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 91

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 91

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Whitton & Co., 114 Fulton Street, manufacture " Mrs. Messinger's Dry Hop Yeast," have been in business about a year, keep four hands employed, and turn out about 1,000 cakes per day.

WHOLESALE BUSINESS.

Wholesale Boot and Shoe. - Moses Pettingill & Co., 123 S. Washington Street, was established in 1861 as J. P. Bean, and afterwards J. P. Bean & Co., and in 1875 the firm was changed to Moses Pettingill & Co. They carry a stock of $30,000 to $50,000 and do an annual business of $125,000. Employ two traveling salesmen and their principal trade is in this State. Their goods are manufactured in the Eastern States especially for their trade.

Carriage Trimmings. - Blair Brothers, 119 Main Street, established October, 1879, carry in stock all goods necessary for fitting ont carriages and buggies ;

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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY

rubber. enamel and carriage cloths, enamel leather of all kinds, mats and carpets. Carry a stock of 87,000. The trade is represented on the road by one of the firm.

Carpets and Wall Papers .- J. N. Hadley, situated at 209 S. Adams Street, embarked in business in 1870, and does a general jobbing business through the central part of the State. He carries a stock of $50,000, and his annual receipts are $150,000. Oeenpies in room 24 feet by 350 feet, and is the principal jobbing house in the city.

Clothing. - S. Bennett, Bro., & Co., wholesale and retail dealers, 201 and 203 S. Adams Street, established in 1860. Employ fifteen meu in the house and three traveling salesmen on the road continually. Carry a stock of 8150.000 to 8175,- 000, and do an annual business of 8250.000. They occupy a brick four story building. 38 feet by 95 feet deep. They do the only wholesale clothing business in the city. Their clothing is manufactured in Philadelphia expressly for their trade.

Crockery. - Is represented by P. S. Shelly, 231 S. Adams Street. Carries a stock of $28,000, and does an annual trade of 8120,000. Has an extensive trade through Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Missouri. Employs four traveling salesmen.

Drugs. - The wholesale drug house of Messrs. Singer & Wheeler has so long been iden- tified with the vast resources of Peoria, that it is really needless to make mention of its pros- perons career since its establishment in 1859. The business of the house grew so rapidly during the first five years of its existence that they were forced to seek new and more commodious quarters, and to this end in 1869 they erected a three story brick building. with basement, 45 by 171 feet, at Nos. 218. 220 and 222 S. Water Street, where they have since remained. This establishment was fitted up regardless of expense in every department. In the office may be found the Edison and Bell Telephones, together with all other modern labor-saving devices for conducting the business of the house. It has often been stated by those familiar with the drug trade, that the house of Messrs. Singer & Wheeler is one of the largest west of New York City. Their vast trade can be no better illustrated than by stating that it reaches the States of Illinois, Indiana, Missouri. Jowa, Kansas, Nebraska and Minnesota. Mr. Porte Wheeler is the sole proprietor and manager of the wholesale drug firm of Messrs. Singer & Wheeler, together with all its branches, and its great success is largely due to his ability and business tact. The stock of drugs, chemicals, patent medicines, druggists' sundries, etc., ete., is said to be the largest carried in the State. To illustrate this more strikingly, the sales of the house exceed something over 8600,000 annually, and are yearly on the increase.

Colburn, Burks & Co., (successors to Simonean & Colburn. ) importers and whole- sale druggists, was established in 1863. Carry a stock of $125,000 to $150,000. They do an extensive trade over the north-west. Employing four traveling salesmen, who are continually on the road, and thirty-one men engaged in the house. They do an annual business of 8700,000. This firm ranks with any in the Northwest.

Dry Goods. - Day Brothers & Co., one of the oldest honses in the city, was estab- lished in 1856, on Washington Street, and prosecuted the retail trade until 1860, when they embarked in the jobbing trade, and carry a stock from $200,000 to 8300,000, and holds the trade of central Illinois. Also have an extensive business in lowa. Missouri and Kansas. Employ forty-five clerks in the house besides about the same number of girls in making overalls, and five traveling salesmen constantly on the road. They have a resident buyer in New York, a member of the firm. Their annual receipts are 81,250,000.

Erwin & Co., wholesale and retail dealers in dry goods, 102 S. Adams Street, (Snecessors to Erwin & Ireland. ) Established in 1875. Carry a stock from $180,000 to $150,000, and do an annual business of $400,000 to 8500,000. Their trade extends through Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Kansas. Ocenpy two rooms fifty by

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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY.

one hundred and seventy-five feet; also a storeroom about the same size. Employ thirty-five clerks in both branches and four traveling salesmen.

