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MIT MORRIS : PAST AND PRESENT 
 
 AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY 
 
 Township and the Village of Mount Morris, Ogle 
 
 County, Illinois, in Their Various 
 
 Stages of Development 
 
 TOOETHElt WITH 
 
 A Local Biographical Directory. 
 
 
 COMPILED AND PUBLISHED BY 
 
 KABLE BROTHERS. 
 
 Mount Morris, III.: 
 MOUNT MORRIS INDEX PRINT. 
 
 1900. 
 
 I 
 
Libt-wry of CoriojresSj 
 
 Two Copies Received 
 
 JAN 26 1901 
 
 SECONO COPY 
 
 
 ENTERED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS. IN THE YEAR 1900. BY 
 
 KABLE BROTHERS. 
 
 IN THE 
 
 OFFICE OF THE LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS AT WASHINGTON. 
 
It is found by observation and experience that one of the 
 greatest pleasures that a man may enjoy is to return, after an 
 absence of many years, to the place of his nativity, to view 
 the scenes dear to him in days of youth and grasp the hands 
 of old schoolmates, the memory of whose faces has been al- 
 most obliterated by the passage of time. No matter how 
 meagre was his old home, nor how simple his surroundings, 
 still there remains that undying interest in the scenes of his 
 youth which causes him often to sigh for a few hours to roam 
 over these old familiar spots. The poet has truthfully said: 
 
 Hard indeed must a man be made 
 
 By the toil and traffic of gain and trade 
 
 To love not the spot where a boy he played. 
 
 It was therefore thought that if a book could be written 
 and supplied with the necessary illustrations to bring back 
 some of the pleasant memories of the boyhood days of the 
 many old citizens of Mount Morris who have removed to other 
 fields of labor, as well as recall to those remaining, facts and 
 history which may have escaped their memory; to bring back 
 to students of old Rock River Seminary and of Mount Morris 
 College, memories of pleasant hours in class-room and on the 
 campus; and further to perpetuate in tangible form for the 
 present rising generation, the state of affairs and, by many 
 views, the appearance of the town and her most influential 
 citizens, when they too may go forth to other fields of labor, 
 or their memories of their childhood days fade in the dimness 
 of advancing age, — could a book be written to accomplish all 
 this, and further serve to preserve the main facts for their 
 intrinsic historical value, it was thought that a work of the 
 kind would be both appreciated and given the proper support. 
 With this impression of mind the matter in the following 
 pages was prepared and is presented with the hope that it 
 may not prove entirely unsuccessful and that due considera- 
 
tion may be taken by its readers of this, the first attempt by 
 the publishers, of a work of this kind. 
 
 The material herein embodied was gathered from innu- 
 merable sources, and it is reasonable to suppose that some 
 unavoidable mistakes have been made in names, dates, etc. It 
 is not expected to be so perfect that it may be above and be- 
 yond criticism, but it is the publishers' hope that it will be 
 found measurably correct and generally accurate and relia- 
 ble. Much of the information was obtained by personal in- 
 terviews with those possessing the desired information, and 
 also much was gathered from old and time-worn records, 
 scrap-books and newspapers, which were kindly entrusted to 
 us by their owners. Among those to whom we are grateful 
 for aid in this work might be mentioned: Samuel Knodle, 
 Martin T. Rohrer, Hon. R. R. Hitt, Major Chas. Newcomer, 
 Capt. Peter Householder, Jonathan Hiestand, Reuben S., Mar- 
 shall, Henry Sharer, Michael Bovey, Prof. J. G. Royer, Revs. 
 L. L. Lipe, P. W. Nazarene, and D. P. Seyster, N. A. Ank- 
 ney, Chas. H. Sharer, H. G. Newcomer, T. C. Williams, and 
 many others. Our thanks are also due the many people of 
 Mount Morris who have assisted in making the illustrative 
 feature of the book a success. 
 
 The photographs reproduced herein have also been 
 gathered from various sources. The old views of Mount 
 Morris are from old photographs which have long been the 
 valued property of our former venerable townsman, Mr. Sam- 
 uel Knodle. The majority of the photographs were taken, 
 however, by Roy Householder, professional photographer, 
 and Roy Jackson, amateur photographer, and some of the 
 older ones by J. M. Hosking, deceased, and J. M. Rinedollar. 
 Prof. W. L. Eikenberry secured the views which illustrate the 
 chapter on " Local Calamities." 
 
 In conclusion we wish to again thank all concerned, not 
 only for their support and assistance in the work, but for the 
 confidence which has been imposed in the ability of the pub- 
 lishers to produce a work worthy of their assistance and sup- 
 port. 
 
 HARVEY J. KABLE. 
 
 December, 1900. HARRY G. KABLE. 
 
COHSTTZEZLTTS. 
 
 CHAPTER. PAGE. 
 
 I. Early History and Development, 9 
 
 II. The Growth of the Village, - 33 
 
 III. Incorporation of the Village, - - -57 
 
 IV. Incorporation of the Township, - 73 
 V. Rock River Seminary, - - 81 
 
 VI. Mount Morris College, 95 
 
 VII. The Public Schools, - 118 
 
 VIII. The Village Press, 138 
 
 IX. Musical Organizations and Families, - - 144 
 
 X. Local Calamities, 152 
 
 XI. Coming of the Railroad, - - - - 167 
 
 XII. Religious Organizations, 176 
 
 XIII. Secret Organizations, - - 199 
 
 XIV. Miscellaneous History, 216 
 XV. Mount Morris of Today, - 226 
 
 XVI. Township Biographical Directory, 269 
 
MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 EARLY HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT. 
 
 More than three-score years have passed since the hardy immigrants 
 from the eastern states pushed their way across mountains and rivers to 
 what was then the wild frontier of civilization, — the state of Illinois. 
 A company of these pioneers, from Maryland, made the first permanent 
 settlement in the wilderness, which now, under a far different aspect, 
 bears the name of Mount Morris township. Here, where the primeval 
 forest had never been traversed, save by the foot of the red man or by the 
 flight of wild game, they hewed the rough timber for their dwellings, and 
 established themselves in a colony for the purpose of promoting their 
 interests and general welfare. How well they succeeded in laying the 
 foundation of a prosperous community, the beautiful and charming town 
 of Mount Morris today is a testimony. 
 
 Were one to ascend the steel structure upon which rests the water 
 supply of our village, and from this point of vantage contemplate the 
 expanse of country spreading out like a panorama for many miles around 
 him, noting the several hundred cozy dwellings of our contented and 
 peace-loving citizens, the substantial mercantile structures, the several 
 institutions of learning, the different church buildings, and, beyond the 
 village precincts, the broad well-tilled acres with their neat farmhouses, 
 the waving grain reflecting the bright rays of the great orb of day, the 
 monotony of which is broken by frequent strips of timber land, the hazy 
 smoke of our sister towns going heavenward far off near the horizon, over 
 all this enchanting scene a spirit of restfulness and contentment resting 
 like a benison from on high, — were one to note all this at the present day, 
 and then, from the same point, view the same area of land as it appeared 
 when the hardy pioneers first trod the virgin soil, what a complete meta- 
 morphosis would greet the eye! All the charming attributes of the fore- 
 going brightly-depicted scene would vanish, and in their places would 
 appear an unbroken expanse of prairie grass, dotted here and there with 
 patches of brilliant wild flowers, but not a shrub or a tree to break the mo- 
 notony of the view. At a distance, where now are pleasant farmhouses, 
 broad areas of well-fenced fields of grain, and miles of graded road, there 
 would appear nothing but alternating expanses of unbroken prairie and 
 trackless forests, neither bearing evidence of ever having been traversed 
 by the foot of man, save, perchance, the slight mark of a trail leading be- 
 tween growths of timber, along which bands of Indians galloped upon 
 
 (9) 
 
10 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 their wiry ponies, and where the deer ruminated, their dainty hoofs dyed 
 blood-red by the juice of wild strawberries, ruthlessly trampled under 
 foot. 
 
 A description of the region around Mount Morris as it appeared in 
 the days of old is most fascinating to the younger generation when they 
 have the privilege of hearing it direct from the lips of the old pioneers. 
 The present site of Mount Morris, as stated before, was an open prairie, 
 with not a tree or a shrub to be found. What is now the college campus 
 was then the crest of a hill of considerable size, the country sloping from 
 it in all directions. The early settlers say that before the view was ob- 
 structed by buildings and trees, the altitude of the hill was very percepti- 
 ble. The prairie grass was very rank. In fact, in some places it grew so 
 luxuriantly that it was almost impassable. Most of the ravines and hol- 
 lows were in a wet, boggy state; and the streams and ponds retained the 
 water from rains much longer than now, because of the absence of tiling 
 in the lowlands. There abounded hundreds of springs, which have long 
 since ceased to flow, owing to the rapid drainage now effected by the work 
 of tiling and the development of the soil. 
 
 The patch of prairie in the midst, or rather on the crest, of which 
 Mount Morris was founded, contained probably less than ten square miles. 
 The margin of timber approached on the north to about the present loca- 
 tion of George Windle's residence; on the east, to John T. Kanode's farm; 
 on the south, to the Barnhizer and Shaw farms; on the southwest, to 
 N. A. Watts'; on the west, to William Lohafer's; and on the northwest, to 
 the present timber known as Hitt's woods. The margin, of course, was 
 irregular, affording many " bays " of the prairie along the skirts of the 
 timber. In these little coves, hidden just within the edge of the woods, 
 the first settlers built their rude log-cabins, invariably near some of the 
 many fine springs, so that pure fresh water could be readily obtained. 
 None of the first settlers ventured out upon the prairie to build, probably 
 because of the extra labor involved in getting logs for building, and in ob- 
 taining fuel and fence-rails. 
 
 The log-cabins built at that time were of the most primitive character. 
 They were generally one-story structures, made of round logs, which were 
 sometimes not even "scutched down." The roof was made of clapboards, 
 which consisted of thin slabs, called " shakes," about three or four feet 
 long, split from logs. In the absence of nails, the tiers of these rude 
 shingles were held down by lodge-poles. If there was more than one : 
 room, it was, in all probability, a shed addition built on one side. If there 
 was an upstairs to the house, it was reached by a rough ladder, made from 
 a conveniently-sized sapling, through which holes were bored at desired 
 intervals, and then the pole was split in half. For rounds, the smaller 
 undergrowth of hickory, oak or ash was next brought into use, cut to the 
 proper length and the ends dressed down, so as to fit the holes in the side- 
 pieces of the ladder. This ladder would be erected in one corner of the 
 room, or put up side of the chimney on the exterior of the house. In 
 the latter case, a hole was cut through the outer wall of logs, which would 
 
EARLY HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT. 11 
 
 furnish admission to the attic. The floor of the dwelling was often of 
 nothing but the bare ground, and the furniture was of the most meager 
 sort. Three-legged stools were used for chairs; and tables were often 
 made from rough slabs split from logs, dressed down with a broad-axe to 
 a proper thickness, then fastened together by a cross-piece underneath, 
 which was held in place by wooden pins. In each corner a hole was bored 
 into which a leg was fitted. Bedsteads were made as follows: A hole. was 
 bored at the proper height in one of the logs of the side of the building, 
 about four feet from the corner. About six feet from the wall, a post was 
 driven into the ground. One end of the side-rail of the bed would be fit- 
 ted in the auger-hole, and the other end fastened to the post. The foot- 
 rail was then provided for in the same way. The slats were next fastened 
 from the side-rail to the side of the house, and the bed was done. In the 
 case of hotels these bedsteads were often made so that by placing one 
 above the other, a single bed- post would support as many as six beds. If 
 the occupants of the house consisted of both sexes, or if, as was often the 
 case, several families occupied the same room, the beds would be sepa- 
 rated by curtains of deer-skins or of some other material, or else the 
 light was put out before retiring. This was done by covering up or throw- 
 ing water upon the embers in the fire-place. If, by accident, the fire was 
 extinguished, it was rekindled by striking flints and catching sparks on 
 tinder, there being no matches in those days. 
 
 As mentioned before, the first settlers built their houses along the 
 margin of the timber. Later arrivals, however, began to realize the value 
 of the prairie land, and started to take up claims there. Probably the 
 prairie sod in this vicinity was first turned during the year 1836, but 
 many years passed before the entire prairie was brought into the present 
 state of cultivation. 
 
 Unlike many sections of Illinois, Mount Morris was entirely free from 
 tragedies with the Indians; in fact, the warlike tribes had been driven 
 westward before this part of the country became settled. This county 
 was originally a part of the hunting-grounds of the Winnebagoes and 
 Pottawattomies,and their trails from one grove to another were easily dis- 
 cernible, while hundreds of their arrow-heads and other weapons have 
 been and are still being found in all parts of the township. In 1832 oc- 
 curred the terrible Black Hawk War, and as a result all of the red men, 
 except a few dozen peaceful families, were driven westward. At that 
 early day no settlers had yet stopped here and consequently the trouble 
 was all over when civilization began to dawn in this vicinity. The only 
 sight which the early settlers ever got of these swarthy aborigines was an 
 occasional band crossing the plains in quest of game or begging. These 
 were the most quiet and peaceful of the Indian tribes of the country, but 
 they, too, finally became dissatisfied with the restrictions of their treaty 
 with the whites, aud followed their more warlike brethren to the wilder- 
 ness west of the Mississippi, leaving their former lands free to the onward 
 march of civilization. 
 
 Settlements were made at a number of points in the county before 
 
12 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 any claims were taken up in. Mount Morris township. Rett's History of 
 Ogle County says: "Isaac Chambers passed through the county limits 
 early in the summer of 1827, en route for Galena, and was so favorably im- 
 pressed with the beauty of the country and the richness of the soil, that 
 he determined to make it his future home, which determination he carried 
 out in 1829. John Ankney came up from the southern part of the state, 
 in the spring of 1829, and located a claim at Buffalo Grove (west of Polo), 
 near where the old Galena road crossed Buffalo creek. After making his 
 claim, he returned for his family; and, while he was absent on that mis- 
 sion, Isaac Chambers returned from Galena with his family, and stopped 
 at White Oak Grove, a small growth or patch of timber about a half-mile 
 west of the present village of Forreston. But, not altogether suited, he 
 remained there only a short time. He reasoned that the timbered parts 
 of the country would become more valuable than the prairie land, because 
 of the superabundance of the latter and the comparative scarcity of the 
 former. After prospecting around for a while and examining different lo- 
 calities, he finally settled at Buffalo Grove, about ten miles south of his 
 first stopping place at White Oak Grove. He removed his family there 
 and commenced to make arrangements to build a home. . . . As it hap- 
 pened, Mr. Chambers had taken the claim previously selected by Mr. 
 Ankney; and, while he was perfecting his plans and arrangements for 
 opening a road and erecting his house, Mr. Ankney came back with his 
 family, and was somewhat surprised to find that his claim had been 
 'jumped,' or taken, by Mr. Chambers, while the latter was no less sur- 
 prised at the appearance of the former." Mr. Ankney was compelled to 
 make a new claim farther down the creek. The History continues: "After 
 their houses were built, Chambers and Ankney proceeded to establish the 
 dividing line between their claims. Other boundary lines were unneces- 
 sary, for there were no other claimants in all the country; and, if they so 
 willed it, one of them could claim Rock river for his eastern line, and the 
 other one, the Mississippi for his western line. They were, for the time, 
 'monarchs of all they surveyed.' One clear star-light night, when the 
 moon did not shine, and when there were no clouds floating across the 
 sky, they went together to the south side of the grove; and, from a red-oak 
 stump, they started toward the North Star, hacking the trees which stood 
 in their way, the marked trees being the line between them." 
 
 From the most reliable information it appears that John Phelps was 
 the original pioneer in this township, having visited the county and taken 
 up a claim about two and one-half miles east of Mount Morris as early as 
 1835. It would be interesting to know who was the first white man to set 
 foot within the present corporate limits of the village or even the town- 
 ship, but information upon this subject cannot be ascertained with any 
 degree of accuracy. Possibly Chambers or Ankney may have made a trip 
 over from Buffalo Grove, or some trapper or hunter may have wandered 
 over this part of the prairie. Possibly Phelps may have been the first, as 
 late as 1834, when he came into the county; but certain it is that Phelps 
 was the first permanent settler in the township. In the summer of 1836 
 
EARLY HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT. 13 
 
 Samuel M. Hitt and Nathaniel Swingley came to the township and found 
 him living in a cabin two and one-half miles east of the present site of 
 Mount Morris; Larkin Baker had a cabin and a claim about four miles 
 southeast, subsequently owned by Daniel Price; David Worden lived one 
 and one-half miles southwest; and probably one or two others had settled 
 along the edge of the timber. Hitt and Swingley, however, went out upon 
 the prairie, then left free from the encroachment of civilization, and 
 made several claims, including the present site of Mount Morris. They 
 remained here during the summer, but at autumn returned to Maryland 
 and hired a number of men to settle with them in the new country, prom- 
 ising to pay them one dollar per day for service in building houses, split- 
 ting rails and building fence, breaking the prairie and harvesting the 
 crops. Among those thus engaged were Michael Bovey, Adam, Daniel and 
 John Stover, Balka Niehoff, Samuel Grove, Eli Householder, William 
 McDannel, Abram and Jonathan Myers, and Fred Finkbohnar. This 
 party started for their new homes in the west in the spring of 1837. 
 Householder, McDannel, and Daniel Stover were accompanied by their 
 wives. Mrs. Elizabeth Ankney, with her little son Albertus and her daugh- 
 ter Mrs. William Watts, was also a member of the party. They traveled 
 by wagons to Wheeling, West Virginia, by boat on the Ohio, Mississippi, 
 and Illinois rivers to Peru, and the remaining distance by wagon. Early 
 in the spring they arrived at a vacant cabin in Fridley's grove, east of the 
 present site of Mount Morris. This cabin had been built and occupied by 
 Judge Ford, afterward governor of the state. Here the first Maryland 
 colony, as these settlers were afterward termed, remained for two 
 weeks, while the men-folks proceeded to erect their cabins. The first one 
 built by them, which was also the first in the township, was a double log- 
 cabin, on the claim of Mrs. Ankney, about three-quarters of a mile south- 
 west of the present village of Mount Morris. Half of this house was 
 moved, at a later day, down into the grove near a spring, and was finally 
 torn down. The other half stood in the field a few rods east of the pres- 
 ent residence of N. A. Watts, and was used as an implement house until a 
 a year or so ago, when it, too, shared the fate of its partner and was torn 
 down for fuel. Unfortunately, no photograph was ever taken of this his- 
 toric old building, but probably the majority of our citizens can yet re- 
 member its appearance as it stood isolated, a rude monument to the toils 
 and hardships of our pioneer fathers. In the two small rooms of this 
 cabin lived four families, — those of Mrs. Ankney and Eli Householder in 
 one part, and Messrs. Stover and McDannel in the other. 
 
 While this cabin was being completed, the entire party remained in 
 the Ford cabin. A bake-oven, constructed by Mrs. Ankney, was used in 
 preparing their food, and at night they slept on " wagoner beds," which 
 consisted of plain mattresses, rolled up during the day and spread out on 
 the garret floor at night. Several other cabins were soon completed, how- 
 ever, and the members of the colony became more comfortably located. 
 Mr. Swingley kept the men whom he had brought along busily engaged in 
 cutting down trees in the timber, splitting rails and building fences, and 
 
14 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 cultivating several small fields of grain, for which prairie sod had been 
 broken in the spring. Mr. Bovey worked with these men during the entire 
 summer and following winter, and tells many interesting tales of their ex- 
 periences. With three companions he went up near Forreston, one week 
 in harvest, and worked six days cradling a field of oats. During the first 
 night their horses trampled their provisious and left them with nothing to 
 eat. Luckily a man, who was bound eastward toward Swingley's cabin, 
 came along, and through him they got word to their employer. After a 
 day with nothing to eat but several small potatoes, they were relieved with 
 a new supply of provisions. Mr. Bovey also relates an incident of that 
 
 winter, when with several of 
 the men of the colony he got 
 lost on the prairie during a bit- 
 ter cold night; and the party 
 drove over the snow-covered 
 ground for many hours in a 
 fruitless search for their cabin. 
 Daylight finally righted them 
 and they then reached home in 
 safety. 
 
 Of these settlers most of 
 them remained in the county. 
 Mr. Bovey took up a claim 
 northwest of town and lived 
 there until old age compelled 
 him to retire, when he took up 
 his abode with his daughter, 
 Mrs. Josiah Avey. He is one of 
 perhaps less than a dozen of the 
 very early settlers of the town- 
 ship who survive. Eli House- 
 holder lived here two years and 
 then moved six miles south, 
 where he died in 1896. Mr. 
 Stover also died in this vicinity. 
 Mr. McDannel, after living 
 mauy years on his farm in Pine 
 Creek, moved to Iowa, where he died. Fred. Fiukbohnar moved north to 
 Adeline, where his relatives still live. 'Squire Samuel M. Hitt built a log- 
 cabin on one of his claims, about three miles west of town, later known as 
 the Zumdahl property. There with his family, including Margaret, 
 Andrew, Robert, George, John W., and Joseph, he lived until his death in 
 1859. In 1858 he began the erection of the fine stone residence, now owned 
 and occupied by Christian Zumdahl, and, although it was not quite com- 
 pleted, he was living in it at the time of his death. The new house stands 
 very near the foundation of the old log-cabin. Captain Nathaniel 
 Swingley took up the claim of the farm, subsequently owned by Jacob 
 
 MICHAEL BOVEY. 
 
EARLY HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT. 
 
 15 
 
 Keedy and later by his son, Ed- 
 ward Keedy, and still later by 
 William Koontz. Mr. Swingley 
 lived there only until 1850, when 
 he became affected by the gold- 
 fever craze and started for the 
 gold-fields in California. After 
 three years in California, he re- 
 turned to Ogle county, and 
 located at Creston, Dement 
 township, where he died. 
 
 In this first emigration were 
 a number of children who ac- 
 companied their parents on the 
 long overland journey, shared 
 with them the inconveniences 
 of settling in an undeveloped 
 country, and grew up to man- 
 hood and womanhood amid the 
 rough surroundings of their 
 homes in the wilderness. These 
 should therefore be classed 
 along with the earliest settlers 
 
 CAPT. PETER HOUSEHOLDER. 
 
 *RTUS ANKNEY. 
 
 of the township. Among those 
 who came here in early child- 
 hood were Anna and Albertus 
 Ankney, children of Mrs. Eliza- 
 beth Ankney (who afterward 
 married James McCoy, Sr.), and 
 Peter Householder. Of these, 
 Anna Ankney married William 
 Watts, Sr., and lived on the old 
 Watts homestead until the time 
 of her death in 1898. Her broth- 
 er Albertus and Peter House- 
 holder are now living, and are 
 respected residents of our vil- 
 lage. These last two were aged 
 respectively four and two years 
 when brought from the east, 
 and they have literally grown 
 up with the country. Both are 
 yet in their sixties, and bid fair 
 to witness many more years of 
 the steady advancement and 
 the healthful growth of Illinois. 
 
16 MOUNT MORKIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 Solon Crowell, father of the present State's Attorney of Ogle county, 
 S. W. Crowell, was a very early settler in the township, having occupied 
 a claim a mile north of town, and this claim is now included in the farms 
 of S. F. Stonebraker and I. W. Marshall. During the year 1837, in which the 
 body of settlers already described as the first Maryland colony came to the 
 township, there also came the Rev. T. S. Hitt, Jacob Rice, Sr., and John 
 Wagner, whose families have been among the most substantial and promi- 
 nent citizens of this community. Rev. Hitt and wife left Ohio in a car- 
 riage in the fall of 1837, to examine the new country of which his brother 
 Samuel had written such favorable accounts. He was a Methodist minis- 
 ter, and expected to continue his work in the new country. On arrival 
 here, in September, he occupied a house which Martin Reynolds, a brother- 
 in-law, was then completing on the site of William Lohaf er's present resi- 
 dence, west of town. Later he invested in a tract of land two and one-half 
 miles south of town. This tract embraced one thousand acres, one hun- 
 dred of which was broken. The price paid Mr. Painter for the same was 
 twenty-five hundred dollars. Rev. Hitt, however, soon moved to a claim 
 which his brother Sarnuel had reserved for him. This claim consisted of 
 what is now the Railroad Addition to the village and the farm immedi- 
 ately northeast, now owned by R. R. Hitt and cutlivated by Gera Watts. 
 Here Rev. Hitt lived until his death, September 23, 1872. He had eight 
 children, as follows: Hon. R. R. Hitt, Mrs. Margaret Newcomer and Mrs. 
 Charles Newcomer, of this place; John, who has been Deputy Collector of 
 Customs in Chicago over thirty years; Emery, Morris and Henry P. Hitt, 
 and Mrs. Elizabeth Wagner, all living in the vicinity of Tyndall, South 
 Dakota. Of this family the most widely known is the first mentioned, — 
 Congressman Robert R. Hitt. Mr. Hitt was but three years of age when 
 his father emigrated from the east in 1837, and has a full knowledge of the 
 early pioneer days of Ogle county. For sixty-three years he has been a 
 resident of Mount Morris, during which time he has steadily mounted the 
 arduous ladder leading to the temple of fame until his name and the pres- 
 tige of his statesmanship have become known not only in this country but 
 also in foreign lands. Mount Morris is proud of the fact that he grew to 
 manhood in this community, and that he continues to make the village his 
 place of residence. As one of the early settlers of the township his por- 
 trait is inserted in this chapter, along with the other pioneers who survive. 
 However, a more complete history of his eventful life will be found in the 
 biographical directory in the rear of this book. 
 
 Jacob Rice, Sr., and family left Washington county, Maryland, in 
 September, 1836, intending to locate in Illinois. They wintered in Ohio 
 with Mr. Rice's brother-in-law, John Wagner, Sr., and in the spring both 
 men came on horseback to Ogle county, to take up claims, which they did 
 within three miles of Mount Morris. Their families, each consisting of 
 twelve children, followed them in July. Mr. Rice's claim was the old Rice 
 farm north of town, now owned by his grandson, J. L. Rice, and occupied 
 by William Funk. Here the large family was raised and scattered to dif- 
 ferent parts of the country. Those of the family best known in Ogle 
 
HON. ROBERT R. HITT. 
 
EARLY HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT. 
 
 19 
 
 county were Hon. Isaac Rice, father of banker J. L. Rice; John Rice, father 
 of banker John H. Rice; and Jacob Rice, Jr., father of Fred, and William. 
 Rice, living north of Mount Morris, all three of whom are now dead. 
 Mrs. Daniel Etnyre, of Oregon, and Mrs. Susan Thomas, of Leaf River, 
 are two of the daughters yet living. 
 
 John Wagner's claim comprised the farm now owned by George Carr, 
 northeast of town. Here his rather remarkable and time-honored family 
 was raised, every one of his six sons and six daughters living to a ripe old 
 age and scattering to all points of the compass. The circle was not broken 
 until the death of Joseph, in 1891, at which time the eldest was aged 75 
 years and the youngest 49 years. Eight are yet living; viz., Mrs. J. A. 
 Knodle, of Mount Morris; Mrs. Barbara McNeill, Mrs. Catherine Griffin, 
 Capt. David C, Reuben and Nehemiah, of Chicago; Mrs. Henry Wertz, of 
 Falls City, Nebr., and Mrs. Sarah Good, of Sedgwick, Kans. Capt. Benj. 
 Wagner died in 1898; John, in 1897; and Mrs. John Timmerman, in 1898. 
 This family, so well preserved for so many years, held many enjoyable re- 
 unions, a number of them in Mount Morris. The last, the twelfth since 
 the Civil War, was held in June, 1896, at the residence of one of the sisters, 
 Mrs. J. A. Knodle, in Mount Morris, at which the eleven living members of 
 the family were present. At that time it was estimated that thirty-eight 
 of their children, seventy-two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren 
 were living. A picture was taken at this reunion of Aunt Kittie Rice, 
 Grandmother Mumma, Uncle 
 George Fouke and Uncle John 
 Timmerman, all of them being 
 over ninety years of age. An- 
 other, taken of the entire assem- 
 blage, is shown on page 21. 
 Many persons appear in it who 
 have since died. 
 
 Another arrival from the 
 east in 1837 was Caleb Marshall 
 who was accompanied by his 
 family. His son, Reuben S., 
 now living on the old home- 
 stead, three miles north of town, 
 was but ten years of age at that 
 time, and he has a vivid remem- 
 brance of the early pioneer days. 
 Mrs. John Gale, of Oregon; Mrs. 
 Elmira Spenser, of Nora Spring, 
 Iowa; and Isaac S. Marshall, of 
 Decatur county, Iowa, are the 
 other living children. 
 
 In September, 1837, for one 
 thousand dollars, John Fridley 
 purchased the old Ford cabin reuben s. Marshall. 
 
20 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 and claim, where he continued to live until the time of his death. The 
 land then became the property of his sons, Andrew, David, John, Jacob 
 and Benjamin. Of these, Andrew, John and Benjamin are yet living in the 
 township, and David and Jacob have died. 
 
 These settlers who arrived in 1837 were well pleased with the new 
 country, and consequently in the following spring, 1838, at the solicitation 
 of 'Squire Samuel Hitt and Capt. Nathaniel Swingley, who had induced 
 many of the settlers of the year previous to emigrate, a large number of 
 families, known as the Maryland colony proper, left their eastern homes 
 and came to Mount Morris township. Many of them took up claims here, 
 while others went to Carroll county and other places. Among these fam- 
 ilies were the Hers, the Etnyres and the Sprechers. In May, A. Quimby 
 Allen, father of R. Q. and E. J. Allen; Philip Sprecher, father of John and 
 George Sprecher; and John S. Miller arrived in a carriage from Maryland. 
 Mr. Allen remained and taught the first school in the township. Mr. 
 Sprecher returned to Maryland and brought his family back with him the 
 following spring, settling upon a claim part of which is the farm now 
 owned by Henry Moats, northeast of town. Others who came during 1838 
 and 1839 were John Smith, John Coffman and family, Henry Artz, Michael 
 Brantner, Henry Sharer, Henry Hiestand and family, John Wallace, Sr., 
 and others. Mr. Coffman, who was the father of Frank Coffman, of this 
 place, settled about two miles southwest of the village, where he died sev- 
 eral years ago. Mr. Artz lived 
 for many years three and one- 
 half miles southeast of the vil- 
 lage, and has also died. Michael 
 Branter lives near Maryland 
 and is now well advanced in 
 age. Henry Sharer is still an 
 honoredf and respected citizen 
 of Mount Morris, and passed 
 his eighty-th ird milestone 
 March 29, 1900. His portrait 
 appears on page 25. John 
 Wallace, who married a sister 
 of Rev. Thomas and Samuel 
 Hitt, owned the farm now the 
 property of Mrs. Margaret New- 
 comer and cultivated by Wil- 
 liam Castle.. He died at this 
 place over forty years ago. 
 
 Among others who came 
 during the early forties might 
 be mentioned Jacob Turney, 
 Michael Swingley, David Mum- 
 ma,William Printz, Jonas Shafs- 
 tall, Moses Crowell, Jacob Buck, 
 
 BENJAMIN SWINGLEY. 
 
EARLY HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT. l2o 
 
 Daniel Wolfe, Joseph Rowe, Jacob Derrick, Samuel S. Fouts, Benjamin 
 Myers, Silas Snyder, Adam Patterson, Otho Wallace, Solomon Nalley, 
 Henry A. Neff, Bartholomew and Benjamin McNutt, Jacob Hiestand, Wil- 
 liam Watts, Daniel and F. B. Brayton, Peter, Emanuel, Jonathan, Jacob 
 and Joseph Knodle, many of them with their families. Still later came 
 Benjamin Swingley, whose portrait is shown on page 20; Frank Hamilton, 
 Samuel Newcomer and his son Charles, George Avey, father of Josiah 
 Avey; Emanuel, Henry and Andrew Newcomer; Joseph and Frisby Watts, 
 and scores of others. About this time they began to come so rapidly that 
 it would be useless to attempt to keep track of them. In fact, the Mary- 
 land people have never ceased coming, and today the great majority of the 
 residents of Mount Morris township are either natives of Maryland or 
 children of immigrants from that state. It is a noticeable fact, and one 
 often commented upon, that the obituaries of those dying in this com- 
 munity, as published in the Mount Morris papers almost invariably con- 
 tain the clause, " was born in Washington county, Maryland." 
 
 Much more than what has already been said concerning the appear- 
 ance and condition of the country in the thirties and early forties and 
 of pioneer life of those days, could yet be written. As has already been 
 stated, the Indians had practically left this part of the country when the 
 first settlers arrived, and no trouble was experienced with them. But the 
 township did not entirely escape from the ravages of the early bands of 
 prairie robbers who harassed the settlers principally by stealing their 
 horses and smuggling them during the night-time along certain lines of 
 dishonest settlers, something in the manner of the "underground rail- 
 way " by which slaves were aided in their flight to Canada before the war. 
 These prairie pirates were well organized all over the country, being a 
 combination of horse thieves, counterfeiters and murderers. At a very 
 early day they held almost undisputed and unobstructed dominion 
 throughout this whole section of the country, and very few of the honest 
 settlers were fortunate enough to keep all their property from being swept 
 into the meshes of the net-work these land pirates had spread around 
 them. The principal leaders of this gang of cut-throats were John Dris- 
 coll, John Brodie and Samuel Aikens and their eight sons, William Bridge 
 and Norton Royce. Although none of them were residents of the town- 
 ship, their operations were often carried on in this vicinity. Their nefari- 
 ous transactions became so intolerable at last that an organization of 
 settlers, known as Vigilantes, was formed, the members of which proceed- 
 ed to clear the country of these villains in a summary manner. A man by 
 the name of John Campbell, of White Rock, captain of the Vigilantes, was 
 shot by the Driscolls in 1841, and immediately the entire country was 
 scoured until the murderers were caught. A brief trial was given them, 
 the entire one hundred and eleven Vigilantes serving as a jury, and 
 being found guilty, they were shot without further parley, each being 
 pierced by over fifty rifle balls. By this vigorous action the settlers pro- 
 tected their interests very effectually until the time when the regular 
 courts of justice dealt with this class of criminals. A number of settlers 
 
24 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 from this vicinity had a hand in the execution of the Driscolls. The 
 prairie fires is one of the interesting topics that might be discussed. 
 At least once every year, and often several times in one season, some 
 careless settler would allow fire to get started in the long grass on 
 his claim; and, ere he could mend the mischief, the flames, fed by the thick 
 growth of vegetation, would soon be speeding across the prairie with the 
 speed of the wind, often faster than a horse could gallop, — a leaping, de- 
 vouring wall of flame and smoke. The settlers kept these fires from de- 
 vastating their fields and homes by plowing up the soil in wide tracts, over 
 which the flames could not leap. Occasionally, persons were caught out 
 upon the broad prairies by these fires, and were compelled to adopt sum- 
 mary means for protection, if flight were found impracticable. This was 
 accomplished by starting a new fire at the place where they stood. This 
 new fire, caught by the wind, would soon start ahead and burn a track 
 upon which they could advance and be free from the fire advancing in the 
 rear. When the country became fairly well settled, and one of these fires 
 would get started, the men over the whole neighborhood would turn out 
 to fight the devouring element. Many of our citizens can yet remember 
 instances of this kind. 
 
 The first settlers found an abundance of game in this region. The 
 most plentiful was the deer, thousands of which were native in the coun- 
 try. Mr. Michael Bovey avows having counted as many as sixty in a herd, 
 and Henry Sharer, who was something of a hunter, claims to have seen 
 herds containing over a hundred. While in the east Mr. Sharer was a 
 great lover of fox-hunting with hounds, and he brought five good hounds 
 with him when he came west in 1839. He soon found, however, that the 
 still deer hunters here were very much opposed to hounds, because they 
 tended to frighten the deer from the neighborhood. Accordingly, it was 
 not long until all of his hounds had been shot. At that time one could 
 not go through the timber very far without stirring up several droves of 
 the timid deer, which, however, spent most of their day-time upon the 
 prairie, if not too much molested, and retreated to the timber at night. 
 They were very timid, and considerable experience was necessary to en- 
 able the hunters to get sufficiently close to kill them. Then, too, the 
 hunters were not as well supplied with guns and ammunition as they might 
 have been, since these articles had to be brought from Chicago by team. 
 However, some of them were able to slaughter many of the deer, and a 
 liberal supply of venison was kept on hand. The Rock River Register, a 
 paper published in Mount Morris in 1842, of which a full account appears 
 elsewhere, contains the following item of news, headed "Gunning Un- 
 paralleled," which shows to what extent deer were slaughtered then. 
 It is interesting now, when a live deer would be a curiosity in this region. 
 
 The extent to which David Mumma, of this neighborhood, shoots down our deer 
 strikes us as being- pretty alarmingly exhausting. While his extraordinary Nimrod- 
 ian exploits render David our boast, yet we must fear that he is playing havoc with 
 our game. 
 
 He has shot seventy deer this season. He has sold deer skins to the amount of $30, 
 besides which he has taken and sold otters" skins and other peltry. He is now taking a 
 
HENRY SHARER. 
 
EARLY HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT. 2 i 
 
 load of venison (hindquarters) to Chicago. Here mark his pro-PENCE-City. Besides all 
 this, he has feasted on the forequarters, and treated his neighbors bountifully to the 
 same luxury. 
 
 In one of his hunts, he sent a bullet through the vitals of three deer at once, laying 
 them all low. Who has ever equaled this shot? We ask who? 
 
 The deer in Ogle county have long since been exterminated. Prob- 
 ably the last killed in this vicinity were shot in 1862 by Reuben S. Mar- 
 shall, several miles north of town. For a number of years previous very 
 few of the animals were ever sighted, but these had evidently escaped the 
 Nimrods of the country and wandered from some unfrequented timber, 
 only to fall victims to Mr. Marshall's good marksmanship. These last deer 
 were a buck, a doe and a fawn, all of which Mr. Marshall succeeded in kill- 
 ing. 
 
 Small game was also very plentiful in this vicinity. Prairie chickens 
 without end nested on the prairie, and the hunters could bag them by the 
 hundred. Wild ducks also were numerous in certain seasons and they af- 
 forded many a delicious repast for our hard-working fathers. There were 
 some rabbits in the county, but not nearly as many as at the present time, 
 — a rather peculiar fact. In the timber, squirrels of several varieties were 
 plentiful, and pheasants were frequently met with. 
 
 In addition to the game animals there were two varieties of the wolf, 
 — the grey and the red, the latter being much the smaller and more nu- 
 merous. These animals were too small and timid to do the settlers bodily 
 injury, but each possessed a very noticeable "bark," one being capable of 
 making as much noise as a half-dozen dogs, as an old settler expressed it. 
 Dozens of them in the winter time made the nights hideous with their 
 barking and yelping, especially if there was a dog about to worry them. 
 When the snow lay upon the ground for long periods, these animals would 
 become desperate for something to eat, and at such times were quite bold 
 in attacking some of the smaller domestic animals. 
 
 The long thick prairie grass harbored an endless number of different 
 varieties of the snake, some of them being of a dangerous character. 
 Rattlesnakes were probably the most numerous of the poisonous kind, 
 and quite frequently some unwary youngster, and sometimes older people, 
 would be bitten by them. Being on the alert for such emergencies, the 
 settlers were able to administer speedy remedies, and fatal results were 
 easily averted. Copper-heads, blue-racers and bull-snakes were also plen- 
 tiful. Persons traveling on the prairie, whether for short or long dis- 
 tances, always carried a stout club, if not a gun, and no one ever lost the 
 opportunity of dispatching all of these reptiles they chanced to meet. 
 By this vigilance the cultivated portions of the prairie were in a few years 
 practically freed from these dangerous pests. 
 
 Old settlers are frequently heard to remark upon the great abundance 
 of wild strawberries which grew in the bottoms and along the timber. 
 The berries grew in large luscious clusters, with long stems to hold the 
 ripening fruit near the top of the high growth of vegetation. Those who 
 gathered them in their childhood days affirm that they were sweeter and 
 
28 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 better than the present cultivated species. Besides strawberries, the set- 
 tlers had access to many wild plnm thickets, the fruit from which was ex- 
 cellent and easily gathered. In the groves, hickory nuts and walnuts were 
 so amazingly abundant that the amount gathered was but a tithe of those 
 allowed to go to waste. Then, instead of rushing to the timber when the 
 nuts were so green that a blow from a stout club would be necessary to 
 disengage each individual nut from its twig, as the custom now is, the peo- 
 ple waited until the frost burst open the hulls and the nuts could be gath- 
 ered by the sackful under the trees. 
 
 At an early day fish were very abundant in Pine creek and Rock river. 
 In the former stream, before the dam was built and when the water stood 
 considerably higher than in late years, many fine fish came up from the 
 river and were easily captured. Pishing was generally done with seines, 
 there being no laws in those days to restrict it, as there are now. 
 
 The first fences built were of two varieties. When the owner of a 
 claim had access to timber, he would probably split rails and construct 
 the ordinary "worm," or "stake and rider," fence, which was common un- 
 til late years, it being replaced principally by light but substantial patent 
 wire fences, to keep up with the march of progress. The first fence built 
 on the prairie, however, was constructed of sod. A ditch about three feet 
 wide and four feet deep was dug, and the dirt thrown up to a height of 
 four feet on one side, the sod taken from the ditch being planted on the 
 ridge to keep it in shape. 
 
 Old settlers tell us that the winters of the thirties, forties and fifties 
 were much more regular than in late years. Snow lay upon the ground all 
 winter, and the weather continued cold until spring gradually took posses- 
 sion of the earth. Winter and spring and fall and winter weather appar- 
 ently did not change to such sudden extremes, but converged more regu- 
 larly. No cyclones were ever heard of. 
 
 The stories of the founding of Mount Morris and of Rock River 
 Seminary are one and the same, and in a chapter devoted to the latter the 
 
 subject is treated at some length. It will suffice to say here 
 ° that the Illinois Conference of the Methodist Episcopal 
 
 church, which was deeply interested in the cause of educa- 
 tion, had, at the earnest solicitation of many of the then limited members 
 of the church in the state, concluded to establish a seminary in Illinois, 
 and appointed a committee to select a location. The members of the 
 Maryland colony determined to land the enterprise, if possible, and final- 
 ly, having pledged an extraordinarily large sum, both in cash and in lands, 
 they succeeded. The committee, May 4, 1839, proceeded to select a site for 
 the future seminary, which was destined to exercise such an important in- 
 fluence in northern Illinois, and they " drove the stake " for the building 
 on the summit into which the grandly-rolling prairie crested. From this 
 point the committee had a commanding view of a large extent of country 
 of almost marvelous beauty, dotted on every side with near-approaching 
 
EARLY HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT. 29 
 
 groves. Not a building was standing within the present corporate limits 
 of Mount Morris when this selection was made, showing that the location 
 of the seminary constituted the real founding of the village. The con- 
 tract for the building was let at eighteen thousand dollars to James B. 
 McCoy, father of J. E., A. S., and James McCoy. Work was begun at once. 
 
 The first house built within the corporate limits of the village was a 
 small frame building erected by Mr. McCoy to board his carpenters. It 
 was located within the present campus limits, across from the old Hilger 
 house on the south side. In 1841 it was moved south to the present site of 
 A. S. McCoy's residence. Later it was moved still farther south to the lot 
 now owned by Robert Wright, where it was occupied for many years as a 
 residence by William Fouke. At present it is situated in the rear of Mr. 
 Wright's new house, and is being used as a barn. An engraving of it ap- 
 pears as the frontispiece of this volume. The house is not very inviting 
 in appearance, but it is interesting because of its being the first house in 
 Mount Morris. 
 
 The second building erected was, of course the seminary structure, 
 the corner-stone of which was laid July 4, 1839. This structure stood 
 through many years of usefulness, but was finally torn down in 1893, to 
 give place to a ladies' new dormitory, which was erected a few rods west of 
 the old foundation. The next building erected was a barn, raised by Rev. 
 John Sharp in 1840. But living room being in great demand at that time, 
 it was divided into two apartments and occupied by Rev. Philo Judson 
 and Frederick Petrie together with their families, one family in each 
 room. It was afterward finished up and moved to about the present site 
 of William Miller's furniture store on Front street, and was transformed 
 into the residence of M. T. Rohrer. Later it was torn down to give place 
 for the erection of G. W. Deppen's opera house, now William Miller's fur- 
 niture store. The next house built, the first expressly for a residence, was 
 a brick structure occupying the present site of William Newcomer's resi- 
 dence. It was used for a time as a hotel and was finally torn down in 1872 
 by Andrew Newcomer, and the present frame building was erected in its 
 place. Houses were built so rapidly after this that it is impossible to 
 name them in the order of their erection. During the first several years 
 the seminary was the only enterprise in the village, the inhabitants being 
 principally those connected with that institution. During the latter part 
 of 1841 the village acquired a newspaper, the Rock River Register, the pub- 
 lication of which was a rather hazardous experiment at that early day, as 
 any one can readily conceive when the extreme sparseness of the popula- 
 tion is taken into consideration. Of this publication more is said in a 
 subsequent chapter. The state of the village upon the first day of Janu- 
 ary, 1842, when the first number of the Register was issued, is given in the 
 following item, which appeared in that issue: 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS. 
 
 We hail from the top of Mount Morris: and it is our purpose, while we reign edi- 
 torially, to hail very effechially.— each of our conglomerations being of the " weight 
 of a talent." 
 
30 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 Most seriously, we hail from the new and hale little village of Mount Morris, in 
 Ogle county, state of Illinois {en passant, we shall not be very ill in noise; we hope to 
 do a share of noise,— but to Ogle shall be far from us !). 
 
 Well, Mount Morris was well founded in the spring of 1841, and it is now already 
 found, when not yet ten months old, to hold 282 souls, inclusive of the teachers and 
 students at Rock River Seminary, which dignifies the center of the village. This day, 
 Jan. 1, 1842, the citizens number 137, and the town consists of twenty-one houses. 
 
 Mount Morris is five miles west of Oregon city, in the same county, and eighty 
 miles west of Chicago. It is handsomely situated on a considerably elevated portion 
 of one of the most beautiful and extraordinarily fertile prairies which distinguish 
 Illinois, — especially the Rock river region, — for abundance and excellence of agricul- 
 tural productions. 
 
 Mount Morris is named in honor of Bishop Morris, of the M. E. church. 
 
 The everyday life of the citizens at that time contained much that 
 would be novel indeed to the present resident of Mount Morris. Peter 
 Knodle, who died at his home in Mount Morris in 1892, came to the town- 
 ship in the fall of 1841, and for a time after his arrival he kept a diary, 
 which is still preserved by his wife, Mrs. Mary Knodle. The entries give 
 some idea of the local conditions at that time. The record is considered 
 to be of sufficient interest to reproduce here. Beyond a few necessary 
 changes in orthography and grammar, the diary is given exactly as writ- 
 ten by Mr. Knodle: 
 
 PETER KNODLES DIARY, 
 Commenced on 
 
 Wednesday, September 29. 1841. 
 
 Landed. — We were traveling for six weeks and finally landed at Mr. James Coff- 
 man's, on Wednesday at 10 o"clock A. M.. September 29, 1841. 
 
 Building. — We commenced building a frame house in Mount Morris, to live in, in 
 order to be handy to the printing-office. Commenced on Monday. October 4. 
 
 East. — Mr. James Coffman is taking his seat in the stage this day for Washing- 
 ton county, Maryland. Wednesday. October 6. 
 
 Raising. — We raised our house on Monday, October 10. with five hands: viz.. father. 
 Walter McNutt, Edmond Coffman, Jonathan Knodle and myself. 
 
 Hauling. — We brought from Pecatonica two loads of siding for our house on 
 Tuesday, October 19. 
 
 Flooring Worked. — Walter McNutt and myself commenced working flooring 
 plank on Wednesday, October 20. 
 
 Rain. — We had a good shower of rain this day, or rather, to be more explicit, this 
 morning. Tuesday, October 19. 
 
 Eire. — There was a fire broke out west of Mr. James Coffmairs, and drew towards 
 the timber. We had hard fighting, as the wind was blowing hard against us. It was 
 on Thursday, October 21. 
 
 Husking. — Mr. John Coffman husked his corn on Wednesday, October 27. Com- 
 menced about one o'clock P. M. and finished about dusk, and then returned to the house 
 for supper. 
 
 Trip to Chicago. — Father started to Chicago for some articles, such as a cooking 
 stove, window-sash, putty, glass, etc. Friday. October 29. 
 
 Covering. — Commenced covering our house on Friday, October 29. The coverers 
 were Walter McNutt and myself. 
 
 Rain. — Saturday, October 30, we had considerable rain. It commenced raining 
 early in the morning and continued until evening, when it commenced blowing and 
 blew very rapid nearly all night. 
 
EARLY HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT. 31 
 
 Window-Frames.— We made our window -frames on Monday, November 1. Walter 
 McNutt and myself commenced in the morning' and finished five frames till night. It 
 was very stormy and rainy this day. It was thought that it was the heaviest wind that 
 was experienced in this part of the country for more than eighteen months. 
 
 Snow. — November 3. We had snow this day. to the depth of one-half an inch, and 
 very hard winds with it, hard indeed and cool accordingly. 
 
 Arrived. — From St. Louis, Emanuel Knodle, November 18. He brought our press as 
 far as Peru. He purchased type and other printing materials. 
 
 Snow. — On Thursday morning, November 28, before daylight, it commenced snow- 
 ing and storming, and continued most of the day. The depth of the snow was four 
 inches. 
 
 Mercury.— November 21. at half-past five o'clock P. M., the mercury stood at fifty- 
 three degress. November 22, early in the morning, it was thirty-eight degrees. At five 
 o'clock P. M., same day, it was thirty-five degrees. Tuesday, November 23, it was freez- 
 ing most of the day. 
 
 Snow. — Monday night. November 29. it snowed about an inch. 
 
 Butchering.— John C. Coff man butchers Tuesday, November 30. 
 
 Wole Hunt. — Samuel M. Hitt, Esq., Dr. J. J. Beatty and others turned out on a 
 wolf hunt December 1. 
 
 Butchering. — At James Coffman's, Thursday, December 2. 
 
 Received. — Our press on Saturday, November 29. 
 
 Goods Received.— On Monday, December 6, Mr. Mc delivered our goods in 
 
 Mount Morris; also Mr. Beeller's two boxes. 
 
 Removed. — Our press on Wednesday, December 18, to Mr. McFarland's, in a room 
 that he rented to us. 
 
 Moving. — On Thursday, December 9, we moved in our new house at Mount Morris. 
 
 Rain. — A drizzling rain fell all day today and part of the night. December 14. 
 
 Snow. — December 15 we had snow to the depth of about one-quarter of an inch. 
 
 Arrived.— On November 27 James Coffman and Nathaniel Swingley started from 
 Washington county. Maryland, for Ogle county, Illinois, and arrived at Mount Morris 
 December 16. They brought along a letter for me from my cousin Samuel Knodle. 
 
 Distributing. — Commenced distributing type December 16, and also made a table 
 for the forms, a galley, and other sundry articles for the office. 
 
 Trip to Chicago.— On Friday. December 17, father and Jacob Knodle started to 
 Chicago to procure a stove for the printing-office, printing paper and many other 
 articles. 
 
 Composition Roller.— I made a composition roller on Saturday evening, Decem- 
 ber 18. I got through with it about nine o'clock. I had a little difficulty in moulding 
 it the first trial, it being too stiff, and we had to boil it a little more until it got a little 
 thinner. 
 
 Accident. — On Monday, December 20, I was leveling the composing-stone in the 
 press, and by pressing on it, it cracked clean across the width of the stone. 
 
 Snow and Rain. — On Tuesday, December 21, it commenced snowing and raining, 
 and continued until the next day. 
 
 Setting Type.— Commenced setting type on Monday, December 13. 
 
 Lyceum. — I was present when the merits of the Subtreasury system were debated 
 on Friday evening. December 24. The decision was in favor of the Subtreasury system. 
 
 Arrived.— Father arrived from Chicago on Sunday, Dec. 26, with printing paper 
 and stove for the office. 
 
 Accident.— On Tuesday, January 4, 1842, as I was going to the printing-office. I 
 slipped and fell, cutting my wrist. 
 
 Mercury. — January 4. Seven o'clock A. M., two degrees below zero. Noon, eight 
 degrees above zero. Four o'clock P. M., four degrees above zero. 
 
 Commenced Work.— On January 10, after having been delayed a week on account 
 of having a sore arm. 
 
 Cutting Logs.— Jacob and Jonathan Knodle commenced cutting logs, to build a 
 printing-office and workshop, January 14. 
 
 Received a Pamphlet.— January 16, from Samuel Knodle. The postage was 
 twenty-five cents, there being a few lines written therein. 
 
32 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 Visit.— Mr Philip Sales paid us a visit on Saturday evening, January 15. He re- 
 mained with us all night. 
 
 Snow.— On Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, January 18 and 19, there 
 fell snow to the depth of six inches. 
 
 Accident.— On Monday morning. January 23, Mr. Steward met with a sad accident 
 in cutting down a tree. It fell on him and broke his arm and leg. He lives near Days- 
 ville. Dr. Beatty is now attending him. 
 
 Editor Removed.— On Thursday. February 24. we removed Mr. Emanuel (Knodle) 
 from the printing-office to Jonathan Knodle's, a distance of about one-half a mile. 
 
 A Meeting.— There was a meeting held in Oregon city, on Saturday, February 26, 
 on this territorial question. 
 
 Foggy.— This evening. March 1. it is so foggy that you cannot see one-quarter of a 
 mile ahead, and it is thundering and lightening. 
 
 Died.— At Mount Morris, on Sabbath morning, March 13, Emanuel Knodle, son of 
 Samuel and Jane Knodle, of Washington county, Maryland, in the thirty-second year 
 of his age. 
 
 Started to the East.— Mr. Lemond arrived here on the evening of March 30. He 
 remained all night with us, and on the following morning started for Maryland, with 
 the intention of moving to this country if he could arrange things to suit. 
 
 Examination.— The examination took place on Wednesday, March 5. On that 
 same evening the ladies read their copies, and on Thursday evening the young gentle- 
 men made their speeches, etc. 
 
 Arrived from Maryland.— On Monday evening, April 25, Michael Stonebraker, 
 Daniel Wolfe and brother, and several more, arrived in Mount Morris from Maryland. 
 
 Foundation for the Office. — Finished digging the foundation for the printing- 
 office on April 24. 
 
 Planting Corn.— James Coffman commenced planting corn on Tuesday, May 3. 
 
 Hauling.— We commenced hauling plank, on Thursday, May 5, to fence in our lot 
 and Miss Shepard's. 
 
 Raising. — We raised our office on Monday, May 9. 
 
 Married.— On Thursday, May 19, Michael Stonebraker to Catherine Coffman, eld- 
 est daughter of James Coffman. 
 
 Died.— On Thursday evening, May 19, Michael Detrick. 
 
 Hail Storm.— On Monday evening, June 27, about half -past eight o'clock, there 
 was a hail storm. It blew the doors open, and broke twenty-five panes of glass for us 
 and fifty or sixty for Bear's. I suppose there were five or six hundred panes of glass 
 broken in Mount Morris. 
 
 Animal Magnetism. — There was a lecture delivered Tuesday evening, June 25, in 
 the seminary. There was a boy put to sleep, who, after he was asleep, commenced 
 talking, and would answer anything that was asked him. 
 
 Arrived from Maryland. — On Thursday morning, about eleven o'clock. June 30. 
 Messrs. Hiestand, Neff and family, Bartholomew McNutt and family and also his 
 mother, and Benjamin McNutt. 
 
 Plastering. — We had the office plastered on Saturday. July 2, by Jacob Petrie. 
 
 Hail Storm. — On Monday, July 4, there was a hail storm almost severe enough to 
 break the panes of glass in the windows. It did break some of our neighbors' glass. 
 
 Removed. — We removed the office on Wednesday, July 6, in the part of our house 
 that we had built on purpose for it. 
 
 Ventriloquist. — There was a ventriloquist in our burg on Thursday and Friday 
 evenings, July 7 and 8. He also went through the performance of some sleight-of- 
 hand. This ventriloquism is first-rate. 
 
 Arrived. — John George Pea arrived here on July 30. He is just from New Orleans. 
 
 Frozen. — The river froze over Friday night. November 18. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 THE GROWTH OF THE VILLAGE. 
 
 The first store in Mount Morris was a general one and was opened in 
 October, 1841, by Daniel Brayton and son Frederick, in an addition on the 
 west side of a small frame house, which they erect- 
 y ed that summer at about the present location of 
 
 p ' Jesse Bollinger's property, on Main street midway 
 between Short and Wesley streets. The senior Brayton was a Methodist 
 minister, and occasionally preached in the old seminary chapel. The firm 
 afterward changed to Brayton & Judson; and in 1850, after the death of 
 Daniel Brayton, the business was conducted by F. B. Brayton & Baker, 
 who discontinued all lines except the book and drug departments. Later 
 Mr. Brayton, whose portrait appears on the next page, assumed entire con- 
 trol of the business, and conducted it for many years. In the early sev- 
 enties John P. Hand became a partner. In 1873, Mr. Brayton's son, Arthur 
 W., entered the business, and has owned and conducted it since that time. 
 Thus it transpires that the first store in Mount Morris has continued up 
 to the present day, and has been owned successively by three generations 
 of the Brayton family, extending over a period of almost sixty years. 
 During that time the firm name has contained that of the Brayton family, 
 and for the greater part of that time the store has been the exclusive 
 property of Daniel, Frederick, or Arthur Brayton, or a combination of 
 father and son. 
 
 The second store of any importance was also a general store, opened 
 several years after that of the Braytons by Samuel Bents. This store was 
 located in a small brick building which stood on the northeast corner of 
 Wesley and Front streets, the location of the present Seibert block. Mr. 
 Bents sold out to S. M. Hitt and F. F. Petrie, who had previously been en- 
 gaged in making brick in the northeast part of town. Enoch Wood suc- 
 ceeded Mr. Hitt, and associated with Mr. Petrie under the firm name of 
 Wood & Petrie. This firm continued the business for many years. Mr. 
 Wood finally sold out to H. J. Farwell. Coffman Brothers later acquired 
 the stock. The business was discontimied by them shortly before the war. 
 
 A one-story brick machine-shop was built in 1844 by Baker, Pitzer & 
 McCoy, on the corner now occupied by the Methodist church. Here they 
 began the manufacture of traveling threshing machines. This business 
 they continued for five years, and their machines, which threshed grain 
 by being loaded and driven around in a circle, became quite popular. Mr. 
 Baker afterward manufactured what were known as "Fountain" reapers. 
 
 In the year 1844, Hitt & Coffman built a grist-mill on Pine creek, 
 southwest of town. A short time after this they opened the third store in 
 
 (33) 
 
34 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 Mount Morris. This store was managed by Prof. D. J. Pinckney, and after 
 a year was sold to F. B. Brayton. 
 
 About 1853, Messrs. Brayton, Baker and Petrie rented an old saw-mill 
 located on Pine creek, about a mile below the dam, and fitted it up for the 
 manufacture of linseed oil. This work they continued for about two 
 years, turning out about two barrels of oil per day; but, as the facilities 
 were not very favorable, they erected a new mill near the southwest part 
 of town upon the present farm of Jacob Hilger. This mill was a large 
 two-story structure with a stone basement. The machinery was operated 
 by steam, which also ran a saw-mill. The enterprise was operated under 
 
 the supervision of Jacob Hilger 
 for about twenty years, it being 
 then discontinued because of a 
 scarify of flaxseed. During 
 this time a terrible accident oc- 
 curred in the saw-mill. Ernest 
 W. Brayton, a brother of A. W. 
 Brayton, and a lad of about ten 
 years, was killed by coming in 
 contact with the rapidly-revolv- 
 ing saw. P. G. Petrie also lost 
 a hand by a similar accident. 
 The building passed into the 
 ownership of Petrie & Sheets, 
 who transformed it into a flour- 
 ing mill. This proved unprofit- 
 able, however, and the building 
 was taken down and removed to 
 the east side of Rock river, op- 
 posite Oregon, where it still 
 stands. 
 
 Orville N. Adams, of Ga- 
 lena, opened a general store in 
 Mount Morris about 1850, and 
 after about eighteen months 
 took in Prof. D. J. Pinckney as 
 a partner. They also managed 
 the grist-mill on Pine creek for one year. After that time the partnership 
 was dissolved, and shortly after the mill was burned down. 
 
 A copy of the Mount Morris Gazette, dated January 23, 1851, preserved 
 by Samuel Knodle, furnishes some interesting items in relation to the 
 business of the town at that day. Mount Morris was then one of the 
 most important business centers in Ogle county, as the general import of 
 the paper plainly indicates. Among the advertisements, Bryant & Petrie 
 advertise their hardware business; Wood & Petrie advertise dry-goods, 
 groceries, crockery, glassware, paints, books and stationery; Brayton & 
 Baker advertise general merchandise; William Little & Son inform the 
 
 FREDERICK 
 
 BRAYTON. 
 
THE GROWTH OF THE VILLAGE. 35 
 
 public that they are prepared with seasoned lumber to extensively manu- 
 facture wagons, etc., and do all kinds of blacksmithing; George Brayton 
 advertises to do all kinds of tailoring with neatness and dispatch; John 
 Ankney announces the discontinuance of his business, and T. C. Ankney 
 advertises his cheap auction store; Drs. B. G. Stephens and E. W. Myers 
 publish their professional cards; William Hedges advertises to do all 
 kinds of coopering; S. N. Beaubein advertises to make harness, saddles, 
 etc., and trim carriages in the house formerly occupied by W. S. Blair. A 
 notice of the Amphictyon Society appears, announcing that the following 
 resolution will be discussed: Resolved, That the political and intellectual 
 condition of Europe is improving. The notice is signed by A. N. Odel, 
 Secretary. The Mount Morris Division Sons of Temperance also publish 
 a notice, announcing meetings every Tuesday evening at their hall on 
 Center street. 
 
 Prom the time of its founding in 1839, the village gradually increased 
 in size and importance, until in 1855 it became a prominent trading point, 
 and bid fair to become the largest place in Ogle county. But during that 
 year the Illinois Central railroad was built through near Buffalo Grove, 
 and the new town of Polo attracted much of the business which Mount 
 Morris had formerly captured. The village, however, continued to grow 
 nevertheless. 
 
 About 1854, Jonathan Mumma opened a store in the store-room west 
 of his hotel; and in 1858, when J. M. Webb purchased the hotel, the store 
 was sold to Potter & Webb. In 1856, Atchison & Clems conducted a cloth- 
 ing store, and Edward Davis dispensed confectionery to the students and 
 others. 
 
 In 1866, after the close of the war, there appears to have been a con- 
 siderable enlivening of trade in Mount Morris, and numerous new stores 
 were started. In that year, John Sprecher and H. H. Clevidence opened a 
 general store in the building occupied at present by Strock's grocery, on 
 the corner of Center and Wesley streets. They continued in partnership 
 twenty-five years, later occupying spacious quarters in the Masonic block. 
 In 1891, they sold out to L. C. Stanley, of Chippewa Palls, Wis., who in 
 turn sold to A. H. Knodle & Co. P. K. Spalding came next in succession, 
 and after several years combined with his dry-goods the grocery stock of 
 Ed. Cripe, who had been preceded by John Keever and Daniel Wingert in 
 the grocery business, and moved into the Seibert block. This combined 
 grocery and dry-goods business is now conducted by G. W. Deppen. 
 
 About the same year, Lookabaugh and Middour also established their 
 business, and conducted it for over twenty years. Also during 1866 a 
 branch of John Etnyre's store in Oregon was established here by Mr. 
 Briggs, but was short-lived. 
 
 Quite a number of the present business enterprises of Mount Morris 
 can be traced back over very long periods of time, as in several cases 
 already cited. For instance, the grocery business of Charles H. Sharer is 
 the continuation of a long succession of changes, dating back to the es- 
 tablishment, about 1860, of a grocery store by Henry Newcomer, father of 
 
36 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 H. E. Newcomer. Mr. Newcomer sold to Henry Sharer, who took in John 
 Swingley as a partner. The engraving on this page shows the condition of 
 the business portion of the village at the time these gentlemen were in 
 partnership. Note their sign upon the north wall of the building. The 
 picture was taken in 1876, shortly after the erection of the building. But 
 to continue, Sharer & Swingley sold out to William Rine, who took in his 
 brother David as a partner. D. N. Wingert and John Swingley were the 
 next purchasers, and later Mr. Wingert alone assumed the business. The 
 
 BUSINESS BLOCK OF MOUNT MORRIS IN 1876. 
 
 succession was then Lewis Funk, Wingert & Co. (here dry-goods were 
 added); Wingert & Sprecher (Philip T.); Wingert & Brubaker; J. A. Bru- 
 baker & Co.; and Brubaker & Sharer (Charles H.). At the next transfer 
 Charles Sharer took the grocery department and R. E. Arnold & Co. the 
 dry-goods. The latter firm sold out to G. W. Hamlin, of Rochelle, in 1900, 
 but Mr. Sharer still continues the grocery business. 
 
 The present grocery of J. Strock is another business which can be 
 traced back quite a number of years. In 1S75, William H. Bull purchased 
 
THE GROWTH OF THE VILLAGE. 37 
 
 a stock of groceries and placed them in the brick building now occupied 
 by Mr. Strock. After a few years in the business he sold to Benjamin 
 Rine. Holly Clark & Ira Wingert came next, and were followed by New- 
 comer Bros. (A. M. and W. A.) and John Tice. W. A. Newcomer and Mr. 
 Tice purchased A. M. Newcomer's share, and in 1891 sold to J. Strock, who 
 is the present owner. 
 
 In 1866, Andrew Newcomer, father of A. M. and W. A. Newcomer, start- 
 ed a small store in the house on Front street, now occupied by Robert 
 Crosby, but soon sold out to George Windle. However, when his son, 
 W. A., returned from the army in 1876, the two went into partnership, and 
 conducted a grocery business until the death of the former, after which 
 A. M. and W. A. Newcomer took charge. For a time William was engaged 
 with Tice in another grocery, as mentioned before, and Arthur was sole 
 proprietor until William again bought a half- interest, and the firm name 
 of A. M. & W. A. Newcomer was adopted. In October, 1898, the former 
 retired and his son, H. G. Newcomer, became a member of the firm, now 
 known as the Newcomer Co. 
 
 Joseph S. Nye conducted the first hardware store of any importance 
 in Mount Morris. In 1857 he bought the tin- shop and hardware portion of 
 the business of Brayton & Baker, and for its accommodation built the 
 brick building on the corner of Wesley and Front streets, now occupied 
 by C. E. Price's hardware. He continued the business for ten years, and 
 finally moved his goods to Lanark. J. M. Smith & Pickard started a hard- 
 ware in 1870. Later Pickard dropped out and subsequently Smith sold to 
 I. B. Kinne, who disposed of the stock by various methods. Subsequently 
 David Rine purchased a new stock of hardware and soon took in George 
 Sprecher as a partner. Daniel Smith was the next purchaser, followed by 
 Hitt, Smith & Co., B. F. Sheets & Co., dishing & Armstrong, Armstrong & 
 Price, J. D. Armstrong, and J. M. Piper, successively, and lastly by Clinton 
 E. Price, the present owner. 
 
 One of the first meat markets in Mount Morris was established in 1873 
 by Samuel P. Mumma. He was succeeded by Samuel Middour, and Mid- 
 dour & Mumma (Benj.). Middour sold to Mumma, who conducted the 
 business for many years. Henry H. and Ernest E. Newcomer and James 
 Mumma were the next purchasers, the latter dropping out after three 
 years. The later owners have been Benj. Rine, Rine & Whitman, and 
 Wishard & Powell, the last-named being now in possession. There have 
 been other meat markets conducted, but none of long duration. 
 
 The local grain-buying business did not commence in Mount Morris 
 until after the building of the Chicago & Iowa railroad from Oregon to 
 Forreston. The first carload of grain marketed from the village was 
 raised and shipped to Chicago by Charles Newcomer, who erected the mid- 
 dle elevator in 1874. This elevator was sold to John Weller, and later be- 
 came the property of H. H. Clevidence and Daniel Smith. The north 
 elevator was built in 1875 by Daniel Sprecher, father of Lewis and Daniel 
 Sprecher, Jr. H. H. Clevidence and John Sprecher purchased this ele- 
 vator in 1879, and since 1894 it has been the property of the former, who 
 
38 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 has been engaged in the grain business for more than twenty-six years. 
 The south elevator was built in 1882, by Daniel Sprecher, and was sold to 
 Daniel Smith. Thomas C. Williams, the present owner, purchased it of 
 Mr. Smith. The grain business in Mount Morris, before the building of 
 the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad through Leaf River and the 
 Chicago. Burlington & Northern through Stratford, was much more ex- 
 tensive than at present. Elevators were built at these towns, and serious- 
 ly curtailed the extensive territory from which the Mount Morris elevators 
 formerly drew the cereal products. 
 
 Samuel Mumma first began buying stock in Mount Morris in 1873, and 
 
 began shipping extensively to 
 the city market in 1879, which 
 he has continued to do until 
 the present time. 
 
 The first bank in Mount 
 Morris was established August 
 1, 1877, by Charles Newcomer 
 and Isaac Rice. The latter 
 dropped out after several years 
 and the former continued the 
 business until January 1, 1899, a 
 period of nearly twenty-two 
 years, when the business was 
 turned over to the Citizens' 
 Bank. Mr. Newcomer is now 
 living a retired life, enjoying 
 the fruits of his labors. The 
 Citizens' Bank was established 
 in 1893 by Joseph L. and John 
 H. Rice, and is now the only 
 bank in the village. 
 
 The name of Hon. Isaac 
 Rice stands second to none in 
 connection with the growth and 
 development of our village. 
 Concerning his parentage we 
 have made mention in Chap- 
 ter I. Dr. Isaac Rice, as he was familiarly known, was born in Washing- 
 ton county, Maryland, October 28, 1826, and came to Ogle county in 1837, 
 making the trip in company with his father and uncle, when they removed 
 to the wild west. The senior Rice built a schoolhouse in this vicinity at a 
 very early day, and Isaac " wielded the birch " in this educational institu- 
 tion when but eighteen years of age. He also attended Rock River Semi- 
 nary "and prepared for his profession under the preceptorship of Dr. 
 Francis A. McNeill. In the winter of 1852 he entered Rush Medical Col- 
 lege, Chicago, and graduated in 1855. After his graduation he returned to 
 Mount Morris and engaged in farming, in which occupation he gained 
 
 CHARLES NEWCOMER. 
 
THE GROWTH OF THE VILLAGE. 
 
 41 
 
 considerable renown as a successful tiller of the soil. In 1876, he located 
 his home in Mount Morris, and in the following year he associated with 
 Charles Newcomer in the establishment of the Mount Morris Bank, as. re- 
 lated before. In 1872 and 1874, he was a member of the State Assembly, 
 and in the fall of 1880, he was elected to the upper house of the Legisla- 
 ture of Illinois. January 14, 1857, Mr. Rice was married to Sarah 
 Hiestand, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Hiestand. His wife had been 
 one of the playmates of his youth, and later was one of his pupils in the 
 pioneer schoolhouse. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rice: 
 Roland, February 10, 1858, who died in infancy; Anna, March 22, 1850, who 
 died at the age of eighteen; and Joseph L., December 23, 1866, who is now 
 
 A VIEW OF BLAIR'S HOTEL IN 1873. 
 
 Note the diminutive size of the maple, in front of the brick on the right, 
 'now grown to enormous proportions. 
 
 engaged in banking in Mount Morris. Dr. Rice died at his home in Mount 
 Morris in 1897. 
 
 The hotel business dates back almost to the founding of the village. 
 Daniel Brayton kept a public house from the time of the establish- 
 ment of his store, about 1841. The first regular tavern was erected by 
 James Clark several years later. The building is still standing, being the 
 old brick on the corner of Wesley and Main streets, now owned by George 
 Sprecher and. occupied by Rigdon McCoy as a shoe-shop and M. P. Maloney 
 as a residence. After running this for a short time, under the name of 
 the " New York House," Mr. Clark returned to his farm at Washington 
 Grove and rented his tavern to Mr. Brayton. In 1851, W. S. Blair opened 
 
42 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 Blair's Hotel in the brick house on the corner of McKendrie and Bangs 
 streets. This building has since been converted into the residence of Dr. 
 George B. McCosh. An engraving of this old house and also that now oc- 
 cupied by N. A. Ankney, as they appeared from the the northeast in 1873, 
 appears on the preceding page. The brick house to the right was occupied 
 from 1863 to 1875 by Samuel Knodle, as a residence. With the exception 
 of about two years Mr. Blair continued to conduct this hotel until 
 about the year 1880. In 1854, Jonathan Mumma built the old hotel on the 
 present site of Hotel Rohrer, and, under the caption of the Eldorado 
 House, kept boarders, principally students, until 1858, when it was pur- 
 chased by J. M. Webb; and, after 1860, it was continued for many years as 
 Webb's Hotel. After the death of Mr. Webb, the house was enlarged and 
 was conducted successively by Mrs. J. M. Webb, Sr., Mrs. Benj. Rine, Mrs. 
 Mary McCoy, Andrew J. Long, and Charles Rohrer. Mr. Rohrer built the 
 present Hotel Rohrer in 1894, and died soon afterward. Since that time 
 the landlords have been J. I. Housewert and A. T. Olson. The hotel is 
 owned at present by a stock company of business men of the village. 
 
 Previous to the building of the railroad through Mount Morris, lumber 
 for building was hauled from Chicago and Rockford, and later; from Polo 
 and other nearby towns. After the completion of the railroad, the first 
 regular yard was established by John Nye, father of U. C. Nye. The suc- 
 cession of its owners from that time to this has been: John Nye, Henry 
 Gilbert, Philip Sprecher, Riner & Clark, Minnesota Lumber Company, and 
 lastly, Clark & Wingert, the present owners. 
 
 The tonsorial profession in Mount Morris was ably represented in the 
 past by a number of artists, notable among whom were William Star, 
 Boone Washington, and Joseph Patterson, colored; and Daniel Bowers. 
 
 The bakery business has been represented by a large number of bakers, 
 most of them continuing in business but a short time. Ed. O. Startzman 
 was one of the first, and is yet in the business after a term of about 
 twenty-four years. 
 
 Ketts History of Ogle County, in a short sketch of Mount Morris, 
 gives the following list of the business enterprises of the village, with the 
 dates of their establishment, which existed in 1878, at the time of the pub- 
 lication of that history: 
 
 General Merchants.— Lookabaugh & Middour, May, 1866 ; Sprecher & Clevidence, 
 1866; Gilbert Bros., formerly Gilbert & King, April 7, 1871; Newcomer Bros., December 
 12, 1877. 
 
 Hardware.— J. M. Smith, formerly Smith & Pickard, 1870; Hitt, Smith & Co., April 
 23, 1877. 
 
 Groceries.— Wingert & Swingley, 1874; William H. Bull, March 17, 1875. 
 
 Druggists.— A. W. Brayton. formerly P. B. Brayton, 1860; O. H. Swingley. Novem- 
 ber 11, 1868. 
 
 Furniture.— Upton Miller, 1873. 
 
 Hotels— Blair's Hotel, 1851 ; Webb's Hotel, 1858. 
 
 Restaurants.— E. O. Startzman, November 25, 1876; H. Jimmerson, June 21, 1877: 
 S. Knodle, 1877. 
 
 Carpenters and Builders.— George H. Riner, N. E. Buser. 1868; B. Rine. J. T. 
 Stewart. Jonathan Knodle. 
 
THE GROWTH OF THE VILLAGE. 43 
 
 Blacksmiths.— A. W. Neff , Calvin A. Potter, 1852 ; Nicholas Koontz. 
 
 Wagon Makees.— Joseph Knodle. B. F. Tracy. 
 
 Lumber Dealer.— P. T. Sprecher. 
 
 Harness Makers.— Joseph F. Thomas, 1873: H. H. Newcomer, Sr. 
 
 Jewelers.— J. A. Knodle & Son, 1875. 
 
 Butchers.— Smith & Eberts, 1877; Middour & Lookabaugh, 1877. 
 
 Liverymen.— H. L. Smith. May, 1876 ; the first livery stable was kept by Peter Funk, 
 then C. C. Wagoner, then F. B. Brayton, then H. L. Smith; others having engaged in 
 that business at various times. 
 
 Boot and Shoemakers.— George W. Fouke, Peyton Skinner, 1854; M. F. Noel, 1856. 
 
 Tailors— C. B. Stanger, 1870; W.E. Moats, 1876. 
 
 Milliners.— Mrs. C. Startzman, Mrs. Mary McNeill. 
 
 Mantua Maker.— Mrs. Sarah J. Coggins, 1845. 
 
 Physicians.— Dr. D. Newcomer, Allopath; Dr. B. G. Stephens, Allopath. 1850; Dr. 
 John McCosh, Allopath, 1863; Dr. R. Berry, Physio-Medical, 1878. 
 
 Painters.— S. G. Trine, 1859; Peter Householder, L. J. Brogunier. 
 
 Barber.— Daniel Bowers. 
 
 The medical profession in Mount Morris was first represented by 
 Dr. James J. Beatty, who practiced here sixty years ago. His practice ex- 
 tended over a very large territory. While returning from a professional 
 call over near Forreston, at one time he had a very thrilling, and well-nigh 
 fatal, adventure. He was astride a very fine horse, and, being in a hurry 
 to reach home, attempted to ride the animal through a prairie fire, depend- 
 ing upon its fleetness of foot to carry him through without injury. 
 However, the animal stopped, crazed by the fire, and stood stock-still, 
 while the rapidly-moving flames licked up the long grass around them. 
 Both horse and rider were terribly burned. The doctor recovered from 
 his burns, but the horse died from the experience. Apparently the doc- 
 tor's ill-fortune clung to him; for a few years later, while en route for the 
 California gold-fields, he was taken ill and died on the plains. Other doc- 
 tors of prominence who practiced in Mount Morris in the past are 
 Augustus Post, Benjamin G. Stephens, Francis A. McNeill, Thomas Wins- 
 ton, J. I. Mershon, W. T. Speaker, and David Newcomer. The last-named 
 physician deserves more than a passing notice, in virtue of his long con- 
 nection with the affairs of our village, — nearly thirty years, — during which 
 time he has attended and ministered to our sick. Dr. David Newcomer 
 was born July 26, 1830, in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and was of Swiss 
 descent. November 18, 1852, he was united in marriage to Mary S. Funk, 
 who was born in the same township as himself. In 1859, he graduated 
 from the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and returned to the 
 place of his nativity, to practice his profession. In May, 1862, he received 
 his appointment as Assistant Surgeon of the Army of the Potomac, and at 
 once entered upon his duties. He filled this position with credit, and 
 after a service of nine months he was honorably discharged. In 1865, he 
 went to Martinsburg, West Virginia, where he established his practice. 
 After six years' residence at this place, he determined to try the already 
 famous state of Illinois, and came to. Mount Morris in 1871. He has since 
 resided here, continuing in active service up to a few months ago, when 
 failing health compelled him to relinquish his practice and retire. To Mr. 
 and Mrs. Newcomer were born six children, two of whom are dead. Those 
 
44 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 living are: Mary Katie, wife of M. W. Solenberger, of North Dakota; Bar- 
 bara Ann, married to J. W. Thomas, a retired Lutheran minister, now re- 
 siding in Mount Morris; David is in business at Kansas City, and is 
 married to Nellie McFadden; Harry C. is a graduate of West Point Mili- 
 tary Academy and is serving his country as a soldier. 
 
 In 1878, John Hitt and Thomas Mumma erected a large building in 
 the south of town. Here they established the Mount Morris Creamery, 
 with a capacity of one thousand cows, for the manufacture of butter and 
 cheese. This was a valuable addition to the business interests of Mount 
 Morris. The creamery passed through a number of hands; viz., Michael 
 
 Miller, William H. Jackson, 
 Campbell & McMaster, and is 
 at present owned and operated 
 by Robert C. McCredie. The 
 old building was burned down 
 some years ago and a new one 
 erected to take its place. 
 
 Alfred R. Binkley has been 
 a figure in the business circles 
 of Mount Morris during the 
 greater part of the past twenty 
 years. About 1880, he bought a 
 confectionery business, which 
 had been started by Charles H. 
 Allen and continued later by 
 by Samuel H. and Samuel E. 
 Sprecher. Adding a stock of 
 groceries, he conducted this 
 business for fifteen years. He 
 then sold to Jacob G. Miller 
 who later disposed of the stock 
 at auction. Mr. Binkley again 
 started a grocery store in 1896 
 with Oliver S. Watts as a part- 
 ner, but soon dropped out, leav- 
 ing the business to Mr. Watts, 
 who still conducts it. Again, in 
 September, 1899, Mr. Binkley established a grocery in Mount Morris, hav- 
 ing brought a stock of goods from Forreston, and is now in the business. 
 
 William H. Miller took up the furniture and undertaking business, 
 which his father had been conducting, in the year 1892, and has been found 
 regularly in his place since that time. 
 
 John D. Miller opened a harness shop in Mount Morris in 1888, having 
 previously followed the profession of telegraph operator. Since that time 
 he has been one of the town's business men, and has followed the harness 
 trade ever since his advent into the mercantile circles of our promising 
 village. 
 
 DR. DAVID NEWCOMER. 
 
THE GROWTH OF THE VILLAGE 
 
 45 
 
 One of the most prominent men in the business circles of Mount 
 Morris the past half-century was Samuel Knodle, who retired from busi- 
 ness in the spring of the present year (1900). Mr. Knodle came to Mount 
 Morris in 1856, expecting to teach the village school; but circumstances 
 favoring his embarking in the jewelry business, he relinquished the peda- 
 gogical profession, and in May, 1856, opened a jewelry shop in rooms in the 
 Eldorado House, then conducted by Jonathan Mumma. From that day 
 until his retirement, as mentioned before, he continued to pursue that 
 avocation. At the time of his retirement he could claim the distinction 
 of having been engaged in mercantile business a longer period of time 
 than any other man in the vil- 
 lage. In connection with the 
 jewelry business, he was identi- 
 fied with the various newspaper 
 enterprises up to 1879. His con- 
 nection with these newspapers 
 is given in another chapter 
 upon the press. Mr. Knodle 
 was born at Fairplay, eight miles 
 south of Hagerstown, Maryland, 
 August 4, 1820. He secured a 
 common school education at the 
 Fairplay public schools, and ac- 
 quired an academic education 
 while engaged as a clerk in a 
 number of stores. In May, 1843, 
 he became a teacher in the 
 Boonsboro public schools, and 
 filled that position three years. 
 He was also in partnership with 
 his brother Josiah in the publi- 
 cation of The Odd Felloiv at 
 Boonsboro. In 1846, he began 
 the publication of the Williams- 
 port Times, continuing it two 
 years, after which he again en- 
 gaged in teaching, this time at 
 
 Fairplay. He retained this position eight years, and then came to Mount 
 Morris. During his long residence here he was very active in local affairs. 
 He was clerk of the township of Mount Morris from 1858 to 1861, and he 
 was village clerk in 1860, 1861 and 1868. In 1871, he served as village trus- 
 tee and president of the board. In 1883, he was again elected village 
 clerk, and was annually re-elected up until the present year, when he re- 
 fused to be renominated. In 1876, he was collector of the township of 
 Mount Morris. Few men have had such a close and extensive connection 
 with local affairs as Mr. Knodle, nor enjoy a greater degree of the esteem 
 of their fellow-citizens. He is passing his declining years at Oregon. 
 
