USA > Illinois > Will County > Souvenir of settlement and progress of Will County, Ill. A review of the lives of our presidents, political, military and commercial history of the United States and of the state of Illinois Business directory of Joliet Comp. specially for the people of the county > Part 24
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David Maggard erected the first house within the present limits of Joliet city, and he and Robert Stevens cultivated the first land in the township. Col. Sayre, Mansfield Wheeler and A. Cagwin built saw-mills on Hickory creek; Zarley, Maggard, Stevens and Sayre flew from the Indians in 1832; John B. Cook died in 1834; Dr. Payne, the first physician, 1834, and Hugh Henderson, the first lawyer in 1835; the city was platted for James B. Campbell in 1834, and a second plat made for James McKee. Ben. Richardson, a chairmaker, came in 1836; Abner or Thomas Cox was the first merchant; Benj. F. Barker erected the first dwelling house in East Joliet; Charles Sayre was the first tailor; John Norman built a grist mill, on an island, opposite the penitentiary in 1833-4; James McKee erected a grist mill in 1834; Rev. Geo. West was the first resident minis- ter of the Gospel, 1833; James McKee was the first justice of the peace in West Joliet, and Oliver W. Stillman the first in East Joliet; William Blair was the first tinsmith, 1836; W. R. Atwell was the first blacksmith, 1834; C. W. Brandon was the pioneer stone mason; the Chicago and Ottawa road was opened in 1834; Dr. A. W. Bowen was appointed postmaster of the first post-office at Joliet in June, 1835; Rodney House was the first wagon and carriage builder, 1835, on the East side; Fort Nonsense was erected in 1832; school was first held there by
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Miss Cleveland; the first fourth of July celebration was held in 1836; the first school house was built in 1836-7, and opened by John Watkins, formerly of Ft. Dearborn School, in 1837. Charles Reed erected the first substantial log cabin near the site of the National Hotel in 1833; Clement and Clark inaugurated the lumber trade in 1835; M. H. Demmond erected the first stone building in the city; the first jail and court-house was built in 1837; the Courier was published in 1839; the first steam flouring mill was built for Jones in 1840. John M. Wilson and Charles Clement established the grain trade; the era of plank- roads was introduced in 1851 by the building of the Oswego and Indiana road from Joliet to Plainfield; sundry banking estab- lishments, including Wild Cat banks, established 1837; Uri Osgood was the first private banker of Joliet in 1850-51; the Matteson woolen mill was constructed in 1845; the Merchants' and Drovers' Bank was the first chartered institution of this class, 1850; the First National was founded in 1864; from 1849 to 1850 the gold fever carried away a number of citizens, some estimating the number as high as 1200; the building of the present court-house began in 1847; in 1848 the cholera epidemic entered the settlements, W. E. Little died September 30, 1851; among the number who died from this disease in 1854 were Alex. Comstock, O. H. Haven, C. C. Van Horne and M. H. Demmond, all old and enterprising citizens. The first death sen- tence carried out in the county was the execution of Geo. Chase; the Rock Island Railroad was opened to Joliet in 1852; Joliet city organized in 1852; the accident on this railroad of Novem- ber 1, 1854, near Joliet, resulting in the death of 16 persons and severe injuries to 46 others. The Chicago and Alton Rail- road was opened from the south to Joliet in August 1854, and between Joliet and Chicago in 1857. The accident of August 16, 1873, resulting in the death of 23 persons and severe injuries to 31 persons, occured on this road near Sag Bridge, James O'Neil, John Metzgar, J. W. Smith and Jacob Lauser of Joliet, were among the dead. In January 1855, the snow and intense cold- a blizzard-detained all trains on this road for 144 hours. The Michigan Central Railroad cut-off or Joliet and Northern Indi- ana Railroad, was constructed under the superintendence of Calvin Knowlton in 1855. The freaks of lightning in the church of St. John the Baptist, July 31, 1864, resulted in the death of five persons and injury to twenty. The flood of August 9, 1865, caused great losses to many of the citizens. Other equally notably events connected with the history of Joliet are noticed in various places, both in the county and local histories.
