USA > Illinois > Peoria County > Peoria > Peoria city and county, Illinois; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. I > Part 66
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72
SATURDAY EVENING CALL
The most pretentious and successful of these weekly society publications was the Saturday Evening Call which was founded by three men who came to this city from Terre Haute, Indiana and issued the first number on April 7,
415
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
1877. The original proprietors were Simeon R. Henderson, who was the editor, J. D. Weaver, business manager, and J. W. Clifton was superintendent of the mechanical department. They published a remarkably attractive paper which for some years enjoyed a wide circulation. Henderson, the editor, had a rare judgment in selecting the literary material and was, himself, an able writer. Charles W. Taylor, who for the past twenty-five years, has written the humor- ous sketches which appear on the editorial page of the Chicago Tribune under the caption "In A Minor Key" was for several years connected with the Call and contributed much of the qualities that made it popular. Later, William Hawley Smith, who subsequently became a partner of the late Bill Nye on the lyceum platform, bought an interest in the sheet and was its managing editor for two years. In 1885 the Call was sold to W. Livingston and George Sylves- ter, who one year later sold it to Fred Patee and Charles Vail. Livingston went to Laramie, Wyoming and edited the Boomerang on which Bill Nye first rose to fame. In 1866 the paper was sold to Samuel McGowan, who has since become noted as a manager of Indian schools in the west and finally it passed into the possession of A. M. May who conducted it for three years only to see it gradually expire.
THE SUNDAY MIRROR
In 1902 R. M. Hanna, who at that time was holding an editorial position on the Transcript, with A. S. Stone, who had retired from the management of the same paper, and W. W. Welch, a reporter, established the Sunday Mirror. They made a distinctive local sheet and traversed the entire field of local gossip, con- stituting an entertaining and attractive publication. Charles B. Smith bought the interest of Stone and Welch and after conducting it for eighteen months it was sold to J. W. Hill, J. W. Burton and Dr. Eggleston who left the Herald to become the editor of the Mirror. All three of these men were advocates of the single tax idea and it was run in that interest for a few months, but unsuccess- fully and in 1905 passed out of existence.
PEORIA LABOR GAZETTE
The only weekly publication in Peoria at the present time, not connected with a daily, is the "Peoria Labor Gazette," which, as its name implies, is de- voted to the interests of the union labor organizations. It was established in 1895 by George Wilson Bills and after changing ownership two or three times it passed into the possession of its present publisher, Walter H. Bush, who has been prominently identified with union labor organizations in this city for the past twenty years. Being a practical printer, a man of superior intelligence and having a thorough knowledge of labor conditions he has established the Peoria Labor Gazette on a sound financial basis which assures its permanency. It is the organ of the Peoria Trades and Labor Assembly, has an extensive circula- tion and lucrative advertising patronage and has assumed the position of the leading labor paper in central Illinois.
THE PRESS OF TODAY
There have been a number of weekly and monthly publications started in Peoria, other than those alluded to, in the course of the past half century, but they had merely an ephemeral existence and have long been forgotten. The press of Peoria as it exists today is confined to three English newspapers, one morning and two evening, and two German newspapers having weekly editions. The Herald-Transcript is issued in the morning and the Star, Journal, Demokrat and Die Sonne in the afternoon. They are all well and ably edited, occupy the front rank in provincial journalism and hold their own against metropolitan competition. They represent the vital interests of this city and have done, and are still doing, all that within them lies to advance its interests, keeping ever an eye upon the goal-"Greater Peoria."
CHAPTER XXVIH
ORGANIZATIONS-OLD SETTLERS ASSOCIATION-THE PEORIA WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN HOME MISSION-JOHN C. PROCTOR ENDOWMENT-YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION-YOUNG WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION-WOMAN'S CLUB AND OTHERS-DEACONESS HOSPITAL-FRATERNAL ORDERS.
OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION
The Old Settlers' Association was organized at a meeting held in the court house, July 4, 1866. John Hamlin, one of the pioneers of the county, acted as chairman, and Charles Ballance, pioneer lawyer and local historian, secretary. There was a large attendance, principally of the old people, and the enthusiasm of the initial assembly presaged many more. George C. Bestor, Edward F. Nowland and Charles Ballance were appointed a committee to prepare a con- stitution and by-laws, which was submitted at the meeting held on the 27th of July, 1867, and adopted. John Hamlin was chairman of this meeting and Charles Ballance was secretary.
