Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 67

Author: Collins, William H. (William Hertzog), 1831-1910; Perry, Cicero F., 1855- [from old catalog] joint author; Tillson, John, 1825-1892. History of the city of Quincy, Illinois. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1228

USA > Illinois > Adams County > Quincy > Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois > Part 67

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In 1835 the church built the little log house near Dyer's Spring, now known as Coe's Springs, and there held meetings for a number of years; then in the residence of JJoseph Hanks some years until the little brick school house was ereeted in 1850, on section 19, after which ser- vices were held in it for four years, until Mel- rose Chapel, a neat frame edifice, which has since given place to a neat modern building, was erected on section 19, 2 south, 8 west, in 1854.

In 1859 Messrs. Anton Hoebing, William Well- man, John Schneider, the Widow Brinkman, Mr. Altro and John Mast, citizens of Melrose town- ship and zealous Roman Catholics, coneluded af- ter mature deliberation to build a church. Mr. Anton Bordewig, also an influential German Catholic, donated ten acres of land, which should be used for church, school house and cemetery. The first building erected was of frame, 35 by 60 feet, in which Father Ferdinand first officiated after its consecration. A school house was built. and Mr. lgnatz Lear became the teacher. In 1861 Father Maurienis took charge of the spir- itual affairs of the church and school and re- mained until 1864, when, under direction of Father Ferdinand, the present brick building, 45 by 70 feet, was erected at a cost of $12,000. The frame church was reconstructed and made into a school building, and Mr. Gottlieb Jacoby took charge. After much hard work by its mem- bers in its infancy, St. Antonius' Church is now in a flourishing condition. All the inside work of the building has been done by contribution. Mr. Wellman making all the pews, and several others assisting in working on the communion rail, ehaneel and confessional.

The German Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1845. For several years the society

held their services at the homes of the members until 1850, when they erected their church edi- fice, "Zion's Chapel," on the northeast quarter of section 22.

The situation of the township of Melrose, so near the city of Quincy, and the facilities of the position near the river, have made Melrose one of the richest and most valuable townships in the county.

MENDON TOWNSHIP. ( By Samuel II. Bradley.)

The territory constituting the town of Men- don is composed of four tiers of section east of, and next to, Ursa, extending from Bear creek south to the base line. That part of the country between Rock creek and Bear creek was origin- ally called the "Bear creek country." On the adoption of township organization by Adams county, in 1850, all of this territory was organ- ized as one township and named Ursa. In 1851 the four tiers of sections above referred to were set off by special aet of the legislature and called Mendon, which township is ten miles north and south and four miles east and west.

The first settler of the territory, so far as known, was Ebenezer Riddle, who came, with his family, from Kentucky in 1829 and settled on the southeast quarter of section 9, 1 north, 9 west, where he built his cabin. If there were other settlers previous to that time there is no present knowledge of the fact. The ownership of some of this land still remains among the Rid- dle descendants. Col. Martin Shuey settled on Mendon prairie in 1829, on the northwest quarter of section 6, 1 north, 8 west, which is located just over the line in Honey Creek township. John C. Hardy settled on the southwest quarter of sec- tion 29, 2 north, 8 west, in 1830. During the following year or two occasional settlers made homes in the locality. It was not, however, until the year 1831 that a preconcerted effort was made to encourage the establishment of a per- manent settlement. In the latter part of that year Samuel Bradley and family, from East Ilaven, Connecticut, and John B. Chittenden and family, from Guilford, Connecticut, came to- gether and located on Mendon prairie. Within a few years many families came from the above- named and other towns in Connecticut. William Laughlin came from Kentucky in 1832. He taught school in the northwest part of the town- ship. Among those who came from Connecticut in 1833 were Daniel and Erastus Benton, Ben- jamin, Henry B. and Timothy Baldwin. Abram Benton came in 1834: Caleb A. Smith in 1835. In the next few years many from Connecticut and other states located in the new settlement. Among them were JJames H. and Timothy Dud-

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

ley : Ralph G. Ely ; Richard, William and George Starr: Edward H. and Henry Fowler; Jonathan and Asahel Hubbard; Lyman Frisbie: JJirah Platt : Thomas R. Bray ; Cooley E. Betts: Amos Seranton : Daniel Nutt, A. D. Cook : William and Richard Battell : Levi Stillman : and many others whose names cannot here be enumerated. From 1840 to 1850 the settlement received many addi- tions. C. Shape came in 1841: M. Shope in 1843: Peter Wible, William Van Dyke and others in 1844. The most of the settlers brought their families and made permanent homes, and today their descendants constitute a large part of Men- don's population.

