USA > Illinois > Livingston County > The History of Livingston County, Illinois : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 28
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Dr. J. M. Perry, from Ohio, came in 1852, and practiced medicine in Pon- tiac and vicinity twelve or fifteen years. He died six years ago.
After the cholera season, for five years, nothing of importance or interest occurred worthy of record. A few changes in business took place, a new family arrived once in a while, and a new house or shanty made its appearance ; but, at the end of the period mentioned, but little change had been made in the general aspect of the village and its surroundings. But during the year 1854,
305
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
an event occurred which proved to be of the utmost importance, not only to this community, but to all of Central and Eastern Illinois-an event which, had it happened in any other way, or had in the least varied from the original design, would have so affected the destiny of the town as to have made it almost useless to have written its history. Of course it will be guessed that reference is made to the completion of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, then known as the Chicago & Mississippi. For nearly twenty years had the county seat been located ; but with the lack of commercial advantages, the progress of this part of the State had been extremely slow. Not only in growth and pop- ulation had there been but little perceptible change, but the morals of the people in general were not what we find them in later years. True, there were well-meaning and honest people, but society was fashioned after the frontier style. Fights were common, drinking, horse-racing and gambling were usual pastimes, and the Sabbath was almost wholly disregarded. Commerce is said to be the great civilizer and educator, and by many is deemed the Christianizer of communities as well as of nations. In this instance, it proved to be all of the above and more; it brought the people here, and improved their condition more than the most enthusiastic could have imagined. With the railroad, came the people, and with the people came schools and churches, and to these came teachers and books and ministers and Sunday schools. With the railroad, came improved methods of farming, better plows, better means of harvesting grain, better prices for grain. With the railroad, came lumber, which enabled those who would settle on the prairie to protect their grain from the stock which roamed at large, and to protect their cattle and horses and themselves from the inclemencies of the weather. This made it possible to utilize all of that vast extent of country which, till then, was thought to be useless, except for a boundless pasture field. As a consequence, we find that, within the period of two years from the time that the road became a fixed fact, ten times as much land was entered in Livingston County as had been during the fifteen years before.
As an illustration of the state of society which existed here at that time, it is related that, at one of the stations on the road between this and Chicago, an individual who had evidently taken a drop too much got aboard the train and took his seat. By the time the conductor came around, he was somewhat over- come, and to the request of the conductor to satisfy the demands of the com- pany in regard to fare, replied in a very unsatisfactory and unintelligible man- ner. The conductor allowed him to remain until after having passed a few stations, hoping that he might, in a measure, regain his senses, and then again requested his ticket or its equivalent ; but the passenger was still oblivious, and answered only in words, the meaning of which was obscure. At last, the offi- cial becoming discouraged and somewhat irritated, asked him " where he was going to, anyway ?" To this question, the traveler answered, with more than ordinary lucidity, that he was " going to the City of Destruction." The con-
306
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
ductor, after cogitating a moment, replied, " Well, my friend, that station is not on this road, but I will put you off at Pontiac, which is the nearest point, and I have no doubt you will find parties there who will do all in their power to assist you to your destination." As before intimated, a new era was dawning upon the community, and a new impetus seemed to be imparted to the whole country. New houses sprang up in Pontiac ; demands were made for a school house ; the old Court House was soon found inadequate for its purpose ; churches were in requisition, and everything had an encouraging appearance.
