Monticello Township

Monticello Township

The location of Monticello is almost an ideal place for a town. The country is rolling and affords excellent drainage; it is near the river and is in the center of a very fine farming and stock country. It is the oldest town in the county, having been laid out in

Past And Present

1837, four years before the county was organized. Just before this the nearest town at which they could trade was Decatur, about twenty-five miles away by road. The people around here thought that that was too far to go to do their trading and concluded to start a town. A committee consisting of Abraham Marquiss, William Barns, Major McReynolds and J. A. Piatt was appointed to select a location for a town. They searched up and down both sides of the Sangamon and finally decided on the present location. It was indeed a good selection, and they would have had to search long and carefully to find a better one.

It is in the midst of a fine country and is just rolling enough to make a good location. The principal streets of the city are sloping and will almost drain and clean themselves.

The land was once owned by James A. Piatt, who sold part of it. The four men mentioned above formed a stock company and laid out the town. It was platted by James A. Piatt, surveyed by Mr. McClelland and named by Major McReynolds after the home of President Jefferson. The plat was recorded July i, 1837.

On July 4th a grand barbecue was held. This was done to attract people to the new town and to sell the lots. The barbecue was very successful from both points of view. A large crowd attended the barbecue. Beeves, hogs and sheep were roasted and a general good time was had. A number of lots were sold, the price obtained being in the neighborhood of $2,700.

The original plat of Monticello did not include the Heyworth house, erected on what is now the Lodge place. The first house in the limits of the city was a small store house which stood on the northwest corner of the square, where the First National Bank is now located. It was built in 1837 by Mr. Cass, the first merchant in the town. The first dwelling house was built in 1839 by Mr. Nicholas Devore. The house was several years in building and went by the name of "Old Fort" for a number of years. The second dwelling house in the town was built by John Tenbrooke. It was a log house and served for a hotel. The third house was erected by James Outten just opposite the jail. The fourth house was a little blacksmith shop near the Honselman House, one block south of the square. In 1839 this was the extent of Monticello.

In 1841 Daniel Stickel opened the first regular store in the town on the south side of the present square. J. C. Johnson opened the first drug store and was the first regular postmaster. The first physician who settled in Monticello was Dr. King. The first preaching in the town was at the home of Mr. Outten, where a circuit rider of the M. E. church stopped once a month. In 1843 and 1844 Rev. Peter Cartwright held meetings in the old court house. He was quite a noted character in his day.

Monticello was made a city in 1872. The first election under the new system of government was held December 17, 1872, and Daniel Stickel was elected first mayor and William T. Foster, B. B. Jones, E. G. Knight, J. A. Hill, John Keenan and James M. Holmes aldermen. William D. Shultz was elected clerk ; A. T. Pipher attorney ; J. T. YanGundy treasurer.

1895-1897 - John E. Andrew elected. Served a short time and resigned. Reber Huston was appointed by City Council to fill vacancy until election could be held. Election held June 25, 1895, and W. J. Britton «lected, who filled out unexpired term.

Monticello Water Works

The first definite action looking towards -city water works was taken in 1889. At the meeting of the City Council held September 3. 1889, a petition signed by forty-four citizens was read, asking the council to take action to establish a system of water works. On motion of Alderman C. N. Rhoades the mayor was instructed. to appoint a committee of seven to investigate the matter and report conclusions - three of the committee to be memliers of the council and four of them citizens. Mayor A. L. Rodgers appointed the following persons on the committee : J. A. Bender, W. R. Yazle, R. R. Meredith, J. A. Brown, W. H. Plunk, G. A. Stadler and F.'V. Dilatush. The committee made a very careful investigation of the matter and made a report to the council November 5, 1889 as follows :

A supply of water can be obtained anywhere in the northern portion of the city in three different ways - by using the well purchased of the coal company, by sinking a large surface well fifty or seventy feet deep, or by putting down two or three tubular wells about three hundred feet deep. Any of these methods will furnish water in abundance ; but for the best and purest water we recommend the deep tubular wells, as that which will give the most satisfactory results for the least money. Of the various systems of water works in use the "combined system" of direct pressure from the pump, together with an elevated tank, would be the most durable and economical for our city. This system would be the most effective in use, least expensive to operate, and the first cost to protect a width of six blocks from north to south through the business portion of the city would not exceed $15,000. Tais includes sinking the wells, pump, tank, power house, etc., in fact, the system completed, tested and ready to be received by the city. Under the present law owing to the low valuation of the city's taxable property but $13,500 could be raised by bonds, 5 per cent, of the valuation being the limit for which a city can bond itself for water works. By raising $1,500 additional by a special tax our city can be as effectually protected as anycity can be, and in view of the helpless condition in case of fire at present, we believe our city cannot afford to be longer without this aid.

