Bureau County, Illinois - Chapter 35, 1885

Chapter 35

ANY eulogistic description of the beautiful little city of Princeton would be a work of supererogation for the people of this generation, because, in the language of Daniel Webster, "she speaks for herself." Her grand avenues and elegant business streets, her neat cottages, splendid business blocks, her great rows of shade trees and rich lawns, and beautiful yards and parks are a panorama that are witching sights to the visitor as he drives over the smooth graveled streets in viewing the town.

Princeton is on Section 16, Town 16, Range 9. It was surveyed by B. M. Hayes, August 23, 1832, and the plat made by John P. Blake. Roland Moseley, John Musgrove and John P. Blake were the Trustees of the school land in the town named. They being advised the people desired to sell the school lands, proceeded to subdivide the same. The central, or that part between First and Third Streets and between Central Street and the south part of town, was divided into lots containing one acre and a fraction; the west part of the town was divided into four-acre and a fraction lots, and to the north line into four and eight- acre lots; the northeast quarter into thirty-seven- acre lots, and the east 200 acres into four, nine and eighteen-acre lots. The Trustees made a report of the division September 17, 1832, and acknowledged the same before John M. Gay, Justice of the Peace. This was the first recorded instrument in what is now Bureau County. It was recorded the 22d of March, 1833, by H. Warren Hooper, Recorder, Putnam County.

from George Churchhill, of Madison County, 111. , to James McKinney, conveying the northeast quarter of Section 19, Town 14, Range 9. This tract of land had been sold by the State to Churchhill on the 19th day of February, 1830. The next real estate transaction was a sale o'f the pre-emption right of Leonard Roth to Jesse Perkins, in which Roth quit-claims the east half of the southeast quarter and the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 24, Town 15, Range 9. The consideration was $600. This was dated November 13, 1833. On the same day David Jones sold to Jesse Perkins, for the sum of $50, a quit- claim to the east half of the northwest quarter of Section 19, Town 15, Range 10. David Jones signed by " his mark." On the 2d day of January, 1834, Gov. John Reynolds signed a deed to Lot 31 , in Princeton, conveying it to Washington Webb, for the sum of 15. This lot is where the jail now stands The same year Washington Webb sold the same to Jerry Parsons for $100. January 2, 1834, Gov. Reynolds deeded to W. O. Chamberlain Lot 30, Princeton, consideration $2.50. May, 1834, Chamberlain sold the same to Fred Haskell for $30. In January, 1824, the Governor conveyed to James Hays Lot 117, Princeton, containing eight acres and a fraction, for $20. Hays at the same time purchased Lot 118 for $20. September 17, 1834, Daniel Shelly and Susanna, his wife, conveyed to Brown and Job Searl his pre-emption to one-half of the southeast quarter of Section 3, Town 15, Range 10, for $125. John Musgrove bought Lot 2, Princeton, January, 1834, containing four acres, for $10. September, 1834, Aaron Gunn sold to Jonathan T. Holbrook, for $500, a quit-claim to the southwest quarter of Section 24, Town 18, Range 10.

The name, Princeton, was a matter of luck in a lottery, where the three above-named Town Commissioners each wanted to give it a name that would be suggestive of early association. When the three met and the question of a name came up, each one wrote a name on a slip of paper and agreed that an outsider should draw, and the first name drawn from the hat should stand as the choice. Mr. Musgrove was from Princeton, or near it, in New Jersey. He, of course, wrote on his slip "Princeton." And in the drawing this name appeared first. And thus the question was settled. And the writer of this can certify that since he has been here more than one letter has come to him plainly marked "Princeton, Illinois," and on the envelope was the mark of " Princeton, New Jersey; sent here by mistake" - although the writer has noticed hundreds of newspaper certificates floating around that New Jersey was not in the United States. And as there is a " Princeton " in nearly every State in the Union, yet "them literary fellers " in the Postoffice Department seem to generally think that all persons able to write and address a letter are, of course, from Princeton, N. J. So much a long communion tends to make us what we are.

