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

GENESEO.

    In population, wealth and business importance, this is the chief town of
Henry County. It is situated on the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad,
twenty-six miles east from Rock Island, and one hundred and fifty-nine miles
west by south from Chicago, in one of the richest agricultural sections of the
Prairie State. The surrounding country is thickly populated and highly
cultivated, presenting in every direction a succession of well-improved farms,
farm houses, and orchards, which bespeak the enterprise, thrift and wealth of
the inhabitants.

EARLY HISTORY.

    The early history of this particular section of country dates back a little
over forty years, when the advance wave of emigration in the shape of a colony
from western New York began to roll over these prairies. That colony consisted
of seven members, viz: Messrs. Cromwell K. Bartlett, Culver Bartlett, Elisha
Cone, Reuben Cone, Henry Manville, and John C. Ward, of Bergen, Genesee County,
New York, and Roderick R. Stewart, of the adjacent town of Geneseo. The colony
appointed three of its members, Messrs. Stewart, Ward and Bartlett, a committee
to select and purchase their lands. Arriving at Chicago in June, 1836, they were
advised by Governor Ford to secure this tract of land without delay. At
Brandenburg's they found Mr. James M. Allan, who assisted them in locating the
site of the colony, where now stands the thriving young city. They bought this
section of land at one dollar and a quarter per acre, selected the best of it
for the village plat of forty acres, set apart the cemetery, a block for the
school and the church, the beautiful public square, and the "gospel lot," which
in 1865 received its commodious parsonage. At first the plan and the practice
was to give every respectable man a village lot if he would build upon it. The
committee returned and made their report to the proprietors, who determined to
make the removal that Fall.

    On the 17th of September, five families of the colony - those of the two
Cones, the two Bartletts and R. R. Stewart-numbering forty persons, in their own
wagons, entered upon the journey. The families of Messrs. Ward and Manville
remained behind, to follow the next Spring. The route chosen by the company was
across Canada, southern Michigan and northern Indiana, via Princeton, Ill. The
journey required nine weeks.

    Near Ypsilanti, Michigan, the roads were so bad that they made only seven
miles in six days, their wagon boxes sometimes dipping mud. The stage-coach,
keeping them company for a time, was once upset in their sight, almost literally
burying a woman and her child in the miry soil, while the other passengers, on
foot, prepared for any momentary emergency, carried along the traditional rail.

    The company attended religious services wherever an opportunity offered, and
when denied that privilege, held praise meetings at their camp, in the true
Puritan spirit. They arrived at their destination early in the Winter, and as
many as could came at once to the colony purchase.

    The committee entered about 2,000 acres of land. A portion of the company
halted at Providence colony during the Winter; the rest came on and erected
cabins. C. K. Bartlett built the first one; it stood on the creek south of where
the city now stands, and near the spot selected for the saw-mill, which was
built early in 1839. Culver Bartlett built near by; Stewart, fearing the malaria
of the creek bottom, pitched his cabin upon the upland prairie, a wise
precaution which was readily followed by the other settlers, after a brief
experience of chills and fever.

    The part of the company left at Providence colony attempted to come on in
December, under the guidance of Mr. E. M. Stewart. A warm rain had converted the
snow into a soft slush, but the wind suddenly changed to the northwest, with
such a rapid reduction of temperature, that in a very short time the surface of
the slush was frozen hard enough to bear a man's weight. The party were obliged
to return. So intense was the cold that, in spite of all efforts at
self-protection, many were frozen, and one so badly as to be mutilated for life.

    At the time of which we are writing the great prairies of this portion of
the West presented a very different appearance from that which is now offered to
the view of the traveler. On the west, twenty-six miles distant, there was the
fort on Rock Island, with the small settlement then called Stephenson, in its
vicinity; on the south, the little colony of Wethersfield had just started,
while a few miles west of the present town of Cambridge was the still earlier
colony of Andover; at Henderson's Grove, forty miles away, in Knox County, was
an old "Sucker" settlement, with the Galesburg colony hovering under the border
of its forest in the famous "Log City;" on the east was the village of
Princeton, settled in 1831 by a colony from Northampton, Mass.; towards the
north, three families had just settled on Rock River; here and there were a few
families on these prairies, such as the Brandenburgs, Hannas, and Gordons, on
Green River, and the Crooks and Seelys, at Prophetstown - all like solitary
ships on the ocean.

    Messrs. Ward and Manville came with their families in the Spring of 1837.
During the following Summer the town was laid out by the Trustees, John C. Ward,
Cromwell K. Bartlett and R. R. Stewart. It contained four blocks of twenty-four
rods square; in depth north and south, three blocks, and east and west five
blocks, with the public square in the center. The streets were ninety-nine feet
wide, except North and South Streets, which were sixty-six feet in width. Spring
and Creek Alleys were thirty-three feet wide. The town was named Geneseo by Mr.
Stewart, from his own town of the same name in New York. Surveyor Seymour's
certificate to the town plat bears date Dec. 13, 1837.

    Mr. S. D. Bacon, long and favorably known as a teacher of vocal music, and a
few others, joined their fortunes with the colony before the lots were divided.
The method of division was to make choice by casting lots; and the proceeds of
the remainder were to be applied to the building of a seminary.