We therefore recommend that you submit the question to a vote of the people, placing- the cost at a maximum of $15.000, all of which is unanimously concurred in by your committee. Signed by all members of committee.

The council postponed action on the report of the committee and nothing more was done with the matter for nearly a year. On September 2, 1890, the council decided "to proceed to buy location for water works for city" and the clerk was directed to advertise for bids for sinking a six-inch well. It was decided to buy from H. E. Huston the east half of lots 5 and 6 and all of lot 7, block 10, in Rawlins' addition to Monticello, for $330, as a location for well and plant.

October 15, 1890, the contract for sinking the well was let to the J. W. Mohler Company at the following price: First 100 feet, $2.25 per foot; next 50 feet, $2.75 per foot, and from 150 to 500 feet, $3.00 per foot. The well was finished the following spring and was put down 311 feet.

On October 13, 1891, an ordinance was passed providing for bonding the city for $9,000 for the purpose of instituting a waier-works plant. The bonds were sold to Parson, Leach & Co.

The contract for the construction of the water works plant complete with the exception of the pipe lines was awarded to George Cadogan Morgan for $10,450. The contract for water mains laid complete with all connections was awarded to Mueller Plumbing and Heating Company for $12,890. The work was completed and the plant installed in 1892.

Later an eight-inch well 209 feet deep was sunk. The water in each well stands within twenty feet of the top and is unusually clear and pure. The working valves of the pump are 100 feet down. The water in circumference at the base. On top of this is the stand-pipe, fifty feet high, twelve feet in diameter at base and ten feet at top. The tank holds about 36,000 gallons.

The water is first pumped into a reservoir, which holds 56,000 gallons, and is forty feet in diameter. On the eight-inch well is an Aurora pump and on the six-inch well a Cook pump. The water is forced from the reservoir by a Dean pressure pump. The stroke of this pump is fourteen inches, the plunger is eight and one-half inches in diameter, and the steam cylinder ten inches in diameter. The pump will throw 600 gallons per minute. In case of fire the water is pumped directly into the main, and some idea of the force with which it is sent may be obtained when you are told that they have sent water over a three-story elevator (Peck's) at least 100 feet away.

There are two seventy-five horse-power boilers, put in new in 1899. J. J. Bell is the city engineer and has been for. the past two years. William Hodson is night man.

The fire company was organized in 1893. It is a very efficient organization and has done excellent work for the city. Perhaps the worst fire it has ever had to fight was the Peck elevator fire. The fire originated in the upper story and before the fire company arrived it had spread over nearly the whole roof, and it seemed impossible to save the building. The boys went to work with a will and in a short time had the fire under control. The roof had to be replaced, and quite a good deal of - repairs made on the upper story, but aside from this, the damages to the building by fire were not very great. The company responds readily to all calls for help in case of fire and is worthy of commendation.

at present: John Miller, chief; T. A. Tull, secretary ; Scott Tinsman, Thomas Widderheim. \\'ill Fisher. Will Skelton, Ben Facius, Robert Huhbard, George Peck, Wade Mitchell, Claude Weaver, R. M. Zybell and Samuel Cooper.

Town Hall

Resolved, That the sum of $15,000 be raised by taxation in the township of Monticello, Piatt county, Illinois, in the year 1894, for the purpose of buying site and erecting thereon a town hall and a room for a public library for the use of the inhabitants of said township.

On motion of J. E. Evans the moderator was authorized to appoint a committee of five to procure a site. and to proceed to erect thereon a town hall and a room for a library. The moderator, Wm. H. Kratz, appointed Caleb A. Tatman, Frank V. Dilatush, George F. Rhoades. James L. Allman, Herbert D. Peters.

The committee purchased the west half of cutlot 2. original town of Monticello, as a site for said building at $1,500. H. D. Peters resigned and J. W. Coleman was chosen in his place.