In March, 1838, at an election on the question of incorporating the village of Princeton, twenty votes were cast, all in favor of the proposition. The following were the voters: Andrew Smith, Stephen Wilson, William H. Wells, Noah Wiswall, Cyrus Langworthy, John Long, Robert C. Masters, Samuel Triplett, John Walter, Butler Denham, John Vaughan, E. H. Phelps, Oliver Boyle, Joseph Houghton, Joseph Smith, Robert Stewart, John H. Bryant, Justin H. Olds, Thomas S. Elston, Robert T. Templeton.

The earliest Justices in Princeton Township were: Thomas S. Elston, Aquilla Triplett, Robert C. Masters and Joseph Waldo. Of the original voters of the town now living there are John Walter, E. H. Phelps, John H. Bryant, and Joseph Houghton, the last now in New Brunswick.

On the 6th of April, 1857, the first town council was voted for, in the just then incorporated town of Princeton. Ebenezer White was elected President of the Council, and L. P. Estjon, E. Dee, Jedediah Paine, P. N. Newell and Daniel McDonald, Trustees. They were sworn into office by Levi North, Police Magistrate. At the first meeting the only business was to appoint Committees to secure a council-room and record-book. The first meeting was in Judge Ballou's office, and the next in J. I. Taylor's office. At the second meeting, George H. Phelps was elected Clerk; P. N. Newell, Treasurer; David E. Norton, Supervisor and Marshal ; George W. Stone, Constable. April 16, 1857, Estjon presented a petition for a four- foot side- walk on the north side of Putnam Street. April 16, ^ David E. Norton, after ten days' service as Marshal, resigned, and William Vannatta was appointed. The Board of Health for the first year consisted of William Bacon, Dr. W. C. Anthony, Samuel Wood, Ephraim Fellows, and S. Fried, and the Fire Wardens, Charles S. Boyd, E. G. Jester, William Grant, Jacob Fetrow, and A. S. Chapman. O. G. Wilcox was appointed pound-master, Charles S. Allen, Prosecuting Attorney; N. Matson, Assessor; W. A. Fisher, Collector; and Alfred Johnson, John S. Miller, and James Corbett, wood measurers, and C. B. Clark and Douglas, coal weighers.

January 4, 1858, the Council voted "that an oyster supper be given the present members of the Council and corporation officers, at the expense of the town." This was the last official act of this Board. The records give no account of the oyster supper. All probably retired "too full for utterance."

January 4, 1858, an election was had and the following were chosen: Benjamin L. Smith, President; William Carse, D. G. Salisbury, John S. Miller, Joseph S. Clark and A. J. Morton, Trustees. They met January 8. James K. Rennick was elected Clerk; William Carse, Treasurer: Joseph F. Jones, Marshal; Joseph S. Clark, Street Supervisor. In January, 1858, an ordinance was passed prohibiting tippling houses in Princeton. The last meeting of this Board was December 30, 1858. So far as the records show, unlike its predecessor, the individual members thereof went to bed oyster-supperless, at least, so far as the pockets of the city treasury was concerned.

January 3, 1859, an election returned the following: R. T. Templeton, President, and Jacob Fetrow, D. Q. Salisbury, John Elliott, John S. Miller and William Mercer, Trustees, and George O. Ide, Police Magistrate. The new Board met January 8. J. K. Rennick was again appointed Clerk; D. G. Salisbury, Treasurer; William Vannatta, Marshal; Henry W. Kelly, Constable; Joseph S. Clark, Supervisor; George H. Phelps, Town Attorney; Charles S. Boyd, Fire Warden, and John Walter, Peter Scott, Henry Adley and W. P. Smith, policemen.

In September, 1859, J. K. Rennick having removed temporarily from the town, Charles J. Peckham was appointed Clerk until the regular Clerk should return. He served out the term.

The new Board in 1860: Robert T. Templeton, President; Parker N. Newell, James F. Waldham, Milo Kendall, Wright Seaman and Joseph S. Clark, Councilmen; Charles

J. Peckham/ Clerk; P. N. Newell, Treasurer; William Buchanan, Supervisor; Martin Carse, Marshal; Henry Kelly, Constable; Charles S. Boyd, Warden; Charles Barrie, William Bacon and Charles S. Boyd, Board of Health; William Warren and W. Frank Hale, wood and coal ; Henry Adley and Enos C. Matson, policemen; John S. Coulter, pound-master; George L. Paddock, Town Attorney.

