It should be noted that the materials herein were accumulated by Lavina Walton. They never were organized in any manner and it would be appreciated if someone would volunteer to perform that task. Useful identifications, dates, names and events which can be added, notice of irrelevant details to be expunged, and wholesale rearranging are desired.
How strange to go to Browning now, small and forlorn, business houses consisting of one filling station, a part‑time garage, two fish markets and now restaurant has been built at the river's edge, high above the flood water on 20 feet piling. The river holds a fascination for most everyone, watching the boat traffic, humming birds working the feeders like bees working flowers in the summertime, soaring eagles on the river bank across the river in the winter and fish dinners that have made Browning famous. As a child I remember a thriving little river town, center of commercial fishing and trading center for the many small farms which surrounded the town. Perspectives change, noticeably in the span between childhood and advancing age. But the loss of the actual businesses, which once were an integral force in the prosperity of small villages, bear witness to the reality of that change. Small business men can no longer compete with the large chain stores and malls. The residents that prefer to live in a small country town must secure employment elsewhere and commute to and from work. Browning is just another of the thousands of small towns all over America that progress has passed by. For children In those days a trip to the big city (Rushville, Beardstown Havana) was an exciting venture.
The War of 1812 ended, the government was being forced to compensate the soldiers for their service. With Illinois becoming a State in 1818, there was a lot of land to be settled and therefore each soldier was awarded 160 acres of lands. A large section of land called the Military Tract, north of the 40th parallel and the West of the Illinois River, which would eventually encompass 14 counties, was set aside as bounty land. Schuyler County was one of those counties to become part of that tract. River‑boat towns were the most successful ones economically, in being settled first as the easiest and most used was transportation by river. Browning was just that sort of town.
The first settler was John Lippencott, who located here in 1829. He sold his plot to Peter Holmes in 1830 which became known as Holmes' Landing. The buoy is still there to help the pilots in navigating up and down the river. Nearby is the sandbar where every generation of boys first learned to swim. The town was platted for Robert Dilworth and was recorded May 11, 1848, at the Court House in Rushville. It also has the distinction of being the first village in Schyler county. It was named for the Honorable Orville James Austin, later he moved to Quincy and served in the United States Senate. When the town of Browning was platted the streets all started at the river and as the town grew, several new additions were added. However, with all of the floods that have occurred over the years, most of the original town lots have been abandoned and what had been streets of well kept houses and lawns are now only empty dirt lots. In the early 1900's Browning had 5 stores, blacksmith shops, boat builder, pool parlor, livery stable, drayman, 3 churches, a bakery, picture show, a bank, mill, doctor, a newspaper, grain elevator, and 2 button factories. James Austin was owner-operator of the first general store.
The first school, taught by Miss Dilworth, was constructed of logs in 1854 and was used until 1874 when a new two story brick building was erected. This school building was used until it burned in 1915 when the present building was constructed. In 1929 new class rooms and a gymnasium was added, and there educational program was expanded to a three year high school level. Browning also has the distinction of having the county’s first hot‑lunch program for schools. In 1945 the high school students were sent to Rushville to finish their education. A grade school for Hickory, Frederick and Browning townships students continued until the year 1996 when the Browning school was closed and all students bussed to the Rushville consolidated school district.
The first US postoffice was opened April 9, 1950 in the Abraham Dilworth residence with Mr. Dilworth as the postmaster. A new post office was built in 1960 which remains in operation today.
After the Civil War the railroad was constructed through Browning. Originally planned to cross the river and go to Rushville, bypassing Browning. Elections to raise the bond money were defeated but the citizen of Browning successfully voted to raise the money and get the railroad to go through Browning to Astoria. Soon the trains got longer and pusher engines had to be added to get the trains up the steep grade between Browning and Bade. Later double tracks and a siding track was added to support the operation of the railroad. During the heyday of activity there were six trains two at noon, two at midnight and the Cannon ‑ Ball early morning and evening. A coaling station and water tanks were subsequently added to the Browning facilities. The Pusher engines only assisted the trains to Bader where they uncoupled and returned to Browning coasting down the steep grade at full speed This downhill run shook dishes in the cupboards of Browning residents. Once the most important link, along with the river, between our town and the larger world outside, now even the tracks are long gone. The water tower, coal chute, sidings, granary are all gone and the only depot is standing because of public spirited citizens who rescued it from destruction. At the zenith of our towns’ prosperity, passenger trains traveling both north and south stopped at Browning six times daily. When extensive work was needed to be done on the tracks, the railroad supplied work crews via work cars for living quarters, set on the siding. These crews meant new people in town, always a welcome.
The railroad station was staffed by an agent at all times during this busy period in the life of our little town. There was a large outside platform for rough freight; a strong, secure room for more valuable materials. The agent's office, separated from the waiting room by a sturdy iron grill‑work, containing a sort of desk like table with a block of pigeon‑holes for papers. The telegraphers position included desk and chair where telegraph messages were sent and received. A huge potbellied heater which warmed the waiting room which was a long many windowed room with strong, iron framed, wooden benches, bolted to the floor.
In memory, these men who were station agents, some of whom served long terms and were solid citizens, must have been very patient and tolerant people. The depot, with all that room, made a fine winter gathering place for the young of the town who were of an age to be permitted out at night. Since teenagers and music seem to always have had a natural affinity, and portable radios were not then available to us, the logical solution was song, and sing we did! There might be a guitar or ukulele, always a French harp from some back pocket for soft plaintive accompaniment, and the ever present voices in harmony. Since we valued the privilege of using the waiting‑room as a sort of unofficial evening club room, we realized it was to our benefit to treat it well and to behave in such fashion that the agent would welcome us back. For this reason, any horse‑play was done outside, and the boy‑girl interaction, which of course was always there, was kept in bounds while we were inside the station.
The railroad was absolutely essential to the main business of Browning; our fishing industry. Without this ready means of transportation, their product could not get to far‑off markets in usable condition. The owners and/or managers of the fish markets brought the fish in daily by the rivermen, talked by telegrams or telephone to the large markets in St. Louis, New York, Chicago or Now Orleans; orders taken, the fish were dressed or shipped in the rough, packed in ice in barrels or wooden boxes, hauled to the depot by "Dairy Bills'' dray and shipped by rail to those far away places.
The passenger trains were our only form of public transportation; no bus‑line had us on it's schedule and few people owned automobiles. Railroad fare was relatively cheap and In 1921 a High‑line was added at Frederick to by‑pass the steep grade between Browning and Bader. Soon the train traffic slowed and the coal‑shute was removed in 1926; the Cannon - Ball made its last trip in 1933 and the last passenger train made its final rung after 99 years of service on January 16, 1961. The tracks were removed and the land sold back to the farmers owning land along the tracks. The section crew was transferred to the High‑line track. Only the depot remained and an era of travel ended. Browning Township is a farm land and wooded area that depended on the river boats and railroads to get their products to market. Browning residents always depended on fishing, hunting and the railroad for their source of income. Thousands of pounds of fish and thousands of ducks were shipped to distant markets each year. There were two gun clubs, “Knapp Island” and “Sanganois” consisting of wealthy members from the Chicago area. They came by Pullman cars to spend a week‑end hunting or fishing, depending on the season of the year. The dining and Pullman cars were brought to Browning on the midnight train on Thursday night and pulled onto the siding. The porter stayed with the cars until Sunday night when the cars were again hooked onto the midnight train for the trip back to Chicago. Sanganois Gun Club had a house at the river where the men waited for the launch to come and take them up river to the large club house. There was a turtle pond beside of the club house in a grove of trees and in one of the trees was a large rope swing. A walk to the river on a Sunday afternoon then what a thrill to be pushed in the swing until you were swinging high in the air out over the turtle pond.
There were several packet lines that had boats that made regular trips from St. Louis to Peoria every week. You could have stateroom accommodations and accompany your cattle and hogs and see them sold at market. Excursion trips on the packets also provided an enjoyable vacation for the family. The coolest part of the boat was on the top deck at the stern of the boat and feel the cool spray of water hit your face as these large paddle wheels went around and around bringing up sprays of water as it propelled the boat upstream, If you had to stay home and not be a passenger on the boat then the paddle wheels provided other entertainment. There were always flat bottomed boats tied to a stake along the river bank with the oars in the bottom of the boat, ready to be placed in the oarlocks. A hectic bit of rowing out into the river to catch the swells and ride the waves, made by the large paddle wheels, back to shore. If everything went right, there might be two or three rides before the boat managed to out‑distant your rowing ability. The propellers of the modern tow boats do not provide the thrill of those earlier "ride the waves" days.
