Madison County, Illinois - Chapter 14: Ecclesiastical History, 1882 (part 5 of 5)

The Meth-idiat Episcopal Church was organized December, 1827. The original class-book shows that the members of the class were Richard Rau'lle, Rsv. Washingt>n C Ballard, Elizabeth Ballard, Thornhill Ballard, Mary Brooks, Rebecca Atwater, Ji>el Neff", Sarah Wright, Josias Handle, Heiress Baker, Marilda Wilder, Samuel A. Walker, Mary Ballard, Alexander Miller, Aletha Ballard, Agnes H. Ballard, Elizabeth Gibson, Alworth Baker, Mary Adams, William Galligher, William P. Mjlvee, Sarah H. M^Kee, Hail Mason, Grace Mison, Joshua Atwater, Aun M Randle, William Miller, Katherine Miller, Alexander White, Susamiali Kendall, Julia Ann Atwater, Sarah Cotter, Elizabeth Randle, Hosea Armstrong, Samuel McNeal and Roland Ballard. The church membership having increased in 1830, it was determined to build a house of worship. James Mason gave the congregation a lot, on which was erected in 1831, a plain frame building, forty by sixty feet in dimensions. This gave ])lace to the present brick building, which was constructed in 1854.

The Biptist Church was organized at the house of Dr. B. F. Edwards, in 1828. The Rjv. Mr. Bradley was pastor for some time during the early history of the society. The first church building erected by the congregation is now used as an engine-house.

St- Mary's Catholio Church was regilarly organized in 1843, and a frame church edifice erected. Previous to this Catholic services had beeu held in Edwardsville at irregular intervals. The Rev. Mr. Reiss was one of the early pastors. St. Bouit'ace's church, a congregation of Catholic CJerinans, was formed in 1867, and a church building erected that year.

St. Andrew i Pi-otestant EpUeopxl Church was organized in 1841. A commodious frame church building was soon afterward erected, in which services were held for a number of years-

The German MethodUls held religious services in Edwardsville as early as 1847, and it 1860 the congregation at EJrtardsville was made a separate charge.

Incorporation As A Town

A meeting of the citizens of Eviwardsville ivas held on / Saturday, the thir ieth of May, 1837, at the oourt-house, at which a vote was taken on the question of whether or not the town should become an incorporated place, under the general law of 1831. James Wilson was chosen president, and William T. Brown, clerk. Fifty-seven votes were cast in favor of the incorporation, and seven in the negative.

February 10th, 1853, the town was again incorporated by special act of the Legislature, which provided that the corporate powers and duties of said town shall be vested in five trustees who shall be elected on the first Monday in April of each year. This organization existed until Oct. 23d, 1872, when it was organized as a city under the general law.

Indian Treaty At Edwardsville

In early days the Kickapoo Indians visited Edwardsville to obtain their annuities from Ninian Edwards, who then acted as Indian agent. Traces of their camps in the vicinity of the town, and the peculiar marks made by their stripping the bark from trees, were visib'e for many years afterward.

On the sixth of August, 1819, the commissioners on the part of the government of the United States and the chiefs of the Kickapoo tribe, negotiated a treaty by which the United States purchased an extensive tract of land, covering the central part of the state, and estimated to contain ten million of acres, bounded by a line comenciug at the mouth of the Illinois river, and running eastwardly by the old purchase Hue to the line dividing the state of Illinois and Indiana, thence north to the Kankakee river, and thence down said river and the Illinois to the place of beginning. The United commissioners were Benjamin Stephenson and Auguste Chouteau.*

Aktici.e 1. The undersigned chiefs and warriors, for themselves and their said tribe, for and in consideration of the premises and stipulations hereinafter made, do hereby cede and relinquish to the United Slates .forever all their right, interest and title of, in and to the following tracts of land, viz : All their lands on the southeast side of the Wabash river, including the principal village in which their ancestors formerly resided, consisting of a large tract, to which they have had from time immemorial, and now have a just right that they have never heretofore ceded, or otherwise disposed of, in any mannpr whatever, also all the land within the following boundaries, viz: Beginning at the Wabash river at the upper point of their cession, made by the second ariiile of their treaty at Vincennes, on the 9th of December, ISOy, running thence northwestwardly, to the dividing line betNveen the

Early Manuf.Vcturing Enterprises

The first step in the way of manufacturing enterprises in Edwardsville was the old water mill of Thomas Kirkpatrick. This mill passed into the hands of Paris Mason, who carried it on for some years till the floods in the Cahokia caused such frequent damage that its maintenance was no longer profitable. About the year 1818 Josias Randle, the first county clerk of Madison county, con.structed an ox mill near his residence which, after his death, was carried on by Josiah states of Illinois and Indiana, thence along said line to the Kankakee river, thence with said river to the Illinois river, thence down the latter to its mouth, thence with a direct line, to the northwest corner of the Vincennes tract, as recognized in the treaty with the Piankeshaw tribes of Indians at Vincennes, on the the 3')th of December, ISOo, and thence with the western and northern boundaries of the cessions heretofore made by the said Kickapoo tribe of Indians, to the beginning of which last described tract of Laud the said Kickapoo tribe claim a large portion by descent from their ancestors, and the balance by conquest from the Illinois Nation, and uninterrupted jiossession for more than a half century.

