Logan County, Illinois - The whole text, 1878 (part 7 of 11)

E resent Lincoln House. It was constructed of wood, was two stories in eight, and was opened to the public January 1, 1855. The proprietor then was D. M. Jackson, who, in 1857, purchased it of the Town Site Company, and, after keeping it a few years, sold it to a Mr. Holderman. He, being unable to pay for it, gave it up, and it came again into the Town Site Company's possession. In 18t)8, they sold it to Henry Palmer, who changed the name to the Eagle Hotel, and kept it until it was destroyed by fire, on the 19th of April, 1870. During Mr. Holderman's tim.e a third story was added, and during Mr. Palmer's time a brick addition built to it. Among the merchants locating, from 1853 to 1857, may be mentioned B. & F. M. Hyirichsen, Edgar & Johnson, Kahn Brothers, Howser & Metcalf, John W. Logan, G. F. Stillman, Howser 4 Higgins, Kelso & Boren, and T. Blackburn. The first hall in town was built by George Musick, in 1855, and occupied the present site of Dustings bank. It remained, there until 1873, when it was removed to make room for the erection of the bank. During its time, it was used for religious services, public meetings, by secret societies, for dances, or for almost any gathering. It is now used as the Central House. Until 1856, -every bouse, except the depot, was built of wood. The court-house was completed early in that year. These were of brick, and were the first buildings in town built oi this material. The first brick business house was built about the middle of the Lincoln House block, fronting Chicago street. Across the street, south, quite a number of frame buildings were built, some of which are yet occupied. In 1854 or '55, an elevator was built by Roach & Hansby, across the street, west from Long's grocery. Before this, it was a very common sight to see piles of sacks of grain, waiting shipment. As there was no place to store grain, the farmers would pile it along the railroad, cover it with canvas or boards, and leave it until a car could be obtained. In 1865, this elevator was sold to Boyden & Barrett, who enlarged and remodeled it, and continued in the trade until January, 1877, when it came into the hands of Mr. M. W. Barrett, who yet controls it. He ships about fifteen hundred car-loads of grain, chiefly corn, per year, or over six hundred thousand bushels. This generally goes to Eastern markets. About .the same time this elevator was erected, William M. Dustin built an elevator, now the Logan Mills. Here he and B. H. Brainard opened the first bank in Lincoln. In 1867, the elevator was changed to a mill, and, as such, is yet running. These mills are leased by John Blake, and make about seventy-five barrels of flour daily. The Lincoln Mills were built, in 1856, by William Roach, at an expense of $10,000. The present proprietor, L. C. Richter, bought the property in 1859, and has run it since that time, wit^ the exception of three years. The capacity of this mill is about seventy-five barrels daily. The Elliott Mills were built in 1861, by J. F. D. Elliott, at a cost of $40,000. This mill is three stories in height, and has a capacity to manufacture one hundred and fifty barrels of flour daily. The mill is now owned and run by Elliott, Congdon & Co. A second elevator was erected in 1865.

A third elevator was lately built by a company, and in 1871 was sold to John D. Gillett, who leased it to Mr. Pegram. One or two other firms operate in grain here, but have no mills or elevators. From what is shown, Lincoln is one of the best grain markets in the state, and is the best in the county. It is estimated that an average of over twenty carloads of freight are sent from Lincoln daily; this includes, however, cattle and all kinds of grain.

In addition to the hall built by George Musick in 1855, one was erected in 1857 by Logan Cox & Co., for the use of the Masonic fraternity. The Odd Fellows' Hall was built by William Roach this same vear. By the year 1857, quite a number of houses had been erected, both as business houses and dwellings, and by the year 1862, over two thousand people lived in town, and the trade was assuming vast proportions. The Methodists had built a church in 1857 (now the Presbyterian Church), and other denominations were preparing to occupy the field. A good school was started, the town was incorporated, and Lincoln began to flbow signs of solid improvement. In 1867, John D. Gillett, who has erected more fine buildings in town than any other, began the buildior of a large three-story brick building on the corner of Broadway and Eickapoo Street. The next year he ouilttwo large stores on Broadway^ over which is a hall used forJectures, theaters, dances, etc. In 1871, he built two stores on Kickapoo Street. In 1873, there were erected the Musick block, two stores; Latham's block, four stores (Col. Latham has erected almost as many buildings as Mr. Gillett) ; the Dustin block, six stores ; Parker's block, four stores ; the Brewer block, four stores ; the lifational Bank block, two stores ; G. W. Webb, two ; while a number of one-room stores were constructed, in addition to many dwellings, shops^ and houses of various kinds. In 1874, the Hart's block, containing six stores, was erected ; also, the Commercial Hotel, by William Shea, and many smaller buildings. Martin Spoitle, who came to Postville in 1850, opened the Western House in 1860. Five years later he erected the S^itly House, giving the name the English spelling. In 1868, Hungerford & Beach erected a large planing mill. This they successfully operated until Mayi 1870, when, with all its contents, it was destroyed by fire. The loss was fully $15,000. They have since rebuilt, and are still conducting the same business.

Since the war, business has improved rapidly. Several large brick business houses have been erected. Three good wagon-makers have large shops ; quite a number of smaller ones are seen, and a variety of other trades-people find constant employment here. The present Lincoln Hotel, the largest in town, as well as in the county, was built by John D. Gillett during the summer of 1875. It occupies the site of the old Lincoln House, and is one hundred and eight by one hundred and nine feet in size. The basement and lower story are occupied as stores, while the second, third and fourth are used as the hotel proper. The cost of the structure was about $50,000. During this same year, about one hundred dwellings were erected in town.

Lincoln has at various times suffered disastrously from fire. Before 1870, or for seventeen years after the first buildings were erected, fires rarely occurred. With the exception of the court house, burned on the night of April 14, 1857, only four small buildings were destroyed during the years mentioned. Since April 1, 1870, the city has been visited by that destroyer not less than ten times, each occasion laying waste valuable property. On April 8, 1870, the Eagle Hotel was destroyed. On the 18tn of May, 1871, Hungerford's planing mill and several adjacent buildings were burned, involving a loss of $20,000. On the night of December 16, 1871, between eleven and twelve o'clock, a fire was disscovered in the rear of the old Craig building, on Broadway, and wifhin an hour all the buildings on the northwest half of that block wer0 in ashes. The loss at this fire was over $50,000. The Brewer block was burned on March 8,1872, when four stores were swept away. On March 5, 1873, a fire was discovered in the second story of the building occupiep by Harts & Eves as a bakery. The fire that followed burned all the buildings on Pulaski Street from the alley to Kickapoo Street, and thence on that street to Latham's block. This was a 'most disastrous fire, beinc^ in the midst of the business portion of the city. The next fire occurrea on June 9, 1874, commencing in A. Keil's building, on Chicago Street^ and consuming all the frame buildings to Pulaski Street, and on the north side of this street to the alley. On the 4th of July following, A. Sv Guthrie's livery stable, Crandal's carpenter shop, Uhler's grocery, McCrary's restaurant, Selley's marble shop, and W. D. Wyatt's office were all burned. Since that date, but few fires have occurred.

The buildings now erected are almost always of brick, and cautioD is takeB in their construction, thereby preventing the recurrence of these disasters. The city's business portion now presents substantial buildings. Hid danger from this source is materially lessened.

Lincoln was incorporated under the general law in 1855. Two years laitor, under a special act, and continued thus until 1865, when the two towns of PostviUe and Lincoln united and formed the present city oT I^ncoln. This was necessary for the good of each town, and as the limits of Lincoln by that date extended to those of PostviUe, no necessity for two organizations existed. The name of PostviUe was therefore dropped, and it became the Fourth ward of Lincoln. Had the desire of its people been carried out in the removal of the county seat to its first habitation, Lincoln would never have existed ; but the former town beine off the raUroad, and its property very much shrunken in value, and having no moneyed, energetic men to push its interests, it gave way to its more powerful competitor.

Lincoln was incorporated under the general state law, as a town, early in the year 1855. During the spring of that year, a form of government being necessary, the first board of village officers were elected. It consisted of the following persons : Ezra Boren, Geo. W. Edgar, Hopkins C. Judy, Robert Leslie, and John E. Cummings. These were sworn in office by David T. Lee. At their first meeting they organized by electing Geo. W. Edgar, President of the Board, and J. E. Cummings^ Clerk. The board then appointed Geo. W. Stillman, Street Commis* sioner ; J. W. Ratikin, Assessor ; Joseph F. Benner, Treasurer, and Leroy F. Brown, Constable. At the next meeting, held on November 19, ordinances for the government of the town were adopted ; the evenin|:s for the regular meetings of the board were appointed, and the boundaries of the town defined. The clause in the minutes of the proceedings of the board, relating to the limits of the town, reads as follows : " The hmits of the town of Lincoln, shall be the northwest quarter of section thirty-one, town twenty, range two west of the third principal meridian ; the east half of the northeast quarter of section thirty-six, town fwenty, range three west of the third principal meridian ; and the east half of the southeast quarter of section thirty-five, town twenty, range three west of the third principal meiidian." This territory comprised three hundred and twenty acres. The original town plat contained about one hundred acres, but ere long was increased by numerous additions, the principal ones being made by Col.. Latham, Mr. Wyatt and Mr. Gillett. The proceedings of the first meetings of the trustees, the town charter, itfr amendments, and the ordinances adopted, were published in the Illinai^ Citizen^ then conducted by Messrs. Reed & Austin.

