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 81

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 81

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they dwell. The society is self-sustaining, and incurs no liabilities which are not con- veniently and promptly met by the regular membership fees and contributions.

At the beginning of 1879 the society resolved to make the trial of a Loan Exhibition of Art. The appeal to the public was responded to so heartily as to leave no reasonable doubt that such an exhibition would succeed. It was tried, and the success, both in the character of the exhibition, the attendance, and financial results, were greater than the most sanguine member anticipated.

So much for a slight sketch of the organization, objects and progress of this still very young and small society. It is not supposed that any thing more than a beginning has yet been made, but the members have " abiding faith."

The annual meeting of the society is held on the first Thursday of June, and the regular meetings on the first and third Thursdays of each month. The present officers of the society are president, Mrs. Clara P. Bourland ; vice-presidents, Mrs. Mary Whiteside Emery and Mrs. Sarah B. Armstrong ; treasurer, Mrs. Mary McClure ; recording secre- tary, Miss Alice M. Dodge ; corresponding secretary, Miss Jennie S. Stone ; directors, Mrs. Howard Knowles, Mrs. R. A. Cutter, Mrs. J. T. Skinner, Mrs. Geo. W. Rouse, Miss Annie Kulder. and Miss Minnie Bills. Non-official members, Mrs. E. D. Hamlin, Mrs. J. H. Francis, Mrs. John Birks, Mrs. D. Miller, Mrs. L. Griswold, Miss Mary Bestor, Mrs. White, Mrs. Mary Petherbridge, Miss Emily Smith.

Peoria German School Association .- At a specially convened meeting of some of the prominent German speaking citizens of Peoria, held March 21, 1862, the idea of founding this association, for the purpose of maintaining a school or schools for the teaching of the German language, was broached, and received with such favor, that $600 was at once subscribed to aid in its execution. The association was formally organized April 11, of that year, and nine directors elected, viz. - Dr. Brendel, Charles Feinse, Lonis Green, F. Schwab, Adam Lucas, A. L. Matthies, Robert Strehlow, H. N. Peterson, Theo. Pfeiffer, Valentine Jobst, Otto Treibel, Henry Baider, and John Lutz, with power to take such steps as they might deem necessary towards the establishment of such a school. Two days thereafter the directors met and organized by electing Charles Feinse, presi- dent ; Henry Baier, secretary, and Louis Green, treasurer. At this meeting teachers were selected, and in the latter part of the same month the school was opened in Bergen's hall, on South Washington Street. During its first term it was attended by 123 scholars. It may here be stated that the first German school in Peoria was opened and taught by Mr. Ruppelius in the year 1850, and in the year following several small schools sprang into existence. In April 1863 the association bought the lot on Second Street now oc- cupied by their school, at a cost of $1,160, and shortly afterwards took steps for the erection of a building upon it. The contract for the same was let to Mr. Joseph Miller, for $4,698.14, and it cost when finished about $5,000. The corner-stone was laid August 6, 1863, and the building was opened and dedicated November 16. of the same year, with appropriate ceremonies, the day being wound up with a grand ball in Parmley's hall, which netted the association the handsome sum of $416. It is located on Second Street, between Franklin and Monson, is of brick with stone trimmings ; has four large rooms, and is capable of accommodating easily about 400 children. When the erection of the school was determined upon, the association issued stock in $25 shares, to the amount of $4,000, bearing interest at the rate of 6 per cent, and secured by mortgage on the build- ing. These shares were eagerly taken, and were retired and paid by lot, whenever the funds of the association permitted, and in March, 1866, all except five had been thus dis- posed of. On February 16, 1865, the association was incorporated under a special act of the Twenty-fourth General Assemby of the State of Illinois, in the names of Charles Feinse, Henry Baier, Louis Green, Frederick Brendel, Frederick Schwab, Herman Peterson, Adam Lucas, Adolph L. Matthies, Theo. Pfeiffer, Val. Gradinger, Ernst Violand, Frederick Beckman, and Joseph Studer, which act exempted from taxation the

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property of the association to the amount of $100,000. The present attendance at the school is about seventy-five children, who are instructed by two teachers, one male and one female. The cost of tuition is very moderate and quite 15 per cent. of the children are taught gratis.

In 1876 the German Library Association turned over its collection of books in the German language to this association, which has since continued to superintend their cir- culation, and care for those not in use in their school building. The present officers of the association are, president, Valentine Jobst ; secretary, A. L. Schimpff : treasurer, F. D. Weinnett.