Organic History .- By an act of the Legislature of Illinois, Joliet was organized as a village under the name Juliet, in 1837. The act was repealed in 1841, and the village passed under county government until its organization as a city, June 19, 1852. The
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old village government was made up as follows :- 1837, Joel A .. Matteson, Pres .; J. J. Garland, Daniel Reed, David L. Roberts, Fenner Aldrich, and Robert C. Duncan, Trustees; 1838, Amos. Fellows, Pres .; Bennet Allen, Geo. H. Woodruff, J. C. Newkirk, and W. A. Boardman, Trustees; 1839, William Shofield, Pres .; Charles Clement, W. A. Chatfield, George Woodruff, and F. Mitchell, Trustees; 1840, Joel George, Pres .; John L. Wilson, W. A. Chatfield, James Brodie, Charles Sayre, and Richard Doolittle, Trustees; resigned March 3, 1841. The organiza- tion of 1837 was the result of a meeting over which Joel A. Matteson presided, with Geo. H. Woodruff, Secretary. The vote, numbering 78, was in the affirmative. The first election was held within the old American House, March 31, 1837. The question of reorganization under a city government was discussed in 1852. June 19 of that year an act of incorpora- tion was passed, providing for the election of officers and the formation of municipal divisions. The first election was held July 26, 1852, when the following named candidates received the votes placed after their names: for Mayor-C. C. Van Horn, 200 votes; Orlando H. Haven, 88 votes; Barton Smith, 52 votes. For aldermen-N. H. Cutter, 17; David Casseday, 17; T. B. Jones, 12; Richard Doolittle, 5; Benj. Richardson, 3; Jacob Gorges, 76; Michael Shields, 48; Patrick Callaghan, 28; Wm. C. Wood, 7; Wm. Smith, 10; Geo. H. Woodruff, 3; Edward Wilcox, 57; Thomas J. Kinney, 54; F. L. Cagwin, 70; S. W. Bowen, 77; Rodney House, 20; M. Wattingham, 19; P. O'Con- nor, 31; Uri Orgood, 58; C. W. Wade, 30; Peter Northump; 3; John Cuddy, 2; W. C. Wood, 3; Ed. Wilcox, Clerk pro. tem., S. W. Stone, Clerk, 5; O. L. Hawley, 3; W. A. Strong, Treas- urer, 8; C. & C. Zarley, City Printers, 6; McIntosh & Fuller, City Printers, 2. This vote was canvassed by O. L. Hawley, Clerk Will County Court; G. D. A. Parks, ex-off. J. P., and Daniel Curtis, J. P., July 27, 1852. C. C. Vanhorn was re- elected Mayor in 1853. J. E. Streeter received 250, and Barton Smith 152 votes, for mayor in 1854. In 1855 N. D. Elwood received 299 votes against 203 recorded for Firman Mack; in 1856 Mayor Elwood was re-elected, receiving 689 votes. Firman Mack was elected in 1857, and again in 1858. Frank Good- speed received 1,048 votes in 1859, and was re-elected in 1860. Sherman W. Bowen was elected in 1861, and again in 1862; W. A. Strong in 1863; Edwin Porter in 1864 and 1865; S. W. Bowen in 1866; Elvis Harwood in 1867 and 1868; William A. Steel in 1869 and 1870; Edwin Porter in 1871; W. A. Steel in 1872; W. E. Henry in 1873; Anton Scheidt in 1874; W. A. Steel in 1875; Royal E. Barber in 1876; James G. Elwood in 1877 and 1878; Edwin Porter in 1879-1880 and 1881, and held office until the inauguration of Mayor Kelly in 1883. The city elections of 1883, resulted as follows :- For mayor-Thomas J. Kelly,
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1,549 votes; Benjamin Olin, 801 votes. For alderman-John Gorman, Edward Lawler, Fred. Schring, H. W. Cope, Peter Collins, John T. Donohoe, A. F. Knox, Robert T. Kelly, Clerk; John Gorges, Treasurer; I. H. Breckinridge, City Ator- ney; Egbert Phelps, School Ins. East Side; James Morrisey, School Ins. West Side. The election of Aldermen in April, 1884 resulted as follows: The record is given from first ward to seventh. 1st. Smith, 242; Lennon, 226. 2d. Riley, 175; McFad- den, 152. 3d. Moran, 138; Schring, 102; 4th. Lagger, 159; Sandiford, 44. 5th. Haley, 159; O'Connor, 103. 6th. Egan, 221, Foster, 188. 7th. Winters, 270, Munn, 196. Messrs. Strong and Shutts were elected School Inspectors. The vote given August 5, 1876 on the question of incorporating the city under the Act of April 10, 1872, was for incorporation under the general law, 1,076; against such incorporation, 307. For minority representature, 1,283 againt 1,236.
