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 95
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Recruiting company: E. C. Wiley, Capt .; T. H. Traey, Ist Lieut .; Wm. Smith, 2d Lieut .; Wm. Humphrey, Orderly Sergt .; Wm. Cowser, 1st Sergt .; C. H. Keightlinger, 2d Sergt .; Silas Caldwell, 3d Sergt .; J. H. Foster, 4th Sergt .; A. G. Bartholomew, Ist Corpl .; O. Bigelow, 2d Corpl .; E. C. Wing, 3d Corpl .; Thos. Blake, 4th Corpl .; Frank Walton, 5th Corpl .; Wm. Brain, 6th Corpl .; Henry Elliott, 7th Corpl .; W'm. Cleve, 8th Corpl.
Meetings are held in the different churches every Tuesday evening. The influenees of the organization are spreading, and effective temperance meetings are largely attended and judiciously managed.
Graded school organized in the Autumn of 1863. Began operations January, 1864, under charge of Prof. Tompkins. Present school-house was erected in 1866 and has five school rooms, one recitation room and one library room. The building cost about 820,000. Eight teachers are employed. A building in the east end of town is used for a primary school. Number enrolled per term for the past five years. from 350 to 100. Mr. Crow, present principal, has had for two years $1,200. School year embraces eight months, of twenty-two days to the month. Assistant to principal, Miss Magee, has had for two years 855 per month. Grammar teacher, 850; all the others have had $44. The cost of running the school has, for two years, been about $5,000, which includes repairs, additions to library apparatus, insurance ete. The present Board of Directors are P. HI. Hopkins, president : J. J. Lobaugh, clerk, and William Forbes. At the first graduation, in 1872, eleven graduated - ten ladies and one gentleman ; in 1879, eight -five ladies and three gentleman.
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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY:
The trustees of the State University at Champaign have an arrangement by which high schools of proper standing may, upon examination by the president, send their graduates to the University without preliminary examination.
In accordance with this arrangement Dr. Gregory visited the Elmwood school in Mav of 1879, and examined the classes in the high school. He accepted the school as being of the proper standing, and students can now enter the University upon graduating there.
Elmwood Prese .- In the mouth of June, 1857, John Regan, who had the previous Spring discontinued the publication of the Knoxville Journal, which with a circulation of 1,600 weekly copies was borne down under the credit system, brought to Elmwood a new printing press and material to start a weekly paper in the place, which, though only three or four years old, gave promise of becoming a prominent town. On the 6th of January, 1858, the Elmwood Observer made its appearance. The place being small, several of the more prominent citizens agreed to contribute various sums as a bonus toward its support, and though some of these were never paid, the paper by great economy and hard work continued to be published regularly up to May, 1859, when the press and materials were shipped to Taylor's Falls, Minn. During the short career of the Observer an edition of about 200 copies was printed for Yates City, then lately made a station on the Peoria & Oquawka R. R. This edition was styled the Western Watchman. This continued for only eighteen weeks, ceasing for want of support. Another edition of 150 copies was furnished for Maquon, styled the Maquon Times, which continued for a year and a half.
On the 19th of May, 1860, Woodcock & Son, printers from Peoria, came to town and started the Chronicle, which continued to be published to the 6th of September, 1862, when O. F. Woodcock, the son, enlisted in the 77th regiment of volunteers. No paper was published here from that time till July 19, 1866, when the Observer was again started by the previous publisher-J. Regan. A few of the citizens contributed about $150 by way of loan, to assist the paper to make a start. The Observer thus re-estab- lished continued to appear regularly for ten months, also an edition for the same time. O. F. Woodcock having returned from the army, purchased the press and materials, and resumed publication of the Chronicle. Up to this time the papers were neutral in poli- tics, but the revived Chronicle came out as a republican paper, and so continued under Woodcock till he retired September 14, 1871, leaving all the printing material behind him, in the hands of his creditors. The paper continued under control of the Chronicle Co. to November 9th, the same year. On the 17th of the same month J. A. Somerby obtained a lease of the office, and published the Chronicle till the 9th of May, 1872, when R. P. Childs, a compositor in the office, took control of it, but he only continued till the 4th of July, same year. On the 18th of the same month Jos. P. Barrett, a Peoria com- positor, took it up, with Mr. E. R. Brown as editor. Finally on August 15, 1872, the office was sold to Alpheus Davison & Son, who continued the paper under the same name to November, 1873 -the close of the presidential contest, in which it favored the elec- tion of Grant. The Chronicle was discontinued, after a fitful existence in many hands of about eight years and eight months! and press and type were removed to Canton.
