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 94

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 94

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On the 12th of September, 1875, the communicants of the parish, with the exception of four, voted to unite with the Reformed Episcopal Church, and since that date the par- ish has been known as St. John's parish of the R. E. Church. The few members who declined coming with the majority have nevertheless kindly co-operated with them in parish work, and have rendered generous and efficient assistance. The new organization commenced with 27 communicants. Owing to the pressure of the times, it was decided, in April, 1877, to suspend pastoral services, and to close the church. By removals and deaths, the number of communicants was reduced to 21. Quite recently, in consequence of a remarkable religions awakening in the community. the house has been re-opened, services have been re-established, and for the present Mr. Davis is once more in charge of the parish. On the 15th of April, 1880, 18 persons were received by confirmation (Bishop Cheney officiating), and one by letter. The society expect to organize a Sunday school at once, and hopes soon to have the ordinary parish machinery in efficient opera- tion, under encouraging prospects.

Schools. - The school of Chillicothe city, like the country and the place, has been progressive. The first one-room school-house on the square, became inadequate to the wants of the growing town, and the first portion of the present brick structure was erceted in 1856, 30 x 56 feet in size, two stories high and containing four rooms, at a cost of about 81,000. In 1870 the south wing, containing two school, two recitation rooms, and a hall, was added, which with some repairs upon the other part, cost $6,000 It occupies three city lots, is handsomely located in the central part of the town, and pre- sents an imposing and pleasing appearance.

The school consists of a first and second primary, intermediate, grammar and high school departments. The course embraces ten years of attendance, and when completed fits the pupil for entering the freshman class in college. J. W. Moffitt is principal, and has an efficient corps of assistant teachers. The method of instruction is thorough, and eminently practical ; rendering the Chillicothe school, under the present management, one of the best in Peoria county.

There are three district schools in the township, beside the Chillicothe and Rome schools, each having a good honse, and all carefully provided for by the local school offi- cers and in a flourishing condition.

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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY.

Temperance Reform Clubs. - The Chillicothe Red Ribbon Club was organized Sept. 23, 1877, by Brother Bonticau, of Jackson, Michigan, with a membership of about five hundred. The following is a full list of the officers : Captain Adam Stuber, president ; J. W. Fuller, 1st vice-president ; J. L. Pond, 2d vice-president ; Robert Menzie, 3d vice- president ; N. S. Cutright, secretary ; J. L. Kennen, Jr., assistant secretary ; James Ken- lock, financial secretary ; Henry Truitt, treasurer; William Story, steward; Dr. J. F. Thomas, first marshal; Thomas H. Oakford, second marshal ; Warren McFarland, sergeant at arms. Executive Committee : William Colwell, J. G. Johnson, A. H. Ran- ey, Thomas Ashworth, and A. J. Story. Finance Committee : Stephen Martin, P. T. Matthews and C. W. Carroll. The club rented Slinn's Hall at two hundred dollars per annum.

The club has been the means of doing a large amount of good in the place. They hold a gospel temperance meeting every Sunday night, and their business meetings once in two weeks on Wednesday evening. The first Sunday evening in each month is given up to the children, and the hall is always crowded to its utmost capacity, the exercises consisting in school readings, singing and recitations, etc., by the children. One year ago there was a probability of the building being sold for saloon purposes, when the mem- bers of the club formed a joint stock company, and purchased it and lot, ran a partition through the lower story and rented it, receiving $200 per annum for the lower story ; giving the club the use of the upper story for the insurance and taxes on the building. The first year the expenses of the club were quite heavy, as it cost them about $400 to fit up their rooms, which, together with the rent was a heavy tax. Soon after renting the hall, the club fitted up a neat free reading room and smoking room. Sociables and entertainments are given by the club which are fruitful of much good, in improving the moral and social status of the community.

The club has paid out about $1,400, part of which has been to secure speakers and for charitable purposes. The White Ribbon Club is composed of the temperance women of Chillicothe. They have proved a noble band of workers, and have aided and strength- ened the Red Ribbon Club financially, and by their words and deeds have done valiant service in the temperance work. The club is in a good working condition at this time. The present officers are : Dr. J. F. Thomas, president ; Stephen Martin, Ist vice-presi- dent ; Wm. J. Story, 2d vice-president ; J. W. Moffitt, 3d vice-president; Dr. O. F. Thomas, secretary ; E. A. Mitchell, financial secretary ; Henry Truitt, treasurer. Exec- utive Committee : Levi Booth, Capt. A. Stuber, Elias Entz. Finance Committee : L. A. Wood, P. J. Matthews, Thos. Ashworth.

