The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 38

Author: Le Baron, Wm., Jr. & Co., Chicago, Pub
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : W. Le Baron, Jr.
Number of Pages: 1092

USA > Illinois > McLean County > The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men > Part 38

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E. H. Rood. 1866

John H. Wickizer 1852

E. H. Rood 1867

William Wallace. 1853

John M. Stilwell. 1868

John W. Evans 1854

John M. Stilwell. 1869

Franklin Price. 1855

T. J. Bunn. 1870

Franklin Price.

1856

B. F. Funk. 1871

A. J. Merriman

1857

B. F. Funk 1872

A. J. Merriman

1858

B. F. Funk 1873

John M. Stilwell 1859

B. F. Funk 1874

H. S. Herr 1860

B. F. Fuuk 1875

George W. Parke .. 1861

E. B. Steere. 1876

George W. Parke

1862

T. J. Bunn. 1877

A. J. Merriman. 1863

John Reed. 1878

Joel Depew. 1864

E. B. Steere 1879

BLOOMINGTON

351

HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY.

The present members of the City Council are: First Ward-Nelson C. Sweeney, term expires 1881 ; Josiah Richardson, term expires 1880. Second Ward-William Condon, term expires 1881 ; L. Seibert, term expires 1880. Third Ward-William W. Stevenson, term expires 1881 ; Enoch J. Moore, term expires 1880. Fourth Ward -Peter Rockwell, term expires 1881; William Maddux, term expires 1880. Fifth Ward-Daniel Hegarty, term expires 1881; Patrick Keating, 1880. Sixth Ward- John W. Evans, term expires 1881 ; Frank White, term expires 1880. The following are the present "appointed " officers of the city : Peter Rockwell, Acting Mayor ; B. D. Lucas, Attorney ; Samuel W. Waddle, Clerk; Charles W. Robinson, Treasurer ; Ira Merchant, Engineer and Commissioner of Sidewalks; Uri O. Andrus, Street Com- missioner ; Marion X. Chuse, Chief Engineer Fire Department and Superintendent Water Works; John Dawson, Health Commissioner; Matt. C. Smith, Oil Inspector ; William Clarke, City Weigher; William Riebe, City Sexton ; Adam Guthrie, James B. Sargent, Assessors ; Sebastian Hohman, J. B. Chipman, Collectors ; James Stone, Special Collector ; Elliott S. Miller, Marshal ; J. P. Butler, Captain of Night Police ; J. E. Bentley, Sergeant of Police.

The growth of Bloomington is plainly shown by the following table :

1834. census taken by Allan Wither- 180

1836, 66

Allan Withers 450

1845, . . 800 . .

1850, 60 William McCullough 1,611

1855.

E. B. Mitchell 5,000

1860, 66

John Dawson 8,000

1865, . .

N. H. Pike. 10,000

1868,

. . Holland. 14,980

1870,

Holland. .17,019

1873, 66

66 City Council 20,100

The city records have been kept with great care and accuracy from the time when His Honor John M. Scott, was Clerk, in 1850, to the present, when Mr. Samuel W. Waddle takes care of the books. As our work is more to preserve that portion of our history which is not to be found readily accessible, we shall leave future historians most of the mine of information that is in the city records, untouched and intact. We might refer to the perfect organization of our City Government, every part of which, like a portion of some machine, is adjusted accurately to its neighbor, so that its opera- tions are performed with scarcely a jar. The annual election brings into notice a little racket and noise, which is all the citizens generally ever hear of their municipal gov- ernment. And yet, the doings of our city police and magistrates are of themselves of immense importance, while the fire department, the engineering service, and the annual expenditures on pavements, sewers, water works and streets, taken together, are of vastly more consequence than a large majority of the matters recorded in this history ; but, as above stated, the records of these are so perfectly preserved and so easy of access that we have thought best to confine our labors mainly to tracing up and recording incidents that might otherwise be forever lost.

SCHOOLS.

A sketch of the history of the schools of Bloomington is incomplete unless it makes a reference to the great work of the past through the voluntary channels of private schools and seminaries.

J. E. Parke.

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HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY.