The Winter of 1873-4, found Elmwood without a paper once more.
On the 6th of March, 1874, the first number of the Messenger, a seven-column folio, was published by Mr. J. Regan, and obtained a good patronage in subscription and adver- tising from the first, which has been continued up to the date of this sketch February, 1$80, with a regular weekly issue for the past year of 720 copies.
The success of the Messenger has caused others to attempt rival publications in the town, of which the following is the record : On the 30th of May, 1874, J. A. Somerby commenced the publication of the Industrial Journal, which was continued to January 6, 1876, and then ceased, and the office fell into the hands of creditors.
On the 7th of June, 1876, W. P. Clifford and A. M. Swan commenced to publish the
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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY.
Central Illinois News. On the 6th of September. same year, they took in as a partner a printer named Bowman, and styled themselves the " News Printing Co." On the 20th of October, Clifford and Bowman dropped out, and A. M. Swan attempted to carry it on alone, but suspended December 1st, after a total career of six months only. The paper was published during that time with a different heading as the East K'nox News, and both ceased together.
Undeterred by the rocks on which former enterprises were wrecked, John C. Snyder, a young man who had lately been attending college, commenced the publication of a semi-weekly paper, the Express, on the 3d of July, 1877. This it was thought would certainly be a taking feature, and promised success. John labored hard to make his little paper a sueeess, and kept it up to the end of September. On the 4th of Octo- ber he came out with the weekly Express, and announced that it would be devoted to the advocacy of the greenback faith. But this made little impression, for about the middle of the same month he sold his press and news type to Colville Bros. of Gales- burg, and after continuing a few months working on jobs, he traded off the remnant of the office to W. E. Phelps, and left town.
The first number of the Gazette was issued in Brimfield, November 4, 1875, and continued publication to July 2, 1879. During the time of its existence at that place it enjoyed the confidenee of the business men and residents. Believing that Elmwood was a better point, and needing a live local newspaper to represent the town, it was removed to that place. The first number was issued July 10, 1879, and continued up to Decem- ber. December 5th, same year, it was changed from a eight column folio-weekly to a six column-folio, and issued as a semi-weekly, and at this date has a patronage second to none of any local newspaper in the county, although its cotemporary has attempted time and again to weaken its influence, and has signally failed. The semi-weekly Gazette hus become a living factor of the place and already proved, notwithstrnding other failures, that the citizens will support an unprejudiced and liberal newspaper.
Elmwood, Ills., February 28, 1880.
Mr. Regan, who twenty-two years ago printed its first paper, still prosperously con- duets the Messenger.
Fire Department. - The Neptune Fire Company, Engine No. 1, was organized June 18, 1869, is in complete running order with a force of thirty-four reliable and efficient men, with Stephen Adams as foreman, who has taken a great interest in the company since its organization. The company has been the means of saving a great deal of valu- able property, and the town should be proud of their department. The officers are as follows : Stephen Adams, foreman ; Win. Dailey, second assistant ; J. II. Spring, secre- tary ; Jas. Hepenstall, treasurer. The town is well supplied with water, having eight publie cisterns, with a capacity of 2,000 barrels. They have just been fitted up with 500 feet of new hose and putting in cisterns, so they feel tolerably safe. C. H. Keighttenger is always on hand to do his duty as nozzleman, and never shrinking from his post.