The first train of cars passed through the place July 4, 1854. It was a grand holiday and fuller of importance than any had dreamed. A year later, the population of the little village had increased to over three hundred ; and in eighteen months the town was organized. A newspaper was started, the first number appearing March 14, 1855, only eight months after the completion of the road. As further indicating the condition of affairs at the seat of justice, a few items gleaned from its pages are here given. The first item noticed is one which shows an improved sentiment in regard to the morals of the people. A meeting had been called at the Court House to take into consideration the means of suppressing the sale of intoxicating liquors. J. H. Dart was Chair- man and Samuel C. Ladd was appointed Secretary. After duly considering the matter, a resolution was adopted, to the effect that a committee be appointed to wait on the liquor dealers and request them to stop the business. The com- mittee consisted of Wm. T. Garner, Wm. B. Lyon, H. H. Norton, Robert Aerl and I. P. McDowell. The committee to draft the resolution was composed of George Bishop, Nelson Buck, J. H. McGregor and Darius Johnson. Indica- tive of the state of business at this time, cards are inserted in the paper showing that Ira Loveless was Justice of the Peace; McGregor & Dart were in the law and real estate business, as also was George Bishop ; J. M. Perry and Darius Johnson were practicing medicine, the latter having lately come to the town ; Jacob Streamer had quit tailoring, and had been elected Justice of the Peace, and was selling drugs and groceries ; Buck & Gray were selling clothing, dry goods and groceries-Buck had but a few years before married the widow Fel- lows, had been keeping the tavern, and now desired to sell the same; Buck & Gray were also buying grain ; Ladd was still in the mercantile business, but with another partner, I. P. McDowell ; B. J. Phelps had a general store, which was under the supervision of John Wolgamot ; H. G. Challis was here then, and was carrying on the blacksmithing business, and advertised it. John Kin- gore. "sir," then kept the hotel "sir." A few months later, Dr. Sheldon and Dr. Thomas Croswell had arrived. Attorney Simeon De Witt had located here. A lumber yard was opened, by Ellis & Olmstead; A. Stephens had opened another hotel ; Z. H. Nettleton was finding some sale for jewelry, and clocks and watches were needing repairs. Alexander Scott found sufficient demand for harness, to induce him to set up in business here. And last but greatest, the Livingston County News, the paper from which this information has been gained, had three hundred subscribers.
307
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Certainly this is a good showing for so short a time. It shows that there was beginning to be a demand for almost all kinds of goods. It shows that there were people throughout the county to use the goods, and that there was money, or its equivalent, with which to purchase them. It indicates, too, that a taste for reading and a desire for information were being developed.
Perhaps but few items of news, in a little local paper, have had more to do with settling up the country, or have had more influence in bringing people to realize the value of the farming lands in this vicinity, than the following, which is an extract from a letter written by John J. Taylor, now banker, of Fairbury, then farmer, of Pontiac Township :
I have broken my land, fenced it, built a house and stable, dug a well and paid for the land and all of the improvements, from the first crop, and have $144.00 overplus.
This was said of what is still known as the Taylor farm. Mr. Taylor had broken his land and sowed it to wheat, and the yield had been enormous, aver- aging over thirty bushels to the acre; and, as the land had been bought cheap. and the price of wheat that year was over $1.00 per bushel, the result was easily accomplished. This item was copied into the agricultural papers, and from them into many of the Eastern journals, and by them commented upon ; so that it was brought to the notice of many who were thereby induced to emi- grate to the county.
Four years after the completion of the railroad, the village of Pontiac num- bered not less than 700 inhabitants, and the township 200 more.
Another newspaper, the Sentinel, was established. The old Court House had, as a temple of justice, outlived its usefulness, and a new brick one had appeared. A school house, costing $2,000, had been built; and nearly all of the north side of the public square was built up." The west side of the square was almost solid. Two new church buildings, the Presbyterian and Methodist, furnished religious privileges for all who desired them, and many convenient and tasty residences had begun to appear.
In 1857, the county voted to adopt what is known as the Township Organi- zation Act ; and accordingly, the first township election held in this township took place April 6, 1858.
The election was held at the Court House, Dr. Darius Johnson being called to the chair. A motion was made and carried that Ira Loveless act as Moder- ator, and Nelson Buck was chosen Clerk. After being sworn by J. W. Remick, the polls were opened and 179 votes polled.
The result of the first election was the choosing of Wm. T. Russell as Super- visor ; E. R. Maples, Clerk ; S. L. Manker, Assessor ; Jerome Garner, Over- seer of the Poor; Wm. Manlove, James Nelson and A. D. Eylar, Commission- ers of Highways ; Jacob Streamer and Adams Morrow, Justices of the Peace ; E. H. Masters and Joseph H. Virgin, Constables. Samuel McCormick and James W. Remick were candidates for Collector, and, each receiving eighty-nine votes, a tie was declared. The candidates agreed to a new election, which was
308
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
held on the 24th. The second election brought out a very full vote, Remick receiving 109 and McCormick 91.
The first road authorized by the Commissioners was that known as the Avoca Road, and " extended from the south end of Locust street, in Pontiac, run- ning south, east and south, to a point at the township line, being the southeast corner of the Taylor farm." Five other roads were also authorized and sur- veyed during the year.
The following shows the names of the principal officers elected at each sub- sequent township election, and, also, the number of votes cast at each :
Date.