It seems that when there were but three or four families in Blooming Grove, & school was started in 1823, by John W. Dawson in his own house, taught for two terms by Miss Delilah Mullen-the first teacher in McLean County. This private school was followed by a larger one, taught by W. H. Hodge in a schoolhouse built by subscription in the Orendorff neighborhood, and for many years the greater part, in most cases the whole, of the teacher's wages in this State was paid by subscription. W. H. Hodge taught at the Grove several winters, and there were also at different times other teachers at the same place. He opened a school in Bloomington village in 1831; taught two weeks, and his term was finished by A. C. Washburne. For years after this, there was a combination of " free schools " and " pay schools." The public money formed the basis, and it was used under certain conditions, either in a wholly free school, or in one where those who were able and willing paid a subscription to help the good cause along.

These free schools were comparatively unimportant, however, until a later date, the best schooling being obtained for many years from subscription schools. Mr. A. C. Washburne's school was kept up until 1834, when Mr. L. Foster's school became the leading institution, sometimes called "High School," often "The Seminary." Mr. Foster built a schoolhouse of his own, and is entitled to a high position among our carly educators. Foster's Seminary is still standing in this city. It was built on Taylor street, second door west of Dr. Hill's residence. Rev. George W. Minier followed Mr. F. in 1847, and he was succeeded by Dr. Finley, of Jacksonville. Prof. D. Wilkins was here in 1852, organized a Board of Trustees, and gave the institution a high-sounding name-" The Central Illinois Female Seminary." For several years the school was quite well attended, young ladies being here from various towns and cities in the State. Prof. Wilkins purchased the Seminary, and was teaching there as late as 1857.

Miss Parsons kept a good school about this time, for the training of young ladies ; and there were at various dates other good private institutions of learning.

Rev. R. Conover's Bloomington Female Seminary, a Presbyterian institution, was for a long time a power in Central Illinois. It was started on Grove street (where the building now stands as a residence) in 1856, and continued in existence sixteen years. It often contained as high as ninety pupils, and during its life gave instruction to over one thousand young ladies. It was an institution of quite a high order, and would proba- bly have been sustained permanently, but for the greater efficiency of the modern pub- lic schools as compared with those of the past.

In 1856, William T. Major built a fine building in the north part of town, which was used for several years as a Female Seminary of the Christian denomination, and was a flourishing institution. With praiseworthy liberality this noble man afterward pre- sented the whole building and its ample grounds to the Christian denomination, on the sole condition of its being managed as a college. The attempt was made; but from some cause, probably because of the rapid increase of such institutions, the college was not a success, and it reverted to Mr. Major or his heirs. It would be impossible to mention all the worthy schools and seminaries that have done good work in Blooming- ton, but we must give all of them much credit for what they have accomplished. At present, there are several small private schools. The largest one, the Academy of St. Joseph, taught by the Sisters of St. Dominic, under the charge of the Catholic Church, is on a permanent basis, as are also the several schools maintained by our German citizens.

353

HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY.

There are three of these German schools ; one at the corner of West and Front streets, and two in the southern part of the city.

For several years previous to 1857, the public schools had grown to be of con- siderable importance, but they were still in their infancy. They formed five different school districts within the city limits, containing about three hundred pupils, and the schools might be classed as " bad and indifferent," hardly rising to the grade of " good." On the 8th day of April, 1857, these districts were all consolidated, and placed in charge of the new Board of Education, and from that day the progress of our public schools has been rapid and permanent.

The first charter to establish and regulate a system of public schools in the city of Bloomington was granted by the Legislature of the State, February 22, 1857. This charter called for a biennial election in the city, by the qualified electors, of a Board of Education to consist of seven members. The charter provided for such an election to be held on the first Monday in April, A. D. 1857.

As the result of the election, the following-named gentlemen were declared by the City Council to constitute the first Board of the city : C. P. Merriman, R. O. War- riner, O. T. Reeves, E. R. Roe, Eliel Barber, Samuel Gallagher and Henry Richardson. The need of new schoolhouses was from the very first a matter of consideration by the Board, and at their meeting held April 11, 1857, it was voted " to build four new schoolhouses in different parts of the city, for the accommodation of schools, so soon as funds sufficient can be obtained."

The first estimate of the Board to the City Council called for $10,000, with which to erect a new school-building, and $2,000 in addition to the general school fund to defray the expenses of maintaining the schools of the city. As a result of the request for this estimate, the following communication was sent to the Board by the Council :

WHEREAS, The Board of Education having made a report to this Council, demanding a levy of a five-mill tax for school purposes, and it being the opinion of this Council that said levy would be a burdensome and oppressive tax upon the people at the present time ; therefore,

Resolved, That it is our bounden duty to respectfully decline an order for said levy.