Ere long the sale of intoxicating liquors began to attract attention, and the board were compelled to adopt means to regulate its sale. Hence, on the 19th of January, 1856, an ordinance was passed requiring a license to be obtained, and regulating the sale of the article. license was fixed at $300.00 and a bond of $500.00 was also required, Licenses regulating peddlers and other itinerabt tradesmen were also required, and fiaes established in case of the failure of those interested obtaining them. The name of the paper already referred to had changed to the lAf^eoln Citizen^ and in it were published the ordinances recently adopted. The high liquor license and bond were however, at snbsequent meetings of the board reduced.

As the town grew in population and business, the necessity of its incorporation as a village, to enable it to comply better and more fully with the existing laws, and to better maintain its government, became evident, and on Feb. 18, 1857, the act incorporating the. town of Lincoln was approved by the Governor and became a law. A new board of trostees was elected, of which James S. Jones was appointed clerk. The proceedings of these meetings, as well as all the public printing at that date, were published in the Logan County Democrat^ edited by Mr. H. H. Simmons.

Under this act, with various changes, Lincoln existed as a town until 1865, when, by an act of the legislature approved Feb. 16, the two towns of Postville, the old county seat, and Lincoln were united under the name of the " City of Lincoln." From the records of the Board <4f Trustees of the town of Lincoln, it appears that the trustees of Postville were the first to suggest the union of the two towns, thereby forming a city. The reasons for the union were urgent and obviona. Lincoln was on the railroad. It was also the county seat. The additions made to the latter town had extended its limits to the boundaries of Postville, and a casual observer would have supposed the two towns were indeed one. After a conference between the two Town Boards, it was agreed to unite the two, and give the town so formed the name already designated.

Section first of the act reads as follows : ^^ Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois^ represented in General Assembly : That the towns of Postville and Lincoln, in Logan County, Illinois, be and they are hereby merged into one, and be known and called hereafter by the name of " The City of Lincoln."

Section second relates to the boundaries of the new town; section third, to the additions thereafter to be made to it ; section fourth, to the name and style of the city as a corporate body ; and section fifth, to the division of the city into four wards. The charter further specified the officers of the city, their duties, terms of office, salaries and fees, and manner of election.

The officers to be chosen were a Mayor, City Justice, City Treasurer, and two Aldermen from each ward. The Town Board of Lincoln, at a meeting on March 2, 1865, ordered that the election be held in each ward at the school house therein on March 13, to fill these offices.

The votes being counted on the evening of election day, Joseph C. Webster was declared elected Mayor, Joseph T. Benner, City Justice, and Solomon Kahn, City Treasuer. The Aldermen from the First Ward were Marvin Brewer, elected for two years, and Franklin Fisk, one year. From the. Second Ward, T. F. Ladue, for two years, A. M. Fellows, for one year. ' From the Third Ward, Hiram Sherman and Lot H. Crawford, each of whom^ received an equal number of votes ; and from the Fourtii

Ward, J. M. Shackleford, for two years, and J. F. Boy, for one year. At the first meeting of the City Council, the Aldermen from the Third Ward drew lots to determine who should hold th& office two years. The lot fell to Mr. Sherman, who took his seat accordingly.

At the first meeting of the Council, W. D. Wyatt was chosen City Clerk, James Coddington, Assessor, W. D. Wyatt, Attorney, and Charles G. Brackett, Marshal.

Among the important acts of the State Legislature demanding attention, was the act to establish graded schools in towns and cities, and to provide for their maintenance. This act was approved Feb. 16, 1865, and among the earliest acts of the Council of Lincoln was the order for an election to be held in each ward in the city to choose one director therefrom, all of whom, when elected, were to constitute the Board of Eklucation for the city. This election was held on Tuesday, the 11th day of April, 1865, and resulted in the choice of one director from each ward, who constituted this board until they were succeeded by the Board of Inspectors, elected in 1867.

From the union of the two towns the rapid, substantial growth of Lincoln, began. Each year brought a new set of oflBcers, all of whom made the welfare of the city the paramount interest, and all labored for its advancement. We subjoin here the list of oflBcers for the City of Lincoln, and theii:^terros of service. It will, however, be observed that the result of the election of each year only is given, one-half of the Aldermen holding two years :

1865. - Mayor, Joseph C. Webster; Clerk, W. D. Wvatt; City Justice, Joseph F. Benner, elected for four years ; Treasurer, Solomon Kahn ; Attorney, W. D. Wyatt ; Councilmen, First Ward, Marvin Brewer and Franklin Fisk ; Second Ward, T. F. Ladue and A. M. Fellows ; Third Ward, Hiram Sherman and Lot H. Crawford; Fourth Ward, J. M. Shackleford and J. F. Boy ; Marshal, C. C. Brackett.

cilmen elected, First Ward, H. F. Elliott ; Second, Nelson Andrew ; Third, Wm. P. Randolph ; Fourth, J. M. Shackleford. For this year, owing to a law passed in the General Assembly, two additional super* visors were allowed for the city of Lincoln; one for that part of the city included in East Lincoln Township, the first and second wards, and one for the third and fourth wards, or that part of the city in West Lincoln Township. For the First and Second Wards, T. J. Larison was elected^ and for the Third and Fourth, A. R. Crihfield.

1876. - Mayor, Abram Mayfield ; Clerk, C. M. Knapp ; Treasurer, S. Kahn; Attorney,. C. J. Forsyth; Marshal, Charles Phelps ; St. Com., H. M. Levally. Councilmen elected. First Ward, H. Simonton ; Second, S*. Rock ; Third, J. B. Montague ; Fourth, George L. Oglevie. At the session of the legislature the winter previous to this election, the offices of the additional supervisors were abolished.

Of all the officers in the foregoing list, it will be observed that Mr. Solomon Kahn has held the office of treasurer since the first election.

The city was lighted with gas in the summer of 1873. In February of that year. Dr. A. M. Miller, S. A. Foley and D. Tumbolt formed a company with a capital of $42,000 for the manufacture of gas. The works were completed on the 6th of July, since which time gas has been regularly supplied to the customers. The post-office was first established in a room on the sight of Pierron & Son's drug store. The postmaster was* Michael Hinrichsen ; the second was Robert Leslie, now of Elkhart. He retained the office until after Lincoln's election to the presidency the first time. He was succeeded by J. S. Metcalf, who retained the office until the present postmaster, A. D. Cadwallader, was appointed.

Educational

Previous to July, 1867, the public schools of the city were under the control of a JBoard of Directors, in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois ; the Superintendent of schools for Logan County, having general supervision over the same.

In October, 1866, the number of children, between the ages of six and twenty-one yeai*8, was found by the census to be 898. The aggregate attendance during the year ending July, 1867, was 619 ; and the average attendance during the same time was 353 ; and eight teachers were employed in the schools. At that time there were only five school buildings in the city, containing seven rooms, as follows : The Grammar school, one house in the first ward, and one in the second, with two rooms each, and one room in each of the third and fourth wards. The schoolrooms were poorly seated, and very little furniture and conveniences for teacher and pupil were found in them.

On the first day of July, 1867, the city council passed an -* Ordinance in Relation to Public Schools," thereby creating the " Board of School In- 8pectors,"and giving them exclusive control of the city schools, independent of the State and County organization. On the third Monday in July, the council appointed, as provided by said ordinance, the first Board of Inspectors, which consisted of :

The first meeting of the Board was held on the 17th of July, at which time A. M. Miller was elected chairman, and the following standing committees were appointed, to-wit :

The Board adopted a set of rules, for the government of teachers and pupils ; a uniform system of text books, to be used in the schools ; and a course of instruction for a graded school, consisting of nine grades in three departments, as follows :

The schools were opened on the first Monday in September, under the new organization, with eleven teachers, under the superintendence of J. F. Hyde.

The city council had, in the months of July and August, built a new house, in the 3d ward, and added a story to the 4th ward* house (which was of brick), re-seated all the old rooms with good seats ; furnished each room with a clock, desk, bell, chairs, etc., for the comfort and convenience of teachers. During the first month, the schools became so much crowded, that it was found necessary to rent three rooms, and employ two more teachers (there being 440 pupils in six rooms, with eight teachers).

By the census of July, 1867, there were found to be 1,296 children between the ages of six and twenty-one years, and during the year closing July, 1868, there was an aggregate attendance of 914, and the average was 487, showing a gain over the previous year of 48 per cent, in aggregate, and 38 per cent, in average attendance. Yet it appears that many who were eligible to attend school, as seen by the census, could not be admitted and receive that share of instruction which pupils ought to receive in public schools. However, there was a marked improvement in the schools. The superintendent was comstantly employed in visiting, and aiding the teachers in their work; monthly meetings were held for consultation; pupils manifested an interest in their studies, and all worked faithfully and harmoniously together, from day to day, during the whole year.

To remedy in part the want of sufficient accommodations, the city council caused to be erected two new buildings, in the summer of 1868, one in the First Ward, and one in the north part of the Fourth Ward.

The office of superintendent having been dispensed with, no general record of the progress of the schools was kept for the succeeding two years.

In the summer of 1869, 'preparations were made to erect a large central school-house. A ^ot of ground known as the Wright block, situated between Union and Maple, and Seventh and Eighth streets, in the central part of the city, was purchased at a cost of io,000. The plan of the building furnished bv T. F. Ladue, Esq., was adopted by the council, the building commenced and enclosed before the end of the year. This structure is sixty-four by ninety-five feet on the ground, three stories high above the basement, and seventy-five feet to the top of the dome, containing eleven good-sized school-rooms - four on each of the first and second floors, and three on the third - together with two recitation rooms, a large hall, and numerous wardrob.es, closets, etc., for the convenience of teachers and pupils. During the spring and summer of 1870, the house was finished and furnished with the most improved seats* and furniture of the present day. The whole cost of the lot, building, furniture and heating apparatus (Ruttan*s patent) is about $50,000, and is one of the best school edifices of its size in the state. It is an ornament to the city, a credit to the mechanics who constructed it,- and a monument of pride to the citizens generally, who have to defra)- the expense of the same.

