USA > Illinois > McLean County > The good old times in McLean County, Illinois : containing two hundred and sixty-one sketches of old settlers, a complete historical sketch of the Black Hawk war and descriptions of all matters of interest relating to McLean County > Part 7
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68
WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY.
sity may be remembered by its friends in the future as it has been in the past ; that it may grow in numbers, in influence and in usefulness; that it may take a leading position among the universities of America, and place Illinois in the first rank among the States of the Union, in learning and the fine arts.
REV. SAMUEL FALLOWS, D. D.
The following biographical notice of Rev. Samuel Fallows, the recently chosen President of the Wesleyan University, is taken from the Alumni Journal, which republished it from the Christian Statesman of Milwaukee, Wis. :
" Dr. Fallows was born in Manchester, England, December 13th, 1835. He came to Wisconsin in 1848, and first settled at Marshall, Dane County, and has since resided at Galesville, Ap- pleton, Oshkosh, Milwaukee and Madison. He has officiated as assistant professor in the State University, from which institu- tion he graduated in 1859 with the highest honors, being the valedictorian of his class. From 1859 to 1861 he was Vice Presi- dent of Galesville University, in this State. He was elected Professor in Lawrence University in 1863, and Professor of Rhetoric in the State University in 1867, both of which positions were declined. He was pastor of Summerfield Church from 1865 to 1868, and of the Spring Street Church from 1868 to 1870, in the city of Milwaukee. During his pastorate the latter society built one of the most elegant churches in the State. Hle has been a regent of the State University for the past eight years. He entered the military service during the late rebellion, and was commissioned chaplain of the 32d Wisconsin Volun- teers, September, 1862; was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the 40th Wisconsin Volunteers, 1864, and in 1865 wasappointed Colonel of the 49th Wisconsin Volunteers, and breveted Briga- dier General in October of the same year for meritorious service. Was appointed State Superintendent, July 5th, 1870, by Gov- ernor Fairchild, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Hon. A. J. Craig. In November he was elected to fill the bal- ance of the unexpired term. Was renominated by the Republi- can State Convention in 1872, and re-elected, and no doubt would have been again nominated this year, for the same position.
69
WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY.
"As State Superintendent, Dr. Fallows has won a fine repu- tation, by his indefatigable, zealous and efficient labors in the cause of public education. He has industriously traversed the State, organizing teachers' institutes, and delivering sound and stirring lectures. His grand object has been to harmonize and unify the educational system of the State; and he has assidu- ously labored to bring the graded schools and the State Univer- sity into line. This may be called the distinctive feature of his administration of the office, and, from the progress made, there is no doubt that his efforts would have been crowned with sue- cess. In recognition of his services in the cause of education and religion, Lawrence University last year conferred upon him the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity.
"As a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Dr. Fallows has been no less efficient and successful, than as an edu- cator. As a pulpit orator he has but few superiors, and, when announced to speak upon any great question of the day, never fails to attract a large audience. Our friends in Illinois will find in him not only an efficient educator, but an earnest and elo- quent champion of every worthy cause. He will be a valuable accession, not only to the Wesleyan University, but to the State of Illinois. We part with Dr. Fallows with regret, and heartily wish for him a continuance of the abundant success which he has heretofore deserved and achieved."
II. C. DE MOTTE, A. M.,
Professor of Mathematics, and Vice President, was born in Greene County, Illinois, July 17, 1838. After having pursued certain preparatory studies, he entered the Wesleyan University September 1, 1859, was appointed janitor, November 1, in 1860, which office in those days was filled by the most worthy student. He was appointed tutor in mathematics April, 1861, was gradu- ated and elected Professor of Mathematics in June, 1861. He entered the Union army as First Lieutenant of Company G, 68th Regiment Illinois Volunteers, a regiment enlisted for three months. He was appointed Assistant Provost Marshal of Alex- andria, Va., August 23, 1862. Having been duly mustered out of service, he returned to duty as Professor of Mathematics in October, 1862, and in June, 1865, as senior professor, he was
.
70
WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY.
made Vice President of the University. Professor De Motte, in the absence of the President, has through a period of nearly three years performed the duties of that office with great ef- ficiency.