The town of Mendon, first called Fairfield, was laid out in 1833 by John B. Chittenden, Ben- jamin Baldwin and Daniel Bonton. The name was soon changed, as there was found to be an- other Fairfield in the state. The Crooks and Fowler, Sellwood, E. II. Fowler, Peter Young and J. B. Frisbie additions have been made at various times since.

The first building was ereeted by E. A. Strong in 1833. It was of logs and was used by him as a blacksmith's shop. Later Mr. Strong became an able and prominent Episcopal minister, hay- ing educated himself while working at his trade. A postoffice was established in 1834, Abram Ben- ton being the first postmaster. The first store was kept by Daniel Benton. Abram Benton soon succeeded him, and for half a century carried on the business, increasing it as the development and settlement of the country required. S. R. Chittenden was early engaged in mercantile busi- ness and successfully carried it on until he turned it over to his sons. S. F. and George R., who are still in business at the old stand under the firm name of Chittenden Bros., and represent the oldest established business in the place.

As early as 1840 the Mendon settlement had become a place of interest and influence in the county. In the William Henry Harrison cam- paign of that year a grand Whig barbecue was held in Mendon; the carcasses of oxen, sheep and hogs were roasted whole, and the multitude, who had gathered from the surrounding country, were bountifully fed. Daniel Nutt was man- ager of the roasts; Hon. O. Il. Browning was the principal speaker. This was the first politi- cal gathering of the kind held in the county.

Between 1840 and 1844 the Mormon question assumed threatening proportions. On section 4. 2 north, 9 west, a Mormon settlement was started, and a town came into existence. The houses were arranged in the form of a circle, and the town at one time had a population of between one hundred and two hundred people. But local public opinion was so strong against it, and the people in Adams and Hancock counties were so determined that Mormonism should not be per-

mitted to gain a foothold in this part of the state that the town was abandoned. The deserted log buildings are among the early recollections of the writer.

The first church building was erected in Men- don in 1833 and was called the "Union Meet- ing House." all denominations having joined in erceting it. All were free to use it, as the ser- viees of a minister could be secured. The build- ing was also used as a school house. The first school of which there is any knowledge of rece- ord was taught by a Miss Burgess in 1832, in J. B. Chittenden's house. Miss Burgess afterward married Willard Keyes of Quiney, but lived only a short time. A Congregational church was or- ganized on February 7, 1833, and was the first church of that denomination organized in the state. This church built a "meeting honse" in 1838 : it was a frame building, 30 feet by 40 feet. This gave place to a much more pretentious struc- ture in 1853. The Methodist Episcopal and the Episcopal churches were organized early in the history of the settlement, and the Lutheran Church in 1853. They all have buildings of suf- ficient capacity for their present needs. The Lutheran people have recently remodeled the in- terior of their church, giving it a modern and tasteful appearance. In connection with all the churches are reasonably comfortable parsonages, and the spiritual welfare of the congregations is looked after by conscientious and able minis- ters. The Congregationalists are ereeting a new building at a cost of about $16,000. It is of briek and stone, and will add favorably to the appear- ance of the town. The building committee who have the work in charge are S. 11. Bradley, C. A. Chittenden. G. F. Warner and George R. Chit- tenden. The old Congregational building has been purchased by "The Mendon Improvement Company," who will spend from $2,000 to $3,000 on it and make of it a commodious publie hall, modern in style, something Mendon has long needed but never had. There is a Roman Cath- olie Church in the village and another in the south part of the township. Their membership is composed largely of farmers, who are regarded as most valuable citizens.

Since the adoption of township organization Mendon has had twelve supervisors, whose names and terms of service were as follows: William Laughlin, eleven years; W. P. Gilliland, two years: A. II. Trimble, four years; J. H. Uen- drickson, eight years; S. Il. Bradley, sixteen years; A. E. Ilorn, two years; C. Strickler, two years; S. R. Chittenden, four years: W. J. Brown, two years: J. R. Urech, one year ; T. J. Gilliland, one year; W. B. Quig, one year. Jo- saph B. Frisbie was Mendon's first town elerk. He is now over eighty-six years of age, strong, active and vigorous. His son. J. B. Frisbie, Jr.,

MENDON CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, BUILT 1853.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

is the present town clerk, having served eight conseentive years.