The schools are divided into eleven grades, the eleventh being the lowest, and the first the highest grade. They are further designated as Primary, Intermediate, Grammar and High School departments.

The Primary consists of the eleventh, tenth and ninth grades ; the Intermediate of the eighth, seventh and sixth grades ;. the Grammar of the fifth, fourth, third and second grades ; and the High School of the first grade.

Pupils are Aot entitled to promotion unless they have taken all of the studies of their grade, and have passed a creditable examination in each*

At the beginning of the school year, September, 1873, it was found that, owing to circumstances which could not easily be controlled, children who properly belonged to the ward schools, had been allowed to attend school in the *' High School " building.

Since then, the following plan has been adopted : No pupil, once admitted to the High School building, has been transferred to another school, except at his own request; but when pupils who have attended other schools, or new pupils, have applied for admission, they have been admitted in accordance with the following rules:

8. Pupils from the Third Ward, except those living near the Third Ward, school house. Of the latter, only those who are prepared for the " A *' class, fourth grade, or any grade above the fourth.

Mr. J. F. Hyde, teacher in the Fourth Ward, conducts a commercial school during the winter months. It is well patronized, and is a good school.

Lincoln contains fifteen organized churches, the oldest of which is the Methodist Episcopal. Prior to the survey of Lincoln, this denomination had a class here, and conducted services, the charge being a mission of Mt. Pulaski. Their first preaching place was the First ward school house, which they occupied until 1857, when they erected a house of worship, now owned and occupied by the Presbyterians. Among the more prominent members at the organization were Dr. A. C. Wood, W. P. Randolph, Robert Leslie, G. W. Brady, and Henry Johnson. Their first pastor was probably Rev. W. B. M. Colt, some of whose successors have been Revs. J. B. Houts, Preston Wood, W. R. Goodwin, J. G. Little, M. A. Hews, G. W. Gray, and M. D. Hawes. The present pastor is Rev. George Stevens. After occupying their first church edifice until

1867, they found it becoming inadequate to the increasing demands of the membership, and sold it to the Presbyterians. They at once began the erection of their present house of worship, a large brick structure, which cost when completed $25,000. The corner stone was laid July 10,

1868, and in it were placed the following articles: A Bible, hymn book, the book of discipline, an almanac, the church periodicals, several pieces of coin, copies of the Lincoln Herald and Lincoln Intelligencer^ photograph of President Lincoln, copy of the emancipation proclamation, photo* graphs of Mr. and Mrs. George Parker, and a few other articles. The church was opened and dedicated by Rev: Hiram Buck, Sunday^ December 27, 1868. The membership of this church is now about 800.

The Christian Church was organized in a warehouse, in the spring of 1857, with twenty-five or thirty members, prominent among whom were T. H. Denny and Hopkins Judy, who were at that time chosen elders. The congregation afterward leased Boren's Hall, and occasionally used the Methodist Church, until they had constructed their own house of worship so it could be used. This was done in 1857, but it remained in an unfinished condition several years. Among their prominent ministers have been Revs. J. M. Allen, J. S. Sweeny, Alexander Johnson, Allen Rice, Charles Berry, George Owen, H. D. CJark, B. W. Johnson, T. V. Berry, and Richard Johnson. The present pastor is Rev. T. T. Holton. The membership is now about one hundred and fifty.

The German and Irish Catholic Churches were at first one charge. As such they were organized in 1857. They at first held services in private houses. This year, however, they completed a house of worship, and continued as one congregation until 1867, when they separated. The German Catholics retained the building. The Irish Catholics at onoe erected their present house of worship. Each of the congregations support schools in connection with their churches, and are in a flourishing condition.

The A. M. E. Church was organized in 1868 or '69, with three ^ members. These were Smelser Donegan and wife and Lucinda Allen. They met in Mr. Donegan's house about eight months, when they purchased the old High -School building, which they still use for a church. They have now nearly a hundred members, and a Sunday school of fifty scholars.

The Baptist Church (colored) was constituted in the spring of 1874. During the summer of 1876, they erected their house of worship. They organized with about twelve members, and have progressed well since.

The Protestant Episcopal Church was organized as a parish July 8, 1871, under the name of Trinity Church, and occasional services were held from that time until May, 1873, when the Rev. Wm. Willson, of Connecticut, took charge of the parish. Regular services were held by him in Gillett's Hall, and immediate action was taken for the erection of a proper church building, on lots donated for that purpose by S. A. Foley, Esq. On September 12th following, the first service was held in the new edifice. The church, which is a neat Gothic structure, of wood, consists of a nave, with recessed chancel and two wings, which are used as vestry and library rooms, and is plainly furnished and carpeted throughout ; the windows are all of stained glass, and the building lighted with gas. The estimated cost is $3,500.

The Evangelical Church (St. John's) was originally organized by a union of the Lutheran and Reformed Churches, and increased quite rapidly until it reached 300 members. In 1873, some of the Lutheran members left and formed a church of their own. At that time the church was without a pastor for about six months, which somewhat retarded its growth. The present pastor. Rev. J. G. Ade, took charge of the congre- j^tion in 1874. There is connected with this church a Woman's Christian Association, organized in 1874, which has at present over sixty members; 4d30 a private school, for the purpose of giving instruction in religious principles and the German language.

The German Evangelical Lutheran Church, which was organized in 1872, purchased the Congregational Church, refitted the same, and purchased an adjoining house and lot for a parsonage, erected a commodious scfaool-room on the premises, in which is maintained a private school for the instruction of scjholars in the German language.

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized on Saturday, Feb. 2, 1857, by Rev. Thornton K. Hedges, with sixteen members. Among these were Mr. and Mrs. Geo. W. Edgar, Mr. and Mrs. John Howser, Mr. and Mrs. John S. Medcalf, Mr. and Mrs. John Horney, Mr. and Mrs. John Crang, Mr. and Mrs. T, K. Hedges. G. W. Edgar, John Howser and J. S. Medcalf were chosen elders. The congregation erected the church now used by the St. John's congregation, which house they occupied until 1866, when they erepted their present edifice. The pastors in order have been Revs. T. K. Hedges, James White, R. G. Garden, W. W. Medcalf, J. C. Van Patten and E. J. Gillespie. The present pastor is J. W. Poindexter, D.D. The membership consists of 250 active resident members, and about 100 hundred transient communicants. The Sunday-school numbers 250 scholars, under the superintendency of Prof. B. F. McCord. Dr. McGlumphy, D.D., was superintendent here ten years and did much for the prosperity of the school. At the laying of the comer stone of this church, in the summer of 1868, the following articles were deposited in its cavity : One Bible, one copy " Confession of Faith," of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, one psalm and hymn book, one church record, one copy Western Cumberland Presbyterian^ published at Alton, Illinois ; one copy same paper published at Waynesburg, Penn.; one copy Lincoln Herald ; one copy Lincoln Intelligencer ; one copy Banner of Peace^ and a copy of other church papers. The church was erected at an expense of about $10,000.

The Congregation alist Church was organized on March 12, 1869, in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The first meeting to consider the ndvisability of forming the church was held by those professing adherence to this church, in the house of S. F. Eager, Feb. 14th, previously. At the organization eleven persons presented certificates of membership and were received. They were : Stephen Barnum, John Crang, Samuel F. Eager, Wm. Hungerford, S. M. Hungerford, Elizabeth Crang, Priscilla G. Barnum, Mary W. Carpenter, Elizabeth C, Eager, Fanny Eager, and Helen C. Barium. They met for divine services at first in Musick's Hall. In the summer of 1868 they erected a house of worship, which they occupied until 1869, when they sold it to the German Evangelical Lutherans, and being unable to support a pastor, remained until 1875 without a house of worship. They erected a church that year, which they yet use. Their first paAtor was Rev. H. W. Cobb, who presided at the organization. The succeeding pastors were Revs. R. S. McCord, H. S. Clark, A. E. Blackbum, H. D. Piatt, and the present pastor. Rev. Seth M. Wilcox. The S resent membership is thirty-two ; the attendance at Sunday-school sixtyve. The Superintendent is Geo. A. Brown. The Universalist Church is now unorganized.

The Baptist Society was organized April 19, 1856, with nine members. They were : J. C. Webster,C. B. Hukill, Geo. F. Stillman, Jane M. C. Stillman, Itobert Snow, William Patterson, Margaret A. Patterson^ S. Z. Millard and Robert Wilson. Of these, Robert Wilson and Margaret Patterson are no^ members ; the others having removed or died. Rev. Thomas C. Reese was the first pastor. A house of worship was erected in 1857, and in 1864 sold to the Grerman Catholics. Tljey then erected their

5 resent church at a cost of $6,000 ; $1,200 was paid for the lot. Rev. S. . Goodsell became pastor in 1857, and remained till 1860, when his death occurred. Rev. C. Garrison was called to the vacancy that year, and occupied the pulpit two years. He was succeeded in June, 1862, by Rev. A. M. Bacon ; he by E. J. Cxessey, and in 1867, he by Rev. Chaancey Wardner, of New York. He was followed by Rev. A. B. White, of Ohio, who remained two years. Rev. J. W. Icenbarger next occupied the pulpit, remaining about three year^. The present membership is 185^ and the attendance at Sunday-school, 120.

