Portrait and biographical album of Warren County, Illinois : containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, Part 89

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 89

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at Oquawka, but no session of Court had been held there. Monmouth was platted by Peter Butler in 1836, and certified by himn Sept. 8th following. A patent was given to this one quarter section, by the U. S. Government, to John Pence, Peter Butler, and John B. Talbott, Feb. 12, 1836, and was signed by that grand old patriot, President Andrew Jackson. Daniel McNeil, Jr., was appointed Commissioner by the County Court with power to sell and deed lots to purchasers.

Upon petition being sent to the Postmaster-Gen- eral asking that a postoffice be established in the county, Daniel McNeil, Jr. was appointed Postmas- ter of Warren Court House as it was called. . This name was given that the mail might be taken where- ever the seat of Justice was located. The appoint- ment was made in the spring of 1831, but-the mails were delayed in coming and did not arrive until June, and at that time Monmouth had been located as the seat of Justice and the mail was opened here, which was the first in the county. Warren Buffun had been appointed Postmaster at Cedar Creek in the winter of 1831, but owing to delay above men- tioned, no mail was received here until June, when it came through to Monmouth postoffice.

It is said of Daniel McNeil, (who held nearly all of the offices in the town and county) that he used to carry the postoffice in his hat, and if he met a citizen for whom he had a letter, he would doff his hat and hand him his mail. Postage in those days was 25 cents and unpaid. The good Daniel, how- ever, would not withhold the letter if a person did not have the postage; and it is said that he had set- tled, from his own pocket, some heavy bills with the postoffice department. The pioneers would jest- ingly, and with truth say, that McNeil was always in his office. It has been previously said that he held about all the offices in the county, so many in fact that it made him poor and he was obliged to earn bread for his family. When out, his good dame would act as his deputy. Daniel McNeil lived where John Carr's house now stands, on Broadway, on the edge of the ravine. It was the first cabin put up in the town. The first tavern was located on Broadway below the Court House Square on the opposite side of the street in block 20. This famous hostelry, which still stands after the lapse of half a century, was a double log house with an attic, and was opened

by James M. Garrison, in the fall of 1831. Sur- viving its need for hotel purposes and having been occupied for various uses of man, it finally came into possession of W. S. Paxon, a worthy pioneer, who now uses it as a blacksmith shop. The first couple married in Garrison's Inn were Cæsar Love and Venus McCormick (colored) Feb. 25, 1836. In this hotel E. S. Swinney used to lodge. He had his bunk directly under the roof in the northwest corner. To look at this corner now one would be inclined to sympathize with Bro. Swinney, and think he had a close time of it

The second couple married in the town were Josiah Whitman and Hannah Davidson, Oct. 12, 1832. The first marriage in the county was that of Samuel White and Huldah Jennings by John B. Tal- bott, J. P., May 10, 1831.

W. S. Paxton broke the first ground in the town for Daniel McNeil, who planted the first crop. Mc- Neil had his first official building east of the Bank on Broadway.

According to Joel Hargrove, Wm. S. Paxon opened the first store in the town, in the spring of 1831, where Scott & Bros'. grocery house now stands. It was in a little wickup, or round shanty, built with poles, mud and straw.

Robert Black was the pioneer in the school de- partment in this town, opening a school in the sum- mer of 1831. The second school was opened by Alpheus Russell.

Thonias B. Cullum was licensed to keep a store at Monmouth,, July 4, 1831, and he celebrated Inde- pendence day by opening his little stock of goods for sale to the settlers. He was followed in October by Joel Hargrove, and in December by Elijah David- son.

June 6, 1831, the sale of lots by order of the Commissioners took place. The order read : "The highest and best bidder to be the purchaser, provid- ing the large or 'outlots' be not sold unless the bid offered should amount to at least $2 per acre; the bid on the 'inlots ' be not sold for less than $4 per lot, and those adjoining the Public Square not to be sold unless the bid offered be at least not less than $to per lot. There was realized from the sale of lots this day $965.62."

The town was retarded in its growth by the Ili- dian troubles. Soon after the sale of the lots a re-

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port came of the rising of Black Hawk's band. This alarmed the settlement very much and some fami- lies left the town. After consultation it was decided that forts be built and that the settlers come together for mutual protection. Accordingly one fort was built about a mile from town, and another at Peter Butler's place a few miles from the settlement.

After the Indian troubles were over other business houses were opened and this settlement advanced rapidly.

