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 52
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The Daily Herald .- The oldest daily paper, not only in Freeport, but Stephenson County, first came to the surface on the 30th day of April, 1877, under the direction of Ernest Seitz, and the mentorship of A. H. S. Per- kins. Mr. Perkins' lease of life as editor of the paper was, however, cut short after a few weeks of management, and the vacancy thereby created was supplied by F. C. Donohue, present local editor of the Bulletin. Mr. Donohue remained in charge for nearly two years, during which period he succeeded in making the paper an invaluable record of current local events, market statistics and other features indispensable to journalism, when he severed his connection with the Herald, and associated himself in a similar capac- ity on the Bulletin. He was followed in turn by Mr. William F. Gore, a Chicago journalist of ability, and a gentleman of extended and varied culture. Mr. Gore, however, pined after the flesh-pots of Chicago, and, at the solicitation of friends in that city, returned thither to accept a position on the Telegraph,
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when the Herald was again left without a pilot to guide its course on the troublesome sea of newspaper life. The hiatus, though, was not prolonged, the vacancy being quickly filled by the arrival of Mr. Charles Vickenstaff Hine, also a graduate of the Chicago college of journalism, a scholar and a genial gentleman. Shortly after he took charge, Mr Hine and James C. McGrath, con- nected with the paper since its organization, became co-partners in the venture, and the firm was thereafter known as "Hine, Seitz & McGrath," with Mr. Hine in charge of the editorial, Seitz mechanical, and McGrath of the count- ing room.
Up to a period immediately anterior to the meeting of the Chicago Con- vention, the Herald was conducted strictly as an independent paper, politics being carefully eschewed. With the opening of the campaign of 1880, the pa- per espoused the cause of Republicanism, and earnestly advocated the nomina- tion of Grant. When the nominations were promulgated they were supported by the Herald.
As a local paper, the Herald has consistently and vigorously worked for public improvements, both in the city and county ; and by its aid and encour- agement forwarded every undertaking that could add to the prosperity of Free- port, and the country tributary thereto. Always a diligent searcher after news, the paper has promptly and in acceptable form placed the results of its labors in this regard before its readers. Its value has in this respect been eloquently acknowledged by the large advertising patronage which it receives from all of the solid business men of Freeport. Complete and accurate in its news columns, plain and outspoken in its editorial utterances, it has won gen- eral respect by its candor, and commended itself to the respect of the public.
Like other daily papers published in towns of measured resources for news, similar to Freeport, at its inception the Herald, a portion of its columns, was filled with stereotyped selections, but this was abandoned in time, and the space thus occupied filled with readable news. The paper was enlarged to a five- column sheet during the summer of 1880, and the twenty columns submitted to the readers of the Herald are filled with interesting and profitable reading matter.
Though of comparatively recent date, the paper has attained a wide-spread circulation, and represents a valuation estimated at $5,000.
The North- West .- On Thursday, August 17, 1865, the reading residents of Stephenson County were treated to that spice in life to be found in the issue of a paper of a purely literary character. A publication, the columns of which, comparatively free from politics, entirely free from personalities, scandals, dis- gusting, obscene and immoral advertisements, would offer inducements to writers of merit for contributions that could be read in the family circle by parents and children. With this object the North- West was projected and put forth, its initial number appearing on the date above mentioned, by W. O. Wright and T. Ormsby, composing the firm of Wright & Co. The paper was a quarto, containing forty columns, printed in brevier, and presenting an ap- pearance typographically beyond criticism. Its selections were of the choicest literary qualities, and its contributions were made from the more accomplished and scholarly writers and essayists who flourished during that period.
The administration of Wright & Co. ceased, however, after six months, and Messrs. Atkins & McCall took their position on the editorial tripod. Other affairs requiring the personal supervision of W. & Co., compelled them to abdi- cate in favor of A. & McC., who, upon taking charge, made their personal bows, accompanied by assurances, particularly to the ladies, to make the paper all
SILVER CREEK.
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
that its most exacting patrons could desire. The office and job rooms of the undertaking were established at 104, 106 and 108 Stephenson street, where the business was conducted by Atkins & McCall, solus, until April 5, 1866, when M. B. Mills was associated with the firm, and made the responsible head of the jobbing and news departments.
