Beardstown Township

Beardstown Township

On October 10, 1827, Mr. Beard alone entered the east half of the southwest quarter of section 15, township 18. north, range 12, west. The original town of Beardstown was platted and laid out in September, 1829. The certificate bears date of September 9, 1829, and was recorded the same day, and states that the plat is on the north fractional half of section 1, township 18, north, range 12. west. in Morgan County, Dll. The original town contained 175 lots lying adjacent to the river, extending southward. The explanation states that Main street's course is north 52 degrees east, and vice versa. Mareh and Beard made an addition to the town, March 6, 18383, containing 268 lots. one of the blocks being on the easterly side. and the remainder south and west. On May 9, 1836, Thomas Beard and Nolte A. Ware made another addition, Ware certifies by his attorney in fact, Francis A. Arenz. John Ayers made a small addition on July 19, 1886, and in July, 1837, Beard and Arenz made an addition. Havekluft & Ehrhardt, Clendennin and Denison, Ravenswood and several others made small additions.

Section 16, which, by act of Congress, was donated to each township for school purposes, had but a very small portion in the county. Under the terms of the same act, other land might be donated in lieu of section 16. or portions of it, that had been sold or disposed of or was not in existence, and pursuant to that provision of the law, Congress donated portions of section 15 in township 18 north, range 12 west. These lands were, by the school commissioners of Morgan County, platted and sold for the benefit of the schools of township 18, range 12.

The first town organization was in 1834, when a board of trustees was elected, consisting of Haywood Reed, president; John B. Fulks, then the manager of the first newspaper in the county, clerk; Edward Tull, assessor; Martin S. Trent, collector; Isaac Spence, treasurer ; and William Nelms, supervisor. In September of that year the first ordinances for the government of the town were enacted. This organization existed until under an act of the legislature passed February 10, 1849, there was a reorganization as a town; on February 4, 1850, the proposition was adopted, and the following persons elected as officers: mayor, John A. Arenz; aldermen: First Ward, Thomas Eyre, father of William Eyre, who has had charge of the courthouse at Virginia as janitor for several years, and Jesse Riggins; Second Ward, James Hope and Joseph Stehlin; Third Ward, George Guenther and Jacob Ritcher. Sylvester Emmons was appointed clerk, Dr. T. A. Hoffman treasurer, and Eli S. Houghton was appointed marshal. Some doubts having arisen concerning the legality of organization. the legislature of 1857, by an act approved February 16 of that year, legalized the incorporation, and all official acts of its officers. and, by section 4 of the act, fixed the corporate limits of the town as follows: "That hereafter the corporate limits of the city of Beardstown shall embrace a territory of one and one-half miles square, extending threefourths of a mile from the center of the public square, east, west. north and south, unless where said line interferes with the Illinois River, and there the boundary of said city shall run to the middle of the channel of said river; provided, that where the new territory included by this act shall not be laid off into lots or out-lots, said territory so annexed shall not be subject to taxation for city purposes without the consent of the owners of the land not laid off into lots or out-lots."

On the same day the above act was approved, another act was passed and approved. establishing the "Beardstown Oakwoods' Cemetery Association" near Beardstown. Dr. Charles Sprague, Christopher H. C. Havekluft. Horace Billings,

Chase, Edward Parker, Charles Norbury and Thomas Eyre, and their associates and successors were created a body corporate and politic, under said name.

On February 11, 1857, the legislature granted a charter incorporating "The German Literary Association of the City of Beardstown," and constituted C. H. C. Havekluft, Frederick Ehr-

-hardt, Frederick Krohe, Ferdinand Gibbers, Alexander Lammers, Emil Lippert, and Joseph Strehlin, and their associates and successors, a body corporate and politic by that name. The object of the corporation was stated to be "to unite Germans of all creeds and classes in a literary bond of brotherhood and mutual friendship, in the pursuits of science and literature."

Encouraged by the good will of the legislature towards them, a number of these same citizens, with others, were emboldened to ask and received from the legislature at the same session on February 16 a charter for the Beardstown Gas Light and Coke Company. The incorporators were: C. H. C. Havekluft, Charles Sprague, Horace Billings, Thomas Eyre, Henry E. Dummer, Francis Rearick and J. Henry Shaw.

