Grundy County, Illinois - Chapter 9, 1882

Chapter 9

THAT the first religions services in Morris were held liy the Catholics tlicre is no question, and tiiat Father Dupontaris was the first to celebi'ate Mass at tills place, is equally true. He was in charge (as we now remember), of the Catholic churches at Ottawa and Dresden (the latter being then by far the largest village in Grundy County, having a Catholic church, two good-sized hotels and several dry goods stores). He commenced to celebrate Mass here in the fall of 1841, ere Morris had a name. He was a Frenchman orof Frenehdescent; rather small in stature with fine physical form, dark complexion, and a very fine orator, with ability equal to any emergency. He was peculiarly well suited to the times and circumstances surrounding him. "With tlie patience of a Job ai>d energy of a Caisar, which were so admirably combined that he was able to meet and overcome every obstacle in his way. And when physical force was required to quell or disperse a mob, he not only had it, but used it. He was equally brave and humane. His charge extended from Ottawa to Dresden - a distance of over thirty miles, and as we had neither canal, railroad or stage route, he had to travel overland - mostly on horseback; hence, he was,forced to labor long and hard. This lie did uncomplainingly and successfully. From here he went to St. Louis, Mo., and died oi cholera in ISIS, contracting the disease while visiting and shriving the dying of his parish. Deeds he did worthy of being perpetuated in monuments of gold. We believe he was succeeded here by Father O'Donnell. Dean Terry came later and built the present magnificent Catholic church, which is the largest in our county, and assisted in inaugui'ating St. Angelas Academy. The Catholics of Morris are the most numerous of any of the churches and have the largest and finest church edifice.

Protestant Church Services

Next to the Catholics came the Methodists in holding religious services in Morris. In the winter of 1812-3, John F. Devore, a tall, spare young man, with far more zeal than brain, and who was on his first charge as a ]\[etliodist minister, his cii-cuit embracing what was then called South Ottawa Circuit, extending from South Ottawa to Wash. Halliday's, being the late " Sam " Halderman farm, commenced and carried on religious services in the court house in Morris. His meetings were held about once in four weeks. He had some tough cases among his Morris audience, and though he was quite a revivalist, he could not revive the Morrisites worth a cent. What between P. Chapiii, Bill Armstrong and Sam Ayres, he liad a toui^li time nt' it, and concluding tliat ''Ephraiiu was joined to his idols," gave them up as a stilf-necked and hopeless people, and turned his attention to a more susceptible community.

The next effort made by this church was by a Mr. Humphrey, who was also the minister in charge of South Ottawa circuit. He made an effort at the court liouse about the 10th of January, 1846. There were but few professed Christians here of the Protestant faith - not even a " baker's dozen." In view of this fact the effort of Rev. Humphrey was looked upon as an attempt to " beard the lion in his den, the Douglas in his hall." Indeed, the few Protestant Christian men and women looked forwai'd to this effort with fear and trembling, the ungodly with curiosity rather than interest, whilst others were not all serenity in their feelings. There was a silent monitor tugging away at their consciences, which said or seemed to say, " Ton have not kept my commandments and lived holy lives." Toothers this unseen monitor said, "Unless ye repent of your sins ye shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven," whilst the gamins and urchins anticipated lots of fun from going to hear a sermon - a something the meaning of which liad never entered their lieads. Thus matters stood in feverish "excitement on the arrival of the eventful Sabbath on which Mr. Humphi-ey was to preach at the court house. At that time there was no law upon our statute against keeping tippling houses open on Sunday. About three-fourths of our inhabitants were canal laborers. Sundays were their holidays, and above all other days this was their drinking and gambling day. All the saloons were open and running at i'uU speed. On the Sabbath in question all the drinking hells in Morris were run to their utmost capacity to get ready to hear what Rev. Humphrey might have to say that evening. Indeed the proposed sermon was often mentioned during the day in ribaldr}"- and ridicule. When the time came for the meeting the court house was lighted up with " tallow dips " and was densely filled by the most incongruous mass of human beings possible to imagine, many of whom were maudlin drunk. The preacher was rather a weak cistern to hold much Metliodism, yet he had Zealand was promptlv on hand with Bible and hymn book. Standing' fully six feet, straight and slender, in faltering voice he announced his hymn commencing, followed by the request: " Will some brother start the tune?" But alas! no brother was present, and no outsider volunteered, so the singing had to bo abandoned, and prayer followed next. But there were too man}' inopportune ''Amens " and " bless Gods," to suit his invocation. He then announced his text: " Walk about Zion, mark well her bulwarks, and tell the towers thereof." But the fellows felt more like walking about Morris, finding the saloons and testing the whisky thereof, and hence they kept interjecting: " It's time to splice the main brace," "Cat him short, young fellow"; "We are all getting dry," etc. He did cut it short, and dismissed his hearers, or such of them as had not already gone, without the benediction. Bro. Ilumphrej' was very much discouraged. Tiiis, we believe, was his last effort at missionary work - certainly it was liis last effort among the heatlien of Morris. What his report was to the church we were never able to leariu but doubt not that it was graphic, if not glowing. About tills time the Rev. "W. S. Strong, a leading minister of the Protestant Methodist Church, was en route for Joliet from Princeton, 111., and traveled overland in his own conveyance, and reached Morris in tlie evening, and stayed over night with us. We had heard liim preach many times in Putnam County, 111., and knew hiin to be a man of towering aijility. Before leaving liere we got his promise to preach for us at the court house on his return trip. Due notice was given of the time and place of the meeting, and when the time came, the court house was crowded. But when, instead of a gawky looking young fledgling, a man of giant size, middle age, and commanding presence, rose, and with a fine, full voice read his hymn, and asked the congregation to lielp hiin sing, all mirth was hushed, and a profound stillness, if nut awe, settled over the audience. Indeed, if any there were " who came to scofi'" (and there doubtless were many such), " they remained to pray." From this time on there were no efforts made to inteiTupt religious services in Morris.

