USA > Illinois > Ogle County > Mount Morris > Mount Morris : past and present, an illustrated history of the village of Mount Morris, Ogle County, Illinois > Part 8
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ELECTION NOTICE
There will be an election held at the house of William S. Blair in the town of Mount Morris, on the 15th day of Janu- ary, 1856, for the purpose of electing five trustees of the town of Mount Morris, in Ogle County, Illinois.
F. G. PETRIE, Clerk. Mount Morris, Jan. 1, 1856.
Jacob Coffman, Frederick B. Brayton and D. A. Potter were appointed judges of this election.
INCORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE
VIEW OF MOUNT MORRIS looking to the northeast as it ap- peared from the top of College Hall in about the year 1900. The frame building in the right foreground is the old Brethren Pub- lishing House building which was occupied by that institution for many years before moving to Elgin. Kable Brothers moved the
Mount Morris Index into this building in 1900 and it was here that the first edition of "Mount Morris: Past and Present" was printed. Part of this building was later torn down and the rest was moved across the street to the north where it was used several years until a new plant was built on the south side of the campus.
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MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT
As a result of this election, Jacob Coffman, David A. Potter, Elias Baker, William Schultz and Henry I. Little were the trustees elected. The whole number of votes cast was thirty-six. The poll-list was as follows:
A. H. Baily
Jonathan Knodle Peter Knodle, Jr.
Hiram Beard
W. S. Blair
E. W. Little
F. B. Brayton
William Little
L. J. Brogunier Jesse Mayberry
Richard Brown
Jonathan Mumma
Andrew Newcomer
C. R. Cheney E. M. Cheney Thomas Clems
J. A. Noel
Robert O'Neal
D. S. Coffman
D. A. Potter
Simon H. Coffman
Peyton Skinner
Jacob Coffman B. F. Shyrock
Henry Coggins B. R. Thomas
B. Cooper Ezra Toms
J. D. Hays
John F. Wallace
G. W. Harshman
J. M. Webb
William Hedges John Winders
J. A. Knodle
Thomas Winston
The newly-elected board met and organized Jan. 19, 1856. D. A. Potter was elected president; William Schultz, clerk; Jacob Coffman, treasurer; and Peter Knodle, Jr., constable. The first business of importance transacted was concerning the taxes. By a unanimous vote the motion was carried that a tax be raised of fifty cents on the one hun- dred dollars of all the real estate within the limits of the corporation, according to the last assessment, for the purpose of making sidewalks and improvements of roads, streets and alleys within the cor- poration. The ordinances passed by the trustees in 1848 were reenacted at this meeting. Peter Knodle, Jr., was appointed corporation tax-collector.
Feb. 15, 1856, it was provided that six- teen blocks of sidewalk be built, and the same to be made three feet wide and of two-inch plank, the lots in front of walks to be taxed to pay three-fourths of cost of same.
Feb. 22, 1856, a tax of fifty cents on the one hundred dollars was again levied on all real estate in the corpora- tion, and the collector authorized to proceed to collect the general tax in ten days. March 7, Jacob Coffman was appointed street commissioner. April 11, the cost of building sixty-six feet of sidewalk was estimated at $13.34 by the trustees. June 13, all huckstering was forbidden in the seminary square and within the bounds of the streets sur- rounding the same; also the sale and
firing of firecrackers or any kind of fireworks was prohibited within the limits of the corporation, except by per- mit.
March 28, 1857, fifty dollars was ap- propriated to build a pound. April 22, William Schultz was appointed assessor and his compensation fixed at $1.50 per day. William H. Coho was appointed constable and poundmaster. May 1, Jonathan Mumma was appointed street commissioner with a compensation of $1.25 per day. Provision was also made for nine more blocks of sidewalk, the owners of land to pay three-fourths of the cost of building in front of their lots. May 15, Lewis Fletcher was ap- pointed collector for the ensuing year, his compensation to be three per cent. A tax of five mills was levied on all taxable property.