Ldsooln Library Association

On the 18th of April, 1874, a public meeting was held at the C. P» Church, for the purpose of establishing a Public Library and Free Reading Room. At this meeting Col. R. B. Latham was chosen Chairman and Prof. D. M. Harris, Secretary. S. A. Foley presented a constitution^ which was adopted. A committee of fourteen ladies was appointed to solicit subscriptions to the capital stx>ck of the association. At a -meeting held ten days later, this committee reported one hundred and forty-four shares of ten dollars eacli subscribed, and the association was fully organized by the election of the following ofiGcers : R. B. Latham, President ; M. Hinrichsen, Vice-President ; D. M. Harris, Con-esponding Secretary ; P. P. Murray, Recording Secretary, and W. M.Dustin, Treasurer. S. A. Foley, F. Fisk, B. H. Brainard, Mrs. N.E. Pegram, M. W. Barrett and Mrs. D. M. Harris were made Directors, who appointed a purchasing committee, consisting of Dr. A. M. Miller, Dr. S. Sargent, Rev. L. P. Crawford, Mrs. J. A. Lutz and Mrs. J. T. Hoblit.

A room for the use of the association was fitted up and the first purchase of books put on the shelves about the first of September following, when the library room was formally thrown open to the public. At this time there were 700 volumes belonging to the library, which number has been added to till it is now over 1,300. The leading periodicals of the country and some newspapers are kept on the tables.

The room is open every evening and Saturday afternoons, free to all. It is self-sustaining and is destined to be one of the permanent institutions in the town. It is well patronized by the public, 3,600 volumes being drawn from the room during the year ending April 1, 1877.

The present oflScers of the association are : F. Fisk, JPresident ; A. Mayfield, Vice-President; A. M. Hahn, Cor. Secretary; L. M. Sims, Rec. -Secretary ; W. M. Dustin, Treasurer; and Wm. C. McMasters, Librarian. Directors, S. A. Foley, M. Hinrichsen, F. B. Mills, J. C. Ross, J. A* Lutz and N. E. Pegram. Book Committee, Dr. A. M. Miller, Rev. L. P. Crawford, Mrs. T. A. Lutz, Mrs. 8. A. Foley and Mrs. N. E. Pegram.

The oldest paper in the city is the Lincoln Herald. It has had a continuous existence since its establishment in 1855. It was founded by Moudy & Fuller, ^ho, in 1856, sold to Joseph Reed. He conducted it one year and sold to a joint stock company of twelve persons. These employed O. C. Dake to edit the paper, and under his management it was conducted until 1860, when A. B. McKenzie purchased a controlling interest in the paper. He at once associated Xvith himself Henry Sturges, who remained until Oct., 1861, when he went to the army. - Mr. McKenzie continued the paper until 1868, when he sold to J. C. Webster, former circuit clerk, and the first mayor of Lincoln. In January, 1866, he sold to Andrew McGalliard, now owner of the only exclusively job printing house in the county.* Mr. McGalliard kept the Herald until January 1, 1873, - seven years, when being elected circuit clerk, he sold to Smith & Mills. This firm continued the publication of the Herald until 1877, when Mr. Smith retired, leaving Mr. Mills sole owner. It represents the interests of the Republican party, and is an ably conducted paper. This paper absorbed the Logan County Democrat^ established almost as early as the Herald^ by a stock company, who managed it until about 1864, when it was sold to Samuel Johnson, who changed the name to the Logan CourUt/ Courier^ and as such was purchased by Mr. J. C. Webster when owning the Herald^ and by whom it was merged into the latter- paper. In 1867, the Statesman was established by Thomas J. Sharp,^wno conducted it several years. In May, 1878, the Journal was founded by Wallace Nail, who in December sold to R. B. Forrest. About the same time Salmuel Reed purchased the Statesman^ and he and Mr. Forrest formed a partnership, uniting the papers, thereby forming the present Lincoln Times. In December, 1875, Wallace Nail and brother purchased the entire interest and have since managed the paper. In addition to the Times they run a German paper, the Logan County Folksblatt. This paper was founded by these gentlemen in June, 1877. About the same time E. F. L. Rautenberg, established the Journal^ a German paper, which in October, was purchased by the proprietors of the 2Hmes. By them it was merged into the Volkshlatt.

In February, 1874, Sharp's Weekly Statesman was founded by Thomas J. Sha];p. He managed it until November, 1875, when he associated with himself Col. W. D. Wyatt. They started the Daily Statesman in connection with it. In April, 1876, Mrs. Anna Wyatt became owner, the name changed to Daily News^ and Col. Wyatt remained as editor until Augustr when the oflBce was leased to Samuel Reed, who conducted it till March 17, 1877, when it was purchased by Joseph B. Bates, who changed the name to the Republican^ and k yet managing it. The paper is entirely published in the oflBce here. ^

In addition to these papers enumerated, the Intelligencer was established in June, 1866, by IJenry Sturges. In 1869, the paper was discontinued, and the oflBce removed to Winchester, Scott County, where it was published by D. L. Ambrose, for some time a resident of Mt. Pulaski.

The 'Logan County Bee has just been established by Mr. George L. Shoals, editor of the Atlan;ba Argus. Its special feature is a weekly correspondence from every township in the county.

Bpbtort Of Looam Countt Lincoln University

The Bul^oined history of this college is from the pen of Mr. J. F. Hyde, teacher in the city schools, and compiler of the Lincoln Directory :

The proposition to found a college here vas first made by B«ts. James Ritcbey and Elam McCord, in the Synod of Indiana, at its meettug held in 1864; and waa heartily advocated byRe^. Azel Freeman, DJ>., A. J. Strain, and other EDembers of the Synod. The propositioD as made, was to include, in addition to the Synod of Indiana, the Synods of Sangamon, Central Illinois, and Illinois, in the State of Ilionoie ; and the Synod of Iowa ; all of which espoused the cause with 4he spirit and enthusiaam peculiar to the ministry of those states.

Among the most zealous advocates were found such men as Revs. J. B. Logan, J. R. Brovru, S. Richards, A. J. McCtlutnphy, James Whita and J. 0. VanPatton, of Illinois, and Revs. J. R. Lowranoe and W. F, Baird, of Iowa.

As soon as the several Synods embraced in the proposition had fully decided to undertake the enterprise, a commission con8isting,of Rev. S. Richards, for the Synod of Sangamon' ; Rev. J. C. Smith, for the Synod of Cental Illinois ; Rev. J. H. Hughey, for the Synod of Illitiois ; Rev. James Ritchey, for the Synod of Indiana ; Rev. J. R. Lowrence, for the Synod of Iowa, was appointed to receive bids and determine upon the location, which was competed for by Newburg, Indiana ; Mt. Zion, Cheny Grove, Virginia, and Lincol^^ IHinols.

Rev. James White, at that time pastor of the C. P. Church at Lincoln, espoused the cause with zeal and energy; and to his untirii^ exertions and influence, backed by the hearty assistance of such men as A. C. Boyd, Col. R. B. Latham, and other citizens of Lincoln, is due much of the credit of the final location.

At the suggestion of A. C. Boyd, James White and others, a meeting of the citizens was called at the Court House, in the fall of l86 1, which was largely attended, and, notwithstanding that for three years they had been constantly called on for aid to carry on the war, a subscription of over $25,000 was raised as a donation toward defraying the expense of the building, provided the decision of the Commission was favorable to this locality.

Mr. White was appointed a delegate to meet the commissioners at Mt. Zion, in February, 1865, to represent the interest of Lincoln, and presented the matter to them in its most favorable light, aided by the large subscription, and the assurances of the citizens that "The young and flourishing town of Lincoln, as well ^as the young and prosperous county of Logan, having as yet no institution of learning of a high grade, would hail with joy and pride the location of your college at this place, and would take a lively interest, as well as a commendable pride, in fostering and endowing the institution, and the college wodld, perhaps, meet with less opposition and competition here than at any other point."

Yet with all this array in his favor, Mr. White was barely able to, secure a visit of the commissioners at this point, so strongly was each member urged and instructed to favor home locations. Succeeding in the object of his mission, however, the commissioners agreed to visit this place on the following day.

The morning was cold, rainy and dreary; yet the citizens came forth to meet the comn^ission with a hearty welcome, and accompanied them to the various sites offered.

The decision of the commission was favorable, - and in due time tJie university, and the hillock on which it stands, was consecrated to the cause of Religion, Art, Science and Culture.

Ground was broken for the erection of the college building on the anniversary of. the honored man whose name it b^ars (suggested by the late John Wyatt, Esq., one of the first trustees). The work of laying the foundation was pushed forward vigorously under the general supervision of A. Mayfield, Esq., and on Thursday, September 14, 1865, the ceremony of laying the corner stone took place on the grounds of the University, in the presence of a large assemblage of Masons, Odd Fellows, and other benevolent associations ; the clergy, teachers, returned officers and soldiers of the war, together with many citizens of Logan and surrounding counties, and friends of the institution. The oration was delivered by Governor Richard J. Oglesby. The exercises were interspersed by vocal and instrumental music, and were satisfactorily enjoyed by all present.

The building has since been finished and furnished with all the appliances of education found in the best colleges and seminaries, and the spacious grounds surrounding it have been beautified with shade trees and other improvements.

The Presidents of the University have been, 1st : Rev. Azel Freeman, D.D., who served for four years, giving universal satisfaction by his liberal spirit, his zealous piety, his profound learning, which gainea for him the esteem and confidence of his students and co-laborers ; and his earnest Christian character so firmly impressed itself upon the individuality of the institution that many regretted his retirement.

