Grundy County IL Archives History - Books .....Chapter 9 1882
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Book Title: History Of Grundy County IL 1882

CHAPTER IX.*
 
MORRIS CITY—CHURCHES—EARLY MINISTERS—THE LEGAL PROFESSION—BUSINESS—PIONEERS—
SECRET FRATERNITIES.

THAT the first religious services in Morris were held by the Catholics there 
is no question, and that Father Dupontaris was the first to celebrate Mass at 
this place, is equally true. He was in charge (as we now remember), of the 
Catholic churches at Ottawa and Dresden (the latter being then by far the 
largest village in Grundy County, having a Catholic church, two good-sized 
hotels and several dry goods stores). He commenced to celebrate Mass here in 
the fall of 1841, ere Morris had a name. He was a Frenchman or of French 
descent; rather small in stature with fine physical form, dark complexion, and 
a very fine orator, with ability equal to any emergency. He was peculiarly 
well suited to the times and circumstances surrounding him. With the patience 
of a Job and energy of a Caesar, which were so admirably combined that he was 
able to meet and overcome every obstacle in his way. And when physical force 
was required to quell or disperse a mob, he not only had it, but used it. He 
was equally brave and humane. His charge extended from Ottawa to Dresden—a 
distance of over thirty miles, and as we had neither canal, railroad or stage 
route, he had to travel overland—mostly on horseback; hence, he was, forced to 
labor long and hard. This he

*By Hon. P. A. Armstrong.

did uncomplainingly and successfully. From here he went to St. Louis, Mo., and 
died of cholera in 1848, contracting the disease while visiting and shriving 
the dying of his parish. Deeds he did worthy of being perpetuated in monuments 
of gold. We believe he was succeeded here by Father O'Donnell. Dean Terry came 
later and built the present magnificent Catholic church, which is the largest 
in our county, and assisted in inaugurating St. Angelas Academy. The Catholics 
of Morris are the most numerous of any of the churches and have the largest 
and finest church edifice.


PROTESTANT CHURCH SERVICES.

Next to the Catholics came the Methodists in holding religious services in 
Morris. In the winter of 1842-3, John F. Devore, a tall, spare young man, with 
far more zeal than brain, and who was on his first charge as a Methodist 
minister, his circuit embracing what was then called South Ottawa Circuit, 
extending from South Ottawa to Wash. Halliday's, being the late "Sam" 
Halderman farm, commenced and carried on religious services in the court house 
in Morris. His meetings were held about once in four weeks. He had some tough 
cases among his Morris audience, and though he was quite a revivalist, he 
could not revive the Morrisites worth a cent. What between P. Chapin, Bill 
Armstrong and Sam Ayres, he had a tough time of it, and concluding 
that "Ephraim was joined to his idols," gave them up as a stiff-necked and 
hopeless people, and turned his attention to a more susceptible community.

The next effort made by this church was by a Mr. Humphrey, who was also the 
minister in charge of South Ottawa circuit. He made an effort at the court 
house about the 10th of January, 1846. There were but few professed Christians 
here of the Protestant faith—not even a "baker's dozen." In view of this fact 
the effort of Rev. Humphrey was looked upon as an attempt to "beard the lion 
in his den, the Douglas in his hall." Indeed, the few Protestant Christian men 
and women looked forward to this effort with fear and trembling, the ungodly 
with curiosity rather than interest, whilst others were not all serenity in 
their feelings. There was a silent monitor tugging away at their consciences, 
which said or seemed to say,"You have not kept my commandments and lived holy 
lives." To others this unseen monitor said,"Unless ye repent of your sins ye 
shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven," whilst the gamins and urchins 
anticipated lots of fun from going to hear a sermon—a something the meaning of 
which had never entered their heads. Thus matters stood in feverish excitement 
on the arrival of the eventful Sabbath on which Mr. Humphrey was to preach at 
the court house. At that time there was no law upon our statute against 
keeping tippling houses open on Sunday. About three-fourths of our inhabitants 
were canal laborers. Sundays were their holidays, and above all other days 
this was their drinking and gambling day. All the saloons were open and 
running at full speed. On the Sabbath in question all the drinking hells in 
Morris were run to their utmost capacity to get ready to hear what Rev. 
Humphrey might have to say that evening. Indeed the proposed sermon was often 
mentioned during the day in ribaldry and ridicule. When the time came for the 
meeting the court house was lighted up with "tallow dips" and was densely 
filled by the most incongruous mass of human beings possible to imagine, many 
of whom were maudlin drunk. The preacher was rather a weak cistern to hold 
much Methodism, yet he had zeal and was promptly on hand with Bible and hymn 
book. Standing fully six feet, straight and slender, in faltering voice he 
announced his hymn commencing, "0, for a thousand tongues to sing My great 
Redeemer's praise," followed by the request: "Will some brother start the 
tune?" But alas! no brother was present, and no outsider volunteered, so the 
singing had to be abandoned, and prayer followed next. But there were too many 
inopportune "Amens" and "bless Gods," to suit his invocation. He then 
announced his text: " Walk about Zion, mark well her bulwarks, and tell the 
towers thereof." But the fellows felt more like walking about Morris, finding 
the saloons and testing the whisky thereof, and hence they kept 
interjecting: "It's time to splice the main brace," "Cut him short, young 
fellow", "We are all getting dry," etc. He did cut it short, and dismissed his 
hearers, or such of them as had not already gone, without the benediction. 
Bro. Humphrey was very much discouraged. This, we believe, was his last effort 
at missionary work—certainly it was his last effort among the heathen of 
Morris. What his report was to the church we were never able to learn, but 
doubt not that it was graphic, if not glowing. About this time the Rev. W. S. 
Strong, a leading minister of the Protestant Methodist Church, was en route 
for Joliet from Princeton, Ill., and traveled overland in his own conveyance, 
and reached Morris in the evening, and stayed over night with us. We had heard 
him preach many times in Putnam County, Ill., and knew him to be a man of 
towering ability. Before leaving here we got his promise to preach for us at 
the court house on his return trip. Due notice was given of the time and place 
of the meeting, and when the time came, the court house was crowded. But when, 
instead of a gawky looking young fledgling, a man of giant size, middle age, 
and commanding presence, rose, and with a fine, full voice read his hymn, and 
asked the congregation to help him sing, all mirth was hushed, and a profound 
stillness, if not awe, settled over the audience. Indeed, if any there 
were "who came to scoff" (and there doubtless were many such), "they remained 
to pray." From this time on there were no efforts made to interrupt religions 
services in Morris.

