Vandalia Township

Vandalia Township

This town was surveyed aul laid out in July, 1819, by Wm. C. Greenup, Beal Greenup, and John McCullom, and was for about twenty years the seat of Government for the state. In the year 1820 the state capital re¬ moved here from Kaskaskia, and the village at once became a place of im¬ portance, and boasted a population of 2,000 people. In 1839 the capital was removed to Springfield, and Vandalia rapidly declined until its popula¬ tion numbered less than 500, at which figure it remained for many years. - However, on the building of the Ill. Central R. R. it began to grow in com¬ mercial and manufacturing importance, and bids fair to become an important and thriving city.

The location of the town is very beautiful r being upon rising ground surrounded by wooded hills. The court-house, formerly the state capital, is a fine structure of brick, 60x100 feet, and stands in the centre of a hand¬ some square. The Kaskaskia river flows along the east side of the town, and the main wagon road is spanned by a substantial iron bridge. The great National road from Washington has its western terminus here; the city now contains a population of upwards of 2,000, has several churches, an excellent graded school, three weekly newspapers and several well kept hotels, a number of manufacturing establishments, two banks and several fine stores. The town i9 adorned by a number of beautiful residences and substantial business houses.

Pioneer Stores

The first store was owned by Wm. Kinney and carried on by Col. Charles Prentice in 1819. Soon after, Frederick Holman and Ferdinand Ernst opened a store, and Robert K. McLaughlin began merchandising here in 1820, in a frame house, which is said to have been the first frame house built in the county. Other early merchants were Clement Fletcher and Col. Black.

Pioneer Taverns First Church Built

In Vandalia, was termed in those days, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, managed and built by Wm. H. Brown, by subscription, about the year 1832. Hie building is now occupied and used by the Christian denomination.

Pioneer Mill Fir8T Preacher

C. C. Wagner was the first Mayor, George Leidig the second - served three terms, James Whiteman the third Mayor, and Wm. Soncemanu the present Mayor.

Vandalia Woolen Mill

Owned and operated by A. B. West, is a large brick building, four stories in height, situated on Fifth Street, an illustration of which is given in an¬ other part of this work. This mill is arranged for the manufacture of jeans, flannels, blankets, and stocking yarn, the latter being a specialty at the pre¬ sent time. The mill is run by steam-power, and employs from ten to twelve hands. The custom work amounts to 50,000 lbs., and for export 20,000 lbs. annually. This is the only mill of the kind in operation in the city. In connection with it is a flouring mill, with two run of burrs, used for the man¬ ufacture of flour and meal. The building was erected in 1866 and f 67, and active operations commenced therein in 1868. Previous to this time A B. West run a mill near the depot for seventeen years - a good market for the farmers to dispose of their wool.

Excelsior Plow Works . These works are situated on Fifth Street, where about 600 plows are manufactured annually. Attached is the machineshop, where all kinds of farming implements are repaired. Adjoining is the foundry owned by H. F. Jerrauld. Steam is the motive power, and from ten to twelve hands are constantly employed.

Vandalia Wagon Factory

C. Glosdie, owner, manufactures spring and farm wagons, situated south of the Depot on Sixth Street. Established about thirty years, formerly owned by M. Steinhaur.

George D. Steinhaur

Manufacturer of the Steinhaur wagon, builder of carriages, etc. Manufactory on Gallatin Street, towards the river. Establishecftm the present premises about one year.

Egyptian Chair Works

Incorporated 1876; authorized capital, 825,000. With manufacturing facilities $50,000 a year. Chairs of all descriptions are made. Col. Sturgiss, Manager.

Brewery Building

No longer in operation as a brewery, but being repaired by its owners, Humpler & Himmel, for distilling purposes. Will shortly be completed on Fourth Street.

Fruit Distillery

Situated on Third Street; proprietor, Chas. Humphrey. Peach, apple, and grape brandies manufactured; also apple cider. An excellent ciderpress on the premises, which took the first prize at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia.

Fayette Mill

This is a brick building, situated on Fourth, about two blocks north of Court House Square, owned by Geo. G. Day. Has been in operation for nearly two years. This mill has two run of burrs, and is worked by steampower. Is a custom mill, grinding wheat and corn.

Johnson Flouring Mill

B. W. Henry & Bro., proprietors. This mill does an extensive trade; is purely a merchant mill with four run of burrs. It is situated near the D* pot of the Central R. R Steam-power.

Van Dali A High School

The following is a statement of the course of study, number of teachers and pupils, the different departments, the names of teachers and number of pupils in each department of the Vandalia Public Schools for the term ending December 21, 1877. Principal - J. D. Collins.*

First year; number of pupils, 40. English Grammar and Analytical Ajrithmetic, Algebra, Physiology, Zoology, Constitution of the United States.

Third year; number of pupils, 1. History, Ctcsar and Virgil, Book-keep¬ ing, Trigonometry, Botany, Astronomy, and Chemistry. Spelling is also taught in all the above classes.

Second Ward School, 44 A, 1 ' Grammar department, J. J. Brown, teacher; number of pupils, 35. Fourth Reader, Spelling, History of the United States, Descriptive Geography, Analytical Grammar, Algebra.