The University, though under the control of the C. P. Church, is not sectarian in its character. All candidates for admission who pass a satisfactory examination, and sustain a good moral character, whether male or female, whatever their religious preferences maybe, are admitted*

The institution is under the management of a Board of Trustees, consisting of £fteen members - three from each of the Synods before mentioned - and working under an act of the Legislature of the State odT Illinois, passed February 6, 1865, incorporating the following-named persons the first Board of Trustees, viz. :

Following is a complete list of the names of other perons who have held positions on the Board since its organization : Hon. S. C. Parks^ Hon. W. B. Jones, Hon. Wm. McGalliard, Hon. Colby Knapp, Rev. F. Bridgeman, Rev. R. C. Hill, Rev. J. C. VanPatton, Rev. W. C. Bell, Rev. H. D. Onyett, Rev. James Ritchey, Rev. J. T. Ferguson, Rev. G. J. Hill, Rev. W. F. Baird, Rev. S. E. Hudson, Thomas McClure, Esq., Samuel Sargent, M.D., Edward Burton, Esq., J. A. Bell, Esq., S. P. Davidson, E?»q., Ezra Davis, Esq., A. Clay, Esq., E. J. Secor, Esq., J. S. Randolph, Esq., Alfred Bryan, Esq., J. H. Danley, Esq., J. A. Hudson^ Esq., J. U. Starkey, Esq.

Officbbs Of The Boabd Of Trustees

Financial Agents - R. M. Beard, Esq., four years ; Rev. J. C. Van- Patton, two years ; Rev. I. N. Biddle, one year ; Rev. J. S. Grider, one year ; Rev. J. A. Chase, one year.

^ . *Dr. Bowdon died daring his third year, and Vice-President A. J. McQlamphy. D.D.. filled the place during *ae remainder of the year, when he was elected to the Presidency.

Teachers of Music, - Miss Anna L. Walters, three years ; Miss Helen Brewster, two years ; Miss Mary E. Gibbs, two years ; Miss Dora S. Miller, one year; Miss Laura A. Howell, M.M., one year; Miss Ada Woods, M.M., one year ; August Rhu, M.M., two years ; F. H. Zimmerman, M,M., the present year. . - '

Matrons^ and Professors of English Literature, - Mrs. M. E. Miller, one year ; Miss Minerva Lindsey, one year ; Mrs. C. E. W. Miller, two years ; Miss S. J. McCord, B.S., one year.

It will be seen by consulting the statistics embraced in this sketch that the Institution ranks high in an educational point of view, and has 80 far met with unparalleled success. It is trusted that its future will inaintain its good qualities of usefulness in the community, and that the citizens will ever be found ready to appreciate its 'merits.

Prior to the year 1836, the summit of the hill on which the old court-house stands, was for many generations the home of the prairie wolf. ^ Here this primitive inhabitant of the Western prairie could find a dry, sandy home. The early settlers found it had been well improved by these animals, and for some time after the settlement of the country^ sand, thrown up by the wolves, could be had in abundance.

Some of the earliest settlements in the county were made along Salt Creek, on the north of Pulaski, and Lake Fork on the west. The physician who sometimes practiced here was Dr. Alexander Shields, who then resided in Springfield. In the early part of 1836, during one of his visits tb his patients ip these settlements, he was struck with the great natural beauty and advantages of an elevated portion between these two creeks^ and on his return to Springfield spoke enthusiastically of the location to Jabez Capps, then a merchant in Springfield, and an extensive owner of real estate there, then not held at a very high figure. If the reader will turn to his biography in the directory of Pulaski Township, many interesting incidents will be ft)und connected with his life in the present State Capital. He was not then progressing as he desired in business, and was thinking of removing to some other locality and laying the' foundation for a new town. Dr. Bartoji Robinson, who was in an adjoining room, heard the ' conversation passing between Dr. Shields and Mr. Capps, and became at once interested. Dr. Robinson became one of the most prominent mjen in this part of the county. He was well educated, and was an excelleni; physician and a very public-spirited man. He was born May 19, 1819, in New Malton, Yorkshire, England. He studied medicine in London, where he graduated. He came to America and joined his brother, JaraesT., at Buffalo Hart Grove, Sangamon County^ in December, 1831. He was married in this county in May, 1833, to Mahala Barber. In 1836, he went to Mt. Pulaski, and was always most prominently connected with the town. Here he practiced medicine many years, and was widely known. In 1858 he removed to near Farlinville, Linn County, Kansas, where he yet resides. His family consists of four sons, all living near him. Soon after a company, consisting of Mr. Capps, Dr. Robinson, and G. W. Turley, was formed, and in August these persons with Thomas Skinner, a surveyor, came to the present site of Mt. Pulaski and laid out a town. The company had, a few months before this, entered considerable land here, and made one of their number agent. After completing the survey, the party returned to Springfield. Mr. Capps made arrangements with Jerry Burks, a settler on Lake Fork» to remove a cabin he had previously built there to the west side of what was laid out for a public square. It was moved there, and placed on the spot of ground now occupied by the Post Office. Mr. Capps' wife had died early in the spring preceding these movements, leaving him with three small boys. He married on his return from the survey, and on the morning after his wedding started with his family for their new home. He put into his wagon some necessary furniture, some provisions, and a few goods, and with these followed the road leading to the Lake Fork settlement. From this settlement to the Mound was only a trail, which^ instead of leading to its top, passed by the base on to Salt Creek. FollowmSTOEY OF LOGAN COUNTY, 287 ing this, the family soon came to their new habitation, which they found moved and set up. Placing the family in this, the upper story of which they occupied, Mr. Capps returned to Springfield for other necessaries of life and additional goods. After making a few trips, he had a well-selected atock of a miscellaneous assortment of merchandise suitable for a pioneer store, embracing every article from a nail to a barrel of sugar.

During Mr. Capps' first two years of life at the Mound, he and the adjacent settlers often drove their hogs to Pekin, where they were slaughtered, and the pork shipped to St. Louis by the rivers. Occasional^ he would exchange goods for dressed pork, which he hauled to the same place, and then shipped to the same market.

At the expiration of nearly two years he was joined by three young men, Andrew Danner, a blacksmith, a Mr. Miles and Horace Roe, carpenters. All these boarded with Mr. Capps, and worked at their respective trades. * Christian Danner, a brother of Andrew, came soon after with a family. These persons were from Pittsburg, and had probably come to St. Louis by water, and there hearing of some of the interior Illinois settlements, and their great desirability as homes, finally found their way to Mr. Capps' new town. Thus far it had received no name. In deciding upon one, the few residents, loyal to their country, chose that of *Pulaski, and the

*The bero from whom the town takes its name, was the son of a Polish nobleman. He was born In Lithuania, March 4, 1747. He warmly espoased thn freemen's canse in his own land, and was In danger of his life thereby. Coming to America, ne offered his services to Washington as a prlrate soldier, but rM>ldlir rose to dlstlncUon and to the grade of a general. He led a force of soldiers against the enemy at Sarannah, where, on the llth of October. 1779 he received a mortal wound. He was taken on board a vessel In the river, but expired in a few hours. He was burled in the Savannah River, and In after years the cltlsens of Georgia rafsed a monument at Savannah to perpetuate his memory.

place heretofore being called, from its location, the Mound, easily came to be called its present name. The situation is, indeed enchantingly beautiful. At the date of which we are writing, the scene must have been beyond description. The mildness of the prairie bounded on the north and west by the Salt Creek and Lake Fork timber, and^n the east and south by an extended plain, whose boundary was beyond the vision, covered with the wild, rolling prairie gradb, is a scene yet vividly impressed on the minds of these pioneers, and one on which they love to linger.

Christian Danner built a frame house soon after his arrival, it being the second in the place. Mr. Capps had erected one about a year and a half after his arrival, the upper story being used for a dwelling, the lower for a store. The carpenters found work enough among the surrounding' settlers. The two named were soon joined by Willis Roe, who afterward lost his life by the fall of a beam in a building in which he was working. The blacksmiths set up a small shop immediately on their arrival, in which they sharpened hoes and plow-points, and made other instruments used by the frontier settlers. The plows then had only a wooden mould-board, and attached to the plow-point was an iron shoe, in which a socket was made for the insertion of .the wooden plow-point. The corn was generallycultivated with the hoe and a single corn-plow.

No sooner had these families located here, than ministers of the gospel came to visit them. Even when Mr. Capps was the only resident on the 'J point," some stopped with him over night when on their way from one settlement to another. Prominent among these was ^^ Father Bowles," Us he was called, of the Christian Church. In 1840 or '41, Dr. John Clark located in the village, on the lot his family yet pccupy. His was the fourth or fifth family in the place, while he was the first resident physician. The second physician was Dr. A. C. Dement.

The second store was built by Bem'amin Davis, which stood near the comer of the square, on the ground now occupied by Mr. Scroggins' new hotel. This store was in all respects like its predecessor,and contained every article demanded by the settlers. Jefferson Scroggins built a house about this time, in which he accommodated travelers. It stood about where Fred. Groesbent lives. Frank Schick, a German, was among the earliest residents in Mt. Pulaski, and afterward one of her most enterprising citizens. Sgf>n after coming, he worked for Mr. Capps in his garden for nfty cents per day. Next he tried making shoes, and being the first, and for some time the only shoemaker in the village, soon built up a good trade. His shoes at first were more noticeable for strength than elegance ; but people^s / tastes were at that time not so difficult to satisfy as now. The *'*' wear and tear" of the article was more considered than the appearance. The only tannery in the vicinity was at Carter Scroggins' - a "trough" tannery. The location of the persons and industries mentioned had given the frontier village quite a business appearance, and made it a good trading place. In 1846 tne third store was built by Thos. Lushbaugh. Comfortable frame houses were being erected, and the comforts and luxuries of life were beginning to appear. In 1844 a frame school-house was built, and school regularly held therein. The Methodists held weekly services in Dr. Clark's house, and at Nicholas Moore's, a few miles north. The first brick house was built by Alexander Morgan, and used as a hotel. As such it is yet occupied. Mr. Brewer Bunn, now a prominent lawyer in

Deoatur, carried brick and mortar as a day laborer during its erection. The first brick business block was built by Dr. Robinson, referred to. It is now torn away. A brick house was not long after built by Mr. Zimmerman, also one by Mr. Craig.