March 1, 1858, the spring election took place in the house of W. S. Blair. Jacob Coffman, D. A. Potter and William Schultz were judges. New names ap- pearing on the polling-list were those of Elias Williams, Nelson Potter, S. V. Miller, William Knodle, Jeremiah Stuff, Warren Little, Eugene Mattison, George Davis, H. I. Little, B. G. Stephens, D. C. Wagner, A. Q. Allen, H. N. Ryan, Sam- uel Knodle, J. L. Nye, D. Routzhan, George W. Fouke, L. Fletcher, Reuben Wagner, Andrew Newcomer, F. A. Mc- Neill, Michael Noel, H. A. Neff, L. Red- field, A. B. Pickard, William Schultz, H. H. George, Solomon Davis, L. H. Coffman, W. S. Pope, H. H. Newcomer, Charles Brook, E. Baker, and J. M. Webb. The trustees elected for the fol- lowing year were Elias Baker, D. A. Potter, J. B. McCoy, William Schultz, and J. McClelland Miller.
The following, the latter part of the oath of office taken by the trustees at this time and for several years later, would sound rather queer, and, of course, would be entirely unnecessary at this time: "Also we do solemnly swear that we have not fought a duel, nor sent or accepted a challenge to fight a duel, the probable issue of which might have been the death of either party, nor in any manner aided or assisted in such duel, nor been know- ingly the bearer of any such challenge or acceptance since the adoption of the
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INCORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE
THIS IS A VIEW looking south from the top of "Old Sandstone" about the year 1870. The schoolhouse in the distance had just been built. Note the small size of the pine trees, also the old wooden fence in the foreground, which entirely surrounded the cam- pus of Rock River Seminary, which then consisted of four blocks, including the two blocks immediately west of the present campus.
Constitution, and that we will not be so engaged or concerned, directly or indi- rectly, in or about such duel during our continuance in office. So help us God!" This part was dropped in 1871, and a briefer form adopted.
The board organized March 19, 1858, with D. A. Potter president and William Schultz clerk. J. B. McCoy was elected treasurer; H. N. Ryan, corporation at- torney; J. S. Nye, constable and pound- master; J. McClelland Miller, street commissioner; William Schultz, corpor- ation assessor. April 9, J. McClelland Miller was elected collector and Peter Knodle, Jr., assessor. April 14, an ordi- nance was passed, providing that many of the sidewalks of the town be widened from three to four feet. The tax levy for this year was forty cents on the one hundred dollars.
At the spring election of 1859, eighty- eight votes were cast, and Elias Baker, James B. McCoy, Henry Neff, Samuel Knodle, and Andrew Newcomer were elected trustees. At their first meeting, Elias Baker was chosen president; Sam- uel Knodle, clerk; and H. A. Neff, treas- urer. Later, Samuel Knodle was elected collector and town constable, and Jona- than Knodle, street commissioner and
poundmaster. Sept. 2, a tax of twenty- five cents on the one hundred dollars valuation of real and personal property was assessed.
March 5, 1860, at the annual election, fifty-three votes were cast, and J. B. McCoy, Andrew Newcomer, Samuel Knodle, Henry A. Neff, and James M. Webb were elected trustees. Andrew Newcomer was elected president; Sam- uel Knodle, clerk; and Henry A. Neff, treasurer. The board appointed Peter Knodle, Jr., and William L. Coho cor- poration constables, and Jacob Coffman, street commissioner. A tax levy of twenty cents on the one hundred dollars was made for the year.
The same trustees were re-elected in 1861, and the president, clerk, and treas- urer remained the same. A tax rate of twenty cents was again levied for the year.
December 7, 1861, the following peti- tion, signed by twenty-six citizens, was presented to the board:
TO THE HONORABLE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF MOUNT MORRIS:
Gentlemen: In view of the fact that an ordinance of this village against the sale of beer, etc., is daily violated by certain shopkeepers, and of the fact that all good
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MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT
citizens desire the abatement of this nuisance;
Therefore, we, the undersigned, beg that your body will assemble and either call a public meeting of the citizens, to take some measures for the supression of this traffic, or that you will yourselves, having knowledge of the fact named, take due course for the execution of the law, and in maintaining temperance and the honor of our community.
