USA > Illinois > Whiteside County > History of Whiteside county, Illinois, from its first settlement to the present time, with numerous Biographical and Family Sketches > Part 63
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77
The Empire Feed Mill Company was organized in 1870. The buildings of this Company are situated on the river bank on the opposite side of the race from the Sterling School Furniture Works and are large and conveniently arranged for all classes of work manufactured. They are built of limestone and are three stories high. The machine shop connected with the works is a wooden struc- ture next west of the main building, and is two stories high, with basement. The principal work of the Company is the manufacture of feed mills, and shel- lers, and the power attached. The feed mill, which was originally designed for shelling and grinding corn, was afterwards so constructed that it will grind other grain equally as well, and as now made is the most economical mill ever invented. The capacity of the double mill is from thirty to forty bushels per hour. The others are of various capacities according to their size. Three kinds of shellers are made, a one, and a two hole, besides one attached to the feed mill. These mills and shellers are sold all over the United States, Every class of job work, and repairs, both in wood and iron, is also largely carried on by the Com- pany. Lorenzo Hapgood is President, and Samnel C. Harvey, Secretary .
The Sterling Pump Works are situated on the water power, and originated from a private enterprise of Mr. M. C. Bowers, who commenced making pumps for the retail trade in Sterling, in 1863. In 1871 a stock company was organ- ized, with a capital of $50,000, the following gentlemen being the first officers: Aaron J. Hull, founder of the Sterling School Furniture Company, President and Treasurer; and M. C. Bowers, Secretary. Immediately after the organiza- tion of this company, the manufacture of pumps for the wholesale trade was commenced, the retail trade being also kept up. During the first year of the company's existence sixteen hundred pumps were sold, but so rapidly did the trade increase that over seven thousand were sold in 1877. The company has improved their pumps from time to time until they are recognized as the best. The sales extend principally through the Northwestern and Western States.
433
MANUFACTURING ESTABLISHMENTS.
The company also manufacture Hull's Patent Double Surface Wash-board to a large extent, over five hundred being made a day, and yet this number no more than fills their orders. The manufacture of these wash-boards commenced two years ago. They are shipped to all the Western States and Territories, and through Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Indiana. The present officers of the company are: Aaron J. Hull, President; William A. McCune, Secretary and Treasurer; and William MeCune, Superintendent.
The Sterling Mineral Paint Company was established in 1871. Sidney T. Osmer, Charles M. Worthington, and John A. Ladd, being the principal ineor- porators. The works of the company are located on the river at the foot of Mulberry street. The main building is four stories high, each story being over eighty feet deep. The mineral is obtained from a bed on the farm of Grove Wright, in Coloma township, although a stratum underlies the country in and around Sterling and Rock Falls. Joel Harvey found one several feet thick while digging his artesian well in Sterling. The mineral is dug out in the sum- mer, and thrown upon the ground, where it is partially dried. In the winter it is brought over the river to the works, and placed in large heaps, where the ae- tion of the frost breaks up the large lumps. It is then taken to the dry house, and from thenee passes through the several processes, until the paint is ready for the market. The color of the paint as it comes from the mill is a dark brown, and for some time this was the only color made. The company manu- facture a red paint in addition, which retains all the painting qualities of the brown. The advantage of this paint over the other so-called mineral paints, is that the latter are merely dirt or clay paints, while this is mineral. The analy- sis of Prof. Mariner, of Chicago, shows that it contains a large per centage of peroxide of iron, which gives it color, body, and durability. Nearly all the rail- road companies now use it to paint their freight cars, shops, and depots, and it is also extensively used for general painting throughout the country, being sold as far east as New York, and to the west as far as the Pacific States. It bears heat better than any other known paint. The present officers of the company are: Sidney T. Osmer, President and Superintendent; and J. D. Penrose, Secre- tary and Treasurer.