This arrangement lasted somewhat longer than one month, when the print- ing and job office of the North- West was consolidated with the Journal, and the business of both offices was conducted from that of the latter, under the firm name of McCall, Bailey & Mills. The former paper was somewhat changed in appearance, and issued as "A Weekly Journal of Western Literature," the first issue being number forty of volume one. This volume was closed on August 16, 1866, with bright promises of success for the ensuing years. It had become a permanent institution, occupying a proud position among the literary period- icals of the day, and possessing a firm hold upon the affections and sympathies of the literary men and women of the West. The second age of the paper was begun amid the most favorable auspices, containing many improvements on the one just closed and recommended to favor by features of excellence theretofore unknown to the vicinity. The issue of August 23 was materially enlarged, the title page handsomely decorated, and the character of its contents improved, if anything, with its renewed hold on life and popularity. On December 13, it was treated to a new dress throughout, and in January, 1867, began a serial story, descriptive of soldier life during the war. But this was its last active sigh, as it were. The effort to procure support for a weekly of an exclusively literary character, began to fail from this date, and finally made its quietus during the year. Notwithstanding the merit of the undertaking, the superior quality of the publications and the character of those who contributed, among whom were John Esten Cooke, Wirt Sykes, Mrs. Rayne, Olive Logan and others of literary reputation, the scheme was not encouraged, and, as stated, retired from the field, after an apprenticeship of scarcely two years. The job office was combined with the job department of the Journal office, and naught but an incomplete set of imperfect files remain to tell the story, not only of what the North- West was, but what it might have become, had the lines of its life been cast in pleasanter places.
The Monitor .- A weekly record of current events, local, State and national, was established about January, 1874, by W. T. Giles, one of the oldest editors and publishers in the Northwest. It was a quarto, sparkling with bright ideas and pungent paragraphs, and, though independent, with Demo- cratic tendencies, was never neutral upon subjects demanding decisive action. It weekly blossomed forth from its official cradle, first rocked in the Hettinger Block, on Stephenson street, and finally in the Grange building, at the corner of Adams and Stephenson streets, and was received by a community which appreciated true reform, integrity in the performance of duties, and the fearless advocacy of the rights of the people against the oppressions of wealthy monopolies.
Along in 1878, the Monitor was purchased by the Stabeck brothers, editors of the Freeport and Davis Budget, for $1,000, was consolidated with that organ, and is to-day known among the enterprises which appeared on the newspaper horizon of Freeport, and after a season of brilliant scintillatings dis- solved from view.
The Deutscher Anzeiger, a German quarto of pronounced Democratic sentiments, first appeared during 1853, under the management of William Wag- ner, Sr. Its carlier publications were folios, with five columns to the page, the
N
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
editorial, local and " scissors" departments being conducted solely by Mr. Wagner. Its existence was continued in spite of the obstacles which invariably present themselves to enterprise, but are overcome by industry and the happy faculty possessed by the originator of adapting himself to the situation. Its subscription list was limited, and the patronage measured. But able manage- ment has conquered success, and the sheet, which at first was weak, has continu- ally grown in favor among the German population of Stephenson and adjoining counties, until it has become the leading German paper in the northwestern por- tion of Illinois, having a circulation of 1,300 copies, to which additions are made weekly. Mr. Wagner continued in charge for a period of ten years. In 1863, the son of Mr. Wagner became a partner in the enterprise, and has since aided materially in accomplishing the substantial results achieved.
In January, 1868, the paper was changed to a quarto, and, in January, 1876, an additional column was added to each page. Varying fortunes attended the undertaking, yet, at the close of each succeeding year, renewed encouragement was afforded the proprietors.
In December, 1877, Mr. Wagner, Sr., deceased, but the firm name under which it was known to the readers, "W. Wagner & Co.," remained unchanged, although the several duties of the profession were discharged by the surviving partner, who assumed public control in 1879, and still remains in charge.
In 1874, a handsome and spacious building was erected by the publishers on Chicago, between Stephenson and Galena streets, at a cost of $3,000, and equipped with all the paraphernalia peculiar to the craft, a job department added, and the machinery, presses, etc., worked by steam since early in 1879.