With the increase of population came a desire to have a corporate government of some kind, and Daniel McNeil, Jr., took the lead in this movement. Finally notices were posted about the town inform- ing the legal voters that a meeting would be held Nov. 29, 1836, at the school-house, to determine this question. The proceedings were under the gen- eral law of this State, approved Feb. 12, 1831, which was entitled an " Act to incorporate the inhabitants of such towns as may wish to be incorporated." At the election Elijah Davidson was chosen President of the meeting and Henry Jennings to act as Clerk. The objects of the meeting having been fully set forth by the Chairman, Mr. Davidson, voting was announced to be in order. There were 23 votes cast in all for incorporation, there being none in op- position. When the result of this election was made known, an election for Town Trustees was ordered for Dec. 3th following. At the December election Elijah Davidson, Daniel McNeil, Jr., James McCal- lon, Alexander Ritchey and George H. Wright were elected Trustees. A meeting of the Trustees was duly held at which Daniel McNeil was chosen Pres- ident of the Board, and Henry Jennings, Clerk and Treasurer.

The first meeting of the Board after organization was at the house of James McCallon, Dec. 26, when they passed their first ordinance, which was as fol- lows : " Be it ordered by the President and Trustees of the town of Monmouth in council convened that the corporation be one-half mile east, one-half mile west, one-half mile south, and one-half mile north from the center of the Public Square, contain- ing one mile square."

The village continued to grow and prosper, fine blocks went up and large business houses and man- ufactories were established and the future develop- ment of Monmouth seemed to be assured. With

an increased population came a desire among the citizens for a city government. Accordingly a bill was presented to the Legislature for this purpose. It was passed and received the approval of the Governor, June 21, 1852, the first section of which read as follows : "Be it enacted by the people of the State of Illinois, represented in the General As- sembly, that the inhabitants of the town of Mon- mouth, in the county of Warren, and State of Illi- nois, be and are hereby constituted a body politic and corporate by the name and style of the City of Monmouth, and by that name shall have perpetual succession, and may have and use a common seal which they may change and alter at pleasure." The second provision of this bill fixed the boundaries of the corporation which was to extend one mile each way from the Public Square ; and the third section provided for the division of the city into two wards. The election under this act was held Oct. 23d, 1852, at which Samuel Wood was elected Mayor, N. A. Rankin, Secretary ; E. S. Swinney, James Thomp- son and William Rodgers, Aldermen. The officers- elect met Nov. 3, and organized the Council by ap- pointing E. F. Corwin, Clerk ; G. - W. Savage, at- torney ; James Thompson, Treasurer, and James Finney, Marshal.

The following is a list of the gentlemen who have served the city in the capacity of Mayor :

MAVORS.

Samuel Wood .1852

J . A. Templeton .. .1869

George W. Palmer. .1853

S. Douglas. .1870

E. S. Swinney . 1854

W. B. Boyd.

1871

Robert Grant ..

1855

W. M. Buffington

1872

W. H. Young. 1856

D. Babcock

Ivory Quinby . 1857

Jacob H . Holt.

Jacob H. Holt. 1858

J. L. Dryden

1876

N. A. Rankin. .1859-60

Jacob H . Holt .1877

H. G. Harding

.1861-62

J. M. Mccutcheon .1878-79

* Samuel Wood

.1863

William Hanna 1880-81

Wm.S. Cowan.

1864-65

I. P. Pillsbury ... 1882

George Babcock.

.1866

Henry Burlingim.

. . 1883-85

John M. Turnbull. .1667

Wm. B. Young. .1885-86

Samuel Wood

1868

Ivory Quinby opened the first bank in this town, which was a private institution. In 1862 the First National Bank was established, which was the 38th established in the United States. In 1872 C. Jones & Co. opened their private bank, which was subse- quently merged into the Monmouth National Bank. Later on the Second National Bank was established. With one exception these banks have all been suc- cessful, and have had a good standing in the financial world. This exception is too well known by the peo- ple of Monmouth to need any comments or explana- tions in this work. Suffice it to say that aged men

1873

1874-75

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and women, once in affluent circumstances, lost ev- erything through the action of a man, who to-day is within the four walls of the penitentiary.

In the suburbs of Monmouth are located Doctor Vanhoorebeke's stables, which were established over 20 years ago. Dr. Vanhoorebeke was one of the first to introduce imported stock into this State, and in the line of his business has crossed the ocean 98 times. He breeds entirely from pure French horses, and mostly from imported stock. For fine draft horses Dr. Vanhoorebeke's stables are unex- celled by any in the State. He has a ready sale for all his stock, and at high figures. In the line of in- troducing good draft horses into the county and State, the Doctor has been a benefactor. A visit at his sta- bles is a treat which any lover of good horses will enjoy.