The next Methodist preacher to try his hand was Alonzo Kenyon, also of the 
South Ottawa circuit. He succeeded in organizing a class, and preached in the 
court house once a month for several months. He was, or is, for he is still 
living, a man for whom nature did much, but illiterate. He abandoned the 
pulpit, went to California, made some money and then turned lawyer and went to 
the Legislature from Lee County, Ill., and afterward was elected judge of the 
city court of Amboy, Illinois.

In the summer of 1846 Rev. James Langhead, deceased, a Congregational minister 
of the Gospel, commenced to preach at the court house—a man of fair ability 
and practical common sense. He continued to preach about twice a month for 
some time. The canal was finished in 1848, when a better class of people took 
the place of the canal laborers. In July, 1848, a society of nine members was 
formed, known as the "Congregational Society," yet its membership was composed 
of other Protestant denominations, Presbyterian, Methodist and Baptist. The 
organization of the Congregational Societv was of the most liberal character 
and upon an accommodating plan. It was only intended for temporary purposes, 
and left its members free to unite with an organization of then-own churches 
when formed. Thus did Mr. Langhead organize the first Protestant church 
society in Morris. He became the pastor and moved his family to Morris, where 
he died some years later leaving a widow, since deceased, and a daughter, now 
Mrs. L. Whitney. We are not sure whether his son Storrs was killed in the army 
before or after his death.

About the year 1850 this society erected a small church edifice just north of 
the present fine stone church, and called Rev. A. W. Henderson, a Presbyterian 
minister, as its preacher. Thus we had the anomaly of a Congregational church 
with a Presbyterian pastor, for several years. Mr. Henderson finally resigned 
his position and accepted a call elsewhere. He was succeeded by Rev. E. B. 
Turner. This society-has for its pastor Rev. Montgomery, one of the very 
ablest men ever in the ministry here, and embraces in its membership a large 
number of our best and most influential citizens. In the short space we can 
possibly give to the different churches of Morris, we can not take time to 
consult the church records and must speak of them in a general way only, and 
will not attempt to give the names of the various good men who have endeavored 
to point the way to heaven and God.


THE METHODIST CHURCH

Following close upon the Congregational church came the Methodist church 
edifice, on the corner of Jefferson and Kiersted streets, now occupied by the 
Reformed Lutheran church. In 1849 Morris was attached or united with Lisbon, 
nine miles north of Morris, as a circuit, with Rev. J. W. Flowers—afterward a 
presiding elder—as the minister in charge. He was a man of fine forensic 
ability and a good organizer. Under his able management the membership 
increased so rapidly that in 1850 steps were taken to erect a church. This was 
pressed to speedy completion and was at the time of its erection the most 
spacious church building of the place. Morris was established as a station or 
circuit in August, 1850, with a settled minister. We do not remember the order 
of the Methodist ministers, but the early ones were Denning, Linn, Adams, 
Prince, Davidson, Reeder, Stover, etc. This society grew to such proportions 
that before the year 1868 their church was too small, when steps were taken to 
erect their present line church on Jackson between Liberty and Wauponsee 
streets, which is the most commodious church edifice in Morris, except that of 
the Catholics, and its membership is much larger than either of the other 
Protestant churches of Morris. Among its many pastors some were men of fine 
pulpit talent. Notably so were Revs. W. P. Gray, J. W. Phelps, J. H. Ailing 
and Geo. S. Young. As a popular preacher none have surpassed Mr. Young. The 
management of this church has been liberal, indeed. In point of courtesy and 
Christian fellowship the ministers and members of the various Protestant 
churches of this city have been a model, well worthy of imitation and 
commendation. No spirit of jealousy or improper rivalry has ever existed among 
them, and when the Methodist church was partially burned a few years ago, the 
other churches so arranged their services as to give that congregation the 
free use of their churches to hold their regular worship in, thus manifesting 
a beautiful Christian spirit of kindness and good will.


THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

As early as 1855 a goodly number of members of the Presbyterian faith had 
settled here, and in that year they extended a call to Rev. W. T. Paterfield, 
who then resided in the State of Ohio. He came here and held services at the 
court house, Parmelee Hall and other places. Immediate steps were taken for 
the erection of the first brick church of Morris, now standing at the corner 
of Jackson and Franklin streets, of which Rev. Mr. Killen is the present 
pastor. This congregation embraces quite a membership, and its pulpit has been 
filled by many able men, none more so than the Rev. McLeod, now in charge of a 
wealthy church in the State of New York.
 