For 1861 it was Templeton, President; P. N. Newell, Wright Seaman, L. S. Closson, Joseph Mercer and Cyprian Jones, Trustees; Peckham, Clerk; Newell, Treasurer; Carse, Marshal; Kelly, Constable; George H. Phelps, Attorney; Charles Hill, Supervisor.

In 1862 the Town Board was the same as 1861, with the exception of Jacob Critzman, Trustee. James S. Eckles was appointed Town Attorney. This year we find the town issued a liquor license to L. D. Epperson. Martin Carse having resigned the office of Marshal, and several applications for the office being presented, a ballot was had, and David Deselms was elected.

1863. - The new officers were: George Crossley, President; C. Rawson, Jacob Fetrow, A. Swansey, R. B. Foster and L. S. Clawson, Trustees; D. E. Norton, Marshal. There were seven applicants for Marshal, and a ballot was had. There were not enough members of the Board by two to cast one vote each for the candidates. P. A. Engstrom was elected - three votes. The other old officers were re-elected except P. W. Ferris, Clerk, and L. S. Smith, Attorney.

June, 1863, the Town Trustees appointed George Crossley, Milo Kendall and Z. K. Waldron, a Committee to go to Vicksburg, to look after the sick and wounded' soldiers of Bureau County.

Joseph Mercer, Egbert Curtis and Andrew A. Shenland, Trustees. J. W. Templeton was elected Clerk, Joseph Mercer, Treasurer. Applications for liquor licenses by D. J. Aplthorp, Clemens Speidel, and Wilhelm Schneider, granted. George L. Paddock was the new Town Attorney. Z. K. Waldron, Marshal.

The next year, Milo Kendall, President; Jacob T. Thompson, Egbert Curtis, Jacob Critzman, Jefferson H. Fawcet and Charles Baldwin, Trustees; W. T. Sharp, Clerk. Mr. Sharp resigned and I. W. Templeton was again elected Clerk.

1869. - Jacob T. Thompson, President; Parker N. Newell, Joseph Mercer, John H. Delano, A. A. Shenland and Egbert Curtis, Trustees; Templeton, Clerk; Burr, Marshal; P. N. Newell, Treasurer; Fred Alhoff, Supervisor; Herron, Attorney.

1874 - Milo Kendall, President; Peter Fagercraus, Jedediah A. Paine, W. H. Mesenkop, Charles Barrie, Harrison Epperson, Trustees; Robert R. Gibons, Police Magistrate; Mesenkop, Treasurer; Fagercrans resigned, and J. T. Thompson was elected to fill the vacancy; S. W. Rouswell was elected Clerk.

1876. - Charles Baldwin, President; J. T. Thompson, W. H. Mesenkop, Justus Stevens, Charles Barrie. J. A. Paine, Trustees; W. W. Herron, Clerk. The Council passed an ordinance limiting the number of saloons to eight - four at the depot and four in South Town. During the year J. H. Eckles became the Town Clerk.

1879. - Charles Baldwin, President; T. J. Cooper, D. A. Mulvane, C. N. Burr, B. F. Cox, Milo Kendall, Trustees. At the January meeting it was resolved to restrict all sales or license, except to druggists, to sell liquors, or malt liquors. Joseph A. Thompson chosen Clerk; Milo Kendall elected Town Treasurer - three ballots were had; N.

A. Dyke, Street Supervisor. Mr. Kendall tendered his resignation as Treasurer, which was unanimously "not accepted." J. M. McConihe was elected Marshal.

1880. - A. H. Thompson, President; W. H. Mesenkop, J. A. Paine, B. F. Cox, W. L. Henderson, Charles Phelps, Trustees; W. L. Henderson, Treasurer; McConihe, Marshal. Salary of Marshal fixed at $45 a month. J. T. Kyle, Attorney.

