USA > Illinois > Knox County > Portrait and biographical album of Knox county, Illinois > Part 131
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The Haskell House opened its doors for public patronage in 1855. It was erected by George Has- kell and stood where O. T. Johnson's store now is. It was kept first by Mr. Haskell, then by Mr. Bal- lingall and Edward Bonney. It also was burned.
In 1857 George C. Bancroft built quite a large
house for those days, on the corner of Depot and Center streets. It was opened by him under the name of the Bancroft House. This hotel has passed through a series of ownerships, and under different names. It is now called the Lindell House and is kept by Hull & Son.
D. Henshaw opened a hotel in 1860, called the Henshaw House. It was on West street, between Simmons and Tompkins. It was a very popular house, and was open for several years, and then was converted into dwelling-houses.
The City Hotel was opened about the close of the war. It was built by Thomas Taylor, who was the landlord for many years, then Stephen Reynolds ran it. It was closed up and the building converted into dwelling-houses.
Sometime in 1862 a hotel building was com- pleted, which was opened by Mr. Barton as the Commercial House, on the corner of Main and Kel- logg streets. It is kept now by James Boyd.
In 1869 the Galesburg Hotel Company erected a hotel building on the north side of the Public Square. The first building was burned down after it had been opened only a few months. The fire occurred April 18, 1870. The present structure was built in the spring of 1872. It is a plain, substantial build- ing of brick and stone, four stories high, with a front- age of 114 feet and a depth of 90. H. Belden was the first landlord, while L. Stansbury is the present host. The town is lighted by gas, and has bill- iard-hall and saloon attachments.
In 1870 the erection of a new hotel was started on Main and Kellogg streets. It was completed under the management of an association. It subse- quently came into the possession of George W. Brown and C. H. Mathews, and was named Brown's Hotel in honor of the former. Mr. Mathews died in 1883, and his interest was purchased by N. Anthony. There were several landlords at the head of this house, when, in 1880, H. C. Case assumed control. In December, 1885, Mr. Case went to Rockford to open the Holland House, and took one of his sons, Frank H., in as a partner in the Brown Hotel, who is now the landlord, and a very active, popular and successful one he is making. There will be an addition put onto the building on the west side. The office will be transferred to the first floor and many other important improvements made, the whole cost of which will be about $20,000.
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KONX COUNTY.
The Brown Hotel is an imposing four-story brick structure, and attractive in its architecture. The rooms are large, airy, well arranged and well fur- nished. The building is lighted by gas and the electric light and heated by steam. The cuisine is first-class and the table is provided with everything that the market affords. Every attention is given to the guest to the end that he may feel at home, comfortable and happy. This is one of the hotels in which a traveler may stay and feel assured that in every way he is in a respectable place.
POST-OFFICE.
The first post-office established at Galesburg was in 1837, with Prof. Nehemiah H. Losey as Postmaster. There have been but few changes in this office since it was established. Col. Clark E. Carr held it for an unusually long period, receiving his appointment from President Lincoln in March, 1861, and holding the same until April 19, 1885, when M. J. Daugh- erty took charge. During last December the office was transferred to the new building on the north side of East Main street, which was expressly built and fitted up for a post-office. It was erected by Robert Chappell, at a cost of $15,000, his bid having been ac- cepted by the Post-Office Department. The plan for the interior of the office was devised by Mr. Daugherty, and it is certainly very creditable to him, for it is as complete in all of the arrangements as could be desired.
The Yale lock boxes are arranged on three of the sides of a quadrangle which extends forward to within 16 feet of the front, and occupies the center of the room, the lobby extending around the sides. It is finished off in light hardwood, neatly orna- mented and artistically designed.
This was made a free-delivery office some years ago. The average number of letters mailed daily is 5,000. The carriers handle about 157,000 pieces each month, while the registered letters issued are about 500 each quarter. The excess of money orders over receipts amounts to about $250,000 a year. There are 52 street letter-boxes, with five carriers, who make six delivery trips and three collection trips. During the last fiscal year there were 5,892 registered letters de- livered, 478,125 mail letters, 102,486 postal cards and 24,654 local letters, and 337,484 newspapers. Revenue from box rents, $630.75; from sale of stamps,
$21,807.27 ; total, $22,438.02. Expenses, $10,835 .- 44; net surplus to the department, $11,602.58. Amount received for orders issued, $54,205.92 ; amount paid on orders, $270,201.87 ; total amount of business, $324,407.79; excess of orders paid over receipts, $215,995.95.