The Sterling Manufacturing Company use steam for their motive power. The business now carried on by them, was in part commenced as early as 1855, but the company was not incorporated until 1870. The capital stock is $30,000, and it is the oldest manufacturing establishment in the city. The company manufacture sash, doors, blinds, church seats, butter tubs and boxes, stair rails, newel posts, harrows, elothes line rods, and sell hard and soft wood lumber by the ear load, or in smaller quantities. They turn out about twenty-five hun- dred butter tubs in a week, and seven hundred harrows in a year. They also do scroll sawing, and planing, having improved machinery of the best designs, and engage extensively as builders and contractors. The present officers are: John D. Tracy, President and Treasurer; and James F. Platt, Vice President and Superintendent. Besides these gentlemen there are experienced and well-edu- eated mechanics in every department.
The Anchor Works are the outgrowth of a small shop run by Mr. A. B. Spies, situated first just back of the present National Bank building. He com- meneed business there in 1863, and did wagon work and repairing exclusively. In 1868 he commenced the manufacture of a walking corn plow, an invention of his own. The plow proved a success, and the business increased so rapidly that in 1871 he was obliged to leave that location, and erect a large building near the river. This building is thirty-two feet front, and three stories high, with everything so arranged as to do the greatest possible amount of work with
[55-%.]
434
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY.
the least expenditure of force. In 1872, Mr. Spies also invented and com- menced the manufacture of a harrow, of which he sold one hundred in 1873; one hundred and sixty the next year, and the gain since then has been in an in- creased ratio. Besides these corn plows, and harrows, carriages, buggies, wag- ons, sleighs, etc., are made by the company in great numbers. The firm name is Spies, Zendt & Co., and is composed of A B. Spies, Henry Zendt, and Justus Becker.
The Sterling Burial Case Company was organized in 1873, with a capital of $40,000, the works occupying an area of thirty-eight thousand two hundred and forty feet, at Nos. 413 to 423 inclusive, on Third street. The company manu- facture coffins, caskets, and burial cases, the business amounting to one hun- dred thousand dollars annually.
Galt & Emmitt's Carriage and Wagon Factory occupies five fronts on the east and west sides of Mulberry street, the firm turning out annually a large number of fine, well made, and durable vehicles. George Newton has large shops, and manufactures carriages, wagons, cutters, harrows, etc, very exten- sively. William Hess, in the eastern part of the city; the Novelty Works, on Second street; Amos Daveler, 511 Second street; and Amos Vandemark, corner of Third and B streets, also manufacture carriages, wagons, sleighs, etc., to quite an extent.
J. R. Deyo makes the manufacture of an animal power churn, a specialty. These churns have attracted universal attention, and the demand for them is very large.
Todd's Factory manufactures pruning shears, and hedge trimmers. It was started a number of years ago in the frame building erected in 1856 for a planing mill by some parties from Cincinnati. This business did not prove a success, and the building was afterwards used for different purposes until it fell into the hands of Mr. Todd. The pruning shears, and hedge trimmers, are of excellent design and make, and their manufacture now one of the well estab- lished industries of Sterling.
William W. Perkins & Co., manufacture the Perkins' improved fire proof iron door and shutter, refrigerators, etc., and A. F. Spooner makes an improved baby jumper.
Immediately upon the finishing of the dam and race in 1853, Messrs. Joshua V. and William McKinney built the stone mill, it being the first erected on the water power for the manufacture of flour. It is now owned by Church & Patterson, and makes two hundred barrels of flour per day. A little later Lukens & Bye built the one now run by G. T. Elliott, and known as the Com- mercial Mills, which also manufactures two hundred barrels of flour per day. The Pacific Mills were afterwards erected, and make one hundred and fifty barrels of flour per day; Dillon & Bowers, the proprietors, also do custom work, and grind feed, the mills being the only ones at which custom work is done in Sterling.
