The history of Adams County Illinois : containing a history of the county - its cities, towns, etc. a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion; general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 66

Author:
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : Murray, Williamson & Phelps
Number of Pages: 1254

USA > Illinois > Adams County > The history of Adams County Illinois : containing a history of the county - its cities, towns, etc. a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion; general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men > Part 66

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

There is but one Christian church in Quincy, this being organized in 1850. Previous to that time a few of the members had gathered in a room rented for the purpose, and held service; but it was not until the year mentioned that the congregation leased the church on Fifth street, between Jersey and York, owned by the Free Will Baptists, and had regular meet- ings. Of the constituent members at that time, probably twenty in num- ber, the names of Mr. and Mrs. Hayes, Mrs. Kinman, Mr. Renfrow, Mr. Hatchett and wife, Mr. Laughlin and wife, Mr. Marens Turner and wife (now of Alton), and Mr. Henry Kemp and wife, are recalled; but of all who organized the church only Mrs. Hayes, Mrs. Kinman and Mr. Ren- frow are living in the city. President Murphy, of Abingdon college, was the first pastor, coming to Quincy in 1850. The Christains bought the church belonging to the Southern Methodists, on Fourth, between Jersey and York, about 1856. They held services there until eight years ago, when they sold it and built the present Christian Church, at Broadway and Ninth

streets. The Rev. Dr. Hatch, of Hannibal, succeeded Mr. Murphy in the pastorate, in 1856, and was followed by Elder Simins, Elder Howe, Elder Mccullough and Elder Clark, the latter retiring during the past year. Elder J. T. Toof took charge of the congregation this fall. The church now has a membership of 200.

JEWISH CHURCII.

The first church organized by the Jewish people of Quincy, was forin ed December 14, 1856, there being at that time twenty-three members.

469

HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.

Meetings were held for a time on Hampshire street, between Fifth and Sixth, the Rev. Mr. Israel being the first minister. The frame synagogue on Sixth street, between Vermont and Broadway, was built in 1866, and cost, with the lot, $12,700. It was dedicated August 3, by the Rev. Dr. Vidaver, of New York City. July 29, 1872, this society united with the congregation of B'nai Sholem. The K. K. B'nai Sholem was organized October 20, 1864, with twenty-one members. The Rev. Mr. Rauh was the first minister, and for three years services were held in Fisher's Hall, on Fourth street, near the corner of Hampshire. In 1869 the society held services for a short time in the old First Baptist church. The ladies held a fair in the fall of 1868, by which a considerable amount, to assist in build- ing a new church, was realized. In February, 1869, the lot where the pres- ent temple stands was purchased, and work on the building was soon after commenced; July 30, the corner-stone was laid with Masonic ceremonies, the Grand Master of the State being present. The address was delivered by the Rev. Dr. I. M. Wise, of Cincinnati. The building was dedicated September 8, 1870, by the Rev. Dr. M. Fluegel, who was the rabbi at that time. The temple is built of brick and stone, after the Moorish style of architecture. It is seventy feet deep by forty feet wide, and eighty-four feet in height. The Rev. Isaac Moses is the present rabbi, and is also the superintendent of the Sabbath-school. There are about sixty members, representing a congregation of about 500, and the Sunday-school has nearly 150 scholars. The congregation belongs to the union of American He- brew congregations, and the services are conducted strictly in accord- ance with reform principles.

UNITARIAN CHURCH.

The first church of the Unitarian denomination was organized in De- cember, 1840, the original church including twelve members. The Rev. Geo. Moore, of Concord, Mass., was the first pastor, the society having built a small frame church on Maine street, where Pinkham Hall is now located. Mr. Moore remained with the society until 1847, when he died. In 1850 the church building was moved to Maine street, near the corner of Fourteenth, and sold to Mr. Pinkham, the society building a frame church on the south side of Jersey street, near Sixth, the same year. In 1858 the present church was built, Mr. R. S. Benneson donating the lot. The church is a handsome brick edifice, with seating capacity of 600, the Sunday-school room, church parlors, pastor's study, etc., being in the rear. The Sunday- school superintendent is Mrs. R. S. Benneson, and there are about 225 scholars. The Rev. F. L. Hosmer occupied the pulpit from 1872 to the Spring of 1877, the Rev. J. Vila Blake, of Boston, being the present pastor.

