Peoria City Township (part 2 of 3)

In 1878 Rev. R. G. Pearce received the appointment and served until his successor, Rev. Mr. McPheters, the present incumbent, was appointed.

G-erman M. E. Church. - This church was organized in September, 1851, by Rev. H. F. Koenike, with as small a number of members as sixteen, but the membership increased so rapidly within the next three years that it was found necessary to build a church. It was located on the corner of Monson and Fifth Streets ; was built while the Rev. F. Tigenbaum was pastor, and was dedicated in 1854 ; the dedication sermon being preached by Rev. G. L. Mulfinger. The first ofScers of the society were D. Bristol, P. C. Shelly, J. Buehner, M. Oechsle, and William Vennemann. In 1852 the Sabbath school was organized with fifteen scholars, and as a result of the faithful and earnest labor bestowed upon it, shared the prosperity of the church. About twelve years later, in order to meet the growing wants of the congregation, it became necessary to build a new and larger church, and accordingly they erected their present edifice on the corner of Adams and Chestnut Streets, and at the same time bought a parsonage, costing together about JllO,- 000. Tlie new church was dedicated in 1867, the Rev. William Nash, D.D., editor of the German Christliche Apologete, of Cincinnati, O., preaching the dedication sermon. Since then the membership has steadily increased, and the list number now is 125. The ministers who have preached from the beginning of this church till now, are the following : Rev. H. F. Koenicke, F. Fiegenbaum, J. M. Winkler, R. Fickensher, J. Yung, C. Hull, H. F. Kcenicke, J. Haas, A. Korfhage, Charles Schneider, Charles Holtkamp, William Zuppan, H. Thomas, H. Lahrmann, J. Franz, G. Timken, and the present pastor. Rev. M. Roeder, who came to it in Septerber, 1 879. In addition to the pastor the officers of the church are, J. Buehner, and A. Voshage, local preachers ; William Vennemann, J. Oechsle, and H. B. Wiechmann, class-leaders ; Charles Schneider, H. J. Ehlen, H. Albrecht, C. Westmeier, J. Oechsle, William Paul, and A. Lapp, trustees and stewards. The church property is valued at about $12,500, and the annual contributions for religious and other purposes about $1,050.

The society has within the last few years grown so strong that the project of establishing a mission in some district of the city, yet to be fixed upon, has now taken definite shape and donations to the amount of $700 have been received towards that end. A young minister. Rev. A. Lemkan, has acted as assistant to the pastor, doing earnest work and preparing the way for the proposed mission.

African M. E. Church. - This church was organized in 1846, by Rev. Philip Ward, of Bloomington, 111., with ten members, comprising the following names: G. Hill, Julia Mason, Ellen Neal, Marj* Winslow, Hannah Gilbert, Julia Wright, Anna Titus, Mrs. Brown and William Grey, who was a local preacher, class-leader and steward. For some time meetings were held from house to house, but the congregation increasing rajiidly, it became necessary to secure a place in which all could assemble, so in the same year they rented for this purpose, the old school-house on Walnut Street, but they soon had to move from there, and in 1848 they met in what was then known as the Hinmon Schoolhouse, on Monson Street near Fifth ; and wliich is now used as a residence. In 1850 the little Zion was again deprived of its meeting place, and the members were forced to return to their primitive meetings in each other's houses, under the leadership of Rev. Mr. Brooks, who had succeeded the pastor under whom they had organized. This was then a preaching point on the Bloomington, Peoria, and Galesburg Circuit, and William Grey was the only class-leader and steward. In 1853, Rev. Wm. J. Davis was appointed to this charge, and during his administration the society bought a little frame church on Chestnut Street, which they occupied until 1866. Mr. Davis was very popular with all classes, and his ministrations were attended with great success. In 1856 the church was under the supervision of Rev. A. T. Hall, and during his stay it was visited with a great revival, and many were brought to the knowledge of Christ, among whom were Thos. A. Cheek, now a minister of the Gospel, and pastor of the African M. E. Church in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. In 1857, Rev. J. Mitchem was pa-stor, and in the following year Rev. Wm. J. Dove ; Mr. Mitchem was re-appointed to the charge in 1859 and 1860. During 1866 and while Rev. Mr. Myers was pastor, the society bought the German Methodist Church building, corner of Fifth and Monson Streets, which they still continue to occupy, and the church received much help from their white brethren, until they had i)aid up the contract price of 82,600.

The following gentlemen have been pastors of the church since the acquisition of their church building : Revs. A. T. Hall, Nathan Mitchem, J. Perkins, James Semis, J. M. Derrick, H. Brown, M. M. Beckley, and their present pastor, Rev. Geo. H. Hann, who took charge in September, 1878, and who is much beloved. The church has now forty-nine membere, is self-supporting, absolutely free from debt, and in a generally pro8j)erous condition. Services are held twice every Sunday with an average attendance of 200. Their property is valued at about #15,000, and the members contributed last year for religious and other purposes $:?50. Mr. Daniel Rayner is supt. of the Sunday school, and Mrs. Hann, asst. supt., about forty-five children attend it.

The Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint* ha-s a small following in the city. Traveling Elder Hiram C. Bronson in June, 187:5, j>rcached a sermon to the few scattered adherents of this church in Peoria, who shortly afterwards organized a congregation with nine original members. They adhere to the doctrines of the original Mormon Church as interpreted by Josepli Smith, and hate polygamy and other innovations of the Mormon Church in Utah with a bitter hatred. Tiie officers of the church at present are John A. Robinson, elder ; J. B. Farr, priest, and R. R. Gaither, deacon. They rent for church purposes a building on the corner of Elm and South JefTer.son Streets, where they hold service on SMn(Iay. and wiiere their Sunday school meets. The present membership of the church is twenty-nine, and the average attendance at Sunday school, fifteen. Since organization thirty-one adults liave been received into the churcli by baptism.

The First Prethi/lerian Church. - The society now known an "The First Presbyterian Church of Peoria," was organized Ity a committee of the synod of Illinois, October 31, 1840. Prior to this, however, Presbyterianism had a cor]>orale existence here. So early as Decemlier 22, 1h:!4. a religions society wa.s organized under the title - "The First Presbyterian Church of Peoria." Soon after this came the great debates in the denomination, issuing in the division into the " Old School " and " New School " bodies. Owing to this general cause, and also to others of a different and local character, the history of Presbyterianism in Peoria, between the years 1834 and 1840, was a rather checkered one - there being, during that period, several organizations known as Presbyterian. Those who are interested in this part of tlie history, will find the facts in an excellent paper entitled " The History of the First Presbyterian Church of Peoria, Illinois," written by the late Hugh W. Reynolds, Esq., and pulished in the Presbyterian Historical Almanac for 1864.

At the date above mentioned, October .31, 1840, the organization now known as " The First Presbyterian Church of Peoria," though at the first named, " The Presbyterian Cluirch of Peoria," had twenty-four communicant members. The officers were : Ruling elders, Clark D. Powell, .Joseph Batchelder and Henry Schnebly ; deacon, William Weis ; trustees, Robert Campbell, William Weis, James H. Work, Samuel Smith, John A. McCoy, James Kirkpatrick, Samuel Shepler and George Bernheisel. The Rev. Isaac Kellar was chosen as stated supply by the new organization, and ministered to the people continually till October 1, 1847. On the 16th of April, 1848, the Rev. Addison Coffey, of Coshocton, Ohio, commenced preaching to the congregation as stated supply, and was instituted pastor on the 26t]i of October following. Mr. Coffey continued pastor until his death, April 6, 1855. The next pastor was Rev. Robert Johnston, of Gettysburg, Penus3'lvania, who was installed on the third Sabbath of November, 1856. Mr. Johnston remained pastor until his death, August 19, 1864. The next pastor was Rev. J. H. Morrow, of Rockport. New York, who held the position from April, 1865, until his resignation, August 31, 1870. The Rev. Jonathan Edwards, D.D., of Baltimore, was installed pastor September 27, 1871. His pastorate terminated by resignation, September 23, 1877. The Rev. Jesse C. Bruce, the present pastor, was installed January 0, 1879.

The building occupied by this congregatiou as a place of worship, was located on a part of lot No. 1, block No. 1, on the southwest side of Fulton Street, between Adams and Jefferson Streets. It was a brick, and was erected in 1842, at a cost of $3,500, and was fort}' feet wide by fifty feet long, with a gallery where the choir, and a portion of the congregation, might be comfortably seated. For that early day, it was not only a comfortable, but also a very respectable edifice. In the year 1851. the society erected a new building, on the northwest corner of Main and Madison Streets, at a cost of about $10,000. Some years afterward the building was remodeled and enlarged at a cost of $18,000. It is of brick, two stories high, with a belfry. This church reported to the Presbytery of Peoria, last March, an active membership of 255. The present officers are : Pastor, Rev. Jesse C. Bruce ; ruling elders, William Weis, J. K. Cooper, Charles Fisher. N. B. Love, J. C. Kingsbur}-, David McKinney, S. O. Loughridge ; clerk of session, William Weis; treas. of session, David McKinney; trustees, Joseph Elder, R. A. Cutter, Henry P. Ayres, Roswell Bliss, Levi B. Gibson, Wm. C. Henry, P. C. Wheeler, Jacob Hepperly and J. Eugene Fisher ; treas. of Board of Trustees, J. Eugene Fisher. The Sabbath school connected with this church was organized in 1842, and its officers at present are : Supt., David McKinney; asst. snpt.. Dr. E.J. Greene; secy, and treas., T.Dick Arthur; librarian. Miss J. S. McKinney; asst. librarians, Harlie Kingsbury and Eddie Bartlett. The membersliip of the school is 270. It is in excellent condition, and doing a noble work. This congregation gave last year for religious and benevolent purposes, the sum of $4,908.07.

