Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 125

Author: Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo and Chicago; Chapman Brothers, pub
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical publishing company
Number of Pages: 1130

USA > Illinois > Knox County > Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois > Part 125

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).

Chas. Rogers

. 1849-51

Francis M. Sykes 1871-73

David Edgerton . 1851-53

Edwin T. Ellett .. 1873-75

W. H. Whitton

I853-55

James L. Burkhalter .1875-86

COUNTY SURVEYORS.

Parnach ()wen. .1830-38

E. T. Byram .. 1859-61

Geo. A. Charles

1838-42

R. Voris. . 1861-69

David Kendall .1842-48

David Wilts .... 1869-71

Arthur A. Denny 1848-51

W. H. Robinson .. .1871-73

E. T. Byram .. 1851-53

E. T. Byram . 1873-75

R. Deatherage 1853-55

Henry Vaughn. 1875-79

E. T. Byram

. 1855-57

Ralf Voris .. 1879-85

Alex. Knapp

.1857-59

Mills G. Voris .. .1885-86

SHERIFFS.

Stephen Osborn . 1830-35

Elijah C. Brott .. .1860-62

Henry D). Bell.

. 1835-38

J. C. Cover . . . 1862-65

Peter Frans . 1838-47

James Soles 1866.68

Henry Arms. .1847-51

D. W. Bradshaw 1866-68

S. W. Brown. 1851-52

Wilkins Seacord .. .1868-70

John Eads. 1852-54

Samuel F. Patton. 1870-72

Cornelius Runkle . 1855-50

J. A. Stuckey 1878-86

STATE'S ATTORNEYS.

Thomas Ford .. .1830-35

Wm. A. Richardson .. .. . . 1835-37

Henry L. Bryant . . 1837-39

James H. Stewart .. . . 1855-65

Wm. Elliott . .1839-48

James A . Mckenzie .. . 1865-72

J. J. Tunnicliff 1872-86

CIRCUIT JUDGES.

Richard M. Young. 1830-36 .

James H. Ralston . .1836-39

Aaron Tyler. .1860-61 Peter Lott .. 1839-40

Stephen A. Douglas .. .1841-43

John S. Thompson .. .1864-66

Jesse B. l'homas. . . 1843-45

Joseph Sibley . .1866-67

Arthur A. Smith . 1867

John J. Glenn. . .1877

Wm. Kellogg.

1850-53

Geo. W. Pleasants .. .1879

Educational.

HERE are few, if any, counties in this State having better educational facilities than that of Knox. Almost immediately following the first settlement within its borders, a school building arose, and the search for knowledge began. This was in 830, and the first school was presided over by Franklin B. Barber, who " taught the young idea " in a log house in Hen- derson Grove.

The primary object of a large number of those who made up the early settlement-the Galesburg Colony-was to establish an educational institute for the rapidly growing West. The disposition to have good schools thus sprang to life in the primeval his- tory of Knox County, and from that day has " grown with its growth and strengthened with its strength." This desire has been upheld and perfected by prompt intelligence and energetic action.

Hence, there are at this writing excellent graded public schools and advanced institutions of learning throughout the county. Among the latter we may. mention Knox College, Lombard University, St. Jo- seph's Academy, St. Mary's School and Hedding Col- lege. Besides these there are thoroughly graded high schools in different parts of the section. These are well known and a pride and honor to this part of the country for their excellent system of training, which is shown by the attendance of countless students who come from the boundaries of Illinois. From the humble log school-house has sprung the neat and handsome school building, which now graces the borders of Knox County. Here are found all mod- ern adjuncts to educational advancement. The thorough and complete system of the public schools in this section of country is largely due to the zeal- ous and untiring efforts of Mary Allen West. She is one of the noblest of women and most efficient edu- cators to be found in this State, and was for many years Knox County's Superintendent of Schools. She is an able thinker, an intelligent and strong-minded woman of ample physical and mental proportions, alert and helpful in every good work, and was one of the best Superintendents ever elected in Illinois. Too much cannot be said in favor of Miss West, and it is impossible to enumerate the good things done by her, not only in the school, but in the community.

A. W. Berggren .1872-78 Geo. M. Enke .. . 1856-58

Andrew Thompson 1858-60

H. G. Reynolds. .. 1852-54

W'm. C. Goudy .1854-55

Robert S. Blackwell. . 1848-52

John S. Thompson .. 1855-60

Chas. B. Lawrence . 1861-64

N. H. Purple 1845 49

Wmn. A. Minshall 1849-50

H. M. Weed . 1853-55

John 11. Lewis . 1860-65

John Aberdien . . 1865-67 Alex. Sanders .. 1846-47

H. T. Morey .. 1852-56

R. L. Hannaman. .. . . . . . 1837-38

L. Douglass. . 1858-62

D. W. Aldrich 1884-86 Giles Cook.

يمه KNOX COUNTY.

