The History of Peoria County, Illinois. Containing a history of the Northwest-history of Illinois-history of the county, its early settlement, growth, development, resources, etc., etc., Part 78

Author: Johnson & co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Johnson & Company
Number of Pages: 932

USA > Illinois > Peoria County > The History of Peoria County, Illinois. Containing a history of the Northwest-history of Illinois-history of the county, its early settlement, growth, development, resources, etc., etc. > Part 78

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The only original members of the society in Peoria now living, are Mrs. Catharine J. Dickinson, relict of Dr. Dickinson, Charles Kettelle, and Hervey Lightner. The amount contributed by the members for various religious and benevolent purposes, is $2,500 per annum.

First Universalist Bradley Memorial Church .- This church was organized in the year 1843. Its first members were Messrs. Orin Hamlin, Dennis Blakely, Aaron Oakford, Moses M. Webb, J. P. Dennis, John King, Caleb Whitmore, Norman Howe and wife, and some others. Mr. and Mrs. Howe are the only persons now resident in the city who assisted in the organization. At that time there was a large and flourishing Sunday school, possessing a library of over 200 volumes. The Rev. F. J. Briggs was the first settled pastor, and the society held its meetings in the old court-house, and subsequently owned an edifice on Fulton Street, which was afterwards used as a Jewish Synagogue. Some years afterwards the congregation bought what is now the First Baptist church, then a Unitarian church, and owned by Mr. Jacob Underhill.

In the early part of 1866, a meeting was held to consider the propriety of erecting a new church building, and the idea found such favor with the members that $12,000 was subscribed for that purpose, on the spot. The erection of the church was forthwith be- gun, and was completed in the following year, at a total cost of $65,000, including furni- ture. During the process of erection, the church lost by death one of its most prominent members, Mr. Tobias S. Bradley, who was for many years a resident of the city, and who set no bounds to his liberality where this church was concerned. Shortly after the completion of the church, when a special effort was made to clear off its indebtedness, the society, in consideration of the fact that nearly one-half the cost thereof had been subscribed by Mr. Bradley and by his widow, Mrs. Lydia Bradley, after his decease, resolved to perpetuate the memory of his great gen- erosity by naming their new building The Bradley Memorial Church. The regularly settled pastors were Revs. F. J. Briggs, - Linell, Wm. Rounsville, D. M. Read, R. H. Pullman, H. B. Smith, James M. Bailey, and S. A. Gardner. The latter gentleman sev- ered his connection with the church January 1, 1880. The present Board of Trustees consists of the following ladies and gentlemen : Mrs. Lydia Bradley, Mrs. A. J. Hodges, Mrs. John H. Francis, Messrs. S. S. Tripp, C. H. Hitchcock, A. W. Martin, Geo. A. Wil- son, and Prof. S. K. White. The church is entirely free from debt, and is strong and hopeful, having in its membership quite a large number of the best citizens of Peoria. Miss Mary E. Culver is the present superintendent of the Sunday school, which, under her devoted labors, is in a most flourishing condition, with a membership of 200 scholars.

The ladies of this society have been very prominent in their works of practical char- ity, and in their untiring efforts to raise money for congregational and other purposes. To them belongs the credit of originating the Women's Christian Home Mission of Peo-

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ria ; they own the handsome organ in their church, worth $3,000 ; and during the last year they have raised the sum of 8500 by various entertainments.

Peoria County Bible Society .- This society was organized March 1, 1844, at a meet- ing held for the purpose in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has for its object the promoting the circulation of the Holy Scriptures without note or comment, more especially in Peoria county. Its first officers were : President, Samuel Lowry ; vice-president, Geo. Wilkenson ; secretary, Jesse L. Knowlton ; treasurer, Wm. A. Herron ; executive committee, M. Pettingill, Whitney Smith, William Hall, S. D. W. Drown, and J. MeClay Smith. Since the date mentioned it has had an active existence, and has disseminated thousands of copies of the Scriptures in Peoria county, besides contributing largely towards the funds of the parent society in New York. Of late years its annual income has been about 81,000, one-half of which is devoted to the needs of the county, and the other half sent to New York. The depot of the society is at 309 Main Street, and the stock of Bibles and Testaments kept in it, and in various minor depositories in the county, seldom falls below 1,000 copies. The present officers are: President, John C. Grier : vice-presidents, pastors of all co-operating churches in the eity ; secretary and treasurer, Benjamin Foster ; directors, J. H. Bunn, H. P. Ayres, Wm. Reynolds, A. G. Tyng, G. H. Mellvaine, and D. McCulloch. The annual meetings are generally held on first Sun- day in April.