Article 2. The said tribe hereby confirm all their former treati&s with the United States, and relinquish to them all claim to every portion of thi^ir lands which may have been ceded by any other tribe or tribes, and all and every demmd which they might have had in consequence of the second article of the treaty made with the PottHWattomie Nation of Indians at St. Mary's on the 2d of Oct. 1818 (proclaimed Jan. 15th, 1819).

Article 3. The said tribe acknowledge themselves now to be, and promise to continue, under the protection of the United Statts of America, and of no other nation, power or sovereign whatever.

Article 5. The United States in lieu of all former stipulations, and in consideration of the ce.ssions of land heretofore made by the said tribe, promise to pay them, at their town on the waters of the Osage river, two thousiind dollars in silver, annually, for fifteen successive years.

Article 7. The United States promise to guarantee to the said tribe the peaceable possession of the tract of land hereby ceded to them and to restrain and prevent all white persons fiom hunting, settling, or otherwise intruding upon it. But any citizen or citizens of the United States being lawfully authorized for that purpose, .shall be permitted to pass and repass through said tract, and to navigate the waters thereof, without any hinderance, toll or exaction from the said tribe.

Article S. For the purpose of facilitating the removal of the said tribe to the tract of land hereby ceded to them, the United Slates will furnish them with two boats, well manned to transport their property from anv point they may designate on the Illinois river, and some judicious citizen shall be selected to accompany them in their passage through the white settlements to their intended residence.

Article 9. The United States will take the said Kickapoo tribe under their care and patronage, and will afibrd them protection against all persons whatever provided they conform to the laws of the United States, and refrain from making war or giving any insult or ofiense to any other Indian tribe, or to any foreign nation, without having obtained the approbation and consent of the Uuited States.

Article 10. Thesiid tribe, in addition to their above cession, do hereby cede and relinquish to the United States generally and without reservation all other tracts of land to which they may liave any right or title on the left .side of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. Proclaimed January 13th, 1821.

Na'Abash Deipot

Randle, and afterwards by George D. and John II. Randle. The Messrs. Randle, wiih their father in-law, Aaron Arnold, turned this ox mill into a steam mill about the year 18o2. This was the first steam mill in Edwardsville, and it stood on the lot in rear of the present residence of W R. Brink. It was destroyed by fire soon after being placed in operation.

The castor oil mill of John Adams was carried on successfully for several years. It was established in 1825. That year he made five hundred gallons of oil, which sold at two dollars and a half a gallon. The next year the product had increased to eight hundred gallons, and the price had fallen to a dollar and a half In 1827, one thousand gallons were manufactured, and sold at a dollar and twenty-five cents a gallon, and in 1828, eighteen hundred gallons, which only brought a dollar a gallon. In 1829, a little more than five hundred gallons were made, and in 1830 the production arose to ten thousand gallons. One bushel of the ca.«tor bean yielded about seven quarts and a half pint of oil. For the beans, about seventy-five cents per bushel was paid. Before starting his oil mill, Mr. Adams had encted a fulling mill on the Cahokia, which was placed in operation in 182:!. For several years this was conducted under the management of George W. Putnam.

The Edwardsville Steam Mill Company was organized in 1839. J. C. Dagger was president of the company. All the stock came subsequently into the possession of George W. rhillips, who operated it for a number of years.

Edwardsville Industries, Maxuf.Vctures, Etc

Edwardsville Mill and Elevator. - This industry was established by Kehlor Brothers in the spring of 1^79, and is located on Main street, about three blocks north of the courthouse. The mill is a brick building, four stories high with a basement. Its size on the ground is 45 x 82 feet- The machinery consists of the latest improved roller process, 33 pairs of rolls and 3 burrs, with a capacity of manufacturing 600 barrels of flour in twenty-four hours. This product is shipped to diflerent parts of the United States and Europe. The elevator is 45x60 feet, and 60 feet in height, and has the capacity of elevating 10,000 bushels of wheat daily, and a storing capacity of IIO.OOK bushels. It is constructed in regular elevator style, and every grain bin is hoppered. The machinery for distributing grain to all parts of the elevator and for changing from bin to bin, is complete. The bran bin is 20 x 35 feet, and 50 feet in height. The elevator building is iron-clad, the better to protect it from fire, and the grain from the driving storms. A warehouse is detached, 100 X 104 feet in size, and capable of storing 7,0(10 barrels of flour. The engine room is constructed of brick, and in aize is 28x66} feet. The engine is of the Harriss-Corliss make, 3'iO-horse power, and said to be one of the best of its size in the State. The boilers are four in nundier and constructed of steel, being four feet in diameter and twenty-four feet in length. By this enterprise, about sixty men are given constant employment. This includes the cooperage necessary to the busines.s. The estimated capital invested is .$150,000.