The Quiney & Warsaw Railroad came to Men- don in 1870. The township voted $20,000 in bonds to aid in its construction. The debt has long since been paid, but the township still owns the stock. It was money well invested, at least so far as the farming and producing interests were concerned.

In 1867 Mendon was, by special act of the legislature, incorporated as a town, its bounda- ries embracing one mile square. Later (ahont 1890) it was incorporated under the general laws of the state as a village. Its government con- sists of a president, six trustees, a clerk of the village and a police magistrate. The village is a quiet and orderly place. It has many fine resi- dences, good business buildings, a fine system of sidewalks, good streets and handsome lawns. It has a beautiful park called "Chittenden Park." in memory of Col. John B. Chittenden. who, when the original town was platted, gave a block of ground for that purpose. This park is filled with handsome trees and supplied with seats, making it a most attractive and enjoyable place. It is bordered on all sides with hard maples, planted in 1876, and called "Centennial Row." The general appearance of the village is one in which its citizens take much satisfaction and is a subject of commendation by its visitors.

Mendon may be said to be almost strictly an agricultural and stockraising community. Two- thirds or more of its land was prairie, most of it good soil for agricultural purposes and, with the exception of a portion of that lying near Rock creek, on the south, and Bear creek on the north, which is more broken, is in as good state of cultivation and as productive as that in any other part of the county: at least the County Board of Review persist in keeping Mendon real estate near the top of the list in value. The farms of Mendon township are, as a rule, well improved. There are many fine and costly honses and barns, besides such other buildings as eom- fort and convenience may suggest.

Mendon was, at one time, something of a mann- facturing town. Its principal industries were the manufacture of plows, wagons, flour, leather, ete. : but, owing to the tendency to concentrate business in larger places, manufacturing has, to a great extent, been lost to the small towns. The water plant was recently destroyed by fire. If rebuilt, as it should be. original defeets and mis- takes should be remedied and the system made effective.

The first newspaper of the place was estab- lished in 1877 by C. A. Bristol & Co .. and was known as the "Mendon Enterprise." After sev- eral changes of ownership, it was purchased by .I. R. Urech in 1878, and the name changed to

the "Mendon Dispatch." The late D. H. Darby was editor for several years. In 1884 W. H. MeIntyre purchased an interest in the paper and became its editor: later he became the sole owner. In 1899 he sold ont to J. R. and C. Il. U'rech, who have continued its publication under the firm name of J. R. Urech & Son.

A bank was first established in Mendon in April, 1889, by J. S. Wallace & Bro., who con- ducted a general banking business until Feb- rnary, 1895, when they disposed of their inter- est, and the bank was reorganized under the name of "Mendon Bank," under which name its business has been successfully condneted to the present time. As a business institution it is one of the most important in the village. The bank has a paid-up capital of $25,000. A. P. Gay is the president and G. F. Warner, cashier.

The public school house is a tasteful and sub- stantial briek building, with a seating capacity of two hundred and fifty or three hundred. It was built in 1871 at a cost of abont $20,000. It has recently been refitted with new furniture, a steam heating plant, etc., and is in better condi- tion than ever before. The reputation of the school is good, and many pupils attended from abroad. No intoxicating liquor is sold in Men- don, and it never had within its limits a licensed saloon.

Mendon lodge, No. 449, A. F. and A. M .. was organized in 1865; Mendon chapter, No. 157, R. A. M., in 1873: Mendon State chapter. No. 153, O. E. S., in 1889, all of which have strong or- ganizations and large memberships and are in a prosperous condition. There are also lodges of A. O. IT. W. and I. O. O. F .. a camp of Modern Woodmen, a Grand Army post, organizations of Rebekahs, of Royal Neighbors, and of Loval Americans, commendable and beneficial societies to exist in any community.

During the Civil war Mendon sent large num- bers of its young men to the front and filled its "quota with its best blood." It had a society of "Needle Pickets" second to none in the county (outside of Quincy), which was in continuous session from its formation to the close of the war. It did mneh to relieve the necessities of soldiers' families at home and much more for the relief of sick and wounded soldiers at the front and in hospitals.

