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 65
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In the same year, 1856, the Baptist denomination, which had been wor- shiping in the log schoolhouse at the eastern end of the town, built the church edifice, now occupied by that sect, on Galena street. This was the first church built within the town limits. It is of frame, and the only one of that material in Lena. Before 1860, however, the Presbyterian, Lutheran, Methodist and German Methodist societies had each erected commodious edifices.
In 1860, the population had increased to not less than 600. Lena had become a prominent shipping-point for grain and stock, vast amounts of the lat- ter being consigned to factors in Chicago, St. Louis, and elsewhere, and the center of trade for farmers residing in West Point, Waddams and Winslow Townships, as also for those residing in the eastern and southeastern portions of Jo Daviess County.
When the war broke out, volunteers responded to the call, and troops from the townships adjoining rendezvoused at Lena. This enlivened business to an appreciable extent, which was continued during the entire struggle. In 1863,
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
the necessities of the case influenced Mr. Weaver to erect an elevator now standing at the corner of South Railroad and Schuyler streets, and, during the continuance of the contest waged between the sections, improvements of a sub- stantial character, consisting of stores and residences, both of brick and frame, were made.
With the close of the war, there was scarcely any perceptible diminution in the amount of business transacted ; thence to 1870 improvements maintained a steady increase, and the population appreciated in number. There were no vacant houses to be found, and the demand for residences and storehouses was, if anything, greater than had been previously quoted ; in fact, the residents now living say, that, from the time the town was first laid out to the present date, there have not been sufficient houses to accommodate new-comers or supply the demands of business.
In 1869, the Lena Star, a weekly paper, Independent in politics, was estab- lished, and has since been conducted successfully, without having missed an issue. In 1868, the opera house was built by F. E. Brine, and is still used for dramatic and social gatherings.
On the 16th of April, 1866, the village of Lena was incorporated as a town under the general law of the State, and on the 23d of the same month the elec- tion of Trustees was held, with the following result : A. W. Hall, A. H. Stahl, William Hayes, A. Weaver and S. H. McEathron. On the 27th, the board qualified, and organized by the appointment of A. W. Hall, President, and Samuel J. Dodds, Clerk.
On the 20th day of April, 1869, the town of Lena was organized under a special charter passed by the Legislature and approved by the Governor March 30, 1869, defining the corporation boundaries, providing for the election of Trustees, prescribing their qualifications and duties, and generally clothing them as a legislative body, with powers and duties appropriate to municipal officers.
The charter was accepted at an election holden on the day above men- tioned, and the following is the roster of town officers who have since served :
1869-A. W. Hall, President; M. Weaver, James McFatrich, D. W. Hayes and C. Roush, Associates.
1870-M. Weaver, President ; S. G. Stover, A. H. Stahl, H. G. Fowler and William Young.
1871-M. Weaver, President; H. G. Fowler, A. H. Stahl, William Young and Levi Sherman. Z. Stover and George Steckle failed to qualify, and H. G. Fowler and M. Weaver were appointed to fill the vacancies.
1872-H. G. Fowler, President; W. F. Taylor, P. H. Kaufman, D. W. Hayes and Levi Sherman.
1873-H. G. Fowler, President ; Levi Sherman, D. W. Hayes, P. H. Kaufman and I. C. Balcom.
1874-H. G. Fowler, President ; Levi Sherman, D. W. Hayes, P. H. Kaufinan and I. C. Balcom.
1875-Same as in 1874.
1876-Same board re-elected.
1877-Elias Stamm, President; H. A. Rife, Luther K. Lee, S. Rising and Charles Ferrell.
1878-H. G. Fowler, President; P. H. Kaufman, John Metz, D. W. Hayes and Levi Sherman.
1879-A. S. Crotzer, President; A. H. Stahl, John Metz, William Corn- ing and E. Kailey.
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
1880-John Metz, President; William Corning, David Young, Miles White and F. H. Mealiff.
The board meets the first Monday evening of each month, in the town house, on South Railroad, between Washington and Schuyler streets. The building is of frame, used in part as an engine house, and was erected in 1874, at an expense of $500 and upward.
Clerks .- W. W. Dawes, 1869-76; O. T. P. Steinmetz, 1877 ; W. W. Dawes, 1878; Samuel F. Dodds, 1879-80.
Treasurers .- James McEathron, 1869; Daniel Hursey, 1870-75; Henry Wingart, 1876; A. S. Crotzer, 1877; Edward F. Fowler, 1878-79; Henry Wingart, 1880.