From a membership of twenty-four at its organization, this church has had a steady and healthy growth, and is entitled to be called a " Mother of Churches." The Second Presbyterian Church, now a large and influential congregation, was formed from the First, twenty-eight members having been dismissed by her for that purpose, in December, 1853. She also contributed largely to the membership of other churches - notably to Grace Presbyterian Church, in North Peoria. The total of the member- ship of the First Church, from its origin, is 850. Some noted revival sea.sons have been experienced by this church. During the pastorate of Mr. Morrow, uj)\vards of one hundred members were received, during one season, upon profession of their faith ; and again, during the pastorate of Dr. Edwards, when upwards of forty more were received.

The Second Presbyterian Church. - After the recovery of Mr. Coffey, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Mr. J. P. Farris, who came to supply the pulpit at that church, was invited to remain and direct his efforts towards the formation of another church. This occurred in 1858. Wednesday evening, December 7th, of that year, a meeting of the presbytery was held in the lecture room of the First Presbyterian church, pursuant to a regular call. The sermon on the occasion was delivered In* Rev. W. T. Adams, of Washington. At the conclusion of the sermon. Rev. W. P. Corson, moderator on the occasion, took the chair, and the following petition was presented by Mr. J. C. Grier :

" Presbytery of Peoria : The undersigned, desirous to have the privilege of Divine Worship more extended, respectfully petition your venerable bod}' to organize in the city of Peoria, a Second Presbyterian Church."

This petition was signed by twenty-eight as members of the church and by twentyfour as members of the congregation. It was ordered that the church be formed in accordance with the prayer.

Tlie session of the church was constituted by the election of John L. Griswold and J. C. Grier, ruling elders. The first and only deacons elected were William Stettenius and George Porter. Both of these parties have long since left the city and transferred their membership, so that the deaconate is and has long been vacant.

The first trustees were John L. Griswold, N. B. Curtiss, N. I. Rugg, W. A. Herron, R. A. Smith. William F. Bryan, J. C. Grier, A. G. Curtenius. and John A. McCoy.

For a time after the organization, services were lield in Haskell's Hall, a room on the southwest corner of Main and Madison Streets. In the year 1854, the lot on the corner of Madison and Jackson Streets was purciiased and the contract let for the main building of the present church. It was completed in June, 1855, with the exception of the tower and spire. The first sermon was preached in tlie new building by the pastor, Sunday, July 1st. and the dedication sermon the Sunday following. October 25, 1858, Dr. Farris resigned tlie pastorate on account of failing healtli. From that time until June 8, 1859, there was no regular pastor, l)Ut at tlie date last iiameii Uev. Samuel Hibben was elected. He was duly installed, and continued in charge until impaired healtli compelled him to resign and seek rest from his labors. His resignation was received the 6th and accepted the 8th of February, 1862. He entered the hli Illinois Cavalry regiment as cliajilain. In change of habits and scenery he hoped to regain his lost vigor, but disease laid liini low, and he was returned to his friends and home in this city to end his days. He died June 10. 18(52. in the twenty-ninth year of his age.

For more than a year from the time of the resignatii)n of Mr. Hibben, the church remained without a pastor. The pulpit was supplied by different d' vines until October 14, 18tiS. when Dr. \V. K. McLaren was elected to the jiastorate. His installation took place May 8. lHtJ4. and he continued to preach until April. ISli", although he had resigned and his resignation had been accepted in October, 18t!6. Dr. McLaren has since joined the Episcopalian church, and has been elected a bishop.

The next pastor of the Second Church was Rev. H. V. D. Nevins, who was first engaged as stated supply June 10, 1867. In October of the same year he was elected pastor. His labors extended over a period of five years, at the end of wiiich time he resigned.

Rev. W. L. Green commenced his services as stated supply February 16, 1873. The '28th day of January following he wius elected pastor, but was not installed until October 25, 1874. His resignation was tendered and accepted in February, 1875.

In 1872, an organ was put into the church at an expense of $1,808, and during the Summer of 1874, a lecture room was added to the church, the spire and tower were put up, and other improvements were made at a cost of upwards of $7,000.

The Sabbath school connected with the church was organized January 1, 1854, with ten teachers and thirty-one scholars in attendance. The first ofBcers were : John L. Griswold, superintendent ; John A. McCoy, assistant ; David W. Heron, secretary and treasurer; and R. J. Swancoat, librarian.

The present membership of the church is 180. The elders in 1879 were J. C. Grier, John A. McCoy, D. McCulloch and A. H. Rugg. The Board of Trustees for the same year were: J. D. McClure, chairman, J. M. Rice, R. C. Grier, J. A. Chalmers, E. C. Ely, D. L. Bigham.

In connection with the Sabbath school, the ladies of the church have organized an Industrial school. It was commenced in 1870 and formally organized in 1871. It has for its objects the supplying of clothing to the destitute children connected with the Sabbath school and the teaching of the children to make their own garments. A good work has been accomplished by this school.

In January of 1876 a Mission Band was organized from the scholars of the Sabbath school. Its meetings are held monthly and its object is to learn by investigation the needs of the missionary world, to educate the children to take an interest in sending the gospel to the heathen, and by contributions to help the missionary work. The officers at its organization were Mrs. R. C. Grier, president ; Miss Maria L. Thrush, Miss Jessie L. Perry, Edward D. McCulloch and James Miles, vice presidents ; Miss Annie Walker, secretary ; Norman Smith, corresponding secretary, and J. G. Hibben, treasurer.

Grrace Presbyterian Church. - Grace Presbyterian Church is the outgrowth of a Sunday school organized March 1, 1862, in a railroad car, on Water Street, near the foot of Clay. Mr. D. W. McWilliams, then a resident of Peoria and a prominent railroad man as well as a Sunday-school worker, was elected superintendent. At first there were about 20 scholars, but the number increased in a few Sundays so that two cars were required. At the end of two months, by the aid of the Young Men's Christian Association, a building was erected on the corner of Green and Clay Streets. It was a one-story frame structure. 28x40 feet, and cost $800.

Two years later Mr. H. G. Marquand, of New York, donated $300 for the purpose of building an addition to be used as an infant class room. In 1866 the main building was extended and a room was built for the bible class, the whole improvement costing about $1,200. At this time the membership of the school was 400 pupils and 28 teachers.

December 1, 1866, Mr. McWilliams removed to New York city, and Mr. G. H. Mc- Ilvaine was elected superintendent. Up to this date nothing but Sunday-school work had been attempted. The organization was known as the Fourth ward Mission Sunday school. It was in fact a mission sciiool, for the teachers were from the various Christian churches in the city. In 1863 evening services were commenced in the Sunday-school room, conducted by the teachers and officers of the school. In the same year Rev. Mr. Doane accepted a call to preach in the embryo church. He had officiated but a short time when he was chosen chaplain of the 47th regiment, and left for the war. He afterwards died in hospital. The next five years' services were conducted by the officers and teachers. May 1, 1868, the church was duly organized. There were about twenty members who joined ^.t the time of organization. Messrs. G. H. Mcllvaine and Theodore

Higbie were elected elders. Rev. George N. Johnston, of Knoxville, was called to preach, but after a stay of three months declined the call.

In 1870 Rev. L. C. Littell preached to the church for three months, but for some reason at the end of that time severed his connection with the church.

The next pastor was Rev. W. D. Thomas, who first took charge as stated supply for six months. In 1873 he was formally elected pastor. He was never installed nor ordained, and finally resigned in February, 1874. An avowed discrepancy between the doctrines held by him and the tenets held by the Presbyterian Church had something to do with the failure to ordain this gentleman, and consequently with his resignation.

In the years 1873 and 1874 the present church building, corner of Wayne and Madison Streets, was constructed. To this end Mr. Mc Williams donated $3,000; Mr. Mcllvaine donated the lot. The building is a very neat and commodious structure, built of wood. Besides the auditorium, there is a large Sunday-school room in the rear. The Sunday-school room is part of the old Clay Street church. There is an organ in the auditorium, and a good portion of the seats are raised. The cost of this improvement was about $10,000. After the society commenced worship in the new house, as it was no longer in the Fourth ward, it was decided to change the name to Grace Mission Church.

In the year 1875, Rev. W. W. Faris accepted a call to preach, and continued pastor of the church for two years, when he resigned to accept a call to go to Clinton, Illinois.

October 1, 1877, Rev. H. S. Beavis, the present incumbent, was called. Soon after his coming, as it was thought inappropriate to call a church that was self-sustaining a " Mission," that portion of the name was dropped, and the church is now called " Grace Presbyterian." There are at the present writing one hundred and fifty members in the church. Messrs. T. Higbie, George M. Bush, J. C. Lindsay, C. C. Lines and G. H. Mc- Ilvaine are the elders.

In the struggles of Grace church, from its humble beginning in a railroad car to the present, its faithful friends and constant supporters have been the present elders. Of these, Mr. Mcllvaine being most gifted in speecii, often preached during the early days when tlie church was without a pastor. So successful were his efforts in tiiis direction, that many preferred to have him ratlier than to employ a regular minister. The support of these men has not consisted in words alone. It has taken a more substantial form, as the result will indicate.

