USA > Illinois > Mercer County > Past and present of Mercer County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 43
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Among the business men of New Boston in 1865 were the follow- ing: Dr. Thomas Willits; James Noonan, saloon; J. C. Bell, mer- chandise; Scudder House, Enos Scudder proprietor; Henry Seavers, shoe shop; Anthony Imber, shoe store; John Rolander, harness shop ; James Ferguson, billiard room; A. D. Keeler, tinshop; Mr. Thorn- bury, jewelry store; D. Kirlin, furniture; Lewis Gradke, saloon, bakery and lunch room; Anthony Burdick, merchandise; this passed
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to James Mannon a little later; Richard Thomas and Frank Thomp- son were postmasters about this time; George Hartwig, merchant; David Tolle, bakery; M. R. Good, drug store; Jacob Harsh, barber ; James Barrett, confectionery store and ice cream parlor; Myers House, which had many proprietors in a comparatively short time; William H. Dixon, tailor shop; Suiter & Stanway, doctors; Mrs. Southward, grocery store; Burlingame, meat market; G. W. Warner, clothing; Eli Cooke, billiard room; Ives & Denison, store; Thomas Alyea, drug store ; Dr. T. H. Bras ; Wells Willits, large general store ; A. W. Tipton, drug store; this establishment was later owned by George Lytle; residences at this time were to be found occasionally on the business streets; Seastone & Anderson, wagon shop; Dr. O. Pat- terson, dentist; John Flitch, house painter; Poffenbarger, blacksmith shop; Roberts House, kept by H. H. Roberts in 1870; in the building occupied by him was the New Boston Herald, edited by James H. Scott, and Hugh Scott, his brother, occupied a part of the room with a repair shop.
In December, 1860, the New Boston Musical Association, under the leadership of Mr. Weatherbee, rendered a concert in that city, on which occasion an audience of several hundred was present. All who took part in the ceremonies, particularly the little girls, were roundly applauded for their meritorious performances. The receipts amounted to $62.50.
E. V. Wilson lectured on Shakespeare in Roberts Hall in March, 1867. Not many turned out to hear the lecture. In November, 1868, James H. Scott retired from the New Boston Herald, which was afterward conducted by Thomas Scott and James W. Merrill, with C. A. Ballard as editor. The paper finally suspended in October, 1870, for want of support. Later it was revived by Mr. Ballard and made a success.
A literary association of New Boston gave an interesting entertain- ment at Noble Chapel in May, 1871. There was a large audience and the performances of the young people were greatly enjoyed. In 1872 at the city election there were three tickets-temperance, anti- railroad bond and anti-everything. The temperance ticket was placed before the public the day before election and all its candidates were elected.
H. C. Edwards, city marshal, about this time was stabbed by a man known as Robbins, alias Richey, from the effect of which he died. The town directly offered a reward for the arrest and con- viction of the murderer and the county board in March, 1873,
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formally agreed to pay one-half of the reward thus offered. He was captured and punished.
Three prominent business concerns in New Boston in 1877 were Willits & Hall, lumber dealers; Kirlin & Jingles, dealers in dressed siding, dressed flooring, sash, doors, blinds, etc .; and Holden & Tyler, foundry. In 1877 the voters of New Boston authorized the purchase of the old Methodist Episcopal Church for $350 to be used as a town hall. In 1877 the following concerns were doing business in this town: Dry goods and groceries, Bell Brothers, C. A. Ballard, Mr. Oleson, George Hartwig, George Warner; W. H. Mclaughlin was the only exclusive grocer ; hardware, John O'Don- nell; clothing, Will Danford; drugs and medicines, T. Alyea and George Lytle; tinshop, Mr. Keeler, who was postmaster at that time; New Boston had a daily packet to Burlington, a small stern wheeler, which left every morning and returned the same evening. At that time the New Boston ferry boat was operated by H. Ives.