The Anzeiger is now published as a six-column quarto, furnishing its readers on an average thirty columns of well-selected reading matter weekly, and offering to advertisers a desirable medium of communication with the public. Another item worthy of mention is the fact that the Anzeiger is the only weekly in Stephenson County edited, set up and printed entirely at home, the other weeklies including in their make-up either what is known to the business as " patent insides," or stereotyped matter.
Politically, as already stated, the paper is Democratic, locally a valuable source of domestic intelligence, and, in other respects, an enterprise deserving of the liberal support extended.
The value of the property is stated at $5,000.
The Freeport Banner, the latest acquisition to the fold of German weeklies in Freeport; made its first appearance in July, 1879, chaperoned by H. W. Frick, an enterprising Teuton, who appreciates the value of independence in conducting a paper. The Banner assumes to represent the rights and interests of the people in the contest between labor and capital, and holds itself out as an "organ for the Germans of Stephenson County " to publicly define their several positions with reference to matters which interest them individually, nationally, or in relation to affairs of state. It is a seven-column folio, printed in clear type, and rapidly gaining a circulation extending all over the county. Its office is at the corner of Stephenson and Chicago streets, over the Stephen- son County Bank, supplied with a job department, wherein printing in German and English can be contracted for, and has a circulation of 500 copies. The estab- lishment is valued at $1,000, and the paper is edited by its owner, Mr. Frick.
Nord Westliche Post .- The seemingly apparent need of a German organ of independent proclivities, influenced F. Krumme to venture a trial of the experiment in 1875. A brief experience, however, convinced him of the fact that but little support could be obtained in Freeport, whence he removed
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
to Lake City, and finally to La Crosse, where he was greeted with encourage- ment equally as cheerful as that which had attended his efforts in Illinois, and abandoned the undertaking finally at the latter city.
The Freie Presse was established some time in the year 1868, by leading representatives of the Republican party, for the purpose of educating the Ger- mans into a complete understanding of the facts and figures of the then existing situation. The facile pen was wielded by Christian Mueller and William Casper Schultz for nearly a year, when the enterprise was abandoned and the pursuit of converts concluded.
Freeport Tribun .- In the middle of March, 1859, William Massenberg began the publication of a German weekly called the Tribun, which sought to obtain a share of Republican patronage in Stephenson County. But, failing after a year's trial to command his expectations in that connection, the Tribun editor retired from the field of journalism.
In addition to the above, there was a number of miscellaneous papers which long since went out in failure, leaving no record of their contents or causes of demise.
WATER POWER.
One the most valuable and inexhaustible adjuncts to the development of wealth in the city and county, and an auxiliary which, though not fully utilized, has become valuable as a source of revenue, not only to the owners of the riparian rights, but to those leasing the privilege, is the water-power. The early settlers about Pecatonica River appreciated the value of the power that could be diverted therefrom more sensibly than those who came at a later day, when steam had been applied to move the vast amounts of machinery, which in pioneer times, though limited, were dependent upon the turbine, or over shot wheel to propel them, than a succeeding generation, and adapted the same to their uses almost before the prairie soil was broken.
Late in 1845, or early in 1846, O. H. Wright and E. S. Hanchett applied to the Legislature for an act of incorporation, chartering the Hydraulic and Manufacturing Company of Stephenson County. The capital stock was to consist of 200 shares, equally divided between Wright and Hanchett, and the prayer of petitioners to organize also sought legal authority to erect a dam on Pecatonica River at such point in Stephenson County as might, by petitioners, be theréafter selected.
Petitioners' prayers were granted, and, after some delay, the race was begun in 1847, under the supervision of John Lerch, a man named Jacob Zimmerman doing the work, however, and completing his job during the same year. The race then, as to-day, commenced at a point opposite the foot of Adams street, and runs eastwardly a distance of 900 feet, where the waters re-enter the river. The race is thus 900 feet long, about fifty feet wide and six feet deep, furnish- ing an inexhaustible supply of power, though at present being appropriated by but four patrons.
In 1848, Hanchett transferred one-fourth his interest in the venture to John Lerch, reserving 500 cubic inches of water for his own use, and one-quar- ter remaining to Charles Powell.