The Young Men's Christian Association .- A score of young men of Peoria, who are fired with Christian zeal and active in Christian work, after holding prayer-meetings for a time at various private residences in the city, felt impressed with the urgent need of a more systematic and thorough concert of action, and decided to make an effort to organ- ize a Young Men's Christian Association. After holding several preliminary meetings, at which numerous discouragements presented themselves, the organization was effected in September, 1879, officers were elected, and a constitution and by - laws adopted. The declared purpose of the organization is for the improvement of the spiritual, mental and social condition of young men. The membership is divided into four classes, Active, Associate, Life, and Honorary members. Any man who is a member in good standing of any evangelical church may become an active member by the payment of two dollars, and continue therein by paying a like sum, in advance, annually. Any man of good moral character may become an associate member by paying the same amount. The payment of twenty dollars constitutes a person a life member, when possessing the requi- site character necessary to active membership. Honorary members are subject to the the same qualifications and restrictions as life members.

The active members compose the following committees : devotional, membership, visitation and missionary, sick, finance, churches, room, library and printing, lecture, and entertainment, and employ and boarding house. The legitimate work of the Association is divided up among these committees, so that each one is personally respon- sible for the work of his committee. Both elasses of members have the following privi- leges : Free use of the library and reading rooms, the " Bulletin," and admission to elas- ses, lectures, musical and literary entertainments, etc., in the member's course. The present membership, January 19, 1880, numbers one hundred, and is rapidly increasing each week. The officers and directors are as follows: M. Kingman, president ; Theo. Highic, vice-president; Thomas Petherbridge, treasurer ; William N. Fisher, correspond- ing and general secretary ; A. S. O. -, assistant secretary ; J. W. Hansel, Jr., re- cording secretary ; William Reynolds, George M. Bush, Norris Pitt, Dr. H. N. Baldwin, J. E. F. Fisher and W. O. Maxwell, directors.

The Association has very comfortable and cosy quarters at No. 102 South Adams Street, and its rooms are well supplied with papers and periodicals and the nucleus of a library of some five hundred volumes, to which additions are being rapidly made by gen-

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erous friends. Sufficient contributions are already guaranteed to make the society self- sustaining.

The Association publishes The Weekly Bulletin, a neat little sheet of four pages, de- voted to the interests of the organization and to the promulgation of Christian work. The Association supports twenty-one meetings a week. The rapid growth and prospects for future usefulness exceed the most sanguine expectations.

Railroad Christian Association was organized in December, 1878, by a number of gentleman prominently connected with railroad interests in Indianapolis, Peoria, and ad- joining cities, with the design of furnishing one or two comfortable, attractive, well warmed and lighted rooms, in which railroad men might spend their evenings. Their first rooms were at No. 619 South Adams Street, but they have recently moved to more commodious and better located quarters at the Olivet Mission building, (formerly Calvary Mission), on Walnut Street. The rooms are comfortably fitted up, and sup- plied with newspapers, checkers, chess, dominoes, and stationery, which is absolutely free to all railroad men, irrespective of creed, and whether members of the Association or not. The membership of the Association is growing rapidly, and the rooms fill a recognized want among the many railroad men who are transiently in the city. The officers for 1880 are : President, Theodore Higbie ; vice-president, N. B. Love; secre- tary and treasurer, R. E. Reynolds.