The next Methodist preacher to try his hand was Alonzo Kenyon, also of the South Ottawa circuit. lie succeeded in organizing a class, and preached in the court house once a month for several months. lie was, or is, for he is still living, a man for whom nature did much, but illiterate. He abandoned the pulpit, went to California, made some monej' and then turned lawyer and went to the Legislature from Lee County, 111., and afterward was

In the summer of lSi6 Hev. Janie? Langhead, deceased, a Congregational minister of the Gospel, commenced to ])re;ich at the court house - a man of fair ability and practical common sense. He continued to preach about twice a month for some time. The canal was finished in 1848, when a better class of people took the place of the canal laborers. In July, ISAS, a society of nine members was formed, known as the " Congregational Society," yet its membership was composed of other Protestant denominations, Presbyterian, Methodist and Baptist. The organization of the Congregational Society was of the most liberal character and upon an accommodating plan. It was only intended for temporary purposes, and left its members free to unite with an organization of their own churches when formed. Thus did Mr. Langhead organize the first Protestant cliurch society in Morris. He became the pastor and moved his family to Morris, where he died some years later leaving a widow, since deceased, and a daughter, now Mrs. L. Whitney. We are not sure whether his son Storrs was killed in the armj^ before or after Jiis death.

About the year ISoO this society erected a small church edifice just nortii of the present fine stone church, and called Rev. A. W.Henderson, a Presbyterian minister, as its preacher. Tlius we had the anomaly of a Congregational church with a Presbyterian pastor, for several years. Mr. Henderson finally resigned his position and accepted a call elsewhere. He was succeeded by Rev. E. B. Turner. This society has for its pastor Rev. Montgomery, one of the very ablest men ever in the ministry here, and embraces in its membership a lar<re iiumljer of our best and most influential citizens. lu the short space we can possiblj' give to the diiferent churches of Morris, we can not take time to consult the church records and must speak of them iu a general way only, and will not attempt to give the names of the various good men who have endeavored to point the way to heaven and God.

Following close upon the CoTigregational church came the Methodist church edifice, on the corner of Jetfersoii and Iviersted streets, now occupied by the Reformed Lutheran church. In 1849 Morris was attached or united with Lisbon, nine miles north of Morris, as a circuit, with liev. J. W. Flawers - afterward a presiding elder - as the minister in charge. He was a man of fine forensic ability and a good organizer. Under his able management the membership increased so rapidly that in 1850 steps were taken to erect a church. This was pressed to speedy completion and was at the time of its erection the most spacious cliurch building of the place. Morris was established as a station or circuit in August, LS50, with a settled minister. We do not remember the order of the Methodist ministers, but the early ones were Denning, Linn, Adams, Prince, Davidson, Reeder, Stover, etc. This society grew to such proportions that before the year 1868 their church was too small, when steps were taken to erect their present line church on Jackson between Liberty and Wauponsee streets, which is the most commodious church edifice in Morris, except that of the

Catholics, and its membership is much larger than either of the other Protestant churches of Morris. Among its many pastors some were men of fine pulpit talent. Notably so were Revs. "W. P. Gray, J. W. Phelps, J. IL Ailing and Geo. S. Young. As a popular preacher none liave surpassed Mr. Young. The management of this church has been liberal, indeed. Li point of courtesy and Christian fellowship the ministers and members of the various Protestant churches of this city have been a model, well worthy of imitation and commendation. No spirit of jealousy or improper rivalry has ever existed among them, and when the Methodist church was partially burned a few years ago, the other churches so arranged their services as to give that congregation the free use of their churches to hold their regular worship in, thus manifesting a beautiful Christian spirit of kindness and good will.

