Adams County, Illinois - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 10 of those read), 1879 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter with an unread heading (no. 10 of those read)

Quincy, the county seat of Adams county, and the second city in size in the State of Illinois, is beautifully situated on the east bank of the Mississippi, at an elevation of about one hundred and twentj^ feet above the water level. The bluff upon which the city is built commands a fine view of the river in both directions, and also a large expanse of adjacent territory. The riv^er at Quincy is about one mile in width, e.xclusive of a large bay, which affords the finest harbor facilities throughout the entire stream.

The country in the immediate vicinity of the city is gently rolling, with large groves of trees interspersing, finely cultivated farms which in seasons of tillage are covered with abundant vegitation.

Quincy has numerous parks, some of which contain the trees that gave shade to the primitive Indian while others are the result of transplanting. The streets, likewise, are shaded by large forest trees which when in foliage give to the city a most beautiful and refreshing apperance.

The business blocks are alike substantially constructed, and an ornament to the architecture of the city, while the elegant residences scattered about the city have caused Quincy to be generally known as the Gem City of the West. The lawns and shade trees with which so many homes are embellished make the houses themselves more inviting.

The commercial importance of Quincy is -unquestioned, as it is the market for a large portion of Western Illinois, whose fertility and productiveness in certain departments is unsurpassed, besides doing extensive business with the neighboring States of Missouri and Iowa, and extending its domain over the entire west and southwest. The manufacturing interests of Quincy have assumed such a large showing in the past few years that facts prove beyond successful contradiction that it is in every way adapted to transact that particular branch of business, as the manufactured articles can be cheaply produced, while ample facilities exist for distributing them throughout the land. Eight distinct railroad lines connect the city with the eastern seaboard, the West, and northern and southern points, while two lines of packets from St. Louis to St. Paul give every opportunity to shippers to obtain the best rates on freight. A magnificent bridge one mile and a quarter in length, spans the Mississippi river, connecting Quincy with the State of Missouri. The bridge is provided with a large

The streets are laid off with perfect regularity, runing north and south, while the cross streets run east and west, intersecting^ each other at right angles forming blocks of four hundred feet square. The streets themselves are for the most part sixty-six feet wide, while all are broad and amply adapted to serve as thoroughfares.

From the earliest days of Quincy much attention has always been paid to organizing an efficient school system, so that at the present time the public schools stand high in point of excellence. Large and convenient school houses have been erected, a fine corps of teachers secured, and the curriculum is as advanced as the progress of the times will warrant. In addition to the public schools, a number of private and denominational schools are in useful existence, besides colleges and seminaries of still further advanced standing.

Quincy has always been distinguished for the great number, as well as the size and beauty, of her churches. The religious denominations are about all represented, and a great number of them have erected handsome church edifices which adorn the city.

All the latest modern improvements liave been made for the comfort and convenience of the citizens, including the water works, which supply the city with pure water from the river, after undergoing a natural filtration, a perfect system of sewerage, street railways, an etiioient police and fire department, and gas works, which combine to make Quincy a most desirable location for business and residence.

Early History

The early history of- Quincy until its incorporation as a separate town is so intimately connected with the history of Adams county that it must suffice in the present chapter to give but the salient points of the early growth of the city up to the time of the incorporation, the more detailed account being found in chapters relating to the history of the county. Quincy was settled by John Wood in 1821, and was organized as the county seat of the newly laid out county of Adams in 1825. It received the name of Quincy from the then President, John Quincy Adams. From the year 1825 to 1835 the growth of Quincy was exceedingly slow, which was due to a variety of causes, principally the lack of mills, shops and other attractions for emigrants. In 1834 the town of Quincy was incorporated with Messrs. Archibald Williams, Jos. T. Holmes, S.'^W. Rogers, Levi Wells, and Micliael Mast as trustees. From this date may be traced the rapid and substantial growth of Quincy in population, improvement and wealth.

The growth of Quincy continued until its charter- as a city in 1840, since which it has kept apace with the times, and as a city stands among the foremost of western places in every respect. The first mayor of the city of Quincy was Ebenezer Moore, while the first city clerk was S. P. Church. The first council consisted of B. F. Osborn and Jas. E. Jones, who represented the first ward; F. W. Jansen and R. R. Williams, representatives from the second ward, and J. N. Ralston and John Wood, aldermen from the tliird ward. Since that time the three wards have been

The present city officers are, W. T. Rogers, mayor; A. Demaree, clerk; J. G. Rowland, comptroller; Henry Jasper, city marshall; A. J. F. Prevost, treasurer; W. A. Richardson, attorney; Jerry Shay, Sr., street commissioner; E. R. Chatten, engineer; Jeff. Renfrow, harbor master; John Bopp, clerk of markets; L. F. Lakey, city measurer; T. J. Heirs, police magistrate; Aldermen W. B, Larkworthy, B. Libby, J. B. Kreitz, Harris Swimmer, M. Goodman, Sam. Harrop, J. Q. Adams, H. Tansman, W. H, Collins, J. H. Wavering, and H. Blommer.

Commercial

The importance of Quincy as a commercial center will readily be seen from the following tabulated statement, showing the number of establishments, number of employes, capital employed, and aggregate value of products and sales, January 1, 1879, which we obtain from the Quincy Whir/s annual review:

Ice Harvest

The ice business of this city has grown so rapidl}' of late years as to now be classed among the most important branches of industry. Prosecuted at a time when manufacturies generally are not conducted to their full extent, and when the weather calls for aid from all quarters for the poor, the large amount of money paid out to the laboring men in mid winter furnishes

The ice gathered on Quincy bay has always been of a superior quality. Consumers, especially those from the south, have therefore always been willing to pay liberally for it. When, however, the extensive brewing companies of St. Louis, Memphis, New Orleans, and other southern cities came here in competition for the ice, it was only a few months before the price jumped from $3 and $3.50 to $6.50 and $8 per ton. It is not to be wondered at that, following upon a lucky strike by the ice packers, they should engage more extensively in it and he reinforced by new firms ; and that together they should expend large sums of money in building new icehouses, and putting in improved machinery for the gathering of the crop. Some details of what has been done in this particular will prove of especial interest to the people at this time, as well as display one branch of improvements which must be attractive to business men abroad.

A number of new and expensive buildings have been erected for icehouses during the summer and fall. One owned by Messrs. Wood & Stewart, completed some time ago, is valued at $5,000. It has a capacity of six thousand tons, and is located on the west side of the river. ^On Front street, between Hampshire and Maine, Messrs. Hutmacher & Kreitz have erected a mammoth store house, at a cost of $16,000, in which seven thousand tons can be stored; and on the bay they have just completed a new frame - the largest here, at a cost of $12,000, it holding seventeen thousand tons. This latter is 111x225 feet, running from the bay front back to the railroad track. Near it, a little further up the bay, is the new stone ice-house of Frank Jones, calculated to hold ten thousand tons, and with machinery, and all costing' nearly $20,000. John McDade also has a new stone ice-house on the bay, 110x120 feet, with forty inch walls, which will hold seven thousand five hundred tons. It cost $6,000, and is considered one of the cheapest structures of the kind ever put up.

In addition to those already mentioned, however, Messrs. Hutmacher & Kreitz have a frame house with a capacity of five thousand eight hundred tons, and Mr Jones has old ones which hold six thousand tons, making a total storage capacity of sixteen thousand tons for the latter and thirty-one thousand 'for the former firm. Between McDade's and Hutmacher & Kreitz's house is that of Mrs. Bond, built of brick, the oldest ice-house on the bay. It will hold four thousand tons. Hess & Loury have three houses, all on the east side of the bay, with a total capacity of thirteen thousand tons, one of these being new, built of stone and worth $5,000. Mr. James Jarrett has a wholesale ice-house on the west side of the bay, which can easily contain eight thousand tons, and another house near the railroad yards, six thousand tons, besides his retail house on Front street. Mr. Jarrett lias put up several additions to the second liouse mentioned, during the season, and new hoisting apparatus on both sides of the bay, at an expense of $4,500, he using steam power and the Hughes, Loomis & Go's. patent for taking the ice out of the river and distributing it in any part of the ice-house. Messrs. Hutmacher & Kreitz have adopted the same system, as have also Hess & Loury. Mr. Jones has the Knickerljocker endless chain at his ice-house, while horse power is in use at the other houses where steam has not yet been adopted.