To meet this demand drafts were made on the De- partment during the year for $2 16,000.
GALESBURG WATER-WORKS.
The projector and sole beneficiary of the Gales- burg Water-Works appears to have been a man by the name of Nathan Shelton. Sometime in 1883, the franchise of the city was granted to Mr. Shelton for the purpose of erecting water-works. A stock company was organized by him, which was incorpo- rated, and the works were prosecuted to completion. They are located about three-quarters of a mile northeast of the Public Square. The water was intended to be obtained through a gravel seam or stratum of some 13 feet in thickness at a depth of about 80 feet, by means of gang-wells bored through and piped into the gravel stratum. These wells were connected by a large main 14 feet below the surface of the ground. The water was to rise up through these pipes by automatic pressure to the surface, or the main connecting the wells. The Holly system was adopted, with the Worthington pumps. The machinery consists of three duplex pumps, with a total capacity of 4,500,000 gallons per day. The machinery is covered by a suitable brick building. Near the works rises the iron tower or standpipe, which is 15 feet in diameter and 132 feet high. This pipe is connected with the mains, and so arranged that it can at any time be disconnected. About nine miles of mains were laid through the city, dis- tributed along which were 80 hydrants. According to the ordinance the city was to pay Sioo each for these hydrants, or $8,000 per annum.
There is but little else to say about these works. They look well. The tower rises majestically toward the heavens. They are certainly an ornament to the city. If the world possesses an inventive genius who could bring the water down this tower, which seems to look imploringly at the blue sky and the clouds, it would be a good thing. We wish we could say that there was water here; that it was dis- tributed throughout this beautiful city, supplying all the necessary wants of an advanced civilization, but
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we cannot without lying. The great mistake the company made was in constructing these water- works before they got the water. They should have followed the sage's advice-caught the rabbit before they prepared to cook him. However, the projector made it profitable, and with him, at least, it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good.
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
The Galesburg Public Library is one of the at- tractive features of the city. It had its inception with the organization of the Young Men's Literary and Library Association in 1860. A nucleus for a library was formed by donations of books by the citi- zens and also by money. Prof. A. Hurd was selected as Librarian, and rendered most efficient service by his valuable experience. He was aided in his efforts by many of the citizens. In 1866 the library had 2,850 volumes. A small membership fee was charged to keep up expenses and increase the books. In 1872 the Association donated its accumulation of books to the city and dissolved its society. There are now some 15,000 volumes in the library, and the number is constantly increasing. The Directors are appointed by the Mayor and have full powers to act for the best interests of the library, as their judg- ment dictates. The City Council annually appro- priates $2,500, which, with the receipts from fines, etc., make up the income. The library rooms are lightsome and comfortable and are well patronized
by the public. The selection of books has been good. The leading newspapers and magazines are also kept on file. A monthly report of the Librarian shows about 3,000 volumes drawn out, with a visitation of about 5,000. Present Board of Directors : I. S. Per- kins, T. J. Hale, Geo. Churchill, Parley Johnson, Hiram Mars, A. A. Matteson, E. R. Drake, J. B. Holland and A. G. Humphrey. Librarian, Miss D. M. Rice.
HOPE CEMETERY.
Galesburg, with its characteristic humanity and refinement, has provided an attractive resting-place for the departed. Hope Cemetery Association was organized Oct. 26, 1858. It is located toward the west end of the town, and has natural attractive advantages. It is well laid out and ornamented with beautiful shrubs and shade trees, and the grounds are well kept. There are some elegant monuments in the cemetery, which mark the resting-place of some of Galesburg's most distinguished citizens and pioneers. This cemetery is a good index to the character of the people. No better evidence can be presented of the culture, refinement and humanity of a people than that presented in a well-laid-out, ap- propriately ornamented and well-kept cemetery. Present officers : Geo. Ekins, President; S. Fletcher, Vice-President; L. T. Stone, Secretary and Treas- urer; Trustees, A. A. Matteson, W. W. Washburn and C. A. Webster.