 SAMUEL KNODLE. 
 
46 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 The past decade of this closing century has brought in a number of 
 new firms. John Sprecher, after ending his long business career in part- 
 nership with H. H. Clevidence, rested several years, and then, in 1893, again 
 entered the mercantile circle, with S. C. Kinsey as a partner. In 1895, Mr. 
 Kinsey sold out, and Mr. Sprecher continued the business alone until 1899. 
 Since that time W. W. Wheeler has been a member of the firm. Melchor 
 Newcomer, in 1888, established a grocery and dry-goods store in the Seibert 
 block. D. S. Cripe became a partner in 1891, and in 1893 became proprie- 
 tor, and he is still in the business. McCosh & Mishler launched in the 
 drug business in 1896. Since 1899, the former has conducted the business 
 alone. H. J. Wolfe started a bakery in 1895, and since his death, several 
 years ago, the business has been continued by his son Walter. S. A. 
 Shriner started a new harness shop in 1898, and B. E. Avey, a hardware 
 store in the spring of the present year. N. E. Buser established a lumber 
 yard in 1893, which was later purchased by J. T. Baker and Prank Coff- 
 man, the present owners. More extensive mention is made of all these in 
 a later chapter upon the present condition of the village. 
 
 Mention has already been made of the erection of the first few resi- 
 dences in the village. Many of the early houses were built of brick, which 
 were burned in this vicinity. A brick-kiln was situated 
 
 ul * P in the northeast part of the village, and another upon 
 
 the Villasre 
 
 s the Samuel Domer old farm, northwest of the village. 
 
 David Gloss was one of the men engaged in burning brick and also Sam- 
 uel Domer. The college buildings were constructed of stone, quarried 
 from sandstone ledges on the farm of Josiah Avey along Pine creek. 
 
 By the courtesy of Samuel Knodle, we are able to reproduce a number 
 of old photographs of the village, taken in the early seventies. Probably 
 those most interesting are three looking eastward over the business part 
 of the village at slightly different angles from the cupola of " Old Sand- 
 stone." The view shown on page 48 shows the village as it appears look- 
 ing directly eastward from the cupola. The two larger views following, 
 the first looking northeast and the second, southeast, include all and more 
 than the small view, and accordingly the explanations will be made from 
 them. 
 
 The view on page 49 will prove to be exceedingly interesting to a per- 
 son knowing the present conditions. It is readily seen that the entire 
 business portion of the present village, from and including Seibert's block 
 northward to beyond Gregor Thompson's building, is entirely lacking. 
 The two-story brick building, numbered 1, on the corner occupies the 
 present location of Seibert's block. The residence marked 3 is on the 
 present site of Mrs. Mary McCoy's millinery store and part of that occu- 
 pied by William H. Miller's furniture store. In the foreground is seen a 
 winding path, leading across the campus through what is apparently a 
 growth of underbrush, now grown up a stately maple grove. Pour saddle 
 horses are hitched along the street, showing the usual mode of travel in 
 
THE GROWTH OF THE VILLAGE. 
 
 47 
 
 those days. The brick house numbered 1 was built some time between 
 1842 and 1845, but at first was only one story high. In this building Wood 
 & Petrie kept their general store at an early day, and later Lookabaugh & 
 Middour were engaged in business there. The building was torn down in 
 1873 to give place to the present Seibert block. 
 
 No. 2 was at one time occupied by Peter Funk. It is still standing and 
 is owned and occupied by Rigdon McCoy. 
 
 No. 3 occupies the present location of William H. Miller's store, for- 
 merly Deppen's opera house. It was occupied for many years as a resi- 
 dence by Martin Rohrer. The east half is the building spoken of on page 
 29 as the barn built in 1840 by Rev. John Sharp. The west half was built 
 on later for a restaurant by James Fouke. 
 
 VIEW SOUTH FROM "OLD SANDSTONE" ABOUT 1870. 
 
 When this picture ivas taken, the schoolhouse had been built but 
 
 a short time. The small size of the pine trees in 
 
 the yard is very noticeable. 
 
 No. 4 was recently purchased and moved to the south part of town by 
 G. B. McCosh. Here it was remodeled and is now the residence of William 
 Domer. The house between Nos. 3 and 4 was last used as a residence by 
 A. W. Neff, but was torn down and John Deppen's present residence erect- 
 ed in its place. 
 
 No. 5 was the residence of Andrew Newcomer. The frame part was 
 moved several rods westward and a new house built in its place several 
 years ago by Mrs. Newcomer. 
 
 No. 6 is the old schoolhouse, afterward used by William H. Miller as a 
 residence. It has been superseded by Mr. Miller's present fine house. 
 
48 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 No. 7 is the present residence of P. T. Sprecher. A part of it was 
 built by Abram Thomas. 
 
 No. 8 is the brick house owned by Mrs. Crawford and. occupied by 
 S. A. Shriner. 
 
 No. 9, which is but faintly discerned behind the trees, is the old brick 
 hotel on the corner of Front and McKendrie streets, which has been re- 
 placed by William Newcomer's house. 
 
 No. 10 is the present residence of Martin T. Rohrer. It was built by 
 Elias Baker. 
 
 No. 11 is the old house occupied until recently by Miss Maria Malone. 
 It was moved to the Amick Addition in the spring of 1900 by S. E. Avey. 
 
 VIEW DIRECTLY EAST FROM "OLD SANDSTONE" IN 1870. 
 
 Nos. 12 and 25 (see plate on page 51) were built about 1857 or 1858, and 
 were the first brick buildings built in the regular square mercantile shape. 
 No. 12 was built by Brayton & Baker for their store, and is the building 
 now occupied by C. E. Price as a hardware store. No. 13 originally occu- 
 pied that position and was used as a store by Brayton & Baker, but was 
 moved to the position in the rear, as shown in the picture. It was again 
 moved at a later date to the rear of the livery stable now owned by Charles 
 Niman, and used as a building in which to bale hay and straw. It was 
 finally torn down. 
 
 No. 14 was occupied for many years by John Stewart. He replaced it 
 with a new building, which is now owned by Miss Callie Black. 
 
mm* 
 
 :•• •• 
 tit**-- 
 
THE GROWTH OF THE VILLAGE. 53 
 
 No. 15 was built in 1858 by D. C. and B. Wagner. It was later raised 
 to two stories and is the present meat market building. 
 
 No. 16 was also built by Brayton & Baker. After standing there for a 
 number of years, it was moved to the corner of First and A streets, in the 
 Railroad Addition, and is now serving as the residence of A. J. Long. 
 
 No. 17 was built in 1851 by Joel K. Frost, who also had a blacksmith 
 shop a little to the northeast of this residence. This house was subse- 
 quently owned by H. T. Knight, and is now the property of Richard Shaw. 
 
 No. 18 (see plate on page 51) is the old Masonic building. It was built 
 about 1818 and used as a Masonic hall from that time until 1876, when the 
 present Masonic block was erected, part of the site of which it occupied. 
 It is now standing north of No. 25 and is being used by S. A. Shriner as a 
 harness shop. Previous to its occupancy by Mr. Shriner, Samuel Knodle 
 was stationed there for thirteen years with his jewelry store. In this ven- 
 erable old building many of the old, old citizens of Mount Morris met and 
 became Masons, a fuller account of which will appear in a chapter on 
 secret societies. 
 
 No. 19 was built some time in the forties, and was occupied as a book- 
 store by Samuel Knodle from 1862 until 1876. In the place of this build- 
 ing and No. 18, the present Masonic edifice was erected. 
 
 No. 20 is the Sons of Temperance old building, and at the time of 
 the photograph it was occupied as a shoe store by W. H. Atchison. It was 
 later owned by C. H. Swingley. It was removed to the present site of Dr. 
 McCosh's building, and a small part of it is now contained in that struc- 
 ture. 
 
 No. 21 is Peyton Skinner's old shoe-shop. The awning in front, con- 
 structed of boughs of trees, is the style of artificial shade which the busi- 
 ness men made along the street during the great excitement always 
 connected with the seminary annual " exhibitions," as the final exercises 
 at the seminary were called. This little building was moved back and is 
 still standing in the rear of the new shoe-shop which Mr. Skinner erected 
 and which is now occupied by Hess's restaurant. 
 
 No. 22 was the property of Edward Davis, father of Solomon Davis, 
 who kept the post-office there at one time. It was torn down in 1899 to 
 make room for H. E. Newcomer's new brick building. 
 
 No. 23 was, at the time the picture was taken, the office of Dr. B. G. 
 Stephens, who died in Mount Morris some years ago. 
 
 No. 25 was built in 1857 by Joseph S. Nye and used as a hardware store 
 by him for about ten years. Since that time the building has had a great 
 many occupants, many of the later firms which did business in the village 
 having had their origin there. It is now owned by Reuben S. Marshall 
 and occupied by Strock's grocery. No. 26, just east of No. 25, was built by 
 Mr. Nye as his residence. 
 
 The little building at the left of No. 25 was later moved northward 
 and repaired, forming at present the barber-shop of Levi Bear. 
 
 No. 27 was built at an early day by John Ankney, who came here from 
 Buffalo Grove, where he was a very early settler. The building was used 
 
54 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 by him as a residence and post-office, the fatter being kept in the grout 
 addition on the west side, which has since been torn down. The main 
 structure is stiff standing, having served as the residence of Peyton Skin- 
 ner for many years. 
 
 No. 28 once stood near the grist-miff afong Pine creek and was used as 
 the residence of the miifer. It was moved to Mount Morris probabfy dur- 
 ing the sixties, and was used as a residence by various parties. Later a 
 new house superseded it. 
 
 No. 29 was buiit by W. S. Bfair. It has been superseded by the house 
 now occupied by Joseph Baker. 
 
 VIEW SOUTHWEST FROM "OLD SANDSTONE" ABOUT 1870. 
 
 Notice that the college campus then included the two blocks to 
 
 the ivest of the present campus limit, now entirely built up 
 
 with neiv residences. The house to the left is the 
 
 old parsonage of the Methodist church now 
 
 owned and occupied by J. W- Crump. 
 
 No. 30 is the present residence of John Sprecher, Sr. It was buiit and 
 occupied for a time by Henry A. Neff and family. 
 
 No. 31 is still standing, being the residence of Mrs. Samuel Domer. 
 The rear of it was built by Henry Frost and the front part by Henry Mid- 
 dfekauff. 
 
 No. 32 is the John Hoisinger old house on the corner of Clark and 
 Bangs streets. It has been replaced by Oliver S. Watts's fine residence. 
 
THE GROWTH OF THE VILLAGE. 55 
 
 No. 33 is Samuel Mumma's present residence. It was built by Mrs. 
 Spenser Mattison. 
 
 No. 34 was built in 1855 by P. B. Brayton, and for many years was the 
 finest residence in Mount Morris. It is now occupied by his son, A. W. 
 Brayton. A modern view of this residence with its elegant park-like lawn 
 is found elsewhere in this volume. 
 
 No. 35 is Daniel Eversole's house, of which further mention is made in 
 the chapter dealing with the history of our public schools. 
 
 No. 36 was built by Cyrus Alden, and is now owned and occupied by 
 Prof. J. G. Royer. 
 
 No. 37 is readily discerned to be the present residence of Charles H. 
 Sharer. Prom an early day it was owned by his father, Henry Sharer. 
 
 No. 38 is the residence of Prisby Keplinger. 
 
 No. 39, at the time this picture was taken, was being used as the Luth- 
 eran church. It was later purchased by the Christian denomination, and 
 the present steeple added to it. A modern view of it appears in the chap- 
 ter upon church history. It was built in 1845. 
 
 No. 40 is the livery barn, which, having been several times remodeled, 
 is now occupied by Niman's livery. 
 
 In this picture can be seen four more saddle horses hitched along the 
 street. 
 
 A few years after the time the preceding views were taken of Mount 
 Morris, the Chicago & Iowa railroad was built through the town and a re- 
 markable business boom followed. Elevators were built and the grain and 
 stock-buying industries commenced. Robert R. Hitt, M. Emery Hitt and 
 Emily Hitt laid off the Railroad Addition to the village in 1872. This has 
 since been substantially built up. Morris Hitt thought that the building 
 of the railroad north of the business portion of the village would draw all 
 new mercantile structures in that direction, and consequently he erected a 
 store building a few rods south of the depot, on the corner of Second and 
 Wesley streets. His supposition, however, proved a mistake and later his 
 building was moved southward to the business portion of the village. The 
 structure is now used by A. W. Brayton for his drug-store. The cellar 
 which was dug under the building can yet be seen on the vacant lots east 
 of George Sprecher's residence. Shortly after the building of the railroad 
 a number of large brick structures were built and smaller frame store 
 buildings. Seibert's building, a two-story brick edifice having a hall above 
 and three business rooms below, was commenced in 1873 and completed in 
 March of the following year. During 1874, another large two-story build- 
 ing, costing twelve thousand dollars, was erected by Henry Sharer, John 
 Sprecher and J. H. Nye. This building also contains three store rooms on 
 the first floor. During the seventies were also erected the present Masonic 
 building and the brick structure now occupied by O. S. Watts's grocery. 
 The first was built by Sprecher & Clevidence in 1876 and the second by 
 Cyrus Alden in 1875. 
 
 Since the boom of business during the seventies the village has con- 
 tinued to advance with a healthy growth. During the years from 1891 to 
 
56 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 1894, or thereabouts, another impulse of prosperity overtook the village, as 
 a result of which more than seventy-five new residences, two new college 
 buildings, the Old Polks' Home, five or six store buildings, a bank building 
 and various other structures of more or less importance, were erected. 
 During 1894, more buildings were put up in Mount Morris than in all the 
 other Ogle county towns combined. 
 
 Concerning the present progress of Mount Morris, its business inter- 
 ests and many desirable qualities as a place of residence, an entire chapter 
 is devoted later on. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 INCORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE. 
 
 In an investigation of the past history of the churches, schools, and 
 even of the township of Mount Morris, it is found that the old records, in 
 the majority of cases, have been woefully neglected, many of the old books 
 being entirely lost sight of. In the case of the village, however, the clerks 
 whose duty it was to keep the minutes of the proceedings of the Village 
 Board of Trustees preserved the old records from the time of the first 
 movement toward organization of the corporation to the present time. 
 
 From the time when the first settlers built their rude dwellings within 
 the present limits of Mount Morris, late in the thirties, until 1848, Mount 
 Morris was simply a precinct of Ogle county. The first step toward incor- 
 poration was made December 28, 1847, when copies of the following notice 
 were posted about the town: 
 
 A MEETING 
 
 of the inhabitants of the town of Mount Morris will be held at the chapel of said town 
 on Saturday, the 8th day of January, (1848). at 2 o'clock, for the purpose of determin- 
 ing- whether we will incorporate said town. (Signed) 
 
 Mount Moeeis. Dec. 28. 1847. MANY CITIZENS. 
 
 STATE OF ILLINOIS. I 
 
 Ogle County. " L Daniel Brayton. of Mount Morris. Ogle county. Illi- 
 
 nois, do hereby solemnly swear that there was over two hundred inhabitants residing' 
 in the town of Mount Morris, Ogle county, and state of Illinois, on the 28th day of De- 
 cember. 1847. and that on the same day I posted three notices in three of the most pub- 
 lic places in said town. The above notice, signed "Many Citizens." is a true copy of 
 said notice. DANIEL BRAYTON. 
 
 Subscribed and sworn to before me \ 
 this 20th day of January, 1848. , - — * — . I 
 
 T^ TT7 T T-l 'SEAL \ 
 
 E. Wood. J. P. ( ) ' 
 
 In conformity to the above notice, a meeting of the white male in- 
 habitants, of the lawful age, who had been residents of the village six 
 months immediately preceding this date, or who were owners of freehold 
 property in the village, was held, as ordered, in the seminary chapel, at the 
 time specified. On motion, Daniel Brayton was called to the chair and 
 F. G. Petrie appointed clerk. The following obligation was then taken: 
 
 I. Daniel Brayton. as president, and I. F. G. Petrie, as clerk, do solemnly swear by 
 the everliving God. that we will faithfully discharge the trust reposed in us as presi- 
 dent and clerk of this meeting-. 
 
 Subscribed and sivorn to before me 
 this 8t?i day of January, 1848. 
 
 F. G. Peteie. Clerk. 
 
 (57) 
 
58 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 A viva voce vote, to decide whether the village should be incorporated, 
 was then taken. Nineteen votes were cast in favor of the measure and 
 none against. The following notice was also posted by Daniel Brayton on 
 the twenty-eighth day of December, 1847: 
 
 NOTICE. 
 
 A meeting- of the inhabitants of Mount Morris will be held in the chapel of Rock 
 River Seminary on the 15th day of January, 1848, at 2 o'clock P. M.. for the purpose of 
 electing-, vivevoce, five (residents and freeholders of said town) trustees of the same. 
 
 Mount Mobeis, Jan. 8, 1848. P. G. PETRIE, Clerk. 
 
 This meeting was duly held, and the following trustees were chosen: 
 Aaron C. Marston, Andrew Newcomer, James J. Beatty, Jonathan Knodle, 
 Sr., and William McCune. On the twenty-second day of January, 1848, 
 this board, with A. C. Marston as clerk, formulated and passed eight ordi- 
 nances, which, possibly with a number of revisions, form the groundwork 
 of the present excellent village ordinances. They are quite interesting 
 from the fact that they are the first laws passed by the first Board of 
 Trustees of Mount Morris. They are as follows: 
 
 PREAMBLE. 
 
 We, the president and trustees of the town of Mount Morris, as a body corporate 
 and acting in accordance with the powers vested in Chapter 25, Section 12, of the re- 
 vised statutes of the state of Illinois, do hereby declare and make known the follow- 
 ing, as below subjoined, to be nuisances within our jurisdiction, and that after ten 
 days' public notice being given, the same shall take effect. And any person or persons 
 persisting, in whole or in part, in any infringement of the laws herein provided or en- 
 acted by said Board of Trustees, be it unto them made known that civil process will be 
 immediately issued against them according to the laws herein provided. 
 
 Article 1.— Be it ordained by the president and Board of Trustees of the town of 
 Mount Morris that the boundaries of said corporation shall be as follows: Commencing 
 at a stake set at the southwest corner of the land owned by the Rock River Semi- 
 nary, thence on a line due north one mile, thence east one mile, thence south one mile, 
 thence west one mile to the place of beginning. 
 
 Article 2. — Be it further ordained by the president and Board of Trustees of the 
 town of Mount Morris, that the licensing of groceries for the purpose of retailing 
 spiritous or malt liquors within the jurisdiction of the corporation is strictly injurious 
 to the good and well-being of the citizens of said corporation. 
 
 Article 3. — Resolved, therefore, and be it ordained by the president and trustees 
 aforesaid, that the sale or vending of spiritous or malt liquor is, by virtue of this ordi- 
 nance, strictly prohibited, and any person or persons found violating said ordinance, he 
 or they shall be subject to pay a fine not exceeding five dollars for each offense. 
 
 Article 4. — Provided always and be it ordained by the president and Board of 
 Trustees of the town of Mount Morris, that a permit may be granted from time to time 
 for the sale of spiritous liquors for medical and mechanical purposes, and for none 
 other. 
 
 Article 5. — Be it ordained by the president and trustees of the town of Mount 
 Morris, that all gambling and drunkenness of whatsover class may be, is, by virtue of 
 this ordinance, declared a nuisance and will be proceeded against as such; and any 
 person or persons found violating said ordinance shall be subject to pay a fine not ex- 
 ceeding twenty-five dollars for each offense. 
 
 Article 6.— Be it ordained by the president and trustees aforesaid, that all shows, 
 circuses, theaters, or exhibitions of that class, not having license under the seal of the 
 president of the Board of Trustees of the town of Mount Morris are, by virtue of this 
 
INCORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE. 59 
 
 ordinance, strictly forbidden to exhibit such shows, theaters or performances, under a 
 penalty of paying a fine not exceeding twenty-five dollars for each offense. 
 
 Akticle 7. — Be it ordained by the president and trustees of the town of Mount 
 Morris, that all riotous behavior, such as quarreling, fighting, or in any way disturb- 
 ing the quiet and peace of the citizens of said town, is strictly forbidden. Any person 
 or persons wantonly or presumptuously violating this ordinance shall pay a fine not 
 exceeding twenty-five dollars for each offense. 
 
 Akticle 8. — Be it ordained by the president and Board of Trustees of the town 
 of Mount Morris, that horse-racing is hereby strictly forbidden and prohibited within 
 the limits of the corporation : also that shooting at marks or firing of guns within the 
 limits of this corporation is, by this ordinance, declared a nuisance, and any person or 
 persons violating this ordinance shall pay a fine not exceeding twenty-five dollars for 
 each offense. 
 
 The record next contains six more ordinances, passed by the same 
 board in a meeting held April 5, 1848. The first prohibited persons from 
 suffering the carcasses of animals, owned or claimed by them, to remain 
 unburied, and provided a penalty for the same. The second prohibited 
 the indecent exhibition of animals in the village. The third provided that 
 all male residents of the village, who had arrived at the age of twenty-one 
 years, should labor three days on the roads, streets or alleys, as they might 
 be directed by the supervisor of the same; and further provided that any 
 one neglecting to do so when notified should be fined one dollar for each 
 day's labor neglected, the same to be laid out on the streets where labor 
 might be required. The fourth provided a penalty and method of prosecu : 
 tion of persons who should idle away their time, or act disorderly, or re- 
 fuse to obey the supervisor under whose charge they were placed when 
 working on the streets. The fifth specified the duties of the supervisor of 
 the town. The sixth provided penalties for the wanton or malicious de- 
 struction of property within the corporation. At this same meeting the 
 board passed the following resolution: 
 
 Resolved, That all trials shall be before the president of the board and conducted 
 in the same manner as they are before justices of the peace, and all fees and costs pro- 
 ceeding therefrom shall be the same as if issued before a justice of the peace. 
 
 These two meetings of the board appear to have been the only ones. 
 No corporation officers were appointed, and for several years nothing fur- 
 ther was done, at least there are no records of any elections until January 
 1, 1856, when the following notice appeared: 
 
 ELECTION NOTICE. 
 
 There will be an election held at the house of William S. Blair in the town of 
 Mount Morris, on the 15th day of January, 1856, for the purpose of electing five trus- 
 tees of the town of Mount Morris, in Ogle county, Illinois. 
 
 Mount Moeeis, Jan. 1, 1856. F. G. PETRIE, Clerk. 
 
 Jacob Coffman, Frederick B. Brayton and D. A. Potter were appointed 
 judges of this election, and had the following oath administered to them 
 by James M. Webb, Justice of the Peace: 
 
 I. . do solemnly swear that I will perform the duties of judge according to 
 
 law, and the best of my ability, and that I will studiously endeavor to prevent fraud, 
 deceit and abuse in conducting the same. 
 
60 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 As a result of this election, Jacob Coffman, David A. Potter, Elias 
 Baker, William Schultz and Henry I. Little were the trustees elected. The 
 whole number of votes cast was thirty-six. The poll-list was as follows: 
 
 . William Little, 
 Thomas Winston, 
 F. B. Brayton, 
 Henry Coggins, 
 E. M. Cheney, 
 Jacob Coffman, 
 J. D. Hays, 
 J. M. Webb, 
 Peter Knodle, Jr., 
 
 W. S. Blair, 
 Ezra Toms, 
 John Winders. 
 Hiram Beard. 
 Robert O'Neal, 
 D. A. Potter, 
 J. A. Knodle, 
 Thomas Clems, 
 J. A. Noel, 
 
 William Hedges, 
 Jonathan Mumma, 
 L. J. Brogunier, 
 E.W. Little, 
 D. S. Coffman, 
 John F. Wallace, 
 G. W. Harshman, 
 B. Cooper, 
 Peyton Skinner, 
 
 Simon H. Coffman, 
 B. F. Shryock, 
 Jesse Mayberry, 
 
 B. R. Thomas. 
 Jonathan Knodle, 
 Richard Brown, 
 Andrew Newcomer, 
 
 C. R. Cheney, 
 A. H. Bailey. 
 
 The newly-elected board met and organized January 19, 1856. D. A. 
 Potter was elected president; William Schultz, clerk; Jacob Coffman, 
 treasurer; and Peter Knodle, Jr., constable. The first business of im- 
 portance transacted was concerning the taxes. By a unanimous vote the 
 motion was carried that a tax be raised of fifty cents on the one hundred 
 dollars of all the real estate within the limits of the corporation, accord- 
 ing to the last assessment, for the purpose of making sidewalks and im- 
 provements of roads, streets and alleys within the corporation. The 
 ordinances passed by the trustees in 1848 were re-enacted at this meeting. 
 Peter Knodle, Jr., was appointed corporation tax-collector. 
 
 February 15, 1856, it was provided that sixteen blocks of sidewalk be 
 built, and the same to be made three feet wide and of two-inch plank, the 
 lots in front of walks to be taxed to pay three-fourths of cost of same. 
 
 February 22, 1856, a tax of fifty cents on the one hundred dollars was 
 again levied on all real estate in the corporation, and the collector author- 
 ized to proceed to collect the general tax in ten days. March 7, Jacob 
 Coffman was appointed street commissioner. April 11, the cost of build- 
 ing sixty-six feet of sidewalk was estimated at $13.34 by the trustees. 
 June 13, all huckstering was forbidden in the seminary square and within 
 the bounds of the streets surrounding the same; also the sale and firing 
 of firecrackers or any kind of fireworks was prohibited within the limits 
 of the corporation, except by permit. 
 
 March 28, 1857, fifty dollars was appropriated to build a pound. April 
 22, William Schultz was appointed assessor and his compensation fixed at 
 $1.50 per day. William H. Coho was appointed constable and pound- 
 master. May 1, Jonathan Mumma was appointed street commissioner 
 with a compensation of $1.25 per day. Provision was also made for nine 
 more blocks of sidewalk, the owners of land to pay three-fourths of the 
 cost of building in front of their lots. May 15, Lewis Fletcher was ap- 
 pointed collector for the ensuing year, his compensation to be three per 
 cent. A tax of five mills was levied on all taxable property. 
 
 March 1, 1858, the spring election took place in the house of W. S. 
 Blair. Jacob Coffman, D. A. Potter and William Schultz were judges. 
 New names appearing on the polling-list were those of Elias Williams, 
 Nelson Potter, S. V. Miller, William Knodle, Jeremiah Stuff, Warren Little, 
 
INCORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE. 61 
 
 Eugene Mattison, George Davis, H. I. Little, B. G. Stevens, D. C. Wagner, 
 A. Q. Allen, H. N. Ryan, Samuel Knodle, J. L. Nye, D. Routzhan, George 
 W. Fouke, L. Fletcher, Reuben Wagner, Andrew Newcomer, F. A. McNeill, 
 Michael Noel, H. A. Neff, L. Redfleld, A. B. Pickard, William Schultz, H. H. 
 George, Solomon Davis, L. H. Cotfman, W. S. Pope, H. H. Newcomer, 
 Charles Brook, E. Baker, and J. M. Webb. The trustees elected for the 
 following year were Elias Baker, D. A. Potter, J. B. McCoy, William 
 Schultz, and J. McClelland Miller. 
 
 The following, the latter part of the oath of office taken by the trus- 
 tees at this time and for several years later, would sound rather queer, and, 
 of course, would be entirely unnecessary at this time: "Also we do solemn- 
 ly swear that we have not fought a duel, nor sent or accepted a challenge 
 to fight a duel, the probable issue of which might have been the death of 
 either party, nor in any manner aided or assisted in such duel, nor been 
 knowingly the bearer of any such challenge or acceptance since the adop- 
 tion of the Constitution, and that we will not be so engaged or concerned, 
 directly or indirectly, in or about such duel during our continuance in of- 
 fice. So help us God! " This part was dropped in 1871, and a briefer form 
 adopted. 
 
 The board organized March 19, 1858, with D. A. Potter president and 
 William Schultz clerk. J. B. McCoy was elected treasurer; H. N. Ryan, 
 corporation attorney; J. S. Nye, constable and pound-master; J. McClelland 
 Miller, street commissioner; William Schultz, corporation assessor. April 9, 
 J. McClelland Miller was elected collector and Peter Knodle, Jr., assessor. 
 April 14, an ordinance was passed, providing that many of the sidewalks of 
 the town be widened from three to four feet. The tax levy for this year 
 was forty cents on the one hundred dollars. 
 
 At the spring election of 1859, eighty-eight votes were cast, and Elias 
 Baker, James B. McCoy, Henry Neff, Samuel Knodle, and Andrew New- 
 comer were elected trustees. At their first meeting, Elias Baker was chosen 
 president; Samuel Knodle, clerk; and H. A. Neff, treasurer. Later, Sam- 
 uel Kuodle was elected collector and town constable, and Jonathan Knodle, 
 street commissioner and pound-master. September 2, a tax of twenty-five 
 cents on the one hundred dollars valuation of real and personal property 
 was assessed. 
 
 March 5, 1860, at the annual election, fifty-three votes were cast, and 
 J. B. McCoy, Andrew Newcomer, Samuel Knodle, Henry A. Neff, and James 
 M. Webb were elected trustees. Andrew Newcomer was elected president; 
 Samuel Knodle, clerk; and Henry A. Neff, treasurer. The board appoint- 
 ed Peter Knodle, Jr., and William L. Coho corporation constables, and 
 Jacob Coffman, street commissioner. A tax levy of twenty cents on the 
 one hundred dollars was made for the year. 
 
 The same trustees were re-elected in 1861, and the president, clerk, and 
 treasurer remained the same. A tax rate of twenty cents was again levied 
 for the year. 
 
 December 7, 1861, the following petition, signed by twenty-six citizens, 
 was presented to the board: 
 
62 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 To the Honorable Boabd of Tbustees of the Village of Mount Moebis: 
 
 Gentlemen:— lu view of the fact that an ordinance of this village against the sale of 
 
 beer, etc., is daily violated by certain shopkeepers, and of the fact that all good citizens 
 
 desire the abatement of this nuisance ; 
 
 Therefore, we, the undersigned, beg that your body will assemble and either call 
 
 a public meeting of the citizens, to take some measures for the suppression of this 
 
 traffic, or that you will yourselves, having knowledge of the fact named, take due 
 
 course for the execution of the law, and in maintaining temperance and the honor of 
 
 our community. 
 
 In compliance with the above, the board called a meeting of the citi- 
 zens of the village, to devise some means to suppress the nuisance. The 
 meeting was held in the Methodist church, but no record of the action 
 taken by the assembly can be found. 
 
 The tax rate for 1862 was placed at ten cents on the one hundred dol- 
 lars. The trustees for this year were the same as the year previous. 
 
 March 2, 1863, seventy-nine votes were recorded at the electiou. The 
 trustees elected were all new men, as follows: James Clark, W. H. Atchi- 
 son, H. I. Little, F. B. Brayton, A. Q. Allen. They organized with James 
 Clark as president; A. Q. Allen, clerk; and William H. Atchison, treasurer. 
 This board continued in office two years. July 25, 1864, Peter Funk was 
 appointed pound-master and William Bull, street commissioner. 
 
 In 1865, votes polled, twenty-three. Trustees elected: James B. McCoy 
 (president), A. Newcomer (clerk), Henry I. Little (treasurer), J. McClelland 
 Miller, and F. B. Brayton. Appointments: J. McClelland M iller, street com- 
 missioner at $2.50 per day; Peter Knodle, constable; William Nichols, 
 pound-master. 
 
 In 1866, twenty-nine votes were polled. Trustees elected: F. B. Bray- 
 ton (president), Andrew Newcomer (clerk), Henry I. Little (treasurer), Mar- 
 tin T. Rohrer, and J. McClelland Miller. Appointments: J. McClelland 
 Miller, street commissioner; Peter Knodle, constable; William Fish, pound- 
 master. (The pound at this time, and a number of years previous, appeared 
 to have been used a great deal for the imprisonment of hogs, many of 
 which were allowed to run upon the streets. The trustees often had oc- 
 casion to legislate upon this nuisance.) 
 
 In 1867, twenty-four votes were polled. The trustees elected were the 
 same as the previous year. Appointments: Stephen H. Cheney, road 
 commissioner; William Myers, assistant. A tax of fifty cents on the one 
 hundred dollars was assessed for the year's expenses. 
 
 In 1868, forty-seven votes were polled. Trustees elected: Elias Wil- 
 liams, Samuel Knodle, Morris Gaffin, John Sprecher, Henry Middlekauff. 
 There is no record that the members of this board ever took the oath of 
 office or held a single meeting during their year of office. From appear- 
 ances, the board of the year previous met in their stead. 
 
 In 1869, the board of 1867 was again elected in the spring election, in 
 March. They chose F. B. Brayton president, M. T. Rohrer clerk, and W.I. 
 Little treasurer. 
 
 In 1870, eighty-two votes were polled. Trustees elected: F. B. Bray- 
 ton (president), M. T. Rohrer (clerk), W. I. Little (treasurer), A. Newcomer, 
 
INCORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE. 63 
 
 and Samuel Lookabaugh. Commencing at this election, the president was 
 elected by direct vote instead of being selected by the trustees from 
 among their own number, as was done heretofore. April 27, this board 
 passed a stringent ordinance, " relating to the sale and traffic in wine, rum, 
 gin, brandy, whisky, beer, cider, or other intoxicating liquors." For the 
 ensuing year a rate of one dollar on each one hundred dollars' worth of 
 property was levied. 
 
 In 1871, eighty-eight votes were polled. The board elected was as fol- 
 lows: Samuel Knodle, president; Ezra Toms (clerk), Upton Miller (treas- 
 urer), M. Stroh, S. H. Cheney. A tax of two dollars on each one hundred 
 dollars was levied for the ensuing year. January 27, a considerable 
 amount of new sidewalk was ordered built and the contract let to John T. 
 Stewart at thirty-five cents per rod. 
 
 In 1872, seventy-six votes were polled. Board elected: Henry Sharer, 
 president; Jonathan Knodle (clerk), Henry Clevidence (treasurer), Henry 
 H. Newcomer, John Startzman. More sidewalks were laid this year to 
 keep up with the rapid growth of the village. A tax of $500 was levied for 
 corporation purposes for the ensuing year. 
 
 In 1873, fifty-seven votes were polled. Board elected: Martin T. 
 Rohrer, president; Samuel Lookabaugh (clerk), Henry H. Clevidence 
 (treasurer), Oliver H. Swingley, John French. S. H. Cheney was appointed 
 street commissioner, and a tax of $700 was levied. 
 
 In 1874, seventy votes were polled. Board elected: Samuel Looka- 
 baugh, president; Samuel Mumma (clerk), Henry Sharer, J. A. Knodle, 
 H. H. Clevidence. Stephen H. Cheney was reappointed street commis- 
 sioner, and a tax of $800 levied. On February 25, 1875, a petition was pre- 
 sented to this board, asking that an election be held to vote for or against 
 village organization under the general law, enacted by the General Assem- 
 bly of Illinois. The petition was granted and the election was set for 
 March 27, 1875, with H. I. Little, Elijah Scott, and John Sharer, judges, 
 and Peter Householder and A. W. Little, clerks of the election. The elec- 
 tion resulted in favor of the proposed village organization, thirty-five votes 
 being cast for the measure to one against. 
 
 In 1875, an election was called and held April 20, to elect six trustees, 
 a village clerk and police magistrate, as required by the new organiza- 
 tion. The result was as follows: Andrew Newcomer, I. H. Allen, H. I. 
 Little, H. H. Clevidence, Peter Householder, J. M. Piper, trustees: village 
 clerk and police magistrate, M. T. Rohrer. The vote polled was 110. O. H. 
 Swingley was appointed treasurer, and Stephen H. Cheney, street commis- 
 sioner. September 4, a tax levy of $500 was made. September 17, a con- 
 siderable amount of new sidewalk was ordered built at a cost of thirty- 
 four cents per rod. 
 
 In 1876, the village officers elected were as follows: John H. Swingley, 
 H. H. Clevidence, Henry I. Little, Joseph M. Piper, J. A. Knodle, Charles 
 Miles, trustees; Martin T. Rohrer, village clerk. Mr. Little was selected as 
 president. A. W. Little received the appointment of street commissioner, 
 and J. B. McCoy that of village constable. The annual appropriation bill 
 
64 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 was passed July 29, providing a tax of $625. Later an additional appropri- 
 ation of $100 was made, to build a calaboose. 
 
 The election held April 17, 1877, was as follows: For trustees, Henry 
 Clevidence, John H. Swingley, Samuel Mumma, Benj. G. Stephens, Jacob 
 A. Knodle, Thomas Williams: village clerk, John Sharer. B. G. Stephens 
 was chosen president. O. H. Swingley was appointed treasurer; Peter 
 Punk, street commissioner; and J. B. McCoy, village constable. The an- 
 nual appropriation was $500. 
 
 In 1878, the election was held April 16, and resulted as follows: For^ 
 trustees, H. L. Smith, T. C. Williams, H. H. Newcomer, L. J. Brogunier, 
 H. H. Clevidence, W. S. Blair; village clerk, Arthur M. Newcomer. H. H. 
 Clevidence was chosen president. Appointments: O. H. Swingley, village 
 treasurer; Rigdon McCoy, street commissioner; Addison W. Neff, village 
 constable. During this year the first licensed saloon was opened by W. H. 
 Wallace, who paid $400 per annum for the privilege. Licenses were also 
 granted to Pool Brothers and Solomon Davis to run billiard-halls. An ap- 
 propriation of $400 was made for all purposes for the ensuing year. B. P. 
 Tracy was appointed street commissioner September 9, to fill vacancy, for 
 the remainder of the term. 
 
 In 1879, the election resulted as follows: Trustees, John W. Hitt, John 
 H. Nye, Charles C. Miles, George W. Shank, Lewis Sprecher, J. P. Whit- 
 man; village clerk, Edward Mooney. John W. Hitt was elected president. 
 Appointments for the year: O. H. Swingley, village treasurer; James B. 
 McCoy, village constable; H. C. Clark, street commissioner. A levy of 
 $500 was made to meet the year's expenses. 
 
 In 1880, the election resulted as follows: Trustees, Charles Newcomer, 
 Peyton Skinner, George H. Riner, John French, Samuel Middour, H. H. 
 Thomas; clerk, E. L. Mooney. License was made an issue at this election, 
 and apparently a very strong sentiment had arisen against the saloons, as 
 the result shows that 174 votes were cast against and not one for license. 
 The board organized with Charles Newcomer as president. At this time 
 the term of the trustees was changed from one to two years, three of the 
 six to be elected every year. It being necessary to divide the board into 
 two classes, one to serve one year and the other, two, lots were cast, which 
 resulted as follows: Charles Newcomer, Peyton Skinner, and John French 
 were to serve one year, and George H. Riner, Samuel Middour, and H. H. 
 Thomas, two years. Appointments for the year: Village constable, A. W. 
 Neff; treasurer, O. H. Swingley; village clerk, to fill vacancy caused by res- 
 ignation of clerk-elect, Holly C. Clark; street commissioner, B. F. Tracy. 
 Later H. L. Smith was chosen to succeed Mr. Neff as village constable. 
 The sum of $1,075 was appropriated for the year's expenses. 
 
 In 1881, the three new trustees elected were Andrew Newcomer, George 
 Sprecher, and John French.. Holly Clark was elected village clerk and 
 Andrew Newcomer was chosen president. Appointments: O. H. Swingley, 
 treasurer; B. F. Tracy, street commissioner; Robert Crosby, marshal. 
 Rigdon McCoy was later chosen to succeed Mr. Crosby as marshal. The 
 annual appropriation was $£ 
 
INCORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE. 65 
 
 In 1882, the trustees elected were as follows: H. H. Clevidence, Luther 
 J. Brogunier, Archibald S. McCoy; village clerk, W. H. Miller. H. H. 
 Clevidence was chosen president. Appointments: David Rine, treasurer; 
 B. F. Stouft'er, marshal; Robert Crosby, street commissioner. A saloon 
 and a billiard-hall were licensed by this board, the former paying a license 
 of $500. The annual appropriation bill amounted to $1,000. Rigdon McCoy 
 acted as marshal during the latter part of the fiscal year. 
 
 In 1883, the officers elected were as follows: Trustees, George Sprecher, 
 David Newcomer, A. E. Canode; clerk, Samuel Knodle. H. H. Clevidence 
 was chosen president. Appointments: David Rine, treasurer; Robert 
 Crosby, street commissioner. No appropriation appears to have been made. 
 
 In 1884, the trustees elected were Isaac Rice, Benjamin F. Mumma, 
 John Harmon; to fill vacancy, John Stewart. Samuel Knodle was elected 
 village clerk, and Isaac Rice was chosen president. Appointments: A. M. 
 Newcomer, treasurer; John E. Miller, street commissioner and marshal; 
 George S. Cheney, assistant marshal. William C. Withers was appointed 
 street commissioner, to fill vacancy, during the latter part of the year. 
 Appropriation, $1,884. The records of this year show considerable activity 
 on the part of the board in suppressing the illicit sale of liquor. 
 
 In 1885, trustees elected: David Newcomer, John T. Stewart, Jacob 
 Good; clerk, Samuel Knodle. Isaac Rice was again selected president. 
 Appointments: A. M. Newcomer, treasurer: William C. Withers, street 
 commissioner and marshal. Appropriation, $1,000. 
 
 In 1886, trustees elected: William H. Jackson, Benj. F. Tracy, Peter 
 Householder; clerk, Samuel Knodle. David Newcomer was selected presi- 
 dent. Appointments: A. M. Newcomer, treasurer; William C. Withers, 
 street commissioner; George S. Cheney, marshal and pound-master. The 
 office of marshal was later transferred to Jacob Withers. In May of this 
 year, the present village hall and lot were purchased of John Sprecher for 
 $300. The calaboose was moved upon the newly-purchased lot, and the re- 
 mainder used as a pound. In August, the board commenced the work of 
 revising the ordinances, which were afterward published in pamphlet form. 
 Jacob Good, an honored member of the board, died during this term, and 
 resolutions of respect were passed and spread upon the minutes. The an- 
 nual appropriation amounted to $1,500. 
 
 In 1887, trustees elected: Full term, David Newcomer, John T. Stewart, 
 Samuel Rowe; to fill vacancy, Oliver H. Swingley; clerk, Samuel Knodle. 
 Dr. Newcomer was again chosen president. Appointments: William C. 
 Mathers, street commissioner; A. M. Newcomer, treasurer. Annual ap- 
 propriation, $1,000. 
 
 In 1888, the election resulted as follows: For president, Charles New- 
 comer; trustees, Daniel N. Wingert, Joseph M. Piper, Charles Sharer; 
 clerk, Samuel Knodle. Appointments: Benjamin F. Tracy, street com- 
 missioner and marshal; A. M. Newcomer, treasurer. Kerosene lamps for 
 lighting the streets were purchased in August and placed on the principal 
 corners of the town. The appropriation for the fiscal year amounted to 
 $1,000. 
 
66 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 In 1889, the election resulted as follows: For president, Charles New- 
 comer; trustees, George Sprecher, John T. Stewart, George B. McCosh; 
 clerk, Samuel Knodle. Appointments: A. M. Newcomer, treasurer; Sam- 
 uel Rowe, marshal and street commissioner. In July of this year, three 
 large cisterns, to provide water in case of fire, were built, each cistern hav- 
 ing a capacity of 150 barrels. They have long since been filled up. A fire 
 company of seven persons was formed at this time. The annual appropri- 
 ation was $1,000. 
 
 In 1890, the election resulted as follows: For president, Charles New- 
 comer; trustees, A. E. Canode, Clinton E. Price, Henry H. Newcomer; 
 clerk, Samuel Knodle. Appointments: William H. Miller, treasurer; Sam- 
 uel Rowe, marshal and street commissioner. Annual appropriation, $1,000. 
 
 In 1891, result of election: For president, Charles Newcomer; trustees, 
 George B. McCosh, Henry L. Smith, Jacob Craley; clerk, Samuel Knodle. 
 The question whether a village tax of one mill should be levied for a public 
 library was an issue at this election. Seventy-one votes were cast in favor 
 of, and one against, the proposition. William Miller and Samuel Rowe were 
 reappointed treasurer and marshal and street commissioner respectively. 
 The annual appropriation was $1,500. 
 
 In 1892, result of election: For president, Charles Newcomer; trustees, 
 Samuel P. Mumma, A. M. Newcomer, Daniel B. Keedy; clerk, Samuel 
 Knodle. William Miller was again appointed treasurer and Samuel Rowe, 
 street commissioner and marshal. The annual appropriation was $1,650. 
 
 In 1893, result of election: For president, W. H. Jackson; trustees, 
 Philip T. Sprecher, Charles H. Sharer, C. H. Mishler; clerk, Samuel 
 Knodle. Officers of the year previous were reappointed. The street lead- 
 ing to the depot, known as " Midway," was opened and macadamized. An- 
 nual appropriation, $1,850. 
 
 In 1894, result of election: For president, W. W. Hanes; trustees, Clin- 
 ton E. Price, Henry L. Smith, Benj. Rine; clerk, Samuel Knodle. Officers 
 of the previous year were reappointed. During the summer the first five 
 blocks (5,728 square feet) of tar-concrete walk were constructed by J. F. 
 Wisuer, of Rockford. The annual appropriation bill amounted to $2,500. 
 At the meeting of the board on February 4, 1895, the following petition, 
 signed by N. E. Buser, Charles Newcomer, Joseph Amick, L. A. Plate, R. E. 
 Arnold, Simon E. Yundt, and 168 others, was submitted for their consider- 
 ation: 
 
 To the President and Boaed of Trustees of the Village of Mount Morris: 
 
 Gentlemen: — The undersigned, citizens and tax-payers of Mount Morris, feeling 
 that the time has arrived when the village should have a system of water-works, here- 
 with submit this petition, and respectfully ask your honorable body to take the 
 legal preliminary measures necessary to submit the question of water-works to the 
 voters of the village at the coming spring election, — said water-works not to exceed 
 $15,000, and to be so constructed as to furnish ample protection from fire to the lumber 
 yard of Clark & Wingert. the elevators, and Chain-Stay Pence factory, on the north 
 side; P. T. Sprecher, A. W. Brayton, and John Rice, on the east side; the creamery, Old 
 Polks' Home, and public school building, on the south side ; Mr. Lutz and John French, 
 on the west side ; and all property included within the above limits. 
 
INCORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE. 67 
 
 The ordinance prohibiting the pasturing of cattle on the streets was 
 ordered to be strictly enforced, and the practice was effectually done away 
 with. 
 
 In 1895, result of election: For president, W. W. Hanes; trustees, full 
 terms, John H. Rice, Philip T. Sprecher, W. A. Newcomer; to fill vacancy, 
 Ira W. Wingert; clerk, Samuel Knodle. The question whether a water- 
 works system should be put in was voted upon, 96 votes being cast in favor 
 of, and 69 in opposition to the measure. The officers of the year previous 
 were reappointed. May 6, it was ordered that bonds to the amount of 
 $8,000 be issued by the village to apply on the construction of water- 
 works. It was provided that these bonds be eight in number, and each be 
 for $1,000, one bond payable each year in ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, four- 
 teen, fifteen, sixteen, and seventeen years respectively from the date of 
 issue, said bonds to bear interest until paid at the rate of five per cent from 
 the date of issue (July 1, 1895). The bonds secured purchasers and are 
 now in the hands of Parson, Leach & Co., of Chicago. May 14, a special 
 meeting of the board was held to consider the kind of water- works that 
 would be suitable. A number of authorities were consulted, and a com- 
 mittee, appointed with power to let the contract for the system, visited 
 Amboy, and reported in favor of a steel tower. June 27, the annual appro- 
 priation ordinance was passed, providing $400 for interest on water- works 
 bonds, $1,500 for increase of water system, and $1,400 for other purposes, 
 making a total of $3,300, the largest sum ever appropriated for village pur- 
 poses, previous to that time. July 24, the contract for drilling the artesian 
 well was let to J. P. Miller & Co., of Chicago, and August 8, the contract 
 for the tower, power-house, and equipment complete, was let to the United 
 States Wind, Engine and Pump Co., of Batavia, for $6,163. April 6, 1896, 
 the following ordinance was passed: 
 
 Be it ordained by the president and Board of Trustees of the village of Mount 
 Morris, that all sidewalk on the principal streets hereafter to be constructed shall be 
 laid of tar-concrete, stone, brick, or artificial stone, excepting- the sidewalk in front of 
 stores and other business houses on "Wesley avenue and other business streets, where it 
 may be impracticable or undesirable to lay walks with other material than planks or 
 boards. 
 
 In 1896, result of election: For president, W. W. Hanes; trustees, Ira 
 W. Wingert, Edward Slater, Benj. Rine; clerk, Samuel Knodle. William 
 H. Miller was again appointed village treasurer and Samuel Rowe, marshal 
 and street commissioner. In July, complete settlement was made with the 
 U. S. W., E. and P. Co. for the water- works system, the amount of the bill 
 being $6,435.94. The annual appropriation bill amounted to $3,300, $400 
 being set aside for interest on bonds, $1,500 for increase of water-works 
 system, and the balance for sidewalks, streets, and contingences. 
 
 In 1897, result of election: For president, A. W. Brayton; trustees, 
 Philip T. Sprecher, H. E. Newcomer, W. A. Newcomer; clerk, Samuel 
 Knodle. Appointments: William H. Miller, treasurer; Samuel Rowe, 
 marshal and street commissioner; C. H. Whitman, fire marshal. During 
 the spring of this year, 2,169 lineal feet of tar-concrete walk was laid, 
 
68 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 aggregating about seven blocks, in addition to the wide walk leading to the 
 depot. The annual appropriation provided $3,300, of which $1,200 was de- 
 signed for increasing the water-works system. 
 
 In 1898, result of election: For president, A. W. Brayton; trustees, 
 A. E. Clevidence, Benj. Rine, Ira W. Wingert; clerk, Samuel Knodle. Ap- 
 pointments: William H. Miller, treasurer; Samuel Rowe, marshal; C. H. 
 Whitman, fire marshal; George Lampert, street commissioner. In April, 
 7,561^ lineal feet of tar-concrete walk was laid. Appropriation, $3,300, 
 of which amount $900 was for increase of water system and $700 for walks. 
 
 In 1899, the election resulted as follows: For president, W. W. Hanes; 
 trustees, H. E. Newcomer, W. A. Newcomer, Philip T. Sprecher; clerk, 
 Samuel Knodle. Appoiutments, William H. Miller, treasurer; Samuel 
 Rowe, marshal; George Lampert, street commissioner. Appropriation, 
 $3,300. No provision was made for the extension of the water-mains, 
 an extra large amount being set aside for sidewalks. In July of this year, 
 the street commissioner purchased an improved road-grader, with which 
 much good work has been done on unmacadamized streets. Nearly 3,000 
 lineal feet of tar-concrete walk was laid during the year. 
 
 In 1900, the election resulted as follows: For president, W. W. Hanes; 
 trustees, Ira W. Wingert, Benj. Rine, William Peacock; clerk, B. E. Avey. 
 Appointments, Roy Householder, treasurer; Samuel Rowe, manager of 
 pumping-station; William Keedy, marshal and street commissioner. The 
 annual appropriation bill, passed June 7, again provided $3,300 for current 
 expenses during the fiscal year. In August, William Keedy resigned, and 
 William Withers was appointed street commissioner, while the duties of 
 marshal were again assumed by Samuel Rowe. 
 
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CHAPTER IV. 
 
 INCORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP. 
 
 The township of Mount Morris was organized in the year 1850, under 
 the Township Organization Law, passed by the State Legislature in Feb- 
 ruary of the year previous. The first town meeting was held on the sec- 
 ond day of April, 1850, in the chapel of the Rock River Seminary, for the 
 purpose of choosing town officers. Of this meeting D. J. Pinckney was 
 moderator and Benj. G. Stephens, clerk. A resolution was passed to divide 
 the township into six road districts, and an overseer of highways was ap- 
 pointed for each district. The election of town officers, as are required by 
 law to be elected by ballot, resulted as follows: For supervisor, James B. 
 McCoy; town clerk, A. Q. Alleu; assessor, M. Garman; collector, Jonathan 
 Kuodle, Sr.; highway commissioners, Abram Thomas, Jacob Myers, Henry 
 Hiestand; constables, Peter Knodle, Henry Little; justices of the peace, 
 James M. Webb, Henry Little; overseer of the poor, Benj. G. Stephens. 
 
 The voters at this first township election numbered 107, many of whose 
 names are probably forgotten by the present citizens of Mount Morris. 
 The list will be of interest to many, and is as follows: 
 
 David Gloss, 
 Samuel S. Miller. 
 David Beard. 
 John Beard. 
 Abraham Thomas, 
 John Harmon, Jr.. 
 D. J. Pinckney, 
 Peter Glasgow, 
 Andrew Rowland. 
 James D. Hays, 
 Joseph Muller, 
 William Grubb, 
 Jacob Beard, 
 Walter McNutt, 
 Jonathan Knodle, Sr., 
 John Palmer, 
 Charles M. Haller, 
 Washington Phelps, 
 Samuel Garber, 
 Samuel Webb, 
 Jacob Philips, 
 Henry Coffman, 
 James Mitten, 
 Thomas Bryant, 
 John Rice, 
 George Fouke, 
 John Miller, 
 Henry Little. 
 
 Michael Garman, Jr., 
 Martin Rodermel, 
 George Brayton, 
 Daniel Sprecher, 
 Michael Garman, Sr., 
 William Little, 
 Jacob Coffmam 
 Salathiel Highbarger, 
 Jacob Rice, Jr., 
 Jacob Meyers, 
 O. N. Adams, 
 Henry Clarke, 
 C. C. Olds, 
 Jacob Hoffman, 
 John Wallace, 
 Adam Patterson, 
 John Ankney. 
 John Lauderbaugh, 
 David Butterbaugh, 
 Andrew Newcomer, 
 Jacob Hykas, 
 Henry Agard. 
 Joel R. Carll. 
 William Falkler, 
 James M. Webb, 
 Talbot C. Ankney, 
 C. Misner, 
 John Hammer, 
 
 F. G. Petrie. 
 John Schultz, 
 Daniel Arnold, 
 William Schultz, 
 Stephen H. Cheney. 
 Peter Knodle, 
 Otho Wallace, 
 Henry Newcomer, 
 Henry Neff, 
 Enoch Wood, 
 Elias Baker, 
 Richard McClain, 
 Samuel Foutz, 
 Henry Thomas, 
 George Avey, 
 Thomas Winn, 
 Benj. Hedrick, 
 Aaron Billig, 
 F. B. Brayton, 
 Matthew Ayers, 
 J. J. Beatty, 
 N. J. Stroh, 
 Benj. G. Stephens. 
 J. B. McCoy, 
 L. S. Carll, 
 Stephen Adams, 
 W. S. Blair, 
 William Hedges, 
 (73) 
 
74 
 
 mount morris: past and present. 
 
 Matthew Blair, 
 Samuel McMillen, 
 Lawrence Wallace, 
 James Fouke, 
 Peter Funk, 
 Jonathan Knodle, Jr., 
 S. M. Fellows, 
 Jacob A. Knodle, 
 
 Alexander Hedrick. 
 N. J. Jndson, 
 Cooper Crews, 
 Peter Knodle, Sr., 
 John F. Grosh, 
 Isaac Rice. 
 Jonathan Meyers. 
 Samuel Thomas. 
 
 Philip Sprecher. 
 Samuel Swingley, 
 A. Q. Allen. 
 John Reitzell, 
 A. C. Marston. 
 William Stephens, 
 Jonas Shafstall. 
 
 Prom the time of this first town meeting, held in April 1850, the meet- 
 ings have been continued regularly in that month each year, being known 
 as "Annual Town Meetings." The principal business to come before 
 these meetings is the election, by ballot, of township officers, the appoint- 
 ment of overseers of highways of the several road districts into which the 
 township is divided, the appropriation of funds to defray the expenses of 
 the township, and the passage of a few laws found necessary from year to 
 year for the welfare of the general public. 
 
 The poll-list of the first election has already been given. The poll-list 
 of 1852 is interesting from the fact that in it are found the names of Hon. 
 Shelby M. Cullom and General John A. Rawlins, who were evidently stu- 
 dents at the seminary at that time. The poll-list of 1860 is an excep- 
 tionally large one, containing the names of 235 voters. A perusal of the 
 list disclosed the fact that the majority of these old residents are either 
 dead or greatly advanced in years. Their names inserted here will prove 
 of interest: 
 
 S. Vinton Miller. 
 Isaac H. Allen, 
 A. Q. Allen, 
 D. C. Morgan, 
 Andrew Newcomer, 
 Samuel Rennie, 
 Daniel Sprecher, 
 Solomon Davis, 
 G. W. Marshall, 
 Henry S. Jones, 
 G. W. Gibbs, 
 Daniel E. Thompson, 
 John McClelland Miller, 
 William Rine, 
 William H. Bull, 
 Jacob A. Knodle, 
 Isaac Prichard, 
 W. H. Gibbs, 
 Henry Middlekauff, 
 Henry Sharer, 
 Carlton R. Cheney, 
 Enoch J. Coffman, 
 Philip Sprecher, 
 Alfred M. Doward, 
 John A. Noel, 
 Jacob Coffman, 
 Joseph S. Nye, 
 Sidney Redfield. 
 William J. Fletcher. 
 
 Henry Butterbaugh. 
 Joseph N. Knodle, 
 Elijah Lott, 
 Samuel Knodle, 
 Jacob Stouffer, 
 John Sharer, 
 Peter Knodle, Sr., 
 Theodore Higley. 
 J. A. Ormsbee, 
 David Rine. 
 Jacob Phillips, 
 Jeremiah Lambert, 
 William S. Blair, 
 Samuel Domer, 
 H. I. Little, 
 Robert Hitt, 
 Lyman S. Carll, 
 Edwin Cheney, 
 Samuel Foutz, 
 William Fish, 
 Peyton Skinne-r, 
 James D. Hays, 
 James M. Webb, 
 George Knodle, 
 William Knodle. 
 Peter Knodle, Jr., 
 James H. Fouke, 
 A. Pope. 
 Bolivar Cooper, 
 
 Amos Wiley, 
 Horace Hansom, 
 John Dunton. 
 Frederick Lohafer, 
 Jonathan Knodle. 
 James B. McCoy, 
 Jacob Sharer. 
 William T. Cooper. 
 John Newton, 
 Jacob Corell. 
 Rodney Burnett, 
 John T. Long, 
 John D. Welty, 
 D. B. Morgan, 
 William Newcomer, 
 Edward Davis, 
 William J. Gibbs, 
 J. R. Holsinger, 
 Cyrus Alden. 
 William S. Pope, 
 Milton McAnley, 
 Abram Felker, 
 David Felker. 
 John F. Miller, 
 Adam Patterson, 
 Jonathan Hill, 
 Thomas Barker, 
 Elijah Glasgow, 
 F. A. McNeill, 
 
INCORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP. 
 
 75 
 
 Henry Thompson. 
 B. K. Shryock. 
 Isaac Fry, 
 Henry Newcomer. 
 Michael Noel. 
 Walter B. McCoy, 
 "William Nichols. 
 John Sprecher. 
 Samuel Householder. 
 John Stover. 
 William L. Coho. 
 Christian Rockenbaugh. 
 Calvin Potter. 
 George Sprecher. 
 Jacob J. Mace. 
 Michael Garman. Jr.. 
 August Steinmeyer. 
 Jacob Mace. 
 Henry Thomas, 
 Ernest Floto. 
 James Potter. 
 Henry Stover. 
 Joseph Watermeyer, 
 A. Billig. 
 Jacob Hilger. 
 Benjamin Eowe, 
 John Page. 
 John Hamping. 
 Martin T. Rohrer. 
 Jacob Mitchell. 
 Joseph Muller. 
 Henry A. Neff. 
 David A. Potter. 
 Henry F. Newcomer, 
 Emanuel Stover, 
 John Gloss. 
 D. C. Routzhan. 
 Jonas Shafstall. 
 Jacob Cross. 
 John Felker, 
 David Turney. 
 Richard Shaw, 
 Daniel Shaw, 
 N. J. Stroh. 
 Alexander Hedrick, 
 Abram Weaver. 
 F. W. Stonebraker, 
 Abram Thomas, 
 David Gloss. 
 S. 0. Pickard, 
 
 Daniel Stover. 
 Leonard Thompson, 
 Caleb Marshall, 
 George Smith. 
 Michael Brantner. 
 Isaac Newcomer. 
 D. H. Butterbaugh. 
 H. J. Farwell. 
 J. Martin Davis, 
 Isaac Rice. 
 Eli Thompson, 
 John W. Hitt. 
 John F. Wallace. 
 Joel Newcomer. 
 Andrew F. Long, 
 James Fleming. 
 John Davis. 
 Daniel Zellers, 
 Benj. Swingley, 
 James Wallace, 
 William Spero. 
 William H. Atchison, 
 Richard Allison. 
 Reuben Marshall. 
 John W. Hammer, 
 Otho Wallace. 
 John S. Spero, 
 Benj. Hammer. 
 George W. Fouke. 
 F. B. Brayton, 
 Henry Baker. 
 Ezra Thomas, 
 Stephen H. Cheney, 
 David Cornell. 
 Thomas Coggins. 
 Stephen Smith. 
 Myron Phillips, 
 John H. Nye. 
 William Hedges. 
 Carlos Meddler. 
 Jonathan Myers, 
 Pratt German. 
 Peter Glasgow. 
 Lewis H. Routzhan. 
 William Grubb, 
 Walter McNutt, 
 John Jones, 
 Christian Tockey, 
 Peter Funk. 
 A. W. McMullen, 
 
 Willard Pond. 
 Elias Williams, 
 Samuel Thomas, 
 Joel R. Carll. 
 Thomas Winston. 
 Frank Highbarger. 
 
 C. Hills. 
 Martin Miller, 
 Joshua Slifer, 
 Daniel Knodle, 
 Andrew Sharp, 
 Samuel Long, 
 B. G. Stephens, 
 David Nikirk. 
 John L. Jones, 
 John Startzman. 
 Solomon Nally, 
 W. J. Fouke. 
 George Eavey, 
 
 D. J. Pinckney, 
 J. S. Shook. 
 Elias J. Ohr, 
 
 A. Warren Little. 
 Jacob Miles. 
 Henry Shilling. 
 Muhlenburg Stroh. 
 Upton Miller, 
 Harrison Sage, 
 Henry Johnson. 
 Benjamin Seibert. 
 John Martin. 
 Nelson J. Potter. 
 Andrew Hitt. 
 Chris. Middlekauff. 
 Emery Hitt. 
 Franklin Black, 
 William Little. 
 Emanuel Toms, 
 Joseph Hitt. 
 J. A. McKean, 
 H. E. Stout, 
 
 F. M. Clark. 
 J. H. McKean. 
 William H. Harlow, 
 
 G. B. Charles, 
 
 H. B. Cartwright, 
 J. M. Piper, 
 M. V. Wood. 
 
 October 29, 1864, a special town meeting was held, and the question 
 voted upon whether the town should or should not levy a tax sufficient to 
 pay the expenses incurred in furnishing eleven volunteers for the service of 
 the United States, in accordance with the call of the President for more 
 troops, issued a short time previous. There were 151 votes polled, 134 in 
 favor of the tax and 17 against. 
 
76 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
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78 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 Highway Commissioners of the Township 
 
 YEAE. 
 
 Name. 
 
 YEAE. 
 
 Name. 
 
 1850, . . 
 
 1851, . . 
 
 1852, . . 
 
 1853, . . 
 
 1854, . . 
 
 1855,.. 
 
 1856, . . 
 
 1857, . . 
 
 1858, . . 
 
 1859, . . 
 1860, . . 
 1861. . . 
 
 1862, . . 
 
 1863,.. 
 1864. . . 
 1865... 
 1866. . . 
 1867... 
 1868... 
 1869, . . 
 
 \ Abram Thomas. Jacob Myers, . . 
 
 1870, . . 
 1871, . . 
 
 1872, . . 
 1873... 
 1874,.. 
 1875. . . 
 1876: . . 
 1877, . . 
 1878. . . 
 1879. . . 
 1880,.. 
 1881... 
 1882,.. 
 188!,.. 
 1884... 
 1885. . . 
 •886,.. 
 1887... 
 1888... 
 1889;.. 
 1890. . . 
 1891... 
 *1892... 
 1893... 
 1894,.. 
 1895,.. 
 1896, . . 
 1897,.. 
 1898,.. 
 1899. . . 
 1900, . . 
 
 William Lohafer , 
 
 Charles Smith 
 
 Reuben Marshall. . 
 
 1 Joel R. Carll, Jacob Turney, 
 
 W. S. Blake 
 
 ( Joel R. Carl, Jacob Mvers, 
 
 / Abram Thomas, 
 
 R. S. Marshall 
 
 1 Henry Hiestand, Lyman S. Carll, 
 
 \ A. Q. Allen. Jacob Coffman 
 
 1 William Falkler, 
 
 R.S.Marshall 
 
 Jacob G. Miller, 
 
 1 H. J. Farwell, . . 
 
 
 j Abram Thomas, Jacob Coffman, 
 
 Jacob G. Miller, 
 
 1 Jacob Coffman. J. B. McCoy, 
 1 L. S. Carll.. 
 
 Jonathan Shafstal 
 
 R. S. Marshall, 
 
 Henry Stahlhut. 
 
 j Joel R. Carll. Jacob Coffman,. .. 
 
 
 i William Rine. Joel R. Carll, 
 
 R. S.Marshall 
 
 Henry Stahlhut. 
 
 Same as year previous. 
 \ William Rine. Joel R. Carll. 
 1 B. F. Hedrick, 
 
 R. S. Marshall, 
 
 George V. Farwell, 
 
 R. S. Marshall, 
 
 Frank Midler 
 
 Martin T. Rohrer, . . 
 
 
 H. J. Farwell 
 
 R. S. Marshall 
 
 Edward Potter 
 
 
 
 H. J. Farwell,. 
 
 W. E. McCready, 
 
 Tra W. Marshall 
 
 
 
 
 
 *No election. 
 
 
 
 Justices of the Peace of the Township 
 
 YEAE. 
 
 Name. 
 
 YEAE. 
 
 Name. 
 
 1850, . . 
 
 1854, . . 
 
 1858, . . 
 1860, . . 
 1862, . . 
 
 1866, . . 
 
 1870, . . 
 1871,.. 
 
 ( James M. Webb, 
 
 1 Henry Little. 
 
 1874, . . 
 
 1875, . . 
 
 1877. . . 
 
 1881, . . 
 1885, . . 
 1889, . . 
 1893. . . 
 1897. . . 
 
 William Rine, 
 
 Andrew Newcomer, 
 
 1 James M. Webb, 
 
 1 John Weller 
 
 1 James M Webb. 
 
 I Charles M. Haller, . . . 
 
 ?A. Q.Allen ,. 
 
 Joel R Carll. 
 
 j James M. Webb, 
 
 1 Daniel Fager, 
 
 
 ) James M Webb, 
 
 1 R. D. McClure 
 
 
 ( R. D. McClure 
 
 (Elijah Lott, 
 
 ? *H. G. Kauff man 
 
 
 ( R. D. McClure 
 
 \ Elijah Lott, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 *Kauffman failed to qualify, and A. M 
 
 . Newcoi 
 
 ner was elected next spring. 
 
INCORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Til 
 
 Constables of the Township 
 
 Note. — Judging' from the records, the office of constable was filled in a very er- 
 ratic manner, some years there being- two officers elected; some years, only one, and 
 frequently, none at all. A blank after a year signifies that the office was not supplied 
 by election; The term of service also varied, being- of different lengths until 1881, 
 when it was fixed at four years. 
 
 YEAR. 
 
 Name. 
 
 YEAR. 
 
 Name. 
 
 1850, . . 
 
 1851. . . 
 
 1852. . . 
 1853. . . 
 1854, . . 
 
 1855, . . 
 
 1856, . . 
 
 1857. . . 
 
 1858,.. 
 
 1859, . . 
 
 1860, . . 
 1861. . . 
 1862, . . 
 
 1863, . . 
 
 1861. . . 
 1865, . . 
 
 1866, . . 
 
 
 1867, . . 
 
 1868, . . 
 1869. . . 
 1870, . . 
 
 1871, . . 
 
 1873, . . 
 1876, . . 
 
 1877, . . 
 1880, . . 
 
 1881, . . 
 
 1885, . . 
 1889, . . 
 1893. . . 
 1897, . . 
 
 ) William Bull 
 
 ? Henry Little, 
 
 "I Peter Knodle, 
 
 
 
 1 A. M. Doward, 
 
 1 Franklin W. Black, 
 
 1 William Bull 
 
 } Alex. A. Cook, 
 
 A. W. Little , 
 
 1 J. B. McCoy, . 
 
 } William L. Coho, 
 
 
 
 
 \ Henry L. Smith, 
 
 1 Benj. F. Tracy, 
 
 1 Charles Smith, 
 
 1 William L. Coho.. 
 
 William Bull, 
 
 
 
 ( William Bull 
 
 
 
 
 (William Bull 
 
 1 William H. Keedy, 
 
 1 George H. Myers, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 School Trustees of the Township 
 
 Prom 1870, the year of the establishment of the office, up to 
 the present time. 
 
 YEAR. 
 
 Name. 
 
 YEAR. 
 
 Name. 
 
 1870, . . 
 1871. . . 
 
 1872... 
 1873. . . 
 1874, . . 
 1875, . . 
 *1876. . . 
 1877, . . 
 1878. . . 
 1879, . . 
 1880, . . 
 1881. . . 
 1882, . . 
 1883, . . 
 1884, . . 
 1885. . . 
 1886, . . 
 
 
 1887, . . 
 
 1888, . . 
 1889, . . 
 1890, . . 
 1891, . . 
 $1892, . . 
 
 1893, . . 
 
 1894, . . 
 
 1895, . . 
 1896, . . 
 1897... 
 1898, . . 
 1899. . . 
 1900. 
 
 < Jacob O. Thomas, . 
 
 John E. McCoy, . 
 
 } fWiliam Stahllmt, 
 
 W. S. Blake. 
 
 
 
 William Stahlhut, 
 
 John E. McCoy 
 
 Henry T. Moats, 
 
 Josiah Avey, 
 
 John E. McCoy 
 
 
 
 
 Henry T. Moats 
 
 John E. McCoy, 
 
 
 
 
 C. A. Zumdahl 
 
 John Weller, 
 
 John E. McCoy, 
 
 Oliver Gloss, 
 
 W. A. New comer, 
 
 
 W. S. Blake,... 
 
 John E. Tice.... 
 
 William Stalilhnt. 
 
 
 
 *No one elected. fTo fill vacancy. 
 
 ±No ele 
 
 ction held. 
 
80 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 June 30, 1870, a special town meeting was held to vote for or against a 
 donation of $75,000 to the Chicago & Iowa Railroad Company. This ques- 
 tion is discussed more fully iu the chapter on the coming of the railroad. 
 
 Mount Morris township has furnished competent men, not only for 
 the administration of her own affairs but also has sent many of her most 
 prominent citizens to fill places of trust and honor in the various depart- 
 ments of the county government: a number have been elected to seats in 
 the General Assembly of Illinois; and one has entered the halls of our 
 National Legislature, where he has acquired a world-wide reputation. 
 Probably no more appropriate place could be found for enumerating these 
 distinguished men. They are as follows: 
 
 Member of Congress, House of Representatives.— Hon. Robert R. Hitt. 
 
 Illinois State Senate. — Prof. Daniel J. Pinckney, 25th and 26th Gen- 
 eral Assemblies; Hon. Isaac Rice, 32nd and 33rd General Assemblies. 
 
 Illinois State House of Representatives. — Samuel M. Hitt, 14th Gen- 
 eral Assembly; Prof. Daniel J. Pinckney, 19th, 20th and 24th General As- 
 semblies; Dr. Francis A. McNeill, 22nd General Assembly; Hon. Isaac Rice, 
 28th and 29th General Assemblies; Hon. Franklin N. Tice, 30th and 31st 
 General Assemblies. 
 
 Sheriffs of Ogle County. — Elis Baker, 1853 and 1854; Charles Newcomer, 
 1855 and 1856; Frederick G. Petrie, 1859 and 1860. 
 
 County Judge. — James M. Webb. 
 
 County Surveyors. — Joshua Rice, 1843-'45; A. Quimby Allen, 1857-'58 
 and 1861-'76. 
 
 County Superintendents of Schools. — Eldridge W. Little, 1859-'62, Jo- 
 seph M. Piper, 1888 . 
 
 County Coroner. — Dr. W. W. Hanes, 1892 . 
 
 County Commissioners. — Henry Hiestand, 1845-1846. 
 
 Members Constitutional Convention. — Daniel J, Pinckney, 1848; Charles 
 Newcomer, 1862. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 ROCK RIVER SEMINARY. 
 
 The name Rock River Seminary is perhaps fading from the memory of 
 the younger generation, but to the older citizens of Mount Morris, and to 
 thousands scattered all over this broad land, the remembrances of that 
 grand old institution of learning will live until they are effaced by the 
 hand of Death. During the most palmy days of the seminary, Mount 
 Morris enjoyed the distinction of being the great literary center of the 
 northwest, and was justly proud of " Old Sandstone," standing so promi- 
 nently in the center of the dignified little village. In reviewing the pro- 
 gress of this institution, it must be remembered that its pupils were gath- 
 ered from a very wide extent of territory. There are probably more young 
 men and women now in one-half of Ogle county, who desire and need the 
 advantages of such an institution, than there were then in all northern 
 Illinois and southern Wisconsin, and Rock River Seminary was the only 
 institution of the kind then in existence in all this great territory. For 
 this reason, if for no other, the seminary exerted a more commanding in- 
 fluence in all this region than is now exerted by the present college or any 
 other institution of similar character. It is not strange, therefore, that, 
 during the long term of its existence, the school played a very important 
 part in moulding the destinies of the inhabitants of the comparatively 
 unknown northwest, — a part that cannot be told in words, but which is 
 nevertheless written in characters ineffaceable upon the hearts of those 
 who within the walls of " Old Sandstone " received their inspiration to be- 
 come noble men and women and to be of use in the world, the fruits of 
 whose endeavor eternity alone can reveal. 
 
 Rock River Seminary was founded in the year 1839, chiefly by the ex- 
 ertions of a few large-hearted, far-seeing, and public-spirited settlers liv- 
 ing in the vicinity, — Hon. Samuel M. Hitt, Rev. Thomas S. Hitt, Hon. John 
 Wallace, Martin Reynolds, Capt. Nathaniel Swingley, C. Burr Artz, and 
 several others. These gentlemen were strong advocates of liberal edu- 
 cation and had previously instituted and supported a school called the 
 Pine Creek Grammar School, taught by A. Quimby Allen. They conceived 
 the idea of developing this school into an institution of learning of high 
 character; and, after consultation, they decided that the Rev. Thomas S. 
 Hitt should attend the Illinois Conference of the M. E. church, in session 
 at Jacksonville in 1838, for the purpose of inducing that body to take the 
 Pine Creek Grammar School under its special charge and develop it into 
 an institution of high standing. Mr. Hitt laid the matter before the con- 
 ference, of which Rev. John Clark was presiding elder. The conference, 
 which was very much interested in the cause of education, was inclined to 
 
 (81) 
 
82 mount morris: past and present. 
 
 consider such action of doubtful propriety, but finally decided to establish 
 a seminary in northern Illinois, for which the Maryland colony would be 
 given a chance to contest. A committee, of which Elder Clark, Rev. Hitt, 
 Rev. Leander S. Walker, and Rev. P. R. Barien were members, was ap- 
 pointed, to receive propositions from various places desiring the seminary 
 and willing to contribute to its support. Propositions were received from 
 Joliet, Chicago, Roscoe, Kishwaukee, and the Maryland colony. The citi- 
 zens of the Maryland colony were determined to secure the location; and, 
 in numerous consultations, a general line of action was agreed upon, each 
 pledging a liberal contribution. Eight thousand dollars and four hundred 
 and eighty acres of land were pledged, an exceedingly heavy burden to be 
 boldly assumed by a small handful of men in a new country where money 
 was scarce and laborers few. In a speech at the students' reunion, held in 
 Mount Morris in 1886, Col. B. F. Sheets remarked that " if men would 
 give to' the cause of education now, in proportion that the founders of this 
 seminary gave to the early foundation, you would posssess a university 
 fully equipped." 
 
 The committee upon location paid a visit to each of the places from 
 which propositions had been received, arriving at the Maryland colony last. 
 They visited the grammar school in the rude log schoolhouse, and, after 
 witnessing the exercises, requested the pupils to retire, that they might 
 have the room for consultation. The discussion was heated and lasted far 
 into the night, there being several members of the committee who favored 
 Kishwaukee, and others, Roscoe. Finally the chairman threw his influ- 
 ence in favor of the Maryland colony, and this settled the question. A 
 number of the settlers, the teacher and the pupils of the school had tar- 
 ried outside, listening with anxiety to the discussion. When the favor- 
 able decision was reached, all gave vent to their feelings by throwing their 
 hats in the air and awakening the stillness of the night with their joyous 
 hurrahs. The next day the committee selected the crest of the hill, out 
 upon the open prairie and now included in the present college campus, as 
 a site for the future seminary. 
 
 The work was immediately pushed forward with energy. A building 
 committee, consisting of Messrs. Samuel M. Hitt, Nathaniel Swingley, and 
 C. B. Artz, was appointed. They received plans and proposals from James 
 B. McCoy and Elias Etnyre. Mr. McCoy's proposition to erect the build- 
 ing for eighteen thousand dollars was accepted, and the contract awarded 
 to him. He commenced work at once, and succeeded in advancing the 
 basement walls to such a height that it was decided to lay the corner-stone 
 with appropriate ceremony on July 4, 1839. On the appointed day the 
 southwest angle of the walls had been raised sufficiently high to support 
 the corner-stone. The people gathered from as far as forty miles around, 
 for it was an occasion of intense interest to the community. The number 
 of people present was estimated to have been over five hundred, an immense 
 crowd for such a thinly-populated country. It was a glorious day for the 
 pupils of Mr. Allen's school. They were marshaled in double file, with 
 their teacher at their head, in front of the old log schoolhouse; and, pro- 
 
ROCK RIVER SEMINARY. 83 
 
 vided with a banner, one side of which bore the words " United We Stand, 
 Divided We Fall," and the other, " Science and Virtue," they marched 
 with proud and elastic step to the beautiful spot where the corner-stone 
 of a temple of instruction was to be laid for their benefit. The services 
 were conducted by Rev. T. S. Hitt, who laid the stone and delivered the 
 oration. After the exercises, the half-dozen families residing within a 
 radius of several miles spread a bounteous dinner upon the ground east 
 of the foundation, and the visitors were invited to partake of the tempting 
 esculents. 
 
 During the summer in which the corner-stone was laid, a part of the 
 prairie about the building was surveyed and platted by D. Fletcher 
 Hitt, a brother of 'Squire Samuel and Rev. Thomas S. Hitt; and the town 
 was named Mount Morris. There is some controversy as to the origin of 
 this name. The Rock River Register, in an article which is reproduced on 
 pages 29 and 30 of this book, says that it was named in honor of Bishop 
 Morris of the M. E. church. Most of the old settlers are of that opinion, 
 but Horace Miller, of Kishwaukee, who was very active in his efforts to 
 secure the location of the seminary at that place, is said to have claimed 
 that he, himself, gave the village its name in honor of Mount Morris, 
 New York, his former residence. He was deeply interested in the semi- 
 nary, was one of the first trustees of the institution, and his claim seems 
 plausible. It may be that he suggested the name of his old town and the 
 Methodist elders adopted it at once because of its being in honor of 
 Bishop Morris as well. 
 
 The first meeting of the Board of Trustees was held November 18, 1839, 
 at which Rev. John Clark, Rev. B. Weed, Rev. Thomas Hitt, John Wallace, 
 Horace Miller, C. B. Artz, Dr. J. J. Beatty, Capt. Nathaniel Swingley, and 
 S. M. Bowman were present. Rev. Clark was elected president; Rev. Weed, 
 vice-president; S. M. Bowman, secretary; and Grant Goodrich, George 
 D. H. Wilcoxon, and James Johnson, members of the Board. Rev. Hitt, 
 who had been appointed agent of the institution, reported at this meet- 
 ing the amount of contributions which had been pledged. He was author- 
 ized to raise money upon the sale of scholarships, as follows: For one 
 year, $25; for two years, $50; for four years, $100; perpetual, $500. At this 
 meeting a committee of three was appointed to draft a charter to be sub- 
 mitted to the General Assembly of Illinois; and another of five, to em- 
 ploy a principal and teachers. 
 
 January 27, 1840, at a special meeting of the Board of Trustees, held 
 at Oregon, the following resolution was adopted: 
 
 Resolved. That a circular be drafted and addressed to the several presiding' elders 
 of the Methodist Episcopal church in the northern part of Illinois, and the territories 
 of Wisconsin and Iowa, setting' forth the present condition and ultimate design of the 
 Rock River Seminary, and earnestly requesting them to use their influence with the 
 several traveling and local preachers and others in their respective districts to take 
 up. as soon as practicable, collections in small sums from all individuals who may be 
 willing to contribute to the erection of said seminary. 
 
 In anticipation of the opening of the school, it was ordered, at a 
 
84 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 meeting in April, 1840, that the price of board for students under 15 years 
 of age should be $1.50 per week; over that age, $1.75. The scale of prices 
 for tuition was also established. It was further agreed that John Wallace 
 should act as steward of the seminary. 
 