George Washington Lodge, No. 222, A. F. § A. M., was organized by dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Illinois in 1855. In the following year a charter was granted, dated October 7, 1856, empowering the following brethren as officers for the ensuing masonic year to work, viz. : Wm. McLean, W. M .; L. A. Wood, S. W .; H. A. Raney, J. W. The balance of the charter members were : D. B. McMasters, Samuel C. Jack, Nathan Chapin, Hiram Goodsell. Wm. B. Herrick was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, and Harman G. Reynolds was Grand Secretary.

Chillicothe Royal Arch Chapter, No. 123, received their charter dated October 9, 1868, appointing Wm. McLean, H. P .; Henry Hosmer, King ; John L. Kenner, Scribe. The balance of the charter members were, viz: J. W. Fuller, J. W. Hurst, Isaac Lewis, Geo. M. Gibbons, John Ungar, Geo. P. Lester, H. F. Hyde, C. W. Carroll, Robert Will and Obadiah Eads.

Order of the Eastern Star, Wreath Chapter, No. 143, was organized by charter dated February 7, 1873. John L. Kenner, Worthy Patron ; Sarah V. Fuller, Worthy Matron ; Dorcas Lester, Associate Matron.

There is also a flourishing lodge of the I. O. O. F. in Chillicothe, the promised mat- ter of which has not been furnished.

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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY

Fire Department .- In 1876 the first organization for the protection against fire was effected. The company consisting of ten members was formed and named the Champion, with G. P. Lester as Fire Marshal. It only existed a few months ; and there was no further effort made until the Fall of 1878, when another company, called the Rocket, was organized, with James Kenlock as Capt .; G. B. Temple, Lieut .; W'm. Story, Fore- man and twenty members, G. P. Lester being appointed Fire Marshal by the city. During the existence of the Champion company a large, two-cylinder chemical engine was purchased, at a cost of 82.000; but finding it too heavy and unwieldly, it was ex- changed for two single eylinder engines of 100 gallon and 70 gallon capacity. The Rocket company is still in flourishing condition. In September, 1879. it competed at the State tournament. in Peoria, and won the first prize ; but from a hitch in the distribution of the premiums, the company failed to receive its award.

The Press. - Like most country towns, Chillicothe has had a newspaper experience neither flattering nor profitable to the town nor the journalistic aspirants. Several papers have been started in the place and continued for a longer or shorter period, and died from lack of sustenance.

The Review, its present representative in the newspaper world, was started in the Fall of 1879, by George Holton, a practical printer, and still lives. It is issued weekly, and the half of the paper printed in the home office is entirely devoted to local matters.

ROME.

The village of Rome was laid out by Jefferson Taliaferro, and the plat filed for rec- ord December 24. 1832. The original plat contained twenty-four blocks, of eight lots, 5x8 perches in size, situated on section 5, town 10 north. 9 east. The town site is a beautiful one, on the right bank of the Illinois river, fifteen miles above Peoria, and for several years it had quite a rapid growth. In 1835 it contained a tavern of eight or ten rooms, kept by N. Sirlott, and several stores and groceries, some of them carrying large stocks of goods. Wm. A. Ogle, Hiram Cleveland, Mr. Bingham, J. B. Adams and Joseph Blish were among the first merchants. Hezekiah Rose was an early settler in the place. In 1835 steamboats landed regularly, the town contained about 300 inhabitants, and was the most important point on the river for many miles. The first school was taught by a one-armed soldier, named James Pierce, who died some years ago in this county. The upper story of a store was used for school purposes until the present neat frame struet- ure was erected in 1858, at a cost of 81.000. The district, which is an independent one, maintains school nine months in the year, with about fifty scholars in attendance.

Rome has had a post office since 1835, save the decade from 1843 to 1854. Mr. L. Adams is now postmaster. There is no church building in the place, but the Methodists who have a class, hold services in the school house. The only mercantile establishment in the village is a small grocery kept by Thomas P. Nicholson.

In 1837, Isaac Underhill, of Peoria, purchased 2.200 acres of land. inelnding the town site, and planted 500 acres to orchard in the immediate vicinity, some of which trees still stand. The financial crash of 1837 proved a fatal blow to Rome, from which time it steadily declined. It is a way station on the Bureau branch of the C., R. I. & P. railroad, and ships considerable fruit and produce. Mr. HI. S. Rose, who carries on blacksmithing, is the oldest resident living in the village, and has resided there over forty-four years.

