USA > Illinois > Stephenson County > The History of Stephenson County, Illinois : containing biographical sketches war record statistics portraits of early settlers history of the Northwest, history of Illinois, &c. > Part 47
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For months prior to the town becoming a city, the question of obtaining a charter therefor was generally agitated. Meetings were held, at which a full and fair discussion of the important subject was had, participated in by such men as D. A. Knowlton, Judge Farwell. C. S. Bogg. J. C. Kean, A. T. Gree, Judge Purinton and others, and the necessities of the town were fully canvassed. The people, as a rule, were largely in favor of the change, arguing that it would bring a more efficient government, in many respects, than was then enjoyed. The population and business had increased rapidly during the past years, and brought to the surface new interests, which required the care and protection of legislation ; with growth and prosperity, it was claimed, the moral character had been in no very great degree elevated, and it was indispensable that the town be rid of the pestering vices which had thus far attached to the city's growth. To accomplish their destruction, enlarged powers, such as would be conferred by legislative enactment, were necessary.
Opponents of the proposed change urged that the Town Trustees possessed every power that would be vested by a city charter; that it was within the pre- rogative of the board to organize and provide for the support of a police force and fire department; to suppress tippling and gambling houses: to arrest disorderly characters, and generally to provide ways and means for the enforce- ment of right and justice.
These discussions were continued until the Legislature convened, when, in response to an application therefor, a charter, incorporating Freeport into a city, was passed, and an election held on the 2d of April, 1855, with the fol- lowing result: Thomas J. Turner, Mayor; Treasurer, E. W. Salisbury ; Clerk,
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
H. N. Hibbard; Marshal, W. W. Smith; with John A. Clark, W. G. Waddell, Joseph B. Smith, John Barfoot, A. Cameron Hunt and John P. Byerly con- stituting the Board of Aldermen.
At this period, the commercial and other advantages of the new city may be regarded as fortunate and important. Situated at the junction of two rail- roads, the business men had direct connection with Chicago and the East, and St. Louis and Cairo on the south, while the coal fields of Illinois were but seventy-five miles distant. The tide of western travel from the Eastern States to Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin, passed on one road, and the Southern travel on the other. The counties of Stephenson, Carroll and Green (the latter in Wisconsin) centered their business in Freeport, and over these counties were springing up farms, improvements and other features of long-settled countries. Mention has been made of the foundries, mills and machine-shops attracted to Freeport, and it only remains to observe that with these surroundings and resources the prediction was made that within a decade of years Freeport would be regarded as one of the first inland towns of the State.
The improvements completed and ready for occupation during this period, among others, numbered a building on the south side of the square erected by Judge Farwell, Martin & Karcher's building, on Stephenson street, Mitchell & Putnam's bank building, at the corner of Stephenson and Chicago streets, and E. H. Hyde's block. This latter was said to be the most complete of any up to that time erected in the city. The ground floor was occupied as a dry-goods store and banking office, the second story was fitted up for offices. while the third floor was occupied by a hall for meetings and concerts. It was 45x70x15, handsomely furnished, and would comfortably seat several hundred.
Aside from these features, the entire building was heated by steam and lighted by gas-the first public building in the city thus appointed, it is believed. This building was known as Plymouth Hall.
In addition to this improvement, the city contained nine churches, and the large congregations attending each were an indication of the moral tendencies sought to be utilized by legislation. There were also three schools and an addi- tional paper, the Deutsch Anzeiger, all of them doing, if not a " land office," at least a remunerative, business. From these facts and statements, obtained from every accessible source of information, it will be seen that the predictions ven- tured, as above quoted, were not suggested by men of straw, nor yet enthusi- astic visionaries, but by men who reason from correct premises and deduce con- clusions irresistibly convincing.