As a result of this, the Board of Education employed Abraham Lincoln to take the necessary steps to procure from the Circuit Court a writ of mandamus to compel the Council to levy the tax as required of them by Section 8 of the School Law. The whole matter seems to have been amicably settled, however, by the Board presenting a memorial to the Council requesting them to reconsider the action.

In the year 1858, the first permanent school-building was completed, called for several years the High School Building. It is in the Fourth Ward, and its cost was a little over $6,000. It was thought to be a fine structure for the times, though enlarged considerably in 1870. The high school started in 1857, was taught for the first year in Wilkins Seminary, by J. A. Johnson, and it opened in the new building in 1858, taught by E. P. Clark. The next year, it was under the charge of H. M. Kellogg, who met his death in 1864 in one of the Vicksburg battles, at which time he was Captain of a company in the Thirty-third Regiment Illinois Volunteers. The progress of the high school has ever been onward and upward until the present time. It is now in a fine building erected in 1868, at a cost of over $30,000. The first graduating class consisted of two members in 1864, while that of 1877 contained over thirty. An act

354

HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY.

of the Legislature, accepted by vote of the people in 1865, and another act passed in 1866, greatly strengthened the Board of Education, and increased the public interest.

The total enrollment of pupils in the public school in the year 1878 was 3,395. The number of children ascertained to be in the whole city in the year 1879, under the age of twenty-one years, was 7,187. Number of teachers in the public school, 63. Total disbursement for schools for the year ending April 1, 1879, was $65,314. The cost of the school-buildings, apparatus, furniture and grounds has been over $228,000, worth now, probably, a little more than the present outstanding school debt, which is in the neighborhood of $100,000. The present Board of Education consists of Jacob Jacoby, A. E. Stevenson, F. M. Funk, E. H. Rood, T. J. Bunn, J. H. Rowell and Miss Georgiana Trotter. Miss Sarah E. Raymond is Superintendent. The first Super- intendent was D. Wilkins, 1857 to 1859; in 1859, Gilbert Thayer; in 1860, Ira J. Bloomfield ; 1861, no superintendent ; 1862, C. P. Merriman ; 1863, J. H. Burnham ; 1864, John Monroe; 1865 to 1867, John F. Gowdy; 1867 and 1868, A. H. Thomp- son ; 1868 to 1872, S. M. Etter ; 1872 to 1874, S. D. Gaylord; 1874 to the present time, Miss Sarah E. Raymond.

Besides the large school edifices called respectively, First, Third, Fourth, Fifth Ward and the High School buildings, there are several of less value in different places, making in all provision for most of the children who need schooling. Bloomington expends a very large sum of money for public education, and it behooves her citizens to look well to the management of the ample fund annually disbursed. The city stands upon record as being one of the first in this State to admit a lady as a member of its Board of Education, Miss Georgiana Trotter having been elected four years ago. Miss Raymond, the efficient Superintendent of our city schools, was one of the first ladies in Illinois to fill such a position. Our churches, our public schools and our higher institutions of learning are all well worthy of the pride of our citizens.

CHURCHES THAT HAVE DISSOLVED.

There have been almost innumerable attempts made in Bloomington to establish churches and religious societies by the different sects represented in the United States. People have arrived here from all the regions under the sun, apparently, and, on their arrival, have commenced looking around for the religious denomination to which they were most attached. It would be, indeed, interesting could we furnish a full list of the different churches that have attempted to obtain a foot-hold. Even the Mormons have been represented, and at one time published a weekly newspaper here, printed at the Pantagraph office, edited by Mr. Haldeman, who has since moved to the State of Mis- souri. This journal was an organ of the Latter-Day Saints, or sect opposed to the Salt Lake Mormons. It is impossible to obtain a full history, even of those churches now in existence here, and we do not pretend to anything more than a mere outline or sketch, and shall be well satisfied if we have made a few footsteps that shall lead in the direc- tion we should like to travel. We will take a little space for mention of churches that have been formed and afterward given up their organizations, as these have had a share in the great work of Christianizing our community.

While the Presbyterian Church is the home of the large element known as the Orthodox Congregationalists, there was a time when a flourishing church of that denomi- nation was in existence. As early as 1842, the Congregationalists had built a church

355

HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY.

at the northwest corner of Washington and Madison streets, and from that time to 1860, were quite powerful in the city. In 1858, they built a new church at the northeast corner West and Washington, which, under the pastoral care of Rev. L. Taylor, was very flour- ishing. In the hard times following, they were unable to pay a mortgage on their property, and lost their house of worship, which was purchased in 1865 by the Episcopalians.

