USA > Illinois > Piatt County > Past and present of Piatt County, Illinois : together with biographical sketches of many prominent and influential citizens > Part 5
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Following is the complete list of the At- wood principals in order: James Hicks, John Smith, George S. Morris, T. J. Haney, Charles Gott, W. E. Knott, C. H. Bonnell, M. A. Hester and M. A. Thrasher, the pres- ent principal.
There are ten rural schools in the town- ship, as follows: Baird, McCabe, Shonk- ·wiler, Baker, Morgan, Leavitt, Easton, Harshbarger, Love and Maple Grove.
BLUE RIDGE TOWNSHIP.
The first school house was built about 1854.
The Mansfield school is the only graded
school in the township. The first house in Mansfield was a frame one, which stood in the east part of town. vị
The brick house was built in: 1893 at a cost of about $12,000. It is a modern brick building of six rooms, heated by steam. A four years' high school course was adopted in 1902, and its work has been accredited by the State University. The principals are as follows :
G. N. Snapp (2), 1890-91; L. D. Stearns (4), L. B. White, C. C. Faust, J. M. Markel and T. L. Cook.
The rural schools in Blue Ridge town- ship are as follows :
Blue Ridge, Langley, Van Meter, West Point, Gillespie, McGath, Watson, South Prairie, Klinger, Victory, Pleasant Grove, Number Six, Elwood.
The Gillespie is a modern one-room house, built in 1901. The McGath house was extensively repaired in 1902 and practically made into a new house, and the West Point school house was repaired and worked.over in 1903, and the Langley school in 1900. The Blue Ridge school house is brick, all the others are frame.
CHAPTER IV.
.
MONTICELLO.
The location of Monticello is almost an ideal place for a town. The country is roll- ing and affords excellent drainage; it is near the river and is in the center of a very fine farming and stock country. It is the oldest town in the county, having been laid out in
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PAST AND PRESENT
1837, four years before the county was or- ganized. Just before this the nearest town at which they could trade was Decatur, about twenty-five miles away by road. The people around here thought that that was too far to go to do their trading and concluded to start a town. A committee consisting of Abraham Marquiss, William Barns, Major McReynolds and J. A. Piatt was appointed to select a location for a town. They searched up and down both sides of the San- gamon and finally decided on the present location. It was indeed a good selection, and they would have had to search long and care- fully to find a better one.
It is in the midst of a fine country and is just rolling enough to make a good location. The principal streets of the city are sloping and will almost drain and clean themselves.
The land was once owned by James A. Piatt, who sold part of it. The four men mentioned above formed a stock company and laid out the town. It was platted by James A. Piatt, surveyed by Mr. McClel- land and named by Major McReynolds after the home of President Jefferson. The plat was recorded July 1, 1837.
On July 4th a grand barbecue was held. This was done to attract people to the new town and to sell the lots. The barbecue was very successful from both points of view. A large crowd attended the barbecue. Beeves, hogs and sheep were roasted and a general good time was had. A number of lots were sold, the price obtained being in the neigh- borhood of $2,700.
The original plat of Monticello dil not include the Heyworth house, erected on what is now the Lodge place. The first house in the limits of the city was a small store house which stood on the northwest corner of the square, where the First National Bank is
now located. It was built in 1837 by Mr. Cass, the first merchant in the town. The first dwelling house was built in 1839 by Mr. Nicholas Devore. The house was several years in building and went by the name of "Old Fort" for a number of years. The sec- ond dwelling house in the town was built by John Tenbrooke. It was a log house and served for a hotel. The third house was erected by James Outten just opposite the jail. The fourth house was a little black- smith shop near the Honselman House, one block south of the square. In 1839 this was the extent of Monticello.
In 1841 Daniel Stickel opened the first regular store in the town on the south side of the present square. J. C. Johnson opened the first drug store and was the first regular postmaster. The first physician who settled in Monticello was Dr. King. The first preaching in the town was at the home of Mr. Outten, where a circuit rider of the M. E. church stopped once a month. In 1843 and 1844 Rev. Peter Cartwright held meet- ings in the old court house. He was quite a noted character in his day.
The first church in the town was built in 1848, two blocks south and one west of the square. It was a Methodist church.
Monticello was made a city in 1872. The first election under the new system of gov- ernment was held December 17, 1872, and Daniel Stickel was elected first mayor and William T. Foster, B. B. Jones, E. G. Knight, J. A. Hill, John Keenan and James M. Holmes aldermen. William D. Shultz was elected clerk; A. T. Pipher attorney ; J. T. VanGundy treasurer.