Masonic Lodge. - Horeb Lodge, No. 363, A. F. & A. M., located at Elmwood, Ills., met first as a lodge (U. D. ) November 22, 1860. Chartered October 1, 1861. Charter members : Hugh Armson, S. S. Buffum, E. F. Bartholomew, Lewis Corbin, W. H. Chapman, C. G. Eggleston, M. L. R. Huse, A. Hull, P. H. Hopkins, N. D. Jay, L. H. Kerr, J. E. Knable, Benj. Rillie, J. J. Lowe, John Martz, Eph. Marshall, J. C. Riner, Harrison Steele, W. M. Suisher, Geo. W. Smith, Philip Snyder, J. H. Truax, A. N. Wil- cox, A. J. Wiley, H. H. Wood. First officers of the lodge : L. H. Kerr. W. M. : J. E. Knable, S. W .; Lewis Corbin, J. W. Masters of the lodge: L. 11. Kerr, 1860-61-66 ; N. D. Jay, 1862-63-64-78: A. J. Wiley, 1865-75; James Lee, 1867-70; J. R. Secord, 1868-69-71-72-76. Harrison Steele in 1874, and P. V. R. Dafoe, 1877-78-79. The pres- ent officers nre : P. V. R. Dafoe, W. M. ; A. J. Wiley, S. W .: James Hepenstall, J.
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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY.
W .; W. H. Bentley, Secretary ; John F. Caldwell, Treasurer; W. W. Stalker, S. D. ; L. H. Collings, J. D. ; H. J. Morris, S. S. : Jacob Fry, Tyler.
The present membership is about seventy-five. Hall on the corner of Hawthorn and Magnolia Streets. The lodge meets on Tuesday evening of or preceding the full moon. Annual election of officers at the regular meetings preceding the anniversary of St. John, the Evangelist. Installation of officers December 27. Transient brethren are cordially invited to visit the lodge. C. G. Eggleston gave the lodge its name by honor of being the oldest Mason.
Arcaneus Lodge, No. 102, I. O. O. F., was first instituted at Brimfuld, Peoria county, Ills., April 9, 1852, with District Deputy G. M. Linneli in the chair. Charter members consisting of the following, viz : L. S. Robinson, Robert C. Hart, Thos J. Moore, Jacob Sapping and John Smiles. Surrendered charter, turned over books and regalia to Grand Lodge Nov. 19. 1863. Re-organized under the same charter in Elmwood, through the influence of Mr. J. B. Reed, a former member of the Brimfield Lodge, July 7, 1873. The charter members of this organization were as follows : Thos. W. Keene, W. S. Ritchie, D. B. Jones, Wm. Hurlbut, Samuel Alluvelt, Silas Caldwell and J. B. Reed. The first officers were Thos. W. Keene, N. G., W. S. Ritchie, V. G., J. B. Reed, Sec. and Samuel Alluvelt, Treas. The present officers are Dr. W. T. Sloan, N. G., H. B. Webster. V. G., A. G. Bartholomew, Sec., Jacob Fry, Treas., J. P. Bradshaw, sitting Past Grand. They have a good hall in connection with the Masonic Lodge, in Vandervort's block, out of debt. The Lodge is composed of the best men in the city.
Salem Grange was organized June 11, 1874, with 39 charter members. The officers were Josiah Strain, master ; Walter M. Evans, secretary. The present membership is fifty-one. In March, 1878, erected a hall, at a cost of $500. Regular meetings on first and third Saturdays of every month. The present officers are Samuel Gordon, master ; II. A. Harrison, secretary.
