler & Co., who remained proprietors for eleven years. In 1899, this company was succeeded by the pres- ent firm, Bowler & Jones, consisting of Colonel H. S. Bowler and L. W. Jones, who have since conducted the business.
The firm, which deals with the wholesale saddlery and leather goods busi- ness, maintains offices and a warehouse in a three story brick building at 41 and 43 Stephenson street. Floor space equivalent to 120 x 360 feet is used, and the company manufactures custom-made harness, strap work and collars. They are also jobbers of saddlery hardware, shoe findings and leather. Bowler & Jones carry a very large stock, and are the largest saddlery house west of Chicago. Two traveling salesmen are employed, who cover Iowa, Wisconsin and part of Illinois.
FREEPORT REAL ESTATE BUSINESS.
The first house in Freeport was built by William Baker in 1835 on the Peca- tonica River. The first undertaking in the town was a real estate business. In 1835 a real estate company known as Baker, Kirkpatrick, Galbraith & Com- pany was organized and laid claim to a large part of the territory now occu- pied by the city. Early in 1836 a town was laid out by the company in the north part of the southeast portion of section 31. The Indian half-breeds had been granted the right to select land in any part of the unoccupied territory they might choose. One of these, Mary Myott, selected a claim on section 31 as soon as it was known that the company had laid out the town. Baker, Kirkpatrick, Galbraith & Company then moved the town stakes farther west. This early real estate company was enterprising and besides putting up several buildings and selling lots in 1836, secured in 1837 the location of the county seat by donating the courthouse lot and giving a bonus of $6,500. About this time a map was gotten up boosting Freeport. The map was in colors and showed a prosperous village along a beautiful river, the Pecatonica, on which there was shown a large steamboat. Unlike many of the "paper" towns laid out at this time, Freeport made good, settlers came in large numbers and various forms of business began in a substantial way. Although the hopes of the promoters of making a "port" of importance here were never realized, yet in other ways the town prospered.
This development of the town and city was largely due to the quality of the settlers. The progressive nature of the men of the older eastern states, was sup- plemented by the industry, economy and thrift of the German element. Many of the first settlers were men of small means, but were wise enough to place their savings in real estate. These holdings became additions to Freeport, and
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY
as the town grew in population and real estate values rose, several family for- tunes were made.
One of the first, if not the first, was the O. H. Wright holdings in the 3rd ward. This was extended and has since been known as the William O. Wright additions. John A. Clark laid out the Winneshiek addition. Judge Purinton was owner of a valuable addition in the third ward that still bears his name. Probably the largest holder of real estate was Dexter A. Knowlton, Sr. in that part of Free- port now known as Knowlton's first, second and third additions. Seven degrees to the south lay Pattison's addition, and Colonel T. J. Turner owned the addition on what is now Addison street. Martin P. Sweet's addition was west of Turners and was valuable property. North of Turner's was Ordway's addition. Burch- ard's addition is on Lincoln avenue. The early real estate men did for their day what the present real estate men are doing for theirs-they laid out their prop- erty in town lots, made improvements and aided materially in building up the town.
Among the later additions that have been laid out, improved and partly built up are the following: The Arcade addition about the Arcade Manufacturing plant ; Taylor's Park and Lichtenberger's addition in East Freeport; the Shoe Factory addition, Zartman's, Burchard's, Wise and the Organ Factory ad- dition in West Freeport; Saxby Heights addition and -?-.
The city has grown along the lines laid out by these real estate leaders. The various additions have afforded a means of expansion for a growing city and in connection with the excellent building and loan associations, has made Free- port a city of homes.
Today, no phase of the city's activity is better prepared for that advancement all look forward to in the next ten years than the real estate holdings. There is ample room for expansion south, west and east, with an abundance of splendid additions, with good drainage facilities and a beautiful outlook. The rapid de- velopment of Freeport industries is sure to bring an increasing population and the demand for lots will find an ample supply. The only thing lacking, which now seems assured, is the extension of the street railway system. With normal financial and industrial conditions and the extension of the street railway, Freeport should reach the 30,000 mark in 1920. The Citizens Commercial Asso- ciation is well organized and ably officered and is already making great strides in this direction. The Building and Loan Associations are playing an important part in this progressive movement.
THE UNION BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATION.
