USA > Illinois > Woodford County > The Past and present of Woodford County, Illinois : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c.; a directory of its tax-payers; war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion; portraits of early settlers and prominent men; general and local statistics etc > Part 41
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EARLY HISTORY.
Twenty-five years ago, Frank B. Williams, then a young man of twenty, left his home in the hills of Vermont. He left his father's farm for the purpose of
426
HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
seeking a home and an independence in the rapidly developing Prairie State. The Michigan Central Railroad had, but the previous year, been completed to Chicago ; and, by this means of travel, he made his way to the city. Here he stayed a few days, seeking employment. His education had been quite liberal and he sought, but without success, a position as teacher in the public schools. Finding himself thus disappointed, he bought a horse, and on horseback set out on a tour of inspection of the central portion of the State. His course led him toward the city of Peoria. He traveled slowly, and in an indirect way, some- times near the Illinois River, and at other times wandering some miles away. until he came, finally, to the settlement in the vicinity of Lacon. Here he heard of the projected Illinois Central Railroad, which was to traverse the east- ern part of Marshall and Woodford Counties, and he hastened off to investigate the line of road, and to examine the land, with a view of becoming a land spec- ulator, and perhaps a farmer. He was pleased with the prospect, and at once selected a piece of land adapted to his wants and means, and started without delay to the land office to secure his title. This land he believes to have been either a part of the city of Minonk or adjoining, and, but for an untoward cir- cumstance, we might, have recorded him as the first settler of the township. When he arrived at the land office, he found that his selection was already dis- posed of, and being thus again thwarted in his designs, he disposed of his horse and again endeavored to find employment in the city, in which he was this time, in a measure, successful. He describes the country then as a large plain, with not a house or any other indication than occasionally a wagon track that the spot had ever before been visited by man. There was not to be seen even the little groves which now dot the prairies ; for all of these have since been planted and grown by the later occupants of the land. Away to the southwest could be seen the grove along Pantlier Creek ; to the northwest was Crow Creek with its belt of timber ; and stretching far off to the east lay Long Point. Aside from these and the summer sky, and the almost boundless sea of prairie grass, the eye had no where to rest. Certainly a quarter of a century has wrought wonderful changes. What was then a dreary waste is now a populous and thriving city ; what was tben a roaming place for wolves and other wild animals is now a suc- cession of fertile fields.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
The first settlement of the township and of the city of Minonk are identical, as all who located here within the first year or two made the station, which had been recently established, their objective point.
The first actual settler within the limits of the township was Samuel Work. He came originally from the State of Pennsylvania, and settled in Illinois as early as 1831. Upon the completion of the railroad, he came to this place and entered upon the duties of Station Agent, which position he continued to hold for fifteen years. He was the first Justice of the Peace in the Township, being elected to that office while Minonk and Panola were yet a single precinct.
427
HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
The location of the town was secured by Duvid A. Neal, of Salem, Mass. A plat of the village, seven hundred and eighty feet wide un each side of the Illinois Central Railroad, and extending along its 3,690 feet, was recorded in the office of the Recorder of Woodford County, November 7, 1854. This plat was laid out and surveyed, from Section 7 of the township, by Peter Folsom, Deputy Surveyor of Woodford County, and for Mr. Neal, owner of the section.
As soon as it was definitely known that a town was established here, acces- sions began immediately to be made. The same Fall, Charles Dobson came from the vicinity of Pattonsburg for the purpose of opening a store, which, in company with Americus Pogue, he did in the Fall of 1854.
They built the first house in the township, it being the store building, on the corner now occupied by the banking house of Jenkins, Dunn & Co. Mr. Dobson also built, soon after, a dwelling house. A post office was established at this point in December of this year, and Mr. Dobson was appointed Post- master.
C. W. Goodrich was the third man in the place. He came, with his family, from New York, arriving at the station in May, 1855. He built the second dwelling house, and immediately engaged in the grain and lumber trade, taking into partnership James Parker, who, with his father and brother Martin, made their advent about this time. During the season, quite a number of accessions were made to the little community, and as nearly in the order in which they are named as can now be remembered.