TOIO

KNOX COUNTY.

The annual school meeting, organized by Miss West, was one of the best means ever devised to as- sist struggling teachers. It was a thorough Norinal drill, and through it they obtained light on the sub- jects which comprised their daily duty. These are still continued, in addition to the Teachers' Local Association, which is held in different parts of the county, at the option of the majority. The public

schools are now in charge of G. W. Oldfather, who devotes his entire time to the work, and is considered a first-class educator.

Knox County is a wealthy one as regards its edu- cational possessions. The value of its property is $294,7 18.05 ; its tax levy is $80,585.67. The num- ber of persons of scholastic age is 12,308, the en- rollment 8,633.

City of Galesburg.

ERE we have an illustration of one of the peculiar feat- ures of this continent, which is unlike that of any other country, in the found- ing of its new settlements, the establishment, growth and development of its towns. The inauguration of this system may be said to have commenced with the landing of the Mayflower at Plym- outh Rock. From that time on, by colonization and emigration, this sys- tem has continued until three-fourths of this country is pretty fairly set- tled up, and it will not be many years before there will be no virgin fields, no wild prairies or forests upon which to found a settlement or build up a town. There are many disadvantages and hardships attendant upon emigration and coloniza- tion. Those who turn their faces from old, well-es- tablished societies toward an unsettled country-a wilderness-to build up a new civilization, have no luxurious pathway strewn with flowers. Many are the struggles, many are the hardships, and many are the privations to be endured. The conditions at-

tendant upon new settlements of the present day, the state of society, the outgrowth or the general product, are much different from what they were in former times. Then, surrounding the new settlements was a healthy moral and religious atmosphere, a refining, elevating element; now, the settling up of our Western country is attended with the reverse of this. The establishment of a school or a church is almost the last thing done; the atmosphere is anything but moral; religious sentiment is rarely expressed ; dis- solnteness is the prevailing habit, and general wick- edness the rule. This is a serious question, and one which our good reformers, philanthropists and mis- sionaries, while they are engaged in foreign work, should consider. Possibly a home service might be beneficial in its results, at least to our people.

Galesburg may properly be said to be the out- growth of Knox College. It is admirably located on high ground, surrounded by rolling prairies and a rich agricultural country, about the center of the west side of the county. By rail it is 164 miles from Chi- cago, 43 miles from Burlington and 100 miles from Quincy. Before this town was started there were settlements in Henderson, Knoxville and different parts of the county, and some half dozen towns had been platted, all of which had the most sanguine

1011

KNOX COUNTY.

hopes of becoming its principal city. At that time all these locations for towns seemed favorable enough, and their founders were justified in looking forward to a large population. Often, however, it needs something besides a favorable location to make a town. By reviewing the history of towns it is found that their binch, growth and development are very eccentric. Some towns, with splendid locations, will grow rapidly for a time and then, like states and empires, go down io decay. Others, whose locations have been exceedingly unfavorable and which have been passed by by the would-be far-seeing as hardly worth the establishment of a post-office, have had a constant growth and become large commercial cen- ters.

While the early settlements were being made and, as stated above, while sites were being laid out in different parts of the county, an enterprise was ma- turing in the Eastern States, the ultimate results of which were the founding and building up of the city of Galesburg. This was during a period which was prolific of colonization and emigration schemes- from 1830 to 1840. No decade before or since, in the history of this country, had more activity in such enterprises than this. While most of these sehemes had for their leading object personal aggrandizement, the one which was forming and which ultimately concentrated its efforts on the prairie now occupied by Galesburg had primarily the grand object of es- tablishing educational and religious institutions that would elevate and mold the character of the people that were to form the population of the Great West.

Rev. G. W. Gale is justly credited with being the originator of this plan. His idea was to establish a place somewhere in the Mississippi Valley and en- dow it with schools, churches and colleges. His object was distinctively a philanthropic and benevo- lent one, but to attract to it a business system, to surround it with such financial backing as would enable him to carry out the ends in view. Mr. Gale very happily expressed his object, which gives the key to the enterprise, when he said: "The object which gave birth to the enterprise was that of diffus- ing over an important region of country, at an early period of its settlement, the combined influence of education and religion." Mr. Gale was then resid- ing in Oneida County, N. Y., and had been connected with the Oneida Institute. He conferred with the leading men of this institution and with others, and

was heartily indorsed by them. As early as 1834 his plan was matured and was a remarkable combi- nation of philanthropy and wisdom. Originally, his design was to raise by subscription $40,000 and pur- chase a whole township. Had this amount been raised and a whole township purchased at Govern- ment price it would have still left upward of $1 1,000 in the treasury for college purposes, and when the subscribers had all received their lands at an average of $5 per acre, it would have left 15,000 acres as the property of the college. The town site was also to be located on college lands, which would furnish a large endowment fund.