 In May, 1840, the committee appointed to hire a principal reported 
 having secured Prof. Joseph N. Waggoner, of the Genesee (N. Y.) Wes- 
 leyan Seminary, and arrangements had been made with him whereby he 
 should receive for his services for three months commencing June 1, 1840, 
 the sum of $30 for his traveling expenses to this country, and $20 per 
 month for his services as teacher. At the meeting at which this report 
 was made, Rev. Alexander Irvine, an earnest and active Methodist minis- 
 ter, was appointed to visit Chicago for the purpose of soliciting donations. 
 
 Later, he reported having obtained subscriptions to the amount of 
 $186.75, also a stove, whereupon the board voted that he should have the 
 stove and his stage fare, $35, as compensation for his services. 
 
 Prof. Waggoner, the principal engaged, arrived by the specified time, 
 June, 1840; and, the seminary building not being completed, he was de- 
 tailed to teach during the summer in the old log schoolhouse,_where A. 
 Quimby Allen formerly taught, situated a short distance south of the 
 present residence of William Lohafer. He was re-engaged at the expira- 
 tion of the first three months at $20 per month until the beginning of the 
 first term, when his salary was to be fixed at $300 per annum. 
 
 The annual session of the Rockford Conference was appointed at 
 Mount Morris in the fall of 1840, when it was expected the seminary 
 building would be so far completed that the meeting could be held be- 
 neath its roof, but in this expectation the people were disappointed, as the 
 plastering had not been completed by the appointed time. Consequently, 
 they held a camp-meeting in the grove about two miles northwest of the 
 unfinished edifice. In September, the Rock River Conference appointed 
 the following Board of Trustees of the seminary: John Clark, Samuel M. 
 Hitt, John H. Rountree, J. B. Crist, Anthony Pitzer, Nathaniel Swingley, 
 Leander S. Walker, James Mitchell, John Sinclair, C. Burr Artz, Thomas 
 Ford, Bartholomew Weed, Thomas S. Hitt, and James J. Beatty. Rev. 
 John Sharp was appointed steward, and all arrangements made for the 
 opening of the school. 
 
 On the first Friday in November, 1840, the first term of the Rock 
 River Seminary was opened and contiuued twenty-two weeks. Consider- 
 ering the sparse settlement of the country, the attendance was very good. 
 The board of instruction consisted of Prof. Joseph N. Waggoner, principal 
 and professor of languages; Rev. Lyman Catlin, professor of Mathematics; 
 and Miss Cornelia N. Russell, preceptress. The second term commenced 
 on the first Friday in May, 1841. A primary, in charge of Mrs. Fannie 
 Russell, was established, and of course increased the enrollment. Mrs. 
 Russell received $2 per week and board. Her department was discontin- 
 ued after several years. 
 
 In December, 1841, the trustees passed the following resolutions, de- 
 signed to build up the village and increase the seminary's patronage: 
 
ROCK RIVER SEMINARY. 85 
 
 Resolved. That lots be donated to applicants applying until the first of June next, 
 who shall build a house, of stone, brick or frame, not less than 16x24 feet, one and one- 
 half stories high, to be fitted for occupancy by the first of January. 1841. or sooner. 
 
 Resolved, That all lots in the town of Mount Morris be deeded with the proviso 
 that houses of ill-fame, gambling, and retailing of ardent spirits be prohibited. 
 
 The seminary was formally dedicated January 3, 1841, Samuel N. Sam- 
 ples, a lawyer of Oregon, delivering the address. About this time, Rev. 
 Luke Hitchcock, later an eminent Methodist divine, was appointed an ad- 
 ditional special agent, to assist Samuel M. Hitt, the regular agent, whose 
 health was failing. The seminary was also incorporated and a charter ac- 
 cepted. 
 
 The first school year ended October 7, 1841. The order of the closing 
 exercises was as follows: 
 
 GENTLEMEN. 
 
 1. Music. 
 
 2. Prayer. 
 
 3. Music. 
 
 4. Stability of Our Republic. - - - John B. Cheney. Boonsboro. Md. 
 
 5. Man a Social Being. - - - - - Henry Madden. Belmont. Wis. 
 
 6. Freedom. ------- Jesse S. Pitzer, Ottawa. 111. 
 
 7. Music. 
 
 8. Beauties of Nature. .... James D. Turner, Freeport, 111. 
 
 9. Intellectual Culture. - - - Ephraim Ingals, Palestine Grove, 111. 
 
 10. Music. 
 
 11. Formation of Character, - - - Charles M. Hammond, Sycamore, 111. 
 
 12. The Art of Printing, .... Samuel M. Fellows, Dixon, 111. 
 
 13. Independence. ""."'." Benj. G. Stephens. Apple River, 111. 
 
 14. Music. 
 
 15. True Greatness, ----- Charles Dement. Dixon. 111. 
 
 16. A Superintending Providence Manifest in the Affairs of Nature. 
 
 George A. Ingals. Palestine Grove. 111. 
 
 17. Music. 
 
 18. Benediction. 
 
 LADIES. 
 
 1. Prayer. 
 
 2. All Is Not Gold That Glitters. Susie V. West. 
 
 3. Attachments to Early Habits. - Elizabeth O. Clement. 
 
 4. Advantages of History. ------ Helen M. Judson. 
 
 5. Advantages of Strict Adherence to Truth, - Emily Young. 
 
 6. Perseverance Accomplishes Everything. ... Amanda Wheeler. 
 
 7. Contemplation. ------- Almira M. Robertson. 
 
 8. Benediction. 
 
 Prof. Waggoner, principal of the school during the first year, was an 
 able and faithful instructor. After leaving Mount Morris, he was for 
 many years a prosperous bookseller of Galena. Miss Russell was also an 
 accomplished teacher and made many warm friends during her term of 
 service. 
 
 The catalogue issued at the end of this year, a copy of which is pre- 
 served in Hon. R. R. Hitt's library in Mount Morris, proves to be very 
 interesting. It consists of eight pages and a cover. Page 1 is the title 
 page; page 2 contains the names of the members of the Board of Trustees, 
 the Agents, and Board of Visitors; page 3 contains the names of the 
 
86 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 instructors and the start of the list of the male students, which ends on 
 page 6. The names of the female students commence on that page and 
 conclude on the next, after which there is a summary of all the students, 
 as follows: Male, 108; female, 48; total, 156. The eighth page contains 
 general information, and is interesting enough to be reproduced here. It 
 is as follows: 
 
 Course of Study. 
 
 The Couesb of Study to be pursued in the different departments of the school 
 has not been definitely determined. Classes have been taught during the year in the 
 following branches; viz.. Spelling. Reading, Writing: Colburn's, Adams's, and Emer- 
 son's Arithmetic; Mitchell's and Smith's Geography; Town's Analysis; Scholar's Com- 
 panion ; Parker's Composition ; Hale's U. S. History ; Brown's Grammar ; Bailey's and 
 Day's Algebra; Davies's Legendre's Geometry; Olmsted's Compendium of Natural 
 Philosophy: Olmsted's Astronomy: Comstock's Philosophy and Chemistry; Andrews 
 and Stoddard's Latin Grammar; Anthon's Latin Lessons; Jacob's Reader and Anthon's 
 Csesar; Anthon's Greek Lessons and Grammar; Surault's French Grammar; Vie de 
 Washington: Burritt's Geography of the Heavens: Mrs. Lincoln's Botany; Jameson's 
 Rhetoric; Wayland's Moral Science; Hedge's Logic; Painting and Music. 
 
 TERMS, VACATIONS, &C. 
 
 The Academic year is divided in two terms of twenty-two weeks each, one beginning 
 on the first Friday in May; the other, the first Friday in November. 
 
 There are two vacations of four weeks each. The terms are subdivided into two 
 quarters of eleven weeks each, without any intervening vacation. 
 
 There will be a public examination and exhibition at the close of each term. 
 
 EXPENSES. 
 
 Tuition per Quarter of eleven weeks. 
 
 Spelling and Reading, ------ $2.00 
 
 Small Geography, Small Arithmetic, &c, - 3.00 
 
 Higher Branches of English, - - - - - 4.00 
 
 All other Branches, ------- 5.00 
 
 Painting, extra, ------- 3.00 
 
 Music. "--.----. 10.00 
 
 Boarding with the Steward, including room-rent and use of 
 
 furniture, per week, ------ 1.50 
 
 Students furnish their own lights, beds, and towels. A small charge is made dur- 
 ing the winter for fuel. 
 
 Payment for board and tuition must be made Quarterly in advance; but in case 
 students are obliged to leave the institution on account of sickness, the money will be 
 refunded. 
 
 Daring the second year of school, Rev. Daniel J. Pinckney, then pro- 
 fessor in the Genesee (N. Y.) Wesleyan Seminary, was elected principal 
 of the seminary, and arrived in Mount Morris in August, 1812. Upon his 
 arrival he found the school in a much less prosperous condition than it 
 was the year previous. The heavy debt was being diminished very slowly; 
 the building was not yet entirely completed, and only sixteen students 
 were in attendance. He at once put his shoulder to the wheel, and dur- 
 ing the summer traveled extensively in northern Illinois and southern 
 
ROCK RIVER SEMINARY. 
 
 Wisconsin, working up the interests of the institution with such good ef- 
 fect that the fall term opened with one hundred and fifty students 
 in attendance. From that time on throughout the many years that 
 Prof. Pinckney was connected with the school, it was very successful and 
 had an abundance of students. Its usefulness, however, was much crip- 
 pled because of a lack of finances. 
 
 The following sketch, a part of the history of the seminary, written 
 by Hon. R. R. Hitt and which appeared in the catalogue of the seminary 
 for 1874, will be interesting at this juncture: 
 
 The country was then very sparsely-settled, — a wide region of far-sweeping- 
 prairies, with winding strips of 
 woodland following the course of the 
 streams. — the few people scattered 
 here and there were mostly persons 
 with narrow means, working dili- 
 gently to open farms, living in small, 
 inconvenient, temporary houses.with 
 the pressure of necessity — clothing, 
 food, the improvement of the land, 
 their stock and crops — to divert their 
 attention from the future value of 
 education to their sons and daugh- 
 ters. They generally possessed more 
 individual energy and force of char- 
 acter than is found in the average 
 citizen nowadays, and responded 
 readily to the appeals of the agents 
 of the seminary and the enthusiastic 
 Methodist circuit riders, who enter- 
 ed upon this cause as heartily as 
 they do upon every other good 
 thing. The students who came were, 
 many of them, crude and awk- 
 ward beginners; a few were ad- 
 vanced by previous advantages in 
 the east, but they were generally of 
 good families, and their education in 
 the school was preceded and supple- 
 mented by home and social educa- 
 tion, rendering it ten-fold more 
 valuable. They grew up with the 
 spirit of the period upon them, the 
 energy characteristic of a new coun- 
 try, and, as a result, there is a surprising proportion of those whose names occur as 
 students in the catalogues of those days who have risen to distinction as clergymen, 
 lawyers, merchants, politicians, editors, influential and substantial citizens, or accom- 
 plished, useful and honored women. Among those whose names appeared in the first 
 catalogues were Dr. Augustus H. Ankney. now a leading and wealthy citizen of Clin- 
 ton. Iowa: T. C. Ankney. of Viroqua. editor of the Wisconsin Independent; Rev. John 
 Emery Clark, a well-known Methodist educator: John B. Cheney, afterward a bril- 
 liant lawyer : Albert Deere, the manufacturer of the Deere plow at Moline : Prof. S. M. 
 Fellows, long a teacher here, a man of great worth and scholarship: Richard M. Ham- 
 ilton, of Chicago: James C. T. Phelps. William J. Mix. of Oregon: Rev. William R. 
 Irvine. Hon. James D. Turner. Gen. W. H. L. Wallace, afterward a prominent lawyer, a 
 soldier of distinction in the Mexican War. and in the late war rising to the rank of a 
 General officer, fell fighting gallantly at Shiloh; Gen. M. R. M. Wallace, brother of the 
 
 PROF. DANIEL J. PINCKNEY. 
 
88 MOUNT MOERIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 preceding, now at Chicago and judge of the Cook county court; Captain John F. Wal- 
 lace, another brother, who served in the army and died at Galveston, Texas. Among 
 the ladies, Margaret C. Hitt. now wife of Hon. D. J. Pinckney ; Helen M. Judson, now 
 wife of Gov. John L. Beveridge, Elizabeth Reynolds, now wife of Hon. L. P. Sanger. 
 Scores of others, equally well-known and honored, might be mentioned from the 156 
 names in the first catalogue. 
 
 Since the writing of the foregoing in 1874, some of the persons men- 
 tioned advanced to still more prominent positions, but most of them have 
 now died. In addition to those already mentioned must also be added our 
 townsman and member of Congress from this District, Hon. Robert R. 
 Hitt; John W. Hitt, for many years a prominent citizen of Mount Morris, 
 now of Iowa; Robert S. Hitt, of Chicago; Dr. Benj. G. Stephens, who died 
 in Mount Morris a number of years ago; Almira M. Robertson, now Mrs. 
 A. M. Bacon of Oregon: Ann E. Swingley, now Mrs. J. C. Phelps of Oregon; 
 John Hitt, Deputy Collector of Customs at Chicago over thirty years; 
 James Martin, afterward a professor in the institution, and later principal 
 of a seminary near Sacramento, Cal. During later years when Prof. 
 Pinckney was principal, a great many other prominent men attended the 
 seminary, among whom were Gen. John A. Rawlins, Secretary of War 
 under President Grant; Gov. John L. Beveridge; Gov. Shelby M. 
 Cullom, at present U. S. Senator; Hon. G. L. Fort, member of Congress; 
 Hon. James H. Beveridge, ex-State-Treasurer; Hon. Henry L. Magoon, at 
 one time member of Congress from Wisconsin; Rev. Dr. Fowler, editor of 
 the Christian Advocate and Journal, New York; Daniel H. Wheeler, after- 
 ward professor at Cornell College and in the Northwestern University at 
 Evanston, and later editor of the Methodist at New York; Hon. Moses 
 Hallett, afterward United States Judge in Colorado; John V. Farwell, a 
 partner in one of the largest wholesale dry-goods houses in Chicago: 
 Congressman George W. Curtis, of Iowa; James H. Cartwright, Chief 
 Justice of Illinois: John P. Hand, Justice Supreme Court of Illinois; 
 Judge Theodore D. Murphy, Woodstock, Illinois; Judge Edmund W. 
 Burke, Chicago; Judge Lucien C. Blanchard, Oskaloosa, Iowa; Judge Reu- 
 ben C. Bassett, Seneca, Kansas; Gen. Smith D. Atkins, Freeport, Illinois; 
 Prof. Fernando Sanford, Leland Stanford University, California; and 
 many others who have achieved success, but cannot readily be traced. 
 
 Prof. Pinckney left the institution iu the hands of his assistant, Prof. 
 S. R. Thorpe, during the latter part of the school year 1844— '45, on account 
 of ill-health. Dr. J. C. Finley succeeded him during the next year, after 
 which Prof. Pinckney again took charge. In 1847, he was elected a mem- 
 ber of the Constitutional Convention, and, during his absence, left Prof. 
 Fellows in charge of the seminary. From 1847 to 1850, Rev. Carmi C. Olds 
 served as principal, also Prof. Fellows during the latter part of the school 
 year 1849-'50, after which Prof. Pinckney was again elected to the office. 
 
 About this time " Old Sandstone " began to be entirely inadequate for 
 the requirements of the school, with its large number of students, and 
 plans were put on foot for the erection of the large stone building now 
 known as " Old Sandstone," the name being transferred to it when the 
 
ROCK RIVER SEMINARY. . 89 
 
 original "Old Sandstone" was torn down in 1893. At a meeting of the 
 Board of Trustees, September 9, 1850, action was taken and the following 
 resolution adopted: 
 
 Resolved. That we advertise in the Mount Morris Gazette, to receive proposals for 
 stone and brick work and other materials, for the walls of a new seminary building- 
 forty by one hundred feet, four stories high, until the first of October, 1850. 
 
 Prof. Pinckney, P. B. Brayton, and Enoch Wood were appointed a 
 building committee, and in May, 1851, were authorized to close a contract 
 with Jacob Myers for the erection of the stone walls for the new building, 
 and work was commenced soon afterward. The immense quantity of 
 stone necessary was quarried from a ledge along Pine creek. 
 
 To establish an endowment fund for the seminary, the scholarship 
 system was adopted in 1851. Scholarships were to be perpetual and sold 
 for $60. The next year, as an additional means to raise funds, a part of 
 the seminary land, now the Botanical Garden Addition, containing thir- 
 teen and one-half acres, was ordered surveyed, divided into forty-eight 
 lots, and recorded as an addition to the village. 
 
 In 1852, a new charter was drafted, and Prof. Pinckney went to Spring- 
 field to apply to the Legislature for an act of incorporation as a univers- 
 ity, with university privileges, in which he was entirely successful. Prof. 
 Pinckney resigned as principal in January, 1853, and Prof. George L. Little 
 was his successor. Prof. Little was succeeded by Prof. Spencer Matteson, 
 and upon the death of the latter, in November, 1853, Prof. Pinckney again 
 assumed active control of the school. 
 
 The new stone building, commenced in 1851, was not yet completed in 
 June, 1854, it being estimated at that time that six thousand dollars would 
 be sufficient to complete it. The trustees passed the following resolution: 
 
 Resolved, That we raise twelve thousand dollars on well-secured pledges, to be ap- 
 propriated to the payment of the debts of Rock River Seminary, and to the finishing 
 and furnishing of the new building. Provided, the said sum of twelve thousand dol- 
 lars shall be thus pledged and secured by the twentieth day of September next. 
 
 Prof. Pinckney again resigned the principalship, in June, 1855, and his 
 active connection with the institution ceased. For more than thirteen 
 years he had devoted his time, energies and money to advance the pros- 
 perity and usefulness of the Rock River Seminary, and had been its prin- 
 cipal most of that period. He was its greatest worker and strongest 
 director through trying but famous years. He was a fine teacher and bold 
 thinker, possessing a brilliant, many-sided mind. 
 
 Prof. N. T. Harlow followed Prof. Pinckney as principal, the new 
 building being then ready for occupancy. A loan of twelve thousand dol- 
 lars was obtained from the Northwestern University, secured by the sem- 
 inary property and notes, to pay for the new building and other debts. 
 
 In 1858, the seminary property was rented to Profs. Harlow and Pope, 
 who conducted the school for a number of years. 
 
 June 20, 1865, Prof. Harlow resigned as principal, and Profs. John 
 Williams and O. P. Matteson were elected associate principals. In 1867, 
 
90 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 Rev. J. M. Caldwell became principal and served two years. June 23, 1869, 
 the entire faculty having resigned, Prof. Brush was elected principal but 
 would not accept, and Rev. R. H. Wilkinson was then chosen. He served 
 until June, 1870, when he resigned. On September 28, 1870, a contract was 
 made with Rev. S. H. Adams, whereby he should run the seminary accord- 
 ing to the provisions of the charter, and have all the revenues from the 
 same until they reached the sum of four thousand dollars. Elaborate 
 provisions were made for the disposition of any surplus that might accrue. 
 This appears to have been a very weak period in the history of the school, 
 and for several years afterward the doors of " Old Sandstone " were closed 
 and the school suspended. 
 
 May 7, 1873, the trustees held a meeting and passed a resolution that 
 the executive committee be authorized to make, in connection with R. R. 
 Hitt, such arrangements with some person or persons, as would secure the 
 opening of the school and the running of the same, without incurring ex- 
 pense or liability to the trustees. Later, this committee reported having 
 secured the services of N. C. Dougherty as principal, together with a full 
 and competent faculty. Prof. Dougherty managed the affairs of the in- 
 stitution for a number of years with skill and ability, and once more the 
 time-honored halls resounded with the tread of students. The faculty 
 during the first year of the administration of Prof. Dougherty consisted 
 of himself as principal; R. Arthur Edwards, professor of Latin and 
 Greek; Miss Lottie M. Smith, preceptress, Miss Maria Hitt, teacher of 
 Music. 
 
 Toward the close of the principalship of Prof. Doughtery, the semi- 
 nary bore the appearance of prosperity, but an expensive faculty was too 
 much of a burden upon the financial resources of the institution, and the 
 school finally closed down in 1878 for that reason. Then, too, the Metho- 
 dists had established at Evanston a much larger and better-equipped 
 school known as the Northwestern University, which encroached very ser- 
 iously upon the territory from which the seminary had drawn her stu- 
 dents. The heavy mortgage upon the property of the seminary finally 
 ended the administration of the Methodists. To satisfy the creditors the 
 property was sold, Hon. R. R. Hitt being the purchaser. Mr. Hitt kept the 
 seminary property in his possession for some time, but finally disposed of 
 the two old buildings and campus to Elders Melchor Newcomer and D. E 
 Miller, and John W. Stine, for the sum of six thousand dollars. The two 
 blocks west of the present campus and now known as the Seminary Addi- 
 tion, Mr. Hitt had platted and sold in lots. 
 
 Thus ended the career of the renowned and time-honored Rock River 
 Seminary, after a checkered but influential life of forty years. In her his- 
 tory it has not been deemed necessary to refer to the hundreds of men and 
 women whose names were inscribed upon the rolls during the long series 
 of years in which the institution continued the most flourishing in this 
 part of the country. The names of many of them who have attained suc- 
 cess in various avocations after leaving Mount Morris have already been 
 given. Hon. R. R. Hitt has very briefly summed up a few points concern- 
 
ROCK RIVER SEMINARY. 93 
 
 ing the most prominent principals and preceptresses, as follows: "The 
 long administration of Principal D. J. Pinckney was conspicuous for its 
 ability and success. Principal C. C. Olds was an excellent teacher and a 
 general favorite. Prof. D. H. Wheeler, now of Northwestern University 
 and editor of the Lakeside Monthly, first a student and then a professor, 
 gave abundant promise of the great reputation as an author, scholar and 
 minister which he has achieved. Several of the preceptresses who suc- 
 cessively had charge of the young ladies, were of unusual character and 
 grace; notably, Miss C. A. Hurd, afterward Mrs. Pettingill, of Niles, Mich.; 
 Miss E. V. Mitchell, afterward Mrs. A. M. Hitt; Miss Rosalie D. Blanchard, 
 later wife of Major Charles Newcomer, of Mount Morris; Miss Elizabeth 
 Clement, now Mrs. Dr. Dinsmore, of Omaha, Nebr.: Miss Sarepta Irish, 
 now Mrs. S. M. I. Henry, of Rockford, Illinois." 
 
 In December, 1885, after the institution had been under the control of 
 the Brethren for several years, a number of the citizens of Mount Morris, 
 who still harbored a warm affection in their hearts for the old school, con- 
 ceived the idea of having a reunion of the alumni of the seminary, to- 
 gether with all those who attended from its origin in 1839 to the close in 
 1879. The plan received enthusiastic support, and the reunion, which oc- 
 curred in June, 1886, was a great success. The first move toward the 
 carrying out of the project was the calling of a meeting in February, 
 which resulted in the appointment of the following officers: Hon. R. R. 
 Hitt, president; A. W. Brayton, treasurer; Dr. W. T. Speaker, secretary. 
 i\s many names and addresses of old students and teachers were obtained 
 as possible, and a circular issued, requesting names and addresses of 
 others. This circular was sent to about three hundred persons, and 
 from this small nucleus the whereabouts of more than sixteen hundred of 
 " Old Sandstone's " graduates and students were learned. From north and 
 south, east and west, came letters conveying the names and addresses of 
 farmers, merchants, clergymen, governors, senators, legislators, judges, 
 bishops, poets, and men and women occupying the most prominent and 
 enviable positions in life. Also missives from across the briny deep told 
 in tender and loving words of the deep regrets, and the longings to be 
 present with that noble band of boys and girls, students of " Old Rock 
 River Seminary." From the nattering results obtained from the first cir- 
 cular, committees were appointed to carry forward the completion 
 of, and arrange dates for, the grand reunion. The twenty-ninth and thir- 
 tieth days of June and the first day of July, 1886, were the days selected 
 for the occasion, with a program filled with many rare treats. 
 
 Not less than 7,500 students went out into the world from the shades 
 of " Old Sandstone " since its foundation. Out of this number, 365 names 
 were enrolled on the secretary's book at the reunion, and their owners 
 answerered "present" at the "roll-call" during "chapel exercises." 
 Mount Morris gave the visitors a royal welcome. Wesley street was gaily 
 decorated with evergreens and flags, and the " Welcome," in huge letters, 
 
94 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 stretched entirely across the street, showing due appreciation of the event. 
 A large flag was also stretched above the stile at the east entrance of the 
 college campus. In the southeast corner of the beautiful grassy campus, 
 under the foliage of large spreading maples, seats were erected for a 
 thousand people, and a stage that would accommodate a hundred. 
 
 The programs of the three days were participated in by scores of men 
 who possessed great ability. Thousands of people gathered each day to 
 hear them relate tales of their old college days, and tell of the pleasures, 
 as well as the hardships, of the days spent in acquiring knowledge with- 
 in "Old Sandstone." Among the old students who gave the longest 
 and most interesting speeches were Hon. John Hitt, of Chicago; Col. B. F. 
 Sheets, of Oregon; and Hon. R. R. Hitt. Later in the summer, there was 
 published a 56-page booklet, containing a complete report of the proceed- 
 ings of the three days, also the letters of regret sent in to the secretary, 
 and the entire roll of all the old students who attended the reunion. It is 
 a valuable keep-sake. 
 
 The reunion was a grand success, and the pleasure and profit afforded 
 by the three days spent in talking over " auld lang syne " will not be for- 
 gotten by those present while life lasts. And may it be likewise with 
 " Old Rock River Seminary!" 
 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS COLLEGE. 
 
 One of the first attractions to engage the attention of the visitor to 
 our village is Mount Morris College, with its three substantial buildings 
 and park-like campus, situated on the crest of the elevation upon which 
 the village is built. The ideal situation of the institution— just opposite 
 the two principal business blocks — makes a very favorable impression up- 
 on the stranger, and expressions of admiration are frequently heard. The 
 college of today is the monument which has been reared upon the ruins of 
 the old and time-honored Rock River Seminary, whose eventful career has 
 been followed in the preceding chapter. Before proceeding with a de- 
 scription of the college as it is today, it will be well to trace its history 
 from the time the Brethren purchased the property in 1879. 
 
 As has already been noted in the previous chapter, the Rock River 
 Seminary, during the seventies, gradually became involved in financial 
 difficulties which finally ended her career. Hon. R. R. Hitt purchased the 
 property, which he later disposed of to Elders Melchor Newcomer and 
 D. L. Miller, and John W. Stein, for $6,000. These gentlemen were mem- 
 bers of the German Baptist Brethren church, and they purchased the 
 property with the intention of starting a school which should be conduct- 
 ed under the auspices of that denomination. After expending several 
 thousand dollars in improvements, the three gentlemen reopened the 
 school under the name of Rock River Seminary and Collegiate Institute. 
 Mr. Stein was elected president and D. L. Miller, business manager. A 
 catalogue and a circular were issued, a competent faculty engaged, and all 
 preparations made toward getting the institution in working order. 
 
 On August 20, 1879, the first term of the school under the management 
 of these Brethren was opened. Sixty students — a very encouraging be- 
 ginning considering all the circumstances — were in attendance. Prof. 
 Stein displayed remarkable ability as president of the college and as an 
 instructor, but in the year 1881 he became the principal of an es- 
 capade, the equal of which never occurred in Mount Morris before or 
 since. On pretence of going to Europe for his health, he left his wife and 
 family and eloped with his ward, Miss Delilah Tombaugh, who had been 
 living with the family and attending the college.* 
 
 *This sensational escapade of Prof. Stein was a romance long discussed by Mount 
 Morris people. It appears that when Prof. Stein and his family came to Mount Morris 
 they were accompanied by Miss Tombaugh, who is said to have been a girl of strikingly 
 handsome face and form. She came to Mount Morris to enjoy the educational advan- 
 
 (95) 
 
96 MOUNT MOERIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 After his departure, Elder D. L. Miller became president and also con- 
 tinued as business manager of the college, which rather dignified title the 
 institution was then beginning to assume. Under his management the 
 patronage of the school rapidly increased, young men and women coming 
 from all parts of the country where members of the Brethren church were 
 located. 
 
 In 1884, the trustees obtained a new charter for the school and changed 
 the name to Mount Morris College. The capital stock at that time 
 amounted to $30,000. In that year, Prof. J. G. Royer came here with his 
 family from Indiana, and invested considerable money in stock. He was 
 then elected president, which position he has filled with much credit ever 
 since. From that time the advancement of the college has been steady, 
 and its development has been noted with much pleasure by the citizens of 
 Mount Morris. Each year new improvements have been added and the 
 equipment and facilities of the college greatly increased for the better 
 accommodation of the young men and women who came from nearly all 
 parts of the Union to develop their moral and intellectual capabilities. 
 
 During the latter part of the eighties, the two original seminary 
 buildings, shown on page 91, began to be recognized as entirely inadequate 
 for the growing necessities of the college. Accordingly, plans were set on 
 foot for the building of a new temple of instruction, the present College 
 Hall, shown on page 99. About $20,000 were necessary for the erection 
 of the desired building, and Pres. Royer started to solicit the amount by 
 subscription throughout the Brotherhood. The canvass proved successful 
 
 tages of the college. In intellect she was far the superior of Mrs. Stein, and she and 
 Stein were constantly studying together, possessing, it is said, an affinity of tastes. 
 The result of this companionship can be conjectured. Though there was a difference 
 of twenty years in their ages, the president of the college and his pupil fell in love with 
 each other. The vigilant public soon discovered this fact and Stein commenced to de- 
 vise ways and means to evade the consequences of his guilty amour. He gave out that 
 the duties of the presidency were weighing upon him to such an extent that it was 
 imperative for him to take a trip to Europe in order to recuperate. He also repre- 
 sented that Miss Tombaugh was to be married to a young man named Petri, in Chi- 
 cago, and he accompanied her thither, returning with a glowing account of the wed- 
 ding. Later he started on his supposed trip to Europe. With the exception of a letter 
 from New York and one from Vienna nothing further was heard from him for two 
 years. The Brethren became alarmed, and through Congressman Hitt, then Assistant 
 Secretary of State, inquiries were set on foot and search made by ministers and con- 
 suls in all the principal cities of Europe for six months, but without success. At last 
 Stein was given up for dead. Two years later, however, a letter came from the miss- 
 ing man. who was living at Portland. Oregon. In his communication. Stein confessed 
 that he had never been to Europe, but that he was living with Miss Tombaugh on a gov- 
 ernment claim in Oregon. The letter from Vienna was only a blind, he having given it 
 at New York to a German tourist, who mailed it for him when he arrived at the Aus- 
 trian capital. The news of Stein's duplicity came upon the Brethren like a thunder- 
 bolt out of a clear sky. They had reposed the utmost confidence in him as a reliable 
 educator and a faithful minister of the gospel. Under the circumstances, they were 
 compelled to disown him. Prof. Fernando Sanford. who was a member of the faculty 
 during Prof. Stein's presidency, now of the Leland Stanford University, in a letter to 
 the Century Reunion of students and professors of Mount Morris College, held during 
 the Brethren's annual meeting at North Manchester. Indiana, in June, 1900, touchingly 
 refers to the unfortunate occurrence as follows: "No one who ever came under the 
 spell of that wonderful man, John W. Stein, can forget the impression which he made. 
 I speak of him reverently, not attempting to excuse in any manner his fatal weakness, 
 the result of I know not what heredity, but without which he would have seemed to us 
 more than common man. I have met many noble men and women, but not one in 
 whose innate nobleness of character or upright intentions I have had, or still have, 
 more faith; or for whose fatal weakness I could more easily weep. No experience of 
 my life has influenced me more toward charity for the weaknesses of my fellow-men 
 than the sad example of him whom we all loved as a father." 
 
• 
 
MOUNT MORRIS COLLEGE. 
 
 99 
 
 and the contract was given to N. E. Buser. Ground was broken for the 
 building in March, 1890, and the edifice was completed and ready for oc- 
 cupancy at the beginning of the fall term of 1891. This building is the 
 most massive structure in Mount Morris. It is a plain, substantial, brick- 
 veneered building with 72 feet front and, including a spacious chapel, 122 
 feet long. The main part is three stories above the basement, and con- 
 tains fifteen well-arranged rooms, most of which are of ample size. On 
 the first floor are two large recitation rooms, separated from the com- 
 modious chapel by folding-doors, which when opened permit the rooms to 
 be used as annexes to the chapel, thereby greatly increasing its seating- 
 capacity. There also two smaller recitation rooms and a Bible library and 
 reading-room on this floor. The library contains 600 good text-books and 
 treatises upon the Bible and Bible subjects. The second floor contains 
 the president's office, the bookstore and business manager's office, three 
 recitations rooms, 
 two of them, the 
 Mathematics room 
 and the Studio, being 
 quite roomy: and the 
 general library, con- 
 taining in the neigh- 
 borhood of 20,000 vol- 
 umes. These books 
 are arranged on all 
 four sides of the 
 room, from the floor 
 to the ceiling. There 
 is also a large rack 
 filled with books. At 
 one time this large 
 library formed part 
 of the famous col- 
 lection of books owned by Abram H. Cassel, of Harleysville, Pa., an old 
 patriarch of the Brethren church, who spent almost his entire life in the 
 acquisition of rare and valuable books. The library was purchased in 
 1881 by Messrs. Miller, Newcomer and Stein, for the sum of $6,000. The 
 library room is also nicely fitted up for a reading-room, and is supplied 
 with the best periodicals of the day. A view of a portion of the library is 
 shown on the next page. On the third floor are two recitation rooms, the 
 bell-ringer's apartment, and the elegantly-furnished halls of the Amphic- 
 tyon and the Philorhetorian Literary Societies. These halls were furnish- 
 ed by the societies at their own expense, and are the finest rooms in the 
 building. Each is supplied with up-to-date opera chairs, arranged in 
 semi-circular sections. The curtains, carpets, tables and chairs for the 
 officers, and the papering and decorations of these halls are quite elabo- 
 rate, and correspond with the importance of the work being carried on 
 by the members of the societies. In the rear of the Philorhetorian and 
 
 Erected in 1890-1891 at a cost of $20,000. 
 
 Loffc 
 
100 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 to one side of the Amphictyon hall is the Music room, which contains two 
 first-class pianos. By throwing open the folding-doors, this room can be 
 utilized as an annex by either one of the societies. 
 
 Before leaving the subject of the literary societies, it will be well to 
 give something concerning the history of these important adjuncts of the 
 college. Scores of men who have achieved fame in the various avenues of 
 life derived their power of oratory from their early attempts at speaking 
 and debating in these literary societies. The halls of our national Con- 
 gress have often rung with the stirring oratory of men who attribute 
 much of their success to the early training which they received from their 
 society work. The history of both the societies extends further back than 
 that of Mount Morris College, the Amphictyon being nearly as old as 
 Rock River Seminary. It was organized in about the year 1846, and, with 
 the exception of a number of short-lived organizations, was the only liter- 
 ary society in the seminary until the winter of 1851-'52, when a division 
 
 ' ! '.. 
 
 A VIEW OF A PORTION. OF THE GENERAL LIBRARY 
 
 occurred in the Amphictyon ranks, and the Philorhetorian Literary So- 
 ciety was organized. It seems that there were many of the"Amphics" 
 who resided in the country and no longer had any connection with the 
 school, or took any interest in society except to attend on special occa- 
 sions, to take prominent part in controlling elections, etc. The other 
 members were students, who were active in literary work, many of them 
 being young people of more than ordinary ability. Trouble naturally 
 grew out of such a condition of affairs, and there was an attempt made to 
 exclude those members who were no longer active. There were some tur- 
 bulent scenes, and finally a part of the members drew off and formed an- 
 other society, which they called the Philorhetorian. Since that time the 
 two societies have been in existence, generally on an equality as to the re- 
 spective merits of their members. Both are now in a flourishing condi- 
 tion. The Amphictyon Society originally held its meetings in the historic 
 
.MOUNT MORRIS COLLEGE. 
 
 101 
 
 old chapel at the north end of the basement of 
 the original " Old Sandstone." After the or- 
 ganization of the Philorhetorian Society, sepa- 
 rate rooms on the upper floor were assigned to 
 the societies. When the building now known as 
 " Old Sandstone " was completed, the societies 
 occupied rooms on the fourth floor, the "Am- 
 phics " at the east end and the " Philos " at the 
 west end. The societies' present cozy quarters 
 in College Hall surpass the previous ones in 
 every particular, and engravings of them are 
 shown on the next two pages. 
 
 In the year 1893, fortune again smiled upon 
 
 the college to the extent that a new dormitory 
 
 for the ladies was found to be a necessity, and 
 
 the historic " Old Sandstone," which had been 
 
 used for that purpose for so many years, was leveled to the ground and a 
 
 larger and more modern structure erected. The new dormitory cost in the 
 
 THE PRESIDENT 
 IN HIS OFFICE. 
 
 neighborhood of $10,- 
 000, and was erected 
 by N. E. Buser, who 
 also erected College 
 Hall. The building 
 is a fine three-story 
 brick-veneered struc- 
 ture, with a base- 
 ment; its dimensions 
 are 30x80 feet. It is 
 situated several rods 
 to the west of the old 
 seminary building. 
 
 THE SUPPLY ROOM. 
 
 The greater part of 
 the basement is tak- 
 en up for the college 
 dining- hall, a view of 
 which appears on 
 page 105. The cui- 
 sine is situated in 
 the rear of the din- 
 ing -hall. With the 
 exception of several 
 parloi's, the upper 
 three stories are di- 
 vided into rooms for 
 The cozy character 
 
 the accommodation of about seventy of the fair sex 
 of the rooms makes Ladies' Hall a very desirable home for the lady stu- 
 dents. An engraving of the building appears 
 on page 104. 
 
 A year or so after the erection of the two 
 new buildings, a number of changes in " Old 
 Sandstone " No. 2 became necessary, there be- 
 ing a demand for more rooms for young men. 
 Consequently, the building was given a thor- 
 ough overhauling. Every floor and partition 
 was torn out; in fact, everything was changed 
 except the walls. This building is a massive 
 stone structure, 120 feet long and 40 feet wide. 
 At the east end of the first floor is a chapel in 
 which the daily chapel exercises are held for 
 
 THE 
 
 the benefit of the students. The west end is business manager. 
 
102 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 occupied by the scientific department of the college, under the manage- 
 ment of Prof. W. L. Eikenberry. In this department there are four rooms; 
 viz., a chemical laboratory, a museum and library room, and two recitation 
 rooms. The library contains about 300 volumes, treating on scientific sub- 
 jects. The second floor is partly taken up by a spacious Commercial Hall, 
 where Prof. Aaron L. Clair supervises the instruction of bookkeeping, 
 commercial law, and the transaction of actual business. This department 
 is always well filled. It also contains a technical library of 300 volumes. 
 The remainder of the second floor and all of the third and fourth floors 
 are arranged into about sixty rooms for the accommodation of the gentle- 
 men students. This building, as well as College Hall and Ladies' Hall, is 
 
 THE AMPHICTYON LITERARY SOCIETY'S HALL. 
 
 heated throughout by steam. During the sessions of school, in the 
 evening when the studious inmates of "Old Sandstone 1 ' are busily en- 
 gaged in preparing their lessons for the morrow, the scores of windows 
 sending rays of glimmering light across the campus impress the observer 
 very strongly of a bee-hive of industry. Surmounting College Hall and 
 " Old Sandstone " are observatories, which, being a considerable height 
 from the ground, furnish fine bird's-eye views of the surrounding country. 
 An engraving of " Old Sandstone " appears on page 104. 
 
 Thus, improvement has followed improvement, until now the college 
 possesses three buildings of which they may well be proud. The college 
 at first was the property of individual stockholders, but Elder Miller, upon 
 
MOUNT MORRIS COLLEGE. 
 
 103 
 
 his withdrawal from active connection with the school and a number of 
 others donated their stock to the Brethren church. Since that time more 
 stock has been turned over to the church, until only a few thousand dol- 
 lars' worth yet remains in the hands of individuals. In the near future, 
 it is though that the entire stock will become the property of the church; 
 and, since this would the only one of the several Brethren colleges in 
 that condition, it is only reasonable to believe that, like the Brethren Pub- 
 lishing House, it will be carefully fostered, and its future be made even 
 more prosperous than its past. 
 
 The Board of Trustees of Mount Morris College at present consists of 
 seven members; viz., D. L. Miller, Joseph Amick, J. G. Royer, A. L. Clair, 
 
 THE PHILORHETORIAN LITERARY SOCIETY'S HALL. 
 
 G. E. Weaver, Ephraim Trostle, and 
 
 Elder D. L. Miller has 
 
 been a member of the board since its organization. The following is a 
 list of all the persons who have served as trustees in the past: D. L. Mil- 
 ler, M. S. Newcomer, John W. Stein, Samuel C. Price, Daniel Vaniman, 
 J. C. Lehman, S. S. Young, S. E. Yundt, J. G. Royer, S. Z. Sharp, Joseph 
 Amick, E. S. Young, Galen B. Royer, Grant Mahan, C. W. Lehman, J. E. 
 Miller, A. L. Clair, D. D. Culler, W. L. Eikenberry, G. E. Weaver, Ephraim 
 Trostle. 
 
 During the twenty-one years in which the college has been conducted 
 by the Brethren, many noble men and women have been sent forth into 
 the world, fitted to pursue lives of usefulness. A list of the graduating 
 
104 
 
 MODNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 LADIES' HALL. 
 
 Erected in 1893 at a cost of about $10,000. 
 
 classes of these eventful years discloses the names of many who have con- 
 ducted themselves with credit both to themselves and to their alma mater. 
 The names of those graduating in literary courses alone is quite large and 
 
 is as follows: 
 
 1881. — Harry C. 
 Newcomer, Alfonzo 
 G. Newcomer, E. D. 
 Peifer, A. W. Vani- 
 man, Angie Yarger, 
 S. H. Anrand, Fred. 
 N. Rice. 
 
 1882. — Adaline 
 Hohf Beery, J. H. 
 Brubaker, J. T. Bru- 
 baker, L. H. Eby, 
 Flora Grant Mer- 
 shon, Reba Rosier 
 Newcomer, J. Carson 
 Miller, Mary E. Mil- 
 ler, C. W. Lehman, 
 Isaac H. Miller. 
 
 1883.— Jennie Fearer, Albert Gebhardt, John Heckman, A. L. Shute, 
 Jennie Mackay, Anna L. Sharp Davis, E. S. Young, Grant Mahan, Albert 
 Motschman, Mary J. Stees, Annie S. Miller, Kate Kepner, G. E. Dawson, 
 G. N. Falkenstein. 
 
 1884.— Effie Mackay, B. G. Davis, E. A. Orr, Marcellus Rohrbaugh, 
 Elmer Sanford, Levi 
 Benbow, S. L. Hang- 
 er, Edward C. Page, 
 Georgia Bixler Jenks. 
 
 1885. — James M. 
 Neff, Cyrus Newcom- 
 er, Allen P. Sword, 
 W. B. Thompson, Jen- 
 nie Tice Peifer. 
 
 1886. — James M. 
 Neff, E. B. Hohf, G. 
 L. Shoemaker, Abba 
 Fager, Elva Newcom- 
 er Cripe, M. Eliza 
 Canode. 
 
 1887.— J. K. Shel- 
 lenberger, Laura V. 
 Ullom, J. P. Yoder. 
 
 •'OLD SANDSTONE. 
 
 Erected in the early 50's: renovated in 1895. 
 
 -C. E. Culp, Ida Royer Myers, Nettie Royer Brubaker, Lizzie 
 Shaw Evans, Fannie Stephens, Chauncey Vaniman, C. M. Vaniman, Cyrus 
 Walleck. 
 
MOUNT 5IORRIS COLLEGE. 
 
 105 
 
 1889. — Alice J. Boone, Charles Carpenter, Anna Gouckly Hohf, W. 
 
 Lewis Eikenberry, Charles Lehman, Ed. Markley, T. M. Miller, Nettie 
 
 Royer Brnbaker, Salome Stoner Myers, Vinnie Stoner, Ida Shellenberger 
 
 Oren,Wilbur B. 
 Stover. 
 
 1890.— J. E. 
 Miller, Minnie 
 Windle Harn- 
 ley, T. T. Myers, 
 Tobias J. C. 
 Diekhoff, Lillie 
 Royer Pogerty, 
 N. R. Baker, 
 Prank Mertz, 
 
 Ivey D. Eversole, J. N. Brubaker, Will Mertz, O. Perry Hoover, Ida M. 
 
 Wagner Hoff, E. J. Zern, Mary Emmert Stover, Will E. Carpenter, Daisy 
 
 Kemp. 
 
 BOOKKEEPING DEPARTMENT. 
 
 A VIEW OF THE D! NI NC-HALL. 
 
 1891.— Wilbur B. Stover, Ida M. Royer Myers, Salome A. Stoner 
 Myers, J. Z. Gilbert, Ella Amick Eckerle, Dollie Stephens, Lou Ella Rep- 
 logle, W. I. T. Hoover, Sarah Whitmore Harnley. 
 
 1892.— Tobias J. C. Diekhoff, J. E. Miller,W. L. Eikenberry, O. P. Hoover, 
 C.P.Pord,G.V. 
 Goshorn, J. D. 
 Clear, S. S. 
 Young, E. N. 
 Goshorn, Anna 
 Eversole, W. P. 
 Rodabaugh, W. 
 I. Thomas, E. 
 R. Yundt, M. S. 
 Bolinger, J. H. 
 Harnley. 
 
 1893.— G. W. Tanreuther, N. J. Brubaker, Bertha I. Miller, D. D. Culler, 
 D. L. Forney, M. W. Emmert, S. C. Garber, M. Alice King Eby, N. J. 
 Miller, Lydia E. Taylor, H. M. Barwiek, Salome A. Stoner Myers. 
 
 ACTUAL BUSINESS DEPARTMENT. 
 
106 
 
 mount morris: past and present. 
 
 1894.— E. R. Yundt, E. N. Goshorn, I. B. Hendrickson, J. S. Plory, E. C. 
 Thomas, O. L. Shaw, A. M. Stine, L. A. Pollock, Charles Leckrone, O. R. 
 Myers, Katherine Hershey Young, M. W. Emmert, Anna May Miller, H. M. 
 Spickler. 
 
 1895.— Maude Carpenter, S. M. Hoover, Josephine Royer, Delia Snyder 
 Lehner, Lizzie Grater. 
 
 1896.— G. W. Furrey, J. W. Thomas, O. A. Fackler, L. H. Carpenter, 
 S. A. Long, Viola Trostle Yundt. 
 
 THE LADIES' TENNIS COURT. 
 
 1897.— J. B. Carpenter, Lucia McCosh, Lizzie Myers Emmert, Arthur 
 M. Stiue, Etta Moore Long, Delia Myers Peifer, J. M. Myers, Mamie 
 Yarger, Nettie Pelthouse, C. H. Shock, S. A. Long. 
 
 1898.— E. T. Keiser, Lulu Kable, J. C. Shaw, Etta Rowland, Harvey J. 
 Kable, Dollie Kepner, H. B. Metzger, W. H. Weybright, Emma Horning, 
 Thomas E. Newcomer, Blanche Lentz, J. D. Suter. 
 
 
 *JRs ^ 
 
 
 
 11 H 
 
 
 ' i: 
 
 
 
 
 THE GENTLEMEN'S TENNJS COURT. 
 
 1899.— Calvin McNelly, J. P. Wilson, Marie Strickfaden, Elmer Metz- 
 ger, J. S. Flory, Cora Amick, Leslie Rees, W. S. Sanford, Myrtle Royef, 
 O. G. Brubaker. 
 
 1900.— Frank B. Scott, B. L. Bray ton, William Kohl, Edna Felker, Liz- 
 zie Shirk, O. T. Sadler, Frank D. Miller, B. B. Baker, A. B. Keller, E. H. 
 Price, C. K. Burkholder, Reuben Marshall, I. E. Finney. 
 
 Among these graduates, and also among the many students who at- 
 tended the college, but never finished any prescribed course of study, can 
 be found the names of many young men who have achieved fame in various 
 avenues of life. Among them might be mentioned the following: Prof. 
 
MOUNT MORRIS COLLEGE. 
 
 109 
 
 ELOCUTION DRILL. 
 
 Alfonzo G. Newcomer, Leland Stanford University; Capt. Harry C. New- 
 comer, U. S. A.: Adaline Hohf Beery, poetess; J. H. Brubaker, architect, 
 Indianapolis, Ind., and New York: Grant Mahan, associate editor of Gospel 
 Messenger, Elgin, 111.: Prof. Edward C. Page, State Normal School, DeKalb, 
 
 111.; Prof. Cyrus Newcomer, 
 Carthage College; Prof. To- 
 bias J. C. Diekhoff, Uni- 
 versity of Michigan, Ann 
 Arbor; Prof. W. I. T. Hoov- 
 er, president Lordsburg 
 College; Prof. O. Perry 
 Hoover, Juniata College, 
 D. L. Forney and W. B. 
 Stover, missionaries, India; 
 Mary Emmert Stover, 
 in charge of the orphanage 
 mission of the Brethren church, India; Galen B. Royer, secretary of the 
 General Missionary and Tract Committee, Elgin, 111. Quite a number of 
 the graduates returned to their alma mater as instructors after pursuing 
 advanced work in leading universities. Among these are Prof. J. E. Mil- 
 ler, now of the academic department of the Illinois State University at 
 Urbana; Prof. D. D. Caller, now president of Smithville College, Ohio; 
 Prof. S. L. Boothroyd, now engaged in a leading university of Idaho; Prof. 
 E. N. Goshorn, now engaged in scientific farming in Indiana: and the ma- 
 jority of the members of the present faculty; viz., Profs. A. L. Clair, O. R. 
 Myers, G. W. Purrey, Josephine Royer, and Heber M. Hays. A number of 
 the former professors have attained to high positions in prominent uni- 
 versities. Among them might be mentioned J. W. Jenks, Cornell Univers- 
 ity; W. S. Locy, Lake Forest University; Fernando Sanford, Leland Stan- 
 ford University: F. W. Hanawalt, Wesleyan University, Mount Pleasant, 
 Iowa; and M. R. Maltbie, Columbia University. To these names can be 
 added that of A. 
 W. Burnett, at the 
 head of the pub- 
 lishing house of 
 Henry Holt & Co., 
 New York. 
 
 The foregoing 
 names are but a 
 few of the vast 
 number of those 
 whose owners are 
 exerting a power- 
 ful influence in various callings, and who obtained their preparation for 
 their life's work at Mount Morris College. 
 
 The faculty of the college is each year carefully selected from among 
 men of ability. As a consequence, the school maintains a high grade of 
 
 PHYSICAL CULTURE EXERCISE. 
 
110 
 
 mount morris: past and present. 
 
 work, which is readily recognized by the larger colleges and universities 
 when students from Mount Morris apply for admission. The following 
 names of the many instructors of the college, classified in their respective 
 departments, will be of interest: 
 
 Greek and Latin.— J. W. Jenks. E. C. Hughes. Karl Belser. H. P. Moyer. James 
 M. Neff. E. J. Shaw, E. A. Bechtel. D. W. Loucks, A. H. Haines, J. J. Schlicher, J. E. Mil- 
 ler, Heber M. Hays. 
 
 English.— A. W. Burnett. Mrs. Mattie Lear. Bartholomew, Galen B. Royer, A. 
 
 H. Harnley, Grant Mahan, D. D. Culler, O. R. Myers. 
 
 German— A. E. Gephardt. Tobias Diekhoff, Grant Mahan. D.D. Culler, O.R. Myers. 
 
 Mathematics.— L. P. Cravens, M. R. Maltbie. F. W. Hanawalt. S. L. Boothroyd, 
 Theo. Lindquist, E. N. Goshorn, G. W. Furrey. 
 
 Science.— Fernando Sanford. W. S. Locy. E. A. Orr, L. Ralph Jones. G. N. Falken- 
 stein. A. A. Kester. Mrs. Ella Buck Schlicher, N. 3. Miller. W. L. Eikenberry. 
 
 Elocution.— W. E. Lockhard. S. Z. Sharp, D. D. Thomas, Anna Richards, Mrs. A. 
 Grossman Kester. Mrs. Alma Mikesell Trump. Parmelia Mahan, Josephine Royer. 
 
 Sacred History.— J. G. Royer. E. S. Young, Mrs. Salome Stoner Myers. Mrs. Flora 
 E. Teague. J. F. Souders. 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS COLLEGE FACULTY OF 1893-'94. 
 
 Music— Mrs. Nellie McClure, J. H. Myers, M. P. Lichty, Miss Marguerite Bixler. 
 Mrs. Susie McCosh Sharer. Mrs. Cassie Beery Vandyke. Mrs. Ida Royer Myers. J. T. 
 Miller, H. B. Metzger, Miss Sadie B. Miller, Mrs. Libbie Robertson, Miss Lucia McCosh. 
 
 Art.— Miss Siders. Mrs. Lillie Brayton Miller, G. E. Weaver, Miss Myrtle Royer. 
 
 Commercial.— M. G. Rohrbaugh, D. R. Young, J. B. Middleton. I. M. Walker, Miss 
 Jennie Richie, Reuben Hufford. J. D. Suter, Mrs. Flora E. Teague, A. L. Clair. 
 
 The faculty for the last full school year, 1899-1900, excluding the as- 
 sistants in the several departments, was as follows: J. G. Royer, presi- 
 dent: D. D. Culler, Rhetoric, Literature and German; J. E. Miller, Greek 
 and Latin; O. R. Myers, Psychology, Pedagogy and French; G. W. Furrey, 
 Higher Mathematics, Astronomy and Political Economy; W. L. Eiken- 
 berry, Science and Civil Government; A. L. Clair, principal Commercial 
 department; G. E. Weaver, principal Art department; Mrs. Flora E. 
 Teague, Phonography and Typewriting; Mrs. Libbie Robertson, director of 
 
MOUNT MORRIS COLLEGE. 113 
 
 Music; Miss Josephine Royer, Elocution and Physical Culture: A. W. Ross, 
 Vocal Music. For the year 1900-1901 there are several changes. Prof. 
 Heber M. Hays takes the place of J. E. Miller, who accepted a position in 
 the State University at Urbana, and Miss Lucia McCosh, a graduate of the 
 Chicago Musical College, takes Prof. Robertson's place as director of 
 Music. D. D. Culler withdrew from the faculty at the close of the school 
 year, June, 1900, and is now president of Smithville College, Ohio. His 
 place is being filled by Prof. O. R. Myers. J. F. Souders is a new in- 
 structor in the Bible department: J. D. Suter is first assistant in the Com- 
 mercial department: Myrtle Royer conducts the Painting department and 
 is also assistant in Music; M. W. Emmert teaches Geography and U. S. 
 History; and Wallace Fike is assistant in the Art department. 
 
 The engraving of the college faculty on page 111 is an excellent like- 
 ness of the members of that august body. Short sketches of the lives of 
 the respective professors will be interesting because of the many lessons 
 afforded by the story of each one's perseverance in developing his or her 
 God-given talents. 
 
 Prof. John 6. Royer, M. A., president of the college, has had a long- and notable 
 career in educational lines, both in the public schools of the land and in college work : 
 and. with his prominent work as minister of the gospel in the Brethren church, he has 
 become known over the entire Brotherhood. He was born April 22, 1S38. at Hartleton. 
 Union county, Pennsylvania, being the son of Jacob and Susan (Myers) Royer. His 
 father was a farmer, but was also a minister of the Brethren church, preaching as op- 
 portunities were afforded him. Prof. Royer gained his early education in the country 
 schools of his native county, and later attended the academy at Mifflinburg, but com- 
 pleted his literary course at Union Seminary, at New Berlin, Pa. In the meantime he 
 did some teaching in country schools, entering upon the work when he was but sixteen 
 years of age. At twenty he had completed his college education and he decided to pur- 
 sue teaching as a life profession. From 1858 to 1863 he was engaged in teaching in the 
 graded schools of his native state. Then, at the age of twenty-five, he went to Darke 
 county, Ohio, and there continued teaching in graded schools eight years, being prin- 
 cipal of the schools at Webster and Versailles the last six years. In 1871, he went to 
 Burnettsville, White county, Indiana, and was principal of the high school at that 
 place four consecutive years. He then accepted the superintendency of the high school 
 at Monticello, Indiana, and held it with honor for eight years. While at this place the 
 degree of Master of Arts was bestowed upon him. entirely unsolicited. From Monti- 
 cello he came to Mount Morris and was assigned the chair of English Literature in the 
 college. The year following his arrival he was elected to the presidency of the college, 
 and has filled that position with much credit ever since. Pres. Royer is a strict disci- 
 plinarian, and his advice and admonition, given in private and chapel talks, has been of 
 untold value to the students. December 8, I860, Prof. Royer was married to Miss Lizzie 
 Reiff. of his native county, who was born November 30, 1838. To them have been born 
 eight children, as follows: Galen B., born September 8, 1862, married Anna Miller, of 
 Mount Morris: Susan, born July 10, 1865, married to Prof. E. S. Young; Mary, born 
 June 16. 1867, and is living at home ; Ida, born October 27. 1868. married to J. M. Myers ; 
 Nettie, born March 31, 1870, married J. A. Brubaker: Lillie. born November 18, 1872, 
 married James Fogerty; Josephine, born October 9, 1875; Myrtle, born June 18, 1880. 
 Josephine and Myrtle are teaching in the college. Prof. Royer was elected to the 
 ministry in 1872, at Monticello, Indiana, and, along with his school work, he has al- 
 ways taken an active part in church matters. In 1881, he was advanced to the elder- 
 ship and has continued to act in that capacity ever since. He is now regarded as one 
 of the most able ministers of the Brethren church in Illinois. 
 
 Prof. Aaeon L. Claie, business manager and treasurer of the college, and prin- 
 cipal of the Commercial department, was born at Nora, Illinois. July 25, 1866, and is the 
 
114 MOUNT MORKIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 son of Preston and Mary Clair. His early life was spent on his father's farm near Lena. 
 Being- a country boy, his educational opportunities were measured by the facilities af- 
 forded by the district school near his home. In the fall of 1888 he entered Mount Morris 
 College. By June, 1890, besides the literary work done, he had completed the Shorter 
 Commercial and Pen Art courses. Within a year he was called to the position of prin- 
 cipal instructor in Penmanship and assistant in the Business department of Maryville 
 Seminary, Missouri. The year following he was promoted to the principalship of the 
 Business department of the seminary. In the fall of 1892 he again entered Mount 
 Morris College. During 1893-'94, he served as an assistant in the Business college, and 
 in September, 1894, he was promoted to the principalship, which he still fills. Prof. 
 Clair is an instructor whom every one likes, because of his jovial nature and his very 
 agreeable manner of conducting recitations and the work in the Commercial depart- 
 ment. With rare tact and skill he directs the work in Commercial Hall, and the large 
 attendance in this department is a testimonial to his ability as an instructor. Prof. 
 Clair was married June 16. 1892. to Lizzie Albright, daughter of Jacob and Martha 
 Albright, of Lena, Illinois. Three children have been born to them ; viz., Ada Belle, 
 May 16, 1896; Alva Burdette, March 17. 1898, died December 30, 1899; and an infant daugh- 
 ter, born September 12. 1900. In July, 1900, Prof. Clair was elected to the first degree of 
 the ministry of the Brethren church. 
 
 Pkof. W. Lewis Eikenberry, B. S., professor of the Science department, is. the 
 son of William and Susan Eikenberry, and was born near Waterloo, Iowa. July 12, 1871. 
 The famous " little red schoolhouse " also played an important part in the education of 
 this member of the faculty. After leaving the country school, he attended a short time 
 at a private school in Waterloo, and finally came to Mount Morris College in the fall of 
 1887, and, after two years of solid work, graduated in the Academic class of 1889. In 
 1890. he again entered the college and did two years of Seminary work, graduating 
 from that department in 1892. In the fall of the same year he enrolled at the Univers- 
 ity of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and graduated after two years, receiving the degree of 
 Bachelor of Science. He was immediately engaged as professor of Science by his alma 
 mater, and has since filled the position, with the exception of the spring term of 1899 
 when he made an extended trip through the west for the benefit of his health. Prof. 
 Eikenberry is a practical scientist in every sense of the term. Each day of his life he 
 observes and investigates every phenomenon of nature which comes to his notice, and 
 keeps in touch with the progress of the scientific world. He is one of the exceedingly 
 small number of men who have had the presence of mind and the opportunity to 
 photograph a moving tornado, which feat he accomplished in 1898. Copies of the pic- 
 ture have appeared in quite a number of papers and magazines all over the United 
 States, and, along with a number of other photographs of the effects of the tornado, 
 will be found in a later chapter upon calamaties. Prof. Eikenberry is unmarried. In 
 1893, he was elected to the first degree of the ministry of the Brethren church, and was 
 later advanced to the second degree. He ranks well among the local ministers of the 
 church, preaching frequently in the college chapel. 
 
 Prof. Oscae R. Myehs comes from the " Keystone " state. He was born at Lewis- 
 town, April 16, 1873, being the son of George S. and Susanna Myers. From the time of 
 his arrival at the school age until the fall of 1889. he attended the public school at Lew- 
 istown and worked in his father's lumber establishment. He then came to Mount 
 Morris College and completed a business course. He then became clerk and book- 
 keeper in the general store of D. N. Wingert & Co., which position he filled fourteen 
 months. He completed the preparatory work and graduated with the Academic class 
 of 1894, but continued two more years in the Seminary department. In 1896, he enter- 
 ed the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. After two years of work, he graduated 
 from that institution with the class of 1898, receiving the degree of Ph. B. He re- 
 turned to the University in the fall of 1898 and in the spring of 1899 received his second 
 degree, — that of Master of Philosophy. In the fall of 1899 he became a member of the 
 faculty of his alma mater, and soon became recognized as one of the best. Prof. Myers 
 is a young man of much energy, as is evidenced by the fact that he worked his way 
 through college by canvassing views during summer vacations. He is unmarried. 
 
MOUNT MORRIS COLLEGE. 115 
 
 Peof. George W. Fukkey, Ph. B., has charge of the department of Mathematics. 
 He is a son of Jacob and Sarah Furrey. of White county, Ind., and was born July 4, 
 1867. Besides his common school training, he attended the high school at York, Nebr., 
 and later the Harper Normal School and Business College, at Harper. Kans., from 
 which he graduated with the class of 1890. In 1892, he came to Mount Morris College, 
 and, with the exception of one year, attended regularly until 1896. when he graduated. 
 Another year was spent here in Seminary work, after which he entered the University 
 of Michigan, from which institution he graduated in 1899. receiving the degree of Ph. 
 B. Prof. Furrey possesses marked ability, not only in his specialty but also in literary 
 lines. While in college he made very rapid progress in his studies, completing courses 
 with exceptional thoroughness in much less than the prescribed time. As an instruc- 
 tor in mathematics he is one of the ablest the college has had. He advances his stu- 
 dents rapidly, at the same time getting thorough work from them. Prof. Furrey was 
 married August 26. 1897. to Miss Martha Hershey. daughter of Daniel and Barbara Her- 
 shey. of Mount Morris. They have one little girl, Margaret Lucille, born May 15, 1899. 
 
 Prof. Guilford E. Weaver, principal of the Art department, is the son of Solo- 
 mon and Mary Weaver, of Wabash county, Ind., and was born March 3, 1865. His career 
 commenced as a farm-hand and later as a painter. At the latter vocation he awaken- 
 ed his talent for works of art. and his brushes gradually became finer until at last he 
 altogether discarded the clumsy paint daubers and took up the artist's delicate brush 
 and the pen. While taking work in art at a school in Logansport, Ind.. his instructor's 
 health failed and young Weaver was appointed in his place. He held this position 
 nearly two years and then entered the Zanerian Art College of Columbus, Ohio, from 
 which institution he graduated after two years' work. Another year was spent at the 
 same college in post-graduate work. Prof. Weaver then traveled throughout north- 
 ern Indiana, organizing art classes and attending county fairs, receiving over one 
 hundred premiums for work exhibited. In 1889. he came to Mount Morris and has 
 been engaged in the college ever since. As a penman. Prof. Weaver has few equals in 
 the state. He also has marked ability in other lines of art, being especially at home 
 with the crayon. He does an extensive mail-order business in card writing, enlarging 
 pictures, etc. Prof. Weaver was married June 13. 1893. to Miss Hattie Brubaker. young- 
 est daughter of Elder and Mrs. D. E. Brubaker. who were residents of the village of 
 Mount Morris. The union has been blessed by three children ; viz., Mabel Fawn, born 
 April 18, 1894; Marie Ruth, born January 25, 1897: and Bessie Blanche, born December 23, 
 1898. 
 
 Prof. Heber M. Hays, instructor of Latin and Greek, comes from Virginia. He 
 was born at Moore's Store, in that state. May 7, 1876, being the son of Daniel and Sarah 
 Hays. After the usual common school education. Heber spent four years in the Broad- 
 way public schools of his native state. He came to Mount Morris in 1897. and spent two 
 years here. He returned to Virginia in 1899 and entered the State University. By hard 
 work he completed the Latin and Greek in the M. A. course in one year. Upon the 
 withdrawal of Prof. J. E. Miller, at the close of the school year of 1899-1900. the chair 
 of Latin and Greek was tendered to Prof. Hays, who accepted the offer and is filling 
 the position with much credit. While attending college, Prof. Hays exhibited remark- 
 able ability in all lines of work, especially in his chosen line. He is unmarried. 
 
 Mrs. Flora E. Teague, professor of Shorthand and Typewriting, is a daughter of 
 David and Susan Kinsey, of Miami county, Ohio, where she was born January 13, 1853. 
 She attended the Covington high school, and also the Normal University at Lebanon, 
 Ohio. During 1890-'91, she was a student of Mount Morris College, and in 1892 was en- 
 gaged as instructor in the Bible department of the college, also in the Shorthand and 
 Typewriting department, and she has held the position ever since, being one of the 
 most valuable members of the faculty. Mrs. Teague is a prominent church worker, 
 having served as Sunday-school superintendent for many years, and in other capaci- 
 ties. She is thoroughly versed in Bible work and is a most competent instructor in 
 that line of knowledge. May 15. 1873, she was married to John J. Teague. at Green- 
 ville. Ohio. She has one daughter. Evelyn, who is the wife of Prof. E. T. Keiser, of 
 Lordsburg College. California. 
 
116 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 Miss Josephine Royek, teacher of Elocution and Physical Culture, and matron of 
 Ladies' Hall, is the daughter of Prof, and Mrs. J. G. Royer, and was born near Mon- 
 ticello, Ind., October 9. 1875. Her higher education was gained in Mount Morris Col- 
 lege, from which she graduated in 1895, and the Columbian School of Oratory, Chicago. 
 In 1895-96, she taught Latin, German and English at Lordsburg College, Cal., and the 
 following year was instructor of Elocution at Mount Morris College. For nearly two 
 years after this, she resided at Cando, North Dakota, where she took up a claim of a 
 quarter-section of land. In 1899, she was again engaged as Elocution teacher in her 
 alma mater, and she is still holding the position. 
 
 Miss Lucia McCosh, of the department of Music is a new member of the faculty of 
 the college, although she served in the same capacity several years ago, when that de- 
 partment was in an undeveloped state. She is a daughter of Dr. John and Elizabeth 
 McCosh. of Mount Morris. She finished the prescribed course of study in the Mount 
 Morris public school, and later completed the Latin-Scientific course in Mount Morris 
 College, graduating in 1897. She also did two years of Seminary German and French. 
 Previous to her work in the college here, she completed a course in shorthand and 
 typewriting in the Omaha (Nebr.) Business College, and spent two years in stenograph- 
 ical work in that city. In 1898, she entered the Chicago Musical College, and gradu- 
 ated in the class of 1900, completing a two years' course in piano, harmony, canon, 
 fugue and musical composition. Her work in this college deserves special mention. 
 She stood second in her class, having a grade of 99, and was one of the fourteen mem- 
 bers of the concerto class, selected from among a class of eighty, to play at the final 
 public examination at graduation. 
 
 Jesse D. Sutee, first assistant in the Commercial department, hails from Frank- 
 lin Grove. He gained his early education in the Ashton public school, and afterward 
 taught a year there, in the Grammar department. He entered Mount Morris College 
 in 1892, and, with the exception of about a year and a half, has been continuously at 
 work here, graduating in a literary course in 1897 and the two years' Commercial 
 course in 1900. He is now working on his third year in Seminary mathematics and 
 other branches of the Seminary department. Mr. Suter is well fitted for his position in 
 the Commercial department. 
 
 Michael W. Emmeet, teacher of a number of the common branches, attended 
 Mount Morris College five years, graduating in the Academic department and com- 
 pleting one year Seminary work. He also spent short periods of time in colleges in 
 Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and taught school several years. He was elevated 
 to the second degree of the ministry of the Brethren church in 1891, and had charge of 
 a mission at Cedar Rapids nearly three years, giving up that work to accept his pres- 
 ent position. He does some Seminary work along with his teaching. August 3, 1899, 
 Mr. Emmert was married to Lizzie Myers, and they have one son, born July 10, 1900. 
 
 J. F. Soudees became an instructor in the Bible department at the beginning of 
 the fall term of 1900. He comes from Oren, Ohio, near which place he taught school 
 five years. He has attended the Ohio Normal University at Ada, two years at the North 
 Manchester (Ind.) college, and one year at the University of Chicago. He specialized 
 in Bible work and is well skilled in that line. He is a notable addition to the faculty. 
 
 Miss Myetle Royeb, instructor of Vocal Music, Oil Painting, Water Color and 
 Pastel, is the youngest daughter of Prof, and Mrs. J. G. Royer, and was born near 
 Monticello, Ind. She graduated from the Academic department of Mount Morris Col- 
 lege in 1899, and has also completed one year Seminary work. 
 
 Wallace W. Fike, assistant in the Penmanship department, is a native of Mil- 
 ledgeville, 111. He completed a course under Prof. Weaver in 1898. In the following 
 year he became a Benedict. Miss Ella Haugh being the girl of his choice. Mr. Fike is 
 a gentleman possessed of those traits of character that gain recognition and favor in 
 every walk of life. 
 
MOUNT MORRIS COLLEGE. 
 
 117 
 
 Athletics have never occupied the exalted position in Mount Morris 
 College that they do in a great number of the institutions of learning. 
 However, all clean sports that help the student to keep a sound mind in a 
 sound body are not objected to by the management. Tennis courts are 
 laid out on the campus, and, when the weather permits, numerous devotees 
 of the game may be seen dexterously passing the lively balls back and 
 forth over the net. In baseball and football the college has never attained 
 to much reputation, — no doubt because the majority of the students are 
 young people who must make every moment of their time tell, and con- 
 sequently they cannot afford to spend much of their time in the required 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAM OF 1899. 
 
 practice. Since the school draws most of its students from the farm, an 
 abundance of brawn is always at hand, and, if turned in the right direc- 
 tion, would result in skilled playing, second to none in the county. On 
 this page is shown a view of the football team of 1899. Although organ- 
 ized rather late in the season, the eleven made a very creditable showing. 
 The line-up was as follows: Center, A. B. Keller; right guard, F. D. Miller: 
 left guard, Clyde Bechtelheimer; right tackle, Myron Sager; left tackle, 
 Clayton Gloss; right end, Eoy Sweeley; left end, Elmer Shank: right half- 
 back, Verne Roland: left half-back, Earl Clevidence; quarter-back, Wil- 
 liam Pouke: full-back, Dudley McCosh. Substitutes, Preston Stuckey, 
 Marion Wasson. 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 
 
 As mentioned already in this volume, the first settlers of Mount 
 Morris township were deeply interested in the cause of education, and 
 were determined that their children should not want for educational priv- 
 ileges. In conformity with these views, Messrs. Hitt and Swingley en- 
 gaged A. Quimby Allen to accompany them west, when they returned for 
 their families in 1838. Soon after they established a school, with Mr. 
 Allen as teacher, in an old log-house which they erected in the grove about 
 eighty rods southwest of the present residence of William Lohafer. This 
 house was torn down many years ago. It was the first school in this sec- 
 tion of the country, and was called the Pine Creek Grammar School, under 
 which rather pretentious title it was the first step toward the founding of 
 Rock River Seminary. The pupils in this school numbered twenty-six, 
 among whom were Margaret C. Hitt, later Mrs. D. J. Pinckney; John W. 
 Hitt, now an influential citizen of Oskaloosa, Iowa; George Hitt, now de- 
 ceased; Andrew W. Hitt, Joseph Hitt, John Hitt, now Deputy Collector of 
 Customs, Chicago; Robert S. Hitt, of Chicago; Hon. Robert R. Hitt, Mar- 
 tin R. M. Wallace, later a judge of Chicago; Elizabeth Reynolds, Caroline 
 M. Reynolds, Ann E. Ankney, later Mrs. Phelps; Urilla Swingley, John H. 
 Swingley, Upton Swingley, Augustus H. Ankney, afterward a leading citi- 
 zen of Clinton, Iowa; Ann M. Ankney, later Mrs. William Watts, deceased; 
 Clinton Helm, later an eminent physician of Rockford; James C. T. 
 Phelps, afterward a farmer near Rochelle; James Reynolds, the Worden 
 boys, Richard McClain's children, and Nathaniel A. Ankney and Peter 
 Householder, both residents of Mount Morris today. The school contin- 
 ued under the direction of Mr. Allen for nearly a year, during which time 
 the scheme of locating the Rock River Seminary here was accomplished. 
 As is noted elsewhere, the first term of the seminary opened in November, 
 1810. In the spring of 1841, the Pine Creek Grammar School was taken 
 under the wing of the seminary, being conducted under the management 
 of Mrs. Fannie Russell, as the Primary department of that institution. 
 For some reason it was discontinued in 1843. N. A. Ankney was one of the 
 boys who attended during the time the school was under the charge of the 
 seminary. The sessions were held in the basement, in one part of which 
 was the culinary department of the seminary. Mr. Ankney remembers 
 that the boys soon found out that the cook produced an extra fine dough- 
 nut, and often helped themselves from the supply when there was no one 
 about. 
 
 For several years after the discontinuance of the Primary department 
 of the seminary, private schools, generally of a short duration, were con- 
 
 (118) 
 
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 
 
 119 
 
 ducted at different houses in the village. Mrs. Ellen Trine, of this place, 
 remembers of having attended school at five different places. One was in 
 an old house, then owned by Mrs. Fellows, on the site of the new house now 
 occupied by Mrs. McCosh, on Main street. This was a select school taught 
 by a Miss Bennett. There was another select school taught by Mrs. Stuff, 
 the wife of a Methodist minister, on the lower floor of the old Masonic 
 Hall, on Wesley street, numbered 18 in the engraving on page 51 of this 
 book. The other three which Mrs. Trine attended were the one in Daniel 
 Eversole's house, the Crofts school, and the district school in the old 
 house recently torn down by W. H. Miller. Further mention is made of 
 these three. 
 
 THE DANIEL EVERSOLE HOUSE. 
 
 Another school of which some of our older citizens have a slight mem- 
 ory was one taught by a Miss Frankinberry aud held in the basement of 
 Blair's Hotel, now Dr. G. B. McCosh's residence. Henry Sharer remem- 
 bers a small frame building, standing just west of Dr. McCosh's residence, 
 in which a school was taught at an early day. A. Quimby Allen taught a 
 school in a house during the winter of 1845-'46. Probably a number of 
 other private schools were conducted during the forties and fifties, but lit- 
 tle can be learned concerning them. 
 
 After the Primary department of the seminary had been closed, one 
 of the first schools to start up for the enlightenment of the juvenile por- 
 tion of Mount Morris was held in the main part of the residence of Daniel 
 
120 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 Eversole, on the corner of McKendrie and Center streets. This house 
 was raised and altered somewhat several years ago. An engraving of the 
 building as it appears today is shown on the preceding page. In this old 
 house school was held for about two years, during which time the follow- 
 ing were among the teachers: L. Bell, Major Woodcock and his sister 
 Miss Sarah Woodcock, and James Ransom. There were probably twelve 
 or fifteen pupils in attendance, among whom were N. A. Ankney and Mrs. 
 Ellen Triue. The old house was also used for a number of years as a 
 wagon-shop, and an upstairs room frequently served the Odd Fellows as a 
 lodge-room. 
 
 Probably the first school supported by the regular means of taxation 
 was that held in a house on Main street. Later it was occupied as a resi- 
 dence by William H. Miller, who tore it down in the spring of 1900 to make 
 room for his present fine residence. The information concerning the old 
 house is exceedingly obscure, and the little which could be found was 
 gleaned from a score of sources, and may contain some errors. As nearly 
 as can be ascertained, the house was built especially for school purposes 
 either in 1845 or 1846, only a few years after the building of the McParland 
 house, mention of which is made elsewhere. The building was quite long 
 and narrow, and was divided by a light board partition into two equal 
 apartments, one for the younger and one for the more advanced pupils. 
 Here it was that the great majority of the present middle-aged citizens of 
 Mount Morris gained their education and spent many pleasant hours of 
 
 their early lives, 
 
 " Some upon their books intent. 
 But more on furtive mischief bent." 
 
 The latter part of the quotation was true to a great extent if credit can be 
 given to the laughable stories now related by many of the former pupils. 
 The school continued in the rather hampered quarters afforded by the old 
 house for probably over a score of years. The rooms were very much 
 crowded at the last, so much so that in the summer time visitors would be 
 astonished to find boys sitting on the stove for want of better seats. Dur- 
 ing these years hundreds of people with whom all are familiar attended the 
 school, and many of them are now residents of our village. 
 
 Thomas C. Williams was one of the mischievious boys who attended 
 the school; and one day, probably for amusement during some tiresome 
 hour, he copied the names of every pupil attending at that time into his 
 spelling book, one name along the inside margin of each page. With the 
 exception of three or four all of the names are easily legible, and are as 
 follows: Frank Mumma, William McCoy, William H. Miller, William 
 Newcomer, Arthur Newcomer, Harley Hedges, Benj. Hedges, Milton Neff, 
 David McCoy, Lewis Davis, Frank Knodle, Edwin Allen, Samuel Rohrer, 
 Edwin Newcomer, Merritt Pinckney, John Warburton, Edwin Knodle, 
 Frank Baker, Douglas Hedges, Charles Knodle, James Wertz, C. Farwell, 
 Frank Black, Otho Davis, Clayton Startzman, Ed. Startzman, Calvin Mid- 
 dlekauff, David Warburton, John McCosh, Scott McCosh, Melvin Knodle, 
 Ed. Sharp, "Den" Householder, George Coff man, Thomas Williams, Ella 
 
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 121 
 
 Punk (now Mrs. H. J. Griswold), Alice Pond (now Mrs. Knodle, of Aurora), 
 Ida Newcomer (Mrs. Knodle), Lottie Rohrer (Mrs. William Newcomer), Ida 
 Pinckney (Mrs. Ed. Butt, now dead), Eliza Ohr (Mrs. Forbes, of Iowa), Lib- 
 bie Allen (Mrs. R.D. McClure), Arbanna Midddlekauff (Mrs. N. E. Buser), 
 Pollie Brayton (Mrs. W. M. Gilbert, State Center, Iowa), Lillie Brayton 
 (Mrs. W. H. Miller, Alpena, S. Dak.), Sarah Ohr (Mrs. Follet), Josie Hays 
 (Mrs. Wise), Laura Neff (first wife of A. S. McCoy), Josie Cheney (deceased), 
 Mary Hedges (deceased), Lizzie Guy (now of Franklin Grove), Susie Typer. 
 Besides the foregoing list a number of others might be noted: Mattie 
 Middlekauff, Charles Allen, Mary Allen, Robert Q. Allen, Cashus Crowell, 
 A. W. Brayton, John Davis, Solomon Nikirk, Thomas and James Neff, 
 
 I :: 
 
 vt. 
 
 THE FIRST PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDING IN MOUNT MORRIS. 
 
 LThis building was occupied for many years as a residence by W. H. Miller, 
 
 who removed it in the spring- of 1900, to make way for 
 
 a more modern dwelling-.] 
 
 Waldo and George Cheney, Lillie and Jennie Knodle, the McCoy and the 
 Stewart boys, and others too numerous to mention. 
 
 A complete record of the teachers who taught this school is not ob- 
 tainable. Among them were A. Quimby Allen, Mr. Streeter, Mr. Shultnee, 
 Mr. Cross, John Page, with Hannah Cheney (who later married Mr. Page) 
 as assistant; Holly Allen (father of Charles H. Allen, township assessor), 
 James Allen (a brother of Holly Allen), Enoch Coffman, Miss Sibyl Sam- 
 mis (later married to Andrew Hitt), Miss Helen Coffman, Miss Hattie Lit- 
 tle (now Mrs. Samuel Middour), Miss Christina Coffman, Daniel Rohrer, 
 Morris Gaffln, Maggie Fouke, Miss Miles, and the Misses Frances and Flor- 
 
122 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 ence Hoverland (who later married Charles Crawford and Dr. B. G. Steph- 
 ens respectively). 
 
 Miss Frances Hoverland took charge of the senior room in 1864, and a 
 little later prevailed upon the school board to allow her to write to the 
 east for her sister, Florence, to take the other room, in place of Miss Miles 
 who could not handle the mischievous urchins. These two ladies contin- 
 ued teaching in the old house until the present stone structure was built. 
 Frances, now Mrs. Crawford, is still one of the present corps of teachers, 
 having taught during the entire time except for several years spent in 
 schools in Milledgeville and elsewhere. Thus she has had a hand in the 
 teaching of nearly every boy and girl who has gone through our school, for 
 the remarkably long period of not less than thirty-five years. Children 
 whose parents were disciplined by her in the old schoolhouse have passed, 
 and are still passing, under her instruction. Her sister Florence has al- 
 most a parallel record, having ceased teaching in our public schools but a 
 few years ago. 
 
 Many interesting reminiscences can be related concerning the old 
 school days in the Miller house. As is invariably the case, there were nu- 
 merous mischievous spirits among the boys and girls, and their pranks are 
 still remembered by those who were contemporaneous with those "glorious 
 old times." Mrs. Crawford relates a story of how two boys determined to 
 have a vacation from study by hiding all day in the loft, which was merely 
 a little cubby-hole, with neither light nor ventilation. When she arrived 
 at the schoolhouse in the morning — a hot summer day — some of the schol- 
 ars were building a roaring fire in the stove, and, when questioned, signifi- 
 cantly put their fingers to their lips and looked toward the loft. She took 
 in the situation at once and helped the joke along by allowing the boys to 
 remain in the loft and keeping up a good fire to make a healthy heat in 
 the usually hot apartment above. At noon Mrs. Crawford and her sister 
 went through the form of leaving the schoolhouse by walking heavily 
 to the door and opening and closing it, but remaining inside. Imagine 
 the looks on the boys' faces as they slid down from the loft and found 
 them waiting! No further punishment was deemed necessary. 
 