Calvary Mimiion Church (^Preshyteriaii). - At a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Second Presbyterian Church, in the yejir 1861, the matter of organizing a Mission Sabliath school was discussed, and Wm. Reynolds the present superintendent, and T. G. McCulloch, now living at Kankakee, 111., agreed that tiiey would endeavor to secure some suitable room, in which to organize a school. They secured a room in the second story of a building on Washington Street, between Walnut and Bridge Streets, and gave notice in the public schools and through the papers, that a Sunday school would be organized there, the next Sabbath. When that day came, the two gentlemen who had the matter in charge, repaired to the room with the expectation of seeing it crowded with childrt'ii, but judge of their astonishment and disappointment, wlu-n they entered the hall, and found but seven children, and twelve teacliei-s. To this liumble beginning the Calvary Mission Church of to-day, owes its origin. IJndiscouraged by the evident lack of niterest in their undertaking, the two gentlemen redoubled their effort^j to make known the existence of tlie school, and were rewarded by seeing thirty-six children in the hall on the next Sabbath. The attendance continued to increase iintil the Spring of 1864, wlien Mr. Reynolds assumed the entire charge of tlie school, and its place of meeting was changed to lU-rgan Hall, where they remained for two years. It was then determined to erect a building for the school, securini; a lot on the same l)lo<'k, but on Walnut Street, instead of Wasliington, and the superintendent of the school and Mr. John Wilson, together united in erecting a building, 40x70, with an additional room, 25x35, for an infant class, the whole at a cost of $6,000. Through the kindness of Mr. Chas. Ballance, a lease of the ground was given free of expense, for ten years. The house was soon filled with scholars, the number steadily increasing, until in 1875 during the Winter months, the school numbered nearly 500 scholars, twenty-seven teachers, and a most faithful secretary', William Semelroth. The Sunday school being thus prosperous, the suijerintendent was moved, to hold lay services in the building every Sabbath evening, and during the week. God blessed these labors, and it soon became apparent that a church must be organized in connection with the school. Accordingly the superintendent of the school had begun to look about for one, who should become pastor of the church when organized ; and through friends, he became acquainted with the present pastor, the Rev. John Weston, then in Chicago, just about completing his studies, in the " Theological Seminary of the Northwest." This was in 1867 and in April of that year he commenced his labors. Preaching was continued, with prayer-meetings through the week, during the months of April, May, and June, and on June 24, 1867, the Calvary Mission Church was organized by a committee of the Presbytery of Peoria, appointed at its Spring meeting for that purpose. The committee consisted of Rev. J. H. Morrow, then of the First Church, Peoria, and Rev. T. Stephenson, then of the church at Farmington, together with Elders Grier and Harvey. It was organized with twenty members, and has now an active membership of 330. Its growth has far surpassed the expectations of its most devoted friends, and was such as to make the old building in which it originated too small. In view of this fact it was determined, early in the year 1876, to proceed at once to the erection of a new building. Lots were secured, and on the 17th day of April, 1876, ground was broken on the site where now stands their beautiful and commodious structure - a monument to God's faithfulness, and an evidence of the devotion, untiring energy and self-denial of the many willing hearts and hands connected with it. The corner-stone of the new church was laid, with appropriate ceremonies, on the afternoon of the 24th of June, 1876, on the occasion of the ninth anniversary of the organization of the society. It was expected that the new building would be finished by the next Spring; but it remained unfinished until the Spring of l87'J, when, by the untiring zeal of the Women's Association, the kindness of outside friends, and in many cases the self-sacrifices of members, and last, but not least, the characteristic unselfish devotion of Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds, who generously bestowed the silver dollars, given by their many friends on the occasion of their silver wedding, observed in connection with the twelfth anniversary of the organization of the church, and being the first assembly in the new church building, it was dedicated to the service of God on the 29th day of June, free from debt.

The annual contributions of the church for all religious purposes and causes of benevolence, including salary of pastor, expense of church, etc., are about $3,000.

The church has so far had but one pastor and the Sabbath school but one superintendent, and thej' have been signally favored in the choice of both. It is supported entirely by voluntary contributions, and the seats are uniformly free. The present officers of the church are Rev. John Weston, pastor ; William Reynolds, Dr. John Cary, Wm. Schroder, James Hempliill, William Wrigley, and James Waterhouse, elders ; Elijah Cassell, William Cutter, Isaac Coleman, and Chas. Johnson, deacons ; Chas. T. Luthy, William Reynolds, Isaac Coleman, J. M. S. White, Thomas Love, and William Cutter, trustees; James A. Waterhouse, treasurer. The officers of the Sunday school are, William Reynolds, superintendent ; Elmer D. Love, secretary and treasurer ; Miss Jennie M. Butler, superintendent of infant class, and Miss Minnie Baum, secretary.

The Yoke Fellou's is composed of the young men of the church. The society was organized in 1&T5. The name, in a measuri, indicates what was the primarj' object of tiie organization. The members were to go out two by two upon the Sabbath, and with tracts and papers distributed upon the streets, tr)* to induce persons Ut attend church. Since their organization they have taken hold of the Mission Sunday-school work, and they now conduct four mission schools in the city and vicinity. The schools are known as -

This society also takes charge of the street preaching in connection with the church during the Summer months, and conducts other meetings in connection with their mission schools.

Women's Association. - The Women's Association was organized September 17. 1876. Its object was to devise wa3*s and means to further the erection of a new church building. During the three years of this organization they have collected, through written and verbal appeals and church entertainments, the sum of $5,000. Three thousand of this amount was given in payment for the lots on which the new church stands, and the remaining two thousand was appropriated toward the building and furniture of the church.

The Marys and Marthas. - This society is composed of the young lady membei-s of the congregation, and was organized in April, 1877. It has for its motto, " For Christ's Sake." The objects of the societ}' are to advance the kingdom of Christ in connection with Calvary Mission Church ; to develop Christian activities and the spiritual growth of its members, and to facilitate the works of benevolence and love toward each other and the members of the church. It has two standing committees appointed annually and known as the Committee on Sociability and the Committee on Missionary Visitation. The care of the sick of the society is also attended to by a committee of two appointed weekly.

The New Church. - The first sermons of the New Church - commonly called Sweden - borgain, for the reason that the doctrines and philosophy by which it is governed, were disclosed from tlie Word by Emanuel Swedenborg - preached in Peoria, were by the Rev. Dr. Belding, in the Fall of 1841. The next were by the Rev. T. O. Prescott, in December, 1842, and in the following month Rev. George Field delivered a course of six lectures in the court-house, on the first ten chapters of Genesis, and five lectures on the doctrines of the New Church. These were the introduction of the New Church to this city.

The Peoria society of the New Church was first formed as a corporate body, for the purpose of legally holding property, in the Winter or Spring of 1846, with C. P. King, E. N. Powell, and Hervey Lightner, as trustees. Attliat time there was no place suitable for holding meetings to be had, they therefore erected a house of worsliip on Jefferson Street, near the corner of Hamilton. On the 3d of January, 1847, a church wa.s organized consisting of fourteen members, and was f(jrmall3' instituted by Rev. Dr. Ilibbard, now of Detroit, Mich., who then became its pastor, with John Hamlin, Hervey Liglitner, and Dr. E. Dickerson, iis executive committee. Since then the following gentlemen have served the society as p.astors : Revs. N. C. Burnham, Thomas Storry, Jabez Fox. G. H. Marston, A. J. Bartells, G. F. Stearns, G. N. Smith, C. Hardon, and again the Rev. Dr. Hiblmrd. They continued to meet in tlieir church on Jefferson Street till 18.")."), when their present edifice was built. It is located on Hamilton Street, between Jefferson and Madison Streets, and is a plain brick structure capped with stone, capable ot seating 150 people. The cost, including lot, was $5,000. The present membership is sixty, but little more than half of whom reside in the city. The society has no pastor at the present time. The officers are, W. M. Dodge, president; H. Smith, secretary; H. Lightner, C. P. King, H. M. Van Buskirk, and A. Fitton, trustees.

Societies in their growth, like individuals, have various vicissitudes to pass through ; some prosperous, some adverse, and this society is no exception to the rule. For the last few years the removals and deaths have been about the same as the accessions; but the growth of the New Church itself is not to be estimated by the small number who meet in this or that place for instruction and encouragement in the performance of their Christian duties. These meeting places, like the ganglions in the nervous system of the human body, are but centers from which the living principles of the church are distributed to all around them. Hence the general tendency of the sincere, rational, earnest, religious thought of the day, is in the direction of the doctrines of the New Church, and towards the cultivation of the spirit which animates them.

The only original members of the society in Peoria now living, are Mrs. Catharine J. Dickinson, relict of Dr. Dickinson, Charles Kettelle, and Hervey Lightner. The amount contributed by the members for various religious and benevolent purposes, is 82,500 per annum.

First Universalist Bradley Memorial Church. - This church was organized in the year 184.3. Its first members were Messrs. Orin Hamlin, Dennis Blakely, Aaron Oakford, Moses M. Webb, J. P. Dennis, John King, Caleb Whitmore, Norman Howe and wife, and some others. Mr. and Mrs. Howe are the only persons now resident in the city who assisted in the organization. At that time there was a large and flourishing Sunday school, possessing a library of over 200 volumes. The Rev. F. J. Briggs was the first settled pastor, and the society held its meetings in the old court-house, and subsequently owned an edifice on Fulton Street, which was afterwards used as a Jewish Synagogue. Some years afterwards the congregation bought what is now the First Baptist church, then a Unitarian church, and owned by Mr. Jacob Underhill.