The men that depended entirely on fishing, knitted and tarred their own nets, rowed to raise them and sold the fish. Now the craft of knitting nets is almost a lost art. The old time fishermen rowed up the river to their nets and back in their large flat bottomed boats. Gasoline "kicker" engines became popular and made it much easier and faster to make the trip to the nets, but most of the older ones continued to row with their oars. Perhaps it was sort of a therapy, but one can still remember what a beautiful sight it was watching some of them rowing the boat back down the river. There was such expertise and skill in the maneuvering of the boat. They made it look so easy, with such rhythmic motion as the oars were dipped into the water and back up for another stroke with scarcely no water dripping off the oars. There was fishing in the spring and summer, then duck hunting in the fall and winter. Live decoys were kept for hunting and the "pushers' as they were called took the hunters out to get them a good hunting place and usually kept a trained duck to lure the live ducks, in flight, to come into their blind.
The fishermen also trawled for mussels The shells were brought in and the shells cooked, then opened hopefully to find a pearl. Early in 1900 several nice pearls were found but most of the time, just seeds were found and sold by the ounce. During the button factory days a machine stamped out the blanks that were later cut and polished into pearl buttons and the remaining shells sent to be ground into oyster shell grit for chickens. The castoff shells were also used to decorate graves in the cemeteries. When the graves were covered with shells it helped to eliminate the weed problem. Occasionally those shells are found but there have been too many floods and they are covered too deep with dirt that has washed in,
About 1900 a lot was deeded to the town (forever) for the use as a boat landing. At the time of the gift, it was a very serious problem for the packets to always have a place to dock the boat and unload their cargo into the warehouse for safe keeping until the merchants could come and pick up their ordered items, Neither were the show‑boats guaranteed a landing place along the shore prior to the deeding. Early in the morning during the summer months the sound of the calliope could be heard for miles around The showboat was coming to town. The band and the show troupe paraded up the levee to the depot and back to the boat. The trip to the boat to pick out a choice seat for the evening performance. Then evening finally came and even the willow bugs that we encountered while walking up the gang plank or the constant bite of the mosquitoes after you finally reached your seat and waited for the performance to begin never dampened the spirit for seeing the show. The Cotton Blossom, The Golden Rod, French’s New Sensation and The Floating Palace are just a few of the names remembered.
Then later were the movies. In those days the films were silent but there was always a piano player to play before the show and intermission. The pianist also played appropriate music for the various scenes during the film. The dubbing of music on our movies of today is nothing new - just a little more sophisticated. There was a cartoon or a comedy, a news reel and then the movies. After every reel the lights came on thus giving us a chance to move around or visit while the reel was being rewound and a new one threaded. Then the lights were out and the show began again. Perhaps that is where the idea of where to place the commercial originated for our present TV programs. Sometime around 1930 a concrete block building was built between Trans's store and the postoffice, it was built on the lot where The Blue Goose had burned a few years before. It had two rooms, the front was a barber shop and the back a pool room and soda fountain. After the war it was converted into a turkey processing plant. Young turkeys were started in brooders in town and at the age of seven weeks were taken across the river to the island to be raised. Local people were employed during the fall season when they were dressed for shipping. This business stopped shortly after 1950 and ended Browning's last business venture.
Browning has always had yearly celebrations. First was the reunions of the Civil War veterans held in the school yard. During the 1930's we had Homecomings. For a few years Quack‑Scam Days. "Poaching" or the taking of fish or game out of season has always been a part of our society everywhere, but Quack Scam is a reminder of that morning when federal game wardens swarmed into town with shotguns and a helicopter hovering overhead and invaded the houses. Deep freezers were confiscated with no regard as to their contents. It is also a reminder of what our government employees can do to us illegally, within a legal frame concept. The irony of the situation was that those involved were not the ones that made a practice of poaching! The true poachers were not questioned nor harassed in any way. We had parades, games, entertainment and delicious fish dinners, home‑made pies and very special chili.
Browning has received two government grants. A few years ago was built it, but there is was nothing granted for a water system to actually give the town the opportunity of fire protection. Each residence had its own well. The fire station was built, but it was volunteer. and money for equipment was raised by having fish dinners throughout the year. Older residents well remember the terror of hearing the clanging of the fire bell in the middle of the night. Everyone ran with a bucket so that there was a continuous line of buckets from the pump to the man on the ladder and the men on the roof,
A small‑business project which depended on the railroad for sustenance had to do with heating fuel, which at that time and place meant coal, When the long freights made up of open hopper cars carrying coal entered the town, they moved slowly, so the "Pushers" could give the added power up the hill. Several men would climb aboard the cars, pushing off large lumps of coal as fast as they could. This continued until the train was well out of town. Then the real labor of the project began. Two‑wheeled carts, moved by man‑power, were used to gather the contraband and move it to the coal houses in the town. The raiders kept their own homes well supplied and delivered to others by contract. On cold nights when sounds carried well, the rumble of the coal‑carts was heard well up and down the streets and alleys until dawn. As children, we were aware that this was something clandestine, that it was not to be talked about, that the buyers were involved as well as those faceless men who pushed the carts. I suppose we all saw the real owners of the coal as a vast unknown company who would never miss the little (comparatively speaking) amount which was taken. The building of the new high line which by‑passed our village completely, put an end to the coal business; later progress took off the passenger trains too, The old depot still stands; renovated by volunteer labor.
Sometimes on a cold snowy night when I waken and listen to the night sounds, I remember the lonesome whistle of trains passing through. Perhaps even the faint rumble of the coal carts echo again. Then I smile, and remember again those young voices lifting in harmony in the warmth and friendliness of the depot, and fall asleep to dream of those earlier happier times
The Argus August 20, 1902
Dear Editor,
This letter is in response to the “witch Hunt” letter by Mr. Thomas. The main reason for this letter is the word “secret”. The first item in his letter I will deal with is the so-called abuse the board is taking for $300 per year. Remember they asked for the position on the town board. If they don’t like the “abuse” then resign. Nuff said. When I heard about our town cop of “4” years of faithful service being “fired”. I asked a board member why did you do it? Ans: “I didn’t”. Q: “Who did?” Ans: “The Police committee”. Q: “You are a board member did you not take a position and vote on his firing?” Ans: “No. The Police committee did it; I am sorry, that’s all I can say”. At this point it was obvious to me that it had been done in “secret” and was the work of the Police committee with the consent of the Mayor. At the next board meeting I tried to find out why and how the firing was consummated. I ended up in a conflict with the head of the police committee. Mr Thomas said I called him a “Blockhead”. My words, as near as I can recall were, “you have used such poor judgement, I can not believe there is a live brain between your ears. [therefore] the citizens of Vermont should refer to you as “Maggot Head”.
I have been senior member of a few courts martial and have had to sentence the guilty to Leavenworth. Administrating justice is a difficult assignment even when its your duty. I learned long ago that ships, planes, tanks, weapons, etc.. can all be replaced but lives cannot. This millstone hung on Mr. Mason will still be there 50 years from now, long after the pain of the moment has receded, and the people who put it there have faded into oblivion, and there will be no written record as to why.
I have no quarrel with the fact that the board has the authority and responsibility to supervise (hire and fire and administer justice) village employees. Their actions in “secret” were not only a miscarriage of justice: they were an Abortion.
By so doing they have compromised the village board collectively, the members individually and the good people of Vermont who put their trust in them by voting them onto the village board.
Sincerely
Frederick B. Haines
Former mayor
Major USMC Ret.
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Realizing that the history of Browning is largely in its existing withing Schuyler County, that early history is here presented:
By Henry Metz
History means what is a matter of record; an account of facts respecting Nations or states; a narration of events in the order in which they happened, with their cause and effects. History differs from annals. Annals relate simply facts and events, and events in each year in strict chronological order without any observations of the writer. History regards less strictly the arrangements of events under each year and admits the observations of the writer. There fore, in preparing this history of Schuyler county we shall only refer to facts as we can collect them from, as we suppose, authentic sources.