Near the deep water of the V»ay are located the two houses of the Mississippi ice company, capable of accommodating eleven thousand tons. Be- sides these, on the bay, are Dick Brothers', three thousand tons ; the C, B. & Q., live hundred tons ; and on the west side of the river, Whipple's, four thousand tons. In addition to all of these, however, Dick Brothers have houses on Spring street and at the brewery, for ten thousand tons additional. A number of barges are used for the same purpose ; Ilutmacher & Kreitz having several and Hess & Loury eight, which will be engaged in gathering tlie ice in other localities. Ruft, Bro. & Co. have also erected a new icehouse near their brewery, costing over $1,000. It will be seen, from the figures given, tliat, v/ith minor repairs, not less than $70,000 have been expended in preparing for the ice harvest this season. If the crop is large, the dealers will put into the houses one hundred and twenty-five thousand tons, to do which they will have to employ one thousand five hundred men and several hundred teams. If the pay to the laborer is estimated correctly, the gathering of the ice crop will necessitate the payment to the workingraen of the community of $35,000 to $-40,000. From this fact alone can be estimated the importance of the enterprise in the city.

The church history of Quincy, commencing with the first religious place of worship in 1828, and including a brief mention of all the societies that have since been established in Quincy, will be found both interesting and instructive. The following history is from the Quincy Daily Whig of a recent date :

The First Congregational Church

The early inhabitants of Quincy were first assembled for public worship in 1828, by the Rev. Jabez Porter, of Massachusetts, who came to Quincy in search of health. He organized a Sunday-school and called the people together for Sunday services in the small log court-house on the southeast corner of the public square. His health rapidly declined and in jSlovember, 1829, he died. In November, 1830, as we learn from a manual of the Congregational church, the Rev. Asa Turner, Jr., ot Templeton, Mass., came to Quincy as a missionary of the American Home Missionary Society. Under his agency the first church of any name organized in Quincy, 111., was formed, consisting of the following members, viz.: Amos Bancroft, Adelia Bancroft, Rufus Brown, Nancy Brown, Peter Felt, Mary Felt, Henry H. Snow, Lucy K. Snow, Levi Wells, Anna Wells, Maria Bobbins, Margaret Rose, Martha Turner, Daniel Henderson and Hans Patten, This little band of fifteen took on the covenant of an organized christian fellowship on Saturday afternoon, December, 4, 1830, in the log house of Peter Felt, on the southwest corner of Maine and Fourth streets. The Rev. Cyrus L. Watson was present to aid Mr. Turner in the organization. At first they called the church Presbyterian, but October 10, 1833, they changed the name, by a unanimous vote, to Congregational.

Services were held for nearly a year in the log court-house and at the private residence of Rufus Brown, when the society secured a room twenty feet square, over the residence of Levi Wells, on the southwest corner of Maine and Fifth streets. It was soon found, however, that the room was not large enough and the society built a chapel on Fourth street, between Maine and Jersey, where Aldrich v.^- Corbin's livery stable now stands, 22x26 feet in size, it being the first church of any kind built in the city. This build- ing was always known as "The Lord's Barn." It did not contain a single piece of upholstery. The seats and pulpit were of planed boards. The bell, earned and paid for by the needlework and enterprise of the women, was suspended in the rear of the church on two poles, and the bell-rope entered the house through a hole in the wall. The same bell now hangs in the tower of Trinity M. E. Church, corner Fifth and Jersey streets. The Rev. Mr. Turner remained pastor until 1838, two hundred and fortyfour persons joining the church during his ministry. In 1841-42 the society erected the church on the corner of Fifth and Jersey streets, the Rev. Horatio Foote then being pastor. Jnne 8, 1847, the society divided and a part of the church with the pastor built the edifice on the corner of Fourth and Jersey streets.

This was known as the Center Congregational Church, and was soon enlarged an^ improved until it attained its present size. The Rev. Mr. Foote remained pastor until old age compelled him to retire from the active duties of the ministry. After several changes the Rev. S. R. Diraock, of Syracuse, K. Y., was called and remained the pastor until the union of the two churches, when he assumed the pastorate of the joint church.

At the time of the division the Rev. Rollin Mears became pastor of the First church, corner Fifth and Jersej' streets, his labors continuing until 1852. After the close of his pastorate the First Church was without a regular minister for two years, the Rev. Samuel H. Emery being the next pastor. He remained with the church until March, 1869, when the two churches united, services then being held at the First Church.

The elegant building now occupied by this society, which is known as the First Union Congregational Church, was something over three years in construction. The excavation for the foundation was commenced on the 4th day of September, 18Y1 ; the foundation was completed and the brickwork commenced in the month of May, 1872, and the whole was under roof in December following.

January 19, 1873, the transept portion, containing the Sunday-school room and the parlors, was so far completed as to be occupied for church and Sunday-school purposes, the society having held its last meeting at the old church two weeks previous. The main part of the new church was occupied for the first time October 18, 1874, at which time the dedication services were held, the Rev. Thomas K. Beecher preaching the sermon.

The extreme length of the transept portion of the building inside is eighty-three feet, and the width thirty-nine feet. The height of the apex of the ceiling in the Sunday-school room is thirty feet. The room will seat about four hundred persons. The lower story is occupied by two large parlors, which may be thrown into one, by a large dressing and cloak room and by the pastor's study.

The extreme length of the main building inside is one hundred and four feet, the width sixty and a half feet, the height of side walls thirty-four feet and to apex of ceiling fifty feet. The extreme outside length of the whole, including main building and transept, is one hundred and fifty-eight feet, extreme width at the transept ninety feet and at the towers seventyeight feet and four inches.

The height of the small tower above the sidewalk is eighty-eight feet, and of the main tower one hundred and twenty-six feet. The muUions and tracery of the large south window are all of solid stone, no wood enter-

The combined width of all doors opening out from the main audience room is thirty-five feet ten inches, distributed at both ends of the room, allowing extraordinary freedom for egress in case of emergency. The building cost, with the lot on which it stands, $92,700.

The Kev. Mr. Dimock was succeeded by the Rev. Lysander Dickerman, January 21, 1872. The present pastor, the Rev. Edward Anderson, formerly of Jamestown, N. Y., came to Quincy early in 1S74. There are now about three hundred members. The Sunday-school has a membership of three hundred and fifty, Mr. E. K. Stone, Sr.,' being superintendent.

The German Evangelical Zion Church

The German Evangelical Zion Church, belonging to the Quincy association of Congregational churches, is on Ninth street, between Ohio and Payson avenue. It was organized February 26, 1858, and the next year the church occupied to the present day was built. It has sixty members. The Kev. Dr. Conrad is the pastor.

