Adams County, Illinois - Biographical sketches, 1879 (part 16 of 16)

Wines And Liquors

The wholesale liquor trade of Quincy is carried on with marked enterprise and energy. Their stores are filled with the best of imported and domestic wines and liquors. All those who are at present engaged in the business are thoroughly versed in its management and are enabled to guarantee satisfaction. There are ten firms now engaged in the traffic in the city of Qnincy; Joseph Adams, J. W. Blutgut & Co., J. H. Dnker & Bro., John Meyer' & Co., Fred. Schaller, Edward Stockle, Sam'l E. Seger, «ommer, Ljnds & Co., Henry Kensch, and Kogers & Montgomery.

The Grain Trade

Nearly the entire business in this line is transacted by Ewing, Bomgardner & Beard. Previous to their taking charge of the elevator the grain business of the city was unimportant. In 1875, it was estimated that the grain business of the city did not exceed 135,000 bushels. In 1876, Ewing, Bomgardner & Beard went into the elevator and run the shipinents up to 1,700,000, three-fourths of that amount being handled at the elevator. Most of the grain was purchased in Missouri and Kansas. Total shipment for a year, 5,450 cars. In bushels the amount will be close to 2,000,000. Ten men are employed in the business.

Agricultural Implements

Quincy now has the largest establishments dealing in agricultural implements of all kinds, carrying an immense assortment. They all do a large business. The sales for the year will amount to something over $500,000.

The lumber dealers and saw-mills of Quincy report a very satisfactory business for the past year. The financial depression which has prevailed for years past has checked the building and improvements somewhat, which has had its efi'ect upon the lumber interests. There are some six dealers^ most of whom have large j^ards, and carry stocks of from 500,000 to 2,000,- 000 feet, and handle from 500,000 to 3,000,000 feet a year.

The Coal Trade

Three firms were engaged in the coal trade last year. The trade has grown to be an important business in the city, as the figures below show:

The Neelyville Company was in business from January up to JS^overaber 1st, ten months. The firm had about seventy-five men employed, and brought to the city about 800 cars of soft coal, and 70 cars of hard coal. The total is estimated by the company at $35,000.

Hides And Avool

Hirsch & Co. do a business of $250,000 a year. This firm, successors to J. Jones & Co., are located on Seventh and Hampshire. The business of the year is estimated at $400,000. The firm keep eight men employed in the business.

Was organized and charter granted by the State, February 11, 1865. The charter specifies that the company shall have the exclusive right to operate horse railways in the city of Quincy, for the term of fifty years from its date.

The original incorporators were: Charles A. Savage, James W. Pitman, Onias C. Skinner, Isaac C. Woodruff, Hiram S. Byington, and Nehemiah Bushnell, first president, all now deceased save Mr. Savage. The Fifth street section extending from Sixth street and Maine, out North Fifth street a mile and a third in length, was first, and all, the first owners built. In May, 1869, the present company, consisting oi Lorenzo Bull, President, E. K. Stone, Superintendent, Charles H. Bull, O. H. Browning, and Nehemiah Bushnell's heirs, came in possession of the line, and soon after constructed the Maine street line leading from Sixth street to the fair grounds, about two miles and a quarter in length, and Highland line leading north from Maine on Twentieth street a mile. The company's stables and car house, the finest and best arranged in the West, are situated on Twentieth and Maine streets; and they and the Maine and Highland avenue lines were built under the supervision of the present very able superintendent, E. K. Stone.

The company have in use fifteen cars and sixty mules. These they find better adapted to the heavy grades and their light cars than horses, which, with the kind treatment they receive, keep in splendid condition. The cars are neat and tidy, and no pains is spared for the convenience and comfort of the patrons of the road. There is no better managed street railroad in Illinois than this; and it is one of the institutions of Quincy, of which her citizens have just reason to be proud.

The original members of this church came from Garrard county, Ky., and were from the Associate Reformed Congregation, Point Lick, Madison county, Ky. The house of worship was situated near the dividing line between the said counties, and now known as the New Hope Church.

Shannon Wallace and William Wallace, with their families, moved from Garrard county, Ky., to Pike county. 111., in 1834. Rankin Wallace, William M. Wallace, Jason Wallace, Mary Wallace (widow), and Sarah Wallace (widow j, with their families, moved from Garrard county, Ky., to Adams countv. 111., in 1835.