The city is well and ably represented in the med- ical line by Drs. J. W. Brewer, H. L. Harrington, S. M. Hamilton, J. R. Webster, H. Marshall, J. H. Wallace, W. S. Holliday, S. K. Crawford, W. E. Tay- lor and E. C. Linn. With this able array of med- icai men and those reliable druggists, Spriggs & Bros., and W. M. Schultz & Co., Monmouth is pretty well fortified against sickness or epidemics.

The city of Monmouth has a very good Opera House, which is one of the features of the town. It was erected by Mr. Schultz in 1875, at a cost of about $50,000, including the store-houses below. It is a favorite place of amusement for the people of · this city.

There are many fine business blocks in the city, as well as a number of beautiful residences. Some of the church buildings are very creditable, and even an ornament to the place. The public buildings, however, with the exception of the jail, are about as inferior as any in the State.

Monmouth is beautifully situated and well laid out, with a square or plaza in the center. The streets run in regular parallel lines and are adorned with handsome shade trees. The town is dotted over with elegant residences and comfortable homes. The people, as a class, are intelligent and industrious. If marked by any particular phase of character, it is that of being rather set in their notions; and it may be, too, that some of the inhabitants are a little proscriptive and Pharisaical. The population of Monmouth is estimated to be at the present time about 5,500.

Upon the completion of the C. B. & Q. Railroad through Monmouth, in 1855, quite an impetus was given to the growth of the town, and from that time on its growth has been steady With the completion of the railroad some very important manufactories 1 were established in Monmouth.

INDUSTRIAL INTERESTS.

Weir Plow Company .- At an early date the in- ventive brain of W. S. Weir began to conceive of a better way for cultivating corn than with a hoe. He soon brought his ideas into practical operation. In 1859 he completed a plow which, upon a test being had, proved successful. After some further altera- tions and improvements he had his cultivator pat- ented in 1862. Later on a factory was established, and the first year 400 cultivators were made. The year following he turned out some 500 cultivators. In 1869 a company incorporated as the Weir Plow Company, with a capital stock of $25,000. The members of this company were W. S. Weir, William Hanna, W. B. Boyd and Joseph Stephenson. 'The site was secured for the factory near the C. B. & Q. Railroad, and suitable buildings were erected.

Since then several changes have been made in the company, and many improvements made in the plow and cultivator. Extensive buildings have been put up for manufacturing purposes, which have been filled with the most complete and best machinery. They occupy now, with buildings and grounds, about four acres, and manufacture a full line of agricul- tural implements, such as cultivators, plows, double shovels and harrows. The capital stock has been increased to $500,000, and the present stock-holders are W. S. Weir, William Hanna, Delos Phelps and J. Ross Hanna.

Active work generally begins about the first of Oc- tober, and closes in June. They employ from three to four hundred hands, and their trade extends into all the Western and Southwestern States, Ohio, Indi- ana and also into Mexico. Most of their timber is from Kentucky and Missouri. This Weir Plow Company has been a great auxiliary to the growth of Monmouth. The superior qualities of their ag- ricultural implements are known and appreciated throughout the country.

The Pattee Plow Company was another establish- ment which has aided materially to the growth of Monmouth. It was established in 1875, under the

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firm name of Pattee Bros. & Co. The members of this firm were James H. Pattee, Henry H. Pattee and I. P. Pillsbury. They started with the manu- facture of the "New Departure" Tongueless Culti- vator, of which Mr. Pattee was the inventor. In 1881, they incorporated, with a capital stock of $10,000. James H. Pattee is President, I. P. Pills- bury, Vice-President, and H. H. Pattee, Secretary and Treasurer. During the manufacturing season, this establishment employs about 100 men, and man- ufacture principally the Tongueless Cultivator, the Combined Walking and Riding Cultivator, and tlie Cotton Planter. Their Tongueless Cultivator was patented in 1872, by J. H. Pattee. At this time, a tongueless cultivator was unknown, and like all men who present new ideas or new inventions, Mr. Pattee was the subject for much ridicule. But with Mr. Pattee, like all other brainy men, who have an idea or an invention to present for the benefit of the world, the shafts of ridicule fell harmless upon him. If it had been a failure, people would have said, " I told you so." Having been a success, it would be more difficult now to find a man who did not say, "he knew it would be a success," than it was for Diogenes of old to find with his lamp an honest man.