In compliance with the above, the board called a meeting of the citizens of the village, to devise some means to suppress the nuisance. The meeting was held in the Methodist church, but no record of the action taken by the assembly can be found.
The tax rate for 1862 was placed at ten cents on the one hundred dollars. The trustees for this year were the same as the year previous.
March 2, 1863, seventy-nine votes were recorded at the election. The trus- tees elected were all new men, as fol- lows: James Clark, W. H. Atchison, H. I. Little, F. B. Brayton, A. Q. Allen. They organized with James Clark as president; A. Q. Allen, clerk; and Wil- liam H. Atchison, treasurer. This board continued in office two years. July 25, 1864, Peter Funk was appointed pound- master and William Bull, street commis- sioner.
In 1865, votes polled, twenty-three. Trustees elected: James B. McCoy (president), A. Newcomer (clerk), Henry I. Little (treasurer), J. McClel- land Miller, and F. B. Brayton. Ap- pointments: J. McClelland Miller, street commissioner at $2.50 per day; Peter Knodle, constable; William Nichols, poundmaster.
In 1866, twenty-nine votes were polled. Trustees elected: F. B. Bray- ton (president), Andrew Newcomer (clerk), Henry I. Little (treasurer), Martin T. Rohrer, and J. McClelland Miller. Appointments: J. McClelland Miller, street commissioner; Peter Kno- dle, constable; William Fish, pound- master. (The pound at this time, and a number of years previous, appeared to have been used a great deal for the imprisonment of hogs, many of which were allowed to run upon the streets. The trustees often had occasion to legislate upon this nuisance.)
In 1867, twenty-four votes were
polled. The trustees elected were the same as the previous year. Appoint- ments: Stephen H. Cheney, road com- missioner; William Myers, assistant. A tax of fifty cents on the one hundred dollars was assessed for the year's ex- penses.
In 1868, forty-seven votes
were polled. Trustees elected: Elias Williams, Samuel Knodle, Morris Gaffin, John Sprecher, Henry Middlekauff. There is no record that the members of this board ever took the oath of office or held a single meeting during their year of office. From appearances, the board of the year previous met in their stead.
In 1869, the board of 1867 was again elected in the spring election, in March. They chose F. B. Brayton president, M. T. Rohrer clerk, and W. I. Little treas- urer.
In 1870, eighty-two votes were polled. Trustees elected: F. B. Brayton (presi- dent), M. T. Rohrer (clerk), W. I. Lit- tle (treasurer), A. Newcomer, and Sam- uel Lookabaugh. Commencing at this election, the president was elected by direct vote instead of being selected by the trustees from among their own number, as was done heretofore. April 27, this board passed a stringent ordi- nance, "relating to the sale and traffic in wine, rum, gin, brandy, whiskey, beer, cider, or other intoxicating li- quors." For the ensuing year a rate of one dollar on each one hundred dollars' worth of property was levied.
In 1871, eighty-eight votes were polled. The board elected was as fol- lows: Samuel Knodle, president; Ezra Toms (clerk), Upton Miller (treasurer), M. Stroh, S. H. Cheney. A tax of two dollars on each one hundred dollars was levied for the ensuing year. January 27, a considerable amount of new side- walk was ordered built and the contract let to John T. Stewart at thirty-five cents per rod.
In 1872, seventy-six votes were polled. Board elected: Henry Sharer, president; Jonathan Knodle (clerk), Henry Clevi- dence (treasurer), Henry H. Newcomer, John Startzman. More sidewalks were laid this year to keep up with the rapid growth of the village. A tax of $500 was levied for corporation purposes for the ensuing year.
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INCORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE
THIS VIEW OF MOUNT MORRIS was taken about 1870, looking southwest from the top of "Old Sandstone." Notice in the foreground that the campus extended a long distance to the west and was surrounded by a board fence. In fact every property had a fence around it in those days, because every one kept cows and horses which were permitted to graze on the streets and vacant lots. The brick house at the left used to be the Methodist parsonage and is still standing.