At the city election in 1878 George Gore, temperance candidate for mayor, had a majority of fifteen over A. Imber, candidate for the same office on the citizens' ticket. The election of Mr. Gore meant no license. In December, 1879, H. H. Roberts announced that his ferry across the Mississippi was ready for service day and night. A paper called the Clipper was started as an independent or neutral sheet in 1879. Later it came out as a temperance organ and still later became an organ of the saloon element. It ended its career as a democratic paper.
In December, 1880, the following were the leading business men of New Boston: C. A. Ballard, George Signor, G. W. Warner, George Lytle, W. H. McLaughlin, George Hartwig, David Kirlin. Thomas Alyea, J. C. Bell, Mr. Chamberlin, John Seastone, Hult & Peterson. At this time large quantities of ice were put up here for shipment when needed. At this date the temperance people of New Boston were well organized and met every Tuesday evening for the purpose of seeing that the law concerning liquor was enforced.
In 1881 New Boston and vicinity raised large quantities of water- melons, which were shipped mainly over the railways to Chicago. Carloads were sent to St. Paul and other distant points. The men growing these melons were W. D. Hodson, Ellis Brothers and R. S. Cramer.
The summers were made the occasion for excursions of all kinds on the river. There were many resorts, picnic grounds and other places where amusements could be held and advantage was taken
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Photo by Forbes
BAY ISLAND LILIES
Photo by Forbes
BOSTON BAY ISLAND
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during the warm months by groups of people to pass up or down the river and enjoy themselves.
In 1881 during the flood Bay Island was seriously damaged. William Drury of this township owned a large park, in which he kept elk, deer and buffalo. On one occasion an elk killed one of his valuable colts, estimated to be worth about five hundred dollars. Bal- lard's Hall was finished and ready for use in December, 1881. C. A. Ballard used the lower part for his store. In December, 1881, Bower Brothers of New Boston shipped immense quantities of fish, having recently caught over sixty thousand in one haul in a pocket formed by the river on a sandbar.
The New Boston Library Association was organized in June, 1882, through the efforts of Prof. W. S. Messmer. C. A. Ballard was elected president; C. W. Bras, vice president; T. H. Doughty, secretary ; Ed L. Willits, treasurer. The first lot of books was pur- chased and the librarian, Thomas Alyea, was elected at a later date. In March, 1885, the New Boston Vidette was established, with Will B. Farver, publisher, and Prof. D. N. Blazer, editor.
In 1885 the following business concerns were active at New Boston: Willits & Strong, general merchandise; George Hartwig, prints, dress goods, gents' furnishing goods, etc .; Pritz & Adelsdorf, dry goods and clothing; Fred Lauer, jewelry; Mrs. M. Drury, mil- linery; Mr. Keeler, postmaster; G. Ives & Sons, general merchan- dise; Pratt Brothers, meat market; P. C. Dixon, livery and feed stable; C. W. Bras, attorney; John Rolander, harness, saddles, etc .; Murray and Murphy, the Bee Hive meat market; George H. Signor, grocery; Seastone & Anderson, shingles, flooring, etc .; Roberts & Williams, hardware, stoves, cutlery, etc .; John Seastone, wagons, carriages and farm implements ; William Markgraf, cigar manufac- turer; George Lytle, drugs and patent medicines; A. Imber, boots and shoes; Conrad Ohlwein, tailor; U. C. Gessenmann, grocer.
The Bay Island Drainage Ditch was projected and considered in 1890. It meant a great deal to New Boston and its construction had been fought for and against for many years. In the end it was constructed. In 1891 New Boston had a considerable debt which had been greatly reduced during the previous four or five years. It was bonded and was refunded at a later date. At this time large quantities of ice were put up and marketed at the proper time.
In September, 1893, the soldiers of the One Hundred and Second Regiment held a reunion at New Boston, on which occasion 8,000 people were present. The occasion was made memorable by the greeting given the old soldiers and by the games, boat races, etc., Vol. I-28
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which were. enjoyed. The New Boston creamery was established before 1893 and was successfully conducted for several years. It did not have sufficient cows back of it to become a permanent fixture.