    Of great and small, the colony at the outset numbered about fifty souls. C.
K. Bartlett and Elisha Cone are dead, as are also three of the younger members.
Culver Bartlett lives near Aledo, Ill.; John C. Ward sold out and returned East;
R. R. Stewart died in Geneseo in 1860. The remainder of the older colonists,
including the widows of Messrs. Bartlett and Cone, are now residing in Geneseo,
and all in easy circumstances.

    Elisha Cone built the first cabin in the town, and J. C. Ward the first
frame house. The latter also opened the first store. The demand for lots was
moderate, and the town made slow progress for many years. One of its chief
beauties, however, was inaugurated by the early settlers in the planting of the
fine shade trees which ornament all parts of the original plat, and which has
been an example worthily followed in the newer portions of the city.

    The Spring of 1837 witnessed the planting of the first crop in the colony.
Like pioneers generally, they lived for many years on homely fare - corn bread
and pork, chiefly. The nearest markets were at Peoria, Rock Island and Chicago.
Many of the colonists preferred to go to the latter city, as goods could be
purchased cheaper there than farther west. For three years most of their mail
matter was obtained at Andover, but in 1839, they obtained a post-office. James
M. Allan was appointed postmaster. Postage on letters at that period was
twenty-five cents, and many were the devices resorted to to obtain that amount,
to enable a person to get a letter out of the office.

    In the Winter of 1836-7, James M. Allan went to Vandalia and secured a
separate organization of Henry County, it having been before that time under the
jurisdiction of Knox County. At the first county election, in June, 1837,
thirty-seven votes were polled.

    Distance from market at this early period kept prices down, so that for
several years corn was worth only ten or twelve cents a bushel; wheat thirty to
fifty; pork a dollar and a half per hundred; and cows ten or twelve dollars
each. This was the period of the great financial depression of 1837-8. Yet,
struggling with adversity, the community made progress. Other families of like
sympathy were attracted to the settlement, and they are deserving of almost
equal credit with the original colonists. Some of these were the households of
Marcus B. Osborne, Lyman Snow, the first blacksmith, Philo Ward, Dr. Enos
Pomeroy, Mr. Gilmore and Mr. Richards. The town grew but slowly, and for several
years before the railroad was built was almost at a stand-still. But that great
thoroughfare brought the place out into the world and gave it a new impulse
towards that business and commercial status which it has attained.

    The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad was surveyed in 1850, and
completed through the county in 1854. At this latter date the population of
Geneseo was hardly 500, and the trade of the place chiefly with the farming
community around it. But no sooner had the railroad become a reality than an
active change was manifest in the town. What before had been a dead town in many
respects at once sprang into active busy life. That portion of land comprising
at present the business part of the city was the property of Mr. Merritt Munson,
who had it surveyed and laid out in 1853 and '54. He at once offered good
inducements to any who would erect business houses upon it.

    The first brick business house in the town was built in the Summer of 1854,
by the Perry Brothers. It is now the furniture manufactory of A. H. & M. Green.
The property owners of the old town made strenuous efforts to retain the trade
in the old places, and although they succeeded for a time, it was ultimately of
no avail, for the railroad gradually and surely drew the center of trade and
business towards the depot. Until the erection of the Perry Brothers' store, in
1854, all trade was carried on in wooden buildings, and, indeed, there were but
few of any kind. Now the increasing trade demanded larger and better buildings,
and soon other brick structures appeared. The Methodist Episcopal Church was
founded about this time, and erected their first house of worship, now Teutonia
Hall. Prior to this there had been but one church in the place, and that
occupied the upper story of the Seminary building. But the increase of
population strengthened other denominations, so that soon churches of different
orders were formed. So, also, of the public schools: an impulse was given to
them which soon absorbed all special attempts at education, and the Seminary was
converted into the principal building, for the graded school system.

    In an article contributed to the Geneseo Republic, of December 15, 1865, by
Mr. Merritt Munson, one of the prominent citizens and early settlers, showing
the standing of the town in 1853, the following statement is made:

"Number of families within the corporation,                           45
Number of tenements within the corporation,                           38
Number of tenements outside the corporation, within a
       limit of ten miles square,                                     31
Number of families outside the corporation, within a limit
       of ten miles square,                                           33
Population of Geneseo, January 1, 1853.                              200
Population outside the corporation, within a limit of ten
       miles square,                                                 175
Total population, 1853,                                              375
Present population of Geneseo (1865),                              3,000
Present population, within a limit of ten miles square,            2,500
Total population,                                                  5,500
Increase in thirteen years, 14 to 1."

    The article further says:

    "At the time mentioned (Jan. 1, 1853), there was no church edifice in town
(the Congregational Church used for a place of worship the upper story of the
Seminary building); there were two lawyers, two doctors, one tavern, two shoe
shops, three stores, one tin shop, one harness shop, two blacksmiths, one
tailor, one cooper shop, which, together with some half dozen carpenters,
joiners and masons, constituted the business force of the town.