Schwarz, about one-half mile from the city limits. The manufacture of sugar anil syrup from Northern grown sugar-cane, is a question which has for several years engrossed the attention of some of the best scientists, and most enterprising manufacturers, as well as the more advanced farmers of the North. It is an industry, which as yet is in its infancy, and has not, until within the last year or two, leceived even a small per cent, of the encouragement due it. The first sugar-cane grown in this vicinity was by Mr. Schwarz, a member of the above company. This was in 1857, since which time he has made its culture, etc , a careful study. In 1880, under the firm name of Belcher & Schwarz, a co-partnership was formed, and the preparation for manufacturing the cane into sugar was commenced. The season of 18?'0 was a very disastrous one, and no attempt was made to make sugar, other than in an experimental way, although 6000 gallons of syrup were manufactured, from which the com|)any realized a good profit. In 1881, for the purpose of inducing more of the farmers to become interested in the cultivation of cane the firm organized a stock company under the name of ' The Oak Hill Refining Company of Edwardsville,' with a capital stock of §5.000. The first election of directors and officers was held in the summer of 1881, when the following directors were chosen : Geo- C. W. Belcher, St. Louis; C. F. Mdler, Dundas, Minn.; C. M. Schwarz, B R. Burroughs, and F. K. Gillespie of Edwardsville. Ofiicers: Geo C. W. Belcher, President, B. R. Burroughs, Vice-President, C M. Schwarz, Secretary and Treasurer.

The season of 1881 was also a poor year for the cane crop, yet 4,000 gallons of syrup were marketed at home, finding a ready sale. This season, 1882, promises well, and there is a large acreage of the product planted. These works have been greatly improved, and their capacity largely increa.sed by new machinery since last year. The present cap city is about 800 gallons of syrup daily- If the company is properly encouraged by the farmers of this vicinity, it is their intention to erect an extensive establishment near the junction of the W. St. L. and P. and the P. C and St. L. railways.

Carriage Mawfaciory, Springer & Brothers, Proprietors. This factory is situated on the north side of Vandalia street, one block south of the public sipiare, and was established by H.J. Springer in the spring of 1870, but is now conducted in the firm name above given. The business occupies a brick building two stories high, and 30 by 65 feet on the ground ; also, a two story frame attached, 50 by 30 feet. The latter is utilized for a painting and trimming room, and repository for manufactured carriages. The machinery is driven by a four horse-power steam engine, and the manufactured product is about fifty carriages annually. The business gives employment to eight men. C nnected with the same building is the firm of Gillespie & Springer, engaged in the manufacture of patent thill couplings. One of the firm of this establishment, F. J. Springer, is exclusively interested in the manufacture of a patent "ea.sy riding spring."

January following. It is a frame building, 40x50 feet, including I)oiIer-rooni, two stories high, and cost over $5,000. It contains two run of burrs, and has a capacity of grinding thirty-five barrels of tlour daily, giving eui|)loyraeut lo three men. The machinery is driven by a thirty horsepower engine. The mill is situated on Second, near Union street. It is constructed for both a custom and merchant mill, and has the facilities of mauufacturiug the patent process flour.

Carriage, Wagon and Machine Shop. - This shop is situ. ated on the corner of Vandalia and St. Louis streets. It was built in the spring of 1874 by Michael Desmond, the present proprietor, who has been engaged in the business in the city since 18G4. The building is a frame, two stories, and 60x30 feet iu dimensions. The business is mainly confined to the repairing of machinery and general work. A building, 40x30 feet, is connected with the shop, for the pnr[)Ose of doing the wood-work of the establishment. Eight men are given employment. It is run by steampower.

Cooper SJiops, owned and conducted by Martin Dippold and located on the southwest side of the railroad, on St. Louis street, near the Wabash, St L. & P. depot. There is a branch shop situated in lower town. The business was established several years ago, with the purpose of furnishing the Edwardsville flouring mills with barrels to ship their flour. Thirty-eight men are employed, and about 80,000 barrels are manufactured annually.

- Wagon and Cxrriage Man ufi dory, established by Weber & Sou, in the spring of 1873, is locatedvon Vandalia street, about two blocks southeast of the court-house. The elder member of the firm has been engaged in the business in Edwardsville since 1854 The present building is a frame, 50x80 feet, and two stories high. A one-story frame attachment, 45x50 feet, belongs to the shop, and is utilized for storing wood-work, lumber, etc. Some seasons of the year from ten to twelve men are employed. The wok is all hand made.

Star Flouring Mills, Jacob Dunstedter pr^prit tor. This mill was erected in the summer of 1866, at a cost of $15,000 and is situated ou Second street, near the railroad. It is a frame building, three stories high and a basement, with 54 feet frontage, and is constructed in the form of an L. The main building is 45x54 feet, and the engine-room 30x42 feet. It has four run of .stone, and a capacity of manufacturing 125 barrels in twenty-four hours, and has six men in its employ; the engine is fifty horse-jjower. This is purely a merchant mill, and ships its flour both to the East and the West. Mr. Dunstedter is a practical machinist, and was the first to run a steam-thresher in Madison county.

Ma'lixon Conuty Marble Works are situated on Main street, opposite the court house. These works were established by G. J. Starmer in the spring of 1880. This industry gives employment to four men. The building is a small frame, one story, with a workshop in the rear of salesroom.

Cigar Manvfadory, F. Begeraanu, proprietor, established in 1867, and located on Main street, east of the scjuare. This factory manufactures annually 250,000 cigars, and employs five persons. All goods are hand-made auJ sold at various points in the state.

