977.354 T74 K ROLL ^ItUE, h i £ T | ;COU NT ^C" T 1 HRI GIN, TH LOP T OF T HE V 1 L - i '.AGE "of T i IT., II. i - — , V hws) Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://archive.org/details/historicalaccounOOtrol HISTORY OF TREMONT Historical Account of the ORIGIN, GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE VILLAGE OF TREMONT, ILLINOIS' TOGETHER WITH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF SOME OF ITS EARLY CITIZENS MILLIE TROLL 19 2 5 Copyright, 1925 By MILLIE TROLL AIL Rights Reserved ©CI A878093 JAN-676 / —I I n Foreword In presenting the history of the Village of Tremont, the writer has done the best that she could under the existing circumstances. The only two surviving old residents of the village, James Cottingham and J. M. Sawyer, furnished me with a good deal of information. The other early facts were obtained from his- tories and some personal recollections. Had this work been done several years ago, much more personal history and facts relating to the town could have been obtained. I wish to thank everyone who has kindly contributed his help in any way. Very truly, MILLIE TROLL, Tremont, Illinois. October, 1925. HISTORY OF TRKMONT History of the Village of Tremont Tremont derives its name from three mounds or Mounts, Tri- Mounts, bordering on the Village, one to the northeast, one a little to the southeast and one on the southwest. The mounds form a swag in which the town is located. When the country was all a vast prai- rie, these mounds were much more noticeable than they are since the town has been built. The first white settler in the vicinity of Tremont was a man named Chapman, who came here the early part of 1820. He built a cabin near Pleasant Grove, but shortly after moved to Tremont township, two and one-half miles east of the village. In 1826 Thomas Briggs and Hezekiah Davis came from Sanga- mon County and established themselves as Indian traders two and one-half miles northwest of Pleasant Grove. With them they brought a barrel of whiskey, some calico, a few blankets and other trinkets for which the Indians were always eager to barter furs and skins. Messrs. Wm. Davis, Nathan Dillon and Martin Miars located a few miles east of Tremont about the same time. In 1830 James Sterling came to Tremont from Sangamon Coun- ty and settled on the farm now owner by James Cottingham, two miles northeast of the Village. Mr. Sterling was the first perma- nent white settler in Tremont Township. When he came, he had only one horse and a wagon. His horse, however, straying away shortly, left him without a horse. When the deep snow came, he and his family saw no person for two months except the William Broyhill family, which came with him. They lived on the meat of the deer and hominy. They could get no flour. Their corn gave out and they went three miles to the nearest settlement to get more corn from which to make hominy. The winter of 1830 and 1831 was memorable for the deep snow. The snow began falling on the night of the twenty-ninth of December and continued to fall for three days and nights. It av- eraged a depth of about four feet, but drifting in places from eight- een to twenty feet deep. Great suffering was experienced in con- sequence. For weeks the sun was not visible and so intense was the cold that not a particle of snow melted on the south side of the cabins. The settlers relied on the Indian corn which they were en- able to raise and the wild game which was abundant at that time. There was plenty of corn to supply the wants of all until the next season's crop, but when the snow came, none had been gathered. There was so much work to be done in the building of homes, and having no place to store their corn, it was left standing and they would gather it as needed. Game could not be had. The suffering of the people was very great. Human tongue can never adequately picture the trials endured by these people at this time. The dark forebodings that crept into every cabin, starvation staring them in the face, and the meager meal, we too, could never forget it. For many weeks the people were absolutely blockaded and remained so until starvation compelled them to go in search of food. Israel Shreves and R. N. Cullum, father of one of the Governors of Illinois, went to the mill located eight miles from Mr. Shreves' home and HISTORY OF TREMONT still farther from Mr. Cullum's, at Pleasant Grove. Each took a horse to carry their sack of corn. The men travelled on snow shoes,, and the snow was so deep that it was with the greatest difficulty that they could get along. On the elevated places, the snow would bear up the horses, but in the sways the snow was so deep that it would push the sacks of corn off the horses' backs. At such places the men were obliged to take the sacks upon their own shoulders and carry them to a spot that would bear the horses. They would then return it to the horses and lead them on. Oft times it was quite difficult owing to the great depth of snow, to get the horses to where they did not sink. The cold was so in- tense ana 1 the wind so high that persons were in great danger of freezing to death. On the following day after their arrival at the mill, Mr. Shreves started for home and after an extremely painful journey, reached there in safety, 'but so great was the physical ex- ertion, notwithstanding the extreme cold, he wiped the streaming prespiration from his forehead. Mr. Cullum also reached home in safety. The men would go out into the fields and where they could see the top of a corn stalk sticking out through the snow, they would dig down until they came to the ear of corn. It took a day to gather ten bushels of corn and required four horses to haul it home. To get wood they would cut the tree off at the top of the snow, and when spring came and the snow had disappeared, thev often found the stumps long enough to cut into fence rails lOVfc feet in length. During the winter of 1830 and 1831, it snowed nineteen times from December 29th to February 13th. The deep snow was a land mark for the pioneers. He recorded events from it. Before or after the deep snow. Date of his coming, marriage, birth of his children, etc. People living here then and children born at that time were called snow birds. After the snow melted, the bones of the deer were so numerous in some places that f cr one quarter of an acre one could step from bone to bone over the whole surface. This was the heav- iest snow that ever fell in Illinois within the memory of the oldest settler of this part of the state. In 1831 David Lackland and James Broyhill, Messrs. Owen and Trout came from Tennessee and located northeast of Tremont, in the vicinity afterward known as Tennessee Point. Margaret Lack- land, daughter of David Lackland, was the first white child born in Tremont township, May 6, 1833. In 1833, John H. Harris and Josiah L. James came to Central Illinois on a prospecting tour. On their journey home, Mr. James suggested that they organize a colony and emigrate to the west. The proposition was enthusiastically seconded by Mr. Harris, who immediately on his arrival at home, began to solicit his friends to join them in the organization of the proposed colony. Their en- thusiasm was contagious, for it was not long before a meeting was held at the Waldon House in New York City, and a committee con- sisting of John H. Harris, W. M. Sampson and Josiah L. James, was chosen to decide upon a location for the colony. This committee chose the present site