Henry County IL Archives History - Books .....Galva 1877
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Book Title: History Of Henry County, The

GALVA.

    The idea of building a town upon this site was first entertained in the year
1853. While Messrs. J. M. and Wm. L. Wiley were traveling from Peoria County to
Rock Island in the Spring of that year, they were attracted by the beauty of the
surrounding country, and halted their team on the ground that now forms College
Park, across which the old trail led. Standing in their bnggy and looking out
upon the scene, one of them remarked to the other: "Let us buy the land and lay
out a town." At this time there were only two or three buildings to be seen from
that point, and the country around was one vast sea of prairie, over which the
deer were still roaming at will. The land was shortly purchased by them, and,
after negotiating with the C. B. & Q. Railroad Company a full year, they finally
secured the location of a depot upon their purchase by donating the land now
owned and occupied by the company in the center of the town. In the Fall of the
year succeeding its purchase (1854), and about the time that the arrangement
with the railroad company was effected, the town was laid out. in its present
shape, by the gentlemen mentioned. The cars commenced running in December of the
same year.

    After the depot was located the Messrs. Wiley purchased about fifty acres of
land, on the south side of the town, from George Fair, and subsequently sold an
undivided interest in a certain number of lots to the Bishop Hill Swedish
Colony, then in their most prosperous days, and afterwards a large number of
lots to Jacob Emery. Both of these parties gave their money and influence to
forward the interests of the new town.

    Owing to the large purchases of the Swedish Colony in the new town, they
were granted the privilege of being its sponsors in baptism and bestowing upon
it the name which it was to bear. Olof Johnson, one of the earliest settlers,
accordingly christened it Gefle, the name of ,a populous town in Sweden. This
name was afterward corrupted or anglicised to Galva, a name new and unheard of
but corresponding as nearly as possible to the Swedish name in pronunciation.

    The first house of the new town was built in the Fall of 1851, and is a part
of the one formerly belonging to John I. Bennett, and which is now owned by A.
J. Rockafellow and occupied by Mr. E. A. Lynd: it was built by the Bishop Hill
Colony and was used as a boarding house or hotel. The first store was built
during the first Fall, and is the one now occupied by C. F. Bodinson as a
grocery, between the two railroads and just south of and adjoining Smith &
Smalley's Agricultural Warehouse. It was then occupied by George Farr, the
Bishop Hill Colony and the Post-office.

    Col. E. Fuller was the first station agent appointed by the railroad
company, and he continued to hold that position up to the time of his death, or
very nearly.

    The Winter of 1854-5, following the completion of the railroad, was
unusually mild and open, allowing out-of-door work to go on without interruption
until 21st of January, when there occurred the severest snow storm ever known in
this region, accompanied by a terrific wind. This resulted in blocking up the
railroad and preventing the running of any trains for over two weeks. It was
during this time, when the inhabitants of the new town were shut off from
communication with the outside world, that the first child was born. Mr. and
Mrs. David Emery were the happy parents, and they exclaimed: "Unto us a child is
born, a girl is given, whose name shall be called Galva."

    The town having been laid out and a depot established in 1854, the following
season witnessed a rapid growth and quite an influx of population, no less than
seventy-five men having settled here before the great fire which occurred in
November, 1855. Although the settlement of the town took place only about a
score of years ago, the larger part of this number are gone-not dead, but, moved
by the same restless spirit which impelled them to take up their abode here when
the place was new, they have emigrated to other and newer towns. Only twenty-six
of the original seventy-five still remain here - about one-third - while
thirty-seven, or nearly one-half of them, are living in other localities. The
list of dead numbers twelve, or about one-sixth of the pioneers of Galva. A part
of these, however, removed before their death, so that but a small fraction of
the original settlers have found their long home in the quiet cemetery to the
south of the town.