In 1873, fifty-seven votes were polled. Board elected: Martin T. Rohrer, presi- dent; Samuel Lookabaugh (clerk), Henry H. Clevidence (treasurer), Oli- ver H. Swingley, John French. S. H. Cheney was appointed street commis- sioner, and a tax of $700 was levied.
In 1874, seventy votes were polled. Board elected: Samuel Lookabaugh, president; Samuel Mumma (clerk), Henry Sharer, J. A. Knodle, H. H. Clevidence. Stephen H. Cheney was re- appointed street commissioner, and a tax of $800 levied. On Feb. 25, 1875, a petition was presented to this board, asking that an election be held to vote for or against village organization un- der the general law, enacted by the General Assembly of Illinois. The pe- tition was granted and the election was set for March 27, 1875, with H. I. Little, Elijah Scott, and John Sharer, judges, and Peter Householder and A. W. Little, clerks of the election. The election re- sulted in favor of the proposed village organization, thirty-five votes being cast for the measure to one against.
In 1875, an election was called and
held April 20, to elect six trustees, a village clerk and police magistrate, as required by the new organization. The result was as follows: Andrew New- comer, I. H. Allen, H. I. Little, H. H. Clevidence, Peter Householder, J. M. Piper, trustees; village clerk and police magistrate, M. T. Rohrer. The vote polled was 110. O. H. Swingley was appointed treasurer, and Stephen H. Cheney, street commissioner. Septem- ber 4, a tax levy of $500 was made. September 17, a considerable amount of new sidewalk was ordered built at a cost of thirty-four cents per rod.
In 1876, the village officers elected were as follows: John H. Swingley, H. H. Clevidence, Henry I. Little, Joseph M. Piper, J. A. Knodle, Charles Miles, trustees; Martin T. Rohrer, village clerk. Mr. Little was selected as president. A. W. Little received the appointment of street commissioner, and J. B. McCoy that of village constable. The annual appropriation bill was passed July 29, providing a tax of $625. Later an addi- tional appropriation of $100 was made, to build a calaboose.
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MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT
The election held April 17, 1877, was as follows: For trustees, Henry Clevi- dence, John H. Swingley, Samuel Mum- ma, Benj. G. Stephens, Jacob A. Knodle, Thomas Williams; village clerk, John Sharer. B. G. Stephens was chosen president. O. H. Swingley was ap- pointed treasurer; Peter Funk, street commissioner; and J. B. McCoy, village constable. The annual appropriation was $500.
In 1878, the election was held April 16, and resulted as follows: For trustees, H. L. Smith, T. C. Williams, H. H. New- comer, L. J. Brogunier, H. H. Clevi- dence, W. S. Blair; village clerk, Arthur M. Newcomer. H. H. Clevidence was chosen president. Appointments: O. H. Swingley, village treasurer; Rigdon Mc- Coy, street commissioner; Addison W. Neff, village constable. During this year the first licensed saloon was opened by W. H. Wallace, who paid $400 per annum for the privilege. Licenses were also granted to Pool Brothers and Solomon Davis to run billiard halls. An appro- priation of $400 was made for all pur- poses for the ensuing year. B. F. Tracy was appointed street commissioner Sept. 9, to fill vacancy, for the remainder of the term.
In 1879, the election resulted as fol- lows: Trustees, John W. Hitt, John H. Nye, Charles C. Miles, George W. Shank, Lewis Sprecher, J. F. Whitman; village clerk, Edward Mooney. John W. Hitt was elected president. Appointments for the year: O. H. Swingley, village treasurer; James B. McCoy, village con- stable; H. C. Clark, street commissioner. A levy of $500 was made to meet the year's expenses.