New Boston Township has been called the township of bridges, owing to the numerous structures that have been built over the streams, bayous, lakes, etc. In September, 1893, Mr. Roberts suc- ceeded Mr. Willits as postmaster.
At the spring election in New Boston in 1894, ninety-nine ladies and 133 men voted. It was a school election, Mrs. Gore receiving ninety-nine votes and Mr. Livingston 133 votes. Thus the men voted for the man candidate and the women for the woman candidate. W. C. Austin was elected mayor on the people's ticket in 1894. The candidate of the law and order party was M. Chamberlin.
In 1900 the following were the business concerns of New Boston :
Bank, Olcott, Whitham & Company ; barber, W. W. Smull ; black- smith, Bert Poffenbarger; contractor and builder, William E. Mer- rill; coal and draying, F. A. Burlingame; collections, A. V. Lar- rance; druggist, George Lytle; furniture and undertaking, H. F. Babbitt; ferry, J. B. Robins; fish and game, A. S. Miller; grocers, Bell & Company, A. W. Mannon, N. W. Tieman ; hotels, Patterson, Wade; hardware, Trask & Tolle; harness, John Rolander; justice of the peace, W. C. Austin; jeweler, E. M. Bras; livery and feed barn, F. C. Dixon; loans, D. S. Prentiss; lumber, R. H. Roberts ; milliner, Mrs. E. C. Gore; merchant tailor, W. H. Dixon; meat market, Courtney Willits; notary public, M. Chamberlin; painters, W. P. Hunt, R. C. Livingston ; poultry, Henry F. Kath; physicians ยท and surgeons, E. H. Cutts, C. F. Lytle ; restaurant, I. F. Patterson ; stock and grain buyer, G. W. Bridger; vegetable dealer, W. D. Hodson; wagon manufacturer, John Seastone.
In 1900 Elias Poffenbarger built a large two-story brick bank building at a cost of about six thousand five hundred dollars. The bank located therein was reorganized at that time, the old concern being merged into the new. Fifty or sixty of the most prominent citizens became stockholders in the new concern. John E. Whit- ham was manager and cashier. A. Imber, Ed Noble, G. W. Bridger, John Seastone and H. H. Roberts were the advisory board. In 1901 New Boston began to wake up on the subject of waterworks, electric lighting, and other important subjects. Steps were taken to put all these movements in operation before many years. In 1901 the bank was doing a large business, had a capital of $21,000 and was con- ducted by Whitham, Olcott & Company. The leading subscribers to the stock were John E. Whitham, Hiram W. Olcott, and K. M.
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Whitham. The Glenwood Ice Company in 1901 packed an immense quantity of ice which was sold to good advantage the following summer. In January, 1901, the New Boston Herald was established with Vern Mendenhall as publisher.
In July, 1907, the waterworks question came to a partial climax and the voters were required to determine whether bonds to the amount of $4,000 should be issued for such a system. In 1908 the business men of New Boston were as follows: Frank Brusor, Trask & Noble, H. F. Babbitt, P. O. Drury, D. S. Prentiss, C. F. Dixon, H. O. Baner, L. J. Temple, S. L. Crosley, I. F. Patterson, R. C. Chinery, A. W. Mannon, R. H. Roberts, J. T. Mead, J. A. Stine- man, R. C. Livingston, W. W. Small, F. E. Bruce, Bert Poffen- barger, C. R. Ballard, Fred Ives, H. F. Rice, Dr. E. Morgan, G. F. Close, Dr. L. L. McIntire, M. F. Prouty, J. G. Ohlwein, Courtney Willits, J. P. Fleming, Guy Brusor, S. S. McKown, Louis Hartwig, Leo Hand, E. L. Willits, L. D. Wade, W. S. Nelson, Frank Liv- ingston.
