Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 79

Author:
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 794

USA > Illinois > Warren County > Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county > Part 79

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700

WARREN COUNTY.

were happy, poor fellows, until their fate was made known to them.

Just before night they were told that the Govern- ment did not need them, could not place them, and that they must go home. A cloud of sadness over- spread their brave countenances as they turned and walked slowly away to where their arms were stacked. They were brought up in double line facing the out- ward gate, and the order to march' was given. It was a solemn and pathetic scene, and one not to be forgotten. The evening was calm and clear; the sun had just gone down beyond the western horizon, throwing back its mellow rays upon the crowded camp. A long open line was made for the company to pass out, which was densely packed each side, and far back to the rear. These patriots who had left the sacred home, and all the ties so dear, to give their life's blood for their country, marched slowly out with great tears coursing down their cheeks. All heads were uncovered as they passed by, and many were the tears that were dropped by those they left behind.

It was but a short time, however, before they were wanted; another call for volunteers was soon made. The members of this company undoubtedly all re- sponded, and many of them probably breathed their last on the battle field. Such is war.

The third call, July, 1861, was for 500,000 men, and for a period of three years. After this, call suc- ceeded call, until the grand total reached the enor- mous figures of 3.339,748. Of this number, Illinois furnished altogether about 290,000 men, of which Warren County is credited with 2,277. So gener- ously did Illinois respond in sending out volunteers, without stopping to figure, that her quota was found to be largely in excess of any other State. When President Lincoln's attention was called to this fact, he replied : "The country needs the sacrifice ; we must put the whip on the free horse." While all the States did well, Illinois more especially distinguished herself by the number and quality of her service.

Aside from furnishing the President, who was Com- mander-in-chief of the army, she gave to the country that foremost captain of the world, Ulysses S. Grant, whose recent death has left a mourning Nation. She also gave to the service that distinguished General, John A. Logan, who now represents her in the Uni- ted States Senate. The soldiers brought home with

them 300 battle flags, the product of their numerous victories. The first flag that waved in triumph over Richmond after the surrender was an Illinois flag, which was there unfurled to the Southern breeze by Illinois soldiers.

During the dark days of the struggle, when re- verses met our army, when apparently there seemed to be no ground to rest our hopes upon, when ominous clouds hung over the face of the Republic, when the hearts of the patriots grew sick with dispair, they would turn to that great President and to that great Captain and say, with a just cause, and with them at the head of the Government, backed by the brave and patriotic soldiers in the field, " we cannot but win, we cannot fail in our efforts to preserve the Na- tion. "

Illinois had, also, to keep her inspired with hope, the noble Yates, the great war Governor, who with a father's care looked after the wants of the soldiers from his State, and gave his whole attention to the cause.

This struggle brought out the true greatness of the American people and produced some of the greatest men of history. The great wisdom, practical and far-seeing statesmanship, the radiant virtues, the Christian-like character of Lincoln made him the wonder of the civilized world. No less known and distinguished was the modest, silent, patriot-soldier, Ulysses S. Grant, who, after the surrender of the greatest rebellion the world ever beheld, gave the most noble exhibition of Christian charity, by refus- ing to march with his army into the captured city, that the brave soldiers and people, who had so long resisted his forces and defied the power of his mili- tary genius, might not be humiliated ; that they might return to peaceful pursuits with spirits unbro- ken. No less immortal was that act, which breathed a sentiment very close to the Divine heart, " let the soldiers have their horses, they will need them for making their crops. "

Warren County was among the first to respond to the call for troops. No county in the State did bet- ter or responded more nobly, either in furnishing soldiers or means to defray the expenses of the war. Such was the patriotism and enthusiasm with which they responded to the call of the Government, that when the last draft was ordered, there was hardly a man in the county subject to its provision,

701

- WARREN COUNTY.

For the Infantry rervice there went forth from this county, in the 83d regiment, 630 volunteers ; in the 138th regiment, 222 ; in the 102d regiment, 107; in the 14th regiment, 42 ; in the 47th, 78: in the 17th, 124; in the 36th, 16; in the 6rst, 73; in the 15th, 106; in the 59th, 67 ; in the 58th, 23 ; miscellane- ous, 128. In the Cavalry Service, the enlistment was as follows : First Cavalry, 165; Eleventh Cavalry, 185; Twelfth Cavalry, 66; Ninth Cavalry, 17; Sev- enth, 23 ; miscellaneous, 59.

