Kane Township

Kane Township

There have been in the history of the county two places about a mile apart, having the name of Kane. One of these. Old Kane (or Homer as it was formerly called) is situated in Township 9, Range 12, and the other, New Kane, is in Township 9, Range 11. As a preliminary to a sketch of New Kane which is at present the center of trade and activity, some notice of the old town should be given. The first settlements ever made in Greene County were probably in Township 9, Range 12. Here it was that Daniel Allen and his sons Daniel, Jr. and James made improvements in 1816, having spent the previous Winter on the Macoupin opposite the mouth of Taylor's Creek, in what is now Jersey County. They were followed not long after by R. B. Huitt, Rev. C. J. Gardiner and John King. Shortly before the year 1830, came Gen. Jacob Fry and James Stone. In 1836, a man by the name of Stedman, Alexander Smith, Jacob Backus, Enoch Backus, Col. N. M. Perry and others resided near Section 36, on which Old Kane is situated. They were a long distance from any market, Jerseyville on the south and Carrollton on the north were their nearest towns and each was seven or eio-ht miles awa3^ There was a beautiful location for a village on Section 36 and the propriety of establishing a new town was often discussed. Col. N. M. Perry, now deceased, was prominent in these deliberations, as were also Z. H. Adams and a Mr. Brainerd. Col. Perry was the first to settle in the town and he sold the first lot. Z. H. Adams built the first store, where he sold drugs, groceries, calicoes and all the raisellaneous merchandise necessary in a new country. Col. Perry erected the second store building in the now rapidly growing village. He was a gentleman of great activity and occupied a very prominent place in the history of the county. He sold goods in this town for some time and quite successfully until the panic forced him to retire from business for a time. He subsequently resumed business and continued as a merchant in the place for about thirt}' years. Very soon a dwelling house was built by Samuel Pope and he erected the first blacksmith shop. In 1838, the Baptists began the erection of a church in the town, which was completed soon after. It is still standing, one of the old landmarks of the county. The Methodists erected a building later. Although surrounded by some of the richest farming lands in the State, there were few natural advantages to assist the town to a rapid growth.

In the Spring of 1856, a company was formed consisting of Col. N. M. Perry, Guy C. Richards, W. O. Tolman, A. W. Tolman and Willis Barrow for the purpose of erecting a flouring mill. Myron Cory was the superintendent and builder, and the edifice was ready for occupancy in the Autumn. Subsequently Col. Perry became sole proprietor and later

In 1854, when Josiah T. Hunt with Mr. Ollendorf his assistant was making the preliminary survey for the railroad, now known as the Jacksonville branch of the Chicago and Alton, it was earnestly hoped by the citizens of Kane that the road might pass through that town. The engineer made every effort to find a feasible route by which this could be accomplished, but when he made his report at the completion of his work he stated that he regretted exceedingly that it was impracticable. Three lines were run, but the nearest of them left Kane a half mile to the west and the route finally adopted was still further distant. The road was opened from White Hall to Godfrey, January 1, 1865, and in November of that year, Tobias Holliday, who owned a tract of land on the railroad, laid out a town on the east side of the road which was known until the establishment of the post office as HoUidaysburg. Subsequently HoUiday's addition west of the track was annexed and became the business center of the town.

Some time after the town was laid out Thomas Boyd, a leading citizen of Carrollton, of considerable wealth, purchased a tract of land near the town which he divided into lots and sold. This is now known as Boyd's addition to Kane, and a large number of residences have been built upon it. Elder Joel Terry, on his decease, devised to his family a farm of 160 acres, part of which lay within the corporation limits of Kane. A part of this tract sold at public sale in behalf of the heirs was subsequently laid ofiF in lots, and formed that part of the town known as Terry's addition. The place soon adopted the name of its older neighbor, and became known as Kane, or to distinguish it from the original bearer of that name. New Kane.

