USA > Illinois > Will County > The History of Will County, Illinois : containing a history of the county a directory of its real estate owners; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; general and local statistics.history of Illinois history of the Northwest > Part 28
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The city was organized under the present charter, in June, 1852, with C. C. Van Horne, Mayor. Aldermen-First Ward-N. H. Cutter, D. Cassidy; Second Ward-Joel George, Michael Shields; Third Ward-E. Wilcox, T. J. Kinney; Fourth Ward-F. L. Cagwin, S. W. Bowen; Fifth Ward-P. O'Con- nor, Uri Osgood. But this is modern history and we go back to older times.
FORGOTTEN RIVALRIES.
We have spoken, a little back and elsewhere, of the rivalry between the sides of the river. This was especially conspicuous when the Canal was being surveyed and located. The great question of the day was, would it go down the river through town, or would it go around through the slough ? Slough stock and river stock rose and fell alternately from day to day until the matter was finally decided in a way which made the west siders happy. Demmond used to tell how Abel Gilbert took the level of the slougli with a tin dipper and
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a shingle, in order to convince the verdant inquirer after lots, that the Canal was bound to take that route.
But we had a common enemy-Lockport-and, like the Jews during the siege of Jerusalem, we used, temporarily, to forget our domestic quarrels, and combine to fight the common foe. The Signal and the True Democrat let each other alone occasionally, and both pitched into the Lockport Telegraph. The Canal authorities seemed, at least to our jaundiced eyes, to throw all their influence to favor and build up a rival city. We used to dilate largely against the Archer road and the Canal basin and the Canal office, etc., etc. One thing which specially galled us was a map, which was reported to be drawn and exhib- ited to speculators and persons seeking a location, displaying the Canal route from Chicago to Ottawa, on which all the villages were noted, with one excep- tion. There were Romeo and Athens, Kepotaw and Scotchtown, Lockport and Channahon, etc., etc .; but the only thing to indicate the whereabouts of Juliet was a spot marked McKee's Dam. That was a good joke; and if we did not meet it with something equally foolish, it was not for want of disposition.
We were also foolish enough at one time to be jealous of Chicago, especially when she tried to defeat our cut-off. But we have got so big now that we do not cherish any vindictive feelings, even against her ; and, indeed, all these old rivalries and jealousies, whether political or personal or between sides of the river or rival towns, we have long since outgrown, and they only call up a smile when remembered. For men are like apples. While some are crabs, and no culture can ever make them anything else, and while, when green, all are more or less acrid, yet the really good fruit grows mellow with age, the sour juices of' the Spring time are converted into sugar in the heats of Summer and Autumn, and the fruit becomes pleasant to the eye and grateful to the taste. So it is with men-those who are men. They, too, mellow as they ripen and lose a large share of their acidity as they pass through the discipline of life and ripen for the husbandman's use.
Do you question this ? Just watch when you see some of these old fellows that were at loggerheads forty years ago over town-lots or schemes of specula- tion or politics ; watch, when you see them meet, and see how they grip each others' hands and laugh over the rivalries and contests and jealousies that once mnade them mad, as the best of jokes.
MATTESON'S FACTORY, ET AL.