In the early part of 1866, a meeting was held to consider the propriety of erecting a new church building, and the idea found such favor with the members that $12,000 was subscribed for that purpose, on the spot. The erection of the church was forthwith begun, and was completed in the following year, at a total cost of $65,000, including furniture. During the process of erection, the church lost by death one of its most prominent members, Mr. Tobias S. Bradley, who was for many years a resident of the city, and who set no bounds to his liberality where this church was concerned. Shortly after the completion of the church, when a special effort was made to clear off its indebtedness, the society, in consideration of the fact that nearly one -half the cost thereof had been subscribed by Mr. Bradley and by his widow, Mrs. Lj-dia Bradley, after his decease, resolved to perpetuate the memory of his great generosity by naming their new building The Bradley Memorial Church. The regularly

Pullman, H. B. Smith, James M. Bailey, and S. A. Gardner. The latter gentleman severed his connection with the church January 1, 1880. The present Board of Trustees consists of the following ladies and gentlemen : Mrs. Lydia Bradle}', Mrs. A. J. Hodges, Mrs. John H. Francis, Messrs. S. S. Tripp, C. H. Hitchcock, A. W. Martin, Geo. A. Wilson, and Prof. S. K. White. The church is entirely free from debt, and is strong and hopeful, having in its membership quite a large number of the best citizens of Peoria. Miss Mary E. Culver is the present superintendent of the Sunday school, which, under her devoted labors, is in a most flourishing condition, with a membership of 200 scholars.

The ladies of this society have been very prominent in their works of practical charity, and in their untiring efforts to raise money for congregational and other purposes. To them belongs the credit of originating the Women's Christian Home Mission of Peo- ria ; they own the handsome organ in their church, worth $3,000 ; and during the last j-ear tliey have raised the sum of 8^00 hy various entertainments.

Peoria County Bible Society. - This society' was organized Marcii 1, 1844, at a meeting held for the purpose in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has for its object the promoting the circuhition of tlie Holy Scriptures without note or comment, more especially in Peoria county. Its first officers were : President, Samuel Lowry ; vice-president, Geo. Wilkenson ; secretary, Jesse L. Knowlton ; treasurer. \Vm. A. Herron ; executive committee, M. PettingilUWiiitney Smith, William Hall, S. D. W. Drown, and J. McClay Smith. Since the date mentioned it lias had an active existence, and has disseminated thousands of copies of the Scriptures in Peoria county, besides contributing largely towards the funds of the parent society in New York. Of late years its annual income has been about 81,000, one-half of which is devoted to the needs of the county, and the other half sent to New York. The depot of the society is at 309 Main Street, and the stock of Bibles and Testaments kept in it, and in various minor depositories in the count}', seldom tails below 1,000 copies. The present officers are: President, John C. Grier : vice-presidents, pastors of all co-operating clmrches in the city ; secretarj' and treasurer, Benjamin Foster ; directors, J. H. Bunn, H. P. Ayres, Wm. Reynolds, A. G. Tyng, G. H. Mcllvaine, and D. McCulloch. The annual meetings are generally held on first Sunday in April.

The Youny Men's Christian Association. - A score of young men of Peoria, who are fired with Christian zeal and active in Christian work, after holding prayer-meetings for a time at various private residences in the city, felt impressed with the urgent need of a more systematic and thorough concert of action, and decided to make an effort to organize a Young Men's Christian Association. After holding several preliminary meetings, at whicii numerous discouragements presented themselves, tlie organization was effected in September, 1871), officers were elected, and a constitution and by-laws adopted. The declared purpose of the organization is for the improvement of the sj)iriiual, mental and social condition of young men. The membership is divided into four classes. Active, Associate, Life, and Honorary members. Any man who is a member in good standing of any evangelical cluirch may become an active member by tlie payment of two dollars, and continue tlierein by paying a like sum, in advance, annually. Any man of good moral character may become an associate member by paying the same amount. The payment of twent}' dollars constitutes a person a life member, when possessing the requisite character necessary to active membership. Honorary members are subject to the the same qualifications and restrictions as life meml)ers.

The active members compose the following committees: devotional, membership, visitation and missionary, sick, finance, clmrches, room, library and jirinting, lecture, and entertainment, and employ and i)oarding house. The legitimate work of the Association is divided up among these committees, so tliat each one is personally responsible for the work of his committee. Both classes of memliers have the following privileges: Free use of the lii)rary and reading rooms, the " Bulletin," and ailmission to classes, lectures, musical and literary entertainments, etc., in the member's coui-se. The present membership, January 10, 1880, numbers one liundred, and is rapidly increa,sing each week. The oflicers and directors are as follows : M. Kingman, president ; Tlieo. Higbie, vice-president; Thomas Petherbridge, treasurer ; William N. Kisiier, corresponding and general secretary; A. S. O , assist^mt secretary; J. W. Man.sel, Jr., recording secretarv : William Revnolds, George M. Bush, Norris Pitt, Dr. II. N. Baldwin, J. E. F. Fisher and \V. < ». .Maxwell, directors.

The Association has very /-onitnrtuble and cosy (|uarters at No. lO-J South Adams Street, and its rooms are well supplied with papers and periodicals and the nueleus of a library of some five hundred volumes, to which additions are being rapidly made by gen-

The Association publishes The Weekly Bulletin, a neat little sheet of four pages, devoted to the interests of the organization and to the promulgation of Christian woi-k. The Association supports twenty-one meetings a week. The rapid growth and prospects for future usefulness exceed the most sanguine expectations.

Railroad Christian Association was organized in December, 1878, by a number of gentleman prominently connected with railroad interests in Indianapolis, Peoria, and adjoining cities, with the design of furnishing one or two comfortable, attractive, well warmed and lighted rooms, in which railroad men might spend their evenings. Their first rooms were at No. 619 South Adams Street, but they have recently moved to more commodious and better located quarters at the Olivet Mission building, (formerly Calvary Mission), on Walnut Street. The rooms are comfortably fitted up, and supplied with newspapers, checkers, chess, dominoes, and stationery, which is absolutely free to all railroad men, irrespective of creed, and whether members of the Association or not. The membership of the Association is growing rapidly, and the rooms fill a recognized want among the many railroad men who are transiently in the city. The officers for 1880 are : President, Theodore Higbie ; vice-president, N. B. Love; secretary and treasurer, R. E. Reynolds.

Women's Christian Home Mission. - This most praiseworthy and practical charity was incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois, February 16, 1876. Under the name of the " Christian Home Mission, "it had been organized by the ladies of the First Universalist Church more than ten years before, and had accomplished much good in the waj' of timely, unostentatious assistance to the needy poor of the citjs and in teaching hundreds of girls to make and mend their clothes. For some years previous to the incorporation, similar societies had sprung into existence in connection with other religious denominations, and in order to prevent the clashing which naturally lesulted from the independent action of each society, to economise the labor necessary in systematically visiting and and searching out the deserving poor, too modest to apply for aid though in dire distress, and above all to attain, by the operation of a system in their relief work, the thoroughness in their manner of dealing with applicants, and consequent freedom from imposition, that one united society would have, over the variously directed efforts of several independent ones, it was resolved to unite all these charitable bodies of ladyworkers, into one grand non-sectarian society.

When the union had been effected, the ladies found themselves face to face with one of the great problems of the age - how to help the needy without pauperising them - how to render them the truest of all helps, not by bearing their burden for them, but by encouraging them to exert their full strength, that they may bear it themselves. To beget independence, especially in the minds of the young, by giving them the necessary training to qualify them to become useful and self-sustaining in the battle of life, on which they are about to enter, and to afford a refuge in the hour of extreme distress and destitution, where weary bodies with yet more weary souls, might find a resting place, and where they might obtain a welcome draught of human sympathy for their broken hopes and fruitless struggles, ere they returned once more refreshed and enheartened, to fight their battles in the world.

The mission has three separate channels, through which it endeavors to reach those deserving help, viz. : The Relief of the sick and destitute, the Industrial School, and the Home for the Friendless.

The Relief of the Sick and Destitute. - This is effected by systematic visiting of regularly appointed committees. The entire city is divided into districts, and zealous, competent visitors appointed, who thoroughly investigate each case before giving alms, and give relief without reference to religious opinion. These visitors register the names of all applicants, and present them at each monthly meeting ; thus all become familiar with them, chronic bep;gars are soon known, and imposition can not long be practiced. Besides the material relief afforded, there is a vast amount of good done which can not be fully estimated ; the encouragement and solace given to the desponding ; delicacies provided for the sick ; employment found for the able-bodied adult ; instruction given to children ; young girls removed from temptation and assisted in honorable self-support. The extent of their labors in this direction, may l)e gatliered from the following figures, covering the last four yeai-s. Number of families visited 553. Number of persons in families 2,097. Number of visits made 943.

Indugtrial School. - This branch of the Mission work was inaugurated in 18(56, under the care of the ladies of the First Universalist Church, prominent among whom in their efforts in its behalf, were the late Mis. Julia P. Bourland, Mrs. E. D. Hardin and Mrs. Walter D. Strickler. The school was started in a small room in the residence of the latter lady, with seven children, and was afterwards moved to accommodate the vastly increased attendance, to the vestry of the Universalist church, where it remained till the Fall of 1879, when for the purpose of securing better light, it was again removed to 217 South Adams Street, its present location. Meetings are held every Saturdaj* afternoon, and the girls are taught cutting, basting, plain sewing, patching, knitting, darning, etc., by volunteer lady teachers. Hundreds of girls have attended this school since it commenced, many of wliom h;ive grown into womanhood, and have gone out to repeat its lessons in homes of their own, or in other spheres of e(iual usefulness. During the past three years the number of children instructed was 1,120. Number of garments made, 1,060. Number of quilts made, 40. In the Spring of 1S79, tlie school enjoyed a course of lectures on cooking, from Miss Coi-son, which did sometliing towards introducing that subject, and showing its value as a science, and the ladies of the Mission hope to be able ere long, to supplement the instructions given in sewing, by theoretical and practical cookery and housekeeping.