LUTHERAN CHURCHES.

In 1837 a small number of Lutherans banded themselves together and organized this church. They commenced work immediately to secure a meeting house, Gov. John Wood having given them a lot on the east side of Seventh street, between York and Kentucky. Here they built a brick church 30x55 feet in size, the ground at that time being more than twenty feet higher than the present level. In 1868 the ground was graded down, and the present church built at a cost of $22,000. It has a membership of about 100. The Rev. Louis Holter has been pastor and superintendent of the Sunday-school for the past four years.

470

HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.

Like all the other societies in Quincy, the Evangelical Salem had a small beginning, $1,600 being considered a sufficient amount to build their first church. This was in 1848, the building being of brick, and occupying the corner of State and Ninth streets. In 1863 the church was enlarged by building on an addition of twenty feet, making it 40x70 feet in size. For some time past, however, the society has been contemplating making a still further enlargement, as it had increased to such proportions as to make this step necessary. The large and handsome church now occupied by this con- gregation was accordingly commenced, and was completed and dedicated a short time since. The building is 60x120 feet, of brick and stone, of Gothic architecture. The tower, from the basement to the top is 220 feet high. There are 400 male members of this church, probably a larger number than belongs to any other church in the city. The interior of the edifice is in keeping with its exterior, being handsomely finished and furnished. On either side of the black walnut pulpit is a room for the use of the pastor, while the auditorium, with the spacious gallery, affords seating capacity for 1,500 people. The building is heated by steam, having a furnace similar to that in the new court-house. The windows are of colored glass of beau- tiful design. Two large chandeliers, with side-lights, costing $650, and a large organ, have been put up. The cost of the church complete has been $45,000.

The Rev. S. Kuhlenholter, the present pastor, has occupied the pulpit of this church for the past seventeen years. A large and prosper- ous school is carried on in connection with the church.

St. Jacobi church was started in 1851. It first met at the corner of Eighth and Jersey streets, in the church now occupied by the colored peo- ple. This church seems to have done pioneer service for several of the re- ligious bodies, as we have already mentioned others which occupied it at various times. The St. Jacobi congregation built its present brick church at Eighth and Washington streets eleven years ago. Then (1866) it cost $15,000. Two parsonages are connected with it, one of them, erected about two years ago, being valued at $3,000, and the old one at $1,600. Louis Golm. F. W. Menke, Henry Heidbreder, Henry Bitter, Henry Menke, Au- gust Itner, and Henry Pieper, were among the prominent members of the church from its origin. Their first pastor was the Rev. August Schmieding, who remained with them from 1850 till 1873, when the Rev. Win. Haller- berg took charge, and remains with them. The congregation includes 200 male members.

St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church, on the corner of Ninth and York streets, was built in 1875. It is early English Gothic architecture, 100x50 feet, built of brick and stone, and having a slate roof. St. Peter's, with Herman Heidbreder, Herman Brente, Loranz Lepper, George Good- apple, Peter Meyer, Jacob Herman, and Bernard Meyer, and others as ear- nest supporters, commenced holding services in 1860. These gentlemen purchased a frame church (Lutheran), which stood at Ninth and Vermont streets, and removed it to the corner of Ninth and York. It was torn down in 1875 to make room for the building now there. The latter cost $12,000, besides the property and school-houses and grounds-the whole being worth $20,000.

St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church is located on Monroe between Ninth and Tenth streets. It has about thirty male members. They built the church, which is of brick, three years ago, just after forming their

471

HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.

society. It cost about $6,000. They also put up a school-house and a parsonage for $4,000. The pastor, the Rev. Mr. Munzell, is at present in Berlin, Germany. ,

CATHOLIC CHURCHES.

Certainly very few Protestants, and probably comparatively few Cath- olics, know and appreciate the importance and extent of the church and edu- cational buildings erected by members of the order of St. Francis, in East Quincy. And one can gain but a very inaccurate idea of the completeness of these buildings without a thorough examination of them. From a very small beginning they have grown constantly and rapidly, until now the property as a whole, under the control of this order, probably exceeds in value that owned by any other denomination in the city. In 1859 ten of these Franciscan monks were sent to Quincy to found a church. They suc- ceeded only partially at first, but built a church and convent of brick and stone. Subsequently other brothers of the order arrived and the number has gradually increased, until there are about fifty of them here. In 1864 they put up a substantial school building, and in 1870 a handsome college, both of brick, the latter being chartered in 1872. Beginning with only eighty or ninety scholars, the school now has about 400, and the college an average attendance of 100. While there are fifty brothers of the order en- gaged in the convent, the larger number of them are clerics, there being eleven teachers and two professors of philosophy.