In 1893 (December 5) the city was laid off into three wards for the administration of municipal affairs.
The electric light plant was put in in
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PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
1891, the city water works system installed in 1892, the town hall was built in 1896 and the Allerton library was founded in 1897.
The system of wards was abolished in 1902.
Following is a list of the mayors : 1872-1876-Daniel Stickle. 1876-1878-C. P. Davis and S. H. Hub- bell.
1878-1880-Samuel Reed. 1880-1882-WV. H. Plunk. 1882-1884-Bert Emerson. 1884-1885-Julius A. Brown. 1885-1887-\V. H. Plunk. 1887-1891-A. L. Rodgers. 1891-1893-John E. Andrew. 1893-1895-R. T. Ayre.
1895-1897-John E. Andrew elected. Served a short time and resigned. Reber Huston was appointed by City Council to fill vacancy until election could be held. Elec- tion held June 25, 1895, and W. J. Britton elected, who filled out unexpired term.
1897-1899-John A. Bender. : 1899-1901-John E. Andrew. -1901-1903-Allen F. Moore .. 1903-Wilbur F. Stevenson.
MONTICELLO WATER WORKS.
The first definite action looking towards city water works was taken in 1889. At the meeting of the City Council held September 3, 1889, a petition signed by forty-four citi- zens was read, asking the council to take action to establish a system of water works. On motion of Alderman C. N.' Rhoades the mayor was instructed, to appoint a commit- tee of seven to investigate the matter and re- port conclusions-three of the committee to be members of the council and four of them citizens. Mayor A. L. Rodgers appointed
the following persons on the committee: J. A. Bender, W. R. Yazle, R. R. Meredith, J. A. Brown, W. H. Plunk, G. A. Stadler and F. V. Dilatush. The committee made a very careful investigation of the matter and made a report to the council November 5, 1889 as follows :
A supply of water can be obtained any- where in the northern portion of the city in three different ways-by using the well pur- chased of the coal company, by sinking a large surface well fifty or seventy feet deep, or by putting down two or three tubular wells about three hundred feet deep. Any of these methods will furnish water in abundance; but for the best and purest water we recommend the deep tubular wells, as that which will give the most satisfactory results for the least money. Of the various systems of water works in use the "combined system" of direct pressure from the pump, together with an elevated tank, would be the most durable and economical for our city. This system would be the most effective in use, least expensive to operate, and the first cost to protect a width of six blocks from north to south through the business portion of the city would not exceed $15,000. This includes sinking the wells, pump, tank, power house, etc., in fact, the system completed, tested and ready to be received by the city. Under the present law owing to the low val- uation of the city's taxable property but $13,500 could be raised by bonds, 5 per cent. of the valuation being the limit for which a city can bond itself for water works. By raising $1,500 additional by a special tax our city can be as effectually protected as any city can be, and in view of the helpless con- dition in case of fire at present, we believe our city cannot afford to be longer without this aid.
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PAST AND PRESENT
We therefore recommend that you sub- mit the question to a vote of the people, plac- ing the cost at a maximum of $15,000, all of which is unanimously concurred in by your committee. Signed by all members of com- mittee.
The council postponed action on the re- port of the committee and nothing more was done with the matter for nearly a year. On September 2, 1890, the council decided "to proceed to buy location for water works for city" and the clerk was directed to advertise for bids for sinking a six-inch well. It was decided to buy from H. E. Huston the east half of lots 5 and 6 and all of lot 7, block 10, in Rawlins' addition to Monticello, for $330, as a location for well and plant.
October 15, 1890, the contract for sink- ing the well was let to the J. W. Mohler Company at the following price: First 100 feet, $2.25 per foot ; next 50 feet, $2.75 per foot, and from 150 to 500 feet, $3.00 per foot. The well was finished the following spring and was put down 311 feet.
On October 13, 1891, an ordinance was passed providing for bonding the city for $9,000 for the purpose of instituting a water-works plant. The bonds were sold to Farson, Leach & Co.
The contract for the construction of the water works plant complete with the excep- tion of the pipe lines was awarded to George Cadogan Morgan for $10,450. The contract for water mains laid complete with all con- nections was awarded to Mueller Plumbing and Heating Company for $12,890. The work was completed and the plant installed in 1892.
