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Knox County ILGenWeb |
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"Oneida was laid out Sept. 1st, 1854, by Charles F. Camp, B. S. West and S. V. R. Holmes. The first building erected was the Oneida House. Jackson Rogers, built the first private residence. Oneida has about 1000 inhabitants, has 4 Dry Goods stores, 4 Grocery Stores, 2 Drug Stores, a Hotel, Steam Flouring Mill, a Plaining Mill, a Sash Factory, a Pump Factory, 3 Wagon and Carriage Shops, 3 Blacksmith Shops, a News Depot, Jeweler, Cooper Shop, Harness Shop, Neck Yoke Factory, 2 Agricultural and Hardware Stores, 2 Tinware Establishments, 2 Milliners, 3 Butcher Shops, 3 Cattle Brokers' Offices, 3 Grain Warehouses and 6 Churches, with not an open Saloon. It is situated in the midst of the finest country in the State, and promises to be a large and important place." From the 1886 Portrait and Biographical Album of Knox County, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago. [Submitted by Vicki Burton.] Oneida City is situated in the southeast corner of Ontario Township, and was founded in 1854, by Charles F. Camp, B. S. West and S. V. R. Holmes. It was platted September 1, same year, the plat embracing the northwest corner of section 36. Additions were made afterward, extending into section 35, and south in section 36. The town was started in anticipation of the completion of the C., B. & Q. R. R., the line of which ran diagonally through the plat, and which was completed in December. The location is exceedingly attractive, and through the enterprise and good taste of its citizens Oneida has been made one of the pleasant towns of the county. A meeting was called on Dec. 3, 1858, for the purpose of taking into consideration the matter of village incorporation. It was decided at this meeting to put the question to a vote of the people, and that the election be held on the 14th of December, to vote for or against incorporation. The election was held at the old schoolhouse, which resulted in favor of incorporation. There were 47 votes cast for incorporation and 18 against. Of these voters only 12 are now living. A meeting was held on the 7th of January, 1859, to elect Trustees, resulting in the election of Charles F. Camp, H. L. Sage, J. M. Brown, J. M. Fleming and William B. LeBaron. At a meeting of the Trustees held at C. H. Conger's office, Wm. B. LeBaron was chosen President. In 1869 the town of Oneida was incorporated as a city by the General Assembly, the act being approved March 4, 1869. The first election for city officers was held April 5, 1869. B. S. West was chosen Clerk and Alvah Wheeler and A. P. Child Judges of Election. This resulted in electing F. G. Jelliff and George H. Varce, Police Magistrates; J. A. Pratt and George Stephenson, Marshals; D. D. Martin, R. Bristol, E. J. Peterson and E. Bennett, Aldermen. The first store opened in Oneida was by Miles & St. John, on the east side of the Square, in the fall of 1854. Soon after this a building for a hotel was commenced, and was completed and opened to the public about Christmas. On the 20th of November of the same year, according to Isaac Hurr, the construction train came into the new village, and by the 4th of July, the following year, several families had settled, among whom were those of C. F. Camp, J. J. Rodgers, C. W. Robertson, J. Kinney, S. Cooley, J. Eckley, M. Osgood and E. Child. The present post-office was opened in the winter of 1854-55, with C. F. Camp as Postmaster. A schoolhouse was completed in June, 1855, and soon after Miss Mary Allen West was duly installed as teacher. Miss West is now on the editorial staff of one of the Chicago papers. They were a patriotic people about this country, and, actuated by their love of country and the inviting prospects before them, they concluded to have a grand Fourth-of-July celebration in the year of our Lord 1855. This was done in the old pioneer style. There were some 8,000 people gathered in here from