Soldiers' Union Association, Elmwood, Illinois. - The Soldiers' Union Association was organized in Elmwood, April 25, 1876, electing the following officers : J. J. Rose, president ; M. O'Shea, vice-president ; W. H. Bentley, secretary, and George S. Smith, treasurer. Names of members : J. B. Reed, 14th Ill. Cav. ; D. C. Harkness, 13th Minn. Inf. ; D. C. Harkness, 1st Minn. Art. ; J. S. Herbert, 17th Ill. Inf. ; W: H. Bentley, 77th Ill. Inf., 77th U. S. Col. Inf., 10th U. S. Col. Art. ; J. J. Rose, 47th III. Inf., 77th Ill. Inf .; G. B. Olney, 40th Ohio Inf. ; L. F. Matthews, 112th Ill. Inf. ; S. P. Oldfield, 102d Ohio Inf. ; R. R. Adams, 4th Ohio Cav .; Rob't Girvin, 9th Ohio Cav. ; S. Adams, 60th N. Y. Inf. ; F. T. Wilson, 32d Ill. Inf. ; R. J. Biggs, 77th Ill. Inf. ; O. Daniels, 102d Ill. Inf. ; C. H. Kightlenger, 8th Mo. Inf., 11th Ill. Inf., 47th III. Inf. ; W. H. Rillie, 1st Col. Cav. ; Geo. S. Smith, 77th Ill. Inf., 132d Ill. Inf. : W. Shireley, 22d Penn. Cav .; Chas. Antan, 17th Ill. Cav. ; A. G. Bartholomew, 132d III. Inf. ; S. M. Birkest, 18th Va. Cav. (confederate) ; Chas. E. Tappen, 21st N. J. Inf. ; E. Van Patten, 86th Ill. Inf. ; I. E. Hurff, 8th Mo. Inf. ; J. Bostorf, 4th Mo. Cav. ; M. O'Shea, 8th Mo. nf. ; R. Darby, 77th Ill. Inf. ; Chas. Turner, 72d Ill. Inf .; J. C. Coe, 7th Ill. Cav. ; J. R. Secord, 77th Ill. Inf. ; C. D. Bowen, 4th Ia. Cav .; W. Gabriel, 86th Ill. Inf., 14th Ill. Cav. ; W. D. Mathews, 112th Ill. Inf. ; D. Beck, 77th Ill. Inf. ; R. Atherton, 77th Ill. Inf. ; D. M. Cowser, 32d Ill. Inf. ; J. MeLaughlin, 47th Ill. Inf. ; M. Boland, 77th Ill. Inf., 130th Ill. Inf. ; S. A. Harper, 17th Ohio Inf., 52d Ohio Inf., 61st Ohio Inf. ; Wm. Forbes, 11th Ill. Cav. ; Geo. W. Oldfield, 16th Ohio Inf., 178th Ohio Inf. ; W. D. Cone, 77th Ill. Inf. ; 1I. W. Marsh, 3d Mich. Cav. ; I. C. Murphy, 12th Mieh. Inf., 5th Ohio L. Art., 6th Ohio L. Art. ; J. Forbes, 55th Ill. Inf. ; Joseph Wheeler, 47th Ill. Inf. ; G. D. Hollinger, 99th Ohio Inf. ; A. J. Crow, 7th W. Va. Inf .; 62 members. The association has met yearly to decorate the fallen soldiers' graves.
Coal Mining and Manufacturing Interests .- Elmwood Coal Company. - The first coal mined in this region was found on land belonging to W. J. Phelps, contignous to
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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY.
the village of Elmwood, in the year 1838, at which time it was only needed by the country blacksmith. Gradually a few coal stoves were introduced and as the supply in the bed of the stream became exhausted, tunnels were run into the side hills for the small quantity wanted.
In 1866 W. E. Phelps formed a partnership with James Lee, who had, for some time, been working a " breaster " mine, for the more systematic development of the coal business. The style of the firm was James Lee & Co.
A shaft was put down in the timber west of the residence of W. J. Phelps and worked by horse power for a little more than a year, when it was deemed advisable to look for coal nearer the village. About this time W. J. Phelps joined the firm. In the Autumn of 1867 a shaft was opened and fitted with an engine. This was operated about two years, when it was found best to sink still another shaft, leaving this one for an escapement shaft - supposed to be the first one in the State affording absolute security to men below in case of fire or other accident.
In the Autumn of 1869 a tramway a little more than a mile long, laid with sixteen pound tee rail, was constructed and a coal yard opened in the village. This track was also connected with the railroad chutes for coaling engines, and also with the side track for shipping coal in car loads. A year or so later a track was run into the engine room of the paper mill, furnishing it with fuel direct from the mine.
