USA > Illinois > Jo Daviess County > The History of Jo Daviess County, Illinois, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion history of the Northwest, history of Illinois Constitution of the United States > Part 46
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These gentlemen at once entered upon their respective duties for the furtherance of the object desired by the organization of the society. Feel- ing that their success depended, in a great measure, upon the holding of an annual fair, and also the importance of controlling some suitable piece of ground for that purpose, and the society being financially weak, it was determined to apply to the Board of Supervisors for assistance, in the pur- chase of the same, who generously agreed to pay for the same (ten acres), providing the society would fence and make suitable improvements thereon.
It was determined that at or near the City of Galena would be for the
424
HISTORY OF JO DAVIESS COUNTY.
best interests of the society, presuming that gate fees would be the principal source of revenue. Some difficulty was experienced in fixing upon a site, and the question of selecting the ground was finally left to the Board of Supervisors, with a request that a committee be appointed from that body to confer with the Executive Committee of the society in locating the grounds. In accordance with this request, Messrs. M. Clay- pool, J. D. Champion and J. W. White were appointed as such commit- tee from the Board of Supervisors. After examining several pieces of ground, they finally recommended the purchase of ten acres of ground at Horse Shoe Mound, two miles east of the City of Galena. Funds were raised to fence the grounds with a tight board fence, and also to make sheds and buildings necessary for the accommodation of stock and articles sent in for exhibition. The most of the money needed for this purpose was raised among the business men of Galena, and the City Council contrib- . uted very handsomely, which enabled the committee to fully prepare for the first annual fair of Jo Daviess County Agricultural Society, which was held on the 23d, 24th, and 25th of September, 1856. The financial report of the fair is as follows:
Whole number of entries for exhibition, 286.
RECEIPTS.
Received from Board of Supervisors for premiums. $225.00
Received from State of Illinois.
50.00
Received from City of Galena
390.50
Received on subscription in Galena 481.69
Received at gate and from members
721.85-$1,869.04
EXPENDITURES.
Paid for fencing and sheds.
$1,188.23
Paid incidental expenses.
109.15
Paid premiums
231.50-$1,528.88
Leaving a balance in treasury $340.16
The report says the weather was favorable, and the fair well attended.
The second board of officers were: S. S. Brown. President; H. S. Townsend, Joseph Finley and A. Edgerton, Jr., Vice Presidents; John E. Sınith, Treasurer; W. W. Huntington, Corresponding Secretary; and R. S. Norris, Recording Secretary. The election for these officers was held at the annual meeting, in December, 1856.
The second annual fair and exhibition was held October 1 and 2, 1857. Whole number of entries for competition, 301.
FINANCIAL EXHIBIT.
RECEIPTS.
On hand from 1856
$340.16
Received from State of Illinois.
100.00
Received on subscription, Galena.
55.00
Received at gate and from members.
638.70-$1,133.86
EXPENDITURES.
Paid printing and diplomas.
$85.00
Paid seal and press
10.00
Paid lumber, improving grounds, and incidental expenses. 287.46
Paid premiums for 1856. 17.50
Paid premiums for 1857. 642.50-$1,042.46
Leaving balance in Treasury of.
$91.40
At the annual meeting in December, 1857, the following board of offi- cers were elected:
425
HISTORY OF JO DAVIESS COUNTY.
N. Dowling, President; M. Claypool, William Logan, J. Robson, Vice Presidents; J. E. Smith, Treasurer; E. H. Beebe, Corresponding Secretary ; R. S. Norris, Recording Secretary.
Enlarged grounds were deemed a necessity, and the new board of offi- cers inaugurated and carried out measures for the purchase, from James Roberts, of 4 71-100 acres, which were enclosed with the other grounds, and increased its area to 14 71-100 acres.
The third annual fair and exhibition was held on the 6th, 7th, and 8th days of October, 1858. Whole number of entries for competition, 292.
FINANCIAL EXHIBIT.
RECEIPTS.
Cash in treasury, 1857
$90 42
Received from State of Illinois.
100 00
Received from Jo Daviess County
112 50
Received from gate and members
894 50
$1,197 42
EXPENDITURES.
Paid lumber for fencing, building booths, etc., nails and labor,$415 92
Paid printing and diplomas. 122 25
Paid incidental expenses. 197 10
361 50
Paid premiums
$1,096 77
Leaving a balance in treasury of. $100 65
The following officers were elected for 1859: E. M. Bouton, Presi- dent; John B. Reynolds, Thomas Prouse and J. Bryan, Vice Presidents; Kittoe, Corresponding Secretary; R. S. Norris, Recording Secretary.