the broad prairies, and a grand old time was had. There was a free dinner, speeches, martial music, and all the etceteras accompanying the celebration of our national birthday. From its first settlement Oneida has had a healthy and a steady growth. It has suffered severely from fires, but the destruction of her business houses did not discourage her enterprising citizens, and these buildings were soon restored. Oneida has now several fine business houses, two grain elevators and a bank. This bank was started in 1868, by W. L. Hubbard & Co. This firm sold out to Conger & Allen, and then Allen sold out to Conger. In the spring of 1877 the business was purchased by Anderson & Murdock, who are the present reliable, genial and popular proprietors, and who are doing a large banking business. The people of Oneida are noted for their intelligence, neighborly regard for each other, and for their hospitality. It is estimated now to contain about 1,000. The citizens have prepared a fine cemetery for the repose of their dead. There are many good monuments in it, some displaying artistic taste, and the lots and grounds are well taken care of. The following-named citizens have served the city as Mayors; F. G. Jelliff, 1869-70; W. B. Le Baron, 1871; A. B. Anderson, 1872. Mr. Anderson was found not to be eligible, and a special election was had, and A. S. Curtis elected and served until 1878. The Post-Office was first filled by C. F. Camp, who was succeeded by E. Collamer and then by N. H. Walworth, J. A. Pratt, C. B. Wetmore, J. McQuade, R. Voris, J. B. Shaw, W. B. Le Baron, and Jeptha Brainard, the present incumbent. SCHOOL. Oneida has a thoroughly graded school and it is well conducted. J. H. Graham, Principal; James Grant, Assistant; Miss Mary E. Shedd, Intermediate; Miss A. E. Graham, First Primary; Jennie Voris, Second Primary; enrollment, 218; average attendance, 192. A well-selected library of 300 volumes is connected with the school. The sciences, with Latin, are taught. A local teachers' institute is organized and meets every two weeks. From scholars who have attended this school there are 18 who are now teaching in the county. The building is a large, fine two-story brick structure with five departments, and has a commodious chapel, with capacity of seating 300 persons. It was erected in 1870 at a cost of $1400. Mr. Graham is an old teacher and has a very peculiar, though effective, method of teaching. Scholars passing out of this school will generally understand what they have learned. This may seem a strange axiom, but there are many pupils graduating from schools at the present day who have a very limited knowledge of what they have been studying. THE ONEIDA NEWS was established in 1882, the first issue going out to the Oneida public June 28. It was a two-column folio, and edited by J. C. Montgomery, who is the present editor and proprietor. The news has been enlarged to a three-column paper and has a circulation of 300. It is independent in politics, is a spicy little sheet, all original and devoted to the interests of its patrons and the city of Oneida. BAND. The Oneida Band was organized in August, 1885, with F. W. Dimmitt as Leader and Secretary, and J. Barnes, Treasurer. This band is in regular practice and improving rapidly. CHURCHES. The Congregational Church was organized Dec. 22, 1855, by Rev. Jonathan Blanchard, with 21 members. The first pastor, H. C. Abernethy, remained ten years and was succeeded by Rev. R. C. Dunn, in 1867, who died the same year. A call was made for and accepted by L. F. Waldo, in August, 1868. He was succeeded by J. L. Granger in April, 1871, who remained until 1873 and was succeeded by W. A. Chamberlain, Jan. 10, 1874, serving until March, 1878. H. M. Case followed in May, same year, remaining until Sept. 1, 1882. May 1, 1883, William J. Clark took charge, remaining one year. Nov. 23, 1884, Rev. E. L. Sherman took charge and is the present pastor. Present membership, 105; Sabbath school, 167; parsonage connected