Jersey County, Illinois - Chapter 31: Industrial Development, 1919

Chapter 31: Industrial Development

The first railroad in Jersey County was a portion of the original Chicago & Alton Railroad, running in a northeasterly direction from Alton, by way of Godfrey, to Brighton. It passed through a portion of the town of Piasa, and was constructed in 1854.

Second Railroad

The second railroad in Jersey County was that portion of the Rock Island Railroad running southeast from White Hall, in Greene County, past Greenville and Rockbridge, and entering Ruyle Township, and from there running in a southeastwardly direction through Kemper, to Medora in Macoupin County. This portion of the road has a sta¬ tion at Kemper, in Ruyle Township, and it is the only one of this railroad in Jersey County. The station at Kemper wafe constructed in 1870, and the town of Kemper was platted that same year. During 1880 and 1881, this road was known as the C. P. & St. L. Railroad, and was constructed by a private company, of which James A. Locke was president; Morris R. Locke, secretary; W. H. Fulkerson, general man¬ ager; and Hugh N. Gross, vice president. Later this road was sold to the Gould railroad interests, and under the original contract for right of way this road must be operated from Springfield to the Mississippi River on, or before, January 1, 1882, which connection with the Wa¬ bash line of road was turned north at Loami in connecting with the Wabash Railroad at Bates in Sangamon County. These trains were run over the Wabash Railroad into Springfield, Ill. Being pressed for time in the construction of the road, in order to avoid forfeiture of their contract for right of way, the manager of the railroad constructed the road from Dow to Elsah, over what was known as the "Shoofly, " descending from the top of the bluff ; and also on trestle work to the bank of the river, and in this way the road was enabled to operate trains from Springfield to the Mississippi River on January 1, 1882. Later that year, the road was completed to Grafton. It was operated as a part of the Wabash system for a number of years, but in 1888 this branch of the Wabash Railroad was sold to other parties, and Henry W. Fisher and Fred Fisher, his brother, were the managers. Under their management the new right of way was secured from Dow to Lock Haven, and thence eastward under the river bluff to Alton, with a branch running west from Lock Haven, and connecting with a portion of the road that extended to Grafton. The original track from Dow to Elsah over the "Shoofly" bluffs was taken up and the railway aban¬ doned that portion of the road being operated on the reconstructed line from Dow to Alton. This line was later extended from Alton to St. Louis, connecting at Madison with the Merchants' bridge, and going into St. Louis over that bridge. The north end of the bridge was completed from the station at Loami, northeast of Springfield, crossing the Wabash Railroad at Curran, the first station west of Springfield, and running thence northeast into Springfield, and it is still being operated over this line.

Financial Condition

As a financial venture, the railroad has not been a great success. Several times it has been in the hands of a receiver, but aside from the financial situation, this road has been of great benefit to the commu¬ nities through which it is operated, and to Jerseyville in particular.

Electric Road

A company was formed of the citizens of Jerseyville to construct an electric line from Alton, through Jerseyville, Carrollton and Jack¬ sonville, of which Aaron 0. Auten was president and A. W. Gross treasurer. The company met with financial troubles and on February 1, 1909, A. W. Gross, who was the main support of the company, died, and later other parties undertook to manage and finance the organiza¬ tion. They were not able to carry the venture through, a receiver was appointed, but finally the road was completed to the southern part of Jerseyville, and was operated with more or less regularity. This was of great convenience to the people of Jerseyville and the southern part of the county, but in 1918 the parties who had secured control of this line of road secured an order from the State Board of Utilities author¬ izing them to dismantle the railroad and sell it, and in compliance with this order the road has been dismantled, and was not operated dur¬ ing 1918.

The above are all the railroads, either steam or electric, that have been constructed or operated in Jersey County from its organization to the present time.

Jerseyville Electric Light, Gas And Power Company

The Jerseyville Electric Light, Gas and Power Company, composed of Wallace Leigh, J. G. Schwarz and Walter E. Carlin, with a capital stock of $20,000.00, began operation December 3, 1887. This corpora¬ tion was succeeded by another, known as the Jerseyville Light, Heat & Power Company, which was composed of George D. Rosenthal, Joseph¬ ine Rosenthal, Owen Ford and Anna C. Ford of St. Louis, Mo., with J. F. Christy as superintendent. There was a capital stock of $25,- 000.00, and the directors held all of it. Under the administration of this new corporation new engines and boilers were installed and a better service was rendered by Superintendent J. F. Christy. Some years ago the Jerseyville Light, Heat & Power Company transferred its interest to the Central Illinois Public Service Company of Mattoon, Ill. Electric lighting is now under the control of the Public Service Com¬ pany throughout the city of Jerseyville, and the supply of electricity is furnished from the Keokuk Dam.

Jerseyville Telephone Company

The Jerseyville Telephone Company was incorporated April 1. 1895, by John G. Schwarz, Jr.; John A. Shephard, Wallace Leigh and Joseph M. Page ; duration of the corporation, twenty years. In 1916 a new building was erected by the telephone company, on the east side of South Washington Street, between Arch and Prairie streets, and the most modern and complete switchboard installed. The building is well adapted to the purpose of its construction, and the most modern appliances are used throughout Jerseyville and Jersey County, with long distance connections to all parts of the United States.

Dr. J. G. Schwarz is secretary and general manager, which position he lias held for a number of years, to the entire satisfaction of the company and the public.

The Kinlock Telephone Company maintains long distance lines in this city, but does not transact any local business, and it is operated under the Bell system of telephones.