USA > Illinois > Stephenson County > History of Stephenson County, Illinois : a record of its settlement, organization, and three-quarters of a century of progress > Part 67
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KNOWLTON'S BANK.
Knowlton's Bank, the present firm name of which is Charles D. Knowlton, Banker, is an outgrowth of two other banking institutions which have also borne the popular name of "Knowlton's Bank." The first of these was estab- lished in 1869 by D. A. Knowlton, Sr., who had amassed a large fortune, and, in company with his sons, Dexter, Charles and Homer, established the banking business now conducted in this city, and in the neighboring village of Peca- tonica, under the name of D. A. Knowlton and Sons.
Upon his death, the Freeport business was taken in hand by Dexter A. and Charles D. Knowlton, who conducted the affairs of the bank under the firm name of Knowlton Brothers, until the death of the former, which occurred in 1905. The firm then became Charles D. Knowlton, Banker, which it has since remained.
The bank has always been known as one of the soundest and most pros- perous of the city. All of the gentlemen connected with it have been known as cautious and clear-headed financiers, who have preferred to do a small, safe, and honorable business, than a very large one. They have given their attention principally to first class investment securities and give particular attention to first mortgage loans upon real estate. They have themselves ben largely inter- ested in real estate within the city of Freeport. Homer W. Knowlton, a brother there is even an example of failure among the list. The life history of some of C. D. Knowlton, has long been the cashier of the Pecatonica Bank. Ezra Morse is cashier of the Freeport Bank.
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NON-EXISTENT BANKS.
There have been a surprisingly large number of banks which have lived for a short time and then, suddenly and sometimes unexpectedly, passed away. Some of them have been merged in others, some have been discontinued, and of these banks has been very interesting, but it is not our purpose to discuss them at any great length. Most of them flourished for a short time, and then went out of existence, leaving no impress or trace of their work in Freeport financial circles.
The first bank of Freeport was established twelve years before the National Bank was inaugurated. In the summer of 1851, when Freeport was scarcely the size of Lena at the present day, Taylor and Bronson opened their bank, which they called an "exchange office," on Stephenson street, near Chicago street, in the store now occupied by H. A. Huenkemeier's grocery. One year later, in 1852, James Mitchell, Freeport's pioneer banker, opened a bank on the site now occupied by Jungkunz' drug store. Four years later, Everett, Clark & Co. began to conduct a similar business on the western portion of the site now occupied by the Hotel Brewster. For a brief space, these three institutions represented the banking interests of the growing city. Then, in 1856, De Forest, Hyde & Co.'s banking office opened where the Second National Bank is housed today.
Taylor, Bronson & Co. had undergone certain changes in the meantime. Mr. Bronson removed to Rockford, and A. W. Rice continued the partnership with Mr. Taylor under the firm name of the Freeport Bank. In October, 1857, both the Freeport Bank and Everett, Clark & Co. succumbed to the wave of financial depression, known as the panic of 1857, which swept over the whole country with disastrous results.
After the banking circles of Freeport had somewhat recovered from the ill-fated crash of '57, James Mitchell became associated with Alexander Neely, of Belvidere, Illinois, and later with Holden Putnam, R. Richardson, of Boston, and A. Page, of Rutland, Vermont. For many years they did a prosperous business under the firm name of James Mitchell and Company. Their institu- tion was known as the Stephenson County Bank, and was located on the corner of Stephenson and Chicago streets. When, at the beginning of the Civil War, a call was issued for volunteers, Holden Putnam entered the service and was killed at the battle of Mission Ridge. From that time, Mr. Mitchell remained sole owner of the firm until January 1, 1874, when J. W. Neff became a partner. The death of Mr. Mitchell occurred in August of the same year, and his son, W. H. Mitchell took charge of the family interests in the bank, and became a partner with J. W. Neff. The business was continued under the firm name of James Mitchell & Co. until 1884, when, by mutual agreement, the partnership was dissolved, and the business discontinued.
De Forest, Hyde & Company remained in business under that firm name only a few weeks. At the end of that time, Mr. Hyde left the business, but Mr. De Forest and the other members of the firm continued until 1864, when their interests merged into the First National Bank.