At the organization of .the county in 1839, the seat of justice had been placed at Postville, nearly the center of the county. Then the eounty's limits were not the same as now - portions of Tazewell and De- Witt having since been added - and, as has been noted in the history of the county, a division of Logan was anticipated. In 1848, the county seat vtras, by a vote of the people, removed to Mt. Pulaski, with the hope that a new county would be formed from the southern part-of Logan. At that time Mt. Pulaski had increased to a prosperous village of three hundred-inhabitants, and was enjoying an excellent trade. The town by subscription ' raised $2,700 ; the county gave $300, and a comfortable courthouse, two stories in height above the basement, was built on the public square. It faced the west, and was ready for occupancy soon after the location of the seat of justice was fixed. The village had been incorporated in 1852 ; but this, by some means, was after a few years not recognized. The next yenr after the* erection of the court-house, the incorporation was revived, and kept in active existence until 1872, when it was re-incorporated under the general law for the incorporation of towns. By some means the boundaries to the town had never been stated^ and any suit brought by the village would not stand in court. After a few years the citizens saw this would not do, as criminals would always go free on an appeal to the county courts. In 1876, Mr. M. Wemple and others circulated a petition to the County Judge asking for an election to settle the definite boundaries of the town. This object was obtained, and under the amended incorporation, the town is yet governed.

With the advent of the court-house, a remarkably rapid growth of the town began. In ten years the increase of population was over one hundred per cent. New stores and comfortable dwellings were rapidly built, ana several new industries came quickly into existence. A jail was completed shortly after the court-house was built. It was constructed of brick, and was made two stories in height. The windows were covered with, iron grating. This jail contained criminal and debtors' cells, and, though considered an improvement on the old log jail at Postville, could hardly be recognized as equal to it in safety* The contractor received $1,000 for its erection, and, from the present appearance of the ' jail, must have cleared considerable money. When the county seat was removed to Lincoln, in 1856, this jail passed into the hands of the town trustees, by whom it is yet used as a lock-up.

In 18d0, the Methodists erected their church - the first in town. Two years after, the First German Evangelical Lutherans erected their first house of worship.

The industries of the town were the ordinary blacksmith and wagon shops, carpenter shops, and a small mill. Prior to the opening of the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis railroad, in 1853, mail was brought from Springfield, or from the stages on their route from Chicago and reoria to St. Louis. When this railroad was completed, a stage made regular trips to Postville, or Lincoln, which was then just coming into existence. At every session of court, lawyers from Springfield and Peoria were in attendange, and during that time the town presented an animated appearance. Abraham Lincohi, Stephen A. Douglas, David Davis, and Others since famous in' state and national history, were often seen in attendance at the Mt. Pulaski courts. The gentlemen named generally stopped with Jabez Capps while in town, he being an old friend and neighbor of Mr. Lincoln's, at Springfield.

On the adoption of the new state constitution, in 1848, all hope of a division of Logan County was lost. Ere long, people living in the north part of the county began to complain of the long distance they were compelled to go to court, and a more central location was demanded. Colby Knapp was in the legislature at the time, and succeeded in passing a bill allowing the residents of the county to vote on a re-location of the seat of justice. This was in the session of 1852-3>. The bill authorized the people to vote upon the question, but contained certain provisions relating to the removal of the county offices and county records, stipulating that they should remain in Mt. Pulaski until the completion of the new court-house. This was not ready until late in December, 1855, at which time the change was made.

This was a severe blow to Mt. Pulaski. DuringMihe next four years the population, fully six hundred in number, increased only fifty-three. The lawyers removed to Lincoln, and that town began to partake of the early prosperity of Mt. Pulftski. Its founders were men of energy, money and enterprise, and' made vigorous efforts for the advancement of their town. They had the advantage of a direct railroad between the two largest cities in the West, and were not slow to improve their opportunities.

From the removal of the seat of justice, the growth of Mt. Pulaski was marked by no important events. It has been slow and sure, and since the completion of the railroads, crossing here, has been rather rapid. On the east and south sides of the public square, and on the west side of the street leading south from the southwest corner, good brick business blocks have been built. On the southwest corner of the square, Mr. L. K. Scroggins, a prominent farmer and banker, is erecting a large brick block, the lower story of which will contain three store rooms and a bank, while the upper stories will be fitted for hotel purposes.

In the summer of 1863, Mr. S. C. Beam erected his flouring mill and elevator. After the completion of the railroads to this point, in 1871, Mr. C. R. Capps built a second mill, at an expense of $12,000. In 1875, he sold it to the present owner, Thos. Billington. The same year this latter mill was built, L. D. Dana, of Elkhart, and J. W. Ewing erected the elevator now operated by McFarland, Maston & Co., who purchased it in 1873. The building of these mills and the elevator greatly increased the trade of the town in grain, while the railroads brought a corresponding increase 'in the stock trade. L. K. Scroggins and W.. P. Sawyer opened a bank, in 1872, which has maintained a good exchange business. A small plow manufactory, several shops of various descriptions, three hotels, and twelve or fifteen stores, with an equal number of various tradesmen, complete the list of business commodities in Mt. Pulaski* Situated, as it is, upon a high plateau of ground, thereby keeping dry all times in the year, and having two railroads, there only remains the energy of its citizens to secure a large and flourishing town. The population is now nearly two thousand.

The Pbbss

In July, 1870, the first paper in town, the Sentinel^ was started by Francis M. Daulton, who was, not long after, succeeded by John Bush. In August, 1871, the paper was changed to the Observer^ and as such was conGLacted by Frank Sloan until July, 1873, when it was changed to the Dollar Stavy and published by Joel Dunbar, who soon afterward changed the name to the Mount Pulaski Star^ and continued it until October, 1876, when it was sold out. Shortly afterward, the Mount Pulaski Oittzen was started by the Conklin brothers, who are yet publishing it. It is an excellent local paper^ is well patronized, and is considered one of the permanent institutions of Mt. Pulaski.

Educational And Beligi0U8 Intbbestb

For the last three or four years it has been evident to the friends of education in the town that a new and larger school was needed. During the spring of 1877, a change was made from the common district organization, under which the schools have always been conducted, to a graded system, under the control of a Board of Education, and an application for funds to erect a new school-house was made. $20,000 was granted, and with this the Board have purchased a very eligible site in the eastern part of the town, and are erecting thereon an excellent six-room building. The basement of the building is so arranged that when the upper rooms are inadequate to the support of the school, it can be seated and used for similar purposes. The school is now divided into five grades, each having one teacher, and a teacher of the German language for all. The present principal is O. T. Denny.

Mt. Pulaski contains seven organized churches. The Baptists are taking steps to form an organization, which will increase the number by one. The oldest church in town is the Methodist Episcopal. It was organised in Dr. John Clark's house, about the year 1841 or '42, with but few members. This was the first religious service in town. The first preacher of this denomination here was probably Rev. Moses Clampet. He was shortly after followed by Rev. Hardin Wallace, who conducted one of the largest revivals ever known to this region in pioneer days. People came from all directions to attend the meetings, and over^fifty were converted and joined the Methodist Church. A class had been formed at Henry Dement's, where paeetings were held. The class at Mr. Dement's became the nucleus around which the present Hurricane Point Church was gathered. Among the earliest ministers in this denomination was the noted and eccentric Peter Cartwright, so well known to the - early residents of Central Illinois. He was then living on his farm near Springfield, and was presiding elder of this conference.

The church in town continued to meet at Dr. Clark's house until 1844, when, the school-house being completed, they occupied that until 1850, when they finished their present house of worship. The congregation now numbers about forty members, and has a Sunday-school of over sixty scholars. The present pastor is Rev. C. E. McClintock.

The First German Evangelical Lutheran Church is the second oldest congregation in town. It was organized about 1850 or '51, and in 1862 erected a small brick church, the work being generally periformed by the members themselves. By the year 1856, when their present record begins, there were thirty-six members. Their first minister was probably Rev. P. S. Steiger, or I^ev. C. E. Bogy. In 1865 they sold their church edifice to the Catholics, it having become too small for their growing congregation, and began the erection of their present house of worship. The corner stone was laid September 29th of that year, and the following February 11th, the bell was dedicated - the building being so far completed that it could be occupied. On May 18th the house was dedicated. The congregation now numbers over fifty members,, and sustains a Sundayschool of nearly seventy scholars.

The Second German Evangelical Lutheran Church was oi-ganized in the fall of 1868, with sixteen members. The pastor was Rev. Wm. A. Deineinger, who remained about two and a half years. The organization was effected in the Universalist Church, where they continued to meet until 1873, wh^n their present house of worship was completed. It cost about $3,800. Their second pastor was Rev. G. Pracht, who remained nearly two years, and was succeeded by Rev. O. F. Ebert, who filled the pulpit two years, when the present pastor. Rev. R. C. Starck, wad called. The membership is now thirty-five, with a Sunday-school of more than double that number. The church of the German Evangelical Association was organized in the spring of 1857, in the Universalist Church, by Rev. H. Schelp. The constituent membership numbered about thirty, which number has since nearly doubled. They occupied the Universalist Church, until 1861, when they finished their own house of worship, which they now use. Their first pastor was the Rev. A. Strohmeier. The present one is Rev. G. Fuchs.

The Catholic Church was organized about eleven years ago in a private house. In 1865, they purchased the First German Church, which they yet occupy. The membership is yet small, and the church is attended by the priest uom Lincoln.