It was decided to style the association the "Old Settlers' Union of Peoria and Vicinity," and under the constitution a residence of thirty years in the state of Illinois prior to the adoption of the constitution was required of cach person applying as members of the society. This provision was amended at the annual meeting, July 4, 1869, so as to read as follows: "That every person who has resided in the state of Illinois prior to A. D. 1840, who is now a resident of Peoria or this vicinity, shall be entitled to become a member of this society by signing the constitution and paying the initial fee; and the children of any person who is a member of the society shall be entitled to membership at any age."
A number of the very early settlers signed their names to the constitution, namely : John Hamlin, 1823; Samuel B. King, 1831; John Todhunter, 1834; Matthew Taggart, 1835; Jacob Hepperly, 1831; Edward F. Nowland. 1835: John C. Flanagan, 1834; John T. Lindsay, 1836; Alvah Dunlap, 1834: Alvin W. Bushnell, 1837; George W. Fash, 1835: Charles Ballance, 1831 ; John Waugh. 1836; Samuel Tart, 1834: Joseph J. Thomas, 1837; Thomas Mooney, Jr., 1835; Daniel Trail, 1834; C. M. Frazier, 1834; Elihu N. Powell, 1836; Lyman J. Loomis, 1834: George W. H. Gilbert, 1837; Allen L. Fahnestock, 1837.
In addition to the above over three hundred persons joined the society who dated their residence in the county back to 1840, most of whom are now de- ceased.
The constitution was again changed in 1886, so as to admit persons to mem- bership who had been residents of Peoria or this vicinity for a period of thirty years prior to that date. Provision was also made for the election annually of a president, two vice presidents, recording and corresponding secretaries and a treasurer, and since the beginning of the society annual reunions have been held at various places, principally in the public parks and groves, which have been attended at various times by persons of prominence throughout the state.
One of the most noteworthy events in the history of the association was the dedication of a log cabin in Glen Oak Park at the annual reunion of 1897. A Vol. 1-27
417
418
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
cabin had been erected in one of the picturesque spots of beautiful Glen Oak Park, and instead of a corner stone laying, the event was celebrated by the laying of the first course of logs on the 21st day of April, 1897. The meeting was a highly successful one. Isaac W. Crandall, builder of the cabin, was the master of ceremonies. Logs were used for seats and a barrel of cider was on tap during the exercises, the old folks and young using a primitive gourd. In the cabin at that time were placed an old fashioned organ, a spinning wheel, an old style bed, made up, chairs to harmonize with their surroundings and a clock, sixty-five years old, made by Ely Terry, the first clock maker in the country. Dried apples, dried pumpkin, catnip, peppers and "yarbs" were suspended from the rafters, as was the wont of early days. Since the year 1895 Glen Oak Park has been the regular place for holding these reunions which occur every year and at many of them the assemblages have numbered several thousand souls.
TI1E PEORIA WOMEN'S CHRISTIAN HOME MISSION MRS. E. S. WILLCOX
It was in the year of 1875, at the close of a series of Bible readings by Rev. Henry Morehouse of England, that a number of Christian women, wishing to enter on some definite service for the Master, organized the "Women's Chris- tian Association," for ministry among the poor. They took for their motto- "The Love of Christ Constraineth Us," and they went forth to do with their might whatever their hands found to do for both souls and bodies of the poor and needy. It was during the same year, that this association united with another of like purpose which had been organized longer in the Universalist church, and to this united society was given the name of the "Women's Christian Home Mission." Its first work was the systematic visitation of the afflicted poor. The city was divided into twelve districts-two visitors serving in each. In a few of the larger ones there were three. Each case was care- . fully investigated and immediate want relieved. Food, clothing, friendly sym- pathy and advice given-the prime object being to encourage and assist those in poverty or misfortune to become self supporting. This work was carried on by representatives from all the churches, and the entire work of the mission from the beginning has been strictly non-sectarian. It is to the faithful work of these early founders of the Mission, and the wise leadership of its presidents, Mrs. Erastus O. Hardin and Mrs. Lucie B. Tyng, that this Association owes its broad foundation and its constantly enlarged powers for good in our city.
Its second. and no less important branch of work, was the establishing of an industrial school, where sewing was taught to girls of six to fourteen years of age. Between three and four hundred children were annually enrolled in this school, and it did a grand work through a competent and faithful corps of volunteer teachers. This school was carried on for many years. until the formation of similar ones in the various churches rendered it no longer necessary.