In the summer of 1835, about 30 subscribers to the colony plan having been obtained, an exploring committee was appointed, consisting of Nehemiah West, Thomas Gilbert and Timothy B. Jarvis. They spent some months in traveling through the West, examining particularly the country in Northern Indi- ana and Northern Illinois, but returned without mak- ing any selection. They visited this part of the State and were favorably impressed with it, one of the committee purchasing a farm for himself in Knoxville, believing that the colony would eventu- Y ally purchase in this locality. This committee rec- ommended that a purchasing committee be imme- diately sent out to make further explorations and to. purchase some suitable tract of land in this part of the State. This committee consisted of Rev. Geo. W. Gale, Sylvanus Ferris, Nehemiah West and Thomas Simmons. Mr. Gale, having been taken sick on the journey, was left at Detroit, and Samuel Tomp- kins, who was accompanying the committee, was substituted to aet for Mr. Gale. They arrived at Knoxville about the middle of October, 1835.

While on their way, and off Cleveland, an accident occurred to their boat which might have settled the fate of this colonization scheme. About 3 o'clock in the morning they were run into by another vessel which was coming down the lake under full steam. Providentially, however, they were all saved from going to the bottom. A rent was made in their steamer near the water's edge, which, fortunately, was soon repaired so that they could continue on their journey.

Here were 30,000 acres of the best prairie land lying in a body, beautifully rolling, well watered, with an abundance of mineral coal, and surrounded by fine groves, all being subject to entry under Con-

1012

KNOX COUNTY.

gress title and at one dollar and a quarter per acre. Their attention was directed to the beautiful prairie south of Henderson Grove, now the present site of Galesburg. They at once decided to make their lo- cation here. In addition to this prairie site they purchased two improved farms and a body of timber in the grove. The land purchased amounted to 10,746 81-100 acres, for which was paid $14,821.10, which with the expenses of the committees amounted to $16,559.07. This was the business commence- ment of Galesburg. After making the purchase the committee returned home and submitted their report. The stockholders of the colony met Jan. 7, 1836, at Whitesboro, N. Y , heard the report and appointed a Board of Trustees of their colonial possessions, including their prospective college, consisting of John Waters, Sylvanus Ferris, H. H. Kellogg, Thomas Simmons, John C. Smith, Walter Webb, Geo. W. Gale, N. West, Isaac Mills and Samuel Tompkins. At this meeting it was decided that their institution should be called " Prairie College," and Galesburg the name of their town. Thus, be- fore the soil of this territory was broken by the hand of the white man, and while the snows of winter were yet covering its prairies, this beautiful city site received a thousand miles away its baptism.

Arrangements were made for appraising the lands and distributing them to the stockholders, and sell- ing to those outside; also for laying out the village, appraising the lots and bringing them into market. A liberal reserve was made for college and church grounds, a parsonage and for a cemetery. Steps were taken toward securing as early as possible ma- terial for the college building, the erection of a steam saw-mill and a public house. In the spring of 1836 the colony, having completed all their ar- rangements for their long journey, started for the promised land with hearts full of hope for the future. Some came with their own teams, and some by water. John C. Smith persuaded some of the col- onists to join with him in the purchase of a canal- boat, in which they embarked with their families and goods. They proceeded through the Erie Canal to Buffalo, and from there they were towed by a steamer to Cleveland; thence through the Ohio Canal to Portsmouth, on the Ohio River. From this point they floated down the Ohio to Cincinnati. This was too slow a mode of travel for these colo- nists, who were impatient to reach their land of

promise, and, finding it impossible to hire a steam- boat to tow them along which would stop on the Sabbath, they constructed a stern-wheel to their boat and propelled it by their horses.

An incident occurred while they were at Ports- mouth, which illustrates the peculiar character of these colonists. A steamer came up one Sabbath morning which had on board a number of the Com- missioners to the Presbyterian Assembly. which had just closed its sessions. A clergyman came to the canal-boat, and, addressing an old lady (most of the boat's company were holding service on shore), in- vited her and those on board to come to the steamer and join with them in worship. The old lady in- quired if this boat had not come in that morning. The clergyman replied that it had. "We have heard," she said, " that you were to have worship on board, but we had concluded not to attend the preaching of those who are breaking the Sabbath."