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY
The Farmers' and Merchants' Bank was organized in May, 1892, by Esrom Mayer, who had been former cashier of the German Bank. At first the offices were located on Chicago street, but were subsequently removed to the corner of Stephenson and Chicago streets in the rooms now occupied by the clothing store of William O. Wright. The bank was capitalized at $100,000, and the first officers elected were: Ersom Mayer, president; J. H. Snyder, vice presi- dent; J. H. Brockmeier, cashier. After a very brief existence, lasting only a few years, the Farmers' and Merchants' Bank was discontinued.
This completes the list of Freeport's banks. Those which are now doing business are placed on the firmest sort of financial basis. The men in charge are possessed of both wealth and experience, and the banking facilities of the city are not surpassed by any other city of the same size in the state.
STEPHENSON COUNTY COURT AND BAR IN 1910.
Attorney J. A. Crane, the Nestor of the Stephenson county bar, holds the unique position of being in active practice to-day and of having been an attorney in the time of Turner, Sweet and Burchard. He has lived to see an entire change in the men about the court. In a reminiscent mood he spoke of the change of men and methods in a life-time of over fifty years at the bar. According to the venerable attorney, there has been a big change in method. In the early days there were only five or six reports; now the number runs into hundreds. Long lists of citations were impossible. Naturally, the issue depended then, in the ab- sence of citations, on the appeal of the attorney before judge and jury. This made the early attorneys great students of men. In the absence of tons of law books, the lawyers studied human nature. In selecting juries and in address- ing them, this knowledge of human nature was brought into play. These con- ditions afforded opportunity to men of great natural ability. It was a time when individuality and intuition played a strong part. Instead of spending days and weeks accumulating a mass of statistics, citations and authorities, the lawyers spent much less time and spent it in meditation, in outlining an appeal to the jury. As Mr. Crane says, "Then we knew the law and knew men; now, we are book- worms."
Mr. Crane was born in Southern Illinois. He was fortunate in having a remarkable teacher, a man who had come into the state as a civil engineer at the time when Illinois was building paper railroads all over the state. When the "bottom fell out," the civil engineer, having no railroads to build and a family to support, began teaching school, and young Crane was one of his students.
Mr. Crane was reared on a farm. On occasional trips to the city, he had observed the courts in session and the life of the lawyer appealed to him with a force that caused him to abandon farming. He graduated from Harvard Law School and took a post graduate course. His rise to prominence at the bar in Northwestern Illinois was rapid. He became the most successful criminal lawyer of his time. His clients considered themselves fortunate in securing his services.
To-day Mr. Crane has his office in the Wilcoxen block and is actively en- gaged in his practice. He is at his office early in the morning, while many pro- fessional men are yet in bed. He combines, more than any other man, the per- sonality of the early attorney with the wide reading of the later day lawyer.
JUDGE A. J. CLARITY
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY
Judge James H. Stearns, one of the oldest attorneys of Stephenson county, was born in New Hampshire in 1841. In 1862, he was graduated from Harvard College and located in Freeport in 1871. In 1876 he entered the law office of Judge J. M. Bailey and was admitted to the bar in 1878, and began practice as a member of the firm of Neff & Stearns. In 1880, he was city attorney. From 1889 to 1894, he was corporation counsel. In 1894, he was elected county judge. As a corporation lawyer and legal adviser, he has no superior. Associated with him at present is Hon. Oscar R. Zipf, with offices in the Old Colony building, formerly the German Insurance building.
Judge Henry C. Hyde was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1836, spent his boyhood on a farm in Winnebago County, Illinois, and was graduated from Beloit College in 1856. In 1859 he was admitted to the bar and began practice in Freeport. In 1860 he was elected city attorney, and in 1883 county judge. During his practice, Judge Hyde was ranked as an attorney of unusual judg- ment and legal learning. One son, James Hyde, is a lawyer in Chicago, and another, Henry M. Hyde, is editor of the Technical World and an author of note.