The 83d Regiment of Infantry was made up mostly of volunteers from Warren County, and was organized from Monmouth, in August, 1862, A. C. Harding being elected Colonel. It was mustered into service Aug. 21st, arrived at Cairo the 29th and reported to Brigadier-General Tuttle, who com- manded the post there. About the 5th of Septem- ber, the regiment arrived at Fort Henry, where it was divided up, a part remaining there and at Fort Heiman, the balance moving to Fort Donelson, where they had their headquarters during the year. The companies left at Forts Henry and Heiman sub- sequently re-joined the regiment at Fort Donelson, where it remained until Sept. 20, 1863, and then moved to Clarkson, Tenn. Here it had almost daily skirmishes with the enemy, some of them being al- most engagements, and also had very heavy guard duty to perform. It was engaged in several expedi- tions, under the command of Maj .- General Rosseau, in pursuit of Gens. Forrest and Wheeler, who were trying to cut off Gen. Sherman's communications.

This regiment, with Co. C, Second Illinois Light Ar- tillery, successfully resisted the attack of Forrest and Wheeler to re-capture Fort Donelson. The engage- ment lasted about seven hours, when Forrest and Wheeler were compelled to retire, with a loss of 800 killed and wounded, while there were only 13 killed and 5 1 wounded of the Union forces. For this gal- lant defense of the fort, Col. Harding was promoted to Brigadier-General, and Lieutenant-Colonel A. A. Smith to Colonel. (See biography of Gen. Harding, page 541.)

In 1864 this regiment was largely engaged in the defense of extensive communications and heavy patrol duty. In the ever-memorable winter of 1864- 5, it was on provost duty at Nashville, where it was mustered out, after the surrender of the rebels, June 26, 1865.

The 138th regiment was organized in Quincy, Ill., "by Col. John W. Goodwin, and was mustered in for 100 days service, June 21, 1864. On July 26, it was assigned to duty at Fort Leavenworth, Kans., Col. Goodwin commanding. It was mustered out of ser- vice at Springfield, Oct. 14, 1864.

The volunteers from Warren County, in these as well as in the other regiments, served with distinc- tion during the war on various battle-fields, where many of them gave up their lives to perpetuate the Union.

The glorious triumph of the cause of the Union was darkened by the tragic death of President Lin- coln, who was stricken down by the . bloody hand of the assassin, Booth, April 14, 1865. But in the midst of this great sorrow and that caused by the sacrifice made for liberty on a thousand battle-fields, with mourning hearts at every fireside, the Nation began the work of cementing together, closer than ever, the bonds of union. How well this work has been performed is evident by the close commercial relations between the two sections of the country, by the interchange of the social courtesies, by the reunions of the "boys in blue " with the " boys in gray," and by friendly discussions over the reminis- cences of the " tented field."

Warren County, like all the other counties in the United States, mourns its friends and kindred, who rest in soldier's graves ; around its firesides there are many vacant seats. The absent ones, though years have rolled away, are not forgotten. The same con- dition of things exists in the South. Time has soft- ened if, not obliterated, the bitterness engendered by the war; the two sections have mingled their sor- rows together, and the great conflict is remembered only as a lesson for our future guidance.

702

WARREN COUNTY.

WARREN COUNTY LIBRARY,

SNE of the most beneficial in- stitutions of the county is the Warren County Library, located at Monmouth, and which deserves more than a brief mention. There were several attempts made, from time to time, by Church societies, and by citi- Zens to establish a public library, but there was nothing done by them more than to secure a reading room until W. P. Pressly, one of Monmouth's benefactors took hold of the enter- prise and made it a success. The following is a brief account of the ori- gin of the library. The need for a public reading room, well supplied with books had been long felt, and in 1867, an effort was made to raise funds for this purpose through the meeting of a joint stock company, which was a failure. During the follow- ing year, the Evangelical Union, composed of repre- sentatives from the different churches of Monmouth, took hold of the matter. After consultation with the citizens of the town, it was determined to have an organization independent of the union, which was done by 25 persons becoming responsible for the means to sustain a reading room for two years. Judge Ivory Quinby took a prominent part in this matter. He drew up articles of association and by- laws, and furnished a room, rent free, for two years. During this period it was demonstrated that a pub-

