McDonough County, Illinois - Chapter 44: Bushnell, 1878

Chapter 44: Bushnell

The thriving city of Bushnell is most beautifully situated, and aurroutided by the fiuest country in the Military Tract. In 1854, before the completion of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, John D. Hail, of Macomb, sold a two-third interest in the northeast quarter of section 33, 7 n., 1 w., to D. P. Wells and Iverson L. Twyman, also of the city of Macomb, and the three together determined on the establishment of a town on that site. William H, Rile, Esq., then County Surveyor, under the direction of Messrs. Hail, Twyman and Wells, laid off' the town, running the streets parallel with the railroad, which had then been graded through the proposed site, and which extended across the quarter, entering thirty-live chains south ol the southwest corner, and passing out the same number of chains north of the northeast quarter. The quarter was divided into forty-eight blocks of twelve lots each, the blocks being 360 feet square. Two streets, running parallel with the railroad, one on either side, were made seventy feet wide, and all others sixty.

The first public sale of lots was made in May, 1854. About seventy lots were sold, realizing about $6,000, the prices varying from |30 to $120 each.

The town was named in honor of Hon. X. Bushnell, at that time President of the N'orthern Cross Railroad, the name by which the present Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad was then known.

When the town was laid out there was nothing on its proposed site but a large "wolf pole," a pole erected on the highest eminence in the neighborhood where it could be seen by the parties engaging in the wolf hunt and to which all would tend, meeting iu one common center. The nearest house was Hiram Markham'B^ three miles west. For miles around not a rod of land was enclosed bj a I'ence, and not a road was located in the neighborhood. The country was just as wild as when created by the Author of the Universe, and upon the trackless prairies there was as much danger of being lost as in a dense forest. In 1855, John Ilendrickson, at present station agent at Bardolph, then a young man of seventeen or eighteen years of age, became lost on the prairie between the present site of the towns of Prairie City and Bushnell. He became so bewildered as night came on, that he could not tell the direction in which he was going, and wandered ai^ound in a circle. ]Srot returning at night, his father organized a party to search for him, and with lanterns and guns they started out. The dismal howl of the prairie wolf could be heard upon every hand and the heart of the young man became faint, indeed, as the hours wore on. He was afraid to cry out, for fear of starting the wolves, but the party in his search had no such fears, and ever and anon they would call out his name. Finally, he heard the call and faintly answered. iSoon the party closed around him,, and the lost was found, and glad enough he was to be rescued. He now thinks the click of the telegraph instrument is music far preferable to the howl of the prairie wolf, especially as it sounded on his ears about twenty years ago.

Twymau, Wells & Hail erected the first business house, which they sold to Hiram Markham, who brought the first stock of merchandise to the town. The stock was not very large, but it answered the wants of the people at that day.

William Cord, Hiram Markham, and William Vickerswere the first to erect dwelling houses in the place. John Crawford commenced the erection of the first hotel, but before completion sold it to John I). Hail, who, in the summer of 1855, completed the same and opened it for the accommodation of the traveling public.

The growth of the town was not very rapid the first year, the railroad not being completed and the people not accustomed to push things through with lightning speed. But in the second year, as the sound of the locomotive's whistle could be heard in the distance, they began to pour in, and by the time the merry call of the conductor, "all aboard," was heard the town was fairly alive, and the spirit of young America seemed to pervade every citizen of the little village, and dreams of future growth and great- ness pervaded the minds of all. A class of citizens came to the village possessed of indomitable perseverance and grit and with a determination to make the town one of the best in the State of lUinois. Among the early settlers who worked fer the best interest of the place we recall the names of Hiram Markham, James Cole, James Kelly, Pr. Clarke, Daniel Negley, James Smith, Hunt, A. Everett, A. Hess, and S. A. Hendee.

The original proprietors of the place, imbued with a spirit of liberality, gave to the town two blocks of laud - one on the east side of the railroad, and one on the west. They also gave lots to such religious denominations as would build houses of worship. We find, therefore, to-day two beautiful parks and several beautiful and pleasant church edifices, and the community a strictly moral and intelligent one.