The First Methodist Church

The first society of the Methodist denomination was formed in June, 1835, by Benjamin Mun, services being held at the residence of Mr. Allen, on Maine, between Third and Fourth streets. The society was small, and services were conducted by the circuit rider, the Rev. Mr. Williams. In the fall of 1835, the Rev. Peter Boren, the first regular minister, commenced his labors, and meetings were held in the log court-house. This building was destroyed by fire in November and services were then held in a small school-house, on Maine, between Third and Fourth streets. In the meantime efforts were made to raise funds to build a church and the ladies organized a society of which Mrs. Lane was president, and held the first church fair given in Quincy. Their efforts were successful and the funds thus raised, together with the money subscribed for the purpose, were sufficient to defray the necessary expenses of erecting a neat brick church fifty feet square, on Vermont street, between Fifth and Sixth. It was dedicated December 25, 1836. This building was occupied by the society until 1863, when the congregation had become so large that it was necessary to secure more commodious rooms. The building was therefore sold and the lot on the corner of Vermont and Eighth streets, where the present church is located, was purchased with a view to erecting a new church. In the meantime the society secured temporary accommodations in Kendall's hall, corner Maine and Sixth streets. This building was destroyed by fire in 1865 and the society bought the old Protestant Methodist Church, then located on Broadway near the corner of Sixth street, and moved it upon the lot which had been purchased two years previous. It was enlarged and improved and was occupied by the society until it was torn down to make room for the new church. Work on the new building was commenced early in 1876, the foundations and basement being completed ready for occupancy last January. This room is still occupied by the society, it liaving been deemed advisable to suspend work upon the church for a short time. When the building is completed it will be 115x66 feet in size, with a frontage of eighty-five feet. It will be built entirely of stone and will cost $60,000. The Eev. Horace Keed is the present pastor. He came to Quincy from Decatur in October, 1876. The church numbers three hundred and fifty members. Mr. J. W. Bomgardner is the superintendent of the Sunday-school, which has three hundred and fifty scholars.

The Trinity M. E. Church

The Trinity M. E. Church was organized in 1850 as a mission church, the Rev. Mr. Elliott, being the first pastor. The . society purchased a small frame building, 30x40 feet, on the corner of Jersey and Fifth streets, which had been erected by the Free Will Baptists. In 1851 the Rev. J. L. Crane assumed the pastorate, and during his ministry of three years the society purchased a lot and built a church, 30x60 feet, on the corner of York and Fifth streets. They -worshiped in this building until 1873, when they purchased the church now occupied by them on the corner of Jersey and Fifth streets of the Congregationalists, paying $11,000 for it. The Rev. I. B. Henry, who has until recently been located at Pittsfield, 111., is now the ofticiating clergyman at the Trinity church. There are at present two hundred and fifty scholars in the Sunday-school, Clark Anderson being superintendent, and two hundred in the church.

St. Paul's Church was organized at the last session of the state conference. It includes a number of the leading members of the denomination in Qnincy, and there is every indication that it will become one of the leading Methodist churches of the city at no distant day. The society has leased the old "Westminster Presbyterian Church for the present, but steps will be taken in the spring to secure a permanent place of worship. St. Paul's has a present membership of nearly fifty, the Rev. G. R. S. McElfresh, of Carlinville, being the pastor.

The Artus Chapel Society

The Artus Chapel Society was organized in April, 1874, the deeds for the land on which the building stands - which was donated to the association by Messrs. Artus and Webster - being delivered on the 29th of that month. The property was conveyed to the incorporators, Messrs. Beard, Sinnock, Parsons, Hill and Weber, for the M. E. church. One condition of the gift was that the chapel should be erected immediately. Accordingly, the Rev. Peter Wallace, who was presiding elder of the district at that time, went to work, raised money, and had the handsome building completed and ready for occupancy on the 13th of September of the same year. An eftbrt was made to have it dedicated on that date, but this failed because it was not fully paid for. But it was immediately turned over to the Methodist Episcopal conference, which has provided a minister a part of the time since until recently ; but all of the time it has been kept up as a mission Sunday-school. Within the past month the bishop of this conference has authorized the Rev. Peter Wallace to discharge the duties of minister at the chapel at such times as his other duties will permit him to do so. The ground occupied by Artus Chapel is on Twentieth, between Hampshire and Vermont streets, 100x400 feet. The building cost about 12,000.

In 1845 a few of the Gennan iueral)ers of the Yennont street M. E. church organized the German M. E. church, the original members numbering but seven, all of whom have since died or moved away from the city. Mr. George Schultheis and Mr. J. Kinkel and others joined soon after the organization, however, and in 1S46 a small brick meeting-house, forty feet square, was built on Jersey street, between Fifth and Sixth, where the present church is situated. The Rev. Philip Barth, the first minister, remained but two years, and was succeeded by the Rev, Wni. Schreck. The Rev. Mr, Huebner, the Rev, S. Barth, and a number of other,- liave occupied the pulpit, the Rev. E. C. Magaret, who came here in 1875, now being the minister. The present brick church, which is 40x00 feet in size, was built in 1854, at a cost of $6,000. During the present year it has been enlarged and improved to tlie amount of $1,700.

The Bethel Mission

The congregation worshiping in the Bethel Mission chapel, at Jefferson and Twelfth streets, was organized seven years ago. The Rev. Henry Thomas was the first miiiister, remaining for three years, followed by the Rev. Jacob Feisel, for one year ; and last fall came the Rev. Mr. Talenhorst, the present pastor. Among the prominent and well-known members are Jno. Fischer, C. Brante, Adam Fick, A. H. Schra?der, and Chris. Weiss. The church is of brick, and when first put up cost $3,500 ; but since then an addition worth $1,500, and a parsonage costing $1,400, have been added. The ground is worth $2,000. The Bethel Mission has a large Sundayschool.

The Pjsotestant Methodist Chukch

The Protestant Methodist was one of the earliest churches formed in Quincy, its organization dating back to the year 1836. There were but eight original members, Mr. Joel Rice being the only one now living. Services were held for a short time in a small frame building on the south side of Maine street, between Third and Fourth, and also on Jersey street, east of Fifth. The Rev. William Miller was the first minister, and during his pastorate the society met in the school-house on Fifth street, where the old court-house is now located. About the year 1839 the society built a frame church, 30x50 feet in size, on Broadway, between Sixth and Seventh, at a cost of about $1,500. The membership was materially increased, and for a number of years this church occupied a prominent place among the religious organizations of the city. In 1865 the numbers had become so much reduced by death and the removal of the members from Quincy that the society was disbanded and the church building removed.

The Southern Methodist Society

The Southern Methodist Society, which passed out of existence as a church nearly twenty-five years ago, was organized in 1847, by Bishop Marvin. Among the early members were Mr. E. W, Clowes, Mr. Best, Mr. Price and wife, and others, nearly all of whom have since died. Services were held for a short time in the Free Will Baptist church, on Fifth street, but the society afterwards built a small brick church on the east side of Fourth street, between Jersey and York, which was afterward occupied by the Christian society, and is now used as a dwelling. At the end of five or six years, the church had become so much reduced by death and the removal of the members from the city that the society was disbanded.

The Afkican M. E. Church

The first church organized bv the colored people in Quincy was the African Methodist Episcopal, which was formed in 1850. Meetings were held in a small frame building on the corner of Fifth and Jersey streets, but the society was small and not very prosperous. In 1853 the church was reorganized, however; soon after, the lot where the present church is located, on Oak street, between Ninth and Tenth, was purchased, and a small frame building put up at a cost of about $1,000. In 1863, during the pastorate of the Rev. Henry Brown, of Springfield, an addition was built, and the society received a large number of new members. A day school was carried on in connection with the church. In 1866 the building was destroyed by fire and services were held for a time in the old First Baptist Church until the completion of the building now occupied by the society. It is built of brick, is eighty feet long by forty feet wide, the value of the property being $4,000. The Rev. Mr. Derrick is now pastor, the church having a membership of one hundred and sixty.