Home for the Friendlegs. - In May, 1875, the Home was formally opened on Merriman Street, and one year later was removed to 512 Seventh Street, which, through the liberality of Mrs. Lydia Bradley, they occupied rent free. In the latter part of 1879, they were enabled to purchase, at a very moderate figure, the Judge Kellogg liomestead, corner Main Street and Flora Avenue, on the bluff, where tlie Home is now located. It is under charge of a matron, and only women and cliildren are eligible for admission. It is designed to assist destitute ones, affording temporary relief as far as practicable, by giving shelter, food, clothing and such general information, and personal effort, as may be required in obtaining homes for them, employment for the women, etc., regardless of nationality, creed or age of the applicant. Destitute and homeless children are here kept, till suitable openings can be found for them. It is also used as a depot for contril)uted garments, which are distributed among the destitute, on order from the visitors. During the last three years the inmates of the Home for longer or shorter periods, have been ninety in numl)er, and the garments received 'for distribution and so disposed of, nearly 900.

The amount expended by the Mission, in carrying on these different branches of their work during the last four years, is, ius shown !)y their annual reports, nearly iii.1,500, and the managers have been too careful to seta practical example in matters of prudence and thrift before their beneficiaries, to allow it to run into debt, or incur responsibilities it would be unal)le to meet, even in their behalf.

The present offners of the Mission are: President, Mrs. K. D. Hardin; Ist vice pres., Mrs. A. (i. Tyng ; 2d vice pres., Mrs. Wtuiliington Cockle; secy., Mrs. H. B. Dox ; a.s8t. secy., Mrs. J. Si. Rice ; treas.. Miss Maggie McKinnev ; advisory committee, Messrs. S. H. White, John S. Stevens, Wm. F. Bryan, J. C. Hansell, Dr. (i. A. Wilson and Col. J. D. McCluro; Board of Managers, Madames A. J. Hodges, Chas. B. Day, Wm. F.

The following sketch of the city schools has been presented by A. P. Bartlett, who has been more or less connected with them for many years and was sent to Philadelphia with the centennial volumes of the Peoria County School Work.

Let the soldier be abroad if he will, he can do nothing in this age. There is another personage less imposing, in the eyes of some, perhaps, insignificant. The schoolmaster is abroad, and I trust to him, armed with his primer, against the soldier in full military array.

In 1828, this may have been a new idea to the contemplative Briton, but every American of to-day could heartily echo Lord Brougham's words. Just in proportion as the frontier towns of the country become more civilized, so an ardent desire for education becomes more prominent. Thus it was with us.

Previous to 1854, these broad prairies were nearly or quite destitute of the fruit with which they are now so prolific - good, substantial school-houses. The children of our city were obliged to content themselves with such high-priced, meager educational advantages as a few private schools could afford, and only as late as 1855 did the citizens awake to a realizing sense of their great need. At that time, several leading men formed themselves into a joint stock association, and built what was termed the Peoria Academy, designed solely for boys and such very few young women as desired classical advantages. Afterwards, a female school, which had in reality existed for some time, was incorporated. Thus provisions were made that the young lady mind might be in no more danger of running to waste than her brother's, though her intellectual diet might be of a milder description.

These two institutions were well taught and consequently successful so far as they went ; but there were very great objections to them. Their tendency was too exclusive, separating the rich from the poor, and moreover, though the rich man's son was well educated, the child of less fortunate parents roamed the streets, exposed to all the evils that idleness engendered. It certainly was not a very democratic plan, this of private schools, and one not entirely consistent with our enlightened American ideas.

The only remedy lay in the common school sj^stem, free, or as nearly so as possible. In February, 1855, the Legislature passed an act creating a " Board of School Inspectors," the act being entitled, " An Act to amend the charter of the City of Peoria, and to establish and regulate a system of public schools in said city."

The public generally were quick to see what was for their best interest, and eagerly stepped forward to lend their aid. Of course, as always, there were those who held back, grumbling and dissenting until the enterprise was so well grounded that they could not be involved in its downfall, and until their children might safely reap the fruits of others' labor. Among the prime movers in the good work were Charles E. Hovey, afterwards superintendent of the schools and also principal of the high school, and Judge Onslow Peters, at whose office those interested met and drew up the act of incorporation.

In consideration of the experimental nature of the work here, though well proven in Boston, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Chicago, and other cities, and also in consideration of the objections of a part of the townspeople, it was not thought advisable to rely for support entirely upon taxation of property. The'money was obtained from several sources, a portion from the State and township fund, but a large amount from a tuition fee of $2.25 for each pupil, which last was applied mainly to the payment of teachers' salaries. This might seem an obstacle to the more indigent, but for these the fee was reduced to $1, which certainly seemed within the reach of all.

Even at this early stage the friends of the public schools were much encouraged, both by the apparent desire of parents to place their children at school, and on the part of the latter an eagerness and aptness to learn, most grateful to teachers. At first, the accommodations were of necessity very poor, there being only four school-houses, and they almost without exception of most forlorn and unsightly exterior, and of corresponding discomfort within. So, for this reason or some other, out of a population of about 2,000 children of a proper age to attend school, only about 300 did attend, leaving a fearful balance of youthful idlers and loafers. During the second school year, 1856, such a strong need of more and better buildings was felt, that the board of inspectors decided to negotiate for the buildings used as the boys' and girls' academies. At a regul ir meeting of the stockholders, the proposition of the inspectors was considered, and also the fact that since the advent of the public schools the want of these private institutions was no longer felt. So, in consideration of this state of affairs, at the meeting called for the purpose, the stockholdere determined by vote tt) sell these two buildings to the board of school inspectors. Both are still occupied as schools. That in the third district, once graced only by girlish forms, is still in its pristine glory ; that is, there is not much that is glorious about it. The other, in the second district, has undergone a complete transformation, so that even its best friends could not recognize in its capacious and handsome features the haggard lineaments of the old " boys' academ}'."

Until 1860 the schools were conducted on a sort of compromise system, not entirely free, but supported from the funds by a small tax and by assessment on each pupil. But at this time, in consequence of the growing dissatisfaction witli this crippled system, the question of taxation, making the schools virtually free, was passed to vote at the city election, which resulted in the complete triumpli of the free schools. The good effect became at once apparent, the attendance over the previous years being about 200. The number in all the schools was 750.

The following year saw a high school edifice on a most desirable and beautiful site, in the southwest part of the city. For several j-ears before tliere had been a high school organization, but crowded into one of the other buildings, and thus occupying space needed for lower grades. Now an airy, roomy, exceedingly plejisant apartment was furnished where the higher branches of learning, the languages and sciences might be pursued witli satisfaction to botii teachers and scholars. At present tiiere is a complete, successful and higlily satisfactor}' system of graded schools. So successful, indeed, that almost all private schools have died out for lack of patronage ; aiul even the people of tlie surrounding country have made strenuous efforts to give tiieir children the advantages of our schools, which they are enabled to do at the cost of a small tuition fee. There are at present eleven school buildings, containing over 4.000 scholars. This would seem a matter of congratulation, and so it is. But over it falls a shadow. There are in this city, between the ages of six and twenty-one years old, almost 'J, 000 chililren. Allowing for perhaps 1,900 at other schools, such as the German, tiie Catholic and others, what an api)alling aggregate it leaves not attending any sort of scliool, ami growing to manhood and womanliood without the essential element of manliness and womanliness - a well balanced, intelligent, educated mind. Is not this simple fact, the thought of so many chihlren at large without restraint, without culture, a strong argument for compulsory education ? Employed in these schools are sixty-seven teachers, including one music teacher. The sum total of their salaries reaches about iil}5,000.

In connection witli the city schools is a County Normal School, situated in a handsome, commodious building, on the east Ijltiff. Mr. S. II. Wiute, it.s principal, is well known as a most enthusiastic and successful eilucator. He, with his lady assistants, has in charge a large number of students, both fuun the city and countr\-.

Our high school is the capital of our stalwart column of public schools, and worthy of its exalted position. It has maintained since its foundation a thorough course of study, embracing the dead languages, as well as some modern, the natural sciences and many other things, and has graduated in these, in about eighteen years, 135 young men and women. It has been singularly fortunate in its instructors, a list of highly educated, cultivated men and women as well as able teachers.

We have only to use our eyes in looking at the results of our schools to attest their substantial worth. Through them hundreds of children, otherwise unable to obtain a liberal education, have been prepared, and well prepared, for the professions, the best and most thorough teaching, and for the higliest success in business pursuits. And, as a number of young men can testify, no better preparation, not even in New England's renowned fitting schools, can be obtained, for entrance into the highest colleges and universities of the land. So that, from whatever point of view, from the higher one of mind culture, or the more solid but eminently practical one of bread and butter winning, there is but one conclusion reached, that the free public schools of Peoria have worked themselves into the hearts and lives of our grateful people.

The annual report of the City Superintendent of Schools for 1879 shows the number of children between the ages of 6 and 21 years to be 9,060. The total number of pupils enrolled in the public schools was 4,539 ; number attending private schools, 1,671 ; leaving 2,850 children devoid of any educational advantages except such as the streets of the city furnish. The public schools of the city number 20 in all, comprising 1 high, 7 grammar, 10 primary, and 2 evening schools. The school buildings are 11 in number, containing a total of 64 school rooms proper, and 15 recitation rooms.

The whole number of teachers employed in these buildings during the year was 74, of whom 8 were males and 66 females. The average number of pupils per teacher was, in the high school, 32, the grammar schools, 40 ; and in the primary schools, 53. The cost per capita for the average attendance for the year was, in the high school, $25.78 ; in the grammar, $13.00, and in the primary department, $6.00. Tlie average cost of all for the year was $9.65. The entire course of instruction, including the high school, embraces 12 school years, and fits the graduate for the arena of active business life or for entering tlie freshman class of any of the literary universities of the country. Tlie aim of the school management is to have the schools attain to a liigher grade of excellence each year, thus keeping this great germinator of intelligence and corner-stone of free government abreast of the times. Peoria has just reason to be proud of her public schools.