John Green was one of the first settlers in the young village. J. B. Enslow, who had been a farmer in Montgomery County, built the first store, in which he opened a stock of groceries. Not long after, Samuel Gardiner, who is the present postmaster, moved from the old to the new town. He was a harness maker, and followed his calling for some time. He afterward embarked in trade, and has sold dry goods and groceries for many years. He moved a building which he owned in Old Kane to the new town, in Avhich he has ever since sold goods and handled the mail of the little city. John E^itch was the first blacksmith in New Kane, and Dr. P. Fenity was the first physician. Dr. Fenity had practiced some six years in the old town, where he had secured a lucrative business. He has proved a very valuable man to the town and has contributed liberally of his means to further the best interests of the place. None have taken a deeper interest in the intellectual and moral concerns of the community. Shortly after the new town was laid out Peter and W. M. Felter added materially to the appearance of the place by the erection of a large brick building, since used as a dry goods and grocery store, and now occupied by Dr Albro Allen. Kane now began to feel iier importance. The old town sank into insignificance, and, having vanquished that rival, the new town began to reach out for the trade which iiad hitherto gone to Jerseyville and Carrollton. Kane became an important ship[»ing point, and grain, cattle and hogs poured in from all partsof the surrounding county. As the town grew in importance the necessity of a suitable house for the promotion of education became apparent, and the motion to build was carried with scarcely a dissenting vote. The present buildino- has undergone some changes since its erection, and will compare favorably with any other school building in the county. The first teacher in Kane was E. H. Remick, whose services were so highly appreciated that he was retained in the position for four years. His successors have been Rev. H. J. Spears, William Terry, Ward Coombs, James W. DeAvel, J. G. Harley, John Worthington, Mr. Allen and Miss Alice Bridges.

The first religious services were held in Felter's Hall, but not long after the formation of the town a subscription paper was circulated to secure funds for the erection of a church. The response was liberal and prompt. The building was erected in 1866 especially for the Methodists, but was called a Union Church, and was used by various denominations. Among the preachers who have presided over this flock have been Rev. Messrs. Walker, Hoyt, H. J. Spears, Stubblefield, Dewes, Cline, Delicate, Sly, Fobs, Greenlow,Westze, Tomes andN. E. Harmon, who has displayed remarkable ability as a revivalist. ,

In 1867 and 1868 John E. A^an Pelt, a brilHant but erratic man, built a very large and complete flouring mill, just east of the railroad, at a cost of $32,000, §10,000 of which was subscribed by the citizens of the place. The mill did a very large business for a time and Mr. Van Pelt seemed to be coining money. In time, however, he became involved and the mill was sold under a deed of trust. In March. 1869, Johnson & Howe assumed control of the institution. Afterward Z. M» Titus rented the mill and transacted a good business. His successors were L. H. Turner, E. C. Leigh and others.

In 1873 or 1874 Dr. Casey of Jerseyville and E. C. Leigh organized a bank, with a paid in capital of $5,000, in the building owned by W. W. Felter. The firm subsequently erected an edifice solely for their own use, in which they carried on business until their failure in 1878.

Not long after S. F. Green, a prominent farmer of the vicinity, and Enoch Littlefield established a bank under the firm name of Littlefield, Green & Co. This institution does a large and increasing business, and through the unquestioned integrity of the partners enjoys the confidence of the community.

W. P. Parker is the only merchant doing an exclusive grocery business, although J. B. & S. F." Gardiner and Wm. B. Enslow carry a stock of such goods. Messrs. John Greene & Co. do a very extensive business in dry goods, and have demonstrated their business ability by the erection of their present very large and commodious building. Messrs. Gardiner also handle dry goods. There are two drug stores in the town, one under the control of Mr. Remicke, and the other owned by Wm. B. Enslow. Cyrus Morris keeps an assortment of saddlery and hardware: There are two hotels, known as the Kane House and the Astor House, and C. N. Adams keeps a boarding house. There are besides in the town, one meat market, one barber shop, two millinery establishments, a lumber yard with a small printing oflice attached, one notion and cigar store, four blacksmith shops, two livery stables.