The Sterling Distillery was started in 1864 by the late John S. Miller, and is the second largest distillery in the United States. The buildings consist of the distillery proper, malt house, bonded warehouse, cooper shops, corn bins, and cattle sheds, and an office in a central position, and are all situated on the bank of the river just east of the Fair Grounds. The cattle sheds are of suffi- cient size to feed two thousand head, and that number is fattened by the pro- prietors each year. The buildings cover over five acres of ground. The capital employed in the business is three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Two thousand bushels of grain are used each day, making an aggregate of six hundred and forty thousand bushels annually. All of this grain is ground previous to
.
435
CHURCHES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.
being used. Eight thousand five hundred gallons of alcohol are made daily, aggregating about three million gallons yearly, upon which a government tax of over five thousand dollars is paid per day, making the sum annually paid to the United States Revenue Department nearly two million dollars. One hundred and seventeen men are employed in and around the distillery, to whom an aggregate sum of six thousand dollars are paid weekly, making an annual outlay to the operatives of three hundred and twelve thousand dollars, nearly all of which is placed in circulation in Sterling. The alcohol made is shipped prin- cipally to Europe, and South America. Shipments are made directly to Genoa, in Italy, Geneva, Switzerland, and Constantinople, Turkey, in Europe, and to Buenos Ayres, Brazil, and other ports in South America. The price paid for the grain used at this distillery is nearly always somewhat in advance of that paid by other parties, and hence furnishes not only a sure, but good market for the farmer. The requisite number of United States officials are engaged here. Messrs John S. and William A. Miller, are the present proprietors.
CHURCHES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.
Broadway M. E. Church :- This is the oldest church organization in Ster- ling, having been formed as early as 1838, by Rev. Barton H. Cartwright, in the cabin of Hezekiah Brink. The membership then consisted of only Mr. and Mrs. Luther Bush, Mr. and Mrs. Hezekiah Brink, Mrs. Geer, and Mrs. Pratt. With this nucleus it advanced with the growth of the population, until it became an extensive and influential church. Mr. Cartwright was one of those brave, untiring, zealous Methodist missionary preachers of the West to whose presence and exer- tions many a pioneer settlement was indebted for the privileges of the gospel, and the formation of church societies which not only tended to unite the few faithful christians into religious organizations in accordance with their early teachings, but brought them together as friends and neighbors. To such men all honor is due, and their services should be gratefully remembered. Mr. Cart- wright is yet a circuit preacher and is located at Hampshire, in the Dixon District of the Rock River Conference, having been a faithful minister for nearly half a century. Men like Barton H. Cartwright die with their harness on. The first quarterly meeting of the new Society was held by Rev. Thomas Hitt, in 1839. The church edifice was built in 1855, when Rev. S. F. Denning was pastor. Previous to that time services were held in the old stone school house, and the old Court House. Luther Bush, Samuel Hoover, Hezekiah Brink, J. E. Cob- by, and Smith Conklin were the trustees. Rev. S. F. Denning was the first pastor sent to Sterling. Previous to 1855 the church belonged to Buffalo Grove Circuit, and we have been unable to ascertain the names of ministers who sup- plied it while it was attached to that circuit. The successors of Mr. Den- ning have been Revs. Z. D. Paddock, S. G. Havermale, C. C. Best, Benja- min Close, J. Hartwell, A. H. Schoonmaker, S. F. Denning, a second time, M. H. Plumb, J. Borbidge, Jas. Bush, Thos. Chipperfield, and J. B. MeGuffin, the present pastor. The following are the present Trustees : Elias Burkholder, Geo. Newton, J. R. Deyo, Wm. Hess, R. L. Mangan, Charles Roberts, Henry Bush, J. D. Lamb, aud M. M. Royer. The Sunday School belonging to the church numbers one hundred scholars, with J. D. Lamb as Superintendent. The Fourth Street M. E. Church was formed from it in 1867. The present membership is now one hundred and thirty-one.