1881. - A. H. Thompson, President; W. H. Mesenkop, D. H. Smith, W. L. Henderson, R. Ohman, Charles P. Phelps, Trustees; Mesenkop, Treasurer; Kyle, Attorney. The Clerk's salary was fixed at $12 a month for all services. J. A. Thompson was appointed Clerk; N. A. Dyke, Supervisor; McConihe, Marshal.

1882. - Thompson, President; Justus Stevens, August F. Johnson, D. Knight, W. L. Henderson, John Wilson, Trustees; R. B. Paddock, Clerk; W. L. Henderson, Treasurer; Kyle, Attorney; N. A. Dyke, Supervisor. License to sell malt liquors fixed at $100 per year. Druggists' license to sell liquors, same. McConihe, Marshal.

B. Paddock, Clerk; John Wilson, Treasurer; O. G. Lovejoy, Attorney; McConihe, Marshal. At the June meeting this year a Committee was appointed to borrow $6,000. The Superintendent of Oakland Cemetery reports for the year eighty four burials; twenty-eight lots sold.

1884 - City Organized. - On November 26, 1883, an election on the question of organizing the town into a city was carried in the affirmative. There were 660 votes cast - 491 for, 169 against - majority 322. There were 84 votes for minority representation, and 228 against the same. The vote was can- vassed and declared January 7, 1884. Saloon licenses were granted to run until the third Monday of April, 1884. N. A. Dyke was appointed to take the census during February, 1884, for the purpose of dividing the city into wards; such census to be taken by blocks. This carefully taken census showed a total population in the city of Priceton of 3,610. The Board proceeded to divide the city into wards as follows: The First "Ward shall be bounded on the east and south by the city limits, on the west byvthe center of Main Street, and on the north by the south line of Crown Street from the center of Main Street to the. east of Church Street, and thence by the south line of Lot 112 (original town) to the west side of Fourth Street, and thence by the north line of Virgil Street to the east line of Homer Street, and thence by a line due east to the city limits; Second Ward bounded on the west and south by the city limits, on the east by the center of Main Street, on the north by the center of Putnam Street; Third Ward bounded on the west and north by the city limits, on the east by the center of Main Street, and on the south by the center of Putnam Street. The Fourth Ward is bounded on east and north by the city limits, on the west by the center of Main Street, and on the south by the north line of the First Ward.

An ordinance for a city election, to be held on the third Tuesday in April, 1884, to elect city officers, was passed, and the election called. It provided for the election of a Mayor, two Aldermen from each ward, a Marshal, City Clerk, Attorney and Treasurer. The election on the third Tuesday of ApVil resulted as follows: Justus Stevens, Mayor; I. O. Brakow, Clerk; W. Henderson, Attorney; Atherton Clark, Marshal; Daniel H. Smith, Treasurer; Aldermen, First Ward, E. A. Washburn, A. C. Best; Second Ward, Milo

Kendall, James S. Eckles; Third Ward, Ami L. Davis, Elias C. Finnell; Fourth Ward,W. H. Mesenkop, Phillip Wolfsberger. At the first meeting of the City Council the Aldermen decided by lot the question of the long and short term. The following drew short terms or one year: A. C. Best, James S. Eckels, A. L. Davis, W. H. Mesenkop. The others hold two years. Regular standing committees were provided for, one superintendent of streets, one day policeman, two night watchmen one chief of fire department, board of health consisting of three members, one of whom shall be a licensed physician; authorizes the Mayor in emergencies to appoint special policemen, etc., etc. The chief political question in the election was prohibition or an ti -prohibition. License carried the day, electing the Mayor and a majority of the City Council. And the next day and the next and the day after that and for weeks, the saloons and billiard halls were closed as tight as ever they were in the most pronounced temperance town in the world; even the drug stores were indifferent to their snake -bit friends. The Council as understood when elected stood five for and three against liquor license. But when it came to a test vote one of the five weakened slightly, and this resulted in a week or two of delay, but in the end the doors were again opened and once more peace and lager prevailed. The Mayor appointed the following standing Committees: Finance and Claims, Washburn, Mesenkop and Davis; Streets, etc., Wolfsberger, Kendall and Washburn; Gas, etc., Finnell, Davis and Best; License, Mesenkop, Kendall and Eckles; Fire Department, Davis, Best and Washburn; Cemetery, Best, Kendall and Wolfsberger; Ordinance, Eckles, Mesenkop and Finnell; Law, Kendall, Finnell and Wolfsberger. Special Committees were appointed. John Wilson,