    The lawyers were: James M. Allan and W. Sanford: the doctors, Enos Pomeroy
and R. J. Stough; the merchants, Henry G. Sleight, Perry Brothers, and G. H.
King; the shoemakers, E. Bryant and John Gustus; the landlord, George Richards;
tinner, John Anderson; harness-maker, Josiah Stewart; blacksmiths, Lyman Snow
and Hiram Deyo; cooper, S. Howard, and tailor, James Young."

    In June, 1855, the editor of the Rock Islander visited Geneseo. An article
from his pen was published in the Henry Connty Dial, of June 21, from which a
good idea of the growth and trade of the town at that period may, be obtained.
He says:

    "During the year 1854, there were one hundred new buildings erected in
Geneseo, and thus far in the present year (1855), there have been about seventy
built. *   *  * Four hotels are well supported, and doing a good  trade.   *   *
  * Several new mercantile buildings have been and are still being erected. That
of the Perry Brothers is thirty-five by sixty-five feet, and three stories high.
Sleight Brothers are also erecting a good mercantile house opposite the
southwest corner of the park.   *   *   *   The Methodist Episcopal Church, now
under the care of Rev. H. J. Humphreys, is to have the first large church bell
in the county.    It will  cost $300.   *   *   *   The professions are well
represented in the village. There are three lawyers, a half « dozen or more
physicians, and five ministers-some of whom are retired. The town has three drug
stores, three groceries, two furniture stores, three shoe stores, two stove and
hardware stores, two tin shops, eight dry-goods stores, one clothing store,
three lumber yards, four blacksmith shops, one saddler shop, two livery stables,
one bakery, one banking house, two carriage factories, one jewelry store, one
meat market, four joiner shops, three forwarding houses, one of which does a
business of 2,500 bushels of corn daily."

    A great part of this trade had come to Geneseo after the year 1853, and this
advance in business has kept steadily on, until this number of business houses
is in nearly all cases doubled, and many others added.

    On February 14, 1855, Geneseo was incorporated as a town, and remained under
that form of government until February 16, 1865, when, by a special act of
legislature, it was incorporated as a city.

    The cabin of R. R. Stewart was the first hotel in town. He sold this to Mr.
A. Miller, in the year 1854, who removed the cabin, and erected a frame
structure in its place. This he enlarged at various times, and occupied until
1864, when it was destroyed by fire. He at once began the erection of the
present fine structure, capable of accommodating over one hundred guests, which
was opened to the public in June, 1866.

    The building of mills was commenced in 1855, when the first one was erected
near the railroad. In a few years after another was added, and again a few years
later, a third. All are in successful operation at present.

    The number of fine business houses and palatial residences show wealth and
taste, and evince that Geneseo will keep pace in the march of improvement with
the beautiful and well tilled country around her.

VILLAGE CORPORATION.

    Geneseo was incorporated as a village under a board of trustees, by special
act of the General Assembly, approved February 14, 1855. The following were the
charter members of the board: Merritt Munson, Enos Pomeroy, Robert Getty, John
Willshire, Alfred W. Perry.

    The election boards were as follows: First election, April 2, 1855;
seventy-six votes polled-Merritt Munson, President, O. A. Turner, A. W. Curtis,
J. F. Dresser, Luther C. Sleight.

    Second election, April 7, 1856. James M. Allan, President, H. McArthur, T.
D. Crook, O. P. Beebe, O. A. Turner.

    Third election, April 6, 1857. F. P. Brown, President, Robert Getty, H. A.
Ainsworth, J. B. Hagin, J. D. K. Sleight.

    Fourth Election, April 5, 1858. Robert Getty, President, F. P. Brown, Solon
Fleming, J. M. Hosford, Liberty Crosset.

    Fifth election, April 4, 1859. Joshua Harper, President, J. P. Long, Joseph
Hammond, Cyrus Kinsey, Enos Pomeroy.

    Sixth election, April 2, 1860. Joseph Hammond, President, Cyrus Kinsey, J.
P. Long, Elisha M. Stewart, W. P. Blackiston.

    Seventh election, April 1, 1861. George Richards, President, David L. Perry,
P. H. Sniff, Albert McCurdy, J. B. Byers.

    Eighth election, April 7, 1862. James McBroom, President, A. B. Kinsey, E.
M. Stewart, J. F. Dresser, Solon Kendall.

    Ninth election, April 6, 1863. James McBroom, President, Solon Kendall, E.
A. Wood, J. J. Town, P. H. Beveridge.

    Tenth election, April 4, 1864. I. N. Wilson, President, P. H. Beveridge, E.
A. Wood, Albert McCurdy, Peter Worrall.

    Village Clerks. William T. Allan, 1855 to 1859. R. F. Steele, 1859 to 1862.
J. F. Dresser, 1862 to 1863. Solon Kendall, 1863 to 1864. James McBroom, 1864 to
1865.

CITY CORPORATION.

    The act of the Legislature incorporating Geneseo as a city was approved
February 16, 1865. It provides for a city government consisting of a Mayor,
elected annually, and a Board of Aldermen, two of whom are elected from each
ward, and hold their office two years. The city is at present divided into two
wards. The names of the original incorporators are: Isaac N. Wilson, Andrew
Crawford and Joseph A. Sawyer. The following is a list of the Mayors of the city
since the adoption of the charter of 1865.