Women's Christian Home Mission. - This most praiseworthy and practical charity was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois, February 16, 1876. Under the name of the " Christian Home Mission, ".it had been organized by the ladies of the First Universalist Church more than ten years before, and had accomplished much good in the way of timely, unostentatious assistance to the needy poor of the city, and in teaching hundreds of girls to make and mend their clothes. For some years previous to the incor- poration, similar societies had sprung into existence in connection with other religious denominations, and in order to prevent the clashing which naturally resulted from the independent action of each society, to economise the labor necessary in systematically visiting and and searching out the deserving poor, too modest to apply for aid though in dire distress, and above all to attain, by the operation of a system in their relief work, the thoroughness in their manner of dealing with applicants, and consequent freedom from imposition, that one united society would have, over the variously directed efforts of several independent ones, it was resolved to unite all these charitable bodies of lady- workers, into one grand non-sectarian society.

When the union had been effected, the ladies found themselves face to face with one of the great problems of the age - how to help the needy without pauperising them - how to render them the truest of all helps, not by bearing their burden for them, but by encouraging them to exert their full strength, that they may bear it themselves. To beget independence, especially in the minds of the young, by giving them the necessary train- ing to qualify them to become useful and self-sustaining in the battle of life, on which they are about to enter, and to afford a refuge in the hour of extreme distress and desti- tution, where weary bodies with yet more weary souls, might find a resting place, and where they might obtain a welcome draught of human sympathy for their broken hopes and fruitless struggles, ere they returned once more refreshed and enheartened, to fight their battles in the world.

The mission has three separate channels, through which it endeavors to reach those deserving help, viz. : The Relief of the sick and destitute, the Industrial School, and the Home for the Friendless.

The Relief of the Sick and Destitute. - This is effected by systematic visiting of regularly appointed committees. The entire city is divided into districts, and zealous, competent visitors appointed, who thoroughly investigate each case before giving alms, and give relief without reference to religious opinion. These visitors register the names

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of all applicants, and present them at each monthly meeting ; thus all become familiar with them, chronic beggars are soon known. and imposition can not long be practiced. Besides the material relief afforded, there is a vast amount of good done which can not be fully estimated ; the encouragement and solace given to the desponding ; delicacies provided for the sick ; employment found for the able-bodied adult ; instruction given to children ; young girls removed from temptation and assisted in honorable self-support. The extent of their labors in this direction, may be gathered from the following figures, covering the last four years. Number of families visited 553. Number of persons in families 2,097. Number of visits made 943.

Industrial School. - This branch of the Mission work was inaugurated in 1866, un- der the care of the ladies of the First Universalist Church, prominent among whom in their efforts in its behalf, were the late Mis. Julia P. Bourland, Mrs. E. D. Hardin and Mrs. Walter D. Strickler. The school was started in a small room in the residence of the latter lady, with seven children, and was afterwards moved to accommodate the vastly increased attendance, to the vestry of the Universalist church, where it remained till the Fall of 1879, when for the purpose of securing better light, it was again removed to 217 South Adams Street, its present location. Meetings are held every Saturday afternoon, and the girls are taught cutting, basting, plain sewing, patching, knitting, darning, etc., by volunteer lady teachers. Hundreds of girls have attended this school since it commenced, many of whom have grown into womanhood, and have gone out to repeat its lessons in homes of their own, or in other spheres of equal usefulness. During the past three years the number of children instructed was 1,120. Number of garments made, 1,060. Number of quilts made, 40. In the Spring of 1879, the school enjoyed a course of lectures on cooking, from Miss Corson, which did something towards introdnc- ing that subject, and showing its valne as a science, and the ladies of the Mission hope to be able ere long, to supplement the instructions given in sewing, by theoretical and practical cookery and housekeeping.

Home for the Friendless. - In May, 1875, the Home was formally opened on Merri- man Street, and one year later was removed to 512 Seventh Street, which, through the liberality of Mrs. Lydia Bradley, they occupied rent free. In the latter part of 1879, they were enabled to purchase, at a very moderate figure, the Judge Kellogg homestead, corner Main Street and Flora Avenue, on the bluff. where the Home is now located. It is under charge of a matron, and only women and children are eligible for admission. It is designed to assist destitute ones, affording temporary relief as far as practicable, by giving shelter, food, clothing and such general information, and personal effort, as may be required in obtaining homes for them, employment for the women, ete., regardless of nationality, creed or age of the applicant. Destitute and homeless children are here kept, till suitable openings can be found for them. It is also used as a depot for con- tributed garments, which are distributed among the destitute, on order from the visitors. During the last three years the inmates of the Home for longer or shorter periods, have been ninety in number, and the garments received 'for distribution and so disposed of, nearly 900.