THE BAPTIST CHURCH

is a line frame edifice also on Jackson street, at the intersection of 
Division street, and was erected about the year 1858. This denomination is 
rather smaller in numbers than either of the others mentioned, yet it contains 
many of our good citizens. Their pulpit has been supplied by several men of 
talent, among whom were Revs. Faslett and De Wolfe.


THE GERMAN LUTHERAN CHURCH

purchased and occupy the old Methodist church building. They have but a small 
following, but are good people and devout Christians.


THE EPISCOPALIANS

have made many efforts to build a church, but have failed. At one time they 
seemed in a fairway to build a fine stone edifice on the corner of North and 
Division streets. This was commenced at the breaking out of the war. The walls 
were run up one story and work was then stopped and has not since been 
resumed. Notwithstanding they never had a church edifice here, yet have they 
had regular service during several years. Some of the clergymen officiating 
here have gained reputations elsewhere. Among them are Doctor Clinton Locke, 
of Grace Church, Chicago, Doctors E. A. Gilbert, Benedict, etc.

We now turn to the


DOCTORS, OR PHYSICIANS.

Dr. Luther S. Robbins, before mentioned, was not only the first physician of 
the county, but also of Morris. He moved to Morris from Sulphur Spring some 
eight miles south of Morris, in the fall of 1842, and died here a year or so 
later. Dr. Silas Miller was the next one. He settled here in 1843, but found 
the place too painfully healthy for his financial prosperity. Dr. John Antis 
was the next. He came here in May, 1845. Dr. Thomas M. Reed was the next. He 
moved here from Waupecan Grove, south of the Illinois River, and was elected 
sheriff in 1847, and died here before qualifying as sheriff. Dr. A. F. Hand 
was our next disciple of the pill bags. Drs. David Edwards and Oliver S. 
Newell came next and at about the same time. Dr. Edwards was well advanced in 
years, and did but little in his profession. Dr. Newell entered into 
partnership with Dr. Hand. He was a fine physician and most estimable citizen. 
He was a charter member of Star Lodge No. 75, I. O. O. F., and its first 
presiding officer. He died in 1852 and was buried in the Odd Fellows' lot in 
Morris cemetery. His death was very generally lamented. Dr. Edwards left here 
some time about 1856, when Dr. Luke Hale purchased his property here, and 
practiced medicine up to the time of his death, in 1865. Dr. B. E. Dodson came 
here about the year 1850 and remained several years, and then moved to Elgin; 
thence to McLeansville, where he died a few years ago. Dr. Roscoe L. Hale, son 
of Luke Hale, came here about the year 1858, and remained here until after the 
war, and then moved to Sedalia, Mo., where he still resides. Dr. H. H. De Hart 
came here in 1852, soon after the death of Dr. Newell, and went into 
partnership with Dr. Hand, but he soon became tired of so small a town and 
left. Dr. David Le Roy, a man of some means, now living at Streator, Ill., 
came here about the year 1855, and entered into partnership with Dr. Hand. He 
soon embarked in the dry goods business quite extensively with E. B. Hanna, 
under the firm name of Hanna & Le Roy. They built the brick store building on 
Washington street, now occupied by Messrs. Levitte & Hughes as a saloon. They 
afterward built the large brick block now occupied by the Normal school, 
besides speculating in real estate to a considerable extent. They had just 
completed this large building when the war broke out, in 1861. But as the war 
paralyzed business, for a while at least, they were unable to rent the stores 
to any advantage, or to make any disposition of any part of this immense 
building, so as to realize from it; together with other bad investments, they 
were forced to suspend business and make the best compromise they could with 
their creditors. Their failure was a severe blow to the interests of Morris, 
for they were our most active and influential business men. Their home 
creditors were protected. Our next physician was Dr. John N. Freeman, who came 
here about the year 1857, and remained some ten years, and moved to Rochester, 
N. Y. Dr. E. Ridgway came here soon after Dr. Freeman, and went into the drug 
store of Longworth & Ridgway. In 1862, he entered the army as surgeon in the 
76th Ill. Vols., and on his return he opened an office and entered into active 
practice, but has again gone into the drug business with Mr. Enslee, the firm 
being Ridgway & Enslee. Dr. A. E. Palmer came here from Mazon in 1876, and 
opened an office, since which time he has had a very large and lucrative 
practice. Dr. Oaks, his present partner, came here from Minooka this summer. 
Dr. S. D. Ferguson came here from Minooka some two years ago, and has a fair 
practice. He had practiced at Minooka many years before coming here. These are 
all allopathies. Dr. Antis turned homeopathic in 1847, but has not confined 
his practice to that branch of physics. Dr. A. M. Pierce and Dr. Sturtevant 
are homeopaths, with a fair practice. And now, "since the law is full of 
points, we will turn to the points of the law," and briefly mention the


LAWYERS OF MORRIS.