The name of this old and established organization was recently changed to the Union Loan and Savings Association. It was incorporated in June, 1883, and has been doing a satisfactory business for 27 years. The first officials were : President, L. Z. Farwell; Vice President, J. W. Henney ; Treasurer, C. O. Coll- man; Secretary, Urias M. Mayer.
The authorized capital of the association is five million dollars. The com- pany loans on first mortgage real estate only. The object of the association is to create and foster habits of economy, to provide homes for each of its members
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY
at the least possible cost and invest their savings where they are best secured and are most productive.
The present officials are: President, J. N. Galloway ; Vice President, F. E. Schaeffer; Treasurer, S. H. Webster; Secretary, Esrom Mayer. The company has one of the finest offices in the city in the Frueh building, Stephenson street, and is doing a large business.
THE FREEPORT BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATION.
One of the most substantial organizations in Freeport is the Freeport Build- ing and Loan Association. This association has just issued its sixty-seventh quarterly statement showing that during the last quarter 748 shares of install- ment stock were sold. The company is in its seventeenth year and is doing an excellent business to the entire satisfaction of its many patrons.
The association was organized November 1, 1892, with the following officials : President, A. Bergman; Vice President, L. M. De Vore ; Treasurer, D. C. Stover ; Secretary, Louis Dickes. Mr. Dickes served as secretary for thirteen years.
The present officials are: President, Louis Dickes; Vice President, Jacob Klein; Treasurer, H. H. Antrim; Attorney, W. N. Cronkrite; Secretary, C. F. Hildretlı. Mr. Hildreth has been secretary for five years. He is a business man of extraordinary ability and energy, and under his management the company is doing a rapidly increasing business.
THE GERMAN BUILDING AND LOAN ASSOCIATION OF FREEPORT.
Though only two years old the German building and Loan Association of Freeport is enjoying a healthy growth, and promises to be one of the successful associations doing business in Freeport. The object is the accumulation of funds to be loaned among its members. Its capital stock shall be one million dollars, divided into shares of $100 each.
The association was organized and incorporated August 4, 1908, and began business in August that year. The officials then elected still hold office as follows : President, M. Hettinger; Vice President, T. K. Best; Secretary, T. A. Secher; Treasurer, L. R. Jungkunz ; Toorney, Douglas Pattison.
THE GERMAN INSURANCE COMPANY.
The old German Insurance Company of Freeport has passed into the history and with its passing went one of the great business enterprises organized and developed in the county of Stephenson. It alone gave Freeport a national reputation. It paid large dividends to capitalists who held its stock and fur- nished an abundance of work for the publishing houses, increased our postoffice business and afforded employment to a large number of citizens.
Freeport has been a well known insurance town for sixty years. The Ste- phenson County Insurance Co. was organized in 1853, the Farmers' in 1857. Columbia of 1861 lasted two years. The Continental closed up after reinsuring in Chicago. The State and several other's were chartered but did not open for
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY
business. The United States ran from 1865 to 1869. The Winneshiek chartered in 1861, issued no less than 50,000 policies. Among its stockholders were: U. S. Grant, Benjamin F. Butler, Simon Cameran, John A. Logan and others. The law of 1869 put it out of business. The Protection Life had an auspicious beginning but after two years came to ruin.
The German was organized February 16, 1865, under title as the Freeport Insurance Company, by A. H. Stone, W. J .. McKinna, A. M. Lawver and George P. Kingsley. The franchise was purchased by D. Kuehner, L. Ashendorf, Richard Meyer and William Wassenberg in 1866. July, 1866, Mathias Het- tinger was elected president; December, 1867, Fred Gund, Sr., was elected secretary, in which capacity he served for years. The company prospered and in 1897 built the large building at the corner of Exchange and Galena avenue, now the Old Colony Building. By 1900 the German was doing a nation wide business and was universally conceded to be one of the soundest companies doing business in America. Connected with the German for years were such men as C. O. Collman, William Trembor, Henry Baier, D. S. Schulte. For the last few years of its existence Mr. Fred Gund was secretary. He was rec- ognized as one of the most competent insurance men in the country, and the German was riding a high wave of prosperity when in a day it was shaken to its foundations and forced into the hands of a receiver by the San Francisco earthquake and fire. The "Insurance Trust" that had been fighting the German aided in its speedy ruin. In spite of all efforts to save the company, it closed out the Royal and went out of business in 1907.
