USA > Illinois > Carroll County > The history of Carroll county, Illinois, containing a history of the county-its cities, towns, etc., a biographical directory war record statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men history of the Northwest Illinois miscellaneous matters, etc > Part 35
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The first store or trading place opened here was by the Mill Company soon after they commenced operations, probably in 1842. The company had built a kind of three-tier log house on "Stag's Point," now occupied by the resi- dence of I. P. Sheldon, for the accommodation of the mill hands, and one of these rooms was converted into a store room.
The first house built exclusively for hotel purposes, was the stone house now occupied by J. F. Chapman, which was erected in 1844, and has been so used without interruption up to the present writing.
The first saloon building was the middle part of what is now the Daniel Palmer Building. This old "rum mill" was built in somewhat of a hurry. The materials out of which it was made were standing in Arnold's Grove in the morning, were cut down, hauled to town, and reduced to proper dimensions, and, plastering excepted, the building was completed before sundown.
Joe Miles was the first lawyer to " hang out a shingle." He came in 1844, and for a while worked at his trade, that of a carpenter, on the old court house.
Anna Mary, daughter of Jesse Rapp, was Mount Carroll's first-born, and Milford Kennedy was the second.
The post-office was established in 1844, and John Wilson was the first post- master. The mail was supplied from Cherry Grove by carrier until the Fall of 1846, when the tri-weekly stage coach, which had plied between Galena and Dixon via Cherry Grove for a number of years, was taken from the old route and a new one established through Mount Carroll. When the first "stage coach and four" made its appearance in Mount Carroll, it was made an occasion of general rejoicing. The people went wild with enthusiasm. and the old "Concord " was received with as much glee and good feeling as the first train
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
of cars that put in an appearance on the Western Union Railroad, some thirty or more years later.
The first teachers of common schools were Anderson, Paul, Turner, J. P. Emmert, and some others, whose names have escaped the memory of the " old- est inhabitants." The last one before the free school system was adopted, was H. Bitner. These schools were supported by subscriptions at so much per scholar.
The completion of the mill here made quite a home demand for wheat, and during the years 1844 and 1845, it was not only the wheat market for Car- roll County, but for Stephenson and other adjacent districts, where a surplus was raised. Throngs of teams lined the streets, and the mills were kept busy night and day, and a number of teams were constantly employed in hauling flour to Savanna for shipment to St. Louis.
The next stores to be opened after the Company store, were by William Hal- derman, R. R. Brush, R. J. Tomkins, Thorp & Lull, Nathan Blair, John Irvine & Son, etc.
The first physician to open an office was Dr. Judd, a brother of Norman B. Judd, of Chicago. Soon after, Dr. Hostetter and Dr. White came, and in 1852 or 1853, Dr. B. P. Miller located here and hung out his sign.
The next lawyers after Joe Miles, already mentioned, were - Barker, John Wilson and William T. Miller.
RELIGIOUS INTERESTS.
M. E. Church, Mount Carroll .- The Methodist Episcopal Church of Mount Carroll, Illinois, was organized in 1839. Rev. Philo Judson was the preacher in charge, and Rev. B. Weed, presiding elder.
The first service was held about two miles down the creek in a Mr. Martins' log cabin.
The original members were a Mr. and Mrs. Patterson, Nathan Jacobs and wife, the latter is still a member of the church, Mr. and Mrs. Martin, Davis Newall and a Mr. Leonard.
Mr. Stubbs, an Englishman, was the first class 'leader, and Mr. Petty class leader number two.
Shortly after the organization, Revs. Buck and G. L. S. Stuff, the latter still a member of the Rock River Conference, came on as missionaries, and the ser- vices were removed to the house of Mr. H. Preston, two miles southwest of where the town now stands. Subsequently the services were moved to the house of Mr. David Christian, still nearer the village, and thence to a cooper shop in Mount Carroll.