The fourth annual fair was held on the 21st, 22d, and 23d days of Sep- tember, 1859. Whole number of entries for competition, 376.
FINANCIAL EXHIBIT.
RECEIPTS.
Cash in Treasury from 1858
$100 65
Received at gate and from members 1,088 20
EXPENDITURES.
$5 50
Paid premiums, 1859
505 90
Paid for printing, etc.
70 50
Paid incidental expenses
166 57
Leaving a balance in Treasury of $748 47
The officers elected for 1860, were, E. D. Kittoe, President; Thomas Prouse, H. S. Townsend, and E. H. Beebe, Vice Presidents; E. M. Bouton, Treasurer; A. Philleo, Corresponding Secretary; R. S. Norris, Recording Secretary.
Mr. Bouton declined to accept the office of treasurer, and Mr. T. Hal- lett was appointed to the vacancy.
Such were the beginnings of the Jo Daviess Agricultural Society. It has been carefully and judicially managed from the time of its organiza- tion, and it is one of the very few societies of the kind that has always " paid its way."
The old grounds at Horse Shoe Mound were occupied until |1866.
.
$1,188 85
Paid premiums, 1858
426
HISTORY OF JO DAVIESS COUNTY.
They were sold, and the present grounds purchased and fitted up. The society was "first organized," says the last report, "on the membership basis of annual payments, but finding this plan hardly adequate to furnish a liberal premium list, its managers, in 1866, conceived the plan of a stock company, and so organized under the state laws, and have been successfully running since that time, holding annual fairs and paying liberal premiums, but never as yet paying dividends from earnings, to its stockholders, the object of its organization not being as much for the profit of dividends on its stock as to furnish the annual holiday to the citizens in the district, and for the ad- vancement of the interests of the agriculturist, the mechanic, and the artist. Hence, all gate fees and earnings have been paid back to the successful com - petitors at its fairs. And the executive committee earnestly hope that all those who feel an interest in such enterprises will continue to aid it by their presence at the fair to be held September 24 to 27, 1878; and the committee would respectfully suggest that the inerchants of Galena fix a day for the closing of their stores, so that all may have an opportunity to attend the fair, thus insuring the receipt of gate fees sufficient to pay the large and liberal premium list offered by them, as the gate alone is the source from which arises the funds to pay expenses and premiums."
FINANCIAL EXHIBIT, 1877.
RECEIPTS.
Balance in treasury, 1877
$ 25
Received from E. Kuhn, 1876
80
loan of R. Brand
350 00
for pic-nics
25 00
from state board
100 00
from ground rent.
50 00
66
from proceeds of fair, 1877
2,547 05 .
Balance in treasury overpaid
17 85
EXPENDITURES.
Paid premiums, 1876
$57 05
66
interest on loan mortgage.
120 00
"
D. A. Taylor, for advance.
50 00
D. A. Taylor, interest on same
1 10
fire insurance
25 20
Union Agricultural Society, Warren
50 00
loan, R. Brand.
350 00
interest on same.
17 50
expenses of fair.
710 45
repairs, 1877
99 80
premiums awarded.
1,614 80
$3,095 90
Less premiums unpaid.
4 95
$3,090 95
LIABILITIES.
For loan on mortgage
$1,100 00
For interest on same, due February, 1878
100 00
For balance due treasurer.
17 85
For unclaimed premiums.
4 95
For stock issued, total.
11,500 00
-
Present Officers .- Ralph S. Norris, President; Henry B. Chetlain, Vice President; Frank Bostwick, Secretary; David N. Corwith, Treasurer. Directors .- Edgar M. Bouton, Fred. Chetlain, West Galena; William Vincent, Moses Annetts, East Galena; Charles Speer, Hanover.
$3,090 95
427
HISTORY OF JO DAVIESS COUNTY.
Patrons of Husbandry .- The following brief sketch of this organiza- tion has been furnished by a prominent and active member:
The first grange organized in this county was at the house of J. Tear, in Warren, Nov. 25, 1872, when G. W. Curtiss was elected Master, and J. Bird, Secretary. The latter was the first county deputy, and organized nearly all the granges in the county. The office of state chaplain was awarded to this county at the Champaign session of State Grange in 1875, in the person of L. F. Farnham. At the Peoria session in 1878, G. W. Curtiss was elected a member of the executive committee. There ex- isted at this time seven, out of seventeen, originally chartered granges in this county. Outside of these are several hundred ancient patrons (mem- bers of granges which have fallen by the way), who are still in sympathy with the organization. As elsewhere, so in this county, there were too many granges (one township had four,) chartered, for that healthy growth, essential to its success. While among the objects sought by the patrons are amusements, education, and pecuniary profit, of which the last should be the least essential, still many thought in the pathway of the grange was tlie rapid road to sudden wealth, with but little, if any, exertion on their part, and in which they were very properly disappointed. Others looked for easily acquired political preferment, and having reckoned without their host, very suddenly lost all interest in the grange, and departed from its gates. The granges remaining in good standing in the order, with the later additions of inembers, are on a more permanent basis than the last granges, and are silently but effectually doing much towards accomplishing the objects and work for which they were organized.
HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
James G. Soulard, Esq., the first president of the Jo Daviess County Horticultural Society, planted the first vineyard in this county, in 1832, on his old homestead, one and one-half miles northwest of Galena. He planted about one and one half acres with the Catawba and Isabella varieties. In 1834 he commenced the first nursery for the growth of apple, pear, plum and other fruit trees, and was the leading nurseryman of the Northwest until about 1858.
Mr. Soulard was born in 1798, first visited Galena in 1821 and 1822, and made his permanent home here in 1857. His tastes led him to engage in horticulture, in which he has been enthusiastically engaged nearly all his life. He is one of those noble, generous, whole-souled men who aided in the development of this country. He is now an old man, who, ere long, will be gathered to his fathers, but let it be inscribed on the stone that shall mark his last resting-place: " He did not live in vain." Mr. Soulard imported stocklargely from Europe, in addition to his own growth, intro- ducing many valuable varieties of fruits now generally cultivated, among which may be mentioned the Elvira grape. There are sample trees now growing on his old grounds that he imported, and that are not to be found elsewhere. He also experimented largely in efforts to produce new varieties of fruits. Among the results of his experiments are the " Soulard Apple " and the "Soulard Crab." The former is now rated first in the list of Fall apples. The tree is hardy, and the fruit is esteemed for its superior flavor, size and general good qualities. The " Soulard Crab Apple " he produced by hybridizing the wild crab of the country with the common, grafted apple.
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428
HISTORY OF JO DAVIESS COUNTY.
The variety thus produced is valued for its peculiar aroma, for preserving and for the manufacture of cidar and vinegar.
In connection with this part of the history of the county, it will not be out of place to mention that the Hallett orchard, on the old Hallett farm, in the Township of Rice, is from seeds planted by Moses Hallett, in 1832. It is still thrifty and fruitful.
There are now standing on the Soulard homestead, and on the " Chetlain place," about a quarter of a mile distant, some venerable old seedling pear trees, about sixty feet in height. There are others at Savanna, Carroll County, and they are found scattered in the pathway of the Jesuits who early visited this region, from Detroit to St. Louis. It is not known by whom these trees in Galena were planted, but it is supposed by some that the seeds were planted by the Jesuit priests in some of their visits to the Indians here, or by the early Swiss and French settlers. They were cer- tainly planted a long time before 1832.
The " Miner Plum," now well known throughout the West, originated here. It is said the trees were brought to this region in 1831, by a man from Ohio, who planted them on the Townsend farm, in Rush Township, but the next year, when the Black Hawk War commenced, he took them up and brought them here, left them with Major Hinckley, and left the country. Major Hinckley planted them and they still stand, about twenty- five in number, on the old Hinckley farm, now owned by Captain Porter. At a little distance they resemble an old New England apple orchard. The trees are large, measuring, two feet from the ground, four or five feet in circumference, branching out about six feet from the ground, and spreading from thirty to thirty-six feet. They are hardy and fruitful. It is a singu- lar fact that, although the trees are said to have been brought from Ohio, no trees of the kind are to be found there except those originated from the old Hinckley farm.
There is also a singular variety of the elm, now propagated by tree- growers, which can be found native in no other locality in this part of the country. This is called by Mr. Scott the " Weeping Elm," and the original tree stands about one quarter of a mile east of the Hinckley plum orchard also mentioned, on a higli, bleak point of land, where it has probably been growing for at least 150 years. The first settler who cleared the land was thoughtful enough to leave it standing on account of its singular appear- ance. It is about forty-five feet high, and two feet in diameter near the ground. When engrafted on the American elm, its branches grow directly downward, and in grafting, young stocks, unless supported for several years until the trunk becomes self-supporting, it runs about on the ground like a vine.
The Lieb cherry, now a favorite, originated in Galena. Mr. John Lieb re-visited his native Germany about twenty years ago, and while there found under a favorite cherry tree four little sprouts, which he supposed sprang from the roots of the tree, and were the same. He brought them with him when he returned to Galena, but they did not prove to be the same as he supposed. Three of them were worthless, but one which he planted him- self produced fruit of a new and superior variety. Although some experts in vegetable physiology declare such a result impossible, the Lieb, says Mr. Scott, is unquestionably a hybrid between the Morello, or sour, and the Heart, or sweet, types of the cherry. The fruit is about three times the size of the Early Richmond, with very small pits or stones, deliciously pulpy
Harvey Mann VINEGÅR HILL.