The question of taxing the saloon keepers of the city $1,000 for the years 1884-5 was decided by the Board of Aldermen June 14, 1884. Two of the aldermen who voted for $1,000 last year voted for $500; but Alderman J. T. Donohue, ex-County Treasurer, who voted for $500 last year, recorded his vote for $1,000, making a tie, and Mayor Kelly decided by casting the decisive ballot for $1,000. This is in accordance with the wishes of three-fourths of the people.
Joliet in 1861 .- So early as January, 1861, signs of the com- ing struggle made themselves manifest. On the 30th of that month an inter-party meeting was held at Joliet to consider the political relations of the free and slave States. Addresses were made and a series of resolutions carried condemning the weak- ness of the government and urging the adoption of a policy at once aggressive and defensive. Little did the speakers think then of the proximity of war. Lincoln was scarcely acquainted with the presidential office before the tocsin sounded. On April 14, 1861, Sumter was surrendered to a rebel force, and the gro- tesque spectre of Civil War presented itself to the country. On April 17 Mayor Bowen presided over a war meeting. A com- mittee, consisting of J. Kelly, T. Hatton, Alex. McIntosh, A. McInerney, F. Mack, and Wm. Adam, was appointed to collect a fund for the aid of volunteers' families, while a second com- mittee, made up of R. E. Goodell, Josiah McRoberts, and C. E. Munger, was instructed to purchase military uniforms. Fred- erick A. Bartleson was the first volunteer. His example was so well imitated that before midnight the company known as the Union Greys, or Bartleson's company, was filled. Erwin and Hildebrant's commands were filled by April 27.
The Joliet Courier, the pioneer newspaper of the county, was founded April 20, 1839. The original stock holders were Ed- mund Wilcox, Hugh Henderson, Charles Clement, R. Doolittle,
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the Allen brothers, and seven others, with O. H. Balch, editor. Within a short time the office passed into the hands of D. L. Gregg, and in 1843 William E. Little obtained a controlling interest.
The Joliet Signal. - The pioneer Courier was purchased by Wm. E. Little in 1843, when its name was changed to that of the Joliet Signal. Late in 1844 S. W. Randall acquired control of the Signal; he, in turn, sold it to A. O. Stillman, who con- ducted the paper until May, 1846, when the office was purchased by Calvin & Calneh Zarley, the latter of whom has conducted the Signal successfully for the past thirty-eight years. A short time before the death of Calvin Zarley, he disposed of his inter- est to P. Shutts in 1876. Mr. Shutts entered the Signal office in 1872, where he learned typography. R. S. Brown entered the office in 1862, and became a partner in the business in 1873.
The True Democrat was founded by A. McIntosh in 1847. He sold out to H. N. Marsh in 1848, and left for California. In 1852 he returned, repurchased an interest in the True Democrat with Buel A. Fuller, and conducted the paper until 1857, when his duties as Circuit Clerk and Recorder required all his atten- tion. Joseph L. Braden purchased the paper in 1857, and conducted it under its original name until 1864, when it was changed to the Joliet Republican.
The Joliet Republican, successor of the True Democrat, was established in 1864 by Joseph L. Braden, who edited it until his death in 1866. In 1869 James Goodspeed purchased the office, and continued to publish it up to the time of its consolid- ation with the Sun. In 1874 Alex. McIntosh became political editor, which position he held until 1877. Judson C. Porter was the local editor from 1875.
The Joliet Weekly Sun was established in July, 1872, by C. B. Hayward, and conducted by him until date of consolidation with the Republican. In 1878 A. McIntosh was appointed political editor of the Sun.
The Joliet Daily Sun, the pioneer daily journal, was first issued by Mr. Hayward, E. S. Barney and others, in October, 1874, subsequently managed by E. S. Barney, and published until consolidation with the Republican.