In 1880, the election resulted as fol- lows: Trustees, Charles Newcomer, Peyton Skinner, George H. Riner, John French, Samuel Middour, H. H. Thomas; clerk, E. L. Mooney. License was made an issue at this election, and apparently a very strong sentiment had arisen against the saloons, as the result shows that 174 votes were cast against and not one for license. The board organized with Charles Newcomer as president. At this time the term of the trustees was changed from one to two years, three of the six to be elected every year. It being necessary to divide the board into
two classes, one to serve one year and the other, two, lots were cast, which resulted as follows: Charles Newcomer, Peyton Skinner, and John French were to serve one year, and George H. Riner, Samuel Middour, and H. H. Thomas, two years. Appointments for the year: Village constable, A. W. Neff; treasurer, O. H. Swingley; village clerk, to fill vacancy caused by resignation of clerk- elect, Holly C. Clark; street commis- sioner, B. F. Tracy. Later H. L. Smith was chosen to succeed Mr. Neff as vil- lage constable. The sum of $1,075 was appropriated for the year's expenses.
In 1881, the three new trustees elect- ed were Andrew Newcomer, George Sprecher, and John French. Holly Clark was elected village clerk and Andrew Newcomer was chosen president. Ap- pointments: O. H. Swingley, treasurer; B. F. Tracy, street commissioner; Ro- bert Crosby, marshal. Rigdon McCoy was later chosen to succeed Mr. Crosby as marshal. The annual appropriation was $800.
In 1882, the trustees elected were as follows: H. H. Clevidence, Luther J. Brogunier, Archibald S. McCoy; village clerk, W. H. Miller. H. H. Clevidence was chosen president. Appointments: David Rine, treasurer; B. F. Stouffer, marshal; Robert Crosby, street commis- sioner. A saloon and a billiard-hall were licensed by this board, the former paying a license of $500. The annual appropriation bill amounted to $1,000. Rigdon McCoy acted as marshal during the latter part of the fiscal year.
In 1883, the officers elected were as follows: Trustees, George Sprecher, David Newcomer, A. E. Canode; clerk, Samuel Knodle. H. H. Clevidence was chosen president. Appointments: David Rine, treasurer; Robert Crosby, street commissioner. No appropriation ap- pears to have been made.
In 1884, the trustees elected were Isaac Rice, Benjamin F. Mumma, John Harmon; to fill vacancy, John Stewart. Samuel Knodle was elected village clerk, and Isaac Rice was chosen presi- dent. Appointments: A. M. Newcomer, treasurer; John E. Miller, street com- missioner and marshal; George S. Cheney, assistant marshal. William C. Withers was appointed street commis-
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INCORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE
CELLULOID STARCH
Dearlie
CELLULAR Dearime STARCH
FOR MANY YEARS the two-story building on the left was owned by the Village of Mount Morris and used as a meeting place for the Village Board of Trustees. The small building at the right was used as the village jail or calaboose as it was called, but it was a very rare occurrence when any unruly citizen had to be confined there. How- ever, tramps were occasionally allowed to sleep there. These buildings were torn down a few years ago and the new township hall used until the village erected its own building in 1921.
sioner, to fill vacancy, during the latter part of the year. Appropriation, $1,884. The records of this year show consid- erable activity on the part of the board in suppressing the illicit sale of liquor.
In 1885, trustees elected: David New- comer, John T. Stewart, Jacob Good; clerk, Samuel Knodle. Isaac Rice was again selected president. Appointments: A. M. Newcomer, treasurer; William C. Withers, street commissioner and mar- shal. Appropriation, $1,000.
In 1886, trustees elected: William H. Jackson, Benj. F. Tracy, Peter House- holder; clerk, Samuel Knodle. David Newcomer was selected president. Ap- pointments: A. M. Newcomer, treasurer; William C. Withers, street commis- sioner; George S. Cheney, marshal and poundmaster. The office of marshal
was later transferred to Jacob Withers. In May of this year, the village hall and lot were purchased of John Sprecher for $300. The calaboose was moved upon the newly-purchased lot, and the remainder used as a pound. In August, the board commenced the work of revising the ordinances, which were afterward published in pamphlet form. Jacob Good, an honored member of the board, died during this term, and reso- lutions of respect were passed and spread upon the minutes. The annual appropriation amounted to $1,500.