    Mayors. George E. Wait, 1865 to 1867. Joseph Hammond, 1867 to 1870. John D.
Grant, 1870 to 1871. Warren P. Cook, 1871 to 1874. Robert F. Steele, 1874 to 1877.

    Aldermen. 1865.- James Bradley, I. N. Stewart, Joseph Hammond, E. A. Wood.

    1866.-I. N. Stewart, Joseph Hammond, E. M. Stewart, Alexander White.

    1867.-E. M. Stewart, S. S. Throop, Isaac N. Wilson, Alexander White.

    1868.-Wright L. Kidder, Robert D. Boice, S. S. Throop, Isaac N. Wilson.

    1869.-Warren P. Cook, Daniel Jones, Robert D. Boice, Wright L. Kidder.

    1870.-Albert H. Wood, William Leach, Daniel Jones, Warren P. Cook.

    1871.-Isaac N. Wilson, George A. Brown, A. Perry Fisk, William Leach.

    1872.-George A. Brown, George Turner, Isaac N. Wilson, A. Perry Fisk.

    1873.-George A. Brown, George Turner, James Morton, Simon Ott.

    1874.-James Morton, Simon Ott, Lorenzo Hitchcock, William Smith.

    1875.-William Smith, Lorenzo Hitchcock, H. V. Fisher, Philip S. Schnabele.

    1876.-J. N. Green, George G. Mowry, H. V. Fisher, Philip S. Schnabele.

    City Clerks. William T. Allan, 1865 to 1866. R. F. Steele, 1866 to 1872.
Thomas R. Harker, 1872 to 1873. L. C. Campbell, 1873 to 1874. Charles Morton,
1874 to 1875. William H. Owen, 1875 to 1877.

    Police Magistrates. J. A. McConnell, 1865 to____. L. C. Campbell, 1868 to
1873.    F. H. McArthur, 1873 to 1877.

THE PRESS.

    In August, 1855, James Bowie commenced the publication of the Geneseo
Democratic Standard, which was the first newspaper started here. It was
established in the interests of large land-holders on the North Side, and to
build up that part of the town. At the end of about a year and a half the
enterprise was abandoned, and the proprietor went to New Orleans. He returned in
1857, revived the Standard as a Democratic party paper, published it about a
year, when its light went out forever. It was, the last time, printed in the
building now owned and occupied by McBroom & Wilson as a grain warehouse. Bowie
died here in 1859.

    In June, 1856, I. S. Hyatt issued the first number of the Geneseo Republic
from the building on Main Street, occupied by I. S. Hutchins as a furniture
store, and now by Charles Sweney. Ill fortune attending the publication of it,
Hyatt failed, and the paper passed into the hands of assignees-J. M. Allan and
O. A. Turner-in February, 1858, of whom it was purchased within a month, by
Merritt Munson. In December, 1858, the paper was bought by Hobbs & Lewis, of Mr.
Munson. In November, 1868, Hobbs acquired the interest of Lewis; at the same
time Adam Lieberknecht purchased the Advocate of James M. Hosford, and on the
18th of that month the Republic and Advocate were consolidated, and for more
than thirteen years have been published under the name of The Geneseo Republic,
of which the senior partner has been the editor for nearly nineteen years. It is
Republican in politics.

    In August, 1858, Merritt Munson began the publication of a monthly, called
The Christian Philosopher, and continued it one year. The name fairly indicated
its aims and objects. It was ably conducted, and well sustained.

    Early in the campaign of 1860 an association of Republicans started a paper
called the Journal. It was printed at the Republic office. Its editors were, in
their order, James Ireland, George W. Shaw, William Smith, and lastly, George A.
Hobbs. It died with the close of the campaign, too many cooks having hastened
its demise.

    In early Summer, 1862, Major James M. Hosford, of the old "Henry County
Regiment," commenced the publication of the Union Advocate, in rooms in the bank
building, on Main Street, and continued the same until November, 1863. Being at
the front during these years, fighting the battles of his country, the paper
suffered for want of his personal attention, and on his return, finding better
business, he sold out to Mr. Lieberkuecht, who disposed of it as before
mentioned. It was a first-class Republican journal.

    On January 16, 1874, Belvel & Fisher issued the first number of The Henry
County News, and published it four weeks, when Mr. Fisher sold his interest to
Henry L. Kiner. The firm was Belvel & Kiner until June 5, 1874, when Belvel sold
to John Christian, and since that date the paper has been published by John
Christian and Henry L. Kiner, under the firm name of Christian & Kiner. It is
neutral in politics. By reason of its thorough attention to the interests of the
county, it has acquired a good and influential circulation. It maintains local
reporters, and correspondents in nearly all the villages and towns of the
county. Its editor is Henry L. Kiner.

THE SCHOOLS.

    The present excellent public schools of Geneseo have grown up gradually from
a very small beginning in a rude cabin erected on the public square in 1837.
Hence the first educational efforts are coeval with the existence of the place,
and have grown as it has advanced in population and importance.