Congregational Church :- In 1856 the Congregational element in Sterling began to consider the propriety of organizing a church of that denomination, and the first formal meeting for that purpose was held at the school house in the Second Ward, on the 15th of April, 1857. Mr. L. B. Wetherbee acted as chair-
436
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY.
man. After a full expression of views, encouraging in their nature, a commit- tee was appointed to invite all those interested in such a movement to attend an adjourned meeting at the Boynton House, April 17, 1857. At this meeting it was unanimously voted by those present to organize themselves into a Congre- gational church. The following paper was then drawn up and signed: "We, the subscribers, moved and guided as we hope by the Providence and Spirit of God, do hereby express our desire to form ourselves into a Christian Church, to be known and called by the name of the First Congregational Church of Sterling, Illinois. Signed, L. B. Wetherbee, A. McMoore, M. H. Hinsdale, William Mc- Kinney, Francis Macey, Joel S. Wilcox, David Holbrook, Abel Holbrook, Joshua V. Mckinney, Nathan Williams, Jr." On the 21st of June following the church was publicly organized with thirty members. The organization ceremonies took place in the Presbyterian church, Rev. H. M. Goodwin, of Rockford, Illinois, preaching the sermon. In the autumn of this year Commercial Hall was ob- tained for the services of the church, and used until May, 1859, when a room on the second floor of Central Block was engaged. During this time preaching was had with much irregularity, Mr. Blacke, of the Chicago Theological Seminary, supplying the pulpit a few weeks; Rev. Mr. Foster officiating during the summer of 1858; and Rev. H. C. Parker for two or three months during the succeeding fall and winter. On the 8th of May, 1859, the church voted to give Rev. U. W. Small a call to become pastor at a salary of $800 per annum. The call was accepted, and Mr. Small duly ordained and installed September 22, 1859. The church continued to increase so rapidly in numbers that in about two years a more commodious room had to be sought, and the large hall on the third floor of Central Block was engaged and occupied until it had a building of its own. The lot now occupied by the church was purchased July 1, 1863, and the work of erecting a building pushed vigorously forward, so that by early spring in 1864 it was completed, with an indebtedness of only three hundred and sixty-three dollars. This amount was soon paid, and when the edifice was dedicated the society was free from debt. During 1864 an Ecclesiastical Society was organ- ized in connection with the church. In the summer of 1870 the house of wor- ship was raised and enlarged by adding twenty-four feet to its length, by which its seating capacity was increased to five hundred and fifty. The basement was also fitted up for Sabbath School purposes. These improvements cost about three thousand dollars. In 1872 the two lots north of and adjoining the one owned by the church, were purchased for two thousand five hundred dollars, and are now entirely paid for. In December, 1875, about twenty mem- bers were dismissed from the church for the purpose of organizing a Congregational Church at Rock Falls. The succession of ministers of the church has been as follows: Rev. U. W. Small, from May 29, 1859 to June 1, 1864; Rev. Dr. Plumb, from November, 1864, to April 1, 1866; Rev. Martin Post, from April, 1866, to April, 1872; Rev. E. W. Clark, from Sep- tember 1, 1872, to December, 1873; Rev. S. D. Belt from January 20, 1874, to October 1, 1875. Rev. Albert Bushnell, the present pastor, commenced his labors February 1, 1876. The deacons of the church since its organization have been as follows: Joshua V. Mckinney, Nelson Mason, Joseph Golder, Brainard Orton, Richard Arey, R. B. Witmer, J. K. Chester, J. L. Davis. The church now numbers about two hundred members. A flourishing Sunday School is attached to the church, numbering two hundred scholars, with R. B. Witmer as Superintendent, assisted by twenty teachers.