In 1887, trustees elected: Full term, David Newcomer, John T. Stewart, Samuel Rowe; to fill vacancy, Oliver H. Swingley; clerk, Samuel Knodle. Dr. Newcomer was again chosen president. Appointments: William C. Withers,
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MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT
street commissioner; A. M. Newcomer, treasurer. Annual appropriation $1,000.
In 1888, the election resulted as fol- lows: For president, Charles Newcomer; trustees, Daniel N. Wingert, Joseph M. Piper, Charles Sharer; clerk, Samuel Knodle. Appointments: Benjamin F. Tracy, street commissioner and marshal; A. M. Newcomer, treasurer. Kerosene lamps for lighting the streets were pur- chased in August and placed on the principal corners of the town. The ap- propriation for the fiscal year amounted to $1,000.
In 1889, the election resulted as fol- lows: For president, Charles Newcomer; trustees, George Sprecher, John T. Stewart, George B. McCosh; clerk, Sam- uel Knodle. Appointments: A. M. New- comer, treasurer; Samuel Rowe, marshal and street commissioner. In July of this year, three large cisterns, to provide water in case of fire, were built, each cistern having a capacity of 150 barrels. They have long since been filled up. A fire company of seven persons was formed at this time. The annual appro- priation was $1,000.
In 1890, the election resulted as fol- lows: For president, Charles Newcomer; trustees, A. E. Canode, Clinton E. Price, Henry H. Newcomer; clerk, Samuel Knodle. Appointments: William H. Miller, treasurer; Samuel Rowe, marshal and street commissioner. Annual ap- propriation, $1,000.
In 1891, result of election: For presi- dent, Charles Newcomer; trustees, George B. McCosh, Henry L. Smith, Jacob Craley; clerk, Samuel Knodle. The question whether a village tax of one mill should be levied for a public library was an issue at this election. Seventy-one votes were cast in favor of, and one against, the proposition. William Miller and Samuel Rowe were reappointed treasurer and marshal and street commissioner respectively. The annual appropriation was $1,500.
In 1892, result of election: For presi- dent, Charles Newcomer; trustees, Sam- uel P. Mumma, A. M. Newcomer, Daniel B. Keedy; clerk, Samuel Knodle. William Miller was again appointed treasurer and Samuel Rowe, street com- missioner and marshal. The annual appropriation was $1,650.
In 1893, result of election: For presi- dent, W. H. Jackson; trustees, Philip T. Sprecher, Charles H. Sharer, C. H. Mishler; clerk, Samuel Knodle. Officers of the year previous were reappointed. The street leading to the depot, known as "Midway," was opened and macada- mized. Annual appropriation, $1,850.
In 1894, result of election: For presi- dent, W. W. Hanes; trustees, Clinton E. Price, Henry L. Smith, Benj. Rine; clerk, Samuel Knodle. Officers of the previ- ous year were reappointed. During the summer the first five blocks (5,728 square feet) of tar-concrete walk were constructed by J. F. Wisner, of Rock- ford. The annual appropriation bill amounted to $2,500. At the meeting of the board on Feb. 4, 1895, the following petition, signed by N. E. Buser, Charles Newcomer, Joseph Amick, L. A. Plate, R. E. Arnold, Simon E. Yundt, and 168 others, was submitted for their consid- eration:
TO THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF MOUNT MORRIS:
Gentlemen: The undersigned, citizens and tax-payers of Mount Morris, feeling that the time has arrived when the vil- lage should have a system of water- works, herewith submit this petition, and respectfully ask your honorable body to take the legal preliminary measures nec- essary to submit the question of water- works to the voters of the village at the coming spring election-said water-works not to exceed $15,000, and to be so con- structed as to furnish ample protection from fire to the lumber yard of Clark & Wingert, the elevators, and Chain-Stay Fence factory, on the north side; P. T. Sprecher, A. W. Brayton, and John Rice, on the east side; the creamery, Old Folks' Home, and public school building, on the south side; Mr. Lutz and John French, on the west side; and all property included within the above limits.
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