USA > Illinois > Vermilion County > History of Vermilion County, together with historic notes on the Northwest, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and other authentic, though, for the most part, out-of-the-way sources > Part 44
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DANVILLE TOWNSHIP.
test of the fight, where they were actually "shooting balls." Captain Carnahan, recognizing his danger and not thinking that it was neces- sary to sacrifice a "war governor" that victory might be assured, advised the governor to get behind a fallen tree, and held his horse for him until the rebel attack was repulsed. Governor Yates felt grateful for the Captain's aid, and rapid promotion soon followed. When the regiment reinlisted as veterans, Captain Carnahan was assigned to the duty of filling up the regiment, and received the appointment of lien- tenant-colonel ; was promoted colonel, and at the close of hostilities retired to private life after a short Indian campaign, as general. Some- how he connects his good fortune with that little incident at Port Gib- son. In writing the " History of Livingston County " the writer failed to make proper mention of the services of one of her most gallant soldiers, for the reason that in the adjutant-general's report his resi- dence was put down at Danville. Ignorant of the facts then, he desires here to make the only amends in his power to make. No truer soldier or more accomplished officer ever went into the service of his country from that county, and his comrades in arms unite in saying that his promotion was based upon better reasons than the accident of his saving a war governor from a chance rebel bullet. Livingston county having failed to take the credit of his loyal service, Vermilion county will assume it.
.
ELLSWORTH COAL SHAFT.
The following figures are taken from the last annual report of the county inspector of mines, June, 1879 : Number of shafts, 15; number of drifts, 14; number of slopes, 3; number of strip banks, 22; number of men employed, 325; number of mules and horses employed. 100; 22
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
number of tons raised in 1878, 200,000, which at four cents per bushel is $200,000.
BUSINESS.
The Illinois Printing Company was organized under the laws of the state in 1874,- it being a continuation, so far as its business is con- cerned, of the printing firm of G. W. Flynn & Co., and the " Danville News." Capital, 850.000. Its business is the carrying on of the printing business, the publication of the " Danville News." a daily morning paper with a weekly edition : the printing and binding of county blanks and records, railroad printing, fair and show printing in all its forms, and everything pertaining to the "art preservative." G. W. Flynn is president and manager ; W. R. Jewell is vice-president and editor, and J. H. Woodmansee, secretary and treasurer. The com- pany has a fine building built expressly for the business, and is pro- vided with all latest improved machinery for so large a business. They have the Taylor, Hoe, Gordon and Colter presses. employ about forty hands, and propose to conduct stereotyping as a branch of their business.
The "Danville Commercial" Company was organized under the state law by J. C. Short & Co., for the purpose of publishing the " Danville Commercial," and carring on a general printing business. Several changes have been made in its officers, but its business has continued to be the same. It publishes the " Daily Commercial " and a weekly edi- tion, carries on a regular printing business in all its branches, has a full supply of all that goes to make up a first-class printing house. In 1874. J. C. Short & Co. having disposed of what stock they still held in the company, a reorganization took place, and A. Harper was elected president ; Park T. Martin, secretary and editor, and later, Mr. A. J. Adams became business manager. Under the management of these gentlemen, who have had large experience in the printing and publish- ing business, a thriving business is being carried on.
The Great Western Machine and Engine Shops are at present be- ing carried on by Mr. R. Pollard, doing a general machine and foundry business, steam and gas-fitting, and engine and boiler making. His buildings and shops are near the Wabash railway depot, and built of briek, with sixty-two feet front on Depot street and one hundred on the railroad,- the pattern shop being two stories. Frisbie & Williams began this business in 1865, and in 1869 J. V. Logne bought Williams' interest, and it continued under the name of Frisbie, Logue & Co. until 1874. During this time and until the " panic." a large and lucra- tive business was carried on in stationary and portable engines, castings, house-fronts, railroad work, and all the various branches of the trade. Abont thirty hands were employed, and often it was necessary to run
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DANVILLE TOWNSHIP.
night and day to fill orders. Thompson & Pollard purchased the works in 1874, and the business was becoming again prosperous and pressing, when Mr. Thompson's death, recently, made a change in the firm name only.
William Stewart is carrying on a general foundry and machine shop near the Junction. The foundry and blacksmith shop is 40× 75, brick. The buildings were all burned but the pattern shop last year, and the machine shop has not yet been rebuilt, but will be another year, 60 x 80. of brick. Mr. Stewart is the successor of Reynolds & Stewart, has $5,000 capital invested in the business, and employs about fifteen hands.