The (.riginal plans for the building were drawn by Seely Brown, which were accepted and paid for by the committee, who advertised for bids for the erection of the house according to the plans and specifications. The committee considered all the bids too high and all were rejected. The contract for the building was let July 13, 1896, to Mr. Gill, who drew a plan similar to the original one made by Mr.- Brown. The contract price was $13,000, which included everything complete, except heating, seating and stage fixtures. The building was completed and accepted the following spring, at the town meeting held April 6. 1897, the committee appointed to have charge of the erection of the building was dicharged and the building was turned over to the town board. At this same meeting, on motion of C. A. Tatman, the chair appointed a committee of six to act as a library committee in all matters pertaining to the Allerton library. The chairman (W. E. Krebs) appointed C. A. Tatman, J. W. Coleman, F. V. Dilatush. A. C. Thompson, (i. F. Rhoades and James L. Allman. The work of this committee is done by the town board, which at the present time consists of the following persons : H. P. Harris, supervisor ; Albert Hirt, town clerk ; M. N. Secrist and W. J. Porter, justices of the peace.

The Monticello Cemetery Association was organized May 2, 1873. The following were its first officers : President, J. W. Coleman; secretary and treasurer, H. E. Huston ; directors : W. E. Lodge, Charles Watts, George F. Miller.

Twenty acres of ground were purchased about a mile north of town and laid out on modern landscape plans. This work was in charge of Dr. J. W. Coleman, who has been president and superintendent since its organization. The ground was well chosen, being broken, thus permitting of ornamentation. Excellent taste has l>een displayed in laying off the grounds. The driveways and walks are kept in excellent condition, and the cemetery is one of the most beautiful in the State.

On the highest rise a large block has been reserved for the soldiers. In the center of this is a tall pole, from which "Old Glory" floats on Memorial Day.

The financial affairs have been well managed. Besides the original twenty acres one tract of seven acres and another of eight acres have been added, so that the ground now extends to the Camp Creek road, and in all are thirty-five acres - all paid for.

Farmers' Elevator

Steps are being taken to form a Farmers' Grain Company for the purpose of getting an elevator and shipping their own grain. A meeting of the farmers was held in the Tow'n Hall July 6, 1903. S. H. Minear acted as chairman of the meeting. The matter was discussed and W. W. Royer, James L. Allman, John Salyers, N. P. Kelley and J. M. Smith were chosen as commissioners to apply for a license to form a grain company. It was voted to have the capital stock of the company $10,000, shares $50 each and limit ownerships to four shares.

Mrs. Allerton furnished the books, furniture and pictures. At first there were 2,500 volumes. Since then 1,700 volumes have been added and the total number now is 4.200.

The books have been very carefully selected, the reference library being unusually good. There are over 500 volumes of bound periodicals and the following magazines are complete : New England, Century and Harper. All who live in the township are entitled to the privilege of the library. Those outside may have the privilege of the library by paying $2.50 per year.

The first bank in Monticello was started November i, 1870, under the firm name of Robert Huston & Co., H. V. Moore being one of the firm. In 1872 A. J. Dighton was taken in as a partner and the business was done under the firm name of Huston, Moore & Dighton. In 1878 A. J. Dighton died and the business was conducted under the firm name of Houston & Moore. In 1880 Mr. Moore bought out Mr. Huston and the bank was run by H. V. Moore. In 1883 W. H. Plunk became interested in the bank and ever since it has been conducted under the firm name of H. V. Moore & Co. It does a large general banking business, and on account of its wise and conservative management and the financial standing of its owners it is considered one of the safest banking institutions in the State.

In November, 1883, Dr. William Noecker started a private bank in the room now occupied by the First' National Bank. About six years later George A. Stadler was taken in as a partner and the business was conducted under the firm name of William Noecker & Co. Later John N. Dighton came in as a partner.

These officers were continued until the death of William Noecker in 1897, when the following officers were elected and are the officers of the institution at this time :

The bank was remodeled in 1899 and a burglar-proof steel-lined vault put in. It is fitted with safety deposit boxes and other modern steel furniture.

The Dighton-Dilatush Loan Company was organized October 31, 1900, for the purpose of making real estate loans. The capital stock of the company is $30,000.

The following are the present officers: President, John N. Dighton; vice-president, William Dighton; cashier, F. V. Dilatush; assistant cashier, Frank Hetishee.