The first three or four years were disastrous to the welfare of the town, in consequence, principally, of the failure of the crops. Many farms had been opened, but the farmers had used up all their means in improvements, trusting they would be rewarded with good crops, which, failing them, left them in debt to the merchants of the place. The consequence of this state of affairs was that the merchants were unable to meet their bills, which caused the suspension of several. ISTotwithstanding all this, improvements were constantly made, buildings for stores and dwellings were being erected, and the population was rapidly increasing.

In 1867, the T., P. & W. Railroad survej-ed a line through the place, and the city subscribed to its capital stock, to aid in its completion. Many persons prophesied that by the introduction of the cross-roads the town would be killed, as all the country trade would be lost. Well, says Bushnell, to offset this we will erect a few manufactories. The extensive factory of jSTelsou, LaTourette & Co., for the manufacture of pumps, wind-mills, furniture and croquet, was first erected, soon followed by the LaHarpe Cultivator Works of Pierpoiit & Tuttle, which is doing a very large and constantly increasing business. Other manufactories we observe, among the number being Messrs. Ball & Sons, carriage builders, Ayres & Decker, barbed wire fence, John W. McDonough, rustic furniture. These are but the nucleus around which others will gather in time,andwe look forward to see the time when the place will be a large manufacturing point. With its railroad and other facilities there is really nothing to hinder.

During the past year, changes have taken place in the location of the passenger depots of the Galesburg and St. Louis divisions of the C. B. & Q. railroads. The two have been consolidated and removed up to the junction of the two roads. This will be a great convenience to the traveling public, and will be appreciated by them. The entire management of the station business is now controlled by the pleasant and accommodating A. 11. McGahan.

Great improvements have been made in general appearance of the city in the past few years. New walks have been laid, the streets all put in good repair, and all things now wear an air ot neatness to be commended. Two beautiful parks, one on either side of the railroad, capable of holding several thousand people, are thrown open to the public and afford a pleasant place for picnic parties, public speaking, etc.

During the year 1876, at a cost of about $20,000, the city erected a high school building, which is an ornament to it. In this, as in all other matters, Bushnell does not propose to be outdone, but intends that her public schools shall be the best. We trust she will ever be animated with this ambition. Our public schools are the hope of the nation, and upon their success or failure depend the future of the republic.

The various benevolent and reformatory societies are well represented, there being flourishing lodges of Masons, Odd Fellows, United Workmen and Good Templars. The Odd Fellows have lately fitted up one of the neatest lodge rooms in this part of the State. Bushnell has many live firms in her midst,quite a number of whom special mention is made further on in this article. To transact the business of the place we find three agricultural implement dealers, one national bank, two bakeries, three barber shops, four blacksmith shops, two books and stationery, four boot and shoe manufactories, four carpenter shops, three cigar manufactories, four clothing stores, one coal yard, eleven dry goods stores, two dentists, five dress making establishments, four drug stores, one foundry and machine shop, three furniture dealers, thirteen grocery stores, three hardware stores, three harness shops, five hotels, two justices of the peace, two jewelry stores, five law firms, two livery stables, two lumber yards, two marble works, four meat " markets, five millinery stores, two mills, two newspapers, two picture galleries, four painters, six physicians, one piano and organ dealer, two real estate agents, ten restaurants and confectioners,

The Gleaner, published early in the year 1877, in an article upon the trade and business of the place during the previous year, gives much useful information, from which we glean the following fa<'ts :

During the year there was expended in building |40,000; for grain, $500,000; for stock, $255,715; merchandise sold $600,200; manufactured articles produced, $280,000, or a total ot $1,766,015 used in the transaction of the business of the city. To this might be added uneuumerated business not given by the Gleaner, which would, swell the amount to $1,800,000.

Pierpont & Tuttle, in the same time, made 4,500 cultivators, 1,000 double shovels, 100 ground plows, 500 hand cultivators. Thelirm employed about 50 hands.

A Library Association was organized in January, 1869, under act of the Legislature approved March 3, 1845. The association has now about 1,000 volumes, comprising the principal standard works and popular works of the present day. The following named persons are its present othcers: W. J. Frisbie, President; Solon Bemfel, Secretary and Librarian; J, R. Kay, Treasurer.