Schuyler county was formed January, 1825 out of the counties of Pike and Fulton. The act erecting the county was passed January 13 th, 1825, and read as follows:
"Be it enacted, &C., That all the tract of country within the following boundaries, to wit: Beginning at the place where the township line between two and three south touches the Illinois river, then west on said line to range line between ranges four and five west: thence north on said line to the northwest comer of township three north range four west; thence east on said township line to the meridian; thence down the meridian line to the southeast comer of township three north range one west; thense east on said township line to the Illinois river;thence down the river to the place of beginning, shall constitute a county to be called county of Schuyler."
The boundaries embrace what now compose the counties of Schuyler and Brown. But, in February, 1839, the county of Brown was cut off of Schuyler county. The trouble of reaching Rushville (county seat), on account of high water of Crooked creek, being the main cause for division of the county. There was much talk before the division of establishing the seat of Justice at Ripley.
The act of erecting Schuyler county appointed John Adams, Stephen Olmstead and James Dunwoodee, of Morgan county, commissioners to locate the seat of Justice, and who located it or near where Pleasantview now stands, and called it Beardstown. But, afterwards Leven Green, Thomas Blair and Benjamin Chadsey were appointed by The General Assembly to select a new location, and on the 20th day of February, 1826, a little over 50 years ago, they selected the present site of Rushville as the seat of justice, and called it Rushton (after an eminent physician in Philadelphia) which is the southwest comer of section 30 in township the
two north range one west, and on April 24 , 1826, the county commissioners ordered the name of the county seat changed from Rushton to Rushville.
Thomas Blair, Samuel McKee and Samuel Homey were the first County Commissioners.
The first town lots in Rushville were sold July 4 th, 1826, and it was ordered that the notice of same be published in the Edwardsville Spectator. J. D. Manlove was the first Surveyor of the county, Omis McCartney the first Sheriff, J. B. Terry the first Recorder and Circuit Clerk, Willis O'Neil the first Treasurer~ and Major Hart Fellows afterwards held almost all the offices within the gifts of the people at the same time.
The first court of record held in the county was presided over by Judge John York Sawyer, and was held in a little cabin belonging to Samuel Turner, at about where Pleasantview now stands.
Right here we will refer to some of the personages who lived, and some who are still reside in Schuyler County. Judge T. Lyle Dickey, one of the supreme court Judges of the State, resided in the county in 1833‑34. The lamented Senator W. A. Richardson was a resident of Rushville from about 1835 to 1849, when he removed to Quincy. Hon. Robert Blackwell, author of "Blackwell on Tax Titles" also resided in Rushville until about the year 1850. The Hon. Wm. A. Minshall, who was second to none in the State as a Jurist, was also a resident of and died in this county in1851. And, last but not least, we still have in our midst Hon. Pinkney H. Walker, who was for over eighteen years graced the Supreme Bench, and for the present term was re‑elected without opposition.
Schuyler county embraces a superficial area of a little over eleven townships, or about four hundred and fourteen square miles, and is bounded on the north by McDonough and Fulton counties, on the east by Fulton county and the Illinois river; on the south by Brown county, and on the west by the counties of Adams and Hancock When the county was erected all the territories lying north of it, and Hancock county, and west of the fourth principal meridian, was added to Schuyler for county purposes. Therefor Schuyler county virtually extended to and included all territories north as far as Rock Island.
Its surface is considerably diversified with hills and valleys, prarie and heavily timbered woodlands, the preportion of prarie and timber lands being about one of the former to three of the latter. Along the bluffs of Crooked Creek and the Illinois river the surface is quite broken and hilly, but even these broken lands possess a rich productive soil, and are valuable for agriculture purposes where they are sufficiently level for cultivation. The Pranies are mostly small and are restricted to northern and western portions of the county. The county is well watered, mainly by Crooked creek and its affluents, which traverse its southern and western portions, and by Sugar creek and the Illinois river, the former intersecting the eastern portion of the county and the latter forming in part its eastern boundary.
Crooked creek furnished considerable water power, and in the early settlement of the county the inhabitants of this and several adjacent counties were dependent upon the water mills upon this stream for nearly all their milling facilities. More recently, however, steam power has to a great extent superseded the old water mill, and most of the mills on this stream have a steam engine attached to enable them to run through the year.
On the ridges adjacent to the small streams the timber is mostly black oak and hickory, but on the more level portions of the timbered regions, as well as on the Bluffs of the Illinois river, we find in addition to them, Elm, Linden, Sugar Maple, Wild Cherry and Honey Locust, an arboreal growth which indicates a soil of the best quality, fully equal to the best prarie soils.
Much of the uplands, where this growth of timber prevails, is underlaid with marly sands and clay of the loess and rank among the very best in the State. Fine blue grass pastures are easily made upon these lands, and the soil well adapted to the growth of fruit, especially the grape.
On the eastern of the border of the county there is a belt of alluvial bottom, skirting the Illinois river from about one mile to four miles in width. Some portions of this land is above the high water level of the river, and these lands are very productive, while other portions are subject to annual overflow from the river floods and are of little value for agriculture purposes. A considerable portion of this bottom prairie, but there is a belt of heavy timber skirting the river, and also the small streams by which the bottoms are intersected. The timber on these low lands comprise Cottonwood, Sycamore, Soft Maple, Elm, Ash, Hickory, Pecan, Spanish Oak, Swamp White Oak, Pin Oak, Black Walnut, Buckeye, Honey Locust, Pawpaw, Willow, &c.
There are belts of bottom lands upon some of the larger creeks of this county, as on Crooked creek and Sugar creek, but these seldon exceed a half mile in width, and are covered with a heavy growth of timber.
The first settlement in the county was made by Calvin Hobart, on section sixteen. Rushville township on the 19th of February, 1823. W. H. Taylor, then a single man, afterwards quite a noted preacher, accompanied Mr. Hobart. He and Miss Elizabeth Spoonamore had the honor of being the first couple married in the county. Rev. Leven Green, the first Protestant preacher in the county, performing the marriage ceremony. The first white child born in the county, Wm. Eggleston: the second was Ann Fellows, now Mrs. Maro Farwell, of Frederick.
On July P, 1834, the cholera, in its most malignant and destructive form, visited the community of Rushville and swept like an angle of destruction among its inhabitants. The old and young alike fell victim to the dread destroyer, and general mourning succeeded.
The villages in the county consist of the following:
Camden was laid off January 28th, 1838, by Joseph N. Ward and Robert Brown. Samuel McHatton was the Surveyor. Camden is situated on a high rolling prairie and is surrounded by a fine, rich farming country. It has two churches, school building, a saw and grist mill, four stores, two wagon repair shops, a chair shop, and a good hotel.
Brooklyn was laid off October 25 , 1836, by William C. Reno. Allen Persinger was the
Surveyer. It is situated on the Crooked creek, and does quite a thriving trade. From the flaming advertisements in regard to the sale of its town lots in 1837, which appeared in Philadelphia, New York and Pittsburg papers, a person would be led to believe that Brooklyn at that time bid fair to become the largest city in the Military Tract.
Frederick, on the Illinois river, was laid off by Frederick Johnte, May 13th 1830. This town for many years was the river landing for Rushville, Macomb and in fact for all the country for thirty or forty miles northwest of Rushville, and was the town in the county next important to Rushville. Within the past few years the Rockford, Rock Island and St. Louis Railroad has been built through the place, which has materially damaged the town as a shipping point.
Littletown, Huntsville, Birmingham, Pleasantview, Browning, Bluff City, Butlersville, Oscala, Erwin, Ray Station, Newberry, and Dodsville are thriving little towns in the county, but of which space will not permit us to speak at length.
The war records of Schuyler county show that her people were patriotic to the upmost degree. In the years 1830 and 1831 two companies raised in the county went forth to the Black Hawk war. The first was commanded by Maj. Hart Fellows and the second by Maj. Jonathan Randall. The troops rendezvoused at Beardstown and were under the command of Govoner Reynolds. The first encampment made after leaving Beardstown was on the Berry farm, just beyond Johathan Patterson, about two miles east of Rushville.