KNOX COUNTY.
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City of Knoxville.
HIS old and historic town is situated in the southwest portion of Knox Township. Its location at the time of settlement was one of ex- ceeding beauty, being on a charming little prairie and lying between two beautiful groves. It is the first town that was laid out in the county, and, next to Henderson, the first settled. It was laid off by order of the County Commissioners' Court, on section 28, in 1831, Parnach Owen being the surveyor. No finer site in the county could have been selected for a town. To the eastward and westward lie extensive rolling prai- ries, while to the north and south are fine bodies of timber. It has been stated in the history of the township that the first settler here was Parry Morris, in 1829, and that he sold out to Capt. John Charles. The Captain purchased Mr. Morris' claim for farm- ing purposes, and had not thought at the time that a town would be laid out here. John Montgomery and Dr. Charles Hansford came in subsequently, making claims on the present town site. Dr. Hans- ford was the first physician to locate in Knox County. He was born in Kanawha County, Va., in 1801. He came to Galena at an early day, and from there to Henderson Grove, where he erected a log cabin and commenced his practice. In 1833 he moved to Knoxville. He died in 1852.
The first store opened here was under the super-
vision of John G. Sanburn, in the early part of 1832, about the time the county seat was located here. He moved his stock over from Henderson, where he had conducted a store, and opened his goods on the southwest corner of the Public Square. The log house is still standing, as well as the frame one he 1 built afterward. Mr. Sanburn came to the State from Ontario County, N. Y., in 1818. He went back in a short time, and in 1825 returned for a perma- nent residence in this State, settling in Vandalia. He came to the Military Tract and settled at Hen- derson Grove in 1829, and opened a store, having brought a stock of goods with him. At this time he was a single man. He married in 1831, and reared a family of seven children, all of whom are living but one. He was the first Clerk of the Circuit Court and County Court, and the first Clerk of the County Commissioners' Court, also Assistant Assessor of Internal Revenue under President Lincoln. He passed away to the other world on the same day as the martyred President. Mr. Sanburn was the first Postmaster of Knoxville.
Dr. Willson Boomer located here in 1832 and practiced medicine until his death, in 1845. He was one of the first physicians to locate in the county.
Henry J. Runkle came in 1833 and settled in the northeast part of the town. His cottage, which was built in 1845, is still standing. In 1834 his brother and in 1835 another brother, Eldert by name, joined him. That year they opened a store in Knoxville, under the name of Runkle & Bros. Henry J. Run- kle started a steam saw-mill in 1836 near the town, on section 28, and to it he afterward attached a flour-
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KNOX COUNTY.
mill. This was the first steam mill in the township. He had quite a flourishing business for those days, and shipped flour as far as St. Louis. He died in 1852, and his brother Eldert in 1865.
The first sermon preached in the town was by Rev. Jacob Gum, a Baptist minister.
The first death was a child of Mr. Tabor.
Robert L. Hannaman opened a general store in 1836, and continued in the mercantile business until 1842, when he was elected Probate Justice. (See biography, page 443.)
In 1857 Cornelius Runkle, with his brother Eldert, opened a private bank. In 1865 he organized the First National Bank, which was opened June 16 of that year. He was its first President, and continued in this position for the long term of 20 years. After the expiration of the charter and the reorganization of the bank, he retired. He has been and is still one of the prominent business men of Knoxville. He is hale and hearty, and there has not been a day since he came to the town that he was not able to attend to business.
Knoxville was incorporated as a village in 1845. An election was held for village officers April 7 of that year, and the following-named citizens were. elected : Robert L. Hannaman, Birdsy Booth, Win. Leighton, Miles Smith and Gilbert Evans, as Trus- tees ; and James Price, Clerk. At a meeting of the Trustees, held on the 7th of May, R. L. Hannaman was chosen President of the Board. Before this action, however, the Trustees took an oath to faith- fully support the Constitution of the United States and that of their own State, and to faithfully and impartially perform their duties as Trustees. There was no Treasurer elected, and the Board appointed Jason Duncan to this place. Mr. Hannaman was appointed Weighmaster for the ensuing year.