The Republican-Sun, published by R. M. Woods, is, in fact, a continuation of the pioneer daily newspaper of Joliet. This journal is a thorough Republican paper, well edited, newsy, and worthy of the large patronage extended to it.
The Joliet Record was founded in 1870-1, by Daniel C. Hen- derson, as a Democratic weekly newspaper. His brothers, James E. and John D. Henderson, were associated with him in the publication of this journal. After disposing of the Record to the present editor and proprietor, D. G. Henderson took the position of editor on the Republican-Sun, which he now occu-
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pies. W. W. Stevens, the present editor and proprietor, is an old resident of the county. The office is valued at $3,500. The weekly issue is 1,375.
The Joliet News was founded in April, 1877, by Charles F. Dutcher, who conducted it as a morning newspaper until Octo- ber, 1877, when the office was purchased by J. H. Ferris, R. W. Nelson, H. E. Baldwin, and others. To the morning paper was added the Weekly News, devoted to general news and espousing the platform of the Greenback party. H. E. Bald- win became a member of the staff October 1, 1877, with E. S. Barney, now of the Press, manager. Mr. Tait subsequently had an interest in this journal. The Daily News of to-day, edited and published by James H. Ferris, is metropolitan in its mechanical style, newsy, and well edited. The office employes forty-one hands. Jule Schneider is city editor; C. C. Boston, circulator; H. E. Baldwin, advertising department; Lincoln Ruttledge, collector, and George D. Tait manager of job de- partment.
The Joliet Phoenix, established January 1, 1877, by James H. Ferris, J. S. McDonald, W. P. Haughey, and Leon McDon- ald, was a journalistic confederation, so to speak. In the county-seat Phoenix were the hearts of the Lockport Phoenix, the Wilmington Phoenix, and the Lemont Phoenix. At Joliet, J. S. McDonald was editor; at Lockport, Leon McDonald; at Wilmington, C. H. Duck and F. H. Hall, and at Lemont, W. P. Haughey. With the appearance of this new Phoenix, the old Will County Courier, the Lemont Eagle, the Plainfield Echo, the Lockport Phoenix, the Braidwood Phoenix, and the Wilmington Phoenix ceased distinct publication, and all mus- tered in under the standard of the New Phoenix. In the fall of 1877, Alex. McIntosh took the position of managing editor of the Joliet Phoenix, which position he held until July, 1878. Mr. McDonald is still connected as principal with the Phoenix Company (see Lockport Phoenix).
Wochenblatt fur Nord Illinois was founded at Joliet in November, 1877. George Schutte purchased this journal in 1878, and it is now published and edited by J. F. Dorr. The Wochenblatt is undoubtedly one of the leading German weeklies in Illinois, is well edited and printed ..
The Daily Press was issued August 22, 1883, by Messrs. Bar- ney & Co., with E. S. Barney, manager; Leon McDonald, cashier, and I. V. Park, editor. The prospects of this journal from the beginning were exceptionally good; at the close of September, 1883, the circulation reached 1,500; at the beginning of 1884, 2,000, and at the close of its first year, 2,300-considered the limit of circulation for a competitor among three daily papers in a city the size of Joliet. The Press has grappled all public questions in an independent and energetic manner, and is con-
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sidered a vigilant guardian of the city's interests. Mr. Barney was one of the first projectors of that enterprise which resulted in establishing the first daily paper-the Sun-in Joliet, under his management. Subsequently he was manager of the Daily News. Disposing of his interest in the News, he selected Messrs. McDonald and Park, and, with them as associates, entered on the publication of the Press. George Thompson, one of the projectors and proprietors of the Braidwood Siftings, assumed control of the advertising department; later, acquired an equal interest in the publication of the Press; and, after Mr. McDon- ald's retirement from the co-partnership, assumed the position of cashier. Wm. Byle, who purchased Mr. McDonald's interest, is in charge of the circulating department. The Press is edited by I. V. Park. The office is well manned and equipped. The plant is valued at $6,000, and the whole office is characteristic of journalistic enterprise. The Weekly Press, issued also by this company, is an excellent and newsy journal.
Sunday Tribune appeared for the first time August 24, 1884. It is a bright looking sheet, published by Allen G. Hawley and S. D. Tillotson. This makes four Sunday papers for this city.