The first was E. H. Little, who came here and opened an office in one of the 
little upper rooms of the old court house, in the spring of 1845. He 
accidentally shot himself while gunning near the residence of A. R. Newport, 
in July, 1847. A whole charge of small shot passed through his left arm, 
passed into his body, and lodged in his lungs. For all this he lived, and was 
still living at Montrose, Pa., a short time since. He was a young man of good 
habits and character, with fair ability. Charles M. Lee read law with Mr. 
Little, and was admitted to the bar in 1847. Honest and upright, but by no 
means brilliant, he succeeded in finding out that the "Law and the Profits did 
not agree," as he expressed it, so he gave it up and turned peddler for Geo. 
Turmeyer. The gallant Capt. W. P. Rogers, son of Com. Rogers, came here and 
stuck out his shingle in the spring of 1847, but only remained a year, and 
then went to California, where he built up a name and fame worthy of his 
distinguished father. Ezra P. Seeley was our next limb of the law. He was 
decidedly a bookworm, and well learned in the law. As an advocate he was not 
successful. He died, we think, in 1862, leaving a widow and two daughters, 
still living in Morris. Capt. Charles L. Starbuck was our next disciple of 
Blackstone. He came here in 1851, and died about the year 1857, leaving a 
widow and two children. He served one term in the Legislature from Grundy and 
La Salle. A small, dark complexioned, wiry man, of fine legal and forensic 
ability. Henry Storr came here about the same time Capt. Starbuck did. He was 
elected the first county judge, and resigned in 1851, and moved to Sacramento, 
Ca., where he still lives, and is a prominent California lawyer. Judge W. T. 
Hopkins came here from Maine in 1849, and has remained here. He was elected 
captain of the "Grundy Tigers" in 1861, and served out the term of enlistment, 
and on his return he was elected county judge. He was afterward appointed 
supervisor of internal revenue—a man of great energy and fine scholastic 
acquirements. He built the Hopkins House which bears his name. He also first 
conceived the idea of a bridge across the Illinois River at this place. He 
procured a charter from the Legislature Feb. 13, 1855, to incorporate the 
Morris Bridge Company, with W. T. Hopkins, L. W. Claypool, Samuel Hoge, Geo. 
W. Armstrong and E. P. Seeley, incorporators, and inaugurated steps for the 
construction of the present bridge. Messrs. Hoge and Seeley did nothing in the 
matter. But Messrs. Hopkins, Claypool and Armstrong took hold of the matter 
and pushed it forward to completion in 1856. Mr. Armstrong, we believe, was 
made president of the organization, and Mr. Claypool, secretary. Judge Hopkins 
is now, by many years, the earliest lawyer at our bar. He served one term in 
the Legislature. Judge James N. Reading was the next lawyer here. He came from 
Missouri in 1855. He too served one term in our State Legislature and two 
terms as county judge—a gentleman of finish and ability. Being advanced in 
years, he has practically withdrawn from the profession. Judge Sidney W. 
Harris came here from Cincinnati, O., about the time Judge Reading came. He 
was a fine lawyer and powerful advocate, and was elected judge of the circuit 
court in 1861, and died here about the year 1869.

Edward Sanford read law here with Mr. Seeley and entered into partnership with 
that gentleman. After the death of Mr. Seeley, Mr. Sanford opened an office 
and turned his attention more especially to bounty and pension claims, and 
then to the loan business, in the latter of which he has had great success, 
and has acquired a handsome fortune.

Geo. W. Watson, John P. Southworth, T. B. Rice and Charles Turner all came 
here before 1860, and after remaining here awhile left. Judge B. Olin came 
here in 1863, and in 1865 entered into partnership with the writer under the 
firm name of Olin & Armstrong. He left here in 1870 and located in Joliet, 
where he has served nearly nine years as county judge. Judge A. P. Jordan read 
law with Judge Olin, and was admitted in 1865. Next to the writer, he is the 
next lawyer in point of time at the Morris bar. Messrs. S. C. Stough, A. L. 
Doud, county attorney, P. M. Wing (his partner), S. P. Avery, O. N. Carter and 
J. H. Sampson are of recent date. Judge 0. Grant was admitted to the bar in 
1861, and died here January 10, 1881. He was a very scholarly man and had 
served one term as county judge and many years as register in bankruptcy. 
Leaving the lawyers to plead their own cases, we "go for the"


MERCHANTS.

As early as 1845 Col. Wm. L. Perce and Adam Lamb each had a small stock of 
goods for the accommodation of their canal hands. In the fall of that year P. 
A. Armstrong opened a general store in what had been the bar-room of the 
Grundy Hotel, which then stood where the Hopkins House now stands. He 
purchased the stocks of goods from Col. Perce and Mr. Lamb, and united them to 
his other stock, and not having room in his then storeroom, he built the main 
part of Dr. Hand's residence for a store, and occupied it for a couple of 
years for a store and post-office. Gov. Mattison having opened a store in the 
Harvey building, which stood where the Washington House now stands, after 
operating it about a year with Henry Fish, manager, and, we believe, partner, 
Mr. Armstrong bought out the goods and moved his store to that building in 
1847. He then built the building now occupied by K. Petty, then located where 
the Geo. M. Jones furniture store stands, and moved his store and post-office 
to that building. In 1848 Messrs. Hulburd & Lott opened a dry-goods store 
here. John P. Chapin and C. H. Gould opened a dry-goods store in the Harvey 
block when Mr. A. left it. But we find that we have undertaken a herculean 
task and will trace this branch no further.


OUR FIRST WAREHOUSE.

What is known as the Lane Warehouse, just west of the canal bridge, was built 
by John P. Chapin in 1847, ready for the opening of the canal in 1848. Capt. 
Hull also built the warehouse now occupied by Messrs. Barr & Philips in the 
early spring of 1848. E. M. Ross built what is known as the Red Warehouse in 
1849.