Mr. Fred Gund, now at the head of the Williamsburg's western department, is building up a large business in the Old Colony building.
BANKS OF FREEPORT.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK.
The First National Bank of Freeport was organized on February 24, 1864, with a capital stock of $50,000. At that time the following officers were elected : President, George F. DeForest; cashier, Esrom Mayer; directors, W. P. Mal- burn, L. L. Munn, O. B. Bidwell, C. J. Fry, Esrom Mayer, G. F. DeForest and L. F. Burrell. A little more than a year later, on the 10th of March, 1865, the capital stock was increased to $100,000, with a surplus of $25,000. The same officers remained in charge of the institution until 1870. At that time, O. B. Bidwell became president. He remained in charge until the time of his death, which occurred January, 1909, and has since been succeeded by his son, Addi- son Bidwell.
Upon Mr. Bidwell's election to the presidency, Geo. F. DeForest, the first president, became cashier, and retained that position until his death in 1883. He was succeeded by Aaron H. Barshinger, who died in 1891, and was suc- ceeded by Addison Bidwell. Mr. Bidwell filled the position until he became president last year, and was succeeded by J. Manly Clark, with John T. Hin- derks as assistant cashier.
In 1883, the first charter of the bank, which had been taken out for twenty years, expired, and the house was re-chartered for a like period, under the
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY
name of the Freeport National Bank, and with the following officers: O. B. Bidwell, president; O. B. Sanford, vice president; A. H. Barshinger, cashier ; John Burrell, O. B. Bidwell, C. H. Little, W. O. Wright and O. B. Sanford, directors. The capital and surplus then amounted to $166,000, and the affairs of the bank were in a most prosperous condition. Four years after the taking out of the second charter, by consent of the comptroller of currency, the bank was permitted to take its first name, and again became the First National Bank, of Freeport.
The First National Bank is one of the leading, as it is the oldest banking house of the city. The firm is capitalized at $150,000. The surplus and profits amount to $120,000, with an additional stockholders' liability of $150,000, mak- ing a total responsibility of $420,000. The officers are: President, Addison Bidwell; vice president, W. O. Wright; cashier, J. Manly Clark; assistant cash- ier, John T. Hinderks; directors, C. H. Little, W. O. Wright, Boyd P. Hill, Joseph Emmert, John Burrell, Addison Bidwell.
SECOND NATIONAL BANK.
The Second National Bank of Freeport opened its doors for business less than three months after the First National Bank had set out on its career. The former commenced business in May, 1864, and its rival institution had then been in existence since February of the same year. Like the First National Bank, it was capitalized at $50,000, and in less than a year it was raised, first to $75,000, then, within a year, to $100,000. In 1883, the original charter expired, and the bank was immediately re-chartered. On the expiration of that charter in 1903, another charter was taken out.
John H. Addams, of Cedarville, was the first president of the Second Na- tional Bank. He was one of the founders of the establishment, and retained his office as head of the concern as long as he lived. His death occurred on August 17, 1881, and A. H. Wise was immediately chosen to succeed him. Mr. Wise's health was poor, and he found the duties of his position too arduous for him. After a brief season in office, he resigned, and his place was filled by M. Lawver. After a short term of service, he too resigned, and Dr. F. W. Hance was called upon to become president. Dr. Hance tried the experiment for a short time, but he very soon found that his duties as president of a bank interefered seriously with his professional labors. As a result, the office fell vacant again. Jacob Krohn was thereupon persuaded to assume the office, and he satisfactorily filled it until his death, which occurred in 1902. At that time, M. V. B. Elson was the logical candidate for successor, and thus the position fell to him.
Alexander Stone was the first cashier of the Second National Bank. In a single year he retired, and was succeeded by L. W. Guiteau. Mr. Guiteau re- tained the position for a number of years, and upon his death in 1880, J. Brown Taylor took the office. He was followed by Horace Webster. Upon his death, D. F. Graham, of the German Bank, became a stockholder in the Second Na- tional, and assumed the duties of cashier. He still occupies the position.