As early as 1855 a goodly number of members of the Presbyterian ftvith had settled here, and in that year they extended a call to Rev. W. T. Patcrfield, who then resided in the State of Ohio. He came here and held services at the court house, Parmelee Hall and other places. Lnmediate steps were taken for the erection of the first brick church of Morris, now standing at the corner of Jackson and Franklin streets, of which Rev. Mr. Killen is the present pastor. This congregation embraces quite a membership, and its pulpit has been filled by many able men, none more so than the Rev. McLeod, now in charge of a wealthy church in the State of New York.

The Baptist Cuuech

is a line frame edifice also on Jackson street, at tlie intersection of Division street, and was erected about tlieyear 1S58. Tills denomination is ratlier smaller in numbers than eitlier of the others mentioned, yet it contains many of our good citizens. Their pulpit has been supplied by several men of talent, among whom were Revs. Faslett and De "Wolfe.

The German Lutheran Church The Episcopalians

have made many eflforts to build a church, but have failed. At one time they seemed in a fair way to build a fine stone edifice on the coi'ner of North and Division streets. This was commenced at the breaking out of tlie war. The walls were run up one story and work was then stopped and has not since been resumed. Notwithstanding tliey never had a cluircli edifice here, yet liave they had regular service during several years. Some of the clergymen olficiating here have gained reputations elsewliere. Among tliem are Doctor Clinton Locke, of Grace Church, Chicago, Doctors E. A. Gilbert, Benedict, etc.

Doctors, Or Phtsicians

Dr. Lnther S. Eobbins, before mentioned, was not only the first physician of the county, but also of Morris. He moved to Morris from Sulpluir Spring some eight miles south of Morris, in the fall of 1842, and died here a j'ear or so later. Dr. S las Miller was the next one. He settled here in 1843, but found the place too painfully healthy- for his financial prosperity. Dr. John Antis was the next. He cnnie here in Miiy, 1845. Dr. Tliomas M. Heed was the next. He moved here from Waupecan Grove, south of the Illinois River, and was elected sheriiT in 1847, and died here before qualifying as sheriff. Dr. A. F. Hand was our next disciple of the pill bags. Drs. David Edwards and Oliver S. JSTewell came next and at about the same time. Dr. Edwards was well advanced in 3'ears, and did but little in his profession. Dr. Newell entered into partnership with Dr. Hand. He was a fine physician and most estimable citizen. He was a charter member of Star Lodge No. 75, L O. O. F., and its first presiding officer. He died in 1852 and was buried in the Odd Fellows' lot in Morris cemetery. His death was very generally lamented. Dr. Edwards left here some time about 185(5, when Dr. Luke Hale purchased his property here, and practiced medicine up to the time of his death, in 1865. Dr. B. E. Dodson came here about the year 1850 and remained several years, and then moved to Elgin; thence to Mc- Leansville, where he died a few years ago. Dr. Roscoe L. Hale, son of Luke Hale, came here about the year 1858, and remained here imtil after the war, and then moved to Sedalia, Mo., where he still resides. Dr. H. H. De Hart came here in 1852, soon after the death of Dr. Newell, and went into partnership with Dr. Hand, l)ut he soon became tired of so small a town and left. Dr. David Le Roy, a man of some means, now living at Streator, 111., came here about tlie year 1855, and entered into partnorsliip with Dr. ILmd. IIo soon embarked in tiic dry goods business quite extensively witii E. B. Ilanna, under the firm name of Ilanna & Le Roy. Tliey built the brick store building on Washington street, now occupied by Messrs. Levitte & Hughes as a saloon. They afterward built the large brick block now occupied by the Normal school, besides speculating in real estate to a considerable extent. They had just completed this large building when the war broke out, in ISGl. But as the war paralyzed business, for a while at least, they were unable to rent the stores to any advantage, or to make an}' disposition of any part of this immense building, so as to realize from it; together with other bad investments, they were forced to suspend business and make the best compromise they conld with their creditors. Their failure was a severe blow to the interests of Morris, for they were our most active and influential business men. Their home creditors were protected. Our next physician was Dr. John K. Freeman, who came here about the year 1857, and remained some ten years, and moved to Rochester, N. Y. Dr. E. Ridgway came here soon after Dr. Freeman, and went into the drug store of Longworth & Ridgway- In 1862, he entered the army as surgeon in the 76tli 111. Yols., and on his return lie opened an ofBce and entered into active practice, but lias again gone into the drug business with Mr. Enslee, the firm being Ridgway & Enslee. Dr. A. E. Palmer came here from Mazon in 1870, and opened an ofiice, since which time he has had a very large and lucrative practice. Dr. Oaks, his present partner, came here from Minooka this summer. Dr. S. D. Ferguson came here from Minooka some two years ago, and has a fair practice. He had practiced at Minooka man^' years before coming here. These are all allopathies. Dr. Antis turned homeopathic in 18-17, but has not cojifined his practice to that branch of physics. Dr. A. M. Pierce and Dr. Sturtevant are homeopaths, with a fair practice. And now, "since the law is full of points, we will turn to the points of the law," and briefly mention the