    When Dr. A. D. Babcock arrived here on the 5th of May, 1855, there were
already sixteen buildings in the place, twelve of which were dwelling-houses;
when Mr. Seeley arrived, on the 26th of September, the number of buildings had
increased to thirty, and carpenters were in great demand and all busily employed.

    It was during this season that the old brick warehouse, on Exchange Street,
so recently devoted to the purpose of a new manufacturing company, was built by
the Bishop Hill Colony, and used for the storage of grain, pork, and broom-corn.
The first Hotel was also built then, by Mr. J. E. Wolever, occupying a portion
of the lot where Mr. A. W. Albro now resides, on the corner of Main and Locust
Streets. It was known as the "Galva House."

    The first surgical operation which Dr. Babcock was called upon to perform
was for Augustus C. Bergman who was injured while working on the railroad; the
first death was that of Mr. O. P. Bigelow, who died on the 12th of September,
1855. The first male child born in the place was a son of Absalom Wood. The
first fire occurred on or about the 8th of November, 1855, and originated in Dr.
Babcock's drug store. It was caused by carrying a lighted lamp too near a barrel
from which varnish had been drawn and which had been spilled upon the floor.

    The whole business portion of the new town was laid in ashes by this
disaster, no less than six business firms being burned out. They were, first:
Dr. A. D. Babcock, whose stock consisted of drugs, groceries, paints, oils,
liquors and cigars; second: A. M. Black, shoe shop and its contents; third:
Hamlin, Beecher & Davis, dealers in hardware; fourth: A. J. Curtis, dealer in
furniture; fifth: Babcock & Clark, who do not appear to have had any stock of
goods in the building at the time; and sixth: Hind & Driscoll, whose stock of
dry goods were still in the boxes as received, not yet unpacked, and therefore
easily saved by rolling them into the street. With this exception the building
and its contents were a total loss, as there was no insurance upon either.

    At the time that the fire broke out, most of the citizens were in attendance
at a railroad meeting then in progress at the school-house.

    Mr. D E. Jacobs was then living in the house now occupied by Mr. H. L.
Dickenson, and which was the third dwelling-house built in Galva. His mother
perceived the fire by the glow of light which shone in at the window, from the
burning building, when her candle was accidentally put out, and sent him to
apprise the citzens at the school-house. He rushed to the door and informed them
that the Wiley House was on fire, and in two minutes' time the speaker was left
to talk to empty benches.

    On the night of the 20th of November, 1875, occurred the great fire which
devastated the town, and laid almost all the business places, as well as many
private residences, in ashes, inflicting almost as great a comparitive injury
upon Galva as the great fire in Chicago. More than forty places of business,
with their contents, were swept away, and many citizens turned homeless and
houseless out into the night. The morning following was the gloomiest that had
ever dawned upon the town, and men might well have been disheartened by seeing
the fruits of years of toil blotted out of existence in a few hours. The fire
was discovered a little after midnight, having originated in the Post-office,
which was then kept in a wooden building just north of S. P. Johnson's store, on
the site of his present tailor shop, or between the two buildings, which is a
disputed question. If, as some allege, it was the work of an incendiary, he must
have had the spirit of a fiend of the pit to have looked with satisfaction upon
the work he did that night. A strong southerly wind prevailed at the time, and
the flames soon caught upon the Mansard roof of Beck's block, upon the opposite
side of Exchange Street, and then leaped across to the north side of Main
Street, leaving only charred ruins in its track. The three-story building of Mr.
Beck's had just been newly roofed, and Music Hall, which occupied its upper
story, furnished the finest assembly rooms between Galesburg and Chicago.

THE BUSINESS AND SOCIAL INTERESTS.

    Galva is situated at the crossing of the Peoria, Rock Island and C.B. &
Q.R.R., and contains a population of about thirty-five hundred. The business of
the town is chiefly trade with the surrounding people, there being but two
manufacturing establishments in the place. The older of these was established
about the year 1848 by Thomas S. Guthrie, and is now carried on by his sons,
William and Thomas. They are founders, and deal especially in engine and boiler
material. A manufacturing company now occupy the brick building erected in the
early life of Galva, and are engaged principally in making windmills and farm
machinery.