There are some other buildings in Joliet beside those noticed in the preced- ing pages that have become historic, and may, without impropriety, come into our general history. One of these is the old factory which stands just below the lower bridge, and which is now occupied as a foundry and machine-shop by Mr. Sandiford. This building was erected by Joel A. Matteson, in 1845, and in 1849 manufactured 2,000 yards of cloth per week. It was for several years a most prosperous enterprise, furnishing a market for the wool raised by our
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farmers, and employment for many persons. The business was, part of the time, carried on under the firm of Matteson & Bradner, and the old Wilson store, of which we have spoken, was the depot for buying wool and sale of cloths. This factory was seriously attacked by fire in 1849 (the same Summer in which the old steam mill was burned). This fire occurred when we had no fire depart- ment, and for some time its destruction seemed inevitable. Great crowds col- lected on the bridge and elsewhere to see it burn. It had taken fire in the roof, and was making a fine bonfire. There was plenty of water close by, and the idea seems to have struck the minds of O. W. Stillman and some others that it would be a good idea to put it out, although it seemed a pity to spoil the fun of the spectators who, at such great inconvenience, had left their beds and gathered there to see it. Stillman, with some assistance, succeeded in getting men enough of his own way of thinking to organize a line for passing pails back and forth; and, after a hard fight to keep the men in the ranks, and with the devouring element, the building was saved, except the roof and attic. Like many other seeming calamities, this soon had its compensation, as it led, first, to organizing a fire company, and, secondly, to its being rebuilt with an additional story, and cupola as well; and, under the vigorous exertions of Matteson, it was soon in full blast, with greatly enlarged capacity. But, in time, a change came over the old factory. Matteson was made Governor in 1852, and our city lost his enterprise, and the old factory, after a few more years, ceased to manufacture cloth, etc. While, however, the factory was still in successful operation, Matteson built the brick store opposite, and occupied it for the sale of goods, cloths, etc., and in the second story opened the first bank in Joliet-the old Merchants' and Drovers', William Smith, President, and R. E. Goodell, Cashier, and that is how we got Goodell, who married the Governor's eldest daughter.
J. A. MATTESON.
We have probably never had a citizen in Will County to whom we have been more indebted for his energy and enterprise, than to Joel A. Matteson. He was born in 1808, in Jefferson Co., N. Y., received the common school education of the times, and, after a varied, experience as teacher, farmer, mer- chant and contractor in various places, came to Illinois, in 1833, with a wife and one child. He first settled on the Au Sable, in the present Kendall County, when there were but two neighbors within ten miles. He made a claim and opened a farm, but when the speculative mania of 1836 struck the country, he sold out and came to Joliet. From that time to his removal to Springfield, on his election as Governor, he was the most energetic and enterprising of our citizens. The monuments of his enterprise still stand in our midst. Among these are the old factory and the brick store near the Jefferson Street Bridge, of which we have spoken. He also built what was then the finest residence in the city, on the corner of Jefferson and Chicago streets, which were surrounded with beautiful grounds, extending over the lots now covered by the Monroe,
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Simonds and Werner Hall Blocks; and for a long time the light of a happy and hospitable home shone out from its windows. It was some years since removed further north, and now another kind of light shines forth there-they call it the Sun. Mr. Matteson was soon called into public service, first as Justice of the Peace, then as State Senator for four years. His well-known executive and financial ability secured his nomination and election to the office of Governor. His nomination was received with great satisfaction in his own county and elsewhere, by men of the opposite political party. A great jubilee was held at Joliet-speeches and firing of cannon showed the satisfac- tion of our citizens. One of our present police force will always carry a sou- venir of that demonstration-an empty sleeve. Mr. Matteson's administration as Governor was eminently successful. His messages were characterized by large views and enlightened liberality and foresight. During the four years of his administration, the State made great advances in wealth and general pros- perity. The debt of the State was reduced $7,000,000, and at the same time time the taxes were reduced. The 400 miles of constructed railroad were in- creased to 3,000 miles. Gov. Matteson retired from office with a reputation and with prospects that seemed enviable, and a fortune that made him a million- aire, and the owner of a house at Springfield that was palatial. How all this was reversed is a matter of so recent a date as to render its recital unnecessary, even if it came within the scope of our history. Gov. Matteson died in the ' Winter of 1872-73, at Chicago, and his remains sleep in the family ground at Oakwood.
GOLD FEVER.