Woodward, Ward & Co., wholesale and retail notions, hosiery, fancy dry goods, toys, etc., 205 and 207 S. Adams Street, was established by Seabury & Company, and was changed in 1872 to Woodward, Seabury & Co. In June, 1877. this was changed to Woodward, Ward & Co. Carry a stock from $65,000 to $100,000. Their sales are in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Kansas. Employ five traveling salesmen on the road con- tinually. They occupy a three-story brick, with basement, forty by eighty feet, a store and packing room, twenty-five by sixty feet, and also have a room in King & Jack's Building, thirty-six by one hundred feet. Annual sales between $250,000 and $300,- 000. The only strictly wholesale notion house in the city.

Farm Machinery .- The wholesale farm machinery and seed house of Messrs. King- man & Co. is widely and extensively known, but to impress its importance upon our readers we will say a word in reference to its standing. The business was established in 1867, and is located at Nos. 116 and 118 S. Washington Street. It has a frontage of thirty-four feet by one hundred and seventy-four feet deep, a fine three- story brick structure with basement. The house deals in all descriptions of farm ma- chinery, seeds, etc. To accommodate their already large and growing trade they have two immense warehouses besides a branch depot at East St. Louis. During the past thirteen years, Mr. Martin Kingman has stood at the head of the house, and their success is greatly due to his affable manner and business sagacity. They have four traveling salesmen on the road constantly. They carry a stock from $30,000 to $50,000, and do an annual business of $350,000.

Groceries .- The business of the house now widely known as Henry, Oakford & Fahnestock, was started January 1, 1868, by Jos. F. Henry, Aaron S. Oakford and Geo. Wright, under the firm name of J. F. Henry & Co., doing an extensive retail business on N. Washington Street, near Main. January 1, 1870, Messrs. llenry & Oakford bought out Mr. Wright's interest, the firm name being changed to Henry & Oakford. They enlarged the retail trade of the house, and added a wholesale department. From very small beginnings the wholesale trade steadily grew. The 1st of January, 1872, Mr. H. H. Fahnestock joined Messrs. Henry & Oakford in the business, the firm name becoming Henry, Oakford & Fahnestock. They moved to S. Washington Street, near Liberty, and from this date confined themselves exclusively to the wholesale trade. Mr. C. J. Off was admitted into the firm in 1874, and retired in 1877.

More room was needed, and they moved in 1875 into a large store below Liberty, on Washington Street. In a few years the business had reached such proportions that they were again forced to move. In 1877 Easton's Commercial Block was built expressly for them. Their wholesale grocery establishment is among the finest in the State.

The trade of this house, wonderful as has been its growth, is still increasing. Six traveling salesmen work up the trade on the road. In twelve years the business has grown from $25,000 to about $1,000,000 per annum.

S. H. Thompson & Co. established in business in March, 1863. Carries a stock of 850,000. His annual sales are 8500,000. Employs three traveling salesmen. Is located at 70 and 72 Liberty Street, and MeCoy & Stewart, located at 210 and 211 South Wash- ington Street. Commeneed business. in 1860. Carries a stock from $40,000 to $50,000. Occupies two rooms 38x170 feet, and basement. Has two salesmen on the road con- stantly. Their annual sales are $250,000.

Lewis, Green & Co., 230 South Washington Street. In the Fall of 1853 embarked in the retail business on Bridge Street, and continued up to 1865, when they commenced the jobbing trade. Carries a stock of $40,000, and does an annual business of from $350,000 to $400,000. Has three traveling salesmen constantly on the road, also five men in the store.

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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY

I. B. Gibson, No. 104 South Washington Street, embarked in the retail grocery trade in 1852, and in 1860 formed a partnership with J. M. Woodbury, and embarked in the jobbing business until his death, which occurred in 1870, since which time he has conducted it on bis own hook. Carries a stock from 840,000 to $60,000, and his receipts amount to $175,000 to $200,000 per annum. Hlas three men constantly on the road. Occupies three rooms 24x100 feet. His principal trade is in the central por- tion of Illinois.

Chas. J. Off & Co., 116 and 118 Liberty Street, established in 1878. Handle a full line of groceries, tobaccos and cigars. Manufacture Dr. Miles' Premium Baking Pow- der and Flavoring Extracts, etc. Carry a stock from $35,000 to 865,000. His principal sales of groceries are in Illinois, but his tobacco, cigars, baking powder and extracts have a much larger scope. His annual sales are 8300,000. an increase of over 870,000 the previous year.