    To Miss Susannah Stewart, now Mrs. James M. Allan, of Geneseo, belongs the
honor of having first taught the young idea how to shoot within the precincts of
this city. She taught in the cabin aforesaid, on the public square, in 1837. For
the interest some of the "old settlers" will take in the matter, we here
introduce the roll of her pupils, sixteen in number: Emily Ward, now Mrs.
Olmstead, of Galesburg, Ill.; Orlo Manville, now living in Kansas; Roderick S.
Manville, deceased; Newton Manville, residing in Iowa; Harriet Cone, now Mrs.
Wm. Miller, of Geneseo; Clara Cone, now Mrs. E. M. Stewart, of Geneseo: Alonzo
Cone, deceased; LaFayette Stewart, removed to Wichita, Kansas; Josiah T.
Stewart, deceased; Geo. W. Stewart, Wichita, Kansas; Mary Bartlett, at present
Mrs. Hiram Cady, of Geneseo; George Bartlett, deceased; Amanda Bartlett, now
Mrs. Taylor, residing in California; Orin Bartlett, Mercer Co., Ill.; Augustus
Bartlett, deceased; and Sarah Ann Bartlett, at present residing in Mercer Co., Ill.

    It will be seen that only three of the above are now living in Geneseo, and
that five of the number are dead.

    While Miss Susannah Stewart was managing the first school in the
canvas-covered cabin in Geneseo in 1837, two of her sisters were teaching
elsewhere in the county, viz.: Narcissa, afterwards Mrs. Wells, taught in the
vicinity of George Brandenburgh's, probably at the house of P. K. Hanna; and
Parmelia, now Mrs. Dr. Hume, of Geneseo, taught at Wethersfield. The Stewarts
were therefore the pioneer teachers in Henry County.

    In the Summer of 1838 a frame building was erected on the site of the
present Congregational Church, which was used both for school and church
purposes, till the seminary was built, in 1846. Narcissa Stewart taught here in
1838. During 1839, a young Mr. Holmes, who had been sent by Rev. Jason Chapin,
taught. In the Spring of 1840 Mr. Chapin came, with his family, and in June he
commenced teaching, and continued as teacher till he was removed by death, in
September, 1846.

    One of the earliest provisions in the sale of town lots was, that the
proceeds of a certain number should be applied to the erection of a seminary of
higher learning.

    Rarely has a more noteworthy self-denial been exhibited than that which
prosecuted the building of the brick seminary. In the poverty of the people they
subscribed labor. They worked in the brick-yard; they worked upon the building,
tending masons. Some young men, just coming of age, subscribed two hundred
dollars, to be worked out. Then, just as the walls were up, a storm blew down
the sides, which were immediately rebuilt. The building was opened for school in
the Autumn of 1846.

    The institution was chartered by the Legislature of Illinois as the Geneseo
Manual Labor High School; this name was afterward, by the same authority,
changed to Geneseo Seminary. Rufus Hubbard, the first president of the board of
trustees, E. Cone and Jairus Wilcox were the incorporators.

    Following Mr. Chapin, for seven years, the seminary was under the care of
Rev. A. Lyman, who by teaching, by persistent efforts, at home and abroad, to
raise funds for the completion of the seminary, getting three thousand dollars
from the East, and by preaching a part of the time for the church, performed a
prodigious amount of laborious and self-denying service. Miss Pomeroy (now Mrs.
F. Bascom), Miss Hooker, Miss Foster and Miss Earl were his accomplished
assistants.

    Rev. S. H. Waldo was for a few months in temporary charge of the
institution. Then Mr. M. S. Cromwell, just from Amherst College, followed, for a
short time. He enlisted in the army, and came out from a four years' service as
lieutenant colonel, and is now in the ministry in California. He was succeeded
by a Mr. Bartlett, who was assisted by Miss Sarah Andrews and Miss Hume. After
accomplishing a great deal of good, the seminary found itself competing with the
increasingly popular system of graded schools, and the place too small to
sustain both. Having a considerable amount of accumulated indebtedness, the
trustees at last sold the brick seminary building and grounds to the city, to be
used as the High School of the public system; and so in a new form it is serving
the cause of higher education.

    The present system of graded schools was instituted in 1856. At that time
the Central School-house was built. This was one year previous to the purchase
of the Seminary building by the school authorities; and this latter, together
with the former building, then containing four rooms, gave ample accommodations
to all who desired the advantages afforded for an education. Prof. Abbott was
Superintendent. A few changes in this office brought it down to the
administration of Prof. G. G. Alvord, now in charge of the public schools of the
city of Cairo, Ill.; after whom Prof. E. P. Burlingham was Superintendent.

    By the year 1866 the increase in the growth of the city demanded more room,
and the building on the north side of the railroad was erected. It at first
contained but four rooms, but two more were added in 1871. The basement of the
Unitarian Church, also, has been procured, at a rental of $200 a year, and
fitted up for a school-room.

    At present there are three school-houses in the district, and the value of
the school property is about $20,000. The amount expended for school purposes
during the year 1876 was $8,191.03. Fifteen teachers were employed, as follows:
three in the High School, three in the Grammar Schools, four in the Intermediate
and five in the Primary Departments. The number of pupils enrolled during the
year was 1,021; average attendance, 711. The district is out of debt, and tie
schools are all in a prosperous condition. The number in attendance at the High
School was 121; in the Grammar Schools 136; Intermediate Departments, 3-16;
Primary Departments, 418.