The amount expended by the Mission, in carrying on these different branches of their work during the last four years, is, as shown by their annual reports, nearly $3,500, and the managers have been too careful to set a practical example in matters of prudence and thrift before their beneficiaries, to allow it to run into debt, or incur responsibilities it would be unable to meet, even in their behalf.

The present officers of the Mission are: President, Mrs. E. D. Hardin ; 1st vice pres., Mrs. A. G. Tyng ; 2d vice pres., Mrs. Washington Cockle ; secy., Mrs. HI. B. Dox ; asst. secy., Mrs. J. M. Rice ; treas., Miss Maggie MeKinney ; advisory committee, Messrs. S. H. White, John S. Stevens, Win. F. Bryan, J. C. Hansell, Dr. G. A. Wilson and Col. J. D. McClure ; Board of Managers, Madames A. J. Hodges, Chas. B. Day, Wm. F.

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Bryan, Geo. A. Wilson, E. S. Wilcox, E. S. Easton, S. H. White, W. B. Lyon, Alex. G. Tyng, J. H. Morrow, Robert Grier, and Miss Fannie Mayo; Industrial School Supt., Mrs. E. D. Hardin ; asst. supt., Mrs. G. A. Wilson.

THE SCHOOLS OF PEORIA -THEIR INCEPTION, PROGRESS AND PRESENT CONDITION.

The following sketch of the city schools has been presented by A. P. Bartlett, who has been more or less connected with them for many years and was sent to Philadelphia with the centennial volumes of the Peoria County School Work.

Let the soldier be abroad if he will, he can do nothing in this age. There is another personage less imposing, in the eyes of some, perhaps, insignificant. The schoolmaster is abroad, and I trust to him, armed with his primer, against the soldier in full military array.

In 1828, this may have been a new idea to the contemplative Briton, but every American of to-day could heartily echo Lord Brougham's words. Just in proportion as the frontier towns of the country become more civilized, so an ardent desire for educa- tion becomes more prominent. Thus it was with us.

Previous to 1854, these broad prairies were nearly or quite destitute of the fruit with which they are now so prolific -good, substantial school-houses. The children of our city were obliged to content themselves with such high-priced, meager educational advantages as a few private schools could afford, and only as late as 1855 did the citizens awake to a realizing sense of their great need. At that time, several leading men formed themselves into a joint stock association, and built what was termed the Peoria Academy, designed solely for boys and such very few young women as desired classical advantages. Afterwards, a female school, which had in reality existed for some time, was incorporated. Thus provisions were made that the young lady mind might be in no more danger of running to waste than her brother's, though her intellectual diet might be of a milder description.

These two institutions were well taught and consequently successful so far as they went; but there were very great objections to them. Their tendency was too exclusive, separating the rich from the poor, and moreover, though the rich man's son was well educated, the child of less fortunate parents roamed the streets, exposed to all the evils that idleness engendered. It certainly was not a very democratic plan, this of private schools, and one not entirely consistent with our enlightened American ideas.

The only remedy lay in the common school system, free, or as nearly so as possible.

In February, 1855, the Legislature passed an act creating a " Board of School In- spectors," the act being entitled, " An Act to amend the charter of the City of Peoria, and to establish and regulate a system of public schools in said city."

The public generally were quick to see what was for their best interest, and eagerly stepped forward to lend their aid. Of course, as always, there were those who held back, grumbling and dissenting until the enterprise was so well grounded that they could not be involved in its downfall, and until their children might safely reap the fruits of others' labor. Among the prime movers in the good work were Charles E. Hovey, afterwards superintendent of the schools and also principal of the high school, and Judge Onslow Peters, at whose office those interested met and drew up the act of incorporation.

In consideration of the experimental nature of the work here, though well proven in Boston, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Chicago, and other cities, and also in consideration of the objections of a part of the townspeople, it was not thought advisable to rely for sup- port entirely upon taxation of property. The money was obtained from several sources, a portion from the State and township fund, but a large amount from a tuition fee of $2.25 for each pupil, which last was applied mainly to the payment of teachers' salaries. This might seem an obstacle to the more indigent, but for these the fee was reduced to $1, which certainly seemed within the reach of all.