Hardware. - Isaac Walker & Son, importers and jobbers of hardware and cutlery, 125 and 127 South Washington Street. Was established in 1842 by Walker & Lightner, which run for some time and then changed to Walker & Melllvane. In 1872 it was changed to Walker, Thompson & Co., and in 1877 it became the firm of Walker & Son. Handle general shelf hardware, cutlery and guns. Carry a stock of $50,000. Annual sales 8175,000 to 8200,000. Employ two traveling salesmen, and their goods are sold chiefly in the central portion of this State.

Cununings & Emerson situated at 416 and 418 S. Washington Street, wholesale deal- ers in heavy hardware, wagons and carriages and wood : work established 1867. Carry a stock of $50,000. and do an annual business of nearly $200,000. Their sales are prin- cipally in the central portion of Illinois.

Geo. W. Rouse, wholesale hardware. 110 S. Washington Street. Embarked in the retail hardware in El Paso in 1853. And in the Spring of 1875, came to l'eoria. Carries a stock from 830,000 to $60,000, and does an annual business of $175,000. Also handles seed extensively, his sales amounting to upwards of 875,000 per annum. His principal business is done in the central portion of the State. Employs three trading men.

Clark, Quiun & Morse, wholesale dealers in shelf hardware, cutlery, and guns, 217 and 219 S. Adams Street. The firm was established in 1869 as Clark, Quinn & Chalmers, and continued as the same until Sept. 1874. Carries a stock of $40.000. Annual sales are 8150,000, and principally in the central portion of this State. Also make sales in Indiana and lowa. Have a fine store room in a good location.

W. A. Hunter, wholesale dealer in iron, steel, heavy hardware and carriage and wagon wood work. Located at 314 and 316 S. Washington Street. Successor to MeClure, Cutler & Co. Carries a stock of from 825.000 to $10,000, and his trade amounts to 8100.000. Employs one traveling salesman.

4. F. Hotchkiss, 120 S. Washington Street, dealer in hardware and cutlery. Was first established on Main Street in 1849. Carries general hardware, sporting goods, helt- ing. nails, tools, ete. Has one to two travelling salesman on the road. Carries a stock of 825,000 to 830,000, and his annual receipts are 875,000. Has three rooms 24 by 172 feet.

Beasely Brothers embarked in the saddlery hardware, harness and leather in the Fall of 1865, on S. Washington Street, and continued as the same firm until 1876, when the present firm was formed as Beasely & Co. They are located on 119 S. Main Street. Carry a stoek from $15,000 to 820,000. Their annual sales are 875,000. Employ two travel- ing salesmen who are on the road continually.

Leather. - V. Dervine & Co. leather and shoe findings. 108 S. Adams Street, (Der- vine & Black ) came to Peoria in 18H and engaged in the shoe manufactures and leather. Carried on that business until 1854, when he sold his shoe interest to Guill & Roff, and continued in the leather trade until 1857, when he sold out to Culter, Easton & Co.

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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY.

Then embarked in the lard, oil, and candles. Remained in that business nine months as the firm of Dervine & Ford. Then the firm of Beasley, Dervine & Co. was formed, and embarked in the leather works. In 1861 the firm was dissolved and Mr. D. started in leather business again in 1863 in company with David Fey, and known as V. Dervine & Co. In 1866 purchased the interest of Mr. Fey, and conducted the business on his own account until Jan. 1, 1880, when he formed a partnership with John A. Chalmers. Carry a stock from $10,000 to $20,000, and their annual receipts are $40,0 0.

Liquors - M. Hennebery, wholesale liquor dealer, 7 and 8 South Water Street, embarked in business in 1851, as the firm of Brandamore & Henneberry, which continued for five years ; since that time, Mr. H. has conducted the business by himself, carries a stock of $30,000, has an extensive trade through the Northwest, doing an annual business of $250,000. Mr. H. is one of the oldest business men in Peoria.

H. & J. Schwabacher, wholesale liquor dealers, 214 and 216 South Washington Street, embarked in business in the Spring of 1862. They carry a very extensive stock, and their trade extends from Maine to California. They have three traveling salesmen constantly on the road.

Ullman & Co., wholesale liquor dealers, 225 South Washington Street, embarked in 1870, and carry a fine stock of all kinds of liquors, valued at from $30,000 to $40,000. Their principal trade is in Illinois, Indiana and Iowa. Their annual receipts are from $140,000 to $150,000.

J. G. Behrends, wholesale liquor dealer, 300 South Washington Street, commenced trade in 1872, carries a stock of from $4,000 to $8,000. His annual receipts are $40,000. Also deals extensively in ice.