Soon after this the court house was erected and became the regular preach- ing place.
The circuit, including Mount Carroll, was organized in 1847, Rev. S. Smith being the pastor, and Rev. Hooper Crews, now pastor in Rockford, was presid- ing elder.
The first Sabbath-school was organized in 1847. John Irvine was superin- tendent.
On Mr. Irvine's arrival in the place, in 1845, stopping at the hotel, he in- quired if there were any Methodists in the place. He was told of one by the name of Bennett. He soon found him, and the two held the first class meet- ing ever held in the place.
Under the administration of Rev. Miles F. Reade, a very extensive revi- val of religion occurred, and soon after, in the year 1851, the first M. E. Church building was erected. The present fine brick edifice was built in 1867, when Rev. Joseph Odgers was pastor. Rev. E. W. Adams is the present
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
pastor. There are now about two hundred communicant members, and a Sabbath-school of about two hundred scholars. F. J. Sessions, superintendent.
Presbyterian .- In the latter part of 1845, or beginning of 1846, the Presbyterian Home Missionary Society sent Rev. Calvin Gray to labor in this county. He first stopped in Savanna, but subsequently removed to Mt. Car- roll. They built a very handsome brick church edifice, which was dedicated November 7, 1861.
The organization of the Presbyterian Church dates from the 30th of August, 1844, when Rev. Aratus Kent, of Galena, came here to assist Rev. H. G. Warner in the organization. Eight persons united themselves together under the name of the First Presbyterian Church of Mount Carroll. The first ser- vices, and until about 1852, were held in the old court house. In the latter year, Rev. Mr. Gray built an L addition to his residence, when their meeting place was removed there, where services continued to be held until about 1858. For two years, about that time, no regular services were had in consequence of want of a pastor. In 1860, the society undertook to erect a house of worship, which was completed and dedicated at the date above quoted. During the year this house was building, the Baptist brethren permitted the Presbyterians the use of the basement of their house of worship. After occupying their house until about 1865, some thirty of the members residing in the Mackay neighborhood conceived and carried out the idea of building up an organiza- tion at Oakville, which reduced the ability of the parent society to maintain a pastor in Mount Carroll without missionary help. That help was withheld, and the society succumbed to the inevitable and abandoned the attempt to keep up regular services, although the organization is still maintained. February 19, 1873, the church edifice was sold under mortgage to B. L. Patch for H. A. Mills. April 25, 1876, James Hallett purchased it back from Mills, and in May, 1876, Hallett sold it to the Lutheran Church Society, who now own and occupy it as their house of worship.
Church of God .- The Mount Carroll representatives of this branch of the Christian Church (sometimes irreverently called Winebrenarians, because John Winebrenner was the founder of it), have maintained an organization since 1849. In that year Rev. D. D. Wertz was sent out here by the Pennsyl- vania Board of Missions, and collected the scattering members together as a church organization. He remained a year or two and was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Klein. About 1859 or 1860, they built a small church edifice on the east side of Dog Run, in what is now Halderman's addition. In the Fall of 1866 it was removed to its present site, on Main street, opposite the Union School- house, and is known as the Bethel Church. Until the last two months of the year 1877, the society maintained regular services, with but rare intervals. At the last meeting of the conference eldership, held at Pleasant Valley, in Jo Daviess County, in October, Rev. I. E. Boyer, an old pastor of the society was appointed to the work for the ensuing year, but in consequence of other press- ing engagements, was not able to enter upon the work at once. The member- ship is not large, but very earnest, and include some of the best men and women of the city. Their Sunday-school organization has always been maintained and is well conducted. Daniel Palmer is its superintendent.
