USA > Illinois > Coles County > The History of Coles County, Illinois map of Coles County; history of Illinois history of Northwest Constitution of the United States, miscellaneous matters, &c., &c > Part 29
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Shepard & Alexander, well-known citizens of this township have made a specialty for some years of the Poland-China hog, and their famous herds are extensively and favorably known all over the country. They claim that the Poland China is the hog for the farmer, combining more excellence than any other breed of swine, having great size, good style, docility, fertility, early
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maturity, aptitude for taking on flesh, and great constitutional vigor. As show- ing that they will fatten at any age, they give the following weights of two lots of pigs fattened at eleven months old. Thirty head averaged 389 pounds, thirty head 384 pounds, and an extra lot of ten, at ten months old, averaged 410 pounds. In conclusion of their pamphlet. they offer the following sensi- ble advice to farmers: "Pork-raising at the West stands pre-eminent as a branch of stock-raising, and there is no better, more profitable or easier wav for a farmer to make his grain than by feeding it into a good breed of hogs, and it is time that the farmers of the West and South gave this branch of stock-raising the attention that its fast-growing importance demands."
As stated in the general county history, the county was first divided into districts called election precincts. and so remained until township organization in 1859-60. This district was known as Charleston Precinet, and under town- ship organization became Charleston Township, and was originally named for the county-seat, which had been given in honor of Charles Morton, who, as before stated, donated twenty acres of land to the county for the purpose of defraying the expenses of putting up the necessary public buildings. The first Super- visor of Charleston Township, under the new order of things, was Richard Stoddert. At the present time, it is represented in the Board of Supervisors by E. B. Buck and G. M. Adkins. The Justices of the Peace of the town .- ship are Charles Van Derford, J. I. Brown, George Tucker and J. W. Doty.
Having traced the history of Charleston Township from the period of i.s first settlement down to the present time, showing its growth and development, we come to notice
THE CITY OF CHARLESTON.
Charleston is pleasantly situated on the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad, very nearly the center of the county, and 117 miles from Indianapolis, 1433 iniles from St. Louis and about the same distance south of Chicago. It is a handsome little city of some four thousand inhabitants, and noted for its ener- getic business men, its mills and manufactories, and its excellent school., churches, and the general intelligence of its inhabitants. While it claims 1.0 very extensive manufacturing establishments, yet there are several located within its limits, which will receive appropriate mention in the proper place. It is well supplied with water works, and the pure, clear water of the Embar- rass River is thus utilized in providing its people with a bountiful supply of the health-giving element.
Charleston was originally surveyed by Thomas Sconce, the first Surveyor of Coles County, and laid out by Commissioners (William Bowen, of Vermilion County ; Jesse Essarey, of Clark, and Joshua Barber, of Crawford) appointed by the Legislature for the purpose of establishing the scat of justice of the county. The original town embraced, as shown by the plat on file in the Re- eorder's office, the west half of the southwest quarter of Section No. 11, in Township No. 12 north, of Range 9 east. It was resurveyed in June, 1839.
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by Joseph Fowler, County Surveyor, and in this resurvey is noted the addition of Nathaniel Parker, of the cast half of the southwest quarter of Section 10, etc. Since the first laying-out of Charleston, the records show some fifty additions and subdivisions to the original town by different individuals, giving it sufficient arca, one would suppose, for a much larger city. It was named by the Commissioners who located the county seat, in honor of Charles Morton, one of the proprietors of the land on which it is situated, and who donated twenty acres of land for county purposes. In naming the place, they added the last syllable of Morton's last name to his first name, thus forming the word Charleston.