Harrington Brothers

most substantial and attractive buggy for the least money. The factory was erected in 1900 and consists of a two-story brick, 40x56, and a three-story frame building, 35x70. All together the factory contains 13,630 feet of floor space. There is a well lighted show window. The factory employs fifteen hands.

The firm makes a specialty of mail wagons for rural routes. The body of the wagon is 31x56, covered with heavy sail duck and well painted. The interior is fitted with suitable desk, with six letter-boxes and six paper boxes with lock and stamp drawer.

The Piatt County Loan Association was incorporated March 26, 1886, and commenced business April 10, 1886. Its business has been managed conservatively and it is one of the best institutions of its kind in the State. It never loans more than 60 per cent, of its appraised value on a new building or 50 per cent, on an old one. -As a result of its conservative management it has never had a foreclosure in its seventeen years of business. The following are its officers :

This association has done a great deal of good for Monticello by making it possible for some of the best business buildings in the town to be erected

The first grain elevator in Monticello was erected in 1872 by Piatt, Hubtell & Co. In 1878 a gristmill was connected with the elevator. Later it was made into a corn mill and was fitted with machinery to make meal, grits, hominy and corn flour. It makes a splendid grade of meal and grinds a great deal in fall and winter and supplies the local trade and ships a great deal to neighboring towns.

In 1893 the elevator caught on fire. The fire originated in the third story, and when discovered the fire had broken through the roof. The fire was at least fifty feet from the ground, and it was only by the heroic efforts of the fire company that the elevator was saved. A great deal of grain is shipped from this elevator every year.

In 1876, Knight & Tinder erected an elevator on the then Chicago & Pacific Railroad. This elevator was destroyed by fire on January 6, 1884. A new one was built that summer, and has been in use to the present time, now being owned and operated by E. G. Knight & Son. The building is to be rebunilt this fall, and a modern grain elevator put up. In 1900 the firm put up a modern elevator near the Illinois Central railroad track. It is conveniently arranged for handling grain, and up-to-date in every respect. E. G. Knight has been in the grain business for thirty-four years, commencing to buy grain in Monticello in 1869.

-put in in 1895 by the Monticello Mutual Telephone Company. There were forty shareholders in the company, each taking a phone, and there was no provision made for renting the phones to outside parties. In 1897 this company became merged into the Piatt County Telephone Company, an organized stock company, of which W. F. Lodge has the controlling interest, and is the president and general manager. The owners of shares in the Mutual Telephone Company surrendered them for so much telephone service rendered by the new company.

The Monticello hotel building is a threestory brick building near the square, erected by J. C. Johnson. It was remodeled and greatly improved in 1897, and furnished with modern conveniences. Until recently it has been conducted by David Deter and son.

The Sackriter hotel was erected in 1892. It is a three-story brick near the square. It is provided with modern hotel equipment. The proprietor, Henry Sackriter, has been in the hotel business since 1890.

Light Plant

The Monticello Light and Power Company was organized in 1891. They secured a fifty-year franchise from the city and erected a brick power house west of the Illinois Central depot, and the plant was started in 1892. They have the contract from the city for lighting the streets. They have a forty light arc machine, each light being 2000 candle power.

Pepsin Syrup Company

Pepsin Syrup Company was organized in 1893 by C. H. Ridgely, Dr. W. B. Caldwell, Harry H. Crea and others, the object being the manufacture and sale of Dr. Caldwell's Syrup Pepsin.

This remedy soon became popular in central Illinois, and the field of operations was gradually enlarged. Mr. Crea finally secured a controlling interest which he held until June, 1899, when he disposed of his stock to Allen F. Moore and A. C. Thompson. Mr. Moore is president and manager of the company and Mr. Thompson is vice-president.

The medicine has won its way by reason of its merit, and the field has been extended by judicious advertising until it is now sold in nearly every state and territory in the Union, in Mexico and Canada. The business has shown an increase every year since the present management secured control, and the future prospects of the company are very gratifying. A. large force is employed in the laboratory, in the offices and on the road. The company now imports direct several of the ingredients of the medicine, Egypt and

H. D. Peters Company

The business of H. D. Peters Company, manufacturers of writing tablets and cigars, is an off-shoot of the printing business of H. D. Peters, who, for eighteen years, was proprietor and editor of the Piatt County Herald former business merging into, and finally superceding the latter. This firm does business over the larger part of Illinois, and some in Indiana, keeping constantly employed a corps of traveling men, selling their own products. From a sale of a few hundred dollars of tablets a year, their sales now reach three to four carloads, nearly all their own product. The business in the cigar line has also increased in like proportion. This firm still conducts a printing business, having for thirty years l>een thus continuously engaged, making it the oldest printing firm doing business in the county, and one of the oldest in the state.