lic library would be an institution of great useful- ness and one which would be extensively patronized. A reading room was supplied with papers and pop- ular periodicals, and on the Ist day of June, 1868, ? it was opened as the Monmouth Reading Room and Library. As there were no funds for the purchase of any books, none were obtained. The reading room, however, was constantly visited by the young and the old, and the papers and periodicals were eagerly looked for and zealously read. During this time a citizen of Monmouth was quietly but earn- estly watching the result of this first step in a public library direction to determine its usefulness, and to see to what extent a larger institution would be ap- preciated and patronized, and the proportionate benefits that would accrue; a citizen who believed that money was placed in the hands of man for other and more noble purposes than to hoard and pile up in combination time-lock vaults, or increase his acreage. This citizen was Mr. W. P. Pressly. In 1870 he erected a two-story brick building 42 x 75 feet, and donated it to the association for a public library and reading room. The provisions of the donation were that the upper floor should be used for a library hall and reading room, and the store rooms on the first floor to be rented, the proceeds thereof to be used in purchasing books. He also expressed a wish that the Constitution and By-Laws should be changed so as to benefit the country as well as the city. After this action of Mr. Pressly, the association was incorporated as the " Warren County Library and Reading Room Association."

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WARREN COUNTY.

Subsequently the Board of Supervisors passed an order granting " all the rents, profits and issues hereafter accruing from the Seminary Block;" and reserving the privilege by provision in the constitu- tion of the association to appoint one of the trustees. It was provided that the proceeds from this county grant should go to the purchase of books in the de- partment of agriculture and practical arts. The System of extending the library was successful and highly beneficial. As it was started by its founder for the use and benefit of all classes of people, both in the town and country, so it has been patronized and sustained by all.

Since the foundation of the Library, generous do- nations have been made from some of the citizens, prominent among whom was the lamented and noble William Laferty. The founder has never ceased to remember his pet project, but has from time to time increased his benefactions. To meet the demands of the large additions and the increasing patronage, Mr. Pressly, in 1884, built an addition to the hall, 22 × 60, two stories high, constructed of brick and connecting with the former building on the west. This gives a capacity for 20,000 volumes without en- coaching on the Reading Room. During this year (1885) a generous citizen who desired his name not to be known, increased the endowment fund by a donation of $5,000. Mr. Pressly also added another source of revenue to the Association by the donation of a fine dwelling house in the rear of the building facing the opposite house, the rents of which are used for the benefit of the Association.

The selection of reading matter is entrusted to a

committee. A cataloguing committee is also one of the features of the institution, and a very excellent System has been adopted.

A small charge is made for books which are taken out of the Library.

The endowment fund now amounts to over $13,000, which is loaned out at 8 per cent. The contents of the Library may be summed up as fol- lows : Books lvaned for house use, 11,988; used in room, per Librarian, 9,587; magazines loaned out, 1,985 ; reference books used from the open book- cases, 8,000. In addition there are 11 daily papers, 55 weeklies, 2 seini-weeklies, 76 monthlies and quar- terlies.

The average daily attendance at the reading room is estimated at 162. The reading room is well furn- ished, large and well lighted. Great care has been taken since its foundation in the purchase of books, the result of which has been that this Association has an exceedingly well-selected library, the credit of which is largely due to Prof. Thomas H. Rogers.

Too much praise cannot be given to the founder of this Library, who has given it may be truly said, his all to this institution, and some missionary work. In order that he might increase his fund for benefi- cent purposes, he has deprived himself not only of. the luxuries, but the actual comforts of life. With the snows of three score and ten winters whitening his head, he is still toiling on, still saving and labor- ing, that he may have more to give, and more with which to bless.

704

WARREN COUNTY.

RAILROADS.