Supervisor.
Clerk.
Assessor.
Collector.
Vote.
1858 William T. Russell ...
E. R. Maples.
S. L. Manker
James W. Remick
179
1859 Jonathan Duff.
R. W. Babcock
William Gore
C. N. Coe.
200
1860 Henry Hill.
A. W. Cowan
J. F. Culver.
H. J. Babcock
121
1861 Henry Hill.
J. R. Wolganot ..
William Gore.
J. A. Fellows.
208
1862 B. W. Gray
1. W. Cowan
William Gore.
J. A. Fellows.
262
1863 John Dehner
F. H. Bond.
S. C. Ladd
G. Wołgamat.
237
1864 John Dehner.
F. H. Bond.
S. C. Ladd.
J. R. Wolgamot ..
186
1865 John Dehner.
J. W. Smith
S. S. Lawrence
Robert Kingore.
214
1866 John Dehner.
Isaac Aerl.
J. H. Gaff.
George Fowler.
292
1867 W. B. Lyon
S. S. Lawrence.
N. Buck
H. Tuckerman
259
1868 J. Duff.
J. A. Fellows
William Gore.
Charles Watson
387
1869 J. Duff.
George Pittenger
William Gore.
L. Bancroft.
378
1870 J. Duff.
W. II. Jenkins.
William Perry.
C. A. Campbell.
427
1871 R. W. Babcock
J. T. Kay
William Perry.
L. G. Goodspeed.
458
1872 R. W. Babcock
J. T. Kay
William Perry.
L. G. Goodspeed.
462
1873 J. E. Morrow
A. W. Cowan
William Perry.
J. H. Smith.
424
1874 J. E. Morrow
A. W. Cowan
J. H. Gaff.
James H. Campbell.
454
1875 J E. Morrow
A W. Cowan.
J. H. Gaff.
John Egan.
520
1876 J. E Morrow
A. W. Cowan.
J. H. Gaff.
John Egan
537
1877|J. E. Morrow
Z. Winters.
Wil iam Perry
S. Mossholder
636
1878 J. E. Morrow
A. W. Cowan
William Perry
S. Mossholder
648
1
In addition to the last named, completing the list of township officers elect, are the following : Township School Treasurer, D. M. Lyon; Justices of the Peace, J. W. Woodrow, M. I. Brower and Henry Hill; Constables, John Gib- bons, Charles Watson, John Egan ; Road Commissioners, John Wallace, Arthur Marsh and N. W. Kellogg.
It will be noticed that, while there has been no sudden increasings of the vote (which is a fair indication of the population), there has been gradual and decided growth in that respect. Whatever falling off there may have been at any time can be easily accounted for by temporary causes ; and the next elec- tion will show a corresponding addition. In 1862, the poll was 262. The next year, quite a number of the voting population were "off to the war," and the vote decreased to 237. The next year, the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Regiment took nearly a hundred voters from Pontiac and vicinity, and a corres- ponding lack is noticed in the poll. In 1866 the war had ended, and the soldiers, whose lives were spared, had returned, and from that time forward the usual increase is noticed.
Though Pontiac Township was considered, for some years, a little backward in the attention paid to the education of the youth, in later years, ample amends
309
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
have been made, and Pontiac Township has expended more money in the last dozen years, for school purposes, than any other in the county. Not until 1858 was there more than one school house. In 1856, but one school was supported, and that at an expense of but $100. There were in attendance but fifty-eight scholars, though there were one hundred and sixty-seven in the town- ship. The highest wages paid to the teacher that year was $20.00 per month.
The following table will show at a glance, better than a page of sentences, the growth of the school system for this locality :
DATE.
Schools.
Teachers.
Scholars.
Children Be- tween 6 and 21.
Highest wages Total paid to Teachers.
paid teachers.
1856
1
1
58
167
$ 20 00
$ 100 00
1866
6
12
421
672
100 00
3220 00
1878.
10
23
931
1051
100 00
4208 00
1877.
9
23
994
1137
112 00
6710 00
The most encouraging feature of the foregoing table is the evidence, not only of increase in per cent. of persons in school, but the present proportion of those of school age, who receive the benefits offered by the public school system. While the attendance is not as general as that attained in States where a com- pulsory law is in force, it is still much greater than in most other States, and, as compared with other portions of Illinois, stands much higher in this regard than the average.