    The town supports a large number of stores, all well fitted up, and bearing
a very neat appearance.

    The first bank was started by Claudius Jones about 1858 or '59. In 1862 he
sold to L. W. Beck, a merchant who carried on an exchange business until the
First National Bank was organized in 1865. He was Cashier of this bank about
nine months. Two or three years later he started another bank-a private
institution. This he owned until the Spring of 1870, when lie sold to the
present proprietors, E. A. Lynd and L. M. Yocum, who are now engaged in a most
successful business. The First National Bank was organized in 1865, the Wiley
family, so early identified with the history of Galva, being the principal
projectors. It has a capital of $50,000, and a surplus of $30,000. Mr. D. L.
Wiley is President, and W. F. Wiley, Cashier.

    The town is now entirely temperate, no license for the sale of spirituous
liquors being given, and saloons are not allowed.

THE SCHOOLS.

    The schools are in an excellent condition, are held in two buildings known
as the North and South buildings, and are under the able superintendence of Mr.
E. E. Fitch.

    The first school-house was built by the founders of the town, Messrs. J. M.
and Wm. L. Wiley, near where Dr. A. C. Babcock now resides, and was 12x20 feet
in size. This building was also used as a church, and it was here that the first
Baptist Church of Galva was formed, consisting of seven members, Mrs. Thomas
Getty and Mr. Wm. L. Wiley being constituent members. The Congregational and
Methodist Churches were also organized during the same year, 1855, and met in
the same building. The Congregational Church was organized on the fifteenth of
September, with thirteen members.

    The original school building on the north side of the railroad, known as the
North School, was commenced during the Autumn of 1855, and was soon completed,
the money being borrowed for that purpose, all in gold, J. M. Wiley, William L.
Wiley and Geo. Farr giving a joint note therefor until a tax was levied and
collected for the amount required. The building contained two rooms. These were
afterwards divided into two rooms each, and in this manner the building was used
until 1876. That year it was enlarged and remodeled, three rooms being added
making a very commodious seven-room building.

    The South School building was erected in 1865. It originally consisted of
one room, but that soon proving inadequate, in 1867 it was enlarged and
remodeled and made a building of fonr rooms, and as such is still used.

    In the Galva schools there are now employed, including the Superintendent,
thirteen teachers, whose names and stations are as follows: E. E. Fitch,
Superintendent; North School: Mrs. E. B. Humphreys, Principal; Niss Lucy Magu,
Grammar; Miss Rebecca Watson, Intermediate; Miss Frankie Smith, First Prim.;
Miss Mary Maddox, Miss Anna Gladding, Primary. South School: Miss S. B.
Littlefield, Principal; Miss Matilda Watson, Intermediate; Miss Anna E. Ayres,
First Primary; Mrs. Emma J. Day, Miss Jennie Dyson, Primary. There are about 260
pupils in the North School, and nearly 200 in the South, and a regular
attendance of over 400. The annual outlay for educational purposes in the city
is about $10,000.

THE CHURCHES.

    There are six congregations of religions worshipers. These occupy neat,
commodious churches, and are in a very prosperous condition.

    The oldest religious organization in Galva is that of the Methodist
Episcopal. It was organized June 26, 1855, in the school-house. Meetings had
been held here to complete the organization, and for some time after. At this
time the first Board of Trustees were elected. This Board consisted of the
following persons: Isaac M. Witter, John T. Carran, Isaac E. Dennis, Amos
Dennis, William Pierce, John B. Nixon, and Norman E. Pomeroy. They were the most
active members then in the church, which in addition to these men, possessed but
few members. In 1857 they erected their present house of worship, costing
$3,000. Among the prominent ministers of the church have been the following
divines: Rev. John Morey, who called the meeting held to organize; Rev. W. P.
Graves, Rev. A. D. McCool, Rev. A. H. Hepperley, Rev. G. W. Arnold and others.
The present pastor, Rev. B. C. Dennis, is now serving his third year. The church
is in a prosperous condition. The membership is over 200, and an attendance of
more than 100 scholars is regularly maintained in the Sunday-school.