The Congregationalists again re-organized in 1873, worshiped in a publie hall, but, after two years' trial, again gave up the undertaking.

For several years, the Reformed Presbyterians owned a church on Front street, where is now the residence of Mr. I. R. Krum ; but, owing to the removal from the city of quite a large portion of their membership, and for other reasons, their organiza- tion disappeared over ten years ago.

The Universalists had a church-building on Front street, and kept up their society for several years, during which quite a number of our most prominent citizens were members of the organization. Rev. F. J. Briggs was the minister in charge for some time, and is still living in Bloomington. Many of its members went into the Free Congregational Church, and others have become connected with different churches or moved from the city.

For several years, the Methodists kept up an organized church called the West Charge. They had a pleasant house of worship at the southeast corner of Washington and West streets. After several years' trial, during a part of which time the Church was very flourishing, it was discovered that the interests of the denomination were best subserved by only one organization, and the building was sold, to be taken down and moved to New Rutland, on the Illinois Central Railroad.

In the year 1868, there was a church society that worshiped in Phoenix Hall, under the charge of Rev. Dr. Reed, a very excellent minister of the Southern Meth- odist Church ; but the project of erecting a building was abandoned.

The first Christian Church was erected on East street, in the rear of Major's Hall, and for a time after the present church was erected, there were two Christian Churches in the city, both of which appeared quite powerful. About the year 1863, however, the two became merged in the present church, and the old one was sold to the German Lutherans, and now stands at the corner of Madison and Olive streets.

Our sketch merely hints at a few of the attempts that have been made to organize different churches in Bloomington. In fact, we have no doubt these sectarian efforts could be numbered by scores, and, if all were hunted up and catalogued, a very interesting chapter would be the result. We have referred to a few in order to bring prominently before our readers the fact that strenuous efforts have been made to culti- vate the religious field. Of the good seed planted in the past, we are proud to record the evidences of the proper maturing of a fair proportion.

CHURCHES.

It is impossible to give even a tolerably correct sketch of the different churches of this city. In many cases the history of these institutions has not been preserved, and in others there have been such changes, suspensions, consolidations, divisions and removals that we despair of doing justice to the great subject. We give merely a few fragments, beseeching the charity and good-will of all who have ever attempted work of this character. The founders of Bloomington left no effort untried to affect favorably

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HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY.

the morals and religion of this community. From their little means, needed so much for daily wants and improvements, they freely gave liberally toward building and sup- porting churches. They were inspired with zeal in the cause of the Master, were aided by the most active and self-denying ministry, and could see a promise of better days when the town should become more fully peopled with families of wealth and culture. Each denomination made great efforts for supremacy. All were equally active, and at this time we see the good results of the hard labors of the early Christians.

The pioneer of Christianity in this locality, was, of course, the Methodist Church. Mr. John Hendrix, who came to Blooming Grove in 1822, was a consistent, devoted Methodist, and for a long time his house was the preaching-place of the neighborhood. It appears he invited Rev. James Stringfield, who was visiting at Randolph Grove, from Kentucky, and this gentleman preached the first sermon in the limits of the town of Bloomington, in 1823, at Mr. Hendrix's cabin. Some think that Rev. Jesse Walker, the regular supply of the Peoria Circuit, should be entitled to the honor of preaching the first sermon, he having preached at Mr. Hendrix's house in 1824. Bloom- ing Grove was made a preaching-place, in Peoria Mission, as early as 1824, during which year, at the house of John Hendrix, the first Methodist class was formed, which contained about ten members. This class was the Methodist Church of Blooming Grove, for several years. In 1831, preaching was commenced in the then new village of Bloomington, at the schoolhouse at the corner of Olive and Main streets, where the marble-shop now stands. Rev. William Crissey preached here in November, having previously delivered at least one sermon in the limits of Bloomington, which was on the 9th of October, 1831. There appears to have been a class organized here in Bloom- ington about the close of 1831, and until the year 1837, Bloomington and Blooming Grove were two distinct charges, when, under Rev. S. W. D. Chase, they were united. The two charges united in building a church at the southeast corner of Olive and Main streets, in 1836, when a plain building, 32x44 feet was built, under the charge of Rev. Zadoc Hall. Methodism grew and prospered at this location, until the year 1851, when the brick church; corner of Washington and East streets, was finished. This was a very large church for the times. Thomas Williams was contractor. This was occupied by the denomination from that date until 1875. About 1870, it became apparent that this building was altogether inadequate for the accommodation of the rapidly-increasing con- gregation, and plans were made for the construction of the present church-building. On September 29, 1873, the corner-stone was laid with imposing ceremonies, under the direction of Bishop Wiley, of St. Louis. In October, 1875, the basement auditorium was completed, and appropriate dedication exercises were conducted by prominent minis- ters from this and other States, in the presence of an immense congregation. As an example of Methodist liberality, $9,000 were raised by subscription in less than two hours, at these exercises. This magnificent church-edifice, as it now stands, completed, is one of the beauties of Bloomington ; it is a model of architectural symmetry and beauty. The main auditorium is a spacious room, easy of access, with seating capacity for 1,250. It is handsomely decorated with appropriate designs. The basement auditorium is con- veniently arranged, neatly finished and has seating capacity for 700. In addition to these, there are classrooms and various other apartments for the accommodation of the communicants. The society has recently purchased and placed in position an immense organ. It is the largest in the State, outside of Chicago. The total valuation of the