The Peess Of Peoeia

One of the sages of antiquity said, " Let me write the songs of a nation, and I care not who makes its laws." The modern philosopher could apply the same language with greater force and pertinency to the newspapers of our time. The newspaper and magazine press of the nineteenth century is the great nursery of free thought and universal culture. The munificent public schools of this country awaken in the juvenile mind of the masses a thirst for knowledge which paves the way for the introduction of the newspaper into every houseliold where the inspiring ray from the school-house lias permeated. Under the supreme law of demand and supply, every village in the land of a few hundred inhabitants must have its mouth-piece - its " organ " - through whose columns flow in the thoughts and doings of the great outside world, and through which are voiced the actions and incidents of the neighborhood to its readers. And so broad is the domain of the modern journalist, and so mullitudinous tlie topics to be treated in tlie acceptible discharge of his duties, that, of necessity, he must be an encyclopedia of general information. No subject, however obscure, or profound, is beyond the province of his pen ; and in the columns of the live newspaper of to-day are to be found articles covering the whole range of literature, science, art, politics and religion.

The clergyman numbers his auditors by the hundred, the editor of the metropolitan newspaper his by the ten thousand ; and his daily or weekly sheet finds its way into the homes and hearts of readers, a large percentum of whom are never melted by the touching pleadings of the pulpit, nor thrilled by the magnetic eloquence of the rostrum. Thus, verily, the newspaper is the educator and molder of public opinion in this age and in this land.

The newspaper press of Peoria has done its share for the public weal ; there having been from an early day in the city's history vigilant workers in this field ; those who stood upon the vanguard of society doing picket duty for the protection and guidance of their army of readers ; and serving as advocates of the best interests of the municipality and exponents of the best thoughts of the times.

The first newspaper published in Peoria was a weekly, called the Illinois Champion. It was established by Abram S. Buxton and Henry Wolford, the initiatory number appearing on the 10th of March, 1834. Mr. Buxton was its editor, and had formerly been a partner of George D. Prentice, in the Louisville Journal. He was a clear, forcible writer, and although a staunch Whig, for a time published the Champion as a neutral paper ; but he soon threw off the cloak of neutrality and boldly avowed and defended the principles of his party. Mr. Wolford, being a first-class, practical printer, their paper shortly became one of the most popular and powerful in the State. Mr. Buxton, however, fell a victim to that insidious destroyer, consumption. The Champion clianged hands, and Mr. Wolford returned to Louisville, Ky. Messrs. Armstrong and Sewalier became the proprietors, and J. L. Marsh the printer. After conducting it about three years they sold it to S. H. Davis, who discontinued the Champion and began the publication of the Peoria Register and Northtcestern Gazetteer, the first number of which appeared on April 7, 18.37. It was a neutral paper until the campaign of 1840, when it became identified with the Whig party. In 1842 the Messrs. Butler purchased the establishment of Mr. Davis and commenced to publish the Peoria Register, dropping a part of the former title, as it had become a political paper. It was a zealous advocate for Henry Clay as a candidate for the presidency in 1844. A year later it went into the hands of T. J. Pickett, and was published as the Weekly Register. Some time after Mr. Pickett formed a partnership with H. K. W. Davis, a son of the former publisher, and they started, in connection with the Register, a daily called the Champion. Their office was in the second story of a brick building on the corner of Main Street and Printers' Alley, between Washington and Water Streets. On tiie 2t3ih of January, 1820, the Main Street and alley walls of the building fell, and, taking fire, was nearly destroyed before the flames were extinguished. Two men, William Pickett, the brother of the proprietor, and James Kirkpatrick, the publisher of the Peoria American, were crushed to death in the ruins. Tiie former was clerking in tiie oflice, and lost his life in an effort to save the books ; the latter happened to be passing through the alley at the time and was caught by the falling wall.

The Peoria Democratic Press was established by John S. Zieber, former publisher of the People's Press, in Princess Ann, Somerset Co., Md., who issued the first number on the 20th of Feluuary, 1840. He continued to pul)lish it until June 1, 1846, when Thomas Phillips, former publisher of the American Manufacturer, Pittsburg, purchased it. Three years later he sold it to Hon. Washington Cockle, present postmaster of Peoria, and he became a partner witii his brother in publishing the St. Louis Union. Mr. Cockle continued to publish the Press until the Fall of 1851. He then sold it to Mr. Enoch P. Sloan, who conducted it until the Fall of 18.">(>, ])ublisliing for the last two years a weekly, iri-weekly and daily, when ho sold out to a Mr. Coruwell. After a brief owner- ship he sold it to G. W. Raney, who had started a rival paper named the Peoria Daily News. Ill the Winter of 1857-8 Mr. Raney's whole establishment was destroyed by fire. In the Winter of 1842-3, the Legislature divided the State into seven Congressional districts, in such a manner as to form but one Whig district - the seventh - in the State. The Whigs were much chagrined at this piece of political maneuvering. S. De Witt Drown, then working in the printing office of the Messrs. Butler, conceived the idea of publishing a campaign sheet, whose purpose would be to burlesque and condemn the course of the Legislature in the districting proceedure. He issued the first number of the paper, to which he gave the significant title of The Gerrymander, on tlie 22d of March, 18-43, and continued it, illustrating the numbers with comic caricatures representing the shapes of the different Congressional districts, till the following Fall. Mr. Drown also published, in 1844, the " Peoria Directory," a volume of 124 pages, the first book ever printed and bound in Peoria.

The Peoria American was started in July, 1845, by James Kirkpatrick, and it was the first paper in the State to place the name of " Rough and Ready " at the head of its columns. He conducted it until killed by the falling of the building in January, 1850, before spoken of in this article. The paper died with its founder.

The Nineteenth Century, a National Reform paper, was started by J. R. Watson and D. D. Irons, in September, 1848, but after publishing it a few months they sold their establisliment to Mr. Kirkpatrick, and he merged it into the Peoria American.

The Daily Register was the first daily paper published in Peoi'ia. Pickett & Woodcock were tlie publishers. It was born on the 28th of June, 1848, and not being well sustained it died from hick of nourishment when three months old.

Messrs. Pickett & Davis, elsewhere mentioned in this article, issued the first number of the Peoria Daily Champion on the loth of December, 1849, from the office of tlie Weekly Register. After their office was destroyed by the falling of the building and fire, the mouth following, a few " small pica " t3'pes were found in another building used for a job office, and the Champion was continued in a quarto form, half its former size, by Mr. Davis, till the 1st of the following May. In the meantime he had arranged to purchase the Peoria Register, Mr. T. J. Pickett having withdrawn from that firm. After several unsuccessful efforts to resuscitate the Register and Champion, Mr. Davis sold out the material remaining from the job office to Mr. Pickett, and left the city. Mr. Pickett purchased a new press and type, and on June 1, 1850, issued the first number of a larger and better paper than the Register, which he named the Peoria Republican. It had a much larger subscription and advertising patronage than any former Peoria paper, and was well sustained as a Whig journal, locally and abroad.

The German Press of Peoria. - Ever since 1835 the Germans began to settle in Peoria and vicinity. Most of the early German settlers did not come here directly from Germany, but after tliey had resided at other places in the United States, principally at St. Louis and Cincinnati. After the revolution of 1848 the German emigration increased very rapidly and brought over a very intelligent class and more learned and professional men than at any previous time. The abundance of talent seeking employment created a boom for new German newspapers. The first German newspajjer in Peoria was the Illinois Banner, which was publislied and edited by Mr. A. Zoby. It was a small, modest looking weekly paper ; its first issue appeared on the 18th day of Februaiy, 1852, and created a sensation in the then small circle of Germans in Peoria. In 1859, when the Hon. Edward Rummel was the proprietor, the name of the paper was changed and called Deutsche Zeitung. With the change of the name it also changed its politics and became an ardent advocate of the Republican party. The Germans then being without a Democratic organ, caused A. Zoby to establish the daily and weekly Demokrat during the campaign of 1860. He carried on the business until October, 1864, when Mr. Cremer, the present editor of the paper, took charge of it. The Deutsche Zeitung lived until the Fall of 1878. It has been owned by Edward Fresenius and Mr. R. Eichenberger, the latter selling out to Messrs. B. Cremer & Bros., causing a consolidation of the two papers, and leaving the Demokrat alone in the field.

We miglit mention a few of the German papers and periodicals that have appeared from time to time and ceased to live, for instance, two lllinoit Banners, Volksblatt, We»tl. Blatter, Courier, Sonntagshlatt, and others. A short time ago a new German paper called the Sun, was published by Messrs. Wolf, Bros. & Wolfram. The Demokrat has stood the test for twenty years, and having jjlenty of readers, a good advertising patronage, and siiflScient capital to back it, will preserve the history of the Germans of Peoria and Central Illinois.

The Memento was a monthly publication devoted to the interest of Odd-Fellowship, and was started by Mr. N. C. Nason in August, 1854. It was fii-st issued in pamphlet form, but afterwards changed in the last years of its existence to a quarto. It attained a very fair circulation and was reasonably prosperous, but the onerous and pressing duties of the grand secretarjship of the Order, wliich position Mr. Nason then held and now holds, induced him to suspend the publication of the Memento in 1870.

The Illinois Teacher was established in February, 185."), and published the first year in Bloomington, and at the end of the first volume N. C. Nason took charge of it and published it til! 1873. It was - as its title implies - devoted to educational matters, and while managed by Mr. N. stood at the head of the educational journals of the West, both in literary merit and typograpliy. " In 1873 it was transferred to parties in Normal, Illinois, and was consolidated with the School Master and pulilished as the Illinois School Master for two years, and was then merged into the Educational Weekly, now published in Chicago."