D. Force commenced the carriage making business here about 1867. His shops are at the west end of Main street, where the town began. He makes only fine work - carriages, spring wagons and sleighs. Ile ocenpies seven shops, and employs on an average sixteen hands. His market is principally at home, although he has formerly found market for some in Texas.
William Whitehill, whose shops are in the same vicinity, carries on a similar line of business, and employs eleven hands usually, and like Mr. Force, finds sale for most of his work at home where it is best known.
William Grabs carries on the steam bottling works in his shop on West Main street.
Morris, Hurley & Co., cabinet makers and builders, are established in the old " Grange Store " east of the railroad.
J. Miller & Son are engaged in making cabinet, parlor and church organs. Mr. Miller has been engaged in the business thirty years. In 1875 the firm built their present factory east of the railroad, and em- ploy about eight hands. Their organs have stood the test of the most thorough trial.
The wrought-iron wagon works have carried on a pretty large busi- ness in past times.
J. T. Amos has been carrying on the business of tile making for about two years, four miles west of town. The attention of farmers has been so generally called to the advantage of tile-draining that the manufacture of tile has become an important branch of industry. A. C. Garland commenced the manufacture of tile at his factory near the I. B. & W. depot, this spring, and will increase his facilities somewhat.
The " Grange Store " was one of the institutions which the " whirli- gig of time," or the "march of events," or the "stern logic of facts " brought into existence at Danville. It was a joint stock company with $3,000 capital, and proposed to do away with " middlemen," large
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1
HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
profits," and all the ills that the farmers of Vermilion county were suffering under. Finding that more capital was necessary it was nomi- nally increased to $15,000, and the subscriptions to the stock were con- ditioned on the full amount of the $15,000 being subscribed. The store did a general business,- a general " trusting " business, - deal- ing in groceries, implements and every salable thing. When it failed the stock subscriptions could not be collected on account of the stipula- tions, and notes that had been given had been changed so that they were uncollectable. Mr. Charles Giddings was assignee and succeeded in paying about 45 per cent of the indebtedness. It was so fearfully mixed up that he begs to be excused from ever winding up another " reform " store.
BUILDING ASSOCIATIONS, CEMETERIES, ETC.
There are in Danville four associations formed under the act of the legislature approved April 4, 1872. " To enable associations of persons to become a body corporate, to raise funds to be loaned only among their members," having for their object the assisting of persons who have small means to secure homes at abont the price which they would necessarily pay per week for rent.
"The Danville People's Building and Loan Association" was organized in 1873. with W. P. Carmon. president : Wm. Giddings, vice- president ; Asa Partlow, secretary ; R. A. Short, treasurer, and F. W. Penwell, attorney, who, with J. H. Miller. O. S. Stewart, W. J. Henry, Geo. Dillon. G. W. Jones. J. R. Holloway and C. U. Morrison, consti- tute the board of directors. The capital stock is limited to $400,000. The books were closed when 3,313 shares had been subscribed, at $100 each. There are now only 775 shares in force.
The Mechanics' Building and Homestead Association of Danville perfected its organization November 22, 1873, with W. W. R. Wood- bury. president ; W. A. Brown, vice-president : J. H. Phillips, secretary ; E. HI. Palmer, treasurer, and J. W. Jones, attorney. The 2.500 shares of capital stock authorized was subscribed. No person is permitted to subscribe for more than 40 shares. There are still in force 790 shares. The pressure of the times has compelled the association to assume some of the property which its members had given security on.
The Danville Benefit and Building Association was chartered June 12, 1874, a few days before the act repealing the act authorizing such asso- ciations took effect. An organization was effected February 28, 1877, with J. G. Holden. president: S. H. Stewart, secretary, and T. S. Parks treasurer, and twelve directors. The same officers have continued till now. The authorized capital is $1,000,000. in shares of $100 each.
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DANVILLE TOWNSHIP.
The first series of 2,000 shares is now full, and a second one was opened March, 1879.
The Danville Building and Savings Association, organized August 20, 1873, with Judge E. S. Terry, president; J. G. Holden, vice-presi- dent; V. Leseure, secretary ; A. S. W. Hawes, treasurer, and J. P. Nor- vell, attorney. The capital stock was $250,000. The business of the company has always been very safely managed, and in no case has there been any property thrown on its hands by foreclosures. Four hundred and sixty-eight live shares now remain. The officers are: J. G. Hol- den, president : Dudley Watrous, vice-president; B. E. Bandy, seere- tary; A. S. W. Hawes, treasurer; J. P. Norvell, attorney, who, with the following, compose the board of directors: V. Leseure, C. L. English, C. K. Miers, C. J. Palmer, J. B. Mann, E. E. Boudenott, J. W. Dale.