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Monmouth Mining and Manufacturing Company. -Following on in the development of the city, we come to this company, which was established in 187 2, by Messrs. A. M. Black and J. M. White. Subse- quently it became the property of those worthy citi- zens, Spriggs & Bros., who carried on the work for several years. In 1872, it was incorporated, with a capital stock of $350,000. W. H. Koonce was elected President ; B. T. Hubbard, Secretary ; J. S. Spriggs, Treasurer. In 1874, the capital stock was increased to $100,000, and G. B. Henderson luckily succeeded B. T. Hubbard as Secretary. In 1875, J. H. Spriggs was elected President, and, in 1866, Mr. D. D. Parry succeeded Mr. Spriggs. In 1877, William Hanna became President, with J. H. Spriggs, Vice-President, and J. S. Spriggs, Treasurer. In 1884, Mr. Hanna bought out Spriggs & Bros. stock, and with his son, J. . Ross Hanna, now controls the establishment. When the enterprise was first started, it was expect- ed coal mining would be carried on extensively with the pipe and tiling business. It was found, however, that the coal veins were limited, and that part of the business has been abandoned. . Mr. Hanna has

greatly enlarged the capacity for manufacturing tile, and has now in this establishment some of the largest kilns in the country. They have 22 acres ap- propriated for the use of the works, the buildings covering about two acres. The clay beds are from 70 to 100 feet down, and furnish an excellent quality of clay. About 1,000 car - loads of tile are manu- factured yearly, and 500 bushels of coal are used daily. From 65 to 75 hands are constantly employed at this establishment.

Reimer Lahann. While speaking of the industrial elements' which have so materially advanced the -prosperity of Monmouth, the cigar factory of Reimer . Lahann should be mentioned. Mr. Lahann started his factory in 1860, with no capital other than a strong heart, energetic mind, and a sympathetic wife, who was truly a help-mate. His business has stead- ily increased, until last year he manufactured 1,500,000 cigars. By the close of this year he ex- . pects to make 1,8000,000. He employs fromn 30 to 40 hands.

SCHOOLS.

The first public school opened in Monmouth, in 1834. The County Commissioners acting under a petition signed by several citizens, established the boundary of the first school district, which they called No. 1, which included the town of Monmouth. A building was erected on the site now occupied by the Methodist Church. This school was opened in June, and was held three months, at an expense of less than $50. At this period there were 50 chil- dren in the settlement between the age of 5 and 12 years, and of this number 25 attended the schools. It was not long before this building was insufficient to meet the demand of the increasing number of pupils, and a new building was erected. This new building soon was inadequate to meet the wants of the population, and other buildings were put up, and private schools were also opened. Ward schools were finally established, the educational advantages were extended, and systems of instruction were im- proved from time to time up to the present period. The public schools of Monmouth are now divided up into four districts, or wards, having one school for each ward in the city. They are all graded and pro- vided with good teachers.

. Miss E. B. Leighty is Principal of the East Ward School, with the Misses J. H. Boyd, Winnie McCly-

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monds, Ella Erskine and Kate Manchester as As- sistants, with an enrollment of 280 pupils.

West Ward School, presided over by Miss L. B. Duer as Principal, who is assisted by the Misses J. S. Wiley, F. E. Sterret, Ida Matthews and M. Kin- kead. Enrollment, 207.

North Ward. In this school Miss M. A. Sterrett is Principal, and the Misses Minnie S. Nelson, Jennie McBrown, Anna . Peacock, and Mrs. M. D. Sterrett are Assistants. Enrollment, 243.

South Ward. Miss W. Scott is Principal of this school. With her are the Misses Jessie K. Babcock, A. Fleming, Sadie Parkinson, Della Cald well and Mag- gie McDill, with an enrollment of 268.

The school buildings are inferior, old, with large cracks in the walls, and are not, some of them at least, very safe. Take them altogether for a city with the wealth of Monmouth, they are not at all creditable. Some day, if they are not torn down, they will be tumbling down, burying beneath their ruins innocent children.

MONMOUTH COLLEGE.

This College was founded by the Reform Associate Presbytery of Illinois, and was first started as an Acad- emy. It was established as a Church institution, and has continued so. In r856, it was converted into a College, when Trustees were appointed. In 1847, it was incorporated under the name and style of "The Monmouth College." This act was amended in 1859, vesting the control of the College with the United Presbyterian Synod. It was further amended in 1869, establishing a more liberal government, and providing for the admission of other bodies to its constituency.