The last meeting of the Knoxville Board of Trus- tees was Saturday, March 4, 1853. Their last order was that John Eads pay over to the Street Commis- sioner elected for the city of Knoxville, as soon as he was qualified, all public money in his possession. They then adjourned without day. On Monday, the 4th day of April, an election was held for city officers, a charter having been previously granted by the Legislature for a city government. James Price was elected Mayor; David Collins, Marshal; T. T. Parmenter, Treasurer; Enoch Patrick, Assessor ; Gilbert Evans, Street Commissioner; Aldermen-
N. Huggins, William Mansfield, R. Bailey, Z. Cooley, J. Duncan, J. W. Carns, H. Lander and H. G. Reynolds. Knoxville had grown very rapidly from the time the county seat had been located here, and it was that which, up to a late date, caused people to believe it would be the metropolis of the county. After her incorporation as a city she assumed airs suited to her size and growing popularity, and used every effort to centralize the trade here. When the railroad enterprises came up, she made a hard strug- gle to have the junctions there; especially did the citizens labor to have the C., B. & Q. line laid out through their town instead of Galesburg. They se- cured, however, the Peoria line, which was of great advantage, and which was completed through the city in the spring of 1857.
As a seat of learning Knoxville has ever been the rival of Galesburg, and her schools and colleges have a wide reputation. The county seat remained here for 41 years, and it was the pride of her citizens. When an effort was made to take it to Galesburg, a younger but more prosperous city, the citizens natur- ally enough rose up in all their might against it. After a long, hard and bitter fight, they were over- come by superior force, and saw with great disap- pointment, in 1873, the records of the county carried away to be placed in the custody of the rival city, Galesburg. Much of the early history of Knoxville, and especially that connected with it as the county seat, will be given in the general history, to which the reader is referred.
The people of Knoxville as a class are intelligent, generous and neighborly in their character; this, added to its superior educational advantages, makes it a most desirable place to live. There are a num- ber of good business houses in the town, and it has a fair local trade. The population of Knoxville is es- timated to be between 1,600 and 1,700, The fol- lowing-named citizens have represented the city as Mayors :
MAYORS.
James Price ... . 1853
Albert Pierce .. .1866
T. J. Hale. .1854
Henry Arms. . 1867
H. S. Woods. 1855
Abraham Lightner .1868
Benj . Hebard .. 1856
J. C. Cover. 1869-70
John Jackson .1857
Elijah T. Eads. 1871-2
H. N. Knightley .1858
S. H. Tompkins. .1873-6
J. B. Smith. . 1859
J. S. Simpson .. . 1877-8
J. W. Carns. 1860
J. H. Lewis. . 1879-80
A. M. Burdett 1861
Reuben Bailey 1881-2
Henry Arms .. .1862
P. L. Rogers .. .1883-4
Zaccheus Beatty x863
J. C. Cover .1885-6
P. H. Sanford.
1864-5
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KNOX COUNTY.
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St. Mary's School.
HISTORY of this school should be pre- faced by a sketch of another institution of learning, which stood on the same ground and of which St. Mary's was the outgrowth. In February, 1859, a charter was procured from the Legislature for the establishment of an institution of learning called the Ewing Female University of Knoxville. It was named in honor of an old resident of the city. A good, substantial build- ing was erected, and the school was opened and was continued until 1867, when it was closed and the scheme abandoned. It had not seemed to meet the wants of the people, nor to fulfill the expectations that were warranted from the tone of its first intro- duction to the public. The stockholders of this in- stitution, feeling the importance of having a suitable school for the education of young ladies, tendered this building to the Protestant Episcopal Church of Illinois. Their offer was accepted and preparations were immediately begun for the opening of a female school under a new management. Dr. Charles W. Leffingwell was called to take charge of the new in- stitution as Rector, and it may be truly said became the founder of St. Mary's School. It was opened April 12, 1868, after improving, rearranging and re- fitting the building. The property was then valued at $20,000. Dr. Leffingwell began with three board- ing and a few day pupils; the building was unattract- ive, and the institution in a degree unknown. It had yet to make a name, and to this end its sup- porters labored bravely till it stood high among the people, distinguishing itself as a place of learning, not only where young ladies could go and receive an education, but where their characters would be prop- erly formed, their moral and religious training made a strong point, and where they would be as secure as under the parental roof. All this has been accom- plished through the indefatigable zeal and energy of Dr. Leffingwell and his most estimable goodwife, and St. Mary's School, for the educating, refining and thorough culture of young ladies, has no superior in the West.