The Christian Church was organized in the spring of 1868, with thirty members. They had just completed a frame church, which they yet use.' Rev. D. D. Miller, of Bloomington, presided at the organization services, and occasionally preached for the congregation. Rev. A. M. Hutchinson was the first pastor, remaining nearly two years. Under Dr. Allen a very successful revival was held, during Mr. Hutchinson's pastorate. An addition of some thirty members was made then. The second pastor was Rev. L, M. Robinson. He was succeeded by Elders J. E. Cain and E. L. Craig. The present pastor is Rev. E. C. Weakley. Themem-

The Universalist Church was organized by the present minister several years ago. The congregation verj liberally gave the use of its house of worship to other denominations when constituted, uijtil they could erect churches of their own. The present membership is not large, and services are held monthly i>y the pastor. Rev. D. P. Dunn.

The two railroads crossing here, were built in the fall of 1871, and each ran a construction train to the town within an hour of the same time. The Gilman, Clinton & Springfield Road) furnishes a route to Chicago and eastern markets, as well as to the West, through Springfield, while the Pekin, Lincoln & Decatur furnishes means of transportation to northern and^southern markets.

Atlanta

This enterprising town is in the northeast comer of LiOgan County, at the intersection of the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis and Illinois Midland

- Railroads. The State survey shows few places higher than the site of this city. It is about midway between the cities of Chicago and St. Louis, apd is only ten miles from the geographical center of the state.

Among the earliest settlers in this part of the county were the Hoblits, Turners, Druleys, Bevans and Downeys. . These were located in the immediate vicinity of the present city, while to the east were the Foggs and Tuttles; to the north the McFarJInds and Kenyons ; to the west the Haweses, and to the south the Larisons, Barrs and othei's. These pioneers generally settled near thje timber, the minority of them being in the county at the time of the " deep snow." But lew prairie farms in this vicinity were cultivated before 1836 ; but it was not long after, until a comfortable farm-house began to appear here and there, and the rich prairie soil began to yield to the cultivation of the more adventurous settlers, who were beginning to discover its fertility and ease of cultivation, compared to the timber lands. It is a curious fact, and seems wonderful to the present generation that all early settlers preferred the timber to the prairie. For purposes of shelter and fuel this was a wise step, andean be readily accounted for, but for cultivation the purpose is not so apparent. However, these brave old pioneers, coming from a timbered country, and being accustomed from their infancy to see "clearings," adopted the same plan here for a home, and for several years hardly thought of the prairies, save as a pasture. One by one ventured upon them, however, and no sooner was their productiveness a fact, and their cultivation feasible, than they were rapidly occupied, and arenowJ;he finest farms in the county.

The early settlers of this part of the county, well remember the days of Abraham Lincola, David Davis, and others of like prominence, when on their horseback journeys to and from the various courts in the interior part of the state. When going from Springfield to Bloomington, these ' two named almost always stopped at the house of Samuel Hoblit, one of the earliest residents in this part of the county, which at that time and until 1845 was a portion of DeWitt County. At this date, Pekin was the chief market. Springfield was the first post-office for this locality ; afterward, Bloomington or Pekin, and almost co temporary the small town of Waynesville in DeWitt County, one of the oldest in this part of the state. ^ A demand for a nearer market and better shipping facilities was being felt, * and to aid in the hope for the fulfillment of these wants,, the survey of the Chicago & Alton Railroad was mttde. This road gave activity to these desires, and no sooner was the survey fixed than the location of a town in this section of the country was agitated. The town of M t. Hope, a few miles northeast of the site of Atlanta, was staked out, but being off the railroad was abandoned. It is now the farm of Marion McCormick. New Castle, to the southeast, l^ad become quite a village, but, for the same reason, was abandoned on the survey of Atlanta, and became incorporated therein, the majority of its residents moving to the new toWn. The Baptists had built a house of worship there, and some trade was established at this, date - 1853, Early in this year, R. T. Gill, then a resident of Pekin, entered the land on which the city of Atlanta now stands, at one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. It was then assessed at twelve hundred dollars. The assessed value now is nearly a half million. On the 23d of June, he offered the lots At public auction, and by a liberal policy secured a large sale, and before the close of the season, fifteen or twenty buildings were ready for occupancy. The first of these was built , by R. T. Gill, and occupied the present site of a meat market, near the corner of Vine and Railroad streets. The freight house was erected by the railroad company about the same time, and shortly after a passenger dep5t.

When the town was surveyed, it received the name of Xenia. This name was suggested by Mrs. James Downey, in remembrance of her former home in Xenia, Ohio, ^n application for a post-office, it was ascertained that an office by that name already existed in the state, and the founders of the town changed it to Hamilton, in honor of Col. L. D. Hamilton. Applying the second time for a post-office, they met with the same difficulty, and to avoid having a town and post-office of different names, a third name was chosen. Mr. R. T. Gill had some time previously spent a portion of a year in Atlanta, Georgia, and remembering the beauty of that city, suggested that name. As no post-oMce of that name existed in Illinois, that appellation was adopted. Several persons yet hold deeds of lots in the town of Xenia.

For several years following, the history of Atlanta is one of unprecedented growth and prosperity. Stores, shops and dwellings were rapidly erected ; schools and churches were established, and the highest hopes of the founders were being speedily realized. By the close of 1854, the town contained about five hundred people, and nearly a hundred houses. The grain trade was assuming vast proportions, and, indeed, within a few years Atlanta was the largest grain market on this railroad between the two cities at either extremity.

By an act of .the legislature, approved February 14, 1866, the town was incorporated. Its boundaries then embraced, by that charter, the east half of the .northwest quarter, and west half of the northeast quarter of section twenty, in all one hundred and sixty acres. The same charter provided for the election of a board of five trustees. Before the incorporation act, and when there were no village officers to execute the law, a number of the citizens organized a company known as the '' Big Grove Rangers," whose object was to secure and bring to justice all violators of the law. Tl^e organization did effective work, and kept this part of the county comparatively free of outlaws.

During the year 1855, no western town eclipsed Atlanta in its growth. IJntil this date, the buildings, though of wood, were commodious and ample for the wants of trade ; but a necessity for a more substantial class was becoming apparent, and early in the year the first brick building in town was erected. It stood on the corner of Vine and Railroad streets, and is yet used and known as the Atlanta House. It was opened on July^4, 1855. During the early summer, one hundred houses were ^^ raised" in two weeks, and before the close of the season one hundred and fifty%five buildings were added to the already conspiauous town. In August, the Logan County Forum^ an enterprising and well-edited weekly newspaper, was established by Mr. S. B. Dugger. About the same time the town was visited by the editor of the Springfield Regiiter^ who thus wrote of Atlanta to his paper :

**Two years a^o there was not a building in the place or within a mile of it. Now the village numbers two hundred and sixty houses, and one thousand inhabitants. The buildings are all good, many of them large and splendid, and all painted. The men appeared energetic, selfconfident and intelligent."

This same' summer, the Atlanta Seminary was established. The old seminary building was built in 1838, when there were not more than twenty buildings in town. The Illinois Cross Railroad was also incorporated ; but the failure to act promptly in this matter caused its construction to be defeated at the time.

During the next summer, the important buildings erected were H. Armington's brick block, the Logan House, by G. A. Colton, Dills & Howser's warehouse, and the large frame building, on what is now the Post-office block. None of these remain save the Logan (Grant) House, each succumbing to the ravages of the fir-e-fiend. In the spring of this year, T. N. Gill & Co. opened a bank, which they conducted some tiihe, and retiring from the business, were succeeded by David Kern & Co., who were in turn succeeded by Dills, Kern &' Co., who conducted the business until 1866, when it passed- into the hands of Frank Hoblit and his brothers. In 1875, they changed the bank into a National Bank, and have since been managing it as such. It has a capital of $50,000, and a surplus of over f 10,000. The Hoblit family has been largely identified with the moneyed institutions of Atlanta, and as the reader will observe in the biography of the family, is among the oldest settlers in this part of the county.

A steady advancement marked the next year, which continued uninterrupted several years. In 1861, an act relating to the advancement of agricultural societies passed the State Legislature, which gave aid to the

Atlanta Union Central Agricultural Society, which held its first meeting' in the fall of 1860. It is one of the best agricultural societies in this portion of Illinois, and since its incorporation has held annually an excellent fair. - -

Not long after this date the war of the rebellion broke out, and a call for troops was the result. The Seventh and Eighth Regiments of Illinois Infantry were each mustered into service the same day, the 25th of Aprils 1861. In the former of these two regiments, Atlanta was well represented. Company E, the first in the state to report for duty at Camp Butler, contained eighty-five men from Atlanta, and Company D had twenty-nine privates, while two companies contained four others. Of the ofBcers in this regiment, seven were from Atlanta. The Thirty-eighth Infantry had sixty men in Company E, three in Company B, and seven commissioned officers. In the One hundred and sixth there were sixtyeight men in Company E, seven scattering, and six officers. The Second Cavalry was furnished with nineteen privates and three officers from Atlanta, and in the Forty-fourth and Sixty-sixth were found quite a number. As the war progressed, these officers were promoted, while their places were filled from the rank of the pi^vates. Of those who enlisted from this town, all but one or two honorably acquitted themselves, and all those who survived the conflict came home with an untarnished record, while in many a southern field, and in many an unknown grave, there sleep in quiet rest the remains of many of these brave men who were willing to lay their lives on their Country's altar in her defense.

The city has at different times suffered disastrously from fire. In 1857, a fire destroyed the Atlanta House, and in 1865, laid in ashes all the buildings between Armington's block and Arch street. This same year another equally disastrous fire destroyed other buildings in the central part of town, at which time the to>frn records were wholly destroyed. At later dates Armington's block, Beath & Hoose's manufactory and planing mill. Dills & Howser's warehouse were destroyed ; and on July T, 1867, Mix & Co.'s hardware store, and other adjacent buildings, suffered a like fate. These losses have taught the citizens a severe lesson. The buildings burned were almost all wooden" structures, which ha^e been replaced by commodious brick houses, which of themselves will serve as an excellent safeguard against this element.