In 1849, 1850 and 1851, chiefly in 1850, occurred a great hegira from Will County. The discovery of a little gold by Capt. Sutter in 1848, changed the des- tiny of the whole Pacific Slope, and of thousands upon thousands of men and fam- ilies all over the States as well. Those who are old enough will recall the wonder- ful excitement which took place all over the land, pre-eminently throughout the West. Gold, gold, gold, was the word upon every lip, the theme of every news- paper, and of everybody's waking or sleeping dreams. The county papers were filled with advice showing the folly of leaving a comfortable home and an honcst livelihood for the uncertain venture. The Lockport Telegraph thus humorously speaks of the matter in 1849: " The world-wide malady has at last extended to our midst ; symptoms about the same as elsewhere-violent itching of palms, a sensation of nausea at the mere thought of common business, a great relaxation and debility of the mechanical muscles, frequent giddiness of the head, optical illusions in which everything is seen in a yellow light, raging appetite for maps, reports, dispatches, yarns, etc., terminating in a frantic effort to sell out and settle up, at which stage the disease is considered incurable." The editor then falls into a more serious strain, and advises the people to be content with Will County and steady gains. Our other papers spoke in a sim- ilar strain. But advice had but little effect. Quite a number from our county
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went in the Spring of 1849. Some of these came back the next Winter and Spring, having been successful. Carlos Haven came back with $5,000, which he had dug with his own hands in seven weeks. J. A. Gooding and Calvin Rowley also returned successful. This added fury to the flames, and in 1850 and 1851, the number which went from our county was large. We have tried to form an estimate of the amount, but have no reliable data. The True Dem- ocrat, in 1850, gives a list of nearly four hundred that had left that Spring from Will County. The list embraces many of our best and well-known citi- zens (then and since). The greatest emigration was in 1850, although it was kept up in 1851. Most went the overland route. The business of the county was, of course, greatly affected. Merchants made a point to furnish those articles needed for an outfit: The papers of the day were filled with advertise- ments of parties who wanted to sell out, and of emigrant supplies, and with letters from those who were on the way or had reached the Eldorado. Prom- inent among the correspondents of the True Democrat, was our friend Alex- ander McIntosh, now of the Phoenix. We need not say that his letters are interesting reading now. It was an interesting sight for those who remained . to watch the teams as they passed through, and note their different rigs and general appearance. From ten to twenty teams a day passed along Jefferson street during the Spring. There were some curious outfits. We recall an instance in which two men had an old crow-bait of a horse between them which carried their slender supplies, and on which they sometimes rode by turns. Another man was on foot, having a knapsack and rifle, intending when he got to the frontier to buy a cow to carry his supplies and furnish him with milk, with which, and his rifle, he expected to subsist. But most went with good outfits-some with cattle and some with horses. Of those who went from our county, some few became permanent settlers there. The large majority, however, returned in a year or two, some with pockets full, and some glad to get back with empty pockets. Our county, no doubt, received back much more than she invested. We remember one who died en route-Benard Ingoldsby-who was out of health when he left. One company lost their way and wandered off, and lost all they had, and lived upon their teams ; were six days without water, and four of the company died. Others had a pretty hard time, and were often hungry and sick. Many now among us could many a tale unfold, some harrowing and some ludicrous. Two of our boys, one a son of Deacon Brandon, and the other named Middlemass, met with a frightful accident, the result of their own carelessness. They came across a keg of powder which had been thrown over- board by some previous voyager, probably to lighten his ship, and they thought they would enliven the solitude with an explosion. They adjusted a slow match and retired to a safe distance. With eager expectation they waited the result. After waiting what seemed to them a long time, twice as long as neces- sary, they concluded that the match had gone out. We have always noticed that persons on such occasions make great mistakes in their estimate of time.
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They both approached the keg to lay another train. Just as they got to it, it had got ready to explode, and did, tearing and burning the poor boys fright- fully, and almost beyond recognition. Persons who saw them say it was the worst sight they ever saw. None of those who saw them expected they could recover, but cared for them as well as they could. But they ultimately did recover.
SOME ANCIENT DOCTORS AND DRUGGISTS.