The Christian Sentinel was a monthly church periodical, published under the auspices of tiie denomination of that name, and during the years 1857 and 1858 was printed in Peoria, by N. C. Nason. It was then removed to Eureka, Illinois, where it had a brief existence and failed for want of support.

The Peoria Transcript was established as a daily and weekly newspaper by N. C. Nason, one of the leading job printers of the city, who issued the first number in November, 1855. The Transcript has been, from its inception, a political pai)er, and since the birtli of the Republican party has been a staunch, able and fearless advocate of its jirinciples. Mr. Nason started it as an individual enterprise, with tlie luomise of moral and material sujjport and assistance of prominent persons and capitalists. After conducting the pajier about two months, and the i)romisecl aid not appearing, Mr. Nason thouglitthe outlook not hopeful, and turned over his infant enterprise to ^Ir. C. Whittomore, of the city, then as now, engaged in a gunsmithing and light jobbing business. Mr. Wliittemore had assumed oliiigations in belialf of the concern, by tiie use of his name im pajier for material and the current expenses, to tiie amount of .$4,000, and was compelled to take tlie property to save himself, in the early part of 18.56. During his ownership he never took active charge of the establisliment, but continued in his regular business. The paper and office failed to pay expenses, and by the latter part of 1857, Mr. Whittemore, having exhausted liis resources, sold the concern to J. G. Merrill, a farmer living in tliis county. Althougii supposed to be then in eu-^y financial circunistances, Mr. Merrill was unsuccessful in his newspajjer venture, and was forceil to sell out. Tlie property passed into the liands of Mr. N. ('. Greer, of tiie Waukcgan Gazette, who i)ui)lished tlie paper until 1800, when he disposed of it to Messrs. Enoch Emery and Edward A. Andrews. After conducting it six years jointly, Mr. Emery purcliased his partner's interest and continued the business alone, until ISti'.t, when a stoik company was fornu'd, entitled " The Peoria Transcript (\jnii)any," willi Mr. ICinery remaining at the head of tiie concern a.s president and general nnmager. Tiiis conipanv carried on tlic publii'atiou until .lanuary, 18b0, when it was succeeded by u new organization, with llou. R. H. Whiting as president, R. A. Cutler, treasurer, and James M. Rice, secretary. The present stockholders are among the wealthiest business men of the city. Under the new arrangement Mr. Emery resigned the general management and devotes his attention solely to the editorial department, which is under his charge. Mr. Emery is a vigorous and forcible writer, and has made the Transcript a consistent and unwavering exponent of Republican principles, and has placed it in the front rank among the political papers of Illinois.

The establishment occupies three floors of the " Transcript Building," on the corner of Adams and Fulton Streets ; and, besides the newspaper department, contains an extensive and finely equipped bindery, and perhaps the largest and most complete job office in the State outside of Chicago.

The National Democrat was established in Peoria as a daily and weekly pubUcation on September 4, 1865, by W. T. Dowdall. It has not missed an issue since that date, and is now upon as sound a basis as at any time since its first issue. Its proprietor had for a number of 3'ears been in the newspaper business, first on the reportorial staff of the Cairo Times and Delta, and later as the successful publisher of the Alton Daily Democrat, Becoming too ambitions for that locality he sold his paper there and came to Peoria in search of a wider field. He found the Democratic newspaper business in a bad condition The Union was established by^ Geo. W. Raney. It was succeeded by The Mail which ran but a short time and brought The Star which soon twinkled out and was followed by the Post as its successor, nor did it stand long. They all died for want of sufficient support, which as is usual should be attributed to a want of ability in the management of the papers.

Mr. Dowdall purchased the materials of the defunct Post and established the Democrat firmly upon the ruins of its predecessors. The result has verified this fact. It has ever since its first issue been a strong, fearless, and radical advocate of Democratic principles second to none in the country. It has never for a moment deserted the party or its doctrines, and is looked upon as a consistent and safe guide for the pure Jeffersonian democracy. The daily is an eight column sheet 26 x 40 inches, and is issued every day except Mondays. The weekly is a thirty-six column paper containing the news of the week, general, local and political.

The Evening Revieiv is also published at the same office and by the same editor and proprietor. It is a four-page paper, containing seven columns to the page of 24x36 inches, and is non-political, being devoted to the general and local news of the day. The Review was originally established by Sheldon & Baldwin. It soon became an incorporated concern, the stock being held by sundry citizens. It became involved in financial difficulties and was sold by the sheriff on execution. Mr. Thomas Cratty purchased it, and associated with him Mr. Leslie Robinson in its publication. It was tlien a paper of the same size as the present -DeTwocrai, with daily, weekly and tri-weekly issues. In January, 1873, in order to get rid of its competition, Col. Dowdall, of the Democrat, and Mr. Enoch Emery, of the Transcript, bought out Messrs. Cratty & Robinson, intending to close forever the office and prevent such publication. To their great surprise, the boys employed on the paper, not liking the idea of being thrown out of employment, went to another office in the city and put out an Review,'" with the now famous Bob Burdette at its head as editor. It was a small sheet, but large enough to displease the proprietors of the Democrat and Transcript. They took legal measures to have it suppressed, but were unsuccessful. It continued with varied fortune, passing from hand to hand, without any very satisfactory signs of dying. Col. Dowdall finally concluded it was bound to live, and that with good management might become profitable. In June, 1873, he took it in out of the cold, since which time it has not missed an issue. He enlarged its size, and removed it to his own publishing house, and has managed it with the same earnestness and business tact and ability which has made the Democrat so successful. Both papers have come to be recognized as among the fixed institutions of Central Illinois.

Tlie publishing house is at 117 Main Street. The building occupied is 24x90 feet, with tliree stories and a basement. The basement is used as the press-room. The first floor contains the counting room, editorial rooms and jol) oflSce. The second floor is occupied by the blank book manufactory and bindery department, and the third story for composition.

The liouse in its entirety is one of the most perfect, thorough and well-disciplined institutions in the West, and reflects great credit upon its founder and proprietor. He has had no partner, but has alone, by his indomitable will and indefatigable energy and perseverance, brought his business into its present excellent condition.

Colonel Dowdall is now regarded as one of the most public spirited citizens and best business men of the place, never neglecting his own business, nor forgetting whatever pertains to the general and public welfare of the city and county.

The Peoria Sun. - This paper was first issued on March 2r>, 1871. It was published then by Elderkin & Bissell, as an advertising paper solely, and was called the Peoria Advertiser. An edition of 2, .500 copies was distributed ^gratuitously each week on all railroads leading into Peoria, to passengers in the street cars, and in private houses, proving a valuable medium through wiiich the business men of this city could advertise their wares extensively through the State. In the Fall of the same year Mr. Bissell retired from the firm, being succeeded by Mr. Chapman. The firm was tlien known as Elderkin & Cluipman, who continued together until October 4, 1H73, when Mr. Cliapman retired and was succeeded by Mr. Harry Reynolds. The paper was then doubled in size, being enlarged from a four-column folio to a four-column quarto, and a subscription price of 81.50 per year was charged. The list rapidly increased on the subscription plan, as also did the advertising, and on September 25, 1875, tlie paper was again enlarged, this time to a six-column (juarto, which was again nearly- doubling its former size - from 22x32 to 30x44.

About tliis time Mr. Reynolds retired from the firm, and tlie paper has been published by Elderkin & Co. since then. On the 19th of October, 1878, the name was changed to the Peoria Sun, under wiiich name it is still published. It is edited as a home and family newspaper, being entirely indejjendent of party control on all political questions, treating sucli subjects as it does all others - from its own views of riglit and wrong, fair!}' antl witlmut any prejudice against any party or sect, as nearly as may be. On the 19th of January, 1880, R. E. Lauren entered the firm, tlie name of which was changed to the "Sun Publishing Company."

The Satunhii/ Evening Call. - Tlie first number of The Saturday Evening Call was issued .April 7, 1877, from rooms in the second story of No. 108 North Adams Street. The original proprietors of the paper were S. R. lIcndir.son, J. D. Weaver and J. W. Clifton, all of Terre Haute, Indiana. The style of the firm was, as ^t is at jiresent, S. R. Henderson & Co. In the Summer of 1878 the publication oftiee was removed to its present location, 311 Main Street. In August of the same year Mr. Clifton sold his interest in the paper to Mr. Henderson, who, with the a,«sistancc of Mr. Weaver, continues to run it. The Call was a very notable success from the beginning, anil is probably the most profitable newspaper property in the city. It is read by almost every body who reads at all, and is universally liked. It is a common remark that no matter what other paper or papers a Peorian takes, he also takes The Call. Each issue of the paper contains forty-eight columns of matter. A large number of these columns are devoted to local and general news, and editorial comments thereon, but all presented in the concisest, possiiile manner. In this resj)ect it is a model. There is never, in any statement or article, a line wasted or a superfluous word used. From sixteen to twenty columns of the paper are given up to stories, poetry, anecdotes, and miscellaneous articles on historical, scientific and practical subjects. It is pre-eminently a paper for the home circle and is rapidly establishing itself as a favorite all over the State. In typographical appearance and in the literary character and quality of its contents, it has no superior in the West. It is a Peoria institution of which Peorians are justly proud.