Until 1866, Mr. Harvey Turner was almost the only person who nfaintained that good brick could be made from prairie soil. That year, however, a company representing a capital stock of $2,000 began operations, and continued the* manufacture of brick two years. Among the more prominent buildings erected in that time as monuments of this industry, was the Union Hall block, it being the first of their work. The manufacture is yet -cari-ied on in several places, generally along the creek, or in the edge of the timber.

In 1867, a company was formed for the purpose of sinking a coal shaft. The boring for coal began November 26, and after several attempts reached a good vein of coal, at a depth of two hundred lEind forty-five feet. This is the same vein of coal now mined by the Lincoln Coal Company, and underlies several counties, at a very uniform depth. Had the company continued their operations, a good article of coal would

Public Librart History Op Logan Coiinty

All these years the town had been under the control of the village trustees, five in number. The population had increased to more than a thousand persons, and the advisability of a city government was considered by the citizens. The incorporation act, as a town, was passed by the legislature, February 24, 1855, and on April 2, the first board of trustees was elected. It consisted of the following persons : A. N. Dills,

A. K. Martin, William P. Hunt, William S. Leonard, and Cornelius Lambert. R. T. Gill was chosen president of the board, which met on the 7th, and appointed J. Henry Ball, clerk ; E. H. Dunagan, constable, and H. Armington, street commissioner. This form of government was used until 1869, when a city charter was obtained, on March 8, of that year, and on the 16th the question was submitted to a vote of the people* One hundred and seventy-three votes were cast in favor of a city organization, nineteen against ; seven votes were cast against the city charter^ This still left a majority of one hundred and forty-seven votes in favor of the move. On the 23d of the same month, the election for city officers was held, at which time a Mayor, a City Clerk, a City Marshal, a Treasurer, an Attorney, an Asssessor and Collector, one Justice, a Street Commissioner, and a City Surveyor were elected. As many readers of these pages will desire to see a complete list of the city's officers from that date to this, the list is here given, with each year of servitude.

B. Ransel ; treasurer, L. James ; assessor and collector, S. D. Fisher ; attorney, W. E. Dir,also elected surveyor; street commissioner, J. Frinfrock. Aldermen : First ward, W. P. Hunt ; second, George Esterbrook ; third, E. Stuart.

1870 - Mayor, G. I. Harry ; clerk, Arthur Paullin ; assessor and collector, C. T. Kock ; treasurer, L. James ; street commissioner, Dietrich. Martin; marshal, Charles Blessing. Aldermen: First ward, Andrew Turner ; second, R. A. Super ; third, E. Stuart.

1871 - Mayor, Benjamin Bean ; clerk, Arthur Paullin ; assessor and coUector, G. L. Parker ; street commissioner, Hiram Lawrence ; magistrate, J. Henry Ball; marshal, Charles Blessing. Aldermen: First ward, Seth Turner; second, Thomas Camerer; third, S. D. Fisher.

C. Hoblit ; assessor and collector, S. S. Keigwin ; street commissioner, Hiram Lawrence. Aldermen : First ward, Seth Turner ; second, Frank Hoblit ; third, E. E. Beath.

At the same time the city charter was granted, the school, which had been in the hands of the town authorities, was organized under the state school law, and a board of directors, or inspectors, was elected to take charge of the affairs of the district. This form of management yet prevails, and has done very much toward the present town schools.

Atlanta contains about fifteen hundred inhabitants. The trade of the town is principally with the surrounding farmers, whom the town people furnish the necessaries of life, and in turn are furnished other equally needed necessaries by this class of citizens. The majority of the business houses are of brick, and in them will be seen excellent stocks of goods. There are two mills and two elevators. These latter ship on an average forty car-loads of grain per month, principally to the Chicago market. The Illinois Midland Railroad was completed in the autumn of 1872, and crosses the Chicago & Alton here, giving the town a northern and southern outlet, as well as an eastern and western. Its advantages are certainly of the best, and it only remains for its citizens to improve them to secure one of the best towns in Central Illinois.

The old seminary building was erected early in 1853, when the whole number of houses in town did not exceed twenty. This part of the county was, however, quite populous, and at that time was almost alwavs known as the " Four by Six." It had been obtained from DeWitt County, and contains twenty-four sections, four wide and six in length ; hence the name.

A very good school was maintained in the village from its earliest existence. In February, 1855, the Atlantic Seminary was chartered, and a school of higher order immediately opened. This was still in the old frame building, which occupied the most eligible site in town. The first board of trustees were Samuel Bevan, Samuel Foster, James Tuttle, A. C. Rankin and R. T. Gill. This board had full power to confer academic degrees, erect buildings, purchase land, appoint teachers, regulate the " course of study, etc. It was especially provided that the school, should not be made denominational, and if in the opinion of the board its interests could be advanced by converting it into a town school, the board could do so. The stock in the seminary was divided into shares of twenty dollars each, each share being entitled to one vote, and each stockholder liable to a tax of one dollar per share to pay debts. The firist instructor was Rev. L. Foster. He was succeeded by Messrs, Atkinson and West. In May, 1856, Rev^ W. M. Guilford took charge, and an era of prosperity at once began. The four departments were all occupiecL The course of instraction was comprehensive and thorough, and for t.wo years the school's progress was constants In 1858, it was decided by the board of trustees that the interest of the town children would be better served if the school was placed immediate^ under the control and maintenance of the town. Mr. S. A. Briggs waa chosen principal this year, and had about the same number of assistants heretofore employed. The school was conducted under this management until 1869, when, at the organization of the city government, the school was also organized under the state school law as a graded school. The district Was enlarged to include territory one mile each way from town, and a board of school directors were elected, who assumed entire control of the school. In 1870, the old seminary building was found inadequate for the accommodation of the school population, and measures were adopted to erect a larger building. The old seminary was removed to a corner of the lot, and used until the new one was completed, when it was taken to the farm of Augustus Reise, where it yet remains. The new building is three stories in height above the basement. It contains ten schoolrooms, a spacious hall and an office. The building is surmounted by a tasty cupola, in which a large town clock, having four dials, is placed. These can be seen from any portion of the city, and are a great convenience. The strokes of the clock can be distinctly heard in any part of town. This adornment cost fSOO - raised by contributions. *The contract price of the building was $24,485 ; to this, $500 was afterward added. The entire cost, including the clock and furniture, was $28,500, for which outlay the city of Atlanta has one of the best schools in the county. Nine graduates have finished the complete course here. The present principal is Mr. J. S. Cole.

The present Baptist Church of Atlanta was established in 1830, under the name of the Big Grove Baptist Church, by the Rev. M. Mann and Rev. H. Bowman. There were fourteen members at that time, from whom John Hoblit was chosen deacon, and Samuel Hoblit, clerk. Rev. Bowman was called as pastor, remaining with the congregation six or seven years. In 1839, the society built a house of worship in New Castle, and changed the name to the New Castle Baptist Church. They were then under the charge of Rev. J. D. Newel. From this date until 1855, the pastors were Revs. Johathan Merriam, Joel Hulsey, Lewis Morgan, S. Alwood, H, D. Mason, Z. Hall, and A, S. Dennison. About the close of Rev. Dennison's pastorate, they sold the church ih New Castle, and removed their place of worship to Atlanta, and there assumed there present name. Here they erected a house of worship capable of seating five hundred persons. In June, 1856, they called the Rev. E. J. Thomas, who had charge of the congregation eleven years. In 1872, the church was destroyed by fire, whUe Rev. Cole was pastor. Since that time, they have met for worship in the Congregational church. The present pastor, Rev. J. S. Primm, entered on his duties September 30, 1877.

The Congregational church was formed from the Mt. Hope Church, in 1840. Until 1853, they were served by diflFerent pastors, prominent among whom was Rev. S. Spencer, under whose pastorate the membership was greatly increased. In 1853, Rev. S. Foster was called, and that year the place of worship was removed to Atlanta, where they occupied Seminary Hall until the completion of their church, in 1857. Rev. Drake

The Methodist Church was organized as a class, in the house of John Satoris, in 1854. Thaie were then twenty-three members. The organization was effected under the labors of Rev. James Newbegin, assisted by Rev. John l^reshaw. One year later, the organization was perfected by Revs. Benjamin Bartholow and William McVeigh. James M. ("antral, H. Maltby, Ezra Kenyon, A. J. Ludlow, A. J. Corthon and John Pallady were elected trustees. The erection of a house of worship was at once begun, and dedicated, in 1856 or '57, by Rev. Jonathan Stamper. Since then the following persons hava filled the pulpit of this church as pastors: Revs. Benjamin Bartholow, A. Semple, Preston Wood, G. R. S. McElfresh, A. Semple, James Shaw, C. D. James, John S. Barger, D. W. English, ^T. B. Seymour, C. A. Obenshain, G. W. Bates, J. Miller, and the present pastor, Rev. J. C. Keller. During Rev. James Shaw's pastorate^ the house of worship was badly damaged by fire ; but it has since been repaired, and the congregation is now in a prosperous condition.

The Christain Church was organized, in 1855, .by Rev. George Minier, with twenty-four members. The next year, they erected their present house of worship, the steeple of which becoming unsafe, in 1869^ was torn down that year, and replaced by the present one. Their second pastor was Rev. W. M. Guilford, whose successors have been Revs. Leroy Skelton, John Lindsey, J. W. Monser, Samuel Lowe, T. T. Holton, and the present pastor, R. D. Cotton. The congregation has prospered well all these years, and is now in excellent condition.