We have spoken of Dr. Bowen and Dr. Comstock, but those were by no means the only doctors in the early days. Dr. R. E. W. Adams came to Joliet in 1836, and was for many years one of our leading physicians. He was an active member and one of the organizers of the old Union Church, and was zealous in all moral reforms. He was soon followed by his brother, M. L. Adams, the builder of the first foundry, who still resides here, and by William Adams, so long known as mine host of the National, now a resident of Chicago, and also Peter Adams, now of Galesburg. Dr. Adams removed to Springfield some years ago, and has since deceased. We once rode to Chicago with the Doctor at an early day, before the canal was opened, when we went by private conveyance. In those days we used to stop at Flag Creek for dinner. The Doctor was a zealous temperance man. The place where we stopped for dinner was kept by a temperance man, too; but the story had got about that he kept a little of the "critter" on the sly, for the accommodation of such of his guests as could not get along without it. While the landlord was out taking care of our horse, the Doctor mentioned the rumor and suggested the propriety of making a search to see if any evidence could be found of its truth. In one corner of the room was a little closet which was locked, but the Doctor had a key which turned the bolt, and on opening the door, behold there was a decan- ter well filled with a liquid, the smell of which left no doubt on the mind that it was whisky. The Doctor took his medicine case from his pocket and took therefrom a little vial marked "antim. et pot. tart.," and empted its contents into · the decanter, shook it thoroughly and replaced it, locking the door again, and sat down to dinner as coolly as if he had done a good thing. It relieves our conscience a little to remember that though accessory after the fact, we uttered a mild protest at the time. Now the subsequent history of tliat decan- ter we are unable to give, and must leave it to the reader's imagination ; it was no doubt interesting, and, perhaps, cured several persons of a love for whisky, and thus, on the principle that the end justifies the means, vindicated the act of the Doctor. While the Doctor was in practice here, he started the first drug store, in the old wooden store of Demmond's on the corner of the lot now owned by Mrs, Curry. He afterward moved up into the old wooden block which stood opposite the old stone block (now burned down), and there he took into partnership, both in practice and selling drugs, a young doctor of the name of J. S. Glover, who resided here until his death some years after. Drs. Adams and Glover were both lame in the same manner and from similar causes
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-an affection of the hip joint, and being of the same size were often mistaken the one for the other. The writer bought out the drug store of Adams & Glover in 1842, they having before bought out another establishment in the upper end of the stone block (Haven & Rood), and there, where Page bottles pop, and some other things, we commenced the brilliant career of an apothecary. Dr. M. K. Brownson was another of our early physicians, who settled on the Chicago road in 1835, and came to Joliet in 1836 or 1837. Dr. Brownson was our Postmaster under Fillmore, and also held the office of Public Adminis- trator. The Doctor now lives in California. Another early physician was Dr. Scholfield, who was also City Clerk under the first organization. He left for the West soon after the city scrip which he executed, went the way of all "fiat" money, and has been some years dead. Still another of our early physicians, was Dr. Wallace A. Little, who also left many years ago, and went to Jo Daviess County, which he has represented in the Legislature, and it is also said that he has got rich in mining operations. Schofield & Little were in partnership, both in the practice of medicine and also in running a small drug store for a while. Another of these benevolent institutions was started in 1846 by Mr. Brown, the father of our present druggists of that name. This was started on Chicago street, opposite the old wooden block.
Having spoken of the doctors and druggists of the ancient times, it is proper that something should be said of the
HEALTH OF THE COUNTY.
In the early settlement of the county, it, in common with the West gener- ally, suffered more or less from malarial diseases, and it acquired the reputation of being unhealthy. During the digging of the canal, too, there were two or three seasons in which there was an unusual amount of sickness, and many died, especially among the laborers-a good many of them, no doubt, as much from the treatment they received as from the disease. But since the county has been generally settled and cultivated, and the people and the physicians have learned better how to treat these diseases, they have ceased to be formidable.