Grace Church :- The Parish of Grace church, Episcopal, was organized in May, 1864, the Rev. John Foster being the officiating minister at the time. The Parish or Society is a district organization from the church. The follow-
437
CHURCHES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.
ing persons were present and voted at the organization of the Parish: D. F. Batcheller, B. C. Coblentz, Henry Moore, Charles Smith, Nelson Maxson, Sid- ney T. Osmer, Lorenzo Hapgood, W. C. Henderson, John G. Price, B. Fluelling, G. L. Taintor, G. B. Fitch. The first Rector was Rev. O. B. Thayer. The first Wardens were William Muir and D. F. Batcheller, and the Vestrymen, B. C. Coblentz, Henry Moore, Charles Smith, Nelson Maxson, Sidney T. Osmer, Lorenzo Hapgood, W. C. Henderson, and John G. Price. Lorenzo Hapgood was chosen Secretary, and Henry Moore, Treasurer. Messrs. Muir and Batcheller were suc- ceeded as Wardens by Gabriel Davis and Lorenzo Hapgood. The present officers of the Parish are: Senior Warden, Lorenzo Hapgood; Junior Warden, Charles Smith; Vestrymen, W. A. Sanborn, W. H. Merrill, M. S. Henry, J. A. Ingersoll, D. F. Batcheller. The first Rector, Rev. O. B. Thayer, was succeeded by Rev. J. Grierlow, and since the resignation of the latter the following have been suc- cessively Rectors: Rev. J. E. Goodhue, Rev. W. F. Lloyd, Rev. H. Root. The present Rector, Rev. J. E. Goodhue, is now on his second term of service. The church edifice was erected in 1864-'65 at an original cost of fourteen thousand dollars, but has never been fully completed, and at this date, November, 1877, has not been consecrated. At the organization of the Parish there were only seven communicants; now the number is seventy-five, representing about fifty families. The Sunday School has seventy-six scholars, with Sidney T. Osmer as Superintendent, assisted by six teachers. The church building is situated on the southeast corner of Mulberry and Fourth Streets.
Fourth Street M. E. Church :- The Fourth Street Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in October, 1867, with the following members: John Barnes, Betsey N. Barnes, M. C. Bowers, Elizabeth Bowers, J. R. Bell, Salome Bell, M. S. Bowman, Amelia Bowman, Elizabeth Brewer, Della Benner, Edwin S. Clow, Margaret Clow, Hannah E. Cubit, Henry Farwell, Nancy Farwell, Rachel Harvey, Rachel S. Hyde, Robert H. Jenkins, Betsey Jenkins, Mary Lukens, John B. Myers, Lydia Myers, J. T. McKibbon, Miranda MeKibbon, Mary A. Payson, James G. Search, Mary Search, Patience Shepherd, and Jane Smith. The congregation first worshipped in Union Hall, but afterwards rented Wallace Hall which they occupied until January, 1869, when the basement of the present church edifice was dedicated, and afterwards used until January 8, 1871, when the building was fully completed, and formally opened and ded- icated. The cost of the edifice was twelve thousand dollars. Before the formal organization of the Society by a pastor sent from the Annual Conference, the Rev. Mr. Best, from Freeport, preached and ministered to them for several months. The pastors have been as follows: Revs. J. HI. Alling, William H. Smith, the army chaplain of the 75th Illinois Volunteers, and to whom the So- ciety is greatly indebted for the completion of their church building, J. H. More, and Lewis Meredith. The latter is the present pastor, and has been the incum- bent since October, 1875. The present trustees are: J. B. Myers, M. C. Bowers, Jacob Zollinger, J. C. Oliver, James A. De Groff, E. W. Edson, J. H. Wood- burn, M. S. Bowman, and L. A. Sanford. The present membership of the church is one hundred and eighty-three; probationers, nine. The Sunday School num- bers over one hundred scholars, with M. S. Bowman, Superintendent, assisted by ten teachers. The church edifice is located on the southwest corner of Fourth and A Street.