REV. J. R. JAQUES, A. M.,
Professor of Greek language and Instructor in German, was born in Warwickshire, England, December 8, 1828. He came to the United States in 1838: was trained in district school, academy and bookstore from 1840 until 1845 in Palmyra, N. Y. During the next three years he was trained in a printing office. From 1848 until 1850 he prepared for college in Union School, Lyons, N. Y. He was licensed to preach in 1850. Dur- ing the same year he entered as Freshman, Genesee College, (now Syracuse University) N. Y. ; was tutor in Latin and Greek, and graduated as A. B. in 1854. He was for a while principal of an academy in Steuben County, N. Y. In 1856 and 1857 he organized the Mansfield Classical Seminary, Pa., (now State Normal School). Released by the temporary suspension of the school by the burning of the building in 1857, he was pastor of first M. E. Church, Elmira, N. Y., then of the M. E. Church in Hornellsville, N. Y., and lastly of first M. E. Church, Roches- ter, N. Y. Leaving the pulpit in 1862 on account of throat trouble, he taught Latin, Greek and German in the Collegiate Institute, Rochester, N. Y. From thence he was called in 1865 to a chair in the Illinois Wesleyan University for which he had given many years to prepare himself by the philological study of Latin, Greek, Hebrew, German, French, Spanish, Italian, &c., &c.
BRADFORD S. POTTER, A. M.,
Professor of Natural Science, was born in Walworth, Wayne County, New York, June 5, 1836. He attended the Walworth Academy in 1849, and taught district school during the winter of 1853 and '54. He entered as classical Freshman Genesee College (now Syracuse University), August, 1854. He was Prin- cipal of Webster Academy from the winter term of 1856 and '57 until the summer of 1858. He returned to college in the fall of 1858, and in connection with his studies was employed as tutor in Latin in the preparatory department (or Genesee Wes-
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WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY.
leyan Seminary). He was also employed as teacher of the Normal department of Waterloo Academy in the winter of 1859 and '60. He graduated as A. B. in 1860. During the next six years he taught in New Albany, Indiana, and for a time was Principal of Mexico Academy, New York. From New Albany, Indiana, he was called in 1860 to Baker University in Kansas, as Professor of Mathematics ; but his work as an educator attracted the attention of the Trustees of the Illinois Wesleyan Univer- sity, and in 1867 he was called to his present position, which for six years he has maintained with success.
S. S. HAMILL, A. M.
Professor of Elocution and English Language and Literature was born in Butler County, Ohio, March 19, 1833. Having com- pleted his academic course, he entered the Freshman class of Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, Sept. 10, 1850. He was elected instructor in Elocution in Monmouth College, Illinois, in 1857, and entered as a Junior in the classical course. In 1858 he was elected Instructor in Elocution in Knox College, where he grad- uated in the classical course, June, 1859. For ten years he taught elocution in nearly every leading college between the Hudson River and the Missouri, including Michigan University, Gettys- burg College, &c. He traveled from one college to another. In 1860 he was elected Professor of Elocution in Monmouth Col- lege and in 1868 he was called to the same chair in the Illinois Wesleyan University, and in 1870 the department of English Language and Literature was added. In 1872 Professor Hamill's text book, entitled "Science of Elocution" was published, and new editions were soon called for. This book has received the favorable notice of the highest authorities in the United States. Professor Hamill, as a dramatic reader, has a wide reputation.
Since the above notice of Professor Hamill was written he has accepted a position in the North Missouri Normal School at Kirksville, as Professor of Elocution.
GEO. R. CROW, A. M.,
Professor of Latin, was born in Ohio, Sept. 26, 1832. He graduated in the Ohio Wesleyan University in 1861, with the degree of A. B. He enlisted in the army, July, 1862, and took
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WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY.
part in all the important engagements of the Army of the Cum- berland from the battle at Perryville, Ky., October, 1862, to the battle of Nashville, December 16, 1864, including the pursuit of General Bragg and the expedition to Atlanta, Ga. For distin- guished services at the battle of Murfreesborough he was com- plimented by his commander and soon after promoted to the rank of Captain. On account of his special qualifications he was assigned to the corps of Engineers. Here he was engaged in making surveys of the country in advance of the army in its southward march, and in superintending the construction of for- tifications and lines of defence. After the close of the war he engaged in agricultural pursuits in Logan County, Illinois, until August, 1870, when he was elected Professor in the Illinois Wes- leyan University, which position he has filled with marked ability.