In connection with these establishments is an orphan asylum, founded by Father Schafenmeyer, now Father Laborius (he having joined the order). The church edifice, although small, is one of the most magnificent buildings of its character in this part of the country. The monks, appreciating the fact that it is inadequate for their use, are now contemplating putting up a much larger and grander church on property adjacent secured for that pur- pose. They have purchased an additional block of ground just west of the present building, and although the plan is not yet fully matured, it is prob- able that this will be the site of the new edifice. Ten thousand dollars have already been collected as a building fund. Half a block of ground on the south side of the street belongs to the orphan asylum, and the monks have bought three-quarters of a block in Moulton's addition, one block to the north. Mr. Christian Borstadt donated to the order all of the ground on which the church and other buildings now stand, four acres. This, with the property since acquired, makes about fifteen acres of ground owned by these Franciscan monks. The real estate and buildings are valued at $250,000. The convent, church, school, etc, were put up by the brothers themselves, many of whom are excellent workmen at various trades. A considerable quantity of brick and other contributions were given them by Mr. Thomas Redmond, who has shown equal liberality toward other Catholic institutions in the city. The buildings are heated by steam and lighted by gas, the gas works having been finished the pres- ent season.

The order was established in Naples in 1208. It was distinguished by vows of absolute poverty and a renunciation of all the pleasures of the world. A rule of the order destined them to beg and preach, and this was sanctioned by the pope. The Franciscans were granted many privileges, and the order spread rapidly, finally comprising many monasteries, all es- tablished by alms and contributions, as have been the convent, college and

472

HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.

school at this city. The Franciscan order has at all times maintained its popularity in the Roman Catholic church. Numerous foreign missions are supplied by it.

The history of the various Catholic churches in the city is almost one continuous story, as church after church has grown out of the original congregation until there are now four very large congregations, owning a like number of costly and beautiful edifices. The first Catholic society was worshiping as early as 1833. It was then composed of Germans and Irish, and held service only at such times as the missionary priest, Father Lefevre, could reach Quincy. The society occupied a small frame dwell- ing on Broadway, near Eleventh street. Afterward a more commodious but very unpretentious room was secured at the corner of Seventh and Kentucky streets, in which services were held for some time, and then a · church was built at Eight and Maine.

Father Lefevre, who presided over the congregation, afterward attained considerable eminence in the church, and was finally made bishop of De- troit. Schools were established almost as early as the church organization was perfected, and both Sunday and day schools have been maintained ever since and have formed a very important factor in the propagation of the Catholic church.

The St. Peter's Church was one of the first distinct organizations as an ontgrowth of the whole Catholic element in Quincy up to 1838. It was not, however, until some years later that the Rev. Father Tucker took charge of the church and gave it the first onward push to success which has since been one of its characteristics. Father Tucker was a native of Illinois, having been born at Kaskaskia, and educated at the schools estab- lished by the French missionary monks, whose settlement at that place over a hundred years previous had already made the town famous in the Catholic world. The first edifice was erected on the present site, the St. Lawrence Church having previously stood there. The ground was donated by an Englishman who had been converted to Catholicism, and who was known as a lord. This was in 1849, the society occupying a little room on the north side of Maine street as a school-house. Father Derwin succeeded Father Tucker, and a few years afterward he was followed by Father O'Donnell, who remained here only a short time. He died of cholera at Ottawa, where he had gone on legal business. The next priest was Father McIlhern, then Father Dempsey, then Father Laughlin, and finally, fifteen years ago, came Father McGirr, under whose management the very fine church now occupied was built. It is one of the principal churches in beauty of architecture and elaborate finish of which the city can boast. Connected with it is the St. Peter's school, a preparatory department at which about 150 young scholars are in daily attendance. The congrega- tion is one of the largest in the city. Its property is valued at $100,000.