Soda Fad'ty, owned and operated by Frank- Harles, situated on Main street, one block south of the court-house square. Mr. H. commenced business in the spring of 1671. The capacity for manufacturing is from three to four thousand boxes of soda-water per annum. Mr. Harles also supplies the city with ice.

Wolf Brothers' Coal Mine. - This shaft is situated in the southwest quai'ter of the southeast quarter of section 11, about one-half mile southeast of Court-House Square. It was sunk by the above firm iu the summer of 1879, with a capital investment of $20,000. Its depth is 217 feet to the surfice of the coal, and the vein averages six and onehalf feet. The coal is of the finest quality found in this part of the state. When the mine is worked to its full capacity, 7,000 bushels of coal are raised daily, and it requires 150 men to operate it. The amount for wages paid out per mouth, when in full blast, is $7,800. An engine of forty horse-power is employed in raising the coal. This firm is engaged in sinking another shafc on the Narrow Gauge railway.

St. Louis and Edwardsville Coal Compiany, J. S. Trares, President. This mine is located on section 10, on the City branch of the W. St. L & P. railroad. The shaft was sunk by Tunstell & Holmes, in 1868 or 1869. About ten years later it was purchased by John A. Prickett, and was leased by the above company in the fall of 1881 for the term of twenty years. The depth of the shaft is 125 feet, and the coal vein averages seven feet, When fully worked, it will mine 2,800 bushels of coal daily. The coal is raised by steam-power.

Schramek Coal Mine was opened by Frank Schraraek in the spring of 1879, and is located on the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railway, on Union street. Its depth is 65 feet, and the coal vein averages six and one-half feet. The capital invested is $0,000. In the busy season, twenty-five men are employed, and will mine 200,000 bushels of coal within the year. The main shipments are made to St Louis. A OO-horse power engine is employed to lift the coal.

Another shaft, owned by Mrs. Smidt, is situated near the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Depot. This mine was opened by Henry Hitter about 1857, and came into the possession of Mrs. Smidt in 1877. Coal is reached at the depth of 96 feet, and the vein is five feet. Ten workmen are usually employed in this shaft, and mine from five to six hundred bushels of coal per day. Horse power is utilized in hoisting the coal.

Hellrung's Brick Yard. - This industry, established about 1850, by D. Brown, passed into the hands of Louis Klinger in 1860, and was purchased by the present proprietor in 1867. It is situated about a quarter of a mile northeast from the public square. It contains but one kiln, and annually turns out about 170,000 bricks, giving employment to three men. The bricks are hand made.

the South side of the railroinl track, above the Wabash depot. It was built in the fail of 1876 by the above corapauy. It is a frame building, -0x40 feet, aud inachiuery room attached, 12x20 feet, aud has the capacity of eltvating 5,000 bushels of corn per day, and will store 7,000 bushels.

Machine Shop, Edward Naeher, proprietor. This business was commenced by the above in 1871 ; and in 1873 a foundry was run in connection with the shop, but it proved a non-paying investment, aud was therefore abandoned. In 1878 a saw mill was attached, but it was removed to the country a short time since. The building is located on .Second street, a little souli and east of the Star Flouring Mills ; it is a frame, two stories, and its entire size, with attachments, is 60x35 feet The business consists in general repair work, and, when in active operation, gives employment to several hands.

Elevator, owned by M. B. Sherman, is situated on the Edwardsville Mill Switch.southwest of the big flouring mill. It was built in the spring of 1875, and has a capacity of shelling aud elevating 2,500 bushels of corn daily, and has a storage capacity of 6,000 bushels.

Brick Yards - William Bardelraeier, proprietor. These works were established in 1876, and are located in Wheeler's addition, about one-fourth mile east of Court-hou.se Square. Two kilns are kept in operation, aud manufacture about 300,000 bricks yearly, giving employment to six men.

In the same part of the city, near the above, is situated the brick yard of Jacob Hettergott, consisting of one kiln. It went into operation in the spring of 1881. Four men are engaged in running the yard, and 200,000 bricks are moulded within the season.

Crocker'.^ Vegetable Gardens. - This industry was established by C. W. Crocker in the spring of 1864, and is located in out-lot 51, in Upper Edwardsville. The grounds occupy eight acres, and are furnished with four hot-houses and other conveniences suitable to the business. All kinds of plants and vegetables peculiar to the climate and markets are cultivated. Shipments are made to Chicago, St. Louis, Decatur, Litchfield, and other towns. In the busy season, five hands are given employment.

Edwardsville Fire Company, Xo 1. - This company was organized Feb. 7th, 1874, consisting of hose, hook and ladder, and engine departments. The first officers of the hose company were Fred. Sochlke, captain ; and Joseph Hentz, assistant. Hook and ladder : Arnold Schultz, captain ; and Albert V. d. Broeck, assistant. All the members belong to the engine department, of whom William Friday was the first chief, and Charles Silze, assistant. The company is well uniformed, and under efficient drill to do good service in case of fire. In this, however, the city has been very fortunate, scarcely giving the fire company since its organization the privilege of proving their efficiency.