In year 1844 the Mormon war broke out and a company of Volunteers left Rushville for the seat of the war. They marched as far as Augusta Illinois, when deeming the danger over, they returned.
In the year 1846 the United States became involved in a war with Mexico and two companies of volunteers were raised in Schuyler, and offered their services to the General Government, which were accepted. One company left in 1846, under Win. A. Richardson as Captain, and the other in 1847, under Captain Adams Dunlap.
During the late civil war Schuyler county did as much towards furnishing her quoto of men for suppressing the rebellion as any other county in the State in proportion to her population. Eleven full companies were raised in the county and took the field, to wit: Company G, 16th Illinois Infantry Volunteers, under under Capt. Wm. H. McAllisters; Co. G, 28th Illinois Infantry Volunteers, under Capt. B. C. Gillam: Co. G 73 d Infantry Volunteers under Capt Win. Preston; Co. A/ 78th Illinois Infantry Volunteer under Capt Robert Blackburn; Co's B, C, and F, 119 Illinois Infantry Volunteers, under Capts. Dilworth, Greer and Slack, respectively: one company in the I 01h Missouri Calvery, under capt. Leonidus Homey, and Co. K, ("hundred dazers") under Capt R. A. Williams; two companies of cavalry, one under Capt. Bredet, which was raised in the Northwestern portion of the county and the other under Capt. Rutledge, which was recruited in Browning township.
The first School District was formed in the year of 1825, and today there are over ninety school districts in the county, most of which are supplied with neat and commodious school houses, and in the city of Rushville (which comprises an Union School District) they have erected a large and handsome edifice at a cost of over $50,000. In the county there are also over thirty church building, which show that the county, during the fifty years of its existance, whilst making advancement in population has also advanced in equal ratio in the manner of education morals and religion.
In 1825 Schuyler county comprised an erea of 864 square miles, and a population of 4,240 inhabitants. Today with an area of 414 square miles, the population amounts to nearly 20,000; over 100,000 acres of improved land of the value of $6,000,000, which shows that what was a timbered wildness in the year 1825 has, by the industry and energy of its inhabitants, been caused to bloom and blossom as the rose.
Much more could be said in regards to history of Schuyler county, but as I deem this sufficiently lengthy, will desist, tendering my sincere thanks to the gentlemen of the committee (Hon. W. H. Ray, John Putman and John C. Scripps) who appointed me historian, being aware, however, that my ability has been inadequate to the task assigned.
I will close by appending a short reminiscence of the early settlement of the county, which would form no part of the history proper.
Reminiscence is defined to be the faculty of the mind by which ideas formerly received into, but forgotten, are recalled or revived in the memory; in other words, recollections; or, recollections expressed. And in the preparation of this paper, narrating a few facts and incidences connected with the early settlement of Schuyler county, we do not presume that they have been forgotten by the older citizens of this county, but consider it simply a comparison of notes between some of the earlier settlers, recounting their hardships and trials, pleasures, sociabilities and contentment.
In the next place when the President requested each county to have its history written up and a copy famished the librarian of congress, it was intended that said history should be but a part going to make up a whole of a history of the United States which is hereafter to be compiled; and, as reminiscence is not history, the following incidents would not properly belong to it. Therefore, with the aid of the earliest records of the county, and the assistance of Messrs. Benjamin Chadsey, J. D. Manlove, William Wilson and a few others of Schuyler's pioneers, I have prepared the following, thinking it may be of interest to some:
The first settlement in the county was made on section 16, Rushville township, on the farm now owned by T. W. Scott, by Calvin Hobart, in the year 1823, and his wife Sallie, was the first white woman who ever crossed the river into Schuyler county. Win. H. Taylor, a single man, accompanied them, and he Miss Elizabeth Spohnamore had the honor of being the first couple marriied in the county, which marriage was celebrated November 25, 1825, by Leven Green, the first Methodist or Protestant preacher into the county. The second marriage, James Lammers and Delila Keller.
The family of Spolinamores came to the county in the year 1825, and of said family there are still living Mrs. Nancy Marlow, Susan Wilson (wife of Uncle Billy Wilson) and Mr. Samuel Spohnamores.
In comparing the records with the history, as written in the map of Schuyler county, I find many discrepancies which these reminiscences will set at right.
The pathway into the wilderness having blazed by the Hobarts in 1823, there came in the year 1825, Benjamin Chadsey; Jonathan D. Manlove, who was afterwards the first surveyor; Samuel Homey, Thomas Blair and Thomas McKee, afterwards the first county commissioners; J. B. Terry, first recorder and county clerk; Orris McCartney, afterwards the first sheriff, Major Hart Feellows, who afterwards held the office of recorder, postmaster, justice of the peace, and every other office almost within the gift of the people of the county; and a host of others whoes names we have not space to mention.
The first election held in the county after its erection was on July 4th 1825 at Beardstown , near Pleasantview. Cornelius Vandeventer, Abram Carlock, Judges; Hart Fellows and J. D. Manlove clerks.
In the year 1826 one Jesse Barrtlett assessed the value of all peoperty in the county, subject to taxation and for his services received the grand sum of six dollars. Today after a lapse of fifty years and a county half the size it was then, we have thirteen assesssors with an average cost of $150 each.
The first licensed ferry across the Illinois river was established June 5th 1826; application for same having been made by Thomas Beard, the same was granted upon his paying the sum of 6 dollars per annum into the county treasury. The ferry was across the river where Beardstown now stands, and the rates of ferrage affixed by the board nearly the same as they now are.
The first tavern license was granted to Orris McCartney, November 3 , 1825, upon paying the sum of three dollars into the treasury and one dollar to the clerk. The following were the rates he was allowed to receive:
For diet per meal 18‑1/3 cents
For horse keeping over night 25
For horse feed .. 12‑1/2
For lodging 6‑1/4
Whiskey per half pint 12‑1/2
Foreign spirits per half pint 25
Foreign spirits per gill 12‑1/2
Cider, metheglin and beer per quart 12‑1/2
The first bridge built across crooked creek was erected by Benjamin Chadsey. The contract was awarded him June 4th* 1827. The bridge was erected where the state road from Rushville to Quincy crossed said creek, near where the Ripley bridge now stands, and upon its completion the county paid Mr. Chadsey the sum of $400, the contract price. Today there are five bridges spanning that stream, costing about $4,000 each, which shows how labor and material have advanced since 1827. The bridge built by Mr. Chadsey was carried away by the melting of the deep snow in 1831, which fell to the depth of three feet on a level, and which it is said occasioned the destruction of much wild game.
The first school district erected in the county was July 22 d, 1825, and was bounded as follows: Beginning at northeast comer of section Nr. 4 Rushville township (northeast comer of Geo. Simpson's present farm) thence west to the northwest comer of section 1, in Buenavista township (the northwest comer of the section upon which Simon Doyle now lives), thence east to the southeast comer of section 33 (near White Oak school house), thence north to the place of beginning. It contained 24 square miles and was designated as district No. 1. It is supposed that Jonathan D. Manlove and his wife were the first teachers in this school district.
Isaac Naught, George Naught, Thomas McKee, Cornelis Vandeventer, Peter Jonte and others were among the earliest settlers in the southeastern part of the county. An amusing but aggravating incident is related by Peter Jonte: He, being a frenchman and being fond of wine, ordered a barrel of it to be shipped from Labella France. It came, as per order, via New Orleans, and up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers to Beard's ferry, a distance of about 5,000 miles. He went thither with a team and wagon to bring it home,and, when coming up the Bluff hill and almost in sight of his house the barrel rolled out the hind end of the wagon down the hill several rods and dashed to pieces against a tree. If he didn't swear, it is evident through what troubles and trials christan fortitude will bear a person.
I will now give a few particulars concerning the early settlement of Rushville. As you have learned from history, the seat of Justice of Schuyler county was located March 6, 1826, by the commissioners appointed for that purpose, on the southwest quarter of section 30, 2 north 1 west, and was called Rushton, after the name of Dr. Rush, an eminent physician of Philadelphia. But, on April 24th 1826, it was ordered to be changed from Rushton to Rushville. The commissioners appointed David Blair to go to Springfield and procure the patent for said southwest of 30, and for which service the records show that he received the sum of $2.50.