Police Magistrates .- A. W. Hall, 1870; J. S. Blodgett, 1874; Samuel F. Dodds, 1878.
Between 1870 and 1875, a large emigration, composed of young men and their families, to the West, reduced the population to some extent, but their absence has since been supplied by others who came in, and becoming citizens have aided in contributing to the success of the town.
The last census gives Lena a population of over 1,500 The town now contains one weekly paper, one bank, one hotel and another of brick in progress, one opera house, one steam flour-mill, one lumber yard, two elevators, one of the largest and finest school buildings in the State, seven church edifices, one · wagon-factory, six blacksmith-shops, one cooper-shop and forty stores devoted to the sale of groceries, drugs, dry goods, hardwares, cigars and the line of commodities commercially regarded as staple.
LENA FIRE COMPANY.
The village is protected from the "fire-bug" by a hand-engine company composed of thirty-five members, supplemented with a chemical engine requir- ing the services of ten men in addition. These companies were organized in 1874. In that year, a hand-engine, together with 800 feet of hose, was pur- chased at Canton, Ill., for $800; the chemical, however, became the property of the department two years previous. Since the organization of the company, in 1874, 600 feet of hose have been purchased and other expenditures effected, making the value of the property at present about $1,500.
The company is officered by H. F. Perkins, Foreman.
The chemical is officered by H. M. Dodds, Foreman ; F. McManigal, Assistant. The whole is under the control of Henry Wingart, Fire Marshal, and Samuel F. Dodds, Assistant.
The peace of the village is maintained by one town Constable, appointed annually by the Board of Trustees.
SCHOOLS.
The first school taught within the corporate limits of Lena was in a log house belonging to Samuel F. Dodds, which stood in the orchard on the Dodds homestead. This was about the year 1849, and Miss Maria Pickard was employed as teacher. About twenty scholars responded to the roll-call dur- ing her administration, which lasted one year. In 1850, a log school- house was put up on what is now known as Franklin street, which served its purpose until 1854, when the stone building still standing at the corner of Lena and Franklin streets was completed and taken possession of, and, though the number of scholars had increased, the force employed to direct their instruction
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
remained the same until years afterward. In 1859, a portion of the Sixth Dis- trict, which comprehended Lena, was cut off and added to District No. 8, and a schoolhouse erected. It is of stone, two stories high, and cost in the neighborhood of $1,000. The number of departments and force of teachers were increased from this date.
In November, 1866, the two districts were united, and have since been known as Union District No. 6. In 1868, the present commodious school edifice of brick was completed and occupied. In dimensions, the building is 56x60, four stories high, including the basement, containing six departments finished, with the necessary rooms and closets in addition, and cost $20,000. The departments embrace first and second primary, first and second interme- diate, grammar and high school, requiring the services of seven teachers, and necessitating an expenditure of $4,000 for the year closing June 30, 1880. Of this, $3,500 is obtained by the levy of a tax on the real and personal property listed in the district, and the balance from the State and township, in addition to fines assessed and collected for the commission of offenses against the State.
The schools enjoy an average daily attendance of about 400 pupils, and are under the direction of a Board of Trustees, at present composed of W. P. Naramore, Joseph Sechler and D. W. Hayes.
POST OFFICE.
The first post office established in West Point was called Waddams Grove, ' John Garner, Postmaster, and located near Louisa; this was some time in 1837 or 1838, and a year or two later it was removed five miles into Waddams Township, when Pells Manny was appointed Postmaster. The next post office was established at Howardsville, then on the stage road from Galena to Chicago, with Martin Howard as Postmaster. Somewhere about 1845, a new office was established at Lena, under the name of Alida, and Samuel F. Dodds appointed Postmaster. In 1852, the name of the office was changed to Terre Haute, and so continued until 1854, when it was changed to Lena. At that date, the office was kept in the residence of Mr. Dodds, and so remained until 1857, when it was moved to South Railroad street, and F. Reber appointed Postmaster. During his administration the office was again removed to Reber & Dodds' Block. In 1861, S. F. Dodds was re-appointed, and served until his death, which occurred in May, 1863. The vacancy thus created was supplied by the appointment of Mary J. Dodds, widow of deceased. In 1869, J. M. Schermer- horn was appointed to the position, and removed the office to Central Block, thence to Roush's Block, thence back to the Central Block, where it now is, Mr. Schermerhorn remaining in charge.