of the Village of Tremont, and upon their re- turn, made known their decision to those interested, whereupon the organization was effected and the first arrangement made. John H. Harris was chosen Treasurer. In 1834, about forty families or about HISTORY OF TREMONT fifty persons started for the settlement, making their journey in wagons, bringing with them but little furniture and barest neces- sities of life. On their arrival they laid out the town , building a schoolhouse and church, establishing a post office, and introducing many improve- ments which made Tremont at that early day a center of intelligence, enterprise and good society, scarcely equalled by many larger places in the west. In ^ebruarv, 1835, Mr. Harris as treasurer of the col- ony, paid $18,000 into the United States land office at Springfield, . Illinois, lor ninety-three quarter sections of land,»or 14,880 acres. ^ The town was laid out by Harris, James and Sampson. y«. They locat- ed the public square and laid out large lets with streets and alleys. The original land plats were mace out in the name of these men and signed by Martin VanBuren. The colonists chose their lots as well as the land adjoining the town for farm purposes by drawing lots, the prices having been previously determined. Those drawing corn- er lots and more valuable farm lands had to pay a premium for the same. The public square was paid for out of the General Fund and was given to the town for park purposes only. This was a piece of land 680 feet square, located in the center of the original town of Tremont. On the 25th day of July of the same year, a vote was taken to decide whether the town should be incorporated or not. When the ballots were counted, it was found that 28 votes had been cast for incorporating and one against it. On August 26 a meeting was held at the schooihouse to choose the first trustees of the town. Those were Philip Flagler, Colis Tompkins, Palmer Homes, J. C. Morgan and Richard Updike. After the town had been laid out, considerable rivalry sprang up as to who should be the first to get building ma- terial. Nathan Kinsey delivered the first load of lumber for Colonel Oakly's home. This home was 'built on lot 10 in the northeast cor- ner of block nine. The house is still standing and is occupied by A. A. Chapman. Josiah Mathews completed the first house. This stood on lot 10 in the southeast corner of block 9, where Wm. Shemel now lives. In 1835 a tavern, a large two story frame building, was built on lot 1 in block 10, where G. W. Ballenger's home is located. On July 12, 1835, the State Legislature appointed a committee to locate permanently the County Seat of Tazewell County. This committe was composed of John C. Calhoun of Sangamon County, James Gaylord of Putman County, and Israel Pugh of Macon County. This committee came to Tremont in 1835, where they met John H. Harris, who offered to donate to the County, twenty acres of land just south of the town, now known as the Countv Seat Addition. This proposition was made to secure the county seat at Tremont, and in addition to this, the town donated $2,000 for the erection of the public buildings. The Commissioners accepted their proposi- tions and in the course of time the county seat was moved from Mackinaw to Tremont. The county seat had been located in Macki- naw since March, 1827. The year 1835 was memorable for high water. Late in April it commenced to rain and continued through the summer. The great prairies then uncultivated and undrained, "were one vast lake. The storms would gather with fearful rapidity. A small cloud would be seen somewhere and in a moment, so to speak, the deluge was on. HISTORY OF TREMONT The falling of rain was frightful, the vivid lightning and crashing thunder were a terror. A meal placed upon the table just as the storm came up, remained untouched and was set away. Very little in the way of raising crops was attempted that summer. In the early part of July, a storm of rain, thunder and lightning occurred which for severity has never been equalled, it is believed. The con- sequences of this rain were dreadtul. The earth was filled with water and every little hollow was a stagnant pool to engender dis- ease. After the fierce storm demon had passed, a silent pestilence arose from the green prairie and stalked resistless among the in- habitants. The first Postmaster was Mr. Sampson, brother of William Sampson, spoken of before. He proved a defaulter and the Federal Court finding judgment against him, he surrendered his property to the Government. His home stood on lots four and five, block 24, where F. A. Blue's residence now stands. The building was dubbed the Sub-Treasury, being thus known for a number of years, although a Sub-Treasury never existed in Tremont. On December 11, 1835, a one story frame building 18x24 feet, was ordered to be erected for a County Clerk's office, and the con- tract was let to Thomas Fisher for $285.00. To secure the faith- ful performance of the work, he was compelled to give bones inthe sum of $1000. On June 6, 1836, the first court assembled in the Clerk's office and the same year a contract for a temporary Court House, a two story frame building, was let to Wm. Dillon for $1,150. The old jail was then moved from Mackinaw to Tremont, where it was veneered with brick and enlarged with a brick addition. This addition was used by the Shinfs family. The contract for removing the jail was given to John T. Bird, who was to receive $138.00 for the same. In 1836 Thomas P. Wilson, county surveyor, laid off into lots the twenty acres of land donated by John H. Harris, and the County Clerk was ordered to advertise the sale of these lots in the following papers: Sagamon County Journal, Springfield, Illinois; Missouri Re- publican, St. Louis, Mo.; Louisville, Kentucky, Advertiser; and the Cincinnati National Republican. The sale of these lots occurred in May, 1836. The aggregate amount received from the sale of these lots was $18,636.00. Of this, $4,271.18 was paid in cash, and $12,440.12 on notes secured by mortgages on the property. The highest price paid for any one lot was for lot 1 in block five, bought by James Wibrary for $620.00. In 1836 occurred what was called the sudden change in temper- ature, causing the most intense suffering to man and beast. A light snow had fallen the day before the change and on that day it turned to a drizzling rain, making the snow a slush. The storm came from the northwest and as fast as it advanced, it instantly change'd the temperature of the atmosphere to frigid coldness. A man by the name of Hodgson went to the timber for a load of wood, the storm coming upon him so suddenly and terribly that he could hardly man- age his team. Before he could get to the house, which was only 40 rods distant, the slush had frozen hard enough to bear him up. The next day the surface of the country was one vast sea of ice. Cattle that were in the fields were held by the slush freezing about their feet, and it became necessary to cut away the ice to liberate them. 8 HISTORY OF TREMONT In December, 1836, a plan was adopted for a permanent Court House and in January, 1837, the contract was ordered to be let. The building was to be erected in the south part of town on a por- tion of the land donated by John Harris. This contract called for a building two stories above the basement. The building was to be 40 feet wide and 60 feet long, including a portico 10 feet wide. The windows were to be closed with