German School Association of North Peoria .- This association was organized in June, 1875, by some of the German speaking residents of North Peoria, who recognized the need of a German school in that division of the city. Its first officers were, president, Hubert Felrath ; vice-president, Oscar Furst ; secretary, Robert Becker ; treasurer, A. B. Rossmassler; trustees, Jacob Schneider, Otto Triebel, Rudolph Eichenberger. Immedi- ately after organization steps were taken to have the association incorporated under charter from the State, and which incorporation was duly effected. In order to provide a school-house stock was issued to the amount of $1,000 without interest, and with the funds thus obtained a school-house was erected at 1028 North Monroe Street, at a total cost of $1,400, including lot. During the first term there was an average attendance of fifty-five scholars. In December, 1879, the school building was moved to a lot acquired by the association at a cost of $700, on the corner of Wayne and North Washington Streets, where it is pleasantly located. This move was made for the purpose of bringing the school nearer to the more populous part of the North division of the city, and the beneficial effect of which is shown by the increased attendance, which, previous to the removal, had fallen to about thirty-five, but has now risen to upwards of fifty. The school is only intended for primary education, and to ground the children in the German language, after which they are sent to the public schools. Many poor children are educated free of charge. The present officers of the association are, president, Jacob Schneider; vice-president, Christian Frache ; secretary, Robert Becker; treasurer, William Zuidel; teacher, Adolph Splitoesser ; trustees, Oscar Furst, Charles Polster, and Conrad Seipel. Regular meetings are held on first Thursdays in June and December.

Standard Literary and Social Association .- This association was organized for the purpose of mental culture and social intercourse, by some of the most prominent Hebrew gentlemen in the city, and was incorporated under charter from the State of Illinois in March, 1874. The association owns a fine hall on South Adams Street ; where its cuter- tainments are held. These are given principally in the Winter months, and consist of amateur theatricals, musical, literary, and terpsichorean exercises, to which none are admitted but members and their friends, The annual business meetings of the society are held on January 1, in each year, at which the officers and trustees are elected. Those now in office are, president, llenry Ullman ; vice-president, L. Ballenberg; scere- tary, L. Loewenthal ; trustees, Samuel Woolner, Joseph Axman, James Loucheir, M. Salzenstein, J. Schradzki, David Ullman, and Max Newman.

Parish's Business College and Telegraphic Institute. - Mr. A. S. Parish has for the past four years conducted this enterprise, and has at length, by thoughtful attention to business and the expenditure of considerable money, brought its system of instruction to a point of perfection, creditable alike to himself and to the county from which his pupils are drawn. The college was established in January, 1865, and has been in steady opera- tion ever since. It is at present located at 114 and 116 S. Adams Street, and occupies the entire third floor, which has been arranged especially for its needs and uses. The assembly room is covered with matting, neat black walnut desks grace the interior, and here some hundreds of students can be seen at work any day. The curriculum com- prises a thorough course of double and single entry book-keeping, commercial corre-

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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY

spondence, penmanship, commercial arithmetic, partnership settlements and commercial law, and in the academic department instruction in the English branches, spelling, arith- metic, writing, etc. Telegraphing and short hand are also taught, and nothing is wanting which would tend to make the instruction in the commercial department practical in the highest degree. From 200 to 250 students pass through the college annually, and about 10 per cent. of them are young ladies.

Peoria Choral Union. - This society, although not the oldest musical association in Peoria, is undoubtedly the most ambitious, and has done the most towards the elevation of the musical taste of its residents. It was organized about four years ago by Prof. S. L. Fish, and its first officers were : President, Dr. N. K. Beasley ; secretary, M. H. Hew- ett ; treasurer, Chas. H. Kellogg ; conductor, Prof. Fish. Its meetings were at first held in the parlor of Second Presbyterian church, and for the three past winters in the par- lors of the Congregational church. The membership is composed almost entirely of American ladies and gentlemen, and contains much musical talent. Since its organiza- tion the society has produced at its concerts Mozart's Twelfth Mass, The Creation, Dud- ley Buck's Forty-sixth Psalm, and in the way of cantatas, The Haymakers, Erl King's Daughter, Trial by Jury, Queen Esther, and the Doctor of Alcantara. The society is at present at work upon Elijah, and a careful rendition of that noble oratorio will doubtless soon be publicly given. The present officers are : President, C. H. Kellogg ; vice presi- dent, M. H. Hewett ; financial secretary, F. S. Tucker ; recording secretary, Miss Ida Stowell ; treasurer, Geo. C. Clark ; conductor, Prof. E. H. Plowe ; librarian, H. C. Plowe. The singing season extends over eight months of the year, and practice meet- ings are held every Monday evening from September to June. The membership is at present about 100, the society possesses a fine lot of music, and is in a prosperous condi- tion, both musically and financially.