There are in Kane lodges belonging to the Masonic, Odd Fellows, and Knights of Honor organizations. The following sketch of the Masonic Lodge was kindl}^ furnished us by Dr. P. Fenity :

King Solomon's Lodge, No. 197, was instituted at the meeting of the Grand Lodge in 1854, and commenced work under dispensation. George W. Cory was appointed W. M.; Augustine T. Perry, S. W.; James W. Allen, J. W.; Cyrus R. Lake, Treas.; A. H. Smith, Sec. A new dispensation was granted b}^ the Grand Lodge in 1855, and the same officers were continued till the meeting of the Grand Lodge in 1856, when that body granted them a charter. On the 12th of November, J. B. Samuel, acting as Grand Master, installed the officers of the lodge under the charter, viz., George W. Cory, W. M.; A. T. Perry, S. W.; J. W. Allen, J. W.; Cyrus R. Lake, Treas.; A. H. Smith, Sec; S. G. Gardinei, S. D.; J. B. White, J. D.; E. L Lovell, Tyler. The present officers are George W. Witt, W. M.; Samuel E. Brown, S. W.; Joseph Dressell, J. W.; Lucien King, Treas.; Augustin T. Perry, Sec.

King Solomon's Lodge moved from Old Kane to New Kane, and occupied the upper story of Felter's brick hall, February 26, 1870. In 1875, the members with unanimity agreed to build a new hall, which they should own and occup}', and which should be free to them and to all those who should come after them through all coming time ; and on the 6th of January, 1876, dedicated it to God and the Brotherhood, according to the solemn and impressive rites of the order, free of debt, at a cost of fl,500.

Mutual Lodge, No. 430, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was instituted on the 5th of July, 1870. George S. Miles became Past Grand Master by special authority, and subsequently Col. Joseph S. Carr was elected Noble Grand of the new lodge, with S. S. Torrey, V. G., M. M. Johnson Secretar}-, R. N. McClure, Treasurer. Since its organization sixty-two members have been admitted into the brotherhood. The meetings of the lodge are held weekly, and the organization is in a flourishing condition. The present officers are: Joseph S. Carr, N. G.; Charles S. Smith, V. G.; O. P. Cory, Sec; W. W. Felter, Treas.

Kane contains two churches, of the Methodist and Baptist denominations respectively. The Baptist Church is presided over by the Rev- B. B, Hamilton, of White Hall. Dr. Bulkley, and teachers and graduates of Shurtleff College have been its previous ministers. Rev. N. E. Harmon is the pastor of the Methodist Church.

The Town of Kane was incorporated April 5, 1869. Members of first Council were : James B. Gardiner, Samuel G. Gardiner, John B. Enslow, Henry D. Field (who was also President of Council). Clerk, Jos. S. Carr ; Treasurer, J. H. Felter ; Police Magistrate, W. W. Felter ; Constable, Philo Adams. The present town officers are : James B. Gardiner (President), Lemuel M. Ohaver, John T. Williams, Peter Fenity, Edward C. Leigh. Clerk, A. W. Felter ; Treasurer, E. Littlefield ; Police Magistrate, Donald Carmichael ; Town Constable, Andrew Giles.

Source changes here: from Past and Present of Greene County, Illinois, by Miner, Ed. (Edward), published 1905; 2,635 words in this source stream.

Kane Township

There have been two places of this name in the county, of which old Kane, or Homer, as it was once called, was much the older. This town was laid out on section 36, township 9, range 12, in 1837. by Nathaniel M. Perry, Abraham B. Harris and W. W. Myrick, the plat of the same being filed for record December 14, 1837. Also prominent in the laying out of the new town were Z. H. Adams and a Mr. Brainard. It is not definitely known who the first settlers upmi the site of the place were, but it is generally conceded to have been the Brainard brothers, for, when Z. H. Adams came, in 1830, he took up his residence with them. Soon after settling in the incipient tillage, a postoffice was established with Mr. Adams as postmaster. He was succeeded by N. M. Perry.

The first store was opened by Zenas H. Adams in the front room of the Brainard brothers" flwelling. He retailed drugs, groceries, dry goods, hardware, and all other articles that go to make up the country store, and continued the same until the store of N. M. Perry was started, when Mr. Adams discontinued the business.

part of 1836, and in the fall of that year erected a store building. In the early part of 1837 he opened the second store in the place, carrying a general stcok, which he prosecuted vigorously and successfully until 1872, when he discontinued the business at this place.