The First Baptist Church of Mount Carroll .- Among the early settlers of Car- roll County were a few Baptists who made their home in Mount Carroll. When these Baptists numbered fourteen they resolved to organize a church to be known as the First Baptist Church of Mount Carroll. This church was organized Aug. 28, 1853. Five of the fourteen constituent members are now connected with the church. The first meetings were held in the old Presbyterian Church which stood upon the ground now occupied by S. J. Campbell's residence. Here the society met until May, 1854, when it removed to the old court house. This it continued to use until it removed to its present site. The Sabbath-
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
school met the first few months in the Seminary building, situated on the cor- ner of Market and Clay streets, now known as the Ashway Building. Oct. 1, the Sabbath-school was moved to the court house till the Autumn of 1855, when church and Sabbath-school began to occupy the basement of their present house. Rev. J. V. Allison was the first pastor of the church, and remained from the organization of the church until the Autumn of 1859. During his pastorate the present house of worship was commenced and the basement fin- ished. Rev. T. P. Campbell succeeded him and remained till Aug. 1, 1864. During his pastorate the upper part of the house was finished and dedicated. Nov., 1864, Rev. Carlos Swift became pastor, and remained three years. He was succeeded by Rev. C. K. Colver, who was pastor from Jan., 1868, to the Spring of 1870. In June, 1870, Rev. C. T. Tucker became pastor, and re- mained until Oct. 1, 1872. In December of the same year, Rev. H. B. Waterman became pastor, and remained until the following Dec. May, 1874, Rev. Geo. W. Wesselius was called to the pastorate and remained until July 1, 1875. July 25, 1875, Rev. J. H. Sampson, the present pastor, began his pas- torate. During his pastorate the house of worship has been completely re- modeled, refurnished, and a baptistry has been put in, making the main audience room home-like and attractive. The Sabbath-school is a marked feature in the work of the church and has an attendance of about two hundred. The aggre- gate membership of the church is 352, the present membership, 163.
Lutheran .- The First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mount Carroll is in connection with that branch of the Lutheran Church of America known as the General Synod of the United States, and to the District Synod known as the Synod of Northern Illinois. There is still a body within this body, to which this church belongs, viz .: The Northern Conference of the Synod of Northern Illinois. There is but one congregation connected with the charge or pastor- ate. Their church is situated in the City of Mount Carroll, on Clay Street, and is a brick building once owned by the Presbyterian Society, now disbanded, and having been purchased by the Lutherans in the Spring of 1876, was thoroughly repaired at a cost of about $1,200, and re-dedicated under the name of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church of Mount Carroll, Illinois. The building stands on two beautiful lots, in a good location, and together with the parson- age, this property is worth about $8,000.
The congregation was organized on the 7th of August, 1858, by the adop- tion of a constitution and electing Mr. George Miller, elder, and Mr. John Rhodes, deacon. The following is a list of persons who signed the constitution at that time : George Miller, John Gelwicks, John Rhoades, John Erb, Mar- garet Miller, Elizabeth Gelwicks, John Tridel, Hannah Rhoades, Catherine Erb, Catherine Rinedollar, Adna Windle, Mary Tridel. Rev. J. M. Lingle, pastor. A church was built (still standing) in the year 1860, the corner stone of which was laid on the 5th of July, the sermon upon the occasion being preached by Rev. D. Schindler. The church having been at last completed, it was dedi- cated on the IIth of November, 1860, while the Conference of the Synod was in session in this place. Rev. C. B. Thummel, D.D., preached the dedication ser- mon. The congregation had a severe struggle until this was accomplished, Mr. George Miller and John Gelwicks, sacrificing much and laboring hard with their own hands until it was completed. The church cost about $2,000. It was sold by the society sixteen years afterwards, being at the time when the Presbyterian Church was purchased, as above stated, for $1,500. The society grew gradually in numbers, and while the record shows that a great number have removed from Mount Carroll, there still is an active communing member- ship of eighty persons. The Sabbath-school connected with the congregation numbers about 150. The congregation is at present in a flourishing condition, carrying but a trifling debt, which might be wiped out in a few days. The fol- lowing is a list of pastors who have served the congregation during its history.