One feature of perfection, however, was wanting to " render the setting " complete, and that was a first-class hotel. This want was keenly felt by citi- zens, and before the close of 1855 arrangements had been completed for a build- ing five stories high and containing every convenience of comfort and luxury. The Exchange Block, on Stephenson, between Chicago and Mechanic streets, was occupied this year. This extensive addition was made by Engle & Strohm and John Hoebel, and very materially improved the appearance of the city. The ground floor contained commodious and handsomely finished stores ; the second story was fitted up for offices, and the third was occupied by a hall, well arranged with reference to comfort and convenience.
Early in the spring of 1856, the Brewster House was commenced, and arrangements were completed by the Freeport Manufacturing Company for the erection of a building 150x60 and four stories high, the same to be located on Spring street, near the gas works. Both buildings were completed in 1857, in spite of the panic, and taken possession of. The Brewster House is still in use,
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
but the handsome and thoroughly equipped brick put up for manufacturing pur- poses is unoccupied. Mr. Jere Pattison is the present owner of the latter prem- ises. In 1856, the square containing the Exchange Block was further beauti- fied by the erection of four buildings by J. B. Childs. The block was divided into stores, offices, and a public hall, and cost $10,000 when completed. A new three-story brick was put up by J. P. Spitler, on Chicago, between Galena and Stephenson streets, and many other improvements were perfected which still remain enduring monuments to the memory of the enterprising citizens who flourished about this time.
Ordinarily, the growth of a town resembles that of the human frame, where the process of assimilation is so gradual that no line of demarkation between the old and the new can be drawn. But in Freeport that line was so visibly plain that no man erred in regard to its location. In fact, there were three distinct planes of improvement in the city : One belonging to that period when Freeport was a promising village, with a good water-power and farming country as resources. This plane was illustrated in the old-fashioned court house, the one-story stores and the small tavern enveloped in porches and white paint. Another class of buildings was erected when the prospect of railroads was encouraging. Two-story brick stores were substituted for one-story frames, and the handiwork of early settlers who had by this time become independent in circumstances, was seen in the improved style of residences that were built under their direction. Lastly come edifices which belong to the era of railroad communication, palatial residences, stately churches, brick blocks, halls and establishments where gas-light revels amid wealth and taste.
The young city had lengthened her cords and strengthened her stakes with the increase of years, and everywhere were to be seen, as the decade clos- ing with the dawn of 1860 winged its flight, indubitable evidences of prosperity and refined culture.
But this state of affairs was only secured after enduring privations, exhib- iting enterprise and encouraging improvements, even during the dark days of 1857, when hard times were the most prominent perspectives visible in the picture of the future. The panic of that year has been referred to already, and is only suggested in connection with its effects, which became visible in the city between that date and during the years immediately subsequent.
When the panic came on, the business directory of the city showed a total of forty-eight dry goods and grocery stores, five drug stores, ten clothing stores, four furniture establishments, five saddle and harness shops, two book stores, three banks, two confectioneries, four hardware stores, five bakeries, two gun shops, four jewelry stores, four meat markets, one hat store, seven boot stores, three liquor, two cigar and tobacco, and two paint and oil stores, twelve hotels, six millinery establishments, five agricultural implement agencies, two daguer- rean galleries, one brass foundry, nine forwarding merchants, one sash and blind factory, one soap and candle factory and three auction and commission rooms. Besides these, there was a full quota of attorneys, physicians and pro- fessional men, three weekly and one daily newspaper, and a list of manufact- ories, including the Manny Reaper, Williams Threshing, DeArmits Plow and . Stiles & Griffiths Fanning Mill Factories. From this it will be seen that there were few idle hands to engage in mischief. When the financial revulsion reached Freeport, to express it in the language of one who was on the ground and witnessed its effects, " the bottom fell out completely." Excessive bank issues, over-trading, and the rage for speculation in Western lands, brought with them the terrible train of evils, which spread over the country like the wings
et. es. Bubeach FREEPORT.