Lawyers Of Morris

The first was E. H. Little, who came here and opened an oflice in one of the little upper rooms of the old court house, in the spring of 1845. He accidentally shot himself while gunning near the residence of A. R. Newport, in July, 1817. A whole charge of small shot passed through his left arm, passed into iiis body, and lodged in his lungs. For all this he lived, and was still living at Montrose, Pa., a short time since. He was a young man of good habits and character, with fair abilitv. Charles M. Lee read law with Mr. Little, and was admitted to the bar in 1817. Honest and upright, but by no means brilliant, he succeeded in finding out that the Law and the Profits did not agree," as he expressed it, so he gave it up and turned peddler for Geo. Turmeyer. The gallant Capt. W. P. Rogers, son of Com. Rogers, came here and stuck out his shingle in the spring of 1817, but only remained a year, and then went to California, where he built up a name and fame worthy of his distinguished father. Ezra P. Seeley was our next limb of the law. He was decidedly a bookworm, and well learned in the law. As an advocate he was not successful. He died, we think, in 1802, leaving a widow and two daiigliters, still living in Morris. Capt. Charles L. Starbuck was onr next disciple of Blackstone. He came here in 1851, and died about the year 1857, leaving a widow and two children. lie served one term in the Legislature from Grundy and La Salle. A small, dark complexioned, wiry man, of iine legal and forensic ability. Keiiry Storr came here about the same time Capt. Starbuck did. He was elected the tirst county judge, and resigned in 1851, and moved to Sacramento, Cal., where he still lives, and is a prominent California lawyer. Judge W. T. Hopkins came here from Maine in 18i9, and has remained here. He was elected captain of the " Grundy Tigers " in 1861, and served out the terra of enlistment, and on his return he was elected county judge. He was afterward appointed supervisoi' of internal res'enue - a man of great energy and fine scholastic acquirements. He built the Hopkins House which bears his name. He also first conceived the idea of a bridge across the Illinois River at this place. He procured a charter from the Legislature Feb. 13, 1855, to incorporate the ^forris Bridge Company, with W. T. Hopkins, L. W. Clay])ool, Samuel Hoge, Geo. W. Armstrong and E. P. Seeley, incorporators, and inaugurated steps for the construction of the present bridge. Messrs. Hoge and Seeley did nothing in the matter. But Messrs. Hopkins, Claypool and Armstrong took hold of the matter and pushed it forward to completion in 1856. Mr. Armstrong, we believe, was made president of tlie organization, and Mr. Claypool, secretary. Judge Hopkins is now, by man}' years, the earliest lawyer at our bar. He served one term in the Legislature. Judge James N. Heading was the next lawyer here. He came from Missouri in 1855. He too served one term in our State Legislature and two terras as county judge - a gentleman of finish and ability. Being advanced in 3'ears, he has practically withdrawn from the profession. Judge Sidney W. Harris came here from Cincinnati, O., about the time Judge Reading came. He was a fine lawyer and powerful advocate, and was elected judge of the circuit court in 1861, and died iiere about the year 1869.

Edward Sanford read law here with Mr. Seeley and entered into partnership with that gentleman. After the death of Mr. Seeley, Mr. Sanford opened an office and turned his attention more especially to bounty and pension claims, and then to the loan business, in the latter of which he has had great success, and has acquired a handsome fortune.