Another pioneer among the Catholic churches was the St. Boniface, organized in the winter of 1837-38. Its first church building was erected on the west side of Seventh street, between York and Kentucky, -a small frame-on ground given to the society by ex-Gov. John Wood. Subse- quently a lot was bought on the same street, between Hampshire and Maine, just north of the present church, and thereon was put up probably the first brick house for worship. The members of the St. Boniface con- gregation also went to work to raise funds, and bought the lots on the cor- ner of Seventh and Maine, which have since been occupied by them. The St. Boniface had the first regularly appointed priest that located in Quincy.

Bramas edmand (DECEASED) QUINCY

473

HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.

This was the Rev. A. Bredweder, who came here almost direct from Ger- many in 1840, followed by a number of German families who had determ- ined to take up an abode wherever he made his home. The colony arrived at St. Louis, and after remaining there only a few weeks, Father Bredweder was directed to take charge of the St. Boniface congregation, and they removed here with him.

It was owing to the efforts of this priest that the society, as poor as it was, was enabled to build the present St. Boniface Church. He collected a sum of money to start with, and all connected with the church assisted by means of gifts of brick and lumber in addition to the work, which was also done by them. It was commeneed in 1846, but was not finished until three years afterward. In order to reach this conclusion, Father Bredweder made a journey to his home in Germany, and returned with money enough to accomplish his object, contributed by friends of the church in that country. This priest remained with the St. Boniface people several years, and after he left there were no regular services until the arrival of Father Kinstry in 1851. While connected with the congregation Father Kinstry died and was buried in the Catholic cemetery at this city. He was suc- ceeded by Father Rice, who remained but a short time. Father Rothe was the next priest, and then the Rev. Father Schaefermeyer, whom we have already mentioned in connection with the Franciscan monks. In 1872 Father Ostrop arrived and continued in charge of the church until 1877, when the Rev. Father Jansen took his place. Father Jansen was for a number of years secretary of this diocese. It was under Father Os- trop's pastorate that the St. Boniface society was enabled to purchase the Browning property, on Seventh and Hampshire streets, at a cost of $50,- 000, and erect thereon one of the largest school-houses in the State at an outlay of over $40,000. The corner-stone for this building was laid by Bishop Baltes in 1873. It contains to-day several hundred scholars. This and the church property and school adjoining on Maine street are estimated to be worth at least $200,000.

St. Mary's Church, an offspring of the St. Boniface, is rapidly becom- ing large and influential. It was formed in 1867, when the present hand- some church edifice on the corner of Seventh and Adams streets was begun. It is built of briek, 119 feet long and 60 feet wide. The congre- gation, originally numbering only about 40 families, now counts 250- those living south of Ohio and east of Twenty-fourth streets. The first priest was the Rev. Theodore Bruner, who came to Quincy from Europe in 1868. In 1876 the present priest, the Rev. George Mirbach, came to the city. The St. Mary's has a fine school in connection with the church, at which 200 children attend. The church and school-house cost $50,000.

In addition to these churches, there are chapels at St. Mary's school and St. Mary's hospital, which are used mainly by the students and the Sisters of Charity. The chapel at the convent is included in the state- ment of the property under control of the Franciscan monks.

QUINCY WATER-WORKS.

The history of the water-works, commencing with the first efforts to establish water-works in the city, may be briefly stated as follows:

At the session of the Illinois Legislature of 1868-69, a law was passed called the Water-Works Law, by which the city of Quincy could issue bonds. build works, create a board of water commissioners, etc. This

474

HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.

law, to be valid, had to be voted for by the city of Quincy, and this vote was taken in April, 1869, on said law and a proposed new city charter. The water- works law, among other things, provided for the issue of $650,000, eight per cent. bonds, and, if necessary, an additional $200,000; provided for the election of three water commissioners, with a salary each of $2,000; a superintendent, with a salary not to exceed $3,000 per annum; and further provided that the salary of any other officers should not exceed $2,000 per annum each. Under this law, if it had been adopted, the city would have had to pay :

Eight per cent. interest on $650,000, annually $52,000.00

Salaries three water commissioners, amount fixed by law 6,000.00

Superintendent, amount fixed by law 3,000.00

Total. $61,000.00

For other officers and assistants usually employed about water-works, as follows:

One hydraulic engineer and assistants.

$4,000.00

One draughtsman

1,000.00

One secretary.

1,500.00

Two engine drivers and assistants.