The people had determined to light the city by electricity and accordingly the system was commenced in 1910 and the lighting system was put in operation first in January, 1913. It was furnished by the Tri-County Light & Power Company.
In 1914 New Boston had a population of 718. Its leading busi- ness houses were : H. F. Babbitt, furniture and undertaking; R. C. Chinery, groceries and meat; F. C. Dixon, livery; J. P. Fleming, restaurant; Gideon Ives & Sons, general store; Leo Hand, black- smith; A. J. Imber, fish dealer; Frank Livingston, jewelry; A. W. Mannon, general store; J. L. Mead, cigars; New Boston Electric Company; New Boston Telephone Company ; Noble & Bruce, hard- ware; Isabelle Patterson, hotel; I. F. Patterson, restaurant and gro- ceries ; Bert Poffenbarger, hardware; R. H. Roberts, lumber; J. C. Rolander, harness; N. E. Seastone, agricultural implements ; W. W. Smull, cigars; Max Steineck, cigars; Courtney Willits, meat and ice; Willits & Willits, manufacturers of corn cutters.
The little village of Mannon has had a store, shop, school, church and postoffice for many years. It is located in the northern part of New Boston Township and its population in 1914 was 52. It has rural free delivery from New Boston. David Blaisdell is black- smith and Omer Deeds conducts a general store.
In 1914 New Boston is a wideawake, up-to-date and progressive city. Its schools, churches, clubs, societies, lodges, etc., embrace the whole population. Its banks and business houses generally are sound
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and reliable. Its city water is pure; its streets are clean and well lighted; its fire department is efficient; its city administration is well and economically conducted and the city is a most desirable one in which to live and be happy.
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CHAPTER XXI
MILLERSBURG TOWNSHIP
Millersburg Township is divided into two nearly equal geo- graphical divisions by Edwards River. Until suitable bridges were built across this stream the people of the two divisions were isolated and scarcely knew each other. However, as soon as bridges were built the township was a unit in growth and development. In 1872 upon petition of the inhabitants it was divided into two election pre- cincts, the river being the separating line. This did not continue long, because the following year bridges having been built, the pre- cincts were united into one. In the fall of 1834 settlements were made in both divisions of the township. The first farmers to locate south of the river were Edward Willette, Harrison Riggs and Eben- ezer Creswell. Riggs located on section 30 and put up the first log cabin in the township. Creswell located on section 21 and built a sawmill during 1834-5. It was on Camp Creek and was the first mill in the township and one of the first in the county. Willette located on the same section as Creswell. Other early settlers in the south division were Thomas Riggs in 1836; Rice Peckingbaugh, 1840; Charles Griffith, 1836; Isaac Burson, 1837; W. Hubbard, 1836; Edward Brady, Sr., 1842; John T. McGinnis, 1846; Richard and John S. Kiddoo, 1845; William Kiddoo, 1847; John and Edward Brady, 1842; Peter Spangler, Thomas Jackson and others, about 1840. By the early '40s the settlement south of the river was general and schools had been started and religious societies formed. The first settler in the north division was Benijah Lloyd, who located on section 5 in 1834. Two years afterward the Miller brothers located at what became known as Millersburg. They had previously settled elsewhere in 1834.