PROF. JENNIE FOWLER WILLING, A. M.,
Was born in Canada West, January 22, 1834. She removed to New York in 1840, and in 1842 settled in Kendall County, Ill. At the age of nineteen she was married to Rev. W. C. Willing of Western New York. After a residence of seven years in New York she returned to Illinois. She began writing for the press at sixteen, which, with teaching and other duties, she has continued till the present time. In 1862, being relieved of other duties, she gave close attention to literature till called to more public duties. Her contributions to the periodical press have been numerous and highly prized. She wrote a serial for the New York Methodist, entitled "Underground;" also a volume of reli- gious fiction, entitled "Through the Dark to the Day." She has a wide reputation as a public speaker, having delivered anniver- sary addresses in the principal cities East and West. In 1869 she was made one of the three corresponding secretaries of the newly formed "Woman's Foreign Missionary Society" of the M. E. Church. Of late years, she has had charge of the North- western branch of this society, with headquarters in Chicago, traveling through all the States of the Northwest, organizing societies, delivering addresses and serving as one of the editors of the Heathen Woman's Friend. By the general Conference of 1872, in Brooklyn, N. Y., she was elected a manager of the
73
WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY.
Ladies' and Pastors' Christian Union. She is a secretary of the Evanston Educational Association, Trustee of Northwestern University. &c., &c. She was licensed to preach by the Joliet District Conference in 1873. She has the degree of M. E. L. from Jennings Seminary, and the degree of A. M. from the Northwestern University. In the summer of 1873, she was elected Professor of English language and literature in the Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
BLOOMINGTON BUSINESS COLLEGE.
This institution is under the control of M. De La Brown, proprietor and principal. The object of this business college is to teach penmanship and book-keeping. Penmanship is taught in three departments, the business, the teacher's and the pri- mary. The first is made up of those who desire to become first- class business penmen ; the second is for those who wish to fit themselves for teaching penmanship, and the third is for begin- ners. All branches of book-keeping are taught thoroughly. It is not easy to over-estimate the great advantages of thorough training in business, and the ability to keep books is one of the most important qualifications of a business man. M. De La Brown, the present proprietor of the Business College, took charge of it in January, 1870, and since then it has been in a flourishing condition. Its location is on the southwest corner of North Centre and Washington streets, over the Peoples' Bank.
GERMAN SCHOOL.
This school was founded in 1863, for the purpose of giving instruction in all common branches of study. The instruction is given in German, though the rudiments of English are taught. The school numbers from seventy-five to ninety scholars, of all ages and both sexes. The property of the society is valued at fourteen thousand dollars, and is under the control of the Ger- man English Society. The officers of the society are :
L. Theis, President; William Schausten, Vice President ; F. Volz, Secretary ; Frank Oberkoetter, Treasurer.
The Trustees are : Henry Neuburg, Wm. Schausten and C. A. Price.
The teacher of the school is F. C. Finkbohner. Mr. Fink- bohner was born July 14, 1833, in Wurtemberg. In early life
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PRIVATE SCHOOLS.
he showed a scholastic turn of mind. In 1850 he went to the University of Tuebingen and for four years studied theology and philosophy. After receiving his degree, he was for six years pastor in Wurtemberg and Switzerland. But he was very free in his opinions, and this led him to abandon the ministry. He emigrated to America in 1860, and for three years was the pastor of a Lutheran congregation in New Jersey. For a few years afterwards he was a teacher in a German-English school in De- troit, Michigan. In 1866 he came to Bloomington, and from that time until the present has had charge of the German school here. He was first employed on a salary, but now is paid by the scholar. He is a man of fine ability and high attainments. He is conscientious and independent in his opinions, and has been obliged to suffer because of them.
" I honor the man, who is willing to sink
Half his present repute for the freedom to think ; And when he has thought, be his cause strong or weak, Will risk t'other half for the freedom to speak."
BLOOMINGTON FEMALE SEMINARY.
This school was established in September, 1856, by Rev. R. Conover, for the education and moral training of young ladies and misses. The principal says that the aim of the Seminary is to secure "thorough scholarship, exemplary morals and lady-like and accomplished manners." The school, which is located at 507 East Grove street, has four teachers connected with it, including the principal. The number of pupils is limited, and each receives very careful attention. The institution has been conducted for seventeen years by its founder, and has ful- filled all expectation. It has prospered with the best free school system in the West, and with other liberally endowed state and denominational institutions. It is thought that with the growth of the West in numbers and wealth, the demand for this school will be increased by such as desire to educate their daughters thoroughly in a quiet and unpretending manner.