Michael Stoskopf was born in Freeport in 1846. He attended the public schools, studied law with Bailey and Neff and was admitted to the bar in 1873. He has been justice of the peace and was Master in Chancery for twelve years. He built up an extensive practice and was well known over Northern Illinois. He was elected to the state legislature in 1889 and in 1895. During the session of 1889, he was largely responsible for the passage of the bill authorizing a tax for library purposes. He opposed all measures inimical to the public welfare and won a reputation for unflinching integrity and fidelity to a public trust. He is a Mason, 33d degree of the A. A. S. R., a distinction accorded to only a few in each state. He is highly respected as a citizen and as an attorney.
W. N. Cronkrite was born in 1863. He was graduated from Knox College with honors in 1881. For three years he read law in the office of Hon. J. S. Cochran, and was admitted to the bar in 1884. From 1884 to 1886, he was bill clerk in the House of Representatives, being appointed by Hon. E. S. Haines.
In 1886, he was appointed deputy county clerk, which position he held for eight years. In 1894, he began the practice of his profession. In 1895, he was corporation counsel. He has acquired a wonderful mastery of precedents and authorities in common law and as an advocate, his ability before court and jury is highly respected by opponents. His career of sterling integrity and his mastery of law have won him a vast patronage and the confidence of the public.
Judge Oscar E. Heard was born in Harlem township in 1856. He was grad- uated from the Freeport High School in 1874, completed his education in North- western University and was admitted to the bar in 1878, after studying in the law office of Hon. James S. Cochran. In 1884, he was elected state's attorney and held that position for sixteen years. Although a young man, he was remark- ably successful as state's attorney, fighting many great battles and contending successfully against the best legal talent of Northen Illinois.
In 1903, he was elected judge of the Circuit Court, and in this position has won a reputation for fair dealing and a thorough understanding of the law. He
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has been called to sit on the bench in Chicago during crowded terms of the courts of the great city and has acquitted himself admirably.
In 1909 Judge Heard was re-elected for six years.
The circuit includes Stephenson, Jo Daviess, Carroll, Lee and Ogle counties. With Judge Heard are associated Judge James B. Baum, of the Appellate Court, and Judge Richard S. Farrand, of the Circuit Court.
The settlement of the estate of the German Insurance Company, by Judge Heard, was the biggest judicial work ever undertaken in the county. The ex- pedition with which Judge Heard handled this case broke all records for closing up large estates and won from the receiver, Mr. Niblack, vice-president of the Chicago Title and Trust Company, the highest commendation.
ยท Judge Heard has served on the Board of Education, the Library Board and is a 33d degree Mason.
Hon. Douglas Pattison was born in Freeport in 1870. In 1889 he was grad- uated from the Freeport High School and after spending a year or so in Mr. Stoskopf's law office, entered the University of Michigan, completing both Lib- eral Arts and Law Courses. He began the practice of law immediately. In 1892, he stumped the county and was appointed deputy circuit clerk. He soon won great popularity in the Democratic party and was nominated and elected to the legislature in 1904. In the legislature he soon won a strong following in the minority party and was honored by being selected minority leader. In 1908, he was a candidate for the nomination for governor on the Democratic ticket.
The present state's attorney is Hon. Louis Hood Burrell, whose education was received in the Freeport High School, Beloit Preparatory School, and with the class of "'93" at Yale. He studied law in the office of Oscar E. Heard, then state's attorney, and was admitted to the bar November 4, 1897. Mr. Burrell served nine months in the Spanish-American war. In 1900, he was elected state's attorney and soon became a popular and trusted official and was re-elected in 1904 and 1908 by large majorities. Mr. Burrell is an orator of unusual ability, is much sought as a public speaker and has won remarkable success as a lawyer, being strong before a jury because of his direct and straightforward method of hand- ling cases. While making an exceptional record as state's attorney, probably his greatest success and that which meant much to the county, was his investiga- tion and prosecution of the bridge graft cases.
Mr. Burrell is a member of the State Bar Association, member of the Ma- sonic and I. O. O. F. orders and is commander-in-chief of Freeport Consistory.
County Judge A. J. Clarity, who is finishing his second term, is a lawyer and jurist of marked ability. He has the confidence of all parties and all classes of people. One of his greatest services to the people and one in which probably he takes the greatest pride, is the Juvenile Court work. In dealing with de- linquent children, Judge Clarity has always shown a rare combination of sym- pathy and judgment. In this work he has co-operated with the Juvenile Court League and with the schools. Besides court cases, the judge deals with many delinquents individually. Many of these report to him once a week and he has secured good positions for a number of boys. So successful has been this work, that Judge Clarity has been called the "Ben Lindsay" of Freeport.