With their new propelling power, on Monday morning, the colonists started down the river from Cincinnati. Their motive power was not very strong, their machinery was defective, and they were unacquainted with the navigation of the river. All these things impeded their progress, but after patient labor they reached the mouth of the Ohio. From here they were towed to St. Louis, and from St. Louis they propelled their boat to Alton, where they were again towed into the Illinois River. After reaching the Illinois River they worked their way up to Meredosia with their stern-wheel power. At this place some of the party were taken sick, others left the boat to go by land, and the rest remained with the old canal-boat and were towed up Copperas Creek, near Peoria, the nearest point by water to Galesburg.

As soon as word reached the settlement teams were sent out to bring them in. They were found at a tavern, a few miles from the river, and nearly all sick. They had secured a large room, on the floor of which they had spread the beds, and it looked more like a hospital than a camp of colonists moving to a new country. There had been 40 per- sons, for most of the time during three months, crowded into one small canal-boat, during warm weather with chilly nights, and passing through a miasmatic country. The wonder is that they were not all sick and that there were not more deaths re- sulting from this journey. As soon as possible they

1013

KNOX COUNTY.

were removed to Henderson Grove, where cabins were prepared for theni.

Col. Isaac Mills died ten days after his arrival. Capt. John C. Smith, who was the projector of the canal-boat expedition, soon followed Mr. Mills. Henry Lyman died after a lingering sickness of two months. These deaths cast a gloom over the new colony for some time. Thus ended this ill-fated and unwisely planned expedition, bold enough in con- ception and perseverance to command admiration. Here was a party, who, without any knowledge of the country or waters over which they were to travel, with but little, if any, knowledge of navigation, start- ing out on a voyage of over 2,000 miles. Those who came with teams arrived at "Log City," their tem- porary headquarters, June 2. 1836. Others came singly or in groups during the summer. The names of those who came in 1836 are Rev. George W. Gale, Rev. John Waters, Prof. N. H. Losey, John C. Smith, Henry Lyman, Elisha King, Riley Root, Mrs. Phelps, Leonard Chapel, Thomas Simmons, Samue! Tompkins, Daniel Wheeler, Isaac Mills, Patrick Dunn, Mathew Chambers, Roswell Payne, Luther Gay, William Hamblin, Erastus Swift, Henry Wilcox, C. S. Colton, George Ferris, Nehemiah West, Caleb Finch, John Kendall, Andoniram Kendall, George Avery, mother and sisters; Mrs. Hitchcock and her sons, Elam, Samuel and Henry; John G. West, John Haskins, Jonathan Simmons, John McMullen, Abram Tyler and the families of those who had them.

During this summer Prof. Losey surveyed the vil- lage and lands in accordance with the plat, which was prepared in New York. By this plat the town was to be a half mile square, having six tiers of six blocks each, bounded on the north by North street, South street on the south, Seminary street on the east, and Academy street on the west. By this plan the public square came upon poor ground, and a seventh tier was added on the west to give the square a better location.

During this season several cabins were put up on the farms-one by William Hamblin, one by Henry Ferris, one by Sherman Williams and another by Joel Martin. Philemon Phelps put up a frame house on block 16, afterward known as the Holyoke House. When cold weather came on the colony went into winter quarters in Log City. This was located in the southwestern edge of Henderson Grove, on the southwest quarter of section 33. There

were 13 cabins altogether, and one was often used for a school-house. Gathered in that historic place, of which no vestige now remains, during the winter of 1836-67, were about 170 souls, and a glorious time they had; all were sociable, and they could not be otherwise than neighborly. It is said that there was no room to quarrel, and it is not believed there was much inclination to.

This winter did not pass without its matrimonial results. Henry Ferris and Maria Hudson were led up to the hymeneal altar, and gave their pledges to love each other during this life. After a grand feast and hearty congratulations from all, they went to housekeeping in one of the log cabins belonging to Mr. Pomeroy. This was the first marriage among the colonists. About this time Mrs. Daniel Wheeler manifested her zeal and activity in the success of the colony by presenting to it a native member. This produced a genuine sensation at " Log City," and little Miss Fidelia was the recipient of many caresses. She grew to womanhood to become the wife of Albert Porter. The first male child born in Log City was S. O. Allen, Sept. 10, 1838, who now resides on his farm near his birthplace. (See biography.)