The First Presbyterian Church

Last winter the First Presbyterian society lost by fire their new church building which stood on the corner of Eighth street and Broadway. It was completed and just ready for occupancy when the calamity occurred. It is to be rebuilt on the old plan, and it is hoped will be completed within the year. The foundation was laid during the fall of 1876. It was of gothic architecture, and was built entirely of stone. The extreme dimensions are 118x69 feet, the stone spire being 156 feet in height. The auditorium is 64x76 feet in size, and had a seating capacity of over 800. In the arrangement of seats care was taken to have them all face the pulpit, and the floor rises gradually from the pulpit to a point near the front of the church, where the ascent becomes more abrupt, the last few rows of pews being over the vestibule. By this arrangement all of the space in the interior of the church as far back as the front wall was made available for seats. The lecture-room, which was on the flrst floor, was 58 feet long by 43 feet wide; the church parlors and pastor's study were also on this floor. Steam was used for heating the building. The cost of the church completed was $50,000, and the total value of the church property was $65,000. The history of the First Presbyterian society has been marked by steady progress and uninterrupted prosperity. The preliminary meeting for organization was held at the old land office of Mr. Hoft'man, Dec. 17, 1839. On the 13th of the following January another meeting was held at the same place, when twelve persons banded themselves together, taking the name of the First Presbyterian Church, Messrs. A. M. Hofl'man, Levi Wells, and Phillip Skinner being elected elders. Of the original members six are now living: Mr, Samuel P. Church, Mr. Robert Tillson, Mr. and Mrs. Clark B. Church, Mrs. J. K. Webster and Mrs. Anna Wells. Jan. 19, 1840, the church was publicly instituted in the old court-house, the Rev. Mr. Cole, of Payson, and the Rev. Mr. Nichols, of Columbus, officiating. Services were held for a time in the old court-house, and afterward in the basement of the First Baptist Church, on Fourth street, the Rev. Mr. Marks having assumed the pastorate, Marcli 4, 1S40, It was during this year that the brick cliurch now occupied by the society was commenced, the Rev. Dr. Nelson assisting in laying the corner-stone. The church was not completed until two years later, however. At tlie time the view from the porch in front of the church to the public square was unobstructed, and soon after the trustees considered measures to prevent the erection ot a building on Maine street, between Fifth and Sixth, which would shut out the view of the sqnare. In 1S51 the building was enlarged by an addition of thirty feet, and has remained as it was then finished until the present time, the property being worth about $15,000.

This church has had but four pastors. The Rev. Mr. Marks closed his labors in 1855, and was succeeded by the Rev. Dr. King, who occupied the pulpit until July 1, 1867. After him came the Rev. Dr. Priest, who remained until May 1, 1875, when the present pastor, the Rev. Newman Smyth, came to Quincy from Bangor, Maine. Since the organization over 900 persons have been connected with this church. The present membership is 350. Mr. J. \V. Stewart is superintendent of the Sunday-school, which numbers 300 scholars.

Westminster Church

Westminster Church was organized in 1853, there being at that time about twenty members. Services were first held in the old Episcopal Church, where Col. Morton's residence now stands. In 1854 the building was moved to Sixth street, near the corner of Maine, and reconstructed and repaired. The Rev. William McCandish was the first minister, his connection with the church terminating in 1858. After he left, the society had no regular pastor for some time. Dr. Warren being the next to occupy the pulpit. He remained four years and was followed by the Rev. James A. Piper. The society built the church on Hampshire street, between Ninth and Tenth, at a cost of $3,500, the Hon. O. H. Browning donating the lot. The Rev. S. B. Holmes, the last regular pastor, came to Quincy in 1873 and remained two years. In 1875 the society was reunited with the First Presbyterian Church, and the church property reverted to that organization.

Spruce Street Church

Spruce Street Church, which was organized in the old Sixth Street Temple, has removed from its temporary location and built a neat and comfortable little church on Spruce street, between Sixth and Seventh. The building will hold about 300 people, and is built with a view to adding a transept in the near future, which will about double its capacity. The first ])ub]ic service at the new church was held Nov. 18, 1877. The Rev. J. P. Dawson iS the pastor.

The First Baptist Church

July 4, 1835, the first meeting of the residents of Quincy of the Baptist denomination was held for the purpose of organizing a church. The initial steps were then taken, but the church was not fully organized until the 29th of the following month, at a meeting held at the residence of Mr. R. Turner. There were three ministers present at this meeting, the Revs. John Clark, Alvin Baily and C. Greenleaf. The persons constituting the church were Ebenezer Turner, Reuben Turner, Henry Burrell, J. T. Osgood, A. C. Lightfoot, Eliza A. Lightfoot, Mary T. Turner, and Charlotte Burrell. The following soon after united with those already named: Samuel Davis, Abigail Davis, the Rev. Ezra Fisher, Lucy Fisher, Mary Turner, Andrews Seger, Ann Seger, Mary Pease, and Rebecca Pease. Mr. Ebenezer Turner and John Brown were ordained deacons. Meetings were held for a time at the old Safford school-house, corner Fifth and Jersey streets, and at the residences of the members of the church, the Rev. E. Fisher being the first j)astor. Aug. 13, 1836, the church was admitted to the Salem association. In 1837 the lot on Fourth street, between Hampshire and Vermont, where Hauworth, Orr & Hodgdon's planing mill now stands, was purchased and a small frame church was built. Great sacrifices were made to complete the church, as none of the members were wealthy, but many of them gave nearly all they possessed to finish the building. It is said that Mr. Ebenezer Turner donated $500 in cash - a large amount in those early days - which was all the money he had. The Rev. Mr. Fisher remained with the church until 1840, when the Rev, E. C. Brown accepted a aell. his ministry continuing for five yeai"s. He was succeeded by the Rev. S. S. Parr, who remained two years, and was succeeded by the Rev. Aaron Jackson. In 1848 the Rev. W. W. Keep accepted the pastorate, and during that year the church was enlarged and greatly improved. He remained until 1855, and for nearly three years after his resignation the church was without a regular minister. In 1858 the Rev. J. Y. Scofield became pastor, and he was succeeded in 1863 by the Rev, C. E. Bristol, who joined the army as chaplain in 1864. The church was again without a pastor for a short time, but in 1865 the Rev. John Kelly was called, and in 1866 the Rev. S. A. Taft became pastor. In 1870 the pulpit was filled by the Rev. A. B. Miller, who was followed by the Rev. W. D. Clark. In the winter of 1872 the society purchased the church now occupied by them of the Congregationalists, paying $26,000 for it. The present pastor, the Rev. Charles Whiting, D. D., came to Quincy in January, 1874, from Ft. Scott, Kas. The church at the present time has a membership of 200. The Sunday-school has 300 scholars, Mr. F. A. Everett being superintendent.

Vermont Street Church

Vermont Street Church is an outgrowth of the First Baptist Church , and was organized April 27, 1856, with forty-two members. The trustees were Messrs. E. Gove, John Seaman, A, C. Lightfoot, C, M. Pomroy, and J. C. Bernard, and the deacons were Messrs. C, M. Pomroy, J, C. Bernard, H. N. Lewis, and O. J. Fletcher. The church now occupied by the society, corner Vermont and Seventh streets, was completed in the fall of 1857, and was dedicated Oct, 7th, of that year. The Rev. Joseph R. Manton was the first pastor, his labors continuing until July, 1860. Since that, time the church has had but five regular pastors. The Rev. H, M. Gallaher from 1860 to 1864; the Rev, Frank Remington from 1864 to 1866; the Rev. Thomas W. Goodspeed from 1866 to 1872; the Rev. F. D. Rickerson from 1872 to 1876; the Rev, J, B. English from 1876 to 1877. The present membership is 300. Mr. J. M. Hyman is the superintendent of the Sunday-school, which numbers 200 scholars. The church and parsonage is valued at $40,000.

Spruce Street Chapel

Spruce Street Chapel was built by the Vermont Street Church in 1869, for a mission school, Mr. Charles II, Spencer being the first superintend- ent. It is located on the corner of Spruce and Fifth streets, and cost, with the lot, $3,200. Mr. R. W. Gardner, who has always manifested a deep, interest in the chapel, is the present superintendent, the school numbering 125 scholars.