Later an eight-inch well 209 feet deep was sunk. The water in each well stands within twenty feet of the top and is un- usually clear and pure. The working valves of the pump are 100 feet down. The water
tower is seventy feet high and forty-one feet in circumference at the base. On top of this is the stand-pipe, fifty feet high, twelve feet in diameter at base and ten feet at top. The tank holds about 36,000 gallons.
The water is first pumped into a reser- voir, which holds 56,000 gallons, and is forty feet in diameter. On the eight-inch well is- an Aurora pump and on the six-inch well a Cook pump .. The water is forced from the reservoir by a Dean pressure pump. The stroke of this pump is fourteen inches, the plunger is eight and one-half inches in diam- eter, and the steam cylinder ten inches in diameter. The pump will throw 600 gallons per minute. In case of fire the water is pumped directly into the main, and some idea of the force with which it is sent may be ob- tained when you are told that they have sent water over a three-story elevator (Peck's) at least 100 feet away.
There are two .seventy-five horse-power boilers, put in new in 1899. J. J. Bell is the city engineer and has been for. the past two years. William Hodson is night man.
The fire company was organized in 1893. It is a very efficient organization and has done excellent work for the city. Perhaps the worst fire it has ever had to fight was the Peck elevator fire. The fire originated in the upper story and before the fire company arrived it had spread over nearly the whole roof, and it seemed impossible to save the building. The boys went to work with a will and in a short time had the fire under control. The roof had to be replaced, and quite a good deal of · repairs made on the upper story, but aside from this, the dam- ages to the building by fire were not very great. The company responds readily to all calls for help in case of fire and is worthy of commendation.
The following persons compose the team
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PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
at present : John Miller, chief ; T. A. Tull, secretary ; Scott Tinsman, Thomas Widder- heim. Will Fisher, Will Skelton, Ben Facius, Robert Hubbard, George Peck, Wade Mitch- ell, Claude Weaver, R. M. Zybell and Sam- uel Cooper.
TOWN HALL.
At the town meeting held at the Baptist church on April 2, 1895, Daniel Hall made the following miotion, which was adopted :
Resolved, That the sum of $15,000 be raised by taxation in the township of Monti- cello, Piatt county, Illinois, in the year 1894. for the purpose of buying site and erecting thereon a town hall and a room for a public library for the use of the inhabitants of said township.
On motion of J. E. Evans the moderator was authorized to appoint a committee of five to procure a site and to proceed to erect thereon a town hall and a room for a library. The moderator, Wm. H. Kratz, appointed Caleb A. Tatman, Frank V. Dilatush, George F. Rhoades, James L. Allman, Her- bert D. Peters.
The committee purchased the west half of cutlot 2, original town of Monticello, as a site for said building at $1,500. H. D. Peters resigned and J. WV. Coleman was chosen in his place.
The original plans for the building were drawn by Seely Brown, which were ac- cepted and paid for by the committee, who advertised for bids for the erection of the house according to the plans and specifica- tions. The committee considered all the bids too high and all were rejected. The· con- tract for the building was let July 13, 1896, to Mr. Gill, who drew a plan similar to the original one made by Mr: Brown. The con- tract price was $13,000, which included 3
everything complete, except heating, seating and stage fixtures. The building was com- pleted and accepted the following spring, at the town meeting held April 6, 1897, the committee appointed to have charge of the erection of the building was dicharged and the building was turned over to the town board. At this same meeting, on motion of C. A. Tatman, the chair appointed a com- mittee of six to act as a library committee in all matters pertaining to the Allerton library. The chairman (W. E. Krebs) appointed C. A. Tatman, J. W. Coleman, F. V. Dilatushi, A. C. Thompson, G. F. Rhoades and James L. Allman. The work of this committee is done by the town board, which at the present time consists of the following persons : H. P. Harris, supervisor: Albert Hirt, town clerk ; M. N. Secrist and W. J. Porter, jus- tices of the peace.
The Monticello Cemetery Association was organized May 2, 1873. The following were its first officers: President, J. W. . Coleman; secretary and treasurer, H. E. Huston : directors: W. E. Lodge, Charles Watts, George F. Miller.
Twenty acres of ground were purchased about a mile north of town and laid out on modern landscape plans. This work was in charge of Dr. J. W. Coleman, who has been president and superintendent since its or- ganization. The ground was well chosen, being broken, thus permitting of ornamenta- tion. Excellent taste has been displayed in laying off the grounds. The driveways and walks are kept in excellent condition, and the cemetery is one of the most beautiful in the State.
On the highest rise a large block has been reserved for the soldiers. In the center of this is a tall pole, from which "Old Glory" floats on Memorial Day.