Company F , I5th Batfalion, I. N. G. was organized June 15th, 1878, by Lieut. Col James T. Cooper, of Alton, commanding the Battalion and mustering officer. Forty-three men were enrolled, and the following officers chosen : John T Fahnestock, Captain ; Cyrus Happy, 1st Lieutenant ; Clay H. Lynch, 2d Lieutenant. The following non-commissioned officers were then appointed : Orderly Sergeant, Geo Richmond ; 2d Sergeant, Will. R. Crossman ; 3d Sergeant, Thomas J. Morton ; 4th Sergeant, James E. Tunuell ; 5th Sergeaut, John J. Parker, Jr. ; Corporals, M. Desmond, D. A. Lynch, Jule L Prickett, aud James B. Dale; Musicians, O. E. Wolf, and E. I'hillips Additions were made to the company at different times until the number reached 53. August 30th, 1881, new officers were elected, being as follows : John T Fahnestock, Captain ; Thomas W. Springer, 1st Lieutenant; and Eugene Wahl, 2d Lieutenaiit. On account of the resignation of Geo. Richmond, Orderly Sergeant, the other sergeants were advanced one position higher. Will. L. Crossman filling office of Orderly.

The company is in excellent condition, being well uniformed and equipped with Springfield breech -loading rifles. Their drill is among the best, and they have been highly complimented by the different inspecting officers.

Edwardsville Public Library was organized in the spring of 1879, with proper officers to conduct the a.ssociation. This enterj)rise is due to the efforts of several of the ladies of Edwardsville. The association commenced with twelve lady members, and the library consisted of 300 volumes The membeiship has increased to about 100, and ihe library has reached upward of 900 volumes. The literature consists of standard works of travel, biographies of eminent men, authors, etc., histories, and the leading works of fiction. A matriculation fee of $2 per annum is required to become a member of the association. For the last year the library has been self-sustaining. The rooms are open every Saturday afternoon and evening.

Bank of West iC- Prickett is situated in No. 2 Purcell street, and was established the 1st of January, 1808, with abundant capital to conduct a safe banking business. It is supplied with Hall's burglar-proof safe, with time lock, and the best fire proof vault.

J. A- Prickett (t- Sons, Bankers. - This bank was chartered under the title of Farmers' Exchange and Loan Company, on the 2Uh of March, 1867. The minimum capital was $25,000, aud limited to 8500,000. Although organized at the time above stated, the bank did not open for business until in October, 1869. April 20th, 1881, it assumed the name of J. A. Prickett & Sons, in whose hands it is now efficiently managed. It is located in No. 3 Main street It has Hall's burglar-proof safe, time lock, and fire-proof vaults.

There are three live, enterprising newspapers published here weekly, the Edwardsville Republican, Edioardsville Intelligencer, and the Edwardsville Democrat.

Park. - This is situated in Todd's and others' addition, " Upper Edwardsville," and between Buchanan and Kansas streets extending north and south. It contains one block, and was left vacant for the purpose in time, to fit it up for a park or place of leisure resort Within the last few years it has been improved by grading and planting it with beautiful shade trees. Good walks extend through the grounds, and we are informed that it is the intention of the city authorities, at some future period, to arrange it in regular park style.

Edivardsville Gun Club was organized May 16th, 1879, with but a few members, but it has increased in numbers until it now has thirty, is in a prosperous con(lition,_and owns all the paraphernalia of a first-class gun club, consisting of tents, traps, etc. Some fine shots belong to the club, and some of the finest guns in the state of Illinois are owned by its members. Its first officers were, W. E. Wheeler, President; E. B. Glass, Vice President; Herman Ritter, Secretary ; J. R Brown, Treasurer. The Board of Managers was composed of H. E. Bayle and F. Mumme, in con- , nection with the other officers. Its constitution states the object of the club, as follows : " The object of the club shall be the establishment of Trap Shooting matches between its members, and the encouragement of all things tending to social and gentle manly intercourse between its members, and also for the preservation of game and fish in the State of Illinois."

St- James' Hotel, Hugh Kirkpatrick, proprietor This hotel was erected in 187,5, by the above, and is situated on Main street about one-half square from the court-house. It cost, including grounds and furniture, S20,000. It is a fine brick structure, three stories high and basement, with Mansard roof^nd has a frontage of 66 feet, with a depth of 90 feet. The architecture is of the modern style, and the arrangement of rooms, etc., is of the most convenient order. It has the capacity of accommodating seventy-five guests; is supplied with two sample-room.*, a commodious office, and a dining room si-fficient in size to accommodate its guests, and is indeed an ornament to the city of Edwardsville.

Hoffman House, kept by A. Hoffman, is a good, commodious brick hotel, situated on Main street, fronting the Court-house Square, and is a popular house. It has been recently enlarged, and is being otherwise improved.

There are five other hotels in the city, including the house at the Wabash depot: Bernreuther Bowse, kept by David Bernrtuther ; Broadway House, Henry Daube, pro prietor ; Wabaxh Hotel, kept by Mrs. Anna Swarz ; Union House, Fritz Gubritz, landlord ; and the Railway House, kept by William Storig. The latter is situated at Edwardsville Junction.