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
of an Angel of Death. It was several years before Freeport recovered its spirits, and a healthy growth was substituted for deterioration caused by "tight " and "dull" times, the natural outgrowth of 1857, and the concomi- tants which attended that year.
The year 1860 opened with intensely cold weather. On New Year's Day the mercury marked 32° below zero, and this exaggerated visitation remained for several days. This year was noted for no particular circumstance of note until the nomination of Lincoln, his subsequent election and the pro- ceedings that succeeded that event, which are treated of in another portion of this work.
During the summer a horse drover, from Pine Creek, Ind., was murdered near Lena, and for a time no trace could be obtained of his assassin. The body was found, it is stated, by one of Capt. W. R. Goddard's children, and its iden- tity established by means of a memorandum found in one of the pockets of a coat worn by deceased. The mystery was finally solved by the arrest of his mur- derer at Elkhorn Grove, and his removal to Freeport in 1865. His name is stated to have been William Ridgley. He was retained in Freeport until it was generally understood that no prosecution would follow his detention, when he was released.
In 1861, the firing upon Sumter created an excitement corresponding to that witnessed throughout the North. Meetings were held to denounce the "treason," money subscribed to aid in the enlistment and equipment of troops. Liberty poles were elevated, and patriotism without limit invested the city and county. This was maintained up to the close of the war, and to-day, similar causes, direct or collateral, would inspire the people with similar sentiments find expression in similar manifestations.
Improvements were not in harmony with the war spirit of the times. Had this been the case, the streets of Freeport would have been lined with buildings and the highways with homes. The results of 1857 were not dissipated by the excitements growing out of the contest, and, when the first ebullition had exhausted itself, trade resumed its wonted quiet. The most important improve- ments completed between 1860 and 1865 were, among others, Taylor's Block, Fry's Block and Munn's Block, on Stephenson street ; the organization of the First and Second National Banks, and the building and furnishing of the woolen-factory, on the east side of the Illinois Central track, north of Stephen- son street. This important interest was rendered practicable through the enter- prise of C. H. Rosenstiel, W. S. Gray and L. F. Henderson, who expended $50,000 in putting it in order, and conducted it for several years. They were succeeded by Thompson & Blanchard in 1873, the latter remaining in charge until 1877, when the works suspended. They are still owned by C. H. Rosen- stiel and J. I. Case, the latter of Racine, Wis., but are unoccupied.
After the war, the improvement of property and the decoration of grounds became more general, and the forest of trees in which the city is now located dates its growth from 1864. Up to that time there were, comparatively, no shade-trees in the city, and frequent complaints were made thereat. To-day the shade and ornamental trees to be found within the city are said to be entirely too numerous for health.
One of the most violent storms that has visited this section in the last eighteen or twenty years, burst over the city about 4 o'clock on Saturday after- noon, June 19, 1869. For three hours the water fell in torrents, the wind blew a gale, the lightning darted across the heavens, and the elements held a high carnival. A second deluge for a time seemed imminent and by no means
L
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
improbable. To estimate the amount of damage done by the storm, or to detail any or all of the attending incidents, is impossible. In town the greatest amount of damage was done along the banks of the little creek which runs through the city just south of Galena street. The water soon overflowed the banks of this, and began running over the bridges crossing them, and invading the cellars and houses within its reach. All communication between the busi- ness centers and the south part of town was cut off. Those living on the hill and who happened to be caught down town assembled on the banks of the creek and contemplated the scene with dismay, their prospects for supper and a visit to their households growing gradually and beautifully less ; while past them rushed a mass of floating debris sufficiently attesting the damage being done by the flood elsewhere. The mustard factory on Van Buren street, and several other buildings were nearly submerged, while the cellars of Keuhner's furniture store, the lower story of Fehley's turning-shop, Pattison's machine- shop, and cellars of dwelling houses, not only along the banks of the stream, but all over town, were flooded to a greater or less extent. The culvert and bridge on Spring street, between Exchange and Jackson, was raised from its foundation and badly injured ; the abutments of the Exchange street bridge . were also partially washed away. At Chicago street the sidewalk on both sides of the bridge was washed away for a considerable distance, the railing on the east side of the bridge and a portion of the sidewalks destroyed, the premises of John Hoebel, invaded and a large bee-house standing on the banks of the stream containing a number of hives washed away. More or less damage was done at Pattison's machine-shop, and at the gas works, but the greatest loss in town probably was that sustained by John B. Taylor, whose extensive tannery on Jackson street was seriously damaged, the dam being washed away, two of the vats washed out, and some eighty cords of bark and about forty sides of leather floated off. Mr. Taylor's loss was variously estimated at from $3,000 to $4,000. The culvert under the track of the Illinois Central Railroad just below the tannery was badly injured, about one-half of it being washed away and caved in. All over town large trees were blown down or bereft of one-half of their branches.