 When Holly Allen was teaching, Ed. Allen, now a successful auctioneer 
 of Mount Morris, was an attendant. One day when about to be punished 
 for some misdemeanor, he made a dash for the door and down the road. 
 The teacher, however, proved the better athlete and succeeded in running 
 him down and bringing him back, which caused some entertainment for 
 the school, the nature of which may easily be surmised. C. C. Crowell was 
 a pretty lively scholar, and on more than one occasion had to stand on one 
 leg for punishment. He remembers that one noon the boys knocked off a 
 half dozen yards of plastering and threw the chunks about the room until 
 the white dust obscured the view. Penalty — a licking and three weeks in 
 at recess. 
 
 The partition between the two rooms was made of loose boards, which 
 the boys could easily remove on special occasions. At the end of every 
 term the school gave an exhibition, when miscellaneous programs were 
 
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 123 
 
 participated in by the scholars, and on such occasions the partition was 
 removed. Mrs. Crawford often received fine presents from the scholars 
 at these exhibitions, and still possesses and prizes them very highly. 
 
 Besides being an old schoolhouse, the Miller building has the honor of 
 once serving as a meetinghouse. Immediately after it was built, the Rev. 
 N. J. Stroh, who was stationed at Oregon, came up every two weeks and 
 preached in it for the Lutherans. The church records are lost, but there 
 is reason to believe that it was used more or less by the Lutherans for a 
 place of worship until the new brick churchhouse, now belonging to the 
 Christian denomination, was built in 1854. Rev. A. A. Trimper preached 
 in the old house and probably Rev. Nicholas Burkett. Later, in the six- 
 ties, long after the brick churchhouse had been built, a number of the 
 Lutherans, — Rev. Rufus Smith, Daniel Sprecher, some of the Hedges, and 
 others, — became dissatisfied with the progress of affairs in the church and 
 a split occurred, and the bolters started to hold meetings of their own in 
 the old schoolhouse. This branch existed for a time but soon died out. 
 
 In 1882, William H. Miller purchased the house, and after residing in 
 it for eighteen years, erected in its place a fine modern residence. 
 
 Another old school building was the McParland house, which stood on 
 Mulberry street, and for many years was occupied as a residence by Mrs. 
 Susan Heminger, until the spring of 1900, when it was purchased by Elder 
 D. L. Miller, and torn down to make room for his elegant residence. 
 
 The old house was built in the spring of 1811 by Samuel McFarland, 
 of Boonsboro, Md., and at the time of its erection Mount Morris was yet 
 in its extreme infancy. Mr. McFarland moved into the house after its 
 completion and resided there with his family for a number of years. In 
 the meantime a number of other houses were built and immigrants began 
 to come in rapidly from the east. Among the arrivals during the summer 
 after the house was completed was a party in which were Jonathan and 
 Emanuel Knodle, of Boonsboro, Md., who brought with them a complete 
 printing outfit. They rented the north wing of the McFarland house, and 
 there began the publication of the Rock River Register, the first paper 
 printed in Ogle county, a complete account of which is given in the chap- 
 ter upon the press. After the removal of the printing-office from the 
 house in 1812, the old house is lost sight of for nearly twenty years, but it 
 is naturally supposed that it was simply used as a residence, and occupied 
 by probably a dozen different families for shorter or longer periods. In 
 1853 it came into the possession of a schoolteacher, an old lady by the 
 name of Crofts — Mrs. Emeline Crofts, mother of the Rev. George W. 
 Crofts, who later had charge of the Congregational church at Cedar 
 Rapids, Iowa. In about the year 1860, or possibly earlier, Mrs. Crofts 
 started a private school in the front room of the old house, using the re- 
 mainder of it for living rooms. Owing to the crowded condition of the 
 public school, then being held in the Miller house, she soon gathered in 
 twenty-five or thirty scholars, mostly from among the smaller children, 
 and proceeded to " enlighten " them. Many of our present citizens re- 
 ceived their first instruction under her. Among them are A. W. Brayton, 
 
124 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 William Stewart, Mrs. John Walker, and a score of others. Mr. Brayton 
 remembers her rather novel method of distributing reward cards. The 
 room formerly used as the Register office was used by her as a bedroom, 
 and there on her bed she would spread out the reward cards, of which 
 there were some very nice ones for the brightest students, and others not 
 quite so pleasing. After they had been arranged, the best scholar was al- 
 lowed to go into the room and take his choice; after his return, the second 
 best took his turn, and so on until the least deserving carried away the 
 leavings. William Stewart remembers that she was very severe in her 
 methods of punishment, but failed to mention, however, if it was because 
 he was particularly mischievous or not, that his memory was so keen on 
 that point. One of her ways of bringing culprits to justice was to come 
 up behind the victim and getting him by the forelock pull him upon his 
 tip-toes until he expected his scalp to part with his cranium. Another 
 method, for many years a favorite among " schoolmarms," was to get a grip 
 on that convenient handle, the ear, and twist it until the offender was glad 
 to choose between losing his ear or coming to time. The dunce cap also 
 came into frequent use. Nevertheless she was a good teacher and taught 
 many a " young idea how to shoot." Her school continued in the old house 
 until after the war, and was discontinued probably in 1866 or 1867. Mrs. 
 Crofts left the village about that time with her son, Lee Crofts, and went 
 west. 
 
 After the close of the Crofts school, the old house sunk into obscurity. 
 It was simply used as a residence and saw many changes and a variety of 
 inmates. And now, in the year 1900, the closing year of the nineteenth 
 century, it has gone down to its fate, having watched over the varying des- 
 tinies of the town and its intelligent people from almost its earliest period. 
 A few more years and it will be forgotten forever. Thus it is with both 
 man and his works. 
 
 'An examination of the deed discloses the interesting fact that the 
 house changed hands no less than eighteen times. The two lots, upon one 
 of which it stood, and which have always been transferred with it, are lots 
 13 and 14 of block 16. They were included in the original patent for an 80- 
 acre plot from the United States Government to Anthony Pitzer, and later 
 became the property of Rock River Seminary. The later transfers were 
 as follows: 
 
 1843. . . R. R. Seminary to Samuel McFarland 
 1844, .. Samuel McFarland to B. Rosenbeck 
 
 1847, B. Rosenbeck to Jacob Hiestand 
 
 1847, Jacob Hiestand to David Gloss 
 
 1847, David Gloss to John Martin 
 
 1851, John Martin to Enoch Wood 
 
 1853, Enoch "Wood to Emeline Crofts 
 
 1855 Emeline Crofts to F. G. Petrie 
 
 1857 F. G. Petrie to J. A. Routzhan 
 
 1859, J. A. Routzhan to Emeline Crofts 
 
 1876, Emeline Crofts to Jno. M. Smith 
 
 1879 Jno. M. Smith to D. B. Kenne 
 
 1881, D. B. Kenne to David Moore 
 
 1882, David Moore to John D. Teeter 
 
 1884, .... John D. Teeter to Susan Heming-er 
 1900, Susan Heming-er to D. L. Miller 
 
 It will be noticed that three transfers were made in one year, — 1847. 
 Mrs. Heminger was by far the longest occupant of the house, having 
 lived in it about sixteen years. A portion of the old house was moved to 
 
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 125 
 
 the south part of town, and is being used as a barn by William Domer. 
 For a view of this historic old house see the chapter dealing with the 
 press. 
 
 Before tracing the village schools further, it would be well to make 
 mention of the old schoolhouse built by the father of Dr. Isaac Rice. It 
 was simply a roughly-constructed log-house, situated north of town, and 
 its history dates back almost to the beginning of the Pine Creek Gram- 
 mar School. Isaac Rice, then a youth of eighteen years, was one of the first 
 teachers in the school. Reuben Marshall was a pupil at this institution of 
 learning, and remembers the house to have been an exceedingly rough 
 structure. It was built in the hollow north of the Jacob Rice residence 
 and east of the cemetery. One winter there was considerable trouble be- 
 tween the teacher and the pupils, and finally the large boys tore the old 
 building down, piled the logs on a heap, and burned them. Mr. Marshall 
 remembers that one day several dogs ran a deer out of the woods near the 
 schoolhouse, and there being a crust on the snow which the animal's sharp 
 hoofs penetrated, the boys easily headed it upon an expanse of snow and 
 knocked it on the head with an axe. The incident was quite thrilling. 
 Among the teachers in this school were Joshua and Isaac Rice, John A. 
 Wagner, Alfred Brown, John W. Ritz, John O'Conner, Julia Holcombe, 
 Charles F. Lynn, and Robert Deppenham. 
 
 In the year 1868 the present large stone schoolhouse, located on block 
 5 of the Botanical Addition, was completed at a cost of $10,000. At first 
 there were but four rooms in the building and only three of these were 
 used, there being but three teachers and three departments. Miss Frances 
 Hoverland (now Mrs. Crawford) who had been principal in the old build- 
 ing was again elected and served in that capacity from 1868 to 1872, — the 
 first four years that the new building was in use. Miss Florence Hover- 
 land taught during the first two years, until the time of her marriage to 
 Dr. B. G. Stephens. The other teachers during these four years were the 
 Misses Cornelia A. Sterns, May Quigley, and Olive Antisdel. Miss Lottie 
 Rohrer (now Mrs. W. A. Newcomer) was an advanced student and heard a 
 number of classes for the principal. 
 
 Prof. Joseph M. Piper, the present County Superintendent of Schools, 
 succeeded Mrs. Crawford and remained principal four years. The teach- 
 ers during these four years, — 1872 to 1876,— as nearly as Mr. Piper can re- 
 member, were as follows: Frankie Rosier, Ella Fisher, Miss Eichholts, 
 John P. Hand (now a supreme judge of Illinois), Helen A. Night, John 
 Hammond (remembered by his red hair), Lottie Waggoner (daughter of 
 Prof. Joseph Waggoner, first principal of Rock River Seminary), and Addie 
 McKean. 
 
 About this time a fourth department was added and the number of 
 teachers raised to four. Horace G. Kauft'man was elected principal in the 
 fall of 1876, with Holly C. Clark in the Grammar department; Ella Fisher, 
 Intermediate, and Lottie Waggoner, Primary. 
 
 The teachers from 1877 to 1900 are herewith given, together with the 
 graduates— when there were any. The first graduating class received their 
 
126 
 
 MODNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 diplomas in the spring of 1878, at the close of Mr. Kauff man's second year. 
 Before that time the scholars attended only until something turned up for 
 them to do, and they left whenever they pleased, without completing any 
 prescribed course of study. It was during this year that the first course 
 of study was outlined and printed in pamphlet form. In the following 
 the principal will be mentioned first, then the teachers of the Grammar, 
 Intermediate, and Primary departments in their respective order: 
 
 1877-78.— H. G. Kauffman, H. C. Clark, Mrs. Rebecca Kauffman, Lottie 
 Waggoner. Graduates, Susie McCosh (Mrs. C. H. Sharer), Eva Davis, Fred. 
 Knodle, Harry Little, Charles Davis. 
 
 1878-'79. — H. G. Kauffman, 
 H. C. Clark, Mrs. Kauffman, 
 Helen A. Night. Graduates, 
 Laura Hedges (Mrs. Swift, of 
 DeKalb), Lillie Farwell (Mrs. 
 Harry Cushing), Mary Weller 
 (Mrs. George Shryock), Clara 
 Clevidence (Mrs. Ira Wingert), 
 Clara Noel, Alfonzo Newcomer. 
 1879-'80. — Miss Virginia 
 Brown, Mrs. Carey, (name of 
 Intermediate teacher not ob- 
 tainable), Mrs. Crawford. Grad- 
 uates, Martin Rohrer, Jr., Min- 
 nie Rohrer, Lillie Myers, Jessie 
 Knodle, Georgie Bixler, Jennie 
 Weller (Mrs. Hanawalt), Anna 
 Thomas, Viola Greger. 
 
 1880-'81. — Miss Virginia 
 Brown, Mrs. Carey, Hattie Bar- 
 low, Mrs. Crawford. About this 
 time the higher rooms of the 
 school began to enter into a 
 state of disorder, which grad- 
 ually became worse through the 
 two succeeding years and cul- 
 minated in the almost complete 
 disorganization of the highest room under the principalship of Prof. Bur- 
 bank, mention of which is made later. It appears that Miss Brown made 
 no attempt to graduate a class in this, the second, year of her principal- 
 ship. Those who were in the highest class and would have graduated at 
 the end of the year were U. C. Nye, Verne Clevidence Phelps, Alice Look- 
 abaugh Fager, Joshua Ohr, Nettie Long, Mollie Skinner, Arthur Nalley, 
 and probably several others. 
 
 1881 '82.— B. Earl Berry, Mrs. Berry, Mrs. Stephens, Mrs. Crawford. 
 As principal Prof. Berry did not prove to be a much better disciplinarian 
 thanMiss Brown, and the school did not prosper. There was no graduat- 
 
 JOSEPH M. PIPER, 
 
 County Superintendent of Schools 
 
111111 
 
 . = :i * 
 
 tm^mz^^.z-^-- 4..::.': .-•■ - ;r t:^%^-;? 
 
 : j%- ,- ^-* 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDING. 
 
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 129 
 
 ing class at the end of this year. Among those who were in attendance in 
 the advance class were Ida Fuck Pitz, Isabel Punk Pitz, Hattie Davis, 
 Mabel Holsinger, Lucia McCosh, Flora Thomas Shellenberger, Parnell 
 Newcomer, Myrtle Eine Miller, Prank Palmer, Ralph Trine, William 
 Startzman, Howard Long, and Cyrus Newcomer. 
 
 1882-83.— The teaching force remained the same as the year previous, 
 except that Clara Middlekauff succeeded Mrs. Berry in the Grammar de- 
 partment. In Prof. Berry's room the order became worse and the attend- 
 ance smaller, so much so that at the end of the year there was again no 
 pretence toward the graduation of the advance class, which consisted part- 
 ly of the class of the preceding year. 
 
 1883-84. — During the four years of Miss Brown's and Prof. Berry's 
 principalship, the disorder and confusion of the advance rooms became so 
 flagrant that the attention of the school board was finally drawn to the 
 matter, and they resolved to hire a principal who could restrain the mis- 
 chievous natures of the pupils and again bring the work up to a standard 
 of excellence. ' Prof. Charles Burbank, of Byron, was the man engaged, 
 but the board erred in their selection, as the sequel will show. With 
 the intention of quelling the turbulent spirits by ruling with an iron 
 hand, Prof. Burbank entered the schoolroom the first morning and inju- 
 diciously informed the pupils who had assembled that he "could lick the 
 whole school with one hand tied behind his back," and that dire conse- 
 quences would follow any attempt at disorder or insubordination. These 
 tactics, as many will remember, only aroused the ire of the boys, and 
 the order, or rather disorder, was much worse than previously. The first 
 serious trouble arose one day when Prof. Burbank left his room and went 
 into the Grammar room, to settle several youngsters for his wife, who had 
 charge there. He had not proceeded far when the boys made a rush for 
 him, seized him on all sides and gave him an old-fashioned drubbing. 
 While this was in progress, John Seibert ran out into the front hall, and, 
 opening the door of the high school, shouted: " Come on, boys; we've got 
 him! " which added to the excitement. Finally, the members of the school 
 board arrived and settled the disturbance. A few days later the pupils of 
 the professor's own room became incensed at some inconsistency on his 
 part, and a "free-for-all" was again precipitated. Heavy double slates, 
 erasers, books, and all manner of missiles were hurled at the unfortunate 
 pedagogue. Most of the boys were aggressive, but a few of the older ones, 
 Z. O. Doward principally, tried to keep the bellicose faction from injuring 
 the professor. In the scuffle the organ was thrown from the platform and 
 badly damaged. The besieged instructor finally escaped to his desk and 
 hastily penned a note to the directors and dispatched one of the more 
 timid scholars with it. It is remembered that after the missive had been 
 written, upon the bottom of the sheet he stamped a large blotch of blood 
 from a deep cut in his hand, caused by a slate, to impress the directors 
 with the urgency of the case. Trouble frequently arose after this, but 
 Prof. Burbank worried through the remainder of the year. It is said that 
 to insure his safety the school board accompanied him to the depot when 
 
130 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 he left town. The boys and girls who attended that year are often heard 
 talking over those " stirring times." At the end of the year no graduating 
 exercises were held, but diplomas were granted to Carrie Weller, May Mc- 
 Coy and Maude Newcomer. 
 
 1884r-'85. — To build up the school after the exciting times of the year 
 previous, the board hired Horace G. Kauffman, who had proved a good 
 disciplinarian during his former term of service. During the year the 
 Primary department, which included about one hundred pupils, was divid- 
 ed into two sections, — the First Primary and the Second Primary, — Mrs. 
 Crawford being engaged to teach the latter, and Miss Lillie Farwell, the for- 
 mer. The other teachers were Mrs. Kauffman and Mrs. Stephens. The 
 graduates were H. E. Newcomer, Emily Newcomer (Mrs. J. L. Rice), Fannie 
 Stephens, and Grace McCoy (Mrs. Frank Coffman). 
 
 1885-86. — Mr. Kauffman was re-engaged as principal, but being in poor 
 health, went east and left the work in the hands of Mrs. Kauffman. The 
 other teachers were Karen Hollinger, assistant principal; Mrs. Stephens, 
 Mrs. Crawford, and Miss Farwell. Class of '86, Daisy Kemp, Mattie New- 
 comer, Minnie Stouffer, Lilian Hess, Dollie Stephens, Bert Clevidence, 
 Eugene Thomas. 
 
 1886-87. — During the summer of 1886 the addition on the west side of 
 the building was made, to be used as a recitation room. Later, the Pri- 
 mary department was moved into this addition and the principal's room 
 divided into two parts, forming what are now the high school and Gram- 
 mar rooms. The teachers were H. G. Kauffman, Mrs. Rebecca Kauffman, 
 Mrs. Stephens, Mrs. Crawford, and Miss Farwell. Class of '87, Claude 
 Householder and Daniel Brogunier. 
 
 1887-'88. — Teachers, same as preceding year, except that Miss Elsie 
 West took Miss Farwell's place. Mrs. Kauffman resigned the assistant 
 principalship at the end of the winter term, and Emery I. Neff completed 
 the year in her place. Class of '88, Nettie Kinsey, Ada Mumma, Oliver 
 Sprecher. 
 
 1888-'89. — Teachers engaged, same as preceding year. Mr. Kauffman 
 was again compelled to leave the school on account of ill-health, and with 
 the consent of the board left the principalship in the hands of Alfonzo G. 
 Newcomer, who had just graduated from Cornell University. Mr. New- 
 comer proved to be a very able instructor. His graduating class consist- 
 ed of Minnie Kable, Ida Castle, Ollie Smith, and Morris Newcomer. 
 
 1889-90.— Teachers, T. E. DeButts, Alice J. Boone, Mrs. Stephens, Mrs. 
 Crawford, Fannie Stephens. Class of '90, Solomon Avey, Allie Kable, 
 Minerva Eversole, Edward C. Thomas. 
 
 1890-'91. — Teachers, same as preceding year. Class of '91, Joseph 
 Granger, Bert Thomas, Benton Kinsey, Kittie Sprecher. 
 
 1891-'92. — Teachers, C. W. Egner, Antoinette Shryock, Mrs. Stephens, 
 Mrs. Crawford, Fannie Stephens. Class of '92, Anita Holsinger, Lulu 
 Kable, Pearl Williams, Lulu Koontz, Mae Ankney, William Myers, 
 George Toms, Hugh Stephens, Bessie Griswold, Benj. Price, Grace Han- 
 stine. 
 
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 
 
 131 
 
 1892-'93.— Teachers, same as preceding year. Class of '93, George 
 Schelling, Pearl Buser, Emma Plate. 
 
 1893-94. — Teachers of previous year again hired. Class of '94, Louis 
 Brayton, Maude Thomas, Earl Householder, Lucy Buck. 
 
 1894-'95.— Teachers, E. E. Winders, Antoinette Shryock, Mrs. Steph- 
 ens, Mrs. Crawford, Fannie Stephens. Class of '95, Lee Stonebraker, 
 Anna Bollinger, Agnes McDannel. 
 
 1895-96.— Teachers, E. E. Winders, Lydia Pierce, Ella Rohrer, Mrs. 
 Crawford, Mary McClure. Class of '96, Burton Strock, Harvey Kable, 
 Harry Kable, May Driscoll, Maude Rowe, Reuben Marshall, Riner 
 Clark, Edward Jimmerson, Roy 
 Brayton. 
 
 1896-'97. — Teachers, E. E. 
 Winders, Mary McClure, Lilian 
 Hess, Mrs. Crawford, Ella Rohr- 
 er. Class of '97, Ada Allen, 
 Gertrude Eshelman, Amanda 
 Lutz, William Pool, Melvin 
 Householder, Robert Newcom- 
 er, Roy Jackson, Bessie Mar- 
 shall, Minnie Longman. 
 
 1897-'98. — Teachers, A. E. 
 Elmore, Mary McClure, Lilian 
 Hess, Mrs. Crawford, Ella Rohr- 
 er. Class of '98, Mary Naza- 
 rene, Chas. Peacock, Martha 
 McClure, Allie Williams, Earl 
 Clevidence, Pearl Rank, Lura 
 Neff. 
 
 1898-'99. — Teachers, S. A. 
 Long, Mary McClure, Lilian 
 Hess, Mrs. Crawford, Lulu Ka- 
 ble. During the latter part of 
 the year, at the suggestion of 
 the energetic principal, Prof. 
 S. A. Long, the board length- 
 ened the course of study a year, 
 
 making nearly three years of high school work. Owing to this fact there 
 was no graduating class. A fine laboratory was added to the school 
 during the year, Prof. Long soliciting the money for the same. 
 
 1899-1900.— S. A. Long, Mary McClure, Lilian Hess, Mrs. Crawford, 
 Lulu Kable, Ella Rohrer. Class of '00, Vernon Rees, Ray Allen, Mina 
 Middour, Bessie McNett, Earl Thomas, Florine Scott. In June the 
 course of study was revised according to the action of the board the 
 year previous, and published in pamphlet form. 
 
 The total enrollment of the school is nearly two hundred. Those in 
 the third year high school class, who will graduate as the class of 1901, if 
 
 PROF. S. A. LONG. 
 
132 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 they continue their work are Ida Nazarene, Harry Rowe, Jesse Allen, 
 and Jelis McCoy. 
 
 Considering the fact that Mount Morris is a college town and many 
 pupils of the public school stop attending before graduation to enroll at 
 the college, the public school course is an exceptionally good one. Fol- 
 lowing is the course of study for the three high school years: 
 
 FIRST YEAH. 
 
 Fall Term Winter Term Spring Term 
 
 Arithmetic Arithmetic. Algebra 
 
 English English English 
 
 u.s. History J c T i4? istpry . ; : ; ; ; ; ; ; ; :; ; ; ; ; :; civics 
 
 Physiology Physiology Physiology 
 
 Orthography Orthography Orthography 
 
 Penmanship Penmanship Penmanship 
 
 Drawing Drawing Drawing 
 
 Music Music Music 
 
 SECOND YEAR. 
 
 Algebra Algebra Algebra 
 
 English English Bookkeeping 
 
 Latin Latin Latin 
 
 Physical Geography Physical Geography Botany 
 
 Drawing Drawing Drawing 
 
 Music Music Music 
 
 THIRD YEAR. 
 
 Geometry Geometry Geometry 
 
 General History General History General History . 
 
 Latin Latin Latin 
 
 Physics Physics Physics 
 
 Drawing Drawing Reviews 
 
 Music Music Reviews 
 
 At the present time the school is in its most nourishing condition. 
 The corps of teachers consists of Prof. George A. Jacobs, principal; Miss 
 Delia lone Billig, assistant principal; Miss Lilian Hess, Grammar depart- 
 ment; Mrs. Crawford, Intermediate; Lulu Kable, Second Primary; Miss 
 Jennie Harley, First Primary. A fine half-tone engraving of the foregoing 
 instructors appears on the opposite page. Brief sketches of their educa- 
 tional careers will be of interest. 
 
 Prof. George A. Jacobs, principal of the Mount Morris public schools, was born 
 June 25, 1871, at Linden, Wis., and is the son of Robert and Nancy Jacobs. He spent his 
 early school days in the school of his native town. At the age of fourteen he moved 
 with his parents to Livingston, Wis., where he entered the public school, graduating 
 in 1888. After this he entered the Northern Indiana Normal School, from which insti- 
 tution he graduated in 1897, having spent .several intervening years teaching country 
 schools. At graduation, as a result of four solid years of study, Mr. Jacobs received 
 diplomas from four different courses; viz., the Normal, Business, Phonographic, and 
 Scientific. He also received the degree of Bachelor of Science. In the fall of 1897 he 
 was elected to the prineipalship of the Carbon Hill (Illinois) school and filled the posi- 
 tion with satisfaction to all concerned for three years, until he was selected, during the 
 summer of 1900, as principal of the Mount Morris public schools. Prof. Jacobs was 
 married August 17, 1899, to Miss H. Elizabeth Livingston, of Livingston, Wisconsin. 
 

 
 
 
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THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 135 
 
 Miss D. Ione Billig, assistant principal, is a native of Lincoln township, being 
 the daughter of Samuel and Emma Billig. After gaining a primary education in the 
 country school near her home, she entered a private school, taught by Mrs. Dr. Wins- 
 ton, in Forreston. and was a pupil under that lady's instruction about three years. In 
 1889, when but fifteen years of age, she entered the Wisconsin State University, at 
 Madison, and enjoyed the distinction of being the youngest student that ever entered 
 the institution up to that time. After three years of study, she returned to her home 
 and taught one year of school near Brookville. The following year she again entered 
 college, this time at the Columbian School of Oratory, Chicago, graduating in 1895. In 
 the fall of 1898 she began teaching at the West Branch school, in Lincoln township, and 
 held the position two years, until her election as assistant principal in the Mount 
 Morris public schools, in the summer of 1900. 
 
 Miss Lilian Hess, Grammar department, is the daughter of Willoughby and 
 Mary Hess, and was born in Leaf River township. Her educational career commenced 
 in the country schools near her home, and was afterward continued in a school in 
 Winnebago county, where her parents moved. Later they came to Mount Morris and 
 Miss Hess became a student in the public schools of this place, graduating with the 
 class of 1886. She then spent two years in Mount Morris College, preparing for the 
 pedagogical profession. She taught her first term of school at the Stonebraker school- 
 house, north of town. Four or five years were spent in teaching in country schools, 
 one of which was in the Primary department of the Adeline school. In the summer of 
 1896 she was elected a member of the Mount Morris public school faculty, and is now 
 serving her fifth year. — three years in the Intermediate department and, including the 
 present year, two years in the Grammar department. 
 
 Mrs. Fkances E. Ceawfoed, Intermediate department, has followed the pedago- 
 gical profession in Mount Morris possibly longer than than any two other teachers 
 either in the public schools or college, her term of service extending over more than a 
 score of years. Mrs. Crawford is a native of New York, her birth-place being near 
 Springville, Erie county. She secured her early education in a district school, and at 
 the age of fifteen entered the Griffith Institute at Springville, spending two years of 
 diligent study there. The following year she entered upon her long career of teach- 
 ing, when but seventeen years of age. She taught three terms in the country near 
 Springville and then came to Ogle county, Illinois, first engaging for three terms in the 
 Byron school. In 1864, she came to Mount Morris and acted as principal of the village 
 school seven years, serving the last four in the new building, as mentioned elsewhere 
 in this chapter. Her next teaching was at Egan City, where she passed two winters, 
 and later at Bailey ville, where she was engaged three years and one term, part of the 
 time serving as principal of the school. Returning to Mount Morris in 1879, she was 
 re-engaged in the village schools, and has held the position continuously since that 
 time, a period of twenty-one years. This entire time has been spent in primary work, 
 either in the First or Second Primary departments, with the exception of the past two 
 years, during which time she has had charge of the Intermediate department. One of 
 Mrs. Crawford's chief recommendations as an educator is her ability to keep order, — a 
 quality absolutely necessary in the education of the little folks. 
 
 Miss Lulu Kable, of the Second Primary department, is the daughter of John 
 and Elizabeth Kable, of Mount Morris. She entered the public schools of this place 
 when she arrived at the prescribed age. She graduated at the age of fourteen, and 
 then spent a few terms in Mount Morris College. She obtained a teacher's certificate 
 as a result of this work, and began teaching north of the village when she was but sev- 
 enteen years of age. In 1897, she again entered Mount Morris College, aud graduated 
 from the Teachers' course with the class of 1898. She was immediately engaged as 
 First Primary teacher in the Mount Morris public schools, and the following year was 
 advanced to the Second Primary room. The present year, 1900-'01, is her fifth year in 
 the work of teaching. 
 
 Miss Jennie Haeley, First Primary teacher, is the daughter of Jacob K. and 
 Sarah Harley, of Harleysville, Pa. Besides the public schools, she attended Brunner 
 Seminary, atLansdale, Pa., one year, and the State Normal, at West Chester, one term. 
 
136 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 Before coming to Mount Morris, in 1896, she had nine years of practical experience in 
 teaching- in Pennsylvania, four years in country schools near Harleysville and five 
 years in Secondary and Primary work in the graded schools at Lansdale. Since com- 
 ing to this place she has spent a short time in the college. During the summer of 1900 
 she was elected to her present position. 
 
 Prominent among the men who, in the capacity of school director, had 
 to do with the destiny of the schools and served well in the cause of edu- 
 cation in Mount Morris, stands Henry J. Farwell. whose portrait appears 
 on this page. Mr. Farwell served as a member of the school board more 
 than a score of years,— longer than any two other members. He was presi- 
 dent of the board from 1865 to 1890, a term of twenty-five years, and dur- 
 ing that time exerted un- of young pine trees along 
 tiring efforts for the 
 school's welfare and 
 advancement. He 
 was instrumental 
 in building the 
 present stone 
 edifice, an im- 
 provement very 
 painfully neces- 
 sary at the time 
 of its erection. 
 It appears that 
 there were a 
 number of non- 
 enterprising 
 tax-payers in 
 the district who 
 opposed the plan 
 and Mr. Farwell 
 did all in his power 
 to lessen the expense. 
 When the need of shade 
 trees in the school yard 
 was felt, he himself drove to 
 Pine Creek, dug up a number 
 
 the bluffs and transplant- 
 ed them in the regular 
 rows in which they 
 at present appear. 
 Mr. Farwell was 
 president of the 
 board at the 
 time of his 
 death in 1890. 
 
 Previous to 
 1895 there were 
 elected three 
 school direc- 
 tors, one each 
 year,with terms 
 of three years, 
 but in that year, 
 in compliance 
 with the law pro- 
 F viding that all dis- 
 tricts with over one 
 thousand inhabitants 
 must have a board of edu- 
 farwell. cation with a president and 
 six members, the new arrange- 
 ment was adopted, and since that time a president and two members are 
 elected each year. The present board consists of R. D. McClure, presi- 
 dent; A. M. Newcomer, clerk; J. L. Rice, G. W. Deppen, I. W. Marshall, 
 C. E. Price and R. C. McCredie. R. D. McClure has served as president 
 of the board since its organization in 1895, and was a director for about 
 eight years previous. Next to H. J. Farwell, he has served the school for 
 the longest period. 
 
 Other men who were directors for a considerable length of time are 
 Oliver Swingley, H. C. Clark, Dr. Isaac Rice, H. G. Kauffman, and 
 many whose names are not obtainable. 
 
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 137 
 
 The present school board is composed of men who in every way are in 
 sympathy with the strong educational sentiment which prevades the com- 
 munity. They have taken the opportunity to improve the standard of 
 work in the school by the careful selection of teachers and do not hesi- 
 tate to sanction and approve any plausible suggestion which may be made 
 for improvement in any line. They meet in business session on the first 
 Friday of each month. 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 THE VILLAGE PRESS. 
 
 It is generally conceded that the printing press is one of the most 
 potent factors in molding the destiny of a newly-settled territory, but 
 it is also a fact, however, that it is among those the least appreciated by 
 the people when called upon to sustain it. The first settlers of Mount 
 Morris township had no access to daily papers, and even weeklies very 
 rarely found their way into their hands; for mails were irregular and in- 
 frequent, the mode of transferring them being by horseback, and very 
 often that means failed. The only papers taken by the people during 
 the early days were possibly a few eastern journals and some religious 
 papers. 
 
 The great esteem in which all educational interests were held by the 
 first settlers of Ogle county is evidenced by the fact that when the 
 country was yet almost a wilderness the corner-stone of " Old Sand- 
 stone," or Rock River Seminary, was laid, — on the fourth day of July, 
 1839. Consequently it was thought generally in the east that among 
 a people so thoroughly imbued with the importance of educational ad- 
 vantages, a newspaper would find a ready support, but this estimate, as 
 the sequel will show, proved a serious mistake to the projectors of the 
 first newspaper venture in Mount Morris. The principals in this enter- 
 prise were Jonathan and Emanuel Knodle, of Washington county, Md., 
 the former as publisher and the latter as editor of the proposed paper. 
 These gentlemen purchased the press and materials with which a small 
 paper entitled The Casket was printed at Boonsboro, Md., and on the 
 sixteenth day of July, 1841, the former accompanied by his family and 
 with their household goods, including the said printing outfit, they set 
 out in wagons for Mount Morris. When they arrived at Wheeling, W. Va., 
 finding their loads too heavy to be drawn by the teams, the press and 
 printing materials were shipped from there by boat around to Savanna, 
 Illinois. 
 
 In a letter dated Peoria, 111., October 27, 1841, Emanuel Knodle wrote 
 to his brother, Samuel, in the east: " We found it necessary to go to St. 
 Louis for some type, rales, composing sticks, etc. When I left Mount 
 Morris, on the twenty- fifth, we had not yet heard of our press and type, 
 but think that by this time they should have come around to Savanna." 
 A later letter shows that the press, etc., were received from Peru, instead 
 of Savanna. The water being low in the Mississippi the boats could not 
 ascend as far as Savanna. December 8 the outfit was moved into a 
 house built west of the Seminary property by Samuel McParland during 
 the spring previous. This house, of which a half-tone appears here- 
 (138) 
 
TH*E VILLAGE PRESS, 
 
 139 
 
 with, stood until the present year, 1900, when it was partly torn down, 
 and the remainder moved to the south part of town where it is now be- 
 ing used as a barn by William Domer. Further is said concerning it in 
 the previous chapter upon the public schools. The shed-like addition on 
 the right hand is the part in which the printing-office was established. 
 
 During the remainder of the month of December, Messrs. Emanuel 
 and Jonathan Knodle, and also Peter, Jacob and Joseph Knodle, and 
 Joseph Hooper, were hard at work to " bring order out of chaos," which 
 was the condition in which the material was found after its long and 
 
 THE FIRST PRINTING-OFFICE IN OGLE COUNTY. 
 
 A building which played many parts in the history of Mount Morris. 
 
 perilous journey by land and water. Composition rollers had to be 
 made and a hundred and one other articles supplied, which in so new 
 a country were beset with almost insurmountable difficulties, the 
 crowning trouble of all being that the bed of the press was broken when 
 the attempt was made to put it in place. This press was known as the 
 "Ramage" and was nearly the exact style of that used by Benj. Frank- 
 lin, which now stands in the National Gallery at Washington. 
 
 All obstacles in the way of this pioneer newspaper enterprise were at 
 last overcome, however, and on the first of January, 1842, the first num- 
 
140 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 ber of the RocJc River Register was issued from the old house and dis- 
 tributed to its patrons, thus going on record as the first newspaper pub- 
 lished in Ogle county. It was a small five-column sheet, printed one page 
 at a time, on a very inferior quality of paper. Its motto, suggested by 
 Rev. T. S. Hitt, was, "We hope to be recognized as fellow-laborers in 
 the noble work of enlightening the human mind." The terms were " $2.50 
 in advance; or $3, if not paid in advance." A number of articles from 
 the Register, which give an idea of the condition of the country when the 
 paper was being published, are reprinted in a preceding chapter upon the 
 early history of Mount Morris. 
 
 Mr. Emanuel Knodle, the first editor of the Register, was a very spicy 
 and fluent writer. In the second number issued, he invited the patrons 
 of the paper to furnish occasional " original communications," saying: 
 
 We have among our patrons here, as we have already been informed, in the 
 brief space of our residence in Ogle county, writers who are capable of Hitting off 
 " matter and things in general," in such an interesting manner as to please all man- 
 ner of readers ; that we may expect evidence of some very Sharp pens, and that the 
 necessary Artz will not fail us in our efforts to treat our readers handsomely. Upon 
 the whole, we Judge that we can af- Ford our readers complete satisfaction. 
 
 Vol. I, No. 4, contained the notice of the marriage of Michael Cheshire 
 to Margaret McAllister, by Rev. L. S. Walker, noted by the editor to have 
 been " the first case of matrimony which ever occurred in Mount Morris." 
 In the same number appear the business cards of H. A. Mix and Henry 
 Roberts, attorneys-at-law at Oregon; James J. Beatty, physician and sur- 
 geon, Mount Morris; and an administrator's notice in the matter of the 
 estate of William Driscoll. The paper dated Feb. 26, 1842, mentioned 
 the severe illness of the editor, Emanuel Knodle, and No. 12, issued in 
 April, announced his death. He is said to have been a young man of 
 extraordinary ability and had he lived would have had a brilliant future 
 without doubt. He was the oldest brother of Mr. Samuel Knodle, for 
 many years a resident of Mount Morris. The paper which announced 
 Mr. Knodle's death bore the names of Knodle and Stephens, publishers, 
 D. C. Duncan being engaged as editor. In September the paper was re- 
 moved to Grand Detour, on account of the poor mail service at Mount 
 Morris. It eventually ceased publication after a career of less than two 
 years and was entirely lost sight of. 
 
 Seven years passed after the failure of the Register before any par- 
 ties found sufficient courage to try another newspaper enterprise, but in 
 February, 1850, Mr. J. Frederick Grosh and Mr. Tomlinson Ankney pur- 
 chased the material with which the Rockford Free Press had been print- 
 ed, removed it to Mount Morris, and in March the first number of the 
 Mount Morris . Gazette was issued, published by J. F. Grosh and edited 
 by Prof. D. J. Pinckney. Concerning this paper KetVs History of Ogle 
 County says: "It was a seven-column folio sheet, tolerably well printed 
 and ably edited. It was professedly neutral in politics, but the editor 
 was very independent in the expression of his opinions, and sometimes 
 the paper inclined somewhat strongly to the party with which he affiliatecl. 
 
THE VILLAGE PRESS. 141 
 
 The printing of the first number of the Gazette was a notable event in 
 the history of both town and county, and occasioned as much excite- 
 ment as did the completion of the railroad to the same place twenty years 
 later. The Gazette, however, was not a success financially and the pub- 
 lishers, after a year's experience, discovered that its publication was a 
 losing business, and in the spring of 1851 disposed of the material to R. 
 C. Burchell, of Oregon, who removed it to that place and established the 
 Ogle County Gazette, afterward the Reporter, which still exists. The 
 sale of the material, however, does not appear to have stopped the 
 Mount Morris Gazette. No. 3 of the second volume, dated May 29, 1851, 
 bears the name of Brayton, Baker & Co., publishers, and Prof. Pinckney, 
 editor. It says that there were no press, type or printers in Mount Mor- 
 ris at that time, and although the paper was published there, it was 
 printed elsewhere, probably by Mr. Burchell at Oregon. But this man- 
 ner of publishing a newspaper did not suit the enterprising citizens of 
 Mount Morris who organized a joint stock company, purchased a new 
 outfit, and No. 3, dated June 26, was beautifully printed in new type, and 
 was one of the handsomest papers ever printed in the county. It was 
 under the editorial charge of Professors D. J. Pinckney and S. M. Fellows, 
 and it is needless to add was conducted with signal ability. The paper 
 was not self-sustaining, however, and after a year's experience the com- 
 pany rented the office to Messrs. C. C. Allen and S. D. Atkins, then at- 
 tending school at Rock River Seminary. These gentlemen, by devoting 
 a part of their time to the office and the remainder to their studies, were 
 enabled to prolong its existence until the spring of 1853, when the office 
 was sold to them and removed to Savanna, 111. 
 
 Three years later, in 1856, Messrs. Atwood and Metcalf started a 
 paper called the Northwestern Republican. Samuel Knodle managed its 
 publication for over a year when it was sold' to Col. M. S. Barnes, who 
 had been running a daily in Chicago. He changed the name of the pa- 
 per to Independent Watchman. After a year under his management it 
 was purchased by a company of town merchants and put under the edi- 
 torial management of Prof. W. S. Pope, Dr. F. A. McNeill and J. D. Dopf , 
 with Mr. Dopf publisher. Its publication continued until the winter of 
 1860-61 when Mr. Dopf removed the material to Polo where it developed 
 into the Ogle County Press, still being published. 
 
 After this Mount Morris was without a newspaper for fifteen years, 
 the utter failure of all the early enterprises having evidently frightened 
 every one from again making the attempt. Ten years later, however, a 
 job printing-office was established by Samuel Knodle with a small hand- 
 press and an assortment of job type. Mr. Knodle's job office became fa- 
 mous all over the county and the amount of printing which he did was 
 remarkable. The press used by him is preserved in the Mount Morris 
 Index office and compared with the present improved printing machinery 
 is quite a relic. 
 
 In 1876, Mr. Knodle was instrumental in forming an incorporated 
 stock company, he himself owning half the stock, and the Mount Morris 
 
142 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 Independent was started, with Prof. D. J. Pinckney as editor. Misman- 
 agement by the board of directors agaiu made this enterprise a failure, 
 and it was sold in May, 1877, to John Sharer and changed to the Ogle 
 County Democrat, with Mr. Sharer as editor and Dr. B. G. Stephens, 
 associate editor. It was successfully conducted under this caption for 
 nearly nine years, when it was moved to Oregon and changed to the 
 Independent-Democrat, which in the fall of 1900 was incorporated with 
 the Ogle County Constitution, of that place. However, the presses, type 
 and entire printing outfit was brought back to Mount Morris by Mr. 
 Sharer, and in July, 1890, was sold to Charles T. Coggins, who established 
 the Mount Morris Index. For six or seven years Mr. Coggins conducted 
 the paper with much success but finally began to neglect the business, 
 and in 1897 unceremoniously left town. His wife, Mrs. Carrie H. Coggius, 
 edited the paper for a time and later took as a partner Mr. Harry C. 
 Walrath. In September, 1898, the plant came under the management 
 of H. J. and H. G. Kable, who, after two years in the business, have 
 brought the paper up to its most flourishing state of prosperity. Very 
 little of the Index equipment as turned over by Coggins & Walrath 
 yet remains. The old worn-out presses were discarded and new im- 
 proved machinery put in their places, with a new gasoline engine to fur- 
 nish the power. The large cylinder press added in the fall of 1899 prints 
 four pages of the Index at one impression at the rate of 1,500 per hour. 
 The old " Guernsey," which it succeeded was purchased at the time of 
 the establishment of the Mount Morris Independent, in 1876, and was 
 used nearly twenty-five years in printing the weekly issues of the Dem- 
 ocrat and the Index. It was operated by a crank which was attached to a 
 very large fly-wheel, and the whole proved no very easy task to operate. 
 Persons who helped to turn it in years past are often met with, the num- 
 ber of them having been thus engaged being extremely large, from the 
 fact that not many cared for the job more than the first trial. Robert 
 Long, now a prize fighter, was a frequent operator of the old press, and 
 can probably attribute a part of his muscle to that vigorous exercise. 
 Besides excellent presses the Index office is equipped with an improved 
 stapler, a large paper-cutter and new book type. Since September, 1899, 
 the plant has occupied spacious quarters in the building formerly occu- 
 pied by the Brethren Publishing House on the northeast corner of the col- 
 lege campus. 
 
 May 20, 1896, Mount Morris acquired a second newspaper, — the Mount 
 Morris News, edited and published by Charles H. Canode, with M. Eliza 
 Canode as associate editor. In October, 1900, Mr. Canode sold out to A. 
 H. Rittenhouse & Co., who now conduct the business. The plant is 
 situated upstairs over the rear of the grocery store of the Newcomer 
 Company. 
 
 Besides newspapers, Mount Morris has had a number of religious and 
 educational journals. During the gap of fifteen years, 1861 to 1876, be- 
 tween the publication of the Independent Watchman and Mount Morris 
 Independent, The Annual, a Sunday-school paper, was published for 
 
THE VILLAGE PRESS. 143 
 
 several years, commencing about 1862, with Col. B. P. Sheets and later 
 Rev. J. H. Vincent as editors; and also about that time a paper was issued 
 under the auspices of the literary societies of Rock River Seminary, de- 
 voted exclusively to matter pertaining to that institution. At present, 
 Mount Morris College issues a paper regularly, known as Our Young 
 People, which sometimes, as in the case of July of 1900, reaches a circula- 
 tion as high as ten thousand. 
 
 In the year 1880, M. M. Eshelman moved a private printing outfit to 
 this place from Lanark, where he had been publishing a Dunker paper 
 known as the Brethren at Work. He continued the same here with a cir- 
 culation of about four thousand, occupying, at that time, quarters in 
 the Seibert block. In 1881, Mr. Eshelman failed and the business was 
 purchased by Elders D. L. Miller and Joseph Amick. In 1884 these gen- 
 tlemen consolidated with their plant that of the Primitive Christian, of 
 Huntingdon, Pa., and changed the name to the Gospel Messenger. Prom 
 that time until 1896 the company began the publication of a large number 
 of church papers, books and tracts, and built up a very profitable busi- 
 ness. In 1896 the entire publishing business was turned over to the 
 Brethren church, and is now the property of that highly-respected Chris- 
 tian organization. In September, 1899, the plant was moved to the city 
 of Elgin, at which time the circulation of the Messenger reached nearly 
 twenty thousand and the volume of a year's business amounted to over 
 $125,000. Among those prominently connected with the house in late 
 years are Eld. J. H. Moore, H. B. Brumbaugh, Eld. D. L. Miller and 
 Grant Mahan, editors; Eld. Joseph Amick, business manager; L. A. Plate, 
 foreman of the composing room; and S. M. Eshelman, foreman of the 
 mailing department. 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 MUSICAL ORGANIZATIONS AND FAMILIES. 
 
 A history of Mount Morris would not be complete without some men- 
 tion of the many musical organizations which the village has produced, 
 and of the musical talent of both the past and present. At an early 
 day Mount Morris was seldom behind in anything, and many of the or- 
 ganizations and enterprises now common throughout the country, were 
 first produced in this enterprising little village. It lays claim to the 
 first printing-office, one of the first schoolhouses, and the first of a num- 
 ber of other pioneer ventures; and there is also strong evidence that the 
 first brass band in the county also found birth in Mount Morris. The 
 band, in question, was organized in the spring of 1845, only six years 
 after the founding of the village. Mrs. Mary Knodle has in her possession 
 a number of account books of this old band, kept by her husband, Mr. 
 Peter Knodle, deceased, which show that the members were H. J. Burns, 
 Peter Knodle, John F. Grosh, Samuel Knodle, Jacob A. Knodle, Jonathan 
 Knodle, Nathan Evans, A. C. Marston, Simon Warner, A. Coffman, Rob- 
 ert S. Hitt, Chauncey Sheldon, Andrew Hitt, Frederick Finkbohnar, 
 Christian Finkbohnar, Frederick B. Brayton, Henry Neff, William Lott, 
 William J. Fouke, F. Hedrick and B. G. Stephens. These were not all 
 members at its first organization, but some came in later to supply the 
 places occasionally made vacant by the dropping out of older players. 
 The account kept of the finances of the band is quite interesting. A 
 few of the entries are as follows: 
 
 July 1. 1845, Paid by the members for instruments, $129.00 
 
 July 1, Paid by citizens, 21.00 
 
 July 12, Paid for the instruments, $150.00 
 
 July 12, Members taxed 50 cents per piece, 7.50 
 
 July 12, Peter Knodle, fined for lending drum, 1.00 
 
 July 24. F. B. Brayton, fined for not voting, 05 
 
 July 24, Each member taxed 25 cents, 5.50 
 
 July 24, Paid to Peter Knodle for mouthpiece, .37 
 
 August 4, Freight and storage, 6.75 
 
 August 4, One pound of candles, .15 
 
 August 4, Paid Jacob Knodle for table, 4.00 
 
 August 4, Postage on three letters, , .39 
 
 Entries for candles occur frequently, showing that the band spent 
 much time in practice. John F. Grosh assumed the leadership shortly 
 after organization, and many entries show the payment of considerable 
 sums into the treasury for tuition, the some then being turned over to 
 him. Evidently the band had excellent discipline, from the number of 
 
 (144) 
 
MUSICAL ORGANIZATIONS AND FAMILIES. 145 
 
 fines recorded to have been imposed for " contempt to society," for not 
 voting, for neglect of duty, for absence, for breaking instruments, etc. 
 
 This band appears to have existed until sometime in the early fifties, 
 and, owing to the scarcity of such organizations in northern Illinois at 
 that time, traveled among the surrounding towns quite extensively. A 
 number of their old instruments can yet be found about town. Jacob 
 A. Knodle still posesses the Eb clarinet which he played, and Mrs. Mary 
 Knodle has an old B6 clarinet and the old bass drum, the latter having 
 been played by Peter Knodle. Emery Neff, of Leaf River, also pos- 
 sesses the old flute played in this band by his father, Henry Neff. 
 These old instruments are curiosities from the fact that they are much 
 different from the modern instruments bearing the same name. The bass 
 drum is one of the most curious, being double the width of the modern 
 pattern. 
 
 Before proceeding further, it will be well to mention two musical 
 families who have lived in Mount Morris and were intimately connected 
 for many years with all matters concerning the melodious art. Henry 
 A. Neff has already been mentioned as a member of the first band in 
 Mount Morris. His wife also possessed musical talent and their ear for 
 the art was transmitted undiminished to their four sons, Milton, Clark, 
 Addison W. and Emery I., and two daughters, Lura, (Mr. A. S. McCoy's 
 first wife) and Nettie (Mrs. G. W. Deppen). Milton was the musical 
 genius of the family, having been probably the best all-around cornet 
 player the town has ever produced. When leader of the band, he con- 
 tributed much to its success by his elegant execution of brilliant 
 triple-tongue cornet solos. Clark Neff, for many years also leader of the 
 band, was also a fine cornetist, and figured conspicuously in musical 
 circles. Milton died at Mount Morris, in 1878, and Clark, in Mount Mor- 
 ris, in 1892. A number of the older members of the family also devel- 
 oped their God-given talent. 
 
 The other family in question is the McCosh family, consisting of Dr. 
 and Mrs. John McCosh and their five sons, Prof. David S., James, Dr. 
 George B., Scott, and Benjamin; and three daughters, Sarah, Susie and 
 Lucia, the two former now being Mrs. Jacob Strock and Mrs. Charles 
 Sharer. Prof. D. S. McCosh has in the past and is still making music 
 his profession, and has written hundreds of fine selections for band and 
 orchestra and led many large bands. He plays a variety of instruments 
 and when younger was a fine cornetist. In fact he is the musical genius 
 of the family. "Hear Dem Bells," a vocal selection composed by him 
 reached the circulation of many hundred thousand copies. His musical 
 publications have altogether been very successful on the market. Dr. 
 G. B. McCosh attained much proficiency as a tuba player in some of the 
 old bands, and he also plays a number of other instruments. He has 
 composed some music, showing that he possesses much ability yet un- 
 developed. Benjamin is also a music publisher and band leader liv- 
 ing at St. Charles. These three and also Scott, who is dead, and James, 
 now living in Tennessee, all were thorough musicians and played for 
 
146 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 years in the old bands of Mt. Morris. Later mention is made of the 
 three sisters of the family. It is a peculiar fact that every member of 
 the family should have been so well endowed with the genius of a musi- 
 cal ear. The children of a number of them are, with few exceptions, also 
 born musicians. 
 
 To get back to the subject of bands, the first old band was disorgan- 
 ized in about the early fifties, and from that time until after the Civil 
 War, remained so. About the year 1867 a new band was organized with 
 Morris Gaffln as leader. Some of the early members were Clark and 
 Milton Neff, David and James McCosh, William Bull, Calvin Potter, Dav- 
 id Rine, John Nye, Frank Knodle, Lee Crofts, George Keplinger, Jacob 
 Pager and Charles Knodle. The band continued in organization for 
 probably not less than twenty years, with, however, a continual change 
 of membership owing to the coming and going of musical talent. Prob- 
 ably the best period in its existence was during the time when Milton 
 Neff was leader. At that time some of the members were Clark 
 and Emory Neff, George and Benj. McCosh, Charles and F. F. Knodle, 
 Charles Sharer, Ed. Allen and James Webb. They played in a number 
 of contests and had many engagements at fairs at Oregon, Rochelle and 
 Mount Carroll, and for numerous other events. They became quite noted. 
 
 For a score of years past there have been a large number of bands, 
 but generally they have been short lived, probably from a lack of suffi- 
 cient financial support. In 1890 a " kid band " was organized, which, like 
 the others, was of brief existence. During the winter of 1896-'97 another 
 band of boys was organized and by diligent practice every week they 
 have attained to a degree of efficiency equalled by very few of the old 
 bands. The organization is known as the Mount Morris Military Band. 
 A portrait of the band with its membership during the summer season of 
 1900 appears on the opposite page. A fine new band-stand was erected 
 in 1898 upon the southeast corner of the campus. In this stand Saturday- 
 night concerts are given during the summer, large crowds gathering 
 from the surroimding country to hear the enlivening music. The band 
 is finely uniformed and furnished with good instruments. Engagements 
 have been filled at the Rock River Assembly, at Freeport, Rochelle, 
 Lanark, Oregon, Polo, Forreston, and other places. The band was first 
 organized under the leadership of Charles H. Canode, who was succeeded 
 by William Lohafer, Jr., and later by Prof. David S. McCosh, who acted as 
 instructor until his departure from Mount Morris in the spring of 1900, 
 when Burton Strock took charge and is the present leader. Among the 
 members connected with this band since its organization are the follow- 
 ing, some of whom are not now members: Prof. D. S. McCosh and two 
 sons, Leighton and Dudley; William Lohafer, Charles Canode, Burton 
 Strock, Roy Brayton, Roy Jackson, Blair McCosh, Harvey Kable, Harry 
 Kable, Robert Buser, Leslie Rees, Vernon Rees, Earl Clevidence, Ernest 
 Brayton, William Fouke, Oscar Olson, Merritt Miller, Merritt Deppen, 
 Edward Marvin, Fred Stoner, and Clayton Gloss. Elmer Shank is the 
 band's drum major. 
 
MUSICAL ORGANIZATIONS AND FAMILIES. 
 
 149 
 
 In the way of orchestras, Mount Morris has had a great many, and 
 any detailed account of them would be impossible. There were many 
 very excellent ones, notable among which was Thompson's orchestra, of 
 a half-score years ago. A photograph of this organization is reproduced 
 on this page. Some of the best violin players of the present time are 
 Gregor Thompson, Blair McCosh and F. F. Knodle. 
 
 In the past there have been a number of good pianists, several of 
 whom gave instruction upon that instrument. Among them will be re- 
 membered Alice Lott, Florence Brayton, (now Mrs. Gilbert of Iowa), Jose- 
 phine Cheney and a Mr. Armsby. Miss Lucia McCosh is probably the 
 
 E. E. Winders Henry Magoon John Thomas Oscar Doward 
 Charles Ford Thos. Newcomer Gregor Thompson Levi Bear Irvin Thomas 
 
 THOMPSON'S ORCHESTRA. NOW DISORGANIZED, 
 
 most accomplished pianist in Mount Morris at present, having devoted 
 a great deal of time in training and practicing upon this instrument. 
 She graduated with special honor from the Chicago Musical College in 
 1900. She does some composing and has charge of the musical depart- 
 ment of Mount Morris College. Mr. U. C. Nye and Miss Olive Lipe are 
 also graduate pianists, the former of the Chicago Musical College and 
 the latter of the musical department of the Wisconsin State University, 
 at Madison. Mrs. J. L. Rice received a year's training in Boston, and 
 Miss Pearl Williams, a year in the Chicago Musical College. These five 
 rank high in technical execution and are regarded as skilled musicians. 
 Other musically-talented people in the community who have devoted 
 
150 mount morris: past and present. 
 
 considerable time to the piano are Mrs. F. C. Remmer, Roy Brayton, and 
 the Misses Susie Zumdahl, Myrtle Royer, Estella Pry, Olive Stahlhut, 
 Gladys McCosh and Lura Neff. 
 
 Among vocalists who claim Mount Morris as their place of nativity, 
 probably the most conspicuous have been Miss Catherine McNeill, 
 daughter of Dr. Francis A. and Mrs. Barbara McNeill, who was married 
 to Dr. Hoffman at Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, in 1899, and Miss Susie 
 McCosh, now Mrs. Chas. Sharer, of Mount Morris. These ladies sang to- 
 gether on many occasions, at one time taking a gold medal for the best 
 duet at a musical convention held at Cedar Lake, Iowa. Miss McNeill's 
 beautiful contralto voice was developed in the best schools at Boston 
 and Paris, after which she traveled extensively with the best opera com- 
 panies of the country. Mrs. Sharer possesses a very fine soprano voice 
 and became very well known as a soloist, as much so in this vicinity as 
 Miss McNeill. Many favorable newspaper comments were made con- 
 cerning her singing. After one appearance in Mount Morris the Demo- 
 crat said: " There are but few ladies outside of the role of professionals 
 so able to captivate an audience. ... It is proper to say — attribute 
 it to whatever cause — that there never sang a lady to our people who was 
 so popular as Miss Susie McCosh." Miss Maria Hitt, now Mrs. Chas. 
 Newcomer, was also a well-known vocalist, having had an excellent mu- 
 sical training at Washington, D. C, and having been instructor in music 
 in Rock River Seminary. J. M. Piper was a singer of note, having led 
 the Methodist choir for years. Chas. H. Sharer was also a member of 
 the M. E. choir, having an exceptionally fine tenor voice. He also played 
 baritone in the band. A quartette, consisting of Susie McCosh, soprano; 
 Sarah McCosh, alto; Charles H. Sharer, tenor; and Geo. B. McCosh, bass, 
 was a very popular organization a few years ago, and did much singing 
 in public. Other old singers were Misses Minnie E. Little and Lillie 
 Knodle, sopranos; and William Little, bass, who were always called upon 
 when any public entertainments were given in which local singers were 
 needed. At the present time Mount Morris possesses a strong force of 
 good singers, a number of them being included in the church choirs. 
 Among those not already mentioned who have had considerable vocal 
 training are U. C. Nye, Mrs. B. T. Ryder, Mrs. G. W. Deppen, Misses Eliza 
 Canode, Myrtle Royer, Olive Lipe, Lura Neff, Minerva Eversole, Dr. J. 
 B. Moats, and others. 
 
 In 1900 the Harmonia Male Quartette, consisting of Walter Wolfe 
 first tenor; U. C. Nye, second tenor; F. C. Remmer, first bass; C. H. Can- 
 ode, second bass, was formed and was in demand upon special occasions. 
 
 Mention has already been made of a number of musical families. 
 This faculty is also quite noticeable among the Knodles, as will be no- 
 ticed by the frequent occurrence of that name in connection with some 
 of the bands mentioned. F. F. Knodle is still a resident of Mount Mor- 
 ris, devoting his entire time to composing orchestra music and giving 
 lessons on the violin. The family of William Lohafer, Sr., is also 
 musically inclined. Henry and William Lohafer, Jr., are old band boys, 
 
MUSICAL ORGANIZATIONS AND FAMILIES. 
 
 151 
 
 the former playing tuba, and the latter, cornet. William is a triple- 
 tongue cornet soloist of much ability, being the best in this part of the 
 country. Misses Rosa, Nettie and Pearl are good vocalists. The three 
 sons of A. W. Brayton are all connected with musical organizations, the 
 eldest, Louis, being leader and first mandolin player of the State Uni- 
 versity mandolin club. 
 
 Besides local musical talent there is always a considerable number 
 of students at Mount Morris College who possess ability in that line, 
 there being ample provision for the study of both vocal and instrumental 
 music in that institution. 
 
 BAND STAND. 
 
 Southeast corner of college campus. 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 LOCAL CALAMITIES. 
 
 It is probably a fact that no village or township or municipal corpor- 
 ation over the broad states of the entire Union has escaped with a local 
 history void of calamity by storm, fire or pestilential disease with result- 
 ant losses of valuable property and possibly life, in greater or less degree; 
 and so it is with Mount Morris, with which this book is concerned, although 
 it must be said that the number of calamities has been probably below the 
 average, especially in the way of fires and contagious diseases. 
 
 In the history of Mount Morris is recorded the occurrence of two torna- 
 does, one passing directly over the village on the morning of June 8, 1874, 
 and the other devastating a path of destruction across the southeast cor- 
 ner of the township on the evening of May 18, 1898. The first passed as 
 nearly through the exact center of the village as would be possible from 
 the fact that the college campus lay immediately in its path, the roof 
 of the large stone dormitory being partly carried away. Concerning this 
 tornado the following newspaper writeup was sent to the Ogle County 
 Grange for publication by some resident of Mount Morris, and appeared 
 in that paper. It gives a good idea of the storm: 
 
 "About five o'clock this morning- two great black clouds, one from the east and 
 one from the west, were seen approaching. Over the northwest portion of Mount Mor- 
 ris they met and spread devastation far and wide. For about ten minutes there was a 
 terrible roaring of wind and crashing of trees and houses. Then followed the calm. 
 Citizens hurried together from all quarters. S. Mumma's stables were completely 
 wrecked. The pieces were scattered in every direction, some even passing through 
 the siding and plastering of the houses of adjoining residents. The horses and a yard 
 full of stock escaped unhurt. The harnesses were carried across the garden and 
 rolled in the mud. One new buggy was torn in pieces and much fruit destroyed. Sid- 
 ney Redfield's house was staved in and carried clear off its foundation. His wife was 
 severely injured but the baby was dragged unhurt from under a pile of debris. Peter 
 Glasgow's house was completely riddled by flying fence-boards and other missies; 
 stove broken into bits, barn destroyed, the garden deprived of its fence, and many 
 fruit trees blown down. Mr. James Withers lost one entire part of his house. Close 
 by was the residence of Widow Weakle, the windows of which were broken, sash and 
 glass. The raging storm next seized the residence of Elder Walker, now occupied by 
 F. Black, and tore up his trees, demolished the barn and out-houses; ripped up the 
 fence and sidewalk, sending one large timber through a window across a bed contain- 
 ing two men, and smashed into the partition on the other side. The occupants were 
 some injured by the flying glass. One rocking-chair took a flying leap into the Sem- 
 inary yard. Mrs. M. A. McKean lost half the roof of her house. The adjoining resi- 
 dence of Mrs. E. Crofts received but little damage, but the fruit trees were laid in all 
 directions. Two large cherry trees standing close to the house were completely twist- 
 ed off. Thence the storm swept over the Seminary tearing off the west half of the 
 roof and scattering the debris over the principal street. It injured Seibert some, 
 smashing in half the front of his billiard hall. The east end of D. Rine's agricultural 
 
 (152) 
 
LOCAL CALAMITIES. 153 
 
 house was lifted and moved around upon the foundation of Sprecher & Clevidence's 
 new storehouse. In the southeast part of town the gable end of the brick residence of 
 Widow McCoy was tumbled in upon nice furniture and fine carpets. The barn and 
 out-buildings were severely racked. Both g-able ends of the brick residence of E. 
 Lott were thrown in upon the nicely -furnished rooms. One hundred apple trees and a 
 barn were destroyed for A. Cunning-ham. The town residence of A. Q. Allen lost part 
 of its roofing-. The barn and fence of George Fouke were blown down. Such was the 
 destruction wrought here in so short a time that no one had time to become fright- 
 ened or be aware of the extent of the danger before it was all over. Then they found 
 this part of the town to have been subjected to a terrible calamity. No lives were lost 
 and none seriously hurt.' - 
 
 The tornado of 1874 was a wonderful exhibition of the marvelous 
 power which the winds are able to exercise, but compared with that ter- 
 rible devastating cloud which hewed a path of destruction across Ogle 
 county in 1898, was but a breeze, a gentle zephyr toying with the foliage 
 of a forest. All have yet a vivid remembrance of that 18th day of May. 
 Those who had an opportunity of viewing the huge, black, revolving cloud 
 and heard its sullen roar as it licked up every available object and 
 whirled it into the terrible vortex above, grinding and mincing and scat- 
 tering to the four winds, will never forget it. 
 
 During the afternoon of the day of the storm the appearance and 
 maneuvers of the clouds were remarkable. At times far overhead could 
 be seen light clouds floating lazily in one direction, while much farther 
 beneath were blacker, heavier clouds moving in exactly the opposite 
 direction, showing that there were two distinct layers of air. Fitful gusts 
 of wind and short showers of rain and hail were frequent during the 
 afternoon, but toward five o'clock the air became still and calm, and re- 
 mained so for about an hour. The clouds were of inky blackness, some- 
 times of slightly different hues, and presented a most ominous appear- 
 ance. Not a leaf was astir; the atmosphere became oppressive and 
 breathing difficult. Between five and six o'clock persons out of doors 
 detected a dull rumble coming from the southwest which at first was 
 supposed to have been thunder, but the persistency of the sound and its 
 gradual increase in volume soon attracted attention, and persons in the 
 country and the south and west parts of town were appalled by the ap- 
 pearance and rapid approach of one of those funnel-shaped clouds, the 
 identity of which was not long in doubt in the mind of anyone. The 
 cloud continued to approach in a path apparently headed for Mount 
 Morris, but when within about three miles from town could be seen to 
 shift more to the southward, which was afterward proved by an examina- 
 tion of its path. This change of course carried the cloud about a mile 
 south of town and it very soon receded in the distance, disappearing from 
 view beyond Rock river. 
 
 Although this storm passed over only a small corner of Mount Morris 
 township, it will probably not be out of place to trace its terrible work 
 through a part of Buffalo, Pine Creek and Rockvale townships, consider- 
 ing the fact that it came so near the village, and traversed a territory so 
 familiar to Mount Morris people. 
 
 After leaving the vicinity of Polo the cloud encountered the G. E. 
 
4 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 Pahrney premises, about three miles west of Stratford, and demolished 
 the residence, barn, and all the outbuildings, his farm machinery being 
 destroyed and considerable stock killed and injured. The family escaped 
 death in the cellar. The barn of the farm of Mr. Fahrney's mother, a little 
 farther east, was in the track of the tornado, and was demolished. One 
 mile east of Mr. Fahrney's premises the lawn trees at the residence of 
 George Garnhart were uprooted, but the house and barn escaped with 
 but slight damage. At this place a wing of the cloud swung to the south- 
 ward and swept a path through about one-half mile north of Stratford, 
 demolishing the barn on the Charles Hayes farm. The main body of 
 
 SNAP-SHOT OF THE TERRIBLE CLOUD. 
 
 Photographed by Prof. W. L. Eikenberry. 
 
 the cloud crossed the farm of William Coffman, one mile northwest of 
 Stratford and almost completely obliterated the fine residence and farm 
 buildings, which covered nearly an acre of ground. The next day the 
 place presented a desolate appearance, and was viewed by hundreds of 
 people. Men were gathering up wounded pigs, calves, etc., in the barn- 
 yard, and eighty rods northeast of the house five horses were being buried 
 that had been carried away with the barn. The inmates of the house 
 had a narrow escape. They all went to the cellar except the hired man 
 who had gone up stairs for his pocketbook, which was in his Sunday 
 pants. While he was on the second floor the building was carried away 
 
LOCAL CALAMITIES. 157 
 
 and he was dashed to the ground with the falling timbers, receiving 
 only a few scratches. He crawled out of the wreck and spied his pants 
 hanging on a tree near by with the money safe. The family had taken 
 refuge in the northwest corner of the cellar, where nothing injured them. 
 A pitch-fork and set of harness were dropped just in front of them but 
 no heavy timbers fell near them. Had they taken refuge in any other 
 part of the cellar the result might have been otherwise, as it was filled 
 with the collapsed walls, and no one could have escaped. 
 
 Prom the Coffman farm the whirling monster passed north of George 
 Clevidence's residence, and sweeping through his pasture field, killed a 
 number of cattle and horses. It next encountered the tenement property 
 of Charles Weller, which was occupied by Samuel Lawrence. The house 
 was carried but a short distance from the foundation and demolished. 
 The steel roof with the gable ends still in place was left lying near, as is 
 seen in the halftone on the preceding page. Here the safe part of the 
 cellar was the southeast corner, where the family had fortunately taken 
 shelter. The remainder of the cellar was filled with timbers, stones and 
 bricks; and a pig sty, which had occupied a position about fifty feet to 
 the southeast, was picked up and dropped in upon the mass of rubbish. 
 The corner sought by the family came also near proving a death trap, 
 a large cook-stove having landed upon the wall just over their heads. 
 Had it been moved but a few feet farther they would have been crushed. 
 
 The next residence was that of Joseph Artz. A large barn, 24x61 feet 
 was swept away, very little of it being left to mark the spot. The roof 
 was taken off of the west side of the house and several corn cribs dam- 
 aged. A new granary which stood about twenty rods west of the resi- 
 dence was demolished, and a new buggy and considerable farm machinery 
 destroyed. Mr. Artz had a fine lawn set with immense shade trees in 
 which he had taken much pride. After the passage of the storm these 
 large trees were found either uprooted or broken off and the beauty of 
 the place sadly ruined. The roadway was completely blocked by the 
 trunks of some of the trees carried from this yard. 
 
 One of the most peculiar sights along this route was the manner in 
 which the buildings upon the farm of William Ambrose were handled. 
 The residence is built of brick and stands on the brow of a hill about 
 ten rods back from the road. The entire wall on the south side of this 
 brick structure was drawn out, leaving the floors and rooms on that side 
 exposed. All of the furniture was carried from one of the rooms on the 
 second floor while another retained only the bedstead and springs, ready 
 to receive again the bedding if it ever should be found. The large bank 
 barn was entirely carried away except the lower floor and wall and ma- 
 chinery which was dropped on the south side and badly damaged. A 
 new wagon was dashed into the hollow near the barn, one of the wheels 
 of which had the tires with all the felloes in place torn from the spokes 
 almost as smooth as a wagon-maker could have cut them. Leaving this 
 scene of destruction the cloud passed near the farm of Charles D. Weller, 
 one wing demolishing sheds, tearing doors from the barn and scattering 
 
158 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 his farm machinery over the surrounding country. A hay loader in one 
 of the sheds was literally torn to pieces. Mr. Weller was the only man 
 in that section who had his loss covered by tornado insurance. 
 
 The tornado crossed Pine Creek about five rods north of the Pine 
 Creek bridge and entered the timber owned by William Watts and Oliver 
 Coffman, doing serious damage. Trees were felled into the road from 
 either side, completely blocking it, and a large amount of cord-wood 
 ranked in the east part of the timber, south of the road, was scattered 
 over the fields for half a mile to the eastward, as were also the rails from 
 the fences along the road. Amos Baker and family fled to the fields upon 
 the approach of the cloud and escaped its fury, as did also their house, al- 
 though numerous trees were broken down. Across the road in the field a 
 
 DESTRUCTION WROUGHT ON THE D. E. PRICE FARM. 
 
 roll of fence wire weighing four hundred pounds was picked up and car- 
 ried half a mile and then dropped in the outer course of the storm. A 
 wing moved out south of the main body and did considerable damage on 
 the Samuel Price farm. The Salem church escaped, although several rods 
 of fence immediately north of the structure were demolished. 
 
 The tornado now appeared to gather new energy and swept across the 
 open field north of the residence on the farm owned by Elder D. E. Price, 
 unroofing the north part of the house and completely demolishing the 
 barn. A large pine tree in the yard had part of its top mowed off as if cut 
 to order. The barn was 34 by 56 feet with a granary 26 by 34 feet. Nearly 
 1000 bushels of oats and about 900 bushels of corn were stored in the barn 
 and granary, but the greater part was saved, as the floors were not moved. 
 
LOCAL CALAMITIES. 
 
 159 
 
 The farm was occupied by Carlton Wolfe, who was a heavy loser in the 
 storm. His binder, plows, corn planter, and other machinery were broken 
 beyond repair and a number of cattle, horses and hogs were badly injured. 
 One horse was carried fifty rods and afterward found with a piece of tim- 
 ber firmly imbedded in its back. 
 
 The residence of Benj. Fridley, about one and one-half miles south 
 of Mount Morris, was the next place directly in the path of the tornado and 
 there it was that the terrified residents of the village first closely in- 
 spected the awful work of the storm. The house, barn and every out- 
 building were so completely swept away that nothing was left to indicate 
 the former abode of the family save the cellar walls, an old battered fence 
 and the mud-plastered stumps of several trees which had stood in the yard. 
 
 WHAT WAS LEFT OF THE FRIDLEY HOUSE. 
 
 So complete was the ruin that the mind could scarcely be forced to be- 
 lieve the truth, presented before one's very eyes. Excepting a few splin- 
 tered boards and planks scattered near the foundation and in the field to 
 the eastward, hardly a vestage of the house and its furnishings could be 
 found. It would seem that the great bulk of the material used in the con- 
 struction of the buildings could have been found, at least within a radius 
 of a mile, but such was not the case; it was evidently carried into the vor- 
 tex of the mighty whirlwind, churned into a million atoms and strewn 
 along the path of destruction for many miles. At this place occurred the 
 first injury to human life along the path described. Mr. Fridley, his 
 daughters, Mattie and Bessie, and sons, John and Benj., decended to the 
 cellar at the approach of the cloud, but John, the eldest son, left the cellar 
 
160 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 to investigate and was caught by the storm on the south side of the house. 
 He seized hold of a tree, and in some miraculous manner succeeded in 
 clinging to it until the fearful disturbance had passed, notwithstanding 
 the fact that the tree was broken off not far above his head and the bark 
 skinned off of the stump nearly to the ground. He was exceedingly fortu- 
 nate that he escaped with his life and as it was, he had one leg broken, 
 and sustained numerous severe bruises caused by being struck by flying 
 missiles. The others of the family who remained in the cellar were only 
 slightly injured by flying debris, Mr. Fridley being bruised the most. 
 Here there were many curious sights, such as chickens with every feather 
 blown off running about as if to escape the kettle, and animals with pieces 
 of boards driven into them. The path of the storm both west and east of 
 
 ■mr . r'm i ' m .i m « mr» .. ■» ■>• 
 
 
 
 RUINS OF BARN ON OLD FRIDLEY PLACE. 
 
 the Fridley place presented a most remarkable aspect, because of the 
 thoroughness with which all fences and vegetation were swept away and 
 the clear definition of its limits, shown by the thick slimy mud with which 
 everything remaining was covered. 
 
 The old Fridley place, along the railroad, occupied by Jacob Bonar 
 next was visited by the funnel-shaped cloud, and although the house was 
 unharmed the huge bank barn was left in a heap of ruins. Mrs. Bonar, 
 and her brother, David Hedrick, were milking in the barn at the time, but 
 both escaped without serious injury. Mr. Bonar lost much valuable farm 
 machinery. At this place there were further evidences of the terrible 
 force of the storm. Pine sticks, some of them not more than a quarter of 
 an inch thick, were driven through inch boards in the gable of the corn 
 crib, and the steel wind-mill tower twisted to the ground as though it were 
 but a stock of grain. 
 
'^■H 
 
 i>'~%> 
 
 ■*v 
 
 
 Si 
 
LOCAL CALAMITIES. 163 
 
 On John Pridley's farm the barn was unroofed and the sides partly 
 demolished. The shingles were blown off of a part of the house roof, but 
 otherwise the house escaped unharmed. From this point the storm wid- 
 ened to nearly a mile, one wing reaching as far east as Andrew Fridley's 
 place, overturning out-buildings and mangling the orchard trees. At 
 David Fridley's farm, the sammer kitchen was carried away, a part of the 
 barn unroofed and the windwill thrown over. As a result of the cloud's 
 visit to the premises of Andrew Gigous the house had almost to be rebuilt 
 and many demolished out-baildings replaced. A corn-planter left stand- 
 ing in the field was missing after the storm and not a trace of it was ever 
 found. A small amount of insurance was granted him by the Pine Creek 
 company in which his property was insured. 
 
 The farm owned by the Thomas brothers on the Mount Morris-Oregon 
 road was next devastated, but the damage was slight. The main body of 
 the cloud passed to the northward through the timber on the old Phelps 
 farm, owned by Major Chas. Newcomer, and again at this place the spec- 
 tators of the day following had occasion to open their mouths and eyes 
 in wonder. Every tree was badly mutilated, the most of them, both large 
 and small, being either broken off, twisted down or uprooted. Past the 
 timber the small Martin home was obliterated, and that of J. Wareham 
 handled almost as roughly. Farther on, a number of buildings on the 
 farm of Harvey Griswold were destroyed and the Cloud then passed on 
 to Eock river. In passing over the high bluff on the west side, the danc- 
 ing pavilion erected on the crest by a Chicago club, was rolled down the 
 slope and deposited in the road beneath. Persons living near say that 
 vast volumes of water were drawn up into the cloud as it passed over the 
 river, and undoubtedly the stream was very much disturbed. 
 
 After crossing the river suffice it to say that the tornado continued on 
 its destructive course to Stillman Valley where much damage was done 
 and a number of lives lost. 
 
 After the cloud had passed by Mount Morris to the eastward, the 
 citizens of Mount Morris, realizing from the appearance and terrible roar 
 of the storm that much mischief must have been done, hastened without 
 delay to the nearest part of the path which was at the former location of 
 the Fridley residence. Daring the remainder of the evening and far into 
 the night and during several succeeding days hundreds of people visited 
 the scene, and many followed along the entire path. It was certainly a 
 most remarkable exhibition of what the elements are capable of, and the 
 people of Mount Morris are to be congratulated upon the freak of the 
 tornado in changing its course and avoiding the limits of the village. 
 
 Besides tornadoes, the vicinity of Mount Morris has been visited by 
 a number of very severe hailstorms, which did much damage to windows 
 and vegetation. Probably the most severe of these was the one which 
 occurred on the evening of May 13, 1886, when the pellets of ice destroyed 
 much property. The storm came from the southwest, such that all win- 
 
164 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 dows facing that direction were broken and also many shutters and sashes 
 broken. After the hail ceased falling and the wind subsided, the south 
 side of the gentlemen's dormitory presented a sorry appearance, the 
 forty- eight windows having hardly a single unbroken pane of glass. The 
 hailstones were some of them as large as base balls, and some of very 
 irregular and jagged appearance. On the day following the storm Mr. 
 Michael Bohner made a careful computation of the number of panes of 
 glass broken in the village of Mount Morris alone, and gave the following 
 result from an estimate made upon personal inquiry and individual in- 
 vestigation: Total number of panes broken, 4,415; loss, about $1,150. Other 
 losses occurring raised it to nearly $5,000, including the damage to the 
 fruit crop. 
 
 Probably the hailstorm which would rank second in point of violence 
 and amount of damage done is the one which visited the town in May, 
 1860, coming from the same direction as the one above mentioned. Al- 
 though the hail was not so large, a general breaking of windows occurred 
 throughout the town. 
 
 On page thirty-two of this volume, in Peter Knodle's diary, is the ac- 
 count of a hailstorm on Monday evening, June 27, 1842, in which five or 
 six hundred panes of glass were broken in Mount Morris. 
 
 Mount Morris can be said to have been very fortunate in the past 
 in the way of fires, there having never been a conflagration in which more 
 than one large building was destroyed, and but few instances where a 
 single structure has been burned entirely to the ground. There have 
 been but two cases of total destruction of valuable buildings by fire 
 within the limits of the village, both occurring during the 90's; the first 
 the destruction of R. C. McCredie's creamery in 1895, and the second 
 the property of J. A. Kable in 1897. The former was started by a spark 
 from the smoke-stack, alighting on the roof. The fire was discovered 
 at about the middle of the forenoon, April 13, 1895, and it was not long 
 until the structure was a heap of ashes. The village, at that time, had 
 no fire protection except the " bucket brigade " which was always formed 
 at fires and consisted of a column of men, extending from the burning 
 structure to any available pump, along which pails of water would be 
 passed as fast as they could be filled by two or three men operating the 
 pump handle. This method, however, failed to be of any use in this 
 case owing to the headway the flames had gained when the fire was 
 discovered. The estimated loss was about $3,500, which was partly cov- 
 ered by insurance. Mr. McCredie immediately rebuilt the creamery. 
 
 The immediate result of the burning of Mr. McCredie's creamery 
 was the creation of a strong sentiment in favor of the establishment 
 of a system of water-works for the village, to bar against further loss. 
 The matter was made an issue at the following village election, and a 
 majority vote cast in favor of it, after which the present system of wa- 
 ter-works was put in. 
 
LOCAL CALAMITIES. 165 
 
 The second fire mentioned, that of the burning of J. A. Kable's 
 property, on A Street, occurred after the new water system had been 
 put in, but before the water mains had been extended far enough or 
 sufficient hose purchased to carry water to the scene of the fire. A 
 neighbor who was tending a sick son, discovered smouldering flames 
 in Mr. Kable's carpet-weaving shop at two o'clock in the morniDg, dur- 
 ing the dead of winter, and hastily gave the alarm. The fire had evi- 
 dently been burning for a considerable length of time and could not 
 be extinguished. The house and shop, with all the weaving apparatus, 
 were burned to the ground and was a total loss, there being no insur- 
 ance on either. 
 
 In the early sixties, an old hovel standing out on the prairie some- 
 where near the present residence of John McNett, was set on fire by 
 a number of mischievous boys who wished to see a blaze. The old 
 building was formerly used as a schoolhouse, but when destroyed was 
 utterly valueless except for firewood. 
 
 During the seventies there were two fires in which the flames 
 gained considerable headway, but were finally extinguished by the 
 bucket brigade before the buildings were entirely destroyed. Mrs. Sheets' 
 residence on the corner of Hitt and McKendrie Streets was so badly 
 damaged that it was soon afterward torn down and a new one erected, 
 which is at present occcupied by John Merriman. The other was the 
 house on the corner of Fletcher and West Front Streets, owned at that 
 time by Peter Glascow and later property of Daniel Beard. It was easily 
 repaired, however. 
 