Geo. W. Watson, John P. Southworth, T. B. Rice and Charles Turner all came here before 1860, and after remaining here awhile left. Judge B. ^Olin came here in 1863, and in 1865 entered into partnership with the writer under the firm name of Olin & Armstrong. He left here in 1870 and located in Joliet, where he has served nearly nine years as county judge. Judge A. R. Jordan read law with Judge Olin, and was admitted in 1865. Next to the writer, he is the next lawyer in point of time at the Morris bar. Messrs. S. C. Stough, A. L. Doud, county attorney, R. M. Wing (his partner), S. P. Avery, O. N. Carter and J. H. Sampson are of recent date. Judge C. Grant was admitted to the bar in 1861, and died here January 10, 1881. He was a very scholarly man and had served one term as county judge and many years as register in bankruptcy. Leaving the lawyers to plead their own cases, we " go for tlie "

As early as 184.5 Col. AVm. L. Perce and Adam Lamb eacli had a small stock of goods for the accommodation of their canal hands. In the fall of that year P. A. Armstrong opened a general store in what had ijeen the bar-room of the Grundy Hotel, which then stood where the Hopkins House now stands. He purchased the stocks of goods from Col. Perce and Mr. Lamb, and united them to his other stock, and not having room in his tiien storeroom, he built the main part of Dr. Hand's residence for a store, and occupied it for a couple of years for a store and post-oiBce. Gov. Mattison having opened a store in the Harvey building, whicli stood where the Washington House now stands, after operating it about a year with Henry Fish, manager, and, we believe, partner, Mr. Armstrong bought out the goods and moved his store to that building in 184:7. He then built the building now occupied by E. Petty, then located where the Geo. M. Jones furniture store stands, and moved his st'ire and post-office to that building. In 1848 Messrs. Hulburd & Lott opened a dry-goods store here. John P. Clia])in and 0. H. Gould opened a drygoods store in the Harvey block when Mr. A. left it. But we find that we have undertaken a herculean task and will trace this branch no further.

Joiin P. Chapiu in 1S47, ready for the opening of the canal in 1848. Capt. Hull also built the warehouse now occupied by Messrs. Parr & Piiilips in the early spring of 1848. E. M. Poss built what is known as the Ped "Warehouse in 1840.

was Leonard Ashton, deceased. Our next, and, as Saniie Peinhart would say, "old reliable," was Miller K. Keller, who has sold more groceries than any man, living or dead - in Morris. For a quarter of a century he has been behind his counter froua early morn until late at night, always accommodating, pleasant, and strictly honest. He has been a great blessing to the poor and a comfort to the rich. Indeed, so absorbed is lie in his busine-;s that he finds no time for ])loasure trips or recreation. II. F. Mallory has been very successful in the grocery line and has accumulated quite a fortune at it. Our article is assuming such length that we must pass on without further mention of our merchants.

In Banks And Banking

we have had a varied and by no means a pleasant experience. As early as 1S.>3 Messrs. C. H. & H. C. Gool ! opened a private l)anking institution in a building standing where the Claypool Plock now stands. This they ran until 18G0 when they closed it. They did not fail, hut the business ceased to be remunerative. In 1854 Geo. Selleck (deed.) opened a private banking and exchange office in Morris and did a very large business, but failed badly in 1860. In July, 3857, E. "W. & F. K. Hulburd opened a private banking and exchange office under the firm name of E.

W. Ilulburd & Co. They too did quite a business, but were forced to the wall in ISGl to the injury of their friends as well as others, la 1S5S Messrs. F. S. Gardner and C. B. Crumb, without cajntal or experience, opened a banking and exchange office, but it was "no go." Weak at its birth, it did not grow strong, and died in a few short months. Nobody had confidence in the concern, hence their deposits amounted to nothing or substantially so. We never held tlicir checks ovor night. The next were T. riatten & Son, who succeeded C. H. & 11. C. Goold, in February, 1860, and failed the next year leaving many mourners. Then came D. U. Spencer, of State Savings notoriety, who in company with Mr. W. C. Ilammell opened an exchange and deposit bank, which eventuated in the Grundy County National Bank. The bank opened a branch bank at Seneca, tlie stock of which was purchased by the Cnnneas and the bank moved to Morris under the name of the First National Bank of Morris. These two banks proved to be " solid Muldoons." From banks we turn to

For inanj' years the question of a suitable spot for cemeteries was a serious one. Our first dead were interred on the elevated ground near the residence of R. M. Wing, but the subsoil proved to be clay, and the graves would fill with water so that the, coffin was deposited in mud and water. We next tried the bank of Nettle Creek near the residence of Judge Hopkins, but found the same difficulty there. Another attempt was made on the A. W. Telfer farm, late Oliver farm, west of the canal and east of MoiTis, with like result.

The board of trustees of Morris then purcliased, in conjunction with Father Terry, of the Catholic church of Morris, the E. ^ of the S. W. i of Sec. 27, T. 3-4, 7, where the old Catholic cemetery is located, but the same difficulty was found there and it was abandoned by the city and their interest therein was sold, as before shown, to Father, now Dean, Terry in 185.3. He located a cemetery there but it has been abandoned and the greater portion of the remains deposited there have been exhumed and reburied in the beautiful new Catholic cemetery near the residence of Messrs. Kennedy and Kenrick. On the 12th of February, 1853, The Morris Cemetery Association was chartered by the Legislature with Geo. Fisher, Geo. W. Lane, Charles H. Goold, L. P. Lott and Eugene Stan berry, incorporators.