After procuring the patent the county commissioners sold the east half of the quarter to Jacob White for the sum of $150, which east half is all that part of the present town from a line drawn north and south, eighty feet east of the public square, to a line drawn north and south along the west side of Dr. R. M. Worthington's premises.
The first white child born in Rushville was Ann Fellows, now Mrs. Maro Farwell.
The first court house erected in Rushville was a building 18x22, and one and one half stones high, as the record says, was to have a good and sufficient chimney. It stood on the north side of the public square, at about the same place where Griffith's store now stands. It was erected in the fall of 1826. In the year 1827 the clerk's office was build much after the same style, on the east side of the square, where J. R. Neil's store, or Ryan's house now stands. It was built by Alex. Hollingsworth and plastered by James Powers.
The first school house was built on lot I block 1, where the Christian church now stands. The house was built in a hazel thicket, as many men in this audience who attended school to Mr. Davis and received flagellations at his hands, perhaps can attest.
On July 24th 1829 a contract was entered into between the commissioners of the county and Wm. McCreery and Benjamin Chadsey for the building of the court house which now adorns the public square in Rushville. The contract for the foundation walls was awarded to Win. McCrerry for the sum of $375 and the superstructure to Benjamin Chadsey at the sum of $2,050. Both jobs were performed according to terms of the contract, and the court house in Rushville is the cheapest house ever erected in the town. Today the stealage would amount to more than the cost of the building at that time. Hart Fellows superintended the building.
The first jail was built on the same lot where the present jail now stands, but a little southwest of the present edifice. It was built of logs, one and one half stones high, and the prisoners were let down into it through a trap door or hatchway cut through the upper floor. Joel Tullis made the trap door according to specifications published , and received thereafore the sum on $43.
Benjamin Chadsey made the first ballot box used, and for which, the county commissioners allowed him the sum of $1.75.
Elizabeth Sprigg was the first ward in the county who had a guardian appointed for her; Rev. Leven Green being appointed. The first ward to choose a guardian under the law was Reuben Lock, who now resides just beyond Ripley on the road to Mt. Sterling. To‑day our respected member of congress, Hon. J. C. Bagby, is alone guardian over eighty minors. On December 23d, 1859, the county court ordered that John Ritchey be authorized to purchase of Abram Louderback, one or two acres of land in some suitable and convenient place as a cemetary, near Rushville. He did so by purchasing two acres of land where the old sand stones now stand in the beautiful cemetery in the suburbs of Rushville.
In the year 1834 (July 3), the cholera made its appearance in the thriving settlement of Rushville and swept like a besom of destruction over the county. The strong man of mature years, the aged and young alike succumbed to the attack of the dread destroyer. Retiring at night in good health, many slept that sleep that knows no awaking. William McCreery was the first who succumbed to the disease and Mr. Putman, father of John and Brower Putman, the second. Many others whoes names I cannot ascertain, fell victims to the epidemic.
The only executions for murder in Schuyler county were, Thomas Morgan, for the murder of Frank Everts, which was committed on the top of coal creek hill, on the lower road to Frederick. He was executed in 1834 on the crane‑creek hill, at Gallows ford, near where Perry Neil now lives. The next execution were the McFaddens, father and son, who were executed in June 1835, for the murder of one Thomas Wilson, in the county of McDonough, and their trial was moved here on a change of venue. Hon. W. A. Richardson, prosecuting attorney, prosecuted, and Cyrus Walker and Wm. A. Minshall, Schuyler's most brilliant lawyer, defended. After a fair and impartial trial, the parties were convicted and sentenced to be hung. Uncle Ranslaer Wells was foreman of the jury which convicted them. Mr Joseph Dennis, I understand , has the boards which composed the scaffold, in his barn, three miles north of town. They were hewn at Gallows ford, just below Mrs. Neil's, on Crane creek.
I could multiply incidents indefinitely, but considering this sketch sufficiently long, I will close reading a letter I received from Mr. J. D. Manlove:
"Fort Scott, Kansas, June 11, 1876. Henry S. Matz Esq.:
"Yours of the first inst. just received and considered. Will endeavor to comply with your request by giving such information as I have that is of record. When I first came to Schuyler, which was in September, 1824, there was only a blazed pathway from wberc Beardstown is to section 16 in Rushville township. Thomas Beard had a small ferry boat that would cross a wagon and two horses, by unhitching the horses and crowning in; but Mr. Beard was not there and the boat was on the west side of the river. At the bluffs east of Beardstown, Mr. Samuel Homey and I met with Mr. Thomas McKee, who then lived where Esq. Lawyer died. I being the younger swam my horse over the river, it being low, and brought the boat over. There was a very small log cabin built about where H. Foster's store was, and it was built over a snake den where all kinds of snakes came in the fall and took up their winter quarters.
"In February, 1825, 1 removed to Schuyler and became aa citizen of the county. There were living on the 16th section, 2 N 1 W., Calvin Hobart, Orris McCartney, Nathan Eels, Win. H Taylor, the father of Calvin Hobart, a very old man and a revolutionary soldier. D. E. Blair was living on the old Phillips place, near Geo. A Greer's; Thomas Blair on the old Tyson place's; Thomas McKee on the Lawyer place; Joel Pennington on the place I sold to Geogre Little; Leven Green on the old Sparks place; George Stewart on the Vail place: Willis O'Neil on section 16, 1 N I W.; Samuel Homey and I improved where George Manlove lives; Cornelius and Isaac Vandeventer lived at the bluff, northeast of Mereados, then in Schuyler.
"I notice some errors in the atlas map of Schuyler. Calvin Hobart did not settle on section 17 first, but on 16; Jonathan Reno did not settle in the county in 1828, but in 1825; Win. Robeson was the first settler in Browning township; E. Eggleston did not settle in Camden township in 1824, but Robert and John Brown were the first settlers; Henry and JOHN Green were the first settlers in Buenavista township, and other errors of minor importance.
"At the first and second court held in the county the lawyers were Jas. Turney (Attorney General), John Tumey, Jonathan H. Pugh, A. W. Cavarly and David Prickett; John York Sawyer was the judge. I piloted them to Quincy, there being no road to that place, and David Sacket packed their beef, com bread and whisky. We camped the first night near where Camden now stands. At McKee's creek, near Columbus, we differed about the way to Quincy. Judge Sawyer, Cavarly and Prickett took an Indian trail and went some twenty miles into Pike county. The Judge was very sick and they did not get to Quincy until sundown next day. The Turneys, Pugh and I reached there two hours by sundown same evening.
"About 1823 McCartney and Beard brought a large drove of hogs (pointers) to the county, expecting to raise com and keep them tame, but the large amount of mast soon made them independent and wild, they soon overran the country as far as McDonough county. The Indian dogs ran them as other game, and person killing them were allowed half for so doing. As there were at that time no others they were of some little benefit to settlers. But dissatisfaction with the Indians and their dogs was universal, and in March, I think, 1826, nineteen men (all there were that could go) called on them at a trading house just below crooked creek, on the river, killed some of their dogs and gave them ten days to leave. The traders were also notified to leave, or their effects (ammunication and whisky) would be thrown in the river. That was the last of the Indians, as they immediately left.
"In the summer of 1826; 1 taught school in my own cabin, on the Little place, and my wife taught on section 16, near the Minshall place (both single then). I was the first County Surveyor and John B.Terry first Recorder; LevinGreen and James Vance the first Magistrates. Levin Green the first preacher (Methodist) and a Mr. Sweet (Baaptist) was the next. Mr. S. only preached twice, perhaps. Mr. Green could preach faster, say more sharp back‑woods things, and make stronger and better illustrations than any illiterate man I have ever heard. Cyrus L. Watson (Presbyterian) was the second settled preacher.
"Mr. C. Hobart had the first mill (hand mill), and Thomas McKee, George Nott (or Naught) and Cornelius Vandeventer had hand mills. Though we were deprived of many comforts we were ftiendly, social and happy; made use of common sense and were content, hoping for better times in the future.