Prior to the completion of the race, Hanchett had erected a saw-mill on the present site of the Goddard flour mills. This was used as soon as water-power could be availed of to saw lumber for local use and transportation into adjoin- ing counties, and so continued until the flour-mills were substituted in its stead, Mr. Hanchett being the operator until 1848, when he assigned the mill
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property, with his reserved title in the water-power, to D. A. Knowlton, who in turn sold the property thus acquired to Benjamin Goddard. In 1851, Mr. God- dard purchased the interest of Charles Powell, and now owns the franchise in conjunction with Webster & Rhodes in the proportion of five-eighths to three- eighths held by the latter.
The power is at present applied to the operating of Goddard's mill, Web- ster & Rhodes' mill, Emmert's manufactory and Stiles & Co.'s machine shop, and is valued at $50,000.
GAS WORKS ..
Previous to 1855, the city was without gas facilities, and their absence, it is said, provoked no inconsiderable amount of complaint, which, to express it mildly, was emphatic, if not tinctured with a profane vernacular peculiar to disappointments and inconveniences. Freeport had, at that date, enjoyed municipal dignities for a period of five years, and the fact that the city was still dependent upon the primitive means of illumination employed when it was a village was the subject of critical comment.
During the latter part of 1854, the feasibility of establishing gas works in the city was generally discussed, and almost with the dawn of the new year these discussions took shape, culminating in obtaining a charter from the Legislature for the incorporation of a company, bearing date February 15, 1855. Further steps were taken in the premises, and on October 16 of the same year the organ- ization was perfected by the election of T. J. Turner, President, E. H. Hyde, Treasurer, and Homer N. Hibbard, Secretary, with a capital stock of about $50,000.
During the same year, grounds for the buildings and other appurtenances were procured at the corner of Jackson and Liberty streets, and contracts for their erection concluded. These were completed early in 1856, and still stand on the very spot of their origin. The premises are 120 feet square, and contain the gasometer, forty feet in diameter, also the furnace house, supplied with nine retorts with a total capacity of 35,000 feet per diem, and cost, when delivered to the incorporators, an aggregate of $56,000.
The expenses incident to building were in part liquidated by the issue of bonds, to the amount of $20,000, on the 5th of February, 1856, maturing on Jan- uary 1, 1861. Failure to pay the same at the date of maturity involved the corporation in litigation, which was concluded by the sale of the works, the' bond-holders becoming the purchasers for a consideration of $13,000. After operating them for some years, the vendees finally disposed of their several interests in the venture to Thompson Dean, a capitalist of Cincinnati, who, in turn, sold to S. S. Ashcraft and Thomas Butterworth, about September 1, 1863. These gentlemen continued in charge until May 14, 1867, when the works were purchased by L. K. Scofield and C. S. Hill, of Freeport, paying therefor $23,626. On the 26th of July, 1871, Mr. Hill sold his interest to L. L. Munn, who operated the works, in conjunction with Mr. Scofield, until Feb- ruary 26, 1879. At that date, the latter gentleman transferred his title to L. Z. Farwell, who to-day owns the enterprise jointly with Mr. Munn.
The works are in constant operation, requiring the services of four hands, consuming 500 tons of coal annually, and are valued at $50,000. The manu- facturers own six miles of mains, laid through the principal streets, can light forty street lamps, which are all as yet located, supply about 300 consumers, and charge from $3 to $3.50 per thousand feet.
The works are complete in all details, and are represented as a profitable investment.
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
YOUNG MEN'S LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
The origin of this association is said to be due to a religious revival held in the city of Freeport during the winter of 1874-75. At one of the revival meetings, complaint was made that there was no place in town open to young men in the evenings, and a discussion resulted as to the means that would enable its absence to be supplied. After some preliminary canvass of the sub- ject, it was decided to establish a library. A number of young men combined for that purpose, subscribed $10 each and rented and furnished a room for the purpose. When the scheme had gotten well under way, the Rev. Robert Coll- yer delivered his lecture on " Clear Grit " to further the undertaking. With the proceeds of Mr. C.'s contribution and $75 subscribed by citizens of Free- port, books were purchased, a room fitted up for their reception and the library formally opened on New Year's Day, 1875. During that year, the Hon. W. B. Fairfield (since deceased) and the Rev. E. E. Hall gave readings for the benefit of the venture, upon which $40 were realized, and Mr. Pells Manny donated $500. These sums are to-day represented by the substantially bound copies of standard works, including Irving, Hawthorne, Thackeray, Scott, Dickens, George Eliot, DeQuincey, Goethe, Schiller and others, forming a library unto themselves.