S. RISING & CO., BANKERS.
The business prosperity of the town of Lena is further evidenced by the existence of a banking institution, which was established in 1867 at its present site, under the firm name of Rising, Smith & Co. The gentlemen composing the firm remained in charge until June, 1867, when the name was changed, becoming S. Rising & Co., and so continuing until November, 1870, when it became " Foll, Corning & Co." Business, which was large and appreciating, being transacted principally with farmers and drovers, in the counties of Stephen- son and Jo Daviess, was disposed of with profit to the gentlemen directing its operation, until February, 1878, when the name of Fall, Corning & Co. was retired, and that of S. Rising & Co. substituted, the substitution remaining the commercial name at present in force.
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
The business is that generally transacted by monetary institutions, and aggregates one million annually.
RELIGIOUS.
Presbyterian Church .- Early in 1844, the Rev. Elisha Hazzard, came into the neighborhood of where Lena now is and commenced a missionary work, and, in June of the same year, established what was then known as Waddams Grove Presbyterian Church. The society was established at the residence of Pells Manny, about three miles northeast of Lena, and was composed of Samuel F. Dodds, Mary Jane Dodds, Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Strong, Mrs. Sarah Murry, Mr. and Mrs. Hollander, Mr. and Mrs. George Henninger and Benjamin Tucker. Samuel F. Dodds and Lyman Strong were Elders, and services were held in the residence of Pells Manny and the Montague Schoolhouse, a log structure, 18x20, erected in 1839, near the residence of Luman Montague, in Waddams Grove.
Some time in 1847, the first Presbyterian services conducted in Lena were held at the residence of Samuel F. Dodds, the Rev. Aratus Kent preaching, and in 1850, the organization founded in 1844 was permanently located in Lena, though a regular pastor was not obtained until one year subsequently. In 1854, the stone schoolhouse on the north side of Lena street was completed, and used by the Presbyterian, Baptist and Methodist societies, alternately.
In 1857, the church and congregation commenced the work of erecting their present house of worship, a brick edifice, 35x50 feet, with an audience- room above, and a lecture hall on the first floor, which was completed and dedicated in October, 1859, at a cost of $3,057.25. Since that date, there has been expended on the building for cupola, bell, lecture-room, paper and paint- ing, upward of $1,595, making a total cost of church and furniture over $4,625.
The present value of the church property is upward of $5,000. The con- gregation numbers not less than seventy-five members, and the following Pastors have officiated since its removal to Lena: The Revs. Robert Colston, E. D. Willis, W. J. Johnson, J. W. Cunningham, L. M. Gates, E. Scofield, H. G. McArthur, J. M. Linn, S. I. McKee, and A. S. Gardiner, the present incum- bent.
Amity Evangelical Lutheran Church-Was organized in the old stone schoolhouse of the village on the 14th of March, 1857, with a few members, Levi Woodhart and Benjamin Garman, Elders ; George Breaux and Daniel Rice, Deacons, and the Rev. E. Fair, Pastor.
Previous to this date the Rev. G. J. Donmeyer preached occasionally, the families of Messrs. Grossman and Weaver composing his audience, and forming the nucleus of the present organization.
When fairly under way, arrangements were completed in that behalf, and the present church edifice, the first in the village until subsequent to 1868, was erected at a cost of $7,000. It has since undergone extensive repairs, being re- furnished, frescoed, carpeted, etc., and will comfortably seat an audience of 300, though it has, upon special occasions, accommodated 500. The Sabbath school connected with the church is one of the best organized and most effi- ciently managed in the county, with an average attendance of 125 scholars. The church also owns a commodious parsonage adjoining the church and one of the most beautiful homes in Lena. Located on the corner of Mason and Washington streets, directly opposite the recently completed and very elegant public school edifice, near the center of town, and yet free from the annoyances
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
of business, the Lutheran property is one of the most desirable in the county.
The church enjoys a membership of 150, being a gradual but permanent increase since May 24, 1858, when the communion was first administered to twenty-four communicants ; is free from debt, and has been under the charge of the following Pastors, as far as can be ascertained from the records, which are imperfect : The Revs. E. Fair, A. A. Trimper, W. H. Schock, D. L. Tressler, G. B. Black, J. W. Tressler, C. Baird and H. C. Haithcox, the pres- ent incumbent.
St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church .- This congregation was first organ- ized during the year 1870, when worshipers were few and dependent upon the offices of missionaries resident in adjoining parishes and passing through the county. Services were at first conducted in the old schoolhouse, whence a removal was subsequently made to the stone building previously used as the high school. The congregation remained here until 1872, when the present brick church on Lena street was completed, consecrated and occupied, and is still in the service. The building is 30x45, one story, and cost a total of $2,500.