4,000.00

Two sets firemen, four men.

2,000.00

Coal, taking Peoria for illustration, when coal is 7 and 8 ets. per bu. .

8,000.00

Oil and waste

200.00

Office rent.

200.00

Gas.

200.00

Incidentals, as stamps, printing, stationary.

200.00

Total, per annum. $82,300.00

The above law will be found in the private laws of Illinois, page 269. It is a historical fact that said law was the embodiment of the best effort up to that time, made in the city of Quincy, to procure a water supply; and it was not then supposed that water works could be built, which would meet the requirements, at a less cost than six to eight hundred thousand dollars.

The vote of the city was taken upon the above law, and carried by a very large majority, but the act of the Legislature, upon which the vote was taken, by some oversight, lacked an enacting clanse, and thus the city escaped that heavy outlay. In view of subsequent events, this escape from bonds can only be accounted for as the direct interference of Providence.

In the latter part of the year A. D. 1871, a subscription paper was started, to secure subscribers to stock in a water-works company, to be organized Nov. 1, 1871, with a view to making a satisfactory contract with the city of Quincy to furnish water for public and private use.

On the Sth day of May, A. D. 1872, the " Quincy Water- Works Com- pany " was organized, with the following directors: James D. Morgan, Edward Prince, Robert S. Benneson, H. F. J. Ricker, John Robertson, Lorenzo Bull, and Henry Root. The following were elected officers of the board: Jas. D. Morgan, President; Edward Prince, Secretary; H. F. J. Ricker, Treasurer. The certificate of the organization of the company was filed in the office of the Secretary of State, on the 9th day of May, A. D. 1872. The capital stock of the company was stated to be $200,000. The license to carry on business was dated May 10, 1872. A new sub- scription paper was started, for subscription to stock in the company, and after the most earnest solicitations only $42,100 subscription could be obtained. The members of the company soon failed to attend any meet- ings, and the company has long since ceased to exist. The secretary paid

475

HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.

the unpaid bills of the company, and the stockholders, although they received no dividends, never had to pay anything on stock account.

The winter of 1872 was one of great drouth, and a disease prevailed among horses, called epizootic, or epizooty. Fire and private cisterns became empty. Private persons were compelled to pay an enormous price for water, and danger of a general conflagration was imminent. In this condition, various plans were suggested by which to fill fire cisterns. The experiment was tried of using fire steamers at the river, and after two were disabled by the severity of the duty this plan was abandoned.

Finally the city council adopted a plan proposed by E Prince-located a small pump house, with boiler and engine, at the foot of Maine street, and the fire cisterns were filled and the danger of a general conflagration averted. In the Spring of A. D. 1872, the city laid a six inch main up Maine street, from the pump house, and set three fire hydrants, one at 3d, one at 4th, and one at 5th streets. This main, including machinery, was after- ward bought and paid for by Edward Prince, for the sum of $7,028.25.

On the 7th day of August, A. D. 1873, the city passed ordinance No. 187, under which a contract was made, for thirty years, with Edward Prince, to construct and operate the water-works. The contract is similar to that of Oswego, N. Y., with the exception that the city of Quincy has the right to purchase the water-works at cost, without interest, at any time after one year's notice, and the city of Oswego has not.

There are now ten miles of mains and seventy-six fire hydrants. The annual cost to the city is now only fifteen thousand two hundred dollars per annum.

The future reservoir site, of about six acres, generally known as Moore's Mound, has been purchased and paid for by the proprietors of the water-works. The elevation of this ground is 227 feet above low water. At the present time, for the purposes of regular pressure and storage, there are now in use two large tanks of a combined capacity of one hundred and ninety thousand gallons. The reservoir, when completed, will have a capacity of sixteen million U. S. gallons, at an average depth of fourteen feet. The plan for the permanent works, besides the reservoir above, con- templates the taking of the water from below the bridge in the main river, by twenty-four inch pipe, laid across and under the Quincy bay. By the terms of the contract the city can compel the construction of the perma- nent works only after the ordering of twenty-four more fire hydrants.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The history of Adams County Illinois : containing a history of the county - its cities, towns, etc. a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion; general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men, Part 66

Author: Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Chicago : Murray, Williamson & Phelps Number of Pages: 1254

Author:
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Chicago : Murray, Williamson & Phelps
Number of Pages: 1254