"Myself and perhaps Orris McCartney, of Caseyville, Wisconsin (if he is still alive), are the only persons living who were adults when I came to Schuyler county. The Judge and lawyers alluded in a previous paragraph are all dead except Mr. A. W. Cavalry, who resides at Ottawa, Illinois.
"Mr. Solomon Standberry, who was stopping with John Ritchey, who lived on the place now owned by Isaac Garrison, was the first to die in the county. He died of typhoid fever. I went to Jacksonville for Dr. Taylor, who said he would be dead on my return, which proved to be true.
"I have taken time and believe what I have given is correct, but have not said anything about what is of record except in relation to the Recorder, Surveyor and Magistrates. They are not noticed in the map of the county. You have the facts and can arrange them as you think proper.
"Respectfully yours, J. D. Manlove"
A Synopsis of the Proceedings, with the History and Early Reminiscences of the county.
The morning of the great Centennial Fourth of July did not dawn upon Rushville very auspiciously. Rain fell in torrents the night previously and the morning of the Fourth opened gloomily, with forebodings of more rain. It certainly seemed that the celebration would be a failure, but as the morning wore away the appearances of rain diminished and hope revived.
Union services were held in the Presbyterian church, at 9 A.M., in accordance with the President's proclaiming, the several pastors of the city participating in the exercises.
The Industry band put appearance about noon, at which time a very respectable crowd of people had congregated on the public square. A patriotic air by the band enlivened the crowd and gave them to understand the "old Probs" had now succeeded in "busting" the celebration.
Owing to the inclemency of the weather it was found necessary to abondon the procession part of the programme and hold the exercises in the Court House Park in place of the Fair Grounds, as was origionally intended.
The first thing to attract the attention of the people was the grotesque and amusing parade of the Calithumplans, consisting of several men and boys dressed in gorgeous and picturesque attire.
About one o'clock the band took their position on the upper partion of the stand, which had been erected for the Democratic ratification meeting, and a large crowd was soon called together by their excellent music.
Among those seated on the stand was Mr. Beni. Chadsey, one of the commissioners who selected the present site of Rushville as the seat of justice for the county, Dr. Adams Dunlap, who was editor of the "Rushville Journal" in 1836, and Hon. P. H. Walker.
The meeting was called to order by Hon. G. W. Metz and the exercises were opened with a fervent and appropriate pprayer by Rev. John Knowles.
After music by the band Mr. R. H. Griffith read the Declaration of Independence in a most effective manner.
Prof. A. H. Smith, the orator of the day, was then introduced, who delivered an oration that showed considerable preparation, and was well received. He reviewed the past century, comparing it with the record of other nations, much to their disparagement. He closed with a high eulogism on our form of government, but, did not mention the corruption and well‑known rottenness of the present administration in this centennial year as compared with the universal acknowledged purity of a hundred years ago. He, however, stated that "the ballot‑box is all powerful inpurifying the body politic," and he was in a hurry to reach the train in time to take his departure for the east, he probably thought that would be attended to on the 7 th of November next.
Music followed the address of Mr. Smith, when Henry S. Metz Esq., proceeded to read the history and early reminiscences of Schuyler county, which is given in this issue of The Times. He read it very distinctly and was listened to attentively by the audience. It will be found highly interesting and should be preserved for future reference.
Toasts were in order, and were as follows:"The legal fraternity": responded to by Hon. P. H. Walker. "Our free schools"; responded to by Rev. J. B. Wolfe: "Our Union as our Fathers made it": responded to by Judge E. J. Pemberton. "The State of Illinois": Responded to by R. M. Griffith.
Music and singing closed the exercises at the stand.
The amusements were on a limited scale, consisting of wheelbarrow and foot races, but they afforded considerable amusement for the crowd.
As the shades of night drew on the public square was packed with a mass of expectant humanity, gathered in anticipation of the display of fire‑works which were to take place. Shortly after 8 o'clock the explosion began, and skyrockets and Roman candles filled the air with a lurid blaze of light. Notwithstanding the threatening storm people lingered to witness the "wind up" of the festivities of the day, which was about completed when the rain began to come down at a lively rate. The stores were ftill of country people until about I I o'clock, when it ceased sufficiently for them to return home.
Taking all in all the Centennial celebration was a pleasant one and a success as everything passed off smoothly and well.
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Although established a little over a year it is safe to say that there is no firm better known that H. 0. Bader & Son and a few words concerning them cannot but interest many of our readers. Messrs H. 0. Bader & Son are dealers in flour, seeds, feed, hay and also coal and shells and their facilities for buying the supplies are of the best and are such to enable them to supply the public in any desired quantity and at prices favorable with those of any other dealer in Schuyler County. They handle only the best grades of the commodes mentioned, exercising every care in selecting their stock and guarantee full weight and prompt delivery at all times. The firm is composed of H. O. Bader and his son, Howard O. Bader, both of whom devote their time and attention exclusively to the business. They are wide awake and enterprising, enjoy the fullest confidence of their patrons and the public in general and as citizens take an active interest in all things calculated for the benefit of Schuyler County and of Browning in particular. Their success in business matters is but the result of legitimate enterprise and honest endeavor.
The Pettigrew Hotel at Browning can safely be recommended as a homelike hotel and one that can occupy a high place in the estimation of those who have profited by its accommodations for under Mr. H. M. Pettigrew’s management the interest of guests are carefully regarded and the general policy is liberal as well as enterprising.
The hotel is a large two story one, located in the heart of the business center of the village and has twenty guest rooms which are neatly furnished and kept clean and comfortable, and the facilities at Mr. Pettigrew's command are such as to make everyone feel at home to make satisfactory rates. The dining room is a cozy, airy and that which is served there includes all substantial and delicacy of the market and season and is cooked in a manner that cannot fail to please. There is a short order lunch connected, where you can get a steak chop. Done to a turn at all hours of the day.. Taken all in all the Hotel Pettigrew is a popular one and the proprietor is unsparing in his efforts to make his guests feel at home, to lodge them well, feed them well and treat them well in every respect. Mr. Pettigrew has been catering to the wants of the inner man in Browning nine years and built this hotel a year ago. He is liberal and wide awake business man and well deserves the success with which he is meeting. When in Browning drop in and see him. He will treat you right.
A brief but concise Sketch of Prominent Merchants Who are Interested in the of the Village Welfare. Written in an interesting manner to entertain our readers and showing the enterprise of some of men who have made Browning what it is at the present time.
The best proof of the condition of a thriving community is a fair representation of the standing of its business houses. The mercantile trade of Browning is represented by large and progressive houses, handling complete stocks and supplying a widespread trade, embracing dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes, furniture, hardware, farm implements, groceries, meats, fish, bake stuff, flour, grain, and feed, coal, drugs, cigars, tobacco, confectionery, barber shops, etc., etc. Browning also has good banking facilities, hotels, manufacturer of gasoline launches, concrete blocks, an up‑to‑date newspaper, contracting builders, painters, livery stables, etc. The various interests are complete in their extant and variety; every line is represented, and that too, in a full and creditable manner. Our business men are progressive and enterprising, new and attractive buildings have been erected during the past year in order to enable Browning's merchants to give the public a better advantage and these are rapidly being added to, contracts have already been let for several large stores. The residents of Browning can find no possible excuse for visiting any other city to buy goods, as the same opportunities exist here, and usually better prices can be made, as the expense of conducting business here is trivial when compared to other sections. A pursal of articles which follow shows beyond a doubt the volume and character of Browning's enterprises. We therefore with pardonable pride, point to the galaxy of business firms represented here.
For the past twenty five years Mr. W. H. Arnold has been prominently identified with the painting and decorating business in Browning, and today he is regarded as one of the most skilled and reliable workmen in this particular line in this section of Schuyler County. Mr. Arnold has always kept abreast of the times, adopting all new ideas that seemed practical and of benefit to the business, and discarding those that were obsolete and out of date. He has always contended that the best material manufactured, though perhaps a little higher in price, was the cheapest in the end, and as he would tolerate none but competent men in his employ under his own personal supervision, the result but was expected to be expected, namely; that his work has always stood the severest test and proved highly satisfactory. In placing orders for painting and decorating work of any description we know that it will be properly done if Mr. Arnold has the contract. He furnishes estimates and enters into contracts for house painting, tinting, frescoing, graining, calcimining, paper hanging, a specialty being made of staining hard wood finishing. His prices, too, will compare favorably with those of any other man in the business, material and workmanship being considered. Mr. Arnold personally is one of our most respected citizens, has hosts of friends and enjoys the confidence of all who knew him.