 In the fall of 1885 occurred the first serious fire which threatened the 
 safety of the business section of the village. It was discovered in the Sei- 
 bert block at about nine o'clock in the evening, when luckily there were 
 plenty of men still on the streets. The elevator shaft was in flames from 
 the basement to the roof, but the strong pump just behind the building 
 furnished an abundance of water to the bucket brigade, and under the di- 
 rection of several cool-headed men the crowd succeeded in heading off the 
 fiery element. To those who saw the flames leaping from windows on both 
 the first and second floors, the prospects of saving any of the north busi- 
 ness block seemed hopeless, and, in fact the extinguishing of the fire was 
 a marvelous piece of work. Another fire in the business street was threat- 
 ened one evening in the spring of 1900, by a small blaze in the Mount Mor- 
 ris News office in the Mammouth block. The present efficient water sys- 
 tem served to make the danger of short duration. A. R. Binkley also once 
 had a threatened blaze in his store and there may have been several other 
 small blazes but none of consequence. 
 
 Among other fires which have occurred in the residence portion of 
 Mount Morris, might be mentioned those in the residences of E. S. Young 
 and A. E. Canode. Both caused considerable excitement but were prompt- 
 ly extinguished by the bucket brigade. 
 
 In the township of Mount Morris, outside of the village, there have al- 
 so been fires, several of which resulted in the complete consumption of 
 
166 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 farm residences and large barns. In 1883, the residence of Michael Miller, 
 on his farm west of town, was destroyed and that of Solomon Nalley, a 
 new house, in the year 1878. 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 COMING OP THE RAILROAD. 
 
 The history of Mount Morris might properly be divided into two 
 epochs, — one reaching from the time of its founding in 1839 until the com- 
 ing of the railroad in 1871, and the second from 1871 until the present time. 
 During the period embraced in this first epoch Mount Morris was isolated 
 from the world, and the restlessness of her citizens knew no bounds. 
 Merchandise of all kinds had to be transported by team from Polo and 
 other towns and grain was hauled long distances to market. Passengers 
 and the mails were transported by the old-time stage coach or on horse- 
 back. At last Mount Morris people began to be very impatient for a rail- 
 road and the subject became the principal topic of discussion both in the 
 home and on the groceryman's store box. Every rumor of a possible rail- 
 way project was grasped by the anxious people and every effort made to 
 encourage any such enterprises. It was as early as 1853 when this " rail- 
 road fever" began to take hold of the people throughout this part of the 
 county, caused no doubt by the success of the Illinois Central railroad, 
 built through the west part of the county in that year. Numerous lines 
 were projected, and the people were called upon to aid in their construc- 
 tion by subscriptions to capital stock, donations and loans of credit, both 
 in their individual and corporate capacities. Among those that were pro- 
 jected about this time was the Chicago, St. Charles & Mississippi Air Line 
 Railroad, which was designed to cross Ogle county from east to west. The 
 board of supervisors of the county met and voted in favor of taking 
 $100,000 in the capital stock of this railroad. This railroad like many oth- 
 ers failed to materialize, however. 
 
 The next railroad project to cause hope to rise in the breasts of the 
 people was that of the Ogle & Carroll County Railroad Company which 
 was incorporated in 1857 by the General Assembly of Illinois. Section two 
 authorized the company to "locate, construct and complete, maintain and 
 operate a railroad from the town of Lane (now Rochelle), in the county of 
 Ogle, to the town of Oregon in same county; from thence to the town of 
 Mount Morris; from thence on the most eligible and direct route to or 
 near the town of Mt. Carroll, in the county of Carroll; from thence to the 
 Mississippi river." The company was also empowered to construct said 
 railroad east from Oregon to the city of Chicago. The capital stock was 
 fixed at one million dollars, divided into shares of one hundred dollars 
 each. The company made but little effort to organize under the original 
 act, and two years later the charter was amended by " An act to amend an 
 act entitled ' An act to incorporate the Ogle & Carroll County Railroad 
 
 (167) 
 
168 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 Company,' " approved February 24, 1859. The company then organized 
 and elected directors, among whom was Frederick G. Petrie, of Mount 
 Morris, who was elected president. 
 
 After this railroad company was actually organized in 1859, still there 
 was apparently no better prospects of a railroad through Oregon and 
 Mount Morris than before. Notwithstanding the fact that Oregon and 
 other towns had repeatedly voted aid, the company had accomplished 
 nothing toward the construction of the road as late as 1867. The nearest 
 railroad point to Oregon, was at Franklin Grove, Lee county, on the Chi- 
 cago & Northwestern Railroad, twelve miles away. Finally, however, the 
 right man became interested in the railroad scheme and there began to be 
 evidence of the railroad becoming a reality. Concerning this, Rett's His- 
 tory of Ogle County says: 
 
 " In the spring of 1867, shortly after the last vote of the town of Ore- 
 gon (a vote to donate $50,000 to the company, under certain specified con- 
 ditions and restrictions), the contract to build a new wagon bridge across 
 Rock river at Oregon was awarded to Messrs. Canda & Hinckley, of Chica- 
 go. Mr. Francis E. Hinckley had the supervision of the work. While here 
 Mr. Hinckley became aware of the existance of the charter of the Ogle & 
 Carroll County Railroad Company and the condition of its affairs. Hebe- 
 came interested, investigated the matter and determined that the road 
 should be built. He waited upon the officers of the Chicago & Northwest- 
 ern Railroad, who expressed a willingness to carry out the terms of the 
 contract with the old G. & C. U. Company, and agreed to furnish the iron 
 and ties as soon as the work of grading was completed, and the preliminar- 
 ies relating to use of cars, drawbacks, etc., should be arranged. The firm 
 of Canda & Hinckley, dissolved and Mr. Hinckley assumed sole control 
 ' having,' it is authoritatively stated, ' possessed himself of a contract for 
 the rights and franchises of the Ogle & Carroll County Railroad Com- 
 pany.' " 
 
 It seems, however, that this old company became disorganized and 
 many of the old members, together with Mr. Hinckley as the moving spirit, 
 applied to the General Assembly for the incorporation of the company 
 under a new name, the Chicago & Iowa Railroad Company. The Assem- 
 bly passed the act of incorporation March 3, 1869. This act provided that 
 "all such persons as may become stockholders in the corporation" should 
 be a body politic and corporate, etc. This company was authorized to 
 locate, construct, complete, maintain and operate a railroad from Chicago 
 to a crossing of Rock river at or near the town of Oregon, thence through 
 Ogle and Carroll counties to the Mississippi river at Savanna; thence up 
 said river to Galena and the northern boundary of the state. The capital 
 stock was fixed at one million dollars, in shares of one hundred dollars 
 each, and might be increased by the directors to any sum not exceeding 
 five millions. The act provided that the several towns, villages and cities 
 along or near the route of the railroad, in their corporate capacity, might 
 subscribe to the stock of the company or make donations thereto, or lend 
 their credit to the company to aid in constructing or equipping the road, 
 
COMING OP THE RAILROAD. 169 
 
 provided, that no such subscription, donation or loan should be made un- 
 til the same should be voted for by the people of the respective towns, 
 cities or villages. 
 
 The Chicago & Iowa Railroad Company was organized soon after its 
 incorporation, by the election of Francis E. Hinckley, James V. Gale, 
 Frederick G. Petrie, Elias S. Potter, and David B. Stiles, directors; and 
 the board organized by the election of Francis E. Hinckley, president, and 
 James V. Gale, vice-president. Thenceforward the work was prosecuted 
 by this company, entirely superseding the Ogle & Carroll County Rail- 
 road Company. In fact, the corporation act authorized the construction 
 of this railroad over substantially the same route as the proposed Ogle & 
 Carroll County Railroad. The promoters of the scheme proceeded im- 
 mediately to solicit aid of the various towns and cities along the route, as 
 provided by the corporation act. Oregon was the first to respond and 
 voted to donate 150,000 to the enterprise, by a vote of 152 to 1. 
 
 During the summer and autumn of 1869, the engineers of the Chicago 
 & Iowa Railroad Company surveyed and located the road from Rochelle 
 to Oregon, the work of grading was commenced and nearly completed. 
 When it had nearly been finished, Henry Keep, of New York, had been 
 elected president of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company, and 
 when Mr. Hinckley applied for the iron, which had been promised by that 
 company, he was told that it could not be furnished him. Mr. Hinckley, 
 accompanied by Mr. Petrie, immediately went to New York, but Mr. Keep 
 could be induced to give no reason for violating the agreement, further 
 than that it was not to be the policy of his company to foster or encour 
 age any more branches. This failure, or refusal, of the Chicago & North- 
 western Railroad Company to furnish the iron and ties for the road de 
 layed its completion, but Mr. Hinckley and his associates at length sue 
 ceeded in making satisfactory arrangements with Mr. Joy, president of 
 the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, for a connection 
 with that road at Aurora. An appeal was then made to the cities and 
 towns along the proposed line of the road for aid. Aurora voted one 
 hundred thousand dollars, Flagg fifty thousand, Mount Morris and For- 
 reston each seventy-five thousand, Alto, Lee county, thirty-three thous- 
 and, and several of the towns between Alto and Aurora twenty-five thous- 
 and dollars each, Pine Rock ten thousand dollars, Nashua five thousand 
 dollars. After all these appropriations had been made Mr. Hinckley and 
 his friends had no trouble in interesting New York capitalists to the ex- 
 tent of advancing a million dollars on a first mortgage, and late in the fall 
 of 1870 grading commenced in Aurora, and on the thirty-first of Decem- 
 ber, 1870, the construction train reached Rochelle. 
 
 Concerning the appropriation of $75,000 by the township of Mount 
 Morris toward the building of this railroad, the township clerk's record 
 book says: "At a special town meeting held in the town of Mount Morris 
 in the county of Ogle and state of Illinois, at the shop of A. W. Little, on 
 the BOth day of June, A. D. 1870, to vote for or against a donation to the 
 Chicago & Iowa Railroad Company. The meeting was called to order by 
 
170 mount morris: past and present. 
 
 Frederick B. Brayton, town clerk. M. T. Rohrer was on motion of Wm. 
 H. Atchison duly chosen as moderator, who being duly sworn by P. B. 
 Brayton, town clerk of said town, entered upon the duties of his office. 
 The polls for the election for or against donation were opened, proclama- 
 tion thereof being first made by the clerk." Following this is the poll 
 list of 269 voters who participated, and the result of the election, as fol- 
 lows: For donation, one hundred and sixty-three votes; against donation, 
 one hundred and six votes. 
 
 Here a word regarding these many donations will be in order. It 
 was an exceedingly peculiar or rather remarkable piece of scheming and 
 financiering on the part of Mr. Hinckley, who was really the principal 
 owner of the road, how he managed, with little or no capital of his own 
 to start with, to build and equip this railroad, by actual out-and-out 
 donations, and came out in the end with a fortune. In fact it might 
 literally be said that the people of Illinois deliberately handed him over 
 a sufficient sum of money to build himself a railroad. Although the 
 statement seems somewhat hyperbolical it is not far from the truth. 
 The fact of the case is, the people were placed in a rather queer position 
 with a difficult question to decide upon. Men came along and made 
 propositions that if aid would be voted the railroad could be built and 
 many well knew that the coming of the railroad would surely be worth 
 to the community the amount of money to be paid, — $25,000, $50,000, or 
 $75,000, etc., as the case might be, — but on the other hand there was that 
 objection to the thought of deliberately handing over money to a man 
 or company of men and creating for them fortunes, merely because they 
 were in a position to ask it. This latter way of looking at the matter 
 and other objections to these donations were evident to many people and 
 there was of course a strong minority in opposition, and bitter animosi- 
 ties sprang up, which unfortunately are not allayed even yet in some 
 places. The strong opposition by the minority in many towns caused 
 quarrels, and much litigation was entailed upon the people in conse- 
 quence. The majority of the people, however, believed the flattering 
 tales which the railroad projectors told them, and willingly voted the 
 aid requested, as mentioned before. They were led to believe that every 
 man's farm would be a fortune if they would but aid liberally in the 
 construction of railroads. After a time their dearly-bought experience 
 led them to discover the folly of such a course, and in the latter part of 
 1870 they amended their constitution to prohibit such corporate action 
 in an amendment to the organic law of the state providing that "no 
 county, city, town, township or other municipality shall ever become 
 subscriber to the capital stock of any railroad or private corporation, 
 or make donation to, or loan its credit in aid of such corporation." 
 
 The minority, which had opposed the original voting; of donations, 
 took every opportunity to prevent the issuing of the bonds and also the 
 payment after they had been issued, which action was the cause of the 
 trouble afterward encountered by Mount Morris and, in fact, all points 
 along the line. Many towns refused to issue the bonds voted, and some 
 
COMING OP THE RAILROAD. 171 
 
 actually avoided the payment by taking advantage of certain technical 
 errors in regard to the legality of the elections when the donations were 
 voted, or some trifling breach of the agreement on the part of the railroad 
 company; others compromised, but many were compelled to pay the full 
 amount, besides a great deal more to cover expenses incurred during liti- 
 gation. Concerning Mount Morris's well-known unsuccessful attempt to 
 avoid the payment, more is said farther on, in the chronological order of 
 events. 
 
 As stated before, the Chicago & Iowa railroad was completed as far as 
 Rochelle in December, 1870. It was farther completed from Rochelle to a 
 point on the east bank of Rock river, opposite Oregon, April 1, 1871, and 
 regular trains for passengers and freight put on. The bridge across Rock 
 river was completed and the cars crossed it for the first time, October 20, 
 1871. During the summer of 1871 work progressed on the grading of the 
 road between Oregon and Mount Morris, which was watched with great 
 interest by the people of the township, delighted as they were at the 
 thought of having a railroad. The first passenger train was run to Mount 
 Morris November 12, and the people celebrated the event in grand style. 
 An elegant public supper was given in honor of the railroad officials. 
 
 As soon as the road was completed to Forreston, a connection was 
 made with the Illinois Central railroad, which opened a route from Chi- 
 cago to Souix City, Iowa. A contract was made between the two roads by 
 which the cars of the Illinois Central reached Chicago over the Chicago & 
 Iowa railroad. New depots were erected along the line in 1872; through 
 trains between Chicago and Dubuque were put on, and the road entered 
 upon a period of good management and general prosperity. The Illinois 
 Central continued to run trains over this road to Chicago until about 1888, 
 when their own road was completed through Freeport and Rockford to 
 that city. 
 
 The first station agent in Mount Morris was Mr. A. W. Brayton, now 
 a prosperous druggist and book-seller in the village. His night operator 
 was H. D. Judson, a young man who had made his home with the family 
 of F. B. Brayton. Mr. Judson advanced rapidly in favor with the railroad 
 company and is now superintendent of the road. He acted as night opera- 
 tor under A. W. Brayton and later succeeded Mr. Brayton as agent, with 
 Samuel Rohrer and later " Bob " Lillie as night operators. The succession 
 of agents and operators since that time cannot be definitely ascertained, 
 but the following is probably nearly correct, the agent being mentioned 
 first and the night operator second: C. E. Holbrook and Lyle Newcomer, 
 Ed. L. Mooney and George Shank, Thomas Webb and F. F. Knodle (still a 
 resident of Mount Morris), F. F. Knodle and J. D. Miller (now a harness 
 dealer in Mount Morris), and since 1888, after the Illinois Central trains 
 ceased running, and the night operator was dispensed with,— F. F. Knodle, 
 Reuben Godfrey (three years), S. G. Brown (three years), and F. C. Rem- 
 mer. Mr. Remmer, the present agent, attends well to the business of the 
 road, is a genial and obliging young man and is well liked by both his em- 
 ployers and the patrons of the road. He first came to Mount Morris as 
 
172 mount morris: past and present. 
 
 agent in October, 1895. Longer than the term of service of any of these 
 agents is that of James Driscoll, who has been foreman of the section dur- 
 ing the greater part of twenty-one years past. 
 
 The record of the big fight carried on by Mount Morris for so many 
 years in an attempt to avoid the payment of the money voted to be donat- 
 ed to the railroad is in some respects a rather peculiar piece of history. 
 The complications arising in the case render the task of tracing it one of 
 great delicacy. As to the propriety of voting the donation of $75,000 in 
 the first place there is of course a diversity of opinion, and also upon the 
 right and wrong of attempting to evade the payment of the same, but it is 
 not the purpose of this book to render any verdicts, one way or another, 
 but merely to give the facts in the case. Undoubtedly the township has 
 derived $75,000 worth of actual benefit from the presence of the railroad 
 and would not part with it for that amount of money, or even for the 
 larger amount actually being paid in consequence of the addition of inter- 
 est during the period of litigation. 
 
 By the terms upon which the donation of $75,000 was voted by Mount 
 Morris, the company was required to complete the road through the town 
 before the bonds should be issued. While the work was progressing the 
 people apparently somewhat regretted their liberality and the minority, 
 who had strongely opposed the measure at the election, decided to do all 
 in their power to prevent the issuing of the bonds. Consequently an in- 
 junction, signed by Daniel J. Pinckney, John W. Hitt, Jacob H. Mumma, 
 John E. McCoy, Milton E. Getzendaner and John Sprecher, was drawn up 
 and filed in the circuit court of Ogle county, praying that the township of 
 Mount Morris be restrained from the issuing of bonds for the payment of 
 the seventy-five thousand dollars, or any part thereof, or the interest 
 thereon, or any part thereof; also to restrain the township from causing 
 any tax to be levied for the payment of the same. In the writ, an alleged 
 illegality of the election, when the donation was voted, was claimed as the 
 pretext for filing the injunction. The injunction was temporarily grant- 
 ed and the case brought up in the circuit court. But while the slow pro- 
 cesses of law were at work on the matter negotiations were in progress 
 between Mr. Hinckley and Supervisor J. W. Hitt for an amicable settle- 
 ment of the matter, and an agreement was finally reached to compromise 
 the bond issue at $50,000. This arrangement was decided upon by the 
 people at a special town meeting held March 19, 1875. Regarding this 
 meeting and its action the old village record book has the following: 
 
 Special town meeting met at the shop of A. W. Little in persuance of call. On mo- 
 tion A. Newcomer, Esq., was chosen moderator and O. H. Swing-ley, secretary. On 
 motion, the meeting adjourned to Seibert Hall. The hour of two o'clock, P. M., hav- 
 ing arrived, the meeting proceeded to business. On motion the supervisor (J. W. Hitt) 
 of the town of Mount Morris was requested to make a full statement to the meeting 
 of all correspondence and negotiations that had taken place between himself and 
 Mr. Hinckley with regard to the settlement of the claim of the Chicago & Iowa 
 Railroad Company against the town, whereupon the supervisor made a full statement 
 of all that had taken place between himself and Mr. Hinckley, including Mr. Hinck- 
 ley's proposition for a final settlement of the question at issue, viz., 
 
 That the Chicago & Iowa Railroad Company would accept bond to the amount 
 
COMING OF THE RAILROAD. 173 
 
 of $50,000 dated March 1, 1875, running not to exceed ten years, at ten per cent annual 
 interest, or in lieu thereof $15,000 in cash in full liquidation of said claim. After full 
 and free discussion the following resolutions were adopted without a dissenting voice. 
 
 Resolved, that after a full consideration of the terms of the proposition made 
 by Mr. F. E. Hinckley, president of the Chicago & Iowa Railroad Company through 
 our supervisor to settle the claim of said company against the town, now in litigation, 
 we regard said proposition as alike fair and honorable on the part of Mr. Hinckley, 
 and are of the opinion that the same ought to be accepted in the same spirit in which 
 it is offered. 
 
 Resolved, That fully recognizing the services rendered the town by the parties 
 who, with honest and consistent purpose, have so persistantly contested the issue of 
 the bonds of the town to the amount of $75,000 we are partly in favor of so arranging 
 the settlement with Mr. Hinckley that they shall receive, at the expense of the town, 
 the sum of sixteen hundred dollars ($1,600), being the amount they have expended in 
 lawyers' fees, traveling expenses and court charges. 
 
 Resolved, That the parties in the suit and the town authorities be and are here- 
 by requested to conclude the settlement without unnecessary delay. 
 
 On motion of A. Q. Allen, the following was offered and unanimously adopted : 
 
 Resolved, That we are largely indebted to our supervisor, J. W. Hitt, Esq., for 
 the faithful, efficient and successful manner in which he has conducted these negotia- 
 tions and guarded the interests of the town, and that a vote of thanks be and is here- 
 by tendered him. A. Newcomer, 
 
 O. H. Swingley, Secretary. Moderator. 
 
 In compliance with the above, bonds to the amount of $50,000 were is- 
 sued to the railroad company and sold, the German Insurance Company 
 of Preeport purchasing most of them. According to the above agreement 
 the bonds and interest were to be paid in ten years and the matter rested 
 quietly for seven years. Then again in 1882, seven years after the bonds 
 had been issued, plans were again laid by the minority who opposed the 
 payment, to restrain the officials from levying any tax at the expiration of 
 the ten years with which to pay the bonds. Accordingly a second injunc- 
 tion was filed in the circuit court in that year by John Harmon, Samuel 
 Domer, Daniel Pager and Reuben S. Marshall. The case came up in the 
 circuit court shortly after and was finally decided against the town. It 
 was then appealed to the supreme court of the state of Illinois and in the 
 year 1888, was finally also settled there, the verdict again going against the 
 town, and the injunction was dissolved, after a continuous term of lawing 
 extending over a period of about six years. 
 
 The decision in 1888 by the supreme court dissolving the injunction 
 did not yet bring the town to its last extremity and the payment was fur- 
 ther staved off several years by electing town clerks and immediately 
 sending them away, and paying them to stay away. It being necessary to 
 have the signature of the clerk on the paper making the levy, this very ef- 
 fectually preventing the necessary levy and the owners of the bonds were 
 still compelled to carry the indebtedness. Finally, however, as many peo- 
 ple anticipated, the town was compelled to give up and the injudicious 
 fight was discontinued. N. A. Watts became clerk of the town and not be- 
 ing willing to " skip " as his predecessors had done, the payment of the 
 vast sum of money, then more than doubled by the accumulation of the 
 ten per cent interest, became no longer avoidable and the levy was made 
 
174 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 for the first payment, — the sum of $47,000, — which was collected by D. B. 
 Keedy, in the spring of 1894. This large payment, more than three times 
 as large as the usual tax, was met with considerable difficulty by many tax- 
 payers, but with a year's notice to prepare for it, few people were actually 
 crippled financially, and all were glad that the attempt was made after it 
 had been paid. The heavy debt hanging over the town was a great men- 
 ace to its prosperity, and it was certainly a wise measure to no longer de- 
 lay its obliteration. Not only did the former condition of affairs drive 
 people away who might have settled in the township, but the credit of the 
 township was kept worthless. By this one stroke, the payment of the 
 $47,000, Mount Morris was again put upon a solid financial basis and the 
 best of credit restored. 
 
 The remaining $50,000 of the debt was disposed of by the issuing of 
 new bonds to be paid off in yearly installments. A special town meeting 
 was held to make this arrangement, the town clerk's record of which is as 
 follows: 
 
 Special town election, held the ninth day of December, 1893, at the village hall, 
 town of Mount Morris, Ogle county, Illinois, the form of ballot being as follows: 
 
 Proposed issue of twenty town bonds for $2,517.50 each, aggregating $50,350, bear- 
 ing five per cent interest, one bond payable May 1st of each year till all are paid, com- 
 mencing May 1st, 1894, the interest on all said bonds payable annually, said bonds to be 
 issued in lieu of bonds held by the German Insurance Company, of Freeport, Illinois, 
 the principal and interest of which will aggregate $50,350 May 1, 1894, and which are 
 numbered 1, 2, 5, 9, 12, 14, 16, 21, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 
 43, 44, 45, 46 and 47, for $500 each; and eleven bonds, numbered 57, 65, 66, 68, 70, 71, 72, 73, 
 74 and 75, for $1,000 each, bearing ten per cent interest. 
 
 The result of this election was 250 votes in favor of issuing the bonds 
 and 61 against. It seems, however, that these bonds were not accepted 
 and new arrangements were necessary. The following petition was filed 
 in the town clerk's office on the 30th day of April, 1894: 
 
 To the Town Clerk of the Town of Mount Morris, Ogle County, HI.: 
 
 The undersigned legal voters of the town of Mount Morris, being residents there - 
 n respectively request and petition that a special election be called to submit to the 
 voters of said town the question of issuing the bonds of said town of the third class 
 to the amount of $57,600, consisting of 112 bonds of $500 each, and 16 bonds of $100 each, 
 bearing interest at the rate of five per cent per annum, said bonds to be dated the 
 first day of June, 1894, and be made payable at the office of the state treasurer, in the 
 city of Springfield, Illinois, said bonds to be so issued that $3,600 thereof shall become 
 due June 1st, 1895. and a like amount annually thereafter until all are paid ; said bonds 
 to be issued for the purpose of refunding the following indebtedness of the town of 
 Mount Morris, to wit : 
 
 Judgment of George W. Sanford, and interest $ 4,738 32 
 
 Judgment of Emma E. Pitt, and interest, 5,066 30 
 
 Judgment of William Talcott, and interest 4,520 48 
 
 Judgment of Chester K. Williams, and interest, 32,537 40 
 
 Judgment of A. A. Viele. and interest, 2,215 67 
 
 Judgment of Catherine Randall, and interest, 2,315 96 
 
 Bonds numbered 28, 48, 49 and 50 of $500 each, and bond num- 
 bered 67 for $1,000. issued to the Chicago & Iowa Railroad 
 
 Company, 6,535 12 
 
 Total, $57,929 25 
 
 The above petition was signed by 49 legal voters of the town. In com- 
 pliance with the petition a special election was called by posting ten no- 
 tices in ten of the most public places in said town, also by notice being 
 
COMING OF THE RAILROAD. 175 
 
 published in the Mount Morris Index. The question of the issuing of 
 new bonds, substantially as quoted in the above petition, was voted upon 
 on the 26th day of May, 1894, the date set for the election, and the follow- 
 ing result obtained: For issuing the bonds, 248 votes; against issuing 
 the bonds, 43 votes. These bonds were then issued and accepted by the 
 creditors of the town. 
 
 And thus the matter was finally amicably settled. The payment of 
 the remaining portion of the debt continues each year in small install- 
 ments which are not noticed in the least by the taxpayers of the township. 
 The last payment will be made in the year 1909. Although these pay- 
 ments are being made each year, it is a fact that the rate of assessment in 
 Mount Morris is as low and most cases lower than in the other towns in 
 Ogle county. At the present time the credit of the town is restored, the 
 ill-feelings engendered by the controversy concerning the bond case for- 
 gotten and " All is well." 
 
CHAPTER XII. 
 RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 
 
 The religious advantages of Mount Morris, both in the past and pres- 
 ent, have been, and are, unexcelled in Northern Illinois. It is an undis- 
 puted fact that the morals among both the young and old in " The College 
 Town" are above the average in any other places in the county or neigh- 
 boring counties. The fact is often commented upon by visitors from 
 abroad, and it is a condition continually boasted of by the people them- 
 selves, and by Mount Morris College in advertising the village as a safe 
 place for young men and women, leaving their homes to get an education. 
 The religious atmosphere of the place has always prevailed against the 
 great evils common in many towns and kept the environments of its young 
 people pure and clean and untainted. Open saloons were opposed from 
 the time of the first settlements, as will be seen in the chapter on " Vil- 
 lage Organization" and at other places in this volume. Open saloons 
 have, in fact, been tolerated but on one or two occasions and at very short 
 periods at that. For a score of years past there has not even been an 
 attempt made to gain a saloon license. If license and anti-license were 
 made an issue at a village election it would be voted down by an over- 
 whelming majority, without doubt. Such is the sentiment which the 
 churches of Mount Morris have created in the hearts of her good people. 
 
 Pour Christian denominations are well represented in the village and 
 township, and each has a commodious place of worship. And though they 
 differ somewhat in faith and practice, still they dwell together in perfect 
 harmony. Pew places of like population can claim so many ministers, 
 there being no less than fifteen or eighteen at one time, yet one never 
 hears of any unpleasantness among them. In fact Mount Morris might 
 be called the " Preachers' Paradise." 
 
 Of the four churches in Mt. Morris the history of the Methodist Epis- 
 copal dates back the farthest. 
 
 The first preaching in this part of Ogle county, at least the first under 
 Methodist auspicies was by the Rev. Thomas S. Hitt, father of Hon. R. R. 
 Hitt, a cultured and earnest local preacher, who came to this state in 1837 
 and settled with the Maryland colony. He entered a large tract of land, 
 but devoted his time very largely to the development of the religious and 
 educational interests of the country. He was in frequent demand for fu- 
 nerals, weddings, church dedications and educational meetings. He was 
 largely instrumental in securing the seminary at this place, for which he 
 contributed liberally, and by his influence and eloquence raised large 
 amounts of money. As a pioneer preacher he did faithful work, and laid 
 
 (176) 
 
REV. THOMAS S. HITT. 
 
 Father of Hon. R. R. Hitt and one of the promoters of early j 
 
 Methodism in Ogle county. 
 
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 179 
 
 the foundation from which many strong churches have grown and pros- 
 pered. 
 
 One who recollects Eev. Hitt as he was in vigorous manhood describes 
 him as follows: " As a speaker he was interesting, with a clear musical 
 voice, which expressed every shade of feeling. His language was choice 
 and copious. In bearing he was dignified and easy and his gestures were 
 natural and graceful. He stood six feet tall and seemed under all circum- 
 stances, in public or private, perfectly possessed." 
 
 He died September 23, 1852, having successfully planted Methodism in 
 this section and giving its religious and educational interests an impulse 
 that has been felt ever since. 
 
 Rev. Barton Cartwright was appointed to the charge, then part of a 
 large circuit, in the fall of 1838. 
 
 Aug. 20, 1840, Rock River Conference was organized, at a camp-meet- 
 ing held in the grove two miles northwest of town. Bishop Waugh was 
 the presiding bishop and Rev. B. T. Kavanaugh, secretary. 
 
 The location of Rock River Seminary at Mount Morris, under the con- 
 trol of the Conference, gave the local church quite an impetus. When the 
 first seminary building was completed in 1840, the north portion was used 
 for church purposes, until the erection of the second building called " Old 
 Sandstone," when the two lower stories of the east part were fitted up as a 
 chapel and used by the church for about 25 years. 
 
 The location of the school gave the church considerable prestage dur- 
 ing its earlier history and some of the strongest men of those times served 
 it as pastors. It has been impossible to obtain a complete list previous to 
 1857, but the following list is nearly accurate: Revs. Thos. Hitt, Barton 
 Cartwright, Worthington, McMurty, Snow, Walker, Wagner, Jewett, Jud- 
 son, Stuff, Cone, Winslow, Keegan, Stoughton, Parks. Rev. Blanchard 
 was pastor in 1857, followed by Rev. J. H. Vincent, now bishop, in 1859. 
 
 From 1860 until the present time the following pastors were assigned 
 in their order: 1860, L. Anderson; 1863, W. A. Smith; 1865, J. H. More; 
 1867, W. A. Stout; 1868, C. R. Ford; 1869, S. H. Adams; 1872, L. Curts; 1875, 
 E. M. Battis; 1876, E. W. Adams; 1878, A. T. Needham; 1879, James Bush; 
 1882, G. L. Wiley; 1885, Robert Proctor; 1887, R. Brown; 1890, J. H. Thomas; 
 1895, A. S. Mason; 1898, F. W. Nazarene. 
 
 For a number of years Mount Morris was the head of a district, and 
 the home of the Presiding Elder. Among others who resided here while 
 filling that office were Richard Haney, Hooper Crews, John Clark, Philo 
 Judson and Luke Hitchcock. 
 
 The congregation worshipped in the seminary chapel until the school 
 passed from the control of Rock River Conference in 1877. During the 
 pastorate of Rev. E. W. Adams, the present edifice was erected at a cost of 
 about $8,000. It is a beautiful and commodious building situated on the 
 corner of Center and McKendrie streets. It has a large auditorium, with 
 gallery, and lecture room, etc. It has been kept in thorough repair and 
 remodled several times, and fully meets the necessities of the congrega- 
 tion. The first parsonage was erected in 1852, a grout building located 
 
180 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 southwest of the seminary. It appears in a view from the seminary on 
 page 54. It was used until 1890 when the present convenient house was 
 erected, just south of the church. 
 
 The church has always stood well in the charges of Eock Eiver Con- 
 ference, and has constantly developed along all lines of church enterprise. 
 At the present time it enjoys a good degree of prosperity, and has a good 
 property free from debt. It contributes liberally for pastorial support, 
 and the various benevolences of the church. The present membership is 
 about two hundred. The Sunday school is in a prosperous condition, un- 
 der supervision of Mr. Charles H. Sharer. The Epworth League, with A. 
 M. Newcomer as president, is a very earnest and aggressive body of young 
 
 METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
 
 people. All the departments of church work are organized and are work- 
 ing harmoniously and successfully. 
 
 The sixtieth anniversary of the organization of the church at Mount 
 Morris was celebrated with special services of an interesting nature, be- 
 ginning Dec. 4, and closing Dec. 11, 1898. 
 
 Following is a short biographical sketch of Rev. F. W. Nazarene, the 
 present pastor: 
 
 Rev. F. W. Nazarene. the youngest son of Frederick and Mary A. Nazarene, was 
 born in Washington county, Md., January 25, 1856. He removed with his parent to 
 Ogle county, 111., in the spring of 1864. The first year of his sojourn in Illinois 
 was spent at Mount Morris. In the spring of 1865 the family moved on a farm 
 
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 
 
 181 
 
 near Brookville, and the following spring to Polo, where his parents resided until 
 their death. His father died in June, 1898, and his mother in June, 1899. The subject 
 of this sketch attended the public schools of Polo, graduating from the High School 
 of that place in June, 1874. He spent some time teaching and then attended the Rock 
 River Seminary, under the presidency of N. C. Dougherty. He united with the Polo 
 M. E. church in 1875, and was licensed as a local preacher in 1877, and united with Rock 
 River Conference in 1881, at which time he was ordained to Deacons orders by Bishop 
 
 Wiley. He was ordained to Elders 
 orders by Bishop Fowler in 1885, at 
 which time he completed the four 
 years theological studies prescribed 
 by the Conference. 
 
 His first pastoral charge was at 
 Davis, 111., where he labored for two 
 years. The church there was greatly 
 strengthened by a remarkable revival, 
 and by the remodeling and repairing 
 of the church building. The new 
 church building at Rock City was also 
 erected during this pastorate. This 
 was followed by a full pastorate o 
 three years at Orangeville, during 
 which time a new church was erected 
 on the charge. Successful and pleas- 
 ant pastorates followed at Hanover, 
 Shirland, Leaf River and Byron. In 
 the autumn of 1892, on account of the 
 failing health of his younger daugh- 
 ter, and by advice of physicians, he 
 took a supernumerary relation to his 
 Conference and moved to South Dako- 
 ta, and served as pastor at Milbank 
 and Aberdeen, two of the leading ap- 
 pointments of that Conference. In 
 the fall of 1896 he went to Jameston, 
 North Dakota, where he had one of 
 the best years of his ministry. His 
 daughter's health having been fully 
 restored [he returned to Rock River 
 Conference in 1897, and the following February was appointed pastor of the Mount 
 Morris church, it being his third pastorate in Ogle county. His work here has been 
 pleasant and evidently satisfactory to the membership, as at the end of each succeed- 
 ing Conference year the official board has given him a unanimous invitation to re- 
 turn. The church property has been thoroughly remodeled and improved during his 
 pastorate, the finances all met and all the departments of the church are working 
 pleasantly and harmoniously. On the first day of June, 1880, he was married to Miss 
 Amy S. McHoes, the eldest daughter of Peter McHoes, of Davis, 111. They have two 
 daughters, Mary and Ida, both in school in this city ; the former at the College, and 
 the latter in the High School. 
 
 Lutheran Evangelical Church. 
 
 REV. F. W. NAZARENE. 
 
 The first Lutheran minister in this part of the state was Rev. N. J. 
 Stroh who came from Pennsylvania in the fall of 1845 and settled at Ore- 
 gon. He began preaching at once in Mount Morris every two weeks in the 
 chapel of the old M. E. Seminary. In consequence of many conflicting ap- 
 pointments in the Chapel, he quietly withdrew and began holding services 
 
182 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 in a schoolhouse a few miles from Mount Morris on the Oregon road. 
 When a school house was built in Mount Morris he began preaching in 
 that, but soon having more appointments than he could fill, he relin- 
 guished Mount Morris and Oregon to Rev. Nicholas Burket. Rev. Burket 
 was succeeded in turn by Revs. Ephraim Miller and A. A. Trimper. Un- 
 der the pastoral care of Rev. Trimper the congregation was fully organized 
 and a constitution adopted which, with only fews changes, is still in force, 
 though the exact date of the formal organization can not now be ascer- 
 tained, as the earliest records have been lost. It seems that a church 
 building was about this time begun, Rev. Stroh having solicited the funds, 
 and on June 17, 1854, the corner stone was laid by Rev. Stroh, assisted by 
 Rev. Dr. C. B. Thummel. 
 
 Rev. Geo. A. Bowers was pastor here for a season during which a " fine 
 brick church " was dedicated May 2, 1856, at a cost of $3000.00, all " paid 
 for by the active band." 
 
 On the 23rd of April, 1857, Mount Morris became a separate charge, hav- 
 ing been in connection with Oregon to that date, though Rev. Bowers, pas- 
 tor at Oregon, continued to preach here occasionally. 
 
 Rev. Cornelius Riemensnyder became pastor in April, 1858, and served 
 one year. In October, 1859, came Rev. Daniel Schindler who likewise was 
 pastor one year, when Rev. Ephraim Miller again took charge, continuing 
 until Apr., 1863. Rev. Rufus Smith became pastor in May, 1864, and served 
 for more than a year, during which time a parsonage was purchased, April 
 29, 1865, for $900.00. Rev. Whitehill came in October, 1867, and was suc- 
 ceeded in November, 1869, by Rev. A. Prick, who in turn was followed by 
 Rev. L. L. Lipe in January, 1872, who continued in the pastorate until Oc- 
 tober, 1879. 
 
 In May, 1877, it was decided to select another location and build a new 
 church costing $5,000, more or less, the work not to begin, however, until 
 $3,500.00 had been provided for that purpose, independently of the old 
 property. The cornerstone was laid September 30, 1877, Rev. Detweiler 
 preaching the discourse. The church was dedicated November 10, 1878, 
 the venerable Prof. Samuel Sprecher, D. D., L. L. D., Springfield, Ohio, de- 
 livering the sermon, after which $1800.00 were raised for the indebtedness. 
 The church and furniture cost a little over $7000.00, the lot which was do- 
 nated by Hon. R. R. Hitt not included. 
 
 Rev. J. W. Henderson, coming to the pastorate in October, 1879, and 
 continuing until March, 1881, was followed by Rev. Max Lentz, July, 1881, 
 who served until February, 1884. During his pastorate the old parsonage, 
 now the improved property of Josiah Avey, was sold for $1,100.00, as had 
 been the old church to the Christian denomination for $900.00 previously, 
 the proceeds of both going to the payment of the indebtedness on the new 
 church, which was fully met and cancelled by additional subscriptions. 
 
 A jubilee service was held June 29, 1883, when Rev. Haithcox, presi- 
 dent of Northern Illinois Synod, preached a suitable sermon, after which 
 Samuel Lookabaugh, the treasurer, read a report which showed that the 
 organization had no indebtedness resting upon it, and from that time to 
 
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 
 
 183 
 
 the present the congregation has always promptly met its financial obli- 
 gations. It was likewise during the term of Rev. Lentz, in 1882, that the 
 Synod of Northern Illinois held in this town its Thirty-second Annual 
 Convention conjointly with the Fifth Annual Convention of the Woman's 
 Missionary Society of the Synod; also that the four hundreth anniversary 
 of the birth of Martin Luther was celebrated, November 10 and 11, 1883, 
 when appropriate addresses were delivered by Prof. Carl W. Belsar, Hon. 
 R. R. Hitt and others. 
 
 The church was without a pastor a year and a half after Rev. Lentz's 
 departure but its pulpit was supplied the greater part of the interval by 
 Prof. E. L. Bartholomew, then teaching in the College, and Rev. W. 
 
 LUTHERAN CHURCH AND PARSONAGE. 
 
 Eichelberger, of Virginia, who served the church by special arrangement 
 lor one month, closing with Easter Communion and fifteen accessions. 
 
 Rev. Edwin S. Hoffman became pastor in June, 1885, and closed his 
 work in October the following year. Rev. L. Ford, pastor at Oregon, for 
 a few years supplied the pulpit here every alternate Sabbath, until Nov. 
 1, 1890, when he severed his relation as pastor at Oregon, and began to 
 give his whole time to Mount Morris. Meanwhile the present parsonage 
 was erected at a cost of about twelve hundred dollars, the lot being given, 
 as in the case of the church, by Mr. Hitt; also the roof of the church was 
 reshingled, the building painted and a new furnace installed in the base- 
 ment. 
 
184 MOUNT MOERIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 Rev. L. L. Lipe immediately followed Rev. Ford, beginning his second 
 term as pastor her 3 Nov. 1, 1897. A year ago the auditorium was hand- 
 somely repaired and decorated at an expense of about eight hundred dol- 
 lars and the last summer about two hundred dollars were expended on 
 the lower rooms, so that the interior of the church is now in excellent 
 condition. 
 
 Daring its history this church, like all similar organizations, has en- 
 joyed at intervals its seasons of special prosperity, and likewise exper- 
 ienced seasons of decline, but, all in all, there has been gradual growth 
 and its present condition is both substantial and hopeful, numerically, 
 spiritually and financially. 
 
 The present resident membership is about one hundred and twenty- 
 five. The membership is amenable to the church council elected by the 
 congregation and formally installed for a term of two years, the pastor be- 
 ing chairman. The present officers are A. E. Canode and W. H. Miller, eld- 
 ers, and S. Mumma, W. H. Jackson, C. E. Price and W. H. Swingley, dea- 
 cons. Mr. Miller is likewise secretary of the council and treasurer. 
 
 The Sunday school is under the superintendence of Mrs. Flora S. Lipe 
 with an enrollment of about one hundred and thirty-five. The school is 
 well organized, has good equipment in all respects and not only supports 
 itself but contributes liberally towards the benevolences of the church at 
 large. Mrs. Ella Winders is president of the Christian Endeavor Society 
 which has at present a membership of about thirty and gives twenty-five 
 dollars each year to the support of a missionary in Africa. The president 
 of the Ladies' Aid Society is Mrs. Nellie Baker. This organization by its 
 varied activities raises several hundred dollars every year which it appro- 
 priates as the needs of the church seem to require . 
 
 The Mount Morris church is in connection with the Synod of North- 
 ern Illinois which belongs to the General Synod of the Evangelical Luth- 
 eran church in America, one of four large bodies into which the Lutheran 
 church inlthis country is divided on account of differences in languages,, 
 religious customs and interpretation of certain articles of the Augsburg 
 Confession which all Lutherans hold in common and to which its minis- 
 ters are required to give their adherence. Members in general, however,, 
 are only asked to pledge themselves to the observance of a faithful Chris- 
 tian life and accept the doctrines of the Apostles' creed and give obedi- 
 ence to the disciplinary rules of the church. That great latitude in theo- 
 ogical views is permitted in the ministry is evinced by the fact that with- 
 in the last thirty years there has not been perhaps a single trial for heresy 
 in the General Synod. 
 
 The Mount Morris church has recently enjoyed the rare privilege of 
 entertaining for the second time the Synod of Northern Illinois which 
 held its Fiftieth Annual convention here October 17,, 1900, comprising in 
 attendance about fifty ministers and delegates. 
 
 Biographical sketches of Rev. Stroh, and Rev. L. L. Lipe, the present 
 pastor, will here be appropriate: 
 
 The Rev. Nicholas J. Stboh was, at the time of his death, the oldest Evangel- 
 
REV. N. J. STROH. 
 Pioneer Lutheran minister; Died January 1, 1897. 
 
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 187 
 
 ical Lutheran minister in the Synod of Northern Illinois and probably in the United 
 States. More than sixty of the ninety-nine odd years of his long- life were spent in 
 active ministerial duties. Forty of these years were devoted to work in Illinois. He 
 was licensed at Lebanon, Pa., in 1823. His last charge was at West Grove, northwest 
 of Mount Morris, and after the termination of his connection there he lived in Mount 
 Morris, retired from the active duties of the ministry, until his death on Jan. 1, 1897. 
 
 He was familiarly known as " Father Stroh." The name of his father before him 
 was the same as his own, and the senior Stroh was a well-to-do farmer of Pennsyl- 
 vania. He was a successful business man and passed the greater portion of his life 
 in Dauphin county in that state. 
 
 Mr. Stroh was born May 5, 1798, in Dauphin county, and received his education 
 partly in the public schools of his native state, and was an attendant at the schools of 
 his native county. He early formed a resolution to enter the ministry, and was fitted 
 for that calling under the instruction of private tutors. He first entered upon his 
 classical and theological studies under the preceptorship of his brother-in-law, Rev. 
 J. N. Hemping. of Lykin's Valley, Dauphin Co., Pa., and later he continued his studies 
 with Rev. George Lochman, D. D., of Harrisburg. After being licensed to preach in 
 the year named, he was assigned (in connection with Rev. A. H. Lochman) to home 
 missionay work, in the northwestern counties of his native state, in which he was 
 for a short time engaged. After the expiration of his missionary tour, he received 
 a pressing invitation to locate in Lewistown, Miflin Co., Pa., where he organized the 
 first Evangelical Lutheran church, besides other organizations in different parts. 
 He officiated in the interests of the Lewistown church for some time. Previous to his 
 efforts there the church was chiefly Mennonites. 
 
 He next accepted a call to Newville, Cumberland Co., Pa., where he conducted 
 the organizing of several Lutheran churches, and. after a service there of more than 
 five years, he divided his work, and located at Shippersburg, where he remained 
 about seven years. A part of his field of labor was in Franklin county, in the same 
 state. Later he went to Mechanicsburg in the south of Cumberland county and 
 preached there for a period of five years. While engaged in furthering the interests 
 of his church in his native state, he founded at least a dozen church socities, and 
 placed them on a firm and enduring basis. 
 
 In the fall of 1845 he came to Illinois. Oregon, in Ogle county, where he located, 
 was then in its primary days, and consisted of but a few houses. He was occupied 
 in the duties of his calling there for eighteen months, and during that time he found- 
 ed a church society of his own denomination, which is still in good working order. 
 His next field was at Mount Morris, where he located on a farm in the vicinity of 
 the village ; he had purchased it while at Oregon, the conditions making it necessary 
 for him to give part of his energies and attention to the pressing necessities of the 
 growing wants of his family, the church organization not being sufficiently large to 
 supply them in the usual way. 
 
 After removal here, he built churches and formed several socities of the Luther- 
 an denomination. He also improved a farm on which he made his home. He con- 
 tinued his connection with the duties of an active ministerial life until about 1880. and 
 has since relinquished regular labor in that avenue. His life was one of useful effort 
 and, in the best sense, one of success. 
 
 Mr. Stroh and Miss Elizabeth Givler were joined in marriage in 1827. in Pennsyl- 
 vania. She was a native of the same section of the county as himself, and was born 
 Dec. 2, 1807. Her parents were natives of the Keystone state, also, where they passed 
 the entire course of their lives. Of ten children born to them only five survive: Mrs. 
 Maria Shultz. of Mount Morris; Mrs. Martha E. Sprecher, of Chicago; Gustavus, of 
 Elgin ; Mrs. Augustus C. Riner, of Kansas City ; and Mrs. Josephine Clark, of Mount 
 Morris. 
 
 Luther L. Lipe, the subject of this sketch, is Germanic in blood, belonging to the 
 fourth generation born in America. The father, Daniel Lipe, and the mother, Matilda 
 Walter, were both natives of Cabarras county, North Carolina, and joining in mar- 
 riage at an early age, two years later they migrated to Illinois, reaching their destina- 
 tion in Montgomery county, in the fall of 1834. Here they invested a few hundred 
 
188 
 
 mount morris: past and present. 
 
 dollars in government prairie land, erected thereon a log hut in the fringe of ad- 
 jacent woodland, and began thus the pioneer life of hard work, bitter self-denial and 
 rigid economy, which enabled them eventually to own a large and well-improved 
 farm. Upon this farm, seven miles north of Hillsboro, this sturdy coiiple lived until 
 1868, when they removed to Sterling, where the mother died at the age of seventy-nine 
 and the father at the age of eighty-six. Both had from childhood been members of 
 the Lutheran church. 
 
 Ten children were born to these parents, six daughters and four sons, all of 
 whom are yet living except the third daughter, who died in young motherhood. 
 Luther L. was the sixth child and the third son. Reared on the farm, he went regular- 
 ly to the district school until seventeen years of age, when he began his collegiate 
 and theological education at Springfield, 111., and which was uninterruptedly con- 
 tinued in Pennsylvania College, and completed in the Theological Seminary at Gettys- 
 burg, in 1870. Ordained to the Gospel ministry of the Lutheran church in Septem- 
 ber, 1871, by the Synod of Northern 
 Illinois, in January following he be- 
 came pastor of the church at Mount 
 Morris, remaining until the last of 
 September, 1879. While pastor here 
 Mr. Lipe was wedded to Miss Flora 
 Stager, youngest child of John S. 
 Stager, Esq.. Sterling, 111., in Novem- 
 ber. 1872, and two children were born 
 to them ; John Stager, who died at the 
 age of eleven months, and some years 
 later Olive was given to them, their 
 last born and only living child. 
 
 The congregation prospered and 
 in 1878 the old brick church in the 
 east part of the town was relin- 
 guished for a more eligible site, and 
 the beautiful house of worship com- 
 pleted at a cost of over seven thousand 
 dollars. 
 
 The next pastorate was in Dixon, 
 beginning October 1, 1879, and lasting 
 until August, 1885, — very happy and 
 successful years for both pastor and 
 people, — when he went to Lincoln, 
 Nebr., in charge of the Women's Sec- 
 ond Memorial, St. Mark's church, an 
 important mission. Mr. Lipe happily 
 avows that it was here that he met 
 with his first and last serious disap- 
 pointment in his ministerial career ; 
 when a fine central location had been 
 purchased; the plan of a new and costly church edifice adopted: the bids of con- 
 tractors on file with the building committee and the required funds practically se- 
 cured,— at this last hour personal ambition to change and control location engen- 
 dered strife, causing serious division, and the whole project was defeated. 
 
 Three years were next spent in West Point, Nebraska. The church building was 
 doubled in its capacity by large additions, the membership greatly increased in num- 
 bers and all departments flourished. This place was likewise a mission. 
 
 September 1, 1892, he went to Sharon, Wis. The church had been rent asunder 
 by bitter contention and personal animosities, and two full years were required to 
 unite the forces in church fellowship again. Dissatisfied with the business manage- 
 ment of the church which he had tried in vain to improve, at the end of five and a 
 half years as pastor there Mr. Lipe withdrew and again assumed charge at Mount Mor- 
 ris, November 1, 1897. In the summer^of 1899 the auditorium was renovated and im . 
 
 REV. L. L. LIPE. 
 
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 189 
 
 proved, at a cost of about eight hundred dollars and the basement has just undergone 
 similar changes at an expense of about one hundred and seventy-five dollars. The 
 membership, on the whole, heartily co-operates with the pastor and the church, and 
 all its organized departments are regarded as in good condition. The Synod has at 
 different times entrusted to Mr. Lipe highly responsible duties as its secretary and 
 president for several terms, trustee of Carthage college a number of years, and 
 delegate to the General Synod on several occasions. He solemnly avers, however, 
 that he is best satisfied when quietly and exclusively in pursuit of the welfare of his 
 own church and people. 
 
 Christian Church. 
 
 The Christian church (Disciples of Christ) of Mount Morris was or- 
 ganized in March, 1880, by State Evangelist J. H. Wright with about forty- 
 charter members. Prior to 1880 there were probably about a dozen mem- 
 bers of this faith living in Mount Morris. The Christian church at Pine 
 Creek was the nearest place where they could worship according to their 
 faith and frequently they were in attendance at that place. During the 
 fall of 1879, Rev. D. G. Howe, pastor of the Lanark Christian church, con 
 ducted a series of revival meetings here, lasting over three weeks, during 
 which time about fifteen converts were made. These with those already 
 members of the church immediately decided to establish a church in 
 Mount Morris, and after extended negotiations finally purchased the brick 
 edifice in the eastern part of the town, which had been property of the 
 Lutheran church and been used by them for many years, but was vacant 
 on account of the building of their new edifice in the west part of town. 
 For this property they paid 8900 and during the winter of 1879-80 several 
 hundred dollars more were expended in repairing the church, — painting it 
 inside and out, building the steeple, furnishing the interior with new seats 
 and putting in the baptistry under the pulpit and the dressing rooms on 
 either side. 
 
 After the building had been prepared for occupancy, occurred the or- 
 ganization of the church by State Evangelist J. H. Wright, in March, 1880, 
 as previously mentioned. Jacob Keedy, W. S. Blake and Joseph Wagner 
 were chosen the first trustees; Dr. Mershon and C. G. Blakslee, elders; and 
 W. S. Blake and Scott Kennedy as deacons. For about a year the organi- 
 zation conducted its own services, until 1881, when Rev. G. W. Ross was 
 engaged as pastor, dividing his time equally with the Pine Creek congrega- 
 tion. Rev. J. H. Carr came next in the spring of 1885 and remained two 
 years, and was followed by Rev. D. R. Rowe, who came over from Lanark 
 every two weeks to preach. His pastorate was brief and the Rev. G. W. 
 Pearl took charge, alternating every other Sunday with the Pine Creek 
 congregation. Following him came in succession the Revs. T. B. Stanley, 
 C. T. Spitler, J. B. Wright and H. G. Waggoner, all of whom devoted their 
 entire time to the charge, each remaining about two years with the excep- 
 tion of Messrs. Spitler and Waggoner, who were here only about one year. 
 After the departure of Rev. Waggoner the church was without a pastor 
 about a year, until Rev. D. F. Seyster, the present pastor, took charge in 
 February, 1900. Rev. Seyster lives at Pine Creek and divides his time be- 
 tween the Mount Morris and Pine Creek churches. 
 
190 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 At present the congregation is enjoying prosperity, meeting all finan- 
 cial obligations with ease. They make frequent donations to missions and 
 support their pastor liberally. The membership is about 100. 
 
 A Sunday School with a membership of about 75 meets each Sabbath 
 morning at 9:30 o'clock. Prior to June, 1900, A. B. Keller, a student of 
 Mount Morris College, had been superintendent for several years. Since 
 
 CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 
 
 that time Miss Ada Allen has filled the office with credit, and with an effi- 
 cient corps of young teachers is doing a good work among the young people. 
 The Christian Endeavor Society, which meets each Sunday evening, is 
 a band of enthusiastic young Christian workers, under the guidance of 
 Miss Winnie Doward, president of the society. Their meetings are inter- 
 esting and helpful to themselves and their visitors. 
 
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 
 
 191 
 
 The Ladies' Aid Society does much toward raising the necessary fi- 
 nances of the church. Mrs. John Pridley is president of the society. 
 
 Following is a biography of Rev. D. P. Seyster, present pastor of the 
 church: • 
 
 Rev. David Feanklin Seyster is a native of the township of Pine Creek, where 
 he was born June 14, 1858. He is a son of David and Catherine Seyster, who were born 
 in Washington county, Md., and who were well known in the country to which they re- 
 moved in its early days. The father was born in 1826 and the mother in 1829 and their 
 marriage took place in their native country in 1853. The father was reared in Ogle 
 county, and was educated in the common schools of his township. When ready to set- 
 tle down in life he returned to Maryland for his wife. They entered 120 acres of land 
 in section 10 in Pine Creek township, in the year of their marriage, the tract being en- 
 tered at the land office at Dixon, and is registered as the last piece of land entered in 
 the state of Illinois, the land office being closed the day succeeding that on which they 
 took out the papers. The father remained on this possession until he owned 300 acres 
 of land. He died in 1864. His widow married John M. Kennedy some twelve years later 
 and is still a resident of Pine Creek. 
 
 David Franklin, the subject of 
 this sketch, is the youngest of the 
 three living members of their family 
 of six children. He attended the coun- 
 try school of his district and later the 
 Polo high school several years, after 
 which he engaged in teaching school 
 in the district in which he had himself 
 been a pupil and in summers he oper- 
 ated as a farmer. He served as town- 
 ship assessor and in the Pine Creek 
 Sunday school filled the position of 
 superintendent for seven or eight 
 years. Mr. Seyster finally decided to 
 enter the ministry, and preached his 
 first sermon at LeClair, la., Feb. 12, 
 1888. He was called to the pastorate of 
 the Coleta church in March. 1889. sup- 
 plying the pulpit at the Pine Creek 
 church half of the time. In the fall of 
 1889 he resigned to attend Eureka Col- 
 lege. Five years were spent in study 
 there, during which time he preached 
 on Sundays at Kempton, Roanoke and 
 Woodhull. In 1894 he graduated from 
 the Eureka College, having completed 
 the classical course and done part of 
 the work in a theological course. 
 
 Immediately after graduation. 
 Rev. Seyster was called to take charge 
 of the Central Christian church of 
 Kankakee, 111., and spent three and 
 
 one-half years of successful work there. In the fall of 1897 he came to Pine Creek to 
 visit the scenes of his childhood and commenced a series of revival meetings in the 
 Pine Creek church. His efforts were rewarded with wonderful success, there being 
 forty-six accessions. 
 
 In the fall of 1897, he resigned the charge at Kankakee to accept a call to the Lynn- 
 ville (111.) church, where he continued until February. 1900. Since that time he has had 
 charge of the churches at Mount Morris and Pine Creek and is leading them both very 
 successfully. Mr. Seyster has experienced particularly good success in evangelistic 
 work, as evidenced by his work at the Pine Creek church in 1897. mentioned above. 
 
 REV. D. F. SEYSTER. 
 
192 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 Brethren Church. 
 
 The German Baptist Brethren or Dunkard church is the strongest de- 
 nomination in Mount Morris and differs radically in point of faith and 
 practice from the other three. Their most distinctive feature is their 
 form of dress, which, like everything else about their mode of worship, is 
 required to embody principles of plainness and simplicity. 
 
 The first church of this denomination in Ogle county was at West 
 Branch, about seven miles northwest of Mount Morris, in Lincoln town- 
 ship, where the few members in Mount Morris township worshipped for a 
 number of years. Finally in the year 1867 the territory of the West 
 Branch church was divided and a new church established in Mount Mor- 
 ris township, about four miles northeast of Mount Morris, what is now 
 known as the Silver Creek church, with a membership of about 100. Eld. 
 D. E. Price was put in charge of it and continued its elder for many years. 
 From 1867 until about 1879, the Brethren residing in the village of Mount 
 Morris attended services at this church at Silver Creek. 
 
 In the year 1879, as previously mentioned in detail in this volume, the 
 Old Rock River Seminary, which had been conducted by the Methodist 
 denomination for so many years, became the property of several members 
 of the Brethren church, and although it continued the property of indi- 
 viduals, it became a strictly Dunkard school, conducted in strict accord- 
 ance with the rules of the church. The members of the faculty selected 
 were nearly all members of the church and together with their families 
 and other people of the denomination who were drawn here to educate 
 their children or for other purposes, soon formed quite a colony of the 
 Brethren, living in the village. They began immediately to hold religious 
 services in the old seminary chapel and soon formed a strong church, with 
 many able members. 
 
 The entire membership of the old Silver Creek church, the Mount 
 Morris church, and of the Salem church, later established in Pine Creek 
 township, south of town, was known as the Silver Creek congregation and 
 still continues under that name. Eld. David E. Price, first elected elder 
 of the Silver Creek church in 1867, has been re-elected each year and still 
 holds that position, after a term of faithful service of thirty-three years. 
 The church here in Mount Morris soon outstripped the formerly strong 
 Silver Creek church and by gradual growth each year has now attained a 
 membership of 275 persons residing in the village alone. The entire Sil- 
 ver Creek congregation, however, including the Silver Creek and Salem 
 churches has a membership of over four hundred. The church is governed 
 by an official board consisting of the presiding elder, his associate minis- 
 ters and deacons. The present deacons of the congregation are Willough- 
 by Felker, Wm. Gaffin, David Emmert, Wm. Price, Lewis Miller, A. M. 
 Flory, Ernest Long, Prof. G. E. Weaver and Henry Mumma. 
 
 Financially, the church is in the best of circumstances. There is no 
 salary paid any of the ministers but the members give over $1,500 yearly 
 for benevolences. Of this from $1,100 to $1,300 goes to defray expenses of 
 the church and about $300 or $400 applied to home and foreign missions. 
 
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 
 
 193 
 
 The money for the church expenses is raised by regular taxation, each 
 property owner paying according to his means. The younger members 
 who have no property make volunteer contributions. The money raised 
 for missionary purposes is made up entirely by volunteer contributions. 
 
 The members of the Mount Morris Brethren church are far ahead of 
 the great majority of churches in the way of religious advantages for their 
 spiritual advancement. The presence of the college adds many individ- 
 uals of ability to its ranks who can readily take prominent part in servic- 
 es of all kinds. Among the professors are always a number of ordained 
 ministers of the gospel and together with an exceptionally large number 
 of resident preachers who have been drawn to Mount Morris by its excep- 
 tional religious and educational advantages, give the church much pres- 
 tige. Regular attendants at the College chapel have opportunity to hear 
 a great variety of sermons as no 
 one man seldom preaches there 
 oftener than once in two or three 
 months. Then, too, it is very fre- 
 quent that visiting ministers, some 
 of the best in the Brotherhood, 
 preach in the chapel on Sundays 
 or hold long revival services dur- 
 ing the winter time. The attend- 
 ance during the school year, while 
 the students are here nearly equals 
 that of the other three churches 
 combined, especially on Sunday 
 evening in the winter. 
 
 Besides the advantage of an 
 endless change of its ministerial 
 appointments, the frequent occur- 
 rence of enlivening revival meet- 
 ings, and the vim and vigor of all 
 doings of the church, due to the 
 presence of the large ministerial 
 force, the Mount Morris congrega- 
 tion has access each year to a two- 
 weeks' special Bible term at the 
 college. Frequently, the Church 
 has the pleasure of entertaining 
 
 large gatherings of the Brethren, such as the District meeting, Sunday 
 School and Ministerial meetings, etc., with delegates from all over North- 
 ern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin, which add much to the interest of 
 the local members in church work. 
 
 Prominent among those who have served the church as ministers in 
 the past and helped build it up to its present strength, are Elds. D. E. 
 Price, D. L. Miller, J. H. Moore, J. G. Royer and Joseph Amick. Elder 
 Price is already mentioned as having served the church as the presiding 
 
 ELD. D. L. MILLER. 
 
194 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 elder for thirty-three years. During this period he has devoted much 
 time to the duties of his office, and deserves much credit for the harmony 
 and the standard of loyalty which he has preserved among the members. 
 Eld. D. L. Miller is another to whom the church is deeply indebted. He 
 has spent over twenty years in Mount Morris connected with the Breth- 
 ren Publishing Company and Mount Morris College. His travels in Eur- 
 ope and the Bible Lands make him one of the best informed men in the 
 Brotherhood and one of their very best preachers. When it comes his 
 turn to preach in the chapel he is always greeted by a very large audience. 
 Mr. Miller is also a lecturer of ability, having in the past few years given 
 hundreds of " talks," as he prefers to call them, concerning his travels in 
 the Bible Lands, which are illustrated by the use of a fine stereopticon. 
 A more extended biography of Mr. Miller appears in the biographical di- 
 rectory in the rear of this book. Eld. J. H. Moore, while pursuing his 
 work as one of the editors of the Gospel Messenger, preached in his turn 
 and took active part in the affairs of the church. He is a deep thinker and 
 presented weighty sermons. His removal to Elgin with the Brethren Pub 
 
 PARTIAL VIEW IN COLLEGE CHAPEL. 
 
 lishing House was much regretted as was also that of Eld. Joseph Amick, 
 business manager of the publishing house and Galen B. Royer, secretary 
 of the General Missionary and Tract Committee. Both of these gentle- 
 men were able preachers and were prominent in the church here. Prof. J. 
 G. Royer, like Eld. D. E. Price, still remains with the church to continue 
 his long term of usefulness. His sermons are second to none in point of 
 excellence to any clergyman in Mount Morris. A portrait of Prof. Royer 
 appears on page 111 and a biography on page 113. Eld. Simon E. Yundt, 
 who moved to California in the fall of 1900, was an elder in the church 
 about five years and a valuable member of the ministerial force. He did 
 some evangelistic work during his last year here. Profs. J. E. Miller and 
 D. D. Culler of the college, who went to other fields in the summer of 1900, 
 were ministers of the church and for a number of years previous to their 
 removal preached able sermons to the people in their turn. 
 
 At the present time, besides Elds. D. E. Price, D. L. Miller, and J. G. 
 Royer, already mentioned, the ministerial force of the church contains 
 Elds. D. E. Brubaker, W. G. Cook and Ephraim Trostle, Prof. W. L. Eiken- 
 berry and M. W. Emmert. Eld. Brubaker is a pleasing speaker and 
 
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS. 197 
 
 spends considerable time in late years conducting revival meetings at var- 
 ious places. Eld. Cook but recently moved to Mount Morris from Dakota 
 where he had been preaching in a country church. Eld. Trostle came to 
 Mount Morris in November, 1900, having previously lived north of town, 
 and preached principally in the Silver Creek church. Prof W. L. Eiken- 
 berry attends to occasional ministerial duties along with his work in the 
 college. He is a good sermonizer. A portrait of Prof. Eikenberry appears 
 on page 111 and his biography on page 114. M. W. Emmert is one of the 
 best of the younger preachers. He is at present teaching and doing some 
 work in the college. See biography on page 116. 
 
 There are also living in Mount Morris a number of superannuated 
 ministers, who have done some preaching and occasionally fill the chapel 
 pulpit or the pulpits at Silver Creek and Salem. Among them are Eman- 
 uel Newcomer and Isaac Barnhizer. 
 
 The ministerial force of the Mount Morris Brethren church is also 
 often augmented by young ministers who are attending the college. Such 
 is the case during the present school year, 1900-1901. At the quarterly 
 council meeting of the church held in Mount Morris in July, 1900, two new 
 ministers were elected, viz., — Prof. A. L. Clair, of the college, and Nelson 
 Shirk, son of Levi Shirk of this place. They will be ordained after the 
 proper preparation has been made. 
 
 The Brethren Sunday school meets at 11 o'clock each Sunday with an 
 attendance in the summer of between 150 and 175 pupils and in the winter, 
 during the session of college, about 250 pupils. It is divided into two 
 distinct sections, the primary and advanced. M. W. Emmert is superin- 
 tendent of the former and Nelson Shirk of the latter. The weekly con- 
 tributions amount to between three and five dollars, all of which goes to 
 missions. Experienced corps of teachers are engaged in this work. 
 
 The spiritual vim of the members of the church is kept from nagging 
 by two prayer-meetings, — one Sunday evening and one Thursday even- 
 ing. On Sunday evening there are senior and junior sections, the latter 
 being attended by the younger members of the church and the students. 
 Among the students are always a considerable number of young men who 
 are preparing for the ministry and young ladies who expect to do mission- 
 ary work, and together they have very enjoyable and profitable meetings. 
 In the senior section there is also plenty of talent to discuss the questions 
 adopted for each week's consideration. On Thursday evening the two sec- 
 tions combine. 
 
 The church also has a Sisters' Aid Society, a missionary society and 
 a missionary reading circle. 
 
 The future of the church is very encouraging. Mount Morris College 
 which is now almost entirely property of the general Brethren church, 
 continues as one of the foremost of the several colleges under the surveil- 
 ance of the denomination, and prospects for its further advancement are 
 very bright, which of course means further prestige for the local church. 
 
 On the preceding page is a view of the Old Folks' Home in Mount 
 Morris, which, like the college, is under the control of the Brethren. It 
 
198 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 is owned and supported by the District of Northern Illinois. In 1895 this 
 division of the church appointed Elds. Jos. Amick, Edmund Forney and 
 Melchor Newcomer a committee to incorporate and found a home for aged 
 members of the church, and orphans. Mount Morris was selected as a suit- 
 able location and their present spacious building erected on a 15-acre 
 patch in the south edge of the village in 1895 at a cost of about $10,000. 
 The funds for its establishment were donated by the various churches in 
 the district. An endowment fund of about $18,000 for its support was 
 created by Jacob Petrie of Polo who willed his estate for the establish- 
 ment of the home. This fund has been raised to over $20,000 and is ex- 
 pected to reach the $30,000 mark in the near future. At present about 
 twenty-five aged members of the church are being taken care of in the 
 home. A new building will be built in course of several years. Already 
 an addition costing $1,500 has been built. The present trustees are Jos. 
 Amick, Willoughby Pelker and D. L. Miller. Lewis Miller is superintend- 
 ent, having succeeded Levi Kerns in that position. 
 
CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 SECRET ORGANIZATIONS. 
 
 One of the prominent elements in the make-up of man is his desire for 
 associatian with his fellow creatures. This, together with the natural 
 feeling of fraternal regard which exists between men, has been the means 
 of the organization of hundreds of religious and civil denominations and 
 societies, clubs, and fraternities. Among civil societies are many which 
 are organized mainly for purposes of insurance and others merely for the 
 fraternal and social benefit to its members. Every town or hamlet of 
 whatever size has one or more of these societies. 
 
 At the present time Mount Morris has seven secret societies, viz., — 
 the Grand Army of the Republic, Modern Woodmen of America, Masons, 
 Odd Fellows, Rebeccas, Maccabees, and Knights of the Globe, histories of 
 which are here appended. 
 
 Grand Army of the Republic. 
 
 The G. A. R. is not a secret society in the exact sense of the other six 
 mentioned, but from the fact that its meetings are not public, and the 
 object of its organization is for the mutual benefit of its members, it can 
 properly be classed with the others. In connection with this, the war his- 
 tory of Mount Morris township will be in order. 
 
 In the year 1861, as every one knows, the United States was plunged 
 into a long and bloody war, — the South pitted against the North in terrific 
 struggle, lasting over four long years. During this time President Lin- 
 coln made eleven separate calls for volunteers to help suppress the rebel- 
 lion. Among the 3,389,748 men who responded to these calls were many 
 loyal citizens from Mount Morris township, who left their homes and 
 families and sacrificed all in defense of their country's flag. The follow- 
 ing list of names of men who enlisted from Mount Morris township is com- 
 plete as far as obtainable: 
 
 loth Illinois Infantry. 
 
 Capt. Wm, H. Gibbs, company H. 
 Adjutant Geo. Q. Allen, company H. 
 Judd L. Bond, company H. 
 Carlton R. Cheney, company H. 
 Levi Palmer, company H. 
 Jasper C. Washburn, company H. 
 Charles F. Neff , company H. 
 O. W. Newton, company H. 
 
 23rd Illinois Infantry. 
 Peter Freerkson. 
 
 34th Illinois Infantry. 
 
 Major J. McClelland Miller, company H. 
 Capt. Henry H. Newcomer, company H. 
 Capt. Peter Householder, company H. 
 Lieut. Benj. R. Wagner, company H. 
 2nd Lieut. John M. Smith, company H. 
 Corp. Robert C. Heister, company H. 
 Corp. Wm. J. Fouke, company H. 
 Corp. Charles Fletcher, company H. 
 Corp. Levi R. Holsinger. company H. 
 Corp. Luther M. Stroh, company H. 
 Thomas J. Avey, company H. 
 
 (199) 
 
200 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 Wm. H, Coggins, company H. 
 
 Davis B. Meridith, company H. Killed at 
 
 Resaca, Ga. 
 John A. Noel, company H. Killed at Shi- 
 
 loh. 
 John H. Sharer, company H. 
 Harrison Sage, company H. 
 Daniel B. Turney, company H. Killed at 
 
 Shiloh. 
 Thomas W. Withers, company H. 
 Jacob H. Withers, company H. 
 Nehemiah Wagner, company H. 
 Capt. David C. Wagner, company K. 
 Dr. Francis A. McNeill, surgeon. 
 
 46th Illinois Infantry. 
 
 Capt. Frederick H. Marsh, company E. 
 Jasper N. Stonebraker, company E. 
 Elaphilet J. Stonebraker, company E. 
 
 69th Illinois Infantry. 
 
 John H. Pritchard, company K. 
 
 140th Illinois Infantry. 
 
 Capt. James H. Cartwright, company I. 
 
 Sergeant Wilbur A. McNeill, company I. 
 
 Sergeant Henry Stewart, company I. 
 
 Alfred E. Stroh, company I. 
 
 Fenton F. Skinner, company I. 
 
 James N. Smith, company I. 
 
 Elisha Wolford, company I. 
 
 Samuel R. Blair, company I. 
 
 Daniel Castle, company I. 
 
 Geo. W. Davis, company I. 
 
 L. L. Davis, company I. 
 
 Luther D. Potter, company I. 
 
 John K. Palmer, company I. 
 
 Benjamin Rine, company I. 
 
 142nd Illinois Infantry. 
 
 Henry Hiestand, company D. 
 
 tj'^te&bh Illinois Infantry. 
 
 Sergeant Benj. F. Hiestand, company D. 
 
 -Died at Andersonville Prison. 
 1st Lieut. G. W. Marshall, company K. 
 Geo. W. Fouke, company K. 
 James B. Cheney, company K. 
 Thomas Coggins, company K. 
 Geo. W. Anderson, company K. 
 Thos. W. Carter, company K. 
 Robert Crosby, company K. 
 John S. Fish, company K. 
 
 After the close of the war many veterans, who had enlisted in Mary- 
 land and other eastern states, settled in Mount Morris township. The 
 following roll call of the dead contains the names of a number of them, 
 who made Mount Morris their home for a number of years but whose 
 
 Spenser V. Miller, company K. 
 
 Charles T. Marsh, company K. 
 
 Charles B. Potter, company K. 
 
 Muhlenburg Stroh, company K. 
 
 August Stahlhut, company K. Wounded, 
 
 and died at Andersonville prison. 
 Wm. S. Speraw, company K. 
 Wm. H. Sheets, company K. 
 Eli G. Withers, company K. 
 David B. Turney, company K. 
 Dr. Thomas Winston, surgeon. 
 
 U. S. Colored Infantry. 
 Jesse Crawford. 
 
 2nd Illinois Cavalry. 
 
 Daniel Shaw, company A. 
 Francis Turney, company A. 
 
 4th Illinois Cavalry. 
 
 Jesse O. Allen, company D. 
 Alfred M. Doward, company D. 
 Augustus Fenton, company D. 
 Wm. Householder, company D. 
 Thomas M. Hitt, company D. 
 Thomas L. Potter, company D. 
 Henry Rice, company D. 
 Isaiah Rowland, company D. 
 John E. Withers, company D. 
 Eli G. Withers, company D. 
 Wm. Wolfe, company D. 
 Sergeant M. H. Wallace, company E. 
 Franklin Black, company E. 
 Andrew M. Glasgow, company E. 
 Capt. Joseph E. Hitt, company M. 
 Edwin Fenton, company M. 
 Quartermaster John W. Hitt, company D 
 (consolidated) . 
 
 7th Illinois Cavalry. 
 
 Andrew Sharp, company B. 
 
 12th Illinois Cavalry. 
 
 Capt. John F. Wallace, company L. 
 Lieut. Oliver H. Swingley, company L. 
 
 14th Illinois Cavalry. 
 Lieut. Isaac H. Allen, company D. 
 Wm. E. McCready, company E. 
 Reynolds Fouke, company E. 
 
 Major Chas. Newcomer, Paymaster in De- 
 partment of the Cumberland. 
 
SECRET ORGANIZATIONS. 
 
 203 
 
 names do not appear in the foregoing list, from the fact that they enlisted 
 elsewhere. Most of them lie buried in one or the other of the two ceme- 
 teries near Mount Morris. Following is the list: 
 
 Allen, Isaac H, 
 Corning 1 . W. R. 
 Coggins, T. C. 
 Carter. T. 
 Cheney, J. G. 
 Castle. D. 
 Craddock, J. 
 Crawford, J. 
 Cheney, C. 
 Fletcher, C. 
 Freerkson. Peter 
 Fish, J. 
 Fenton, E. 
 Granger, J. 
 Hitt, Joseph 
 Hickman, August 
 Householder. William 
 Hosking, J. M. 
 Hiestand. B. F. 
 
 Herbert, H. 
 Heister, R. C. 
 Kerns, Wm, 
 Long, A. R. 
 Long, J. T. 
 McNeill, F. A. 
 Mundabaugh, S. J. 
 Merriman, C. 
 Miller, J. McClelland 
 Neff, C. 
 
 Newcomer. H. H. 
 Newcomer, Dr. D. 
 Noel, J. A. 
 Pike, W. 
 Potter, C. 
 Stroh, A. 
 Shaw. D. 
 Stahlhut, A. 
 Sharp, A. 
 
 F. 
 
 Smith, J. M. 
 Stroh, M. 
 Sage, W. H. 
 Shumway, E. 
 Stuckenburg 
 Turney, D. 
 Thompson, G. W. 
 Typer, A. 
 Wallace, J. 
 Withers, T. 
 Wagner. B. F. 
 Wilson, J. 
 Wallace, M. 
 Wallace, Wm. 
 Withers, H. 
 Welty, S. F. 
 Worley, W. 
 Wolfe, W. 
 
 The J. M. Smith Post No. 720, G. A. E., was organized in August of 1892. 
 The object of its organization is that the old soldiers may properly care 
 for each other in time of sickness or adversity and further, for their social 
 and fraternal benefit. 
 
 The first commander elected was Joseph M. Hosking, who served 
 two and one-half years. Following him, Peter Householder served two 
 years; R. D. McClure, one year; Ed. Slater, one year; H. C. Clark, two 
 years; and Joseph Baker, the present commander, is serving his first year. 
 The other officers chosen at the last election are: F. D. Fouke, Senior Vice 
 Commander; L. L. Davis, Junior Vice Commander; G. W. Davis, Chaplain; 
 Dr. D. Newcomer (deceased), Surgeon; Captain Peter Householder, Adju- 
 tant; H. C. Clark, Quartermaster; B. F. Tracy, Officer of the Day; Oliver 
 Beard, Officer of the Guard. 
 
 Following are the names of the members of the Post and also the 
 veterans living in the township who have not identified themselves with 
 the organization: 
 
 Oliver Beard, 2d Md. Inf. 
 Uriah Brantner, 142d 111. Inf. 
 A. R. Binkley, 140th 111. Inf. 
 S. R. Blair, 140th 111. Inf. 
 J. T. Baker, 69th 111. Inf. 
 Robert Crosby, 192d 111. 
 
 Mounted Inf. 
 H. C. Clark, 37th Mass. Inf. 
 P. Householder, 34th 111. Inf. 
 James Stevens, 9th Pa. Cav. 
 Chas. Unger, 21st Pa. Cav. 
 John Small, 15th 111. Inf. 
 Daniel Ridenour, 2nd Pa. 
 
 Heavy Artillery. 
 
 Ed. McCready, 14th 111. Cav. 
 Benj. Rine, 140th 111. Inf. 
 
 F. D. Fouke, 7th 111. Inf. 
 J. E. Withers, 4th 111. Cav. 
 
 A. M. Doward, 4th 111. Cav. 
 R. D. McClure, 2d Pa. Inf. 
 H. L. Smith, 2d 111. Cav. 
 
 G. W. Davis, 140th 111. Inf. 
 L. L. Davis, 140th 111. Inf. 
 Rigdon McCoy, 7th Md. Inf. 
 
 B. F. Tracy, 1st 111. Cav. 
 
 Dallas Wesner, 
 
 Ed. Slater, 10th Ohio Cav. 
 John Merriman, — Pa. Cav. 
 
 John Harris, 1st Md. Inf. 
 
 Thomas Avey, 34th 111. Inf. 
 
 Isaac Barnhizer, 34th 
 Inf. 
 
 Levi Holsinger, 34th 111. Inf. 
 
 Fred Frawert, 46th 111. Inf. 
 
 Chas. Rubsamen, 3d Md. 
 Cav. 
 
 Charles Newcomer, Pay- 
 master. 
 
 Wm. E. Withers, 188th Pa. 
 Inf. 
 
 James Withers, 188th Pa. 
 Inf. 
 
204 mount morris: past and present. 
 
 John Longman, 1st Md. Inf. John Palmer, 140 111. Inf. Wm. Finney, 142 111. Inf. 
 
 Ed. Bricknell, 65th 111. Inf. Philip Shouse, Wm. J. Fouke, 34th 111. Inf. 
 
 W. G. Cook, 73d Ind. Inf. Henry Easton, 13th 111. Inf. S. V. Miller, 92d 111. Inf. 
 
 Masons. 
 
 Samuel H. Davis Lodge, No. 96, A. F. &. A. M., has a history dating 
 back over a half century. It was organized some time before 1850, the ex- 
 act date of which does not appear on the records of the society. After or- 
 ganization it worked under a dispensation for several years until a char- 
 ter was obtained and reorganization effected October 6, 1851. The first 
 principal officers under the charter were Isaiah Nilcoxen, W. M.; James 
 Clark, S. W.; Wm. Little, J. W. Others of the first members after the 
 charter had been obtained were Joseph S. Nye, Thomas Winston, Joseph 
 Hale, W. T. Harlow, Elbridge W. Little, Nathaniel A. Ankney, Wm. A 
 Plantz, Isaac Rice, Francis A. McNeill, Peter Knodle, Jonathan Knodle H 
 I. Little, Benjamin K. Shryock, Ansel Streeter, S. H. Clems, John Donald- 
 son, D. B. Turney, Abraham Pope, Edward Knock, James H. Fouke, Danie 
 Highbarger, John Stanger, Benjamin Swingley, W. S. Pope, James M 
 Webb. A Bible belonging to the Lodge and which was presented by the 
 ladies of Mount Morris at the time these men, who are now nearly all dead, 
 were members of the society, is still to be found in the lodge-room. It 
 bears the date June 24, 1851. 
 
 James Clark, who filled the office of S. W. at the time of the charter 
 organization in 1851, afterward enjoyed the noted destinction of being the 
 " oldest Mason in the world." He was made a Mason at Sunbury, Ohio, in 
 1820, and remained in good standing in the society until the time of his 
 death, which occurred but recently at his home at Quincy, 111. He lived 
 in Mount Morris for a number of years and took active part in all doings 
 of the Lodge. He finally moved from Mount Morris to Quincy, 111. Sever- 
 al years before his death, when he became widely known as the oldest Ma- 
 son in the world, the Masons of Sheffield, England, sent to Quincy to se- 
 cure a portrait of him. 
 