Services are held every Sabbath, the Irish under the Rev. F. Horgan, of Dublin, occupying the edifice alternately with the Germans, of whom the Rev. E. Freligh is the Pastor. The congregations number eighty-five communicants, and the property of the church is valued at about $5,000.
Free Methodist Church .- The Free Methodist society was organized in the fall of 1874 with fifteen members, under the pastorate of the Rev. C. W. Frink. The congregation worshiped in Fowler's Church, on North Railroad street, until 1877, when they removed to the old stone schoolhouse on Lena street, where services are still conducted.
Prior to 1879, the church was attached to the Freeport Circuit, but in that year it was assigned to the circuit made up of Lena and Ridott, to which it now belongs, and enjoys a membership of twenty worshipers.
The congregation is gradually increasing in number and influence, and contemplates the erection of a house of worship at an early day. At present services are held weekly, and preaching once in two weeks by the Rev. Orville Frink.
Methodist Church-One of the oldest congregations in the township, was organized at first under the direction of Father Mckean as early as 1835-36, when the class was made up of less than half a dozen and worship was held in the cabins of settlers. In 1850, a class was organized in Holly Grove, and in 1852 the Lena congregation was established, being connected with the Freeport Circuit. At first, services were held in the schoolhouse on the Dodd's property, whence a removal was made at various times until 1857, when the present church edifice was erected and has since been occupied. The congregation is quite numerous, the church property valuable, and the same ministers serving Freeport have generally been assigned to Lena. The Rev. Joseph Odgers is the Pastor at present occupying the pulpit.
German Lutheran Church .- This society originally formed a part of the Amity Evangelical Lutheran Church, which was organized March 14, 1857, and so continued until 1869, when the congregation was divided and the Ger- man Lutherans erected the church at present occupied. It is a brick, 35x40, handsomely furnished, with accommodations for about 250 worshipers, and cost $2,500.
The Rev. G. J. Donmeyer officiated as Pastor for several years, and was succeeded by the Rev. W. Fritch, who is at present in service. The present
A. A. Drape
LENA.
.
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
congregation numbers thirty families, and the value of the church property, including a parsonage now building, is estimated at $3,500.
First Baptist Church-Was organized early in the forties, at Yellow Creek, under the auspices of the Rev. Mead Bailey, when it was known as the Yellow Creek Baptist Church, with a congregation composed of Martin Howard and family, Samuel, Marshall and Aaron Bailey, with their families, and John Harmon and family. Services were held in private houses until the town of Lena was laid out, when the society removed thither and occupied the log school- house on the Dodds place, jointly with other denominations. Soon after, meas- ures were taken for the erection of a church edifice, which resulted in the building of the Baptist Church on Lena street, at a cost of $1,000, which was completed and dedicated and has since been occupied. In 1864, the church was enlarged and is now one of the neatest religious edifices in Lena.
The congregation numbers 100 members ; the church property is valued at $1,500, and the following Pastors have served in its pulpit : The Revs. Mead Bailey, Joshua Ambrose, D. S. Dean, Frederick Bower, I. B. Branch, and F. H. Gilbert, now in the service.
German Methodist Church .- In 1850, the Rev. J. J. Young, a minister of the faith, passed through the vicinity of Lena and presented the Gospel to the Germans resident thereabouts in their mother tongue. From this begin- ning the present society was formed, having been organized in 1852, under the direction of the Rev. John Broear, and worshiping in a log cabin belonging to a Mr. Killman, about three miles southeast of the town. In 1854, the Rev. John Koehler preached in the stone schoolhouse, the first German Methodist minister to officiate in Lena. In 1855, H. Rosenstiel, Charles Altenberndt, C. Rosenstiel, Frederick Koch and Frederick Luedeke were elected Trustees, and in 1856 the Germans built their present church edifice, which was for some years the only church in Lena, the Rev. H. Vosshall being the minister.