The first house was built in Charleston by William Collom, who is termed the first actual settler in its corporate limits. It was a small log house of one room, and in this spacious building he kept the first tavern in the future city of Charleston, then an incipient village. Such a diminutive hotel would scarcely supply the demand of the wayfaring men of Charleston now. The city is well furnished with excellent hotels. The Charleston House, with its genial land- lord, Dan Van Sickle, is a model in its way, and is a cheerful home to the weary, wayworn traveler. Dan is an old commercial traveler, and, as such. has been the guest of half the hotels in Illinois and Indiana, and the experience thus obtained is used in the Charleston House to the advantage of his guests. The Maples Hotel, situated near the railroad, is less pretentious, but, withal, an excellent house. The first brick residence was built by Col. Norfolk, about 1835-36. James Wiley was the contractor, and superintended its erection. It is still standing, and being used as a residence by the widow of Col. Norfolk. Charles Morton was the first merchant in the village. As mentioned in the history of the township, he brought a stock of goods with him when he moved to the country, and opened them out in a cabin where he first settled. After the laying out of Charleston, he had reserved a choice " corner lot," in his donation to the county, and upon this he erected a storehouse. It was near the present post office. He also erected a number of " pole cabins " near his storehouse, in the rude style of architecture of that day. They stood all in a line, like the "nine little Injuns," and these he was in the habit of " letting " to new-comers, three months free of rent, which time was sufficient to build a cabin of their own, if they were at all energetic. The second store in Charles- ton was kept by Baker & Norfolk, and was opened as soon after the town was laid out as the population of the place would justify.
The first post office was kept by Charles Morton, and was established about 1830-31. It was called " Coles Court House," and, after the town was laid out and christened, the name of the post office was changed to that of Charleston. The mail came from Terre Haute, via Paris, and passed on west through Shel- byville, Taylorville and Springfield to Quincy. It was carried by a man named Moke, who was over six feet high, and rode a very small pony, his feet almost touching the ground. His weekly trips were hailed as an event of vast importance, and everybody gathered at the post office then. just as they do now
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g. J.Pemberton OAKLAND
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(except the " small boy," who was not invented then, and who is the grandest nuisance to be found about the country post office at mailtime in this fast age). eagerly looking for the longed-for letter from absent friends, although they cost a quarter then, payable at the office of delivery. Col. G. M. Mitchell is the present representative of Uncle Sam in the post office department at Charles- ton, and, we may add, that his duties are somewhat heavier than were Mr. Morton's, when Moke used to bring the mail once a week on his little pony.
Owens and Harman were the first blacksmiths in Charleston, and are noticed elsewhere as the first in the township. David Eastin opened a tan-yard soon after the laying-out of the village, which is also noted in the township his- tory, as is the carding machine of John Kennedy. Albert Compton and a man named Hanks were the first shoemakers, and to them the people were for some time indebted for a substantial " understanding." The former is still a resident of the city, but long since retired from the shoemaking business. Col. Dunbar was the first practicing lawyer, and had the field all to himself for awhile. He is still living, but has quit the law. Drs. Carrico and Ferguson were the first physicians, and both now sleep in the church-yard.
Charles Morton had the first mill in the village, which was the horse-mill mentioned in the township history as built by Morton, in the vicinity of his first settlement. When the village was laid out, he moved it within the corpo- ration. The first steam-mill in Charleston was built by Byrd Monroe, which ran for several years, and was then burned. He at once rebuilt it, and, after several years, having passed into the hands of the Gages, was again burned, when they built the large and elegant brick mill near the Depot, at a cost of about $40,000. The City Mills were built some two years ago, by Alvey & Van Meter, a large, substantial brick edifice, with all the new and im- proved machinery. A mill was built in the west part of town, years ago, which finally passed into the hands of Ashmore, and was burned some time afterward, and has never been rebuilt. Charleston has just cause to be proud of her mills, for but few cities of her size can boast of two more excellent mills than the two mentioned above.
THE COURT HOUSE.