From a room 18x30 feet in the second story of the Opera building, they have expanded to a building of three rooms 29x90, with a warehouse 20x80, with urgent need of increased room. The business of the firm has shown a steady growth from its inception, and employing constantly from twenty-five to thirty people, has become one of the leading enterprises of the city.

two years after the county was created. At that time, it was one of the churches on the Monticello circuit. The records state that the First Quarterly Conference was held November 23, 1843, witn W. B. Trotter, presiding elder, and Addison Gadsid pastor in charge. In 1844 Rev. Peter Cartwright became presiding elder. He was a noted character in his time, and a man of great personal influence. The first church building was erected in 1871, while James C. Buckner was pastor. It was a frame building, and stood where Mr. E. W. Lumsden is now living. Later they built a parsonage just north of the church. In 1857 a great revival was held and four hundred came into the church on probation. The same year the parsonage grounds were enlarged and fenced. In 1859 the Camp Creek church, then on this circuit, was built, and was dedicated by Granville Moody, of Ohio.

In 1861 a bell was bought by the Mite Society, and was put on 'a foundation between the church and parsonage. In the next few years it seems that the church became badly disorganized. Many of the men on the circuit went to the war. In 1865 a big revival was held and there were 127 accessions to the church. That same year the church was placed in the Champaign district.

In 1868 the Monticello church was constituted a station with Ira Emerson as pastor. The membership was 138, with four local preachers, and one exhorter.

In 1869 the present church building was commenced. It was dedicated December 17, 1870, by Rev. Hiram Buck. It is a large, comfortable brick building just one block from the square. The building was overhauled this spring, papered and painted, and is now in good condition.

Presbyterian Church

The Presbyterian church at Monticello was organized in 1842 by Rev. Joseph Adams with ten members, as follows : James Huston, Sarah Huston, Mary Neyhart, Archibald Moffitt, Samuel Moffitt, James J. Patterson, Anna Patterson, Elizabeth Young Hugh O'Neal and Mary O'Neal. .'.'. by letter from some other church. The early years of the church seem to have been very discouraging ones. For several years it was without a pastor, both its elders died, and the membership was reduced by deaths and removals. To Rev. John Huston belongs the honor of being the real founder of the church. He labored faithfully for the- church, enduring hardships and making sacrifices, such as few men would make. He preached here for about six years, spending part of his time in the country churches near Monticello. Under his leadership the church membership was increased, and the church put on a better basis.

In 1871 the present church building was erected. It is a frame house 35 by 60 feet, with brick foundation. It was built under the supervision of Architect J. M. Combs, and cost about four thousand dollars.

In 1866 the church built a two story frame parsonage just south of the church at a cost of $1150. In August, 1900, the church bought lots in the block south of the square for $2,050 from Mr. and Mrs. George Lewis and W. E. Lodge. They expect to erect a church building on these lots in the near future.

Masonic Order Past And -Present

Selah Lodge, No. 403, I. O. O. F., was instituted August 26, 1869, with the following charter members : A. T. Pipher, James C. Harrington, \V. D. Shultz, Michael Hazzard. Jacob McClain, Pierre Hahn. The first officers of the lodge were as follows: A. T. Pipher, N. G. ; James C. Harrington, V. G. ; W. D. Shultz, Recording Secretary; Michael Hazzard. Treasurer.

The present officers of the lodge are as follows: N. G., George A. Lindsley ; V. G., John Fitzwater ; Recording Secretary, Horace Meacham ; Financial Secretary, D. X. Kemper; Treasurer, C. Wengenwroth.

The encampment branch of the order was organized July 9, 1873, with the following charter members : Joseph T. Van Gundy, Wm. E. Smith. James Houselman, Louis Katz, John Kousho, Henry Sackriter and James C. Harrington. The first officers were as follows : Joseph T. Van Gundy, C. P. ; Louis Katz, H. P. ; James C. Harrington, S. W. ; James Houselman, J. W. ; W. E. Smith. Scribe ; John Kousho. Treasurer. The lodge is known as Fraternal Encampment No. 145, and meets in the Odd Fellows' Hall the first