Among the first settlers at Millersburg were H. W. Thornton, 1836; James Thompson, 1838; Christian Routzong, 1838; Erastus, William and Joseph Denison, about 1839; Judge E. Gilmore, about 1838; the latter at a later day located south of the river. These per- sons located either in the village of Millersburg or within a short dis- tance therefrom. I. M. Gilmore located east of the village about 1840; L. B. Howe, Thomas Brighton, Elbridge Howe, W. A. Bridg-
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ford and his son, O. A. Bridgford, all arrived in the early '40s. Wil- liam Kline came early in the '40s, and his brother, Christian Kline, about the same time. The former was a skilful hunter. Among the settlers of the township at a later day were the following: Dr. Joseph Boyd, Albert P. Taylor, the Felton family, of whom Herschel was one; Jacob Whorton, who had four sons and several daughters; Samuel and Alexander Carnahan, Robert Shearer, Thomas Greer, John Duff, Rev. Stephen T. Stratton, James H. Crane, George Scott, James Shingledecker, James and Cliff Haverfield, John Love and his son William, Andrew Downing and his son, William W .; Absalom Volentine and his sons, James, Wesley and William; the Morrow and Close families, James M. Burgess, John Downing, Sr. and Jr., a Frenchman named Ritter, who was a skilful musician ; Jacob Braucht and his sons, William and George; Alexander Green, who built a mill on Edwards River south of Millersburg; Mordecai Marsh, the father of the scientist, William A. Marsh; Charles Wake- land, who had five sons, and William Green.
Between the years 1840 and 1855 the township was well settled and the farmers were prosperous and contented. This township was one of the first away from the Mississippi to be settled. The prin- cipal reason why early settlers sought the navigable water courses was because there were no roads and farm products could not be marketed without too much trouble and expense. There were not many wagons in the country in early times. Sleds were used quite often in the summer. Previous to 1840 the settlers saw hard times, but after that date conditions greatly improved. The township was organized in 1854. The citizens met at the schoolhouse near Edward Brady's and elected Ephraim Gilmore chairman and appointed L. B. Howe secretary. The township was first divided into three road districts: No. 1, north of Edwards River; No. 2 embraced the east half of the township south of the Edwards; and No. 3 the west half of the township south of the river.
David Lloyd was elected the first supervisor; J. E. Bay, first clerk; Benijah Lloyd, Jr., first assessor; and J. R. Lemon, first col- lector. Prior to 1868 there were chosen each year three commis- sioners who had charge of the roads. In 1854 they were J. Falls, S. Carnahan and Charles Griffith. In 1868 the law was changed and W. O. Dugan alone became commissioner of highways. In 1855 the citizens were required to vote on the question of continuing or not continuing township organization. Twenty-one votes were cast in favor of the system and nineteen against it. The first justices in the township were Ebenezer Creswell, who was appointed May 3,
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1835, and Abraham Miller, appointed October 5, 1835. Other early justices were Isaac Beson, who refused to accept the appointment; Christian Routzong, 1838; Frank Miller, probate justice, 1838; Abraham Thorp, 1839; E. Gilmore, 1839; John Carnahan, 1839; and others at a later date.
Beginning in 1835 roads were laid out and built as rapidly as the funds warranted. The first elections were held in the schoolhouse near Edward Brady's corner and later at the Village of Millersburg. In 1870 the permanent place of holding elections was fixed at Brady's Corner and a town hall for public purposes was built over the school- house there at a cost of $387, a portion of which was raised by private subscription upon condition that entertainments of various kinds could be held in the hall. In 1868 the township by a vote of 114 to 27 decided to pay $13,400 to the American Central Railroad Com- pany. The bonds were issued the next year. In 1870 the town- ship was called upon to vote on the question of aiding the Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis Railroad Company, but decided against it by a vote of 107 for and 126 against. A little later another attempt was made with the same object in view, there being cast 106 votes for taxation and 117 against it.
This township is one of the best agricultural sections of the county. The soil is varied and is nearly all rich in humus and is capable of sustaining nearly all crops. In recent years no event of great importance has occurred in the history of township affairs.