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
Rev. John M. Lingle was pastor six years. He was succeeded by Rev. D. Beckner, who remained one year and six months. Rev. Charles Anderson was the next pastor, who remained two years and nine months. He was succeeded by Rev. J. F. Probst, who remained but one year. Rev. C. Baird followed him, remaining four years and nine months. Rev. Charles Fickinger, the present pastor, took charge on the 19th of September, 1875, making his labors thus far nearly two and a half years.
The record of the congregation for the year ending Sept. 1877, is the fol- lowing : Received into the church-3 by infant baptism ; 3 by adult baptism ; 12 by confirmation ; 4 by profession of faith; 2 from other denominations. Removed, I by death ; I by letter; communicants, 80.
The Sunday-school numbers 140 scholars, and 12 teachers, that dur- ing the last year contributed $40 for Sunday-school purposes. In its contribu- tions for religious interests, this church is very liberal, the records show the fol- lowing :
For treasury of the District Synod, $6.50; Home Missions, $13.65 ; For- eign Missions, $13.65 ; Education, $12.20; Church Extension, $6.50 ; Pastors' Salary, $700; Local objects, $700; Extra objects, $27. Total, $1.519.50, or an average per member of $18.99. Rev. E. Fickinger is the present pastor.
Dunkard or German Baptist .- This branch of the Christian Church has a very handsome house of worship and regular services, further mention of which will be made in a history of that church work in this county, to be found else- where in these pages.
INDEPENDENT ORDERS.
Masonic .- Cyrus Lodge, A. F. and A. M. commenced under dispensation December 5, 1855, and was chartered October 6, 1856.
The members mentioned in the charter are J. H. Bohn, W. T. Miller, Peter Holman, Joseph Warders, Allen Sinclair, John Brown, Jackson Lucy, and others. These others consisted of B. L. Patch, B. P. Miller, Stoughton Cooley, E. Marsh and Geo. W. Coulter. The first officers were : J. H. Bohr, W. M .; W. T. Miller, S. W .; Peter Holman, J. W .; Joseph Warders, Treas .; Allen Sin- clair, Sec .; Jackson Lucy, S. D .; Geo. W. Coulter, J. D.
The dedication ceremonies were conducted by Rev. John Brown, who was acting Grand Master; Rev. Robert Beatty, acting as Deputy Grand Master ; B. L. Patch, acting as Senior Grand Warden; J. Lucy, acting as Junior Grand Warden ; E. Marsh, as Grand Tyler.
The last return to the Grand Lodge reported 59 working members. The Lodge is in good working condition, and receiving many additions.
Caledonia Encampment, No. 43, was instituted June 17, 1857, by J. B. Schlichter, D. D. G. P .; B. W. Marble, D. H. P .; J. C. Smith, D. G. S. W .: Wm. Fowling, D. G. J. W .; S. S. Winall, D. G. Scribe, all of the Encampment at Galena, Ill. Charter members : Henry Shimer, B. L. Patch, Wm. Stouffer, D. E. Stovir, B. Lepman, Henry Page, and D. H. Stouffer.
First officers : Henry Shimer, C. P .; B. L. Patch, H. P .; Wm. Stouffer, S. W .; D. H. Stouffer, S .; B. Lepman, Treas.
Whole number that have belonged to the Encampment since its organiza- tion, 77 ; present membership, 45.
I. O. O. F .- Carroll Lodge, No. 50, was instituted March 31, 1849, by John G. Potts, D. D. G. M., of Galena. The charter was issued July 25, 1849. The charter members were Geo. W. Harris, Evan Rea, Geo. Pyle, Jas. M. Stacy and Harlan Pyle. The following were initiated at the same meeting : R. P. Thorp, Geo. C. Thorp, A. Beeler, Benjamin McElroy, T. T. Jacobs and William Powers,
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
First officers : Evan Rea, N. G .; Geo. R. Pyle, V. G .; Geo. W. Harris, Sec .; Jas. M. Stacy, Treas .; T. T. Jacobs, Warden ; Robt. Knight, C .; Wm. Powers, I. G .; A. Beeler, O. G .; R. P. Thorp, R. S. N. G .; Geo. C. Thorp, L. S. N. G.