OUR FIRST GROCER

was Leonard Ashton, deceased. Our next, and, as Samie Peinhart would say, "old 
reliable," was Miller K. Keller, who has sold more groceries than any man, 
living or dead in Morris. For a quarter of a century he has been behind his 
counter from early morn until late at night, always accommodating, pleasant, 
and strictly honest. He has been a great blessing to the poor and a comfort to 
the rich. Indeed, so absorbed is he in his business that he finds no time for 
pleasure trips or recreation. H. F. Mallory has been very successful in the 
grocery line and has accumulated quite a fortune at it. Our article is 
assuming such length that we must pass on without further mention of our 
merchants.


IN BANKS AND BANKING

we have had a varied and by no means a pleasant experience. As early as 1853, 
Messrs. C. H. & H. C. Goold opened a private banking institution in a building 
standing where the Claypool Block now stands. This they ran until 1860 when 
they closed it. They did not fail, but the business ceased to be remunerative. 
In 1854 Geo. Selleck (decd.) opened a private banking and exchange office in 
Morris and did a very large business, but failed badly in 1860. In July, 1857, 
E. W. & F. K. Hulburd opened a private banking and exchange office under the 
firm name of E. W. Hulburd & Co. They too did quite a business, but were 
forced to the wall in 1861 to the injury of their friends as well as others. 
In 1858 Messrs. F. S. Gardner and C. B. Crumb, without capital or experience, 
opened a banking and exchange office, but it was "no go." Weak at its birth, 
it did not grow strong, and died in a few short months. Nobody had confidence 
in the concern, hence their deposits amounted to nothing or substantially so. 
We never held their checks over night. The next were T. Hatten & Son, who 
succeeded C. H. & H. C. Goold, in February, 1860, and failed the next year 
leaving many mourners. Then came D. D. Spencer, of State Savings notoriety, 
who in company with Mr. W. C. Hammell opened an exchange and deposit bank, 
which eventuated in the Grundy County National Bank. The bank opened a branch 
bank at Seneca, the stock of which was purchased by the Cunneas and the bank 
moved to Morris under the name of the First National Bank of Morris. These two 
banks proved to be "solid Muldoons." From banks we turn to


GRAVEYARDS.

For many years the question of a suitable spot for cemeteries was a serious 
one. Our first dead were interred on the elevated ground near the residence of 
R. M. Wing, but the subsoil proved to be clay, and the graves would fill with 
water so that the coffin was deposited in mud and water. We next tried the 
bank of Nettle Creek near the residence of Judge Hopkins, but found the same 
difficulty there. Another attempt was made on the A. W. Telfer farm, late 
Oliver farm, west of the canal and east of Morris, with like result.
 
The board of trustees of Morris then purchased, in conjunction with Father 
Terry, of the Catholic church of Morris, the E. 1/2 of the S. W. 1/4 of Sec. 
27, T. 34, 7, where the old Catholic cemetery is located, but the same 
difficulty was found there and it was abandoned by the city and their interest 
therein was sold, as before shown, to Father, now Dean, Terry in 1853. He 
located a cemetery there but it has been abandoned and the greater portion of 
the remains deposited there have been exhumed and reburied in the beautiful 
new Catholic cemetery near the residence of Messrs. Kennedy and Kenrick. On 
the 12th of February, 1853, The Morris Cemetery Association was chartered by 
the Legislature with Geo. Fisher, Geo. W. Lane, Charles H. Goold, L. P. Lott 
and Eugene Stanberry, incorporators.

On the 25th of August of that year this association purchased from Thomas 
Peacock, since deceased, about five acres, and from John Peacock, now 
deceased, about five acres of land, on the N. fr. of Sec. 2, T. 33, K. 7, 
lying nearly two miles east of Morris, and adjoining each other, for a 
cemetery, and on the 14th of September following, authorized and appointed P. 
A. Armstrong to survey and subdivide said land into suitable sized lots with 
appropriate drives, alleys, etc. Owing to the course of the public road 
running along the north side of the land, the ten acres so purchased, while a 
parallelogram in shape, the long side being from east to west, it does not lie 
with the cardinal courses of the compass, hence there are many triangular 
lots, but this adds beauty to the general features of the cemetery. The 
subsoil is gravel, whilst the general lay of the surface is high yet 
undulating. The work of subdividing and driving the stakes was done with great 
care and precision, Mr. Armstrong driving every stake with his own hands, to 
the end that they should be in their exact place, and driven in the ground 
perpendicularly. Originally free from tree or shrub, the directors caused 
evergreens and other nice shrubs and trees to be planted so that it is now a 
most beautiful "silent city of the dead." Additional land has been purchased 
by the association. "God's half acre," the Potter's field, has proved 
insufficient to bury the poor. The number of unknown dead huddled side by side 
with naught but a rough unlettered stone to mark the place is surprising. A 
new and larger plat will be assigned to bury the poor. Many fine monuments 
have been erected there, and the Morris cemetery is one of the finest in the 
country. Among other distinguished dead slumbering here, is Shaube-nay, the 
great Sauzanath, or white man's friend. By his side lie the remains of his 
wife, one daughter and one grandchild. No stake or stone' marks the spot where 
slumber the remains of this once mighty king of the red men - a triple chief — 
on whose will hung the destinies of three great Indian tribes — Chippewas, 
Ottawas and Pottawatomies. Will the descendants of these early white settlers, 
whose lives were saved during the Black Hawk War, do anything to honor the 
memory of the man who risked life and standing with his own people to befriend 
and protect their ancestors? But this is a grave question and we turn to


OUR MANUFACTURERS.