On the 25th of August of that year this association purchased from Thomas Peacock, since deceased, about five acres, and from John Peacock, now deceased, about five acres of land, on the N. fr. of Sec. 2, T. 33, II. 7, lying nearly two miles east of Morris, and adjoining each other, for a cemetery, and on the 14th of September following, authorized and appointed P. A. Armstrons to survev and subdivide said land into suitable sized lots with apjjropriate drives, allej-s, etc. Owing to the course of the public road running along the north side of the land, the ten acres so purchased, while a parallelogram in shape, the long side being from east to west, it does not lie with the cardinal courses of the compass, hence there are many triangular lots, but this adds beauty to the general features of the cemetery. The subsoil is gravel, whilst the general lay of the surface is high yet muhilatiiig. The work of subilividiiii^ and driving the stakes was done witli great care and precision, Mr. Armstrong driving every stake with his own hands, to the end that they should be in tlieir exact place, and driven in the ground peqjendicularly. Originally' free from tree or shiiib, the directors caused evergreens and other nice slirubs and trees to be jilanted so that it is now a most beautiful "silent city of the dead." Additional land has been purchasetl by the association. " God's half acre," the Potter's tielil, has ])roved insulKcietit to bury the poor. The number of unknown dead huddled side by side with naught but a rough unlettered stone to niai-k the place is surprising. A new and larger plat will be assigned to bury the poor. Many line monuments have been erected there, and the Morris cemetery is one of the finest in the country. Among other distinguished dead slumbering here, is Shaube-nay, the great Sauzanath, or white man's friend. By liis side lie the remains of his wife, one daughter and one grandchild. No stake or stone' marks the spot where slumber the remains of this once mighty king of the red men - % triple chief - on whose will hung the destinies of three great Indian tribes - Chippewas, Ottawas and Pottawatomies. AVill the descendants of these early white settlers, whose lives were saved during the Black Hawk War, do anything to honor the memory of the man who ri.-ked life and standing with ills own people to befriend and protect their ancestors? But this is a grave question and we turn to

Oue Manufacturers

1857. They made an excellent ])low, and why it was abandoned we never could learn. The large brick building west of the court liouse, now carried on by II. L. Miller as a blacksmith and carria^^e shop, planing mill, etc., was the building occu- ])ied as the plow factory. In 1873, the city gave a bonus to encourage manufact ures. There were some $19,000 invested by the city within a couple of years which eventuated in the establishment here of the Sherwood School Furniture Company's AYorks near the canal on the west side of the city, wliieh has since been converted into the (^hio Butt Company. The buildings and macliiner}' of this concern ai'e large and valuable and give emiiloynient to about 1.3<i hands. The Anderson Paper Car Wheel Manufacturing Company on the east side of the city, have tiije buildings and splendid machinery, and while they do not em])loy many hands to run it because nearly everything is run by machinery, yet they furnish a ready market at a high pi-ice for all the rye and oat straw of the county. The Morris Cutlery Company's Manufactory stands at the corner of Wauponsee and Fulton streets. The building is the one mentioned as being used for a court room. while building the new one. This is a new enterprise here; indeed, but few of the people of Grundy County know of its existence. It is a regularly incorporated compiny under the statute with $1."),000 cajjital stock. The stockholders are men of action, not of boasting. They are practical business men with means and energv. M. W. Steiner, Geo. Riddle, L. F. Beach, Drs. Palmer and Ferguson, M. K. Keller, J. II. Pettit, A. W. Crawibrd, Albert ami William Smith, are the stoekho'.de.'s, the latter two being thoronglily educated cutlers from Sheffield, England. The officers are Geo. lliildle, president, Albert Smith, superintendent, and M. W. Steiner, secretary and treasui'er. Tiiey have the very best of macliinery, and can employ and successfully operate 1.50 hands. They already hare twenty-one skilled laborers in their establishment, and have ny> to the present manufactured eighty-four varieties or kinds ot pocket knives, equal in style and finish to the celebrated Wostenholm and Sons of England. No better finished knife is made in the United States, if indeed in the world, than by the Morris Cutlery Coiiipany. So fine is their work that they have more orders than they can possibly fill with the force of workmen they now have. They employ none but skilled workmen, hence they e.xpei'ience some difficulty in obtaining all the workmen tliey need. They intend to do none but first class work. This is made apparent upon inspection of their goods. To all who wish a first class pocket-knife either for ornament or use, we commend them to try one of home manufacture. Try a MoitIs knife.