 At the time of the organization of the Masonic fraternity in Mount 
 Morris, they occupied what is known as the " Old Masonic Hall," where 
 many of the old pioneer and prominent citizens of Mount Morris met reg- 
 ularly for many years. In the view on page 51, reproduced from a photo- 
 graph taken in about 1870, can be seen the venerable old building, the up- 
 per story of which was used for the hall. It is numbered 18. It is now re- 
 moved and with some alterations is still standing north of J. Strock's gro- 
 cery, and is used by S. A. Shriner as a harness shop. In 1876 the new Ma- 
 sonic building was erected in which they have since had quarters. Their 
 room is large and well arranged, and probably the most elaborately fur- 
 nished lodge-room in Mount Morris. They have a lease on the hall for 
 ninety- nine years. The principal officers at present are: Gregor Thomp 
 son, W. M.; E. C. McCredie, S. W.; Frank Coffman, J. W.; A. W. Brayton 
 Treasurer; and T. C. Williams, Secretary. Messrs. Brayton and Williams 
 have been repeatedly re-elected for many years. The other members of 
 the lodge at present are: 
 
SECRET ORGANIZATIONS. 
 
 207 
 
 Charles Smith 
 Peter Householder 
 Benj. F. Shryock 
 Samuel Knodle 
 Henry Sharer 
 N. A. Ankney 
 J. T. Baker 
 A. E. Canode 
 John E. McCoy 
 J. G. Miller 
 Chas. H. Canode 
 William Lohafer. Jr. 
 
 U. C. Nye 
 A. C. Irvin 
 J. B. Moats 
 Charlie Myers 
 George Myers 
 Harry dishing 
 Bert Smith 
 D. F. Stevens 
 Edward Jimmerson 
 Geo. B. McCosh 
 George Zeigler 
 N. E. Buser 
 
 S. E. Avey 
 
 B. E. Avey 
 
 Geo. Myers, Leaf River 
 Frank Graves, Leaf River 
 Dr. Mitchell, Leaf River 
 Dr. Bowerman, Leaf River 
 Benj. Rebman, Forreston 
 John Boekholder, " 
 D. Harry Hammer, Chicago 
 
 C. W. Webster, Seward 
 Gottlieb Rummel, Freeport 
 
 November 17, 1876, the Samuel H. Davis Lodge, No. 96, of Mount Mor- 
 ris, and Forreston Lodge No. 413, were consolidated under the former 
 name, with O. H. Swingley, W. M.; D. Rine, S. W.; and J. H. Nye, J. W. 
 This accounts for the occurrence of names of Forreston and Leaf Eiver 
 Masons in the above list. 
 
 Knights of the Globe. 
 
 Dick Yates Garrison, No. 31, K. of G., is an insurance as well as frater- 
 nal and social organization, and is a comparatively new society in Mount 
 Morris. A garrison was first organized here in 1891 by the Supreme Cap- 
 tain-General W. W. Krape, with a membership of 15. There were not 
 enough members to make them eligible to a charter and the members soon 
 lost interest in the organization. Most of them gradually dropped out 
 and the garrison became practically disorganized. Finally during the 
 summer of 1900, Col. C. R. Greene of Jacksonville, general recruiting offi- 
 cer of the Knights of the Globe, came to town and set the garrison again 
 upon its feet. The required membership of thirty being secured, a charter 
 was granted them, dated August 28, 1900. The officers elected were: John 
 C. Marshall, Supreme Judge; S. P. Mumma, President; H. C. Clark, Judge; 
 C. H. Canode, Vice-President; A. M. Newcomer, Commander; E. O. Startz- 
 man, Lieut.-Commander. The appointive officers are: John Muller, En- 
 sign; D. J. Beard, Provost Commander; C. H. Mishler, Quartermaster; H. 
 G. Newcomer, Adjutant; Edward Mumma, Guard; George Weller, Sentinel. 
 The other members of the Garrison are: 
 
 R. R. Hitt 
 R. D. McClure 
 J. G. Miller 
 Gera Watts 
 George Medlar 
 Dr. W. W. Hanes 
 
 I. W. Marshall 
 Dr. C. J. Price 
 Roy Crawford 
 R. C. McCredie 
 Oliver Miller 
 A. T. Olson 
 
 William Fairlamb 
 Chas. W. Weller 
 Charles Niman 
 Thomas Watts 
 T. C. Williams 
 Dr. J. F. Canode 
 
 Those who have served the garrison and who are entitled to the title 
 of Honored Judge are: R. R. Hitt, R. D. McClure, T. C. Williams, J. G. Mil- 
 ler, S. P. Mumma, E. O. Startzman and C. H. Mishler. 
 
 The Garrison meets in the Odd Fellows' hall on the second Monday of 
 each month. On the 22nd of every February a banquet is given in honor 
 of the establishment of the organization. 
 
208 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 Modern Woodmen of America. 
 
 Mount Morris Camp, M. W. A., No. 4526, is one of the youngest secret 
 societies in Mount Morris, yet it is by far the largest in point of member- 
 ship. The Woodman order is pre-eminently an insurance fraternity but 
 also is organized with provisions for sociability among its members and 
 benefits in times of sickness or disaster. 
 
 The Mount Morris camp was organized February 9, 1897, by Deputy 
 Head Council O. B. Olison, with a charter membership of twenty. The 
 first officers elected were as follows: J. H. Miller, Venerable Council; Os- 
 car Warble, Worthy Advisor; A. E. Clevidence, Banker; F. K. Spalding, 
 Clerk; E. E. Winders, Escort; E. J. Allen, Watchman; Samuel Rowe, Sen- 
 try; Dr. Hanes, Physician. The first board of managers elected were C. E. 
 Price, 3 years; R. C. McCredie, 2 years; and A. W. Brayton, 1 year. 
 
 The first member received into the camp was H. G. Newcomer, who 
 was initiated into the mysteries of Woodcraft May 21, 1897. Only one 
 death has occurred in the camp, that of Prof. E. E. Winders, who died No- 
 vember 1, 1897. He carried $3000 insurance. The total amount paid by 
 him in entrance fees and dues was only $16.60. 
 
 The camp had its most prosperous time during the spring of 1899, 
 when the membership was raised to over one hundred, a surprisingly large 
 number for one camp in a town of the population of Mount Morris. 
 
 A photograph of the Forrester team which did the work of initiating 
 the new members is reproduced on the opposite page. Elaborate uniforms 
 were bought for their use. 
 
 The present membership of the camp is 104. Most of them carry in- 
 surance, varying from $500 to $3000. The total amount of insurance car- 
 ried by all the members is $153,000. 
 
 The present officers are: I. W. Marshall, Venerable Council; W. H. 
 Keedy, Worthy Advisor; F. M. Baker, Banker; H. G. Newcomer, Clerk; H. 
 E. Longman, Escort; S. B. Alter, Watchman; John H. Miller, Sentry; W. W. 
 Hanes, Physician. The present board of directors is John H. Miller, Geo. 
 W. Deppen and W. H. Jackson. 
 
 The camp met for a number of years in the Masonic Hall but at pres- 
 ent have a nicely-furnished hall over Watts' grocery. They meet on the 
 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month. The camp is in a very prosperous 
 condition. The present members outside of the officers already men- 
 tioned are: 
 
 E. J. Allen F. M. Baker Wm. Domer 
 
 S. B. Alter Elmer Baker Edward Drexler 
 
 S. E. Avey L. R. Bear Jerry Easton 
 
 Geo. C. Bain A. E. Clevidence Fred Frederickson 
 
 J. W. Bechtold H. W. Cushing Wm. Felker 
 
 A. W. Brayton C. H. Canode I. E. Finney 
 
 D. M. Boek J. B. Canode Alonzo Geiger 
 
 C. N. Beard Fred Crosby John Green 
 
 D. J. Beard J. F. Canode F. S. Gloss 
 Otho Baker George Deppen W. W. Hanes 
 Harry Baker James Driscoll Earl Householder 
 
SECRET ORGANIZATIONS. 
 
 211 
 
 Fred Hllger 
 
 W. J. Healy 
 
 O. E. Huff 
 
 H. B. Haney 
 
 A. C. Irvin 
 
 S. J. Hess 
 
 W. H. Jackson 
 
 Fred Long 
 
 H. E. Long-man 
 
 L. E. Lizer 
 
 Charles Leek 
 
 J. B. Lookabaug-h 
 
 H. F. Longman 
 
 S. M. Lyon 
 
 F. A. Middlekauff 
 
 John H. Miller 
 
 James A. Mongan 
 
 F. W. Nazarene 
 
 A. T. Olson 
 
 B. S. Price 
 B. T. Ryder 
 
 Ed. Jimmerson, Jr. 
 
 B. S. Keister 
 
 C. H. Mishler 
 Wm. H. Keedy 
 H. E. Keedy 
 H. L. Kanode 
 H. J. Kable 
 
 J. C. Lehner 
 A. C. Lookabaug-h 
 Chas. B. McCoy 
 I. W. Marshall 
 J. H. Miller 
 R. C. McCredie 
 J. D. Miller 
 E. W. Middour 
 Sam McNett 
 Wm. Mongan 
 Geo. H. Myers 
 Robert McCoy 
 H. G.tNewcomer 
 J. D. Newcomer 
 
 C. E. Price 
 Samuel Rowe 
 F. C. Remmer 
 Wm. Stewart 
 George D. Steele 
 George S. Shryock 
 Chas. Spielman 
 Dennis Tracy 
 C. F. Thomas 
 Oscar Warble 
 F. K. Spalding 
 C. E. Smith 
 Geo. D. Shifter 
 F. S. Stonebraker 
 F. A. Tice 
 C. H. Whitman 
 Lewis Wallace 
 *J . L. Rice 
 *B. E. Avey 
 *A. M. Newcomer 
 *J. F. Muller 
 
 In 1898, the various Woodman camps in Ogle county formed a picnic 
 association, and each year since have held a grand picnic at some place in 
 the county. The first picnic was held in Mount Morris in August, 1898, 
 and was a grand success. 
 
 Odd Fellows. 
 
 Elysian Lodge, No. 56, I. O. O. F., is also an organization of consider- 
 able age. It was organized under a charter granted by the Grand Lodge 
 of Illinois, dated July 25, 1849, with the following charter members: 
 George W. Fouke, John F. Grosh, James N. Martin, Daniel Highbarger, 
 Walter Wilson and Emanuel W. Myers. They met in various rooms 
 about town for a time, notably in the second story of the old house now 
 occupied by Daniel Eversole, shown on page 119. 
 
 In 1850-52 many of the members of the lodge removed to California 
 and elsewhere, weakening the society to such an extent that, in 1853, the 
 charter was surrendered to the Grand Lodge. November 4, 1871, the 
 lodge was re-organized, and the same charter and books were returned 
 to it. The charter members and gentlemen who procured this re-organ- 
 ization were Henry Sharer, B. G. Stephens, Elijah Lott, G. W. Fouke and 
 W. J. Fouke. 
 
 After this second organization the lodge met for a number of years 
 in the room over C. H. Sharer's grocery, later used as the Index office. 
 They next rented the room over John Sprecher's store in the Masonic 
 building, now known as Stanley hall. Later they came into possession 
 of a hall of their own in the second story of W. A. Newcomer's residence, 
 upon which they have a lease for ninety-nine years. This hall is spa- 
 cious and is elaborately furnished. They rent it to a number of the 
 other secret organizations of the town. 
 
 * Social member. 
 
212 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 The Odd Fellow lodge is probably in the best financial circumstances 
 of any order in Mount Morris. Besides practically owning their hall 
 they have in their treasury about $1500, accumulated in years past, 
 which they have invested in government bonds and other property. 
 
 At present the lodge is not as large numerically as it has been in the 
 past, owing to a number of circumstances, one of which is the forming 
 of a new lodge at Leaf River in March, 1900, which drew away several 
 members. Also many of the members have moved away and been trans- 
 ferred to other lodges. The present officers and members are: 
 
 John Muller, Noble Grand Jacob Craley H. G. Newcomer 
 
 Fred Fry, Vice Grand J. D. Hays Jonathan Shafstal 
 
 Fred Frederickson, Record- H. B. Haney C. N. Green 
 
 ing- Secretary L. E. Lizer George Ziegler 
 
 Wm. Miller, Financial Sec- W. E. McCready J. M. Smith 
 
 retary John McCready I. M. C. Reeder 
 
 A. M. Newcomer, Treasurer Ernest Newcomer 
 
 The Odd Fellows meet on Wednesday night of each week. Like the 
 Masons, they are organized not only as a social fraternity, but have pro- 
 vision for financial assistance to their sick or afflicted members, to be 
 drawn from their beneficiary fund. 
 
 Rebeccas. 
 
 Sandstone Rebecca Lodge, No. 538, was instituted February 14, 1899, 
 by Deputy Grand Master Electo O Reynolds, of Oregon, with a charter 
 membership of twenty. This organization is the ladies' degree of Odd 
 Fellowship, and like it, has for its object advancement of the social and 
 fraternal spirit of its members. Gentlemen as well as ladies are admitted. 
 The first officers elected were Julia S. Slater, Noble Grand; Laura S. Lizer, 
 Vice Grand; Edna Newcomer, Treasurer; Maude Rowe, Financial Secre- 
 tary; H. G. Newcomer, Recording Secretary. 
 
 The charter members of the Lodge who are yet in good standing are: 
 
 A. M. Newcomer Mrs. Anna Rowe TV. E. McCready 
 
 Mrs. A. M. Newcomer Miss Maude Rowe Mrs. Lizzie McCready 
 
 Miss Edna Newcomer L. E. Lizer H. G. Newcomer 
 
 Fred Frederickson Mrs. L. E. Lizer H. A. Jimmerson, Leaf River 
 
 Mrs. Fannie Frederickson Edward Slater Mrs. Julia Jimmerson, Leaf 
 
 Mrs. TVm. H. Miller Mrs. Julia Slater River 
 
 Miss Lizzie Lizer Mrs. Harry Knodle Miss Alice N ale, Leaf River 
 
 Since the organization of the Lodge, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Fry, John 
 Muller, Mr. and Mrs. Henry B. Haney and Miss Nellie Smith have been 
 initiated and taken in as new members. 
 
 The Rebeccas meet on the second and fourth Friday evenings of each 
 month in the Odd Fellows' hall. The present officers are: Edna New- 
 comer, Noble Grand; Lizzie Lizer, Vice Grand; Mrs. Wm. Miller, Treasur- 
 er; Mrs. Sadie Fry, Recording Secretary; H. G. Newcomer, Financial Sec- 
 retary. 
 
SECRET ORGANIZATIONS. 215 
 
 Maccabees. 
 
 Olympia Tent, No. 253, K. A. T. M., was organized May 11, 1899, with 
 twenty-two members. The order very much resembles the Woodman, be- 
 ing an insurance, fraternal and social organization. The Tent has no 
 charter but is working under a dispensation. At present interest appears 
 to be lagging among the members and probably not more than half of 
 them are yet loyal. No meetings are being held, but a part of the mem- 
 bers continue to keep up their insurance. 
 
CHAPTER XIV. 
 MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 
 
 The first settlers of Mount Morris township were not often favored 
 with mail matter and the receipt of a letter, parcel or paper was consid- 
 ered quite an event. In Peter Knodle's diary, page 31, Mr. 
 • # Knodle makes a special entry announcing the fact that he 
 
 Fostottice k ac [ « received a pamphlet," which illustrates the import- 
 ance of the receipt of mail matter at that early day. The first regular 
 mails to arrive in Mount Morris were brought in 1839 and 1840 by a stage 
 line run between Chicago and Galena by Prink & Walker. Hon. R. R. 
 Hitt remembers that the stage driver always stopped at his father's house 
 (the old house north of the farm residence now occupied by Gera Watts) 
 to water his horses. 
 
 The mails were brought by stage from the eastward for probably 
 nearly fifteen years, until finally the Illinois Central railroad was built 
 through Polo in 1853 and a mail route established from that place. F. 
 B. Brayton, who was postmaster from 1860 to 1881, acquired the stage 
 line between Polo and Oregon in 1864, and carried both mail and pas- 
 sengers from that time until the coming of the Chicago & Iowa railroad 
 in 1871, when it was of course done away with. This stage operated by 
 Mr. Brayton made daily trips between Polo and Oregon, thus affording 
 the Mount Morris people a daily mail. At about the beginning or closing 
 of the school years at Rock River Seminary this stage line had to be in- 
 creased by several additional vehicles, and did a prosperous business. 
 
 After the coming of the Chicago & Iowa railroad and the commence- 
 ment of the passage of numerous Illinois Central trains over the line to 
 Chicago, the people of Mount Morris had a very good mail service for 
 many years. Since the Illinois Central trains reach Chicago by another 
 route, the mails have been somewhat less frequent, but sufficient for all 
 purposes, nevertheless. Mails now arrive from the west at 10: 28 A. M. 
 and 6 P. M., and from the east at 12: 25 P. M. and 9: 45 P. M. Most of the 
 mail comes in, however, on the 10: 28 A. M. passenger from the west. 
 
 A postoffice was first established in Mount Morris in 1841, and Rev. 
 John Sharp appointed postmaster. Mr. Sharp was succeeded by his son- 
 in-law, Frederick G. Petrie. After him, followed for a short time, Hiram 
 Beard; then John Ankney for many years, who was succeeded by Benja- 
 min G. Stephens, followed by Edward Davis, and then Frederick B. Bray- 
 ton, who held that position for twenty-one years, as previously mentioned. 
 Prior to this time the postoffice was usually kept in a store of which the 
 postmaster was generally the owner, and consisted of nothing further 
 
 (216) 
 
MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 219 
 
 than a box with the necessary pigeon holes and which could, and usually 
 was, moved from one place to another, when the postmastership changed, 
 on a wheelbarrow. It is remembered that, John Ankney kept it in his 
 store which occupied an old grout addition to the house on Center street, 
 between Wesley and McKendrie streets, now occupied by John Blecker 
 as a residence. This old grout addition has long since been removed, but 
 the remainder still stands. It is numbered 27 in the view on page 51 of 
 this book. Mr. Brayton, who held the office for so long, was first ap- 
 pointed postmaster by Abraham Lincoln in 1861. He kept the office in 
 his store. 
 
 Following Mr. Brayton the succession of postmasters up to the pres- 
 sent time has been as follows: O. H. Swingley, 1882 to 1886; Henry Sharer, 
 1886 to 1890; Frank Tice, 1890 to 1894; John E. McCoy, 1894 to 1898; Holly 
 C. Clark, 1898 to the present time. In 1894, Mr. McCoy, upon coming into 
 possession of the office, purchased the elegant new office fixtures which 
 are now in use. The case is one of the finest in the county. 
 
 Mr. H. C. Clark, the present postmaster, took possession in March, 
 1898, and will continue in office until March, 1902. It is seen that each 
 postmaster holds over about one and a half years after the presidential 
 election, due to an irregularity made years ago. 
 
 Since the Civil War there have been but two Democratic postmasters 
 in Mount Morris, — Messrs. Henry Sharer and John E. McCoy. The re- 
 election of President McKinley in November, 1900, assures another Re- 
 publican postmaster following Mr. Clark, or Mr. Clark's re-appointment. 
 The salary at present is $1,500, a reduction of $300 over 1899 and several 
 years previous, due to the removal of the Brethren Publishing House. 
 Postmaster Clark is at present ably assisted in the work by Mr. U. C. Nye. 
 
 Graveyards. 
 
 The village of Mount Morris has two graveyards, one known as the 
 Mount Morris Cemetery or the " Old Cemetery," situated in the southwest 
 corner of the corporation, and the other, the Oakwood Cemetery, nearly 
 a mile west of the corporation limit. 
 
 The Old Cemetery grounds contain about 5 acres, and like most of 
 the remainder of the land now covered by the village, was at one time 
 property of Rock River Seminary. The Seminary authorities set it aside 
 and donated the ground to the community for a public graveyard, and 
 for about sixty years past the site has served as the " silent habitation 
 of the dead." 
 
 This cemetery was consecrated on the 2d of February, 1842, when the 
 first burial took place, — that of a little child, the daughter of Captain 
 Nathaniel Swingley. The words of consecration were pronounced by 
 Rev. Thomas S. Hitt, as follows: "Here is our Machpelah, the entrance 
 gate through which we pass the subterraneous road to heaven. Here the 
 rich and the poor meet on a level. Today Mary Eliza, sweet morning 
 flower, retires from all the ills of life, and takes possession first. Fol- 
 lowed by the aged and the young, soon shall we see the willow and the 
 
220 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 epitaph tacitly saying: 'See where she sleeps.' Here in peace shall rest 
 the teacher and the student, the minister and his hearers, relatives and 
 their friends, whose graves shall be approached in after times by be- 
 reaved, weeping friends, saying in the language of Scripture, (Where have 
 they laid him?) Then from the polished marble erected where we now 
 stand shall come the response: 'Suffer little children to come unto me 
 and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.' ' Blessed 
 are the dead who die in the Lord.' " 
 
 This cemetery is situated on rather low ground, and for many years 
 was not in a good condition. It is said that often men were stationed at 
 a newly-made grave, to bail out the water, which flowed in from the sat- 
 urated soil, so that when the funeral procession arrived at the grave, the 
 interment would not seem so much like a burial at sea. This condition 
 was remedied some ten years ago when the ground was thoroughly tiled 
 and an excellent drainage system thereby effected. 
 
 The " Old Cemetery " is property of no individuals, stock company or 
 corporation, but is what might be called property of the community. 
 As before stated, it was at an early day property of the Seminary and set 
 aside by the authorities of that institution for the use of the general pub- 
 lic. It being public property in that sense there was, of course, no one 
 in particular authority to attend to it, and as a consequence, when peo- 
 ple died and were buried there, no record of any kind was kept of it 
 other than what can now be obtained from inscriptions on the tomb 
 stones. A great many are to be found marking graves of Mount Morris 
 citizens who died during the fifties, but stones bearing dates earlier than 
 1850 are not very plentiful, those remaining being small and discolored 
 by age. 
 
 The lack of a record of the burials in this cemetery makes it difficult 
 to determine even an approximate estimate of the number of bodies now 
 lying buried within the limits of the grounds, owing to the fact that 
 many have been removed to Oakwood cemetery, and many graves are 
 unmarked. It is thought, however, that a rough estimate would place 
 the number of bodies buried in the cemetery, at the present time, at be- 
 tween four and five hundred. Notable among those who found their last 
 resting place there are Rev. Thomas S. Hitt, who is mentioned as having 
 pronounced the words of consecration of the cemetery; his wife, Emily 
 Hitt; Hon. John Wallace, a noted citizen of this community; James B. 
 McCoy, who built "Old Sandstone"; Andrew Newcomer, and others. 
 
 Whenever improvements of any kind were found necessary about the 
 grounds the funds had always to be raised by subscription. With no 
 officers of any kind work of this sort was often sorely neglected. George 
 Shank was for many years the moving spirit in all movements for the 
 improvement of the grounds. Finally, a few years ago, however, a num- 
 ber of people who had buried relatives there, came together and formed 
 an association, elected officers and prepared to conduct the matter 
 in the proper manner. A sum of money was gathered together, with 
 which, besides other improvements, Mr. N. E. Buser was hired to proper- 
 
MISCELLANEOUS HISTOEY. 221 
 
 ly survey and plat the cemetery. Since that time the letting of lots has 
 been done systematically. 
 
 The cemetery is at present in very good condition. Probably about 
 half of the persons who die in this vicinity in late years are interred 
 there. The present trustees are W. A. Newcomer, president; S. C. Kinsey, 
 secretary: A. E. Canode, S. R. Blair and O. S. Watts. 
 
 Oakwood Cemetery. 
 
 Before the " Old Cemetery " was tiled many Mount Morris people were 
 dissatisfied with it as a burying ground, and finally in the year 1875 a 
 movement was set on foot for the establishment of a second cemetery. 
 In December of that year John W. Hitt, David Newcomer, Samuel Look- 
 abaugh, Oliver H. Swingley and John Sprecher applied to the Secretary 
 of State for a license to form a corporation making the following state- 
 ment of their purposes: 
 
 1. The name of such corporation is " The Mount Morris Cemetery Association.'' 
 
 2. The ohject for which it is formed is to purchase a suitable lot or tract of land 
 in the township of Mount Morris, in the County of Ogle, and State of Illinois, and to 
 iise the same as a burial ground for the dead. 
 
 3. The capital stock shall be two thousand dollars ($2,000), with the privilege of 
 increasing the same to ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or less. 
 
 i. The amount of each share shall be ten dollars ($10). 
 
 5. The number of shares two hundred (200) with the privilege of increasing to 
 ten hundred (1,000) or less. 
 
 6. The location of the principal office is in Mount Morris, in the County of Ogle, 
 and State of Illinois. 
 
 7. The duration of the corporation shall be ninety-nine (99) years. 
 
 Books of subscription were opened after the license had been se- 
 cured and the stock all readily taken by thirty-nine of the most promi- 
 nent people of Mount Morris. John W. Hitt took forty-eight shares; D. 
 J. Pinckney, ten shares; and the majority of the remainder, five shares 
 each. The directors elected were O. H. Swingley and John W. Hitt, one 
 year; David Newcomer and John Sharer, two years; Samuel Lookabaugh 
 and Francis W. Stonebraker, three years. The present site of Oakwood 
 Cemetery was finally selected, it being a tract of timber land along the 
 south side of the road, one mile west of Mount Morris, containing fifteen 
 acres, for which was paid the sum of $150 per acre. 
 
 This new cemetery was surveyed into regular blocks and lots and 
 put into fine shape. It has since been given the best of care by the as- 
 sociation and is a credit to the community. The present officers of the 
 Association are John E. McCoy, president; T. C. Williams, secretary; C. C. 
 Miles, and S. P. Mumma. 
 
 The records of the Association show that there are now buried in the 
 cemetery 239 bodies. The register printed here will no doubt be of in- 
 terest. A number were removed from the Old Cemetery. 
 
MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 NAME DATE OF DEATH AGE 
 
 Alden, Charles Emery, Aug. 9, 1858 1 
 
 Alden, Lucy Ann, April 19, 1860 36 
 
 Anderson, Frances, July 12, 1881. . ..Infant 
 Atchison, Mrs. Elizabeth, April 15, 1880. 73 
 
 Allen, Aaron Quimby, Jan. 24, 1883 68 
 
 Brayton, Daniel, June 30, 1850 58 
 
 Brayton, Ann, March 30, 1864 77 
 
 Brayton, Elizabeth, Aug. 25, 1842 18 
 
 Brayton, Ernest Wing, June 27, 1855 10 
 
 Brayton, Mrs. Charlotte L., May 9, 1885.. 64 
 
 Brayton, Frederick B., Dec. 10, 1897 79 
 
 Black, Mary E., April 4, 1879 57 
 
 Black, David B., Dec. 5, 1857 6 
 
 Blake, Lillian Lolo, Sept. 2, 1880 . . . Infant 
 Blake, Eugenia Elizabeth, Jan. 26, 1896 .37 
 
 Bain, Willis Edward, Jan. 24, 1879 1 
 
 Baker, Essie May, Oct. 23, 1886 5 
 
 Baker, Francis W., Nov. 10, 1897 10 
 
 Butt, Mrs. Ida (Pinckney), July 26, 1883 .33 
 Conaway, Benjamin, July 20, 1870 ..Infant 
 Conaway, Mrs. Mary F., Feb. 19, 1872 ... .33 
 
 Cheney, Osmyn E., Nov. 1, 1845 Infant 
 
 Cheney, Ella A., Feb. 27, 1872.... 14 
 
 Cheney, Josie H., Oct. 8, 1872 18 
 
 Cheney, Cloe A., March 22 , 1879 67 
 
 Cheney, Winnie lone, Feb. 24, 1882 3 
 
 Cheney, Ida Belle, March 17, 1883 25 
 
 Cheney, Stephen Hardin, Jan. 4, 1894 ... .81 
 
 Craddock, Ann Virginia, Oct. 7, 1849 2 
 
 Craddock, John, July 28, 1850 53 
 
 Craddock, Victor W., Oct. 13, 1857 5 
 
 Craddock, Amelia, July 31, 1865 56 
 
 Craddock, John, July 12, 1890 50 
 
 Clark, unnamed, Dec. 31, 1878 Infant 
 
 Cosgrove, Jean, August 21, 1872 Infant 
 
 Crowell, Alice J., Oct, 13, 1892 34 
 
 Detrich, Elizabeth, Nov. 16, 1864 68 
 
 Deter, Charlotte, Oct. 12, 1869 51 
 
 Domer, Alva Bruce, June 17, 188 5.. . Infant 
 
 Donaldson, John, Oct, 30, 1884 63 
 
 Felker , Catherine, Feb. 29, 1880 66 
 
 Felker, Hannah J., March 13, 1858 1 
 
 Felker, Abraham, Sept. 4, 1869 67 
 
 French, Lizzie May, Sept. 11, 1878 14 
 
 Far well, Henry J., April 2, 1890 69 
 
 Few, Guy L., Jan. 20, 1894 Infant 
 
 Getzendaner, Mary, March 22, 1881. Infant 
 Getzendaner, Edward, Dec. 6, 1886 .Infant 
 
 Gloss, Elsie M., Aug. 12, 1880 Infant 
 
 Glasgow, Elizabeth Jane, Nov. 7, 1881 .. .42 
 Granger, John (colored), Feb. 2, 1882. . . .62 
 
 Greenfield, Maria, Feb. 13, 1882 83 
 
 Gibbs, William Johnson, Dec. 3, 1882 74 
 
 Gibbs, Sarah, Feb. 1, 1884 72 
 
 Gilbert, Arthur N., June 9, 1885 Infant 
 
 Gilbert, William F., March 12, 1887 .Infant 
 
 NAME DATE OP DEATH AGE 
 
 Hitt, Samuel M., Nov. 16, 1859 60 
 
 Hitt, George W. Aug. 2. 1856 22 
 
 Hitt, Samuel M., March 2, 1845 2 
 
 Hitt, Mary Ella, Sept, 18, 1854 6 
 
 Hitt, Edith, March 22, 1872 1 
 
 Hitt. Electa V. M., Nov. 10, 1855 29 
 
 Hitt, Frederick G., Aug. 16, 1870 1 
 
 Hitt, Joseph E.. July 28, 1878 42 
 
 Hitt, Ella Mary, March 5, 1884 1 
 
 Hitt. Mrs. Sibyl Sammis, May 28, 1885 . . ..45 
 Hitt, Mrs. Barbara Hershey, Feb. 2, 1890.84 
 
 Hitt, Robert Smith. April 18, 1894 65 
 
 Hitt, Edith Augusta, April 4, 1897 24 
 
 Hitt, Andrew M., May 2, 1899 72 
 
 Hershey, Catherine, Nov. 10, 1871 87 
 
 Hilger. Appolonia, Dec. 9, 1892 70 
 
 Hiestand, Olive May, Aug. 21, 1894 13 
 
 Hendrickson, Katheryn, Feb. 20, 1897.1nf't 
 
 Judson, Alonson, Nov.. 1849 Infant 
 
 Keedy , Jacob. March 15, 1881 84 
 
 Keedy, Mrs. Susan, May 27, 1881 79 
 
 Keedy. Elizabeth. April 30, 1892 58 
 
 Keedy, Edward. March 1, 1897 68 
 
 Keedy, Daniel Blecker, March 10, 1897 .. .37 
 
 Knodle, Barbara, July 2, 1881 85 
 
 Knodle, Jonathan, Sept, 25, 1882 56 
 
 Knodle, Mary Catherine, Sept. 12, 1847.. . 9 
 Knodle, Margaret, March 26, 1852 .. .Infant 
 
 Knodle, Susanah, April 27, 1853 Infant 
 
 Knodle. David. May 23, 1853 Infant 
 
 Knodle. Samuel Myron. Jan. 7, 1854 3 
 
 Knodle, Jonathan, July 15, 1854 59 
 
 Knodle, Mary, May 1, 1872, 46 
 
 Knodle, Benjamin, July 5, 1863 Infant 
 
 Knodle, Mary V., Jan. 17, 1883 55 
 
 Knodle, Willard Pond, June 5, 1889 10 
 
 Knodle, Peter, Aug. 3, 1892 70 
 
 Keplinger, David A., Dec. 18, 1876 1 
 
 Keplinger, William F., Nov. 22, 1878. Infant 
 Keplinger, Anna Irene, Oct. 29, 1879. Infant 
 
 Keplinger, Mabel Iola, May 30, 1881 1 
 
 Keplinger Jennie F., March 29, 1899 25 
 
 Kennedy, Alma Hattie, May 7, 1874 2 
 
 Knight, Hezekiah. Dec. 6, 1895 89 
 
 King, Katherine J.. Jan. 6, 1899 13 
 
 Lynn, Ida, April 21. 1878 1 
 
 Lynn, Elroy, June 23. 1881 Infant 
 
 Lohafer, Charlie George, Feb. 8, 1881.. .. 3 
 
 Lohafer, Frederick D., Feb. 28, 1872 4 
 
 Lohafer, F. W., Sept, 29,1873 Infant 
 
 Long, Mary J., July 15, 1881 40 
 
 Long, Floy Josephine, Dec. 16, 1886 1 
 
 Long, Jacob, Jan. 29, 1888 63 
 
 Long, Adolphus R., May 6, 1898 59 
 
 Lookabaugh, Samuel. Sept, 4, 1899 72 
 
 Marshall, Robert R.. Jan. 18, 1874 1 
 
MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 
 
 223 
 
 Marshall. Lena May. March 31. 1875 5 
 
 Aliller, John A., Nov. 1, 1880 67 
 
 Miller, Francis Joseph, Oct. 21, 1882 22 
 
 Miller, Michael Lester. Feb. 1, 1883 .Infant 
 
 Miller, Cyrus E.. Aug. 6. 1861 9 
 
 Miller, Mary E.. Oct. 13. 1862 1 
 
 Miller, Maria Lousia. Sept. 25, 1886 54 
 
 Miller, Lloyd Willis. July 24. 1887 . . . Infant 
 
 Miller, Orville. July 20. 1892 Infant 
 
 Mercer, William A.. March 27. 1879. .Infant 
 
 Motter, Ann E.. May 21. 1862 73 
 
 Motter, Jacob B.. Feb. IS. 1S72 86 
 
 Motter. Hiram. Jan. 8. 1893 76 
 
 Meek, Robert G.. Oct. 27. 1856 38 
 
 McCosh, John, Oct. 23, 1882 32 
 
 McCosh, Dr. John. March 19. 1883 59 
 
 McNeill, Frederick A.. Sept. 15. 1868 1 
 
 McNeill, Frank Asbury. Feb. 3, 1872 62 
 
 McNeill, Mary E.. Feb. 7, 1861 2 
 
 McNett, , 
 
 Myers, , 
 
 Mumma, Benj. F.. July 5. 1888 38 
 
 Mumma, Daniel Shafer. Sept. 10. 1888.. . .70 
 
 Mumma, Ann Mary. Oct. 13. 1S94 67 
 
 Mumma, Jacob H.. Oct. 4, 1897 72 
 
 Merriman, Chas., Nov. 21. 1892 — 
 
 Miles, Mary, Feb. 23. 1895 85 
 
 McCredie, Quinter, Feb. 18. 1897 Infant 
 
 McCoy, Howard, Jan. 10. 1892 11 
 
 Newcomer, Henry H.. April 24, 1880 44 
 
 Newcomer, Sarah A.. Jan. 17, 1882 80 
 
 Newcomer. Samuel. June. 1849 49 
 
 Newcomer, Rosalie D.. Nov. 11. 1872 44 
 
 Newcomer, Alice Rice. Dec. 14. 1894 22 
 
 Ohr, George B., Sept. 14. 1859 Infant 
 
 Ohr, Charles H., June 9. 1860 4 
 
 Ohr, Francis W.. Oct. 6, 1865 4 
 
 Pinckney, Mary Belle. Aug. 30. 1858 1 
 
 Pinckney, Thyetta B.. Feb. 5. 1874 ..Infant 
 Pinckney, Daniel Jarvis. June 17, 1885.. .65 
 Petrie, Francis Catherine. Oct. 24. 1847.. 1 
 Petrie. William A.. Aug. 23. 1850. . . . Infant 
 Petrie. Philo Judson. Feb. 24. 1852. Infant 
 
 Petrie, Lydia. Oct. 24. 1852 — 
 
 Petrie, Elizabeth. June 4. 1853 28 
 
 Petrie. Hale. June 7. 1853 Infant 
 
 Petrie. Fredrick A.. J lily 11. 1887 68 
 
 Page. John, Oct. 9. 1863 28 
 
 Potter, Calvin A.. J une 23. 1888 50 
 
 Potter, Mrs. Rebecca. 1897 84 
 
 Pond, Willard L., Nov. 28. 1897 ,81 
 
 Piper, Earl J ., Feb. 13, 1900 1 
 
 Rice, Rowland. Sept. 26. 1858 Infant 
 
 Rice, Anna, Jan. 13. 1878 17 
 
 Rice, Hannah. Aug. 26. 1875 Infant 
 
 Rice. Emma, Aug. 29. 1875 Infant 
 
 Rice, Mary C. Oct. 11. 1879 14 
 
 Rice (an infant son), July 1, 1877 
 
 Radjesky, Thos.. 
 
 Smith. Susan 
 
 Smith. Olive Gertrude. Aug. 5. 1881. Infant 
 
 Smith. Rosia E., Sept. 12, 1870 6 
 
 Swingley. Cyrus A.. Aug. 2, 1872 Infant 
 
 Sharp, Sarah, Feb. 23, 1846 45 
 
 Sharp, Catherine. Dec. 24. 1849 — 
 
 Sharer, Morton H.. Oct, 10. 1846 Infant 
 
 Sharer, Cornelia E., Sept. 22, 1853 30 
 
 Sharer. Cornelia, Oct, 18, 1853 Infant 
 
 Sharer. John. Dec. 28. 1860 77 
 
 Sharer, Sarah A.. June 6, 1892 58 
 
 Sharer. Jacob. June 7. 1865 58 
 
 Sharer. Amelia. Dec. 17, 1895 88 
 
 Stewart. Margaret E., Sept. 6. 1867. .Infant 
 Stewart. Edward A.. Aug. 22, 1872. . .Infant 
 Stewart, Mrs. Laura Ellen. Dec. 13. 1880 .46 
 
 Stonebraker. John Y., July 30. 1868 9 
 
 Stonebraker, Fred. Sept. 26. 1868. .. .Infant 
 Stonebraker. Ella, Sept. 13, 1875 . . . .Infant 
 Stonebraker. Daniel W.. July 15. 1883. .. .22 
 Stonebraker. Lewellyn R., May 5. 1887. ..11 
 
 Shaw, Hiram T.. April 21, 1869 20 
 
 Stephens. Dr. Benj. G.. Jan. 10. 1879 59 
 
 Stanger. John F.. Sept. 12. 1880 81 
 
 Stroh, Cecilia A., Oct., 1840 1 
 
 Stroh, Alfred E., Oct. 29, 1870 27 
 
 Stroh. Elizabeth. Nov. 16. 1894 86 
 
 Stroh. Rev. Nicholas J., Jan. I. 1897 98 
 
 Sprecher, Orville H., Nov. 14, 1889 7 
 
 Thomas, William T.. April 28. 1879 24 
 
 Thomas, Garoline C. Jan. 30, 1880 60 
 
 Thomas. Blanche E.. June 9, 1890 11 
 
 Thomas. Ruth. Sept. 24. 1896 Infant 
 
 Thomas. Emma Bell, Nov. 14. 1*96 15 
 
 Thomas. Joshua. March 18, 1884 73 
 
 Thomas, Eliza J ane. Feb. 5. 1897 41 
 
 Thomas, Abram. Aug. 29. 1879 79 
 
 Trapp, Mrs. Sarah J., Sept. 5. 1867 38 
 
 Tice, 
 
 Tice, Gertrude. June 12, 1887 15 
 
 Tracy, Willis B., Jan. 29. 1888 5 
 
 Withers, Thomas W.. Feb. 12. 1880 7S 
 
 Withers. Elsie May. March 24. 1881 1 
 
 Withers, Hanora Y. E.. Oct. 7, 1856 19 
 
 Withers. Blanche. Aug. 11. 1882 Infant 
 
 Withers, Benjamin F.. Dec. 25. 1882 29 
 
 Withers, , Infant 
 
 Withers, John W., 
 
 Withers. Elizabeth. Jan. 14. 1885 73 
 
 Withers, Henry. Nov. 4. 1887 72 
 
 Withers, B. C. March 20, 1888 15 
 
 Withers, Frank. Nov. 4, 1887 — 
 
 Withers, Emma E.. April 18. 1898 55 
 
 Wagoner. Edger E.. Nov.. 1864 88 
 
 Williams. Willis W.. April 19. 1875 1 
 
224 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 Williams, Windle, Charles Elmer. Aug. 24, 188 
 
 Williams, Elias. Oct. 6, 1890 67 Wingert, David R., April 18, 1880. . . . 
 
 Wolf, , Woltz, Jacob Elmer, Jan. 14, 1888 . . . 
 
 Wolf, Charlotte. March 10, 1891 38 Woltz, James Walling. May 26, 1889 
 
 Wolf, William. Oct. It. 1892 — Woltz, L. Albert, Jan. 19. 1892 
 
 Wolf, Grant, Woltz. Lousia. A.. April 10. 1898 ... 
 
 Wendle, , 
 
 5 ....19 
 
 ...64 
 
 1 
 
 .. ..72 
 Infant 
 
 Athletics. 
 
 In the way of athletics the principal game which has fascinated the 
 gymnastic propensity of youth in Mount Morris in the past has been the 
 great national game of base ball. For many years the great enthusiasm 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS BASE BALL TEAM OF 1895. 
 
 for this sport ran high and few weeks of summer passed without Satur- 
 day afternoon or mid-week contests on the diamond, with nines from 
 neighboring towns or between home teams. Probably the most interest- 
 ing series of games ever played in Mount Morris was during the summer 
 of 1895 when a tri-county league was formed, composed of Mount Morris, 
 Oregon, Dixon, Lanark and Polo teams, and a series of games played for 
 the championship. Mount Morris easily out-classed Polo, Oregon and 
 Lanark and tied Dixon for the championship, but lost in the deciding 
 game in a close score. 
 
 Among professional base ball players produced by Mount Morris are 
 J. D. Lookabaugh and Wm. Householder. The former is a pitcher and 
 
MISCELLANEOUS HISTORY. 225 
 
 has played for years with league teams. Some 3 T ears ago he stopped play- 
 ing ball and is now practicing magnetic healing in Mount Morris. Mr. 
 Householder commenced his professional career with Preeport, staying 
 with them several seasons. Last season he was with the Souix Falls, 
 South Dakota, team and did very creditable playing. Prospects for his 
 rapid advance in favor in base ball circles are promising. 
 
 For several years past the game of base ball appears to have some- 
 what fallen from favor with Ogle county athletes. Pew games of any im- 
 portance have been played for several years. Foot ball appears to be 
 more popular and each year is demanding more attention. 
 
CHAPTER XV. 
 MOUNT MORRIS OF TODAY. 
 
 Mount Morris of today! What a contrast to seventy years ago, when 
 the spot, where now stand beautiful residences, business houses, churches 
 and institutions of learning, was then a trackless prairie, roamed over by 
 the native American — the Indian. Then, where now is heard the hum of 
 voices in song, the conversation, laughter and merry-making of jolly 
 school children and shouts of lively students, the ring of anvils, and oth- 
 er evidences of energetic life, — then were heard only the howl of the 
 pi-airie wolf, the hiss of poisonous reptiles, and the sighing of the wind as 
 it swept through the forest trees or swayed the long prairie grass. Mount 
 Morris of today is a nourishing little city of 1200 inhabitants, situated in 
 the midst of one of the richest and most fertile agricultural districts in 
 the state of Illinois. The country which surrounds Mount Morris is al- 
 most entirely taken up by well- improved farms. The original wooded 
 lands have been mostly cleared of trees and the low lands and swampy 
 places redeemed by thorough tiling. Farmers, as a general rule, cultivate 
 over one hundred acres, some as high as two hundred or more. The prin- 
 cipal products are corn and oats, and some cattle and hogs in the way of 
 live stock. The land is mostly in a condition to make the raising of grain 
 the more profitable, however, and the principal source of income is, there- 
 fore, from the products. Some of the levelest, most productive and best 
 improved farms in close proximity to Mount Morris are valued at over 
 ninety dollars per acre and some even higher. 
 
 Mount Morris township, including the village, is an exceptionally 
 wealthy community. The schedule of all personal property in the town- 
 ship on the first day of April, 1900, and all the lands and town lots as re- 
 ported by the assessor, Mr. Allen, shows that the total value of all proper- 
 ty whatsoever in the township was $2,432,975. Considering that the total 
 population is 2,000, this would make an average wealth of $1200 for each 
 mac woman and child in the township. The following tabular statement 
 showing the totals of personal and real property by the last assessment 
 will show the wealth of Mount Morris township. 
 
 The village of Mount Morris is situated in section 26 and 27 near the 
 southern part of the township, a little to the east of a line running 
 through the center. The area enclosed within the corporate limits of the 
 village is about 640 acres. There are laid off and platted at the present 
 time about fifty blocks. Within the corporate limits of the village are 
 now 270 habitable residences and fifty public buildings, including the 
 stores, churches, college buildings, public school) building, livery;stables, 
 
 (226) 
 
MOUNT MORRIS OF TODAY. 
 
 A TABULAR STATEMENT 
 
 227 
 
 Showing the Totals of Personal and Real Property 
 of Mount Morris Township, for the Year 1900. 
 
 Compiled from the Books of the Toionship Assessor. 
 
 PERSONAL PROPERTY. 
 
 Horses of all ages, 
 
 Cattle of all ages, 
 
 Sheep of all ages, 
 
 Hogs of all ages, 
 
 Steam Engines, including Boilers, 
 
 Fire or Burglar Proof Safes, 
 
 Billiard, Pigeon-hole, Bagatelle, or other similar tables, .... 
 
 Carriages and Wagons of whatsoever kind. 
 
 Watches and Clocks, 
 
 Sewing and Knitting Machines, 
 
 Piano Fortes, 
 
 Melodeons and Organs, 
 
 Annuities and Royalties, 
 
 Merchandise on hand, 
 
 Material and Manufactured Articles on hand, 
 
 Manufacturers' Tools, Implements and Machinery, 
 
 Agricultural Tools, Implements and Machinery, 
 
 Gold and Silver Plate and Plated Ware, 
 
 Diamonds and Jewelry, 
 
 Moneys of Bank, Banker, Broker or Stock Jobber, 
 
 Moneys of other than Bank, Banker, Broker or Jobber,. . . . 
 Credits of other than Bank, Banker, Broker or Jobber,. . . . 
 
 Bonds and Stocks, 
 
 Property of Companies and Corporations, not enumerated, 
 
 Household or Office Furniture or Property, 
 
 Investments in Real Estate and Improvements thereon, . . . 
 
 Grain on hand, 
 
 All other Personal Property required to be listed, 
 
 Total Value op Personal Property, 
 
 LANDS. 
 
 Improved and Unimproved Lands, 
 
 Town Lots, improved and unimproved, 
 
 Total Value of all Property as Assessed, 
 
 No. 
 
 1273 
 3374 
 
 201 
 
 2198 
 
 12 
 
 17 
 
 1 
 
 692 
 
 547 
 
 341 
 
 64 
 
 130 
 
 8 
 
 Value 
 
 72,615 
 
 67,470 
 
 1,085 
 
 17,522 
 
 3,800 
 
 1,285 
 
 10 
 
 18,655 
 
 4,413 
 
 3,810 
 
 7,405 
 
 3,345 
 
 2,410 
 
 47,750 
 
 200 
 
 5,885 
 
 12,370 
 
 645 
 
 1,000 
 
 2,700 
 
 700 
 
 315,785 
 
 15,000 
 
 1,500 
 
 49,445 
 
 150 
 
 43,120 
 
 185 
 
 700,260 
 
 1,454,340 
 278,375 
 
 2,432,975 
 
228 
 
 mount morris: past and present. 
 
 blacksmith shops, elevators, lumber 
 offices, creamery, etc. The streets in 
 the village measure approximately 
 nine miles in length with probably 
 about twelve miles of sidewalk, much 
 of which is tar-concrete; in fact an 
 ordinance passed by the village board 
 of trustees prohibits the building of 
 any more board walks and they are 
 gradually disappearing. 
 
 Mount Morris has all the modern 
 improvements of an up-to-date little 
 city, — fire protection, water works, 
 telephone exchange and electric lights. 
 The Mount Morris water works system 
 is owned and operated by the village. 
 An account of the official proceedings 
 leading up to the building of the sys- 
 tem is to be found on pages 66 and 67. 
 It was in 1895 when the citizens of 
 Mount Morris determined to secure 
 themselves against fire, and before the 
 coming of cold weather the system was 
 completed. The water tower is an ele- 
 gant steel structure, 115 feet high from 
 the foundation to the peak of the roof. 
 The roof is also surmounted by a 35- 
 foot flag-pole, from which Old Glory 
 floats on special occasions. The tank 
 has a capacity of 21,000 barrels and is 
 kept full of good, pure water at all 
 times for emergencies in case of fire, 
 and to supply the many patrons of 
 the system. At present there are 58 
 water renters, most of which are for 
 private residences and lawns. An arte- 
 sian well 500 feet in depth furnishes 
 an exhaustless supply of water, which 
 is lifted from the well and forced up 
 into the tank by a powerful air pump, 
 operated by a 29-horse gasoline engine. 
 The power house or pumping station 
 is situated just at the foot of the mag- 
 nificent tower, and is in charge of 
 Samuel Rowe. At the present time 
 the water mains are extended over the 
 principal streets of the village a total 
 
MOUNT MORRIS OF TODAY. 
 
 231 
 
 distance of only a few hundred feet less than two miles. A hose cart with 
 700 feet of hose is kept in the power house, ready to be pulled out on a 
 minute's notice. Enough hose is kept on hand so that the houses in the 
 most out-lying parts of the village can be reached by a stream of water 
 in case of fire, though hydrants are in some places several blocks distant 
 from the farthest houses. A fire company composed of a number of the 
 younger men of the town, is formed and know what to do in case of an 
 alarm. A large fire bell is hung beneath the tower, with which a very 
 speedy alarm can be turned in. C. H. Whitman is fire marshal. 
 
 The local telephone exchange is one of the improvements of the year 
 1900. The Ogle County Telephone Company, of Rochelle, was granted 
 
 VIEW OF MOUNT MORRIS LOOKING NORTHWEST FROM WATER TOWER. 
 
 a franchise to string their wires through the streets and alleys of the vil- 
 lage in the May meeting of the village board of trustees. During the 
 month of September the poles were set, the wires strung and the 'phones 
 placed in the residences and business houses of the patrons of the sys- 
 tem. At first there were thirty-five phones put in, but since others 
 have been occasionally added and at present about 40 of the most en- 
 terprising people of the town save time and bother by this convenience. 
 The principal streets of the town have assumed quite a metropolitan 
 aspect by the addition of the rows of poles heavily laden with tele- 
 phone wires. The exchange office is located in the north Seibert block 
 
232 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 over the Citizens' Bank. The day operator is Miss Maude Rowe and 
 th e night operator, Mr. David Craley. 
 
 The electric lighting system is the latest of the improvements of the 
 year 1900. A franchise was granted in October by the village board of 
 trustees to Edward Thomas to do the necessary wiring in the streets and 
 alleys. A new building was erected for the accommodation of the plant 
 in the north part of the village, near the railroad. At the time of the 
 publication of this book the system is nearing completion, and is ex- 
 pected soon to be in active operation. Present indications are that it 
 will be liberally supported both by the village and private individuals. 
 
 Mount Morris is pre-eminently a residence and college town. As a res- 
 idence town it has many advantages over the majority of small cities and 
 towns. In the first place it is one of the most beautiful places to be found 
 in many a day's journey, with its beautiful and imposing college campus 
 and buildings, its neat lawns and the long rows of shade trees lining near- 
 ly all of the streets, so that in summer time it looks like a cool and beau- 
 tiful forest. A view of the street along the west side of A. W. Brayton's 
 elegant lawn, one of the finest of the shady streets, is shown on page 205. 
 It is seen that the branches of the trees on either side of the street al- 
 most meet in the center, forming a most beautiful arch of green. The 
 many shade trees in Mount Morris are not native here, the spot having 
 originally been open prairie, but the work is all result of judicious fore- 
 thought on the part of the early settlers, who brought the young maples 
 from the Mississippi river. One of the largest of the many stalwart 
 maples is the one half way between J. Strock's grocery and C. U. Niman's 
 livery stable, standing with a protecting wing over the old house at one 
 time occupied by John Ankney. Mr. Ankney himself planted the tree 
 nearly sixty years ago. It is supposed to be the oldest tree in town. The 
 spread of its roots before disappearing under ground is marvelous. 
 
 Mount Morris is desirable as a residence town because it is one of the 
 most healthful places to be found. It stands on an eminence among the 
 highest in Illinois, and has excellent drainage: no waste or swampy 
 land anywhere in the vicinity. Ague and kindred diseases are unknown. 
 Water is easily reached at a depth of twenty-five feet to sixty feet, and is 
 of the purest and sweetest quality, which one can never forget who has 
 once become acquainted with it. 
 
 The religious advantages of Mount Morris are probably unexcelled in 
 northern Illinois. The very atmosphere of the place is religious, and this 
 in connection with the advantages enjoyed by the different denomina- 
 tions represented, renders the town particularly attractive to those re- 
 ligiously inclined. No better location can be found for the retired busi- 
 ness man or farmer who prefers to spend his declining years with his 
 family, where the best of intellectual and spiritual influence may be en- 
 joyed. The intellectual inspiration coming from the college, blended 
 with the strong moral and religious sentiment prevading the town and 
 community, give strength and refinement to the moulding influences 
 of society. Young men and young women reared under such healthy 
 
MOUNT MORRIS OF TODAY. 
 
 233 
 
 influences will be well equipped for the conflicts of a busy life. The 
 saloon has never been tolerated in the town, which accounts largely for 
 the high standard of morality among both the young and old. The 
 Christian denominations represented are the Methodist, Lutheran, Chris- 
 tian and Dunkard, a complete history of each of which is given in a sepa- 
 rate chapter on religious organizations. All of these churches are well 
 represented and members of any of them who are looking for a location 
 will do well to investigate Mount Morris. This is especially true of the 
 Brethren. Many of the most substantial citizens are members of this 
 church and are exerting a wide influence for good in the community. 
 They are bitterly opposed to the liquor traffic in all its forms, and as well 
 
 SIX MOUNT MORRIS BOYS WHO BELONG TO THE STATE MILITIA. 
 
 as the members of the other churches, may be counted upon as a solid in- 
 fluence against the saloon business. In no town in northern Illinois can 
 so many Brethren families be found, and at no other place in the United 
 States can they find such superior church, Sunday school and educational 
 privileges. This they are not slow to see, as may be attested by th3 
 families coming here each year with a view of making it their home. 
 Mount Morris certainly can be recommended as a very desirable place 
 for the Brethren, desiring the best of church privileges, to locate. Es- 
 pecially is it desirable for those who wish to retire from the active pur- 
 suits of life and spend their last days quietly in the midst of their breth- 
 ren. 
 
234 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 The educational advantages afforded the citizens of Mount Morris is 
 another feature which makes the place an exceptionally fine residence 
 town. True education consists in the development of all the powers of 
 man, — physical, mental and moral. Mount Morris claims to possess 
 facilities for this purpose in a very high degree. It has already been 
 stated that the atmosphere of the place seems to be religious, but it may 
 be said with emphasis that it is more intensely educational. Education 
 is the life of the town. It is intensified in the very spirit of the people. 
 It can be noticed on every important movement among our citizens. 
 The very foundation of the town was laid in that spirit, and by it the peo- 
 ple have been swayed and influenced for nearly two generations. As 
 everybody knows, the foundation of Mount Morris College was laid way 
 back sixty years ago when the wild animals still roamed over the prairie 
 and no vestage of Mount Morris of today was to be found. A class of 
 people have grown up around the institution, who seem to thrive on the 
 intensely religious and educational influences that have continually pre- 
 vaded the place. 
 
 The public school is among the best in the county. The building is 
 large, commodious and substantial. The course of instruction is thor- 
 ough and affords a good preparatory education on which to build the 
 more advanced culture of the mind. Concerning the history and more 
 about the present condition of the public school see the separate chapter 
 upon that subject. 
 
 Concerning Mount Morris College, the pride of the town and com- 
 munity, we cannot speak too highly. It is centrally located and affords 
 the best of educational advantages for the young men and women desiring 
 to fit themselves for the active and responsible duties of a useful life. 
 Here a polished education can be obtained under the most favorable 
 moral and religious influences. Education alone may tend to skepticism, 
 but when secured in connection with such moulding influences as per- 
 vade this institution it becomes a power for good in all the responsible 
 pursuits of life. The managers of the College are deeply imbued with 
 the spirit of morality and religion, as well as the spirit of education, be- 
 lieving that all true education should be given in connection with prop- 
 er religious culture, and for this reason the school has a reputation for 
 a high order of training, in all that goes to make up true manhood and 
 womanhood, that should be a credit to every state. While the College 
 is exclusively under the control of the Brethren, it is opened to pupils 
 from all denominations, and not a few of them are sending their children 
 here on account of the moral restriction thrown around them while in 
 pursuit of knowledge. 
 
 A home college is a great thing for the people of the place where the 
 college is located. Viewed from a financial angle Mount Morris College 
 is very valuable to Mount Morris and vicinity. It saves thousands of 
 dollars expense and at the same time brings in thousands of dollars in- 
 come. It saves the expense of sending away to college the young people 
 of our community. Parents have an opportunity to give their children 
 
AUNT KITTY RICE, 
 Who will be 104 years of age, August 24, 1901. 
 
MOUNT MORRIS OF TODAY. 237 
 
 a college education with no outlay of money other than the tuition. This 
 is a small sum compared with the expense incurred by those who come 
 long distances by rail, and when here are obliged to pay, besides tuition, 
 board, room and fuel. All this expense is saved to the people of Mount 
 Morris in the education of their children, and in its stead they receive as 
 an income thousands of dollars brought here by those who come 
 here from a distance. This is not all. Our home college is also a college 
 home. To be convinced that this is true, one need only visit the several 
 departments of the college and note the manner in which everything is 
 directed. Therefore aside from the financial phase, the people of Mount 
 Morris receive the culture resulting from this well-ordered college life 
 blended with the helpful atmosphere of a safe and cheerful home life. 
 
 Details concerning Mount Morris College, its history and condition 
 at the present time and also a history of the old Rock Eiver Seminary 
 are to be found in separate chapters elsewhere in the volume. 
 
 Many other desirable points in favor of Mount Morris as a residence 
 town might be mentioned. We repeat again that the people are of the 
 very best class. They are whole-souled, free-hearted, intelligent, sociable, 
 and a pleasant people to live among. Eastern states are represented in 
 the make-up of the population, the larger number being from Maryland 
 and Pennsylvania. Of late years Ohio and Indiana are also beginning to 
 be represented. Mount Morris is a growing town, and becomes more 
 desirable every year. Property and lots are not advanced to fancy prices, 
 however, as in some growing towns. Good building lots within a few 
 blocks of the college can be obtained at moderate prices. Building ma- 
 terial is cheap, stone quarries are convenient and all facilities for build- 
 ing are of the best. In fact, to any out-of-town reader of this book who 
 is looking for a place of residence, — to one who wishes to retire from 
 business or from the farm to educate children, to enjoy the privileges of 
 churches, Sunday schools, to live in a place of quiet Comfort and ease, we 
 say come and see Mount Morris. You will find a spot combining many 
 of the advantages and few of the evils that go to make up a desirable 
 place of residence. 
 
 Business Enterprises. 
 
 Mount Morris College is, of course, the leading business enterprise 
 in Mount Morris. Dozens of families are supported directly or indirectly 
 by its presence. In fact, it is the very backbone of the village. The at- 
 tendance of sev ral hundred out-of-town students raises the apparent 
 population during nine months of the year, and gives more hustle and 
 bustle to things in general. Concerning this enterprise much has been 
 previously said in this book. 
 
 Doctors. — The medical profession in Mount Morris is ably represent- 
 ed by Drs. George McCosh, W. W. Hanes and C. J. Price. Dr. McCosh 
 acquired his first knowledge of the profession from his father, Dr. John 
 McCosh, under whom he studied for three years. He then took the pre- 
 
238 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 Dr. George B. McCosh. 
 
 is President of the Village 
 Board of Trustees. Dr. C. J. 
 Price, physician and surgeon, 
 is a comparatively new man in 
 Mount Morris, having located 
 here in August, 1900. He took 
 up the practice abandoned by 
 the late Dr. David Newcomer. 
 He is a man of ability and the 
 citizens of Mount Morris are 
 giving him a good share of 
 their patronage. He has more 
 than the usual amount of med- 
 ical training, having attended 
 both the Northwestern Med- 
 ical school and the Hahne- 
 mann Medical College, tak- 
 ing a special course in the lat- 
 ter. He has also spent his va- 
 cations in Chicago in and about 
 the hospitals, and gained much 
 useful experience in that way. 
 
 scribed [course in the Rush 
 Medical College in Chicago, 
 graduating in 1880. After grad- 
 uation he commenced prac- 
 tice immediately in Mount Mor- 
 ris, and has built up a large 
 business. He has his office lo- 
 cated in rooms over his drug 
 store. Dr. W. W. Hanes has 
 been practicing medicine in 
 Mount Morris since 1886, hav- 
 ing come here from Adeline, 
 111. He is a graduate of the 
 P. M. Institute of Cincinnati, 
 Ohio, and directly after gradu- 
 ation in 1883, he located at 
 Adeline, 111., and after three 
 years there came to Mount 
 Morris. He has built up a 
 good substantial practice and 
 is considered a good physician. 
 His office is located over C. E. 
 Price's hardware. Dr. Hanes 
 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 DR. W. W. HANES PRES. VILLAGE TRUSTEES 
 
MOUNT MORRIS OF TODAY. 
 
 241 
 
 He occupies the old Newcom- 
 er office, north of the College 
 campus, where he can be found 
 night or day. 
 
 Veterinary Surgeon. — Dr. 
 D. F. Stevens is the only veter- 
 inary surgeon in this vicinity, 
 and is kept constantly busy 
 attending to the many calls for 
 his professional skill. He is 
 a graduate of the Ontario Vet- 
 erinary College, located at To- 
 ronto, Canada, finishing the 
 prescribed course in April, 
 1888 He came to Mount Mor- 
 ris in July of the same year, 
 and has since practiced at this 
 place. 
 
 Dentists. — Mount Morris has 
 two dentists, Drs. J. B. Moats 
 and J. P. Canode. Both are ex- 
 pert workmen and give general 
 satisfaction. Dr. Moats has 
 
 J. B. MOATS. DENTIST. 
 
 DR. C. J. PRICE. 
 
 been established here the long- 
 er period. He is a graduate of 
 the Dental Department of the 
 Iowa State University, having 
 previously attended the Chi- 
 cago College of Dental Sur- 
 gery. After graduation he lo- 
 cated here and built up a good 
 practice. His office is over 
 McCosh's pharmacy. Dr. Can- 
 ode is also a graduate of the 
 Chicago College of Dental Sur- 
 gery, where he attended three 
 years. He located in Mount 
 Morris in 1898. His office is lo- 
 cated up stairs in the old Bank 
 of Mount Morris building. The 
 office is conveniently divided 
 into a number of nicely-ar- 
 ranged apartments, including a 
 reception room, operating room, 
 and laboratory. Mr. Canode 
 perfectly understands his pro- 
 
242 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 fession and does nothing but 
 first-class work. 
 
 Contractors and Builders. 
 — The contracting and building 
 business in Mount Morris is 
 represented by two firms, — Bu- 
 ser & Mumma, Kinsey & Tracy. 
 The firm of Buser & Mumma, is 
 composed of Nathaniel E. Buser 
 and Willis S. Mumma. Mr. Bu- 
 ser, the senior member, com- 
 menced his career as a carpen- 
 ter under Henry Middlekauff in 
 1868. After an apprenticeship 
 of three years he launched into 
 the building business alone. 
 He first began making plans 
 and specifications in 1876. One 
 of his first contracts was for the 
 present residence of Hon. R. R. 
 Hitt, which has, however, un- 
 dergone a number of alterations 
 and improvements in later 
 
 NATHANIEL E. BUSER. 
 
 J. F. CANODE, DENTIST. 
 
 years. At various times Mr. 
 Buser entered in partnerships 
 with other contractors, but 
 worked alone most of the time. 
 George H. Riner was at one 
 time his partner. Mr. Buser 
 has built all of the large build- 
 ings in Mount Morris in late 
 years, with few exceptions, and 
 most of the finest residences. 
 Among the large buildings 
 which he has erected are the 
 Lutheran church, the College 
 Hall, the Ladies' Dormitory, the 
 Old Folks' Home, Hotel Rohrer, 
 Seibert block and Sharer's 
 building. Among the scores of 
 fine residences which he has 
 erected in Mount Morris are 
 those of J. L. Rice, Wm. B. 
 Shank, Maj. Chas. Newcomer 
 and Harry Cushing, half-tones 
 of which are shown in the last 
 
MOUNT MORRIS OF TODAY. 
 
 245 
 
 chapter in this book. Mr. Bu- 
 ser has also built extensively in 
 neighboring towns. Among the 
 buildings which might be men- 
 tioned is the Catholic church at 
 Oregon; a $20,000 poorhouse at 
 Mount Carroll; two churches in 
 Leaf River; one church in Ade- 
 line; numerous country church- 
 es and schoolhouses in different 
 parts of this and neighboring 
 counties; and two bankers' resi- 
 dences at Manson, Iowa. He 
 also superintended the con- 
 struction of a $20,000 building 
 for the Brethren Publishing 
 House at Elgin. He is now the 
 only licensed architect in Ogle 
 county. Mr. Mumma, the jun- 
 ior member of the firm, first 
 commenced an apprenticeship 
 under Mr. Buser, and after only 
 a few years' work acquired a 
 thorough knowledge of the bus- 
 iness, and in 1898 Mr. Buser 
 
 took him in as partner, since which time they have worked together with 
 much success. Mr. Mumma not only superintends the construction 'of 
 buildings but assists with the work of making plans and specifications. 
 The season of 1900, although a dull season with builders, has brought them 
 an abundance of work. They have erected buildings the aggregate value 
 of which exceeds 825,000, which includes three residences in Elgin. Buser 
 & Mumma occupy offices in the building on Wesley street, erected 
 by Mr. Buser in 1894. The main part of this building was constructed 
 from the old Webb Hotel and the remainder of the lumber used in its con- 
 struction and also in the building to the west used as a carpenter shop 
 and lumber warehouse, was formerly used in the construction of the Cali- 
 fornia building at the World's Fair. Kinsey & Tracy, the other firm spok- 
 en of, consists of Samuel C. Kinsey and Benjamin F. Tracy. John T. 
 Stewart was formerly a member of the firm but has now retired. The re- 
 maining members have worked together about fifteen years. They have 
 erected many substantial residences including those of Emanuel Slifer, A. 
 L. Clair, Price Stouffer, William Watts and others. 
 
 Music Composers and Engravers.— Prof. D. S. McCosh, who is en- 
 gaged in this work, has been spoken of at length in the biographical di- 
 rectory. He has a cosy office over the rear of McCosh's Pharmacy and is 
 equipped with all the tools and appliances necessary in the profession. 
 F. F. Knodle has lately acquired a set of engraver's tools and is also now 
 
 WILLIS S. MUMMA. 
 
246 MOUNT morris: past and present. 
 
 engraving some music plates, besides pursuing his former wcrk of com- 
 posing violin and orchestra music and instructing violin pupils. 
 
 Laundry. — Previous to January, 1899, the people of Mount Morris 
 were compelled to send their laundry to the surrounding towns to be 
 washed, until on the above date, when Mr. Samuel M. Lynn started a 
 hand laundry here. Mr. Lyon had considerable experience in the busi- 
 ness, having formerly conducted the Cascade Si earn Laundry at Free- 
 port, and traveled extensively for the Troy Laundry Machine C< mpany 
 of Chicago. He conducted the business with success until Sept., 1900, 
 when he sold out to Guy Smith and Walter McNett, two energetic Mount 
 Morris boys, who are doing their work in a manner satisfactory to all. 
 The presence of the college in Mount Morris makes the investment a pay- 
 ing one. They are equipped with all late-improved machinery, including 
 an ironer, starcher, generator, etc. 
 
 Blacksmiths. — Mount Morris has four blacksmiths,— A. C. Looka- 
 baugh, A. W. Neff, N. T. Koontz and J. H. Lambing. Mr. A. C. Looka- 
 baugh first began this business here about ten years ago, at which time 
 he purchased equipment of Hiram Rowe. He first started to learn the 
 trade at the age of nineteen, at Franklin county, Pa. Prior to coming to 
 Mount Morris he operated a shop at Adeline thirteen years. Mr. Looka- 
 baugh is a thorough mechanic, and enjoys a liberal patronage. He is 
 at present assisted in the work by George C. Bain, an expert horse-shoer, 
 and James McCoy, wood- worker. In 1899, Mr. Lookabaugh put in a stock 
 of buggies, wagons and farm machinery. A. W. Neff, another knight of 
 the anvil, learned the trade in his father's shop in Mount Morris. He 
 then secured a position in Dixon, 111., where he worked four years, and 
 later spent five years at Plymouth, Kans. Finally, in 1873, he returned 
 to Mount Morris, and after working two years for a Mr. Depew, set up in 
 business in 1875 for himself and has worked regularly here, with the ex- 
 ception of five years spent in Iowa. Mr. Neff is a good workman and has 
 his shop located in a building built for the purpose below the Thompson 
 building. N. T. Koontz has been in the blacksmith business in Mount 
 Morris continuously since 1864. He came here from Bruceville, Md., at 
 that time. He learned the trade at a very early age. He was assisted 
 here for a number of years by his son, William Koontz. John H. Lamb- 
 ing first came to Mount Morris in 1899, and entered the employ of A. C. 
 Lookabaugh, until April, 1900, when he started up in business for 
 himself. An entirely new equipment of tools and machinery necessary 
 in the business was purchased. Mr. Lambing does a general blacksmith- 
 ing business, besides horse-shoeing and wood-working. He gained his 
 knowledge of the trade in his father's shop at Abilene. Kaus. 
 
 Jeweler and Stationer. — H. E. Newcomer, early in the spring of 
 1892 began business by opening a little jewelry and stationery store in a 
 one-story frame building, which still stands just one door south of his 
 present location. There, in a little room eleven feet wide and nineteen 
 feet long, with low ceiling and only two small front windows admitting 
 the feeble light, his business grew and thrived. Favored by the confi- 
 
MOUNT MORRIS OF TODAY. . 249 
 
 clence of an appreciative public, borne along by the constant efforts of 
 his own hands, and early mastering the secrets of successful advertising, 
 he built up in a few years a most profitable and permanently-established 
 trade. But after a while the little room " grew too small," and in 1899 Mr. 
 Newcomer erected on the adjoining lot, a little south of the "Alden" 
 building, a handsome, one-story brick and stone building, standing today 
 a model of neatness, solidity and beauty. On another page is presented 
 an interior view of his store. Iu addition to his regular jewelry trade 
 Mr. Newcomer has, by long-continued, persistent and judicious advertis- 
 ing, built up a large mail-order business, every year receiving hundreds 
 of orders for gold and silver watches from customers in nearly every state 
 and territory in the Union, which business in a little while bids fair to ex- 
 ceed his entire local trade. In 1889, when but nineteen years of age, Mr. 
 Newcomer was appointed agent for the American Express Company, and 
 five years later succeeded to the agency of the Adams Express Company, 
 which position he has held continuously ever since, having now served 
 eleven years in this capacity. In 1897 he began the organization of what 
 is now the insurance and real-estate firm of Newcomer & Price, and as 
 junior member of this firm has rendered most valuable assistance in 
 bringing the business up to its present thriving condition, more mention 
 of which is made on this page. In passing, we cannot help noting 
 that in all of Mr. Newcomer's business enterprises the first and most 
 lasting impression one receives is the evidence of that greatest of all true 
 business principles, — perfect system — which probably in a very large de- 
 gree accounts for the splendid success he has thus far achieved. 
 
 Insurance, Real Estate and Loan Agents. — In October, 1897, H. E. 
 Newcomer and C. E. Price entered into partnership and under the firm 
 name of Newcomer & Price, opened an office for the transaction of all 
 classes of business pertaining to insurance, real estate and loans. Be- 
 ginning at the very bottom of the business, they have forged rapidly for- 
 ward and upward, until today they enjoy the confidence and patronage 
 of a large community. Loaning money for various eastern companies, 
 buying and selling Iowa and Illinois real estate, and writing all classes 
 of fire, cyclone, life and accident insurance, their business each succeed- 
 ing year covers a larger and wider territory, and necessitates almost con- 
 stant additions to their facilities. At this writing nine different insur- 
 ance companies are represented by this agency, — six for the sale of fire 
 and cyclone insurance, one life, one accident and one for plate-glass and 
 burglary indemnities. A small but very neat office has been fitted up ex- 
 clusively for their business in a portion of Mr. Newcomer's newly-erected 
 building on the " south side." 
 
 Groceries. — Five well-stocked grocery stores in Mount Morris supply 
 the people of the town and surrounding country with good things for 
 their tables. Jacob Strock has been in business in Mount Morris nine 
 years, occupying the brick building on the corner of Wesley and Center 
 streets. The firm name has existed longer without change than any of 
 the other five grocery firms in the village. Mr. Strock carries in stock a 
 
250 mount morris: past and present. 
 
 full line of fancy and staple groceries, cigars and tobacco, candies, queens- 
 ware, and also a line of heavy boots and shoes. He engages Fred Middle- 
 kauff as clerk. The Newcomer Company consists of Wm. A. Newcomer, 
 an old experienced groceryman in Mount Morris, and Howard G. Newcom- 
 er, who succeeded his father, A. M. Newcomer, in the business. They car- 
 ry a large stock of everything to be found in a first-class grocery store, be- 
 sides a number of side lines, including queensware, bakery goods, etc. 
 Charles Sharer prides himself in doing a nice careful business and be- 
 lieves in winning trade by careful buying, courteous treatment and an 
 orderly kept store. He enjoys a large country and town trade. Chris. 
 Reynolds is his efficient clerk. Oliver S. Watts has now been in the gro- 
 cery business in Mount Morris about four years, during which time he has 
 built up a substantial trade among both town and country people. His 
 stock is nicely arranged in the spacious store-room in his own building, 
 situated just south of the Masonic block. His stock includes everything 
 found in a first-class grocery store. J. P. Holsinger, an experienced gro- 
 cery clerk, assists in the business, A. R. Binkley's grocery store has been 
 operated in Mount Morris less than two years, the stock having been re- 
 moved to this place from Forreston. Mr. Binkley has, however, as men- 
 tioned on page 44, long been a grocer in Mount Morris. Of late years he 
 has been afflicted with paralysis and unable to attend to the business him- 
 self. Mrs. Binkley and Thomas Sprecher attend to the wants of the pa- 
 trons of the store. George W. Deppen entered the grocery business in 
 Mount Morris in the summer of 1900, buying out the stock previously 
 owned by F. K. Spalding. His store is spacious and well-filled with staple 
 and fancy groceries, besides a small stock of dry goods. ■ 
 
 Dry Goods. — G. W. Hamlin, D. S. Cripe and G. W. Deppen are propri- 
 etors of dry goods stores in Mount Morris, the first two being exclusively 
 engaged in that business, and the last carrying a small stock in connec- 
 tion with his grocery store. In the present year G. W. Hamlin of Rochelle 
 purchased the large and profitable dry goods business built up by R. E. 
 Arnold, and put the store in charge of his brother, D. F. Hamlin. Besides 
 a full line of all variety of dry goods, they carry a stock of shoes, gents' 
 furnishing goods and carpets. The goods are neatly and tastily arranged, 
 and give the store an inviting appearance. Miss Mae Ankney assists in 
 the sale of goods. D. S. Cripe's dry goods store is situated in the south 
 room of the old Seibert block. He has a large and well- select d stock of 
 goods and enjoys a large patronage. Mrs. Cripe clerks in the store. 
 
 Bakers and Confectioners. — E. O. Startzman has been continually en- 
 gaged in the bakery and confectionery business in Mount Morris for near- 
 ly twenty-five years. He occupies the old Startzman building and has 
 spacious and convenient apartments. His oven and bake-shop are in the 
 basement of the building. During the winter season he manufactures 
 most of the candies offered for sale. A cosy ice cream parlor is fitted up 
 in the rear of the store. In the store is his soda fountain, one of the first 
 brought to town. Besides carrying a full line of confectionery and bak- 
 ery goods he has a partial line of groceries. Walter Wolfe's business is a 
 
MOUNT MORRIS OF TODAY. 255 
 
 combined bakery, confectionery and restaurant. Mr. Wolfe is a young 
 man full of energy and with a thorough knowledge of the business. He 
 has elegant new quarters in the new Sharer building. The main floor is 
 divided into two apartments, the east half being fitted as a parlor where 
 ice cream is served in the summer time. In the basement is the bake 
 shop, a very large oven and a churning room, where a large ice cream 
 churn is situated. The churn is operated by a 2% horse-power gasoline 
 engine. In the winter time Mr. Wolfe manufactures large quantities of 
 fine candies and in the summer time, ice cream, which he disposes of by 
 retail and wholesale. The stock carried on hand includes a line of fancy 
 groceries, and the finest candies on the market. Mr. Wolfe started in 
 business on a very small scale, but has succeeded in building up a large 
 and profitable trade. His soda fountain, purchased recently, is as fine a 
 fountain as can be found anywhere in Ogle county. 
 
 McCosh's Pharmacy and Jewelry Store. — Dr. G. B. McCosh and C. 
 H. Mishler established a second drug store in Mount Morris in 1896, 
 which, since 1898, has been conducted by the former. Besides the regular 
 stock of drugs, chemicals and medicines, a full line of bcoks and station- 
 ery, wall paper, paints and oils, and holiday goods are kept on hand, and 
 nicely arranged in the Doctor's own building, erected in 1892. E. O. 
 Bailey, a registered pharmacist, is employed by Mr. McCosh. In the win- 
 ter of 1899-'00, the Doctor's son, Blair, attended the Bradley Polytechnic 
 Institute at Peoria, and gained a knowledge of the jewelry and optical pro- 
 fessions. An office was established in the pharmacy in May, 1900, since 
 which time he has been regularly engaged in the work. A stock of jewel- 
 ry and optical goods has been added. 
 
 Brayton's Old Eeliable Drug and Book Store. — The preceding title 
 is fittingly applied to the large drug and book establishment owned and 
 conducted by Arthur W. Brayton. The name of Brayton has been fore- 
 most in prominence in business circles of Mount Morris for nearly sixty 
 years and the known and established reliability of the business conducted 
 by the several generations of the family has well earned the sobriquet of 
 " Old Reliable Drug and Book Store" for Mr. Brayton's place of business. 
 As has been mentioned on page 33, Mr. Brayton's business directly de- 
 scends from the first store established in Mount Morris, by his grand- 
 father, Daniel Brayton, in 1841, and handed down by his father, Frederick 
 B. Brayton, whose portrait appears on page 34. The stock carried at the 
 present time is one of the largest and probably the most valuable in 
 Mount Morris. He has a full line of drugs, books, stationery, paints, oils, 
 wall-paper, lamps, and a large holiday stock of beautiful and useful arti- 
 cles and toys of all varieties, in season. A news stand with the popular 
 papers and magazines of the day is maintained and has been a feature in 
 the store over forty years. The exceptional neatness and elegant arrange- 
 ment of the stock is a noticeable feature. Mr. Brayton became a regis- 
 tered pharmacist in about 1880. Besides compounding prescriptions and 
 other pharmaceutical work, he has made a number of chemical discover- 
 ies, and manufactures, among other things, a tabule for the preservation 
 
65 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 of milk tests, for which a very large sale has developed among creamery- 
 men over many states of the Union. Earl Householder is an apprentice 
 and clerk in the store, and Miss Annabel Smith takes care of the books 
 and also assists with the sales. A very large patronage is enjoyed by Mr. 
 Br ay ton. 
 
 Hardwares. — Each of the two principal business blocks has a hard- 
 ware store. Clinton E. Price bought out the hardware store owned by J. 
 M. Piper in 1890 and has since been actively engaged in the business. Mr. 
 Price is a very pleasant gentlemen to deal with and has an excellent pat- 
 ronage over a large territory. His store is well stocked with everything 
 in the hardware line, besides stoves and furnaces. A line of buggies is al- 
 so carried in stock. A tin-shop in the rear is well supplied with all the 
 tools necessary in the tinning and repairing trade. Mr. Price is an exper- 
 ienced plumber and is doing a growing business in that line, especially in 
 the work of putting in furnaces. To assist him in the tin shop Mr. Price 
 hires a tinner and a second man most of the time. J. W. Crump is en- 
 gaged as clerk in the store proper. The toll station of the Union Central 
 Telephone Company is taken care of by Mr. Price and his assistants. B. E. 
 Avey is proprietor of the second hardware store: the stock is entirely new 
 having been purchased and first placed on sale in March, 1900. Besides 
 the regular lines of heavy and fancy hardware, Mr. Avey deals in stoves 
 and farming machinery. His sale of stoves during the season, 1900, ex- 
 ceeded a half hundred. Among the lines of machinery handled are Cham- 
 pion binders and mowers, Hamilton corn-shellers, etc. 
 
 Restaurants and Lunch-rooms.— S. J. Hess carries a large restaurant stock, in- 
 cluding candies, cigars and tobacco. He has a soda fountain and serves many of the 
 popular soda drinks during the warm weather. Warm meals are served at all hours 
 of the day and evening. Sprecher Brothers have fitted up the room under Sprecher & 
 Wheeler's store and have a fine new stock of goods on sale. They also serve warm 
 meals. Both Mr. Hess and Sprecher Brothers enjoy profitable trades. 
 
 Well-driller.— W. H. Hedges has been drilling wells in the vicinity of Mount 
 Morris for about twenty-five years, having succeeded his father in the business. He 
 recently purchased a new outfit and is now prepared to drill wells to a considerable 
 depth . The well at the creamery, which is 268 feet deep, is the deepest drilled by him. 
 Mr. Hedges also erects wind-mills, in which business, as well as that of drilling, he has 
 no competition in this territory. 
 