We wish to call attention of our readers to the excellent quality of the home made bread, cakes, pies and pastries produced at Fackler's Bakery, Browning. Mr. Fackler established himself in business here a year ago and from the first his products have found favor among the residents of the village and his patronage has steadily increased from the start. Mr. Fackler is a practical baker himself and personally supervises the baking of all his products, using only the best of flour, butter, eggs, and other supplies. His policy is that the best material obtainable, a little higher in price is the cheapest and most satisfactory in the end, so that whenever an opening for his goods was found the trade was sure to continue. His shop is equipped with ovens and all conveniences and here can be obtained all kind of fresh home made bread, buns, cakes, pies and pastries. In addition to the above Mr. Fackler has recently put in a news stand and handles all the leading magazines, periodicals, story papers and is contemplating handling the Sunday new papers. He is an enterprising young business man, a hard worker and enjoys the hearty good will and esteem of his business associates and of the community in general.
Among the contractors and builders carrying on operations in Browning or vicinity none have acquired a better reputation for doing satisfactory work at reasonable prices than J. C. Markell & Son. Mr. Markell has been established in business here for the past seven years, and from the start he has been successful. Mr. Markell and Son give their personnel supervision to all work entrusted to them and maybe depended upon to adhere closely to plans and specifications and to do work that will bear the closet inspection. Estimates are furnished upon application and such of our readers who contemplate the creation of new buildings, or the alteration or extension of old ones will do well to communicate with J. C. Markell & Son, as they have every inducement to offer, as they not only bid closely on contracts, but faithfully carry out every agreement into which they may enter. They are wide awake business men, have host of friends and well deserve the success accorded them.
The subject of this brief sketch, Mr. A. H. Stambaugh, is another of Browning's well known and popular business men and as such is entitled to liberal mentioning this review of Schyler's County representative business men. Mr. Stambaugh has been identified with the general merchandise business in Browning for the past seven years and from the first has made it a rule to handle only such a quality of good as must meet with public approval and at the same time to quote the lowest prices consistent with safe dealing. His store is filled with commodities and well lighted and is stocked with a full line of staple and fancy groceries, including fine teas and coffees, spices, canned goods and table luxuries, soaps and washing compounds, a full line of the celebrated "Sherman & Williams" paints, oils and varnishes, and a general assortment of merchandise. All these have been bought from reliable sources, are guaranteed as regards quality and are sold at the lowest cash prices. They are courteous and obliging, do their best to please and enjoy the hearty good will and esteem of all who know them. Give them a call, they will treat you right.
There is better way in which a town's progress and improvement number can be ascertained than by the number and character of its business enterprises and, in this connection, we wish to say a few words concerning Walter M. Carr, manufacturer of concrete blocks, who commenced business in Browning last February. From the start Mr. Carr has been successful and his plant has been pushed to its utmost capacity in order to enable him to meet the demand of the public for his concrete blocks. The plant is equipped with all necessary machinery, tools and appliances for turning out a superior quality of concrete blocks, and these are manufactured under Mr. Carr's personal supervision. Concrete is utilized for hundreds of purposes nowadays. It is the thing for foundations, for curbing, sidewalks, bricks, fence posts, etc., and houses are today being built in all parts of the civilized world entirely of this wonderful cement stone, and yet concrete only in its infancy. Another thing that makes concrete blocks so popular lies in the fact that although it is far superior to ordinary brick or stone, and can be made into all sort of beautiful designs, it is the cheapest building material known. Mr. Carr manufactures anything in concrete that is used in the building line, and is prepared to estimate on and to enter into contracts for concrete blocks of every description and in any desired quantity. Mr. Carr personally is an enterprising business man and is fully alive to the requirements of the trade and public. His success is well merited.
Gasoline Launches and Boats
There are few business enterprises that call for more watchful care and a larger degree of ability and experience on the part of those conducting them than the manufacture of gasoline launches and boats and in this connection Frank E. Weishaar of Browning is entitled to prominent mention. Mr. Weishaar has a reputation of turning out an exceptionally high class products and his launches and boats are more and more in demand as their superiority over of some other manufacturers are recognized.
His shop is equipped with all necessary tools and appliances for doing first class work and all work is done under Mr. Weishaar's personal supervision and he allows none but the best material and workman to enter into the construction of the launches turns Mr. Weishaar is a practical mechanic himself, employs skilled assistants only and considering the output and his prices are very reasonable. Drawings and estimates are furnished upon application and goods are delivered when promised.
Boat and engine repair work of every description is done at short notice and satisfaction guaranteed in all cases. Mr. Weishaar is agent for the Detroit and Pierce engine and also carries in stock full line of rivermen’s accessories and supplies. He is also sole agent in Browning and vicinity for celebrated "Kennereoris Boat Paint" which is made for all purposes. It is without question the best paint on the market, is water fire and weather proof, prevents decay, and is used by many experts in preference to all others.
Mr. Weishaar has been established in business in Browning five years, and has occupied his present shop since 1907. He is a native of Schuyler County and has a host of friends and well wishers and his liberal methods has won for him the confidence of the people and by pursuing the same methods he may well expect a continuance of the success which has hitherto attended his efforts.
Judging from his record at the Illinois Athletic association state track meet for grade schools at Normal on Saturday, Keith Robertson, fifteen car‑old son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Robertson of Browning is a one man rack team. More than sixty grade schools competed in this meet, and by virtue f the points scored by Robertson, Browning grade school placed fifth in he final standing. This is a splendid record for Robertson as well as his coach, Kenneth Vaughn.
Young Robertson took first place n the pole vault, with a leap of nine feet and also placed first in the shot put. Robertson tossed the eight-pound shot for a distance of thirty-five feet and three inches to break the state record of thirty‑two feet and ten inches, formerly held by Bergland of Normal. Robertson, who is an eighth grade student, weighs only ninety‑eight pounds. In addition to being a track man he was also captain of the Browning grade basketball team the last season.
Kinney passed up to colonel, Barker was elected Captain, J. R. Knapp also in Co. B. He was in service but a short time until there was a demand for him higher up. H was called to the Commissary department (if I make no mistake). Now we come to the close of the Rebellion when Mr. Knapp came home. He brought some thorough bread horses from Little Rock, Ark. It is my understanding, though never talked to Mr. Knapp about it, just about then he made a purchase of Jake's Prairie and it has ever since been called Knapp Island. Most of it is owned by Chicago Gun Club).
Mr. Knapp moved there with his family, improved the island, planted a large peach orchard, also an apple orchard, but finally closed out. It was not a suitable place to raise family. You had no school facilities. Mr. Abe Williams and son and Doctor Clark became owners of the Island, had much fine stock there, both cattle and horses, but finally along in the seventies they closed out everything. Merrit Williams had the sale at Browning. Jim Crail was the vandee crier. I remember in particular the little gray mare. Knapp brought her from Arkansas. She was a thorough-bread, sired by Old Lexicon (that wonder noted Kentucky horse by the Sire Ryesdike number 10 and many other famous horses). Meritt placed a price of $150 on her but she wasn't sold and he took her away with him. I never knew what became of Meritt or the mare.
I have often thought that the fancy horse men of today would fall all over one another to buy such an animal. If I have made any mistakes in this article, I will gladly stand corrected if anyone will point them out.