The society was poor and owed an indebtedness of $850 on the church, which was prevented from being sold through the personal efforts of the trustees. Notwithstanding which embargoes, the congregation prospered and is to-day independent. The original members were Mr. and Mrs. Rosenstiel, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. C. Beine, Mr. and Mrs. F. Luedeke, Mr. and Mrs. F. Koch, and Mr. and Mrs. Carl Altenberndt ; the congregation to-day includes sixty mem- bers. The value of church property, including a parsonage erected in 1877, is $3,500, and the following ministers have accepted calls to the charge within the past twenty-eight years : The Revs. John Broear, John Koehler, H. Voshall, H. Richter, P. Schaefer, R. Feigenbaum, John Haas, Jacob Schaefer, W. Schreiner, F. Schmidt, H. Sauer, P. Hummel, and C. C. Miller, the Pastor at present in charge.
LENA " STAR "
first set its " light upon a hill," in Lena, on the 4th day of January, 1867. At that time, Lena was a thriving town, and recognized as one of the best grain and stock markets in this section of the State. The population was a composi- tion of energetic, go-ahead business men, alive to the importance of building up and sustaining any enterprise having a tendency to enhance values in the vicinity. Hence, J. Gishwiller, a native of Pennsylvania, and S. J. Dodds, an attorney, of Lena, experienced little difficulty in making a beginning and securing 350 subscribers to enable them to accomplish that end. These gentle- men purchased a seven-column Washington hand-press, with sufficient body and display type to set up a patent inside, seven-column folio, and at once entered
T
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HISTORY OF STEPHENSON COUNTY.
upon the duties incident to editing and publishing the Lena Star, in the second story of what is now known as "Weaver & Siehler's " Block. The Star was neutral in politics, and furnished to subscribers for $2 per annum. The partner- ship between Gishwiller and Dodd continued until March 1, 1867. when Mr. Dodds retired and Gishwiller conducted the enterprise alone until April 27, when he, too, turned a rule, metaphorically speaking, and sold out to J. M. Shannon, who assumed editorial and managerial control at once, remaining in charge until February 12, 1869. At that date, a financial cloud dimmed for the time, the shining rays of the Star, and before a dawn of better days the paper was sold under foreclosure proceedings, James S. McCall, editor of the Freeport Journal, becoming the purchaser. The management of the Star was placed in charge of James W. Newcomer, of Freeport, a practical printer and ready writer, who discharged the trust faithfully, and was rewarded by a rapid increase in the circulation and advertising patronage obtained. He remained in charge nearly nine years, when the present editor, W. W. Lowis, formerly editor of the Carroll County Gazette, purchased the material and assumed con- trol. Mr. Lowis changed the paper to a five-column quarto, from a neutral to an independent paper in politics, reduced the price to $1.50 per annum, and otherwise improved its appearance and attractions. The paper is now one of the most complete in its equipment and management in the State of Illinois, having a bona-fide circulation of 700 copies and a large list of advertisers. It is devoted to the building-up of Lena and the surrounding country, and com- mands the confidence, good will and support of all who are similarly interested.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
Lena Lodge, No. 174, A., F. § A. M .- Was duly organized October 3, 1855, although a meeting of those subsequently constituting the charter mem- bers was convened on the 25th of the previous July. The members and officers then were G. L. Taylor, W. M. ; S. F. Dodds, S. W .; J. R. Chambers, J. W .; W. Allen, Secretary ; H. Truesdail, Treasurer ; R. Patterson, S. D .; W. R. Goddard, Jr., J. D. ; F. Voight, Tiler.
Meetings were thereafter held in a building since rented for a term of years and fitted up with the equipments and insignia of the order at a great expense. The lodge prospered from its organization under the dispensation, and now has seventy-four members, officered by S. J. Dodds, W. M .; J. H. Gunsaul, S. W .; F. A. Darling, J. W .; W. W. Stahl, Secretary ; John Metz, Treasurer ; E. R. Prindle, S. D. ; J. A. Clark, J. D .; Wyman Roe, Tiler.
Meetings are cenvened monthly, on the Wednesday evening of the full moon, and the lodge property is valued at $500.
Lena Chapter, No. 105, R. A. M .- Was organized under a dispensation granted October 5, 1866, unto ten members, as follows: J. M. Schermerhorn, S. F. Dodds, E. H. Shumway, J. R. Berry, Adam Kemper, D. B. Packer, Albert Bliss, F. W. Byers, R. M. Clark, F. A. Darling, George Heniger, James McFatrich and G. L. Taylor. Of these, J. M. Schermerhorn was elected H. P .; E. H. Shumway, King, and D. B. Packer, Scribe.
Meetings are held on the evening of the second Tuesday in each month, at Masonic Hall, and the Chapter now numbers fifty-three members.
The present officers are F. A. Darling, H. P .; W. Corning, King, and J. H. Gunsaul, Scribe.
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