with church. The church was dedicated Feb. 4, 1858, J. Blanchard preaching the sermon. Rev. L. Parker was a supply for the organization of the Church to the installation of their first regular pastor. The Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in November, 1883. Rev. L. G. Abrahamson was the first pastor, and served the Church until the winter of 1885. The society have used the old Advent building. As yet they have not secured a successor to Mr. Abrahamson, but they have services on Sunday afternoons. Membership 25. The Oneida Methodist Episcopal Church was organized about 1855 or 56, probably by Rev. L. P. Crouch. We can find no definite history of the Church, however, until the year 1857, except that Robert Talbot, now deceased, and Thomas Talbot were among the first members. The following are the pastors who have labored here from 1857 until date, and the term of service of each: In 1857, W. M. Clark; 1858-9, G. W. Brown ; 1860-61, William Watson ; 1862-3, W. J. Smith ; 1864, N. C. Lewis ; 1865, S. L. Hamilton ; 1866-7, William Watson ; 1868, Mr. Spurlock ; 1869-70, C. B. Couch ; 1871, H. I. Brown ; 1872, H. C. Foote ; 1873-75, C. H. Brace ; 1876, L. B. Dennis ; 1877-79, C. B. Couch ; 1880, T. L. Falkner ; 1881, J. W. Otterman ; 1882, D. Ayers ; 1883, W. A. Pratt ; 1884-85, N. T. Allen, the present pastor. The present membership is 75. Mrs. S. B. Glenn is the present Superintendent of the Sabbath-school, which has a membership of about 60. M. G. Waldron is Assistant Superintendent. Services are held every Sabbath and prayer meetings every Wednesday night. The First Presbyterian Church was organized May 4, 1863, at the school-house in District No. 3, by Rev. C. B. Bristol. Joseph Findley and James B. Ralston were chosen and ordained as Elders. By order of the Presbytery the name was changed from the First Presbyterian Church of Ontario to the present name. They have a good church building, a parsonage and a fair membership. Rev. Edmond H. Post is the present pastor. Methodist Episcopal Church. This society was organized as early as 1845, by Rev. R. N. Morse. It was subsequently located at Oneida and had a membership at one time of 125. A church building was erected at a cost of $2,500, and a parsonage at a cost of $1,200. SOCIETIES Oneida Lodge, No. 337, A., F. & A. M. Dispensation was granted for the organization of this lodge, March 26, 1860. First officers: E. W. Roberts, W. M. ; W. L. Hubbard, S. W. ; James Suncox, J. W. ; N. Maul, Tiler. It was chartered Oct 3, 1860. Present officers : S. C. Whitcomb, W. M. ; C. G. Graves, S. W. ; David Hamilton, J. W. ; A. B. Anderson, Treas. ; E. Marsh, Secy. ; Frank Prouty, S. D. ; John Talbot, J. D. ; William H. Moore, Tiler. Present membership, 60. Good working condition ; money at interest. At present they have a rented hall, but they propose to build one soon. Oneida Chapter, No. 173, was chartered Oct. 26, 1876, with 23 members. Previous to this the Chapter worked under dispensation for about one year. The officers under dispensation were : G. L. Stephenson, H. P. ; F. Murdock, K. ; T. A . Wetmore, Scribe ; A. B. Anderson, C. H. ; B. F. Brown, P. S. Present officers : G. L. Stephenson, H. P. ; O. P. Cooley, K. ; D. Hamilton, Scribe ; C. G. Graves, C. H. ; E. Marsh, P. S. ; A. B. Anderson, Treas. ; T. A. Wetmore, Secy. ; S. C. Whitcomb, R. A. C. ; F. Murdock, G. M. 3d V. ; Thomas Hosler, G. M. 2d V. ; S. S. Russell, G. M. 1st V. ; W. H. Moore, Tiler. Present membership, 25. I. O. O. F., NO. 228, was chartered Oct. 15, 1857. This charter was surrendered in 1861. June 3, 1874, the Lodge was reinstituted, preserving the same number. The Lodge was burned out in 1857. First officers: R. Voris, N. G. ; J. W. Tate, V. G. ; C. C. Scudder, Secy. ; A. B. Anderson, Treas. Present officers: F. Murdock, N. G. ; M. G. Waldron, V. G. ; E. C. Hammond, P. G. ; F. Beals, L. D. ; A. B. Anderson, Treas. It has a membership of 21, is in good working order and financially good. It meets in the Masonic hall. |