The Lodge is prosperous and occupies a finely furnished hall in Keystone Block.
This Lodge has held regular meetings every Monday night since its or- ganization, in 1849.
Admissions by card and initiations to the present time (Dec., 1877), 310. Present membership, 110. The following named brothers have served the Lodge as Deputies and Representatives: R. G. Bailey, J. E. Frost, John Irvine, Geo. W. Stiteley, and Henry Shiner.
Hill City Lodge, No. 8, was instituted Sept. 28, 1874, by W. L. Sweeny, P. D. G. M., of Rock Island.
Charter members : T. T. Jacobs, I. J. Petitt, D. Weidman, O. P. Miles, A. H. Sichty, S. Stakemiller, H. G. Fisher, Ethanan Fisher, C. D. Austin, C. Rosenstock, Oliver Swartz, J. M. Keiter, B. F. Aikens, A. H. Nyman, C. Hol- man, Jones Schick, S. Moore, R. B. Hallett, J. H. Stakemiller and L. D. Lee. First officers: H. G. Fisher, N. G .; Stakemiller, V. G .; L. D. Lee, R. S .; O. F. Reynolds, P. S .; Jones Schick, Treas.
This Lodge holds regular meetings every Monday night, in their hall, in Bank
Block. The charter members of this Lodge belonged to Carroll Lodge, No. 50, but withdrew therefrom and took their No. 8, from a defunct lodge at Spring- field, Ill.
A. H. Sichty and Ethanan Fisher have been Representatives to Grand Lodge, the former gentleman having also been Grand Representative to the Grand Lodge of the U. S., and also M. W. Grand Patriarch of the Grand En- campment of the State of Illinois.
T. T. Jacobs, of Hill City Lodge, is the only surviving member of those who were present at the institution of Carroll Lodge, No. 50, and is the oldest Odd Fellow in the county.
A. O. U. W .- This society was instituted Nov. 24, 1876, with 30 mem- bers. P. M. W., H. M. Ferrin ; M. W., H. G. Fisher; F., Seaborn Moore ; O., A. B. Nelson ; R., W. D. Hughes ; F., J. W. Miller; R., Thomas Squire; G., Solomon Lohr; I. W., C. D. Austin ; O. S. W., Sample Mitchell. The society is in a flourishing condition.
Sons of Temperance .- Between 1845 and 1847, a division of the Sons of Temperance was organized, and was the means of accomplishing a great deal of good. For a while the organization was prosperous. About 1851-2 the Hydraulic Company was organized, and under the impression that it was to dis- till alcohol, and that its products would not get into the market as whisky, almost every body took stock in the enterprise -some of the Sons of Temper- ance as well as others, and it is maintained by many of the old members that the temperance distillery killed the order in Mount Carroll. Father Irvine was not a friend of alcoholic distillery, but opposed it from its inception, and fought it with unyielding courage. For a time he infused a little new life into the temperance element of the community, but it was sickly at best. In 1863-4 a Good Templars Lodge was organized, flourished only a little while, and gave up the ghost. In 1874, the present division of the Sons of Temper- ance was organized, and has maintained its organization to the present, accom- plishing much good.
In November, 1877, under the direction of Dr. McCallister and Major Cooper, a great temperance revival was inaugurated, and a large number of the citizens donned the Red Ribbon. A hall was leased and fitted up, and the movement vitalized in every way. As the work of writing this history is being brought to a close, the members are thoroughly and effectively organized and promise great usefulness.
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
EDUCATIONAL.