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PAST AND PRESENT
The financial affairs have been well man- aged. . Besides the original twenty acres one tract of seven acres and another of eight acres have been added, so that the ground now extends to the Camp Creek road, and in all are thirty-five acres-all paid for.
There are something over one thousand graves in the cemetery.
William Milligan has had the care of the grounds for over four years and takes great pride in keeping them in order.
The present officers of the association are as follows: President, Dr. J. W. Coleman ; secretary and treasurer, A. L. Rodgers; di- rectors : S. R. Reed, M. Hazzard and W. F. Lodge. .
FARMERS' ELEVATOR.
Steps are being taken to form a Farmers' Grain Company for the purpose of getting an elevator and shipping their own grain. A meeting of the farmers was held in the Town Hall July 6, 1903. S. H. Minear acted as chairman of the meeting. The matter was discussed and W. W. Royer, James L. All- man, John Salyers, N. P. Kelley and J. M. Smith were chosen as commissioners to ap- ply for a license to form a grain company. It was voted to have the capital stock of the company $10,000, shares $50 each and limit ownerships to four shares.
Already similar companies have been formed at Bement, Galesville, Atwood, Lodge, Voorhies.
The Allerton library was founded in 1897 by Agnes C. Allerton.
Mrs. Allerton furnished the books, furni- ture and pictures. At first there were 2,500 volumes. Since then 1,700 volumes have been added and the total number now is 4,200.
Monticello township furnishes the light, heat and salary of librarian.
The books have been very carefully se- lected, the reference library being unusually good. There are over 500 volumes of bound periodicals and the following magazines are complete : New England, Century and Har- per. All who live in the township are en- titled to the privilege of the library. Those outside may have the privilege of the library by paying $2.50 per year.
BANKS.
The first bank in Monticello was started November 1, 1870, under the firm name of Robert Huston & Co., H. V. Moore being one of the firm. In 1872 A. J. Dighton was taken in as a partner and the business was done under the firm name of Huston, Moore & Dighton. In 1878 A. J. Dighton died and the business was conducted under the firm name of Houston & Moore. In 1880 Mr. Moore bought out Mr. Huston and the bank was run by H. V. Moore. In 1883 W. H. Plunk became interested in the bank and ever since it has been conducted under the firm name of H. V. Moore & Co. It does a large general banking business, and on ac- count of its wise and conservative manage- ment and the financial standing of its owners it is considered one of the safest banking in- stitutions in the State.
In November, 1883, Dr. William Noeck- er started a private bank in the room now oc- cupied by the First'National Bank. About six years later George A. Stadler was taken in as a partner and the business was con- ducted under the firm name of William Noecker & Co. Later John N. Dighton came in as a partner.
On December 15, 1892, the bank became the First National Bank of Monticello, with a capital stock of $100,000.
The following were the officers: Wil-
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PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
liam Noecker, president; John N. Dighton, vice-president; O. W. Moore, cashier ; Wil- liam Dighton, assistant cashier .; Directors : William Noecker, J. L. Allman, F. V. Dila- tush, C. A. Tatman, A. C. Thompson, John Kirby, J. N. Dighton, W. F. Stevenson, R. T. Ayre.
These officers were continued until the death of William Noecker in 1897, when the following officers were elected and are the officers of the institution at this time :
President, John N. Dighton; vice-presi- dent, William Dighton .; cashier, O. W. Moore; assistant cashier, George B. Noecker. Directors: J. L. Allman, F. V. Dilatush, William Dighton, C. A. Tatman, A. C. Thompson, John Kirby, J. N. Dighton, W. F. Stevenson, R. T. Ayre.
The bank was remodeled in 1899 and a burglar-proof steel-lined vault put in. It is fitted with safety deposit boxes and other modern steel furniture.
The deposits June 9, 1903, were $377,- 474.06.
The Dighton-Dilatush Loan Company years of business. The following are its was organized October 31, 1900, for the officers : purpose of making real estate loans. The capital stock of the company is $30,000.
The following are the present officers : President, John N. Dighton; vice-president, William Dighton; cashier, F. V. Dilatush; assistant cashier, Frank Hetishee.
Directors : John N. Dighton, William Dighton, Frank V. Dilatush, C. J. Bear, H. L. Timmons, J. M. Bender, W. H. Firke, E. L. Croninger and J. S. Ater.
HARRINGTON BROTHERS.