Mendon helped to make real history in the days of the "Underground Railroad." It was, from an early day, a well-known station, many of its best men being faithful agents of the com- pany. In the days of Dr. Nelson and until the result of the Civil war put an end to traffic in human beings, the route via Mendon to Free- dom was a trunk line in almost constant use. If the eseaping slave was posted beforehand and had the right start Quincy. Mendon, Plymouth.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

Galesburg, etc., all receiving and forwarding sta- ing the progress of the sale the purchaser had tions, never failed of the desired result. No one was ever known to be captured and returned to slavery if he had a through ticket on this route. Mendon was known as an abolition town, and prices were set for the capture and delivery in Missouri of certain of its citizens. Illustrative of the almost unanimous publie sentiment on the slavery question, an incident occurred in 1862 which is of historical interest. The Illinois "Black Laws," prohibiting the immigration of free negroes, were in force when three black boys, who had been slaves, but were then called "contrabands"-a kind of purgatory condition between slavery and freedom-came to Mendon and were employed by two farmers. After they had been here beyond the law limit, they were pouneed upon by men armed with shotguns and were run into the village of Marcelline, where warrants had been issued for their arrest. The bringing of the first one caused a commotion among the citizens of the place; but the law took its course (some of the time ) and finally resulted in the following notice being posted :

"By virtue of the Laws of the State of Illinois and a Special Act passed by the Legislature of said State, passed February 12th, 1853, to pre- vent the immigration of Free Negroes into this state, and

Whereas, on the 16th day of December, 1862. comes Washington Wren and complained and had arrested a negro boy by the name of George Price and was fined in the sum of Fifty Dollars by a Jury of 12 men on the 16th day of Deeem- ber. 1862, and costs, for high Misdemeanor for coming into this State and remaining in this State over ten days with the intention of remain- ing in this State contrary to Laws, and the same not having paid, and therefore, I shall, by virtue of my Office offer at publie sale at the front door of my office in the Town of Marcelline in Adams county, and State of Illinois, to any person or persons who will pay the fine and costs for said George Price, for the shortest time, the purchaser to furnish said negro with comfortable food and clothing and lodging during said time. on the 27th day of December A. D., 1862, between the hours of 8 o'clock A. M. and 4 o'clock P. M. of said day for cash in hand."

Given under my hand and seal this 17th day of December. 1862.

LEE R. CAMPBELL, Justice of the Peace."

The day of the sale came and only one bid was made for the "boy" who had been convicted of a "high misdemeanor" in coming onto the free soil of Illinois to try and earn an honest living. The "boy" was sold to work ninety-nine years and six months to pay the fifty-dollar fine. Dur-

been knocked down, kicked, and choked, by a "man from Mendon, " the complainant had been knocked down, kieked, and had most of his clothes torn off by a Methodist minister who was present at the trial, and the six-foot son of the complainant, who attempted to interfere with the ministerial work, was given a broken nose, with accompanying side dishes and "deserts," which necessitated the use of a "big" wagon to carry him home, where he remained contently ( ?) for several weeks. The "negro boy" went home with his purchaser, whose wife persuaded the "boy" under promise that he should not be pur- sned. to run away before morning, which he did. lle afterward worked about Mendon without molestation. The other boys, who had also been fined for the same "high misdemeanor" and had been advertised to be sold two days later, were offered to the public, but the market seemed over- stocked and no bids were received. They were discharged and admonished "not to cause any further trouble." Several justices of the peace, sitting "en bane," made an effort to ascertain who "busted" the fellow's nose, but the state's attorney, happening along when court was in- vestigating, dismissed the case, assessing the cost on the complainant with the remark that he only "got what was coming to him." Neither the boys nor any one else ever made any further trouble in this line, although the infamous " Black Laws." to the disgrace of the state, remained on the statute book for years afterward; but their enforcement was never again attempted in Mendon.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was organ- ized in Mendon in the year 1839 and among the charter members of the organization were A. B. Stevens, Ralph G. Ely, Daniel Nutt, James Hull, Jesse JJ. Kirkpatrick. Stevens was a carpenter by trade and superintended the work of build- ing the first church, which was in 1840. The "Mendon Cirenit" included all of Adams county and preaching places in some of the adjoining counties. Theredonbtable " Backwoods Preacher," Peter Cartwright, was the presiding elder of the Quincy district, which included Mendon circuit at that time and has ever since. The Quincy district was formed in 1832, and Bishop Soule appointed Peter Cartwright to the district. The district ineInded "Galena Mission, Fort Edwards Mission (now Warsaw). Henderson River Mis- sion, Blue River Mission, Quincy (which in- «Inded Mendon circuit), Rushville and Canton." This was nearly all the western half of the state of Illinois. Enos Thompson was the first pastor of the " Mendon Cirenit." The church building erected in 1840 was replaced by the new church that was erected in 1854 and is now (1905) used by the present congregation.