Concordia Singing Society. - This society has been in existence for nearly 25 years, and is composed exclusively of Germans. The music sung is principally German, part songs and glees, and a concert is generally given every year. The voices are all male. At the present time the officers of the society are : President, Christian Gentes ; vice president, Anton Kiefer ; secretary, H. M. Kiefer ; treasurer, Henry Minchhoff ; librarian, Fridolin Widinger ; musical director, Chas. Rolff.

Harmonie Singing Society has been established about a year, and is composed of mixed voices. Their attention is principally turned to German four part songs, and the " Glocke " by Romberg has been recently practiced with a view to a public performance of it in the near future. The present officers are: President, Simon Trefzger ; vice president, Martin Bühler ; secretary, Henry Triebel ; treasurer, C. F. Lehne ; conductor, Prof. C. Trautvetter. Meetings are held at Harmonie Hall on S. Adams Street on the Tuesday and Friday evenings of each week.

Virgil Conservatory of Music is situated on S. Adams Street, Nos. 213 to 219, and is the only school of music in the city. It was established September 8, 1879, and has been well attended in the past terms. It has at present 140 pupils, about twenty per cent. of whom are males. The conservatory is under the direct supervision of Mr. A. K. Virgil, formerly of the Burlington Conservatory of Music, and has a staff of seven teachers. Instruction is given upon the piano, organ, violin and other orchestral instruments, the cornet, and all other band instruments, the guitar, and also in elocution, German and Italian. The teaching is of the most thorough and practical kind, and the recognition of the usefulness of such a school, is evidenced by the large and steadily increasing attend- ance.

Spencer's 7th Regiment Band. - This band was organized in 1863, and has sixteen members. Prof. D. M. Spencer is director. A first-class orchestra is connected with the band.

National Guards Band was organized about three years ago by Prof. C. Trauvetter,

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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY.

who is still its conductor and business manager. It consists of 12 pieces and has an excellent string band in connection with it. Its headquarters are at 123 S. Jefferson Street.

Peoria Boat Club. - The association known as the Peoria Boat Club, was organized May 18, 1875. The object of the association was for instruction and improvement in, and enjoyment of the art of rowing and the cultivation of a friendly feeling in all who participate in this amusement and exercise.

The gentlemen present at first meeting were G. I. Gregg. P. C. Wheeler, Ed. Pulsi- fer, Ferd Lothy, Henry Simoneau, W. H. Bartlett, S. C. Bartlett. W. L. Green, Jr., J. R. Conway, Jno. Birks, H. H. Miller, F. G. Martin, W. F. Bryan. Jr., H. Knowles. The credit is due these gentlemen for having organized a club, which has many times reflected honor upon them, and one in which the citizens at large take a just pride. At the first regular meeting, held June 5, 1875, the following officers were elected : P. C. Wheeler, president ; G. I. Gregg, vice-president ; H. Knowles, secretary and treasurer ; H. C. 'Townsend, captain ; Ed. Pulsifer, coxswain ; S. Kilduff, vice-coxswain. At this meet- ing a Constitution and By-Laws were adopted, the most important features of which were the fixing the initiation fee at §25.00 and dues one dollar per month, also limiting the membership to amateurs. For a boat house, was rented the old brick building on the river bank, at the foot of Gay Street ; it was formerly used as a soap factory. Since then the club has outgrown the old quarters, and it now owns a building built expressly for the purpose, at a cost of $700. It is situated at the foot of Fayette Street ; is one story in height, 60 by 30 feet in dimensions, has a storage capacity of 20 boats, is well supplied with bath-rooms and lockers, and is altogether as convenient as any thing in the North or West. The first boats were purchased in August of 1875, and consisted of a six-oared barge cedar, a single and four-oared gig, both wooden. On May 9, 1876, the ladies of the Bachelor Club, at an entertainment given by the Amateurs in Rouse's Hall, pre- sented the P. B. C. with its colors. This was an event which will always be remembered with pleasure by the members. The ladies of Peoria have ever taken a kindly interest in the club, and by their presence and encouragement have helped many a crew to row a " winning race." On July 4, 1876, under the auspices of the P. B. C., a regatta was given on Peoria Lake, the first one ever held here. It was participated in by boating men from Chicago, Burlington, Moline, Hannibal, Mo., and Peru, Ills. It attracted quite a crowd and served, as intended, to awaken the boating interest throughout the eity. Since that time the citizens of Peoria have always contributed liberally and promptly to any scheme which the club has presented. On the 5th of July crews were sent to the Burlington, Ia., regatta. Although the club captured no first prizes, it did creditably when it is taken into consideration that rowing in a shell boat is a science, and to attain any degree of proficiency, requires time and practice. June 2, 1877, the new boat house was completed. During the Summer of '77 Peoria Lake was the scene of many a lively contest, and although no regattas were held, the boating interest was kept up and practice which we greatly needed was attained. On November 3d of this year the club joined the M. V. A. R. A., this was an important event in the history of the P. B. C., as by so doing it placed itself in competition with the best oarsmen in the Mississippi Valley, as the Association is made up of them, and to win a prize at one of the M. V. A. R. A. Regattas means " blood."