good blinds, the latter to be painted with four coats of paint, two of which were to be French green. The building was to be ornamented with a cupola furnished with octagonal windows and the dome ornamented with an iron rod supporting three guilt balls. The contract was let to a Wm. Flagg, January 13, 1837, and was for $14,450.00. The building was first occupied in September, 1839. Abraham Lincoln, Stephen A. Doug- las and David Davis were among the most prominent men whose voices were heard within its walls. In 1836, the State Legislature, under the Internal Improvement Act, appointed three commissioners one of whom was Charles Oakly. These commissioners planned the building of a railroad from Pekin to Bloomington. In accordance with their plans, the road was graded as far as Tremont. The stone culverts were built and ties and sills laid for flat rails. Colonel Oakly then went to England to negotiate for rails, but before his return, the state had become practically bankrupt and the work had to be abandoned. The material was subsequently removed. The first white child born in the Village of Tremont was Charles Hayward in 1837. His father and mother, Almarine and Eliza Wash- burn Hayward, came to Tremont from Bridgewater, Massachusetts. In the summer of 1837, a great drouth prevailed. For seven weeks not a drop of rain had fallen and for a previous period of nearly twice that length of time, the few showers that had fallen were barely sufficient to lay the dust. There were no dews. The earth gaped under the merciless sun, vegetation was parched to ashes. The trodden roads were piled with dust. Sickness which had begun early in the summer in various parts of the county, increased in maglignity. The longer the drouth held, the more fatal grew its ravages. For weeks the heavens were watched for clouds or some sign of mercy, but in vain. In the meantime, disease and death stalked abroad. The pestilence claimed its victims in every home, in some whole families were prostrated, and the sufferers were de- pendent upon the kindness of their neighbors and friends to minister to their wants. The fevers took their most malignent and fatal character in the bottom lands, those bordering on the streams. Here the pestilence found its most numerous victims. One riding through these regions frequently found homes in which every member of the family was sick and lying in all stages of the disease and it was a blessing for a stranger to call and hand them a cup of water. One could ride miles in those regions and pass seemingly deserted cabins, but on entering find several persons in the same dark room, tossing and raging in the various stages of the fever. This snread through the entire county and the Village of Tremont paid its tribute in death and severe illness of many of its citizens. There were but three or four wells in the village that offered any water and that was used with judicious care. On the 14th of September occurred an eclipse of the sun and all hoped that some change would be wrought by this great event, but their hopes were in vain. People walked about HISTORY OF T RE MO NT slowly, with their countenances darkened by their grief or saddened with sympathy for their neighbors. Do not know when the drouth was broken. In the early part of 1840 two stage lines were established, one between Peoria and Bloomington, and the other between Peoria and Springfield. These stage lines carried mail, passengers and express packages. They were drawn by four horse teams. Daily trips were made. Milton W. Gowdy, father of Mrs. Frank E. McGinnis of this place, also brother of Mrs. A. J. Davis (now deceased) of Tremont, drove in the stage lines from Peoria to Bloomington, also from Peo- ria to Springfield from 1852 to 1856. During the time that he was employed as a driver, some of our country's greatest men were his passengers. Among them were Abraham Lincoln, who, when the weather was nice, would sit on the c river's seat with him the entire way from Peoria to Springfield and enliven the trip with his stories and jokes for which he was famous. In his years of service as stage driver, Mr. Gowdy saw hard times, especially in the spring when the country was flooded with water and he was obliged to drive long distances through water. Mr. Gowdy was never molested by robbers, although at one time he hauled $20,000 in gold from Pekin to Peoria. When he had been employed as stage driver about a year, at the age of nineteen years, in some manner he receive., an injury to one of his feet from which he never recovered. The first church in Tremont was built by the Baptist people in 1842. It was completed with the exception of the cupola in 1847. The building cost $1700.00. $196.00 was collected in Worchester, Mass. In 1842 the church reported 12 members. The Congregational church of Tremont was organized in 1844 and the church building was erected in 1848. Previous to this, their meetings had been held in the schoolhouse or private homes. The contract for the erection of the building was let by the committee, Moses Morse, J. E. Kel- logg, John Stiles, A. Stockwell and Freeman Kingman, to Elijafn Brown for $1666.00. Before its completion it was struck by light- ning and damaged to some extent. The Episcopalians built a church in 1847 on lots 9 and 10 in block 29. A Bible given to the organ- ization in that year by Bishop Chase is still in existence. For several years the church building was used as an implement warehouse, first by J. W. Barkdoll and later by D. A. Stormer. In the early 60s, a Unitarium Church, afterwards known as the Liberal Church, was erected. This was built by a stock company, aided by subscription. This church' was in block 25 on lot 8, and it burned down a few years ago. The Catholic denomination bought the old schoolhouse and worshipped there until they built their church in the south part of town in 1872. In the early 50's, Almarine Hayward and Philander Dean built a grist mill and operated it for a few years. The building stood on lot 24 in block 5, near the center of town. The enterprise was not a success. Between the years 1865 and 1870, the building was sold and moved to the south part of town and was used for a number of years by George E. Bird as a store building. The building is still standing. In 1848 a petition was circulated to move the County Seat from Tremont to Pekin. This petition received so many signatures that a vote was finally taken to decide the question. It resulted 10 HISTORY OF TREMONT in a victory for Pekin and the records were removed to that place in the years 1849 and 1850. By an act of the Legislature, approved February 2nd, 1849, in regard to the disposal of the Court House at Tremont, it was provided that in case the County Seat was moved to Pekin, a deed of trust of the Court House should be made to Joseph L. Shaw, Wells, Andrews, Lyman Porter, Thomas P. Rogers and William A. Maus. The building was to be used and occupied exclusively for the purpose of education and for the benefit of the county. Accordingly, when a vote was taken and it was thereby decided to move, the above act was complied with, and for sever, years a high school was conducted there. Later when a high school building was erected in the village, the building was occupied on the apartment plan, several families occupying it. The building as originally constructed, remained until 1895 when it .was sold to Wil- liam Brown and a modern dwelling was erected where the old Court House stood. On July 4, 