The first manufacturing establishment of Morris was the Morris Plow Factory, 
in 1857. They made an excellent plow, and why it was abandoned we never could 
learn. The large brick building west of the court house, now carried on by H. 
L. Miller as a blacksmith and carriage shop, planing mill, etc., was the 
building occupied as the plow factory. In 1873, the city gave a bonus to 
encourage manufactures. There were some $19,000 invested by the city within a 
couple of years which eventuated in the establishment here of the Sherwood 
School Furniture Company's Works near the canal on the west side of the city, 
which has since been converted into the Ohio Butt Company. The buildings and 
machinery of this concern are large and valuable and give employment to about 
150 hands. The Anderson Paper Car Wheel Manufacturing Company on the east side 
of the city, have fine buildings and splendid machinery, and while they do not 
employ many hands to run it because nearly everything is run by machinery, yet 
they furnish a ready market at a high price for all the rye and oat straw of 
the county. The Morris Cutlery Company's Manufactory stands at the corner of 
Wauponsee and Fulton streets. The building is the one mentioned as being used 
for a court room while building the new one. This is a new enterprise here; 
indeed, but few of the people of Grundy County know of its existence. It is a 
regularly incorporated company under the statute with $15,000 capital stock. 
The stockholders are men of action, not of boasting. They are practical 
business men with means and energy. M. W. Steiner, Geo. Riddle, L. F. Beach, 
Drs. Palmer and Ferguson, M. K. Keller, J. H. Pettit, A. W. Crawford, Albert 
and William Smith, are the stockholders, the latter two being thoroughly 
educated cutlers from Sheffield, England. The officers are Geo. Riddle, 
president, Albert Smith, superintendent, and M. W. Steiner, secretary and 
treasurer. They have the very best of machinery, and can employ and 
successfully operate 150 hands. They already have twenty-one skilled laborers 
in their establishment, and have up to the present manufactured eighty-four 
varieties or kinds of pocket knives, equal in style and finish to the 
celebrated Wostenholm and Sons of England. No better finished knife is made in 
the United States, if indeed in the world, than by the Morris Cutlery Company. 
So fine is their work that they have more orders than they can possibly fill 
with the force of workmen they now have. They employ none but skilled workmen, 
hence they experience some difficulty in obtaining all the workmen they need. 
They intend to do none but first class work. This is made apparent upon 
inspection of their goods. To all who wish a first class pocket-knife either 
for ornament or use, we commend them to try one of home manufacture. Try a 
Morris knife.


IN THE BREWERY LINE.

Louis Gibhard, at his large brewery at the foot of Washington street on the 
east bank of Nettle Creek, manufactures a first class article of lager and ale 
and in large quantities.

We have some three or four manufactories of cigars, besides boot and shoe 
makers, etc.


THE MORRIS ACADEMY OF SCIENCE

occupy the room over the court house, where they have a large collection, 
especially so of fossil botany, of which this locality is the most prolific of 
any yet discovered in the civilized world. The Mazon fossils are known and 
readily recognized in every civilized country. This fine collection is open to 
inspection at all times. The officers are, P. A. Armstrong, president; F. T. 
Bliss, secretary; J. C. Carr, treasurer; Prof. Kern, corresponding secretary. 
In addition to the fine collections in geology, there is a fair display in 
natural history, engravings and pre-historic relics, etc.


OUR SECRET BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES.

Star Lodge, No. 75, I. O. O. F. was instituted by the late James T. McDougal, 
of Joliet, under a dispensation from the R. W. Grand Master of the Grand Lodge 
of Illinois, October 17, 1851. L. P. Lott, N. G.; E. M. Ross, V. G.; O. S. 
Newell, deceased. T., and A. H. Bishop, also deceased, secretary. On that 
night several of our best citizens were initiated, among whom were Geo. W. 
Lane, Henry Benjamin, deceased, W. S. Woolsey, deceased, Miles Gordon and P. 
A. Armstrong. This lodge still exists, and is in a very prosperous condition. 
It has never failed to hold its regular weekly meetings, or in visiting the 
sick, comforting its widows, educating its orphans or burying its dead. 
Shaboneh Encampment was organized in 1871, with P. A. Armstrong, C. P., F. B. 
Handwork, H. P., etc. It, too, is in a flourishing condition.

Cedar Lodge No. 124, A. F. and A. M., was instituted Feby. 26, 1852, with B. 
M. Atherton, W. M.; C. L. Starbuck, S. W.; John Gibson, J. W.; Geo. Fisher, 
T.; James Gibson, sec'y; Leonard Ashton, S. D.; and Lawrence Wilkes, J. P.; 
all of whom are now dead, except James Gibson who now resides in San 
Francisco, Cal. A charter was granted Oct. 3, 1853; L. P. Lott was one of its 
first initiates, and has served as Master over a dozen years in all. Cedar 
Lodge embraces in its membership a very large portion of our leading citizens, 
and has been a prosperous and harmonious organization.