The first one given by the association was held on Peoria Lake, June 19 and 20, 1878. It was participated in by eight clubs, all of them older organizations than the P. B. C., but notwithstanding this, the elub won first prize for six-oared barges, first prize for four-oared gigs, and came in second in the race for junior four-oared : there were six entries in this race. In July of the same year the club was represented in the Keokuk regatta. There were four clubs represented in this affair, Peoria " walked off" with first

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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY.

prize for six-oared barges, first prize for four-oared gigs, and last but not least, first prize for tub race.

One requirement is necessary for a person to become a member, and that is, that the applicant should be a gentleman. This is imperative, and owing to this wise policy the club has become the leading social organization of the city. Its annual party is looked upon as one of the leading social events of the season. The club was represented at the . annual M. V. A. R. A. regatta, held at Keokuk, July 15, 16, and 17, 1879. This was attended by seventeen clubs. The P. B. C. carried off first prize junior four-oared, first prize junior single, first prize four-oared gigs. So in the two M. V. A. R. A. regattas, the Peoria Boat Club has won five first prizes. This is a splendid record for any club. At the last meeting the secretary reported sixty-four active members, and five honorary ones ; the club out of debt, and owning between two and three thousand dollars' worth of property, together with a boat-house worth, with added improvements, $1,000. Its fleet of boats consists of one paper six-oared barge, one cedar six-oared barge, one paper four-oared shell, one cedar four-oared shell, one paper double scull, two paper single sculls, and one cedar single, one four-oared working boat, wooden, one single gig, cedar, besides several boats owned by individual members. Our " course " can not be beaten by any in the country, and by few rivaled. It is wide enough to start any number of boats, and is a good "straight away " of two miles without any perceptible current. The influential position the club holds in boating circles was evinced by the M. V. A. R. As- sociation voting the office of Ensign to Mr. P. C. Wheeler in 1878, and that of Commo- dore to Mr. John L. Cockle in 1879. The present officers of the club are : Thos. Cratty, president; James T. Taylor, vice-president ; W. H. Binman, treasurer ; L. D. Puter- baugh, secretary ; Chas. Cockle, captain ; W. R. 'Cockle, coxswain ; W. W. Hook, vice- cox. and custodian. The P. B. C. is an organization in which the citizens of Peoria are interested and the members satisfied.

Peoria Shooting Club was organized May 11, 1875, with about ten original members, and was incorporated under charter from the State of Illinois, January 24, 1877. The following are the names of some of the original members : N. Shurtleff, L. F. Belke, Chas. F. Stock, Chas. W. Greenleaf, Dr. L. B. Martin, Fred. Kimble, P. Bourdereaux, and John Griffith. The present officers are : President, Dr. L. B. Martin ; vice-presi- dent, Will. Clark ; secretary, R. R. Hotchkiss ; treasurer, Z. N. Hotchkiss. The club owns a shooting park of five acres, with dwelling house, amphitheater, and coops for 6,000 pigeons, in the upper part of the city, near the Water Works, and is acknowledged to be one of the best shooting parks in the State.