Chief of Fire Department; on Board of Health, Dr. A. II. Thompson, Jacob Critzman, and Egbert Curtis; N. A. Dyke, Superintendent of Streets. Saloon licenses were fixed at 1150. Salaries were fixed - Aldermen. |3 each meeting; City Clerk, §250; Treasurer, $125; Marshal $600; day police, at the rate of $450 per annum; night watchmen, same; Superintendent of Streets, $1.75 per day; Superintendent of Cemetery, same; laborers, $1.50 per day; members of the Board Health, $15 per annum; Fire Wardens, $12.50 per annum. O. G-. Lovejoy was appointed City Attorney. The city budget for the fiscal year ending July, 1884, showed funds from all scources $15,380. It is estimated a loan of $3,000 will be necessary to meet the demands at the close of the year.

In the general account of the early settlers will be found a very complete record of the early comers to Princeton and the precinct. Indeed, this may here be said, once for all, and for each of the townships in the county, and, therefore, in most of the township histories a tiresome iteration will, in so far as possible, be avoided. In the general plan of this work, it was found best to give the general county history as a whole, at least to the date of the formation of the townships, and then to carry the civil history of these municipalities along in a direct line from the point where they superseded the old county organization to the present. For these reasons we need not and will not elaborate to any immoderate extent the township histories here.

The first building erected within the limits of the original corporation was a log-cabin built by Mr. Silas D. Cartwright, in the fall of 1833, and occupied by him as a blacksmith shop. It stood on the now vacant lot north of the Congregational Church. The second, and first framed building was erected by John M. Gay, the dimensions being twelve feet square, and occupied the ground upon which the residence and store of R. T. Templeton, Esq., stood. The third was a logcabin built by Mr. Frederick Haskill, and used by him as a store - the first in the place - -and was located on the ground now occupied by the residence of Mr. Elijah Dee. This store was opened for the sale of goods June 7, 1834, and the first article sold was a horse collar, to Mr. Cornelius Corss. The first hotel was built by Mr. Stephen Triplett which still stands on Main Street immediately south of Dr. Chamberlain's office, though it has not been used for this purpose for several years. The first church was a two-story frame building, erected in 1835 by the Hampshire Colony Congregational Church, on the public square, immediately south of where the court house now is; it is now the stable of Mr. Justus Stevens, and stands on the southeast corner of the public square.

The times of great business prosperity in Princeton were from 1845 to 1855. At the end of this decade the county had become gridironed with railroads. Then in 1862 or 1863 the inflation of values all over the country again made this an important business point. This continued until 1873, when the whole country suffered the terrible five years of panic and wide- spread bankruptcy. In the way of failures and bankruptcy of the business men of the place it suffered less than any other similarly situated town in the State, perhaps, yet there was a marked decadence in its manufactories as well as the general volume of business.

In 1853 were projected the first two brick business blocks in the town - the American Hotel and the Mercantile Block. The first to engage in the project of the hotel were John H. Bryant, J. M. McConihe, Justus

Stevens, and afterward they were joined by Andrew Gosse and Jacob Albright. The work of building was commenced in 1855, and it was opened to the public July 20, 1857, by Charles Pike. Then Warren ran it from 1858 to 1862, and Allison from 1862 to 1865; then Hutchins until 1866; then Romedate one year; then Hunger Bros, to 1873; then Sackett & Bushnell to 1877; then Bushnell alone to 1879, when Munger Bros, again took it. It is now in the hands of Doc. D. E. Muriger. To all hotel people of this day it is a sufficient encomium to say it is in the hands of one of the Mungers to sound its praises as a hostelry.

In a preceding chapter we gave an account of the postoffices here, from the first kept to date. It was prior to laying off the town, and it was north of Princeton, and was really known as Greenfield.