A large brick house, 30x24, at the corner of Locust and Pleasant streets, which Mr. Waddle was building for D. A. Knowlton, was badly injured, the south and east walls being blown down, and together with joists, window frames and door casings, thrown in one incongruous mass in the cellar below. The brick-layers had just completed the walls a few hours before the storm came on, but not in time to allow the carpenters to put on the rafters which would probably have braced and saved the walls from falling.
Of course, the cellar of Plymouth Block and those of buildings in process of erection, was flooded. At the corner of Van Buren and Stephenson streets the water broke through the gutter and invaded the barber shop under Messrs. Pelton & Co.'s jewelry store. John Hoebel's saloon was also invaded, as was the cellar of Messrs. Middleditch, Potter & Co.'s wholesale liquor establishment, in Capt. Young's new block.
Near the gas works, a boy named Burns, twelve or fourteen years of age, attempted to reach in and secure one of the hives of honey that had floated down from Hoebel's apiary, and in so doing fell in the water and was carried along down stream under two bridges, the rapidity of the current being such that he did not sink. He finally caught hold of some bushes and saved himself just as he was about to be washed under the railroad culvert. He escaped with some slight bruises about the head and a good scare.
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
Taken all in all, the damage done to buildings and other property in this vicinity probably figured up not less than $50,000 or $60,000.
The year 1870 gave bright promise for the future, and the decade to which this was the introductory annual has not altogether failed of a fruition of this promise.
The new court house, the sugar factory, Germania Hall and other build- ings have gone up since its advent, and still are prominent features of attrac- tion in her midst. In all respects the city is prosperous and desirable both for business and residence purposes. The religious spirit predominating is evinced by the number of religious societies and places of worship existing in the city. The system of public schools, as organized and graded, is not surpassed by any employed elsewhere in the State. They are divided into primary, grammar and high school departments, each department being subdivided into grades, and the whole a perfectly systematized course of instruction, running through all the departments of both common school and academic education.
The societies established in the city, including the Masonic, Odd Fellows, Temperance, Workingmen, etc .; the press, insurance and other interests are maintained successfully and in a prosperous degree.
Few towns are more fortunately situated in respect to ease of access and means of travel and transportation. The Illinois Central makes Freeport one of its main points on the line to Cairo ; the Galena Branch of the North- Western advertises the city as its western terminus, and the Chicago, Milwau- kee & St. Paul furnishes a direct line of communication with the Mississippi at Savannah and Lake Michigan at Milwaukee. In addition to these, the Free- port, Pecatonica Valley & Dodgeville Railroad, a narrow gauge hence to Dodge- ville, is surveyed, partially graded, and only awaits the means to promote its completion.
In point of manufactures, Freeport is not inferior to other cities similarly situated. As a market for the purchase and shipment of produce, the city has scarcely a superior in the West. The mercantile business is rapidly increasing, and the wholesale trade approaching an importance beyond comparison.