Meantime the need of a temporary home for friendless women and children became urgent. The first experiment in this line was the opening of small quarters (two or three rooms) on Merriman street, which served our needs for one year. Then. Peoria's benefactress, the late MIrs. Lydia Bradley, came to our assistance and gave us the rent of a small house on Seventh street, which answered the purpose for several years. It only accommodated a family of six or eight, but it proved a great aid in the work, serving not only as a home for the friendless, but as a depot for receiving and distributing clothing and an employment bureau, and fully demonstrated the need for larger quarters to meet the demands for the growing work. In 1880 the valuable property, corner of Main street and Flora avenue, was offered for sale at a very low figure. It was pleasantly situated with ample grounds ( 150 by 249 feet ) and the house offered accommodations for a family of twenty-five and great advantages for our endeavors.
FIRST GROUP PICTURE EVER TAKEN OF THE OLD SETTLERS OF PEORIA COUNTY AT THEIR ANNUAL REUNION AT GLENDALE PARK IN 1878
$
-
-
A GROUP OF PEORIA COUNTY PIONEERS AT OLD SETTLERS' PICNK
THE NEW PUBLIC
AATOR _EN_ X A . 9TH FOUNDA !!!
-
419
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
It seemed a great undertaking to raise the amount necessary ($5737), but friends responded so generously to a committee appointed to canvass the city, that their subscriptions, with a gift of $1000 from the Orphan Asylum Asso- ciation, enabled us to purchase the property. By October. 1881, it was entirely paid for and ready for occupancy, having been furnished by the various churches. For ten succeeding years it gave a temporary home and shelter to hundreds of women and children-then it, too, was outgrown. It was in 1890 that the opportunity came to sell this property at a large advance over the price paid for it, and availing ourselves of this, to build the present beautiful and com- modious home on Knoxville avenue.
Our family here averages about sixty-five children, occasionally adults, alto- gether with matron and helpers about seventy. It is under the supervision of a board of fifteen managers, chosen by the mission, all faithful, conscientious women, whose aim it is to give these unfortunate and helpless little ones their personal care and the comforts, training and advantages of a well ordered Christian home. Of these sixty-five children, some are fatherless, some are motherless, others have been deserted by one or both of their unworthy, irre- sponsible parents. Some are dependent wards of the county, and of all these, many are returned to their parents when the need of temporary help is past, or parents have proved themselves able and worthy to care for them ; and some are placed in homes. About fifty attend the public school and Arcadia Sunday school. For the fifteen or more younger ones we have a kindergarten in the home.
Our departments of work at the present time are the Home for the Friend- less and district visiting among the poor. Other branches we have had are the Bradley Home for Aged Women and The Young Women's Boarding Home (both children of the Mission), established and carried on under its auspices for many years until funds were raised for each to make them independent institutions. Our friends have been many and generous. There is no appeal which touches every heart like that for helpless and neglected children and we have never called in vain for help.
It was in 1881 that the mission received a bequest of $1,000 from Mr. and Mrs. Charles Storrs, of Brooklyn, in memory of their son-in-law, David Choate Proctor, of Peoria. This was the foundation of our Endowment Trust Fund. for which some twenty or more bequests have since been received, ranging from $100 to $10,000 and which, carefully invested, yields an income of $2,400 a year. Parents who are able, pay small sums weekly, according to their means. The county pays $7 a month for the dependent children under its care. And then there are our annual subscriptions, membership fees and donations. Our work and our expenses increase with the years of which we have closed our record of thirty-six, but our cruise of oil has not failed, and we go on our way rejoicing in the good we have been permitted to accomplish, looking forward to still greater things in the Master's name. The officers are: Mrs. E. S. Willcox, president ; Mrs. Flora D. Kellogg, first vice president ; Mrs. Louise D. Elder, second vice president ; Mrs. Isabella C. Ayres, secretary; Mrs. T. A. Grier, as- sistant secretary ; Miss Julia F. Cockle, treasurer.
INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL FOR GIRLS
On the roth day of October, 1879, a permanent organization was effected by a number of Christian women of Peoria who had conceived a plan to establish a home, wherein should be placed fallen women, in the endeavor to sequestrate them from former companions and work a reformation in their lives. The Woman's Refuge was chosen as the title of the home and the incorporators were Margaret B. Wise, Augusta L. Farr, Harriet Holcomb, Adaline S. Higbie, Catherine L. Truesdale and Margaret B. Reynolds. As set forth in their articles of incorporation the object was to rescue fallen women and provide for
420
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
them homes where they might be protected and surrounded by Christian influ- ences. The institution first found a location on Hale street and there remained two years, when it was removed to 613 North Washington street, and later to 914 Fourth street. The home was supported by charitably disposed citizens. The corporate name was changed in 1889 to the Women's Peoria County Home of Blessing for Girls, and the home was removed to property purchased on Richmond avenue, upon which a building was erected at a cost of about $10,000. In 1892 the association was incorporated and its title changed to that of "The Peoria County Industrial School for Girls and Home of Blessing." The pri- mary motives of the association were abandoned and since then the only inmates of the institution have been dependent girls committed to its care by order of the county courts of the state.
GUYER HOME FOR AGED PEOPLE
This most worthy institution came into existence through the beneficence of one of Peoria's Christian and benevolent women, Mrs. Margaret M. Guyer. daughter of Zenas Hotchkiss, and wife of Jacob Guyer, who came to Peoria in an early day, engaged in farming and later became one of the city's wealthy business men. The conception of the home was that of Mrs. Guyer, but before her ambition could be realized she passed away and at her request Mr. Guyer prevailed upon a number of prominent women of the city to form an associa- tion for the purposes devised by his wife. Following out Mr. Guyer's desires, the association agreed that the home should be located upon the Guyer home- stead, situated at the corner of Armstrong and Knoxville avenues, that the home should be for the benefit of persons of good character, temperate habits, resi- dents of the county of Peoria for three years and not less than sixty years of age who, on account of reduced circumstances, or other vicissitudes of fortune should not be adequately provided with homes of their own. Also that other ‹leserving aged persons might be admitted and that the trustees should be chosen from the same denominations of Protestant churches as far as practicable and that divine services should be held at the home at least once on every Sabbath clav.
The association was incorporated on July 9, 1889, and the first board of trustees consisted of Sarah Proctor Howe, president; Sarah E. Hodges and Frances E. Fahnestock, vice presidents: Lillie Ballance Rice, secretary; Har- riet Hepperly Hotchkiss, treasurer. The first members were Mary E. Bailey, Lucie B. Tyng. Susan S. Clagg, Lucy G. Allaire, Lucy M. Ross, Mary F. McCulloch, Mary Bunn Van Tassell, Flora Day Kellogg, Martha B. Reynolds and Lucy W. Baldwin.
The home was opened for the reception of inmates in the summer of 1889 and its capacity has been taxed ever since that time.
THE JOHN C. PROCTOR ENDOWMENT HOME
The name of Proctor has been made enduring and one to be venerated in this community by the beneficence and magnificent generosity of a life-long bachelor member of the family-a man whose character stood the test of time and, like the great Bayard, was sans peur et sans reproache.
In the year 1845 John C. Proctor arrived in Peoria and with his brother, E. A. Proctor, began the manufacture of agricultural implements and was suc- cessful. In 1850, he engaged in an extensive lumber business and achieved more success. He organized the First National Bank in 1863 and was its president from the year 1875 to within a few months of his death, and in all his great business affairs and activities he proved a master hand and accumulated a fortune estimated at over two million dollars.
JOHN C. PROCTOR
TIIE J. C. PROCTOR ENDOWMENT
THE PROCTOR HOSPITAL
421
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
During all the years of Mr. Proctor's life in the busy marts of trade, barter and finance, it is possible that enemies were made, through envy and ignorance of the motives actuating the man in his ambition to accumulate a vast fortune, but if this obtained, all was lost in forgetftilness when the intelligence electrified the people that John C. Proctor had donated a home for the worthy poor of all ages, and ambitious boys and girls in quest of a means of livelihood.
It was on the 26th day of June, 1904, that the people of Peoria were notified through the columns of the Journal, that John C. Proctor would erect a home for dependents, on the beautiful grounds known as Spring Hill park, and it was but a short time thereafter that a contract had been let for the massive building. On the morning of August 27, 1906, the house was opened and twenty applicants were given homes for the rest of their lives.
The building is one of the handsomest structures of the kind in the country. It is practically square, occupying a ground space of 160x160 feet, four stories in height, exclusive of an attic and basement. The material used is a greyish Ohio stone and the architectural design is highly pleasing. The interior is all that could be desired for an institution of its kind and a special feature is the auditorium, which has a seating capacity of 400. The cost was $282,000.