OF YDE
431
HISTORY OF JO DAVIESS COUNTY.
and juicy, partaking of the Heart, being almost as sweet, while the tree inclines strongly to the Morello type. There is nothing like the Lieb cherry in this country or in Europe, and it is either a hybrid or a new creation.
About the time Mr. Soulard relinquished the nursery business, Mr. D. W. Scott started in it, in 1858, notice of which is given elsewhere.
Mr. Jacob Zins came from Germany in the employ of Mr. Soulard, but about 1845 started a nursery and vineyard on his own account, in East Galena, having about six acres in each department.
Mr. Herman Gronner, florist, of Galena, connected a nursery with his green-liouse about 1870, and makes a specialty of the "Lieb Cherry " and the Weeping Elm.
Mr. C. Vandervate, who had been employed for some years by Mr. Scott, as a florist, started a small nursery in 1874. Dr. W. S. Caldwell and Benworth commenced a nursery in Woodbine a few years ago, but it is being closed out now. Another one at Warren, commenced in 1868, by Allen & Cole, is also being closed out. Some others have started, but run only a short time.
Although there were many interested in horticulture in this county, there was no organization, or none is known, until 1868. Mr. Soulard had done more than any other man to develop the horticultural interest in the county, and next to him, perhaps, ranks Mr. Scott, but there were many others who were interested in it and its kindred interests. Among them were Dr. Horatio Newhall and his wife, Dr. Edward D. Kittoe, Mrs. Sarah C. Harris, Captain E. H. Beebe and others.
On Saturday, February 29, 1868, a meeting of the friends of horticul- ture was held in the sheriff's room at the court house in Galena, to organize the Jo Daviess Horticultural Society. There were present J. G. Soulard, Dr. Newhall, Dr. Kittoe, D. W. Scott, R. S. Norris, J. W. Robson, Timo- thy Hallett, John Harney, E. H. Beebe, F. Chetlain, J. M. Harris, Jacob Zins, H. Gronner, A. L. Cumings and others. Mr. James G. Soulard was elected chairman, and D. W. Scott secretary of the meeting.
On motion, a committee to select officers for permanent organization was appointed by the chair, who reported as follows: For President, James G. Soulard; Vice Presidents, E. D. Kittoe, E. H. Beebe, J. W. Robson, Harvey Mann, A. Mougin, T. Hallett; Corresponding Secretary, Horatio Newhall; Recording Secretary, D. Wilmot Scott; Treasurer, F. Chetlain.
On motion, A. L. Cumings, J. G. Soulard and D. Wilmot Scott were appointed a committee to draft a constitution and by-laws, and report at next meeting.
The membership fee was fixed at one dollar, and it was voted that no fruit should be added to the list for cultivation without a two-thirds vote of the members present.
The early records of the society .are not accessible, and the historians are, therefore, unable to give the history of this society and its valuable labors as fully as they would like. Its meetings have been held monthly, and many valuable papers have been read.
James G. Soulard was succeeded as president by A. L. Cumings, Esq., probably in 1869 or 1870. In 1871 J. W. Robson was secretary, but in November of that year he resigned, as he was about to remove to Kansas, and Robert Brand, Esq., was elected secretary. It is supposed that all the records kept by Mr. Scott, and by Robson to that date, were carried away by
24
432
HISTORY OF JO DAVIESS COUNTY.
the latter when he went to Kansas. The society may be willing to suffer the loss of its records, but it creates a chasm in its history that can not be filled. Mr. Cumings remained president until -, when Timothy Hallett succeeded him. The present officers are understood to be Timothy Hallett, President; Robert Brand, Secretary. The last election is not recorded, and there are probably some other officers whose names should appear. In closing this article, it is proper to suggest that if the reader will undertake to search among any old records for information, he will appreciate the importance of a good clerk or secretary for any organization. Records con- stitute history, and if they are imperfect, the continuous chain is broken.
THE PRESS.