At an election held March 24,1869, for or against the adoption of a City Charter, there were polled 284 votes for and 24 against the proposition. At the first annual election for city officers, held April 5, ]869, the following named persons were elected: J. B. Cummings, Mayor. Aldermen, 1st ward - Manning F, West, one year; James W. Kelly, two years. Aldermen, 2d Ward - James Ayres, one year; James Cole, two years. Aldermen, 3d Ward - William H. Oglesby, one year; I. N. McElvain, two years. Aldermen, 4th Ward - Fisher Brown, one year; A. E. Barnes, two years. M. A. Luce, Attorney and Clerk ; Joseph Parks, Treasurer; Garret Nevi us. Treasurer.

A. E. Barnes ; Against license, only fourteen votes for. 1873 - Jfaj/'ij - Stockton West: Cleric - ii, V. KedinKs; Mcmv/ia; - Robert Ferguson ; Aldfrmen - 'Firfit

Description of School Building. - Elsewhere will be found a beautiful illustration of the High School building, which is situated on block eight, Hess' addition. As will be observed, the building is two stories in height, with basement, the latter of which is built of stone, and the two upper stories of red brick. The basement is eight feet in height, divided into four rooms, and used for storage, etc. The engine for heating the building is situated therein. Each of the upper stories are divided into four recitation rooms, each in size 28x32 feet, fourteen feet high, while there are halls, closets, etc., connected with and leading into the various rooms. The building is capable of accommodating, without inconvenience, five hundred pupils. In addition to this, the city has two other buildings, used for school purposes - one in the third, and one in fourth ward. The high school building was designed by William Quaye, Peoria, Hlinois, and built by Charles Ulrichson, Peoria, and is said by good judges to be first-class in every respect. It was commenced August, 1876, and completed Julv, 1877. The School Board, under whose supervision the work was performed, was composed of the following named members: S. West, President; and E. D. C. Haines, W. J. Frisbie, J. B. Cummings and S. C. Haines, members ; Gr, H. McElvain, Secretary. The present School Board is composed of the follow, ing named persons: William T. Beadles, President; C. A. Baldwin, 11. S. Raudall, J. W. Sparks and J. L. Griflith, members- M. Lovely, Secretary.

The school grounds comprise a whole block, and is enclosed on three sides with a neat plauk fence, stripped and capped ; and in front, on the east, with iron picket. The playgrounds are 200x 360 feet. The outhouses are ot brick, one on each side, and about 200 feet from the building.

The' city ot Bushnell deserves great credit for the erection of this building, which is the largest in the whole county, being in size 78x81 feet, covering 6,118 square feet, and costing $20,000. With a full corps of efficient teachers in every department, with a school board alive to the best interests of education, the schools of this city will rank with any in the county or State. The following named are the teachers employed for the session of 1877- 78 : Abram Neff, Superintendent ; Eli Fisher, Assistant Supt.; Mrs. Agnes Sparks, grammar A; Mrs. Richmond, grammar B ; Mrs. Iliggius, first intermediate; Mrs. Brooks, second intermediate ; Miss Ilattie Woodman, first primary ; Mrs. Richardson,

W. J. Frishie. - Among the enterprising citizens of Bushnell, none do more, or has its interests more at heart, than William J. Frisbie, who came to this city eight or ten years ago and purchased a stock of drugs, etc., continuing the business to the present time. He is pleasant and agreeable to every one, be he child or man, and the same care which he would take to secure the favor of one he would take for that of the other. We have said that none have the interest of the city more at heart; this is true, and is often exhibited. In the cause of education he has taken special interest, and has done much to advance the grade of the public schools. During the years 1876 and 1877 he was a member of the School Board, and gave much of his time to superintend the construction of the new school house which, is an ornament to the city. In the discharge of his private business affairs he brings to bear a strong will and determination, with pleasant and agreeable manners, and therefore has many friends and a legitimate trade second to none in the county. His stock consists of everything in the line of drugs, patent medicines, paints, oils, glass, druggists' sundries, etc.