In 1879, the annual tournament of the Illinois State Sportman's Association was held at the club's park, and its accommodations were found ample, notwithstanding an excep- tionally large number of entries. The club is strong in membership, and numbers within its ranks many excellent marksmen. Members practice at the park every Friday, when the weather permits. Regular business meetings are held on first Wednesday in each month, in State's Attorney's office in Court-house.

Central City Shooting Club .- This club was organized in the Summer of 1878, and has about twenty members. The present officers are : President, F. Lammers ; vice- president, -; secretary aud treasurer, Chas. Scheonheider. The members use for shooting purposes the park belonging to the Peoria Shooting Club, and hold there a monthly contest for the club badge. The club hopes soon to have a park of their own.

Fort Clark Shooting Club was organized in July, 1878, with thirty-five original mem- bers, and has still that number of names on its roll. Use the park of the Peoria Shooting Club for shooting purposes, where they generally meet every Saturday afternoon. The present officers are : President, O. Moore ; vice-president and secretary, John Wood-

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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY.

ruff; treasurer, Robert Kelly. The club holds its business meetings on first Monday evening in each month, at freight office of T. P. & W. R. R.

Peoria Rifle Club was organized in June, 1877, and has about fifteen members, each of whom owns a breach-loading, repeating rifle. The present officers of the club are : President, A. W. H. Reen ; treasurer, Peter J. Singer ; secretary, F. H. Wagner. The club has found it very difficult to secure a suitable range for practice, but expect in the coming Summer to possess one of five hundred yards, easily accessible from the city.

Peoria Turn- Verein. - This association was organized in 1850, with about thirty members. During the early years of its existence it rented a building where the mem- bers could exercise themselves, and in 1856 built a frame structure on Washington Street near Walnut, at a cost of about 81,000. Here they had their gymnasium for some eight years, at the end of which time they sold their property and bought the old School on South Adams Street, to which they removed and occupied for ten years. About this time the Union Turn-Verein was organized, and drew to itself, from a variety of causes, almost all the young and active members from the parent society, which consequently became almost dormant for some years. Meantime the society had sold their property on Adams Street, and held thereon a mortgage of $3,500, the interest on which, during its years of inactivity, was annually paid over to the German School Association, to assist in the maintenance of their school on Second Street. In the Summer of 1879 the Union Turn-Verein fell into difficulties and all its active members came over in a body to the old institution, and by this accession a new and prospective term of usefulness was opened to it. A new constitution and by-laws were adopted, and the membership has now risen to about sixty and is still steadily increasing. The gymnasium of the society is at present in the old Court-house on Hamilton Street, but they expect very soon to erect a handsome building of their own, and have already appointed a committee to se- cure a suitable location. In 1879 Mr. J. C. Wieting was president, and the officers for 1880 are: President, A. L. Schimpff; vice-president. Albert Triebel ; secretary, Albert Pfeiffer ; corresponding secretary, Henry Hedrick ; and treasurer, Jacob Müller. Regu- lar business meetings on first Thursday in each month at the hall.

Union Turn- Verein. - In 1868 nine members of the l'eoria Turn-Verein, becoming dissatisfied with the management of that society, resolved to sever their connection with it and organize another Turn-Verein. Their first business meeting was held in Ross' lumber yard, where the " Union Turn-Verein " was formally organized. Meetings were afterwards held at Engine House No. 3, and the society grew strong in number and en- thusiasm, so much so, that six months after organization, its strength was one hundred and thirty members, sixty of whom were active, young Turners. In the Summer of 1869 the society bought the church building corner Madison and Liberty Streets, for use as a gymnasium, at a cost of $3,650, and in order to properly fit it up for their use, incurred a further indebtedness of $7,500. Here the Turn-Verein remained, strong and prosperous, for about nine years, and cleared off all its load of debt, except a sum of 84,000, which was secured by a mortgage on the building. In June, 1878, the building was amicably surrendered to the mortgagee, it having become, from dampness and recent obstruction of its ventilation, unsuitable for the further use of the society. The old Court-house on Hamilton Street was then rented and occupied till October, 1579, when, owing to the defection of many of its active members, they were obliged to give it up, and also to dis- pense with the services of a teacher, whom they had hitherto been able to employ at a salary of $50 per month. The officers, however, are not without hope that the society will again taste prosperity, and in the near future hope to erect a frame building on South Adams Street, which will have ample accommodations for all the purposes of the society.

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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 81

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