The graded school system was organized about 1857 or 1858, under the management of Miss Witt. She was succeeded by Hayes, Long, Smith, et al. The present fine brick Union school building was erected in 1866, at a cost of $16,000. The school has met the expectations of the people in every particular. The very best educational system has been maintained, and the best educational talent of the country has always been employed. The school is now supplied with an excellent library and all the modern appurtenances to aid the pupils in the prosecution of their studies.
Present Corps of Teachers .- Principal, Prof. J. H. Ely; Assistant, Miss Mary Mooney ; Room No. 1, Miss Mamie Irvine ; No. 2, Miss Clara Fisher ; No. 3, Miss Mattie Lumm ; No. 4, Miss Emma H. Tomlinson ; West Mount Carroll, J. Charles Ferrin. Prof. Ely has the reputation of being one of the ablest and most thorough teachers in the country, while his aids-de-camp pos- sess all the requisite qualifications to make good teachers-well educated, indus- trious and energetic.
MOUNT CARROLL SEMINARY.
Among the numerous educational institutions that have been built up in the land of the Illini and other parts of the Great West, there are not many, if, indeed, there are any, that surpass in influence, usefulness and capacity the Mount Carroll Seminary. The history of this place of learning dates from 1852, and forms so important a part of the history of the county being written that it demands separate and distinct mention.
About the year 1840 or 1841, Judge Wilson came to Savanna from Macoupin County, and was elected the second clerk of the county commissioners court,
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HISTORY OF CARROLL COUNTY.
William B. Goss being the first one, elected in April, 1839. Mr. Wilson was the clerk of this court when the county offices were removed from Savanna to Mount Carroll, in September, 1844, and thus became thoroughly identified with the early interests of the county. He was a warm and ardent friend of educa- tion, and belonged to that class of men who would make education a compul- sory measure, as is the practice in Germany and some of the other European countries. He was a graduate of Yale College, and consequently possessed a collegiate education. Aside from this, he was a man of enlarged views and liberality, and warmly attached to that system and diffusion of education that would fit the lowest and humblest, as well as the richest and greatest, for any duty or position in life.
In 1850, William T. Miller, of Mount Carroll, was elected to represent Carroll County in the state legislature. In 1852, there was an extra session of that body, when Mr .. Miller presented and secured the passage of a bill, pre- pared by Mr, Wilson, incorporating the Mount Carroll Seminary. Jobn Wilson, Nathaniel Halderman, Calvin Gray, Leonard Goss, David Emmert, B. P. Miller, James Hallett, James Ferguson and John Irvine, senior, were named as the incorporators. From the early records of this seminary, the following agree- ment is transcribed, as showing the plans and purposes of the incorporators :
WHEREAS, It is intended to purchase grounds, not exceeding one hundred and sixty acres, for seminary purposes ; also to erect a seminary building, within a distance of one half mile of the Town of Mount Carroll, in accordance with the provisions of a charter entitled " An Act to Incorporate the Mount Carroll Seminary," passed at the special session of the legislature, 1852; now, therefore,
We, the undersigned, agree to take the number of shares of stock in the said sem- inary set opposite to our names, to pay therefor to the treasurer of the board of trustees of said seminarv the sum of five dollars for each and every share of said stock set opposite to our names, respectively, in manner and proportion as follows, viz .: Five per cent upon receiving public notice, in some newspaper in Carroll County, that two hundred shares have been subscribed, and the remainder in instalments, not exceeding ten per cent during any subsequent period of three months; and provided, also, that any subscriber may, at his option, pay at any time, after two hundred shares are taken, the full amount subscribed by him.
And it is further stipulated that the amount paid on the stock hereto subscribed shall bear interest, from the date of payment, at the rate of six per cent per annum, payable at the office of the treasurer of the board of trustees, in Mount Carroll, on the first Monday of July and January each year, until dividends shall be declared by the board of trustees, out of the profits arising from said seminary.
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