Jonathan Macey, from Indiana, was the proprietor of the first hotel, the same which, with several additions, has answered the demands of the traveling public ever since. Mr. Macey has long since moved further west, and the hotel has frequently changed hands. The original building was erected by Joel Pratt, from New York, and brother-in-law of C. W. Goodrich.
The first farm was opened by Samuel Wiley, from Vermont. His farming operations, in which he was assisted by his brother Joseph, were begun on Sec- tion 5. About the same time, Mr. Goodrich also did a little in this line. In the Spring of 1856, Thornton Taylor and family moved in from the western part of the county. In his family occurred the first death in the community. His son La Fayette was attending a meeting of some kind, and, in stepping suddenly from a seat on which he had been standing, received an internal injury from which he soon after died.
H. A. Christians, a native of Germany, came early this year and opened the first blacksmith shop. His daughter Clara was the first child born in the new town.
Isaac Garrison, a physician, located here during the Summer, and was the first of his profession.
In the Fall of the year, L. G. Keedy, who afterward, in the war of the rebellion, went out as Captain of the first company raised in this part of the county, selected this as his home.
428
HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
With this number of families, it will readily be guessed there would at once be a demand for schools and church services. Such was the case, for in the Winter of 1856-57 a school was established. It was opened in a little building which stood just west of the present site of the hotel. The house in which the school was opened had been in use by the railroad company, as a boarding house for the employes of the road.
Frances Reeder was invested with the charge of the school; and the School Treasurer's books show that, on April 6, 1857, there was paid to her, as salary for the four months' services as teacher, the sum of seventy-nine dollars.
The first religious service was held in the new hotel, in the Fall of 1856.
Rev. Mr. Frost, a Presbyterian evangelist, was traveling through the country, and stopped, both at this place and Panola, and preached to the people. There was but little thought of denomination then. All the people came together, on short notice, and "heard the word gladly."
As remembered now, the first marriage celebrated was that of George W. Simpkins and Mary Sutton. Miss Sutton's people lived in a part of Mr. Good- rich's warehouse, and here the ceremony was performed by Samuel Work, who had but recently been elected Justice of the Peace. No cards.
PROGRESS.
No incidents of a startling character are remembered. Minonk has ever been noted as a very practical and matter-of-fact town, but little given to sen- sations, or that which would give a narrative great interest to the sensational reader. However, the steady and solid growth of the town was quite marked ; it was firmly established ; and tradesmen, farmers, mechanics and professional men of almost all kinds dropped in from time to time.
As those who came usually succeeded in their callings, they settled down and made this their permanent home; so that the population of the township had so increased, by 1857, that it was thought advisable to organize the town- ship as a separate precinct, and, an order from the Board of Supervisors having been obtained to that effect, an election was held, April 7th, when it was found that the poll numbered twenty-two.
At the election, C. W. Goodrich was called to the chair, and L. G. Keedy elected Clerk pro tem. Among the names of those elected to office will be noticed quite a number not heretofore mentioned. Several of these had but recently come to the township. The officers elected were: George P. Dan- forth, Supervisor; A. L. Pogue, Clerk ; Charles Dobson, Assessor; Thomas Reeder, Collector ; Jonathan Macey, Overseer of the Poor; George P. Dan- forth, Samuel Clegg and John Vance, Highway Commissioners ; Wm. Reeves, Justice of the Peace ; Joel B. Pratt and Lewis Fowler, Constables ; Jonathan Macey, Lewis Fowler and George P. Danforth, Pound Masters; Lewis Fowler, Thornton Taylor and A. H. Danforth, Road Masters.
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
If office holding was then as desirable as it is now, in some localities, there were doubtless some souls made happy. as nearly every man got an office and some got more.
Some important business was transacted. which has since exerted a marked influence on the policy of the township. Resolutions were adopted for keeping up all kinds of stock ; for providing for the establishment of three pounds, and for dividing the township into three road districts.
HIGHWAYS.
The people of this township seem, from the first, to have been of a class ambitious to excel in matters of public import ; for no sooner was the organiza- tion completed than steps were taken to put into operation the means whereby enterprises of a public nature might be put in motion ; and especially do we find this the case in regard to public thoroughfares. The year had not passed, before at least eight lines of new road, of not less than fifty miles in extent, had been surveyed and authorized by the Commissioners. The first petition -for a road of six miles, on the line between Minonk and Clayton-was not granted.