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HISTORY OF MCLEAN COUNTY.

church building and lot was estimated, three years ago, at $55,000. The total member- ship is something over 800. Its present Pastor is Rev. Mr. McElroy.

The University Methodist Church was organized October 7, 1867. It worships in the chapel of the University-a fine room, with capacity for 800, or with the gal- lery, which can be used if needed, an audience of 1,500 can be accommodated. There are about 250 church-members. Rev. J. A. Kumler is the Pastor in charge. This Church is a great convenience to the lay population in the north part of the city, espe- cially to the students of the college.

The German Methodist Church is well established; is situated on Center street, between North and Market. It was organized in 1854, by Dr. J. Schmidt, of Quiney, Ill. It is one of the earliest of any of the German organizations of Bloomington. Rev. J. H. Thomas is Pastor, and there are 110 members.

The African Methodist Church is on North Center street. It was organized in 1847, by Rev. P. H. Ward, and contains 100 members. Its first church-edifice was built in 1848, and, in 1859, it was removed to the side of the lot and has since been used as a parsonage. A new church was built in that year, which was considerably enlarged in 1871. Its cost was about $3,000. Rev. C. S. Jacobs is the Pastor in charge.

The First Presbyterian Church was organized January 26, 1833, by the Rev. Cal- vin W. Babbett. Its house of worship was not erected until about 1840, when the division between the Old and New Schools occurred. This Church was attached to the Old School, though it was not until 1855 that a New-School Church was formally organized.

The First Church has been the parent of Orthodox Congregationalism and Pres- byterianism in Bloomington. At least three different churches have sprung from this organization, though only one has become permanent. During the pastorate of the Rev. H. R. Price, an addition was made to the old building, and its seating capacity increased to about five hundred. When the Old and New Schools were united, a few years ago, the First Church took the title to which it was entitled by seniority. For many years, it was known as the Old-School Presbyterian Church of Bloomington, and was a pioneer in deed and in truth. The Rev. J. B. Thayer is the present Pastor of the First Church.

The First Church, as originally built, was quite small. In 1855, the rapid growth of the city made an opening for more churches, and on the 11th of January, 1855, the New-School or Second Presbyterian Church was organized, in Major's Hall, corner of Front and East streets. This hall was at that time in the third story, since removed, and was very large and pleasant. Rev. Alfred Eddy was the Pastor. Here, the con- gregation worshiped until about the time the building was used by the State Normal University, in the fall of 1857. In 1856, the Church commenced their new house of worship, which was finished in 1857. Its total cost has been over $20,000, including the recent addition, which has increased its seating capacity to 650. This Church has been very fortunate in its Pastors, having had but four different ministers in the course of the twenty-four years of its life. Originally of the New School, it has now become the Second Presbyterian. This Church possesses a very fair proportion of the educa- tion, talent and wealth of the city and may be called established. Its present Pastor is the Rev. J. W. Dinsmore.

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The History of McLean County, Illinois; portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 38

Author: Le Baron, Wm., Jr. & Co., Chicago, Pub Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Chicago : W. Le Baron, Jr. Number of Pages: 1092

Author: Le Baron, Wm., Jr. & Co., Chicago, Pub
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : W. Le Baron, Jr.
Number of Pages: 1092