44 B," Grammar department, Hugh Carroll, teacher; number of pupils " C" grade, 29. Third Reader, Spelling, Writing, Intermediate Arithmetic, Elementary Geography, Primary Grammar. Number of pupils " B" grade, 24. Same studies as 44 C," excepting in Reader and Geography, this grade using Fourth Reader and Descriptive Geography. Total 44 B" and 44 C '* grades, 53.

Intermediate department, Eugene Conner, teacher; number of pupils " B *' grade, 27. Second Reader, Spelling, Arithmetic, Writing, Drawing. Num¬ ber of pupils A" grade, 25. Studies same as 44 B" grade, but farther ad¬ vancement required in these studies.

Primary departments, Miss Nellie McCord, teacher; number of pupils 44 A" grade, 57. First Reader, Second Reader, Spelling, Number, Writing, and Drawing.

Third Ward School. This school is divided into two departments, to wit, 44 A" and 44 B." Grammar and Primary, Ezra Jenkins, teacher; number of pupils 44 A" and "B" grades, 51. Same studies as in 44 A" and 44 B" Gram¬ mar departments, Second Ward.

These faithful brethren proceeded to work under their charter. The 1 Lodge has gradually increased up to the present date. During the working of the Lodge one hundred and eighty-two different individuals havo been members thereof. The Lodge now numbers sixty-nine M. Masons and one Fellow Craft. It has for its present principal officers, Francis B. Haller, W. M.; Charles W- Higinbotom, S. W., and E lwin M. Ashcroft, J. W.

G. F. Crocker, Secretary, and O. Hewett, Treasurer. Immediately after R. F. White was elected member by card; H. F. Jerauld, T. Platt Williams, F. 8. Crump, M. C. Conrony, Wm. Pearce, 8. E. Goodrich, Wm. Powell, J. H. Ross, John D. Fletcher, James Cooper, John F. Mitchell, John Cooper, Jacob Burnes, by initiation. The first appointed officers were Wm. Powell, i Warden; A. D. Stearns, Outside Guardian; H. F. Jerauld, Conductor; P. Platt Williams, Inside Guardian; F. S. Crump, Right Supporter, and John F. Mitchell, Left Supporter to N. S.; G. E. Goodrich, R. S. S., and John Cooper, L. S. S.; J. W. Ross, Right Sapporter to V. G., and Wm. Pierce, Left.

| have a lot in the South Hill Cemetery for burial of strangers; has now about forty active members, and its financial condition is flourishiug.

Vandalia Library Association

During the month of February, 1876, a subscription list was circulated among the citizens of Vandalia, and the amount of $818 was subscribed for the purpose of instituting and maintaining a Public Library in our city.

A meeting of the subscribers was held March 10th, and adopted articles of association, and authorized application to be made to the Secretary of State for certificate of organization. Afterwards the following officers were elected for the first year: D. Palmer, President: C. G. Smith, Vice- President ; T. N. Pitkin, Secretary; E. M. Ashcraft, Corresponding Secre¬ tary F. Remann, Treasurer, and D. M. Clark, C. R. Bassett, J. Lazarus, C. E. Clapp and R. T. Higgins, Directors; the whole constituting an Executive Committee, invested with sole care and management of the As¬ sociation.

The Association held another meeting April 3d, and adopted a constitu¬ tion under which to work, and left the adoption of by-laws and the further oontrol of the Association in the hands of the Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee held meetings from time to time, and adopted such rules and measures as would accomplish the ends of the organization.

Owing £o the scarcity of money, the Treasurer was unable to make prompt collections of subscriptions, and during the excitement of the Presidential campaign little could be done. During the months of August and Sepi tember, the library committee accomplished considerable towards engaging and fitting up a room for the use of the Association as a library and readingroom, and by order of the Executive Committee leased a room on the second floor of the Fehren Block, and during the months of September and Novem¬ ber made selections, and, from time to time, purchases of books, which were labelled, numbered and catalogued; and on Tuesday, December 12th, the

Library and Reading-room was opened for the uae of the public, under the rules and restrictions as adopted by the Executive Committee; and at the end of the first year of organization, the Association found itself in pos¬ session of a well situated, comfortable room, well provided with carpet, chairs, tables, stove, reading-rack and files, and two large book-cases, with a catalogue of books as follows: - History 58 vols; Biography 16 vols; Poetry 14; Travels 14; Fiction 236; Miscellany 18; total 339 vols. There has also been furnished by the Government, Surveys, Reports, Statutes, etc., 17 vols; also has been contributed 16 weekly papers and 3 daily papers.

There has been collected on the subscription list $755.15; amount still due, $68.50. There has been paid out by the treasurer for book-cases, readingracks, carpeting, chairs, stinds, etc, $152.30; for charter fee, printing ex¬ press labels, binding, expense, $70.65; for books and magazines, $410.97.

Since making the last report the library receipts have been sufficient to pay off our indebtedness. There is also a fund of about $50 00 in the hands of the Lecture Committee, to be used for their own purposes. The date of incorporation was March 15, 1876. The total number of volumes now will go over 500.