The first building in the town limits was a log-hut, put up by S. D. Cartwright, in 1833, on the lot that is now the residence of John Bailey, near the Congregational Church. The second was a frame, 12x12, by John M. Gay. There was no other building until 1834, when Stephen Triplett built on the east side of Main Street, about where the Savings Bank Building stands. Triplett's was the first frame, and was the "Princeton Hotel.'' John M. Gay the same year built a frame store and residence on Main Street opposite Triplett's Hotel. In 1835 Elijah Wiswall built a frame store and dwelling on the corner opposite the American House.

named above, was slow, and the business, in order to keep pace with the surrounding country, outstripped the town building, as the following nearly complete directory of the business firms in 1857 will more clearly show:

Dealers in Dry Goods. - William Carse, Rawson Bros., Converse & Thomson, Alex. Boyd, A. & M. Carse, A. & L. Hiscock, David Robinson, Jr., & Co., J. Riale & Son, A. Knights, from Philadelphia, about to open a store soon, Stevens & McConihe, Alfred Johnson, D. G. Salisbury, P. N. Newell & Co., H. J. Everett, William H. Mason, Mrs. Jane F. Hale.

Carpenters and Joiners. - A. Whitmarsb, Paine & Merriam, J. N. Carlton, A. B. Thayer, Eli R. Mathis, A. C. Prout, Abel Martin, Morse & Wolf enberger, James Grant, J. Crocker, A. H. Burrell, George Grant, David Grant.

The act extending the corporation limits and giving a town charter and a Board of Councilmen and President passed in 1857. This act practically gave Princeton all the privileges of a city except the name.

The important public building erected in 1884 was Apollo Hall, a much needed improvement, and giving ample facilities for a public hall and place of amusement. The building is one-story and basement, and is i 63x133, brick and stone, built by a joint stock company - C. P. Bascom, President; D. H. Smith, Vice-President; C. G. Gushing, Treasurer; S. G. Paddock, Secretary.

City Officers. - Mayor, Justus Stevens; City Clerk, I. O. Brokaw; City Attorney, O. G. Lovejoy ; City Treasurer, D. H. Smith ; City Marshal, Atherton Clark; City Superintendent of Streets, N. A. Dyke; Superintendent of Cemetery, Joseph Sharp; Chief of Fire Department, John Wilson. Aldermen: First Ward, E. A. Washburn, A. C. Best; Second Ward, J. S. Eckels, M. Kendall; Third Ward, E. C. Finnell, A. L. Davis; Fourth Ward, W. H. Mesenkop, P. Wolfersberger.

University Of Illinois

Fire Department. - John Wilson, Chief. No. 1 Babcock and Hook and Ladder, D. J. Foster, Foreman; I. B. Stewart, First Assistant Foreman; T. P. Streeter, 2d Assistant Foreman. No. 2 Babcock, John Campbell, Foreman; C. W. McMullen, 1st Assistant Foreman; George Woodruff, 2d Assistant. Sixty men in the Department.

Knights of Honor. - Guardian Lodge, No. 1123. - J. D. Thompson, D.; D. H. Dean, R.; E. S. Phelps, F. R. ; S. Bally, Treas. Meets in O. F. Hall, Depot, first and third Wednesday each month.

Knights and Ladies of Honor. - Friendship Lodge, No. 292. Elva A. Dean, Protector; S. Bally, Sec. and F. S.; J. Miller, Treas. Meets at O. F. Hall, Depot, second and fourth Fridays each month.

K. of P. - Endowment Rank, No. 298. - Pres. John Trulson; V. Pres., George Woodruff; Chap., P. J. Newell; Sec. and Treas., I. O. Brokaw; Guide, T. P. Streeter; Guard, C. A. Palmer; Sent, C. W. McMullen.

Friends in Council. - Mrs. Rev. M. C. Williams, Pres. ; Mrs. George Phelps, Vice- Pros. ; Miss E. J. Warfield, Sec. and Treas. Meets Thursday A. M. at V. L. Scott's.

Societies - Literary. - Princeton Literary Club. - C. J. Richardson, Pres.; G. S. Skinner, Sec. ; A. B. Reeve, Treas. Meets every other Friday evening at lecture room of Congregational Church.