Within four years the school outgrew its accommo- dations, and received from the late James Knox $10,000 for the purpose of enlargement. In addition to this about $50,000 was expended in building and
equipping the school. At the time of the destruction of the school-house with its contents by fire, Jan. 4, 1883, there were 90 boarders and 30 day pupils. The fire broke out about 2 o'clock in the morning, and people rushed to the building, but were too late to save anything or do more than assist in getting the pupils safely out and beyond the reach of danger. All escaped and only two of the pupils were injured, the latter by the giving way of the ladder down which they were descending. The loss by this fire was estimated at $100,000.
Pending the erection of the new college, school work was recommenced in St. Ansgari College, which had been kindly offered by President Princell. The new building was begun in April, and was occupied by the school October 24, and proved one in which any society or city might take just pride. A beauti- ful stone chapel is connected with the main building by a cloister.
St. Mary's School is an incorporated institution, under the control of a board of fifteen Trustees, representing the three Dioceses of Illinois and the city of Knoxville. The buildings and grounds of the school are valued at $100,000 and a large amount is invested for furniture, school apparatus and machinery for domestic purposes.
Ascending the broad steps which lead to the grand entrance of the building, the visitor finds himself in a spacious porch. On entering, he is met by spacious halls, broad staircases and lofty apartments. On the left are the library and reception room, on the right the office, and beyond that the Rector's study, and these are all so arranged, by means of large sliding doors, as to form one suite of apartments 112 feet long, affording a grand opportunity for recep- tions and other gatherings. All the rooms are, with- out exception, airy, well-lighted, well-ventilated and exactly adapted to their respective uses. Handsome fresco work adorns the walls and ceilings of the halls, and of the public as well as some of the private rooms.
Returning to the entrance hall, the visitor ascends the broad steps of the grand staircase, which is built in a tower outside the main lines of the building. On the first landing he passes by painted windows, resplendent with roses and morning glories, and at the top of the second short flight finds himself oppo- site the "Bower," being a deep bay, forming a cosy boudoir, bright with plants and flowers.
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The recreation hall is a large, cheerful and airy room, 75 feet long, adaptel for roller skating and dancing, which, it is hardly necessary to say, are much in vogue after tea. The inevitable piano is there also, to add its ringing tones to the merry sounds of talk and song and laughter. On the same floor, and occupying the northeast angle, is the studio. In proximity to the studio is the magnifi- cent study hall, 40x80 feet and 18 feet high. Ad- joining the study hall, on the same floor, are recita- tion rooms, toilet and laboratory.
In the basement are located the dining room, kitchen, laundry, etc. Some idea of the heating apparatus may be conveyed by the statement that there are four large boilers at work, night and day, sending steam through more than five miles of radi- ating pipes. Nearly 600 tons of coal are consumed during the year, and the entire building is kept at a pleasant temperature in the coldest weather.
The aim of the Rector has been to provide the best advantages for intellectual training, combined with social culture and Christian influences. The exercises of the school are conducive to habits of order, promptness and self-reliance. The pupils are under the direction of the teachers in dress, habits, manners and conversation, as well as in their studies. Also to the health of the pupils the most careful at- tention is given. All are required to exercise in the open air and within doors. ยท A skillful physician visits the school each day, and, with experienced matrons, has a constant care for the health of the household.
The household arrangements are homelike and pleasant. Pupils are received into the family and cared for as children, with kind attention to their comfort and happiness. Besides the daily associa- tion of pupils and teachers, there are special meet- ings on Friday and Saturday evenings for sewing, reading, conversation, music and other recreations.
The grounds, which are located only a few hun- dred yards from the depot, embrace four acres. They are beautifully located, ample, artistically laid out, and adorned with flowers and shrubbery, giving the whole quite a luxurious and homelike aspect. In the center of these grounds the school building uprears its stately head. It is an imposing structure of a gothic style of architecture, and was designed by Dr. Leffingwell, which accounts for its complete construction.
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