After several changes, additions and improvements, . they have now a fine school building, three stories high, and constructed of brick, costing altogether about $35,000. The building is well furnished and the rooms are commodious. All the facilities for a thorough collegiate education have been provided, which includes a good faculty. After several exper- iments, a liberal endowment fund has been secured, upon a practical basis: This"College is well patron- ized by the people of the county, and on its roll there are many students from other parts of the State.

PRESS. The Monmouth Atlas .- This is the oldest paper

in the county. It was established by C. K. Smith, and its first sheet was issued to the reading public Oct. 30, 1846. Mr. Byron was the editor. At that time it was a six-column follo paper and was issued every Saturday. It is a rare treat to peruse its old pages, every column of which is full of interesting matter. It was issued about the time of the begin- ning of the Mexican War, and its early issues are replete with the descriptions of the battles of Cero Gordo, Monterey, etc. Jan. 1, 1844, the publishing day was changed to Friday. In October, 1857, Mr. John S. Clark purchased the Atlas, and has edited it from that time to the present. In 1860 it was in- creased to an eight-column paper. In September, 1884, a daily was started, and this venture has been eminently successful. The Atlas has a circulation of about 1,600, and a good job office is connected with the paper. It is Republican in politics, and is a well edited, bright and newsy journal, and a credit to the county. It is an unusual thing to find a man who has been in the editorial chair as long as Mr. Clark.

Monmouth Review .- The first issue of this paper was made Dec. 28, 1855, by A. H. Swain, its founder and editor. It canie out pretty fully fledged at first, having seven columns and issued every Friday. It was started about the time of the dissolution of the Whig party and the formation of the Republican party, which has since been so potent a factor in American politics, and was devoted to the principles of the Democratic party and the interests of Warren County. In 1856 it was an ardent advocate of the claims of James Buchanan for the Presidency. It was loyal to the Union and to the country during the war. In 1866 it was enlarged to an eight-col- umn paper, its present size. It has a circulation now of about r,200, which is constantly increasing. The plant contains a steam-power press and a fine job office. The Review has never changed its ed- itor nor proprietor, nor its politics; and it never has failed to make its appearance on publication day, which now covers a period of 30 years. There are but few papers in the country that have been under so long and continuous a management. It is neatly gotten up, ably edited, and zealously devoted to the interests of its patrons. Mr. Swain says he started his paper on a quarter of a dollar and has got that quarter yet. Amid the many changes of this life, it : is pleasant once in a while to meet a man who has

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WARREN COUNTY.

held on to a business so long and so successfully, and who is still hale and hearty and at his daily post of duty.

The Monmouth Weekly Gazette, was established in 1876, by G. G. McCosh, an experienced newspaper man. It was started as a seven-column folio, issued every Wednesday. In 1883 it was enlarged to a nine-column folio, its present size. Mr. McCosh having been prosperous in his weekly venture, and believing there was an opening for a daily, concluded to start one. With this man, to think was to act, and in February, 1883, he sent forth his daily sheet, which he called The Evening Gazette. The editor has had no occasion to regret his action, for the daily Gazette has been a prosperous enterprise. The cir- culation of this paper is from 1,000 to 1,200 per week and is increasing. The Gazette is independent in politics, is lively in its editorial department and is full of interesting reading matter. . A good job office is connected with the paper, where first-class work can always be secured. The presses are moved by steam. The genial editor is always ready to make new friends and welcome the old ones. Being com- paratively young in the editorial chair, he even now displays rare ability as an editor, and we expect to see the day when he will be among the distin- guished journalists of the State.

MILITARY.

Co. H, Sixth Regt. I. N. G., of Monmouth .- This company was organized April 29, 1881, with 43 members. Its present officers are : Captain, Geo. C. Rankin; First Lieutenant, Rufus H. Scott; Sec- ond Lieutenant, Wm. F. Reichard ; First Sergeant, Samuel H. Hogue. The Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Sergeants are respectively J. R. Hickman, E. D. Brady, Wm. W. Shields, S. W. Porter. Corpor- als, John N. Thomson, E. I. Camm, S. L. Hough- ton, V. H. Webb. The first Captain was Wm. G. Bond. Size of armory, 60 x 66 feet. Adjoining this hall is an elegantly furnished parlor, and a room with lockers for uniforms. The company has fatigue and dress uniforms and is completely equipped with Springfield rifles. They are fine, soldierly looking men, well up in their drill and are creditable to the city of Monmouth.

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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 89

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

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