The Miners' Journal was the first newspaper published in Jo Daviess County, and, indeed, the first in the northwest. The first number was issued July 8, 1828, by James Jones, who was here in 1827. In his prospectus Mr. Jones proposed to call the newspaper the Northern Herald, but changed the name on the suggestion of Dr. H. Newhall, who is said to have assisted him in the editorial department. The Miners' Journal was a small five-column paper, neutral in politics, and was furnished to subscrib- ers for $3.50 a year, in advance, payable in smelter's acceptances, lead or cash. It was issued (not always regularly, for paper was not always ob- tainable) probably until the death of Mr. Jones by cholera, in 1833. Jones struggled hard to make an honest living, but the support he received was but meagre and inadequate. He was an honest inan, of excellent character, but peculiar in his religious ideas. Mr. Jones labored hard to prepare a book of legal forms, and was assisted in the preparation of the forms by Judge Young. He expected to obtain an appropriation from the Legislature to help him out and enable him to place his book in the hands of lawyers and justices, but the judge did not recommend the work to the Legislature. Jones was deprived of the expected aid, and could not obtain paper to make the book as large as he desired. Most of the forms printed by Jones are still in use in this state. Mr. Abel Proctor, now residing in Wright County, Iowa, was a printer, and helped " set up " and " work off " the concluding pages of "Jones' Form Book," in 1829.
The Galena Advertiser, same size and price of the Miner's Journal, was started July 20, 1829, by Dr. Horatio Newliall, Dr. Addison Philleo and Hooper Warren, under the firm name of Newhall, Philleo & Co. Warren was the printer of the concern (from Rutland, Vermont), and for two or three nionths was assisted by Abel Proctor. How long the Adver- tiser was continued can not be determined. A file of the paper in the pos- session of Dr. E. G. Newhall ends with May 24, 1830. Dr. Newhall and Warren were Whigs. Dr. Philleo was a Democrat, and it is possible that the combination was unable to harmonize. Warren afterwards went to Chicago.
The Galenian was established May 2, 1832, by Dr. Addison Philleo. In the first number the editor said: "No principles other than republican (Democratic) will ever receive our support. To enter into a discussion of the political concerns of the nation at this period, further than pertains to our local interest, we deem altogether out of place." The Galenian was published until September, 1836 certainly, as a Democratic paper, but sub- sequently Dr. Philleo associated with himself Mr. Geo. N. Palmer, and
433
HISTORY OF JO DAVIESS COUNTY.
the name of the paper was changed, probaby in 1836 or '7, to the Galena Democrat, which was running in 1838. The only file of the Galenian known to be in existence is owned by Dr. E. G. Newhall, and this em- braces only a part of the first volume.
The Northwestern Gazette and Galena Advertiser was commenced November 29, 1834, with Loring & Bartlett, editors and publish- ers. The Galenian was the only paper in the county then. It was pretty strongly Democratic-party lines were strictly drawn, and the Whigs were determined to have an organ. Twelve prominent gentlemen sub- scribed $100 each, sent to St. Louis for material, and Sylvester M. Bartlett and Charles E. Loring came from that city to run it, with the understand- ing that the money raised by the citizens was in the nature of a bonus. They were to run the paper, and have all they could make, but could call on the subscribers to the fund for no more. Loring soon became disgusted and returned to St. Louis. Benjamin Mills, an able and brilliant lawyer, became editor December 20, 1834, and. remained until May 23, 1835, when he retired, having disappointed himself and his friends as an editorial writer, leaving Mr. Bartlett alone. Mr. Horace H. Houghton, a son of the Green Mountain State, came here in April, 1835, and engaged in mining at New Diggings during the Summer, but returned in the Fall to Galena, and was employed by Bartlett for a year. Soon after, he purchased one half of the paper, Bartlett, in the meantime, had been cliallenged by John Turney to · mortal combat. Bartlett accepted, but the affair was compromised. Per- haps they found that Bartlett wouldn't scare. But one shot was fired, and that accidentally. Bartlett was afterward elected to the legislature. In the Spring of 1838, Houghton purchased Bartlett's interest for $1,500, and be- came sole owner, as he thought, but now came forward the men who had furnished the money in 1834, and demanded of Mr. Houghton the money they had put in, with interest, and he paid it, thus buying the office twice. Bartlett went to New Orleans, but subsequently returned to Quincy, Illi- nois, and started the Quincy Whig. In March, 1838, immediately after he became sole proprietor, Mr. Houghton started the Tri- Weekly Gazette.
In 1843, Mr. Houghton sold the Gazette office to W. C. E. Thomas, receiving a mortgage on it for a part of the purchase money, but in 1845, he was back in it again as editor, and in 1847 was again sole owner. Dur- ing a part of the time that Mr. Thomas published the paper Mr. I. B. Gara was associated with him.
January 1, 1848, the first number of the Galena Daily Advertiser was issued by Mr. Houghton, and he remained the leading' Whig editor of the Northwest (becoming Republican when that party was organized) until he retired in 1863.
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