Soon after Mr. Perry had established his business. Samuel Pope opened a blacksmith shop, and the old town rang with the merry sound of the hammer on the anvil. He also kept weary travelers, and the stage made a stopping place of his house.

In 1837 William Myrick opened a shop and ci>mnienced making and repairing .shoes. The same year two men by the name of Strong and Wyckoff, both deaf and duml), commenced tailoring. ^ Dr. Augustus Knaj)]) was the first physician to locate at Homer, as it was then called, and remained until 1845. Dr. Luther Cory was the ne.xt permanent physician to locate here, in 1844, where he remained until his death July 29, 1850.

In 1856 a steam flouring mill was erected by a stock company consisting of X^. M. Perry, \\'. O. Tolman, S. W. Tolman, G. C. Richards and Willis Barrow. The building was built diu'ing the summer of that 3-ear, and when fall had come, Myron Cory, the contractor and builder, turned it over to the owners. In 1859 X. M. Perry bought out his associates, and operated it alone until 1866, when it was purchased by S. M. and Z. M. Titus, who enlarged the building and placed in it an amount of new and improved machinery. They operated it at its best capacity for several years. In 1874 il was sold to Jefferson Bolt and John W. l-"inney. In 1877 Mr. Bolt purchased Mr. Finney's interest and operated the mill successfully. In 1S81 he sold it to Alonzo Hebron, who again .sold the same in 1882 to H. C. Stevens. In the same year James Bothwell bought and owned it until 1883. In 1884 C. J. Gardiner became a purchaser, and in the fall of 1885 it was purchased by some St. Louis parties.

During the years 1854 and '55, while the i)reliminary survey for the railroad - now the Chicago & Alton - was being made by J. T. Hunt and Charles AUendorf, endeavors were made to find a jiracticable route into and out of the town, but nothing like a proper grade could be found, and much to the regret of the citizens, the line adopted ran about a mile to the east of the place. This sealed its doom. The road was opened for business from White Hall to Godfrey January I, 1866.

In November, 1865, Tobias HoUiday, who owned a tract of land on section 29, township 9, range 11. which was intersected bv the railroad, laid out a town on the west side of the track, which was known for a time as Hollidaysburg. Some time in the summer of 1866 Thomas H. Boyd, a wealthy resident of Carrollton, purchased twenty acres on the east side of the railroad, which he laid out and gave the name of Kane, but is now known as Boyd's addition to Kane. The place soon took the name of its older neighl)or.

John Greenfield erected the first building in the embryo town, commencing it in the fall of 1865. In February, 1866, S. G. Gardiner commenced building a woodshed, and commenced hauling the material for a

J. B. Enslow started the erection of the second permanent structnre in the town. This was a store building, two stories high, the upper story being used for dwelling purposes, and in it he put a stock of groceries, etc.

S. G. Gardiner was the next merchant of the town. He opened a stock of general merchandise June i, 1866. He carried dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes, hats, caps, drugs, medicines, oils, hardware, etc. This stock he closed out in the spring of 18S2. The building was remo\'ed a short distance north, and two brick structures were erected upon the site.

The dry goods establishment of Smith, Irwin & Co. is one of the largest in this part of the county. Its history is this : On the ist of January, 1880, C. A. Smith, Robert Hobson and Mrs. M. A. Archer bought out the firm of Greene & Smith, who had been running the place for a time, and continued the partnership until the death of Robert Hobson in July, 1882, when his widow took his interest, and Jeft' Bolt purchased the interest of ]\Irs. Archer; but the firm continued under the old name of Smith, Hobson & Co. until February, 1883. when INIr. Bolt retired from the firm. In 1884 Mrs. Hobson retired and a new partnership was formed with Charles S. Smith, James ]\I. Irwin and Edward A. CuK'er as its components, under the name Smith, Irwin & Culver,

Cyrus Morris commenced the business of dealing in hardware, harness, etc., in 1870, erecting the building in the winter of 1869- 70, removing part of it from the old town.

the hardware line, occui)icd a building that was erected in 1881 by W. W. Felter. It was first occupied by Felter & McClure, who put in a stock of hardware, and also had a printing office in the same building. These gentlemen ran the paper for about six UKjnths, when they quit the journal, but continued the job department for two years longer. In July, 1883, Frank McClure and A. W. Felter dissolved partnership.