T. F. Seibert. - Mr. Seibert came to Bushnell about the year 1867, and for a time clerked for James Cole, but in 1863, in company with Lemuel AUer opened a store on East Main street, Bushnell, under the firm name of Aller, Seibert & Co., the co-partnership continuing until the spring of 1871, when he purchased the interest of his partners, continuing alone to the present time. Mr. S. is a pleasant and accommodating gentleman, one who thoroughly understands his business, and well deserves the patronage he receives. One feature of this store deserves special mention, and that is the quality of goods. Great care is taken in the selection of the stock, and none but the best goods are purchased, the house having built up an excellent reputation and a good trade in consequence of this fact. The knowledge that an article came from Seibert's is a sufficient guarantee of its superior quality. Mr. Seibert is located in Andrew's block. East Main street.

M. L. Walker. - This gentleman is the successor of G. C. Ridings in the jewelry trade, and is found occupying room with W. J. Frisbie, on East Main street. Although a young man, Mr. Walker is a first-class workman, and thoroughly understands his trade, and all work left in his hands will be attended to to the satisfaction of those who favor him with their orders. His stock of watches, clocks, plated ware and jewelr3% is as large as any house in the county, and in quality and price he stands head. "We take pleasure in recommending him to the readers of this work.

West, Kaiser & Co. - Xo firm in McDonough county is better known than that of West, Kaiser & Co., now- occupying the large three story brick on West Main street, and having three salesrooms each eighty by twenty leet. It has been but a few short years since the Kaiser Bros, came to this city and opened a small stock of general merchandise, but these few years have witnessed a irreat chano-e in their affairs. The little one horse store has grown to mammoth proportions and the firm now carry the largest stock and enjoy the largest trade of any single store in the county. Each of the three salesrooms are used for a special department, the first on the south being used for their grocery stock, the second or middle room for dr}- goods, and third or north room for clothing. Let the season be what it may, each of these rooms are always crowded with goods and customers. To an outsider it would seem the firm never experienced dull times. The reason for this success may be summoned up as follows : Large stock, adaptability to the market, pleasant and accommodating disposition of both proprietors and salesmen.

D. N. Wisherd. - Situated in the midst of a splendid county, rapidly improving in wealth and steadily increasing in population, and at the crossing of three different railroads, Bushnell can not help becoming a good point for quick distribution of manufactures and general merchandise. Recognizing this fact, Mr. D. X. AVisherd, one of the most enterprising and accommodating businessmen in the State, began about the year 1872, in connection with a general retail trade, the wholesale trade in oysters and fresh fruit. During the summer, or fruit season, he begins early by receiving invoices of the same from as far south as the State of Tennessee, and closes up by receiving the growth of the northern States of Michigan and Minnesota. In fresh oysters, the season begins in September and ends late in the spring. In this latter trade he fills regularly orders from north, south, east and west, and will always duplicate Chicago prices, thus saving transportation. Such enterprise is to be commended and encouraged, and w-e trust the trade of Mr. Wisherd will continue to grow, as it assuredly will.

Dry Goods, Boots And Shoes

Aller, Lem., 36 east Main street. Oole & Co., corner Hail and Main streets. Haynes, J. W., east Main street. Hey & Scott, 8 east Main street. Hendee, S. A., west Main street. Henry & Co., east Hail street. Hunt, W. H., east Main street. Hunt, M. F., east Mainstreet. Seibert, T. F., east Main street. Shreeves & Parks, Main and Hail streets. West, Kaiser it Co., west Main street.

Millinery And Fancy Goods

Busbnell Record (Republicau) - S. A Epperson, editor and proprietor. OflBce over poetoflBce. The Gleaner (Independent; - J. E. Cummings, editor and proprietor. Oflace west Main street,

Restaurants And Cosfectioneries

Brocksnu, Xed, near depot. Bradiield, J. A. (toys), in postoffice. Duke. S. A., west Main street. Depot Restaurant, T. L. Morgan, near depot. Frank. Chas, (.bakery i, east Main streets. Hamilton. A., east Main street. Lichlendahl. H., east Main street. Lauterbach. 'Wm., east Main street. Oblander, Heurv. east Main street. Vance, J. M.. op"posite C, B. i Q. depot.