The next year Mr. Lee retired leaving W. J. Phelps and W. E. Phelps owners of the concern, which has since been operated under the style of the Elmwood Coal Company. In 1873 the present shaft was put down and fitted up the following season. The amount of coal mined averages about five hundred thousand bushels a year, more than three-quarters of which is shipped to other points. The number of men em- ployed as miners, day men, drivers, and outside helpers, varies with the season from seventy-five to one hundred. The seam worked is what is known as No. 6, or the mud seam vein. Borings have been made which show that there are two good workable veins below, and a comparison of the strata indierte the existence of vet two more veins still lower down. Arrangements are in progress for the development of these lower coals on a large scale at an early day.
W. J. Phelps and & Son. The manufacture of brick by machinery was commenced by James Lee & Co. in 1867. In 1875 W. J. Phelps & Son resumed the business and have made made over a million each year. They are also contracting builders and have erected several of the principal business houses as well as a number of small residences in the village. Four years ago they attached a saw mill to the engine that drives the brick machine which they operate in Winter. They also get out each Winter a quantity of railroad wood which is sawed ready for engine use at the mill. This business employs from forty to fifty men and boys in the Summer and about half that number in the Winter.
W. E. Phelps & Co. In 1866 W. J. Phelps. A. L. Tracy, J. A. Vandervoort. L. F. Jones, J. J. Rose, H. P. Tracy and W. E. Phelps organized a stock company for the pur- pose of working in wood and iron. A machine shop, foundry, wood shop and blacksmith shop were built and fitted with necessary machinery. The company also became propri- etors of Rose's tin upsetter, punch and shears, then just patented.
The works were superintended conseentively by J. J. Rose, L. F. Jones, William Douglas and Samuel West. Various manufacturing ventures were tried, but the concern lost money, and finally stopped business altogether. W. J. Phelps. A. L. & H. P. Tracy, and Jones & Vandervoort, however, paid all the debts, and as a consequence, be- came owners of the property.
In 1874 W. E. Phelps purchased the interests of A. L. & H. P. Traey and Jones & Vandervoort, and with W. J. Phelps formed the present concern of W. E. Phelps & Co. The principal business is the manufacture of tin upsetters, punches and shears, tin
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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY.
binders, tyer irons of various patterns, all kinds of wagon castings, sled shoes, and bridge work, wood-sawing machines, field rollers, stalk cutters, and various other articles for the wholesale trade. A large amount of work is turned out for Chicago and St. Louis jobbing houses. They are also prepared to furnish mining supplies, and to execute jol) work of all kinds in both wood and iron. A few wagons are turned out each year, and house building is done as opportunity offers. The shops have been considerably enlarged and much new machinery put in. The business is prospering, and now furnishes con- stant employment to about twenty men.
Elmwood Paper Manufacturing Company organized 1867, with a capital of $20,000, which was increased in 1869 to $30,000. The property was sold in 1871 under trust deed, and purchased by H. P. Tracy, who has operated it continuously since, turning out 8,000 pounds straw wrapping per day. Use some 2,000 tons straw annually ; 300 bushels coal delivered daily by Elmwood Coal Co. Market for paper, Peoria and Missouri river towns, G. E. C. Wheeler & Co., Peoria, taking 1,000,000 pounds annually.
An event which caused much excitement in Elmwood, was the murder of Charles McNeil, a colored barber, by another negro, named Berkley Lisbon, on Saturday night, May 28, 1868. The incentive to the murder, as given by Lisbon in his confession, was anger. because McNeil owed him money and he could not get it. McNeil was killed in his own house. Mrs. McNeil, the wife of the murdered man, was an accomplice in the terrible deed. Both were convicted ; Lisbon was sentenced to the penitentiary for life ; and Mrs. McNeil for fourteen years.
HALLOCK TOWNSHIP.
The geographical designation of this township is " township 11, N. range, 8 E," and is one of the tier of townships bordering upon Marshall county. It forms a part of the northern half of LaSalle prairie. The township contains a great extent of bluff and timber lands, a belt of which runs through its center from north to south, varying in width from nearly four miles in the north, to a little over one mile at its southern boundary. The twelve western sections are almost free of timber, and contain a most excellent body of land. The southeast corner is also clear, and splendid farming land.