The. Peoria Journal was started by J. B. Barnes aud E. F. Baldwin, who had published The El Paso Journal for several years previous. In 1877 they removed the office to Peoria, where they established the Journal as a weekly. On December 3d of that year the first number of the daily Journal appeared, which is the present Peoria Journal. The first week its circulation was 1,700 copies, and it is probably the only instance in the world of a daily paper not only paying expenses but yielding a handsome profit from the first number. It has never sunk a farthing, but has paid a fair profit every week since the first issue. Its circulation grew steadily from the start, and has now reached over 4,100 daily. The Journal is totally independent in politics and religion. It aims to be a newspaper, and endeavors to lay before its readers a perfect record of the news of the day condensed into the smallest space, and its editorials are always pointed and pithy. The terms are ten cents a week, or twelve and a half cents including the Sunday paper. It is printed on a double cylinder Hoe press, the only one in the State outside of Chicago, and publishes a paper every day in the year, not excepting National holidays.

Messrs. Barnes & Baldwin issued the first number of The Weekly Journal on the 11th of March, 1880. It is an eight page, forty-eight column papei-, neatly executed, and purposes to be an independent family newspaper, giving a readable digest of the news of the week, with market reports, and is furnished to subscribers at $1.00 per year.

The Pharmaceutical News is a quarterly journal which has just passed the second number of the second volume, having been established in July, 1878, and is devoted to chemistry, pharmacy, medicine and surgery. Dr. J. T. Skinner was its editor until his death, since which time Dr. H. Steele has had editorial charge. It aims to discuss all subjects pertaining to the interest of the medical profession, in a vigorous, progressive spirit ; its matter is chiefly original, and composed of contributions from physicians of marked recognized ability. Prominent local members of the profession contemplate changing it from a quarterly to a monthly, and enlarging and improving it so as to make it a representative medical journal of the State.

The Illinois Tradesman and Manufacturer, unlike all the other papers published in Peoria, is a jobbers', shippers' and manufacturers' journal. Its past career has been a brilliant one, started as it was with little or no cash capital, and without even the encouragement or sanction of the merchants and manufacturers of the city. Its proprietor, Mr. J. A. Monger, a gentleman of extensive newspaper training and travel, issued the first number September 18, 1879. During the first six months of its career it attained a circulation of 5,000 copies weekly. In size the paper is one of the largest west of New York. It contains in each and every issue eight columns of trade reports and price currents, and in addition it furnishes statistical information relative to the various branches of trade. It is the largest American weekly journal of commerce published. It contains also, as specialties, manufacturing and industrial news, and discusses literary or scientific topics, and is a valuable newspaper for the retailer, wholesaler and manufacturer who desires to examine sources of financial and commercial information. Mr. Monger has placed the paper in the first rank of commercial journalism. The office of the Illinois Tradesman and Manufacturer is located in the Exchange Block, opposite the Board of Trade, and is rarely surpassed for elegance or convenience.

History Of The Temperance Cattse In Peoria

The first temperance movement was in 1842. For several months meetings were held alfliost nightly in the Court-house, at which local speakers find occasionally persons from abroad spoke on this then comparatively new subject. Large numbers signed the pledge, and many hard drinkers were reclaimed and lived and died sober men. A society was formed, called the " Washingtonian Temperance Society." Tiiis society remained in existence until 1846, when it was merged into a secret orgaiuifttion called the "Sons of Temperance." Tiiis organization has been in existence ever since. It is now supplanted by the '* Good Templars," a secret temperance organization of the same character as the "Sons of Temperance." In 1851 a political movement was inaugurated, having for its end the passage of a prohibitory law after the plan of wliat is known as the " Maine Law." Public opinion was not prepared for suoh a movement, and consequently it failed. It is useless to pass a law against any evil unless public opinion is educated to a point at which they are willing to enforce the law. So in this case, what Maine was prepared to execute Illinois was not in condition to pass. In 1875, when the women's crusade was inaugurated in Ohio, and was sweeping over other Middle and Western States, Peoria felt its effects, and large meetings were held in one of our largest churches. No permanent effects came from these meetings, unless it was to educate the people to a higher plane and attract their attention to the evil as it existed in their midst.

In August, 1877, a work was commenced here by Capt. J. C. Bontecau, of Michigan, which for extent and permanent good lias never been equalled in this city in the way of temperance reform. He came here an entire stranger, but having faith in the righteousness of his cause and confidence in God, he went fearlessly to work, commencing in a small way, meeting with many discouragements, j-et overcoming them one by one. The interest increased until the whole city was aroused on the subject as it never had been before on any moral question. No hall or church would contain the multitude who gathered nightly to hear the cause presented ijy Mr. Bontecau, and local speakers. Thousands of all classes signed the pledge. Hundreds of moderate drinkers and intemperate men have reformed and after two years of trial, most of tiiem stand firmly by tiieir pledge.

A Red Ribbon Club was formed of men, and a Wliite Ribbon Club of women, who work harmoniously together for the good of the cause. A large hall is rented for tlieir use. During the Winter season meetings are held almost nightly. During the entire year Gospel Temperance meetings are held every Sunday night ; a prayer and experience meeting each Tuesday evening, and a regular business meeting every Tluirsday evening.

The temperance cause in Peoria never was so strong or in such encouraging condition as at present. Public opinion is being educated to a higlier position on the subject, and the advocates of temperance never were so active as at this time.

Miscellaneous Societies

Mercantile Library Association - In the year 1855 two public libraries were established in the city, tlie Peoria Library an'd tlie Peoria Mercantile Library, which were consolidated in November, 1856, under the name and title of the Peoria City Library. The numlier of books in the two libraries at tlie time of the union anioiiiited to less tiian two thousand volumes, a considerable number of wliich were donations, but among these donations were embraced some of the most rare and valuable books in the Library at the present time.

In tlie Spring of 1865, through the aid of our then Representative, the Hon. Alex. McCoy, a charter was obtained from tlie Legislature, and the charter name of Peoria Mercantile Lil)rary Association assumed. Under tlic charter a new constitution was adojited anil a re-organization effected into two departments, a lilirary department and an exchange department, each department having a separate board of directors and the two boards united forming one general board.

A subscription was immediattfly started to raise funds for tlie purchase of a suitable property for the Association. The late T. S. Bradley, Esq., headed the list with a gift of $1,000 and was most generously followed by public spirited citizens in like liberal proportion, realizing in a few weeks the very handsome sum of -$13,262.50.

With the sum so raised the Association purchased of Mr. John L. Griswold, for the sum of 110,000, the house and lot on the corner of Main and Jefferson Streets - without doubt the most convenient site in the city - and at once proceeded to fit up the building for its new uses. In July of 1865, the Library was re-opened in its new quarters.

The Library preserves with grateful recognition among its records the names of all its benefactors, from its origin in 1855, down to the present time, and it is interesting to read how large a number of the best citizens have, at various times aided with their counsels and their gifts in the growth and permanent establishment of the present Mercantile Library Association. But it certainly will not be esteemed invidious to mention here the name of L. G. Pratt, Esq., as the one to whose excellent judgment and unwearied zeal the Library is indebted more, perhaps, than to any other one person, for the success of the effort made in the Spring of 1865.

The exchange department of the Association, originally intended to provide a merchants' exchange and reading-room - a kind of open club room - supplied with the daily papers and evening dispatches, for the use of the business men of the city, did not receive the support from the public that had been anticipated, and after a few 3'ears, closed its rooms in the lower story of the library building.

The old Library building having grown somewhat hoary with age, and not in keeping with the enterprising spirit and growth of the city, and, besides, not perfectly adapted to the purpose for which it was being used, it was decided to remove it and erect a more sightly, imposing, and convenient edifice in its place. Accordingly, early in 1878, the old house was torn away and preparations for building the new block immediately begun upon the same site - corner of Main and Jefferson Streets. It was completed that season, at a cost of i30,000, the lot upon which it stands being valued at $20,000.

The Library building is three stories high beside the basement, covers an area of 112x54 feet. Its walls are of brick, with pressed-brick fronts and brown stone trimmings, forming a harmonious and beautiful combination, i-endering the structure one of the most attractive and imposing in the city. It was planned by W. H. Wilcox, of Chicago. The first story is divided into store rooms, the upper portion is divided into offices and library rooms, tiie latter occupying a space of 40x54 feet, with the second and third stories thrown into one room. The arrangement of the library and reading-room is very convenient, as well as pleasing.

The property is owned by the Peoria Library Association and the Exchange Association. But the intention is, eventually, to have it belong entirely to the Library Association, and when the bonded indebtedness, of which there is a limited amount, is paid off, the rentals will be applied for the benefit of the library. In the meantime it has its apartment rent free.

Science - Social and Political Sciences: - Theology, philosophy, jurisprudence, politics, social science, and philology. Natural Sciences and Useful Arts: - Mathematics, physics, natural history, medicine, useful arts.

Neither the income nor the membership is as large as could be wished. The advantages of access to a large public library are of such a character as to not make themselves fully felt or appreciated by the masses. Only those who have received considerable culture, and in whom a taste for reading is already developed, will so prize its benefits as to be willing to spare from the ordinary demands of life the sum of money necessary to meet the annual dues of a subscription lil)rary. The directors and friends of the Peoria Mercantile Library confidently iiope, therefore, that in the near future a tliird and more permanent re-organization of the library will take place, under the State laws to " Authorize cities, incorporated towns and townships to establish and maintain Free Public libraries and reading rooms," thus enabling the whole populace, as well as the sojourning stranger, to come to this fountain of knowledge and drink, without money and without price.

Peoria Law Library Association. - This association was incorporated on January 6, 1879, with a caj)ital stock of $15,000, in shares of SlOO each, Chauncej' Nye, Leslie Robison, S. D. Puterbaugh. Thomas Cratty, and Lawrence Harmon, being the incorporators. The first Board of Directors were Thomas Cratty, Chauncey Nye, James M. Rice, S. D. Puterbaugh, and Lawrence Harmon.