The first road that received favor from the Commissioners was the one commencing at the southwest corner of Section 34, and running north, through the township, and dividing it into two equal parts. Next came a petition for the road running east from First street, in the town of Minonk, bearing north, to the south line of Section 5, and thence due east, through the township. Then a road, from the southeast corner of Section 12, and running west, to the township line, was demanded and granted. Following this was a petition for a road from the northwest corner of Section 5 directly south, to the south town- ship line. This was succeeded by a road, commencing at the northwest corner of Section 4 and running south, through the township. The next was for a road beginning at the northwest corner of Section 2, and extending south, to the southwest corner of Section 34. The last this year was for a joint road, between Minonk and Groveland Townships. This made every north and south section line and three of the east and west lines duly anthorized highways. This system has since been greatly extended and improved, so that we now find every section line a regularly laid out and graded thoroughfare; and though this was the latest township settled, and though the natural advantages have been much in favor of other townships, the highways of Minonk compare favor- ably with any township in the county.
RAILROADS.
The history of the building of the Illinois Central Railroad is, of course, anterior to the history of the township of Minonk, and needs only to be referred to here. The charter of the railroad was granted, by the Legislature of the State, in 1851. One of the conditions of the charter was, that every alternate section of land, for a distance of six miles, on each side of the line, was to be
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
donated to the company, to aid in its construction. So that one-half of the township of Minonk originally belonged to the company.
The Chicago, Pekin & Southwestern Railroad was completed in 1872. With this, the city and township had much to do, in securing its location through this part of the county. It was on a promise of assistance of $50.000, voted by the township, January 16, 1869, that the company consented to run the road through its limits.
By a recent vote of the township, it has been decided to authorize the Town Clerk and Supervisor, by and with the consent and advice of the Board of Town Auditors, to issue bonds of the township, and sell them, to raise money to purchase and retire all outstanding bonds issued in aid of the C., P. & S. W. R. R. The bonds are to be each for the sum of $500, and to bear interest at a rate not exceeding eight per cent. per annum, payable annually. The bonds are to run not to exceed ten years from date, or in installments, as the authorities may determine.
While there may be some doubt whether a second railroad has materially added to the interests of the city, but few will dispute that the country has been greatly benefited thereby. Much has been saved to the farming commu- nity in the way of freights, as, by the means of this line, there has been opened a direct route to Chicago; and also, competition has doubtless reduced freight rates not a little.
EDUCATION.
The inhabitants of this township have, from the first, taken more than ordinary interest in the matter of schools. As before noted, as early as 1856, a school was organized at the station ; but this did not long answer the demands of the rapidly increasing populatian. A Board of School Trustees, consisting of L. G. Keedy, Charles Dobson and Jackson Parker, with C. W. Goodrich as their Treasurer, had been elected, September 1, 1856, and had exercised full authority over the school matters in the whole township, which at first consisted of one district. The school section had been sold February 11, 1857, for $6,536. School had been in successful operation at the station for four months. Settlements were being made in the eastern part of the township ; and a demand was arising for a school in that neighborhood. So the Trustees, on the 6th day of April, 1857, as then authorized by law, proceeded to lay out the township into two districts, the four northeast sections into one district, and designating it as No. 2, and designating all the balance of the territory as No. 1. The first Directors of the new District No. 1 were Daniel Hollenback, Jonathan Macey and Levi Fillingham.
Three years after, October 13, 1860, the Trustees, finding that schools were needed in other parts of the township, met and formed two new districts, one in the extreme eastern part, consisting of Sections 13, 14, 23 and 24, and the other in the south part, embracing Sections 21, 22, 27, 28, 33 and 34. There still remained a considerable portion of the territory unorganized, and some
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
of the already formed districts were too large for convenience-being three miles in length-so on the following May it was thought advisable to make still further divisions ; and the number of districts was increased to seven. No further divison was made until October 9, 1868, when an additional district was formed, making the number eight. At that time, the number of children had increased to 740. This number has since increased to 1,511; having about doubled in ten years. The School Treasurers, in the order in which they held the office, have been C. W. Goodrich, G. H. Jenkins, H. C. Dent, M. A. Cush- ing and Euclid Martin, the last having been appointed October 4, 1875. The number of teachers employed in the township, at one time, is sixteen. The amount expended for teachers' salaries, and all other purposes, is $6,600 per annum.