1854, a long table was made on the square and the people of the Village and the surrounding country came with well filled containers of food for a dinner. In addition to this there was a barbacue. The object of this gathering was to plan for the setting out of trees on the square. A number of trees were planted that day, a few of which are still standing. In 1859 Messrs. Wm. Pettis and Nathanial Ingalls built a store building, also a bank buJding on lot 12 in block 25. The store build- ing is the one where E. L. Colter and Frank E. McGinnis were for a number of years. The bank building is the one where Miss Belle I. McGinnis now conducts a Gift Shop. The bank, a private one, was in operation about ten years when it was robbed, and no further- attempt was made to carry on the business. About 1860, S. R. Saltanstall of Tremont, W. S. Maus of Pekin and one other man was appointed to transfer the railroad bed to a newly organized company which proposed to build a road from Pekin, Illinois, to Danville, Illinois, by the way of Tremont. This company also failed to carry out its plans. In 1866 a charter was obtained from the Danville-Urbana-Bloomington-Pekin railroad. The old road bed was given to the new company by the Legislature and the road was finally built. The first passenger train, consisting of an engine and two coaches, was run from Pekin to Tremont July 4, 1867. A. J. Davis was the first railroad agent and A. D." Davis the first telegraph operator, beginning his work in 1871, Tremont had been without banking facilities for thirteen years, when in 1879 Messrs. A. J. Davis and L. M. Hobart opened a private bank in the old Pettis and Ingalls bank building, but later built a small building on the south end of lot 5 in block 24. In 1883 Mr. Hobart retired from the bank, Mr. Davis assuming the business. Later his son Alvin was taken into the bank with his father. The •father and son conducted business there for a number of years when the bank was moved to lot 5 in block 24. In 1909 it received a char- ter and is known as the Tremont National Bank. A. C. Schneider is the President and Miss Emma Bolliger, Assistant Cashier. In 1882 the Baptist church people sold their old church lot and building and bought a lot just south of where the old church had stood and erected a frame church building under A. C, Kelly's pas- 11 HISTORY OF TREMONT torate. In 1911 this building was torn down and a brick veneer church building was erected on lot 6 in block 24. This was in 1912 during Reverend Krumrieg's pastorate. The new building cost be- tween $15,000 and $16,000. It was dedicated Apri 20, 1913. In 1891 the Congregational church organization had become so weakened by the death and removal of its members that they did not think it best to retain a pastor. The Methodists, who are always on the lookout for a place to put in an entering wedge, began hold- ing occasional meetings in the church building, which after a time resulted in their having a pastor, Wesley Britton was the first pastor. For several years, the Methodist-Congregational and Liberal peo- ple formed a union church. About 1903 the Congregational people deeded to the Methodist organization their church property. A short time afterward they also deeded to the Methodists their parsonage. In 1904 during O. I. Truitt's pastorate, the old Congregational church was sold and a brick veneer church building was erected on the lot at a cost of $8500. Improvements were afterwards made which added much to its value. The church was dedicated December 25, 1904. The bell in the Methodist church is the one that was placed in the old Congregational church when it was built in 1848. A short time after the church was dedicated, O. I. Truitt and family left for Rangoon, India, to do missionary work. In 1912 during A. J. Jolly's pastorate, the Carnegie organ was installed. On August 9, 1902, the subscribers to the capital stock of the First National Bank of Tremont met and elected a board of directors. The Board organized by electing Louis Bruckner of Pekin President and Fred Trout of Tremont as Vice President. The charter was granted on the 13th day of September, 1902, and the bank was opened on October 8, 1902. The official force of the bank was Fred H. Trout, Edward Pratt, Dr. J. E. Mclntyre, Fred Becker, Daniel Johnson, George E. Bird and George W. Trimble. These were chos- en as directors, Fred H. Trout was elected President and Edward Pratt, Vice President. The bank is located in what is known as the Columbia Opera House. L. E. Bennett is its present Cashier, and Ben E. Getz its Assistant Cashier. During the period from 1850 to 1860 a branch of the Menno- nite church called Amish, began to settle in and around Tremont. They proved to be a thrifty and progressive people, buying the rich farm lands and establishing themselves as good citizens and today they own the major part of the farms around Tremont as well as many homes in the Village. One admirable feature about them is that they never give a mortgage. If there is any business trans- action to be made, they help each other to make the deal possible, and if any of their number meets with ill luck, the same helping hand is extended. Their young people are occupying places of trust in business and as instructors in our public schools. For a number of years they had a church one mile south of the Village. Several years ago there was a division in the church, part of the members withdrawing from the Mother Church. These bought ground east of the high school building and built a brick veneer church. The remaining members later built a large church in the southeast part of the town. Both churches are called German Christian Apostolic. 12 HISTORY OF TREMONT About the year 1860 an agricultural society was formed by the people living in and around Tremont, and held a fair every year for about ten years. The place for holding the fair was a ten acre tract of land northwest of town, but bordering on the Village. This land belonged to Josiah Sawyer and during the time that it was used for a fair ground he never received any compensation for the same, Mr. Sawyer being a very public spirited man. The fair ground had a one-third mile race tract, three times around constituting a mile. There were seen some very spirited horse races on this track. A large frame structure covered with canvas was used to display textile works and culinary arts, as well as the agricultural products. The officers of the fair were Josiah Sawyer, President; J. L. Hay- ward, Vice-President; Seth Talbot, Treasurer; and Gordon Nichols, gate-keeper. In this as well as other things, Pekin was not satis- fied until it has secured the fair for themselves and in 1870, the fair was moved to Pekin, where it was held for three years, when on ac- count of financial support it was abandoned. The first Militia company of Tremont was organized by Cap- tain Trough. At the breaking out of the Civil War a militia com- pany was in existence under Captain Peter Menard. The company numbered about 80 men. When the major number enlisted for the war, it was disbanded. In this company John March was first Lieu- tenant. In 1895 a Womans Club was organized in Tremont by the young married women of the town. It soon opened its doors to other women and it has proved a useful and helpful organization. At the present time there are about 30 members. Its departments for work include Art, Music and Literature, Civic and Citizenship, Education and Community Service. The