The I. O. O. F. Lodge was formed in Browning, Ap 4. with the following organizing members: William Bader, Elias Gibbs, Daniel Ivins, George W. Garrett, Benjamin, F. Bader, A. R. Marshall, Samuel Phillips, Adolphus L. Henderson, James H. Cox, Henry Venters, J. H. Klepper, Ezekiel M. Bradley, R. Bogue, William C. Venters, Samuel F. Wallace, John Martin, Sherman Dray, John Rebman, Marshall Willard, James Jordan, George Willard, Moses L. Justus, William C. Reno, Franklin Fowler, Tidence B. Jane, Thomas H. Bradley, J. M. Henderson, William T. Talbott, Russell Willard, Albert H. Stambaugh, Joseph Beals, William D. Lupton, Some were transferred from other lodges, but by the end of the year, this was their membership. 'The Odd Fellows of Browning Lodge, together with their wives 22, 1910 and organized Watson Reeve, past met in their hall on the night of January a Rebecca Lodge of 40 members. Mrs. Ella president of the Rebecca Assembly was the the following officers were elected: for the Grand, Mrs. Agnes Willard, Vice Grand, Mrs. Recording Secretary, Mrs. Lucy Fish Waters, Mrs. Melissa Edmonston, Mrs. Dorna Dodd, Warden Blanche Geiss, RSNG, T. Mrs. Mary Davis, LSVG, Dora Fleming, Outside Guardian, Mrs. Maggie Allumbaugh.
The building was built in 1883, later enlarged to have a larger lodge room, as the membership grew. The upper floor contained, the large lodge room, a large hall and an ante room that housed the regalia robes of the lodge. The upper rooms were also rented to other lodges, Modem Woodman, Royal Neighbors G. A. R Encampment and after World War 11, The American Legion and Auxiliary. The lower floor was always rented to stores and other businesses, The High School graduation exercises were held there, home talent plays, Ladies of the Christian Church for their suppers. It also housed the Mohlman Furniture and Funeral Home later Fred I. Cline. showing of Funeral Memorial equipment. During floods, usually several families shared the building. Since it was so spacious, it was always in demand for social gatherings of the community. I also remember the upper rooms and how they were furnished. Three sides were lined with Captain's chairs and a beautiful Persian rug runner down the middle of the floor. On August 12, 1964, after 100 years of being an active lodge the members decided to disband and consolidate with the Rushville Lodge. The ladies decided not to consolidate with any lodge and turned in their charter. The building was sold and torn down for the lumber in 1968. The ground was leveled and that corner is now the location of Lanes Fish Market. Installing officer. ensuing year Noble Jennie Waters, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Mrs. Anna Toland, Chaplin, Mrs. Sarah Perkins, Conductor, Mrs. R. Willard, LSNG, Mrs. Ella Brown, RSVG, Mrs. Mattie Hickman, Inside Guardia
Isaac M. Himmel learned the barber trade with George Gobel. He later purchased the building. The shop with Gobel was on the street going to the river and burned in the fire that destroyed John It. Kelly's Grocery Store and Arnold's Restaurant. A new shop was built in the block north, near the end of the block, close to the railroad tracks. Isaac and his brother Frank barbered together until about 1920 when Isaac moved to the farm in Hickory township. Isaac and Frank were assistants to the Fred 1. Cline Funeral Home of Beardstown, in preparing bodies for burial. All of the preparations were done in the 'home and not at the funeral establishments as they do today. The barbers in the small towns usually worked for the funeral directors, and not so many years ago were the changes made.
Electricity came to Browning in 1915‑1916, if you notice they had both kerosene lamps and electric lights. Just in case! Two of the mirrors in this barbershop have been saved and are treasured by their owners. This is just one of the barbers of our community, the shop remained in the same location for many years with frequent changes of barbers. Some of the barbers remembered were Verne Harris, Milo Baker, Ralph France and Hoit Downs.
We, the undersigned, beg to announce that we have formed a copartner ship under the style and firm name of Farmers and Traders Bank of Browning, Illinois, for the purpose of conducting a general banking business. With a combined financial strength of not less than one million dollars, feel assured the character of such an institution should me it the confidence of the people of eastern Schuyler County.
We have ample capital and every facility for conducting a safe, sound and legitimate banking business and we beg to solicit the patronage of the public convenient to the growing town of Browning, the business to be under the direct charge of a board of directors, consisting of C. B. Work man, John Schultz, A. E. Schmoldt, Martin McDonough and T. K. Condit.
C. B. Workman has been chosen president, John Schultz, vice president, and L. Homer Yeek, cashier. Mr. Yeek has had ten years of training with the First National Bank of Beardstown, Illinois and is thoroughly compete and will be pleased to meet you, and we assure you that this bank is prepared to handle your banking business on as favorable terms as any ban in this or adjoining counties. We shall at all times extend every accommodation to its patrons that is consistent with sound and good banking.
We invite you to call and inspect our office and meet the officers in charge. For the convenience of our customers, we have provided steel safe deposit boxes for the safe keeping of your valuable papers. We open for business Monday morning, May 25, 1908. Respectfully soliciting your good will.
John Schultz, C. B. Workman, A. E. Schmoldt, Martin McDonough, J. V. Jockish, T. K. Condit, W. E. McCullough, J. S. Nicholson, T. J. Schweer, H. C. Meyer, Morris Walton, G. W. Fowler, Ed. McLaren, F. M. Skiles, L. H. Yeek, A. D. Stambaugh, Albert Stambaugh, Michael Schuman, Raymond Walton, Peter Strong, Edward A. Stambaugh, Frank W. Dodd, W. F. Hierman, Joel Robertson. John F, Bryant, J. M. Venters. W. M. Venters, W. J. Bates Charles Bates.
Cora A. Aten 4 Martin McDonough 28 T. J. Schweer Est 28
Charles L. Bates 4 Ed. McLaren 4 F. Marion Skiles 10
Albert Stambaugh 2 Mattie D. Strong 6 J. Me Venters 6
We Me Venters Est 2 Ray Walton 4 Morris Walton 4 28
Olivia J. White 10, 10, 14,20 Dora Fleming 14 Roy J. Fleming 10
D. H. Geiman 12 John V. Jockish Est.,28 John F. Bryant
Mrs. John F. Bryant Verne Bryant Floyd Me Condit
Emma Reno 6 Fred Robertson 10 Lydia E. Robertson 10
Annias Schisler 4 Adolph E. Schmoldt 10 G. Schultz 10
Edward E. Schultz Michael Schuman
The depositors received almost of their money, even though it was paid in several small payments over a period of years. The building was a meeting place for the Assembly of God Church until they were able to build. There was also a hardware store in it for a few years, but the entire comer that consisted of John H.Trone Grocery and the bank has been demolished and leveled
Albert H. Stambaugh and his wife Lettie Workman operated the grocery store and lived next door. In July 1918 the property was sold to Albert G, and Louisa Mitchell.
Their sons operated a grocery for a while then William B. Stroops operated a cream station, In August 1924, Louisa Mitchell sold the property to Henry Fleming. In March 1926 Henry and Dora Fleming sold the property to Lester and Maude Connell, who had a grocery until February 1933. The store building and the house next door was considered one tract and all of the store keepers, with the exception of Henry Fleming made their home next door.
The hours of the store-keeper were long, 6 in the morning to 8:30 at night. A large stove with chairs or benches surrounding it, for the loafers, was a necessity provided in every store. Meat was hung in the cooler, with cuts being made individually to suit the customer. Eggs were traded for groceries. Each store had a barrel and pump for vinegar and a pump for kerosene and nearly everyone waited until Sunday morning to buy a gallon of kerosene. With so many without ice-boxes, it was a trip to the grocery store for every meal no pre-packaging no frozen T V dinners.
Most everyone charged their groceries, by the week or by the month, with a lot of those tickets never being paid for. With the coming of cars and the completion of the hard road, more and more traveled out of town always paying cash and thus seeming to save money. The wholesale grocers had salesmen that made regular trips to get orders, but with the inability of the grocer to buy larger quantities the firms finally refused to make the stops, then he was forced to close his doors, thus another convenience era crippled our small town survival.
After the closing of Lester Connell's Grocery, the building was used as the post office during the terin of Perry F. Arnold (1933,1937). It was used as a church by the Assembly of God until they moved to the Bank building. Hoit and Pauline Downs purchased the property and had a barbershop, did clock and watch repair and had a poolroom, After Hoit's death in 1962 the building stood idle for a few years, then the building was torn down.
Last updated on 2024-05-25. (C) 2024 Contact karlpete at yahoo.com