CEMETERIES.
Like all new places, Danville had for several years various places for burying the dead. At first each country church had its " grave- yard," and only those who from religious scruples or by church pro- scription were compelled to select some particular place which had been set apart by some form, were secure from having the last earthly resting place of their beloved dead interfered with by caprice or care- lessness. The tract which was given by Mr. Amos Williams, and in which the remains of the donor and of his wife still lie, was never sufficiently guarded from various encroachments to which such quasi public grounds are ever subjected. These and other reasons cansed those who had been recently called on to bury some loved one to look around for some more suitable place, and one which could be beautified by art; so that, so far as human hands could do it, the old-fashioned, foolish, "yawning" terrors of the grave might be banished. To Mr. J. G. English, more, perhaps, than to any one other man, the citizens of Danville are indebted for the present appropriate "city of the dead." Making known his views to Mr. J. C. Short, Dr. Woodbury, Mr. Le- seure and A. S. Williams, an association was formed under the laws of the state, and fifty acres of land was purchased north of town, for which $2,000 was paid by these gentlemen, they undertaking the expense, expecting to be reimbursed by the sale of lots when the organization was perfected. April 28, 1864, the name of "Spring Hill Cemetery " was taken. Mr. English was elected president; J. C. Short secretary and treasurer, and Messrs. Woodbury, Williams and Lesenre directors. To Mr. Bowman the labor was assigned of visiting other eities and deciding on the plan of laying out ; and this labor has been so acceptably done that very little more could be done to add to the
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
appropriateness of the grounds. Mr. Bowman adopted the park or landscape style of laying out the land, giving here and there, as the make of the surface would suggest, a well-graveled road, a running stream or elegant lake to diversify the beauty of the peaceful place. Several thousand dollars have been expended in the work, and so well has it been received that most of the lots in the first fifteen acres laid out have been disposed of, and the first and second additions are under improvement. The business of the association is still in the hands of the same board of directors. with the exception of the substitution of Mr. W. T. Cunningham in place of Mr. Short since his removal from the city. The rules of the association provide against unsightly fences or inclosures, and any improper buildings, vaults or superstructures : against cutting down the trees ; against the growing of unsightly trees or shrubs, and against improper monuments. The care of the grounds is provided for, and places are set apart for the resting place of soldiers and for a monument to the hero dead.
The Roman Catholics and Lutherans have separate burial places. which are under the management and rules of their respective churches.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS, ETC.
The following is a list of the principal township officers elected in Danville since the date of township organization :
Date. Vote.
Supervisor.
Clerk.
Assessor and Collector.
1851. . . .
J. A. D. Sconce.
W. E. Russell
W. M. Payne.
1852. 99. J. A. D. Sconce.
W. E. Russell. J. G. Mills.
1853. ..
171 J. A. D. Sconce J. A. Davis.
1854. . 175 Isaac Froman J. A. Davis.
W. M. Payne.
W. M. Payne .*
1856. . 248
Enoch Kingsbury
David Morgan.
T. R. Forbes.
1858 329 J. W. Miers
J. M. Lesley
J. H. Miller.
1859. .. 321
J. W. Miers.
J. M. Lesley
J. H. Miller.
1860. . 401.
Levin T. Palmer
J. M. Lesley
J. H. Miller.
18i1 .. ..
345
Levin T. Palmer
J. M. Lesley J. H. Miller.
1862 .. 445
W. M. Payne
J. M. Lesley J. H. Miller.
1863 .. 553.
W. J. Moore.
H. W. Beckwith J. H. Miller.
H. W. Beckwith J. H. Miller. 1864. . 560 W. J. Moore
1865. . 429.
L. T. Palmer.
A. Matthews J. H. Miller.
1866. 642. L. T. Palmer.
A. Matthews. J. H. Miller.
C. B. Holloway J. H. Miller. 1867 .. 823. L. T. Palmer.
H. C. Lesley J. H. Miller. 1868 .. .. 898. L. T. Palmer.
1869. . .
701. L. T. Palmer.
H. C. Lesley J. H. Miller.
1870 .. 850 L. T. Palmer.
W. J. Davis. J. H. Miller.
W. J. Stewart. J. H. Miller. 1871. 954. L. T. Palmer.
1872 .... 917 .... J. G. Holden.
D. K. Woodbury. J. H. Miller.
* In 1854 A. P. Chesley was elected collector, and in 1855, T. R. Forbes.
J. G. Mills.
W. M. Payne .*
1855. . 152 William Bandy
J. M. Payton. W. M. Payne.
1857. 297 J. W. Miers
DANVILLE TOWNSHIP.