Rev. R. Conover, the founder and principal of this Seminary, has nearly all of his life taken an interest in educational and religious matters. He organized the first Presbyterian Church in Towanda township, and of this church he is still the pastor.
BLOOMINGTON LIBRARY.
THE Library of Bloomington is one of the oldest established in- stitutions of the city. It was organized in 1856, and though at first small, its growth has been sure. The Library is located on North street, between Main and Centre streets. The Presi- dent of the Library is Richard H. Holder, Esq., who takes the liveliest interest in its success. The Corresponding Secretary is Charles L. Capen and Mrs. H. R. Galliner, Librarian. The Library has now on its shelves five thousand eight hundred and seven volumes. The number of life members is one hundred and seventy-five ; the number of transient subscribers is three hundred and twenty, and the daily attendance of readers is one hundred and twenty-three. The following, taken from the re- port of the Board of Managers for the year closing March, 1873, shows more than anything else the value of the Library, and its influence over the rising generation of Bloomington :
"More persons have taken books and more have circulated than ever before. Twenty-six thousand volumes have been drawn by nine hundred and twenty-five subscribers. About thirty thousand persons have visited the Library rooms within the year ; and it is pleasant to note the fact that a large propor- tion of these visitors have been young men and boys, who are thus acquiring and strengthening tastes which can hardly fail to prove valuable safeguards in after life. The gratifying increase in the number of readers and visitors is doubtless due, in a measure, to the attractions furnished by the reading tables."
From the Librarian's report for the same date, the following is taken :
" Three thousand more books have been given out this year than in any previous one. Twice the amount of money has been expended for books, and more historical and valuable works
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BLOOMINGTON LIBRARY.
have been added. Among the additions were forty-seven old and rare historical works. Twenty-five volumes are worn out and need to be replaced. The increased attendance of readers in the Library over last year has been seven thousand."
It is hard to over-estimate the good influence of a popular Library. The books, which are first read, are of the most popu- lar kind, but gradually a taste for better literature is cultivated. and a demand for the best class of books is manifested. Itis seen by the report that thirty thousand persons visited the Li- brary in one year, and when we consider that the population of Bloomington is only about twenty thousand it will be seen what a vast influence is exerted by this single institution. The peo- ple of Bloomington have been remarkably liberal in their dona- tions of money and books, which shows how well the Library is appreciated. Their generosity is richly deserved.
M'LEAN COUNTY COAL COMPANY.
IN 1867 four enterprising young men of Bloomington formed a company for the purpose of opening a coal mine in the city. At the same time (or shortly afterwards) another company was or- ganized by O. Vaughan, M. T. Scott, Dr. T. F. Worrell, H. A. Ewing, A. E. and J. B. Stevenson under the name of "McLean County Coal Company," both companies immediately sunk their shafts striking coal at the depth of about three hundred feet. After working this vein for a year or more they sunk again to a second vein, which was found about one hundred feet below the first, and proved to be of a better quality, but also very expensive to work. After a period of about three years of discourage- ment and unforeseen difficulties the McLean County Coal Com- pany again prospected and found a third vein of coal about one hundred and forty feet below their second. The shaft was im- mediately lowered and coal struck July 30th, 1870, five hundred and forty feet below the surface, being the deepest working shaft in the State. This vein has proved to be of the very best qual- ity, although great expense is incurred in mining it. The first company deciding not to sink farther than their second vein, finally abandoned their enterprise as a failure. The McLean County Coal Company are now raising from three hundred and fifty to four hundred tons of cou per day, and their pay rolls amounting from $16,000 to $19,000 per month, giving employ- ment to about three hundred men, reducing the price of coal to half of its former cost, and saving many thousand dollars to this community. In fact it has been of incalculable benefit to the city and country, and it is hoped will yet prove a success finan- cially to those who have shown such indomitable will and pluck in carrying through that which has proved to be an immense en- terprise. Below is appended a table of the different stratas passed through in reaching the third vein :
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M'LEAN COUNTY COAL COMPANY.
In.
Surface soil, sand and gravel.
19
7
Blue clay ..
61
2
Sand and water
4
Blue clay.