First Presbyterian Church :- The First Presbyterian Church of Sterling was organized November 4, 1844, by a committee of the Presbytery of Schuyler, consisting of Rev. Samuel Cleland, Rev. George Stebbins, and Elder Charles 1. Spring. The following persons were enrolled as members: Mr. John Galt, Mrs. Maria Galt, Mrs. Mary Wallace, Mrs. Eliza J. Wilson, Mr. James C. Woodburn,
438
HISTORY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY.
Mrs. Mary Woodburn, Mrs. Jane Woodburn, Mr. William H. Cole, Mr. Carlisle Mason and Mrs. Jane Mason. Of these, Mr. John Galt was chosen Ruling Elder, the duties of which office he performed with fidelity until his death, Au- gust 25, 1866. The church edifice was erected in 1848, but not fully completed until 1852. Since that time it has been greatly enlarged and improved, and is now one of the finest church edifices in this section of the country. The first pastor of the church was Rev. George Stebbins, who remained from 1844 until 1856. Mr. Stebbins was succeeded by Rev. Ebenezer Erskine, who held the pastorate until 1865, when Rev. Mead C. Williams was called. Mr. Williams continued as pastor until 1873, when Rev. N. H. G. Fife was chosen pastor, who is still in charge. The church has now a membership of two hundred and forty- five. The present Board of Ruling Elders is as follows: Decius O. Coe, elect- ed October 8, 1854; Thomas A. Galt, and John Buyers, elected March 25, 1860; Abram Hempstead, and J. Morris Golder, elected December 30, 1866; and Mar- tin H. Kreider, and John G. Manahan, elected September 1, 1872. The follow- ing compose the Board of Trustees: Smith Barrett, President; D. M. Craw- ford, Secretary; B. C. Church, William L. Patterson, Moses Dillon, Robert Laurie. The Sunday School has a scholarship of one hundred and fifty, with Thomas A. Slaymaker, Superintendent, assisted by eighteen teachers.
First Baptist Church :- The First Baptist Church of Sterling was organ- ized June 1, 1856, with eleven members. Services were first held in the school room in the First Presbyterian church, for two months, Rev. H. H. Hoff, a mis- sionary, being the supply during that time. Rev. J. T. Mason became the first regular pastor, taking charge November 1, 1856, and continuing since that time. The Society held services after November 1, 1856, in Crandall's Hall, and after that in Boynton's Hall, until a church edifice was built. The membership grew rapidly, and in 1865 the building was enlarged. It was soon, however, apparent that it was too small even with the enlargement, and in 1873 the pres- ent edifice was erected at a cost of twenty thousand dollars. This building is now the largest church building in Sterling, being eighty-two feet long, and forty- five feet wide. The Sunday School attached to the church numbers over two hundred scholars, with A. S. Todd, Superintendent, assisted by twenty teachers. The church roll shows two hundred and eighty-two members. Mr. Mason has been pastor of the church for twenty-one years, and is not only highly regarded as a faithful and successful minister, but as one of Sterling's oldest and most valued citizens.
Reformed Mennonite Church :- The Reformed Mennonite Society was organ- ized in 1868, with a membership of sixty-five, and their church edifice built the same year. The members are settled as near to their meeting house as suitable locations can be procured, and are governed by purely democratic principles. All are on an equality socially, the differences of wealth and intellectual culture be- ing entirely ignored. Their religious services are held in the forenoon, the after- noon being spent in social intercourse of a semi-religions character. If any brother or sister is found to be sick, or in want, or has been unfortunate, the situation is fully reviewed, and assistance promptly rendered. The present preachers of this church are: John Weaver and John Weckessce, although others are frequently selected from the male members. All preach without fee or reward, or the hope or promise of the same. One of their peculiar tenets consists in baptizing none but adults, and that by sprinkling. They do not have any Sunday Schools, or prayer or camp meetings, nor protracted or revival meet- ings, and no instruments are used with their church music. Neither do they vote at elections, or take any part in politics, but submit quietly to the laws and rules imposed upon them. They do no military duty, are opposed to war, and
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.