Schools. - The city contains two public schools (one colored), and three parochial schools. In this connection, we shall speak at length only of the present schools and SL-hool buildings of the city. The question of building a school-house suitable to the wants of the large number of pupils of the town, was mooted in the year 1859. A vote was taken for and against the proposition of borrowing $9,000 to erect a building that the times demanded. The vote was in favor of raising the necessary means. A site was chosen and a plan of the house prepared, but the sum voted was too small for its erection. The plan was submitted to the people, who adopted it, and authorized a loan to be made, sufficient to cover the expenses of the same. The cost of lot and buildings was about §14,000. The house is a substantial brick structure, three stories high and basement. Nine teachers are employed, beside the principal, and it has an attendance of between five and six hundred pupils. At this writing, the school is under the efficient management of Prof I. H. Brown, aided by a competent corps of teachers, who have succeeded in placing it among the best graded schools of the state.

Wood Lawn Cemetery. - This is one of the finest kept grounds in western Illinois. It was incorporated August 19th, 1871, with the following as members of the association: John C. Burroughs, Michael G. Dale, William E. Wheeler, Joseph Pogue, William H. Jones, David Gillespie, F. A. Wolf, John A. Prickett, and Andrew W. Metcalf The ground comprises fifteen acres, and is situated one mile west of the Court-house Square. The first interment was made July 8th, 1872. The number of adult persons buried hereat this writing is 108; children, 192; colored, 28 ; total, 328. Only about one-half of the above number were the deceased of the city of Edwardsville. This would indicate that the town is situated in a healthy locality, as the number of deaths is comparatively small for one decade.

There are two other cemeteries in the city, the Catholic, and the first place of interment used before the laying out of Wood Lawn. The latter is now abandoned for burial purposes, and is fast going to ruin and decay-

The city also contains nine ehurches, the histories of which will be found in the Eccles-iastical chapter. The newspapers have a special chapter ; hence, for their rise and progress, see Chapter on the Press.

Edwardsville Lodr/e, A^o. 99, A. F. and A. M , was chartered the 6th day of October, 18-51, with eight charier members. The total number enrolled since organization is 183 ; present membership, 100. The lodge meets in Masonic Hall (Wolfs buildings), on Main street, the first and third Thursdays in each month. The society has an excelleut lodge room, and all the facilities to do good work.

The charter members were: Dr. John H. Weir, H. K. Eaton, Matthew Gillespie, John A. Prickett, David Gillespie, James S. Jett, William Glass, and Thomas O. Springer. Of the above named, only two are now living, John A. Prickett and Thomas O. Springer.

Edwardsville Chajiter, No. 146, R. A. M., was chartered October 6th, 1871. Instituted November 20, A. D. 1871, A. L. 5881, with twenty-two charter members. First officers, Samuel V- Crossman, High Priest ; John A. Weir King; Wesley R. Graves, Scribe. Present membership, 40. The chapter meets in Masonic Hall (Wolfs building), Saturday, on or before the full moon in each month.

'Caractactis Lodge, No. 72, K. of P. - This Lodge was instituted May 30th, 1877, with 13 members. It received its charter from the Grand Lodge, October 16th, 1878. Its present membership is 25. Withdrawal cards have been issued to 11 members since organization. The Lodge meet in Odd Fellows' Hall each alternate Wednesday evening During the first year of its organization the Lodge was oblio-ed to borrow money for necessary wardrobe, etc. but it is now out of debt, and is a live working society ceinber 27th, 1848, and instituted January 12th, 1849. There were but five chartered members. Present membership, 90. The Lodge is in excellent financial condition, having in real estate, and moneys due, upwards of 85,000.

IJdwdrdsville Encampment, No. 119, I. O. O. F., was chartered October 10th, 1871, with a membership of eleven. The present membership is 28. It is in good working order, and its members stand high in the estimation of the community.

Bohemian Roman Cafliolic Benerolenf Society of St. J. of N. This society was incorporated August 19ih, 1880, with 14 chartered members. Its present membership is 15. Its time of meeting is the first Sunday in each month at the Catholic church on Main street. The Lodge is free from debt, and has several hundred dollars in the treasury.

Frank/in Grove, No 22, A. O. D. Chartered May 5th, 1869, with seven members, and at this time has increased to 56. The Lodge meets at their hall on Main street everyt Wednesday uight. The society is in excellent condition financiallj', owning their hall, which with other property is valued at 82,200.

Edwardsville Turnverein, was organized in the spring of 1858, and discontinued in 1860. Was reorganized the 10th of July, 1868, commencing with 14 members. Present memliership is 50, The society has bought lots on Main stretrt, upon w^hich a hall is to be erected, costing four or five thousand dollars. The society meets the first .Saturday in each month.

Tuscan Lodge, No. 1798, G. U. 0 of O. F., (Colored). This Lodge was organized May 7th, 1877. The Lodge is in good working order. Is situated on Main street, First ward.