club is affiliated with the State, District and County Federations. In 1917, under the auspices of the Woman's Club, a free circulating Library was started in Tre- mont. The nucleus of the library was books donated by anyone who was willing to donate them. There are now about 1533 books in the library. It is open two afternoons each week. Miss Ida Jean- pert is the Librarian. Tremont furnished its quota of soldiers for the Civil War. There are 19 of the Civil War Veterans buried in Mount Hope cemetery. One of the number, Dudley Holmes, was killed at the battle of Fort Donelson and his remains were brought to Tremont for interment. There are the graves of two who were in the War of 1812, Felix Fener and Almarine Hayward. Two in the Black Hawk War of 1831, Peter Menard and Hezekiah Davis. One in the Mexican War of 1846, Richard Updike. Five of the World War soldiers lie buried there, none of which were overseas. After the town of Tremont was established, a plat of ground lying in Elm Grove township, but bordering the town on the south- west, was laid off for a cemetery. A child's grave with the name of James R. Wright on the marker had a record of 1836, and a brown limestone marker about 2% feet high by 2 feet' wide, records the name of Wash M. Wright of Massachusetts, in 1838. The stone is in a good state of preservation. About the year 1878, the women of Tremont and vicinity found- ed a Ladies' Cemetery Association. Officers were chosen and Miss Ruth Fenner was chosen President, which office she held for thirty- 13 HISTORY OF TREMONT v five years. By her faithfulness and untiring effort, together with the help of the members oi the Association, the cemetery became from a neglected place to one of which the community is proud to own. In 1916 the cemetery was incorporated under the name of the Ladies' Mount Hope Cemetery Association. There have been two additions to the original cemetery grounds. One of these is on the south and the other is on the northwest. An effort has been put forth to perpetuate the lots, thus insuring perpetual care. The idea has been quite favorably received. Some 40 lots have been per- petuated, with the promise of a number more. The object of this is to have the cemetery self-supporting. There are yearly dues of $1.50 on all lots not thus cared for. The grounds are beau- tifully kept, which is very creditable to the association. Mrs. Mary E. Velde has held the office of President since the retirement of Miss Ruth Fenner. Miss Millie Troll is its Treasurer, having held the of- fice for a number of years. The first telephone in the village of Tremont was one installed in the late 1880s by S. A. Hayward, from his grain office on Sampson Street to his residence opposite the northeast corner of the square. The first party line, which was a private one, was extended in 1897 from Mrs. Mary Pratt's residence to the George Hinman farm which is now owned by George Getz, one mile and a half northeast of the village. The Tazewell County Telephone Company was incorporated June 28, 1900. The offiicers were F. L. Hinman, S. A. Hayward, Henry Woost and F. J. Davis. This was sold to the Union Telephone Company in 1909. It was consolidated the same year with the In- dependent Telephone Company, then passed into the hands of M. L. Cottingham in 1910, and thereafter known as the Independent Tele- phone Company. This company passed out of existence in 1918. In 1908 the Farmers Mutual Telephone Company was incorpor- ated and service began in 1909. They established the present tele- phone system in the village and surrounding territory. The com- pany has 150 telephones in the corporate limits of Tremont; there are nearly 500 telephones in service on the Tremont exchange. The present company is serving the people of Allentown, Morton, Grove- land, Dillon and Circleville. The switchboard operators have all been local people. Miss Belle I. McGinnis was the first operator with this company. She served three years as well as about ten years with the old Independent Telephone Company. 14 HISTORY OF TREMONT History of Tremont Schools After the town of Tremont had been laid out in 1834, among the first things to be established was a school. The building was erected in the southeast corner of block 27 on lot 7. This property afterwards was owned by James K. Kellogg. The original school building is still standing, and serves as a kitchen to the late Kellogg home . In 1838 the Village found itself without a" teacher. The di- rectors, learning of James Kellogg, a farmer who had been a most successful teacher in the east, induced him to take the school for three months. It was not for three months only, but for thirteen years that he served as instructor. The school was a private one, and the course covered was elaborate and would no doubt dismay the teacher of today. It took in everything from the Primary to the Academy, including Latin and Greek. A joint stock company was organized in March, 1850, to estab- lish a female seminary. The building, a two storv frame structure, was erected in 1851 on the southeast corner of block 17 on lot 6, this land being a part of the Updike property. The building cost $2075. It was conceded to be one of the finest institutions in Taze- well county and was attended by students from all parts of the coun- try. At the opening of the school on November 7, 1851, there were enrolled twenty-seven young ladies. Miss Harriet Kingsbury served as principal at a salary of $350 per annum. The academic course was divided into three terms of fourteen weeks each. The following comprised the course of study; Latin, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Anatomy, Natural Philosophy, History, Logic, Rhetoric, Philosophy, Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Geography, English Grammar, French, Music, Drawing and Painting. Sometime previous to this, a district school building called the Bell School, (because of its having a bell,) was built just west of where the Baptist church now stands. In 1864, the Female Sem- inary was moved to block 24 on lot 6 where the Baptist church now stands, and converted into a public school. This continued to be the public school of Tremont until 1892, when the present high school was erected. About the year 1848-49 a private school was in operation for a short time on the lot where the Jacob Nafziger resi- dence stands. Prior to the year 1850, a district school building was erected in block 26 on lot 7 in Elm Grove township . This was on the south- west corner of the block where Fred Brenkman's residence now stands. Miss Susannah Sawyer of Peterborough, New Hampshire, was the first teacher in the school. Miss Sawyer was a sister of Josiah Sawyer and afterward married Mifflin Berly of Tremont. Miss Ruth Fenner, Miss Ellen Fenner, Miss Joan Dean, Miss Mary Kingman and Miss Jennie Franklin were some of the teachers who taught in this school. Miss Hannah Leonard, daughter of Levi Leo- nard of Dillon township, was the last teacher in this sdhool. In 1897 this school building was sold and moved to the north side of town and converted into a dwelling. It is still standing. In the same year a new schoolhouse was built a little to the south and east of where the old school house had stood. Miss Ruth Fenner 15 HISTORY OF TREMONT was the first teacher in the new schoolhouse. This was a district school. In the spring of 1916, a petition was presented to consolidate the west side district No. 73 with Tremont district No. 39. This petition was favorably received and the two districts were consoli- dated as district No. 39. Sometime afterwards Mr. Fred Brenkman purchased the school property and converted the schoolhouse into a modern residence. To the high school erected in 1892, two rooms were added later. This building was used by the Community High School in 1920. The class of 1924 was the first class to graduate from the high school that claimed all its training in this institution. In February, 1924, an election was held and bonds to the value of $30,000 were voted to build an addition to the present school build- ing, thus enabling the school faculty to enlarge their scope for work, and also add a greater proficiency for success. During the years 1881 and 1882 a private school was held in the old Bell schoolhouse. For a number of years Miss Ruth Fenner conducted a private school in her home in the south part of town. Miss Fenner made school teaching a life work. Many of our citizens were among her pupils. Her earnest and devoted efforts as an instructor were crowned with success. Her years of service as a teacher number sixty. 