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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY;

ELMWOOD TOWNSHIP.

Elmwood is in town nine north, range five east, and is one of the western tier of townships in Peoria county. It was originally about one half prairie and one half timber, and possesses a superior soil. The surface is gently undulating and well adapted to agriculture. Some parts are slightly broken by the branches of Kickapoo creek, along which are some of the finest coal mines in the county. The township is crossed by two branches of the C. B. & Q. railroad, which form a junction at Elmwood city. The Peoria branch connects it with that city, twenty-five miles distant. Elmwood city is located on sections seven and eight, was laid out in 1854, and is a flourishing place of 2,000 popu- lation ; is next to Peoria city the largest and most important commercial manufacturing town in Peoria county. During the year ending June 1, 1879, 681 cars of produce, and 1010 of coal were shipped from Elmwood.

First Settlers. - John Ewalt was the first settler in Elmwood township. He came from Sangamon county, Ills., on the 1st of May, 1831, located on section twenty-nine, and broke the first soil. Isaac Doyle was the next, settling on Section thirty, May 1, 1832. In the Fall of 1834. W. J. Phelps settled on section eighteen, where he now resides. During the Winter of the same year Fountain Watkins settled and made improvements on section twenty-nine. Avery Dalton settled on section nineteen in 1837, coming from Fulton county. The early pioneers went thirty-five miles to mill. One barrel of Kana- wha salt cost them $20.58. Isaac Doyle was the first justice of the peace, elected in 1833. The first marriage was that of Abner Smith to Eliza Ann Doyle, in March, 1834. The first child born in the township was Rebecca Ewalt, February, 1834. Daniel Fast was the first school teacher. The post office was established in the township in 1847, at the residence of Hon. Wm. J. Phelps, which was first called Elmwood, before the name was given to the township. Mr. Phelps was the first postmaster.

For some time after Mr. and Mrs. Phelps settled in their new home the township including it was not laid out, nor was there at first any post office nearer than Peoria or Canton, though a little later one was established at Farmington. Fulton county. They felt it necessary that their place should be known by some more specific designation than that which described it as a " place in Peoria county," and accordingly decided to call it " Elmwood," from the beautiful grove of elms near their dwelling. And in this way Elmwood became noted as the home of Mr. Phelps long before the township or the vil- lage had been so called. Mr. Phelps succeeded in getting the mail route extended from Farmington to his place. Subsequently when the township was laid out it took the same name as did the village and railroad station, all taking their names from Elmwood, Mr. Phelps' home.

Little did he think when he gave that appropriate name to his rural home that in a few years a town taking the same name would spring up within a mile of him, contain- ing many first-class stores, a bank, fine church buildings, and manufacturing interests, and would be a center of enterprise and refined society, such as Elmwood is to-day. Mr. Phelps has always been a public spirited man and has been intimately identified with the progress and development of Elmwood. He owned the land where Elmwood is located and laid out the town in 1854. And being desirous that it should be the home of intelli- gent and moral people, he used his best efforts to induce only that class to come and settle here. With this view he decided not to sell a town lot to a saloon-keeper, or for any other purpose incompatible with the moral interests of the community. Thus the young town got well started, and was the legitimate offspring of a high and noble pur- pose. Who can tell how much Elmwood is indebted to-day to its good beginning ?

Congregational Church. - Pursuant to a notice publicly given to persons who had taken letters of recommendation from their respective churches, and who were desirous of uniting in organizing a Congregational Church in Elmwood, met for that purpose at

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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY.

the house of W. T. Brewster, on Monday, June 5, 1854. Mr. Wm. J. Phelps was ap- pointed moderator, and Mr. W. H. Chapman. scribe. The church was duly organized, consisting of the following members : Wm. J. Phelps. Mrs. Olive B. J. Phelps. Walter T. Brewster, Mrs. Emily C. Brewster, Zeno E. Spring, Mrs. Arvella G. Spring, Warren H. Chapman, Mrs. Susan S. Chapman, Mrs. Ann L. Tracy.

A constitution, articles of faith and church covenant were adopted ; Brothers W. T. Brewster and W. H. Chapman were chosen deacons.

Of the nine original members seven are now numbered with us. Rev. F. Orton. then a recent graduate of Union Theological Seminary, N. Y., became the acting pastor, June, 1854. He died in Elmwood, Ang. 20, 1855, greatly beloved and mourned by his people. During his pastorate nine members were added to the Church by letter. Four of these are still connected with it.