MILLERSBURG
Millersburg is the oldest laid out town in the county back from the river. It was laid out by John Miller, Sr., in November, 1835, Ephraim Gilmore making the survey and preparing the plat. Mr. Miller was the original proprietor. An addition was platted in June, 1840, by W. F. Hull, county surveyor. The township and town were named in honor of John Miller. Other members of his family were John, George, Abraham, Isaac and Philip, who were brothers, and Abraham, Jr., who was a son of George. The Millers came here from Indiana and first located in Perryton at Sugar Grove in 1834. They formerly lived in Tennessee. Abraham, Jr., became one of the county's first clerks. It is probable that Abraham Miller, Jr., built the first dwelling house within the corporate limits. James Thompson and William Drury started the first store about 1836. In 1838 Erastus Denison put up the first hotel, which building stood for many years and was a two-story frame structure. For many years
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the upper story was occupied by the Odd Fellows. In 1837-8 Wil- liam Pinckney established a pottery in the village. Martin Willits was probably the first doctor. H. W. Thornton was the first lawyer; the first blacksmith shop was established in 1836 by Thomas Bigelow; the postoffice was started in 1837 or 1838, William Drury being the first commissioned postmaster. By 1839 the village was a promis- ing and busy little place. The county seat was established here in 1836. The first courts were held in the hotel, but after 1839 in the new courthouse, which was erected that year. The structure was a two-story frame and was afterwards occupied by Harrison Bethuram as a wagon and blacksmith shop. This structure was used as a courthouse until 1847, when the county seat was removed to Keiths- burg. Afterwards the building was used as a schoolhouse and church. When the county seat was removed W. A. Thornton purchased this building and moved it to the south side of the village. He converted it into a store. A jail was erected at an early day and was built of stone, lined inside with heavy timbers. The jail building was after- wards used for a granary and fodder house. It was located a short distance west of the old courthouse. The first wagon shop was built in 1856 by A. P. and Asa G. Shafer. The second was erected by Crippin & Powers in 1857. McGlathlin & Jones established another in 1859 and James Gilmore still another in 1861. J. H. Longshore was in the same business during the war. Previous to the removal of the county seat to Keithsburg, Millersburg was the most active and important village of the county outside of Keithsburg and New Boston. It had a large trade and had managed to secure good roads to the river landing. In recent years there have been few improve- ments and the little place is noted more for its social organizations and work than for its business ventures or advancement. It still has a good local trade. In 1882 W. W. Eghurt and John Farran conducted blacksmith shops. David T. Howe owned a grocery store; the hotel was kept by William Dunn. In 1880-81 the creamery was established by Joseph Stratton. It was an important industry and had a four horsepower engine. Its working capacity was 15,000 pounds of butter per day. It gave employment to twenty men and fifteen teams. The first and only mill in the village was built by Stephen Stratton about the year 1850. It was continued until 1875, when it was taken apart and moved south of Millersburg to the Edwards, where water power was used instead of steam. Other early postmasters were James Thompson, Doctor Allen, H. W. Thornton, J. M. Nevans, William H. Green, Mrs. Green, J. D. Stratton and
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John Farran. At an early date Hiram W. Thornton purchased nearly all the lots in Millersburg and later had part of them vacated and merged into his farm. After 1848 Mr. Thornton quit practicing law and at first became a merchant. He became a member of the Leg- islature, county recorder, had a large library and was prominent, able and influential. He became connected with the Warsaw & Rock- ford Railroad, which was projected across the county from Millers- burg to Keithsburg. In the end he became president of the road and about 1854-5 he bought the Beason Farm about one mile east of the present site of Joy and laid out the village which he called Monroe. It was located at the proposed junction of this road and the present C. B. & Q. Line. The former road not being built, Joy was estab- lished a short distance to the eastward and has become a promising little city. Thornton in the end lost the Beason property. His family were useful and prominent. His daughter during the war probably did more to aid the soldiers in the hospitals than any other lady in the county. Early in the '5os a strong temperance movement took root at Millersburg and was largely sustained by the Thorntons. Several lodges were established there and elsewhere in the township with a large membership. At Millersburg the educational reform movement in 1857-8 was conducted with vigor and great success. The churches were excellent in early times and the workers were active in visiting homes and inducing the parents to become members. Charity movements were instituted in the churches of Millersburg as early as 1840.
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