In the late war, this township took no unimportant part. Several almost entire companies were raised here, and this is one of the few townships that raised their full quota without being drafted. Notably, the M. E. Church of Pontiac sent, with the exception of two, all of its male members, including the Pastor, with the One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Regiment ; and a remarkable fact may be added that, though engaged in many and fierce battles, every one returned alive.
Of those who thus took their lives in their hands, as it were, to fight their country's battles, seventy-two either died on the field in actual conflict, of wounds or of disease contracted while in the service.
A full list of all these, together with all soldiers and officers who enlisted from this township, will be found on another page.
The township of Pontiac is described in the survey as Congressional Town 28 north, Range 5 east of the Third Principal Meridian. It is one township west of the center of the county, and twenty-nine miles from the farthest corner.
The land is quite level, but not so much so as to render any part of it unfit for cultivation. Formerly, some portions were flat and marshy ; but, by good drainage, have become tillable, and prove to be of the best quality for agricul- tural purposes. At present, there is scarcely an acre in the whole township, except what is occupied by the bed of the Vermilion River, that is not well adapted to farming.
The Vermilion River flows through the township, from the southeast to the northwest, dividing it into two nearly equal parts. Wolf Creek runs through
310
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
the northern part, and empties into the Vermilion after leaving the township. These furnish an abundance of excellent stock water to the farms near which they pass, and Vermilion River affords good water-power for the mill located at Pontiac. Fish, in some variety, abound.
The timber at this point is mostly oak, walnut, maple and linn, and covers the larger part of Section 7 and small portions of 17, 25 and 36. Building stone, suitable for foundations, is found in the western part; and on Sections 25 and 36, gravel, of a good quality for building roads, is obtained.
The Chicago & Alton Railroad, from the northeast to the southwest, and the Chicago & Paducah, from northwest to southeast, cross each other and the Ver- milion River at Pontiac.
CITY OF PONTIAC.
The village of Pontiac was incorporated under the general law of the State, February 12, 1856, by the election of a Board of Trustees, consisting of Nel- son Buck, J. W. Strevelle, S. C. Ladd, Z. H. Nettleton and H. Jones-the first named being chosen Chairman or President.
Under this organization the town continued for nine years. During the time much discussion arose, and much bitter feeling was engendered, in regard to the sale of intoxicating liquors. Indeed, the local politics of the town con- sisted almost wholly in this question ; and, upon this, the two parties were almost evenly divided. Sometimes the license party elected the Board, and sometimes the anti-license party succeeded.
At last, in 1865, an attempt was made, by way of legislation, to set the question at rest by obtaining a special charter, which prohibited, not only the sale of liquors, but restrained the Trustees from granting any authority what- ever to saloon keepers to vend such article. The charter, however, was satis- factory to its friends only in so far as they were enabled to elect Trusetes who would enforce its provisions in accordance with their views of its merits; and the temperance question was not fully settled.
The other provisions of the charter were much the same as those in effect in other towns of like size; but on account of this peculiarity, it was obnoxious to a portion of the inhabitants. Attempts were therefore made to obtain a new special charter, but without effect ; and the Princeton Charter, as it was denom- inated, continued in force until 1872.
In 1870, the people of the State, at a general election, adopted a new Con- stitution, in which was a clause prohibiting " class legislation ; " and under this Constitution, the Legislature passed a general law in regard to the government of cities and towns, in the Winter of 1870-71.
On the 11th of September, 1872, the city of Pontiac was organized under the new law, by the election of R. W. Babcock as first Mayor; F. C. Brown, W. H. Clelland, Martin Dolde, L. E. Kent, William Perry and Charles Gross as Aldermen : and A. W. Cowan as Clerk.
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313
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
An important measure, adopted that year, has had a marked effect upon the appearance of the city, rendering it, at the same time, more substantial and handsome than it otherwise would have been. An extensive fire, consuming a large portion of the business houses northwest of the public square, had just been experienced ; and, to prevent, in a measure, the repetition of such a catastrophe, the Council passed the ordinance known as the " fire limits law," which prevented the erection of wooden buildings, not only in the " burnt district," but in any part of the business portion of the city. The consequence has been that the new buildings about the square are all of brick, making this part of town not only much more solid, but adding greatly to its fine appearance.