RAILROADS have now become necessary adjuncts to the development of a country, and no community of any propor- tions is content to exist without a them. The State, through its Legislature, was very mag- nanimous in its support and donations to railroad enterprises, the result of which is that Illinois is more thoroughly connected with railroad lines than any other State in the Union. The people of Warren County have ever been exceptionally generous in their donations to rail- road enterprises,as the followingfacts will show. In Warren County there are really now but two lines, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, and the Central Iowa.

Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad.

HE first railroad meeting in this county was held in Monmouth, the 27th day of Februry, 1851. At this meeting J. W. Da- vidson, A. C. Harding, W. B. Stapp and James G. Madden were appointed a Commit- tee to wait on the County Court asking for a call for a special election, to vote for or against the county of Warren subscribing $50,000, to be ex-

pended on the construction of the Peoria & Oquawka Railroad, with a lateral branch to Burlington. The matter was presented to the County Court, which re -. sulted in the following order being made: The County Court now being sufficiently advised in re- gard to the premises, it is ordered that an election be held on the 12th day of April next, at the usual places of voting for the voters of Warren County, to vote for or against the subscription of said county of. $50,000 of the capital stock in the Peoria & Oquawka Railroad, the bonds to be issued for said stock to run 20 years from their date, at 7 per cent. interest, paya- ble annually ; and the clerk is ordered to issue elec- tion notices in accordance with this order."

The election having been favorable to the stock subscription, to the Peoria & Oquawka Railroad, the County Court, at the September term, made an order authorizing Ivory Quinby to subscribe for Warren County $50,000 of the capital stock of said road, so soon as the company shall have had subscribed to its capital stock $450,000. Ivory Quinby, who was the Presiding Justice, upon examination found that the $450,000 had been subscribed, and thereupon, in accordance with his instructions, subscribed for the County of Warren, $50,000 of the capital stock of the company.

This was the beginning of railroad enterprises in this county, and the starting of the Peoria & Oquawka Railroad. The ideas of railroads was at this time somewhat limited. Col. Davidson drew up a charter for this road, and presented it to one of

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WARREN COUNTY.

the leading members of the Legislature, to be placed before that body for its'approval. This member asked him if he ever expected to build a railroad 80 miles long. The Colonel replied, "Give us the char- ter, and I will build the road." The charter was granted, and subsequently the road was built. The people of Oquawka refused to subscribe or aid the enterprise, but the people of Burlington came for- ward with the necessary aid,, and the route was changed to that place, and Oquawka was left out in the cold.

Railroads were not built in those days as rapidly as now. On March 5, 1855, the last rail was laid and the first passenger train came to Monmouth from the West. The side track at the depot had not been completed, so as to allow the passenger train to pass the construction train. The passengers were taken on board the latter and carried on to Gales- burg. Next morning on its return from Galesburg it was saluted from an old brass field piece which had been takes from the walls of Vera Cruz during the Mexican War. This field piece was handled by Capt. Wyatt B. Ståpp. After the salutes were given, the train moved on toward the great "father of waters." This was probably the most important event to the people of the county, since its organi- zation.

The Northern Cross Ry. Co. had about this time completed their track to Galesburg. It secured the privilege of running its trains over the Peoria & Oquawka R. R. to Burlington.

About 1856, the Chicago & Aurora, the Northern Cross, the Peoria & Oquawka and the Central Mili- tary Tract Companies were all consolidated under the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Com- pany. This name was derived from the terminal points. J. W. Brooks was elected President of the new road. This road opened up one of the most magnificent sections of the United States, known as the Military Tract, the northern line of which passed through the middle of Henry County. Upon the building of this road settlers began to pour in, and within five or six years every quarter-section of land was taken, and to-day it is one of the highest culti- vated sections in the country.

It was thought at first that this road would hardly pay. Before the completion of the road the tri- weekly stage line to Peoria carried all the traveling

people and the coaches were seldom more than half full. Not . long after the completion of the road, however, it crowded the company to do all the freight business brought to Monmouth for shipping.

St. Louis Division, C. B. & Q. R. R.