The pioneer drug store of Kane was opened by Dr. A. B. Allen in 1869 or 1870. He ran this two or three years, when he removed his stock to Jersey ville. In 1871 F. S. Torrey opened a store of this character and continued it for twt) or three years, when he sold out. The next party to open a (h"ug store was Herman Roesch, who, after about two years, sold out to Dr. J. B. Hamilton in 1873. This gentleman ran it for a short time, when he sold to John Robinson. He was succeeded by Dr. I. S. Hughes, who took in as a partner William Enslow, and afterward sold to the latter gentleman in 1878. In 1879 it was sold out and purchased by John B. Enslow.

Louis L. Roberts opened a grocery and provision store in Kane in April. 1882, in the building formerly occu])icd by S. G. Gardiner & Brother.

Dr. Peter Fenity commenced the practice of medicine in Old Kane May 18, 1857. Here he remained until July, 1S66, when he removed to the new tow n and built one of the first dwelling houses in that infant city, where he has remained in practice ever since. He was, as will be seen, the first physician of the place.

In 1867 Peter and William W. Pelter erected a brick building, the first in the village. This was 35x60 feet in ground area. On the lower floor was a store, and the second floor was fitted up as a hall, and in this was held the first religious services in the burg. Services continued to be held here until the M. E. church was built.

Jesse Cockrell commenced the lumber and coal business in April, 1883, in connection with M. Cockrell, of Jerseyville, but in October. 1883. the latter withdrew from the firm.

John T. Williams was the first to buikl the necessary warehouse to carry on the grain trade, which he did shortly after the advent of the railroad here. In size this structure was 35x50 feet, and had a capacity of nearly 10.000 bushels. About that time Mr. Williams handled a great deal of grain, but. in 1880 discontinued it, renting the warehouse to Jesse Cockrell, who kept it one year. Then D. A. Thompson rented it and ran it for a season, to be succeeded by Joseph Went. He ran it for a season, and then it was rented by H. C. Yeager, of the mill, and after his departure Mr. Williams again took charge.

In October, 1884. Jesse Cockrell and W. J. Pope formed a partnership under the firm name of Cockrell & Pope in the grain trade. The first butcher shop in the village of Kane was kept by T. Early in 1868. He was succeeded by Titus Claflin. George England ran it about three years and built the first slaughter house. Several parties have ran it since that time, it changing hands every few months. In March, 1885, R. Huitt and R. Raines took charge of it.

Henry Yahncke commenced the woodworking business in Kane in the fall of 1866. William Sunderland was engaged in the Ijlacksmith business. His shop was opened during the year 1865, in Old Kane, in which Smith Gill, the pioneer blacksmith of Kane, commenced business. He ran it for about three years, w hen he sold out to Cyrus Morris, who operated it l)ut a short time. It lay idle then for some lime, but in 18S2 William Sunderland rented the shop of Cyrus Morris and opened the business.

A. H. Kight commenced the blacksmith business here in 1872. and has conducted it ever since. He came from St. Charles, Alissouri. to Old Kane, and from there here.

The bank was established and opened for business in September, 1881, by S. F. Greene and George W. Witt. They have a capital of about $10,000. Most of their loans are made on personal security, and they are doing a fine business. The firm name is S. F. Greene & Co., but it is under the management of R. W. Greene, to whom is due, in a large measure, the popularity of the institution.

There was a bank here prior to this, organized in 1874, by Dr. Casey, of Jerseyville, and E. C. Leigh, which had a capital of about $5,000. They occupied a luiilding owned by W. W. Felter for a time, and afterward removed to the building owned by Dr. Fenity, which they erected. They continued business until 1878.