In all respects, the city contains attractions that invite the attention of immigrants and capitalists ; taxes are light, and other features combine to per- suade many persons to become citizens and establish homes in a city where so many advantages can be obtained for so limited an outlay.
OFFICIAL ROSTER.
Previous to 1850, the village of Freeport was under a Board of County Supervisors. In the summer of 1850, the village was incorporated as a town, under the general law of the State. The corporate existence of the town of Freeport continued until the adoption of an act incorporating the city of Free- port, which took effect February 14, 1855.
Trustees .- Thomas J. Turner, President; Julius Smith, John K. Brew- ster, John Rice and Joseph B. Smith, 1850-51.
Edward S. Hanchett, President; Silas D. Clark, Thomas Egan, Isaiah G. Bedee and John H. Schlott, 1851-52.
Silas D. Clark, President ; John Black, Walter P. Hunt, J. G. Fuller and Asahel W. Rice, 1852-53.
Peter B. Foster, President, resigned July 14, 1854, and was succeeded by Frederick Baker, who also resigned, when Henry Smith was appointed.
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
Peter B. Foster, President ; September 9, 1854, Isaac Stoneman (vice F. Baker, resigned,) appointed, William D. Oyler, Jacob Moyer, William W. Smith, resigned April 1, 1854, and Henry Smith, appointed to the vacancy.
Asahel W. Rice, President; John K. Brewster, Warren C. Clark, Edward S. Hanchett and Isaac C. Stoneman.
Town Clerks .- D. H. Sunderland, 1850-51; Richard Earle, 1852; Mar- tin Krimbill, 1853; G. G. Norton, 1854.
A88essor8 .- C. A. Sheetz, 1850; S. H. Fitzer, 1851; Levi A. Mease, 1852; no returns for 1853; Peter B. Foster, 1854.
Collectors .- P. C. Shaffer, 1850; J. B. Snyder, 1851; John Barfoot, 1852-53; John Burrell, 1854.
Mayors .- Thomas J. Turner, 1855; A. Cameron Hunt, 1856-57; John W. D. Heald, 1858; Denard Shockley, 1859; Hiram Bright, 1860; Francis W. Hance, 1861; Urban D. Meacham, 1862; Charles Butler, 1863; John F. Smith, 1864-66; David H. Sunderland, 1867-68; C. J. Fry, 1869-70; E. L. Cronkhite, 1871-72; Jacob Krohn, 1873-74; A. P. Goddard, 1875-76; Jacob Krohn, 1877-78; E. L. Cronkrite, 1879-80.
Aldermen .- John A. Clark, W. G. Waddell, Joseph B. Smith, John Bar- foot, A. Cameron Hunt and John P. Byerly, 1855.
John H. Schlott, A. W. Rice and John W. D. Heald, 1856. J. H. Schlott resigned, and H. Putnam elected to the vacancy.
John A. Clark, Samuel B. Harris and John Hoebel, 1857.
John C. Kean, Irwin H. Sunderland and Warren C. Clark, 1858. W. C. Clark resigned, and J. M. Smith elected in his place.
Warren C. Clark, Thomas Robinson and John Hoebel, 1859.
Elias C. Depuy, Chancellor Martin and Moses R. Thompson, 1860.
Isaac H. Miller, Nathan F. Prentice and Jacob Hime, 1861.
Jacob B. Kenegy, John H. Beaumont and John O'Connell, 1862. John O'Connell resigned, and John Hoebel elected.
Isaac H. Miller, E. McLaughlin and P. E. Fowler, 1863.
W. G. Waddell, Jacob Rodearmel and Jacob Krohn, 1864.
E. L. Cronkrite, Charles L. Currier and J. S. Rogers, 1865.
W. G. Waddell, J. H. Snyder and Jacob Krohn, 1866.
August Bergman, Charles L. Currier and Fred Bartlett, 1867.