Date. Vote.
Supervisor.
Clerk. Assessor and Collector.
1873. ... 765 J. G. Holden
John Miers, Jr. J. H. Miller.
1874. ... 1251.
J. G. Holden.
H. C. Smith T. S. Parks.
1875. .1242. J. G. Holden
H. C. Smith. J. H. Miller.
1876. .1254. J. G. Holden
John Lane.
J. H. Miller.
1877. .1683. J. G. Holden.
John Lane. J. H. Miller.
1878. ... 1380. J. G. Holden.
John Lane. J. H. Miller.
1879. .1378. . J. G. Holden.
John Lane. J. H. Miller.
The justices of the peace have been Nelson Maddox, Milton Lesley, Benj. Stewart, A. E. Howe, H. Cunningham, H. G. Boyce, George Hillary, Benj. Sanders, J. C. Prather, S. Stansbury, A. A. Dunseth, J. A.'Bradley, Wm. M. Payne, G. W. English, J. M. Payton, J. W. Stansbury, R. H. McMillen, J. A. Prather, J. McMahan, Jolin Green, H. C. Elliott, G. Klingenspor, James Bracewell, J. W. Parker, Wm. Morgan and Peter Wilber.
Those who have been elected commissioners of highways are S. L. Payne, J. G. Davidson, G. H. Graves, R. Hlooton, W. M. Payne, E. G. Cross, M. Mondy, John Johns, L. T. Palmer, Benj. Crane, Nathaniel Henderson, J. L. Tincher, D. Kyger, George Hillary, J. Hinds, J. W. Miers, HI. W. Beckwith, W. W. R. Woodbury, V. Leseure, J. Q. Villars, A. S. Williams, Geo. Rust, J. H. Andrews. M. Mitchell.
In the year 1865 Danville became entitled to an assistant supervisor, and J. L. Tincher was elected to that position, and continued to hold it until his death, in 1871, since which H. M. Kimball, Wm. Morgan, James Knight and J. Donnelly have served in that capacity.
RAILROAD BONDS AND SPECIAL VOTES.
In 1857, at the town meeting, the question of forming a new county was voted on, and resulted in a vote of 36 for, to 252 against, such proposed division of the county. In 1859, when the proposition was voted on to erect the county of Ford, the vote was 287 for, to 48 against, such proposition. The same year a vote for or against the con- tinnance of township organization resulted in 53 for, to 254 against, its continnance.
In 1863 a proposition was submitted to vote which was called "A System of Bridges" throughout the county. The vote was 515 for, to 2 against, showing that it was immensely popular at Danville.
The following is the record of all township votes on the various questions of aid to railroads :
In May, 1867, the question of levying a tax in aid of the Chicago, Danville & Vincennes Railroad, provided said road run east of North Fork and through the corporate limits of the city, resulted in 441 for, to 23 against, such levy. July 9 of the same year another special town
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
meeting voted (the former not seeming to have been specific enough), by 500 to 23, in favor of said aid, "provided the main line run into the corporate limits, as prescribed by the act incorporating Danville, in force February 15, 1855." This proposition to be in lieu of all others that had been voted for previously.
To make this still more specific (it will be seen that the people were learning something all this time), another meeting was held, which voted on the proposition submitted in this form: "For or against giving $52,000 to the Chicago, Danville & Vincennes Rail- road, provided the road is located and shall run into the city of Dan- ville on a line between the North Fork of the Vermilion River and Stony Creek, and intersect the Toledo, Wabash & Western Railroad north of the Vermilion River and within the city limits." Upon this proposition the vote was 407 for, to 6 against. The vote on the propo- sition leaving out all after the word and was only 204 in the affirma- tive.
August 28 a special town meeting was held to vote for or against a subscription of $100,000 to the capital stock of the Danville, Urbana, Bloomington & Pekin Railroad, under the terms of the act chartering said road, and on condition that the main track of said road be con- structed in and to the city of Danville. The vote resulted in 285 for, to 30 against, the proposition.
August 25, 1868, a special town meeting was held to vote for or against a proposition to appropriate $20,000 additional to the Chicago, Danville & Vincennes Railroad, on terms exactly similar to the former one. The vote was 114 in the affirmative, and 11 in the negative. It · will be seen that the voters were getting tired of voting.