    The Congregational Church was organized in the school-house, Sept. 15, 1855.
The constituent members were the following persons: George Farr, Rebecca Farr,
Charlotte M. Cholette, George Fairlamb, William H. Fairlamb, Henry H. Parker,
Mary Fairlamb, Hannah Carrigan, Thomas Harrison, M. E. Harrison, Elizabeth J.
Hill, and George Hill, Jr.

    Rev. S. G. Wright was soon called to the pastorate of this congregation,
serving one-half his time. He remained until April, 1864, when he resigned. In
November following Rev. R. B. Guild, the present pastor, was installed. From a
membership of twelve, the church has grown to one hundred and fifty, and
sustains a Sunday-school of nearly the same number of scholars. The congregation
erected a church-edifice in the Autumn of 1856. In 1866 this was sold to the
Free Methodist Church, and the present commodious building erected. This latter
was dedicated May 29, 1869, and cost about $12,000.

    The Swedish Methodist Episcopal Church was organized on the fifth of
January, 1866, with fifteen members. Two years afterwards, they erected their
present house of worship, costing $3,000.

    Their pastors have been as follows: Rev. A. J. Anderson, three years; O. C.
Simpson, one year; A. P. Wigren, one year; H. W. Eklund, one year; C. A. Wiren,
two years; and A. T. Westergren, two years. Charles A. Stenholm is the present
pastor. There are now 87 members, 47 probationers, and 100 Sunday-school children.

    The Free Methodist Church. In the Autumn of 1866, seventeen persons,
principally from the M. E. Church, formed themselves into a separate body, under
the care of this church. For some time they met for worship at Mr. D. P. Reed's,
one of the main members, and often at the residences of other members desirous
of promoting the welfare of the church. In 1866, they purchased the
Congregational Church, and have since occupied it. The membership is now about
20, sustaining a Sunday-school of 30 scholars.

    The first pastor of this church was Rev. D. W. Drake, who remained two
years. He has been succeeded by Rev. William Cooley, Rev. J. T. Terry, Rev. G.
C. Coffee, Rev. W. W. Kelley, Rev. J. Whitney, Rev. James Thaxter, and the
present pastor. Rev. James Kelso, who is also pastor at Kewanee.

  The Swedish Lutheran Church. The people professing this faith held meetings
several years before effecting a regular church organization. This was
accomplished in December, 1869, with forty-four members. In 1873 they erected
their present house of worship, a comfortable brick building, costing about
$3,000. At present there are over 90 members, and a Sunday-school of about 40
scholars.

    The Rev. P. M. Sandquist was the first pastor here. He was followed by Rev.
N. Nordgren, who remained about one year, and he by Rev. A. Lindholm, the
present pastor. This latter lives at Altona, and is not often in Galva, the
pulpit being generally supplied by students from the College at Rock Island.

    The First Baptist Church of Galva. The earliest meetings were held in the
school-house. The first meeting for the transaction of business was held in the
school-house June 28, 1855, at which time the preliminary steps were taken to
organize a Baptist church. The church was organized Aug. 14, 1855, the meeting
being held in the school-house. The original members were: Wm. L. Wiley, and
Mrs. Louise Wiley, from the Baptist Church, Saxton's River, Vt.; H. D. Ward and
Mrs Angelina Ward, from Canton, Ill.; J. M. Corson and Mrs. Ann D. Corson, from
Brimfield, Ill.; Mrs. Margarett Bushnell, from LaFayctte, Ill.; Mrs. Dorathy
Getty, from Brimfield, Ill.; Henry H. Clark, from Alden, N. Y.; O. P. Bigelow,
from Boston, Mass.