A. P. Goddard, B Huenkemeyer and Henry Baier, 1868.
B. T. Buckley, Jacob Rodearmel and A. J. McCoy, 1869.
William O. Wright, H. H. Upp and Henry Lichtenberger, 1870. W. O. Wright resigned, and Elias Perkins elected his successor.
J. W. Crane, T. C. Gatliff and A. J. McCoy, 1871.
Elias Perkins, G. W. Oyler and Henry Lichtenberger, 1872.
O. S. Ferris, M. Hettinger and A. J. McCoy, 1873.
Charles F. Goodhue, G. W. Oyler and Henry Lichtenberger, 1874. August Bergman, I. S. Zartman and A. J. McCoy, 1875.
Charles F. Goodhue, George W. Oyler and Charles G. Steffen, 1876. A. Bergman, I. S. Zartman and Peter Muldoon, 1877.
J. H. Crane, D. Kuehner and H. J. Porter, 1878.
A. T. Irvin, I. S. Zartman and John R. Wagner, 1879. A. T. Irvin, resigned, and H. Dorman, elected his successor.
T. L. Waddell, J.Brown Taylor and H. J. Porter, 1880.
City Clerks .- H. N. Hibbard, 1855-57 ; J. Bright Smith, 1858-59; L. F. Burrell, 1860-62; Frank Corbin, 1863; J. E. Brown, 1864; Joseph B. Smith, 1865-66; U. M. Mayer, 1867; Joseph B. Smith, 1868 ; James Durst,
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
1869; F. B. Malburn, 1870-72; William Trembor, 1873-79; H. C. Hutch- ison, 1880.
Attorneys .- John A. Jameson, 1855; H. N. Hibbard, 1856-57 ; J. Bright Smith, 1858-59; Henry C. Hyde, 1860; James S. Cochran, 1861 ; John C. Kean, 1862-64; F. W. S. Brawley, 1865; John Coates, 1866; H. M. Barnum, 1867 ; Thomas F. Goodhue, 1868-71; T. T. Abrams, 1872; John C. Kean, 1873; John C. Kean, 1874-76; O. C. Lathrop, 1877; John C. Kean, 1878-79; James H. Stearns, 1880.
City Treasurers .- E. W. Salisbury, 1855; Oscar Taylor, 1856-57 ; Silas D. Clark, 1858; Frederick Bartlett, 1859; B. F. Black, 1860 ; W. W. Smith, 1861; M. D. Chamberlin, 1862; C. L. Currier, 1863; Thomas Web- ster, 1864; John Hoebel, 1865; George Lichtenberger, 1866; C. W. Rose- brough, 1867; Philip Arno, 1868; C. W. Rosebrough, 1869-70; W. H. Wagner, 1871; C. Trepus, 1872-73 ; D. B. Schulte, 1874; Horace Meigs, 1875-76 ; Jacob Molter, 1877-78; Henry Ratz, 1879; D. B. Breed, 1880.
Marshals .- William W. Smith, 1855-57; John R. Edick, 1858; Henry Settley, 1859 ; David C. Laird, 1860; John H. Mease. 1861; Isaiah G. Beede, 1862; Jacob C. Gilbert, 1863-64; Charles Baumgarten, 1865; F. R. Mclaughlin, 1866-67; Charles Rohkar, 1868; J. B. Shirk, 1869-70 ; George J. Lamm, 1871; E. W. R. Dreyer, 1872-78; E. S. Chamberlain, 1879-80.
Surveyors .- Lodowick Stanton, 1857; Marcus Carter, 1858-59; W. O. Saxton, 1860-61; Marcus Carter, 1862; Charles Baumgarten, 1863-64 ; Marcus Carter, 1865-66; Lodowick Stanton, 1867; Marcus Carter, 1868 ; Charles Baumgarten, 1869; C. T. Dunham, 1870; Charles Baumgarten, 1871-74 ; F. E. Josel, 1875-76 ; L. Stanton, 1877 ; F. E. Josel, 1818-80.
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