The first brick house erected in Charleston was the present Court House, which was built some time before Col. Norfolk's residence, mentioned a little space ago. As noticed in the general county history, the first Court House in Coles County was built in the south part of the town, near where the Christian Church now stands, and was a log structure. The present brick Court House was built in 1835, by Leander Munsell, of Edgar County. His agreement with the County Commisioners is dated December 4, 1834, and covers nearly four pages of the record-book. The original building was the then prevailing style of architecture of an old Kentucky tobacco-barn ; was perfectly square with the roof, running up from all sides to a point in the center. "A steeple
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to extend five feet, with a ball about ten inches in diameter, to be covered with gold leaf, and a spear to extend six feet above the ball with a fish or chicken on the top." The contract price for the building was $5,000, and, at the next March term of the Court, Munsell was to receive "one-half for the labor per- formed and material furnished, provided there are sufficient funds in the treasury to do it." The foundation of the house was built of the rock taken from the cut through the Embarrass River hills of the grade for the old Terre Haute & Alton, now the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad. This building served the county many years as its temple of justice without alteration ; but as the people increased in wealth and importance, and became proud and high-strung in their notions, they were at length seized with an extravagant fit, and had the old building renovated and "rejuvenated." until the very rats, that had grown gray under its floors, did not know it. The building was enlarged, porticoes added and the entire structure modernized generally, so that it now presents a very attractive and imposing appearance, and is quite an elegant and commo- dious Court House. The court-room is in the second story, is large, airy and well furnished, with jury-rooms, consultation-rooms, etc., adjacent, while on the first floor are the offices of the County and Circuit Clerks, the County Treasurer and Sheriff, and also the Jail. The "square " is filled with young sugar maples, well set in blue grass and surrounded by a substantial iron fence.
Charleston makes no pretensions to a wholesale mercantile trade, but its retail business in this line is excellent, and its merchants are live, wide-awake, energetic business men, who are well up to the times, with large and complete stocks of goods sufficient to fill all demands. But few cities of its population have as good a class of business houses as Charleston, many of them being of a style and quality that would look well in more pretentious cities. Our space will not admit of the particularization of the different mercantile houses, and we pass with this general compliment to their worth and honesty.
The banking business was begun in Charleston as early as 1853. In the fall of the year mentioned, T. A. Marshall and others established "The Farmers' & Traders' Bank." This bank flourished until 1857-58, when in the great financial crash that swept over the land in those dark and gloomy years, it, like hundreds of others, went down. About 1860-61, Marshall & McCrory commenced a private bank, which, with some changes in its name and partners, finally became the Second National Bank, and as such is still in existence. The President of this bank is Isaiah H. Johnston, and Charles. Clary, Cashier.
The First National Bank of Charleston was developed from the private banking firm of T. G. Chambers & Co. This firm had been doing a general banking business since 1866, and, about 1868, together with another private banking firm, consolidated and formed the First National Bank, with Thomas G. Chambers, President, and William E. McCrory, Cashier, which positions both gentlemen still hold. Both the First and Second Nationals are sound,
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healthy establishments, officered by men who have a long experience in banking and who possess the entire confidence of the people and the community at large.
MANUFACTORIES.
One of the largest, perhaps the largest, manufacturing establishment in Charleston is the Broom-Factory of Traver & Nixon. Although it has been in operation but a few years, their business has increased almost beyond belief. They manufacture many thousand dozen of brooms annually, which are shipped to all parts of the country, but principally south-New Orleans being one of the best points, Georgia and Texas next. Three salesmen are continually on the road. Their business sums up about $60,000 a year ; seventy hands are employed at an expense of $15,000 per year. They culti- vate about five hundred acres of broom-corn in addition to what they buy. Since the establishment of this factory by these energetic men, the cultiva- tion of broom-corn has become an extensive business among the farmers. A dozen years ago, there were scarcely so many acres of broom-corn grown in the county ; now thousands of acres are annually produced, and the business is increasing every year. The firm owns the Charleston elevator and broom- corn compress for baling and rebaling broom-corn for shipping, and are the only parties in this section owning such a machine. R. A. Traver, the senior member of the firm, is the author of "Traver's Broom-corn Cultur- ist and Broom-maker's Manual," an interesting work devoted to the raising, cutting, curing and preparing broom-corn for market, from which we make a few extracts. as being of general interest to our readers. Speaking of the cultiva- tion of broom-corn, he says: " At the present time Illinois is the acknowledged head-center of broom-corn growing in the United States, its rich and fertile prairies being well adapted to its growth and development. Chicago, Cleve- land and Philadelphia broom manufacturers say that the finest and best broom- corn comes from the section of country bordering the Illinois Central Railroad. between Charleston, Coles County, and Champaign City. It appears the soil is naturally adapted to it so as to grow a fine article of hurl and brush corn, just as some sections of the United States are better adapted to the raising of tobacco than others. Chicago has become the acknowledged broom-corn market of the United States, and at present controls the market.