THE CHURCHES.

    The city contains thirteen regularly organized churches, the oldest of which
is the Congregationalist. It was organized by an ecclesiastical council in
Bergen, Genesee County, New York, September 13, 1836. Rev. Messrs. Wilcox, Hull
and Bridgman acted in the council. The two Messrs. Cone, C. K. Bartlett, J. C.
Ward, and Harry Manville, with their wives and the three children, Mary E. and
Amanda E. Bartlett, and Harriet Cone, constituted the church of thirteen
members. Elisha Cone and J. C. Ward were chosen and ordained as deacons. A
sermon was preached from that beautifully appropriate text: "He that goeth forth
and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
bringing his sheaves with him."

    The little church was now ready to go forth to the place assigned it by the
colony, whither it arrived in due time. At first religious services were held in
the cabins of the settlers: but as soon as the rude school-house was erected on
the public square, it was used also as a house of worship.

    The first communion was held in the house of Deacon Ward, April 18, 1838. It
was a day well remembered, by a hail storm, which broke nearly all the windows
in the settlement. The officiating minister was Rev. Ithamar Pillsbury, of
Andover. The noted edifice on the square was used by the congregation but one
Summer. In 1838 another school building was erected, which was subsequently
removed to the site of the present Congregational Church. This was used for
church purposes till 1848, when the seminary building was completed, and was
thenceforward used as a house of worship till the erection of the church, in
1855. The church was dedicated on the 28th of May, 1856, the sermon being
preached by the pastor, Rev. S. H. Waldo. The occasion was one of great
rejoicing by the people. The church was the one still occupied by the
Congregational body of this city. At the time it was built it was considered the
finest church building west of Chicago. For a while lay services were conducted.
The first regular pastor was Rev. Jairus Wilcox, who in May, 1838, came to the
colony with his family, and in June was elected pastor, upon a salary of four
hundred dollars. In the seminary at Yale he had promised Flavel Bascom that he
would go West. It was in response to Mr. Bascom's continued solicitations that
he came. Arrived at Chicago, after ten days upon the lakes, his family was met
by C. K. Bartlett and Anson M. Hubbard, who moved them in. Having been drawn
through many sloughs with chains, they came to Green River, where there was
neither bridge, nor ferry, nor ford. Finding Mrs. Gordon at her home, upon the
bank, it took but a word to interest her in the new family. She said she would
set them over; and so, instructing them to swim the horses over by the side of
the canoe, she had the wheels of each wagon set into two canoes, and so ferried
them over.

    Going first into Deacon Ward's cabin, Mr. Wilcox built a log shanty on his
place, north of the village, and covered it with hay. There they lived nine
months. A traveling clergyman, upon being invited to spend the night with them,
declined, saying that his health and life were too valuable to be thus exposed.
Mr. Wilcox had a business tact, which made him useful to the secularities of the
place. It has been said that the community is not a little indebted to his taste
and enterprise for the ornamenting of the public square and the streets of the
town with trees. He was also greatly interested in the seminary, making two
trips to the East in its behalf, and looking up the first two principals of the
institution- Revs. Jason Chapin and Addison Lyman. Indeed he took up the entire
interest of the colony into his aspiration, and accomplished great good as the
pioneer missionary. In 1845 he closed his labors here and removed to Chicago, to
take charge of the Seamen's Bethel, in which service he was engaged until called
to his reward, leaving his family to grow up in that city into a sphere of
influence and usefulness. After him Rev. William T. Allan supplied the pulpit
six or eight months.

    The next minister was Rev. Addison Lyman, from Torringford, Connecticut, who
began his services here on the 6th of October, 1845. In this capacity he served
for two years, until he entered upon the principalship of the seminary,
continuing, however, to supply the desk for some months, till a pastor was
secured. Rev. C. S. Cady served the church one year from the 1st of October,
1848. Rev. A. J. Copeland then sewed the church, from the 1st of December, 1840,
to February, 1852. The church then called Rev. H. Ward; but having already
accepted a call at Lyndon, he declined. His most acceptable ministry there was
soon cut short by a casualty that ended his life. Rev. J. W. North occupied the
pulpit for one year, from November, 1852. The next pastor was Rev. S. H. Waldo,
who labored three years, from January, 1855, to January, 1858. Under his
pastorate this house of worship was erected, forming a new era in the history of
the church. Next comes the pastorate of Rev. Milo N. Miles, during the two years
of 1858 and 1859. Then that of Rev. B. C. Ward for one year and a half. Rev. J.
T. Cook, now a resident physician, two years, those of 1862 and 1863. During the
year 1864, Rev. M. N. Miles served as supply. In May, 1865, Rev. Harry Brickett
began his labors and remained seven years. He resigned in 1872, and was
succeeded by H. G. McArthur, who occupied the pulpit two years, and was followed
by Rev. T. C. Jerome one year. At the expiration of that time the present
pastor, Rev. O. W. Fay, was called. There are now 275 members.