Along about the ist of January, 1837, Prof. Losey and Miss Lucy Gay opened a school, which was largely attended. Religious services were held dur- ing the winter, presided over by Rev. George W. Gale, and also by Rev. John Waters and John T. Avery. In February the Presbyterian Church was organized-subsequently better known as the First Church, or the First Church of Christ.

Pretty thickly packed together these colonists were during this winter, and many " shifts " were made to enable them to "get along." Household furniture as well as kitchen utensils were limited in the ex- treme ; yet the most coveted thing was room, and the good matrons of that settlement were most sorely tried to find room to put things, especially their children.

As soon as spring opened, building commenced in the village. The first houses put up were by Daniel Wheeler and Elisha King, the former on the south- west corner of Cedar and Ferris streets, and the lat- ter on the northwest corner of the same block. There was another also put up on Cedar street. By May there were several log cabins ready for occupation. One of these, where President Bateman's residence now is, was occupied by Col. Caleb Finch. In this

1014

KNOX COUNTY.

cabin was born Harriet Finch, whose birth was the first in the village of Galesburg. Miss Harriet was married to Luther Wilcox. As the weather became warmer and the ground in a condition for cultivation, this village presented a very busy picture. The prairie sward, which had lain untouched by the plow since its formation, was being turned up to the sun, houses were going up, and every person old enough to labor was doing something. The work of building up had now actually begun. About this time the last installment of the colony arrived. The names of these are Barber Allen, D. Allen, Nelson and Sheldon W. Allen, Floyd Buckingham, Dr. J. Bunce, Isaac Colton, Eli Farnham, Sylvanus Ferris, N. O. Ferris, William Ferris, W. Holyoke, Agrippa Martin, H. H. May, J. C. Prentice, Levi Sanderson, Hiram Marsh, Levi Stanley, Enos McEnlear, Lorentus Con- ger, A. Z. Manor, Charles Gilbert, Ed. Dailey, A. C. Higgins.

Other families came during the summer and autumn, but those mentioned above and those pre- ceding founded the colony.

To facilitate the building department, George W. Gale, Nehemiah West and Erastus Swift erected a steam saw-mill. It was located on block 8. Mr. Swift, having practical knowledge of the business, secured the other interests and became sole owner. A small space in this mill was rented to Enos Mc- Enlear, who opened the first blacksmith-shop in Galesburg. Mr. C. S. Colton moved down his stock of goods from the grove, and set up in the prairie town what was considered in those days an extensive mercantile establishment. He had added to his stock and opened here a first-class store. It was located where J. B. Colton many years later had his store. It was on the west side of the Public Square. Soon after Mr. Colton came Mathew Chambers with a small stock of goods, which he opened on the east side of the Square. He did not stay long here, but moved to Knoxville, where he thought the field for business was better. His store-room was used for a school-house on week days and for the holding of religious services on Sunday.

A post-office was established this summer, with Prof. Losey as Postmaster. This saved the people of the new colony going to Knoxville for 25-cent letters.

By the time cold weather set in, in the fall of 1837, most of the colonists, who had spent the previ-

ous winter in " Log City," were settled on the prairie, either on farms or in the village. Galesburg had become a reality, a full-fledged Western town, sans the gambling, drinking and other vices which now distinguish modern Western towns.

During the winter of 1837-38 there were in and about the village about 250 souls, and they were sit- uated much more pleasantly than at "Log City," the previous winter. Everything went on pleasantly and the spring of 1838 opened with bright prospects. The college building was put up during this season, and in the fall the school was formally opened. It had been chartered by an act of the Legislature in 1837, under the title of " Knox Manual Labor Col- lege." Prof. N. H. Losey was Principal, and Hiram Marsh, Assistant.

The " Old Academy " building stood on the ground now occupied by the First National Bank. It was moved off and was occupied by A. Nelson. Hal- lowed memories cluster around this old building. To the old settlers it is as sacred as the roof be- neath which they were born. To those who were educated here it has been as a beacon light guiding them onward and upward. Within these walls the anti-slavery and temperance orators have held their audiences spellbound by their eloquence. If those silent old walls could speak, they would portray in vivid light the struggles, the appeals that were made for a higher civilization, for our country to carry out its pledges made to the world, that " all men are created free." If these walls could speak, they would tell of the sweet strains of music drawn out by Prof. Bacon on his famous violin, and of the village maid- ens whose clear voices filled the space, and, as though imprisoned there, burst forth into the outer air with their melodious notes.

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.

Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois, Part 125

Author: Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo and Chicago; Chapman Brothers, pub Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical publishing company Number of Pages: 1130

Author: Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo and Chicago; Chapman Brothers, pub
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical publishing company
Number of Pages: 1130