The history of Beardstown, as before stated, has been so fuliy covered in preceding chapters that nearly all that may be said would be but a repetition which could serve no especially interesting purpose. Every subject touched upon heretofore was not considered in any sense complete without the inclusion of historical and interesting matters pertaining to Beardstown. It has been a most important place in the settlement of Illinois; the earliest 'rench voyageurs made a settlement here; the mound builders lucated some of their most beautiful mounds upon its site; here their successors, the Americall ludiaus, pitched their tents and built their Wigwaws, and used it as a center of a most happy hunting ground, and here, into their midst, caine the founder of Beardstown, Thomas Beard, who laid the foundation of the present splendid city. The subject of early industries, business schools, churches and railroads, discussed in former pages with the necessarily brief biographical notices of the men who have made Beardstown what it is, have presented to the reader as full a_historical review of that city as the limits of this

Old Landmarks Recalled

For the benefit of succeeding generations there should be some record of present conditions of the city. Like most cities, the value of building lots, especially the business lots, increase in value as the city grows older, if there be any material progress, and as a consequence the first buildings, which were well enough when erected, must give way to more modern as well as to more commodious ones. The first buildings erected at Beardstown have nearly all disappeared, and most of those erected by the second and third generation. The first flouring mills, the great warehouses along the river bank, owned by so many firms whose names are now almost forgotten; the great packing houses and retail store buildings, all have disappeared, and the very spots where they stood are now often in dispute. Some of the older people will recall the large two-story brick building of C. A. Bussman, known as the sash, blind and door manufactory, and the Phoenix Foundry, Machine Shop and Agricultural Works, of Thomas Webb & Co. Then later was the great distillery owned by McCormick, which was burned in the early seventies. The first schoolhouse is still standing, it being the brick house on Sixth street, known as the Dr. T. A. Hoffman residence and laboratory. The Park Hotel. built in 1853, is still one of the most substantial buildings in the city. It was put up by Horace Billings, and was away out of proportion to the size of the city at that time, in fact it was such a financial failure that at one time it was given over rent free to a tenant who would look after it and keep up the insurance. The city finally grew up to the building, and since Martin Me- Donough, the present owner, obtained possession of it, has been a great financial success, and is maintained and known among the traveling public as one of the best hotels in central Illinois. The old opera house which stood on the northeast corner of State and Second streets, and which had been remodeled by the Opera House Company, and used as the only' place for entertainments for many years, has recently been abandoned; and though the building is a substantial one, and used as a storeroom.on the first floor by a firm of clothing dealers, the room above used as the opera house has been taken over for storage and warerooms. Two splendid new theatre buildings have been erected, with the entertainment rooms on the ground floor. They are on lots 5 and 6 in block 32, original town, one facing west on State street, and the other south on Fourth street. New churches, new schoolhouses, new business buildings, and hundreds of new residences have been built until now little if any of the old or first Beardstown, and scarcely any of the second remains. While there is a feeling of sentiment connected with those old historic buildings and scenes, that feeling has to yield to the inevitable onward march of progress.

Business Fifty Years Ago

As an indication of the business situation, and also for the purpose of comparison with present conditions, a list of the most generally remembered business firms and professions are given as they appeared in 1860. This list includes: Attorneys-at-law Henry E. Dummer, Thomas M. Thompson, Thomas H. Carter, C. H. Housekeeper, J. H. Shaw, James M. Epler and G. Pollard; Doctors Charles E. Parker, F. Ebhrhardt, H. H. Littielfield, J. R. Dowler. John Tee; T. A. Hoffman, chemist and physician ; IE. S. Carter and D. Whitney. surgeon dentists; Shurtleff & Jones, publishers Beardstown Democrat; Thompson, Fulks and Irwin, publishers Weekly Illinoisan; C. H. C. Havekluft, county judge; J. A. Arenz, notary public and magistrate; Thomas §. Wiles, notary public and magistrate; Thomas M. Thompson, notary public; S. Emmons, magistrate and land agent; L. TI. Sanders, fire and life insurance agent; D. C. Meigs. insurance agent; C. H. Housekeeper, police magistrate; I. H. Harris, land agent; Sanders & Stettenus, Treadway & Bro., Adam Fjsher and J. Livermore, dealers in boots and shoes; Thomas B. Clayton, Christian French, William WI. Ewing, blacksmiths; proprietors of brick yards, Fred Potter and John Baujan; J. C. Leonard & Co., bankers; hotels, Park House, H. Billings; National House, C. P. Dunbaugh; Virginia House, Campbell & Goodloe; and Farmer's House, G. Thompson; druggists, Menke & Fletcher, William Whipp, and Rice & Maxwell; dealers in general merchandise, D. M. Irwin, Chase, Parker & McLaughlin, Ed. P. Chase, Dutch & Brother, George Plahn & Co., Leonard Montgomery & Co., Nolte & McClure, M. L. Read & Co., George Kuhl, Isnae We Overall, Caan: Frauman, C. Nicholson, G. F. Sielschott, H. Boemler, Alexander Lammers, C. H. Seegar, John Quigg; dealers in stoves and hardware, F. H.

