Humboldt Township

Humboldt Township

In 1853, A. A. Sutherland, who had settled one mile east of Charleston as early as 1828, purchased a tract of land in Section 4, in Humbolt Township, east of and adjoining the present roadbed of the I. C. R. R. He erected a shanty, the same fall, and engaged in boarding hands employed in the construction of the road. The Railroad Co. reserved one-half section, about one mile south of the present site of the village, with a view to making a station at that point. After the completion of the road, in order to secure the station and the town site on his premises, he donated to the R. R. Co. ten acres of land. This transaction occurred in 1859. Immediately after the acceptance of the donation, in company with Thomas K. Fleming, he laid out and platted twenty acres east of and adjoining the land donated. This appears as the original town plat. Soon after, the R. R. Co. sold their land to Wesley Wampler, who laid it out in town lots. This is known as Wampler's Addition, and on this the principal part of the town was built. About the year 1860 or 1861, a Mr. Hill made an addition north of the original plat, and Wampler made a second addition west of the railroad. T. K. Fleming built the first residence on the townsite, and Wesley Wampler the second. These were both built in 1859. Others came in rapid succession, purchased lots and erected dwellings, so that, by the beginning of 1861, the village had well-nigh attained its present size. Like many of our Western prairie towns, it sprang into existence almost as if by magic. The war coming on in 1861, checked for a season its progress. Wampler was the first agent, built the first store and sold the first goods after the layingout of the village. Lewis Hutchinson had kept a country store at this point prior to the laying-out of the village, but was not here at this time. John Payne, from Paris, Edgar Co., opened a general store early in 1860. Dr. 0.

M. Odell opened a drug store in 1868 ; a second was soon after opened by Hawkins & Stuart. The grain trade, at one time, was carried on quite extensively at this point. Wampler built a warehouse in 1859, and handled the first grain. John Glassco built a small house, in the fall of 1860, and engaged in the trade. In the fall of 1861, James Wadkins and John Stanley began the business, followed, in the fall of 1862, by A. A. Sutherland. The most important enterprise undertaken, as well as the one promising the most good to the village and the surrounding community, was the erection of a steam-mill. In I860, James Wadkins, Brownlee & Co. built a mill west of the railroad, a short distance north of the depot. This was wholly destroyed by fire in 1870. Its loss was keenly felt by the citizens of the village, as its presence brought a large trade to the town which afterward floated off into other channels. The flour manufactured was of a superior grade, and was in great demand.

Churches, Lodges, Etc

The first church in the village, as has been elsewhere recorded, was moved in from the western limits of the township and located south and a little west of where the Catholic Churtfh now stands. This was used in common by the Methodist and Presbyterian societies for some years. The Presbyterian Church was organized, in 1861, by Rev. H. I. Yenable. Its early meetings were held as above stated. James W. Junken and family, Thomas Danner and family, Richard Hawkins and family, James Boyd and family, G. W. Woods and wife were among the early members. A neat frame church was erected by the society in 1870. The dedicatory sermon was preached in February, 1871, Rev. D. M. Stewart officiating. Revs. James Allison and E. Howell have since served the Church. The present M. E. Church was built in 1873. Rev. D. E. May was pastor at the time. It was dedicated, soon after completion, by S. S. Meginnis, Presiding Elder of the district at the time. The Christian Church was begun in 1865, but did not reach completion till the summer of 1871. This society has labored under great difficulty, being few in numbers and most of its members persons of limited means. Its house of worship, costing over $2,000, is a monument to the liberality of W. B. Hawkins, who contributed more than one-half of the whole amount for its completion. The early meetings of the Church were held in cabin of Hawkins, and Elder Thomas Goodman was the first preacher. Elder James Conner and his sons, James and Samuel W., have since served the congregation. The Holy Angels (Catholic) Church was built about 1870, under the supervision of Father Mangin. Thomas Kilfoyl, Thomas Pendergrast, John Wall and families, Edmund Reagan, Mary Lynch and others were among the early members. Father Mangin was the first priest, and was succeeded by Father Gonin. All the churches are neat frame buildings, and, with their tall spires pointing heavenward, give to the village quite a city-like appearance in the distance.

Elwood Lodge, No. 589, A., F. & A. M., was chartered by the Grand Lodge October 6, 1868. The charter was granted to Jesse B. Gray, George W. Gray^ Alfred Bugh, J. P. Westby, J. M. Wharton, A. Sparks, Joel Stevenson and others. Jesse B. Gray was appointed Master, George W. Gray, S. W., and A. G. Bugh, J. W. Stated meetings Saturday on or before full moon and two weeks thereafter.

Prospect Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., No. 636, was instituted March 21, 1877, by Deputy Grand Master James Hamilton, of Bluff Lodge, No. 605. A charter was granted by the Grand Lodge October 10, 1877. The first officers were W. B. Kennedy, N. G. ; J. D. Denning, V. G. ; Hugh Maxey, Sec. ; 0. M. McNutt, Treas. Regular meetings of the Lodge Wednesday night of each week.

Humbolt Lodge K. of H., No. 1046, was organized April 23, 1878, by JF. Drish and T. E, Woods. The society has a membership of fifteen souls and meets regularly Thursday evening of each week.

Benoni Lodge of Good Templars, No. 377, was organized March 23, 1874. A charter was granted from the Right Worthy Grand Lodge to W. B. Kennedy, John Moore, 0. D. Noe, Horace Wells, Dollie Wells, Sallie Woods, Belle Gray, Annie Burgess, W. C. Lacy and others. These societies all meet for the transaction of business in the same hall, over Gray & Danner's store.

Dr. 0. M. Odell, who came in August, 1859, was the first physician to locate in the village. About four months later. Dr. Wharton located. The medical fraternity at present is represented by Drs. Odell, Brewer and Stuart. The present school building, a neat frame containing two rooms, was built in 1870- A Mr. Stevenson taught the first session in the new house.

Village Incorporated

On the 20th of February, 1866, an election was held at which twenty-five votes were cast for, and five against, incorporation. February 27, the following board of officers was chosen : R. D. Senteney, Police Justice ; Trustees - J. P. Westby, J. C. B. Wharton, H. L. Stewart, William A. Wood and Abner Sparks. Sparks being a non-freeholder, was declared ineligible, and, April 11? William B. Hawkins was chosen to fill the va'^ancy. When the village was first laid out, by common consent of those interested, it was christened Milton. A petition was circulated and then forwarded to the Capitol, praying for the establishment of a post office with the same name. This could not be granted, as an office of that name already existed in Pike County. The petitioners then added the word "Station," and thus amended, the petition was granted and the post office was established with the name Milton Station. A. A. Sutherland was the first postmaster, and the office was kept at his residence for some time. It is at present kept in the store of Gray & Danner ; G. W. Gray is the present postmaster. The citizens, and more especially those engaged in conducting the business of the village, soon became convinced that they had acted unwisely in choosing "Milton " as the name of their village and post office. Not only mail matter, but express and freight intended for this point often found its way into Pike County, and vice versa. April 23, 1875, a petition was presented to the Trustees praying for a change in name from Milton to Humbolt. May 17, the petition was renewed, and at that date an ordinance was passed granting the petition, said ordinance to take effect from and after May 28, 1875. The name of the post office was changed at or near the same time. Humbolt has a popuation of about three hundred. She has three general merchandise stores, two drug stores, one grocery, one blacksmith and wood-work shop, one broom-factory and one grain-warehouse.