    The Sabbath-school was commenced in the rude tabernacle upon the square, in
1837, and has been continued through Summer and Winter. Its first superintendent
was Deacon Ward, who continued in this office until his removal from the place,
in 1855, except that Rev. John T. Pierce held this office during 1852 and 1853.
After him Mr. John G. Walker served as superintendent two or three years; then
Deacon Huntington, and then Mr. A. M. Hubbard. Mr. H. Thomas, in 1856, was
installed in this office, and remained in it till 1871, with the exception of
the year and a half of the efficient service of J. T. K. Sleight, himself a
child of the Sabbath-school. Under Mr. Thomas the monthly Sabbath-school concert
was introduced, and has been continued with increasing interest and profit.
During the last ten years the number of scholars has increased from eighty-five
to two hundred and fifty.

    Baptist Church. In March, 1860, Rev. W. G. Johnson visited this place on his
way from Rock Island to Princeton, Bureau Co. On the 20th of that month a
meeting was held at the Seminary Hall, which was the initial movement to the
organization of the Baptist Church of Geneseo. April 14, the organization was
effected by the union in church covenant of twenty-three persons, whose names
are as follows:

    Rev. and Mrs. W. G. Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. J.'W. Topping, Mr. and Mrs. H. F.
McCartney, Mr. and Mrs. D. N. Cole, Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Like, .Mr. H. Like, Mr.
R. V. Amsden, Miss Laura Ann Amsden, John and Matilda Vernon, Delia Frank,
Emeline Goss, Sarah Lynch, F. McHose, C. L. Ainsworth, W. B. Johnson, Emma
Taylor and Sarah Caulkins.

    The pastor, Rev. W. G. Johnson, remained some time, and was succeeded by
Rev. E. D. Dickerson. Others who have filled the pulpit are Rev. W. P. Pattison,
Rev. A. R. Newton and Rev. Mr. Sharpe. Rev. L. J. Langridge is the present pastor.

    The meeting for organization was held in the M. E. Church; afterwards they
occupied the Seminary Hall till the present church was completed in 1864. The
building cost $4,000. The present membership is about 120, and the average
attendance at the Sunday-school, 75.

    The Presbyterian Church. This congregation, which now numbers seventy-five
members, and one hundred Sunday scholars, was organized Nov. 3, 1863, with
fifteen members. They were: A. McClain and wife, G. W. Goshorn and wife, M. S.
Boice and wife, J. W. McCracken and wife, Charles W. Long and wife, Mrs. Morton,
Mrs. Bracken, Mrs. Crawford, F. W. Gale and George Richards. The committee to
organize, Rev. S. T. Wilson and Rev. David Kelley, of Rock Island, were
appointed by the Rock River Presbytery. The earliest meetings of this
congregation were held in a small frame building on North Street, now occupied
by the Swede Methodists. In 1866, they erected their present commodious house of
worship which they now occupy. It cost the church $9,000. October 20, 1864, Rev.
J. C. Barr was called to the pastorate, and remained until Sept. 2, 1871. Nov. 1
of that year, Rev. E. H. Curtis was called, and occupied the pulpit until April,
1873. The present pastor, Rev. A. J. Stead, commenced his labors Sept. 1, 1874.

    Protestant Episcopal (Trinity) Church. About the year 1856, meetings were
held by persons embracing this faith, and in the following year the parish was
organized. The first wardens were: Perry Ransom and George Condish, and the
vestrymen, John T. Young, Benj. Graham, William Saunders and John Huestes.
Divine services were held in various places until the year 1863, when the
present house of worship was constructed, after the English style of
architecture, costing $2,500.

    The names of the successive clergymen are as follows: Rev. Alanson Welton,
Rev. Samuel Goodale, Rev. William Greene, Rev. P. B. Morrison, Rev. Geo. C.
Griswold, Rev. Dr. Walker, and Rev. F. B. Nash. The present rector, Rev. T. N.
Benedict, took charge of the parish, Nov. 25, 1873. The membership is now about
45, and the attendance at Sunday-school 40.

    The Unitarian Church. The members comprising this religious society, met at
first for divine worship in Sawyer's Hall, where in the month of November, 1868,
they were organized into a church. They continued to meet in this hall until
1874, when they erected their present house of worship, costing about $6,000.

    Rev. M. J. Miller, who is still pastor, presided at the organization, when
eighteen members were admitted. There are now nearly 100, and a Sunday-school
which enrolls 125 pupils.

    German M. E. Church. In 1860, in January, the first meetings of the Germans
belonging to the M. E. Church, were held in private houses. Shortly after they
were organized into an ecclesiastical body by Rev. William Kammermeyer, and
twenty-three persons united. The same year the church and parsonage were
erected. The church was used until 1874, when the present comfortable structure
was finished and occupied. The parsonage is yet used. Rev. Kammermeyer remained
two years, when Rev. Charles Schneider was called, who preached three years.
Since then the succession of pastors has been as follows: Rev. Henry Withorn,
two years; Rev. William Winter, three years; Rev. W. Zappen, one year; Rev.
Gustav Zolman, one year; Rev. Frederick Arensperger, two years; Rev. William
Bulke, three years; Rev. William Schoerig, one year; when the present pastor,
Rev. Louis Kunz was called. The number of members is now forty-two, and the
number of Sunday-school scholars forty.