Among the earliest pioneer settlers in Edwardsville township were Charles Gillham, and his two sisters, Marj' and Margaret, with their husbands, Thomas Good and Bryant Mooney, who, with their families, emigrated from Georgia to this state in 1803. Charles Gillham pre-empted what is known as the Phillips' farm, on section 13, about two miles south of Edwardsville. After living there some years, he sold his claim to John and Beniah Robinson, and removed to Hurricane Creek, iu Bond county. He died in Iowa, at an advanced age. His wife also lived to a verj' old age. He was a son of Ezekiel Gillliam, who settled iu Georgia, and a grandson of the original Thomas Gillham and his first wife, of Virginia. Charles Gillham and his two sisters, above mentioned, were the only children of Ezekiel Gillham, who settled in Illinois. Thomas Good settled on section 23, on the farm now owned by W. R. Prickett. He reared a large family, and many of his descendants are yet residents of the state. He and his wife remained on this place until their death. His youngest son, H. Davidson Good, lived on the old place a number of years, was deputy sheriff under William E. Wheeler, and died near Marine at an old age. Bryant Mooney located in the same neighborhood, and gave name to Mooney's branches, two small streams in that vicinity. He afterward moved and located near Greenville, in Bond county.

Another of the oldest farms is the Shaeffer place, in section fifteen, two miles and a half southwest of Edwardsville. This was pre-empted by John T. Lusk soon after 180.5. He was then unmarried, and an aunt, Mrs. Sally Sams kept house for him. In 18G9 he married Lucretia Gillham, daughter of Charles Gillham ; she was born in Georgia, January 11, 1793. He afterward sold his improvement, southwest of Edwardsville, to John W. Wright, and moved to what has since been known as the Fair Grounds. Here he lived in a tent till a cabin could be erected. The double log cabin which he built stood for many years on the Fair Grounds, and in it was born Alfred Lusk, who was said to have been the first white child born in township four, range eight. After his removal into Edwardsville, where he became the proprietor of the first hotel iu the place, Mr. Lusk continued for some time to cultivate this farm.

In the year 1811, an important accession to the population in the vicinity of the present town of Edwardsville was made by the arrival of the Wright, Randle, and Bell families. Leaving Georgia in September of that year, these families reached Turkey Hill, near Belleville, in St. Clair county, on the 17th of October, and, after remaining there a few days, came to Madisou county. John W. Wright purchased, as above stated, what is now known as the Shaeffer place, two miles and a half southeast of Edwardsville, and lived there till his death. His three oldest sons were in Captain Bolen Whiteside's Company of Rangers during the warof 1812-'14.

Josias Randle settled the place where the family of the late Judge David Gillespie now resides. He was born in Virginia. He became the first clerk of the county court, after the organization of Madison couuty. He built an oxraill near his residence in 1818. He had four sous. Barton, Richard, Peter, aud Josias. Barton was a minister in the Methodist Church, and died in 1882. Richard became also a ^Methodist minister, and is still living. Peter practiced medicine at Edwardsville and Alton, and moved to California. He was a surgeon in the Army of the Potomac during the war of the rebellion, and president of a medical college in San Francisco. Josias adopted the legal profession, and, after achieving success as a lawyer, died of the j After the death of Josias Randle, his nephew, Josiah Randle, became the owner of his place of residence, and continued for some time to operate the ox-mill.

In the fall of 1814, Mrs. Randle, the mother of Irwin B. Randle, of Edwardsville, reached the county from Tennessee, with a family of eight children, of whom six were boys. The youngest was Irwin B Randle, then three years old. Their father died in Tennessee. The next year the family settled on the northwest quarter of section thirteen, of Ed- j time of each other, in 18.53 and 18.54. George D. Randle is now a resident of Mason city. Parham and Henry L. Randle returned to Kentucky, the former in 1827 and the i later in 1829. Temperance, one of the daughters, married Thornton Peoples, one of the early residents of Edwardsville, who removed to St. Clair county. Lucy became the wife of John Dew, one of the pioneer Methodist ministers of Illinois.

Vfour, was one of the pioneer surveyors of the county. He removed to Oregon. On the farm of Thomas Good, two miles south of Edwardsville, the early camp-meetings were held. His wife was an earnest Methodist. William Gilli ham made the improvements on the northwest quarter of section twenty-four. The farm is the one now owned by Herman Giese. Jeptha Lampkin was an early settler on the northeast quarter of section twenty-four, and Robert Holliday on the northwest quarter of section twenty-five, and Robert McKee on the southwest quarter of section twenty-four. George Barnsback, in the spring of 1810, settled on section twenty-five. He was born in Osterode, Germany, in 1781, and emigrated to the United States in 1797, and shortly afterward went to Kentucky. He came to Illinois in 1S09. He served for two years in the ranging service during the war of 1812-'14. From 1825 to 1831 he was a resident of St. Francois county, Missouri, and then returned to his old home in Edwardsville township.

George Kinder, one of the early settlers in the southeast part of the township, was a native of Pennsylvania. The family moved at an early day to Kentucky where his father, Jacob Kinder, was killed by the Indians. He came to what is now Madison county, in October, 1811, aud settled on the northeast quarter of section thirty-six, on land now owned by Nelson Montgomery. He died on this farm. Of his nine children two were born in Kentucky previous to the coming of the family to this State ; six children reside in Madison county : Capt. Jacob J. Kinder, Jane R., who married Robert Holliday, Robert H., George W. Kinder, Mrs. Mary A. Jarvis, and Eleanor, the wife of Nelson Montgomery. James Holliday, who came to this State from Georgia, settled in section thirty-four previous to 1811. His only child, Robert Holliday, was a man of conservative disposition. Although the owner of seven hundred acres of land in this county, he moved to the poorest part of Macoupin county where he purchased land, and died. Franklin Roach (whose projier name is said to have been Fields,) and who was a soldier under Gen. Marion in the war of the Revolution, made the first improvement on the farm now owned by Capt. Jacob J. Kinder in section thirty-six. He was a native of South Carolina. His son, David Roach, served with the rangei-s in the war of 1812, and with the money he received for his services, purchased the quarter section on which Capt. Kinder's house is built. The Roach family moved to the neighborhood of Worden where the older members died.