CITY OF MINONK.
About ten years after the advent of the first inhabitant to the neighborhood, it began to be realized by the citizens of the thriving little village that many advantages, in the way of sidewalks and other public improvements, might accrue from the incorporation of the same. Accordingly, a meeting was called for September 17. 1864, to take the matter into consideration and to determine whether the town should be incorporated under the general act of the State. The meeting was unanimous in favor of incorporation, and an election was at once called for the election of five Trustees. The election took place September 30, and resulted in the election of Reuben P. Bell. A. Cholwell, C. W. Good- rich, Henry C. Dent and M. A. Cushing. At the first meeting of the Trustees, October 30, R. P. Bell was elected President and H. C. Dent, Clerk. At this meeting it was also voted that all of Section 7 should be embraced in the cor- porate limits of the town, and a plat of the same be provided and filed with the County Recorder. Under this organization the town existed and flourished for three years, when a move was made to obtain a city charter. The charter was granted March 7, 1867, and the first election held October 7.
The charter divided the city into four wards.
The first officers elected under the city charter were John Stoner. Mayor : Alderman of First Ward, Samuel Work ; Alderman of Second Ward, H. R. Kipp ; Third Ward, John Sparks ; Fourth Ward, Henry C. Dent ; Clerk, M. L. Newell. This organization continued for five years, when, in 1872, the Legislature of the State, authorized by the new constitution, having passed a general law for the incorporation of towns and cities, it was deemed advisable again to change the style of government. At an election held on the 20th of September, it was decided to incorporate under the provisions of the general act. The first election of officers was held April 15, 1873, at which time the following persons were selected for the respective offices : C. H. Whittaker, Mayor; M. L. Newell, Attorney ; A. K. Ferrin. Treasurer : J. M. Fort, Clerk ; A. B. Kipp, J. T. Taylor, M. A. Cushing, G. W. Simpkins, F. Pressinger and John King, Aldermen.
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
This organization has remained in force to the present time. The present officers are R. Newton, Mayor ; F. H. Goodrich, Clerk ; W. R. Dunn, Treas- urer ; W. C. Simpson, Attorney ; George Dent, Police Magistrate; W. J. Taylor, J. C. Wickler, J. W. Gilbert, A. Bell, E. Martin and Charles Fuller, Aldermen.
Under all its forms of government, the city seems to have prospered ; the style of the charter and the manner of putting the laws into execution being of less importance than the energy of the people and the integrity of the officers selected.
CHURCHES.
But few towns are better supplied with churches than Minonk; all of the leading denominations are represented, and each has a comfortable house of worship. Though the buildings do not excel in architectural beauty, they are all neat, comfortable and commodious, and ample for present wants, and, what is best of all, are paid for. As in most new places, so in this, church organiza- tions preceded buildings. As stated in another part of this narrative, religious services were held here as early as 1856. During the same Summer, a Sunday school was organized, by A. H. Danforth as Superintendent, in which all joined without regard to sect or opinion. The school was held in the old depot build- ing, but was finally removed to the Presbyterian Church, which was built a year after. The Presbyterian was the pioneer church. This society organized in 1856, and called the Rev. J. M. Brown as Pastor. Their first church building was ready for occupation in 1858. It was a small structure, and cost but $350, but at that time was large enough to answer the demands of the whole community. This building was superseded by a more pretentious house in 1867. This last building is capable of seating three hundred persons, and was erected at a cost of $7,000. The present membership is about seventy. The Methodists, who are usually the pioneers, were second in this field. They organized their society the next year, with fifty-four members, which number has now increased to 114. The first Pastor of the church was Rev. William C. Cummings. In 1866, they built their house of worship, a neat and substantial frame, capable of seating about 300, at a cost of 84,000. In 1877, they erected the parsonage, at an outlay of $1,000. The Pastor in charge, at present, is Rev. A. C. Price. The Baptist Church was organized in June, 1858, with Rev. C. D. Merit as Pastor. He was a man of much merit, and continued in charge of the church for many years. Under his administration, the society was largely built up in numbers and influence ; and, resulting largely from his labors, we find this church with a membership of 230.