During the years 1854 and '55, the Church and society erected the edifice now used for the worship of God. Previous to the time of its completion, the congregation wor- shiped in an upper and unfinished room over the store of Mr. A. L. Tracy. Rev. R. Rudd supplied the pulpit for a few months, commencing December 16, 1855. From some time in March, 1856, until August of the same year, the church had no stated min- isterial supply, but there were added to the church during the time twelve members by letter, and three on profession. Rev. J. Steiner became an acting pastor of the church in August, 1856, and labored as such until May 31, 1858.

Rev. Sherlock Bristol received a call November 18, 1558, and became the acting pastor of the church, and labored as such nearly two years.

Rev. W. G. Pierce commenced his labors with the church April 21, 1861, and soon after received a call from the church and society to become their pastor. He was duly ordained and installed November 20, 1861. During the progress of the war of the re- bellion he acted as chaplain of the 77th Regiment of Illinois Vol's, something more than a year, the church granting him leave of absence for that purpose. Hle was also absent for a few weeks in the service of the U. S. Christian Commission, in the Army of the Potomac. (The church exercised a very large liberality in carrying on the war, in gifts both of men and money.)

Mr. Pierce closed his ministry with the church in 1871. For some months the church was without a pastor, being supplied by different clergymen and candidates. In 1872 Rev. Albert Fitch preached as supply one year. The church then called Allen J. Van Wagner, who had just graduated from the Chicago Theological Seminary, Mr. Van Wagner at once entered upon his labors, and the October following was duly or- dained and installed as pastor of the church. His pastorate still continues. During his ministry thus far, forty-one have been added to the church on profession of their faith, and some thirty by letter. He has baptized forty. The church membership is now one hundred and sixty-five. The audiences are large ; the Sunday-school and prayer meet- ing alive and well sustained. The church is in n harmonious, healthy condition. It re- cently celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary, and the sixth of its pastor. Letters were read from absent ministers, historical papers by Deacon W. T. Brewster and Hon. W. J. Phelps. Addresses were given by Revs. W. G. Pierce and A. J. Van Wagner, and with gratitude to God and hope for the future, the church moves onward towards its half century of existence and effort.

Presbyterian Church. - In pursuance of an appointment by the Presbytery, of a com- mittee for the purpose of organizing a Presbyterian church in Elmwood, said committee met on June 5, 1856, in the M. E. church, for that purpose. Said committee consisted of Daniel F. McFarland, Wm. A. Flemming and John C. Hanna. After a sermon by Rev. John C. Hanna fourteen persons presented letters from Evangelical churches, re- questing of the committee to be organized as a church, to be called the First Presbyte- rian Church of Elmwood. The following persons were elected as officers: Andrew D.

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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY.

Rodgers, elder, and W. Bush, John Bodine, George Grigg and Levi Richardson, trustees. The first Lord's supper, under the administration of the present organization, was held in the M. E. church June 8, 1856. Members of session : D. F. McFarland, moderator and clerk ; A. D. Rodgers, elder. After the organization of the church in Elmwood they bought a house of the Congregational society, they had erected out in the country, and had it moved into Elmwood, as a house of worship.

After struggling along for about three years in a half dead and lifeless condition, toward the latter part of 1859 it was found the organization existed only in name and not in fact, the minister and most of the former members having moved away or joined elsewhere, it was, on consideration of the then existing state of affairs, thought advisable to apply to the Presbytery for a reorganization. Such application being made, the Pres- bytery appointed a committee, which met on the 20th of December, 1859, when twenty- three persons presented testimonials with letters, desiring to be organized into a congre- gation and still to hold the former name, First Presbyterian Church of Elmwood. Offi- cers elected : Messrs. Wm. Simpson, George L. Lucas, Joseph Warne, elders. Messrs. Simpson and G. L. Lucas having been previously elected and ordained to the office of ruling elder, were duly installed as ruling elders in this church on the 15th of January, 1860, James E. Marquis being moderator of session. Rev. James E. Marquis was pas- tor of the Elmwood church from the year 1859 until his death, February 22, 1863, when Rev. George N. Johnson supplied the pulpit about one year, when Rev. James H. Smith was called as pastor of the church June, 1864, and continued as pastor up to the Fall Presbytery of 1867, when the pastoral relations were dissolved by mutual consent. In November of the same year Rev. John R. Reasoner commenced preaching for the church ; and received an almost unanimous call to become its pastor at the Spring meeting of the Presbytery. The call was accepted, and he still remains pastor. May 30, 1879, the number of members was 108. Wm. Cratty is clerk of session.