Christ's Protestant Episcopal Church, Joliet, was founded May 16, 1835, with the following members: Comstock Hanford, John Griswold, Miles Rice, Oren Westover, A. W. Bowen, M. C. Bowen, Julia Ann Hanford and Amorett B. Griswold. Bishop Chase presided over a meeting to organize, with A. W. Bowen as secretary. Rev. J. W. Hallam held services here pre-
vious to March, 1835. At organization C. Hanford and J. Griswold were chosen wardens; Miles Rice, O. Westover, and A. W. Bowen, vestrymen. Rev. A. H. Carnish was the missionary pastor in 1838. William Blair and Michael Shoemaker, old offi- cers of the society, left the parish in 1842, and an election was held in November of that year to fill the vacancy thus caused. Rev. W. W. Bostwick presided. Rev. Chas. Todd was appointed pastor in 1845; Rev. Daniel E. Brown, 1847; Rev. S. D. Pul- ford, 1852; Rev. James De Witt Clinton Locke, 1857; Rev. John Wilkinson, 1859; Rev. Charles A. Gilbert, 1861-73; Rev. William Chase (supply), 1873; Rev. Jonas Green, Nov., 1873, May, 1875; Rev. J. W. Tays, Nov., 1875; Rev. G. W. Morrell, 1876, rector, Jan., 1877, served until May, 1878; Rev. H. C. Kenny, 1878, to Aug., 1880, and Rev. J. H. White, the present pastor, appointed in January, 1881. The number of communi- cants in 1884 is 135. Value of property about $7,000. The membership of the Sunday-school is 125. The Sunday-school library is supplied with about 500 volumes. S. C. Sanborn pre- sides over the parish school, which claims an average attendance of 27 pupils. At the time of this organization there were only four Protestant Episcopal parishes in Illinois, viz .: St. Judes, Jacksonville, August 2, 1832; Christ Church, Rushville, Feb-
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ruary, 1834; St. Paul's, Peoria, October, 1834, and Grace Church, Beardstown, in February, 1835. In February, 1839, Dr. Bowen presented the society with the original building lots. In September, 1845, these lots were sold, and those on which the church building now stands were purchased from H. K. Stevens for $130. The church building was erected in 1856-7 at a cost of $7,000, and enlarged and improved at a cost of $2,500 in 1870. The Protestant Episcopal church mission was the rolling mills district in 1872-3.
Presbyterian Church was founded at Joliet, August 12, 1835, with Simon Z. Haven, Stephen Hubbard, Josiah Beaumont, Mrs. Eliza Beanmont, Doctor Daniel Reed, Mrs. Cinda Reed, Elias Haven, Mrs. Emily N. Haven, Mrs. Eliza Prentiss, and her sister, Miss Delia Butler, with Reverend J. H. Prentiss, organizing pastor, and Reverend Mr. Kirbly, of Hadley, mod- erator. In 1838, Mr. Prentiss. In November, 1838, Doctor Adams and others asked Reverend Lucius Foote, of Rockford, to hold meetings at Joliet. He, not being able to attend, sent his brother Hiram, and followed himself in January, 1839. About this time he organized the Union Church, and the First Presbyterian Church of Joliet ceased to exist for some years. The society was reorganized August 3, 1866, by Reverend J. H. Trowbridge, then of Chicago, with the following members: W. C. Wood and Mrs. Wood, George H. Woodruff and Mrs. Achsah Woodruff, Elijah and Mrs. Shaw, F. K. and Mrs. Bailey, William F. and Mrs. Barrett, H. N. Marsh and Mrs. Marsh, Mrs. Ada M. Gaskell, Josiah Beaumont and Mrs. Beau- mont, Charles E. and Mrs. Ward, Mrs. C. H. Bailey, Samuel and Mrs. Hamill, C. C. and Mrs. Russell, Henry and Mrs. Wheeler, Charles and Mrs. Demmond, Mrs. Anne Russell, and Mrs. E. Adams. Reverend O. A. Kingsbury accepted a call to the pastorate, October 2, 1867. In July, 1867, George H. Wood- ruff, William F. Barrett, and Charles Ward were appointed a Building Committee. December 22, 1867, the house of wor- ship was dedicated, having up to that time cost $7,000. Charles Bearse presented the pulpit, and Thomas Lord, of Chicago, presented the' communion service. The tower and bell were added in 1875 at an expense of $2,000, which was paid by Mrs. S. Demmond. In June, 1869, Reverend C. R. Burdick was called to the pastorate. In the fall of 1871, Rev- erend J. W. Knott filled the pulpit as supply. Previous to his time, in May, 1871, the Central Presbyterian (successor to the old Congregational Church) proposed to unite, but it was declined. In 1872, Reverend T. L. Gulick was supply. Rev- erend James McLeod was called to the pastorate in February; 1873. In September, 1877, Reverend Thomas M. Gunn was called, and installed pastor in April, 1878. He is the present pastor. George H. Woodruff, H. B. Scutt, and T. A. Mason
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are trustees. The Woman's Missionary Society was organized March 26, 1864.