16 HISTORY OF TREMONT Biographies ENOCH G. MORSE Enoch G. Morse, only son of Moses and Hannah (Smith) Morse, was born in Concord, New Hampshire, January 10, i827. He was the representative of the seventh generation of his family in Amer- ica, his ancestors have emigrated to this country from England in 1653. In 1835 Mr. Morse came to Illinois with his parents, who settled on a farm three miles southwest of Tremont. He acquired his education in the local schools. In 1856 Mr. Morse was married to Elizabeth Eades. Mr. Morse resided on the old homestead in Elm Grove township until September 1893, when he built a residence in the southwest part of the Village of Tremont, where his daughter Marietta still lives. While at the Elm Grove homestead, Mr. Morse served as town clerk for twelve years, for seven years as commis- sioner of highways, and for several years filled the office of collector. Mr. Morse passed away in October 1906. Mrs. Morse passed away November 11, 1918, the day the Armistice was signed. FELIX FENNER Felix Fenner was born in Fennersville, near Reading, Pennsyl- vania, in 1800. His wife, Harriet Fridley, was born in Elmira, New York, in 1812. Mr. and Mrs. Fenner came to Tremont, Illinois, in 1838. Mr. Fenner passed away in October 1891. Mrs. Fenner passed away in July 1874. JOSIAH SAWYER Early m the winter of 1836, Josiah Sawyer and his wife, Harriet (Bates) Sawyer, came to Tremont from Waterford, New York. Mr. Sawyer was born in 1808. He was the oldest son of Abiel and Sibil Sawyer of New Hampshire. He was married in Bellows Falls, Vermont, in the fall of 1832 to Miss Harriet R. Bates, also of New Hampshire. Mr. Sawyer located just northwest of the Village in Elm Grove township, but bordering on the town. Mr. Sawyer was a machinist by trade. In the early forties he put up a building near his home to be used as a grist mill. This mill was to be run on the windmill plan. This venture was not a success. He then made a turning lathe and made bedposts, table legs, chair legs and such things as are made in a cabinet shop. After a time he bought lots 13 and 14 in block 11 in Tremont. About 1848, with Calvin B. Pea'ke as a partner, on these lots they opened a shop for the manufacturing of wagons. About 1855, on account of hard times, Mr. Sawyer sold out his business to Pekin parties. The office build- ing and the main shop building are still standing. In 1851, he was the instigator of a patent two horse corn dropping machine, which has since become famous as the Brown Corn Planter. In 1870, Mr. Sawyer built a residence on the lots where the wagon shop had stood. The residence is still occupied by his son Josiah M. Sawyer. Mr. Sawyer passed away in 1883. Mrs. Sawyer passed away in 1887. 17 HISTORY OF TREMONT FREDERICK DEAN Frederick . Dean, one of the early settlers of Tremont, came from Bridgewater, Mass. He married Joen Waterman, a Maine school teacher. With a family of four small children, they started for Illinois. They sailed from New Bedford, Mass., to New York City, up the Hudson river, through Canada and the lakes, down the Ohio river, up the Mississippi and Illinois rivers, and located on the Sangamon river, near Springfield, Illinois, but left there to join the colony at Tremont the next year after the colony was located at Tremont. Mr. Dean was the village blacksmith for many years. His shop stood wheer the grain elevator office is now located on the west side of Sampson street. Mr. Dean passed on in 1879, as have his wife and children since that time. DR. S. R. SALTENSTALL Dr. S. R. Saltenstall was born in Scott County, Kentucky, on August 31, 1818, and came to Tazewell County, Illinois, in 1839, and settled in Tremont. Dr. Saltenstall attended the schools of his native state and finished his education at the St. Louis University, where he received his degree of M. D. He was united in marriage December 3, 1840, to Elizabeth Harris, daughter of John Harris. Dr. Saltenstall represented this district in the State Legislature three terms, which fact speaks of his ability in the highest terms. He practiced in Tremont for nearly fifty years and was one of the leading physicians of Tazewell County. He passed on in July, 1888. Mrs. Saltenstall passed on in 1897. JOSEPH LYMAN HAYWARD Joseph L. Hayward, son of Joseph and Sylvia (Conant) Hay- ward, was born in Bridgewater, Mass., October. 17, 1319. The Hay- ward family has long been represented in New England. The first of the family to arrive in Massachusetts was Thomas Hayward, who came from England in a sailing vessel and settled in Duxburry, Mass., before 1636. Ten years later he was made a free man, and his name appears among the very earliest settlers and proprietors of Bridge- water. Joseph Lyman Hayward, who stands in the eighth genera- tion of his family in America, was educated in the local school of his boyhood home and accompanied his parents when they removed to the west in 1837 to make their home in Tazewell County, Illinois. His father purchased a farm in Section 31, Morton Township, Taze- well County, Illinois, where he lived the remainder of his life. Jos- eph L. came in possession of this farm and lived upon it for forty- eight years. In 1886 he moved to Tremont, Illinois, purchasing a home on the east side of the Public Square. While living in Mor- ton Township, Mr. Hayward served one year as County Surveyor, also was commissioner of highways, assessor, collector and school director. Mr. Hayward was married March 2, 1843, at Tremont, Illinois, to Miss May Selah, who was born in New York City. Mrs. Hayward passed away October 4, 1895, and Mr. Hayward in 1912. 