76
4
Soapstone 39
Lime rock 1
35
5
Yellow clay
15
10
Soft shelly rock.
1
Soft gray sandstone.
11
Conglomerate lime stone (hard)
12
Soapstone .. 5
Coal (first vein abandoned)
3
6
Fire clay.
9
3
Gray sandstone
1
Soapstone
6
Dark shale
6
Soapstone
9
6
Fire clay.
10
Gray slate
Black slate
5
Coal (present vein, 2d)
1
4
Fire clay
10
Słate
Fire clay
6
Sand rock 20
6
Soapstone
62
5
Black slate
·)
Fire clay
1
1
Sulphurous rock.
1
Gray slate 11
1
Shale. 1
·)
1
Gray slate
S
Soapstone
6
8
Coal (3d vein)
S
Soapstone, coal and slate 25
-
Total 541 8
Hard lime rock
Feet.
Blue clay.
GERMAN SOCIETIES.
BLOOMINGTON TURN-VEREIN.
The aim of the society is to develop the physical system by means of gymnastic exercises, and to cultivate the intellect by literary entertainments. The society also renders assistance to members in sickness or distress. The society was organized in April, 1855. Their business meetings are held on the first and third Friday in each month, in their hall on Madison street. Meetings for gymnastic exercises are held on Tuesday and Thursday of each week. The members of the Turn-Verein make great exertions to obtain lecturers. They pay great atten- tion to musie, and during the winter months have concerts, where the most classical pieces are performed and the finest musical taste is exhibited. They also have theatrical pieces at their exhibitions, which are of the best character.
BLOOMINGTON TURN-GEMEINDE.
This society was chartered in January, 1872. It had existed for some years previous, but was not incorporated. Its present charter was obtained by W. B. Carloek, Esq., one of Blooming- ton's enterprising young lawyers. The meetings of the Turn- Gemeinde are held on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Their hall is on the southeast corner of Chestnut and Lumber streets. The objects of the society are physical develop- ment and mental improvement.
6
RAILROADS.
CHICAGO & ALTON RAILROAD.
On the seventeenth of February, 1847, an act was passed by the Legislature, granting a charter for the construction of a rail- road from Alton to Springfield, to be known as the Alton & Sangamon road. It was to be built by way of Carlinville and New Berlin, and was to have a capital stock of five hundred thousand dollars, which might be increased to one million. The prime mover in the matter was Benjamin Godfrey, a noted man at Alton. The road was constructed, and on the eleventh of February, 1851, an act was passed authorizing the railroad company to extend the road to Bloomington, and for this pur- pose power was given to increase the stock, not exceeding one million dollars. Six years afterwards, February 17th, an act was passed allowing the Alton and Sangamon Company to con- struct' a branch, from some point between Springfield and Bloomington, to Pekin and Peoria, and for this purpose were allowed to increase their capital stock five hundred thousand dollars. The road was completed to Bloomington in 1852, and on June 19th of that year the company was authorized to ex- tend its road from the latter place to connect with the Chicago & Rock Island Railroad, at a point not west of Ottawa nor east of Joliet ; and the company might, at its option, extend its road by way of the latter place to Chicago. The name of the com- pany was changed to one more comprehensive, and it was called the Chicago & Mississippi Railroad Company. The capital stock was not allowed to exceed three and a half millions of dollars. On the eleventh of February, 1863, the company was allowed to increase its capital stock to eight millions of dollars, and was authorized to borrow money and issue " preferred
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RAILROADS.
stock." But it did not stop here; it grew with the growth of the country, and on the 14th of February, 1855, its name was changed to the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad, and it was authorized to use the road of the Terre Haute & Alton Com- pany from Alton to near Wood River. There it was authorized to unite with the Belleville & Illinoistown Railroad and to make contracts with the Belleville & Illinoistown Company. On the eighteenth of February, 1861, the company was authorized to sell the road to William B. Ogden, Jacob Bunn and others, and after such sale the name might be changed to the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company. The sale was effected and the name was accordingly changed. On the first of January, 1864, the company leased the Joliet & Chicago Railroad, and on the sixteenth of April following leased the road of the Alton & St. Louis Company, between the two latter places. The business of the company, under good management, has grown rapidly and the corporation is now the wealthiest in the State. The railroad has been put in Class A. by the Railroad Commis- sioners of the State, and stands alone in this grade.
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