The Lumber interests of the country comprise one of the most important features of the nation's industry, and its growths are synonymous with the various developments and improvements that are constantly in progress. And as regards Peoria and this vicinity, this particular interest is well represented in the yards of this city.

Jonathan Hancock's yard was established in 1855, as the firm of Hancock & McCul- lough, which continued until 1865, when Mr. H. bought the interest of Mr. Mccullough, and has prosecuted the trade on his own account. Carries a stock of from 1,200,000 to 1,500,000 feet. His trade is principally in the central portion of this State.

Joseph Miller & Sons' yard was established in 1848 (by Joseph Miller, deceased,) builders, and dealers in lumber, laths, shingles, timber, etc., on the corner of Washington and Walnut Streets. Carries a stock of from 1,250,000 to 1,500,000 feet. In the year of 1879 handled 4,500,000 feet. Employ in building and yard one hundred men.

J. T. Rogers & Co., corner of Adams and Harrison Streets, was established in 1860. They handle hard wood and pine lumber, and have a large local trade, and are well pre- pared for dressing lumber, of which they use a large amount in manufacturing boxes, making 6,000 per month, according to the demand. The lumber business amounts to about 3,000,000, including laths and shingles. Carries an average stock of 1,000,000 feet.

Ira Smith & Co., lumber dealers, was established in 1850 by Ira Smith, and contin- ued up to 1870, when he sold his interest. In 1875 embarked again, as the firm of Ira Smith & Son, and continued until his death, which occurred Dec. 16, 1879. Keep in stock 800,000 feet, and annnal sales are 1,200,000 feet. Mr. Smith was among the first to embark in the lumber business in the city.

Procter & Tripp, wholesale and retail dealers in pine and hard lumber, carry a stock of 3,900,000 feet, including shingles and laths. Have an extensive trade.

Jefferson Carson, foot of Edmonds Street, established the latter part of Octo- ber, 1879. Carries a stock of 3,000,000 feet of pine Iumber. He also manufactures his lumber at Ludington, Michigan. Does a general jobbing business, and ships out on all the railroads that leave the city. He is, strictly, the only wholesale shipper and manu- facturer in the city

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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY.

Tinners' Stock, Stoves and House Furnishing Goodx. - R. A. Cutter & Co., 115 S. Washington Street, was established in about 1850 by T. C. Moore, and in 1560 the firm was known as Moore & Sandemeyer. In 1809 the firm changed to Gutter, Sandemeyer & Co., Mr. Moore going out of the business, which continued till 1878, when it was changed to R. A. Cutter & Co., the company buying Mr. Sandemeyer's interest. Their chief sales are made in the central portion of the State. Also ship some goods to Iowa and Kansas, Carry a stock equal to any in the State outside of Chicago. They have a brick building three stories with basement 24xx150 feet. Also have two rooms 24x90 feet.

Tobacco and Cigars .- Newman & Ullman, 225 S. Washington Street, was es- tablished in 1859. Carry a full line of cigars and tobaccos of $25,000. Their trade is principally in Illinois, Indiana and Iowa, and do an annual business of $200,000. Is the oldest house in the city and employ two traveling salesmen constantly.

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

The Peoria Chamber of Commerce was the first public exclusively business building crected in the city. It stands on the east corner of South Washington and Harrison Streets, and is a beautiful, imposing edifice, creditable to the city's commercial enter- prise.

Architect T. V. Wadskier, of Chicago, drew the plans for the building, and the contract for construction was let to William P. Caverly, of Toulon, Ill., and Hiram H. Pierce, of Peoria, on the 25th day of April, 1875, for 869,900. Ground was broken on the first day of May and the corner stone was laid on the third day of June with grand ceremonies, conducted by the Ancient Order of Free and Accepted Masons. The struc- ture was completed, turned over and accepted by the Chamber of Commerce Association on the 15th of December, 1875. At two o'clock in the afternoon of the same day. the Board of Trade rooms were formally opened, and the building was dedicated with appro- priate speeches and exercises. Governor Beveridge and other distinguished persons, to- gether with delegates from the various Chambers of Commerce and Boards of Trade in the West, honored the occasion with their presence.

The building has sixty-five feet frontage on Washington Street, a like rear front on Commercial Street, by 145 feet frontage on Harrison Street, and the same on a court or alley twenty-eight feet wide, extending parallel with Harrison Street. The cellar is nine feet in the clear, below the Washington Street sidewalk, a little above the level of which is the first floor. The first story is 13 feet 3 inches in the clear, the second story 14 feet 3 inches, the third story, baek, 13 feet 3 inches, and the fourth or gallery story 13 feet. The Board of Trade exchange room is 61 feet wide by 104 long, and 34 feet 9 inches high in the clear, extending upward from the third floor to the highest ceiling. From the foundation of the walls to the top of the main roof is 97 feet. The tower is 20x20 feet at the base and 16x16 feet at the top, and rises Is feet above the main roof. The flagstaff above the tower is 32 feet long, surmounted by a weather-vane 134 feet above the level of the sidewalk. The clock dials in the tower are 93 feet above the street level.