John A. Clark
James I. Neff
Joseph M. Bailey
Edward P. Barton
PROMINENT ATTORNEYS OF FREEPORT
LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY
INSTITUTIONS OF FREEPORT.
THE Y. M. C. A .; THE PUBLIC LIBRARY; THE SETTLEMENT HOME; HOSPITALS; THE CEMETERY.
Y. M. C. A.
The history of the local branch of the Young Men's Christian Association is in reality the history of three distinct organizations. No less than three serious attempts, inaugurated and fostered by different individuals, were made to found a Y. M. C. A. before success was finally attained. As early as 1868 an associa- tion was organized, but it lasted only four unsatisfactory years. Again in 1876 another movement was begun, and a society formed which lasted for five years. In 1882 the Y. M. C. A. was again reorganized and the present strong and effi- cient association dates from that time.
The first association was the outcome of a convention of Stephenson County Sunday schools which met in Freeport in 1868 to discuss plans for the founda- tion of an organization for the young men of the city. The famous evangelist, D. L. Moody, was present at this memorable meeting, and the action taken by the convention was in the main adopted at his suggestion. He proposed' that a young man's society be formed with the avowed object of "extending a home, en- tertainment, education, and Christian fellowship to every young man in the city, regardless of race, color, or pecuniary circumstances." The work was at once taken up with great enthusiasm, and it seemed that the organization would prosper.
At first a suite of rooms over the room then occupied by Maynard's Dry Goods Store was secured, and the work was immediately begun, for the most part along religious lines. The first president of the local society was R. B. Currier, and for a time no local secretary was employed. In the winter of 1869 a secretary was secured, in the person of a city missionary, who pointed his labors altogether in the direction of religious betterment.
Perhaps due to the lack of a general secretary, perhaps because of the lack of a definite aim or system, the first Y. M. C. A. never flourished. The original organizers were enthusiastic and energetic enough, but they were inexperienced and could neither effect the thoroughness nor completeness of organization that later endeavors succeeded in accomplishing. The association was not very well supported by the townspeople, and the ardor of the founders began to cool. After leading a precarious and shaky existence for four years, the machinery collapsed and the Young Men's Christian Association of Freeport became a mat- ter of history.
No sooner had the association ceased to exist than a crying need for it began to be felt. In less than two years after the first failure, in 1876, to be exact, a second association was formed and the name of the Y. M. C. A. again resusci- tated. The organizers on this occasion were largely the influential German citizens of Freeport, and C. R. Bickenbach was by them elected president. New club rooms were rented on the southeast corner of Stephenson and Van Buren streets over the rooms now occupied by the State Bank. Here again the asso-
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY
ciation pursued a somewhat uncertain career, although in the main more suc- cessful than the first society. But it also was doomed to failure. In January, 1881, occurred a disastrous fire which totally destroyed the contents of the Y. M. C. A. rooms, including their furniture and valuable documents. Under the cir- cumstances it was thought impossible to continue and so the second Y. M. C. A. passed out of existence after only five years of history.
In the next year, 1882, the citizens began to reflect on what had occurred, and a third attempt was decided upon. On the 29th of May of that year a small but enthusiastic circle of workers met in the parlors of the First Presbyterian church and effected a reorganization. So thoroughly was their work accom- plished, and so satisfactorily did the events which followed tend to build up the Y. M. C. A. that it has since that time continued to live without ever a thought of abandonment.
About fifty men were instrumental in the organization of the present society, each of whom signed the approved constitution and paid the membership fee of $1.00. They elected as officers : President, Professor C. C. Snyder; vice-presi- dent, I. F. Kleckner; second vice-president, C. R. Bickenbach; corresponding secretary, E. B. Winger; recording secretary, W. A. Merifield ; treasurer, A. H. Barshinger; directors at large, Jacob Williams, E. B. Winger, and F. A. Jayne.