The first settler in this township was without doubt Lewis Hallock, who came to it about the year 1820, and after some months roving about among the Indians, took up some land and built a cabin in what is now called Hallock's Hollow, near Union. He was a native of Long Island, N. Y., had left home when a young man, wandered west- ward, and had for many years previous to his appearance in Peoria county, lived among the Indians in Wisconsin and elsewhere, gaining a livelihood by hunting and trapping. At the time of his settlement he was a single man, and about 1825, lived for some time with a Frenchman called Osier, who was the government interpreter to the Pottawattomie Indians, and had married into the tribe. In the Winter of 1829, he married a Mrs. Wright, a daughter of Hiram Cleveland, and brought her to his cabin in the hollow. By her he had one child, a girl called Clarissa, who afterwards married Henry Robinson. Hallock died April 1, 1857, on his old farm, at the age of sixty-one years. He was a man of sterling character, upright and honest in all his dealings.
About 1825, settlers from the East began to drop into the district, Simon and Aaron Reed came from Jackson county, O., in November of that year, and they were closely followed by Moses and Samuel Clifton, Francis Thomas, Joseph Meredith, Cornelius Doty, Resolve and Hiram Cleveland, Gerchom Silliman and family, and William Wright. In 1830, Joel Hicks and family, and Jeriel Root, with his sons Erastus C. and Lucas Root came. The greater part of these settled near the north end of LaSalle prairie. In 1830, Joseph Meredith settled on Sec. 12, and kept a small tavern, for the accommo-
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HISTORY OF PEORIA COUNTY
dation of the stage-drivers and travelers on the main road between Galena and Spring- field.
In the last days of June, 1836, Roswell Nurs with his son Isaiah Nurs, and Ebenezer Stowell, came to the township on a prospecting tour. They started from Chenango county, N. Y., walking to Buffalo and coming from thence to Toledo by water, again took the road and traveled to Hallock township on foot, with rifle on shoulder and all their impedi- menta in one knapsack. Taking due note of the fine land yet lying unclaimed in the township, they pursued a zigzag course toward Quincy, still prospecting, but found no lands more inviting, and on arriving forthwith entered their land in the Government Land Office at Quincy, and returned to take possession. They found at this time no one living north of Northampton. but in the Fall of the same year (1836) Erastus Root moved to his present location on Sec. 3.
The Winter of 1831, was an exceptionally severe one all over the West. During the Winter, two men, strangers to the settlers, named Dr. Franklin and Me Millian, with six yoke of oxen and two sleds, loaded with goods and bound for Prairie du Chien, stopped at Simon Reed's and after a stay of about a week, during which they built another sled, and hired a man by name of Cooper to go with them, started some time in the month of January, and were soon after caught in a terrible northeast snow storm which filled up the track, and caused them to lose their way. Night overtook them when out on the prairie near Boyd's Grove, and they turned the oxen loose and tried to reach Boyd's on foot. Two of them perished, and the third - MeMillian-got there next morning badly frozen. Eleven of the oxen were frozen to death, and one came to Meredith's.
The deepest snow ever known in the township fell during this Winter. It was three feet deep on the level, and the drifts were in some places fifteen to twenty feet deep. The cold was steady and intense. The deer and wild hogs died in great numbers, and the prairie chickens, quails, etc., were almost entirely destroyed.
The Black Hawk war in 1832, found the settlers in this district not only prepared for self defense, but to take the field against their treacherous foe. In April, of that year. Thomas Reed, Edwin S. Jones, Lucas Root, James Doty, Elias Love, and Simon Reed, volunteered, and their services ware accepted. Simon Reed was detailed to act as teamster, and served until the close of the war. The others named were at the front for thirty days, and afterwards served as rangers on the frontier between Peoria and Rock river, until they received their discharge at the close of the war. Previous to this out- break the Indians were quite numerous and very friendly. The Pottawattomies had three towns in or near the township -one on the land now occupied by Emory Silliman in Medina township, one at Smith's Springs, and one on the Senachwine creek, not far from the bridge.
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