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PAST AND PRESENT OF ADAMS COUNTY.

NORTHI EAST TOWNSIHP.

(By Lem Burke.)

The first settlement of this township was made on section 2, in 1829, by Alexander Oliver. He came to the township from the state of Ohio with a wife and ten children-five sons and five daugh- ters- built a log cabin. and made the first im- provements. Two of his sons entered the min- istry of the Methodist Church. Mr. Oliver and his family resided in this township during the Black Hawk war: also during the winter of the deep snow, and suffered many and great priva- tions and hardships incident to those times, much owing to the limited circumstances of the early settlers. The next in order of time who settled in the township were Harmon and Alfred Mar- low, Mr. Bates and Mrs. Smith, with their fam- ilies, from Indiana : Iliram Elliston, John Hil- ber, Levi Conover and Elliot Condes were the next to settle. The last three families came from the state of Kentucky and settled in the year 1831.

The first white child born was a son of Han- son Marlow, in the year 1831. and the first death was that of Mrs. Smith, in the year 1832.

Benjamin Gould and Miss Janes were the first parties married. The ceremony was performed by Christopher C. Yates, a justice of the peace, in the year 1833. The first sermon was preached by the Rev. W. H. Ralston, at the log cabin built on section 4, in the year 1833, and Miss Janes, afterwards wife of Benjamin Gould, taught the first school. The first church building was erected by the Presbyterians on section 36, and Rev. William Crain was their minister. This township is mostly prairie, well skirted with fine timbers, and is settled by a prosperous and in- telligent people.

The township of Northeast was organized in the year 1850. when an election was held. The first supervisor was Benjamin Gould, the first town elerk, William Burke; the first assessor, William Ketchum: first collector. J. J. Graham ; first overseer of the poor, B. N. Galliher: first justices of the peace were Mitchell Alexander and James J. Graham : the first constables, Rob- ert B. Combs and William F. Crain : commis- sioners of highways, E. B. Hongh, Elliot Combs and Clements Robbins.

The first election was held in Franklin school. The sneeeeding supervisors since that first elec- tion are: Benjamin Gould, six years: James Abraham, fifteen years: John DeGroot. three vears : Jackson Pearce, one year : Charles J. Tau- haeff, three years: John Lyle, one year; William Burke, two years; William Tanhaeff, two years; William R. Hoyt. seven years; John Alexander, three years ; Lemuel Burke, eight years: William DeGroot, resigned September 15, and Ira Rey-

nolds was appointed to fill unexpired term.

II. A. Keller is the present supervisor. Wil- liam R. Hoyt was listed twenty-one years con- seentively as town clerk. He has proved a very efficient offieer and to him the township is in- debted almost wholly for the accuracy of the records.

The first school house built was on section 4, ealled Ililer's school house, in 1833. The build- ing was made of logs. The first frame building was the "Franklin, " on section 16, and it was for a long time used as the place of holding an- nual town meetings and general elections.

The first religions service was held by Rev. Ralston at the residence of John Hiler in 1833, under the auspices of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The first church was built by the Meth- odist Episcopal Society of Elm Grove in 1847, on section 23, with Rev. William as circuit rider. This church was rebuilt several times. the last time in 1904.

The first mill was built by John Wilson-a horse mill operated for a few years, which ground only corn. The first steam mill was started 115 miles north of LaPrairie by Luke Simp- son. He was not successful here and in a few years he sold it to Abijah Cohetstone, who re- moved it to Brown County.

Two wind mills were operated for the purpose of grinding rye and bnekwheat flour, eormneal and other cereal products. The first mill was built on the northwest quarter section 33 by Ilenry Emminga in 1854. The present owner is C. Frazen & Son. The other mill is operated by H. HI. Emminga, the son of the builder.

The New Era mills were built by H. H. Em- minga in 1889 and are yet in successful operation as a steam fonring plant.

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Past and present of the city of Quincy and Adams County, Illinois, Part 67

Author: Collins, William H. (William Hertzog), 1831-1910; Perry, Cicero F., 1855- [from old catalog] joint author; Tillson, John, 1825-1892. History of the city of Quincy, Illinois. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1228

Author: Collins, William H. (William Hertzog), 1831-1910; Perry, Cicero F., 1855- [from old catalog] joint author; Tillson, John, 1825-1892. History of the city of Quincy, Illinois. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago, S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1228