In raising broom-corn, the first thing necessary is good land; that is, what is considered good Indian corn land, and it will always pay to plow the land just before the planting, so that the broom-corn can get a start of the weeds. In fact, it never ought to be planted on weedy land. The best land for a certain crop is a sod, subsoiled, and then there is no trouble with weeds. The land should be thoroughly harrowed and in fine condition, and then the seed should never be put into the ground until the soil is thoroughly warm, so that it will come up soon and keep ahead of the weeds.
As soon as the blossom begins to fall off, then it is time to begin cutting
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the broom-corn, and the sooner it is cut the better, so that, when dried, it will be a bright pea-green color, as that color commands the highest price in the market; the brush also weighs heavier, and is tougher and wears bet- ter when made into brooms. The difference in price in all of the large markets between bright-green and ripe red brush generally runs thus: red, per lb., 2 cents : green hurl, per lb., 8 cents-or in about that proportion ; so it will be seen that it is of very great importance that it be cut and cured so as to be of a bright-green color." A great deal more of valuable information is given in this interesting little pamphlet.
The Charleston Foundry, owned by A. N. Bain, are quite an extensive establishment. In 1857, he and his brother, William Bain (now dead), came to Charleston and erected a small frame building for a foundry and machine-shop. For several years, their receipts were small, and, it was not until 1863 that they commenced the manufacture of stoves, which they continued until their popu- larity and business increased to a voluminous extent, and they manufactured fifty-two different kinds and sizes of stoves. A trade was built up that extended from Indianapolis to the Rocky Mountains. House-fronts and ornamental ver- anda work was added to their business, and many towns in Illinois show fair specimens of this line of work. William Bain died in 1875, since which time the business has been owned by A. N. Bain alone.
The Woolen-Mills of Messrs. Weiss & Frommel, are quite a large institution of the kind. It was originally established by Henry Weiss, at whose death Guenther Weiss, one of the present proprietors, purchased an interest. His partner, Frederick Frommel, first engaged with Henry Weiss as a traveling salesman, and, after Mr. Weiss' death, he also purchased an interest in the mills, since which time the firm has been Weiss & Frommel. They do a large busi- ness in the manufacture of woolen goods, and are highly-respected, energetic business men of the city.
The pork-packing establishment of I. H. Johnston is a large concern, and in the days gone by did a large business, but for the last year or two has not been operated to its full capacity, but during the winter season does a good deal in its way.
Among the early munufacturing establishments of Charleston might be mentioned the brickmaking of George Tucker. He was, some years ago, the largest brick manufacturer in Coles County, and large building contractor ; has built a majority of the brick buildings in Charleston. He is a prominent Mason and Odd Fellow, and to him we are indebted for a history of these fraternities.
There are several other manufactories of less note, such as plow, wagon and carriage factories, which do quite a thriving business, but do not manu- facture on a large scale. Charleston, we have no doubt, will, in time, become quite a manufacturing city. All that is needed is a little capital to develop the coal-fields, which lie but a few hundred feet below the surface. Time will do the balance.
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VILLAGE ORGANIZATION.
Charleston was organized as a village in 1853, and, of the first Board of Vil- lage Trustees, Nathan Ellington was President. In 1865, it was incorporated as a city, with L. P. Tomlin as the first Mayor, and the old Board of Trustees acting as Aldermen. The Council and city officers at present are as follows, viz .: Hon. W. R. Patton, Mayor. Aldermen-R. Alexander, R. A. Traver, Harvey Said, E. H. Clark, W. S. Coon, Robert Stewart, H. M. Ashmore and James Skidmore. The City Clerk is Andrew Kershaw; George Steigman, Treasurer ; A. C. Ficklin, Attorney : William Jeffries, Marshal, and W. Good- man, Superintendent of Streets. The city has an excellent Fire Department, consisting of Engine, Hose Company and Hook and Ladder Company, well- organized and equipped. Water Works have been added to the city's con- venience, welfare and safety, which, in connection with its splendid Fire Depart- ment, have saved the city many thousands of dollars. The Water Works were built in 1875, and are of a substantial character. The water is brought two miles, from the Embarrass River, thus utilizing that beautiful little stream in another capacity than mills and navigation.