ORIENT ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER, NO. 31

was constituted Oct. 23, 1856; the charter members were Franklin K. Hulburd, 
L. P. Lott, B. M. Atherton, Nathan B. Dodson, E. W. Lusk, C. P. Parmelee, 
Leonard Ashton, Geo. Riddle and Geo. Fisher; of these nine charter members, 
Companions Lott, Dodson, Riddle and Parmelee alone survive. Companions Hulburd 
and Lusk lost their lives in the Union service; F. K. Hulburd was High Priest 
of this chapter up to the time of his death; since that time Messrs. Lott, 
Armstrong and Irons have filled that position, Companion Irons being the 
present chief officer. Up to the year 1858 there were but three Commanderies 
of Knights Templar in this State, viz.: Apollo, No. 1, at Chicago; Belvidere, 
No. 2, at Alton, and Peoria, No. 3, at Peoria. F. K. Hulburd had taken the 
orders of knighthood in Mt. Vernon Commandery, No. 1, under the jurisdiction 
of the Grand Commandery of Ohio, before coming here to live. E. W. Lusk had 
also taken the orders in Kalamazoo Commandery, under the jurisdiction of the 
Grand Commandery of the State of Michigan. These two Sir Knights conceived the 
idea of establishing a Commandery at Morris, being midway between Joliet and 
Ottawa, so as to render the chapters of these two cities tributary to the 
Morris Commandery; but there were serious difficulties to encounter; it either 
required nine Sir Knights of the jurisdiction of Illinois, or three Sir 
Knights hailing from different jurisdictions, to open a Commandery for work; 
they had neither, but they had two hailing from other jurisdictions, and must 
have a third; this they obtained by procuring Rt. Eminent Sir Hosmer A. 
Johnson, of Apollo, No. 1, and since R. E. Grand Commander of the Grand 
Commandery of Illinois. They were extremely anxious to keep the matter a 
profound secret from the resident Sir Knights at Joliet and Ottawa, at both of 
which places there were a few Sir Knights, and right here another difficulty 
arose; they were compelled under the rules and regulations of the Grand 
Commandery, to obtain the consent and recommendation of the nearest 
Commandery; this was Apollo at Chicago, of which some of the Sir Knights of 
Joliet were members, and in that way the secret got out, and immediate steps 
were taken by Sir Knight Nelson D. Elwood and others, of Joliet, to counteract 
and check the Morris movement; they, with equal secrecy, prepared a petition 
for a dispensation to open and organize a Commandery at Joliet, and like the 
Morris Sir Knights, they, too, were short of the requisite number of Sir 
Knights resident there; to obviate this they passed by Morris and went to 
Ottawa and procured the signatures of Sir Knights Oliver C. Gray and J. W. 
Stone, and then procured the consent and recommendation of Apollo to open and 
organize a Commandery at Joliet, and when Sir Knight Hulburd presented his 
petition and recommendation for a Commandery to be established at Morris, to 
Grand Commander James V. L. Blaney, on the 17th of February, 1858, he found 
Sir Knight Elwood there with his petition in favor of Joliet; the secret then 
became an open one; the result was that Grand Commander Blaney decided to 
grant a dispensation to both, when it was agreed by and between Sir Knights 
Elwood and Hulburd, that the former should take precedence in number, and the 
latter in the name when in power of the decision of the Grand Commander. Sir 
Knight Hulburd selected Blaney as the name; hence, dispensations were granted 
on the same day to open and organize Joliet Commandery, No. 4, at Joliet, and 
Blaney, No. 5, at Morris; these two Commanderies having been born on the same 
day, were not inaptly called twin sisters; the kindliest feeling has ever 
existed between these Commanderies; a rivalry has existed between them, but it 
has only been a rivalry of courtesy and good will. Joliet Commandery was 
constituted by Grand Commander Blaney, March 18, 1858, and Blaney on the 
following day. Grand Commander Blaney was assisted in constituting