The pioneer hotel of the village was opened in 1867 by Andrew Giles, who had just erected the necessary building. When he first put up the edifice, it was only a story and a half high, and 26x30 feet in ground area; but in 1878 he erected an addition to it, 18x32 feet in size and two stories high. In 1882 he remodeled the original portion of the building, making it 26x30 feet in dimensions, and two stories high. It was very comfortably arranged, and accommodated about twenty-five people.

The Kane House was built in 1875 by William Parker. The first to keep this house was Louis Turner, who ran it but a short time, when he was succeeded by Dr. Weir. This gentleman remained about a year, wlien T. J. Enslow took charge, and kept it a1)0ut a year. It has never been long under one proprietor, changing every few years. The last to keep it was William Pennell, who took it in 1881 and ran it until 1884. The Parker heirs owned the building.

The Jacksonville branch of the Chicago, Alton & St. Louis railroad passes through the town of Kane and has a depot here. The road was built through here in 1864 and 1865, and opened for business with the beginning of the following year.

The present population of the town of Kane is 750. The village officials are : William Forsvthe, president : Jesse Ashlock, clerk; Ora W'lieeler. John Hodge, Cam. Woolridge, John ]\Iusgrove and George Housewell, councilmen ; Sidney Jenkins, policeman, and (ieorge W. Cory, police magistrate.

worthy adviser; John Valentine, banker; Harvey Davis, clerk; Harry Hodge, watchman : Ora Wheeler, sentry ; Kurl Hodge, escort ; S. \V. Jenkins, Charles Felter and Dean Smith, managers.

King Solomon's Lodge, No. 197, A. F. & A. M. was instituted at the meeting of the Grand Lodge in 1854 and commenced work under a dispensation, as usual. The officers appointed at that time were George W. Cory, W. M. ; Augustus T. Perry, S. W. ; James W. Allen, J. W.; Cyrus R. Lake, T. ; A. H. Smith, Sec. ; S. G. Gardener, S. D. ; Thomas Dodson, J. D. and James Brooks, tyler. On the 7th of October, 1856, a charter was granted the lodge, and it was organized with the following charter members : George W. Cory, A. T. Perry, J. W. Allen, C. R. Lake,

The first deadi to occur in the lodge was that of Cvrus R. Lake, who was munlered on the night of July 28, 1858, at Link"s branch three miles south of Carrollton. His murderer was never apprehended.

The lodge was first instituted at Old Kane but was removed to Kane, February 6, 1870, when they took quarters in the hall over Felter's Ijrick store, where they remained till Tanuarv i, 1876. Then they removed to the hall they now occupy. This room is 24x76 feet in size and is well furnished. The building was erected by John Greene, and the lodge, at a cost to the latter of sixteen hundred dollars, including furniture, which sum was raised by subscription of the members. This lodge is accounted among the best in the county.

The present officers are : Charles T. Keeley. \V. M.; George R. Richards, S. W.; Clarence E. Greene, J. W. ; H. A. W. Shirley, secretary; Samuel G. Gardiner, treasurer ; Frederick L. Dressel, S. D. ; Edward O. Varble, J. D. ; Robert W. Greene, S. S. ; Newton H. Close, J. S. ; and Charles A. Davis, Tyler.

Mutual Lodge No. 30, I. O. O. F. was instituted on the 5th of July, 1870. George S. Miles, of Jerseyville, became past master by special authority, and subsequently, Col. Joseph H. Carr was elected noble grand of the new lodge, with S. S. Torrey, vicegrand; AI. M. Johnson, secretary, and R. N. McClure, treasurer. This lodge continued with more or less interest and prosperity until about ten years ago, when, it having become reduced to eight or ten active members, surrendered its charter and went out of oreanization.

Kaxe Canning Company

This institution is a prominent feature in the business interests of Kane, and for a number of years has done a good business, more or less extensive according to the greater or less supply of tomatoes which is their principal vegetable for canning purposes. The officers of the company are : Michael Henkle, president; R. W. Greene, secretary; S. G. Gardiner, treasurer; Jos. Dressel, J. N. Hodges, and C. J. Gardiner's estate, directors.