The Church of Elmwood has for the most part of its existence, been under the care of the Board of Home Missions or Board of Sustentation, the members being, to consid- erable extent, minors and persons in quite moderate circumstances.

The Sabbath school averages seventy-five or eighty members, and is superintended by S. N. Coe. The present officers of the church are: J. R. Reasoner, pastor; L. F. Mathews, J. N. Rodman, S. N. Coe, elders ; John N. Crow, Wm. Cratty, clerks.

Methodist Episcopal Church. - This church was organized in the Spring of 1851, by Rev. G. W. Miller, and was connected with the Brimfield church under the pastorage of N. J. Gidding. The original members were Mrs. E. A. Smith, Mrs. Huldah Bradley, David Mowrey and Elizabeth Mowrey, Mrs. Jacob Doyle, Perry Jarman and Nancy Jarman, Annette Washburn, Mr. and Mrs. John Bevins, Mrs. Betty Gibbs, and May Doyle. David Mowrey was appointed leader for some time and held meetings at Mr. A. H. Smith's, afterwards occupied a little log school-house east of Elmwood. Subsequently the society held service alternatively with the Congregational church in the room over A. L. Tracey's store. The society began their church building in 1856. In the Spring of 1857 it was dedicated by Rev. Silas Bowles of Chicago. The first church in Elmwood. During twenty-eight years the society has never been without a pastor. In the year 1862 the pastor, B. C. Swartz went into the army as chaplain, but his col- league Rev. G. W. Gue took charge of the work immediately. Seventeen ministers has had the direct care of the people, assisted by twelve others, all of whom, with the excep- tion of Rev. M. D. Heckard, still live. The first ten years the society was connected with some other work. In 1865, Elmwood became a station, Rev. J. Sanders, pastor. From 1865 to 1879, they have had seven pastors.

United Brethren Church, Southport, Elmwood township, was organized about 1872, at the school-house in Southport, with some fourteen or sixteen original members, viz. : E. M. Lawrence and Mrs. E. J. Lawrence, John Knox, Charles Ivett, C. M. Clough,

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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY.

Rachael Clough, M. F. Haynes, Mary Haynes, Matilda Swartz. Mary Briggs, David Brandt, Emma Brandt, a Mr. Church, Stephen Lee and Harriett Lee, Otis Smith and wife.

The church was organized by J. H. Snyder. They still held services every two weeks in the Southport school-house. The officers are E. M. Lawrence, steward, and Chas. Ivett, elass leader.

Christian Temperance Union of Elmwood. - Was organized on the 6th day of May, 1879. Its membership includes many of the best and most influential citizens of Elm- wood. The temperance tidal wave first reached Elmwood April, 1879, when Mrs. Rus- sell, of Chicago, inaugurated quite a reform revival. The interest she excited was care- fully fostered by the Christian men and women of the town. Some time in April, 1879, Mrs. Russell, who was laboring in Lewiston and Farmington, Illinois, was invited by a committee of the churches and good people of the community to deliver a series of lec- tures, which was largely attended and resulted in the organization of a Christian Tem- peranee Union that numbered over eleven hundred members. Rev. J. R. Reasoner ealled to the chair. Mrs. R. stated the object of the meeting to be the organization of a Chris- tian Temperance Union at Elmwood. The constitution was then read by the aeting secretary and was adopted. The following persons were elected as officers: S. N. Coe, president ; T. H. Traey, James Lee and S. S. Graham, vice-presidents ; W. I. Plum, secretary ; Edison Watton, assistant secretary ; Dr. J. J. Lobaugh, corresponding seere- tary, and A. L. Traey, treasurer. The executive committee consisting of A. G. Vander- vort, Samuel Allewatt, W. W. Jones, J. M. Rodman, C. W. Spangler, N. S. Barber, W. H. Kellogg, Rev. J. R. Reasoner, Rev. Ferguson, John Regan, Henry Sehenk, J. Hepen- stall. C. II. Keightlinger, C. E. Wiley, Geo. Dixon, G. S. Smith and Rev. A. J. Van Wagner.

Music committee : Dr. Tompkins, Wm. H. Turner, Miss Sanders, Miss L. Purcell, Mrs. E. C. Wiley, Mrs. D. D. Mendenhall, Miss C. Jordan and Mrs. Wm. H. Kellogg.

Blue ribbon committee : Mrs. C. W. Spanglers, Mrs. Samuel Farrar, Mrs. C. P. Watton, Jennie Bowers, Amy MeNay, Hattie Hepenstatt, Mollie Duggins and Laura Ramsey.

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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 94

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