The first year's experience was not so filled with encouragement as to cause the management to clap its individual hands with joy. It was not as generously patronized as its merits deserved ; many of the young men who had given their efforts to the support of the enterprise removed from Freeport ; the current expenses were in excess of the income; subscriptions were falling off, and a variety of causes combined against the library with such effect as to nearly accomplish its permanent retirement from active service. At this junc- ture, a number of gentlemen came to the relief of the managers, and, increasing the associate membership, postponed its demise, and, by their continued efforts in that behalf, prevented the occurrence of this calamity in the future.
During 1879, the library was permitted a local habitation in the office of Oscar Taylor, rent free, and a high degree of success attended the efforts made to secure subscribers. In 1880, a move was made to the third floor of Mc- Namara's building, on Stephenson street, adjoining the opera house, where apartments were furnished particularly adapted to a library and reading room. The occupation of these premises is still maintained, and the "Freeport Library," which began in the most limited and unpretentious manner possible to be im- agined, has grown in prominence, resources and influence.
The present officers, are: S. D. Atkins, President ; J. B. Taylor, Treas- urer ; Charles D. Knowlton, Secretary, and W. L. Taylor, Librarian.
The catalogue contains a total of 850 volumes, exclusive of the magazines, exchanges and periodicals, to which access can be obtained for a nominal con- sideration, and the value of the property held by the association cannot be far from $2,000.
BANKS.
The First National Bank-Was duly organized February 24, 1864, with a capital stock of $50,000, and the following officers : George F. De Forest, President, and E. Mayer, Cashier; W. P. Malburn, L. L. Munn, O. B. Bidwell, C. J. Fry, E. Mayer, George F. De Forest and L. F. Burrell, Board of Directors.
On the 10th of March, 1865, the capital was increased to $100,000, which it is to-day, with a surplus of $25,000.
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
The bank is located in Munn's building, where it is engaged in the dispo- sition of a large business, annually, with the following officers : O. B. Bidwell, President, and George F. De Forest, Cashier ; O. B. Bidwell, W. O. Wright, G. F. De Forest, John Burrell, O. B. Sanford, H. D. Cook and L. Z. Farwell, Board of Directors.
Second National Bank-Was organized in May, 1864, under the National Banking Laws, with a paid-up capital of $50,000, which was increased to $100,000 on January 1, 1866, and has to-day a capital and surplus of $155,- 000. The charter officers were : John H. Addams, President ; A. H. Stone, Cashier ; H. C. Burchard, J. Clingman, R. H. Gettemy, J. W. Shaffer, A. H. Stone, W. P. Naramore, John H. Addams, W. P. Hunt and T. Wilcoxon, Board of Directors.
Under these favorable auspices the bank opened for business immediately upon its organization, in the Plymouth Block, corner of Stephenson and Van Buren streets, where it remained until the block was razed to give place to the opera house building, into which it was returned with the completion of that edifice, where it has since remained, in the enjoyment of a constantly increasing business, and generous confidence, illustrated by the fact, that the deposits, which at first were but slightly in excess of $100,000, have since increased to $250,000. The present officers are: John H. Addams, President; Jacob Krohn, Acting Cashier ; A. H. Wise, Jacob Krohn, M. Lawver, John Kenegy, A. Reifsnider, D. Neidigh and Thompson Wilcoxon, Directors.
Stephenson County Bank-A private corporation, upward of a quarter of a century old, located at the corner of Stephenson and Chicago streets, was estab- lished by James Mitchell in 1852, who, in conjunction with Holden Putnam, R. Richardson, of Boston, and A. Page, of Rutland, Vt., and conducted a prosperous business for many years, under the firm name of James Mitchell & Co. When the call for volunteers was published, Holden Putnam entered the service, and was killed at the battle of Lookout Mountain. This event caused a dissolution of the firm, Mr. Mitchell remaining sole owner until January 1, 1874, when J. W. Neff became a partner, and still remains in that capacity. Mr. Mitchell died in August, 1874, and the business was carried on by his heirs until September, 1876, at which date W. H. Mitchell, son of the deceased, took charge of the family interest in the bank and became a partner with Mr. Neff, which co-partnership still remains in existence, though business is done under the firm name of James Mitchell & Co.
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