18 HISTORY OF TREMONT NATHANIAL GORDON NICHOLS Nathanial Gordon Nichols was born in Boston, Mass., September 17, 1826. He was the son of John and Mary (Gordon) Nichols. The parents were natives of New Hampshire. Nathanial received only a common school education. He came to Tazewell County in 1841 and went to work on his father's farm, where he remained until 1893, when he moved to Tremont. When Mr. Nichols left Boston for the west, the mode of travel was varied and he utilized the stage, the canal, the railroads and the Great Lakes, arriving by the latter in Chicago ; from that city he went to Peoria by stage and the river, making the last portion of his journey to Tremont on foot. On January 28, 1850, he was married to Lucia Jane, daugh- ter of Henry and Sarah Lovejoy, natives of New Hampshire. Mrs. Nichols passed away in January 2, 1884. On January 28, 1886, Mr. Nichols was married to Amenda B. Fenner of Tremont, Illinois. Mrs. Amanda Nichols passed away in 1914, and Mr. Nichols in 1921. JAMES KNOWLES KELLOGG James Knowles Kellogg, son of Nathanial and Prudence (Knowles) Kellogg, was born in Pittsfield, Mass., January 17, 1800. He was married to Miss Mary Fisk of Schenectady, New York, in 1833, and came to Tazewell County, Illinois, in 1834. During the summer of 1835, memorable for the high water, Mr. Kellogg was stricken with fever, his wife also became a victim, which resulted in her death and also of the little stranger who was to gladden their home. The first time that Mr. Kellogg left the home after he was stricken with fever, was to follow his wife and child to their last resting place. It was the first grave in the community. This was in a grove which was selected for its beauty and peacefulness. In two years Mr. Kellogg returned to Schenectady where he was married to a sister of his wife, Miss Ascha Fisk. He returned to Tremont and on their arrival settled on a farm in Morton Township. In 1838 he came to Tremont, Illinois, and entered the school as teacher, which vocation he followed until 1851, when he retired to private life. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Kellogg. Francis Fisk Kellogg was born in 1840 and died in 1843. Mary Fisk Kellogg was born in 1845. Mr. Kellogg passed on in 1888 and Mrs. Kellogg in 1895. Miss Mary died in December, 1924. DR. JOSIAH M. CODY Doctor Josiah Millard Cody was born in Ontario, Canada, in October, 1861. He graduated from Rush Medical College in Chi- cago. In the spring of 1886 he came to Tremont and began the practice of medicine. He was married to Miss Belle Irene Davis, daughter of Aquilla and Martha Davis, June 4, 1890. Dr. Cod built up a large and successful practice and was one of the strong men of the town. After thirty-three years of successful work as a physician, he, with his wife, on account of health conditions, re- moved to Vero, Florida, in 1919. After resting for a time, he again took up his work as physician and has a large practice. 19 HISTORY OF TREMONT AQUILLA J. DAVIS Aquilla J. Davis, son of Hesakiah and Sally T. (Scott) Davis,, was born in Elm Grove township March 3, 1830. He followed the occupation of farmer until the Civil War broke out, when he en- listed in Company H in the 11th Volunteers. He was wounded at the Battle of Shiloh, and was promoted to Captain for meritorious, service, his promotion being followed by otheis until the close of the war, when he was mustered out at Memphis in 1865 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After the war, he returned to Taze- well County and in 1869 located at Tremont, engaging in the hard ware and agricultural business. In 1872 he engaged in the banking business with Mr. Hobart, and was the founder of the Tremont Bank- Later Mr. Hobart withdrew, and his son, A. D. Davis, became asso- ciated with him. Mr. Davis held many offices of trust, being school trustee for 25 years. His father was one of the first settlers in Tazewell County, having come to Elm Grove Township in 1826.. Mr. Davis was married in Groveland Township December 24, 1850,. to Miss Martha A. Gowdy. Mr. Davis passed away in March 1908.. Mrs. Davis died in 1905, EDWARD PRATT Edward Pratt, son of Nathanial and Mary Kingman Pratt, was. born in Pelham, Hemshire County, Mass, June 10, 1833. At the age of six years he removed with his parents to Illinois, who located in Elm Grove Township. Mr. Pratt spent his boyhood on the farm. He acquired his education in the school at Tremont. Later he at- tended the academy at Galesburg. He responded to the call for troops during the war of the Rebellion. At the close of the war he was discharged as First Lieutenant. In 1868 he was elected Sheriff of Tazewell County for a term of two years. He afterwards served as Commissioner of Highways and was also County Supervisor. In 1874 he was again elected Sheriff, and at the expiration of his term, he was chosen his own successor. At the expiration of his last term as Sheriff, he moved to Tremont, Illinois, where he lived until he passed away in 1909. Mr. Pratt served as highway com- missioner, school trustee and President of the Village Board. Mr. Pratt was married to Mrs. May Hinman in 1879. Mrs. Pratt passed on in 1922, MATHEW W. SPALDING Mathew W. Spaulding was born in Bardstown, Kentucky, in 1833. He came to Tremont some time in the 1830s. His wife, Marietta Slaughter, was born in London, England, in 1834. Mr. and Mrs. Spaulding were married November 4, 1853, in Tremont, Illinois. Mr. Spaulding followed the mercantile profession. He was a very successful clerk in several of the Tremont stores. In 1884 he conducted a store at Ramsey, Illinois, at which place his wife passed away. Mr. Spaulding passed away in Peoria, Illinois, in 1908. 20 HISTORY OF TREMONT JAMES N. COTTINGHAM James N. Cottingham was born July 10, 1836, in a log cabin on a farm four miles east of Tremont, formerly known as the Speece farm, and is now a part of the farm owned by Frank Harris. When Mr. Cottingham was quite young, his father died, leaving the moth- er with three small children to support. She managed well for a while, but in time, the burden became too great and two of the children, James and his brother were put out "for their keep" as was then the custom with orphan children. At the age of seven James went to live with an aristocratic family named Jones, who built and lived in what is now the Menard home. A few years later he went to Clinton, Illinois, to live with an uncle who was an ex- tensive land owner and stock raiser, and when twelve years of age he would often accompany his uncle on horseback, driving a large herd of fat cattle from Clinton to the Chicago markets, when Chi- cago had less than one thousand inhabitants. W. M. Cottingham and a partner, Thomas Snell, completed the Illinois Central Rail- road from Clinton to Chicago and James saw the first train that ran on the Illinois Central tracks. In 1852 he, with his brother and some friends, went to California, where he mined for gold for two years. He went by rail to New York City, taking a boat there and going by the way of the Panama Canal, crossing the Isthmus on foot, then taking a boat again for California. In 1855 he returned to Taze- well County, Illinois, and bought land. On July 26, 1857, he was united in marriage to Minerva Trout, and they resided on a farm for 40 years. Mr. Cottingham was a successful stock raiser. At one time he was engaged in the importation of pedigree horses. In 1897, he retired from active life and moved to Tremont, where he still resides with his daughter, Mrs. Oscar Barton. His wife passed away in 1911. Mr. Cottingham enjoys good health and is able to look after his farm interests at the age of 89 years. JAMES EDWARD McINTYRE James Edward Mclntyre, physician and surgeon, was the son of John and Leah (Klemm) Mclntyre. He was born in Hampshire, West Virginia, September 1, 1861. His father was born in Mary- land in 1825, and his mother in Sheno County, West Virginia, in 1835. Dr. Mclntyre came to Illinois in 1879. He worked o n a farm four years, three years in Illinois and one year in Missouri. Taught school five years, and was telegraph operator one year in Wisconsin. He graduated at Bement Medical College in Chicago in 1892. He came to Tremont the same year to practice medicine. Dr. Mclntyre was County Physician for 26 years, President of the Tremont High School Board 27 years and of the grade school 4 years. He was twice elected President of the Village Board. Dr. Mclntyre. in his 33 years of residence in Tremont and in the dis- charge of the places^ of trust occupied by him, needs no comment as to the high regard in which he is held by the people of the Village and vicinity. 