Rankin Wallace settled on a farm near the village of Clayton, in the northeast part of the county. Wm. M. Wallace, and the two widow Wallaces above mentioned, settled on farms near Bear creek, some eight or ten miles northwest of Clayton. Jason Wallace settled in the village of Clayton the following spring. In 1836, Shannon and William Wallace, with their families, moved from Pike county, 111., to Adams county, and settled on farms near the village of Clayton; all of whom were from the Associate Reformed Congregation, Point Lick, Ky. Rev. John Wallace, of the First Associate Reformed Presbytery, of Illinois, visited the settlement in 1836, and preached the first sermon in the house of Rankin Wallace. He also visited the people, and preached frequentl_y afterward. He died at his home, near Little York, 111., Dec. 20, 1875. Kev. James McCalla, of Shelby county, Ky., visited the settlement in 1837, and preached a few times to this flock of new settlers, and the following year removed his family from Shelby county, Ky., to this place, and settled on a small farm and remained with these people for one year, preaching in the homes of the different families, during which time he received a call from the Associate Keformed Congregation, of Sparta, Randolph county. 111., and removed to that place. After he left these people were visited by Rev. Fulton, Rev. James Barnett (who was afterward a missionary at Damascus, Syria), Rev. Morrow, Rev. Half, Rev. Wm. Graham, Rev. John Graham, and others, preaching in the houses of the brethren. Rev. John Pinkerton preached to them awhile in 1814. The congregation was organized with fourteen members, April 26, 1845, with Rev. Joseph Thompson, of the First Associate Reformed Presbytery of Illinois. The congregation was called the Clayton Congregation, and was to be under the direction of the First Associate Reformed Presbytery of Illinois, and the Second Associate Reformed Synod of theWest. Shannon Wallace was elected elder, and ordained on the 28th of April, 1845. He died Dec. 4, 1858.

In the spring of 1846, Rev. M. M. Brown, formerly of Ohio, was sent by the Presbytery to the congregation as stated supply. He remained until the fall of 1848, preaching part of the time in Quincy, 111., the county seat of Adams county. He received aid part of the time from the Board of Home Missions. Afterward he received and accepted a call from Randolph county, where he removed in the spring of 1849. During his stay at Clayton several were added to the church by profession and examination. Thus it appears that the congregation began its growth under the ministration of Rev. M. M, Brown. He is at present Professor of Lincoln College, Missouri.

Before and up to this time, services of public worship were held in private houses and in the district school-houses. Efforts now began to be made to build a house of worship, but failed for want of agreement as to the location, two points being proposed, one on the farm of Mr. Rankin Wallace, near the graveyard, and the other some where near the central point between the northern and southern portion of the congregation. Finally the matter was satisfactorily adjusted by building in the village of Clayton, which was done during the summer and fall of 1850. In the fall of 1849, Rev. Samuel Millen, formerly of Bloomington, Ind., received and accepted a call from the congregation. He remained about seven years. He received aid from the Board of Home Missions lor one or two years; the congregation then became self-sustaining. Rev. Millen rendered efficient labor, and the congregation, by God's blessing, increased encouragingly. He gave up the charge ot the congregation in 1856, and received and accepted a call from Smith's Creek, Ilenderson county, and moved to that place in the fall of the same year. He died at his home near Smith's Creek, on the 11th of October, 1871.

After Rev. Millen left, the congregation were without a pastor for about four years, although efforts were frequently made during that time to secure one, ^Notwithstanding this discouragement the little flock still trusted that God, in his good providence, would in due time send them one to watch over their spiritual interests. In the meantime, the Presbytery supplied them by sending Rev. James C. Porter, Dr. McDill, Rev. Robert

Koss, and others, to administer to their spiritual needs. On the 17th day of May, 1850, Mr. John Millen, elder from Bloomington, Ind., was received on certificate, and accepted as elder of the congregation. He moved from Clayton to Paxton, 111., in the fall of 1865. James A. Wallace and J. W". Anderson were elected elders in November, 1852, and ordained December 9 of the same year, William M. "Wallace and Jason Wallace were elected elders in April, 1854, and ordained soon after. William M. Wallace died Dec. 18, 1864! Jason Wallace died March 3, 1873.

Rev. S. C. Millen, from the Associate Reformed Synod of the South, took charge of the congregation as stated supply in the fall of 1857, with the expectation of remaining in the west. The congregation made a call for his services as settled pastor, but, owing to his feeble health, it was not accepted. Finding the climate too severe for him he removed south again in the fall of 1858.

On the 26th of Maj^, 1858, a union was effected between the Associate and the Associate Reformed Presbyterian churches, and called by the name of United Presbyterian.

Revs. Marion Morrison, M. Bigger, Robert Ross, and others, were sent by the Presbytery as supplies. In the mean time the congregation increased in numbers to some extent by some of the baptized youth uniting with the church.

In the spring of 1860, Rev. John Gordon, of Berlin, 111., became pastor of the congregation, and remained one year. He then gave up his charge to accept the linancial agency of the Monmouth College, Monmouth, 111., which had been tendered him. He afterward became pastor of the Fairfax Congregation Presbytery, of Cedar Rapids. He died Sept. 25, 1871, of paralysis and lung disease.

In May, 1861, Rev. M. Bigger became pastor of the congregation, and remained only during the summer, when he gave up his charge on receiving the position of Chaplain in the 50th Regt. 111. Inf. He went South the following fall and remained with his regiment during the three years' enlistment. After his return home he was employed for a time by the Board of Home Missions, during which time he united with the Re-united Presbyterian church, and finally was sent to Bushnell, 111., as stated supply, in April, 1871, and was installed pastor in May, 1872, leaving many warm friends here.