Adopts General Charter

The city continued to operate under its special charter until Iebruary 17, 1896, when, by vote, it adopted the general charter under the state constitution of 1870, and the law pursuant thereof, receiving its charter May 17, 1897. The first city officers were: mayor, W. H. Rhineberger; clerk, W. G. Smith; attorney, R. R. Hewitt; treasurer, Anton Rink; aldermen: First Ward, Ernest Boles and Sylvester Wiles; Second Ward. Edward W. Weddeking and Daniel Dresser; Third Ward. Theo. Schaar and J. A. Henning; Fourth Ward, John Madine and Henry erremal:

A Fine Public Utility

In 1892, when Henry M. Schmoldt was mayor, the city provided for a city water plant and a complete system of waterworks. which has proven very ,suceessful. The city from that time on has heen furnished at a very reasonable rate with abundance of most excellent water. The water tower consists of a steel reservoir, 48 feet high, with diameter of base 11 feet. 7 inches. and standing on a brick tower or foundation 6S feet high. making a total height of water tower 116 feet, and giving ample pressure to the water in the miles of water mains throughout the city. The water system was really installed by the Beardstown Water Company, and then taken over by the city by virtue of an, ordinance passed for the purpose, July 21, 1892. The city officers then were: mayor, Henry M. Schmoldt; clerk, Christian Pilger; attorney, Milton McClure; treasurer, A, H. Sielschott. The aldermen were: William DeHaven, George Barneycastle, L. W. Pilger, W. H. Rhineberger, W. S. Glover, Theo. Schaar, G. F. Frauman and William Deppe, all of whom are now deceased, except George Barneycastle and W. H. Rhineberger, but they have left an enduring monuiment to their enterprise and cleverness. ARTESIAN WELL.

An artesian well was also sunk in the city and a good supply of medicinal waters is had from a well that perpetually bubbles up on the south side of the public square near the public library,

Postal Facilities

The postal facilities of Beardstown are excellent. The postoffice is now located in a rented building at No. 102 W. Main street, but the government has provided for erecting its own building and to that end has secured title to the lot on the northeast corner of Main and State streets, being lot 5 of block 15, in the original town. FE. S. Nicholson is the present postmaster, and his assistant is Miss Hattie Fisher, who has held that office for sixteen years. Three clerks are kept busy with the large amount of business handled at this office, notwithstanding the fact that there has been, since 1910, a free delivery system for the city, employing four carriers. There are also three rural routes out from Beardstown.

Street Paving

In December, 1906, the city council provided an ordinance for street paving and filed a petition in the county court for paving certain of the principal and most frequently used streets. They did not stop at that, but proceeded rapidly, forming district after district and completing the work of each until now all the principal streets and cross streets are covered with as splendid a brick pavement as can be found in any city of the state. Concrete sidewalks are laid upon most of the streets, replacing the old board and rough brick walks that had served their day; beautiful shade trees have been grown in the parkways between the pavement and the sidewalks, and with the handsome new modern residences make any of the principal residence streets charming.

Public Library

In 1901 the citizens of Beardstown organized a public library. The organization was completed January 29 of that year. Many volumes were purchased and rooms rented, but the organization believed there should be an especial building for the library and a public reading room and in 1904 erected a substantial and handsome building on the lot adjoining the City Hall on the west. The organization is known as the Beardstown Library Association, and now has 5,000 volumes, besides papers and_ periodicals. Edward T. Hunter is the secretary of the association.

Fishing Interests

The Illinois River is noted as being the greatest producer of fresh water fish in the whole United States. Many thousands of pounds are taken annually, and shipped to eastern markets. Beardstown has, for years, been one of the shipping points and it seems almost incredible the amount of fish taken and shipped from this city annually. A large number of men are engaged in the business, and some of the catches have reached as high as from 175,000 to 100,000 pounds. Charles Cole and the Beardstown Fish Company do the largest business in catching and shipping fish, although some individuals have had at times a great harvest in that line. Henry Balduff, living south of Beardstown, and owning a small lake, in 1909 caught and delivered to the Beardstown Fish Company, $4,800 worth of fish at one haul, and his total sales for that season amounted to over $12,000. <A great variety of river fish are caught, among the more valuable and marketable fish being the black bass. In 1903 a company of fishermen caught and delivered to the Beardstown Fish Company. at one haul. 2,100 pounds of black bass. The German carp, which formerly were hardly known in the western waters, now form one of the best and most marketable vari- eties for the market, and are shipped altogether to the New York market, and annually a large number of cay loads are sent out from Beardstown fisheries, practically all shipments going by rail.