The German Baiitst Church

The only German Baptist Church in the city is situated on the corner of Tenth and "Washington streets. It is a little brick building, put up in 1873, costing, with the lot, $2,700. The membership numbers only twentythree. The church was organized in 1849, and first held services in the church on the corner of Jersey and Eighth streets, now used by tlie colored people, to whom it was sold in 1867. The German Baptists had built it just after forming their society. The first minister which presided over this congregation was the Rev. Mr. Gladfelt. lie was here when the original church was erected. The present pastor is the Rev. Charles Ross, who came to Quincy three years since. The church has a flourishing Sunday-school. Few, if any, of the early members of the church are now connected with it, they having nearly all died or removed from the city. Of the dozen who formed the church were Mr. Hintze, Mr. Linke, Mr. Dcescher, and Mr. fluksal.

The Freewill Baptist Church

The Free Will Baptist Church is known only to the early settlers of Quincy, as it ceased to exist thirty years ago. In the fall of 1843 the society was organized by the Rev. C. M. Sewell, a missionary from the east, there being at that sime twelve members. During the fall and winter j of that year the meetings were held in the second story of a small building ; on Jersey street. In the following spring a frame church, 30x40 feet, was built on the corner of Jersey and Fifth streets, at a cost of $1,500. Among i the early members of the societ}' were Deacon Brown, Nicholas and John Bickford, W. Lyford, Mrs. DeCrow, D. G. Stockwell and wife, S. B. Stevens and Benjamin Cate. In 1848 the society was disbanded, owing to the ' removal of a number of the leading members from the citv. j

In 1865 the colored people formed the Jersey Street Baptist Church, with fifty-five members. The Rev. Henry Mosely was the first minister, and services were first held in the building on the corner of Maine and Sixth streets, which was also used during the war by the Needle Pickets. It was afterward removed and is now used by E. M. Miller et Co. In 1866 the church now occupied by the society, corner Jersey and Eighth streets, was purchased for $1,500, and^was improved soon after to the amount of $800. The Rev. G. G. Robinson, of Virginia, is the present minister, the church having a membership of 170. There are 110 scholars in the Sunday-school, Mr. Martin Hammond being superintendent. The church is a frame building, 40x60, and will seat about 400 persons.

St. John's Church, the first Episcopal parish organized in Quincy, wasi formed in 1837 by Bishop Chase, there then being eight or nine communi- if cants, Mr. Seth C. Sherman being one of the original members. Services k were held for a time in the old land-oflice building on the corner of Hamp shire and Sixth streets, also at the residence of Mr. DeHaven, and occasional meetings were held at the residence of Mr. Avise, and in the building then known as the " Lord's Barn." The first church was built in 1837-3», on Sixth street, between Hampshire and Vermont, on a part of a lot now occupied by Col. Morton's residence. It was a neat little frame building, which would accommodate between 300 and 400 persons. The first rector of the church was the Rev. John Selwood, a missionary; the first rector deriving no support from missions, and succeeding Mr. Selwood, was the Rev. Geo. P. Giddinge, D. D., who retained the rectorship for over twentj^ years. Services were held on Sixth street until the completion of the handsome church, or a part of the church, now occupied by the parish on the corner of Hampshire and Seventh streets, in 1849. It cost $10,000 as first built, but in 1867 it was completed as it now stands, at an additional expense of $10,000. The building is entirely of stone, is of the early English style of architecture, and is one of the most beautiful in the city. The church property, including the fine organ, is valued at $60,000. The Rev. Ritchie is at present priest in charge and superintendent of the Sunday-school. The church has 150 communicants, and there are 125 scholars in the Sunday-school,

Good Shepherd Mission

The enterprise which resulted in the formation of the parish of the Good Shepherd, was inaugurated by a few persons as a mission Sundayschool, in June, 1870. Five children and two ladies, together with five teachers, composed the first assembly, which was held in a frame building near the corner of York and Seventh streets, the building being afterward destroyed by fire. The school rapidly increased in numbers, however, and at the end of a few months services were held in the brick building on the southeast corner of York and Seventh streets.

At a meeting held Jan. 23, 1871, the Good Shepherd parish was organized. The church now occupied by the parish, on Twelfth street, between Maine and Hampshire, was commenced during the year, and was consecrated (being free from debt) by the late Bishop Whitehouse in the spring of 1872. The church cost $10,500, the lot on which it stands being donated by Mr. John L. Moore. That gentleman afterward purchased and deeded to the bishop of Illinois, the dwelling adjoining on the north, for a parsonage. The church is a handsome frame building of purely Gothic architecture, and will seat 350 persons. A feature of the building is the magnificent memorial windows, painted from original designs by Duremus, ther<j being no finer work of the kind in any church in this country. The chancel window is a memorial to the late Rev. Dr. Giddinge, whose labors so materially advanced the interests of the church. The triple window in the western end is a memorial to the children of Mr. and Mrs. James P. Erskine. The total value of the church property is $17,000. There are at present 121 communicants. The Rev. Dr. Oorbyn has been the rector -ince the organization of the parish, and he is also the superintendent of Sunday-school.

St. Albans is a neat brick chapel, corner Spruce and Twenty-second 81 ts, and was built and is sustained bv Mr. John L. Moore. It was comply- d Nov. 1, 1875, at a cost of $1,600, and is 20x30 feet in size. Mr.

Efforts have beeu made by the Episcopalians ot" the State from time to time to eflfect a division of the diocese of Illinois, as it was considered much too large for the supervision of a single bishop. Until recently, however, the movement has met with indifferent success. During the summer of 1877 the question of a division was again l^rought before the diocese of Illinois, and the convention at Chicago voted to divide the State into three dioceses, making Quincy, Chicago and Springfield the See cities. At the general convention held in Boston, in October, the action of the State convention was ratified. According to this division the Quincy diocese com prises the territory west of the Illinois river, and south of the southern boundary line of Lee and Whiteside counties. It contains twenty-three parishes, several mission stations and three church institutions, viz.: Lindsa}" church home, in this city; St. Mary's school for girls, at Knoxville, and Jubilee college, Kobins Nest, Peoria county. St. John's parish has deeded St. John's Church to the bishop for a cathedral, and the work of organizing the diocese was perfected by selecting the Rev. Alexander Burgess, of Massachusetts, as the bishop. lie delivered his inaugural sermon in the following June.

As the dioceses are now named from the See city, this diocese will forever be known as the diocese of Quincy. The formation of this diocese, therefore, marks an important point in the church history of Quincy, as it not only links it to the old, historic cities of the past, but gives assurance that the name will be carried down through the ages as long as the church has a history, Quincy will always be a cathedral city, and the presiding bishop will always be known as the Bishop of Quincy; thus giving the city a prominence in the history of the church to which it could not otherwise attain.

Chkistian 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, l)etween Jersey and York, owned by the Free Will Baptists, and had regular meetings. Of the constituent members at that time, probably twenty in number, the names of Mr. and Mrs. Hayes, Mrs. Kinman, Mr. Renfrow, Mr. Hatchett and wife, Mr. Laughlin and wife, Mr. j\[arcus Turner and wife (now of Alton), and Mr. Henry Kem]) and wife, are recalled; but of all who organized the church only Mrs. Hayes, Mrs. Kinman and Mr. Renfrow are living in the city. President Murphy, of Abingdon college, was the first ])astor, 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 1850, and was followed by Elder Simms, 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 membershi]> of 200.

Meetings were held for a time on Hampshire street, between Fifth and Sixth, the Rev. Mr. Israel being the iirst 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 building a new church, was realized. In February, 1869, the lot where the present 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 Hev. Dr. I. M. Wise, of Cincinnati. The building was dedicated September 8, 1870, by the Rev. Dr. M. Flnegel, 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 Hebrew congregations, and the services are conducted strictly in accordance with reform principles.