In the northwest part of the township, Ambrose and David Nix were among the pioneer settlers. Ambrose Nix made the first improvements on the farm now owned by William ^\. Lee in section thirty-two. Lee married one of his daughters. David Nix settled the place where the Edwardsville road comes down from the bluff. The house in which he lived and died is still standing. Nix's Ford, a well known place in the early history of the county, was half a mile northwest of David Nix's house. The ford was free from quicksands, and the best on the Cahokia. Jacob Varner .settled north of Nix's on land now owned by Henry F. Brockmeyer. Abraham and Joel Varner were sons of Jacob. Capt Bolen Whiteside lived under the bluff' in section seventeen.

David Gillespie, the father of Matthew and Joseph, removed with his family and settled near Edwardsville in the early part of the year 1819, and resided here until the summer of 1827, when he went to the Galena lead mines He returned in the fall of 1828, and located in the American bottom or rather under the bluff where he purchased the farm that was settled by Henry Cook in early times. He resided there until 1834, when he removed to Grant county, Wisconsin, where he died at a ripe old age. His wife had previously died in 1831, at the farm above mentioned.

John Barber, who became a resident of the township about 1825, taught school for several years in a log schoolhouse near his residence, three miles south of Edwardsville. The school-house stood in the middle of the Troy road, north of what is now known as the McKee place. Barber was a well educated man, who understood the Latin and Greek languages, and was considered an excellent teacher. His school drew to it pupils from Edwardsville.

George Coventry came to the county in 1813. He was a millwright by trade, and built a water-mill in what is known as the Tan Yard branch. This mill was in existence some years, and traces of the old mill-race may still be seen. The mill was about a quarter of a mile distant from the fair grounds. J. W. Coventry, who for several years has been postmaster in Edwardsville, is a son of his,'and came with his father to this county in 1813. The branch received its name from the tan-yard which once existed at its head. This tanyard was started by Benjamin Steadman, who sold it to Richard Randle, and he to Tilghman H. West and William P. McKee. West and McKee rented the place to Solomon Harkey. In January, 1833, it was rented by C. W. Crocker. The yard was little used after 1840. It was placed in operation as early as 1816 or 1817, and was a noted place in pioneer days.

On the Cahokia, in section 8, just above the mouth of Indian creek, a mill was built at an early day, but was never placed in operation. Some of the rock used in its construction is still visible. Though the mill was never put to any use, it was productive of a law suit which found its way to the supreme court of the state.

On the spot now occupied by the residence of Nelson Montgomery, in section 2-5, an ox-mill once stood. Its construction was changed, and attachments made with the idea of propelling it by wind. It did not operate successfully, however, and the structure was suffered to fall into decay. Daniel Tolman was the projector of this enterprise.

One of the earliest Methodist churches in the West was the Bethel Methodist church, two miles and a half southwest of Edwardsville. It was built in 1805. About the year 1817 a church was built at Ebenezer, now called Centre Grove. The old Ebenezer church was attended for some years by the people of Edwardsville, there being no churches or religious organizations in that town for some time previous to 1828. At the old Ebenezer school-house Hiram Rountree was one of the earliest and best teachers. He taught two years, and his school consisted of eighty pupils.

The earliest entries of land in town.ship 4, range 8, were made in 1814. On the 20th of August of that year William Ottwell entered 160 acres in section 4. On the 13th of September Thomas Kirkpatrick secured patents for two tracts in section 2, one containing 102 and the other 10 acres. On the same date John T. Lusk entered 830 acres in section 3. Both Lusk and Kirkpatrick made additional entries during the balance of the year. Michael Dodd also, on the 13th of September, entered 317 acres in section 5. Two weeks afterward John Robinson entered one hundred and twenty-five acres in section two. Entries of land were also made in 1814 by Nicholas Jarrot, George Davidson, George Sanders, R. G Gillham, Samuel Delaplain, James Greenwood, Benjamin Steadman, Josiah Randle, Josias Wright, Daniel Brown, Robert Reynolds, John McKinney, Thomas Randle, Tiiomas and John Good, Charles Gillham, George Barusback, James Holliday, Robert Gillespie, Jacob Trout, George Belsha, John Nix and George Hubbert.

The following named gentlemen have represented this township in the county board of supervisors: John A. Prickett elected in 1876 and re-elected in 1877, being chosen chairman of the board both terms; Jacob W. Terry, elected in 1878, and by re-election .served until 1881, when William H. Cotter and Henry Brockmeier were elected, Mr. Cotter being re-elected in 1882, with George W. Kinder as assistant.