433
HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
But time and space will not permit an extended account of each of the eight churches, but the following table will show the reader the leading facts in relation to all :
NAME OF CHURCH.
ORGANIZED.
FIRST PASTOR.
BUILDING
ERECTED.
SIZE OF
BUILDING.
CAPACITY.
COST.
MEMBERSHIP
PRESENT PASTOR.
Presbyterian
1856 J. M. Brown.
1858
300 7000
70 W. S. Markle.
Methodist.
1857|W C. Cummings
1866: 32x56
275 4000
114 A. C. Price.
Baptist.
1858 C. D. Merit
32x66
300 4000
230 Geo. Sutherland.
Christian
1865 R. Roberts.
1867 40x52
300 3500
75 F. Gormerly.
Catholic.
1865 Father Keenan
1865 40x65
300 5000
200 Father Keeting.
Lutheran
1868 J. Newman
1868 32x48
200 2800
150 A. Schoenhuth.
German Baptist
1870 F. Melchers.
1870 24x52
250 1500
75 F. Melchers.
Second Lutheran.
Rev. Burfiend.
150|
600
20 C. Weber.
From the above, it will be seen that the church property has cost the differ- ent societies nearly thirty thousand dollars : the seating capacity of the build- ings is about two thousand, and the present membership is near six hundred. Of the membership cf the two Lutheran and Catholic societies, only an esti- mate of the adult membership is given, as their method is to compute by families.
COAL.
Doubtless the greatest interest in the city or township, aside from that of farming, is that of coal mining. The Minonk Coal Company was incorporated by the Legislature in 1869. The project was originated by Dr. Samuel Ewers. The first Board of Directors consisted of Frank Burt, H. R. Kipp, M. L. Newell, J. D. Webber, H. C. Dent, Charles Whittaker and Samuel Ewers. The last named was the first President and Manager, and was authorized to solicit stock. The amount of stock was at first fixed at 86,000, the shares being $25 each. The whole amount was soon bought and paid for. Additions to the stock were occasionally made during the next three years, and the first vein of coal was struck, at a depth of 314 feet below the surface. This vein was four feet in thickness. The quality of the coal, however, was not thought to be good enough to work ; and the stock was sold, and a new company formed under the following Directors : H. R. Kipp, C. Sharp, Sr., Harrison Simpson, Samuel Work, Frank Burt, Rev. Mr. Thompson, Milton Davison and Charles Whittaker. This company went to work, and, at an additional depth of 239 feet, struck a second vein of coal, of two and a half to three feet in thickness. They had expended about four thousand dollars, which, together with what had previously been paid out, made a total of expenditures of nearly six thousand dollars. At this juncture, they found themselves unable to proceed further.
It was then that an arrangement was effected with Minor T. Ames, of Chicago, in which they were to deed to him a controlling interest, with the understanding that he was to have entire control of the company's affairs ; that he was to furnish one-half of the capital to put the enterprise in shape, and that
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HISTORY OF WOODFORD COUNTY.
the company should furnish the other half. The means of the company, how- ever, soon gave out, and, being unable to keep up their part of the expenses, the stock was sold for $13,000. This stock was bought in, and a new company formed, and known as the Chicago & Minonk Coal and Coke Company. The new company at once set about putting the shaft and machinery in order, so as to run it to its full capacity. The amount of coal raised per day averages about four hundred tons. Mr. Ames, as Superintendent and General Manager, is working about three hundred hands. The quality of the coal mined is said to be most excellent.
THE PRESS.
Though two attempts were made, some years ago, to establish a newspaper at Minonk, both failed, each failure producing in the minds of patrons a meas- ure of distrust and indifference, which, added to the fact of the point being in a remote part of the county, rendered an enterprise of the kind doubly difficult of accomplishment. However, realizing that a work of this kind was really needed here, and that by industry and energy a return of confidence might be secured, Irving Carrier, in 1874, set about in carnest to establish the paper known as the Minonk Blade. The first number made its appearance July 1, 1874. Its present popularity was not gained at once; but, like most new enterprises, it has had its difficulties, with which it has had to contend, and, but for the unceasing labor of its proprictors, might have shared the fate of its predecessors.
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