Unitarian Church

The first church of the Unitarian denomination was organized in December, 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 Sundayschool superintendent is Mrs. R. S. Benneson, and there are about 225 scholars. The Rev, F. L. Hosmer occupied the pulpit trom 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. Jolm 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 Hoelter has been pastor and superintendent of the Sunday-school for the past four years.

Like all the otlier 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 ls4S, the building being of brick, and occupying the corner of State and Ninth streets. In 1S63 the church was enlarged by building on an addition of twenty feet, making it 40x70 feet in size. For some time past, liowever, 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 congregation was accordingly commenced, and was completed and dedicated a short time since. The building is 60x120 feet, of brick and stone, of Gotliic 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 beautiful 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. Kuhlenhoelter, the present pastor, has occupied the pulpit of this church for the past seventeen years. A large and prosperous 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 people. This church seems to have done pioneer service for several of the religious 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, August Iltner, and Henry Pieper, were among the prominent members of the church from its origin. Their first pastor was the Hev. August Schmieding, who remained with them from 1850 till 1873, when the Rev. Wm. Hallerberg 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 Goodapple, Peter Meyer, Jacob Herman, and Bernard Meyer, and others as earnest 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 propertv 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 societ}'. It cost about $6,000. They also put up a school-house and a parsonage for $4,000. The pastor, the Rev. Mr. Mnnzell, is at present in Berlin, Germany.

Catholic Churches

Certainly very few Protestants, and probably comparatively few Catholics, know and appreciate the importance and extent of the church and educational buildings erected by members of the order of St. Francis, in East Quincy. And one can gain but a verj^ 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 succeeded only partially at first, but built a church and convent ol" 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 engaged 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 Schasfenmeyer, 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 purpose. Tiiey have purchased an additional block of ground just west Mf the present building, and although the plan is not yet fully matured, it is probable 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 wliich tlie church and other buildings now stand, four acres. Tliis, with the pi'operty 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 quantitj^ of brick and other contributions were given them by Mr. Thomas Redmond, who has shown equal liberality toward other Catholic institutions in the cit3^ The buildings are heated by steam and lighted by gas, the gas works having been finished the present 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 manj^ monasteries, all established by alms and contributions, as have been the convent, college and school at this city. The Franciscan order has at all times maintained its po])ularity in the Koman 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 costlj^ and beautiful edifices. The first Catholic society was worshi]>ing as early as 1S33. 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 dwelling on Broadway, near Eleven tli street. Afterward a more commodious but very un])retentious room was secured at the corner of Seventli 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 Detroit. 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 ot the Catholic church.

The St. Peter's Church was one of the first distinct organizations as an outgrowth of the whole Catholic element in Quincy up to 1S3S. It was not, however, until some 3"ears 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 established 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. Tiiis was in 1849, the society occu]iying 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 Mcllhern, 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 congregation 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 1S37-3S. 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 ])y ex-Gov. John Wood. Subsequently 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 tor worship. The members of the St. Boniface congregation also went to work to raise funds, and bought the lots on the corner of Seventh and Maine, which have since been occupied by them. The St. Boniface had the first regularly appointed priest that located in Quincy.

This was the Rev. A. Bredweder, who came here ahnost direct from Germany in 1840, followed bj a number of German families who had determined 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 w-ith the church assisted by means of gifts of brick and lumber in addition to the work, which was also done by them. It was commenced 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 succeeded by Father Bice, who remained but a short time. Father Rot he was the next pi'iest, and then the Rev. Father Schasfermeyer, whom we have already mentioned in connection witn 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 Ostrop's pastorate that the St. Boniface society was enabled to purcha.se 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 becoming large and influential. It was formed in 1867, when the present h.andsome church edifice on the corner of Seventh and Adams streets was begun. It is built of brick, 119 feet long and 60 feet wide. The congregation, originally numbering only about 40 families, now counts 250 - those living south of Ohio and east of Twenty-fonrth 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 churcli, 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 statement of the property under control of the Franciscan monks.

Quincy Water-Works

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 law, to be valid, had to be voted for bv the city of Quincy, and this vote was taken in April, 1809, on said law and a proposed new city charter. The waterworks law, among other things, provided for the issue of $650,000, eight per cent, bonds, and, if necessar}^ an additional $200,000; provided for the election of three water commissioners, with a salary each of S2,000; 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:

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 eflort 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 clause, and thus the city escaped that heavy outlay. In view of subsequent events, this escape from bonds can onl}' 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.

Oil the sth day of May, A. D. 1872, the '-Quincy Water- Works Company " was organized, with the following directors: James D. jMorgan, Edward Prince, Robert S. Benneson, II. F. J. Ricker, John Robertson, Lorenzo Bull, and Henry Root. The followin g were elected officers of the board: Jas. D. Morgan, President; Edward Prince, Secretary; II. 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 carrj^ on business was dated May 10, 1872. A new subscription 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 meetings, and the company has long since ceased to exist. The secretary paid

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 confiagration 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 afterward 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 tlie 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, contemplates 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 permanent works only after the ordering of twenty-four more fire hydrants.

The present water-works may be considered a triumphant success, because they have so well fulfilled all that was promised or expected, and because they were constructed in a time of great depression, by the indomitable will and perseverence of Col. Prince, who never fails in anything which he undertakes, and lastly, because the works have cost the city very little, as compared with the cost to other cities of about the same population.

Fire Department

The first mention of the present efficient Fire Department of Quincy was in the year 1837, at which time its inception was made by the town authorities making the purchase of four ladders and one dozen buckets. This action of the local authorities was made on the 20th of January, 1838, and from that date to the present time a constant improvement has been made until the present system has been reached whose efficiency has stood the test of years.

From this commencement, the first step in the march of improvement was made in the year 1839, when the buckets were cast aside for the hand engines, as in that year the tire engine Xo. 1, or " Old Quincy," as it was called, was purchased at a cost of §1,124.38, The engine did not arrive, however, until the following year, and it remained for a lung time the pride of firemen and an extinguisher of fires.

Engine Company No. 1 was then the organization of the village, as most all the substantial men of the place were members of the company. To show the auspicious beginning, the roster of the company is subjoined :

J. W. Kreenhop. Jacob A Funk. Charles Albright. Charles A. Nourse. Adam Schmitt. William Coyne. Chas. McDonald. G. W. Chapman. John Crocket. Michael Mast.

The fire company thus established was followed by the Water Witch No. 2; Liberty, No. 3; Neptune, No. 4; Phcenix, No. 5; Eouirh and Ready, No. 6, and the Pioneer Hook and Ladder Company. The fire department was considered very efiicient. Great rivalry existed among the different companies which lead to great proficiency in the manipulation of the engine and its accoutrements.

Among the early chiefs of the fire department may be mentioned the names of John Crockett, Edward Wells, T. W. Goodwyn, T. C. Benneson and J. D. Morgan, who were conspicuous for their able management of the volunteer department.

The department, or rather the system of fire companies, continued to be managed by ofiicers of their own election until 1865, when the Board of Fire Engineers was established, whose duty it was to have the general supervision of the bystem then in existence. The board consisted of a chief engineer and the foremen of the various organizations. This system was changed in the following year, when the board was made to consist of the mayor, chief engineer, two assistant engineers, and two alaermen. The board held its first meeting on the 11th of May 1866, and was composed of Mayor Boon, Chief Engineer T. J. Heirs, Assistants J. M. Bishop and C. Schwindler, and Aldermen Whitl)read and Sehrieber.

This system continued until 1876, when the Board of Fire Engineers was made to consist of three aldermen instead of two. as in the previous years; the rest of the board remaining the same.

In the year 1867 the first steam fire engine was purchased. It was called the "John Wood." This gradually did away with the volunteer department and substituted in its place the present system of a paid department.

The present board of fire engineers is composed of Mayor Rogers, Aldermen Smith, Libby and Wavering, Chief J. A. Stein,bach, Assistants Noakes and McLean.