A short time ago the affairs of the Second National were re-organized. Coincident with this, an improvement and rehabilitation of the banking offices
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY
took place. The interior was remodelled and re-decorated and the old bank on the corner of Stephenson and Van Buren streets was made to look like a new institution. New furniture was installed, new offices and private rooms par- titioned off, and the whole given an appearance of shiny newness.
The Second National is one of the most popular of Freeport's banks. The bank is now capitalized at $100,000, with a surplus of $20,000. The officers are : President, M. V. B. Elson ; vice president, L. Z. Farwell ; cashier, David F. Graham; directors, M. V. B. Elson, L. Z. Farwell, D. F. Graham, Reuben Sieg- fried, J. L. Meyers, J. H. Graham, E. A. Blust, Geo. Ennenga.
GERMAN BANK.
The German Bank was originally a private banking institution under the name of Hettinger, Collman Brothers and Company, and was founded by five of Freeport's prominent German citizens : M. Hettinger; Sr., C. O. Collman, A. Collman, D. B. Schulte and Fred Gund. In May, 1876, the project was first started, and on the twentieth of that month formally organized with a nominal capital of $20,000. The business was conducted in a conservative, but success- ful manner, and before long the institution was prospering wonderfully.
Within a few years, the bank was christened the "German Bank," but the firm remained Hettinger, Collman Brothers & Company. On the first day of January, 1894, the German Bank was incorporated as a state bank under the laws of the state of Illinois, with a capital of $150,000 and the following officers : President, C. O. Collman; vice president, M. Hettinger, Jr .; cashier, D. F. Graham; assistant cashier, Louis R. Jungkunz ; directors, C. O. Collman, D. B. Schulte, J. W. Henney, John Fosha, John Sullivan, M. Hettinger, Jr., and J. S. Collman. On the first of January, 1895, M. Hettinger, Jr., retired from the business, and C. E. Meyer became director. A few years ago, D. F. Gra- ham, who had long acted as cashier, resigned to accept a like position with the Second National Bank. His place was thereupon filled by Louis R. Jungkunz, who had for some time acted as assistant cashier.
The present officers are : President, C. O. Collman; vice president, John S. Collman ; cashier, Louis R. Jungkunz; directors, C. O. Collman, J. S. Collman, D. B. Schulte, Wm. Trembor, W. N. Cronkrite, W. T. Rawleigh.
The German is one of the most prosperous banking houses of Freeport. The offices are located on the corner of Chicago and Stephenson streets, where they have been for many years. A short time ago they were refurnished and re- modelled and now present an attractive and modern appearance. The capital of the German Bank is $150,000, with undivided profits amounting to over $100,000.
STATE BANK.
The State Bank is Freeport's youngest banking house, and although of comparatively recent organization, has attained a degree of prosperity and sub- stantial growth, not at all commensurate with the short period of its existence. The bank was, however, organized under most auspicious circumstances, and by a circle of the ablest financiers that Freeport can name among its citizens. It
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY
has always enjoyed a reputation for security, and careful management, and was for a long time presided over by the late D. C. Stover, who was at the head of three of the largest manufacturing concerns of the city.
In August, 1891, the State Bank, was first chartered under the banking laws of the state of Illinois, with the following officers: D. C. Stover, president ; . R. G. Shumway and Henry Baier, vice presidents; H. H. Antrim, cashier ; Henry Dorman, assistant cashier; D. C. Stover, Dr. W. S. Caldwell, Wm. H. Wagner, L. M. Devore, Henry Baier, Fred Dorman, Jacab Schaetzel, R. G. Shumway and Louis Fosha, directors.
For many years the list of officers and board of directors remained un- changed. Then some vacancies were caused by death, and today the list stands as follows : President, Fred Dorman ; vice president, Henry Baier ; cashier, H. H. Antrim; directors, A. S. Held; J. F. Smith, F. W. Hoefer, J. H. Stealy, H. H. Antrim, Fred Dorman, W. H. Wagner, Henry Baier, Homer F. Aspinwall, Walter D. Mack.
When the State Bank was organized, the establishment was capitalized at $125,000. The present capital is the same with a surplus of $133,000. The bank does business on the corner of Stephenson and Van Buren streets where they have been ever since the founding of the firm. The State Bank is managed by an efficient and cautious board of directors, and enjoys a well earned repu- tation in the community.
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