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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY.

Even at this early stage the friends of the public schools were much encouraged, both by the apparent desire of parents to place their children at school, and on the part of the latter an eagerness and aptness to learn, most grateful to teachers. At first, the accommodations were of necessity very poor, there being only four school-houses, and they almost without exception of most forlorn and unsightly exterior, and of correspond- ing discomfort within. So, for this reason or some other, out of a population of about 2,000 children of a proper age to attend school, only about 300 did attend, leaving a fearful balance of youthful idlers and loafers. During the second school year, 1856, such a strong need of more and better buildings was felt, that the board of inspectors decided to negotiate for the buildings used as the boys' and girls' academies. At a regul ir meet- ing of the stockholders, the proposition of the inspectors was considered, and also the fact that since the advent of the public schools the want of these private institutions was no longer felt. So, in consideration of this state of affairs, at the meeting called for the purpose, the stockholders determined by vote to sell these two buildings to the board of school inspectors. Both are still occupied as schools. That in the third district, once graced only by girlish forms, is still in its pristine glory ; that is, there is not much that is glorious about it. The other, in the second district, has undergone a complete transformation, so that even its best friends could not recognize in its capacious and handsome features the haggard lineaments of the old " boys' academy."

Until 1860 the schools were conducted on a sort of compromise system, not entirely free, but supported from the funds by a small tax and by assessment on each pupil. But at this time, in consequence of the growing dissatisfaction with this crippled system, the question of taxation, making the schools virtually free, was passed to vote at the eity election, which resulted in the complete triumph of the free schools. The good effect became at once apparent, the attendance over the previous years being about 200. The number in all the schools was 750.

The following year saw a high school edifice on a most desirable and beautiful site, in the southwest part of the city. For several years before there had been a high school organization, but crowded into one of the other buildings, and thus occupying space needed for lower grades. Now an airy, roomy, exceedingly pleasant apartment was fur- nished where the higher branches of learning, the languages and sciences might be pur- sued with satisfaction to both teachers and scholars. At present there is a complete, successful and highly satisfactory system of graded schools. So successful, indeed, that almost all private schools have died out for lack of patronage ; and even the people of the surrounding country have made strenuous efforts to give their children the advantages of our schools, which they are enabled to do at the cost of a small tuition fee. There are at present eleven school buildings, containing over 4,000 scholars. This would seem a matter of congratulation, and so it is. But over it falls a shadow. There are in this city, between the ages of six and twenty-one years old, almost 9,000 children. Allowing for perhaps 1,900 at other schools, such as the German, the Catholic and others, what an appalling aggregate it leaves not attending any sort of school, and growing to manhood and womanhood without the essential element of manliness and womanliness - a well balanced, intelligent, educated mind. Is not this simple fact, the thought of so many children nt large without restraint, without culture, a strong argument for compulsory education ? Employed in these schools are sixty-seven teachers, including one music teacher. The sum total of their salaries reaches about 835,000.

In connection with the city schools is a County Normal School, situated in a hand- some, commodious building, on the cast bluff. Mr. S. H. White, its principal, is well known as a most enthusiastie and successful educator. He, with his lady assistants, has in charge a large number of students, both from the city and country.

These are being practically educated for the express purpose of teaching, and enjoy

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constant practice in a training school, and in fact in every thing that may conduce to future efficiency in their chosen vocation.

Our high school is the capital of our stalwart column of public schools, and worthy of its exalted position. It has maintained since its foundation a thorough course of study, embracing the dead languages, as well as some modern, the natural sciences and many other things, and has graduated in these, in about eighteen years, 135 young men and women. It has been singularly fortunate in its instructors, a list of highly educated, cultivated men and women as well as able teachers.

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The History of Peoria County, Illinois. Containing a history of the Northwest-history of Illinois-history of the county, its early settlement, growth, development, resources, etc., etc., Part 78

Author: Johnson & co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago : Johnson & Company Number of Pages: 932

Author: Johnson & co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago : Johnson & Company
Number of Pages: 932