Central Presbyterian Church. The original Presbyterian Church of 1835 ceased to exist in 1838. In January, 1839, a religious society, with a Congregational form of government, was organized by Reverend Lucius Foote, and carried on for a short time under Reverend Ephraim Strong, services being held in the Old Stone Block. Out of this organization the Congre- gational society of January, 1844, was formed, with Reverend B. W. Dwight pastor, and twenty-two members. Reverend Hutchins Taylor succeeded Mr. Dwight; Reverend Royal Reed followed Mr. Taylor, and then Reverend L. H. Loss in 1849. Mr. Demmond donated this society a building lot on the bluff, where a stone foundation was laid. Notwithstanding this, the church was erected under Mr. Loss's advice, in 1852, on Ottawa street, and forms to-day the Central Presbyterian Church. Reverend John Kidd succeeded Mr. Loss in 1856, and he served as stated supply for some years. Reverend A. H. Dean, under whom the church of 1852 was enlarged in 1871, suc- ceeded Reverend H. D. Jenkins; he was the successor of Rev- erend Mr. Hubbard, and he followed Mr. Kidd in the pastoral charge. Since 1852 this organization has been known as the Central Presbyterian Church.
Universalist Church and Society were organized in 1836, by Rev. Aaron Kenny, and services were held within the first Court House for some time. Mr. Kenny resigned in 1840, when the pulpit was supplied by Rev. W. Rounsville, of Geneva. He was called to the pastorate subsequently; but how long he re- mained is unknown, as all records previous to 1844 cannot be found. Rev. W. W. Dean was engaged as pastor in Nov., 1843, and held the position until July, 1847. During his term the first church edifice was completed and dedicated by him-its cost was $1,800. Rev. F. J. Briggs was engaged as pastor March 18, 1848, and served until the close of 1851. In Dec., 1852, Rev. J. Codding accepted a call and was installed pastor. He was followed by Rev. J. P. Averill, who was pastor until the Rev. Henry R. Walworth's time. In March, 1856, a Building Com- mittee of the society was instructed to contract for an edifice to be built of stone and well finished for $15,000. How well this Committee acted the part allotted is shown in the Gothic church building which they gave to the city. This building was dedicated by Mr. Walworth. In May, 1858, he resigned, when Rev. Otis A. Skinner became pastor. For six or seqen years after this the pulpit was supplied. In November, 1868, Rev. S. L. Rovipaugh was engaged pastor-he was followed in June, 1870, by Rev. C. H. Dutton; he by Rev. Asher Moore in October, 1871; then Rev. W. A. Start in October, 1874; Rev. T. N. Glover in 1876, and he was succeeded September 1, 1878,
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by Rev. T. Laing, the present pastor. The oppressive debt of 1856-1865 was paid off March 21, 1865, and since that time the society worships in the architecturally beautiful church which cost its members so much money and anxiety.
Methodist Episcopal Church. So early as 1832 the Methodist preacher was heard in the neighborhood of Joliet. In 1836-7 the Joliet Circuit was established, an M. E. Society organ- ized here by Rev. S. R. Beggs, and the building of a house of worship projected. This house was begun and completed in 1838 and cost $2,500. The property was condemned in 1852 for the C., R. I. & P. Railroad Company, who paid the Society for it the sum of $800, and subsequently used it as the railroad blacksmith shops. Immediately after the loss of this pioneer building a $10,000 house of worship and parsonage were built. This building was destroyed by fire in 1859, giving place to a stone structure, erected at a cost of $8,000.
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