Louis Gibhard, at his lai-ge brewery at the foot of Washington street on the east bank of Nettle Creek, manufactures a first class article of lager and ale and in large quantities.

occupy the room over the court house, where they have a large collection, especially so of fossil botany, of which this locality is the most prolific of any yet discovered in the civilized world. The Mazon fossils are known and readil}^ recognized in every civilized country. This fine collection is open to insjiection at all times. The officers are, P. A. Armstrong, president; F. T. Bliss, secretary; J. C. Carr, treasurer; Prof Kern, corresponding secretary. In addition to the fine collections in geology, there is a fair display in natural history, engravings and pre-historic relics, etc.

Our Secret Benevolent Societies

Star Lodge, No. 75, I. 0. O. F. was instituted by the late James T. McDougal, of Joliet, under a dispensation from the R. W. Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, October 17, 1851. L. P. Lott, N. G.; E. M. Ross, V. G.; O. S. Newell, deceased, T., and A. H. Bishop, also deceased, secretary. On that night several of our best citizens were initiated, among whom were Geo. W. Lane, Henry Benjamin, deceased, W. S. Woolsey, deceased, Miles Gordon and P. A. Armstrong. This lodee still exists, and is in a very prosperous condition. It has never failed to hold its regular weekly meetings, or in visiting t'le sick, comforting its widows, educating its orphans or burying its dead. Shaboneh Encampment was organized in 1S71, with P. A. Armstrong, C. P., F. B. Handwork, H. P., etc. It, too, is in a flourishing condition.

1).; anil Lawrence Wilkes. J. D. ; all of wlujin are now dead, except James Gibson who now resides in San Francisco, Cal. A charter was granted Oct. 3, 1S5.3; L. P. Lott was one of its first initiates, and has served as Master over a dozen years in all. Cedar Lodge embraces in its membership a very large portion of our leading citizens, and has been a prosperous and hurinonious organization.

was constituted Oct. 2.3, 18.56; the charter members were Franklin K. Ilnlburd, L. P. I.ott, B. M. Atherton, ^S'athan B. JJodson, E. "W. Lusk, C. P. Parmelee, Leonard Ashton, Geo. Riddle and Geo F"'islier; of these nine charter members, Compaiiiuns Lott, Dods'in, Kiddle and Parmelee alone survive. Companions Ilnlburd and Lusk lost their lives in the Union service; F. K. Ilnlburd was High Priest of this eha].)ter up to the time of his death; since that time Messrs. Lott, Armstrong and Irons have tilled that position, Companion Irons beinir the present chief officer. Up to the year 1S5S there were but three Commanderies of Knights Templar in this State, viz.: Apollo, Xo. 1. at Chicago; Belvidere, Xo. 2, at Alton, and Peoria, No. 3, at Peoria. F. K. Ilnlburd had taken the orders ofknightliood in Mt. Vernon Commander}', No. 1, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Commanderv of Ohio, before coming here to live. E. AV. Lusk bad also taken the orders in Kalamazoo Commandery, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Commandery of the State of Jlichigan. These two Sir Knights conceived the idea of establishinoa Commandery at Morris, being midway between Jo'.ietand Ottawa, so as to render the chapters of these two cities tril)utary to the Morris Commandery; but there were serious difficulties to encounter; it either re(]uired nine Sir Knights ottlie jurisdiction of Illinois, or three SirKnigiits hailingfrom different jurisdictions, to open aCommanderj^ for work; they had neither, but they had tvvo bailing frc)m other jurisdictions, and must have a third; this they obtained by procuring Rt. Eminent Sir Ilosmer A. Johnson, of Apollo, No. 1, and since R. E. Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Illinois. They were extremely anxious to keep the matter a pi'of'ound secret from the resident Sir Knights at Joliet and Ottawa, at both of which ])Iaces there were a fevv Sir Knights, and light here another difficulty arose; they were compelled under the rules and regulations of the Grand Commandery, to obtain the consent and recommendation of the nearest Commandery; this was Apollo at Chicago, of which some of the Sir Knights of Joliet were members, and in that way the secret got out, and immediate steps were taken by Sir Knight Nelson D. EHvood and others, of Joliet, to counteract and check the Morris movement; they, with equal secrecy, prepared a petition for a dispensation to open and organize a Commandery at Joliet, and like the Morris Sir Knights, they, too, were short of the requisite number of Sir Knights resident there; to obviate this they passed b}' Morris and went to Ottawa and ])rocured the signatures of Sir Knights Oliver C. Gray and J. W. Stone, and then procured the consent and recommendation of Apollo to open and organize a Commandery at Joliet, and when Sir Knight Ilnlburd presented his petition and recommendation for a Commandery to be established at Morris, to Grand Commander James V. L. Claney, on tlie ITtli of Febrnary, 1858, he I'uund Sir Knight Eiwodd there witli his petition in favor of Joliet; the secret tiien became an ojien one; the result was that Grand Commander Blane}' decided to grant a dispensation to both, when it was agreed by and between Sir Knights Ehvood and Ilnlburd, that the former should take precedence in number, and the latter in the name when in power of the decision of the Grand Commander. Sir Knight Hulburd selected Blaney as the name; hence, dispensations were granted on the same day to open and organize Juliet Commandery, No. 4, at Joliet, and Blaney, No. 5, at Morris; these two Conimanderies having been born on the same day, were not inaptly called twin sisters; the kindliest feeling has ever existed between these Conimanderies; a rivalry has existed between them, but it has only been a rivalry of courtesy' and good will. J(_iliet Commandery was constituted by Grand Commander Blaney, March 18, 1858, and Blaney on the following day. Grand Commander Blaney was assisted in constituting