 Livery Stables. — Long & Son, C. U. Niman, and Wm. H. Keedy represent the liv- 
 ery business in Mount Morris. A. J. and Fred Long purchased the livery stable on 
 Wesley street of George Bovey in 1894, and have since added a number of new vehicles 
 and horses. In January, 1899, C. U. Niman bought from John H. Miller the stable 
 formerly conducted by H. L. Smith. He has eleven head of horses, all good animals, 
 and among other vehicles, a large carry-all to use for picnics, etc. Samuel Halsey 
 assists with the business. Wm. Keedy is the proprietor of the 10-cent feed-sheds and 
 livery stable combined, situated on the corner of Hitt and Wesley streets. His equip- 
 ment is entirely new and first class. 
 
 Barbers.— The tonsorial profession is represented by three first-class barbers, — 
 Wm. Stewart. Levi Bear, and George Toms. Each has a nicely-furnished shop and has 
 about an equal share of patronage afforded by the community. Harry Castle is an 
 apprentice in Mr. Bear's shop and can be found there on Saturdays. 
 
 Citizen's Bank.— This bank, the only one in Mount Morris, was established in 1893 
 by Joseph L. and John H. Rice, the present owners. The former is president and the 
 latter cashier of the institution. They do a general banking business, issue exchange 
 
MOUNT MORRIS OF TODAY. 261 
 
 and attend to collecting:. Their deposits are very large and they are one of the sub- 
 stantial institutions of Ogle county. 
 
 Printing Offices. — Two printing offices, the Index and the Neivs, are maintained 
 in Mount Morris. They have been spoken of in chapter VIII, " The Village Press." 
 
 Tinner.— O. L. Doward has a tin shop in the Miller building and besides doing a 
 general tinning and repairing business, has a small stock of tinware for sale. Mr. 
 Doward is a good machanic and does excellent work. 
 
 Clothing and Furnishings.— Sprecher & Wheeler are the only dealers in clothing 
 in Mount Morris. Besides a very large stock of everything in the clothing line, they 
 have complete lines of gents' furnishing goods, holiday supplies, boots and shoes, etc. 
 Their store covers more floor space than any other store in town. The members of 
 the firm are John Sprecher. who has been a business man in Mount Morris for nearly 
 forty years, and W. W. Wheeler, who had been a resident of Kansas City for a number 
 of years previous to entering partnership with Mr. Sprecher in 1899. Mr. Sprecher's 
 son. John, and daughter. Kittie, assist as clerks in the store most of the time. 
 
 Furniture Dealer and Undertaker.— Wm. H. Miller is the only representative 
 of these businesses in Mount Morris. He occupies the old opera house building 
 and carries a fine line of the best grades of furniture and sells his goods over a large 
 territory of country. In the undertaking business Mr. Miller is thoroughly informed 
 and in this also enjoys a large patronage. He first learned the undertaking profes- 
 sion and became acquainted with the furniture business with his father, Upton Miller, 
 having worked with him twenty years. In 1887 he went to Sterling, 111., where Prof. 
 Sullivan had organized a class in embalming and from him received his first diploma. 
 Later in 1896 he attended the Champion College of Embalming and received his sec- 
 ond diploma. After the passage in 1898 of a law requiring undertakers to hold li- 
 censes. Mr. Miller took the examination and was successful. As a result he now holds 
 a license from the Illinois State Board of Health. Mr. Miller has three hearses, a 
 child's hearse and two large ones, the newest, purchased only a few years ago, being 
 one of the finest in northern Illinois. Mr. Miller has been continuously engaged in 
 the business over thirty years and is regarded as one of our most substantial citizens. 
 
 Tailors.— Gregor Thompson has a large and w«ll-stocked tailoring establishment, 
 occupying the lower floor of his own building situated on the corner of Main and Wes- 
 ley streets. Mr. Thompson learned the tailor's trade in Norway and has followed it all 
 of his life. He has been in the business in Mount Morris about fifteen years and has a 
 very large patronage. Fred Frederickson's tailor shop is situated on the south busi- 
 ness block, where his patrons keep him busy the year around. More is said of Mr 
 Frederickson in the biographical directory. 
 
 Harness Shops.— J. D. Miller has been conducting a harness shop in Mount Morris 
 for twelve years and by square dealing has built up a large trade in all kinds of horse 
 goods. He employs a practical harness maker to assist in making new harness and to 
 do repair work. S. A. Shriner owns the second and only other harness shop in town. 
 He has worked in a harness shop three years at Taneytown, Md., two years in Welling- 
 ton. Kan., nearly nine years in the shoe factory at Dixon and two years in a harness 
 shop at Dixon. He has been in Mount Morris since November, 1898, and is enjoying a 
 good trade. 
 
 Shoemaker.— Rigdon McCoy, formerly a stone-mason, purchased the shoe-mak- 
 ing business formerly conducted by Andrew H. Dahl, in September. 1899, and has since 
 acquired considerable proficiency as a cobbler. He is the only shoemaker in town. 
 
 Hotel Rohrer.— This hotel, the only one in Mount Morris at present, was built in 
 1891, mention of which is made on page 42. The present landlord is A. T. Olson, who 
 took charge April 1, 1898, and who had formerly been landlord of Hotel Glen View at 
 Mount Carroll. Hotel Rohrer contains twenty-two sleeping rooms, a sample room for 
 salesmen to exhibit their goods, office, parlors, bath room, dining room and kitchen. 
 The building is steam heated and furnished throughout with city water. Mr. Olson is 
 an expert cook and does the cooking for the hotel himself. 
 
 Photograph Gallery— The Elite Photograph Gallery is owned and operated by 
 Roy Householder, who is a skilled artist and does work in the latest and best styles. 
 He is kept busy the year around and in his work gives the best of satisfaction. 
 
 Jewelers.— C. H. Whitman, who is engaged in the watch and clock reparing busi- 
 
262 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 ness in the old bank building-, served an apprenticeship of three years in Bel- 
 videre and later operated a jewelry store there. In November, 1885, he bought out Ja- 
 cob Fager in Mount Morris and was engaged in the business here for a number of 
 years, selling out to S. Knodle and H. E. Newcomer in 1890. In the spring of the pres- 
 ent year, 19C0, he again went into the business in Mount Morris, taking up the work 
 abandoned by S. Knodle. He does a general repairing business. Blair McCosh, 
 the only other person in Mount Morris with a knowledge of the trade has been 
 spoken of elsewhere. 
 
 Lumber Yaeds.— Two large and well-stocked lumber yards in Mount Morris at- 
 tract patronage from many miles on all sides of the village. The firm of Clark & 
 Wingert, composed of Holly C. Clark and Ira W. Wingert, has been doing business at 
 the yards near the depot since 1889. They carry a large stock of lumber and coal 
 and are doing a prosperous business. Harry Longman is a trusted employee of the 
 firm. Baker & Coffman are continuing the business started by N. E. Buser & Co., in 
 1894. The firm is composed of Jos. T. Baker and Frank Coffman. Their yards are 
 known as the Midway Lumber Yards. Besides a stock of building material and coal 
 they have wagons, binders and mowers, and binder twine for sale. A large business 
 has been built up. 
 
 Meat Market.— Numerous attempts to establish and maintain a second meat 
 market have failed and we still have but one. It is at present owned and operated by 
 Charles Wishard and Upton Powell, who purchased the business of Rine & Whitman in 
 December, 1898. They keep on hand a supply of all kinds of fresh, salted and dried 
 meats and game of several kinds in season. The butchering is done at Mr. Powell's 
 home seven miles southwest of Mount Morris. James Mumma assists in the shop. 
 
 Creameeymen.— The Mount Morris Creamery, owned and operated by Robert C. 
 McCredic, receives from five to fifteen thousand pounds of milk daily, varying with 
 the season of the year. About 150.000 pounds of butter have been made and marketed 
 during the year 19C0. Power for the machinery in the creamery is furnished by a ten- 
 horse engine. Two separators are used and a No. 6 Disbrow combined churn and but- 
 ter-worker, the latter with a capacity of 1C00 pounds at each churning. Andrew Palm- 
 gren, an experienced butter-maker, assists in the creamery. A second butter-maker is 
 engaged during the summer, time. John Bechtold assisted during- the summer of 1900. 
 Mr. McCredie also operates the creamery at Stratford, where a large business is also 
 carried on. Wm. H. Jackson, formerly the owner of the Mount Morris creamery, is 
 still a resident of Mount Morris and operates creameries at Leaf River and Adeline. 
 Both are well equipped and produce large quantities of the highest grade butter. Mr. 
 Jackson is a thorough business man and enjoys the respect of his patrons and friends. 
 
 Elevators.— Two firms are at present engaged in the grain buying business in 
 Mount Morris, viz.,— H. H. Clevidence and the Neola Elevator Company. As mentioned 
 before Mr. Clevidence has been continuously engaged in this business since the early 
 seventies and ranks as one of the foremost of the business men of Mount Morris of 
 both the past and present. Mr. Clevidence has charge of the two north elevators, the 
 first with a capacity of 50.000 bushels and the second, 25,000 bushels. During the year 
 ending with December, 1900, Mr. Clevidence shipped about 300 cars of grain to Chicago 
 approximating in the neighborhood of 300, COO bushels. Corn and oats, of course, pre- 
 dominated, with lesser amounts of wheat, rye and barley. The machinery in the north 
 elevator is operated by a 5-horse gasoline engine. Mr. Clevidence also deals in farm 
 machinery, buggies, and binder twine. During the year 1900 he disposed of about $1,000 
 worth of Deering machinery. $12,000 worth of Rock Island buggies and 16,000 pounds of 
 binder twine. Among the machinery sold were eighteen binders and thirteen mowers. 
 Besides the two elevators, Mr. Clevidence has a large machinery warehouse, which 
 was formerly the Chain-stay fence factory. The Neola Elevator Company's interests 
 are looked after by F. J. Lindsay. The business was but recently purchased of Thom- 
 as Williams. The elevator has a capacity of 25.000 bushels of grain. Besides the grain 
 buying business, the company deals in flour and feed, wholesale and retail. A mill for 
 grinding corn meal and chop feed is installed in the elevator and kept quite busy by 
 the patronage of farmers. Power is furnished by a 15-horse gasoline engine, the larg- 
 est in town. The Neola Elevator Company owns a large number of elevators in Illi- 
 nois principally along the Burlington railroad. 
 
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MOUNT MORRIS OF TODAY. 265 
 
 Carpet-weaver. — J. A. Kable is the formost carpet -weaver in Ogle county, doing' 
 work in all parts of the county except the extreme eastern section. He is kept busy 
 the year around, with usually from one to four months' orders ahead, awaiting their 
 turn. For the year ending December. 1900, he manufactured in the neighborhood of 
 1,300 lineal yards of carpet. An assistant is engaged during a part of the year. 
 
 Stock-buyer.— Samuel P. Mumma is the principal stock-buyer and shipper in 
 Mount Morris. About eighty-five cars of cattle and hogs are shipped to Chicago each 
 year of which all but probably less than a dozen are bought and shipped by Mr. Mum- 
 ma. During the year 1899 he marketed 7,800 hogs. Mr. Mumma has been in the busi- 
 ness since 1872. Price Stouffer and Emanuel Slifer also occasionally ship stock. 
 
 Brayton's Fruit Farm.— A. W. Brayton is extensively engaged in the raising of 
 fruit on his farm, lying at the edge and partly within the corporate limits of the vil- 
 lage. His principal crop at the present time is small fruits, including strawberries, 
 gooseberies, currants and raspberries. About 2^4 acres are put out in strawberries 
 from which 200 bushels were picked during the season of 1900. He also picked 50 bush- 
 els of gooseberries and thirty bushels of currants. A young vineyard has been planted 
 with 100 grapes, and a peach orchard of 100 trees, a pear orchard of 160 trees, a cherry 
 orchard of 200 trees, a plum orchard of 300 trees and an apple orchard of 100 trees. Mr. 
 Brayton also raises a quantity of vegetables of various kinds. 
 
 Paper Hangers.— Solomon E. Avey, Frank Baker. 
 
 Painters.— Solomon E. Avey, Capt. Peter Householder. Melvin Householder. M. F. 
 Maloney, J. W. Granger. Harry Castle, Wm, Beard. 
 
 Plasterers.— E. J. Allen, Samuel Grimm, A. M. Newcomer. 
 
 Stone Masons.— Jack McCoy, Claude McCoy, D. S. Holsinger. J. W. Blecker. 
 
 Auctioneer.— Edwin J. Allen. 
 
 Wood Workers.— Upton Miller, J. A. Knodle, A. M. Doward. James McCoy. 
 
 Carpenters.— N. E. Buser, Willis Mumma. Jacob Craley, Alburtus Stutsman. S. C. 
 Kinsey, B. F. Tracy, C. H. Mishler. Benj. Rine, John Merriman, H. E. Longman. Dennis 
 Tracy, Edward Davis, John Jimmerson, M. F. Blake John H. Miller. 
 
 Insurance Agent.— Chas. H. Allen. 
 
 Teachers. — Besides the college professors and teachers in the public school, the 
 following are among the persons who hold teachers' certificates in Mount Morris: 
 Chas. H. Allen, Jacob G. Miller, T. M. Miller, Robert Buser, R. S. Marshall, Leslie E. 
 Rees. Chas. R. Holsinger. B. F. Canode, Grace Hanstine, Orpha Windle. Edith Rowe, 
 Mary C. Garber, Cleora E. Wallace, Katy Finney, Myrtle Wright, Elsie Emmert. Annie 
 Eversole, Ivy Eversole, Frank Scott. 
 
 Traveling Salesmen.— Harry Cushing, George Myers, Roscoe Clark. E. E. New- 
 comer, B. E. Rine, B. T. Ryder. 
 
 U. S. Railway Mail Clerk.— A. C. Irvin. 
 
 Market Gardeners.— John French, Wm. Nalley. John McNett. Wm. Peacock. A. S. 
 McCoy, A. W. Brayton. 
 

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CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 TOWNSHIP BIOGRAPHICAL DIRECTORY. 
 
 Allen, Edwin J., auctioneer and plas- 
 terer ; born October 22, 1852, in Mount 
 Morris township ; is married and has 
 two children. 
 
 Allen, C. H., school teacher and in- 
 surance agent ; born August 1, 1846, at 
 Keedysville, Md. ; married December 22, 
 1878, to Ella Wolfe ; has six children. 
 
 Alter, Sherman, farm hand ; unmar- 
 ried. 
 
 Andrews, Charles, farm hand. 
 
 Ankney, N. A., retired farmer. He 
 was born August 17, 1833, at Clear- 
 spring, Washington county, Md., and 
 came to Mount Morris, in 1837, with 
 his mother when but a lad of 
 four years. Mention of this is made 
 on page 15, where his portrait is also 
 shown. Mr. Ankney gained his early ed- 
 ucation in the country schools of the day. 
 In 1859 he went to California and re- 
 mained there eight years, engaged in 
 mining and freighting. After his return 
 from California in 1867 he worked at 
 the carpenter trade for a time in part- 
 nership with Williams & Middlekauff. 
 Among the buildings they erected were 
 the Silver Creek Dunkard Church and 
 Peter Funk's residence. January 14, 
 1S69, he was married to Maggie Mumma. 
 In 1870 they moved about five miles west 
 of town and engaged in farming for a 
 number of years, there and at other 
 places. In 1886 they quit farming and 
 moved to Mount Morris and have since 
 lived retired lives. They have one daugh- 
 ter, Miss Mae Ankney, who is living at 
 home. 
 
 Appel, Henry, farmer ; born in Ger- 
 many April 28, 1831 ; married in 1857 
 to Mary Shank ; eight children, five 
 living. 
 
 Appel, Fred, farmer ; born January 
 11, 1868, in Mount Morris township. 
 
 Appel, George, farmer ; born April 
 7, 1875, in Mount Morris township. 
 
 Avey, Josiah, retired farmer ; born 
 January 15, 1845, in Washington coun- 
 
 ty, Md. ; married in 1845 to Lizzie 
 Bovey ; one son. 
 
 Avey, Benjamin E., hardware dealer : 
 was born in Lincoln township, August 
 3, 1874. He is the only son of Josiah 
 and Elizabeth Avey, now residents of 
 Mount Morris. Mr. Avey early showed 
 ability as an artist, and to develop his 
 talent first attended Mount Morris Col- 
 lege and later the Zanerian Art Col- 
 lege of Columbus, O. At the latter place 
 after graduation he took post-graduate 
 work finder A. C. Foley, now of Paris, 
 and Phil K. Clover, of Columbus, O. 
 After the completion of his education he 
 was engaged by the Fenton (Mich.) 
 Normal College as principal of their de- 
 partment of fine art, which position he 
 filled one year. Later he was professor 
 of art in Eldorado College, at Eldo- 
 rado, Kan., for a term of three months, 
 until the college went under. His last 
 professorship was with the Michigan 
 Correspondence Normal, located at Glad- 
 win, Mich., which position he filled 
 with credit for three and one-half years. 
 In January, 1899, Mr. Avey came home 
 and purchased the confectionery busi- 
 ness of Otto Baker. After a year he 
 disposed of the stock and opened his 
 present hardware and implement house, 
 which is affording him a good business. 
 Mr. Avey is unmarried. 
 
 Avey, Solomon E., painter, decorator 
 and paper hanger. He was born in 
 Mount Morris, August 9, 1872, being the 
 son of Thomas and Laura Avey. He 
 gained his education in the Mount Mor- 
 ris public school, graduating with the 
 class of 1890. After leaving school he 
 spent four years in Chicago, learning 
 the painting, papering and decorating 
 trade. In 1894 he commenced working 
 at his trade in Mount Morris, which he 
 has followed successfully since. Decem- 
 ber 25, 1895, he was united in marriage 
 with Belle Beard, daughter of Oliver 
 and Julia Beard. Three children have 
 
270 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 been born to them, viz. : Gladys, born 
 November 1, 1896 ; Syril, born January 
 26, 1899, and Olive B., born September 
 19, 1900. Mr. Avey is busy the year 
 round at his trades and hires an assist- 
 ant paper hanger and a number of 
 painters during the busy season. 
 
 Avey, Thomas J., laborer. He was 
 born October 14, 1837, at Bakersville, 
 Washington county, Md. He came west 
 to Illinois at an early day and in 1866 
 was married to Laura J. Davis, daugh- 
 ter of Solomon and Rebecca Davis. 
 Three sons were born to them, viz. : 
 Ferdinand, Solomon E. and one dead. 
 Mr. Avey's first wife died while quite 
 young and he was again married to 
 Laura Knodle. They have three chil- 
 dren, viz. : Minnie, Edward and Lulu. 
 Mr. Avey is a veteran of the Civil War, 
 having served in Company H, 34th Illi- 
 nois Infantry, during three years of 
 the strife. His hearing was injured at 
 the battle of Kenesaw Mountain 8y the 
 explosion of a large shell. 
 
 Avey, Edward, painter ; born in Mount 
 Morris, March 17, 1879 ; unmarried. 
 
 Bain, Sanders, farmer ; born at Cald- 
 well's Furnace, Pa., 'March 8, 1852; 
 married Nancy Lookabaugh in 1861; 
 has eleven children, one dead. 
 
 Bain, George C, blacksmith ; born 
 at Lawsonham, Pa.. August 15, 1873 ; 
 married Ina Reese in December, 1899. 
 
 Baker, Joseph T., lumber dealer ; 
 born in Pine Creek township, December 
 9, 1842 ; married Annie C. Herbert in 
 1866 ; two children ; second marriage 
 in 1895 to Mrs. Julia A. Lester. 
 
 Baker, O. W., laborer ; born October 
 26, 1850, in Washington county, Md. ; 
 married Elenore Wilson in 1878 ; has 
 eight children, five living. 
 
 Baker, Harry W., laborer ; born 
 September 14, 1878 ; unmarried. 
 
 Baker, Wm. F., laborer. 
 
 Baker, Frank M., paper hanger ; born 
 November 14, 1S72, in Washington 
 county, Md. ; married Grace A. Watts 
 in 1S98. 
 
 Baker, Elmer W., laborer ; born 
 April 16, 1876, in Washington county, 
 Md. ; married Ida M. Wallace in 1897. 
 
 Bakner, Fred, stone mason and 
 butcher ; born in Franklin county, Pa. ; 
 married Catherine Waggaman in 1850 ; 
 has eight children, six living. 
 
 Barnhizer, Isaac, retired ; born Feb- 
 
 ruary 2, 1840, in Ogle county, 111. ; mar- 
 ried Susan Artz in 1867 ; seven chil- 
 dren. His first wife died and he was 
 again married to Ann B. Hopewood ; 
 three children, one living. Mr. Barn- 
 hizer served in Company H, 34th Illi- 
 nois Infantry, during four years of the 
 war. 
 
 Barber, Jasper, farmer ; born De- 
 cember 2, 1873, at Hennepin, 111. ; mar- 
 ried Ida Nalley December 9, 1896 ; two 
 children. 
 
 Beard, Oliver J., carpenter ; born 
 June 1, 1836, at.Cavetown, Md. ; mar- 
 ried Julia A. Houser in 1859 ; eight 
 children. Mr. Beard served in the army 
 during the Civil War, and participated 
 in many of the bloodiest battles. 
 
 Beard, Daniel J., farmer ; born June 
 10, I860, in Washington county, Md. ; 
 married Florence O. Koontz in 1883 ; 
 has one child. 
 
 Beard, Lewis H., farmer ; born Sep- 
 tember 25, 1868, in Washington county, 
 Md. ; married Annie S. Gimple in 1895 ; 
 two children. 
 
 Beard, John W., painter ; born Oc- 
 tober 27, 1866, at Covetown, Md. ; mar- 
 ried January 1, 1890, to Mary Gardner ; 
 three children: 
 
 Beard, C. N., farmer ; born April 22, 
 1863 ; married in 1887 to Mary Oswald ; 
 three children. 
 
 Beard, George C, farmer ; born 
 March 28, 1875, in Washington county, 
 Md. ; unmarried. 
 
 Bearman, August, farmer ; born 
 in Mount Morris township, February 
 26, 1868 ; married Mary Shipman April 
 21, 1891 ; five children. 
 
 Bearman, Fred C, farmer ; born May 
 7, 1S56, in Stephenson county, 111. ; 
 married Ida Lookabaugh in 1884, three 
 children. 
 
 Bearman, Harmon C, farmer ; born 
 February 10, 1858, in Stephenson coun- 
 ty ; married January 12, 1888, to Mary 
 Cramer ; three children. 
 
 Bearman, Henry C, farmer ; born 
 December 17, 1859, in Stephenson coun- 
 ty ; married Susan E. Wallace ; three 
 children. 
 
 Bearman, F. E., farmer ; born Jan- 
 uary 1, 1870, in Mount Morris town- 
 ship : married Nina Dennis November 
 25, 1894. 
 
 Bear, Levi R., barber ; was born in 
 Pine Creek township, November 15, 
 
DIRECTORY. 
 
 271 
 
 1861, and spent his boyhood days gain- 
 ing an education in the country school of 
 his district. Since moving to town he 
 has followed the tonsoi'ial profession 
 with success, for a period of fourteen 
 years. Mr. Bear is a musician of con- 
 siderable ability. His portrait appears 
 in chapter XV. 
 
 Bear, Isaac M., laborer ; born Octo- 
 ber 27, 3 855 ; unmarried. 
 
 Bechtold, John W., buttermaker ; he 
 was born near McConnell, 111., where 
 his parents, Levi and Mary Bechtold, 
 still reside. He spent his early life on 
 the farm attending the public school of 
 his district. In the fall of 1898 he en- 
 tered Mount Morris College and at- 
 tended during a part of two years, 
 spending the intervening time working 
 on neighboring farms. During the sum- 
 mer of 1900 he was engaged in R. C. 
 McCredie's creamery- The beginning of 
 the new century finds him again a stu- 
 dent of the college. 
 
 Bennett,, Walter, carpenter ; born 
 August 4, 1850, at Oregon, 111. ; un- 
 married. 
 
 Bear, John, born in Mount Morris 
 October 27, 1856 ; unmarried. 
 
 Binkley, A. R., groceryman ; bori 
 January 13, 1S46, in Washington coun- 
 ty, Md. ; married Laura Sprecher in 
 1878 : is a veteran of the Civil War. 
 His portrait will be found in chapter 
 XV. 
 
 Bickforlv, H. A., farmer ; born Au- 
 gust 7, 1875, in Canada ; married in 
 1896 to Lilly Grove ; one child. 
 
 Blecker, John, stonemason ; born 
 June 14, 1847, in Marion township, Illi- 
 no's ; married Sophia E. Grimm, March 
 2L, 1879 ; one son. 
 
 Blair, S. R., farmer ; born in Mary- 
 land township July 1, 1845, and has 
 lived his entire life in or near Mount 
 Morris. He was married July 1, 1867, 
 to Carrie V. Fish ; they have one child. 
 Mr. Blair is a veteran of the Civil War, 
 having served in Company I, 140th Illi- 
 nois Infantry. 
 
 Blair, William M., farmer. He is 
 the only son of S. R. and Carry Blair 
 and was born in Mount Morris town- 
 ship, August 3, 1868. He obtained a 
 good education in the public school of 
 his district. Most of his life has been 
 spent assisting with the farm work on 
 his father's farm, one mile east of town. 
 
 Blake, M. F., carpenter ; born in 
 Washington county, Md., March 24, 
 1855 ; married February 2, 1879, to 
 Jennie Augel ; has eight children. 
 
 Bowman, J. W., retired farmer ; born 
 July 31, 1S46, in Washington county, 
 Md. ; unmarried. 
 
 Bosserman, L. D.. student in col- 
 lege ; is studying for the ministry ; is 
 married and has one son. 
 
 Borneman, Lewis, farmer ; born 
 February 12, 1849, in Germany ; mar- 
 ried Rebecca Mace in 1881 ; four chil- 
 dren. 
 
 Borneman, Henry, farmer ; born May 
 14, 1857, in Germany ; married Lena 
 Horst in 1884 ; five children. 
 
 Bovey, Michael, retired farmer ; was 
 born November 29, 1815, in Washing- 
 ton county, Md., and came to Illinois 
 in 1815. For portrait and further his- 
 tory see page 14. 
 
 Bollinger, Jesse, laborer ; born 
 April 29, 1832, in Adams county, Pa. ; 
 married Angeline B. Baker in 1868 ; 
 they have three children, two living. 
 
 Bock, David, farmer ; born December 
 28, 1858, in Franklin county, Pa. ; mar- 
 ried Viola Marshall in 1889 ; have three 
 children. 
 
 Bopp, John, farmer ; was born Octo- 
 ber 16, 1829, in Dauphin county, Pa., 
 being the son of Martin and Anna Bopp. 
 He moved with his parents to Maryland 
 in 1845. His schooling was obtained in 
 the district schools of Pennsylvania. 
 In 1864 he moved to Montgomery coun- 
 ty, Ohio, and engaged in farming there 
 ten years. Coming to Illinois in 1876, 
 he first settled on a farm owned by R. 
 G. Marshall in Mount Morris township 
 and remained there two years. The fol- 
 lowing nine years were spent on the 
 Jos. Palmer place, and still later lived 
 on Edward Butterbaugh's farm, three 
 years. In 1893 he moved to his present 
 home just east of Mount Morris. Mr. 
 Bopp was married August 16, 1855, to 
 Matilda Secore, who died in 1S96. Sev- 
 en children were born to them, viz. : 
 John Henry, born 1856, died 1862 ; 
 Benjamin Franklin, born January 26, 
 1858, died April 23, 1858 ; Wm. Thomas, 
 born 1859, died 1860 ; Mary Ellen, 
 born December 22, 1862 ; Emma J., De- 
 cember 2, 1866, and Ida May, September 
 26, 1871. 
 
 Bonar, Jacob W., farmer; born 
 
272 
 
 mount morris; past and present. 
 
 Franklin county, Pa., May 1, 1862 ; 
 married Olive Hedrick February 26, 
 1891 ; have three children. 
 
 Brubaker, D. E., Dunkard minister ; 
 born in East Tennessee March 26, 1841 ; 
 married Mary Funk in 1860 ; have six 
 children. The oldest son, Samuel H. 
 Brubaker, is a successful architect of 
 Indianapolis, Ind. 
 
 BeickneLo Edwin, retired farmer ; 
 born March 28, 1836, at Elsbere, Eng- 
 land ; married Lydia Miller in 1869 ; 
 five sons and two daughters were born. 
 Mr. Bricknel is a veteran of the Civil 
 War, having served in the 65th Illi- 
 ■ nois Volunteer Infantry, Company A. ; 
 was several times severely wounded. 
 
 Bricknel, Lewis O., laborer ; born 
 September 29, 1S66, in Mount Morris 
 township ; married Elizabeth Bain June 
 20, 1899 ; they have one child. 
 
 Brayton, Arthur W., druggist ; was 
 born January 7, 1847, in Mount Morris , 
 married Hattie Grigsby ; they have 
 three sons. For a sketch of Mr. Bray- 
 ton's business in Mount Morris and his 
 portrait see chapter XV. 
 
 Brayton, Louis, student ; is the eld- 
 est son of A. W. Brayton ; is attending 
 the Illinois State University. 
 
 Brayton, B. L., student ; second son 
 of A. W. Brayton ; is attending the 
 Illinois State University. 
 
 Bbinker, L. A., farmer ; born in 
 Mount Morris township. 
 
 Brinkman, Roelf, retired farmer ; 
 born February 8, 1831, in Germany. 
 
 Breaw, Levi W., farmer ; born in 
 Canada May 27, 1S67 ; married Annie 
 Meyer December 15, 1892 ; one child, 
 dead. 
 
 Butteebaugh, Edward C, farmer ; 
 born July S, 1863, in Mount Morris 
 township ; married in 1882 to Mary C. 
 Popp ; they have four children, three 
 living. 
 
 Buser, Nathaniel E., licensed archi- 
 tect and superintendent of construction. 
 He was born April 28, 1851, at Boons- 
 boro, Md., being the son of Jeremiah 
 and Mary Buser. At the age of 16, in 
 the year 1868, he came west and has 
 been a resident of Mount Morris town- 
 ship since that time. He was married 
 September 15, 1872, to Arbanna Mid- 
 dlekauff, daughter of Christian and Jane 
 Middlekauff. Six children have been 
 born : Florence, born December 14, 
 
 1873 ; Oliver, born June 20, 1875 ; 
 Pearl, born November 5, 1878 ; Robert, 
 born September 7, 1880 ; Ruby, born 
 April 27, 1882 ; Charles, born October 
 27, 1885. Oliver and Charles died in 
 infancy. Immediately upon arriving 
 west from Maryland Mr. Buser com- 
 mences work at the carpenter trade un- 
 der the instruction of Henry Middle- 
 kauff and after three years formed a 
 partnership with him in the contracting 
 business. After several years Mr. Mid- 
 dlekauff dropped out and Mr. Buser 
 conducted the business alone. In 1876 
 he commenced making plans and speci- 
 fications. He was one of the first archi- 
 tects in the state to receive a license, 
 and bears the distinction of being the 
 only man in Ogle county now holding 
 one. He went into the lumber and coal 
 business in 1894, taking Jos. T. Baker 
 as a partner the next year. After two 
 years Mr. Buser sold his interest in the 
 stock to Frank Coffman, but retained 
 ownership of the buildings and grounds. 
 In 189S he formed a partnership with 
 W. S. Mumma, under the firm name of 
 Buser & Mumma, contractors and build- 
 ers. During the last year they have 
 been building extensively in the city of 
 Elgin. A portrait of Mr. Buser and 
 more concerning his business career will 
 be found in chapter XV. 
 
 Canode, Dr. Jonas Findley, dentist. 
 He was the son of Wm. L. and Mary 
 Canode and was born January 23, 1863, 
 in Greenwood, Franklin county, Pa. He 
 came to Rockvale township, Ogle county, 
 111., with his parents in 1876 and spent 
 h : s boyhood days on the farm. He finally 
 became a citizen of Oregon and was en- 
 gaged in various lines of business there. 
 He conducted a jewelry business and 
 later a grocery there and then spent 
 some time as traveling salesman in the 
 employ of the McCormick Manufactur- 
 ing Company. Two years were spent in 
 an air brush studio in Rockford and 
 three years in the laundry business in 
 Oregon, he having started the Oregon 
 Steam Laundry. In 1895 Mr. Canode 
 entered the Chicago College of Dental 
 Surgery and graduated with honors in 
 1898. After graduation he located in 
 Mount Morris and has since been em- 
 ployed here, enjoying a lucrative busi- 
 ness. Mr. Canode was married Nov. 26, 
 1896, to Lucy A. Seyster. They have 
 
DIRECTORY. 
 
 275 
 
 two children : Mary, born April 9, 1899, 
 and Morris, born July 30, 1900. 
 
 Canode, A. E., carpenter ; born Jan- 
 uary 2, 1832, in Washington county, 
 Md. ; married Amelia J. Worley in 1854 ; 
 nine children. 
 
 Canode, B. F., school teacher ; born 
 in Franklin county, Pa. ; unmarried. 
 
 CanodEj Chas. H., printer ; born Oc- 
 tober 24, 1872, at State Line, Franklin 
 county, Pa. ; married Eva Lutz in 1896 ; 
 was founder and publisher of the Mount 
 Morris Neics, sold out in fall of 1900. 
 
 worked on his father's farm in summer 
 and attended school in winter until 1863, 
 when he enlisted in a Massachusetts 
 regiment of infantry, serving in the 
 Army of the Potomac. He took part 
 in nearly all the terrible fighting, be- 
 ginning with the Wilderness, May 5, 
 1864, to the surrender of Lee. Was 
 severely wounded at the battle of Sailor's 
 Creek, Va., April 6, 1865. Returning 
 home after the war he attended school, 
 graduating from Eastman's National 
 Business College at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., 
 
 Premises of Postmaster Holly C. Clark. 
 
 Castle, William E., farmer ; born 
 October 10, 1863, in Washington coun- 
 ty, Md. ; married Lizzie Fridley March 
 21, 1889 ; they have one daughter. 
 
 Castle, Harry E., painter ; born at 
 Hagerstown, Md., October 23, 1876 ; un- 
 married. 
 
 Care., Charles O., farmer ; born in 
 Mount Morris township, October 6, 
 1871 ; married June 12, 1894, to Belle 
 Ooodrich ; one child. 
 
 Clark,, Holly C, postmaster ; was 
 born in the town of Becket, Berkshire 
 ■county, Mass., November 20, 1847. He 
 
 in 1866. Went to Martinsburg, W. Va., 
 in the spring of 1867, where he remained 
 until 1871, engaged in teaching. Coming 
 West in the spring of 1871 he located at 
 Macon, Mo., where he lived two years. 
 He came to Mount Morris in February, 
 1873, where he has since resided. He 
 continued teaching school until 1880, 
 making thirteen years of service as a 
 teacher. From 1881 to 1884 he was 
 in the lumber business. From 1884 to 
 18S9 he conducted a successful grocery 
 business. In February, 1889, he formed 
 a partnership with Ira W. Wingert, under 
 
276 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 the firm name of Clark & Wingert, and 
 bought the lumber business of the Min- 
 nesota Lumber Company, at this place, 
 which they have conducted to the present 
 time. In politics Mr. Clark has always 
 been an active Republican. In March, 
 .1898, he was appointed postmaster, which 
 office he now holds. He was married 
 March 31, 1875, to Josephine, youngest 
 daughter of the late Rev. N. J. Stroh. 
 They have three living children — two 
 sons and one daughter — Roscoe C, who 
 is married, resides in Oregon, 111., and is 
 
 Morris and two years later embarked in 
 the mercantile business in partnership 
 with John Sprecher, and retained an in- 
 terest in the business until 1891. In 
 the meantime, after the coming of the 
 railroad, he began buying and shipping 
 grain and since the early seventies has 
 continually been engaged in that busi- 
 ness, with much success. In late years 
 he has also been doing a prosperous ma- 
 chinery business. A portrait and more 
 concerning his business will be found in 
 chapter XV. Mr, Clevidence was mar- 
 
 Residence of Prof. A. L. Clair. 
 
 a successful lumber salesman ; Holly 
 Rinf r, who is attending school at Hiram 
 College, Hiram, Ohio, and Grace, who 
 is at home. 
 
 Claek, Rinee, student, son of Post- 
 master H. C. Clark, is attending Hiram 
 College at Hiram, Ohio. 
 
 Clevidence., Heney H., grain buyer 
 and implement dealer. He was born Jan- 
 uary 18, 1836, in Washington county, 
 Md., being the son of Samuel and Nancy 
 Clevidence. He gained a practical edu- 
 cation in the district schools of his na- 
 tive state. In 1S61 he came to Mount 
 
 ried January 5, 1860, to Sophia E. Mid- 
 dlekauff, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 
 Jacob C. Middlekauff. Eleven children 
 have been born to them : Mazie M., 
 Clara B., Alvernon, Howard, Arthur E., 
 Bert and Earl. Pour are dead. 
 
 Clevidence, Aethue E., grain buyer 
 and implement dealer. He is the son 
 of Henry H. and Sophia Clevidence, and 
 was born in Mount Morris June 11, 
 1868. He attended public school in 
 Mount Morris and later during 1887, 
 1888 and 1889 attended Mount Morris 
 College. He served as clerk in the store 
 
DIRECTORY. 
 
 277 
 
 of Sprecher & Clevidence from April, 
 1889, to March, 1891. He was married 
 January 24, 1S95, to Lillie D. Billig, 
 daughter of Samuel and Emma Bil'ig, 
 of Forreston. Mr. Clevidence is asso- 
 ciated with his father in the grain buy- 
 ing and implement business and like 
 his father is an experienced and reliable 
 business man. His portrait appears in 
 chapter XV. 
 
 Clopper, Ludwick, laborer ; born July 
 19, 1838, in Wayne county, Ind. ; mar- 
 ried Melinda Himes in 1859 ; two sons. 
 
 Clopper, J. E., farmer ; born April 8, 
 
 Coffman, Frank, lumber dealer ; was 
 born in Pine Creek township, May 5, 
 1S70 ; married Grace McCoy in 1898. 
 Mr. Coff man's portrait appears in chap- 
 ter XV. 
 
 Cornell, W. D., farmer ; born in 
 Mount Morris township, June 26, 1861 ; 
 married Cora Hogan in 1883 ; four chil- 
 dren, three living. 
 
 Cornell, Fred D., farmer ; born Sep- 
 tember 9, 1855, in Mount Morris town- 
 ship ; married Emma Bly in 1883 ; two 
 children. 
 
 Cowan, George, builder of cement 
 
 Residence of Mrs. Mary Coffman. 
 
 1870, in Henry county, Ind. ; unmar- 
 ried. 
 
 Clopper, Oren L., born in Delaware 
 county Ind., September 20, 1879 ; un- 
 married. 
 
 Clair, A. L., college professor ; biog- 
 raphy on page 113 and portrait on page 
 111. 
 
 Cook, W. G., retired farmer ; born 
 in Marshall county, Ind., November 9, 
 1841 ; married Margarette Hoover in 
 1868 ; seven children. Mr. Cook is a 
 minister of Dunkard church. He served 
 in the Civil War in Indiana infantry. 
 
 walk ; married Elizabeth Slifer ; four 
 children. 
 
 Coddington, Ernest, paper cleaner 
 and decorator ; born in Pine Creek 
 township ; married Anna Ridenour ; two 
 children. 
 
 Coddington, Harry, laborer ; born in 
 Pine Creek township ; unmarried. 
 
 Crawford, Chas., retired ; born No- 
 vember 17, 1838, in Cattaraugus coun- 
 ty, N. Y. ; married Frances E. Hover- 
 laud in 1S73. 
 
 Crawford, Mark Leroy, harnessmak- 
 er. He was born at Pierceton, Ind., June 
 
278 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 30, 1876, being the son of Jasper and 
 Cally Crawford. He attended the public 
 school at Pierceton and graduated with 
 the class of 1899, and entered the em- 
 ploy of J. D. Miller as harnessmaker, at 
 which trade he has had considerable 
 experience. He worked at his trade two 
 years at Warsaw, Ind. 
 
 Craley, Jacob, carpenter, born at Lei- 
 tersburg, Pa., October 9, 1835 ; mar- 
 ried Anna A. Canode in 1S60 ; four 
 children. 
 
 Craley, David B., telephone oper- 
 
 Crowell, C. C, proprietor bus and 
 dray line. He was born May 2, 1857, in 
 Marion township, Ogle county, where he 
 grew to manhood. In April, 1869, he 
 left Illinois and went to Iowa with three 
 of his uncles, where he was engaged a 
 number of years breaking horses and 
 engaged in other work. In 1874 he re- 
 turned to Ogle county and pursued the 
 avocation of a farmer for two years, 
 east of Oregon. In 1876 he worked in 
 Mount Morris with W. H. Hedges and 
 the following year spent the summer in 
 
 Residence of Harry Cushing. 
 
 ator ; born in Franklin county, Pa., 
 August S, 1871 ; unmarried. 
 
 Crosby., Robert, laborer ; born Sep- 
 tember 5, 1844, at Philadelphia, Pa. ; 
 married Mary B. Cozzens in 1874 ; one 
 son. Mr. Crosby is a veteran of the 
 Civil War, having served in Company K, 
 149th Illinois Infantry. 
 
 Crosby, Fred, printer ; born August 
 21, 1878, in Mount Morris ; unmarried. 
 
 Cripe, David S., dry goods merchant ■ 
 born February 17, 1864, at Sacramento, 
 Cal. ; married Elva Newcomer, daugh 
 ter of Eld. M. S. Newcomer ; one son 
 
 Iowa. Returning again to Mount Mor- 
 ris in 187S, he engaged for a number 
 of years in teaming. In 1892 he first 
 took charge of the dray line and carry- 
 ing of mail and express. He has since 
 conducted the draying business against 
 all competition. He has also been oper- 
 ating the ice business in Mount Morris 
 during all this time, and for four years 
 has run the street sprinkling business 
 in the summer time. Mr. Crowell was 
 first married in 1880 to Alice Knodle, 
 who died in 1S92. He was again mar- 
 ried in 1895 to Virgie I. Stevens, daugh- 
 
DIRECTORY. 
 
 279 
 
 ter of Mr. and Mrs. James Stevens. 
 They have three children. 
 
 Crump, John W., hardware clerk ; 
 born December 17, 1854, in McCoupin 
 county, 111. ; married Amanda Gibson in 
 1879 ; two children. 
 
 Cushing, Harry W., traveling sales- 
 man ; born September 1, 1S62, at Grand 
 Detour ; married Lilliau Farwell in 
 1887 ; they have one son and one daugh- 
 ter. Mr. Cushing travels for the Sup- 
 plee Company, of Philadelphia, one of 
 the largest hardware firms in the United 
 States. 
 
 Curry, Wm. O., farmer ; born Feb- 
 ruary 5, 1856, in New York ; married 
 Emma Harmon in 1SS1 ; six children. 
 
 Davis, Joseph L., laborer ; born in 
 Washington county, Md., November 20, 
 1833 ; married Irene Bar in 1865 ; seven 
 children. 
 
 Davis, Edward G., carpenter ; born 
 Washington county, Md., August 16, 
 1874 ; married Emma Wissinger in 
 1895 ; two children. 
 
 Davis, Lewis L., laborer ; born 
 Boonesboro, Md.. May 18, 1842 ; un- 
 married ; served in Civil War in Com- 
 pany I, 140th Illinois Infantry. 
 
 Davis, G. W., laborer ; born January 
 21, 1845, at Boonesboro, Md. ; married 
 Emma Skinner in 1870 ; four children. 
 Davis, James S., farmer ; born Au- 
 gust 27, 1852, in Washington county, 
 Md. ; married Delia Crawford in 1881 ; 
 two children. 
 
 Davis, Wm. D., retired farmer ; moved 
 from Pine Creek township in November, 
 1900 : born in Washington county, Md. 
 Deppen, George W., grocer ; born in 
 Dixon October 13, 1S60 ; married Net- 
 tie Neff ; two children. 
 
 Deppen, John R., retired ; born 
 March 17, 1831, at Reading, Pa. ; mar- 
 ried Sarah J. Shelhamer in 1853 : one 
 son living. 
 
 Diehl, John, farmer ; born in Ger- 
 many, September 26, 1843 : married 
 Anna C. Horst in 1868 ; seven children, 
 five living. 
 
 Diehl, George, farmer : son of John 
 Diehl ; unmarried ; born in Mount Mor- 
 ris township. 
 
 Doward, Alfred M., mechanic. He is 
 the son of Jesse and Esther Trautman, 
 and was born October 5, 1833, at Read- 
 ing, Pa. When three years of age he 
 was taken by his parents to Delaware 
 
 county, Ohio, and there gained his edu- 
 cation in the public schools. He came 
 to Illinois in 1850, and to Mount Morris 
 in 1857. In 1863 he enlisted in the 4th 
 Illinois Cavalry and served during the 
 remainder of the war. He received an 
 honorable discharge in July, 1865. Mr. 
 Doward is an expert saw filer and wood- 
 worker and is continually kept busy at 
 work in his shop in the rear of A. N. 
 Neff's blacksmith shop. He is a par- 
 ticularly fine woodworker. Mr. Doward 
 was married in 1860 to Annorah Nich- 
 ols. They have six children, viz. : Wil- 
 liam, born December 24, 1864 ; Frank 
 M., born June 12, 1862 ; Oscar L., March 
 3, 1864 ; Zenas O., June 19, 1866 ; 
 Winnie O., June 19, 1866 ; Daisy D.. 
 August 2, 1872. 
 
 Doward, O. L., tinner ; born March 
 3, 1864 ; married January 26, 1883, to 
 Helen Lizer ; three children, two living. 
 Doward, Wm. A., laborer ; born in 
 Mount Morris, December 24, 1860 ; un- 
 married. 
 
 Domer, W. H., teamster ; born in 
 Mount Morris township, April 20, 1859 ; 
 married Dec. 19, 1881, to Mary K. Al- 
 ter : four children. 
 
 Driscoll, James, railroad section 
 boss ; born at Rochelle, 111., June 15, 
 1857 ; married April 21, 1878, to Nellie 
 O'Loughlin ; five children. 
 
 Drumheller, William, carpenter : 
 born in Leaf River township April 3, 
 1871 ; married December 22, 1897, to 
 Ida E. Wakenight. 
 
 Drumkeller, Chas. F., carpenter ; 
 born in Leaf River township June 7, 
 1S66 ; married December 22, 1897, to 
 Sadie B. Wakenight. 
 
 Dunne, Simon E., farmer ; born in 
 Germany in 1839 ; married in 1866 to 
 Charlotte Navelsick ; five children, one 
 dead. 
 
 Dunne, August, farmer ; born in 
 Mount Morris township ; is the son of 
 Simon Dunne ; unmarried. 
 
 Easton, Jerry, farmer ; born in 
 Washington county, Md., August 1, 
 1854 ; married September 17, 1878, to 
 Susan Woltz ; seven children. 
 
 Easton, William, farm hand : son 
 of Jerry Easton ; married in 1899 to 
 Flora Finger ; one child. 
 
 Emmert, George, son of Daniel Em- 
 mert ; born in Mount Morris township 
 February 27, 1875 : unmarried. 
 
280 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 Emmert, Daniel,, laborer ; born in 
 Washington county, Md., May '19, 1850; 
 married in 1873 to Emma A. Potter ; 
 four children. 
 
 Eversole, Daniel, retired farmer ; 
 born at Harper's Ferry, Va., April 19, 
 1831 ; married in 1858 to Catherine 
 Buser ; six children. 
 
 Far well, George V., farmer ; born 
 March 18, 1860, in Mount Morris town- 
 ship ; son of H. J. and M. J. Farwell ; 
 has served as supervisor from Mount 
 Morris township four years ; unmarried. 
 
 Fairlamb, W. F., laborer ; born in 
 Lancaster county, Pa., March 14, 1865 ; 
 married in 1896 to Nettie Kerns, who 
 died in 1899 ; two children. 
 
 Feltman, George, farmer ; born in 
 Germany April 26, 1848 ; married in 
 
 1871 to Cathrina Kleemann ; ten chil- 
 dren. 
 
 Feltman, Jacob, farmer ; born in 
 Mount Morris township December 22, 
 1874 ; married in 1899 to Annie Jones. 
 
 Feltman, William, farmer ; born Oc- 
 tober 12, 1876, in Mount Morris town- 
 ship ; unmarried. 
 
 Felker, Willoughby M., farmer ; 
 born in Washington county, Md., Febru- 
 ary 22, 1844 ; married in 1868 to Alice 
 Butterbaugh ; four children. 
 
 Felker, Merritt, farmer ; born in 
 Mount Morris township June 15, 1878 ; 
 married in November, 1900, to Maude 
 Wilson. 
 
 Felker, Henry, farmer ; born in 
 Mount Morris township October 15, 
 
 1872 ; unmarried. 
 
 Felker, William, farmer ; born in 
 Mount Morris, February 2, 1867 ; un- 
 married. 
 
 Few, William, farmer ; born Decem- 
 ber 3, 1863, in Washington county, Md. ; 
 married Anna Ridenour in 1888 ; two 
 children. 
 
 Finney, William, carpenter ; born at 
 Sterling, 111., December 25, 1849 ; mar- 
 ried in 1871 to Melinda Shafstal ; two 
 children. 
 
 Finney, Ira E., school teacher ; born 
 near Adeline, 111., March 13, 1873 ; un- 
 married. 
 
 Finney, Alvin, farmer ; born March 
 8, 1872, in Lincoln township ; married 
 Mary A. Newcomer in 1897 ; one child. 
 
 Fischer, Jacob, farm hand. 
 
 Flory, A. M., retired farmer ; born 
 in Augusta county, Va., March 1, 1843 ; 
 
 married March 17, 1870, to Susan C. 
 Miller ; three children. 
 
 Flory, H. D., student ; born in Iowa 
 county, Iowa, September 27, 1876 ; un- 
 married. 
 
 Flory, E. N., student ; born in Iowa 
 county, Iowa, April 7, 1879 ; unmar- 
 ried. 
 
 Floto, Lewis, farmer ; born in Mount 
 Morris township May 8, 1863 ; married 
 in 1888 to Minnie Bearman ; three chil- 
 dren. 
 
 Fouke, Dorsey, laborer ; born March 
 22, 1836, at St. Louis, Mo. ; married 
 Elizabeth Alsip November 12, 1874 ; four 
 children. 
 
 Fouke, Fred, blacksmith ; born No- 
 vember 21, 1877, in Mount Morris ; un- 
 married. 
 
 Frawert, Frederick, farmer ; born in 
 Germany August 14, 1839 ; married in 
 1886 to Mary Rohns ; three children. 
 
 Frawert, Henry C., farmer ; born in 
 Mount Morris township June 27, 1873 ; 
 married in 1897 to Amanda Sandmeyer ; 
 three children. 
 
 Fridley, John, retired farmer ; born 
 in Rockvale township September 30, 
 1838 ; married in 1863 to Lizzie Hilde- 
 brand ; seven children ; married second 
 time November 24, 1886, to Cecetia 
 (Adams) Middlekauff. 
 
 Fridley, Irvin, farmer ; born in 
 Mount Morris township April 22, 1877 ; 
 unmarried. 
 
 Frey, Yost, farmer ; born in Ger- 
 many June 29, 1850 ; married in 1880 
 to Anna Konig ; six children. 
 
 French, John H., market gardener ; 
 born in Washington county, Md., August 
 12, 1837 ; married in 1863 to Malinda 
 Hause ; three children, one dead. 
 
 Fry, Fred E., teamster ; born in 
 Maryland township July 26, 1868 ; mar- 
 ried in 1892 to Sarah Lizer ; three chil- 
 dren. 
 
 Frederickson, Fred, tailor, was born 
 March 20, 1872, in Copenhagen, Den- 
 mark, being the son of J. P. E. and 
 Johanne Marie Frederickson. At the 
 age of thirteen he graduated from public 
 school and was then apprenticed in a 
 large tailoring establishment in Copen- 
 hagen to learn the tailor's trade. After 
 an apprenticeship of five years he went 
 to Norway and worked in several cities. 
 From Norway he went to Stockholm, 
 Sweden, and after traveling over that 
 
DIRECTOEY 
 
 281 
 
 country a few months he returned home. 
 He next went to Hamburg, Germany, and 
 after traveling over the principal por- 
 tions of Germany he went to Calais, 
 France, where he remained nine weeks. 
 He then returned home and was exam- 
 ined for the army, but was rejected. 
 He then determined to try his fortune 
 in the United States. Accordingly he 
 took a steamer for New York and after 
 landing came direct to Mount Morris 
 and commenced work for Gregor Thomp- 
 son. After working for him a short 
 time he concluded to establish a busi- 
 ness of his own. He has now been in 
 business about six years and has built 
 up a good substantial trade. Mr. Fred- 
 erickson was married September 17, 
 1S93, to Fannie Wilson, a native of 
 Ogle county. 
 
 Funk, Peter, retired farmer ; was 
 born at Beaver Creek, Md., January 18, 
 1818, being the son of Isaac and Anna 
 Funk. He came to Mount Morris in 
 1844 and for many years was engaged in 
 blacksmithing and the livery business 
 in the village. He also cultivated his 
 farm situated near the village limits 
 Mr. Funk was married May 22, 1844. 
 at Richmond, Ind., to Sarah Ann Hor- 
 nish. One child, Chas. W. Funk, was 
 born to them, who died at the age of 
 twenty years. Mr. Funk's first wife died 
 only six years after their marriage and 
 he was again married March 10, 1852, 
 to Isabella Heller. To them were born 
 seven children, viz. : Mary Ella, born 
 January 30. 1853, married H. J. Gris- 
 wold in 1875 ; Anna S., born August 5, 
 1S55 ; Sarah E., born December 11, 
 1S57, married F. N. Jackson in 1883 ; 
 Lillie B., died in infancy ; Arthur L., 
 born November 24. 1863, married in 
 18S8 to Lucy A. Beal, and after her 
 death a second time to Cora B. Tyler in 
 1900 ; Ida and Isabel, twins, born Sep- 
 tember 29, 1866, the former married to 
 E. O. Fitz in 1890 and the latter to M. 
 W. Fitz in 1884. 
 
 Funk, George, farmer ; born August 
 8, 1839, in Germany; married in 1865 
 to Catherine Smith ; five children. 
 
 Funk, Otto, farmer ; born in Ger- 
 many October 19, 1873 ; married in 
 1889 to Triene Wichman ; one child. 
 
 Furrey, George W., college professor : 
 portrait on page 111 and biography on 
 page 115. 
 
 Funk, William H., farmer ; born in 
 Germany April 10, 1868 ; married in 
 1896 to Minnie Frawert ; four children, 
 three dead. 
 
 Funk, Henry, farmer ; born in Ger- 
 many ; unmarried. 
 
 Funderburgh, Emanuel J., farmer. 
 
 Garkey, Henry C, farmer ; born in 
 Germany May 1, 1852 ; married Feb- 
 ruary 7, 1878 ; seven children. 
 
 Gaffin, W. II., farmer ; born in Leaf 
 River township April 27, 1S50 : mar- 
 ried February 10, 1876, to Frances Gaf- 
 fin ; five children, one dead. 
 
 Gaude, Paul, farmer ; born in Ger- 
 many. 
 
 Gesford, Wm., farm hand. 
 
 Genandt, H. A., farmer ; born in 
 Germany June 30, 1861 ; married in 
 1880 to Johanna Hageman ; two chil- 
 dren. 
 
 Geiger, W. Alonzo, farmer ; born at 
 Dubuque, Iowa, November 24, 1S62 ; 
 married in 1885 to Susan Edwards ; four 
 children. 
 
 Gijiple, David, farmer ; born in 
 Washington county, Md., September, 
 1841 ; married in 1S67 to Rebecca 
 Grove ; three children, one dead. 
 
 Gimple, Edward, farmer ; born in 
 Washington, Md., September 19, 1875 ; 
 unmarried. 
 
 Gibbel, I. D., engaged in raising small 
 fruits ; born in December, 1858, Burks 
 county, Pa. ; married in 1881 to Mary 
 Eross ; seven children. 
 
 Gigous, Andrew, farmer: born in 
 Oregon township October 9, 1841 ; mar- 
 ried in 1864 to Lydia Rowland ; eight 
 children, four dead ; married second 
 time to Maria McKee, January 4, 1882 ; 
 three children. 
 
 Glasgow, Wilson, farmer ; was born 
 August 14. 1S39, in Blair county, Pa., 
 being the son of Taylor W. and Ann 
 Glasgow ; married in 1863 to Elizabeth 
 J. Domer ; two children ; married sec- 
 ond time to Clara M. Wagner, in 1882 ; 
 five children. 
 
 Gloss. William L., farmer ; born in 
 Lincoln township July 31. 1861 ; mar- 
 ried in 1897 to Emma Bakener. 
 
 Gloss, Abram, laborer ; born June 30, 
 1833, in Washington county, Md. ; mar- 
 ried March, 1860, to Cordelia Fletcher, 
 who died February 15, 1S79 ; nine chil- 
 dren, six dead. 
 
 Gloss, O. C, retired farmer ; born 
 
282 
 
 MOUNT MOREIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 February 16, 1854, in Washington 
 county, Md. ; married in March, 1879, to 
 Florence B. Stonebraker ; two children. 
 Grove, John J., farmer ; born in 
 Washington county, Md., December 15, 
 1872 ; married in 1892 to Wilhelmina 
 Brunei' ; three children. 
 
 Grimm, Samuel M., plasterer ; born 
 November 26, 1847, at Sharpsburg, Md. ; 
 married in 1870 to Sarah C. Rowe ; one 
 child. 
 
 Grimm, O. H., laborer ; born in Mount 
 Morris December 21, 1873 ; married 
 November 15, 1899, to Elsie V. Winters. 
 Granger, J. W., painter ; born June 
 14, 1S77, at Sharon, Wis. ; unmarried. 
 Granger, B. I., barber ; born in Mount 
 Morris March 1, 1871 ; married August 
 8, 1900, to Viola Ingall. 
 
 Hanes, W. W., physician and sur- 
 geon ; born in Pine Creek township 
 June 13, 1861 ; married August 14, 1889, 
 to Georgia Rohrer ; one child. See por- 
 trait in Chapter XV. 
 
 Hartje, August, farmer ; born in 
 Germany May 19, 1859 ; came to Amer- 
 ica in 1879 ; married March 26, 1885, 
 to Amelia Schnulle. 
 
 Halter, John, farmer ; born in 
 France July 4, 1852 ; served in French 
 army several years ; married August 6, 
 1882, to Catherine Thompson ; three 
 children. 
 
 Halsey, S. C, hostler ; born in Wash- 
 ington county, Md., August 20, 1855 ; 
 unmarried. 
 
 Haney, H. B., farmer ; born in Rock- 
 vale township September 29, 1869 ; mar- 
 ried February 26, 1896, to Mabel Smith ; 
 one child. 
 
 Hammond, William J., farmer ; born 
 in Leaf River November 24, 1864 ; mar- 
 ried in 1881 to Ada C. Thomas ; one 
 child. 
 
 Hamlin, David Franklin, dry goods 
 merchant ; born November 16, 1858, at 
 Lynnville, 111. ; married. 
 
 Hageman, Henry, Sr., farmer ; born 
 in Germany January 13, 1831 ; married 
 to Carolina Meyers ; six children. 
 
 Hageman, Fred H., farmer ; born in 
 Germany March 16, 1864 ; married ; five 
 children. 
 
 Hageman, Henry F., farmer ; born in 
 Germany January 13, 1857 ; married 
 August 9, 1881 ; eight children, one 
 dead. 
 
 Hageman, Lewis, farmer ; born Sep- 
 
 tember 15, 1877, in Mount Morris town- 
 ship : married in 1898 to Gussie Miller ; 
 three children. 
 
 Hageman, Herman H., farmer ; born 
 in Germany December 16, 1860 ; mar- 
 ried October 7, 1882, to Minnie Weeg- 
 ens : four children ; married second time 
 to Maggie Genandt ; two children. 
 
 Healy, Wayne, J., farmer ; is the 
 son of Sullivan and Bmiline Healy and 
 was born in Eagle Point township 
 March 8, 1854. He attended his home 
 school until seventeen years of age, when 
 he took up studies in the Polo High 
 School and was for three years under 
 the tutorship of J. H. Freeman, one of 
 Ogle county's very brightest instructors. 
 When Mr. Healy was one year old his 
 parents moved to Whiteside county, but 
 moved back to Ogle county in March, 
 1864, and he lived with them on the 
 farm until he became of age. He farmed 
 his father's farm from 1871 to 1879, 
 when, his health failing him, he was ad- 
 vised by friends to go to California. He 
 remained in California three years, when 
 he came back well and hearty. Upon his 
 return (1882) he took charge of his 
 sister's farm, which he cultivated suc- 
 cessfully for seven years. Finally, in 
 1894, he moved to Mount Morris town- 
 ship, where he has since resided. Mr. 
 Healy was united in marriage September 
 3, 1888, to Miss Luella Alice Rhinehart. 
 Five children have been born to them : 
 Floyd S., July 11, 1889 ; Ethel E., Au- 
 gust 26, 1891 ; Ruth C, July 17, 1893 ; 
 Monte D., March 23, 1895 ; Hazel V., 
 July 21, 1897. 
 
 Hess, Sidney J., township collector 
 and proprietor of restaurant ; son of 
 Willoughby and Mary Hess ; born June 
 11, 1870, in Leaf River township. His 
 education was acquired in public school 
 and later he took the shorthand and 
 typewriting course in Mount Morris Col- 
 lege. In 1897 he purchased the restau- 
 rant stock of Ed. Mullendore and to the 
 present time has worked up a good 
 patronage. Mr. Hess was elected town- 
 ship tax collector in 1898 and has held 
 the office with credit since that time. 
 A portrait of Mr. Hess appears in Chap- 
 ter XV. 
 
 Hedges, W. H., well driller ; born 
 November 20, 1849, in Hedgesville, Berk- 
 ley county, W. Va. ; unmarried. 
 
 Herlyn, Lucas, farmer ; was born in 
 
DIRECTORY. 
 
 283 
 
 Germany March 15, 1853 ; married in 
 1881 to Frouke Anderson. 
 
 Hefler, C, college janitor ; born 
 March 26, 1858, at Danville, Pa. ; mar- 
 ried in 189S to Ellen Holsinger. 
 
 Heeshey, Daniel, carpenter ; born 
 December 29, 1845, in Pine Creek town- 
 ship ; married in 1866 to Barbara John- 
 son ; four children — Minnie Katherine, 
 who married Prof. W. It. Young, princi- 
 pal of the Idaville public schools ; Mar- 
 tha, who married Prof. G. W. Furrey, 
 of Mount Morris College ; Pearl, who 
 
 Jonathan Hiestand, J. P. 
 
 is at home, and Orney, who is in Cali- 
 fornia. 
 
 Hiestand, T. M., farmer ; born in 
 Leaf River township August 14, 1852 ; 
 married September 11, 1879, to Laura 
 J. Pond ; two children, one dead. 
 
 Hiestand, Jonathan, justice of the 
 peace and notary public ; son of Henry 
 and Elizabeth Hiestand, who settled in 
 section 4 in 1837. He was born in 
 Mount Morris township November 21, 
 1842, and gained his early education in 
 the district schools, and during the '60s 
 
 attended Rock River Seminary. His 
 early life was spent on the farm, but 
 he came to the village of Mount Morris 
 in 1S85. He has taught school several 
 years and acted as town clerk one year ; 
 has traveled extensively over the United 
 States and visited Europe in 1891. Mr. 
 Hiestand has literary tastes and keeps 
 well informed on topics of the day. He 
 is unmarried. 
 
 Hilger, Jacob, retired farmer ; born 
 in Germany December 21, 1820 ; mar- 
 ried in 1852 to Apelonia Deitrich ; two 
 children. 
 
 Hilger, Fred, farmer ; born March 
 17, 1859, in Mount Morris ; married in 
 1891 to Hannah Berge ; four children. 
 
 Hitt, Hon. Robert R., member of 
 Congress from this district, is the most 
 distinguished and highly respected citi- 
 zen of Mount Morris. Ever since there 
 has been such a place as Mount Morris, 
 closely connected with it has been the 
 name of Hitt ; and, in fact, one of the 
 very first white men to set foot in 
 Mount Morris township was Samuel M. 
 Hitt, an elder brother of Rev. Thomas 
 S. Hitt, father of the subject of this 
 sketch. After the planting of the Mary- 
 land colony, as narrated in Chapter I, so- 
 called because of the number of settlers 
 from that state who had migrated to 
 nothern Illinois, Rev. Hitt, upon the 
 solicitation and advice of his brother, 
 decided also to locate in the new country 
 and accordingly with his family, includ- 
 ing Robert, he started overland for 
 Mount Morris from Urbana, Champaign 
 county, Ohio, where he arrived in the 
 fall of 1837. Upon his arrival the family 
 occupied a house west of the present 
 village on the Lohafer farm : but later 
 be purchased a tract of land containing 
 one thousand acres, located about two 
 and a half miles south. He soon re- 
 moved, however, to a tract reserved for 
 him by his brother, Samuel, comprising 
 what is now the Railroad Addition to 
 the village and the farm immediately 
 northwest, now being cultivated by Gera 
 Watts. It was here that this illustrious 
 family grew in manhood and woman- 
 hood. The father, Thomas S. Hitt, a 
 portrait of whom appears on page 177 
 of this volume, was a Methodist minis- 
 ter, and was a man of fine physique and 
 mental training. More is said of him on 
 page 176. Robert, the second son, was 
 
284 
 
 mount morris: past and present. 
 
 born at Urbana, Ohio, January 16, 1834, 
 and was therefore but three years of 
 age upon arriving with his father at 
 Mount Morris. He received his first 
 learning under A. Quimby Allen, a 
 teacher who had charge of a private 
 school established by a number of the 
 early settlers. Later Mr. Hitt continued 
 his education in classic old Rock River 
 Seminary, which has turned out so many 
 noble men and women. After several 
 years' preparation there he entered As- 
 bury University, Greencastle, Ind., where 
 he graduated in 1855. He was exceed- 
 ingly fond of books and at the time of 
 his graduation he had not only acquired 
 an excellent all-round education, but was 
 also an expert at shorthand, an art lit- 
 tle known at that early day. He began 
 his active career, after a year's rest at 
 home, as a law reporter and newspaper 
 writer. While thus employed in the 
 courts in Chicago he became acquainted 
 with Abraham Lincoln, who was at that 
 time practicing law in Illinois. Subse- 
 quently he accompanied Mr. Lincoln as 
 reporter upon that remarkable speech- 
 making tour of the state in 1858, begin- 
 ning at Ottawa, August 21, and closing 
 at Alton, October 15. It was during this 
 time that occurred the famous Lincoln- 
 Douglas debate, and Mr. Hitt was as- 
 signed to report it, which he did with 
 credit. To this work of Mr. Hitt the 
 country is indebted for the complete re- 
 ports of this remarkable campaign, 
 which brought the most marvelous man 
 of the age for the first time to the 
 knowledge of the nation. During the 
 legislative sessions of the Assembly of 
 Illinois, in 1858, '59 and '60, Mr. Hitt 
 was the official reporter employed by 
 the state. In 1863 he was engaged in 
 the Senate of the United States as secre- 
 tary of a committee examining into the 
 naval expedition of Burnside and Banks 
 In 1865 he accompanied a board of 
 treaty commissioners to the Northwest, 
 ascending the Missouri river a distance 
 of 1,500 miles for the purpose of nego- 
 tiating with the Indian tribes in what 
 was then a wilderness. Most of the fol- 
 lowing year he passed at Washington 
 and at Raleigh, N. C, as recorder of 
 military courts. In 1867-8 he made an 
 extensive tour of Europe and Eastern 
 countries, during which time he visited 
 Switzerland, Scotland, Italy and Egypt. 
 
 In 1871 he went to Santo Domingo with 
 three commissioners who were sent to 
 that island by President Grant to in- 
 quire into its resources and affairs, with 
 a view to its annexation to the United 
 States. In the latter part of this year 
 and in 1872 he was busily engaged as 
 reporter of the noted Kuklux committee 
 of the two houses, and wrote a large por- 
 tion of their report of thirteen volumes. 
 For some time after this he acted as 
 private secretary of Senator O. P. Mor- 
 ton, who afterward became vice-president 
 of the United States. In 1873, Rock 
 River Seminary at Mount Morris had 
 failed financially and Mr. Hitt, not for- 
 getful of the deep interest taken in it 
 by his father, bought it, put it in re- 
 pair and started it again, but sold out 
 after six years, as previously narrated 
 in Chapters Y and VI of this book. On 
 the 28th of October, 1874, Mr. Hitt was 
 united in marriage to Miss Sallie Rey- 
 nolds, of Lafayette, Ind., a beautiful and 
 highly educated woman, who has always 
 had her heart in the work of her hus- 
 band. For a wedding tour they sailed 
 for Europe and while absent Mr. Hitt 
 was appointed secretary of the legation 
 at Paris, in which position he was con- 
 tinued under President Hayes. While 
 in France, two sons were born to Mr. 
 and Mrs. Hitt — Robert Reynolds and 
 William Floyd. Returning to this coun- 
 try in 1880, and while at his home in 
 MouirJ: Morris, Mr. Hitt received an 
 urgent telegram from Secretary of State 
 James G. Blaine to come to Washington. 
 Upon arrival there he was offered the 
 position of Assistant Secretary of State, 
 which he accepted and filled with credit. 
 He proved a keen-witted and clear- 
 sighted diplomatist and an excellent man 
 for the place. The duty which he en- 
 tered upon included the superintendence 
 of over 500 consular officers, scrutiniz- 
 ing their work and giving them direc- 
 tions and aiding the Secretary in pass- 
 ing upon the questions that arose in in- 
 tercourse with foreign nations. He re- 
 signed the position after the death of 
 President Garfield. Some time after 
 this, two days before the Republican 
 convention to nominate a candidate to 
 represent the Sixth Illinois District in 
 Congress. Hon. R. M. A. Hawk, the pro- 
 posed candidate, died and upset all 
 plans. A committee asked Mr. Hitt if 
 
£ 
 
 - 
 
 ^ 
 
 he 
 
 
 a 
 
 9 
 
 
DIRECTORY. 
 
 287 
 
 it might present his name and upon his 
 consent nominated and elected him to 
 the position. He has since been success- 
 fully elected each term until the present 
 time, and it never enters the public mind 
 to do otherwise than send him to the 
 national capital to represent our inter- 
 ests in the making of laws for this great 
 nation. His congressional work has been 
 chiefly done in the committee on foreign 
 affairs, of which he is chairman. He is 
 a positive and systematic protectionist 
 and an advocate of sound money. In 
 
 approached upon the subject. 
 
 Holsingek, J. P. clerk ; born in Bed- 
 ford county, Pa., October 17, 1864 ; mar- 
 ried November 17, 1887, to Minnie O. 
 Biddle ; two children. 
 
 Holsingek, Levi,, laborer ; born in 
 Blair county, Pa., October 20, 1840 ; 
 married in 1865 to Harriet Cheesman ; 
 five children ; married second time No- 
 vember 2, 1875, to Mary Grosnickle ; 
 three children. 
 
 Householder, Peter, painter ; born 
 August 10, 1835, at Williamsport, Md. 
 
 Premises of Capt. Peter Householder. 
 
 1895 Mr. Hitt underwent a very 
 severe spell of sickness, from which his 
 friends despaired of his recovery. It 
 took two years to gain his usual good 
 health. Mr. Hitt enjoys the friendship 
 of the greatest men in the country, in- 
 cluding President McKinley. He and his 
 good wife spend a portion of each sum- 
 mer at their pleasant Mount Morris 
 home, and near the close of the recent 
 campaign Mr. Hitt favored the people 
 with a sound discussion of the issues of 
 the day. He is probably the best in- 
 formed man alive on the early history 
 of Mount Morris and talks freely when 
 
 He gained his education in the country 
 school. He came to Illinois in 1838, and 
 spent his life on the farm until Septem- 
 ber 7, 1861, when he enlisted in the 
 army fro*m Mount Morris and was mus- 
 tered into the United States service at 
 Camp Butler as sergeant of Company H, 
 34th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under 
 Captain J. M. Miller and Colonel B. N. 
 Kirk, to serve three years or during the 
 war. The regiment was assigned to the 
 2d Brigade. 2d Division, 14th Corps, 
 Army of the Cumberland, and partici- 
 pated in engagements at Shiloh, Tenn., 
 April 6 and 7, 1862 ; Corinth, April 30 ; 
 
MOUNT MORRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 La Vergne, November 27 ; Knob Gap, 
 December 26 ; Stone River, December 
 31 ; Liberty Gap, June 25, 1863 ; Chick- 
 amauga, Ga., September 19 and 20 ; Re- 
 saca, May 13 to 16, 1864 ; Kenesaw 
 Mountain, June 9 ; Atlanta, July 28 to 
 September 2 ; Jonesboro, August 31 ; 
 Sherman's march to the sea, November 
 15 to December 10 ; Bentonville, March 
 19 to 21, 1865. Mr. Householder was 
 promoted to First Lieutenant December 
 27, 1862, and to Captain September 12, 
 1863. He was wounded in left side and 
 spine at Stone River December 31, 1862, 
 and through both thighs by canister 
 shot at Resaca May 14, 1864. He re- 
 signed on account of disability November 
 6, 1864. Mr. Householder was married 
 November 28, 1869, to Annie A. Sheets. 
 Six children have been born — Claude, 
 William, Roy, Earl, Melvin and Blanche. 
 
 Householder, Claude, laborer ; born 
 June 4, 1871 : unmarried. 
 
 Householder, William, professional 
 baseball player ; born in Mount Morris 
 township July 8, 1S73 ; unmarried. 
 
 Householder, Roy, photographer ; 
 was born July 4, 1876, the one hun- 
 dredth anniversary of the Declaration of 
 Independence. His parents are Peter 
 and Anna Householder. He completed 
 the prescribed course of study in the 
 Mount Morris public school in 1S91 and 
 several years later became apprentice to 
 J. M. Hosking, photographer. He con- 
 tinued in Mr. Hoskin's employ until the 
 sudden death of that gentleman. Mr. 
 Householder conducted the business for 
 two months until J. M. Rinedollar pur- 
 chased the gallery, when he spent some 
 time as a painter in the employ of the 
 Burlington Railroad and did work in 
 many places along that railroad. The 
 painting trade he had previously learned 
 of his father. March 1, 1899, Mr. House- 
 holder purchased the photograph gallery 
 of J. M. Rinedollar and entered into 
 business for himself. He has s'nce 
 worked diligently at the art and does 
 an excellent class of work. He is now 
 serving his first term as village treasurer. 
 He is unmarried. 
 
 Householder, Earl, drug clerk. He 
 was born April 4, 1878, in Mount Morris, 
 being the son of Peter and Anna House- 
 holder. He obtained his education in 
 the Mount Morris public school, and 
 on Nov. 25, 1896, entered the employ of 
 
 A. W. Brayton as clerk in his drug 
 store. He is unmarried. 
 
 Holsinger, Charles R., student and 
 school teacher. He is the son of Levi 
 and Mary Holsinger, and was born in 
 Jewel county, Kan., December 9, 1879. 
 He came with his parents to Ogle coun- 
 ty. 111., in 1880, and gained his early 
 education in the district and public 
 schools of Mount Morris township. Later 
 he attended Mount Morris College sev- 
 eral years. He has taught four terms of 
 school and worked some at the printer's 
 trade. 
 
 Holsinger, David S., stonemason ; 
 born in Blair county, Pa., August 20, 
 1853 ; married in 1875 to Sarah E. 
 Mondabaugh, deceased ; married again 
 in 18S5 to Annie E. Wolfe, who is also 
 dead ; married a third time, November 
 28, 1894, to Belle Lizer. 
 
 Holsinger, W. S., laborer ; born in 
 Pennsylvania August 10, 1855 ; married 
 in 1891 to Florence O. Knodle ; one 
 child. 
 
 Holland, John, laborer ; born Feb- 
 ruary 4, 1852, in Franklin county, Pa. ; 
 married ; three children. 
 
 Hossack, George, retired farmer ; 
 was born in Canada, November 3, 1833 ; 
 unmarried. 
 
 Horst, George, Sr., farmer ; born in 
 Germany, April, 1S23 ; married. 
 
 Horst, George, Jr., farmer ; born in 
 Germany, August 18, 1855 ; married in 
 1880 to Sarah Rebman ; six children. 
 
 Horst, Konrad, farmer ; born in Ger- 
 many, March 29, 1850 ; married in 1876 
 to Louisa Tohefer ; four children. 
 
 Hoppe, Joseph, farm hand. 
 
 Howland, George P., unmarried. 
 
 Hollinger, Samuel, farmer ; born in 
 Dark county, Ohio, April 12, 1876 ; mar- 
 ried December 27, 1899, to Ellen Metzger. 
 
 Huff, O. E., farmer ; born in Leaf 
 River township, December 23, 1871 ; mar- 
 ried in 1892 to Elsie Marks ; one child. 
 
 Herbert, Fred, farm hand ; born in 
 Washington county, Md. ; unmarried. 
 
 Irvin, A. C, railroad mail clerk ; born 
 at Chicago, 111., March 28, 1858 ; mar- 
 ried in 1883 to Julia S. Weller ; one 
 son. 
 
 Jackson, D. A., retired ; born July 29, 
 1826, at Fairfield, N. Y. ; married 
 September 19, 1S48 ; three children. 
 
 Jackson, William H., butter manu- 
 facturer ; born in Salisbury, N. Y., Feb- 
 
DIRECTORY. 
 
 289 
 
 ruary 27, 1S56 ; married March 12, 1878, 
 to Carrie H. Hyde; three children. 
 
 Janssen, Eildert, farmer ; born in 
 Germany, July 1, 1S40 ; married July 7, 
 1868, to Lena Brinkema ; four children. 
 
 Janssen, Meint, farmer ; born in Ger- 
 many, February 16, 1845 ; married in 
 1873 to Hattie Anderson ; eight children, 
 two dead. 
 
 Janssen. Dirk, farmer; born in Ger- 
 many, September 13, 1878 ; unmarried. 
 
 Jacobs. George A., teacher ; portrait 
 on page 133 ; biography on page 132. 
 
 Jimmerson, Edward, S«., laborer ; 
 born in Knox county, Ohio, September 
 15, 1852 ; married July 4, 1874, to Mary 
 Gossler ; three children. 
 
 Jimmekson, John J., carpenter ; born 
 in Mount Morris township, January 17, 
 1876 ; married September 1, 189S, to 
 Georgia Watts ; one child. 
 
 Jimmerson, Edward Otto, laborer ; 
 born in Mount Morris township. May 25, 
 1879 ; unmarried. 
 
 Kable, John A., carpet weaver. He 
 was born in Dauphin county, Pa., June 
 27, 1847, and was the son of Christian 
 and Esther Kable. He obtained his edu- 
 cation in the district schools of Dauphin 
 county. He came west with his parents 
 to Carroll county, 111., in April, 1866. 
 Before coming west Mr. Kable spent a 
 number of years working in a coal mine. 
 While in Carroll county he operated a 
 threshing outfit and farmed several 
 years. Later he learned the carpet- 
 weaving, and located at Mount Morris 
 in the spring of 1882, and has built up 
 an enormous business. He weaves 
 thousands of yards of durable carpet 
 every year for people living twenty 
 miles on every side of Mount Morris. 
 Mr. Kable was united in marriage June 
 27, 1872, to Elizabeth A. Speicher. 
 daughter of Christian and Anna Speicher 
 of Tanark. Eight children have been 
 born — Minnie M., August 6, 1873 ; Allie 
 E., March 20, 1875 ; Lulu E., September 
 7, 1877 ; Harry G. and Harvey J., July 
 15, 1880 ; William, September 15, 1883 ; 
 Hazel, May 25, 1891 ; Ruth, January 14, 
 1894. All are living except William, 
 who died in infancy. 
 
 Kanode, John T., farmer ; born August 
 29, Frederick county, Md. ; married in 
 1876 to Sarah C. Wetzel : one child. 
 
 Kanode, Harry L., carpenter ; born 
 March 27, 1866, in Frederick county, 
 
 Md. ; married in 1890 to Emma Glasgow ; 
 three children. 
 
 Keefer, M. C, farmer ; born in Ogle 
 county, July 28, 1866; married in 1889 
 to Hannah Skiles ; three children. 
 
 Keedy, F. C, engineer ; born in Wash- 
 ington county, Md., August 8, 1869 ; 
 married in 1899 to Altha A. Coffman ; 
 one child. 
 
 Keedy, William H., liveryman ; born 
 in Washington county, Md., June 5, 
 1867 ; unmarried. 
 
 Kendel, Samuel, farmer ; born in 
 Washington county, Md., August 29, 
 1823 ; married in 1863 to Abbie A. Haz- 
 zard ; eight children, one dead. 
 
 Kendel, Daniel, farmer ; born in For- 
 reston township. 
 
 Kendel, Truman W., farmer ; born 
 March 28, 1875. 
 
 Keplinger, W. F., laborer; born July 
 4, 1846, at Keedysville, Md. ; married in 
 1870 to Fannie M. Hedrick ; seven chil- 
 dren, six dead. 
 
 Kinsey, S. C, carpenter ; born July 
 10, 1S44, in Washington county, Md. ; 
 married December 5, 1869, to Nancy C. 
 Funk ; two children, one dead. 
 
 Konig, Charles, farmer ; born in Ger- 
 many March 13, 1877 ; married in 1896 
 to Henrietta Fischer ; two children. 
 
 Konig, Ferdinand, farmer ; born in 
 Germany, May 10, 1827 ; has two chil- 
 dren. 
 
 Knodle, J. A., wood worker ; born 
 October 10, 1823, in Washington county, 
 Md. ; married in 1848 to Anna C. Little ; 
 one child ; married second time in 1867 
 to Hannah Wagner. 
 
 Knodle, F. F., music composer and 
 engraver ; born April 29, 1853, in Mount 
 Morris township ; married January 3, 
 1877, to Cora B. Crowell ; one child. 
 
 Koontz, N. T., blacksmith ; born in 
 Maryland. 
 
 Koontz, W. W., farmer ; born in 
 Mount Morris, 111., May 22, 1870 ; mar- 
 ried in 1898 to Sarah A. Domer. 
 
 Kump, Daniel, laborer ; born in Wash- 
 ington county, Md., October 31, 1875 ; 
 married in 1896 to Rilla Slifer ; two 
 children. 
 
 Lampert, George, laborer ; born in 
 New York City, November 18, 1869 ; mar- 
 ried August 18, 1892, to Licia Bain ; 
 three children . 
 