BLANEY COMMANDERY, 

NO. 5, by the following Sir Knights: N. D. Elwood (deceased), T. Hatton, Jr., 
W. W. Mitchell (deceased), E. W. Lusk (deceased), E. Wilcox, C. E. Munger 
(since G. C.), F. K. Hulburd, E. Bean, James H. Miles, T. Hatton, Sr., and E. 
J. Higgins. On the day of the constitution of the Commandery the following 
Companions of Orient R. A., Chapter No. 31 received the orders
of Christian Knighthood conferred in said Commandery: Geo. Fisher (deceased), 
E. W. Hulburd, L. P. Lott, P. A. Armstrong, Wm. B. Grenell, J. W. Massey, 
Charles H. Goold, Uriah B. Couch (deceased), Geo. Dimon, Charles R. Parmelee, 
John Gibson Jr. (deceased), and B. M. Atherton (deceased). Sir Knight F. 
Hulburd was installed as Commander, which office he held to 1861, when P. A. 
Armstrong succeeded him. He was succeeded by Arnold M. Cleveland, and he by P. 
A. Armstrong again, who held the office some ten years and was succeeded by 
Charles H. Goold, who served some five years and was succeeded by L. F. Beach, 
present Commander, who is on his third year. During the war Blaney Commandery 
(having received its charter Oct. 28, 1858, it having worked under a 
dispensation up to that date) had a hard struggle for existence, and was kept 
alive by a few of the surviving Knights, P. A. Armstrong advancing Grand 
Commandery dues for eight years; but it is now in a very prosperous condition, 
and occupies an enviable position in Templar Masonry. In addition to those 
receiving the orders March 19, 1858, the following named Templars received the 
orders during that year, viz.: N. B. Dodson, April 26; A. M. Cleveland and Wm. 
Stanhope (deceased), April 27; Rev. W. G. Johnson, May 18; Miles Gordon, May 
28; Gen. Wm. H. L. Wallace (deceased), June 1. (It will be remembered that 
this gallant officer lost his life while leading his brigade in the battle of 
Shiloh.) Hiram Mallory (dec'd) and Samuel Jordan, June 8; F. C. Mayo and J. P. 
M. Butler, June 11; J. S. Dyke (dec'd), June 30; John Antis and A. J. 
Hutchinson, Dec. 30; and in 1859, S. E. Massey, March 7; B. H. Streeter 
(dec'd), June 7; in 1860, E. C. Hollands, Aug. 29; Rev. Seaman Stover, 
afterward Grand Prelate, Dec. 13; C. S. C. Crane, Dec. 20. In 1861, Q. D. 
Whitman, S. E. Miner, R. N. Goodsell and Daniel H. Ashton, Jan'y 29. This was 
the last work done until 1870. E. T. Hopkins (killed while performing his 
official duty, by the ruffian Miller), June 14; H. D. Hitchcock (dec'd), Oct. 
31. In 1871, Geo. W. Ashton and R. L. Tatham, Feb'y 8; H. H. Holtzum and A. W. 
Teller, Feb'y 27; Edward Sanford and H. H. C. Miller, May 10; Judge S. B. 
Thomas (dec'd) and Dr. W. P. Pierce, May 18; R B. Horrie and W. W. Phillips, 
May 25; F. Caspori and A. J. Boyer, June 9; Geo. Mann and J. H. Pettit, June 
15; in 1872, John Jacob Gorich, March 11: John, Geo. and Charles Woelfel, 
March 18; Leander Irons, March 25; Geo. R. Beach, April 18; Charles K. 
Charlton, Oct. 11; C. E. Daniels, Oct. 18; Dr. A. E. Palmer, Oct. 28; H. B. 
Elliott, Nov. 25. In 1873, F. Dirst, Feb'y 20; Geo. Gaskill, Feb'y 24; J. W. 
Tatham, June 9; C. S. Beach, June 16. In 1874, C. E. Halbert, Jan'y 15; Jacob 
Geisen, Jan'y 15; A. Van Riper, April 6; Israel Cryder, May 4th; A. F. 
Rodgers, May 7th; G. Dahlem, May 15th; E. V. Weis, May 22d; A. K. Knapp, June 
10th; E. L. Stevens, Oct. 26th; A. Stauffer, Nov. 30th; A. F. Mallory, Dec. 
7th. In 1875, Dr. S. T. Ferguson, Jan'y 18th; Geo. Mason, May 17th; L. E. 
Daniels, May 24th; John Vandyke, May 31st; O. W. Weston, June 10th; David 
Nickel, June 14th. In 1876, Daniel Shaide, April 24th; J. F. Peck, May 1st. In 
1877, Geo. Riddle, Jan'y 29th; Geo. N. Widney, Feb'y 5th; Wm. B. Cogger, Feb'y 
27th; A. W. Crawford, Sept. 8th; Henry G. Gorham, Oct. 29th; C. D. Ferguson, 
Nov. 12th; Nicholas Quadland, Nov. 26th. In 1878, H. C. June, Nov. 18th; Henry 
Long, Dec. 2d; A. Kimple, Dec. 9th; J. F. Cobleigh; Dec. 16th. None in 1879. 
In 1880, C. H. Overocker, Feb'y 16th; J. J. Widney, Feb'y 23d; T. H. Ross, 
March 15th; Nathan Small, July 15th; C. O. Barker, July 22d. In 1881, J. G. 
Colleps, April 25th. In 1882, Wm. Mason and D. W. McEwen, May 1st; John A. 
Gouch, May 15th; Wm. Gebhard, May 29th; and John Ray, Oct. 6th. The present 
Commander E. Sir Knight L. F. Beach, united by card, March 27th, 1871, and Sir 
Knight R. C. Auld, Dec. 26th, 1881. These are the men who compose the 
membership of this higher branch of masonry in Morris. Good men, and true to 
their obligations.


"For a chain sweetly twined by humanity's hand,
Is bound like a circlet of diamonds around them, 
And fearless and strong as a legion they stand
In the battle of life when the chain hath been there. 
For its love knotted links have a magical charm,
Earth's trials to meet and its woes to disarm; 
Every stranger finds a friend his sorrows to share,
While no heartbeats alone where Knight Templars are.

Having spent several weeks in collecting reliable dates and facts for the 
history of Morris, we confess that we are tired and weary. Many things have 
been omitted that might have proved of interest, while other matters have 
received but a lick without a promise. If we have succeeded in laying the 
foundation for a more able pen than ours at some future day to write a fuller 
history of our town, then we shall have accomplished much.

Additional Comments:
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY ILLINOIS; Containing a History from the earliest 
settlement to the present time, embracing its topographical, geological, 
physical and climatic features; its agricultural, railroad interests, etc.; 
giving an account of its aboriginal inhabitants, early settlement by the 
whites, pioneer incidents, its growth, its improvements, organization of the 
County, the judicial history, the business and industries, churches, schools, 
etc.; Biographical Sketches; Portraits of some of the Early Settlers, 
Prominent Men, etc.; ILLUSTRATED. CHICAGO: O. L. BASKIN & CO., HISTORICAL 
PUBLISHERS, Lakeside Building. 1882.


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