From the present etiicient Chief, J. A. Steinbach, the following information has been obtained, as contained in his last annual report. The statement showing the list of fires, alarms and losses from the year 1868 to 1879 is as follows:

The department, under its present organization, consists of one chief and two assistant engineers, four engineers of steamers, seven drivers, three stokers and eighteen minute-men, making a total of thirty-five men, besides two volunteer companies, Water Witch, No. 2, and Phoenix, No. 5.

The Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 is situated on Fifth street between Jersey and York; has in charge a truck, and is well supplied for any emergency.

Roster Of C05Ipany Name. Appointment. A6E

Engine Company No. 1 is located on Fifth Street between Hampshire and Vermont, and has in charge a second class crane neck rotary engine, built by Silsby Manufacturing Company, of Seneca Falls, N. Y.; has been in service since November, 1876. Also, four-wheeled hose reel, built by E. M. Miller & Co., of Quincy, together with 950 feet of good hose.

Roster Of Company Name. Appointment. Age

Engine Company No. 3 is located on Eighth street, between Maine and Jersey. This company has in charge a second-class piston engine, built by C. Ahrens & Co., of Cincinnati, Ohio; has been in service shice December 19, 1874. Also, a two-wheeled hose reel, built by Silsby Manufacturing Company, of Seneca Falls, N. Y., together with 650 feet of good hose.

Name. Appointment. Ags

Engine Company No. 4 is located on State street, between Fourth and Fifth, and has in charge a third-class piston engine, built by L. Button vli: Son, Waterford, N. Y. ; has been in service since June 1, 1868; also a twt» wheeled hose reel, built by E. M. Miller & Co., of Quincy, together with 750 feet of good hose.

Name. ' Appointment. Ag3

Union Fire Company No. 6, is located on Twentieth street between Oak and Yine; has in charge a fourth-class piston engine, built by Cole Bros., at Pawtucket, Rhode Island; also, a four- wheeled hose reel, together with 600 feet of hose.

Roster Of Officers

The steamer James Pitman is a third-class rotary engine, built bj H. C. Silsby, at Seneca Falls, N. Y.; is kept at present as a "reserve" in case of a large fire, or to take the place of other engines in case of accident.

The fire department of Quincj is first-class in every respect, and no city of its size can claim a better one. It has a reputation at home and abroad for proficiency, and the energy displayed in all its grades promises that the future will be an improvement on its past record.

Quincy's present excellent system of schools, embracing as it does all the grades from the kindergarten to the most advanced studies of a college curriculum, and including the public schools, private and denominational educational institutions, besides colleges and seminaries, is in strong contrast with the humble origin of education in the little village some forty years ago. The school has passed through various changes since its first establishment, meeting at times with opposition, but coming from the ordeal a system that justly merits the praise which has been bestowed upon it. The history of the early schools established in the city of Quincy and that of the public schools of the present day, is almost identical, or at least so intimate as not to be separated from each other. The history of these schools commences with the establishment of the first school in 1837, and was held in what was known as the " Lord's Barn," a log church, situated very near the present Washington Park. In speaking of this first school, a writer says: "It contained about thirty scholars, some of them learning their letters and others being able to read and spell indifferently. The school was taught by Mr. Burn ham, who had been engaged by Mr. Keyes and a few other public spirited gentlemen, and was paid his salary by them, some of the citizens who sent their children to the school being nnable to pay anything for the privilege. A few previous attempts to maintain schools, among them one by the Rev. Jabez Porter, who founded the Congregational church, had been made, but this was the first one that proved in any manner successful, so that, a year from the time it first opened, when Quincy had but 1,150 inhabitants, it boasted of a permanent source of common education as well as good religious privileges. The establishment of the school, however, was attended with great difficulties. There was serious objection to education in those days which is not even hinted at now. Some of the people were open and outspoken in opposition to what they considered a pernicious system of keeping boys and girls idle when they ought to be at work ; and these, as a matter of course, refused to assist the school in any manner whatever. In that early time, a contract was usually made between the teacher and the parents of the scholars, in which it was stipulated that the tutor should receive so much per quarter (probably ten weeks) for each scholar. The compensation was necessarily very small, and a part of this V\e teacher had to secure by " boarding round " - a week at one house, a week at another, and so on until he had been at each house in the district for a given time.

However, the inconvenience of changing his boarding house was not the greatest obstacle which Mr. Burnham had to encounter. Very few books could be obtained ; the seats in the school-house were bare boards; the scholars had to walk long distances, owing to the sparsely settled condition of the place; and finally, in 1837, many of those who attended this school died of the then prevailing malady, cholera, and teaching had to be brought to a sudden termination. It was revived, however, the following year, with the opponents of instruction fortified by the partial failures which had already occurred. In one of the public meetings held about that time, a giant Kentuckian, wlio was familiar to everybody in the ])lace, made a speech in opposition to the school, declaring that "eddycashim wasn't no good; that he sent his Sal to school one day an' she didn't larn a liooter; them teachers didn't know nothin'." It was the element controlled in a large degree by expressions of this kind that retarded the ])rogress of learning in the then thriving little town, but neverthelesB the school succeeded, maintained, as it was, by private subscriptions.

The tirst real step forward in the management of the schools in Quincy came of an eflort made by Mr. R. S. Benneson, Capt. Artus and ex-Gov. John Wood, in 1842. In Aj)ril they circulated a petition, and sent it to the legislature, wliich was then in session, for permission to amend the existing city charter, which had been adopted in 1839, so as to enable Quincy to levy a tax of 12^ cents on the $100 to be- used under the direction of the city council exclusively for school purposes. The necessary enactment was obtained, was ratified by a vote of the people, and the city then commenced the operation of the school system in a somewhat satisfactory manner. It had been necessary, meantime, to rent rooms in various places for the accommodation of the scholars, who had been growing in numbers by the increase of population, and in 1843 the first schoolhouse was built by the town authorities. This was a two-story brick building on the Franklin school lot, on Fifth street, which was torn down to make room for the new brick edifice now there. Its dimensions were about 40x60 feet, and it contained two rooms, which did excellent service at the time, and, in fact, continued to be used for nearly thirty years to good advantage to the young people who attended the school. A little over a year afterward a similar building was put up on Jefferson square, and this remained occupied for school purposes until the connty purchased the ground and commenced to build the new court-house thereon. These buildings cost about $4,000 each, and were ranked as model institutions of learning in their days. They were of such ample capacity that it seems they met the I'equirements of the city for some 3'ear6; for in the first directory ever pnblished in Quincy, compiled by Dr. J. S. Ware, in 1848, these are referred to in glowing terms as afitbrding all of the educational facilities that could be demanded by the most exacting student, and the seating capacity is placed at the extravagant figure of 2,000. The schools were under the immediate direction of the school commissioner for Adams county, Mr. Grover, as well as those outside of the city. A visiting committee, without any authority, was annually appointed by the council, but the schools were then governed as are the schools in the county towns to-day.

As late as 1843 we find that the trustees of schools asked the city council for a "donation" to carry on the schools. The council could not, or, at least, did not grant the request. Thereupon a mass-meeting of the citizens was held and the following resolution was adopted:

Resolved, That this meeting instruct the city council to apiJi-opriate $300 per quarter to sustain the public schools in this city, and that this ajjpropriation remain permanent through the remainder of this year, and also continue through 1844.

The council, thereupon, adopted a series of resolutions in which they recited the financial disabilities under which the city was laboring, and re gretted their inability to make the required appropriation. They also recognized the duty of public ofiicials to obey instructions; and, as they thought that they could not in this instance obey, they expressed a willingness to resign, if the citizens desired them to do so, and to replace them

It does not appear from the record that any of the aldermen resigned, yet at the next succeeding meeting of the council the appropriation was made, thus indicating a strong pressure from the citizens. So that, at that early day in the history of Quincy, the public schools, as we see from this incident, had become the people's schools, and thej' were a fixed institution. It is true that they have often languished, as before stated, for the means to make them efficient, but they were never allowed to be suspended, or if so, only for a brief period. Appropriations for school purposes were frequently made grudgingly, and the schools were often made to suft'er at the expense of other undertakings by the city, which have not yielded their proportionate benefits to the city.