The foundation and main cross walls are laid upon thick, broad dimension-strong, and built up to the joists of the first floor of Joliet ruble stone, laid in cement. The first course of stone above ground is fine rubbed limestone. Above this the outer walls are built of selected brick and blue Amherst cut stone trimmings. The division walls are all of brick-as are the numerous vaults. The timbers ure of selected well seasoned pine. The first and second hall floors are of hard maple, the room floors of white pine. The stair steps are nah, and the railings, balustrades and posts, of black walnut. The outside trimmings, except the stone, ure of galvanized iron and zine, and the roof of the best Vermont slate ; the windows are the best French plate-glass, double thick. The

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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY.

building is amply supplied with water by the water works, well lighted and finely venti- lated. It is warmed by a steam-heating apparatus, on what is termed the "indirect " method, using 22,000 feet of steam pipe, and put in at a cost of $8,000.

The clock in the tower is a No. 1 Seth Thomas, with three illuminated dials, ninety- three feet above the ground, and cost set up, $500.

Neither the heating apparatus nor the clock was included in the original contract.

This magnificent building is a conspicuous feature of the city, and excepting the Merchant's Exchange of St. Louis, and the Board of Trade building of Chicago, is the most elegant in the West.

CITY BUILDINGS.

City Hall .- The City Hall is on Fulton Street near the corner of Madison Street, and was erected in 1859, under the administration of Mayor Wm. R. Hamilton. The lots upon which it and the City Markets adjoining stand, were bought about a year previously. The principal cause of the building being erected at that time, was the pres- sing necessity of having an Engine House near that point. In the minutes of the meet- ing of the City Council held March 18, 1859, is found the first mention of the proposed structure, in the form of motion by Ald. Brass, that the ordinance authorising its erec- tion he passed. Thereupon the ordinance became law, and rapid progress was made in carrying its provisions into effect, and in the latter part of the same year it was com- pleted and formally opened. Mr. Valentine Jobst was the architect, and Mr. Joseph Miller, the contracting builder. It is of brick, with stone trimmings, two stories in height, with tower for fire alarm bell, and cost in the neighborhood of $10,000. Together with the adjoining markets, it occupies a frontage of 144 ft. on Madison, and 171 ft. on Ful- ton Streets. The City Hall contains the offices of almost all of the city officials, viz : Mayor's office, City Clerk's office, offices of City Engineer and Surveyor, Superintendent of Water Works, Collector of Water Rent, Chief of Fire Department, with Fire Alarm Telegraph, Supt. of Police with calaboose in the rear, and has also on second floor a fine large council room, for the meetings of city fathers. The building on the whole, is far from being prepossessing as to its exterior, or comfortable in its interior, and the present City Hall will doubtless soon give place to one more in keeping with the growth and progress of the city, of which it constitutes the Hub.

Markets .- The City Markets adjoin the City Hall, and are directly on the corner of Madison and Fulton Streets. They were built about the year 1859, and cost about $10,- 000. They are in the form of a cross, and are built of brick, with a height of one story with high roof. The floor is flagged, and the interior laid off in stalls, which are sold by auction to the highest bidder in May of each year. The markets are not a source of much revenue to the city, as the sum realized from the annual sale of the stalls just meets ex- penses and interest on the investment. For last year the sum thus realized was $1,859.01 and the expenses $985.01, leaving a balance of $874 to pay interest, etc.

Engine Houses. - The Central City Hose, and Chemical Engine House, on North Adams Street, between Hamilton and Fayette Streets, is the oldest engine house in the city, but has been remodeled and fitted up anew since the organization of a paid fire de- partment. It is valued with lot on which it stands at $5,400.

The building occupied by Fire Company No. 4, on Gallatin Street, between Pecan and Cedar Streets, is also an old one, and is also used as a Police Station for South Pe- oria. It is valued with the lot at $1,750.

Holly Hose House, corner South Jefferson and Sanford Streets, Bluff Hose House on Main Street near Elizabeth, and Chemical Engine House No. 2, on South Adams Street near the Plank Road, have all been built within the last six or seven years, and are re- spectively worth with the lots, $3,000, $3,400, and $3,800.

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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 91

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