The new officers showed that they had the situation in their grasp and knew what was needed when they made it one of their first acts to engage a local gen- eral secretary. The first man to fill this position was F. G. Perkins, who stayed a little less than a year and resigned in 1883 to be succeeded by W. W. Smith.
During the seven years of Mr. Smith's residence the association was wonder- fully increased in numbers and activity. It was Mr. Smith who first effected a broadening of the society's work and introduced the department of physical ed- ucation. The original purpose had been supposedly fourfold : "To extend a home, entertainment, education and Christian fellowship" to the young men of the city. But the first three aims had been entirely neglected. Mr. Smith now pro- posed to revive them, and to this end he succeeded in raising enough money to remodel the rooms and add a gymnasium. Mr. Smith was a man of pleasing personality and great enthusiasm, and made a very large number of friends during his stay in Freeport. In November, 1889, he left to go to another as- sociation, and was followed by three temporary secretaries : C. R. Bradley, J. A. Schaad and W. L. Cahoon. A permanent local secretary was then secured in the person of J. P. Bailey, who came to the local society in June, 1891.
During Mr. Smith's stay the new Y. M. C. A. building was built-a great credit not only to the association itself and the men connected with it, but to the city at large and especially the membership of the churches who contributed so liberally toward the erection. After the reorganization in 1882 the Y. M. C. A. had occupied rooms over Emmert and Burrell's (now Emmert's) drug store, where it remained until the completion of its own building. Several individ- uals had at various times suggested the purchase or erection of a Y. M. C. A. building, but none had been seriously considered. The first moment of serious consideration came in April, 1885, when E. E. Brown, at that time assistant state secretary, presented the local officers with a ten dollar bill which he said was to be the foundation of the building fund. Even then it took two years for
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Y. M. C. A. BUILDING
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LIUKARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY
a final determination to be made, although the ladies' auxiliary worked faithfully in the meantime and succeeded in raising nearly $1,000. At that time the city council voted to furnish the stone for the basement and first story of the build- ing in case it should furnish quarters for the city library. The German Insur- ance Company also presented the sum of $1,000. The lot on the corner of Walnut and Stephenson streets, which had been occupied many years before by the First Presbyterian Church before it moved to its present site, was pur- chased from Isaac Zartman, and on October 19, 1888, the cornerstone was laid. During the following year the building was completed at a cost of $26,000 and opened on October 6, 1889, by a meeting conducted by the evangelist E. W. Bliss, preparatory to a series of revival services conducted by D. L. Moody, who had at that time returned to the city. The cost of. the building had been much more than the builders had contemplated and for several years after the com- pletion it was burdened by a heavy debt. Then, through the services of the Ministers' Association, principally due to the efforts of the Rev. Edgar P. Hill, a sufficient sum was secured to cover the entire indebtedness.
A month after the completion of the structure, Secretary Smith left the city, and no permanent secretary filled his place until the coming of J. P. Bailey in 1891. Mr. Bailey was succeeded by J. P. Burdge, who stayed until 1896, then resigned and was followed by H. L. Sawyer. When Mr. Sawyer accepted a call elsewhere, the Rev. J. H. Keagle, formerly pastor of Trinity Church, and now located at Cedarville, accepted the position of secretary. He was an able and energetic worker and under his direction a great deal of good was accom- plished.
In 1900 Mr. Keagle was succeeded by J. E. Heilman, under whose direction the association remained until 1904. In that year J. L. Rogers came to take charge. He remained only a short time. During his stay the building was somewhat remodelled, and a swimming pool was added. He was succeeded by R. C. Smedley, who departed last year to be followed for a short term by Will Anderson and then by A. L. Mayer, who is at present acting as general secre- tary. A. R. Buffin has for some years officiated as boys' secretary, and C. E. Smith is at present physical director of the institution.
A number of changes have been made in the building since it was built. The structure is three stories in height, the basement and first story being built of native white limestone, and the upper stories of red brick with white stone trimmings. The basement originally contained dressing rooms and a gymnasium together with the public library rooms, the first floor, the auditorium, general offices and reading and association rooms. Since the moving of the public library, a swimming pool has been installed in the basement and the gymnasium moved to the first floor in the space formerly occupied by the auditorium.
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