In common with most parts of the country, this county was visited with epi- demic cholera in the years 1848 to 1854, and we lost many valuable citizens, among others C. C. Van Horne, O. H. Haven, M. H. Demmond, Dr. Comstock and others ; but since the last-named year there has been no recurrence of the epidemic. In the census of the county taken in 1850 by Mr. Marsh, the pop- ulation of the county is given at 16,709, and the number of deaths for the year previous at 232, being 1.38 per cent. This was a cholera year, and no doubt a large portion of the deaths were due to cholera, although the exact number cannot be ascertained. Our papers of the time told very definitely how many died of cholera elsewhere, but were sadly ignorant of its devastations at home -not an unusual thing, we believe. We confidently assert that at present no part of the Union is more uniformly healthy than Will County. We used to
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boast at an early day, when the question as to the health of the West came up, and we were charged with being sickly, that there was one disease of which people never died at the West, to wit, old age. But we cannot make this boast any longer. A large number of the oldest settlers have recently deceased at an advanced age, while others still linger, who must ere long swell the list. Quite a number of persons have deceased within a few years at Joliet, who have crowded hard upon a hundred years, and we have heard of others who exceeded that age. We have many now who, by reason of strength, exceed the allotted limit of fourscore. But inasmuch as Ponce de Leon did not, in 1512, find in Florida the fountain which would restore to old age the vigor of youth, and as no subsequent explorer has found it there, or elsewhere, not even in Min- nesota, and as it is " appointed unto all men once to die "-here, as everywhere,
" Pale death, with equal step, knocks at the cottage of the poor And the palace of the king."
We have spoken of the diseases of the county at the early day. The most common of these, although not the most formidable, was the one known in com- mon parlance as the "ague," or the " fever and ague." This has become al- most obsolete (at least in the original form), but it used to be a common expe- rience. True, we never could boast of such a prevalence of it as they could in Michigan, where, it was said, the church bells used to be rung in order that the people might know when to take their quinine. But it used to be considered one of the things that was necessary to constitute a man a settler, the other being the prairie itch. The writer well remembers his first hug at the ague. He had been in the country some three or four years, and had often laughed at the exhibition which others made while undergoing " the shakes," and felt him- self proof against it. He had gone through various other stages of Western experience; he had had the prairie itch ; had come to the age of citizenship, if not of discretion ; had bought a city lot and paid taxes ; had run for office, and got elected ; had gone back East and got a wife ; and yet had never had the " ager !"
One beautiful September morning, in the year 1838, he thought he would show the little woman he had persuaded to come back with him, some of the beauties of the country. This could be done in no better way than by a ride to Channahon, or the "mouth of the Du Page," as we then called that locality. Accordingly, in the early morning, with a horse and buggy, we set out. We could say we now with propriety, and we were not a little proud of it, and that was one reason why we were going, to show our cousin Minerva-Mrs. Risley -who we were. The morning was fine and bracing. We anticipated much pleasure. For what is more delightful than a drive into the country when the roads are good, the horse fast and sure, the air balmy and cool, and the dearest little woman in all the world by your side! We have said that the morning was cool and bracing. It soon began to feel quite cool, and so the writer re- marked to his wife. She said she was warm enough. We rode a little farther,
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and, though the sun got higher, it seemed to grow increasingly cold. In short, it grew colder and colder, as the sun got higher and higher, a phenomenon that seemed inexplicable. Presently, he felt an irresistible desire to yawn and stretch both his upper and lower extremities. There was hardly room to do this; out went his legs over the dashboard, while his arms went over the seat and around his wife, and pushed out right and left, promiscously. And still it cold and colder grew. He put on the heavy blanket coat, which, fortunately, he had brought along, and his wife's shawl, which she said she did not really need. But it all did no good ; the stretching and gaping continued, and even his teeth began to chatter, and to crown all, he shook-yes, shook ; oh, how he did shake! and, incredible as it may seem, he shook all over and to the re- motest extremities, and, like great Cæsar's, "his coward lips did from their
color fly." And all the while, the little wife said she was warm enough. If she had not been the dearest little woman in all the world, he would have been provoked to see her sit there as warm and comfortable as in July, while he was experiencing January and February condensed. But by this time she began . to wear a look of anxiety at the strange contortions of her husband. One more resource remained. Giving the reins to his wife, he got out to try what exer- cise would do, and told her to whip up, while he traveled on behind, with his hands hold of the end of the buggy. He followed this up until too leg-weary to continue it, and it seemed to do little good. He could not get warm, and still he gaped and stretched, and chattered and shook, and all the time he had not the least suspicion what the matter was.
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