The present officers of the city are : A. F. Fisher, Mayor; M. A. Renoe (Acting Mayor). B. Humiston, E. Wilson, H. H. Norton, J. P. Turner and Samuel Hancock, Aldermen ; Z. Winters, Clerk ; W. S. Lacey, Treasurer.
Until 1874, the schools of Pontiac were under the control of a Board of Directors, consisting of three persons, and ranked in their government with the other district schools of the county ; but, at the date mentioned, the town having a population of over 2,000, and the friends of the schools realizing that some advantages would acerne from the adoption of the general law authorizing a Board of Education, organized under this act, electing as the first Board Jonathan Duff, J. W. Woodrow, E. W. Capron, S. O. Pillsbury, Aaron Weider and Martin Dolde, the first named being President, and the second, Secretary. Under the new system, the schools have worked with great satisfaction. A better method of grading has been adopted. Teachers have been selected more with refer- ence to qualification for the particular positions to be filled. Better rules and regulations for their government have been adopted and enforced, than formerly.
The school buildings, though yet scarcely adequate for their purpose, are the best in the county. The main building, near the center of the north side of the city, was erected in 1866, at a cost of $23,000. It is a fine building, three stories in height, containing five principal and two class rooms, and is capable of of accommodating nearly four hundred pupils. A principal and six assistants are employed for this building. A primary school on the south sideof the river, and one on the west side of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, are also maintained.
The present corps of teachers consists of R. B. Welch, Superintendent ; Belle Borin, E. O. McCulloch, Mary Sumner, Rose Rilea, A. W. Kellogg, Josie Schneider, H. M. Fursman and Rose Camp, Assistants.
A few items taken from the Principal's report for 1876, though two years past, will not vary greatly from the report of the present year, which has not yet been submitted.
Number of children between 6 and 21 1,209
Toral enrolled during the year ..
767
Total enrolled in High School.
112
Total enrolled in Grammar School. 165
Total enrolled in Intermediate School. 175
Total enrolled in Primary School .. 315
Number of teachers employed.
10
Total paid out for support of schools
$6,947 1]
314
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
But few towns of the size of Pontiac are better supplied with church privi- leges than this. At a very early day in the history of the place, church services were held, but not till a comparatively modern date was there a church organization, or even regular service. A Methodist class was organized in 1850; and irregular services by Presbyterian clergymen were held in the old Court House, and in the Buck IIotel a little later; but no building was erected, or even an organization effected, until 1855. The first preaching by a Presbyte- rian minister was in 1852, by Rev. Amasa Drake, of Chicago. The services were conducted in the hotel named, and were at irregular intervals. Rev. Mr. Day, of Morris, preached a few times in the old Court House, as did also Par- son High. The first regular preaching was by Rev. L. II. Loss, in 1855, when he organized the Presbyterian Church of Pontiac. The church was organized October, 1855. The original members were William J. Murphy, Sen., and wife, Abel C. Kidder and wife, and Mrs. Maria Buck ; the total number being but five. The Rev. I. T. Whittemore, was the first pastor chosen, in 1856. Under his ad- ministration, was the first church building in the town and (with one exception) in the county erected. This was built in 1856, at a cost of nearly $3,000. It was considered, in its early days, a very handsome and commodious edifice, and doubts were entertained whether the society needed so extensive a structure, or would ever see the time when its capacity would be equalled by its congre- gation. Not only did it outlive its usefulness, but it saw during its existence the erection of five others, four of which are larger and much more expensive. In 1872, it was decided by the society to replace their old building, by one commensurate in size to their increased wants; and their present neat and sub- stantial house of worship was erected. The old building was sold to Wallace Lord, and is used by him as an opera house, and though it is no longer a place of worship, it is still the Lord's house. The new building was con- structed at a cost of a little over $18,000, including grounds. Its size is forty- two feet in width, and, including the chancel, ninety in length ; and it is capable of seating about four hundred persons. The present membership of the church is 162. The Pastors in charge of the society since Whittemore have been Adam Johnson, Alonzo P. Johnson, J. McConnell, W. H. Gardner, R. Kesslar, and the present Pastor, Rey. Benjamin L. Swan. The Sunday school in connection with this church was organized in 1855, with forty scholars, and with Rev. W. J. Murphy as Superintendent. The next year, J. W. Strevelle was elected Superintendent, and held the office continuously until 1870. The present Superintendent is A. W. Kellogg. The school numbers at this time 180 scholars.
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