The Catholic Church. Movements to organize a Catholic Church in Geneseo were
begun by laymen, prominent among whom were James Bradley and Patrick O'Connell.
Meetings were held in private houses and in a room over Mr. Bradley's store,
when, in 1863, the church was organized. At that date it comprised about forty
families, and for some time was ministered to by priests from Rock Island. The
congregation is in the Diocese of Chicago, of which the Rt. Rev. Thomas Foley is
Bishop. In the Spring of the same year they were organized; they erected their
church at a cost of nearly $8,000. The Rev. Thomas Ackley, preached to them
during the years 1866-7. Rev. Frederick Smith followed him in 1867 Rev. H.
O'Gara McShane commenced his labors in 1874, and continues in charge. The number
of families is now about 400. The attendance at Sunday-school is about 50.

    German Lutheran Church. The proper. title is the Evangelical Lutheran
German. This church was organized in 1863, when the following named persons
became members: A. Eichhorn, W. Kittenzer, G. Wiegand, A. Wiele, J. Young, L.
Hilmer, M. Schuh, J. Hitzer.

    The church building was erected in 1864, and cost $1,500. The following, in
the order named, have officiated as pastors: E. Sunfstueck, C. W. Ernst, S.
Hamm, and P. Hanson.

    Zion's Church of the Evangelical Association. The members comprising this
church were organized into an ecclesiastical body in the Spring of 1857. At this
time about fifteen persons united, and until the erection of their first church
edifice in 1860, held divine service in the houses of the members. This year
they erected a house of worship, costing $1,000. This they occupied ten years,
when, the growth of the congregation demanding more room, the church was sold
and the present larger and more commodious house was erected. This latter cost
nearly $6,000.

    The Rev. Conrad Speilmann presided at the organization, and occasionally
preached here, the charge being until 1870 a mission. After him the following
ministers have successively filled the pulpit; Rev. John Dengel, Rev. Amos
Gackly, Rev. Enoch V. Freeden, Rev. John Dengel, Rev. S. E. Heilmann; Rev.
Conrad Speilmann, Rev. John Kurz, Rev. Enoch V. Freeden, Rev. Michael Heyl, and
the present pastor, Rev. Martin Stamm. The membership is now 154, and the
attendance at the Sunday-school, 150.

    The services are held in the German language, almost the entire congregation
being of that nationality.

    The Swedish Lutheran Church was organized at the house of John Gustus, June
27, 1856, with twelve members. Meetings for religious exercises were held in
private houses until the church was erected. This was completed and occupied
about the year 1859, at a cost of $700. In 1874 it was remodeled and enlarged,
at an expense of $800, and is now a very comfortable structure. The first
regular pastor was Rev. Nils Anderson, who came in 1865, and remained till 1869.
The following year, the Rev. C. J. Malmberg was called, who filled the pulpit
six years. At present the congregation is without a settled minister.

    The membership is 214. The attendance at Sunday-school is about 40; the
children only of this denomination attending.

    The Swede Methodist. Organized in 1864, by Rev. B. Witing. Services were
held at that time in the German Church, and the next year at Moderwell's Hall,
on Main Street. Rev. A. L. Erickson was pastor. In 1866, the present church was
built, the lot costing $600. The following have officiated as pastors: Rev. O.
Gunderson, two years; Rev. A. L. Erickson, one year; Rev. John Lind, three
years; Rev. John Wigren, two years; Rev. H. W. Ekland is the present pastor.

    Methodist Episcopal Church. The earliest meetings of this church in Geneseo
were held in the old Seminary. The first class was organized by Rev. H. J.
Humphrey about 1854, and consisted of six members. The first quarterly
conference was held at the house of Rev. H. J. Humphrey, on the 3d of November,
1856; Rev. R. N. Morse, presiding elder; Rev. H. J. Humphrey, preacher in
charge; Caleb Rauson, recording steward; Rev. G. C. Wooodruff, secretary. The
presiding elder's claim wa________ at $60; the preacher's at $436. The names of
the original members were as follows: Rev. H. Van Order, Levi Hamilton, G. A.
Luvin, D. B. Brown, S. S. Throop, J. A. McConnell.

    The first church was built on the west side of South State Street, and is
now known as Teutonia Hall. The second church was built on the east side of
North State Street. It was commenced under the pastorate of Rev. H. Ritchie, in
1865, completed under the administration of Rev. S. G. J. Worthington, and
dedicated by Bishop T. Bowman, in September, 1872. Its cost was about $22,000.
Rev. H. G. Humphrey, the first pastor, served one year. He was followed by Rev.
A. D. McCool, one year; Mr. McCool's successors were Rev. J. Soul, two years;
Rev. E. Ranson, two years; Rev. N. C. Lewis, one year; Rev. E. Wasmuth, three
years; Rev. H. Richie, two years; Rev. A. P. Crist, two years; Rev. S. G. J.
Worthington, three years; Rev. W. P. Graves, two years; Rev. M. Spurlock, two
years. The present pastor is Rev. G. W. Arnold. The membership of the church at
present (1877) is 200, with the attendance of an equal number in the
Sunday-school.


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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