A Recent Industry

Another of the river industries at Beardstown is the pearl fisheries. This industry did not develop until about 1906. Mussel shells had been lying in great banks in the bed of the river for ages without a thought from anyone of their commercial yalue. It was found that remunerative prices could be obtained for the shells at the factories, where they were cut into forms for making pearl buttons, they bringing from $12 to $20 per ton. A factory was established and conducted for some time at Beardstown, where the buttons were finished ready for the market, but now only the blanks are cut out of the shells. There are three factories cutting blanks and thus a local market is always ready to receive and pay good prices to the mussel fishers for their product. There are many fishermen engaged in this industry. Sometimes as many as 200 may be seen in their mud scows with their paraphernalia moving slowly down the stream, dragging their four-pronged hooks, and transferring their catches to the boats. Pearls are not found in all the shells, but some very valuable finds have occurred, the highest priced one so far as can be recalled by those apprised of the facts, was one that brought the finder $2,200. Many others have been taken out that brought at the local market all the way from $5 to the price above mentioned. Even the "little stuff," as it is termed by the sellers and buyers, is saleable, but only by the ounce. It brings from $1 to $2 per ounce. This class of pearls is sent to Paris, France, and used to ornament ladies' gowns. Several pearl buyers come to Beardstown annually, during the pearl fishing season, and are ready to purchase and pay cash for any and all sorts of pearls.

An Industrial Center

Beardstown is the division point of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, which has its shops and roundhouses here, and employs a large number of men. Including trainmen who make their home at Beardstown, there are probably more than 1,200 men employed by this railroaa during the year. The next largest industry is the Schmoldt Cooperage works and lumber mills, owned by Adolph E. Schmoldt, who employs from 300 to 400 men, according to seasonable work. Beardstown has a population of over 7,000 and has grown too large to admit of enumerating the business interests in detail, but that the reader may have some notion of the great growth and progress of the city since 1860, reference is here made to the principal concerns. Beardstown has, in 1915, the following business houses and industries: three agricultural implement dealers, four automobile establishments, two bakeries, three banks, eight barber shops, four book and stationery stores, five building material and hardware firms, three building and loan associations, two button manufacturers, seven tobacco and cigar factories and stores, two steam laundries, five clothing stores, five drug stores, six coal dealers, seven confectioners, twenty-four contractors and builders, eight dry goods stores, four electrical supply firms, four furniture stores, twenty-eight grocery stores, two harness dealers, seven hotels, two jewelers, three livery barns, three lumber yards, eight meat markets, five millinery stores, twenty-three saloons, two hospitals and sanitariums, six shoe dealers and many other dealers who handle a variety of articles and merchandise. The professions are well represented as follows: three civil engineers, five dentists, eight lawyers, as follows: Hon. J. Joseph Cooke, judge of the city court; Henry Phillips, masterin-chancery of Circuit and city court; W. H. Dieterich, L. W. Felker, R. R. Hewitt, Lloyd M. McClure. B. F. Thacker, and Charles A. Schaeffer, attorneys. The physicians and surgeons are: Drs. Bley & Bley, the firm being composed of Dr. George Bley and his son, Dr. Walter Bley; and Drs. T. G. Charles, P. A. Brandon, Henry Ehrhardt, R. H. Garm, J. F. Jones, M. J. Palmer, T. J. Schweer and Charles E. Soule. With all the above excellent showing, Beardstown is really just entering upon its career as a city. It is fortunately situated on the largest river of the state, about equi-distant between St. Louis and Peoria, far enough removed from any other large city to prevent serious competition, and having first class railroad facilities that give direct communication with the outside world and the vast coal fields in the southern part of the state, and connected with its neighboring county across the river with a splendid steel wagon and foot bridge, under the control of the city; having permanent highways leading into the city from every point of the compass, there appears to be nothing to check the laudable ambitions and hopes of the enterprising people of Cass County's metropolis to increase in importance and domain.