Blaney Commandery, No. 5

F. K. Hulburd, E. Bean, James H. Miles, T. Hatton, Sr., and E. J. Higgins. On the day of the constitution of the Commandery the following Companions of Orient R. A., Chapter No. 31 received theorders of Christian Knighthood confei'red in said Commandery: Geo. Fisher (deceased), E. W. Ilnlburd, L. P. Lott, P. A. Armstrong,

AVm. B. Gi-enell, J. W. Massey, Charles II. Goold, Uriah B. Couch (deceased), Geo. Dimon, Charles R. Parmelee, John Gibson, Jr. (dec-eased), and B. M. Atherton (deceased). Sir Knight F. HulburJ was installed as Commander, which office he held to 1861, when P. A. Armstrong succeeded him. He was succeeded by Arnold M. Cleveland, and he by P. A. Armstrong again, who held the office some ten years and was succeeded by Charles H. Goold, who served some live years and was succeeded by L. F. Beach, present Commander, who is on his third year. During the war Blaney Commandery (having received its charter Oct. 28, 1858, it having worked under a dispensation up to tiiat date) had a hard strug'.fle for existence, and was kept alive by a few of the surviving Knights, P. A. Armstrong advancing Grand Commandcry dues for eight years; but it is now in a very prosperous condition, and occupies an enviable position in Templar Masonry. In addition to those receiving the orders March 19, 1858, the fallowing named Templai's received the orders during that year, viz.: N. B. Dodson, April 26; A. M. Cleveland and Wm. Stanhope (deceased), April 27; Rev. W. G. Johnson, May IS; Miles Gordon, May 28; Gen. "Wm. IL L. Wallace (deceased), June 1. (It will l)e remembered that this gallant officer lost his life while leading his brigade in the battle of Shiloh.) Hiram IMallory (dec'd) and Samuel Jordan, June 8; F. C. Mayo and J. P. M. Butler, June 11; J. S. Dyke (dec'd), June 30; Joh Antis and A. J. Hutchinson, Dec. 30; and in 1859, S. E. Massey, March 7; B. H. Streeter (dec'd), J;iue 7; in 1860, E. C. Hollands, Aug. 29; Rev. Seaman Stover, afterward Grand Prelate, Dec. 13; C. S. C.

Quadiand, Xov. 26th. In 1878, II. C. June, Nov. 18th; Henry Long, Dec. 2d; A. Kimple, Dec. 9th; J. F. Cobieigh; Dec. lOtii. None in 1879. In 1880, C. H. Overocker, Feb'y 16th; J. J. Widney, Feb'y 23d; T. II. Ross, March ]5th; Nathan Small, July 15th; C. 0. Barker, July 22d. In 1881, J. G. Colleps, April 25tii. In 1883, AVm. Mason and D. W. McEweu, May 1st; John A. Goucli, May 15th; Wm. Gebliard, May 29th; and John Ray, Oct. 6th. The ])resent Commander E. Sir Knight L. F. Beach, united by card, March 27th, 1871, and Sir Knight R. C. Auld, Dec. 26th, 1881. These are the men who compose the membership of this higher branch of masonry in Morris. Good n]en, and true to tlieir obligations.

Having spent several weeks in collecting reliable dates and facts for the history of Morris, we confess that we are tired and weary. Many things have been omitted that might have proved of interest, while otiier matters have received but a lick without a promise. If we have succeeded in laying the foundation for a more able pen than ours at some future day to write a fuller history of our town, tlien we shall have accomplished much.