For about twenty years Harrington Brothers have been manufacturing buggies. They have always been striving to make the
most substantial and attractive buggy for the least money. The factory was erected in 1900 and consists of a two-story brick, 40x56, and a three-story frame building, 35×70. All together the factory contains 13,630 feet of floor space. There is a well lighted show window. The factory employs fifteen hands.
The firm makes a specialty of mail wagons for rural routes. The body of the wagon is 31x56, covered with heavy sail duck and well painted. The interior is fitted with suitable desk, with six letter-boxes and six paper boxes with lock and stamp drawer.
The Piatt County Loan Association was incorporated March 26, 1886, and com- menced business April 10, 1886. Its busi- ness has been managed conservatively and it is one of the best institutions of its kind in the State. It never loans more than 60 per cent. of its appraised value on a new build- ing or 50 per cent. on an old one. · As a result of its conservative management it has never had a foreclosure in its. seventeen
President, H. D. Peters; vice-president, W. C. Handlin; treasurer, O. W. Moore; secretary, A. L. Rodgers. Directors : H. D. Peters, Willliam P. Smith, J. A. Bender, C. A. Tatman, W. C. Handlin, C. S. Coe, A. B. Tinder, Willliam E. Rodgers, H. N. Knight.
The total assets for the year 1902 were $98,994.02.
This association has done a great deal of good for Monticello by making it possible for some of the best business buildings in the town to be erected
It has not only helped in the erection of a number of business buildings for the better accommodation of the citizens of the town,
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PAST AND PRESENT
but it has enabled a number of citizens of put in in 1895 by the Monticello Mutual Tel- limited means to own their own homes and has thus helped to improve and beautify the city.
ELEVATORS.
The first grain elevator in Monticello was erected in 1872 by Piatt, Hubbell & Co. In 1878 a gristmill was connected with the elevator. Later it was made into a corn mill and was fitted with machinery to make meal, grits, hominy and corn flour. It makes a splendid grade of meal and grinds a great deal in fall and winter and supplies the local trade and ships a great deal to neighboring towns.
In 1893 the elevator caught on fire. The fire originated in the third story, and when discovered the fire had broken through the roof. The fire was at least fifty feet from the ground, and it was only by the heroic efforts of the fire company that the elevator was saved. A great deal of grain is shipped from this elevator every year.
In 1876, Knight & Tinder erected an ele- vator on the then Chicago & Pacific Rail- road. This elevator was destroyed by fire on January 6, 1884. A new one was built that summer, and has been in use to the present time, now being owned and operated by E. G. Knight & Son. The building is to be rebunilt this fall, and a modern grain elevator put up. In 1900 the firm put up a modern elevator near the Illinois Central railroad track. It is conveniently arranged for handling grain, and up-to-date in every respect. E. G. Knight has been in the grain business for thirty-four years, commencing to buy grain in Monticello in 1869.
TELEPHONES.
ephone Company. There were forty share- holders in the company, each taking a phone, and there was no provision made for renting the phones to outside parties. In 1897 this company became merged into the Piatt Coun- ty Telephone Company, an organized stock company, of which W. F. Lodge has the con- trolling interest, and is the president and general manager. The owners of shares in the Mutual Telephone Company surrendered them for so much telephone service rendered by the new company.
The company now has exchanges in Monticello, Bement and DeLand, and has a number of farmers' lines connecting with these exchanges.
HOTELS.
The Monticello hotel building is a three- story brick building near the square, erected by J. C. Johnson. It was remodeled and greatly improved in 1897, and furnished with modern conveniences. Until recently it has been conducted by David Deter and son.
The Sackriter hotel was erected in 1892. It is a three-story brick near the square. It is provided with modern hotel equipment. The proprietor, Henry Sackriter, has been in the hotel business since 1890.
LIGHT PLANT.
The Monticello Light and Power Com- pany was organized in 1891. They secured a fifty-year franchise from the city and erected a brick power house west of the Illi- nois Central depot, and the plant was started in 1892. They have the contract from the city for lighting the streets. They have a forty light arc machine, each light being 2000
The first telephones in Monticello were candle power.
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PIATT COUNTY, ILLINOIS.
For residence lighting they have an 800 light alternating incandescent machine. There are two 60 H. P. boilers and a 120 H. P. engine.
It is a stock company with the follow- ing officers : President, C. A. Tatman ; Sec- retary, J. P. Lodge; Treasurer, J. N. Digh- ton ; General Manager, W. F. Lodge.
DIRECTORS.
C. A. Tatman, C. J. Bear, W. F. Steven- son, W. F. Lodge, J. P. Lodge.
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