In April, 1847, for the first time the city of Quinc}^ was organized into school districts under the control of the city authorities, by a law of the legislature. In June of the s.ime year, ordinances were adopted by the council for the support and management of the public schools, and the appointment of a superintendent. Mr. Isaac M. Grover was chosen for the position, retaining it for three years, and under his direction schools were opened in the Franklin and Jefferson buildings early in September of 1847. Now fairly started in the right direction, the schools gave promise of doing something gratifying. But the progress was still slow. It was not until the fall and winter of 1855 that the next school-house (the Webster) was erected; and two years afterward the Irving district was organized and the school-house built, and about the same time the colored school (now the Lincoln) located in a hovel on Oak street, came under the jurisdiction of the city. Some attempts at progress were made by those having the schools in charge. It was, however, up-hill work. It seemed that every proposition or endeavor for advancement was met with objections of a really serious and threatening nature. JN^umbers of prominent and somewhat influential citizens arrayed themselves against any appropriation for salaries, improvements in the school-rooms, or additions to buildings.

One faction got at loggerheads with another upon the question of the management and direction of the public schools, and there was apparently a strong popular sentiment against expending money liberally for common school education. The Hon. Hope S. Davis, who was superintendent from 1856 to 1858, and again from 1860 to 1864, endeavored to check this feeling and make the schools generally popular, while instituting needed reforms. He accomplished at least one important object during his first term of service, and that was to grade the schools into three departments, nigher, intermediate and primary, with separate teachers for each branch. Prior to this the Franklin and Jefferson schools, with one room on each floor, had two teachers in a room, both of them hearing classes, if they could be called classes, one at either end of the room, at the same time. There was not a blackboard in either of the buildings except a small one in the Webster; the seats ran lengthwise of the school-rooms, those at the farther end, where sat the big boys and girls, of course, being elevated above the others; there were no distinct classes except in reading and spelling, each scholar studying just what suited him or her, and at any time that was most convenient, without punishment for failure in lessons. Tlie only thing about the schools that seemed to partake of ordei was the series of "blue laws" providing that the scholars sliould be on hand at 8:45 o'clock, the doors should be opened promptly at 9, so many records of tardy should render a scholar liable to suspension, so many more to expulsion, etc. These rules were pasted on a piece of cardboard and hunor up on a nail in the wall.

When it was decided to make an improvement, the superintendent got authority from the council, and put up partitions in the school-rooms, making four rooms in each building. The old seats were taken out and new ones put in. Blackboards were introduced, and finally text-books were adopted for the different grades. The schools needed even more than this, but the difiiculty was for the officers to find support in their efforts, and consequently only a little could be done at a time. During 1856 a communication was published in one of the newspapers in the interest of private schools and against public schools, in which the attendants at the latter were classed as "ragmuffins." This drew out a rejoinder from Mr. Blakesley, and was followed by another article, and the war was thus kept up for some time. In the spring of 1857 Superintendent Davis and the teachers endeavored to gain public favor, and gave a grand public school exhibition in what was then Kendall's hall, at the southwest corner of Main and Sixth streets. A paper prepared by some of the older students was read, and declamations, compositions and dialogues made up the programme. The first night the attendance was fair, and the exhibition was a great success. It aroused snch enthusiasm that it had to be repeated the next night; and so many wei'e unable to gain admittance that it became necessary to give it for the third time.

As it was the first performance of the kind attempted, it had considerable effect in turning public favor toward the schools, and for a time it was hoped the back of the opposition to them was broken. But a few years afterward, when it was proposed to increase the school tax above the prescribed twelve and one-half cents, the fight was renewed with vigor. A meeting of the friends of the movement was called in Concert hall, at the corner of 5th and Main streets, Dr. Robbins presiding, and the same night the opponents of the measure met in the old court-house, to protest against the tax. Mr. Davis, one of those in favor of the increase, went into the court-house meeting and made a speech, holding the floor until he was reinforced by the entire body from the Concert hall, which adjourned to aid him. Then commenced a heated debate, in which the Hon. Almeron Wheat and the late Jackson Grimshaw eloquently took part in favor of the schools, and were assisted by Samuel Holmes, A. W. Blakesley, and Sylvester Thayer. In short order, the protestants were fully routed from the court-room. The opposition to the public schools was thus permanently allayed, and public education was thereafter popularly endorsed.

In the winter of 1860-61 Mr. Marcy and Mr. Davis drew up a law for organizing the board of education of Quincy, and it was passed by the Legislature. Previous to that time the title to all public school propert}^ here was vested in the city. Some of this property, a portion of the Webster school lot, was levied on for a city debt, and was sold and had to be redeemed, while other city creditors were threatening to swoop down and take the Jeft'erson and Franklin lots also. It was to save this property that provision was made in the law for vesting the title in the board of education. The first board organized under the law, in 1861, consisted of Thomas Jasper, president; Hope S. Davis, superintendent; John W. Brown, Clerk; Greorge I King, and A. W. Blakesley. By-laws, rules and regulations, and a complete graded system for the schools were adopted before the commencement of the Fall term. It was under these regulations that the Qnincy teachers' institute was established in 1861, the first meeting being lield at the "Center school " in September, and it has been in existence ever since. These rules have continued to govern the schools to the present time. They were revised in 1865, when amendments became Jiecessary, such as making nine divisions of the school instead of five, as originally provided for, and otherwise extending their usefulness. When the board organized, it took charge of the Franklin, Jefferson and Webster school buildings, and leased the old Unitarian Church, at the corner of 6th and Jersey streets, where were established what was called the " Center school." Since that time the rapid increase of scholars has made necessary constant enlargements and improvements, and new school buildings.

In speaking of the improvements which have been made in the schools of the city, it will be most natural to speak separately of each of the school buildings, giving a short history of each, beginning with the old Franklin. It was discovered that this building had iDccome utterly worn out and useless as a school-house, so that in 1870 the building was replaced by a new house of magnificent proportions, and combining in it all the modern improvements and conveniences. It contains fifteen rooms, all of which are well lighted and well ventilated. It is heated with steam, and in every respect it is the equal, if not the superior, of any school-house in the West. Its cost, including desks, seats and other necessary furniture, with heating apparatus and earth closets, amounted to $40,000. The seating capacity is 760, although a greater number have been crowded into it at various times. In 1873 it was found necessary to have a room in the neighborhood for a branch primary school, and such a school, the York Street Primary, has since then been maintained in Mr. Thomas White's building, across the street from the Franklin. There are in the building three departments, primary, grammar and high school.

The Jeff erson School building, long before its removal, had become an eye-sore to the citizens. For years before its final disappearance it wore a very dilapidated appearance. In 1864 the school encountered a speck of war; at least it would appear so from a report then made by the superintendent to the board: "That the military, under command of Col. Dean, took possession of the Jefferson school lot, thus obstructing and hindering the progress of the school, and rendering the continuance thereof unpleasant, and in many respects improper, and that he had closed the school." The school remained closed for only a few days, because, as we suppose, the Colonel, finding himself and command in an unpleasant situation, concluded, as many another Colonel has done, that discretion is the better part of valor, and he retreated.

In 1875 the ground was desired by the county as a location for the new court-house, whereupon the board of education ceded it to the county, and purchased Johnson College and the block of ground on which it stands, for the sum of $30,000. This building was, as soon as it could conveniently be done, remodeled and modernized throughout, so that, next to the Franklin, it is now one of the best school-houses in the country. It contains fourteen school-rooms, ten of which are at present occupied. There is a primary and a grammar department in the building.