    The first church building was erected in 1856. It was located near the
business center of the town, and cost about $2,000. The second building, and the
one which the church now occupy, was built 1867 and 1868. It is located on the
east side of, and fronting, College Park, and cost, carpets and bell included,
about $25,000. The bell in the tower of the present church building was also
used in the old church, and rung for public service the first time January 24,
1864.

    First pastor was Rev. M. H. Negus, from organization until December, 1856;
second, Rev. A. Gross, between two and three years; third, Rev. J. T. Westover,
between two and three years; fourth, Rev. J. D. Cole, D.D., about three years:
fifth, Rev. L. D. Go wan, five years; sixth, Rev. C. W. Clark, three years;
seventh, Rev. J. M. Coon, now in his third year.

    The present membership is a little over two hundred.

    Sabbath-school was organized in 1856; the number of scholars is about one
hundred and fifty.

    The church is now free from debt, and expects to remain so, and is in a
flourishing condition.

    The Church of the Holy Communion (Episcopal). The first religious meetings
held in Galva were in a room in Union Block, 1866. About that time the Ladies'
Church Aid Society was formed, and through their efforts a small church was
built, called the "Holy Communion" (Episcopal). The building and lot cost a
little over $800, and was erected on the northeast corner of Railroad Square, in
the year 1868. Mr. and Mrs. Moore, Mr. and Mrs. Whipple, S. M. Etter and wife,
Mrs. Somers, Mrs. Trowbridge, Mrs. McKane, C. J. Whipple, Mrs. Rednell, Mrs.
Hoyt, L. P. Edson, were among the original members. Its pastors were Rev. Mr.
Tifford, Rev. Dr. Floyd. Rev. Dr. S. Chase; also Rev. Mr. Russell, who
officiated over two years; C. J. Whipple, now rector at Manville, R. I.; and S.
M. Etter, superintendent of the State Schools, were both prominent in the
religious affairs and doings of the church. The present membership is fourteen;
Sabbath-school scholars, twenty.

THE PRESS.

    In 1857 a paper called the Galva Watchman was started. This was published
but a year or two, and probably discontinued. The Galva Union was started Dec.
5, 1862 by B. W. Seaton. Some time afterwards it was controlled by Capt. Erick
Johnson, and after that by John I. Bennett, proprietor, and J. M. Edson, editor.
It was changed to the Galva Republican, the first number of which was issued
about October 1, 1867. At the same time the Illinois Swede was in circulation,
being printed by the proprietors of the Republican, and suspended about the same
time. On the 9th of February, 1872, the present paper, the Journal, was started
by W. J. Ward, editor and proprietor. In April of 1873, he sold to his brother,
F. P. Ward, who conducted the paper until March 20, 1874, when he sold the one
half interest to J. J. Balch. In September, the latter's interest was purchased
by the present editor, H. W. Young, who on the 20th of February, 187G, purchased
the share of F. P. Ward, and thus became sole owner. Mr. Young is now conducting
a paper which is a credit to any town, having enlarged the Journal, and added
many important features.

    Present officials:-Pres., G.W. Butters; Sec, T. Atwood; Treas., L. M. Young.
Councilmen, Peter Herdien and Charles Williams. Police Marshal, E. F. Short.


Additional Comments:

Extracted from:

THE HISTORY OF HENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS, ITS TAX-PAYERS AND VOTERS;
CONTAINING, ALSO, A BIOGRAPHICAL DIRECTORY; A CONDENSED HISTORY OF THE STATE;
MAP OF THE COUNTY: A BUSINESS DIRECTORY: AN ABSTRACT OF EVERY-DAY LAWS; WAR
RECORD OF HENRY COUNTY; OFFICERS OF SOCIETIES, LODGES, ETC., ETC.

CHICAGO: H. F. KETT. & CO., 15 LAKESIDE BUILDING.

1877.


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