In April, 1907, John C. Proctor, against the strenuous objection of relatives, became a resident of the home he had founded in the interest of humanity, and early in the morning of June 22, 1907, he passed away in The Proctor Endow- ment Home, mourned not only by a large group of relatives, but also by a com- munity that had benefited so vastly through his enormous benefactions.
The John C. Proctor Endowment, which took on concrete form during the life of the donor, amounted to about $300,000; but shortly after the reading of Mr. Proctor's will, it developed that his estate amounted to over two million dollars and that of this great sum of money he had devised but $115,000 to rela- tives and the residue to the John C. Proctor Endowment, to be held in trust for- ever by the trustees and their successors, who were designated in the will as fol- lows: J. S. Stevens, O. J. Bailey, David H. Proctor, Aaron S. Oakford, R. R. Bourland, Frederick F. Blossom, William E. Stone.
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
The chronicler of events gives us no date relating to a Young Men's Chris- tian Association in Peoria prior to the year 1853. It is known, however, that in the winter of that year a course of lectures was delivered under the auspices of the "Young Men's Christian Association" of Peoria. Among men of promi- nence of that day who favored the public with their views upon subjects of interest to the association, Judge McCulloch in his history of Peoria county, mentions Professor Jonathan B. Turner, of Jacksonville, Rev. John W. Cracraft, rector of St. Paul's parish, Peoria, President Blanchard, of Knox College, Rev. Robert P. Farris, pastor of the Second Presbyterian church, Peoria, and Hon. Onslow Peters, judge of the circuit court of Peoria.
It is stated that in the year 1858 a great religious awakening came upon the people of this community and as a result a reorganization of the Young Men's Christian Association was accomplished in the month of May of that vear. At a meeting held at that time, Alexander G. Tyng was chosen president ; Thomas G. McCulloch and Henry M. Kellogg, vice presidents ; Calvin C. Lines, recording secretary : Horace Champlain, corresponding secretary; and Larkin B. Day, treasurer. The meeting place was in the building now occupied by the First National Bank but before the lapse of the year new quarters were secured in the lecture room of the First Presbyterian church, corner Main and Madison.
In 1859 A. G. Tyng was reelected president and he continued to hold the office until 1862, when William Reynolds succeeded him. In the latter year the association was incorporated, its capitalization being the modest sum of $750. At that time the membership was but twenty-six and from them was chosen a war committee, who directed the operations of the association in connection
422
HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
with the Christian Commission which had been organized early in the previous year for the purpose of lending all possible aid to the men battling for the Union and their families at home.
The association kept up its meetings all through the war and it appears that Alexander G. Tyng, the first president, was again holding the chair in the years 1867 and 1868. At this time the association held its meetings in a room opposite the postoffice on Main street. In 1870 and 1871 George H. Mellvaine was presi- dent.
There must have been a lapse in the meetings of the association for a few years, for the records show that the present association was organized August 18, 1879. Martin Kingman was president, and Henry S. Sayles, secretary, for that year. The membership was twenty-three. Rooms were secured over Irwin & Company's store. 102-104 South Adams street.
William N. Fisher succeeded Mr. Sayles as president in the fall of 1879 and continued in the office until June, 1881. On September 12, 1881, James M. Rice, lately deceased, was elected president and served until September, 1883. On December 16, 1882, however, the association was incorporated and in the fall of 1881 rooms in the second story of a building on the corner of Adams and Fulton streets, formerly occupied by the Peoria Boat Club, were leased and nicely fur- nished. These were occupied until the fall of 1884.
Martin Kingman succeeded Mr. Rice in 1883, and on the expiration of a year was succeeded by Oliver J. Bailey. Headquarters were again changed in 1884, this time to the Cruger property. 213 South Jefferson street, and remained there until 1891, when the association became permanently situated in a building constructed especially for the purpose at 115 North Jefferson street. The corner- stone of this building had been laid with appropriate exercises, March 17, 1890, and was ready for occupancy at the time indicated in this article. At the time of its dedication, however, the building caused the association to assume obliga- tions it could not fulfill, so that the burden becoming so heavy and the associa- tion being unable to meet its heavy indebtedness, the building was sold in 1909 to the publishers of the German-Democrat. At the same time a number of warm hearted and generous citizens who held certain notes against the associa- tion cancelled them and with the money received for the building all indebted- ness was obliterated. The association then established temporary headquarters in room 431 Jefferson building, where it remained until moving into its present magnificent new home.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.