In the fall of 1861, Rev. James A. Frazier, formerly missionary at Damascus, Syria, became pastor of the church, and remained about one year, when, at the request 'of the Presbytery, he gave up his charge and returned to his former mission field. He was a devoted pastor, and the congregation, having become very much attached to him, very reluctantly gave their consent to his removal. He died soon after his return to his field of mission labor.

Rev. James McEeal took charge of the congregation as stated supply in the fall of 1862, he remained until the following summer, then moved to another field. Dr. James F. Harper, elder from the Associate Reform Congregation. Troy, Tennessee, was received and elected elder on May 1, 1863. He removed to Keokuk, Iowa, in the fall of 1869. In the spring of 1864, Rev. John H. Brown, of Monmouth, Illinois, received and accepted a call from the congregation, began preaching 'April 15, 1864, and was in- Etalled on the 8th day of September following.

ber of the youth of the congregation, and some older persons professed faith in Christ, and were by examination received as members of the church. He labored liard to establisli the Sabbath-school on a firm basis, and also took great interest in establishing weekly prayer-meetings, and was in a good degree successful in both.

On the 1st day of April, 1869, at his request, the pastoral relation was dissolved, the congregation acquiescing, A short time after leaving Clayton, he took charge of the Piqua congregation in Ohio, and is still at that place.

On the 13th day of Jan., 1869, Mr, Wm, Wallace and Mr. C, H, Moffett, were elected elders, and ordained April the same year. Rev. J, A. Edie, of ISTorth Henderson county, Illinois, received and accepted a call from the congregation in the fall of 1869, commenced preaching on the 28th of November, and was installed on the 14th of Jan,, 1870, Previous to the union of the Associate and Associate Reform churches, Bro, Edie was in connection with the former. By the blessing of God, his labors in the congregation M^ere in a great degree successful, although some things occurred greatly to be deplored, yet there was gradual increase by a number of young people of the congregation, and some older persons professing faith in Christ, and uniting with the church. He labored faithfully to have the weekly prayer-meetings and Sabbath-schools profitable and interesting, and was zealous for the advancement of the cause of Christ.

At a congregational meeting held in the church, Sept, 1, 1877, the matter of repairing the church building was laid before the congregation. From the discussion which followed, there seemed to be a desire on a part ot the congregation to erect a new church building instead of repairing the old. After holding several other meetings relative to the matter, it was finally decided at a meeting held on Sept. 8, 1877, to rebuild on the old site, and at a subsequent meeting a building committee was appointed, the contract let to J. H, Kanefess, of Quincy, Illinois. The house was erected during the fall and winter following, at a cost of about $3,000, and was dedicated Jan. 29, 1878, Rev, Shaw, of Keokuk, Iowa, preaching the dedicatory sermon. In the following spring, Rev. J. A. Edie gave up his charge as pastor of the congregation, preached his farewell sermon on the 5tli of May, 1878, and removed with his family the same spring to ISTew Brighton, Pennsylvania. Since Bro. Edie left, the congregation have been without a settled pastor, but have had occasional supplies, and are at present (May, 1879) making an effort, and will probably succeed in securing the services of Rev, J. Y, Pringle, of Pana, Illinois,

There are at this date. May, 1879, eighty-two members. Since the congregation was organized, twenty-eight have died, eight of whom were of the original members; six of the original members remain. There have been fifty-two dismissed by certificate, six have left without certificate, nine have been suspended, three of whom have been restored to the privileges of the church.

Christian Church, Pleasant Yiew

Located two and one-half miles southeast of Camp Point, organized April 24, lb35, with eleven members. John Foster and David Hobbs were chosen Elders; Daniel Walker, Deacon; Nicholas Hobbs, Clerk, Their first meeting house was erected in the year 1847; the one now occupied was built in 1873, at a cost of about three thousand dollars, including the foundation. The churches of the same order at Camp Point and Clayton have both largely grown out of this. Consequently the present membership is only about one hundred.

There is a Sunday school, composed of the members and neighbors and their children, perhaps one hundred in number. About two hundred dollars per annum are raised for church purposes.

Christian Church At Ursa

Was organized as the Bear Creek Christian Church, in February, 1833, and continued as such until 1840, when it was changed to the name of The Ursa Church. The following members were instrumental in the organization of the church: Elder Jessee Bowles and wife, Stephen Ruddle, wife and daughter; Sarah Crawford, Miss Stephenson, Miss Lyttle and Elizabeth Stone, all of the above deceased. Among the first preachers were Stephen Ruddle, Jessee Bowles, John Clark and Lewis Hatchet. All have crossed over to the other shore but the latter. Brother Hatchet, who still survives.

The church was organized with seven members, which were gradually increased to about 200, but some have died, others moved away, until, at the present time, there are only about sixty. The present preacher is Brother Yates, and the elders are Wm. Mc Adams, John Denson and George Walker. Church building valued at $3,000. Sunday school every Sabbath, well attended, and run by the members of the Christian Church and their children.