 Lambing, John H., blacksmith ; was 
 born November 18, 1876, at Weeping 
 
290 
 
 MOUNT MOEEIS: PAST AND PEESENT. 
 
 Water Neb., being the son of George W. 
 and Sarah Lambing. He attended the 
 high school at Weeping Water, and at the 
 age of seventeen commenced to learn the 
 blacksmith trade under his father, and 
 worked at the business three years. He 
 belonged to the Volunteers of America 
 and spent two years at mission work. 
 He came to Mount Morris June 1, 1899, 
 and worked at his trade for A. C. Look- 
 abaugh for ten months, at the end of 
 which time he purchased himself a set 
 of new tools and started up in business 
 
 Lindsay, F. J., grain buyer ; born 
 June 9, 1869, at Seneca, 111. ; married 
 Margaret Fogle in 1899 ; operates the 
 south elevator for the Neola Elevator 
 Company. 
 
 Lehner, J. C. ; born in Germany, 
 September 8, 1831 ; married August 20, 
 1856, to Louisa Krell ; one child. 
 
 Lipe, L. L., pastor of Lutheran 
 church ; biography and portrait on page 
 188. 
 
 Lizer, Jeremiah, laborer ; born Jan- 
 uary 9, 1846, in Washington county, 
 
 Residence of Frank Keedy, Built in 1900. 
 
 for himself. Mr. Lambing was married 
 November 15, 1898, to Lydia Muller of 
 New York City. They have one son, 
 Donald George, born March 17, 1900. 
 
 Law son, Fred, farmer ; born in Ogle 
 county, March 21, 1854 ; married Jan- 
 uary 18, 1882, to Eva D. Wood ; three 
 children. 
 
 Light, J. Frank, farmer ; born August 
 22, 1875, in Leaf River township ; mar- 
 ried Mary E. Sprecher in 1898. 
 
 Link, George H., farmer ; born July 
 5, 1865, in Lincoln township ; married 
 Augusta Bicker in 1888 ; four children, 
 three living. 
 
 Md. ; married and has eight children, 
 five living. 
 
 Lizer, John, laborer ; born July 9, 
 1840 ; married in 1865 to Mary Lloyd ; 
 ten children, three dead. 
 
 Lizer, Luther E., drayman ; born 
 August 29, 1864, in Franklin county, 
 Pa. ; married Laura Speilman in 1888 ; 
 four children living. 
 
 Lohafer, William, Sr., farmer ; born 
 in Germany, May 10, 1838 ; has six chil- 
 dren. 
 
 Lohafer, Henry F., farmer ; born 
 December 8, 1865, in Mount Morris 
 township ; married Mary E. Haney in 
 
DIRECTORY. 
 
 291 
 
 1893 ; two children. 
 
 Lohafer, William, Jr., farmer ; un- 
 married. 
 
 Long, Ernest, farmer ; married to 
 Olive Felker. 
 
 Long, Fred, liveryman ; married in 
 1900 to Grace Davis. 
 
 Long, Andrew J., liveryman ; born 
 October .15, 1841, in Washington county, 
 Md. ; married to Louisa V. Weller iu 
 1867 ; two children ; second marriage, to 
 Susan Miller, in 1887. 
 
 Long, Samuel E., farmer ; born August 
 15, 1868, in Mount Morris township ; un- 
 married. 
 
 Longman, John, janitor ; born Novem- 
 ber 24, 1S38, in Frederick county, Md. ; 
 married and has three children ; served 
 in Civil War, in the 1st Md. Infantry, 
 and saw much hard fighting. 
 
 Longman, Harry F., laborer ; born in 
 Washington county, Md., December 29, 
 1872 ; unmarried. 
 
 Longman, Herlock E., carpenter ; 
 born October 28, 1875, in Washington 
 county, Md. ; married Elsie V. Looka- 
 baugh in 1899. 
 
 Lookabaugh, John F., laborer ; born 
 January 28, 1853, in Franklin county, 
 Pa. ; married Anna Winters in 1890. 
 
 Lookabaugh, James, laborer ; born 
 October 17, 1857, in Franklin county, 
 Pa. ; married September 29, 1889, to 
 Mrs. M. Schelling ; worked some at 
 carpenter trade. 
 
 Lookabaugh, Albert C, blacksmith ; 
 born January 11, 1855, in Franklin 
 county, Pa. ; married in 1S78 to Mary 
 Delila Davis ; four children living. 
 
 Lookabaugh, Jacob, laborer ; born 
 May 16, 1825, in Frauklin county, Pa. ; 
 married Rachael Buzzard in 1848 ; eight 
 children. 
 
 Lookabaugh, Jacob D., magnetic heal- 
 er ; born March 28, 1863, in Armstrong, 
 Pa. ; married Effie Morford in 1890 ; 
 three children. 
 
 Lutz, J. M.j retired farmer ; born 
 March 29, 1839, in Franklin county, 
 Pa. ; married Sarah Garber in 1865 ; 
 eight children, five living. 
 
 Marvin, Edward H., farmer ; born 
 October 3, 1872. at Franklin Grove, 111. ; 
 married Mary Donaldson in 1900. 
 
 Marshall, Ira W., farmer and dairy- 
 man. He is the son of Ruben S. and 
 Matilda Marshall, and was born August 
 24, 1859. He was married December 17, 
 
 1897, to Delia Smith, daughter of Stephen 
 and Lydia Smith, of Mount Morris, who 
 had previously attended the Mount Mor- 
 ris public school and college and taught 
 school a number of years. They have 
 two children — Bessie, born March 26, 
 1881 ; and Jesse, born July 29, 1882. 
 Mr. Marshall was engaged in farming 
 in Leaf River township for a number of 
 years and during five years conducted 
 a butcher shop in Leaf River, doing the 
 butchering himself at his home and hire- 
 ing a man in Leaf River to run the shop. 
 He also had a branch in Byron for one 
 year. After selling his Leaf River and 
 Byron shops, he moved to Rockford, and 
 conducted a shop there for one and a 
 half years. In 1895 Mr. Marshall pur- 
 chased his present farm, north of town, 
 of Daniel Smith, and in 1897 established 
 the milk route in Mount Morris, which 
 now has grown to be a large and pros- 
 perous business. Mr. Marshall was 
 elected road commissioner for a term of 
 three years in 1890, to succeed his 
 father, R. S. Marshall, who had filled the 
 office for many years. He is also a mem- 
 ber of the Board of Education of the 
 Mount Morris public school. Mr. Mar- 
 shall is now having a fine new residence 
 erected. 
 
 Maeshall, Reuben S., farmer. He is 
 one of the pioneers of Mount Morris 
 township, as is mentioned on page 19 ; 
 his portrait is also found on that page. 
 Mr. Marshall was born October 4, 1827, 
 in Clinton county, New York, and was the 
 son of Caleb and Louisa Marshall. His 
 birthplace was on a farm near Platts- 
 burg ; his father having participated in 
 the memorable battle of Plattsburg, 
 which occurred near the old homestead. 
 In November, 1834, his father's family 
 started for the wild frontier in Illinois. 
 At Cleveland, Ohio, hearing such alarm- 
 ing reports of the deeds of hostile 
 Indians in Illinois they stopped until 
 hostilities were over. In February, 1837, 
 they left Cleveland by team for Oregon, 
 Ogle county, and reached their destina- 
 tion after about four weeks of driving. 
 They were compelled to remain in Or- 
 egon about three weeks before being able 
 to cross Rock river, on account of unsafe 
 ice. They then proceeded to their claim, 
 northeast of the present site of Mount 
 Morris, and erected a very rude log cabin, 
 12x14 feet, into which the family moved. 
 
292 
 
 mount morris: past and present. 
 
 As soon as the frost was out of the 
 ground five acres of ground was broken 
 and their first crop in Illinois planted. 
 It consisted of 2 acres of wheat, 1 acre 
 of oats, IV? acres of sod corn and V 2 
 acre of potatoes. The subject of this 
 sketch was but ten years of age when 
 his father's family thus established them- 
 selves in Mount Morris townsh'.p. He 
 attended school until seventeen years of 
 age, during the winter term of school, 
 which at the most was only twenty-one 
 days in length. On leaving school he 
 settled down to a life of hard work, and 
 during the sixty years and more since 
 that time has done far above the aver- 
 age in the work of developing this great 
 State. Mr. Marshall always man fested 
 an interest in politics, and has ably 
 served his township in a number of 
 offices. He has served as school director 
 for thirty years, road commissioner 
 thirty-six years, two terms as a member 
 of the Board of Supervisors. While rep- 
 resenting his township as supervisor he 
 did invaluable service as one of the 
 building committee for the erection of 
 our present courthouse in Oregon. Mr. 
 Marshall was married January 13, 1852, 
 to Matilda Steffa, who died February 24, 
 1875. They became the parents of 
 twelve children, ten of whom are living. 
 Those living are Wm. C, born March 6, 
 1853 ; Emma May, born May 25, 1855 ; 
 Ira W., born August 24, 1857 ; Albertus 
 S., born July 27, 1861 ; Frank E., born 
 June 12, 1863 ; Ida C born February 3, 
 1866 ; John C, born September 10, 1867 ; 
 Grace A., born April 24. 1869 ; Viola, 
 born December 11, 1870 ; Oliver E., born 
 March 21, 1873. One son and one 
 daughter died in infancy. 
 
 Marshall, Frank E., farmer ; born in 
 Mount Morris township ; married Annie 
 Smith in 1894 ; one child. 
 
 Marshall, Wm. C, retired farmer ; 
 born in Mount Morris township ; married 
 Mary Rowe in 1876 : two children. 
 
 Marshall, John C, farmer ; born in 
 Mount Morris township ; married Grace 
 Koontz ; two children. 
 
 Mayer, J. W., farmer ; born February 
 1, 1859, in Stephenson county, 111. ; mar- 
 ried Annie V. Wakenight in 1887 : four 
 children. 
 
 Merryman, John, carpenter ; born in 
 Blair county, Pa., November 7, 1842 ; 
 married Clara M. Sheets in 1870 ; six 
 
 children, five living. 
 
 Maloney, M. F. ; born in Ireland in 
 1860 ; married Ida Stover in 1886 ; five 
 children. 
 
 Metzger, Charles, farmer ; born in 
 Germar.y ; has two sons. 
 
 Metzger, Adam, farmer ; married. 
 Metzger, Alvin, farmer ; married. 
 Meyer, Henry, farmer ; born February 
 27, 1876, in Maryland township ; un- 
 married. 
 
 Meyer, William, farmer ; born in Ger- 
 many, November 5, 1822 ; married Win- 
 nie Bremmer in 1S66 ; six children. 
 
 McCoy, Rigdon, shoemaker ; born Feb- 
 ruary 3, 1843, at Funkstown, Md. ; mar- 
 ried Helen E. Harper in 1867 ; six chil- 
 dren. 
 
 McCoy, Jackson, bricklayer and 
 stone mason ; born March 27, 1872, at 
 Funkstown, Md. ; married in 1899 to 
 Mabel Routzhan. 
 
 McCoy, Richard, laborer ; born in 
 Mount Morris. 
 
 McCoy, Claude, stone mason ; born in 
 Mount Morris, September 12, 1877 ; un- 
 married. 
 
 McCoy, James B., woodworker ; born 
 in Mount Morris, August 17, 1845 ; mar- 
 ried Mary A. Smith in 1873 : two sons, 
 one dead. 
 
 McCoy, Robert, laborer ; youngest son 
 of James B. and Mary McCoy ; unmar- 
 ried. 
 
 McCoy, A. S., farmer ; born January 
 1, 1849, in Mount Morris township ; 
 married first to Lura A. Neff ; married 
 second time in 1889 to Hattie McQuoid. 
 McCoy, John E., farmer and ex-post- 
 master : born in Mount Morris township, 
 January 22, 1842; married in 1865 to 
 M. Elle S ngl fi c ilrlren. 
 
 McCoy, Charles B., tinner ; son of 
 John E. McCoy ; unmarried. 
 
 McCosh, Dr. George B., physician and 
 surgeon ; born March 4. 1857, in Frank- 
 lin county, Pa. ; married Wanda Blair ; 
 five children living. 
 
 McCosh, David S., music composer 
 and engraver and band leader. He is the 
 son of Dr. John and Elizabeth McCosh, 
 and was born December 15, 1847, in 
 Franklin county, Pa. He attended the 
 public school of his district, and later 
 a select school in Quincy. At the age of 
 seventeen he came west with his parents 
 and settled in Mount Morris. The first 
 year he spent as a farmer hand, work- 
 
DIRECTORY. 
 
 293 
 
 ing for ffm. Rine, and then attended 
 Rock River Seminary a number of years, 
 during which time he became a member 
 of the village band and began his musical 
 career. After quitting the seminary he 
 went to Dixon, and besides clerking in 
 a bookstore played in the Dixon band. 
 He soon became leader of the band and 
 remained there seven years. He then 
 went to Preeport and organized a helicon 
 band which afterward consolidated with 
 the Germania Band as the Grand Union 
 
 Prof. D. 8. McCosh. 
 
 Band. Here at Freeport, in 1876, he 
 first began to publish music, although 
 he had done some composing in Dixon. 
 After a term of three years in Freeport 
 Professor McCosh then went to the city 
 of Chicago and continued to publish 
 music and instruct bands and orchestras 
 on a larger scale. His first band there 
 was the Sixth Battalion Band, now the 
 famous Second Regiment Band. He 
 next became leader of Lyon & Healy's 
 famous band and with it traveled ex- 
 tensively with the St. Bernard Com- 
 mandery of the Masonic fraternity. His 
 
 last trip with them was to San Fran- 
 cisco. Other bands under his control 
 later were the West Side Military Band 
 and Bowman's Military Band, the latter 
 of forty pieces. At one time he furnished 
 music at five of the biggest skating 
 rinks in Chicago, having in his employ 
 forty-five musicians. One of these rinks 
 was what was known as the "Palace 
 Rink," occupying ground where the 
 Auditorium now stands. Professor Mc- 
 Cosh's musical compositions have been 
 exceedingly numerous and have been very 
 successful on the market. It is estimated 
 that he has composed not less than 
 4,000 separate pieces, of which probably 
 the most successful was the song "Hear 
 Dem Bells," which was sung all over 
 the United States. Among other musical 
 compositions are nine sets of orchestra 
 books, two sets of band books, and many 
 single pieces, for C. T. Root & Son ; five 
 sets of orchestra books and one band 
 book for Henry Detmer ; two sets of 
 orchestra books for John Church Com- 
 pany ; one set for Lyon & Healy, and 
 many other single compositions. In late 
 years Mr. McCosh returned to Mount 
 Morris, and is engaged in the publishing 
 business with Dr. G. B. McCosh and 
 "Win. H. Smith. He is kept busy com- 
 posing and engraving music and leading 
 bands. The work of engraving he has 
 been doing for about eighteen years past. 
 Mr. McCosh was married September 19, 
 1879, to Lottie Huntington, of New 
 York city. They have two sons, viz. : 
 Dudley, born December 17, 1880, and 
 Leighton, born October 1, 1882. Both 
 have inherited their father's exceptional 
 musical talent. Dudley has already be- 
 come an efficient band leader, and both 
 are good cornetists. 
 
 McCeeady, W. E.. farmer. He is the 
 son of John and Eliza McCready, and 
 was born February 27, 1845, in Clinton 
 county, X. Y~. He came with his parents 
 to Illinois in 1850, settling in Mount 
 Morris township. His boyhood days 
 were spent in the public school of his 
 district, and at the early age of seven- 
 teen enlisted in the army. He joined 
 the 14th Illinois Cavalry in January, 
 1S63, and served during the remainder of 
 the war, participating in various engage- 
 ments, from Knoxville to Atlanta. Was 
 with the command of General Gerard in 
 the famous raid after Morgan, capturing 
 
294 
 
 MOUNT MORRIS : PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 him at Blufflngton Island, in June, 1864. 
 After the war he married and went to 
 farming. During- the first year he farmed 
 one of R. S. Marshall's farms in Mount 
 Morris township ; the second year, went 
 to Lincoln township, on what was then 
 known as the John Nye farm, and re- 
 mained there twenty-five years. He 
 served thirteen years as road commis- 
 sioner in Lincoln township. Moving to 
 Mount Morris township in 1894, he con- 
 tinued farming, occupying the Seibert 
 farm east of Mount Morris. He is now 
 serving the township as road commis- 
 sioner, having been elected in 1899. Mr. 
 McCready was married March 2, 1868, 
 to Sarah Nye, who died in the early 
 eighties. Three children were born to 
 them, viz. : John C, born December 21, 
 1S69 ; Vernie E., October 18, 1871 ; and 
 Chas. E., born October 12, 1876. Mr. 
 McCready was again married in 1S85 to 
 Elizabeth Marsh. They have one son, 
 Frederick H., born February 13, 1886. 
 
 McCeeady, John, eldest son of W. E. 
 McCready ; unmarried. 
 
 McCeeady, Chas. W., laborer ; second 
 son of W. E. McCready ; unmarried. 
 
 McCeeady, Chaeles ; born in Clinton 
 county, New York ; unmarried. 
 
 McCluee, Robeet D., farmer ; born 
 July 27, 1845, at Pittsburg, Pa. ; married 
 Elizabeth Allen, January 1, 1876 ; four 
 children. 
 
 McCluee, Ray, law student ; born in 
 Freedom township, Carroll county ; un- 
 married. 
 
 McNett, John, teamster ; born in Pine 
 Creek township, September 6, 1844 ; mar- 
 ried Margaret A. Hause in 1867 ; six 
 children living. 
 
 McNett, Samuel, laborer : born De- 
 cember 21, 1869, in Mount Morris ; un- 
 married. 
 
 McNett, Chaeles, laborer ; born De- 
 cember 16, 1872, in Mount Morris ; un- 
 married. 
 
 McNett, Waltee, laundryman ; born 
 December 26, 1877, in Mount Morris ; un- 
 married. 
 
 McIlvanie, Chaeles H., farm hand ; 
 born in Mount Morris township, August 
 29, 1874 ; unmarried. 
 
 Millee, Eldee D. L., editor, author, 
 and minister of the Dunkard church, is 
 now living a semi-retired life in his 
 pleasant new home in Mount Morr's. 
 Honored and respected by all, there is no 
 
 man in Mount Morris who occupies a 
 more exalted position in the estimation 
 of the good people of the town. One of 
 the most prominent men in all the 
 Brethren church, he is known not only 
 in Ogle county but has thousands of 
 warm friends over the entire United 
 States. Mr. Miller is a self-made man 
 in every sense of the term. His father 
 having a very conservative idea of the 
 necessity of education, gave him only the 
 knowledge which it was possible for him 
 to obtain in the little country school- 
 house of his district, and at the age of 
 twelve put him out with a neighboring 
 farmer to work. For a number of years 
 he labored as a farm hand and assisted 
 in his father's mill, but finally con- 
 tracted the Western fever, and, leaving 
 his father's farm, which was partly in 
 Washington county, Md., and the re- 
 mainder in Franklin county, Pa., came 
 out to Illinois. He first worked for his 
 uncle, John Long, on his farm north- 
 west of Mount Morris. After a few 
 years in Illinois he returned to Mary- 
 land, and again assisted for a time in his 
 father's mill. He soon decided to come 
 west again, however, and this time 
 stopped at Polo, engaging as a clerk. 
 One of his first business ventures in 
 Polo was in the dry goods business, in 
 partnership with Samuel Shoop. He 
 next bought grain in partnership with 
 George Ambrose, now of Pine Creek, 
 and later opened up a grocery store in 
 partnership with the same gentleman. 
 Mr. Ambrose sold out his share in the 
 business after the first year and Mr. 
 Miller conducted it alone for about five 
 years with much success financially. It 
 was while engaged in this business that 
 Mount Morris College was purchased by 
 the Brethren. In casting about for a 
 competent man to become business man- 
 ager of the college Mr. Miller's sterling 
 business qualifications, as attested by his 
 exceptional success in Polo, were brought 
 to notice and he was solicited to fill the 
 position. With some reluctance he dis- 
 posed of his business in Polo and in 
 1879 moved to Mount Morris, assuming 
 his duties as business manager with the 
 first opening of the school under the 
 auspices of the Brethren in the fall of 
 that year. For five years he was actively 
 engaged in the work of managing the 
 business of the school, a part of which 
 
DIRECTORY. 
 
 295 
 
 time, after the departure of J. M. Stein 
 (see page 95), also doing the work of 
 president, although he would never al- 
 low that title to be applied to him. 
 Soon after becoming business manager 
 he became a stockholder, and it was 
 also during these years that the enter- 
 prise known as the Brethren at Work 
 was purchased by Joseph Amick and 
 himself. Mr. M. M. Eshleman, former 
 owner of the plant and business, had 
 failed, but the new owners soon built up 
 an exceedingly prosperous business, con- 
 
 Germany, Denmark and other parts of 
 Europe, and in the Holy Lands. Dur- 
 ing these nine months Mr. Miller wrote 
 a famous series of communications to the 
 Gospel Messenger, which were read with 
 a great deal of interest all over the 
 Brotherhood and served to greatly in- 
 crease the Messenger subscription list. 
 After his return to America letters came 
 from many quarters ux-ging him to write 
 a book concerning his trip, embodying 
 the substance of his letters. This was 
 done and during its preparation agents 
 
 Fine New Residence of Eld. D. L. Miller, Built in 1900. 
 
 cerning which more is found on page 
 143 of this volume. Mr. Miller, along 
 with his duties in the college, acted as 
 office editor of the Brethren at Woi k, 
 later changed to the Gospel Messenger, 
 and together with other work was an 
 exceedingly busy man. In 1883 Mr. 
 Miller decided to go abroad, and in 
 August of that year, having completed 
 all the preparations for the year 18-33- 
 '84 of the college, which his office of 
 business manager demanded, embarked 
 at New Yox-k in company with his wife 
 on his first tx-ip across the Atlantic. 
 Nine months were spent journeying in 
 
 went to work unsolicited and the entire 
 edition was disposed of before it was 
 off the press. Other editions were later 
 printed and easily sold. After his re- 
 turn from this first trip abroad Mr. 
 Miller remained at home nine years and 
 did double duty in the college and the 
 pxxblishing hoxxse, his principal work 
 being in the latter, however. In 1892 
 Mr. and Mrs. Miller again went abroad, 
 and after their return Mr. Miller's 
 second book, "Wanderings in the Bible 
 Lands," made its appearance. It was 
 even more sxxccessful than the first, and 
 a number of lax-ge editions wex'e sold. 
 
296 
 
 mount morris: past and present. 
 
 About this time he also prepared the 
 manuscript for a book entitled "Seven 
 Churches of Asia," and made a present of 
 it to the mission board, the proceeds of 
 its sale to be used in mission work. 
 It was also very successful on the 
 market. Mr. Miller's third trip abroad 
 was made in company' with Joseph 
 Lehman, his wife remaining at home. 
 On this trip they spent considerable 
 time in Egypt, traveling 1,000 miles up 
 the Nile. After their return from this 
 trip Mr. Miller did not remain at home 
 long and again in May, 1895, in com- 
 pany with his wife embarked at New 
 York on their most novel experience — a 
 trip around the world. They returned 
 safely by way of San Francisco after an 
 absence of over a year. Two years after 
 their return Mr. Miller's last and most 
 successful book, "Girdling the Globe," 
 made its apearance, dedicated to the 
 cause of missions. In 1898 Mr. Miller 
 made his fifth and last tour abroad, ac- 
 companied again by his wife. They spent 
 six weeks in Jerusalem, five weeks in 
 Smyrna and three months in India. 
 During his many travels Mr. Miller 
 gathered numerous photographs, from 
 which slides have been made. With a 
 powerful stereopticon and these slides he 
 has illustrated hundreds of his interest- 
 ing lectures concerning his travels. He is 
 always greeted with enormous crowds. 
 At present Mr. Miller is living'practically 
 retired, although he still does consider- 
 able work as one of the editors of the 
 Gospel Messenger and chairman of the 
 General Missionary and Tract Committee. 
 He is very deeply interested in the 
 cause of missions, both at home and, 
 particularly, abroad, and contributes lib- 
 erally of his means for the promotion of 
 the work. Stock in both Mount Morris 
 College and the Brethren Publishing 
 House has been donated to the church. 
 For many years Mr. Miller has been a 
 minister of the Brethren church and 
 is a very able talker, one of the fore- 
 most in ability in the pulpit to be found 
 in the Brotherhood. As a result of his 
 natural talent and by much reading and 
 extensive travel Mr. Miller has come to 
 be. with the exception of Mr. Hitt, 
 probably the best informed man in Mount 
 Morris, or even in Ogle county. It has 
 been said of him that he is a veritable 
 "walking encyclopedia." Mr. Miller is 
 
 now in his fifty-ninth year, and continues 
 in the best of health and vigor. Mr. 
 Miller was married in 1867 to Lizzie 
 Talley of Philadelphia. She Was born, 
 and lived until the time of her marriage, 
 in that city. She accompanied Mr. Miller 
 on all of his trips to Europe except the 
 third. She is the author of one book 
 entitled, "Letters to the Young from the 
 Old World," written at the solicitation 
 of friends, from letters published in the 
 Young Disciple. Three editions of 
 1,000 each were sold, the proceeds going 
 for charitable purposes. 
 
 Miller, Wm. H., undertaker and 
 furniture dealer ; born in Washington 
 county, Md., July 23, 1850 ; married in 
 1878 to Mary Ellen Wallace ; three chil- 
 dren. 
 
 Miller, Michael E., retired farmer ; 
 born in Mount Morris township, in 1841 ; 
 married to Elizabeth Welty ; twelve chil- 
 dren. 
 
 Miller, John H., carpenter and 
 farmer ; born November 27, 1864 ; mar- 
 ried Mary E. Smith in 1890 ; three chil- 
 dren. 
 
 Miller, John H., employed by Deer- 
 ing Harvester Company ; born December 
 24, 1865, in Mount Morris township ; 
 married Myrtle Rine in 1890 ; two chil- 
 dren. 
 
 Miller, John H., farmer ; born in 
 Franklin county, Pa., June 8, 1864 ; mar- 
 ried in 1887 to Fannie Roadenizer ; two 
 children. 
 
 Miller, Thomas E., school teacher ; 
 born in Mount Morris, September 1, 
 1863 ; unmarried. 
 
 Miller, Upton, cabinet maker ; born 
 March 22, 1828, in Washington county, 
 Md. ; married in 1849 to Maria Lou 
 Davis ; five children, three living ; second 
 marriage in 1887 to Catherine (Koontz) 
 Newcomer. 
 
 Miller, Oliver L., horse dealer ; born 
 in Mount Morris township, September 
 15, 1872 ; married in 1894 to Elva 
 Stevens ; four children. 
 
 Miller, Harry G., farmer ; born De- 
 cember 12, 1869, in Franklin county, 
 Pa. ; married Nettie Deihof in 1S91 ; four 
 children. 
 
 Miller, Jacob G., school teacher ; born 
 May 16, 1847, in Pine Creek township, 
 Ogle county ; married to Annie Swingley ; 
 one son. 
 
 Miller, Lewis D., superintendent of 
 
DIRECTORY. 
 
 299 
 
 Old Folks' Home ; born in Mount Morris 
 township January 18, 1852 ; married in 
 1873 to Mary A. Diehl ; married second 
 time in 1878 to Susan E. Diehl. 
 
 Miller, George M., farmer ; born May 
 15, 1874, in Mount Morris township ; 
 married Hattie Lewis in 1900. 
 
 Miller, Jacob G., school teacher ; born 
 May 16, 1847, in Pine Creek township ; 
 married ; one son. 
 
 Miller, John D., harness maker and 
 dealer in horse millinery. He was born 
 October 26, 1858, in Mount Morris, being 
 
 business, with a large and profitable 
 trade. March 1, 1885, he was married 
 to Carrie E. Stone of Polo. They have 
 three sons — Dale E., born July 25, 1889 ; 
 Harvey L., born April 7, 1894 ; and 
 Wilbur E., born March 10, 1896 ; three 
 sons have died. 
 
 Middot.tr, Samuel, farmer ; born Jan- 
 uary 31, 1831, at Waynesboro, Pa. ; mar- 
 ried Hattie A. Little in 1866 ; three chil- 
 dren. 
 
 Middour, E. W., farmer ; born in 
 Mount Morris township ; unmarried. 
 
 Neio Residence of Win. H. Miller, built in 1900. 
 
 the son of Upton and Louisa Miller. He 
 completed his school education in 1877 
 and worked at farm work several years. 
 In 1881 he started to learn telegraphy, 
 and after an apprenticeship of one year 
 was engaged by the Burlington Railroad, 
 serving as station agent and telegraph 
 operator at a number of places on the 
 Burlington system for a number of years. 
 He was engaged principally at Mount 
 Morris and Chana. October 5, 1885, he 
 bought out Wm. Cushing's harness shop, 
 and during the fifteen years since that 
 time has been actively engaged in that 
 
 Middlekauff, Austin, farmer ; born 
 in Mount Morris township, March 22, 
 1863 ; married Mary C. Moats in 1887 ; 
 three children. 
 
 Middlekauff, Fred A., grocery clerk ; 
 born November 15, 1859, in Washington 
 county, Md. ; unmarried. 
 
 Mishler, Calvin H., carpenter ; born 
 August 21, 1857, in Stephenson county, 
 111. ; married Louisa A. Miller in 18S3 ; 
 four children living. 
 
 Miles, Charles C, fence builder ; 
 born in Washington county, Md.. De- 
 cember 6, 1841 ; married January 1, 
 
300 
 
 MOUNT MOREIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 1884 ; one daughter. 
 
 Moats, Heney T., farmer ; born July 
 31, 1839, in Washington county, Md. ; 
 married Ann E. Speicher in 1864 ; three 
 children. 
 
 Moats., Dr. Joseph B., dentist. He is 
 the son of John W. and Rebecca Moats 
 and was born in Mount Morris township. 
 October 2, 1863. In 1870 he moved 
 with his parents from the township to 
 near Des Moines, la., and there gained 
 his early education in the country 
 schools. He soon returned to Mount 
 
 Swingley, who died June 3, 1897. Two 
 sons were born to them, Ollie and Fred, 
 who are now living with their grand- 
 parents in Iowa. Mr. Moats was again 
 married in September, 1899, to Isadore 
 Rinehart. 
 
 Mongan. James, farm hand; born in 
 Washington county, Maryland, April 8, 
 1869; married Ida Bopp in 1892; one 
 child. 
 
 Mongan. Will., farm hand, born in 
 Washington county, Md. ; unmarried. 
 
 Mumma, Samuel P., stock buyer ; born 
 
 Property of Leivis Miller, Occupied by George Deppen. 
 
 Morris, however, and farmed the home 
 place three years. He then studied 
 medicine eighteen months under Dr. G. 
 B. McCosh and finally entered the Chi- 
 cago College of Dental Surgery, taking 
 his junior course in that institution. 
 His senior course he took in the dental 
 department of the Iowa State Univer- 
 sity, graduating with the class of 1891. 
 He began the practice of dentistry here 
 immediately and has been at work con- 
 tinuously since that time. Mr. Moats 
 was first married to Grace Swingley, 
 daughter of Benjamin and Catherine 
 
 October 4, 1844, in Pine Creek township ; 
 married Louisa Swingley in 1870 ; four 
 children. 
 
 Momma, Willis S., contractor and 
 builder ; is the eldest son of Samuel 
 and Louisa Mumma, of Mount Morris. 
 He was born in Pine Creek township 
 December 2, 1870, and besides attend- 
 ing the Mount Morris public school 
 spent two years of diligent work in 
 Mount Morris College. During the 
 building of College Hall in 1889 he en- 
 tered the employ of N. E. Buser to learn 
 the carpenter's trade, and in a surpris- 
 
DIRECTORY. 
 
 301 
 
 ingly short time became an expert in 
 the business. Mr. Buser engaged his 
 services the year round at good wages 
 and soon intrusted the entire work of 
 building houses to him, from cellar to 
 roof. In 1898 he formed a partnership 
 with Mr. Buser and with him continued 
 the contracting business. He is a rapid 
 and efficient workman, a most success- 
 ful superintendent of construction and 
 an accurate calculator. For particulars 
 concerning his work see Chapter XVI. 
 Mr. Mumma was married March 21, 
 
 Muller, Jos. C, farmer ; married. 
 
 Muller, Hero J., farmer ; born in 
 Germany ; married ; has several chil- 
 dren. 
 
 Myers, John A., laborer ; born in 
 Maryland township August 7, 1843 ; 
 married Barbara A. Strock in 1870 ; nine 
 children, seven living. 
 
 Myers, John H., farmer ; born in 
 January, 1835, in Washington county, 
 Md. : married in 1835 ; four children. 
 
 Myers, George M., traveling sales- 
 man ; born in Mount Morris December 
 
 Residence of Contractor W. S. Mu, 
 
 1S96, to Anna L. Rice, daughter of An- 
 drew and Barbara Rice. 
 
 Mumma, Ed S., born September 24, 
 1876, in Mount Morris ; unmarried. 
 
 Mumma, James, butcher ; born in Ogle 
 county April 15, 1841 ; married to So- 
 phia Etnyre ; six children, three dead. 
 
 Muller, Frank, farmer ; born May 
 30, 1839, in France ; married Anna 
 Klock in 1864 ; seven children. 
 
 Muller, John F., farmer ; born in 
 Mount Morris township January 2, 1S71 ; 
 unmarried. 
 
 26, 1866 ; married Ella Lohafer, who 
 died in 1899 ; four children. Mr. Mey- 
 ers is engaged by the Goar-Scott Thresh- 
 ing Machine Company. 
 
 Myer, Wm. F., farmer ; born in Ger- 
 many December 15, 1S64 ; married 
 Amelia Bicker in 1889 ; four children. 
 
 Myers, Joseph, laborer ; son of John 
 A. Myers ; unmarried. 
 
 Nalley, William, laborer ; born De- 
 cember 10, 1835, in Washington coun- 
 ty, Md. : married in 1862 ; one son. 
 
 Nalley, Frank, son of Solomon Nal- 
 
302 
 
 mount morris: past and present. 
 
 ley, deceased ; born August 6, 1879, in 
 Mount Morris township ; unmarried. 
 
 Nazarene, Fred W., pastor of the M. 
 E. church ; portrait and biography on 
 page 181. 
 
 Newcomer, Thomas E., student at 
 Ann Arbor ; son of Mrs. Maggie New- 
 comer. 
 
 Newcomer, Charles, retired banker ; 
 born in Maryland August 22, 1825 ; mar- 
 ried in 1853 to Rosalie D. Blanchard ; 
 three sons ; married again to Miss Ma- 
 ria Hitt, sister of Hon. R. R. Hitt ; was 
 paymaster in the war of the rebellion. 
 
 public school Mr. Newcomer spent one 
 year in Rock River Seminary- May 6. 
 1875, he was married to Laura Shank, 
 daughter of George and Susan Shank, 
 of Pine Creek. They have one son, How- 
 ard, born September 18, 1876, and a 
 daughter. Edna, born July 30, 1880. 
 Mr. Newcomer followed the plastering 
 trade for fifteen years, until 1885, when 
 he went into the grocery business in 
 partnership with his brother, Wm., and 
 continued in the partnership with, how- 
 ever, several changes of firm name, until 
 October, 1898, when he sold to and was 
 
 Residence of Major Charles Neiceomer. 
 
 Newcomer, D. H., farmer ; born Feb- 
 ruary 4, 1859, in Franklin county, Pa. ; 
 married Cora E. Long in 1884 ; four 
 children. 
 
 Newcomer, Emanuel, medicine vend- 
 er ; born March 11, 1829, at Williams- 
 port, Md. ; married Isabella Knock in 
 1853 ; four children ; is an old resident 
 of the village. 
 
 Newcomer, Arthur M., plasterer and 
 retired groceryman ; was born April 3, 
 1848, in Mount Morris ; is the son of 
 Andrew and Eliza Newcomer, old settlers 
 in Mount Morris. Besides attending the 
 
 succeeded by his son, H. G. Newcomer. 
 Mr. Newcomer has held an exceptionally 
 large number of public offices, having 
 been census enumerator in 1880 and 
 1900, and served as collector for two 
 years, village treasurer three years, vil- 
 lage clerk one year, school treasurer two 
 years, member of village board two 
 years, justice of the peace three years, 
 and is now serving his sixth year as 
 clerk of the board of education. It is 
 a singular fact that Mr. Newcomer has 
 spent his entire life residing and doing 
 business on one single block in Mount 
 
DIRECTORY. 
 
 303 
 
 Morris. He was born on one corner, 
 lived his married life on another corner 
 and had his store close to a third corner 
 on the same block. 
 
 Newcomer, Howard G., grocer. He is 
 the only son of Arthur M. and Laura 
 Newcomer, of Mount Morris, having 
 been born in the village September 18, 
 1876. He entered public school at the 
 usual age and completed the specified 
 course of study. He also attended 
 Mount Morris College several years, tak- 
 ing work in the commercial department. 
 Much of his time was spent clerking in 
 
 ward attended Rock River Seminary 
 during 3 869 and 1870. He clerked in his 
 father's store in Mount Morris for sev- 
 eral years and in 1871 enlisted in the 
 United States army, joining Company H, 
 Ninth United States Infantry. He served 
 in this capacity five years, being dis- 
 charged in 1876. He then went into 
 the grocery business with his father and 
 has been engaged in that vocation to 
 the present time. An account of his 
 business changes appears on page 37. 
 Mr. Newcomer was united in marriage 
 to Lottie Rohrer. daughter of Martin P. 
 
 Residence of A. M. Newcomer. 
 
 the grocery store of A. M. & TV. A. New- 
 comer until 1899, when he pnrchassd 
 the interest of the former, his father, 
 and has since been engaged in that busi- 
 ness, associated with his uncle, Wm. A. 
 Newcomer, under the firm name of New- 
 comer Company. Mr. Newcomer is an 
 obliging clerk and a thorough business 
 man. 
 
 Newcomer, William A., groceryman, 
 is the son of Andrew and Eliza New- 
 comer, and was born in Mount Morris 
 March 29, 1850. He went to school in 
 the old M.ller schoolhousa and after- 
 
 Rohrer. 
 
 Newcomer, H. E., jeweler and sta- 
 t'oner : born in Mount Morris March 
 25, 1870. See Chapter NV for business 
 writeup. 
 
 Neff, Addison W., blacksmith ; born 
 March 14, 1817, in Mount Morris ; mar- 
 ried October 9, 1873, to Emily A. Black. 
 
 Nichol, David W., farmer ; born in 
 Cumberland county, Pa., November 10, 
 1870 : married in 1899 to Sarah Steffa ; 
 one child. 
 
 Nye, Ulysses C, postofflce clerk ; born 
 in Mount Morris April 12, 1864. 
 
304 
 
 MOUNT MORKIS: PAST AND PRESENT 
 
 Niman, C. U., liveryman ; born in 
 Pine Creek township November 16, 1868 ; 
 married November 14, 1900, to Minnie 
 Mae Kable. 
 
 Olson, A. T., landlord ; born in Swe- 
 den November 8, 1864 ; married March 
 30, 1S64, to Dina Gifford ; four chil- 
 dren. 
 
 Patterson, Robert, farmer ; is the 
 son of Adam and Mary (McDonald) Pat- 
 terson. He is of a family of eight chil- 
 dren, three sons and five daughters, of 
 whom one son and one daughter are 
 dead. William C. Patterson, the only 
 
 Robert Patterson. 
 
 living son besides the object of this 
 sketch, was a member of Company D, 
 92d Illinois Volunteer Mounted Infantry, 
 and was the first man wounded in the 
 regiment, which occurred at the battle of 
 Harrison Landing. Robert, the other 
 son. was born on the farm occupied by 
 the Patterson family, five and one-half 
 miles northwest of Mount Morris, Au- 
 gust 31, 1850. He was educated in the 
 district schools and continued to live 
 on the farm after the death of his father 
 in 1868 until the year 1881, when he 
 
 farmer ; born De- 
 n Mount Morris 
 
 purchased eighty acres of land of Daniel 
 J. Pinckney, lying one and one-half miles 
 west of Mount Morris, on which place 
 he has continuously resided with his 
 widowed mother for twenty years. Be- 
 sides his farming, Mr. Patterson makes a 
 specialty of raising thoroughbred chick- 
 ens. 
 
 Palmer, John K., laborer ; born April 
 27, 1885, in Washington county, Md. ; 
 married in 1861 to Ellen V. Skinner ; 
 seven children, six dead ; married the 
 second time to Laura V. Shirey, Decem- 
 ber 24, 1879 ; five children. 
 
 Palmer, David Z., farmer ; born in 
 Leaf River township October 17, 1857 ; 
 married in 1883 to Harriet Slifer ; eight 
 children, one dead. 
 
 Paul, Jesse W., farmer ; born March 
 5, 1875, in Mount Morris township. 
 
 Paul, Lewis W., farmer ; born in 
 Maryland township September 15, 1857 ; 
 married in 1882 to Grace Brinkman. 
 
 Paul. C. C. farmer ; born in Germany 
 November 25, 1S4S ; married in 1873 
 to Dora Pothast ; five children, one 
 dead. 
 
 Paul, Edward F. 
 cember 11, 1S73, 
 township. 
 
 Palmgren, A., buttermaker ; born in 
 Sweden : married. 
 
 Peacock, Wm. II.. laborer ; , born in 
 Polo, 111., September 9, 1S62 ; married 
 in 18S2 to Mary A. Thompson; four 
 children. 
 
 Pieper, Antone, farmer ; born in 
 Germany August 30, 1852 ; married in 
 1S75 to Caroline Schnulle ; ten children. 
 
 Pieper, Fred, farmer ; born in Mount 
 Morris township ; -unmarried. 
 
 Potter, Nelson T., retired farmer ; 
 born in Washington county, Md., Octo- 
 ber 20, 1829 ; married in 1862 to Bar- 
 bara Hiestand ; five children. 
 
 Potter, Edward E., farmer ; born in 
 Mount Morris township April 10, 1867 ; 
 married in 1893 to Emma Long ; two 
 children. 
 
 Potter, Irving H., farmer ; born June 
 15, 1870, in Mount Morris township ; un- 
 married. 
 
 Potter, Robert, laborer ; born in 
 Mount Morris township January 8, 
 1876 ; unmarried. 
 
 Potter. T. L., music teacher ; born 
 in Washington county, Md., April 16, 
 1840 ; married in 1866 to Urilla Hies- 
 
DIRECTORY. 
 
 305 
 
 tand ; six children. 
 
 Price, D. B., Brethren minister ; born 
 in Waynesboro, Franklin county, Pa., 
 September 7, 1832 ; married November 
 
 25, 1853, to Helen B. Roland ; six chil- 
 dren ; married the second time February 
 
 26, 1899, to Mary E. Hicks. 
 
 Price, Dr. C. J., physician and sur- 
 geon ; located in Mount Morris in sum- 
 mer of 1900. See portrait and sketch 
 in Chapter XV. 
 
 Price, Clinton E., hardware dealer ; 
 was born in Pine Creek township Novem- 
 ber 27, 1854, being the son of Samuel C. 
 and Sarah Price. He obtained his edu- 
 cation in the Polo high school and at 
 Rock River ■ Seminary. He spent three 
 years at carriage trimming in his fath- 
 er's shop, and three years stock raising 
 in eastern Nebraska. He went into the 
 hardware business in 1882, in which he 
 is still engaged. Mr. Price was married 
 December 31, 1S85, to Kittie Winders, 
 daughter of John and Elizabeth Winders. 
 One child has been born — Pauline, Au- 
 gust 1, 1S96. 
 
 Pressel, D. H., farmer : born in 
 York county, Pa., November 23, 1S70. 
 
 RaneTj Jacob E., laborer ; born in 
 Berkeley county, Va., August 30, 1853 ; 
 married May 28, 1878, to Martha Gor- 
 don ; eleven children, one dead. 
 
 Raney, Charles, laborer ; son of Ja- 
 cob Raney ; unmarried. 
 
 Reynolds, Christian C, clerk ; born 
 February 24, 1874, in Jefferson county, 
 Tenn. ; unmarried. 
 
 Rebjian, Jonathan, farmer ; born 
 in Maryland township June 8. 1854 ; 
 married in 1881 to Annie L. Timmer ; 
 three children, one dead. 
 
 Remmer. F. C, railroad station agent ; 
 born in Yorkville, 111., September 18, 
 1873 ; married in 1897 to Ada Neff. 
 
 Rees, J. M., retired Lutheran minis- 
 ter ; born in Lewisburg. Union county, 
 Pa., October 6, 1836 ; married in 1873 
 to Mary Plumb : seven children. 
 
 Rittenhouse, Abram H., printer ; 
 born in Myerstown, Pa., February 13, 
 1879 ; married in November, 1900, to 
 Etta Shirk ; is editor of the Mount Mor- 
 ris News. 
 
 Rino, William H., farmer ; born in 
 Brooklyn, N. Y., August 15, 1857 ; mar- 
 ried in 1888 to Sarah Feary. 
 
 Ridenour, Daniel, laborer ; born in 
 Washington county, Md., November 6, 
 
 1836 ; married Susan Rowland in 1873 ; 
 seven children, four dead ; served in the 
 2d Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, Com- 
 pany B. 
 
 Ridenour, William, laborer ; son of 
 Dani'el Ridenour ; unmarried. 
 
 Ridenour, Benj., farmer ; born in 
 Washington county, Md., May 6, 1839; 
 married in 1S57 to Susan Houser ; six 
 children. 
 
 Ridenour, J. M., miller and farmer ; 
 born in Cavetown, Md., May 24, 185S ; 
 married in 1883 to Margaret C. Burger ; 
 four children. 
 
 Ridenour, Lee, farmer ; born in Mount 
 Morris township, October 6, 1877 ; un- 
 married. 
 
 Rice, Joseph L., banker ; was born 
 in Maryland township December 23, 
 1S66, being the son of Isaac and Sarah 
 Rice. Besides a common school educa- 
 tion, he attended two years at Rock 
 River Seminary and three years at the 
 Northwestern University at Evanston. 
 In company with J. Heistand he visited 
 Europe in 1891 and has also traveled 
 extensively in the United States. Jan- 
 uary 19, 1893, with his cousin, John 
 H. Rice, he established the Citizens' 
 Bank in Mount Morris and some time 
 later bought out the Bank of Mount 
 Morris. He is an energetic business 
 man. December 23, 1895, he was united 
 in marriage to Emily Newcomer. 
 
 Rice, John H., banker ; born in 
 Washington county, Md. ; son of John 
 Rice, Sr., deceased ; unmarried. 
 
 Rice, Feed, farmer ; born in Mary- 
 land township August 5, 1859 : unmar- 
 ried. 
 
 Rice, William, farmer ; born August 
 4, 1854, in Maryland township ; unmar- 
 ried. 
 
 Rice, Eldridge, farmer ; born in 
 Maryland township December 7, 1863 ; 
 unmarried. 
 
 Rine, Benjamin, carpenter ; born in 
 Cumberland county, Pa., January 5, 
 1845 ; married in 1865 to Mellisse Fish ; 
 four children. 
 
 Rohrer, M. T., retired citizen : born 
 in Washington county, Md., June 9, 
 1827; married in 1853 to Margarett A. 
 Avery ; eight children. 
 
 Royer, J. G., president Mount Morris 
 College. See portrait on page 111 : bi- 
 ography, page 113. 
 
 Rowland, Aquilla, retired ; married. 
 
306 
 
 mount morris: past and present. 
 
 wife dead. 
 
 Rodeemund, August, farmer ; born in 
 Germany April 13, 1851 ; married in 
 18S1 to Elizabeth Stengel ; five children. 
 
 Rodermund, William, farmer, son of 
 A. Roderniund ; unmarried. 
 
 Rohxs, Wm., farmer ; born in Mount 
 Morris township September 5, 1862 ; 
 married in 1883 to Lana Wilt ; six chil- 
 dren. 
 
 Row, Hiram H., retired farmer ; born 
 in Washington county, Md., September 2, 
 1829 ; married in 1851 to Catherine Bo- 
 ward ; six children. 
 
 son of Hiram and Catherine Rowe. He 
 obtained his early education in the pub- 
 lic school at Hagerstown, Md., and also 
 attended school two years in Mount 
 Morris township after coming west. He 
 was united in marriage December 2, 
 1876, to Anna Barnhizer, daughter of 
 John and Elizabeth Barnhizer. Three 
 children have been born — Clyde and Fay, 
 who died in infancy, and Maude, born 
 March 28, 1878. Mr. Rowe came west 
 from Maryland several years after the 
 war closed. He worked at farming until 
 about 1891, when he was employed by 
 
 Residence of Banker J. L. Rice. 
 
 Row, Wesley, teamster ; born in 
 Hagerstown, Md., October 29, 1857 ; mar- 
 ried June 15, 1882, to Annie E. Royer ; 
 six children. 
 
 Row, Wm. H., farmer ; born in Wash- 
 ington county, Md., August 28, 1850 ; 
 'married in 1875 to Alice Swingley ; five 
 children. 
 
 Row, Benjamin S., farmer, born in 
 Mount Morris township October 29, 
 1879 ; unmarried. 
 
 Rowe, Samuel, engineer at water 
 works. He was born in Washington 
 county, Md., April 26, 1853, being the 
 
 the village as marshal and street com- 
 missioner, which position he held until 
 1900, when he was employed as engi- 
 neer at the pumping station. 
 
 Rudy, Theodore T., farmer ; born in 
 Pine Creek township January 9, 1852 ; 
 married in 1S78 to Mary A. Ridenour ; 
 two children. 
 
 Rubsamen, Charles, born in Wash- 
 ington county, Md., August 15, 1844. 
 He was a private in the Civil War, be- 
 longing to Company H, 3d Maryland 
 Cavalry. He took part in the battle of 
 Shreveport, La., and served with his 
 
■DIRECTORY. 
 
 307 
 
 regiment to the close of the war. He 
 followed the blacksmith trade until 1868, 
 when he removed to Mount Morris. He 
 then worked seven years upon a farm 
 until 1873, when he was united in mar- 
 riage to Susan A. Correll, and the fol- 
 lowing children born : James Harvey, 
 December 22, 1875 ; Charles Edward 
 December 31, 1S78 ; Lulu, October 25, 
 1880 ; Lewis B., March 3, 1883 ; Vilas 
 V., May 4, 1885 ; Ernest A., October 3, 
 1S91. Mr. Rubsamen has served the 
 township seven years as assessor. 
 
 Ryder, B. T., traveling salesman ; 
 
 unmarried. 
 
 Sajisel, Roy, laborer ; born in Mount. 
 Morris township January 18, 1880 ; un- 
 married. 
 
 Schwab, August, farmer ; born in 
 New York City June 1, 187S ; unmar- 
 ried. 
 
 Schaper, William., farmer ; born in 
 Germany July 22, 1836 ; married in 
 1864 to Charlotte Brockhorn ; six chil- 
 dren, three dead. 
 
 Scott, Frank B., school teacher ; son 
 of Mrs. Joseph Smith : unmarried. 
 
 Seibert, John, born in Mount Morris 
 
 Residence of John V. Seibert. 
 
 born in Mctlenry county, 111., August 17. 
 1862 ; married in 1886 to Jesse Hyde ; 
 one child. 
 
 Samsel, W. C, retired farmer : born 
 in Washington county, Md., December 
 16, 1836 ; married in 1867 to Cather- 
 ine Ridenour ; four children. 
 
 Samsel, Daniel R., laborer ; born in 
 Mount Morris township June 19, 1873 ; 
 married in 1897 to Helen Stauffer ; two 
 children. 
 
 Samsel, Bruce, laborer ; born in 
 Mount Morris township March 13, 1877 ; 
 
 township ; married to Flora Wolfe ; one 
 child. 
 
 Seibert, Benjamin D., born in Mount 
 Morris township : unmarried. 
 
 Seibert, Alfred T., attorney-at-law ; 
 born in Mount Morris township ; un- 
 married. 
 
 Sigler, George, born in Washington 
 county, Md. ; unmarried. 
 
 Sharer, Henry, retired merchant and 
 ex-postmaster. He is a native of Wash- 
 ington county, Md., where he was born 
 March 29, 1817, and was one of the 
 
308 
 
 3ICUNT MORE1S: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 very earliest settlers in Mount Morris 
 township, having first visited Illinois 
 in 1834. He did not settle permanently, 
 however, until in 1839, when he drove 
 from Maryland in a two-seated carry- 
 all. He stopped for a time with his 
 brother-in-law, Captain Swingley, and 
 lived in Brawdie's Grove several years, 
 until in 1849, when he moved upon the 
 farm east of town now owned by J. T. 
 Kanode. He remained there until about 
 1865, when he moved into the village of 
 Mount Morris and went into the mercan- 
 tile business in the building now occu- 
 
 Shaeer, Chaeles H., groceryman ; 
 born in Mount Morris township Septem- 
 ber 25, 1859 ; married in 1887 to Susan 
 McCosh ; five children. See business 
 writeup and portrait in Chapter XV. 
 
 Shoop, Daniel, farmer ; born in 
 Washington county, Md., in November, 
 1846 ; married in 1899 to Amanda 
 Shoop. 
 
 ShieKj Levi B., retired farmer ; was 
 born July 13, 1838. near Mifflin, Juni- 
 ata county, Pa. He is the youngest 
 child of David and Mary Shirk. In 1857 
 Mr. Shirk came west and located at 
 
 Residence of Chas. H. Sharer. 
 
 pied by J. Strock. He occupied this 
 building until in 1874, when he moved 
 to his own building, now occupied by 
 his son, C. H. Sharer. He continued in 
 this business until in 1876, when he re- 
 tired from active life. Mr. Sharer has 
 been married twice, the first woman of 
 his choice being Cornelia Hotter, to 
 whom three children have been born. 
 He was married the second time in 1858 
 to Sarah (Felker) Hewitt, to whom one 
 child has been born. See portrait or 
 Mr. Sharer on page 25. 
 
 West Grove, 111. Later he purchased 120 
 acres of land near Shannon. He returned 
 to his native state soon after securing 
 the land and was married to Miss Bar- 
 bara Shelley, of which union there have 
 been three children — Lizzie, Nelson and 
 Etta. After their marriage, January 21, 
 1864, Mr. and Hrs. Shirk commenced 
 farming on the land near Shannon, and 
 remained there until December, 1898, 
 when they remo.ed to Mount Morris. 
 Air. Shirk has successfully followed the 
 occupation of farming his entire life, 
 
DIRECTORY. 
 
 309 
 
 and although age has compelled him to 
 retire from active service, he still takes 
 a part in the tilling of the soil, hav- 
 ing numerous land and property inter- 
 ests in Mount Morris. 
 
 Shirk, Nelson, son of Levi Shirk ; 
 born near Shannon, 111. ; unmarried. 
 
 Shaw, Richard, retired farmer ; born 
 in Montgomery county. Ohio, May 4, 
 1823 ; married in 1848 to E. L. Wilson ; 
 one child. 
 
 Shaw, John E., farmer ; born in 
 Hardin county, Iowa, June 28, 18G9 ; 
 married in 1S93 to Vernie Davis. 
 
 Franklin county, Pa., November 25, 
 1830 ; married November 2, 1854, to 
 Louisa Guyer ; six children. 
 
 Slater, Edward, veteran of Civil 
 War ; born in Mansfield, Ohio, November 
 21, 1833 ; married July 34, 1872, to 
 Julia Stone. 
 
 Slifer, Emanuel, retired farmer ; 
 born December 21, 184S, in Washington 
 county, Md. ; married in August, 1880, 
 to Martha Thomas ; two children. 
 
 Slifer, Elmer, farmer ; born in 
 Washington county, Md., February 9, 
 1868 ; married in ] 895 to Annie Hill : 
 
 Residence of Levi Shirk, occupied by W. W. Wheeler. 
 
 Shank, William B., retired farmer ; 
 born in Washington county, Md., Octo- 
 ber 20, 1853 ; married in 1879 to Annie 
 E. Spesard ; one child. 
 
 Shriner, S. A., harnessmaker and 
 dealer in horse goods ; born in Freder- 
 ick county, Md., March 26. 1863 ; mar- 
 ried in 1889 to Annie L. Huges ; four 
 children. 
 
 Shryock, B. K., born January 29, 
 1826, at Hagerstown, Md. : married 
 March 1, 1855, to Elizabeth Potter; 
 eight children, two dead. 
 
 Showalteh. Levi, farmer; born in 
 
 three children, one dead. 
 
 Smith, H. L., retired liveryman ; born 
 February 28, 1831, in Orange county, 
 N. Y. ; married in 1855 to Aldoret 
 Brace ; one child ; married second time 
 in 1867 to Rebecca Holley ; one child ; 
 married third time to Carrie L. Knodle 
 in 1877 ; four children, one dead. 
 
 Smith, Charles, plasterer and brick- 
 layer : born in Mayfield, N. Y., December 
 17, 1834 ; married January 1. 1856, to 
 Sarah Ann Knodle : four children, one 
 dead. 
 
 Smith, William K., farmer ; born at 
 
310 
 
 mount morris: past and present. 
 
 Funkstown, Md., September 14, 1863 ; 
 married in 1890 to Fannie E. Artz ; five 
 children. 
 
 Smith, Charles E., farmer ; born in 
 Washington county. Md., November 5, 
 1865 ; married in 1887 to Flora Austin ; 
 five children. 
 
 Smith, Frank, farmer ; born in 
 Washington county, Md., April 9, 1871. 
 
 Snell, Charles, farm hand ; born in 
 Indiana February 1, 1878. 
 
 Sollenbeeger, M. L., retired farmer ; 
 born in Franklin county. Pa., January 
 20. 1853; married in 1876 to Adelia 
 
 Mount Morris township, April 14, 1861 ; 
 unmarried. 
 
 Sprecher, Chas. C, partner with 
 brother in restaurant business ; born in 
 Mount Morris October 22, 1873 ; un- 
 married. 
 
 Sprecher, Wentworth, in restaurant 
 business ; born in Mount Morris : un- 
 married. 
 
 Sprecher, Philip T., retired farmer ; 
 born in Washington county, Md., Decem- 
 ber 10, 1848 ; married in 1879 to Mary 
 C. Sprecher : two children. 
 
 Sprecher, Lewis C, farmer ; born in 
 
 Residence of Wm. B. Shank. 
 
 Netsley ; two children ; married second 
 time in 1887 to Minnie Gish. 
 
 Speilman, Melvin P., retired farmer ; 
 born March 24, 1843, at Felghmantown, 
 Md. ; married in 1865 to Mary E. New- 
 comer ; nine children. 
 
 Speilman, Charles E., laborer ; born 
 in Lincoln township December 20, 1874 ; 
 married September 12, 1900, to Lulu 
 Easton. 
 
 Sprecher, John, Sr., merchant : born 
 September 22, 1832, in Washington coun- 
 ty, Md. ; married and has nine children. 
 
 Sprecher, John, Jr., clerk ; born in 
 
 Mount Morris township January 20, 
 1849 ; married in 1880 to Anna E. 
 Lookabaugh ; one child. 
 
 Sprecher, Samuel H., born in Mary- 
 land ; married to Alice Keedy. 
 
 Sprecher, Thomas I., grocery clerk ; 
 was born at Hagerstown, Md., December 
 9, 1876, being the son of Frank and An- 
 nie Sprecher. Besides a common school 
 education he attended Wolfe's Business 
 College in Hagerstown. graduating from 
 a three-years' course with the class of 
 1S94. He then worked three years in 
 the nickeling department of the Craw- 
 
DIRECTORY. 
 
 311 
 
 ford Bicycle Works. Mr. Sprecher was 
 a member of the Maryland state militia 
 and at the outbreak of war between the 
 United States and Spain he volunteered 
 his services and spent ten and a half 
 months for Uncle Sam in Company B, 
 1st Maryland Volunteer Infantry. His 
 regiment saw no active service, however, 
 and was mustered out at Augusta, Ga., 
 February 28, 1899. Mr. Sprecher came 
 to Mount Morris in the spring of the 
 same year and has been an efficient clerk 
 in grocery stores owned by A. R. Bink- 
 ley at Forreston and Mount Morris since 
 that time. 
 
 Frederick and Mary Stine. He was born 
 January 25, 1852, in Franklin county, 
 Pa., near the Mason and Dixon line, 
 where at twelve years of age he wit- 
 nessed the battle of Antietam. He at- 
 tended school from the farm until he 
 became of age,' with the exception of 
 two years spent in mining iron ore, 
 about three hundred feet under ground. 
 He came to Illinois in 1876 and has been 
 engaged in farming since that time. He 
 first cultivated the Newcomer farm in 
 Rockvale township and later operated a 
 farm east of Oregon for two years, but 
 had the misfortune to loss all his house- 
 
 Residence of Emanuel Slifer. 
 
 Sprecher, George, retired farmer ; 
 married twice ; has six living children. 
 
 Sprecher, Irvin, son of George 
 Sprecher ; born in Mount Morris town- 
 ship ; unmarried. 
 
 Sprecher, Bert, laborer ; son of 
 George Sprecher ; born in Mount Morris 
 township ; unmarried. 
 
 Stine, Frederick, farmer ; born in 
 Pennsylvania April 27, 1821 ; married 
 in 1844 to Mary Canode : fifteen chil- 
 dren, two dead. 
 
 Stine, W. L.. farmer, is the son of 
 
 hold goods in a fire which destroyed the 
 farm residence. He then moved to 
 Mount Morris township in February. 
 1885, where he has since resided and 
 tilled the soil. Mr. Stine was married 
 December 16, 1879, to Mary Janette 
 Zellers. Five children have been born 
 to them — W. Ward, April 15, 18S1 ; 
 Mary F. (deceased), October 10, 1882; 
 Fannie May, June 25, 1884 ; Carrie Belle, 
 June 15, 1889 ; D. Raymond, August 31, 
 1891 : Ralph W., May 17. 1894. 
 Startzman, E. O., baker and confec- 
 
312 
 
 mount morris: past and present. 
 
 tioner ; born in Hagerstown, Md., July 
 19, 1854 ; unmarried. 
 
 Stahlhiit, Henry, farmer ; born in 
 Mount Morris township November 19, 
 1850 ; married in 1887 to Laura C. 
 Feidt ; two children. 
 
 Stahlhut, William, farmer ; born 
 in Mount Morris township August 7, 
 1855 ; married in 1875 to Lydia C. 
 Thomas. 
 
 Stonebraker, Frank S., retired farm- 
 er ; is the son of F. W. and Philoma C. 
 Stonebraker. He was born December 7, 
 1864, in Mount Morris township. He 
 
 Stonebraker, S. Lee, laborer ; born 
 in Mount Morris township August 3, 
 1878 ; unmarried. 
 
 Steock, J., groceryman ; born in 
 Bedford county, Pa., in 1851. He came 
 to Illinois in 1854 and worked on his 
 father's farm till 1891, when he moved 
 to Mount Morris and engaged in the 
 grocery business. Mr. Strock is an en- 
 terprising citizen and built for himself a 
 fine residence in 1897-98. Since living 
 here he bought the lot and built what is 
 now the laundry building. He was mar- 
 ried in 1880 to. Sarah McCosh ; has six 
 
 Residence of J. Strock.^ 
 
 acquired a common school education in 
 the district school and afterward at- 
 tended Mount Morris College and also 
 the Northern Illinois Normal School at 
 Dixon, 111. Mr. Stonebraker was mar- 
 ried to Mary Slifer, to whom have been 
 born five children. 
 
 Stonebraker, S. F., farmer ; born in 
 Mount Morris township January 12, 
 1871 ; unmarried. 
 
 Stonebraker, C. V., farmer : born in 
 Mount Morris February 9, 1851 : mar- 
 ried December 6, 1874, to Gussie O. "Wil- 
 liams ; one child. 
 
 children. 
 
 Stutesman,. Albertus, carpenter ; 
 born in Dark county, Ohio, May 14, 
 1851 ; married September 10, 1874 ; 
 three children. 
 
 Stoufper, Price, farmer : born in 
 Washington county. Md., October 19, 
 1867 ; married in 1888 to Emma Hangh ; 
 four children. 
 
 Stevens, James H.. farmer ; born in 
 Fulton county, Pa., November 15, 1843 ; 
 married March 21, 1867, to Ellen Carr ; 
 four children. 
 
 Stevens, Orion, farmer : born in 
 
DIRECTORY. 
 
 313 
 
 Huntingdon county, Pa., February 21, 
 1S6S ; married in 1895 ; one child. 
 
 Stevens, David F., veterinary sur- 
 geon ; born in Fulton county, Pa. ; mar- 
 ried to Dora (Bockholder) Rohrer. 
 
 Stewart, John T., carpenter ; born 
 at Elliot Mills, Md., May 25, 1829 ; mar- 
 ried in 1852 to Laura E. Franks ; two 
 children ; married second time in 1882 
 to Mary A. Barrett. 
 
 Stewart, William H., barber : born 
 at Martensburk, Va., November 6. 1857 ; 
 married in 1886 to Susie A. Huffmaster. 
 
 Stengel, Joseph, farmer ; born in 
 
 September 17, 1S16, and is the son of 
 Michael and Mary Swingley. He was 
 one of the very early settlers in the 
 township, having come west with his 
 father in 1842. A portrait appears on 
 page 20. He was married November 31, 
 1837, to Catherine Hershey, and is the 
 father of eight children. 
 
 Swingley, J. H., farmer ; born in 
 Washington county, Md., October 10, 
 1840 ; married in 1868 to Anna C. 
 Sharer ; three children. 
 
 Swingley, Charles O., farmer ; born 
 in Mount Morris township, September 
 
 Residence of Mrs. Katherine Smith. 
 
 Mount Morris township November 19, 
 1S60 ; married in 1884 to Anna Wilt ; 
 six children. 
 
 Stengel, Andrew, farmer ; born in 
 Germany November 6, 1S28 : married in 
 1857 to Grace M. Hoppa ; nine children, 
 four dead. 
 
 Steinhagen, Christian, farmer ; born 
 in Germany January 15, 3 835; married 
 in 1873 to Louisa Hageman : have two 
 sons, Fred and Henry. 
 
 Swingley, Benjamin, retired farmer ; 
 was born in Washington county, Md.. 
 
 23, 1869 ; unmarried. 
 
 Swingley, Frank, farmer ; born in 
 Mount Morris township, January 9, 
 1878 ; unmarried. 
 
 Tallacksen, Alfred, painter ; born in 
 Norway, August 7, 1850 ; married in 
 1875 to Jennie Lollsen ; five children. 
 
 Terveen, F. H., farmer ; born in New 
 York City, September 19, 1855 ; married 
 in 1887 to Swansea Dolan ; one child. 
 
 Tice, Frank, laborer ; born in For- 
 reston township, September 30, 1863 ; 
 married in 1899 to Susie L. Baker. 
 
314 
 
 mount morris: past and present. 
 
 Tice, John E., farmer ; born at Hal- 
 dane, 111., December 19, 1856 ; married 
 in 1881 to Laura M. Stonebraker ; two 
 children. 
 
 Tice, C. F., farmer ; born in Wash- 
 ington county, Md., March 15, 1852 ; 
 married in 1874 to Caroline Zoller ; five 
 children ; one dead. 
 
 Tice, Henry, farmer ; son of C. F. 
 Tice ; unmarried. 
 
 Thompson, Gregor, tailor ; born in 
 Denmark, July 17, 186S ; unmarried. 
 
 Tracy, B. F., carpenter ; born in 
 Franklin county, Pa., December 23, 
 
 Morris township. June 3, 1876 ; married 
 February 15, 1898, to Lillie Baker. 
 
 Thomas, AYilliam R., retired farmer ; 
 born in Mount Morris township, Feb- 
 ruary 29, 1844 ; married in 1887 to 
 Lovenia Slifer. 
 
 Thomas, Edgar S., farmer ; born in 
 Pine Creek township, July 27, 1871. 
 
 Thomas, Jacob O., farmer ; born in 
 Mount Morris township, February 28, 
 1846 ; married in 1885 to Jennie Felker ; 
 one child. 
 
 Thomas, J. TV., retired Lutheran min- 
 ister ; born at Camden, Ind., May 22, 
 
 Residence of William Watts. 
 
 1845 ; married in 1875 to Mary E. Pot- 
 ter : four children. 
 
 Tracy, Dennis, carpenter ; born in 
 Mount Morris township : unmarried. 
 
 Trostle, E. P., retired farmer : born 
 at Gettysburg, Pa., January 15, 1850 ; 
 married in 1S73 to Alice J. Wingert : 
 three children. 
 
 Toms, John A., teamster ; born at 
 Davenport, Iowa, September 6, 1847 : 
 married to Mary A. Suman : three chil- 
 dren ; one dead. 
 
 Toms, George, barber ; born in Mount 
 
 1850 : married in 1881 to Alice B. New- 
 comer ; one child. 
 
 Thomas, Noble F., farmer ; born in 
 Rockvale township. December 12, 1872 ; 
 married in 1897 to Susie Young ; two 
 children. 
 
 Unger, Charles EL, retired ; born in 
 Franklin county. Pa., October 30, 1846 : 
 married in 1867 to Hannah A. Foster ; 
 two children. 
 
 Unger, U. G.. teamster : born in Frank- 
 lin county, Pa., November 4, 1868 ; mar- 
 ried in 1891 to Lillian M. Fouke ; five 
 
DIRECTORY. 
 
 315 
 
 children. 
 
 Watts, Thomas O., retired farmer ; 
 born in Pine Creek township, January 
 10, 1851 ; married in 1876 to Mattie S. 
 Avey ; two children. 
 
 Watts, N. A., farmer ; born in Fine 
 Creek township, February 20, 1853 : mar- 
 ried in 1891 to Victoria Weller. 
 
 Watts, William H., laborer ; born in 
 Pine Creek township, May 3, 1860 ; mar- 
 ried in 1S93 to Ella McNett ; one child. 
 
 Watts, Feed L., farmer ; born in Pine 
 Creek township, February 7, 1869 ; mar- 
 ried in 1894 to Fannie F. Felker. 
 
 Morris. After three months he bought 
 Mr. Binkley's interest and has since con- 
 ducted the business alone. Later he 
 purchased the store building which he 
 occupied. Mr. Watts was united in 
 marriage October 25, 1898, to Ada 
 Mumma, and for a wedding tour took 
 in the Trans-Mississippi Exposition at 
 Omaha. Mr. and Mrs. Watts now oc- 
 cupy the fine residence shown herewith, 
 which was erected during the summer of 
 1899. 
 
 Watts, Gera, farmer. The subject of 
 this sketch was born on his father's 
 
 Residence of Oliver S. Watts. 
 
 Watts, O. S., groceryman ; was born 
 in Pine Creek township, March 28, 1871, 
 being the son of William H. and Anna 
 O. Watts, deceased. He attended the 
 district school until about fifteen years 
 of age when he attended two winters in 
 the Mount Morris public school, and 
 afterward attended Mount Morris Col- 
 lege two and one half years, graduating 
 from the commercial course with the 
 class of '92. He worked on the farm 
 for his father from 1892 to 1897, when 
 he formed a partnership with A. R. 
 Rinkley in the grocery business in Mount 
 
 farm in Pine Creek township, March 20, 
 1852. Besides a common education he 
 attended Mount Morris College during 
 1875 and 1878. In 1878 he went to 
 Quitman, Mo., a small town of five 
 hundred inhabitants, but remained only 
 one season, returning to Illinois in the 
 fall of the same year. With the help 
 of his brother he farmed a number of 
 years, until in 1885 when he was mar- 
 ried and rented the Hitt farm at the 
 edge of the village, where he has re- 
 mained ever since, a successful tiller of 
 the soil. Mr. Watts has made several 
 
316 
 
 MOUNT MCRRIS: PAST AND PRESENT. 
 
 trips into Iowa with a view of buying 
 land but has not yet made a purchase. 
 In December 24, 1885, he was married 
 to Emily J. Wallace. Three children 
 have been born — Robert Reynolds, July 
 22, 1SS8; Charles A., June 14, 1890; 
 May E., May 4, 1894. 
 
 Wagner, Joseph, retired farmer ; born 
 in Washington county, Md., September 
 21, 1826 ; married March 10, 1859, to 
 Susan Gerhart. 
 
 Wagner, William, farm hand ; born 
 in Leaf River township, February 7, 
 1S74 ; unmarried. 
 
 Wallace, Chilion, farmer ; born in 
 Mount Morris township, June 19, 1877 ; 
 unmarried. 
 
 Wallace, Lewis A., farmer ; born in 
 Mount Morris township, December 10, 
 1867. 
 
 Wallace, Lawrence, retired farmer : 
 born in Washington county, Md., August 
 26, 1824 ; married February 22, 1859, to 
 E. Louisa Leek ; eight children ; one 
 dead. 
 
 Welty, G. G., farmer ; born in Freder- 
 ick county, Md., October 6, 1865 ; mar- 
 ried September 28, 1884, to Cora B. 
 
 Residence of Prof. G. E. Weaver. 
 
 Wakenight, John W., laborer ; born 
 in Ohio, May 2, 1852 ; married May 24, 
 1874, to Susan R. Strock ; nine children ; 
 four dead. 
 
 Wakenight, Harry M., laborer ; born 
 in Buffalo township, November 5, 1875 ; 
 unmarried. 
 
 Wallace, Lewis, farmer ; born in 
 Washington county, Md., October 13, 
 1843; married in 1866 to Mary Long; 
 four children. 
 
 Wallace, Eugene R., farmer ; born in 
 Mount Morris township, July 15, 1875 ; 
 married in 1898 to Norie Taylor. 
 
 Martin ; five children ; two dead. 
 
 Weller, John, retired lawyer ; born in 
 Berkeley county, Va., June 11, 1830 ; 
 married in 1855 to Annie Getzendaner ; 
 four children. 
 
 Weller, C. R., retired farmer ; born 
 in Berkeley county, Va. ; married. 
 
 Wehmeyer, Hio, farmer ; born in Ger- 
 many, August 10, 1867 ; married in 
 1891 to Mellie Wallace ; two children. 
 
 Weaver, Prof. E. G., principal of Art 
 Department, Mount Morris College ; see 
 portrait on page 111 and biography on 
 page 115. 
 
DIREOTOBY. 
 
 317 
 
 Weegens, Yost, farmer ; born in Ger- 
 many, December 23, 1841 ; married in 
 1873 to Catherine Taten ; five children. 
 
 Weegens, William, farmer ; born in 
 Lincoln township, October 19, 1876. 
 
 Whitman, C. H.. ieweler ; born at 
 Belvidere, 111., August 19, 1858 ; mar- 
 ried December 28, 1891, to Maude A. 
 Rine ; two children. 
 
 Whetsel, Jesse A. ; born in Tennes- 
 see, November 8, 1867 ; married Janu- 
 ary 21, 1896, to Ada Null ; two children. 
 
 Wheeler, W. W., merchant ; born at 
 St. Charles, 111., September 6, 1847 ; mar- 
 
 Wingert's grocery store. In 1884 he 
 went to Kansas City, engaging for six 
 months in the grocery and furniture 
 businesses. He returned to Mount Morris 
 in 1885 and on the 15th of October was 
 married to Clara Clevidence, daughter of 
 Henry H. and Sophia Clevidence of 
 Mount Morris. One daughter has been 
 born to them — Maurine. born March 31, 
 1894. After his marriage Mr. Wingert 
 clerked in H. C. Clark's grocery store 
 about four years, and then in partner- 
 ship with Mr. Clark went into the lum- 
 ber business, which is still being con- 
 
 Residence of Ira W. Wingert. 
 
 ried to Ella Sharer ; one child. 
 
 Whitelaw, Thomas (colored), farm 
 hand ; born in Tennessee. 
 
 Wingert, Ira W., lumber dealer ; is 
 the son of Joshua and Susan Wingert of 
 Franklin Grove ; was born June 12, 1859. 
 Mr. Wingert gained his early education 
 in the public school of his district near 
 Franklin Grove and later spent part of 
 two years at the Northwestern College 
 at Naperville, 111., and one year at the 
 Davenport (la.) Business College. He 
 came to Mount Morris in the fall of 
 1891 and clerked three years in Daniel 
 
 ducted by them. For seven years they 
 also owned a lumber yard at Maryland. 
 
 Wingert, Daniel, retired merchant ; 
 born in Franklin county, Pa., October 
 26, 1819 ; married in 1843 to Nancy 
 Foreman ; three children. Married second 
 time to Catherine Butterbaugh. 
 
 Williams, Thomas C, is the son of 
 Elias and Mary Williams and was born 
 at Mount Morris, July 17, 1851. He 
 graduated from the Mount Morris public 
 school and later attended Rock River 
 Seminary. He spent a number of years 
 in the nursery and small fruit business, 
 
318 
 
 mount morris: past and present. 
 
 and in late years was a grain buyer and 
 feed dealer, which latter business he sold 
 out, however, to the Neola Elevator Com- 
 pany in 1900. Mr. Wiliams was mar- 
 ried to Maggie C. Lookabaugh, daughter 
 of Samuel and Mary Lookabaugh. Three 
 children have been born — Willis (de- 
 ceased), Pearl, and Allie. 
 
 Withers, W. C, laborer ; born in 
 Williamsbury, Pa., June 10, 1847 ; mar- 
 ried in 1874 to Jennie Stewart. 
 
 Withers, James P., laborer ; born in 
 Williamsbury, Pa., February 22, 1844 ; 
 married in 1874 to Lettie Conklin ; seven 
 children, four dead. 
 
 Withers, James B. ; born in Blair 
 county. Pa., August 15, 1850. 
 
 Withers, John E., laborer ; born in 
 Blair county, Pa., April 18, 1848 ; mar- 
 ried in 1888 to Mrs. Mollie (Derr) 
 Routzahn ; two children. 
 
 Withers, Jacob H., laborer ; born in 
 Adams county, Pa., January 25, 1842 ; 
 married in 1866 to Emma E. Withers 
 (deceased) ; six children; two dead. 
 
 Wishard, Charles A., butcher ; born 
 in Franklin county, Pa. ; unmarried. 
 
 Windle, George, farmer and real 
 estate agent ; born in Shenandoah county, 
 Va., November 18, 1842 ; married in 
 1865 to Mary Sprecher ; four children. 
 
 Windle, Philip, son of George 
 Windle ; born in Mount Morris township ; 
 unmarried. 
 
 Wolfe, John, farmer ; born in Wash- 
 ington county, Md., April 24, 1841 ; mar- 
 ried January 12, 1869, to Mary C. 
 Kerns. 
 
 Wolfe, Ernest, farmer ; born in 
 Mount Morris township November 10, 
 1873 ; married January 26, 1896, to 
 Grace Kendall. 
 
 Wolfe, Carlton E., farmer ; born in 
 
 Washington county, Md., August 5, 
 1857 ; married January 10, 1884, to Ella 
 Fridley ; two children. 
 
 Wolfe, Walter C, baker and con- 
 fectioner ; is the son of Hiram J. and 
 Catherine Wolfe, and was born near 
 Hagerstown, Md., May 21, 1878. He 
 began his education in Hagerstown but 
 moved with his parents to the State of 
 Missouri, and later to Mount Morris. 
 While at Nevada, Mo., Mr. Wolfe learned 
 the baker's trade of his father, and for 
 a time had charge of a bakery at But'er, 
 Mo. Upon the death of the senior Wolfe 
 in Mount Morris, he helped his mother 
 run the business for several years, but 
 became sole proprietor in March, 1900. 
 Mr. Wolfe is unmarried. 
 
 Wright, Robert B., farmer and car- 
 penter ; born in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., 
 July 22, 1822 ; married April 4, 1878, to 
 Sylvia E. Scoles ; two children. 
 
 Zumdahl, Fred, farmer ; born in 
 Lincoln township, September 21, 1851 ; 
 married in 1886 to Eliabeth Drake ; five 
 children ; one dead. 
 
 Zumdahl, C. A., farmer ; born in 
 Mount Morris township, November 1, 
 1850 ; married in 1882 to Helen E. Tim- 
 mer ; eight children ; three dead. 
 
 Zumdahl, A. H., farmer ; born in 
 Lincoln township, August 7, 1866 ; mar- 
 ried December 16, 1896, to Anna M. 
 Drake. 
 
 Zellers, Martin H., farmer ; born in 
 Mount Morris township, November 14, 
 1863 ; married in 1885 to Annie M. 
 Keedy ; four children. 
 
 Zellers, Daniel, retired farmer ; born 
 in Washington county, Md., April 12, 
 1818 ; married in 1843 to Mary Long ; 
 nine children ; two dead. 
 
ADVERTISEMENTS. 319 
 
 2 
 
 £-^^^^&\K^LJ'~'*&&§ 
 
 g A SOUVENIR OF ROCK RIVER SEMINARY. 
 
 S 
 
 |J (Illustration " 3 Size.) 
 
 i 3 
 
 The accompanying cut illustrates a most beautiful souvenir spoon of the jj 
 
 I old Rock River Seminary, where so many readers of this volume attended JJ 
 
 ft school in days long since gone by. The old familiar sandstone dormitory and jj 
 
 j» dining-hall and the huge four story stone building with its tall cupilo and jj 
 
 j quaint old belfry is brought out in bold relief, etched in the bowl of the spoon. Jj 
 
 ft The seal of the state and the name " Illinois" is beautifully embossed upon the tt 
 
 | handle. | 
 
 J* The above illustration does not do full justice to this handsome souvenir, «j 
 
 £ which was produced by me several years ago and of which I have sold large Jj 
 
 » numbers to the old-time students of Sandstone. jj 
 
 Each spoon is made of pure coin silver, nicely proportioned, elegantly en- jj 
 
 U graved, extra heavy weight and regular teaspoon size. Prices $2.25 each for an jj 
 
 2 all silver spoon or $2.50 each for gold bowls, with ten cents extra for postage if Js 
 
 | sent by registered mail. A beautiful and most valuable and appropriate article Jj 
 
 jj for Anniversary. Birthday, Wedding and Christmas gifts. Your orders are re- jj 
 
 t spectfully solicited. jj 
 
 H- E- Newcomer, Jeweler, 
 
 | Mount Morris, .... Illinois, s 
 
 I Newcomer & Price, 1 
 
 I MOUNT MORRIS, ILL. | 
 
 | Ir)suraQce, F^eal Estate, Loans | 
 
 •; »C 
 
 I Mount Morris farm and city property 8 
 
 I bought, sold and exchanged. Corres- | 
 
 a pondence Solicited. g 
 
 I HENRY E. NEWCOriER CLINTON E. PRICE | 
 
i3fe» - Hf 1 O* 
 
JAN 26 1901 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
 016 098 572