December 11, 1869, a special town meeting was held to vote for or against a proposition to subscribe 825,000 to the capital stock of the Paris & Danville Railroad, " on the express conditions (1st) that said subscription is to be paid for by the bonds of said township, payable in fifteen years absolutely, or sooner at the option of said township, and to bear interest at the rate of ten per cent per annum ; and (2d) that said bonds are not to bear date, nor be delivered, nor to bear interest, until said railroad is completed, equipped with rolling stock and run- ning in successful operation from Paris, in Edgar county, in and to the city of Danville, in Vermilion county, Illinois : and (3d) that no part of said railroad shall be located or built west of the North Fork of the Vermilion River in said city of Danville ; and (4th) that said railroad shall be completed and in successful operation from Paris to Danville, aforesaid, within five years from this date." Upon this proposition, thus hedged, as it would seem, with conditions of becoming caution,
345
DANVILLE TOWNSHIP.
the vote was 460 for, to 225 against ; showing plainly that the people were far from unanimons in regard to this additional debt. Future proceedings show that the caution which was displayed on this occa- sion was well taken. After the road was so far completed as to be able to run cars into Danville via the track of the Toledo, Wabash & Western Railroad, the company became insolvent, and was placed in the hands of a receiver. From the point where this railroad made this intersection with the Wabash road, a track was built across the river and along the west side of the North Fork, and thence trains were run into the city over the right of way of the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western Railroad. Then a demand was made upon the supervisor and town clerk for the bonds which had been conditionally voted more than five years before. The demand not being complied with, for the reasons that (1st) the road was not completed in and to the city of Danville within the five years specified; (2d) that it was built west of the North Fork; (3d) that having no independent line into Danville it was not yet completed in and to the city, a suit followed, which, after varions ups and downs, was decided in favor of the township, and it was released from any liability to the company.
A special town meeting was held July 20, 1870, to vote upon a proposition to give an additional sum of 875,000 to the Chicago, Dan- ville & Vincennes Railroad Company, upon the following very explicit terms and conditions : One-half on condition that Danville should be, and ever remain, the terminus of a running division of said road. The other half, that as soon as practicable, said railroad company should erect, and ever maintain, shops for the repair and building of cars and rolling stock of said company. These terms were accepted by the company, and the money was duly paid over. It resulted in a vote of 666 for, to 240 against. On the same day a proposition was submitted and voted on to contribute $25,000 to the Rosedale & Danville rail- road, upon terms which have not been complied with, and cannot be. The vote was 597 for, to 254 against.
Under the old system of voting township aid to railroads, many towns were victimized by irregularity of proceedings or by the carelessness of officers; but Danville, while pursuing what must be called, with the present light, a very liberal course, has in every case got whatever was bargained for, and by the aid- of careful and com- petent officers, made every step a sure one. The rapid growth and development which has followed this railroad building is convincing proof that it was the course of wisdom to encourage their building in the only way it could be encouraged,- that is, by granting township aid. However much it may be condemned now by some, time will
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HISTORY OF VERMILION COUNTY.
no doubt justify the course of the men who took the lead in this matter.
GERMANTOWN.
Germantown is a village in Danville township, lying northeast of the Junction. Soon after building the car-shops of the Illinois Eastern Railroad, the employes of the company began to build in that vicinity, and their numbers increased so considerably that it was found that cor- porate authority was necessary.
A petition was filed in the county court, June 25. 1874. asking that the court would direct the holding of an election to vote for or against village corporation, under the general law of the state, to embrace the territory within the following bonnds, and setting forth that there were over four hundred people residing within the said limits. to-wit: Com- mencing at the point where the eastern boundary of the city of Dan- ville crosses the road leading from Danville to Covington, thence north with said eastern boundary line to the northern boundary line of said city ; thence west along the north boundary line to where it crosses Stony Creek ; thence up said creek to a point where the road from Danville to Williamsport runs due east from said creek ; thence east on said Williamsport road two hundred and thirty rods to a road run- ning south ; thence south to the Danville and Covington road ; thence west to the place of beginning. The petition contained the signatures of sixty voters who resided in said limits. The court ordered an elec- tion to be held for the purposes set forth in the petition, July 6, 1874. and appointed George Rust. August Koch and J. L. Smith, judges. At such election 30 votes were cast for, and 1 against, incorporation. An election was held July 31 for six trustees to perfect the organiza- tion, the same gentlemen being appointed to act as judges. At such election 34 votes were cast, resulting in the election of the fol- lowing trustees : F. Schlief, Angust Koch, J. Leverenz, E. Lowe. F. Hause and C. B. Davis. On organization, C. B. Davis was elected president, John L. Smith, clerk, and George Rust, treasurer. In 1875 sixty-one votes were cast. J. L. Smith was elected president; F. Schlief, L. W. Taylor, A. Rudolph, J. Leverenz and Fred Schoultz, trustees : M. M. Woodward, police magistrate, and G. W. Davidson, clerk.
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