21 HISTORY OF TREMONT JOHN H. HARRIS John H. Harris was born in Bedford, Westchester County, New York, Octboer 31, 1792. He was the son of lEzekial and Elizabeth (Hamilton) Harris, natives of New York. He received his early education in the common schools of his native county. He lived on a farm until he was sixteen years of age, when he went to learn the hatters' trade with William Garretson of Sing Sing, New York, which he finished at the age of twenty-one. He then went to Charles- ton, South Carolina, and engaged as clerk in his brother's hat store. He remained there about two years, when the war of 1812 broke up his brother's business. Mr. Harris was taken prisoner twice by the British during the War of 1812, but was paroled each time. Mr. Harris returned to New York and embarked in the hatter busi- ness for himself in 1815, which he continued until 1833, when he came to Illinois with Josiah L. James to look at the country which made a favorable impression on him. He returned to New York in 1834, helped to form a colony which afterward returned to Tre- mont, Illinois. Mr. Harris was married December 2, 1815, to Miss Catherine Montross of Westchester County, New York. His wife died March 31, 1839. Mr. Harris was again married April 3, 1844, to Mrs. Sarah F. Holder of Lynn, Mass., but at that time residing in Tremont. Mr. Harris died September 5, 1881. DR. PERKINS Dr. Augustus Perkins was born in Hopkington, New Hampshire, in 1809. He came to Tremont, Illinois, some time in the early 1830s, for we have an account of his ministering in the capacity of physician to the stricken people alter the high water abated and causing such a vast amount of sickness in 1835 . During the sickly season, the Doctor went day and night for weeks. Moving the seat of his light wagon back, and with an extra buffalo robe or cloak, he would curl himself up, gather up the reins, giving his faithful horse, Pomp, the signal to start. The Doctor would speak his name at in- tervals of about twenty minutes, even though asleep. Many an anxious watcher listened during the night for the footfall of the faithful Pomp, who seemed to know where to stop with his master. Sometime after attending to the patient's needs, he would lie down on three chairs or on the floor, with strict injunctions not to let him sleep over half an hour. This rest, with a cup of tea strong enough *or the brother of the sun or moon, were all that the Doctor requir- ed to keep him going until the pestilence abated. Ordinarily the sickly season, as it was then called, lasted two or three months. In periods when his professional cares relaxed, he was the most ef- ficient of entertainers. He was most heartily welcome at all social gatherings, being always ready to converse with those who wished to do so, or play Monte Bank with those who preferred amusement, and nowhere was he a more delightful companion than at his own fire- side. He was a rare character and very much prized as such. The Doctor passed away in 1881. He was married to Miss Mary L. Love- joy, who was born in Sanborton, New Hampshire, in 1814. Mrs. Perkins passed away in 1901. 22 HISTORY OF TREMONT SIMION NORMAN Simion Norman was born in Ohio in 1827. He emigrated to Tremont, Illinois, in 1850. In 1882 he moved tc South Dakota where he passed away in 1906. He was married to Sarah Nichols in 1853; she passed away in 1887. MIFFLIN BAILEY Mifflin Bailey was born near Philadelphia in 1822 and came to Tremont, Illinois, with his parents in 1835. For a number of years he lived in the northeast part of the village, where Charles Hoffman now lives. He was one cf the trustees, also one of the founders of th Liberal Church of this place. He engaged in the mercantile busi- ness until 1886, when he retired to private life. Mr. Bailey passed away in March, 1908, at the age of 76 years. WILLIAM DEAN William Dean, son of Joseph and Mary Brittwell Dean, was born in Alfridshire, England, in 1843. He came to this country when he was three years old. His parents settled in Elm Grove Township, just north of the Village. Mr. Dean afterward settled on a farm southeast of the Village. In the late eighties, he moved to Tremont, buying the old Dr. Saltenstall home. M. L. COTTINGHAM Mark L. Cottingham, editor and proprietor of the Tremont News, is the son of James and Minerva (Trout, now deceased) Cottingham. He was born in Tremont Township July 11, 1861. His granfather on the paternal side, came to Illinois in 1830 from Tennessee and located in Tazewell County in 1834. His grandfather on the maternal side, Michael Trout, came from Tennessee in 1830 and died in 1844. Mark Nottingham was educated in the public schools of his na- tive township. He was born on a farm and worked on a farm until three years after he was married. In 1886 he engaged in the im- porting of draft horses from Europe, making two trips to France for that purpose. On May 12, 1893, he started the Tremont News, in connection with a job printing plant and has continued as editor and proprietor ever since. The News is independent as to politics and has a circulation of 1150. Mr. Cottingham does an extensive line of job printing and turns out some of the best work in the county. On November 16, 1880, Mr. Cottingham was married to Kittie Pearl Lance of Mackinaw, Illinois. 23 HISTORY OF TREMONT COLONEL PETER MENARD Colonel Peter Menard, son of Pierrie and Theresa (Gordon) Menard, was born December 26, 1797, at Kaskaskia, Illinois. About the year 1820 he was appointed Indian Agent and removed to Peoria, Illinois. On June 26, 1832, he was enrolled as First Lieutenant in Captain William Gordon's Company of Spies, for service in the Black Hawk War. This company was mustered out at Dixon's Ferry in 1882. In February, 1837, he was appointed one of the four com- missioners to locate a state road from Peoria to Galena, Illinois. At one time he owned a large tract of land in Chicago, Illinois. The Sherman House new stands upon a part of it. He also owned one half of the land known as Fort Clark, a considerable part of what is now Peoria, Illinois, and was the first merchant there. His first wife was a daughter of Major, afterward known as Major General Stittman. In 1836 he moved to a farm which he bought one mile southwest of Tremont. On May 10, 1849, he was again married to Emily Jane Briggs. In 1861, he bought the John Albert Jones home in the southeast part of the town. This was built in 1846. It is said that Abraham Lincoln and other noted men were frequent visitors at this home. Mr. "Menard passed away in 1871, and Mrs. Menard in 1904. Mr. Menard was the father of A. H. Menard (now deceased) a high- ly respected citizen of the Village, also Mrs. Sue Railsback of Ash- land, Nebraska. Mr. Menard's father was born in Quebec, Canada, in 1767. He came to Illinois in 1790 He was the first Lieutenant Governor of Illinois, serving from 1812 to 1832, and also the first President of the Illinois Senate from 1818 to 1822. UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 977.354T74H COM HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE ORIGIN, GROWTH