The bar of Charleston (not the one where you look upon the wine when it is red, for Charleston is a red-ribbon town) stands high, and combines an array of legal talent that will compare with any community. Space will not permit particular mention of all as they deserve, hence we shall not attempt it. But the names of Connely, Cunningham, Ficklin, Wiley, Neal, Peterson, Adams, and others will be recognized a's men of eminence and ability.
The medical fraternity, too, is able and deserving of a more particular men- tion than our space will allow. It embraces men who stand high in their pro- fession, and have held high positions in the medical societies and institutions of the community.
THE CHURCH HISTORY.
The religious history of Charleston is as old as the town itself. The first religious services were held under the auspices of the old Predestinarian Bap- tists, who, at one time, were quite numerous in the town and county, but are rather scarce at the present day. Once they had a church-building in Charles- ton, with a flourishing society and several ministers, among whom were two or three of the Parkers and Elder Newport. The organization, we believe, is still kept up, but they have no regular preacher, nor regular church services, and but few members.
A society of the Old-School Presbyterians was organized June 13, 1835, by Rev. John McDonald and John Montgomery, with thirteen members, as follows, viz .: James Lumbrick, Thomas O. Roberts and wife, Rosina Letner, Adam Mitchell and wife, James Mitchell and wife, William Collom and wife, Eugenia Campbell, Arthur G. Mitchell and wife, of whom only three are now living, viz .: Mrs. Esther Mitchell (widow of James A. Mitchell, afterward married
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to James Lumbrick, and again a widow), Mrs. Eliza Collom and Mrs. Arthur Mitchell. The following preachers have administered to the Church since its organization, mostly as "stated supply " : Rev. John McDonald, from organ- ization to the spring of 1843, with the exception of about one year in 1840-41. when Stephen A. Hodgeman preached as stated supply. Rev. H. I. Venable supplied the pulpit for about one year in 1844-45, when Rev. Joseph Adams was called, and preached from 1846 to 1849. Rev. Robert A. Mitchell was then called, and labored as stated supply from 1849 to the spring of 1853. Rev. H. I. Venable* was recalled in the spring of 1853, and continued in charge until the close of 1855, when Rev. R. A. Mitchell was again called, and labored as stated supply from early in 1856 until 1858, when he was installed Pastor, upon the completion of the new house of worship. He continued as the Pastor until April. 1870, when he resigned the charge, having labored in this Church, alto- gether, for about sixteen years. Rev. R. F. Patterson was then called, and commenced his labors in October, 1870, and continued until the close of the year 1873, when he resigned on account of the ill-health of his wife. Rev. James A. Piper was then called to the charge, and labored one year as stated supply, when he was elected and duly installed Pastor, a position he still holds, beloved by all, making the seventh minister who has served this Church since its organization.
The first church edifice was commenced about 1842, and finished in 1845- a frame building, costing about $1,000. The second building was commenced in 1857 and completed in the summer of 1858, and was dedicated to the service of God in August of that year. The dedicatory sermon and prayer was by Rev. Dr. Newell, of Paris, Ill. It is a brick structure, and cost, originally, about $9,000, with an additional cost of $5,000, for improvements, made the "memorial year," in which the two churches-the new and the old-were united, thus making the sum total of the cost of building and improvements about $14,000. Membership, about two hundred and ten.
The following persons have acted as ruling Elders of the Church since its organization, in the order mentioned, viz .: James A. Mitchell and James Lum- brick, elected at organization ; William Collom and Stephen B. Shellady, elected October 14, 1837 : James M. Miller and Dr. R. H. Allison, elected April 26, 1845 ; George S. Collom and James E. Roberts, elected October 25, 1851 : John A. Miles, elected in 1853; John MeNutt and William Miller, elected December 9, 1854; A. Carroll and Richard Roberts, elected February 27, 1864; Robert F. McNutt and T. C. Miles, elected October 13, 1866 ; Willliam E. Adams and T. C. Miles (the latter re-elected), March 28, 1871.
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