Tel

EN 1856, another railroad project was pre- sented to the county for its support. This was the Alton & Rock Island Road. A proposition to subscribe to the capital stock of this enterprise, $100,000, was voted on and carried, and the Board of Supervisors at their December term subscribed that amount. Nothing, however, came of this project. The provisions were that the road should come through Monmouth.

Warren County was very liberal in aiding railroad projects. The next railroad scheme presented to them for aid, was the Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis road. At a special meeting in August, 1869, the Board of Supervisors decided to submit the question of the county subscribing $200,000 to the capital stock of the Rock Island road. An election was or- dered for September 23, 1869. On the question of subscription to the capital stock of this road, there were 1,775 votes cast for, and 975 against. Having received the support of the people, the stock was duly taken ; the condition was that it should pass through Monmouth. David Turnbull, one of the members of the Board from Hale, was appointed agent of the County to subscribe to the stock, for which bonds of the company were issued running 20 years and bearing eight per cent. interest. Besides the $200,000 subscribed by the county, the several townships contributed their aid, their subscription amounting to $84,000.

The bonds of the county still outstanding to rail- roads amount to $171,000.

The first passenger train of this road was run into Monmouth, the 22d day of August, 1870, making the connection through to St. Louis. A large gathering was at the depot to welcome it, and a salute fron the old Mexican field piece was given. There was no celebration or excitement ; it was received as one of the matter-of-course events of the day. This road was completed through to Rock Island Nov. IT,

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WARREN COUNTY.

1870. The remainder of its line it was never able to complete. This road was sold under a foreclosure of mortgage to the St. Louis, Rock Island & Chicago Railroad Company, which was incorporated April 21, 1876. It was soon afterward leased by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, who now operate it as its St. Louis Division. This road was sold for $1,600,000, and it is said that it cost $11,- 000,000. The bond holders, who live in Germany, were the losers of about six-sevenths of their invest- ment.

Central Iowa Railway Company.

NE of the most important enterprises for Warren County of late years, is the above named railroad. The more important and creditable to the county in this, that the en- terprise owes its conception and completion to the indomitable energy, nerve and will of two of Monmouth's worthy citizens, Delos P. Phelps and William Hanna.

The construction of this road at the time, with all the other lines in full operation and backed by an almost inexhaustible capital, was no holiday task, and one that few men would have the courage and nerve to undertake.

In 1875, a company was organized at Monmouth, called the Burlington, Monmouth & Illinois River Railroad Company, the object of which was to con- struct a narrow gauge road, with a view of compet- ing with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad for the Warren County traffic.

Some few subscriptions were obtained, but not enough to warrant the breaking of ground. A small amount of grading was done in 1878. In 1879, Messrs. Hanna and Phelps were placed upon the Executive Committee, and immediately went to Peoria for the purpose of soliciting subscriptions, and to concentrate all their efforts to secure the grad- ing of the road as far west as possible. They also assumed the responsibility of buying up the. old grade and franchises of the Peoria & Farmington Railroad Company, and changing the enterprise from a narrow to a standard gauge line. They let contracts

upon the faith of subscriptions made, which in many instances were not honored, and they found them- selves involved to the amount of about $40,000. At this critical period they offered to donate their per- sonal subscriptions, and all they had done, to any person or company that would complete the road from Peoria to Farmington, or to be two of twelve persons to advance a sufficient sum for that purpose. Meeting with no acceptance to either of these propo- sitions, they offered to buy out a majority of the stock at twenty-five cents on the dollar, which pro- posal was accepted.

After this they made an effort to interest other persons in the work, and in a measure were success- ful. The road was finished from Peoria to Farming- ton in October, 1881, and operated until October, 1882, when building west was begun, and the track completed to Keithsburg, on the Mississippi River. About a million and a-half of dollars in hard cash were expended in securing the completion of this road. Friends and enemies had predicted financial ruin for Messrs. Hanna and Phelps, and a defeat of the en- terprise.

The task they undertook was a Herculean one, and one to shake the nerve of the most resolute, but after many days and nights of sleepless anxiety, the work was accomplished, and will forever remain as an enduring monument of what perseverance, energy, sagacity, and an indomitable will can accom- plish.

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Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 79

Author: Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros. Number of Pages: 794

Author:
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Chicago : Chapman Bros.
Number of Pages: 794